Author's Note: Kind of another long chapter ahead, but still enjoyable I hope! Please review if you'd like!
Chapter 7: Apemon! The Needed Healer!
Hisyarumon floated over to met Ren as she ran closer, Bearmon held tightly in her arms. "Ren! Thank goodness! I was worried when Bearmon just bolted off!" He said with relieved sigh.
Ren looked up at him. "Bolted off?" She questioned before looking down at Bearmon.
Bearmon opened his eyes slightly and answered, "I couldn't help….it….somehow….I knew….you were in danger…."
Ren started down at him for a moment, taken what he said in. She then nodded and looked back at Hisyarumon. "He needs help. He didn't recover from his injuries from the fight he had with Moosemon." She told the black, red-bellied dragon.
"Speaking of Moosemon…." He began, but stopped as soon as he saw that Ren lowered her head.
"She….fought a terrible Digimon named Boltmon. He was too much for her. She….got hurt trying to protect me. I….had to leave her at the valley. She's just….still….laying there. I didn't know what to do, Hisyarumon…..I'm sorry." She said sadly.
Hisyarumon curled around her. "It is alright, Ren. I am sure she is just unconscious, that is all. It isn't your fault. Moosemon ….doesn't have much patience, as you have seen. We received her message from Labramon just a few minutes ago. It was foolish to attack Boltmon without waiting for HippoGryphomon or I to get there. So, how about I go see to Moosemon, and you get Bearmon to HippoGryphomon. He will be able to help your friend."
Ren looked up and nodded slowly. Then, she and Hisyarumon parted ways. She ran through the forest, and finally found HippoGryphomon sitting at the edge of his den, which was a hole dug out of an old, tall, oak tree. He got up and met her. "Defender Ren?" He simply said.
Ren peered up pleading at him. "Leader, Bearmon came to help Moosemon and I fight. He succeed in saving us both, but he has lost a ton of energy, I can feel it. Can you help him? I am afraid….he might….." She could say it, not about Bearmon, not about anyone, she had discovered. The thought of anything, even enemies, turning into pieces data still frightened her. What would happen…if she got hurt bad….would that happen to her?
HippoGryphomon interrupted this train of thought when he asked. "And what of Moosemon?"
Ren looked up at him sadly. "She got hurt…..she's in the valley where we fought….she…didn't get up…." She said with a lump deep in her throat.
HippoGryphomon looked up past her. "I see…." He said, emotionless. "Here, come with me. I know where Bearmon can receive help." He said and then walked past her. Ren followed quietly, as Bearmon had fallen asleep. The lion/horse/eagle hybrid Digimon walked into the forest and into another clearing similar to the one where he met Ren, only smaller. Ren looked around shocked as several Beast Digimon slept on the ground, many in bandages. She remain silent however, as HippoGryphomon turn his head to look at her. "I'll explain about what you see in a moment. Bearmon must come first."
Ren nodded in total agreement and then followed him as he carefully made it past the sleeping Digimon. They entered the mouth of a cave that just inside the clearing.
"Apemon? Are you in here?" The Beast Leader called at the cave's entrance.
"Yes, Leader. Come on inside, please," said a gruff voice from deep within the cavern. HippoGryphomon nodded, mostly to Ren, and stepped further into the cave with her directly behind him. Soon, the light of fire appeared and then the two found themselves in a large dug-out room. In it were a few beds of leaves and some bowls of liquid against the wall. From the roof, fruit and leaves, both dried and fresh, were hung on ropes . There was even some strange-looking meat in a few pots.
In the middle, on a stone, a large, yellow, gorilla like Digimon with a face, ears, hands, and feet of light purple, sat quietly with his eyes closed. Between his feet, he held a bowl full of a red paste, which he would occasionally stir with a wooden spoon he had in his left hand. Once HippoGryphomon and Ren stopped once they entered, he opened his eyes.
"Leader. I welcome you. Oh? Who have you brought with you on this night?"
HippoGryphomon responded by saying, "Healer Apemon, this is Ren, a human who I have summoned to help us defeat the Dark Rulers. It has been revealed that she is our new Defender."
Nervousness suddenly stuck the human girl as the Beast Ruler said that. "H-Hello…nice to met you. Your name is Apemon, correct?" She asked.
Apemon scratched his chin as he looked Ren over. "A human….interesting.." He then saw Bearmon a sleep in his arms. "Bearmon? What is wrong? Has he injured himself again?" Apemon asked quickly.
Ren nodded and then explain everything to Apemon, from Bearmon's fight with Moosemon to when he Dedigivolved and collapsed saving her from Boltmon. HippoGryphomon listened well with the Healer, for he was interested to. Their interest only grew, in fact, when Ren decided to tell about what happened to Moosemon.
After Ren finished, it was clear to her both Beast Digimon were deep in thought. Apemon was the one to speak, however. "Bearmon will be alright, you don't have to worry. His back injury has just left him weak and he has used up quite a lot of his energy today. I'll give him some medicine to help him heal and regenerate that energy."
Ren sighed in relief. "Oh, thank you, Apemon! I have been so worried about him!" She said gratefully.
Apemon nodded. "All in the line of duty, dear child. Now, as for Moosemon…." He instantly gained all of Ren and HippoGryphomon's attention. "If I am correct, she is just suffering from many injuries and much energy loss. It certainly isn't your fault, child. I'll go to where she is and treat her there. Once I am done, I will let you both now, though I don't think she is suffering from anything she can't get through. Moosemon is a strong-willed Digimon. She won't give up her life without a good fight, I assure you." The yellow Beast Digimon explained.
Ren nodded, though….she still wasn't sure. What about that hot light that came from her Digi-H as she tried to Digivolve Moosemon? Could that have something to do with the current state Moosemon was in? Ren was almost sure it had, but she was sure if she should mention it. So, she let it go, hoping she wouldn't regret that decision later. But clearly, the Beast Digimon all had a lot to deal with already. Ren's inability to Digivolve Moosemon might only add to their worries.
Apemon could see her worry though, but thought it might be for Bearmon instead. "Why don't you go and come back to check on Bearmon later. I want to monitor him while he rests? He is in great care here and should be back on his feet in the morning, as I have said." He suggested.
HippoGryphomon nodded. "Of course, Apemon. Thank you for all your help. You are a valued Digimon in the Beast Field, no one can heal as well as you." When the ape nodded and thanked him for the compliment, the hippogiff then turned to his human Defender. Come, Ren. We have much to talk about."
"Alright, Leader. Thank you again, Apemon." She said and then followed HippoGryphomon out the way they came. Soon, they were sitting just outside the cave, looking upon the clearing field with sleeping Digimon. HippoGryphomon sighed sadly as he looked on each one.
"This clearing is where our sick and injured are treated. As you can see, we have many here, all because of the attacks from the Machine Digimon." He said to Ren, but never took his eyes of the sleeping Beasts. " Many of these Digimon serve on my own army….but most…are civilian, I am afraid. They are what I protect. They once knew safety outside this forest, in grassy fields and bright valleys, but when the Dark Rulers came, they were attacked. Some have died and the survivors are forced to take refuge here. Our resources in the forest are become scare now because it was never made to sustain all my Field at once. I…will have to force rationing those resources soon." He paused to think for a moment.
"We have to stop this, Ren. The very Digimon I serve can no longer survive comfortably here. Sure, we have had territory wars in the past, but never these mass conquering. All the true Leaders, their Defenders, and armies….they respect one another. But this Dark Rulers…they only promote hatred and achieve power without thinking of others. Both the Plant Field and the Bird Field are pleading for refuge….but….I cannot provide it for them. I fear…we may not last long either…." He admitted.
Ren looked at him in shock. "Don't say that Leader! That's not true!"
"Ren…." It was the hippogriff's turn to get a shock.
"I know things seem impossible now. I know it might be easy to think that if we give up, we will save ourselves a lot of pain. But if we do…..what are we leaving behind for the Beast Digimon? Nothing but to be ruled by these Dark Rulers. I don't understand much about the Digital World or Digimon, for that matter, but I do understand one thing. I understand that the Beast Digimon have a bond and a will to thrive, to protect their homeland.
I know that Moosemon and Bearmon have done all they can to prevent our enemies from getting close to this forest, and I know you have been leading with honor and respect. Leader! If this situation was hopeless, then why have I been called here?" Ren then looked down at her shoes. " Believe me, if it's anyone who knows about overcoming what is seen as an obstacle, I guess…it would be me."
HippoGryphomon looked at her. "Go on…." He said interested.
"Look closer into my right ear." Ren instructed.
HippoGryphomon looked at her curiously before leaning over to peer into the human's hearing organ. There, hidden by the small flap over the opening of the canal, was a small, flesh colored device. It was so small, HippoGryphomon had not noticed it, even when he was close to the human. "What….is that?"
Ren looked at him. "It's a hearing aid, a device human's wear in or around their ears when they have trouble hearing on their own or cannot hear at all. I have a condition called Dominant Progressive Hearing Loss. I've been slowly losing my hearing since I was 3 and now I am almost deaf. Without the hearing aid, I can barely hear even the loudest sounds. I have to go to a special doctor to check how my hearing is, and sometimes we have to make adjustments to the aid so that I can hear properly."
HippoGryphomon slid closer to her as she continued on. Ren lifted her head to look outward. "When I first got my hearing aid, I remember being scared. I was uneasy about how people would treat me, and I frankly always have been." Ren sighed. "They call it a disability sometimes, like your very life has been disabled by the fact that you can't hear. I hate that word. My life isn't any different than anyone else just because I can't hear on my own. I still get up every morning and go to school, hang out with friends, stuff humans my age do. The only thing I do different is clean and put in my hearing aid and have to see a doctor more than most people. I am not sad or unhappy that I can't hear on my own. I can still play sports, enjoy time with my parents, help out here…."
HippoGryphomon smiled. "I don't believe that you are disabled either, Ren. It doesn't matter to me if you need this hearing aid or not. I can tell you have a Defender's spirit. And I'll challenge anyone that thinks that you are weak or not worthy just because you need this device."
Ren glanced at him, taking in these words. "Thank you, Leader. I do appreciate that. You know, I am glad I know you. You treat me as one of my own friends would.
HippoGryphomon looked her in the eyes. "That is because I want to be your friend, Ren. I like you, you have given me much hope and respect. I feel as if you are like one of the Digimon soldiers I have known my whole life and raised to be great."
Ren considered his words. "Raised to be great….HippoGryphomon, you…." She then just smiled and nodded. "Raised…..wait….mom!"
HippoGryphomon looked puzzled. "Your mom?
Ren looked at her feet. "Talking about all of this….has made me miss my parents. I…wonder….will I ever see them again? What if I can't even let them know I am okay? I've been here for hours. It must be after midnight in the human world. They be so worried and devastated if I go missing."
HippoGryphomon thought. That is a problem. One I didn't even think to think about when I summoned you. I don't know if it is even possible for you to get back Ren. The last humans that came here….are said to just have left when they saved the Digital World, and that was after being here for a very long time. "
Ren sighed in despair. "Mom…what….if I am stuck here for that long….she'll go crazy if she worries. I haven't been away from home for more than a week or so." Suddenly, she felt a rumble in her pocket, where her Digi-H was stored. She pulled it out and discovered that it shock wildly. Then, it then forced its way out of her grasp. It then floated in the above the human and Leader Digimon. Suddenly, the deep voice that had summoned Ren to the Digital World returned.
"If you ever want to get home and then back again, all you have to do is ask." The voice said. Suddenly, a ray of green light came out its screen. It landed on the ground in front of them, before fading away to reveal a small TV with old antenna on the top. Ren looked down into it and recognized the scene being broadcasted on the TV's screen.
"That's my room!" She said when she saw the furniture and familiar décor. "It really is my room!"
"Just hold your Digi-H up to it and you'll be home." The voice said from the Digi-H as it began to float back down to Ren's hands. "When you need to come back, all you need to do is just find a computer and say "DigiGate, Open!" to the screen. You'll instantly be taken back to this spot or any place you need to go in the Beast Field." The voice explained before fading away as Ren took the Digi-H back into her hand. She then looked at it before turning to HippoGryphomon.
He nodded. "Go. If Bearmon should wake before you come back, I shall tell him about this. But I think it would be best if you told him about your hearing aid when you are ready to do so."
Ren smiled. "I'll be back as soon as I can tomorrow. If Bearmon does wake up, would you also tell him that I am going to miss him and that…..he's going to be my partner from now on. I at least owe him that for saving me from Boltmon."
HippoGryphomon smiled back. "Of course! Sleep well, great Defender!
Ren gave him an assuring glance and then waved good-bye and turned to the TV. She held her Digi-H down to its screen it. She then was pulled in towards the screen. After blacking out for what couldn't be more than a few seconds, her eyes opened to view her room. She was home again.
Meanwhile, in a dark field outside Machine Field territory, a lone Starmon runs towards a group
of high-level Machine Once he reach them, the Starmon hit his knees in front of the group. "Great Ones! I just came from a battle on the valley next to the Beast's forest stronghold! I nearly didn't get, as you know they don't like their enemies to escape to report back to their masters."
One, a crystal version of the rock-skinned Digimon Gotsumon named Metormon, turned to him. "Then, your news better be worthy telling then, hm? Because we don't consider defeat to be news at all, right, Tekkamon and QueenChessmon?" He asked the others in the his group, a small, round, metal ball-like digimon with horns that carried a dagger, and another taller Digimon, who was black and resembled a purple caped Queen piece from the game of Chess. In her hand was a large, thin mallet like staff.
"No, we don't, Meteormon." She replied.
"I know, Great Ones, but Ruler must know the information I obtained! It is most interesting!" The Starmon said, despitely trying to save his skin from being punished.
"Then, spit it out, Pointy!" Tekkamon said harshly.
"The Beast Digimon have a human on their side somehow! She appeared with that blasted Moosemon!"
All the Great Ones stared at him. "Go! Get out of our sight now! Ruler must know of this, but you needn't be here! To look upon him is too much of privilege for a lowly Starmon like you!" Said QueenChessmon and watched as Starmon quickly shot up and ran out of sight. "Hmph. Worthless thing. If he were any real good, he would have brought us the human, right, King Kaiki?" She asked looking behind her, where suddenly a tall figure, completely dressed in steel armor appeared. Only his pale mouth and chin, which resembled a human's, appeared. Beside him, a gear-like Digimon known as Hagurumon floated.
"No. We cannot expect that from even a Starmon, a Champion-level. However, we cannot afford to have this human running around the Digital World. The Beast Digimon will only persuade her to help them more. She must be caught! I will expect nothing less than her surrender! Hagurumon!" The armored figured said to the Digimon beside him.
"Yes, King Kaiki?" The gear replied.
"Send in Catchmamemon and BlackRapidmon to retrieve the human when she appears again. Tell them to be alert for any Digimon with her. Humans in the past have been able to give the Digimon with them the power to rapidly Digivolve. We must let Lord Phelesmon's plans become thrawted before they come to full fruitation."
"Yes, King Kaiki! I will go right away!" Hagurumon said and then flew off quickly behind them.
The Dark Ruler of the Machine Field wait for moment as he listened to the world around him. Finally he spoke. "QueenChessmon!"
She bowed in front of him. "Yes, great Ruler?"
"We have play these games with the Beast Digimon for long enough. Already my fellow Dark Rulers have taken down their assigned Fields, and I must not fail taken down HippoGryphomon's, least I face shaming Lord Phelesmon. Go, gather your Chessmon armies and storm the Beast Field. I want the head of HippoGryphomon and Moosemon!" He ordered.
"As you wish, Your Greatness!" She said, then faded away into the night, laughing evil all the way.
