Hey, I'm back with the new chapter! I hope no one's too mad about the wait, I just been so focused on the others I almost kinda forgot about this one, so I hope I can make up for it with this new chapter.
Rika: Considering its taking you forever to update, lets hope so
Me: Meanie! I'm trying!
Kazu: Remind me again why I'm a girl? *smacks with frying pan* OW! Hey, I'm just asking! *smacks again* OW! Now what was that one for?
Me *shrugging*: I just felt like it. Take it away Culumon!
Culumon: Princess Luka Vocalzal does not own Digimon or any of its original characters!
Me: But a girl can dream, meh, on with the show!
Chapter 9: A New Friend, a Returned Nightmare
To Hikaru, it honestly felt like time had stood still as she stared down into bright, innocent jades that stared back happily without a care. In the back of her mind, every instinct was screaming about how she didn't notice it sneaking up on her and how she recognized it from one of her visions. She also wondered what Digimon he was (she was assuming it was a he by the voice), having not seen him on any card before or even in the previews of new releases.
The little guy didn`t seem hostile at all. In fact, he just tilted his head cutely as he giggled again, ears extending. Hikaru just swallowed, trying to control herself as her eyes scanning for any form of danger, but found none as she slowly turned to face him.
Taking a hesitant step forward, she smiled nervously, "Hi there…little…" She looked him over for any sign of being wrong in her gender-assumption, but once again found nothing, "Guy. What's your name?"
Clearly elated by the friendly greeting, her nerves completely lost to him apparently, and took a big leap of a step toward, his ears acting as wings as he safely glided to the floor, landing easily on his feet as he cheerfully replied, "Culumon, what's yours?"
Startled a little by his action, she answered anyway, "Hikaru." And she didn't even remember how much she hated her real name due to her shock.
"Nice ta meet you Hikarumon!" The newly dubbed Culumon continued to grinned very still friend and bright, makng the same name-mistake as Guilmon, it allowed Karu to start relaxing and smile a little, "Do you like to have fun? Wanna play any games? I know this really good one where ya have to go up and down on these really slippery walls and-"
She decided to cut in before he got too excited, "Culumon, do you know how you got here?" Allowing the little Digimon to finally stop talking and look at her quizzically, "Did you come from the Digital World?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?" He asked tilting his head in surprised-curiosity, "Are you a cadet too?"
'Cadet?' She wondered confused as she knelt down so she would be less imposing to him, speaking aloud, "No, is that what you are?"
He nodded and that's when she heard the bell ring, making her try to hold in her yelp of alarm to know she was going to be late, but that left her in a pause of what to do with him. The only logical thing she could think of was to bring her with him so she could get him to Takato and, inadvertently, to Guilmon after school where the little guy would most likely be a lot safer then he would be wondering around on his own. It made her shiver about what could happen if he ever crossed Rika and Renamon's path. But then the question became how she going to keep him hidden and quiet enough that no one would find him.
Getting an idea, she smiled down at Culumon, "How about a little game?"
Jade eyes instantly sparkled at the idea of having fun and a new game as the owner asked excitedly, "What kind of game? Tell me, tell me, tell me!"
Shrugging off her backpack, she placed it down between them and zipped it open. "You have to hid in and here and be really quiet," She explained smiling more genuine and freely as he reminded her a-lot of Suzie, bringing a finger to her lips to show what she meant, "And if you can stay quiet until I say you can come out, you win."
He peered into the bag curiously before looking up at her, "What do I win?"
That made her panic on the inside as she quickly thought on it, before answering, "I'll…introduce you to my friends; two of them are Digimon, just like you." She couldn't help but think, 'I hope Terriermon's mouth doesn't rub off on him.'
But apparently all she had to mention was new friends caused those eyes just got bigger and sparklilier (is that even a word?) at the idea and he started doing a happy dance, whilst cheering joyfully, "Yeah, new friends, new friends!"
The sight made her laugh as she gently picked him up and he didn't resist as she said, "Guilmon's going to love you, trust me." Culumon just smiled brightly in response as he was placed in the bag and she zipped it just enough to keep him hidden from nosy-parkers, but still wide enough so he could breath. She carefully slid the bag back on as not to startle the poor guy before lightly jogging into the school, barely reaching the classroom as the final bell rang.
She sighed in relief as she set her bag beneath her desk, being mindful of its occupant as she took her seat. "Morning Karu!" A familiar voice chirped quietly from beside her, making her look over to see Takato smiling at her, his usual shy, but genuinely warm and friendly demeanour in full swing.
It made her smile back, "Morning." Though whether she would call it a good morning or not was debatable.
But then, another familiar voice rung in, sending a shiver up her spine as it said, "Morning." She turned her head the other way to see Lucius sitting down in the seat next to her as Kenta took his own behind her. She greeted back, "Morning."
"Excited for your second day, Lucius?" Takato asked curiously as they took out their textbooks. "Yeah, I'm excited to see what I can learn here," The blonde replied clearly eager to learn as he looked over his own textbook.
"Yeah, well, personally," Kenta spoke up as their teacher entered the room, "I don't think math is going to change, no matter where you go." His clear distaste for the subject was clear, making the hiding white Digimon giggle, paws pressed to his mouth in effort to stay quiet, unaware of how the tip of one of the purple tips of one ear was sticking out of the small space the girl had left in the top of her bag's zipper so he could breath.
However, the sound wasn't lost to Lucius and Takato, who blinked and looked down where the brunette girl's bag was and caught movement just as Culumon retracted his ears. Lucius blinked, tilting his head in confusion, wondering if he imagined it, while Takato narrowed his eyes a little.
'What was that?' Lucius wondered, which Hikaru heard making her wonder what he was thinking about. But she didn't dare try to pry, not sure what it lead to as she had yet to get control of her newfound powers, plus, with that strange coldness blanketing the blonde like a cloud, she wasn't sure what she'd find if she tried. But, feeling Takato gaze, heard her friend think, 'What is she hiding in there?'
Looking down at the bag to see if Culumon was giving himself away somehow, she momentarily panicked, hoping Takato wouldn't call her out during class. Glancing back at him over her shoulder, she offered a sheepish smile, making Takato shrug, figuring she'd tell him later, which made her sigh mentally in relief before refocusing on the teacher as the lesson began.
0000000000000000000
It had been hard for her to focus on both their math and their computers classes. Her new powers came with one even bigger headache then what she had to put up with before, since she would randomly hear random people's thoughts as well as feel what they were feeling.
It didn't help that the whole 'new student' effect hadn't worn off yet. Despite it only being Lucius' second day, she kinda hoped they'd forget about him, if anything to spare her the migraine, but had no suck lucky. Thus, she was stuck taking in and shorting out all the anger and jealousy of the other male students as well as the girls' (apart from Jeri) growing admiration toward the blonde, who seemed completely calm and oblivious to them, a good chuck of his own thoughts a complete mystery to her, not that she was complaining.
Thus, she couldn't have been happier when lunch finally came, having getting tired and more anxious with every cookie she slipped to the patient white, mystery Digimon inside her bag. Once she got her lunch, she glanced around before peering into her bag at the smiling Digimon, who looked ready to bounce out if he wasn't sure he had won yet.
"Did I win yet?" Culumon asked keeping his voice as low as possible so he wouldn't ruin the game if it wasn't done yet.
She giggled in response, smiling, "Not yet, I promise thought, it's almost there." He nodded and stayed quite as she zipped her bag, leaving the space again before running out into the yard.
Cloudy-blue eyes scanned the school yard to see if her boys were in their usual hideout or out and bout like the other students that ate outside. Upon seeing they were nowhere in normal sight, she figured the hideout and made a quick beeline for it, just in time to hear the ends of yet another Digimon battle.
Pushing her lunch box up so she could climb up without trouble, Karu rolled her eyes upon hearing the usual, soft exclamation of a certain red-eyed-brunette, "I win!"
"Hey guys!" She chirped over Kenta's annoyed grumble.
"Hey Dark Angel!" They replied, Takato being an equal chirp and Kenta's was a simple grumble. "You guys aren't going to believe what I found on the way to school!" She grinned keeping her voice on the normal, slightly low side to keep away nosy-parkers.
"What? A lost card?" Kenta guessed. "A baby bird?" Takato asked hopefully, eyes lighting up at the idea of a cute, baby animal, of which he had a special soft spot for, wondering if this was what she was hiding all morning, "Or a kitten?"
"Better," She replied unzipping her bag, "You can come out now."
At her assurance, Culumon promptly popped his head out, eyes big and shining as he faced the unsuspecting boys and almost yelled in happiness at the new faces, "Hiyeah!"
The unexpectedness and sheer shock of a real-life Digimon, coupled with the volume of his voice, caused both boys to jump back with startled yells…well, Kenta yelled, Takato was still soft-spoken, so his yell actually came out as a yelp as he jumped so badly he accidentally banged his head. Both boys' eyes were wide with shock, though, having Guilmon, Takato's shock was more mellow compared to Kenta's.
"A-A-A Digimon?" Takato stuttered out quietly, taking in the strange form. "B-B-B-But h-h-how?" Kenta stuttered out as well in a more normal volume, pitch raising as he took off his glasses and cleaned them to make sure he wasn't seeing things, putting them back he yelped again at seeing Culumon still there, "Its just a TV show!"
Culumon blinked at the strange new word before craning his neck to look up at the only female, "Hikarumon, what's a TV? Is it a game?" Takato tried to bite in his bark of laughter at hearing the 'mon' added onto her name and her full name to boot, instantly reminding him off his red raptor.
Karu just sighed as she realized she'd have to try and get him to call her by her nickname, the 'mon' add-on or not, before answering, "I'll explain it a little later, okay?" Culumon shrugged, not at all put off by the lack of explanation, allowing her to pick him up and take him out of the bag.
"How is this...p-p-possible?" Kenta asked inching just a little closer to better examine Culumon, "Digimon aren't...but he's right...and I'm not hal..." Karu, holding Culumon to her chest, let go with one arm so she could hide her grin at his shell-shocked look with her hand, also trying to hold her snort of laughter in as he seemed to realize something, making him look at a sheepish, yet also a little amused Takato, "But then...you're egg...Digimon..."
Kenta stuttered a little more for a full second before just freezing up comically as his brain seemed to shut down, making the remaining three laugh aloud. "So how'd you find him?" Takato asked carefully scanning her over for a digivice.
"He's not my partner, Baby Dragon," Karu answered for him once she figured out what he was looking for, letting the little guy go so he could look around their hideout and she watched as he started looking over the boys' cards curiously, "I was on my way to school when I heard him chase a cat out of an alley," She scrunched up her face as she thought on it, "Or at least, I'd have to think he chased it off, since he apologized after it," She shrugged, not wanting to add to her headache thinking on it, "Anyway, I didn't think it'd be safe for him to be wandering about by himself so I brought him with me."
Takato's eyes widened in realization, "So that's what you were hiding in class!" She nodded in response.
"Digimon...real!" Kenta blurted out as he finally snapped out of it making them look at him. "We tried to tell you," Takato chuckled sheepishly. "Nice to point out the obvious a little too late there, Captain Obvious," Karu added with a good-humored roll of her eyes.
"Well, excuse me if I don't have a Digimon popping up in my face shouting 'hiyeah' on a daily basis!" Kenta retorted cheeks reddening, "How long have you had him?"
Karu moved back when he got in her space demandingly, eyes narrowing unimpressedly as she answered, "First off, he's not mine and second, before I got to school."
Kenta accepted the answer as he sat back and turned to look at Takato, "So I'm guessing Guilmon really is real then," At the brunette male's nod, the greenette sighed, "Figures I was left out of this."
Karu looked at him in small disbelief as Culumon grew board with exploring and returned to her lap as she said, "That's what you're complaining about? This could be the start of our own Digi-Adventure and you know full well the kinda dangers that come with it and that's what you complain about? Being left out of the loop for the first few days?"
"I'm too tired to complain about much else," Was all Kenta said in response and it was then his friends took in his appearance and realized just how tired he really looked. With parents always so busy, it was left to Kenta and his real sister to care for the house and garden, both of which weren't as easy as they seemed. He actually had the makings of bags under his eyes, nothing overly noticable, but there if you looked close enough.
Figuring now was the time to lighten the mood, Karu looked down at her little friend and said, "Culumon, these are really good friends of mine," Culumon blinked at her before looking at the boy with brown hair and really friendly red eyes, "This is Takato."
Takato smiled as he gave the curious-looking Digimon a little wave, trying not to overwhelm him, "Hi there."
"And this," Karu continued and Culumon looked at the green-haired male as she pointed at him, "Is Kenta."
Kenta gave a more tightened, nervous smile as he gave an equally nervous, small wave as he said, "Hi..."
"Guys," Karu said motioning down at the little Digimon, "This is Culumon."
"Hi Takatomon and Kentamon!" Culumon chirped happily and finally Takato started to laugh, much to his and Kenta's confusion. "I'm...I'm sorry, but..." Takato chortled, cheeks red, "Gu-Gui-Guilmon does that too!" Getting an idea of what he meant, Kenta started to laugh a little too along with Karu as Culumon looked up at them lost.
Once they calmed down, the boys moved closer to better look at Culumon, who was once again entertaining himself with cards, this time Karu's cards. "So, Culumon, huh?" Kenta said curiously, "What kind of Digimon is that though? I've never heard of them."
Takato shrugged, "Niether have I."
"I haven't either," Karu added, "Maybe he's just a new kind of Digimon that wasn't discovered yet."
"What kind of game is this?" Culumon asked as he held an Angewomon and LadyDevimon card, "Why are there Digimon on these?"
"Its a Digimon game," Karu explained as she picked up her Neferitimon card, "Its actually really fun," That then reminded her, "Oh yeah, Takato, that reminds me," She picked through her deck before finding the card she wanted and handed it to the boy in question, "This is for you."
He looked at it and read the name aloud, "Training grips?"
"Yeah, I kinda already have three of them and Kenta already has two, so I thought you could use it," Karu admitted a little sheepishly, "Its basically resistance training for Digimon, you know, build up endurance for the online game, mostly used for Rookies though." He nodded his understanding, wondering if he could use it for Guilmon later on.
But movement made him made him look over to see Henry walking by, holding Terriermon in his arms and the Digi-rabbit was acting like a stuffie. "Hey, Henry, wait!" Takato called out as he got down from the ledge, lunch untouched, much to Karu's irrigation as she picked up the giggling Culumon, who didn't mind her action at all.
"Takato, wait!" She called out, following forgetting about her own lunch as she had the worse feeling something bad would happen if she didn't keep him in her sight. "Karu, your lunch!" Kenta called out in surprise, but quickly scooped up their lunches and hurried after them.
"Takato, Karu, hey," Henry greeted when he saw the two, along with Kenta, "Kenta right?" The glasses-wearing greenette nodded and Henry blinked down at the white creature sitting comfortably in Karu's arms, but thankfully, having seen Terriermon and sensing he was real, thought he was playing a game and mimicked him.
"Hey Henry," The sole girl of the growing group took noticed he didn't have any lunch box, "Aren't you eating lunch?"
"Well, I kinda already ate," Henry admitted adjusting his hold on Terriermon, who Kenta was eyeing warily, but Henry's focus was on Culumon, "Cute plushie, never pegged you for the type."
Remembering the cute white mess in her arms, Karu momentarily panicked and quickly glanced around but no one seemed to be paying them any heed. "Yeah...about that," Karu chuckled nervously.
"How's Terriermon doing?" Takato asked making both Tamer and Digimon tense, the tamer looking at Kenta nervously, which Takato noticed, "He already knows, don't worry," That made the duo relax a bit, "Did he digivolve again?"
Karu blinked, "Terriermon digivolved? When? How?" That made all three males who were present at the event stiffen a little, unsure how to tell her what had happened.
"Not another one," Kenta sighed as Terriermon looked at him curiously.
But then, that tightening feel to her chest suddenly returned as a chill swept toward her as Culumon extended his ears, much to Henry's startlement. Terriermon's ear twitched and lifted a little, rediverting Henry's attention to him as he asked, "What is it?"
"My ears for one thing," Terriermon replied making Kenta inch back, not expecting him to talk. "I sense a Digimon nearby," Culumon added once again startling Henry. "Another Digimon?" The blunette boy asked surprised, before looking around and gasped when he spotted what was wrong, "Oh no!" The other three turned to see what he was looking at and gasped as well.
Approaching them was a strange sight, though for Hikaru, it had nothing on her visions; a kinda of mist cloud was slowly inching towards them and it was a kind of lightish pink color mixed with a few wisps of a whitish-grey. It made the girl wonder if it just got here or if it drifted here and if it was the later, it made her wonder how it got all the way here without someone else noticing.
"What is that?" Kenta asked with alarm as he started to shake with fear, why did he and Karu have the undeniable feeling that this involved Digimon. "I hope that isn't what I think it is," Henry said nervously, 'What's a Digital field doing here?'
The thought made Karu narrow her eyes at the mist as it continued to inch ominously towards them, 'Digital field?' Was that how the Digimon were getting into their world? As Karu continued to stare, her eyes started to glow a light, icy blue once more, making Terriermon tense up a little at the somewhat familiar presence, while Culumon seemed confused as he glanced around for the source of the strange energy. Karu could see a strangely-shaped silhouette within the cloud, it was tall, with some kind of cannon-shaped arm and she could sense a strong anger and desire for revenge.
Snapping out of her physic daze, she gasped at what she had found, the glow disappearing along with the silhouette, but feelings of red-hot anger left her chest burning. "Whatever it is, its coming straight at us!" Takato said whimpering fearfully as he inched behind Karu, who tightened her grip a little on Culumon, who also whimpered, not liking the creature he could also see in the fog.
"Guys, run!" Karu said insistently as it got closer. "I'm in tune to agree," Henry nodded as Kenta dropped the lunch boxes from fear, "Come on!" The four turned and ran, the mist following as its paced picked up oh so slightly.
"Ugh, this is one week we've been having," Terriermon commented as he clung to Henry's neck. "For once, I agree," Karu added as she held onto Culumon, having no problem running with his feather-like weight.
"Must...run...faster!" Takato panted as he and Kenta lagged behind Henry, who was right beside Karu. "I would if Terriermon wasn't choking me!" Henry remarked pulling a little at Terriermon's hold, "This isn't possible! It's a Digital Field!"
"A what?" Takato asked between his gasps for breath. "This just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?" Kenta remarked sarcastically as they ran down the street, which was remarkably empty, "First Baby Dragon gets a Digi-Egg, then he looses the resident, who he finds, Dark Angel was in on it, now Digimon keep popping up everywhere!" Karu and Takato both winced at his ran, while Henry glanced over with a raised eyebrow.
"Does he do that a lot?" The Chinese boy asked. "Unfortunately," Karu replied.
"On top of that," Kenta continued, "What is a Digital Field and why is it chasing us?"
"You picked a bad time to ask questions," Terriermon commented once more. "For once, I agree," Henry retorted.
"Its gaining on us!" Culumon shouted as he craned his neck to look behind Karu to see the cloud was picking up more speed to keep up with them. "Seriously, of all things, we're being chased by a cloud!" Karu almost yelled in disbelief.
"Well, it can't chase all of us at once," Henry said coming up with an idea, "Kenta, you take the street, Karu, Takato, take then bridge, I'll keep going that way."
As much as the idea of splitting up didn't sit right with her, she could see where he was coming from and she didn't need her new powers to tell her boys weren't fans of it either, but had the same thoughts of her. They nodded together, answering as one, "Right!"
With that said, they split up, Karu and Takato rushing up the stairs to the bridge, while Kenta went down one street and Henry went down another. But Takato stopped upon noticing something and pulled on Karu's sleeve to get her attention, looking where he was looking, she gasped as well; the cloud was following Henry and Terriermon.
"Henry!" The female brunette called, "Its going after you!"
"What?" Kenta shouted as he skidded to a stop and ran back over, sounding a bit breathless as they went back down the stairs to meet up with him, "Why does it want Henry?"
"Hikarumon?" Culumon whimpered getting their attention, "Will Henrymon and Terriermon be okay?"
"I hope so," Kenta commented. "I know so," Karu shot back confidently as they looked down the street the boy in question had gone, "Terriermon and Henry are tougher then they look," Before she raced after them, "Come on!"
"Not more running!" Takato sighed as he rushed after her. "Guys, wait!" Kenta called after them, "Shouldn't we be running away from danger not towards it?" Groaning, he hurried after them, wondering if he could sign up for Mr. Shiota's gym, since he got the feeling he was going to do a lot of this soon.
But Takato got an idea and stopped, "Karu, I'm going to get Guilmon, see if he can't help."
"Okay," Karu nodded at him, "But hurry!" He nodded back and took off in a different direction. "This is gonna be fun," Kenta commented dryly as they caught up, only to find the cloud had expanded, covering a whole construction site in a pink and grey mist. Kenta pulled out his sunglasses-cover on and placed them over his glasses, the magnets holding them in place, while Karu didn't feel the need to worry for her eyes, unaware of the silver light dancing across her eyes as they entered the strange mist.
Imagine their surprise to find Henry and Terriermon facing a tall creature, clearly a Digimon that resembled a tall gorilla with white fur and black skin, its eyes a dark blue that burned with fury. Its right arm was a mechanized cannon attached to the rest of the arm with large cables. "Is that...Gorillamon?" Kenta asked shell-shocked, more used to Culumon and Terriermon's small sizes, it made them cute to certain points, but Gorillamon wasn't designed to be cute, far from it, his size just added to the intimidation. But it didn't seem to intimidate Terriermon, who was standing in front of Henry protectively, matching the champion's glare and Karu could feel her respect for the rabbit lift a bit for standing his ground.
Henry, however, looked like he was reliving his worst nightmare as he stared at the hulking Beast-type. Karu almost choked on his fear and felt confused about why he suddenly felt so guilty. 'Gorillamon...' Henry thought absently as his fists tightened on themselves.
Kenta's voice was a squeaky whisper as he asked, "What are the odds they might know each other?"
"With a Digidestind's luck...?" Hikaru responded rather dryly.
Not a second later, Gorillamon finally broke the glaring contest by raising his cannon-arm, aiming it at the Rookie and growling dangerously, "Terriermon..."
Kenta gulped as Hikaru finished her sentence with half-lidded eyes, "Very likely."
It was then that Takato and Guilmon arrived, Takato had his goggles pulled over his eyes. The gogglehead stopped short as he took in the new Digimon and murmured, "Whoa, he's big..." A beep caused him to hold up his digivice, before the hologram appeared once more, only this time it showed a picture of Gorillamon along with his name, stats and his attacks listed beneath.
"Gorillamon, a Beast-type Digimon," Takato read making Karu's brow twitch, "Champion level, attacks: Power Lifting and Energy Cannon."
Resisting the urge to slap herself, Karu reminded him, "A card could've told you that!"
"Um...hi there, Gorillamon!" Terriermon spoke up a tad nervously as the cannon began to charge, "Long time no see!" Now Karu really had to resist the urge to yell and slap herself.
Gorillamon didn't take to the greeting well either, giving an enraged yell as he banged his chest like any other gorilla or ape would before picking up a heavy metal beam and chucking it at the little rabbit-Digimon. Thankfully, Terriermon was able to jump out of the way.
"Gorillamon, stop it!" Henry yelled snapping out of his stupor as he watched in horror as the glow within the cannon got brighter, signalling it was almost ready to blast. But the beast ignored him, focus on Terriermon who tried to return to his partner's side in case Gorillamon got any ideas.
"Hey!" Karu shouted as she rushed over, ignoring Kenta and Takato's warnings, "Leave them alone!" With Culumon still in her arms, she leaned forward on one leg and spun on it, delivering a swift kick to the back of Gorillamon's leg with her other foot.
The unexpectedness as well as the strength behind the blow caused Gorillamon to shout as he stumbled a little, before looking back at the glaring female, who was hoping her glare would have the same effect on him like it had Terriermon when she first met him. Instead, he glared right back, raising his arm to strike, but Terriermon stopped with with, "Bunny Blast!" Shooting a green orb of energy at him, making the beast remember him and return his attention to him.
"Gorillamon, you have to stop!" Henry said as he ran over to Karu's side, "Can't you recognize me?" Thus confirming her thoughts of them knowing each other. Henry ground his teeth together, the memories of that day burning in his head.
"Henry, what-?" Hikaru began as she let go of Culumon with on arm so she could grab his shoulder, but gasped as energy sparked at the touch, traveling between the two of them, unaware of the entirety of her eyes were glowing a bright, pale blue. Henry jerked in surprise as he felt the same energy and his eyes glowed the same way.
As for Hikaru, she found herself in Henry's room, watching through Henry's eyes as his father gave him the newest version of the online Digimon game for his birthday, feeling his excitement. She watched as he chose Terriermon as his Digimon character and had him battle, only to digivolve while battling Gorillamon. She almost felt smothered by the immese horror, fear and guilt Henry felt as he watched this and once Terriermon reverted back to normal, was in horrible condition, despite Henry's attempts to help him. She felt his surprised-confusion as well as his desperateness as he received his blue card and, like Takato had, scanned it, giving him his digivice and like magic, Terriermon just...fazed through the computer screen and into Henry's caring arms and she felt his upmost sincerity in both his apologizes and his vow to never put his partner through that again, before she felt a sudden pull.
With a gasp, she snapped out of it and back into the real world, as did Henry, who looked at her in shock, his eyes widening as he looked into her glowing blue irises as she looked back at him with what looked like understanding and sympathy. "What did...you just...do...?" Henry uttered in shock, having never remembered the event so vividly, as if he was actually re-living it. "I...I don't know..." Karu admitted blinking as the glow slowly vanished.
They returned their attention back to the fight as Guilmon joined in, but Gorillamon's focus was entirely on Terriermon and Karu had a feeling she knew why. "That's...the same Gorillamon from the game...isn't it?" Karu spoke, but it didn't sound much like a question and all Henry could do was nod.
As Terriermon dodged another beam, Henry growled before refinding his voice as he yelled once more at Gorillamon, "Go back to the other side!"
"Run!" Takato and Kenta yelled. "Fight!" Gorillamon roared at Terriermon who was swiftly returning to his human as Guilmon launched himself at him once more, following them up the stairs to get away.
But Gorillamon easily kicked the raptor away and the red Digimon landed on his claws in a perfect handstand. Realizing this, Guilmon cheered, "Hey, look, I did it!" But no sooner did they stop to see what he was talking about, he started to wobble, "Oh no..." And just as they looked, he fell onto his front giving Gorillamon the chance to grab him by the tail.
"Oh no, Guilmon!" Culumon said in worry as they watched Guilmon was having his tail handed to him.
"Henry, Terriermon has to help!" Karu said to the Chinese boy. "No, I made my choice," Henry refused, "He's not fighting!"
Kenta couldn't help the quip, "Tell that to Gorillamon." And winced as Guilmon was thrown into a pile of cement bricks.
Unable to watch anymore, Terriermon leapt from the railing, "Hey, monkey boy!" He slapped the beast hard in the face with one of his ears, sending him to the floor.
But as he fell, his cannon finally discharged and the blast went sailing right at top of the stairs where Karu and Culumon were waiting for the boys to catch up. Looking up to see the purple blast coming, Karu froze up, eyes wide as she and Culumon let out cries of fear.
Henry, Takato and Kenta's eyes widened in horror, "Karu!"
Tightening her grip on Culumon, Karu twisted to her side, hoping to shield the little Digimon from the attack. Only to be suddenly shoved to the side. Karu grunted as her side hit the pavement, before opening her eyes (and wondering when she closed them) to see Henry kneeling over her to shield her and Culumon from debris as the attack blasted apart the spot she had been standing previously, which was now a sizable crater, having bounded up the remaining steps with renewed energy and got to her in time.
Once the debris stopped falling, he sat up properly, asking with genuine concern, "You okay?"
Unable to find her voice as she sat up, Karu just nodded as she held on tight to Culumon, unable to belief she was almost blown to bits and she just froze. Embarrassment was by far the easiest thing she felt right now, followed closely by self-anger, shock and gratitude. However, those feelings were quickly added onto by Kenta and Takato's own, along with their and Henry's previous horror and their relief. It all threatened to overload her, but she managed to keep it together as Henry helped her to her feet.
After watching their steps with the crater, Takato and Kenta joined them as Karu carefully rubbed a whimpering Culumon's head once she felt just how terrified he was, it seemed to do some good, but she could tell he was still scared. "Too close..." Takato muttered as he quickly pulled Karu into a hug, mostly to make sure she was okay and it just made her more aware of his fear, causing the numbness of the feeling to grow and spread through her. "You said it," Kenta agreed clamping a hand on Henry's shoulder with a grateful look on his face, to which Henry nodded back to. Karu couldn't make a vocal response, still trying to short herself through all the emotions.
They returned their attention to the battle as Terriermon spat Bunny Blast after Bunny Blast at the ape, who tried to use his arms to shield himself. Henry, while mad about Karu and Culumon almost being blown to bits, shouted at his partner, "Terriermon, stop!"
"Well, what do you want me to do?" Terriermon retorted, "Sit back and let him blast Guilmon like he almost did to Karu?" Henry recoiled, unable to form a proper response.
"He's mad," Guilmon commented as Gorillamon recovered from Terriermon's assault and glared at the two. "Watch out!" Kenta yelled as the Champion threw a punch at the two Rookies, who both dived to the sides to avoid the hit.
"They need help," Takato said worriedly, "We have to do something!"
Kenta looked at him almost defeatedly, "But what can we do?"
Karu tensed, shaking slightly as she took in their emotions, wanting to choke on the increasing guilt that just poured from Henry, much to Culumon's worry as he peered up at her, "Hikarumon?" But she didn't respond, making him whimper and retract his ears as Gorillamon roared and pounded his chest once more.
"He must've found a way to follow Terriermon here," Henry said in despair, "This is all my fault..." Guilmon and Terriermon kept dodging what Gorillamon threw at them.
"What..." Kenta asked as he and Takato looked at him confused, "What are you talking about?" Henry didn't answer, the now fresh memory of what had happened when he got Terriermon still haunted him.
But it was at that moment Terriermon got hit and was sent sailing back, much to Henry's horror, "Terriermon!"
But thankfully, Guilmon jumped in time to catch the smaller Rookie, being careful in setting him down. Karu honestly never felt so helpless before and she hated it, how she felt so unable to move and overwhelmed, and she hated it. As much as she agreed with Takato, she could see Kenta's point, what could they possibly do?
But then, Gorillamon growled, "Playtime's over..." As he rose his cannon and aimed it at the duo.
The sight finally snapped Karu out of her spell as her eyes widened in horror and she gasped, one word crossing her mind, 'No...'
Gritting his teeth, Takato shot off down the stairs, which furthered her alarm once she accidentally heard his thoughts on what he was about to do but was still unable to move, eyes frozen on the scene before her as the cannon charged. She vaguely heard Kenta's mental insult or his spoken words, "Takato, get back here!" As he rushed after him.
"Kenta!" Henry shouted in alarm reaching to stop the greenette around Hikaru, but was too late, "Takato, don't!"
But just as Takato picked up a pipe and began to charge, he froze as Gorillamon turned and glared at him, re-aiming his glowing cannon at the boy. 'Baby Dragon...' Hikaru thought in horror, knowing Kenta wasn't going to get there in time, she didn't even realize she had screamed as the cannon prepared to fire, joining Kenta's own..."TAKATO!"
"Crimson Lightning!" A new voice shouted as a blood red, lightning-like energy came whipping down on Gorillamon's arm, making him howl, arm pointing up, sending the blast into the air, completely missing any form of target as a figure dropped down in-between Gorillamon and Takato as Kenta finally reached the frightened brunette.
This new arrival looked very human despite being easily about eight ft with bluish-skin, long blonde hair and violet-colored eyes, and clearly male. He was dressed in a deep blue suit with gold buttons that matched the gold bat broach that held his ankle-length black cape in place, it was a cape with a high-collar with rip-patterned ends and was red on the inside. To finish his very vampire-like appearance was the twin fangs poking out from beneath his purple lips and the tall black boots that both had a skull atop the toes. He could be described as aristocratically handsome, if just a bit on the Gothic side.
Glancing back at the two humans, the very familiar Digimon asked, "Are you two alright?"
All Kenta could do, clearly shocked by the arrival, was nod. Takato was visibly shaking from the experience of nearly getting blasted like Karu had nearly been just seconds before. She could feel his anxiety from here and the fact one of the show's most famous villains was standing right in front of him wasn't helping any.
"Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y..." Takato tried to get out, "M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-!"
But Myotismon ignored their reactions, having turned around as soon as he saw Kenta nod to level a now nervous Gorillamon with an ice-cold glare. "Ganging up on human hatchlings, Gorillamon?" Myotismon questioned in an icy tone that made everyone else present flinch, "I thought Beast-types had more honor then that."
Gorillamon growled lowly in response, but made no move to attack the clearly more powerful Digimon. He may have preferred brawns over brains, but that didn't mean he was an idiot. Battling a Digimon of a higher level was stupid, but battling one on Myotismon's level? It was suicide for a Champion like him. But when Gorillamon stepped back, moving as if to flee, twin growls made him pause and look around to see Guilmon and Terriermon, despite also being wary of the vampire, had considered him an ally and were blocking his means of escape, leaving him surrounded.
Myotismon then looked up at the bridge where the remaining two humans stood. The blunette was watching the scene with shock and mild alarm in his silver-colored eyes, while the only female present was frozen like a statue, her sapphire eyes oddly a little blank, leaving her emotions a mystery, despite the rest of her face being frozen in a look of shock, while the strange little white and purple Digimon in her arms watched with worried-curiosity.
The vampire locked eyes with the blunette, who shivered, for only a second before disregarding him, but when his eyes locked with the girl, his eyes widened in surprise as they started to glow, creating an ice-like effect. He smirked for a moment before schooling his expression once more as he returned his attention to Gorillamon, whose cannon began to glow once more in preparation for another attack.
"Now that," Myotismon spoke once more, tone dry, "Is a stupid move." He then brought his hands together as if holding a ball, forming a sphere of dark energy between them. Gorillamon began to panic at this, especially when he glanced around to see Terriermon had opened his mouth, charging a Bunny Blast and Guilmon was also charging his attack, eyes narrowed and slit.
"Gu-Guilmon..." Takato mumbled in shock at the look on his partner's face. "Terriermon..." Henry whispered as well, disturbed by the look the green light was creating on his partner's determined face. Culumon whimpered, frightened, before looking up at Karu, who continued to stare at the scene.
Gorillamon raised his cannon at Myotismon and was ready to fire when Myotismon shot his hands out, cape flaring as he shouted, "Grisly Wing!" The orb expelled a large swarm of chirping bats at the startled ape. Terriermon fire his attack as well with a shout, "Bunny Blast!" Which was then followed by Guilmon, "Pyro Sphere!"
The three attacks struck home, making Gorillamon howl in pain before becoming one big cloud of data. Terriermon took a step forward with the intention to absorb the data, but paused mid-step and glanced at Myotismon, who raised an eyebrow back. "Terriermon, I don't want you to absorb that data!" Henry yelled making the little bunny snap out of it and pout at him.
"Can I at least do a victory dance, then?" Terriermon asked not entirely serious, much to the vampire's amusement as he crossed his arms and relaxed, finally allowing the two other human boys to relax, almost colasping onto each other with small laughs of relief, "Huh? Can I?" Henry just rolled his eyes in bemusement as the pink faded away and the data continued to drift freely into the air.
'It...it's finally over...' Karu thought in relief as she sighed, but her body still felt frozen, her eyes blankly watching the Digimon below as she took in the warming feeling of everyone else's relief and oddly, someone else's confusion, with open arms as it slowly washed away the numbing feelings from before. Myotismon watched her as Terriermon and Guilmon went by him to celebrate with Takato and Kenta, 'If it is her, she's most likely overloaded from all the emotions this battle must have roused...' He smirked at her as they locked eyes and his glowed as well as hers did once more and slowly, hers regained life once more.
"Man, I turn around for one minute an-" Impmon muttered to himself as he finally caught up with his girl, not that he considered her his like partner or anything, only to nearly fall right off the pile of iron beams he just landed on in shock of the state of the area, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?" Which of course, got everyone's attention.
"Ah, Impmon, late as always it seems," Myotismon chuckled as he regarded the small Rookie with nothing short of amusement. "Impmon, what's he doing here?" Terriermon asked confused, though he didn't seem very happy with the purple Rookie's appearance. "Not another one!" Kenta complained looking miserable, making Takato chuckle breathlessly.
"Ah, can it, ya overgrow bat-astard!" Impmon shouted in response, not at all afraid of the Ultimate, smirking a little at his pun, whilst Myotismon sighed with a roll of his eyes, his smile yet to falter. Impmon then noticed the shocked look on Karu's face as she seemed to shake as she held a white and purple Digimon he never saw before, who seemed to be concerned for her as he tried to get her attention. Able to sense she still felt distressed, Impmon felt his ears drop as he asked her, "You okay, there, toots?"
Karu was still in too much shock to truly feel angry for the degrading nickname. His shape and color...looked just like...
"Y-You..." Was all she was able to get out before the days events finally caught up to her. Unable to take it anymore, emotionally or mentally, Karu let out a small groan and wobbled, much to Henry and Culumon's concern, "Karu?"
Sensing what was going to happen, Culumon quickly jumped out of her hands and onto the rail as he said in a quick, urgent-tone, "Uh-oh, catch her, she's gonna...!" But his warning came seconds too late as she fell.
"Dark Angel!" Kenta and Takato freaked at seeing her fall, but thankfully Henry caught her before she could hit the floor as Myotismon's eyes widened in surprise. "Karumon!" Guilmon cried in alarm, following the two boys with an equally conflicted Terriermon on his back to check on the female. "Hikarumon!" Culumon cried in worry, quickly gliding down with his ears as Henry settled her against his side. "KID!" Impmon yelled as well, rushing over in a panic.
"Is she okay?" Takato asked worriedly. "I-I...don't know," Henry admitted also concerned, though his questions toward what she did before weighed on his mind. Kenta knelt next to the two and gave a small relief as he noted, "At least she's not convulsing..."
Myotismon, Impmon, Terriermon and Henry's eyes widened as the human and smaller Virus-type asked hesitantly, "Convulsing?"
"When her migraines get to be too much...she starts...convulsing...like a seizure..." Takato spoke up in explanation as he looked at the ground sadly. Seeing his tamer in such a state made Guilmon whine sadly before bumping him gently, gaining Takato's attention a little and the shy tamer hesitantly petted the lizard on the head.
Henry looked down at the girl, who was too out cold to even notice a hurricane, stunned to hear what she had to put up with and winced at a realization. The events of today clearly was too much for her to handle, much less one happening after the other in such quick accession must've been a mental overload. Impmon and Kenta had similar thoughts, berating themselves, Kenta for not realizing it sooner and getting her out of the battlefield, and Impmon for not getting here sooner.
Myotismon noticed the distressed look on Impmon's face and in his posture and raised an eyebrow curiously. Last he heard, the Dark Rookie's last attempt of getting close to a human had ended rather badly, so badly the Rookie had, very verbally, sworn to never try to seek a human partner again. And thus far, Impmon had made good on it, even pranking humans in his attempt to avoid a digivice appearing, so to see this reaction toward a human girl he was clearly knows more on a passing basis was...interesting.
"Why, Impmon, I thought you stopped interacting with humans long ago," Myotismon commented as if discussing the weather, much to the others interest as Impmon jerked in surprise, having forgotten the vampire was there. "And I thought ya gave up being an ass!" Impmon retorted in reflex as he whipped around to glare up at the painfully taller Digimon, fist raised in challenge, "And I ain't concerned about some human chick, ya got that?"
Myotismon just tilted his head innocently as he remarked, "Who said anything about you being...concerned for her?" At realizing the slip, Impmon face-palmed with a loud groan of annoyance.
"Um, Myotismon?" Takato spoke up getting the two's attention, "Why are you even here?" He quickly added with a nervous smile, "Not that no one's grateful, you really saved my hide out there, I mean-!" He stopped when Myotismon held up a gloved hand.
"I was just passing by," The vampire shrugged, "Thought I lend a wing..." He smirked at his own joke, making Impmon roll his eyes, muttering about bastards and such. Takato smiled nervously, while a little put off by the lack of a distinct answer, but was too nervous to say more.
"What happened to Gorillamon?" Kenta finally asked the question that was bugging him since the battle ended, looking around anxiously for any sign of the ape. "Since no one absorbed his data, I'm to assume his data returned to the Digital World," Myotismon answered looking up at the sky where the data had disappeared, "Most likely to be reborn as a Digi-egg in Primary Village."
"Um..." Takato tried to talk. "So, I guess that means he's good as gone then," Kenta assumed, "I mean, he won't come back."
"Excuse me..." Takato started once more, quiet as ever once again. "Who knows," Impmon shrugged carelessly, "You're guess is as good as mine, Four-Eyes." The nickname earned him a pointed glare from both Henry and Kenta.
"Um, hello..." Takato tried once more. "Moumentai!" Terriermon finally said trying to lighten the mood as Culumon rubbed up to Karu sadly, trying to get a response from the human he really liked, but whined when she made none.
"Excuse, but I believe your friend is trying to say something," Myotismon interrupted before either human boy could snap at the rabbit. Everyone looked at the brunette, who eeped at the sudden attention and tried to hide his reddening face in his hoodie as he said in what he hoped was a loud enough voice, "I-I-I was th-thinking...we-we should pr-pro-probably ge-get o-o-o-o-out of here."
Impmon raised an eyebrow, both at Takato's behaviour and the stammering, before looking at Kenta, asking, "What's his problem?" Kenta mouthed 'not now' with a deep, stern frown on his face.
"Yeah, I think that might be a good idea," Henry agreed, grunting softly as he lifted Karu up bridal-style, but smiled when Culumon scurried up to his shoulder, whimpering in concern for the girl, "Where does she live anyway?"
"1135 Hebi Street," Impmon answered almost automatically, "Big two-story buildin', some kinda of gym, weird brown 'n' red paint-job, ya can't miss it." It took a second later that was the wrong thing to say as the brunette and green-haired humans looked at him with frowns.
The brunette spoke up, no longer stuttering, instead, his voice was oddly hardened, "How do you know that?" Impmon chuckled nervously, looking to his superior for help, but imagine his shock to find the vampire gone, which he voiced, looking around, "Where'd he go?"
"No offense, Henry, but I don't think Marcus is going to take to you carrying her in like this very well," Kenta warned wincing along with Takato, remembering the man's protective streak, despite wanting an answer from Impmon.
"I still feel responsible to be there to help explain what happened," Henry said feeling his guilt increase at remembering Gorillamon was after him in the first place, well, technically, he was after Terriermon, but his point still stood and thus he felt responsible for what nearly happened to her and Takato, but upon looking at the Digimon, winced, "Well, as best as possible."
"Yeah, I don't think Marcus would take to the Digimon and all that very well, either," Kenta agreed feeling a headache starting to form as he imagined Marcus' reaction to not only the truth of what just happened, but to actually meeting the creatures responsible, before looking at Culumon, who clearly wasn't going anywhere and seemed to be attached to Karu in some way, "Plus, I don't think he'd by the whole 'stuff-animal' act, sure, Karu's a fan of Digimon, but she hates stuffies."
"What's a stuffie?" Impmon asked as Terriermon walked over to him, most likely making sure he wasn't a threat. "Some kind of thing made of cloth made to look like a Digimon or animal," Terriermon replied making Impmon go cross-eyed in confusion.
"Takatomon, I'm hungry," Guilmon whined bumping his snout against his tamer's leg. "Well, I could run to the bakery and bring some bread, assuming you guys can sneak into Karu's room and hide from her dad," Takato planned, "Though, I'm not sure what we'd do with you Mr..." He trailed off when he realized Myotismon was gone, "Hey, where'd Myotismon go?"
"That's what I asked," Impmon muttered. "Guess he had somewhere he'd had to be," Henry shrugged. "Do you think he has a tamer?" Takato asked curiously, trying what a tamer for Myotismon would be like. "Yeah, right!" Impmon huffed rolling his eyes and looked at Takato like he just said that pigs had wings or the sky was pink, "And I'll digivolve straight into the Mega-level." Takato blushed, the effect of the statement having being evident.
"We better get her home," Kenta said offering to take Karu from Henry, but the blunette shook his head, feeling like he owed her this much, so Kenta didn't push, instead he winced again, "And lets hope Marcus isn't home..."
As they began to leave, Culumon finally spoke up, voice still somehow holding that innocent quality as he asked out of the blue, "Whose Marcusmon?" Making Kenta face-fault as Takato tried to hold in his laughter, but Henry couldn't help letting out his chuckles, feeling his mood lighten. Despite looking at the little Digimon oddly, Impmon couldn't help the smile on his face at the innocence.
"Big guy, brown hair, protective of Karu," Impmon answered, "Not someone ya wanna mess with, believe me."
Kenta looked at him, freaked out, "How do you know that? And why are you evening coming with us?" Henry couldn't stop his laughter even as he looked down at the still out-cold girl in his arms. Something told him his life was going to get much more different...in a very much better way.
And that is that for that chapter! Yeash, that took forever, but worth it all the same! I kinda feel a little bad for Karu, but hey, whatcha gonna do?
Kazu: Man, this stinks, not only am I girl, but the girl me keeps fainting! *smacks with frying pan* OW! Now what I say?
Me: A thinly layered sexist remark, that's what!
Henry: Okay, seriously its not that bad!
Takato: Yeah, scary sure, but at least Impmon gets more lines!
Culumon: Yeah, and I'm in this one more!
Me: And Karu got another ability, sheesh, I hope I'm not over-powering her and Myotismon has made his debute!
Ryo: When am I in this?
Me: When they actually get to the Digi-World.
Kenta: Does anyone else care that this might be a little under-rated? I mean, Karu and Takato nearly got blown up...in the same chapter!
Me: No, it wasn't graphic, so I think it counts under this rating, if I'm wrong, someone would tell me.
Suzie: Yeah, and no one lost a leg or something so that's a plus!
Henry: Suzie!
Suzie: What?
Me: Okay, we're getting ahead of ourselves here! I just want to bring up that I might be switching DemiDevimon with Impmon in the polls for Karu's partner. Let me know what you guys think. Speaking of the polls: Lucemon is in the lead with a solid five, followed by Myotismon with two and LadyDevimon and Ranamon are still tied with one and DemiDevimon still has nothing, nada, zero. But again, I might be switching him, let me know what you guys think.
Well, till then, I guess you'll have to wait for the next chapter. Say, bye-bye, Guilmon!
Guilmon: Bye-bye, Guilmon!
Me: That's not what I...oh, never mind!
