03 - video;

[darkened]

[The video starts with a very shaky shot of one of the buildings in San Fransisco. There are sounds of growling and shouting in the background before the camera pans to an XV-mon and a Gabumon glaring, stomping, and shaking their fists at each other.]

Oh, calm down, fuzzball! I was just telling it like it is.

You liar! I'm not a fake Digimon. I'm real, and you can't take my partner away from me! I'll battle you to the death if I have to!

[Said Gabumon leaps at the XV-mon's chest, only for her to swat him away with a chuckle. The image then turns to a very exasperated looking Replica, who rubs at his temple before speaking.]

Ugh, now I'm starting to know how Real Thing felt. Has anyone else had problems with their SCOPE partners? XV-mon's kept having to beat him back for hours, and he still keeps getting back up. It's like looking into some kind of fun house mirror, and I don't know how to get him to relax.

[There's the sound of a scream, followed by a WHAM. Seems the fighting's picked up a little bit, much to the Replica's chagrin.]

...And while we're at it, has anyone made it to HospiTown yet? I'm fine with scoping out these new islands, but I'd like to at least see where this new town is before I get too carried away.

Comments

[heartdive]

[ yeah well the fighting is about to stop. Ryu is 100% done with these kids. he grabs Gabumon by the horn and yanks him down. And XV? girl, you are getting one hell of a glare by the tiny!dragon. ]

That's enough out of both of you. A digimon is a digimon, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. You should know better, XV-mon. I expected better.

[ the dragon grumps, releasing the Gabumon, but fixing the fuzzball with a glare. ] We are meant to all work together.

[ Sora and Vixie? they are eating food. watching and enjoying the day. but at this Sora gets up and meanders over. ]

And no one is taking anyone away. I mean Ryu here is a SCOPE, but he is the first partner I had. Vixie didn't come along until much later. You don't see them holding grudges against each other...

[ now it's Sora's turn to look at XV-mon... ] And you shouldn't pick on him.

[darkened]

Let go!

[Gabumon swats his paws at Ryudamon, trying to wriggle loose. Curse you, you obnoxious dragon! He was right on the cusp of victory.

XV-mon, in the mean time, just huffs and folds her arms. When Ryu sets Gabumon down, he snarls and charges right back at her. XV-mon just sits tight the whole time.]

Hey, he's the one who got all sensitive. Besides, he was gonna find out sooner or later. Why wait to break it to him?

[Ryu isn't alone in glaring now, as Rep also sends his partner a sharp look.]

Just don't forget what I am. We're pretty much in the same boat.

See?! We're destined to be together! Fated.

[Yawning, XV-mon nudges him back with one of her great big hands. Seems Sora's words have fallen on mostly deaf ears.]

[heartdive]

I think you're all being stupid.

[ well... at least Vixie's teammates turn to look at her. true, Sora's been ignored in this and Ryu hasn't done much to help but... ]

To hold how someone is born against them is just wrong. But to be mad at someone for just existing is just as wrong. Gabumon... Don't you feel better knowing that at least someone is around to protect your partner in case you can't get to them on time? I know I'm relieved that Ryu took such good care of Sora when I wasn't able to be here...

[darkened]

[You know what? This is getting stupid. So stupid that XV-mon's going to hover a few yards nto the air. Gabumon, with his endless tanacity, opens his mouth to try and spit some flames at her feet before the Replica snaps his hands over his mouth, clamps his jaw shuts, and nods at Vixie.]

You really oughta listen to her. Believe me, I'm a Replica. I did the same exact thing you're doing, and I wound up dead. It's stupid, and everyone else seems to be okay with copies like us, so relax.

[Gabumon mumbles and squirms. At this point, Rep finally lets go of his mouth, and Gabumon promptly whips towards Vixie.]

You're too soft! All of you are too soft. Well, you can keep your sympathy. I'm still the better partner. Riku doesn't need a loser like her!

That's Aiden.

[Gabumon rolls his eyes.]

You shouldn't have to change your name. Claim it! Be the better Riku.

[...God, this really is like looking into a mirror. Moaning, Rep looks back to Sora.]

Think we can get a muzzle for this guy?

[heartdive]

[ Sora looks over to Rep and Gabumon. his eyes are sympathetic and he's even smiling a little... ]

I don't think -

I find this to be a good solution. Do it.

Ryu!

[acceptedburden]

[Sedna and Scipio are watching. Sedna shakes her head.]

Wow, and I thought we acted badly when we met.

This has happened, I suppose it was before you arrived. We had the advantage of it being in a battle, so for whatever reason we were able to work past most of our differences.

[Sedna snorts, clearly amused.]

And Skippy here really does mean most.

What's going on?

[Kaldur looks down into the screen, getting between Kotemon and Gizamon. He hears the fighting in the background and looks between his own partners.]

Our friend has found his second partner. I assume the SCOPE digimon.

[A look of understanding passes over Kaldur's face.]

Can they not simply both be your partner? One is just as real as the other, are they not?

[darkened]

[The two Digimon are still rumbling in the background, and beyond some shouts, they're not responding just yet. Instead, that honor falls on Rep, who's sitting cross-legged with his elbow against one of his legs and his hand propping up one of his cheeks while the other holds the Terminal.]

Sure. Believe me, I'm a replica, so I don't hold anything against him. XV-mon just...

[HUGE SIGH.]

She went and told him he's a copy of her, and now he's flipped his lid. I'm really starting to miss when she had tact right about now.

[acceptedburden]

She's still evolved as XV-mon?

[Kaldur had not experienced a personality shift with his own partners based on evolution...at least not yet. He has to wonder though if the personality shift was based on the Replica's own actions and beliefs.]

Mmm, yeah I can see where that'd be a problem. We heard from some jerk named Titanmon. So for the most part I blew it off as a bad joke at first.

Perhaps you can attempt to separate them. Hearing it from you may be easier and if you could talk to your partner without XV-mon around it might go over better.

[darkened]

Well, yeah. XV-mon's got wings, and this way we don't have to stick to the train schedules.

[He shoots his partners another glance, bringing a hand to his neck.]

I just didn't expect this to happen. I feel like if she'd been Kotemon when they first met, they might've actually hit it off.

You mean I'd be the one hitting her off a building!

[...Ugh. Just his luck that he wound up with the problem child. He wasn't even this bad, right? Then again, he did try to kill Riku just so he could be somebody...]

I'm thinking separation's the best option right now. I just hope I can get him to relax.

[In fact, he's going to go grab the fuzzy rage ball right now.]

If you guys have any other tips, just... please let me know. I feel like I'm getting a migraine at this rate.

[marinebiting]

Same here. They still fight.

[darkened]

[Could this be? A kindred spirit?!

Yeah, the Replica's gonna heave a great big sigh of relief. At least he's not alone in his suffering.]

So, how do you deal? It's getting bad enough that I'm tempted to grab Gabumon and put his nose in a corner. I mean, he's sure acting like a spoiled brat.

[Which sucks because Rep wants to be on good terms with his fellow clone, not punish him.

And okay, he used to be just as bratty, too.]

[marinebiting]

[Kindered spirit indeed. Wait until they find out they're new roomies.]

You might as well. Since it's you they're arguing over, they'll at least knock it off for a little bit in order to stay in your good graces.

[He'd say they can't keep it up forever, but well, the guy just did say it's been happening for hours.]

These things are like children, I swear.

[darkened]

[Then he can learn the magic of card games! He's even from a game that heavily involves cards.]

Gee, I sure hope so. I tried telling him off earlier, but I swear it just went in one ear and out the other.

[Still, he's just gonna go yoink Gabumon by the tail to which he promptly responds by grabbing at XV-mon and snarling some more.]

No! You're not supposed to take her side! I'm the better-- mmph!

Quiet, you.

[He's gonna plop Gabumon down several yards away from XV-mon before shooting the big ol' dragon a glare.

...Now, back to their discussion.]

It's funny because Kotemon was way more mature as a Rookie. You're right, though; they're like a bunch of overactive kids. If I didn't already have silver hair, I might actually worry about going grey.

[Video]

[brokenground]

[It's not a human responding, apparently, by the large white snout that fills most of the image. After a moment the digimon backs up enough to be better visible; a dorumon apparently.]

"My partner and I are at HospiTown. It's pretty quiet here, but is worth checking out if you're heading this way anyway. I'd let him tell you but he doesn't like talking much, it seems."

[He swishes his foxlike tail in a thoughtful manner, ears pinning back. Though by the noise.. someone's not good friends. The replica's poor digimon just weren't getting along. The dorumon rubs his muzzle a bit in a vaguely nervous fashion before venturing further. Boy is he glad this isn't a problem he's having to deal with!]

"But for your partners, um, I've heard it's a lot harder to stay angry if you're full of good food. Have they eaten yet, either of them? Food comas fix a lot of ills."

[Video]

[darkened]

[That... is a very fluffy Digimon. Since when were dragons so fluffy in the first place? Why yes, this is the first thing Rep focuses on, as it's a welcome distraction from all the chaos ensuing just a few yards away.]

So, wait. Did you and your partner just show up? I haven't seen you around the network before, but if you were around when the city blew up, you've gotta tell me how you beat us to it.

[But then again, Sora's insisted on exploring the terrain, so maybe that's why it's taken so long.]

And I could feed them, but I'm kind of scared to try feeding Kotemon while she's so huge. She could probably scarf down an entire building and still have room for more.

[brokenground]

[Very fluffy! Usually fluffiness is reserved for non-saurian digimon, but dorumons in general seem to be an exception.]

"Yep! Just earlier today, so we didn't get to beat you here, though we're here ahead of you anyway."

[That's slightly different than beating them in a footrace. Kind of cheating, but the dorumon looks pleased about it anyway. He and Terra got there first! Or well, before this guy anyway, so that was something.]

"..Oh yeah, that's a good point."

[He sits, looking as thoughtful as a fuzzy purple dragon can.]

"Is she all grown up now or will she de-digivolve? Maybe just separate them for a while, and feed your new partner with her elsewhere, unless she gets smaller. If he's too stuffed to respond if she's heckling, maybe it'll work itself out better."

[darkened]

...Great. So they can drag all the newbies there, but we have to hoof it?

[He's rubbing at his brow, grumbling to himself.]

Well, I guess the upside's that we get to see all the sights. Still, you'd think they'd set us up on this San Francisco island. It's got more than enough space to go around.

[But other than some wild Digimon, it is fairly abandoned.]

Anyway, Kotemon's just holding that form while we travel. She could switch back at any time, but I kinda doubt she'd want to devolve with that fuzzball on her case.

[Still, by this point, he's at least managed to pull Gabumon away for the time being.]

So where is your partner?

Video

[scaronfire]

Guess I got lucky. Mine never really fought, Fanbeemon never even said Biyomon was fake.

[Said Digimon lands on Harry's shoulder to join the chat.]

Of course I didn't. That'd be rude.

... I'm not sure that's the best thing to say right now.

I'm sorry...

Video

[darkened]

She didn't actually use the word "fake". If she had, I would've been ticked, and as it is, I'm getting pretty close.

[He shuts his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. Really, he's got a short fuse as it is. He's not even sure who he's more frustrated with between XV-mon or Gabumon. At least he can relate to Gabumon's plight.]

Seems like a mixed bag, though. Sora's partners apparently hit it off from the start. Maybe it's just a personality thing.

Video

[scaronfire]

Probably... At least it didn't go like the first time. That was a bit of a mess for everyone involved.

Video

[darkened]

Something about a Titamon guy, right? I heard a thing or two about that.

[Not the full story, though. Sucks that he missed out on all the action.]

[justpretending]

[Sophia waits until he's done with making his post to talk with him, waiting patiently.]

How come you've got two now like Sora? What's a scope?

[darkened]

SCOPE's like--

[He hesitates, looking back at the two brawling Digimon. When he turns to Sophia again, he lowers his voice.]

They're copies of the originals, I guess. Replicas like me, and Gabumon's--

Hey, get down from the sky, you cheater! Why, I oughta...!

[Said Digimon's now hopping into the air and flailing his arms, as if he can fly that way. What a doofus.]

...Well, he's one of them, and XV-mon really should've phrased it better than calling him "the copy partner."

[justpretending]

[She listens and- she might not completely understand how someone can be a copy, but she nods slowly, and she turns her attention to his partners.]

It wasn't very nice of her to say that. She's louder since she became a big flying lizard.

[Oh, how observant.]

[darkened]

Yeah, it's like she went from some mild mannered alter ego to some over the top super hero, just with even less tact.

[He tenses at the sound of a loud THUD. Ugh... did one of them just hit a building?]

I'm sure she'll be fine once she devolves. I'm just worried that Gabumon'll press harder then.