[Video // Second Transformation]

[proveyourmetal]

[For all you night owls out there, Vanguard decides that now (just five minutes past midnight in an abandoned house at the edge of HospiTown) is the perfect time to voice his displeasure.:]

As you are all my witness, there is nothing here, there's no such things as ghosts, and if this rickety old house comes crashing down on our heads, it's Bumblebee's fault.

[Bumblebee shines his flashlight back at Vanguard and the D-terminal with an amused smile, Vanguard gives an indignant scoff.]

I'm not scared. I'm annoyed

[Bumblebee laughs silently, patting Vanguard as he moves past. Vanguard murmurs irately and paws his impeccably groomed mane back into place. Ghosts may not exist, but Digimon ghost types certainly exist. Even the small ones are a pain to deal with, dispatched with a good fireball. But the higher level ones? Best to stay away from those altogether.]

Can we just go now?

[Bee sighs. Fine, they can head home, if that's what he wants. Of course, that's when the camera catches a glimpse of something: moonlight pouring in from a window flickers on the wall behind him, like a shadow dashing across the light. Floorboards in the distance give off a terrible groan, wood creaking under something's weight. The orb of light from Bumblebee's flashlight creeps down the long, dark corridor. The beam hardly penetrates the stifling darkness to reveal a room at the end of the hallway, its door half fallen off its hinges.]

[The D-terminal's camera starts to shake from unsteady hands. And as camera focuses, two slivers of light stare back at them. Soft mumbling carries down the hallway as the D-terminal's shaking intensifies.]

[Bumblebee, stricken more with curiosity and wariness than fear, takes a tentative step forward. Bewildered, Vanguard snatches Bumblebee's sleeve]

What're you doing-!?

[As if in response to the noise, the two slivers of eyes disappear into the dark. A voice that is neither Bumblebee's nor Vanguard's hisses vehemently right next to the D-terminal:]

-can't take it from me!

[The inhuman noise that comes from Vanguard is so panicked and high pitched, it's practically comical. His flailing knocks the flashlight from Bee's hand, and the D-Terminal goes sailing with it. Both hit the ground with a clatter.]

[The last thing the feed picks up is the sound of rapid footsteps in the dark. The feed cuts.]

Comments

[heartdive]

[ that has him stopping, fully turning to Bee. ]

What's that?

[proveyourmetal]

Wait for me outside? There's something I need to do.

[heartdive]

Don't you do anything reckless...

[ you're supposed to be the older and more responsible one here. other than this, Sora is going to go ahead and step outside. 8T waiting. just don't keep him waiting for TOO long. ]

[proveyourmetal]

[He'll just give Sora a smile as he walks backwards towards the door. Don't worry about it.

Once Vanguard is at his side, they'll be jogging around the corner and out of sight.

It'll be about ten minutes before he emerges outside the abandoned house. Vanguard is mildly out of breath and Bee's clothes look a little more worse for the wear.

But he's quick to message Sora as soon as he steps out.]

All set. Ready to go?

[heartdive]

[ and Sora isn't the type to be overly prodding or suspicious. tsk tsk, Bee.

but, to him, there are more important things. yes. like getting two stubborn digimon to wake up and become friends again. ]

Just waiting on you, slowpoke.

[ yeah. have to get that jab in. :P ]

[proveyourmetal]

Wanted to give you enough time to get a nap in, sleepyhead.

[He's got a little counter of his own. In the mean time... Vanguard pipes in:]

Either we gotta hitch a ride, or we're walking there. There's no way I'm carrying Bee on my shoulders.

[heartdive]

[ Sora only grins at Bee. he knows how he is with sleeping. Kairi's pointed that out enough.

now Ryu grumbles and pushes by the entire group. apparently being woken up like he had been doesn't do wonders for his personality. ]

I manage all the time.

[ but before anyone can really say anything else, Ryu goes on to Champion then Ultimate. he's big enough that he can fit everyone on - as long as they remain SMALL. ]

Come on, then.

[proveyourmetal]

[He looks up at Ryu's champion form. He whistles, clearly impressed. He'll be following Sora's lead on how to get onto the digimon properly.

Vanguard is just as impressed, but you can bet he won't be showing it. Bee'll be giving him a pat on the head: one day, Vanguard. And the digimon will pout for the rest of the journey.]

[heartdive]

[ Hisyaryumon is pretty sharp, ngl. Ryu lays against the ground...

and Sora pretty much just walks up the guy's tail. Vixie more jumps, but that is besides the point. ]

[proveyourmetal]

You got a plan? Or were you 'planning' on winging it?

[Bee and Vanguard will just copy Sora, and they'll be secure in a moment or two, ready whenever Hisyaryumon is.]

[heartdive]

Winging it, mostly. I guess I just feel like maybe I can get through by talking. Their Chosen also had the Crest of Friendship so... I'm hoping that maybe Phantomon will listen. Understand that what they are doing is completely opposite of what their Chosen's inner strength was...

[ snake!dragon takes to the skies, a little slower than his normal pace. he just is being careful. ]

[proveyourmetal]

[Perceptive, Sora. You're onto more than you realize.]

That's because they aren't partners. Or weren't partners, anyway.

Phantomon was a digimon they befriended. She and Phantomon had a terrible start, but over time, they really warmed up to each other. That Chosen ended up meaning more to Phantomon than even he realizes.

[heartdive]

They are partners. Even if they aren't official ones.

[ it's kind of what Friendship is all about. sure, maybe things had a rocky start. but lots of friendships do. ]

So we'll just have to remind him.

[proveyourmetal]

[Bumblebee nods.]

And I think I know just the way.

[Their solution is sitting in Bumblebee's pocket, old and delicate and well-earned.]

[heartdive]

So... You have a plan?

[ or he's going to assume, anyway. Bee seems to be a lot more clever than Sora . ]

[proveyourmetal]

Yes. And Sora, I'll need your help to do it.

[heartdive]

My help? What do you need me to do?

[proveyourmetal]

Vanguard and I may have the memories, and something important to Phantomon, but there's no way for me to communicate when things are going to be moving so fast.

If we're going to make any headway, we'll have to calm him down first. He won't be willing to hear us out if he's too angry or violent.

So just be you, Sora. Talk him down.

[heartdive]

Are you sure that's going to help?

[ because just being him... not much of a plan! he could mess up you know. ]

[proveyourmetal]

Yes. Because it's from her, and it's for him.

[Once he's on the ground, he'll be able to show Sora what it is, himself. But it's too precious to risk pulling out while they're traveling. If they lose it, it's over before it's begun.]

You can do it Sora.

[heartdive]

If you say so...

[ the building is now in sight. before they had just gotten in through the second story window... but now? ]

So. Front door or window?

[proveyourmetal]

Can you pinpoint from here which room you last fought Phantomon?

[heartdive]

Not exactly... All I know is that it was on the second floor. I'm not sure that you can see the room from -

I can.

[ and from here Ryu moves to the busted window. that's the room. ]

That's the one, Bumblebee.

[proveyourmetal]

[He gives Ryu an approving nod. Good.]

Let's go the long way - maybe several rooms down, or a floor below. No use in tipping him off before we even get inside.

If you saw an open area, a reception desk or a waiting area anywhere near there, that'd be idea. If we get into a fight, those corridors are a tight fit for all of us.

[heartdive]

[ all right then. off he makes for the front entrance! ]

No one but me will have to. Fight, that is.

[ which makes Sora look at Vixie funny. ] But you were scared before.

[ said Digimon huffs, crossing her arms. ] There are enough of us now that I'm not scared! And one of my attacks as Scorcermon is an illusion.