Digimon Inheritance: A Heroic Lion's Turbulent Times (Finished)

Finally on the eighth day of travel, the Locomon comes to screeching halt at its destination. You waste no time in exiting the festering compartment and subjecting yourself to blessed fresh air. One of the side benefits about slide evolution is that the shift actively removes the grime that had built up on your fur. How exactly you're not sure, but it's a welcome feature nonetheless.

The town itself looks to be built directly around the Locomon stations, with a number of stores clearly in sight when you make your exit. Its buildings are... new, relatively at least. Unlike Electown's well worn wood and metal, these boxy, freshly painted constructs still carry the scent of forest and physically bear only minuscule amounts of weathering from the wind and rain. However, the most surprising part is the lack of walls.

Every town you'd visited thus far, including the beginning villages had boasted at least some sort of outer protection. But this place, (which you can't find an actual name for) a frontier town in the savage wilds lacks even a hint of barrier construction. Though, judging by the fact that its surrounding terrain boasts nothing but dusty yellow ground and short, thick grass, the towns inhabitants don't exactly have enough material for any sort of wall. They'd have had to ship in the material for their buildings via Locomon and obtaining the quantity of wood needed for larger projects probably isn't cheap.

However after spending a couple minutes looking around, you find another two potential explanations for the lack of barriers. The first being a heavy presence of Bulwark soldiers, as you spot a good half-dozen patrols consisting of a Tankmon, and six Commandramon within the first few moment. Any champion attacking would be quickly met with overwhelming firepower. The other explanation is a lack of rookies (Commandramon aside that is) normally you'd see over a dozen rookies flitting around doing odd jobs in a town like this, but those are distinctly missing here. Seeing how in a large part the walls are meant to protect the town's weakest mon, a lack of fragile non-combatants could go a long way in explaining things.

Moments after finishing your observations, Sparks practically drags you towards the resident Blessed Host trading post. After the uncharacteristically excited Wizardmon flies in, you poke your head through the doorway to watch the proceedings. You've never seen an armor digivolution before, so your curiosity is piqued.

"Clerk! You possess something of mine." The crippled digimon states, confidently striding up to the front desk.

"Eh?" The slouching Pidmon tilts his head at the sudden declaration. "Wait, wait, wait. First off, who in God's name are you? And what the heck are talking about?"

"Tch, 'tis not important!" He growls, pointing his staff at the angels chest. "Render it unto me with all haste lest I become displeased." The Pidmon stiffens at that, his mouth forming a firm frown.

... I do not think this is going as intended.

"Foolish." His left hand sweeps out with surprising speed, battering the focus out of the way while his other arm pulls back for a punch. "Us clerks aren't pushovers to be robbed you know!" You're caught between shouldering inside regardless of the damage and working on the concentration needed to slide down.

Spirits below!

Sparks however, steps back out of range and yanks his staff back towards the angel-before lowering it again. The Pidmon yanks his staff up into a guard and makes ready to attack, but you quickly stop that from happening.

"Halt!" The entire well-stocked room shakes under your voice, nineteen different items from the adjacent aisles falling to the floor with one drinking glass unfortunately breaking upon impact. "We are warriors of the Host. My friend is not here to *rob* you. He is here to pick up a package." With that you glare at the magic-using champion. "If he had properly answered your request, this would not have occurred."

"Heh. Yeah." Sparks coughs into his arm, decidedly not looking towards you. "Mine rank is Initiate of the Blessed Host and thine ledger should have a package for one *Sparks The Wizardmon*"

"Right..." The angel lowers his rod (though pointedly does not let it go) and moves to search through the papers on his desk. Eight point six-five seconds later he nods shallowly. "Yes sirs I have the relevant information. But before turning anything over proper identification is required."

"Tch, pointless." Sparks grumbles, but nonetheless leans his staff against his leg and fumbles through his satchel. After a few seconds he pulls out his Host identification and hands it over to the angel. The low-ranking angel looks it over for a few seconds, nods then gives it back.

"You are who you say you are." With that he reaches down under the desk and yanks free a large square parcel. "Take it."

"Thanks. Prick."

"What was that you little punk?" You can't see behind his helmet, but there's no doubt in your mind that he's glaring at Sparks.

"Prick!" You wince at that.

Spirits above. Why did it have to be like this?

"Verge, lend thy teeth."

Wha-

That's all the warning you get before he slams the box down onto one of your protruding lower fangs, ripping the packaging and freeing the item trapped inside.


The change of atmosphere is instantaneous. You feel the egg-like items steadily thrumming and pleasantly warm.

"Yes! Hehehe. 'tis time. I shalt gain this power and venture one step closer to our vengeance!" Sparks cackles in triumph then, slams the digimental into his chest. You ready yourself for the bright light of evolution... and keep waiting. Sparks slowly looks down towards his chest, where the evolution aid is embedded blade-first. "Ergh."

That looks... painful.

"Hahahaha! Doesn't look like it's working *Prick*" The Pidmon pounds his counter with an open hand laughing all the while.

"It does not seem to be working."

"Yeah... noticed. That." Sparks bites out, before pulling the digimental free."Erk. Stupid thing!"

Something on the floor catches your eye, a small note that had been lost amongst the brown packaging.

Article:

You must find courage.

"Is the stupid friggen' thing a dud?!" Sparks growls, raising it above his head to throw. His arm stays there for a second shaking, then lowers. "No. Can feel its power."

"Indeed. But why can't you use it?"

"Well, well. What a common sight." A voice sounds from your left ear.

Hmm? When did he get there?!


"A common misunderstanding really. Digimentals are not a treasure simply any digimon can obtain and activate. If so, this flawed world would be filled with far more of their ilk." The long-eared digimon casually walks forward, long ears folded over his chest almost like crossed arms. You tense at the newly entered digimon's words

A rookie? But... there weren't any outside. Where did he come from?!... and he doesn't sound like a rookie.

"And I suppose thine mind is more educated on the subject pipsqueak?" Sparks growls, tucking the digimental into his satchel.

"Why, yes. I am but a simple mon whom has made a sort of... hobby studying rare things. In this case, since my friend happens to be bonded to one." The horned rookie, replies, giving your friend a little nod. "But before further enlightening your mind on the subject..." He turns to the Pidmon, who's standing noticeable stiffer. "My good clerk, has the shipment of candy arrived yet?"

"Y-yes." The angels nods. "Far aisle on the left."

"Ah, how fortunate. I was scheduled to leave this night." The rookie pivots around and hops to where a large sack has been set down. With surprising dexterity, he uses his ears to lift the bag, then uses his smaller arms to untie the string holding it shut. You watch intently, as he scoops out a single round, nearly crystalline piece of *candy* from the bag and pops it into his mouth with a *crunch*. "Mmm, now this is truly scrumptious!"

Something about this... it's wrong.

"Tch, you mentioned information regarding digimental, did thee not?"

"Verily my mouthy, one armed acquaintance." Sparks's glare redoubles, but all that seems to do is amuse the *rookie* more. "This much information is common, but not all species of digimon have coding that is compatible with every digimental."

"Aye. 'Twas that it?"

"Patience. What most do not understand is that personality is also a factor in the aptitude. In order to activate a digimental the recipient must properly attune themselves to it. Or in other words, a digimon must truly be in touch with their interpretation of the energy." With that he pops another candy into his mouth.

Really? That... would make it more difficult for just any digimon to bond with one... but the Holsmon we retrieved the digimental of love from was a torturer. How would it have fused with a digimental of love?

Sparks opens his mouth to ask a question, but Terriermon beats him to the punch.

"Now forgive me, I must take my leave of this place. Bellator Verge, if you'd be so kind as to back up a few steps?"

There's no disagreeing with the other digimon's words. By the time you realize what's happening, the rookie is already skipping past into the world outside.

"Blegh, attune mineself to courage?" Sparks grumbles, clutching at his wound. "What kind of bloody advice is that!?"

"Perhaps... it may work? There may be no harm in trying."

"Fine. Now heal this friggen' wound!"

Oh, right! He's hurt!

"Sorry!"

"Hey!" The Pidmon shouts, "One of you has to pay for that cup!"

=== The squad has roughly an hour of time to kill before the hunter from Bulwark arrives. In the meantime You: (Choose One)

[] Go to a restaurant. There's a place selling *Burgers* that smells great!

[] Look for a bookstore. Perhaps you can pick up something for Ardat, or even find some more healing spells.

[] See if you can find a place that sells useful items like healing disks.

[] Write in. (Has to be something within reason)

Host squads spread out, but it's going to be a little while until the hunter arrives. So they can browse the town.

===Authors Note: Rip 50 bits for that broken glass. Don't worry. Sparks will pay Verge back.