It's been four months since her brother disappeared into the harsh
environment of the Digiworld, leaving her and her family nothing but
memories and a note. Kari was seated on a park bench reading the note that
was found on their kitchen table the same day of Tai's vanishing. The note
was very detailed about his where about and purpose and was personally
signed by Gennai. Kari was surprised at how well their parents took the
news. They argued they were just thankful that it was only one of their
kids this time and not both. Kari remembered how the other digidestined
took the news. Most of them were worried about Tai; some were proud; Sora
even cried a little, which Kari found a bit strange after how she's hurt
him in the past. Kari snapped back to reality as a shadow was shed over
her tiny form.
"Still no word from him?"
Looking up she saw T.K.'s face gazing at the paper in her hand from over her shoulder. Kari just shook her head in response. T.K. hopped over the bench and planted himself next to her.
"Don't worry about it. You know he's not in any real danger right? I mean the note said they're just gunna be training for now. I'll bet you twenty bucks he'll come and visit for Christmas."
Kari smiled feeling better at his optimism.
"Thanks T.K.," Kari said as she stood up, "I better get home and do my homework. See you in school tomorrow!"
Kari flashed him a cute smile and began her journey home. T.K. watched her leave.
"Any time Kari, any time."
*****************************************************************
The early morning sun peeked over the immeasurable horizon and lit up the amber sky, giving it a tranquil effect on any admirers. Gennai took a sip out of his mug of coffee and glanced at his watch. 5:35 am. Right now Griff should be somewhere out in the wilderness taking his usual morning jog down the warren of dirt paths. Out of the four he was the only one who truly knew his way around the forest; he practically had each root memorized. Even in his free time the boy could be found lounging around in a tree of some sort.
Gennai almost choked on his coffee when a loud splash ruptured through the crisp air. Standing to get a better look out the window, he witnessed Angela practicing her high dives. The girl was a human fish if there ever was one. He'd never seen a human swim as fast as she did before. Gennai smiled inwardly. Their persona's suited them so well. It was obvious he made no mistakes picking this lot. Gennai walked softly down the long corridor mentally praising himself. He frowned slightly as he realized it was almost time to tell them who they were, or rather, what they were. It was not a task he was looking forward to.
Gennai paused in front of a dimly lit, voluminous, wooden room and watched the activities inside. There were scented candles lit in a carefully chosen arrangement, filling the room with a soothing yet invigorating aroma. In the center of the room was Shiva. She was kneeling with her back erect, head bowed, and eyes closed. Small droplets of sweat were beginning to form on her brow. To any normal person it wouldn't have been much of a spectacle. But to Gennai's trained eyes, he could see her aura glowing energetically, increasing its power with each passing moment. Gennai grinned proudly as he watched Shiva enhance her psyche and inner strength. Her spirit was strong, he noted, almost unbreakable. He resumed his stroll down the hall and out onto the balcony. With her eyes still closed, a small smirk played on Shiva's full lips; a smirk shown when one knows they were receiving intellectual compliments.
Gennai inhaled the fresh morning air as he watched the picturesque scene before him. Hundreds of feet in the air lay the roof of the commodious coliseum. There was a narrow ledge where the rising sun would hit, causing a multitude of colors to fly into one's vision. In the center of this spectrum, skillfully balancing on that ledge was the silhouette of a young man. He remained still for a moment, allowing the upcoming star to warm his body. In his hands was a sword, held at an arms length away from his body. Gennai remembered when Tai first saw that sword. He could tell the boy was instantly drawn to it as he watched him tentatively hold it for the first time. He found it rational that it was this particular sword Tai was so fascinated by. After all, if taken into account on which its original master was, it made perfect sense. Gennai focus was whipped to the present when the figure sprang into action. Swinging the sword over his head Tai spun then flipped, followed by a few lashings of the sword and a roundhouse. Gennai watched, engrossed, on the young lad before him performing extraordinary activities upon such dangerous grounds.
"The children have grown strong." A voice spoke at his side.
Gennai didn't need look as to tell whom the voice belonged to. "Yes, Piximon, they have. Your training as well as mine has brought them quite far."
Piximon landed a hard look on Gennai, "I'm afraid that's not enough, the time has come Gennai, to tell them who they are, who they were."
"I was planning to wait after the holiday, let them be with their families one last time as, you know, normal." Gennai grumbled.
"You're nervous too, aren't you?"
Gennai was silent for a moment before replying, "Their powers are triggered by their emotions, if they are scared or angry they can become easily corrupted."
Piximon solemnly nodded with agreement.
*****************************************************************
Five days a week, from nine o'clock until one, it was required that the children receive an education. While most of it consisted of algebra, chemistry, and the history of the Digiworld, they sometimes found time to discuss matters of their homeland.
"So, what are your thoughts on abortion?" Professoramon asked her half dead class of four.
"It's wrong"
"Pshh, like hell, I'm all for it."
Angela's head snapped up as she shot a glare at the girl who dared to challenge her.
"Every child deserves the chance to live."
"They'll grow up to be whores anyways," Shiva replied lazily, "besides, the world is populated enough as it is."
Professoramon grinned as she felt a debate coming on and adjusted her spectacles.
"That doesn't give them the right to kill an innocent life!"
"Like they'd know the difference; they aren't even born yet at the time!"
"That doesn't make it right though, they never even got a chance to make any choices for themselves."
"Probably all for the better; they'd end up as rapists or drug lords or something."
"How can you be so heartless?" Angela scoffed.
"How can you care?" Shiva shot back.
Professoramon decided enough was enough and thought quickly to change the subject.
"Uh, TAI! What is your view on this matter?"
"Glad as hell I ain't a girl."
"Amen brother, we men got it good!" Tai and Griff shared a grin and a high five as all three girls proceeded to scowl at them.
"Class, let's discuss sexism."
*************************************************************
After their schooling ended for the day, the four headed to the kitchen in search for some grub, later to be known to civilization as lunch. But to these kids, food was food, and hunger was hunger, and they were hungry. as well as indecisive.
"Easy Mac, no turkey sandwich, no had that yesterday."
"How bout soup?"
"Salad?"
"Ice cream?"
The three stared gallingly at Griff.
"What? I like ice cream."
Eventually they all decided on a big pile of french-fries. Gennai wandered into the kitchen to find the four, prophesized, future guardians of the Digiworld sprawled across the table covered in ketchup with random fries sticking out of their mouths.
"GET YOUR LAZY ASSES OFF MY FINE WOOD TABLE!!" Gennai screeched, sending them all flying for cover. Gennai turned on his heal and strode out of the kitchen, muttering about incompetent hooligans. Four teens slowly stood from their positions on the ground chewing vigorously on their fries.
"What's up with him?" Angela asked to no one in particular.
The rest of the kids just shrugged and returned to their meal before Gennai's voice sounded from the halls once more, "And I want you all to practice with your Idto-boards as soon as you finish!"
The guardians shared a groan as they dreaded the mortifying and painful work out they were about to endure. Within the first week that they arrived on the training grounds, Gennai presented them with metal hovercrafts in an ovular shape for fast transportation during battles and such. Because they were Insanely Difficult To Operate, the children began calling them Idto-boards. They were very fast and could fly unaided to one's advantage. Unfortunately they seemed to have minds of their own and enjoyed bucking off their operators. Nevertheless, the more the children worked with their boards, the stronger their bonds with them grew.
"Well," Tai said, wiping some spare ketchup off his chin, "let's get this over with."
*****************************************************************
"And FLIP. 180. FLIP. FLIP." Piximon drilled as four kids strained against their tired bodies to keep their boards under control as they did cycles of flips and turns. Gennai watched from his usual perch on the balcony, as one would be thrown into the air while another landed gracefully on their Idto-board. It was becoming apparent that their hard work was really beginning to pay off. Soon they would be able to go out into the wilds of the Digiworld and begin real battles against minor evils. In fact, Gennai happened to have a villain already lined up for them to take out.
Griff jadedly made his way across the porch; he watched his shadow lengthen in front of him with each descending motion of the sun. On his right arm hung Angela, leaning softly against his strong frame, and just a few steps behind them were Tai and Shiva. Tai would turn around every so often when he felt a light pat on his butt. The instant he would look ahead, Shiva would lean forward and give another small slap to his rear. They stopped short as Piximon popped up in front of them, brandishing his stick around happily.
"Good work today guys. Gennai said he wanted to meet you in the meeting room after your training, yup yup."
"Did he say about what?" Angela asked, lifting her head from Griff's shoulder.
"Uh-uh!" was Piximon's only reply as his tiny white wings beat furiously to carry him out of sight.
"I just want to BITE HIM!!" Shiva screeched as she made little claw like gestured with her fingers in the direction that Piximon took off too. Three elbows were thrown simultaneously into Shiva's stomach.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The meeting room was just like any other meeting room one would encounter in an average office building. It was a large room with a long wooden in the center of it, surrounded with about a dozen chairs. However, on one wall of the room was a large, state-of-the-art computer. It was artificially intelligent and could keep a record on any living organism in the Digiworld as well as important events. A large 6'x6 screen on the computer was inactive at the moment but served as a portal to other areas in the Digiworld as well as other dimensions, including the real world.
The kids filed into the room and each took a seat at the table. Gennai, who was already present in the room, waited for them to settle down before proceeding with his speech.
"As you all know, your job is to protect the Digiworld from evils of all kind. So I decided it's about time you get a little 'hands on' practice," the slouching forms of his audience straitened attentively in anticipation, "There's a small group of virus champion digimon called the vice-clan. They've been going about terrorizing villages claiming to be the next rulers of the Digiworld. Ace."
The computer turned on obediently and displayed a picture of what looked like to be a large wart hog standing on two legs. He was covered in dark armor with metal spikes sticking out of his shoulder pads, knees and elbows. A deadly looking flail hung at his side.
"This is Darkboaramon, the leader of the pack. Most of the other champions are brainwashed to follow him by his hypnotic throne attack. Once you take him out, I doubt you'll have any other problems. This is why I'm sending you out right now. And don't look at me like that, there's still a good couple of hours before dark." Gennai responded after seeing the somewhat annoyed looks of the exhausted teens.
"But mom.without dinner?" Shiva asked fussily, using the title they had recently given to Gennai due to his 'maternal' attitude toward them.
"Suck it up, you'll be fine. Besides, you need to be able to fight under rough conditions."
"How motherly of you" Tai quipped sarcastically.
"Enough chit chat, Ace, get their asses to sector H 36."
Ace's screen glowed blue before the four warriors were sucked into the supercomputer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Innocent digimon ran in all direction, screaming their prayers for help. About six or seven multifarious champions ran about throwing out attacks. On top of a verdant hill stood Darkboaramon. He shouted orders at his lackeys to leave nothing alive. Koromon watched in horror as his fellow rookie and in-training friends were mercilessly slaughtered. Dread swept through his petite body as a threatening shadow loomed over him. He shakily turned to see a menacing Snimon raise one of its bladed arms in a fatal attack. Squeezing his eyes shut, Koromon thought one final plea as the blade was brought down upon him: I wish Tai were here.
When no attack came, Koromon popped one burgundy eye open to see the Snimon's arm being held up by a glorious looking sword. A young man with shining brown hair and a muscular frame gripped the hilt of the weapon. Although he could only see the back of him, Koromon knew instantly who his savior was.
"TAI!"
"Hey buddy," Tai growled over his shoulder, "ya all right?"
"I am now, here all digivolve and help you. Koromon digivolve too. um, a tiny pink Agumon. Tai, what's going on?!"
Tai threw the Snimon back with a grunt, causing the possessed champion to fall to its back with the boy's inhumanly strength. Tai took this time to face Koromon and explain a few things.
"Eh, I kinda broke my digivice, well, I mean, it exploded, totally not my fault though." That was all Tai had time to say before the Snimon was back on its feet and hacking its razor-like blades wildly at Tai. "Just leave the ass kicking to me this time ok little buddy?"
Koromon just nodded mutely, letting the new information register in his brain.
Snimon prepared to throw a twin sickle attack at Tai, but before it had a change Tai swung his sword with an unmatched speed, severing the top half of the digimon from the bottom.
"Hmm, that was almost too easy."
"WOAH!" Shiva cried as a Seadramon snipped at her side for the third time. The serpent digimon continued to make many blows in her direction, all of which she dodged nimbly by prancing from side to side. Unfortunately, while she was occupied with its head, Shiva failed to notice the tail sneak up and wrap around her body. The Seadramon took this opportunity to attack the struggling girl with its sharp fangs. As luck would have it, Shiva's arms were free and she was able to catch the champion's jaws before they closed on her head.
"Oh. Gawd." Shiva made a face as the Seadramon's putrid breath washed over her. "If I didn't know any better I'd think this was an attack." Unable to stand the stench any longer, Shiva forced the mouth open wider, finally snapping the jaw. The Seadramon's body instantly went limp before its data took flight, releasing the girl from its hold.
Griff turned just in time to see a Monochromon charging at him. He stood his ground proudly until the beast was just inches in front of him. The Monochromon struggled to continue its charge as Griff took a hold of its horns and dug his heels into the ground to keep from being thrown back. When the pair finally came to a stop, Griff mustered his strength and threw the digimon on its side with a sharp jerk of his arms. While it lay there he quickly wrenched the horns in the opposite direction, snapping the digimon's neck. Griff panted slightly as he watched the Monochromon break down into data.
Angela stood in front of Darkboaramon as he was on his way to primary village. The virus digimon stopped and glared at the defiant girl who dared to get in his way.
"Going somewhere piggy?" Angela asked darkly earning a threatening growl from her foe.
"You don't want to get in my way little girl."
"Oh, I think I do."
"Then you can DIE!" Darkboaramon charged at the blond, swinging his flail dangerously. Angela sidestepped him and then ducked as he swung around from her dodge, and tried to land a hit with his weapon. While his weight was temporarily thrown off balance, Angela jumped high in the air and landed heavily in his shoulders, knowledgeably hitting a pressure point. Darkboaramon grunted in pain from the contact and fell to one knee. Just as Angela was about to send a spinning kick into his head he yelled out an attack from his position on the ground. A shadowy vapor of poisonous gas was launched to where she was airborne. Angela gasped as realization hit her. She was still in the air and wouldn't be able to avert her momentum to land somewhere safe before the dark a cloud struck! She was roughly thrown to the ground and found a hard body was pressed against her; the very same that had knocked her out of the way of the attack. She gazed into Griff's warm brown eyes and let out an embarrassed laugh.
"Bet your glad to see me." his hot breath tickled her ear. Angela giggled seductively.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Their romantic interlude was brusquely interrupted as a wail of pain brought them back to reality. Griff rolled off of his girlfriend just in time to see Darkbaoramon's data fly through the air. Tai and Shiva were vaguely breathless and shooting them both disapproving looks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well done kids, short and sweet, just like its supposed to be." Gennai congratulated the four blood-soaked teens on their victory. "You're welcome to have your dinner now, AFTER you take a shower. I don't want blood all over my kitchen!" Gennai spoke the last part slightly louder due to the protest of the hungry youths.
Without farther complaint, the children traipsed out of the meeting room and traveled in path of the showers. When they first arrived at the coliseum, the kids were all somewhat shocked to find that the shower room was really one big bathroom with several showerheads. That's right, co-ed showering. The guys for some reason didn't seem as embarrassed as Shiva was at first, but that soon changed as she grew accustomed to showering with men. She was more than happy when Angela joined them, giving her some female company when it was time for bathing. Of course they did have some privacy; there were thin walls between each showering section that went about as high as the hips. Thankfully neither of the girls was very modest. Now finally in the shower room, the children began to customarily take off their clothing and just throw it in any direction that suited them.
Tai pulled his blood soaked shirt over his head and tossed it over his shoulder. Just as he was working on his pant buttons he felt a sharp yank at the back of his neck. He turned to see a fuming, mostly naked Shiva with his dirty shirt on her head. Tai grinned sheepishly and tried to distance himself to avoid her wrath, but she kept a firm grip on his small ponytail. About two months after they arrived in the Digiworld, Shiva had noticed Tai's hair was only just short of reaching his shoulders when it was not spiked up. She convinced him to start pulling it back into a small, low ponytail, just leaving his bangs to their freedom. This actually proved to help keep his hair out if his face much more effectively when fighting. Tai, however, was now silently cursing himself for letting her talk him into wearing his hair like that; even though it added to his prominent good looks, she often used it to abuse him. After giving her his most apologetic look, Shiva gave in and reluctantly let go of his hair. She'd let him off the hook this time, but next time he wouldn't be so lucky.
By now Angela and Griff were already under the soothing waterfall of warm water and occupying themselves with removing the blood and grime off their drained bodies. Soon joined by Tai and Shiva, the four started having a delightful conversation; acting as though it was perfectly normal to shower everyday with groups of people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas break was finally here and not one of the guardians could sit still while Gennai droned on to them in the meeting room. He was explaining to them about how some physical changes may begin to occur to their bodies while they were away. In their anxiety none of them really paid any attention when he explained what to do if anything should happen. Legs were bouncing with anticipation as Gennai finished his speech.
"Okay, now who's ready for a vacation?" Gennai found himself on the ground as four sets of legs trampled over him in desperation to reach Ace. By the time the old man finally picked him self off the floor Ace was already firing up the portal to the real world.
"I hope you continue to exercise! And don't over eat! We need you to stay in top condition. Remember, your body is a temple!" Gennai realized that he was shouting to an empty. Well, almost empty.
"Thank you for your concern Gennai, but I do not believe I can alter my appearance" came Ace's mechanical reply.
"Don't make me kick you"
Four bodies were suspended in the air and moving at a considerable speed down a tunnel of data. Griff found his body being pulled to the left down a separate vessel.
"London here I come! Lata fellas!"
"Bye you guys! Have a great vacation! See you in a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeek" Angela shrieked in delight as her body was thrown upwards into an overhead channel. This left Tai and Shiva alone for a few more seconds before a junction was visible up ahead.
"Hey Tai, I doubt my family will be home very much, so do ya think I might be able to stop by near the end of vacation and stay with you?"
"Hell, ya! I can't remember the last time you came to visit me!"
Shiva was only able to smile in respond before they were both yanked apart in separate directions.
"Still no word from him?"
Looking up she saw T.K.'s face gazing at the paper in her hand from over her shoulder. Kari just shook her head in response. T.K. hopped over the bench and planted himself next to her.
"Don't worry about it. You know he's not in any real danger right? I mean the note said they're just gunna be training for now. I'll bet you twenty bucks he'll come and visit for Christmas."
Kari smiled feeling better at his optimism.
"Thanks T.K.," Kari said as she stood up, "I better get home and do my homework. See you in school tomorrow!"
Kari flashed him a cute smile and began her journey home. T.K. watched her leave.
"Any time Kari, any time."
*****************************************************************
The early morning sun peeked over the immeasurable horizon and lit up the amber sky, giving it a tranquil effect on any admirers. Gennai took a sip out of his mug of coffee and glanced at his watch. 5:35 am. Right now Griff should be somewhere out in the wilderness taking his usual morning jog down the warren of dirt paths. Out of the four he was the only one who truly knew his way around the forest; he practically had each root memorized. Even in his free time the boy could be found lounging around in a tree of some sort.
Gennai almost choked on his coffee when a loud splash ruptured through the crisp air. Standing to get a better look out the window, he witnessed Angela practicing her high dives. The girl was a human fish if there ever was one. He'd never seen a human swim as fast as she did before. Gennai smiled inwardly. Their persona's suited them so well. It was obvious he made no mistakes picking this lot. Gennai walked softly down the long corridor mentally praising himself. He frowned slightly as he realized it was almost time to tell them who they were, or rather, what they were. It was not a task he was looking forward to.
Gennai paused in front of a dimly lit, voluminous, wooden room and watched the activities inside. There were scented candles lit in a carefully chosen arrangement, filling the room with a soothing yet invigorating aroma. In the center of the room was Shiva. She was kneeling with her back erect, head bowed, and eyes closed. Small droplets of sweat were beginning to form on her brow. To any normal person it wouldn't have been much of a spectacle. But to Gennai's trained eyes, he could see her aura glowing energetically, increasing its power with each passing moment. Gennai grinned proudly as he watched Shiva enhance her psyche and inner strength. Her spirit was strong, he noted, almost unbreakable. He resumed his stroll down the hall and out onto the balcony. With her eyes still closed, a small smirk played on Shiva's full lips; a smirk shown when one knows they were receiving intellectual compliments.
Gennai inhaled the fresh morning air as he watched the picturesque scene before him. Hundreds of feet in the air lay the roof of the commodious coliseum. There was a narrow ledge where the rising sun would hit, causing a multitude of colors to fly into one's vision. In the center of this spectrum, skillfully balancing on that ledge was the silhouette of a young man. He remained still for a moment, allowing the upcoming star to warm his body. In his hands was a sword, held at an arms length away from his body. Gennai remembered when Tai first saw that sword. He could tell the boy was instantly drawn to it as he watched him tentatively hold it for the first time. He found it rational that it was this particular sword Tai was so fascinated by. After all, if taken into account on which its original master was, it made perfect sense. Gennai focus was whipped to the present when the figure sprang into action. Swinging the sword over his head Tai spun then flipped, followed by a few lashings of the sword and a roundhouse. Gennai watched, engrossed, on the young lad before him performing extraordinary activities upon such dangerous grounds.
"The children have grown strong." A voice spoke at his side.
Gennai didn't need look as to tell whom the voice belonged to. "Yes, Piximon, they have. Your training as well as mine has brought them quite far."
Piximon landed a hard look on Gennai, "I'm afraid that's not enough, the time has come Gennai, to tell them who they are, who they were."
"I was planning to wait after the holiday, let them be with their families one last time as, you know, normal." Gennai grumbled.
"You're nervous too, aren't you?"
Gennai was silent for a moment before replying, "Their powers are triggered by their emotions, if they are scared or angry they can become easily corrupted."
Piximon solemnly nodded with agreement.
*****************************************************************
Five days a week, from nine o'clock until one, it was required that the children receive an education. While most of it consisted of algebra, chemistry, and the history of the Digiworld, they sometimes found time to discuss matters of their homeland.
"So, what are your thoughts on abortion?" Professoramon asked her half dead class of four.
"It's wrong"
"Pshh, like hell, I'm all for it."
Angela's head snapped up as she shot a glare at the girl who dared to challenge her.
"Every child deserves the chance to live."
"They'll grow up to be whores anyways," Shiva replied lazily, "besides, the world is populated enough as it is."
Professoramon grinned as she felt a debate coming on and adjusted her spectacles.
"That doesn't give them the right to kill an innocent life!"
"Like they'd know the difference; they aren't even born yet at the time!"
"That doesn't make it right though, they never even got a chance to make any choices for themselves."
"Probably all for the better; they'd end up as rapists or drug lords or something."
"How can you be so heartless?" Angela scoffed.
"How can you care?" Shiva shot back.
Professoramon decided enough was enough and thought quickly to change the subject.
"Uh, TAI! What is your view on this matter?"
"Glad as hell I ain't a girl."
"Amen brother, we men got it good!" Tai and Griff shared a grin and a high five as all three girls proceeded to scowl at them.
"Class, let's discuss sexism."
*************************************************************
After their schooling ended for the day, the four headed to the kitchen in search for some grub, later to be known to civilization as lunch. But to these kids, food was food, and hunger was hunger, and they were hungry. as well as indecisive.
"Easy Mac, no turkey sandwich, no had that yesterday."
"How bout soup?"
"Salad?"
"Ice cream?"
The three stared gallingly at Griff.
"What? I like ice cream."
Eventually they all decided on a big pile of french-fries. Gennai wandered into the kitchen to find the four, prophesized, future guardians of the Digiworld sprawled across the table covered in ketchup with random fries sticking out of their mouths.
"GET YOUR LAZY ASSES OFF MY FINE WOOD TABLE!!" Gennai screeched, sending them all flying for cover. Gennai turned on his heal and strode out of the kitchen, muttering about incompetent hooligans. Four teens slowly stood from their positions on the ground chewing vigorously on their fries.
"What's up with him?" Angela asked to no one in particular.
The rest of the kids just shrugged and returned to their meal before Gennai's voice sounded from the halls once more, "And I want you all to practice with your Idto-boards as soon as you finish!"
The guardians shared a groan as they dreaded the mortifying and painful work out they were about to endure. Within the first week that they arrived on the training grounds, Gennai presented them with metal hovercrafts in an ovular shape for fast transportation during battles and such. Because they were Insanely Difficult To Operate, the children began calling them Idto-boards. They were very fast and could fly unaided to one's advantage. Unfortunately they seemed to have minds of their own and enjoyed bucking off their operators. Nevertheless, the more the children worked with their boards, the stronger their bonds with them grew.
"Well," Tai said, wiping some spare ketchup off his chin, "let's get this over with."
*****************************************************************
"And FLIP. 180. FLIP. FLIP." Piximon drilled as four kids strained against their tired bodies to keep their boards under control as they did cycles of flips and turns. Gennai watched from his usual perch on the balcony, as one would be thrown into the air while another landed gracefully on their Idto-board. It was becoming apparent that their hard work was really beginning to pay off. Soon they would be able to go out into the wilds of the Digiworld and begin real battles against minor evils. In fact, Gennai happened to have a villain already lined up for them to take out.
Griff jadedly made his way across the porch; he watched his shadow lengthen in front of him with each descending motion of the sun. On his right arm hung Angela, leaning softly against his strong frame, and just a few steps behind them were Tai and Shiva. Tai would turn around every so often when he felt a light pat on his butt. The instant he would look ahead, Shiva would lean forward and give another small slap to his rear. They stopped short as Piximon popped up in front of them, brandishing his stick around happily.
"Good work today guys. Gennai said he wanted to meet you in the meeting room after your training, yup yup."
"Did he say about what?" Angela asked, lifting her head from Griff's shoulder.
"Uh-uh!" was Piximon's only reply as his tiny white wings beat furiously to carry him out of sight.
"I just want to BITE HIM!!" Shiva screeched as she made little claw like gestured with her fingers in the direction that Piximon took off too. Three elbows were thrown simultaneously into Shiva's stomach.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The meeting room was just like any other meeting room one would encounter in an average office building. It was a large room with a long wooden in the center of it, surrounded with about a dozen chairs. However, on one wall of the room was a large, state-of-the-art computer. It was artificially intelligent and could keep a record on any living organism in the Digiworld as well as important events. A large 6'x6 screen on the computer was inactive at the moment but served as a portal to other areas in the Digiworld as well as other dimensions, including the real world.
The kids filed into the room and each took a seat at the table. Gennai, who was already present in the room, waited for them to settle down before proceeding with his speech.
"As you all know, your job is to protect the Digiworld from evils of all kind. So I decided it's about time you get a little 'hands on' practice," the slouching forms of his audience straitened attentively in anticipation, "There's a small group of virus champion digimon called the vice-clan. They've been going about terrorizing villages claiming to be the next rulers of the Digiworld. Ace."
The computer turned on obediently and displayed a picture of what looked like to be a large wart hog standing on two legs. He was covered in dark armor with metal spikes sticking out of his shoulder pads, knees and elbows. A deadly looking flail hung at his side.
"This is Darkboaramon, the leader of the pack. Most of the other champions are brainwashed to follow him by his hypnotic throne attack. Once you take him out, I doubt you'll have any other problems. This is why I'm sending you out right now. And don't look at me like that, there's still a good couple of hours before dark." Gennai responded after seeing the somewhat annoyed looks of the exhausted teens.
"But mom.without dinner?" Shiva asked fussily, using the title they had recently given to Gennai due to his 'maternal' attitude toward them.
"Suck it up, you'll be fine. Besides, you need to be able to fight under rough conditions."
"How motherly of you" Tai quipped sarcastically.
"Enough chit chat, Ace, get their asses to sector H 36."
Ace's screen glowed blue before the four warriors were sucked into the supercomputer.
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Innocent digimon ran in all direction, screaming their prayers for help. About six or seven multifarious champions ran about throwing out attacks. On top of a verdant hill stood Darkboaramon. He shouted orders at his lackeys to leave nothing alive. Koromon watched in horror as his fellow rookie and in-training friends were mercilessly slaughtered. Dread swept through his petite body as a threatening shadow loomed over him. He shakily turned to see a menacing Snimon raise one of its bladed arms in a fatal attack. Squeezing his eyes shut, Koromon thought one final plea as the blade was brought down upon him: I wish Tai were here.
When no attack came, Koromon popped one burgundy eye open to see the Snimon's arm being held up by a glorious looking sword. A young man with shining brown hair and a muscular frame gripped the hilt of the weapon. Although he could only see the back of him, Koromon knew instantly who his savior was.
"TAI!"
"Hey buddy," Tai growled over his shoulder, "ya all right?"
"I am now, here all digivolve and help you. Koromon digivolve too. um, a tiny pink Agumon. Tai, what's going on?!"
Tai threw the Snimon back with a grunt, causing the possessed champion to fall to its back with the boy's inhumanly strength. Tai took this time to face Koromon and explain a few things.
"Eh, I kinda broke my digivice, well, I mean, it exploded, totally not my fault though." That was all Tai had time to say before the Snimon was back on its feet and hacking its razor-like blades wildly at Tai. "Just leave the ass kicking to me this time ok little buddy?"
Koromon just nodded mutely, letting the new information register in his brain.
Snimon prepared to throw a twin sickle attack at Tai, but before it had a change Tai swung his sword with an unmatched speed, severing the top half of the digimon from the bottom.
"Hmm, that was almost too easy."
"WOAH!" Shiva cried as a Seadramon snipped at her side for the third time. The serpent digimon continued to make many blows in her direction, all of which she dodged nimbly by prancing from side to side. Unfortunately, while she was occupied with its head, Shiva failed to notice the tail sneak up and wrap around her body. The Seadramon took this opportunity to attack the struggling girl with its sharp fangs. As luck would have it, Shiva's arms were free and she was able to catch the champion's jaws before they closed on her head.
"Oh. Gawd." Shiva made a face as the Seadramon's putrid breath washed over her. "If I didn't know any better I'd think this was an attack." Unable to stand the stench any longer, Shiva forced the mouth open wider, finally snapping the jaw. The Seadramon's body instantly went limp before its data took flight, releasing the girl from its hold.
Griff turned just in time to see a Monochromon charging at him. He stood his ground proudly until the beast was just inches in front of him. The Monochromon struggled to continue its charge as Griff took a hold of its horns and dug his heels into the ground to keep from being thrown back. When the pair finally came to a stop, Griff mustered his strength and threw the digimon on its side with a sharp jerk of his arms. While it lay there he quickly wrenched the horns in the opposite direction, snapping the digimon's neck. Griff panted slightly as he watched the Monochromon break down into data.
Angela stood in front of Darkboaramon as he was on his way to primary village. The virus digimon stopped and glared at the defiant girl who dared to get in his way.
"Going somewhere piggy?" Angela asked darkly earning a threatening growl from her foe.
"You don't want to get in my way little girl."
"Oh, I think I do."
"Then you can DIE!" Darkboaramon charged at the blond, swinging his flail dangerously. Angela sidestepped him and then ducked as he swung around from her dodge, and tried to land a hit with his weapon. While his weight was temporarily thrown off balance, Angela jumped high in the air and landed heavily in his shoulders, knowledgeably hitting a pressure point. Darkboaramon grunted in pain from the contact and fell to one knee. Just as Angela was about to send a spinning kick into his head he yelled out an attack from his position on the ground. A shadowy vapor of poisonous gas was launched to where she was airborne. Angela gasped as realization hit her. She was still in the air and wouldn't be able to avert her momentum to land somewhere safe before the dark a cloud struck! She was roughly thrown to the ground and found a hard body was pressed against her; the very same that had knocked her out of the way of the attack. She gazed into Griff's warm brown eyes and let out an embarrassed laugh.
"Bet your glad to see me." his hot breath tickled her ear. Angela giggled seductively.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Their romantic interlude was brusquely interrupted as a wail of pain brought them back to reality. Griff rolled off of his girlfriend just in time to see Darkbaoramon's data fly through the air. Tai and Shiva were vaguely breathless and shooting them both disapproving looks.
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"Well done kids, short and sweet, just like its supposed to be." Gennai congratulated the four blood-soaked teens on their victory. "You're welcome to have your dinner now, AFTER you take a shower. I don't want blood all over my kitchen!" Gennai spoke the last part slightly louder due to the protest of the hungry youths.
Without farther complaint, the children traipsed out of the meeting room and traveled in path of the showers. When they first arrived at the coliseum, the kids were all somewhat shocked to find that the shower room was really one big bathroom with several showerheads. That's right, co-ed showering. The guys for some reason didn't seem as embarrassed as Shiva was at first, but that soon changed as she grew accustomed to showering with men. She was more than happy when Angela joined them, giving her some female company when it was time for bathing. Of course they did have some privacy; there were thin walls between each showering section that went about as high as the hips. Thankfully neither of the girls was very modest. Now finally in the shower room, the children began to customarily take off their clothing and just throw it in any direction that suited them.
Tai pulled his blood soaked shirt over his head and tossed it over his shoulder. Just as he was working on his pant buttons he felt a sharp yank at the back of his neck. He turned to see a fuming, mostly naked Shiva with his dirty shirt on her head. Tai grinned sheepishly and tried to distance himself to avoid her wrath, but she kept a firm grip on his small ponytail. About two months after they arrived in the Digiworld, Shiva had noticed Tai's hair was only just short of reaching his shoulders when it was not spiked up. She convinced him to start pulling it back into a small, low ponytail, just leaving his bangs to their freedom. This actually proved to help keep his hair out if his face much more effectively when fighting. Tai, however, was now silently cursing himself for letting her talk him into wearing his hair like that; even though it added to his prominent good looks, she often used it to abuse him. After giving her his most apologetic look, Shiva gave in and reluctantly let go of his hair. She'd let him off the hook this time, but next time he wouldn't be so lucky.
By now Angela and Griff were already under the soothing waterfall of warm water and occupying themselves with removing the blood and grime off their drained bodies. Soon joined by Tai and Shiva, the four started having a delightful conversation; acting as though it was perfectly normal to shower everyday with groups of people.
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Christmas break was finally here and not one of the guardians could sit still while Gennai droned on to them in the meeting room. He was explaining to them about how some physical changes may begin to occur to their bodies while they were away. In their anxiety none of them really paid any attention when he explained what to do if anything should happen. Legs were bouncing with anticipation as Gennai finished his speech.
"Okay, now who's ready for a vacation?" Gennai found himself on the ground as four sets of legs trampled over him in desperation to reach Ace. By the time the old man finally picked him self off the floor Ace was already firing up the portal to the real world.
"I hope you continue to exercise! And don't over eat! We need you to stay in top condition. Remember, your body is a temple!" Gennai realized that he was shouting to an empty. Well, almost empty.
"Thank you for your concern Gennai, but I do not believe I can alter my appearance" came Ace's mechanical reply.
"Don't make me kick you"
Four bodies were suspended in the air and moving at a considerable speed down a tunnel of data. Griff found his body being pulled to the left down a separate vessel.
"London here I come! Lata fellas!"
"Bye you guys! Have a great vacation! See you in a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeek" Angela shrieked in delight as her body was thrown upwards into an overhead channel. This left Tai and Shiva alone for a few more seconds before a junction was visible up ahead.
"Hey Tai, I doubt my family will be home very much, so do ya think I might be able to stop by near the end of vacation and stay with you?"
"Hell, ya! I can't remember the last time you came to visit me!"
Shiva was only able to smile in respond before they were both yanked apart in separate directions.