Searching for Answers

Theos face paled. Why the hell was Kemba here? "SUGAR BOY! SUGAR BOY! SUGAR BOY!" The crowds chant was deafening. These started edging around the ring looking for the door in or a way to get Kembas attention, "Sugar Pound!" He had won but at what cost? "Sugar Boy has done it again! His ninth victory! Amazing! This newcomer is on a roll!" The announcer shouted, "Just....one more....." Kemba exclaimed. "One more....and Theos won't be mad at me....anymore!" Kemba looked dazed and weary.

"Kemba," Theos shouted just as the announcer spoke again. "Now, Sugar Boy has shown himself more then capable of becoming the junior champion! We now welcome to the ring, the undisputed junior champion, Blake "The Champ" Dinoooohuuuuuuuuuumoooooon!" An adult? "What!? How is he the junior champion!? He's an adult level!" Kemba said. "Blake started in this ring as a junior and won his way to the title, and then won his way through the regular circuit. He's champion of both." Theos face once again went pale. There was no way Kemba could defeat an adult without his sword and armor. Let alone the power of his wielder. It took three of them to take down a single adult before, "That's right, Sugar Boy, I'm the champ of both circuits. I've been fighting here for fourteen years. I'm undefeated." Blake said. "I have to say, you did as well as I did when I started, but your still no match for me." He had to stop this somehow. Theos looked around he didn't know what to do. He could jump in and make the match forfeit. Or talk to the very man he came to talk to and get him to call it off.

"Sorry Champ..." Kemba said raising his fists, Blake looked to him. "There is someone I care about to much to lose here. I need to win the prize money, so I am going to have to dethrone you." Theos shook his head. Kemba could be such an idiot but he was his idiot, "That is admirable Sugar Boy, but this is a no holds barred fight. You'll have to have more the noble goals to win." Theos began working his way around towards the announcer. He had to get Kilgaths attention. "Why don't I honor those goals of yours and make this a money match? What do you all say!?" Theos continued to work his way around. The sounds of the crowd picking up yet again. "There you have it Sugar Boy, if you can last just three minutes in a cage match with me. You'll get a handsome sum of cash, think you can do it?" Theos looked at the ring with the new set of rules. His eyes met Kembas, suddenly he looked more relaxed and even told him he was okay with a peace sign, "Just three minutes? Easy enough! I accept!" Kemba said. "There you have it folks! A steel cage money match as our tenth consecutive championship fight! Lower the cage!" Theos silently cursed as the cage fell from the ceiling on cue. "Fighters ready!? Let the match begin!!" Theos felt something on his back and he looked around to see Kim, "You have to stop the match! This is a death sentence!" Kim said to Theos, "I had no idea Blake would be the junior circuits champion! This is all my fault!!" So this was how Kemba had learned of this place. She already felt bad enough for it however. So he couldn't reprimand her. Not to mention there wasn't enough time. Kemba was already pinned in less than a minute. "You're going to wish you didn't accept my terms, because now I have to break you in three minutes." Theos growled. He had no time to do things the way he wanted.



"Kemba...." Kim said worringly.


Theos hopped onto the rings edge and into the ring. He was sure he'd gain a lot of attention just by stepping in. "I do believe you said this is a 'no holds barred fight.'" Theos scoffed at the dinohumon. "Unfortunately weapon digimon are not at full strength without their wielder. So you tell me how does it feel to prove you are weaker than you look by beating on a unarmed and unwielded digimon. Why not make it more of a challenge? And invite his wielder in to play as well.....or are you scared."

Theos knew such mockery couldn't be ignored. Either the match would be called off due to his interference or he'd give Kemba a chance to last in the ring. He didn't doubt either way however that he had gained the attention on Kilgath. 

Theos hopped onto the rings edge and into the ring. The crowd got worked up as they noticed him and made his way to the outskirts of the cage. "I do believe you said this is a 'no holds barred fight.'" Theos scoffed at the dinohumon. "Unfortunately weapon digimon are not at full strength without their wielder. So you tell me how does it feel to prove you are weaker than you look by beating on a unarmed and unwielded digimon. Why not make it more of a challenge? And invite his wielder in to play as well.....or are you scared."

Blake looked at Theos while keeping Kemba pinned. "Who the hell are you? What nerve you have interfering in our fight!" He yelled. The crowd was screaming for Theos to remove himself from the ring. "The...os..."Kemba said trying to find air. Blake looked at Kemba then back to Theos, "Oh I get it. This is the person you're fighting for." Blake released Kemba who fell down to his knees. The steel cage leaving an imprint in his back. Blake placed his foot on Kemba's head and forced his face into the ground. "You obviously don't know how the arena works. He asked to join this fight club." Blake said pointing to Kemba. "Sugar boy, joined a ten man survival tournament. He knew the rules of no armaments and accepted it! He fought nine men in a row and defeated them under these conditions for you. He has earned the right to fight the champion, me. A title given to the strongest fighter. Your poor attempt to insult me is palpable and ignorant. Your weapon as you call him, has done fine this far without you. Whatever happens to him in the next three minutes is on you for leaving him to fight alone up to this point. If you want a crack at me, you can work your way up just as he did! For now, sit back and enjoy the result of your friendship!" Blake returned his attention to Kemba and kicked him over on his back. Blake reached down and grabbed Kemba by his throat lifting high for everyone to see, the crowd erupted in a roar of cheers. Blake slammed Kemba hard to the ground. Kemba rolled over reaching around to his back in pain. "With that, Sugar Boy. Your victory train is derailed." Blake turned around but before the announcer could declare Blake the winner, Kemba struggled to his feet. Blake turned and looked at Kemba, "You still want to fight? I was trying to take it easy on you. Just stay down." Blake said. Kemba raised his fists again breathing heavy, "I only have to....endure...for three minutes...then...I'll make up...the cash I spent. Theos won't be mad with me." Blake did not like Kemba's spirit and spat on the ground. "So I really will have to break you then." Blake raised his fists and dashed forward. Kemba couldn't defend, he was to tired and hurt. Ten consecutive fights was to much, he felt like jello. His will was the only thing keeping his body going. Kemba tried to protect his face but Blake's fist got through. Kemba's face disappeared behind the fist. A crack of bone on bone rang out through the room. The force sent Kemba flying into the cage with force causing it to rattle. He slid down to his bottom, his nose was broken and his white fur was now crimson red. His forehead was cut open and his right eye had swollen shut.

Kim was horrified and she closed her eyes, hiding her face in Theos. Blake walked up to Kemba and smashed his heel into Kemba's chest, a resounding crack echoed as a rib or two snapped in his cage. He coughed up blood and raised his paws and gripped Blake's heel tight his left eye staring lifeless like at Blake. "Is it okay for you to keep going? I'll wind up killing you you know." Blake said with a glint in his eye. Kemba was still trying, trying to show he could go on. Desperately waiting to hear the bell signaling his victory. "Tell Kemba to stop. He was trying to win back the units he spent on the candy. I didn't know how brutal this would get or I never would have taken him here. He is so scared you'd be cross with him." Kim stated keeping her eyes away from the brutality. "I'm....not...giving up." Kemba said. "I don't believe this! Sugar Boy only has to endure 30 more seconds and he will be the new Junior champion!" The announcer said. "Then you leave me no choice Sugar Boy." Blake removed his heel and grabbed Kemba and raised him to eye level, dragging his body along the cage as he did. Kemba clenched Blake's wrist and Blake cocked back his arm and made a fist. Blake threw with force his fist into Kemba's face. Kemba's blood splattering all over Blake's own face. One of Kemba's teeth falling to the floor and rolled towards Theos. Kemba did not release his grip. Blake cocked his arm back yet again and let his fist fly. Another heavy impact, and Kemba could be heard coughing and choking. As the cage vibrated from the impact. "15 seconds!" The announcer yelled. The arena went dead silent as the crowd watched. Drips of blood fell to the ground below, Kemba's paws were shaking, struggling to continue their grasp of Blake's wrist for the last few precious seconds until victory. Blake cocked his arm back even further and let his fist fly and it connected, making the cage bend and contort to Kemba's body. Even more splatter across Blake's face, neck and upper torso. He pulled his red stained fist from Kemba's face and dropped his arm to the side. Kemba's tiny paws finally gave in and fell to his side. Blake released Kemba and he fell like a doll to the floor and laid there. Blake licked the blood from his lips and turned, raising his fist in victory. "That's it! It's over! Sugar Boy with just three seconds left has lost! Our winner and still Junior champion, Blake "the Champ" Dinoooooohuuuuuumoooooon!" The announcer shouted and the crowd erupted into a roar of cheers as the cage lifted. The crowd cheered Champ over and over as Blake made his way towards the end of the ring. He looked at Theos and cracked his own neck, "I know this isn't what you want to hear, but Sugar Boy has earned my respect. I wish him a swift and speedy recovery. Just take better care of your weapon next time." Blake chuckled slightly as he headed into the crowd.

Kemba was laying on his side, staring out into the crowd with his blurred vision. A small pool starting by his head, should Theos walk up to him, his entire face would be red. Not a single white strand of fur to be found. His left eye was just barely open, his small nose had disappeared in the swelling and he couldn't control the overflow of drool running out of his mouth from the extreme swelling. "The..os...I...am....so...rry. If...I..was just...a little...stronger....I'd have....won...back the money...." He spoke with a lisp as he struggled to get the words out. To be honest he couldn't tell if Theos was by his side but he wanted him to be. Kim peaked just a bit and started to weep at the sight. She blamed herself for everything and felt guilty, she had no words. "Theos...I...I am so sorry!" She said. The announcer walked up on stage, "Hey we still have fighters left, can you clear the stage please? If you need help removing Sugar Boy, I can provide you some." The announcer said. It didn't seem anyone their cared about Kemba. His fans had just as easily turned on him when he was beaten. The fight was the only thing these people cared for. The winner was everything and the loser was just entertainment. Lord Kilgath watched and waited for the next match with Blake at his side.

"Who the hell are you? What nerve you have interfering in our fight!" Theos winced at his yelling. And the crowds, "The...os..."Kemba said trying to find air. Blake looked at Kemba then back to Theos, "Oh I get it. This is the person you're fighting for." Theos frowned as Blake opted for standing on Kemba. "You obviously don't know how the arena works. He asked to join this fight club." Blake said pointing to Kemba. "Sugar boy, joined a ten man survival tournament. He knew the rules of no armaments and accepted it! He fought nine men in a row and defeated them under these conditions for you. He has earned the right to fight the champion, me. A title given to the strongest fighter. Your poor attempt to insult me is palpable and ignorant. Your weapon as you call him, has done fine this far without you. Whatever happens to him in the next three minutes is on you for leaving him to fight alone up to this point. If you want a crack at me, you can work your way up just as he did! For now, sit back and enjoy the result of your friendship!" Theos ears went back. He had hoped to get in there with Kemba. Though it seemed the Dinohumon was more into playing by the rules. It showed a level of intelligence he wasn't expecting from one who beat on others for a living. Theos winced with each blow. "With that, Sugar Boy. Your victory train is derailed." Stay down....Theos silently willed. He sat back towards the wall. There was little he could do, "You still want to fight? I was trying to take it easy on you. Just stay down." Such an idiot, "I only have to....endure...for three minutes...then...I'll make up...the cash I spent. Theos won't be mad with me." He never was...if anything he was mad at him for this now. "So I really will have to break you then." Theos couldn't watch anymore. He hopped back over the wall. Much to the crowds delight he was sure. He sat there head on the wall watching with glossy eyes.


Idiot.....idiot.....idiot.... was all that went through Theos mind, "Is it okay for you to keep going? I'll wind up killing you you know." Theos frowned as he watched it all....was he going to end up like Dan? "Tell Kemba to stop. He was trying to win back the units he spent on the candy. I didn't know how brutal this would get or I never would have taken him here. He is so scared you'd be cross with him."

"He should know better....love triumphs all," Theos replied and sighed. He seriously needed to reprimand Kemba for this. Once he was well that is. 

"I'm....not...giving up." Kemba said. "I don't believe this! Sugar Boy only has to endure 30 more seconds and he will be the new Junior champion!" The announcer said. "Then you leave me no choice Sugar Boy." Theos cursed his stubborness. It had been useful in the mines but not now....not here. Not when he was alone without his weapon. "15 seconds!" The only thing Theos could ask for was his survival at this point. "That's it! It's over! Sugar Boy with just three seconds left has lost! Our winner and still Junior champion, Blake "the Champ" Dinoooooohuuuuuumoooooon!" Theos jumped back in to drag Kemba out. He ran up to him and watched for any sign of life, "I know this isn't what you want to hear, but Sugar Boy has earned my respect. I wish him a swift and speedy recovery. Just take better care of your weapon next time." He was right it was not something Theos wanted to here. However he was grateful. Kemba was alive when he could have very just as easily snapped his neck and be done with it.



The sight was nearly as bad as Dan... "The..os...I...am....so...rry. If...I..was just...a little...stronger....I'd have....won...back the money...." Theos shook his head. "Theos...I...I am so sorry!" She said. The announcer walked up on stage, "Hey we still have fighters left, can you clear the stage please? If you need help removing Sugar Boy, I can provide you some."

Theos grabbed Kemba by the scruff and started dragging him off. He doubted they would treat him without money. So Theos started dragging him for the door leaving a trail of blood behind. He said nothing however to Kim. She knew her part in this and she was beating herself up. The mines were harder work than him dragging Kemba back to the inn

"Rosey Red," Theos said after knocking on the door. It opened and the noisy and crowded marketplace disappeared into the background as he headed in It was oddly quieter this morning. A few sat around the sidelines and a few were in the arena sparring. It seemed like light battling however. His gave roamed the area for Blake the Dinohumon. Or his master if at all possible. Theos walked further in as he scanned.

There was about a total of twelve bodies in the room, preparing for the later festivities or actual combat. No one matched Blake as Theos went deeper in, a bar was located at the far end. It was invisible the other night with the crowd so it went unnoticed the first time. There Theos would find Blake sitting down with a drink in one hand and a book in the other. He seemed to be having an easy go of it this morning.

Theos approached Blake where he sat. He sat across from him a moment waiting for a glance of acknowledgement before speaking. "I am sorry about last night. Kemba is healing well." 

He wasn't sure how to breach the subject of wanting to work here. However he shouldn't beat around the bush. "I was wondering if you had work here that needed done. I am willing to work for the right to speak with Lord Kilgath."

Blake looked at Theos when he sat next to him, but only a moment as he returned to his reading. "I am sorry about last night. Kemba is healing well." Theos said, Blake did not respond and turned a page in his book while taking a drink of his alcohol. "I was wondering if you had work here that needed done. I am willing to work for the right to speak with Lord Kilgath." Blake closed his book while bookmarking his page and looked at Theos. "I don't have any work. Go home to Sugar Boy." Blake said bluntly. He got up from his seat and moved behind the bar, "Fath....Lord Kilgath isn't here anyway." Blake stated, he began to pour himself more of his drink and watched the two men sparring now.

"I don't have any work. Go home to Sugar Boy." As Theos feared. It was a no go. He had made a bad impression and it would not be easy to make amends , "Fath....Lord Kilgath isn't here anyway." Fath....father? He was Lord Kilgaths son....maybe he knew then. Though he didn't seem to keen to talk to Theos.

"I was told by an information broker my parents know Lord Kilgath...problem is I've never met them. I'm trying to track them down," Theos explained. "If I can't meet him through working here then I just have to train and fight you huh," Theos gave a polite smile and moved away from the table.

"Thank you by the way....for taking it easy on Kemba," Theos said. Unless he was stopped he'd go over to the ring and look around for a possible sparring partner.

"I was told by an information broker my parents know Lord Kilgath...problem is I've never met them. I'm trying to track them down," Theos explained. Blake didn't know anything about that, his father had more secrets then even Blake knew. "If I can't meet him through working here then I just have to train and fight you huh," Theos gave a polite smile and moved away from the table. "Thank you by the way....for taking it easy on Kemba," Blake tapped his glass and sighed, "Wait. Come here." Blake waved him back. "As I told you before, Sugar Boy's will and courage earned my respect." Blake reached for a small shot glass and poured Theos a cup of his drink and passed it to him. "I have never seen a more determined fighter, what's the deal with you two anyway? No one who fights in this ring has such noble goals. I wanted to end it quickly and spare him pain, but he thought he could beat me. Beating on kids, is not something I care for. I couldn't sleep last night, what I did to Sugar Boy haunted my thoughts." He took a swig of his drink and looked at Theos to see if he would drink with him. "I want to honor Sugar Boy and help the person he wanted to help. I clearly prevented him in doing so, so I will help you as an apology." Blake said taking another drink. Should Theos not partake, Blake would seem a bit annoyed, if he did, Blake would smile and refill his cup.

"Wait. Come here." Theos turned back questioningly. "As I told you before, Sugar Boy's will and courage earned my respect." Theos sniffed the strong smelling drink giving it a strange look. "I have never seen a more determined fighter, what's the deal with you two anyway? No one who fights in this ring has such noble goals. I wanted to end it quickly and spare him pain, but he thought he could beat me. Beating on kids, is not something I care for. I couldn't sleep last night, what I did to Sugar Boy haunted my thoughts." Theos watched him drink it. He hesitated a moment but followed by example. It burned his gut and he suddenly felt hot. His tongue worked the taste in his mouth. It was awful. How could others stand to drink it. "I want to honor Sugar Boy and help the person he wanted to help. I clearly prevented him in doing so, so I will help you as an apology." So that was it. He had to admit Kemba always did make good impressions.....for the most part. He acted tough when he first met him too.

"We are mates," Theos said answering his first question. He wasn't sure he could stomach another swig. "Any help you can provide would be appreciated by us both....you may have even met them. Their names are Midas and Belle."

"Mates huh? You guys are pretty close friends then for him to take a whopping like that for you." It was apparent that Blake was using the word in a different context then Theos. Blake took another drink and looked to see if Theos would drink again, pouring him a third shot if he did. If not Blake, would look at him disappointingly. "Midas and Belle, don't ring any bells. Sorry." Blake said taking another drink, and would proceed to pour a fourth for Theos should he drink the third. "If your parents knew my...Lord Kilgath, then only he would know. Especially if they're nobility, so are you a noble Theos?" Blake questioned. "Regardless, it looks like you don't have another option then to fight tonight to get Lord Kilgath's attention. I'll help you." Blake took another drink and poured Theos a fifth cup should he drink the fourth. "Are you good at fighting like Sugar Boy?" He asked.

"Mates huh? You guys are pretty close friends then for him to take a whopping like that for you." Theos took down the second shot his face scrunching up as he tried to make it avoid his tongue. "Midas and Belle, don't ring any bells. Sorry." He was pouring them way to fast. He stared at his third cup. He didn't want to be rude but his head was already getting fuzzy and his body felt like it was on fire. "If your parents knew my...Lord Kilgath, then only he would know. Especially if they're nobility, so are you a noble Theos?" Theos didn't really know. "Regardless, it looks like you don't have another option then to fight tonight to get Lord Kilgath's attention. I'll help you." Theos took a deep breath smiling in thanks. He tried to prolong drinking the third until he had too. He drank it...it had to have killed some taste buds though. It wasn't nearly as bad as the rest. "Are you good at fighting like Sugar Boy?" He asked.


"I'm pretty good," Theos answered. "We took down hundreds of Kodokugumon and a Dokugumon in the mines together. We became really tough working those mines," Theos said looking into the next drink. Remembering that place left a sour spot in his mouth. Mainly because of Dan. "So I can hold my own if not more so. I'm not going to boast. Mainly cause I don't know how strong everyone else is. There always is the possibility to lose but just as much a possibility to win," Theos finished smiling and looking to him.

Blake took another drink but was not having the same reaction as Theos was but was oblivious nevertheless, and waited a moment for Theos to drink his fifth cup before pouring the sixth. The bottle was nearly empty, "You fought for your life in the mines? That explains the will of Sugar Boy, you two are something else. I can think of no one better to share this drink with!" Blake was happy and smiled. "Fighting for your lives instead of honor is in and of itself honorable. You to have earned my respect Theos! Another round!" He called pouring Theos a seventh cup, even if the sixth wasn't downed he would pour it in a second shot glass. "You're humble as well, you excite my warriors spirit! I will personally see to it that you are involved in tonight's lineup! If you win, I will introduce you to Lord Kilgath...fear not, I will not do battle with you tonight. It is my day off you see, so it works best for you." Blake would fill both shot glasses should they be empty. "I have faith you can pull through!" He said laughing as he drank more from his bottle.