Okay, it's been a few weeks since last I posted. I hope I haven't lost fans. But I post one thing a week if I have something I feel is truly ready, on Fridays, and I have a few stories in something of a rotation… Kind of. I figure it's about time for this. Maybe in a few weeks it'll be Gallade's Arm getting an update… Well, if I can get the next chapter ready. I'm getting writer's block in front of it. So uh, bear with me on that one.
This chapter is a little slow, but this wasn't meant to be a super action-y story, so it'll have some slow spots where character and plot development is important. And Mao has a heck of a story to his name, and a bigger one down the line somewhere. And to get there, you have to start from the beginning to get all the facts.
MitzvahRose, thank you for being a fan. I hope you enjoy this chapter. The next one has some action though. So there's that to look forward to, eh… That goes to all of you who read this.
Disclaimer: I, Lord Genesis Shadow, do not own the rights to Digimon. Thank you, and have a nice day.
…
I spun Baffle on my finger while I watched Arthur talking to the scientists. They'd scanned me and were going over the data in the Optimizer. They were going to call me over later, for some kind of test or another. I didn't mind, but I was getting bored. We had just helped put down the wild Digimon in the mall and things were being repaired quickly, but we hadn't eaten breakfast yet… And it was fast approaching lunch.
"Mao, are you alright?" Scott asked. I shrugged and holstered Baffle. "Oh, waiting on the Digi-Energy test?"
"The what?" I asked, looking at him. He walked over and sat down.
"They discovered a kind of energy in Digimon." He said. "It's what lets us use our powers, our attacks. You know, Boom Bubble or your Dark Rounds." I nodded slowly. "You know that we can only use so many? They found out why. We have this energy in us that lets us use it. They call it Digi. Well, the full name is Digi-Energy, but most of us just call it Digi." I laughed quietly and looked over. "Anyway, every Digimon only has so much each day. When we run out and keep trying to use our attacks, it makes us pass out. Apparently the energy they discovered is the main reason why. They've even managed to help us figure out how much we have of it and put an actual number to it."
"Cool." I said.
"Yeah." He said. "Right now I have about two hundred. As an Angemon I have a little over four thousand." I whistled as I looked at him.
"Twenty times." I said. He nodded.
"And they can even tell how much Digi your attacks use." He said. "My Boom Bubble uses about ten Digi." I drew Baffle and looked at it for a second. "I wonder how much your Dark Rounds uses."
"And so many others." I said. "I've got a few attacks… But, it's different for me."
"How?" He asked. "You don't even know how much Digi you've got."
"Yeah, but I double up on how much I use." I said. "I know I've got a limit to my attacks, but by focusing my energy, or Digi I guess, I can put twice as much into my attacks so I can do more damage."
"Hey, Mao." Arthur called. "They're ready for you." Scott and I got up as I holstered Baffle. We walked over and looked up at the scientists.
"Would you please stand on this, Mao?" One asked. I walked onto a set of tiles with a circle and looked at it. "Did Scott tell you about Digi-Energy?" I nodded. "We're going to scan you, and this should tell us how much of it you have. We'll also scan your attacks as we can. If you run out, we'll continue after lunch when you've recovered enough." I nodded and the floor moved up. "Hold still please." I looked at a light as it scanned me up and down, and then left to right. "And… Done…" They were silent for a few seconds.
"Wow." Arthur said. Scott flew up and landed on a table and looked at the screen and then me.
"So, what?" I asked. "Three hundred?"
"Uh, six hundred." Arthur said. I tilted my head.
"That's what it says." The scientist said. "Six hundred Digi. Amazing."
"Three times as much as me." Scott said. "That's, great."
"And that means my normal Dark Round attack would use fifty." I said. Someone started typing when I cleared my throat. "But, I double it, just so that's known. I can only fire it six times usually. That's, probably why I can delete Champions." They looked up at me.
"That may be a little dangerous." One said. They all had masks over their faces, and they had their heads covered in white suits with hoods. I couldn't tell which one was speaking. "But, you don't have trouble doing so?" I shook my head. "Then, maybe you have better control over your Digi-Energy."
"Well, I spent the last fourteen Digi-years in the Dark Area, training." I said. "I just, wanted to be strong enough to protect myself, so, I started trying to strengthen my attacks. I knew about Digi, but, I never called it anything. I started putting more and more into my Dark Rounds or my Badda-Boom Shot, and I've been able to easily put down some big targets."
"Like that Greymon." One said.
"Actually I didn't think I had time to use it, so I just fired regular bullets." I said.
"More like that Tyrannomon earlier this week." Arthur said. They all nodded and began typing.
"So, normally the Dark Round attack, uses fifty Digi-Energy." The first scientist said. "Could you use your, Badda-Boom Shot on a target?" I nodded and looked over as a metal plate target was raised nearby. "When we say to fire, please use it normally… You said you can use it two ways?"
"Yeah." I said. I drew Baffle and opened it, pulling the bullets out one by one. "I prefer using it with my revolver though. It has a little more power, and I can fire it further and more accurately." He nodded and gestured.
"Please, demonstrate." He said. I pointed Baffle after putting the cylinder back in.
"Badda-Boom Shot!" I said quickly, pulling the trigger. The ball of fire shot out and hit the target, burning it.
"It says forty Digi." He said. "Did you double this time?" I nodded. "Okay, so, twenty. Now without… Ready." I pointed my free index finger and turned slightly.
"Badda-Boom Shot." I said. I moved my thumb and fired the ball, and it hit a little to the right of where I was aiming, but it hit the center.
"Twenty…" He said. "Using your revolver doubles it anyway." I looked at my finger.
…
I drank the soda as Arthur ate his cheeseburger. I had one as well, with fries and a medium cola. Percy was eating grilled fish and a salad with a milkshake, and Scott was eating just a salad with a small lemonade. During the tests, they found that my Shadow Reload used only a single Digi per bullet, my Blazing Lasso used one per second, Burning Fence used ten per ball, my fire kick used forty, and my Infernal Funnel used up to one hundred depending on how many pieces of ice or fire I summoned. When I used my borrowed Boom Bubble though, it used fifteen normally, five more than Scott. Testing the borrowed attacks from Agumon, Pepper Breath and Spirit Fire, used thirty and sixty normally.
"So, what do you do after work Percy?" Arthur asked after a few minutes. I took a bite of my cheeseburger as Percy swallowed his piece of fish.
"We usually stay around here and help out most days." He said. "But on the weekends we go home and rest. I personally go visit my parents every Saturday, and on the way back we'll often stop by the gym. Have to stay in shape and all that." Arthur nodded as I drank my soda. "Sundays, I go to church with my parents, and Scott goes to visit the local orphanage to play with the children." Arthur smiled.
"You're a couple of good guys." He said. Percy laughed.
"Well, what about you?" He asked.
"Oh, homework mostly." Arthur said. "In fact, I'm just glad they're willing to send my schoolwork. I only have to go in on Fridays from now on to turn it in every week."
"I bet you miss your friends." Scott said.
"Uh, n-not really." Arthur said quietly. "I, uh, don't have any, friends. It's just, you know, me and Mao, my mom, and my little sister. I usually just fade into the background at school, no one notices me that often but the teachers."
"That's terrible." Percy said. I looked at him. "Well, you can definitely call me your friend now, and Scott of course." Scott nodded. "We're going to be working together, so we may as well be, right?" Arthur smiled and nodded.
"Thanks." He said. Percy patted his shoulder.
"Tell you what, tonight, we'll all go out and do something." He said. "And I know just the place. I've heard about an arcade where they have laser tag." Arthur laughed. "We'll all go. Scott will Digivolve, and Mao, well, he doesn't have to." I smirked.
"Just hope I'm on your team." I said. "Friends or not, I'm don't do warning shots." They laughed as I picked up the last of the burger and ate it.
"Let's see if you can take down a Champion with a light gun." Scott said. We grinned at each other while Arthur and Percy laughed.
"Percival Canterbury and Arthur Rowe, please report to the chief's office." A man said on the intercom. "Percival Canterbury and Arthur Rowe, to the chief's office."
"Man, just like school." Arthur said. "Paging me to the principal's office." Percy laughed as he finished his fish, and I drank the last of my soda. "Come on Mao, you're coming too." Percy got up after Scott got on his shoulder.
…
"Before anything, let me say that there's nothing wrong." The chief said. "I asked you all here to tell you that I'm going to hire on another member for your group. Two is good, but the higher ups want full squads of at least four Tamers and Digimon." Percy and Arthur exchanged glances. "I'm currently talking to a potential recruit, and I think you'll work well."
"Who is it?" Arthur asked.
"A girl named Annabelle Summers." The chief said. "Her partner is, a Palmon."
"A Palmon?" Scott and I asked together.
"Yes." He said. "And before you ask, I remember your report that a Palmon helped you, Daisy, right?" We nodded. "I'm not sure if this is the same Palmon, but if it is, you should get along well. She's coming by tomorrow, so, Mao, Scott, why don't you show her Palmon around? When I'm talking to her, Percy, Arthur, you show Annabelle around."
"S-sure." Arthur said.
"Of course." Percy said. "But are you sure you'll assign her to work with us?"
"Well, your report gave a solid strategy." The chief replied. "The Palmon, while not always effective in combat, can use their vines to stun their targets, their Poison Ivy attack, and drain their energy with an attack called Root Breaker… Though there is that, Stench Attack. Watch out for it." Percy and Scott laughed while I leaned back. "I figure, support units. Mao, Scott, you two can take down some tough Digimon, so you two are on the offense role. Scott, you go in with a staff, close range, and Mao, you handle things at a distance."
"Though I can go close range with my Imp Fire Kick." I said. He nodded.
"But the point, is that having help in the form of a paralysis laced vine is helpful." He said. "It's definitely a good idea to have friends. And when the Palmon Digivolves the first time, you get a Togemon, a very big cactus with boxing gloves and some serious punching power."
…
I walked slowly through the artificial smoke, looking around. Arthur and Percy were on the other side, and Scott was nearby. We wore special bodysuits that analyzed where we were hit, and it'd tighten up so it was like we'd been hit, and some parts would lock up as though injured. We could be brought back only after being 'killed', which was measured by either losing the use of both arms, or taking enough hits, or a headshot or a shot to the heart, but we could heal at designated 'healing zones'. So far, I'd avoided being hit, and Scott had taken a shot to the arm, which disabled it, but it wasn't his gun hand.
"Mao." Scott whispered. I looked over at the source as he gestured over his shoulder toward the pillar, so I moved to the one across from his. "Arthur and Percival. About forty feet out. They're after our healing zone." I nodded and looked over. We had the option to use various types of weapons, but our equipment was limited to two weapons that were plugged into the suits. I had a 'heavy' pistol with six shots before I had to press a button near my thumb to reload it, and a rifle with a scope. I pulled out the rifle and leaned down and onto the floor. "I'll get Arthur. No point in us doing in our own partners, right?"
"Yup." I said quietly. I lined up the shot. "You got him?"
"Yeah." He said. "Ready?"
"Three…" I said.
"Two." He counted. I put my finger to the trigger.
"One!" We said together. I fired the rifle and hit Percy in the back of the head, making his suit lock up completely for a moment as a light round hit Arthur through the left side of his chest, right near the heart, but it was close enough. They cried out together as I got up with a grin. The lights came on, meaning we had just won. I put the rifle back as they walked over.
"You guys suck." Arthur said. "Mao, why'd you shoot me?"
"I didn't." I said. Percy laughed. "I shot the mountain in the peak." They laughed together as Scott rotated his arm.
"So, you?" Arthur asked.
"I may be an angel, but that doesn't mean I won't fight back." He said. I laughed as we started toward the entrance, others walking over. "So, what do you think the score was?"
"I think we did pretty good." Arthur said. "I got at least ten kills, mostly torso shots though. I stink with a pistol, and a machine gun just, sucks for me." Percy put his hand on his shoulder.
"I didn't do too bad, either." He said. "Got at least eight or nine, maybe more. Maybe got a lucky hit, eh? Scott?"
"Five." He said. "I mostly wounded, aiming for a leg or an arm to slow them down, let the others handle it, but I saved Mao twice."
"How'd you do then, Mao?" Arthur asked. I shrugged.
"I stopped paying attention and just had fun." I said. "I was in the zone though. Kept using my pistol a lot, but I'm pretty good with a rifle, it turns out." They all laughed as we got to the score room with everyone. We looked up as I was suddenly picked up. I struggled before being set on a stand.
"Our high score breaker!" The announcer called. I looked around as people cheered. I looked back at a score, and my name. "Mao, the GunImpmon!" More cheers as I grinned at the score.
"Forty five!" Arthur and Scott exclaimed together. I laughed quietly before turning.
"Anything you want to say, Mao?" The announcer asked.
"Well, I was just, playing." I said. "I just wanted to have fun." Everyone laughed as I put my hands behind my head.
…
I settled into my hammock, which I'd brought with me this time. We'd gone home and gotten some things, and Arthur's mom was happy that we'd made some friends and had fun. We'd come home every day after work for dinner, but we'd probably spend a lot of time at headquarters to sleep from now on, if only so we'd be ready at a moment's notice. But she was kind of mad that Arthur had to wear a bullet proof vest, and would eventually have to carry a gun. She somewhat calmed down when I told her I'd personally train him so he'd be safe. That only lasted until she remembered that I was self taught, at which point she got mad at me for a few minutes.
"Hey, Mao." Arthur said. I looked over at him. "Think we'll really make a lot of friends here?"
"We've already got two more…" I said. "And some of the people here are really friendly. I'm sure we'll get to know a lot of people. Maybe not friends, but, hopefully more than coworkers, you know?" He nodded as I looked at the window.
"I hope so." He said. "Mom won't let me here the end of it if I don't at least make friends within our, team…"
"If it's to be four Tamers and Digimon, then, you'll make six friends." I said. "Three more humans, three more Digimon. Seven friends in all… Strange number, but…" He laughed. "Cylinder and the barrel."
"What?" He asked, still laughing. I pointed at Baffle, which was below me on the table.
"Six rounds, and a barrel they go through." I said. "The cylinder has six spots, six friends, and then there's the barrel." I leaned up and pointed at myself with my thumb. "Me." He laughed quietly. "You know, humans are strange, but, I like this world a lot more than the Dark Area… Or the entire Digital World… Things move, slower here, and there are more friendly people. I'm glad I came here."
"Me too." He said. "Got my best buddy since you showed up, and things have been, pretty cool. Scary at times, especially during our first fight, but, that was still fun as heck." I smirked at the thought.
"Yeah, that was fun." I said. I leaned back into the ropes and sighed. "Ever, wonder if I might ever Digivolve?"
"What do you mean?" He asked. "Of course you will."
"I might." I said. "No one ever said all Digimon go past the Rookie stage. Some Digimon just, never do. Some just stay at the lowest fighting level, never getting past it because of some barrier, or just, lack of data. I mean, what is it with me? I had, that dream the other day, the one where your alarm woke me up…" He laughed. "I was, a Devimon… But I had, a Stetson, a gun belt… And a vest."
"You, with clothes?" He asked with a laugh. "Mao, the only thing you wear is that belt and neckerchief. The only time you wore something else was earlier today in the laser tag." I leaned back a little more and put my hands behind my head. "But, if you ever do Digivolve, how much stronger will you get? You're already like a little Champion. If you Digivolve, you'll be way stronger, right?"
"Yeah." I said. "All the more reason though, right? I can kill a Champion, if I go about it right, but Scott could use some competent help, not just a little imp running around with a revolver and a handgun."
"Well, it'll happen when it has to, right?" He asked.
"Yeah, I guess." I said. "When it does though, I'll be a lot more helpful to the rest of our team."
…
"Mao, this isn't looking good." Arthur said quietly. I just drew Baffle. "What are you doing? That's a Monochromon! A Champion!"
"I can take it." I said quietly. "I just have to get close enough to shoot it in the head. One shot."
"Mao, it's fighting an Angemon." He said. "We'll just get in the way."
"He's having trouble." I said quickly. "They're both Champions. If I can even provide a distraction, then he'll be able to finish it off. Come on, you know I'm fast enough." I touched the Optimizer. "Especially with this." He looked over at it and then at me, and finally at the Optimizer.
"If you even have one moment where think it can hit you, get away." He said. "Just, haul butt away from it." I nodded.
"Don't worry." I said. "I'm not looking to be a glorified horn ornament." He laughed as I jumped over and started running. As the Angemon spotted me, I shot the Monochromon in the hind leg at the ankle, and it roared before I shot it in the opposite back ankle. It stumbled and turned as I ran to the side. "Toro, toro! To… Mono!" It charged at me, slowly, making me laugh as I stopped. "Really? Really?" It ran at me and I gestured. "Angemon, get him! He can't even run!" It opened its mouth and I jumped aside to avoid the fireball. "Okay! Kill it now! Hurry up!" I dodge again as the Angemon flew down, but to my surprise, the Monochromon turned and hit the Angemon with its horn, throwing it aside and into a tree. "Crud!" It turned to me and let out another fireball, and I dodged again, running. "Arthur, ideas!" I heard him running and saw a fire near him.
"Give me a minute." He yelled. I stopped and ran around the Monochromon, being careful of the fire and the Angemon as he tried to get up.
"Hey, feathers, move 'em!" I called. "This thing is ticked!" I looked as he took to the air and I looked at the Monochromon before pointing Baffle at it and firing all but the last bullet. I hit the legs and it dropped to its knees and roared as I stopped.
"I'm too weak!" The Angemon called. I looked at him as his hand sparked. "I can't attack! Run, and get help!"
"Mao, do what he said!" Arthur called. I looked at the Monochromon and then at Baffle.
"Better idea!" I called. I ran at the Monochromon as fast as I could, out of its range as it tried to turn.
"Mao!" Arthur called. "Don't! You're just a Rookie! It'll burn you alive!" I jumped up and avoided the horn, landing on its back before turning and grabbing it. "It's rolling!" I put the barrel at the base of its skull. "MAO!"
"Dark Round!" I called. I pulled the trigger and the sound drowned out the Angemon. A hole appeared, smoldering as I slid off and away. As it turned to data, I panted and looked at Baffle, smiling a little. 'You and me, buddy, we'll go a long way before Digivolving.'
"Mao, you, you little…" Arthur said angrily. I looked as he walked over, the data flowing into me. "You could have gotten killed by that thing! What were you thinking?"
"That a Dark Round could kill a Champion level black and white rhino dino." I said. He stopped before taking off his hat, sighing, and he swatted me over the head with it. I tried to stop him, laughing. "Hey, c-cut it out! Come on, I'm alive, Arthur!"