DinoTigermon is somehow more traumatizing than anything Damien's seen in all of his time as a Digidestined up to this point. And Damien has seen a lot, ok? He's watched villages being destroyed, digimon deleted before his very eyes- innocent digimon, partners of his fellow digidestined, more evil digimon than maybe he could possibly count. But this, with Arkadimon Child Mode crying out helplessly, as claws and teeth hover before his eyes, the threat unspoken but very real, is more than Damien can take- his heart is racing, each breath is a struggle, he feels like he's swallowing sand, his throat sore and tight.
He doesn't know what to do, how to defend himself from what's about to come. But then there's a flash of light and Asuka is yelling, and the weight is off of his midsection as Xavier lunges over to him. "Up!" he exclaims, pulling on him. "Get up! Now!"
Damien finally responds, finding his footing with some help from Xavier, and they stand side by side and gape as Lotusmon dives and attacks, bright blasts of light circling DinoTigermon. He's snarling and biting, slashing with his claws, but Lotusmon is quicker, avoids him, leaves him open for-
Justimon to lunge forward, slashing at him with a beam of energy. JewelBeemon, Roamon, Bastemon, they all have his back, one way or another, and he's amazed by it. That they would so easily jump into battle on his behalf- even Miz, who not that long ago seemed determined to kick him back to developmental, is yelling encouragement at his partner, a steely look in his deep blue eyes. "COME ON, JUSTIMON!" he yells once more and Damien kneels down when he spots Arkadimon.
"Hey, wanna join the fun?" he asks his partner.
Arkadimon nods vigorously. "Yes!"
"Then you know what to do," Damien tells him with a small smirk, lifting his digivice. He's still a little shaky, the close call- the memory- of this evil digimon's breath on his face, his claws only inches from his skin, teeth glinting warningly in his peripheral... yeah. It's a lot, but his digimon is before him now, and he feels safer, more secure. "GO ARKADIMON!" he calls out, watching with pleasure as his partner joins the others in this battle.
"I WILL MAKE YOU PAY!" Arkadimon Adult Mode yells, barreling into the group of digimon clustered around. "No one hurts Damien!"
Damien almost wants to laugh at this. Yeah, he thinks. With a partner like Arkadimon by my side, I'm gonna be just fine...
