Digimon Crusade
Episode Nine: The Overprotective

In the morning, Ame and No-Name wait for Yoruji to come back to the inn.  Making a call back to Medieval Village, a small chat with their digimon partners, the two wait anxiously for their teammate to appear.  Though news has arrived that the base of where Agumon Hakase and Strikedramon reside has been under attack, meaning that the blond was caught up in the act as well.  Patiently waiting there is Agumon Hakase, whom shares a bit of information about their blond teammate.  Lead by the Agumon and Veemon they had met yesterday, the remaining Digimon Crusaders head out towards the battlefield: a deserted town square where their opponent, along with the blond and her fearless digimon, lie in fierce combat.




           "We've received the Leader's message." Thunderballmon had announced to both Tentomon and Raiamon.
            "On screen." Raiamon commanded; the large lion was pacing back and forth within the confinements of the Communication Room.

            He stopped his pacing to look at the screen, reading the message sent from No-Name to Medieval Village.

            Tentomon stood balancing on the back of his chair, reading the message aloud, "'To Raiamon.  We are sorry for not responding to your message to stop the battle between Commandramon and Strikedramon.  We are sorry for not obeying your wishes, but things are now settled as the battle has come to a halt.  As you read this, we are seeking Agumon Hakase of Desert Oasis for medical help to tend to Commandramon's wounds.  Please respond in the morning for current updates within Medieval Village, we miss our home and we grow impatient for the day we return. Signed, The Leader of the Digimon Crusaders and Ame Hikaru.'"
            "We all grow impatient for the day they return..." Raiamon muttered to himself as he began to start pacing again.
            Thunderballmon turned in his chair to look at the lion, "What are your orders, sir?"
            Raiamon gave out a low growl as he turned to the open door of the Communication Room, staring out the window, the sky in its midnight blue, "Send a message to Agumon Hakase... Tell him to tell the Digimon Crusaders of our situation here in Medieval Village."
            "Of the Sins?" Tentomon asked, turning his attention towards the lion.
            "Yes." Raiamon answered, "It's best they have a night's rest and time to think before they bombard us with unintentional questions."


            The sky hadn't even broke from its darkness when they received another message from the Digimon Crusaders.  Raiamon had taken his time getting to the Communication's Room, as this one wasn't as urgent and life threatening.  Climbing the tower, he passed by a tired looking Thunderballmon and sleepy looking Tentomon.

            "Switching shifts, Thunderballmon?" Raiamon asked as he watched the two small digimon climb down the staircase.
            The little digimon with his thunderbolt shape on his forehead nodded, "Yes sir.  Nanomon is already up there, Guardromon should be on his way."
            Raiamon nodded, "Thank you.  Get some rest you two, you've done a fine job on a night like this."
            Tentomon nodded and bowed, "Thank you sir!"

            Raiamon watched as the two digimon began to make their way down the stairs before starting his journey up the tower again.  Upon approaching the Communication Room, Nanomon was hooking his arms to the large keyboard to the main computer.

            "Good evening, Nanomon." Raiamon greeted the small perfect level digimon.
            Nanomon looked over at the lion, pulling one of his arms out and saluting him, "Good evening, sir.  Sorry for the rude awakening, but then again, I heard you've been up here for the majority of the night."
            Raiamon nodded and sat down by the door, "Yes, it seems our Crusaders have been getting in a bit of trouble tonight."
            When Raiamon had said this, a large mechanic digimon strolled into the room, "Sorry I'm late, Nanomon-- Wah!  Sir Raiamon!"  The digimon threw his hand into a salute, "Good evening!"
            Raiamon chucked, "Yes, good evening to you Guardromon.  Please, take your seat."
            "Y-Yes sir." Guardromon made his way towards the main computer, sitting down in the chair that stood in front of the large keyboard.
            "Accessing Communication Room of Medieval Village's Inbox.  One new message, sir." Nanomon said as he hooked his other hand into the keyboard again.
            "On screen, please." Raiamon ordered, looking up at the large screen of the computer.

            A small window popped up, Yoruji and Ryuudamon's names were under the sender's field.  Below was the message the blond had sent.

            "'To Raiamon.'" Guardromon began to read aloud, "'Please contact me as soon as possible.  Yoruji Taitoku and Ryuudamon.' Short and simple."
            Raiamon looked at the timestamp beside their names, reading as it was around the time now, "What is she doing up at this time of night..."
            "Not sure, sir." Nanomon answered, "What are your orders?"
            "Patch me through The Communication System." Raiamon commanded, standing up to walk over towards the other side of the room.
            "Yes sir." Guardromon and Nanomon said in unison, Guardromon typing away at the keyboard as the bulb on top of Nanomon's head began to surge with bubbles, his right eye turning various colors.

            Raiamon sat down in front of what looked like a camcorder shoved into a load of wires and metal plating. A screen was below it, producing the words "...stand by..." along with little sprites of various digimon goofing around.  A few seconds later, the sprites and stand by words had disappeared, being replaced with the sight of Yoruji and the background of a fairly dark room with a bed and nightstand.  Upon the bed, slept her yellow and gray furred digimon, Ryuudamon.

            "That didn't take long..." Yoruji's voice rang lightly throughout the room.
            "I've been up for quite a while because of you and your teammates, Yoruji." Raiamon had managed to say with a yawn.  "What was it that you wanted to speak of so late at night?"
            "The Sins." Yoruji answered quickly. "Why is it that you'd tell Agumon Hakase of the situation and not us?"
            Raiamon sighed, "The Digimon Crusaders' goal is to retrieve the two pieces of the Key to the Mon of the Sins.  Whatever is to happen to any of the levels of the Digital World should not be your main concern."
            "Not our main concern?" Yoruji was growing furious. "Medieval Village is our home.  I've been there for all I can remember, screw the Key when my home's in trouble!"
            "Now Yoruji," Raiamon kept calm, breathing slowly, "I know you mean well.  And I know Medieval Village is your home, but the Real World is your home as well."
            "How is it my home when I can't remember a damn thing about who I was there?!" Yoruji questioned.
            "So are you saying that you'd rather stay here than return to the Real World?" Raiamon shot back.

            Yoruji was silent.  Guardromon and Nanomon watched in silence on the large screen of the main computer.

            Raiamon straightened up slightly, "Set your goal's correctly Yoruji.  Worry about getting the first piece of the Key while you're still alive, then move to worrying about our well-being afterwards."
            "Why do you say 'still alive?'" Yoruji managed to change the subject.
            "Because you are in the realm of Barbamon, the Greed of the Seven Deadly Sins." Raiamon pronounced. "After you make it through Desert Oasis, Belphemon, the Sloth of the Seven Deadly Sins, waits for your appearance.  Be very cautious when traveling around Lava Zone, not only is it the Last Level that sets you from the Betwixt and the Real World, but it is a very vast area that hasn't been completely mapped out.  It is important you get to the Mon of the Sins, then back to the Mon to Desert Oasis. It is no doubt that Belphemon and his follower, MetalPhantomon, will be on a strict search for the six of you."
            "Right..." Yoruji managed to say, looking away from the screen, "We'll hurry back as fast as we can so we can aid you in the attack."
            Raiamon held up a paw, "Now now, Yoruji.  There's no reason for that." The blond looked back at the screen. "Worry about the levels you go through... worry about yourselves for now.  The Digimon Crusaders are--"
            "Yeah, yeah, I know..." Yoruji grumbled. "The hope to setting the Digital World free from the Seven Sins..."
            "Get some sleep." Raiamon continued. "And... where are the others?"


            "When do you suppose Yoruji will be here?"

            The light-brown haired girl was resting upon the bed, hugging one of the pillows as she rested her right cheek upon it, looking at the maroon eyed girl beside her, whom was also laying down beside her; her eyes closed and her hands folded upon her stomach.  Their digimon, Commandramon and Dorumon were out patrolling the area, asking travelers and merchants if they had any clue where the Mon to the next level would be.  The two girls lay away in their room, provided by the kind Veggimon who had let them stay on behalf of their title. The Digimon Crusaders.
            No-Name's face was quite calm as if she was asleep.  Ame knew the girl wasn't in that state, as the Leader had let out a sigh only minutes before she had asked her about their blond teammate.

            No-Name released her answer as she opened her eyes slightly, looking at the ceiling, "Dunno... promised in morning."
            "And it's morning..." Ame responded, as she buried half of her face in the pillow.
            "Should call?" No-Name questioned, turning her head to look at the girl beside her.
            Ame looked at her maroon eyes, "She'll just call us impatient..."
            "Mm..." No-Name frowned slightly, not getting a pleasant thought about being scolded by the blond again, "We wait?"
            "It's the only thing we can do." Ame said, her voice muffled by the pillow as she covered her face with the softness.

            No-Name said nothing, staring at the girl beside her as she watched the short, light-brown haired girl inhale into the pillow and exhale slowly.  A small smile crossed her lips before she thought about last night, when the girl beside her had told her of the short tempered blonde's past experience with her digimon.  Thinking about the blond wasn't the greatest topic to be on, as the girl showed much emotion to not wanting to have anything to do with them, which had included their own partners.  No-Name wondered if the reason had to do with Yoruji's experiences in the Real World, she then remembered that Ame had said that the girl had no recollection of her own family relationships or anything she had done before she had been called to the Digital World.  That would mean that none of them would know about Yoruji's lifestyle in the Real World anytime soon.  No-Name squinted her eyes, finally thinking about the girl beside her.  Ame never spoke about herself and her past experiences, much like Yoruji.  It seemed as if all of them were somehow tied together in traits.

            About to question Ame, No-Name soon saw the door to their room open. Their digimon, Commandramon and Dorumon, had entered the room, "Excuse us."
            Ame moved her head out of the pillow, looking up to see Dorumon jumping onto the bed to sit beside her, "Any luck?"
            Dorumon shook his head, his ears pointing far back, "No. Sorry, Ame-sama."
            Ame sat up, petting Dorumon's nose, "It's alright, Dorumon.  You tried."
            "Though it seems we got the same answer from every one of those merchants," Commandramon responded, sitting upon the bed beside the one everyone else had been on. "'Magnamon this, Magnamon that.' Either Magnamon knows where it is, or he hides things from them for the good of the city."
            No-Name propped herself up on her elbows, looking at the camouflage digimon, "You okay?"
            Commandramon nodded slowly, "I am, why?"
            "You sound a bit tense." Ame answered, easily spotting what the long brown-haired girl was getting at.
            Commandramon set his gun beside him, taking off his backpack as well, "It may just be from yesterday's bout."  The cyborg digimon adjusted himself to lay down, still facing the three.
            "Rest?" No-Name managed to say as she lay back down, her head turned towards Commandramon still.
            "For the moment.  Then I'm going back out to try again." Commandramon replied, closing his eyes.
            "How do you feel?" Ame asked, as Dorumon laid down, his head resting in her lap.
            "About what..." Commandramon managed to ask, sounding as if he was about to fall asleep.
            "All together." No-Name answered before Ame could.
            "My body's still rejuvenating." Commandramon answered, "It should be a few hours until I've fully recovered--"
            "Not only that, Commandramon." Ame said, "About the fight... why hadn't you told us what you were doing?"
            Commandramon was silent, obviously thinking about answering the green eyed girl.  Finally, he responded, "It was my problem."
            "You sound more like Yoruji now." Dorumon managed to pipe in, "We're a team, Commandramon.  We would've helped you if you would've told us--"
            "I know..." Commandramon interrupted Dorumon's speech, uneasily silencing them. "...I'm sorry." He turned onto his back, sprawled out on the bed, "I guess I'm just not used to it... Teamwork, that is."
            "None of us are." Ame muttered, beginning to scratch behind Dorumon's ears.
            "...Working alone." No-Name murmured. Ame looked over at her. "Being alone... training alone... like Yoruji."

            Commandramon made a grunt in agreement, opening his eyes to look at the ceiling.  Ame bit her lower lip, looking down at the jewel on top of Dorumon's head, the purple and white furred digimon was enjoying Ame's scratching as it seemed as if he were drifting asleep, rubbing his snout against Ame's stomach.

            "We all share similarities with Yoruji..." Ame managed to say as she continued to scratch her digimon's ears, "Except for you, Dorumon."
            "Mmm?" Dorumon hummed, opening his mouth to yawn. "Is that so?"
            Commandramon chuckled, "Yeah.. you're the complete opposite of Yoruji, Dorumon."
            Dorumon's ears twitched, opening his eyes to look at the cyborg digimon halfway across the room, "Really?"
            "Always cheerful." No-Name replied with a smile, turning her head to look at the Dorumon's snout. "Barely angry... big opposite."
            Ame laughed, "Yoruji never seems very cheerful." She leaned down and kissed the top of Dorumon's head, "It's good that you're different, Dorumon."
            Dorumon flipped onto his back, his small wings spread upon the bed, as his tail waved in the air, his legs up in the air. He looked up at Ame from her lap, "Ame-sama, how are you like Yoruji?"

            Ame was silenced, as No-Name had looked up at her as well, slightly surprised that Dorumon hadn't known either.  The green-eyed girl seemed to stare at her digimon's white stomach for a while, losing herself as she now began to scratch under Dorumon's chin.  Commandramon had looked over towards the girl, seeing the look in her eyes... he then cleared his throat, sitting up.

            "So Dorumon said you sent a message to the Communication's Tower back in Medieval Village." Commandramon had said, facing the three.
            Ame looked up at the cyborg digimon, obviously shaking from her trance now, "Oh... y-yea."
            Dorumon looked at the camouflage digimon, "C-commandramon~"
            He ignored Dorumon's whine, "Have they called yet?"
            "No," Ame pulled out her D-Sade from her pocket, looking at the screen and scrolling through the menu.

            No-Name looked at her digimon, then back at Ame.  What was going on?  Commandramon got up and strolled to the door.

            "I'm going to see if Yoruji's around anywhere.  Dorumon, it'd be best if you came along." Commandramon insisted.
            Dorumon got up, looking at Ame, then at Commandramon. "Ame?"
            Ame gave him a small smile, then patted his nose again, "Go ahead, the job will be done quicker that way anyhow."

            His ears drooped as he nodded, getting up off the bed and heading out with Commandramon.  The maroon-eyed girl remained looking at the girl beside her, watching as she intently looked at her D-Sade's screen, adjusting her position so she was laying down again beside the leader-girl.  No-Name reached over, stroking the back of her fingers against the girl's cheek.  She hadn't know why she had done it, just that it somehow seemed like the right thing to do.  Ame's cheeks turned a dark pink as she looked at her.  Their eyes became lost within each other’s, as Ame had set down her D-Sade beside them. They were silent for quite a while, just staring at each other.

            "I'm sorry, Yuri..." Ame managed whispered. "I would like to say... but--"
            "Don't have to now." No-Name interrupted her, "Say when ready."

            Ame continued staring at her, her eyes showing signs of watering.  No-Name winced slightly at this sight. Was it really that hard to explain?  Before the long brown-haired girl had a chance to say anything else, Ame's D-Sade began to sound with a light melody.  Ame picked it up, and scooted closer towards the maroon eyed girl beside her, taking hold of the girl's hand and holding it tightly as she held her D-Sade in the other, clutching it tightly as well as she held it above both of them.  No-Name was lost as to what the green-eyed girl was doing.  Ame was facing the screen, as No-Name was still facing the side of the girl's face.  No-Name looked to the corner of her eye, looking up at the girl's D-Sade, blinking the words "...stand by...". She turned her head fully, as her other hand clutched around Ame's, which was enlaced with her own right hand.  Ame rested her cheek against No-Name's, closing her eyes for a few seconds before looking back up at the D-Sade, which at the same time had the words disappear with the screen filled with the adult lion digimon back in Medieval Village.

            "r-Raiamon!" No-Name squeaked as she went wide-eyed.  She finally realized the green-eyed girl had contacted Medieval Village of their being awake.
            The lion chuckled, "It's good to see you too, Leader of the Digimon Crusaders.  As am I glad to see the Crusader of Dorumon as well."
            Ame smiled, "As I am to see you, Raiamon."
            "So I assume you know of the Sins and their well-being." Raiamon said bluntly, wanting to get straight to business now.
            "Yes." Ame replied, "How is the village taking this news?"
            "They are making preparations for the event." Raiamon answered, "And as it stands, the Deadly Sins are to arrive in at least three or four days, when the three Angelic Moons will align in a triangle in the sky.
            Ame made a dissatisfying moan, "Three or four days in trying to get back home... why hadn't you told us of the situation? Yet, Agumon Hakase knew quite well of what was going on?"
            "We had told Agumon Hakase to explain to you what was going on." Raiamon responded, "It was best the three of you heard it from someone of a high status, face-to-face.  Then you would have time to think about the situation and question us of it when you were ready."
            "Royal Knights help in situation?" No-Name managed to ask before Ame could say anything more.
            "It is certain they will." Raiamon replied, "Though, I assume only four will be present as only four Sins will be present within the area."
            "Only four? Why won't any from the Betwixt come to aid us?" Ame asked.
            "It is due to the fact that the Betwixt can only be opened by human hands.  And by that, I'm referring to the Mon of the Sins." Raiamon answered. "It is said that the Betwixt lies beyond the Gate as the last piece of the Digital World before entering the Real World.  Much is still unknown about the Betwixt, all we know is that many digimon whom have tried to open the gate mysteriously disappear from the face of this world.  To control anymore mishaps, we sent Seven Knights to take hold of this unwanted problem.  As a result, they've been stuck there, or so we think. It is impossible to make any contact with them... many attempts at contact have failed miserably."
            "Raiamon, what of other three?" No-Name asked.
            "We presumably think that the three Sins that are to be left behind will try and stop you from coming back to this level." Raiamon explained, "but for some unknown reason, Belphemon is taking his time in coming back from his last attack in Medieval Village."
            "That's right..." Ame bit her lower lip, "The Sins already made an attack right after Yuri had awaken, resulting in our movement of the Crusade.  What happened in that battle?"
            Raiamon lowered his head slightly, "Sadly, many child and adult level digimon were lost in that battle.  If it wasn't for Dukemon, then Huanglongmon would possibly be in a long term of suspension..."
            "Dukemon..." No-Name whispered, thinking about the battle... along with their blond teammate.
            It had seemed as if Raiamon knew exactly what the long brown-haired girl was thinking. "Has Yoruji returned to your side?"
            Ame blinked, "How'd you know Yoruji--"
            "She had given us an unexpected call last night." Raiamon answered. "She said she would return to you within the morning, did she not?"
            No-Name nodded, "But no return yet."
            Raiamon gave out a small growl, "Odd... If she had told me of returning in the morning, then it is most likely that she would."
            There was an uneasy silence before Ame voiced her opinion, "You don't suppose... Yoruji's in trouble, do you?"
            Raiamon's eyes narrowed, "I hope not..." Raiamon had vanished from the screen, but his voice could still be heard, "Nanomon!  Pinpoint the Crusader of Ryuudamon's exact location."

            A distant voice could be heard, responding to the command.  After a few minutes of silence, Raiamon appeared back on the screen.

            "Something's not right..." He growled.
            Ame sat up on the bed, No-Name following her actions, "Should we go looking?"
            "Not yet." Raiamon responded, keeping his cool. "We'll call you once her location is pinpointed."

            With that, Raiamon's face had vanished, being replaced with the words "Call Ended."  Ame sighed and laid back down.  No-Name looked at the fallen girl, biting her lower lip.  Why couldn't they find her location?  She took her hands away from Ame's and clasped them together, looking away from Ame and up at the ceiling.  A long silence had followed as they sat within the room, waiting for a call, waiting for their partners, just waiting.

            It was when the door to their room flew open when Ame jerked herself to sit up, looking towards the door, "W-what's going on?!"
            Commandramon and Dorumon came running in, sliding to stand in front of their partners, completely out of breath, "We... I... Yoruji... Agumon... Hakase..."
            "S-slow down!" Ame cried, sliding off the bed, taking hold of Dorumon's head placing her hands over the jewel on his head and having his head lean down a slightly, "Take a deep breath~ Relax!"
            Commandramon groaned, trying to gain control of his breathing, "Agumon Hakase...  The building... under attack."
            "Attack?!" No-Name yelped, standing up, "Raiamon wait.  Agumon need help!"
            "Raiamon?" Dorumon managed to say, popping his head out of Ame's arms, looking at the long brown-haired girl.
            "Raiamon called us while you were gone." Ame replied, as she slowly let go of her digimon.
            Commandramon looked back and forth between the two humans, "No... We should... wait."
            "But-..." No-Name clenched her fists, her insides seemed as if they had already left for Agumon Hakase's.
            "But Yoruji was there last night, wasn't she?" Ame questioned, "What if something bad happened?"
            "Location..." No-Name muttered, "not pinpointed."
            "Then something must've happened to Yoruji!" Ame cried, their digimon seemed a bit confused.
            "Her location?"  Dorumon questioned.
            Ame nodded, "Raiamon couldn't find her location back in Medieval Village, so we havego find her!"
            "B-but..." Commandramon was about to speak before No-Name started for the door, putting on her shoes, and pulling out her gloves. "W-wait a minute!  We can't just go there now!  What if--"
            "Wing it!" No-Name managed to say, coming back to pull Ame gently off the ground. "We have to."

            Ame could see that the girl was quite worried about Yoruji now.  Unable to pry her eyes away from No-Name's maroon eyes, Ame nodded.

            "We have to." Ame murmured, "Yoruji's part of this team.  She'd do the same for us."
            Dorumon whined, "But why does Yoruji have to go out and do things on her own?"
            "It's how she deals with things." Commandramon sighed, fetching his backpack and gun from where he had left it on the bed, "There's not much we can do about that."
            Ame walked over to the door, pulling on her shoes as well, tucking her D-Sade away and taking out her gloves, "Let's go, if Raiamon calls, we'll answer the call while we're trying to get there."

Ame and No-Name started out the door, followed by Commandramon.

            Slowly, Dorumon followed behind, closing the door behind him and running after them down the hallway, "Does anyone remember the way there?"



            After much difficulty finding the base of the Magnamon Fan Club, they finally approached their destination, seeing many digimon rush in and rush out of the torn and scorched up building.  No-Name's pace slowed as they soon entered the place they had only been to yesterday.  As Dorumon and Commandramon went on ahead to look in the other rooms, she looked around the room where they had had their conversation with Agumon Hakase about their recklessness.  The room was filled with small traces of smoke and small light particles, most of the crates and barrels were torn up and their parts scattered around the room.  Not much of the Real World items were left to determine what they once were.  Ame was following behind her, she had taken hold of the girl's hand also looking about the place.

            "Yuri..." Ame whispered.
            No-Name looked back at the girl, seeming a bit unstable as to what was around them, "Hm?"
            The green-eyed girl looked up at her, "You don't suppose Yoruji and Ryuudamon also made this mess, do you?"
            No-Name's eyes narrowed, looking towards more of the room, the thought hadn't even crossed her mind yet, "Perhaps..."
            "But..." Ame looked away, also around the room, "Yoruji knew there were baby leveled digimon here... why would she do such a thing..."
            "She defended them actually." the digimon draped in a scorched up looking lab coat walked in from the opposite end of the room.  "Even when she did... many were still killed off."

            Both girls were speechless as a bandaged up Agumon Hakase had appeared, Dorumon and Commandramon had appeared not so long after the orange reptile had entered.

            "It's a sad deal..." Agumon Hakase sighed as he made his way over to the two, "But don't put much of this on the blond and her partner.  Strikedramon had also helped aid in the battle."
            "Strikedramon?" No-Name was uneasy with saying the name of the digimon her partner had only fought yesterday.
            Agumon Hakase nodded, "We were attacked by one of the Sin's followers... and amongst him, he brought a couple of friends."
            Commandramon growled, clutching his gun, "Dammit.  Why hadn't Yoruji called us..."
            "It was too early in the morning to have her call you." Agumon Hakase answered, "She didn't want to bother you."
            "She never bothers to do anything..." Ame grumbled resting her head against No-Name's arm.
            "Don't take it the wrong way now..." Agumon Hakase said softly, "She dislikes bothering the two of you for help.  Not because she thinks you don't add to the help, she just looks out for your safety."

            No-Name nor Ame had heard this before, speechless as to wonder how Agumon Hakase had known this.  Dorumon and Commandramon watched as Agumon Hakase walked passed their crusaders and towards the doorway.

            "She's a hard one to understand... but she has her reasons." Agumon Hakase managed to say before he left the room.
            There was an uneasy silence amongst them, before Dorumon stirred, "So all this time, she's wanted to protect us?"
            "Damn Yoruji..." Commandramon grumbled as he walked passed the two stunned crusaders, following after Agumon Hakase.

            The two girls stood motionless staring at the ground below them.  Dorumon tilted his head slightly, walking up to the two, bringing their eyes to meet his.

            "No worries, you two!" Dorumon said, smiling slightly, "We'll fix this whole mess, and get Yoruji back!  And I'll protect you from whatever might happen, because the two of you are important to the Digital World!  And to Commandramon and Ryuudamon and Yoruji... and me."
            Ame's eyes began to water slightly, as she squeezed No-Name's arm slightly, before reaching down to gently scratch Dorumon's snout, "Thank you, Dorumon."
            Dorumon laughed slightly, smiling fully now, "Anything for you, Ame-sama~"

            He stayed like this for a short while, before he told them he'd follow Commandramon to see where he had gone.  The two of them stayed in the room, still thinking about Agumon Hakase's words, not to mention the blond who was still missing.

            "She has her reasons..." Ame whispered as she remained attached to No-Name's arm.
            "Mmm..." No-Name responded with a small nod, "Wonder why..."
            "As do I." Ame replied, looking around the room. "I just wish she'd explain her reasons..."
            No-Name stayed silent for a short while, thinking about the purple and white furred digimon.  Choosing her words carefully, she managed to voice her thoughts, "There's something... Dorumon have common... with Yoruji..."
            Ame looked up at her, "Oh?"
            "Dorumon... protect us.  Yoruji protect all." No-Name answered.
            Ame smiled, "I hadn't even caught that..."  She rested her head against No-Name's arm again, "Though... I suppose all of us have that in common..."
            No-Name nodded, "Mm... all tied together."
           "By similarities." Ame added.

            After taking in more of the room and its ruins, No-Name and Ame escaped outside, spotting Agumon Hakase, Commandramon and Dorumon talking to a few digimon.  They approached the group of digimon, not being seen at first, but was acknowledged by their partners.

            "There's at least a few dozen that are injured." A sand-yellow dragonfly-looking digimon had said between the flapping of his wings. "And there are at least a good many of the little ones that are unharmed."
            Agumon Hakase nodded, "All right, thank you for taking in the numbers, Yanmamon."
            Yanmamon nodded in response, "Anything to help the caretaker of these little wanderers."
            "And you Kiwimon?" Agumon Hakase turned to a digimon that stood on its gray chicken-like legs, supporting its brown-furred body; its head covered with a gray bird-like skull with green hair spiking out the back of its head.
            The digimon known as Kiwimon nodded slightly, "All arrangements for the injured one's to be transported to the safety of Sea Kingdom has being put under way.  As for the ones who couldn't make it, MasterTyrannomon will be leading a group of digimon to give them a proper burial at the edge of the city."
            "Thank you Kiwimon," Agumon Hakase nodded, looking at the rest of the digimon, "Everyone, I'll need you to take in a couple of the uninjured digimon as Strikedramon and I make repairs for the next few weeks."

            Many of the digimon had nodded and acknowledged the order before all running off to follow Yanmamon and Kiwimon to wherever the little ones were being protected.  Agumon Hakase sighed as he turned to look at Ame and No-Name.

            "Done being shocked?" the orange reptile asked.
            "Yea..." No-Name replied, scratching the back of her head.
            "Sorry." Ame responded, "It's just that... Yoruji's never told us anything really... Sure, she's scolded us loads of times, but--"
            Agumon Hakase waved his staff in the air, "Blah blah blah, there's no need for that..."
            "Sorry..." No-Name and Ame answered in unison.
            "Sir," Commandramon looked at the orange reptile, "Where is Strikedramon now?"
            "Yea, along with Yoruji and Ryuudamon!" Dorumon questioned as well.
            Agumon Hakase bonked both of them on the head with his staff, "So impatient both of you~!  Just like your Crusaders..."

            Both Ame and No-Name looked at each other when the small reptile had said this.

            "Strikedramon, Yoruji and Ryuudamon all went after the Sin's follower..." Agumon Hakase answered, "It's been a couple of hours... I believed Ryuudamon and Strikedramon could handle him by themselves, but I suppose not..."
            "Where are they?" Ame questioned, seizing No-Name's arm a bit tighter.
            Agumon Hakase pointed to the south, "There is a large building at the very edge of the city.  It is said that that is where the Mon is--"
            "The Mon?" No-Name asked. "What have to do with--"
            Agumon Hakase practically jumped to look back at the two girls, "Keep yer data on!  I'm getting there!!  Anywaaay... It is said to be where Magnamon resides when he's not busy with all the other cities within Desert Oasis.  Even though a Knight resides there, beneath it is where Barbamon, the Sin of this level, spends his days, letting his henchmen do all his dirty work."
            "We need to go then!" Commandramon shouted.
            "Wait, wait wait wait waaaaaaaait~" Agumon Hakase screeched as he hit Commandramon on the head again. "There's a good couple of digimon who want to escort you to the south."  The orange reptile waddled his way over to the side of the building.  After a bit of commotion, he managed to come back with the familiar duo, Agumon and Veemon.  "These two've been arguing over yer little bout you had with Strikedramon yesterday.  They'll take you to the south building and will stop giving me a headache!" He glared at the two, who were now silent.

            Ame and No-Name bowed in appreciation, as they received hits to the head from Agumon Hakase about hurrying up to save Yoruji and Ryuudamon. Agumon Hakase watched as the two girls and four digimon run off towards the main streets of the city.

            The orange-reptile sighed, "Let the wandering spirits of the passing digimon be with them...  They'll need all the help they can get."

            He turned to head back inside, passing the main, scorched up room and into the half beat up hallways.  A few digimon still inside were fixing up the kitchen of the mess the Sin's follower and his "friends" had made.  Agumon Hakase sighed when he had peered into the room, then escaped up the stairs into a room that stood on the third floor.  Inside the room were all sorts of machinery, quite similar to the ones of Medieval Castle's Communication's Room.  The little reptile waddled into the room, sitting down at a smaller version of what looked like the main computer in Medieval Castle.  He set down his staff and began typing with his three-clawed paws.  Soon, a window popped up with the words "Stand by" blinking on the screen.  After a short second, the familiar Raiamon appeared on screen.


-Continued in Part Two-