It's been a few weeks, so here's chapter seven. I like it enough for the purpose, though it feels short for some reason. It's dialogue heavy, a little action, and some more history between Mao and Arthur. It's going to be mostly development for a while, but Mao and his new friends are going to be working hard for a while.
I, Lord Genesis Shadow, do hereby state that I do not own the rights to Digimon. If I did, GunImpmon would be in some of the games. The RPGs mainly. And they'd be weaker than Mao, but still dangerous in general, able to fire twice as many Dark Rounds.
…
"Hey, leave me alone." A voice called from outside. It was Arthur. I walked to the door and opened it, and I saw a boy with an Agumon pushing him over.
"Buzz off loser." He said. "You're no Tamer. That isn't even a Digivice. It's just some stupid toy." I walked over quickly as Arthur got up. "What the hell is that?"
"An Impmon." The Agumon said. "With a gun."
"He's my Digimon." Arthur said. "He's a GunImpmon, and… He's my partner." He held up the Optimizer, and I mimicked him, holding up my hand like he was. "And this is his Digivice."
"Yeah, right." The boy said. "He's your mother's or something." Arthur gritted his teeth as I stepped forward.
"Arthur is my Tamer." I said. "And that is my Digivice. So leave my Tamer alone, alright?" The boy laughed and his Agumon followed soon. It was that kind of laughter where they thought they were better than us, that they believed we could be written off. When they were out of earshot, he sighed. "I can get back at them, if you want." He laughed. "I'll need a slingshot, and some used gum with a wrapper."
"Next time." He said. "Who, would you aim for?"
"The human." I said. "He's got hair. Gum, hair, hide in a bush so they don't see me. Then when they look away again, I'll get the Agumon." He put his hand on my head.
"Good thinking." He said. "Lucky for you I've got a slingshot." He turned and walked to the house, so I ran up and walked by him. "So… Anything happen while I was at school?"
"I helped Mrs. Rowe make some cookies." I said.
"For us?" He asked.
"For your father, I'm told." I said. He stopped and I ran into him, stumbling back.
"Dad?" He asked. "Is he visiting?"
"No." I said. "She said she's sending them to him, with a letter about what's happened recently. Is, something wrong? I wondered why he isn't…"
"He's gone." He said. "He, he's a Marine, on tour overseas, I, I don't know where. Mom won't say." He made a fist. "I don't know why he had to go. I don't, know exactly why they recalled him, but he's on a year and half long tour. He, won't be back for fourteen months."
"I, am sorry." I said. "Had I known…"
"It's cool." He said. "I just, wish he'd call, or write, you know?" I was silent. "Mao? Are you alright?"
"What's it like, having, a family?" I asked. "I, have been here for a few months, but, I'm not sure what family is really like…" He walked into the front room and I followed him, and he picked me up and set me on the couch as he sat down.
"Well, this is, a family, I guess." He said. "You're like, a little brother to me, a new big brother to Kelly. The way we treat you, like we have… It's like you're part of the family."
"So, this is family…" I said. "It's, nice."
"Yeah." He said. "When dad gets back… I'm sure he'll act like you're a new son." He laughed. "He'll ask when mom had you." I looked at him. "Uh, you know, when mom, gave…" I blinked.
"I, think I see." I said. He laughed and put his hand on my head.
"Anyway, this is what family is like." He said. "You know, acting like this. Friends, but, with a stronger bond." I nodded and looked at my feet for a second. "Tell you what, when dad calls us, we'll introduce you. Odds are he'll act like you're a new son." I smiled a little. "Don't, Digimon have families?"
"Well, now that our data is, different…" I said. "Digimon finally have genders, and, though there are more Digimon being born, sometimes, they just don't form familial bonds. I, don't know if I have parents, or if I was just, reformatted as an egg with, a little extra data…"
"Well, if you have parents, maybe we'll meet them someday." He said. I nodded when Mara walked in.
"Arthur, Mao, I heard commotion." She said. "Is everything okay?"
"Uh, just, a bully." Arthur said. "Mao managed to get him to leave. We're fine."
"Good." She said. "I'm just glad there wasn't a fight. You know how I felt when I saw you on the news fighting that, that… Um…" She gestured at me for a moment.
"Monochromon." I said.
"Yes." She said. "I was afraid you'd get hurt."
"Mom, Mao's tougher than he looks." He said, putting his arm on my head. I fought a smirk. "Come on, look at him. He's fast, strong, he's got range on most Digimon, he can flip fire from his fingertips…"
"And I apparently make a good arm rest." I said. He snickered as Mara sighed.
"Arthur, I want you to stay back whenever there's a fight." She said. "I want you to stay safe." He nodded as I slid off of the couch. "And Mao, I want you to make sure he stays out of danger." I nodded.
"He's my Tamer." I said. "I fight, he helps me."
…
The familiar alarm clock woke me up, and I reached down to find it, when it stopped. I opened my eye and saw, a Palmon near Scott, and they both looked up at me. As Scott went to talk I grabbed the clock and turned it so I could see the time on it. Eight thirty. I set it back down and looked at the Palmon, holding my hand out.
"Mao." I said. She giggled and took my hand.
"I know." She said. "I'm Daisy."
"Oh yeah." I said tiredly. "Then that means…" I yawned quietly. "We're giving a tour."
"We're a little early, but, I hope that's okay." She said. I went to get up but stopped and sighed quietly. "What's wrong?"
"Impmon are usually nocturnal." Scott said. "So he's tired."
"Diurnal." I said tiredly. "Mischief has no schedule. It just happens." I rolled a little before swinging my legs over, and I dropped onto a pile of blankets I'd set up for just that purpose.
"I wondered what those blankets were there for." Daisy said. I grabbed my belt and put it on, holstering Baffle, but I couldn't find the handgun.
"Arthur's taking the firearm's test." Scott said. "That way you'll only have one gun to worry about, and he'll be able to help Percival. Two guns are better than one, with two shooters." I nodded and got up, yawning. "Come on. We have to show Daisy around, and you've got longer legs."
"Yeah, that's true." I said. "You're like a, winged pot roast." Daisy put her hands to her mouth, giggling as he flapped his ears. "Kidding. No offense meant." He flapped a few times and took off, but to my surprise he landed on my head, making me stumble. "Do I look like Percy's shoulder?"
"He's not here." He said. "He's helping Arthur." I sighed and gestured for Daisy to follow.
"Well, let's get walking, I guess." I said. "First stop, the cafeteria. I need a drink." She nodded and followed me through the door.
"Mao?" She asked. "When you, shot that Greymon…" I looked at her as she walked up beside me. "I've never, actually deleted a Digimon before… What's it like?"
"Well…" I said. "It's, different for everyone, I guess. For me, I know that I'm deleting a Digimon that could have hurt a lot of people, so, I feel good that I've put something harmful down. And I know some of their data might make it back to the Digital World and let them be reborn. Maybe they'll turn into a good Digimon the next time around."
"But you absorb a lot of the data." She said.
"Not all of it." Scott said. "When we delete a bad Digimon, we only take most of the total data. Probably… A little over half. The rest goes back to the Digital World, but most of it is used to form a portal, so only a little goes back, just enough to create a Digi-Egg." She nodded as I pointed at the cafeteria door. We walked in and I pulled out a few quarters.
"So, do you think you'll be able to fight at your best when you Digivolve?" I asked.
"Uh, yeah." She said. "I hope."
"Well, even if you can't, if you can knock them around long enough for us, that'll be enough." I said. "Not everyone can delete a Digimon."
"No offense Mao, but I'm surprised to hear you say that." Scott said. I looked up at him as I put the quarters into the machine.
"Why?" I asked.
"Well, I mean…" He said. "You have a gun, and you're a Virus…" I shrugged and pressed a button for Dr. Pepper.
"I can see where you're coming from with that." I said. Daisy laughed as the can came out and I picked it up. "Anyway, this is the cafeteria. It usually has plenty of food. Breakfast from fast food places and various kinds of food in the fridge if you feel like cooking for yourself, and vending machines for what you want. It doubles as a break room." I opened the can and Scott pointed to the door, so we started walking.
"Next, the training room." He said.
"Complete with shooting range." I added. "Best room here if you ask me."
"You really like guns…" Daisy said.
"I like my revolver." I said. "He's got character."
"You refer to it as a male a lot." Scott said. "Did you name it or something?"
"Yup." I said. We walked into the training room and Scott tapped my head with his tiny leg.
"What's the name?" He asked.
"Does it matter?" I asked.
"I'd like to know." Daisy said. I shrugged.
"I call him 'Baffle'." I said. "Before you ask, I call him that, because the bullets are always the right type for the job, even if they don't look like it. If I need a hollow point, it already is. If I need armor piercing, that's what I'm firing. If I need an explosive round…"
"Bullets can't explode." Scott said, tapping my head.
"Mine do." I said. "Dark Rounds explode nicely." He tapped my head again. "Keep that up. See what it gets you, flying pot roast." Daisy giggled as I gestured around. "Anyway, as you can see, plenty of exercise equipment, a soundproofed shooting range in the back, and a notice board with all kinds of stuff on it that's interesting." She looked around as humans looked over and laughed quietly. "Next, the lab?"
"Yes." Scott said. "Unless we find Percival and Arthur. Then we'll see what they're up to."
…
"Mao, are you okay?" Arthur asked. I looked up at him as he drove. A small group of Virus Digimon were causing trouble at a police station, and the police were unable to do much against them. "You're quiet. You didn't complain about the seat."
"I can't win against it until I Digivolve." I said. "I might as well give up."
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that you have to share a double seat with Daisy?" Percy asked. Daisy giggled.
"I'm just wondering about the number of Digimon coming through lately." I said. "Something's going on. A year ago there were hardly any Digimon coming through, and most were looking for a Tamer so they can live in this world. But seven months ago, the numbers kept going up. It's getting worse."
"Yes, that is true." He said.
"How much of an increase is it?" Annabelle asked. She was sitting next to Daisy, and was pretty friendly with Percy and Arthur already. She talked to us at lunch before we were given our assignment. She told us that she was nineteen, and she was pretty obsessed with the color blue. Blue headband, though it had yellow daisies on it, a light blue tank top, a mid thigh length light blue skirt, light blue sneakers and lighter blue socks, a pair of blue sapphire earrings and a blue metal necklace with sapphires in it. Even her eyes were bright blue, and she had dyed her hair bright blue as well. "Is it as bad as the news said? I mean, it's not really that bad, right?"
"Worse." Percy said. "The news says it's a twenty five percent increase from last year. It's more accurate to say that it's ten times that number. Two and a half times more than last year." My communicator beeped, as did all of the others. I put my finger to mine.
"Squad sixteen, new information has been acquired about your targets." A woman said. "Three Demi-Deivmon, one Impmon, and a Devimon. Caution is advised. One Tamer is already on the scene, high school student with a Garurumon. He is currently holding off the Devimon, but is having trouble." Arthur turned a corner as a Garurumon flew by, landing on the ground before getting up.
"They're out!" Percy said. I unclipped my buckle and jumped out of the window, landing near the Garurumon, who looked at me.
"Same team!" I said quickly. I turned as Scott swooped down and hit the Devimon with his staff, and they began trading blows. Without warning I was picked up by someone. "H-hey." I looked to see a boy as he set me down on the Garurumon.
"Keep him out of that Devimon's line of sight." He said. He raised his thumb and I did the same, leaning down and spotting a collar, which I put my hand near. I drew my revolver as the Garurumon started running toward the Demi-Devimon.
"Steady." I said. I took aim and fired, hitting one through the wing and another through the head.
"Poison Ivy!" Daisy called. I heard a handgun and looked to see Arthur shooting at the Demi-Devimon I'd shot, but I leaned and fired, hitting the one above him.
"Hold on tight shorty!" The Garurumon said. I looked ahead, gripping his fur as he jumped over an attack. He landed and I went to turn when something hit me. I fell to the side and rolled, Baffle ending up a few feet away.
"Okay you two bit copy." The Impmon said. I got up and saw him making fists. "Put up ya dukes!" The Garurumon turned and growled.
"Help the Angemon!" I called. "I've got this guy. I'll take him apart." Garurumon nodded and ran, jumping over us and landing on the Devimon before being kicked off. "As far as I care, you're the cheap copy."
"I'd heard about a freak Impmon with a gun." He said. "Callin' himself somethin' different. Just a fake." He ran at me and jumped, trying to kick me. My arms suddenly felt stronger, so I pushed his foot aside and hit his throat with my arm. He hit the ground, coughing.
"I may not be normal, but I'm real enough to beat you, like a drum." I said. He coughed and got up, holding his throat. He went to point at me, a fireball forming at the tip of his finger, so I opened my mouth. "Imp Breath!" I exhaled a fireball that hit him in the face. His own fireball fell and exploded at his feet. He staggered before running at me again. I caught his fist and punched him in the jaw, knocking him back. I stepped over and grabbed Baffle and pointed it at him, pulling the hammer back.
"You, you will, face judgment." He said. "Our master…" A hand came out of nowhere and grabbed the Impmon's head and crushed it. I turned and pointed my revolver at the Devimon, but, he wasn't a Devimon anymore.
"Oh crap." I said quietly. "Myotismon." Scott was on his knees, and Garurumon was now a Gabumon, out cold and visibly hurt.
"Yes." He said. "And for such a simpleton, that Impmon certainly bought the time I needed, though he has outlived his usefulness. I believe you are curious as to why you aren't hearing your Tamer and his partner's voices." I touched the communicator and heard static. "There is now, a barrier. I am here for you." I narrowed my eyes. "You are not living up to your potential. You could very easily kill the Angel, the wolf, the plant, and all four of those foolish humans with that weapon, and yet you fight beside them, for them."
"They're my friends." I said. "Well, not the Gabumon, but I just met him and his Tamer…" I shrugged. "Who can say?"
"And yet you would die for them?" He asked.
"Yeah, I would." I said. "Part of being the partner of a DGA Tamer."
"I came to find the answer to a question." He said.
"Again with questions." I said. "First a Lady-Devimon, now a Myotismon. What is it with Ultimate level Demon Digimon and asking me questions?" He laughed under his breath and started walking.
"The question should be simple, and if your answer is satisfactory, I leave." He said. "If it is wrong, I will kill you."
"You mean you'll try." I said. I tapped my foot, looking at Arthur, and luckily he seemed to take the hint. He was quickly moving the stylus. "Ask, and if you don't like what I say, I run. If you're okay with it, you can leave." Scott slowly got up, readying his staff silently.
"Were you given the option of greater power…" He said. I began thinking. "If it meant your 'Tamer' would no longer be your Tamer, would you take it?"
"No." I said. "Arthur isn't just my Tamer. He's my friend. If it meant I couldn't stay with him, I'd decline in an instant." He laughed quietly and turned suddenly, grabbing Scott's staff. I narrowed my eyes as he threw Scott to the side. "Dark Rounds!" He looked over as I fired three rounds at him. The first two hit his midsection, putting normal sized bullet holes in his body, and the third hit his right shoulder, making him grab it. Without warning I was knocked away by a kick I barely saw. I hit a wall, and Baffle landed on the ground as I coughed from the force of the impact. "D-darn it… That, was, fast…" I looked up as he walked over, slowly, and Scott was slowly moving toward Baffle. I raised my finger for a moment before holding raising my arm. "Blazing Lasso!" His eyes widened behind the mask as I threw it right past him, and he didn't look as Scott grabbed it, and I began pulling him forward, toward Baffle.
"You insolent little pest." He said. "Had you not shot me, I might have let you live. Now I am honor bound to kill you!"
"One thing, big shoe." I said. He narrowed his eyes and he raised a hand as Scott grabbed the revolver. "I wasn't trying to get you with my lasso." He looked back as Scott took aim. "Focus your light!" He smiled and pulled the hammer back.
"Angel Bullet!" He called as he fired. He hit Myotismon right in the chest. He staggered back before falling as I got up. I limped over to Scott while Myotismon coughed and gasped. I held my hand out, but he put Baffle in it as he used his staff to stand. "Finish him off. I need to, check on Gabumon and the others." I nodded as I looked at Baffle and opened it, emptying the spent rounds as I looked at the vampire. I walked over, favoring my left leg, and focused on a single bullet.
"Scott." I called. "I hope you're right thinking I'm strong enough for this."
"You wounded him with three shots." He called back. "One to the head should do it."
"Shadow Reload." I hissed. The bullet formed and I loaded it, making sure it was at the correct chamber. Myotismon looked up at me as he struggled to breathe. He had been hit through the lung, very close to his heart. "I don't care why you came through anymore. You hurt my friends, threatened their lives, and worse still, you made me drop my gun and have an Angel fire it." He gave a weak laugh as I pointed at his head. "Any last words?"
"Use, my data well, Imp." He said. "Traynor will get you, sooner or later." I narrowed my eyes.
"Who's Traynor?" I asked. He was silent, and I knew I wasn't getting an answer. "If that's how you want to play it… Dark Round!" I fired right into his temple and the bullet went through, again not making the large wound I was used to it making on even Champions. After a few seconds his body became a flurry of code, but instead of part of it breaking off and flying elsewhere, only the code that went to the Optimizer split off while all of the rest went into me. It quickly began healing me, and I stepped back and saw Scott carrying the Gabumon to his Tamer. I walked over, still favoring my left leg while I holstered Baffle. When I got over, Arthur knelt and looked at me. "That sucked."
"Yeah." He said. "How did he make that barrier that kept me from telling you that he'd Digivolved?"
"No clue." I said. "He was an Ultimate though. Could have been strong enough to distort the signal."
"My worry is that he Digivolved immediately, very quickly." Percy said. I nodded as I sat down. "He must have been able to regress to his Champion state and then go back to it when he faced a stronger opponent, his opposite."
"Mao, he said something about, someone named Traynor?" Scott asked. I nodded. "What did he say before you shot him?"
"Nothing." I said. "I asked who Traynor was, and he didn't say anything. I knew he wasn't going to talk, so I just shot him." Annabelle walked over with Daisy. "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes." Annabelle said. "Apart from Scott, Gabumon and, you. That looked like it hurt." I stood straighter and closed my left eye, rotating my arm while holding the shoulder.
"Nah, that was just me playing for the crowd." I said. She laughed with Percy while Arthur put his hat on my head, pulling it down hard and making them laugh a little more. "Seriously though, what did I get out of that? Twenty, thirty gigs?"
"Uh, none." Arthur said. "It says that, something's developing, but it's not harmful." I looked up as I fixed the hat. "Maybe, it'll let you Digivolve?" I shrugged.
"Sure would be nice." I said.
"You'll be awesome." The high school Tamer said. I looked at him. "I mean, y-you're a Rookie, right?"
"Yup." I said.
"You can hurt and even delete an Ultimate." He said. "When you get to Champion, you'll be a lot stronger. That Myotismon would have been shredded if you were, whatever your Champion form is." Arthur laughed.
"Don't encourage him." He said. "He's got a big enough head as it is."
"Literally." Scott said dryly. Everyone laughed, even me, and I held my hand up to him.
"Nice one." I said. He reluctantly put his palm to mine, a small smirk just visible as he walked toward the van.