Tamed Instincts
Part One: Summer Exotic! A City in the Digital World.
Chapter 2: Sleepover
Ken paces slowly, still shaken by his Kaizer uniform.
"You look lovely," smiles Neo reassuringly.
"Yes," adds Mari, "spandex really suits you."
"Hikari, I feel eyes watching us," whispers Gatomon.
"It is weird. Neo," Hikari asks, "doesn't it bother you that we're in the digital world, yet we're not seeing a lot of digimon?"
"I think I saw some eyes blink," Daisuke continues. "It's like they're hiding from us or something."
"The digital world is a very strange place," says Neo. "As you undoubtedly know.
"Strange, and chaotic. But in my city, I believe I've established a modicum of order." Neo presses a button on the iron gates, and the gates open, revealing a great metropolis.
"Sugoi...," breathes Daisuke.
"Thank you. Now allow me to escort you to the palace. You may let your digimon out of those stuffy bags."
Eyeing Neo warily, the digidestined release their digimon.
"Hello, Wormmon," smiles Ken bemusedly. "Please say hello to Neo."
"Hello...." Wormmon looks around in confusion.
"I know quite a bit about Wormmon-types," says Neo. "We could share notes, Ken.
"That is, if you've been a skilled Tamer."
"What are you talking about? I'm a digidestined."
"Take out your digivice, Ken." Neo sits down on the steps of a building; the others follow suit.
Ken takes out his D3 and hands it to Neo.
Neo emits a slow whistle. "A modified T1-level digivice. You're a digidestined, too."
"What else is Ken besides a digidestined?" asks Iori.
"If you'll relax, Iori, you'll learn something. For example, I'm a Chosen," continues Neo, "and you'd naturally assume I'm a digidestined. But I only have T3-level digivices, the standard issue for another type of Chosen.
"I'm not a digidestined, but a Tamer, like Ken. Tamers are permitted to carry weapons, and a Tamer's job involves training digimon for battle.
"We're on the central continent of the digital world, and you'll find that the digimon here are more advanced than usual."
"I would guess because of natural evolution and battle experience," notes Koushirou.
"True, Izumi-san," says Neo, "but it also has to do with the control spire Daisuke's Veemon is trying to head-butt.
"This may sound odd to you, but you shouldn't destroy the spires. I only have four of them here."
This elicits a collective jaw drop from most of the digidestined.
"The initial purpose of the spires was to increase the strength of a digimon by forcing one to fight at rookie level."
"Because they're able to impede digivolution through digivices," notes Ken.
"The rookie's natural strength increases," continues Neo, "and when strong enough, the rookie can digivolve on its own with a limit break."
"If that's the case, then why couldn't our digimon pull a limit break--*"
"One, the four outer continents are unused to control spires. Two, there were too many of them. Three, a digivice's function is to amplify given powers. In this case, Ken's T1 amplified the strength of the control spires on digimon unused to the control spires, and they were flat-out unable to digivolve.
"Of course, only Tamers are permitted to use restraints on digimon. So I suspect that Ken is also an inexperienced Tamer who at one point went rogue. Intriguing."
Miyako thinks it's time to change the subject. "Shouldn't we be heading to the palace Neo's been talking about?"
"I agree; let's go inside, shall we?" smiles Neo.
For they were standing outside the palace.
==
Daisuke amuses himself with video games. Sora, Mimi, and Miyako tour the palace. Iori walks around the courtyard. Mari walks off with Jyou and Koushirou to tour more of Saiba City. Hikari and Takeru look for their rooms, with Taichi and Yamato close behind.
"Come with me, Ken." Neo puts a hand on Ken's shoulder. Both head upstairs to the balcony.
==
"Report, Kazenori," says a young, dark auburn-haired man in field fatigues.
"No problem, taishou," grins an eager Lopmon. "Some other humans entered Saiba City with Neo just now."
"More humans?" groaned a Snimon. "Now he's gathering reinforcements. No offense, Ryo."
"None taken-I understand your concerns, Takato, believe me. Humans are more susceptible to the dark forces," says Ryo.
"One thing about you, Ryo: you never deny that you have faults," grins Kazenori.
"Doesn't everybody?" Ryo shrugs. "Continue the report."
"Each one has a digimon, some more experienced than others. The one in the crazy blue costume had a Wormmon and a T1-Level digivice."
"T1-Level? Did it look like this?" Ryo displays his old Tamagotchi game unit.
"Nope-looked more like a weird bean," says Takato, drawing a 9-shaped silhouette in the ground.
"That brings to mind one of Neo's T3's," notes a Veemon.
"No, Zeromaru-san; it was a T1. T1s are handheld, while T3s have to be worn on the wrist.
"It was a small black T1 shaped like a T3," says a Chuumon.
"Sayuki, weren't you told to stay on base?" grumbles Zeromaru.
"I couldn't stay behind! There's a Patamon, and a Gatomon at an advanced level. And there's another Veemon-type, and he doesn't seem nearly as grouchy as you are," adds Sayuki with a pout.
"He's probably an overgrown freshie, just like you."
Sayuki responds with a raspberry.
"Give me names on the humans," says Ryo.
"I caught a 'Ken'-that's the kid in the costume, A 'Hikari', an 'Iori', and someone named 'Izumi-san'. Their digimon aren't even named except by their type," notes Kazenori, "obvious Outers."
"No, Kaz-only some of them are Outers. That Gatomon that has Sayuki going spastic is from Server, while the Patamon is from File."
"Forget about the new Digimon a moment. Our main concern involves those other humans like myself. In particular--*"
"I think you should be concerned about us," says Gatomon.
"It's her!" squeals Sayuki.
"Just a game of cat and mouse, kitten."
"Kitten? What an insult!"
"So you're with those kids," says Ryo.
"And your friends were spying on us," replies Gatomon coolly. "What's this about?"
"Will you tell me about the kids, if I trust you to keep quiet for now?" Ryo asks earnestly.
Gatomon studies Ryo a moment. "You're too straightforward to pull off a double-cross. I'll bite.
"The kids are all digidestined. They were invited here by Neo."
"For what purpose?" asks Ryo.
"Neo said it was a sleepover."
"You can't expect us to believe that!" growls Takato.
"Quiet, Takato," hisses Zeromaru.
"Believe what you want; I'm telling the truth," Gatomon glares.
"I believe you; I think the boy with the goggles is cute-and he almost spotted you, Kaz," grins Sayuki.
"I sneeze a lot near dandelion puffs," says Kazenori.
"What's the goggle kid's name?" Zeromaru asks Gatomon.
"Daisuke," answers Gatomon.
"Oh. I was thinking of something."
"I had a thought, too, Gatomon." Ryo thinks carefully. "The kid named Ken: do you know his last name?"
"Yes; it's Ichijouji."
"Hmm...does he have any weapon? You notice that I have this pistol, for example. And that Neo has a laser blade device."
"Ken has a whip. Please don't make me go any further-it brings up bad memories for me, and it's shaking Ken up.
"In fact, I should help Wormmon keep an eye on him. Ken's sensitive; that makes him vulnerable to devious people."
"The word you want is 'gentle'," smiles Ryo. "You want to strangle him and protect him at the same time sometimes."
"How did you know?" asks Gatomon.
"I empathize." Ryo changes the subject. "Where are the kids now?"
"Hikari, my digidestined, is probably getting ready for bed. Some of the others are looking around the castle, and the rest are touring Neo's city."
"Do you think you could bring your friends here tomorrow?" asks Zeromaru.
"No; meet me in the sakura grove behind the city."
"Why?" asks Ryo.
"I don't think this place is...safe anymore. You do feel like you're in danger, right?"
"We are in danger-and that means you too, neko-chan," grunts Zeromaru.
"I'll keep my nose clean. Just meet me there before sunrise, and we can figure it out from there." Gatomon vanishes into the shadows.
==
"Return, Zed," Neo says calmly into the speaker.
"No. I can catch the little neko. Let me, Neo," smiles a vicious voice from the speaker.
"She is my guest, not your prey. Let her be for now; there's nothing the Gatomon can do."
"Very well." Zed signs off.
** Interesting; Hikari's Gatomon can sense Zed. I doubt he's been sloppy-Zed's too overconfident for that-so that means the Gatomon is quite advanced for her age.
** If I can just convince Ken to join me.... **
==
"Ken?" Daisuke stands over the bathtub.
"Ken, come on," snaps Miyako. "Get out of the tub."
"It's bad enough you almost set the palace on fire burning your old outfit," adds Daisuke with concern.
"I'm sorry," Ken mumbles.
"Hey, just towel off and slip into these comfy pajamas you packed." Miyako pulls out light blue pajamas with bunnies.
She and Daisuke try to conceal snickers.
Ken sighs, leaving the bathtub. "My grandmother still thinks I'm five. They are comfy pajamas, though."
"Here," Miyako grins. "It's no fun teasing you-you take it all so graciously."
Daisuke stifles a yawn. "I'm going to bed."
"Could you sleep in my bed with me?" Ken asks abruptly.
"...why? Why'd you ask that, Ken?"
"I just have a feeling I shouldn't sleep alone tonight. Not here."
"Okay. We'll bunk. Veemon, that means you have the bed all to yourself tonight."
"I think I'll throw a slumber party!" grins Veemon.
"I guess that means I help you raid Neo's fridge," says Miyako.
"Yep!" Veemon canters off, followed by Miyako.
==
"Ooh, Neo-you have excellent taste. Ken and Daisuke?" squeals Mari.
"They're an exceptional pair, and I'd hate to separate them," smiles Neo.
"Besides," he adds, "Daisuke has a newer Victory Class ancient dramon. Such a beast is integral to the master plan."
"You know, the rule of thumb is never to mix business with pleasure," Mari grins, pruning her Palmon.
"I don't like to break rules. I remake them as I see fit." Neo draws closer to Mari, licking her ear.
"I get it-can't have them tonight...."
==
Takeru jerks out of a restless sleep.
"Screaming. Someone's screaming."
Patamon wakes up. "What's wrong, Takeru?"
"I don't know.... I hear voices screaming. It's coming from below.
"I'm going down to investigate."
"That could be dangerous," says a worried Patamon.
"I have to. It's connected to the nightmare I just had, I know it."
"Then let's go together."
Takeru and Patamon leave their room and head downstairs.
They reach the corridor.
"The screaming's getting louder," notes Takeru.
"It's coming from that way," says Patamon, darting towards the right.
The pair arrive at a door, where the screams are loudest.
"Sounds like...torture," seethes Takeru. "We have to put a stop to it."
With that, Takeru pushes open the door....
A large, shadowed form--towering over a terrified Angemon-vanishes into the darkness.
"Don't worry," says Takeru heading towards the Angemon. "We'll get you out of here."
"Takeru, he can't fly." Patamon's eyes widen in horror.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at his wings. They're bleeding."
The Angemon has broken wings, and a near-shattered mask. The wings are pinned by large spikes.
"My gods.... What kind of monster would do such a thing?" Takeru scowls.
=== Comments to anubis_soundwave@yahoo.com ===
Part One: Summer Exotic! A City in the Digital World.
Chapter 2: Sleepover
Ken paces slowly, still shaken by his Kaizer uniform.
"You look lovely," smiles Neo reassuringly.
"Yes," adds Mari, "spandex really suits you."
"Hikari, I feel eyes watching us," whispers Gatomon.
"It is weird. Neo," Hikari asks, "doesn't it bother you that we're in the digital world, yet we're not seeing a lot of digimon?"
"I think I saw some eyes blink," Daisuke continues. "It's like they're hiding from us or something."
"The digital world is a very strange place," says Neo. "As you undoubtedly know.
"Strange, and chaotic. But in my city, I believe I've established a modicum of order." Neo presses a button on the iron gates, and the gates open, revealing a great metropolis.
"Sugoi...," breathes Daisuke.
"Thank you. Now allow me to escort you to the palace. You may let your digimon out of those stuffy bags."
Eyeing Neo warily, the digidestined release their digimon.
"Hello, Wormmon," smiles Ken bemusedly. "Please say hello to Neo."
"Hello...." Wormmon looks around in confusion.
"I know quite a bit about Wormmon-types," says Neo. "We could share notes, Ken.
"That is, if you've been a skilled Tamer."
"What are you talking about? I'm a digidestined."
"Take out your digivice, Ken." Neo sits down on the steps of a building; the others follow suit.
Ken takes out his D3 and hands it to Neo.
Neo emits a slow whistle. "A modified T1-level digivice. You're a digidestined, too."
"What else is Ken besides a digidestined?" asks Iori.
"If you'll relax, Iori, you'll learn something. For example, I'm a Chosen," continues Neo, "and you'd naturally assume I'm a digidestined. But I only have T3-level digivices, the standard issue for another type of Chosen.
"I'm not a digidestined, but a Tamer, like Ken. Tamers are permitted to carry weapons, and a Tamer's job involves training digimon for battle.
"We're on the central continent of the digital world, and you'll find that the digimon here are more advanced than usual."
"I would guess because of natural evolution and battle experience," notes Koushirou.
"True, Izumi-san," says Neo, "but it also has to do with the control spire Daisuke's Veemon is trying to head-butt.
"This may sound odd to you, but you shouldn't destroy the spires. I only have four of them here."
This elicits a collective jaw drop from most of the digidestined.
"The initial purpose of the spires was to increase the strength of a digimon by forcing one to fight at rookie level."
"Because they're able to impede digivolution through digivices," notes Ken.
"The rookie's natural strength increases," continues Neo, "and when strong enough, the rookie can digivolve on its own with a limit break."
"If that's the case, then why couldn't our digimon pull a limit break--*"
"One, the four outer continents are unused to control spires. Two, there were too many of them. Three, a digivice's function is to amplify given powers. In this case, Ken's T1 amplified the strength of the control spires on digimon unused to the control spires, and they were flat-out unable to digivolve.
"Of course, only Tamers are permitted to use restraints on digimon. So I suspect that Ken is also an inexperienced Tamer who at one point went rogue. Intriguing."
Miyako thinks it's time to change the subject. "Shouldn't we be heading to the palace Neo's been talking about?"
"I agree; let's go inside, shall we?" smiles Neo.
For they were standing outside the palace.
==
Daisuke amuses himself with video games. Sora, Mimi, and Miyako tour the palace. Iori walks around the courtyard. Mari walks off with Jyou and Koushirou to tour more of Saiba City. Hikari and Takeru look for their rooms, with Taichi and Yamato close behind.
"Come with me, Ken." Neo puts a hand on Ken's shoulder. Both head upstairs to the balcony.
==
"Report, Kazenori," says a young, dark auburn-haired man in field fatigues.
"No problem, taishou," grins an eager Lopmon. "Some other humans entered Saiba City with Neo just now."
"More humans?" groaned a Snimon. "Now he's gathering reinforcements. No offense, Ryo."
"None taken-I understand your concerns, Takato, believe me. Humans are more susceptible to the dark forces," says Ryo.
"One thing about you, Ryo: you never deny that you have faults," grins Kazenori.
"Doesn't everybody?" Ryo shrugs. "Continue the report."
"Each one has a digimon, some more experienced than others. The one in the crazy blue costume had a Wormmon and a T1-Level digivice."
"T1-Level? Did it look like this?" Ryo displays his old Tamagotchi game unit.
"Nope-looked more like a weird bean," says Takato, drawing a 9-shaped silhouette in the ground.
"That brings to mind one of Neo's T3's," notes a Veemon.
"No, Zeromaru-san; it was a T1. T1s are handheld, while T3s have to be worn on the wrist.
"It was a small black T1 shaped like a T3," says a Chuumon.
"Sayuki, weren't you told to stay on base?" grumbles Zeromaru.
"I couldn't stay behind! There's a Patamon, and a Gatomon at an advanced level. And there's another Veemon-type, and he doesn't seem nearly as grouchy as you are," adds Sayuki with a pout.
"He's probably an overgrown freshie, just like you."
Sayuki responds with a raspberry.
"Give me names on the humans," says Ryo.
"I caught a 'Ken'-that's the kid in the costume, A 'Hikari', an 'Iori', and someone named 'Izumi-san'. Their digimon aren't even named except by their type," notes Kazenori, "obvious Outers."
"No, Kaz-only some of them are Outers. That Gatomon that has Sayuki going spastic is from Server, while the Patamon is from File."
"Forget about the new Digimon a moment. Our main concern involves those other humans like myself. In particular--*"
"I think you should be concerned about us," says Gatomon.
"It's her!" squeals Sayuki.
"Just a game of cat and mouse, kitten."
"Kitten? What an insult!"
"So you're with those kids," says Ryo.
"And your friends were spying on us," replies Gatomon coolly. "What's this about?"
"Will you tell me about the kids, if I trust you to keep quiet for now?" Ryo asks earnestly.
Gatomon studies Ryo a moment. "You're too straightforward to pull off a double-cross. I'll bite.
"The kids are all digidestined. They were invited here by Neo."
"For what purpose?" asks Ryo.
"Neo said it was a sleepover."
"You can't expect us to believe that!" growls Takato.
"Quiet, Takato," hisses Zeromaru.
"Believe what you want; I'm telling the truth," Gatomon glares.
"I believe you; I think the boy with the goggles is cute-and he almost spotted you, Kaz," grins Sayuki.
"I sneeze a lot near dandelion puffs," says Kazenori.
"What's the goggle kid's name?" Zeromaru asks Gatomon.
"Daisuke," answers Gatomon.
"Oh. I was thinking of something."
"I had a thought, too, Gatomon." Ryo thinks carefully. "The kid named Ken: do you know his last name?"
"Yes; it's Ichijouji."
"Hmm...does he have any weapon? You notice that I have this pistol, for example. And that Neo has a laser blade device."
"Ken has a whip. Please don't make me go any further-it brings up bad memories for me, and it's shaking Ken up.
"In fact, I should help Wormmon keep an eye on him. Ken's sensitive; that makes him vulnerable to devious people."
"The word you want is 'gentle'," smiles Ryo. "You want to strangle him and protect him at the same time sometimes."
"How did you know?" asks Gatomon.
"I empathize." Ryo changes the subject. "Where are the kids now?"
"Hikari, my digidestined, is probably getting ready for bed. Some of the others are looking around the castle, and the rest are touring Neo's city."
"Do you think you could bring your friends here tomorrow?" asks Zeromaru.
"No; meet me in the sakura grove behind the city."
"Why?" asks Ryo.
"I don't think this place is...safe anymore. You do feel like you're in danger, right?"
"We are in danger-and that means you too, neko-chan," grunts Zeromaru.
"I'll keep my nose clean. Just meet me there before sunrise, and we can figure it out from there." Gatomon vanishes into the shadows.
==
"Return, Zed," Neo says calmly into the speaker.
"No. I can catch the little neko. Let me, Neo," smiles a vicious voice from the speaker.
"She is my guest, not your prey. Let her be for now; there's nothing the Gatomon can do."
"Very well." Zed signs off.
** Interesting; Hikari's Gatomon can sense Zed. I doubt he's been sloppy-Zed's too overconfident for that-so that means the Gatomon is quite advanced for her age.
** If I can just convince Ken to join me.... **
==
"Ken?" Daisuke stands over the bathtub.
"Ken, come on," snaps Miyako. "Get out of the tub."
"It's bad enough you almost set the palace on fire burning your old outfit," adds Daisuke with concern.
"I'm sorry," Ken mumbles.
"Hey, just towel off and slip into these comfy pajamas you packed." Miyako pulls out light blue pajamas with bunnies.
She and Daisuke try to conceal snickers.
Ken sighs, leaving the bathtub. "My grandmother still thinks I'm five. They are comfy pajamas, though."
"Here," Miyako grins. "It's no fun teasing you-you take it all so graciously."
Daisuke stifles a yawn. "I'm going to bed."
"Could you sleep in my bed with me?" Ken asks abruptly.
"...why? Why'd you ask that, Ken?"
"I just have a feeling I shouldn't sleep alone tonight. Not here."
"Okay. We'll bunk. Veemon, that means you have the bed all to yourself tonight."
"I think I'll throw a slumber party!" grins Veemon.
"I guess that means I help you raid Neo's fridge," says Miyako.
"Yep!" Veemon canters off, followed by Miyako.
==
"Ooh, Neo-you have excellent taste. Ken and Daisuke?" squeals Mari.
"They're an exceptional pair, and I'd hate to separate them," smiles Neo.
"Besides," he adds, "Daisuke has a newer Victory Class ancient dramon. Such a beast is integral to the master plan."
"You know, the rule of thumb is never to mix business with pleasure," Mari grins, pruning her Palmon.
"I don't like to break rules. I remake them as I see fit." Neo draws closer to Mari, licking her ear.
"I get it-can't have them tonight...."
==
Takeru jerks out of a restless sleep.
"Screaming. Someone's screaming."
Patamon wakes up. "What's wrong, Takeru?"
"I don't know.... I hear voices screaming. It's coming from below.
"I'm going down to investigate."
"That could be dangerous," says a worried Patamon.
"I have to. It's connected to the nightmare I just had, I know it."
"Then let's go together."
Takeru and Patamon leave their room and head downstairs.
They reach the corridor.
"The screaming's getting louder," notes Takeru.
"It's coming from that way," says Patamon, darting towards the right.
The pair arrive at a door, where the screams are loudest.
"Sounds like...torture," seethes Takeru. "We have to put a stop to it."
With that, Takeru pushes open the door....
A large, shadowed form--towering over a terrified Angemon-vanishes into the darkness.
"Don't worry," says Takeru heading towards the Angemon. "We'll get you out of here."
"Takeru, he can't fly." Patamon's eyes widen in horror.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at his wings. They're bleeding."
The Angemon has broken wings, and a near-shattered mask. The wings are pinned by large spikes.
"My gods.... What kind of monster would do such a thing?" Takeru scowls.
=== Comments to anubis_soundwave@yahoo.com ===
