Digimon World Tour Chapter 24: In Hot Water, a digimon fanfic

Digimon World Tour

["The Big Brother Theme" by Element Four plays]

[Marcus Bentley, Narrator of Big Brother UK] (in a strong Geordie accent) In the previous chapter, Kari an Gatomon were held prisoner in the Palais de Justice. The next morning, Sora turned up on the company jet an myest o the team went te find thor lost marra . Catherine reluctantly used Tactimon's power of Dark DigiSoul te bring Floramon te the Ultimate level; Blossomon, a Digimon Kari had faced before. In the meantime, Rika sang aboot hor "Sugar Walls", which Marcus liked an Greg hated. Gannin back te the battle, Kari convinced Catherine tha everyone has light inside of them an tha sheh shouldn't gis up herp . Which is keind of odd cos that's T.K.'s Crest. In the end, Angewomon reached Ultimate level an Catherine wez purified. Whee will be the next te reach Ultimate? Will Marcus prove himsell faithful te Rika? An what will the Bagra Army dee next? Find oot as Dyah 4 in Paris continues ... noo .

Chapter 24: In Hot Water

Davis

I watched the last two battles. So, T.K. gets his Digimon to Ultimate-level before I do? What's up with that? We're out here in Japan working as hard as they are, and we're not recording anything. Well, I'm not, anyway. Jun and Yolei let me know that I can't carry a tune to save my life. But hey, my talent is on the soccer field and on the battlefield, so I'm not complaining.

In the Bagra Army headquarters...

Lord Bagra reviews the past two battles as well. "Well, our Dark DigiSoul stratagem isn't working the way we had planned. Now the Child of Light is stronger than ever." He looks with disgust to Tactimon and Laylamon. "Hope and light... disgusting! I hate them! I wish I could destroy those two altogether!" Tactimon has an idea. "Well, sire... perhaps if you unseal my sword, I can unleash my full fury on those insects." Laylamon has a different opinion. "And you take all the credit? Not likely. Besides, you wouldn't want any... hmm hmm, damaged merchandise, would you, my lord?" "Hmmm... this is rather difficult. Perhaps this situation needs a new perspective. Blastmon!" Blastmon is busy chowing down on emeralds and rubies. "Num num... um, yes my lord?" "You are going into the human world to lay siege on whatever you can find." "Can I eat whatever gems I find there?" Lord Bagra lets out a deep sigh. "Yes, Blastmon." "Oh good! I'll do it! Thank you, my lord. Now, where to find rare gemstones..." He wanders off to track our heroes.

(eyecatch of Rika giving the camera a thumbs-up)

3:30 PM

[Marcus Bentley]Dyah 4, 3:30 PM. The band has just finished recording a cover of "Swear" an is making champion progress on the album. Just then, Greg gets an unexpected caal frem hyem . It's his fatha .

Greg

"Hello?" "Greg! It's Dad, you're not going to believe this!" "Not going to believe what?" "Somebody gave me a Takarakuji ticket three days ago, and I won third prize! We've got ten million yen! [about $97,683.23 USD]" "Ten million yen? You're, you're kidding, right?" "No, not at all! And guess what I'm going to do with some of that money." "What?" "I'm coming to visit you!" I was speechless, but not because I didn't know what to say. "Greg? Are you still there?" "Uh... when are you coming?" "I'm at the airport, and I didn't bring your mother. She and Gary are at the beach." "...Oh. Which, airport?" "The one in Paris, I'm waiting for you." This day just couldn't get any better, could it? "All right, Dad. I'll pick you up." He gave me the gate number, and then I hung up and rejoined the others.

"So, what was that about, Greg?" Matt asked. "My dad won ten million yen playing Takarakuji and now he's waiting for me at the airport." "Huh? You mean he won the lottery?" "Third prize, baby! Ha ha! Someone gave him a ticket." "Wow. Congratulations."

"It's just a small drop in the proverbial bucket," Thomas noted. He wasn't very impressed, but I kind of expected that. "OK, Norstein, I get that you're rich, and you're practically royalty, but... really? You can't be happy for my family?" "Oh, I am. It's just that ten million yen isn't something to be too excited about." "Then you'll just have to come with me to the airport. Come on." "Fine by me." So, we left.

I took a rented car and our sunglasses and we drove out to Charles de Gaulle International. We picked him up outside the gate. Now, if you've never met my father, he's your typical 58-year-old man fresh from Atlanta, Georgia. About five-foot-eleven, 215 pounds, greying brown hair with a balding crown, a five-o'clock shadow, and thick-rimmed glasses he hadn't changed the frames for since 2001. He wore his standard form of relaxed apparal, a plaid red long-sleeved shirt, brown slacks, and loafers.

"Hey! There you are, Greg!" Dad called. "Hi, Dad," I just answered. "So, who's the blonde guy with you?" "Dad, this is Thomas H. Norstein, our keyboard player and part-time producer."

The two shook hands and then settled in as we drove back to the hotel. "Well, nice to meet you, Tom." "It's Thomas, actually. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Logan." "Right. So, which hotel are you staying at?" "The Best Western Hotel Eiffel Cambronne." Dad looked impressed. "Huh. You speak that French so well." "I'm fluent in over 170 languages, no accent." "How do you find the time?" "Well, actually, I graduated from the Stockholm Royal University of Science at age 13." "Hmm... well, I graduated from the University of Georgia at age 23. Top of my class in business school." "Good for you." "So, what's the band been up to?" "Well, Mr. Logan, we're working on our second album, and Matt gave it the title acronym of 'D.T.R.', or 'Define the Relationship'." "The whole album is basically about love and relationships," I added. "Oh. Speaking of that, how's that brawler and that street chick? Uh, Ricki I think it was?" "Her name is Rika, and personally, the sexual peccadillos of my bandmates are none of my concern. Neither are they yours nor Greg's." "Boy, you like using big words, don't you?" "Yes, I do, Mr. Logan."

We drove down the roads, trying to avoid cameras. If it couldn't be helped, it couldn't be helped. I had to drive behind the hotel in order for us to get in without a thousand screaming fangirls finding out. We checked Dad in on the same floor we were in, and then helped him unpack. It took about 30 minutes, but we were finally able to get him to the studio.

When we entered, everyone was watching the news on TV. "Hey guys, I want to introduce my dad, Spencer... hey, what's going on?" T.K. shook his head in shame. "It's these attacks in Iraq. 98 people dead, more than 240 others injured." "Man..." Marcus quietly murmured. I think it was the first time I ever saw Marcus not be his usual, loud, obnoxious self. Something was up.

But still, 98 people dead. Matt came up with a suggestion. "Guys want to do a charity single?" "What'd you have in mind?" his little brother inquired. "Hmm... hadn't thought of it."

Dad decided to stick his nose in. "A charity single? That's all well and good, but I thought you were going to be working on your album." Matt was the first to take notice. "Oh... you must be Greg's dad. He warned us about you. I'm Matt Ishida." "Spencer Logan, Greg's father. Nice to meet you." "Bucket hat is my little brother T.K., girl with the hair clip is Kari, pineapple hair is Rika, thick and curly blonde hair is Anya, red jacket and white shirt is Marcus." They improvised their hellos.

The subject turned towards ideas for the charity single. Kari suggested "Hero" by Mariah Carey. "Too obvious," Dad argued. "Everybody Hurts?" Matt suggested. Dad shook his head again. Marcus had to set him straight. "Look, old man, you're not a part of this group. Now stay out of our business!" That only raised Dad's ire, and he just took over. He suggested "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield. Matt and T.K. were familiar with it, but Marcus wasn't. We waited until after we'd heard the original to give our best opinion.

Marcus was the first. "Yeah, that was okay, but ain't it gonna skew towards old?" "Not as old as the stuff on this latest album." Oh no, Dad had gotten hold of the tracklist. "It seems you've mostly got someone else's songs here. There's nothing original. Don't you know that's illegal?" "We're paying our royalties, pal." I had to split the two up and explain everything to Dad. He then led us into rearranging and recording "For What It's Worth '13". He didn't put up with Gaomon acting as engineer, claiming there's no way a dog would know what good music sounded like. Gaomon attempted to justify this by calmly claiming, "Sir, I have very good hearing." "Uh huh..."

By the end of the recording day, we'd managed to get two songs recorded, neither one for the album. Marcus out and out banished Dad from joining us at dinner. "You're getting a little too big for your britches, son," my father claimed. "And you're just an outsider who got lucky 'cause his son's in the band." Marcus then turned towards me. "Logan! You need to get your old man under control. You understand me?" I just turned and walked away. There was no way I was going to fall for any of his crap.

At dinner, I told Dad what was going on. "Look, Dad, you can't just walk in here and expect to take over the band. Some of us appreciate your input, but most of us don't. You don't know a single thing about music aside from what you like and what you don't, and you can't always count on me to save your neck." "How dare you talk to me like that. I'm your father!" "So what? You've made me look bad. Marcus is a jerk, but he's got a point." "Oh, so now you're listening to him? I told you he was a bad influence on you, what with him punching out everyone he doesn't like and disrespecting his elders. Someone ought to take him out to the woodshed." "If you got him to the woodshed, Dad, he'd knock you out in five minutes flat." "And how would you know?" "I've seen him take on Digimon that were greater than his own size. The man's a commando, a brawler in every sense of the word." "And he's a bad influence on you. Why don't you come home and get a respectable job? Leave your little friend behind and actually do something!" "You never liked Veemon to begin with, just like you never liked the band. I've lost my appetite." I stood up and nearly left the table. "The check's yours," I growled.

Marcus

I was in the shower, building up my endurance for another fling with Rika. Agumon was standing outside. "What are you doing in there, Boss?" "Building my endurance." "But didn't Thomas say you had to run an awful lot to do that?" "That's not the kind of endurance I'm building." "Then what are you doing?" "Eh, you wouldn't understand. You're just a kid." "I am not! I'm a Rookie." "That's what I meant." I went back to work, putting the tip of my tongue against the roof of my mouth. "Ya know, Rika's partner doesn't like what you're doing. She says you're looking for 'a common denominator which will permit the easiest, quickest gratification.' And that has a lot of words I don't know." "Me neither, but don't sweat it." "Yeah, she wants to know if you actually love Rika or whether you're just using her to satisfy yourself." "Just tell Ms. Nosy Fox to mind her own business. I offered Rika the opportunity, and she accepted it. I'm using her to get my rocks off, and she's doing the same. We're friends with... oh yeah... benefits." "What kind of benefits?" I grinned. "The only kind that count." "Hmm..." "So tell her to put that in her pipe and smoke it." "All right, Boss."

Agumon

Boy, Boss has been acting weird lately. He spends an awful lot of time in the shower. Maybe it's to wash off all that dirt from when we get in fights. I don't know. I ran down the hallway as quickly as I could to Rika's room and knocked on the door. "Who is it?" Rika asked. "It's me, Agumon." She opened the door. "Agumon. What's up?" "Well, Boss has been acting weird lately. He's in the shower, building up his endurance." "Oh he has, has he? All right. Tell him I'll be waiting for him."

(outside Rika's room)

10:30 PM

[Marcus Bentley] 10:30 PM. Marcus an Rika are making love in Rika's room. Cos of Ofcom an FCC regulations on cartoons, wi canna actually show yee them in the act of intercourse. But yee can tyek wor word fre it, they are using protection an Marcus' training paid off.

10:00 AM

[Marcus Bentley] Dyah 5, 10:00 AM. The band takes a well-needed dyah off te travel te Österreich, Tyrol, Austria; weor they'll be relaxing at Worgler Wasserwelt, hyem o the forst double loop-the-loop water flume in the world. Under protest, the band allows Greg's fatha te join them.

Matt

This really isn't what I had in mind. Greg's dad is just judgmental, and he's driving us up the wall. He really seems to be hard on Greg, and I feel sorry for him. It was only an hour and 30 minutes to get to Austria, and they opened at 10:00. By the time we arrived, we were one of the first groups there. I approached the ticket counter. A woman stood there waiting. "Good morning... are you Matt Ishida?" "Hai. We're The Teenage Wolves, and a Richard Sampson already booked for us." "Oh yes, we've been waiting for you. Let's see... so that's eight children..." Greg cut in. "Actually, ma'am, Anya and I are actual adults, as is Matt. And my dad is 58." She looked up at Mr. Logan. "Are you their chaperone, sir?" "I should be, but I'm not."

"Very well. Four adults, five children. Now, the Isla Sola area is restricted for everyone under the age of 18; and we do not allow swimwear in the Sauna Residence of the Romans." Mr. Logan's jaw nearly dropped. "You what?" "We don't allow swimwear in the Sauna Residence of the Romans." "You mean people actually lounge around in there naked?" "Yes." After a few seconds, he reacted.

Greg

"We're going back to the airport," Dad decided. "But sir, there are no refunds on corporate reservations," the lady at the counter said. "Well there's going to be one now. I am not having any one of these impressionable children, especially this tramp-" Rika kicked him in the shin. "OW!" "Just be glad that's all he called you," I told her.

We took our bags into the changing area and changed clothes, making sure to leave our Digivices and my glasses inside our lockers. Then, we explored the adventure pool. Turned out there were a lot of options, something for everyone. They even had a Formula One racing slide 83m long and with a vertical height of 9m. However, the main attraction was L2, the world's first double-looping water-slide. This was the definite highlight of our entire trip.

Kari

My heart raced as I climbed up towards the top of L2. "Why am I doing this?" I kept asking myself. There was a good reason Tai was given the Crest of Courage and not me. I tried justifying it in my head. I'd surrendered myself to Myotismon, and I was just a kid. After all the stuff I'd been through, this should've been a walk in the park. But it wasn't. I wish I could be more like Rika. Something about her is different. She's so much like Yolei, except she's just a bit rougher around the edges, and not as smart as her, and doesn't wear glasses and... well, she's kind of like Yolei. My point is, she's so much braver than I am.

I kept repeating to myself, "You are the worst enemy of darkness, you are the worst enemy of darkness." Gatomon had Digivolved into a dragon-type Digimon, and dragons are cool and fearless. I drew on a tiny bit of my Crest's power and clenched my fist as I walked up there. The attendant checked my height and weight. I paid for the Ultimate package and stood at the rocket launch upright, leaning on the back wall of the start, with my hands folded on my shoulders. The door shut and the operator started the countdown. I tried to keep drawing on the power of my Crest without having my hand light up. I felt the water rush down my back, making its way down my one-piece swimsuit. I had to fight the urge to open the door and run out. Finally, the countdown reached zero and a trap door opened below me. I screamed bloody murder. I felt a massive force tearing me downward and shooting me through the loops at up to 65 km an hour. I was defying gravity, and it felt so good. All I could see was red. Finally, it went black and I could see artificial light as shallow water rushed over me. I had survived. No, I'd thrived in there. I also had a giant wedgie.

The operator at the water lounge offered me a can of Red Bull Cola. I opened it up and took a giant, satisfying gulp. I had accomplished something, and Gatomon would be proud of me. Then, I rode again, and again. I must've rode five times that day.

Greg

Everybody got a chance to ride the L2 at least twice. Marcus, Rika, and Kari set the record at five times each, I rode it four, Thomas twice, Matt and T.K. three times, and Anya and my dad rode it once.

We made the mistake of eating lunch there. The same quality of food from Dreamworld had made its way to Austria, which puzzled Thomas completely. Dad complained about it and got into an argument with a cook. Dad was yelling at him in English and the cook roared back at him in German. Thomas translated and kept us from being thrown out.

After all that adrenaline, some of us decided to relax at the Sauna Residence of the Romans, the Circus Maximus area in particular. Dad and I insisted on wearing towels, but the others for some odd reason were more natural without clothing.

The Logan family prided itself on being as American as possible. We were strangers in a strange land, and we'd learned to adapt. Take the Japanese bathtub, or ofuro, for example. We had a large one, and usually it's not uncommon for family members to bathe together. Dad wouldn't have any of it. Everyone bathed by themselves. Soap, brushes, the works. We treated our ofuro like a typical bathtub. Either that, or we took showers.

Japanese people generally arrive early and are prepared to start working as soon as work hours begin. Not my dad. He claimed, "I may be working in Japan, but I report to Americans. So I follow the American customs." Even though he wanted us to learn the Japanese language well, it was only because he wanted us to fit in with the others. Deep down, we were American.

Everyone in our family was a firm believer in modesty, especially in public. That way, we could be good influences on everyone else. We followed the advice of our religious leaders. Therefore, we never visited a public bath house because they wouldn't allow us to be modest. Dad and I did the best we could with towels. Again, we relied on our European friend Thomas to help us out. Marcus looked completely natural, and even started flirting with several European women who were also nude.

"So, you two can't let go of your towels, can ya?" Rika teased. This was one of the rare times I didn't see her hair in a pineapple-shaped ponytail. Dad had a comeback ready. "You should be one to talk. It seems you're too eager to drop yours." "Exactly. Check this out, boys." Someone who wasn't Marcus wolf-whistled at her. She sharply turned to him and asked, "What are you looking at?"

["Vogue"

Written by Madonna L. Ciccone and Shep Pettibone

Performed by Rika Nonaka (Melissa Fahn)

Backing Vocals: Donna De Lory, Niki Haris, Kate Higgins, Mari Devon]

Rika snaps her fingers and drops her towel as someone adjusts the sound system from inside the building. She instructs the others to "Strike a pose". Most of the bathing Austrians and Germans are captivated by this, so they get up and strike poses. The word "Vogue" gets spread around the Circus Maximus area as Rika leads what has to be the most unusual "New Way"/"Vogue Fem" dance session in all of Austria. The arrangement and instrumentation is more house-inspired and updated for 2013.

Rika:

Look around, everywhere you turn is heartache
It's everywhere that you go (Backing: just look around)
You try everything you can to escape
The pain of life that you know (Backing: life that you know)

When all else fails and you long to be
Something better than you are today
I know a place where you can get away
It's called a dance floor, and here's what it's for, so

New way Vogue is characterized by rigid movements coupled with "clicks" (limb contortions at the joints) and "arms control" (hand and wrist illusions, which sometimes includes tutting and locking). New way can also be described as a modified form of mime in which imaginary geometric shapes, such as a box, are introduced during motion and moved progressively around the dancer's body to display the dancer's dexterity and memory. New way involves incredible flexibility.

Rika:

Come on, vogue
Let your body move to the music (Backing: move to the music)
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue
Let your body go with the flow (Backing: go with the flow)
You know you can do it

All you need is your own imagination
So use it, that's what it's for (Backing: that's what it's for)
Go inside, for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will open the door (Backing: open up the door)

Greg is just stupefied, and Spencer is just wondering why the hell this is going on. Marcus cheers his friend and lover on. No doubt this will make Rika an icon in a certain community. She seems to be very comfortable in her own skin. Incidentally, the anatomy is Barbie Doll Anatomy. Fox let it fly in Season Three, so we're exploiting that.

Rika:
It makes no difference if you're black or white
If you're a boy or a girl
If the music's pumping it will give you new life
You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it

Vogue Fem is fluidity at its most extreme with exaggerated feminine movements influenced by ballet, jazz and modern dance. Styles of Vogue Fem performance range from Dramatics (which emphasizes stunts, tricks, and speed) to Soft (which emphasizes a graceful, beautiful, easy flow and flow continuations between the five elements). There are five elements of Vogue Fem: hand performance, catwalk, duckwalk, floor performance, and spins and dips. When competing in a Vogue Fem battle, contestants should showcase all five elements in an entertaining fashion.

Hand performance refers to the illusions and movements of the arms, wrists, hands, and fingers. The catwalk is the upright sashaying in a linear fashion. The duckwalk refers to the crouched, squatted, foot-kicking and scooting movements requiring balance on the balls of the feet. Floor performance refers to the movements done on the floor using primarily the legs, knees, and back. The dip is the fall, drop, or descent backward onto one's back with one's leg folded underneath.

This group in particular is performing in the Dramatics style. Marcus even joins in, while Spencer is flabbergasted and disgusted. Greg just can't turn away, try as he might.

Rika:

Come on, vogue (Backing: vogue)
Let your body groove to the music (Backing: groove to the music)
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue (Backing: vogue)
Let your body go with the flow (Backing: go with the flow)
You know you can do it

Beauty's where you find it
Not just where you bump and grind it
Soul is in the musical
That's where I feel so beautiful
Magical, life's a ball
So get up on the dance floor

Come on, vogue (Backing: vogue)
Let your body move to the music (Backing: move to the music)
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue (Backing: vogue)
Let your body go with the flow (Backing: go with the flow)
You know you can do it

The Circus Maximus spans some 65 square meters, with space for up to 100 guests to unwind at 80ºC. Bright light effects and sounds create a special atmosphere which guarantees a positive effect on body and mind. The computer-operated Maximus-oven or the sauna masters themselves douse the stones with scented water. The room's integrated floor cooling system ensures that comfort is maintained for the feet despite the high temperatures. This luxury sauna experience climaxes with a visit to the Circus Maximum hydro-massage showers. And every square inch is used for this performance.

Rika: (spoken)

Vogue, (Backing: Vogue)
Beauty's where you find it (Backing: move to the music)
Vogue, (Backing: Vogue)
Beauty's where you find it (Backing: go with the flow)

(spoken)

Greta Garbo, and Monroe
Deitrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine

Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
Ginger Rodgers, dance on air

They had style, they had grace
Rita Hayworth gave good face
Lauren, Katherine, Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you

Ladies with an attitude
Fellows that were in the mood
Don't just stand there, let's get to it
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it

Vogue, vogue (Backing: move to the music)

Vogue, vogue (Backing: go with the flow)

Rika:

Oooh, you've got to
Let your body (Rika/Backing: move to the music)
Oooh, you've got to just
Let your body (Rika/Backing: go with the flow)
Oooh, you've got to just

Rika strikes a final pose, with nearly all of the Circus Maximus inhabitants behind her.

Rika: (spoken)
Vogue (reverb/echo 5x)

After enough time has passed, all the participating dancers and Rika rush to find cool water bottles for their parched throats and hot bodies. Greg stares at this procession, while his father hits him upside the head.

Greg

"What'd I do?" "It's what you didn't do. You let this harlot captivate you," Dad argued. "Really? Look, she may be trying to be the next Madonna, but she clearly isn't. She's too punk. The samurai haircut says it all." "Still, she nearly tried to ensnare you. She's just inappropriate. This whole sauna area is inappropriate. Just be glad the Isla Sola allows some clothing. We need to talk."

After we'd changed back into our boardshorts, we walked inside the Isla Sola brine bath. It was a highly-concentrated brine bath with 8% Dead Sea Salt content at body temperature. The pool's website claimed "the health-boosting effects of brine inspires body, mind and soul." I hoped it would extend to DigiSoul. Dad and I just floated in the water and talked.

"Well, son, about a week ago, my job called. It seems we may, and I mean may, be moving back to Atlanta. Your mother and I discussed it-" "And we all know what that means." "Don't interrupt! We've decided that after this tour, you should leave the band and come home." "You decided that, Dad. Not Mom." "I'm just as much of a parent as your mother is, and you should listen to me! Besides, we miss you. Your grandparents and aunts and uncles miss you, and we don't want to be held back by security guards or whatever it is you have. I mean, they're proud of you and all, but I think what you're doing is stupid. Fame kills people, it makes them do stupid things. I'm really worried about that Rika girl. It's like she's become the next Lady Goo Goo." "You mean Lady Gaga, right?" "Goo Goo, Gaga, what's the difference?" "Yeah, I worry about Rika, too. Which should be odd because I'm her ex." "I thought you said you didn't even last a first date." "Everything was going fine until she tried grabbing my belt buckle." "See, she's a woman of sin. She's not good. I thought I told you to disassociate yourself with her." "You didn't." "Well, I am now. I forbid you from associating yourself with that girl. I tell you, she's nothing but trouble. "

"All right, I can't make any promises, but I can tell you I have a new girlfriend. Her name's Anya, and she was the Russian girl who played the saxophone." "Oh yeah... wait, a Russian? You couldn't get a nice Japanese or American girl, you had to get a Russian?" "You wouldn't be prejudiced, would you?" "Well... maybe. Do you mind not understanding a word she says?" "Ugh... Dad, you heard her. She speaks English and Japanese very well. Honestly, I'm just not going to win here, am I?" "No no, I

think you should just date a nice Japanese or American girl. Take that one with the red hairclip." "That's Kari, and she's spoken for already." "Well, one that's like her." I turned to face my dad. "Obviously, there's something we're not understanding here. It took a lot of courage for Anya to admit that she loved me. Anyone who would be willing to love me for who I am must be worth a shot, and I don't have to get your permission. I'm 21 years old, Dad." "You still technically live in my house, so you better follow my rules. I'm only responsible for you until you're 18, and then you're on your own. Now just be good already." "I am good!"

I don't remember what else we argued about because I blocked him out of my mind. If he wasn't going to accept Anya or my friends, I didn't need him.

Meanwhile, Blastmon scrounges around the rocks and mountains and valleys of Tyrol looking for gems. "No diamonds, no rubies, nothing! What kind of a country did Lord Bagra send me to anyway? Rrrgh... oh well, looks like I'll have to bring out the heavy artillery. Asuramon!" A Digimon with four arms and three faces appears. Of Asuramon's three faces, one is a face of wrath, one is a face of mercy, and the last is a face of blessings. The face of blessings is the first to speak. "Anything we can do for you, Blastmon?" "You bet. I want you to lay waste to this entire state. Start with the jewelry stores, but make sure to save the goods for me." Asuramon shows his deference to his master. "As you wish."

Just then, an orb of dark light appears in front of the two. It's Lord Bagra. "Greetings. Ah, I see you've chosen Asuramon. Wise choice. I've detected the Crest of Light's energy emanating from a swimming complex in Tyrol. It's time we found out how self-sacrificing the Child of Light actually is." "Hey, why are we putting so much emphasis on this kid? Tactimon claimed she won't play ball with us, so we should forget her." "She's the worst enemy of darkness, we can't avoid someone like that." "I can." "I'm using the royal 'we', you imbecile. Now, your job is to find what these humans call a 'sauna'. It's a small room designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions. Trap them in one of those rooms and force the Child of Light to surrender herself to save the others. She'll surely do it ." "And if those other humans interfere?" "Do what you must. Now get going." "All right." The orb disappears, and Blastmon and Asuramon are transported to the Worgler Wasserwelt.

They arrive at the front gate. "How's this for an entrance? Crystal Breath!" Blastmon absorbs sunlight into his body, then spits it out as an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure laser. This melts open the doors as the two walk in. Asuramon assumes his face of wrath and shoots fireballs everywhere, causing general chaos. One of the staff quickly gets on the mic and quite nervously rants something in German about the facility closing early because they're under attack. Most everyone that isn't already injured runs for their lives. That leaves only an unfortunate few, including our heroes.

Greg

After seeing everyone run out, I quickly rushed to my locker and unlocked it. I made sure to equip myself with the two most important pieces I had: my glasses and my Digivice. I switched the latter to its normal mode and pressed the button on the side. "Veemon, realize now!" He was out within two seconds. "Sounds urgent, Greg." "Sure is. Go get the others, we've got to get these people to safety." "Right!" But no sooner had he left than Thomas and Rika joined me. They strapped on their Digivices as well. "Gaomon/Renamon, realize!" Within milliseconds, they arrived. "Sir!"

Rika quickly dried off and readjusted her ponytail. "I've already sent Veemon out to get the others," I reported. "Good. Renamon, you do what you can. I still have to get dressed." "Right." Renamon disappeared like a ninja while Gaomon rushed off to follow her. "Do you think it would be easier to suit up?" I asked. Thomas just nodded, and we suited up in our DATS uniforms. Then, we rushed into action.

By the time everyone was suited up, Matt counted everyone. "One person's missing. Where's Mr. Logan?" "Oh great... Dad's missing!" I ran through the area looking for him.

Rika

The Bagra Army was up to it again. They unleashed a whole swarm of Troopmon, plus this freak made out of crystal. Gabumon was the first to notice. "We're surrounded by them. Matt, it's time!" Matt nodded, while the rest of us ignited our DigiSoul.

T.K. added a little chant to his. "In fearful day, in raging night, with strong hearts full, my soul ignites!" His entire body became covered in DigiSoul as he called for his Digimon. "Patamon!" "Mm hmm!" He flipped open the sensor and got in position. "DigiSoul! Full... Charge!" After the power went from him to his Digimon, Patamon Digivolved. "Patamon Warp Digivolve to... MagnaAngemon!"

Marcus went for a punch, but knocked his hand hard against the crystal Digimon's. "Yeeow!" He shook his own hand, trying to get the feeling back in it. He still ignited his DigiSoul. "Last time I ever try punching you out. Come on, Agumon! It's fightin' time!" "Oh yeah!" "DigiSoul... Charge!"

The rest of us followed suit. "DigiSoul... Charge!"

"Agumon Digivolve to... GeoGreymon!"

"Gaomon Digivolve to... Gaogamon! Rawr!"

"Renamon Digivolve to... Kyubimon!"

"Lalamon Digivolve to... Sunflowmon!"

"Gabumon Digivolve to... Garurumon!"

"Gatomon Digivolve to... Angewomon!"

We went to laying waste on the Troopmon, but couldn't seem to land a scratch on the new guy. "Ha ha! All right, enough fooling around. Where are the diamonds in this place?" "Diamonds? What would you do with those?" I asked. "Eat them, you stupid dame. Now where are they?" "Even if we had any diamonds, we wouldn't give them to you!" Kari bravely said.

Greg

I looked all over the interior sauna area when I heard a muffled "HELP!" come from the infrared temple. I got a look inside the window, and there was Dad, who was very happy to see me, but frightened as well. Now, I'd never seen my father afraid of anything, so this must be serious. Guarding the door was a god man who had four arms and three faces. The yellow face turned toward me, looking very happy. "Hello. Do you know these people?" he politely asked. "Of course I do, my father's in there! Now let him go!" "Oh, so that's your father? Well, that does raise the stakes. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Asuramon, an Ultimate-level Wizard Digimon. It's a pleasure to meet you. Now, I'm very happy to say that as of this moment, the people in this 'sauna' are safe. I mean them no harm, but the Bagra Army intends to use them. Do you know where the Child of Light is?" "The Child of- you mean Kari? Of course I do, but I'm not telling you." His face changed to a sad one. "Oh, that's too bad. Because unless she surrenders herself to the Bagra Army, I'm afraid I'll have to keep these people in here. And if they stay in too long, they may die from the heat. And we wouldn't want that on our conscience, would we?" "No, that's why we're gonna kick your butt first!" Veemon bravely shouted. "Um... what he said!" I agreed. Asuramon didn't look amused. "How sad for you. Do you honestly believe you can beat an Ultimate-level? And for what, to save the life of your own father?"

I stood there with my fist clenched. "Oh, you better believe it. Sure, there are times when Dad and I have gotten into arguments. Mostly over stupid things, like who drinks what milk, or who gets control of the TV, or whether I could go to a party after my curfew. Spencer Logan can be a downright jerk at times who thinks he's always right, and the two of us fight like roosters. Most of the time, he is right, and I'm just too stubborn to admit it! It's not easy living with that man, but I wouldn't want anyone to hurt him! Especially not the likes of you!" I looked in the DigiEgg menu for a suitable form and found the DigiEgg of Courage. I selected it from the menu. "Veemon! You ready?" "Yeah!" I struck a pose. "DigiArmor Ener- gize!" The energy transferred, and Veemon Armor Digivolved.

"Veemon Armor Digivolve to... Flamedramon, the Fire of- wait just a minute here. Greg, are you sure you want to do this? Wouldn't it make more sense to use Veedramon?" "We can't risk you hurting Dad! We've got to get him to safety first." "All right, if you say so. I am Flamedramon, the Fire of Courage!"

That only got Asuramon angry, and his face surely showed it. It was like a carefully choreographed game of soccer, where the Ultimate was the goalkeeper, and the Armor level was trying to get in. The entire place was filling up with fire, which could only be tempered by whatever water was around. After a few Fire Rockets, the emergency sprinklers turned on. As soon as Asuramon got far enough away from the sauna cabin, I tried to unlock it. I could feel the heat coming from my enemy's fists, but I did what I could to keep my cool. Finally, I got the door open and urged everyone to run out. Dad just stared at me. "Go, go!" I urged. "Not without you." "Get to safety, now! I got this," I insisted.

Unfortunately, Asuramon got him. "Asura Bakunenken!" He simultaneously fired off the flames that were wrapped around the fists of his four outstretched arms. "Look out!" Dad shoved me away just in time. Two of those fireballs hit him straight in the side. "Aaaaah!" He fell to the ground, holding his burned arm and side. For two seconds, I thought he was a goner. "Dad!" I rushed to him, quickly determining what kind of burn it was. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out it was a third-degree. He'd gone in pretty deep. I quickly looked around for something to treat it with, until my opponent called me out. "Leave the old man and pay attention to your fight, human!" he barked. I didn't pay him any mind. "Oh Dad... why did you do this?" "Because I heard some of what you had said in there. I'm sorry I'm not the kind of father you'd want, Greg. I'm only human, you know. But you do know that I care about you, and that I love you." I felt my eyes water. "I love you too, Dad."

"Get back to the fight!" Asuramon yelled. I quickly turned to my father. "Dad, find some cold running tap water or some clean room-temperature water until the pain goes completely away, then go find Thomas. I've got to deal with the monster who burned you." Dad nodded as I helped him back up and he left. After I made sure he was out of harm's way, I turned my attention to Asuramon.

"All right. So you decide to endanger hundreds of innocent humans, that's pretty bad. You lock my dad up and hold him hostage in a sauna, that's even more terrible. But when you force him to take a fireball that was clearly intended for me and give him a third-degree burn... you've gone too far!"

Something inside my heart snapped. I don't know what triggered it; either the stress of the situation, the trauma of seeing my dad get hurt, the righteous fury I felt because someone hurt my family, or something else. Whatever it was, it built up some sort of a power supply in my soul, like a vertical-axis wind turbine. It built up and exploded inside my heart. I let out a short but meaningful roar and let it loose, covering my body with green DigiSoul. Almost instinctively, Flamedramon reverted back to Veemon. "Holy smokes! Greg! Do you know what this means?" my partner asked. "Yeah, I do. It means we get to send Mr. Fireball packing. Are you ready?" "Always."

I flipped open the sensor on my Digivice, then struck a powerful, masculine pose. "DigiSoul..." I fully extended my right hand out to the side, just like I would for a DigiSoul Charge. Then I swung it all the way up to the sky and then covered the sensor. "Full, CHARGE! Rrraah!" Then I brought my right hand down, and my Digivice-equipped left arm up to the sky, keeping my left hand in a fist.

"Veemon Warp Digivolve to..." He started off Digivolving to Veedramon, but then went one step further as he roared. Slightly tattered wings burst out of his back, and several of his body parts went from blue to white as they became enhanced. He also got metal shoulder pads and longer, sharper claws. "AeroVeedramon!"

After I rushed out of the way of the falling debris caused by this Digivolution, I stared at my partner's new form. "Whoa... a dragon." "That's right. I'm AeroVeedramon, and I'm ready to fly. Want a ride?" "You bet I do!" So, I climbed aboard and we took off on an aerial assault.

Asuramon took notice. "Just because you can fly doesn't mean you can win! Asura Bakunenken!" Once again, he let loose his fireballs, but AeroVeedramon flapped them away with his wings. "Hang on tight, because here we go! V-Wing Blade!" He formed a V-shaped energy substance that seemed to connect the horn on his snout to the edges of his wings, then soared towards the opponent, cutting him to pieces with the blades of his wings. We landed on the ground. "Twister Saber!" He charged up the blades on his arms with energy and then released it in cutting waves. Asuramon dodged those, but we had the advantage in size and power. Even when he used his "Fist of Asura", it wasn't enough. AeroVeedramon finally finished him off with "Dragon Impulse", where he launched a dragon-shaped shockwave. Asuramon screamed his head off like a Hindu god, and then died.

"All right! Way to go, AeroVeedramon! Come on, we better check on Dad." We found him near the champagne massage jets in the pool, nursing his wounds. "Wind Guardian!" AeroVeedramon used his wings to call a flurry of winds that create a wind barrier around him. Then, we flew towards the others and I made contact on my Digivice. "This is Greg, I repeat, this is Greg. We've neutralized Asuramon and stabilized my dad. He's in the pool by the champagne massage jets with a pair of third-degree burns. Dr. Norstein, would you please take a look at him? Over." "This is Dr. Norstein. I'll see what I can do. We're almost finished over here. Over."

When I arrived, Garurumon was finishing up slashing through the last Troopmon. There was a new guy covered in crystals who dishing out just as much damage as we were. "All right, um... so you've destroyed all my Troopmon, what am I supposed to do now?" Thomas offered a suggestion. "Run, you hulking speleothem. Run. Run away, and never return." "Oh, all right. I was getting hungry anyway. Just remember my name! Blastmon! I'll be back!" With that, he hulked off and disappeared. All of us cheered, at least until we heard helicopters.

Marcus

News choppers! Crap!

Rika

Uh oh, here comes the press. Marcus nudged me. "What do we do now?" "Just look up, smile, and wave." So, we all waved to the cameras.

Sampson

The good news was that Gregory had managed to bring Veemon to Ultimate-level. The bad news is that Worgler Wasserwelt would be closed for at least the rest of the year and we had received more media coverage. More and more people were asking questions about Digimon and what they were doing here in the human world. I even got a call of concern from Austrian President Heinz Fischer. "No, President Fischer. The dragon and the wolf and all those others were on our side. It was the walking crystal and the fiery Hindu god that were endangering innocent lives. Yes, I understand. Thank you. Goodbye, sir." I hung up and then slumped back in my chair, rubbing my temples. It felt the whole world would have me- er, our organization over a barrel, and I couldn't have that. I refused to let that happen.

At that point, Davis walked in. "Commander Sampson, sir!" He stood at attention. "What is it now, Davis?" "Oh, yeah.. maybe I chose a bad time." "Just tell me, I have a headache and it couldn't possibly get any worse." "All right. Sir, what is up with Greg's Veemon Digivolving to Ultimate before mine?" He was going to ask me about that. I let out a sigh. "Kudamon, why don't you tell him?"

Kudamon climbed off my neck and onto a table. "Of course, Sampson. Davis, the reason he Digivolved before your Veemon did was because he applied himself. When the moment comes and the time is right, you'll be able to catch up. It will take a while to readjust your Veemon to reaching Ultimate without Stingmon's assistance." "Well is there some way we can hurry it up a little? I'm the original." "Mr. Motomiya... you have a lot to learn."

8:45 PM

[Marcus Bentley] 8:45 PM. Greg's fatha Spencer is patched up in an Austrian hospital, then flown wi the rest o the group back te Paris. There, he'll be examined bi doctors. The group comes te visit him.

Greg

"Now remember, Dad, you won't be doing much for a while because you have to take care of that burn. Hopefully, you can stay out of trouble." "Of course, Greg. I'm just glad I've got insurance. Look, I really want to thank you for saving my life out there. I meant every word I said, and I do want just a little more respect from you." I smiled. "Sure thing, Dad. I'll try a little harder." The two of us shook hands.

Just then, my cell phone rang and I walked into another room to pick it up. "Hello?" "Greg, it's Mom. How are you?" "Just fine. Just fine. So, how are you and Gary handling the lottery win?" "Just fine. We rented a Japanese cottage at the beach for a week. How's Dad?" "Well, we got into a scrape in Austria. He's in the hospital for third-degree burns. Veemon and I handled it just fine." "Oh good. Tell him I said hello. Oh, huh? What's that? Oh... Gary wants to talk to you." "All right, put him on."

After a few minutes, Gary spoke. "Hi, Greg." "Hey, Gary. How are you doing?" "Just fine. I've been able to gather some rare seashells for my collection. Just so you know, the toilets here are Eastern-style." "Well, you've handled that before." "Ha ha, right. Also, I've been spending a lot of time at DATS." "Wait... you've what?" "I've established a rapport with both Izzy and Ken. I find them both fascinating. They invited me to take a tour of DATS Headquarters." "But that would mean..." "Yep, I've got a partner!" I took a long pause. "Um, Gary... what's his name?" "Kotemon." "...I think I'll let you talk to Dad. He'll be, well, delighted." I walked back in towards Dad.

"Hey, Dad. Gary wants to tell you something." I gave the phone to him. "All right. Hi, Gare. How are you doing? ...You what? You got a what!? His name's Kotemon!?" He fainted.

Since my dad got involved in this fight and was held up in the hospital, we decided to go ahead with the charity single. All the proceeds would be donated to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. We filmed the music video the next morning.

["For What It's Worth '13" (Charity Single)

Written by Stephen Stills

Performed by The Teenage Wolves

Lead Singer: Yamato "Matt" Ishida (Michael Reisz)]

We get black and white video footage of the March 19, 2013 Iraqi attacks mixed with black and white footage of The Teenage Wolves recording the song in their studio. In the capital Baghdad, the string of attacks began around 8:00 AM local time, with blasts in the Mashtal and New Baghdad neighborhoods that killed eight and left 20 others injured. A bomb at the Ministry of Labor in Qahira killed seven and wounded 21, while another blast at a restaurant near the entrance to the Green Zone left six dead and 15 injured. At least seven car bombs were detonated and a number of shootings took place in Kadhimiya, Zafraniya and Husseiniya, killing 28 and wounding 70. The sprawling Sadr City slum was a target as well – sticky bombs killed four civilians, an IED killed two others, while car bomb attacks against security forces killed six and injured 22 others.

Matt:

There's somethin' happenin' here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
A tellin' me, I got to beware

Band:

(Matt: I think it's time we) stop, (Matt: children), what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

Just south of the capital, two car bombs at a checkpoint and a bus stop in Iskandariya killed eight and wounded eight others. A similar attack in Mahmoudiyah left five dead and ten injured. Mortar strikes in Taji, Haditha and Haswa killed five and injured eight others. Car bombings in Baqubah, Musayyib and Tarmiyah killed four and injured at least ten others.

Matt:

There's battle lines being drawn
And nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speakin' their minds
A gettin' so much resistance

Matt/T.K:

from behind

Band:

(Matt: Time we) stop, (Matt: hey), what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

In Iraq's north, a suicide bomber assassinated a local police chief and two of his bodyguards in Mosul, while injuring seven others. Another bombing in the city left three civilians dead and five injured, while a tribal chief was gunned down near his home in nearby Noor. Roadside blasts in Tikrit killed two policemen and left two others injured. Another officer died and two were injured in similar attacks in Sinjar and Ramadi. In Tuz Khormato, gunmen blew up a grocery store, killing two and injuring four others. A car bomb in Baiji killed a police officer and injured 11 civilians, most of them students, while an intelligence official was gunned down in Tel Keppe.

Matt:

What a field day for the heat
(Kari: Hmm, hmm, hmm)
A thousand people in the street
(Kari: Hmm, hmm, hmm)
Singing songs and they're carrying signs
(Kari: Hmm, hmm, hmm)
Mostly say, hooray for our side
(Kari: Hmm, hmm, hmm)

Band:

(Matt: It's time we) stop, (Matt: hey), what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

More general footage of the turmoil in Iraq.

Matt/T.K.:

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away

Band:

(Matt: We better) stop, (Matt: hey), what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
(Matt: We better) stop, (Matt: hey), what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
(Matt: We better) stop, (Matt: now), what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

(Matt: We better) stop, (Matt: children), what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

As the lyrics fade out, Anya gets a saxophone solo in. The video fades to a title card: "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. - Isaiah 2:4; King James Version"

It then fades to another title card with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies logo. Fade to black.

Author's Notes:

Now, in Digimon Savers International, Gary was partnered with a Tentomon. However, I decided to change it because we already have two repeat Digimon (those of Agumon and Veemon), and a third might confuse things. I nearly gave him Shoutmon or Cutemon. In any event, we won't be seeing Kotemon again very much (unless I decide to write a companion fanfic to this one).

Marcus Bentley can be very hard to understand, it's true. I may or may not use him for future chapters. Since we already visited the Big Brother Australia house, it would probably not be a good idea to visit the UK House.

Hopefully, this was a better introduction to AeroVeedramon than Chapter 17 of Savers International. What are your thoughts?

Before writing this chapter, I honestly had no idea European saunas were completely nude. Like I said before, if Fox Kids could allow Barbie Doll Anatomy nudity to stay in the Biomerge sequences, then something like this should be just fine. Aren't you glad I do my research?

Fear not, the others will get their chance soon. I'm on the fence as to who goes next. It all comes and it goes.

As for Sora, she didn't go to Austria with the rest of them. Probably studied some fashion in Paris. I don't like Sora that much.