Senna smiled as she soaked in the evening breeze. Even after weeks here the smell of the fresh air and the sounds of the Digimon around her were intoxicating.
"Not bad," Floramon appraised her handiwork. Ever since the others left, Senna had started integrating herself in the culture and day to day life of Sanctuary Village, and that had started with some sewing. With some canvas, silk, and dye she worked under the tutelage of her new friends to make something special. The short haired girl clasped her hands together and squealed in glee at the finished product: a white and pink hat for Biyomon. "She's just going to love this, isn't she!"
"Hmmhmm," Palmon and Floramon both nodded.
It had been slow going; the only time she had to work on this little project of hers was when her pink feathered partner was off helping some of the other Digimon gather food from higher in the trees. While they were together Senna and Biyomon helped Nanimon out in the kitchen, though for now she refused to touch Caka, remembering that massive hangover from the first time.
"Thanks for accepting me," Senna suddenly said. Her plant friends looked up at her questioningly. "I'm not like you, but you still make me feel like I belong. Like this is the first proper home I've had in years. So, thank you." She smiled, squeezing her eyes to keep the tears from welling up.
"You are like us," Palmon said. "You're pretty, smart, and have super fashionable tastes." Senna laughed and wiped her eyes, giving the green Digimon a big hug. Just a week ago she was trying her hardest to push Senna and the other humans away, and now they were best friends.
"SENNAAAAAA!" The young girl looked up as a familiar voice called her name. Biyomon flew towards her, big smile on her beak and carrying something in her talons. "I have a present for you," she said, and as Senna felt the brush of her partner's feathers against her face, she grabbed what Biyomon was carrying.
Senna's eyes opened and her mouth watered. She held in her hands the biggest mango she had ever seen. "H-how?" Biyomon nestled against her affectionately.
"I found another path through some of the really thick leaves, and there is a treasure trove of these there! I was only able to grab this one, but I think Valemon might be able to get to the others."
Senna stared at the fruit. It was plump and soft, and she had a feeling it would be the juiciest thing she'd ever eaten. Licking her lips, Senna was about to tear into it, but then saw the hat sitting there. "Oh, before we dig in, I have a present for you too, Biyomon." Setting the mango down, she picked up the hat and put it on her partner's head.
"OH. MY. GOSH!" Biyomon exclaimed. "This is so comfortable!" Senna squealed with glee, and looked at her first hat. It fit so perfectly, and the streaks of white tassel dangling down the side of her face contrasted nicely with her pink feathers and large, green eyes. "Thank you!"
Senna grinned sheepishly. "It wasn't just me, Palmon and Floramon helped a ton!" Biyomon let go of Senna and flew to give the plants a hug.
"Thank you both too! You're so welcoming and kind, and I love this!" The two returned the hugs with a smile, and Senna felt the sense of community flourish.
"Okay! Now let's dig into this fruit!"
—
Senna’s eyes flashed open, her restful sleep broken by the unfortunately familiar sounds of bells. Tossing aside her warm comforter, Senna scrambled out of her comfortable bed, white silk nightgown flowing to the wooden floor. Her mind flashed to Deon and the others; they needed to act fast. As she raced to the bathroom, Biyomon flew overhead looking concerned.
"Senna! Where are you going?" Her partner cried. Opening the door, Senna looked at her with determination, seeing the faint glow of the rising sun through the window.
"If we're going to defend the village, it won't be in my nightie." Guilt had gnawed at her conscience after the last storm; she and Biyomon had been inside and fear and indecision paralyzed her, despite wanting to protect the village with all her heart. MetalGreymon and WereGarurumon fought it off well enough, but Cherrymon was nowhere to be seen, and the damage to the village itself was greater than she had seen before.
Quickly slipping out of the gown, Senna put on her sleeveless light green shirt, long dark tan pants, and black working shoes. Small meteors started raining down and as she and Biyomon headed towards the window, Senna could hear the quaint thud of rocks hitting the trees and the Digimon still outside scrambling to get to shelter.
Biyomon darted out the window, shining bright with Senna's resolve to protect their home and friends.
"BIYOMON, WARP DIGIVOLVE!"
Senna looked on in awe as her partner grew to a massive size, small rocks pelting off her expanding body. Her legs grew, and arms of a mighty warrior formed. The light dissipated and the Warden of the Skies flew to defend.
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Garudamon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/0/08/Garudamon_New_Century.png/200px-Garudamon_New_Century.png]
"Garudamon!"
Senna ran to watch as her partner swung her powerful fists at the ever-growing meteors, pulverizing them into dust. She thought back to the first storm they encountered in Sanctuary Village and the immense fear she felt as Valemon struggled to keep them both alive. Now her partner soared confidently through the sky and a sense of ease filled Senna's heart.
Garudamon would save their new home, and Senna had the will to make it happen.
Behind the house she sheltered in, sounds of more meteors breaking apart filled her ears as MetalGreymon and WereGarurumon joined the fray. For a number of minutes, the three perfect level Digimon flew and jumped around the village, and Senna caught glimpses of each of them as they passed the window. She heard missiles whine and the loud explosions that followed. The song of Garudamon's Wing Blade, and WereGarurumon's roar as the meteors grew larger and larger.
A sense of dread set in as she saw a meteor as large as the village itself break through the sky, orange glow from the friction of the air as it descended fast. Was this what was going to happen to the world if Deon and the others couldn't figure out how to stop it? With a shout, a panting Garudamon glowed in a crimson aura, firing it at the incoming rock. Senna closed her eyes as the light from the explosion flashed. She heard the falling rocks impact the house as the attack chipped through the meteor, and when she opened her eyes she saw Garudamon desperately pushing against it; she had barely done anything to it.
Her partner groaned as she attempted to knock pieces away, and Senna heard missiles impact it from the other side. The meteor slowed its descent as the might of Garudamon and MetalGreymon pushed it back, but it was still falling. It was still going to crush them all. Senna's heart beat fast beneath the clothes her friends had made for her. Was this it? Was there nothing more they could do? Through the haze of the falling dust she saw sweat pouring down the large bird as her groans became louder, muscles bulging as she gave her all to try and stop it from crushing them all.
"Gentle Fist!" Senna stuck her head out the window, heedless of the falling danger as she heard Jijimon's voice. Right in the middle of the falling meteor, WereGarurumon jumped off a building carrying the hairy old man whose fist burned with intense energy. Jijimon pounced off the warrior wolf's head, and Senna quickly retreated her head back into her room as an intense heat and light radiated across the village. With her eyes closed, she covered her ears as the massive explosion rang through the area.
Senna opened her eyes to the shaking of small rocks falling all around her and saw Garudamon, MetalGreymon, and WereGarurumon going around the village cleaning up some of the larger pieces that broke off the shattered village-sized meteor.
As the disaster came to an end, she ran outside to witness the destruction. All around her lay broken wood chipped off buildings. Small meteors littered the pothole filled ground, and small fires grew where the friction of the impacts were hottest. Digimon came out of their homes and with solemn expressions began the arduous clean up. How many more could they survive?
Garudamon landed in front of her, looking worse for wear. "Are you okay?" Senna ran up and gingerly touched a small bruise on her partner's leg, feeling the sticky wetness of the sweat on top. Garudamon nodded as she took a deep breath.
"I must speak with you, child." Senna turned around to see Jijimon walking up to them, sweating profusely and leaning more than usual on his staff, as if it were a cane. A tired WereGarurumon followed, looking concerned at the state of his mentor.
"Jijimon!" Senna ran up to him. "You're in terrible shape!" The old Digimon waved her away.
"This cannot wait. There is much evil stirring on Echo Mountain, so much so that I can even sense it from here. I fear the Nightmare Soldiers are making their move." Senna's mouth went dry as she wrestled with that information. Her friends were there, and they were in danger. She looked over at Garudamon, and her partner looked back with determination.
They both knew what they had to do, and it was on Senna to make that call. They could stay here and hope Tavaras and the others had the power to ward off whatever evil their enemies set upon them. If they succeeded, she and the rest of the village would live the rest of their lives in peace, oblivious to the trials and tribulations her friends went through.
If they failed, well, then the same fate would come for the rest of the Digital World all the same.
“Jijimon! Allow WereGarurumon and I to go aid them. This is the fate of our world. We should have a part to play in saving it!” The earth shook as MetalGreymon landed in front of them. Jijimon shook his weary head.
“The two of you are needed here; the storms are getting stronger and more frequent, and I am spent.”
“Do not ask Senna to do this!” WereGarurumon protested. “She can stay and defend the village, as she has proven on numerous occasions. She is kind, do not throw her to the Nightmare Soldiers.”
“Her kind heart is what is needed against such foes, my young friend.” He sighed and turned to Senna. “Strength alone is not enough for the foes that lay ahead. I have no business asking you to make such a sacrifice, for you are a soul that wishes to live in peace. But, in this moment of need I beg your help. The Digital World called five of you here for a reason.” He bowed his head.
Senna took a deep breath and steeled herself as the others argued in front of her, and as Jijimon, wise and powerful, begged for her help. Flashes of their fight with MarineDevimon coming back to her as he took control of Palmon's friends. The look of pure evil and malice on the face of LadyDevimon as she stabbed her partner.
And then the faces of all those in front of her, and the faces of all those gone. Her friends. Her family. "Garudamon. Let's go. Let's protect our home once more."
Garudamon smiled and bent down to grab her. As Senna clambered on her outstretched hand, Jijimon walked over to them.
"Wait, my brave children." He looked frail as a light gathered in his hand and washed over Garudamon. "To fight one's own fear to protect what you hold dear. You are champions and heroes, Senna and Garudamon, and I am honored to consider you family." As the fatigue and wounds faded from the giant warrior bird, Jijimon collapsed to his knees.
"Jijimon!" Senna cried, running over to him. WereGarurumon tenderly picked him up.
"Do not be concerned; the old man just overexerted himself. He isn't what he used to be." He looked at Senna and Garudamon and gave a rare smile, though frustration was layered beneath it. "Go, my friends. Go save the others and help heal our world. All of our thoughts go with you."
Senna climbed back onto Garudamon's hand, feeling the warmth of her partner. With one last look at the broken village, the two took off towards the mountain.
It was time to fight.