Digimon Season 1 ½
By ShinobiWolf
Chapter Four: Of Fireflies and Battles
XXXXXXXXXXFinally, the fourth chapter. It took a little longer than expected, but it is difficult to write or type with a sleeping dog on your lap… There will be one final chapter after this one.
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Matt fingered the slightly burned fish in his hands. It had been two days since they were at the ruins, and Kumika's condition had not improved. She wouldn't eat, sleep, or talk if not spoken to. It was such a contrast from the lively girl she had previously been. And despite being the least social of the group, Matt really wanted to help. But how? Before the Digital World, he hadn't even had any friends.
He didn't really feel all that hungry himself.
Without question, TK happily took Matt's uneaten fish while he sat by Kumika. He tried to think of something to say… Oh, why hadn't I paid more attention to the school counselor? She had advice for talking to people, but I never really listened…Matt thought long and hard, but he could never find anything useful to say. "Hey, I'm sure we'll get her back."
"Are you saying that just to cheer me up?"
"Would you have rather had me say otherwise?"
Kumika sighed. "Thanks anyway." She looked about ready to cry, Matt could tell. But every time her eyes started to water, she would hold them shut until it passed over. "…Matt?"
"Why are you trying to hard to help me?"
"You know what? I'm not really sure why… Maybe I can just relate."
"Relate? How?" There was a tinge of anger in her voice, her eyes untrusting.
Matt was startled by her sudden show of anger, then he hesitated. "My parents split when TK and I were younger. I never thought I would see him again. Even now, we hardly get to see each other."
So he knows what it's like to lose someone you care for…
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Shadowmon admired herself in front of a giant mirror. "Not too shabby, if I do say so myself… Coal fur and the most beautiful green eyes. It feels good to be on four legs for a change. Those miserable children thought they could keep me from getting that power, but I had my own ways…" A door shutting snapped her out of her sweet reverie. "What is it now?"
"Mistress Shadowmon, the new team is ready." Yasyamon bowed, not quite used to looking so high up to his mistress.
"Now? This quickly? My, I never expected you to make so much progress!" Shadowmon smirked to herself. "Finally some underlings worth my time and effort…"
Yasyamon grinned his own devious grin underneath his mask.
"We will leave as soon as everyone is ready." She took one last look in the mirror before leaving through the door with Yasyamon.
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Matt and Kumika looked out amongst the glowing fireflies. He honestly thought he had talked more in the last hour than he had in the past week. And the same went for Kumika. She looked so carefree to him, running around trying to capture a firefly, and failing miserably. He had succeeded in getting her mind off the present situation. With a quick swiftness of hand he easily caught one in his fist.
Kumika pouted. "How'd you do that…"
"That's my little secret."
She moved from pouting to just plain looking pitiful.
"Here." He gently dropped the firefly into her palm. It sat there contently glowing a soft yellow, before flitting away to join the others. Kumika blushed. "…Nani?"
"You look kinda cute when you have no idea what's going on…" She gave his nose a little poke before jogging lively back to the camp.
"…Wha?" He stood there trying to piece together past events until a scream startled him out of his daze. "Kumikaa!" He only ran a short way before he met the masked gaze of Yasyamon. He had one arm wrapped tightly around Kumika's arms and stomach, the other holding a bokuto against her neck.
"Not so tough alone, now are you?"
Matt growled under his breath. And I just had to leave Gabumon with the others…
"Heh heh… Where are your little buddies now?"
"Right here!"
A fountain of blue fire crashed into Yasyamon's backside, causing him to drop Kumika. She and Matt jumped on Garurumon for a quick escape, leaving Yasyamon to yelp in pain as he rolled onto his charred back.
"Good old Garurumon! Where would we be without you?"
"In a whole 'lotta hurt!" Garurumon huffed as he ran with all of his might. "The others sent me after you."
The sight of the camp was not a welcome one. Human friends and their Digivolved partners were scattered amongst a clearing of opposing Digimon.
"What took you so long?" An exhausted Tai asked.
"We had a little setback of our own to deal with. Is Shadowmon here?" Matt dismounted Garurumon.
"Unfortunately, yes. We've managed to hold her back so far, but we need everyone here to finish the job."
Matt held his breath as Kumika slid from Garurumon's back and witnessed the scene before her. Shadowmon, in Nyandramon's body, was making quick work of the other Digimon. Birdramon flew in for an attack, but Shadowmon swiped at her with her paw.
xxx Inside Nyandramon's Head xxx
For the last time, I said leave them alone! Neillanimon struggled against the chains that held her feet.
And what will you do, little one, helpless as you are? You cannot even control your own body…
You can't suppress me forever…
Hmhmhm… Of course not, child. As fun as this is, I much prefer my own body. Once the others are through, I will dispose of you soon enough. Shadowmon locked onto Neillanimon's intense gaze. I'm in your head… I know your every thought, every fear. Who shall I attack next? The youngest ones? The leader? Your partner's dear friend?
Neillanimon growled under her breath, continuing to struggle against the mental chains.
Or perhaps your partner herself?
That was the last straw. Neillanimon tried again to break the chains, this time with all of the strength she had left. She only succeeded in making her legs raw.
xxx Back to Reality xxx
Metalgreymon and Weregarurumon stood ready to fight. Shadowmon only laughed at them.
"You would even fight against a friend? You do have guts… But do you have enough power? In the level you're at?"
"She knows perfectly well that two megas would be overkill. We may not be strong enough now, but at the mega level we would destroy her for sure… How are we supposed to do this?" Metalgreymon studied her from where he stood.
"First, gauge her strength. Then do the best you can to wear her down! Once she's worn down, Nyandramon's body will be useless to her. Just don't over do it!" Weregarurumon charged first, followed by Metalgreymon. One by one the other Digimon were taken out. Weregarurumon and Metalgreymon made their attack, kicking up a huge cloud of dust in the process. They waited with uncertainty as the dust slowly started to clear. A red beam of wind shot out from the cloud, sending everyone in all directions.
Metalgreymon and Weregarurumon picked themselves up from the ground. "She's powering up again?"
"But who is she aiming for?"
Kumika's eyes widened. She was in the direct path of Shadowmon's Crimson Tornado.
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