Bearmon was definitely a talker. While Tai attempted to think out a plan for finding a way off whatever island he was on, the little digimon kept up a conversation at all times.
"… and that's when I told him to back off, because I may look small but I pack a good punch."
"Hey, not trying to be mean, but could you please stop talking for a second? I can't think." Tai rubbed his forehead, looking around the forest surroundings.
Seems like we are just going in circles. Everything looks exactly the same and it's so dark now. Glancing at the sky, he noticed a gray cloud clashing with the dark blue.
"Bearmon, what is that cloud?"
"Oh, that is coming from the volcano at the center of the island."
"How close is it?"
"Ehh, about a day or two depending on if we get in a fight or not." Tai nodded. Knowing that height could be an advantage, he decided the best plan of action was to head to higher ground and look for any sign of an escape.
"Take me there."
"You want to go to the volcano? Dude, you don't even know the kind of awful digimon that are crawling around there!"
"I'm willing to take that chance. I have to look for my friends from higher up, not surrounded by trees."
Bearmon sighed, shrugged and started walking to his left.
"Dude, are all you humans weird? It seems like you're totally cool with being killed. First a run in with Scythemon and now you think you can take on some powerful digimon alone?"
"Alone? Are you not with me?"
"I mean, I'm more like a guide. I try to avoid altercations that will get me potentially killed."
"Well, then I guess I can fend for myself… somehow."
Kari—
"So, how long until we find some sort of clearing, Izzy?" asked Davis. "I like nature and all, but this forest gives me the absolute creeps." Veemon nodded vigorously.
"Give me a second. My computer is showing me that there is a small clearing ahead. Just a few more steps… ah, see!" They walked into a moderate clearing, nothing on the ground other than grass. "Okay, everyone, let's take a break so I can figure out where to go next." Agreeing eagerly, everyone sat down to pick at their snack supplies. It was quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts. They had been traveling for about a day through the forest. Kari was exhausted, both physically and mentally, her head swimming with thoughts about her brother. Sipping her water, she glanced around the circle.
Seems like I'm not the only one on the brink of passing out.
"Okay, so, my computer is showing me a really big opening underground. I bet a cave leads to this place and I bet that is where Tai was taken to. The rest of the island is either dense forest, small clearings, or beaches."
"Well, then let's head there." Said Matt.
"I would say yes, but the cave to finding it is unknown. We could walk around for years and never find it."
Sighed Izzy, frustrated.
"Is there a mountain?" asked Kari. Everyone turned to look at her.
"Why does a mountain matter?" Asked Gatomon from her lap.
"Well, if I were lost and trying to find something through a thick forest, I would try to go higher and look down. They do it in movies all the time." As she explained her theory, Izzy smiled, nodding.
"You're right Kari. And I bet Tai thought of the same thing. We had to do that many times in the Digiworld the first time we came through."
"So, where is the highest point?" asked Sora.
"Well, according to the map, there is a volcano in the center of the island, just a day or two away. We
can start walking there once everyone is ready."
"Agreed. But before we do that, how about we discuss this whole 'new feature' thing." Said Matt, crossing his arms defiantly.
"Well, Gennai said that they would activate when we needed them. We have only had one fight so far and the enemy retreated soon after. I think we would have to be engaged in a longer, more intense battle for any of us to actually activate the feature."
"So, like, a life and death battle?" asked TK. Patomon glanced up at him.
"But TK, we don't want a battle like that to really happen, right?"
"Well, of course not. But that might be the only way to figure it out. Honestly, I could live without knowing my secret new power if it means that." He shrugged.
"Well, considering the level of digimon inhabiting the island, I would not be surprised if that happened on the way to the volcano."
"What is that supposed to mean, Izzy?" Kari cried. The talk of death had her on edge. The last thing she wanted to talk about was death being so close to them, or her brother.
"I hate to say it, but I researched a bit about this island just now and tapped into the digimon database. There are a ton of high level digimon roaming around. We have to find Tai and fast. Without Agumon, he's a sitting piece of meat for these guys."
Tai—
Tai could have sworn the volcano kept moving back as they moved forward. It had been a whole day, and, thankfully, not a single attack. There were a few close calls, but Bearmon had sensed the digimon in time to pull Tai down into a thick of bushes, or behind a fat tree. These digimon were nothing like Tai had ever seen. Most of them looked like potential monsters from horror films. The recent siting had sent chills down his spine. The digimon was all black, with the body of a dragon, but formed as a human. It's large wings were ripped and scarred. Half of its face was covered by a white mask, while its jaw hung free. The yellowed teeth jutted out from its bottom lips, creating a jagged smile on its face. Tai watched while it killed a smaller digimon with ease, laughing as the poor creature cried in pain. Glancing at Bearmon, Tai wondered why he was on this island. The little digimon looked out of place here on such a dark island.
"Let's take a break now, yo." Said Bearmon. Snapping out of his thoughts, Tai nodded, following the bear to a small cave. The sky had turned ink black and it signaled to Tai that they needed to get out of predators site.
"Here, take this." Bearmon handed Tai oddly colored pieces of fruit, along with a bundle of dark leaves.
"What is…?"
"They're all good, don't worry. The leaves are to keep you full and strong."
Tai bit into a round piece of something, it's red and black stripes causing his hesitancy. However, he was surprised. It tasted like a sweet apple. Looking down at his bite mark, he felt relief when the inside looked exactly like an apple.
"Told you." Snickered Bearmon. He also took a bite of a piece of food, lumpy, bright purple thing.
They ate in silence for a while, Tai drifting back to Scythemon and the black blood. His body felt so strong, stronger than it had when he played his last game. He noticed that his body had filled back in from before he practically starved himself.
"Bearmon."
"Mmm?"
"Why are you here?" Tai turned to ask his new friend, watching him carefully. The digimon stopped chewing and sighed.
"I knew you'd ask soon. Honestly, I was sent here because I made a mistake."
"A… mistake?" Tai did not feel threatened by his friend, but he stayed cautious.
"Yeah. I was a totally different digimon before I was redigitized a while ago. I used to be a champion level digimon. You should have seen me! I was huge, strong and had tons of weapons. I kept the villages safe around me and no one ever made fun of me the way they do here. It was great." He sighed, his eyes glazing over with nostalgia. "You would have thought I was totally kickass. But, one day, I met some digimon emperor guy, claiming that he could make me stronger after I had lost my first fight with a Wolfmon. So, I became greedy and agreed to let him experiment on me to make me stronger. Seems that those black gears do make you stronger, but not in the way I thought. I accidently destroyed a village thanks to that stupid thing and once the gear mysteriously vanished when the world was saved, my friends shunned me and fought me. Obviously I lost and was sent here by Gennai. Ever since then, I've just been trying to lay low."
Tai sat in thoughtful silence, processing what this little bear had told him. It was hard to picture him being of rough and tough fighter digimon, but it made sense as to why he was stuck here.
"So, we all make mistakes Bearmon. At least you realized yours."
"Yeah, I guess. I just want to get off this stupid island. But, I think Gennai forgot about me." Sighing sadly, he looked down at the dark cave floor, his ears drooping.
"Look, when we make it off this island, come with me and I can take you to Gennai. I can explain that you helped me and he is guaranteed to allow you back to your home."
"You think so? Really?" Bearmon looked up expectantly.
"Yeah, little guy. I do-"
Suddenly, a low growl rang through the bushes near the mouth of the cave. Bearmon's fur immediately stood on end and he stood up, brandishing his small sword.
"Tai, get back." He growled, narrowing his eyes towards the dark forest outside.
"What is going on, Bearmon?"
"We have company; bad company. It sounds like a Wolfman and smells like there is more than one."
Tai waited, tense and silently freaking out. The growling continued until he could hear the two different tones.
Shit.
The two digimon slowly walked out of the forest. They looked just like black wolves, save for three distinctly unique features: they were four times larger, adorned with a larger, prominently jutting lower jaw and what looked like retractable, steel claws. They growled in unison, every red eye trained on Tai. He felt his blood run cold and his heart rate frantically rise. One of the wolves gave no warning as it leaped at him, claws jutting out in seconds. Suddenly, as Tai screamed, one of his brands started of glow bright blue, burning and humming as if coming alive.
Then all went black.