The Next Plan for Adventure - [OPEN]

"Tats?" Yuuki curiously called. He know that in this world, Digimons attract each others like magnet, but he honestly never thought that once again, he'll met the other Dorumon partner. The middle schooler who still wearing his blazer and school uniform raced downhill to greet the other guy. Dorumon followed close from behind, grinning ear to ear.

"Hey! I never thought I'll met you here... how is it going?" Yuuki asked.

"Well hello there, Dorumon, looking handsome there---Wait, you're not my reflection, whatever," Dorumon joked. "How do you two fare lately, pals? Going strong, I hope? Me and Yuuki just about to think where to go next... I mean, we've stayed in real world too long lately, and Yuuki is thirsting for adventure..."

Half of it because I don't want anyone to die in front of me again, but that's not the point here, right? Yuuki thought.

"It's a good change, I said. Oh yeah, he's been taking Judo again! I don't really know what's that, but it's all slamming other person to the ground, disarming them and stuffs! It's pretty cool! Yuuki kind of already lost his edge, but apparently he's still going strong! I'm pretty sure it'll be soon that he'll go to next stage..."

"It's not like Digivolution, Dorumon, if that's what you're thinking... well, Tats, what about you?"

"Meh, not so sure, Tats. I'm just starting it back after Ryouta pestering me to 'start it up again'. Speaking about Ryouta, I heard he's going to the same dojo with you? Anyway, to answer your question, I was san-kyu or ni-kyu... I don't really remember. Because I think I'm rustic, I preferred to start all over again from the basic," Yuuki scratched his head. "So I'm back again to roku-kyu, but sooner or later will go back to go-kyu."

"Hee, how enviable," the other Dorumon commented. "I can't really go champion at will yet... but it's fine. If Yuuki got fired up, then that's all that's matter to me! We'll catch up sooner or later, just you two wait!" Dorumon grinned.

"Mmm, well, being all fired up is good, Dorumon, but remember why we're here?"

"Oh, yeah... drats... Say, Tats, Darkie, have you ever saw any young looking Yuuki anywhere? I mean, he looks like Yuuki, but sometimes can be more... errr, muscular? Dunno! He looks someone who holds yon-dan... black belt thingy! Oh geez, I shouldn't have slept when Yuuki explained it to me..."

"...Er, that's not important. Anyway, have you seen any of such guy?"

Tatsuya listened carefully at Yuuki's explanation about his martial arts skills. So he was going to start all the way from the bottom, huh? That was remarkable, specially knowing that even though it took some time to get the rust off, it still would be a few days or weeks before he was at his best level. Afterwards, he mentioned Ryouta and how he was going to his dojo now.
-Oh, yes. I promised him to teach him the basics of karate, and he started coming to the same dojo so it's easier for me to help.

Then, Yuuki's partner took control of the conversation, and asked Tatsuya and Dorumon something that they thought was really strange. -Say, Tats, Darkie, have you ever saw any young looking Yuuki anywhere? I mean, he looks like Yuuki, but sometimes can be more... errr, muscular? Dunno! He looks someone who holds yon-dan... black belt thingy! Oh geez, I shouldn't have slept when Yuuki explained it to me...

-Darkie...? -Dorumon asked, quirking an eyebrow, but then chuckled. The nickname suited him, but only coming from his peer. Tatsuya then answered to the question with a negative. -Nope, sorry. Wait, mean young-looking... is he, by any chance, a lighter or darker version of you? Because we lived something similar with Ryouta in the Human World... -the teen asked.

-So, why don't we look for him... him... -he began speaking, but his breath froze as he saw something he wouldn't forget for a long time. A creature was running towards them. It was still far away, but he could discern its anatomy. Eight limbs, and a body structure similar to...

-No way! A giant spider?! -the teen shouted, startled. -And it is coming towards us!!!! -he said, thinking that it might be time to fight. In a split second, he had his D-3 out of his pocket, and scanned the thing. "Nephilamon. Armor level, Jungle Troopers"

As he looked at the information, he pointed the device at his partner. -Oh boy, not going to lose time asking if it's friendly or not! Dorumon!!!! -he said, a black orb coming out of the D-3, revealing a Digimental. -Digimental UP!

Dorumon then began orbiting the egg-like item in a shadowy space generated by the D-3's power.
-Dorumon! Armor shinka...! -he called out, as the Digimental collided with him. His body was then enveloped in a thick, dark purple, blaze-like shadow, as his limbs and body grew, resembling a big wolf. The dark aura dissipated as blades were formed in his paws, red crests covered various parts of his new body, and bat like wings emerged from both the back, embracing his white mane, and the back of the head, covering the sides of his snout.

As the shadowy aura dissipated, he leaped forward, before howling. -Ketsui no Kage! Sangloupmon! -the lupine monster called out as he darted towards the spider, probably followed by Yuuki. However, as he ran, his nostrils caught a... familiar scent? -"No way... that is..." -he thought, lowering his speed as he saw the spider-like monster do the same. Before Tatsuya could ask why, he spotted Mana atop the creature. His eyes then flickered between their surroundings. No sign of Charles whatsoever. Good, he didn't want to get into another argument because of that.

As the girl stepped down from her mount, and quickly waved hello to all of them. As Nephilamon did the same, the wolf-like creature grinned, showing his sharp fangs. -Heh. Hello, Ayaka -he said, as his mind was much more mature now that he had digivolved. As Mana attempted to hug Yuuki's partner, the lupine digimon directed his speech towards her. -Mana. About the other day, it was my fault. Tats was just trying to keep me at bay. I know he told you, but I didn't have the chance to -he stated in an icy voice. He cared nothing about it, anyways, but he knew he had gotten his partner in trouble, so he attempted to make up for it that day.

"Hmmm, that's true... When I'm seem to be in the greatest moment of doubting my own worth, 'he' appeared... 'he' told me many stuff about having faith... plus, 'he' told me about how I should have faith in lots of people... If I can't have faith in people, have faith in my friends... if I can't, then have faith in my sister... eventually, on what should I have faith to? It's rather confusing..." he scratched the back of his head, totally confused.

"Gee, Mana and Ayaka, you sure a quick grower! We're slower than you so slow down a bit!" Canisdramon joked. "But it's nice to see you two on your best form. Man, kids really grow up fast lately..."

"Shaddap, you're younger than she is," Yuuki retorted playfully. 

"Heh, killjoy. Ayaka is younger than me anyway. Well, who knows. Digimon's age is subject of questions, knowing how much they died, reformat, and reborn."

At the other lupine's remark, Canisdramon  grinned.

"Hey Tatsuya, I thought you're a martial artist? There's no shame in keeping battle scars. It proves you honor your opponent. Most of times, it proves that you survive that battle alright. Like this Darkie here, if he want to get stronger, he's bound to have one or two scars."

"Like you know what's being martial artist is about?" Yuuki joked.

"Meh, of course I know! I'm a warrior!" Canisdramon replied. "Eh, well, that aside, do you got any plan, four of you? I'm just thinking to tag along... I'm sure that's what Yuuki's thinking, too."

As Mana chuckled when he licked her, she told him that Ayaka would get rid of the scar if he just asked, the Sangloupmon denied the offer with a tilt of his head. He didn't want the plant-like Digimon to help him in any way: it would be a severe blow to his pride. Also... he had to admit that the scar fit him, and it was a good memento. -Think I'll pass. It's a good memory, right, Canisdramon? -he asked, his voice tone going from ice to his usual, average sound. Smiling and showing his bare, sharp fangs, he looked at the Canine Digimon.

Why did this change in his attitude take place, despite him thinking that Mana was nice again a second before? Well, maybe Tatsuya had forgiven Mana and Ayaka, but Sangloupmon hadn't forgotten that they had threatened both him and his partner, and that just sided them with that nasty Spirit Wielder. Although they were being nice to him again, he didn't trust them anymore, at least until they proved themselves. Someone that could change minds so fast... He didn't want to rely on anyone, and less in a person like that. Thus, he ignored Mana's comment on what would happen if they were to find his light self.

Whatever. He'd have to fake it, at least for a little longer. That was one of the major differences with his younger stages. As he matured, he started to understand his partner's actions as a way to gain allies, and potential friends, so he'd play along, but still be aggressive if he felt the tiniest disturbance. One day he would have his revenge against that Steamdramon, or whatever he had in store, and Mana, Ayaka, or even Tatsuya, wouldn't prevent it from happening.

Yuuki and Canisdramon were different, of course. They had proven themselves, and he deemed them worthy of his trust, specially the Digimon. He felt a strange bond with him, as if he was his light side. Maybe it was because they were from the same species? Who could know.
As Mana said that they were going back to the Village of Begginings, he felt something stinging on his head. What the hell did that mean? He was tired of shattered images coming to his brain every now and then.

In the meantime, Tatsuya had answered to Canisdramon's comment about a martial artist. -Yeah, I know. I was just thinking that it should've vanished as he returned to his younger form, but I guess I was wrong! Scars are another experience, although they can be mental, not physical, as well

Afterwards, he answered Mana's offering.
-Hmmm... I guess we could tag along, I mean, it's not like we have anything better to do. What do you say, Sangloupmon? -Tatsuya asked his partner
The Digimon snorted, and growled slightly. -I'd rather not go. Unwanted company, you know -he said, although then he realized that he wasn't talking about any of the people around him...

Strange, to say the least. -"The hell is wrong with me today...?" -Sangloupmon thought.