Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
Chapter 7: Arbormon's New Leaf
When they got back to the inn, Bokomon sent for a digimon healer to look at the wounded. The digimon, called Angewomon, shook her head at the sight of Kouji's arm.
"Your arm is broken. You can not and will not battle until your arm heals young Chosen," she said as she set Kouji's arm and put it in a sling. Kouji wanted to protest but his arm was already in the sling and he doubted that she would change her mind. Angewomon then moved to Yutaka.
"Bruises, sprains and a twisted ankle…you will not battle either." Yutaka shrugged. He already knew that he couldn't walk easily, so he had really doubted that he would be able to fight. Angewomon then went to look at Takuya's injuries, many of which were bruises but he was in a fetal position because of his back. Kouichi was apologizing repeatedly, but Takuya was in so much pain that he didn't here it. Zoe was trying to coax Takuya to sleep.
"I need him to sit up if I am to see his injuries." Zoe glared at Kouichi causing him to shrink back. Taiya was nearby, just watching. Shinya was in a corner, ignoring his brother and uncaring of Takuya's condition. JP was watching the uninjured younger Kanbara in disgust. Tommy and Yamato watched the leader in dismay as he curled up into a smaller ball. Taiya gently placed her hand on Takuya's shoulder.
"Takuya? Angewomon needs you to sit up so that she can check your back." Takuya opened his eyes slowly with a moan. Taiya watch him carefully. She knew that this time the pain was too serious for her to stop. When Kouji whacked his back it was pretty bad but she had been able to calm him and make the pain bearable. When Kouichi dropped him on accident, the pain returned but it hurt more because the fall added more pain. Takuya was able to uncurl himself but it was painful and he was nearly unable to do it. Taiya and Zoe then helped him into a sitting position. Angewomon then gently touched his back only causing Takuya to flinch and yell in pain.
"His back is stiff and his nerves are on a sensitive edge. I cannot help him but Pixiemon can." Bokomon nodded and ran out to find the fairy digimon. Takuya whimpered in pain and returned to his fetal position. JP and Yamato left the room taking Tommy and Shinya with them so that Angewomon had more room. Shinya, however, had to be head locked by JP before he left. Taiya also walked out with Kouichi in the tow. Only Angewomon, Zoe, Kouji, Yutaka and Takuya were left in the room. Neemon was nowhere to be seen so they guessed that he went with Bokomon; unless he went back to the beach to continue his nap, though that seems unlikely after the Meramon attack. A moment later, a small fairy digimon entered through one of the windows.
"Pi! Hello Chosen pi! You sent for me Angewomon? Pi! What do you need me to assist you with? Pi!" Angewomon pointed to the curled up Takuya.
"The Fire Chosen's back is greatly injured. I believe that you will be able to heal it."
"Hm, how was he injured, pi?" The small fairy questioned and Kouji answered.
"He was injured fighting some SkullSatanmon; when they attacked Zoe, he jumped in front of it. After the battle, he was unconscious for two days. He just woke up last night. I then hit his back and Kouichi dropped him…" Pixiemon grimaced.
"Pi! This is very serious indeed, pi! If his spine is dislocated then he could be paralyzed for life!" Kouji was really wishing that he hadn't hit Takuya's back after he heard that. Yutaka looked worried and Zoe began to question Pixiemon.
"But you can help him, can't you, Pixiemon?" Pixiemon smiled and nodded.
"Do not worry, pi! Angewomon was right to call me, pi! He will be fine after I help him, pi!" Angewomon smiled.
"Come Chosen, we must leave so that Pixiemon can heal your friend. He must concentrate deeply and uninterrupted if he is to heal your friend's back."
Angewomon led the three out after giving Pixiemon a nod. The fairy digimon began to chant and gently placed his staff on Takuya's back. When the staff touched his back, the boy curled up more. Angewomon closed the door and the three saw no more.
"Do not worry Chosen. Pixiemon will be able to heal his physical wounds but you must give him time to heal his mental wounds." Zoe looked at Angewomon in surprise and confusion to what she had said. Kouji and Yutaka understood what she meant. Shinya was being a pain causing Takuya to worry about him and keeping the team's morale up.
They went downstairs and joined most of the group. JP had dragged Shinya outside and was scolding the younger Kanbara for being a jerk towards everyone but mostly to Takuya. Rude remarks and replies were heard through the opened door and windows. Kouichi wrote something on a note pad he had. Kouji looked at the note pad and found a lot of tally marks.
"What are you counting?" Kouichi shrugged.
"The number of times those two started arguing or fighting." Yutaka gave Kouichi a questioning look, which Kouichi understood what he wanted to know.
"This is the…56th time they have fought since we came to the Digital World." Everyone except for Kouichi and Taiya fell over animatedly in shock. Taiya just blinked and sweat dropped but otherwise didn't look very surprised.
Yamato stood back up fast. "That many times already!"
Zoe choked out. "We just met four days ago! They've have fought 14 times a day on average!" Kouji was also very shocked about that and muttered.
"Those two are worse than Takuya and me during our first time." Tommy snickered after Kouji said that causing everyone to look at him strangely. Tommy managed to stifle his snickers before replying.
"Kouji-onii-san and Takuya-nii-san would argue at least once a day after Kouji began to travel with us and every so often their verbal fights became physical." Zoe giggled after Tommy said that. Yamato and Taiya looked confused and Kouichi and Yutaka chuckled when Kouji's face turned red.
Taiya was the first person to walk outside. The argument soon stopped and JP came back in with Shinya in the tow. The rest looked at them curiously, wondering why the argument stopped and where Taiya went. JP mumbled it out.
"Taiya was just watching us…it was unnerving though…she didn't seem to blink…and her eyes seemed to say 'Stop unless you want worse than water'…" Kouichi shook his head.
"Good thing you stopped. Taiya would have done more than just pour water on you. Although, I agree with one thing that I think we all agree on." Kouichi looked at the others who nodded and looked at Shinya. The un-co-operative Kanbara glared at everyone looking at him.
"What? Stop looking at me like that!" the brunette snarled.
"We're just giving you a warning Shinya. Don't think that this is just a game you can just restart. Everything is real and stop. Glaring. Insulting. And. Being. Un-co-operative. To. Takuya. And. Everyone. Else," Kouji said, slowing down the last part so that Shinya knew that if he didn't comply that there would be consequences. Basically, Kouji was thinking that if Shinya was still a pain when Kouji got his Beast Spirit, he would Beast Spirit Evolve and teach Shinya a lesson. Shinya and Kouji then started a glaring competition that caused everyone to sweat drop at the very intense glares. Pixiemon came down a moment later, smiling.
"Pi! Your friend is healed, pi! Just don't let him fight too vigorously, pi!" Zoe dashed upstairs to check on the goggle-head leader. Most of the rest of the group chuckled at that. Kouichi peered outside to see where Taiya went to.
He went outside and found Taiya leaning against the building opposite the inn. Kouichi soon found himself mesmerized by her beauty. He didn't have to worry about being seen because her eyes were closed. A calm breeze blew causing her hair to sway with the breeze. Kouichi watched the calm expression on her face as the breeze blew across here face. She had her head tilted back so that it touched the wall behind her and Kouichi couldn't help noticing her…other features.
The breeze blew the sides of her jacket back and Kouichi could see her curvy figure as the breeze pushed her shirt against her body. Her jeans were loose at the bottom but the breeze pushed the extra fabric against her shins, showing how slim her legs were. Her hands were in her jeans pockets and Kouichi blushed as he looked at her chest area.
"{Do you need something Kouichi?}" Kouichi jumped when Taiya asked that. She had never opened her eyes, yet she still knew that he was there! Kouichi calmed himself down before replying.
"{I was just wondering where you were. I was worried. Usually you don't stumble after one of your…}"
"{That was bigger than anything that I've attempted before.}"
"{Then shouldn't you rest? I mean, if it was bigger than anything you've attempted before, wouldn't it have taken more energy?}"
"{Yes, I should rest but everyone else might think that I had been injured. Anyways, I can last until tonight.}"
Kouji then came out, grumbling about how annoying and unnecessary the sling was. Taiya opened her eyes and listened as Kouji told them that they were leaving Bookin Town. She raised an eyebrow; questioning why they were leaving so soon before she went into the inn.
She came back out a moment later, her long sleeved shirt on under her jacket and was currently tugging her backpack on. Takuya and the rest came out soon after. Takuya was still sore but not enough to curl up. Actually, he hit his back a couple of times then stretched. Angewomon and Pixiemon came out to see the Chosen off.
"Pi! My cave is on your way, pi! It is after Toy Town, pi! If you are hurt or anything, go on in, pi!" Pixiemon invited. Angewomon looked over to Zoe.
"Take care of the Flame Warrior. He does not like to look weak. Especially, not in front of you, Wind Warrior." Zoe blushed and went over to Takuya and tapped him on the shoulder. He just gave her a grin and ran up front.
"Come on! Let's get going already! We've gotta find the other Spirits and Beast Spirits!"
"Don't forget that we have to kick Daemon's butt Taki," Kouji yelled from behind. Takuya made an irritated noise at the nickname that JP had given him during their first adventure that everyone still used. Takuya and Kouji started another glaring contest and everyone behind them snickered. Yamato chuckled as he poked the two glaring contestants.
"Shouldn't we leave if we're going to do all of those things?" Takuya agreed and laid off, only after he gave Kouji a noogie and took Kouji's bandana that is. Kouji yelled at the brunette and gave chase. He couldn't really catch Takuya and grab his bandana at the same time, so he settled for just trying to grab his bandana. Everyone laughed at their antics. Kouji kept yelling and chasing the goggle head to no success.
Zoe giggled and lightly hit Takuya on the head. While Takuya rubbed the spot that had been hit, Kouji grabbed his bandana. But he couldn't tie it back on. He went over to Kouichi and asked him to help him to tie his bandana back on.
JP was still chuckling while Yamato, Tommy and Yutaka clutched their stomachs in pain from laughing. Taiya looked amused and Shinya grumbled something about childishness but his comments were ignored. They the waved goodbye to Angewomon and Pixiemon and started off.
For the next three hours, there was only silence with the exception of Shinya's constant whines and complaints. Takuya was extremely patient with his brother whereas Kouji's patience and fuse was getting dangerously short. Takuya calmly told Shinya, for the tenth time, that they would be sleeping out in the open that night since Toy Town was the next town and that it would take them a couple days to get there. At least three days.
Everyone else was getting annoyed with Shinya's whines but a look from Takuya silenced them before they could speak. Currently, Shinya was demanding a rest because he was tired. Takuya had a very long fuse and ignored the demand. Kouichi wondered how long Takuya would put up with Shinya's whines.
He had already punched a tree sometime back and JP had begun to pull branches or sticks off trees about an hour ago. Yamato was helping Yutaka walk while they both listened to Tommy, Zoe was gritting her teeth and Kouji gnashed his teeth while his eyebrow twitched violently. Neemon was Bokomon's way of tuning Shinya out as Bokomon snapped Neemon's waistband many times.
Taiya was silent. It was hard to hear her footsteps as she walked. It seemed that she had something from home to ignore Shinya with. Soon though, Shinya started to complain about being hungry and tired. Takuya stopped soon after. He hadn't stopped for Shinya; he stopped because he knew that they had been walking for five hours straight without any food. But none of them, except for Shinya, had complained. Actually, they had been too preoccupied with ignoring Shinya that they didn't even notice that they were hungry or tired. At least they didn't until Takuya spoke up.
"Let's make camp here. It's pretty sheltered and near a stream. Besides, the sun is setting." The Chosen blinked and JP's stomach growled in agreement. Everyone chuckled after that. Takuya gave out instructions immediately after.
"Alright, Bokomon, Neemon and Zoe will gather leaves for us to sleep on. Taiya and Kouichi will look for some meat apples, Tommy and Yamato will get some water then help with the leaves and JP, Shinya and I will get firewood. Kouji, don't give me that glare," Takuya said as Kouji glared at him. "Your arm is broken and you wouldn't be able to carry much. Yutaka…"
"I'll stay here because I can hardly walk on my own. I figured you would say something like that," Yutaka said, cutting Takuya off. Yutaka then limped over to Kouji and forced him to sit. Zoe, Bokomon and Neemon began to gather big and small leaves for their beds. Taiya and Kouichi had already left to look for a meat apple tree. Tommy and Yamato found some bowl-shaped leaves and filled them with water before joining Zoe, Bokomon and Neemon with the task of gathering leaves. Takuya grabbed Shinya by the collar and dragged him deeper into the forest with JP following and Shinya kicking and screaming the whole time.
Just a little after Zoe, Yamato, Tommy, Bokomon and Neemon finished the makeshift beds, Taiya and Kouichi came back with many apples. Right after they put the meat apples down, Takuya, JP, and a grumbling Shinya came back carrying the firewood. Before Takuya could use the old method of lighting the fire, a closed pocketknife and something that he didn't recognize appeared in front of his face. Takuya blinked and looked over to the person who was holding the two objects, who turned out to be Taiya, confused. Taiya rolled her eyes, opened the pocketknife, scraped the blade on the wide side of the unidentified object before turning it around and struck the narrow side with the blade, creating a spark and lighting the wood. She the closed the knife and settled herself to sit beneath a tree.
"Why didn't I think to bring some flint and steel?" Takuya asked out loud earning chuckles from the original Chosen and confused looks from the new. Everyone then grabbed some meat apples and sat around the fire. Takuya looked at Bokomon.
"Hey Bokomon, what are the updates in the Book?" Bokomon took out the Book and skimmed through it before replying.
"Well Takuya, while you were unconscious, Kouji and Yutaka discovered that Daemon wants to revive Dimensiomon, a digimon who can travel to different worlds. The Book didn't have enough information about him, but now I'm sure that there is some information to answer our questions." Scanning the Book, Bokomon found some information and began to read.
"Dimensiomon is a digimon who can warp through time and space. Because he can go through space and time, he can travel to different worlds. Daemon wants to control Dimensiomon so that he can take over all worlds."
"What can he do?" Kouichi asked. That was the background information about Dimensiomon but it didn't really state what he could do. Bokomon took a deep breath before answering.
"He knows about every world and can send others to any of those worlds. Millenniums ago, many evil digimon tried to control Dimensiomon and learn about the worlds. However, before they could control him, Dimensiomon sent them to a world of nothingness or so they say. All the digimon that had tried to control him were never seen from again."
"Not good," Neemon said.
"What are you talking about? It's good that those evil digimon are gone! Why are you saying that it is not good?" Bokomon yelled at Neemon.
"They are burning up," Neemon replied pointing to the fire. Everyone looked and saw that the meat apples were burning. Everyone, except for Taiya, then scrambled to get their apples away from the fire. The only reason that Taiya didn't scramble was because she had already taken her apples away from the heat before they had burned.
"Man, you would think that we would have learned to watch our meat apples while they are cooking," JP said before eating his apple.
"Is there anything else Bokomon?"
"No."
"Bokomon, that doesn't really tell us much about him. We need more information. But, it seem like the Celestial Angels want us to try to guide him to our side," Kouji said. Bokomon looked up, surprised, and Neemon couldn't help but blurt out…
"How did you know that?" After the dimwitted rabbit digimon said that, the Chosen looked at the two digimon suspiciously. Bokomon snapped Neemon's pants angrily and plucked up the courage to reply.
"We can't go into details. But Cherubimon found information, or at least a story, about Dimensiomon and the Celestial Angles guessed that Daemon would want to revive Dimensiomon and they were hoping that you would guide him." The rest of dinner was eaten in silence as everyone thought about what they had just heard. A rumble and the ground shaking from a large impact broke the silence. All of the Chosen stayed still as the rumbling and shaking increased.
A roar was then heard above them and their eyes widened when they saw what had roared. The roar had come from a large, skeletal dinosaur digimon with a missile on its back.
Digimon Status:
Name: SkullGreymon
Attribute: Virus
Level: Ultimate
Type: Undead/Skeleton Digimon
Attacks: Ground Zero, Ground Zero Modified
JP: SkullGreymon may be all bones but he packs a punch! He is very ruthless and does not seem to feel pain! He can go on a wild rampage if we've not careful! Be careful about his attacks; Ground Zero is powerful but Ground Zero Modified is more powerful!
The Chosen scattered in all directions to confuse the skeleton dinosaur. Unfortunately, SkullGreymon went after Kouji and Yutaka. Yutaka couldn't get too far before falling and Kouji was no better because he was trying to help Yutaka with his good arm while he tried not to bump his injured arm. When SkullGreymon aimed his missile, Takuya, Zoe, and Tommy Spirit Evolved.
Frontier Spirit Evolution Theme: With the Will
The armor form of each Spirit drew itself onto D-Tectors screen. Each person put their left hand out and watched as a ring of Fractal-Code appeared around their hand. Each did their moves and scanned the code.
"Execute!"
"Spirit Evolution!" Their clothes were ripped off and the Spirit appeared behind them. The armor then appeared around them and fused to their bodies. Landing on their platforms, they completed their Spirit Evolution with their moves and yelling their name.
"Agunimon!"
"Kazemon!"
"Kumamon!"
"Hurricane Wave!" The wind didn't faze SkullGreymon but it did stop SkullGreymon from attacking Kouji and Yutaka and gave Agunimon the chance to get the two injured Chosen to a safer place. Pink tornados appeared on Kazemon's fingertips once again.
"Hurricane Wave!" The attack, once again, didn't hurt SkullGreymon but it did cause him to go on a wild rampage.
Without warning, he launched a missile at Kazemon and she didn't have time to dodge it. She de-evolved back to Zoe and Kumamon attacked.
"Blizzard Blaster!" After Agunimon got Kouji and Yutaka to a safe place, he joined Kumamon.
"Pyro Punch!' Both attacks had no effect on the dinosaur digimon. While the two hybrids gaped, SkullGreymon used his tail to send them flying.
'What can I do? I want to help! But I don't have my Spirit, so what can I do? Come on, whichever Spirit you are, whatever your name is! I want to help them!' Yamato thought, trying to summon his Spirit. He then froze. There was something in the trees and it seemed to be calling him. SkullGreymon stopped its advance toward Agunimon and Kumamon as it turned to face Yamato.
An attack was fired from the trees and actually made a dent on the skeletal digimon. The Warrior of Wood, Arbormon then walked out and faced Yamato.
"This not our final form. You ready for this, right?" Yamato took out his D-Tector in answer and Arbormon became his armor form before he entered his Yamato's D-Tector. The symbol of Wood appeared on the screen and Yamato grinned as he Spirit Evolved.
Frontier Spirit Evolution Theme: With the Will
Arbormon's armor form drew itself onto Yamato's D-Tector screen. Yamato held his left hand out and watched as a ring of Fractal-Code appeared around his hand. Turning around like JP would, he scanned the code when he made a full circle and raised his hands above his head.
"Execute!"
"Spirit Evolution!" After scanning the data, his hand separated but stayed above his head. He held them there for a moment before dropping them to his sides and, when his hands dropped, his clothes were ripped off. Arbormon's armor form appeared behind him and changed form before leaves exploded from the Spirit.
The armor began to appear around Yamato before each piece took its place and fused onto his body. Turning around the leaves that covered his eyes were blown away, revealing brown eyes shot with green instead of pure brown eyes. Dropping down to his platform, he gave two punches before crossing his arms, completing the Spirit Evolution.
"Arbormon!"
Arbormon didn't look the same as the original Chosen first saw him. He was still a cyborg but looked more human. His arms and legs were not scrawny anymore but muscular instead. His armor was brown with some green. This time Arbormon had skin and hair showing. His skin was tan with dark brown markings that made his skin look like bark. His hair was mostly brown with green streaks.
SkullGreymon glared warily at Arbormon. He didn't like his new opponent's 'smell'. Arbormon glared at SkullGreymon and cracked his knuckles.
"Hey bonehead, let me show you what happens when you attack friends," Arbormon crackled a little too evilly. Everyone had the sense to keep their distance from the crackling hybrid.
"Machinegun Dance!" Arbormon yelled as his arms stretched and he began to punch SkullGreymon. The large skeleton was taking hits and backing up because of them. Arbormon then looked at the other two hybrids.
"What are you staring at? Are we gonna finish him or not?" Agunimon and Kumamon snapped out of the dazes and attacked at the same time.
"Blizzard Blaster!"
"Pyro Punch!"
"Blockade Seed!"
The three attacks hit at the same time and SkullGreymon roared as its Fractal-Code appeared. Arbormon went up to the dinosaur.
"Tainted soul, fall now so that a seed of purity can be planted in your place! Fractal-Code! Digitize!" SkullGreymon disappeared as his data was scanned and his digi-egg flew off. Everyone returned to their normal forms and went back to camp. To their surprise and delight, the camp was not destroyed and the fire was crackling merrily. When Yamato de-evolved, he dropped to his knees, exhausted and panting. A blue-gloved hand then appeared in front of him. He looked up to see Taiya offering to help him. He smiled as he took her hand and she pulled him up.
"Arigatou."
"Douitashimashite."
Yutaka: We still have two days until we get to Toy Town.
JP: I wish I could help you guys.
Tommy: Why is BlackRapidmon attacking us?
Taiya: Execute! Spirit Evolution!
Tommy: Next time on Digital Union, Frontier! Ranamon's Rain Returns! It's time to Spirit Evolve!