No flashy intro this time. Or last time, as a matter of fact. Maybe I'm just tapped out on intros.
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. I have nothing else to say (worthwhile, anyway).
LAST TIME:
ISAMU: Arriving to the Digital World was pretty quiet at first. The amazing thing about this place is that it's almost like our own... with some notable exceptions. After walking around for a bit, Wormmon took us to a sanctuary he had built. While we were there, I almost sat down on something that looks all too familiar.
Chapter 3
Courage
"Isamu," Daichi said in astonishment. "Is that what I think it is?"
"I've watched Adventure 02 way too many times to be ignorant of that," Isamu said. "The Digi-Egg of Courage."
Wormmon looked up inquisitively at Isamu. "Are you two saying you know what this is?"
"Don't forget," Isamu pointed out, "we have prior experience with Digimon through watching the TV show. This is just one of many different Digi-Eggs. You can tell it's the Digi-Egg of Courage because of the Crest of Courage under the blade. But what's it doing here?"
"I can't say why," Wormmon answered, "but I just found this one day and something attracted me to it."
"So what kind of Digimon will it hatch into?" Dracomon asked. "Must be pretty big if it's already got something outside it; either that or impatient."
"It's not that kind of Digi-Egg, Dracomon," Daichi said. "This allows certain Digimon to access a special Digivolution: Armor Digivolution." He kneeled down before the egg. "I don't think this is just a coincidence." He placed his hands on the egg, ready to pick it up.
Daichi tugged on the egg a bit, but there was no movement. Daichi pulled up on the egg harder. The other three could hear him grunting. But no matter how hard he tried, the egg wouldn't move, not even in the slightest. Daichi finally let go of the egg and began to breathe hard. He stood up and said, "Hey, Isamu, remember how it always looked like the eggs in the show were just stuck where they were?"
"Yeah," Isamu slowly replied.
"Not so with this one," Daichi continued. "This thing is heavy."
"I could have told you that," Dracomon said. "Wormmon, I don't know how you can do it, seeing as you have almost nothing to lift with, but that egg just can't be moved."
"It's not my fault you don't have the upper body strength," Wormmon said. "Besides, in case you haven't noticed, I have ten limbs."
"Wait a minute, back up," Daichi interrupted. "Wormmon, you can lift this?"
"How do you think I got it here?" Wormmon replied. Daichi thought for a moment before turning to Isamu.
"Hey, why don't you try it?" he said.
"What? Me?" Isamu said in surprise. "Are you sure about this?"
"That egg has to work for somebody," Daichi said, "and, unless you haven't been able to tell, that somebody is not me."
"That doesn't exactly prove anything," Isamu argued. "To be able to use a Digi-Egg, you have to have some sort of connection with the trait it represents. I mean, courage? Me? Remember when we first saw Apocalymon? I practically covered my eyes."
"You hadn't even hit double digits yet," Daichi said, unmoved by Isamu's anecdote.
"Yeah, but if I was that scared of something that I was sure didn't exist, imagine what will happen if we actually do meet up with something like that."
"Aren't you the one who said this whole experience would be the coolest thing ever?" Daichi pointed out.
"Okay, confession time," Isamu said. "That was just me trying to not let this whole experience worry me. You know what kind of Digimon live around here, Daichi. Besides, weren't you the one asking why we're Digi-Destined."
"And as Digi-Destined, it is not your place to question what, why, or how. Just go with it."
Isamu sighed. As he walked over to the egg, he whispered "I hate when he uses my own lines against me. I also hate when he makes more sense than me."
"I know," Daichi said, indicating he could hear Isamu. "You think you'd be used to it by now."
"That was so funny, I forgot to laugh," Isamu said sarcastically. ("Is that possible?" Dracomon asked Wormmon. "Figure of speech, Dracomon," Daichi said.)
Isamu got on his knees and placed his hands on the egg. "You'd better be right about this," he said to Daichi. After receiving a "Just do it" from Daichi, he tugged hard on the egg. However, the result was more than a tug, as he fell to his back with the egg firmly clasped in both hands and off the ground.
As the other three looked at what had just happened, Wormmon said to Dracomon, "Told you."
"Shut up."
Isamu lay on the ground dumbfounded. "Now do you believe me?" he heard Daichi say.
"I'm still a little skeptical," Isamu answered as he got up.
"Here they go again," Dracomon said, sensing another argument.
"Just another example of a healthy relation—" Wormmon said before they all saw one of the tree-supports move toward them; something had hit it.
"I thought you said no one would attack this place," Isamu said to Wormmon as he clutched to the egg.
"Maybe they're not afraid of Dokugumon?" Wormmon said.
"I say we just get out of here before this place comes down on top of us," Dracomon said, already running to the door-flap. The rest soon followed him out.
As soon as they had found a place to hide and observe, all four looked at the creature attacking their new hideout. It looked like a tyrannosaurus, red in color and about as tall as the trees. Daichi pulled out his D-Power and brought up the Digi-Analyzer screen.
"Tyrannomon, a dinosaur Digimon, data type, champion level. It attacks using its fire or its claws, neither of which are pleasant at the receiving end."
"Do you think it noticed us?" Isamu whispered.
"Maybe if we just leave quietly," Dracomon said just as softly, "it won't have to." The group started walking, making as little sound as possible. Meanwhile, Tyrannomon succeeded in making a hole in the web structure. It started sniffing around and turned until it faced the humans and Digimon. Isamu saw this and hoped Tyrannomon didn't see them.
"Blaze Blast!" the dinosaur cried before releasing a fireball in their direction.
"Move!" Isamu yelled. Everyone jumped out of the way just in time. Daichi and Dracomon rolled out of the foliage and faced Tyrannomon.
"Dracomon, let's see what you can do," Daichi said as he got up. He pulled his D-Power off his waist and reached into his pocket for a card. He pulled one out with an image of a Digivice.
"What's that for?" Dracomon asked.
"Just watch," Daichi said. He slid the card across the D-Power's card reader. "Digi-Modify! Digivolution, activate!" He waited a few seconds.
Dracomon thought he could hear the wind. "Was something supposed to happen?"
Daichi looked down to find Dracomon still in his current stage. "Let me try that again. Digivolution, activate!" He slid the card across the reader once more. Once again, nothing happened.
"Uh, Diachi?" Isamu said from the distance. "You do realize that Digivolution is not that simple?"
Daichi looked at his card. "It worked in Tamers, didn't it?"
"We're doomed," Isamu said to Wormmon. The two quickly ducked from another fireball.
"Why don't you try something?" Wormmon asked Isamu.
"Like what? Daichi can't even get Dracomon to Digivolve on command. With just my D-3, Digivolving you will be even more difficult."
"What about the egg?" Wormmon pointed to the Digi-Egg in Isamu's arms. "Diachi said it creates a special Digivolution."
"Did you also hear the part where, to use it, one has to have the trait it represents?" Another fireball soared over their heads. "Do you think a courageous person would hide in the bushes like this?"
"Dragon Breath!" Dracomon cried as he flew up to meet Tyrannomon. He launched a stream of yellow fire-like energy at it. It was discomforting, but it looked as though Tyrannomon was not affected. "Slash Claw!" The dinosaur Digimon lifted its hand and attempted to hit Dracomon. The little dragon was so small, however, that it hard a hard time landing a hit.
"That small size should keep it from hurting Dracomon," Daichi said, "but it won't last long. I just don't understand why my Digivice card won't work. Maybe if I try something else…" He replaced the card and pulled out another. It was a Digimon card with Wizardmon's picture. "Okay, this'll do." Doing what he did before, he brought the card to the D-Power. "Digi-Modify! Wizardmon Electro Squall, activate!"
Dracomon noticed his hands were sparkling with electricity. "Uh, Daichi, what just happened?"
"Long story short," Daichi explained, "you just got new power."
Dracomon didn't fully understand it, but something inside him was telling him to go with it. "Well, when in the Digi-Coliseum… Electro Squall!" He pointed his hands at Tyrannomon and loosed a shower of sparks at it. The dinosaur roared in pain. "That did something," Dracomon said. But the celebration was short lived, as Tyrannomon regained itself.
"Try this, then," Daichi said, with another card in hand. "Digi-Modify! Strikedramon Strike Claw, activate!" Dracomon charged in with both claws out and punched Tyrannomon in a flurry of attacks.
"Amazing," Isamu said to himself. "Even though they can't Digivolve, Daichi is making the best out of their situation." He looked at Wormmon, who gave him a look of his own. "Alright, Wormmon, let's see what you got." Both human and Digimon jumped out of the bush, ready for action.
"Silk Thread!" Wormmon said. He released a string from his mouth and tied it around Tyrannomon's neck. Wormmon pulled, hoping to knock it off balance. Tyrannomon turned and slashed the string apart. Its claw almost hit the two as they jumped out of the way in opposite directions. "Don't worry," Wormmon said, "I have another idea. Sticky Net!" He opened his mouth and shot out a salvo of webs at the dinosaur's feet.
Tyrannomon may have been immobile, but it wasn't helpless. "Blaze Blast!" It charged its attack to release it on Wormmon.
"Oh, no you don't!" Isamu yelled as he ran toward Wormmon, stressing each word. The egg in his hand was glowing deep red. "Digi-Armor, energize!" The egg flew out of Isamu's hand and over to Wormmon. When they touched, the Crest of Courage became a visible form.
"Wormmon Armor Digivolve to…" A new form where Wormmon stood appeared as a fiery silhouette. When it dispersed, a being like a monstrous butterfly with fire-patterned wings appeared. His face, body, hands, legs, and feet were covered in deep red armor, lined with orange and yellow, which gave the appearance of fire. The armor on his hands opened in the front, like something could be shot out of them. "Shadramon, the Inferno of Courage!"
"Hey Digimon, hey Digimon," Isamu said to himself in wonder.
"Suddenly, I'm jealous," Daichi said.
"Sorry, Daichi," Isamu responded, "I don't control who Digivolves first, just when mine does it."
"Now," Shadramon said, "what say we start today's menu specialty: Dino a la Flambé?" He flew up using his new wings and stopped at Tyrannomon's face. "Flare Buster!" He pointed his arms at Tyrannomon and shot two fireballs at it. Tyrannomon reeled under the fire's power. "Let's go full force. Flare Buster!" Shadramon began to launch a constant stream of fire. When he was done he flew under the dinosaur's head and punched upward. Tyrannomon leaned back and fell on its side, knocked unconscious. "Now for the final blow," Shadramon said, getting ready for another attack.
"Wait, stop!" Isamu yelled. Shadramon relaxed its stance and landed. Isamu started walking toward Tyrannomon.
"Uh, Isamu," Daichi said, "is that really a good idea?"
"I think it's safe to say," Isamu replied, "that this guy just thought we were what he was looking for. I don't want to destroy him simply because he made a mistake." He walked closer until he was in front of Tyrannomon's face. "Hey, you okay?" he asked.
Tyrannomon opened its eyes. He looked down to Isamu. Suddenly, it reached grabbed him and stood up. "Hey, what gives?" Isamu demanded. "I just saved you from getting your data blasted."
"And I thank you for that," it said. "Otherwise, I would not have the pleasure of destroying you humans." Isamu gasped at this. Tyrannomon opened its mouth. "Blaze Blast!" A fireball started forming in its mouth.
But without warning, the flames left his mouth as if they had a life of their own. They avoided Isamu and went to Shadramon, who held his hands up and formed the fire into his own ball.
Before Isamu could ask, Daichi, who already had the Digi-Analyzer on, said, "That's his Psychic Wave attack; it gives him pyrokinetic abilities." He took out another card from his pocket. "What say we add to his firepower? Digi-Modify! Flamedramon Fire Rocket, activate!" Dracomon's hand glowed fiery red. "Fire Rocket!" He threw his hand forward and launched three fireballs, which went toward the large one Shadramon was holding.
"This is simple enough, Tyrannomon," he said; "let him go, or face the consequences."
"And if I were to say no? Which I will, by the way," it replied, holding its free claw toward Isamu.
"Can't say I didn't warn you," Shadramon said as he moved his arms down, bringing the fireball with them. The ball hit and Tryannomon was engulfed in flames. He dropped Isamu, who was quickly caught by Shadramon. The two landed and watched as the flames finally overtook the dinosaur. Tyrannomon started dissolving from the outline of its body, the process gradually reaching its center. Eventually, Tyrannomon was no more.
Shadramon De-Digivolved and joined Isamu's side. He was still in shock. "Isamu, are you okay?" Wormmon asked.
Isamu shook his head as though snapping out of a trance. "What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Physically, I'm fine."
"How about mentally?" Daichi asked as he and Dracomon walked up to them.
"What he said... about wanting to destroy us. It made me realize that we were his targets, after all," Isamu said. "Sorry, Wormmon. Your sanctuary got attacked because of us."
"No matter, I was planning on redecorating anyway," Wormmon said.
"Besides, I think you just proved you're worthy of the Digi-Egg of Courage," Daichi said. "You went into battle despite the odds being heavily against you, and you tried to help someone that wanted to destroy us all simply because you thought he wasn't too terrible."
"And look where that got me," Isamu said.
"Try to look at the bigger picture," Daichi argued. After a few seconds, he said, "Come on. With Wormmon's sanctuary no longer safe, we'll have to keep moving." He and Isamu grabbed their backpacks from what was left of the web structure and continued through the forest.
"Hey, Isamu," Wormmon asked as they walked, "what was that you said when I Digivolved?"
"You mean, 'Hey Digimon, hey Digimon?'" Isamu replied
"Yeah, that's it. What does that mean?"
"It's from a song that played a lot during the first season of the TV show. I think it just seemed appropriate for the moment."
"How does the song go?" Dracomon asked.
"Let's see…
Hey Digimon, hey Digimon
Monster friends to the boys and girls
Hey Digimon, hey Digimon
Champions of the digital world."
Well, that's one battle met with success, but why did Tyrannomon attack? Will Daichi be able to use Digivolution? These answers and more on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!
So, what do you guys think so far? By the way, I had to take a few creative liberties with attacks in this story, mainly for sensibility. I mean, Dracomon's attack is called "Baby Breath" in Japan (really, guys?), and I just wanted Shadramon's Psychic Wave to fit in with his fire-related abilities. Other than that, I tried to stay true to the source material as much as I could. Some might argue too much, if I'm using Armor Digivolution. Can't say I didn't warn you.
This is CF, signing out.