"Yosh!" a lean humanoid digimon barked, banging her fist down on the desk. The pencil-holder rattled in its place before settling. The pair of Gekomon before her smiled, snapped the human-sized briefcase shut and set off for the doorway. The door closed behind them with a click. She turned towards her Betamon secretary with a smug smile, "Suckers!" She exclaimed, having just out-smarted a pair of lotto con-artists. The betamon blinked, before realization came over her, "I-i don't think--!"
"Nonsense!"
"Um...Umira-sama...that wasn't a loop hole!" The betamon answered hesitantly, fliping through the evidence they'd gathered. Umira walked over to the mini-fridge in the corner and produced a frosty bottle of Sake from it, "You worry too much! Celebrate already!" She chided. A divermon quickly entered, holding a stack of papers while adjusting a backpack slung over the speargun on its back. "Umira-sama! Our scouts have reported movement from the bog--"
She held up her finger, setting the bottle down on a coaster then turned to the Betamon "Continue." She murmured.
"Gizamon scouts near the inlet have reported a group of Tamers moving this way, one of the Digimon with them happens to be--"
"I know who he is, Gogyou that crazy Dogmon, right?" Umira interrupted.
"Ah--no, ma'am, its St--"
Umira plucked the papers from him, leafed through the stack then set them atop the growing tower of folders on her desk. "I just found a loop hole in the lottery...so I'm going to celebrate, greet them with.,...I dunno those squads." Umira explained settling into her chair.
The betamon sighed, arguing with Umira as your boss was absolutely hopeless.

****

"I'd love it if your tear was randomly deleted now." Starius said, gliding smoothly over the water's surface as his Tamer incorporated the shinobi dubbed 'water-walking technique' as they neared the bog. The shore seemed to have been washed away decades ago, and thus it ended abruptly as a sagging five-foot drop into shallow water. Phoenix blinked and looked up at him, "its a lot easier here; I don't have to worry about chakra distribution." Phoenix replied, treading easily across it as if it were land.
"Who knows, maybe a shark will ambush you..." Starius said hopefully.
"Who knows, maybe Suriumon will maul you in your sleep." He fired back. Starius beat his wings twice and sped up, flying out for roughly 50 meters before looping back in a graceful arc at a higher altitude above the group.
Damn.
No sharks.

Bosch had been so busy enjoying his ride with Kaidis just like old times that he had no idea they were approaching the bay until he happened to glance down and noticed the water getting gradually cleaner and more welcoming. He then scoffed loudly at Phoenix who was clearly just showing off but before he could dwell on that any further Kaidis spoke.
"We are getting further away from the evil. We should be safe for now..."

"Yeah... Say...? Down there! Is that Xenos?"

Kaidis looked down and sure enough there was an ExVeemon down below. It appeared to be mourning and was accompanied by two Commandramon and a Stingmon.

"What is going on down there?!"

"You don't remember them yet do you? That's Xenos the ExVeemon. And he's got Sting with him too! You think they're okay?"

"There's no telling from this height. But right now I feel we have much bigger things to be worrying about."

"(Sigh) I guess you're right... The question is, where do we land..."

Kaidis began to scan the area for a suitable landing place before checking behind him to see if everyone else was still following...

Ancient looked at Bosch and Kaidis.
"That's a good question. Hm......."

"Unlike you Bosch," Phoenix replied evenly, "I'm actually taking into consideration Skydramon's exhaustion in his other forms." He continued, pausing for a moment as a wave rose up underneath his feet then settled. As he looked back towards them, he noticed the small group of digimon but wasn't particularly interested in them; a Stingmon and an ExVeemon both were older bland programs.

"We land on the beach," Noxmon called forward, diping down and putting a bit more power into his movements, bringing himself closer to the head of the back; he had been bringing up the rear in order to better keep an eye out on everybody present, but it was difficult to talk from back there. "There's more than enough open space--"

Ancient hoped onto Wingman, with Josh and Aron still on, and flew onto the beach a few feet away from Starius.
"Hey...that wasn't so bad."

"YIPE!" yelled Simon as he thudded into the ground with rather too much force.
"AHAHAHA!" cackled Caster, landing besides him with wind cycling his frame madly. "Training's really done something for me-I can fly!"
"It should be 'we', though," returned Simon, cracking his back as he came to his feet. His perfectly indestructible glasses were as usual in excellent condition, so he sighed and called out to Suri, "Any pursuit?"

Bosch shook his head and brushed off Phoenix's comment. They flew over there friends but Bosch still made sure that he at elast gave them a wave. Xenos was the only one who had seen him and raised his hand in acknowledgment before they passed over them and finally found some open space on the beach to land. Upon landing, Bosch dismounted Kaidis and watched Hiroshi come in for a landing nearby. They then proceeded to wait for everyone else as they seemed to land one by one. Kaidis was immedietly on the lookout for trouble but all Bosch wanted was ppeace and quiet so that they could plan their next move...

Ancient looked at Bosch.
"So...how are we going to do this? We sticking with a brute force kind of assault?"

"Assuming our opponent is another brute," Chaos said suddenly, vaulting off of Noxmon's back and landing on the beach. "We've had to kill thus far because there was no middle ground. I'm convinced that there's a way to do this in a less violent manner..."
"Assuming our friends with the Virus want to cooperate," the wolf added darkly. "But you said you might even know the ShineGreymon... that means that we might not be dealing with wholly unreasonable individuals, some of them might have been forced into it..."

Ancient blinked.
"So we might be able to get these guys to give us the cose that they have? That would be something nice for a change...."

"Major might," Chaos rectified. "But there is, at least, some slim possibility."
Really, really slim, with our universal luck.

"Judging by how much stronger these guys seem to be than their level suggests, Baronmon might be a challenge" Phoenix said, walking up to Ancient and Chaos. "Before we get close to fighting this guy, Starius-- as I said earlier-- has contacts here. I'll bet they have maps of the region so we can plan an attack." Phoenix offered, With a whoosh from his wings, Starius landed on the white sand, "I just hope Umira decides not to kill us."

"Hey, Phoenix," Caster said, glancing over at the ninja. "I don't care who this Umira is, if she's here that means she's a water element. And that means," and she gave a wry chuckled as he tossed a bolt of lightning lightly between his hands. "I've got the advantage."
"And if she's a mega?" Simon said skeptically, looking down at his partner.
"Then I play it by ear," he said unflinchingly, grinning up at his Tamer.
Grumbling, Simon decided to ingore his battle-hungry partner and turned towards the others. "Is there really a need to pursue this thing?" he asked. "Also, Bosch," he said after a moment, realizing something suddenly. "I'd like to take a look at your virus later on-make sure it's okay and everything. Since Lesalius taught me some things I'm a lot better at it."

"Chaos is right. We can't be resorting to violence unless we know for certain that they're refusing to cooperate."
Bosch then listened to what Simon had to say and answered the question.
"I don't see why not but if I were you I would still be careful though. I don't want to be responsible for anyone getting badly hurt..."
"What will be will be. But you have to be brave and faith in those close to you."
Bosch nodded in agreement but was surprised at how quickly Kaidis had accepted Hiroshi all over again. He was now perched on Kaidis's head and the dragon didn't even flinch...

Ancient shrugged.
"If this guy, Baronmon, is willing to talk instead of fight, I'd be fine with that. I think we could all use a break for now...."

"If this Umira person is a Mega, we've got more than enough firepower," Chaos said flippantly. "I'm more worried about the Virus carriers than any personal feuds the ninja and his fluffy dragon might have out here."

Ancient gave a quick smile, but is dissapeared just as quick.
"Ture, the virus carriers are more of a threat then this Umira person. I'll agree that we do have the power to take on an Mega, but I don't think we'll be doing much of anything is we don't find a place to lie down...."

"I didn't say she'd kill you." Skydramon interrupted, "Besides...whatever she'll offer is probably free." He added, before motioning for them to follow as he headed towards the scarlet colored arches built into the top of the cliff.

Bosch had no idea where they were supposed to be going so he had no choice but to follow Phoenix and hope the ninja wasn't leading them into trouble. Not that he had much to worry about with Kaidis and Hisoshi by his side but taking their powers for granted was what got them into trouble in the first place...

Ancient shrugged and followed Bosch and Phoenix. If anything went wrong, he knew that their group had the numbers and the power to take it on.

Every time, though Simon to himself. Every time I'm with these people I end up fighting against some ridiculously powerful enemy. He reflected for a moment on that thought and then admitted to himself, of course, I'd probably have fought enemies that are far too powerful on my own. He grimaced. God hates me.
He shook his head and followed the others out. Caster, meanwhile, strode alongside of Kaidis and, looking up at the dragon, commented, "So. How's the virus?"

Ancient blinked and looked at Bosch. Simon had brought up a good point. The virus should be checked up on.
"Simon has a point. How are you feeling?"

Kaidis looked down at Caster and spoke in a voice that seemed fairly calm but malicious. Though this was obviously not directed towards Caster it would be enough to have anyone else begging to differ.
"I assume that the Virus is under control. I am certain that these feelings are my own and the way I have always been. I am not Monodramon or Strikedramon yet I am not the Virus or ZeedMilleniummon. I am what I am and I think the same applies to what has become of my Tamer. Doomdramon will pay but for I must defeat many powerful enemies to become strong enough to do so and then I'll-!"
"Come on Kaidis, don't you think a simple answer to the question would have done. Since when where you such a chatterbox anyway?"
"There was a lot to get off my chest."
"Okaaay..."
"Over there? What is that?"
Hiroshi had caught sight of something and may have took off to investigate it himself had bosch and company not already been heading in that direction...

Ancient nodded.
"Well, it's good to know that the virus is in check."
The Foxtaur looked at Starius.
"So...how long do you think it should take us to get to this place?"

Starius blinked, and pointed ahead of him to the growing oriental-styled archway stretching across a pathway of slate stepping stones. "Five years." Skydramon answered flatly, stepping onto the sun-warmed slate, before passing through the arch. Phoenix frowned at the back of the dragon's head. Gradually the rock transitioned into a short wooden bridge, existing more for structural support than anything else. "You're not from here," One of the tall Divermon sentry's called out. A twin pair of thunks against the bridge notified them of weapons being brought to bear; harpoon guns to be more specific.
"Gogyou, Akane." Starius greeted, "Quit the theatrics, we're not in the mood to participate."
"Its a monthly drill--"
A sphere of crackling blue-silver energy flared into Skydramon's palm, answering them.
"Lie I said, we're not interested."
The pair of Divermon stepped aside as Skydramon flexed his wrist, diffusing the lethal blade of Soul energy before entering the entrance-tower. Mizutou was a strangely built town, carved deep into the side of the cliffs and fanned out on enormous platforms to create a terraced affect. Many human architects would have been enthralled by the intricacy involved in its layout. The Divermon stepped inside the tower to allow the rest of the group through, gesturing for them to follow the white-stone staircase to the main level.

Ancient watched Phoenix and Starius go up the stairs before looking back at the group.
"Something doesn't feel right....you know what I'm saying Chaos?"

"Something hasn't felt right since I went out of my way to accompany you lot," Chaos said flatly, murmuring almost inaudibly, "Why am I still here...?"
"Curiosity," Noxmon hissed to her. "You're keeping an eye on this Infected boy for less-than-charitable reasons."
She looked to the ground, her skin burning, and decided not to honour his statement with a reply.
"Is this a new addition," Noxmon said suddenly, "or has it only been recently opened to the public? I've never heard of... oh, you haven't given us the name of this place. Pray tell where the hell are we?"

"Mizutou, its been around for sometime." Starius answered continuing down the stairs, stepping around a group of Geckomon heading the opposite direction, "And Ancient, you can stop with the paranoia." Skydramon added, "Mizutou's surprisingly secure; I used to work for its aerial defenses."

Bosch and Kaidis continued to follow on with Hiroshi perched on Bosch's shoulder. Kaidis however growled slightly at Chaos's comment.
"Don't you think that's a little unfair? If that's the way you feel no-one says you have to tag along!"
"Kaidis, cool it! These are my friends, show some respect."
"Hmph! When are you gonna learn stick up for yourself and not to be so soft?!"
"Kaidis!"
Kaidis took the hint and fell silent. Bosch shook his head slightly and glanced towards Chaos.
"Hehe... Shock tactic... Firm but calm. Gets him every time. I'm really sorry about that. I really shouldn't be making excuses but he just hasn't been himself ever since he Digivolved to Ultimate."

Chaos continued to look blankly at nothing in particular, lost in whatever thoughts she had. Noxmon looked over his shoulder to Kaidis.
"Don't mind her," he said. "It's her fault for getting involved, anyway." He swung his head around and butted her gently in the side, causing her to flinch and turn to glare at him. "You know that a Digimon who can't fight has no place wandering with a battle party."
She went rigid.
"What was that, wolf-boy?"
"Only your reason for... discomfort," he replied, careful about his hesitation with the final word. "And for not providing your own aid for most of our pleasant romp through the countryside."
"Right, of course... I'm sorry."
Her apology wasn't directed at anybody; hopefully, both Noxmon and Bosch would assume it was meant for them.

Ancient sighed.
"People, let's forget how we got into this situation. We in it...and we have to make sure this thing is taken care of. That's all that matters right now."
Josh blinked.
"Wow...since when did you become a wise-man?"
"Ha ha...very funny...."
"No...I'm serious...where did that come from?"
Ancient remained silent and kept walking..

Forget about how we got into this situation. Chaos had to chuckle softly to herself at the statement. Nobody else was really "in this situation"; in reality, if everyone except Bosch decided to turn around and go home, it would make no difference to any of them. They all had their own problems to deal with; Simon was fueding with a syndicate of some sort, Ancient apparently had something going on in his homeworld, the ninja had to live with himself, and she--
Really had better things to be doing than playing petty politics and hanging out with this group. Things she personally had to take care of.
Still...
"Ninja," she said suddenly, "why exactly are we here?"

Phoenix blinked, "You must not be very attentive," he said sighing. The door opened to the main level of Mizutou, revealing a myriad of small shops ad bustling digimon, mostly native to the surrounding area. "Mizutou offers extremely good healing services, needless to say other accomodations. And like Starius said: its much safer than the temple."

Since when is anything safer than the Temple? Noxmon intoned. Chaos hung her head and sighed. She couldn't respond, but he was probably thinking the exact same thing she was; the furball had been a member of the aerial defenses. He was more than a little biased.
"Sorry I think sometimes," Chaos said cooly. "Show us the way to these fanstastic ameneties, then."

"Alright," Simon said slowly, having stayed silent due to the irritation with the whole group and also due to the fact that it was getting increasingly difficult to stay silent about Chaos' digivice. "I trust you about as far as Chaos can throw you."
"That was kinda mean," Caster said, arching his eyebrows towards Simon.
"What? I can throw most people pretty far. Chaos is strong, but I doubt she can throw people as far as I can."

"I have little doubt about that," she murmured.

Ancient looked back at Simon and Chaos.
"Can we argue about this whole thing AFTER we get where we're going? Besides...fighting never truely solves anything; however, if it's the only road you can take then...well.........whatever. Let's just get to this healing place already...plus I think we all would like to lie down."

Bosch scanned the area. He had no memory of ever coming to this place before but little did he know that Kaidis had spotted an intersting looking Digimon and had goofed off after it behind his Tamers back. Bosch then raised an eyebrow and glanced towards the rest of the group.
"Okay... How about we all at least pretend to get along so we can think things through. I know it's not easy but it would make life that little bit more bareable if we weren't at each others throats every two seconds."
Hiroshi shook his head slightly.
"And you told Kaidis off for that..."
"It's not the same. I'm just trying to be firm but Kaidis was getting angry about it. Speaking of which, where is Kaidis...?"
Bosch glanced to the left slightly and scoffed at the sight before him. A Shaujinmon was telling Kaidis a long and boring story about Bay of Silence folklore yet all Kaidis did was watch him with a look of genuine interest. This was a Digimon that Bosch had never seen before. It looked like the result of crossing a reptile with a duck and an oriental priest of some shape or form. It seemed friendly enough but Bosch didn't want to take any chances and approached.
"Kaidis, we have to go. Ehe... Sorry about that sir."
"Oh it's quite alright! In fact, your draconic friend here has been the only one who has payed attention to the whole story! As a token of my Apreciation. I present you with this."
With that, he handed Kaidis a precious looking stone. Kaidis casually passed it to Bosch who studied it for a moment before tilting his head.
"Right... Thanks a lot sir. We better be going now. Later!"
"Do come again. There's plenty more stories where that came from!"
Bosch and Kaidis left to rejoin the others. Once they had done this Bosch looked down at the stone and then to everyone else.
"Hehe... Don't ask..."
"Actually, what he was telling me was actually most interesting. It was a story of 'Mutant Tamers' who are said to dwell in the caves of the many cliffes of these parts. Perhaps he means those who have suffered as similar fate as Bosch here..."
Bosch's ears seemed to prick up as he quickly lifted his head to face Kaidis...

"What's the stone?" the wolf asked suddenly.
"Mutant Tamers?" Chaos chimed in immediately. "What all did he say?"