Senna rubbed her eyes and yawned, looking across the table at Edward and Imogen. Again she had barely slept, but for once she didn't want to stay in her room and picked at her food; this time a mango, turnips, and roasted meat. She missed the rice most of all, and she was used to more seasoning, but as it is this was a good, hearty meal that let the natural flavours of the food shine through.
Jijimon had made her feel a little bit better the previous night; as bad as things were, Senna was glad at least some of the Digimon here still welcomed her. Imogen grabbed her arm. They had talked late into the night, before the blond had fallen asleep. The mental and emotional strain for both of them had been too much, and she was glad to confide in the other girl.
A home is where you make it Imogen had said, with a longing look of her own. Senna smiled, for as short a time as it would be, her friends made this place feel more like a home than the hospital ever did. Speaking of.
"Where are Deon and Tav?" She asked Edward. Mouth full of turnip, he shrugged, white shirt ruffling.
"Tav and ROOT got home quite late, and he immediately conked out. Deon said he wasn't hungry." He said after swallowing. Poor Deon, he didn't want to leave his partner. She looked at Biyomon, the bird sitting quietly next to her.
"I will bring him some food." A voice called from the door. ROOT walked towards them. "For I very much wish to speak with him." Senna looked at her, confused. She never thought the Keeper to be the kind to volunteer something like that.
"Where did you guys go yesterday?" Senna asked, curiosity peaking. She had been so absorbed with what she was going through, it didn't occur to ask what the others were up to. Imogen told her she and Edward had a little heart to heart, but apart from that she was in the dark.
"We went with Cherrymon to see about this Church of Nothing they kept going on about." Senna's eyes widened; Palmon and Floramon had mentioned something about that. "I don't know what to think." The Keeper continued in a low voice. "I need a neutral party to bounce this off of, and I know Deon would be interested."
As ROOT gathered a platter, Senna tried to imagine what must be going through her head. Thinking you know everything, but then your life suddenly being turned upside down. A sweat drop beaded on her forehead, and she laughed nervously. She could definitely not relate.
"Senna, Imogen." A small voice came from the door, and the girls turned their heads to see Floramon walk towards them, her eyes creased with worry. "Palmon hasn't come back yet." Senna felt a knot in her throat. She had spoken to Floramon about what happened after they were done with Jijimon; the flower had, without hesitation, forgiven her, echoing what Jijimon had said. She had said Palmon should have been back that night.
Finishing her mango, Senna got up. She would earn Palmon's heart. "Come on, let's go look for her." Floramon perked up.
"She's probably by the river! Seadramon and others we're close to live there." Without further adieu, she ran out of the room, Senna and Biyomon in tow. Imogen followed close behind, giving her brother a stern look.
—
"How far is this river?" Edward whined, grunting as Imogen elbowed him in the side.
"Shut up, you're not doing anything else." She groaned. Senna giggled at their antics as they walked towards the area Tuskmon and Cyclonemon attacked her the other day. She could see the splintered area, wood strewn about the place and the two large gashes in the tree Tuskmon skewered.
"Another couple of hours from here." Floramon responded, short legs walking with purpose. That far? Senna thought. Things in the Digital World were spread apart a lot more than in her world. It was sort of nice in a way, having all this time to reflect. She felt at peace, though in her heart she knew a storm brew.
"Say, Floramon, what kind of Digimon are your friends by the river?" Senna asked. Floramon put petals to her chin, thinking.
"Ummm, I guess I would call them aquatic Digimon?" She said, "Digimon have different habitats they thrive in. For the most part you've only met us who live in the forest, but there are many more. Digimon like Gotsumon originally came from the mountain, but made a home in Sanctuary Village." Senna averted her eyes, the Gotsumon dying flashed through her mind. "For other Digimon, like Seadramon, it's not really possible to live anywhere but the water."
"Oh! So like Frigimon living in the ice area!" Senna made the connection to the new Digimon they had met by Log Temple. Floramon looked at her confused.
"Frigimon? I don't think I've heard of that Digimon before."
"They were brought here from a different world, remember Senna?" Imogen said, biting her lips. She had told her about their battle, and what Devimon had done. Senna stuck her tongue out, embarrassed about having forgotten.
"Right, hehe."
"Anyway, like us in the Village, they have a sense of community around them, and they have no problem welcoming others. Palmon and I often went to play with the Betamon and Gomamon around there, when Kiwimon would take us." She looked forward and smiled, reliving that fond memory. The others all stayed quiet, not wanting to take the small child out of it.
What a peaceful life they all had. Senna glanced up, seeing the scar ever larger peering through the thick canopy into the forest. Until that appeared. Until they appeared.
Continuing their walk, Senna looked around at the landscape. The green seemed to be more lush here, the flowers brighter. It was nice, the Digimon like Funbeemon going about their lives, not bothered by their presence. As they went deeper, she could smell something new in the distance.
"Is that water?" Edward mused, wrinkling his nose. Floramon nodded.
"We're getting close." Ah, so that was the smell of the ocean Senna had heard so much about? She liked the coolness of it, and her shirt, sweaty from all the walking, felt refreshingly cool against her body with the incoming breeze. As they got closer, she heard the rushing water and smiled at the serenity of nature at work.
"Palmon!" Floramon ran up as they saw the large river appear through the trees. Senna herself, for a moment forgetting their troubles, ran to the river's edge and marveled at the sight. The water was calm and clear, and the river was so wide she thought two soccer fields could fit across. She could see it snake beyond her sight from her left and towards Echo Mountain towering to her right.
"Floramon? What are you doing here?" Palmon's raspy voice rang out. "And why are they here?" She sounded annoyed. Senna turned to look, and found the green plant standing there, surrounded by multiple small Digimon. There were some green frog-like creatures with a large red fin on their backs. Yellow quadruped lizards also stood there, their backs covered in red fur and spikes, and there were white furry animals with seal-like fins, purple markings, and a red mohawk.
Gizamon, Betamon, Gomamon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/3177/3177_original.png]
"Palmon, I was worried when you didn't return." Floramon said. "We all were." She gestured to the humans.
"Well I'm fine. And I'm going to stay here until they all leave!" The green Digimon crossed her arms.
"We hurt you. I hurt you." Senna said, walking carefully to her. "Devimon forced them to fight us. We had no choice." She got in front of Palmon, who held her arms out defensively. Senna dropped to her knees. "I haven't had friends in a long time. And I don't know how I would have reacted if I were in your shoes, Palmon. So I can't say I know what you're going through." She grabbed her hands in both of her own, feeling her pull back, but looked Palmon directly in the eyes, black meeting black. "All I know is that I'm so sorry for what I had to do, and I'm so sorry for the pain you're in."
"Get away from her!" One of the yellow creatures ran up and tackled Senna. Stumbling back, Senna stared in shock at its bared fangs as Biyomon and Chrysalimon both flew protectively in front of her.
"Gizamon! Stop!" Floramon shouted, running up. Gizamon growled at her, as the rest of the aquatic Digimon joined him. "Betamon, Gomamon. Not you too." She moaned.
"Humans are nothing but trouble." Gomamon snarled.
"They must be dealt with before they destroy our world any further!" Betamon shouted.
"What are you all talking about?" Floramon took a step back, distraught. "They're friends, and have been nothing but nice and helpful to us! Palmon, don't you remember Imogen and Chrysalimon saving us? Senna and Biyomon saving the school?"
"They are cancers that must be eradicated!" All six of their eyes started glowing red, and Senna shuddered. Edward stepped beside his sister, and Wormmon joined Chrysalimon and Biyomon.
"H-hold on," Palmon stammered. "That's a little bit too much, I just want them to leave and get back home." From behind Palmon, water spouted from the river like a large fountain, and a large blue serpentine creature with a yellow head came crashing out. It roared, red glowing eyes contrasting with its skin.
"Not good enough! They must die!"
Seadramon [https://wikimon.net/images/4/49/Seadramon.jpg]
"Senna, run!" Imogen shouted, as the Digimon launched themselves towards her.
"Spiral Twister!" Biyomon shot one of the Gizamon back, and Wormmon tackled another as Senna scrambled to get back to Imogen.
She heard the serpent lunge towards her back as she ran, breathing in relief as she heard the familiar clink of an attack bouncing off the shield that was Chrysalimon.
"Gah!" Biyomon fell back, struck by two jolts of lightning from the Betamon, and Wormmon tumbled after her, struck by dozens of fish summoned by the Gomamon.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
"STOP!" Floramon shouted, running up to them. "Seadramon, enough! Let's talk this through." Seadramon glared at her and swiped with its tail, knocking her flying into a tree. She sat there, slumped and unconscious.
"Floramon!" Imogen shouted, moving to run to her, but stumbling back as Chrysalimon blocked attacks from the Betamon coming her way.
"Oi, they're out of control!" Edward cried. Getting back to his feet, Wormmon nodded, glowing.
"We don't have a choice but to fight back"
"W-wait, we can't hurt them!" Senna cried.
"I'm not dying here, and I'm not letting my sister either!"
"WORMMON DIGIVOLVE"
Senna stared in shock as Wormmon grew, becoming humanoid and their size. She saw wings spouting out of a glowing human head. Was this Edward's new strength? She glanced at Imogen, was this why she felt more comfortable around him?
Hudiemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/e/ea/Hudiemon.jpg/320px-Hudiemon.jpg]
"Hudiemon!"
The light dissipated and Senna looked on at Edward’s partner. Someone that reflected his inner strength.
Hudiemon flew up and kicked Seadramon back, the serpentine creature crashing back into the water. She flapped her wings and blue dust fell among the Digimon, and they seemed to recoil and struggle to move. "Infinity Dream" came a whisper from the helmeted butterfly.
Hudiemon landed in front of Biyomon, who shook her head and pushed herself to her feet. "Don't worry, I won't harm them. Much." Edward’s evolved partner addressed the children stepping backwards. "Retreat, leave us be."
Palmon stared, look of horror in her eyes as they darted from a fallen Floramon, to Senna and Imogen, to Hudiemon, to her paralyzed friends, and to the rippling water where Seadramon was kicked. "What's happening?" She mumbled. "Stop this, please!"
"RAHHHH" A guttural scream came from the river, and a furious Seadramon emerged. "You humans! You humans and your Digimon slaves! How dare you! ICE BREATH" A torrent of ice shot from its mouth, past a shocked Hudiemon and Biyomon, and straight towards the humans. Senna shut her eyes at the impending doom. Yet nothing came. Chrysalimon once again protected them, the force of the attack knocking the cocoon back.
"You little..." Hudiemon growled and flew up with a shattering kick. A kick that never landed.
From the river a wave emerged as black as ink. Hudiemon and Seadramon both desperately flew back to avoid it. Senna screamed as it crashed into the group of paralyzed children huddled together.
A dark glow came from the group, as the children's screams were heard even over the rush of water.
"No!" Palmon's own screams were drowned out. "What's happening?"
The inky water retreated back into the river, and the glowing Digimon grew.
"Shit," Edward mumbled. In the place of the Gizamon, Betamon, and Gomamon, six creatures of pure white terror stood there, tentacles squirming all around like giant, eyeless squids, each of them having two long arms with sharp claws at the end.
"AIEEEEAAAA!" Palmon screamed loudly.
Gesomon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/b/b1/Gesomon.jpg/320px-Gesomon.jpg]
"Grrr…" The new creatures squirmed around almost aimlessly, as if driven by pure instinct.
Hudiemon gritted her teeth and attacked a distracted Seadramon again, knocking it back into the water. "Stay down this time!" She yelled, turning her attention to the new beasts. "Gesomon, White Demon's of the Depths" she growled.
"We need to run Hudiemon! Before they figure out what's going on." Edward called out. The butterfly woman nodded and flew back to Edwards side. As Biyomon did the same, Senna noticed Palmon running towards the Gesomon, tears in her eyes.
"What happened to you guys!"
"Palmon stay away!" Senna screamed. Palmon looked at her, only to be suddenly swiped away by a large, clawed tentacle. The Gesomon all roared and started rampaging around. One headed straight for Senna, only for Hudiemon to kick it back.
"Senna let's go!" She yelled. Two more came upon them and lashed out, Hudiemon dodging the first few swipes only to be knocked back by a fourth.
Two more Gesomon rounded on Imogen, who stood there wide-eyed as Chrysalimon parried clawed strikes with bladed tendrils. As Senna turned to run, she saw another approaching Palmon, laying on the ground and staring wide-eyed at her impending doom. "No!" Senna screamed. Turning direction she sprinted towards her fallen friend.
"Senna stop!" Biyomon shouted after her.
"Palmon!" She wasn't going to make it in time. She couldn't let her die, not after all this.
Home is what she makes it. And it's not a home without friends.
"BIYOMON DIGIVOLVE"
A glowing Biyomon shot passed Senna, the wind from her growing body pushed the girl slightly to the side.
Tails, chains, hair, talons. All appeared as the glowing figure knocked back the Gesomon. She hovered protectively in front of Palmon as Senna reached her side, and the light dissipated.
Valemon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/741/741_original.png]
"Valemon!"
Palmon looked at Valemon's back, and then to Senna. "You, you saved me?"
The large bird shrieked and took off, flying towards the Gesomon attacking Imogen. With hooked talons she pushed one of them back, but before she could attack the other one she was forced to fly up, evading a striking tentacle from one of the three she passed.
Senna smiled and picked Palmon up. "Of course, you're my friend." She said, running over to where Floramon lay.
As Valemon soared to attack another one, Hudiemon kicked a Gesomon rounding on her from behind. Valemon nodded her thanks, and with her talons grabbed another one, carrying it up high and dropping it with a loud thud.
"Iggy this way!" Edwards called out to his sister, running towards Senna. Imogen shook herself out of her trance and ran after him, Chrysalimon still grappling with the Gesomon attacking her.
The mindless beasts roared as all six of them started to converge on Senna and the group. Valemon and Hudiemon both flew protectively in front of them.
"Shit, we can't fight them off without killing them anymore!" Hudiemon cried. "Sorry, Palmon."
"No! Please!" Palmon pleaded.
"Valemon, you have to try." Senna joined her. She couldn't let Palmon and Floramon lose more friends.
"Then run! Run into the forest" Valemon cried, and launched towards the rampaging beasts, only to be met by a flurry of tentacles. Claws jabbed at her, and Valemon danced between them. Senna's eyes widened, she couldn't avoid all of that! Just as she thought that, claws came inches from her partner, only for Hudiemon to kick it back.
The two aerial Digimon flew up, and Hudiemon spread blue dust among the Gesomon, slowing them down. Given that moment of respite, Edward started to run, carrying Floramon. Senna and Imogen followed, only to stop in their tracks as a wave of ice shot in front of them.
Seadramon roared and the humans turned back to see the blue serpentine creature hovering behind the Gesomon.
"HUMANS!"
"I'm sorry Senna." Valemon whispered, and she and Hudiemon flew high into the air, the former gathering energy into her beak. Just as she was about to let loose the powerful ray of energy, all six Gesomon, as if driven by a singular thought, shot a torrent of water towards the skyborne partners. Hudiemon danced out of the way, but Valemon wasn't so lucky and the force of two spouts of water struck her.
The beam of energy vanished into the sky as the large bird plummeted and Hudiemon looked down in horror.
"No" Palmon moaned, as Senna ran to her partner, still carrying the plant in her arm. "I'm sorry, this is all my fault," Palmon wept as they watched the Gesomon slowly move towards them through the effects of Hudiemon's Infinity Dream.
Desperately the armoured woman struck down with a powerful kick, but Seadramon intercepted with a headbutt of its own, grinning menacingly.
"Why? How did they lose all their senses?"
"This looks like Devimon's work." Valemon groaned, getting up.
"Is this? Oh Senna I'm sorry. I didn't know this was the way they acted." Senna's heart flushed despite their impending doom, and she embraced her new friend. "I'm sorry, I wish we could live together back in Sanctuary. It is our home, and I'm sorry I said otherwise."
Senna's eyes jolted open. Sanctuary Village. Palmon. Floramon. Garurumon. Leomon. Jijimon. Imogen. Deon.
Home is where her friends are. All of them. And she would not let them die!
Valemon glowed, brighter than ever before. "AHHH!"
Hooked talons turned into large legs, complete with large talons of their own. Scaly wings grew feathers, and her thin body filled out into a shape and tone of a warrior's. From her chest came two powerful arms, dangerous claws shooting forth from the ends.
Senna looked up in awe as her partner grew larger and larger through the power of her will. The will to defend her home. Her friends.
Light dissipated to reveal the warrior Senna and her partner were meant to be.
Garudamon [https://wikimon.net/images/c/c6/Garudamon.jpg]
"GARUDAMON!"
The Warden of the Skies rushed forward, arms spread. With her massive figure, she pushed all six Gesomon back.
They fought back, lashing out with clawed tentacles, but with agility belying her large stature Garudamon evaded and grabbed the tentacles in her powerful clawed hands. New muscles straining, she launched towards the sky pulling all six Gesomon up with her and swinging them around. With force she let go, sending them crashing to the ground below.
The Earth shook with the force of the impact, and the Gesomon all cracked, their forced shells shattering to reveal the Gizamon, Betamon, and Gomamon underneath. Seadramon looked down in astonishment, and back to Garudamon. Their gazes met, and Seadramon fell back to the river.
Just as Garudamon started to land, a shriek came from the direction Seadramon went, and Senna watched as blue particles flew into the wind.
"S-Seadramon?" Palmon called, shocked. "SEADRAMON!"
A large wave erupted from the middle of the river, and a large creature as black as the night stood from it. Three eyes, red as blood peered towards them, and a sadistic grin sat on its long face. Blue particles of data were springing from white tentacles spouting from its back.
"D-Devimon?" Edward stuttered, fear in his voice.
"Tch, you wish, boy." The creature snarled. "MarineDevimon. Lieutenant to the great Demon. Here to finish the job that buffoon couldn't."
MarineDevimon [https://wikimon.net/images/b/b2/Marindevimon.jpg]
Senna felt an insane fear emanating from MarineDevimon as he moved towards them. Her legs shook, rooted in place. What the hell was that thing?
"Senna! Gather towards the children!" Garudamon yelled. Senna could feel the same fear of the creature from Garudamon, as powerful as her newly evolved partner was. "Hudiemon, take Edward and Imogen and fly out of here as fast as you can."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Hudiemon said, and brushed past Senna to grab her partner and his sister. With Garudamon's encouragement, Senna managed to move herself and knelt by Palmon's friends.
"Don't think you can get away!" MarineDevimon yelled, and shot a wave of water as black as ink towards them.
"Wing Blade!" Garudamon glowed with a crimson aura, shooting it out in the shape of a bird. Senna closed her eyes as she felt the impact of the two powerful attacks. Before she could open them, she felt her partner scoop her up in her large hands, and the rush of wind as they flew.
Opening her eyes, Senna glanced down at the yellow claws that held her and the children. Below that she saw the thick canopy of the forest, and Hudiemon just ahead carrying a dangling Imogen and Edward, who still gripped Floramon tightly. Just as Senna managed to breathe a sigh of relief, she screamed as Garudamon quickly jerked to the side.
A swarm of bats just missed them.
"What?" Garudamon was shocked at the sudden attack. "Who are you?" She stopped flying and turned around. "Hudiemon keep going!" She yelled back. Before them flew another creature covered in black. This time a woman with pale white skin wearing black leather and with tattered wings. She had the same demonic eyes as MarineDevimon. Senna gulped. She looked like how Imogen had described Devimon.
LadyDevimon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/9/9c/Ladydevimon.jpg/320px-Ladydevimon.jpg]
She smirked and gave a mock bow. "LadyDevimon. Lieutenant to the great Demon." Suddenly Garudamon flew up as MarineDevimon shot another attack from below. LadyDevimon charged towards them, hands turning into a blood-tipped spear. Garudamon moved barely in time, the attack just missing Senna. The large guardian bird screamed in pain as the spear stabbed her in the shoulder.
Senna sat there frozen as their new opponent's blood red eyes pierced into her soul. She ejected her hand from Garudamon, and moved to strike again. Garudamon managed to throw a kick towards the devil, forcing her to evade.
Turning around, the Warden of the Skies fled, going as fast as she could towards the village, screaming as MarineDevimon's attack clipped her leg.
"You're not getting away!" LadyDevimon called out as she chased them down. "DARKNESS WAVE." More bats engulfed in darkness flew from her, and Garudamon gritted her teeth, preparing for the worst.
"GIGA DESTROYER!" A heavy explosion echoed from behind them, and Senna opened her eyes to see MetalGreymon flying towards them. His metal claw shot forth, clipping LadyDevimon's wings. Panting, Garudamon stopped fleeing and turned around, and Senna could see the evil Digimon wince, glancing back as MetalGreymon hovered protectively between them.
MarineDevimon was too far away to help his fellow lieutenant.
"Tch. You got lucky this time. You won't be able to rely on your village to save you forever though."
Senna let herself breath again as they watched LadyDevimon retreat.