-Darkguilmon!-Jinn called, running back towards the living room; that short distance felt like kilometers to him, every large step he gave taken almost in slow motion. Maybe the device was just malfunctioning… Was that possible? Or maybe it was an ally digimon; he didn't know exactly how the digivice would work in the human world after all. But what would a digimon be doing here anyways?
All those thoughts, all the possibilities presented by those ideas flashed through his eyes at a sickening speed. He stepped in a rush into the living room: Darkguilmon was not in the sofa anymore, but peeking out of the window in alert. He was trembling lightly, while a deep and menacing growl was emitted out of his mouth along with a constant stream of smoke.
-It's a digimon…-Darkguilmon muttered when Jinn approached him. The creature chuckled in anticipation-Finally there's something interesting to do here…-
-This is not a game-Jinn replied. His partner dismissed his worries-Can you tell where it is?-
-It shouldn't be that hard. But by I can't feel any scent from the Digital World, so it's probably very far away-Darkguilmon explained: He wasn't deterred by such a fact at all. Jinn looked at the horizon, estranged and confused with the situation; somehow these problems had followed him to this town, and as far as he knew, he and his partner was the only one that could remedy them.
-Go ahead. I'll catch up with you as fast as I can. Don't let anyone see you! - Jinn instructed.
Darkguilmon glanced at him for a moment, so as to signal that he half-heard his indications, then climbed out of the window and up the building to reach the rooftops. Jinn ran back to his room, grabbed his bag-pack and emptied all of the books on the bed carelessly. After that, he opened the mini-fridge and the few shelves in the house that contained any canned food and non-perishables, and stuffed them in the bag whatever way they could fit. Then he returned to his room and packed some clothes in an equally careless manner.
The nightmares had kept that moment always present in his mind since he returned from the Digital World; the moment that they would finally require his assistance again. Time and time again had he pondered what would he do if it happened, when it happened. The first time he was young, unprepared, and as far as he was concerned he could've avoided much grief had he simply been more focused and willing to adopt his paper in that world, instead of trying to return to this one. Such indecision had destroyed what little he had to value to begin with…
He blinked, staring at the shirt he had in his hands like it was some alien object, then shook his head to erase those thoughts from his head.
"It is not the time for that" He thought, then repeated it a couple times to let it sink in as he crossed the apartment's length with large steps and climbed down the building rapidly. His breathing had become agitated by the time he reached the first floor. He unchained a red bicycle from a lamp post, and before going he extracted his digivice from it.
The machine had the ability to track his partner, something that had resulted useful during Darkguilmon's first escapades in the human world to keep its reckless nature in check. Simultaneously, Darkguilmon was a born hunter: He could track a particular scent from amazingly long distances, and once caught up into the chase, he was unstoppable. Jinn only hoped that his partner would chase the intruder away from the city.
He pedaled furiously, the bike stumbling to one side and the other due attempting to look at both the road and his digivice at the same time. The city was fortunately not very big, and thus it was mostly peaceful; their residents were friendly, trusting and laid-back. At this time of the day, there were only a few students of lazy expressions, people going to work and one or two persons out for a jog. It was the perfect place for somebody looking to leave the past behind and start over, even if Jinn looked wildly out of place in that tranquil environment.
A few minutes later, Jinn had exited the city and crossed one of the few roads that connected it to the rest, and then turned right in one of the forks in the road that lead into the countryside. A little tranquility had returned to Jinn's mind when he left the boundaries of the town behind; maybe the situation wasn't as bad as he thought it was.
Finally, Jinn could spot some signs of a battle: Charred and destroyed trees blocked the main road, so he hopped off the bike and continued running forward. The adrenaline rush he suddenly felt made him sprint until he could see his partner, growling furiously at a couple of tall creatures in red, samurai styled armor. They resembled humans in many aspects, but couldn't be confounded with them: They were muscular and tall, of fierce yellow eyes and mouths full of fangs like those of a shark.
-To think that a mere rookie would cause so much trouble- The furthest one growled. Jinn realized it had something hanging from his shoulder: It was a human girl of black hair, completely limp and unaware of what was happening, or worse.
-Let her go! -Jinn exclaimed, arriving by his partner's side almost completely out of breath. The two creatures looked at each other, apparently confused.
-It's another. He didn't say anything about others…-One of them commented. He was signaling at Jinn's digivice at that moment.
-We're taking him too, then-The one carrying the girl answered.
-Come and try…-Jinn replied, holding his digivice towards his partner-You have no idea what you got yourselves into!-
Darkguilmon's growling became louder, as he exhaled a thick screen of black smoke from its mouth. The invading digimon took a few steps back, ready for to counter. As the smoke cleared away, a towering silhouette could be seen beneath: It had the shape of Darkguilmon, but much larger. A loud flapping sound was heard, as the smoke was swept away completely by the wind created of the creature's newly grown leathery wings. Jinn had climbed on up its neck, holding from a messy hassock of ashy hair on the dragon's head.
-No idea indeed…-The digimon chuckled, slamming its tail in the ground as it rose to its full height.
-Take care, Darkgrowlmon. Do not harm the girl-Jinn instructed. The digimon emitted another thick cloud of smoke from its nose in disapproval.
-You don't scare us, boy! Come down here and surrender peacefully, and we won't harm your pet!-Boasted the enemy that was free. The other one backed even further, with its sword in hand.
-Filthy roach…-Darkgrowlmon gnarled, enraged-Do not call me a pet!-
The dragon then rushed the offender digimon and swept away with its claws; it jumped to avoid him and ran up Darkgrowlmon's arm, only to be blown away by another powerful gust from its wings. Jinn's partner spun rapidly to whip the digimon with its tail before it even touched the ground.
-Shit! Don't move so much!-Jinn protested, holding onto his digivice and his partner's horn.
-You've lost practice and strength, it's your own fault-Darkgrowlmon protested.
-Damn… I'm not beaten yet!-His opponent called, preparing to attack again only to be stopped by its companion.
-Enough! It's better we take this one to him now!-The second one claimed. They nodded and suddenly began running away among the trees.
-What do I do? I thought I wasn't supposed to be seen…-Darkgrowlmon asked, more out of courtesy than actual worry.
-Forget that. We can't allow them to take her!-Jinn replied. Almost immediately, the digimon expanded its wings, and with a single, powerful jump, began flying, giving chase to the two escaping digimon. Jinn checked his digivice, trying to get it to scan the creatures so as to plan better their rescue.
"Musyamon Virus Type. Adult Level."
The digivice refused to show any more information. Jinn was estranged, since in the past it was able to give him all the information he needed on an opponent. Undeterred, he put it away in his pocket and looked at the landscape below: He hoped they were far enough from the city to remain unseen, even if the chance was small. Jinn looked down at the trees; while he was unable to see their enemy, he could feel Darkgrowlmon's acute gaze following them. Jinn wondered where they could be escaping to…
Then, as if driven by instinct, he looked forward. There he saw it: A strange space of air, large enough to be seen from the sky that moved like ripples in a lake.
"A Digital Gate…?!"
He couldn't be mistaken: Jinn could never forget the first time he saw a Digital Gate, even if the horrible things that happened later would forever burn its appearance in his mind. Suddenly, the current situation turned a lot worse.
-There's a Gate, Darkgrowlmon!-Jinn shouted, to make himself heard over the roar of the wind-Cut them off! We must stop them from reaching it at all costs!-
-You said it!-Darkgrowlmon roared. It began flying lower, just above the trees, and began sweeping it its claws at the intruders. They did everything to evade him, and then began counterattacking with their swords, which shot fire every time they swung them.
Darkgrowlmon flew up a little, took a deep breath, and then positioned himself above them-Exhaust Breath!-
The dragon exhaled black flames in front of the Musyamon in an attempt to cut their way off. They stopped in their tracks, and looked up. The one that had attacked them earlier figured the only way to escape was to pass over Darkgrowlmon first, so he charged recklessly against him, roaring furiously.
-Shogun Sword!-The Musyamon shouted, leaping agilely and swinging its sword, which immediately spat out a stream of fire towards Darkgrowlmon. Avoiding by a small space, the enraged digimon grabbed Musyamon out of the air with its giant hand, and then launched him up in the air.
-Starlight Crush!-Darkgrowlmon opened its mouth, and a powerful blast of lighting was shot out of his throat, impacting Musyamon and charring him away.
-Where's the other one?!- Jinn asked nervously. Darkgrowlmon looked down, only to see how the other invader jumped into the portal with its hostage -Shit, no!-
-I'll get him!-
-Wait!-Jinn exclaimed suddenly, as if for a reflex. The digimon stopped in its tracks, waiting impatiently for his partner. Jinn was breathing heavily: He never wanted this moment to come, even if he was always expecting it, he did not want it to happen.
-The gate is closing! If you expect me to rescue her, don't hesitate! -Darkgrowlmon gnarled in annoyance. Jinn was frozen in place: His partner was right. This was no time to doubt.
-Damn... Go, then! Let's go!-Jinn exclaimed, clutching his partner's horn. The digimon immediately flew towards the Gate, and every second of it looked like an eternity to Jinn. A part of him wanted that Gate to close; he wanted them both to crash on the ground and be done with it. He wanted to be in another weirdly vivid dream. Anything, the smallest error at least, to avoid returning to the Digital World…
None of it happened. Darkgrowlmon crossed the door just before it shrank too small for its giant frame to go through. Jinn did not wake up, nor did he let go of his partner's head. The sensation of passing through was just as asphyxiating as before. It was like he was drowning.
And for a moment, it was like going back home.