Digimon World Tour Chapter 39: Big Mon on Campus, a digimon fanfic

Digimon World Tour

Recap

[T.K.] Marcus and Rika found out the hard way that you can't get Breakfast at Tiffany's. We flew to Philadelphia, where we ran into Davis. He'd started doing CrossFit and wouldn't be quiet about it. After a soundcheck, we got called to face two Mega-levels in different places. Greg, Davis, Kari, and Rika went to the art museum, while the rest of us went to Lincoln Financial Field. Davis and Imperialdramon turned out to be the big winners at the museum, but I showed them! While Marcus may have punched Examon in the snout, Seraphimon got the final blow! But then... (sniff, leading to sob) but then, Rika told me that my dad and her mom are engaged!

Chapter 39: Big Mon on Campus

Greg

During the plane ride to Raleigh, T.K. was still feeling pretty down about Matt's dad and Rika's mom getting engaged. We tried to cheer him up. "Cheer up, T.K. Now you'll have two moms, and you and Matt can be together," Kari said. "Yeah, isn't that what you always wanted?" I asked. He thought about it, then shook his head. "I wanted us to be reconciled as a family, the way it used to be. Some of you wouldn't understand." Rika refused to talk about it, preferring to be moodier than usual.

During our flight, we received a video call from Commander Sampson. The TVs tuned into the DATS signal. "Agents, come in," Sampson directed. We turned on the speakerphone. "Commander! How'd you get the signal from New York?" I asked. "DATS is everywhere, but that's unimportant. Rika, I just want to congratulate your mother and you on this happy occasion."

"Oh shut up," Rika grumbled. "Hmmm... it just so happens, young lady, that your mother asked me to give her away." "Great." Commander Sampson's face became sterner than it had been. "I know you're disappointed, but you can't let this attitude issue of yours affect your work, neither on stage nor on the battlefield. Are we clear, Miss Nonaka?" "Yes sir!" She rolled her eyes at that.

The commander continued. "Anyway, I just finished a rough session at the United Nations. It's very long and very complicated, but I'll explain it to you anyway."

["Protocoligorically Correct" (from The Slipper and the Rose)

Originally Written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Rewritten by DigitalCorp and Jessica Brand

Performed by President Vuk Jeremić (Yuri Lowenthal) and The United Nations (Australia [Nikki Webster], France [Neil Kaplan], Other Countries [Philece Sampler, Dave Mallow, Richard Cansino, Michael Sorich, Neil Kaplan, Paul St. Peter, R. Martin Klein, Crispin Freeman, Michael McConnohie, Robert Axelrod, Suzie Mathers, Lucy Durack, Gabriel Ebert])]

Commander Sampson is at a special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. The specific topic: the Digimon threat. Vuk Jeremić of Serbia, president of the United Nations General Assembly at the time, presides over the meeting. To simplify things, all representatives speak English. Commander Sampson and Kudamon have stated their case. "Very well. Commander Sampson, you must understand that everything we do in the United Nations requires diplomacy, bureaucracy, et cetera et cetera. In dealing with the current situation, we must consider protocol." He pounds his gavel twice, rhythmically.

President Jeremić:

Yes, we must be protocoligorically correct
Good form must never suffer from neglect
The rules and regulations we respect
Must be treated circumspect
Else our nations will be wrecked
We've a system to protect
Checked and double checked and protocoligorically correct

"Does anyone wish to comment?" A number of people raise their hands, and the President chooses one. "The chair recognizes Representative Matilda Waltzing of Australia and Representative Gérard Picard of France." The Australian representative stands. "Thank you." The French representative immediately follows.

Australia:

When its army is battered and broken
And back to its borders it crawls,
To what clings a tottering nation
If not to its protocols?

France:

And when the good Earth is tapped of its treasures
Does the global economy fall?
No, the world carries on with its pleasures
Inquisitions, Olympics, and balls

President Jeremić/Chorus:

But they must be protocoligorically correct
Good form must never suffer from neglect
The rules and regulations we respect
Must be treated circumspect
Else our nations will be wrecked
We've a system to protect
Checked and double checked and protocoligorically correct

Commander Sampson is recognized. "But members of the assembly, there is no protocol for a threat of this nature. The Digimon that are currently on the side of peace need protection. Surely even you can understand that." President Jeremić counters, "Ah, but that is the problem. There must be a protocol for everything. Even for seating royalty and members of diplomacy at official United Nations dinners. Representatives, we will now all demonstrate. Please rise." As they rise, the representatives demonstrate the lyrics.

President Jeremić:

If the daughter of the Duchess of Sweden
Were to be seated by the Countess of Spain
For this breach of decorum to Sweden
The invasion of Spain would begin
And seat the heiress to the barony of Nauru
By the side of her hated cousin, Gwen
Oh! How quickly the warriors of Nauru
Would deploy to attack us again

The representatives stand up and step down from the tables, then proceed to dance on them (to the confusion of both Kudamon and Commander Sampson). Commander Sampson facepalms.

President Jeremić/Chorus:

So we must be protocoligorically correct
Good form must never suffer from neglect
The rules and regulations we respect
Must be treated circumspect
Else our nations will be wrecked
We've a system to protect
Checked and double checked and protocoligorically correct

The English representative falls from the table and stumbles into the arms of Commander Sampson. The scene shifts to the lobby of the UN building. President Jeremić makes the call, and the representatives respond.

President Jeremić:

Protocol! (Chorus: Protocol! Protocol! Protocol!)
Above all! (Chorus: Above all! Above all! Above all!)

They gather together by the GA president and then march majestically back into the General Assembly room to their tables, kicking all the while. At the last minute, some of the reps don't make it quite back to their seats.

President Jeremić/Chorus:
Makes our kingdoms rise or fall

So we must be protocoligorically correct (Chorus: Protocoligorically correct)
Good form must never suffer from neglect (Chorus: Protocol! Protocol! Protocol!)
The rules and regulations we respect
Must be treated circumspect
Else our nations will be wrecked
We've a system to protect
Checked and double checked and

protocoligorically correct!

They sit down, but stand back up as the GA president rushes back to his seat.

President Jeremić:

Protocoligorically correct!

They switch seats at the table and sit down.

Greg

Marcus slammed his fist into his palm. "Bureaucrats. Ha! Who needs em? So there's no protocol for Digimon. So what? I don't need any stinkin' protocol!" He pointed to the camera. "Because I'm the best there is, and don't you forget it!" The commander shook his head. "Don't think word hasn't gotten out regarding your performance, Mr. Damon. Izzy forwarded me the latest footage of your attack. Mark my words, your recklessness and sheer arrogance will come back to haunt you one day." "Yeah yeah yeah."

Commander Sampson let out a deep sigh. "Anyway, here's where we stand. Your incidents in New England have not gone unnoticed. Half of Congress wants the Army to come after the Digimon, and the other half is undecided. President Obama is going to make a speech. I am practically begging- no, ordering you not to cause any more unnecessary collateral damage. Farewell for now." "Good luck, Commander," we said more or less in unison.

We checked in at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel just in time for lunch at the Atrium Food Court at NC State University. Raleigh is a college town, and with the money we were making, the younger kids could afford to look at potential higher learning. NC State had something for everyone. We enlisted a fan named Britney (who thought T.K. was just the cutest thing to walk the face of the planet, making the rest of us cringe) to give us a highlights tour of the campus in her Hummer. Thomas was impressed with the over 4.6 million volumes in the D.H. Hill Library. Rika enjoyed the Free Expression Tunnel. The rest of us liked lunch at the Atrium food court.

While looking in the library, Marcus stumbled upon a recent issue of the National Enquirer. "Hey guys! Check this out!" he loudly called from down the hall. Everyone shushed him up. After all, it was a library. We joined him and read the one big headline. Someone had taken a photo of Rika in that Austrian spa and claimed she was bisexual. "Let me look at that!" Rika barked as she grabbed the magazine. She carefully read over the article, then tore up the pages. She was steamed. "This is ridiculous! You guys know I only like Marcus. Sure, I may flirt with a guy during an after party, but I've only slept with Marcus." She pounded her fist in her palm over and over. "Someone's gonna pay for this," she vowed. In a twist of events, Marcus calmed her down and gave her a hug. "It's all right. You and I are gonna get to the bottom of this, I swear," he said. It was a touching moment.

We traveled to the Red Hat Amphitheater for soundchecks and rehearsals. Of course, the press was there to meet us. Rika wasted no time establishing her alibi by making out with Marcus in front of the cameras. Her hormones went through the roof, and after 30 minutes, nobody could deny she was straighter than a board and madly in love with Marcus. Our drummer enjoyed every minute of it. After the press conference, we let the press preview our new song.

["Girls Chase Boys"

Written by Ingrid Michaelson, Trent Dabbs, and Barry Dean

Performed by The Teenage Wolves

Lead Singer: Rika Nonaka (Melissa Fahn)]

Marcus counts off the beat. The band starts up.

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

I'm a little let down but I'm not dead
There's a little bit more that has to be said
You played me, now I play you, too
Let's just call it over

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

(Anya: Chase girls, chase boys, chase boys, chase girls)

Rika (Kari on backup/harmonizing):
I'm a little bit home but I'm not there yet
It's one to forgive but it's hard to forget

Rika:
Don't call me, I won't call you too
Let's just call it over

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

(Kari: Chase girls, chase boys, chase boys, chase girls)

Rika:
I got two hands, one beating heart
And I'll be alright
I'm gonna be alright

Rika/Band:
Yeah I got two hands, one beating heart
And I'll be alright
I'm gonna be alright

"Everybody clap!" Rika quickly instructs. Marcus lays off the drums for the first chorus as everyone in the band and audience claps along.

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same
(Kari/Anya: Girls chase boys chase girls)
It's all the same thing

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

Rika/Band:

All the broken hearts in the world still beat
Let's not make it harder than it has to be

Rika:
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls
Ohh, it's all the same thing
Girls chase boys chase girls

The press goes wild.

Marcus

I may have loved every minute of it, but Rika was laying it on pretty thick for the cameras. Finally, they left and Rika and I were alone in the green room. "So, do you think they've figured it out yet? That you're not bi?" I asked. Rika nodded her head. "Yeah, I think I sold it. The big question now is, are you convinced?" "Oh yeah, knew it all the time. I can read some of our stories now." "Tabloids. Who needs 'em?" Rika motioned me to the couch, and I fell down in it. Then, she got on top of me. "Not when I've got you," she purred. "You said it, babe," I agreed. The two of us made out for about 15 minutes.

I had to take my arms off my girlfriend so I could pull my phone out of my pocket. I answered it. "Yo?" "Ah, Mr. Damon. So good to hear from you. This is Tactimon." "Tactimon!?" Rika quickly dismounted, and I put the phone on speaker.

"What do you want?" I growled. "Oh, the usual thing, to kill you. I wanted to actually challenge your Digimon to a duel. Only you and your Digimon, and me. This will be a duel between males for honor and pride." "Pfft, how do I know you won't cheat?" "You don't. Just meet me at this stadium they call Carter-Finley at 9 PM Eastern time this evening. I will open the stadium for you and make all the arrangements." "One more thing! How'd you get my number?" "I have my ways."

Then, he hung up. I hung up, then punched my fist inside my palm. "Oh man! Well, we've got about three hours. We better find this place and then get going," I decided. "Aren't we gonna tell the others?" Rika asked me. "Do you really think I want Thomas finding out about this? No! This is something the two of us, you and me, have to figure out." "Don't forget me, Boss!" Agumon chirped from his Digivice. I smiled. "Wouldn't forget you for a second. Let's go!" We ran out of the green room and went out the back, while I called us a taxi.

T.K.

We ate dinner around 7 or so, but we didn't see Marcus or Rika. I tried calling them on my phone, but they wouldn't answer. I tried their earpieces, and still got nothing. We went back to the hotel, and I called again. Still, neither one of them would answer. "But why?" I wondered. I paced the floor. They were and are my friends, and yet they were hiding something from us. It had to be important.

Kari and I discussed it inside the jacuzzi. "Gee, that's strange. I remember the last time Rika and I made ourselves completely unavailable. It was that audition," Kari said. "Yeah, and you know what happened after that. Chaos. I just hope they're OK." Kari reached over and put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, T.K.," she said reassuringly, "Those two are the strongest people I know. They'll get through it." "You really think that?" "I know that." I put on a faint smile. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Still, I can't help but wonder about Rika. After all, she's going to be family soon."

["We Belong"

Written by Eric Lowen & Dan Navarro

Performed by Rika Nonaka (Melissa Fahn)]

It's an hour before the appointed dueling time, but Marcus and Rika are given access to Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium. They sit on the bench as Renamon and Agumon warm up by running from goalpost to goalpost. Marcus stares down at the ground, deeply thinking. Rika puts her arm around his shoulder, but Marcus brushes it away. "Don't touch me, I'm thinking," he gruffly says. "Heh, that's a first," Rika snarks. Her face softens, though. "Are you scared?" Marcus becomes defensive. "I am not scared! Never have been, and never will! There's... just a lot on my mind. You wouldn't understand." "Try me." "OK. Sampson's really hopped up on this whole 'no collateral damage' rule. I feel like... we gotta hold back for some reason. I don't wanna hold back because that's something I just don't do. Yet, if something happens to this stadium, they could take Agumon away from me. Then I'd be thrown back into the sidelines." He angrily punches his fist into his palm. "And I don't wanna be there!"

Now, it's Rika's turn. "I understand. I wouldn't want anyone to take Renamon from me, either. This is a tough thing you'll have to do, Marcus. I get that, but just remember something. I'll be by your side. You are always gonna have my support. I meant what I said in Paris, and I still do." She calls Renamon and Agumon in, then she and Marcus stand to take to the 50-yard line.

Rika:

Many times I've tried to tell you
Many times I've cried alone
Always I'm surprised how well you
Cut my feelings to the bone

Don't wanna leave you really
I've invested too much time
To give you up that easy
To the doubts that complicate your mind

She leads Marcus in a Tango Nuevo routine, a version of the Argentine tango that applies the principles of dance kinesiology from modern dance to analyze the physics of movement in Argentine tango. These new elements of tango are not characterized only by the type of embrace but include off-axis moves, playfulness, attention to rhythm and melody, and emphasis on greater improvisational skill of woman in dance, to name just a few attributes.

Rika:
We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under

Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We belong, we belong
We belong together

Rika stops mid-routine with her hand on Marcus' chest. She looks up to him and seductively (but sincerely) continues. The camera gets various angles.

Rika:
Maybe it's a sign of weakness
When I don't know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn't know
What to do with my strength anyway

Have we become a habit?
Do we distort the facts?
Now, there's no looking forward
Now, there's no turning back
When I say

The dance resumes. Renamon leads Agumon in a dance of their own, much to Agumon's confusion. In this pair, Rika is the clear leader while Marcus is the follower. The fighter never does catch on. Rika's leg replaces Marcus' unweighted leg position, then goes back. She pushes Marcus away before leading a giro, a turning step of the follower around the leader's axis. But then, she pulls him right back in and pivots with her leg extended and foot and toes pointing towards the floor. The camera gets various angles.

Rika:
We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under

Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We belong, we belong
We belong together

We get several intense shots of the dance. This cuts to Marcus curled up on the bench, covered up to his head in a light NCSU blanket, in a 10-minute power nap. Rika sits by his side and sings him to sleep.

Rika:
Close your eyes and try to sleep now
Close your eyes and try to dream
Clear your mind and do your best
To try and wash the palette clean

We can't begin to know it
How much we really care
I hear your voice inside me
I see your face everywhere
Still I say

We go inside Marcus' head where he's dreaming he's dancing with Rika again. This time, they're in a lightning vortex, but they're unharmed. Marcus is also leading (hey, this is a dream) and Rika is doing a good job of following. Renamon and Agumon take the place of the childrens' choir. Their tango continues to fadeout.

Rika: (VO)
We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
(Renamon/Agumon: We belong) We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under

Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We belong, we belong
We belong together

(Renamon/Agumon: We belong)
We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
(Renamon/Agumon: We belong) We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under

Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We belong, we belong
We belong together

(Renamon/Agumon: We belong)

We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder

Marcus

After about 10 minutes, I felt somebody nudge me awake. "Ohhhhh Rika," I moaned happily. "I'm not Rika, Boss! Don't be silly. Tactimon's here, so wake up!" That voice said it all. I quickly woke up, got to my feet, and stretched. There he was, standing at the 50-yard line. I met him at the center.

"Heh, about time you showed up, you jerk!" I started. Tactimon just scoffed. "Oh, I would not say such things if I were you, Marcus Damon. If you recall, RizeGreymon was swiftly defeated at the blade of my powerful sword." "Oh yeah? Well, that's not gonna happen again! I'll make sure of it!" Rika cleared her throat loudly behind me.

"Oh, and Rika, too," I added. "Hey!" she shouted. I looked back to her. "Sorry, this is a duel of honor. Man's work." Her eyes widened angrily. "Man's work?! You sexist, misogynist pig!" "Shut up, Rika!" "Oh sure, tell me to shut up, why don't you? That's your last tango in Raleigh, buddy! I sang you to sleep! To Pat Benatar, of all things! I made out with you for the cameras, and those pictures are viral by now! You owe me!" "I owe you nothing!"

Renamon

This is why I may never get into a long-term relationship with a Digimon. Honestly. I turned to Agumon. "Agumon?" "Yeah?" "It seems the bigger battle here may be between Marcus and Rika. What are your thoughts?" "Well, I think Rika may have a point, but you know I gotta side with Boss." I sighed. "Of course you would." I paused. "Do you think we should break up this fight?" "Nah, they'll kiss and make up soon enough. You know how Rika turns the boss on." "Unfortunately, yes."

Marcus

Rika's a lot like my sister Kristy, so we ended the fight pretty quickly. With me winning, of course. It was agreed that she would fight and die by my side. With all the arguments out of the way, it was time for battle. Rika and I pounded our fists in our palms, then spun around and fistbumped each other, igniting our DigiSouls all the way. We called out to our Digimon. "Agumon!" "Renamon!" We both ended with, "It's fightin' time!"

We drew out our Digivices and got the party started. "DigiSoul, Charge! OVERDRIVE!"

"Agumon Double Warp Digivolve to... ShineGreymon!"

"Renamon Double Warp Digivolve to... Sakuyamon!"

I took a second to give orders to our two Digimon. "All right, guys! Remember what Commander Sampson said. No collateral damage! If this stadium takes a hit or if anybody gets hurt, we are screwed for life!" "Got it." The two Digimon went to work as Sakuyamon summoned a card. "Fox Card!" She threw it at Tactimon, but it got batted away by his sword like it was nothing. In the meantime, ShineGreymon tried to hit him from behind. "Glorious Burst!" We quickly got the heck out of dodge as my employee absorbed the energy, then fired it. It missed Tactimon, but burned the turf starting from the 30-yard line and going down the right side. "I said no collateral damage!" I shouted. Tactimon landed on the left 40-yard line, drew out his sword, then stabbed the ground twice. Out of the ground came a whole lot of dead warriors. "Oh great," Rika grumbled.

We punched in the three-button code on the Digivice, then got in position. "DigiSoul Aura Mode, On!" We thrust our free hands into the light and powered up. All that punching and kicking gave me a great outlet for my frustration at the whole thing. I gave a direct order to ShineGreymon, and he burned up the field anyway. I did a bit more shouting and roaring than I usually do, and it was all angry.

The battle went on for what seemed like forever. Finally, the last zombie warrior was dead again. We turned off our Aura Modes. Tactimon let out a loud, evil laugh while ShineGreymon and Sakuyamon struggled. "Look around you, boy. Nothing but chaos and destruction. Those in whom you have placed so much trust are failing you. It's better that you give up now before you do any more harm." I looked around, and he was right. The turf was burned, and the rest of the field didn't look good either. I felt the veins in my neck, and I dropped to my knees. What if he really was right?

Rika grabbed me by both collars and brought me back up to my feet. It was impressive, for a girl. "What's the matter with you, Marcus? Are you going to let this creep get to you? This isn't like you at all! Come on, Marcus, snap out of it!" I didn't say anything, so she slapped me around a little. "Come on, Marcus! You can't give up hope now, you just can't!" I dropped back to my knees. "No collateral damage..." I repeated. "Marcus, forget the damage! What's done is done!" "No... we're screwed, we're screwed, we're so... .screwed."

She let me go, then angrily turned to Tactimon. "You see what you did to him?!" "I see nothing of the kind," Tactimon lied. Then, Rika gave this really rousing speech about how much she cared for me, how she didn't want to see me lose hope and all that, having the courage to try even if you might fail, and stuff like that. To put the cherry on top, she turned on her Aura Mode, ran, jumped, and tried to land a human Power Paw attack on Tactimon. It didn't work, and she ended up on the ground. It was pretty darn inspiring.

"Rika..." I got back up on my feet and roared. "That's it! I've had it with you, Tactimon! I have no intention of sitting back and letting you get away with what you're doing. Keep knocking me down, and I'll keep getting up. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, I am never gonna quit fighting!"

All of a sudden, my pocket started glowing. I looked inside, pulled out my Digivice, and stared at it. The rectangle thing was all lit up, and I couldn't figure out why. I just put my hand inside the light. Seconds later, the light moved from the Air Signal to the screen, and then to ShineGreymon. "I feel something, Boss. I feel... a new power!" he claimed. Then, he lowered himself to the ground and thrust his claw down into the turf. He became surrounded by a ring of fiery light, then picked something up from below the field. It looked like a long, flaming sword. "GeoGrey Sword!" he called out, holding it in the air. "New power, huh? Let's use it!" I suggested.

Tactimon charged with his sword, ShineGreymon charged with his, and it became an aerial fight of blades. ShineGreymon started spinning and slashing his sword left and right, the same thing I would've done if I had one of those. Surprisingly, my partner was really good with it, too. They did the exact same thing at the same time. Sakuyamon wasn't too shabby, either. She unleashed a storm of purifying cherry blossoms. I really didn't get that. Then, she attacked Tactimon with a flaming kick from the sky. That was better.

Tactimon kept us busy by summoning another group of dead guys. So, we fought them. That general didn't get a chance to summon a third one because ShineGreymon swooped in and clashed with his blade. The swordfight went on for about an hour until Tactimon called it quits. "I tire of this. So, I will let you go free. But mark my words, we are not finished here!" he swore. Then, he disappeared.

ShineGreymon and Sakuyamon landed on the ground then went back to being Agumon and Renamon. Agumon and I swung at each other in celebration, then high fived. "Whoa, where'd you get all those sword skills, Agumon?" I asked him. "I really don't know, Boss. I guess you and Rika inspired me, and when I pulled out the sword, I just knew. It's weird." "You're telling me," Renamon commented.

I turned to Rika. "Look, about what you said when I went, you know... when I was out there. I needed that. Thanks." Rika just smiled. "You're a piece of work, Marcus Damon. But... I love you." "Right back at you. We better be heading back." So, we put the Digimon in their Digivices and took a taxi to the hotel.

Greg

Gabumon challenged Veemon to a Mello Yello drinking contest. Veemon accepted, so Matt and I ended up paying for five 12-packs at this grocery store at Cameron Village. They gave us free cookies, and everybody wanted our autographs. We even ran into a little old lady with a Southern accent who enjoyed our music. (By the way, Veemon won the drinking contest. I was so proud of him.)

The next day started very well. We had lunch with some of the students that were still studying there at the food court, then did some more soundchecks and wandered around the city. Gabumon was really impressed with the wolf sculptures at the college. However, by lunch, we started noticing there was something wrong with Rika's leg, especially when she suddenly fell on a set of stairs. Marcus immediately rushed to her side, and I called an ambulance.

At 2:30, five and a half hours before we were to take the stage, we were at WakeMed Raleigh Campus. Rika was on a hospital bed with an injury to her ACL. "You can't keep me cooped up in here! I'm fine!" she protested. The doctor just checked his clipboard. "You barely passed the Lachman test. What were you doing out there?" "Uh... soccer practice. Yeah, that's it. Kari was teaching me how to play soccer." Kari's eyebrows went way up. Thomas took the doctor outside and supposedly gave him as many details as he could without actually giving the whole thing away. The two came back in, and the doctor gave his suggested plan of treatment. "Ms. Nonaka, you suffered a slight tear to your ACL. You're incredibly lucky that you're able to stand at all. We'll need to perform surgery, and then keep you here for about a week for monitoring." Our patient was livid. "A week? Are you out of your frickin' mind? I have to be on tour, buster! I'm the keyboardist!" "Not for a week, you're not," the doctor sharply replied.

We alerted all the proper authorities. RCA and the company in charge of our tour cancelled our stop in New Orleans, but not the one in Dallas. We weren't worried about them as much as we were about DATS. Commander Sampson and Izzy flew out to Raleigh the next day just to see us. The doctors and nurses treating Rika had to sign a lot of waivers just to stay in the room.

Marcus was the first to speak up. "Uh, Commander... I broke the no collateral damage rule, and... I really didn't mean to. I was thinking about it all during the battle, but ShineGreymon was too powerful and..." "I saw the footage, Marcus. You and Rika did admirably well, given the circumstances," the commander replied. Marcus just nodded. "Thanks."

Izzy had some news for us as well. "Guys, I've discovered a new mode, and I'm updating your Digivices as we speak. This new feature has a power far superior to the GeoGrey Sword, even more powerful than Aura Mode. In fact, it gives the Digivice Burst its name." "You mean, there's a Burst Mode?" I asked. "Yep. But it's too dangerous. I've tested it myself on HerculesKabuterimon, and it's too powerful. It requires several variants between humans and Digimon to be precisely so. When used properly, it can greatly turn the tide of battle. However, make one mistake, even one, and the Burst Mode will destroy you along with your enemy." "Destroy..." Marcus repeated. I pondered it over. "Hmmm... sounds dangerous," I grimly said. Izzy continued, "It is, if not handled properly. I don't want you stumbling into this power. That's why I'm telling you now."

Commander Sampson brought up another point of business. "Rika... your presence on the team and in the band will be missed greatly for this week, and I wish you nothing but the speediest of recoveries." "Thanks, Commander," Rika said. "In the meantime, while you are making your recovery, you will have a temporary replacement."

"Huh? A temporary replacement?" we all asked. Izzy brought her in, and she looked stunning. She was a fairly tall girl with brown hair worn up with a yellow hairclip, purple eyes and fair skin. Her purple eyes stood out the most. It was either that, or her bust. She couldn't have been more than Rika's age, but she was stunning. She wore a pink sleeveless top underneath a pink and white jacket and a pink short frilly skirt.

"Hello," she calmly said. Rika reacted immediately.

Author's Notes:

I based a lot of my details in this chapter on past experience in the NC State and Raleigh area.

The Adaptation Hypothesis theory is in full effect during the United Nations sequence. I'd like to thank Jessica Brand for her contributions (she came up with countries that fit in the second verse).

Next chapter, Nene Amano will be fighting along with the team. The jury's still out on who her partner is.

Also, since Burst Mode will be introduced, expect something wrong to happen with Marcus, and someone else...

This may very well be the last chapter of 2014. I'll try to get another one out before New Years', but if I don't, then I want to thank you all for reading this fanfic so far. I'll be going back to school in January, but I will finish this fanfic during that time. There's so much of a story that still has to be told. I'll include a bonus MusicBreak here, and then I'll see what I can do for Christmas.

["Macarena"

Written by Rafael Ruiz Perdigones and Antonio Romero Monge

Performed by Los del Mundo [Thomas H. Norstein (Crispin Freeman) and Ken Ichijouji (Derek S. Prince)]

In the War Room, the scene starts with Renamon slowly swerving her hips in rhythm with the music. She's quickly replaced by Sora, then Kari, then Rika, then Yolei, and then others all doing the Macarena. The screen is split into three reels, which spin around like a slot machine. This quickly switches to Thomas and Ken dancing close by a microphone and singing the song. (If you've seen the music video, you'll know what I mean.)

Thomas/Ken:

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

Macarena tiene un novio que se llama
Que se llama de apellido Vitorino
Y en la jura de bandera del muchacho
Se la vio con dos amigos

Macarena tiene un novio que se llama
Que se llama de apellido Vitorino
Y en la jura de bandera el muchacho
Se metió con dos amigos

Some of the DigiDestined and Digimon are more fit at this dance than others.

Thomas/Ken:
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

Macarena, Macarena, Macarena
Que le gusta los veranos de Marbella
Macarena, Macarena, Macarena
Que le gusta la movida guerrilera

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

Macarena sueña con El Corte Inglés
Y se compra los modelos más modernos
Le gustaría vivir en Nueva York
Y ligar un novio nuevo

Macarena sueña con El Corte Inglés
Que se compra los modelos más modernos
Le gustaría vivir en Nueva York
Y ligar un novio nuevo

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

During an extended instrumental break, Wormmon breaks out of the group and tugs at Ken's pant leg. Ken stoops down and picks him up. "Ken, I don't understand a single word you're singing. What's this song really about?" he asks. "Well, Wormmon, here's how I understood it from the website. Macarena is the girlfriend of a recent recruit to the Spanish Army named Victorino, and she celebrates his being drafted by hooking up with two of his male friends. She has a weakness for males in uniform, spending summers at Marbella, and dreams of shopping at El Corte Inglés, which is a major Spanish department store chain, moving to New York City and getting a new boyfriend. It's kind of sad when you think about it." "Oh... but then why does everyone look like they're so happy?" "Nobody actually pays attention to the lyrics the way you and I do." "All right." Cody breaks out of the group to approach Ken and Thomas. "I really hate to be the party pooper here, but can we please speed this up? I've got kendo practice." "I'm starting to get tired of this myself, so consider it done," Thomas answers. "Thanks." He takes Wormmon with him and rejoins the others.

Ken/Thomas:
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena
Hey Macarena

The video stops with one final shot of all the DigiDestined and their Digimon, then cuts to black.