"I'm impressed you made it this far," the grumbling voice of the massive, dragon-like tank Digimon spoke up as he aimed his cannons at the heroes. "Not bad at all. But you are not worthy of entering the inner sanctum of my master... leave this place at once!"
Leomon drew his blade. "Jeri... take your friends and go! We'll handle this one!"
"But..." Cubmon wanted to protest.
"There's no time," Compsomon added. "He's too strong for you. Hurry, we'll try to buy you some time, so you can rescue Kazu."
Tankdramon chuckled. "Oh, and you think I'll just let you leave?"
"You have no choice in this matter," Leomon growled. "FIST OF THE BEAST KING!"
Taken by surprise, the flaming, lion-shaped projectile hit the Ultimate right in the face.
"Quick!" Renamon shouted. "While he's distracted, let's run!"
And they quickly ran through the door that was situated to the right of Tankdramon... fortunately not blocked by his massive body.
----
"So... why did you do this again?" Kai asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Takato asked. "The three main heroes are Rika, Jeri and Harmony. While Renamon, Gargomon and Guardromon are additional, 'supportive' characters, temporary party members that may be switched with various other heroes during the game. See, the maximum number of team members is eight. So we needed to split the group into two. And while the experienced fighters take on the enemy that would be too powerful at this point of the game, the hero party can continue its search for Kazu... who might eventually become an additional team member as well. Well, maybe... still have to think about that one."
"You... just let Mom fight an Ultimate because it fits the game script?" Guilmon asked in disbelief. "I know she, Leomon and Sheperdmon are experienced fighters, but... what if Tankdramon is too strong for them?"
"Don't worry!" Takato smirked at his brother. "I won't let that happen. It's part of the script, you know? As I need them to reappear in a later part of the game, they simply HAVE to win this battle. No problem at all!"
"But... that speech Tankdramon gave them," Kai pondered. "Don't you think it was a little... canned?"
"Hey, I heard it in another game before, and I think it's cool."
Kai sighed. "Well, do what you want... you're the game master, after all."
----
"Where's the damn laboratory?" Kitsumon grumbled as they defeated yet another squad of Tsukaimon. They then reached a crossway.
Cubmon raised her arm. "Look!"
The others followed her gesture... and saw the signposts that were attached to the wall.
<- Barracks
^ Cafeteria
-> Laboratory
Rika sweatdropped. "You GOTTA be kidding me..."
"Well, while unexpected, this sure is convenient, right?" Renamon said.
Cubmon giggled. "I can't help but think that Takato might have to do something with this..."
They followed the arrow that was pointing right and hurried down the corridor.
On their way, they came past a door. Gargomon stopped and blinked in confusion.
"What's the matter, we have to hurry!"
"Look!"
They all looked at what was scribbled on the door's surface.
The marking 'Storage Room' had been crossed out. And beneath it, they could read: 'Tapirmon's Bazar. Great opening of the Hypnos Fortress Branch. All prizes cut in half.'
Gargomon grinned. "Let's get in, shall we?"
"W-wait a minute, Gargomon," Kitsumon protested. "That might be a trap."
Gargomon smirked. "You haven't played many RPGs before, Rika, right? It's normal to find a merchant in the middle of an enemy dungeon... and they mostly have useful items for sale. And I'll bet we can sell those items we don't need ourselves."
"Like those Commandramon helmets that don't fit either of us..." Renamon assumed. "At first, I did not really understand why you insisted we should take them along."
"Now you know!" Gargomon grinned and opened the door.
In the back of the small room, the floating form of a Tapirmon was waiting for them, behind a makeshift counter made of two wooden boxes and a board.
"Welcome to my store!" he welcomed them. "Feel free to look at the many wonderful items within this room! I have food, special goods and many maps. And if you are short of money, we can always play Money Making Game! Oh, and that's the exit!" He gestured at the door through which the Tamers and their partners just entered.
Jeri snorted with laughter, while Rika sweatdropped. "Is he for real?" she muttered.
"I dunno..." Renamon muttered while taking one of the 'Digi Fruits' into her paw. "His wares might just turn out to be useful."
"Now, hurry and choose something!" Tapirmon insisted. "Or get out!"
----
"Kai, I will never let you play with my Gamecube again, you hear me?"
"Aw, c'mon! Starfox Adventures was such a great game!"
"Still, did you have to use all of those lines from that merchant?" Takato asked.
"Your 'Money Making Game' line wasn't too original either..." his cousin mumbled.
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(Posted Sun, 11 Feb 2007 11:51)
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