There's something almost prideful in being one of the few Digidestined with a fully powered partner. Mike's been a digidestined more than most of the people surrounding him right now, and it's kind of amusing to know he's able to break away from the group, go where he wants, scout around, try to figure out what's happening without worrying too much about something horrible happening to himself or to Monodramon.
As if wanting to prove it to himself, he does just that, slips out of the group of wrestlers and digimon and wanders off, Monodramon close behind. They wander around the outskirts of the village that they'd been summoned to, looking to see what the call for help was inspired by. The area looks fine, there's no reason for the summons, or so it seems. Until Mike turns and sees data streaming from off in the distance. He mumbles a curse and nods his head towards it, Mondramon's eyes widening as they head off in that direction.
Mike's pride works against him, as it tends to do, when something orange with four gigantic paws come out of nowhere and tackles him down, snarling and biting, trying to get at his throat with his claws.
"Shit!" Mike gasps, eyes widening as Liamon snarls and bites. "Monodramon!" He strains to look over and finds a second Liamon pinning his partner down with as much ferocity as the one straining to get to slice through his body. "No, no no-" He closes his eyes and sinks down onto the ground, some of the fight failing him. His pride has bested him yet again.
But then there's a loud roar and the weight on his body disappears with a sudden THUD, Mike breathing heavily as he forces his eyes open and looks around, in disbelief. Monodramon is free and clear as well, the two of them exchanging confounded glances until Ciampa runs up. "Go, Growlmon," he yells, holding his digivice up.
Growlmon roars and slashes plasma from the blades on his arms through both Liamon, deleting them immediately.
"Holy shit," Mike mumbles, eyes wide as Ciampa walks over and pulls him up onto his feet, perfunctory and not necessarily gentle as he dusts him off.
"Next time, stick with the group," he tells him gruffly. "You're lucky I noticed you wandering off and followed."
"Sir, yes, sir," Mike says, still a little breathless from how close he'd come. "Thanks."
Ciampa nods, clapping him on the back. "Come on."
As they head back to the group, Mike shakes his head. Never again, he thinks.
