I can't really remember how long it has been since the incident. The battle against Snimon. I can't even remember how long I have spent on my partner's side, kneeling next to the sickbed where they had put him, praying to whatever deity might still watch over us that he'd make it. The cut the sickles had left on his body were deep, and I was sure not even he would have enough fighting spirit to hang onto life with such injuries. Oh how much I underestimated him. And how much I wished I could be even half as strong as him. After all, it was my fault he was lying here now. If I had been stronger, if I had helped him, or, at least, had held him back before he had started that hopeless battle... But I'm not strong. And all my weakness does is causing him problems... Still, even in his miserable condition, he never failed to scold me whenever even a single tear ran down my cheeks. Crying is for babies, he said. And that crying won't help anybody ever, so I should stop that shit and do something less useless.

Maybe, he was right.

No, he was definitely right!

I started to make myself useful. As I still am far from being a fighter, I decided to take a different approach. And so, the white walls and beeping machines of the hospital became my home. At first, I wasn't good for anything except handing the doctors whatever they just needed, I was more of a errand girl than a real help for them, but even that was better than just standing in their way, crying. And while I had to spent most of my time with fending of some doctors who were a bit too keen on 'analyzing Gizamon's inner data structures, for the sake of science', I used my time there to learn from them. Of course, that made me no real doctor, but at least I learned the basics, I think.

And that might just be the reason why  I'm sitting on a hard bench in a black chopper right now, trying to ignore my partner having a nice discussion with his best friend Pamon, while heading right into another nightmare...

The moment my feet touch the ground again I realize that this is the first time for what felt like years that there are no thick walls right in front of me. For just a second, I embrace the feeling of the sun on my skin, enjoy the new found freedom, until reality catches up to me again. Huge dragonlike creatures circle in an updraft in the distance, reminding me that I was not here for a walk. I shoulder my trusty old bag that now houses a wide array of bandages, pills and salves right next to my spray cans and the sad remains of my once huge bubblegum collection. I'm still not too sure why I brought my old stuff with me, maybe I just feel a little more comfortable when I have those small reminders of my old life with me. I try to brush those thoughts aside as I try to catch up with the others.

“This is the last briefing.” I looked up to the man in the dark jacket, his short white hair dancing slightly in the warm breeze. I remember his name as Shane, and as far as I knew, he was something like our leader as long as Chief wasn't present. “We're here to find out what the Airdramon are searching here, not to fight them, so avoid provoking battles.” I managed to take another peek at the things circling over the ruins. Somehow, they reminded me of the ravens often circling over my old hometown. I wonder if there were still normal things, or if those things... ate them. Just as Shane wanted to continue his little speech, another voice cut him short. “He means you, furfrog, so listen!” “As if I'd listen to a human!”  “Hope you get fried by those things. they're Champion levels, and guess who can't digivolve here.” “As if I'd need to, with such weaklings as opponents!” “Well, we'll protect you, furfrog.” “Let's see who needs protection here!!! Spiral saw!” And again, the dance began. “Guys...? Guys? Pleaseeeee...!” I didn't really expect him to listen. But at least, I tried. But I knew him too much, knew how much he enjoyed a good battle, and as the two already started theirs... Not even Alpimon's soothing charm could hold them back.

Anna's gunshot was way more effective, dirt and rock spraying everywhere as the bullet hit the dry floor right between them. Honestly, I flinched more than they did, but still, they stopped their battle. As we all stared at girl in military armor. Anna just gave an enigmatic smile as she reloaded. “We should get going.” Nobody dared to reject her suggestion. And I asked myself for the 10.000th time who had the glorious idea giving that maniac a machine gun.

As we reached the first temple walls, we lost Ethen. Seemingly, the young man really was the only one who had an eye for the time-honored ruins in this situation, wandering between the dust covered rocks and admiring their engravings. All the others had just eyes for the dragons circling over us. Taking their sheer endless number and big size into account, I was pretty sure we'd be all toast if they decided to attack. To our luck, they seemed not too keen on battling us, preferring just to roam over the huge temple complex, ignoring us completely. As if they'd search something. Just like us. I  had to duck quite a few time as one of those things rushed over my head. But as stupid as it sounds, I trusted them. If they wanted to kill us, they would have done that before we even left the chopper. As it seemed, not all Digimon were aggressive after all. Sadly, some humans were.

A loud gunshot, followed by an earthshaking roar spelled our demise. Anna had lost her temper and decided to place a few bullets into one of the Airdramon that came her a little too close...And unleashed hell on earth.