27) Needles and the Haystack
They were on their way, following in the direction the jagamon had indicated. So far it was more of the same: sand, wind blown dust packets, and more sand.
"The jagamon remain at Ultimate all the time, but our digimon always return to Rookie status", Takato was saying to Jenyra, "so I was wondering... I'd prefer Guilmon to stay the way he is".
"Doesn't matter, Takato, Guilmon is always Guilmon...", Guilmon told him.
"It's coming!", Renamon suddenly called out.
"What...", Takato started, but saw it: a pink data stream headed straight for them, and moving fast.
"Run!", Impmon called out.
Most of the group ran off away from the path of the on-coming data stream, but Kazu and Kenta, not knowing what to do, ran directly away.
"No you dumb asses!", Impmon called out, "not that way!"
"Shit!", Koichi called out, "Renamon..."
Renamon picked Koichi up, and they began to chase after the other two, to divert them, as there was no way they could ever outrun that data stream. By the time they arrived, it was too late. The others could only look on, helpless, as the data stream swept past, leaving no trace that Kenta, Kazu, Koichi, and Renamon were ever there.
"Where'd they go?", Juri asked.
"There's no telling", Leomon explained.
"If we found one of those data streams..."
"It would do no good. No way to tell where you'd wind up. I would not advise trying that".
"Then what do we do?", Takato asked, "We lost them? We have to look for Calumon in addition to Koichi and the others?"
"We have no other options", Impmon explained. "We'll just have to find them, or hope they find us, or both. If it had been Kenta and Kazu alone... at least they have Renamon with them. I'm sure she will take care of them".
"Do we wait here?", Juri asked.
"I don't know", Jen said.
"Better to keep moving", Impmon explained. "The way the data streams work, there's no telling where they'll come out, and no telling where they will come back. Our chances of finding Calumon and the others will be better if we keep going".
"I agree", Leomon encouraged.
"Moumentai!", Terriermon called out, "I'm sure we'll find them again if we keep the faith".
Koichi, Renamon, Kenta, and Kazu found themselves falling down a long, vertical shaft of some sort. It was as unnerving as the initial drop into the Digital World, but, at least, this time they knew they would survive the fall. As for where this shaft led, they would just have to see. The drop seemed to take an unusually long time before they spotted the end of that shaft.
They picked themselves off the ground, but this time didn't make craters. The topography was as desolate as the desert they were swept from, though in a different way.
"The trees have no leaves", Kazu observed.
"And they're all leaning in the same direction", Renamon further pointed out. "The rocks are all pock marked".
"What do you suppose caused that?", Kenta asked.
"I've seen something like this before", Koichi said, "some documentary on the arctic... trees all leaning in the same direction because of constant winds".
"Are those houses?", Kenta pointed to a strange, almost mushroom-shaped structure. "No windows..."
"And what's the yellow cloth attached to the roof for?", Kazu asked.
"Warning of some sort?", Kenta speculated.
"Protection?", Koichi speculated.
"Measure wind speed?", Renamon added.
At first, it was a light breeze that send a few dust packets rolling past. The wind grew stronger, so much so they could barely keep their feet. Next, they saw an old tire rolling past so fast that it struck a tree, taking a big piece out of it as it burst into particles of data.
"Run, behind that rock!", Renamon ordered.
More flotsam and jetsam, old appliances, furniture, and other junk was flying through the air. That explained the pock marks on the rocks. Everything was hitting with enough force to disintegrate rocks and trees.
The winds were growing fiercer: "We can't stay here!", Koichi called out. "Get to shelter now!"
They weren't going to argue the point, as they ran the best they could towards one of those peculiar homes. They were almost literally blown through the circular door that was hinged on a vertical axle, allowing it to turn through 360 degrees.
"Why have you invaded our home?", it looked like an elderly couple lived here.
"We apologize", Renamon said, "we didn't know where else to go"
"Never mind that. Now that you're here, make yourselves useful and bar the door". There was a heavy wood beam on the floor that fit two hooks on either side of the door. Kenta and Kazu took one end, Renamon and Koichi the other, and they lifted the beam into place.
Koichi ran the "Idents"
Jijimon
Ultimate anthroform digimon
His attack is Hang On Death
He was almost completely covered in long snow white hair with a thick beard to match. He carried a staff with an animal paw for the head.
Babamon
Ultimate anthroform digimon
Her attack is Empress Haze
The "old woman" carried a broom.
"Jijimon, you old bastard!"
"Babamon, you filthy hag!"
They began dueling with their staff and broom, all the while calling each other nasty names.
"What the fuck!", Koichi said.
"Did we land right in the middle of a family argument?", Kenta asked.
"Shouldn't we stop them", Kazu asked.
"Can we?", Kenta said.
"Can we just watch?", Koichi asked.
"I'm sure they'll get tired of this soon", Renamon speculated.
"You can't run away from me, you old bat!", Jijimon called out as he chased Babamon down the stairs leading to the basement.
Koichi followed: "Why are you fighting? Is it a family argument?"
Jijimon explained: "We've been happily married for forty years..."
"That was twenty years ago", Babamon added.
"What else is there to do?", Jijimon continued explaining, "when the wind blows like this, no one can go out..."
"And a good fight passes the time", Babamon added.
"So this is some sort of bizarre entertainment?", he asked, incredulous.
"Babamon?"
"Yes, Jijimon?"
"We don't have to fight now", he said, "we have guests..."
"You will help us pass the time", Babamon said.
"You want to fight us?!", Koichi said, as Renamon dropped into a fighting stance.
"Oh hell no!", he said, "be our guests, let us entertain you. Come, Babamon, let's prepare a meal".
"Let's", she agreed, as she led the way back upstairs.
"By the way", Koichi asked, "where are we?"
"You don't know?", Babamon asked.
"A data stream dropped us here".
"I see...", she said, "this is the Valley of Gales".
"Let our home be your home", Jijimon invited, as they entered the main living area, and the two older digimon retreated to the kitchen.
"They don't seem to be evil digimon", Renamon was delivering her assessment.
"Then we should be OK trusting them?"
"I believe so".
"That still leaves the problem: how to get out of here, and be on our way to look for the others?"
"Before the winds started, I noticed that the Material World Sphere looked significantly smaller".
"Then we need to go up? But how? The valley walls looked to steep to free-climb, unless you know what you're doing, and I'm definitely not a rock climber. I don't think Kenta and Kazu are either".
"I know, and I'm working on it. Regardless, we can do nothing but accept Babamon's and Jijimon's hospitality until the winds die down".
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
"Come see what Jijimon and Babamon have fixed. Awesome dinner!", Kenta called out.
"Wait till you see it!", Kazu agreed. "Sorry about the wait".
"You can eat now", Babamon announced.
"And welcome to Babamon's and Jijimon's home", Jijimon said.
"Nice to meet you", both announced together.
"Forgive the inadequacy of our preparations, it was on short notice, and we weren't expecting guests", Jijimon apologized.
He didn't need to. There was more than enough: fish and meat, soup and stew, salad, and bread, condiments, and fixin's for sandwiches.
"Come, we'll enjoy it together", they invited.
"It looks delicious", Koichi announced.
"It certainly does", Kazu agreed.
"Thanks for the food", Kazu said as he dug into a submarine sandwich he made for himself.
"Thanks for the food", Koichi said as he dug into smoked salmon.
"Thanks for the food", Kenta said as he dug into stew.
"Thanks for the food", Renamon said as she helped herself to roast beef and gravy.
Jijimon and Babamon toasted the occasion with glasses of red Digital World wine.
"The bath will be ready when you need it", Jijimon announced.
Kenta grunted out a thanks past the kabobs he was stuffing himself with, and Kazu agreed over the soup he was polishing off.
Outside, night had come, and the wind wasn't letting up.
"How's the bath?", Jijimon called out from the outside, as he tended the fire.
"It's perfect", Kenta and Kazu agreed. They went first.
The rough waves circling 'round the cape
Upon the mates who haven't learned their lesson
And the bow they beat
Even in a storm, even if it's calm
Scattering in the sea is my manly spit
Today, too, ah, ah, today too, it's calling out
Let's fly the flag of the big catch of life
They regaled them with some truly hideous, off-key "singing". Jijimon laughed and clapped. Babamon was knitting in front of the fireplace.
At least they'd learned something new: dust packets could be burned as fuel.
"We have a spare bedroom for you", Babamon told them.
After Kenta and Kazu were through, Koichi and Renamon took their turn in the bath, which was more like a small swimming pool.
"That feels so good", Koichi said, "after that desert".
"The water's nice and warm", Renamon said, with a sly look.
"The water is warm...", Koichi agreed, "but I'm hawt!", he announced. "C'mere my Vixen"
"Yes, my Dog".
They both went under, lips locked together. Exploring each other underwater.
Koichi had Renamon bent over the side of the bath, lifted her right leg to gain access to her pussy, and began to slide his dick in and out of her submerged pussy.
"Oh, oh, oh... yerf, yerf, Yerf, YERF! YERF! YERF!"
Koichi hit the right spot, and Renamon and Koichi both came.
"Uhhhhhh...", Renamon sighed as she collapsed beneath him.
They floated on their backs, enjoying the afterglow. ...
The spare bed was huge.
"That's big enough...", Koichi said.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking..."
"I think so", Koichi said as he reached for his digivice and card carrier.
"Super Evolution Plug-in S: digimodify!"
Renamon Evolve! ...
... KYUUBIMON!
Kyuubimon jumped into the bed, and Koichi joined her, as she lay on her side. She licked his face as his hands explored her multiple nipples. All her nipples stiffened, the mammaries swelled, and his hand grew slick as Kyuubimon began lactating.
He licked and sucked the fox milk...
"I want it up the ass this time", Kyuubimon said, as she perched, her hindquarters on the very edge of the bed. She lifted all nine tails.
When Koichi was in position, she wrapped her tails around him as he began to probe her asshole.
"Give it to me", Kyuubimon panted.
"Uhhhhh!"...
"YARF! YARF! YARF! YARF!"
"They're at it again!", Kazu said.
"How long can they go on?", Kenta wondered.
"And Renamon was worried about your singing?", Kazu said.
"Yeah".
"Kenta?"
"Yeah?"
"Jijimon and Babamon are good digimon, right?"
"Yeah, of course"
"They are kinda old..."
"So?"
"I was thinking... how about asking them to be our partners?"
"Think they'd go for that? I mean, they're married and all. Might want to stay together?"
"They'd be with us, and we're together".
"I suppose..."
The next morning, the winds finally died down to gentle breeze. No telling how long the calm would last, so there was no time to waste, less time for farewells than they would have preferred.
"Thank you for everything", Koichi told the old couple. "It's time for us to be on our way. I hate to seem like we're imposing".
"You can stay as long as you like", Jijimon told them. "It was a real pleasure having you. It's been a long time since we had so much fun on a windy day".
"We would stay longer", Koichi explained, "if we didn't have others who are concerned about us. We have to find a way back to the rest of our party. I hope you understand? We don't want to take advantage of your most generous hospitality".
"Don't worry about that", Babamon told them. "Maybe, when you find your friends, you could bring them back with you? We'd like to meet them too. And we'll be better prepared for house guests".
"You go on ahead, we'll catch up", Kazu announced.
"Huh?", Koichi asked.
"We'd like a word with our hosts", he explained.
"Don't be too long".
"What do you suppose that was about?", Koichi asked.
"I have no idea", Renamon replied, "at least they're staying out of trouble".
"You think so?"
"I hope so".
Renamon was outside, building a hang glider that she hoped would take them above the valley, perhaps back to the desert if it was at a higher level. Perhaps allow them to get a better fix on their position if it wasn't directly above them.
"Please be out partners", Kazu and Kenta said together. They decided to get right to the point.
"Partners?" Jiji and Babamon asked.
"We promise to be good Tamers", Kazu replied.
"Tamers?", Jijimon asked.
"Yeah! Digimon tamers". Kazu siad as he made the "V for victory sign"as he held up the staff. Kenta was doing the same with Babamon.
"Card slash!", Kazu demonstrated as he'd done for Calumon.
"That's how you could evolve", Kenta explained, "and become stronger.
"Sounds like fun", Jijimon said.
"Doesn't it?", Babamon agreed.
"We could be great Tamers and Partners", Kazu said. So far, this was looking promising.
"Card slash!", Jijimon mimicked the moves he'd seen Kazu perform.
"Then if I was a digimon...", Kazu began, ...BlackWarHirokazumon!"
"Make me evolve", Kenta said, and Babamon copied Kazu's card slash maneuver.
"If I was a digimon... MegaloKentamon!"
"Fight, BlackWarHirokazumon". Jijimon commanded.
"Fight MegaloKentamon!", Babamon said.
They began by throwing fake punches at one another.
"This is so much fun!", Jijimon announced.
"Isn't it?", his mate agreed.
Kazu had Kenta in a head-lock: "Why are we doing the fighting?", Kenta asked.
"Fight more!", Jijimon encouraged.
"Here!", they threw the staff and broom to the two "digimon".
"Since they're having fun...", Kazu said.
"You're finished, MegaloKentamon!"
"Like hell I am!", Kenta objected, as he swung at him with the broom. They began a duel with the implements. When a vase got broken, the older couple laughed even harder.
"Go BlackWarHirokazumon!"
"Good one, MegaloKentamon!"
By the time the wind was coming up again, the glider was ready.
"Ummmm... guys?", Koichi said as he went ro inform them.
"We were playing digimon...", Kenta explained. "We started out as the Tamers..."
"Then we sort'a became the digimon", Kazu continued. It was only then that he realized what these two old digimon had done. They weren't going to agree to be their partners, and had deftly avoided the subject.
"We don't know how much longer before the winds really kick up".
"Goodbye, Jijimon"
"Goodbye, Babamon"
"Looks like this is our chance, and thank you once again for all you did for us", Koichi said as he collected the two Tamer wannabes.
"Think this'll hold all of us?"
"I do believe it will. It's a proved design, and I think I've scaled it up properly".
"You think?"
"I'm pretty sure it will", Renamon reassured.
"Wait! Wait!", it was Jijimon and Babamon. "You can't leave us yet!"
"Now!", Renamon said, as they got a running start. The wind caught the glider, and they were off.
"Goodbye Jijimon and Babamon!", Koichi called out as they soared over their home.
"When will we ever become Tamers?"
Jijimon and Babamon were married, and partners to each other.
"How boring", Babamon said.
"They left, but at least we can sing"
"The rough waves circling 'round the cape..."