CHAPTER 14: A NEW DIRECTION

"No Digmon," I yelled sitting up

Gabumon was by my side immediately. "Baldo, you're awake," Gabumon's hands caressed my back gently. "Don't push yourself."

"My head," I rested my palm against the temple hoping to quiet some of the thumping.

"You, two, were put through the rinse cycle," a familiar voice said.

"Tentomon," I mumbled turning my head. I was laying on a pile of palm tree style leaves inside a tiny grass hut not large enough for me to stand up straight.

"In the flesh."

I chuckled wincing. The sudden movement hurt my head forcing an immediate halt to my amusement. Both digital monsters sensed my discomfort and tried speaking quietly.

"As Kabuterimon, Tentomon pulled us from the river and carried us to the Motimon village," Gabumon explained.

My fists balled and I trembled already knowing the answer but for some reason I asked anyway. "And Digmon?"

"He's gone," Gabumon turned depressed. "Another friend lost because I can't Digivolve."

"Tentomon, what did Izzy say," I asked. I felt bad but I did not know how to comfort Gabumon right now. "Did he get in contact with Matt?"

"No, but he was able to calculate the next digital bridge to Matt's area," Tentomon informed. "But it won't be for another week."

"We have to survive a week of Huntsmon, huh," I mumbled softly to myself.

"It's the best we can do."

"A week," Gabumon gasped. I didn't intend both digital monsters to hear me. I bit my tongue in an effort to avoid anymore panic. "How many more of my friends will die protecting me?"

"Hopefully no more," Tentomon said coolly. "Especially since Primary Village was destroyed."

My spirit sparked. "Primary Village," I repeated.

"It is the place where all digimon are born," Tentomon informed.

"A digimon destroyed would be reconfigured then reborn at the Primary Village," Gabumon continued.

I was even more intrigued. "So Digmon will be reincarnated?"

"Maybe. Maybe not," Tentomon answered. "There are two ways a digimon would not be reborn. If Primary Village is damaged and unlivable like it is now."

"What happened," I asked reflexively already knowing the answer. Why am I asking so many rhetorical questions?

"Huntsmon destroyed it," Tentomon said. "Though no one knows why."

"He must know," I muttered to myself.

"What Baldo," Tentomon questioned.

Before I could repeat myself or play off my comment, Gabumon interrupted sounding depressed. "Isn't it obvious? Huntsmon doesn't want me to comeback after he takes my fur."

"Can the village be repaired?"

"Yes but not until Huntsmon's defeated," Tentomon answered. He continued seeing my eyebrow raise, "He won't let it coexist as long as he's alive."

"What's the other way a digimon can't be reborn," I decided to get back to the original point since I couldn't think a single nice retort.

"If the destroyed Digimon's digital code gets absorbed," Tentomon answered.

"Like Huntsmon's done with WarGreymon and Flamedramon," Gabumon elaborated seeing my confusion again. "Huntsmon's helmet and gauntlet."

"When your data is absorbed, you become part of that digimon until he's destroyed," Tentomon added. "Our friends are alive inside Huntsmon."

My head turned to Gabumon. "Will that happen to you Gabumon if Huntsmon gets your fur," I asked a little worried.

"Not if he takes my fur without destroying me."

I rested my chin on my hand relieved that there was a way to keep Gabumon alive if need be. "Do you think we'll be able to make contact with them," I added seeing their confusion. "Those inside Huntsmon?"

Both digimon paused considering the possibility. "I don't think so," Gabumon answered. "Once you're absorbed you become part of the host's programming. You're lost."

"Though no one's ever tried to reach an absorbed digimon. An interesting theory," Tentomon continued in a curious tone. "I wonder if it's possible."

"So they're trapped forever," I realized.

"No," Gabumon rebutted quickly. "Only as long as Huntsmon's alive."

"And Primary Village is destroyed."

"Okay," I said standing. "Tentomon, do you know if there is anywhere I can buy or find a sword or some other kind of weapon?"

"A sword," Tentomon raised his claw under his chin. "I'm sorry I don't. Why?"

"I'm in a world where animals cause explosions from their mouths and projectile fired covered knives," I said, "I need something stronger than wood to protect myself and Gabumon."

Gabumon choked. "But I should be protecting you," Gabumon squeaked.

"And you are but I'm already at a disadvantage and without a weapon I'm going to get you killed," I hugged Gabumon. "I'd never forgive myself for that."

"Baldo," Gabumon whispered.

Tentomon pretended to wipe a tear. "What a heartfelt moment," he said sarcastically. "Gabumon, may I see you outside please?"

They went outside for privacy but the grass hut wasn't exactly sound proof. "Gabumon, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your closeness to Tom. It's unusual," Tentomon said. "It's like you replaced Matt."

"I have not," Gabumon replied defensively. "But…"

"But what?"

"Baldo's here and Matt's not. He's helping me and makes me feel stronger."

"But you can't even Digivolve," Tentomon counter argued. "He's right. He is going to get you killed. I think you should leave him in his world after you find Matt."

Gabumon hesitated before responding and then only muttered weakly, "Really?"

"Yes. He's going to get you killed," Tentomon reaffirmed.

I wasn't expecting Gabumon's reply. "Not that," my friend said. "You think I should leave Baldo in Africa? He said that's very far from his home."

"Yes," Tentomon even seemed caught off guard by Gabumon's question. "The Digivice will only let one human & digimon crossover worlds. If you had to choose, who would it be Tom or Matt?"

"Choose," Gabumon repeated. "I never thought about it."

"Well you better decide otherwise you may never Digivolve again."

I never thought of being separated from Gabumon either. Grant it I did believe he'd have to go with Matt but I didn't think I would have to say goodbye to him. I tried offering a smile when they came inside trying to hide the fact I was eavesdropping.

"So Tentomon? Where is the rift going to appear anyway," I asked.

"You'll need to be at the foot of Tower Mountain," Tentomon answered. "It's a five day walk west from here."

I turned to Gabumon but his attention was drawn on the thoughts swirling around in his head. "Gabumon, we should probably get going," I said but I don't think he heard me.

"But it's only a day's flight from here," Tentomon interjected.

"We appreciate your help Tentomon but Gabumon's being hunted and we'll be caught if we stay in the village for a week or anywhere for too long," I reasoned. "Besides, we don't want anyone else hurt or killed protecting us including you and the Motimon."

Tentomon flew in front of the exit. "But Gabumon's my friend. I want to help," he pleaded. His head turned to Gabumon, "Are you really going to leave me behind?"

"Huh? What," Gabumon was brought back to reality.

"Tom only wants you two to go to the vortex."

Gabumon looks at me and nods. "I think it'll be for the best."

"But you'll need help-."

"Maybe we'll be able to find a Tsunomon village nearby," I said aloud.

My friend looked sadly at me. "Tsunomon don't live in villages."

"Tsunomon are such a rare digimon to begin with and to see two together is unheard of because of their shy demeanor. I think Gabumon's the only known one running around," Tentomon informed me. "He's alone."

"True," Gabumon agreed.

My eyes narrowed angrily. "He's not alone!"

"What," they said in unison.

"As long as there's life in me, Gabumon will never be alone," I said feeling Gabumon's stare. He took a long hard look at me. "We're the same, remember?"

Gabumon whispered "Baldo" behind misty eyes.

"You two are weird," Tentomon said. "And I still want to help."

"Tentomon if you want to help go find our friends," Gabumon suggested. "Tell them what happened to Digmon and the others then spread rumors of possible places we went."

"Okay," he answered disappointed. "I think I can be a bigger help though."

I looked up after checking my backpack. "You've been more helpful than you know. Thank you, Tentomon."

He rubbed his head. "Sure Tom."

"Listen I know I'm not going to be much help to Gabumon," I said seeing him sort of wince. "But, since you know where we're going, come find us after you're done telling your friends."

Gabumon and I left the Motimon village without saying another word. The sky was clear and a constant breeze made it a beautiful day for a walk. It felt nice traveling with Gabumon again.