Chapter Seven: Out of the Woods?
The team awoke early the next morning, everyone Digimon and human alike worked over time to ready for their journey back to Leomon's camp. Leomon lamented that they didn't have the supplies they needed to hike straight on toward Fortes Mountain. The great lion knew that back at camp they had stores of food, leftovers from the feast and the remainder of Babamon's crop as well as the natural growing berries that were only indigenous to that side of the forest. After gathering all their things the expedition set off in the direction of the Liberator's camp.
Despite stomachs empty of breakfast everyone was in a fine mood, the morning air was crisp as it whistled through the trees and rustled the tightly packed branches. It was chilly here in the Dark Forest because the sun only penetrated so far through the trees. Much like the depths of the ocean the forest was shielded from the light, though the canopies did catch some of the heat and radiate it downward it was still colder than being out in the open. Still no one complained as the trek began in earnest.
Due to their good mood and successful mission they often stopped, despite Leomon's desire to see them reach Sorcerymon quickly he couldn't deny them some recreation. The courageous cat knew now that they were not of the Digital World and that they were in a strange place, so he allowed them to stop and rest often. Xander was always the one to instigate the breaks but no one seemed to mind. Anselm and Patamon played a game of tag while Haomon attempted to teach Vera the basics of a good fight.
"Quick and fast," Haomon purred, "that's how I like to fight. I jab quick and then back away. Don't be afraid to dodge and let them get all tired out."
"You have an awful lot more energy and speed than I do though," Vera reminded.
"Okay," the cat meowed disappointed in her attitude, "maybe that style of fighting isn't for you… I don't suppose you humans have any special attacks."
"None that I know of," she said sounding genuinely sorry about that fact.
"Though I'm guessing Xander could whine an enemy to death," John chimed in, trying to block out the distant complaints of Xander, who was bringing up the rear of the group.
"Very funny rich kid, I heard that!" Xander called out, "It just so happens I have a rare foot condition that doesn't allow me to walk long distances!"
"I'd say he has a very rare mental condition," Solara joked quietly and everyone laughed.
"What's so funny up there? OW! Damn rocks are getting in my shoes."
"Look on the Brightside," Bogmon croaked with a smile, "at least you have shoes… and only one set of feet to step on rocks with."
"Dyrasmon," John called, "I've been meaning to ask you something."
"What?" The fairy asked fluttering beside him.
"Why are you coming with us? From what I've heard you have a great big fairy tribe back there beyond the Temple. Why not go back to them?"
"I never really thought of going back."
"Why did you leave at all?" John asked.
"I felt too sheltered, I felt trapped. I needed an adventure, little did I know my trip out into the world would end up getting me kidnapped by those bandits. But I'm here now, thanks to Leomon and his Liberators. I like this adventure now, I like you and your friends and Leomon and everyone."
"Sort of a family away from family," John agreed looking around at the others and offering Dyrasmon a warm smile.
John liked that idea. Back home he was part of a rich and privileged family but it was a lonely life. Most of the time his parents were out attending parties or on business trips or lavish vacations. Even when he was with them it was always in the lap of luxury and safety. There was no risk and adventure to that life. That was why for a while he'd been a bully and a rebel bouncing from private school to private school until at last they dumped him into the public school system. It wasn't the worst life possible but he'd grown tired of it, tired enough to follow a strange feeling toward an underground tunnel. That was only half of the reason he'd found his way to the Digital World because Vera was the other half. He held her hand now as they walked together, her pretty sage green eyes stood out amidst the dark green forest. She was the only positive part of his move from private school to public. If he hadn't met her he knew he would have traveled further down the slippery slope and right into prison. In many ways she'd saved him and now she'd led him into the arms of adventure in a strange new world.
The strange group made their way further into the forest until the sun was low in the sky and then began making camp. Food was the primary concern as most got out their packs to savor what was left of their food supply. They also managed to find some wildflowers that were edible near the camp and added a few to the meal to help alleviate pressure on the other supplies.
As Solara laid her head on the sheepmon bedroll she'd been carrying since they left camp she looked at the others. Each of them had their Digimon close by, each of them except for Thompson. She began to wonder about her quiet friend and about how he had found the tunnel before any of them. In many ways this was Thompson's adventure. Although he was soft-spoken and somewhat introverted he had essentially led them here or at least that's what her heart told her. Her fiery eyes caught the light of the campfire as they opened and shut, heavy with sleep. She put all the questions in her mind at bay and dreamt of the rain.
The next day everyone awoke with a start to the pouring rain and got moving as quick as they could. It wasn't as bad as it could have been though, the heavy canopies caught some of the water making it more like a drizzle at the forest floor. Still by early afternoon everyone was soaked and chilled to the bone, even some of the Digimon with fur were cold. Thompson offered Solara his jacket and Vera was wearing John's hoodie. The whole day was like this, the rain descended, feeding the trees and bringing the whole forest new life. By the time the group came to the stream they'd passed on the way to the Temple the little creek had become a raging rapid. They made camp there for the night hoping the water level would be down the next day.
The morning sun came strong through the happy trees, full from their watery feast. The stream had become a little smaller now, but it would still be treacherous to cross without finding a bridge. The group set out for a crossing Leomon claimed was South of there. It was quite out of their way though none wanted to face the still raging waters beside them. Carefully they made their way toward the bridge. They reached it just before noon and by mid-afternoon neared their destination. The sight as they came toward the camp made each heart sink as though drowning in the torrential waters of the river. The camp was smoldering, some of the wooden walls torn down, tents tossed about and tattered and all around the footprints of fleeing Digimon and bootprints of the bandits.
"It can't be," Leomon growled rushing forward, "What, what happened?"
"Looks like Tulismon did this," Haomon answered, though everyone already understood that fact.
They entered the camp, their once hopeful hearts crushed instantly under the weight of sadness as they came upon the body of a Gizamon, fallen at the spear tip of a Tulismon. Leomon's tear-filled eyes caught sight of Yasyamon lying in the mud twenty yards away, his brave lion heart was happy to see his friend's chest moving. Yasyamon was still alive. Leomon dashed over to his friend to survey what damage the bandits had done. Luckily he found no serious wounds, several whiplashes and sword slashes but none that would prove fatal, still Yasyamon seemed belabored to find breath.
"My friend," Leomon grunted wiping the tears from his eyes, "what has happened to our home?"
"They, the Tulismon, they hit us in the rain," Yasyamon struggled to say, "I told the others to run, most of them got away, some stayed to fight… Gizamon, Gizamon was killed in the battle."
"I can't believe they would come all the way back here to get their slaves," John said with fists clenched in anger.
"They weren't after slaves," Yasyamon corrected, sitting up with the help of Leomon, "They were after you."
"Us?" Vera gulped, "What do you mean?"
"They said they wanted the humans," Yasyamon answered as Leomon stood and helped him to his feet, "They know you have something to do with the relics of power."
"Speaking of which," Xander said showing off the strange device he'd gotten from the Temple.
"Thank goodness you found the relics," Yasyamon said.
"We might not have all of them," Solara announced suddenly, everyone turned toward her, "There were six points to the hexagram in the Temple but only five devices. One might be missing."
"Five will have to do," Leomon said as he dressed Yasyamon's wounds, "We need to get to Sorcerymon, he will know how to unlock their power and how you six tie into all this."
"I will come with you," Yasyamon suggested trying to stand on his own only to collapse.
"You need your rest," Leomon shook his head, "and we must leave soon if we hope to reach Sorcerymon and avoid Podramon's bandits."
"I will come with you," Yasyamon said defiantly and this time Leomon nodded, realizing he had no real way to keep his friend.
"We will need to make good time," Leomon announced, "And find supplies along the way, live off the wild if we have to. We must make it out of the Dark Forest and into the Fortes Forest before nightfall."
"Out of one woods and into another," Thompson said.
The group quickly reassembled their supplies and scavenged what they could, preparing everything in a matter of minutes and setting out with all haste toward the menacing Fortes Mountain. Indeed a few hours later, as they exited the Dark Forest at breakneck speed, the mountain towered over the landscape beckoning them with its icy peak. Only in mid-summer was the peak totally free of snow as the mountain towered over 15,000 feet into the air. Sorcerymon lived near the summit in a small village above the tree line.
Leomon knew they had little time, he moved them quickly even offering to carry several of the humans if they wanted him to. Xander had toyed with the idea. His feet were killing him as they ran across the landscape which had gone from dense forest to expansive plain. This plain area was very close to the farm where they had entered the Digital World and Xander's aching feet wanted to head east toward that spiral staircase back into a world of ease. He looked beside him to see Bogmon was easily keeping up. The two exchanged a glance and began sprinting into a race. Bogmon was the clear victor; he almost overtook Leomon several times while Xander was left in his amphibious dust.
Xander had to admit he'd taken a liking to the giant toad though part of him still wondered if the whole thing weren't some elaborately vivid dream. Back home Xander had been a bit of a bully. It all came with being a baseball star and part of the popular crowd but secretly he'd never liked giving out wedgies. Truth be told he barely even liked baseball. Sports was his Dad's dream not his and while he'd come to enjoy the game he found the pressure a bit much at times. He took every chance he had to be lazy and free even considering dropping off the team. He'd been pondering quitting the team the exact moment he'd felt the call toward the underground chamber. The Call of Destiny.
Night was fast approaching as they took a rest by a large group of bushes and shrubs. The forest was still a ways away. Leomon watched as they gasped for air and sprawled in the grass as though being put through Hell. He studied there faces stopping when he saw Yasyamon's pained expression. Leomon had to admit his friend was a fighter in more ways then one. Most Digimon, even of Yasyamon's strength and endurance, wouldn't have been able to keep up at the pace they were going with those sorts of injuries. He hoped Yasyamon knew what he was doing.
"I used to think you were invincible," Leomon chuckled, sitting beside his fatigued friend.
"That makes two of us," Yasyamon groaned. He took the cork from a clay jar he'd filled with water and poured it down his thirsty throat before passing it to Leomon. The great lion refused the offer, "Don't you think you are pushing them too hard?"
"Yes," Leomon admitted, "but we have no time to waste. Going easy on them could put them in more danger."
"Podramon does not know where we are going," Yasyamon reminded him, corking his water jar and placing it back in his pack.
"No but he knew we would return to the camp," Leomon theorized, "he's likely following us."
"You are correct in that assumption," an evil voice crowed.
Everyone turned to face the dragon. He had an ugly porcine face, hairy fur covered body, grotesque bat-like wings, hulking arms and claws with razor talons. The worst of his features, however, was the invisible and revolting odor he carried with him. The stench of rot and decay was on his breath and clung to his skin. Each move the dragon, Podramon, made seemed to send a cloud of his stink wafting toward the tired group.
"You've come alone," Leomon said with a glib grin, "Were your Tulismon not up to the task?"
"Or is it just that I left none of them alive?" Yasyamon spat taking a fighting stance.
"Stand aside brother," Leomon advised his injured friend, "I can handle him."
The odiferous dragon let out a ghastly roar half-flying half-leaping at Leomon taking the lion down to the grass below. Leomon wrestled to keep his foe's claws from his face but even restraining them Podramon managed to land several blows using his wings as an extra set of arms. Leomon's head was batted to and fro by the demonic wings of the smelly beast. The lion's knee came up, and then his other, he flipped up kicking as he did. Podramon managed to avoid being hit by flying into the air but at least Leomon had freed himself. The courageous lion drew his blade and swung it about in defensive formations, keeping the dragon at bay as Podramon, tried to dive in from above.
"Come now cat, I thought one such as yourself would be better," the dragon cackled, "Hand over the relics and the strange bunch who found them and I will spare your life!"
"FIST OF THE BEAST KING!"
Leomon launched an ethereal attack from his fist, the screaming energy missed Podramon though. Leomon launched the attack several more times but the cowardly dragon clung to the air dodging here and there to avoid being hit. Leomon knew that he would soon be worn out. He looked back at the others to see them preparing for battle. Patamon launched a boom bubble and Bogmon swatted at Podramon with his long frog-like tongue. None of the attacks hit the dragon.
"Putrid Flame!"
Podramon screeched opening his rotten maw to let forth a fireball of green decaying flame. The attack hit near Leomon, the great lion rolled out of the way in the nick of time narrowly escaping the fireball. Yasyamon attempted to step in now, leaping into the air to meet Podramon with kendo swords flailing. Podramon batted away the swords with his claws and used his feet to send Yasyamon back down to the dirt with a thud. Leomon tried to rush to the aid of his friend but was met a series of swipes from above that sent him into a diving roll to avoid being cut by Podramon's claws.
"We have to do something," John whispered.
"What can we do?" Xander asked.
"We can fight," Haomon answered with a feisty tone.
"But he's in the air," Bogmon argued.
"So what?" Anselm asked, "Patamon and Dyrasmon can fly."
"And we're ready to fight."
"Yeah," Dyrasmon agreed.
"Alright then," Xander said suddenly behind the plan, "alright first we need to get him down to the ground, then I think we can handle him"
Dyrasmon and Patamon lifted Haomon into the air with them as they flew up to meet the dragon. Podramon was busy toying with Leomon, too busy to notice what was happening until he had a tiny feline atop him scratching at his back. Haomon went to town with arcs of electricity leaping from his paws as he scratched and punched. Dyrasmon was next launching a bright flash of pixie dust to blind the dragon just enough so that he couldn't see clearly. Patamon was next, turning the tables by toying with Podramon flying just out of the dragon's reach and leading him toward the ground.
"Now, everyone attack!" Thompson called out.
Leomon launched a few Fist of the Beast King attacks that knocked Podramon for a loop, the dragon was met by Yasyamon's Double Strike as well as more attacks from Haomon, Patamon, Bogmon and Dyrasmon. Even the six humans got involved, tossing rocks and sticks toward their enemy. Thompson used a large stick like a baseball bat whacking against Podramon's leathery hide. The hideous dragon stumbled away from them and took off for the distant horizon with bruised wings that were barely able to fly and caused a rather humorous flight pattern. Leomon marveled as he turned to face the group and saw the determination on their faces.
"Thank you," Leomon said, "I am amazed how you handled yourselves. You displayed excellent team work to help defeat a foe that was more powerful than any of us alone."
"He is not defeated," Yasyamon weakly proclaimed, "he will be back when his pride is healed… and he will be angry."
"Then we'd better be ready," Xander proclaimed.
"It felt good fighting as a team," Bogmon croaked, "I've never felt so strong or so confident."
"You all did well," Leomon said, "night is upon us. We will have to stay here and take turns keeping watch."
"I will take the first watch," Yasyamon replied.
"Are you sure friend? You know you need your rest if your wounds are to heal and today's fight only makes you-"
"I will be fine," Yasyamon assured him and Leomon nodded his agreement.
That night as they slept their dreaming minds reflected upon the fight and upon the strength that had felt when they stood together against a common foe. An enemy who, if they had been by themselves, would have struck fear into their hearts and sent them running for their lives. Being united against this common foe made them feel even more like a group then they had before. The road now seemed longer than before. Where once questions of whether they would stay in the Digital World had existed now no doubt remained, there was work to be done here, friends to help. They could not abandon this place to be raided endlessly by the Tulismon or dominated by Podramon. They could not allow him to get the power of the relics at any cost. They knew now journey had only begun. They weren't out of the woods yet.