Chapter 7

They were walking through a windy desert, and Miharumon was too tired to complain, a miracle that came at the price that everyone else was tired, too. Everyone seemed afraid, and Yumi asked, "What's the problem? Why are you all so afraid?" "Well, we can't even defend ourselves and we're in the middle of a desert. Does that answer your question?" Matt said, annoyed. "What do you mean we can't defend ourselves? Miharumon can still Digivolve!" "But how are we supposed to know if she won't back down?" Miharumon was much offended, and was about to defend herself when Yumi stamped her foot, fists clenched at her sides.

"How dare you say things like that about Miharumon?! She's risked her life for us on more than one occasion, when it would have been easier to just run! She's the reason we're here right now, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't say things like that about her!" Yumi was usually a nice girl, who tried to avoid conflict. She was a bit of a pushover sometimes, and never raised her voice to shout at someone. This was unusual for her, and everyone looked at her, wide-eyed. "You know, she's right." Everyone turned to look at Gomamon, the last Digimon they would have expected to talk just then. "Miharumon's always been there for us Digimon. We owe her so much that she'd be rich by now! So I don't think you should say things like that either!"

Miharumon looked gratefully at Gomamon, as the other Digimon agreed. After that, Matt felt uncomfortable around Yumi and Miharumon, and Tai said, "And we're not defenseless! I have the crest, remember?!" "We don't even know how to use it. Will it really make Agumon Digivolve?" Matt said. Yumi herself was a bit doubtful, but Tai wasn't. He was so sure that it would help. When they reached an oasis, to rest, he basically took all of the food they gathered and gave it to Agumon. Agumon couldn't eat any more, and Miharumon sat by, watching sympathetically. She knew it must hurt his stomach, and started looking around for herbs, to help the future pain.

She came back with a mouthful of the herb to see Agumon stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. She went up to him, and put the herb down. "You should eat this now. Trust me. It'll help the stomach ache later." Agumon nodded, eating the herb. She sat back down with Yumi, who asked, "You gave him more to eat?" "That's an herb. It's to help him with the violent stomach ache he'll get later." Yumi nodded, understanding. Suddenly, Joe's tag began to glow, meaning that the crest was nearby. Tai used his mini-telescope to see some ruins ahead, and everyone started moving towards it.

When they got closer, they noticed that it looked like the Roman Coliseum, and saw, when they entered, wide screen TV's and a soccer field.

Joe and Tai went to search for the crest as everyone else decided to relax. Sora saw a soccer ball, and suggested they play a game. It was humans vs. Digimon, but Yumi, Miharumon, and Agumon weren't going to play. Yumi sat down next to Agumon as he tried to sleep, and Miharumon sat on her other side, attentive and in a playful mood. Suddenly, as the soccer ball rolled, Tai kicked it, making it fly away. He started scolding them for playing, when Etemon appeared on the screen.

Everyone ran towards Joe, who was in front of one of the soccer goals, all except Miharumon and Agumon. Agumon was having trouble running, and Miharumon stayed next to him, not going more than three feet ahead of him. Suddenly, the soccer goal slammed down on everyone, making a cage. Tentomon thought nothing of it, and flew at it, only to be zapped back by electricity. Yumi tried to help him up, and Etemon sent out another Greymon. Miharumon snarled, but, when she tried to Digivolve, she didn't have enough energy. "Why can't she Digivolve?" Yumi questioned, worried. "She doesn't have any energy, since Agumon ate all of the food." Izzy explained.

Why can't I Digivolve? Miharumon thought, What's wrong with me? She saw that Agumon couldn't do anything, so she'd have to fight. She shot a Howling Inferno, which sent the Greymon a few feet backwards. Agumon got up, and she said, "You need to rest. You can't do anything the way you are." "Neither can you." He retorted. She snarled, and leapt at the Greymon, biting down, hard, on his leg. He roared in pain before kicking her off. She smashed into a short wall. It took her a moment before she could stand, shakily, and she snarled. Agumon Digivolved to Greymon, but he was being beaten up, bad.

Miharumon ran forward, shooting a Howling Inferno, as, in the net, everyone started moving the rocks. A rock was in the way, and it turned out to be Joe's Crest of Reliability.

After the crest went into Joe's tag, the rock right under it caved in on everyone, and they fell into a hole. Miharumon was whipped away by Greymon's tail as everyone came out into the open. Tai ran, to force Greymon to Digivolve, and Yumi said, "Tai! You can't!" But it was already too late. Miharumon ran forward as the evil Greymon's attention switched to Tai, and shot a Howling Inferno, smacking the Greymon in the side of the face. Birdramon and Garurumon came to join them. "Why can Biyomon and Gabumon Digivolve, but not Miharumon?" "Since she's stronger as a Champion, it takes a lot more energy. So she always needs to have food." Tentomon explained.

Tai made Greymon Digivolve, but it wasn't the best thing. He Digivolved to Skullgreymon, and Miharumon shivered with fright, saying, "Tai, go to the others. Now!" Skullgreymon swatted the Greymon into the TV, and shot a missile at it, making the Digimon and the TV dissipate. Tai said, "Skullgreymon! If you're really the Digivolved form of Greymon, then you can't hurt me!" He seemed to think differently, but, before he could step on him, Miharumon pushed Tai out of the way. Garurumon and Birdramon tried to fend Skullgreymon off, but they couldn't. Tentomon Digivolved to Kabuterimon, but he didn't have the strength either.

Skullgreymon took the remains of a soccer goal and threw it at them. They all got out of the way, and Miharumon called, worried, "YUMI!!" "I'm okay!" Yumi called back, and smiled. Miharumon, though she didn't want to hurt her friend, was outraged, and jumped at his head, using a Howling Inferno. He flinched the slightest possible bit before batting her away.

Miharumon flew at the group, and Yumi caught her, the force smacking her back down on her behind. Miharumon whimpered softly before getting up, but Yumi wrapped her arms around her neck, saying, "Miharumon, if you can't Digivolve, you don't stand a chance! Just let the others handle it!" "I can't let them fight alone! Agumon's my responsibility, not theirs! I need to help him! Gennai told me!" "Friends are supposed to help friends! Let them do their part! Just rest! If you get too beaten up, you might Dedigivolve back to Iinomon!" Miharumon couldn't argue with her logic, but she still didn't like it.

She growled under her breath as Skullgreymon ran, but he didn't go far before Dedigivolving all the way back to Koromon. Everyone ran to him, and Tai picked him up. Miharumon ran up, and licked Koromon's face, waking him. He was disappointed in himself for having done such things, but Tai completely blamed himself. Miharumon didn't say anything, not knowing what she could say to comfort him, but looked at Yumi. "Tai, it's not your fault. You did it to protect us. Miharumon and me understand. Miharumon does it all the time, and everyone forgives her." Tai asked, "Do you all forgive me, then?"

Everyone nodded, and Yumi smiled. Well, we've learned one lesson. We're stronger as a team than as a single person.