Chapter Two
Sora brushed off the last piece of mud from her legs as she heard a scream which springed her into action. While unclear of what danger she was getting herself into she couldn t help but want to help Sora was simply unwilling and unable to not do so. While jumping over a fallen tree she began to notice the screams becoming louder sounding almost as if someone was being attacked. Determined to discover what was happening the fourteen year old quickened her pace until she surfaced from the tree line to a small meadow opening that span a few feet across before becoming forest again. Situated directly in the middle was a small cat like creature which while having a tail had no other limbs to speak of. It was being cradled by an eleven year old who was being struck by a series of vines coming from three yellow plant like creatures whose heads were highlighted with a series of red leaves the tips of which were blue.
Initially she froze at the sight her brain screaming at her that it was just a dream that of course plants couldn t suddenly gain the ability to move and attack people yet the scene before her betrayed all those realistic thoughts smashing them to dust. Her eyes darted around everything in close proximity searching for something that could help. As she used her hands to help the investigation it didn t take long for her to feel the texture of a slightly chilled, smooth yet heavy rock that fitted just well enough to Sora s palm for her to get a grasp of. Seconds passed as her other hand came across another stone allowing a grin to surface while her fingers interlaced around it.
With a throw her coach would be proud of she aimed the rock directly in-between the group of creatures whom jumped back at the sudden attack their vines seemingly disappearing back into their plant like arms. Not wanting to waste her chance Sora ran to Kari helping the girl lift the creature she d been protecting who like Kari had bruises along its body. It was apparent in that moment that the cat like being had been protecting Kari yet had been injured enough for her partner to protect her itself. Although Sora could see Tai s younger sibling was in pain she kept a protective hold of the limbless animal whose breath was becoming shallow.
Momentarily distracted Sora had forgotten all about the aggressive plants whom re-attacked the two girls yet obviously annoyed about the rock they were much more savage in their attacks. One wrapped its vines around Sora s arm pulling her with such force her whole body seemed to levitate for a moment before the female hit the earth while the other two readied their own vines as if preparing a stronger strike. Shouting at Kari to run she threw the second stone directly into the face of the one who had hold of her yet it did nothing to decrease it s grip in fact it caused it to grip tighter. Thrusting herself along the ground she tried to get a foothold on the floor so that she could attempt to stand but everytime she went to push upwards she found another vine squeezing her body. Kari meanwhile shouted out in response trying to alert anyone nearby that they needed help.
Out of nowhere a miniature pink multi legged flower equipped with its own blue leaves came scuttling across the forest floor jumping at the vines attached to Sora and bit down. Hard. Finally free the teenager pulled back being aided by Kari whom used her friends belt to grab hold of. The newcomer emitted a angered shriek which only made the plants laugh vines already slamming into the small creature whom was knocked back into Sora s arms having been able to catch her saviour. With a slight cry the pink plant send a small stream of bubbles at her attackers striking them in the eyes which rendered them blind for a couple of seconds finally allowing the two girls to leave the area and re-enter the forest where at least they could hide if they came across any trouble.
"You okay Kari?" Sora asked continuing to run.
"I think so. Thanks Sora." she said swallowing as she paused. "I woke up near those yellow things and they attacked me. She tried to protect me from them and when I saw that she was hurt I couldn t just watch. That was when you came."
"So that creature protected you? Like this plant did for me."
"She called herself a digimon."
"They re strong for such little things I hope they're okay."
"We found you." murmured the plant sighing. "Those yellow things are digimon too. Vegimon. Champion level. Mean and ready to strike with their vines at all times."
"I'm Nyaromon and she is Yokomon." explained the cat like creature trying to force a wide smile. "We're your partners."
"Partners?" repeated Kari with a frown.
Before she could ask much else her feet became tied together in one quick motion causing both her and Nyaromon to establish their connection to the floor. Sora carried on running before noticing her companion was down. Forcing herself to stop as she reached to break Kari free another separate yellow vine wrapped around her neck closing off her windpipe. Having never been in such a situation before Sora attempted to speak, to plead with her attackers to stop though only a gargled murmur escaped her lips. Her digimon shakingly tried to move but before she could repeat her previous escape method by biting through the vine Yokomon was struck.
Sora mentally called for her new found friend feeling a pain in her chest as she watched the plant collapse physical strain evident in it s features. As her body shook the digital device attached to her began to glow a light illuminating from within its core that surrounded Yokomon in a soft red glow. Kari screamed as her own digivice began to glow covering Nyaromon in a pink glow that seemed to energize the cat like creatures whole figure. The Vegimon recoiled in fear causing two of them to flee back to their resting place while one rooted unwilling to be chased away by two humans and their pathetic level digimon. With a glare he readied himself for the light to end so that he could strike. Strike and end their lives for good. He was becoming bored with their struggle.
"Nyaromon digivolve to ..." she exclaimed her form changing from a feline head to that of a cream coloured dog a golden collar of sorts wrapped around her neck with black text etched into it. "Salamon."
"Yokomon digivolve to ..." shouted the plant creature whose body shifted from the bulb like apparence and produced pink feathers all over its body alongside a red beak and two yellow talons that shot out from beneath her. "Biyomon."
"They grew." Kari said becoming even more confused.
"They did more than that. They changed."
"Payback time. Spiral Twister!" Biyomon growled flying a few feet into the air where she generated a spiral green flame that wrapped itself around Vegimon whom recoiled in pain as flames danced along it.
"My go. Puppy Howl!" Salamon barked generating a sonic pulse from her form that kinetically threw the Vegimon from it s spot and sent it drifting backwards colliding with a few trees along the way.
Visually annoyed Vegimon tensed its right vine into a makeshift fist as if readying for a repeat attack yet instead gritted it s teeth as it retreated disappearing from view. The two children sighed in relief, grateful that finally they were safe thanks to their digimon. Biyomon flew to Sora s side who embraced the bird in a friendly hug while Kari gently cradled Salamon in her arms who nuzzled her snout against her arm in response. They stayed in that position for a few moments mostly due to their tiredness however it wasn t meant to last for another figure came into view carrying his own creature which unlike the girls seemed to be in it s infant form. The creature was another round digimon that was a light brown un colour with a cream face and a large metallic like horn protruding from it s head. As he saw the group he appeared to nod mimicking his owner s own nod whom was Matt.
If anyone from school looked at Matt in that moment he would no longer be the coolest kid of school from the way his top was ripped to the way that sweat lined his forehead and his whole body tensed as he walked. He mouthed the words TK to the pair being unable to speak due to his breathlessness. Sora was the first to offer a sympathetic hand with Kari awkwardly biting her lip not knowing what to say. Neither of them answering gave Matt all the information he needed. With a defeated shrug he continued past them thankfully also away from the way the Vegimon escaped to. Sora gestured for Kari to follow with the two walking a step or two behind Matt in silence their digimon at their sides.
Laughter came rushing towards the small group once the very same individual they were searching for came into view a small four legged cloud jumping after him the two visually ecstatic at the game they were playing. Matt seemed to have forgotten that anyone else was around as his arms wrapped around his younger brother for a quick embrace telling him he was happy that he was okay. While TK initially returned the movement his race tainted red once his gaze rested on a sweet smiling Sora and a giggling Kari whose hand was covering her mouth. Breaking the contact he rubbed the back of his head trying to gesture to Matt of their on lookers which he too mumbled in response to lowering his hands into his pockets as if that erased the scene from their memories.
TK s head swung upwards as a series of buzzing noises gathered closer to him with his face becoming a frown of confusion while he looked for the source of the sound. Matt was the second to hear the sound his body again tensing in response half expecting to see a thousand or so wasps at the enhanced noise level that seemed to have started from nothing to ear splitting in a matter of milliseconds. Sora automatically ducked down waiting to see a swarm of insects attack wishing for once that Joe was around who even-though would be screaming in response had a can of bug spray in his bag. Kari was the only member of the group that strained to listen feeling something was off with what she was hearing, it seemed insect like yet there was something she couldn t put her finger on.
A large red beetle came charging through the tree line chopping them in an instant only stray leaves and bark covered the group of children beneath them who could do nothing but watch at the gigantic insect made a u-turn roaring in their direction. Biyomon and Salamon raced forward performing the same attacks that had weakened the Vegimon with Kuwagamon brushing off the strikes like they were nothing more than dust scattering across a windscreen. Realising the danger they were in the group prepared to run until three sets of hands erupted from thin air pulling each of the children and their digimon with them before TK was left where one pair reappeared to take him too.
They resisted against the pull though were unable to stop themselves being taken with ironically turned out to be the best thing that they could happen as the culprits revealed themselves. Tai, Izzy and Mimi who each had a digimon consisting of a talking head, a miniature blob and a light green four legged bulb respectively. Tai gestured for them to be quiet Tk still in his grasp while Mimi placed a hand over Kari s mouth as well as her own as if she didn t trust either of them to not scream. Matt placed his ear to what he assumed was the entrance to try and hear what was going on. Izzy waved his left hand in the air to grab everyones attention his other hand typing on his laptop much to the annoyance of Motimon who numerous times attempted to slam the lid shut.
"This tree hides us from sight but soundwaves can still penetrate." he explained his voice sounding just as excited as his face.
"So keep quiet then." Matt simplified rolling his eyes.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Tai doing an automatic headcount.
"Wheres Joe?" Mimi questioned in a sweet tone.
"Should we look for your friend?" Tanemon wondered tilting her head.
"I think that thing is gone now." Sora informed them Biyomon leaving the tree for a moment where she called back to confirm that the digimon had indeed vanished.
"Help!" a familiar voice scream followed by a screeching buzzing.
"That things after Joe. We have to help him." shouted Tai running off in the direction of the noise with Koromon on his heels.
"Here we go again." muttered Kari chasing after her brother the rest of the group joining suit.