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“All aboard!” called Captain Hookmon as his ship drew anchor and set course for Infinity Mountain. Looking up as the sails dropped, Shoji grinned and then shrugged.
“Really? A pirate ship?” he asked. “That’s the next part of this whack adventure?”
“Aye. And not just any kind of adventure, boy!” CaptainHookmon replied.
“That’s right!” interrupted Tinkermon as she zipped, zigged and zagged around Petermon, CaptainHookmon and the DigiDestined.
“We be goin’ on a High Sea Adventure today, lads and lasses.” the Captain continued as he spun the wheel of the ship, tapping his foot on the ground. “The journey to Infinity Mountain be a long one. Not entirely arduous, but should the seas decide to act the maggot, well, we could very well have to batten down the hatches.”
“Sounds like your typical sea faring consequence.” Fumiko spoke up. “What are the chances we’ll run into enemy Digimon in this Zone, Hookmon?”
“Captain!” the pirate Digimon replied. “That be CaptainHookmon, lass.” he corrected.
“Oh?” wondered Rina. “So, they don’t just call you Captain because of this ship?” she asked, Petermon shaking his head in response as he called to them from atop one of the ship’s masts.

“Hookmon is the Champion form of CaptainHookmon here, you see. So, Captain is not just a frivolous title.”
“Wait a minute!” Shoji called in response. “Hookmon is an ULTIMATE LEVEL DIGIMON?!”
“CAPTAIN HOOKMON!” the Captain called back, Shoji facefaulting as quickly as he was interrupted.
“Er, right. Sorry about that, good sir.” Shoji apologised before looking back up at Petermon. “Captain!Hookmon is an Ultimate Level Digimon? Is that what you just said?”
Petermon nodded as he flew down to the others. “That’s right!” he said cheerfully.
“Nice to know that this world isn’t shy about throwing high level Digimon at us before we’re ready for them, isn’t it?” Fumiko snarked as she looked to Elecmon who just sat in her arms silently.
“Just be happy that the two we’ve met so far are on our side.” Shoji replied, breaking any tension in the air before it could build.
“Speaking of which. Where’s our fearless leader gone off to?” Fumiko asked, looking around the ship, past Rina and Floramon, past Yusuke and Koemon and past Shoji and Kamemon. There was no sign of Takumi or Agumon for that matter.
“That’s weird.” Yusuke began. “I know the goggle brain and Agumon got on board.”
“Yes, indeed.” added Shoji. “They were rather slow about it, albeit, but they did get on board eventually.”
“Have you seen them, Captain?” Rina asked, the Captain looking back at them before pointing his hook skyward.
“Aye, lass. Yer stalwart general has climbed aboard the crow’s nest.” he replied before taking the helm again. “Didn’t seem to be in much of a chit chat mood if I do say so.”
“Just what are he and the frog monster up to?” Fumiko wondered, a stern look on her face that caused Rina to slowly poke the brown-haired girl’s cheek, earning a long stare from Fumiko.

“Um, Fumi-san…” the pink-haired girl stammered. “You’ve been… well, um… you’ve been like a, ah, a different person since what happened with Yuki-san before. Is everything all right?”
“Is everything all right, Rina?” Fumiko asked in response before shaking her head. “No. Everything is not all right! If you hadn’t noticed, we were ambushed by someone who completely outclassed us and then stole our Digivices. And we’re on this rickety boat at HER behest. I don’t like this. At all. And just where is our precious ‘Akama-kun’? Sulking twenty feet above us! Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind, Rina. I have good mind to go up there and drag him down with those goggles around his neck! It’s his fault we’re in this mess!”
As Fumiko stared a hole in Rina, the girl’s blue eyes trembled in response. Fumiko was normally so cool. So calm and collected, and now she was visibly shaken if not livid.
Fumiko suddenly backed away, as if catching her reflection in Rina’s watering blue eyes.
“I’m… I’m sorry.” she said as she took a breath. “I just… Being set up “for our own good” is not really something that should be settling well with any of us.”
“I agree.” came Petermon’s voice as he interrupted the group, cutting across Kamemon before he could speak. “And that is exactly Miss Shirogane’s intention. If she can do it, so could anyone.”
“Aye.” CaptainHookmon continued. “Sure, fer all ye seadogs know it’s happening right now. Can ye really trust aul CaptainHookmon?”

At this, the four Digidestined on deck tensed up, readying themselves with a battle stance. Had they been suckered into yet another trap? Elecmon leapt from Fumiko’s arms, his body pulsing with lightning.
“I would not be so hasty, Elecmon.” CaptainHookmon called. “We be on water after all. Can ye be sure that yeh won’t inadvertently shock Fumiko and yer compatriots?” Elecmon backed down as CaptainHookmon stepped away from the wheel. “Petermon, take the wheel!” the pirate Digimon called.
“Aye, Captain!” Petermon responded while the Captain approached the Digidestined.
“Digidestined, Digidestined, Digidestined.” CaptainHookmon said as though he was disappointed with them. “Were ye not listening to me before? I be a gentleman of the ocean. My offer of aid on Admiral Shirogane’s behalf is genuine.”

“So, you answer to Yuki then?” Yusuke asked, subconsciously reaching for a Digivice that was no longer on his arm.
“I owe her a debt of gratitude if ye must know. Sure, she saved me from bein’ nothin’ more than a puppet with his strings bein’ pulled and plucked by the great Neptunemon himself.”
“Just how did she do that?” Rina asked, Shoji nodding.
“If you wouldn’t mind good sir. We’re all rather flummoxed on how Yuki has become as strong as she is.”
“Yeah.” followed Yusuke. “She wiped the floor with us like we were nothing.”
“I don’t know the specifics, boy.” CaptainHookmon replied. “And I dare not ask. Rumour says she’s been here years. That she were sent on a divine mission of some sort. But no one’s dared ask the hows and whys, and it’s better for everyone that way.”
“Years?!” questioned Shoji, opening the top button of his shirt. “But that’s impossible. Right?”
“Again, I dare not ask. But, lookit. Ye asked what are our chances of runnin into some scoundrels amongst the waves, and I ain’t answered that for ye yet. Despite the defeat of the Dark Generals in this Zone, many sub commanders are still running rampant. Some still have the idea that they may be able t’revive their fallen Generals.”
“So that’s what this ‘High Sea Adventure’ is about then, is it?” Fumiko pondered. “We’re being left the scraps that Yuki has left us.
“But, but, but what are we supposed to do without our Digivices?” Rina stammered. “How are we supposed to fight the Dark Generals Commanders without Digivolving?”
“Ah ha! That’s where we come in, me hearties!” bellowed CaptainHookmon as he clapped his hands, Petermon and Tinkermon coming to his side, but not only that; a new Digimon appeared with the bursting sound of a cabin door slamming open.
Half pirate, half mermaid, she had short blonde hair and grey eyes, her shoulderpads looked to be made of silver scales, while her pitch black mermaid’s tail was strapped with brown belts buckled together with a compass. Her elbow length gloves had red blades in the forearm, and as she spun the massive golden anchor in her hands, she pointed at the Digidestined.
“Finally!” commented Fumiko as she broke through the group. “A Digimon in this Zone I recognise! You’re Mermaimon, righ—“ but as soon as she got close, the pirate mermaid swung her anchor with enough force to throw Fumiko back without the anchor even coming into contact with her.
“Haha! Easy, Mermaimon.” CaptainHookmon laughed. “These be friends of Admiral Shirogane. It be tasked to us to help mold these ragamuffins into true protectors of the Digital World.”
“Is that right?” Mermaimon asked, adjusting her pirate’s hat. “These are the Chosen Children?”
“That’s right!” came a voice that hadn’t been heard in a while; Takumi’s. Just when had he come down from the Crow’s Nest Shoji wondered.
“Ah, the goggle boy.” Mermaimon mused. “There’s always one! Tell me, young one. Just what do you hope to achieve on board this vessal?”
“Achieve?” Takumi questioned. “I thought you were just ferrying us to Infinity Mountain to be honest.”
“And with one simple question, any bluster you had has been sapped from you.” Mermaimon continued, not really addressing Takumi directly, but more muttering to herself about him. “Hopeless. It’s a wonder you’ve come as far as you have.”
“What was that?” Takumi asked through grit teeth.
“You heard me!” Mermaimon quipped back. “You have a long way to go if you think you have any right to hold the title of Digidestined. So, I ask you again. What do you hope to achieve?”

Takumi paused. He had no answer. Looking around the ship, it was just him, his friends and the four new Digimon they’d encountered. What could they hope to achieve before reaching Infinity Mountain?
Mermaimon sighed, staring at the goggle boy with contempt.
“Fine. I shall make this easier. What is it that you desire? What does this trip mean to you?”
Takumi bit his lip in thought, mumbling the question over in his mind. The answer seemed so obvious as his red eyes burst open.
“What I want? Is to save the Digital World!” he replied without a shred of fear in his voice.
“Why?” she asked, Takumi having to double take. Wasn’t his answer enough?
“Because that’s what being a Digidestined mea—UWAAGH!!” Mid answer, Mermaimon had thrown Takumi back just as she had Fumiko previously, Takumi coursing through the air and crashing into the mast with a thud before sliding down and hitting the deck even harder.
“CaptainHookmon!” Mermaimon called, spinning Takumi’s goggles on her finger before grasping them. “I suggest this swabbie be made to scrub the deck until it sparkles in the moonlight.”
“Takumi!” called Agumon and Fumiko as they rushed to the leader’s side, helping him to his feet.
“Well then. If that be the punishment that ye see fit for our fiery friend, then who be I to argue, former head of the Dark Generals, Mermaimon!”
“WHAT?!” yelled every human and Digimon Partner as they regrouped, only for Takumi to be grabbed by some sneaking Orcamon and dragged with a scream into the cabin.
“Wh-why is th-there a Dark General on board this ship, Hookmon?!” Rina stammered as she tugged on her turtle neck in an attempt to breathe easier on the open air.
“Captain! Hookmon!” CaptainHookmon yelled back. “And there’s a perfectly good reason for that. You see, well, I guess it’s easiest to say that she turned on Neptunemon.”
“Turned? Turned on Neptunemon? But I thought the Dark Generals were consumed by the Whispered Virus just as the Olympus Twelve are.” Shoji countered, CaptainHookmon raising his hooked arm in an ‘Ah, right.’ fashion, the look on his face just as quizzical.
“You… you really have no clue, do you?” Yusuke piped up, CaptainHookmon looking off like a child who had just been caught with his hand, or hook in this case, in the cookie jar.
“Ok, just what is going on here?” Floramon asked.
“Yeah, really!” Elecmon followed. “It feels like we’ve just been ran in circles here and veered way off course.”
“Off course?” questioned CaptainHookmon. “We’re not off course. We be heading right for Infinity Mountain as we should be, right Petermon? Tinkermon?”
“Aye, Captain!” the duo replied.
“Then just what have you done with my Partner?” Agumon asked in an annoyed tone.

“Ah, right. The goggled one.” CaptainHookmon responded. “Ye see. We just be carryin’ out Mermaimon’s judgement. Yer leader be nothin’ more than a mere swabbie in her eyes, so a swabbie is what he’ll be. At least until we get t’Infinity Mountain, savvy?”
“What? No. Not savvy.” Shoji protested. “None of this is savvy! Did you just go stark raving mad in the last five minutes, or are you always like this.
“Captain!” called Petermon. “Enemy ship on the horizon!”
“Oh, lovely! Let the High Sea Adventure begin.” the Captain yelled jovially. “Hey, blondie. Give us a tune, wouldjya?”
“Huh? Me?” Shoji wondered as CaptainHookmon tossed a harmonica his way, the blue eyed boy catching it with a puzzled stare as he pat himself on the chest. “That was in my vest pocket!” he yelled. “How did you…?”
“Um, pirate, hello!” CaptainHookmon replied, which caused Fumiko to reach out and in one swift movement, draw CaptainHookmon’s ridiculously long rapier, a stunned silence filling the deck save for the waves splashing alongside them as cannonballs narrowly missed CaptainHookmon’s ship.
“I want an explaination. Now. Why is the Captain mad as a hatter? And why is the only thing that counts for a grown up around here a supposed former Dark General?”

“This is just bloody brilliant, isn’t it?” CaptainHookmon beamed. “On one side, we have an enemy ship trying to sink us, and on our own deck, we have a ruddy mutiny! Petermon! If she wants to duel, then you see to it she gets one. Petermon and Tinkermon versus Fumiko and Elecmon.
How does that sound, pet?”
“Not the answers I wanted!” Fumiko replied as Petermon drew his swords, she lunged at CaptainHookmon, but Petermon cut her off, driving her back.
“Oi, blondie. I believe I asked you for a tune.” the Captain commented as he watched Fumiko take a stance and fight back against Petermon.
Shoji looked back, the cabin door had swung back open, Takumi being tossed onto the deck, stripped of his regular clothes and dressed in a black bandana, a blue and white striped t-shirt and yellow trousers with the ends ripped off. He was also barefoot. In his hands was a small bristle brush as an Orcamon dropped a bucket of soapy water Takumi’s side.
Mermaimon grinned, holding the anchor blade against his neck as if to tell the Digidestined leader not to make a move or do anything other than swab the deck. With a mutter and a curse worthy of the sea, Takumi threw his hand into the bucket and began to swab.
As humiliating as it was, he watched Fumiko and Elecmon go to battle with Petermon and Tinkermon, the fairy duo’s teamwork getting the better of Fumiko and Elecmon’s in the long term. With a reluctant sigh, Shoji brought the harmonica to lips and began to play, his eyes opening to see Yusuke had been tied to the ship’s mast, while Rina found herself being dragged to the wheel of the ship by a lone Divermon.
“Digidestined Digimon!” CaptainHookmon called as Shoji continued to play. “If ye want yer compatriots to come out of this one safe and sound, then I suggest ye help me fend off that opposing ship!” The Digimon growled and snared, the Divermon forcing Rina to come to grips with steering the massive pirate ship quicker than she would have liked. Being backed into a corner, the four Digimon sighed, Agumon being the one to speak up while Kamemon, Floramon and Koemon looked on.
“What would you have us do, Captain!”
“Aha! Rina! Get us closer to that ship!” the Captain commanded. “Agumon. You’re with me. We shall board the enemy deck, take down their crew and make off with their loot.
Kamemon, you will go with the Hyangomon and fend off the Tylomon heading our way. We cannot allow them rapscallions to put a hole in me beautiful vessel, ye got that?
Floramon. Ye will assist the Orcamon with medical emergencies and Koemon… how would ya like to beat in some skulls? Barbary seems t’be right up yer alley!”

“Look ahead, look astern, Look the weather in the lee!” sang CaptainHookmon as he leapt onto the sail and blasted a tied rope with his leg revolver that allowed him to be thrown as high as the ship and sail onto the enemy galleon.
“Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.” he continued while Kamemon and a group of Divermon leapt into the water and went to battle with some Tylomon.

“I see a wreck to the windward,
And a lofty ship to lee,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

Koemon meanwhile was below deck, loading and lighting the cannons, firing them in as much succession as he could to keep up with the opposing ship.

“O are you a pirate,
Or a man-o-war? cried we.”

Takumi was being kept in check by Mermaimon. Any time he tried climbing to his feet, the pirate mermaid would knock him back down, only giving him reprieve to get fresh water to clean the deck, but soon that wasn’t an issue as the splashing water, rising waves and gushing tides were covering CaptainHookmon’s ship in the salty, murky sea water, which no matter how hard Takumi tried to scrub off, was only getting himself cold and soaked and wet for his troubles.

“Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

Fumiko and Elecmon however were getting nowhere as Petermon’s sword slashed at Fumiko’s kimono like tracksuit top, cutting through the fabric and doing away with the tied belt that kept it in place. Elecmon, the more Tinkermon zipped and stung him, was getting slower and weaker, and yet, not a single attack had landed on the tiny fairy Digimon.

“O no! I'm not a pirate
But a man-o-war, cried he,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

Rina meanwhile, under the poking and prodding of a Divermon was getting more and more confident about steering the massive pirate ship, but wasn’t feeling too hot about it taking water as an opposing cannonball sailed right through it. She turned the ship closer to the enemy vessel as Agumon climbed onto the edge of the ship and leaped off, the larger Rookie level dinosaur Digimon landing with a thud the cracked the deck of the galleon in the place where he landed. His mouth billowed with fire as a rush of Gaossmon. Agumon roared, unleashing a destructive ‘Spitfire Blast’ attack in a rush to get this over with and save Takumi from his humiliation.

“We'll back up our topsails
And heave our vessel to,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

Yusuke was struggling to break free of his bonds, twisting and turning and tossing as he tried to loosen the rope keeping him tied to the mast by any means necessary. The more he struggled the more the rope chaffed and burnt against his chest, the orange haired young man’s arms being only just spared by his leather jacket. But as his struggles became more and more in vain, Yusuke’s struggling slowed down and his yellow eyes began to well up, and what he thought was just salt water splashing on his face, were actually tear drops. The fear of being useless starting to cloud the ruffian’s mind. He grit his teeth, his head bowing as he eventually just hung against the mast.

“For we have got some letters
To be carried home by you,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

The battle going on in the water had become a different matter altogether. The Tylomon were fierce. Stronger than Kamemon could have known. Even with an army of Divermon around him, the Tylomon had them on the run, Kamemon’s ‘Met Tackle’ attack losing momentum in the water, while Tylomon’s ‘Torpedo Attack’ was not only faster, but much more deadly than the Divermon’s ‘Striking Fish’ harpoon attack. The harpoons may have been named Torrent, but they certainly weren’t creating one. Regardless, Shoji continued to play the harmonica at CaptainHookmon’s behest.

“For broadside, for broadside
They fought all on the main,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

What happened next seemed to be something that only took a matter of time. Agumon’s ‘Spitfire Blast’ had caught the sails of the opposing ship, and it was starting to burn, quickly and destructively as CaptainHookmon came face to face with the Captain of the opposing ship, or so he thought. The captain of that vessel, was gone, and nobody was in the ship’s cabin to oppose him, but then the ship began to creak and to crash. Agumon’s fire was spreading, so CaptainHookmon made off with the chest he’d found, his long black jacket protecting him from the fire.

“Until at last the frigate
Shot the pirate's mast away,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

Back to ship, Agumon me heartie!” CaptainHookmon kept up, not missing a beat as he continued to sing in the midst of the chaos. CaptainHookmon and Agumon made running dashes, leaping and catching rope that would allow them to swing back onto their ship as a roar filled their earlobes, the two Digimon looking back to see a large red serpent burst up from the ocean, it’s body wrapping around the burning ship as it let out another roar that caused the Tylomon to retreat, Kamemon sighed, if only because it meant he was no longer holding the Divermon back as CaptainHookmon summoned them back to the deck mid-song.

“For quarters! For quarters!
The saucy pirates cried,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

The burning ship was pulled beneath the ocean, not a scrap of it left floating. The Gaossmon on board, presumably drowned, if not deleted entirely by Agumon’s powerful, albeit completely wreckless ‘Spitfire Blast’.
Back on board, Takumi’s arms and lower back were tiring out as Mermaimon continued to work him ragged. Yusuke hadn’t said a word since being unable to free himself from his position as a mast ornament. Fumiko and Petermon were still going at it, but only just. Elecmon was too worn out, a fact evidenced by the fact that Tinkermon was dancing all over his exhausted, heaving, soaked with sea water body.
Fumiko’s outfit was in tatters however, the green-eyed girl with brown wavy hair not seeming to care as she was reduced to nothing more up top than a t-shirt which just about covered her chest, while Petermon seemed like he could keep this up for hours. The energy Fumiko was exhausting just to scratch him was nothing compared to the energy he was exerting to keep the girl at bay.

“The quarters that we showed them
Was to sink them in the tide,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

A dejected Kamemon soon found his way back to Shoji, but was quickly instructed to go below deck and help Koemon with repairs while Rina was no longer being poked and prodded by the lone Divermon. If anything, it was quite the opposite, she was having fun with controlling the ship and ordering for the sails to be raised and lowered depending on what speed she needed the ship to be at. Below deck, Kamemon found Floramon and Orcamon, the bipedal dolphin Digimon wearing a floatation ring administering first aid on the injured Divermon who had been hurt by Tylomon torpedos. Kamemon could barely look any of them in the eye, feeling un-nerved by the idea that he was the reason so many were hurt. He had no idea how to help them.

Back up top, Petermon was getting ready to end this farce of a duel between himself and Fumiko as Mermaimon had joined in on CaptainHookmon’s singing, pulling Takumi to his feet to watch as not only was Agumon seemingly lost in thought about the fate of the Gaossmon, but that Tinkermon was using Elecmon as a bed while Petermon beat the tar out of Fumiko.
“With cutlass and gun,
O we fought for hours three,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

Breathing heavily, Fumiko attempted an all or nothing swing on Petermon, who caught the rapier she had stolen from CaptainHookmon between his own two blades and twisted it out of her grasp, causing it to sail through the air and be caught by CaptainHookmon, who not only sheathed it, but took off his hat and bowed toward Petermon in thanks for returning the sword.
With no weapon, Fumiko stumbled into a fighting position, launching a kick at Petermon, who easily flew out of the way.

“The ship it was their coffin
And their grave it was the sea,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

The song finished as Petermon took out a flute and began to whistle after calling “MIDNIGHT FANTASIA!!” the whistle roused Elecmon into a sleepwalking state where Petermon intended to sick him on Fumiko, whose eyes where almost in the back of her head. Her vision was blurry, her sense were all off, but her pride and ego were beaten to a pulp. Her eyes suddenly widened as Elecmon came into her field of vision, his sleeping, injured body being forced to move on its own.
“SUPER THUNDER STRIKE!!” the sleeping Elecmon called, making that the last straw for Takumi who despite his own tiredness, broke away from Mermaimon to knock Fumiko out of the way of Elecmon’s attack.
“That’s enough!” he roared. “She’s had enough!” he roared again, scrambling to scoop Fumiko off the ground. At this point, Rina had relinquished control of the ship back to CaptainHookmon, and as Takumi held the brown haired girl in his arms, Mermaimon made her way towards them.
“Do you all understand now?” she asked.
“You, Takumi are too brash and easily humbled. Agumon is just as brash and refused to think before unleashing his attack on the opposing ship.
Kamemon was lost in the water without Shoji’s commands to guide him, while Shoji is perhaps too eager to take the route with less conflict.
Rina. All you need is a bit of confidence and there isn’t a thing you cannot do.
Fumiko. Her pride and ego caused her to ignore Elecmon, and get him far more injured than he needs to be. Their teamwork is pitiful when compared to the duo of Petermon and Tinkermon.
Yusuke just learned the hard way that thrashing about won’t always get him what he wants, while Koemon needs to learn to speak up once in a while.”

Shoji lowered the harmonica, staring at it as the rest of the Digidestined were put into stunned silence. Breaking the silence was a thud, everyone looking to the mast to see that Yuuske was no longer tied up, but standing above them free as a bird. Mermaimon let out a ‘Hmph!’
“So, he’s the only one to learn anything, is he?” she mused, spinning Takumi’s goggles on her finger once again before grasping them.
“I’ll say it again. You are nothing short of lucky to have made it this far. For you all to be unable to control your tempers, your egos and emotions… That is going to get you killed in the upcoming Zones. That is why we’re going to Infinity Mountain, and that is what Admiral Shirogane needs you to learn. Your teamwork, or your idea of it, is abysmal. The bonds between you all need work. They need strengthening. They need a faith that is undoubtedly missing. Orcamon!” she called, an Orcamon coming up from below deck and bowing slightly to Mermaimon.
“Take Miss Fumiko and Elecmon below deck to sickbay. Get them healed up, and for the love of Yggdrasil, get the Miss some fresh clothes.” she added as Takumi’s gaze had fallen elsewhere, stupidly, at the worst possible time. Orcamon followed Mermaimon’s instruction, taking Fumiko from Takumi and disappearing below deck with her.

“Yo ho, lads and lassies!” came CaptainHookmon’s voice to break the tension. “We be approaching Infinity Mountain, so hang onto yer butts!” he called, looking to Petermon and Tinkermon. “First mates, drop sails all the way! The wind is at our backs, there be no kraken in sight. Infinity Mountain is within our reach.”

CaptainHookmon then began to hum a jaunty tune to himself as Takumi and Shoji looked to the treasure chest that the Captain had brought on board from the other ship.
“So, what’s in the chest, good Captain?” Shoji asked, earning a stare from CaptainHookmon as he shook his head.
“Ye should know, lad.” he replied. “You could say the reason we’re going to Infinity Mountain in the first place is for ye to find a key to get back what ye’ve lost.”
“Our Digivices!” Takumi stated. “You mean to tell us that you knew all along that the enemy were holding onto our Digivices?”
“What would have happened if…”
“They’d have been dragged under the sea just like that ship…” came the sad voice of Agumon as he stepped away from the side of the ship.
“Don’t worry about it, buddy.” Takumi said in a bid to cheer Agumon up. “The important thing is th—URK!” Mermaimon had thwomped Takumi across the back of the head, though thankfully not with her anchor weapon.
“Rethink that statement at once, Swabbie!” she scolded. “Your Partner almost cost you Digidestined the thing that matters most, the source of your power to Digivolve. You cannot show him praise based on the fact that a crisis was averted in thanks to the Captain!”
“Oi, bilge rats!” called CaptainHookmon. “We’ll be docking shortly at Root Town, the starting point of File Island where Infinity Mountain resides, so quit yer scwabblin and be ready to climb to new heights!”

Takumi let out a sigh as Agumon lowered his head in shame. What Mermaimon said had stung them both, but it was Agumon who was being the more receptive of the criticism, while Takumi refused to believe that his Partner could do any wrong. It was causing another disconnect as Agumon brushed Takumi’s arm away when the red-eyed young man tried petting the Digimon to cheer him up.
‘Just what is going on?’ Takumi wondered as the group was rife with mixed emotions. Floramon had come and rejoined Rina who was telling her Partner about how Divermon had taught her how to handle the ship while some of the other crewmen took care of the sails at her request. Floramon was delighted to see how happy her Partner was about that.
Kamemon was usually quiet, but this was different, the turtle Digimon was obviously moping, and Shoji was staring at the harmonica that put what effectively amounted to fight music into their struggle against the opposing ship.
Yusuke was in deep contemplation, but what Takumi wouldn’t have given to hear one of his greater than you boasts. Koemon, well, he was Koemon.
Fumiko and Elecmon were in sickbay. Pride and ego causing the fall of the usually effervescent and confident green-eyed girl who pinned this whole mess on him before lashing out herself.

And then his mind fell on Yuki Shirogane, Banchou of Ocean Zone and seemingly the rest of the Digital World. Rumour says she gathered her immense power on a divine mission through the Digital World that’s lasted years. Between her and Hackmon, the Zone was safe from the Dark Generals, and if the batty if not stalwart CaptainHookmon was to be believed actually caused a Dark General to turn on the Olympus Whispered. He shook his head, looking at the ragged swabbie pirate clothes he was in. A far cry from his flannel shirt and sleeveless hoodie. His feet were frozen with the sea water, Takumi pining for his socks and sneakers.

“Maybe I could get my actual clothes back before we climb?” he wondered, his muttering earning a glare from Mermaimon.

END

Description
“All aboard!” called Captain Hookmon as his ship drew anchor and set course for Infinity Mountain. Looking up as the sails dropped, Shoji grinned and then shrugged.
“Really? A pirate ship?” he asked. “That’s the next part of this whack adventure?”
“Aye. And not just any kind of adventure, boy!” CaptainHookmon replied.
“That’s right!” interrupted Tinkermon as she zipped, zigged and zagged around Petermon, CaptainHookmon and the DigiDestined.
“We be goin’ on a High Sea Adventure today, lads and lasses.” the Captain continued as he spun the wheel of the ship, tapping his foot on the ground. “The journey to Infinity Mountain be a long one. Not entirely arduous, but should the seas decide to act the maggot, well, we could very well have to batten down the hatches.”
“Sounds like your typical sea faring consequence.” Fumiko spoke up. “What are the chances we’ll run into enemy Digimon in this Zone, Hookmon?”
“Captain!” the pirate Digimon replied. “That be CaptainHookmon, lass.” he corrected.
“Oh?” wondered Rina. “So, they don’t just call you Captain because of this ship?” she asked, Petermon shaking his head in response as he called to them from atop one of the ship’s masts.

“Hookmon is the Champion form of CaptainHookmon here, you see. So, Captain is not just a frivolous title.”
“Wait a minute!” Shoji called in response. “Hookmon is an ULTIMATE LEVEL DIGIMON?!”
“CAPTAIN HOOKMON!” the Captain called back, Shoji facefaulting as quickly as he was interrupted.
“Er, right. Sorry about that, good sir.” Shoji apologised before looking back up at Petermon. “Captain!Hookmon is an Ultimate Level Digimon? Is that what you just said?”
Petermon nodded as he flew down to the others. “That’s right!” he said cheerfully.
“Nice to know that this world isn’t shy about throwing high level Digimon at us before we’re ready for them, isn’t it?” Fumiko snarked as she looked to Elecmon who just sat in her arms silently.
“Just be happy that the two we’ve met so far are on our side.” Shoji replied, breaking any tension in the air before it could build.
“Speaking of which. Where’s our fearless leader gone off to?” Fumiko asked, looking around the ship, past Rina and Floramon, past Yusuke and Koemon and past Shoji and Kamemon. There was no sign of Takumi or Agumon for that matter.
“That’s weird.” Yusuke began. “I know the goggle brain and Agumon got on board.”
“Yes, indeed.” added Shoji. “They were rather slow about it, albeit, but they did get on board eventually.”
“Have you seen them, Captain?” Rina asked, the Captain looking back at them before pointing his hook skyward.
“Aye, lass. Yer stalwart general has climbed aboard the crow’s nest.” he replied before taking the helm again. “Didn’t seem to be in much of a chit chat mood if I do say so.”
“Just what are he and the frog monster up to?” Fumiko wondered, a stern look on her face that caused Rina to slowly poke the brown-haired girl’s cheek, earning a long stare from Fumiko.

“Um, Fumi-san…” the pink-haired girl stammered. “You’ve been… well, um… you’ve been like a, ah, a different person since what happened with Yuki-san before. Is everything all right?”
“Is everything all right, Rina?” Fumiko asked in response before shaking her head. “No. Everything is not all right! If you hadn’t noticed, we were ambushed by someone who completely outclassed us and then stole our Digivices. And we’re on this rickety boat at HER behest. I don’t like this. At all. And just where is our precious ‘Akama-kun’? Sulking twenty feet above us! Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind, Rina. I have good mind to go up there and drag him down with those goggles around his neck! It’s his fault we’re in this mess!”
As Fumiko stared a hole in Rina, the girl’s blue eyes trembled in response. Fumiko was normally so cool. So calm and collected, and now she was visibly shaken if not livid.
Fumiko suddenly backed away, as if catching her reflection in Rina’s watering blue eyes.
“I’m… I’m sorry.” she said as she took a breath. “I just… Being set up “for our own good” is not really something that should be settling well with any of us.”
“I agree.” came Petermon’s voice as he interrupted the group, cutting across Kamemon before he could speak. “And that is exactly Miss Shirogane’s intention. If she can do it, so could anyone.”
“Aye.” CaptainHookmon continued. “Sure, fer all ye seadogs know it’s happening right now. Can ye really trust aul CaptainHookmon?”

At this, the four Digidestined on deck tensed up, readying themselves with a battle stance. Had they been suckered into yet another trap? Elecmon leapt from Fumiko’s arms, his body pulsing with lightning.
“I would not be so hasty, Elecmon.” CaptainHookmon called. “We be on water after all. Can ye be sure that yeh won’t inadvertently shock Fumiko and yer compatriots?” Elecmon backed down as CaptainHookmon stepped away from the wheel. “Petermon, take the wheel!” the pirate Digimon called.
“Aye, Captain!” Petermon responded while the Captain approached the Digidestined.
“Digidestined, Digidestined, Digidestined.” CaptainHookmon said as though he was disappointed with them. “Were ye not listening to me before? I be a gentleman of the ocean. My offer of aid on Admiral Shirogane’s behalf is genuine.”

“So, you answer to Yuki then?” Yusuke asked, subconsciously reaching for a Digivice that was no longer on his arm.
“I owe her a debt of gratitude if ye must know. Sure, she saved me from bein’ nothin’ more than a puppet with his strings bein’ pulled and plucked by the great Neptunemon himself.”
“Just how did she do that?” Rina asked, Shoji nodding.
“If you wouldn’t mind good sir. We’re all rather flummoxed on how Yuki has become as strong as she is.”
“Yeah.” followed Yusuke. “She wiped the floor with us like we were nothing.”
“I don’t know the specifics, boy.” CaptainHookmon replied. “And I dare not ask. Rumour says she’s been here years. That she were sent on a divine mission of some sort. But no one’s dared ask the hows and whys, and it’s better for everyone that way.”
“Years?!” questioned Shoji, opening the top button of his shirt. “But that’s impossible. Right?”
“Again, I dare not ask. But, lookit. Ye asked what are our chances of runnin into some scoundrels amongst the waves, and I ain’t answered that for ye yet. Despite the defeat of the Dark Generals in this Zone, many sub commanders are still running rampant. Some still have the idea that they may be able t’revive their fallen Generals.”
“So that’s what this ‘High Sea Adventure’ is about then, is it?” Fumiko pondered. “We’re being left the scraps that Yuki has left us.
“But, but, but what are we supposed to do without our Digivices?” Rina stammered. “How are we supposed to fight the Dark Generals Commanders without Digivolving?”
“Ah ha! That’s where we come in, me hearties!” bellowed CaptainHookmon as he clapped his hands, Petermon and Tinkermon coming to his side, but not only that; a new Digimon appeared with the bursting sound of a cabin door slamming open.
Half pirate, half mermaid, she had short blonde hair and grey eyes, her shoulderpads looked to be made of silver scales, while her pitch black mermaid’s tail was strapped with brown belts buckled together with a compass. Her elbow length gloves had red blades in the forearm, and as she spun the massive golden anchor in her hands, she pointed at the Digidestined.
“Finally!” commented Fumiko as she broke through the group. “A Digimon in this Zone I recognise! You’re Mermaimon, righ—“ but as soon as she got close, the pirate mermaid swung her anchor with enough force to throw Fumiko back without the anchor even coming into contact with her.
“Haha! Easy, Mermaimon.” CaptainHookmon laughed. “These be friends of Admiral Shirogane. It be tasked to us to help mold these ragamuffins into true protectors of the Digital World.”
“Is that right?” Mermaimon asked, adjusting her pirate’s hat. “These are the Chosen Children?”
“That’s right!” came a voice that hadn’t been heard in a while; Takumi’s. Just when had he come down from the Crow’s Nest Shoji wondered.
“Ah, the goggle boy.” Mermaimon mused. “There’s always one! Tell me, young one. Just what do you hope to achieve on board this vessal?”
“Achieve?” Takumi questioned. “I thought you were just ferrying us to Infinity Mountain to be honest.”
“And with one simple question, any bluster you had has been sapped from you.” Mermaimon continued, not really addressing Takumi directly, but more muttering to herself about him. “Hopeless. It’s a wonder you’ve come as far as you have.”
“What was that?” Takumi asked through grit teeth.
“You heard me!” Mermaimon quipped back. “You have a long way to go if you think you have any right to hold the title of Digidestined. So, I ask you again. What do you hope to achieve?”

Takumi paused. He had no answer. Looking around the ship, it was just him, his friends and the four new Digimon they’d encountered. What could they hope to achieve before reaching Infinity Mountain?
Mermaimon sighed, staring at the goggle boy with contempt.
“Fine. I shall make this easier. What is it that you desire? What does this trip mean to you?”
Takumi bit his lip in thought, mumbling the question over in his mind. The answer seemed so obvious as his red eyes burst open.
“What I want? Is to save the Digital World!” he replied without a shred of fear in his voice.
“Why?” she asked, Takumi having to double take. Wasn’t his answer enough?
“Because that’s what being a Digidestined mea—UWAAGH!!” Mid answer, Mermaimon had thrown Takumi back just as she had Fumiko previously, Takumi coursing through the air and crashing into the mast with a thud before sliding down and hitting the deck even harder.
“CaptainHookmon!” Mermaimon called, spinning Takumi’s goggles on her finger before grasping them. “I suggest this swabbie be made to scrub the deck until it sparkles in the moonlight.”
“Takumi!” called Agumon and Fumiko as they rushed to the leader’s side, helping him to his feet.
“Well then. If that be the punishment that ye see fit for our fiery friend, then who be I to argue, former head of the Dark Generals, Mermaimon!”
“WHAT?!” yelled every human and Digimon Partner as they regrouped, only for Takumi to be grabbed by some sneaking Orcamon and dragged with a scream into the cabin.
“Wh-why is th-there a Dark General on board this ship, Hookmon?!” Rina stammered as she tugged on her turtle neck in an attempt to breathe easier on the open air.
“Captain! Hookmon!” CaptainHookmon yelled back. “And there’s a perfectly good reason for that. You see, well, I guess it’s easiest to say that she turned on Neptunemon.”
“Turned? Turned on Neptunemon? But I thought the Dark Generals were consumed by the Whispered Virus just as the Olympus Twelve are.” Shoji countered, CaptainHookmon raising his hooked arm in an ‘Ah, right.’ fashion, the look on his face just as quizzical.
“You… you really have no clue, do you?” Yusuke piped up, CaptainHookmon looking off like a child who had just been caught with his hand, or hook in this case, in the cookie jar.
“Ok, just what is going on here?” Floramon asked.
“Yeah, really!” Elecmon followed. “It feels like we’ve just been ran in circles here and veered way off course.”
“Off course?” questioned CaptainHookmon. “We’re not off course. We be heading right for Infinity Mountain as we should be, right Petermon? Tinkermon?”
“Aye, Captain!” the duo replied.
“Then just what have you done with my Partner?” Agumon asked in an annoyed tone.

“Ah, right. The goggled one.” CaptainHookmon responded. “Ye see. We just be carryin’ out Mermaimon’s judgement. Yer leader be nothin’ more than a mere swabbie in her eyes, so a swabbie is what he’ll be. At least until we get t’Infinity Mountain, savvy?”
“What? No. Not savvy.” Shoji protested. “None of this is savvy! Did you just go stark raving mad in the last five minutes, or are you always like this.
“Captain!” called Petermon. “Enemy ship on the horizon!”
“Oh, lovely! Let the High Sea Adventure begin.” the Captain yelled jovially. “Hey, blondie. Give us a tune, wouldjya?”
“Huh? Me?” Shoji wondered as CaptainHookmon tossed a harmonica his way, the blue eyed boy catching it with a puzzled stare as he pat himself on the chest. “That was in my vest pocket!” he yelled. “How did you…?”
“Um, pirate, hello!” CaptainHookmon replied, which caused Fumiko to reach out and in one swift movement, draw CaptainHookmon’s ridiculously long rapier, a stunned silence filling the deck save for the waves splashing alongside them as cannonballs narrowly missed CaptainHookmon’s ship.
“I want an explaination. Now. Why is the Captain mad as a hatter? And why is the only thing that counts for a grown up around here a supposed former Dark General?”

“This is just bloody brilliant, isn’t it?” CaptainHookmon beamed. “On one side, we have an enemy ship trying to sink us, and on our own deck, we have a ruddy mutiny! Petermon! If she wants to duel, then you see to it she gets one. Petermon and Tinkermon versus Fumiko and Elecmon.
How does that sound, pet?”
“Not the answers I wanted!” Fumiko replied as Petermon drew his swords, she lunged at CaptainHookmon, but Petermon cut her off, driving her back.
“Oi, blondie. I believe I asked you for a tune.” the Captain commented as he watched Fumiko take a stance and fight back against Petermon.
Shoji looked back, the cabin door had swung back open, Takumi being tossed onto the deck, stripped of his regular clothes and dressed in a black bandana, a blue and white striped t-shirt and yellow trousers with the ends ripped off. He was also barefoot. In his hands was a small bristle brush as an Orcamon dropped a bucket of soapy water Takumi’s side.
Mermaimon grinned, holding the anchor blade against his neck as if to tell the Digidestined leader not to make a move or do anything other than swab the deck. With a mutter and a curse worthy of the sea, Takumi threw his hand into the bucket and began to swab.
As humiliating as it was, he watched Fumiko and Elecmon go to battle with Petermon and Tinkermon, the fairy duo’s teamwork getting the better of Fumiko and Elecmon’s in the long term. With a reluctant sigh, Shoji brought the harmonica to lips and began to play, his eyes opening to see Yusuke had been tied to the ship’s mast, while Rina found herself being dragged to the wheel of the ship by a lone Divermon.
“Digidestined Digimon!” CaptainHookmon called as Shoji continued to play. “If ye want yer compatriots to come out of this one safe and sound, then I suggest ye help me fend off that opposing ship!” The Digimon growled and snared, the Divermon forcing Rina to come to grips with steering the massive pirate ship quicker than she would have liked. Being backed into a corner, the four Digimon sighed, Agumon being the one to speak up while Kamemon, Floramon and Koemon looked on.
“What would you have us do, Captain!”
“Aha! Rina! Get us closer to that ship!” the Captain commanded. “Agumon. You’re with me. We shall board the enemy deck, take down their crew and make off with their loot.
Kamemon, you will go with the Hyangomon and fend off the Tylomon heading our way. We cannot allow them rapscallions to put a hole in me beautiful vessel, ye got that?
Floramon. Ye will assist the Orcamon with medical emergencies and Koemon… how would ya like to beat in some skulls? Barbary seems t’be right up yer alley!”

“Look ahead, look astern, Look the weather in the lee!” sang CaptainHookmon as he leapt onto the sail and blasted a tied rope with his leg revolver that allowed him to be thrown as high as the ship and sail onto the enemy galleon.
“Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.” he continued while Kamemon and a group of Divermon leapt into the water and went to battle with some Tylomon.

“I see a wreck to the windward,
And a lofty ship to lee,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

Koemon meanwhile was below deck, loading and lighting the cannons, firing them in as much succession as he could to keep up with the opposing ship.

“O are you a pirate,
Or a man-o-war? cried we.”

Takumi was being kept in check by Mermaimon. Any time he tried climbing to his feet, the pirate mermaid would knock him back down, only giving him reprieve to get fresh water to clean the deck, but soon that wasn’t an issue as the splashing water, rising waves and gushing tides were covering CaptainHookmon’s ship in the salty, murky sea water, which no matter how hard Takumi tried to scrub off, was only getting himself cold and soaked and wet for his troubles.

“Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

Fumiko and Elecmon however were getting nowhere as Petermon’s sword slashed at Fumiko’s kimono like tracksuit top, cutting through the fabric and doing away with the tied belt that kept it in place. Elecmon, the more Tinkermon zipped and stung him, was getting slower and weaker, and yet, not a single attack had landed on the tiny fairy Digimon.

“O no! I'm not a pirate
But a man-o-war, cried he,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

Rina meanwhile, under the poking and prodding of a Divermon was getting more and more confident about steering the massive pirate ship, but wasn’t feeling too hot about it taking water as an opposing cannonball sailed right through it. She turned the ship closer to the enemy vessel as Agumon climbed onto the edge of the ship and leaped off, the larger Rookie level dinosaur Digimon landing with a thud the cracked the deck of the galleon in the place where he landed. His mouth billowed with fire as a rush of Gaossmon. Agumon roared, unleashing a destructive ‘Spitfire Blast’ attack in a rush to get this over with and save Takumi from his humiliation.

“We'll back up our topsails
And heave our vessel to,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

Yusuke was struggling to break free of his bonds, twisting and turning and tossing as he tried to loosen the rope keeping him tied to the mast by any means necessary. The more he struggled the more the rope chaffed and burnt against his chest, the orange haired young man’s arms being only just spared by his leather jacket. But as his struggles became more and more in vain, Yusuke’s struggling slowed down and his yellow eyes began to well up, and what he thought was just salt water splashing on his face, were actually tear drops. The fear of being useless starting to cloud the ruffian’s mind. He grit his teeth, his head bowing as he eventually just hung against the mast.

“For we have got some letters
To be carried home by you,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

The battle going on in the water had become a different matter altogether. The Tylomon were fierce. Stronger than Kamemon could have known. Even with an army of Divermon around him, the Tylomon had them on the run, Kamemon’s ‘Met Tackle’ attack losing momentum in the water, while Tylomon’s ‘Torpedo Attack’ was not only faster, but much more deadly than the Divermon’s ‘Striking Fish’ harpoon attack. The harpoons may have been named Torrent, but they certainly weren’t creating one. Regardless, Shoji continued to play the harmonica at CaptainHookmon’s behest.

“For broadside, for broadside
They fought all on the main,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

What happened next seemed to be something that only took a matter of time. Agumon’s ‘Spitfire Blast’ had caught the sails of the opposing ship, and it was starting to burn, quickly and destructively as CaptainHookmon came face to face with the Captain of the opposing ship, or so he thought. The captain of that vessel, was gone, and nobody was in the ship’s cabin to oppose him, but then the ship began to creak and to crash. Agumon’s fire was spreading, so CaptainHookmon made off with the chest he’d found, his long black jacket protecting him from the fire.

“Until at last the frigate
Shot the pirate's mast away,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

Back to ship, Agumon me heartie!” CaptainHookmon kept up, not missing a beat as he continued to sing in the midst of the chaos. CaptainHookmon and Agumon made running dashes, leaping and catching rope that would allow them to swing back onto their ship as a roar filled their earlobes, the two Digimon looking back to see a large red serpent burst up from the ocean, it’s body wrapping around the burning ship as it let out another roar that caused the Tylomon to retreat, Kamemon sighed, if only because it meant he was no longer holding the Divermon back as CaptainHookmon summoned them back to the deck mid-song.

“For quarters! For quarters!
The saucy pirates cried,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

The burning ship was pulled beneath the ocean, not a scrap of it left floating. The Gaossmon on board, presumably drowned, if not deleted entirely by Agumon’s powerful, albeit completely wreckless ‘Spitfire Blast’.
Back on board, Takumi’s arms and lower back were tiring out as Mermaimon continued to work him ragged. Yusuke hadn’t said a word since being unable to free himself from his position as a mast ornament. Fumiko and Petermon were still going at it, but only just. Elecmon was too worn out, a fact evidenced by the fact that Tinkermon was dancing all over his exhausted, heaving, soaked with sea water body.
Fumiko’s outfit was in tatters however, the green-eyed girl with brown wavy hair not seeming to care as she was reduced to nothing more up top than a t-shirt which just about covered her chest, while Petermon seemed like he could keep this up for hours. The energy Fumiko was exhausting just to scratch him was nothing compared to the energy he was exerting to keep the girl at bay.

“The quarters that we showed them
Was to sink them in the tide,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

A dejected Kamemon soon found his way back to Shoji, but was quickly instructed to go below deck and help Koemon with repairs while Rina was no longer being poked and prodded by the lone Divermon. If anything, it was quite the opposite, she was having fun with controlling the ship and ordering for the sails to be raised and lowered depending on what speed she needed the ship to be at. Below deck, Kamemon found Floramon and Orcamon, the bipedal dolphin Digimon wearing a floatation ring administering first aid on the injured Divermon who had been hurt by Tylomon torpedos. Kamemon could barely look any of them in the eye, feeling un-nerved by the idea that he was the reason so many were hurt. He had no idea how to help them.

Back up top, Petermon was getting ready to end this farce of a duel between himself and Fumiko as Mermaimon had joined in on CaptainHookmon’s singing, pulling Takumi to his feet to watch as not only was Agumon seemingly lost in thought about the fate of the Gaossmon, but that Tinkermon was using Elecmon as a bed while Petermon beat the tar out of Fumiko.
“With cutlass and gun,
O we fought for hours three,
Blow high! Blow low!
And so sailed we.”

Breathing heavily, Fumiko attempted an all or nothing swing on Petermon, who caught the rapier she had stolen from CaptainHookmon between his own two blades and twisted it out of her grasp, causing it to sail through the air and be caught by CaptainHookmon, who not only sheathed it, but took off his hat and bowed toward Petermon in thanks for returning the sword.
With no weapon, Fumiko stumbled into a fighting position, launching a kick at Petermon, who easily flew out of the way.

“The ship it was their coffin
And their grave it was the sea,
A sailing down all on
The coast of High Barbary!”

The song finished as Petermon took out a flute and began to whistle after calling “MIDNIGHT FANTASIA!!” the whistle roused Elecmon into a sleepwalking state where Petermon intended to sick him on Fumiko, whose eyes where almost in the back of her head. Her vision was blurry, her sense were all off, but her pride and ego were beaten to a pulp. Her eyes suddenly widened as Elecmon came into her field of vision, his sleeping, injured body being forced to move on its own.
“SUPER THUNDER STRIKE!!” the sleeping Elecmon called, making that the last straw for Takumi who despite his own tiredness, broke away from Mermaimon to knock Fumiko out of the way of Elecmon’s attack.
“That’s enough!” he roared. “She’s had enough!” he roared again, scrambling to scoop Fumiko off the ground. At this point, Rina had relinquished control of the ship back to CaptainHookmon, and as Takumi held the brown haired girl in his arms, Mermaimon made her way towards them.
“Do you all understand now?” she asked.
“You, Takumi are too brash and easily humbled. Agumon is just as brash and refused to think before unleashing his attack on the opposing ship.
Kamemon was lost in the water without Shoji’s commands to guide him, while Shoji is perhaps too eager to take the route with less conflict.
Rina. All you need is a bit of confidence and there isn’t a thing you cannot do.
Fumiko. Her pride and ego caused her to ignore Elecmon, and get him far more injured than he needs to be. Their teamwork is pitiful when compared to the duo of Petermon and Tinkermon.
Yusuke just learned the hard way that thrashing about won’t always get him what he wants, while Koemon needs to learn to speak up once in a while.”

Shoji lowered the harmonica, staring at it as the rest of the Digidestined were put into stunned silence. Breaking the silence was a thud, everyone looking to the mast to see that Yuuske was no longer tied up, but standing above them free as a bird. Mermaimon let out a ‘Hmph!’
“So, he’s the only one to learn anything, is he?” she mused, spinning Takumi’s goggles on her finger once again before grasping them.
“I’ll say it again. You are nothing short of lucky to have made it this far. For you all to be unable to control your tempers, your egos and emotions… That is going to get you killed in the upcoming Zones. That is why we’re going to Infinity Mountain, and that is what Admiral Shirogane needs you to learn. Your teamwork, or your idea of it, is abysmal. The bonds between you all need work. They need strengthening. They need a faith that is undoubtedly missing. Orcamon!” she called, an Orcamon coming up from below deck and bowing slightly to Mermaimon.
“Take Miss Fumiko and Elecmon below deck to sickbay. Get them healed up, and for the love of Yggdrasil, get the Miss some fresh clothes.” she added as Takumi’s gaze had fallen elsewhere, stupidly, at the worst possible time. Orcamon followed Mermaimon’s instruction, taking Fumiko from Takumi and disappearing below deck with her.

“Yo ho, lads and lassies!” came CaptainHookmon’s voice to break the tension. “We be approaching Infinity Mountain, so hang onto yer butts!” he called, looking to Petermon and Tinkermon. “First mates, drop sails all the way! The wind is at our backs, there be no kraken in sight. Infinity Mountain is within our reach.”

CaptainHookmon then began to hum a jaunty tune to himself as Takumi and Shoji looked to the treasure chest that the Captain had brought on board from the other ship.
“So, what’s in the chest, good Captain?” Shoji asked, earning a stare from CaptainHookmon as he shook his head.
“Ye should know, lad.” he replied. “You could say the reason we’re going to Infinity Mountain in the first place is for ye to find a key to get back what ye’ve lost.”
“Our Digivices!” Takumi stated. “You mean to tell us that you knew all along that the enemy were holding onto our Digivices?”
“What would have happened if…”
“They’d have been dragged under the sea just like that ship…” came the sad voice of Agumon as he stepped away from the side of the ship.
“Don’t worry about it, buddy.” Takumi said in a bid to cheer Agumon up. “The important thing is th—URK!” Mermaimon had thwomped Takumi across the back of the head, though thankfully not with her anchor weapon.
“Rethink that statement at once, Swabbie!” she scolded. “Your Partner almost cost you Digidestined the thing that matters most, the source of your power to Digivolve. You cannot show him praise based on the fact that a crisis was averted in thanks to the Captain!”
“Oi, bilge rats!” called CaptainHookmon. “We’ll be docking shortly at Root Town, the starting point of File Island where Infinity Mountain resides, so quit yer scwabblin and be ready to climb to new heights!”

Takumi let out a sigh as Agumon lowered his head in shame. What Mermaimon said had stung them both, but it was Agumon who was being the more receptive of the criticism, while Takumi refused to believe that his Partner could do any wrong. It was causing another disconnect as Agumon brushed Takumi’s arm away when the red-eyed young man tried petting the Digimon to cheer him up.
‘Just what is going on?’ Takumi wondered as the group was rife with mixed emotions. Floramon had come and rejoined Rina who was telling her Partner about how Divermon had taught her how to handle the ship while some of the other crewmen took care of the sails at her request. Floramon was delighted to see how happy her Partner was about that.
Kamemon was usually quiet, but this was different, the turtle Digimon was obviously moping, and Shoji was staring at the harmonica that put what effectively amounted to fight music into their struggle against the opposing ship.
Yusuke was in deep contemplation, but what Takumi wouldn’t have given to hear one of his greater than you boasts. Koemon, well, he was Koemon.
Fumiko and Elecmon were in sickbay. Pride and ego causing the fall of the usually effervescent and confident green-eyed girl who pinned this whole mess on him before lashing out herself.

And then his mind fell on Yuki Shirogane, Banchou of Ocean Zone and seemingly the rest of the Digital World. Rumour says she gathered her immense power on a divine mission through the Digital World that’s lasted years. Between her and Hackmon, the Zone was safe from the Dark Generals, and if the batty if not stalwart CaptainHookmon was to be believed actually caused a Dark General to turn on the Olympus Whispered. He shook his head, looking at the ragged swabbie pirate clothes he was in. A far cry from his flannel shirt and sleeveless hoodie. His feet were frozen with the sea water, Takumi pining for his socks and sneakers.

“Maybe I could get my actual clothes back before we climb?” he wondered, his muttering earning a glare from Mermaimon.

END