"Well, have you started yet?" The voice was in a dark void, with no source.
Another spoke. "Yeah, I've got them all ready to... mhm, mhm... run the gauntlet."
"I still can't believe you chose Digimon to mess with."
"But it's so amazingly easy to do it there! Besides, they're kids! This may sound really cliche, but what can a bunch of kids do to ME?"
"Yeah... but still, you couldn't have chosen something else?"
"Oh, for fuck's sake... Look, what would you have preferred I do? I mean, YOU'RE the one who wanted to let me choose myself, mmph, mmhm. If you've got such a problem with it, then go away."
"Fine! I will!"
"Mmhm. Good riddance."
"I heard that!"
*****
Davis and T.K. stood alone in the quasi-darkness, seeing each other but nothing else. And they couldn't change the distance between them: no matter what they did, they were ALWAYS a few metres apart.
Which was probably a good thing, because they'd have torn each other apart if they could have.
Right now they were awaiting the first of a series of challenges, tests, in order to gain the lovely Kari's affections. They hadn't been told of what any of the tests would be, just that the first one would be held between only the two of them, so their Digimon weren't allowed to help.
Both glared at each other endlessly, cursing in their thoughts, until a shape began to materialize in the space between them. After a few seconds, what seemed to be a few wisps of smoke became an averagely built man, in a black felt (or something like felt) trenchcoat, impossibly black sunglasses, and black everything else, from boots to hair. His face was expressionless.
He looked at both T.K. and Davis in turn, then smiled, and spoke. "Welcome, gentlemen, to the first challenge. Are you both ready?"
"Wait-- what's your name?"
"They Call Me The Cage. Now, are you ready?"
"YES!" both shouted out at the same time.
"Good. Mhm, mhm. Well, I'll explain the nature of this test: what you two must do is answer a certain number of questions to prove your knowledge of Digimon and their history."
"Piece of cake!" said Davis confidently.
T.K. was just as confident. "Heh, this should be easy."
The being still smiled. "Indeed, mmph, mmhm. Well, we'll begin with the solo questions. Here--" two empty frames appeared in front of the two 'contestants'-- "these are what you will answer with. Just think your answer, and it will be displayed in this frame. Quite simple, really, mmhm, mhm. Shall we begin?"
Another frame appeared in front of them, but a long, thin one. "The questions will appear in that. Davis, you're first."
He punched the air, grinning. The first question appeared, and the being said it aloud; "Name ALL the stages, forms, etc., of Digivolution."
"Easy! All right, there's... um... can I say it as if they would?"
"Sure."
"Great!" Davis' following sentences formed in pictures in his frame. "So there's 'Armor Digivolve', they can go from Rookie to Champion, then to Ultimate... Sometimes they can 'Warp Digivolve' right to Mega... umm, Champions can 'DNA Digivolve'... and that's all!"
The being just looked at him, then laughed. "Wrong. T.K., care to correct him?"
"Sure." Pictures appeared in T.K.'s frame also. "BEFORE Rookie, Digimon have to go from Digi-egg to two other forms, THEN they can go Rookie. Plus, DNA Digivolved Digimon can still Digivolve to Mega themselves, and can sometimes change forms."
"Very impressive! Mhm, mhm. Point to you. The question for you is:" The question in the frame changed. "A bit easier-- There are four known cases of DNA Digivolving. What Digimon make up the three cases that have manifested themselves with the NEW Digidestined."
"Hmm... All right: first came Veemon and Wormon, then Gatomon and Hawkmon... and... Oh yeah! Oops, I'd forgotten for a second there... it's Patamon and Armadillomon. Am I right?"
The being shook his head. "No, actually. Davis, the question is open to you."
Davis smirked. "Hmph. You forgot what you just said-- Digimon have to be Champion to DNA Digivolve."
"Exactly," said the being, "and you don't need to elaborate. Point to you. Well, looks like this is going to be close..."
*****
After what seemed like hours of questions, the score was close. Very close. Almost impossibly close.
Davis and T.K. were tied.
The being had just asked them one last question, the final one, but neither one had the answer. "Well, I'm not surprised you didn't get it, it was a trick question; Complentricity NEVER won the F.A. cup!"
As T.K. and Davis stood there, bug-eyed, a different voice cut through the darkness. "Holy shit, man! What kind of dumb-ass questions are you asking these two punks?" Another shadow materialized, and formed into a tall man with pale skin and heavy, white armor. A sword was sheathed at his side. "I mean, c'mon! That, while not even being fair, was a question that didn't even make any sense!"
"Hey, if Monty Python can use it--"
"Enough with your godsdammed Monty Python! And you just HAD to use someone else's handle didn't you?!"
Davis was confused. "Whaddaya mean, Cage isn't his name?"
Both beings looked at him. "Cage isn't ANYONE'S name. You really should pay attention to caps-- the handle is 'They Call Me The Cage'. But THIS guy's real name--" the being in armour gestured to the Matrix-esque being-- "is Evi--"
"DON'T TELL THEM!!!" yelled the other being. He pulled out a long rifle with strange gadgets and pointed it at the first one. "TELL THEM AND YOU FEEL MY WRATH!!! Ooh, that sounded good. Voids have good reverberation for some reason--"
T.K. stared at the big gun. "What the hell IS that?"
The being smiled. "The first real Rail Gun. It shoots molten aluminum at extreme speeds. Nothing solid can stop it. Pretty sweet, eh? Would you like a demonstration?" He aimed it at the armoured being and pulled the trigger.
In a flash, the shot melted a small hole in the center of the armour, burning through metal and flesh alike, and went through the back of the armour. The being didn't even flinch. After a second, both holes closed. "Are you quite done?"
"Yeah, just showin' them the power of my Rail."
"No kidding. And by the way," the being in armour said upon seeing T.K. and Davis' stares, "we ARE immortal."
Davis was quickest to rebound. "But which one of us won the round?"
Now it was Mr. Rail Gun's turn to go bug-eyed. "Um... oh yeah! Mhm, mhm. Sorry, but SOMEONE had to interrupt just before I told you the results..."
"Oh, just shut up and tell them."
"Right. The winner, so far... has not been decided." Everyone facefaulted. "What?! I ran out of questions! Mmhm."
T.K. was seething. Again. *I can't believe it! How could he know as much as me? He's an idiot! A moron! I JUST DON'T GET IT!!!*
Davis was actually happy with the result. *Wow, look at that! He actually tied with me! Now that he thinks he's almost as good as me, his eventual thrashing will be even MORE painful!*
Both beings smiled upon hearing both boys' thoughts, then the one in armour turned to the other. "Well, that was pointless. See ya 'round." He dissipated.
The two boys looked around. "Where'd he go?"
"It doesn't matter, mhm, mhm. But for now, you can just call me Kharn."
*****
Unseen by Davis and T.K., Kari floated around them, as faded as the ghost a spirit of a spectre-- but I rant.
She observed both, floating right before their eyes, and observing how they were reacting. She could also hear their thoughts, and took them into consideration.
At first she'd been frightened for her life when she'd first been transported to this strange place, but when it had all been explained to her, she agreed, if only just to get a good laugh at what the two boys might do to get her.
But as for the actual decision... well, not only did T.K. seem slightly more knowledgeable than he actually was, but his thoughts were not exactly very gallant.
Davis was slightly better, but a bit dumb when it came down to it, though it did make him sort of funnny... then again, she'd known T.K. for years...
What choice could she make? None yet.
Another spoke. "Yeah, I've got them all ready to... mhm, mhm... run the gauntlet."
"I still can't believe you chose Digimon to mess with."
"But it's so amazingly easy to do it there! Besides, they're kids! This may sound really cliche, but what can a bunch of kids do to ME?"
"Yeah... but still, you couldn't have chosen something else?"
"Oh, for fuck's sake... Look, what would you have preferred I do? I mean, YOU'RE the one who wanted to let me choose myself, mmph, mmhm. If you've got such a problem with it, then go away."
"Fine! I will!"
"Mmhm. Good riddance."
"I heard that!"
*****
Davis and T.K. stood alone in the quasi-darkness, seeing each other but nothing else. And they couldn't change the distance between them: no matter what they did, they were ALWAYS a few metres apart.
Which was probably a good thing, because they'd have torn each other apart if they could have.
Right now they were awaiting the first of a series of challenges, tests, in order to gain the lovely Kari's affections. They hadn't been told of what any of the tests would be, just that the first one would be held between only the two of them, so their Digimon weren't allowed to help.
Both glared at each other endlessly, cursing in their thoughts, until a shape began to materialize in the space between them. After a few seconds, what seemed to be a few wisps of smoke became an averagely built man, in a black felt (or something like felt) trenchcoat, impossibly black sunglasses, and black everything else, from boots to hair. His face was expressionless.
He looked at both T.K. and Davis in turn, then smiled, and spoke. "Welcome, gentlemen, to the first challenge. Are you both ready?"
"Wait-- what's your name?"
"They Call Me The Cage. Now, are you ready?"
"YES!" both shouted out at the same time.
"Good. Mhm, mhm. Well, I'll explain the nature of this test: what you two must do is answer a certain number of questions to prove your knowledge of Digimon and their history."
"Piece of cake!" said Davis confidently.
T.K. was just as confident. "Heh, this should be easy."
The being still smiled. "Indeed, mmph, mmhm. Well, we'll begin with the solo questions. Here--" two empty frames appeared in front of the two 'contestants'-- "these are what you will answer with. Just think your answer, and it will be displayed in this frame. Quite simple, really, mmhm, mhm. Shall we begin?"
Another frame appeared in front of them, but a long, thin one. "The questions will appear in that. Davis, you're first."
He punched the air, grinning. The first question appeared, and the being said it aloud; "Name ALL the stages, forms, etc., of Digivolution."
"Easy! All right, there's... um... can I say it as if they would?"
"Sure."
"Great!" Davis' following sentences formed in pictures in his frame. "So there's 'Armor Digivolve', they can go from Rookie to Champion, then to Ultimate... Sometimes they can 'Warp Digivolve' right to Mega... umm, Champions can 'DNA Digivolve'... and that's all!"
The being just looked at him, then laughed. "Wrong. T.K., care to correct him?"
"Sure." Pictures appeared in T.K.'s frame also. "BEFORE Rookie, Digimon have to go from Digi-egg to two other forms, THEN they can go Rookie. Plus, DNA Digivolved Digimon can still Digivolve to Mega themselves, and can sometimes change forms."
"Very impressive! Mhm, mhm. Point to you. The question for you is:" The question in the frame changed. "A bit easier-- There are four known cases of DNA Digivolving. What Digimon make up the three cases that have manifested themselves with the NEW Digidestined."
"Hmm... All right: first came Veemon and Wormon, then Gatomon and Hawkmon... and... Oh yeah! Oops, I'd forgotten for a second there... it's Patamon and Armadillomon. Am I right?"
The being shook his head. "No, actually. Davis, the question is open to you."
Davis smirked. "Hmph. You forgot what you just said-- Digimon have to be Champion to DNA Digivolve."
"Exactly," said the being, "and you don't need to elaborate. Point to you. Well, looks like this is going to be close..."
*****
After what seemed like hours of questions, the score was close. Very close. Almost impossibly close.
Davis and T.K. were tied.
The being had just asked them one last question, the final one, but neither one had the answer. "Well, I'm not surprised you didn't get it, it was a trick question; Complentricity NEVER won the F.A. cup!"
As T.K. and Davis stood there, bug-eyed, a different voice cut through the darkness. "Holy shit, man! What kind of dumb-ass questions are you asking these two punks?" Another shadow materialized, and formed into a tall man with pale skin and heavy, white armor. A sword was sheathed at his side. "I mean, c'mon! That, while not even being fair, was a question that didn't even make any sense!"
"Hey, if Monty Python can use it--"
"Enough with your godsdammed Monty Python! And you just HAD to use someone else's handle didn't you?!"
Davis was confused. "Whaddaya mean, Cage isn't his name?"
Both beings looked at him. "Cage isn't ANYONE'S name. You really should pay attention to caps-- the handle is 'They Call Me The Cage'. But THIS guy's real name--" the being in armour gestured to the Matrix-esque being-- "is Evi--"
"DON'T TELL THEM!!!" yelled the other being. He pulled out a long rifle with strange gadgets and pointed it at the first one. "TELL THEM AND YOU FEEL MY WRATH!!! Ooh, that sounded good. Voids have good reverberation for some reason--"
T.K. stared at the big gun. "What the hell IS that?"
The being smiled. "The first real Rail Gun. It shoots molten aluminum at extreme speeds. Nothing solid can stop it. Pretty sweet, eh? Would you like a demonstration?" He aimed it at the armoured being and pulled the trigger.
In a flash, the shot melted a small hole in the center of the armour, burning through metal and flesh alike, and went through the back of the armour. The being didn't even flinch. After a second, both holes closed. "Are you quite done?"
"Yeah, just showin' them the power of my Rail."
"No kidding. And by the way," the being in armour said upon seeing T.K. and Davis' stares, "we ARE immortal."
Davis was quickest to rebound. "But which one of us won the round?"
Now it was Mr. Rail Gun's turn to go bug-eyed. "Um... oh yeah! Mhm, mhm. Sorry, but SOMEONE had to interrupt just before I told you the results..."
"Oh, just shut up and tell them."
"Right. The winner, so far... has not been decided." Everyone facefaulted. "What?! I ran out of questions! Mmhm."
T.K. was seething. Again. *I can't believe it! How could he know as much as me? He's an idiot! A moron! I JUST DON'T GET IT!!!*
Davis was actually happy with the result. *Wow, look at that! He actually tied with me! Now that he thinks he's almost as good as me, his eventual thrashing will be even MORE painful!*
Both beings smiled upon hearing both boys' thoughts, then the one in armour turned to the other. "Well, that was pointless. See ya 'round." He dissipated.
The two boys looked around. "Where'd he go?"
"It doesn't matter, mhm, mhm. But for now, you can just call me Kharn."
*****
Unseen by Davis and T.K., Kari floated around them, as faded as the ghost a spirit of a spectre-- but I rant.
She observed both, floating right before their eyes, and observing how they were reacting. She could also hear their thoughts, and took them into consideration.
At first she'd been frightened for her life when she'd first been transported to this strange place, but when it had all been explained to her, she agreed, if only just to get a good laugh at what the two boys might do to get her.
But as for the actual decision... well, not only did T.K. seem slightly more knowledgeable than he actually was, but his thoughts were not exactly very gallant.
Davis was slightly better, but a bit dumb when it came down to it, though it did make him sort of funnny... then again, she'd known T.K. for years...
What choice could she make? None yet.
