Okay, first thing first I want to talk about the name choice. I will continue to use the japanese one. For the reference I use the romanization one from wiki, this will apply to all human character from the show. For the digimon, I probably use a mixed. There are some mons name that hard or I felt weird using the japanese one, but some of it better in jpn. Like Dukemon (Gallantmon). I will tell what digimon it is on note or just explain it as the story goes.
[+ More note at the end of this chapter]
Chapter 10 : Spark
"Shut up!"
The scream get everyone attention for a moment, but it's enough to buy him some time. He doesn't need to digivolve, there still a way to finish this. Pulling out a data that buried deep inside him, he borrow that power again. Clenching his fist and raising his right arm up, he start 'reading' those data again.
"What are you doing? Stupid rookie, can't even see that I'm a champion level digimon?" Mock the enemy in front of him.
This power shouldn't be his but there it is, after all this years he can't believe he would use it again. He clenched his right hand harder, those mocking doesn't deter him any bit. "Fist.."
"Hey! Do you even hear me!?"
"of.." His right arm start engulfed by red aura.
At that moment everyone's eyes focused on his arm, his friends never seen him using this move at all, but this is the first time for him as well. The champion level digimon still not bothered to much but starting to feel somewhat uneasy, like an itching feels on his instinct. Then he decide to charge, even after mocking him about his level, this isn't a normal case.
The red looking aura set ablaze, covering his arm with raging fire, after that he just throw a simple punch. "The Beast King!"
Few minutes ago.
The digital field still open despite its already there for a while, indicating either a battle still goes on or something else is wrong. Not far from the digital field, Renamon move as fast as she can while carrying Ruki and Impmon. Ruki held by Renamon's arms while Impmon grab onto Renamon's shoulders, it's the fastest way for them to move without digivolving.
"Ruki, too slow" Says Renamon.
Ruki nod and carefully take out one card from her deck, she slash her card on to her digivice. The card give a significant speed boost for Renamon and they move even faster, the only downside is Impmon barely able to hold onto Renamon. He's not used to this high speed if he need to hold himself to Renamon, last time he's done this Ruki is the one who held his body, not Impmon himself.
"Ahh! I almost flying here!" Yell Impmon as he barely holding on Renamon's shoulders.
"Shut it! This is the fastest way, I don't want to waste our energy"
Though she doesn't say it out loud, Ruki actually calm and in no hurry to get there, but she still give Renamon speed buff just in case. If something big or dangerous comes out from that digital field, hypnos would have contact her sooner, but she never contacted to begin with. Last time she need to help is when Kazu and Kenta got a trouble battling Skullsatamon, although Kenta's partner Marinangemon is on higher level, his tamer lack of experience at that time so Ruki comes to help.
They arrive at the digital field few minutes later and entering it with confidence. Inside the digital field, Juri and Garurumon is in the middle of a battle. Garurumon spew out a blue fire but dodged by the enemy. Ruki quite familiar with this digimon and pull up her digivice just to be sure, it says 'Fugamon, A champion Level Digimon' and some more data about it, she then move closer to Juri who stand a bit far from the battle.
"You two, buy some time" Command Ruki before walking to Juri side. "What happen?" Ask Ruki.
"I'm on my way as planned but digital field suddenly appear, like any other day" Juri still smile to Ruki, despite the battle dragged quite long, she doesn't seems to be nervous. Garurumon also doesn't seem to be injured from Ruki's observation.
Meanwhile the three digimon facing Fugamon who surprised to see another tamer coming to help.
"Impmon! Renamon!" Garurumon relieved that help comes, although he still confidence facing this Fugamon alone, he won't say no to help especially the help from his friends. "You guys so-"
There is no time to chat as Fugamon swing his large bone-club to them, all three of them jumps back to dodge the attack that shatter little area around the impact. Fugamon still showing confidence and even a smirk despite the number disadvantage. "Data! More data for me!" He shout maniacally before laughing. "What's with these stupid mons~ You all didn't need to deliver yourself to me like that, but why would I refuse this right~? Now let me load you three peacefully or suffer!" He point out his bone-club at Garurumon first.
A fireball thrown at Fugamon who fixated on Garurumon, but it explode before hitting him. "Sheesh, why every red mon always this braindead huh?" Fugamon quickly swing his club towards Impmon, but easily dodged. "see, told ya" Impmon chuckle as he hop around to dodge Fugamon's attacks.
"Come here you insolent brat!"
Impmon keep dodging while Fugamon fully drawn onto him, the purple rookie isn't afraid at all and just toying Fugamon as he please. While Garurumon impressed from it, Renamon stay silent looking at him. At a moment Impmon drawn Fugamon far enough and makes him show his back to Renamon and Garurumon, he then wink at them. Without hesitation both Renamon and Garurumon charge at the unsuspecting champion level, slashing Fugamon's back with their claw.
Those attacks did push Fugamon but strangely not hurting him, everyone surprised but not for Juri and Garurumon. Fugamon turn back to them and laugh, he got the expression of annoyed yet laughing at his enemies like it was nothing. "Be patient my sweet sweet data, I want to finish this one first" This battle should be favoring them yet Fugamon seems okay on his own, even seemed to have more advantage than them.
While those three buying some time, Ruki start to understand why Juri can't finish this battle right away. She gave Juri a glance and got a nod in response. "Too much for his current form right? Garurumon still can hurt him but with just hitting him.." Juri shake her head. "eh? Why are you smiling like that?"
Ruki smile showing a lot of confidence. "Don't worry, we're going to win this. Renamon!" As she call Renamon, Ruki pull out a Meramon card and swiping it on her digivice. Seconds later Renamon's claw set ablaze, it is Meramon's fire fist. Without further command Renamon make her way to strike Fugamon's back when he still fixated on the running Impmon, although Fugamon finally give her some attention, her attacks doesn't work. Even Ruki stunned watching that, she doesn't expect that Renamon's buffed attack would leave just a little scratch.
"Fine! You first!" Fugamon quickly grab Renamon's arm despite the flames, he clearly angry this time. Although she's not panic, Renamon know she need to break free from Fugamon's grip. "Now now, stop resisting when you want to be the first one" Says Fugamon when he raise his right arm.
"Let her go!" Seeing Renamon in trouble, Impmon throw his signature fireballs towards Fugamon's back. But that do nothing when Renamon's buffed strike just leave a little scratch to him. Garurumon run as fast as he could but Impmon know it will be too late. He's the closest one to assist Renamon right now. He run then jump on Fugamon's shoulder, he charge his fireball again, this time right on the champion's eyes. Blasting it directly. "Ruki!"
When Impmon manage to buy a small time for Renamon, Ruki take one card after quickly assessing the situation. She can't digivolve Renamon cause it's too slow, looking at Fugamon that's not letting her go, she take out a defense card that boost armor and swipe it as fast as she could.
"Arrrgh! My eyes!" Fugamon swing his club while blinded but Renamon withstand it like nothing, yet despite of that she still can't break free. Garurumon pounce forward and bite Fugamon's arm that held Renamon, his fangs are very cold and force Fugamon to let her go. They fall back near their tamer while Fugamon recovering from those attacks.
They can't finish this battle without digivolving, Ruki quite annoyed but she understand the situation after those three exchanged blow with Fugamon. She swipe a card and Renamon digivolve to kyubimon, then looking at Impmon. "Stay back, you don't need to digivolve. We will end this quick"
"I still can fight!" Reply Impmon with high tone, clearly annoyed by Ruki's decision. "And I don't need to digivolve!" Knowing she wouldn't buy that, he then trying to appeal by using her own words. "You promise a team, working together" He said to Ruki.
The girl sigh and nod to him, he just a stubborn digimon but he got a point. "There, back up, shoot him from afar" Ruki point out at fence and trees, her order seems to be right as Impmon move immediately. "Still up for a challenge?" Renamon nod, she then turn to Juri. "Will you trust me and just use physical attack? His freezing fangs is enough with Kyubimon's attack"
"Why wouldn't I trust you? You're the digimon queen, I'm sure you got your own reason" Reply Juri, she knew if Ruki want to end this sooner than she could order either Impmon or Renamon to finish this in one go. "Garurumon, you hear that right?" Beside that she got her own reason that this battle dragged out this long.
"Good, we got the same idea"
Kyubimon and Garurumon start to circling Fugamon with Kyubimon is the one taking the lead, she face Fugamon head on while Garurumon ready to strike him from the back. In a blink of eye she start charging forward, using her best power which is speed she close the distance and deliver a slash attack using her paw that shrouded in ghastly flames. "Gah! So you can digivolve yourself, but that won't change a thing!" The attack works, but that didn't mean it inflict much damage. Instead of attacking Renamon in retaliation, Fugamon turn back and catch Garurumon who charge at him off guard, the wolf-like digimon didn't expect him to be this alert.
"Impmon!" Ruki yell with her hands move up and down over her eyes. In that moment two fireballs hit Fugamon's eyes, blinding him. It give time for Garurumon to bite Fugamon with his freezing fangs. Watching from the side, Ruki impressed that he quickly grasp the situation, plus he's okay with this strategy even though he's not on the main show this time. But there still need of improvement, some of his fireballs missing entirely and almost hit his own friends, then again he's the only one who stay on the rookie form plus he never excel in term of speed to catch up with higher level digimon.
There is no need for Impmon to fighting directly, he just need to keep blinding Fugamon while those two chipping his data until it's over. It's been a long time since he fighting other digimon and he get the thrill again, it still fun to do cause it was their nature for digimon want to get stronger from a battle plus Impmon got a strong desire from the start, so he still enjoying it despite only attacking from afar. This makes him recalling the time he pulled up pranks on park goers, that was a fun time when those humans running scared.
Each time Fugamon tries to attack or just blocking incoming attacks, his eyes blinded by fireballs. Now he started to feel the pain, both fiery and freeing attack start to chip away his body. With a loud roar he slam his bone-club and create an mini hurricane from it, pushing away the two digimons. He then manage to block Impmon's attack. His ego get even bigger when he break free from those three. "Kehehe~ In the end you all just weakling, but that was a nice try, especially you little guy" Fugamon pointing Impmon with his club, genuinely impressed. "Too bad you can't digivolve~"
It's a little taunt but enough to make Impmon losing his temper, he jump off from the tree and land in front of Fugamon. "Shut up! I can do it!"
"Oh yeah? Let's see it then~?" Taunt Fugamon, he feel better since the 'formation' is broken. He think that he can win easily as long as these three didn't work together, plus Kyubimon and Garurumon attack doesn't pose too much threat if he fight one versus one.
The two start arguing while Ruki getting more cautious, Renamon giving her a look and that's enough to convince Ruki. "Fine, play time over" She give a signal to Juri and take out some of her cards, but she want to digivolve Renamon first to ensure easy victory. Then a loud smash comes from Fugamon, his bone-club already smashing the road but Impmon manage to dodge it. "Get back!" She yell at him.
"No! I can beat this loud mouth alone!"
It's only makes Fugamon laugh again. "You're the loud mouth one! You can't even digivolve!" Impmon eyes take a glance to his friends when Fugamon says that, then start attacking Fugamon with his fireballs again.
Meanwhile Ruki already swiped her card and Kyubimon digivolve to Taomon. "Impmon!" She yell at him again, she doesn't want him to get caught in the battle if he won't digivolve.
"Shut up!"
Everyone stop talking for a moment, this is the Impmon they always knew, stubborn and hot-headed digimon. Ruki want to order Taomon to snatch him and finish the fight, but Juri hold her shoulder while still looking at Impmon. "Wait.." Unlike Ruki, she familiar with Impmon's pose right now. That raising arm up, the stance that showing he's about to deliver a punch. "Let him be, I.. want to see it" In matter of seconds, this alley in digital field blasted with fire, a large one. This power isn't something that should be his, but he has that, even if the way of obtaining it isn't what the way he actually wanted.
They quickly run to his side, checking if he's okay. But Impmon reaction is not what they expected, he take a little step back when he see Juri and got a little flash of bad memory. "I.. I'm sorry.." His voice sound weak despite what he just did, blasting his opponent away. Juri only smile and lean closer to him, petting his head.
"Don't.. we already talk about that right? Now.." Juri point out at Fugamon who still manage to get up, his body hurt very bad but that's not enough to kill him. "Talk isn't an option anymore, not even before you guys come" She said with sad tone, but that can't be helped. Instead she use this oppurtunity to encourage Impmon again. "Go on, digivolve" It makes Impmon uncomfortable, this gonna be his first time using his mega form after a long time, but that's not the main reason why he doesn't digivolve in the first place. Juri push his chin a bit, their eyes met and she can tell how scared he is. "Well, I need you to save me Impmon, save me from a scary looking digimon over there" Slowly he feel more confidence, his body glows and his digivolve into Beelzebumon.
The sight of Beelzebumon terrifies not only Fugamon, but it scare Garrurumon as well. Beelzebumon got a look of demonic-biker, with two shotguns as his main weapon, he's one of the strongest digimons that got a tamer beside those four. "It's not like what you tell me Juri, he's... big" Garurumon got a mixed feelings, he scared but amazed at the same time since this is his first time watching Impmon digivolve.
"He is, but this isn't his strongest form. He came to save me with a giant gun on his right hand before" Juri stroking Garurumon side a bit. "You'll be strong like him one day, don't worry about that~"
Fugamon speechless, there just nothing he could do. The mood also change drastically, this mega level digimon isn't a loudmouth he thought before, this mega simply just giving a sense of dread without doing anything. But he come far from digital world after winning a lot of battles himself, he's not going down hour after crossing the two worlds. "Haaa!" With roar, Fugamon charge at Beelzebumon, but that roar end abruptly when a gun shot piercing his head. After that, Fugamon's data quickly absorbed by Beelzebumon.
Realizing what he just did, he revert back to Impmon and stand on that spot for a moment. When he turn back they already in front of him. "sorry, I just.. I can't help it but to take his data" He expect a scolding but Ruki only pat his head a bit.
"Let's just go back for now" Ruki said as she lead back to her home.
On the way, Renamon grab Impmon and let him rest on her shoulders, he lay his head on top of her and covering his face like he's asleep, the battle is mentally exhausting for him. On the way back home Impmon didn't say any words, he just rest on Renamon. The girls have a little chat while Gabumon asking Renamon to be carried as well, he's a bit envious that Impmon got a ride back home.
"Oh! Oh! I want that one!"
Gabumon trying to reach sliced lean beef but his arms just too short, Juri grab it using chopsticks and boil it on the broth. The rookie seems to be enjoying the dinner served on the Makino's household, but he never been a picky eater. Not just Gabumon but Impmon also need some help to get the food, that job fall to Renamon who's arms length comparable to humans.
After eating for a while, Renamon finally realize she only give him the food once, when they start eating. She take a glance at him and found his beef isn't even eaten yet. "Do I need to feed you?" Ask her bluntly, making him embarrassed. Others who busy having a chat start looking at him.
"I.. I'm full.." He said before storming out of the room.
Watching that, Juri ask another empty bowl and make one full bowl with at least one of each food for him. "Renamon, not like that. More subtle. I know you worried but sometimes you didn't need to ask it directly, here" She give the bowl to Renamon and the vixen goes after him.
"He doesn't like the food? But this is good!" Juri pet Gabumon head, he's a compassionate partner but also can be so pure like this.
"I ask him too much" Juri said with sigh.
Ruki shake her head. "He need to face it sooner or later" Reply her short, a bit cold answer for Juri. "But I doubt he will digivolve if it weren't you, I still wondering where are his wings" Add her.
"Wings?" That makes Juri frowned for a moment. "Ah! He had that! With his big guns as well, isn't that just his another form?"
"Maybe, but we never seen a digivolution that didn't change form drastically" Ruki stop eating for a moment and recalling about Beelzebumon, his giant guns never been there when he first appear after digivolving. "That.. we can worry that later, just using that form alone already draining too much. Plus he use that skill, you ok?"
That only makes Juri giggle, genuinely happy about that. "I'm the one who want that, glad that he brought that up himself. Now he doesn't need to digivolve all the time like... that's what you want right?"
"Uhh that.. lets talk about that while we check your deck" Ruki start cleaning the dishes as she finish, she then pointing at Gabumon who sleep on the chair. "At least he's not Guilmon, lets go to my room. They will sleep on another one, Gabumon can sleep with us"
Staring at the horizon, he still trying to find a peace but even this isn't helping him. He still thinking about the fight, the scene of him absorbing Fugamon's data as Beelzebumon still playing inside him. Even if that's what she want and she literally asked him, that doesn't give a peace on his mind.
"Am I.. losing it?"
How come everything lead up to this? That question comes up everytime he got his nightmare again, even after he feels better with Renamon around, the nightmare still there to haunt him. Not everyday but that's enough to mess up his mind. While Juri always said it's over and want him to get over it, that doesn't help him after spending years stressed about it.
"Hey, Impmon" Call Renamon who already sitting on the roof beside him, she also bring a bowl of hotpot broth full of meat. "Impmon!" She call him again, louder.
"Ahh!" Impmon startled for a moment and almost falling from the roof, thankfully Renamon's tail is there to keep him safe. He's quite annoyed by her but decide not too complain, he stay silent.
"I'm sorry"
Impmon can heard that clear, but clearly confused. He look at her and even ignoring the meal she brought. "What?"
"I'm sorry about that, I just.. worried that you didn't eat anything" His eyes moving away to the night sky again, from that alone Renamon could tell that he isn't mad but that's what make her feels bad. It's more easy when he just berating her or even going to fight rather than this kind of response. She also want him to eat before it cold but unsure how to ask him, while Juri suggesting her to be more subtle, she doesn't really know the best way if its with him.
Impmon shake his head after a moment of silent. "Don't say that, I was losing it before.." He lean to her side and sigh, Renamon quickly moved the bowl to her right hand so he can lean to her comfortably. When his sense not clouded by his thought, Impmon can smell the broth on the bowl. It smells so good and Renamon notice that he seems to likes it.
"Let's go down and eat, I doubt you can eat here without dropping it" When she said that, he slump a bit. "Or.. I can help you eat.."
Although it's embarrassing, Impmon rather not to face Juri right now, he simply just can't handle his emotion. He nod slowly to Renamon and she hold the bowl for him, like a place for it to stay stable while he carefully eat. There is not much sounds except slurping and chewing, which makes her curious. Is he trying to eat that as quick as possible?
"Take your time, or I can feed you myself. That's better than choking on a meat"
"Wha-!?" Impmon shocked and about to cursing at her, but his expression also shows that he consider that option as well.
"Oh come on, it's not gonna be your first time" She tease him a bit.
In quick motion he snatch the bowl and hold it himself, eating as fast as possible. While it's true that she's the one who take care of him the most when he just came to this house, Impmon still got his pride and he won't let it all go for her. Renamon only giggle watching him eat, unfortunately that moment didn't last very long.
They sit there, looking at the sky. No one say anything and Renamon doesn't want to start it, letting him enjoying the moment since she kinda ruin his dinner already. Her tail slowly wrap around him, even pulling him tighter to her.
"Thanks" A simple word but enough to show his current state especially with that tone, it low sad tone unlike his usual cheerful yet annoying one. "I really need this"
About fifteen minute pass quietly, they sit side by side and looking at the night sky, but it's enough to calm him down. When she certain that he's not too touchy, she start giving a little advice which already told multiple times to him. "It's over okay, you need to let it go"
"I want to, but I can't. It's not.. that easy.." He flick a little fireball and it pop after few meters. "I just changed in front of her out of all people, her. I don't even ask how she felt. Even disobeying Ruki's order, should've listen to her and let you finish the fight"
To his surprise Renamon giggle a bit. "They won't be angry, maybe Ruki will.. just a bit" She start to pet his head, trying to reassure him. "First time after years, don't be too hard on yourself"
"Hah! Ruki will yell at me tomorrow, but.. whatever" He chuckle a bit, feeling way better after just spending some time with her or just relaxed from her petting his head. "Should we head down? I feel sleepy, she might be waiting us on her room"
"We sleep on another room. Remember?" Replied Renamon. "Just two of us, Alone~"
Her little teasing proven enough to silence him, he even look away a bit.
"Impmon~ What's the matter~?"
"Shut up you, you.. you sly fox!" He jumps down from the roof. "And don't forget your bowl" He said before entering the house. Renamon giggle, at least she managed to cheer him up, that's more than enough for now. She jump down, still holding that bowl, following him to the room.
Now that you already read this chapter, I'm planning to write another battle scene. It's way harder than I thought and this is the first time I post a fight scene on fanfic (Well this is the first fanfic I post, duh) Like the mons name, the attack used could use japanese or english name, but I like to write what's going on rather than character yelling skill name then 'Boom'. How Cards choosed or used will be explained in later chapters.
Thanks for reading.