Digimon World Tour Chapter 35: Back in Business, a digimon fanfic

Digimon World Tour

Recap

[Greg] We returned to Japan, and everyone was miserable because most of us had lost our Digimon in that fight against Tactimon and Laylamon. I ended up ordering a pizza and meeting Gary's partner, Kotemon. Back at DATS headquarters, we were given special training by Dr. Damon and his partner BanchoLeomon. The humans got American Gladiators, the Digimon got something out of X-Men. I think we got the better deal. Next, we were optimized in these machines so we could Digivolve our Digimon to Mega-level. We also got new handheld Digivices, and not a moment too soon! Three Digimon were attacking the Fuji TV building where Mr. Ishida worked. We finally Digivolved our Digimon, and now we're back in business, baby! Ha ha!

Chapter 35: Back in Business

Greg

We looked over what we'd just created. Matt's jaw was completely open. "Huh? Where'd MetalGarurumon go?" he wondered. "Aww, just shut up and enjoy your new monster already," Marcus cut in. Matt grabbed Marcus by the collar, but T.K. broke up the fight. "Guys, focus! We've got a battle here." The two split from each other.

I looked up as the three enemies came down. One of them looked like a Kamen Rider, another like Taomon with all the color drained out, and the third was this monkey wearing sunglasses, a crown, and Geordi La Forge's visor. I looked them up on my Digimon Analyzer. "All right, let's check out the monkey first. 'KingEtemon, a Mega-level Puppet Digimon.' Boy, they don't fool around, do they? 'Although he swaggers around with the affectation of a star, it only earns derision from other Digimon. He bears the Crest of Courage on his belt.' Good thing Tai isn't here. As for you, Doumon... 'Doumon, Ultimate-level Wizard, is able to turn his amulets into shikigami and command them.' And finally... 'Justimon, a Mega-level Android Digimon. He seems to like taking a decisive pose atop a cliff while facing the setting sun.'"

Before we could start fighting, Sakuyamon stepped forward. "I, Sakuyamon... protector of all things true, will do my duty," she said. "Do her duty?" I asked. She lit up and waxed poetic. "Follow now my voice and feel the twin blades..." She jumped up and slashed with her scepter. "Of beauty! And of truth!" KingEtemon felt the impact. "Then, fall before my light!" The slashes she made turned into bright pink light that illuminated the entire area, followed by cherry blossom petals.

"Look, I'm sorry, but you got there is mighty potent. Too potent for the king, you know what I'm saying, ah-huh-huh..." KingEtemon said, in a really cheesy Elvis impression. Marcus had ideas of his own. "Geez, Rika, what is up with your Digimon? Looks like you got yourself a freak!" Rika belted him square in the shoulder. "Eh... remind me never to cross Rika," I told Thomas.

Doumon looked at us carefully and spoke. "So, you wish to oppose the will of the Bagra Army? Then you shall be vanquished." Justimon posed like a typical Japanese costumed superhero. He thrust his arm up and summoned a group of Troopmon. ShineGreymon was the first to actually do something by flying up and spreading his gigantic wings, concentrating his accumulated light energy to its utmost limit. "Glorious Burst!" Then he fired it at Doumon, who dodged it.

Izzy looked to each of us and got in a battle position. "All right, it's time to test out your new Aura Mode. Just follow my lead." He pressed the second, then third, then the first button on the Digivice while holding it at a horizontal level. That turned on the light in the side rectangle. After posing, he quickly placed his hand inside the light. "DigiSoul Aura Mode, On!" Within seconds, he was covered in an aura and started punching away at the Troopmon. The rest of us followed. "DigiSoul Aura Mode, On!" I felt like a completely new man. No, a superman. I felt all my stats going up as I ran into the Troopmon. I tried not to yell too much, so I wouldn't ruin my voice, but it was fun!

All the fighting we humans did was completely improvised. Marcus was a brawler, going to town on those Troopmon with all the fighting knowledge he had. Thomas was far more calculated, trying to catch one of them by surprise then firing a left hook. T.K. put his basketball skills to use by faking right, then left, then kicking one out. Kari and Anya teamed up on some improvised ballet moves, while Matt just sped through. Whatever Rika did was working for her. Izzy seemed to be holding his own.

["Life in Detail"

Written by Robert Palmer & Alan Powell

Performed by The Teenage Wolves

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

The DigiDestined and their Digimon take on the three threats. Justimon summons his Blitz Arm and fires orbs of lightning from it towards MirageGaogamon, who dodges it, then lunges forward with an incredible amount of speed, focusing his power into a single claw-swipe. KingEtemon swings around, fighting like a typical monkey. His cape gets in the way, though, leaving UlforceVeedramon able to slice it with his Ulforce Saber.

Matt: (VO)

Who can tell just what might happen?
Sometimes you're gonna feel a shock
You got it covered, and yeah you think you're laughin'
Then it hits you like a ton of rock

You see your life in detail
Such a close-up view
From another angle
Like another you

It's that feelin' again
Do you remember when
You were so convinced
You knew everything?

KingEtemon is the first to go after two attacks from UlforceVeedramon. Meanwhile, we come back to the humans for a minute. Thomas and Izzy use strategy in their attacks. Greg is a bruiser, a big guy, and tends to use brute force in his attacks. Rika and Anya read the enemy and then counter attack. Matt blasts his way physically. Marcus has a scrappy but effective fighting style. T.K. and Kari don't have any specific advantages, but that doesn't make them any less powerful. I'm not very good at writing these type of martial arts fight scenes, so please feel free to improvise.

Matt: (VO)
You thought that happiness was automatic
That you were livin' in the meantime

It's that feelin' again
Do you remember when?
You had it all sown up
And then the color bled

Doumon uses his paintbrush to make himself invisible. He invisibly attacks Ophanimon, who drops her javelin. The angel Digimon manifests ten crystals between her hands, in a Sefirot formation no less, and fires them through the air, attacking and exposing Doumon. He then uses his paintbrush to create multiple clones of himself. HerculesKabuterimon fires an enhanced version of Electro Shocker, which leaves a devastating effect on a number of Troopmon.

Matt: (VO)
Like a life in detail
Such a close-up view

Like a mirror image
Of another you

In the meantime, Seraphimon calls down powerful bolts of divine lightning, attacking the various Troopmon. Then, he attacks Justimon with the holy sword Excalibur generated from the armor on his right forearm. Justimon switches out his arm for the Critical Arm and tries to slice away the sword with the blade. AncientGarurumon completely halts the movement of electrons with super-cold air at absolute zero and a super-ray of light. That destroys a number of Troopmon. Sakuyamon drops down like lightning from the sky and attacks a Doumon clone with a kick.

Matt: (VO)
You were optimistic, energetic
Now you wonder why you feel so alone
Like you're under anesthetic
Makes you wonder where you're comin' from

ShineGreymon uses the light shining from his wings to mow down Justimon, finishing him. Rosemon ensnares one Doumon clone with a thorned whip charged with electricity and brings another clone down using the whip as a rapier. UlforceVeedramon covers himself in the aura of a dragon and slashes through the main Doumon.

Matt: (VO)
It's that feelin' again
Do you remember when?
You were so convinced
You knew everything

Like a life in detail
Such a close-up view
From another angle
Like another you

The crowd, including Hiroaki, looks on in awe as the last Troopmon is defeated. They're all furiously writing away and recording footage with their cameras. When the last Troopmon is down, the DigiDestined power down from Aura Mode and catch their breath. The Digimon power down and revert to their Rookie forms. Hiroaki shepherds the reporters away from the scene.

Matt

"Heh heh heh, well that was a workout, wasn't it?" I asked after I'd caught my breath. "Indeed. I would say my cardiovascular activity was complete for the day," Izzy agreed. We quickly put our Digimon back in their Digivices.

After about half an hour, Dad came back to the scene. "That battle was incredible, but you guys really have to stop doing this." "We know, Dad," I sighed. "No, you don't. You know this is going to end up on the news. I can't keep protecting you forever, and especially not now when I've just been promoted to Chief Anchor of FNN Super News." "You've been promoted to Chief Anchor? That's awesome!"

The others, aside from Marcus, cheered as well. It was a completely different story with Marcus. He rushed up to Dad. "Now look here, buddy, you're in all the way up to your neck with this. If we can't count on you to keep this from getting what we do out there, then I'm gonna have to do something about it!" Dad just stood there firmly. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, young man. I may be reaching 50, but I can still take you on." "You want some?!" "YEAH!"

Marcus tried swinging, but got unlucky and missed. Dad managed to get one punch in on his gut, and that was enough for him. Rika had to drag him away. Dad grinned. "Serves you right. I wish you kids all the luck in the world, and I'm sorry that I can't do more. I will be cheering you on every step of the way, and I hope you aren't too disappointed with me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a date tonight." "With whom?" T.K. asked. "Rumiko Nonaka." Rika and T.K. gasped at that. "That's my mom," the girl breathed out. Dad nodded, and Marcus just burst out laughing. "Oh man, you're dating Rika's mom? Way to go!" He high-fived Dad, who wasn't too receptive to the idea of returning it.

Rika didn't know what to say. "You- you- you're nothing but a, a sugar daddy!" she stammered. Dad laughed that off. "With her money? I don't think so. Matt, why don't you have dinner tonight with T.K. and your mother? She'd love to see you." He waved goodbye and then walked back in the building.

That night, I invited Mom to join the team for a strategy session over dinner. We were planning the American tour. I used my laser pointer to point at the schedule. "All right, so what we have here is Boston on the 12th of this month. We play three nights at Radio City Music Hall in New York." "Hey, that's where Mimi lives," Kari happily pointed out.

"And who is this Mimi?" Anya asked. "She's basically your Japanese counterpart, has a Palmon for a partner. She's a nice girl, but kind of an airhead," I explained. I thought I could see some drool coming from Izzy's mouth. "...And Izzy's long-distance girlfriend?" I added. Izzy blushed and quickly put his hand behind his head. "No, no no, nope, not at all... eh heh heh heh, what are you talking about?" Marcus started laughing again. "Izzy and Mimi sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g... ha ha ha ha ha ha! This is too much, man! Too much!" Rika punched him again in the shoulder, harder than the time before.

"I don't see what the whole problem is. Geniuses need love, too," Mom said. Greg chimed in, "And speaking of geniuses... Thomas, when are you to find someone?" "No comment," Thomas quickly stated.

That big smile stayed on Greg's face. "Oh, I got an idea. How about that new girl, Rina Shinomiya?" "You mean the one with the black-and-white bikini top and the black bike shorts with the vertical white line on the back?" Izzy asked. Marcus just nodded. "The one that stretches to the inner sides of her legs right up to her v-" "Will you three stop?!" Rika loudly fumed. Then, she dropped her head. "Here here. And I thought only Western men were decadent," Anya added.

I had to cut into the conversation. "All right, you three need cold showers." "Desperately," Mom chimed in. I pounded my fist on the table to get everyone back in order. "Thanks, Mom. As I was saying, on the 20th, we're playing Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. That's followed by Raleigh on the 22nd, New Orleans on the 26th, Dallas on the 29th, and then we play two nights in San Francisco. That's the 2nd and 3rd of June. Then we'll be spending the rest of June in Los Angeles- " "Including my birthday," Greg cut in. I grinned. "Yes, that's right, starting with three nights at the Staples Center. We continue on from there, and our grand finale will be in Las Vegas on July 25th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena."

Thomas raised his hand. "Who do we have for our opening act?" "So glad you asked. Our opening act is the newly reunited group Good Charlotte." Greg let out a rebel yell. "YEEEEEEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWWWWW!" He went around the table, fist bumping everybody, then sat back down. Anya just looked confused. "I take it you like the band?" Izzy concluded. Greg stood up again. "Well, I like one of their songs. 'Last night/can't remember/what happened/where'd we go?/I woke up/this morning-'" Anya pulled Greg back down into his seat.

I reviewed the information Commander Sampson had printed out. "Hmm... interesting. Looks like we'll be making a lot more media appearances in America. While in New York, we'll be musical guests on Saturday Night Live and we'll make an appearance on Today. And then... hmm. In Los Angeles, I'll be guest hosting American Top 40 one week." Overall, it was great news.

I spent that night at T.K.'s apartment. T.K. set up a futon in his room so I could crash there. It was late, and despite really needing sleep, neither one of us could get there. We both had one thing on our minds. "Hey, T.K." "Yeah?" "What do you think of Dad dating Rika's mom?" "I'm shocked and sorry that it's coming to this. I didn't think Dad would just start dating another woman, let alone one related to someone in the band. It's gonna break Mom's heart." "If you ask me, I saw this a long time coming. I'm just surprised it didn't happen sooner, what with Dad and me being single for over a decade."

T.K. turned over on his side to face me. "You know what this means, right? If they tie the knot, we'll get a new sister. Rika Nonaka-Ishida." "Yeah, and then things would get really confusing, with you having Mom's maiden name and all." "It was her idea, not mine," my brother insisted. "Heh, you were a kid, you didn't know any better." "Still, I guess if we want to stop confusing the fans, I better change my last name back to Ishida." "That's the spirit, T.K.! Then we'll have to reprint all the liner notes." "Yeah!"

The next day, we went early in the morning to the city clerk to get a name change petition. We filled out all the paperwork and then went straight to the presses and the label's offices. From that point, T.K.'s legal name was Takeru Ishida.

Greg

After dinner the night before we were supposed to leave for Boston, Dad turned on the news. The footage of our battle had made it on the air. "Valerie! Look who's on the news! It's those Digi-whatever again!" he roared.

Mom walked in and looked at the screen. "Oh... which one's yours, Greg?" she asked me. "The blue one with the sword, that's UlforceVeedramon." "Yep, that's me," Veemon eagerly beamed. He got up closer to the TV. "Hmm, I guess the camera really does add weight."

Dad, as usual, got his two cents in. "That's beside the point! The point is, you're not supposed to be fighting where cameras can see you! It's bad enough one of my sons is a rock star, but it's even worse when he's got a monster that's always fighting in front of the cameras! And you're no better, Gary!"

"Me? What did I do?" Gary asked. "You've got one of those things, don't you?" "His name's Kotemon!"

"I know! Stop telling me that! I'm sick and tired of this entire mess, and it all started when Greg joined that stupid band." "Hey, at least I'm making more than you are at that dead-end job of yours," I answered defensively. "Fine, because you'll need every yen. You can take Gary with you and move out! I'm tired of Digi-this and Digi-that. You're 21 years old, nearly 22. Why don't you move out of my apartment?" "Maybe I will!" "Good!" I stormed back into my room to pack.

Rika

Grandma, Anya, the Digimon, and I were watching footage from our concerts. I brought up a very important question. "All right, spill. What's up between Mom and Mr. Ishida?" "What are you talking about?" Grandma asked innocently. I rolled my eyes. "Don't give me that. I know for a fact that Mom and Matt's dad were on a date last night." "Oh. Well, if you ask me, I don't think it will lead to very much. Rumiko is looking for someone steady in her life, someone who can provide for her. You seem to be friends with the Ishidas, so that was a good place for her to start. Besides, don't you think she deserves to be happy?"

I had to think about it. "...Well, yeah. But still, it's just weird. Just think about it, Grandma. Matt and T.K., becoming family. If I wasn't so involved with Marcus, Matt could've been another good choice." "Hmm... well then, we'll just have to hope for the best, won't we?" she said, smiling. I returned a faint smile.

Mom walked in the front door with a bag. "You two are leaving tomorrow, aren't you?" my mom asked. I sighed. "Mom..." Here we go again. I can recite the whole story from memory. "You know, back when I got married everyone tried to tell me I was too young. But I didn't listen. Turns out my daughter is as stubborn I was. You should be allowed to make your own decisions." "Huh?" I asked. She walked toward me with a bag. "If you are going out there, maybe you could wear this for me," she said. She handed me the bag and I pulled out a shirt with a full heart instead of my usual broken one. "Oh, how cute!" Anya remarked. I was floored. Then, Mom opened her jacket to reveal a matching shirt that was red and pink. "Oh Mom..." I said. We both laughed.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I opened the door, and there was Marcus with a wicked smile on his face. "Your loverboy's back from the war, and he needs intensive care," he said. I cocked my head, and he walked inside. As I directed him to the bedroom, I introduced him to everyone. "That's my mom, my grandma, you already know Anya and the Digimon... let's get to work." Anya waved slightly as we walked past.

So many times, sex gets so boring if you do it quietly. "So, did Nerdstein e-mail you the arrangement for that song you and I are supposed to do for the next album?" he asked me. "Yeah. It's funny." "What?" "Greg and I wrote it, but I'm singing it with you." "Don't tell me you're still thinking about him." "Well, he's in our band. I see him every day, so it's kinda hard not to. Ah... I have no idea what to think any more. It just seems like you and I connect." "Of course we do. Don't overthink it. I'm going in," he gently whispered. He started humming "Waiting for a Girl Like You", something he always did before going for a climax.

But then, he stopped. He got up and pulled his Digivice out of his pants pocket, then got back in bed. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked me. I took out my Digivice from my nightstand drawer. "This ought to be interesting," I mused. I tell you, Aura Mode made a huge difference. Our bodies let out orange and yellow glows, and the power drove us crazy. It was amazing.

Greg

I'd just finished packing when Dad knocked on the door. He had a distinctive knock, so I knew it was him. "What do you want now?" "To talk, what else?" I sighed. "All right, come in." He did, and sat right down on my bed. "Greg, this is difficult. You know, I've tried so hard to provide for you, Gary, and your mother. What you do with this whole Digimon thing... I just worry about you. Your mother does, too. And with you going away back to the States, we worry about what could happen to you. I know that... well, we shouldn't. You've grown into a responsible, reliable young man with a good head on his shoulders. You've got friends who can support you and you can support them. I guess that's all that really matters." "Well, thanks. I can't help but think that there are dark times coming, for all of us. I wish I could take Gary with me, but he's needed at home. Besides, I think you can learn a lot from Kotemon." "Yeah. That Cody kid comes in all the time with his grandfather so the three of them can learn advanced kendo. I just don't want him breaking any lamps, that's all." The two of us laughed about that.

Dad went on. "Your mother, brother, and I will all be cheering for you. I don't agree at all with what you're doing, and I wish you didn't have to, but you've got to do it. All I want, is for you to come home safely. I love you." The two of us hugged. "I love you too, Dad. Don't worry, I've got Veemon with me." He just nodded.

Marcus

I ended up sleeping at Rika's, so I had to rush home to pack. When I got back, Kristy was already in her DATS uniform, practicing DigiSoul control. "So, how was it?" her Biyomon asked me. "What do you mean?"

Kristy just snickered as she made the orange flame of DigiSoul in her hand even bigger. "Oh please. We know what you and Rika have been doing. Mom explained the whole thing to us. You know, the birds and the bees. You're gonna get her pregnant eventually, aren't you?" "Uh... how does a kid like you know something about that!?" "I'm 10 years old, I should know these things. Takashi's parents explained it to him when he was seven." "Whatever, brat. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get packing." "Have fun," Biyomon said as I walked into my room.

After about half an hour, Mom and Dad decided to give me what they thought was wise advice. I said my goodbyes to everybody and then walked outside where a limo was waiting. I waved goodbye as I got in.

Our limo took us to DATS headquarters, where our parents had shown up from out of the blue. Commander Sampson gave this big speech which I didn't bother to remember (something about courage in the face of adversity or some drivel like that). "And now, before they leave for America, The Teenage Wolves will give you a special selection from their upcoming album. It's a song written by Miss Rika Nonaka and Mr. Gregory Logan entitled 'Just Give Me a Reason'." Our parents applauded, but I was caught completely off guard. I just grinned and decided to wing it. I mean, we'd practiced it often enough during soundchecks and while in the studio. Our instruments were set up, and Gaomon got behind the drums so I could sing. We got ourselves ready, then went into it.

["Just Give Me a Reason"

Written by Rika Nonaka and Gregory T. Logan (Alecia Beth Moore, Jeff Bhasker, and Nate Ruess)

Performed by The Teenage Wolves

Lead Singers: Rika Nonaka (Melissa Fahn) and Marcus Damon (Quinton Flynn)]

Thomas plays the introduction on the piano as Rika approaches the microphone.

Rika:

Right from the start
You were a thief, you stole my heart
And I your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me that weren't all that pretty
And with every touch, you fixed them
Now you've been talking in your sleep, oh oh
Things you never say to me, oh oh
Tell me that you've had enough
Of our love, our love

Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
We're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again

Marcus:
I'm sorry, I don't understand
Where all of this is coming from
I thought that we were fine (Rika: Oh, we had everything)
Your head is running wild again
My dear, we still have everythin'
And it's all in your mind (Rika: Yeah, but this is happenin')
You've been havin' real bad dreams, oh oh
You used to lie so close to me, oh oh

Rika/Marcus:
There's nothing more than empty sheets between our love, our love
Oh our love, our love

Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

Marcus:
I never stopped, you're still written in the scars on my heart

Rika/Marcus:
You're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

The tension heats up during the bridge as Rika and Marcus use their sexual energy to really amp up the drama.

Rika:
Oh, tear ducts and rust

Marcus:
I'll fix it for us

Rika:
We're collecting dust, but our love's enough

Marcus:
You're holding it in

Rika:
You're pouring a drink

Marcus:
No, nothing is as bad as it seems

Rika:
We'll come clean!

Rika/Marcus:
Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again

Rika:
Oh we can learn to love again
Oh we can learn to love again oh oh
Oh that we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

Thomas plays the introduction on the piano again and concludes it. Everyone bows as the parents and Commander Sampson applaud.

Greg

Our families saw us off to our new private jet, Canus Lupus said our goodbyes and boarded for the nearly 14-hour flight to Boston. It was sad to leave them, but life had to go on. Hopefully, there would be a world for them when we got back.

Author's Notes:

I'd like to offer special thanks to Alan Powell and his wife Sandra Evans. Alan worked on the song "Life in Detail" for the Pretty Woman soundtrack. He now lives in San Francisco in an advertising agency. I found his contact information, and left a message. He called back and we tried working out the lyrics together. I ended up sending him the track itself and the corrections I made for the lyrics, and he approved it.

Rina Shinomiya is a character in the video game Digimon World Re:Digitize: Decode, available in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS. I wouldn't make any mention of her aside from the fact that her bike shorts stood out. Her partner is V.V., a Veemon whose Digivolution path follows that of Greg's Veemon. I don't know if I'll give her any dialogue, but I'd definitely give the role to Kari Wahlgren.

What do you guys think of Matt and T.K.'s dad dating Rika's mom? I'm not out to create a new Brady Bunch or anything, I just thought it might be interesting.

Next chapter will be in Boston. If you're up in Boston, and you're reading this, send me a PM with some suggestions on what the team should do while they're there. I may include them in the next chapter.