Disclaimer: See the first chapter
A/N: I'm glad that you all liked that chappie. Honestly, I was worried that it was too dramatic or something. Here's my thanks to each of you.
Dragi: Thanks. It's okay that you don't know, it's the thought of wanting to help that counts! ^_^
Hitomi No Ryu: Hehehe, thanks for the reading of my fic's future, I hope you're right.
Dragons star: Really? Are you going to post that poem? If not can I read it? Wow, kinda feels weird that I'm not answering a question from you. Thanks for the support, it means a lot. ^___^
Skittles the Sugar Fairy: Actually, I already knew about that site, but still, I thank you for your help. Wow, we went to the same site. Anyway, that site's going to be a regular reference for this fic, so I credit it now.
Lavos: I know that Flamon and Strabimon are Pico Hybrids, but I also found out that some rookie Digimon can Digivolve to the rest of the legendary champions. Thanks for your e-mail. I'll see if I can squeeze the puppet master in. Thanks again for a being a great help.
OmnicromXR: Thanks for sharing. The Japanese words will be translated in the end of this fic. As for the words that I used in the previous chapters:
hai – yes
nani? – what?
masaka – no way
nandate? – it's like nani, but with more emotion.
Adding –san as a suffix in a name shows that you are giving respect to that certain person.
There, did I miss anything? ^_^ And about your last question, yeah, technically, Strabimon and Flamon are similar, but I just needed a conflict for the first part, and since Strabimon looks more of a beast type, I decided to alter it a bit. Besides, in a way he's just like a smaller WereGarurumon.
Well, just for the sake of it, I'm going to hold up a poll that will go on for a few chapters at least, so here it is: The Digimon of fire and light will meet the others in this fic. (Isn't it obvious?) Should they meet the other element Digimon as rookies or as champions?
Originally, I planed them to meet the champions, but I'll see what I can do if the votes are in favor of the rookies.
Right, that's all I have to say for now, so on with the chapter!
Close to AcceptanceTwo days may seem like a short period for anything to happen, but to a certain fire Digimon, in just two days many events happened in his life, the best one yet was being accepted. At first, he was nervous what the Digimon other than the ones he already met would think of him, but after Angewomon introduced him, they gladly received him as a part of their group with no hesitation at all. Angemon reported that Stingmon agreed to talk to Strabimon, but that he would wait for the right time, when that was, nobody knew. Flamon walked around the dwelling as he contemplated all of this. As he entered the 'kitchen', he saw Lilymon preparing some food.
"Ohayo, Lilymon-san." he greeted.
"Good morning to you too, Flamon." she replied. "You've come just in time, would you like to bring food to Strabimon? If you don't I'll ask MetalGarurumon if he'd be willing."
"Sure," Flamon said, shrugging. "besides, we still didn't have a proper introduction. I have to make up my first meeting with him."
"Good." Lilymon smiled. "Then take this to him."
She handed him a tray of meat apples and a cup of water. He took it and bowed with respect before heading of to Strabimon's room.
"He's really different, but in a good way." said Gatomon, entering the room.
"Yes," Lilymon agreed. "hopefully there will be more like him."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Strabimon glanced at the door as he heard the leaves rustle. Once he saw the intruder, he growled softly and turned the other way.
"What do you want?" he asked sternly.
Flamon cowered slightly at the tone yet remained his calm.
"I just came to bring you food." he explained. "You slept for two days, you must be hungry."
The red digimon placed the tray beside the cot.
"Look," he sighed. "I know that we started off on the wrong foot, but I want to do this right. I'm Flamon…"
"You do realize that you're lucky I'm in debt to you, right?" Strabimon cut in.
"Huh?" asked Flamon, tilting his head.
"You saved my life, so I'm in debt to you." Strabimon said. "Meaning I can't hurt you. Just don't push your luck."
A moment of silence passed before Flamon spoke again.
"I'm sorry," he started. "if I'm just a bother. But that's what I've been to all I've met, except for the Digimon here so…"
Strabimon glimpsed at the other rookie, seeing him bow slightly. Flamon then turned and made his way to the door.
"I hope we can get along someday." Flamon continued, unsurely. "And not because of the debt."
Strabimon raised an eyebrow as the other exited his quarters.
"Like that will ever happen." he mumbled.
"You never know," said a voice. "things don't always go as planned."
His head snapped up at the sudden presence.
"Who are you?" he asked. "What do you mean?"
"I am Stingmon. I mean that you can't ever truly plan the events in your life, or how you will act." the insect Digimon answered. "Things change, and you can't stop them from doing so."
"How would you know all this?" Strabimon asked.
"It's because I've experienced the worst yet still after, the best." Stingmon said.
"Say what?" the rookie exclaimed, confused.
"I live through bad times patiently, my reward was being a part of a group with its members always being there for each other."
"Like I'd care about something like that."
"Everyone needs a companion, Strabimon." Stingmon stated. "Whether it be a partner or a friend, everyone needs one."
"We'll see about that." Strabimon replied.
"We will indeed." the insect Digimon opposed, and looked at the untouched tray of food. "You can eat that, It's not poisoned, you know."
With that said, the Digimon of kindness walked out of the room. Strabimon grunted and eyed the tray as if it was a threat to him. Shrugging, he got an apple and bit into it. A foreign yet satisfying taste filled his mouth, and it was then that he realized how hungry he was. Finishing his meal, he took a drink and lay back down on the blanket of leaves, thinking, eventually falling asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How did it go?" Angemon asked as Stingmon walked into their foyer that served as the room for those who would stand guard for the night.
"He'll understand in time." said the other champion. "For now he must first learn that not all human types are bad. Who are scouting?"
"Ex-Veemon and Aquilamon." Angemon replied. "WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon were forced to take a break."
"By Angewomon no doubt?" Stingmon stated, a grin heard in his tone.
"How'd you guess?" said the angel Digimon, grinning. "Anyway, do you think Strabimon will accept Flamon? With Flamon being a mix, the other doesn't seem to take that well."
"Possibilities are endless." said the insect Digimon. "But there just might be a chance, if Flamon doesn't give up."
"Which I don't think he will since he doesn't seem the type."
Stingmon nodded and stared up at the ceiling of the cave where the illumination crystals were placed. They collected light that bounced in from the outside and reflected it into the cave. By their soft glow, Stingmon could tell that it was about sunset, and that the others would probably going back to bed by now.
"Yes, he strived to live and thus, strives to be accepted."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Strabimon woke up in the middle of the night. Groaning, his ears twitched, trying to determine the source of the sound that interrupted his sleep. Standing up, he quietly made his way outside to the corridor, and into the room across his. Peeking inside, he saw Flamon tossing and turning on his bed of leaves, making the rustling sound that, unfortunately for Strabimon, was just loud enough to reach the next room. Irritated and curious at the same time, the lavender Digimon walked to the red rookies side and kneeled down, careful of his injuries, as he hesitatingly took hold of one of Flamon's shoulders and shook him none too gently.
"Oi!" he said, "Wake up!"
Flamon merely shifted in his sleep and cowered in fear. Strabimon frowned and was about to try again, when Flamon's position triggered his memory of when he first met Grizzmon and Garurumon. He remembered that he was attacked by a Musyamon because he wandered into its territory. He tried to fight back, but his skills weren't as high as they were now. Just before the Musyamon made the finishing blow, Grizzmon and Garurumon saved him.
Looking at Flamon, he found that the other rookie was doing the same as Strabimon did that time: cowering in fear of his life. Strabomin's frown deepened as he realized this, and he wondered what could be scaring Flamon so.
"OI! WAKE UP!" he tried again, shouting into the sleeping one's ear.
This time, he succeeded. Flamon jerked up, eyes wide, and looked around. Seeing Strabimon, relief seemed to wash over him as he remembered where he was.
"Gomen." he said, shyly. "I must've woken you up."
"Yeah you did." Strabimon grunted, standing up once more. "You always that noisy when you dream?"
Flamon's eyes became downcast at the question.
"It's more like when I dream about my past." he said softly. "I got caught in the middle of a battle once. When fighters of the two group types would spot me, they would try to attack, thinking I was another classification then their own. I'd run in different directions, trying to find a way out.
One time a Kuwagamon pushed me up into a corner and was just about to grab me when a DinoHumon slashed it. It got distracted by its wound and its beat its wings quickly facing its attacker and, in doing so, blowing me away. I was lucky then 'cause when I opened my eyes I saw that I was blown far away from the battle.
I've been alone ever since, until now, of course, my home being any forest until groups would come to my area, then I had to move again."
Strabimon's eyes widened at the revelation. Sure, he'd been in a similar situation, but unlike Flamon, he was only attacked by a human type and was saved by beast types, but Flamon was unaccepted and attacked by both human and beast with nobody to rescue him. Strabimon's hatred for the other melted away and was replaced by a feeling that was unknown to him for now. Though he still wasn't comfortable with Flamon, he decided that he would tolerate the red Digimon.
"It was just a dream." he told Flamon, patting him gently on the back. "What's done is done, don't think about it."
Flamon smiled and nodded shyly. Strabimon headed back for his room, eager to get some sleep.
"Strabimon-san?" he heard Flamon call out softly.
Turning slightly, he looked at the figure sitting on the cot, staring up at him with green eyes so full of child-like innocence.
"Arigato."
For the first time in so long, Strabimon felt a small grin touch his lips. Giving a thumbs-up in response, he exited the room and went back to his own, feeling a sense of contentment well up inside him. As he drifted of to sleep one peaceful thought entered his mind.
'Maybe, just maybe…a companion might not be so bad after all.'
A/N:
Translations:
Oi! – Hey!
Gomen – Sorry
Arigato – Thanks
There, how was it? Sorry for being slightly delayed, I had a small case of writer's block 'cause I had a test the other day. Oh, well. R&R pls! And don't forget about the poll! 'Till next time then! ^_^