Big Guy With a Big Heart(Xros Hunt)(WIP)

Grimm had still not evolved back to his prior self, in fact though all things suggested he should have recovered from being a Sunamon to what ever comes next, he had not even changed from that, and Makiko was at her wits ends. Astram then suggested that they try making their way to the village of beginnings to try to get some answers or maybe some help, and so, for the first time in a while, she gathered up her stuff, and went back into the digital world. Unlike the three prior attempts, this time she was not as energetic about it, as she wanted to focus on helping the first partner she had.

Unlike her friend that she was not aware was in the area though, Makiko only had Astram out, as Grimm was taking a nap in the Xros Loader. Still, when they arrived in the area, they heard plenty of positive noises that suggested they were in the right direction. They had the sounds of children, and they started seeing some of the Digi Eggs, which made Makiko falter for a moment, remembering seeing Grimm's egg. She did not even bother to pull out her diary, it was not the time for it, if they got answers, maybe then, but it was just as likely that there would be no luck here even, it was just a slight chance that it might help.

Not long on the trip towards the epicenter of the activity, she would come across what should have been a familiar group, but had been too into her own head to have noted. "Sorry" she would say, having accidentally walked into one of the bigger members of the group, before continuing her trek forward, Astram taking note, before catching up, his Snatchmon form working nicely to hide who he was likely, unlike the purple haired girl, who probably stood out like a sore thumb with her lab coat, and school uniform on, having not decided to swap to something else for this trip. Muttering under her breath, "Maybe they have information... I am taking too long..." came out in a slight whisper.

She was too into her own head, and Astram had started feeling concerned. She had declared not to let it harm her, not to let it hold her back, but the fact that Grimm has yet to recover fully has been bothering her, especially since she had not had a chance to even explore the digital world since that incident. "Stupid girl, slow down, rushing will only give us trouble." He would call out to her, and though his voice did not relay his worry, it still had the intent to try to get her to slow down and acknowledge that she was starting to get too desperate.

Astram was amused that two of the members noticed it was him, though he was still more worried about the violet haired girl who seemed to have lost it. "Yes it is me, but if you want to know about Grimm... Lets say that may be the reason we are here." He would state, looking them over, realizing how much taller he was than he used to be for the first time. Still not taller than Aiko, but taller than he was as a Gazimon. "Not that it matters much, but I now have a name, and it is Astram, that girl gave it to me after my evolution." He would add, trying to act like he did not enjoy the name. Still, seeing them did bring back memories of their prior encounter. If not for Aiko beating the life out of him, he would not have met Makiko, and if not for the rest of them, Aiko would not have likely let him live. In a way, this girl and Makiko were the reasons for his change of heart. Especially since the rest helped take down Lilymon.

Makiko on the other hand finally realized after several small minutes, that her name had been mentioned, and looked back. Wendigomon, Pumamon, Hawkmon, Ballistamon, Grizzly bear? Odd, This group seemed familiar...."Kima?" She would ask, before looking at the rest of them, but hearing Grimm she suddenly lost heart, and her eyes started watering. "Wha did ya not tell ma tha Digimon dah like tha?" She asks, actually throwing herself at Kima in a literal sense, uncertain if not to ask her to her face, or to use her shoulder to hide her own face. She did not know, but she for the first time did not want to be the responsible party, who knew things, she wanted to be lead and given the answers, or something like that. "Gr-Grimm... He got killed... and then...He not want ta return to Grimmon!" She would add, slowly quieting down, but still letting the water works come off.

"She has been like this for the last day or so, I do not know if it is guilt, or stupidity." Astram would state with a shrug, nodding to the Grizzlymon. "Grimm is in the Xros Loader, apparently he was a Sunamon at one point."He would add, motioning with one of his glowey hands. Admittedly, he was rather tired of trying to console the girl, so was glad to have other people here that might be able to help. Still, if they did not get answers soon, the girl might just break herself with the stress and guilt. "He got defeated trying to help save a bunch of people, but it was also because Makiko had a plan that worked, just did not think he would be hit that hard. He has been a Sunamon for weeks now." He would finally explain.

So this was how those two were, when they finally showed up in Kima's party's presence again. Probably not showing the best of face this time, but that was because they had been through a lot.

The older teen was a mess, looking up closely, Kima would see the bags under her eyes, and the trail of tears from what could be any number of emotions. She also looked oddly pale, and maybe a little less than she had been. To put it lightly, Makiko had left the digital world in high spirits, but after it had been a a few weeks, she started to neglect herself, trying to help Grimm. This meant things like skipping out on meals until Astram started working on learning to fix them himself. She stopped letting herself sleep, wanting to be available the moment Grimm woke up, or when he would finally evolve. She had lost weight, not much, but enough to be noticeable. She had eventually settled for using the shoulder of her friend to cry on. It was at least some comfort, but it would not be hard to tell that she had been pushing herself quite a bit. Only benefit was some how her parent's had gotten a swarm of good luck in the meantime, and had been on a trip beyond the initial one, they had earned it, but it meant that only Astram and Makiko had been in that house for a bit.

"I suggested to her that coming here might help, if not for Grimm, maybe for Makiko." He would admit, though he was starting to be at a loss himself. It had been quite a bit of time, and even he was starting to worry. The first few days, it was understandable, they usually do not take much time, but after a couple of weeks, it was definitely that there was either a block, or they were doing something wrong. Then he remembered his own egg hood, and realized that the one who manages and protects the young might have insight that he lacks, and Makiko never had. "We should get going for it, If only to help those two get better." He stated, half hoping it would bless this trip.

Makiko was now a lot more quiet, but still holding tightly to the younger girl. She was her senpai when it came being a Xros General, and also someone who could possibly help guide her, and at her bidding, she would start moving towards the place. She wanted to do well, and not have to think, for all she had been doing the last several weeks was thinking, thinking and worrying and stressing and feeling anxious and guilty. This was a time for her to not think anymore, to let someone else take the lead, and to help her not feel for a bit. She did not know she herself might be part of the issue, or even that it was because she had not healed. Not saying it is, but she did not know anything really. She just knew she wanted Grimm back, not as a cute baby digimon, but as the big lunk he was.

Astram would help Kima for this endeavor, especially helping her by keeping Makiko from just resting on her the whole time. He really did hope this was not a bad idea on his end.

The travel for Makiko was not all that well noticed, as she just relied on Kima's help, and it was rather nice. She did not mind it, but she was rather ragged. The quiet was also nice, only because it meant that she was not having to think for the moment. Still, seeing the large blue dinosaur covered in babies almost brought a smile to her face, if she only had the energy and emotions to smile with. Still, the sheer size of the dinosaur digimon was impressive, though it might be more to say the number of baby digimon crawling over it, and the various species of them might be the more impressive thing, though hard to say.

The magical thief Snatchmon let off a whistle at the sheer size of the Allomon. He could not say if this was the current caretaker or not, it had been a while since his last visit to this place, and he was rather proud of the fact that though he took a lot of knocks, he did not end up back here all that often, to his recollection. Still, he was happy that Kima had taken care of Makiko on the way here. "Think that blue dino would be the caretaker? Or think it would know where to find them?" He would ask aloud. Still, he was doing the closest he comes to smirking, considering only his eyes could really be seen.

Though hearing kima's statement, he had to nod. "There are digimon bigger, and smaller than the extremes you have likely seen, enjoy the view more." He would suggest, though he realized Makiko would likely only partially hear it. Her Xros loader was finally in hand though, it looked like she was just looking at it, and seeing the sleeping Sunamon. Grimm really did seem to like to sleep in his baby form.

For those wondering, Makiko had pulled out the Xros loader to look over the sleeping baby. She hoped that maybe he would wake up soon, but he had been sleeping a bit more lately. She hoped that he would get better, but that hope was dwindling. She felt like she was at her end there, but made not a sound. Instead she just rested there, looking between the Xros Loader, and the babies piling on the digimon. This might be a time for her to be able to do something, if she could get herself to do so.

Astram looked over the group. "So, who wants to speak up first?"

The duo that were with the grand party of Kima's took note, Cherrymon would be the one who is protecting this area normally, and this one named Shinobu was the one that was covering while the care taker was on errands. A merchant by trade, but also volunteering to be the children's form of entertainment? That seems right, knowing a big blue dinosaur. At least it was not purple. What kind of world would let a Purple dinosaur be in charge of children? That seems irresponsible.

"I am now called Astram, and this purple haired mess is known as Makiko." Astram would state, offering himself up to speak for Makiko at the moment. The Purple haired girl still face first in her Xros loader, looking at the baby form of Grimmon, which was just sleeping peacefully."Do you know when Cherrymon might be returning? Makiko does not mean to be rude... but has been in a bit of a state for a bit now, and so we were hoping for some guidance." He offered, but even he was uncertain of this would help or not.

Makiko at the time had started concentrating between trying to understand the baby digimon all over the place, and the connection they had to Grimm. She was not far from Kima in the least right now. She had been quietly trying to self sooth herself and maybe reach through to her primary partner by humming a certain lullaby.

Astram, realizing he would not get more help from Makiko, just focused on the group over all. "If you do not know when Cherrymon will be back, I might have to ask you if you know anything on the subject." He said cooly, trying to hide his own anxiety at the fact that he has to be the voice at the head of the pack. Makiko really needed to get her stuff together. He was supposed to be a helper, not the main one speaking on her army's behalf... He did not even say he was joining yet... did he? He was now getting confused and frustrated with this situation. He needed her to get back to her functional state, and the best way was to get answers about what is going on with Grimm.

Obviously, Astram and Makiko were not the only ones here, as there were plenty of babies, and also the Allomon, and Kima and her crew, so hopefully things would be starting to go more smoothly, especially with Kima explaining her group.

The Snatchmon would nod, and prepare for the long haul. There was no way for them to get the exact help they need until Cherrymon got back it seemed. That meant that he would have to deal with Makiko in her current state for a bit longer, but he wondered why Grimm was sleeping so much, was he really needing the sleep? Or was there something more going on? Did something happen that neither Makiko nor himself saw? It would be more helpful if the digimon would at least speak. That would unfortunately seemingly need him to evolve though, and he had yet to evolve to the next form. This still worried him, but as there was nothing to be done, he just decided to sit back and wait. "If you cannot help, then we will just have to wait, whats an extra hour or two." He would offer, realizing that he should at least respond to the Saurian digimon. Getting used to being more... polite, was a task in and of itself.

Makiko just looked at the Grizzlymon, tears welling in her eyes. It was not as if she had not asked, she had. Several times, but all he could respond with was 'Suna' as if he was a different mon based series creature. She had tried feeding him more, had allowed him to rest as much as he needed, and played with him as much as she could, but the break from school would not last forever. She was tired, but more so, she was at her wits end. How does one help a digimon who does not want to evolve? He was in his lowest stage still, and that was not helping to get him back up. She wanted to go after his friends, but how does one do so safely, with only a Snatchmon who sometimes could not stand on his own two feet(He was admittedly getting better...). The idea of dealing with something that was unable to be handled by Grimm and his friends together did not bid her well, if she did not at least have Grimm on her side there, but she could not go after it yet. Just did she vocalize this all though? How did she break free from this sorrow, this despair she was in? She did not know. She just wanted Grimm back... She just held up her Xros Loader, showing the sleeping Sunamon. Just what else could she show the Grizzlymon? She did not know.

To think, my toy broke so quickly

That was what had splashed on the screen for half a second in front of the Grizzlymon, if she noticed. It was across the center of the screen, and it was in digimon script. Makiko this time had not seen it, and Astram had been still looking towards the main group and the Allomon, oh and the babies that continued to play with him. He had been listening to the music, and watching the little ones lay down for naps. It was only one being who got to see the malicious message on the Xros Loader, if that.

Still, since Makiko and Astram had nothing more to do, it was probably up to Kima and her group for what else they needed to do here. Makiko was not likely to move much, and Astram was trying to figure out what to do on his own. Things were a little less energetic than they were prior, when the two had been interacting with Kima, almost like the energy had been sucked from them. This will hopefully change soon.