Digital Souls
By Wanderer D
Chapter 2
Their silent alarms went off suddenly.
X and Zero looked at each other in surprise before running to the command center, followed by a few other hunters.
"What is it?!" Zero demanded once everyone quieted down.
"We have found an operating Maverick base, and it's full of Nukes!" Dr. Cain informed them, pacing nervously in front of them.
This aroused a few murmurs through the ranks, but nobody panicked. They were here to protect this world and it's inhabitants, and that's what they would do.
"We attack tonight. It is my belief that they haven't found out that we know about them. You are the only ones who know about this, don't tell the other units. We don't need panic if some people happen to hear about it."
Everyone present nodded.
As they left Zero was stopped by one of his fellow Hunters, a black armored, black-winged, hawk-helmed female Reploid known as Black Peregrine, a recent addition to the team, along with Ice Lynx, a Lynx-human Reploid.
"Hey, Zero. The guys asked me to tell you that they would like to hear you play that harmonica of yours, if you don't mind." She said, with a smile. "They were very insistent."
Zero nodded, smiling slightly.
***
Gabumon hid behind another door as two more robots ran past him.
"Did you hear what Peregrine said? Zero's gonna play the harmonica!"
Gabumon stiffened at that, and listened closely.
"He did? Cool! He's a superb player! Let's go! Where is it?"
"Follow me!"
Gabumon marked the two robots' smell and after a few seconds ran out the door following them.
Either this Zero played the harmonica just like Matt, or he knew where Matt was, or it was a nickname for his friend.
***
Zero scratched the back of his head absently, as he looked at his harmonica.
Leaving his helm behind and pushing his hair back in a ponytail, he left his room and walked towards the general conference room, where he had agreed with Peregrine to play.
When he opened the door for the podium, a large sweat drop formed on the back of his head as he noticed the amount of people. It was probably the whole base! He briefly wondered who was keeping watch.
Looking around he noticed the grinning X and Peregrine, making him signals to bow to the audience and play.
Muttering to himself, he walked up the podium and to his irritation was the victim of a series of applause. He was going to kill both Peregrine and X for this!
Still, he felt a little happy about all the attention for his music. He put the harmonica to his lips and played a cheery melody that he knew, somehow, by heart. It was a little strange, since he hadn't practiced, but he soon found himself swaying with the music.
He finished abruptly when there was a commotion from the back of the room. His concentration broken, he looked up seeing saw a doglike creature that was strikingly familiar running down towards him.
A beam of light suddenly shot out from the creature and hit Zero's chest. The Reploid clasped his head and cried out in pain as memory came back to him through the Digivice.
Memories buried by Dr. Wily's programming came back in a flood, feelings and fears and a lost life invaded his mind so suddenly that he was unable to stay standing.
X, seeing his friend fall down, ran towards him as Peregrine shouted commands.
"Get that creature! We have to know what it did to Zero!"
Gabumon had thrown the Digivice to Matt, but he hadn't expected it to become a ray! He saw Zero fall down after being hit, and the robot that had destroyed the Rat creature running towards him. He was going to protect Matt when he became aware of every gun pointed at him.
He began to evade and shoot his enemies, not causing much damage against the titanium armor the troops used.
However, his attacks weren't shrugged off either. His blue fire could break trees in half easily and those unfortunate soldiers that were hit were sent sprawling or flying by the impact.
As the battle raged in the background, X kneeled next to his friend and picked up the strange glowing device that was lying next to him.
Gabumon shouted as someone's plasma bolt hit him, and at that moment Zero's eyes snapped open.
He grabbed the Digivice from a bewildered X and stood up. Gabumon was in trouble; he was wounded and many of the soldiers jumped towards him.
Zero grabbed the Digivice and shouted.
"Garurumon!"
From under the pile of struggling Reploids, Gabumon's voice could be heard clearly.
"Gabumon Digivolve!" To be replaced by Garurumon's voice. "GARURUMON!"
All the Reploids flew back as the Digivolved Gabumon grew into the giant blue wolf. Wicked fangs shone white as the wolf the size of a Buick growled threateningly.
To the sides, Peregrine, unaware of Zero's intentions, cursed and began charging her booster.
Zero noticed her however. "STOP!"
Everyone stopped as Zero walked down the podium and calmly hung the Digivice on his belt and tied his tag around his neck.
Garurumon, noticing this stopped, too, and devolved back into Gabumon.
Zero stood a few feet from Gabumon and they regarded each other for a few, tense seconds. Everyone awaited Zero's claim to end this fight by himself.
"Gabumon..." Zero said, with a touch of nostalgia.
"Matt..." The creature answered.
Zero smiled slightly. "I'm called Zero now, my friend."
"But, it is you, isn't it?" Gabumon asked, peering at him hopefully.
Zero's smile evolved into a grin as he nodded. Gabumon jumped forward and embraced him in a hug. Zero fell to his knees as he held Gabumon closely.
Everyone face faulted.
Zero looked up from over Gabumon's shoulder and jerked his head to the door, looking at his friends. X and Peregrine shared a look and evacuated the room, leaving the two friends together.
"Are you going to be okay, Zero?" Peregrine asked standing next to the door.
Zero nodded at her reassuringly. She nodded back doubtfully but stepped outside too.
"How's T.K.? Has he married yet? How's everybody? Did we win?" Zero started asking questions as soon as the door was shut.
Gabumon blink-blinked. "What do you mean? I came here the next day with the help of the others! I've been looking for you this last two weeks!" The Digimon said.
"What?! But, that's impossible! You couldn't have! I've been here for at least thirty six years!" Zero exclaimed.
Gabumon looked quizzically at his friend. "Well, you look a little taller, but still look pretty much the same to me to be forty seven!"
Zero shook his head and grabbed Gabumon's paw, putting it against his chest.
"What do you feel, Gabumon?" He asked.
Gabumon closed his eyes, then opened them and stared at his friend.
"Oh, Matt! What have they done to you?!" the Digimon cried out, as tears ran down his cheeks and he pressed his ear to Zero's chest trying to hear what he now knew wasn't there. There was a constant hum, but no heart beat.
"They haven't," Zero answered. "A crazy doctor did this to me. He also erased most of my memories and feelings, leaving only what he wanted." He sighed. "Or that's what I think; my memories are still not very clear about that."
Gabumon didn't react, and Zero pulled him back looking into his eyes.
"But somehow, I was still myself! I couldn't remember much, true, but the real me, Matt, has always existed, and always will! The Digivice gave me back my life, and it brought with it one of the most important pieces of my life I have had. You and the memories of T.K. and my friends."
Gabumon nodded, hugging Zero yet again. "I knew, deep inside, that you wouldn't leave me. Ever." He said, his sound muffled as he fought yet another outburst of tears.
Zero patted Gabumon's head softly.
Gabumon looked up at him. "We have to go back! It's possible that time here is even faster than in Digiworld! That would explain why it took me only a few hours while years passed here! We have to help the others with the Dark Masters."
Zero stood up slowly and nodded. "But first I have a mission to accomplish."
"Mission? But, Matt, we have to help our friends!" Gabumon insisted.
Zero sighed and walked to the door, inviting X in. "X, this Gabumon a friend from a life long forgotten... until now." He said, motioning with his left hand at the Digimon.
X looked down at Gabumon doubtfully.
"Gabumon, this is X. He's the best friend I've had since I came to this world. Together we have fought Mega level Monsters and won."
Gabumon, still confused, looked at him.
"Mega Level? Like Metalgarurumon?"
Zero nodded. "Think of me as a Mega Level Digimon, and I don't need to Digivolve to do it. Both X and I get stronger every time we fight Mavericks."
Gabumon backed off a little. This was Matt, no doubt, but what had the time in this world done to him that he would fight constantly?
"Matt, why do you fight?" he asked.
"We have to protect the world and the people we know. This is our job." Zero answered.
Gabumon nodded. For a moment he had feared that his friend had turned into a fighting machine with no other purpose other than fighting.
"So you still fight to protect?" Gabumon asked, more than stated, but with a general feeling of relief.
X decided to get into the discussion.
"Still fight? What does he mean, Zero?" The Reploid asked.
"His name's Matt! MATT!" Gabumon interrupted.
Zero ignored the Digimon and looked at X straight in the eye before starting to explain.
"Once upon a time, I was an 11 year old boy named Matt; I left my home along with my brother and six other friends to save both, my world and the Digiworld. About thirty six years ago I was transformed into Zero, without any memories or knowledge of my previous life."
X looked incredulous at Zero as his friend continued.
"When Gabumon came looking for me, he brought my Digivice." He showed his Digivice to X, "It's a digital device attuned exclusively to me. When it was close enough, the Digivice made contact with me, and overrode the programming that was keeping my memories locked." Zero explained, giving the small object to X, who took a careful look at it.
"What did you mean that you had another mission, Matt?" Gabumon asked.
X shot a warning glance at Zero, who nodded. "I'll tell you later Gabumon, but we have to be somewhere else."
Zero brightened somewhat and turned to X. "Hey, we'll even tell you our stories!" he said.
***
Black Peregrine paced outside the conference room keeping an eye out for anyone who tried to get inside. By now everyone in the base knew about the strange creature that had rampaged into the conference hall and that apparently Zero had a connection to it.
Finally the doors opened and Zero, X and Gabumon walked out. Peregrine met them just outside.
"What happened? Why did you take so long?"
"It's okay. I was just remembering the good old days with my friends." Zero said cheerfully, earning a few stares from his comrades. "We'll see you later, BP."
Peregrine nodded and walked up to Zero and X, whispering something. Despite the whispering, Gabumon's keen ears were able to her words.
"I have just received confirmation. We go at 11:30. We've got three hours." She said. "I'll gather the rest of the team."
Zero and X both nodded.
"Okay you two, come with me." Zero instructed, motioning at Gabumon and X.
X and Gabumon followed him to his room, where they all sat down. Zero started explaining his story from the point when he woke up and fought Sigma for the first time.
Gabumon was horrified at Matt's actions, but he was relieved when Sigma brought him to HQ and healed him.
Then, both X and Zero took turns explaining the battle against the transformed Sigma. Gabumon could see the pain in X as he described the battle with Vile and how Matt had sacrificed himself to save him.
He then was furious with Sigma for trying to turn Matt into X's enemy. He heard with interest about their third battle against that same Reploid.
Matt explained that he had loaded an anti virus into his sword that did extra damage to Sigma, and had given his sword to the golden X as he fought his way to the monster.
Then came the time of the battle with Repliforce. Matt told him about Iris and his brother, the times they had worked together and when they fought.
Gabumon couldn't help to hug Matt when his voice cracked as he retold Iris's death. It was an incredible story, full of dangers and adventures.
Gabumon could now understand what Matt had said about having a mission, as Matt told him about the apparent return of the Mavericks and that they would fight them that same night.
"I will go with you." Gabumon stated.
Zero sighed. "Listen, Gabumon..."
"No, Matt. You listen. We once made a promise to be together through thick and thin. Now you're asking me to leave you! I'm sorry but I won't!"
"Gabumon..." Zero whispered, but brightened up after a moment's thought. "If you turn into Weregarurumon, you might be able to accompany us."
"Weregarurumon?" X asked confused.
It was now Matt's and Gabumon's turn to tell their story.
X paid rapt attention to their words, cheering for their victories and mourning for the loss of Wizardmon and the others that had died.
Gabumon understood why Matt cared for his younger friend. Well, younger in attitude. He was seeing T.K. in X, and equally, X treated him more like a big brother than a normal friend.
When they had finished, it was almost time for them to go.
X and Gabumon liked and respected each other, and Zero thanked whatever Kami had allowed him to have such good friends.
***
Peregrine looked askance at the new addition to the team.
Lynx and Afroman, who didn't know who Gabumon was -they had arrived at the base earlier that evening, after going to scout the enemy base- also looked quizzically at Zero, who shook his head.
"Gabumon here is our secret weapon." He explained.
"Gabumon?! What a stupid name..." Lynx muttered.
Gabumon heard, however. "What did you say, Kitten?!"
"It talks!" Afroman noted amused.
Lynx, however, was not amused. "What did you call me!?"
Zero stepped between Gabumon and Lynx.
"Enough! I don't want to send someone to pick up the pieces of the first who argues again. So don't!" he ordered.
Lynx turned around fuming, to find X, Peregrine and Afroman grinning at him. "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!?" he shouted.
Gabumon, however, was surprised at Matt's change. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to face X.
"Don't take it personal; Matt is just being responsible. If we let divisions into the group we might risk failure in our mission, and we can't risk it."
X went over to check his hover bike and Gabumon again considered the situation. X was right, of course. If Gabumon wanted to help Matt he wouldn't do so by fighting with his teammates.
Gabumon walked over to Lynx. "I'm sorry about that. I shouldn't have insulted you."
Lynx was surprised but nodded. "I too am sorry. I shouldn't have called your name stupid. Please forgive me."
Gabumon nodded and walked back to Matt, pleased at the results, and missing the glare Lynx directed at him. Peregrine noticed it however, and decided to keep an eye over both Gabumon and Lynx.
***
The attack was going to be swift and effective. Matt briefed them on the way on how it would work.
The craft they were currently in -A huge oval thing with wings-, would deposit them thirty kilometers away from the Maverick base. Then they would come out of the jungle and sneak into the base undetected.
Being under the radar range and moving at high velocities, they would easily get inside. Once there, they would find the nuclear warheads and disarm them if possible. If not, launch them into outer space towards the sun and then destroy the base. Either way the base should be destroyed.
Gabumon was excited, looking around at the controls, then out of the window. The team took his enthusiasm with stoicism.
Finally, they arrived at the drop point, and Gabumon jumped behind Zero on his hover bike.
"Hold on tight!" Zero warned.
Then they shot out of the ship and through the jungle towards the Maverick base. Gabumon tried to scream, but the speed and the air prevented him from doing anything.
Finally, Gabumon was able to see the Maverick base. It looked like a large, metallic castle with 8 spires and a large dome in the center.
Ice Lynx walked forward guiding them next to a large ventilation shaft. He started freezing it as Afroman informed them that those spires were, in fact, the nuclear missiles.
When the shaft broke down, Zero stopped them. "Listen, we know what will happen once we're inside, so we'll split into teams to take care of the main Mavericks."
"First, we'll reach the center of the complex. Then, Ice Lynx and Afroman will go west, Peregrine will go with Gabumon east, X and I will take north and south respectively. Once you've taken care of the nuke, you will go clockwise and destroy the next one. Then return to the center."
Zero waited a moment to see if everyone understood.
"In short, all the teams should fight two bosses and disable two missiles per team. Once that is done, we'll meet again in the center. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
The only Reploid with a problem was Peregrine. She was quick to voice her opinion, though.
"I have to work with Gabumon? No offense, but he won't be able to do much damage to one of them."
Zero merely smiled at her.
He then knelt next to Gabumon.
"Take care of Peregrine, Gabumon. She may talk much, but she's not that strong..." Peregrine was the rookie of the team, true, but she had adapted quite fast and made fast friends with both him and X.
Zero stood up and walked a little away from Gabumon. He pulled out his Digivice and pointed it at Gabumon.
Having a deeper understanding of the Digivice than before, Zero concentrated on the feelings of friendship he had towards X, Gabumon, Peregrine, Afro and Lynx. Then of the recovered memories of the digital world.
And so, Zero concentrated. The Digivice glowed and to the surprised looks of the others Gabumon Digivolved into Garurumon, and then into Weregarurumon.
To say that Peregrine's expected idea of victory improved would be the same as saying that X would probably find a cool new armor in the building. It was the understatement of the year.
Afroman and X liked their new improvement too, although Lynx looked a little nervous. Maybe it was because Lynx rather looked like a frozen cat.
Zero shrugged and gave the signal to go forth.
***
End Chapter 2
By Wanderer D
Chapter 2
Their silent alarms went off suddenly.
X and Zero looked at each other in surprise before running to the command center, followed by a few other hunters.
"What is it?!" Zero demanded once everyone quieted down.
"We have found an operating Maverick base, and it's full of Nukes!" Dr. Cain informed them, pacing nervously in front of them.
This aroused a few murmurs through the ranks, but nobody panicked. They were here to protect this world and it's inhabitants, and that's what they would do.
"We attack tonight. It is my belief that they haven't found out that we know about them. You are the only ones who know about this, don't tell the other units. We don't need panic if some people happen to hear about it."
Everyone present nodded.
As they left Zero was stopped by one of his fellow Hunters, a black armored, black-winged, hawk-helmed female Reploid known as Black Peregrine, a recent addition to the team, along with Ice Lynx, a Lynx-human Reploid.
"Hey, Zero. The guys asked me to tell you that they would like to hear you play that harmonica of yours, if you don't mind." She said, with a smile. "They were very insistent."
Zero nodded, smiling slightly.
***
Gabumon hid behind another door as two more robots ran past him.
"Did you hear what Peregrine said? Zero's gonna play the harmonica!"
Gabumon stiffened at that, and listened closely.
"He did? Cool! He's a superb player! Let's go! Where is it?"
"Follow me!"
Gabumon marked the two robots' smell and after a few seconds ran out the door following them.
Either this Zero played the harmonica just like Matt, or he knew where Matt was, or it was a nickname for his friend.
***
Zero scratched the back of his head absently, as he looked at his harmonica.
Leaving his helm behind and pushing his hair back in a ponytail, he left his room and walked towards the general conference room, where he had agreed with Peregrine to play.
When he opened the door for the podium, a large sweat drop formed on the back of his head as he noticed the amount of people. It was probably the whole base! He briefly wondered who was keeping watch.
Looking around he noticed the grinning X and Peregrine, making him signals to bow to the audience and play.
Muttering to himself, he walked up the podium and to his irritation was the victim of a series of applause. He was going to kill both Peregrine and X for this!
Still, he felt a little happy about all the attention for his music. He put the harmonica to his lips and played a cheery melody that he knew, somehow, by heart. It was a little strange, since he hadn't practiced, but he soon found himself swaying with the music.
He finished abruptly when there was a commotion from the back of the room. His concentration broken, he looked up seeing saw a doglike creature that was strikingly familiar running down towards him.
A beam of light suddenly shot out from the creature and hit Zero's chest. The Reploid clasped his head and cried out in pain as memory came back to him through the Digivice.
Memories buried by Dr. Wily's programming came back in a flood, feelings and fears and a lost life invaded his mind so suddenly that he was unable to stay standing.
X, seeing his friend fall down, ran towards him as Peregrine shouted commands.
"Get that creature! We have to know what it did to Zero!"
Gabumon had thrown the Digivice to Matt, but he hadn't expected it to become a ray! He saw Zero fall down after being hit, and the robot that had destroyed the Rat creature running towards him. He was going to protect Matt when he became aware of every gun pointed at him.
He began to evade and shoot his enemies, not causing much damage against the titanium armor the troops used.
However, his attacks weren't shrugged off either. His blue fire could break trees in half easily and those unfortunate soldiers that were hit were sent sprawling or flying by the impact.
As the battle raged in the background, X kneeled next to his friend and picked up the strange glowing device that was lying next to him.
Gabumon shouted as someone's plasma bolt hit him, and at that moment Zero's eyes snapped open.
He grabbed the Digivice from a bewildered X and stood up. Gabumon was in trouble; he was wounded and many of the soldiers jumped towards him.
Zero grabbed the Digivice and shouted.
"Garurumon!"
From under the pile of struggling Reploids, Gabumon's voice could be heard clearly.
"Gabumon Digivolve!" To be replaced by Garurumon's voice. "GARURUMON!"
All the Reploids flew back as the Digivolved Gabumon grew into the giant blue wolf. Wicked fangs shone white as the wolf the size of a Buick growled threateningly.
To the sides, Peregrine, unaware of Zero's intentions, cursed and began charging her booster.
Zero noticed her however. "STOP!"
Everyone stopped as Zero walked down the podium and calmly hung the Digivice on his belt and tied his tag around his neck.
Garurumon, noticing this stopped, too, and devolved back into Gabumon.
Zero stood a few feet from Gabumon and they regarded each other for a few, tense seconds. Everyone awaited Zero's claim to end this fight by himself.
"Gabumon..." Zero said, with a touch of nostalgia.
"Matt..." The creature answered.
Zero smiled slightly. "I'm called Zero now, my friend."
"But, it is you, isn't it?" Gabumon asked, peering at him hopefully.
Zero's smile evolved into a grin as he nodded. Gabumon jumped forward and embraced him in a hug. Zero fell to his knees as he held Gabumon closely.
Everyone face faulted.
Zero looked up from over Gabumon's shoulder and jerked his head to the door, looking at his friends. X and Peregrine shared a look and evacuated the room, leaving the two friends together.
"Are you going to be okay, Zero?" Peregrine asked standing next to the door.
Zero nodded at her reassuringly. She nodded back doubtfully but stepped outside too.
"How's T.K.? Has he married yet? How's everybody? Did we win?" Zero started asking questions as soon as the door was shut.
Gabumon blink-blinked. "What do you mean? I came here the next day with the help of the others! I've been looking for you this last two weeks!" The Digimon said.
"What?! But, that's impossible! You couldn't have! I've been here for at least thirty six years!" Zero exclaimed.
Gabumon looked quizzically at his friend. "Well, you look a little taller, but still look pretty much the same to me to be forty seven!"
Zero shook his head and grabbed Gabumon's paw, putting it against his chest.
"What do you feel, Gabumon?" He asked.
Gabumon closed his eyes, then opened them and stared at his friend.
"Oh, Matt! What have they done to you?!" the Digimon cried out, as tears ran down his cheeks and he pressed his ear to Zero's chest trying to hear what he now knew wasn't there. There was a constant hum, but no heart beat.
"They haven't," Zero answered. "A crazy doctor did this to me. He also erased most of my memories and feelings, leaving only what he wanted." He sighed. "Or that's what I think; my memories are still not very clear about that."
Gabumon didn't react, and Zero pulled him back looking into his eyes.
"But somehow, I was still myself! I couldn't remember much, true, but the real me, Matt, has always existed, and always will! The Digivice gave me back my life, and it brought with it one of the most important pieces of my life I have had. You and the memories of T.K. and my friends."
Gabumon nodded, hugging Zero yet again. "I knew, deep inside, that you wouldn't leave me. Ever." He said, his sound muffled as he fought yet another outburst of tears.
Zero patted Gabumon's head softly.
Gabumon looked up at him. "We have to go back! It's possible that time here is even faster than in Digiworld! That would explain why it took me only a few hours while years passed here! We have to help the others with the Dark Masters."
Zero stood up slowly and nodded. "But first I have a mission to accomplish."
"Mission? But, Matt, we have to help our friends!" Gabumon insisted.
Zero sighed and walked to the door, inviting X in. "X, this Gabumon a friend from a life long forgotten... until now." He said, motioning with his left hand at the Digimon.
X looked down at Gabumon doubtfully.
"Gabumon, this is X. He's the best friend I've had since I came to this world. Together we have fought Mega level Monsters and won."
Gabumon, still confused, looked at him.
"Mega Level? Like Metalgarurumon?"
Zero nodded. "Think of me as a Mega Level Digimon, and I don't need to Digivolve to do it. Both X and I get stronger every time we fight Mavericks."
Gabumon backed off a little. This was Matt, no doubt, but what had the time in this world done to him that he would fight constantly?
"Matt, why do you fight?" he asked.
"We have to protect the world and the people we know. This is our job." Zero answered.
Gabumon nodded. For a moment he had feared that his friend had turned into a fighting machine with no other purpose other than fighting.
"So you still fight to protect?" Gabumon asked, more than stated, but with a general feeling of relief.
X decided to get into the discussion.
"Still fight? What does he mean, Zero?" The Reploid asked.
"His name's Matt! MATT!" Gabumon interrupted.
Zero ignored the Digimon and looked at X straight in the eye before starting to explain.
"Once upon a time, I was an 11 year old boy named Matt; I left my home along with my brother and six other friends to save both, my world and the Digiworld. About thirty six years ago I was transformed into Zero, without any memories or knowledge of my previous life."
X looked incredulous at Zero as his friend continued.
"When Gabumon came looking for me, he brought my Digivice." He showed his Digivice to X, "It's a digital device attuned exclusively to me. When it was close enough, the Digivice made contact with me, and overrode the programming that was keeping my memories locked." Zero explained, giving the small object to X, who took a careful look at it.
"What did you mean that you had another mission, Matt?" Gabumon asked.
X shot a warning glance at Zero, who nodded. "I'll tell you later Gabumon, but we have to be somewhere else."
Zero brightened somewhat and turned to X. "Hey, we'll even tell you our stories!" he said.
***
Black Peregrine paced outside the conference room keeping an eye out for anyone who tried to get inside. By now everyone in the base knew about the strange creature that had rampaged into the conference hall and that apparently Zero had a connection to it.
Finally the doors opened and Zero, X and Gabumon walked out. Peregrine met them just outside.
"What happened? Why did you take so long?"
"It's okay. I was just remembering the good old days with my friends." Zero said cheerfully, earning a few stares from his comrades. "We'll see you later, BP."
Peregrine nodded and walked up to Zero and X, whispering something. Despite the whispering, Gabumon's keen ears were able to her words.
"I have just received confirmation. We go at 11:30. We've got three hours." She said. "I'll gather the rest of the team."
Zero and X both nodded.
"Okay you two, come with me." Zero instructed, motioning at Gabumon and X.
X and Gabumon followed him to his room, where they all sat down. Zero started explaining his story from the point when he woke up and fought Sigma for the first time.
Gabumon was horrified at Matt's actions, but he was relieved when Sigma brought him to HQ and healed him.
Then, both X and Zero took turns explaining the battle against the transformed Sigma. Gabumon could see the pain in X as he described the battle with Vile and how Matt had sacrificed himself to save him.
He then was furious with Sigma for trying to turn Matt into X's enemy. He heard with interest about their third battle against that same Reploid.
Matt explained that he had loaded an anti virus into his sword that did extra damage to Sigma, and had given his sword to the golden X as he fought his way to the monster.
Then came the time of the battle with Repliforce. Matt told him about Iris and his brother, the times they had worked together and when they fought.
Gabumon couldn't help to hug Matt when his voice cracked as he retold Iris's death. It was an incredible story, full of dangers and adventures.
Gabumon could now understand what Matt had said about having a mission, as Matt told him about the apparent return of the Mavericks and that they would fight them that same night.
"I will go with you." Gabumon stated.
Zero sighed. "Listen, Gabumon..."
"No, Matt. You listen. We once made a promise to be together through thick and thin. Now you're asking me to leave you! I'm sorry but I won't!"
"Gabumon..." Zero whispered, but brightened up after a moment's thought. "If you turn into Weregarurumon, you might be able to accompany us."
"Weregarurumon?" X asked confused.
It was now Matt's and Gabumon's turn to tell their story.
X paid rapt attention to their words, cheering for their victories and mourning for the loss of Wizardmon and the others that had died.
Gabumon understood why Matt cared for his younger friend. Well, younger in attitude. He was seeing T.K. in X, and equally, X treated him more like a big brother than a normal friend.
When they had finished, it was almost time for them to go.
X and Gabumon liked and respected each other, and Zero thanked whatever Kami had allowed him to have such good friends.
***
Peregrine looked askance at the new addition to the team.
Lynx and Afroman, who didn't know who Gabumon was -they had arrived at the base earlier that evening, after going to scout the enemy base- also looked quizzically at Zero, who shook his head.
"Gabumon here is our secret weapon." He explained.
"Gabumon?! What a stupid name..." Lynx muttered.
Gabumon heard, however. "What did you say, Kitten?!"
"It talks!" Afroman noted amused.
Lynx, however, was not amused. "What did you call me!?"
Zero stepped between Gabumon and Lynx.
"Enough! I don't want to send someone to pick up the pieces of the first who argues again. So don't!" he ordered.
Lynx turned around fuming, to find X, Peregrine and Afroman grinning at him. "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!?" he shouted.
Gabumon, however, was surprised at Matt's change. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to face X.
"Don't take it personal; Matt is just being responsible. If we let divisions into the group we might risk failure in our mission, and we can't risk it."
X went over to check his hover bike and Gabumon again considered the situation. X was right, of course. If Gabumon wanted to help Matt he wouldn't do so by fighting with his teammates.
Gabumon walked over to Lynx. "I'm sorry about that. I shouldn't have insulted you."
Lynx was surprised but nodded. "I too am sorry. I shouldn't have called your name stupid. Please forgive me."
Gabumon nodded and walked back to Matt, pleased at the results, and missing the glare Lynx directed at him. Peregrine noticed it however, and decided to keep an eye over both Gabumon and Lynx.
***
The attack was going to be swift and effective. Matt briefed them on the way on how it would work.
The craft they were currently in -A huge oval thing with wings-, would deposit them thirty kilometers away from the Maverick base. Then they would come out of the jungle and sneak into the base undetected.
Being under the radar range and moving at high velocities, they would easily get inside. Once there, they would find the nuclear warheads and disarm them if possible. If not, launch them into outer space towards the sun and then destroy the base. Either way the base should be destroyed.
Gabumon was excited, looking around at the controls, then out of the window. The team took his enthusiasm with stoicism.
Finally, they arrived at the drop point, and Gabumon jumped behind Zero on his hover bike.
"Hold on tight!" Zero warned.
Then they shot out of the ship and through the jungle towards the Maverick base. Gabumon tried to scream, but the speed and the air prevented him from doing anything.
Finally, Gabumon was able to see the Maverick base. It looked like a large, metallic castle with 8 spires and a large dome in the center.
Ice Lynx walked forward guiding them next to a large ventilation shaft. He started freezing it as Afroman informed them that those spires were, in fact, the nuclear missiles.
When the shaft broke down, Zero stopped them. "Listen, we know what will happen once we're inside, so we'll split into teams to take care of the main Mavericks."
"First, we'll reach the center of the complex. Then, Ice Lynx and Afroman will go west, Peregrine will go with Gabumon east, X and I will take north and south respectively. Once you've taken care of the nuke, you will go clockwise and destroy the next one. Then return to the center."
Zero waited a moment to see if everyone understood.
"In short, all the teams should fight two bosses and disable two missiles per team. Once that is done, we'll meet again in the center. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
The only Reploid with a problem was Peregrine. She was quick to voice her opinion, though.
"I have to work with Gabumon? No offense, but he won't be able to do much damage to one of them."
Zero merely smiled at her.
He then knelt next to Gabumon.
"Take care of Peregrine, Gabumon. She may talk much, but she's not that strong..." Peregrine was the rookie of the team, true, but she had adapted quite fast and made fast friends with both him and X.
Zero stood up and walked a little away from Gabumon. He pulled out his Digivice and pointed it at Gabumon.
Having a deeper understanding of the Digivice than before, Zero concentrated on the feelings of friendship he had towards X, Gabumon, Peregrine, Afro and Lynx. Then of the recovered memories of the digital world.
And so, Zero concentrated. The Digivice glowed and to the surprised looks of the others Gabumon Digivolved into Garurumon, and then into Weregarurumon.
To say that Peregrine's expected idea of victory improved would be the same as saying that X would probably find a cool new armor in the building. It was the understatement of the year.
Afroman and X liked their new improvement too, although Lynx looked a little nervous. Maybe it was because Lynx rather looked like a frozen cat.
Zero shrugged and gave the signal to go forth.
***
End Chapter 2