YES! UPDATE! Soooooooo sorry for the long wait! Junior year's been a bitch...

Anyway, this one's a tad short, but it has action so no worries! Plus, I've learned a little more about Digimon with the Warp-Digivolving and their different forms and I decided I'm just going to keep this fic simple by not making them Hetavolve any further than they already do; but I'll make it up by making them learn more than just one attack in all of their forms! At least now Amerimon, Itamon and the other Basic Digitalia will be useful!

Also I have a BIG announcement: I just watched some of the subbed Digimon movies (cause the dubbed one sucked; seriously, WHY did they splice three movies together for that?) and I think I may have an idea for a possible SEQUEL! Squeee!

Yes, it's exciting, but we'll cross that river when we get to it! Enjoy!

Chapter 9

The group continued along the river without any more attacks to threaten them. Eventually, they stopped to eat as the Digitalia were feeling a bit drained from the previous fight. Unfortunately, by the time they had finished, they realized that all the Maya Berries were gone.

"Aw crap, we ate all we had left!" Alfamon said.

"Well, Oramon said we would find a village near here, so maybe we can get food there," Natamon said.

Kikumon nodded, "That village actually has lots of food; all the Digitalia get their food supply from a huge garden that's guarded by a Digitalia called Trixmon*. I'm sure she'll help us," he explained.

"Have you been to this village before?" China asked.

"We've all been there a few times; all the Digitalia are really nice," Mattamon answered.

"We played there a lot in our Basic form a while after we were configured," Lizamon agreed.

"Configured?" Russia asked. "We'll explain on the way; let's keep moving!" Gilbamon said.

"Impatient as always," Mattamon sighed. "Hey, all awesome people are impatient!" Gilbamon shot back and everyone went on their way.

"Anyway, like we were saying, we were configured around the time Azelmon had first gone into hibernation," Lizamon said.

"But what do you mean by 'configured'?" Russia asked again.

"She means our data; it's what makes us up," Mattamon answered.

"I'm still confused," Romano said.

"All Digitalia are living packets of data," Alfamon said, "We don't really know how, but when new data comes from the human world to the Digital World, the data is configured into Digitalia and the amount and type of data determines things like the strength, personality, and size."

"Like Lenmon! He was made up of all the data on lions which is why he's so big!" Felimon said.

"So what data are you guys made of?" Austria asked.

"We don't know; animal Digitalia are the most obvious and simple, but humanoid Digitalia are made of more complex data. We could be made of anything." Kikumon said.

"But when a Digitalia dies the data is destroyed and sent to the Soul Well; the destroyed data as well as the dead Digitalia are then used as energy sources for the Digital Core," Natamon added.

"Digital Core?" France asked.

"It's the source of life of the Digital World; kind of like the Earth's core in the human world. It keeps this world stable and provides life." Alfamon explained.

"This Digital World is more complex than I thought," Britain said putting a hand to his forehead.

The village eventually came into view; it was quite small and simple, made of little huts but quite pleasant looking. Very few other Digitalia could be seen outside; some were humanoid, some were small animals, and some were a mixture of both. The nations weren't expecting all the Digitalia to be so calm since they were human. Instead of staring like they expected them to, they simply smiled and gave a small greeting like nothing was out of the ordinary.

"They're surprisingly calm," Britain said.

"Why wouldn't they be?" Alfamon asked.

"Well…we're humans; wouldn't it be strange to them?" Britain asked but Alfamon shook his head, "It's not the first time humans have come to the Digital World by accident; I think the most recent time humans have come here was two years ago." He said.

"Two years…" Britain repeated; something began to tug at his memory again. He tried to remember, but again, no dice.

"Look, they're here!" a small voice yelled. Everyone turned to see many young Digitalia who looked like young children run towards them that were most likely in their Basic form. They all had small animal features like ears, tails, wings, or even animal heads with human bodies.

The children all gathered around the adult Digitalia who smiled and greeted them, "Hey, what's up dudes?" Alfamon said.

"How's my awesome gang doing?" Gilbamon asked, ruffling the hair of one of them.

"Is that really you Itamon?" One of them asked Felimon, who nodded happily.

"How did you guys get so big?" One of them asked.

"Because we Hetavolved; these are our Advanced forms," Lizamon explained. The children's eyes all widened with admiration.

"Really?"

"How did you do it?"

"Hetavolving is supposed to be really hard right?"

"Yeah, I still can't do it,"

"How did you Hetavolve? Please tell us!"

"Calm down now," Kikumon said, "We aren't sure ourselves, but we do know that it's because of our partners here," he said gesturing to the nations.

"They have weird trinkets called Hetavices that somehow give us the power we need to Hetavolve," Alfamon said.

"Yes, but it doesn't always work; it usually happens when our partners are in danger and need our help," Felimon added.

The children nodded in understanding and one of the adult Digitalia (who was probably in his Advanced form) stepped up, "So what brings you all back here?" he asked.

"Our partners lost their memories, so we're heading north of here to find the Digitalia who took them," Natamon answered.

"But we also need supplies; do you have any food you could lend us?" Mattamon asked. Before anyone could answer, a small scream was heard. Everyone turned to the exit of the village to see a young boy and girl Digitalia running towards them. They must have been related since both of them had small brown rabbit ears and looked like they could be twins, "It's Benjamon* and Cottonmon*," Kikumon said, recognizing the children.

"What are they running from?" Alfamon asked. He was answered by the sound of giant footsteps coming their way. Benjamon and Cottonmon ran to two adult Digitalia who were probably their parents as everyone looked up to see a giant stepping towards them. He was the size of a tall building and looked almost completely human with a long white beard and clothes except for large and sharp bear claws that replaced his fingers and toes. He carried a large shovel as a weapon and had angry red eyes.

Kikumon held up his marble and his eyes widened, "That's Gregormon*; the most violent and territorial Digitalia in the Digital World," he explained,

"Not to mention that his claws can slice and dice almost anything; a totally un-awesome dude." Gilbamon added.

Gregormon scanned the small village and pointed his claws at his target, "Missile Slash!" he yelled in a gruff voice.

The nation's eyes widened; this was the first hostile Digitalia they had met who could talk! The claws on Gregormon's hand ignited from behind and flew off like rockets. In the blink of an eye, they pierced the ground, destroying any object around them. The villagers all scattered, including the young Digitalia when one of the claw missiles flew away from the others; they headed straight for Benjamon and Cottonmon!

Kikumon ran in front of them and barely had time to attack because of the missiles' speed, "Sakura Gale!" he yelled. The large gust of wind burst forth from his palms. The missile didn't stop completely, but the wind at least blew it off course to land somewhere else. While the villagers inspected the damage and made sure everyone was safe, the nations looked up to see Gregormon turn around and head back up the path.

"Thank you mister!" The two young Digitalia said.

Kikumon nodded and knelt down to them, "Why was that Digitalia chasing you?"

"We were going to visit Trixmon so we could help in her garden; but when we got there, Gregormon attacked us and chased!" Cottonmon said.

"We ran all around the garden looking for Trixmon but we couldn't find her anywhere; and Gregormon said that the garden was his now!" Benjamon said.

Alfamon frowned, "But Trixmon never leaves her garden," he said.

"Yeah, she only leaves to bring extra food here!" Felimon agreed.

"Perhaps someone should go up and teach that Gregormon a lesson, da?" Russia said with his creepy smile.

"No, it's too dangerous; Gregormon may be big but he's fast. He'll wipe us out with one blow!" Natamon said.

"Then what can we do?" Austria asked. Lizamon looked at the sky that was now turning pink, "It's getting late; we should figure something out tomorrow," she said. Everyone agreed.

When night finally fell, everyone was sound asleep inside an extra hut that village had. After a few hours, China woke up to find Kikumon sitting in the doorway. He went over and sat down next to him, "Is something wrong?" he asked.

Kikumon looked at him before looking at the ground, "I can't stop thinking about Trixmon; she might be hurt or even…dead," he said sadly.

"Was Trixmon your friend?" China asked.

"She was a friend to everyone; when we were first configured she was so nice to us and the other young Digitalia…and Gregormon just taking over and attacking us like that," Kikumon clenched his fists, "I won't tolerate it." He stood up and began to walk away.

"Where are you going?" China asked getting up.

"I'm going to the garden to fight Gregormon," Kikumon answered.

"Then I'm coming with you," China said, causing Kikumon to freeze and face the nation, "It's too dangerous, as your Digitalia I have to keep you safe," he said but China walked towards him, "And as your partner I can't let you go alone," the nation said back.

The two were silent for a moment until Kikumon's face softened, "Alright; we'll fight together," he said. China nodded and the two headed down the path towards the garden.

The two eventually arrived at a large garden and China's eyes widened; the food was HUGE! He felt like a rabbit sneaking into a regular garden. They slipped through the fence and walked down the dirt path surrounded by the rows and rows of large vegetables with the full moon as their guide.

"There's no one here," China whispered.

"He may be asleep," Kikumon said. China nodded when a shadow loomed over them. The nation froze and slowly looked up to see a black figure with red eyes.

Kikumon's white rabbit ears twitched and spotted the large Digitalia just as Gregormon raised his hand to strike, "Look out!" he yelled and pulled China out of the way as the large clawed hand slammed into the ground.

"Sakura Gale!" Kikumon yelled and the gust of wind shot towards the giant; but Gregormon simply blocked it with his palm. Kikumon's eyes widened as Gregormon pointed his claws at them, "Run!" he yelled just as Gregormon shouted, "Missile Slash!"

China and Kikumon ran into the maze of vegetables as the claws were ignited and shot towards them. They barely had time to react as the claws struck the ground around them at top speed. The last one landed very close to them and the impact caused them to fly forward. China landed on the ground hard; he got up and turned to see Kikumon tangled in some giant chicken wire.

"Kikumon!" China cried and ran over to him. He desperately tried to untangle the Digitalia, but Gregormon was getting closer. "China-san, you have to run now! Hurry!" Kikumon urged. The nation reluctantly nodded and ran down the path just as Gregormon launched another round of missiles their way. China was thrown to the ground again and whirled around to see that Kikumon was now covered in cuts and bruises. China made to go back for him, but Kikumon's eyes told him to keep running and the nation hesitantly complied.

The weakened Digitalia, relieved that his message got through to China, tried to detangle himself from the wire; to his horror, Gregormon passed over him and began going after China. China ran faster, but it was no use; Gregormon raised his shovel and slammed it on the ground causing the ground to shake. China flew off his feet and rolled along the ground until he crashed into something. He opened his eyes to realize that a large gathering basket had covered him; he must have knocked it over when he rolled into it!

Kikumon struggled harder against the wire, causing his fresh cuts to get irritated, and Gregormon walked over to the overturned basket holding his partner, "China-san!" he yelled.

"Kikumon!" China responded and tried to lift the basket, but it was too heavy.

Gregormon stood over the basket and raised his shovel again, "Now I'll crush you like I did with Trixmon and this entire garden will be mine!" he said.

Kikumon's eyes widened in horror and rage as he clenched his fists, "YOU WON'T LAY A HAND ON MY FRIEND!" he yelled as China's Hetavice began to glow. China peeked through a hole in the basket as the chicken wire trapping Kikumon broke away as a bright light enveloped the Digitalia,

"Kikumon…Hetavolve to…Usamon*!"

The light faded to reveal a large rabbit that was nearly the same size as Freemon and Awebirdmon with snow white fur. Its brown eyes focused on the basket and in an instant the basket was knocked away, freeing China. Usamon then jumped at Gregormon causing him to be knocked off his feet and hit the ground hard.

"Come on China-san; we will stop Gregormon together!" It said through its mind and crouched down. China nodded and climbed onto the rabbit's back, "Hold on tight!" Usamon said and took off.

China tightly gripped his white fur tightly to keep from flying off; Usamon was incredibly fast!

Gregormon angrily got to his feet and raised his claws, "Missile Slash!" The claws shot towards them, but Usamon was ready. He jumped up high and landed right on Gregormon's chest knocking him backwards again. Usamon took this opportunity and bit the giant as hard as he could with his sharp teeth.

Gregormon yelled in rage and threw the large rabbit off and raised his claws again, "Missile Strike!"

Usamon got up, jumped a few yards backwards and faced the oncoming claw missiles, "Kaze Tempest!" he yelled.

Wind began to surround the rabbit like a tornado. Usamon's speed seemed to quadruple as he jumped this way and that looking like a mini tornado, landing strikes over and over again on the unsuspecting Gregormon in only a few seconds. By the time he was done attacking, the last missile was still in the air. Usamon sped towards it, grabbed it in his teeth and directed it back at Gregormon. The giant had no time to breathe as the jagged missile pierced his heart. Gregormon fell to the ground with blood pooling around him until he vanished.

China quickly dismounted Usamon and the rabbit began to glow and shrink back to a very exhausted Kikumon. Kikumon fell to his knees panting and China knelt down in front of him, "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

Kikumon looked up at him with a small smile, "Don't worry about me," he said. At that moment, dawn had finally broken as the sun peeked over the hills.

"China!"

"Kikumon!"

The two partners looked towards the entrance of the garden to see Russia, Natamon, Germany, and Gilbamon running towards them. China grinned as he helped Kikumon to his feet and went to meet them.

"Are you alright?" Germany asked. "We are now," China answered.

"What happened up here?" Russia asked, inspecting the slightly damaged garden.

"Gregormon wanted the garden for himself so he killed Trixmon…but thanks to China-san I was able to Hetavolve to defeat him," Kikumon explained.

Gilbamon smirked, "Wish I could have seen it; it's been a while since you became Usamon," he said.

Germany rolled his eyes, "Anyvay, we should head back; ze others are vorried," he said.

"Hai," Kikumon said nodding and the group went on their way.

In no time at all they had returned to the village where everyone was waiting for them. After explaining what had taken place to everyone the village Digitalia all went up to the garden and got them plenty of food for their journey.

"Thanks again for helping us Kikumon!" Cottonmon said smiling.

"Yeah; I hope I can Hetavolve soon and become as strong as you!" Benjamon said.

Kikumon smiled and patted their heads, "You two be careful alright?" he said, resulting in confident nods from the children.

"North of here is Blizzard Mountain, but you should have enough supplies to last you on your journey," One of the adult Digitalia said.

"Thank you very much," Britain said nodding.

"Now that Gregormon is gone we will look after the garden with as much care as Trixmon did; we are all in your debt and we wish you luck on your journey," The Digitalia said.

Everyone nodded, said their good-byes, and headed out of the village. Overhead, a white snowy mountain came into view.

Their next quest; to conquer Blizzard Mountain.

Woo-hoo! Go Japan! A giant cuddly but deadly bunny rabbit; I think it fits perfectly! (I like to think of Usamon as that bunny from Monty Python and the Holy Grail...only bigger! XD)

Kudos if you noticed all the references to Peter Rabbit! I re-watched it on youtube for inspiration for this and got a MAJOR nostalgia overload!

Meanings:

Trixmon - Based on the name Beatrix Potter, the author of many children's tales like Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle

Benjamon - Based on Benjamin Bunny from 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'

Cottonmon - Based on Peter's sister Cottontail from 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'

Gregormon - Based on Mr. McGregor, the evil gardener from 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'

Usamon - Kinda obvious if you love anime or seen Ouran HSHC: Usagi = bunny which = Usamon. Simple as that.

Next chappie we conquer Blizzard Mountain and Natamon will FINALLY be able to Heatvolve :D ! After that, it'll be multiple Hetalutions and smooth sailing towards the plot from there!

Review if you want MOAR! XP