"I'm freezing my tail off! My shell is so frozen it's like glass!"
"Rach…"
The grey-banded turtle turned her attention to Raph.
"Stop complaining!"
She punched him on the arm as Gomamon giggled, and then smacked her Digimon upside the head.
Gio just shook her head, slightly shaking from the cold, before looking at the pine forest surrounding them.
They kept walking, hugging their Digimon for warmth, when the forest opened up into a tundra-like valley of snow.
"We can't walk across this! We'll freeze to death!" Rach objected, her shoulders shaking lightly from suppressed shivers.
The Digimon perked, catching a scent, and Tentomon flew up to investigate.
"I see steam! I think it's a hotspring!"
THAT got the seven turtles running!
But what they were only met with bare rock and boiling water.
"That's just great! NOW what do we do?!" Rach griped.
"…Rach…"
She turned to Mikey, who pointed to her left.
"…Ya've gotta be kiddin' me…"
The others ran to the refrigerator, opening it.
Rows and rows of eggs greeted their eyes.
"HEY!!!!"
Everyone turned to Rach.
"How do we even know those eggs won't get us sick?"
"I'll be the guinea pig! If I turn blue, you'll know they're bad!"
"This isn't a joke, Raph!" Rach growled.
"Stop being a worrywart!"
"Stop being an idiot!"
"Shell for brains!"
"Jerk!"
"Retard!"
"Shellhead!"
"STOP!!!!!"
Both turtles turned to Mikey, and Rach almost immediately deflated at his disappointed look.
"We shouldn't be fighting. Why don't we just eat and be happy again?"
Rach shrugged, looking away.
"…Yeah…why not?"
They started cooking the eggs, and Rach leaned against a tree, making chopsticks.
"What's wrong?"
She turned her head slightly towards Gomamon.
"Nothing…"
"That's a lie and we both know it. What's bothering you?"
"…I'm a protector…but I haven't…done my job…"
"What do you mean?"
"Whenever my sisters are in trouble…I never seem able to help them…all I can do is stand there…"
"That wasn't your fault."
"Hey, Rach! Where are those chopsticks!"
The grey-banded turtle sighed.
"Coming!"
She stood up, picking up the chopsticks she'd made, and headed back to the others, Gomamon following close behind.
As everyone enjoyed their eggs, Rach only poked at them, eating a bite now and then so Gio would stop glaring at her.
"So…how do you all like your eggs?" Elisa asked softly.
"Best eggs I've ever had." Don assured, making Elisa blush.
"…They're good…" Raph admitted.
"I agree." Leo added.
"…Would it taste good on pizza?"
Everyone looked at Mikey in disgusted shock, and he only gave them an innocent look.
"What?"
"…That is the most disgusting thing I've ever heard anyone ask to eat…" Gio answered.
"Why thank you!"
Rach smirked, hiding the smile that followed with her hand as the others became too disgusted to eat.
Rach shook her head slightly, taking another bite of food off her plate.
"That's worse than the time Rach decided to cover her eggs in chocolate syrup…" Gio stated.
"Hey! That tasted good!"
"Remember the time Mikey put hot sauce on his ice cream?"
"I thought it was chocolate syrup!" Mikey defended, making Raph smirk.
"You know, I think I lost my appetite…" Don muttered, pushing away his plate.
"…Me, too…" Elisa agreed softly, putting down her utensils.
Rach just sighed, the smile gone, and stood up.
"I'm full."
She walked off, and Gomamon quickly finished both their meals before following.
The grey-banded turtle sat in a tree, only coming back to reality when Gomamon called up.
"Mind giving me a lift?"
She jumped down silently, picking up her partner before jumping back up.
"So…what are you thinking about?"
She looked up at the leaves.
"…Home…"
She pulled a knife from her belt.
It had a black hilt with a silver water design and a silver turtle's shell on the bottom. The silver blade seemed to shine, like it was recently polished, and her name was written in elegant kanji on one side.
"…Sensei gave me this when I was eight…"
She tilted the blade, letting the light reflect off the metal.
"She only asked one thing…that I protect my sisters…and I've…failed…"
She tightened her grip.
"I swore on this blade…that I'd be there for my sisters and protect them…"
"At least you're there for them."
A moment of silence before she nodded.
"That's all anyone can ask for."
A comfortable silence fell over the two as Rach put away the knife, holding Gomamon close.
'…Maybe I can do more than just be there for them…'
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Rach walked back to find Leo and Raph fighting.
She looked at the group watching silently, and walked over, giving them questioning looks.
"They're fighting about whether to go to the top of Infinity Mountain or not." Don explained, pointing to said mountain.
"…Oh…so who's for what?"
"Raph wants to, but Leo thinks it's too dangerous." Gio interjected.
They listened to the argument for a few moments longer before Rach decided to end it.
"HEY!!!"
She stepped between the two turtles, glaring.
"Shut yer mouths! Like fighting is solving anything right now!"
"Get outta the way, Rach!" Raph growled.
She glared, hitting him upside the head.
"Listen to someone else for once!"
Apparently, Raph has a talent for starting fights, and, soon, both were yelling at each other.
"STOP!!!!!!"
Silence fell as everyone looked at Gio.
"Why don't we all discuss this in the morning? Let's head to that cave we found and sleep."
Everyone agreed, and walked towards it, leaving Rach behind.
'Another failed attempt…'
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Rach lay on the rock floor, rocking slightly on her shell as she looked at the ceiling.
She was sure Gomamon was asleep, curled into her side, and saw the others sleeping in the shadows.
'The only thing I can do to protect them…'
She closed her eyes.
'Is to climb Infinity Mountain alone…I'm the best climber, after all…'
She got up carefully, and stopped at the cave mouth to write a message in the dirt before walking up a rock path.
"Where are you going?"
She looked around to see Gomamon ahead, and stopped.
"Go back and sleep. I'll be fine."
"I can't. I've got business up on that mountain. The world doesn't revolve around you."
She sighed after a moment, and walked past him.
"Fine. Come on."
"Sometimes, you just gotta trick her…" He murmured as he followed.
"What did ya say?"
"Oh, nothing! Great night for a walk, huh?"
"…"
She looked at the sky.
"…It is…"
She smiled slightly.
"But that was pretty random."
"Hey, it's fun!"
"Then let's have fun climbing this dangerous mountain." She said sarcastically, pulling herself up over a rock before helping Gomamon.
As they steadily made their way up the mountain, the two really connected. She felt she could count on him if she slipped on a rock or lost her balance on an edge.
As the sun rose and they were walking on a path well-worn into the rock, the flapping of wings caught her attention.
'Birdramon?'
She turned to see a large winged horse, a visor over its eyes.
She immediately pulled Gomamon into a crevice in the wall to her left.
"It's Unimon. He's a good Digimon!"
"Just like Monzaemon?"
"…Good point…"
Unimon landed outside, and trotted to a small waterfall only a couple yards away.
"That must be his watering hole…" Rach murmured, peaking out.
"See? He's good!"
Gomamon walked towards the Digimon despite his partner's protest.
"Hey, Unimon! It's me, Gomamon!"
A strange whirring came into earshot, and they all looked up to see a Black Gear.
It cut through the air, striking Unimon in the back, and said Digimon reared in pain.
He turned to them, his visor flashing red, and Rach grabbed Gomamon before running, barely dodging an Ariel Attack.
"Ariel Attack!"
The attack destroyed the path before them.
'Shell!'
She turned around, holding Gomamon tight to her chest.
"Meteor Wing!"
Unimon dodged as Birdramon came into view, carrying Elisa, Leo, and Agumon.
Leo jumped down with Agumon.
"Agumon, Digivolve to…GREYMON!!"
He tried to grab Unimon, but said Digimon flew into the air.
"Nova Blast!"
The attack missed, and Unimon smashed Greymon into the wall before shooting an Ariel Attack at Birdramon.
"AHHHH!!!"
"EL!!!!!!" Rach called as Birdramon fell on a lower ledge, Elisa checking if she was okay.
Unimon circled above them, seeming ready to finish them off, when Rach noticed the Black Gear sticking out of his back.
She tensed, her mind focusing on one thought.
'Now or never…'
She jumped down, landing on the large horse Digimon's back, and struggled to try and pull it out.
Unimon reared and bucked, trying to fling her off, but she only tightened her grip.
'I can't let go! If I can do anything, its protect my sister!'
Her hold was wrenched loose, and she plummeted to the rocks below.
"RACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
A bright white light flooded her senses, blinding her, and then…
"Gomamon, Digivolve to…IKKAKUMON!!"
She landed on the Digimon's shaggy back, and looked up at him gratefully.
"Ikkakumon…"
"You okay?"
"Yeah…"
"Good, 'cause this is about to get rough…"
Rach gripped his fur tight, watching Unimon warily.
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
The attack appeared to miss, but the explosives came out and destroyed the Black Gear.
"YES!"
Rach looked at the top of the mountain, which seemed so close right now.
"Well…we're almost there anyway…"
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"I risked my LIFE so we could get up here, and THIS is all I get?!"
The island was small, showing the different climates it contained in separate sections.
The three waited for the others to join them, and Rach was in a foul mood when they did.
"What's up, Rach?" Mikey asked, Patamon gripping his shell like a backpack.
"Of all the things in my life I NEVER want to talk about, this is at the top of the list…"
Mikey just shrugged, looking out at the view. They heard a growl, and turned to see a lion-like Digimon with no pupils coming towards them.
"…Um…guys…"
"It's just Leomon. He's a good Digimon that is a fair and just leader for all good Digimon." Patamon assured his partner.
"He sure doesn't LOOK good…" Don stated, looking worried.
When Leomon pulled out his sword and lunged, they panicking, bolting.
"Good my shell!!!" Gio fumed, running as fast as her legs would allow.
As they ran on a path, another Digimon blocked their path.
"It's Ogremon!!"
They looked around, trapped, and Rach smirked.
"Ya wanna play rough? We'll play rough."
"Agumon, Digivolve to…GREYMON!!"
"Gabumon, Digivolve to…GARURUMON!!"
"Tentomon, Digivolve to…KABUTERIMON!!"
"Biyomon, Digivolve to…BIRDRAMON!!"
"Gomamon, Digivolve to…IKKAKUMON!!"
"Palmon, Digivolve to…TOGEMON!!"
Mikey and Patamon stayed in the protective circle with the other turtles. Mikey looked up when he felt a rumbling under his feet, and his eyes widened.
"Rock slide!"
Everyone looked up from the fight.
"GUYS!!!"
"Nova Blast!"
The attack struck away rocks heading for Leo.
"Light Speed Jabbing!"
The rocks about to fall on Gio were pulverized.
"Howling Blaster!"
Raph shielded his eyes from the dust that fell.
"Meteor Wing!"
"Electro Shocker!"
The large rocks were shot away from Don and Elisa.
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
Rach shielded Mikey from the dust and debris that fell from the destroyed rocks that had been about to crush them.
They looked around once that threat was gone, and noticed Leomon and Ogremon were gone.
"Hey, where's they go?" Raph asked.
"They were probably knocked off…and they couldn't fly, I don't think…" Don answered, looking over the edge.
"I say we keep walking."
Everyone agreed with Leo, and were soon walking through another forest.
"…It's getting late…and these guys look tired…" Elisa stated softly, putting a hand on a tired Biyomon's head.
"Yeah…two Digivolutions in one day…they must be wiped out…" Leo agreed, letting Agumon lean his head on his hip.
Rach caught Gomamon as he nearly slid off her head, and cradled him in her arms.
"…Wait…is that a…a mansion?!"
Everyone followed Don's gaze, and joy filled their hearts before they ran towards it. The short, freshly cut grass made their spirits lift, and they opened the massive front doors.
The large front room was impressive but empty, and Mikey went over to a picture of an angel hanging on the wall.
"This place looks so…empty…" Gio muttered, looking around.
Gabumon perked, sniffing the air.
"I smell food!"
Everyone perked, their stomachs doing little happy dances at the very thought of food.
They followed the Digimon, nearly leaving Mikey and Patamon behind, and they were soon in a large dining room, a long table covered with food before them.
The Digimon were too hungry to be suspicious, but everyone's stomachs got the better of them, and pulled them towards the table, making them eat.
As soon as their stomachs could hold no more food, they sat in pleasant silence until Gio sat up straighter.
"I'm gonna take a bath…I thought I saw an indoor hotspring on the way here…"
And so, with full stomachs, everybody decided to go. Boys on one side, girls on another, they relaxed in the hot water.
The girls could heard splashing and talking and laughing from the boys side, and sighed as the quiet air was broken.
"Just relax…" Gio advised.
"I've never been more relaxed in my whole life…"
All three turtles turned to Gomamon.
"I thought I told ya ta go ta the boy's side!!!" The normally grey-banded turtle shouted.
"Go to the boy's side!!! Poison Ivy!"
Gomamon was flung over the wall, and the girls settled down, smiles on their faces, as the boys shouted.
Rach smiled at the possibility of him landing on someone's head…
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The eight beds were soft and comfortable, and the seven turtles were happy to crawl under the warm covers.
Mikey settled down instantly, Patamon curled up on his pillow beside his head.
Raph was next, hugging Gabumon to his chest for warmth.
Leo curled up contently, Agumon curling up against his shell.
Don slept on his stomach, Tentomon sleeping beside him, an arm on his shell.
Gio slept on her side, hugging Palmon sleepily.
Elisa hugged Biyomon tightly in her sleep.
Rach was on her shell, sleeping soundly, Gomamon curled up on her chest and stomach like a content cat.
All of them had a similar thought run through their heads before they fell asleep.
'I hope we can get home…'
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Leo woke up in the middle of the night, though he wasn't sure why until he felt the need to go to the bathroom.
He got out of bed carefully, not wanting to disturb anyone, and walked out into the hallway.
"Leo…"
He turned at the whisper of his name, seeing Agumon behind him.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to stay with you. In case you need help."
Leo sighed, shaking his head slightly.
"I'm going to the bathroom, not to war."
"But still."
Leo just shrugged, continuing his walk, Agumon moving to his side.
After…relieving himself…Leo had to wait for Agumon, who had been too scared to go by himself.
"There's nothing to be scared of…"
"I know…but I was just worried about Ogremon coming again…I don't know about you, but that guy gave me the creeps!"
When Agumon came out of the stall, the one next to it was bashed open, revealing…
"Ogremon!!!"
They ran out, the larger Digimon right on their tail, and Leo stopped when he saw another Digimon across the room, on a banister.
"Who's that?"
"That's Devimon! He's the one that created the nightmare!"
Leo looked at the room where his brothers and friends slept, and panicked.
'They're not awake!'
He was surprised when the first one that came to mind was Gio, but it disappeared Leomon came into view, walking down a hallway towards them.
"Pepper Breath!"
Nothing came out, and Agumon fell backwards, clutching his stomach in pain.
"Agumon!"
"I'm so hungry…"
Leo looked up when Devimon laughed.
"Of course! Nothing was real! This was just a ruse to capture you pesky Digidestined!"
"Digidestined…I don't know what you're talking about!"
A chuckle.
"I won't fall for your innocent routine! You are the Digidestined, sent to destroy me! But I won't let that happen!"
The mansion disintegrated, showing ruins. Devimon lifted a hand, a purple light around it, and the beds lifted into the air.
Leo looked up at the startled voices.
That's when he noticed Leomon had gotten closer than he thought, and the Digimon grabbed him, pulling out his sword.
'No!'
His own bed fell, his strange device falling out and skidding towards them.
It hit Leomon's foot, and glowed bright white, hurting Leomon until a black shadow emerged, disintegrating.
Leo was released, and grabbed his device as Leomon seemed to return to normal.
Leo looked around as the island split apart, and the beds flew off in different directions.
'NO!'
Leomon blocked a strike from Ogremon, and looked at Leo.
"You must go! Find the others!"
"But-!"
"GO!"
Leomon pushed them, and Leo was glad he wore his gear when he landed on a small piece of land covered in snow and ice.
Leo looked back at Leomon, and saw Devimon appear behind him.
Leomon's scream bounced off the ocean.
"LEOMON!!!!"