AN: This isn't going to answer some big questions, but it's going to set
up quite a bit. It's one of those chapters you have to have, but you don't
really want to, ya know Well, this is going to be ginjiki (Don't ask why
I chose this, it just helped the fiction move along.), so anything you
don't recognize right away, that's why. And to my dear reviewer, Galileo,
all questions will be answered in the next two to three chapters.
There's an Olympic size pool down the south corridor. Early mornings, I used to come here and just stand where I am. When no one would block it, I could smell the chlorine mixed with the sand from the earth ring down the east passage. It was relaxing, even so far as cleansing, to experience it every day.
I can still smell it, even though it's pretty well covered up by rubble and smoke.
The pools probably gone by now. There was an explosion less than three hours ago. Now, all that remains is the corpse of what a glorious training center it had been.
It's ironic, though by no means surprising, that this building was hit. This was where the warriors who had protected this world had trained. This was where they had learned to destroy the viruses which threatened to destroy the peace that had held. But now that they have gone to live with their respective partners, it had been left open for attack.
It's rare that any of them find time to return to this world. Their lives have become strenuous, time is short and sweet. In fact, only one could come after this happened. Chip.
He climbs awkwardly over a pile of rock and rubble to the broken tile floor. He had just come from the air training center down the north corridor. That was always his favorite area to train in, as it should be.
The cowboy hat he had bought a year ago and hasn't been seen without since is pulled down so the brim reaches to nearly his neck.. His entire face is basked deeply in shadows, so that it's impossible to make out his reaction. I don't have to, though. I know he's scowling.
As he leans against an erect piece of the ceiling, he gives a long, low whistle. *He sure nailed this place, didn't he* he chuckles slightly before silencing. I nod. *So, what are we gonna do with the next team if they can't train*
*There`s already technology being made,* I reply slowly. *It makes partners completely obsolete.* He snorts angrily, and then spits onto the rubble.
*That`s a load of BS, ya know that* he tells me, pushing up the brim with his thumb. His facial features are exposed to me. He's defiantly not pleased with our decision.
*What do you want us to do* I ask. Chip's jaw tightens as he decides, wisely, to change the subject.
*We can't let them jet away with this,* he growls softly, crossing his arms.
*What would you suggest* I ask. His mouth opens slightly. *Considering it's literally impossible for you to Digivolve at the present time.* It shuts again. His eyes close as his head points downward. His face is bright as he looks back up.
*We could get Hiro...*
*No.*
*But...*
*No.*
*Why can...*
*No. He's too young.*
*You were the same age, if not a few years younger, when you began,* he points out, chuckling softly at me.
I sneer at him. *He doesn't have the control I had, and he can't train until he gets it.*
*How did you expect him to get control He couldn't have been allowed to practice, he would be in the Tabloids around the world in an hour,* Chip spits. His tone goes soft. *Let me train him. I`ll have him up to speed.*
*His cover will be blown the second you start,* I sigh. * We can't risk it. Before we call out our last resort, we have to play this out a bit.* Immediately, I regret what I've just said. With fire burning in his eyes, he lashes out for all he's worth.
*Play this out * he roars. *We HAVE been playing this out, and look where it's gotten us.* He makes wild gestures around to the destruction. *You talk about not risking it Well, right now we are. We don't have the time to dick around any more. This kid needs to be trained, and it has to be soon or else we might not have any time left.*
*We have to try and face this on our own at least once,* I growl. Chip returns it, but his tone goes soft as he walks over to me and places his hand upon my shoulder. Our eyes lock.
*I know you want to protect him, I want to, too. But right now, we don't have a choice whether or not we want to show him all of this. He has to be told.* Chip nearly whispers, *There may not be another time if we don't act now.*
I look away, and he sighs. He takes his leave, gazing back only once before ducking behind a rock. He disaperes in a flash of light as he goes home.
There's an Olympic size pool down the south corridor. Early mornings, I used to come here and just stand where I am. When no one would block it, I could smell the chlorine mixed with the sand from the earth ring down the east passage. It was relaxing, even so far as cleansing, to experience it every day.
I can still smell it, even though it's pretty well covered up by rubble and smoke.
The pools probably gone by now. There was an explosion less than three hours ago. Now, all that remains is the corpse of what a glorious training center it had been.
It's ironic, though by no means surprising, that this building was hit. This was where the warriors who had protected this world had trained. This was where they had learned to destroy the viruses which threatened to destroy the peace that had held. But now that they have gone to live with their respective partners, it had been left open for attack.
It's rare that any of them find time to return to this world. Their lives have become strenuous, time is short and sweet. In fact, only one could come after this happened. Chip.
He climbs awkwardly over a pile of rock and rubble to the broken tile floor. He had just come from the air training center down the north corridor. That was always his favorite area to train in, as it should be.
The cowboy hat he had bought a year ago and hasn't been seen without since is pulled down so the brim reaches to nearly his neck.. His entire face is basked deeply in shadows, so that it's impossible to make out his reaction. I don't have to, though. I know he's scowling.
As he leans against an erect piece of the ceiling, he gives a long, low whistle. *He sure nailed this place, didn't he* he chuckles slightly before silencing. I nod. *So, what are we gonna do with the next team if they can't train*
*There`s already technology being made,* I reply slowly. *It makes partners completely obsolete.* He snorts angrily, and then spits onto the rubble.
*That`s a load of BS, ya know that* he tells me, pushing up the brim with his thumb. His facial features are exposed to me. He's defiantly not pleased with our decision.
*What do you want us to do* I ask. Chip's jaw tightens as he decides, wisely, to change the subject.
*We can't let them jet away with this,* he growls softly, crossing his arms.
*What would you suggest* I ask. His mouth opens slightly. *Considering it's literally impossible for you to Digivolve at the present time.* It shuts again. His eyes close as his head points downward. His face is bright as he looks back up.
*We could get Hiro...*
*No.*
*But...*
*No.*
*Why can...*
*No. He's too young.*
*You were the same age, if not a few years younger, when you began,* he points out, chuckling softly at me.
I sneer at him. *He doesn't have the control I had, and he can't train until he gets it.*
*How did you expect him to get control He couldn't have been allowed to practice, he would be in the Tabloids around the world in an hour,* Chip spits. His tone goes soft. *Let me train him. I`ll have him up to speed.*
*His cover will be blown the second you start,* I sigh. * We can't risk it. Before we call out our last resort, we have to play this out a bit.* Immediately, I regret what I've just said. With fire burning in his eyes, he lashes out for all he's worth.
*Play this out * he roars. *We HAVE been playing this out, and look where it's gotten us.* He makes wild gestures around to the destruction. *You talk about not risking it Well, right now we are. We don't have the time to dick around any more. This kid needs to be trained, and it has to be soon or else we might not have any time left.*
*We have to try and face this on our own at least once,* I growl. Chip returns it, but his tone goes soft as he walks over to me and places his hand upon my shoulder. Our eyes lock.
*I know you want to protect him, I want to, too. But right now, we don't have a choice whether or not we want to show him all of this. He has to be told.* Chip nearly whispers, *There may not be another time if we don't act now.*
I look away, and he sighs. He takes his leave, gazing back only once before ducking behind a rock. He disaperes in a flash of light as he goes home.