Disclaimer: ok so is this rly necessary for every chapter? Or am I just wasting my time..? No, Digimon is not mine...hmph...
Ryo: "Last we seen our heroes they were making their way through the random wasteland. They happened upon Vermillimon who thought he was infected with the virus! Turns out he just needed some persuasion and he took them out to the edge of the ocean where they found an empty train station. Meanwhile, Katsuro was given a painful speech and the realization that his mother and baby sister were still alive!"
Digimon Fusion
Episode 13 - A Familiar Foe
"Wooo wooo!" The Trailmon named Worm made his way slowly back to his resting station. He whistled quietly to himself and enjoyed the view that lay before him.
"Ahh the ocean is always such a wonderful sight." He inched along at a leisurely pace. But something caught his eye, "Huh?"
A black figure making its way across the water passed by. It was a ways away so its appearance was indistinguishable.
"Heh, probably another one of Astamon's lackeys." He carried on without concern, as the evil Digimon were quite an abundant sight since Hisharyuumon disappeared. They never seemed to bother him in any case.
"Time to get back and relax." He chugged along, minding his own business, "Doo do-do do-doo."
"Oh? What do we have here?" He came upon the station with caution, "Oh just a bunch of kids. Who has time to travel these days what with all the madness going on?"
He came to a smooth halt underneath the protective covering, the shade covering only his face. He seemed to be content with just that and began to shut down almost as soon as he settled in.
"Hey wait!"
"Oh boy," Worm muttered as he opened his eyes again, "What can I do for ya, kid? There's a 10-minute wait before the next departure."
"We need to get across this ocean as soon as possible!" Matt explained as he came up to the Trailmon.
"Yeah I haven't heard that one before," Worm responded with a half-hearted sigh, "Look, I'll give you a lift, but you gotta come back in ten minutes. Now if you'll excuse me, this engine needs a-coolin." He began to shut his eyes again, letting the steam seep from between his teeth in emphasis.
"Pleeeaaaseeee?" Dorumon gave Worm his saddest face, "We have to save the world!"
Worm peeked at them under his drooping lids, "Save the world?"
"Yeah, we have to get to Astamon's castle to save our friend and destroy the virus!" Gabumon added, feeling a little more detail might help their situation.
"The virus?" Worm was fully alert, "You mean destroy Astamon? Look, I know this evil mumbo-jumbo has slowed business for me, and it was good there for a while, but I am putting on a bit of weight just sittin around in this ever-changing confusion of weather. I'll tell ya what, I'll get you guys across this ocean under one condition."
"Sure anything!" Matt replied.
"You have to bring me back a cup of Kongoumon's noodles from the Sanctuary."
"..."
The group stared silently at his beaming face, the memory of a steaming cup of noodles making him drool.
"Ok, sure. But what is this 'Sanctuary" you're talking about?"
"Yeah I'm curious." Agumon agreed with Kouji.
"Sanctuary. THE Sanctuary. The only place in this forsaken world where a mon can live freely from the virus. I heard Sakuyamon is a beautiful lady." Worm smiled.
"Sakuyamon?" Matt questioned.
"YEESH! You guys don't know anything, do ya? Sakuyamon, fair lady of the Sanctuary. She protects the city from the outside world."
Matt blinked in confusion. He was trying to put together everything coming out of Worms wretchedly fiery mouth. Apparently the only safe place in the whole Digital World was in this one city: The Sanctuary. He could only imagine how crowded such a place would be. So many Digimon would be fighting to enter the city just to be safe from the spreading threat.
Maybe Sakuyamon had answers to some of his questions. He was particularly concerned with how the virus was spreading, and if there was any way to cleanse a dying spirit from such a horrible fate. He needed to know what happens, as Kouji pointed out, when an infected Digimon leaves to be reborn. If they were just reincarnating the virus, then the whole hatchery might be in danger! As soon as one of those evil Digimon is born, who knows what would happen? Innocent lives were at stake no matter what happened. The virus needed to be stopped.
"When do we leave." Matt's statement couldn't even be taken as a question. He knew he had to depart as soon as he could, whether Worm took them or not.
"I'll tell ya what, You bring me back that cup of noodles after all is said and done, if we're all still alive, and I will take you wherever it is you need to go. Provided it's along these tracks. Which don't go many places. At all."
"Great!" Matt smiled, "Deal."
"Alright then, let's see those tickets!"
The whole group collapsed into a puddle of dumbfoundedness, the sweat-drops abundant.
"What do you mean 'tickets'? Agumon held out his empty claws in disbelief.
"Tickets, man, tickets! No free rides, you ought to know this!"
"But we're getting you noodles!" Gabumon blurted out.
"Yeah maybe. Look, they got tight security now. I can't go anywhere unless you guys got a pass. Can't have random strangers traveling across the ocean, I suppose. Besides, the rails have been modified. I literally can't move unless you have a pass to unlock the tracks."
The group looked up and down the tracks and realized he was right. There was a well-constructed piece of metal that traveled down from the station along the tracks and swung up behind his back wheels, keeping him from departing the station.
"Well that figures." Kouji sighed.
"Where can we get a pass?" Matt realized it wasn't going to do them any good to argue with Worm, and the sooner they got passes, the sooner they could get to Astamon. And Tai.
"There's a little town right down the beach a ways. If you can get to it without melting, they'll sell you tickets."
XxXxXxX
"…and roasted marshmallows have always been a favorite of mine! Especially when you dunk'em in syrup and sprinkles! And then you take-…"
The whole group eventually tuned Vermilimon's mumblings out, and instead concentrated on barrels of water and pouring fountains and delicious waterfalls.
They finally came upon the 'little town' Worm was referencing. And little it was indeed. There might have been a total of fifteen or twenty small houses made of hardened sand and what appeared to be driftwood from the ocean. The wood made up the roofs and acted as supports for the open doorways. How the sand had stayed together to form the walls of such houses, Matt could not figure out. Nor did he really want to ask. The houses were randomly placed, or so it appeared, and none of them had more than one floor.
As they approached the town, they began seeing the small figures that inhabited the sand village: Gazimon and Gatomon. A group of Gazimon were milling about in front of a batch of sand houses, fussing with the roofing and making a big ruckus over how they wanted it to look.
"Yeah, but the way you want it, the rain will leak in!"
"Well your way is too stuffy! And it looks awfully messy!"
"Hey, what's going on here?" Agumon stepped up to the group of three Gazimon. They turned to look at the stranger.
"Who are you?"
"And who are you?" The second Gazimon pointed threateningly at the group of humans and their giant red Monochromon follower.
"We don't really have time for introductions," Kouji interrupted, "We need train tickets, now."
"Oh, do you now," The third Gazimon crossed his arms angrily, "The old man might have some for you, but you're not going to get anywhere with an attitude like that!"
"Yeah chill out, Kouji," Matt gently set Dorumon down on the warm sand, "I'm Matt and these are my friends. We need train tickets so Trailmon can take us across the ocean to Astamon's castle."
"Astamon's Castle?!" The first Gazimon jumped and hid behind the second Gazimon, who was obviously the oldest one of the bunch.
"Astamon?" He inquired, arms crossed, "I don't think anyone has stood up to him. How do we know we can trust you? You guys look pretty menacing."
"Yeah I'd say!"
"We're not here to cause trouble," Matt spread his empty palms as a gesture of peace, "Trailmon told us that he can't take us anywhere without a pass, and he said you guys had some."
"Yeah, well good luck to you!" The three Gazimon returned to their small house, shifting the wood on the roof randomly. Matt winced as one of them pushed a stick the wrong way and the roof tumbled down on top of all three of them.
"Aww come on! Why'd you have to do that?"
"Here, let me help." Matt offered.
XxXxXxX
After what felt to be about an hour or so, Matt stepped back to enjoy his handiwork, hands on hips.
"There now. That should do it." He couldn't help but smile.
The finished roof was constructed of several large branches with enough space between them to let in some sunlight. Meeting at the top, the branches resembled a pair of clasped hands, the 'fingers' intertwining between each other. They were tied tight at the top with a strong rope strung of seaweed the Gazimon had gathered. The other ends of the branches sat snugly in grooves on top of the walls that Gabumon carved with his horn.
While they worked, Agumon had retrieved a tall plant from the forest that he utilized to make an umbrella. The device he attached to the broad, one-leafed plant was simple: A stick was attached to one end of a rope and used as a pulley, and when pulled, it cinched the bottom of the plant's leaf, pulling it up and out of the way. When the pulley was slack, the leathery, resilient leaf was spread out over top the whole house to keep out rain or excessive heat. He placed the sturdy stem through the center of the roof and the pulley could be operated from inside the house.
"Whoooaaa..." The three Gazimon stared in awe at the roofing. They pulled on the rope at least a dozen times, opening and closing the umbrella way more than necessary.
"There!" Dorumon concluded, "Now you don't have to argue anymore!"
"So about those tickets..." Kouji tapped his foot impatiently, arms crossed.
"Oh right, follow me!" The oldest Gazimon led them past a few houses to the center of the town, "Right in here!"
Matt blinked down at the incredibly small doorway, which he would not be able to enter without breaking something...or everything. The Gazimon was long gone when he turned to question him.
"Hellooooo?" Dorumon called into the small home, his own form almost too big to fit.
"Dorumon, manners!" Matt knelt down to peer into the house, which was quite dark, "Excuse me, sir, we would like to talk with you if you have a moment, please."
They heard a rustling from the back of the house and, after a moment, a small hunched over figure emerged. His grey fur had begun to whiten and he never attempted to stand on his hind legs. He was having trouble enough with all four legs as supports. Elder Gazimon looked up at his visitors wearily.
"What can I do for you young lads?" His voice was almost startling, as if his age meant nothing. His strong voice hung in Matt's ears momentarily.
"Right, um, so Trailmon said you might have some tickets for us so we can cross the ocean."
"Ticket's you say. Why yes, I might have some left over. If you'll excuse me." He turned and disappeared inside the house again. Returning with a handful of tickets, he looked up with wise eyes from under his bushy, white brows.
"I usually won't take any less than 30 Digi-Dollars for each, but since you look like important people…"
Matt looked down at him with a slight hope that he would be kind enough to hand them over for nothing.
There was an intentional pause from the Elder.
"…I have decided I will take 25 Digi-Dollars instead."
Matt hung his head in defeat, knowing that he had never accumulated any sort of Digital currency, and Kouji or any of the Digimon weren't likely to have either.
Elder Gazimon read that sign quite well, and was about to turn when the atmosphere changed.
The wind picked up slightly and there was a salty taste to the air. Dorumon winced at this, remembering his 'ocean water' incident. Kouji enjoyed the breeze on his face and through his damp hair, even if it was rather salty.
Gazimon hesitated abruptly and turned to face the ocean. Stepping past Matt, he hobbled towards the shore.
"Oh, great Guardian! Is there trouble again?" He called out across the ocean.
Guardian? Were they really about to meet one of the three Guardians? Matt contemplated how realistic this might be, and what could happen if it really was one of the other Guardians. He had so many questions that apparently only they could answer. He grew quite excited, and almost nervous.
Dorumon stared out over the rippling water as a form came closer and closer, the water bulging up over it. As it advanced, and, as he saw, it kept getting bigger, he panicked and hid behind Matt.
"It's alright, buddy," He comforted, rubbing him behind his ears, "He's a Guardian." This he said more to himself. His heart raced with anticipation.
Or was it fear?
Panic set in quickly as he saw a looming, serpentine figure lurch from the water and straight at Elder Gazimon, knocking him aside as if he were nothing. The giant water monster wasn't concerned with the Gazimon or the Gatomon or the village at all. It was aiming directly for Matt and Kouji!
As the beast approached in what looked like slow motion, Matt was hit hard with the realization.
"SEADRAMON!"
Dorumon scrambled to the left with Matt, determined to stay with him. Pulling Gabumon to the right, Agumon managed to save them both from the speeding snake.
Kouji stood in shock, the gaping jaws before him freezing him in his tracks.
Why…
"Kouji!" Matt reacted with a swiftness and courage he never realized he had within him. He leapt straight in the line of attack, pushing Kouji to the sand just before the giant teeth snapped shut behind them.
Vermilimon took over from there, grappling the beached serpent with claws, teeth, and horn.
Matt lay atop a dumbfounded and confused Kouji. Propping himself up, he glared down into his eyes.
"Idiot! You could have been killed!" He spat angrily, more from worry than actual rage. Kouji stared dumbly up at him, not saying a word.
Matt growled and stood up, realizing Kouji wasn't going to respond. He held out his hand.
Kouji shook his head and stood up, recovering quickly and dismissing Matt's offer. He fished in his pocket for his D-Tector.
"Execute!" He scanned his data, "Spirit Evolution!"
A bright light enveloped him and Lobomon promptly appeared and rushed towards the fray.
He joined Vermilimon in toppling the giant, planting some strategic slices across its fins with his energy swords. The beast cried out, its main source of movement obliterated. Seadramon lashed in the hot sand, having been pulled out by Vermilimon's strong jaws. He clamped hard on the snakes tailfin.
"Wait! What are you doing!" Elder Gazimon's strong voice was just audible over the battle, "Please, don't attack our Guardian!"
"Guardian?" Matt stole a glance at Gazimon as he picked himself up slowly from the sand, a broken leg quite possible from the blow he received, "No Guardian would attack your village…"
He knew no one could hear him, nor did he intend for anyone to.
Vermilimon and Seadramon wrestled in the sands, throwing dust and debris through the air. The Gatomon and Gazimon huddled by the forest, the safety of their homes way too close to the raging battle. Seadramon swung his head around to face Vermilimon at his tail, toppling two whole houses in the process. He opened his mouth and shot a fierce blue stream of light into his plated enemies face, aiming specifically into his eyes. Vermilimon howled in pain, releasing the twitching tail and taking off for the ocean to dunk his face in the soothing waves.
Seadramon righted himself and coiled up like a snake. He seemed to be going on the defensive now, his fins and tail practically useless.
"Oh, great Guardian of the Sea!" Elder Gazimon blurted out with all the strength he could muster, "Why do you attack us now?
Seadramon was oblivious to anything surrounding him that wasn't his direct enemy. And Matt saw why.
His eyes were clouded by a black mist, the purple swirls distorting his vision and, most likely, his mind.
I see now…
Lobomon kept the sea serpent distracted, and Vermilimon soon rejoined the battle. The thundering footsteps of his larger enemy sent Seadramon into a frenzy. He began writhing and spewing molten ice every which way, attempting to fend off attacks while sprawling towards the water, his advantageous domain. Vermilimon let him go, fearing the village's safety. Directly before he entered the water, Vermilimon charged a ball of his own molten attack in the depths of his throat. He reared up and, coming back down hard and planting his feet firmly into the sand, let out a fiery blast that could have obliterated an entire forest.
"Volcanic Strike!"
There was a wailing scream as the retreating Seadramon burnt up in the devastating blast. His data flowed freely immediately after the attack subsided.
XxXxXxX
"How is he doing?" Matt questioned the kind Gatomon as she exited the Elder's house.
"He wants to speak with you." She answered plainly.
Stepping to the side, she announced Elder Gazimon with a wave of her paw. Gazimon, assisted by two younger Gatomon, hobbled on three legs to the entrance of his home. He went no further and dropped to the sand, his leg obviously pained him. His damaged limb was held fast and secure to his body by a simple sling-like bandage.
"Children, I am terribly sorry." He began, "You see, Seadramon is the Guardian of the ocean, and he protects us from the virus that is spreading. He watches out for us so that we may enjoy the sand and the beach in peace. I am afraid something has gone terribly wrong."
"He was infected," Kouji supplied the answer.
"So it seems…" Gazimon lowered his head in sorrow.
"I will protect this village."
Everyone turned their attention toward the lumbering giant.
"I have armor as hard as steel, and my heart is pure. No virus is going to take anyone else here while I yet stand."
The Gazimon and Gatomon cheered, and Vermilimon lifted his chin in pride and satisfaction.
"Well if you all don't mind being talked to death."
There was a group laughter at Kouji's semi-serious comment.
"Don't worry, Gazimon," Agumon patted Elder on the back, "We'll find a way to destroy this virus and save the world."
"You are the Chosen ones?" Gazimon looked up into Agumon's eyes with a great hope, "I can't believe this. All this time I thought you were just passing by, gathering tickets to retreat off to the Sanctuary. Never have I been so wrong!"
"We're off to fight Astamon and put an end to his evil ways!" Gabumon included, shaking his fist in emphasis.
Elder Gazimon looked over the children and their Digimon in disbelief and awe, taking in the fact that they might just be the heroes everyone had been waiting for.
"Pardon my behavior earlier, you must forgive me. Please, take the tickets as a thank you for saving my village."
One of the Gatomon assisting him fetched the tickets from inside and distributed them among the group.
"Thank you, Elder." Matt bowed his head in gratitude, "I'm very sorry for the damage. Is there anything we can do?"
"We Gazimon are very quick to recover from such incidents. Please, just save our world."
"We won't let you down!" Dorumon thrust his fist into the blue sky, a smile spread from ear to ear.
XxXxXxX
The Gatomon and the Gazimon sat on the edge of the village, waving to their heroes. Vermilimon sat proudly beside them, his tail swaying back and forth as he sat, feet splayed, in the lapping water of course.
Matt turned forward after waving his final goodbyes to the village. He smiled to himself.
This was it. As soon as they cross the ocean, Tai would be within reach. He could finally end Astamon's reign and rescue his friend. It wouldn't be long before they would all be crashed in Matt's living room with a giant sundae in front of them, like nothing ever happened…
He frowned. As the group trudged merrily though the sands towards Worms station, he caught a glance of Kouji keeping to himself, hands in his pockets and his jacket tossed casually over his shoulder.
What is he thinking?
Kouji was always so expressionless, it was nearly impossible to tell what he was feeling. Matt found himself thinking of what would happen when this was all over. Would they keep in touch? Would he still want to be friends?
He couldn't act like nothing ever happened. He had grown pretty fond of the stubborn boy since their meeting in the real world. He found himself in a lot of what Kouji said and did. He could remember how young and naïve he had been back then. He acted without thinking on several occasions, and even pushed his friends away when they were only trying to help. He thought he didn't need anyone, and every problem he encountered could be solved alone. He imagined that is what Kouji was going through at the moment. He might keep pushing, but the only thing Matt could do was try to show him he wasn't alone.
Propping his elbow up on Kouji's shoulder, Matt threw on a genuine grin, "Man, am I hungry! I'll bet old Worm is holding out on us!"
Kouji glanced at Matt from the corner of his eye, but said nothing.
"Yeah! There's prolly lots and lots of food hidden away!" Dorumon bounced with joy at the thought of food.
"And water too." Gabumon added.
"And water!" Dorumon giggled and ran in several circles around Agumon and Gabumon, nearly tripping in the soft sand.
"Alright, calm down buddy," Matt warned. Kouji had since shrugged Matt's arm away, "Save some of that energy for when we get across the ocean. You never know what kind of crazy weather is out there."
"Or how far any civilization is!" Agumon said.
"Or what we'll have to defend ourselves against."
Matt glanced at Kouji, who said nothing more.
XxXxXxX
As the group boarded Worm, they deposited their tickets one at a time into a machine just outside the doorway. The machine counted the tickets and bodies entering the train, and when the last ticket was processed and the last person on board, the metal stop swung up from behind Worm's wheels and they were free to go.
As Worm slowly departed the station backwards, he rambled off some basic instructions.
"Please no jumping around the cabins, hanging off the railings, or taking a quick swim, cuz I won't stop for ya. Feel free to sleep or sit quietly and no shouting. Blah blah blah. Oh, and help yourself to the food and drink! But remember to clean up after yourselves! I can't afford a maid or anything like that..."
"FOOD!"
All three of the Digimon took that opportunity immediately and were gone within the second cabin of the train, their noses leading them straight to their destination. Matt lingered outside with Kouji, leaning on the railing and enjoying the cool breeze from the ocean as they sped up. He looked out across the ocean at the horizon, a smile finding its way to his cheeks again.
I'm coming, Tai.
Ryo: "They're finally on their way to the castle! Let's just hope they're ready for Astamon! Keep reading to find out!
fanakatsuki: haha thanx I like to keep things humorous. Thank you for reviewing!
DD: that's totally not weird at all lol. I had originally intended on this being Yamachi turned into Yamouji, but I wanted to take all that out so the story seemed more like it could be an actual season. I think Yamato and Kouji r like one of my favorites pairs ahahh I lovs them
yeah yeah so I know I said I was basically done with this chapter and it took me like forever to post it...but I somehow got side-tracked with art and life in general that I had completely forgotten I was writing a story...oops
well here it is
Kitty