ToBlazePurple: Thank you very much for the well thought out review, as it stands we're sort of in the "introduction" period for everyone. I agree there is a lot to keep up with and some characters are definitely more likeable/more interesting than others. I'm hoping I can change that as the story goes on and everyone develops more. But in any case, thank you so much for taking the time to give me your thoughts!

. . . Cody Rhodes . . .

It was the following afternoon, and Madison had been nice enough to offer her hidden sanctuary to Cody as a refuge for Shamanmon when he wasn't around. Figuring those who were stuck with these Digimon should work together, so while Cody went ahead to an uncomfortable meeting with family following the phone call he'd taken the previous day, Shamanmon would hang back with Tsukaimon at the old factory.

Walking along to the park nearest his motel, keeping his eyes opened for any sign of his older brother. Before spotting a familiar ballcap, and the form of a broad shouldered young man seated in a chair.

"Dammit, here we go..." Cody sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before making his way over. Stuffing both hands into his pockets before he reached him, trying to maintain his tough exterior. "Hey there Dustin," He announced his presence, waving one hand. "You're early."

He shared Cody's bleach blonde hair, but had a more stout build and a rough beard. "No, you're just late as usual." He accused, letting the harsh words linger between them for a moment before grinning and laughing lightly. "Have a seat little bro, been awhile."

"Eh, only a few weeks." He shrugged, taking a seat across from him at the wooden picnic table. "So wassup?"

"Wassup?" He questioned, chuckling as he shook his head. "Its been almost a month since you ran away, I convinced Granny not to go looking for you cause I know you're not stupid enough to run off without a reason." He stated, before adding. " But now I gotta find out from someone else that you quit your job at the resort, and all you've got to say is wassup?" Dustin asked, leaning forward on the table. "I don't know, Cody, what is up?"

"Yeah sorry about that," He brushed it off casually, "Been busy, but I'm doing alright, got a little cash still saved up."

"Uh huh," He wasn't buying it, "You look a little thin, you better not be skipping meals."

Cody rolled his eyes, rising to his feet. "Look, Dusty, if you just brought me here for a lecture I think I'll pass."

"I'm sorry," He held up his hands, "Its just... Why don't you come home?" He asked, taking a softer tone. "You know grandma misses you, she's worried sick over you."

"Tell her I'm fine." Cody replied simply, "Just... Trying to figure some stuff out right now, I'll come home when I'm ready."

But Dustin wasn't nearly as convinced, "If you say so... Just take care of yourself alright?" Pulling himself out from the bench, sliding himself back into his nearby wheelchair. "Between the accident and you running off you're gonna put Granny in an early grave."

"Ugh, don't try to guilt me back." He grunted back at him, unable to avoid looking away as his brother adjusted himself in the chair. "Look, I've gotta go you just tell Grandma I'm alright, okay?"

"Yeah..." Dustin nodded, before noting the way Cody couldn't hold eye contact. He chuckled sadly, shaking his head. "Still can't even look at me like this huh? Yeah, I guess I am pretty pathetic." He sighed heavily, relaxing into his wheelchair. "Oh how the mighty have fallen, right?"

"Hey come on," Cody shook his head, "That's not what I-"

"I get it," Dusty cut him off. "This whole thing is... Hard to accept, some days I think I'm gonna wake up and it'll all just have been a bad dream." He shook his head once more, "But we can't run from reality... I'll see you around little bro." Before he started rolling away, stopping briefly. "Hey, you remember that trick I showed you? A few years back on the diamond behind your school?"

Cody quirked an eyebrow, "Why is he bringing up baseball now?" He wondered, before nodding. "Yeah, not much of a trick though, you basically just told me to go for it."

Earning a grin from Dusty, "There's a little more to it than that, try to remember and maybe you'll get it right." Continuing on his way.

Cody narrowed his eyes, "Hey I don't play baseball anymore remember!"

"Who said anything about baseball!?"

Cody rolled his eyes as his older brother rolled off, "Tch, friggin' smartass..."

Dustin Rhodes, once the prime pick as a fresh out of college athlete.

He was going to be the next big name in the Major Leagues.

But that was no longer possible.

And then there was his young brother.

Living beneath the crushing weight of a mountainous shadow.

The kind of pressure that can break a person.

Something Cody knew he would never live up to...

. . .

. . . Madison Morales . . .

"Your exams grades were terrible! You barely passed this year!"

"I know, I'm sorry..."

"How do you expect to get into a good college with scores like that?"

"I was... Kinda thinking I'd just find a job and try to help out around here." Madison tried to offer, putting a faint smile as she looked up at her father. He was a broad, hardworking man who spent long nights in a factory to support this household. He saw little value in anything that wasn't hard work, or capable of generating money.

"Hmph, well it would certainly be a good change of pace," He grunted, folding his arms over his broad chest. "But I'd better not find out you're spending money on anything childish again." Like paint, or a small instrument?

"O-Of course," Madison nodded her head, "I promise I'll do my best."

"Don't make promises, make results," He scoffed, shaking his head. "Now I've gotta get some sleep before my shift, so keep it down."

"Yeah, of course, sleep tight." She waved him off as he left, before sighing heavily and rising from her chair. She made her way to the sink and started washing the dishes he'd left behind from lunch. Doing her best to make as little noise as possible, thoughts turning to what she should do now. "I'm supposed to be helping out around here, and instead I've been playing with Tsukaimon." She thought, scolding herself mentally.

After finishing up, Madison walked over to a nearby cupboard. Pulling open one of the doors, revealing a small picture she'd kept covered here. It showed her family, herself and her brother from just a few years ago. Happy and smiling with Dad, and Mom beside him.

She should be sad, right? "I wish you were still here, maybe then Dad wouldn't have to work so hard... And he could be happier." But since that night, Madison had trouble feeling much of anything anymore. "Except... When I'm with-" Before a buzzing sounded in her pocket interrupting her thoughts, she wiped her eyes and pulled out her Digivice. Watching as the screen lit up, "Oh no."

A big red dot appeared on the map image, and it wasn't far from Tsukaimon and the warehouse!

She was out the door in a moments notice, fearing what kind of monster might appear this time as she grabbed her bike and started riding.

"Please be safe!"

. . .

. . . Cody and Sam . . .

"So... Can I help you or..." Cody quirked an eyebrow as he stared at the dark skinned girl who seemed to have been waiting outside the warehouse. "You just loitering?" But she'd been staring at him since he came into view.

Samantha chuckled lightly, "Sorry, just can't believe you managed to pull one over on Darcmon."

"Darcmon?" Cody repeated, before realizing. "Wait, you aren't with that crazy angel chic are you!?" Immediately going on guard, "Well if you came here to finish the job you're in for a hell of a fight!" Waving his fist, making a lot of noise, trying to intimidate her.

"Relax tough guy," She held up her hands, one of them holding her own Digivice. "What happened that night was a bit of a misunderstanding, I came to talk not fight."

Cody lowered his guard ever so slightly, "Okay, say I believe you... Where is your digimon?" Looking around suspiciously, as if expecting to be attacked.

"At home relaxing," She shrugged, "She's been running around a lot lately so I figured I'd give her a break."

"Hmm... If you say so," Stuffing his hands into his pockets. "So yours totally whipped that crab monster right? You're pretty strong..." He noted, "But why did you come here?"

"Just to talk," She reiterated, "Darcmon and I are a strong combo, but even we aren't invincible." She added, shaking her head. "We have been trying to protect this world from violent digimon, and we wouldn't mind having a few more friends on that front."

"Hmph," Cody scoffed, "So far the only violent digimon I've seen up close is yours."

"Cody?" The voice of Shamanmon sounded from the factory as its side door creaked open, "I thought I heard your voice!" He was grinning brightly as he ran out to join them, Tsukaimon hovering close behind. "Sorry, looks like no Madison yet."

The small floating digimon pouting, "Aww..." Her ears drooping as she landed on Shamanmon's head, "I wanted to see Maddie..."

"So, Shamanmon and Tsukaimon, interesting..." Sam muttered as she looked them over. "Cute, and I take it Madison is Tsukaimon's partner?"

"Yeah!" The little digimon perking up instantly, "She is pretty and makes art and is super nice!"

"Well I can't wait to meet her," Samantha smiled in return, taking on a tone like she was speaking with a child. "I don't suppose you could call her here? I'd hate to have to explain things more times than I have too..."

"Yeah sure I've got her on speed dial," Cody rolled his eyes as he pulled out his Digivice. "I'll see if I can- huh?" Before his device started buzzing loudly, screen flashing. "What the hell?"

Sam's eyes widened as her own device began to go off, her eyes darting to it. "But that's-" Her words interrupted as the waters of the nearby river suddenly erupted. Shooting water high into the air and causing it to rain down on them all.

In the air above, having ridden the waters erupting waves, were two large fish-like digimon. Their bodies silver and gray, with big open mouths and hand-like fins! They were both roughly the size of a grown man! Their open mouths began to accumulate water into condensed orbs! Before they were unleashed upon the teens below, one shot firing off at both Sam and Cody.

Cody froze up, eyes wide with fear, "Why can't I move!?"Before something slammed into him, Shamanmon tackling him to the ground and getting him clear of the watery blast. It struck the ground cracking asphalt and splashing water everywhere. Cody tried to get up quickly, eyes darting to Sam who appeared to have dodged the attack. While Tsukaimon was fluttering nearby, before his attention turned to his partner. "Nice save."

"No problem!" Shamanmon gave a toothy grin, giving him a thumbs. "But I think we've got a fight on our hands!"

"No kidding," Samantha replied, holding her Digivice up to her mouth. "Kudamon we need help now! We've got a double breach! Two Digimon just appeared and are attacking us!"

"I'm on my way hang on!" She replied quickly.

"That's great," Cody's eyes locked onto the fish, "But what are we supposed to do until she gets here?"

"We fight!" Shamanmon declared eagerly, holding up his club. "Nobody attacks my partner and gets away with it!"

"Stop you can't!" Sam barked at them both, "These are Coelamon, Champion Level Digimon! Shamanmon is just a rookie he'll be torn apart!"

"What does that even mean!?" Cody demanded, that explanation going in one ear and out the other.

Before the fish landed on the riverside, both snarling at the humans and their partners. "What kind of Digimon would work with humans, brother?" One growled out.

"The kind who are too weak to survive on their own, brother." His comrade answered. "Lets show them just how outmatched they are!" Both opening their wide maws, and charging up another wave of watery bullets.

"Well, at least this place is practically abandoned so we don't have to worry about anyone seeing us." Cody noted, clenching his fists. His eyes darting to Tsukaimon as well as Shamanmon, "Alright its two on two so it should be an even fight!"

"I want Maddie!" Tsukaimon cried out, tears in her eyes as she turned and flew back towards the warehouse to hide.

Cody starting to sweat a little, "Okay so its two on one gonna be an uphill battle are you ready Shamanmon!?"

"READY!" He responded with a fiery passion.

Sam barked back at them both, "Are you two deaf and stupid!?"

Another volley of water blasts was unleashed, the humans and their partners scrambling to evade them. Sam running one way, Cody and Shamanmon the other. The bullets struck nothing but ground and the side of the building, damaging the terrain but still not hitting anyone yet.

The twin Coelamon grumbling in annoyance, "They are splitting up, brother."

"You get that one, I'll chase these two brother!"

"Oh how come you get two and I only get one?!"

"Relax brother," He chuckled wickedly, "There will be plenty more humans to hunt once we finish our mission!"

"Oh right you are brother!" The other snickered, "Lets get to work!"

Cody and Shamanmon were running along the road, the teen looking back to see them splitting up. "Hey! Ones going after that girl, maybe we've got a chance!" Turning fully on their foe, "Lets rock this fish! Get'em Shamanmon!"

"Yes sir!" He grinned, holding up one hand as a ball of flame began to appear startling Cody. "Shama BOMB!" He tossed it up, before swinging his club with all his might. The Impact making a loud crack before the fireball launched at the incoming fish Digimon.

It struck Coelamon dead center, engulfing him in flame as it exploded loudly. "Holy crap!" Cody exclaimed, not realizing Shamanmon's power until now. "And you were losing to that angel lady?" He scoffed.

Shamanmon laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Well, she was very scary! And I didn't want to hit scary pretty lady!"

Cody rolled his eyes, "You are such a dork I swear."

Before the sound of something whistling through the air caught his attention. His eyes darted back to the smoke just in time to see a bolt of water emerging from within, rushing straight towards him. "Uh oh!" He tried to move, but just like before his legs wouldn't budge! "Come on Dammit! Not again! You've gotta move!"

"Hang on!" Another mighty shove, as Shamanmon threw himself against Cody. "Aaagh!"

This time however, there hadn't been enough distance to evade the attack as well. And it struck Shamanmon dead center of the chest, blasting him back and smashing him through an old bench nearby. Cody watched in horror, Shamanmon laying on the ground rasping for breath before he started to slowly pick himself backup.

"Sh-Shamanmon are you okay!?" He asked worriedly.

The green goblin digimon nodded, though the now heavily bruised and scuffed up chest said otherwise. "Don't worry... I'm okay!" He assured, trying to put on a smile.

Before Cody could even respond however, another shot raced by, blasting Shamanmon and blowing him back further across the ground. Grinding his body against the asphalt as he was laid out. "No Shamanmon!" Cody cried, on his feet in an instant and racing towards him.

"Not so fast human!" Looking back over his shoulder, Cody's heart skipped a beat seeing that Coelamon was practically on top of him. Jaws open wide and ready to chomp down, likely with enough force to take his entire arm off! "Hngh?" Before his eyes darted forward, to the fireball racing towards him. Instead of biting Cody, he launched another water bullet, blasting away Shamanmon's weak attempt at an attack and hitting him once more! "Pathetic!"

Cody stumbled forward, as Coelamon landed on the ground. His eyes darted back to his weakened partner, who had somehow managed to push himself up onto one knee. "He's... Barely able to get up, but he's still protecting me?" But how much more could he take? "Dammit! I have to do something!"

He reached Shamanmon, kneeling in front of him as the green digimon coughed out. "You... You gotta run, Coelamon, too strong."

"You telling me to run away!?" Cody demanded as if he were offended, "Screw that! If I run you're as good as dead!" He barked at him, "Idiot, I'm not going anywhere!"

"Running wouldn't save you anyways!" Coelamon laughed wickedly, opening his maw he began to charge up another water bullet.

"Grrngh... Dammit!" Cody grit his teeth, trying to think of a solution. "Come on, you stupid bastard!" Mentally kicking kicking himself, struggling even to move his legs. "For once in your life can you actually be useful!"

"Remember Cody, in this game you can't just run away."

"Huh?" He blinked, recalling his brothers voice. "What was-"

A memory flashed before his very eyes, as he watched a much younger version of himself standing on a baseball diamond. It was evening, and he could see tears in his own eyes. While in front of him stood his older brother, tall and proud on two working legs. Wearing that same smartass grin he loved to flash so much, one hand landing on Cody's head, ruffling his hair.

"Don't listen to those other kids, they're just jerks." Dustin assured him, "You'll figure it out, here let me show you how I do it."

Something possessed Cody in that moment, as his hand grabbed ahold of Shamanmon's club. Fingers gripping it tightly, knuckles turning white. "Alright you fishy bastard, BRING IT ON!" Heart racing, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

"Its all about your stance, you gotta plant your feet."

"With pleasure, human trash!" Coelamon snarled out in excitement, before firing off its water bullet.

Digging in his heels, Cody straightened out his stance. "This little green moron is my partner! You got that!?"

"Focus, take a deep breath."

The digivice in Cody's pocket began to glow, buzzing wildly!

"I know it's scary, but you can overcome that fear."

"And then," He could see a smile on Dustin's face, the kind of smile he didn't wear anymore. "My favorite part."

Shamanmon watched his partner in awe, the light coming off of Cody's digivice was warm, and felt like it was reaching out to him. Extending his hand, he tried to grasp it!

"HRAAAAAGH!" His own roar echoing as the club made contact with the water bullet. The weapon itself starting to glow bright as a thunderous crack resounded. Remembering the final words of his brothers instructions, "You hit that son of a bitch with everything you've got!"

Digivolution

Shamanmon's body was engulfed in light, surrounding him like a shell as his body changed within. Growing larger, thick yellow fur growing out while his skin changed to a light grayish purple color. His limbs growing until he had massive hands and powerful legs.

"Shamanmon Digivolve To!"

From the shell emerged an ape-like digimon standing no less than ten feet tall.

His club, the one Cody was swinging with, had transformed as well. Turning from a wooden tool to one made of solid bone. And it sent Coelamon's water bullet right back at him! Smashing into the fish Digimon with extreme force knocking him back.

Cody barely noticed, as he turned to see what shadow was looming over him. His partner staring down at him with an intense look on his face, Cody could do nothing but swallow dryly, the adrenaline high he'd been riding starting to wear off. "Uh... Shamanmon? Is that you buddy?"

In response, he broke that stoic expression with a toothy grin and gave Cody a thumbs up. "Apemon."

Coelamon was still picking itself up when it laid eyes on Apemon, "What!? A digivolution here in the real world!?"

Cody might not have understood what this malicious fish meant, but he could tell it was scared. "Oh hell yeah!" He raised his fist, "Let's GO! Whoop his ass back into the ocean, Apemon!"

"With pleasure!" The large monkey nodded, bending his powerful legs before springing forward into the air! Leaping high over the battlefield.

"Not gonna happen!" Coelamon declared, opening wide and firing off a hailstorm of more water bullets.

"Hngh!" The fur on his arms began to stand on end, "Furious Spike!" Like quills, long sharp strands of his fur fired out, they sliced clean through the watery projectiles and rained down on Coelamon, the fish Digimon crying out in pain on impact. While Apemon continued falling upon him, cocking back one big fist as it ignited with a strange blue energy. "Magic Monkey FIST!" On impact, Coelamon was slammed into the earth hard, cracking the ground beneath him and shattering the digimons natural armor.

"GAH!" Was among the last noises Coelamon made, before collapsing to the ground defeated. His body started to break down, the same way Ebidramon's had on the news.

Cody breathed out a sigh of relief, "It's over..." Watching as particles of light floated up from beneath Apemon, vanishing into thin air. "Is he... Dead?"

"Digitized, not dead." Came a familiar voice, looking past Apemon, Cody saw both Sam and Darcmon standing there. The angel speaking plainly, "When a digimon is destroyed, their data goes back to the digital world and forms an egg to be reborn, hopefully as a good digimon this time..."

"Huh, well that's nice..." Cody nodded, a little glad he hadn't just witnessed something die before his eyes. "So uh... Is Apemon here gonna be like this forever?"

Sam shrugged, "Should wear off in a little while, but congratulations on reaching Champion level." She grinned, hands on her hips.

"Tsukaimon!" A familiar voice broke up their moment.

"Madison!" All four of them looking to see Madison running to meet her partner. The two embracing as Tsukaimon buried herself in Madison's arms. "It was so scary, there were these really angry fish!"

"I'm just glad you're okay..." She replied, cradling her back and forth.

Cody sighed lightly, "Yeah uh, we're all okay too! You know... The ones who did all the work."

Sam chuckled lightly, "Well you're certainly an... Interesting bunch, I'll give you guys that." Her eyes drifting to the nearby waters, considering what had just occurred here. "A double breach..." Looking towards Madison and her partner as well. "These guys are gonna need to shape up fast, or we're all screwed."