Digimon World Tour Chapter 22: Love in Paris, a digimon fanfic

Digimon World Tour

[Note: Now there's a new option for those of you who don't like having the same VA portray two main characters at once! If you don't like Greg to use Mr. Erholtz as his VA, you may now switch him out with Bryce Papenbrook. I prefer Doug, though.]

Chapter 22: Love in Paris

At the Bagra Army's headquarters, Laylamon vents out her frustration. "Rrrgh! This is impossible! I had one of the DigiDestined right where I wanted him, and then his brother manages to save him. Hmmm... no matter. I'll regroup and move on." Lord Bagra nods. "Indeed, I had hoped you would, Laylamon. We can't have any more failures." Blastmon continues to feast on rare gems. "Yeah, Layla-chan. The boss won't like it if you fail any more." "Well, at least I don't gorge myself on rocks like you do, Blastmon." "Oh yeah? You really think the most beautiful, sublime creature in the Digital World gorges himself on rocks? You're outta your mind! These are gems!"

Just then, a feminine voice clears her throat. "Ahem, pardonnez moi." The three Digimon turn to find Tactimon with a young girl with fair skin, blue eyes, and long curly blonde hair, including a trimmed fringe that covers her forehead. She wears a light green dress and black Mary Janes. "Huh? Tactimon? What's with the girl?" Blastmon asks. "Well, I'm so glad you asked. She is one of the French DigiDestined, and it just so happens she and her Digimon have volunteered to assist us in exchange for a little power boost." Just then, her partner, a plant-type Digimon whose whole face has the appearance of a flower, and the petal-styled helmet-esque shell, speaks up. "That's absolutely right. My champion form is downright pathetic, and I want more than that." The girl continues. "And it just so happens that I know one of the DigiDestined. He seemed to have what they call a crush on me. A very small one. Perhaps I can use that to my advantage." "Which one is it?" Laylamon inquires. "Well, I will let you guess. He had a fisherman's hat and an angel for a Digimon. Called himself 'T.K.'" "Oh, that one. It just so happens he has a girlfriend." This shocks her. "Ah! I should have known. Ze nerve."

At this point, Dragomon enters in. "And it happens to be that the girl is the Child of Light. If you were to bring her to us, we'd be most grateful... um, what is your name?" The girl curtsies. "Catherine. Catherine Deneuve. And zis is Floramon. Pleased to make your acquaintance. So... you want me to bring my romantic rival to you. Ah... it is as they say. À raconter ses maux, souvent on les soulage. A problem shared is a problem halved. You may count me in." "Excellent..." Catherine presents her Digivice, and Lord Bagra uses his power. Catherine and Floramon are swallowed up in a ball of shadow. When they emerge back into the relative light, the Digivice has become a jet black and lavender Digivice iC. "I trust you'll have all the power you need now," Lord Bagra says. Catherine responds with a simple "Oui, monsieur."

Greg

The Takaishi family met us at the airport in Paris, where we'd be spending the rest of the month. We unpacked at the Best Western Hotel Eiffel Cambronne, then took everyone to Le Studio Acousti, located in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres. Thomas just took some time to soak it in. "Ah yes... this is where it was made. And to think, Messrs. Parsons and Woolfson left their mark here, in this very studio complex." "Geez, Nerdstein, it's just a recording studio. Stop making such a big deal out of everything," Marcus said, killing the mood. "You have your obsessions, I have mine."

Matt had to jump in. "Guys, let's just get started cutting these tracks." "Not before Greg and T.K. pay me back for being in their little boy band," Thomas insisted. "Eh, you got a point. If you can get sheet music for us, then we'll consider it." "I shall return shortly."

About half an hour, he came back with copies of sheet music. The songs he'd chosen were "Since the Last Goodbye" and "You Don't Believe", both from the Ammonia Avenue album. "Why these songs, Thomas?" Kari asked. "I'm glad you asked. Both of these songs deal with my family in some way. 'Since the Last Goodbye' reminds me of my late mother, while 'You Don't Believe' deals with the frustrations I experience with my father." "Hmm... all right. Well, in that case, we better get to work."

We took lunch first, of course. We spent the next few hours learning the two songs. Norstein wanted it to be just right. After all, he was the end-all authority on The Alan Parsons Project. Once again, Gaomon acted as producer, seeing as how he had a good ear for music. The engineers had something of a problem working with a dog, until he proved how intelligent he was.

We put on our headphones and waited for the signal. Gaomon's voice came over the intercom."All right. We've practiced enough, let's see if we can get a perfect take. Sir, are you ready?" "Ready when you are, Gaomon." "All right. The Teenage Wolves, 'Since the Last Goodbye', Take One. Start recording, and one... two... three... four..."

["Since the Last Goodbye"

Written by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson

Performed by The Teenage Wolves

Lead Vocal: Thomas H. Norstein (Crispin Freeman)]

The band starts playing as Thomas stands before the microphone. He prepares himself, and then begins his pursuit for a perfect take.

Thomas:

The hours, the minutes seem to fly
And since the last goodbye
You and I came a long way
The nights, too short to fill with sleep
Or falling in too deep
Seem so far away now

Memories, all we share between us
Everything we were, all that we remain
But memories somehow came between us
Breaking up two minds that were one and the same

And Thomas cannot help but think of his mother, whom he loved dearly. He tries not to restrain his emotions, and dedicates this performance to her. The band continues to play. By his controls, Gaomon adjusts the controls and mixes as he goes.

Thomas:
The years are moments passing by
No time to wonder why
You and I went the wrong way
The days too short to fill with dreams
Or question what it means
Are a part of me now

Remember, all the leaves were falling
Walking hand in hand, standing in the rain
Remember, distant voices calling
Whispers in the dark, I can hear them again

Thomas/Greg:

Since the last goodbye
It's all the wrong way round
Since the last goodbye
It's all the wrong way round

Thomas:

Memories, all we share between us
Everything we were, all that we remain
But memories somehow came between us
Breaking up two minds that were one and the same

Thomas/Greg:

Since the last goodbye
It's all the wrong way round
Since the last goodbye
It's all the wrong way round

(Thomas: Since the last goodbye)

Since the last goodbye
It's all the wrong way round

(Thomas: It's all the wrong way round)
Since the last goodbye
It's all the wrong way round

Ten seconds after the song concludes, Gaomon's voice again comes over the intercom. "Well done, sir. Are you satisfied with that take?" Thomas thinks about it. "...No. We need an orchestra."

Matt

"An orchestra?" I asked. "I don't believe I stuttered, Yamato. The Alan Parsons Project has always had its best work with an orchestra to accompany them. It gives them a certain... je ne sais quoi, and adds depth." "Really? You think we need depth?" "Obviously, yes." "Heh. You're full of it, Norstein." "And you're just bourgeois."

Marcus got right in his face. "Hey, those are fightin' words where I come from. Now you take that back!" "Marcus, if you even bothered to open the dictionary, which I highly doubt you would, you'd find that I only called Matt common. As for you, on the other hand..." I broke those two up. "All right, you two. Knock it off. Anyway, we've got a lot of work to do, so let's go."

We spent about two hours working on the preparation stages, and then decided to call it quits for the day. We had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's chateau to save money, and since it was a safe spot, we even let the Digimon out of their Digivices. After dinner, we found a gym for a quick pick-up game of basketball.

Greg

After a good game of basketball, which I was not good at, I got sweaty. So, I took a shower and used new body wash from Lynx. They call it Axe in some places, but at the drugstore where I bought it, it was called Lynx. It had a fragrance infused with Brazilian hot mud and red dragon fruit extract. After my shower, I changed into my usual pajamas (a black T-shirt and white basketball shorts). Veemon and I were going to look for an English-speaking channel on the hotel's cable TV when I heard a knock at the door. When I opened it, Anya was standing on the other side.

"Anya?" "Gregorivich, there's something I must tell you." "What's that?" She hesitated. "Well?" Then it all came out at once. "Greg Logan, I love you!" Eh... I didn't know how to take that. I was speechless. She looked so worried, though. "You're not angry, a-are you?" "No. Not at all. But... why so sudden? Please, come in." She did, and I pulled up a chair for her. "I've been thinking about it for days now. There was just something so different about you when we first met. Gregorivich, you are the type of person I would lay down my life for, that I would trust deeply. Do you feel the same way?"

"She really put you on the spot there," Veemon chuckled. "Shhh... I'm thinking it over." I turned back to Anya. "You know, you may have something there. You really are an interesting woman, and I enjoyed that conversation we had over dinner on Valentine's Day. I'd be willing to give it a shot if you were. What have we got to lose?"

["It Might Be You" (Theme from Tootsie)

Music by Dave Grusin

Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman

Performed by Greg Logan (Doug Erholtz [or Bryce Papenbrook]) and Anya Rădulescu (Kate Higgins)]

As if on cue, Veemon turns on a CD player. An alternative rock instrumentation of "It Might Be You" (but with only a slightly modified version of Dave Grusin's original, thoughtful arrangement) starts playing in the background and Greg and Anya stare at each other and try to figure this thing out.

Greg:

Time...
I've been passing time watching trains go by
All of my life
Lying on the sand watching sea birds fly

Wishing there would be someone waiting home for me
Something's telling me it might be you
It's telling me it might be you
All of my life

Anya gets up from her chair and expresses her views.

Anya:
Looking back as lovers go walking past
All of my life
Wondering how they met and what makes it last
If I found the place, would I recognize the face?
Something's telling me it might be you
Yes, it's telling me it might be you

The scene fades to Parc André Citroën at night, where Greg (who has changed clothes) and Anya take a walk, holding hands. The park was built on the site of a former Citroën automobile manufacturing plant, and is named after company founder André Citroën. The park is built around a central, rectangular lawn of roughly 273 by 85 meters of size. It is embellished with two greenhouse pavilions (hosting exotic plants and Mediterranean vegetation) at the Eastern, urban end, which are separated by a paved area featuring dancing fountains. The South edge of the lawn, where Greg and Anya are at this point in the song, is bounded by a monumental canal — the "Jardin des Métamorphoses" — composed of an elevated reflecting pool that reaches through granite guard houses, lined by a suspended walkway.

Anya:
So many quiet walks to take

Greg:
So many dreams to wake
And with so much love to make
I think we're gonna need some time

Greg/Anya:
Maybe all we need is time...

Greg:
And it's telling me it might be you
All of my life

The two lie on the grass, looking out at the stars, which seem to twinkle just a bit brighter.

Greg/Anya:
I've been saving love songs and lullabies

Greg:
And there's so much more
No one's ever heard before
Something's telling me it might be you

Anya:
Yes, it's telling me it must be you

Greg/Anya:
And I'm feeling it'll just be you all of my life

Greg:
It's you, it's you
I've been waiting for all of my life

Anya:
Maybe it's you (Greg: It's you), maybe it's you (Greg: It's you)
I've been waiting for all of my life

As the song fades out, the two make out on the grass.

Kari

I finished the last of my history homework and worked on an e-mail. "How does this sound, Gatomon? 'Dear Tai, I'm here in Paris and it's beautiful. I've been taking so many pictures, I need a new memory card. We're starting work on our second album, and Thomas can't seem to stop talking about our studio. The Alan Parsons Project recorded one of their albums there, and you know how much of a fan he is of them. You'd probably find it boring. Oh, I've got some good news. T.K. saved Matt and was able to Digivolve Patamon to Ultimate level. Knowing my luck, the next one will probably be Matt or Marcus. I hope you've been taking good care of Miko. It's about time for her yearly flea bath. I miss you, and think about you all the time. Love, Kari.'" "That's a good e-mail, Kari." "Thanks." I hit send and prepared for bed.

While I was lying in bed, I was dealing with myself. It's hard enough when you're the holder of possibly all the light in the universe, but it's even harder when your body changes so much. Puberty can be so harsh. All I wanted was some sleep, but my body just wouldn't settle down. I kept tossing and turning until I felt my breathing getting faster and my muscles tightening. All this tension kept building and building. I could feel pulsating and twitching "down there". Finally, it released in rhythmic muscular pulses, kinda like a very strong heartbeat. This feeling of pleasure just swept over me, and I finally fell asleep. But I had some dream.

["These Dreams"

Written by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin

Performed by Kari Kamiya (Lara Jill Miller)

Backing Vocals by Gatomon (Mary E. McGlynn)]

Kari finds herself in a Game of Thrones/fantasy-inspired dream. Her usual outfit has been replaced with a beautiful, white linen gown. Gatomon is similarly dressed like a lady in waiting. It's a dark night in this mystical kingdom, as she approaches a ledge and lights a candle in a wick. Her Digivice ic5 is gone, and in its place is nothing but a primitive analog wristwatch with no hands and the scent of perfume. This puzzles her, as she looks out the window.

Kari:

Spare a little candle
Save some light for me
Figures up ahead
Moving in the trees
White skin in linen
Perfume on my wrist
And the full moon that hangs over
These dreams in the mist

Instantly, she's transported to a forest. Out in the distance is a prince, arguably T.K., but he's out of focus.

Kari:

Darkness on the edge
Shadows where I stand (Gatomon: Shadows where I stand)
I search for the time
On a watch with no hands
I want to see you clearly
Come closer than this
(Gatomon: All that I remember) But all I remember
Are the dreams in the mist

These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night, I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake, the further I'm away (Gatomon: Further I'm away)

The seasons and weather rapidly change, once again confusing Kari. She enters a chapel by passing through a stained glass wall, while holding a melting candle. Looking through her eyes, the picture becomes a little blurrier.

Kari:

Is it cloak 'n dagger?
Could it be spring or fall?
I walk without a cut
Through a stained glass wall
(Gatomon: Weaker in my eyesight )

Weaker in my eyesight
The candle in my grip
(Gatomon: Words that have no form)

And the words that have no form
Are falling from my lips

As the hot, melting wax touches Kari's hand, she lets go of the candle and it goes out. The scene rapidly changes as Kari is carried away into a grim hilltop structure. She enters the castle and explores, but not of her own free will. She is drawn by a succubus that looks awfully like Dragomon.

Kari:

There's something out there
I can't resist
I need to hide away from the pain
There's something out there
I can't resist

When she finds what she's looking for, she runs like mad out. But now, she's floating off the ground as she passes through another stained glass wall, unscathed. She goes out to the wood again, and finds many princes in shining armor, each one with a different crest and a different color scheme. There's a blue and silver one, a gray and green one, a blue and white one, and an orange and white one. They each ride their steeds, which are actually the quadrupedal forms of their Digimon (except for the orange and white one, who uses a motorcycle). The one Kari's looking for is the green and cerulean one (with the Crest of Hope on his shield), and he slays the succubus/Dragomon. Kari has to raise his face mask in order to get a kiss from him.

Kari:

The sweetest song is silence
That I've ever heard
Funny how your feet
In dreams never touch the earth
In a wood full of princes
Freedom is a kiss

(Gatomon: Prince hides his face)
But the prince hides his face
From dreams in the mist

These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night, I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake, the further I'm away

The green and cerulean knight, whom we will name Sir Takeru, helps his fair damsel up aboard his steed Pegasusmon, and the two ride off into the night sky.

Kari:

These dreams go on when I close my eyes
(Kari: Every second) Every second of the night, I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake, the further I'm away

As the song fades, we go back to Kari's room in Paris. Our heroine, who is asleep, has a big smile on her face. Somehow, it's happening again.

T.K.

The next morning after breakfast, we went to the recording studio. What was different that day was that someone had scheduled a session ahead of us. I was amazed to find out who it was. The blonde hair, the blue eyes... "Catherine?" "Huh? You know this girl?" Rika asked. "Yeah. I met her while we were destroying Control Spires in Paris that one Christmas. That's Catherine, she was being held hostage in Versailles. Tai, Grandpa, and I saved her. ...And I'll admit, I had something of a crush on her." Luckily for me, Kari was OK with it. "Oh, then you'll just have to introduce her to us." She turned toward Catherine, who was by the mic recording, and waved. "Hi! Hello there!" I breathed a sigh of relief, but then again, I shouldn't have been surprised. Catherine waved back, but non-verbally signified she was busy. "Hmm... it looks like they're about to record," I noted.

The producer sat down at his desk as everyone got ready. "All right, everyone. We are making a record. Here we go. And une, deux, trois, quatre..."

["Constant Craving"

Written by Kathryn D. Lang and Ben Mink

Performed by Catherine Deneuve (Philece Sampler)

Backing Vocals by Rosel Zech and Kathryn D. Lang]

And inside the recording studio, the band starts playing. Not much is known about the band behind her, but here are two possible ideas you can use. One: if you've ever been to an anime convention and met some of your favorite voice actors in person (particularly the ones in this story), imagine French doppelgangers of them as the band. Two: various doppelgangers of other anime characters. I like to use the characters from Naruto (with Naruto behind drums, of course). Standing by at backup vocals are Rosel Zech and Kathryn D. Lang. The latter of the two cowrote this song using just her initials. Floramon sits by the producer in his side of the booth.

Catherine:

Even through the darkest phase
Be it thick or thin
Always someone marches brave
Here beneath my skin

Catherine/Backing:
And constant craving
Has always been

Catherine:
Maybe a great magnet pulls
All souls towards truth
Or maybe it is life itself
Feeds wisdom
To its youth

Catherine/Backing:
Constant craving
Has always been

Backing:
Craving
Ah ha
Constant craving

Catherine/Backing:
Has always been
Has always been

The band plays the instrumental middle eight. T.K.'s mind flashes back to when he saved her. Catherine notices T.K. and Kari together, and is internally seething. All I can say is that the Bagra Army knows how to twist emotions.

Catherine/Backing:
Constant craving
Has always been
Constant craving
Has always been

Backing:
Craving
Ah ha
Constant craving

Catherine/Backing:
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been

(continue to fade)

T.K.

From outside, we applauded. Catherine bowed, as did the other performers. Later, she met up with us. "T.K.! How wonderful it is to see you!" she said, giving me a hug and kissing me on both cheeks. "Eh, same here. Catherine, these are my friends. The one in glasses is Greg, and this is Thomas..." Thomas kissed Catherine's hand. "A pleasure to meet you." "Oh, the pleasure is all mine." I continued. "This is our saxophonist Anya over here, this is my brother Matt, and Marcus-" Marcus waltzed inside and looked like he was trying to fool around with Ms. Lang. Rika dropped her head. "Oh, what is he thinking? I'll go after him. Name's Rika, by the way." She went inside before Catherine could say anything. Finally, Kari introduced herself. "And my name's Kari. It's nice to meet you." "I couldn't agree more. I've heard so much about you, Kari." "Oh? From who?" "Eh, music blogs. Anyway, I think the two of us should have lunch together, just us two girls. That way we can get to know each other better." "Really? Wait, what about Rika or Anya?"

Catherine froze up. "Um..." "No, no. Rika and I will be fine, Kari. You and Catherine enjoy yourselves." "You mean it, Anya?" "Of course. You are only the backup singer. We can always ask Ms. Lang if she would be interested." Kari smiled and put her hand on Anya's shoulder. "Thanks, Anya."

We worked on the album until about noon and then broke for lunch. We had no choice but to take Thomas with us because he was the only one who knew fluent French. We ate at Le Picotin on the 12th arrondissement, and got a real taste of French cuisine. It sure beats lunches in the school's cafeteria, that's for sure.

When we went back to the studio, Kari and Catherine weren't back yet. We kept recording, but something in the back of my mind kept bothering me. When she didn't come back in time for dinner, I got even more worried. Marcus tried to console me. "Ah, don't worry about it, we don't need her for a while." That really didn't help.

Author's Notes:

Not much was mentioned about Catherine outside of "Digimon World Tour, pt. 2". That's why I included her in this fanfiction.

I would include Kari's struggle this chapter, but that would make it too long. Besides, I hadn't posted in a while.

Greg and Anya are now a couple.

I never liked Kiwimon either. That's why you'll see a new Dark Digivolution next chapter, and it's a monster Kari's faced before. Except this time, Yolei won't be there to help her.