Well. it's been a hot minute since I posted anything, so yeah...

New chapter! Here ya go!

Koji refused to look at her again. She pestered him for a straight answer, yet he couldn't give her one.

Why not just leave her with the other group? She was right in the sense that it would have been more convenient for him to have her absent.

So why did he drag her away? Something in his head told him that she could be an acceptable ally somehow. But how? And why? What have I gotten myself into?

"Hey!" Konata broke him out of his thoughts. "What?" he asked, trying not to groan. "How long are you going to keep that up?" she asked with her arms crossed. He glared at her, yet she didn't seem fazed. She just glared back. "Keep what up?" he dared to ask. She spat back "Your ATTITUDE! In the few hours I've known you, you have been nothing but RUDE."

"You're not my mother, ya'know" he retorted. This seemed to only make Konata angrier as her usually bright blue eyes darkened drastically. He sighed, "Look, I'm sorry, but my "attitude" isn't your business. So ju-"

"It became my business the moment you dragged me away…" she said with a terrifying gravel to her voice. As soon as he heard it, Koji knew he messed up. Finally he looked at her seathing figure, swearing in his mind that he saw smoke come out from her. "I didn't mean-... I just…" He sighed, "I'm sorry… ok? I'm not used to talking to others, so…"

A rustle in the nearby bushes interrupted his apology. Damn it… A small pale pink Digimon popped out from the rustling bushes and slammed itself onto Konata's leg. "Wha-!" In her shock, Koji could see the darkness lift from her eyes, something he was thankful for.

But he couldn't ignore the little creature crying heavily on the girl's leg. "What's wrong?" Konata asked with a strange softness in her previously graveling voice. The Digimon, still teary-eyed, looked up at her. "K-Koromon…" it sobbed. "What do you mean?" Konata asked gently. "My friend Koromon… He suddenly got sick and had been acting really weird. He suddenly digivolved and is on a rampage…" the Digimon explained with fresh tears. "I tried talking to him but he won't hear me… he needs help… please…" Koji felt a burning gaze on him. He knew where it was coming from. Suppressing a groan, he spoke up, "Show us where he is."

The little digimon, who they found was named Tokomon, led the two of them to an incline towards a small village, many of its residents gone or cowering in fear of the larger Digimon that was burning through the straw huts. "There he is…" Tokomon whimpered.

The rampaging Digimon he pointed to was giant with a dark blue body and a black beetle-like helmet. Pain clouded its bright yellow eyes and Koji felt a tinge of sympathy towards the dinosaur-like monster. But sympathy wasn't going to stop the rage, Tokomon had seen to that.

"We'll have to fight." Summoning his strength, Koji somehow spirit evolved into Lobomon and dashed forward, landing a blow on the helmet with his Lobo Kendo. But the attack bounced off and the Digimon reared its head to let out an angry roar. "Don't hurt him!" Tokomon cried out. Konata tried to hold the little guy down just to keep him out of the fray, but Tokomon managed to pry himself from her grasp.

"Tokomon! Come back, you'll get hurt!" He ignored her though and ran straight towards the fight. Lobomon felt his own strength ebbing away when he saw the little pink Digimon. "Stay back!" he warned. Another roar piercing the air made Tokomon skid to a halt, but not before an attack began charging within the dino's mouth. "Nova Flame!" A beam of fire shot from its mouth, missing Tokomon but heading straight for Konata. No! Lobomon quickly dashed in front of her, taking the hit. The blast caused him to change back and his legs gave out, leaving Koji gasping for air. Konata jumped to his side as the large dino made its way towards them charging another attack.

"Koromon! Stop! No more!" Tokomon cried to no avail. Koji closed his eyes and felt Konata wrap her arms around him. "Koji!" The beam fired, yet neither teen felt the impact. Something had protected them!

A faint light made Koji open his eyes and he saw a small figure, just like what he had seen when he got Lobomon, except this figure looked more insect-like with large butterfly wings and silver armor. A Spirit? He saw Konata with a dazed look in her eyes. She slowly reached into the pocket of her sweater, never taking her eyes off the figure.

"Come to me…" she whispered. The figure let out a stronger light in response.

"Come to me…" she said again with more force to her voice. Konata raised her D-tector.

"COME TO ME!" she shouted. A ray of light shone from the D-tector onto the Spirit.

"SPIRIT!" As if accepting her, the Spirit granted its power to Konata. Koji could only watch as the girl was then surrounded by strands of blue rings. "Spirit Evolution!"

Everyone watched in awe as the strands soon burst away, revealing a moth-like Digimon in shining silver armor with huge wings that sparkled like stars in the evening. She then proudly proclaimed her name, "Astramon!" The opponent let out a roar. Bursting into flame, Astramon lunged forward, "Asteroid Flame!" She impacted straight into the dino's stomach, causing it to double back. Rings then encircled it, "Fractal Code Digitize!" The D-tector sucked up the rings, taking the large Digimon and leaving behind a smaller one.

"Koromon!" Tokomon, who had stood back until now, rushed towards his friend. "Koromon! Koromon!"

Koji barely heard his cry though. Time seemed to stop as he admired her, the massive wings shining with swirling star-like patterns and armor that glowed in the sun's rays. Astramon then converted back to Konata, whose knees gave out and collapsed on the spot. Koji found his strength and rushed to help her up, but she refused his hand. "Come on…" he tried coaxing her. But she only glared at him with that darkened look again. "I don't need your help…" her gravelled voice said as she got up. "Look, if you're still mad about earlier-" he tried apologizing again, only to be interrupted. "But I guess I should thank you…" Huh? Konata then explained, "If you hadn't dragged me with you, I wouldn't have found my Spirit, right? So thank you, I'll repay my debt to you someday." Koji groaned internally. Great… Now she's mocking me...

When asked, Koromon stated that he recalled nothing of his ordeal. "You mean you don't remember anything?" Konata asked. "Nope! Nothing at all!" Koromon replied all chipper.

Tokomon then tugged at the hem of Konata's dress, "Thanks so much for helping me, Konata! You were really cool!" Koji saw her cheeks turn a light shade of pink and let out a small chuckle. "Well, we have a journey to set out to," Konata said, still flustered. "Then let us show you the nearest train station! It's the least we can do after you help Koromon!" Tokomon offered. "We'll take you up on that," Koji replied.

The trek wasn't a long one, but it was quiet outside the playful giggles of the two small Digimon.

Once they said their farewells and boarded the train, Koji spoke up, "Listen... I want to apologize..." He felt her burning gaze cut through him, but continued on, "I'm not used to talking to others... But still, I shouldn't have been an ass to you, so..." "I'll accept" her response caught him off guard. "Huh?" She looked at him with a smile, "I'll accept your apology... for now." Koji felt his cheeks burning at her suddenly sweet smile.

What have I gotten myself into?

Okay, so just a bit of a explanation, I designed Astramon's attacks based on Mothra, which is kinda why she's a moth to begin with.

Sorry it took so long to post this (I actually pulled an all-nighter to perfect it the best I could) but I hope you guys continue to support me.

Thanks much!

-Arcana