Digimon Inheritance: A Heroic Lion's Turbulent Times

[] ??? You remember... something. Something that could help.

===

All this talk of metal and smithing pings your memory, bring you back to what occured months prior after Vortex Isle's forces ambushed your Locomon. During one of the nights whilst digging a hole for the others to rest you'd come across a hard type of rocky material. One that had managed to dull your claws. In the end you'd only been able to break off a small piece of it after several minutes striking.

Sparks had sent it off to be analyzed and you hadn't heard news of it since.

However… something about the substance rings familiar in your mind.

It might be nothing, however with the prices he's suggesting, mentioning what you found surely can't hurt.

Grottemon taps his foot impatiently as you describe the ore and nods as you finish up.

"Sounds like low purity Digizoid ore to me scrub, good ole chunk of the stuff too."

"Digizoid ore?"

"Don't think I'll explain that to you slag. Just know if you get it here, I'll trade labor for raw materials. Got it?"

"I… think so."

"Then we're done here slag. I've got projects to finish see? Can't go about wasting any more time with you." The Legendary Warrior doesn't say goodbye, or wait for you to respond, he just turns around and walks back towards his workshop.

His receptionist winces at that and clears her throat to get your attention.

"Sorry about that Gryzmon. Mister Grottemon isn't very good with other digimon." She explains before straightening up into a proud smile. "That's why he hired me!" You have to resist a strange urge to hug the tiny champion. "I know! I can answer your question if you want. "

That fluffy mane looks… comfortable. No Verge! Yours is superior. Correct. I would be unable to feel that due to my size… Focus.

"I would like that."

"Right… so… you know how some digimon have Chrome Digizoid equipment as part of their form right? Like Knightmon."

"I do."

"Well sometimes when they get deleted, their weapons or armor get trapped underground. It sits around for a bit and fuses with the rocks, and dirt and native ore veins and… sometimes plants I think. It's not nearly as hard as Huanglong ore so Grottemon says it's easier to work with."

That's interesting… and it certainly explains why some trees are unnaturally strong. Hmm, can plant-life intake the data of any digimon? Can their effects be-Focus.

"I see. You have my thanks for the explanation..."

"Meicoomon. I'm a Meicoomon!" The champion exclaims, throwing her arms up into the air again. "Don't mistake me for one of those Tailmon."

"Ah. My thanks Meicoomon. Do not be worried, I shall not."

"No problem Gryzmon. Make sure to come again!" You give one last wave to the purring mon, then slide back down and exit.

Hmm. Next up… supper.

=One meal and 150 Bits later:

You return to the squad's assigned Barracks with a full belly and a spring in your stride. Both Beat and Sparks prove to already be present, though in very different states. The darkened JewelBeemon is exhausted but fairly happy, getting up to give you a nod before he collapses back into his bunk. If he's this tired, then the *Knights* must have really put him through his paces.

Meanwhile, your closest friend on the other paw, is in a dark mood. The FlameWizardmon just quietly mutters in his bed, glaring daggers at the wall. It takes calling his name thrice for him to even notice that you're there.

"Don't wanna talk about it Verge." The sorcerer mutters, still glowering a hole into the wall. "I'll get that friggen' rat back if it's the last thing I do."

If he refuses to open up then… mayhaps a change of subject is in order.

Instead of asking about his training, you expound about what happened with Grottemon and Meicoomon, then ask about the sample he had *checked*. This manages to break your friend from his slump as he finally turns away from the wall.

"Yeah. Got a response about it a while back, followed up on it too. Scans said it was valuable, but gettin' to the point of excavatin' it has been a spirits be cursed pain" He explains, sitting up and rolling his shoulders. "Lot's of friggen' *red tape* to get through for a claim and no mon wants to excavate somethin' that far out without a guaranteed buyer. Tch, pansies."

*Blink*

"I do not understand, why would you have to move through red tape? And why would red tape be difficult to move through? Unless it happens to be made of a material with high tensile strength that is."

"... so this is how Drunky felt. Hehe, heh." Sparks gives a low suffering chuckle before collapsing back onto his bed. You put his comment aside for now and suggest that Grottemon might count as a *guaranteed buyer* "Hrm. Sure, I'll check that stuff out... tomorrow." The wizard yawns closing his eyes. Moments later the armor digimon begins to snore, effectively ending your conversation.

With Sparks asleep and Beat soon to follow, you elect to join them in an early turn-in. More sleep has never exactly been a bad thing.

=



Pit still hasn't returned by the time morning swings around, which is worrying. However at the moment there's little you can do. Your holy friend's training is *classified* which seems to mean anymon under a certain rank won't be allowed to know. With him and Angewomon gone, Beat is technically the highest ranking member of your squad, but he's just an Elite Bellator. Which doesn't seem to mean much.

Your two friends head off shortly after breakfast, leaving you with nothing to do but wait for the assigned tutor. Which is perfectly fine with you really, it's time you can use for meditation and kata-training.

It's two minutes into your forms that you feel a familiar energy closing in. His presence tickles at the edge of your senses at first, but grows wider with every passing second. Moments later your nose picks up his scent.

Old scales, smoke, faint perfume.

The ground begins to tremble with every plodding step and your eyes snap open to see a MasterTyrannomon, his maw open and teeth bared.

You return the familiar grin with one of your own, clasp both paws together, then bow in genuine respect.

So this is whom HolyAngemon meant.

"Zehaha. Welcome master." An avalanche of noise greets you as the dinosaur's enormous frame returns your laugh.

"Rororororo, up and training already. Good diligence there. Wish I could have made you my proper student earlier." The mountainous mayor comes to a stop moments later, towering over you… though not to the same degree as before. It's not that he's gotten smaller either, rather it's you who's grown.

"When do we start master?"

"Depends." The Ultimate rumbles with a shrug, before lowering himself to the ground.

Depends? What does he meant by that?... Dust, chilled sweets. He didn't arrive alone.

"Hello there sweetie." A familiar caretaker says, stepping out from behind your master.

"Frigimon! Ma'am!" You straighten up in surprise as the snowy champion closes in and nearly salute the wommon. She uses that indecision to close in and give you a hug. A moment passes in pure shock before you gingerly return the gesture, being extra careful not to crush her. The feeling of being close like this is… nice. Something you've missed.

"Mrm. Fluffy."

You're darn right.

The chilling, but pleasant embraces lasts a full thirty seconds before Frigimon pulls away.

"Why?…"

"I came here to visit my favorite little Witchmon." The matron responds, correctly guessing you question. "Ardat's trying to sound strong in her letters but I know she's having a tough time. Don't worry about the halfway house either, I left little Fu in charge."

Fu!

"How… how has she been doing."

"You don't have to worry about her at all dearie, your little ghost friend is doing great now. Fu overcame her depression just fine and is really making something of herself. I couldn't be more proud." The caretaker's words bring you relief at first, then worry as her middle sentence hits home.

"She… was depressed?"

"Mhrm. Sometimes when Bakemon get older they remember just how much they've lost. Fu got like that for a little but, but please. Don't worry your big heart about it Verge, she's doing better now. Watching the little ones helped her through." Frigimon pauses for a moment as if unsure whether to continue, then throws a glance towards MasterTyrannomon. "The Mayor even convinced her to take up training in Gorimon's gym."

"That's… good." You say, prompting the caretaker to shrug.

"Maybe, but listen here sweetie. I've received special permission to spend the day with little Ardat. Would you like to come along?"

"I…" You trail off into a frown, not exactly sure how to answer. Now that the choice is here, you find yourself dreading the next meeting with her. Considering what happened last time the two of you interacted for a longer period of time and the contents of her last letter…

Should… should I even go see her? I know she wanted me to visit but… will I only bring her pain? What should I… hmm…

"Sweetie? You okay? Do you need something to drink?"

"No, I… am fine." You reply with a very nervous swallow. "I… shall visit her this evening."

"Roho! You heard the mon. He's mine for the day." The Mayor rumbles, returning to his feet.

"But I get him in the evening." Frigimon retorts, firmly planting both mitts on her hips and staring the Ultimate down. You give the uncomfortable scene a few seconds to finish, before padding out next to your tutor.

"Thank you Frigimon I'll… see you this evening." You murmur before looking up at the titanic dinosaur. "Training… uh. What are your plans for it master?"

"Eager are you? Roro. Hrm… reports said you've developed into a competent warrior. But you're still young. Got a lot left to learn. And you haven't hit your limits either." MasterTyrannomon pauses for a moment to look up at the sky, then nods to himself. "I see two training paths for you, student."

=First Week Of Training: (Choose One)

[] The two of you will focus on martial skill and learning new techniques.

[] The two of you will focus on general fighting prowess direct physical training.

=Free time during the next week. (Choose One)

[] Look for a magic Tutor, you've nearly exhausted your current list of spells.

[] Spend it socializing.

[] Spend it working out independently

[] Look for a hobby of some sort. (???)

=== *MayorTyrannomon's* Stats:

Strength: 15,000
Fortitude: 12,000
Endurance: 13,000
Agility: 10,000
Special: 10,900
Energy: 11,900

===Authors Note: Woot! Second update for the day! I'm glad I could manage this as it was really fun to do.