Chapter Three: Battle in the Rock (Part One)

Tai, Izzy, and their Digimon, nervously walked towards the docks, Mimi's current location. They slowly walked across the wooden planks of the dock, Tai pushing Izzy ahead. Mimi was facing away, watching the kids playing in the water.

"Hey! It's Tai an' Izzy!" yelled one of the kids.

Mimi and Palmon whirled, eyes blazing, upon Tai and Izzy. Palmon lashed out with her Poison Ivy, and dangled the four from the air.

"You're late, Tai," growled Mimi. "Sleeping in as usual, I suppose? You promised you'd go get some Komodomon scales for my necklace, remember? Since you were late, my mom asked me to baby-sit the kids!"

"You know I didn't do it on purpose, don't you, Meems?" Tai asked.

"How can I be sure?" snarled Mimi.

"Because Izzy here," said Tai, pointing to Izzy. "Has something to say."

Mimi locked eyes with Palmon, and Palmon nodded, before releasing the boys. The four dropped on their heads.

"Speak," Mimi commanded.

"Uh," Izzy stuttered. "It's, uh, my fault that Tai, um, slept in late. You see, we were, uh, training, yeah, training late last night, and we both slept late because we were tired."

"Tai, Izzy," Mimi said warmly.

Just as the two let out sighs of relief, Mimi exploded.

"YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT!? WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR TAICHI?!"

Tai and Izzy cowered in typical Anime fashion as Mimi ranted.

"However," she said, finally. "Since I am so good and kind and forgiving, I will let you off easy. I want you to go to Lizard Rock and get some scales for me! I would join you, but I still have to watch the kids...It's your fault; you were late! Once you collect some Komodomon scales, I'll catch up with you at Opassa Beach. Is that okay with you, Tai?"

"Um, yeah, I guess," said Tai, digging out his ringing ear.

"Good!" yelled Mimi. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear! OK, then! Don't just stand around! Go collect some scales at Lizard rock...Let's see, I think 3 should be enough. Good luck, Tai! I'm counting on you!" Then Mimi spied Izzy and Tentomon attempting to sneak away. "Oh no you don't! You're going along with Tai on this one!"

"WHA!?" yelled Izzy.

"You heard the lady," said Tai, pulling Izzy along. "You're coming with me!"

Izzy moaned in defeat as Tai drug him away from the dock, and towards Lizard Rock.

Hours later, a panting foursome of Digidestined and Digimon arrived at Lizard Rock. Izzy collapsed against a large pink boulder in the path into 'the Rock'.

"All right, Izzy. You've volunteered to move the boulder!" said Tai, looking on gleefully at the staring Izzy.

"I DIDN'T VOLUNTEER FOR ANYTHING!!!!!" roared Izzy.

"Too bad," said Tai, sticking out his tongue.

Izzy grumbled something inaudible, but progressed to move the rock, shoving it into the water. The group went past the former obstruction to see a large, blue, bipedal frog and two blue, bipedal reptiles rushing at them.

"Hamamon!" yelled Izzy.

DIGIMON-ANALYZER

Hamamon are large amphibious Digimon usually content to lie on the beach. Though they may look goofy, their Quake Attack is nothing to laugh at.

"And Shibukimon!" cried Tai.

DIGIMON-ANALYZER

Shibukimon are carnivorous water-lizards that attack with blasts of water. Watch out for their dangerous Quick Claw Strike!

"Quick Claw Strike!" snarled the lizards.

They dashed forward and jumped at the other two Digimon. Tentomon barrel- rolled to avoid one, and Agumon jumped to the side to dodge the other. When the two attackers struck the ground, their wickedly curved claws left craters in the earth.

"Slapping Attack!" yelled the giant frog.

It moved in and attacked Agumon with a volley of slaps. Agumon attempted to dodge them, but was struck by most.

"I'll help!" yelled Tentomon, flying in low. "Super Shocker!"

The red bug fired off his trade marked electric blast and struck the amphibian attacker. It stopped its attack and stood, being electrocuted. After being fried for a few seconds, Tentomon's attack stopped, and Hamamon slumped in pain.

Meanwhile, Agumon had turned his attention to one of the Shibukimon. He let off a blast of fire and struck it in the flank, knocking it down. He whirled to face the other . . . which was attacking with its Water Spray attack!

"Pepper Breath!" Agumon yelled, hastily.

The fireball streaked towards the jet of water, turning into s puff of steam on contact. Agumon shielded himself for the attack, which never came. Looking up, he saw Tentomon and his Super Shocker frying the reptile. The Super Shocker was traveling through the Water Spray towards Shibukimon, effectively electrocuting it.

Agumon, though, also saw Hamamon about to attack. Seeing this, he leapt over Tentomon and landed on the larger monster, slashing it with a Claw Attack. The amphibian flailed wildly, trying to knock Agumon aside. However, the small Dinosaur held fast, staying on the large sea animal's head.

Tentomon, after a long while of electrocuting the Shibukimon, finally pumped out enough energy to delete it. Just then, he heard a snarl from behind, and whirled to see the other lizard zooming right at him, claws raised! He shielded himself with his armored arms, knowing they wouldn't do much good against the power of the Shibukimon's talons. But the attack failed to hit. As Tentomon revealed his eyes, he looked over to see the lizard recovering from a burn wound to the side.

"Consider that paying back my debt!" yelled Agumon, clawing at the Hamamon.

"Quake Attack!" yelled a voice.

The group whirled to see another two Hamamon and a Shibukimon advancing. One of the Hamamon had attacked with its Quake, and the wave was racing through the earth.

"Jump!" roared Tai.

The two humans jumped high and Agumon leapt off the Hamamon. The frog was deleted by the attack, while the trio landed safely.

"Izzy!" yelled Tai. "I think it's time to pull out all the stops!"

Izzy grinned and nodded. "Get ready, guys."

"Right!" chorused the Digimon.

Agumon aimed directly at one of the Hamamon, and Tentomon floated up behind him.

"Pepper..." began Agumon.

"...Shocker!" finished Tentomon.

Agumon fired a fireball at the frog, and Tentomon shot his electric blast straight at the projectile. The two attacks merged, forming the Pepper Shocker.

The attack struck the Hamamon, deleting it instantly. The duo fired another and struck the other amphibian, deleting it too.

"Oh yeah!" cheered Tai.

The two Digimon faced each other and slapped palms, um, claws. However, the two whirled when they heard the fierce cry of, "Quick Claw Strike!"

The other Shibukimon was lunging straight at Agumon, too close to be effectively blocked. Agumon braced himself for the furious strike.

A splash of blood glistened in the sky, as the razor sharp blade cut through its target.

Is this the end of Agumon? Could the blood that splashed across the sky really be his? And if it was, can our heroes save the day, or even the potentially wounded reptile? Find out next time on Digimon: Chrono Battles!