Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update! My Microsoft word is acting weird and not working right! Need a new lap top! haha Anyway I'm now accepting
10 REVIEWS before updating the story! Thank you for everyone's support and their love for this story! JP do the disclaimer!
JP: Right! Amaterasu Chan doesn't own Digimon, the fourth season or any season. Only Neru, Ritzumumon, and the mystery Digimon are hers!
Thanks magic man! READY SET GO!
Chapter 10: Fear and Loathing in Los Arboles
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"Execute! Spirit Evolution!...Rizumumon!" I called out and didn't have time to slow down. "Sound Barrier!" I yelled jumping in front of Beetlemon, arm shield raised as BurningGreymon punched at him. We grunted as we were sent colliding with a column.
"Thanks Neru" Beetlemon said thankfully and I nodded, dazed from some of the pain I still felt. Kendogarurumon growled.
"Takuya stop!" He pleaded and charged. Beetlemon's head was suddenly grabbed and was thrown at Kendogarurumon, making me fly into the air. I righted myself and thrust my hands out.
"Pulsing Rhythmatics!" I called and my attack was a direct hit, but seemed ineffective. Not good for me, not good at all! I called out as BurningGreymon's tail slammed into me, causing me to add to the dog pile. BurningGreymon then began to destroy anything in his path like an angry red and white Godzilla with wings.
"There has to be a way to stop him!" Kendogarurumon said as we got untangled from each other.
"But how?" Beetlemon asked. I panted in strain to keep myself in this form. They needed me and I couldn't go around as the weak link like I've been doing. I'm so freaking useless.
"Come on guys! There has to be a way. Takuya's in there somewhere right? He wouldn't hurt us on purpose! We just need to remind him of that" I panted but I knew as soon as I spoke I should have kept my mouth shut.
"What are you even doing here Neru? You almost died just moments ago from being crushed!" JP said and I winced. Yeah JP you sure have a way with words and know how to make a girl feel wonderful! "You're not suited for battle!" I opened my mouth to argue but a large wolf-like face got into mine.
"He's right. You're going to get yourself killed annoying girl. But knowing you you'll still insist." He growled in irritation. I nodded almost smugly. "Ok….just stay back. Let us do most of the work here. You're on defense only and your main priority is the others got it?" I sigh and nod, knowing that was the better place to be. "Ok guys, heads up things are going to get messy." I take flight and overlook my friends. "Alright!" He said addressing BurningGreymon. "If it's a fight you want fight me!" That certainly caught BurningGreymon's attention. Beetlemon jumped out of the way declaring it wasn't him who said it and Kendogarurumon jumped forward. I flew south a bit keeping close to Zoe and Tommy along with Bokomon and Neemon.
"Is he really going to try fighting him?" Zoe asked up at me. "What if they hurt each other?" I bite my lip. Way to go Zoe! I had already thought of that and you reinforced it.
"It's the only solution we have right now Z" I murmured looking over the battle. BurningGreymon runs at Kendogarurumon and said wolf Digimon responded with a Lupine Laser attack. It was an awesome attack too, beautiful and bright. But BurningGreymon dodged it by jumping up and coming down on Kendogarurumon's head. He lifted his sharp claws and I growled defensively. I don't even know where it came from. I called my Sound Barrier and tossed it, throwing BurningGreymon off kilter and Beetlemon took over the rest by slamming into the Dino Digimon.
"Not so fast!" He grunted planting his shoulder squarely in our former companion's chest, throwing him off Kendogarurumon. I sunk to the ground my legs shaking as I felt my power fluctuate. I shook myself and took flight again. Come on you can do this, your boys need you! Beetlemon and Kendogarurumon headed off into the forest. "Come on before one of us gets hurt!" He murmured in panic. BurningGreymon held out his arms that had laser guns implanted into his armor.
"Pyro Barrage!" He called and the bullet like lasers fired into the forest after him. Trees everywhere caught flame and blazed out of control! I herded my human friends further away from the flames. I got them to a clear area far enough away from the flames to be safe but close enough so they wouldn't go stir crazy in wonder at that was happening. I knew how hot wildfires can get and how unpredictable they were so my up most attention was on my friends, so when Kendogarurumon's attack caused some trees to almost fall on me I was a little irked.
"Watch it!" I tell him. Gosh Beetlemon is right; I thought we were supposed to help not make everything worse!
"If we ever have to fight trees he'll be deadly!" Neemon said and I almost laughed because it was true but now was not the time for humor.
"Then count your blessings we're not trees!" Bokomon said and that almost got me too. How can they joke like this at a time like this? Is it subconscious or what? I can barely be funny normally much less under all the stress of being in a burning forest! I began herding them father away, not wanting to take much more chances when I noticed Tommy wasn't budging. I scoop the boy up gently and flew after Zoe and the others.
"This isn't the time to be wonder about 'if' this and 'if' thats." I say to him, knowing what he's thinking. I carried him to an area with no flammable material with the others. We heard a sound behind us that was identical to a dinosaur call you hear in Jurassic Park. I noted the pained tone it had to it. Takuya was suffering and there was nothing I could do. Some friend I am.
"That sound" Zoe murmured sounding just as heartbroken. "It doesn't even sound human."
"Because technically he isn't human anymore, if you think about it. This is a Beast Spirit. Everything is animalistic now, all about instinct." I murmur and I think I had an epiphany. "I guess that's why Koji and now Takuya lose control. Suddenly everything being instinctual and about survival can really put one in a daze. It can blur the lines between our human consciousness and the animal taking over. You lose sense of who's friend and whose foe and even who you yourself are."
"Precisely, Miss Neru," Bokomon said in grave approval. "It's not called a Beast Spirit for nothing." Zoe shook her head mournfully.
"But it's like Takuya isn't even in there!" Zoe said and I saw the misery in her eyes that matched mine, hidden behind the visor. "There had to be something we can do!"
"I'm afraid not." Bokomon said as I led them further up for a vantage point on the rocky and sandy terrain now. "He has to learn how to control the beast spirit on his own, and sooner or later he will."
"It's the later part I'm worried about." Neemon said and I rolled my eyes. I heard stomping and called my Sound Barrier right before there was a yell and BurningGreymon came crashing through a rock. His head clashing right into my shield and by feet dug into the ground as I fought to keep him at bay. I almost lost ground against the onset of pure strength when Beetlemon flew down and knocked him away. "Is later here yet?!"
"Cut it out!" Beetlemon yelled and I collapsed to a knee. I made myself recover quickly and herded my friends further back, me facing the battle so I didn't see it when Tommy stopped with me as I kept guard.
"Back to the burning forest!" Bokomon ordered. "Well, never thought I'd say that!"
I watched as BurningGreymon slammed Beetlemon into the ground I growled at launched forward. He saw my approach and grabbed Kendogarurumon by the tail, dragging him close as if he was just a mutt. He slammed the Wolf Digimon down on top of me. I cried out under the heavy body that instantly shifted off of me. He nudged his head under my arm as I sat up and I took it as a command to wrap my arms around his neck like earlier. He jumped off carrying my weight with ease. I was dazed and not really seeing things right. I had to be. Because if I was I'd be see Tommy approaching BurningGreymon and we all know he's not-oh my god he is!
"Takuya please, you've got to stop this!" Tommy called up to him. BurningGreymon simply glared down at the boy. "Fight it Takuya! I know you don't want to hurt any of us!" He took a fearful step forward and opened his arms to show he meant no harm. This caused BurningGreymon to pause in shock. "This isn't you! Your Just out of control and afraid!" Tommy said and took a few more confident steps forward. BurningGreymon took a step back and let out another Dinosaur roar again. I made a move to get tommy but Kendogarurumon stood in front of me.
"Takuya listen to him!" Kendogarurumon yelled out. He looked at me. "Give him a chance, maybe Tommy's on to something!" I sigh and nod, not feeling good about my little guy out there facing a large fire Digimon alone.
"Yeah Taki! It's us!" Beetlemon said flying down.
"Takuya-Kun! Come on, I want our goofy knucklehead back, not this!" I say reaching a hesitant hand out to him. He only let out another roar.
"Don't you get it we're all your friends?" Tommy said with a smile. "We're here to help you!" He said and smiled brighter, stepping closer. I saw BurningGreymon's body language change back to hostile. He growled and rushed to their boy, clutching him tightly in his clawed hands.
"Tommy!" I scream and try to go to him again but once again I'm stopped by Kendogarurumon. "Why won't you let me save him?"
"Your attacks aren't focused enough to attack without hurting Tommy, you also don't have enough power right now, and you can't even fly properly!" I looked at him sadly and bit my lip, visor hiding my tears. I look over as Tommy begins to talk to Takuya, not sounding as afraid as I would thought he'd be.
"Takuya wait a minute~!" He called to him and looked down at his old friend. "Don't you remember what happened? I learned that true courage isn't paying bullies back; it's just standing up to them! You taught me that fighting back in fear is just like being a bully. You can't let fear control you! You have to fight it~!" Tommy said tears filling up in his eyes from emotion. "I know you won't hurt me if you just remember that we're friends!" A single tear fell and dropped directly into BurningGreymon's eyes. I saw the body language change once more. His eyes suddenly turned blue and he set the boy down. I flew forward and hugged the little boy close to me rocking him gently.
"Don't ever do that to me again do you understand!" I scolded. Tommy grinned up at me.
"It worked didn't it-Hey!" He exclaimed as BurningGreymon turned and began slamming his head into the rocks that surrounded us. They broke down and he began beating them mercilessly. He was letting out mournful sounds of regret. I put a hand to my mouth. He let out a loud roar of pain and soon Takuya was kneeling in BurningGreymon's spot, he bowed his head and supported himself on his hands as he sobbed violently. I soon de-spirit evolved and limped over to him. He was sobbing horribly ashamed of himself and in horror at what he almost did. I knelt down next to him and reached out to touch his shoulder, but as soon as my fingers touched him he stood up, strait as a rod.
"Let's go." Takuya said and began marching away from us. We were all soon human again and looking after him. I put a mournful hand to my mouth. I felt hands gently turn me around and haul me up. My head rested tiredly against the dark haired teens shoulder. We watched the fire user as he walked. Poor Takuya.
…
We stopped a little ways away since we were all exhausted from battle, at the edge of a lake. Zoe knelt by me helping me drink from her cupped hands, which had been Koji's self-appointed job but she insisted that she do it since she didn't fight. Zoe was now my proclaimed 'nurse' until I was better. I allowed it since it made her feel a bit better about the whole 'losing her spirit' thing. I'm glad that my pain was good for something. Koji leaned against the tree I rested against watching over us all. Takuya was looking down into his reflection, teeth gritted as he sat in self-loathing.
"Takuya are you ok?" Tommy asked approaching the boy in worry.
"I should be asking you that!" Takuya said standing; he looked at us all in worry that he did hurt us in some way, but all our injuries were from Gigasmon. "Thanks Tommy!" He said earnestly. Tommy blushed at the thanks.
"Aw it was nothing!" Tommy said bashfully. "But your welcome!" Takuya shook his head.
"It wasn't anything! It was one of the bravest things I've ever seen!" He said seriously. Tommy was still smiling bashfully.
"Well I owed you one!" Tommy said. "And not we're even!"
"Ah the trials of friendship" Bokomon said watching the scene. "Take notes you guys for when you get your beast spirits." I rubbed the back of my head in nervousness. JP chuckled and looked to Zoe.
"How about you go first!" He grinned in fake cheerfulness. Zoe put her hand to her chest.
"Oh no I insist that Neru goes first!" She chirped catching me off guard.
"Wait what no!" I insisted. "I'm dizzy as it is! Imagine that in a body with that much power and that little control!"
"Yes well as true as that might be, let's focus on getting back the spirits we lost to Grumblemon eh?" Bokomon said rolling his eyes. Takuya lifted his D-Tector and stared at it mournfully.
"Thanks for reminding us." He said and I knew we were all thinking the same thing. What good was having those spirits, if we can't even control them?
Koji straitened and took me under the arm, yanking me to my feet as gently as possible. "How are we going to find Grumblemon anyway?"
"The really question is how do we keep him away?" I murmured leaning ageist him for support.
"Neru's right, it's harder to avoid him than to find him" Takuya agreed with a nod to me. "I think we should keep going, we'll run into him eventually."
"Sounds good to me!" Zoe said and came to stand by my side, ready to assist me. I groaned, between her and Koji I never get to do anything and it's pissing me off to no end.
"I know you want your spirit back but how if fighting Grumblemon a good thing?" JP complained and for once I kind of agreed. "That's the stupidest thing I've heard so far." Ok that was harsh.
"You better hope you get your spirit first because when I get mine I'm coming after you!" Zoe scolded and I laughed.
"Make that double for my J!" I said sticking my tongue out at him. He groaned and murmured something about the trials of friendship.
…
After arguing for a minute I was allowed to walk on my own as long as I stayed close to someone and kept a hold of their arm or something. Right now I had my arm laced through Zoe's as we chatted about life back home. Zoe's a really amazing person, sure she seems to be a bit uppity at times but it's really just a miscommunication. She likes different things but doesn't know how to explain that and so she comes off as stuck up. When I brought this up to her she blushed a bit but thanked me for the comment of her being an amazing person. I smirked knowing that after everything here was over we'd defiantly keep in touch.
"Now the book says that the trees make the forest floor treacherous-oh my!" He yelled as he tripped over a large root. We stood on a hill and looked down. The roots were making a perfect grid like pattern on the hill, and at the bottom there's 'x's in a perfect line with an 'o' at the end.
"Hey check it out!" JP said. "Do those symbols stand for hugs and kisses!?" He chuckled elbowing Koji and Takuya. Zoe scoffed.
"Like you'd know" She said with a roll of her eyes.
"Hey!" JP protested.
"It's like a maze!" Neemon cheered.
"Not really, all the roots connect." Bokomon explained.
"Well make it like a maze!" Neemon responded just as cheerfully. "Everyone grab a vine and stick to it!" We all agreed to the game and I separated from Zoe to go to the vine next to tommy. We all started our way down chuckling and giggling as we made our way down. It's easy to forget that we're not only warriors but kids to! It feels great to just be playing around! At the bottom Takuya and Tommy were the winners while I was on the 'x' next to them with Neemon. I giggled a congratulations while Koji 'hmphed'.
"Oh don't be a sore loser Koji!" I joked with him.
"Yeah so what's the big deal?" JP asked and as if on cue our area suddenly flooded with mud.
"JP you never say that!" I yelled at him as I began to sink rapidly.
"Stop struggling!" Takuya yelled from shore. "You only make it worse!" I was already trying to stay as still as possible though my breathing was panicked. Going under this mud would be just like in my dream. A think blackness that pushes down on me with great pressure and suffocates me. I closed my eyes in panic, whimpering.
"Easy for you to say!" JP yelled back waving his arms.
"Here!" Takuya yelled tossing us a vine to all grab on to. We all gathered at the vine and held on with all our might. But as Tommy and Takuya tried to pull us all out there was an explosion next to us. I called out as Grumblemon sprung from the earth and laughed at us.
"Look who here!" He said cheerfully.
"Grumblemon no!" Takuya called out in panic.
"Grumblemon yes! And you just where I want you!" He laughed viciously. "Looks like you two won race! Too bad big winner's now big losers! It's taking spirits time!"
"Actually it's get stuck in the mud time!"
"Not the time Neemon!" I yell at the yellow bunny Digimon.
"You no quiet! You learn hard way it hammer smashing time! " Grumblemon yelled. He then pointed to Takuya. "Now time to get rid of you!" Takuya looked panicked.
"Why can't we be friends?" He said nervously.
"Quiet you! No one give me as much trouble as you! You know you lose! Why not just hand over spirit!" Grumblemon said sounding exasperated. "Why you no play nice!" He whined.
"Oh you son of a-…" I yelled but took notice of Tommy and shut my mouth for once.
"So we're just supposed to hand over our spirits?" Takuya asked incredulously. "Well you can just forget it! That's never going to happen! Especially now that I have my beast spirit!" Takuya said and Grumblemon began circling them so He stood in front of Tommy as they rotated as well.
"Now why me no afraid of that?" Grumblemon asked sarcastically.
"You should be because it's very powerful!" Takuya said dramatically. If my hands were free, I'd slap my forehead right now.
"Only powerful if you can control! And something tells me you no learn yet!" Grumblemon says then he smirks devilishly. "Cause why else do you sound and look so afraid!" Takuya backed up closer to Tommy. "See, you tell me all me need know!" He pulled his hammer from the ground and smashed at him. Takuya grabbed Tommy and rushed off with him just in time. He made Tommy climb at tree before turning to Grumblemon.
Grumblemon switched to Gigasmon and in return "Execute! Spirit Evolution!" He yelled and coils of data surrounded him. "Agunimon!"
"Hasn't the forest had enough fire today?" Bokomon yelled and Agunimon backed down a bit.
"Right!" He said and tried for the heads on approach, but got shoved away with ease.
"Quagmire Twister!" Gigasmon yelled and spun at Agunimon violently knocking him into the air and taking down some trees in the process.
"Agunimon!" Tommy yelled but was grabbed by Gigasmon! Oh heck to the no!
"Tommy!" I yelled and began struggling. "You let him go right now!" Koji grasped me around the waist under the mud it was a difficult task but he got it.
"Neru stop! You're going to sink!" He yelled into my ear.
"Gigasmon put him down!" Agunimon yelled right after he landed on to the ground.
"If you want him you have to come and take him!" Gigasmon said and climbed up higher in the trees like a monkey.
"But-…" Agunimon said looking over at us. Koji looked up at him, still holding me by the waist.
"Don't worry about us, we're fine now!" Koji said calmly. "I mean we're kind of stuck here" He said with a pointed look.
"Ok!" Agunimon said and jumped up after Gigasmon and Tommy. I closed my eyes as I tried not to think about what will happen if I go under. Breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, that's what I need to do.
"Um, Is Neru ok?" JP asked looking at me strangely. Koji's arms tightened around me, and his thumbs rubbing calming circles on my sides.
"Yeah she's just claustrophobic and going under won't help her in that department." Koji said.
"Oh yeah, when we were in the elevator, you hesitated and I held your hand" Zoe said realization kicking in. "That's why!" I nod slowly. All of a sudden Agunimon comes crashing down violently.
"This is going to hurt!" He yelled and crash landed on to the ground. "I was right." He groaned mournfully into the dirt. He was De-Spirit Evolved back into Takuya, who sat up holding his face.
"Takuya!" Zoe called out in worry.
"Are you ok?" JP asked him in worry as well.
"What happened?" I asked him.
"Yeah I'm ok." Takuya murmured. "But Tommy's still in trouble and I don't know how to save him" Koji looked up at him seriously.
"It looks like a human spirit won't cut it against a beast spirit!" He called. "Looks like you have to turn into BurningGreymon!" Takuya looked up in panic.
"But I can't! What if I lose control again?" He said. Zoe looked at him sympathetically.
"Don't think about that! Just think about what Tommy said!" She called to him and Takuya looked up.
"Remember who your friends are and you'll be fine!" She explained to him.
"What?" Gigasmon said from above. "Not want to help friend?" Tommy was lowered into sight from a vine, moaning.
"Tommy!" I yell to him. "Just hang in there sweetheart!"
"Play time over now give me spirit!" Gigasmon called down holding the other end of the vine. "You hurry and maybe you save him!" Takuya looked down for a minute as if actually contemplating it. Talk about being in=between a rock and a hard place.
"No Takuya! Don't give your spirit up for me! It's ok, I'm not afraid!" Tommy said assuring and I felt tears enter my eyes at his bravery. I growled we Tommy was hauled back up. Takuya's head snapped up.
"No!" he growled.
"Some friend you are! Won't even give up spirit to save friend!" Gigasmon said and I growled up at him.
"You don't know the first thing about friendship!" I yell and Tommy nods.
"I'm not afraid of you!" He says confidently and Gigasmon cut his vine.
"You should be!" Gigasmon muttered and swung away with Tommy.
"No, Tommy!" Takuya yelled out again then growled in determination. "Ok if tommy can show courage in the face of that freak than so can I!" He pulled his D-Tector. "Execute! Beast Spirit Evolution!" He yelled and coils of data surrounded him. As always this transformation sounds a lot more painful than our regular human spirit. Takuya called out a guttural yell as he was placed in the strong armor. "BurningGreymon!"
"So let's see if you can control!" Gigasmon yelled down as BurningGreymon ran at him.
"Takuya!" Tommy yelled down as Gigasmon jumped away to another tree. BurningGreymon slammed his heavy tail, which I say from experience, into a tree. The tree shook Gigasmon from his perch and he had to grab the branch as he fell. BurningGreymon then got a branch and threw it at Gigasmon's fist that held Tommy in it, causing him to release the boy. Tommy called out as he began his descent into open air. BurningGreymon made a mad dash to catch the boy. "Not going to make it!" Gigasmon mocked but BurningGreymon slid as if diving for a baseball and caught the little guy just in time.
"You ok Tommy?" Came a more guttural sounding Takuya.
"Yeah" Tommy said standing, he then grinned. "Hey check it out! You're controlling your Spirit!" I think BurningGreymon may be smiling under his mouth guard.
"Thanks to you buddy!" He said affectionately.
"I'll help the others! You go get him!" Tommy chirped and BurningGreymon agreed, jumping high up into the air. Tommy rushed over to us and began pulling, us kicking our feet to help him out. Soon we were all resting on the bank. Koji was directly behind me, one arm still around my waist as we lay trying to catch our breath. Tommy came closer to us and I sat up. I pulled him close.
"Oh Tommy I'm so glad you're ok!" I say and kiss his forehead. He blushes but smiles up at me.
"I'm glad you're ok too Naru-Chan!" I grin and release him to go hug Zoe. I look down and note that Koji's hand still grips my hip. I look at him as he props himself up on his elbow.
"You going to be ok now?" He asks me sarcastically and I stick my tongue out at him teasingly. I smile a nod.
"Yeah thanks Koji" I say and he nods with a smirk. He lets me go and we all stand. We run off in the direction we saw Agunimon disappear to. BurningGreymon has transformed back into his Human spirit until they were away from trees so that he wouldn't burn the place to the ground. By the time we all catch up BurningGreymon was back and had just owned Gigasmon! He turned dark and his Fractal code appeared with all his spirits. He was able to take Gigasmon's spirit first.
"And now for Tommy's!" BurningGreymon says and grabs the little figurine. He fly's up and tosses it to our little guy. "Here you go little buddy! Got a present for ya!" Tommy pulls his D-Tector out and receives his spirit back. He pumps it into the air excitedly.
"Alright! This is better than birthdays and Christmas' combined!" Tommy cheer and we all congratulate him. BurningGreymon turns back to the still down for the count Gigasmon.
"Now for Zoe's spirit!" But as soon as he says that Grumblemon seems to wake up and the fractal code, along with the left over spirits, disappears. BurningGreymon launches at him trying to take him down again but the coward begins to dig.
"Me leave while behind!" Grumblemon says and disappears into the ground. Zoe calls out in despair. I wrap my arms around her and she buries her face into my collarbone.
"No! He still has my spirit!" She sobs. I rub her back gently and make her look at me.
"It's ok Zo." I murmur to her then look around at my friends as Takuya lands and returns to normal. "I promise that well work to get it back for you! And then our team will be complete again. Right guys!?" I ask and everyone agrees loudly. "Right! Now let's get heading to the forest terminal!" I say and they cheer at that too. One step closer…just one step.
We all looked up at the three moons of the Digital World. I stood between Koji and Zoe as we stood at the top of a plateau. I hold Zoe's hand tightly in mine, hoping to provide some comfort for her now. She's still depressed over her spirit being gone. I sigh sadly, even in victory something always causes us to lose something precious or be denied something we need or want.
"Isn't that pretty?" Tommy asks us and I smile and nod for his sake. Zoe beside me sighs.
"Yeah, I guess" She murmured and I squeezed her hand gently.
"Come on guys." Takuya says seriously. "We've got a long way to go" He murmured and I couldn't help but feel that that statement was probably the most true thing that I'd ever hear. I feel that even if we reach our destination of the forest terminal, that our adventure will be far from over. At least I have my friends by my side as we go through this crazy adventure.
I'm waiting for you…Neru
I look up quickly recognizing the voice in my dreams. But this time I know I'm not dreaming. Who is this voice I always hear and why is she focused on me. I reach out subconsciously to grip Koji's hand as I look up to the moon. He looks over to see my look and grips my hand tightly. It's a silent promise. We would get to the bottom of this, of everything. We will unravel the mysteries that shroud over us even if the truth does hurt. Even if the truth is the very thing that destroys us and our world, shattering us into nothing.
…