Again almost a month since my last update. I'm terrible heh. Usually I have a few chapters already written up in advance but I've kinda caught up as I've been busy with work etc. So I'm gonna have to try and get ahead again so I'm not feeling I need to rush each chapter to get it uploaded. I see quite a few liked SnowAgumon in the last chapter To be honest, when I went through re-writing chapter 11 I was actually thinking of cutting him out, but I'm glad I didnt.
Anyway, thanks again for the reviews
Sithking Zero: Heh I enjoyed writing the bits with SnowAgumon. Yeah, I thought it would be good to show Stacey's past and show why she's angry and miserable. I've not thought about SnowAgumon being her new partner... what do you think?
Phillip Clark: Thanks I only thought there was just the ToyAgumon at first. But then I came across SnowAgumon and I thought I have to use him heh. Your idea is good btw! Margaret and MJ are quite good friends but maybe as it gets closer to the wedding they start to feel that their dad/mom are being replaced..
Sync The Dragon Tempest: I thinking about that. Maybe SnowAgumon will be her new partner, I'll have to think about that one.
Fruitloop Trooper: SnowAgumon will play a big part in whats to come. I don't want to say anymore incase I ruin it for people hehe.
Amethyst-Love: Hehe, they're just like their fathers in everyway possible!
xazavier009: Thanks!
Sightbent: Thank you. Yeah, even though they annoy each other to bits heh!
RainbowSprinkle: Yeah Stacey's starting to realise it's all her fault. But don't worry, she'll fix everything eventually!
Digimon 2.5 "Digimon Adventure 03"
Episode 12: "Attack of the X Army"
.:Tropical Jungle, Digital World:
Dawn was sat on top of Greymon's head, just behind his front horn with her mini telescope held up to her right eye. She was scanning the area as she and the others travelled through the forest. Her new goggles were resting loosely around her neck.
Her Agumon was sat directly behind her, whilst her father, Margaret and Gatomon were sat just behind Greymon's head on the back of his shoulders.
The rest were following behind with Davis, Dan and his partner riding on ExVeemon and Matt, Jonathon and Tentomon were bringing up the rear travelling on Garurumon.
It was 6:30am and the sky was clear with the sun still rising ever so slowly in the east. The air was crisp like a cold winter morning and the plants and grass had small droplets of dew on them, giving them a glistening effect.
Tai stretched his arms out and yawned loudly, breaking the long silence that had lingered amongst the group.
Margaret glanced over at her uncle who was sat on Greymon's right shoulder. She giggled a little at how tired he looked. "Don't fall asleep Uncle Tai or you might fall off."
Tai yawned once more before replying; "I'm not used to waking up this early. The only six o'clock I see is in the evening."
"Mom's lost count how many times he's slept in for work and she's had to drag him outta bed." Dawn commented from the top of Greymon's head as she continued to peer through her mini telescope.
Tai glared up at his daughter. "And I've lost count how many times we've had to drag you out of bed to get ready for school."
Dawn scoffed. "Dad, I've told you loads of times, my sleep is more important than stupid school."
"Like father, like daughter." Greymon commented, with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Hey she makes up for the lack of sleep in the morning by snoozing through math class." Margaret giggled.
Dawn put down her mini telescope for a few second and turned to face her older cousin. "Well if Mrs Sato is gonna bore us to death with math problems I might as well do something useful like catch up on my sleep." She turned to face front and brought her telescope back up to her eye. "I swear she could cure people with insomnia with her classes."
Everyone laughed and Tai couldn't help but smile at his ten year old daughter. She had the same attitude about school as he had when he was her age.
Matt sighed. He was the only one who wasn't joining in on the fun. His mind was too occupied with his daughter. She was out there somewhere... and he was doing nothing to find her right now. He lifted his head up and spoke; "So where exactly are we heading?" he asked.
"Some place where there's food." Tai replied.
"You just ate less than an hour ago!" Matt exclaimed.
Tai turned around to look back at the blonde haired man. "And you're point is?" he asked. When Matt just sighed he spoke again; "C'mon Matt it's best to keep our energy topped up at all time. We never know when Garurumon X or any other bad Digimon is gonna strike."
Matt shook his head. "We all had a big breakfast; surely you can't be hungry already? And won't having our Digimon at the champion level waste energy?" He questioned. "Shouldn't it be best to have them at the rookie level where they are using less energy as possible?"
"Relax Matt. This way we can cover more ground. And the Digimon feel fine, right Greymon?" Tai said, patting the side of the dinosaur's head gently.
"I still feel as fresh as a daisy." The champion Digimon replied in his gruff voice.
Matt folded his arms. "I still think we should be doing something a bit more important than just satisfying your stomach Tai. Whoever kidnapped my daughter is going to be a threat to the Digital World. It might not be a big threat right now but we should find out as much as we can while we're stuck here. This is not a vacation."
Davis looked ahead at Tai. "He has got a point. Also, if we found Stacey she could help us. She's spent six months with this creep. Surely she would know everything that's been going on."
"Exactly. She's all alone out there somewhere and could get into trouble with no Digimon partner. How would you feel Tai, if you lost Dawn for six months and knew she was wandering around the Digital World alone?" Matt questioned, looking up at the brown haired man.
Tai glanced up at his daughter who seemed too engrossed in looking through her mini telescope to even realise her name was mentioned. "I know what you're getting at Matt." He turned back to face the bearer of Friendship. "But you saw the way she reacted when we found out it was her. She ran away. She's not ready to come back yet. If she was, she would have ran straight to you the moment we saw her on top of Zepp Tokyo that night."
Matt sighed and lowered his head. "I know but... I can't stop thinking about her. Yesterday was the first time I've seen her in six months, properly. I've missed her like crazy and I just want to find her and bring her home where she belongs!" he cried out in frustration.
Jonathon looked up at the middle aged man sat in front of him. "Don't worry Mr Ishida. Stacey will be fine. If you ask me, all this time spent in the Digital World has probably toughened her up. She will be able to take care of herself. If she's survived this long with no real partner then she can survive some more."
Matt sighed and lowered his head. "I hope so Jonathon." He murmured under his breath.
.:Native Forest, Digital World:.
"So then the last thing I remember was these huge boulders crashing down on me inside that tunnel. The next thing I knew when I woke up was my family had disappeared and I was all alone up there." SnowAgumon rambled on as he and Stacey walked through the forest.
Stacey, who was leading, rolled her eyes. "No wonder your family left. You'd talk them to death." She muttered.
The human and Digimon were walking through the darkest part of the Native forest. This forest was the largest in the Digital World and spread across most of File Island.
SnowAgumon trailed behind the sack that was being dragged across the ground. "Hey you've told me your past. Now I'm telling you mine."
Stacey sighed. "You asked to hear my lousy past. I didn't ask to hear yours." She replied.
"Well maybe if you did hear someone else's life you might realise you're not the only one with problems."
Stacey clenched her fists which resulted in SnowAgumon smirking a little. "Listen, I know I'm not the only one with problems. The whole world is full of them. I just don't like listening to others moan about their issues." She said, her eyes fixed firmly in front.
"Then maybe that's your main problem." SnowAgumon replied with a sigh. "It seems after your mother left you shut all your issues inside. Maybe because she was the one that you went to when you had a problem and once she had gone you-"
"What are you some kind of shrink?" Stacey interrupted him, with sarcasm in her voice.
SnowAgumon crossed his arms and stopped walking. "You know, I'm not gonna talk to you anymore if you keep interrupting. I'm trying to help."
Stacey smirked. "Finally, my prayers have been answered." She mocked with a small laugh.
SnowAgumon just huffed and continued walking, quickening his pace to catch up with the ten year old girl. He carried on frowning until a small smile spread across his white face. "You know, just imagine if we were partners."
Stacey scoffed a laugh at the thought. "We'd end up fighting each other, not our enemies."
The little rookie laughed as he walked beside the human girl. "Yeah... We'd drive each other crazy."
They both laughed a little before silence hung in the air between them. They walked for a while without saying a word.
SnowAgumon glanced up at Stacey, seeing the hurtful look in her two icy blue eyes. "You miss him... don't you?" he spoke, breaking the quietness.
Stacey admitted a sigh and nodded. "It's my entire fault. I shouldn't have agreed to come to this stupid place. Gabumon had his suspicions, but I didn't listen to him."
SnowAgumon's eyes focused on the ground. "We all make mistakes; some bigger than others. But you can't beat yourself up about it. At least you've broken free from that horrible place."
Stacey sighed. "I guess so. But Gabumon was the only true friend I really had. He understood me; he even knew what I was thinking. Our friendship was the most important thing to me and I threw it away carelessly without a second thought."
"You can still make up for it." SnowAgumon smiled a little.
The blonde haired girl scoffed. "Oh yeah? Like how?" she questioned him.
"Your other friends are still out there somewhere, including your father. It's not too late to go back and help by rejoining them. Maybe that will help bring Gabumon back."
Stacey glanced at the white Digimon to her right. She let out a long sigh. "I... I can't." She stuttered a little. "You may think it's not too late but I do." She muttered. "All I'm doing is returning the Port
Stone to allow them to go home. That's the only help I'm giving them." She sped off in front, clutching the brown sack a little tighter.
SnowAgumon sighed sadly before running to catch up with her. "If only she wasn't so stubborn to realise it's not too late to fix all this."
.:Tropical Jungle, Digital World:.
Garurumon X stamped his paw down on a small red flower, crushing it underneath his weight before continuing on his way.
Behind him was his army of Digimon. They were Digimon that had been infected with the X Antibody. And behind them was a path of destruction that they had left behind.
His small army consisted of Allomon X, Dobermon X, Monochromon X and Starmon X. They were all champion Digimon, but with the X antibody running through their system they were a little bit stronger than the average champion Digimon.
Garurumon X snarled under his breath as he scanned the area. "Those brats have to be around here somewhere. I can smell it." He muttered to himself. "They have obviously fled the Native Forest as they knew I'd know their whereabouts."
Starmon walked a little ahead of Garurumon X, who had paused for a second. "Look here." He commented, pointing to the ground. "Footprints, they're big ones too."
Garurumon X walked up and studied the dents in the soft soil. He smiled. "Good. We're heading in the right direction. How careless of them to leave a trail for us."
Monochromon X sharpened his extremely large horn that was shaped like a knife, against a thick tree trunk. "Can we hurry up and find them? I'm itching to pound someone." He growled.
Garurumon X turned to face his small army. "Patients Monochromon X. Just remember, when we do find the DigiDestined, the Undead King wants them all dead. Those are our orders so show them no mercy. And also remember; leave that little brat to me. She's the one who caused the master's plan to slowly fall apart so I want to have the pleasure of destroying her as painfully as possible." He smiled a sickening grin.
.:Native Forest, Digital World:.
Stacey and SnowAgumon came to a stop as they exited the edge of the forest. Ahead of them was an endless stretch of flat, dusty desert land. In the distance the ground seemed to incline a little before stopping.
"Well we're almost there." SnowAgumon spoke up. "Just after that incline, the Area 66 base is situated below. He then sighed sadly, shuffling his feet against the dirt on the ground. "I, Uhh... guess when you get rid of the Port Stone; you won't need my help anymore."
Stacey smiled a little at the hint of sadness in his voice before they continued on their journey. "Oh I don't know..." she smirked. "I suppose I could help you out like you helped me and take you back home. That is if you will shut up and stop babbling on." She added mockingly.
SnowAgumon glared at her. "I actually thought you were gonna be nice to me then until that last comment." He huffed. "I guess you'll never change."
"Hey I was only kidding... like I'm gonna help you get home." She joked again.
SnowAgumon was about ready to explode in a fit of rage until the blonde haired girl cut him off;
"Kidding again! Geez. But seriously, to repay the favour I'll make sure you get back to your home in the Freezeland okay?" Stacey replied.
The little rookie eyed her suspiciously. "You serious? You'd really help me?" he asked.
Stacey sighed and held out her hand as she continued to walk. "Wanna shake on it? Then I can't go back on my word."
SnowAgumon smiled and placed his hand in hers before they shook on it. "Deal." The two friends began to climb the small incline that would lead them closer to the Area 66 base. "You know, considering we get on each other's nerves a lot, we make quite a team."
The blonde haired girl couldn't help but crack a smile. "We do don't we? In a kind of weird, annoying sort of way. "
The white Digimon sighed and shook his head. "You always can't resist cracking a few sarcastic jokes now and then can you?"
The human and Digimon reached the top of the small incline. Stacey hauled the sack up and placed it down beside her feet before gazing down at the scenery in front of her.
Down below was the centre of Area 66. There was a steep incline that lead down to where the base was. But boulders and sharp rocks blocked the way down from where Stacey and SnowAgumon were stood.
Stacey bent down and squinted and could see there were Digimon guards surrounding the entire base, with more patrolling the grounds inside. She sighed. "There is no way we're gonna get past them."
She watched as she saw Centarumon exit the main gate of the base and talk to one of the guards. She had heard from the Undead King that after Gennai had been killed Centarumon was taking over what duties he had, and this was one of them.
"If we approach, they'll attack us. They've been given orders to destroy anyone who comes near. Even stood here we're in a dangerous position." SnowAgumon commented.
Stacey shifted herself so she was behind the large sack that contained the Port Stone. "That's it. I'm just gonna roll this damn thing down the hill." She said.
SnowAgumon glanced at her. "Are you sure that will work? Here." He paused as he stepped on his tiptoes and tightened the top of the sack. "Make sure it's secure enough."
Stacey pushed the sack a little close to the edge. "Okay. As soon as we see they've noticed, we'll make a run for it back into the forest. They'll bound to come up here and search for us."
SnowAgumon nodded and watched as she put both hands on the sack and began to push it slowly closer to the edge of the small cliff. As soon as most of its weight was over the edge, the Port Stone suddenly disappeared from sight as it fell.
It rolled and tumbled down, hitting large boulders and rocks on the way down, which threw it off course a little at times. A trail of dust was left behind as it continued to roll.
Centarumon's head jerked to the right and he saw a large object land in a cloud of dust at the foot of the small cliff. "Guards! Follow me!" he commanded.
He galloped over to where the dust was starting to clear, with two Tankmon behind him, their firearms at the ready. "Ready..." he muttered. But once the dust settled, Centarumon held his hand up to signal them to hold their fire.
"It could be a bomb sir." One of the Tankmon spoke. "I suggest we take extra precautions."
"Yes it could be the Port Stone thief returning again to destroy the base." The other guard said.
Centarumon took a step closer to the dirty sack, eyeing it suspiciously. He didn't say a word as he took one more step forward and extended his hand outwards, gripping the top and with one swift move he pulled it open.
The horse Digimon gawped in awe at what was in the sack as the bright light from the jewel escaped from its dark enclose. "The... the Port Stone... but how?" he gasped, still staring at it. He looked up to where the sack had fallen from before sprinting up the steep hill, leaving the guards with the Port Stone.
Upon arriving at the top, he scanned the area. No one was about. He looked down at the forest but there was no sign of life on the outskirts. He double checked the area once more before turning around and glancing down at the Port Stone.
"Something odd is happening out there... whether it's good or bad I have no idea."
.:Izzy's Research Lab, Minato, Tokyo:.
Izzy was leant back in his chair, fast asleep. For the past two nights he had had probably about five hours sleep altogether. The rest of the time he had been working around the clock trying to figure out how to re-open the portals.
But all the work had finally caught up with him and he had dozed off in front of his computer with a half empty cup of coffee beside the keyboard.
Jim and Haruhiko were currently in the small kitchen, preparing more drinks. They had lost count of how many they had made.
Haruhiko was slowly stirring his coffee with a small spoon, lost in his own thoughts.
Jim took a sip of his drink before looking at the older man. "Hey you okay?" he asked.
Haruhiko sighed and put his spoon down on the counter top. "I will be once my granddaughter returns home safely." He commented. "Every time Dawn, or my daughter, or Tai step foot in that world I get worried. We've seen what these monsters are capable of. I know they haven't had any major accidents so far but it's just a matter of time before one of them isn't careful."
Jim nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean. Now the Digital World is open my brother is finally going ahead with his plans to open up his own hospital there. He'll be working there every day and who knows what kind of dangers he'll face being there more often."
Haruhiko took a small sip of his coffee. "I never thought in a millions years that my daughter would end up involved in something like this. Heck, I never thought there was another world out there full of monsters..." he laughed a little. "Sounds like something from a child's imagination." He took another sip of his drink.
Beep, Beep... Beep, Beep.
"Guys!" Izzy's voice suddenly yelled from the main computer lab, startling them a little.
The two men walked out of the kitchen, both holding their cups of coffee. "What is it Izzy?" Jim asked.
Izzy was gawping at the screen. "The Portals... they're back open!" he exclaimed, totally bewildered.
"Wha...? But how?" Jim asked as he and Haruhiko walked over to the computer and gazed over the man's shoulder.
"I finally got an email from Centarumon explaining why the portals had closed last night. He said the Port Stone, a jewel that is the key to the portals being open, had been stolen and they had no idea who had done it. I'm guessing the Port Stone has been found and returned since the portals have re-opened. There is no other way the portals can open up again with out it."
Haruhiko stood up straight. "Let's call Tai and the others and tell them they can finally come home. Can you pin point their location Izzy?"
Izzy nodded as he typed away on his keyboard. "Already on it... there!" a small red dot appeared on the map of the Digital World. "By my calculations I say they're about two miles away from a portal. All I have to do is locate that portal and set its destination for here."
Jim watched his colleague at work. He looked at the map on the screen. "Those blue dots represent portals right? That means there is only that one closest to them. The rest are miles and miles away."
Izzy nodded. "Exactly. If something happens to that portal, then it'll take them days and days to get to the next nearest one. By then who knows what else might happen there."
.:Tropical Jungle, Digital World:.
"Argh!" Allomon X sliced the top of a bush off with his claws and watched the small leaves float to the ground.
Garurumon X, who was leading the group, stopped walking and turned to face his army and narrowed his eyes. "How many times have I told you to keep quiet? Those fools will hear us if you keep it up."
"I'm gettin' bored!" Allomon X snarled impatiently. "I just wanna find those DigiDestined and rip them to shreds!"
Monochromon X nodded in agreement. "I'm getting sick and tired of destroying plants all day. I want to kill something that will feel the pain."
Dobermon X was sniffing the ground as he headed a little further ahead of the group. He inhaled the scent from the ground and lifted his head up. "I smell champion Digimon." He muttered in his gruff voice. "They're close."
Garurumon X smiled slyly. "Well it looks like you may get your wish you two." He averted his gaze to Allomon X and Monochromon X before turning back to the dog Digimon. "Can you find out which way they're heading?" he demanded.
Dobermon X sniffed the soil once more. "By the smell of it... they're heading north west towards the High Falls."
Starmon X perked up a little. "High Falls huh? Isn't there a portal to earth situated there? They are probably heading towards that."
Garurumon growled under his breath. "Then we must stop them before they escape to their home. The master wouldn't like it if they got away..." he then smiled. "I know a short cut to High Falls. We will beat them there and corner them off. There will be no escaping from there."
.:High Falls, Tropical Jungle, Digital World:.
"That's great news Iz'" Tai grinned as he spoke to his friend over his D-phone. "So the portal's just at the top of High Falls huh? Great! We should be home in no time."
"I'll take it the portals are open once again." Greymon commented.
Tai nodded. "Yeah, Izzy just said they opened up about fifteen minutes ago. He's located the nearest one which is about a mile up hill in this direction at the top of High Falls. He's programmed it so it'll transport us right into his lab."
"Is that the nearest one around here?" Davis asked, from the shoulder of ExVeemon.
"Yeah, apparently it's the only one around here for miles. So if anything happens to it, it'll take us days at least to reach the next closest one." The bearer of Courage replied.
"Then we better get up this hill fast." Greymon added as he quickened his strides, breaking away from the group as the incline of the hill began to increase.
"What's the rush?" Garurumon gruffly commented. "He'll only be exhausted when he gets to the top. Let's take our time."
Everyone chuckled quietly as the two champion Digimon began their climb up the hill.
Greymon was nearing the top, and the sound of the waterfall at the peak of High Falls could be heard getting louder. He slowed his pace down as the incline began to flatten out a little.
At the top there were two rocky walls that were just a little higher than Greymon on either side, like a small but deep trench, leaving a grovel covered path straight ahead to the edge of the cliff, where down below was the raging rapids of the river. On top of the walls were grass, plants and trees that hung over.
Dawn was peering through her mini telescope, gazing up at the sky. She spotted a group of Flymon soaring above. She watched them buzz over head before disappearing into the distance. She turned back around to concentrate on what was in front. But as she did, all she could see was two balls of orange energy hurtling towards them.
"..." it all happened so fast, Dawn didn't even have time to react. The two attacks slammed into Greymon's chest and head.
"Yahh!" Tai, Dawn, Margaret and their two Digimon were thrown from Greymon as the dinosaur lost his balance. Tai landed painfully on his back with Margaret and Gatomon falling beside him, before Dawn and Agumon crash landed just in front of them.
"Tai!" Davis yelled as ExVeemon and Garurumon ran to catch up. As soon as they reached their fallen friends, Davis jumped down off his Digimon's shoulder. "What the hell happened?" he exclaimed.
Gatomon leaped to her feet. "We're under attack!" she exclaimed.
"Well, well. We meet again." A voice chuckled from above.
The DigiDestined all looked up to see Garurumon X perched on top of the left rocky wall. He had emerged from the trees and paused at the edge of the small drop.
"I must say I was wondering if you were ever going to show up." He added, tauntingly.
Dan clenched his fists. "You've made a big mistake coming back. This time we're not gonna let you run away, we're gonna kick your butt!"
Garurumon X simply smiled. "I may have returned but I have no intention of running away again. This time I'm here to finish the job, and I brought a little company too."
Each of the DigiDestined gazed around as one by one, the four members of Garurumon X's army appeared above them. Starmon X and Dobermon X emerged and stood either side of their leader, whilst Monochromon X and Allomon X stood out from amongst the trees on the opposite wall.
"We're surrounded!" Margaret cried taking a step back, closer to her uncle.
Tai studied each member of the X army before turning his attention to Garurumon X. "How did you know we were here?" he asked.
Starmon X burst out laughing. "You were stupid enough to leave footprints behind a few miles back. And I happened to know there is a portal situated at the top of High Falls. It doesn't take a genius to work out that's where you would be heading to."
Dawn looked at the army and grinned. "You really think you're so tough? Just wait till to get a load of Agumon's power." She grabbed her goggles that lay around her neck and with one quick movement she pulled them up, resting them on her forehead, which also resulted in her hair being pushed up and sticking out in all directions, a similar style to her father's hair.
"Ready guys?" The young Kamiya girl turned to face Dan and Jonathon who nodded.
All three got their digivices out and held them up in the air. "Digital Ring Release!" the kids yelled in unison. There was a burst of light that erupted from the small screens before the Digital Rings escaped the D-Powers...
"AGUMON DIGIVOLVE TO... GREYMON!"
"TENTOMON DIGIVOLVE TO... FLYBEEMON!
"VEEMON DIGIVOLVE TO... STRIKEDRAMON!"
As the light faded around the newly digivolved Digimon; Greymon, Strikedramon and Flybeemon stood beside Gatomon, Garurumon, Tai's Greymon and ExVeemon in a small circle.
Davis grinned. "Looks like you and your army are outnumbered."
Garurumon X snarled. "That may be so, but we possess more power than all of you combined!" he exclaimed. "Attack now!"
All four X Digimon pounced down from their positions their attacks at the ready...
"Volcano Strike!" Monochromon X opened his mouth and spat out fireballs of red hot energy directly at Tai's Greymon, whilst in mid air.
Greymon smiled and narrowed his eyes. "Let's see how that fares up to my fireball... Nova Blast!" the huge fireball formed at the back of his throat before he released the attack. The energy ball ripped through Monochromon X's attack, destroying it instantly.
Monochromon X landed on the ground and the two Digimon charged at each other; with the X Digimon pointing his huge blade shaped horn at the dinosaur. Both collided with each other and pushed as hard as they could against the other's strength.
"Dino Flash!" Allomon X lunged forward at ExVeemon, spraying his blast of super-hot air at the champion Digimon.
"Vee Laser!" ExVeemon crossed his arms against his chest, before puffing his chest outwards; a laser beam of orange energy shooting out from the 'X' on his front.
Both attacks collided with each other, lighting up the sky for a brief second before Allomon X leaped on top of ExVeemon, sending him crashing to the ground.
Starmon X landed on the ground, in between Strikedramon and Gatomon. He rose his arms up in the air. "Meteor Champion!" he hollered. Small fireballs of rocks appeared in the sky, seemingly floating there for a few seconds before soaring down to the ground with tremendous speed.
Gatomon leaped up into the air, curling her fist into a tight ball. "Lightning Paw!" with quick jabs left and right, she punched the flaming hot meteors to the ground before lunging forward and dealing a powerful punch to Starmon X's face.
He stumbled back a little, growling under his breath. "You'll pay for that kitty."
Strikedramon charged forward whilst Starmon X's back was turned on him. "Strike Claw!" he pulled his claw back, before swinging it forward and slicing across the X Digimon's back.
Dobermon X and Garurumon were circling each other, like two dogs who were about to pounce at each other. Their teeth were showing and drool dribbled from Dobermon X's mouth. The X Digimon stopped and snarled, snapping his teeth.
Garurumon growled back and opened his mouth. "Howling Blaster!" he released his blue ice attack. It slammed into the side of Dobermon X but didn't seem to scratch him one bit.
Dobermon X shook the attack off before leaping in the air, pouncing on top of Garurumon and biting into his shoulder. The two animal Digimon rolled on the floor, each one trying to get the better of the other.
Garurumon X, still perched on the high wall took a few steps to the left so he was level with Dawn and Greymon. "It looks like it's just you and me." He simply smiled.
Greymon narrowed his eyes. "Yes it does." He replied gruffly.
"I must say I've not battled you properly before..." the leader of the X Digimon replied, directed at Dawn. "Let's see how your Greymon fares up to your father's."
Dawn clenched her fists angrily. She remembered that night on Zepp Tokyo clearly when she first saw Garurumon X battling Greymon and Garurumon. And he did look tough. But she wasn't about to admit that right now. "Bring it on." She muttered, grinning confidently.
Garurumon X snarled and leaped down from his ledge. "Fox Fire!" he fired his attack, similar to Garurumon's Howling Blaster, but a lot bigger and more powerful.
"Nova Blast!" Greymon fired the famous fire attack, which destroyed the ice blast on immediate impact.
Dawn grinned triumphantly. "Even I know fire always wins against ice. Your attacks are useless." She said smugly.
Garurumon X chuckle darkly. "I'm just warming up. I can't destroy you straight away. That would be no fun."
Jonathon rushed over to the young Kamiya girl with Flybeemon hovering above him. "Dawn, let me help!" he exclaimed.
Dawn, not even looking back at the older boy, shook her head. "No way. This is my fight. Go help the others. I'm sure they'll need it."
Jonathon took a step closer to her. "They're fine for now. Dawn, Garurumon X is the most powerful one. You're not experienced enough to take him on alone. Let Flybeemon help. Do you really think you can win alone?"
"Just watch me." Dawn replied, seemingly ignoring his comments as she walked away from him.
Jonathon clenched his fists, which is something he rarely did. Why did she have to be so stubborn? He sighed. "Flybeemon, go help the others. But keep an eye on these two. If they need help come back over here immediately." He commanded.
"You got it." Flybeemon replied before he flew off to join ExVeemon battle Allomon X.
Tai watched his Digimon as he dealt another powerful blow to Monochromon X. But he couldn't help but avert his gaze over to where his daughter was battling Garurumon X. There was a small gap between them and the rest of the group and it seemed like they were edging closer to the edge of the cliff. "C'mon kiddo, get away from the cliff... play it safe."
Garurumon X jumped up against the rocky wall before rebounding off it. He lunged at Greymon and sunk his teeth into the dinosaur's right shoulder.
Greymon wailed in and slowly collapsed on his knees to the ground, before falling on his front.
"Greymon!" Dawn exclaimed.
Garurumon X chuckled to himself before jumping off, and with one swift kick with his back legs, he slammed them into Greymon as he was about to get up, and sent the champion Digimon flying across the dusty ground before crashing into Gatomon, Strikedramon, and ExVeemon.
"Strike." Garurumon X chuckled to himself.
Dawn gawped at the strength she just saw from Garurumon X. Her brown eyes widened even more when she witnessed her partner de-digivolve back to Agumon. "A-Agumon!"
She was about to bolt towards her fallen Digimon, but Garurumon X skidded in front of her, blocking her way. "You're next. And seems I defeated your Digimon easily I'm gonna make this last a bit longer." He smiled evilly.
Dawn backed up, but clenched her fists in anger...
Tai saw his daughter was in danger now and yelled up to his own Digimon partner; "Greymon! Leave Monochromon X for now, Dawn's in trouble!" he exclaimed before sprinting towards his little girl.
"Right behind ya." Greymon replied, leaving his foe and following his human partner.
"Oh no you don't!" Monochromon X roared. "Volcano Strike!" he spat out three fireballs of energy. One hit Greymon on the shoulder; sending him crashing to the ground landing on his stomach whilst the other two missed their target, but struck two tree trunks.
The two trees set alight immediately and with the jungle plants and trees being so dry, the fire spread rapidly.
Tai came to a sudden halt and watched in horror as the fire spread around him and the other DigiDestined. His eyes followed the fire as it engulfed a tall tree. The intense flames ripped through the wood, weakening it and the bearer of Courage saw what was about to happen...
The tree began to crack and tilt as it began to collapse...
Dawn had her eyes fixed on Garurumon X. "Just you wait. We'll soon destroy you and your phoney boss." She muttered.
"Never underestimate the power of my master. He'd crush you like a bug without a second thought." Garurumon X was about to pounce, but stopped and jolted his head to the right to see the large tree slowly falling towards him...
Tai bolted towards his daughter as fast as he could. Dawn was directly in the path of the tree... "Look out!" he leaped forward and pushed Dawn and himself out of the path of the falling tree.
The burning tree trunk collapsed right in front of the father and daughter, trapping them from the others at the edge of the cliff and surrounding them with a wall of fire...
Garurumon X leaped out of the way, barely missing being crushed.
"Tai!" Matt hollered, trying to peer through the flames to his friend. "Tai! You alright?!" he shouted once more after not getting an answer the first time.
Margaret stood beside him. She coughed a little as the smoke from the fire got in her lungs. Hearing no answer from her uncle, she was starting to worry.
"Matt!" they heard Tai's voice faintly over the sound the fire was making as it continued to burn away at everything.
"Tai, hang on buddy we'll get you free!" Davis called.
Tai took a step forward but had to jump back as a spark from the fire jumped towards him. "Listen guys!" he yelled to them. "Don't worry about us, we're fine! Just get to that portal before it's destroyed!"
Matt was taken back a little and had to make sure he had heard his friend correctly. "No way man, we're not leaving you there! We're leaving for that portal together!"
"No Matt!" he heard Tai yell back at him. "Didn't you hear what Izzy said?! There are no more portals for miles! Get back home while you have the chance. Don't worry me and Dawn will catch up with you later!"
Matt stood silent, thinking it over. He knew how stubborn Tai could be, and usually whatever he said went no matter how much the bearer of Friendship protested. He sighed and unclipped his digivice from his belt.
Jonathon looked up at the blonde haired man. "You can't be serious about leaving them can you, Mr Ishida?" he questioned.
Matt nodded. "I know Tai. If he wants to leave, we will. He wouldn't say it if he didn't really mean it. No matter how much we protest, he won't listen."
Jonathon just stared blankly up at him. He was about to speak when suddenly Monochromon X came flying past them and toppled over the edge of the cliff towards the river below. The young Izumi boy turned around to see Greymon stood there, a little out of breath.
"One down... four to go." He muttered gruffly.
Garurumon X growled and faced his small army. "Get that dinosaur." He snarled under his breath. "I've got some unfinished business to take care of." He added before walking towards the burning tree.
Tai and Dawn stood still whilst watching the silhouette of Garurumon X appeared amongst the flames from the burning tree trunk. He simply walked through the fire as if the heat didn't burn his skin.
Tai had his hands on his daughter's shoulder, and tightened his grip as the X champion Digimon fully emerged from the fire, with not a single burn to his body. The bearer of Courage took a small step back, still clutching his daughter as if afraid he'd lose her.
Dawn had her fists clenched; her eyes narrow as she glared at Garurumon X as he slowly came to a stop in front of them.
Garurumon X's gaze briefly shifted to the edge of the cliff before looking back at the father and daughter with a sickening grin plastered across his face. "Looks like the end of the road for you." He spoke darkly.
Dawn continued to glare at him. "You don't scare me." She muttered. "You're all talk and no fight."
Garurumon X scoffed a laugh. "Strong words from such a weak little girl. Let's see if you fight as powerful as you talk."
Dawn raised her fists and was about to lunge at the champion X Digimon. "That's it, you're gonna-"
Tai pulled his daughter back behind him, standing protectively in front of her. "You leave my daughter alone." He threatened. "She hasn't done anything to you."
"That is where you are wrong." Garurumon X snarled. "She revealed my partner's identity. That small significance has ruined the master's plan."
Dawn crossed her arms over her chest. "That's why you're so bent out of shape? Because I revealed that traitor as the true person she really is!"
"Don't you even remember you who are? What happened to that shy little Gabumon who wouldn't hurt a fly?" Tai added.
"SILENCE!" Garurumon X roared, making Tai and Dawn jump a little.
Suddenly, there was a big explosion that shook the ground ever so slightly. "Argh!!" Agumon came flying through the flames and crash landed beside Tai and Dawn, feet away from them.
"Agumon!" Dawn bolted towards her father's fallen Digimon partner.
"No Dawn, don't!" Tai exclaimed, lunging forward and reaching out to grab her.
"Fox Fire!" Garurumon X took this as his opportunity and opened his mouth and released his attack of icy blue flames.
The next few seconds happened so fast, but at the same time it felt like an eternity... The attack from Garurumon X hit the ground, inches away from Tai, Dawn and Agumon. But the blast from the impact was so powerful it sent Dawn and Agumon flying back, crashing into Tai.
The bearer of Courage was thrown back from the force and lost his footing at the edge of the cliff...
Their screams echoed across the jungle as they plunged over the side and felt themselves falling down to the raging river below...
To be continued...