Everything hurts, a dull throbbing behind his eyes. Ciampa blinks sluggishly, pushing himself up on his hands. Tries to look around, and sees nothing but collapsed rubble, injured Digimon. Growlmon isn't far away and Ciampa's heart aches, a little, looking at him as he lays, deathly still.

"No," he mumbles, forcing himself forward, little by little. He thinks he's probably leaving blood behind as he goes, but he hasn't a choice- need to be with his partner overwhelming everything else. He finally makes it, rests his forehead against Growlmon's side and struggles just to breathe for a moment. "I'm sorry," he mumbles. "Sorry I failed you. Sorry I can't give you the strength you need to be stronger. I've been Digidestined long enough, you think I'd have it already, huh. Ciampa always gets what he wants one way or another, and I can't even..." He shudders out a breath. "Can't ever do it when it's something that really matters."

He can hear the battle against Ancient Wisemon in the distance, but it's just background noise right now. Growlmon is dying, possibly, and all Ciampa can do is sit here and press against him and hope- plead- beg, for leniency. For his partner to stay, just a little longer. To help him not fuck this relationship up too. There's a glow beyond his eyes, brighter and brighter, but he can't bring himself to look, afraid that it's Growlmon deleting against his skin, and a full body shudder creeps down his spine as the pressure against his forehead shifts, changes. He thinks perhaps this is it, that Growlmon is gone, but before he can truly fall into grief, a voice cuts through his spiraling thoughts.

"Hello, Tommaso."

He exhales shakily and looks up, finding himself face to face with a knight. Or the digital equivalent of one. Blue and white armor, orange-red lances in hand, and bright, fluttering flame-like wings hovering over his back. "You..." He gapes. "Growlmon? How?"

"My name is Shoutmon X3SD now," he greets him. "As for how, I am unsure. This form should be unachievable at my stage of development, but you... your conviction was so strong, you were so determined, that I suppose our crest was forced to respond in some way, and thus here we are."

Ciampa looks down. Feels a hard, square shape in his hand, and swallows when it begins to glow, resizing itself into a crest. "What is it?"

Shoutman X3SD smiles at him. "The crest of convictions, of course. It's your greatest attribute. Tommaso. Helped you through a great many trials throughout your wrestling career, and now it is doing the same here."

Tommaso is still digesting this when his partner stands, holding a hand out to him. "Are you ready to join in the fight and help Shinsuke and Seth against Ancient Wisemon?"

There is no doubt. Ciampa slides his hand into his partner's and allows himself to be hoisted easily to his feet. "Lead the way," he says, stroking his thumb over the crest again and again and again.