The group of them are standing around Luke's compound, a sober air about them all. Seth Rollins is standing before the digital man, balancing precariously on crutches. "As you can tell," he says tensely, Betamon by his side and Dean lurking nearby just in case, pacing anxiously from side to side, "I injured myself during a match this week. I thus can't continue to be the leader of the Digidestined because I won't be on the road while I rehab."
Luke nods, his eyes dark as he looks down at Seth's knee. "I see. I'm sorry to hear that, you were a decent leader, Seth. When you are healthy, we'll have a place for you."
"Thank you." He limps back, still adjusting to his crutches, and Dean approaches like he's going to help him. "I've got it." There's no malice in his voice, he merely sounds tired, and it's not enough to make Dean step back. They walk side by side to the portal and Dean holds his digivice out, helping Seth to return home where he'll be safe. "By the way," he adds, hobbling back around to face the others. "If I can make a suggestion for the new leader, I think it should be Dean."
Before the others can even think of a response to this out-of-nowhere suggestion, Seth turns and holds his device up, going into the portal. The remaining digidestined, including the recently returned Alberto, exchange glances. "We're screwed," Heath mumbles.
Once it's agreed, reluctantly, that Seth's wishes will be respected and they will at least try to accept Dean as interim leader, the groups go their individual ways. Miz and Alicia both seem relieved to be alone, away from the bickering groups and other drama that is building after Seth's injury. None seem that thrilled with Ambrose as their leader, especially since he is the newest member of the group.
Alicia is relieved that Mike doesn't seem to have a problem with it, too distracted talking with Betamon about the recently to be released Santa's Little Helper movie. She giggles, playing with her new hairstyle, pursing her lips at Nyokimon as she waves her leaves in time with Alicia's hair. "Cutey," Alicia coos, cuddling the baby Digimon close to her. She hears a sharp thud and tilts her head, looking up. "Oh no," she gasps, squeezing Nyokimon as she rushes forward. "Miz?!"
Both Mike and Monodramon are down, sprawled across the ground. She leans down and tries to shake him awake, rolling him over so he can breathe, something... but he continues to just lay there, motionless and pale. "What happened?" she demands, kneeling down and checking his breathing. "Well, you're at least still breathing..."
Nyokimon starts to freak out, whining and squirming around in Alicia's arms, getting free and landing by Alicia's knee. Before she can be scooped back up, she blows bubbles at the ground.
"Stop that!" a rough voice snaps, a strange looking rabbit-like creature leaping out of a hole in the dirt. He's covered in scars and all around looks grimey. "Stupid baby digimon," he snaps, clawing at Nyokimon. The baby creature is knocked back roughly, laying limp as Alicia continues to try to help Mike, her jaw dropping as she witnesses what happens to her partner.
"No! Nyokimon!" she cries out, memories of Palmon being deleted flashes through her mind. She's just gotten up to grab the baby when the beast known as Gazimon lunges in front of her, his teeth bared. "Get out of my way," she says warningly.
"Make me," Gazimon says, stepping towards her menacingly... when a blinding flash of light stops both of them in their tracks.
Nyokimon grows into a larger, green bodied creature with legs and eyes that almost resemble seed bulbs, her leaves spreading out wider as well. "Tanemon!" she calls out, racing forward to stand between Alicia and Gazimon.
More bubbles impact his skin, making his fur stick up in all sorts of direction, and he growls. "You bitch!" he yells, going around in circles and trying to flatten his fur back down. "No one messes up my beautiful fur!"
"And no one hurts my friends," Alicia declares, sneaking up on him and pressing her digivice against his skin, holding on as it thrums in her hands and cleanses his data. He looks bemused as the light fades away before settling low to the ground and running off. Alicia closes her eyes and sighs, turning to Tanemon. "You digivolved!" Hugging her, she kisses her on the forehead. "Thank you so much..."
They sit and stare at Mike's snoring form, Alicia smirking. "I guess we should try to wake him up... but I think we're going to be here for awhile longer either way. Want to play?"
Tanemon's eyes light up. "Yes!" she exclaims, wiggling her paws around excitedly as Alicia giggles.
