Chad Gable walks resolutely with the other Digidestined, quirking his eyebrows at Xavier as they walk side by side by a lake, the water lapping quietly at the sand and soothing him as he observes the others with their partners, grown and walking and all so strong and independent, unlike Punimon. The Smackdown Digidestined are approaching another alert on the map, Shinsuke quiet and focused as he walks up to the spot. "It's here," he mumbles, staring at his map. They all pause and look around, their digimon keeping a close eye on their surroundings, the tension thick in the air as they watch and wait for some sign, for Shinsuke to point out something that needs their attention.
It doesn't take long for all of them to see- flames flick in the horizon and Shane curses at a sudden wave of heat, the group of them quickly turning towards the attack. "Shit," he mumbles, the looming shape of Megidramon coming closer and closer.
Urged on by a sharp nod from Shinsuke, Apollomon greets him, but Megidramon roars and stops him in his tracks before slashing him aside with a wave of flames, Shinsuke freezing as his partner hits the ground hard and lays there, motionless. "Um, guys," Gable says nervously as Megidramon lands heavily in front of them, his teeth flashing dangerously in the sun. "Guys...?" He holds Punimon close.
"Floramon!" Carmella cries out, holding out her digivice and sending her digivolving partner out, Rosemon dashing right after the evil creature. There's no hope, his flames are too powerful, and she quickly gets sent flying as well, hurting and unable to move. Andromon and MachoGaogomon hold on a little longer, but he takes them out as well, and Apollomon struggles upwards once more, Gable stumbling backwards as the fight gets way too close to him.
"Oh no," he mumbles, eyes widening as Megidramon continues to mow through the digimon scattered around. "What do we do..." He hugs him tight and Punimon whimpers, no one able to move fast enough to help him, his breath ragged and hands trembling. Megidramon comes face to face with them, breathing foul, heated breath against them, and causing Punimon to freak out even worse while Chad freezes and stares at him in horror. "Please," he whispers.
"Move!" Shinsuke barks at him but he barely reacts, unable to look away from Megidramon. "Gable!"
As if in a daze, Chad lifts his hand up and swallows hard, his digivice almost acting of its own accord as it flashes roughly, light blasting from the screen. "What... what's happening..."
Punimon reflects the glow, beginning to grow taller and stronger as Chad loses his grip on him, the digidestined watching in surprise as Chad's partner finally digivolves. "Punimon... warp digivolve to... Agnimon!" He stares at Megidramon and flexes his fists, flames bursting with each movement.
Chad bites his lip, staring up at his partner in awe. "Get him," he says simply, and Agnimon nods, lunging forward and punching wildly at the evil beast, flames dancing around each other as they fight back and forth. Megidramon roars in frustration and pain as Agnimon rains punches against him, trying to fight back, but Agnimon is energized, quickly overwhelming Megidramon.
"GATLING BURST!" he yells, flames tearing through Megidramon's defenses more and more, leaving him vulnerable to Agnimon's punches. "Burning salamander!"
Megidramon roars out in anger and pain as Agnimon's attack tears through him, data scattering all over as he slowly deletes, struggling to attack and failing as his body disappears under him.
"Wow," Chad mumbles, overwhelmed. "It... you did it, Agnimon." He stares at his partner. "Now... are you going to stay that way?"
Agnimon chuckles. "No," he says, the first time Chad ever really gets to hear his voice. He moves quickly, catching Punimon out of the air once Agnimon dedigivolves.
"Oh. You like this form, huh?" he asks with a soft laugh, his partner nuzzling into his arms. "Well, that's ok. We know how well you can kick ass now. You take whatever form you want. That's fine. I approve."
