Dolph hasn't had a good night. He was busted open, then lost to Sheamus. Although he had gotten some vengeance for himself and Zack after all that Sheamus had done to them, the injury and loss eats at him. Not to mention how close to his eye the stitches are, sending pain stabbing down his nose every time he moves his eyebrows.
Zack is being annoyingly diligent after everything and, normally Dolph would be touched, but he's just cranky and wants to be annoyed so, after Luke turns his attention away, Dolph sneaks away and checks the map on his Digivice, following the button guiding him towards someone in need of help. Can't help myself, I can at least do this, he grouses.
He's looking for the village that the map seems to be directing him towards when... "Uh, Dolph," Impmon says from his feet.
"What?" he demands. Impmon hadn't said a thing up to this point because of Dolph's foul mood so why he's speaking now, ZIggler's not sure... until he looks down and realizes something is exploding against his ankles. He frowns, realizing that it's nothing more than bubbles, leaving wet imprints on his jeans. "What the hell?"
Impmon is looking behind him so he turns too and finds a small, green Digimon staring at them evilly, the bubbles intensifying before it bounds forward and wraps around his face. He freezes and gapes at the darkness, trying to breathe through this binding hold on him. Reaching up, he snags the Digimon and pulls him back, shocked at how much of a struggle it is as the baby creature flails in his hands. "Um, is he...?"
Impmon nods soberly. "It appears so." As Dolph kneels down so Impmon can get a better look at the little guy, more bubbles pop against his face and upper arms. "Yes, he is." They both stare down soberly at him. "We can't leave him like this, he'll Digivolve and grow stronger... we should handle it now."
"Dammit, because tonight's not bad enough, now we have to destroy babies," Dolph breathes, staring at him.
"Well, there is one thing," Impmon hesitates. "If it works. I need to Digivolve."
"Do it," Dolph says, watching as Impmon glows, then grows. Wizardmon is standing before him and he breathes. "What are you planning on?"
"I perhaps can use my Thunder Ball attack to reformat his data," Wizardmon says. "But I'm not sure if he's strong enough to withstand it..."
"We have to try," Dolph tells him. "His deleting because we were trying to help feels a little better than us just deleting him without trying something else."
Wizardmon nods and holds his staff out towards the baby Digimon. "This won't harm you, Dolph, just hold him as still as you can." The light that comes from Wizardmon's staff is warm, and bright, and it almost feels like the sun as the baby creature squirms and cries out, his entire body glowing and shuddering.
Dolph and Wizardmon both hold their breath until the light fades and the little Digimoni squeaks, sinking into Dolph's arms as all fight leaves him. Dolph strokes him and whispers, "Now what?"
Wizardmon shakes his head. "Give him a minute, he's been through a lot."
Finally Pipimon stirs and looks up at him, his eyes bright and soft. "Pipi," he intones sweetly.
"I think it worked," Dolph breathes. "Did it?"
Wizardmon takes the baby creature from Dolph and examines him. "I believe so," he says. "After all, he's not attacking us with bubbles anymore." He squeezes the little Digimon in a hug. "Let's take him back to his village. I think we're about done here."
Dolph nods, following them. After Pipimon continues to act alright around his fellow Digimon, they take their leave and return to Luke's mountain.
Zack spots him first, looking far from pleased. "Where have you been, bro?" he demands tensely.
"I was babysitting," Dolph says with a wry grin. "Sorry I worried you, kid, but I'm fine. I promise."
Zack eyes him suspiciously before shrugging. "Next time, think about taking me, huh? We never know what could happen next here..."
Dolph nods. "I know, kid. You're right." This makes Zack grin a little and Dolph squeezes his shoulder. "Let's find the others and go home. I need ice."
"Your face hurting, bro?"
"No, I need a drink and your budlight limes are disgusting warm." Zack looks unimpressed while Dolph laughs at him, his pain forgotten for a short while.
