This chapter's story takes place during chapter 29 of Cyber Ranger Guardian Story
Takumi, Ami, and their mother were spending some family time in their apartment. The twins were currently cleaning the dishes after dinner. Takumi washed, and Ami dried and put away.
Yukino was sitting on the couch on her laptop. Terriermon and Palmon were in their partners Digivices that were also at the table she worked at. "Terriermon, Palmon, thank you again for today."
"No problem! It was fun!" Terriemon said.
"Yeah! Maybe next time you can take pictures of us when we Digivolve!"
"That sounds great!"
"Pictures?" Ami looked over he shoulder. "What's this about?"
"Oh, well Takumi was telling me about a photographer he met in that other world. The one who took a lot of pictures of Pokemon for the Pokemon Rangers."
"Oh. You mean Yoran?" Takumi asked. "I remember him. That was when I was patrolling with Ben and Nokia on Sophian Island."
After the battle with Red Eyes, Ben decided to split up the team. His share consisting of himself, Nokia and Takumi just helped a man with his Hitmontop and were now going through Aqua Resort.
"You feeling better Nokia?" Takumi asked.
"Oof. Yeah. I'm happy for that Pokemon, but jeez that made me dizzy."
An old woman walked up to them. "Ranger, have you seen a Pokemon called Ludicolo?"
"Ludi-what now?" Terriemron asked.
"It's a Grass/Water Pokemon." Ben replied.
The woman nodded. "I went for a walk the other day in the Canal Ruins where Suicune is. It got really dark on the way home, and I got lost. I was so lost, and I didn't know what to do. Luckily a Ludicolo showed up and helped me find the way. It cheered me up, too. I'm so grateful."
"That's so sweet." Nokia smiled. "What a nice guy!"
"I made a promise then to that Ludicolo. I said, "I'll invite you to my place and we'll dance together"."
"It can dance?" Takumi asked.
Ben nodded. "When Ludicolo hear music, the cells in its body react in rhythm."
"Loss control of their bodies when they hear a sick beat, huh?" Nokia grinned. "I can relate!"
The woman laughed. "If you see a Ludicolo, can you please bring it here?"
"Of course." Ben replied. "It was in Canal Ruins, you said?"
"Yes, it was at the Canal Ruins that this Ludicolo saved me. Please find it for me."
"We'll go take a look for you. Quest on!"
"I guess we're heading back to Canal Ruins." Gabumon said.
"Oh, but do be carful around there." The woman said. "Rumor's are brewing about strange noises coming from the ruins."
"Strange noises?" Nokia asked. "Are those Pincher jerks at it again?"
Ben rode Raikou, Nokia and Agumon were on Garurumon, and Takumi boarded Unimon. Ben looked at the Pokemon. "Huh. All the Pokemon seem pretty jumpy."
"The Pinchers were here. It makes sense they're scared." Garurumon replied.
"Yeah, but that was a few hours ago. You'd think they claimed down by now, but they look even more uneasy than the last time we were here." Ben's head perked up as he heard a noise. "Hey, do you guys hear something…weird?"
"It sounds like singing." Nokia muttered.
Takumi thought for a moment. "Wait a minute…that sounds familiar." They came to a dead end where they found the Pokemon they were looking for. But that's not all they saw…
"What is that?" Ben asked as they stopped. In front of the dancing Ludicolo was some kind of monkey with shades and a mic. A miniature Mozemon was attached to his hip.
"Etemon!" Takumi gasped as he climbed down.
"You know him?" Nokia asked.
"Yeah. He was involved with a couple of cases Ami and I worked on regarding Reiko. What's he doing here? We should talk to him."
"Just remember, he won't remember us." Unimon said. "So, don't act like you know him or you might weird him out."
"Right." Takumi walked over to him. Nokia, and Ben followed close. "Um, excuse me?"
The Digimon stopped and turned to the humans. The Pokemon stopped dancing. "Huh? Who's there? Wait, I didn't think humans would come this far out in these here ruins."
"They got a ride." Unimon said.
"Oh! More Digimon! Man, that's a relief with a capital R! I thought I was the only one left after that-that THING showed up!"
"Thing?" Ben asked.
"Yeah! I was just rehearsing to some of my fans from the Digital World! Try to raise their spirits in this depressing situation of suddenly winding up far, far from home, ya know? Then suddenly this pink monster thing comes out of nowhere and started absorbing my audience! Then it suddenly got big and orange like it Digivolved or something! We all ran for our lives! I don't know how many of us got out…"
Takumi clenched his fists. "Arcadiamon." He whispered. "So that's when it Digivolved…"
"*sniff* So many of my loyal fans lost forever! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it!"
"Wow, I…I'm sorry to hear that…" Ben murmured.
"I hid out here and tried to get my spirits up. But ever since then I've been out of it. My singing just isn't full of it's spirit and love! The only one who stuck around is this fancy looking Digimon. It danced none stop! Almost cheered me up a little."
"Er…that's a Pokemon, Etemon." Takumi said.
"A Poke-what? Is that a band member? Wait, how'd you know my name?"
Takumi shuddered. "Wow, wait to go Sherlock! What did Unimon just tell you?! Quick, make something up!" "Uh, well you see I-
Etemon's eyes lite up. "Oh, wait, I know! You must have heard of me already! Man, word of my music artistry spread a whole lot faster than I thought it would. It's almost kinda scary."
"Uh…yeah."
"But anyway, I'm happy to see ya! This poor guy fust have felt lonely dancing on his own! I don't know what a Poke-what's it is, but it's got good taste!"
Takumi looked at Ben awkwardly. "You wanna tell him, or should I?"
"Hey, you seem good at talking to him, I'll leave it to you."
"Etemon…I don't know how to tell you this, but Ludicolo…kinda dances to everything automatically regardless of weather or not it likes it."
"WHAAAAAA?! For real?!"
"Yeah…also the Pokemon around here…may have started to get uneasy ever since you started…"
Etemon looked at the exhausted Ludicolo passed out on the floor. "Oh, no…My depressed mood must have turned what was supposed to be a rocking from heaven into a symphony of despair! I can't continue like this…Maybe It's time I threw in the towel…"
"Hey, don't say that!" Ben said. "You can't just give up on your dreams!"
"Ben's right!" Takumi protested. "Those who give up at failure truly fail! You can still bounce back from this!"
"Really?"
"Of course!" Nokia cheered. "The show must go on! You just need to get back on that horse and find your rhythm!"
Etemon perked up. "That's right! I let my song get worse by letting myself get depressed! Before I decide to retire, I need to make sure I truly can't get better!"
"Now you're catching on!"
"I may not know a lot about music." Takumi disclaimed. "But I do know this: the only way things can be at their worst if you give up. As long as you keep moving forward, there's hope."
"You're right! You're all right!" Etemon tilted his head with a hand on his chin as he looked at Takumi. "Hey, now that I got a closer look at ya…Have we met before?"
Takumi blinked. "What?"
"Ludi-Ludi!" The Pokemon got up and smiled.
"Looks like Ludicolo also thinks you can get better." Ben smiled.
"Wow…you're a nice Pokeman, or whatever!" Etemon smiled. "Once I get back into swing, I'll make sure you get a ticket to my concert!"
"Colo, colo!" The Pokemon spun around happily.
"Okay, I know what to do, now to get too it!"
Takumi smiled. "Go for it Etemon. I'm rooting for ya."
"Thanks Takumi! …Wait…that is your name, right?"
"Uh…yeah…" The young detective was surprised. "But how did you…?"
"It just…came to me…weird. Maybe we did meet before somewhere? Anyway, I'd better skedaddle! Thanks for the advice!" And with that, Etemon ran off.
"Uh…where's he going?" Ben asked.
"He remembered my name." Takumi muttered. "But how? When we changed the reality of our world it should have made it so that he and I never met…"
"I guess your bond with Digimon is more powerful than you thought." Unimon replied. "Who knows? Maybe Etemon will remember the rest some day."
"That would be great."
"Well, anyway, let's get Ludicolo to our client." Ben said.
The Pokemon looked at them curiously. "Ludi?"
Ludicolo danced it's way over to the woman.
"Oh my…! That wilds dance with all the hip shaking…! You are that jolly Ludicolo, right? How could I forget you? You really saved me that day, remember? Come to my place. Have as much food as you want, and dance the Ludicolo dance along with me afterward!"
The Ludicolo danced happily.
"Ranger, Cyber Sleuth, thank you very much. I'm too embarrassed to show you my dance. I should excuse myself." The woman walked away and Ludicolo followed her.
"Quest Clear!" Ben posed.
"Hmmm…" Takumi mumbled.
"What's wrong Takumi? Still thinking about Etemon?" Agumon asked.
"I guess I am. I just can't make sense of it all."
"Is it really that weird?" Ben asked. "I mean, you remember what happened. Terriemron remembers. And so do so many others."
"I guess…"
"Maybe we'll meet others who remember us." Terriermon said.
"I hope so."
"So, what next?" Nokia asked.
"Wanna check out Sophian Road real quick and then head back to Cocona Village?" Takumi asked.
"Sure, sounds good to me." Ben nodded.
It was there on that road they saw a troubled old man with a camera. "Nice to see you. My name is Yoran. I'm a Pokemon photographer."
"Yoran…wait…that sounds familiar." Ben said.
"The pictures on the documents at the Ranger Union, the pictures in the Ranger School textbooks…I'm the one who took all these pictures."
"Oh, wow." Takumi said. "Sounds like you have a lot to do with the Pokemon Rangers learning and work."
"I've been all over the world taking pictures of Pokemon, but I seem to have lost my touch lately…"
"How so?"
"I was trying to take a picture of Dunsparce…I found one, but it got away. Maybe the flash was too bright for it."
"Dunsparce?" Ben asked. "Isn't that Pokemon pretty common in other regions? I hear Jhoto has a cave or something filed with them."
"I need to show the world what Dunsparce are like in Oblivia!"
"Can they really be that different?" Nokia asked.
"If the environment and food that can be collected is very different other regions, I suppose there might be some differences." Takumi replied. "Pretty minor differences, but differences none the less."
"Ranger, I beg you. Could you bring me a Dunsparce if you see one? I don't want to take up your time, so whenever you see one will do. Can you help me?"
"Sure, we can." Takumi nodded. "We'll get one for you right away."
"Wow, you were fast to speak for the group." Ben squinted.
"Sorry, it's just…my mom is a journalist and she's passionate about her work. So, I can understand how he feels."
"Uh, yeah. You're pretty passionate about work yourself!" Nokia smiled.
"Okay, let me consult the good old Browser." Ben looked at his Styler. He pressed a few buttons and it brought up a hologram of the Pokemon in question. "Let's see…Rasp Cavern."
"Okay. Let's go get one and head back here." Takumi said.
Unimon carried Takumi and Ben through the sky and landed right in front of the entrance to the cave. MetalGreymon brought Nokia and Gabumon behind them and as soon as everyone touched the floor, the Digimon went back to Rookie status and the team stepped inside. "Okay, there should be a Dunsparce in here somewhere." Ben said.
"It's quiet in here…" Takumi said. "Where are all the wild Pokemon?"
"You don't think…you don't think the Pokemon Pinchers came here and took them, do you?" Nokia asked.
"But we defeated Red Eyes!" Agumon said.
"Some of the disbanded gang may still be causing problems." Takumi said. "Let's move deeper in."
The team entered the area where the damaged monument was. "W-what the…?!" Ben looked around in shock. A Zubat was stuck to a rock via a thick web. A Koffing and a Cranidos were tied together and stuck to a wall. Even a Rampardos was struggling on the ground under a durable sticky web. And on the ground…
"Ah! FanBeemon! Guilmon! Hagurumon!" Gabumon gasped. Three Partner Digimon were on the ground beaten up.
"What happened here?!" Takumi asked.
Guilmon grunted. "Guys…look out!"
Everyone heard some muffled shouting and looked up. A Dunsparce and a Poochyena were cocooned and dangling upside down, stuck to the ceiling. And that wasn't all… Nokia screamed. "What is that?!" They saw a big spider-like monster. It had eight legs, a black body, a skull and crossbones on its back and red spiky hair.
Takumi gasped as he looked at what else was stuck to the ceiling. "Yuuko! Yuugo! Fei!"
Nokia shrieked. All three of their friends who were patrolling Renbow Island were also trapped in web over their hands and feet, sticking them to the ceiling. To make matters worse there was web over their mouths keeping them from speaking. "Guys what happened?! Did that spider like thing do this to you?!"
Fei made a bunch of angry muffled noises. If it weren't for the web over her mouth Nokia would be hearing "What do you think you gibbering idiot?!"
"We heard rumors of Rasp Cavern getting quiet…" FanBeemon groaned. "We went in to investigate and we were ambushed by this thing! It grabbed Fei and the others before we had a chance to defend ourselves…"
"Oooh!" The spider dropped from a thread to the ground. "More humans to toy with! Wait…I remember two of you…!"
"Uh, really?" Ben asked. "Because I would sure remember a mug as ugly as that!"
"Oh, ho! Big talk for a weak human that was helpless against my Rookie form in that forest!"
"Wait…is that…Dokunemon we fought on patrol earlier?!"
"That's Dokunemon?!" Terriermon gapped.
"This is that Digimon you told me about that hated humans?" Takumi asked. He scanned it. "Dokugumon. Champion Level Virus Type. A cursed Digimon who's body was parasite by a computer virus…"
"Did it Digivolve?!" Gabumon asked.
"That's right. I trained and trained. Polished my skills against the toughest Pokemon I could find. And I was able to Digivolve without the help of a weak human partner! Do you know what this means? It means now I am truly stronger than you!"
"So, you're just picking fights with others who were minding their own business to become strong enough for payback for last time?" Ben asked. "Talk about petty!"
"Poison Thread!" Dokumon shot a massive blob of web. Nokia screamed as she was caught in it and flung to the ceiling, sticking to it along with Yuuko, Yuugo, and Fei.
"AAAAAAAAAH! Not this again! Let me down fro-MPH!" Another blob slammed into her mouth, making everything that came from it muffled.
"Just for the record I went for you first because I knew you were the noisiest of the bunch." Dokumon said.
"Let her go!" Agumon yelled. "Pepper Breath!"
Dokumon jumped over the attack. She spotted Ben, who was ready to shoot his Styler and draw a Guardian Sign. She landed in front of the Ranger, startling him. Another web trapped him and Pichu and stuck him to the ceiling next to Nokia. And just like her he was gagged by another web to the mouth.
Takumi put on his goggles. "Terriermon!"
"Right!"
"On, no you don't!" Gia Element!" Dokumon shot a green orb that made Takumi stop what he was doing and roll away. Then she spewed a web, ensnaring the boy and stuck him to the ceiling with the rest. And gagged him.
Terriemron looked up. "Takumi!"
"Ha! Not so tough without your little humans, are you?!"
Ben grunted as he tried to rip out of the web. Pichi was wiggling about in an effort to get free. "Let them go!" Gabumon shouted.
"Ha! As if! Now you can't Digivolve without those weaklings!"
"Coward!" Terriermon yelled.
"Am I? What's that saying humans love? "All's fair in love and war"! Now it's Digimon against Digimon as it should be!"
"Blue Blaster!"
"Terrier Tornado!"
Dokumon charged through he attacks and rammed all three of the Rookie Level Digimon to the ground. As the giant Digimon started stomping on them, their tamers struggled in their web desperate to help. Ben noticed Pichu managed bite at the web and pull it. It stretched only a bit, but soon Ben noticed his right arm loosening. Once he was able to rip his arm free, he looked around. If Dokumon noticed him, then it would be over. Then he spotted the Rampardos stuck in web. He charged his Styler and fired. It cut through Rampardos's web and looped around it.
Dokumon continued stomping on the Partner Digimon. "Ha! Still think you're so special!? You and your stupid humans! Well look at you now!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAMP!" The angry Rampardos rammed into her from behind, sending her flying.
"OW! Huh?! How'd you get out?! Fine! This time I'll web ya up until you look like a mummy!"
Rampardos roared and threw a boulder at it. Dokumon rammed her skull into it and it bounced off her into the ceiling, coming dangerously close to Takumi, frightening him. But as it smashed into the ceiling next to him it also stuck to the end of the web pinning him. When it came down it brought a part of the web down with it and Takumi's right arm was free. Seeing Terriermon beaten he wasted no time reaching his hand to him.
DIGIVOLUTION
"Poison Thread!" Dokumon spewed more web trapping Rampardos. She didn't stop until it was invisible under the mess of web. "Ha! Let's see you get out of that! Huh?" She looked behind her and saw a yellow light shinning down on Terriemron. "What?! NO!"
"Terriermon Warp Digivolve to…Rapidmon!"
Takumi and Ben used their free arms to rip the web off of their mouths. "Beat her to a pulp Rapidmon!" Takumi ordered.
"Oh, I will."
Dokumon shuddered. "I-Is that a Ultimate Level form?! Wait! You can't use that on me! I'm only Champion Level! It's not fair!"
"Hey. "All's fair in love and war" isn't it?" Ben asked.
"Uh…that's…well, I…you see…" the spider panicked.
"Heh." Rapidmon pounded his hands together. "Now let's settle this as it should be, shall we? Digimon against Digimon."
"Wait, surly there's a way we- Rapidmon charged right at her with frightening speed. -cantalkthisout-Owmyface!" First Rapidmon headbutted her then grabbed her by the horns and threw her into the ceiling. When she bounced off and fell Rapidmon flew up, caught her by the horns again and started ramming his skull into her face repeatedly. "Owowowowowowowowowowow!"
"Having fun yet?!" Rapidmon charged to the ground and slammed her into it. Then kicked her upward, dashed after her and unleashed a fury of punches.
Nokia was rooting for Rapidmon, but all that came out was "mmph" and "hrgh" noises.
"Wow. He's really dishing it out." Ben said. "Really shows how different he is when he Digivolves."
Takumi laughed over Dokugamon's screaming. "I know, right? It's like having a younger brother to pamper and play with and having an older brother who beats up jerks who pick on you and watches you back at the same time!"
Rapidmon lifted Dokugamon up into the air again. "Now wait, let's talk about this." The spider gulped. "I mean you really don't want to do this deep down."
"Oh, trust me. I do."
"…Are you really sUUUUUUUUUUUUUUREEEEEEEEEEEE!" Rapidmon came charging down with her over head and slammed her face first into the rock. The spider was left stuck into the ground by her upper half.
Rapidmon then flew up and tore the rest of the web off Takumi, caught him and safely brought him to the ground. One by one he did the same for the others. Including the Pokemon.
Ben noticed the Duncparce and caught it with his Styler. "Whew. More trouble than we anticipated, but we caught one. Sorry to drag you out right after this excitement little guy, but we need a favor from you. Mind helping us out?"
"Dun?"
Once they were free, Yuuko, Yuugo, and Fei deflated. "That was frightening. Thanks for saving us." Yuuko said.
"It's what friends do." Takumi smiled.
"Agumon, Gabumon, are you okay?" Nokia asked.
"Oof…that was kinda rough, but we'll make it." Agumon replied.
"What a cowardly trick." Guilmon groaned.
Fei looked angerly at the unconscious Digimon. "I agree. I'm gonna go stomp that thing flat!"
Takumi eyed the discarded web that was used on all of them and the Pokemon of the cavern. "Hold on Fei…I got a better idea…"
A while later, Dokugamon finally regained consciousness. "Uh…what just happened…wait, where am I? Why's everything upside down?"
Dokugamon was cocooned in her own web and dangling by a thread on the ceiling keeping her just off the floor.
"Huh?! How did-Who-?! Those little brats! I'll get out of this, and when I do, I'm gonna- Then she noticed he wasn't alone. All the Pokemon she previously trapped in web were glaring at her. "Uh, oh." They slowly approached. "Okay, I know what you're all thinking, but maybe let's not flip our lids over a few harmless shenanigans? I-I hear humans also have another fun saying! "Love thy neighbor"!"
The wild Pokemon roared as they charged. Rampardos and Craniados rammed their sculls into her. Zubat started biting her hair.
"OW! ACK! OOF! NO! STOP THAT! HEY! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Back in Sophian Road, the Dunsparce Ben brought waddled up to Yoran. "As promised." Ben said. "Thanks for waiting, Yoran."
The man gasped. "Oh, Dunsparce! I don't know if it's the same Dunsparce or a different one…But I won't use a strong flash, so no need to worry. All right! Let's take pictures." The man brought out his camera. "Try to relax. That's good! Stay natural!"
"Let's give him some space to work." Takumi said. Everyone backed away and
Yoran stood in front of the Dunsparce and held up his camera. "Okay, show me your Glare!"
"Duns!" As the Pokemon took posed. Yoran took multiple shots at different angles.
"You look great! Okay, wiggle around a bit for me now!"
"I'm just gonna ignore that one entirely." Nokia muttered. "Brings bad memories of a few minutes ago I'm trying so hard to forget."
"Duns! Duns!" the Pokemon flopped around.
Yoran took more pictures. "You are so natural. I like it! No, do the Flail for me!"
"Dun! Dun!"
Much later Yoran looked at his camera. "Excellent pictures! Yoran, the Pokemon photographer, has a new lease on life! It is my duty to show to the people of Almia and Fiore all the Pokemon of Oblivia! Ranger, Cyber Sleuth, and Dunsparce, thank you very much! Oblivia has many interesting Pokemon! Now, what Pokemon should I go for next?"
"Duns!"
Yoran looked at the Pokemon. "What is it, Dunsparce? Are you saying you'll let me see your friends? Take me there if you will." The Dunsparce ran off and Yoran hurried after it.
"Quest Clear!"
"Alright, I think we did all we can here, let's go find out what Rand's arranging back in Cocona." Takumi said.
"Maybe it's a celebratory part for betting the Pinchers!" Nokia grinned. "Let's go!"
Yukino smiled. "I have to say, I was touched when I heard you thought of me when you saw his passion for taking photos!"
"Well, you do that all the time for your job." Takumi said as he drained the sink. All the dishes were now clean.
Ami smiled as she put the last plate away. "Every time you came home you would show us pictures on your camera."
"Well, your story gave me a new idea! I know it will be a while before Kamishiro decides to go public with Digimon, but I thought I'd get some photos in for when they're announced!"
"Oh yeah! I guess that will be a huge scoop!" Takumi smiled as he and Ami walked over to her. They saw pictures of Terriemron and Palmon on their mother's laptop.
Yukino smiled. "Of course, I'll be ready to jump on that chance as soon as I get it. It's part of my job and both my passions!"
Takumi and Ami turned to her. "Both?" Ami asked.
"My job…" Yukino stood up, turned around and gave her twin children a hug. "And my pride and joy. You two."
"M-mom! You're embarrassing me!"
Yukino laughed as she let them go. "I know you two are going to be working hard to make this world one for humans and Digimon. But know that I'll always be on your side. If that's what you want, I'll help you make it happen. What's a parent that doesn't help their children's dreams come true?"
"Thanks mom." Takumi smiled.
"It's just like you said to Etemon, Takumi!" Terriemron smiled. "Don't give up on your dreams!"
"By the way." Yukino smiled. "Thanks for making dinner and cleaning up. You two were always good cooks."
"You're welcome." Takumi replied.
Ami winked. "Happy Mother's day."
So yeah, I should have brought this up last week, but Dokunemon will be a reoccurring character in this arc. I'll also be taking the opportunity to include some Digimon from the sidequests of Cyber Sleuth and Hacker's Memory. So look forward to seeing more familiar faces like Etemon. FYI I it was kind of a coincidence that I uploaded this on Mother's Day so I added that last bit last minute.