DISCLAIMER: I don't own Digimon or any video games, books, films, TV shows or pieces of music referenced in this story. Original characters owned by me are stated in my profile.

Chapter Fifteen: Gao With the Flow

Monday, 18th October - 3:20pm

Kirkfield Park

Stupid Mrs Madison… Cam growled mentally as he jogged quickly towards Gorilla Clearing. Keeping me back ten minutes…like I was the only one talking! I swear the old bat has it in for me…

The black-haired boy's mental accusation was, rather surprisingly, neither baseless nor paranoid. Even the people who hated him noted that Mrs Madison seemed to single him out for punishment with surprising regularity. Unfortunately, the elderly woman had chosen an incredibly poor day to keep the boy back, as he was meant to have met Henry at Gorilla Clearing ten minutes ago for lessons in the Digimon card game.

"Tons of homework, got kept back, late for meeting Henry…could this day get any worse?" he muttered to himself angrily.

Cam regretted his exasperated words immediately as a familiar fog began gathering around him. As he turned and began to run, a bright white light flared at the centre of the Digital Field, temporarily blinding the boy and causing him to trip over a tree root. He landed with a yelp of pain, quickly trying to climb back to his feet as his vision cleared.

Don't panic…don't panic…maybe it'll be friendly, or another of Rika's mates from Japan, or…

The boy ceased all attempts to mentally reassure himself as he spotted the newly Bio-emerged Digimon. It was at least ten feet tall, with leathery, earthy-brown skin, a long white mane and a massive fang-filled mouth. The knuckles of its left hand were covered with metal studs, while its right hand clutched an enormous bone club. A black-and-yellow tiger-pattern loincloth was the only thing on the creature's body that could possibly be described as clothing. Cam flinched as the massive ogre sniffed the air and turned to face him, staring with its beady eyes and licking its lips hungrily as it stomped towards him.

Definitely not friendly… the boy thought as he froze up with fear, the Digimon reaching out with its free hand to grab him.

"FUGAMON!" a voice roared as a bright white light once again filled the Digital Field, blinding Cam for the second time in twenty seconds.

As his vision slowly returned, the terrified boy saw a blue blur slam into his attacker, knocking the ogre to the ground. He blinked and rubbed at his eyes as the blur resolved itself into a blue-furred wolf with a white mane wearing a long, red scarf. The wolf slashed at the ogre's eyes with paws clad in what appeared to be a pair of red boxing gloves, three massive black claws protruding from the end of each glove. Fugamon screamed in pain as his left eye was torn out by one of the claws, lashing out with his fist at the wolf's head and sending it flying into a nearby tree. As the bestial Digimon climbed shakily to its feet, Cam noticed a series of old, scabbed-over blade wounds running down its left flank.

"Get out of here, child!" the boy's saviour growled as it leapt at the ogre again, its jaws open wide. "Gaoga H-"

"Evil Hurricane!" Fugamon interrupted, swinging his club and launching a miniature tornado at his opponent, sending him crashing back into the same tree. "Nice try, Gaogamon, but you should have let me kill the boy. You weren't ready for this fight."

"Go…to hell…" Gaogamon gasped as his monstrous opponent lifted his club to deliver the killing blow.

I've got to do something… Cam thought and looked around desperately. Seeing a pile of pebbles nearby, he quickly grabbed a small, sharp stone from the rop of the pile and threw it at Fugamon with all his might.

The ogre roared in agony as the stone struck him in his one remaining eye, blinding him. Gaogamon's scarf suddenly lashed out, the two ends of the crimson fabric taking the shape of clawed hands as they smashed into his opponent's right leg and sent him crashing to the ground.

"Gaoga Hound!" the wolf roared and leapt at Fugamon, digging his teeth into the demonic Digimon's throat and tearing out a massive, bloody chunk of digital flesh. The ogre gurgled sickeningly as he thrashed on the floor and slowly disintegrated into data. Gaogamon quickly absorbed the data before he collapsed to the ground in a flare of white light and was replaced by a small, blue-furred creature that looked vaguely like a teddy bear crossed with a dog. The Digimon had a bushy, white-tipped tail, a white stomach, a red headband and a pair of red boxing gloves.

"Are you…are you okay?" Cam asked tentatively and took a few hesitant steps towards the semi-conscious Digimon.

"Cam, stop!" a voice called out, and the boy turned to see Henry and Terriermon running towards him.

"Yeah, are you nuts? That guy could have rabies!" the rabbit joked, earning a disapproving look from his Tamer. "Wait…why is he knocked out?"

"Well, there was this big brown ogre thing - I think he called it a Fugamon…anyway, it was coming right for me and this guy…well, this guy in his Digivolved form saved me," the black-haired boy explained, kneeling down next to the prone Digimon. "What's his name?"

Henry pointed his D-Arc and activated the scan function, reading off the stats displayed on its holographic screen.

Name: Gaomon

Level: Rookie

Attribute: Data

Special Attacks:

Double Backhand

Rolling Upper

Gao Rush

"We can't just leave him here…" the blue-haired Tamer muttered thoughtfully. "You're sure he attacked that Fugamon to help you?"

"Yeah, he told me to run for it and everything. Is there anything we can do for him?"

"Henry…we could take him back to our place," Terriermon ventured. "Suzie's got dance class and Rinchei won't be home for another couple of hours. Maybe your dad will know what to do with him."

Henry nodded his agreement and moved to pick up the now-unconscious Gaomon, only to be beaten to him by Cam.

"Hey, the guy saved my life! Least I can do is give him a lift…" the boy said with a forced grin, trying desperately to hide the depth of his concern.

Wong Residence, Henry's room - 4:35pm

Gaomon groaned and slowly opened his eyes, looking around at his unfamiliar surroundings. He was laid in a single bed covered with a plain blue sheet in a teal-painted room with a greyish-blue carpet. In one corner of the room sat a small LCD TV and an Xbox 360, two boys and a Terriermon sat a few feet away from the screen. A black-haired boy who Gaomon recognized as the one from the fight with Fugamon turned around, hearing the Digimon's pained moan.

"He's waking up!" the boy exclaimed excitedly, nudging his blue-haired friend. "How are you feeling?"

"I am…not at my best…" Gaomon gasped as he tried to sit up, failing miserably and slumping back onto the soft mattress. "Where am I?"

"You're in a country called England, in the human world," a blue-haired boy replied with a concerned look. "Try not to move - you were beat up pretty badly after that fight."

"I think he'd noticed…" Terriermon joked with a grin. "I'm Terriermon, by the way, and this is Cam and Henry."

"The fight…I remember…" the blue Digimon mumbled, then looked at the black-haired boy. "You…you saved my life."

"He did?" Henry and Terriermon said at the same time, confusion written all across their faces.

"Heh, it was nothing…just returning the favour!" Cam replied sheepishly.

"Hang on, rewind to the part where you saved his life!" Terriermon exclaimed with a mock glare. "You after my job or something?"

"Terriermon, when you get glared at by Rika every day, your glares just don't cut it!" the boy laughed. "And I really didn't do much. I just nailed Fugamon in the eye with a stone as he was about to stomp on Gaogamon."

"Not bad…" Henry chuckled, then looked back at Gaomon. "Is there anything we can get you? Some food, something to drink maybe?"

"I…do not wish…to be a burden…"

"Oh, come on!" the rabbit-like Digimon shouted. "Stop being so damn polite and eat something before you delete yourself! It's not like they've got a shortage or anything…"

"Terriermon…"

"In that case…some food would be…much appreciated, thank you."

After devouring a plate full of cheese sandwiches, Gaomon seemed to be much healthier. The little Digimon recovered incredibly quickly, much like all Digimon in his position. By the next morning he was almost back to full health, and insisted that he was well enough to move out of the Wong house. After saying his goodbyes and offering his profuse thanks (for the fiftieth time), Gaomon left the Wong house…and moved into Kirkfield Park, about two hundred metres away.

Thursday, 21st October - 2:52pm

Kirkfield Park, Gaomon's Grove

Gaomon fell to his knees, panting heavily as his exertions began to take their toll on him. The little Digimon had just spent over an hour practising the rigorous daily fitness regime he had devised to keep himself in shape in the absence of the regular combat he experienced in the Digital World.

It is strange… he thought absent-mindedly as he stood up and waded into the nearby stream. The Digimon splashed his face with the cool water and gazed around at his tranquil surroundings, drinking in the sights and smells of the wooded grove. The humans often describe their world as hellish and chaotic, but when I am here…I cannot see it. It is so peaceful. There is so much beauty to be found in a place like this 'park', but the humans barely seem to notice. In the Digital World, this place would merely be another battleground.

Gaomon climbed out of the stream and shook himself like a dog, sending a fine mist of water flying in every direction. When he was suitably dry, he lay back in the long grass and closed his eyes. At first I resented being stuck here but the longer I stay, the more I begin to wonder…

…Why did I even want to go back?

A sudden chill ran down the blue-furred Rookie's spine and he leapt to his feet, instantly recognizing the sensation.

A Bio-emerging Digimon? This should be interesting…

Somewhere Nearby - 2:54pm

"How's Gaomon doing?" Takato asked Cam as they strolled through the park towards Guilmon's Den at a leisurely pace.

"He seems okay," the black-haired boy replied. "I went to see him yesterday after school - he's moved into this little clearing thing not far from here."

"He lives out in the open? Doesn't he get cold?"

"I dunno. He has fur, so I think he should be o-"

Cam was interrupted by a sudden, insistent beeping emanating from his friend's D-Arc. Takato pulled the device from his pocket and glanced at the screen, then frowned in confusion.

"That can't be right…it says there's a Digital Field right…" he started to say, trailing off as a cloud of fog sprung up around the two boys. "…Here…"

Cam quickly closed his eyes, remembering from bitter experience just how bright the light flare from an emerging Digimon could be. Takato, on the other hand, had never been in this position before and was blinded by the sudden flash.

"Gah! What the hell was that?" the Tamer yelped as he rubbed at his eyes and blinked repeatedly.

A low growl echoed from behind the pair and they turned to see a black, cat-like Digimon about the same size as the average house cat. Its ears and purple-striped tail were each tipped with a trio of purple feather-like tufts of fur, and a pair of purple gloves covered its front paws.

"Uh oh…" Takato moaned as his vision returned. "That's a BlackGatomon…this isn't good."

"Maybe she's friendly, like Gaomon," his friend suggested. "Here, kitty-kitty…GAH!"

The boy leapt aside as BlackGatomon hissed and pounced at him, claws extended. The feline landed gracefully and turned, preparing to pounce again, when a polite voice suddenly rang out through the Digital Field.

"I would prefer it if you did not do that," Gaomon said evenly as he stepped into the Digital Field. "We mean you no harm. Please, calm down and we can talk about this. We do not want to fight you."

The black cat's only response was an angry snarl and a shout of "Lightning Paw!" as she leapt at the blue-furred canine. Gaomon replied with a shout of "Rolling Upper!" and leapt into the air, spinning and striking his opponent across the face with a vicious backhand. BlackGatomon yelped as she landed heavily, staggering slightly as she hit the ground.

"You will pay for that!" she snarled, glaring at the Rookie. "Cat's Eyes!"

The feline's yellow eyes flashed briefly as Gaomon met her glare and suddenly froze, lowering his guard and staring into her eyes with a dazed expression. With an evil chuckle, BlackGatomon padded slowly towards her opponent, leaping into the air as she came within a few feet of him.

"Lightning Kick!" she shouted and kicked her foe viciously in the stomach, sending him flying to the ground. "Cat's Eyes!" she called as he stood up, hypnotizing the unfortunate canine for a second time.

I have to do something… Cam thought as the cat chuckled evilly and padded towards Gaomon once again, turning her back to the two humans. Maybe if I…oh, man I'm gonna regret this! The boy ran quickly towards BlackGatomon as she began to call out her special attack and leapt into the air.

"Lightning P-YEEOOW!" the feline shrieked as the black-haired boy grabbed her by the tail, swinging her round and throwing her at a nearby bench. She hit the wooden planks hard, snapping several of them with her head and landing in a dazed heap covered in splinters.

"Snap out of it Gaomon!" Cam shouted and shook the blue-furred Digimon out of his hypnosis.

"You may wish to leave this area," Gaomon sighed and shook his head to clear it. "I am not confident in my ability to defeat this Digimon."

"Don't talk like that! It sounds to me like you're giving up already," the boy snapped and kneeled down to look the canine in the eye. "Even I know that Gatomon aren't exactly strong for a Champion Digimon. I know you can beat her."

An intense tingling ran up both Cam and Gaomon's spines as their eyes, normally brown and yellow respectively, suddenly flashed pale blue. A ball of white light appeared between the human and Digimon, floating in mid-air and descending slowly towards the boy's outstretched hands. As it touched his skin, the light faded to reveal a white D-Arc with a pale blue ring around the screen.

"Is this…I don't…" the boy stammered, staring at the device with a look of shock and wonder before springing into action. "Takato, throw me your cards!"

The Japanese Tamer complied, unclipping his card holder from his belt and throwing it to his friend. Cam caught the holder and began quickly rummaging through the cards, drawing a few he thought would be useful as BlackGatomon climbed to her feet. As the cat's eyes flashed yellow and she opened her mouth to speak, he slashed the first of the cards he had chosen.

"Digi-Modify! Cherrymon's Mist activate!"

"Cat's E-"

"Illusion Mist!" Gaomon interrupted and a thick mist suddenly descended on the area, obscuring the feline from view and rendering her attack useless.

"You fool…" the cat sneered from somewhere to the pair's right. "Now you have no idea where I am. I could strike from anywhere, at any time."

"I do not need to see to fight!" Gaomon called and closed his eyes, then opened his right eye and looked at his newly-qualified Tamer. "You may wish to stand back a bit."

Cam obliged and took a few steps back as his partner closed his eyes again and stretched his arms out to his sides, a frown of concentration passing across his furry face. The boy grinned and quickly swiped a power card and a speed card as he spotted the canine's plan. After a few seconds, a black shape suddenly rocketed through the air at the blue-furred Digimon's back, paws outstretched.

"Lightning Kick!"

"Double Backhand!" Gaomon called in reply, spinning on the spot at incredible speed and leaping at his feline opponent.

BlackGatomon shrieked as the canine tornado slammed into her, his fists striking her all over her body a dozen times every second. The cat fell to the ground, her data flickering and destabilizing as her opponent walked over to her and raised his right hand.

"I…hate…puppies…" she gasped as Gaomon brought his fist down on her head, reducing the feline to data which he immediately absorbed.

"Are you okay?" Cam asked tentatively as his partner stood shakily to his feet.

"I am fine, thank you. It would seem that I owe you my life once again, sir."

"And once again - I was just returning the favour. BlackGatomon would have shredded us if you hadn't turned up."

"I…you may be right, sir…" the blue-furred Digimon admitted with a small smile.

"What's with the whole 'sir' thing?" Cam asked with a confused look.

"You are my Tamer. I am your Digimon," he replied, as if the answer was obvious.

"Dude, don't call me sir. We're partners - that means we're equal, got it?"

"Yes si-I mean, yes."

"Gogglehead, Cam, what's going on?" a familiar voice called, and the two humans and Digimon turned to see Rika and Renamon emerging from the forest. "I got a Bio-emergence signal, then a really weird data spike crashed my…who is that?" she asked, pointing at Gaomon.

"That's Gaomon, my partner!" Cam explained with a grin.

"Partner? How the hell did that happen?" she asked, looking at the goggle-wearing Tamer.

"Well…" Takato began with a glance at his black-haired friend. "Do you wanna tell it?"

"Sure! Let's see…a BlackGatomon emerged right on top of us and tried to kill us, then Gaomon appeared and saved our arses. Then BlackGatomon hypnotized Gaomon and started beating the crap out of him, so I grabbed her by the tail and threw her at that bench," he explained, pointing at the mangled piece of furniture. "I gave Gaomon a pep talk and th-"

"Is he making this up?" the redhead interrupted, looking at Takato.

"Surprisingly, no."

"ANYWAY…I gave Gaomon a pep talk and then a D-Arc appeared. I borrowed some of Takato's cards and we wiped the floor with that crazy cat!"

"Okay, now is he making it up?" she asked again, frowning as Takato shook his head and grinned. "I don't believe this…"

"Believe it!" the newly-minted Tamer cheered and pulled out his pale blue-ringed D-Arc.

"No way!" the girl exclaimed and grabbed the device from the black-haired boy, studying it closely to make sure it wasn't a fake. When she was satisfied that it was genuine, she handed it back to its owner. "What, are they giving these things away in cereal boxes now?"

"Hey!" Cam exclaimed with an insulted expression that, for some reason, reminded Gaomon of a sulking bulldog puppy. "What? What?" the boy growled as his partner began laughing quietly at the mental image.