Chapter Four: Fierce Partners! Grizzlymon and Ren!

Ren watched Grizzlymon carefully as the large bear stared at Tankmon.

"So, what now?" She asked meekly!

Grizzlymon cocked an eye back at her and grin. "Watch!" He said, and then charged towards the group of attacks!

Tankmon sneered. "Heh! You should have run when you had the chance! I think I'll let myself have the pleasure of taking you out myself! Gatling Machine Gun!" He sent a spray of bullets from the guns that made up his arms.

Grizzlymon dodged again, but a few hit him. He lost his balance for a second tripped.

"Grizzlymon!" Ren shouted!

The purple bear quickly got up with a painful grimace, and tried to shake off the pain. "So, you like bullets, huh?" He said when he finally could stand to. "Well, let's see what they can do against this! Maul Attack!"

Ren watched worriedly as Grizzlymon charged towards the tank-like Digimon, who fired another barrage of bullets straight at him. Grizzlymon jumped and, using his massive front paws, sent the bullets back. Tankmon winced and had to back away from the hits from his own ammo, and when they finally ceased, He saw nothing but one of Grizzlymon's giant claws heading straight for the cannon that was his nose.

Ren looked on with confusion as Grizzlymon used his smallest claw to plug up the cannon. Tankmon was mortified. "Hey! Let go of that, you stupid beast!" He then began to try to knock Grizzlymon away with this arms, but the bear quickly used his other claw to knock them away instead. Then, he stood up on his back legs, causing Tankmon to be lifted in the air.

Tankmon flailed as he was lifted straight up,his head facing down towards Grizzlymon's. The bear smirked. "Going up!" He shouted and brought Tankmon down to grab his weaker underside. Tankmon's eyes widen in horror as Grizzlymon then tossed him upwards.

Ren watched with disbelief as Tankmon flew for a few feet, and then began to descend. Grizzlymon watched triumphantly as his foe hit the ground, causing a crater to form under him, into which he was stuck. Grizzlymon got down on all fours again, and then attacked the leader of the invaders. "Crescent Dawn!" He shouted, and a beam of light came from the crescent on his forehead.

It slammed into Tankmon, who shouted in pain. Then, Ren watched in horror as the Machine Digimon dissolved away into little pixels. Grizzlymon then stood up his back legs, and let out another earthshaking roar. He then turned his gaze to the now leader-less Kokuwamon and Guardromon. They looked uneasy at each other, some of them shaking. "Well?" Grizzlymon growled. "Anyone else?"

With this, the small army began to run away. It was then HippoGryphomon and Moosemon decided to move, swiftly charging over and around Grizzlymon and Ren.

"Don't let them escape, Moosemon!" HippoGryphomon shouted in the air to his second-in-command.

"You don't have to worry about that, Leader!" Moosemon said, and then quickly focused on a group of Kokuwamon. "Hanging Twister!" She said, and opened her mouth to release a huge tornado that caught up the metallic beetles, as well as some Guardromon that were running ahead of them. Suddenly,the twister stopped, and sent the entrapped Digimon several feet down to the grass below, where they instantly faded to bits of data, which floated away as if they rode an unfelt wind.

Ren also witnessed HippoGryphomon chase his own group of Machine Digimon. "Heatwave!" He shouted and blew super hot air at then, which melted their metal skins instantly before they were changed to bits of data that blew away as well

"Wait! Stop! Why are you killing them?" The human called. Grizzlymon was about to go after the few Kokuwamon left but he turned to her instead.

"We have to. Leader said if any intruder should escape, that Digimon would only inform the Dark Rulers about what they saw on Beast Field lands! We can't let information get into the wrong hands!"

"But…." Ren responded, only to stop when Hisyarumon floated down in front her.

"I know it is painful to watch them turn to data like that. Believe me, it shakes a Defender like myself to the core. But, when they become pieces of data like that, they are not killed, but mere changed. The data floats off, as you see, to become an egg elsewhere. That Digimon will be born again from that egg, hopefully far away from the Dark Ruler that would use them from dark purposes.

We would love to spare them of this rebirth, but the Dark Rulers leave us no choice. This Digimon are ordered, against the will of all but a few of them, to spy and to fight, only stop when they are attacked to the point of turning into an egg similar to the ones out which they were born. So, we have no choice but to sadly, take it to that point. That is why is it so important that this war end and the Dark Rulers' reign. Do you understand this, Ren?" He asked.

Ren thought for awhile before she slowly nodded. "Yeah, I think so. So, these Dark Rulers, they are no joke, huh?"

Hisyarumon sighed sadly as he watched Moosemon finish taking down the invaders. "No, they are certainly not. And this poor Machine Digimon, they have the worst Dark Ruler. I know little about him, not even his name or description have been revealed, but he treats the Digimon forced under him as bad as Phelesmon himself. He must be taken out first. The Machine Digimon can take this tyrant no more, I am afraid, because he may just end up wiping the innocent ones out completely."

Ran gulped as she imagine the tortures that the Machine Digimon might suffer. "Why? Why would that be any good to anyone? We have similar situations in my world. I don't understand it, Hisyarumon."

"Nor I, Ran…nor I. Come, let us see if HippoGryphomon needs anything. Also, I think Grizzlymon is about out of energy." The dragon said and floated towards the other three Digimon.

"Out of energy?" Ran questioned and followed him, keeping her eyes on the purple bear. Suddenly, he began to glow with light again. Ran then ran faster, fearing he, too, might turn into bits of data. However, she let out a confused sigh as the light got smaller as she arrived at it, before fading out slowly. Bearmon emerged from it , looking himself over.

"I...De-Digivolved?" Man, I liked being Grizzlymon! " He then turned to Ren. "I was awesome, wasn' t I?" He asked proudly.

Ren could not help but smile at this confident question and the proud glare in his eyes. "Yeah, you really were powerful. But why did you turn back, Bearmon?" She implored.

"Allow me to explain." HippoGryphomon said. "According to what we know about Digimon who have digivolved using humans and devices like the one you have, these specific Digimon have a set energy reserve that they can access. It seems to be a combination of that Digimon's specific energy and that of its human partner. Once this energy is completely used up, that Digimon goes back to a previous form, depending on the amount of energy it used.

There are several levels of Digimon strength. They start with Fresh, the level a Digimon is the moment it hatches. It then goes to In-Training, Rookie, Champion, Ultimate, and then finally Mega. Bearmon, for example, is a Rookie Level Digimon and Grizzlymon seems his Champion form. Normally, it takes Digimon years to the next level naturally, and once they obtain that level, they generally don't De-
Digivolved out of it, unless a huge amount of energy is used. However, it seems that human, using their devices, can speed up the process to a matter of seconds, at the cost of usually immediate De-Digivolution." He finished explain.

Ren tried to understand it all. "Yeah, I think I get what you mean, HippoGryphomon." Upon seeing Moosemon's frown of disdain and obvious clearing of her throat, Ren stuttered, "I mean…Leader?"

"Better." Moosemon said. "So, my ears picked up on the conversation you had in the light when you received that device that made Bearmon Digivolve. It is called a Digi-H, right?" She asked.

Ren nodded carefully. "Yes, that is right."

"I thought so. I also recalled that strange deep voice telling you that you received the Beast Field Crest?" The blue moose questioned.

"Right. He said it meant that I was the Beast Defender, now. Is that really right, Leader HippoGryphomon? I mean, I'm not a Digimon and I am just learning about Digimon in general." The human girl questioned.

"Yes, whoever should posses the Beast Field Crest is the Beast Field's Defender. I do not understand how it was removed from its special place in cave deep within Beast Digimon territory but if you are meant to have it, then so be it. We do not have a Defender currently, as I felt no need and Moosemon was doing an excellent job in what I saw as an equivalent position of my second-in-command, but it seems that fate has ruled otherwise. So, I welcome you as the Beast Defender and offer you full rights to become a member of the Beast Field. "

To Ren, it seemed impossible that she should be given what was clearly a highly honorable position in the Digital World. She was about to ask if HippoGryphomon thought her truly acceptable for the position when Bearmon butted in.

"What? You mean….." The Rookie Digimon turned to her. "…that she gets to be the Defender? But….I thought….I mean…..I've been working so hard. Are you sure, Leader?"

"Bearmon, I know you have wanted to be our Defender and I appreciate your hard work, but….I don't think you have the skills yet." HippoGryphomon replied calmly, trying his best not to break the bear's spirit in the process.

"But you saw me out there," Bearmon rebutted. "I was Grizzlymon! I defeated Tankmon! Can't I be a Defender, too? I'll work with the human! I like her!" He said, looking up towards Ren. "She….believed I could fight. I feel it."

Ren looked at him. "Bearmon….."

"I want to fight with you. You helped me. Please. There are so many great stories about humans and digimon working together. I want to be like them! I want to make my Leader proud!"

Ren smiled. "Bearmon….I….want that too." She then turned to HippoGryphomon. "Leader, the voice also told me that I had to choose a partner Digimon to help me as a Defender, even though I can make any Beast Digimon Digivolve if I use the Digi-H. If I don't, the Beast Digimon will only try to fight me and take the Crest. In all due respect, I ask for your permission to make Bearmon my partner. I don't know what kind of track record he has in fighting or things like that, but I do know he willing took on Tankmon. I think he can be a great partner for me. No! I know he will be!"

HippoGryphomon stared startled at her plea. He then softened his gaze. "You are the one appointed as Defender. I think it is only appropriate that you be able to choose who your partner is. So, therefore, if you are up to training Bearmon to be a Defender alongside you, you have my blessing. Good luck."

Bearmon leapt up in the air upon hearing this. "Yeah! Alright!" He then landed and turned to Ren. "Thanks so much! You want regret this! I am going to show you just how good of a Digimon I know I can me!" He then smiled. "Oh, I guess if we are partners, I should know your name, huh?"

Ren gave him a kind smile back. "It's Ren."

Bearmon cocked his head to the side. "Ren, huh? Alright! Look out Dark Rulers! Bearmon and Ren are coming to defeat you!" He then struck a victory pose

Ren was about to chuckle at this when the powerful voice of Moosemon boomed behind her. "Wait just moment!"

Hisyarumon, who was watching the scene with some amusement, turned towards the second-in-command. "Moosemon? What is wrong?"

Moosemon shot her crimson eyes at him. "What is wrong, Hisyarumon? You of all Digimon should be outraged at this!" She then turned that dark gaze to HippoGryphomon. "Leader, if our Defender is to have a partner, it should be Digimon well-experienced in the way things are in the Beast Field and in the Digital World in general. Bearmon was born barely one year ago! I do not believe him proper for this job! Yes, he won against Tankmon, but he was sloppy and showed off for this human! He has much to learn! Do you think he can honestly stand against the likes of Phelesmon? I do not believe so!" She cocked an eyevback at the little bear, who could not help but show his teeth.

HippoGryphomon. "Moosemon…..you have brought up good points. However, it is for Ren to decide. After all, she does have the right to choose her partner."

Moosemon reluctantly nodded before coming up in front of Ren. The human child looked up at the Moose Beast Digimon, who towered several feet above her. "Defender Ren, you need an experienced Digimon by your side, NOT a Rookie. I can ensure us victories! I am an Armor Digimon, a rare level equal to that of Champion and will remain so if I should De-Digivolve! I ask of you to choose me instead! Test me! I will fight any Digimon of your choosing to prove that I am strong!"

Ren could only stare into Moosemon's large red eyes. She could see that the large Digimon truly believe what she said. Ren looked over to Bearmon, whose eyes, too, were pleading to be chosen. Ren lowered her head.

"Moosemon...please…...wait" She studdered.

Moosemon 's anger flared at Ren's hesitance, which she mistook to believe that Ren would not choose her, simply because Bearmon had digivolved for the human first. "If you cannot see who is strongest, if you cannot judge, then I will fight Bearmon to show you! I will show you I am the right choice!"

Bearmon then felt the air get colder as he did just what he knew Moosemon would do, turn around towards him, head down and antlers ready to pierce him. He was in for one heck of a fight.