"Flower Cannon!"
"Rumbling Sincerity!"
Dust rose from the force of the collision, and Sincere Luck jumped back to avoid being blinded.
Once the debris settled, both were surprised that their opponents were unharmed…
"You'll have to do better than that, ladies."
"Now to defeat you. Nightmare Claw!"
The rabbit-girl froze in fear as the ghostly shadow raced towards her…
"LUCKY!"
Lillymon got in the way, and the shadow seemed to suck the life right out of her.
"Lillymon!"
As the color faded from the Digimon's skin, Sincere Luck felt like half of her soul was being numbed…
"Lillymon…"
"Grizzly Wing!"
The fairy Digimon cried out as a piece of her was stolen away by the bats, and her partner's eyes dimmed…
'They're sucking the life out of us…'
"LUCKY!"
Talon's wide eyes were one of the last things she saw before everything went black…
The eagle-winged Digidestined was stunned, seeing her friend defeated so easily, and glared dangerously at her enemy.
'Birdramon, get them. I'll distract Midnight and Myotismon.'
'Talon-!'
"Swirling Love!"
The attack kicked up enough concrete and asphalt to blind them, and Talon swooped back up into the air.
"What about your mom, babe?!"
"She's not-?"
Her heart nearly stopped mom…
"MOM!!!"
It was too late…
"Mom…I'll be back! I'll save you!"
Tears in her eyes, the eagle-girl led her partner in a fast flight away from the community center…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Does it feel any better, Agumon?" Kitty wondered, tying off the bandages around the Digimon's arm.
"I am, thanks to you."
"I'm glad."
The brunette's smile was so sweet, Casey was wondering how anyone would want to hurt her…
Raph and Meg had explained the gist of the situation, and he got the basics of it.
The bad guys were looking for the eighth child, who they now knew to be Kitty, and had blocked off half of the city to find her.
Raph, twirling his sai, couldn't exactly blame his friend's skepticism…
Kitty was even younger than TJ, and seemed even more innocent and doe-eyed, if that was even possible.
But there was still a flash of pain hidden in her eyes, though she hid it well enough while helping Agumon and Gabumon.
Tonya was sitting on an old crate, staring at the floor as Meg paced, trying to figure out the situation.
"Myotismon and Midnight have cut us off from the rest of the world with this fog. No one can get in, and no one can get out."
"All just to find Kitty…"
"And they have Gatomon, her partner."
"They're using her as bait, knowing that pairs can't be apart without pain…They're trying to lure her out…"
"They have also kidnapped everyone in this half of the city. They didn't expect her to be with you, where you could protect her."
"But what will he do to those people? What if he's gotten the others?"
"Jenny and Tammy live across the river. At least they're safe."
"…Still…"
Frustrated, Tonya kicked a can out across the rooftop, where it fell off the warehouse and cracked against the sidewalk.
"Tonya, I'm sure we can think of something." Leo assured.
"We ain't gonna let some jerks take o'er our city."
"They won't stan' a chance!"
"…Is this all my fault?"
All eyes turned to Kitty, whose eyes seemed to shimmer with guilty tears…
"All of those people were taken because they're looking for me? They're getting hurt because of me? Gatomon is being hurt because of me?"
"Kitty, of course not!"
Tonya smiled reassuringly, crouching down to her sister's level.
"It's not your fault at all. It's the bad guy's, remember?"
Sniffling slightly, the brunette nodded…
"I just need you to be strong for me, okay? I'm going to go get everybody back."
"Ton-Ton…"
"I'll even get Gatomon back for you. I promise."
"…Alright…"
Kissing the younger girl's forehead, the red-haired teen stood up, taking hold of Agumon's uninjured arm.
"I'm going to see what I can find. Meg, you'll take care of her for me?"
"Of course. Like she was my own sister."
Nothing could have reassured Tonya more, and she smiled.
"It's around seven am now. If I'm not back in two hours, I want you guys to find a new safe place."
"Tonya, I'm going with you. You'll need back-up." Leo insisted.
"I don't need any help fight their henchmen. But Kitty needs protection more than I do."
Smiling, Tonya gave him a quick kiss before starting to back away.
"I'm trusting you guys to take care of her. I'll be back!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I wonder why the Shell Cells aren't working…"
Don looked at his Shell Cell incredulously…
"Leatherhead went across the river, and now I can't ask him to get me some parts…"
"My son, perhaps something is going on above the sewers."
"Something is not right."
Don nodded, going towards his lab.
"And I can't reach the others, what with the Shell Cells not working…"
The door leading to the sewers opened, and all eyes turned to it.
"DONNIE!"
"Lizzy?"
The blonde stumbled in, looking frightened as she hugged her laptop to her chest.
"The Bakemon and Razor are coming!"
"What?"
"Super Shocker!"
Tentomon flew in moments before Lizzy the door, and the sounds of thunderous blows to the metal echoed throughout the lair.
"What's going on?" Master Splinter wondered.
"Myotismon and Midnight are kidnapping everyone from this half of the city. I barely escaped with Tentomon when I got an e-mail from Gennai."
"Gennai?"
The Ancient One seemed to recognize that name as the exhausted teen turned to Don.
"I need your computer to put up a Digital Barrier."
"Digital Barrier?"
"To protect us from the Bakemon. Before they bust in!"
Still slightly shell-shocked, the purple-masked turtle led her into his lab, and she rushed to his computer.
"I just need to hook them up…"
Turning on her laptop and connecting a cable between both, her fingers flew as everyone crowded in the room.
"We have to wait for it to load…"
All nerves were on-edge as the sound of bending metal echoed painfully…
Don put a hand on her shoulder, fingers tightening in anticipation, as Tentomon buzzed in a near-panic.
Lizzy tried to keep calm, fingers poised over the keys…
'Come on…COME ON…'
'Lizzy, they'll be in here any second!'
'I KNOW…'
The bar was almost full, and a screech of bending metal hurt her ears…
'COME ON…'
A slight ping, and Lizzy's heart almost jumped out of her throat as her hands immediately moved.
"Digital Barrier online…"
Just one more key…
"Lizzy, hurry!"
The door gave way…
"Lizzy!"
There was no more time!
"NOW!"
A bright light shone forth from the screen, encompassing the entire room, and it died down mere seconds before the lab door was busted in…
The Bakemon and Razor seemed confused, seeing nothing within, and retreated.
No one breathed until all of them had disappeared from the entire lair.
"Thank goodness. Those ugly things would have eaten my chocolate!"
"We're grateful for your help, Elizabeth."
"W-Well…"
"Lizzy, is there anything else we should know?"
"I never read all of Gennai's message…"
Going to her laptop, Lizzy brought up the message, showing a mini-Gennai.
"If you're still there, that means the Digital Barrier worked…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jenny grumbled, jerking on the clothes she'd worn the day before and running with Gomamon in her arms.
She wasn't yet at the pier, only a block or so away, and the blonde wasn't about to leave TJ there all alone.
Even WITH Patamon, that would be bad…
"Jen, relax! We'll get there!"
"I know we'll get there! It's the NOT GETTING TJ KILLED SO MEG WON'T MURDER ME part I'm worried about!"
Feet pounding, she skidded around a corner and ran straight into a large figure she hadn't seen in her way.
About to fall backwards at the force, Jenny was surprised when strong arms caught her around her back.
Looking up, she blushed at the sight of a disguised Leatherhead.
"Jenny?"
"Hey, LH. Saw the news?"
"In fact, I did. I was just going to retrieve you…"
"Change of plans, then."
Grabbing his hand, Jenny practically dragged him behind her as fast as her legs would allow.
"TJ's the only other Digidestined on this side of the river. We need to meet up with her at the pier and get across."
"Simple as that?"
"It never is, but a girl can dream, can't she?"
Leatherhead chuckled a bit at that, and she smiled brightly as the pier came into view.
"TJ? Yo, TJ!"
"Jenny? Leatherhead?"
"TJ!"
The black-haired little girl smiled, running towards them with Patamon atop her head.
"Jenny! Gomamon! You made it!"
"Couldn't leave you hanging."
"How will you be getting us across the river?" Leatherhead wondered.
"You'll see."
Smiling brightly, Jenny stepped to the edge of the water, charm shining…
"Dolphin!"
Gomamon jumped to the ground, the light giving him power…
"Jennifer, Spirit Evolve into…TRICKSTER!"
"Gomamon, Digivolve to…IKKAKUMON!!"
As the large Digimon slid into the water, Trickster turned to her friends.
"Remember, keeps your hands, feet, tails, and wings on the Digimon at all times. Any falling off is not my fault, no matter the evidence stating otherwise."
Smiling brightly, she motioned to her partner Digimon's furry back.
"Still, you have no choice, so get on!"
TJ grinned, scrambling onto the warm back with Patamon flying ahead.
Leatherhead did the same, stationing himself lower, as Trickster jumped into the water.
"I suppose this is the evolving Donatello told me about?"
"How'd you guess?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Where are we going, Lizzy?"
"Gennai says the source of the barrier is a tall building around here…"
Don nodded, looking around at all of the tall concrete forms around them.
'Midnight and Myotismon could be in any of them…'
Having left the Digital Barrier up and the two elderly masters in his lab, Don felt more at ease.
Still, he had no idea where any of his brothers were, or what had become of the other girls…
The purple-banded turtle was a bit hesitant to admit it, but the group of girls, hardly even adults, were the world's only hope…
'If they're not all together, no one will have a chance…'
"Donnie…"
"Yeah?"
"What's the symbol for The Foot?"
"A red symbol that looks like a three-toed foot. Why?"
"…Up there…"
Looking upward, Don's heart fell to his stomach…
"The Foot Headquarters…"
"The source of the fogbank…Is in there…"
"We can't go in alone. There are floors upon floors of protection. We'd never make it alone."
"…We'll need to wait for the others, then…"
"Do you think they'll come?"
"…I know they will…"
Lizzy smiled.
"No one's ready to lose this war yet."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonya peeked around a corner, eyes narrowing on a Bakemon and Razor…
'Ready, Agu?'
'Ready.'
Both pounced, knocking the evil pair to the ground, and the redhead growled as she pinned the crow-boy to the ground.
"Where are you basturds holding the hostages? Tell me!"
"Never!"
"That's not the thing I wanted to hear."
"And what are you going to do about it-Hey, what are you doing with my arm-That doesn't bend that way-!"
As he began to beg for her to stop, Tonya almost bared her teeth.
"Your LEADER is messing with the wrong girl right now, boy. Do you want to get on my nerves more?"
"NO! NO, I DON'T!"
"Then SPILL!"
"Tonya!"
Looking up, Tonya tilted her head in confusion before her brain registered who it was…
"Talon!"
The eagle-girl landed before her, and Tonya released her prey, Agumon jumping to her side.
"You're alright?"
"I'm fine. We got caught, but we managed to escape with Lillymon."
"Lillymon?"
"Lucky's partner."
"Where is Lucky?"
"…She got caught…She's with the rest of the city, down at the community center."
"…Alright. I'll go down there and get Lucky. Go down to the warehouse near John's Auto Parts and meet up with Meg."
Nodding, she took to the air once more, following Birdramon's course.
Looking after them for a moment, Tonya turned to start running down the street…
'I'll save Lucky and find Gatomon…I promised Kitty…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Wizardmon. Is that your partner?"
"No…He's partners with Arrow…Gatomon is my partner…"
Meg nodded, remembering the cat Digimon that had hindered them in the castle the first time…
'At least her partner is strong. She can hold out.'
Leo, holding Kitty on his lap so she wouldn't tear up again, rocked her carefully.
"…They were Gatomon's friends…Ton-Ton said…Said they were defeated…"
Even Casey was getting bummed, especially thinking about all of the things that could have happened to April…
Raph and Leo were more concerned about their own brothers, and hoping they weren't hurt.
"…Do you think Gatomon's okay?"
"I'm sure she's fine." Leo assured.
"…Ton-Ton will save everyone, right?"
"…I don't know. Tonya's all alone-."
Wide blue eyes, too much like TJ's gold, and tears threatened to slip past her lids…
"I didn't mean she couldn't. I'm sure she'll manage."
Sniffling as she cuddled into Leo's plastron for comfort, Kitty nodded…
"O-Okay…"
Meg sighed, relieved, as she stroked Gabumon's horn…
'Close call.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Once we reach the bridge, we'll be in the fog." Leatherhead calculated.
"Hope it's smooth sailing…You guys alright?"
"Yup!"
TJ giggled, momentarily free of her worry.
"This is like riding on Whamon!"
"I am not fat! It's the fur! It's poofy!"
"Yeah, sure Ikkakumon…"
Trickster smiled mischievously, stage-whispering to the others…
"He's fat."
"I heard that!"
"But you still love me!"
"It's getting harder…"
Smiling sweetly, the dolphin-girl patted her partner's head.
"You're just a cuddly teddy that likes to make noise."
As Ikkakumon grumbled a bit, Leatherhead understood the true reason behind the mock squabble…
TJ had brightened, worry no longer dampening her happiness, and Patamon seemed relieved.
'Jenny just wanted her to be happy…'
In anyone else's eyes, the blonde's special brand of personality may seem random, pointless.
To a trained one, Trickster was attentive, curious, even overly-concerned with the well-being of others.
Her methods were certainly original, probably the product of an over-active mind, but she meant well.
"Hey, Leatherhead?"
Brought back from her thoughts, Leatherhead found himself inches away from a curious Trickster's face.
Cheeks burning, he cleared his throat and tried to move away.
Her tail swayed like a wave rolling onto sand, and the bangles on her wrist gave a light musical note at her movements.
"You sure you're ready for this? It'll be dangerous."
"I could say the same to you."
"Yeah, but…"
Concern flashed across her eyes…
"I HAVE to go…It's part of my destiny and all that…You don't have to…"
Trickster shyly fidgeted with her tail…
"You have a CHOICE…"
"…I believe…"
Careful, as if she might break, he took her hand…
"That once I met you, I no longer wanted one…"
Her skin tingled, and Trickster blushed hotly.
"Leatherhead…"
Trickster couldn't speak, her heart was caught in her throat, and she almost choked on the words trying to escape it…
"Trickster?"
All eyes turned to TJ, who hugged Patamon to her chest as worry crossed her face…
"Were there always glowing eyes above the bridge?"
The mist they had entered without realizing cleared a bit to show a massive Digimon and his electrically-charged partner…
"Aw MAN…"
"It's Megaseadramon and Shocker!" Patamon informed.
"…Ready, Ikkakumon?"
"…Ready."
Trickster and Shocker hit the water at the same moment, and Ikkakumon moved to shield his passengers.
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
Ramming into the eel-boy's stomach, the dolphin-girl smacked him with her mermaid's tail before reaching the surface.
Smoke still clogged the bridge, and she grinned triumphantly.
"HA! Take THAT, evil!"
Metal screeched in protest, and she blinked in surprise a moment as the bridge was being crumpled in half…
"Oh FUDGEBUNNIES…"
"Trickster!"
"Look out!"
"Thunder Javelin!"
"Shocking Grasp!"
Both Spirit Evolution and Digimon cried out in pain as the electricity coursed through their veins…
Vision going in and out of blackness, Trickster tried to bring air into her lungs.
She couldn't.
Water swamped her open mouth, and she panicked as the long-forgotten feeling.
'No!'
Tears mixed with the water, air bubbles escaping her mouth as her heart jumped.
'NO!'
One powerful push, and she broke the surface, coughing up water and breathing deeply.
'Air…Safe…'
Sight returned with precious oxygen, and her aches became more pronounced at the sight of her wounded partner…
"I-Ikkakumon…"
Floating limply, Trickster forced herself to look around to locate TJ and Leatherhead.
She found them to her left-hand side, closer to Ikkakumon, the alligator mutant holding a frightened TJ and Patamon.
'They're alright…'
A flash of movement, a form moving towards them…
'No…'
Shocker.
Heart pumping wildly, Trickster forced her body forward as fast as it could possibly go.
"TJ! LEATHERHEAD!"
Just one more moment, one flash of time…
"WATCH OUT!"
"Shocking Grasp!"
A scream was torn from Trickster's throat at the force…
"Trickster!"
Shocker retreated for a moment, and she forced a smile on her face to reassure them that her numbing nerves weren't a problem.
"Don't worry…I'll distract Shocker…While you guys get away…"
"We can't leave you!" TJ insisted.
"What would Meg say…If I dragged you into this?"
The young teen could not respond to that, because she knew exactly how Meg would react.
"But…"
"You guys are my…responsibility…What kind of Digidestined would I be…if I didn't try?"
The water was stirred unexpectedly, and silver eyes widened…
"Get back-!"
The next moment, the dolphin-girl was pulled under the water.
"TRICKSTER!"
A beat of his heart, a moment of breathless surprise…
'NO…'
A silver light beamed up from beneath the choppy waters, and TJ tightened her arms around Patamon.
"Her crest…The Crest of Reliability…"
Ikkakumon gave off the same light…
"Ikkakumon, Digivolve to…ZUDOMON!!"
The water swirled like a tornado under the surface, and it seemed Shocker was knocked away as its center opened to the air…
"Transformation of Reliability into…"
In a flash, she burst into the air, spinning her large war hammer…
"Reliable Trickster!"
Landing on her partner's head and using her free hand to grab his horn, she grinned as he lifted the others up into his palm.
"You guys alright?"
"Yeah…"
"We're alright…"
Hammer resting against her shoulder, Reliable Trickster half-turned to see Shocker jumping towards her.
"Thunder Javelin!"
"I don't think so!"
As Zudomon used his horn to absorb the electricity, she jumped into the air, hammer pulled back…
"Reliable Hammer!"
"Vulcan's Hammer!"
The attacks crashed into their enemy's chests, and they fell beneath the waves with shrieks of defeat.
Caught in her partner's palm, the dolphin-girl leaned on her hammer, breath still heavy from this adrenaline-rush of power.
"Are you guys still dandy-?"
Surprised at a sudden kiss, she closed her eyes at the feel…
Once Leatherhead pulled back, Reliable Trickster took a deep breath, looking dazed.
"WHOA…That was nice…"
"Are you alright?"
The question had a hidden meaning, and the Digidestined of Reliability grinned widely.
"HECK yeah…"
Her crest shone brightly, and a beam of light shot through the mist, breaking a path through it.
"Look! We should go through there!"
"Right. Zudomon!"
"I'm on it!"
As they settled on his turtle-shell back, the Digimon swam through the open passage of air.
Eventually, the mist fell around them like a blanket once more, and she leaned on her hammer.
"Trickster, that was so cool! I can't believe you evolved!"
"It was nothing, little buddy."
"That was rather impressive." Leatherhead admitted.
"Come on, you KNOW I'm awesome!"
"I'd beg to differ…"
"No one asked you, Zudomon!"
TJ giggled, clearly amused, when Patamon perked, looking over her shoulder…
"Pat?"
"I thought I heard something…"
…
"Help…"
Reliable Trickster heard it this time as well, and Zudomon slowed so they could search the water.
"Hello?!"
"Is anyone there?!"
…
"Help…Crest…"
"There!"
A log was bobbing in the water, two forms clinging to it for dear life…
"Are you alright?"
"Need to find…the eighth child…"
"Crest…it's hers…"
A flash of pink and gold, a crest with its tag, and the Digidestined realized something immediately.
None of the original seven had a PINK crest…
"IT'S THE EIGHTH CHILD'S!!!"
As the blonde jumped into the water to retrieve the pair, Leatherhead sat back in astonishment.
'But…Where is the eighth child?'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meg glared at her Digivice, the time blinking back at her almost mockingly…
"Tonya should have been back by now."
"I'm sure she's alright…" Gabumon assured.
"…Maybe."
"Don't gotta worry 'bout 'er. If I know anythin' 'bout Tonya, it's that she's as stubborn as ol' Fearless."
A small smile crossed Meg's face as she clipped the device to her waist.
"You'd be surprised."
After a moment, he sat beside her, looking out past the rooftop…
"…Ya worried?"
"…A bit."
"'Bout what?"
"…Tammy." Meg admitted.
"I'm sure she's a'right."
"If she's with Jenny. Even then, there's a chance they'll run into something dangerous."
"Do ya trust Jenny ta protect 'er?"
"…Yes."
Gabumon nuzzled her waist, and she smiled slightly.
"I trust her to do her best."
Casey raised his head from a napping Kitty to see a giant BIRD flying towards them…
"Incomin'!"
Leo's head snapped up, almost like a rubber band, before he relaxed.
"It's alright, Casey. That's a friend."
"Hey, guys!"
Talon landed in the wide open space beside the water tower, looking winded and happy.
"Having a nice day?"
Birdramon landed off to her right, setting down a black and ashen Lillymon.
"What's going on, Talon?" Meg cut in.
"They've used the Purple Dragons to round up everyone in this half of the city. Lucky got caught…Along with all of our parents."
Shaking out her wings, the eagle-girl focused herself.
"The community center is their base. Tonya and Agumon are heading that way now, and we should meet up with them."
"A'right! Finally, some action!"
Meg rolled her eyes, about to speak, when a voice caught all attention…
"Well, what do we have here?"
"It seems we've found a little nest of Digidestined, Phantomon."
Meg almost growled, her wolf's soul awakening…
"You see, we've never quite understood the masters' search for the eighth child…"
"When it would be so much easier to simply destroy you all!"
The very building seemed to shake, and a Digimon burst through the concrete with a hyena-boy cackling on his shoulder.
"Tuskmon and Chuckles!"
Something in the air opened, and another Digimon flew down with a hornet-girl.
"Snimon and Sting!"
Phantomon and his partner, Reaper, both gestured forward with their scythes.
"Destroy them!"
Meg's charm glowed brightly…
"Wolf!"
Gabumon ran forward as power surged through their bond…
"Megan, Spirit Evolve into…FANG!"
"Gabumon, Digivolve to…GARURUMON!!"
"Stay back." Talon advised, spreading her wings as Birdramon took to the air.
"We'll handle these guys."
Fang leapt at Chuckles with a snarl, slamming into him with such force both flew across the street and into another building.
Garurumon pounced on Tuskmon, sinking in his claws and fangs as the more muscled Digimon bucked.
Talon was swooping around Sting, avoiding the stinger trying to slash her open, as Birdramon dove towards Snimon.
"Twin Sickle!"
Managing to avoid it, Birdramon dove as Talon barely dodged a sharp point.
Tuskmon punched his own opponent straight in the chest, sending him flying, and Fang winced before Chuckles tried to dig his fangs into her shoulder.
Punching him across the face, the wolf-girl jumped back.
'Garurumon!'
'I'm alright…'
Ice eyes caught a movement out of the corner of her vision, and recognized it as Reaper…
Heading straight for Raph and Kitty…
'DAMN IT!'
Snarling savagely, Fang charged shoulder-first into the Spirit Evolution's side, at least hindering her progress.
"You'll have to go through me first!"
"Very well."
Her hand reached into Fang's chest, and the wolf-girl gasped in shock as cold fingers wrapping around her very SOUL…
"I'll just have to rip your soul out."
"Ya leave 'er 'LONE!" Raph roared, throwing a sai at the hooded girl's face.
Phantomon knocked it away, chuckling darkly.
"Now, that's rude. She just wants to play."
As Reaper pulled away, Fang couldn't help a strangled scream at the feel of her heart being ripped out.
Raph was getting desperate.
Something about seeing her in pain sent his very heart into spasms…
Garurumon howled in agony, feeling his partner's pain, and fell on his side as he convulsed.
"Fang!"
Talon couldn't just watch her friend get hurt, and her crest shone…
"Birdramon, Digivolve into…GARUDAMON!!"
"Talon, Spirit Evolve into…Loving Talon!"
Before either could even move, Snimon and Sting got in their way.
"Twin Sickle!"
Garudamon was knocked back, and Loving Talon was smashed down into the rooftop in a moment.
Tears filled Kitty's eyes, watching them…
'They're doing this to protect me…They're getting hurt for me…'
The tears flew away like rainbows of light…
"STOP IT!!!"
Everything stopped, even Meg's screams dulled to faint whimpers, and all eyes turned to the little brunette as she stepped forward.
No one could have known that, even from such a distance, her crest was shining brightly…
"I'm the eighth child…I'll go with you quietly, anywhere you want…Just…Just please, leave everyone alone."
"Kitty, don't!" Leo warned, stepping forward only to be blocked by a swipe from Phantomon's scythe.
"What a refreshingly helpful attitude!"
"It's a deal." Reaper released Fang's soul, dropping the wolf-girl like dead weight, as Phantomon made a sphere around Kitty.
Fang was out cold from the agony, as was Garurumon…
Talon and Garudamon were barely getting up as the other pairs disappeared.
Leo ran forward in the hopes of catching Kitty as Raph went straight for Fang, Casey stuck between them.
Falling to his knees, the red-masked turtle pulled her onto his lap, tapping her cheek.
He was concerned, worried that her soul might have escaped after all…
Blue eyes opened, and Raph wouldn't admit how much he loved seeing that color at that moment.
"'Ey, darlin'. 'Ow ya feelin'?"
"Like someone tried to pull my heart out." She answered cynically.
"…I failed."
"Ya did the best ya coul'…"
"And it wasn't enough." Fang bit out in a growl, sitting up.
Garurumon came up, head lowered sadly before he nuzzled her shoulder.
"Everything will be alright, Fang…"
"…I know, Garurumon."
'But WHEN?'
Leo stared up at the grey-colored sky, shoulders sagging.
'Tonya, I'm sorry…I couldn't protect her for you…'
His fists clenched, determination fueling his limbs.
'But I'll save her, Tonya. I promise.'