19. Seeing Red

"Hey! Can anyone hear me?"
Tarumon struggled against the ropes binding his arms and legs. He'd awoken to find himself trussed up behind some digimeat boxes stacked near the wall, hiding him from view.
His calls for help had so far failed to reach anyone. He was too far away from the barn for Monochromon to hear him and everyone else was likely outside watching the fight.
A chill ran through Tarumon as he thought of how his fear had been realised.
KoKabuterimon was in Saurus Fortress, and Birdramon must be with him; most likely in the form of Muchomon. They no doubt were waiting for an opportunity to kidnap Kartik and the other humans. Tarumon had to warn his friends.
He let out a bellow of frustration as he tried again in vain to wiggle out of his bonds. Despite neither possessing actual fingers, Birdramon and KoKabuterimon were both surprisingly good at tying knots.
"Tarumon?"
A small black nose peeked through a narrow gap between the boxes.
"Bowmon? What are you doing away from the barn?" Tarumon's relief at having been found clashed with his carer's concern at a young digimon wandering off on his own.
"You left without saying goodbye, and I wanted to talk to you."
Bowmon started crawling through the gap. It wasn't an easy feat, given his round body, but he gradually made progress.
"You're a beast digimon, like me - ugh! - but you made it through the desert."
With a final effort, he popped out of the gap and landed sprawled on the ground.
"You've even got tough feet." He pointed a stubby leg at Tarumon's hooves.
He stood up and, only then, realised Tarumon's situation.
"Why are you tied up?"
"Some bad digimon are after my friends." Tarumon shuffled closer to the In-Training. "Can you get me loose?"
Bowmon started biting at the ropes, his small sharp teeth easily cut through the strands.
"'O are thesh bad dishimon?" He asked while chewing a particularly thick knot.
"A KoKabuterimon and, I believe, a Muchomon." Tarumon answered. "I have to warn my friends and tell MetalTyrannomon that they've infiltrated his forces."
The ropes were now loose enough that Tarumon could shake himself free. He pushed the digimeat boxes aside and stepped back out into the palace.
"Thanks, Bowmon. Now go back to the barn." He waved the little digimon away.
"No! I want to go too!" Bowmon stomped his tiny foot. "I can help!"
"This isn't a game, Bowmon." Tarumon replied sternly. "Things could get very dangerous."
"But, what if MetalTyrannomon doesn't believe you? He doesn't trust outsiders. I could vouch for you! Or, what if those bad digimon show up? I could scare them away with my Puppy Spark!"
Bowmon let out a surprisingly loud bark and little yellow sparks flew out of his mouth.
Tarumon ran his hands down his face. He didn't have time for this. KoKabuterimon and Muchomon could be making their move already.
"Alright. You can come, but you have to stay close to me and do as I say. Understand?"
"Yes, sir." Bowmon wagged his white-tipped tail.
"Okay. Let's go."
Tarumon took off towards the palace entrance as fast as he could go. A part of him hoped that Bowmon wouldn't be able to keep up and would be left behind out of danger; but although the little digimon often stumbled as he sought to keep pace with the Rookie, he always rolled back onto his feet and kept going.
Soon the familiar red curtains were in sight and peeking through them, with his back exposed, was KoKabuterimon.
Normally Tarumon would've focused on getting past him to the outside, but laying eyes on the digimon preying on his friends caused a burning anger to rise up inside him. A roaring bellow escaped his mouth as he charged, head down at the blue beetle.
KoKabuterimon turned his head at the loud noise behind him and saw Tarumon bearing down on him. He lifted his upper arms up just in time to catch the shorter Rookie's horns and instantly started pushing back against him.
"Bowmon, get outside!" Tarumon grunted. "Find my friends!"
The In-Training moved as fast as his little legs would allow. As he reached the curtain, KoKabuterimon tried to grab him with one of his lower arms but Tarumon slammed him into the wall, allowing Bowmon to slip through.
With a frustrated grunt, KoKabuterimon brought his horn down hard on Tarumon's head. Tarumon didn't let up so he brought his horn down again, and again. The bovine digimon finally stumbled under the blows and KoKabuterimon shoved him back.
Shaking his head, Tarumon prepared to charge again, only to get rammed in the stomach by KoKabuterimon's horn. As he doubled over, KoKabuterimon swung his horn up.
"Scoop Smash!"
With a mighty heave, he flung Tarumon up into the air towards the high ceiling.
Tarumon's vision spun as he flew up but, with great effort, he managed to turn himself around in the air and aim his horns at KoKabuterimon.
"Hook Horn!"
His horns shot down to the insect digimon, wrapping their chains around his own horn. He reeled them in quickly, causing him to dive like a missile and collide head to head with his foe.
"Yaaaoow!" KoKabuterimon stumbled and fell onto his back. He brought both forearms up to his head and rocked from side to side, groaning in pain.
Tarumon gingerly sat up and put a hand to his own head. KoKabuterimon's exoskeleton was really tough. Gathering himself, he clambered to his hooves and made quickly for the exit.
When he was just a few feet away, the curtain was moved aside and Muchomon appeared. Tarumon intended to charge past her, but seeing what she had in her flippers made him skid to a stop.
Struggling in Muchomon's grip was Bowmon.
"Well, this was fortunate timing." Muchomon looked to KoKabuterimon who was staggering back to his feet. "I was just on my way back to find you, when I ran into this little one. Judging by the look on his face when he saw me; it seems we've been found out."
She turned to face Tarumon. The familiar aggression had returned to her eyes.
"Sorry, Tarumon." Bowmon's tiny ears drooped.
"It's okay, Bowmon. Just stay calm. Everything will be okay."
Tarumon's tone was soothing, but ice-cold fear was spreading through his body. Seeing the little digimon gripped in Muchomon's clawed flippers was bringing back that horrid sense of familiarity.
His arms were grabbed and held up by KoKabuterimon's upper arms while his lower ones looped around Tarumon's stomach. Tarumon hadn't even realised that he had gotten behind him.
"Okay, you got me." He tried to keep the desperation he was feeling out of his voice. "You can let Bowmon go now. No one else knows about you two."
"They will, once he yaps about us." Muchomon shifted Bowmon under her arm.
"He's only an In-Training. No one will believe him."
Tarumon noticed Bowmon staring in fear at the talons not far from his face. His blue fur was starting to rise in panic.
"I'm not taking that chance." Muchomon pointed a claw at Tarumon. "You're both going to be our prisoners until we've completed our - "
"Puppy Spark!"
Muchomon gave a squawk of pain as Bowmon's bark rang in her ear and a spark hit her in the eye.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
Bowmon thrashed around, trying to break free from Muchomon's grip. As she reached with her free flipper to tighten her hold, he turned and sank his teeth into her arm.
"Gaaarrrgh!"
Muchomon swung her flipper back and forth, trying to shake the In-Training off. Bowmon's eyes were squeezed shut in fear. All he could do was hold on tight.
"Careful, Muchomon! You'll hurt the little - "
KoKabuterimon was interrupted by a sudden loud bellow from Tarumon. The bovine strained against his grip, snorting heavily and swinging his head from side to side.
Images flashed through Tarumon's mind.
A tiny purple digimon being held in a white clawed hand.
A flat metallic face; featureless save for a cruel red-lipped smile.
Fragments of eggshells lying strewn across a burning field.
His body was on fire. Burning anger filled his mind until steam shot from his nose. His vision went red and he screamed as a harsh blinding light engulfed him.
"I'm going to kill you!"

-

"Stand still, blast you!"
Allomon fired another burst of hot air at Saltimon. She jumped up, avoiding the attack and fired her Spark Cannon in midair.
Allomon just barely dodged the electrified web. His movements were getting noticeably slower as chasing Saltimon was wearing him out.
Shinyu gripped the rope fencing tightly. If Saltimon could land a direct hit with her Spark Cannon, then Allomon's weakness to electric affinity attacks would compensate for her type disadvantage.
He couldn't help feeling excited watching his strategy pay off. This was different from the previous battles he'd witnessed, with the digimon fighting like wild animals; and for the first time he actually felt useful.
Looking down at his digivice and thinking of all the information it contained; Shinyu could start to imagine the possible ways humans could benefit from uniting with the Digital World.
A nudge from Smilomon interrupted his musing.
"Heads up. Looks like GeoGreymon wants back in the fight."
The horned theropod was reaching through the ropes, gesturing for Allomon to tag him in.
"Saltimon, go on the offence! Don't let him tag out!"
The gray spider gave Shinyu an apprehensive look.
"Come on, Saltimon!" Charlie cheered on her partner. "Let 'em see what you're made of!"
"Th-That's exactly what I'm a-afraid of." Saltimon gulped and braced herself against the ground.
Seeing an opening, Allomon made for GeoGreymon's outstretched hand. Before he'd even registered the whistling sound of Saltimon shooting through the air, she hit his back like a spear. He crashed into the ground and the spider digimon landed beside him.
Saltimon brought out her Spark Cannon and took aim at her downed opponent.
Unable to reach Allomon, even with his tail, GeoGreymon gripped the rope fencing tight in frustration. These outsiders and their humans were going to win! He would never live down such a humiliating defeat.
Feeling his anger bubbling up in his chest, GeoGreymon threw back his head and roared.
The sound drowned out the noise of the crowd. Everyone went still.
Shinyu felt his legs shaking in fear. It was like a primal terror had gripped him. He became painfully aware of how small and weak he was compared to the digimon surrounding him.
Saltimon had locked up. Her legs were spread out around her and she had lowered herself to the ground.
She couldn't tear her eyes away from GeoGreymon. His demonic horns, baleful eyes, pointed teeth and sharp claws. All sending a message through her body that her mind was powerless to ignore
'Run.'
Turning around, Saltimon ran back towards her friends as fast as her legs could go. In a matter of seconds she'd crossed the ring and, without thinking, jumped over the fencing.
Time seemed to slow as Shinyu watched Saltimon sail over his head, taking their hope of victory with her.
Smilomon leapt up, patting Saltimon with her paw as she passed, and landed inside the ring.
Shinyu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well done, Smilomon."
"Hey, Metal T!" Charlie called over to MetalTyrannomon. "What happened to 'no interference'?"
The cyborg dinosaur narrowed his eyes at Charlie's familiar tone, but replied evenly.
"I said, no physical interference. All GeoGreymon did was roar. Should I forbid you from cheering on or giving advice to your fighters?"
Charlie lowered her eyes, accepting MetalTyrannomon's judgement. She stepped up to a still shaking Saltimon and put a comforting arm over her head.
Allomon had used the distraction to tag in GeoGreymon and the orange dinosaur strode towards the center of the ring. Smilomon walked to meet him and the two Champions halted about ten feet from each other.
"Heh. I figured you were made of sterner stuff than the rest of that bunch." GeoGreymon nodded to Shinyu and the others. "You might make a decent soldier."
Smilomon opened her mouth in a wide yawn.
"No, thanks. Being told what to do all the time isn't my style."
"Could've fooled me, the way that human was shouting orders at you. What; can't you fight on your own?"
Smilomon bared her teeth in a snarl.
"What's he saying to her?" Kartik shared a worried look with Shinyu. They couldn't hear GeoGreymon's words, but Smilomon's fur was clearly bristling.
"Don't let him bait you, Smilomon!" Shinyu called out to his partner. "Remember the plan!"
GeoGreymon glanced over at Shinyu, and then looked back to Smilomon.
"Your master's calling. Are you gonna do as you're told like a good digimon?"
Letting out a roar, Smilomon charged at her opponent.
Smirking triumphantly, GeoGreymon whipped around and smacked Smilomon with his tail. She skidded along the ground but quickly rolled to her feet and leapt at him again.
"That idiot!" Shinyu had his hands in his hair. "She's going to screw everything up!"
"Maybe she has a plan." Kartik said hopefully.
Charlie winced as Smilomon hit the ground again.
"Unless that plan involves hitting him repeatedly with her face; I don't think so."
Shinyu grit his teeth. Smilomon was too far away for Saltimon to switch with her. If she didn't pull herself together soon, he'd never be able to go home again. Didn't she care?
"Drill Bite!"
Smilomon lunged at GeoGreymon with her spinning fangs. He easily sidestepped her attack and brought his massive nose horn down down on her back, slamming her into the ground. Smilomon gave a painful wheeze as the breath was knocked out of her.
Gripping her by her goggle strap, GeoGreymon bodily threw Smilomon across the ring, further away from her friends. She rolled along the sand and lay coughing as the dinosaur digimon approached.
"You may have the body of a Champion, but you still fight like a Rookie." GeoGreymon looked down at her with understanding in his eyes. "I know how frustrating it is, but there's no shortcut to strength. Real strength only comes from experience. I'll make sure you get plenty once you join us."
Smilomon reared up and swiped at GeoGreymon with her claws. As he dodged, she jumped back to put some distance between them.
"Shut up! I don't need your help to get stronger! I don't need anyone! Roar Force!" She fired her shockwave with an enraged roar.
GeoGreymon didn't counter right away. Orange light started to gleam from his jaws. As the shockwave was almost upon him, he opened his mouth.
"Mega Burst!"
A concentrated beam of fire shot out of his maw and clashed with Smilomon's attack. It steadily crept towards Smilomon despite her efforts to overpower it.
Smilomon waited for the burst of power she'd felt before to return, but nothing came. She quickly glanced towards Shinyu, expecting to see him cheering her on again. Instead, the boy was silently looking at her with anger and disappointment in his eyes.
Seeing this, Smilomon felt the last of her strength drain away, and then felt hot pain as GeoGreymon's attack engulfed her.
The crowd was silent as smoke rose from the ring.
GeoGreymon stood patiently watching the dust clear. A silhouette gradually formed of a hunched trembling figure. The last of the smoke drifted away, revealing Smilomon still standing. Her legs were shaking and it seemed that it was taking everything she had to remain upright, but her eyes still glared defiantly at GeoGreymon.
The dinosaur smiled at Smilomon's stubborn pride. She, at least, would be an asset to Saurus Fortress. The others might make themselves useful as part of the cleaning crew.
He raised a foot and held it above Smilomon's head.
"Welcome to the team."
Before he could bring it down, a fearsome bellow sounded out across the courtyard.
Everyone turned towards the Skull Palace. A KoKabuterimon was running out of the bone jaws like his digicore depended on it. He was holding two other digimon in his four arms; a Muchomon and a Bowmon.
Behind him, the curtains were ripped out of the doorframe and one of the skull's teeth was knocked off as a much bigger figure chased after him.
Shinyu and the others ducked under the legs of the digimon crowding around. BlackGreymon and Tuskmon placed themselves on either side of the group to keep them from getting crushed.
Making it to an opening in the crowd, they could finally see what had come crashing out of the palace.
"Oh my god." Shinyu stood with his arms limp by his sides.
"Putain de merde." Charlie tilted her head up to take in the massive beast before them.
Kartik stepped forward; his legs seemingly acting on their own. The creature in front of him was terrifying but it's features were undeniably familiar. It's curved horns; it's bovine-like head; and it's brown eyes now bloodshot with rage.
"Tarumon?"