Hello everyone! Welcome to another chapter of Digimon Frontier 2: Fractal Fusion.
For any guest who likes to comment: please leave something like a username or nickname I can use, so I differentiate when answering questions. If too many guests answer, it will get confusing.
Guest IG: The environment is very important. Plus, it's normal to be paranoid. I've seen a lot of comments from users on death flags in animes before they actually happen. It's kind of like developing a sixth sense.
Guest G: I like my OCs. It takes a lot of work to imagine what kind of people they are. Any OCs I write are secondary supporting characters. They're there to support and help the Legendary Warriors.
Here is the chapter: Protector of the Forest.
Tomoki and Takuya caught up to Misaki and were about to explain themselves when a fractal field showed up. It covered their surroundings including the park ranger. Once the fractal code finished, they were alone in this cold forest.
"Takuya," Tomoki said, pulling out his Digivice. They got pulled into a fractal field. It could only mean one thing.
"Yeah," Takuya responded, following suit. Digimon were near. "We're definitely getting closer to finding your beast spirit… Look out!"
Tomoki and Takuya ducked out of the way as two light-blue spheres flew past them like fastballs. They kept going and hit a tree, freezing it inside and out. The boys looked to see who threw those attacks and saw two snowman-like creatures with the head of a teddy bear appear.
Frigimon: A champion-level, icy-type Digimon whose special attacks are Subzero Ice Punch and SnowBall. These Digimon usually have a warm-hearted, gentle personality and dislike fighting. But thanks to the influences of the Demon Lords, they've been turned into cold-blooded soldiers ready to freeze their foes.
[Execute! - Spirit Evolution: Agunimon & Kumamon]
[Blizzard Blaster] Kumamon took out his Romeo Launcher and fired out rounds of snowballs at the Frigimon hitting the mark. Unfortunately, the attack had little to no effect on them. If anything, the ice bears got slightly bigger.
[Snowball x2] The Frigimon retaliated back and gathered the excess snow on their bodies making and compressing a snowball each. When the two snowballs were compressed until it was as hard as thick ice, the ice bears threw them. They sounded and traveled like a speeding bullet as they headed toward Kumamon.
Before the attacks could hit their target, Agunimon grabbed his friend and moved them out of the way. The snowballs whizzed past them and smashed at the previously frozen tree. The poor thing broke into a million broken pieces as the snowballs penetrated through and hit another tree leaving a big dent 3 feet deep.
"Maybe it's not a good idea to fire snowballs at living snowmen," Agunimon said to Kumamon.
"Noted."
[Pyro Punch] Agunimon punched out two fireballs hitting the Frigimon. Unlike the Blizzard Blaster, the fireballs melted their bodies before exploding like a small bomb going off on a mountain of snow. Fire was highly effective against ice, and fractal code appeared around the ice bears.
As if by an unseen force, the fractal code instinctively left the Frigimon and entered Agunimon's Digivice. The Legendary Warrior of Flames didn't even do anything. Besides the upgraded GPS, this was the second new function of the Digivice: Auto-Scan.
When the Digi-Destined scans a Digimon at a specific class or power level, their Digivice's auto-scan function activates and codes it in. Manually scanning a defeated foe is too time-consuming. Now, the fractal code of their defeated enemies will automatically enter their Digivices without the need to do anything.
For example, all of the Digi-Destined scanned a champion-level Digimon previously, so any future champion-level Digimon will automatically be scanned into the Digivice when defeated. The same could also be said with the ultimate level. Once they defeat and scan an ultimate, the auto-scan will upgrade and take in all ultimate-level Digimon.
Mega-Level Digimon could also be auto-scanned, but it was tricky. This level was the highest a Digimon could digivolve to, and each had different power levels. The auto-scan function had trouble distinguishing all of them and divided them into 3-4 different tiers.
"Yeah!" Agunimon punched his fist up in victory. The last of the fractal code left Frigimon and two balls of shaved ice appeared in their place. It looked like they came from a snow cone machine. "If that's all they've got then getting your beast spirit will be a synch!"
Suddenly over 20+ Frigimon appeared out of the trees and surrounded them. It was like being stared at by a bunch of snowmen. Each ready for a fight.
"You just had to say something, didn't you…" Kumamon sighed. At least now they know how this winter forest started.
Although one or two Frigimon wouldn't cause a big effect, a bunch of them will. No wonder part of the forest looked like a winter wonderland. With all these ice bears around spreading cold energy, it would be surprising if there wasn't any snow around.
[Subzero Ice Punch x20] All the Frigimon punched out a light-blue color sphere. Each sphere contained a freezing, cold energy heading straight toward the two Legendary Warriors. Kumamon dropped to the ground and avoided the attacks, but Agunimon wasn't so lucky. Every Subzero Ice Punch hit and encompassed him in ice.
"Agunimon!" Kumamon shouted with trepidation. His friend looked like an ice sculpture, and he was worried the Warrior of Flame would stay like that. He did the same freeze technique to Meramon earlier.
Crack… Fortunately, his worries were unfounded when he saw small cracks appear on the ice. The cracks became bigger, and the sculpture started to shake.
"Arrggh!" Agunimon roared as he broke out. Luckily, Frigimon's attack froze from outside to inside instead of inside to outside like Kumamon's situation so Agunimon used his flames internally to break free. Still, being hit by that many ice attacks was effective on him.
"Ugh," Agunimon fell on fours breathing loudly. Steam evaporated off of him from leftover melted ice.
"Agunimon!" Kumamon shouted running toward him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah…" He answered, still panting. "But I don't think I can handle another barrage like that."
Kumamon agreed, but the question was how. They were in the middle of an icy forest and the Frigimon had the advantage here. Agumimon's fire was strong against ice, but in the middle of a snowy environment, the attacks would be weaker. Plus, anything they threw at them, the ice bears would just use the cover of the trees to block and evade.
The Legendary Warriors could use the same tactic, but the Frigimon had the numerical advantage. It would only be a matter of time before the ice bears snuff them out. They needed a plan to take all of them out at once.
It was then that Kumamon looked at the snow on the ground. Many thoughts and scenes passed through his mind.
"We need to break out and get to the clearing!" Kumamon shouted. "They won't do anything to us there!"
The Bearer of Ice's body then melted and morphed blending into the snow. Like a snake, he slithered deeper back into the clearing. The Frigimon tried to stop him, but they couldn't hit what they couldn't see. Kumamon's melted form camouflaged perfectly with the snow, and the ice bears could only watch him escape and turn their attention to their other opponent.
Agunimon, on the other hand, slammed his hand onto the ground releasing a strong heat wave. The snow around him quickly melted into a big lukewarm puddle of water mixing in with the dirt. He then proceeded to do a low spinning sweep kick splashing the water all around.
All the Frigimon around got a face full of water. Their faces went blank for a moment before turning livid. It was like being hit with dirty sweat.
"That was payback for freezing me," Agunimon stated as he sprinted breaking out of the encirclement. "See ya!"
[Subzero Ice Punch + Snowball] The Frigimon chased after him and fired off energy shots or snowballs at the Warrior of Flames. But Agunimon kept swerving and moving through the trees, so the attacks didn't hit him. The Bearer of Flame only had one thing in his mind: To get to the destination.
"Finally!" Agunimon whooped, excitedly. He entered the clearing. Hopefully, the Frigimon wouldn't be able to get him.
Unfortunately, it was only wishful thinking.
Like a stampede of angry bulls, the Frigimon marched out of the woods into the clearing and surrounded Agunimon. Each clenched their fists gathering energy for a Subzero Ice Punch.
'Now what?' Agunimon thought, going into a fighting stance. Did he really think that going back to the clearing would stop the Frigimon from entering like Kumamon said?
Of course not, but Agunimon has known his little friend and watched him grow up for years. He knew Kumamon had a plan, and it involved the clearing somehow. The Bearer of Ice said those words earlier, so he couldn't let the Frigimon be suspicious while indirectly telling him to get to the clearing.
Agunimon didn't know what his plan was but trusted the Ice Warrior nonetheless. He just hoped the little bear would hurry up, or he would become an ice sculpture again.
Unbeknownst to the Frigimon and Agunimon, Kumamon was outside of them stretching his body. He circled the perimeter of the clearing creating a ring of ice in midair.
This was one of Kumamon's inherited traits as the Human Legendary Warrior of Ice. His body could morph and change into any shape he wanted. The Ice Warrior could change into ice spikes to attack the enemy or an ice bridge for a train to ride through. The possibilities were endless.
And by taking the ice and snow around him, he could become even bigger. If Kumamon had enough mental strength and snow, he could be as big as a mountain. Although the Ice Warrior didn't like this unnatural winter, it was the best environment for him to fight in.
Why did the Spirits of the Legendary Warriors prefer humans over pure-born Digi-eggs? Finding a compatible Digi-egg was much easier compared to a human. Not only did the compatibility have to match them, but they also had to have the right personality and willpower. The search was tedious, and the requirements were harsh. So why go through it and bond with a human? There were two main reasons.
The first reason was their emotions. Humans had stronger emotions compared to a Digimon. Strong feelings were powerful in their way. It was a type of strength that allowed Digimon to fight opponents a level or two higher than them. This kind of power was something Digimon alone could never achieve.
The second reason was their ingenuity. Digimon are all born with a specific set of attacks and inherited traits. Throughout their lives, they use those moves as if they're second nature never questioning their strength until the next digivolution, but humans were different.
They were more creative. Utilizing Digimon's inherited traits and skills, humans could create new moves and attacks in a completely different way. These new attacks were called Self-Created Attacks, or SCA for short. There were many different variations and the possibilities could be endless. This situation was one of those moments.
"Agunimon!" Kumamon shouted. "Jump now!"
[SCA: Tundra Bind] Like a drawstring pulling a backpack close, the ice ring rapidly contracted and slammed onto the Frigimon. Their attacks got interrupted, and they were forcibly pushed to the center of the clearing.
Agunimon, hearing his friend's command, immediately jumped into the air. Down below, he could see all the Frigimon clustered together at his original spot. The ice ring had all of them trapped and clumped together preventing any movement or attacks.
[Pyro Darts] Agunimon took advantage of the trapped opponents and fired flaming darts from his gauntlet. He kept unleashing them until his attack looked like fiery rain.
[Frozen Tundra] Kumamon expanded the ice ring and dropped to the ground. He then changed his form into multiple ice spikes making a circle of thick, ice needles all aimed at the Frigimon.
Fire rained above while ice pierced below. Two opposing elements clashed against each other with the Frigimon in the middle. The ice bears felt their bodies melt from the flames then freeze and break apart from the ice. They couldn't take it anymore, and fractal code appeared around them.
Since Agunimon and Kumamon each had a part in defeating the Frigimon, the auto-scan function divided the fractal code equally between the two of them. Half of it went to Agunimon while the other half went to Kumamon. The clustered Frigimon all disappeared, and multiple snowballs appeared falling to the ground.
"That was amazing!" Agunimon said, landing next to Kumamon. "Nice idea leading them to the clearing."
"It was a team effort. Couldn't have done it without you," Kumamon replied, and they both high-fived. The Ice Warrior could've used Tundra Bind earlier, but the trees were in the way. In order to use the attack more effectively, an open space was needed which is why the Legendary Warriors baited the Frigimon to the clearing.
'Beep Beep Beep Beep.' Kumamon's Digivice ranged and vibrated incessantly about a notification. Taking the device out, the Ice Warrior looked at the screen. It was coming from his GPS app.
"My Beast Spirit! It's close!" Kumamon looked deeply at the coordinates. "Really close. It's only a few feet away from us on the other side of the clearing."
"Let's get going then," Agunimon and Kumamon both ran to where the GPS was telling them. When they made it to their destination, the two were met with a weird scene.
In their sights was another Frigimon. He was in front of a cluster of dead trees and branches. Looking closer, there seemed to be small, brown furry creatures running around or shaking through the small openings of the wood and trunks. It was the weasels from earlier along with their other brethren. This must've been the little guys' habitat and home.
"Oh no!" The Ice Warrior shouted. Frigimon lifted his fist and gathered cold energy. He was to attack freezing the animals and destroying their home.
Kumamon pulled out his Romeo Launcher and prepared to fire. He wasn't going to let the ice bear hurt innocent, cute creatures.
He also couldn't help but be confused. Why was Frigimon attacking harmless animals? They weren't doing anything suspicious, and it looked like his beast spirit wasn't even there.
"Don't," Agunimon interjected. "Your attack will only make him bigger. Let me do it."
The Flame Warrior lifted his arm, and concentrated fire blasted out from his gauntlet. [Pryo D-]
"Wait!" Kumamon shouted. Just as Agunimon was about to fling flaming darts, a weasel with white fur popped out and looked at Frigimon angrily. It was the same weasel Tomoki had seen earlier.
"What is it?" Agunimon asked and stopped his attack. He followed his friend's line of sight and noticed the white weasel too. "Is there something different about that animal?"
'That's a good question,' The sense of familiarity came to Kumamon again, but it just confused the Ice Warrior even more.
Why was he so attracted to this weasel? This was his first few times with seeing the animal but Kumamon felt so connected to him. What was so special about the little guy?
"SQUEAKKKKKK," The white weasel screeched loudly and jumped at Frigimon. Fractal code appeared, and the cute little animal transformed into something completely different.
In its place was a yeti-looking creature. He had snow-white fur, hairless brown hands and feet, dark brown claws, and markings on his cheeks/forehead. Two horns poked out of his head along with multiple dreadlocks of hair going down to his calves. The dreadlocks were being held together by metal arrowheads at the end. His outfit consisted of green-orange bracers on each of his forearms as well as dark-brown armor on his chest and shoulders.
Korikakumon: A variable, beast-type Digimon whose special attacks are Avalanche Axes and Frozen Arrowheads. He's the beast spirit descended from the Ancient Warrior: AncientMegatheriummon. Don't be fooled by his appearance. Despite his large stature, he's extremely shrewd in combat using anything to his advantage.
Korikakumon tackled Frigimon to the ground. Using his bulky hands, he clawed and ripped the ice bear's body apart piece by piece like a savage beast. Fractal code appeared around Frigimon when half of its body was gone. Korikakumon instinctively took it leaving only a snowball to drop to the ground.
Kumamon and Agunimon looked at the scene in shock. Everything made so much sense now. This weasel had the Beast Spirit of Ice.
When Korikakumon first landed in the Real World in his spirit form, he roamed around a lot trying to get his bearings. Unfortunately, those actions depleted most of his energy reverting back to his relic form. It was then the weasel found him.
Although Tomoki was still highly compatible with his beast spirit, others could use them as well if the compatibility was strong enough. This was especially true in the relic form. Most of their thoughts would be dormant until finding a vessel.
When the weasel touched the spirit, it automatically fused with the animal attaining its power. Since the animal didn't know how to use the beast's spirit, he could only act on instinct. The power was driven by emotions.
Whenever the animal felt angry or threatened, he transformed into Korikakumon and attacked. It was also when the fractal field would appear taking him into the data mirror world. This explains why hunters were only able to catch a glimpse of the Forest Protector before disappearing.
Although fractal fields activate very quickly after a strong Digimon shows up, it still takes a second for it to cover the surroundings and make a mirror world. One second may not seem like much, but it's enough for people to see a glimpse.
Whenever the weasel transformed into Korikakumon and attacked some hunters, he would enter the fractal field by himself alone. With no one to fight or defend, the animal roamed around a bit, calmed down, and turned back into a weasel returning to the Real World with no hunter in sight. With so many appearances and disappearances, rumors of the Protector of the Forest started.
"This is unexpected," Agunimon said, still staring at the yeti. "What do we do? Should I attack and forcibly grab the beast spirit?"
"Don't," Kumamon rejected the idea. "Even though he attacks like a savage beast, he is still an innocent animal. He probably doesn't even know what he has. We need to think of something else."
"But what?" Agunimon asked. "Right now, that beast doesn't look to be in the talking mood."
Kumamon bit his lower lip thinking. Agunimon was right. Looking at Korikakumon right now, the yeti looked like he ripped apart anyone in his vicinity. The best plan was probably to wait until the beast calmed down.
"So that's why I couldn't find the beast spirit…" Someone said. "This thing had it all along."
Agunimon and Kumamon jumped and got immediately into fighting stances. Someone else was here! In another part of the woods appeared a hunter and dog. It was the same hunter and dog they met earlier and the ones who used inhumane strength to escape.
But the weird part wasn't them appearing. Agunimon and Kumamon half-expected it. The weird part was who just said those words. It didn't come from the hunter. It came from the dog.
"I knew there was something off about that dog," Agunimon stated, staring intently at the canine.
"What makes you say that?" Kumamon asked.
"Usually most dogs would bark at any strangers that come near them," Agunimon explained, recalling the times when he came over to Kouji's house. His dog, Garm, kept barking at him until Kouji or the Minamotos told him to heel. "But this one was unusually quiet when seeing us, especially during the gun standoff. It was like he was secretly observing us."
"I was," The dog said in perfect clarity. Unlike him, the hunter looked to be in some sort of daze state. "Thanks for sending us off to those other humans. Their information was especially helpful in finding the beast spirit."
When the Demon Lords sent in more Digimon in groups with a leader after the Digi-Destined, they commanded them to retrieve the spirits of the Legendary Warriors back and eliminate those pesky chosen humans by any means necessary. When the multiple groups entered the Real World after much difficulty, they sensed the strong energy signatures of the beast spirits and separated going after each of them.
This particular controlled dog managed to track down the Beast Spirit of Ice here. He employed all the Frigimon to search inside the fractal field creating the winter forest, while he stayed in the Real World taking over a black dog. He kept up the act of the dog, so the owner never realized his dog was a possessed Digimon.
Unfortunately, no matter how long they searched, the beast spirit was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until he heard more details about the Protector of the Forest from the rangers that he had a better hunch. Working efficiently, the dog mentally communicated with the Frigimon to draw the two Legendary Warriors into a fractal field and attack them while one of them left to assault the weasel home at the end of the clearing.
Using his digital code, he took over the hunter, and they both broke out of the rangers' arrest traveling back to the clearing. There, they stayed back and observed the situation. The results weren't bad.
The dog didn't know how many times he and Frigimon passed by this white-fur weasel in both the Real World and fractal fields. It was just a harmless, weak animal. Never did they suspect the little thing to house the powerful Beast Spirit of Ice.
"Grrr," Korikakumon growled at the dog and hunter in hostility. He recognized the two trying to harm his brethren earlier. His body readied to pounce at them anytime.
"Time to start the hunt," The dog responded and howled at the top of his lungs. Fractal code surrounded him and the hunter. Their appearance was completely different now.
In their place was a large black-armored dog. He had long razor-sharp claws on each leg and three heads. One head was in the middle while the other two were attached to his shoulders each.
Cerberusmon: An ultimate-level, dark animal-type Digimon whose special attacks are Emerald Blaze and Portals of Darkness. He's known to be the Watchdog of Hell and is based on the mythological creature: Cerberus. The claws on his feet are strong enough to easily tear through Chrome Digizoid alloys. His armor is a hard-living shell which can self-repair any damages, and the heads on his shoulders are said to possess sentience.
Cerberusmon pounced at the yeti claws raring to go. Korikakumon responded in kind with claws of his own. Both battled each other like savages trying to dominate the other.
"We're not going to let you do what you want!"
[Pryo Darts + Blizzard Blaster] Agunimon and Kumamon weren't going to allow Cerberusmon to get the beast spirit and launched their attacks as well. Flaming darts and snowballs shot at the three-headed dog with breakneck speed.
Cerberusmon just looked at the incoming attacks in contempt. "Humph!"
[Portals of Darkness] One of the eyes of a head on the dog's shoulders lit up. A portal then opened up in of him and the attacks just went right inside disappearing. Usually, Portals of Darkness would open a pathway to the Dark Area in the Digital World, but this was the Real World. Cerberusmon didn't know where this portal would lead to, and he did not want to find out. Still, it was a good way to stop attacks from hitting him.
"Fangmon! Take care of those two!" Cerberusmon shouted and resumed his assault on Korikakumon.
Suddenly, two shadows rushed out from the woods and appeared before the two Legendary Warriors. They looked like red wolves with exaggerated muzzles. Their bodies were extremely skinny, and each foot had sharp purple claws.
Fangmon: A champion-level, dark animal-type Digimon whose special attacks are Snipe Steal and Blast Coffin. This wolf Digimon lives deep in the heart of the forest and preys upon those who are lost. It's said that their data is derived from the Big Bad Wolf that has appeared in many fairy tales. Once they set their sights on a target, they will never let them go.
[Snipe Steal x2] Using their quick speed, they sprinted and attacked the Legendary Warriors. The first one slashed the launcher out of Kumamon's hands and pinned him to the ground. The second one bit onto one of Agunimon's gauntlets and attempted to rip it off.
The Flame Warrior wasn't having it. He jumped on Fangmon's back and wrapped his other arm against the wolf's neck choking him to let go. Fangmon kept running, and both entered the woods. Shortly after, sounds of punching and scratching were heard.
The first Fangmon started to gather energy in his mouth. He was about to unleash his attack right at his opponent's face, and Kumamon couldn't move.
[Blast Coffin] Fangmon blasted out a white beam. The ground underneath shook from the force, and cracks appeared. The red wolf grinned at his work, but then his smile froze.
When the smoke cleared, all Fangmon saw was rocks and dirt. He expected fractal code to appear or even melt snow, but there were no signs of the Ice Warrior's body anywhere. Was his attack that strong?
[Crystal Freeze] Kumamon popped out from the side and took a deep breath causing his body to inflate like a balloon. When he felt full, he blew it out, unleashing a freezing wind blast. The attack hit Fangmon head-on, and the red wolf froze immediately into an ice sculpture.
Before Fangmon used Blast Coffin, Kumamon was already prepared, and his body melted. Fangmon may have had the Ice Warrior pinned, but it didn't bother the little bear much. Kumamon had the ability to change the structure of his body. All he had to do was morph and move to the side escaping the wolf's clutches.
Unlike Agunimon, Fangmon couldn't heat himself up and break out. Cold energy seeped inside his body, ending him, and fractal code appeared. The data automatically entered Kumamon's Digivice, and a Shiba Inu* appeared. The dog took a quick glance at everything and ran off.
With that battle out of the way, Kumamon focused his attention on Cerberusmon and Korikakumon's fight. When he saw the scene, his face changed. It wasn't looking good. Korikakumon was losing!
Although Cerberusmon and Korikakumon were somewhat equal in power with the yeti having a slightly higher advantage, the beast spirit's vessel was only a small animal. The little guy only knew how to bite, scratch, and rip. Digimon were much smarter than the animals in the Real World, and the hound used more precise attacks. Korikakumon had no chance, and wounds were already apparent on his body.
[Styx Killer] Cerberusmon slashed downward with his claws at the yeti. It was the last straw. Korikakumon couldn't take it anymore and fell to his knees then dropped to the ground. His ability to resist was gone.
"This will finish it," Cerberusmon raised his claw to deliver the finishing blow.
[Blizzard Blaster] Skis popped out of Kumamon's feet, and the Ice Warrior skied toward Cerberusmon and Korikakumon. Grabbing his Romeo Launcher on the way, he fired snowballs at the dog.
Cerberusmon jumped back evading the attack, and Kumamon moved in between the dog and his beast spirit. The Ice Warrior aimed his launcher threateningly and said. "Back off!"
"Humph," Cerberusmon looked at the little bear in contempt and scoffed. He slowly gathered energy in his body. "It doesn't matter if you interfere. I'll just take you both out!"
[Emerald Blaze] Cerberusmon released an emission of scorching-hot green flames from his mouth. The flames were like a rushing stream heading straight for Kumamon & Korikakumon.
Kumamon fired out more snowballs, but the emerald flames engulfed them melting inside, and continued to rage. The Ice Warrior was about to jump out of the way but stopped as a thought suddenly occurred to him.
[Frozen Tundra] Using the snow around him, Kumamon transformed into multiple ice spikes creating a wall of ice. The flames then hit him like a dam blocking the rush of water.
"Ugh…" Kumamon groaned. The flames hurt like crazy taking the full brunt of it, but he still endured. When the attack finally dispersed, the ice spikes were gone. The Ice Warrior laid on the ground in pain.
Fractal code appeared around him.
Oh no! What's going to happen to Tomoki? To find out what happens next, tune in next time on Digimon Frontier 2: Fractal Fusion!
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*Shiba Inu- A small to medium breed of hunting dog from Japan. Its name means brushwood dog and can have red sesame, black & tan, black sesame, sesame, cream, & red color fur.