Disclaimer: See first chapter
A/N: Sorry! Two words - TERM EXAMS! Grammar was full of essay writing sections, so I think my hand went stiff for a few minutes. Plus, my computer had to be checked 'cause of the CD-writer! And in addition to that, my family planned an outing for the whole Christmas break, and the intramural of my school was the week after so I wasn't able to write anything! Sorry again! I hope this's long enough to make up for the delay.
Skittles the Sugar Fairy: You just partially predicted the first part of this chapter. Thanks for reviewing! J
Dragons star and CrystalDramon: Hehe, yeah, I just decided to mix the levels since some of the rookies don't really have obvious connections with the champions. And about what happened to Flamon? Explained in the chapter. But, to summarize it the shards and letters were the things that 'triggred' his powers. I'm not sure if the same thing would happen to Strabimon since he doesn't have anything weird on him (symbols and stuff) but I'll see as the fic continues. Thanks for your review! ^__^
OmnicromXR: Yeah, right about now? I wouldn't want to take his place. *Sigh* but it had to be done.
Dragi: Glad you like the chap! J Thanks for your e-mail as well. I know you review regularly, but I'm supposed to repeatedly remind everyone to review, right? J
Lavos: Thanks for the info and review. I really appreciate it!
nightdragon0: ^___^ Thanks, it's nice to see someone new reviewing my fic! Hope you like the rest of the fic!
Well, on with the chapter! (About it's title: it refers to the element and not the character.)
HikariStrabimon stood stiff in his place, still shocked by the sight of Flamon unmoving; quite a contrast to his usual active and perky personality. He felt Stingmon move from behind him as the insectoid walked towards the two fire-type Digimon.
"What's his condition?" he heard Stingmon ask as the champion kneeled in front of Flamon.
"I…I'm not really sure." WarGreymon replied.
Stingmon reached to touch one of the symbols on the rookie's face, frowning as he did so.
"He's burning hot." he said, turning to the mega Digimon. "What happened?"
"I just asked him to try to take a stone that responded to him." the other said. "Suddenly, it broke into shards and started to form the symbols…"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP HIM?"
Both high level Digimon's attention switched to Strabimon at the rookie's sudden outburst, WarGreymon in a more hesitant manner.
"WHY?!" Strabimon repeated, flexing his claws.
WarGreymon was silent for a fleeting moment before answering.
"I tried, but there was a barrier. I couldn't get to him."
"You expect me to believe that a mega Digimon can't get past a stupid barrier?!"
"I don't." WarGreymon said. "But that's what happened. The force field was made out of pure energy, it kept on pushing back no matter how hard I tried to get past."
Strabimon growled, not satisfied with the reply. Stingmon chose that time to interrupt.
"Strabimon, save what you have to say for now." he said sternly. "We have to help Flamon, and I don't think that can wait."
Before the rookie could answer, Stingmon carefully picked Flamon up and carried him up the stairs and back to his room. Strabimon then glanced at the mega Digimon once again, scowling, making WarGreymon sigh.
"Go." he said. "I see that you won't believe me, but I suggest that you watch over him. Maybe when he wakes up he'll tell you what happened."
Strabimon grunted and sprinted as fast as he could away from the armored Digimon, not wanting to have any further conversation. Stopping at the entrance to Flamon's room, he peeked inside and saw that the smaller rookie with bandages on his face and torso. Stingmon looked up from his place by the fire Digimon.
"I know you want to watch over him, Strabimon." he stated. "But your wounds aren't fully healed yet, you can look after Flamon when you are."
"But-"
"No buts." Stingmon interrupted. "If Flamon was awake what would he tell you?"
Strabimon paused at the question, but pondered on it.
"He'd say that I'm too uptight. That I should take it easy." he answered.
"Right." Stingmon nodded. "Besides, I'm guessing that you have only two days left in bed, so make the most of them and get better."
Strabimon nodded yet hesitated slightly as he was about to exit.
"Don't worry, he'll be well taken care of. Now go get some rest."
The lavender rookie sighed, defeated, and went back to his room, slumping back down on the cot.
'Two days…' he thought. 'What am I supposed to do for two days?'
He had to admit, Flamon had a way of speeding up the time for him with his antics, but now with the mentioned Digimon also in a similar state, if not worse, he found that he wouldn't be able to stay calm as he was worried for the other. These thoughts drifted in his troubled mind as he drifted into an uneasy sleep.
~*~*~STRABIMON'S DREAM~*~*~
Strabimon opened his eyes to find himself standing alone in an area that emitted a soft glow. A soft mist strengthened the illumination slightly and tickled his skin with cool wisps of gentle air as the light shifted from one color to another.
"What is this place?" he asked no one in particular, not expecting an answer.
{Hikari no Void…}
Strabimon spun around, looking for the voice that echoed throughout the space. Seeing nobody there, he started to muse out loud.
"Void of Light?" he translated, once again glancing about.
{You have been chosen…}
The rookie tensed up and flexed his claws when the voice spoke again.
"WHO'S THERE?!" he shouted.
{You have been chosen…}
"CHOSEN TO WHAT?!" Strabimon yelled.
{…to wield the light…}
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You are to be the warrior of light." said a much clearer voice behind him.
He pivoted and nearly ran in to a tall figure and taking a closer look, he saw that it slightly transparent. The form looked like a human-type Digimon covered in armor that was a light shade of purple, the helmet being shaped like a wolf's head and coveting the upper part of the figure's face and holding his short, blonde hair in place. What made this creature suspicious to Strabimon was partially the scarf, similar to his own, he had around his neck, but mostly the deep crimson orbs that peered down at him from behind the helmet.
"Who are you?" he asked cautiously.
"I am you." the figure answered simply.
"What!?" he shouted.
"I am Wolfmon, I am who you are to be."
"Who I am to be? But you're…"
"A human type, yes."
"But…"
"It's not impossible." Wolfmon stated. "Besides, you do want to protect the mixed type Digimon, right?"
Strabimon's eyes widened at that.
"What does this have to do with him?!"
"How are you supposed to protect him if he digivolves and you don't?"
"Digivolve…? Matte! Does this have something to do with the injuries Flamon underwent?"
"Yes, as I have mentioned, you are to be the wielder of the light. He is to be the wielder of fire."
"Why did he have to suffer like that? He doesn't deserve it, not after all he's been through."
"And that is exactly why he had to endure it, for he is the only one for now who will be able to take such damage that will trigger his elemental powers."
"Demo-"
"Enough, I've already said too much." Wolfmon interrupted. "Flamon has earned his powers, not it is time for you to obtain yours."
With that, Wolfmon glowed brightly and turned into data that sped towards Strabimon, encircling the parts of his limbs ang torso that were wounded before entering him, in turn making him flash as well. Strabimon held in a cry, as the power surge was almost too much to handle…
~*~*~END OF DREAM~*~*~
Strabimon shot up in bed, gasping for air. Seeing the cup of water on the tray beside him, he took it and splashed the cool liquid over his head.
'What a weird dream.' he thought, standing up, feeling an unfamiliar weight in his waist. 'What the-?'
Looking at his belt, he saw a new buckle with the symbol of light had been placed there.
'So…it wasn't just a dream?'
"Strabimon?"
The said rookie glanced up at his name to see MetalGarurumon at the doorway.
"Ah, finally, you're awake."
"Huh?"
"You were out longer than you planned." said the Mega. "It's been five days since you set a foot outside this room, and the good thing is that your injuries have completely healed."
"Five days?"
MetalGarurumin nodded in confirmation.
"Hey, you must've worn yourself out worrying over Flamon in your condition then…"
The high level Digimon trailed of, not meaning to let the topic of Flamon slip accidentally. Strabimon frowned at this, his mind not yet being able to recall anything before his dream.
'Flamon…?' he thought.
It wasn't long before he remembered everything as he jumped up and fully faced MetalGarurumon.
"How is he?" he asked, near frantic. "Are his wounds healed? Has he woken up?"
The armor-clad wolf's ears folded back as he lowered his head before answering.
"He's still asleep and his wounds don't want to heal no matter what medicine we try on him. And…" he glanced at the rookie hesitantly and sighed. "And his fever has gotten higher too. I'm sorry to say that his condition's become worse, and seems to worsen as time goes by."
Strabimon clenched his fists as rage began to well up inside him.
"You guys said you'd take care of him." he accused.
"We did, Strabimon-"
"So what happened?" Strabimon growled.
"It happened just yesterday," MetalGarurumon explained. "he looked like he was having a nightmare, but nothing we could do would wake him up. Suddenly he glowed brightly and finally calmed down. However, when the glow died down, he got hotter, and until now his fever's not dying down."
"What's your point?" asked Strabimon, dreading the answer.
"We don't know if he's going to make the week."
All color drained from Strabimon's face as the confirmation of his thoughts was given.
"You can go see him if you like." MetalGarurumon offered, making his way out. "Maybe you can give him a miracle."
Strabimon sat in silence for a few moments, still not comprehending that Flamon's chances were slim. Standing up, he headed for the said rookie's room, and upon entering it, didn't notice the soft glow that emitted from their belt buckles. Slumping down by the fire type, he frowned at the smaller one's pallor in sickness, remembering a conversation they had not too long ago, yet was interrupted by Stingmon walking in to call Flamon to dinner.
You gotta lighten up, Strabimon!
Why would I do that?
C'mon, even MetalGarurumon-san's more social than you!
Can't you have fun on your own?
Do you really like being alone that much?
"No, I don't."
The lines played over and over in his head as he found himself answering the younger one's last question then. Placing his hand atop the fire rookie's head, he uttered something to assure both of them.
"You're gonna get through this, Flamon. I promise."
A/N:
Translations:
Hikari – Light
Demo - But
Ah, a little drama thrown in there, ne? Ya, I know: why did I leave it hanging? Well, partially because if I continue it'll be too long, and also 'cause I need to save it for the next chapter. Thanks for all your reviews! They really mean a lot!
Sorry again, for the long delay. Like I said, lot of schoolwork, and I volunteered for the high school fair. In other words, I had a full schedule. Hope thi's chapter was enough for now.
Well, 'till next time, then! Don't forget to R&R!