On Your Mark
"What are you doing?" asked Olympiomon as Mimi and Palmon crept back inside the stadium. "So much for sneaking in unnoticed" Mimi mumbled under her breath. "Um . . . Just getting an early start Lord Olympiomon" she replied nervously. "Very good." Olympiomon seemed very impressed by the young girl's initiative. "We need more participants like you. It's Digimon like you who win competitions." "Thank you very much Lord Olympiomon. We live to serve you" Palmon said very convincingly. Olympiomon nodded with satisfaction. "Well then, off you go to work." "Yes sir. Right away" Mimi and Palmon replied in unison.
Olympiomon turned to leave and Mimi and Palmon got prepared for the task at hand. "We have to find the others and try to snap them out their trance" Mimi said scoping out the stadium floor. "Well, let's get started then" Palmon suggested as she and Mimi headed toward a sleeping Tai and Tk. "We'll start with these two and then go over there to Izzy" Mimi said pointing across the dome to the sleeping computer whiz. "I've got a better idea" Palmon smiled at the thought of her ingenious plan. "Why don't we bring Izzy to us? It'll save some time." Palmon unleashed her Poison Ivy attack which wrapped around Izzy's torso and carried him over to where the two girls were standing.
"Way to go Palmon! Good thinking!" Mimi said giving her Digimon the thumbs up. "Now all we have to do is figure out how to fix this mess with our friends. Do you see something different about them Palmon?" Palmon circled the sleeping children trying to spot anything out of the ordinary. "Matt said that his group was wearing red ribbons that kept them under Olympiamon's power, so maybe there is something like that doing the same to these guys" Palmon deducted. "Well, it must be hidden somewhere than because I don't see a thing" Mimi said while double checking. "Wait a sec! Look here!"
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"Good job Gabumon! We're back in unnoticed" Matt turned to help his Digimon over the last few inches of wall then headed toward his sleeping friends. "What now Matt?" Gabumon asked uncertainly. "Now all we can do is wait until the start of the Digi-Games and hope that Mimi and Palmon come through for us" Matt replied uneasily. "Why don't we just free our friends now?" Gabumon suggested. "Having eight people without red ribbons on is way too easy to spot. We have to lay low and wait for the perfect time to strike" Matt explained.
"Everybody up!" Olympiamon shouted through her megaphone from the far end of the field. "The games will begin in just a few short hours so you have some last minute training to do." Sora and the others sprang to their feet and hurried to get started with their exercises. "Well, Gabumon, it looks like we have some more drills to go through." Gabumon cringed at the thought of more suicide sprints but followed closely behind Matt regardless. "Don't worry Gabumon. It'll all be over soon" Matt said trying to comfort his Digimon. "I hope so Matt because I can't take much more of this."
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The time had come for the Digi-Games and both teams stood idle to watch the opening ceremonies. "Usually the ceremonies are full of music, dancing and wonderful colours. Palmon explained to Mimi. "You could have fooled me" Mimi said sarcastically. "Olympiomon and Olympiamon have turned it into a death march" she said watching as a pack of Warumonzimon carried worn and tattered red and black flags to the centre platform.
"So did you find what was causing the trance on your side?" Matt asked sneaking up behind his girlfriend. Mimi smiled at the sound of Yamato's voice and she whirled around to greet him. "Matt! What are you doing over here? If you get caught, you'll be . . . " "I know Mimi. It's okay. But did you?" he asked again. "Yeah, but barely" she told him in a faint whisper. "They're really tiny pendants with Olympiomon's insignia on them." She grabbed the one that was stuck to her hat. "See?" "It didn't affect me because I wasn't hit with the hypnotic bubble thingys" she explained. "So, what's the rest of the plan Matt?" Palmon asked anxiously. "Let's go somewhere quieter. We won't be missed in this huge crowd" Matt suggested.
The group wandered off a few meters away from all of the festivities where they could be alone do discuss their plot. "Okay, guys here's how I see it" Matt began. "Since the four of us are split onto two opposite teams, we'll obviously end up facing the other side. That means that getting those ribbons off of Sora, Joe and Kari will be your job" he said looking at Mimi and Palmon. "That's right" Mimi said just to show that she understood " . . . and getting the pendants off of Tk, Tai and Izzy is up to the two you" she continued motioning to Matt and Gabumon. "When you're up against them, choose your time wisely. You may only get one chance to free them" Matt added. "Now all that's left is for you to tell us where each pendant is located Mimi." Gabumon reminded her. "That's right" Matt agreed.
"Tai's pendant is right in the middle of the strap on his goggles. "Tk's is on the broach on his hat." Mimi hesitated for a while with an upsetting look on her face. "And what about Izzy's?" Matt asked looking very concerned. "I couldn't find it! Olympiomon forced us to march here before I could see where it was." Mimi hung her head in shame. She hated to disappoint her boyfriend but there just wasn't enough time. Matt put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. "Don't worry Meems. We'll take care of Izzy last. That way all fourteen of us can look for it together." A whistle sounded to notify competitors of the beginning of the first round. Before rushing off Matt wished his friends luck and planted a kiss on the tip of Mimi's nose and then he was of to the Digi-Dash.
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"I guess our first event is the . . . Pole Vault! In a dress? No way!" Mimi shrieked. "Don't worry Mimi. I'll help you" Palmon offered. "Hey, it looks like we're up against Kari first. Mimi pointed to the young girl who was waiting in line to take her turn. "Gatomon is a really great jumper. We're going to have to think really fast if we're going to get their ribbons off" Palmon noted. "Couldn't we use the pole as an aid?" Mimi asked. "If we accidentally drop it then have Kari pick it up or something?" "Wait a sec Mimi. I've got an idea. Let's get in line. We have to hurry." Palmon and Mimi took their place right behind Kari at the end of the line and waited for their turn.
"So what do you have planned Palmon? It's almost our turn and you still haven't said anything" Mimi asked filled with anxiety. "I want to test her character first" Palmon answered. "What?" Mimi asked unsure what her Digimon had in store. "Instead of using force to get the ribbon off of Kari, I'm going to try to use her own nature against her" Palmon explained. "Sorry, but run that by me one more time" Mimi asked still uncertain of what the plan entailed. "Kari is good natured and kind" Palmon explained in simpler terms. "She is always thinking of everyone else and if her personality wasn't entirely affected then we can use that to our advantage." "Oh" Mimi nodded pretending to understand. "Oh, well. I guess I can trust her" Mimi said under her breath. "Just follow my lead girl." Palmon walked toward Kari, cool, calm and collected.
"Hi, how are you guys doing?" the Digimon asked in a convincingly sincere tone of voice. "Just waiting for our turn" Kari smiled. "Wow! What cool ribbons! Mind if we try them on?" Mimi asked finally cluing in to the plot. "Sure!" Kari lowered her head and Mimi untied the ribbon from around her friend's neck. Then, Gatomon did the same and Palmon unfastened the red strand. "What's going on? Where are we?" Kari seemed as if she had just woken up from a dream. Mimi and Palmon were ecstatic. They slapped each other a high five then turned back to their friends. "We'll explain it to you later. Right now we have to get out of here." Mimi spotted Joe at an event that looked similar to the discus then motioned to her friends to head across the field. "Hey!" shouted an Elecmon. "You're not finished here!"
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"Look Gabumon. Tai and Agumon are competing in the dash too!" Matt picked up his pace. "We should try to get that pendant off of him before the race even starts. C'mon Gabumon. I'll race you to the track." Matt sped toward the other end of the field wanting desperately to free Tai from Olympiomon's spell. "Hey, No fair Matt! You have longer legs!" Gabumon shouted after his friend and then took off behind him.
"I didn't think that you were going to show Matt" Tai snarled at the sight of his friend. "What do you mean Tai?" Matt asked unsure what the boy was implying. "They drew names before the race and it looks like we're up against one another. Good luck. You'll need it" Tai laughed then took off toward the starting blocks. Matt had a look of pure vengeance in his eyes as he turned to his Digimon. "If Tai wants a race then he's going to get the biggest race of his life!" he promised angrily. "Matt! Remember why we're here. Tai doesn't know what he's saying. He's under Olympiomon's spell" Gabumon tried to reason with him. "No, it's not the spell talking. Tai is naturally competitive" Matt said thinking about the previous day's soccer game. "Tai lost a soccer game before we came here and now he's trying to beat me to make up for it! Well, that's not going to happen!" He vowed before taking his place at the starting block next to his rival team member.
"What are we going to do about the pendant?" Gabumon asked while preparing himself for the running challenge against Agumon. "Just leave it to me" Matt said determinedly. "On your mark," The boys placed their feet in the blocks. "Get set," They readied themselves for a quick take off. "Go!" Matt and Tai bolted out of the blocks and started down the track followed close behind by Agumon and Gabumon. Tai was in the lead but Matt kept up the pace. "If I could just get close enough." Matt struggled to catch up to his friend. The sweat was pouring down his face. "Too fast for ya Matt?" Tai yelled back with a huge grin on his face. With that Matt felt a sudden burst of energy and ran up past Tai as he grabbed the goggles off of his head. At the same time Gabumon jumped Agumon from behind and sent him to the ground like a rock.
Matt slowed down and ripped the pendant from the goggles knowing that the race would no longer continue now that Tai was saved. Tai slowed his pace as well as he caught up to Matt. "Hey, why do you have my lucky goggles?" Tai asked totally unaware of what had just happened. The Digimon joined them in the middle of the track. Agumon had the same expression on his face. "What are we doing out here?" he asked staring blankly at the open field. "It's a long story. For now let's go catch up with Mimi." Matt said. The others agreed then walked off the track just before crossing the finish line. "Hey, you can't do that!" cried a Kiwimon all the way from the starting blocks. "You have to finish the race!"
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"Hey Mimi! Kari!" Tai yelled to the girls who were standing in the middle of the field. "Tai! You're alright!"Kari laughed as she ran to her brother with open arms. "Matt! Gabumon! You did it!" Mimi ran to kiss her knight in blue jeans. "It looks like you two had some success as well" he said pointing to an extremely happy Kari. "Uh huh! It was a piece of cake!" Mimi winked at Palmon who was busy reuniting with Gatomon, Agumon and Gabumon. "So, What happened exactly?" Tai asked when he and Kari rejoined the group. Matt smiled at Mimi and then rolled his eyes. "Okay, here it goes."
"So we have to free the others from their trance?" Tai asked making sure he understood the whole story. "Exactly" Mimi nodded in reply. "I think that Tai should go with Mimi and Kari can stick with Gabumon and me" Matt suggested. "That way we can keep our plot secret and no one should be suspicious of why we're hanging around members of the opposite team. "You're probably right" Kari agreed. "You and I have to find Tk and Izzy. Right Matt?" "That's right Kari and the others will have to search for Joe and Sora" Matt continued. "We already found Joe" Mimi pointed over to the discus. "But remember that we didn't find Izzy's pendant" Palmon reminded everyone. "Yeah, that's going to be a tough one but, we'll manage" Matt said optimistically. "How about everyone meets back here after the next events?" Tai suggested. "Good idea Tai. Good luck guys and be careful!" Matt yelled back as he and Kari went in search of Tk. "We'll need it" Mimi sighed before heading toward Joe and the discus.
"What are you doing?" asked Olympiomon as Mimi and Palmon crept back inside the stadium. "So much for sneaking in unnoticed" Mimi mumbled under her breath. "Um . . . Just getting an early start Lord Olympiomon" she replied nervously. "Very good." Olympiomon seemed very impressed by the young girl's initiative. "We need more participants like you. It's Digimon like you who win competitions." "Thank you very much Lord Olympiomon. We live to serve you" Palmon said very convincingly. Olympiomon nodded with satisfaction. "Well then, off you go to work." "Yes sir. Right away" Mimi and Palmon replied in unison.
Olympiomon turned to leave and Mimi and Palmon got prepared for the task at hand. "We have to find the others and try to snap them out their trance" Mimi said scoping out the stadium floor. "Well, let's get started then" Palmon suggested as she and Mimi headed toward a sleeping Tai and Tk. "We'll start with these two and then go over there to Izzy" Mimi said pointing across the dome to the sleeping computer whiz. "I've got a better idea" Palmon smiled at the thought of her ingenious plan. "Why don't we bring Izzy to us? It'll save some time." Palmon unleashed her Poison Ivy attack which wrapped around Izzy's torso and carried him over to where the two girls were standing.
"Way to go Palmon! Good thinking!" Mimi said giving her Digimon the thumbs up. "Now all we have to do is figure out how to fix this mess with our friends. Do you see something different about them Palmon?" Palmon circled the sleeping children trying to spot anything out of the ordinary. "Matt said that his group was wearing red ribbons that kept them under Olympiamon's power, so maybe there is something like that doing the same to these guys" Palmon deducted. "Well, it must be hidden somewhere than because I don't see a thing" Mimi said while double checking. "Wait a sec! Look here!"
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"Good job Gabumon! We're back in unnoticed" Matt turned to help his Digimon over the last few inches of wall then headed toward his sleeping friends. "What now Matt?" Gabumon asked uncertainly. "Now all we can do is wait until the start of the Digi-Games and hope that Mimi and Palmon come through for us" Matt replied uneasily. "Why don't we just free our friends now?" Gabumon suggested. "Having eight people without red ribbons on is way too easy to spot. We have to lay low and wait for the perfect time to strike" Matt explained.
"Everybody up!" Olympiamon shouted through her megaphone from the far end of the field. "The games will begin in just a few short hours so you have some last minute training to do." Sora and the others sprang to their feet and hurried to get started with their exercises. "Well, Gabumon, it looks like we have some more drills to go through." Gabumon cringed at the thought of more suicide sprints but followed closely behind Matt regardless. "Don't worry Gabumon. It'll all be over soon" Matt said trying to comfort his Digimon. "I hope so Matt because I can't take much more of this."
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The time had come for the Digi-Games and both teams stood idle to watch the opening ceremonies. "Usually the ceremonies are full of music, dancing and wonderful colours. Palmon explained to Mimi. "You could have fooled me" Mimi said sarcastically. "Olympiomon and Olympiamon have turned it into a death march" she said watching as a pack of Warumonzimon carried worn and tattered red and black flags to the centre platform.
"So did you find what was causing the trance on your side?" Matt asked sneaking up behind his girlfriend. Mimi smiled at the sound of Yamato's voice and she whirled around to greet him. "Matt! What are you doing over here? If you get caught, you'll be . . . " "I know Mimi. It's okay. But did you?" he asked again. "Yeah, but barely" she told him in a faint whisper. "They're really tiny pendants with Olympiomon's insignia on them." She grabbed the one that was stuck to her hat. "See?" "It didn't affect me because I wasn't hit with the hypnotic bubble thingys" she explained. "So, what's the rest of the plan Matt?" Palmon asked anxiously. "Let's go somewhere quieter. We won't be missed in this huge crowd" Matt suggested.
The group wandered off a few meters away from all of the festivities where they could be alone do discuss their plot. "Okay, guys here's how I see it" Matt began. "Since the four of us are split onto two opposite teams, we'll obviously end up facing the other side. That means that getting those ribbons off of Sora, Joe and Kari will be your job" he said looking at Mimi and Palmon. "That's right" Mimi said just to show that she understood " . . . and getting the pendants off of Tk, Tai and Izzy is up to the two you" she continued motioning to Matt and Gabumon. "When you're up against them, choose your time wisely. You may only get one chance to free them" Matt added. "Now all that's left is for you to tell us where each pendant is located Mimi." Gabumon reminded her. "That's right" Matt agreed.
"Tai's pendant is right in the middle of the strap on his goggles. "Tk's is on the broach on his hat." Mimi hesitated for a while with an upsetting look on her face. "And what about Izzy's?" Matt asked looking very concerned. "I couldn't find it! Olympiomon forced us to march here before I could see where it was." Mimi hung her head in shame. She hated to disappoint her boyfriend but there just wasn't enough time. Matt put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. "Don't worry Meems. We'll take care of Izzy last. That way all fourteen of us can look for it together." A whistle sounded to notify competitors of the beginning of the first round. Before rushing off Matt wished his friends luck and planted a kiss on the tip of Mimi's nose and then he was of to the Digi-Dash.
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"I guess our first event is the . . . Pole Vault! In a dress? No way!" Mimi shrieked. "Don't worry Mimi. I'll help you" Palmon offered. "Hey, it looks like we're up against Kari first. Mimi pointed to the young girl who was waiting in line to take her turn. "Gatomon is a really great jumper. We're going to have to think really fast if we're going to get their ribbons off" Palmon noted. "Couldn't we use the pole as an aid?" Mimi asked. "If we accidentally drop it then have Kari pick it up or something?" "Wait a sec Mimi. I've got an idea. Let's get in line. We have to hurry." Palmon and Mimi took their place right behind Kari at the end of the line and waited for their turn.
"So what do you have planned Palmon? It's almost our turn and you still haven't said anything" Mimi asked filled with anxiety. "I want to test her character first" Palmon answered. "What?" Mimi asked unsure what her Digimon had in store. "Instead of using force to get the ribbon off of Kari, I'm going to try to use her own nature against her" Palmon explained. "Sorry, but run that by me one more time" Mimi asked still uncertain of what the plan entailed. "Kari is good natured and kind" Palmon explained in simpler terms. "She is always thinking of everyone else and if her personality wasn't entirely affected then we can use that to our advantage." "Oh" Mimi nodded pretending to understand. "Oh, well. I guess I can trust her" Mimi said under her breath. "Just follow my lead girl." Palmon walked toward Kari, cool, calm and collected.
"Hi, how are you guys doing?" the Digimon asked in a convincingly sincere tone of voice. "Just waiting for our turn" Kari smiled. "Wow! What cool ribbons! Mind if we try them on?" Mimi asked finally cluing in to the plot. "Sure!" Kari lowered her head and Mimi untied the ribbon from around her friend's neck. Then, Gatomon did the same and Palmon unfastened the red strand. "What's going on? Where are we?" Kari seemed as if she had just woken up from a dream. Mimi and Palmon were ecstatic. They slapped each other a high five then turned back to their friends. "We'll explain it to you later. Right now we have to get out of here." Mimi spotted Joe at an event that looked similar to the discus then motioned to her friends to head across the field. "Hey!" shouted an Elecmon. "You're not finished here!"
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"Look Gabumon. Tai and Agumon are competing in the dash too!" Matt picked up his pace. "We should try to get that pendant off of him before the race even starts. C'mon Gabumon. I'll race you to the track." Matt sped toward the other end of the field wanting desperately to free Tai from Olympiomon's spell. "Hey, No fair Matt! You have longer legs!" Gabumon shouted after his friend and then took off behind him.
"I didn't think that you were going to show Matt" Tai snarled at the sight of his friend. "What do you mean Tai?" Matt asked unsure what the boy was implying. "They drew names before the race and it looks like we're up against one another. Good luck. You'll need it" Tai laughed then took off toward the starting blocks. Matt had a look of pure vengeance in his eyes as he turned to his Digimon. "If Tai wants a race then he's going to get the biggest race of his life!" he promised angrily. "Matt! Remember why we're here. Tai doesn't know what he's saying. He's under Olympiomon's spell" Gabumon tried to reason with him. "No, it's not the spell talking. Tai is naturally competitive" Matt said thinking about the previous day's soccer game. "Tai lost a soccer game before we came here and now he's trying to beat me to make up for it! Well, that's not going to happen!" He vowed before taking his place at the starting block next to his rival team member.
"What are we going to do about the pendant?" Gabumon asked while preparing himself for the running challenge against Agumon. "Just leave it to me" Matt said determinedly. "On your mark," The boys placed their feet in the blocks. "Get set," They readied themselves for a quick take off. "Go!" Matt and Tai bolted out of the blocks and started down the track followed close behind by Agumon and Gabumon. Tai was in the lead but Matt kept up the pace. "If I could just get close enough." Matt struggled to catch up to his friend. The sweat was pouring down his face. "Too fast for ya Matt?" Tai yelled back with a huge grin on his face. With that Matt felt a sudden burst of energy and ran up past Tai as he grabbed the goggles off of his head. At the same time Gabumon jumped Agumon from behind and sent him to the ground like a rock.
Matt slowed down and ripped the pendant from the goggles knowing that the race would no longer continue now that Tai was saved. Tai slowed his pace as well as he caught up to Matt. "Hey, why do you have my lucky goggles?" Tai asked totally unaware of what had just happened. The Digimon joined them in the middle of the track. Agumon had the same expression on his face. "What are we doing out here?" he asked staring blankly at the open field. "It's a long story. For now let's go catch up with Mimi." Matt said. The others agreed then walked off the track just before crossing the finish line. "Hey, you can't do that!" cried a Kiwimon all the way from the starting blocks. "You have to finish the race!"
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"Hey Mimi! Kari!" Tai yelled to the girls who were standing in the middle of the field. "Tai! You're alright!"Kari laughed as she ran to her brother with open arms. "Matt! Gabumon! You did it!" Mimi ran to kiss her knight in blue jeans. "It looks like you two had some success as well" he said pointing to an extremely happy Kari. "Uh huh! It was a piece of cake!" Mimi winked at Palmon who was busy reuniting with Gatomon, Agumon and Gabumon. "So, What happened exactly?" Tai asked when he and Kari rejoined the group. Matt smiled at Mimi and then rolled his eyes. "Okay, here it goes."
"So we have to free the others from their trance?" Tai asked making sure he understood the whole story. "Exactly" Mimi nodded in reply. "I think that Tai should go with Mimi and Kari can stick with Gabumon and me" Matt suggested. "That way we can keep our plot secret and no one should be suspicious of why we're hanging around members of the opposite team. "You're probably right" Kari agreed. "You and I have to find Tk and Izzy. Right Matt?" "That's right Kari and the others will have to search for Joe and Sora" Matt continued. "We already found Joe" Mimi pointed over to the discus. "But remember that we didn't find Izzy's pendant" Palmon reminded everyone. "Yeah, that's going to be a tough one but, we'll manage" Matt said optimistically. "How about everyone meets back here after the next events?" Tai suggested. "Good idea Tai. Good luck guys and be careful!" Matt yelled back as he and Kari went in search of Tk. "We'll need it" Mimi sighed before heading toward Joe and the discus.