CH. 36 It Don't Mean A Thing
Javi, Ann, Albert and Andrew sat together in the stands, their partners hiding beneath their seats. All four of them were still dressed in their band uniforms, watching several of the other bands perform. They wore blue uniforms with black pants and a silver trim. The band currently on the field finished their performance and started exiting the field.
"You guys were better," mumbled Gigimon from under the seat.
"Shh… Not so loud," said Andrew.
"Think we'll take the top spot?" asked Ann.
"I think you guys will," Poromon replied confidently.
"It's so hot, you'd think that being in late fall, early winter would give us cooler conditions," said Javi, fanning himself.
"You guys just got off the field a little while ago. You're still tired," Hopmon said.
"Besides, you gave that solo in front of the crowd so you had to put in a lot of energy for everybody to hear you. Of course you're going to be tired and hot. These uniforms aren't helping either," said Albert.
"Yeah, relax and you'll cool off," added Wanyamon.
"I'm bored here watching these other bands. When are the results?" asked Javi.
"The results aren't until eight and the top three bands have their encore performances at nine. It's about four o'clock right now so we still have another four hours to wait," said Albert, checking his watch.
"Think we could fit a small trip to the Digital World?" asked Ann.
"We could but we need a laptop and a safe place to put it," Andrew replied.
"I have mine in my backpack on the bus…" put in Javi.
"Nobody is at the buses right now so we could be in and out within the allotted time," added Albert. The group smiled at the idea and quietly snuck out of the stadium stands with their partners hidden. They made it to the parking lot and found their bus. Once they managed to get inside, Javi pulled out his laptop and Albert brought up the Digital World screen. He then selected a region to visit.
"Digiport open!" said Javi, opening the portal. The group was sucked through the screen and dropped off in the Digital World. They were placed on top of a hill with green grass growing freely. They looked on the other side of the field to see an amphitheater carved into the side of the hill. Rows of stone seats were placed on the sides of the hill and a large stage was set at the bottom. The lights on the stage rivaled that of a stage on the real world. The sky showed that it was close to evening already.
"We leave one stage and come to another," sighed Javi.
"Well at least you don't have to perform," said Monodramon.
"Looks like they're having a show with the way all the equipment is set up," said Albert.
"Yeah I know, what is this place?" asked Ann.
"I think they call it the Hill Theater mostly because of where it is built," explained Gaomon.
The lights flashed on and illuminated the stage. The group took a seat in the stands to see if somebody or something would appear. Smoke filled the stage as an unknown Digimon rose onto the stage.
"Good evening lady and gentlemen. I'll be performing this evening. It'll be a show to die for. Dark Network!" said the figure on the stage. A ball of black energy was thrown to where the group was sitting. Albert and the team dodged out of the way in the nick of time.
"What's the big idea attacking us like that?" yelled Hawkmon.
"Well my lord gave me orders to take out a group of Digidestined pests who appeared in the Digital World. I'm here to give you a musical performance you won't forget. Dark Network!" said the Digimon again, throwing its black orb into the stands. The group dodged the attack as well. The Digimon finally made its physical form known from behind the smoke. It looked like a rather tall monkey with a pair of black sunglasses. It had a mixture of orange and white fur and held a microphone in his hand.
Andrew scanned the Digimon. "It's Etemon, a puppet type Digimon, he loves to use his Concert Crush and Dark Network attacks to fight his enemies."
"He doesn't seem to be such a good performer. He tries to blow up his crowd," said Guilmon.
"You pests will be giving your last performance here. Dark Network!" said Etemon, throwing another attack. The group dodged again.
"This is getting old," said Albert.
Gaomon Digivolved to… Gaogamon
Hawkmon Digivolved to… Aquilamon
Guilmon Digivolved to… Growlmon
Monodramon Digivolved to… Strikedramon
The partner Digimon stood ready for a fight. They charged the enemy Digimon while he was still onstage.
"Let's see how you like being attacked. Blast Rings!" said Aquilamon, attacking Etemon from above with a series of crimson rings. Etemon dodged the attack.
"Spiral Blow!" said Gaogamon, releasing a cyclone. Etemon threw one of his orbs into the cyclone, disbanding the wind stream.
"Pyro Blaster!" yelled Growlmon, sending a red orb hurtling toward Etemon. Etemon met this attack with one of his own and cancelled it out.
"Come on kids, make me remember this performance!" laughed Etemon.
"This will be something you won't forget, Striking Barrage!" said Strikedramon, releasing a flurry of hits onto Etemon. Etemon was knocked onto the stage floor, but quickly jumped back on to his feet.
"So that's how you want to play. Then take this, Concert Crush!" yelled Etemon. Etemon's voice reached high pitched levels, causing the group to hold their ears in pain. They all fell to their knees holding their ears. The group's Digimon collapsed to the ground due to the sound of the attack.
"Don't you just love my harmonious voice?" laughed Etemon.
"That was the worst singing ever," mocked Strikedramon.
"Is that so? Well then, see as how you're already on stage with me I'll crush you first. Concert Crush!" The team was thrown to the ground again. Etemon seemed to concentrate this attack mostly on Strikedramon.
Javi held his ears in pain. The loud sound was too much for him to bear. "I need to help Strikedramon," he thought. Javi tried to calm down. Sound is music in some way no matter how you hear it, or so he believed.
Javi rose up from the ground and listened to the sound, focusing on the musical aspects of it. Amongst the chaos of the sounds, he could find and focus on a balanced note. He could then walk forward without being affected by the sound. Javi's crest began to glow in a bright green color. Strikedramon rose up off the ground, feeling a power growing within him.
Strikedramon Digivolved to… Cyberdramon
Cyberdramon appeared to have a part dragon part human form. The Digimon was completely black with a silver colored visor on his head. Two sets of red wings grew from his back and he had more pieces of armor across his body. Etemon was surprised by the transformation.
"But how… My voice brings anybody to their knees…." said Etemon in confusion.
"Sound is music; me and my partner can listen to any sound and find the beauty in it. Your attack won't work anymore. Cyberdramon, take out his clown."
"Right, Desolation Claw!" said Cyberdramon. His right claw began to form a green aura around it. He dashed toward Etemon and slashed quickly with his claw. Etemon took a few steps back, holding his side.
"Aw cruel fate… You've been a lovely audience… goodnight…" said Etemon, bursting into bits of data. The teams' Digimon returned to their rookie forms and Cyberdramon returned to his Hopmon form. Javi walked over to his partner and picked him up to hold in his arms.
"You found the harmony in the chaos. Looks like music has helped you get your crest of harmony to glow," said Hopmon.
"Yeah, I just listened to that horrible sound and found the peaceful note in it. My crest fits me well," laughed Javi.
"Let's head back guys. They're going to announce the winners at the competition in half an hour," said Albert, checking the time on his watch. The team nodded in agreement and returned to the real world.