Episode 7 – Partnership

'I'm going to do it today,' Amy thought as she dressed herself that morning.
April had set in, bringing with it both wet and warm weather. She woke every morning at seven to find the sun blazing through her curtains, as the glorious sunrise lit up the rest of the day for her. She couldn't help but smile for some reason.
Today was different. Today felt different. Perhaps an excess of vitamin D, perhaps fate, but today she felt ready to face the world outside that window.
Today she was going to Digivolve Salamon.

Her bag lay on her chair, Digivice stored within. It was a Thursday; she had no lessons but had agreed to go, begrudgingly, with Talyn into the Digiworld. Sofi, despite having no lessons after the first two hours, would be unable to join them.
Over the past few times she had entered with them, their attitudes had changed. Sofi had informed them of the other Digidestined she'd met, and then a warning she'd found. There was still evil in the Digiworld that had overcome the last Digidestined to have gone there.
It appeared to have had a greater effect on Talyn and Sofi than it had Amy, but in time, she'd probably realise what that meant.
Salamon still hadn't Digivolved, which caused strain between her and the others. The Easter holidays were almost upon them, only one more week, during which time they wouldn't be able to enter the Digiworld. Talyn and Sofi had been making preparations for it. But the fact that she was desperately running out of time, time they thought they couldn't afford to waste, gave her a sense of anxiousness.
'I'm going to do it today,' she thought again before leaving for school.

"Be careful, both of you. Look after each other," Sofi bade them farewell at the bookcase.
"We will," Talyn reassured her.
Sofi nodded and gave them both one last look before she shut it closed.
"Amy, if you would," Talyn muttered quietly.
She placed her hand on his shoulder, he was much taller than she was, and his shoulder came just to her eye level. He pointed his Digivice at the screen and the world flashed around them, teleporting them through something and into the Digiworld.
Amy was ready for it this time, she quickly balanced herself as Salamon jumped and landed in her arms.
"Amy! Today's gonna be a good day, I can feel it!" her Digimon shouted.

Talyn had walked off to under the tree Patamon seemed to enjoy the most. The Digimon lazily slung himself over the branch he was resting on and landed lightly on Talyn's shoulders.
"First job, we have to ensure the villages around here are secure and prepared for when we're not here," Talyn said.
So far, she had not left either of their sides, since Salamon still hadn't Digivolved. She nodded to him, feeling the awkward space between them open up again. On the rare occasion both Talyn and Sofi came to the Digiworld, they sometimes had to split up, and Amy went with Sofi.
"Very well then," he said, more to himself than anyone, "we'll start with the furthest out and work our way in."
With that said, he walked away, not looking to see if she was following.
Lopmon, who had found her way to the clearing wished them a good day and jumped back into the trees and out of sight.
"Why are you feeling so good anyway?" Amy asked Salamon as they walked.
Her Digimon now walked next to her feet, jumping occasionally to keep up with Talyn's brisk pace.
"I don't know, maybe because you are!" Salamon replied.
Amy didn't reply to that. Instead she looked up ahead to Talyn, who was muttering things to Patamon that she couldn't hear.
"You know for someone who's so quiet all the time, Talyn can be quite the chatter box," she noted.
"He scares me," Salamon admitted.
"You're not the only one," she replied, "Do you get the impression he doesn't like us?"
"I haven't really thought about it," Salamon said, "Lopmon and Patamon are always talking to each other though."
Amy sighed, "I guess it's because they've known each other longer than we've known them. We're the outsiders."
"Don't worry, once I Digivolve we'll show them how much they need us!" Salamon exclaimed happily.
Gatomon was Salamon's champion form, though the cat wasn't much larger than Salamon, and Amy had serious doubts about Gatomon's strength compared to Angemon or Turuiemon, who were both much larger.
Sofi had spoken to her about what they knew of Digivolution; there were three stages, Rookie, Champion and Ultimate, with two prior forms In-Training and Baby. There was also the Mega level, which only certain Digimon could reach, Sofi didn't class it as a true 'stage', but as something more like Armour or Bio-merge Digivolution; both of which meant nothing to Amy.
"Do you think your Ultimate form will be much stronger?" Amy asked Salamon.
"I don't know, we'll have to find out," Salamon smiled back up to her.
"It's good that you're thinking that far ahead," Talyn said, he'd stopped to allow her and Salamon to catch up, then he added, "But actions speak louder than words."
"Yeah well, some of us have it harder than others," Amy replied, looking him in the eye.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself, "We're almost there, a little further to the right. Do you know what to look for?"
"All of my job is to check the Digimon know where their defendable points are, and their quickest retreat points," she answered.
"After you check you know where they are," Talyn corrected.
"Of course," she smiled.
"Very well, and remember, the lives of the Digimon in this village will depend on your judgement," he added and began walking away.
"So serious all the time!" Amy hissed to Salamon.

The village came into view, many Digimon were walking around, doing jobs and carrying stock and supplies here and there. It was strange thinking that life continued even after she left the Digiworld.
One of the Digimon noticed them and came running over.
"Digi-Guardians, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
"In about a week's time we won't be able to come here for two weeks," Talyn began, "As Digi-Guardians we thought it would be best to leave you with adequate protection until our return. We're here to organise your town into a town that can fight for itself should an attack come in our absence. Amy here is going to locate your best attacking and defence points, and should it come to it, she'll give you the best way to retreat. I will round up some of your stronger Digimon and inform them how they too can help the town should an attack come which is greater than you can handle. That way you should be able to escape with minimum casualties."
"Are you expecting an attack? All's been quiet recently," the Digimon asked.
"Of course not, we're just making precautions," Talyn explained.
"Very well, I shall take you to the leader, please follow me," the Digimon ushered them to follow.
They were led into one of the huts made out of wood and rope, crafted in a tent shape. This one was noticeably larger than the rest.
"Probably something like a town hall," Amy whispered as she and Salamon entered the hut.
Talyn explained their intentions to the leader, a plump Digimon Amy hadn't seen before; she didn't think to register it on her Digivice until it was too late. She was led away by three rookie Digimon who stood and looked at her outside.
It was a few seconds before she realised they were waiting for her.
Waiting for her to lead the way.
"Oh right," she said and walked off, surveying the town.

It was a moderately sized town, resting in a field between the forests and ocean. The first thing she had to do was choose where the most likely attack came from.
"Ok, I think you're more widely open from the ocean," she began, "So, maybe the houses on the outskirts won't be such a bad idea?"
They cast a curious look at her.
"Sorry, I'm new to all of this," she admitted.
"You mean we have to take tactical ideas from someone who's never done tactics before?" one of them asked.
"You don't have to, in fact, if you have a better idea, please tell me," Amy said.
"Well, the outskirt houses will most likely be attacked first from the ocean, which means it'll just be a straight retreat through the town, allowing the rest to be destroyed," one of them explained.
Amy thought about this, "Well you have the forest to your advantage, maybe you could set up some temporary structures there to keep a look out? That way if something does manage to break the first line of defence, you can attack it from behind."
They thought about this, "That makes sense."
"But of course, if you're attacked by something you can't fight, it's better not to try, we should probably sort out retreat routes first," Amy suggested.
"Where do we retreat to?"
"That… is a good question," Amy said, "I'll go ask… go ask my partner."
She and Salamon ran to where Talyn was standing over a small crowd of Digimon, he looked confident as he gave them instructions and advice, but she had to interrupt his flow of thought.
"What is it?" he asked.
"In a town like this, how are they supposed to defend all these… weak buildings?" she asked.
"They probably won't be able to, but they can use their set out to their advantage or something," he replied and turned back to the crowd.
"One more question," she asked, "Where do they retreat to?"
"Hmm, well they could go to the main settlement on this island, but that's quite a way away. I don't want them going through the forests, in case an enemy decides to follow and make camp at our access point, that could be tricky when we come back," Talyn thought.
"Can't we just change the access point to let us in somewhere else?" she asked.
"No. They can't be changed in the real world, only in the Digital World, we're stuck using that entrance," he replied, "I guess they could follow the coastline, that'd circle them around the access point, and allow them to join with the other coastal settlements. If it's still not enough, they should then head to the main settlement, they'll have better protection in numbers."
Amy nodded, "I think I got it… could you just say it one more time?"
His eyes flashed in annoyance, but he complied.
She soon re-joined the awaiting Digimon and relayed everything that Talyn had said.
"The quickest way is probably… straight back, then turn right and follow the ocean downwards," she decided, "It might be a good idea to clear a little way, so you can all easily follow the same route, it'll be chaos if something bad happens."
She remembered when she had come with Sofi and another village had been attacked by a Seadramon, the Digimon were running around in every direction making moving through them all a difficult task.
"Why can't you stay over the two weeks in the Digiworld?" Salamon asked once they'd finished discussing with the Digimon.
"My parents would go looking for me, and then they'd start to worry. It'd be a little strange if I suddenly disappeared for two weeks," Amy explained.
"Won't you worry about me?" Salamon asked.
"Of course I will, but there's nothing I can do really, you'll just have to stick with Patamon and Lopmon until I come back again," Amy explained.

They waited until Talyn had finished, she didn't know how he could have so much to talk about such a small village, but she guessed there was a lot to organise, which was probably made more difficult by the lack of civilisation.
Once he had finished however, they began walking further inland.
"Aren't we covering the coast?" Amy asked.
"No, they're going to pass the instructions on to save our time," Talyn replied.
"But what if they get it wrong?" she asked, "What if they don't have very good 'judgement'?"
"It's faster this way, we'll cover many more towns and villages in shorter time," he said, not looking back at her.
"So, do I have to do the same thing in each one? Tell them how to escape?" she asked, "I barely know anything about that kind of stuff."
He sighed, "Please Amy, we're just here to offer advice."
"But how do I know if what I'm telling them will save them or just get them killed? Can Digimon die?" she asked.
"Of course they can," he replied, but didn't answer her other question.
A smiling Patamon swung around on Talyn's shoulder and signalled her to quit asking questions.
"I can't teach you everything, Amy," Talyn said, "You've just got to figure some things out on your own."
"Yeah, I can barely figure out what I'm going to wear each morning, although that doesn't seem to matter here, do these clothes get washed when we leave or something?" she asked.
Salamon giggled to herself, "They're digital clothes! Even I know that."

Talyn kept up a brisk pace all the way to the next settlement, which was much larger than the first. Amy resumed her duties, asking Talyn's advice on more than one occasion. She tried to think tactically about this one, noticing the greater devastation that would occur if it was hit with raging Digimon. However, most of her suggestions weren't looked to fondly upon, and even Talyn corrected her sometimes as he passed.
"It's alright for him, he's done this before! He's not even trying to help me!" Amy muttered to Salamon. The Digimon was curled up against her leg as they'd finished, again, before Talyn.
She watched him point and direct, give more instructions and organise little groups of Digimon into strategic teams.
She was supposed to Digivolve Salamon today, which she hadn't yet mentioned. But now she realised she could only do it if she was presented with the situation. Despite what such a situation would mean for the Digiworld and various Digimon, she was almost disappointed that they hadn't been attacked yet. But there was more to 'guarding the Digiworld' than fighting.
"How often do you think they've fought?" Amy asked.
"Probably lots of times, Lopmon said they'd reached Ultimate a while ago," Salamon replied sleepily.
"How can you be tired? We're two towns in and nothing's happened yet," Amy wondered.
"I'm only little, we've walked a lot," Salamon complained.
"Do I have to carry you?" Amy asked.
But Salamon didn't reply. Amy didn't mind, she rubbed Salamon on her back as the Digimon curled up more against her. Her fur was soft but smooth, a strange texture to Amy. It seemed so strange that Salamon was hers and no one else's, a Digimon just for herself, whom she was supposed to get to know completely; a friend, a companion.
They covered two other larger settlements in shorter times. Talyn had learned to speed up his job, and Amy was finished relatively quickly. Both the Guardians sat on a bench, enjoying a light snack before they'd move out again.
"You don't like me," Amy suddenly said. So far Talyn had been silent.
He flinched ever so slightly, "What makes you say that?"
"Oh, come on Talyn! You've not had a good conversation with me since I got here. What is it?" she asked, turning to look at him directly.
Patamon had his eyes wide, unsure of how to react to her sudden outburst, but he was more anticipating Talyn's response.
"That's… not true," he said quietly.
"So, what is it then? What am I doing wrong? What have I done wrong? Sofi's so nice to me, but all you do is just give me stares when you think I'm not looking, and talk about me with Patamon," Amy continued, "You barely talk to me like you do with Sofi, what's the problem?"
He'd gone bright red, his mouth lay open slightly, but he had trouble putting words into it.
"It's not that I don't like you…" he started, then paused again, "It's just…"
She waited, but he was only looking at her.
"Just what?" she asked.
"It's just I'm so afraid you're-" Patamon started saying in a mockery of Talyn's voice, but Talyn quickly put his hand over the Digimon's mouth and silenced him.
She continued looking at him, waiting for his answer.
But they were interrupted by shouts coming from the town.
"Guardians!" a Digimon was running towards them, "We need your help!"
The relief that flew across Talyn's face was palpable, but Amy grabbed his arm as he stood, "Don't you think I'm done with you!" she said seriously.
They turned towards the town, but there were no sounds of attack, "What is it?" Talyn called.
"A fight in the forest! Two Digimon!" the Digimon replied back, "Looks like they're heading this way!"
Talyn looked at her, "Let's go."

They began running through the town. Digimon heads turning to look as they passed. Amy scooped Salamon off the ground when the Digimon started falling behind. Once they crested the highest point of the town, they could see the fight in the forestry below. A large metallic thing with multiple heads was attacking a large red dinosaur.
"Fights just get stranger and stranger," Amy said.
"Orochimon and a Digimon I haven't seen before," Talyn pointed out to her, "Orochimon is an Ultimate Digimon."
"Brilliant," she replied.
"Patamon, Digivolve to… Angemon!"
The angel flew off into the air heading for the battle.
"Is that his champion form?" Amy asked.
"Yes."
"Why didn't he go to Ultimate?" she asked.
"Because Angemon is an unusually strong Champion Digimon, he can usually handle weaker Ultimates. If this one proves strong, then he'll Digivolve again," Talyn said.
"How can you guess something like that?" Amy asked him.
"It's just instinct," he said, and took off after Angemon.
Amy followed him with Salamon in her arms. Maybe she'd manage it today after all.
Angemon fell in between the two, his staff smashed into the ground, causing a shockwave to knock both Digimon over.
"What is going on here?" Angemon asked, his voice carrying his strength.
"This Digimon has just destroyed that town!" the red dinosaur growled.
Amy looked to where the Dinosaur Digimon had indicated, and sure enough, smoke was rising from within the forest to her right.
"Why?" Angemon asked Orochimon.
The Orochimon turned onto its legs again, "For the revolt!"
Before anyone could move it attacked Angemon, one of the giant heads snaking around and slamming into the angel's body. Angemon tried to block it but was hit hard and flew into the trees.
"Who attacked you, Growlmon?" said another voice.
A human ran out of the trees towards the Dinosaur Digimon.
Talyn was caught by surprise; he stopped and looked as the other human noticed them.
"Hey! Who are you?" asked the mysterious human.
"Talyn, this is Amy, who are you?" Talyn called back.
"Takato, you're tamers?" he asked.
"He must be with Rika," Talyn muttered to Amy, "No, we're Guardians."
"Well, I could really do with your help!" Takato exclaimed, he ran over to them as Angemon got back up and attacked Orochimon, "We chased him here, figuring he'd go for this one next. We tried to stop him."
"Why did he attack the other village?" Amy asked.
"No idea, just went berserk," Takato replied.
"Regardless, it must be stopped," Talyn said.
"It's an Ultimate level, I'd be careful if I were you," Takato said, "And you'd better Digivolve too."
He indicated Salamon. The dog looked up at Amy, expectation on her face.
"It's so big…" Amy said. Gatomon wouldn't be able to scratch that.
"Amy, this is not big," Talyn sighed.
"Are there only two of you?" Takato asked, looking around for more help.
"Two's better than none," Talyn said, "Now is as good a time as any, Amy."
But Amy was hesitating again. She watched as Angemon was getting beaten by the Orochimon, as Growlmon too was being overwhelmed.
"What's the matter? Can't you Digivolve?" Takato asked her seriously.
She looked at him, indecision writhing within.
"She's new," Talyn explained, "Besides I'm not sure a Digimon like Salamon will be much help here."
Amy knew that in her heart but hearing Talyn express it so casually… something turned inside of her. It was ok for him; he had Angemon, a powerful Champion. But Patamon was no different to Salamon of Lopmon in terms of strength.
Talyn wandered closer to the battle to shout orders to Angemon, Takato following. The Tamer drew out a card and swiped it into his Digivice, something Amy had never seen happen before. She looked at her own and noticed it didn't even have a card reader on it.
"Don't be afraid I'll get hurt," Salamon interjected, "I'm built for fighting!"
"Sorry Salamon, but there's no way you're built for fighting," she said quietly.
"You can't protect me forever Amy, you've got to let me protect you sometimes too," Salamon argued.
"You tried, remember? And you got injured," Amy responded.
"But not badly!"
"Bad enough! Talyn's right," she admitted.
But she considered that. Salamon had turned to Gatomon once, how could Talyn have gauged her strengths in just that time? He can't be right all the time.
She'd just been standing up to him, but once again, he'd assumed his 'leaderly' role.
"You're right," she whispered to Salamon, "You're a Digimon, and I'm your partner. Sofi said the whole act of Digivolving signifies that! What good are you if you don't Digivolve?"
"That's the spirit!" Salamon said.
Amy held out her Digivice, the screen remained blank, and Amy knew why.
"Once we do this… there's no going back," she said, "We'll be in this for the long run."
"You know I'm ready," Salamon said, "I'm not doing it for them."
"What do you mean?"
"We're doing it for each other," the Digimon explained, "We're linked Amy! Your strength gives me strength, and my strength will give you strength."
"For each other," Amy repeated, "I don't need you to be stronger than Angemon. If you Digivolve, we'll have proved we're capable."
"That's fine for me," Salamon replied, "Now will you go ahead and press the button?"
Amy looked down, it was there: Digivolve.
She had been indecisive her whole life… she thought and thought and thought, but hardly acted. Today was different.
'I'm going to do it today,' she thought, and her finger pressed on the holographic button.
The Digivice exploded in a shower of white streaks, they circled and surrounded her and Salamon, in a warm embrace. A smile crept across her face, she was acutely more aware of Salamon at her feet, looking up at her with excitement. She could feel the power between them… a new link forming.
"So… this is what it's like to have a true partner," she said happily, "Feels nice."

"Salamon, Digivolve to… Gatomon!"
"Oh yes!" Gatomon cried out as she stretched her body, "This is what I've been waiting for!"
The cat leaped up beyond Amy and started running to help Angemon and Growlmon. Talyn and Takato turned in surprise when they saw the Digimon sprint past them.
Gatomon jumped far into the air and landed hard on one of Orochimon's necks. The Ultimate Digimon bumped to the ground and growled; its voice metallic and rumbling.
"Be careful, Gatomon!" Amy called, seeing how little damage Gatomon actually did.
"Amy, are you crazy?" Talyn asked, his face had regained his composure.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Gatomon won't be able to scratch that thing," he replied, and turned to see Angemon send another strike into Orochimon's side.
"Your Digimon doesn't seem to be doing that much either," Amy retorted, "I'd say you need my help. Our help."
Talyn turned to look at her, his eyes flashed darkly, "Gatomon's inexperienced in battle! She'll only get in our way."
"Oh, so now you're ready to cast me aside once you find someone else who can fight?" she hissed.
"Hey guys, don't fight!" Takato said, casting his eyes to them.
"Yeah, you'd love that, wouldn't you? I'm probably just useless to you, aren't I?" Amy continued to Talyn, "You've got the strongest Digimon, so you don't need any help."
Talyn made to answer, but he was distracted. They turned to see Gatomon smashed away by Orochimon's tail. She hit the ground hard, and Amy began running to her, until Talyn pulled on her shoulder.
"You can't get close to that thing! It'll attack you," he snapped.
Gatomon was in trouble, she was shakily getting up to her knees as the Orochimon started to gain on her. Growlmon and Angemon were hardly scratching it.
The more Amy thought about it, the more it seemed like a bad idea to send Gatomon to fight. Her Digimon was in a daze, unaware that Orochimon was readying another strike.
"Get out of there!" Amy shouted.
Just as its arm was about to knock her off her feet again, Gatomon launched into the air, and Orochimon lost balance.
"Hand of fate!" Angemon shouted, and his attack sliced across the Ultimate Digimon's throats.
"Amy, I'm telling you, get Gatomon out of there!" Talyn said.
"Inferno Blast!" One of the heads shouted, and fire erupted from its mouth, straight at them.
"Move!" Talyn ordered, pushing Amy out of the way.
Takato dived for the trees, Growlmon coming to block off the attack.
Talyn pushed Amy to the ground as he dived, the fire snaking over the top of them.
Amy lay stunned, the world spinning. How had Talyn reacted so fast?
"Takato, can you Digivolve Growlmon again?" Talyn called once the onslaught had stopped.
"On it!" Takato shouted back.
"Growlmon, Digivolve to… WarGrowlmon!"
WarGrowlmon caught one of the heads and held it in the air, preparing to strike it, but another came and forced him out of the way.
"We can't get close to it," Talyn said.
Angemon took to the air where he couldn't be hurt easily. The metal armour of Orochimon barely faltered under his attacks.
Gatomon was running around dodging the heads attacks but causing no damage of her own.
"She's going to get hurt down there," Talyn said.
"She can do this!" Amy pushed, and got back to her feet.
"Amy, I know you're happy that she's Digivolved, but this is foolish!" Talyn followed her.
"She doesn't look particularly strong," Takato agreed when he re-joined them.
"Whose side are you on?" Amy asked him.
He looked blankly at her, "I'm on both your sides, I'm just saying."
"Well don't, you and Sofi have been pushing me to do this for weeks now, and it's finally happened but you're telling me to back-off?" Amy spun around to Talyn.
"Amy, a Digimon of this strength is better left to Digimon who can handle it," was all he said.
"I'm supposed to be your partner! Are you seriously trying to 'baby' me into all of this?" she asked, incredulous, "Why haven't you Digivolved Angemon and finished this yet?"
"I believe he can handle this," Talyn replied, "Don't tell me you believe Gatomon can hurt that thing? You've barely made a bond yet, you don't know her limits or strengths!"
"So let me find them!" Amy shouted back, "I may not get another chance like this! Tell me how we can fight that thing! Why won't you help me?!"
"You ask too many questions!" Talyn shouted, "I can't just give you all these answers! Or tell you what to do all the time! We're trying to start you off on smaller things, so we can build you up!"
"Maybe Gatomon doesn't need to fight?" Takato interjected.
They turned to him, but he was focussed on the battle.
"She looks pretty fast to me, she could be a welcome distraction whilst we attack," he suggested.
Amy smiled, "The middle head isn't protected! You hear that Gatomon? You need to distract as many heads as possible so these other two can attack!"

Gatomon ran up the body of Orochimon, flipping sideways to avoid the attacks.
"Got it!" she called back.
Talyn wasn't happy, but he didn't argue, "Angemon, Gatomon's going to distract it as much as possible, you should have a clear shot at the middle head."
Gatomon jumped off the front of Orochimon, landed on the ground, and rolled away as three heads crashed after her. More began to follow as WarGrowlmon backed away out of reach whilst charging up an attack.
"Turn him to us," Angemon said to Gatomon, after he'd landed in front of WarGrowlmon.
Gatomon spun, winding the heads together somewhat, and circled it, the Digimon following her every move. She struck at it ever now and then to keep it following.
"It's not very intelligent," Amy said.
"It probably can't keep control of so many heads so easily," Takato replied.
As Gatomon reached Angemon, she jumped into the air, the heads following her, creating an open attack point for Angemon.
"Hand of Fate!" he shouted and launched his attack into the underside of the middle head.
He jumped into the air as Orochimon cried out, allowing WarGrowlmon to release his attack and knock Orochimon over.
The ground shook as he landed, and Talyn rushed over the where Angemon stood.
"Finish it," he said.
"Wait, you're going to kill it?" Amy asked.
He looked at her, "It'll only just get back up and attack the village."
"But… shouldn't we talk to it?" she asked.
"Not this time," Talyn muttered.
"I gotta agree with your friend," Takato said to Amy, "This Digimon obviously just wants to destroy as much as possible, but I don't know why."
"For the revolt," Talyn answered him, "Though what that is, I don't know."
Amy couldn't think of an argument, and Talyn took that as the sign. Angemon twirled his staff and struck the Digimon once more, and once more a cry of pain escaped Orochimon. Amy looked away as the large Digimon started disintegrating into bits of light, flying away with the wind.
"The villages wouldn't have been happy if we'd let that thing off," Talyn said once it was over, "It's already destroyed one village."
"It just seems a cruel thing to do," Amy said.
Gatomon returned to her side, breathing heavily, "This Digivolving really takes it out of you."

The day was drawing to a close for them. Takato had stayed with them to help with refugees from the destroyed town.
Salamon lay in Amy's arms, snoozing lightly.
Amy noticed Talyn and Takato finishing up and walking over to her.
"…I had way more people than I expected come with me into the Digiworld," Takato was saying, "Too many to look after. You just have to focus on what you can utilize with them."
"Still talking about me?" Amy perked up.
"Amy, I owe you an apology," Talyn muttered quietly, "I… was very rude to you."
She looked at him, wondering if he was genuine or not, "I may not have the strongest Digimon Talyn, but I'm not useless either. I probably do ask too many questions, but you put me under such pressure to get it right or make the right choices-"
"I know," he interrupted, "I guess Sofi and I have learned to grow around each other, and your appearance has disturbed things for me."
"I took a big step today, Talyn," she said, "Digivolving Salamon was a huge step for me. And you acted like it was nothing special."
Talyn hesitated, "I'm sorry. I can see now you have a… a loyalty to Salamon. It's a good quality."
"All better!" Takato suddenly said, "You guys are a team, right? So work like one!"
He was smiling at them both, but neither reciprocated it.
"Thanks for your help Takato, I know we wouldn't have been able to manage by ourselves," Amy said.
"Well, anytime," he replied, "We'd better get home, come on Guilmon!"
"It was a pleasure meeting you," Talyn said.

Once Takato had gone, Talyn turned to Amy.
"You aren't happy about my decision to destroy that Digimon?" he asked.
"I couldn't see an alternative," she said, moving Salamon to a more comfortable position in her arms, "It just seemed a bit extreme."
"Remember Amy, we're Guardians. What we do is for the good of this world. It's what we were chosen to do," he explained.
"I guess it's just something I'll have to get used to," she replied, and began walking back to the access point.
Talyn watched her go, "She's so argumentative."
"So was Sofi when you started, it's only like learning to deal with her all over again right?" Patamon replied.
"Yes, I suppose so," Talyn replied.
"You should at least try to get on with her, whether you like it or not, Gatomon proved useful, and who knows what her Ultimate form holds," Patamon said.
"If she ever makes it that far."
"You mean if you haven't scared her off by that point," the Digimon laughed.
"She just… asks so many questions, as if I have all the answers," he exclaimed.
"Well stop acting like you do!" Patamon said, nudging his ear.

"You were great today!" Amy said to Salamon.
"You think so?"
"I really do," she replied, "I think Takato was right, you may not be strong, but you're useful in other areas where the others aren't. You didn't get hurt too much did you?"
"No, I think I've had so much energy stored up I couldn't be hurt," Salamon giggled.
Amy scratched her head, still feeling the bond between them, a warm connection straight into her heart.
"This is it, isn't it?" she started, "You've Digivolved now, I made that decision, that makes me a proper Guardian."
"Sure does! Are you going to run away now?" Salamon asked.
"Of course not!"
"Good, because I like you Amy."
She stopped to let Talyn and Patamon catch up, but also because she didn't know the way completely yet.
"Everything ok?" he asked as he reached them.
She smiled, "Sure is… partner."
A strange look crossed his face, but he didn't say anything more, just started walking.

They re-entered the forest, and Amy suddenly felt strange. She was part of this world now; she had chosen to be a part of it; to guard it. A choice she would make the same way all over again, she realised. This was her world as much as any Digimon's, her partnership with Salamon was proof. Things could only go upwards from here, she could only get more involved, and for the first time in a long time, Amy liked that idea.
She also noticed one other thing; Talyn was walking next to her, not in front.
The clearing opened up and she gently placed Salamon down so she could find a place to sleep.
"Stay safe," she whispered, "I'll try and get back in soon."
Lopmon helped her walk away before she dozed off for good, "Looks like you had a good day," she noticed.
Talyn waited for her in front of the portal.
"Would you do the honours?" he asked, his mouth creeping up into a small smile.
She smiled back and held out her Digivice. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and they left the Digiworld, the darkness enveloping instantly.

"How'd it go?" Sofi asked.
She was waiting within the shelves of the library and had joined them once she'd noticed they'd returned.
Talyn looked at Amy, and then back to Sofi, "We have a new member."
Sofi beamed at her, "Salamon Digivolved?"
Amy couldn't help but smile widely, "Yeah!"
Talyn left before either of them could say anything to him.
"You've made an impression on him," Sofi said quietly to her, "He doesn't usually smile in the real world."
"We had a couple of arguments, I made a few things clear," Amy said, "I thought he was still annoyed at me."
Sofi shook her head, "Amy, I think this is the start of something big!"