Part 1: The Five Generals

Chapter 4: Shoutmon's Anger

Taiki, Akari, Shoutmon, Starmon and the Pickmons were all lying flat on their backs, thoroughly exhausted. Not only had they fought two harsh battles in the span of a day, the children had been transported from another world, and Shoutmon had nearly been killed. That was bound to take it out of them.

"How much further is it to your village, Shoutmon?" asked Taiki as he breathed in deeply, grateful that they were still alive.

"If we have a short break, we'll reach it by dusk," he answered.

Taiki nodded before looking at Akari. "How are you holding up?" he asked quietly, noting how tired she seemed. Her face bespoke fatigue and her eyes were bloodshot.

"I could be better," she joked, equally as quiet. "This is quite the mess you've landed us in."

"I know. I'm so sorry," he apologised immediately. What was the use in arguing the point? She was right. All he could do now was make sure she didn't come to any more harm and make certain he got her home. It was the least he could do for her after all the years of friendship they shared.

Akari surprised him by leaning her head against his shoulder. "I wasn't blaming you, Taiki," she said, her voice sounding as tired as she looked. "I knew from the beginning that you had a complex for helping those in need. It's one of your traits. Something that makes you, you. Just try to keep it in check next time you're offered something by a dislocated voice, okay?" she added, a wry lilt to her words.

"Right," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head before he suddenly felt very woozy himself. Yawning widely, he snuggled closer to her and promptly fell asleep.

"Same old Taiki," mused Akari before she settled herself and fell into a dreamless slumber.

oOo

"Greymon. MailBirdramon. DigiXros," stated the sandy-haired youth as he held his blue Xros Loader before his chest. His two Digimon fused into one, becoming an armour covered dinosaur capable of flight, thanks to the wings on his back that concealed jet engines.

Soaring gracefully through the air, he called out his attack and decimated waves of enemy troops with a single hit. They fell like lambs to a slaughter before his insurmountable might.

As the last enemy fell, the two split apart, leaving Greymon to snarl his victory and MailBirdramon hovering above the boy's head, awaiting orders.

"Too easy," he declared, before turning to the young girl who had watched his display with a critical eye.

"Blue is strong," she said simply before turning away to follow her own path.

oOo

"Taiki! It's time to get up," said Shoutmon, waking the boy from his slumber. Taiki glanced to his side and saw that Akari had her head on his chest and her arm wrapped around his stomach. He wasn't bothered though. They'd slept over at each other's houses many times before. They were best friends. They'd just survived several life-or-death situations. What did it matter if she needed a little contact and comfort while she slept? He was simply grateful she still felt comfortable with him.

"Akari," he whispered gently, waiting for her to sigh before speaking again. "We have to get moving."

"Five more minutes," she moaned as she curled into a ball.

"We can rest at Shoutmon's village, okay?"

She sighed but slowly opened her eyes. "Okay."

Taiki smiled at her before standing and offering her his hand, which she took. He pulled her to her feet. "Okay, Shoutmon. Lead the way."

"Right!" beamed Shoutmon, clearly pleased to be on the move again. The entire time the two humans had been sleeping, Shoutmon had been keeping a close watch on their surroundings. The last thing they needed was to be ambushed a third time. Luckily, where they had stopped gave a clear view for a good distance, easily a mile in every direction. No matter what the Bagura Army may try, he would see them coming. Thankfully, the only thing he had seen had been emptiness.

And thus, the group set off. They each kept to themselves, lost in thought of how rapidly things had changed in the case of the children, how to get Taiki to stay in the Digital World in the case of Shoutmon, and how much longer he could wait to eat some food in Starmon's hunger-addled state of mind.

Finally, as the sun began to slowly descend, Shoutman exclaimed brightly, "It's just over this ridge!" Looking between one another, Taiki and Akari quickly grinned before taking off at a run, eager to see Shoutmon's home.

"There it is. The Village of Smiles," said Shoutmon proudly.

Before them lay a small collection of huts, laid out in a large, rough circular shape. The huts themselves didn't seem particularly fancy, but they looked homely, and that was the most important thing.

"So, what do you think?" asked Shoutmon, not noticing the Pteranomon streaking towards the village. With a cry of battle, the flying beast unleashed its artillery, laying waste to the village below. "Damn, a straggler from MadLeomon's earlier assault! He must be looking for some sort of payback. I'll be sure to pay him back treble for this," he declared as he took off at a run, heading straight for where the Pteranomon was flying lower, seeking out targets.

If I do well, MadLeomon-sama will reward me royally, thought the Pteranomon as it sped through the village, picking off enemy combatants at will, whether they be weak or not, male or female, it mattered not. They were to be deleted. So said MadLeomon, and when MadLeomon ordered you to do something, you did it.

So focused on his slaughter was he, he failed to notice the rapidly approaching red Digimon with a massive microphone in his hand and a murderous glare in his eyes. "Rowdy Rocker!" he screamed as he brought the microphone down on the Pteranomon's armoured head. Armour or no, that strike was meant to crush, and crush it did, leaving little of the Pteranomon's features left before it vanished in a haze of data.

Shoutmon didn't move from where he had finished his opponent. He merely looked around himself in disgust at the wanton destruction caused to his home. "Damn it! Damn you Baguramon."

Akari and Taiki ran as fast as they could, trying to keep up with Shoutmon, but his desire to stop Pteranomon had granted him a speed he had yet to show the children, and he had blazed past them. Finally coming to a stop in a path between huts, they doubled over, panting for breath. "I didn't know he was so fast," said Taiki in wonder, before looking around to see Akari playing with her phone.

"Akari..."

"It seems so far away now," she whispered. He looked at her phone to see the message 'No Signal' flash rapidly. "We're a long way from home. My family must be so worried about me. Auntie must be going frantic, looking for you. We may never see them again." Her voice shook as tears formed in her eyes.

Suddenly, in their midst was a pink Digimon that resembled a rabbit. It wiped at Akari's eyes with its ears, looking embarrassed as it did so. "Don't cry, kyu! I hate tears, kyu!"

Akari frantically rubbed at her red eyes. "I'm not crying!" she declared.

"Who are you?" asked Taiki, looking at this newcomer with narrowed eyes. Even though this Digimon seemed friendly, his experience with the Digital World thus far had taught him not to take things at face value.

"Me? I'm Cutemon, kyu!" said the newcomer with a pirouette.

"Cutemon?" repeated Akari.

"Cutemon, kyu kyu! I hope you feel better soon, kyu!" said Cutemon with genuine compassion. It was at this point that Taiki decided in his mind that Cutemon was not their enemy.

Unseen to them all, a fish-like Digimon was swimming through the earth, his beady eyes looking around for something, or in this case, someone. Spotting their group, its eyes narrowed as it took in the pink Digimon next to the two human children. "Target acquired. Can be eliminated earlier than anticipated. Preparing to GAH!" It dissolved into data instantly after having a giant paw slam into the top of its head, crushing it instantly. The victorious Digimon snarled at the remains of its victim.

Cutemon, upon hearing the growl, turned to look at the newcomer. "Dorulumon!" he cried gladly.

Akari shrank back in fear as she beheld Dorulumon. His fangs looked deadly and his claws were just as dangerous looking. Plus, he carried himself in such a way that she could instantly tell that he had been the victor of many battles.

"Akari, don't be afraid," said Taiki, moving protectively in front of her.

Cutemon sensed the change in Akari and moved to calm her. "Don't worry, kyu! Everything is fine. Dorulumon is alright, kyu!" he chirped before rushing to Dorulumon's side.

"Thank you for looking after Cutemon for me," thanked Dorulumon as he stooped to allow Cutemon to climb atop his back. "I appreciate it."

"Who are you?" questioned Akari. She couldn't explain it, but she felt as though she could feel Dorulumon's emotions. Of course, that was nothing more than fanciful thinking on her part, right?

"Me? I'm just a lonely hunter, searching for my path. Thanks again."

"Bye-bye, kyu!" called Cutemon as Dorulumon turned and sped away, leaving the children alone.

"Dorulumon," whispered Akari as sat on the ground.

"Are you alright?" asked Taiki quickly.

"I just need a quick rest," she replied, breathing deep before letting out a short sigh.

Taiki rested his hand on her shoulder, giving it a brief squeeze. He looked about himself. Spotting Shoutmon, he called the dragon Digimon over. "Is everything okay, Shoutmon?" asked Taiki, noticing his solemn expression and hooded eyes.

"A lot of homes have been destroyed," he began. "Some Digimon have been killed."

A cloud of depression surrounded the three. "Where is Starmon?" asked Taiki, noticing his absence.

"Helping to repair what can be salvaged."

"Is it always this dangerous?" moaned Akari. She had been looking forward to spending Marine Day with her best friend when this day had started. Now, she was lost in a completely different world, had nearly been killed more times than she had fingers, and was feeling thoroughly homesick.

"It had been relatively peaceful," admitted Shoutmon, turning his head to look at his two human friends. "The Bagura Empire has recently decided that Green Zone is to be their next conquered area. Wherever they go, they leave a path of destruction in their wake." He hopped to his feet. "Still! Now that Taiki is here, our troubles are over." He decided to ignore Taiki's previous thoughts of returning home and went on the offensive, already guessing a lot as to the young boy's aversion to ignoring someone in need. "Things are steadily growing worse. Before long, the entire Digital World will be enslaved and all the innocent Digimon will become slaves to Baguramon or be deleted."

"That's terrible," said Taiki, feeling horrified as to what the leader of the Empire was doing.

"Yes, it is," continued Shoutmon, holding back the smug smile he felt inside. His plan was working! "So, Taiki, my General. You want to help, don't you?"

"Well, I do..."

I knew he wouldn't let me down!

"...but like I told you, I have to keep Akari safe." Shoutmon felt his heart sink. "I already told you. It's my fault she got dragged into this situation. I'm going to keep her safe."

Shoutmon was reeling. "Listen to me, Taiki. The Digital World is where you need to be right now. You can always return to your world later, right? Or, you could send Akari back and stay yourself. Either way is fine."

"What is your problem with Akari?" asked Taiki, his expression transforming into one of annoyance. "What has she done wrong to you?"

"N-Nothing!" exclaimed Shoutmon, confused as to how his words could have made the boy act so agitated.

"Why are you saying she should leave then? What is your issue with me staying here? Why do I have to stay, but Akari has to leave?"

"I didn't mean anything by it.."

"No, I think you did!"

"Damn it!" cried Shoutmon as he smashed his fist to the ground, causing a fissure to appear where it impacted.

Akari and Taiki were startled, before Akari turned to Shoutmon herself. "What was that for? You could have seriously hurt us doing that! We aren't as strong as you!"

"Shut up!" Shoutmon hollered as he ran past the two, hot tears falling from his eyes.

Taiki stared at him leaving in shock. "He was crying," he ghosted, looking guiltily at Akari.

Akari was less remorseful. "He's trying to keep you here in this dangerous place. So what if I could go home? I wouldn't leave without you."

"Akari..."

She smiled. "We're in this together, until the end."

"That's a promise," said Taiki. "Now, I think we should think about getting some sleep. It's gotten dark." It was true. With everything that had happened, dusk had come and gone and night now shrouded them.

Akari nodded, before taking Taiki's hand and leading them to a leafy tree that would provide them with decent cover. Taking a seat, her back to its trunk, she pulled him down next to her and settled her head on his shoulder as before.

"Goodnight, Taiki," she said as she slowed her breathing and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight," responded Taiki as he watched her carefully, a smile on his face. Tomorrow, we start our search for a way home. I'll get you back, Akari. I promise.

oOo

In a concealed glade, a distance away from the Village of Smiles, a certain dragon Digimon was angrily smashing his way through solid stone with his bare fists. "Damn it! Why don't you understand, Taiki? How could you think of me as being so shallow? I'm not doing this for myself..."

With a groan, the boulder in front of him cracked, split and shattered, crumbling into pieces that tumbled over one another to the floor.

He panted as he felt the pain rush through his knuckles, yet his anger wasn't sated, not by a long shot. Searching out a new appropriate target, he walked over, took a deep breath, focused, then began to strike it viciously, losing himself in his need for a physical release for his rage. "Damn it!" he screamed, baring his soul. If anyone had heard it, they would have said that someone was grieving.

To Be Continued...

oOo

A/N: A case of crossed wires has our friends at separate ends of the spectrum. Will they be able to repair the chink in their bond, or will this signal the end of their union? Who is Dorulumon and what connection does he have to Akari? Answers in upcoming chapters.