Gomamon hit the surging river first. Without so much as blinking in pain he surfaced with a bed of fish supporting his weight creating a make shift raft that both softened the children's fall and kept them afloat. Though confused none of them said a word besides Mimi who continued to scream even after landing for fear that she had died much to the amusement of Palmon who continuously attempted to open the teenagers eyes telling her that she was safe. With Gomamon directing the fish the group soon found themselves again on dry land which Tai kissed in relief instantly regretting the notion once dirt filled his mouth.
Once they had all exited the water Gomamon and TK thanked the fish for their help forcing Matt to give a half hearted wave much to his own annoyance. Never did Matt think he would be waving at fish nor with witnesses to validate the story. He made a mental note to tell the group later that if anyone mentioned anything he would kill them. Hands still in his pockets he marched to Gabumon who reached the height of Matt's chest since his digivolution. He smirked at his new found friend who shyly lowered his head pretending to find something interesting on the floor.
Tai extracted his telescope from his pocket which he peered through trying to gain a fix on their current location but before he could make much out he felt a familiar tug on his arm. Laughing he asked Kari to wait yet instead of coming face to face with his sister Agumon stood with a grin. Asking repeatedly for a turn Tai eventually gave up handing the item to him which Agumon attempted to stare through first placing the item over his nose then the wrong way through his eyes commenting that it wasn't working. Amused Tai twisted the scope showing his digimon how to use it correctly.
Patamon flew around Tk's head causing the young male to laugh as they walked across the side of the bank. Deep in conversation a new looker would have assumed that they had been friends for years. In fact since arriving in the digital world Patamon had been TK's strongest confident though back then he had been known as Tokomon. The rest of the group seemed to be bothered by their digimon's changes but he was simply happy to have found someone who related to him more because they wanted to rather than had to. Although he loved his brother he did feel like Matt had been forced into taking care of him by their father the two leaving with separate parents after the divorce. Not that TK wasn't grateful he only wished that Matt wanted to be with him for his own reason than as a sense of duty to their family.
Palmon on the other hand wasn't having such an enjoyable time as Patamon with Mimi looking over her whole body asking how she changed her apparence. For the fourth time the plant like digimon explained the process with the teenager still not understanding. It wasn't long before Izzy having heard the debate called for everyone's attention Tentomon forcing himself to walk at his side having clearly been under the same treatment as Palmon. Sora and Kari were the last two to reach Izzy having had a lot more time to process their digimon's new forms than the rest of the group.
"I think I understand why our digimon were able to increase in size. That and change their physical form." Izzy began almost mimicking the stance of a professor.
"After grilling me to death." interrupted Tentomon annoyed at having been interrogated.
"These digital devices or digivices as I call them." he spoke ignoring his digimon's comment. "Have created our own digital creation. Digimon if you will. They changed because we have them which allows our partners to share our energy in turn allowing them to grow stronger. By digivolving. By processing our strength into their own."
"I still don't get it." Mimi whined Palmon hitting herself on the forehead.
"We're the reason they changed?" Sora asked looking from Izzy to Biyomon and back again.
"You made me grow to Patamon TK."
"Woah I did that? Cool."
"So the digivices gave us our digimon?" Kari said slowly.
"I believe so yes but without further testing, more evidence and the amount of variables I would need to compare I …"
"Izzy." Matt called hands raised. "We get it."
"Well I don't." Mimi muttered crossing her arms while pouting.
"We're all going to die." cried Joe who up until that point had been sprawled across the floor Gomamon on his back trying to shift him up.
"Guys." Tk stated lifting a finger his lips while cupping his left ear. "Listen."
"Is that ringing?" asked Mimi excitement drifting from her voice.
Once the words left her lips a ringing began to infect the group coming at short bursts at first that grew to a constant sound taking over all of their senses. Almost not believing their luck the children paused wondering whether they were imagining things or whether for the first time since arriving in the digital world they had caught a lucky break. After a few moments of doubting themselves the group realised that they would lose nothing by checking the sound out. Ignoring their previous worries the sixteen figures ran across the uneven landscape which opened to a large beach which spanned as far as their eyes could see. Sure enough sitting in a row were a set of telephone booths that while out of place were indeed ringing.
Cheering the children marched towards them sand crunching beneath their feet making their small group sound more like a stampede of forty men. Joe, Tai, Sora, Matt and Mimi each stood before a booth while Kari, TK and Izzy came to a rest a few feet away observing the sea wash delicately against the shore wondering just where in the world they were. Digital world just didn't make any sense. Then again everything since awakening earlier that day had made no sense either.
Tai opening the door to his booth seemed to cause a chain reaction as the ringing from all the phones came to an end leaving them in a strange overwhelming sudden silence. Shrugging Tai continued his path into the small glass cubicle his hand gently running along the receiver as he wondered who to call. Selfishly his first idea was to phone his mum yet soon thought better of it as her gaze shifted sideways to see the rest of the children he was with. Knowing deep down the authorities were the correct choice he placed his initial want to the back of his mind. Dialling the number he awaited for the operator to answer keeping himself alert by tapping the glass with the tip of his fingers.
Mimi was already on her phone yet it was easy to say she was having no luck getting through to anybody. All he phone kept repeating was that the weather forecast was clear skies with a chance of ice cream. Annoyed Mimi tried to argue with the machine to such an extent Palmon used her wines to rip the phone off of her partner before she broke the device who called out red faced. Matt's booth simply told him that the number he dialled didn't exist and was in his imagination which the male got bored of pretty quickly. Leaving the phone hanging from its base Matt returned to the rest of the group Gabumon always by his side.
Sora was the next to leave the booth her arms folded. Biyomon meanwhile had the phone to her own ear saying her name over and over as the operator asked seemingly only knowing the one statement. Sora shook her head feeling deflated as she came to a rest with Kari, TK and Izzy who had created a small fire in her absence to keep them warm having used Matt's lighter. Sighing Biyomon joined their side her wings crossed against her chest fluttering every few seconds as she glared into the flames before her.
It took around half an hour for the rest of the group to give up with the booths. The only child still continuing to try being Joe whom wouldn't or couldn't take the hint from the random operator comments. Comments that included pressing one to leave a fingerprint or stating the cost of the call was two fish and a pumpkin. While the children watched him in awe going from booth to booth they couldn't fault his determination. His stupidity they were beginning to question but not his determination.
"Do you think he'll ever stop?" Kari asked with a raised brow.
"Doubt it." Tai said through a bemused expression.
"No matter how many times he tries they are not going to work." Matt yelled loud enough for Joe to hear.
"Maybe we should look for a boat?" Sora suggested.
"No. There's always a chance the phones might ring again."
"We can't just sit here." Tai said making a fist.
"Everyone could do with a rest." Kari exclaimed noting how the group was drained of energy their usual walking speed turning into a slow pace.
"Yeah sure." he replied with a nod admitting defeat silence taking over until Izzy's stomach began to growl.
"Hungry?" Tk asked grinning.
"Anyone got any food?" Matt questioned.
"Well I have bandages but I've used some." Sora explained hinting towards her recently covered wrist where Vegimon had grabbed her. "Oh and some medication."
"I have my trusty laptop and a camera. Of course neither has worked since we got here."
"I got some." TK said in a gruff as he dropped his bag to the floor which was jam packed with junk food much to Mimi's delight.
"Oh TK. Such a handsome boy. Why don't you share them with sweet little Mimi?"
"Mimi. I'm happy to share." he replied cheeks turning red.
"I could eat a horse." Kari said stomach growling.
"I'd settle for a small cow." Izzy added not missing a beat.
"Mimi what's have you got?" Palmon wondered running her hand along the soft fabric.
"Let's have a look. Cooking fuel, flashlight, those knives with all the attachments. Oh and a compass but it's broken."
"What about Joe?" Patamon squeaked noticing the bag hanging off of his shoulder.
"He has the emergency food." Izzy cried hands clapping together.
"Joe you've got all the food." Tai bellowed jumping on the spot.
"I brought it to give to Mimi. It's her turn to carry the bag." he explained. "Mimi you have to stop thinking about yourself. Take some responsibility."
"But it's heavy."
"You never hear me complaining." Joe responded causing Matt and Tai to laugh while Sora shook her head in amusement earning the trio a disapproving narrow glare.
"Guy's ssshh. We have food now. Relax." TK soothed calming the situation down as he began to count of the food.
"Sora." Biyomon whispered looking out towards the sea where Gomamon who had been swimming joy free moments before was sat bolt up right.
"What is it?"
"Trouble." the pink bird told her beak clenched tightly.
Without much warning a large section of the beach came erupting into the air covering everything in close proximity including the children who were soon up to their ankles. From the same location a column of water appeared knocking more sand upwards which spewed out over the telephone booths that became mangled in a heap wires protruding from the wreckage and glass scattering over the wet sand. The group of children watching the scene ran a few more feet away worried that the glass would soon be thrown over their delicate bodies as the sand had been seconds before.
A huge horned shell appeared at the tip of the sand growing steadier bigger as it uncovered itself from what seemed like an underground hole upon the beach. Grey in colour it was easy to see the difference when bright pink blubber like skin began to surface along with two large arms and a large head which had yellow strings of hair hanging from it. Upon fully emerging the digimon roared in annoyance slamming its foot in the previous location of the children's short time camp. Roaring even louder the aquatic creature pushed itself towards it's new targets gnawing it's jaw together as if broadcasting how much he was he was going to enjoy the taste of human.
Joe attempting to take charge yelled for them to climb a small cliff as he gained a foot hold gaining a few feet of height before Shellmon spotted him striking the male with a burst of water from it's head. Gomamon yelling for his partner was struck too as he made his way to Joe knocking the small white digimon into the cliff face. Matt in annoyance ordered Gabumon to attack however as he prepared to blast along with Biyomon they fizzled out before even reaching Shellmon earning them and their partners a jet blast of water. Breathing heavily the four struggled to gain their posture pain crawling into their bodies.
Tentomon, Salamon, Patamon and Palmon readied their own attacks though they too were unable to generate an attack to the confusion of their partners. Fear kicking in slightly the digimon backed away from Shellmon a laugh bellowing from its throat. Agumon being the last standing activated his pepper breath which collided with Shellmon's face earning a gruff yell of hurt in response. Tai cheered his partner on to motivate him to fight knowing that they were the last ones between being alive and being sea food.
"What happened Gabumon?" Matt said as he helped his digimon to his feet.
"They've lost their powers." Izzy muttered eyes narrowing to search for a solution. "Why can Agumon still fight."
"Because he was the only one who ate." Sora stated slightly annoyed while holding a couple of chocolate wrappers that Agumon had dropped.
"No fair." Mimi muttered before shouting. "Thieves!"
"Ignore that for now." TK said with a small smile never taking his eyes off of Agumon. "If he hadn't of done we'd already be dead."
"That doesn't help us." Gomamon called helping a coughing wet injured Joe to crawl across the sand. "C'mon Joe move."
Sora and Matt ran to Joe to help him move quicker while Kari picked Gomamon up praising the digimon for saving their friend. Izzy watched Shellmon strike Agumon with a funnel of water knocking the dinosaur into the sand with a hard thud. Mimi however covered her eyes trying to do everything she could to not observe the battle never having been the type to like violence. Unfortunately for Mimi covering her eyes didn't stop the roaring or yells from Tai and Agumon penetrating her eardrums causing the young woman to drop to her knees wanting the fight to stop a teat falling down her cheek.
Agumon shouted to Tai wanting a distraction and rightly so most people would refuse to fight a giant shelled digimon. Most people sure. Tai, much to Kari's annoyance wasn't most people. Instead he yelled at the enormous foe informing him of how unattractive he looked. Tai did manage to salvage a metal pole from one of the crumpled phone booths using it to strike Shellmon in the head. Not to be unexpected Shellmon returned the attack not with a gentle hug but with a hand that upon lifting Tai began to crush him. The young boy felt his insides being forced together as a large palm forced pressure onto his chest, his legs becoming full of tingle sensations as the feeling of his body began to dull head becoming somewhat heavy with a dark hue drifting into his fading vision.
Helpless the group watched unable to do anything but scream at the top of their lungs. Agumon seemed to be the worst affected his sweet nature transforming to a frenzied furry mimicking that of a pack of lions hunting a gazelle. His claws repeatedly struck Shellmon who brushed off each attack like it was nothing instead returning the move by using his other free hand to entrap the small digimon beneath it forcing his body into the sand. Now both partners screaming at each other the pair realised that they had made a mistake in taking on such a large digimon, that they'd rushed head first without thinking. Agumon blamed himself knowing that it was his duty to protect Tai yet he was failing him.
Eyes narrowing he attempted to push against Shellmon's hand. He was determined not to fail Tai even if that meant he would be deleted. As an inner strength surged through the digimon's body a soft orange glow wrapped around the dinosaur Tai's digivice beginning to glow at the same time. Shellmon shielded his eyes from the glare dropping Tai and freeing Agumon who regrouped a foot or so away yet the light surrounding them continued to glow. The rest of the children were unable to see the scene take fold being able to see only shadows or outlines of figures within the light.
"Agumon!" yelled Tai.
"Agumon digivolve to …" he roared his form shifting into a large tyrannosaur with blue tiger stripe markings across his enlarged body the top half of his head consisting of a brown hardened almost helmet like addition with three horns implanted on the side. "Greymon."
"He did it again." Matt murmured shocked.
"Greymon this time." Izzy added tilting his head.
"Yeah go Greymon." Kari shouted. Pataman, Salamon, Gomamon and Palmon joining in with the cheer.
"Be careful." Sora whispered more to herself than for anyone to hear.
"Nova Blast!" the now champion level digimon called creating a large ball of flame which it spewed towards Shellmon knocking him back with a screech.
Greymon followed the attack with a direct hit using his head as a ramming device. Shellmon though stunned reacted quickly using his own head to combat Greymon the two enveloped in one tangled mess. Using his arms as leverage the tyrannosaur managed to flip the aquatic creature over his head where he swung the digimon toward the sea earning a shot of water in his chest. Unwilling to back down a nova blast was reused hitting Shellmon further back into the ocean it's face almost becoming fearful. With a growl Greymon readied it's blast again luring his opponent to rush forward just as he had planned. Closing his mouth he lowered his skull to the ground using it as leverage to throw Shellmon vertically into the air where he then released his nova blast.
In a fiery ball reminiscent of a shooting star or a large firework the aggressive digimon found itself hurtling through the air flying over twenty feet where it slammed into the ocean waves generating from it's impact sight. Almost predatory in nature Greymon roared into the empty space whether to warn others or just a simple exclamation of achievement Tai didn't care. He felt his chest lighten and head clear once reaching Greymon whose form began to shift reducing in size until Agumon stood a tired yet large grin on his face. Swaying slightly Tai allowed his digimon to rest into his arms the two sighing.
Regrouping together the children and their digimon stopped to eat knowing that if their digimon were out of energy they could end up in another situation like with Shellmon or an even worse one. Tai was the only one who didn't eat with Sora and Kari ordering him not to do so seeing as he had stolen food along with Agumon earlier that day. The only reason Agumon was allowed to eat was to rebuild his strength after his fight. Though glum Tai understood their ruling instead kicking his foot into the sand realising that he needed to be a team player rather than a solo leader.
Five minutes passed before Kari with a bemused expression handed Tai a bread roll and crisps rolling her eyes as he gladly took the bundle wolfing it down with a thanks. Joe had taken his food to the phone booths where he sat glazing over the destroyed wires believing that they had lost a chance of calling for help. Eventually even Joe realised that it was futile staying put Izzy adding the fact that Shellmon would more than likely return for a rematch. Under no illusion the children knew they were limited in their remaining choices. They either tried to return to their original location in hopes they would be discovered or they took the lead to look instead.
"I vote we go back." Joe said determined.
"Those booths must have been placed here by somebody. It makes sense for us to find those people." Izzy suggested as if it was the obvious choice.
"Wherever we go it should be all together." Mimi said fearful of being left alone.
"That I actually agree with." added Matt. "This place hasn't exactly been the most child friendly since we came here."
"I will protect you friend." Gabumon stated with a nod.
"Then we search for whoever used or put those phones there right?" Sora checked watching the group pack their packs as the readied themselves to leave.
"Anywhere you go we go." Palmon instructed the rest of the digimon nodding in agreement.
"Here we go." TK finalised leading them along the beach.