ATTENTION! DO NOT READ ON UNLESS YOU'VE READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. THIS IS A TWO-PART RELEASE!
*cue Bouken no Hajimari*
"My Name is Kudo, Taiki. I was brought to this world, The Digital World, where I met Shoutmon and his pals. This place is currently under invasion by the Bagura army."
Cut to the Multi-zone'd Chibi-map, with IceDevimon cowering besides a bathtub with Lilithmon inside (Bagura Zone); Cutemon and Lopmon sharing a large bucket of Diginoir (Xros Heart Zone); Kiriha standing atop MetalGureimon's head triumphantly while holding a flag with his team's logo (Blue Flare Zone); and a mischievous Monitamon peeking out from behind a door reading "Nene's room" (Twilight Zone).
"Yesterday, We arrived in Lake Zone where a strange rift in space drew our attention to the Bagura Army's current presence. Kiriha and Akari raced into battle to protect the Zone's capital, the Castle of Bastila, from the forces of IceDevimon.
"A new Digixros, MetalGureimon, was called in by fusing Gureimon and MailBirdramon. Meanwhile, the Icemon forces attempted a sneak invasion, seeking Lake Zone's Code Crown. Shoutmon, Lopmon, and the others stayed behind in the castle, and discovered their ruse, giving time for me and Dorulumon to Digixros into the Dorulu-Cannon and blast him to scrap data.
"Unfortunately, the recoil of using the Dorulu-Cannon twice in one day was too much, and I collapsed under the stress."
*cue TITLE THEME*
XROS HEART! BURN UP!
BASTILA CASTLE_ _ _| DAY FIVE_ _ _|
*cue Toushi*
In slow motion, Shoutmon and Akari watched as their general collapsed to the ground. "TAIKI!"
"Taiki-Dono!" the PawnChessmon quickly rushed to his aid.
"What happened?" Knightmon asked. "Is he all right?"
"He's gone and collapsed again!" Zenjirou started panicking. "He always used to do this back home!"
Akari gasped. "You mean he always fainted?" Then, she narrowed her eyes and jumped at him, fists clenched. "And you only thought to bring this up now!"
"Eh, well..." Zenjirou paled a bit.
"He'll be fine." Kiriha started as he pulled his hand away from the other General's forehead. "He doesn't have a fever or anything."
Shoutmon sighed in relief. "Well, that's great... but why'd he collapse in the first place!"
"The Cannon." Dorulumon started. "When we fired this time, we might have bounced back against a wall or something."
Akari groaned as she crushed her hat between her fists. "Great, now we're down a General!"
"Yeah, but at least he's okay!" Shoutmon cut in.
While Xros Heart's two generals began bickering once more, Kiriha sighed, and turned towards the princess. "Do you have any rooms available?"
"He can borrow the master suit." The princess smiled. "I sure as well haven't been using it."
"Princess..." Knightmon started.
"What?" She glared. "It's not like Bagura's given me any chance to get a good night's rest or anything!"
Meanwhile, Lila crossed her arms and huffed. "Anyone feel like they're forgetting something?"
"Nope." The Redpickmon replied. "Not really."
"EH?" The Random pawnChessmon blinked as he looked Lila over. "When did you get here!"
The Lillymon sighed. "Good grief."
SOMEWHERE INSIDE THE FORREST OUTSIDE THE CASTLE_ _ _|
Nene frowned as she watched the general of Xros Heart collapse once again on a looped replay. "He won't do at all." She grimaced as the tape replayed once more. "Not if all he'll do is collapse like that." with that, she turned to walk deeper into the forest.
The Monitamon that was playing said tape cut the recording short as he started after her. "Nene-sama!"
"Yes?" She asked back.
"Maybe you're being a bit harsh on them?" The Monitamon offered. "Taiki Kudo hasn't had any sleep for days, after all."
"True, but what's two days compared to a month?" Nene commented. "If he can't even stay awake for a few measly days, then he won't be of any use to me."
"Nene-sama..." the Monitamon sighed. 'You really want to get him back, don't you?'
"We'll be going with Blue Flare as our Chosen General." she continued on. "He's the only one who's ruthless enough to pull off what we desire."
"And you like him!" the Monimon's voice echoed from the Xros Loader in her jacket pocket. "You like him down to every last Pixel, moni!"
Nene stopped walking forward, and closed her eyes tightly. "Quit spreading lies."
"But it's true, isn't it!" the Monimon continued as it reloaded on her head. "You like him you like him!"
"I Do not!"
The Monitamon could only watch with amusement as the tiny Emoticon and their lead General began to fight over who did or didn't like someone.
BAGURA OUTPOST_ _ _|
Lilithmon smirked as she watched the massive de-frosting lamps were dragged into the chamber. "Perfect! Soon he'll be free from this chamber!"
IceDevimon gulped. 'The most feared Military sub-commander ever in the history of the Digital World, even when compared to the prestigious Lord Tactimon... And now...?' "Lilithmon-s-sama..." He stuttered. "Is this such a good idea?"
"And why wouldn't it be?" She didn't sound mad, per-say, but, rather, unfocused on the defrosting of the new general.
"W-Well..." The IceDemon stuttered some more. "He's... He's..." He couldn't come up with a good reason. "He really creeps us all out, all right?" He finally tried.
"Hm? Good for you." was her nonchalant reply.
IceDevimon sneered. This was not going according to plan! This beast was to be his replacement! And Lilithmon didn't seem to care! No! Dare say that not even his loyal subordinate Icemon cared! Why! He seemed to be the ONLY one who...
Wait.
No...
That Ba'almon fellow seemed to care, if only for his own personal reasons.
The assassin was currently blankly staring at the ice encrusted wall and the female general of the Bagura Army. IceDevimon scowled. 'What's his problem anyways? Did she step on his pet rock as a kid or something?'
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
"KNIGHTO!"
"PAWN!"
A few confused Icemon who had gotten lost within the underground tunnels were vaporized by sword strikes and spear stabbings.
"That should take care of the last of them." Knightmon affirmed.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
"ROWDY ROCKER!"
Twin Mic-stands smashed into one poor Icemon's skull, putting it out of it's misery.
"Geeze... I really hope Bagura doesn't try to attack while we're dealing with these stragglers." Shoutmon grimaced. "That'd be just like them!"
Akari sighed. "You know they're going to do that now that you've mentioned it, right?"
"DOH!"
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
IceDevimon stalked through the tunnels of the icy base, grumbling to himself. "Why don't we just unfreeze this mammoth of a boss? She asks." He growled. "Why don't we just replace you for surviving a dual barrel cannon blast? She asks." he stopped to smash his fist into the wall. "BAH! I don't even know why I liked her in the first place!"
"Because." Came a cold voice from behind him. "She cheats."
IceDevimon turned his head slowly to face the speaker. "Ba'almon?"
Yes, indeed, the assassian was leaning against a wall, seemingly having been there the whole time.
"Lilithmon cheats, plain and simple." He continued. "She uses her wiles and her dark magic to control those weaker minded, even if they're strong enough to compose an entire army."
"Eh?" IceDevimon narrowed his eyes. "What are you going on about?"
"Take my advice." Ba'almon continued. "Get out of here while you still can."
"Bah! So you can take her for yourself!" IceDevimon sneered. "You like her don't you!"
"Something like that." Ba'almon scoffed.
"And what's that supposed to mean!" IceDevimon nearly shouted.
"If I had a choice in the matter." Ba'almon commented as he vanished into his whirlwind of spell papers. "I wouldn't even be working for the Army."
IceDevimon blinked at the spot where the digimon had been for a few moments before he finally put his thoughts into words.
"What a strange guy..."
DREAM SCAPE_ _ _| JAPAN, EARTH_ _ _| FLASH BACK_ _ _| SEVERAL YEARS EARLIAR_ _ _|
Taiki's eyes slowly opened to the sight of a familiar hill. One that he used to walk down daily on his way home from school. "What...?"
The last thing he could remember, he was in the Digital World, in Lake Zone. So how had he...?
"Is this a dream?" he asked himself.
No reply.
As expected, there was nobody around for miles, except for th...
Except for the very much younger version of himself walking down the sidewalk past him.
"What the...!" He blinked.
The younger boy didn't hear him, and continued walking down the street.
"This..." Taiki couldn't even formulate the words properly.
What was going on here?
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
Lilithmon slumped to the floor of her personal chambers. There was absolutely NO ONE within the castle she could use to use her mirror magic on in order to get the Code Crown. They were all so gosh damn happy about themselves!
She sighed, and went through the list of those in the castle that she could use.
In Xros Heart: That traitor wolf would know better, having worked with the Empire before; the pink bunny was too chipper about everything; the fisherman from lake zone was too devoted to even leave his post; that blasted Drum was too eager to be the all clear signal; The boy general was out cold for some reason and lost within his own mind; the boy shoutmon was too proud to fall against any such tricks; the girl shoutmon was too devoted to keeping her mate in check; the brown rabbit was...
Was...
Wait.
How had she missed that the first time? Some sort of perception filter? A glitch in a time field?
Well, In any case, Lilithmon had her next target in sight.
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
Lopmon shivered as she wandered the hallways. "Why does this always happen to me for?"
Everyone in Xros Heart had split up to search the castle for stray Icemon before the next attack.
And she had gotten lost and separated from her search partner within the first five minutes.
It was extraordinarily cold in this part of the castle, almost as if it were frozen solid.
Logic dictated that there had to be an Icemon somewhere nearby.
But where...?
"...Looopmoooon..." a voice echoed down the hallways.
"Wha? Who's there?" She looked around. Something wasn't right here.
"Oh Lopmoooon..." the voice came again.
"W-Who's there?" She took up a fighting stance. "I... I'm not afraid of you!"
"Could you come over here, Lopmon...?" the voice asked.
"Come over where!" She narrowed her eyes. "No! I'm not going to fall for this!"
"I need your help Lopmon..."
"NO! This is some kind of trick!" She growled. "Get out of my head!"
"LOPMON!"
"I SAID GET OUT!" She spun around and threw a punch, one that was easily caught by a mildly surprised Cutemon.
"Kyu?" he blinked. "Why'd you try to punch me?"
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
Lilithmon growled. That one was too strong. She couldn't even get her to follow the voice, let alone fall for the "mother's request" illusion.
No, she'd have to try someone else entirely.
Who was next on the list...? She resumed monitoring the castle with her Magic...
No, that Chibi-Computer mouse wouldn't do... He was too tied up with the younger princess...
Literally? Serriously? She didn't even mean for that to be a pun!
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
"There you go, Ballistamon!" Zenjirou grinned as he closed the casing to Ballistamon's chest. "See how that feels!"
Ballistamon took a few moments, then spun his left arm around at a very reasonable rate of five Miles per hour for at least five seconds. "Good as new."
"Awesome!" Zenjirou threw the wrench in his hand onto the desk behind him, and reclined in his chair. "My mechanical skills finally have a use in this group!"
"Percussive maintenance?" Lila offered.
"Sure! But without the percussive part!" Zenjirou grinned as he looked back at the girl. "Wait, what's percussive mean again?"
Lila sighed, then turned to leave. "You're stupid."
After a few moments, Zenjirou glanced to Ballistamon. "What'd I say?"
"N'gah." The usual catchphrase was his only reply.
Lila wandered the halls. "Stupid Zenjirou." She muttered under her breath. "Stupid Akari. Stupid Shoutmon." She wrenched her eyes shut. "How come everyone around here has some special skill and I'm just here, doing nothing!" she kicked an empty box of Digi-Noir down the passage way. "Even Chibi-Kamemon saved Taiki's life! He can do things! The most I've ever been used for is a replacement for Akari in a Digi-Xros!"
She scowled. "A Stupid replacement that couldn't even win a proper battle without having another digimon added on!"
As the Lillymon stormed through the castle hallways, a faint glow from a nearby room caught her attention. "Hm..?" she glanced inside, and saw the source of the glow emitting from a mirror.
So, she stepped inside, and went over to the mirror, pushing the cloth over it to the ground.
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
Perfect! Someone had taken the bait!
Lilithmon smirked as she stepped forward, into, and through the mirror itself.
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
Lila gasped as she saw a near identical version of herself before her. "I...Impossible..."
No, it wasn't that she saw her own reflection in the mirror, she's not an idiot, you silly reader.
No, Instead it was a different version of herself. No Wings. No Plant themed clothes. It was her, but only one hundred percent human.
"Are you...?" She asked.
"Are you...?" the mirror replied.
Lila's reflection took a step forward, and she felt herself compelled to do the same.
A sort of... ripple effect later, and she found herself in a void, standing before the other version of herself.
They said nothing, only simply staring at each other.
They each reached out a hand, and, in a sort of testing way, placed their palms against each other.
Suddenly, Lila's reflection smirked evily, and then there was a spark of dark purple energy and...
SHATTER!
Lila's eyes snapped open, her hands trembling horribly as she stared at the shattered mirror on the ground.
What was she thinking? Of course you can't walk through mirrors! That would only just knock it to the ground and break it!
She shook her head out. That was just stupid. Stupid, Stupid, Dumb and Stupid!
Lila took a step away from the broken mirror and turned towards the door way. "I hope nobody heard that..."
A Broken mirror was Seven years bad luck...
...Maybe a Code Crown Could reverse it?
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
Of course, when one entered the mirror realm, they did not physically do so, only their souls moved across the thresh-hold. It still felt real though.
Ugh, but the mirror on the other side had broken because that stupid fairy girl's body had kept moving without her mind's permission as was SUPPOSED to happen with the Mirror Possession spell.
But, oh well, a thought had been placed regardless. The Lillymon would now seek out the code crown, and bring it too her and her new general... If he would hurry up and-
"LILITHMON SAMAAAA!" IceDevimon cried out from the other side of the chamber. "LILITHMON SAMAAAAA!"
"Yes yes? What is it?" Lilithmon growled.
"DaiPenmon's awake ma'am! And he's mad! He's..."
Suddenly, a rather loud Honk filled the air.
Soon followed by another, lower one.
And another loud one.
And Another lower one.
"Dear Azoolongmon... Leave me alone! Leave me alone!" IceDevimon's screams of terror filled the entire Bagura Base. "AIEEEEEEEEEE!"
Lilithmon paled. Was it possible that the deep freeze had broken the legendary general's mind?
Possibly.
Just quite possibly.
It had?
The sounds of a mad, honking penguin filled the base for the rest of the day.
DREAM SPACE_ _ _|
Taiki followed his younger self for what seemed like a good while, but in reality had only been a few minutes, dreading the moment that was to come.
Taiki the younger finally passed the soccer field, and the soccer ball, and the classmate who was sitting on the ground next to said ball. "Hey, are you allright?" he asked.
The boy looked up slightly. "I'm Fine." he affirmed.
Taiki shook his head. "No he's not! Help him!" He hadn't seen it the first time, but there had been blood on the soccer ball, there had been a small patch of red in the other boy's blond hair. He was clearly NOT all right!
"Okay... if you say so." With that, younger Taiki kept on walking down the street.
Taiki didn't want to follow him anymore, he wanted to help the other boy next to the soccer ball, but fate had other ideas, or, perhaps, his own memories couldn't show him?
In any case, Taiki found the world around him moving away from his classmate and keeping pace with his younger self.
"You have to go back and help him!" he tried.
"You can't turn your back on him!" he ordered.
Younger Taiki didn't listen.
And, just as it happened before...
A few minutes later, an ambulance came rushing down the street, sirens blazing, catching the younger boy's attention.
"Come on!" Taiki ordered. "Go back!"
That time, his younger self seemed to hear him.
They both dashed back up the street, to where their former classmate had been sitting on the sidewalk.
Now, the boy was gone, and a gathered crowd in it's place.
Both Taikis came to a stop as their classmate was loaded onto the ambulance, and driven away to the hospital.
"W...What happened!" The Younger boy asked.
"That poor kid got hit in the head by a soccer ball..." a citizen of the now shrinking crowd replied to the younger boy. "He... He just collapsed in the street... And..."
Taiki looked away from all this. He'd heard it once before. And regretted hearing every word of it.
He looked around, taking in things for the second time. There was a woman, who looked like Akari somewhat, taking her younger daughter away from the scene, and a man, who could have been mistaken for Kiriha almost, talking to a police officer- clearly the one who called the ambulance.
But, on the ground, next to the soccer ball, left completely unattended, was a pair of green lensed, rounded goggles. The very same pair he wore at that exact moment. Only fresher, newer.
As the crowd dispersed, and as the younger Taiki was left to find that pair of goggles that had belonged to his classmate, a storm began to roll in. And, as the first few drops of rain began to fall from the sky, the younger Taiki started to cry.
Taiki closed his eyes, and wished that moment would just end already.
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
ChibiKamemon frowned as Taiki, sound asleep in the bed provided by the princess' castle, began to cry in his sleep. "I wonder what's wrong with him...?"
The younger of the two princesses, ChibiBastemon, shrugged as she finished tieing a knot in the rope that was binding the chibi-computer mouse Digimon to the foot of the bed. "Meh. Sis always cries anymore..." a grin broke out on her face. "I think everyone cries in their sleep!"
"I...I don't think I cry in my sleep..." ChibiKamemon narrowed his eyes.
"I'll make you then!" There was a devious grin on that cat-girl's face as she tightened the knot.
ChibiKamemon gulped. Now he was in trouble...
THE DREAM SPACE_ _ _|
Taiki found himself in a hospital room next, with his younger self putting the goggles on the desk next to the coma bound boy.
"I don't know if you can hear me or not, but..." he started. "I know how you like goggles, and If these'll make you feel better, then I really hope they'll help!" he sniffed. "Everyone already misses you. Rin's already making a get well soon box! And Katou's got this card he's getting everyone to sign!"
The boy in the bed made no reply.
"Please get better soon!"
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
Ba'almon smirked to himself as he watched Lilithmon emerge from her personal chambers. He now knew for sure... She was the one.
"Oh DaiPenmon!" Lilithmon groaned, exasperated. "Do you have to lick him too?"
The Giant penguin was currently licking one of the two Popsicles that he wielded as weapons- the white one that contained the now frozen Ice-Devimon. "HoNk." he replied contently.
"I R-R-Really W-w-w-w-would l-l-l-like t-t-t-to remind you!" he stuttered from the freezing cold through the Popsicle. "T-t-t-t-that I objected r-r-r-repeatedly t-t-t-to t-t-t-this!"
"Yes, yes, it's been noted." She sighed, and placed a hand to her forehead.
"HoNk HoNk HoNk." DaiPenmon commented as he continued to lick the Popsicle.
"Ugh... THE most annoying sound in existence." Lilithmon groaned.
Ba'almon was actually having trouble containing his glee at her distress.
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
A Statue, made in hon nor of the previous King and Queen of Lake Zone, was proudly displaying the defeat of a fearsome penguin like creature.
It was made of a transparent like stone, and glowed with a brilliant yellow.
Lila raised her hands, placed them together, and formed her primary weapon in a zombie like fashion. Monotonely, she intoned. "Flower Cannon."
*cue Kinpaku*
The First explosion was coincidentally timed with the beginning of yet another assault from Bagura.
"SHOUTMON! BALLISTAMON! DORULUMON! STARMONZ!" Akari cried out. "DIGI-XROS!"
A moment Later, Xros Four entered the battle, throwing out a Four Victorize beam out across the moat towards the approaching Icemon army.
"It's not going to be enough!" Xros Four started. "There are just too many of them!"
"GUREIMON! MAILBIRDRAMON! DIGI-XROS!"
"METALGUREIMON!"
Kiriha's Blue Flare army entered the fray as well, using over kill like it was going out of style.
Still, though, no matter how many Icemon fell to the devastating attacks, a thousand more would seem to replace them.
And they were making progress on freezing the moat solid.
"Deffend the Castle at all costs!" Knightmon ordered as a group of ToyAgumon and Pandamon rushed to meet an oncoming hord of Icemon that had managed to make a small bridge.
It was soon a worthless cause.
For the demonic sound of "HONK" Filled the air, sending shivvers down the spines of all present.
"No! Impossible...!" Princess Bastemon clenched her fists around the railing. "Not the beast that killed my parrents...!"
Indeed, DaiPenmon had entered the field of battle, with Lilithmon riding on his head.
"Destroy them all!" She ordered. "DaiPenmon!"
DREAM SCAPE_ _ _|
It had been six months before the boy had emerged from his coma, and returned to school, just in time for graduation.
"Taiki." He started quietly as he approached the younger boy. "I heard that you'd returned these back then..." he held out the goggles. "So I...I want you to have them back."
"But why...?" Younger Taiki asked. "They're yours, aren't they?"
"I can't play sports any more." the boy explained. "The doctor says I might have a relapse and... my Mom wants me to quit everything. Having these... Just makes her sad."
Taiki nodded his head at that. "Okay. I'll take them."
The boy continued "You don't have to wear them, if you don't want to..."
"No." Taiki took the googles and put them on. "I'll wear them so that I'll always be reminded of what I should always do!"
"And what's that?" the other boy blinked.
"That I can't ever turn my back on anyone!"
Creatures born in the digital realm: Digimon. Although made of data, they laugh, fight, and cry just like us! They're our special friends! Let's gather up as many teammates as we can! Come along with us on this marvelous adventure through the world!
"DIGI-XROS!"
*Cue Never Give Up! (Tv Size) By Sonar Pocket*
Taiki Yawned as he sat up in bed. "Ugh... I feel like I got hit by a brick wall."
There was a muffled reply from ChibiKamemon, buried under a sleeping kitty-kat princess and tied up with rope.
"Huh..." Taiki blinked. How had that happened?
Oh well...
Taiki got up and headed off down the castle hallways to try to find someone who might have some sort of clue as to what was going on.
He wandered down the hallways, and came across a window overlooking the zone. What he saw was a major wake up call.
Almost everyone and everything in sight was frozen in place.
MetalGureimon had been brutally beaten to the ground, and looked like he had been sent through a trash compactor to boot.
Xros Four had been split back into his component forms, and each frozen apart from each other.
And then he spoted someone moving down below.
Lila was walking across the frozen moat, carrying a Code Crown tightly in her hands, right towards Lilithmon.
The two then vanished in a swirl of magic.
"Lila...?" He growled. What had happened?
With a grimace, he reached up and traced a small hairline crack along the side of his goggles. Something was wrong, and he had fallen asleep at the worst possible time!
With a sudden burst of speed, he ran down the hallways, and found himself outside.
"Everyone!" He called out, hoping to hear someone, anyone, reply.
None but his own voice.
Was everyone frozen?
Regardless, he had to get Lila away from Lilithmon!
*cue Toushi*
"TAIKI!"
He turned his head slightly, but kept on running. "Akari!" He grinned at the girl racing to catch up with him.
"You Idiot! What are you doing out here!" She growled at him. "You'll catch a cold!"
"Lila vanished with a Bagura General!" Taiki explained. "She had the Code Crown!"
"WHAT!" Akari growled. "Of all the times...!"
"What?" Taiki blinked.
"Lilithmon has the power to hypnotize anyone with even the slightest amount of doubt about themselves into doing whatever she wants!" Akari elaborated. "If she's got Lila and the Code Crown...!"
"Oiii!"
Neither General missed a step as Zenjrou slid down a small ice pillar and joined their group.
"Where have you been!" Akari growled.
"Fighting off Icemon!" The kendo student held up one of the PawnChessmon spears. "Knightmon protected me when everything froze solid."
"So It's just us then?" Taiki asked.
"Kiriha was trying to defrost MetalGureimon last I checked." Akari dryly noted. "With a hair dryer."
"Eh?" Zenjirou blinked. "Where'd he get one of those?"
"No clue." She shrugged as best as she could while running.
"Well then!" Taiki grinned. "Let's go get Lila and the Code Crown back from Bagura!"
"Lila!" Zenjirou exclaimed as he nearly tripped over a rock. "What do you mean 'get her back'?"
"Lilithmon has her." Akari started.
"And Lilithmon's...?"
"One of the three Generals!" Taiki started. "Weren't you paying attention when Akari explained all this back in Green Zone?"
"Eh... I didn't think it was relevant at the time." Zenjirou sighed.
"I hate to bring this up, but I don't know what good we'll be able to do even if we find their base- everyone's frozen solid!" Akari noted. "And there's only so much I can do like this... I don't even know where Lopmon is!"
"We'll just have to wing it then." Taiki confirmed. "All I know is that I can't turn my back on her!"
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
Lilithmon growled. This stupid flower girl got the code crown just fine, but wouldn't let GO of it. "If that stupid mirror hadn't broken, I would've been able to put in the full orders!" She tried pulling the stupid piece of jewelry out of Lila's hand, but it just wouldn't budge. "Well, then, I'll just have to cut your hand off!"
IceDevimon, still within the icicle, shuddered at thought. "A heart as frozen solid as mine is not even that cruel!" he muttered before DaiPenmon licked him again. "OI! What is it with you and licking?"
"HoNk."
"And stop honking, Honk!" IceDevimon continued.
Ignoring the honking madness behind her, Lilithmon pulled a long, thin katana from some infinite reaching pocket in her jacket. "One strike is all it takes...!" She raised the blade...
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
Meanwhile, Kiriha sat atop the MetalGureimon-sicle while waving a hair dryer over the ice. Where he had gotten the hair dryer from even he himself did not know, but it didn't seem to be working.
He sighed, exasperated, and stood up.
A bend this way, a stretch that way, and then...
"RAHHHH!" he threw the hair dryer down at the ice block in frustration.
The poor thing just bounced off the ice and fell down towards the ground.
"That was stupid." He sighed. Now he'd lost the only tool that possibly could free MetalGurei-CRACK.
Wait..
...What?
CRACK.
SNAP.
CREAK...
Kiriha looked down and blinked at the spider web crack now spreading throughout the entire ice block. "Oh...!"
His exclamation of pure shock and horror at the sudden explosion of ice was subdued by... well... the sound of a sudden explosion of Ice.
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
The whole Zone shook as a massive ice block exploded.
"Wooooaahhhh!" Lilithmon quickly lost her balance and fell to the ground.
"HONK honk HONK!" DaiPenmon laughed at her expense.
Lila, somehow, still managed to stay on her feet the whole time, even when DaiPenmon was forced to take a step to keep itself upright.
"What in Heaven zone was that?" Lilithmon groaned.
THE CASTLE_ _ _|
MetalGureimon roared in triumph as his icy-prison was broken. "YOOOWWWCH! That's cold!"
"Um... MetalGureimon?" Kiriha asked his partner as he barely managed to cling onto the left-most horn.
"Yeah Kiriha?" MetalGureimon shifted his eyes over towards his partner.
"Maybe you could put me down?" the general asked. "Preferably on something solid and not frozen ice?"
"Uh... Sure..."
BAGURA BASE_ _ _|
Regardless, She needed that Code Crown! And quickly!
Lilithmon found the Katana again, and prepared to slice of Lila's arms. "You won't need them where you're going...!" She tried to justify before...
THWANG!
...A spear suddenly sailed THROUGH the Sword, yanked it out of her grip, and pinned it onto the IceDevimon-sicle.
"Oh Me Oh My!" IceDevimon gulped, for, you see, the spear had continued through the sword and into the Popsicle, barely missing harpooning the frozen Ice Demon by a good inch.
"HoNk!" DaiPenmon glared at the person who had dared destroy his Popsicle- None other than Zenjirou.
"Haha! Nothing beats the Tsurugi-Toss!" He grinned. "It's simply the best there is!"
{Taiki blinked and whispered to Akari. "What's with all the references from everyone lately?"
She shrugged. "I don't have a clue. Must be something popular, though."}
"Oi! Well, if it isn't little old Xros Heart." Lilithmon glared as she turned away from the Lillymon with the Code Crown. "All lined up and ready to give me your Code Crowns?"
"Not a chance!" Akari pulled out her Mic stand. "We'll take you all on if it's the last thing we do!"
"Give us back Lila!" Zenjirou ordered.
"You know..." Lilithmon aimed her Katana at them. "I've always found it odd that you lot have managed to keep Digi-Xrossing even though your lead General was out cold." She started. "And then I hear from IceDevimon that there's a RED Xros Loader along with the Orange one we already knew about!"
"Heh, what do you mean?" Taiki held up his orange one. "I only see one Xros Loader here, don't you?"
"Yup!" Akari emptied out her pockets. "No Red Xros Loader in sight!"
"Don't play games with me!" Lilithmon then pulled Lila up close, and put the blade to her neck. "I Know that you all have two Xros Loaders, so Stop lying and give me your Code Crowns, or I'll kill this one where she stands!"
"You do that and the Code Crown will go flying off to someone else." Came a rather... Cool voice all of a sudden.
And I mean cool as in the modern Pop sense as "Calm, cool and collected" rather than all the Ice puns that I've been pulling within these last few chapters.
Everyone turned their heads towards the source of the voice, to see none other than Dorulumon, with Cutemon and Lopmon riding on his back.
"Oh, well if it isn't the traitor!" Lilithmon glared. "Didn't DaiPenmon freeze you solid?"
"Oh, funny thing about that." Came another... More Rowdy voice.
"Shouto!" Akari smiled.
"Ice isn't the best thing to trap people in." Shoutmon started as he walked out next to Dorulumon. "It tends to crack under the pressure." he winked.
"N'gah!" Ballistamon jumped out next. "A Wall cannot block what can move at eighty eight miles per hour."
"Grr..." Lilithmon growled.
"You're out numbered!" Kiriha called out as he and MailBirdramon lowered into view. "Give the Code Crown back, or we'll have to take it from you!"
"Don't forget about Lila!" Zenjirou shouted. "She's the one that has it right now!"
"Hey, what's up with her anyways?" Shoutmon asked. "She looks like a zombie."
"Shoutmon!" Akari scolded. "That's not a nice thing to say!"
"What?" he blinked. "I'm just saying!"
"Oh... her?" Lilithmon started to grin. "Well, let's just say that my mirror magic didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to. Even if you somehow manage to defeat me and get the code crown, she'll never snap out of it!"
"Your magic is nothing but hocus pocus!" Dorulumon began. "Parlor tricks! There's nothing in it's nature that can't be undone!"
"It can if the mirror breaks before the spell is finished!" Lilithmon countered. "I never finished programming her, so that's why I've had so much trouble getting my code crown!"
"It's Not yours." Lila said suddenly.
"What?" Everyone blinked.
"It's not yours." Lila repeated. "I need it so I won't be useless."
"Useless? What's this nonsense?" Lilithmon growled.
"I can't do anything." She continued. "I'm nothing."
"That's not true at all!" Akari started. "You're our friend!"
"Look you brat!" Lilithmon started to press her katana blade a bit closer to Lila's neck. "Give me my Code Crown or I'll kill you!"
"It's not yours." Lila repeated once more. "I need it so I won't be useless."
"If you're saying that because I said something...!" Zenjirou started. "I'm Sorry! Just please come back to us!"
"It's no use!" Lilithmon growled. "The spell wasn't working properly in the first place!"
"Lila!" Lopmon called out. "I'm in the same boat you are! And I'm not useless! Neither are you!"
"I need it so I won't be useless." the Lillymon continued.
"You're not useless! Everyone has purpose!" Taiki called out. "We won't turn our backs on you just because you aren't able to do anything! You're our friend!"
IceDevimon couldn't help it anymore. He just couldn't resist! He let loose a "Dawww..." and called out. "OI! Listen to them! Nobody that's useless would ever have that many people who want them back so badly!"
Lilithmon turned to glare at the IceDemon. "BE QUIET! You're not helping me get my Code Crown!"
"I said It's not yours."
"Be Quiet you broken little...!" Lilithmon was this close to exploding as she turned back towards the girl. THIS Close.
"I said!" Suddenly, Lila spun around, swinging the Code Crown like a short dagger, tears flowing from her eyes. "It's! Not! YOURS!"
SLASH!
The whole room went silent as Lila hit the ground, and Lilithmon took a step backwards.
Lila blinked at the sticky, red substance now coating one sharp edge of the Code Crown. "D...Did I just...?"
Lilithmon reached up and touched her now stingging cheek. "Is this...?"
"Blood?" Lilithmon gasped as she looked at her now blood covvered hand. "Actuall blood?"
"HoNk." DaiPenmon didn't like where this was going. Not. One. Bit.
"I'm..." Lilithmon started as dark energy started to flare around up her. "Going to..."
"N'gah!" Ballistamon quickly ran over, grabbed Lila, and jumped away from the Bagura General within the span of a second.
"EXPLODEEEEEE!" Lilithmon cried out as the energy flared out, and started to possess DaiPenmon... And the hapless IceDevimon.
"Zenjirouuu!" Lila climbed off of Ballistamon and hugged the boy. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"No! I'm the one who should be appologizing!" He started.
"I hate to break up this touching moment!" Kiriha called out suddenly. "But we've got trouble!"
"HOOOOOONNNNKKKKKK!" DaiPenmon let loose a horrifying scream as Lilithmon forced a fusion between him and IceDevimon.
"ICEDEVIMON!" She called out in glee as the fusion formed beneath her feet. "DAIPENMON! FUSED DEMON FORM!"
Gone were the Popsicles, and the icy color scheme.
Instead, DaiPenmon was now purple, with IceDevimon's bat symbol on his chest. And, in place of the baseball cap was now one of those turn style slushy machine mixer handles (what Lilithmon was now standing on-top of).
"What. The..." Shoutmon paled. "What the heck is that?"
"I don't know, Brother!" Starmon cried out as he suddenly appeared. "But that's one ugly monster of a name!"
"I shall Dub Thee!" RedPickmon started as he jumped onto Ballistamon's head. "Gamzee The Second!"
"Now then!" Lilithmon cried out as DaiPenmon began to twist the handle on his head. "BURRY THEM IN ICE!"
"HoNk. HoOoOoNk..." Around and around his arms went, spinning that fancy handle. "HoOoOoOoOoOoOoOnK!" And with that final HoNk, his eyes bulged out as he opened his mouth and spewed a massive flood of shaved Ice at our intrepid Heroes!
"KNIGHTO!"
"PAWN!"
Suddenly, the Kinightmon and PawnChessmon jumped in front of the gathered army, all shields fused together to form a blinding barrier of golden light.
"Taiki-Dono! I don't know how long we'll be able to hold them off!" Knightmon started. "But please! Do hurry and defeat the monster that killed our King and Queen!"
Taiki nodded, and reached for his Xros Loader again.
"Wait." Akari stoped him by grabbing his arm. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine." He started.
*cue piano opening to We Are Xros Heart*
"No, you're not." She scowled. "You're still recovering from a major Digi-Xros, I can do it!"
"As Long as I have everyone by my side, I know I can do this!" Taiki started.
"Oi! One second." Shoutmon snapped his fingers. "Just let me call out the Xros and Taiki won't have to!"
"But then we won't be able to use Xros Four!" Dorulumon rationalized. "Shoutmon is the Center of that Xros!"
"Um... guys..." Lila cut in suddenly. "Isn't Akari basically just a girl Shoutmon?"
There was a moment of silence (excluding DaiPenmon's ongoing HONK) before Taiki snapped his fingers against his goggles. "I've got an idea!"
With that he held up his Xros Loader. "Everyone! We're going to pour everything into this Xros!"
Shoutmon held up the Red one as well. "Let's show these Bagura Goons that they can't mess with our friends!"
"Let's Burn at Full Force!" Taiki and Shoutmon pushed the tops of their Xros Loaders together, and spun the dials in unison, selecting several Digimon simultaneously.
With a sudden rush of energy, The Knightmon and PawnChessmon pushed forward as everyone jumped into Battle.
*cue DIGIXROS*
"AKARI!" Shoutmon cried out. "LOPMON!"
"DORULUMON!" Taiki continued. "BALLISTAMON!"
"STARMON! PICKMONS!" Shoutmon added.
"KNIGHTMON! PAWNCHESSMON!" Taiki concluded.
"DIGI-XROS!"
"DIGI-XROS!"
With a flare of energy, Ballistamon's body split open, allowing Akari to become the Center of the body, essentially wearing Ballistamon as upper torso armor. The Drills on Dorulumon transformed into the Spear heads of the PawnChessmon before his body split apart, transforming into the leg and lower torso armor; the V from Akari's hat latched itself onto the chest of the body, transforming from Red to a brilliant glowing white.
Then, Knightmon's shield attached itself to the Left hand, with the Crest of Hope on it changing into the Xros Heart Logo; Knightmon's sword and the Star Blade (fused from Akari's Mic stand and the Starmonz Brigade) merged together, transforming it into a brilliantly glowing blade with orange edges. Turuiemon X2's swords materialized next and attached themselves onto the sides of the sword, adding a triple split blade at the hilt.
Finally, a Knight's helmet (formed from the head of Akari's Mic stand) formed over the fusion's head, and a majestic cape flowed off of the back, retaining the Crest of Hope as it's insignia; and simultaneously, Lopmon's bandanna formed itself around the upper left arm and a long scarf, looking like Turuiemon X2's ears, formed around the new Digimon's neck.
*cut to WE ARE XROS HEART, Properly*
With a triumphant cry, the new Digimon let loose it's name. "SHOUTMON! XROS FOUR KNIGHT!"
Stand Up, My Friend!
"Xros Four...Knight...!" Zenjirou blinked. "Surely this must be the strongest Xros ever!"
It's Unstoppable, this BURNING SOUL!
"You think a fancy new Xros Will stop this!" Lilithmon laughed. "MORE ICE, DAIPENMON!"
No Boundaries can stop us,
"I won't let you get away with this!" X4 Knight roared as she plowed forward through the oncoming ice slush with ONLY her glowing shield.
You're not alone!
"So Cool!" Lila's face brightened considerable. "SO COOL!"
My Bond with my friends is My Trump Card!
"You've twisted the emotions of our friends, and done so many more horrible things to the people of this Zone!" X4 Knight continued. "I Can Not Forgive That!"
I'll Burn up this life of mine and R-O-A-R!
"Eh?" Lilithmon blinked as X4 Knight got even closer and closer, despite being constantly pushed back by DaiPenmon's Snow Ice. "What power!"
Now Let's Fuse as one into a GREAT XROS!
"I Will not Forgive all the injustice imposed upon the World!" X4 Knight suddenly jumped into the air, great sword glowing brightly and fiecely. "BAGURA ARMY!"
Give Me Everyone's Exploding Shouts!
"ENGRAVE THAT ON YOUR HEARTS!" A Mighty Swing sent a Burning wave of Energy into DaiPenmon, cutting off the sudden rush of snow, and melting all that was there.
Now Let's be born with fangs of Tomorrow with a Great Heart!
"BRUNING STAR CRUSHER!" Another Swing makes a Matching set, and a massive Burning, Spinning, whirling tornado made of of a solid V Smashes into DaiPenmon once more.
Take Flight!
"What Power!" Lilithmon gasped as DaiPenmon began sparking with furrious pent up energy. "No wonder Xros Heart can never be beaten!" With a laugh, she spun rapidly and vanished into a portal, taking her back to the main Empire base.
And Fight!
With that said and done, X4 Knight spun around dramatically, leaving DaiPenmon to Explode violently and wonderfully behind her.
WE ARE XROS HEART!
"YAHOOO!" Lila cheered.
"You got 'im!" Zenjirou clapped as he let loose a war whoop.
Taiki and Shoutmon just grinned as they gave thumbs up to X4 Knight.
With a wink, She returned the thumbs up.
ABOVE THE CASTLE OF BASTILA_ _ _| MORNING OF DAY SIX_ _ _|
Kiriha could only watch in amusement as Taiki claimed the Code Crown of Lake Zone. "Well done, Xros Heart."
"You're sure you're not upset?" MailBirdramon asked as they took off towards another part of the Zone.
"No. I wouldn't have ever thought to fuse together like that." Kiriha shook his head. "Besides, They had enough of my help as it was."
"Good point."
"So then, Kiriha." Gureimon started from the Xros Loader. "You'd rather be with your girlfriend than some stupid celebration where there's food and drinks and DIGI-NOIR, Hm?"
Kiriha jumped slightly. "She's Not my girlfriend."
"Sure, Sure..."
BELOW, IN THE CASTLE_ _ _|
"With this Code Crown!" Taiki started as he touched the glowing crystal, reducing it down to the familiar little card. "Xros Heart will make sure that Bagura will never come here again!"
The gathered crowd cheered.
"And with General Taiki having defeated the Bagura Forces in this Zone." The Princess started. "We here by claim Xros Heart as the head of our new movement to enter other zones and remove Bagura influence where-ever it may strike!"
The Crowd cheered even more.
"We'll crush those Bagura Goofs so badly they'll wish they were never even born!" Zenjirou grinned.
Lila smirked. "Back to the usual, then?"
"Yup." he nodded.
"Generals!" Knightmon and the PawnChessmon bowed before the three co-generals. "We would like to come with you on your journey!"
"That'd be awesome!" Akari cut in. "We'd love to have you there!"
"WAIIIIIT!"
"hm?" Lopmon and Taiki glanced up the stairway as ChibiKamemon came running down the stairs, with a very annoyed princess following him.
"Oh Dear..." One of the PawnChessmon gulped as he checked a nonexistent watch. "Exactly six hours twelve minutes later and...!"
ChibiKamemon dove into one of the Two Xros Loaders, clearing the path for the princess to slide into that PawnChessmon unhindered.
The elder princess sighed at her sisters antics. "Oi! Do you have to be such a ball of energy?" She scolded as she pulled her younger sister off of the poor PawnChessmon.
"Yes!" She stuck her tongue out at her older sister.
Bastemon sighed. "You're such a goof!" And then, a sudden thought struck her as she heard the one PawnChessmon mutter 'I'll be so glad to get out of here.' "Oh!" A sly grin started to form on her face. "How would you like to go with Knightmon-sama and the PawnChessmon on a journey across the Digital world?"
"COULD I?" ChibiBastemon's eyes widened and ears perked up.
Simultaneously, The Poor PawnChessmon and ChibiKamemon exclaimed "NOOOO!" In horror.
"Why yes!" Bastemon turned towards Taiki. "If that'd be all right with you?"
"Um..." he blinked.
"I don't mean to pry." Akari rhymed (unintentionally). "But may I just ask why?"
"My Sister needs to get rid of all that extra energy in her!" Bastemon started. "A good tour of the world would also be a great benefit to her training in diplomacy!"
"Awww!' ChibiBastemon started. "It's for school? I hate school!"
"Well..." Akari nodded. "I Wouldn't want to turn down Princess Training!"
Lila slid up. "I can be her teacher! I can teach her all sorts of Princess-y things!"
"What?" Zenjirou asked flatly.
"It's setteled then!" The eldest princess turned to face the gathered crowd. "As a final decree, the youngest royal in our family shall go out into the Digital World as a Diplomat to our Zone!"
The crowd cheered still.
Dorulumon looked around at the group and gulped. "I'm suddenly very afraid for the future of the Digital World."
ELSEWHERE_ _ _|
"Oi, so what'd you want to talk about?" Kiriha asked as he dismounted MailBirdramon.
"Oh, nothing much." Nene Amano smiled to herself as she kept her back to the general. "I just have a deal to offer."
"Oh? And what's that?" Kiriha narrowed his eyes.
"We team up." She stated. "Simple as that."
"You know I only team up with Generals. Anyone else can just go do their own thing." Kiriha frowned. "I make an exception with you because of the information your group provides about Bagura's movements."
"Well, then."
"Yeah." He turned to leave. "See ya."
Nene pulled out a Xros Loader from her jacket pocket, and smirked. "Reload: SPARROWMON."
Kiriha stopped in his tracks as he heard the tell tale signs of a Reloaded Digimon, and the sudden rush of Jet engines. He turned his head back towards Nene, to spot the Xros Loader in her hand, just barely over her shoulder.
It was Pure Black.
"Do You want me to Destroy him, Nene?" Sparrowmon asked, sounding slightly concerned for the Boy's safety.
"No. We're partnering up." Nene's smirk widened. "Aren't we, Kiriha?"
Kiriha Aouma had no immediate reply to that.
TO BE CONTINUED!
NEXT TIME!
"WOAH WOAH WOAH!"
"Dust Zone? Treasure? Adventure?"
"Revolomon's my name, Adventurin' is my game!"
"Blastmon-Sama! We have intruders in the cave systems!"
"Scorpiomon-chan... Could you get off my head please?"
"BANZAIIIII!"
"Next Time! Digimon Xros Wars: Dust Zone: Adventure in the Ruins!"
"DIGI MEMORY! HEAVEN"S GATE ACTIVATE!"
BONUS ZONE: KARAOKE SING OFFS!
DIGITAL AIR SPACE_ _ _|
Taiki glanced back at Zenjirou as the drifted through the space between zones. "Eh? You've still got that cellphone?"
Zenjirou looked up from scrolling through the files on the phone. "Oh? Yeah. I figured that if we ever ran into it's owner that I'd give it back."
"Huh." Taiki blinked. "That's a good idea."
And so, silence resumed for a few moments.
"Oooh! It's got an MP3 player function!" Zenjirou exclaimed suddenly. "Let's see what music this mysterious girl likes!"
Taiki cast an incredulous glance back again. "Wasn't digging through her picture gallery enough?"
"Let's see..." Zenjirou continued uninterrupted. "Hare Hare Yukai... Shamrock... Never Give Up... Target... Butter-fly..." he groaned. "Oh come on! Karaoke versions only? Really?"
Taiki couldn't help but hold in a snicker. "Serves you right for digging into other people's property!"
"Ugh... What a waste!" Zenjirou sighed and put the phone back into his pocket. "I was hoping there was something with Lyrics I could listen too."
Suddenly, Dorulumon called out from the Orange Xros Loader. "Heads up everyone, We've reached the next Zone!"
Taiki glanced up, and, sure enough, the bright portal of white light that signified a Zone Entrance laid before them. "Let's hope it's somewhere warm."
ZONE TRANSFER_ _ _|
As the light of teleportation faded, Taiki and Zenjirou found themselves standing in an empty parking lot, in the dead of night, next to an abandoned highway, in the middle of an expansive desert.
"Are we back on earth?" Taiki blinked.
"Doesn't look like it." Shoutmon commented as he and several others exited the Xros Loaders. "Just look!" he pointed.
Taiki and Zenjirou turned their heads towards where the singer was pointing.
"You've got to be kidding me." Zenjirou groaned.
"Irony at it's best." Taiki blinked again.
Shoutmon was pointing towards the blinking neon sign attached to the side of the building that was connected to the empty parking lot.
"South-West Digital Karaoke!" the sign read.
"Best Karaoke Bar this side of the Incipisphere!" the window below it read.
"Well..." Akari started after a moment. "Shall we go inside?"
There was no protest from the Xros Heart army.
INSIDE_ _ _|
"Wow..." Lopmon whistled. "It's just like those old bars you see on old 70's TV shows!"
The whole bar was one large room filled with: several dozen tables, a pool table, a moderately sized stage, several booths along the walls, and two actual bars- one for drinks and Digi-noir and one with a cash register on it.
So, yes, Lopmon, exactly like those old 70's bars that you see on old TV shows.
"I like it! Nice and roomy!" Akari grinned as she looked around.
The room was populated by a few familiar faces, (for example, Nene was sitting in a corner booth, and Kiriha was eating Digi-noir at the food bar) and several Digimon (A Kazemon was at the cash register bar- working on the money earned books-, a Togemogumon was just climbing off the stage to talk to her Terriermon, Poyomon, and Palmon companions, and an Astamon was manning the food bar- and looking very friendly while doing it too).
"Let's spread out." Taiki started as he turned to the members of Xros Heart. "Find out as much about this Zone as you possibly can, and meet back at..." he glanced around the room before settling on a table in a corner. "Over there." he pointed. "Okay?"
"Fine fine!" Zenjirou started. "I'm going to go talk to Nene-san!"
Akari and Dorulumon sighed. "That boy..."
Taiki knocked gently on the counter top to get the Kazemon's attention. "Um, excuse me..."
"Oh!" She looked up from the math-work before her. "'Scuse me there, Darlin', how can I help ya?" She started in a thick, Texan accent.
"Me and my friends came in from out of town, and we can't identify what Zone this is." Taiki started. "Where are we exactly?"
"Oh." She put a toothpick into her mouth and frowned. "You're one of those General types, aren'tcha?"
"Yes, I'm with Xros Heart." He held out his orange Xros Loader. "We're traveling Zone to Zone, stopping Bagura every chance we can."
"Well, I appreciate your help with that." She smiled slightly. "Been doin' wonders with bringin' in new customers, not havin' to worry about Bagura goons commin' in and wreckin' the place an' all." That smile turned to a frown. "But you're not gonna find our Zone's Code Crown any bit easily."
"Hey hey!" Taiki took a step back invoulintairly. "I just want to know what Zone we're in is all!"
"Oh." Kazemon blinked beneath her visor, and a grin started to break out. "Well, not to brag, but yer' all in Karaoke Zone's finest bar in the entire Digital World South of the Incipisphere!"
"That's like with the whole Sburb game, right, right!" A PawnChessmon jumped up suddenly. "Please tell me you mean Sburb!"
"Eh? What's that?" Kazemon turned to glare at the PawnChessmon. "I meant Incipisphere as in the massive dome covered city to the north of us. Don't you know your zone history?"
The PawnChessmon gulped. "No ma'am."
"You seem a bit stressed." Taiki observed. "Can we do anything to help?"
Kazemon looked at him for a moment, the pulled off her visor. "Not to be a downer or anythin', but I doubt you can help. It's not Bagura that's givin' us any trouble, but this local gang." She sighed. "Keeps offerin' 'protection' or whatever it is, and threatenin' to shut us down if we don't give them the Code Crown."
"So the Code Crown is...?" Taiki started.
"It'll only show itself to the person who puts their little heart out the most and the best durrin' our open mic' night." Kazemon elaborated. "They have to sing the most songs, and sing them the best in order to get it. An' we don't have anyone around who's willin' to even try getting it!" She pointed towards Kiriha. "That looser over there keeps hoggin' all the Digi-Noir and refuses to sing at all." She shifted her gaze over towards Nene. "And the little lass ov'r there won't talk to anybody unless they've got some sort of news about some sort of 'Dusk' business or whatever it is she's lookin' for." she turned her face back towards Taiki. "I'm jus' a bit annoyed with them General types right now 'cause of 'em takin' up space and not being able to help out at all."
"Well then." Taiki grinned. "Xros Heart can't turn our backs on you!"
"Darlin'." Kazemon grinned back. "Tell you what, If your group can get the Code Crown, Y'all can have as much Digi-noir as you could ever possibly want on the house!"
"AHHOYYYY!" The Togemogumon grinned a cat like grin at Lopmon and Cutemon as they walked by. "You guys look like you're with some sort of army!"
The Terriermon there facepalmed. "Oi, Konata... Could you not be so direct with strangers?"
"Kagamiiiiin..." Togemogumon turned her grin at her friend. "Stop being so stiff!" With a snap, she turned back towards Lopmon. "So, are ya? Are you guys part of an army?"
Lopmon blinked. "Erm... Well..."
"Tell ya what! Me an' Kagami here were going to go up on stage and sing this next song with Miyuki here!" A gesture towards the Palmon of the group. "But then she broke a tooth or somethin' on the pretzels and now we can't do the next song!"
("So forward!" The Terriermon was shocked at her friends abruptness.
The Palmon could only mumble something about cavities while the Poyomon looked on in confusion.)
"So!" Togemogumon continued to grin at Lopmon. "You can tell me if you guys are part of an army or not if you'll take Miyuki's place in the next song and come up on stage with me and Kagami!"
Akari blinked as, all of a sudden, the lights dimmed and a spotlight was turned on, towards the stage. "What the...?"
"YAHOOO!" Togemogumon cried out into a stage mic' as a fast paced string of music started to play over the loud speakers. "KARAOKE ZONE! LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTEEEED!"
"Eh! Lopmon!" Lila gasped in shock, causing Akari to double take at the stage.
Sure enough, Lopmon, along with a Terriermon, were onstage next to Togemogumon, each of them wearing silly costumes.
Zenjirou paled. "Oh no... they're not doing what I think they're doing..."
"Let's Go!" Togemogumon then shoved one of the Mics towards Terriermon.
With a sigh, she took the Mic and started singing. "It fell from the sky, With all the wishes still on it, Maybe they were just a bit too heavy for a single star?"
Togemogumon started next. "As I thought, something's wrong! The you in my heart has vanished." A grin. "Can I even say that I really remember?"
With that, the song kicked into high gear, even going to far as to state the name of it.
"TOMARE!" She continued. "The Past is ones own! I wouldn't want to trade mine to anyone!"
With that, Lopmon started. "That's Because..."
And then they all started singing.
"It was a birthday to us! The time our meeting was born was when we had our first dream!" Togemogumon seemed to be having the most fun, meanwhile Terriermon was only slightly annoyed and Lopmon slightly nervous. "'What Should we do?' and worrying about it!"
Zenjirou's jaw was on the floor, while Akari and Lila just stared in shock.
"Now we can laugh, thinking back on it, I've already forgotten it!"
With some fancy, unpracticed posing, they continued. "I'll Search for you!"
As the song came to an end a few minutes later, Taiki could only clap as the trio dismounted the stage. "So Karaoke, you say?"
Kazemon nodded. "Yuppers."
The PawnChessmon whistled lowly. "I'll say this, those three are... just... Wow." he concluded. "Just Wow. No-one can beat them in a sing off. They are simply the best there is."
"Nobody's the best until the Code Crown's out, though." Taiki reminded him. "Whoever gets the Code Crown will have to be the best."
TO BE CONTINUED ALSO!
A.N.: SOOOO... Yeah... Enjoy the surprise ending? ^_^; Anyways, this episode (10/11) took the LONGEST to write. Things just kept getting in my way. (Stupid Cold. Stupid Gmail. Stupid Anything that got in my way.) Anywho, just to be random, and because I can't really DO the "Digimon Data Collection" Segments, I decided to Karaoke endings! Just like Lucky Star! (Could you tell? ^_^;; )
Onto THIS episode in particular, the plot kinda fell apart because I made Akari the lead General, so I kinda shoe-horned in Lila to play the part. Um, yeah, The cell phone might come into play later on, but I'm not sure yet. I had to get the same sort of details from the actual episode in via the distorted phone pics. We may see the owner later on, or we may not. Depends on what I want to do when we run into Arcadimon. *Shrug*
ON references, yes, I am throwing in a LOT of MSPA references, I know. But it's all for fun! ^_^; Plus, we may see a Problem Sleuth trio in the next Zone! XD
Anyways, I hope this was worth the wait.
_Calum