DSI: RELOADED Chapter 31: How to Escape Certain Death, a digimon fanfic

Digimon Savers International: RELOADED

Recap

(Marcus) You know who really busts my chops? Greg. He and I have a mutual love-hate relationship. I think it's because he isn't the leader and I am. Anyway, our Digivices were broken, so nobody could Digivolve. We decided to go to Wanderer's Cape because that was the last place my dad was seen. However, we ran into the Bio-Hybrids, who passed by. Thomas had to shut me up. I hate that! Along the way, we ran into this Digimon named Astamon, who is Greg's replacement in a production of Guys and Dolls. He sounds just like that first neighbor on Married with Children, Steve Rhoades. When we got to the cape, the mansion was gone, but BanchoLeomon had set up his dojo. Inside, he had us battle these moving wooden figures without our Digimon! I mean, how whack was that? Oh, the Digimon set up a nice little hopscotch tournament, but it got called on account of Bio-Hybrid attack. With our backs to the wall, Greg finally punched through his figure while I yelled at the top of my lungs. Either way, we were able to get new Digivices and our Digimon were able to Digivolve to Mega level and kick butt. We sure showed them!

Chapter 31: How to Escape Certain Death Without Really Trying

Marcus

We'd been walking for hours. That was the last time I would ever trust Thomas H. Norstein to provide directions. I was already plotting my revenge, but my brain didn't work as fast as it usually does because I was beat. I couldn't rely on Agumon either, because he was tired too. So we just walked on, moaning and groaning. "Come on, Boss," Agumon groaned. "Wut?" "When are we gonna get to the Sacred City place?"

"Are you sure we're going the right way, Nerdstein?" I asked. Thomas kept looking at his laptop, and said, "The compass is pointing in this direction, but I don't know if BanchoLeomon was telling us the truth. I'm just basing this on what he said." I turned around. Nobody insults a friend of Marcus Damon and gets away with it.

"BanchoLeomon never lies!" I exclaimed. Nerdstein shot back, "Hey, what are you implying, that I'm leading us the wrong way?" "Don't start with me!" I warned him. "You're the one who started it with your attitude!"

"Par for the course," Greg chimed in. "Whose side are you on?" I demanded to know. "The winning one."

"Par for the course," Gary said. Just then, the ground shook. "Huh? An earthquake?" I asked. I looked around for cover. If I was gonna be a good leader, I'd have to find us cover.

"Noooo," Lalamon groaned. "Something's coming towards us," Anya said. "It's giving off a Digimon signal," Thomas added. Then, right in front of us were two giant red eyes. It roared, and when the fog cleared away, we stared at it in awe. "Whoa!" "Wow!" "I don't believe it!" "That's incredible!" "Wow!" "Prodigious!" "Amazing!" "That thing's huge!" "...Whoa."

What it was was a giant turtle with a city on its back. Thomas looked it up on his Digimon Analyzer. "'ElDradimon.' The only information the computer has is that an entire city rests on its shell. No other data available."

Its head lowered to reveal a man wearing some kind of mask. "Hello. Welcome to the Sacred City," he said in a Mexican accent. He sounded an awful lot like Mr. Roarke. He continued, "I am Baronmon, the mayor of this, the capital of the Digital World."

"The Sacred City?" Thomas asked. "Yes. Behold, ElDradimon carries our beloved capital on its strong and sturdy back."

"That's soooo cool!" Agumon said. Baronmon bowed and went on, "We will have a huge party celebrating your arrival here."

That sounded really good to me. "All right, party time!" I cheered. "Ha ha ha ha!" Greg joined me. Veemon added, "Ain't no party like a Digimon party, 'cause a Digimon party don't stop! Ow!"

Thomas and Gaomon were the last ones standing there. I waved to them. "Come on, you slowpokes! You're holding up the whole party!" I called. He shrugged and started joining us. "You know, Marcus, you're something else," he sighed. "Whatever, party pooper!" I called. Greg, Veemon, Agumon and I started singing a song. "Every party has a pooper, that's why we invited you. Party pooper!"

Kurata

Ah yes, there's nothing I enjoy more than a little music from The Alan Parsons Project when I'm executing an evil plan. That Kenta kid's a good singer, too. I ought to take them on tour. I had to say a few words before leaving my loyal subjects to their painful transformation. They worked so hard to make sure my plans were successful. They're almost like my children. I walked over to each tube and spoke to each one of them. "Sleep tight now. When you wake up, you will hopefully be much stronger than you are now. Strong enough to exact your revenge on Marcus Damon, Spencer Damon's son."

Greg

Well, if what we experienced when we arrived in the Sacred City was a party, I'd hate to be invited to one. We were paraded about like criminals. The first thing the Digimon did when they saw us was tie us up. Later, we were each given our own stake and raised up in a giant coliseum/court house. The judge? The Not-So-Honorable Baronmon. Well, at least each stake was covered in soft Corinthian leather. This Baronmon had class. Our Digimon were also tied up as well. As he entered, he raised up his hands and declared, "Digimon! It's time for the humans to pay for their crimes!"

The entire audience cheered. "We didn't even get to have a trial. They're not even this harsh in Russia," Anya mused. "I'd ask for a lawyer, but I don't think it would do any good," Tom added. "You dirt-eating piece of slime! You scum-sucking pig! You son of a motherless goat!" I shouted to the judge.

"First, let us reunite these criminals with another guilty human, so they can suffer their fate together!" Baronmon went on. The chain went up, and rising out of the fog was an unexpected man wearing a Hawaiian shirt. "Commander-General Yushima!" we gasped. "The old dude with the Digivice!" Marcus said.

"What's this? How did you five manage to get captured. Oh brother, talk about weak," Yushima said. "You were captured before we were!" Marcus shot back.

Tentomon

I had been formulating a plan. Well, not really, but I'd like to think that I was. "Um, excuse me, Baronmon?" I asked. "Hmm? What?" "Before you kill our partners, and potentially us, there's something I'd like to get off my chest. The only thing is, I tend to use my arms a lot. Could you please untie us so I can get my point across?" He thought long and hard about it. "Ah... all right. Untie him, but only for a moment!" A Pumpkinmon tenderly chopped off the ropes, loosing us. I whispered something to each of the Digimon and sent them off, while I distracted the judge apparant. This is where all my study came in handy.

"Your Honor, what we have here are six humans accused of various crimes they did not commit. Yet, in some small way, we are all human. We all think, feel, emote, laugh, cry, and so on. In a way, we are all brothers. Hermanos, I believe the word is in Spanish."

["Brotherhood of Man"

[from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying]

Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser

Performed by Tentomon [Jeff Nimoy], Baronmon [Michael Sorich], Chorus (DATS Agents [Quinton Flynn, Crispin Freeman, Kate Higgins, Doug Erholtz, Yuri Lowenthal, Kirk Thornton] and Digimon [Brian Beacock, Skip Stellerecht, Dorothy Elias-Fahn, Derek Stephen Prince, Jeff Nimoy, Michelle Ruff, Dave Mallow, Lara Jill Miller, Stephanie Sheh, Robbie Rist, Richard Cansino, Michael Sorich, Neil Kaplan, Michael Lindsey, Colleen O'Shaughnessy, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Michael McConnohie, and Robert Axelrod])]

Tentomon starts moving around the stage theatrically.

Tentomon:

Now, you may join the Elks, my friend,

And I may join the Shriners;

And other men may carry cards

As members of the Diners'.

Still others wear a golden key

Or small Greek letter pin;

But I have learned there's one great club

That all of us are in.

Meanwhile, the other partner Digimon secretly go to work on shutting the door leading into the pit and loosing their partners from their stakes and getting them to the ground safely.

Tentomon:

There is a Brotherhood of Man,

A Benevolent Brotherhood of Man,

A noble tie that binds

All human hearts and minds

Into one Brotherhood of Man.

Your lifelong membership is free.

Keep agivin' each brother all you can.

Oh aren't you proud to be

In that fraternity,

The great big Brotherhood of Man?

"Now Baronmon, I want you to remember that before you consider killing all our friends," Tentomon says. "Who's considering? And how in the name of Inigo Montoya did they all get down?" Baronmon asks. "Well, the answer to that second question is for me to know and for you to find out. See, I know what's on your mind. You want to clear out this whole city of humans, I mean from top to bottom. It's the obvious move, but stop and think." He flies towards the humans and floats over Marcus, Greg, and Anya; pointing to each one respectively.

Tentomon:

One man may seem incompetent.

Another not make sense.

While others look like quite a waste of company expense.

They need a brother's leadership.

So, please, don't do them in

Remember, mediocrity

is not a mortal sin.

They're

(DATS Agents: We're)

(DATS Agents: in)

the

The DATS Agents launch into their chorus, much to the confusion of the Digimon audience.

DATS Agents:

the Brotherhood of Man.

Dedicated to giving all we can

Tentomon channels his inner Robert Morse by flying around.

Tentomon:

Ohhhhhh, aren't you proud to be

In that fraternity?

At this point, Tentomon joins the chorus as the Digimon in the audience begin to catch on.

Chorus:

The great big Brotherhood of Man.

Baronmon looks on this, and starts to buy into it. "No kidding!" he exclaims.

Baronmon:

Is there really a Brotherhood (Chorus: yes you're a brother) of Man? (Chorus: you are a brother)

A Benevolent Brotherhood of Man?

Chorus:

Oh yes, oh yes

A noble tie that binds

All human hearts and minds

Baronmon:

Into one Brotherhood of Man.

(Chorus: Oh yes)

Baronmon joins the chorus as the DATS Agents and partner Digimon approach Baronmon and make him feel welcome into that Brotherhood of Man everyone's been singing about.

Chorus:

Your lifelong membership is free.

Keep a givin' each brother all you can.

Oh aren't you proud to be

(Lalamon: You, you got me;

Me, I got you, you!)

In that fraternity,

The great big Brotherhood of Man?

Lalamon flies up and delivers her solo. All the Digimon and DATS Agents look to her as they dance.

Lalamon:

Oh, that noble feeling,

Feels like bells are pealing,

Down with double-dealing,

Oh Brother!

You, you got me;

Me, I got you, you!

For this part of the dance number, the humans and Digimon are paired off. Higher up than the others are Tentomon and Baronmon. The human pairings are Marcus and Greg, Thomas and Gary, and Anya and Yushima. As for the DATS Digimon, it's Veemon and Agumon, Gaomon and Kamemon, and Lalamon and a Pumpkinmon. Digimon in the stands are randomly paired off. (If you're looking for choreography to imagine visually, I'd either suggest the 1967 movie version of this song or the version used on The Drew Carey Show. Personally, I prefer the Carey one, but both have their merits.)

Chorus:

Oh, that noble feeling,

Feels like bells are pealing,

Down with double-dealing,

Oh Brother!

You, you got me;

Me, I got you, you!

This is where the number really becomes spectacular as everyone, human and Digimon, starts dancing and singing along. Indeed, the whole courthouse/coliseum looks like they're having a good time. Ah yes, the power of the seemingly random Broadway number.

Chorus:

Oh, that noble feeling,

Feels like bells are pealing,

Down with double-dealing,

Oh Brother!

You, you got me;

Me, I got you, you!

Outside, even ElDradimon is caught up in the music as he taps his feet and swings his head along. We go back to the coliseum.

Chorus:

Your lifelong membership is free.

Keep agivin' each brother all you can.

Oh aren't you proud to be

In that fraternity?

The great big Brotherhood of Man

By the end of the number, the DATS Agents, partner Digimon, and all other Digimon not in the stands are crowding around together at the end of any 11 o'clock number.

Anya

That was the best escape plan ever. Unfortunately, it didn't work as well as planned. Baronmon laid down his verdict. "Very interesting musical number. Very catchy, too. However, that still does not excuse the crimes humans have committed against Digimon. I'm afraid that I must make examples of you all. Tell you what, I am in a good mood today. If you can defeat Cerberusmon, then I shall let you go free of charge."

"And what if we refuse?" Gary boldly asked. "Should you refuse, we'll throw you to Cerberusmon anyway. Sound like a deal?" Marcus, being his bull-headed self, shook on the bargain. "Deal!" Baronmon looked pleased with the whole thing. "Very good. Trato hecho, jamás deshecho," he replied. "Huh?" Marcus asked. "That's Spanish, sir. It means 'A deal made is never broken.'," Gaomon translated.

We were escorted to the gate, where all six of us and our Digimon stood and awaited our fate. "Open the gate!" Baronmon called. The gate opened, and these red eyes glared at us. As the eyes came out closer, we saw this giant three-headed dog. Yushima looked it up on his Digimon Analyzer. "'Cerberusmon, an Ultimate-level Digimon who guards the gates of the Sacred City. Its Mad Dog Fire is hotter than a slice of pizza on the roof of your mouth.'"

Greg

"Now Cerberusmon will punish the humans Digimon-style!" Baronmon declared.

It's hard to believe Frank Loesser had almost succeeded. The crowd cheered. Cerberusmon loudly barked and then charged. Marcus went for a punch, but the hellish dog jumped over him.

"We might as well really give them a show," I said. Anya took off her denim jacket and used it like a cape. "Eh! Perro! Perro!" she called, while waving it. The dog took the bait, and soon its face was covered with the jacket. "Olè!" I shouted, joining in with the crowd. "Now, Marcus!" Anya yelled.

Marcus took the opportunity and punched it in the back, igniting his DigiSoul. Baronmon got a good look at this as Marcus began to use his Charge Overdrive. "DigiSoul..." "HOLD IT! Stop the fight! Stop the fight! That's enough. Their punishment has been permanently suspended!" Baronmon declared. Everyone looked to him.

"But why, Baronmon?" his associate Piximon asked. "These intruders are our enemies," Pumpkinmon added. "Maybe. But then again, maybe not. Remember? It was many years ago when another human wandered here alone one day. ElDradimon was trying to cross the scorching desert. But carrying the weight of the Sacred City on its back, he started sinking into the boiling hot sand. We tried to pull him up, but we knew our beloved capital was about to come crashing down. But then... that man appeared! He let out a mighty shout, ignited his hand, and punched the dry earth. With his punch, water rose from the ground. This amazed and mystified us to no end. That man's name was... Spencer Damon."

"No way," Marcus said. "His DigiSoul Charge burned just like yours does. You! Could you be Spencer Damon's son?" Baronmon asked him. "Why... yeah. Yeah I am. I'm Marcus Damon." The coliseum stands were abuzz in excitement.

Baronmon accusedly pointed to Pumpkinmon. "How dare you punish the son of the hero that saved our sacred city!" "Me?" Then the mayor lifted up his hands to the sky and ordered, "Prepare a banquet at once!" And the crowd went wild!

"Well, how do you like that, Veemon? From heroes to goats and back to heroes again," I marveled. "No good deed goes unpunished," Veemon simply answered. We approached Marcus, who was still staring at his fist. "Marcus, buddy! Your dad's good deeds saved us again," I said.

The feast was spectacular, and mostly basic foods, like fruits. Still, it was better than nothing. I searched for a banana, peeled it from the bottom, and went in for a bite, when I was stopped. "Marcus, it never occurred to me that you could be the son of Spencer Damon. Please, accept my apology," Baronmon humbly said. Marcus took it in stride. "Just don't let it happen again." We then turned our attention to Yushima.

"It's good to see you're in one piece, sir," Tom said while shaking his hand. "You don't have to call me 'sir' anymore, now that DATS is gone. Yushima." "You know about DATS?" Anya asked in surprise.

Veemon and I went back to eating as Yushima went on. "I've heard some rumors, but I felt they were true. Boy, I spend a little time in the Digital World, and my whole organization falls apart."

"You got that right. So what happened to you after we saw you last?" Marcus asked. Yushima began his tale.

"Well after I sent you back into the human world to protect Keenan, Kamemon and I barely clung to life as we escaped from the Infinite Ice Ridge. While we wandered through the Digital World, we had heard that Dr. Damon had gone to find King Drasil, the ruler of the Digital World. I'm sure Spencer would need his help if we were ever to prevent an all-out war between the humans and the Digimon. So we started to trace his tracks."

I swallowed a huge bite of a papaya. "Why didn't you ask the Digimon Sovereigns to help you?" I asked. "We couldn't find any of them. Besides, King Drasil is the ultimate authority. He ranks even higher than the Sovereigns," Yushima answered. "And along the way we got captured when we stumbled upon the Sacred City. Which is why we're here," Kamemon added. We all stared at him and he sunk into his shell. "I forgot he talks," Anya said.

"Kamemon is pretty shy, but every now and then, he has something to say," Yushima explained.

Baronmon spoke again. "Spencer Damon is a legend to each and every citizen of the Sacred City. Now, please eat as much as you like in order to regain your strength. You may have noticed that your backrests are made of soft Corinthian leather, fine Corinthian leather, and yes, even rich Corinthian leather!"

"Legend, huh?" Tom quietly asked. "Hey Boss! What does that mean anyway? 'Legend'?" Agumon asked. Oh boy. Marcus was at a loss for words. He couldn't explain it.

"Um, let's see... uh..." he stumbled. "It means Marcus' dad is even more famous than he is," Anya answered before he could embarrass himself more. "Yeah. What she said."

"Even more famous than you, Boss? Gee, I guess that means we're all famous, except for you," Agumon said. "Yeah. Ha ha ha ha ha."

"All in favor of joining forces with Spencer Damon's son, say 'aye'," Baronmon went on. Everyone except Tom and Gaomon raised their hands, and almost all of us verbally agreed, "Aye!"

Tom got up and went outside. I had gotten my fill, so I joined him. Veemon followed.

When we found him, he was with Gaomon looking out at the night sky. "Sir? Are you ill?" Gaomon asked. Tom tried tracking the constellations. "I'm fine. Just thinking about Marcus' dad. Dr. Damon seems to be the kind of man that everyone has respect for." "I don't believe I've ever seen you act jealous of anyone else before, sir." "Me? Jealous of whom?" Tom asked. "Of Marcus."

"I don't blame you one little bit," I said. Tom turned around. "Huh? Oh, it's you, Greg." I joined him by the balcony and continued, "I had the same issue you had the first time I entered the Digital World. Well... not exactly. Takato wasn't a jerk like Marcus is. In fact, he was actually a really nice guy. He still is... wherever he is. But we did have someone kind of like Marcus. His name was Ryo Akiyama. He walks in and everyone thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Heck, I was put in a spell the first time I met him. He was so cool. Ed didn't like him though, but he got over it. I thought he was cool too." "Ed?" "Ed Jordan-Phillips, from South Africa. He was this 12-year-old idol, a lonely guy. Only true friend he ever had was his Digimon, Coronamon."

"That's pretty sad," Gaomon grimly said. I nodded. "It was. Thankfully, he met us. Ah, I don't know why I'm telling you all this. When I was enlisted in DATS, I thought I'd actually get to lead a team. If I had known Marcus was going to lead us ahead of time, I'd have quit. He's not a leader like you are."

Tom smiled at that. "I know. You try so hard, Greg. Heh, it's pretty ironic. You're the oldest of us and yet I trained you." "I can't help it if you're a genius, Thomas H. Norstein," I said. "Ha ha ha, some genius I am. I don't know how to control Marcus. Hmm..."

We looked out at the sky again. "You know, I spoke with Commander Sampson about leadership. This is strictly off the record, but he considers you the leader," I said. "Oh?" "Yeah. I'm only third-in-command."

(flashback to DSI Chapter 24)

"Exactly. Just because his dad happens to be this hero who did so much for the Digital World doesn't mean he gets free reign to be reckless." "He is reckless, but effective." "I don't even consider him to be the true leader. That role, while it should go to Anya and me, I believe is being filled by Norstein." "Off the record..." He leaned in closer. "And this is strictly off the record... I agree." He leaned back in his chair. "I will say this though. Out of the five of you, I consider you the third-in-command. If ever both Marcus and Thomas get out of hand or aren't capable of leading, I give you the responsibility to keep the team strong. You're the solid rock, built on experience. You stay loyal to the team, and that makes you a valuable asset. Share your wisdom with the others, and keep them in check. Now you know I'm going to say this to everyone, but you play a valuable role in the team. Never forget that, Gregory." "Thank you sir. You don't know how much I needed that."

Greg

"So what I'm saying is that you shouldn't let Marcus get to you. You're the leader, and you know it," I said. Tom sighed, "That can only go so far. I'd love to have a father like Marcus'. It beats the one I have now. It's not enough, though. Soon, he'll start to think that his name is an automatic pass anywhere in the Digital World. It's not healthy." "At least I haven't dropped my own name to any Digimon. It's kind of ironic. My dad's first name is Spencer, but he hasn't done any of the things Dr. Damon's done. I don't think he would if he wanted to." "I guess we're in the same boat, then. Both of our fathers can't hold a candle to Spencer Damon. And we can't hold a candle to his son. This reminds me of an Alan Parsons Project song. I think you've heard it a number of times. It comes from the Stereotomy album, track four."

["Limelight"

Written by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson

Performed by The Satsuma Rentarō Project

Lead Vocals: Thomas H. Norstein (Crispin Freeman) and Greg Logan (Doug Erholtz)]

Unbeknownst to the two, Kamemon (now Digivolved to Gwappamon), loads in the CD in his head and sets it to track four. He smiles, as if to say, "Track four coming up." As the song starts, Thomas continues to look out at the sky. He sighs.

Thomas:

I can see the glow of a distant sun

I can feel it inside

Maybe this day could be the one

I can hear the roar of a distant crowd

They are waiting for me

Calling my name

Shouting out loud

Holding on isn't always easy

I ain't gonna change my mind

Limelight, you were all I ever wanted since it all began

Limelight, shining on me, telling the world who I am

Limelight, don't let me slip right through your fingers

There's a long way to fall

After all the years of waiting

I'm gonna show them all

Greg reassuringly puts his arm around Thomas' shoulder.

Greg:

I can see the world in a different light

Now it's easy to say

Where I went wrong

What I did right

I can hear the beat of a different drum

Take it all in my stride

Hold my head high

Second to none

Holding on wasn't always easy

Nothing can change my mind

Veemon and Gaomon do air guitar and drum solos.

Thomas:

Limelight, you were all I ever wanted since it all began

Greg:

Limelight, shining on me, telling the world who I am

Greg/Thomas:

Oh, limelight, don't let it slip right through your fingers

There's a long way to fall

Greg:

After all the years of waiting, I'm gonna show them all

Veemon and Gaomon do more air guitar and drum solos.

Greg:

Maybe the road's not easy,

Thomas:

maybe the prize is small

Greg:

After all the years of waiting

Thomas/Greg:

I'm gonna show them all

As the song ends, Veemon and Gaomon notice Gwappamon, who sheepishly puts his hand behind his head. The two Digimon go back with him inside.

Greg

"Um... what just happened?" Tom asked me. "I don't know, but don't you feel better?" I asked. "Yeah, I guess." Just then, we spotted three lights in the distance. As they came closer, we found out what they really were. "...oh my. Come on!" I quickly said.

We rushed inside the banquet. "We're under attack!" Tom shouted. "Hmmm? Pumpkinmon, get to your battle stations right away!" Baronmon ordered. They rushed out, and Marcus stood up. "It's fightin' time, Agumon!" he called. "Yeah!" Agumon cheered.

Outside, it looked like a war zone. A trio of Gizumon XTs fired away at whatever came at them, sucking up their energy. "Be brave! Be strong! No matter what happens, we cannot allow them to enter the gates of the city!" Baronmon shouted. Marcus led the way out to the front of ElDradimon's head. "Don't worry, we'll take over the fight from here!" We looked to each other, nodded, ignited our DigiSouls, and got in position with our Bursts. "Ready?" I asked. "Ready!"

"DigiSoul, CHARGE! OVERDRIVE!"

"Veemon Double Warp Digivolve to... UlforceVeedramon!"

"Gaomon Double Warp Digivolve to... MirageGaogamon!"

"Lalamon Double Warp Digivolve to... Rosemon!"

"Tentomon Double Warp Digivolve to... HerculesKabuterimon!"

"Double Crescent Mirage!" MirageGaogamon fired crescent moon-shaped shock-waves from both hands, but Gizumon XT was too fast. "Thorn Whipping!" Rosemon wrapped her whip around one of the robots, constraining him. Then, she wrapped her whip around a tree.

"Got him! Now, Marcus!" Anya called. Marcus jumped up on the vine and ran up it. One false step and he could've been a goner. As I stared at the scene, I thought about whether I would actually risk my life just to Digivolve Veemon. I ultimately decided I couldn't. Marcus jumped up and punched the robot, igniting his DigiSoul. In mid-air, he pulled out his Digivice Burst and got in position. "DigiSoul, CHARGE! OVERDRIVE!"

"Agumon Double Warp Digivolve to... ShineGreymon!" While this was happening, Marcus aimed his fall and used the sheer strength of his will to bring himself back to safety.

As the group of Gizumon XT blasted off into the distance, our Digimon followed them. Just then, we got more bad news from Pumpkinmon. "Sir! We're under attack on the ground as well!" "Huh?" We looked down and saw groups of Gizumon attacking innocent Digimon.

"Oh no!" Marcus gasped. "We've got to go down there and do something," Gary strongly suggested. Everyone looked to each other and nodded. I took out my Digivice and started fooling around with it.

"What are you doing?" Anya asked me. "I'm checking to see what this red thing does on the side. Maybe we can use it to help fight off the Gizumon. Hmm? What's this?"

I started reading off the text on the screen. "'Your Digivice Burst is also equipped with the Signal Port, which facilitates the "Air Signal" feature. With this feature, you can use your DigiSoul to empower yourself or your Digimon.' Cool." I selected more information on the "Aura" option. "'Using the Aura function allows for an even coating of your DigiSoul on yourself, enhancing your strength and abilities,'" I read.

"That sounds like just what the doctor ordered. How do you activate it?" Tom asked. I looked it up. "Hmm... from what it says here, you just select the options and scan your hand over the Signal Port. Sounds awesome!"

So, I selected the options, got in position, and held the Burst in a horizontal level. The red rectangle lit up, and I slid my hand into the light. Within seconds, my body was covered in a green aura and I felt much stronger than I did before. Tom, Anya, and Gary looked to each other, nodded, and did the same thing. As if it knew what was going on, ElDradimon lowered its head and we jumped off.

"All right. Attack Battle Plan A! Seek and eliminate!" Tom called. "Right!" So, we went off to work.

Punching and kicking away at that wooden dummy might not have been the best training for controling your DigiSoul, but it sure helped me in fighting. The parts of my technique that were sloppy had been refined in that seemingly endless exercise. I didn't keep track of how long it had taken, but that investment had paid off. With the DigiSoul Aura, I felt almost invincible. I hadn't felt anything like this since I was part of ImperialDramon. In fact, it was almost like Veemon was fighting alongside me and inside with me.

Thomas

The DigiSoul Aura was incredible. It enhanced my strength, speed, and endurance. I could really allow my boxing experience to come through in my attacks. I had a feeling Marcus would love it. After he punched out a Gizumon, his DigiSoul ignited again. He looked back at what we were doing and he took out his Digivice. "Hey! What do you call this?" he asked. "DigiSoul Aura!" Greg shouted back. "All right! DigiSoul Aura, ON!"

With that, he scanned his hand along the lit Signal Port and gained an orange aura. We all went back to work, punching and kicking away. It's an unspoken rule that a fighter must exert some sort of vocal tic during strikes. At least, that's what I've been lead to believe. I don't hear many of those during boxing matches, but I do hear a lot of them during toku. So, I just went along with it. Gary was probably the most conservative with them, not very surprising.

One of the Gizumon creeped up behind me. I nearly didn't notice it until it was too late. Thankfully, it was distracted. "Firecracker Smokescreen!" With that screen up, I got out of the way. That attack could've only come from one Digimon, Falcomon. He had come back with Keenan riding on his talons, but they weren't alone. As Falcomon flew back up towards the city, I looked up. From high up above, another Gizumon XT was attacking the top of the city, but a large group of something swirled around it. Within seconds, the robot was dismantled and falling apart. I smiled at that, then went back to my fighting.

After about five minutes, the five of us had neutralized the threat. Greg consulted his Digivice to determine how to shut off the aura for later. "Hmmm... oh wait, I got an idea," he said. He posed with his Digivice, and called out, "Power down!" Then he pressed one of the buttons and his aura shut off. We copied him.

"That was remarkable," I said. "Yeah. All that power, surging through my body. It was a rush," Gary added. "And to think, we wouldn't have thought of this eight years ago," Anya said.

We rode back up on ElDradimon's head, and then met up with Keenan and Falcomon. They had a large corps of short ninja-like Digimon in tow. I researched them on my laptop. "'Ninjamon, a Champion-level Digimon that moves with incredible stealth. Its ninja weaponry techniques are unmatched.' Impressive."

Keenan told everyone what he had thought. "BanchoLeomon told us we need to have more power. Merukimon always tell me that we need to work together as friends to protect the Digital World. So, me think. Me figure having more friends means having more power, like me and Falcomon. Friends makes us strong!"

One of the Ninjamon spoke up. "We're part of the Ninjamon clan. We pledge our loyalty to Keenan."

Marcus smiled. "Keenan, you did a really amazing job. The protectors of the Digital World have never been this strong before thanks to you," he said. Keenan's whole face lit up. "Yeah?"

The two shook hands in the sunrise as we looked on.

"One question, Keenan. Are these Ninjamon going to be following us around now?" Greg asked. Keenan shook his head. "No. They stay here, protect Sacred City." "Oh."

Kurata

I woke up bright and early. It just so happens that I have a spare apartment inside the lab that I use for personal purposes. Fully stocked, too. One might say that I'm married to my work. This particular morning, I stared at my pet. It was feeding off of Digimon energy the Gizumon had collected. "That's right. Feed. Feed. Yes, nothing like a good breakfast of Digimon energy to start your day off, right? The more energy I collect, the closer I get to my dream." Just then, I recieved a call. I picked it up on my console.

"The Bio-Hybrids have awoken," one of my associates informed me. Oh goody goody gumdrops. "I'm on my way," I replied.

I had set the Data Injection Procedure to take all night so I wouldn't have to supervise and could get a full night's sleep. The glass tubes rose as the smoke cleared out. I adjusted my glasses. "Good morning, all. And how do we feel today?" I asked them in my usual cheerful manner.

"Ahhh... never better!" Kouki said. Ivan flexed his arm. "I feel so strong."

"Not bad!" Kenta enthusiastically answered. Nanami added, "Who knew I could get all this power after a good night's sleep?"

"I'm very glad to hear that," I said. All had gone well. My henchmen went into their changing rooms and got dressed, while I answered another call.

It was from one of my soldiers."Professor Kurata, I'm afraid we have a situation, sir. We've lost the 15th Squadron's signal at Point 3-0-3. We fear they were somehow destroyed." "Hmm... send me any visuals you have," I ordered. "Uploading now." A picture came up on the screen.

"It's a city. Wait, no, it's ElDradimon. My mistake. So that's where the Sacred City has been hiding," I said. The others came back. "Maybe Marcus Damon and his friends are there too," Kouki suggested. "Of course they'll be there. Who else could defeat the Gizumon XTs? They're the only ones who are strong enough," Nanami answered.

"Then we'll just have to teach them a lesson," Kenta decided. Now that is what I liked to hear. I pressed the call button again. "Recall all the Gizumon XTs we have stationed in the Digital World and reassign them to Point 3-0-3," I directed, to which one of my soldiers answered, "Yes, sir."

I adjusted my glasses. "If I'm correct about this, there should be thousands of escapee Digimon seeking refuge in their capital city. So if I can bring down ElDradimon, I'll be that much closer to achieving my master plan," I conjectured. I then turned towards my team. "Well guys? Ready to test out your new strength?" "I've been ready ever since I came out of that tank!" Kouki boldly said. Perfect!

I grinned with glee. "Then let's all visit the Sacred City, the capital. And the site of our final battlefield!"

Author's Notes:

You may have noticed the references to Corinthian leather. Well, that was because Baronmon's voice was an impression of a younger Ricardo Montalbán who was featured in commercials for the Chrysler Cordoba and its "soft Corinthian leather" (which was actually made in New Jersey).

"You dirt-eating piece of slime! You scum-sucking pig! You son of a motherless goat!" comes from The Three Amigos.

"Trato hecho, jamás deshecho." was often said on Trato Hecho, a Hispanic-American version of the classic game show Let's Make a Deal that ran on Univision.

As for the Aura feature of the Digivice Burst, I looked this up on the Digimon Wiki. The article on the Digivice states: "The Digivice Burst allows Digimon to digivolve via "D.N.A. Charge! Overdrive!" (Digisoul Charge! Overdrive! in Japan) to the Mega level. It has all the same functions as the Data Links, plus the ability to use "Charge! D.N.A. Burst Mode!" ("Charge! Digisoul Burst!" in the Japanese version) to activate "Burst Mode", as well the "Signal Port", allowing the use of a new feature called "Air Signal", which has three functions: Aura, Barrier and Burst Evolution." Now, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the Aura and Barrier functions were ever brought up in the anime. Who's to say this isn't canon?

Incidentially, for the "Brotherhood of Man" number, if you're using the 1967 film version of the song for reference, the main three dancers in the final chorus (from left to right) are Greg, Tentomon, and Baronmon. This is mostly because Greg wears glasses and looks more like Bud Frump.