"Meg, do you know where we are?"
"Of course."
There was silence a moment as the girl looked around…
"We're next to a lake."
Gabumon chuckled, leaning on her waist as she carefully memorized his horn.
"Well, at least we have each other."
"Yeah."
Blue eyes gazed over the water, and Gabumon paused, relaxing against her.
"TJ will be alright, Meg. She has Tokomon with her."
"Forgive me if that does nothing to settle my nerves, Gabu."
"He'd never let anything happen to her."
"And then he'd die, and she'd…"
Meg released a breath, as if expelling the harsh thoughts…
"It doesn't matter. The sooner we check this place out, the better."
"Oh Meg…"
Gabumon sighed, shaking his head before following his partner.
The black-haired girl was silent on the best of days, but she'd been withdrawn for weeks now.
At first, she'd been determined, fierce, when Tonya had disappeared and had not returned on her own.
As days turned to weeks, then weeks to months, her spirit had slowly drained away.
Instead of forcing her emotions deep into her soul, she'd been empty of them, and found it easy to keep her voice even and clipped.
The only things she truly seemed to feel were protectiveness, rage, and grief…
"Gabu, up there."
His eyes snapped up, gaze sweeping over the mountain-side path, before he locked on some Digimon and their partners.
There was a Monzaemon, with a rainbow-feathered parrot Spirit Evolution, a Kokatorimon, with a color-shifting chameleon-boy, and a Frigimon, ice-girl on his shoulder.
"Maybe they can lead us to a checkpoint. We can find our way back from there."
"I wonder where they're going…"
"We'll find out soon enough."
Trying to find the 'entrance' to the path above, Meg paused to watch the clouds.
If she didn't know any better, one them looked suspiciously like her crest…
"Meg?"
Gabumon's voice quieted the whispers bubbling up in the back of her mind, returning the teen to reality.
"Are they back?" He worried.
As the group had parted ways, Meg had admitted that the voices that had once plagued her were returning.
The sense of abandonment had them growing like weeds in fresh soil…
She would become snappish, moody, even violent, if only for seconds at a time.
"No. I'm fine."
Gabumon followed at her side, still concerned.
Even the slightest inconvenience, the smallest prod, during one of her moments, and she'd blow bigger than the fireworks TJ had once told him about.
Anyone they encountered had to be gentle, understanding, tactful…
Gabumon felt like fate was going to bite him in the tail…
As they ascended from shore-level, Meg tried to focus her thoughts.
Something that had once come so easily was a battle-worn struggle now.
It was as if she only truly functioned with her friends, and was almost obsolete alone…
That thought had her on-edge, angry at herself and the group for different reasons.
'You should have been stronger.'
'You could have kept them together.'
'You're selfish, venting your grief at their expense.'
'You're weak.'
The last thought echoed painfully, pounding in the back of her eyes…
'You're weak.'
'You're weak!'
'You're WEAK!'
'You're weak…'
"STOP IT!"
Gabumon's hand on her arm stilled her raging soul, and Meg calmed.
"They ARE back…"
"It's nothing, Gabu. I can handle it."
'I'm not so sure of that…'
Still, Gabumon kept his mouth shut, following her determined pace up the path.
Attention zeroed in on the trail, she didn't even notice the building on her left until the smell of food enticed her nose.
Stopping sharply, the ice-eyed teen studied it a moment before turning her gaze to Gabumon.
"A restaurant in the middle of nowhere?"
"The perfect place for hungry Digimon!"
Meg rolled her eyes, looking up at the restaurant as Gabumon smiled.
She was beginning to come back to herself…
"I suppose they went in there."
"Do you want to stop for lunch?"
"…"
Her gaze lingered, narrowing, faint warning bells going off in the base of her skull…
"…I don't think-."
"Go get new customers!"
As the front door slammed shut once more, Gomamon hit the stairs with a grunt of pain.
"Gomamon?"
Meg blinked in confusion, not expecting to see the green-eyed Digimon.
"Gomamon! Are you okay?"
"Gabumon?"
The water Digimon perked, looking almost excited as his vision cleared.
"Meg! Gabumon! It really IS you!"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"Where's Jenny?" Meg questioned.
She would probably never admit it, but she'd missed the older girl.
Jenny had been the only one to really make TJ smile…
"Oh…She's in back…"
The sadness filling Gomamon's face concerned the black-haired teen, and she wanted to know what had happened.
Following Gomamon around the restaurant was cause for confusion, and they stepped into the kitchen.
Jenny shot up from some cupboards, silver eyes wide as she registered that someone else was here…
"Meg?"
"I suppose I should have known you'd end up here."
The slight smirk showed her jest, and the blonde grinned widely, lifting Gomamon's spirits.
His partner hadn't smiled like that in so long…
"What are you two doing here anyway? Looking for a handout?" Jenny teased.
As she stirred a pot of stew, Meg quirked an eyebrow, wondering when she'd last seen the elder girl cook…
'Not since she burned down the stove in her house…I suppose there's a good reason for that.'
"Actually, I was wondering what you were doing here."
"Oh, well…"
Jenny's grin fell a few notches, but she forced a cheeriness into her tone.
"It's nothing, really. We were just out looking around, and this Digimon told us he'd seen someone nearby. He just…kinda went too fast for us, is all."
"We lost him, and then we found this restaurant." Gomamon continued.
"We ate plenty, but when we were done…We couldn't pay the bill."
Jenny sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"The damn jerkwads, Vegiemon and Tusk…"
"What's taking so long?!"
Jenny jumped in surprise, whirling around to face Vegiemon and his boar partner, whose tusks looked dangerously sharp.
The 'younger' teen didn't like the nervous jitters spreading across her friend's skin…
"I-I'm sorry, I-!"
"No excuses! Where's the food?!"
Jenny's hands were beginning to shake as she ladled the food into a bowl, Gomamon leaning against her shin as support.
"H-Here."
As Vegiemon took the plate, Tusk turned his attention to Meg and Gabumon.
"Who are you?"
"Friends of Jenny's." Meg replied, monotone and cold.
"If you're just going to stand there, just leave."
She growled, looking ready to pounce, but Gabumon took a secure hold of her arm.
"AGH! What's this?! I can't feed that to my customers!!"
The dish clattered on the floor, contents spilling everywhere, and Jenny winced, scooping up Gomamon before he got burned.
"B-But I…"
"That'll cost you another day of work!!"
Jenny sighed, sagging in defeat…
"How long is that?" Gabumon wondered.
"Well…It started out as three days…But I keep messing up…" The blonde admitted.
"Now I'm up to three weeks…"
"What's going on in here?"
A large egg-like Digimon stepped into the kitchen, a red setter Spirit Evolution at his side.
Jenny couldn't seem to stop shaking…
"Digitamamon and Crimson…"
"You own this restaurant?" Meg questioned.
"Yes."
"My friend has been working here for quite a while. Why don't you let her leave?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"She's broken dishes, spilled food, wasted ingredients!"
"She's not leaving until she pays off her debt!"
"If you stayed to help her pay it off…"
"Huh?"
"If not, then just go away!"
As the four left, Jenny sighed, her muscles seeming to come under control…
"I'm sorry, Meg…This is just tiring…"
Meg could see how tired the older teen was, see the shadows behind the bright silver irises and the darkness under her lids…
"Jen."
Sighing, she locked eyes with the emotionless girl, relaxing slightly as she saw the determination flicker faintly across her face.
"I need to go get TJ and Tokomon, but I promise I'll be back to help you pay off this debt."
"You'd do that for me?"
"What are friends for?"
After a moment, Jenny grinned, embracing her friend.
"Oh Jebus, you're the best, Meg! I don't even know what to say! This is just so amazing, I-!"
"I thought you didn't know what to say."
A cheeky grin crossed the older teen's face…
"Smart mouth…"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meg sighed, seeing the swan boat she and Gabumon had pioneered for their trip.
She felt she'd been gone from TJ too long…
"Meg, what do you think about this whole thing?"
"…Something's up. I just don't know what."
"Are Jenny and Gomamon in danger?"
"Perhaps."
"Should we really leave them alone?"
"They can take care of themselves in a fix."
"But Digitamamon is an Ultimate level Digimon! Ikkakumon wouldn't be able to defeat him!"
Meg paused within arm's reach of the boat, sighing as she let the thoughts come in…
"We'll be back, Gabu. Then we can help them with their debt."
"…Meg."
One hand on the swan's neck, she stopped because of his grip on her opposite wrist.
"…It's alright to feel…"
"…No it's not."
Carefully, he pulled her back onto shore, wrapping his arms around her waist and feeling her muscles tense in surprise.
"You know how much I care about you…I don't like seeing you like this…"
A moment of stillness, and then Meg encompassed him in a hug, crouching down to be at his level.
"This isn't your fight, Gabu. You know that."
"It's not mine, but it's yours. If you're fighting, so am I!"
"…"
She didn't say anything, but Gabumon felt the reassurance through their bond as Meg stood, about to climb into the boat…
"Wait!"
Pausing, she looked over her shoulder to see Digitamamon and Crimson.
Eyes narrowing, she half-turned towards the pair, nearly baring her teeth in a warning snarl.
Her soul was yelling at her, screaming to get out of there, to get TJ before it was too late…
"What do you want?"
"We want you to work here with them."
"You already have a slave in your kitchen."
Snarling the word 'slave', Meg turned back to the boat.
"Besides, I need to go for a bit."
"So you don't care about your friend? What a shame…"
Her shoulders tensed first, as if her hackles were rising, and Crimson almost felt the danger rolling off her skin.
Eyes feral, the wolf-girl turned to them, and it was as if the two were seeing their future doom…
"Meg…"
Trying to reign in her fury, she almost bit her tongue to hold in a snarl.
"What do you mean by that?"
"While you're gone, ANYTHING could happen to them…" Digitamamon threatened.
Her tongue was threatening to split wide open, blood already trickling past her lips…
"Meg…What are we going to do?"
"…"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jenny watched her friend, confusion in her eyes to see her stirring soup…
"…Yo, Meg…You don't have to stay here…I know you want to see TJ…"
"We should pay off this debt first."
The blonde wasn't the fool she portrayed herself as.
She could hear the strain in Meg's voice…
"Seriously, go get TJ. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."
The black-haired girl paused, grip almost loosening on the ladle…
'So you don't care about your friend? What a shame…'
'While you're gone, ANYTHING could happen to them…'
"I know that, but I'd rather stay here for now."
"You should go, though. TJ must be missing you."
That almost shattered Meg's resolve at that moment…
She knew TJ was missing her.
After all, she missed TJ so much her heart ached.
But…
'While you're gone, ANYTHING could happen to them…'
She couldn't leave Jenny alone, especially not with Digitamamon and Crimson's threat hanging above them…
"With both of us working, I'm sure we can finish this quickly."
"…But…"
"I said it's alright!"
Jenny jumped, not used to an explosion such as that.
Normally, there were warning signs.
Clenched fists, ground teeth, eye twitches…
This was spontaneous, dangerous, and it made her heart tighten.
'What happened to you, Meg?'
"Sorry…I just…thought you'd feel better going to see TJ…"
Meg deflated, turning to see the worry in her friend's eyes, and her eyes almost shimmered with regret and sadness.
'I didn't mean to…I'm sorry…'
Unlike her exterior, internally she was stuttering, almost crying…
"No, I'm sorry."
Turning back to the soup at the surprised expression crossing Jenny's face, Meg ladled some into a bowl.
"You were only trying to help, after all."
"…Meg…"
"Besides, I know how to cook. If we all work together, this should be rather easy."
"…Yeah…"
Hope lit up her eyes, and the blonde grinned.
"I'll never forget this, Meg! Let's do this!"
Meg nodded, putting the food on a tray and sighing…
'Don't worry, TJ…I'll be coming soon…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jenny couldn't even look at her friend anymore without feeling guilty anymore…
She couldn't help the mistakes, and couldn't help believing none were her fault at all.
The blonde wasn't a klutz, despite popular belief.
Any falling, tripping, and flailing was on purpose, and could be controlled.
She needed steady hands for anatomy classes and pulling pranks, so she didn't shake.
Why should she suddenly begin now?
Dishes seemed to rattle now, her steps less sure, and Gomamon had taken notice.
Seeing Meg's rigid movements and clearly temperamental behavior, guilt had begun to gnaw at Jenny's heart.
'I can't make anymore mistakes. If I do, I'll just cause Meg more trouble. Can't get more debt.'
The thought of actually TRYING to be perfect, to make no mistakes and do everything right…
It frightened her.
She would never stop shaking like a dry leaf, she just KNEW it!
But if it would help Meg…
Jenny had been serious when she said she'd never forget the debt she owed to her friend.
Meg didn't HAVE to stay and help her.
Meg didn't HAVE to put up with her.
Meg could be with her little sister, where she wanted to be, instead of this place…
She wanted to get this done more quickly, so she could send Meg off and leave her out of all of Jenny's future mishaps.
It had been the reason Jenny had left…
If she could have left Gomamon behind in a safe place, she would have.
"Jen."
Lifting her eyes from the heating water, silver locked with blue.
"Get some potatoes for me?"
"Sure…"
Meg's brow furrowed slightly, her irritation ebbing once again as she noticed the changes in the older girl.
Usually so energetic and smart-mouthed, Jenny had become subdued, almost silent…
Seeing her step out of the kitchen, Meg sighed, pulling out a chopping block and knife.
If there was something she could do, she'd gladly take the chance.
Her New York blood was starting to boil, and she couldn't help her hate from spreading.
Originally hating only herself and her flaws, it had spread to Digitamamon, Crimson, Vegiemon, Tusk…
When it tried to taint her vision of her friends, her sister, Meg began to fight it.
Hate was an evil thing, a red veil threatening to fall over her eyes and cause her to lose all control.
Gabumon could feel it, even from the other room, and only his soothing aura kept her grounded now.
Without TJ to focus on, or Jenny to distract her, even Tonya to pull everything into perspective, Steph to try and take care of her…
Mel to remind them of the good times, Lizzy to solve their problems…
Meg felt like she was falling apart at the seams…
"Meg?"
Looking up to see Jenny, she nodded slightly in thanks before accepting the potatoes.
"I'm alright. Don't worry about me."
'Too late…' Jenny admitted to herself.
'Way too late…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meg sighed, looking up at the clouds in the night sky and knowing Gabumon was fast asleep.
She couldn't seem to bring herself to do the same, and was now sitting out on the lakeside.
The faint pull of their bond distracted her from the thoughts running through her head, and she lifted a rock.
Stroking the smooth surface, she threw it over the water.
As it skipped a few times before sinking, Meg found another stone, the flat surface cool against her palm.
It flew across the lake surface, and ice blue eyes snapped up as a Digimon landed somewhere to her left.
"What do you want?" She questioned coldly as the Digimon's partner settled beside him.
"We just wanted to know what was bothering you."
"You look sad."
"…Nothing is wrong."
Dismissing them, Meg seemed to turn her attention back to the water.
Only a fool would believe something like that.
She didn't know them, didn't trust them, and was keeping an eye on them in case they tried to attack.
"We've heard about you. From the restaurant."
"You seem like a good person. Helping your friend out and all."
Blue eyes turned to them, a slight sign of her interest, but Meg kept her silence.
"Look, we've been around there a bit…"
"And we know what's going on…"
"And what would that be?" She asked, almost defensive.
"It's obvious, really."
"She doesn't want you to leave her alone, so she's messing up on purpose."
Both were startled when Meg was suddenly on her feet, towering over them with a face like rolling thunder.
"You don't know anything about her. If I hear you spreading such lies ever again, you'd better hope I never find you."
Personally, Demidevimon had never felt so frightened of someone in his whole life.
True, his master was pretty high up there, but this…
At least he knew he was useful to his master, at least for now, and his life was not in danger.
But faced with this icy, uncaring face and almost electrifying eyes, he knew he was on the edge of death.
Even Jokester had not expected such a sudden outburst, and barely managed to compose himself.
Standing up to match her, he kept calm.
"Whatever you want. Just remember, good guys finish last."
Once Demidevimon landed on his shoulder, he turned to walk away, Meg watching them go with a glare.
'Jenny wouldn't do that to me…She wouldn't…'
Her glare lightened slightly, doubt worming into her mind as the voices bubbled up…
'Would she?'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I need to get my little sister. I'll be right back."
Jenny stayed silent, seeing Meg's patience wear away as she fought with Digitamamon and Crimson.
"Absolutely not."
"I promise to come back and keep working. There's no reason to say no."
"I have all the reason!"
Jenny sighed, placing a plate carefully on the pile and turning fully towards the quarrel as Gomamon and Gabumon watched…
CRASH!!!
Everyone jumped, and the blonde blinked in confusion at the broken dishes on the floor…
"Not again!"
"That's another week!"
Meg's patience seemed to snap, and she could hardly hold in a sharp howl of rage.
"Jenny, why?"
"Why what? It wasn't me!"
"Stop lying." Meg hissed.
"I never lie to my friends! You KNOW that! Something hit my legs! I swear!"
"Stop making excuses!"
The shout surprised even Gabumon, and Meg stormed out the back.
"But…"
Jenny felt tears, memories of being yelled at for lying when she hadn't…
"They're not…"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jenny sighed, moving around the kitchen slowly as the depression that had crept up on her pounced.
Meg hadn't come in yet, even after three hours, and the Digimon had been forced to return to work up front.
'I don't mean to…'
The tears were intermittent, coming and going with her emotions, but they never fell.
Leaning against the counter, eyes closed, the blonde tried to center herself…
The kitchen door opened, and she whirled around, ready to get yelled at for slacking…
Silver eyes widened when she realized who it was.
"Red? Agumon?"
"Hey, Jen!"
Tonya smiled brightly, embracing her older friend as TJ came in, Patamon atop her head.
"What are you doing here, girl? Burning down the place?"
A real smile crossed her face for the first time in so long, and Jenny giggled.
"You could say that."
"Where's Meggie?" TJ wondered, looking around for her elder sister.
Light mood already sinking, Jenny sighed, looking towards the floor…
"She's out back…"
As the youngest Digidestined raced out back, Tonya turned towards Jenny, concerned.
"…Jenny, what happened?"
"…"
Jenny met her eyes…
"…It's a long story…"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glaring up at the trees as the branches shifted in a breeze, she watched the clouds that peeked through the spaces in-between.
She couldn't seem to control herself, and wasn't completely calm yet…
Not knowing how long she'd been out in the back, Meg didn't particularly care.
Or she liked to believe she didn't…
True, doubts were niggling at her mind, but Meg couldn't completely denounce the elder girl's friendship.
It was true, Jenny never lied to her friends.
She may lie to teachers, adults, peers, but never family.
Jenny considered her friends family, and loved all of them to death in her own special, manic way.
Thinking of what she'd said…
Meg felt decidedly guilty…
"MEGGIE!"
Shooting up at the sound, she whirled around only to have TJ hug-tackle her in the chest.
"Tammy?"
Worry filled her in a panic, and she embraced her sister urgently.
"Are you alright? I'm so sorry, I couldn't get back to you…"
"It's alright, Meggie. I know it wasn't your fault."
TJ smiled brightly, happier than she'd been since the group had begun to fall apart.
"I know you'd never leave me on purpose."
"But how'd you get here?"
"I came with Tonya!"
"Tonya?"
"Hey, Meg."
Blue eyes locked with gold, and she paused in surprise.
"Long time no see, I guess."
"You're alive?"
"Of course I am!"
Tonya smiled widely.
"Like I'd die before any of you!"
"…Thank you. For taking care of Tammy for me."
"What are friends for? It was no trouble."
Jenny stepped into the doorway, looking tired and older than she had ever been before…
"Besides, it's time we get the heck out of here!"
"You want us to run?" The blonde asked, Gomamon leaning on her shin to comfort her.
"Of course! From what I've heard, you guys need to get out of here before they have you jumping into shark pools!"
"…I won't go."
Even Meg looked at Jenny in surprise, her doubts still burning in her chest…
"Jenny?"
"I'll just make more mistakes and drag you all down. It will be better if I just go on my own."
"But…"
"Come on, Goma-Goma…"
Gomamon paused, taking hold of her jeans in his hands.
"Come on, Jen…We're among friends…"
"…I know…"
Tonya didn't know what to say, what would keep the blonde with them, and looked to Meg for support.
The black-haired girl turned her gaze to the ground, eyes burning…
"Meggie?"
"Let her go."
"But…"
"If she wants to leave, then fine!"
TJ jumped, not used to her sister's outbursts either, and her eyes shimmered.
"M-Meggie?"
Guilt filled her again, and Meg put an arm around her sister to comfort her.
"…I'm sorry…Jenny just needs some time on her own, too…"
"You wouldn't be thinking of running, would you?"
All eyes turned to Digitamamon and Crimson, causing them to freeze in surprise.
"Oh butter-finger whipped cream…"
"If you want to leave in pieces, we can arrange that."
"You wouldn't want to give us trouble, would you?"
Gazes snapped up to see Jokester and Demidevimon, Patamon taking to the air in preparation for a fight.
"Demidevimon! Jokester!" Tonya snarled.
"You're the ones that led us here!" Jenny realized.
The redhead caught her friend's gaze, intent on giving this information.
"They tricked TJ into thinking that you'd left her. That you were never coming back."
Blue eyes widened, then seemed to spark with such rage TJ knew better than to hold onto her arm.
"You lied to Tammy? Lied to me?!"
"You're the one making all this mess, too! I KNEW it wasn't me!" Jenny accused.
"We'll get you two for this!"
"Pepper Breath!"
"Boom Bubble!"
They managed to avoid it, but were soon being chased into the trees by Tonya, Agumon, and Patamon.
"You have some nerve, trying to run while you still owe us."
"We've worked here long enough to pay for an island." Meg responded, glaring at Crimson with eyes nearly veiled with hate.
"I wouldn't feel bad leaving you with this whole restaurant in shambles."
"If you want to leave…"
"We'll just have to crush you!"
Crimson whipped out a long staff with an iron end, swinging it at Meg's head.
Moving back to avoid the strike, she growled, charm glowing…
"Wolf!"
Gabumon started running forward, understanding the signal as light engulfed everything…
"Megan, Spirit Evolve into…FANG!"
"Gabumon, Digivolve to…GARURUMON!!"
Garurumon snarled as they faced Digitamamon and Crimson, the former growing, the crack in his shell closing.
"Howling Blaster!"
This triggered all of them to move, and Fang rushed forward, fist pulled back and ready to strike.
Garurumon's attack had no effect, and Crimson dodged her punch, using his staff to strike her in the back.
Hitting the floor, Fang winced as Digitamamon tackled Garurumon, who flew back onto his back in pain.
"MEGGIE!"
Blue eyes snapped up, and Fang shot up to see TJ being hung from the roof by her ankle.
Tusk stood below her, bristling and fearsome, like an evil bodyguard.
"You put her down, you overgrown vegetable." The wolf-girl snarled.
"Call off your attack, or she'll be meeting the ground with a splat!"
Fists clenched, she ground her sharp teeth and tried to find a way to save her sister…
Garurumon guarded her, knowing she needed some time, and was knocked off his feet once more.
"That's not fair!" Jenny muttered to herself.
"That's it!"
Charm beginning to shine, she almost started running back towards the others…
"Dolphin!"
Gomamon grinned, feeling his partner's determination sing through his veins…
"Jennifer, Spirit Evolve into…TRICKSTER!"
"Gomamon, Digivolve to…IKKAKUMON!!"
As his horn threatened to skewer Vegiemon, Trickster jumped up, using Tusk as a jumping board to catch TJ.
As gravity took hold, the dolphin-girl felt Vegiemon take hold of her ankle…
"JENNY!"
TJ cried out as she was pushed away, Fang catching her before she hit the ground, and Jenny was smacked into the grass.
Ikkakumon shouted in surprised pain, but could do nothing to free his partner.
As Vegiemon's vines curled around her neck, Tusk held her arms and tail immobile.
Choking on air, Trickster flailed, and Meg paused, eyes widening…
'She saved TJ…even after I accused her of lying…let her think it was all her fault…'
"Trickster?"
"It's not…a problem…" She forced out, dolphin-tail trying to swing around.
"Just…defeat them…while I keep…them busy…"
Ikkakumon's horn swung at Digitamamon, missing, and Vegiemon's grip tightened…
"Trickster…"
"I'm…alright…Just do it…"
A short gasp as the grip began to bruise, so close to crushing her windpipe and killing her…
"I don't…matter…"
"But…"
'You do, Jenny. You all do. I'm so sorry I never told any of you that…'
Putting TJ down, she blocked Crimson's staff, glaring at the evil smirk on his face…
"Got you."
"Nightmare Syndrome!"
"Piercing Blood!"
The staff suddenly grew knife-like knives of crimson light, and Fang cried out as she hit the floor, arm beginning to bleed profusely.
'Trickster…I won't give up on you.'
Beginning to stand, her crest began to glow…
'You're a friend, and you never leave friends behind!'
It grew as TJ clung to her, frightened…
"W-We can't…"
"We can."
'I won't forget my friends. I won't forget believing in them. The most powerful thing I have…'
"FRIENDSHIP!"
The light from her crest overshadowed everything else, and Garurumon stood tall…
"Garurumon, Digivolve to…WEREGARURUMON!!"
TJ stepped back as a pillar of swirling hail surrounded Fang…
"Transformation of Friendship into…"
Bursting from the column, spiked knuckles gleamed over her gloves, and her eyes cut Crimson through to the quick…
"Friendly Fang!"
TJ blinked in amazement at her sister, stepping back to give her room as Crimson took a step in reverse.
"This won't stop us!"
"Nightmare Syndrome!"
"Piercing Blood!"
"Wolf Claw!"
Weregarurumon managed to stop Digitamamon's attack, and Friendly Fang caught the staff between the spikes covering her knuckles.
They were surprised, seeing the determination in the pair's eyes…
"This is for my friend."
'We can do it, Fang.'
'We can.'
Pushing Digitamamon's Nightmare Syndrome back against him, Friendly Fang pushed the staff away, knuckles aflame with something like frozen blue fire…
"Crushing Friendship!"
Striking Crimson in the face, he was sent flying after his partner, Vegiemon and Tusk watching in horror…
"They defeated Digitamamon and Crimson…"
Tonya ran back with the other Digimon, seeing most of the battle and cursing herself for losing Demidevimon and Jokester…
"Release Trickster." Friendly Fang demanded, baring sharp teeth.
"Unless you want to fight." Weregarurumon agreed.
"N-No thanks!"
They released Trickster in a rush, running away as fast as they could.
Transformations falling away, the Digimon Dedigivolved as Meg offered a hand.
Jenny looked up at her friend, a smile crossing her face before she accepted the help.
"Thanks, Meg. Couldn't have done it without you."
"…I'm sorry."
Blinking owlishly, the blonde tilted her head in a curious manner.
"For what?"
"…For calling you a liar."
"Aw, I already forgave you!"
Jenny grinned, embracing the younger girl enthusiastically.
"I don't blame you for any of it! I'm just glad we're friends again!"
After a moment, Meg returned the hug, a smile starting to cross her face…
"Yeah…Me, too."
Tonya grinned as Gomamon and Tsunomon joined in the exchange, putting a hand on Agumon's head.
"Guys, I hate to break up the moment, but…"
Her grin fell to a smile, sad and a bit guilty…
"I've got a story to tell you guys."
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"So whatever happens here affects our world."
"Holy mackerel, Batman! What do we do?"
"…"
Wince.
"…Just this once."
Relieved sigh.
"We need to find the others, then we can all work together to save both our worlds."
"We can do it!" TJ stated confidently.
"Right, Pat?"
"Right!"
"Everything will work out if we're together." Gabumon agreed.
Beeping filled the air, and the group paused as Tonya and Meg held up their Digivices.
"It's found someone." Tonya explained.
"Mine points this way." The black-haired girl informed, pointing down one path.
"Mine says someone's this way." Tonya replied, gesturing down another.
"So what are we gonna do?" Jenny wondered.
"We'll need to split up for a bit. Let's meet up at the base of that mountain over there, alright?"
The group nodded, and Meg put an arm around TJ's shoulders.
"Tammy will come with me, then."
"Guess we're partners for now, Jenny."
"Lead the way, oh great leader!"
Tonya giggled at her friend's antics, starting down the path…
"We'll see you!"
"Don't worry about us!"
"Bye! See you soon!"
"Be careful."
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As Jokester and Demidevimon reported in about the Crest of Friendship, Midnight ignored them.
He already knew they had failed, had seen it with his own eyes, and wasn't interested in their excuses.
Instead, he had pulled up a 'mirror' to see how his latest toy was handling herself.
She really was a spitfire, stubborn and determined as a bull, but there was something about the way she smiled…
It intrigued him, like a strange jewel that had an unfamiliar shine to it that he couldn't quite place.
As Myotismon punished their almost worthless henchmen, Midnight felt the indescribable urge to break that jewel.
To see those burning gold eyes wet with tears and to watch her submit to him…
To watch the life escape her eyes as he took control of her…
In every other way, she seemed perfect for it.
Being a strong, competent women definitely didn't hurt.
Tonya would definitely be a challenge…
'I can't wait to meet her…'