( Sorry for the super long wait, I've been so stuck on a lot of these old stories, hope you enjoy this part, and will stay with me on this fic, I'm really enjoying it! )
Justice of the Heart: The battle is set
The red glow was growing until it was extinguished by a bone-chilling howl. Darien could feel the familiar sense of his muscles growing, his teeth becoming long fangs, and his fingers growing long claws, but the next changes had never happened before. He dropped onto all fours unable to stand up on two legs. His clothes began to disappear under a coat of fur that began to grow rapidly as his face began to stretch out into a snout. Darien couldn't believe it. He'd digievolved.
There was no mistaking his new form, for he'd been riding on one a while ago in the human world. The bearer of Justice was now a Garurumon, fur and all. Robbie and Laura were in shock, staring at their friend in utter amazement. Botnimon looked down upon him, furious that he was able to change so easily when he had no experience. Angrily, he ordered his entire force of vine like tentacle to restrain the white and blue wolf before Darien was given the chance to attack.
" Nobody tries to kill my friends, you oversized weed. ", Garuru growled in his new voice, his red eyes flaming. " Try this on for size! Howling Blaster! "
Blue energy leapt from his mouth and onto the plants, forcing them back, and making them scream. He then fired upon the limbs holding his friends, and they were dropped to the ground as the vegetation backed off. Robbie and Laura scrambled to Garuru's side, still a little winded from what Botnimon had tried to do to them. Ikwamon and Gatomon were trying their best to help the boy turned wolf.
" If only we could digievolve! ", Gatomon whined as she used her Lightning claw on one of the vines coming at Laura. " Then we'd be more affective. "
" There's nothing we can do! He's too strong right now! I wish there were more of us! We need to get out of here! ", Darien said as he fired upon Botnimon again and again. " Go, run back to the clearing, I'll hold him off. "
" No! We can't just leave you here. ", Laura remarked hastily.
" You don't have much choice! I'm the only one who stands a chance against him! Now get moving. ", the wolf said firmly, his eyes blazing brighter than any fire. " Robbie, you need to get out of here. I trust you to do the right thing. "
For a moment, the blonde boy stood there, stunned. Darien Ishida had never said that he trusted anyone for anything. Yet he had just told him that he trusted him to be able to handle the situation. It was enough to make him freeze, but Ikwamon grabbed his arm and started to drag him from the fight. Laura was right behind him as they made their way to what seemed like a small television set. The two children were reluctant to keep going towards it, but they really had no choice.
" What is that thing? " Laura demanded.
" It's a gate back to your world. Once Garuru comes back we'll go through it and think of a way to beat Botnimon. ", Gatomon explained.
" What makes you so sure he's coming back? ", Robbie whispered. His brown eyes were fixed on the ground, and his features read of sadness. He was so sure that he had just lost his best friend. " He might have just killed himself. "
" How can you say that? ", a smug voice remarked from behind them as a striped wolf appeared in the clearing with them. Even though he was a wolf, Darien had a smug look on his face, and a long gash over his right eye. " I thought you would at least have some faith in me. You're the one who said I'm a fighter. "
" That was different. ", Rob insisted flatly, trying to hide his grin.
" Man, we were worried! ", Laura gasped, smiling at him. What could have been a smile crossed the wolf's lips and he let out a low laugh.
" Hey, if we're gonna get through the gate before it closes we're gonna have to go now you guys. It's getting dark out. ", Ikwamon remarked as he headed closer to the small TV. " You'd better change back now, Garuru. You'll scare people. "
The champion level kid turned beast looked down at the grass, in what could've been a sheepish gesture. His voice was still gruff, but it was kinda quiet when he relied, " Uh, to tell you the truth, I don't know how. I mean, I've never done this before, and I don't even know how I did this in the first place. "
" Okay, then maybe you should concentrate on your human form. ", Robbie implied with a small shrug. " It's gotta be worth a shot. "
Darien closed his eyes, trying his hardest to picture himself. Brown hair, gelled and spiked like his fathers, piercing Garuru Blue eyes that were merciless when he wanted them to be, and that strange outfit he'd been put in when he fist arrived in the digital world. There was a blinding red light, and through it his friends could see his body shrinking and shifting until he was once again the human they had grown to know. There was a shy grin on the boy's face, but the scar over his eye was still there, and a small trickle of blood was coming from it.
" Guess it's time to go home, guys. ", the bearer of Justice stated as he placed his crest up against the screen of the TV. " Everybody out of the pool! "
* * *
" Davis, be a little more patient, will you? I swear. Sometimes I get the impression that you never grew up! ", Koushiro Izumi mumbled sounding frustrated. It had been over an hour ago that he had met Tai Kamiya, and Davis Motimiya at the old elementary school's computer lab. They had each received a call from Yamato and he had told them everything he knew, and asked them to meet his son as he returned from the Digiworld. " Can you please sit down! "
" Sorry, but we've been here for so long without even a sign from Darien, or Matt. And what did he say the plant was destroying our D-3's for? ", the last leader of the Digidestined asked as he finally stopped pacing the room and sat down with DemiVeemon in his lap. " I mean, why did that plant attack us? "
" Gennai told Matt that the new evil has the power to travel in both worlds, and it doesn't want us in the way. That's why it destroyed our D-3's and Digivices, because then we can't fight it and risk our rookie and in-training level digimon getting hurt. ", Tai told him again, possibly for the third time. " He said that there should be three new Digidestined, and this time, it's all up to them. "
Suddenly, Izzy pushed his chair away from the computer, a smile on his face. He stood from his chair. " Hey, guys, the gates been activated from the other side. "
As the other two retired Digidestined backed away from the computer, the screen began to shimmer with a rainbow of colors and then suddenly five forms flew out of the screen and onto the floor. As they stood, Darien saw the men he considered family and smiled warmly. " Uncle Tai, Davis, Izzy! It's good to see you again, it's been way too long. Like what, since mom's funeral? "
Tai grinned at him sheepishly. " Yeah, kid, we've been busy. Anyway, your dad called us here to meet you guys and get the 411 on what was going on. "
" Well, this is Robbie, and he's the Guardian of Trust. And this is Laura, and she's the Guardian of Compassion. ", Garuru retorted, gesturing to his friends one by one. " Oh, and their digimon are Gatomon, and the one that looks like Veemon is called Ikwamon. Gennai said we're the new Digidestined. "
" Yup, and this time, you new guys are on your own. We adults won't be able to help you since that plant destroyed all of our Digivices. ", Izzy informed him.
" That plant's name is Botnimon, and he's the one we have to defeat. ", Robbie explained. " If it hadn't been for Garuru digievolving into a Garurumon back there we would have been finished before we even started. "
" You were able to digievolve? ", Davis questioned. He, Tai, and Izzy had all known about Darien's mixed physiology since they had first met Matt's wife, but they hadn't expected Garuru to know about that yet. " Does that mean Matt… "
" He told me. But ya know what, we can talk about all that later. I was thinking that Robbie and Laura's parents might get a little worried if they discover them missing, so maybe you guys could escort them home? I kinda wanted to make a quick stop on my way back to the apartment, if that's okay. "
" Of course, Garuru. We can take them home. ", Tai replied. But then his brown eyes turned curious, and he looked the young man over. " But where would you be going this late at night? Everything's closed, and barely anyone's out. "
" I have someone I know will be expecting me, Tai. ", Darien said softly.
* * *
A small breeze ruffled his hair and made him pull out his gloves from his back pocket. When he and his friends had returned form the Digiworld his previous outfit had changed places with his new one, as did the clothes on his friends. Laura had given him her phone number so they could keep in touch, and go back to the digital world tomorrow. Now he was wrapped up in his sweatshirt and heading down the sidewalk with a lock of his brown hair blowing in his face. Looking up above him, he saw the moon was full and it reminded him of being a wolf, just like everything seemed to be doing at the moment. But then he neared his destination.
The Odiba graveyard loomed before him, hundreds of gray stones staring at him through the metal gate. His eyes filled with sadness as he slowly walked towards one he'd seen a million times, the one with his other's name written on it. Falling to his knees before it, tears filled his eyes and he had to hold them back. She hadn't been gone that long, not even for two years, but it seemed like forever to him.
" Why didn't you tell me, Mom? I loved you, and Dad. I could've handled it. I mean, if you knew what would happen after you let, I think you would've wanted me to know. ", he whispered softly, as if his mother could really hear him. Tears began to stream down his face, and despite the fact it felt as if he were showing weakness, Garuru let them come. He wished his mother was really there, but then two arms wrapped around him, and pulled him into a tight hug. Darien could smell his father's cologne, and knew that it had to be him. After a moment, he pulled away from him, wiping the tears from his face and trying to look normal.
" How'd you know I'd be here? ", he asked his father.
" Lucky guess? ", Yamato retorted shrugging with a grin. " I miss her too, Darien, more than you'll ever know. But she would be proud of you, if she knew all that you've accomplished, and the man you've become. "
" I digievolved, Dad. We met our enemy, Botnimon, and I became a Garurumon to save Laura and Robbie. I didn't even have to say anything like Gabumon, I just concentrated and it happened. ", the brunette teen implied as they stood up. He looked down at the grave one last time, and they both gave it a silent good bye as Matt led his son by the shoulder down the hill.
The ground gave a sudden tremble, and they both froze. Darien looked up at his father, feeling nervous with a shiver running down his spine suddenly. " What was that? It couldn't have been an earthquake, could it? "
" For some reason, Darien, I don't think so. ", Matt whispered, looking around in the dark. His blue eyes didn't spot anything until the ground split before them, and vines shot out grabbing their wrists. Garuru tried desperately to get to his father, but was held back by the plants, and it was the same for Yamato. The former bearer of Friendship was the closest to the ridge created in the ground, and since he was on his side now, fighting the limbs wrapping around him it was no wonder he was accidentally scooting towards the edge. His son saw this his eyes wide.
" Dad, don't move! ", he cried, trying to warn him. He tried with all his might to free himself from the vines, but nothing seemed to work. His eyes flashing red, he let out an aggravated cry. " Where are you, Botnimon? Show yourself! "
" I don't have to show myself. I know your weak link, my little bearer of Justice. You may try to isolate yourself to ease your own pain, but you still let yourself care about those you know won't hurt you. Once I have my hands on those few, you'll have to submit yourself to me. ", the evil digimon retorted without appearing in the darkness of the cemetery. " I could use a half-ling servant. "
" You're the one who's been destroying our digivices! ", Matt snarled trying to fight the plant monster's grip without falling into his small canyon. Who knew how deep he might have it? " You may have destroyed our weapons but-"
A vine wrapped around his mouth, cutting him off. Botnimon laughed as his tentacles brought the man closer to where his body was located, but kept Darien where he had originally caught him. He struggled with all his might as his father began to disappear into the darkness but nothing seemed to work.
" Dad! Noooooooo! ", he screamed when he could no longer see him. It was long minutes before he could get free, and the plants just withered before he could do anything else. He ran to where he had seen his father dragged off to, but once he reached the small clearing all he saw was trees, plants, and a small burned spot on the ground. He had no idea what it was from but there was a pit feeling in his stomach that he needed help, and fast. ' But I can't go back and get the others, they're probably sleeping by now, and they'll need their sleep right now. I should head to one of the original's houses maybe they can help me save my Dad. '
It wasn't long before he was knocking on the door of a familiar apartment on the fifth floor. He waited patiently for the door to open and smiled warmly when it did. " Hey, Uncle TK, I know it's late, but I needed to find some help. "
" Darien? What's going on, kid? You look like some tried to mug you. ", the blonde man commented as he led him inside. " Are you and your Dad in a fight again? Does it have to do something with school again or are you two just at each others' throats because you're both as stubborn as you are… "
" It's not that. He was kidnapped. We were at mom's grave and the digimon the other Digidestined and me are supposed to beat came and grabbed him before I could think to Digievolve like before. You gotta help me save him, Uncle TK, he says he's gonna grab everyone that I care about so he can control me! ", Garuru protested cutting him off in a voice that seemed to be filled with fear. " I would ask the other new Digidestined for help but I just sent them home and I know I can't do this alone. He's your brother, you want to help him to right? "
" Whoa, calm down, Darien, I'll help. Keep it down though, the neighbors are still mad for when Gatomon and Patamon blasted the radio last week. ", his uncle told him soothingly. They sat down on the front couch in the living room, and TK instructed the teen to take deep breaths. Darien seemed panicked.
" I know Dad and I don't get along that well at times, but I don't want to see him hurt, especially because of me! ", Garuru whispered, trying to stop his hands from shaking. After a moment, he realized that they weren't trembling in fear, his hands were itching because fur was spreading across his palms and down his fingertips. " Oh, God, Uncle TK, look! I'm doing it again! But I-I mean, I-I- "
" Maybe something's going wrong, has this ever- ", the former bearer of Hope implied as he tried to calm the young man down. He'd never seen anything like what was happening to his nephew before, because he'd never seen a human digievolve before. But suddenly, al the windows and the glass sliding door of the apartment shattered as thick green vines that came charging in. Both of the young men leaped to their feet, and TK saw out of the corner of his eye that Patamon and Gatomon came rushing out of the bedroom to try and help. He was glad that Kari was still out on the town with Sora and Mimi. " Darien, what's happening? "
" It's Botnimon, he must've followed me to get to you too! ", the bearer of Justice screamed over the shattering glass as the vines closed in on them.
* * *
He was thrown to the ground of the cell, feeling the blood of the cut on his forehead drip down closer to his eye. After the servants of Botnimon slammed the barred door of the cell shut, Yamato sat up, rubbing his forehead to keep the blood out of his gaze. " Didn't know that Ken wasn't the only evil who liked whips. "
" Let me have a look at that, Matt. ", a familiar voice stated as someone came out of the shadows and gently touched their fingertips to his gashed skin.
" Joe? ", the former bearer of Friendship gasped. " He grabbed you too? "
" Don't look too surprised, Ishida, we all helped you raise Darien with your wife, he wants all of us down here, I think. ", the doctor with blue hair and glasses said with a small laugh. " Well, this isn't anything terrible, but should I check the rest of you out, Matt, or do you think you'll be okay for now? "
" No, Joe, I'm fine. I guess it's just you and me for now, huh? I bet Mimi will be mad when she goes home from her shopping spree tonight and you're not home waiting for her. ", the blonde man grinned to himself. " He got you today, didn't he? Darien and I were at the cemetery when he nabbed me. "
" I was on my way home from work, actually. ", Joe remarked with a shrug as he took a seat next to his long time friend. " But his flunkies didn't whip me, what did you do to tick them off? Use the famous Ishida charm you passed to your son? "
" Funny, Kido, very funny. ", Yamato retorted as he leaned his back against the cell wall. He then let out a low sigh, staring at the ceiling, unable to contain his helpless thoughts in his head. " He's going to use us, Joe, he's going to use us against my son and none of us can stop him. It's up to the new Digidestined now, we don't even get the chance to fight back this time. What if Darien can't handle it? "
" Hey, of all the teenagers I know, and trust me, I see a lot during my work week, Garuru is the one who can do this. He's a Digidestined like us, remember? ", the former Guardian of Reliability implied, slugging his companion's shoulder in an attempt to cheer him up. " He and his friends are gonna kick that plant's butt and fix everything in both worlds before you know it. Just have a little faith. "
" You're right. It's just, he's my family, Joe. ", he said softly, looking down at the floor, hiding his eyes from his friend's. " He's my son, I can't loose him too. "
To be continued:
( Hey, I finally finished this part, and it's probably been months since I wrote the last part! Guess how much re-reading I did to do this! Please review so I know if I should keep going with this one. It's been so long, I think people have lost interest. )