Legal Crap (Disclaimer): I don't own Digimon or Digimon World 2. I don't own anyone who makes a cameo, which, in this chapter, happens to be Indigo Motimiya, who belongs to Little Indigo. Oh, and the last name is something else, but I forgot it, and since she's supposed to be Davis's cousin, I figured I'd just make her last name Motimiya for today. All I own is Jenashu and Galemon. Haffa nice day, and don't sue me!
Jen: Five reviews. Five.
Yama: I told you no one likes your stuff, Jen.
Jen: ...Shut up Yama! *sob*
Yama: I know a good therapist, Jen.
Jen: Whoopty-do. Actually, I realized that I got a question and an answerable comment in two of my five reviews, so at the end of this chapter I'll have a Review Section to reply to the reviews that I can say something about.
Yama: Are you trying to entice your readers to review?
Jen: ... ... ...N-no, Yama, this is a service to my readers! A service!
Yama: Sure. Just start the fic.
Jen: Right! Enjoy the second chapter of Guard Tamers! By the way, I finally learned that Guard is not spelled Gaurd! Whooot! Oh, and this chapter is dedicated to Lily! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COUSIN!!!!!!!
****************************************************************************
Howdy, Partner
"BBS Town was attacked by several wild Musroomon last night, but they were quickly defeated by local Black Swords Guard Tamer Indigo Motimiya, as shown in the preceding amateur video. Local Blue Falcon Guard Tamer Yosu Nosuke mysteriously vanished last Tuesday, and there is still no evidence to lead the Police to him. At least twenty domesticated Digimon have disappeared every day across Server Continent for the last week. Anyone with information on the possible abduction of Yosu Nosuke or the Digimon is urged to alert authorities. The cause of all of this is still unknown."
"Yeah, right," Jen muttered as the news ended. She turned off the TV and started pacing.
Four years had passed since Jenashu Hino had become a Guard Tamer. She was now twelve, and she no longer saw being a Tamer as fun and games. She took her duties very seriously-unless she wasn't doing anything official. Jen's hair was longer, and it spilled down to the middle of her back. She was taller and thinner.
"They're afraid. No one wants to open their eyes," she mumbled.
"You're making me dizzy with all that pacing," a funny voice commented. "You're going to walk holes into the carpet." A Tentomon flew into the living room and settled on the couch.
"Oh Mantis, I wish people weren't so cowardly," Jen complained as she collapsed beside the Digimon.
"Don't worry, Jen. I'm sure some day you'll find a boy who is brave enough to date you," Mantis assured her. Jen frowned.
"Hey! How about this! I'll set you up with a nice can of bug spray," Jen offered. The Tentomon cringed.
"No thanks. Now, what's really wrong?" he asked. Jen leaned close to him.
"...Do you know anything about the Blood Knights?" she said in a hushed voice.
"Sure!" Mantis replied. "They were in power a long time ago."
"Exactly. They were like a large Guard Team of evil Tamers. Like the Black Swords gone horribly wrong. Using their manipulated and evil Digimon, they captured, tortured, and killed thousands of Tamers. And anyone else who got in their way."
"Don't forget us!" Mantis added. "They also stole Digimon! They brainwashed the powerful ones to do their bidding, and they deleted the ones that they thought were weak!"
"Right," Jen continued. "They also released wild Digimon into towns, which is always disastrous."
"You know, that sounds an awful lot like the things that have been happening lately," Mantis realized. A very satisfied look crossed Jen's face.
"Thank you!" she cried. "There is someone with a brain out there!"
"But no one's seen them for 50 years! How could they be back?" Mantis argued.
"Their leader was never captured," Jen explained. "Crimson. He was rumored to have a secret weapon or something, too."
"And 50 years is a long time to regroup," the Tentomon mused. Jen nodded. "So how come the Guard Teams aren't doing anything?"
The Guard Teams. Every Tamer who wants to protect Server Continent from wild Digimon or any other Digimon-related threat has to join one of these three teams. At these teams, Guard Tamers can buy supplies for cheaper prices than they can in public stores. Each team has a leader who gives missions to worthy Tamers, and the rewards are usually rich. Here, team members can mingle with other members, sharing news, strategies, and just bragging about their wonderful Digimon. There's no better place to challenge someone to a battle. Members of the teams always help each other out. Once you join a team, you're in it for life, unless you're kicked out for extremely bad behavior by the leader. There is no dropping out to join a different team. The teams are all fierce rivals.
The Gold Hawks Guard Team fights for honor and justice. They favor Vaccine-type Digimon. Their leader is Vandar, and Agumon is their mascot. The Blue Falcons fight for freedom and harmony. They like Data-type Digimon. Their leader is Cecilia, and their mascot is Patamon. The Black Swords fight for power and authority. They prefer Virus-type Digimon. Their leader is Skull, and their mascot is Demidevimon.
"They're afraid," Jen repeated. "No one wants to open their eyes. The Blood Knights were horrible. But I'm going to talk to Vandar about it."
"Mom," Jen called as she put her shoes on, "I'm going to headquarters." Her mother had hardly given an affirmative before Jen was out the door, with Mantis buzzing behind.
"Good morning, Miss Hino," said the Gold Hawks guard as Jen walked into the Gold Hawks HQ (A/N: HQ=headquarters). Jen returned the greeting as she passed by. As always, the place was bustling with activity, but Jen ignored it and went purposely to the Leader's Quarters.
A young man in his mid-twenties turned around as Jen entered the room. He raised his right hand to salute him, and Jen mimicked the gesture. "Guard Leader Vandar," she said respectfully, "I have something important to tell you." As always, she felt a bit nervous around her leader and mentor.
"Let's hear it, Pro Tamer Jenashu Hino," Vandar replied formally. He used her rank to address her. Jen was currently a Rank 4 Pro Tamer, but she had a long ways to go before she reached the highest Rank-Chief Tamer.
"Well, sir, I've noticed that a lot of strange things have been happening lately, and I think...I think the Blood Knights are responsible," Jen said. She realized with a wave of embarrassment that she should have planned her speech better. Vandar was staring at her.
"The Blood Knights disbanded 50 years ago, Jenashu," he reminded her.
"But sir!" Jen protested. "They've had those 50 years to reunite! After all, Crimson was never captured. All the things that have been happening lately happened when the Blood Knights were in power as well, and I don't think it's a coincidence."
For a moment, Jen could've sworn that a satisfied smile much like her own passed Vandar's lips, but the next moment he was frowning sternly again. "If the Blood Knights were back," he said carefully, "the Gold Hawks would be the first to fight them."
"I agree, sir," Jen replied seriously. The unspoken "I'll be the first Gold Hawk to do it," hung in the air.
"If that will be all-" Vandar started. The door to his chamber opened, causing him to fall silent. A beautiful Lilymon flew gracefully in.
"Excuse me, Pro Tamer," the Leader said, giving Jen another salute. She returned it before walking out sadly. However, the frown on her face was nothing, compared to the expression of the short boy standing outside the entrance to Vandar's room.
He looked so miserable that Jen had to ask what was wrong. "Are you alright?"
The boy nodded, and the dim lighting in the hallway to the Leader's Chamber caught his hair. Jen stared. She hardly ever saw anyone with hair that red. When she got over that, Jen realized what the problem was.
"Didn't do so well on your practical exams, huh?" she asked sympathetically. The Lilymon that was now talking to Vandar worked with new potential Gold Hawk Tamers during their practical exam. Each Guard Team gave practical exams to newbies before they could join. Usually they had to locate and destroy a wild Digimon that had continually attacked people.
"No," the boy said softly. Jen felt her heart break for him. She knew how crushed she would have been if she had failed her practical exam four years ago. Mantis, who had been waiting around while Jen spoke with Vandar, came flying towards her. Jen was startled by the look that the boy gave her Digimon. It was the same look that she had given Juunchi's Betamon so long ago.
"How'd it go?" Mantis asked. Jen gave him a look that said "later".
"Don't worry," Jen told the boy. "Naomi-that's the Lilymon-is in there with Vandar now. I bet she's trying to get permission to give you a retest. You'll be able to try the exam again. I'll tell you what to do, if you'd like."
The redhead stared critically at her, as if he was trying to decide whether he could trust her or not. "I knew what to do," he said slowly, "but actually doing it was impossible."
"Ah, choked up, huh?" Mantis asked.
"No, I-" the boy started. Naomi suddenly stepped out of Vandar's room.
"Your retest will take place in three days at nine in the morning. Meet me at the Main Gate then, and don't be late," she said after they all saluted each other. Then she quickly flew away.
"Let's talk at the Tamer's Club, we'll attract less attention," Jen proposed. The boy nodded, so Jen started leading him out of the Gold Hawks HQ. "Oh, and my name's Jenashu Hino. Call me Jen."
"I'm Koushiro Izumi, but I prefer Izzy," the redhead said.
"And I'm Mantis!" the Tentomon added.
"Alright, let's head out," Jen said. "Oh, and it's a pleasure, Izzy."
"Charmed," Izzy replied politely.
"So," Jen started as she sat down at a table in the Tamer's Club, "spill it."
"...Can I ask you something first?" Izzy asked. Jen nodded. "Well...what made you want to become a Gold Hawk?"
Jen blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected that. "Well, I like their ideals. I want to believe that justice exists. What better way than to enforce it?"
"I see," Izzy replied. He was silent for a moment. "All of the Guard Teams are so proud."
"That's right," Jen agreed. Before she stopped herself, she added, "That's why we never finished off the Blood Knights. If we had all joined forces, they never would have been a problem at all. Instead, small groups fought them one at a time, and they got thrashed. Because of the pride of the Guard Teams, Crimson was never captured."
Izzy stared at her. Jen realized that she had said something totally random, as she was prone to do. The redhead cleared his throat.
"About my exam," he said slowly. "I was extremely strange. I was in one of the Digi-Beetles that the Gold Hawks provides for the exams, and I had three Digimon that they let me borrow. As soon as I located Leomon in the Domain, whenever I attempted to use the Digi-Beetle's control panel, I felt something restraining me. It was like someone was pulling my arms back whenever I tried to press a button. Naomi thought I didn't know what to do, and when the Leomon began to advance on us, she hit the Auto Pilot switch, and we were transported back to the Main Gate."
Now Jen was staring at him. "That's the most bizarre thing I've ever heard," Mantis decided.
"What score did you get on your written exam?" Jen asked. Izzy pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket and handed it over. Jen couldn't believe her eyes. "WHAT?! A perfect score?! No one's ever gotten a perfect score!" Jen checked the paper again. It was definitely an official one, and it had his name on it.
"Apparently, he has," Mantis stated. Izzy grinned modestly.
"I believe your story," Jen had to admit. "There's a section on Digi-Beetles in the test. Someone who got a perfect score on the test must know how to use one."
"Although it is rather fishy," Mantis reminded her.
"That it is..." Jen trailed off. A look of understanding suddenly flashed across her face. She grabbed a pen from her bag and took Izzy's hand. Briskly she wrote down some numbers. "Look, here's my phone number. I have to go now, so call me sometime before your retest."
Izzy stared at his hand. Apparently he didn't appreciate having it vandalized.
Jen ran off, and Mantis sighed before following her. "Crazy humans," he muttered.
As soon as Mantis had flown into her room, Jen closed the door behind him and snatched a book from her bookcase. After flipping through a few pages, she found what she was looking for and started reading. She looked up at Tentomon and smiled triumphantly.
"Look here," she instructed. Mantis peeked at the book from over her shoulder. Jen cleared her throat and started reading.
"Puppetmon is a powerful mega Digimon. He attacks with the hammer that he always carries. This attack is called Puppet Pummel. Puppetmon loves to play pranks on humans and Digimon, and he has the strange ability to control the movement of his opponents."
"So there was a Puppetmon nearby," Mantis realized. "It was just a coincidence."
"Not likely. The Gold Hawks wouldn't send a complete newbie into a domain that has mega Digimon in it. I think it's the Blood Knights! They liked Virus Digimon the best!" Jen cried.
"Soon you're going to start blaming your clumsiness on them, too," Mantis replied. Jen frowned in frustration.
"No! Really! I bet they heard that Izzy got a perfect score, so they figured he'd be dangerous to them if he became a Guard Tamer, so they sabotaged his exam! Or maybe he has something that they're afraid of. Like his brains! Or maybe they're going to sabotage every exam that all the newbies take from now on, so there won't be any new Guard Tamers! I've gotta call Izzy and warn him!" With that, Jen raced to the phone.
"Um, Jen. You gave him your number, and somehow I don't think that he's going to call you back. You did act kind of weird, suddenly going off about the Blood Knights and all," Mantis pointed out. Jen sighed.
"You think he thinks I'm weird?" she demanded.
"You are weird," the Tentomon said bluntly. Jen frowned.
"Fine!" she shot back. Mantis figured that it would be best to leave her alone for a while.
Three days came and went, and Izzy did not call Jen. However, she still wanted to know how things had turned out, so she visited the Main Gate at noon.
"Hi, Mission Chief Carol!" Jen said brightly to the woman who was in charge of the deployment of the Digi-Beetles. She looked depressed. "What's wrong?"
"This short kid came in for his practical exam today, and his Digi-Beetle just...broke down. I still don't know why. The mechanics are having a lot of trouble figuring it out," Carol replied. Jen gaped at her in horror.
"He failed again? No!" With that, Jen ran out of the Main Gate and headed for HQ. Mantis rolled his eyes before following.
"Naomi! Naomi!" Jen called through the HQ. A little Biyomon called her name.
"I saw her earlier. She went to talk to Leader Vandar, and I haven't seen her since," she supplied.
"Thanks, Sakura!" Jen called. She ran down the familiar, dark hallway.
Jen knocked loudly on the door to Vandar's chambers. It was opened a moment later by Naomi. "It-wasn't-his-fault," she gasped as she caught her breath.
"You certainly are well informed," Vandar said. Jen jumped and saluted. She realized that Izzy was there, too.
"I must say that I've never had a case like this before," the Leader stated. "Someone with a perfect score on the written exam flunking the practical one twice?"
"Leader Vandar! It is possible that the Digi-Beetle was tampered with sometime between its inspection and Izzy's exam!" Jen cried.
"Yes, we have considered that, Pro Tamer Jenashu. Calm down," Vandar replied.
"Sir," Naomi started, "I think that we should have Koushiro Izumi become another Guard Tamer's partner. That way he can sharpen his skills, but not be on his own completely."
"That seems like a good compromise, but who would want a stranger to be their partner? We can't force him on anyone," Vandar stated. Jen frowned. He was talking as if Izzy wasn't sitting right there.
For a long moment, Jen stood in silent thought. If she took Izzy as her partner, she would be spiting the Blood Knights. She would be doing something to fight them. But then, taking him as her partner would change the way she operated forever. Well, at least until the Gold Hawks figured that he was good enough to be on his own. Jen reminded herself that he got a perfect score and he knew what he was doing. Surely he'd prove himself in no time at all.
"I'll do it," she said. Everyone looked at her. "He can be my partner." Izzy stared at her.
"Are you sure?" Vandar asked.
"Yes, sir," Jen replied seriously. There was a silence.
"Well, alright then. Naomi, you make that official. Guard Tamers Jenashu Hino and Koushiro Izumi, here is your first mission...."
****************************************************************************
Jen: Boy, that was long! My butt aches!
Yama: Too much info...
Jen: Whatever. Boy, it sure sounds like things will be getting dangerous soon! Actually, the real action starts in the fourth chapter, so stick with me! Read and review, people!
Review Section
Alright. DJ wants to know whether Jen is Izzy's RPG girlfriend or not. I can only say this: huh? Are you asking me whether Jen is the same Jen from my other stories? She is. This is like placing the 01 and 02 Digidestineds in a different world.
Cat asked if the 03 Tamers will be in this. As I said in before, this has nothing to do with season 03, or 04 for that matter. Also, I'm not really sure what you were trying to tell me when you said there are two more stories with the same name as this one. I'm not the only one who's played Digimon World 2, you know.
Keep the reviews coming, everyone! If you want to ask something, go right on ahead! ^^ Till next time!
Jen: Five reviews. Five.
Yama: I told you no one likes your stuff, Jen.
Jen: ...Shut up Yama! *sob*
Yama: I know a good therapist, Jen.
Jen: Whoopty-do. Actually, I realized that I got a question and an answerable comment in two of my five reviews, so at the end of this chapter I'll have a Review Section to reply to the reviews that I can say something about.
Yama: Are you trying to entice your readers to review?
Jen: ... ... ...N-no, Yama, this is a service to my readers! A service!
Yama: Sure. Just start the fic.
Jen: Right! Enjoy the second chapter of Guard Tamers! By the way, I finally learned that Guard is not spelled Gaurd! Whooot! Oh, and this chapter is dedicated to Lily! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COUSIN!!!!!!!
****************************************************************************
Howdy, Partner
"BBS Town was attacked by several wild Musroomon last night, but they were quickly defeated by local Black Swords Guard Tamer Indigo Motimiya, as shown in the preceding amateur video. Local Blue Falcon Guard Tamer Yosu Nosuke mysteriously vanished last Tuesday, and there is still no evidence to lead the Police to him. At least twenty domesticated Digimon have disappeared every day across Server Continent for the last week. Anyone with information on the possible abduction of Yosu Nosuke or the Digimon is urged to alert authorities. The cause of all of this is still unknown."
"Yeah, right," Jen muttered as the news ended. She turned off the TV and started pacing.
Four years had passed since Jenashu Hino had become a Guard Tamer. She was now twelve, and she no longer saw being a Tamer as fun and games. She took her duties very seriously-unless she wasn't doing anything official. Jen's hair was longer, and it spilled down to the middle of her back. She was taller and thinner.
"They're afraid. No one wants to open their eyes," she mumbled.
"You're making me dizzy with all that pacing," a funny voice commented. "You're going to walk holes into the carpet." A Tentomon flew into the living room and settled on the couch.
"Oh Mantis, I wish people weren't so cowardly," Jen complained as she collapsed beside the Digimon.
"Don't worry, Jen. I'm sure some day you'll find a boy who is brave enough to date you," Mantis assured her. Jen frowned.
"Hey! How about this! I'll set you up with a nice can of bug spray," Jen offered. The Tentomon cringed.
"No thanks. Now, what's really wrong?" he asked. Jen leaned close to him.
"...Do you know anything about the Blood Knights?" she said in a hushed voice.
"Sure!" Mantis replied. "They were in power a long time ago."
"Exactly. They were like a large Guard Team of evil Tamers. Like the Black Swords gone horribly wrong. Using their manipulated and evil Digimon, they captured, tortured, and killed thousands of Tamers. And anyone else who got in their way."
"Don't forget us!" Mantis added. "They also stole Digimon! They brainwashed the powerful ones to do their bidding, and they deleted the ones that they thought were weak!"
"Right," Jen continued. "They also released wild Digimon into towns, which is always disastrous."
"You know, that sounds an awful lot like the things that have been happening lately," Mantis realized. A very satisfied look crossed Jen's face.
"Thank you!" she cried. "There is someone with a brain out there!"
"But no one's seen them for 50 years! How could they be back?" Mantis argued.
"Their leader was never captured," Jen explained. "Crimson. He was rumored to have a secret weapon or something, too."
"And 50 years is a long time to regroup," the Tentomon mused. Jen nodded. "So how come the Guard Teams aren't doing anything?"
The Guard Teams. Every Tamer who wants to protect Server Continent from wild Digimon or any other Digimon-related threat has to join one of these three teams. At these teams, Guard Tamers can buy supplies for cheaper prices than they can in public stores. Each team has a leader who gives missions to worthy Tamers, and the rewards are usually rich. Here, team members can mingle with other members, sharing news, strategies, and just bragging about their wonderful Digimon. There's no better place to challenge someone to a battle. Members of the teams always help each other out. Once you join a team, you're in it for life, unless you're kicked out for extremely bad behavior by the leader. There is no dropping out to join a different team. The teams are all fierce rivals.
The Gold Hawks Guard Team fights for honor and justice. They favor Vaccine-type Digimon. Their leader is Vandar, and Agumon is their mascot. The Blue Falcons fight for freedom and harmony. They like Data-type Digimon. Their leader is Cecilia, and their mascot is Patamon. The Black Swords fight for power and authority. They prefer Virus-type Digimon. Their leader is Skull, and their mascot is Demidevimon.
"They're afraid," Jen repeated. "No one wants to open their eyes. The Blood Knights were horrible. But I'm going to talk to Vandar about it."
"Mom," Jen called as she put her shoes on, "I'm going to headquarters." Her mother had hardly given an affirmative before Jen was out the door, with Mantis buzzing behind.
"Good morning, Miss Hino," said the Gold Hawks guard as Jen walked into the Gold Hawks HQ (A/N: HQ=headquarters). Jen returned the greeting as she passed by. As always, the place was bustling with activity, but Jen ignored it and went purposely to the Leader's Quarters.
A young man in his mid-twenties turned around as Jen entered the room. He raised his right hand to salute him, and Jen mimicked the gesture. "Guard Leader Vandar," she said respectfully, "I have something important to tell you." As always, she felt a bit nervous around her leader and mentor.
"Let's hear it, Pro Tamer Jenashu Hino," Vandar replied formally. He used her rank to address her. Jen was currently a Rank 4 Pro Tamer, but she had a long ways to go before she reached the highest Rank-Chief Tamer.
"Well, sir, I've noticed that a lot of strange things have been happening lately, and I think...I think the Blood Knights are responsible," Jen said. She realized with a wave of embarrassment that she should have planned her speech better. Vandar was staring at her.
"The Blood Knights disbanded 50 years ago, Jenashu," he reminded her.
"But sir!" Jen protested. "They've had those 50 years to reunite! After all, Crimson was never captured. All the things that have been happening lately happened when the Blood Knights were in power as well, and I don't think it's a coincidence."
For a moment, Jen could've sworn that a satisfied smile much like her own passed Vandar's lips, but the next moment he was frowning sternly again. "If the Blood Knights were back," he said carefully, "the Gold Hawks would be the first to fight them."
"I agree, sir," Jen replied seriously. The unspoken "I'll be the first Gold Hawk to do it," hung in the air.
"If that will be all-" Vandar started. The door to his chamber opened, causing him to fall silent. A beautiful Lilymon flew gracefully in.
"Excuse me, Pro Tamer," the Leader said, giving Jen another salute. She returned it before walking out sadly. However, the frown on her face was nothing, compared to the expression of the short boy standing outside the entrance to Vandar's room.
He looked so miserable that Jen had to ask what was wrong. "Are you alright?"
The boy nodded, and the dim lighting in the hallway to the Leader's Chamber caught his hair. Jen stared. She hardly ever saw anyone with hair that red. When she got over that, Jen realized what the problem was.
"Didn't do so well on your practical exams, huh?" she asked sympathetically. The Lilymon that was now talking to Vandar worked with new potential Gold Hawk Tamers during their practical exam. Each Guard Team gave practical exams to newbies before they could join. Usually they had to locate and destroy a wild Digimon that had continually attacked people.
"No," the boy said softly. Jen felt her heart break for him. She knew how crushed she would have been if she had failed her practical exam four years ago. Mantis, who had been waiting around while Jen spoke with Vandar, came flying towards her. Jen was startled by the look that the boy gave her Digimon. It was the same look that she had given Juunchi's Betamon so long ago.
"How'd it go?" Mantis asked. Jen gave him a look that said "later".
"Don't worry," Jen told the boy. "Naomi-that's the Lilymon-is in there with Vandar now. I bet she's trying to get permission to give you a retest. You'll be able to try the exam again. I'll tell you what to do, if you'd like."
The redhead stared critically at her, as if he was trying to decide whether he could trust her or not. "I knew what to do," he said slowly, "but actually doing it was impossible."
"Ah, choked up, huh?" Mantis asked.
"No, I-" the boy started. Naomi suddenly stepped out of Vandar's room.
"Your retest will take place in three days at nine in the morning. Meet me at the Main Gate then, and don't be late," she said after they all saluted each other. Then she quickly flew away.
"Let's talk at the Tamer's Club, we'll attract less attention," Jen proposed. The boy nodded, so Jen started leading him out of the Gold Hawks HQ. "Oh, and my name's Jenashu Hino. Call me Jen."
"I'm Koushiro Izumi, but I prefer Izzy," the redhead said.
"And I'm Mantis!" the Tentomon added.
"Alright, let's head out," Jen said. "Oh, and it's a pleasure, Izzy."
"Charmed," Izzy replied politely.
"So," Jen started as she sat down at a table in the Tamer's Club, "spill it."
"...Can I ask you something first?" Izzy asked. Jen nodded. "Well...what made you want to become a Gold Hawk?"
Jen blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected that. "Well, I like their ideals. I want to believe that justice exists. What better way than to enforce it?"
"I see," Izzy replied. He was silent for a moment. "All of the Guard Teams are so proud."
"That's right," Jen agreed. Before she stopped herself, she added, "That's why we never finished off the Blood Knights. If we had all joined forces, they never would have been a problem at all. Instead, small groups fought them one at a time, and they got thrashed. Because of the pride of the Guard Teams, Crimson was never captured."
Izzy stared at her. Jen realized that she had said something totally random, as she was prone to do. The redhead cleared his throat.
"About my exam," he said slowly. "I was extremely strange. I was in one of the Digi-Beetles that the Gold Hawks provides for the exams, and I had three Digimon that they let me borrow. As soon as I located Leomon in the Domain, whenever I attempted to use the Digi-Beetle's control panel, I felt something restraining me. It was like someone was pulling my arms back whenever I tried to press a button. Naomi thought I didn't know what to do, and when the Leomon began to advance on us, she hit the Auto Pilot switch, and we were transported back to the Main Gate."
Now Jen was staring at him. "That's the most bizarre thing I've ever heard," Mantis decided.
"What score did you get on your written exam?" Jen asked. Izzy pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket and handed it over. Jen couldn't believe her eyes. "WHAT?! A perfect score?! No one's ever gotten a perfect score!" Jen checked the paper again. It was definitely an official one, and it had his name on it.
"Apparently, he has," Mantis stated. Izzy grinned modestly.
"I believe your story," Jen had to admit. "There's a section on Digi-Beetles in the test. Someone who got a perfect score on the test must know how to use one."
"Although it is rather fishy," Mantis reminded her.
"That it is..." Jen trailed off. A look of understanding suddenly flashed across her face. She grabbed a pen from her bag and took Izzy's hand. Briskly she wrote down some numbers. "Look, here's my phone number. I have to go now, so call me sometime before your retest."
Izzy stared at his hand. Apparently he didn't appreciate having it vandalized.
Jen ran off, and Mantis sighed before following her. "Crazy humans," he muttered.
As soon as Mantis had flown into her room, Jen closed the door behind him and snatched a book from her bookcase. After flipping through a few pages, she found what she was looking for and started reading. She looked up at Tentomon and smiled triumphantly.
"Look here," she instructed. Mantis peeked at the book from over her shoulder. Jen cleared her throat and started reading.
"Puppetmon is a powerful mega Digimon. He attacks with the hammer that he always carries. This attack is called Puppet Pummel. Puppetmon loves to play pranks on humans and Digimon, and he has the strange ability to control the movement of his opponents."
"So there was a Puppetmon nearby," Mantis realized. "It was just a coincidence."
"Not likely. The Gold Hawks wouldn't send a complete newbie into a domain that has mega Digimon in it. I think it's the Blood Knights! They liked Virus Digimon the best!" Jen cried.
"Soon you're going to start blaming your clumsiness on them, too," Mantis replied. Jen frowned in frustration.
"No! Really! I bet they heard that Izzy got a perfect score, so they figured he'd be dangerous to them if he became a Guard Tamer, so they sabotaged his exam! Or maybe he has something that they're afraid of. Like his brains! Or maybe they're going to sabotage every exam that all the newbies take from now on, so there won't be any new Guard Tamers! I've gotta call Izzy and warn him!" With that, Jen raced to the phone.
"Um, Jen. You gave him your number, and somehow I don't think that he's going to call you back. You did act kind of weird, suddenly going off about the Blood Knights and all," Mantis pointed out. Jen sighed.
"You think he thinks I'm weird?" she demanded.
"You are weird," the Tentomon said bluntly. Jen frowned.
"Fine!" she shot back. Mantis figured that it would be best to leave her alone for a while.
Three days came and went, and Izzy did not call Jen. However, she still wanted to know how things had turned out, so she visited the Main Gate at noon.
"Hi, Mission Chief Carol!" Jen said brightly to the woman who was in charge of the deployment of the Digi-Beetles. She looked depressed. "What's wrong?"
"This short kid came in for his practical exam today, and his Digi-Beetle just...broke down. I still don't know why. The mechanics are having a lot of trouble figuring it out," Carol replied. Jen gaped at her in horror.
"He failed again? No!" With that, Jen ran out of the Main Gate and headed for HQ. Mantis rolled his eyes before following.
"Naomi! Naomi!" Jen called through the HQ. A little Biyomon called her name.
"I saw her earlier. She went to talk to Leader Vandar, and I haven't seen her since," she supplied.
"Thanks, Sakura!" Jen called. She ran down the familiar, dark hallway.
Jen knocked loudly on the door to Vandar's chambers. It was opened a moment later by Naomi. "It-wasn't-his-fault," she gasped as she caught her breath.
"You certainly are well informed," Vandar said. Jen jumped and saluted. She realized that Izzy was there, too.
"I must say that I've never had a case like this before," the Leader stated. "Someone with a perfect score on the written exam flunking the practical one twice?"
"Leader Vandar! It is possible that the Digi-Beetle was tampered with sometime between its inspection and Izzy's exam!" Jen cried.
"Yes, we have considered that, Pro Tamer Jenashu. Calm down," Vandar replied.
"Sir," Naomi started, "I think that we should have Koushiro Izumi become another Guard Tamer's partner. That way he can sharpen his skills, but not be on his own completely."
"That seems like a good compromise, but who would want a stranger to be their partner? We can't force him on anyone," Vandar stated. Jen frowned. He was talking as if Izzy wasn't sitting right there.
For a long moment, Jen stood in silent thought. If she took Izzy as her partner, she would be spiting the Blood Knights. She would be doing something to fight them. But then, taking him as her partner would change the way she operated forever. Well, at least until the Gold Hawks figured that he was good enough to be on his own. Jen reminded herself that he got a perfect score and he knew what he was doing. Surely he'd prove himself in no time at all.
"I'll do it," she said. Everyone looked at her. "He can be my partner." Izzy stared at her.
"Are you sure?" Vandar asked.
"Yes, sir," Jen replied seriously. There was a silence.
"Well, alright then. Naomi, you make that official. Guard Tamers Jenashu Hino and Koushiro Izumi, here is your first mission...."
****************************************************************************
Jen: Boy, that was long! My butt aches!
Yama: Too much info...
Jen: Whatever. Boy, it sure sounds like things will be getting dangerous soon! Actually, the real action starts in the fourth chapter, so stick with me! Read and review, people!
Review Section
Alright. DJ wants to know whether Jen is Izzy's RPG girlfriend or not. I can only say this: huh? Are you asking me whether Jen is the same Jen from my other stories? She is. This is like placing the 01 and 02 Digidestineds in a different world.
Cat asked if the 03 Tamers will be in this. As I said in before, this has nothing to do with season 03, or 04 for that matter. Also, I'm not really sure what you were trying to tell me when you said there are two more stories with the same name as this one. I'm not the only one who's played Digimon World 2, you know.
Keep the reviews coming, everyone! If you want to ask something, go right on ahead! ^^ Till next time!