Chapter 13: To the Marine Field!
While Ren slept peacefully, the Machine Field was stirring. QueenChessmon had returned with her deadly chest injury. King Kaiki was said to have frowned upon seeing it and sent her straight to the Healer. Now, the Machine Digimon loyal to the Dark Ruler waited for his order on what to do about the Beast Digimon and their constant rebellion.
But for now, the order did not come. The mysterious leader just stood on top of the metal tower that he had claimed from HiAndromon. Hagurumon floated patiently beside him as the armored figured stared out into the direction of the Beast Field.
"Darn that girl! Even QueenChessmon failed, thanks to her! We almost had them!" King Kaiki finally spoke with fury like fire in his voice.
"Great One, I understand your rage. The Beast Field is being quite unreasonable and now that human only grows in power. Plus, Phelesmon grows impatient with you. However, these direct attacks aren't the key. The Beast Digimon swarm in armies, like bees, to protect their homeland." Hagurumon said.
The Dark Ruler looked over to Hagurumon. "Ah, I see. You think it would better then, if we lured them out with their land."
Hagurumon smirked. "Exactly. Starting with the human, Great One. If the Beast Digimon think she is so great, they will surely send in their best to rescue her. But the question is, how to get the human here?"
King Kaiki chuckled. "Just leave that part to me, Hagurumon. Now, go and get me a report on QueenChessmon's condition, then ready BladeKuwagamon for me. I need to go to the Dark Field." He said without looking at the gear Digimon beside him. BladeKuwagamon was the digimon that had brought QueenChessmon back to the Machine Field, and was also used by King Kaiki for field missions and to carry him to other Fields.
"As you wish, oh Great Ruler." Hagurumon said and floated down into the inside of the tower. Meanwhile, the Machine Dark Ruler turned his eyes back towards the Beast Fields, its forest just barely peeking over the horizon. Soon, that stupid forest and all its secrets would be his, King Kaiki could feel it. It was his destiny to take it down along with anyone who resisted him. The Dark Ruler let an evil laugh escape his lips, which rang down into the Machine Field below his feet, firing up his loyal minions, but shaking the hearts of the captive MachineDigimon that had no choice but to serve him.
Many of them hoped that, somehow, another Field would come in and save them. How sweet it would be, to have a good Leader like HiAndromon again, but was it possible anymore? The captive Digimon certainly could not help but doubt as they were worked to death powering the massive empire that King Kaiki was building to bring glory to Phelesmon...
-
That night in the Real World, Ren finally woke up from her dreams. After rubbing the sleep from her eyes and went to check on her mother.
Mrs. Yue was making supper when Ren came out of her room. "Hello, honey. Did you have a nice nap?" She asked.
Ren nodded. "Sorry I dozed off. I was just so tired when I got home."
Her mother smiled. "Then, did you do a lot of stuff with Miku?"
"Yes, I had fun. We even met Kosuke in one store." Ren said, leaving out the part that she went to the Digital World, still not ready to tell her in fear of worrying her, especially of what happened with QueenChessmon.
"Kosuke? Ah, yes, the Nakamura's son. He seems like a nice young man. Perhaps you two, and Miku, will be going to the same school." Mai said.
"I hope so. I think we will all be great friends." Ren answered and came over into the kitchen. "What are you making?"
"Dimsum. Want to help?" Mrs. Yue asked.
"Of course! Dimsum is one of my favorites." Ren replied happily. It was nice to know that after long battles in the Digital World, she could come home and have time with her Mom. Ren loved her mother dearly and even though they did have arguments from time to time, they still respected each other. Ren couldn't ask for better parents, which made it only more painful to keep a secret from them.
However, Ren must keep her secret. She couldn't stop helping the Digimon now. They were her friends and she loved every one of them. And this love only made her want to hurry and defeat King Kaiki and the other Dark Rulers faster. Perhaps, it was time for Ren to go on the offensive against them.
However, would Leader HippoGryphomon back if she did decide to launch an attack in the Machine Field? What if this had been tried before and failed? What if she were unsuccessful and were to find herself at the mercy of King Kaiki, the apparent tyrannt of the Machine Digimon?
There was only one way to find out these answers, however. Ren would go to the Digital World tomorrow and ask Leader and the other Beast Digimon if they wanted to attack this time. However, would HippoGryphomon even be able to speak to her. He was still unconscious when she left the Digital World. What if that blow QueenChessmon administered to him would affect him for more than few hours? Would Ren have to make another hard decision by herself? Again, only a trip to the Digital World would answer her questions. So, Ren quickly set up a way for her to go to that other realm without causing her alarm.
"Mom, I went to this neat internet cafe today. May I go there for a couple hours tomorrow. I want to see if I can find some new friends." That wasn't all a lie, Ren convinced herself, she did want to met more Digimon, especially if they were Defenders that could give her advice.
Mrs. Yue thought about the request for a moment as she finished making supper and began to place it on their small kitchen table. "Hmmm, I don't see why not. Just call me every now and then and let me know your okay. Oh, and don't stay out past sunset. Your father is supposed to give us a call then." She instructed.
"Great! Thanks, Mom!" Ren said excitedly. So, with that, the two ate supper, watched a little TV together, went shopping at a convenience store a few doors down for supplies for supper tomorrow, and then prepared to go to bed, each one going through their nightly rituals, including Ren's private time listening to sound. After that, they went to bed.
Morning came quickly for an eager Ren, ready to see how HippoGryphomon made it through the night. So, she went down to the cafe, where she used money she had saved up to pay for the private room for two hours, plenty of time, she thought, to discuss her plan with the Beast Digimon and try to launch her attack if they agreed to it.
Soon, she was in front of the familiar computer again. "DigiGate Open!" She said and entered the Digital World. There, waiting patiently by the TV, was Bearmon.
"Ren!" He said. "I was hoping you'd come soon! We have to go to Apemon's cave!"
"The cave?" She asked. "Is Leader okay?"
Bearmon gained a sad gaze. "He...still is knocked out. Apemon says Leader needs help and we may be the only ones who can get that help. Come, he'll explain in more detail, we just have to hurry."
Ren nodded. "Let's go, Bearmon!" With that, the two ran to the Healer's cavern. Apemon was already waiting outside.
"Defender Ren, thank goodness you have returned." He said.
"Yes, Apemon. I heard Leader is still unconcious and that you need me to help him." Ren answered.
"Indeed. The blow Leader HippoGryphomon is worst than I thought. He has broken bones, but the worst thing is that he may be dissolving from the inside."
Ren's eyes widened with shock. "Dissolving...from the inside?" The human Defender could not think of a worse condition.
Apemon nodded. "I can stop it, thank goodness, but I'll need a special mixture of plants from the Marine Field. It lays to south of us, in the opposite direction of the Machine Field. You and Bearmon must go there as fast as you can and try to find their healer, Gwappamon. Just tell him what is going on with HippoGryphomon and he'll know what to do from there. However, the Marine Field has fallen to a Dark Ruler, Leviamon, so you must take care not to get caught."
"We will, Healer Apemon, don't worry! The Dark Ruler will never know we were there!" Bearmon assured.
"I hope that is the case. I would send others to help you, but we must also be prepared for an attack from the Machine Digimon. Swanmon is here, so leading our warriors rests on her shoulders and well as mine. Now, hurry, for you only have until noon tomorrow until HippoGryphomon completely disolves." The ape Digimon instructed.
"Yes, Healer Apemon! Come on, Bearmon!" Ren said and then the partners headed out the door.
"If you need any help finding your way to Gwappamon, seek out the Marine Defender. He should still be free from the Marine Dark Ruler's clutches!" The healer called out to them just as they reached the entrance of the cave.
"We will! Stay safe, Healer Apemon!" Ren said.
"You as well, Defender Ren and Defender Bearmon! Good luck and a speedy return I wish upon you," called out the fading voice of Apemon.
Ren and Bearmon quickly bolted out of the cavern's clearing, past resting Digimon, stopping only to Digivolve Bearmon to Grizzlymon so that more ground could be covered as Ren rode on his back. The two Defenders headed south, hoping to reach the Marine Field and find Gwappamon swiftly so that they could save their Leader from his predicament.
However, all the while, they were being followed by a dark shadow amongst the clouds, waiting for its moment to strike...