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

[darkened]

[What is this? Tiny child getting in his way? Gabumon puffs up his chest, leans orward, and bares his pointy teeth.]

Rrrgh! You don't scare me, runt! I'll plow straight through ya if I have--

I don't think so, scruffy!

[And that'd be one XV-mon scooping him up from behind.]

If the squirt wants us to stop, we stop. End of story.

[And with that, the Replica heaves a huge sigh of relief.]

Wow, I'm surprised that worked as well as it did.

[justpretending]

[After a moment, a proud look blossoms on Sophia's face. She stands a bit taller and grins, big and toothy.]

See? There we go! No more fighting at all, okay?

[darkened]

No! I'll never stop-- mmph!

[One of the perks of having huge hands? It's easy to muffle obnoxious pipsqueaks, which is exactly what XV-mon is doing.

Rep'll grin just as widely as Sophia, offering the Digimon and her a thumbs-up.]

Don't worry. If he tries acting up again, I'll probably just get him a leash. That'll teach him a thing or two.

[justpretending]

I think he's just cranky. [She reaches out to Gabumon, to pat him on the head.] He needs food, and a nap.

[darkened]

No! Naps are for babies!

Exactly.

[Heh. The Replica pats him on the head for good measure, just to be a pest.]

And you're acting just like one with that attitude.

[justpretending]

[Either she doesn't realize the implications or she doesn't care, because Sophia simply rubs his head with a smile.]

It's okay, I don't like them sometimes too, but they're really not that bad. Don't tell the grown-ups, though.

[darkened]

[Guh, why is this little girl so sweet? Why is she petting him like a puppy? Gabumon mutters something to himself, though he makes no other moves. It would seem that, for the time being, she's rendered him helpless.]

I'll have to keep you in mind if I ever need a babysitter for this guy. Looks like you've got him in the palm of your hand.

[justpretending]

I've watched a lot of people be good babysitters and bad babysitters. I've learned.

[So says Sophia proudly. Commandramon watches with a that's-cute-as-hell smile.]

[darkened]

Well, good. I'm gonna need all the help I can get between that fuzzball and Sora.

[He tips his chin back and grins. After all, Sora's enough of a troublemaker on his own, and now there's another Digimon to worry about. It just ain't easy being Chosen.]

[justpretending]

And Com'mon can too, right?

Well, of course! I'm a resourceful 'mon.

Good Mr. Lizard. [Now Sophia's the one that's fond.]