Docmon is something of legend. A digimon babies were regularly told of to keep them in line when Elecmon grew exasperated with their hyperactive ways. The main thing Betamon remembers is that he's regularly looking for new subjects to experiment on, and his experiments generally led to gruesome pain and sometimes even death.

So to see him staring down at them as Seth lays next to Betamon, unconscious and helpless, leaves Betamon breathless and gritting his teeth in fear. "Please don't- don't touch him!" he cries out, trying to get between Docmon and Seth, but there's no point in even trying.

Docmon has him, his grip surprisingly strong considering he's not that big of a Digimon, and before Betamon can fully grasp what he's seeing, Docmon is pulling him out of the hole, across the ground. Betamon shakes himself hard and takes off at a run, grabbing Seth's foot and clinging desperately. I won't lose him! he thinks desperately. Not to Docmon, not to anyone!

Docmon doesn't seem to notice, or simply ignores the fact that Betamon is tagging along, fully focused on getting Seth through the brush of this forest to his lair where he can begin his work. He begins to cackle and Betamon winces and holds on tighter as they continue pushing through foliage.

"Please," Betamon pleads with Seth. "Hang in there. I swear, I'll figure something out. You're just... gonna have to stay with me for a little while longer, alright?"

He's scared, this is so awful, but he knows there's no better way to do this right now. So he clings even tighter and continues brainstorming a way out of this mess, careful not to fall back on the others rescuing them. Just in case.

-x

Shinsuke's trail has fallen cold. He frowns, wondering about how this digimon now seems to be nowhere to be seen, despite the map showing they were fresh on its tail not that long ago. "I don't understand it," he mumbles, though something is nudging in the back of his brain. He studiously ignores it, however, not wanting to give such gloomy thoughts space to overwhelm him.

"Maybe we should find Seth," Tamina suggests, her mother bear attitude coming out to play at the prospects of one of their group being in danger. Or injured. "It's been more than long enough."

Shinsuke grimaces. Stares at his digivice, hoping for some sign- something... but it remains lifeless, the map not reflecting anything. "Fine," he concedes. "We shall." He ignores the look Carmella and Tamina exchange and continues to figure out the best path to take on the digivice. "Alright," he calls once he figures it out. "We stay together. We move quickly. We see anything, we notify the group. Understand?"

"Yes," the digidestined chorus, all different reflections overwhelming Shinsuke for a moment.

"Very well," Shinsuke says, pleased. "Let's get this show on the road then." He leads the way, careful where he steps, eye constantly on the digivice, listening as the others talk and bicker behind him.