Between the holidays and the state of wrestling as a whole, they're a more ragtag group of Digidestined than usual. Or at least it feels so to Dalton Castle as he trudges through some very thick grass, Boys on either side of him, quiet, determined. "I don't know why we have to go to the dangerous spots so often," Dalton mumbles. "Most of our digimon aren't even very strong." He lightly pokes at Poromon, smiling a little as the baby creature fusses and shifts against his touch.
Likewise, Brent and Brandon tease their partners, tickling and humming as all three Poromon begin whining and fussing at the contact. "How much further?" Brent finally asks and Dalton glances over his shoulder at him for a moment before checking his digivice.
"Not far, just around those rocks," he says and they pick up a little speed, eager to check this area out and then return to the others. Safety in numbers and all of that. The Boys are making soft, inquisitive noises behind him and Dalton smiles a little, but he shakes his head, trying to focus on what's ahead. He's all too aware of how dangerous this world can be, and he refuses to be caught unaware.
He peers around the rocks, looking up into the sky, down towards the ground, before gingerly proceeding. He's maybe halfway through the weird maze of rocky formations when he hears something. A growl, perhaps. He looks over his shoulder and frowns, both Boys frozen behind him, eyes widened in their own horror. "Did you hear that?"
They nod, speechless, concerned, and he exhales, taking a couple steps back to comfort them with his presence. Though he's not sure what he can actually do if it is something after them. He's about to suggest they go back the way they came when the growl is heard again- but stretches out, grows- into a earth-rattling roar, the rocks before them shattering, crumbling into dust before them.
"Shit," Dalton gasps, pushing the Boys back, trying to shield them. "Run!" he cries out. "Run, run!" And they do, or try to, around the rocks and the rubble flying around them, slicing their skin, leaving them stumbling, vulnerable to the monster that had apparently been hiding among the towering rocks before he'd heard them and took the opportunity to strike.
All Dalton can do is take one last, horrified look back at the gigantic monster that looks more bone than anything else before twisting around, planting his palms on both Boys' backs and pushing them forward to where he hopes they'll be safe.