Edward put his hand over his eyes like a visor, the rising sun blinding him through the canopy. He could barely keep his eyes open as it was, but he strove to hurry. Wormmon shuffled quickly behind, him trying to keep up with Edward's quick pace.
Guilt gnawed on his conscience - he had not left the group on good terms. He tried to persuade the others it was too dangerous to go on, and Imogen's disappointment and refusal to look at him burned in his head. Come to think of it, that's the only look she had given him since they got here. One of disappointment. Not that he blamed her; no one tried to stop him from leaving, and he knew it was because he was useless in that attack the night before.
Senna and Deon had both looked a little shocked, sure, but Tavaras had just shrugged his shoulders. The only one who even attempted to get him to stay with them was Leomon, and that was only because he thought it'd be more dangerous for Edward to go back alone.
Edward thought differently. Obviously someone, or something, wanted to bar their path forward. He shuddered as the images of giant red pincers and purple stingers the size of his forearm flashed in his head. Whatever evil awaited them, Edward had tried to tell them they should all come back with more fire power. Maybe bring Metalgreymon; he seemed like a good bloke to have on your side when shit hit the fan, as it seemed to do so often.
"Edward, please rethink this" Wormmon pleaded. "Going back to Sanctuary Village alone isn't going to solve anything!" Edward ignored the green worm hobbling behind and kept his gaze focused on the ground ahead. He was fortunate that Guardromon and Leomon made such heavy footprints that it would be simple to just retrace their steps.
"Go back to the others; what if they leave you behind?" Edward scoffed at that, and rubbed his messy blonde hair beneath his toque. With the way things were going, they would go nowhere except death. His heart dropped as he thought of his sister. Well, he had tried to warn her. He had tried to warn them all! It wasn't his fault they wouldn't listen to reason.
"EDWARD WHY ARE YOU SUCH A COWARD??" Wormmon screamed. Edward halted and looked back, shocked. The small insect had tears in his eyes. "I told you earlier, it's not too late. Please . You want to help. I know you do. Just, just do it." Edward gritted his teeth, but turned quickly back around and kept walking. His partner sighed in frustration and kept following. If he wanted to help so much, why didn't he stay with them?
Edward knew in his heart of hearts the reason, and so kept walking in silence.
—
"Are you going to the village?" Edward stopped a couple of hours later as he heard a quiet voice from the safety of the trees. He scanned the area, and saw one of the smaller, cute yellow bee-type insects they had walked passed yesterday. It looked harmless enough. Edward nodded, and saw a look of relief cross its face. It took off to follow him, and as more and more quiet buzzing filled the air, he saw a few more join the skies from behind it. On the ground, to Edwards' shock, came small plant Digimon hidden in the shrubbery.
Honeybeemon, Lalamon, Tanemon, Budmon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/1653/1653_original.png]
"W-what?" Edward stammered. "Why are you all going to the village now?" One of the green and pink Digimon with a propeller leaf looked down and started to cry.
"We lost everything in the storm two days ago. We have nothing left." Nods from the other Digimon followed. "We... we just need help."
"That's Lalamon,'' Wormmon said softly. He had caught up to Edward and started walking closer to his partner. "Along with Funbeemon, Tanamon, and Budmon." Glancing to the yellow bee, a small green plant with a leaf on its head, and the tiny green, spiky ball with a leaf tail in turn.
"Oh, well, I guess since we're heading there anyways we may as well go together."
The journey, much to Edwards annoyance, became less quiet with the baby Digimon in a better mood. They were laughing and playing with each other as they walked along. The sun was overhead, and Edward saw they were close to where they had taken their first break yesterday. Good, halfway.
As they got closer, a pit formed in his stomach as he heard loud noises coming from the clearing. Behind him, the Lalamon's worked quickly to quiet the babies and the Funbeemon's landed in the trees. Edward gulped. What was going on? He glanced back, and the other Digimon were looking at him with trepidation.
Oh great, they were looking at him to lead. Wormmon nudged him gently from behind, and Edward took a deep breath. He stepped forward slowly and carefully. All he was going to do is look. Nothing more. They could find a way around if they needed to. Rounding a large tree, Edward heard a crash, followed by a torrent of something. Peering around the corner, he opened his eyes in shock to find Garurumon injured against a tree, shooting blue flames forth. Behind him was his sister's new friends, Palmon and Floramon, looking scuffed up themselves. "HAHAHA, you're not getting past me!" A green ogre-like creature jumped over Garurumon's attack and lunged towards the blue wolf with a spiked, bone club.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Ogremon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/2/25/Orgemon.jpg/480px-Orgemon.jpg]
Edward looked on in horror as Garurumon roared and jumped just in time to evade the swing of the weapon, but grunted as an uppercut from the ogre's free hand connected. Garurumon fell limp at the feet of his assailant.
Palmon screamed and covered her eyes, but Floramon desperately looked around, and her eyes locked with his. "HELP US" She cried. "WE HAVE TO SAVE IMOGEN AND SENNA!!" Edwards mouth felt dry as the green beast glanced around to see what Floramon was screaming at, and it gave a wide, evil smirk as it lay eyes on him and Wormmon.
"Ohh, I never thought I'd get to kill one of the human's myself. At least Devimon won't get all of SkullSatamon's favour." A chill went down the young man’s spine; it sounded as evil as it looked. Garurumon struggled to open his eyes as his foe rounded on Edward.
"O-Ogremon. You won't... you won't win." Garurumon struggled with each word, and Ogremon looked at the fallen wolf with scorn.
"I'll finish you off when I'm done with the human." He said, and walked towards Edward menacingly. Edward scrambled and turned to run away, but found himself blocked by Wormmon.
"Move! We're gonna die!" Edward screamed. His heart was in pieces; his sister's friends were in danger. His sister was in danger. But he couldn't do anything about it.
"No." Wormmon said firmly, staying rooted in place. Edward looked down in shock at his partner. Why was he stopping him from leaving?
"You want to help Edward. You want to save them" The green insect said firmly, staring directly into his eyes.
"Fine! I do, but I don't have the power. What can I do?" Edward yelled back desperately. He could hear heavy footsteps closing in behind him. Wormmon shook his head. "You do have power Edward. You just need to believe. Believe in me. Believe in YOURSELF!" Edward thought back. The past few days, miracles happened for everyone but himself. Why? Was Wormmon right?
For the first time in his life, Edward steeled himself. Innocent children were in danger. His sister was in danger. He felt a warmth, and Wormmon shone brightly. The hope and courage he felt emanating from his partner.
Fear gave way for resolve, and Wormmon grew. Not like Dorumon, or Veemon, or Biyomon. This was different. Wormmon wrapped himself in a bright, glowing cocoon as he underwent his metamorphosis.
"WORMMON, DIGIVOLVE!"
The cocoon cracked, and arms appeared, followed by legs. A humanoid head glanced up, and covered itself with a helmet, and large wings like a butterfly's spouted from it.
The light dissipated, giving form to a beautiful, feminine figure. Blue light radiated around her like a calming pool of water, and the armoured figure looked at him.
Hudiemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/b/b5/Hudiemon_hm.jpg/450px-Hudiemon_hm.jpg]
"HUDIEMON!"
"W-wow" Edward looked at his partner in awe. "You're hot ?" He could sense his partner roll her eyes under the helmet, but smiled.
"You have power Edward. Always believe in yourself." As Ogremon rounded the tree behind him, Hudiemon flew into the hideous creature with a kick, knocking him back into a tree with a crack. Ogremon growled.
"So what! Cheap shot."
"Edward, get behind the tree." Hudiemon's clear voice called out, and Edward nodded.
"You don't gotta tell me twice." He planted himself around the corner, but peaked out to watch his partner fight.
Ogremon shot a ball of dark energy shaped like his own head towards Hudiemon, who took to the skies, cleanly evading it. Ogremon smirked as the energy took a large chunk out the tree Edward stood behind, and the beast jumped up, aiming to strike at her midair with his club.
Edward looked on as Hudiemon flapped her wings, creating a whirlwind of blue scales. "Infinity Dream" she whispered. Ogremon's eyes widened as he fell short of his opponent, and she spun above him to land a downwards kick, the force of which launched him to the ground below.
"G-gah" Ogremon winced, face first in the ground and struggling to move. "What did you do to me?" He yelled through a mouthful of dirt.
Wordlessly, Hudiemon flew high above the treetops. Managing to turn himself on his back, Ogremon could only watch his impending doom with terror as Hudiemon fell down spinning like a corkscrew, feet first.
"RAHHH" A final scream let out of the enemy Digimon's mouth as the spinning kick landed directly in Ogremon's torso, deleting him.
—
Edward sat by a tree, Wormmon on his lap. Floramon and Palmon were tending to Garurumon's injuries for the past couple of hours, the pain eased by Hudiemon's Infinity Dream. The Funbeemon, Lalamon, Tanamon, and Budmon watched silently. Garurumon opened his eyes and gave both Edward and Wormmon a nod of respect. "Thank you."
Edward laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. He got serious then.
"What was that about having to save Imogen?" Garurumon's eyes widened and he stumbled to his feet, but Palmon pushed him back down.
"Let me finish, mister." She admonished. Floramon turned to Edward.
"Cherrymon told us this earlier after he couldn't find Kiwimon and some others in our church. After Kiwimon's outburst the other day, he went to see him, and Kiwimon was angry ." Tears formed in her eyes and she stepped towards Edward. "All we want is to live our own lives and take control of our own destiny. I know others don't agree with us, but we never harm others! Cherrymon said that Kiwimon seemed hell bent on removing the humans by any means necessary!"
Edward narrowed his eyes. He knew that thing was no good.
"Please believe me! All we want to do is help you get home. B-but Cherrymon sent Palmon and I to warn you to be careful of him. Garurumon saw us on the way out, and when we explained to him what was happening he just growled and decided to come with us."
"Then Ogremon found us. He told us he's a nightmare soldier, and won't allow us to pass and help you, Imogen, and the others." Palmon added, having finished bandaging Garurumon.
"And here we are." Garurumon got up, and nodded his thanks to the plant Digimon. He stretched his legs and winced. "Good enough. Palmon, Floramon. Guide these children back to the village." He knelt in front of Edward. "Hop on."
Edward gulped. "Um, are you sure, you don't seem so good." The last thing he wanted to do was go back, but if what Floramon and Palmon said was true, he needed to help.
"I'm good enough to run." The wolf growled. "I owe Senna and Biyomon a debt and I intend to repay it."