Chapter 3: Preparing for a new Journey
At the Digimon village far below the mountains, most Digimon were living peaceful lives, doing what they could to keep their homes protected from the monsters attack, with many Digimon taking to the village's dojo as to train, building up their strengths for the upcoming attacks.
Though many remained in fear of the monster strikes, there was some faith in the Digimon who offered to risk everything as to keep their town and those they cherished protected.
Meanwhile, in a hotel workhouse, an Agumon, one who always brought a smile to others with his kindness was sitting beside Takato, using a handful of tools as to attach a new mechanical arm to the limbless section, making sure it was fully functional and didn't show any signs of ceasing up anytime soon.
"There. All finished!" The Agumon declared with a smile, both at his achievement and toward his patient , looking to Takato, who was now shirtless for the time being, and was taking a moment as to examine and test his new arm.
Looking upon the artificial appendage, finding it made of Black Digizoit, Takato moved his arm a little, feeling his fingers twitch around as he continued to test his dexterity.
"Heh. Not bad. I guess I owe you this one." The Tamer remarked, where he then returned to his feet, slid on his shirt, consisting of a new gray vest, before putting on his new blue overcoat.
Only looking at the overcoat, Takato frowned, seeing the sleeve missing from where his arm had been torn off.
Seeing some solemness within the Tamer, the Agumon tried to change the atmosphere and said. "So I hear you're one of the Digimon Tamers fighting to save our world. I heard how you stopped that D-Reaper thing when I was just a Koromon, so I know you can stop this."
Though trying to cheer Takato up, to boost his spirits, the Tamer stared back at Agumon with a fair coldness and said in reply. "The D-Reaper was years ago, it means nothing to me, just like being a Tamer. I am a Former Digimon Tamer, and those guys used to call my friends are nothing to me now."
Confused further and now concerned for Takato's wellbeing, the Agumon had to ask. "Why? What happened?"
"I'd rather not talk about it." Takato just said back, changing the subject as he asked. "How's Guilmon?"
"BlackGatomon's looking after him still." Agumon said in reply, looking behind and to the staircase to the second floor, knowing his dark feline companion was doing all she could to look out for and after Guilmon.
However, thinking on it, Agumon found himself saying. "Anyway, I heard you grew stronger form eating those monster meat. Isn't that disgusting?"
"It is. I still can't get the taste out of my mouth, but it was worth it in the end." Takato replied as he began to clean his revolver, finding it easier to adjust to his mechanical appendage.
However, interrupted, a sudden yell filled the room, alongside a hail of gunshots from outside.
"Whoops(!) I can only guess Guilmon woke up and saw BlackGatomon." Takato said, keeping his revolver in its holster as he began to head upstairs. "Best go and stop him."
"And knowing BlackGatomon, she can be too feisty for her own good." Agumon added with a faint chuckle.
"Hey take it easy, big red. No need to freak out." The BlackGatomon set to treat Guilmon's injuries let out, the dark feline trying to keep things calm as best she could, but found herself leaning against a wall, which held several bullet shots and Guilmon ahead of her, his revolver drawn toward her.
"You have ten seconds to tell me what the hell I'm doing here or I'll blow you to Digi-bits." Guilmon warned, keeping a close eye on the BlackGatomon, who, despite the dangers she was in, felt a grin appear on her face.
"Oh, the rough type?" BlackGatomon asked, keeping her paws up as she slowly approached Guilmon and all but purred. "I like that in a mon."
"And that's a nice way to thank someone who brought you here so you couldn rest properly." The dark furred feline Digimon commented, a little offended by Guilmon's attitude, but also finding herself more and more attracted to it.
"I seriously doubt that, Fuzz Ball." Guilmon said bluntly, ignoring as the BlackGatomon grabbed her tail and began to twirl it around playfully.
"It's alright, Guilmon." Takato spoke up as he entered the room, telling his partner with a calm voice. "She helped us get here. I still don't know why, but without her we'd have nowhere to go or to rest."
"I see." Guilmon sighed, setting his gun down and trying to take a more relaxed stance, only to point out as he stared BlackGatomon down. "But she has this eye on me the whole time."
"What can I say? You're a hunk of a dino Digimon aren't you?" BlackGatomon questioned in reply, continuing her clear flirtations toward the Hazard Digimon.
"Great. A kinky kitty. That's all I need." Guilmon let out with an annoyed sigh, this Takato had to agree to, before he set a hand on his partner's shoulder. "I feel the same way. She also said the same thing about me."
"But I am glad to see you two are out of that labyrinth." BlackGatomon then said happily, looking to Takato and adding. "I knew the Tamers wouldn't let us down."
"Ex-Tamer" Takato said back with a small frown. "We want nothing to do with them any longer."
Confused and concerned by Takato's words, BlackGatomon asked. "But why? Why'd you leave the Tamers?"
"Look, all we want to do is crush the idiot causing all this and then head home!" Guilmon said crossly, seeming to snap at the continued questions bombarding him and his Tamer.
"Well I know something that you don't." BlackGatomon then informed, this intriguing Takato and Guilmon, with the brunette asking. "Like what?"
"Like who is behind all of this." The dark feline began to say, before adding with a growing seriousness. "Turns out to be a human and a Digimon God."
From the added knowledge, Takato turned to the BlackGatomon in a short glance as he then said simply. "Explain."
"Before we start, I've got your Digimon some clothing for you. Here you go, handsome." BlackGatomon said with a feisty smile, withdrawing a pair of orange trousers with a red pelt around the waist, alongside a red overcoat with its sleeve ripped off and a brown neckerchief scarf.
Ignoring BlackGatomon's continued flirtations toward him, Guilmon nodded and withdrew the clothing from the feline Digimon, before clearing the room for some privacy as he set off to get changed.
From the other room, and after making sure BlackGatomon hadn't snuck inside, Guilmon slid his arms down and removed the tattered loincloth which covered his manhood, before sliding into the orange pants and zipped them up before attaching the red belt like a belt.
Grabbing the red overcoat, Guilmon threw the garment over his body, lastly placing the scarf around his neck, tying the long ends into a knot and let the long ends flow behind him as he then returned to Takato.
"That's better" Guilmon said as he then emerged from the room and adjusted his coat.
"You look great, Guilmon." Takato remarked, his words earning a supporting thumbs up from Agumon, while pink hearts filled BlackGatomon's eyes, leaving Guilmon sighing to her continued antics.
But cutting in with BlackGatomon's affection, Takato cut in bluntly. "Now BlackGatomon, talk."
"Long ago, a human who had a great hatred for his mortal kind, alongside a Digimon God who held a similar hatred for Digimon somehow met together and formed a sinister plan. Whether this was a dark destiny or wicked force, I am unsure, but what I do know is that these two plan to work as one in order to destroy both our worlds. Although the Digimon Sovereigns locked them deep within the Digital World's core, sealing them away as to prevent them from carrying out their terrible plans, the dark power of the human and Digimon grew." BlackGatomon informed in reply.
"So this God Digimon is a fallen Sovereign, right?" Guilmon questioned.
"That's the best way to describe it." BlackGatomon said in reply, only to add. "But trapped in their seal, the two were able to concentrate their hate and malice into physical form and created digital beings, monsters they could use to terrorise the Digital World and seek out the crystals which were used to seal them away in the very beginning. Those crystals are hidden in those labyrinths and temples which have scattered all through the Digital World."
Listening to BlackGatomon's story, Takato and Guilmon took a moment as to allow the words to sink in, finding there were parts of them that found flaws in the tale, but after everything they had endured within the last two days or so, it didn't seem as farfetched.
And from the mention of a crystal, Takato reached into his jacket, withdrawing a moderate sized red crystal, asking. "You mean this?"
"Yes! If we collect them then we could protect the world and stop those two from ever returning." BlackGatomon said in reply, showing excitement at the chance at adventure and saving the Digital World.
"So in other words we need to find four more crystals?" Takato questioned as he remained examining the fragment in his possession, before adding. "Afterward, we'll kill the dark bringers if they do escape."
"Yeah, that's about it, and I can help you. I know where the temples and labyrinths are hidden. Plus, being close so to this red hunk of a Digimon is seriously getting to me." BlackGatomon said with a growing purr, which Guilmon sighed to and said. "I'm not one for relationships."
"And I don't want you anywhere near me. You were near me when I woke up." The Hazard Digimon added, ignoring the dark furred feline despite her advances.
"Aww... don't be so moody. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise." BlackGatomon let out, sliding her paws around Guilmon's body, smiling as she rubbed her paws along his muscles.
Though Guilmon remained distant, staying to his no toward relationships, there was a growing confusion within Takato as he observed the continued affection BlackGatomon showed, which left Takato wondering. 'Why do I have a feeling Renamon's not gonna like this?'
"Fine. But if you betray us like the other Tamers did, you'll be wishing for a gunload of bullets in that ass of yours." Guilmon then said coldly, hoping his threat would loosen BlackGatomon's grasp over him, but to no avail.
"I'll take that to consideration." She just said, continuing to embrace and stroke his chest, purring amorously as she rested herself on his shoulder .
Fighting the affection of BlackGatomon and finally managing to pushing her to her butt, Guilmon asked with a seriousness in his tone. "And how can you fight?"
"Oh, I have a few tricks up my paws, including with this." BlackGatomon replied with a renewed grin as she held her hand out, concentrated and brought forth a giant hammer, which she took into her right paw and stated confidently. "I'll just smash monsters that stand in our way."
"You're kidding, right?" Takato and Guilmon let out with shared deadpanned expressions.
After promising Agumon and the others that they would return, BlackGatomon accompanied Takato and Guilmon, escorting the duo to a secluded temple in the forest.
Though it was a fair distance from the village, keeping an eye on the dark furred feline, Takato and Guilmon followed BlackGatomon through the vast lushness of the forest, finding that though there were times when it looked as though they were lost, BlackGatomon remained calm and continued to assure the pair.
And after passing through a fair path of shrubbery, Takato, Guilmon and BlackGatomon arrived at their destination.
"Here we are." BlackGatomon said, expressing a little pride in herself as she allowed Takato and Guilmon to take in the sights, seeing that amongst a line of decaying stone statues was a gigantic temple, a monument covered in moss and was too showing its own signs of decay.
But keeping the smile on her face, BlackGatomon headed forward and to the front entrance.
"One of the crystals is rumored to be down here." BlackGatomon said, drawing a torch from the wall, giving a source of light to her, Takato and Guilmon. "There should be traps and the likes set within this place."
Heading within the temple and following the light illuminating from the flames of BlackGatomon's torch, bypassing a handful of traps they could make out, the group stopped when BlackGatomon's ears twitched.
"Did you guys hear something?" She asked, turning to face Takato and Guilmon, just before a gigantic and hideous troll-like monster burst through the floor, the sight and sudden attack freaking BlackGatomon out to no end.
But keeping a more composed nature to her, Guilmon merely drew his sword and shot past the feline, slicing the creature in half, paying it no mind as he set his blade back in its sheath.
"You need to conquer your fears if you really want to be of any use to us." Guilmon remarked as he bent down, withdrew the torch and handed it back to BlackGatomon, who shook her head and managed to stumble out a reply. "Ok... I've got it... I won't let you down again."
"You better because we don't need any dead weight." Takato added as he bypassed BlackGatomon.
Keeping a her distance as Takato and Guilmon advanced ahead, from her position, the dark furred feline watched on as the pair fought more monsters, killing each with little to no effort, the trio made their way to the centre of the temple, finding a blue fragment of crystal resting on a pedestal.
"There it is." BlackGatomon said with a returned pride.
Wanting to keep Takato and Guilmon impressed, BlackGatomon made a few steps forward, but stopped when Guilmon set his left claw on her shoulder, keeping a stern expression on his face.
"It can't be that easy, BlackGatomon. There must be a boss or a greater set of traps around here." Guilmon informed.
Letting go of BlackGatomon, the feline Digimon stumbled a little ahead, this having an instant effect as the dimly lit torches around the room burst open with flame, a magical incantation spread itself upon the floor, where, from the centre emerged an immense sized knight, a great behemoth of great power that wielded a giant flaming like sword, which bore the with the Digital Hazard symbol upon the hilt
"Yep. I saw this coming." Takato commented calmly, despite the growing intensity around him, Guilmon and BlackGatomon, before he withdrew his guns and said. "Time to kill this one too."
"And it's time I fight for real." BlackGatomon said as she brought her giant hammer back and stared toward the knight, determined to show her strength for Guilmon.
Retaliating to its attackers, the knight brought its sword to the air and back down, smashing it through the stone floor and sent out a great shockwave, tearing up the ground around its feet, with the debris caused by the attack heading toward Takato, Guilmon and BlackGatomon.
Despite the starting attack already displaying an intense amount of strength, Takato, Guilmon and BlackGatomon were able to avoid the attack, the trio leaping over and around the growing shockwave and cracks forming along the floor, before Takato was first to counter and unleashed a hail of gunfire, the shots all striking the knight's armour, which barely left the faintest of dents.
Seeing Takato's attack wasn't enough to fall this foe, but not giving up, BlackGatomon leapt ahead, keeping her hammer above her head, before she brought it down, smashing it as hard as she could upon the knight, but found the knight was quick to counter as it brought up its shield, blocking the attack, before pushing the dark furred feline away.
Repelled by the shield, BlackGatomon was thrown back, crashing and rolling a little upon the continued cracking ground.
But wanting to keep her promise, to show Guilmon she wasn't deadweight, she continued to fight.
"Kitty Dark Blast!" BlackGatomon let out, concentrating her energies within her eyes and casting out a stream of purple lights at the knight, hoping her attack would damage her foe, even a little.
However, BlackGatomon found her attack only directed the attention to her, as the knight held up its flaming blade and swung it down at her.
Closing her eyes out of fear and expecting her nine lives to be up, there was a confusion when BlackGatomon felt no pain, this causing her to cautiously open her eyes and found Guilmon standing before her, repelling the giant blade with his sword.
"Thanks, Guilmon." BlackGatomon said, relieved he had saved her
"Don't get the wrong idea. I only saved you because this vantage point is a crucial place." Guilmon said back, keeping their blades clashing, before harnessing his own magics and calling out. "Scan!"
His magic in effect, Guilmon looked over the knight, observing its body as he searched for any weak points, entries, anything they could use to topple their opponent.
"Aha! Takato! If we attack the heart inside the armour, we can kill it!" Guilmon then called, the information earning a nod from Takato, who said back. "Then we need to crack that armour before we can get to his chest."
Recovering and returning to her feet, after shaking her head a little and readjusting herself, BlackGatomon picked up her hammer and stood strong.
"I'll make an opening for you." BlackGatomon offered as she took a chance and charged at the knight, rushing past the set of blades that remained in their stalemate, before jumping up and slamming her hammer into the knight's chest, giving a somewhat feral mewl as she continued to push all her weight into the attack.
And after giving her attack more force, pushing her limits, the dark furred feline found her strength had paid off, noticing a crack form in the knight's chest, which spread along and broke open, revealing its off coloured green heart within.
"Now! Die!" Takato called as he and Guilmon held their guns out and opened fire, delivering shot after shot into the knight's heart.
With each round released into the knight and tearing through its heart, the knight was unable to withstand the attacks laid against it, leaving the larger foe to collapse in defeat before Takato, Guilmon and BlackGatomon, its body dissolving away with its end, leaving behind only its sword.
With the battle over, Takato approached the crystal, taking it into his possession, while Guilmon, with great interest, picked up the sword, which glowed and fused with his current sword.
Surprised at the sight, BlackGatomon had to ask. "Whoa. How'd your sword do that?"
"This is no ordinary sword. It can fuse swords with six different swords of my choosing due to a special Digimetal. I can summon that blade I just got any time I need to." Guilmon said in reply as he put his sword away, which continued to impress BlackGatomon at the growing mass of skills Guilmon seemed to display.
"And now that we found the crystal, we can head back." Takato said as he rejoined Guilmon and BlackGatomon, adding. "Let's head back to the village. We can finally have a good meal when we get back. Guilmon and I have had more than enough of our share of monster meat."
Agreeing with Takato and Guilmon, wanting to head on back, to relax and share her experiences with Agumon, there was something else on BlackGatomon's mind, leaving her asking. "Takato? Would you mind if I shared a room with Guilmon tonight?"
Suspicious of her, Takato asked back. "Why? Guilmon and I always share a room."
Blushing a little, but confident to give her reply, BlackGatomon declared."Because... I want Guilmon to take my virginity!"
From what the dark feline Digimon had said, there was a long silence left between the trio, before Takato finally facepalmed his face in frustration.
"What? Was it something I said?" BlackGatomon asked with some confusion in her tone.
Guilmon however, lifted up on his revolver, with a murderous intention and a sinister evil glow in his eyes, before the sky were echoed with a series of furthered gun shots.