The video playback showed it all. He watched as the digivolution occurred, the small Fairydramon digivolving into a huge dragon. The fight against the Devidramon slave and the eventual removal of the digimental. The Devidramon flew off while the digimon dedigivolved back into Fairydramon.

"Is this it?" he asked.

The figure below him, red skin amidst the darkness cowered. "Y-Y-Yes sir. It was the human who spurred it." he said.

The humans, such a strange race. Within his chair he had to wonder what their connection to the digimon was? How could such a weak creature spur the process of digivolution?

"Keep an eye on them, I want you stationed closer." he said.

The red figure saluted. "Yes sir!"

"The way through there is the jungle...Make certain all of our troops are positioned." he said. As he spoke, he clenched his fist tightly, and from it, a flame lit up. "These pests must be squashed!"

XXX

The sounds of nature bounced off the jungle floor. It filled the air and conducted a melody for all to hear. It was peaceful, and it was picture worthy. It made Sho wish he had his drawing supplied.

"Man. I'm glad to be out of that cave." Kazuya spoke.

"Yeah, you and me both." Gazimon said rubbing his sore spot. Fairydramon really knew how to throw a punch.

The calmness spread over the party the moment they had stepped out. It was refreshing for once, after the constant danger they were all in.

"So where to?" Jun asked.

Looking about, all that stretched on was the jungle landscape. No sign of paths, no signs of civilization, and sure enough, no monsters. For Sho, that was a bonus. But still, they needed to go someplace.

"Well we really should head someplace, I don't want to be out here in the open." Sakura said with a hint of nervousness. After what had transpired with Drimogemon and Devidramon, it would probably be best not to take any chances. That and the sun was starting to set. Lack of sunlight was prime candidate for danger.

"All right, let's head that way." Kazuya said pointing forward.

Jun made a scoff. "Really? You just want us to walk forward in the big scary jungle?"

Kazuya glared at her. "You got any better ideas?"

Sho could sense a fight coming on, the tension was evident between the two of them. "Well, why doesn't Labramon sniff things out for us?" he suggested.

Before anyone could speak, Labramon zipped to the front, hopping up and down like an eager child.

"Oh Labramon will find! Labramon can help!" she panted. The digimon sniffed the air, nose pointed high and tail erect.

Fishing into her pocket, Jun pulled out a cigarette. "Can't believe we're letting some dumb mutt guide us." Jun said as she ignited the flame.

Labramon flinched at that comment and turned around. The canine strode forward until she was close to Jun.

"Well you don't have my sniffer so there!" Labramon proclaimed in a childlike fashion.

Jun took a drag upon her cigarette and blew out a cloud to Labramon. The cloud hit the dog causing her to cough.

"Yuck! That stings! That smells!" Labramon whined as the smell penetrated her nostrils. Being a canine, her sense of smell was far more acute, so it was torture to her.

"Yeah yeah." Jun said as she smoked away, blowing another cloud towards Labramon.

Labramon was quick to move however, though while still getting a bit of second hand smoke. The canine made a pouting expression and looked to Jun. "You're a big meanie pants!"

That only made Jun snicker. "Must be fun having a dog with the brain of a five year old, Sanbara."

Sho felt compelled to speak, wanted to speak, but yet, couldn't find the means to do so. For some reason, he didn't like what Jun had just said to the dog. There was a feeling but Sho couldn't help pin point. Just something about Labramon.

"Huh? Labramon doesn't have a five year old...oh darn!" the dog said as she tried sniffing. She sniffed, and sniffed, but then quickly gave up. "Great! Your stinky smoke has messed up my sniffer!" Labramon said with another pout. With a whine, she kneeled down and continued to act very dog like in her disappointment.

"Now what do we do?" Gazimon asked. "I dunno about you guys, I don't want anything to sneak up on us."

"Well we could just move forward, not like we have anything else to do." said Kazuya.

And so it was decided. Though Labramon's initial plan to sniff and lead them to safety, they decided to take a chance and move forward without a guide. They kept going until they reached a small clearing. It was round, and circular, and for them, just perfect.

"Well this place looks nice." Sakura mentioned.

Chiisi eyed around, "Little too quiet if you ask me."

"Ditto." DemiDevimon mentioned, his perch still being Chiisi's shoulder. "Though I gotta admit, the silence is comforting."

"Though I am still conflicted in doing so, I must agree with you." said Fairydramon.

The group settled in, just as the sun was painting the sky orange. It was calming, serene, but little did they know, they were being watched.

In the trees, they lay, eyeless sights gazing about.

"Ripe for the picking." one said.

"Ripe for the picking." another parroted.

"Ripe for the picking." and it went on through the trees.

"They should be perfect for Lady Dokugumon." one decided.

"Perfect for Lady Dokugumon."

"Perfect for Lady."

"Perfect."

"Perfect." and so forth amongst the trees.

But as this talking went on, the human group stood about in a circle. They all readied themselves to rest. Taking a moment to sit down and reflect on what transpired earlier.

"Wow. It's been a real rush hasn't it?" Kazuya asked.

Gazimon crossed his arms behind his head. "Yeah I'll say, but some good came out of this. I got to digivolve after all." he said with a confident grin. "Really glad ya came along Kazuma."

"That's Kazuya." the boy corrected.

"Whatever." Gazimon muttered.

Chiisi finally felt compelled to speak. "You gotta wonder though, how are our families going to react when we don't come home?" the boy was blunt in his delivery, but it struck something with the others.

"Chiisi! Don't say that! Of course we'll make it home!" Sakura insisted. "We just have to stay positive.

"Yeah whatever you say Miss Mary Sue Sunshine." Jun mocked.

Sakura cast her a confused glance. "Mary Sue?" she repeated.

Sho let out a groan. "Ugh. I don't even want to think about what my parents are going to do." Sho let out a sigh. "My mother's probably going to panic."

"I'm not sure if my parents will be angry or worried." said Kazuya. He of course was referencing the message from the principal on the answering machine. All it took was a little listen and his life would be over. An exaggeration of course, but to a kid, moments seemed to last forever.

"I'm sure Dad will be worried." Chiisi muttered.

Sakura held her head in a downcast expression. Their poor father. Ever since their mother had died he hadn't been able to handle bad news well. And no better bad news than a child failing to return home.

In mere moments, it cast a depressing veil over the party.

"My mom's probably too drunk to care." Jun said crossing her arms behind her head.

Well, almost depressing. But it was enough for one member to excuse himself.

"Hey, um since we're going to stay here tonight? Maybe I should go look for some firewood?" Sho suggested.

Nobody argued as Sho quickly excused himself. He had departed from the party before Labramon fully noticed he was gone.

"Sho-chan wait!" Labramon called after. The canine bounded up and after the boy, through the foliage. Sho kept walking, ignoring all around him and behind him. "Sho-chan!" And then he heard the voice again, the all too merry familiar chime. Labramon bounded up to the boy, panting as she did. "Sho-chan wait up!"

"Oh Labramon, it's you." Sho noticed.

"Tee hee," Labramon giggled. "You walk really fast. But not too fast for me!" the dog piped.

Sho managed a weak smile. "Yeah...I guess."

"Sho-chan, what's wrong?" Labramon asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Hmmm?"

"Why aren't you with everyone?"

"Oh that...I just...I just couldn't handle it." Sho admitted.

"Handle what?" Labramon asked.

Sho rubbed his pants with his palms, thinking he saw some dust upon them. "Hearing everyone talk about their parents just depressed me."

Labramon tilted her head to the other side. "Do you miss your mama and papa?" Labramon asked.

Sho nodded. "Yeah."

The canine lowered her head, letting out a whimper. But in a flash, she perked right up, "Well that's okay Sho-chan! You have lots and lots of friends here!"

Friends? "Those guys aren't my friends." said Sho.

"What! But of course you have friends Sho-chan! You have Goggle Kid! Glasses Girl! Chiisi! Gazimon! Pen-Pen! Miss Lizard Face! DemiDevimon! But not the meany pants girl! Labramon doesn't like her!" As she spoke, Labramon twirled around and then abruptly came to a stop. "And you have Labramon!"

Sho sighed and shook his head. "Just because I met them doesn't make them my friends."

Labramon let out a confused whimper. "Sho-chan, why are you being so downy down? You should be happy!"

"Happy? I'm lost in a strange world. I don't have my art supplies, or any of my family, and I'm with total strangers!" Sho argued.

"But that's the fun of making friends! They're strangers at first but they can become friendy friends!" Labramon cheered.

Sho laughed quietly. "You probably know a lot about making friends." The dog seemed friendly enough and she was full of boundless energy. Easy friend magnet.

"Well actually. Labramon..." Before Labramon could finish her sentence, her ears perked high and she lowered herself to the ground.

"What is it girl?" Sho asked.

Labramon let out a deep low growl. "Something's here." was all she said.

Sho flinched and nervously looked around, trying to see what was coming. The boy looked prepared to run. Suddenly something struck from the trees. It was quick and Sho hardly noticed it as it attached itself to his body. Sho looked down and noticed it was long line of string, coming from the trees.

"What the?" Sho muttered as he moved to touch it.

"Sho-chan don't!" Labramon cried. With a mighty push, she shoved Sho out of the way, knocking the string from his body in the process.

Just then, an electrical charge surged through the string. It sparked against the ground. If the ground could feel anything, then the process would have been painful.

"Wow. Thank's Labramon, but how did you know?" Sho asked.

Labramon beamed her head up with pride. "Labramon's a digimon, Labramon can sense these things."

Suddenly, another string shot forth. Sho saw it this time and rolled out of the way. Labramon would have moved too, but she wasn't about to let anyone hurt her Sho. Grabbing the string with her teeth, she tugged tightly upon it, before another electrical surge could charge. The string tugged and something gave. Just then, something fell from the trees. And when it hit the ground, it wriggled in place, feelers to the air. The creature looked like a long yellow worm, or caterpillar. An orange underbelly with several blue feeler like legs. Several black lightning like patterns dotted its body and ended right at its face, which appeared devoid of eyes. Behind it, it held a long blue stinger.

"A bug?" Sho said.

"Kunemon!" Labramon corrected. The canine got on all fours and commenced with the growling.

Kunemon heard the growls and once he was right side up again, he gasped and turned right around, scared now that his cover had been blown

Before anyone could question what a Kunemon was doing all the way out here. A series of yells signaled them back from whence they came. When they returned to the camp, the were in for a sight. Even more Kunemon were there, and they were attacking the rest of the group. Mainly they fought the digimon who were doing their best to deal with the onslaught.

"Come on Sho-chan! Let's get in there and help!" Labramon yipped. But strangely, no response came from Sho. "Eh Sho-chan?"

Labramon craned her head backwards and noticed the foliage was rustling a bit. The source had been a fleeing Sho. The boy ran at full speed, eyes full of panic.

"I can't take this!" his thoughts screamed.

He ran with full force, legs pumping and muscles straining. They had never been used to this kind of activity before.

"Sho-chan wait!" Labramon's voice called from behind.

That did nothing to stop Sho who simply kept running. He kept running as far as he could. And he did so until he came to an abrupt stop. He didn't stop of his own volition, but instead he fell. It was a sharp slide downward. His bottom burned as he slid down and then came to a thud as he hit the ground.

"Ow." he muttered. Gradually he got to his feet, rubbing his bottom all the while, that and dusting himself off.

"Sho-chan?!" He heard a voice from behind. Or rather upward. "Sho-chan are you alright?" Labramon's voice called from above.

Craning his head through the slide hole, he called up, "Labramon? Yeah I'm fine!"

"Are you sure? Should Labramon come down?" Labramon called.

"Well-"

Sho's voice halted as he heard the telltale sound of skidding dirt, followed by a happy voice. "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Labramon's joyfully yipped as she hit the bottom. "That was fun! Let's do it again!" The dog happily got to her feet and wagged her tail.

Sho looked back up the slide, noticing faint traces of what lay above. "I think it's a one way trip Labramon."

It certainly was. The slope hardly looked climbable, so it looked like for the time being they were trapped. Just his luck. But as Sho turned around he saw a wondrous sight. It was a vast cave filled to the brim with gemstones. Huge ones jutting out of the ground in crystalline formations.

"Wow wee!" Labramon exclaimed. The canine ran up to the gems staring at them with wide eyes. As she did, her reflection stared back at her. "Sho-chan look! It's me!"

Sho stared into the gem as well, and his image joined her's. "Yeah I guess it is." he smiled.

Labramon moved her head in and out, which in turn altered her image. "Ooooooooohhhhhhhh wooooaaahhhh! Labramon looks silly!" she childishly proclaimed.

Sho had to admit, he found it enjoyable. "You find enjoyment out of anything don't you?" Labramon didn't answer, for she was too busy playing with her reflection. "Come on, we should find a way out." Sho said. Labramon took one last look at her reflection, pouted, and turned around to follow Sho.

The cave extended further along, gems dotting the walls and ceiling. It was a lovely sight. Very calming and soothing. Yet Sho couldn't shake something off of him.

"Sho-chan? Can Labramon ask you something?" Labramon asked.

"Hmm?" Sho snapped from that feeling and looked to Labramon. "What is it?"

"How come you don't think they are your friends" Labramon was of course referring to everyone else.

Sho stopped moving for the moment. "I...they... just aren't my friends." said Sho.

Labramon ran right in front of Sho. "But Sho-chan. That's not true! Everyone is nice. Well maybe not the girl with the smoky sticks, but everyone else seems nicey nice!"

That was true. Everyone except Jun had been nice to him. Heck, didn't the goggle boy save him from Jun a while back at school? He supposed he should be grateful for that. But still...

"That doesn't make them my friends." Sho reinstated. Labramon gave a confused whine, tilting her head to the side. "You wouldn't understand, you probably have lots of friends." The dog was friendly enough, so it made sense.

But to Sho's surprise, the dog gave another whine and lowered her head. "Actually, Labramon doesn't have friends."

"What? That's impossible. How could you not have friends? You're like the friendliest dog I've ever met." stated Sho.

Labramon shook her head. "Nuh uh, no friends. Least not anymore." Labramon reaffirmed sadly.

"What happened?" Sho asked with curiosity.

Labramon sat on her haunches, head still hanging down. "Back when Labramon was a Shaomon, she lived in a village with other Shaomon. Everyone in the village helped each other out and we were all happy. But one day, she was taking a walk outside the village. She found something in the ground and thought it was food she she tried eating it and then poof, she turned into Labramon. Turns out it wasn't a yummy yum treaty, but a digimental. Labramon was so much bigger than the Shaomon, too big for the village. The other Shaomon didn't like it, so that's when Labramon left. And Labramon has been alone ever since."

Sho felt sympathy for this creature. He actually felt something. That was the epitome of a sad story. Being ostracized just because she got bigger.

"Oh Labramon. I'm so sorry." Sho reached down to pet her, to comfort her.

Then with a jerk of her head, Labramon lifted her head up briskly. "That's okay Sho-chan! Labramon has you and the others now! But not the stinky smoke girl!" she said sticking out her tongue.

The jovial mood of the dog was back and with that she dove on ahead of the boy. "Come on Sho-chan! Labramon will lead us out!"

"Hey wait up!" Sho called.

But Labramon was too far ahead which made Sho run. Just as soon as he did however, Labramon let out a yipping howl.

"Labramon!" Sho called after, feeling a sense of concern for the pooch.

He followed after the path she had run, and the moment he did, his foot struck against something. Or rather stuck against something. Lifting his foot up, he noticed a long strand of white against it.

"Sho-chan! Help!" Labramon pleaded.

Looking over to her, Sho saw that the poor dog was currently wrapped up in the white gunk. Or rather, she had tripped and had rolled in it.

"Don't worry I'll get you out." Sho reassured. Grabbing hold of the digimon, Sho pulled and tugged until Labramon was set free. "Ugh. What is this stuff?"

"Labramon doesn't know Sho-chan, but it's icky." Labramon said sticking out her tongue in disgust. As soon as she was free, she shook herself off. "That's better." Sniffing the air, Labramon immediately perked up. "Hey Sho-chan! I can smell the outside!"

The outside? That was good. Back to the surface, and back to the others. That is if they weren't too angry at him.

"Think they'll want me back?" Sho asked.

"Of course they will silly billy! I would take you back!" Labramon cheered.

That alone brought a smile to Sho's face. He had to admit she knew how to perk him up. At this point, he felt that nothing could go wrong.

"My...how touching."

That voice alone sent chills down Sho's spine. Labramon lowered herself into a growl. "Something bad is here." she said. The canine's eyes grew small and fierce. She sniffed around for any trace of something, but found nothing in front of them.

As they gazed about. Sho and Labramon could see the entire walls were covered in that white gunk. But what was it? It wasn't entirely gooey, but rather like thread. Sho had seen this before.

"This is just like...spider webs." Looking above, Sho saw it, "Labramon! Up there!"

There it was, a giant spider web, and something was coming down it. It landed right in-between the pair. In-between what? A path to the passage outside. And the creature that had emerged was nothing more than a giant spider. A digimon of course.

This digimon as said before looked like a giant spider. Fat and black with a skull mark upon it's abdomen. A mess of fire colored hair sprayed from behind a masked face. A golden plated mask with several green eyes. The spider had eight legs, with two of them looking more like arms, each grabbing hold of a lock of hair.

"Greetings. I am Lady Dokugumon. And I welcome you to my home." the digimon spoke in a sultry female tone. "So a stray Labramon has wandered into my den, and what's this? A human? My this will certainly be a treat. Normally I have my Kunemon spies bring me offerings, but I think for now I will take matters into my own hands."

The spider digimon readied herself, letting out a fierce growl. Sho took a few steps backwards, while Labramon stood defensively in front of him.

"Nobody touches Sho-chan!" she declared. "Retriever Bark!" Labramon called out in a high voice sending the blast towards Dokugumon.

The blast hit the spider, but it only served to annoy her. She shrugged it off and then opened her maw. "Venom Blast!" she cried. Out of her mouth came a spread of green spraying mist which hit the dog digimon. Labramon gave a yelp then slid back into Sho.

"Labramon!" Sho cried. He took care when grabbing hold of her. But he was certain the poison wasn't sticking to her body. In fact, her body looked fine. The same couldn't be said for her demeanor. "Labramon speak to me."

Labramon looked up to Sho, then to his surprise, she got right back up and moved towards Dokugumon again.

"Venom Blast!" Another stream of poison shot out, hitting Labramon square in the face. The dog shrugged it off, and stood her ground. Dokugumon released another blast, again, and again.

"Labramon get back! What are you doing?" Sho cried.

Labramon took each hit of poison, gritting her teeth and struggling to stay conscious. "Labramon...has...to...protect...you...Sho-chan!" The dog brandished her teeth, snapping at the air, "And she will! She will! She will! She will!"

Suddenly, there came a beeping from Sho's waist. It was coming from his digivice. Labramon's desire to protect Sho was spurring it, and the growing danger in the room was enough to bring on the light. The light enveloped the area, engulfing Labramon. As soon as the glow hit Labramon, she felt energy, elation, and at last power.

"Labramon! Digivolve to! Siesamon!"

Labramon's four legged form grew larger, becoming as big as a lion. In fact, as soon as the light died away, Labramon's form now greatly resembled a lion. A golden lion that is. Her fur was still the pale glint it always was. A long golden bushy tail flowed backwards. Cloud like patches of golden fur lay upon her legs and bushy golden eyebrows dotted her eyes. A great mane of spiky points formed around her neck like the sun, and a great horn spiraled up from her forehead.

Sho was amazed at the new creature. As was Siesamon at her new form.

"I digivolved? I digivolved? I digivolved! I digivolved! I digivolved! I digivolved!" Siesamon did a little dance of joy at her new form. It was surprising to her, even more so that she no longer was referring to herself in the first person. And then she noticed her voice. It sounded like an adult. "Is this my voice?" she asked herself. "This is my voice! Sho-chan listen! I sound smart!"

"Enough of this!" Dokugumon bellowed. "Venom Blast!" she breathed another stream of poison.

"Siesamon look out!" Sho cried.

Siesamon look prepared, and she had the right technique ready. "Sekkantou!" A great golden glow covered Siesamon just as the venom hit her. She took the attack with more grace and when the blast ended, so did the glow. Siesamon breathed a bit showing the attack did have an effect.

"Woah." Sho said with awe.

Siesamon heard that and grinned. She wasn't just about done and took the offensive in the fight. Leaping forward, she hopped upon Dokugumon's back. With her teeth she bit into it causing Dokugumon to cry out. With a rustle, she tried shaking off the canine but Siesamon hopped off first. The spider turned around to face her, and it was seen that Siesamon wasn't done just yet.

"Tiida Ija!" Siesamon's mane began to glow and from it shot several arrows of light. They hit Dokugumon square in the body. Siesamon shot again and again each time with more force, and at the last blast, the attack sent Dokugumon right upon her back. Her legs twitched for a few moments, before they fell limp. She was out cold.

Sho had watched it all with a shocked expression. His digimon was capable of this? It was impressive and for an odd moment, Sho felt pride. She was his digimon. The digivice had signified that. Though he wondered if it was right for a guy to have a female digimon?

"Sho-chan!" Siesamon ran over to Sho, stopping and lowering herself down. "Hop on!"

"What?" Sho said in confusion, and then it hit him, "Oh. Right."

Taking care, he got aboard his digimon's back.

Siesamon let out a giggle, "Hold on tight now." and she was off, following the path to the outside. The run was brisk and Siesamon's nose led the way. Before long, they were out and were off running back to the others. They ran and ran and before long, they were right back at the camp.

"Sho?" he heard someone cry. It was Kazuya.

Everyone looked to him and Sho smiled. They were okay. His friends were okay.

"Where the hell have you been?" asked Jun. Strewn about the camp were several limps bodies, the Kunemon. "We had to deal with these creeps no thanks to you."

Sho immediately felt guilty. There was no denying it, he had run like a coward.

"Hey back off you meanie!" Siesamon but in, "So Sho-chan ran, big deal, if we hadn't we wouldn't have dealt with the leader of these Kunemon!"

"Is that Labramon?" Chiisi asked.

DemiDevimon flapped upward. "The pooch actually digivolved?" he said slightly impressed.

Siesamon flicked her tail and did a proud pose.

"Did you really take care of the leader of the Kunemon?" Sakura asked.

Sho rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah...we sort of did. Sorry I ran guys. I just got nervous and-"

"Hey don't sweat it man. We're just glad you are okay." Kazuya excused.

Sakura did a nod of approval and even Chiisi flashed a small grin. Jun remained cross armed and unwilling to flinch, but her digimon looked happy. All the digimon did. And to Sho's surprise, he found a grin crossing his face.

Suddenly, Siesamon's body began to glow. Sho's happy look changed to one of surprise as he soon found himself high in the air as Siesamonb's body shrank.

"Woah!" he cried as he fell hard upon the ground. Or rather into Labramon.

"Owie!" Labramon whined.

Jun burst out into laughter. "Hey. You riding your girlfriend Sanbara?"

Dirty joke aside, Sho looked up with a sheepish grin. And Labramon gave a little giggle. Even though he was still new to this, perhaps this friendship thing wouldn't be so bad?

A/N: And I return!Oh boy I gotta say I really enjoy writing for Labramon and Sho. I don't mean to toot my own horn but I think I really pull off a guy having a female digimon well. Sorry, I just really like these two. Labramon and Sho are my favorite characters. Now originally I was going to wait till Labramon reached Ultimate to change her speaking patterns, but I decided to go for Champion, mainly because in the Japanese version, the Champion stage is known as Adult. And likewise, Rookie is known as Child. So to me it makes sense. But Labramon will only in first person in her Rookie stage and below. Champion and above she talks normally. Well, read and enjoy.