Author's Note: Hi everyone, just wanted to thank all of you guys for checking out reading, and reviewing my story- and if you came here from Tumblr, I'm especially honored you decided to give my fic a chance! I can't thank all of you enough, honestly!
Lots of love and candy,
Lily
The Tide Is High
"WHAT DID YOU MORONS DO?!"
"I dunno. Would you care to explain?" Joe gingerly slouched.
"Great...great, great,great," Gennai pressed his lips together.
"What, you bag of bones?! You gonna tell us or what?!" Tai lunged towards the hologram and swatted at it.
"I'M A HOLOGRAM! YOU CAN'T HIT ME, DUMBASS! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO REPEAT THAT TO YOU BEFORE IT DRILLS THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL?!" Gennai shouted.
"It's Tai, so you'll probably have to repeat it till the end of time," Matt muttered under his breath.
"This is worse than I thought...," Gennai pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"I hate to be on Tai's side, but I'm about to get on his level too. Are you going to explain why you're so irate or are you just going to keep barking at us?" Izzy crossed his arms.
"Well, well, well, you must think you're the genius of the group, huh?" Gennai snorted.
"I don't think, I know I am," Izzy said impatiently.
"Ooh, somebody's a condescending little prick, aren't they?" Gennai raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse you?!" Izzy clenched his jaw.
"And I oop...," Gomamon smirked in amusement.
"Listen sir, we're not trying to cause any trouble! Honestly! If you could tell us what's wrong, we'd love to try to fix it! Just please, we thought we were helping the digimon here!" Sora cut in front of Izzy.
"Well you didn't! You sped up the destruction of the digital world as we know it, and now there's no way the Legendary Warriors will be able to save us in time! Bravo!" Gennai threw his hands in the air.
"The Legendary Warriors? Who are they?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you losers were late to the party. Basically they're these group of kids who were sent here because they have special powers and they're the ones that are going to save the world," Tai explained to Joe and Sora.
"Yep," Gennai nodded.
"That's us, right?" Sora jabbed her thumb against her chest.
"Yeah, that's the kicker...," Matt frowned.
"Wait, we'renot?" Joe made a face.
"Then who is if it's not us?" Sora huffed.
"Essentially a different group of kids who areallegedlybetter than us," Tai sneered.
"Not allegedly, but definitely better than you!" Gennai snapped his fingers.
"Then why were we sent here?" TK clutched on to his digi-egg.
"The coordinates must have gotten mixed up or something. But regardless, you guys aren't supposed to be here," Gennai waved his hand dismissively.
"So, what do we do?" Sora asked.
"Hmm, if you truly want to help reverse some of the damage you did, you can help find some hidden blocks of fractal code that are scattered around Server Continent. Once each of you find a block of fractal code, you can make your way back home," Gennai said.
"Okay, fine. So, what exactly do these blocks of fractal code look like and how do we find them?" Izzy asked.
"The pieces of fractal code can be hidden almost anywhere. However, to collect the fractal codes, you need to find these cartridges about the size and shape of a postage stamp- actually a little bigger, like that...," Gennai pinched his finger and index thumb together.
"You're kidding! We're supposed to search for something that small on something as big as a continent?! And that's just the cartridge! How are we supposed to find the fractal codes?! What do they even look like?!" Joe frantically tugged at his collar with both hands.
"The hard part is actually getting the cartridges- once you have those, it'll be easy to capture the fractal codes. You'll know what they are when you see it," Gennai waved his hand dismissively.
"Wow, that description was very helpful and informative," Matt sarcastically said.
"I really don't see the point in trying to explain what fractal codes look like to... well, you group of schmucks. I'm surprised you guys are even toilet trained- actually, are you even?" Gennai raised an eyebrow.
"I'd say most of us," Joe glared at TK.
"Dude, it was ONE time! And you have to admit, I still had great aim for being super doped up too!" TK nodded.
"Look, the Celestial Digimon had the bright idea to scatter these fractal codes all over Server Continent to hide them from the likes of Devimon, but with the digital world in gradual destruction, we're going to need them if we want to repair anything before we get wiped out of existence- and that includes you if you don't get home in time," Gennai huffed.
"Wait, so we might actually cease to exist?" Izzy asked.
"Yes, if the digital world turns into a black hole of nothingness. Nothing is immortal here," Gennai frowned.
"Oh, so that means we have to really get moving then, if we're at least going to try to help the Legendary Warriors out," Tai said.
"Yesssss...look, find the cartridges first, then you'll be able to collect the fractal code. I've wasted enough time talking to you. Good luck...," Gennai huffed before his hologram disappeared.
"Well, that was super productive," Matt scoffed
"He told us a lot and yet nothing at the same time!" Joe threw his hands up in the air.
"I don't know who that strange old guy is, but I just think he wanted to insult us except he's too chicken shit to do it in person, so he does it through some fancy telegram!" Tai scoffed.
"Tai, I think you meant to say... never mind. Shit, maybe Gennai's a little right. I was about to be condescending," Izzy frowned.
"Aboutto be?" Tentomon hummed.
"A condescending little prick, don't forget that part...," Tai winked.
"Screw it, I'm not planning on being a better person right now. Tai, you meant to say hologram. Secondly, I know what Gennai said- unlike him, I'd prefer to get straight to the point," Izzy crossed his arms.
"He was a bit wordy, I'm almost forgetting everything he told us," Mimi pouted.
"Essentially, we need to find some gizmos to gather up fractal codes that are just scattered around the Digital World, and we better do it quickly, otherwise not only will we be stuck here, but potentially sucked up in a large void," Izzy pulled out his laptop.
"Izzy, I know that conversation with Gennai was...a lot, but are you seriously going to check out your laptop right now?" Tentomon huffed.
"Don't worry, I'm not even remotely worried about my stocks anymore. Time in the real world is going much, much slower than time here," Izzy shook his head.
"You seem very confident about that, how did you get to that theory?" Sora put her hands on her hips.
"Uh...," Izzy winced and exchanged panicked glances with Mimi.
"It's something Centarumon said!" Mimi nervously blurted out.
"Are you talking about the digimon that Leomon and Elecmon called a drunk?" Joe raised an eyebrow.
"He gave us information that seems to check out so far. For what it's worth, he hasn't steered us wrong yet," Izzy pointed out.
"Wow, don't we sound like judgemental assholes," TK frowned.
"Sound? No, wearejudgemental assholes! Just own it!" Tai stretched his arms up in the air.
"Well, if we end up dying together, at least we can say we shared one thing in common," Matt smirked.
"Too bad it can't be something positive," Sora sighed.
"Unless, if anyone has tested positive for gonorrhea- then we could all share that in common too! But like, we'd need a system, because I'm not taking it in the a-"
"Alright, everyone!" Izzy cleared his throat, cutting Tai off.
"Thank God, I feel like this conversation was starting to get ugly," Matt muttered.
"Starting?" Joe frowned.
"What's gonorrhea?" Palmon asked.
"Something we'll have to table for another day. Right now, we need to focus on fractal codes. I'm glad I can finally connect to the internet now, because I can actually look up what fractal codes are and what they look like. Here, check it guys," Izzy turned his computer to face the group.
"Ohhh," everyone nodded slowly.
"Apparently, fractal code is essentially the DNA that not only is the infrastructure of the digital world, but it's also what digimon are made of as well. This whole universe is made up of fractal code. The issue is when it is let loose, and doesn't take a form, it can be easily manipulated and corrupted if found in the wrong hands," Izzy scrolled on his laptop.
"That sounds very bad," Palmon winced.
"It can be, especially if your fractal code gets exposed- which could happen if you get injured to the point of near death. As long as a digimon's fractal code remains untouched, they'll be able to reincarnate back into a digi-egg, like in the instance of Angemon," Izzy leaned in close to his computer screen.
"Man, I got so lucky," TK hugged his digi-egg.
"You did. However, that's not always the case. Again, someone can always grab your fractal code, meaning you would either cease to exist from that point, or change into a corrupted version of yourself. Not anyone can just grab fractal code though- you need a special device called a D-Tector."
"Hmm...Izzy, are you sure these are the devices? They look like those bulky Motorola phones that construction workers and drug dealers had back in the day," Matt huddled over Izzy's laptop.
"Oooh, that's what I saw!" Mimi gasped.
"You saw them? Here?" Sora pointed her fingers at the ground.
"Mimi, maybe we should tell them about what you saw on the train," Izzy sighed.
"Yeah! I got lost on the train station and I saw these group of kids, they were all holding up a device that looked like that, but it was like the size of a keychain! My iPod nano looked like that for a little bit too, but once I got back to the right train, it turned back into this again," Mimi shook her iPod nano.
"Hold on, you never told me that part," Izzy put his finger to his lips.
"Oh, my bad! We were supposed to talk about everything that happened when I got lost on the train but then we got a little preoccupied with something else...," Mimi trailed off.
"Sure, if that's what you want to call it," Tentomon quipped.
"Yes, I think that's what we do want to call it," Izzy turned red.
"So going back to the train thing, you saw another group of kids?" Tai shook his head.
"Yeah. They looked slightly younger than us, except for one of them who looked maybe 8 or 9?" Mimi scrunched up her face.
"So Mimi, that means you probably crossed paths with the Legendary Warriors, huh?" Sora put her hand on her shoulder.
"Hahahahahah, this is a joke, right? They would rather have a 9-year-old save the digital world than us? We can't be that much of screw-ups, are we?!" Joe clutched onto the sides of his head and hysterically laughed, almost losing his breath.
"Wow, he's giving Joker vibes right now," TK whistled.
"I think this might be his villain origin story," Mimi hummed.
"Regardless, we're clearly not the ones meant to save the digital world, but we can at least help slow down the destruction of it. In the meantime, we can collect loose fractal codes in these cartridges until they're ready to be picked up by a D-Tector," Izzy tapped on his laptop screen.
"The more you look this up, the more impossible this feels," Tai ran his fingers through his hair. "Where are we even going to find any of these?"
"Now that is a good question that I can't seem to find an answer for," Izzy typed away at his computer.
"That's it! We're getting sucked up by a black hole! Goodbye everyone!" Joe threw himself on the ground and weeped.
"Wow, he's a mess...," Gabumon frowned in disapproval.
Meanwhile...
"You sure this is where they'll be?" a Toucanmon asked.
"That's what our queen said. We just have to set up camp and wait. Those stupid humans won't suspect a thing," another Toucanmon laughed evilly.
"Hmmm, wow! This might work out after all! I hear people coming!" one of the Toucanmon jumped in place excitedly.
"Shhh! Act normal!" the other Toucanmon hissed.
"Blahblahblahblahblahblahblah...that's what they all sound like. I can hear it from a mile away, no wonder our queen wants us to keep an eye out for them!" a Toucanmon stuck his tongue out.
"Well, is the queen ever wrong about anything?" another Toucanmon scoffed.
"She's beauty and she's brains... the perfect package," the three Toucanmon sighed dreamily.
"Hey look! A trading post?!" Tai excitedly said.
"But we don't have anything to trade...," Sora groaned.
"I might," Izzy said.
"Actually, no you don't. You're walking around with like 10 pounds of contraband right now. Patamon probably wanted me to tell you that before he...yeah," TK rubbed his digi-egg.
"What?!" Izzy exclaimed.
"You didn't know that?" Gomamon smirked.
"I thought it wasn't illegal here! You guys never said anything!" Izzy shouted.
"Because we didn't think we had to...," Gabumon frowned.
"Guys, we got to keep an eye out for the redhead. He's got to be the one with the good stuff Ranamon wants," a Toucanmon whispered to the other two.
"Uh huh," the other two nodded.
"Let's go for the kill...," the Toucanmon motioned the other two over.
"Right!"
"Hi fellow travellers! I see you guys look like you're on your way to somewhere, have you guys taken a break yet?" the Toucanmon asked.
"I dunno if we have the time, we need to get to Server Continent," Sora frowned.
"Come on, you guys look like you haven't eaten in a while. At least come and have a meal before you continue on your way," another Toucanmon grinned.
"We'd really love to, but we don't have any money anyways," Joe frowned.
"Nonsense! It'll be on us! We'd feel so, so awful if we hear about a group of travellers passing out a couple of miles away from us, just because we turned them away," one of the Toucanmon gushed dramatically.
"Well, I guess if you insist," Matt shrugged.
"We just grilled some nice, delicious burgers. Perfect for a sunny day like today!" a Toucanmon smirked.
"A burger sounds good. I haven't had real food since...ever actually," Joe ran up to the trading post and hopped on a picnic bench.
"Now that there are people here, we'll throw some fries on the deep fryer too!" another Toucanmon trudged over inside the beach stand and started working in the kitchen prep area.
"So you guys are planning to go to Server Continent?" one of the Toucanmon leaned over a picnic table and frowned.
"Why? Is there a problem?" TK asked.
"No, not necessarily. Other than the tides being really high right now. Do you even have a sturdy boat to get you there?" the Toucanmon asked.
"Uh, we were thinking of making one with trees or something," Tai scratched his head.
"Wait, really? Who is this 'we' you're talking about? Because it clearly has to be a 'we' that doesn't involve me!" Gomamon made a face.
"Hahahahaha!" the Toucanmon laughed.
"Making a boat? Out of scratch? How long do you think that's going to take?" one of the Toucanmon cackled.
"And no offense, but would any of you be smart enough to build one that would hold up strong tides?" another Toucanmon cackled.
"Put your hand down, Izzy...," Tai growled.
"I wasn't going to raise my hand," Izzy pressed his lips together.
"But yousoooooowanted to," Tentomon remarked.
"Why don't you guys just grab a bite to eat, and just take your time, settle down. Don't be in any rush- nothing is that important to almost kill yourselves getting somewhere!" the Toucanmon said.
"Hmm, you've got a point. We shouldn't go around acting reckless. Maybe we need to come up with a plan, including on how to get to Server Continent and this seems like a good place to do it," Sora sat down at a table.
"While you guys settle down, take a mental break! We're literally by the shore, and we have a lot of stuff we can let you borrow! No cost to you!" the Toucanmon nodded.
"Are you sure? There's got to be something you want in return," Joe frowned.
"Just some feedback on our business, I suppose. You're the first signs of life we've seen in a long, long time. We're not sure if we're doing anything right, or if we could use some improvement," the Toucanmon said.
"Maybe it's the location. We haven't come across anyone in a while," TK said.
"That's probably it! Well, here is our first batch of burgers! Let us know how they taste, and when you're done, don't forget to check out the beach gear we have at our trading post!" The Toucanmon nodded.
"Will do!" Mimi beamed.
"Just catch us if you need anything!" the Toucanmon said and trudged their way back over to the trading post.
"So... are these the group of humans that the queen told us to watch out for? They don't look like what I expected," one of the a Toucanmon whispered.
"They can't be. Why do they have other digimon with them?" another Toucanmon frowned.
"No, it has to be. Like there's going to be a bunch of humans scattered around the digital world. That wouldn't make any sense. These have to be the kids our queen was talking about," the Toucanmon scrunched up his face.
"Well, what do we do?" the other Toucanmon looked at him.
"Keep them distracted...," the Toucanmon shrugged.
"Is it me or do you find something suspicious about this place?" Biyomon frowned.
"Yeah, it's kind of weird how these Toucanmon are letting us stay here and giving us free food," Agumon slowly chewed on his burger.
"And don't forget, free reign of anything in their trading post," Tentomon pointed out.
"I just find it weird it seems like they don't want us to leave," Gabumon looked around.
"Should we say something to the guys?" Palmon asked.
"I think most of them are still eating, but yeah. After we're done, we should mention something. They have to find this strange too," Gomamon scrunched up his face.
"It's not like we have the luxury of time on our hands. We can't afford to let our guards down and get caught up in any distractions," Tentomon buzzed.
"Hey guys, why the serious faces?" TK sat next to the digimon.
"TK, do you find something a little strange about this place?" Agumon asked.
"Like what?" TK looked at him with widened eyes.
"Like aren't you worried that you guys might spend too much time dillydallying around here? We're supposed to get to Server Continent," Gabumon said.
"But you heard the Toucanmon, the tide is pretty strong. Besides, I'm glad we made a pit stop here- you like my belt? It's like wearing maternity pants, except it's like not," TK smoothed his hand over a pink bikini top tied to his waist.
"Uh...sure," Agumon frowned. "Uh, we're going to check on everyone else."
"Yeah...," Gabumon looked at TK in concern.
"Alright, but don't forget to have a little fun! Might as well, until the tide calms down!" TK slipped on some sunglasses and ran off.
"Ugh, useless...," Gomamon stuck his tongue out.
"Maybe we just got off on a bad start expecting TK to care about...anything. Hopefully, everyone else won't be as bad as him," Palmon frowned.
"I'm hoping, but my chances are pretty low. Tai and Matt are already playing in the water," Agumon groaned.
"Well, you can add TK now too...," Biyomon chirped.
"There's Sora and Joe! They're reasonable, let's see what they think," Palmon sighed in relief.
"Good idea. I'm starting to get paranoid. Hopefully they don't think we're crazy," Gomamon waddled over to them.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Sora forced a smile.
"You guys find something weird about this place too, right?" Gomamon asked.
"Cutting to the chase, I see...," Joe exhaled deeply and pushed his glasses up.
"But yes, there's something odd about this land and I can't put my finger on it," Sora pursed her lips.
"Do you think it has something to do with the Toucanmon wanting us to stay here as long as possible? Do you think they're trying to stall us for some reason?" Biyomon asked.
"That's what we were talking about before you got here. They seem friendly, but almosttoofriendly. They looked a little spooked when we told them we were trying to go to Server Continent. Should we ask them about it?" Sora fiddled her thumbs.
"What if they're trying to keep us away from Server Continent because it's dangerous out there? After all, who are we to trust this Gennai guy? He blew up at us for killing Devimon, then told us to take a hike, but not before fetching him some fraction codes, and he was rude the entire time while doing so!" Joe threw his hands up in the air.
"Fractal codes...," Tentomon corrected him.
"What does it matter? If supposedly Devimon isn't even a bad guy compared to what's coming, who exactly are we supposed to trust? What if we were supposed to save the world and the Legendary Warriors are the ones who are here to destroy it? The morality is just so warped!" Joe groaned.
"I think you might be thinking yourself into an existential crisis, pal...," Gomamon winced.
"But he's bringing up some valid points," Gabumon heaved.
"Still, I feel like sitting here doing nothing is just a waste of time. My conscience can't even let me go fool around like everyone else when we have important decisions hanging over our heads," Sora chewed on her lip.
"GAAAAH!"
"That sounds like Izzy!" Sora picked her head up.
"It sounds like it's coming from that tent," Biyomon pointed at a cabana.
"Come on, let's make sure he's not in danger!" Sora sprung from the picnic bench and ran towards the cabana, Joe following suit.
"Ugh...of course this would happen the one time I bother trying to have fun. The pickings are slim here," Izzy impatiently shifted through a bin of board shorts. He grabbed a tiny pair of black shorts, and held it up in dismay. "Ugh, is this even for a guy? If so, it's very...European. Ugh..."
rustle rustle*
"Uh...hopefully that's just wind. I'll just grab something random and get out of here. I'm probably taking too long anyways," Izzy groaned as he started to change.
"We already went through everyone else's crap and they don't have what the queen is looking for..."
"Wait, what?" Izzy strained to hear the conversation going on outside the tent.
"Remember, the digimon were talking to the redhead- he's the one with the good stuff."
"The redhead has to be here...we just have to sneak in and grab his shit. He probably won't notice if we're quiet about it."
"Alright, on three...one, twoooo, thr-"
"GAAAAH!" Izzy yelled, throwing board shorts at the Toucanmon. "Get out! Get out! Get out"
"Uh oh," the Toucanmon winced and dashed away.
"Izzy?" Mimi ran into the cabana moments later and pursed her lips in amusement. "Sooo...are you okay?"
"Oh my god, eyes up here!" Izzy pointed to his face.
"But it's so b-"
"Shh, I hear more footsteps coming, get over here!" Izzy grabbed Mimi by her shoulders and hid behind her.
"Hey, are you guys...uh, okay?" Joe ran into the cabana, immediately turning red.
"I was giving her the Heimlich! That was it!" Izzy blushed, wrapping his arms around Mimi's waist.
"Yeah...I was totally choking on something, that's all!" Mimi flashed the guys a thumbs-up.
"What, choking on some dic-"
"Couldn't you guys have done the 'Heimlich' with your pants on? We thought someone was getting killed," Joe turned his back away from everyone, his face still red.
"No, it really isn't what it looks like! Look, everyone else seemed like they wanted to have fun at the beach, so if I can't beat them might as well join them," Izzy pulled Mimi closer to him.
"Ooh, hold me tighter...," Mimi teasingly giggled.
"Cut it out!" Izzy hissed in her ear.
"Soooo, here's the thing...nobody's stopping you from having your 'fun', but next time, don't be so loud-"
"Sora, no! Just listen to me! While I was changing- alone, I may add- to go in the ocean, I will also add-
"Whatever. If it will get you to the point quickly, I totally believe you. Just get on with it," Sora rolled her eyes.
"Look, I overheard the Toucanmon talking about how they were going through our stuff looking for valuables to steal. For some reason, they wanted to target me, and they tried to sneak into the cabana, but I caught them and must have scared them away," Izzy said.
"And that's when I came in! I heard a scream, and I well...walked in on, you know," Mimi bit at her pinky nail and smiled.
"Yes...," Izzy huffed and rolled his eyes. "And then we heard more footsteps coming, and I didn't know what to do, so I grabbed the closest thing to cover me up."
"Which was me, Mimi!" Mimi winked.
"Anyways...," Izzy took in a deep breath and sighed, "we're right to be suspicious. Those Toucanmon aren't really being hospitable as they seem if they're trying to steal from us. What, I don't know...but it's something for a queen?"
"Ugh, we should have known there was a catch! Well, what do we do now?" Joe bit his lip.
"I guess for starters, put some pants on?" Sora frowned.
"Yeah, if you give me the chance! Some privacy please!" Izzy shouted.
"Oh, yeah. Of course...," Joe sheepishly said.
"We'll be right outside," Sora nodded and walked out of the cabana.
"Mimi, you too...," Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"Why? I already seen it," Mimi smirked.
"Then just face the wall!" Izzy snapped.
"Yeah, totally...," Mimi smiled mischievously, sneaking a peek.
"Was everything okay back there?" Gomamon asked.
"Oh yeah, peachy keen!" Sora crossed her arms and angrily plopped down at a beach chair.
"She's being sarcastic by the way," Joe nervously sat at a beach chair next to her.
"Yeah, I think we got that...," Gabumon winced.
"Hey Izzy, are you okay?" Biyomon chirped.
"About that- these Toucanmon are bad news. They're not helping us from the goodness of their hearts. For some reason, they think we have something they want. What it is, I'm not sure, but we need to get out of here without raising any suspicions. As far as I know, the Toucanmon don't know we're on to them," Izzy whispered.
"Hmm, how are we going to do that when the most obnoxious people are, well...playing in the water? They're not going to want to get out any time soon. They're worse than children," Sora huffed.
"Ahhhhh! Ohhhh!" TK crouched down.
"What the...," everyone stopped what they were doing.
"Guys, I think I'm in labor!" TK ran out of the water, rubbing his digi-egg.
"Is he serious right now?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Ahhhh! My egg just broke! Someone help me!" TK laid on his back, kicking his legs in the air.
"I guess he is...," Izzy made a face.
"I took a first aid class once...I guess this is my chance," Joe gulped and reluctantly walked over to the fussy boy.
"Ahhh!" TK screamed.
"Uh, I could use some backup!" Joe yelled.
"I'm coming!" Matt ran out of the water.
"This is soooo uncomfortable!" TK's face turned red as he kicked sand all over.
"Matt, great! You're here! I need you to hold TK's feet down!" Joe said.
"You got it," Matt nodded and grabbed onto TK's ankles, forcing TK's heels into the ground.
"Alright, TK! Focus on me! Just breathe in and out. In and out. Grab my hand if you have to," Joe winced.
"Uh huh...aaaarghhhh!" TK screamed.
"I can't watch," Mimi buried her face in Izzy's chest.
"Trust us, I don't think any of us want to...," Sora frowned.
crack*
"My baby!" TK gasped as Joe gently pulled a Poyomon out from TK's maternity pouch.
"Aww, the miracle of life, I suppose?" Tai cocked his head to the side.
"He's beautiful," TK cradled the baby in his arms. "I'm going to name him Steve..."
"Why Steve?" Matt frowned.
"Why not?" TK smiled at the Poyomon.
"Pssst, while they're being distracted by...whatever that is, we should look around and see if there's anything we can use to get the hell out of dodge," Sora winced.
"Agreed," Izzy nodded.
"There's the trading post. Remember, they said we could use whatever we wanted there!" Biyomon nodded.
"Good idea," Palmon said.
"Hey, how are you guys enjoying your mini vacation?" the Toucanmon popped out from behind a counter.
"Oh, the weather is so lovely! I'm glad we took a pit stop here after all!" Sora gushed.
"Hmm, really? You don't seem like it. You're not changed into any beach attire like everyone else is," one of the Toucanmon narrowed his eyes at her.
"Uh...I wasn't sure what to do. I don't want to get my hair wet, you know? Also, I don't know if the water is cold," Sora fibbed.
"It looks fine enough if the boys were playing in it. You really should try out some swimsuits," another Toucanmon nudged Sora.
"Wow, they're being really pushy...," Gabumon whispered.
"That's fine, let them be distracted by her. We need some kind of decoy," Izzy said.
"Sora, keep them busy!" Agumon mouthed to her.
"Mmm hmm," Sora nodded. "Well, I guess I could use some help. You Toucanmon do seem to be experts on everything here. I could use your opinions."
"Well, I can help you out!" one of the Toucanmon said.
"No!" Sora blurted out.
"No?" the Toucanmon narrowed his eyes at her.
"I...need all of your opinions. You're all equally important, don't you think?" Sora shrugged.
"Wow...," the Toucanmon started mumbling amongst themselves.
"She said we're all equally important...," one of the Toucanmon said in awe.
"Uh...what's going on?" Gomamon made a face.
"I'm not sure," Izzy whispered.
"The queen never said anything like that to us," another Toucanmon whispered.
"Our queen is so beautiful, but not always so nice to us...," another Toucanmon sighed.
"Shhh, I don't think Queen Ranamon would be happy if she heard us say anything bad about her," Toucanmon said.
"Ranamon...Ranamon...," Izzy pulled his computer out and tapped away at it. "Wait! Toucanmon, did you say Ranamon?"
"Yes! Queen Ranamon!" the Toucanmon excitedly said.
"She's a Legendary Warrior. I think she's one of the people Gennai sent us out to help," Izzy pointed at the screen.
"Wait, you guys are here to help our queen?" the Toucanmon gasped.
"Yeah. I guess we're supposed to fetch some fractal code to hand it over to the Legendary Warriors- and I think Ranamon has to be one of them," Izzy nodded.
"Oh, that's amazing! She'll be so happy to hear that she's getting help!" the Toucanmon jumped up and down.
"Yeah, so it's really important that we head to Server Continent if we want to help her out. Uh, only thing is...would you by any chance know what these are?" Izzy tapped at his screen.
"Oh! Those are cartridges for fractal codes! We actually have them! Hold on," one of the Toucanmon waddled over behind a cash register and brought out a cigar box.
"Wow, Gennai wasn't kidding when he said they were small," Sora picked up one of the cartridges.
"Yeah, take them! You're going to need them if you don't have D-Tectors," the Toucanmon said.
"Thanks, we really appreciate it. We're definitely going to tell Ranamon and the rest of the Legendary Warriors how much of a big help you have been," Izzy nodded.
"Look, the tide should be okay, but if you need, we do have a raft. It's not the best, but it should hold you over until you get to Server Continent!" the Toucanmon said.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Mimi gushed.
"Of course, any friends of Ranamon is a friend of ours!" the Toucanmon said.
"Thanks a lot, we really appreciate it!" Sora smiled.
"If we didn't already have a queen, you would be it...," the Toucanmon cooed at Sora.
"Uh, thanks?" Sora blushed.
"Yeah, thanks again for everything...," Izzy raised an eyebrow. "We really should get going now."
"Yeah, we don't want to hold you up! I know the queen is probably waiting for you!" the Toucanmon excitedly said.
"Go, go!" the other Toucanmon flapped his wings.
"Byeeee!" Mimi waved as everyone else carried the raft down to the shore.
"Hey, you think we did the right thing?" one of the Toucanmon looked at the other.
"I think so! Did you see how excited they were when they heard they were helping Ranamon?" the Toucanmon puffed out his chest.
"It is a noble task after all," the other Toucanmon nodded.
"Hey, where did you get that boat?" Matt asked.
"No time to explain. Let's just get out of here, now!" Izzy pushed the boat towards the shore.
"What about my maternity leave? I just gave birth," TK cradled his Poyomon.
"I'm not even going to entertain that," Sora shook her head. "Everyone, on the boat now!"
"What's the rush?" Tai slipped his clothes back on and huffed.
"Uh, we're supposed to be on a mission, remember?" Sora flicked him in the head.
"Also, look what we got!" Mimi held up a cartridge.
"Whoa! How did you get those?" TK gasped.
"Uh, we think the Toucanmon might be in love with Sora," Gomamon smirked.
"Which is probably why we should leave quickly. The sooner she's out of sight, the sooner she'll probably be out of mind. I'm sorry, but these Toucanmon are a little weird," Izzy shook his head.
"But they were so nice," Tai frowned.
"Uh, so are pedophiles until they can't get what they want in return," Joe frowned.
"Sure. Dark comparison, but essentially," Izzy shook his head.
"So I guess we're shipping up to Server!" Sora stood behind the boat and started to push it towards the sea.
"Waayyy-ohhh-heeey!" TK sang, pounding his fist on the raft. "Shipping off to find my wooden leg!"
"So, TK...about that maternity leave. Does that include you shutting the hell up?!" Sora gave the raft one last push and jumped in.
"You're so mean... I'm a new mother with all these hormones, and I-I-I, you're going to make me cry," TK hiccuped.
"Oh brother...," Joe groaned.
Meanwhile...
"Hey, guys! It's Ranamon!" one of the Toucanmon motioned the other ones over.
"Hi darlings! How's the mission going? Did the humans stop by yet?" Ranamon cooed.
"Yeah! We gave them the cartridges and everything to help you out! They seemed so excited when we mentioned you!" a Toucanmon beamed.
"What?" Ranamon sounded confused.
"Yeah! They're going to pick up the fractal codes and deliver them to you!" another Toucanmon chirped.
"They must be great if they have digimon partners by their side!" one of the Toucanmon chimed in.
"You're talking about the Bokomon and a Neemon, right?" Ranamon pursed her lips together.
"No, I don't recall seeing those. There was like an Agumon, a Tentomon, Biyomon, you know...just run-of-the-mill kinda guys," Toucanmon shrugged.
"Ugh, that doesn't make any sense...the humans I'm looking for don't have a group of digimon following them around. Are you sure none of them had those D-Tectors?" Ranamon rubbed her temples in frustration.
"No, your Majesty. Otherwise we wouldn't have given them the cartridges," the Toucanmon shook their heads.
"Did we do something wrong?" one of the Toucanmon winced.
"Oh darlings, you're fine! Just hang tight here and see if another group of humans show up! Hopefully ones with the D-Tectors! Once you find them, give them to me! I fear that those D-Tectors are D-fective, so I just want to make sure the humans get the best gear possible! Don't let them know that you're taking them, they might get upset, you hear?" Ranamon forced a smile.
"Morehumans? How many are there?" the Toucanmon gasped.
"I don't know, but it's a lot to process! I'll be back to check on you!" Ranamon disappeared.
"So boys, on a scale of 1-10, how bad do you think we messed up?" the Toucanmon winced.
"Uh...7?" one of the other Toucanmon grimaced.
"That seems like a fair rating," the other Toucanmon gulped as he watched the waves of the water lap against each other violently.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Joe hung from the edge of the raft.
"Don't eventhinkabout puking! If you puke, I'll puke!" Matt growled.
"Ewww, if you puke, I'll definitely puke!" Mimi whined.
"I thought you stop getting morning sickness after the baby is born," TK held onto his Poyomon.
"SHUT UP, TK!" everyone yelled.
"I guess the Toucanmon weren't kidding when they said the tides were strong! Do you think this raft will even be durable enough to get us to Server Continent?" Sora nervously gripped onto the edge of the boat.
"Not if you're clawing at it like that! This is a glorified pool toy!" Izzy yelled.
"Looks like we've got another big wave headed our way! Surf's up!" Tai hollered.
"Dude, who gives a rat's ass about the water when we're headed right into that huge ass whale's mouth?!" Matt shouted in his face.
"Uh, where's the pushy sticks to move the boat?" Mimi bit her lip.
"I think it's a little too late to worry about that now! Everyone brace yourselves!" Izzy screamed.
"I think I see a white light at the end of the tunnel! Is this the end?! I knew it, we're dying!" Joe heaved.
"SHUT UP, JOE!"