Chapter 8

At the military base, the Colonel is watching from the mission control room. Six giant Audrey plants surround the small base compound. They've already pulled two of their small Nucs, and unfortunately, the plants are still going with no signs of slowly down. Despite having paleobotantist Dr. Yutaka Yoshida, the creator of the plants, in custody, he seemly attempted suicide by taking a lethal poison pill he had hidden in a ring, and is currently in a catatonic state. Evidence has been uncovered that Dr. Yoshida had somehow gotten his hands on top secret poleobotany (study of fossil plants) research as well as illegal substances through somebody from the base. The traitors have yet to be identified.

All of a sudden, two mysterious flying creatures, assumedly digimon, show up and start battling the plants. The soldiers start firing at them as well, without orders from high command, making the battle much more complicated. As the Colonel watches, he has to make a decision fast, as the three-way battle is allowing the plants closer and closer to the base facilities. However, he notices that these digimon seem to only be content on battling the plants, putting themselves in harm's way, and protecting the soldiers. The Colonel himself has been uncertain about digimon, especially after personally witnessing that catastrophic battle 8 months earlier. He doesn't know whose side digimon really are on as they seem to fight both ways. He remembers reports of Tokyo children actually allying themselves with digimon, although those reports were later rebutted as false.

Colonel notices the white, angelic looking digimon putting itself between one plant and some families' right in front of the base housing. It seems to be saying something to the people, then uses some light attacks on the plant while barely avoiding gun fire, and the people retreat. Despite his most of his staff being skeptical, the Colonel has made his decision.

Outside, the fighting is a bit chaotic as Angemon and Aquilamon are fighting a 3 way battle. Both digimon have managed to kill one plant each, but between them, the guns, and rescuing people, both digimon are stretched a little thin. Angemon, T.K., and Yolei all wonder how they can let the military know they are on their side, while Aquilamon is much more skeptical. As both digimon block the plants and their partners wonder if they should digivolve to ultimate/perfect, some military jeeps come out, waving white flags.

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From inside the hole, Izzy hears the commotion and sees the sudden flash of light; "What's going on up there?"

"A python problem and a new digi-egg;" answers Tentomon flying down.

"Huh?" Izzy, who's usually quick on the uptake, doesn't know what to make of that answer. Tentomon quickly explains in more detail, which has Izzy both curious and baffled.

"A new digi-destined named Katherine, her own digi-egg created from herself, and an over-muscled python you say? The snake-kind right?"

"Right;" answers Tentomon, "not the language programming."

A rope is thrown down, Izzy checks it for security, then climbs up; "So, Agumon's separated from Tai because he got captured with this girl, who's now a digi-destined with a new type of digi-vice and digi-egg forming from herself? That's interesting. I've got a ton of questions to ask her."

"Maybe we should concrete on getting out of here first;" says Tentomon.

Izzy reaches the top; "And we need to find my laptop. I'm lost without it."

"I told you to put it away while we were being attacked."

Izzy climbs out of the hole, he sees the girl in question standing next to a passed out Agumon, clinching the egg and holding a large stick, completely on guard. The python headed towards the river to cool off, and it's only a matter of time before she comes back.

"Hello there;" greets Izzy, causing her to jump; "You must be Katherine. I'm Izzy Izumi. Welcome to the digi-destined. Is that the egg Tentomon told me about?"

Katherine just stands there frozen, staring at Izzy, reverting to her usual shy state and immediately starts fidgeting.

"May I see your egg and digi-vice? I've heard of digi-vices forming from digital data light, but I've never heard of a digi-egg just forming from light, much less a light shining from a person. That's very prodigious."

Katherine can't bring herself to speak, this guy seems to have a lot of questions right out of the bag just like she usually does, except she usually keeps them to herself because people don't usually appreciate her asking annoying questions unless they invite her to do so.

Hearing Agumon's stomach snaps her out of her shyness; "Please, help Agumon."

"Oh, yes of course;" Izzy picks him up; "Geez, what happened to Agumon? He's awfully banged up, and his stomach sounds like he hasn't eaten in like a few hours, maybe longer."

"He needs food and medical care;" says Katherine; "and we need to get out of here. That python's hungry and bound to return soon."

"What about you?" asks Tentomon; "You're pretty banged up yourself, and I can tell you're exhausted."

"What about that trailer over there?" ask Izzy, "I was headed towards it when I fell into that trap. Should've seen that one coming."

Katherine remembers the notes she wants to claim, but the python also came out of the trailer.

Tentomon's thinking the same thing; "I hope there aren't any more terrify creatures in there."

"Then I guess you'll have to make sure it's safe to go inside;" suggest Izzy.

"Me?" replies Tentomon; "That's more of Agumon's thing." Agumon, however, is still passed out, and Katherine starts to volunteer; "Never mind, I'll go."

Izzy snickers under his breath. Despite his usual serious, business-like exterior, he and his partner do like to have fun with each other. They carefully, but quickly walk the path to the trailer. The door's wide open, Tentomon shakes a little but forces his way inside. While he's in there, Agumon comes too and begs Izzy for food, who gets a sheepish look on his face; "I've got some Oolong tea."

Katherine makes a yuck face and Agumon nearly faints; "Of course you do."

"Funny how he sometimes forgets to bring snacks;" say Tentomon returning, "yet he never forgets tea nor his laptop, which he's never once lost until today."

"Izzy lost his laptop?" asks Agumon; "That's new."

Izzy just rolls his eyes; "Well Tentomon?"

"Well, there's no, at least I don't think anything's alive, but a, it's still awfully creepy in there. You sure you guys want to go in?"

"Is there food?" ask Agumon, hopefully.

Katherine nods; "I believe there's notes on the plants in there."

"That's perfect!" exclaims Izzy; "We can finally get some decent information on them. I can't believe I haven't found anything about those plants on the computer other than some brief news articles. They weren't much help at all. I still can't believe these aren't digimon we're fighting, we figured that out when I couldn't find any data on them. This is a whole new experience for us. Dr. Yutaka Yoshida is a poleobotist who used to be a respected scientist for Tokyo University, and his daughter was following in his footsteps, but both of them were expelled from the University for 'lethal experiments' and 'physiologic issues'.

"Like creating giant, mobile plants that eat humans, and perhaps digimon too?" adds Tentomon.

Katherine thinks that's just the beginning.

Entering the trailer is literally like entering the horror movie genre garbage dump. There are creepy items everywhere, mostly dolls and cheap memorabilia, including Pennywise and other demon-looking clowns, Halloween, Child's Play, Friday the Thirteenth, Walking Dead, Japanese horror, even several things of Audrey II from "Little Shop of Horror". In addition, the place looks like a dumpster exploded. Izzy is nearly as freaked out as when he first woke-up in the digital world and meet Motymon (Tentomon).

"Who are these people?"

Tentomon covers his nose; "These people are eccentric even for humans."

Agumon gasps for breath; "Dose that word even describe them?"

Katherine starts chock coughing and tries really hard not to breathe in too much of this contaminated air while also trying to pretend it's a bunch of cute stuffed animals looking at her. She and Izzy check all windows and doors and stuff to make sure the python can't reenter.

Agumon pushes past the smell to look for food. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of left-overs. He precedes to eat any crumbs and days old bit-size left-overs he finds, degusting Tentomon out.

"Who is Steven King?" ask Tentomon looking at row of books on a shelf.

"Nobody you'd want to read;" answers Izzy.

"I wouldn't read him if I was allowed too;" adds Katherine; "I think they said the notes are in the bottom draw of the filing cabinet."

"Which one?" ask Izzy. There's about a dozen filing cabinets, at least that they can see. She and Izzy will have to search them all.

Tentomon notices that Agumon's about to open the refrigerator.

"Ah, I wouldn't open that if I were you, there's no food in there."

Agumon ignores him and opens the fridge. There's an awful, horrible smell and he's starting to feel nauseous. Before he can slam the door, Agumon nearly passes out (again) from the smell. Katherine and Izzy quickly slam the door shut while Tentomon holds his breath, both getting a glimpse of the fridge's content before closing it. What it looked like was a decomposing body of a giant tarantula, about the size of a medium dog.

"Let's find those notes and get out of here;" says Katherine.

"Find a box and we'll dump all the contents in it;" adds Izzy, but then he rules out the first set of files as they are just horror comics. The second cabinet looks like past due bills and other mail, which he by passes as well. When Katherine opens her first draw, a Chucky doll jumps out with a knife threating her, causing her to scream and to almost have a heart attack. Fortunately, it's a fake. She speeds up her search.

Despite the smell, Agumon's far too famished to not check the freezer, but it's only contents is mold and jars of what looks like frozen animal(?) parts, although Agumon would have actually tried to eat them if not for Tentomon shoving him out of the way. They check the covers, which contain nothing but empty boxes and roaches, that Tentomon attacks. They keep looking, removing a dirty sheet from what look like a big, filthy, glass cage. "Ah, guys, come look at this;" calls Tentomon. Old, giant, shredded snake skins confirmed this was the python's home, but it's the label on the cage that's the most interesting.

"Fluffy?" ask Tentomon.

"What's a Fluffy?" ask Agumon; "I hope it's tasty."

"I think that may be the snake's name;" says Izzy.

"Fluffy?" again ask a bewilder Tentomon; "Why would anybody name a snake Fluffy?"

"You're guess is as good as mine."

"I wonder if Fluffy taste good;" says Agumon.

"Seriously Agumon;" replies Tentomon; "She'll find you tasty first."

"Not as Agumon, as Greymon."

Tentomon buries his face; "Agumon you're not serious."

"Guys, look!" calls Katherine pointing at the window. The python is looking in on them. She and Izzy quickly check around again to make sure everything's still tightly shut, then the snake turns its head around and charges the opposite direction. They hear yelling and dash for the windows, outside are the same two young men from before, the shorter one holding what appears to be tranquilizer gun. They slightly crack open the windows to hear as the python charges for the taller, more nervous man.

"Why do I always have the hard and dangerous work?" he shouts.

"Because I'm your superior that's way;" says his un-sympathetic brother.

"Hey, I'm older and I've been here as long as...YIKES!" Shaking nervously, he wiggles a dead, still frozen goat at the snake; "Now Fluffy, be a good girl, look what I've got for you."

"Act more alive stupid?"

Tall Guy throws the goat at Fluffy; "Shot her already!"

"Ok hold your horses;" the shorter brother moves slowly; "To bad those plants don't eat cold-blooded animals. I still don't understand why they bred them like that."

"HURRY!"

Fluffy has no interest in the dead, frozen goat and now charges for the shorter guy; "HEY! Not me stupid, the goat!" He shots, but misses, drops the gun, and runs behind his brother.

"What are you doing?"

Shorter Guy pushes his brother towards the snake.

"OH DEAR!" gasps Katherine.

"I've got to save him;" Tentomon tries, but he can't digivolve and collapses.

"You're energy's too low!" says Izzy, feeling guilty; "I shouldn't have rushed you out like that without supper."

While all this is going on, Agumon had sniffed out and found a jar of peanut butter, unopened and still fresh! He's about to devour it when he hears Izzy. Against his stomach's protests, Agumon looks at the jar, whimpers, and tosses it; "Tentomon, here."

The other digmon's surprised; "Agumon, you sure."

"I'm sure, go rescue that guy."

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"Raidromon, let me down;" shouts Tai from atop an armor-evolved Veemon, "and please stop jerking me around."

"You need to stay off that ankle;" calls Davis, giggling, "and for Raidromon, this is smooth."

Tai hugs his stomach; "You call this smooth? Space Mountain at Disneyland Tokyo is smoother than this."

"Why do all these forms have different names?" ask Rico in a firm tone; "It's confusing and annoying."

"You can just call me Veemon Mr. Rico;" answers Raidromon; "I'm still the same mon no matter what form I'm in."

"Don't call me Mr. Rico; and what's with the mon thing? Do all your names have to end with mon?"

Raidromon gets a puzzled look on his face; "I guess. I've never really thought about it."

"That's just how it is Rico;" answer Davis; "No need to question it."

"You don't seem like the type to question anything."

"HEY! Quit being rude."

"Hey Davis;" calls Tai trying to change the subject; "Didn't Agumon go with you guys to a Ramen noodle restaurant the other day?"

"Oh yea. You really should've been there Tai. Agumon sure caused a commotion with how much more food he insisted on ordering after already eating like 15 bowls, we got kicked out for it."

Raidromon looks confused; "I thought we got kicked out because you said the food tasted like Lysol."

Davis gasp; "Well, it did."

"Good grief!" says Rico shaking his head; "Hey where's Oscar." Rico looks back a little and spots him; "No no no Oscar don't roll in that. Don't have time to give you another bath."

Davis giggles; "He sure is making a fuss over that little guy."

"Just like you do with Pete at home;" replies Raidromon.

"I DO NOT fuss over Pete like that!"

Tai laughs; "At least Oscar's much smaller then Pete is. Isn't he still growing?"

"I hope not;" answers Davis; "He thinks he's still small enough to get on my lap. He weighs like a hundred pounds!"

"I told you not to feed him from the table!" says Raidromon.

"Speak for yourself Veemon!"

Tai's still laughing when he hears his sister's voice calling him. Kari emerges riding on Garurmon with Matt.

"Kari, guys, what is it?"

"You need to come see;" answers Kari. Raidromon races with Davis and Rico struggling to keep up, Oscar having less trouble. The group arrives outside the dining hall and can't believe what they see. People all around the building seen to be fast asleep, Angewoman is hovering above.

"What?" asks a shock Tai; "but how? How can everybody be asleep? Let's go Raidromon.

"No wait?" calls Matt and Garurmon in unison, but Raidromon crashes into something invisible that sends him and Tai back several feet. Raidromon hits the ground hard and changes back to Veemon.

Matt dismounts and offer to help Tai; "I was trying to warn you."

"Thanks a lot."

"What is this?" ask Veemon feeling the barrier.

"Some kind of invisible barrier;" answers Matt; "It's all around the building. We don't know what it or what's causing it."

"It's like those magical shields or energy fields from fiction;" adds Kari; "nearly everybody within 100 yards of the building is out cold. Even Angewoman can't break it."

"That's insane;" responds Tai banging on it; "What the heck is going on here? This doesn't make any sense. What kind of, whatever this is, is this?"

Oscar barks at the barrier and Veemon charges with a "Vee-Headbutt", resulting in a painful headache and spinning eyes.

"Don't bother Veemon;" says Garurmon; "We've already tried all our tricks."

Rico feels the barrier and suspects what it is. Not only that, he has an idea of who did it, due to his snooping. Before he can say anything, however, Davis speaks.

"Guys, are we going to rescue our friends or waste time on this? If this barrier's keeping everybody inside safe, then we don't have to worry about them right now. Right?"

Tai claps his fist together; "You're right Davis. Let's go get Agumon and Katherine back!"

"And Tentomon and Izzy;" adds Veemon.

Angewoman and Garurmon recall a report that they overheard just a few minutes ago, hearing that 'Raptor 1' was already on his way to the base.

"That must be Agumon!" exclaims Tai; "Maybe they've got Katherine too."

"Why would they be taking her to the base?" ask Matt.

"Because she knows about us, maybe;" Tai kind of shrugs his shoulders; "It's likely."

"It's our only lead;" says Kari.

"True;" agrees Matt, "If we move now, maybe we can still catch them. But what about here, should just we leave this place undefended?"

As much as Angewoman wants to find Agumon (and claw him); she whispers to Kari, who nods. "Angewoman and I will stay behind."

Tai gasp; "What? Are you sure Kari? Is that even a good idea."

"Tai, trust me, we've got this. Angewoman has the best shot at protecting everybody."

"I know, but…"

"We'll stay too;" says Davis in a serious tone; "You go find your partner Tai."

"Davis;" says Matt; "Garurmon can't fly."

"I can digivolve and leap;" assures the wolf-like digimon.

"Yes, but you need to save your strength."

"I'll stay;" says Rico.

Everybody looks at Rico in shock; "Hey, I may not have digital monster partner, and I don't think I want one, but I'm not useless, and Oscar hear can act as an early warning system."

Everybody looks to Tai for the answer. By now, Tai knows he can trust Rico; "Ok, I trust you guys. Everybody else, let's go!"

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As Fluffy suffocates his brother, the un-empathic short guy wipes his hands and turns towards the trailer; "Sorry Loser, one of us needs to make it out alive. Better me then you." Suddenly, something crashes through the roof, the young man nearly goes into shock at the sight of Kabuterimon and screams like a terrified child, than takes off in a panic.

As Izzy, Agumon, and Katherine watch from an opening in the wall (and relieved for some fresh air); Kabuterimon grabs the upper part of Fluffy's thick tail, she releases her intended prey and attempts to strangle the giant bug, Kabuterimon sends shock waves through Fluffy, she partly lets go and hisses aggressively at him, bites him, and attempts to strangle him again. As he struggles, Kabuterimon hears some grunts not too far away and realizes what he must do; "Don't watch, this isn't going to be pretty." As Kabuterimon lures Fluffy towards some overgrown brush; Katherine hears the noises and informs the boys, both her and Izzy realizing what's going on. Agumon has no idea and is puzzled.

As Fluffy holds onto her opponent's arm with her bite, Kabuterimon uses his shock to scare 3 giant boars from the brush and forces the snake to look at them. Kin for the easier prey, Fluffy lets go of the digimon goes for the fat hog.

Having emerged from the tailor and successfully resuscitated Fluffy's victim, Izzy turns his head; "Yikes, I don't ever want to see that again."

"It's not that bad once you get used to it;" assures Katherine, who had guided Izzy with her CPR knowledge.

"You've got a pet snake?"

Katherine laughs; "Of course not. The retreat campgrounds where my brother lives at has two rescued pythons. I got to help care for them last summer."

"Good grief!" says Izzy wide-eyed; "That's something I don't find prodigious."

"I think snakes are quite prodigious."

Izzy looks at her; "You know what prodigious means right?"

"Remarkably or impressively great in extend, size, or degree; unnatural or abnormal."

Izzy raises his eyes; impressed.

"Watch out Izzy;" says Kabuterimon returning; "I think you've meet a rival."

"I wonder if Fluffy will share that pig with me;" says Agumon drooling. Everybody gives him funny looks; "What? I love pork."

They all shake their heads, when a sound comes from the egg. The group stares in awe as the egg moves and cracks. Katherine's heart is racing with anticipation. The top cracks open and topples off, then for the next 20 seconds, all is quiet and nothing.

Agumon gently moves a little closer; "Hello in there, come on out, we're your friends."

Slowly, a tiny lite gray head with big blue eyes peeks out and looks around at everybody.

"Kat, Kat?"

Katherine's heart is in her throat. She moves closer, kneels down, and smiles; "Hello, I'm Kat." The baby's eyes light up; "Kat Kat!" She leaps out of the egg and into her partner's arms.

Fun trivia fact: Snakes don't have ears, and they smell with their tongues.