Chapter 40: A Reason to Fight
The briefing room was a rectangular room with chairs, desks, and a projector screen, much like a classroom. However, only Guy and Dinobeemon filled the desks. Jewelbeemon sat on the chair beside the projector screen, flipping through the newspaper.
Dinobeemon had such a strange appearance for an insect; while it had a pair of antennae and compound eyes, its body and tail looked more like a dragon's. Most insect Digimon Guy knew only had two pairs of wings, whereas Dinobeemon had three; two resembled a bee's, one was leathery like a dragon's.
"As everyone says, I'm a chimera of a dragon and an insect, but I proudly identify myself as an inhabitant of Beetle Land. The older generation I mean," Dinobeemon told Guy. "I enjoy fighting as much as they do. The newer generation is a wuss."
The chimera's words reminded Guy of the play they watched last night; the inhabitants of Beetle Land appeared to have a divide between the older and the newer generation. Guy would certainly side with the newer generation.
"No doing this, no doing that, it's for your safety yadda yadda..." Dinobeemon spat. "We only care about the thrill. The best story comes from the wildest battle."
"It is dangerous," Guy responded.
"That's where the fun comes from!" Dinobeemon argued. "We, the older generation, always try to make sure that we have an epic story to tell before we die."
"Even if you end up bedridden forever?"
"It's the story that matters." Dinobeemon stared at Guy. "You sound like one of those cowards by the way."
"Those who dislike fighting are not always cowards. They only fight if necessary."
"You dislike fighting?"
"Correct."
Dinobeemon sighed. "Why do you join the Beetle Tournament then?"
"For my comrades. We need the Beetle Pearl to return to our world."
Dinobeemon shrugged. "Listen, Blitzmon. The Beetle Pearl is for showing off your combat history, not the nonsense you blathered about."
The chimera sure had the nerve to say that.
"I do not care about my combat history," Guy grumbled. "I only care about my comrades."
"Sounds like you befriended the wrong bunch. They make you weak, y'know?"
Guy clenched his fists, and electrical sparks flew out of them. How dare it speak like that about his comrades!
Jewelbeemon banged a fist against the nearby desk. "Hey, no fighting here!"
Guy closed his eyes and huffed. Very well; they'd settle this in the ring then. Guy had to remind himself that emotion had no place in combat, though.
Minutes passed in silence. Then the door flung open, and HerakleKabuterimon stepped in.
Jewelbeemon stood up. "How did the fight go?"
The golden beetle slammed the door shut and headed towards a chair. "Kinda boring. Archnemon needs more training."
"You're way too strong!" Jewelbeemon approached and opened the door while motioning Guy to it. "Sir, please go through this door."
"Yes." Guy stood up and walked towards it.
"Good luck, buddy!" HerakleKabuterimon cheered. "Can't wait to see you at the finals!"
Guy's ears registered Dinobeemon's complaints as he stepped into the enclosed stadium. Seriously, what was wrong about fighting for comrades? Maybe the chimera didn't understand it, just like how Guy didn't understand why the residents of Beetle Land fought for a story to tell?
Better save that for later. Guy had a more pressing matter right now.
As spotlights shone upon Guy, Tentomon announced, "In the east wing, an evolved human, a new challenger in the Beetle Tournament, Blitzmon!"
The crowd cheered and applauded. Guy only took a few milliseconds to spot Tasuku, a lone human sitting amid a horde of insect Digimon. Tasuku's broad smile cleared the clouds in his mind.
Guy could do it.
Once Guy arrived on the stage, the spotlights moved to highlight Dinobeemon. Tentomon pointed at the chimera and announced, "In the west wing, the bee-dragon chimera, the proud warrior of Beetle Land, Dinobeemon!"
Dinobeemon waved its hands at the audience. "Here to create an epic story!"
The audience roared and clapped their hands, but Guy could sense the diminishing enthusiasm from them.
Arriving on the stage, Dinobeemon shot Guy an unpleasant glare. Guy responded with his usual poker face while studying it. The chimera stood about as tall as him; with its muscular arms and legs, it could probably smash a stone pillar with its punches. Its claws and talons looked like they could chop up tree logs.
Tentomon hopped into the air and flew away from them. "Beetle Arena, activate!"
A metallic net fence shot out of the edge of the stage and made its way to the ceiling, confining Guy and Dinobeemon. A 120-secs timer appeared on the projector screens across the wall of the stadium
"Fight!" Tentomon shouted.
Guy crossed his arms right on time to block Dinobeemon's punch. More fists came, and Guy remained on his defensive stance. The strikes slowly pushed him towards the fence, but never shook his defense even once. His thick metal gauntlets sure did their job.
A wild flurry of claws came, which Guy blocked. Everything shot at him like a bullet, so he'd better not bother with evasive maneuvers.
"Your dislike for battle sure shows," Dinobeemon mocked.
Guy kept his defense up anyway. Why would he attack now? He hadn't spotted an opening on the chimera.
When the barrage stopped, Guy lowered his arms. Dinobeemon flipped in the air and brought its leg down like an axe.
The foot landed on Guy's gloved arms, and Guy held it tight. Arcs of electricity crackled across his body as Dinobeemon growled and struggled against the hold.
The electrical currents flowed into Dinobeemon, and the chimera shrieked. Amid the loud roaring of the crowd, Guy heard Tasuku shout, "You go, Guy!"
Feeling the growing warmth in his heart, Guy smiled behind his helmet. The electricity around his body grew, and Dinobeemon screamed even louder.
Grunting, Guy slammed the chimera into the ground. Then into the fence. And back to the ground. And back to the fence. And again. And again. The surroundings didn't sustain any scratch somehow.
Guy raised Dinobeemon over his head and threw it into the ground. The chimera convulsed, its body battered, its compound eyes wide open.
The convulsion stopped. "You…" Dinobeemon sputtered, reaching out its hand with its claws pointed at Guy. "You…" Its arm went limp and thudded into the ground.
As Tentomon counted to ten, the electrical currents across Guy's body died out. "You said my comrades made me weak, did you not?" He glanced at the grinning Tasuku. "I would not have joined this tournament if not for them. They gave me a reason to fight."
"Ten! It's over!" Tentomon announced. "Beetle Arena, deactivate!"
The fence descended and disappeared into the ground. Spotlights shone upon Guy as Tentomon flew towards him and grabbed its finger with its tiny hand. Seeing its attempt to lift his arm, Guy smiled behind his helmet and raised it.
"Humans and gentlemon, the winner of this match is Blitzmon!" Tentomon exclaimed into the mic. "Blitzmon will proceed to the final round and fight HerakleKabuterimon!"
The crowd erupted into loud cheers and applause. Amid the group of insect Digimon, Tasuku clapped his hands while shouting, "Just one more to go!"
Guy nodded.
Tentomon released Guy's finger. "Now, Sir, please return to the briefing room now. We have some refreshments prepared."
"Very well." Guy left the stage and approached Tasuku, only for Tentomon to fly after him and poke him in the back.
"Later, okay?" Tentomon told him.
Guy nodded, waving his hand at the annoyed Tasuku as he strode towards the briefing room.
Inside, a stack of clean bowls and a big pot with a ladle attached to its side stood on the desk beside the projector screen. Jewelbeemon stood beside it, motioning Guy towards them.
From its seat, HerakleKabuterimon said, "Hey, you're back! Looks like you scored a perfect win?"
Guy approached the desk and Jewelbeemon. "Correct."
"I'm hella excited to fight you now!" HerakleKabuterimon exclaimed. "You seem strong."
Jewelbeemon opened the lid of the pot and picked up the ladle and a bowl. Guy sniffed the air, his eyes widening. This scent…
Ladling out thick soup full of chickpeas from the pot, Jewelbeemon said, "We, Beetle Land inhabitants, enjoy eating vegetables because they're both tasty and nutritious. The snack for this tourney is chickpea soup."
"Chickpea…" Guy froze. An image of him and his troupe mates hanging out in the bar flashed across his mind. Homare sat at the table with a reddened face, tears flowing out of his closed eyes.
"Piyo piyo piyo piyo…" Homare's voice replayed in his head.
"Pfft…" Unable to hold it back anymore, Guy burst out laughing.
It was indeed worth fighting for his comrades, the Winter Troupe. He didn't need any other reason to fight.