[Server] Digital Dining

[Super Buu]

The two companions had been walking on the beach for a while, in almost complete silence. The only sound was of the tide, slowly sweeping sands back and forth. Though Greg did not know where his accomplice was leading him, but felt so overwhelmed by the turn of events that he followed unquestioningly. He was busy taking in the surroundings. The tropical trees that were dotted about were like palms, but far higher, supported by thin little stalks. It seemed to defy all logic. Further out he could see mountains and forests. The man felt an overwhelming urge to explore, but first ...

"We've been walking for ages ... don't you get tired?"

Ryuudamon stopped, turning round. "You're going to be more of a burden than I thought. Alright, we can stop for a bit."

The teenager collapsed onto the soft sand, finding it quite comfortable after walking so long. His Digimon simply dropped into a low crouch, his deep green eyes looking out to sea.

"Hey, Ryuudamon."

"Yes?"

"Do Digimon eat?"

"Yes."

"So, you've got food?"

The dragon-monster paused as he thought to himself. "No, but if you like I can go kill something."

Greg shook his head. "I'm a vegetarian."

"Why? You need meat to keep yourself strong."

The teenager shrugged. "I would have agreed with you a few years ago. I didn't think killing things was right, exactly, but that it was necessary. But my brother showed me it was possible to be perfectly healthy without eating meat. So I couldn't keep on fooling myself after that. I thought it would be difficult, but I hardly had to go out of my way."

Ryuudamon gave a low, uninterpretable growl. "I don't suppose I can change your mind." There was a short silence, then the Digimon spoke again. "I know a diner up ahead. Not exactly the best place, but they serve vegetarian food. We can stock up there."

[Super Buu]

"Also," said Ryuudamon in a low growl, "try not to do anything else like back there."

"What do you mean?" asked Greg, a little confused.

"You know," rumbled the Digimon. "Human stuff. Self-righteous bullcrap. Don't draw attention to yourself."

"Oh."

"It's just that ... this part of Server isn't the friendliest. You should be alright, but if anyone asks; you're just here as a mistake, temporarily."

"I am, aren't?" Greg narrowed his eyes. "I certainly didn't intend to get sucked into a Digital World."

"Yeah ... right," grunted Ryuudamon noncommitally.

[Super Buu]

"Wake up, newbie. We're here."

Greg had been lost deep in thought, following his friend like a zombie. It came as a shock, therefore, that they'd arrived. Looking up, he saw what must have been the diner. It looked like a house on the beach, with tiny, ornate windows adorning its whitewashed surface.

"Are all humans as slow as you?"

"No - I mean, shut it!"

Ryuudamon grinned - an unusual sight - and went through the door into the diner. Digesting the fact that his friend could in fact smile, Greg followed through and found himself in an atmosphere that belied the diner's outside appearance. It seemed to be a grotty pub. The ceiling was blackened by smoke, and the wooden stools were occupied by strange-looking digimon, casting suspicious looks at the newcomers.

Feeling awkward in this environment, the teenager stopped in the doorway. Ryuudamon, who had already walked up to the bar, looked back and frowned.

"Stop acting so suspicious," growled the dragonlike monster, watching his human cargo with one eye, the rest of the pub with the other.

Greg walked casually up to the counter after his partner, trying to be inconspicuous. Though his efforts yield results, as such, he did pretty well considering he was the probably the only human these digimon had ever seen. Without warning, teenager's musings were interrupted by a loud, bass-like voice.

"'Ey, Kyokyomon ... is that ... you?"

What looked like a giant, cracked egg was standing behind the counter, eyes peering through the cracks at Ryuudamon, seemingly in surprise.

"Hey, Digitamamon, you like the new look?" the dragon smirked.

The egg-like monster boomed in laughter. "We-he-hell! Congrats man, you finally got to Rookie! I'd offer ya a drink, but as you can see I ain't got no hands!" He turned and called out through a door. "Hey, Palmon, look who it is!"

A plant-like monster emerged from the door, wearing an apron. "Well golly, if it ain't little Kyokyomon!" She draped her long, purple fingers on the dragon's shoulder flirtatiously. "Ain't you gotten big?" then, nodding her head at Greg, "who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Greg," said Ryuudamon, as the human nodded. "He got dumped out here a few days ago, I'm being paid to babysit him until he can get back to the non-digital world."

"Ah see," said Palmon, clearly not seeing at all. "Well, what'll it be then shug?"

As Ryuudamon ordered some food and drinks, his dark-haired companion cast a look around the tavern. He was getting a lot of looks, but other than that it seemed pretty friendly. Maybe he wasn't the only human in the digital world?

"Here ya go," said the armour-plated digimon, handing Greg a drink and nodding towards a table. "Let's go sit down."

They sat down on some stools by the window, putting their glasses down on the wooden table as Ryuudamon deposited a plate of food in front of the teenager. "Eat up."

For the first time since entering, Greg spoke up; "I didn't know there were so many different kinds of you digimon."

"Yeah," Ryuudamon raised a wry smirk. "See Digitamamon over there at the bar? You'd never guess it, but he's an Ultimate. He's about as much use as a broken egg in a fight, pretty damn good cook though."

"Wow," breathed the human, gazing across at the bartender and trying to discern what gave him away as an Ultimate.

As if he had read the teenager's thoughts, the dragon nodded at Greg's belt. "Check your Digivice if you don't believe me."

Unclipping the blue device from his belt dubiously, Greg pointed it towards Digitamamon as inconspicuously as he could. The words 'scanning' crossed its screen momentarily, before a miniature replica of the egg-creature appeared on the monitor, complete with details on attacks and level.

"Amazing!" breathed the human.

"Hey, what does it say about me?" asked the dragon curiously.

Pointing it towards Ryuudamon, Greg waited a second for it to verify. "It's got all your attacks here ... Iai Blade? You've got a sword?"

The dragon tapped his nose knowingly.

The teenager shuddered in glee. "That is so cool."

[Super Buu]

OOC: This post, and the next, take a lot of inspiration from Kill Bill

The jukebox whirled into life, switching to another song; "Woo hoo, woo oo oo!"

"Oh jeez, I hate this song," complained Ryuudamon, slapping a clawed hand across the red jewel on his forehead. "You gonna drink that?" he asked, his moroseful inspection of his own empty glass changing to a hungry look at Greg's half-full one.

The human shook his head, swallowing a mouthful of food.

As the duo sat, relaxed for the first time that day, the door opened, letting in a stream of light momentarily as two new figures entered. One looked like a greyish hare, the other green-skinned, with an orange mohawk. Ryuudamon put down his drink, and let one word escape his lips.

"Shit."

The teenager looked across at his partner. "What is it?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Quiet," ordered the dragon. "Leave that, keep your head down."

"Woo hoo, woo oo oo!"

A worried look crossed the boy's place as he put down the fork. Crouching under the table, he followed his digital companion, staying out of sight of the two figures who had just entered the tavern. Luckily both the smoky atmosphere and music gave cover to their movement and noise level.

"Ryuudamon!" whispered Greg. "What's going on?"

The Digimon held a finger to the lips of his partner, looking out, tensed up. "They're part of the Digital Underworld. They're after me."

"Why are-"

"-Sh!"

"Woo hoo, woo oo oo!"

Waiting for the right moment when no one was watching, Ryuudamon dashed across the floor, stopping behind an unoccupied table. The new entrees were at the bar now, talking to Digitamamon. The dragon looked back across at Greg, beckoning with his clawed hand. Blood pumping, the teenager made a dash-

Crash.

He'd collided with Palmon, who had been carrying a tray full of empty glasses.

"Oh look what you done!" she exclaimed, stepping away from the broken glass.

Ryuudamon was cursing, however - they'd been spotted. Regaining his composure, he stood up, addressing the two figures who were now approaching with sneers on their faces; "Gazimon ... and Goblinmon. Long time no see."

The song ended, taking on a new track (The Grand Duel ... you know, from O-Ren Ishii's flashback) as every digimon in the bar turned to the confrontation, silently watching.

"Well look who it is," squeaked the grey, hare-like figure. "We heard you'd been hangin' around wid some human scum. From the looks of it, it ain't too far from the truth."

"Huhuhu," the green-skinned one managed.

A look of distaste crossed the dragon's face before a dry, humourless smile overwrote it. "How are you ... gentlemen?"

[Super Buu]

OOC: More overt Kill Bill 'references'. And by that I mean I'm stealing from Kill Bill. What're ya gonna do Tarantino? Sue me? AHAHAHA! Yeah, I apologise for all the dialogue. That will be rectified soon.


"Huh," grunted Goblinmon, his mouth falling open as he scratched his mohawk.

"Smartass as always, Kyokyomon. Or should I say, Ryuudamon," sneered Gazimon.

Ignoring them, the dragonlike monster turned his head to Greg, who was standing to his side, at the ready; "Get out of here."

"No," said the teenager, resolutely. "Two versus two. I'm not going to let you fight on your own!"

"I mean it, Greg!" Ryuudamon shouted. "I don't need your help!"

"Don't be stupid," said the human. "You can't take on two other Rookies by yourself."

"Greg, you don't seem to understand," said the dragon monster, "these Digimon will kill you. We can't afford that. This is my fight!"

"But-"

"-You'll just get in the way!"

A pause, then; "fine. But if you get hurt, I'm coming in."

Ryuudamon smirked. "You won't need to."

"Hehe, all the better," leered Gazimon. "We'll take you down first, lizard boy, then we'll see about the outsider."

(Insert Crane White Lightning here)

The dragon's face turned into a frown. "You'll die first, Gazimon," he said, and with a sudden shing! a sword materialised in his hand.

Trying not to show his fear, the hare-like monster motioned to his accomplice, and the two stepped slowly around so that each of them stood on either side of Ryuudamon. The dragon moved suddenly, raising his blade up as the two aggressors jumped back. Watching them through the reflection on his sword, he waited for them to make the first move.

[Super Buu]

OOC: The ensuing fight is to be played with the 'clapping music' from the duel at the end of Kill Bill I'll stop with this music shit soon, I swear.


"Yeeeeaaarrrrghh!"

The grey hare-like digimon launched himself at the dragon, claws outstretched, aiming to cut and tear. Ryuudamon rolled out of the way, swiping the Iai Blade back without looking to see if it hit. He somehow knew without looking.

"You ... argh! My hand!"

From what Greg could see, Gazimon's hand had been cut clean off. He was holding it tightly in the claws of his intact hand, attempting to stem the flow of whatever it was that was seeping from the wound. It could only be described as some kind of code, the same kind that Greg had seen upon his entry into the Digital World. The crowd gasped, some of them turning away in shock.

"You hurt Gazimon!" grunted Goblinmon. It was one of the longest string of words he'd ever spoken. "Me kill you!"

"I'd like to see you try," said Ryuudamon calmly, pointing his sword towards the green-skinned halfwit.

Needing no further encouragement, Goblinmon ran towards the dragon, grabbing the end of the blade in his hands.

"Huh?" muttered the lizard, jerking the sword around with little effect. "Tough skin, I guess."

"Goblin Bomb!" shouted the monster, pulling out a bomb and lugging it towards Ryuudamon, who reacted quick as a flash;

"Helmet Return!"

The bomb bounced off the glowing surface of Ryuudamon's head, back towards its owner. Too slow to react, Goblinmon felt the full force of his own attack, being blasted backwards to the floor.

The armour-clad digimon cracked his shoulders, then turned back to Gazimon, who was still cradling his hand. "Gazimon ... I said I'd kill you first, didn't I?"

Emitting some kind of high-pitched scream, the hare ran at Ryuudamon, who swiftly made an upward diagonal slice. It cut up, tearing out strings of green coding before exiting through a shoulder. The divided digimon gave out one last, anguished cry as he began 'dissolving' from the cut. Eventually the last echoes of the scream came to an end, as his body disappeared completely. With that job completed, Ryuudamon turned to the goblin, who was getting to his feet.

"Goblinmon. You're not really a bad guy. You're just in with the wrong people. Walk away and nobody else has to die."

The orange-mohawked fighter stopped for a second, his eyes looking upwards in some kind of thought. Then he nodded, and started walking to the door.

"Thank you ..." said the armour-clad reptile.

Suddenly Greg shouted out; "Ryuudamon, behind you!"

Wham!

"Huhuhu ..." Goblinmon stood over his fallen opponent, an expression of dull glee upon his face. "Me call dat Goblin Strike!"

"Ryuudamon!" yelled out the human. "Are you alright?" He ran over, shaking the dragon by the shoulder. "Get up!"

"I said ... get back," the fallen monster managed to heave.

"Now you!" grunted the green-skinned monster to Greg. "Goblin Strike!"

[Super Buu]

To Greg, everything seemed to slow down for a second. The oncoming fist of Goblinmon moved through the air like a slug, as if he was punching through some thick, gloopy substance. Everything had slowed down.

Everything except Ryuudamon.

The dragon's eyes erupted in fire, teeth gritted, as he leapt upwards, roaring. His sword cut through the air like butter, removing the hand of the green-skinned monster as if it held no more resistance.

"Aaaargh!" Goblinmon staggered backwards, code flowing freely from the stump where his hand had been.

"Coward!" roared Ryuudamon. He climbed to his feet, and, fuelled by anger, lunged forward. His sword went through the stomach of the beast, and he waited for a second before twisting the blade. Outwards from his stomach, Goblinmon dissolved into code, and was no more.

But the dragon was not done. He stomped over to Greg, who thought for a second he was going to be killed too. Instead he received a dash to the face with the flat side of the blade. Just hard enough to send him sprawling.

[Super Buu]

"What-" started Greg.

"I told you not to get in my way!" roared Ryuudamon. "Why did you do it?"

"Because!" yelled the human, getting up angrily. "I give a damn about what happens to you!"

"Hmph," snorted the armour-clad digimon derisively, turning away. "I did just fine by myself. But now is not the time! We have to move."

They hurried through the crowd in the tavern, heading for the door. Grabbing the heavy iron handle and pulling on it, Ryuudamon took one step outside the door, onto the sand outside, and stopped. His sword clattered to the ground.

"Peekaboo!" a voice growled.

"No ..." moaned the dragon, letting his arms slump hopelessly. "It was all a setup ..."

Before them stood a small, smirking red-black digimon Greg recognised as Guilmon X, and another the boy had never seen before. It was like a huge, orange T-Rex, licked with blue stripes and wearing a giant, horned skull. The human whipped out his Digivice, scanning it.

"Greymon ..." breathed Greg.

"You took care of Gazimon and Goblinmon?" roared the dinosaur in a deep voice, smoke and flames escaping from his nostrils with every syllable. "That makes you a killer, Ryuudamon. Guilmon X here tells me he barely escaped with his life."

"You liar," growled the armour-clad digimon, turning to the smaller red dinosaur. "You wretched little snitch. I let you live."

With that, he lunged at Guilmon X, but was intercepted by the back of Greymon's clawed hand. The dragon went sprawling, hitting the wall of the tavern with a thud and sliding to the ground.

"Ryuudamon!" cried Greg, running over to his fallen companion. "Come on, man!"

"It's not even worth trying," muttered the dragon. "Greymon has killed countless other champions. If you move now, you might be able to escape."

"Don't be stupid!" exclaimed the teenager. "You fought off two digimon the same level as you. Give yourself some credit, don't give up now."

"That was different ... they were just stooges. Greymon is the boss's son."

"Are you ladies finished?" taunted the skull-wearing dinosaur. "I'm going to enjoy this."


OOC: Action! Drama! Adventure! And so on!
Update please 8)

[Burter Jr]

"Maybe I'll take of your human first," growled the huge orange dinosaur. "That will make your suffering even more enjoyable."

Ryuudamon growled back, moving in front of Greg. "No one messes with this human but me!"

"You've got a lot of guts, but no brain, Ryuudamon." Greymon said back.

Greg clung to his digivice. What was going on? Ryuudamon, despite all the talk about not wanting Greg around and hating humans...was protecting him. Did he care? Was Ryuudamon just putting up a barrier?

"Ryuudamon...thanks." Greg whispered.

"Just run," repeated his digimon.

"No!" Greg shouted at him. "I understand now! We're partners!" The digivice began to glow. The human pointed it out at his digimon. "And we're going to fight together!"

Ryuudamon digivolve to...














































































The armor of the dragon-like digimon coated over his body like a second skin, the red-gemmed helmet expanding over his growing neck and face. His now-clawed limbs caused him to plop on all fours as it grew to a height rivalling that of Greymon. Finally, his tail stretched out and was topped with a whip-like end.
























































































































































































































GINRYUUMON!

The new digimon was now huge. He was shorter then Greymon because he was on all fours, but if he stood on his hind legs he would be equal height.

"What the...?" Greymon asked no one in particular. "How?!"

"Enough talk," growled Greg's partner. "BATTLE ROD BREAK!"

[Super Buu]

Greg looked across at his companion, mouth agape in sheer awe. His massive frame now stood on all fours, propped up by tri-taloned feet. His tail lashed viciously, whipping through the air with enough power to break a horse's back. And his whole body was coated, armoured in hardened black plates.

"Enough talk," growled the dragon, the jewel on his head glowing. "BATTLE ROD BREAK!"

The digimon's head came down like a battering ram, his body straightening as he launched himself forward. The newly-digivolved champion smashed into the belly of Greymon, forcing him backwards into a tree.

"You ... little ..." gasped the skull-clad dinosaur.

"What?" demanded the new being, Ginryuumon. "Got something to say?"

"You're nothin' ..." said Greymon, standing up and regaining some of his previous swagger. "Just some rookie that got lucky and digivolved before a fight. You can't beat me! You know who's son I am!"

"Don't listen to him!" yelled Greg, who was standing at the sidelines, knowing that he couldn't compete with such powerful monsters. "He's all talk and no substance!"

"I'll show you!" ranted the dinosaur, turning his anger to the human. "Nova Blas-"

"No you don't!" roared Ginryuumon. He leapt gracefully into the attack's trajectory, his side acting as a wall between his partner and the attack. It hit, burning into the dragon's armour, then erupted into searing white light. Though he was resilient, the explosion was enough to throw the gargantuan monster into the air. He hit the ground and rolled a few times before managing to stop. He grimaced, the jewel on his head sparking with anger. Rolling up, he retorted with an attack of his own; "Armour Piercing Blade!"

What looked like a katana shot from the monster's mouth with unparalelled speed, hitting the skull helmet of his adversary. Though the projectile bounced off, the force was enough to topple Greymon backwards.

"You'll ... pay for that ..." grunted the dinosaur as he kicked his legs, attempting to get back up.

Ginryuumon reached across the ground, picking up his sword. As it touched his claws, it grew, reaching a more appropriate size for the champion. He then walked across to his floored opponent, face cold and indifferent.

"Like Greg said ... empty words."

With that, he plunged the katana straight through the skull of Greymon, with a grinding screech. The orange monster gave a moan as his body dissolved into green code, which was siphoned off into the wind, disappearing into the sky. The tyrant was no more.

It was done.

[Super Buu]

"You did it!" exclaimed Greg happily, crossing the ground over to his armoured partner. Then, noticing his friend was oddly downcast, his voice took on a worried tone; "What's wrong? We won, didn't we?"

The dragon arched his long neck around so that his narrowed eyes were looking at the human. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a tentative voice came from behind.

"Y-you ..."

The duo turned to see Digitamamon, the owner, trembling with what could have been fear, rage, or a mixture of the two. "Get out of here! Don't come back, ever!"

The rest of the crowd were stepping outside, the knowledge of what had happened spreading through them like a wildfire. They glared at the two as if they were demons, come to curse them. Palmon stood with her face in her hands.

Greg went to make an angry remark, but his companion nudged him and shook his head.

"It's best we leave now. Get on my back."

The black-haired teenager nodded grimly and, with some difficulty, got onto the dragon's back. Without another moment's delay they were off, the clawed limbs of Ginryuumon carrying them along surprisingly fast. Greg was still confused, however.

"Why are we running?" he asked.

"I killed the boss's son," rumbled the armoured dragon. "Once he hears about this, every Digimon in Server is going to be after my head. We're getting out of here."

"Where to?"

"We were on the way to File Island, but Directory is closer. It's not ideal, but they won't think to look for us there. We should be safe there, as long as the natives don't kill us."

"The natives?" asked Greg, his voice giving off a hint of panic.

"Yeah. Some nasty Digimon live there," said Ginryuumon nonchalantly.

"But as long as we stick together, we should be fine, right?" asked the teenager, his voice breaking slightly.

The dragon smiled. "Yes," he said. "As long as we stick together."


OOC: GONG 2 DERCTORY111

[Super Buu]

It had been only than a minute since the fight, but the teenager's impromptu mount seemed to be slowing down already. Greg looked up from reading the digivice data on this new creature to suddenly realise that the dragon was walking, dragging his legs through the sand.

"Ginryuumon, you alright?" he asked, looking down with concern.

"I ..." panted the armour-clad digimon, gritting his sharpened teeth. "I can't sustain this form much longer."

Hoisting himself up, Greg slid off the side of the dragon, jogging round to the front. "What's going on?"

Immediately the Digimon dissolved into white light, shrinking and solidifying at his Rookie form. He lay on the white sand, spreadeagled on his front.

"You reverted ... What happened?" asked the black-haired teenager, his hand on Ryuudamon's shoulder.

"Being in champion ... drained my energy," the dragon managed to splutter. "I can't stay in it forever, like Greymon."

Greg frowned - this complicated their already dangerous situation.

The fallen monster grimaced, gripping handfuls of sand between his claws. "Let's keep going," he said, wincing as he got to his feet. Gasping a few breathfuls of air, he took a few shaky steps forward.

"Maybe you should get some rest," said Greg, grabbing his companion's arm to support him.

"I'm fine," snarled Ryuudamon, shaking off the human's help. He didn't need it - or so he thought. Grimacing, he started walking. "We've got some time to stop and get some supplies before we head into Directory. I'll get you a bag, a map and some food. Then, we're leaving Server behind for good."