Chapter 22
"Are we almost there?" complained Jack as he groaned and moaned. He was falling behind Flint, Dan, and Rex as they all lugged their camping supplies from the lake all the way to the next Guild Facility that houses Rank Three members like themselves. Out of all of them he had was lifting the least, but he also had the least strength too. "We've been walking all morning."
"We're almost there," replied Flint checking out his DigiPad. "Just another ten minutes. We should be able to see it coming up."
"There it is," exclaimed Rex excitedly jumping for joy. Despite all the stuff he was holding onto he was still getting a lot of height.
"It's going to be strange living somewhere different than that lake," sighed Dan. "I've lived there most my life, but deep down I knew I wasn't going to be able to live there forever. Team Matrix is my home now."
"Not to rain on this mushy sentimental moment," complained Jack. "But where's the big fuzzy afro of the team? We haven't seen Fonz all day and we're doing all the work. Normally I'm the one getting everyone else to do the work and I am not a fan of swapping roles."
"Yeah, doesn't Fonz live back there?" asked Rex. "Moving our camping stuff is one thing, but won't it take a while to get a moving van out ready to take care of it."
"I asked him that the other day," commented Flint. "But he just told me that it won't be able trouble moving."
"Why's that?" asked Rex, but the ground started to tremble.
"What's going on?" cried Jack. "The weather girl didn't say anything about earthquakes in the forecast."
"That's not an earthquake," stated Dan looking behind them. "But I think we'd better move it before we get run over."
The others looked and saw the biggest trailer home coming at them being towed by a motorcycle, fire blared from its four exhaust pipes. They easily recognized the driver as Fonz wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses. He had a helmet on that was hardly any protection with his afro in the way. As he reached the spot they fled off the roadway from he slowed to a stop to greet them.
"Hey guys," he said in a cool tone. "I thought I'd catch up to you a long time ago, but you all must've really been putting your noses to the grindstone. Jack, I'm impressed."
"All in a day's work," replied Jack happily before he realized he was being insulted. "Hey!"
"Well you had me scared," panted Dan going up to see Fonz. He was sweating quite a bit after even for there not so near miss. "I thought it really was an earthquake for a second."
"You are afraid of earthquakes?" asked Flint. "You have a bad experience one in the past?"
"No, but I've been reading the news and there have been a series of quakes occurring over the last few months," he explained. "They've been happening in many corners of the Digital World, but researchers still haven't found a cause or a connection."
"Well maybe it's just a coincidence," suggested Rex. "Or just a bunch of Tyrannomon roughhousing?"
"Well they are still looking into it," added Dan. "But while they aren't too big or hit near a city it is starting to cause a bunch of end of the world nuts to lose it."
"And are you one of those nuts?" asked Jack.
"Of course not," retorted Dan. "But I can't live with the thought of the world ending without Angel confessing her undying love to me."
"That's our Dan," sighed Flint shaking his head. "Crazy in love with her, like so many others and yet she only has eyes for Rex."
"And I'm not interested in her at all," laughed Rex. "Isn't that hilarious."
"Such endless beauty wasted on that bite sized runt," groaned Dan.
"He's basically me but blue," groaned Jack. "I'm better than him in every other way and yet she chooses him."
"I'm so cool he should be invisible in my presence," scowled Fonz. "How'd he ever appear on Angel's radar?"
"Flint," cried Rex nervously. "I can smell bloodlust in the air. Help me please."
"Um, one moment," answered Flint nervously trying to figure out something to change the subject. With nothing else in mind he flipped through the current news on his DigiPad. He saw an article or two about the quakes, an article about another Treasure Hunter's Guild Team called Team Odyssey, and an article about some fighting tournament taking place in a few days. Then he spotted something that caught his eye. "It looks like Angel is going to be appearing in the town we're going to for a special concert. We'd better hurry while there are still tickets available."
As soon as he spoke those words Fonz started the engine on his bike and zoomed towards town. Jack and Dan were also making a mad dash too their speed no longer effected by the weight of the stuff they were carrying.
"Thanks for that," stated a very relieved Rex.
"Don't thank me yet," replied Flint looking over the article a little more. "Things might get a lot worse later."
"Why's that?" asked Rex nervously.
"Angel is going to be releasing her latest song at the concert," he informed him. "And it is called, 'My Heart Sings for the Blue Moon.'"
Flint and Rex hurried on after them; the town was much bigger than they thought it was at first. The previous place they stayed at could hardly be even considered a village. It had been more like an outpost for the guild and everyone else was built by the Digimon it attracted. This place even had sign in the front that read, "Welcome to Doston where baby steps turn to long strides. Greetings to all up and coming guild members."
Looking around there were rows of houses that reminding Flint and Rex of their home in Zip city, but the houses were made with wood and bricks instead of stone. The place was also a lot green and cooler and the ground wasn't always covered in varying feet of sand. And compared to the limited Digimon around and few stores this place was pretty lively with despite the early hour with shoppers and workers beginning their day, but what really surprised them was the Treasure Hunter's Guild Facility. The last one had just been a lobby with a desk where Digitamamon sat and the nurse's station where Obamon mended everyone's injuries. What they saw before them made the old facility look like a rundown shack. The lobby was at least ten times larger than original and it looked to have a lot more rooms in it than the old one just by looking in from the outside. The Digimon hanging around inside looked a lot more experienced than the ones they were used to seeing, but that was to be expected from members Ranking Three and higher. Many of them had weapons at their side now that they were able to wield them and Flint and Rex knew they were soon to be among them. They also guessed it was the same for the nurse's office. What truly peaked their curiosity was contained in all the space that they couldn't account for. As their pressed their faces against the glass they were practically drooling with excitement.
"This must be the big time," Flint said gleefully.
"We're one step closer to finding the Infinity Zone," added Rex.
"What are you guys doing?" asked Dan coming out of the building after spotting them. Fonz and Jack were right behind them. To Rex's relief they were back to normal and probably didn't find out about the song.
"It's our first day here," added Fonz. "You don't want everyone here to know we're new around here. They'll eat us alive."
"They might just think they're drooling lunatics and leave us alone," joked Jack.
"Very funny," said Rex as he and Flint wiped the drool off their muzzles. "So what happened to you guys?"
"We found out the tickets were being sold at the Guild, but it doesn't look like they are on sale yet. We'll just have to get done setting up fast and wait for the ticket booth to open."
"This is going to be an extra exciting concert," added Fonz. "Everyone's going on about some big news and a new song she'll be singing. Did it say anything about it in the news article on the DigiPad?"
"Nope," lied Flint sensing things could turn ugly if they saw it. "Like Dan said, the concert might go on sale before long so we'd better get ourselves ready."
"What's first on the list?" asked Jack.
"Getting weapons!" cheered Rex excitedly.
"Not yet," replied Dan. "First we need to check in at the counter. That way we can get a place to stay and gain access to the other facilities here as well as be able to purchase and wield weapons on missions."
"This is a lot different than the last place we were at," explained Fonz. "The Treasure Hunter's Guild treats higher ranked members to better stuff than the lower level ones. Wait until we have a look around."
"What are we waiting for?" cried Rex bright-eyed and jumping for joy. "Let's take a look around."
"Right behind you," replied Flint chasing after him as Rex ran for the door.
"Not so fast," interrupted Fonz. Dan lifted the two of them up so despite running as fast as they could they weren't getting anywhere. "We can get to that after signing in so remain patient. First, we have to get checked in at the front desk."
Waiting in line here was even worse than when they had to wait in line at the first Treasure Hunter's Facility. There was at lot more teams here and that even the multiple lines constructed to help speed things along wasn't making much of a difference. Standing and waiting drained the adrenaline in their bodies and before long they fell asleep. Dan picked them both up in his arms and carried them as they continued to wait in the line.
"Did those two get enough sleep last night?" asked Fonz. "We told them this was going to be a busy day from early in the morning till late at night getting set up."
"Not enough," retorted Dan. "They were so excited I think they were up all night." They then heard a yawn behind Dan and they turned to see Jack hunched over on Dan's tail asleep as well. "And it looks like he did the same." Dan lifted his tail up to carry Jack and keep from dropping him. "I just hope we don't get too many insomniacs. I'm out of appendages to carry anymore."
"Well let's just focus on the team we have right now," commented Dan. "We've still got to get ourselves up ready to fight at Rank Three strength. If we aren't careful we could get eaten alive."
As they continued to wait a Renamon walking past them after getting done her business there grinned as her ears perked up upon hearing a few choice parts from their conversation. "Sounds like I found some fresh prey to play with," she murmured to herself.
Flint, Rex, and Jack napped until they reached the front of the line to meet one of the staff members at the counter. Dan gave them a nudge to wake them up. "Come on guys," he said. "Nap time is over."
"Oh, I needed that," moaned Rex stretching as he opened his eyes.
"Sorry about that," replied Flint as he awoke. "Thanks for the ride."
"Come on, Jack," ordered Fonz. "You have to get up too."
"Oh," he murmured lazily. "Five more minutes."
Fonz looked at his resting, carefree face with a slightly peeved one on his own. He then pushed him off Dan's tail abruptly. "No." Falling to the floor was enough to convince Jack to get up and join the others at the counter as they waited for the staff member to come to them.
"It is going to be weird not seeing Digitamamon every time we come here," stated Flint.
"I'm just glad we don't have to see that scary nurse after every adventure," shuddered Rex as he spoke. His words seemed to disagree with Jack in the same way as it brought up unpleasant memories. "I always felt worse after leaving her care."
"Welcome valued guild members," said the staff member as he walked up to the counter. Instead of being somebody different it was Digitamamon helping them out.
"We're new here," explained Flint. "We need to get set up here." It took them both a moment to register who they were talking to.
"You guys?" he cried out.
"Digitamamon?" they replied in surprise.
"My name is Iggy," he replied. "I've had this name tag on every time we've met and you've never called me by my name once. I even have this name plate on my desk not too."
"Why are you here anyway, Digitamamon?" asked Flint. "Weren't you laid off or something after that incident we had to fix?"
Iggy sighed doubting if they even listened to half the things that came out of his mouth. "I was transferred over here. I figured I was going to see you guys around here eventually, but I wasn't expecting this. Did you guys see Gertie yet? She's here too."
Jack and Rex looked ready to pass out again after hearing that. "She what?" cried Jack. Suddenly they felt some tremendous footsteps approach them. Trembling, they both turned to look behind them. All there was was pink, but as they looked up they saw her wrinkled, elderly face looking down on them.
"If it isn't my two favorite patients," she cooed lovingly. "Isn't this great? I'll get to treat your boo-boos here now too." They both stared on with blank expressions on their face. Flint and the others could see they had forcibly fainted to escape the mental stress they were experiencing, but Gertie took it as they were so happy they were at a loss of words how to respond. "If you need anything from me you can always find me in my office in the hospital wing. This place might have a bunch of high tech gizmos, but I give out more than enough nurturing love to all my dear patients." She walked away and even after she was gone from sight it took them several minutes before they fully recovered.
"I thought we were finally free from her," complained Rex.
"It is like the sequel to a horror movie," replied Jack. "The nightmare has only just begun."
"If the reintroductions are all over," commented Iggy. "Let's get down to business. You're holding up the line."
"Uh, sorry, uh, Iggy," replied Dan.
"We need to do the registry for moving on to Rank Three and get set up for living conditions here," explained Fonz.
"Alright," said Iggy looking before the counter and bringing up a few stacks of papers. "There are the forms you'll need to fill out to add weapon usage to your guild cards. Just read and fill out these forms and you all should be set up by tomorrow."
"You mean we have to wait another day?" cried Flint. "I was so excited to go weapon shopping today." Rex looked equally disappointed.
"We're still going to do that," Dan retorted cheering them both up. "We'll just have the store hold them till we are allowed to buy them."
"Then let's go shopping!" exclaimed Rex already rushing out in search of one. Dan gripped his tail keeping him from escaping.
"We still have to sign stuff first for the license and for a place to stay," Dan stated.
"Well we have forms for the weapon license, but if you need a place to stay you'll have to handle that with the landlord of one of the complexes around here. Luckily, most places are built with catering to guild members' needs."
"So which would you recommend?" asked Flint as he began looking over the papers to see where he had to sign. "I guess you must've looked around a bit since you got here."
"Can we worry about that later?" complained Jack. "Let's get something to eat when we're done here because I haven't eaten all day." Unlike the others he hastily signed his papers by writing a giant 'X' across the entire page.
"None of us have," argued Fonz. "We'll as soon as we finish here."
"It won't take long," said Iggy. "And if I had to recommend one, it would have to be Server Oasis. The rooms are really nice and it takes up the most space since it has homes on and around a rather large lake."
"Sounds perfect to me," stated Dan happy it reminded him of their old camping grounds.
"Then we'll take a look at it right away," decided Flint.
"No need to rush," commented Digitamamon. "Registrations don't open till noon, so you have a bit of time kill before then. I'd think you'd be hitting the stores for new gear first."
"Change of plans," stated Flint. "First we get new gear then we eat and then finally we get a place to stay."
As Digitamamon went through the paperwork he entered it into the computer for each member of Team Matrix one-by-one. Despite knowing there was nothing to worry about, Flint and Rex watched him work like he was a teacher grading their tests.
"You know only authorized personnel are allowed to be on this side of the counter," Iggy stated.
"We won't tell if you won't," replied Rex.
"Some people just have no respect for the rules," chimed Jack in a proud voice.
"And some people don't know how to respect personal space," added Iggy to Jack who was sitting on top of him. "You fit both categories."
"And proud of it," he admitted.
"Would you get your teammates out of here," shouted Iggy to Fonz and Dan. "Or else their going to see me hard boiled."
"But we're not allowed on that side of the counter," Fonz pointed out, actually amused by their incessant pestering of Iggy.
"Can you just hurry it up," replied Dan as his stomach growled. "We haven't eaten all day and I'm getting hungry."
"Fine," groaned Iggy doing his best to focus and type fast so they would leave. When he was done he never felt more relieved. "Alright, now get out of here in an orderly manner."
"Alright!" exclaimed Flint hopping on the table with Rex, making a scene of the place.
"Next stop," added Rex.
"The Infinity Zone!" they declared together.
Along with Jack they jumped back over the counter and strutted out of the room with Fonz and Dan following behind them and everyone else staring with mixed expressions. Some looked curious, others annoyed, and some even envious of their swagger. Fonz was most worried about the ones that would take this boast as a challenge. Dan was busy salivating over the thought of what he'd like for lunch.
They were just at the door when they saw a worker putting up a poster of Angel in front of the guild facility. It was impossible to hide the truth from them now, much to Rex's fear as they got a look at the full picture. It had Angel Singing underneath a big blue moon. Inside the glistening moon was a silhouette that was describe on the poster as the "Blue Moon Prince," and "the pearl of the Angel." To any of their eyes it was clear as day that the silhouette was done of a Veemon, more specifically, Rex.
It seemed to flare of the anger and resentment Dan, Fonz, and Jack had for Rex to new heights. Flint had to cautiously lead them away from the poster. Any more pressure and they'd burst like a puss-filled pimple. In either situation, the end results wouldn't be pretty.
As they made their way out they pushed past a group shrouded in cloaks. Despite being so rude, the strangers didn't pay them any mind and entered the guild. They stopped at the poster and looked at it silently. Then one of them spoke. "So, this is the one our master desires."
Flint and the others went about looking for a store to get them equipped for their future adventures. It was a miracle that they were able to even go shopping after Dan, Fonz, and Jack had nearly reached the boiling point. Luckily, Rex had a stroke of inspiration and brought them each a plush doll of Angel from a nearby vendor. Being so close to their true love was enough to cancel out their rage with love and make them neutral.
"That is only a band aid, you know that," Flint whispered to Rex. "When the concert starts it probably won't just be them after your blood."
"That's why I'm not going," replied Rex still feeling nervous. "If I'm not there, then they can just enjoy the concert. Anyway, maybe it isn't even me she is referring to. That silhouette didn't even look like me."
"It looked like a Veemon," replied Flint.
"Uh, I don't see the resemblance," lied Rex more to himself than Flint.
"Anyone with eyes," began Flint. He saw this conversation was killing him bit by bit with each exchange of dialogue so he decided to return to their primary focus. "Uh, that this store over here is the best here to get equipment." Flint pointed to a random nearby store and led them inside.
