[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

[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.

[proveyourmetal]

Illusion? What can you do with that, Vixie?

[What tricks has Sora's digimon got up her sleeve.]

[heartdive]

[ before she can answer, Ryu lands. he straightens out his tail and sets back on his back legs.

IT'S LIKE A SLIDE. ALL OFF, ALL OFF. when on the ground, Sora chuckles - he never gets tired of that. now Vixie can respond. ]

It's an illusion spell that makes the foe believe the are in a blizzard.

[proveyourmetal]

[Bee follows suit. Slippin and slidin like a boss. He jogs to a stop beside Sora.]

Good. He's not going to be happy to see us so...

I've got some ideas on how we might pull this off.

Vixie, can you stall him while Sora talks him down? Ryu - Sora'll probably need someone to keep him out of harm's way if Phantomon lashes out or the illusion ends. Sora, you'll be doing the talking, but keep your distance. Once you've done your thing, me and Vanguard can get him these.

[Out of his pocket comes the prize: One sealed letter, worn by time and handling. Phantomon's name is written in careful writing, with a small heart beside it. Sora can guess who it's from.]

[heartdive]

[ Sora nods, understanding the plan. if Bee is confident that it will work, then it probably will. TALK ABOUT PRESSURE. glancing at the sealed letter, Sora gets the full picture. ]

Something he never got, huh?

[proveyourmetal]

Better late than never, right?

[heartdive]

In my experience? It's never too late.

[proveyourmetal]

[Bee will be taking steps backwards towards their destination as he types.]

Last chance if you three want to turn back.

[A bit of anticipatory smile. He doubts they will.]

[heartdive]

[ try not to trip there, Bee. ]

Like we would... I don't think you could do it without me anyway.

[proveyourmetal]

[Bee only gives him a wordless smile. Then he's turning on his heel and heading into the hospital with Vanguard on his tail.

He'll be moving quietly through the halls, pausing occasionally to let nurses pass, or slipping past other staff as they appear. Step lightly Sora. Don't get caught.]

[heartdive]

[ yeah... Sora isn't all that stealthy, Bee. if he tries to move like that, he WILL get caught.

but good news? they don't seem to be thinking much of him. it's probably that clueless expression he has going on about half of the time. ]

[proveyourmetal]

[Think of this as practice for future missions, Sora! It isn't so bad if the staff catches them in the floor below. But as they get higher up, they'll want to be more discreet... because of a certain digimon upstairs. The halls are mostly empty this time of night, and the corridors are silent.

All save for the sounds of anger in one abandoned office. It's a blade scraping against the walls or the floor. Maybe even a CHUNK! like wood... or a desk being chopped cleanly in half.

Well someone's not happy...]