Chapter 4 Last Day

The truck arrived and the kids all got off and prepared to receive their single water bottle, only something was different. There were two people meeting with Mamemon, one was a BomberNanimon and a woman with silver hair wearing a red dress and a hat with a web design. Butch was the first to notice, he didn't recognize the woman but he knew the BomberNanimon.

"Who are those two," Dan asked when he took notice.

"That Bomber Nanimon is the head honcho that oversees the entire mining operation, the only person higher than him is the leader of Bai Hu. At least when it comes to the mines and factory, his name is Malcolm. He's Nanimon's older brother. As for the woman, I don't know...maybe a human from W.A.D.A.," Butch questioned. Mamemon then noticed Theos and his group. Theos frowned. She didn't give the same feeling as Max. And the head foreman.... something was off,

"Ah, here they are...oh boys," Mamemon said calling them over.

"Us," Dan questioned.

"I wonder what's up," Butch said and would follow Theos to Mamemon; the three looked at them.

"These are they, the new guys who have been absolutely killing it in the mines. The first to do it." Mamemon said praising them.

"These runts!?" Malcolm expressed, "Huh, I don't see what's so special about them! So, they've been exceeding expectations for two months? What's the story? I know those mines better than a mother knows their child. I know for a fact that newbies don't go on a string of sixty days and exceed their quota every single day. Unless, they found an ore vein and decided to keep it to themselves," Malcolm expressed.

Mamemon closed his eyes and smiled nervously, "I interrogated them every day, they swore to me they weren't." Malcolm looked at Mamemon, "Interrogated them huh!? You fool! I ought to blow you up from here to Bai Hu! Any young boy with a cute face could convince you of anything, stupid foreman. Had you truly done your job, Joe, I wouldn't be here," So Mamemon's name was Joe, Butch had been working here forever and this was the first time he had heard it. Joe, backed down twiddling his fingers. Butch had become concerned that they had figured it out. So, that was it, despite being careful they were still discovered. Something told Theos denying it would make things worse.

"Now now Malcolm dear, I'm sure the boys had a perfectly good reason. Perhaps this rare breed of Digimon had something to do with it? I haven't seen your kind in many many years. In fact, I saw two of them in my lifetime. I'm surprised your kind is still around. I'm very intrigued. My name is Ara, by the way," The tall woman said introducing herself. She could not keep her eyes off Theos. Malcolm seemed to calm down when she spoke however. Theos’s ears perked as she mentioned seeing his kind before. That in and of itself was amazing.

"Still....they must be punished for lying," Malcolm took out a small handheld TV and displayed the three boys going into their vein. "Had Joe thought to actually check our video feeds, this could have been an avoided trip," He stated, Joe whispered an apology in the background.

"Wh-what are you going to do" Dan asked; he immediately regretted not saying anything. Butch bit his lip in suspense.

"We will let you keep your private mining area, but because you lied for so long we're going to work you much much harder today. I already examined the work you did and you still have about one hundred ore left in that tunnel. You're going to mine every single one of them. Without a break," Malcolm exclaimed.

"You can't be serious! We will die," Butch said pumping his fist. Theos looked at the other two.... It was his fault. He was captain after all.

“Well then, I guess you had better use that water bottle wisely. It's the only one you're getting!" Malcolm yelled. "Tell you what, if you can bring fifty ore back before break is called, Joe here will give you more water. Fail by even one and you're out of luck." Dan had teared up and Butch cussed under his breath.

"I believe in you three, I think you'll do it." Ara said, "I'm sure we'll meet again real soon." Ara added. Ara said making Theos look at her questioningly.

"Your time started five minutes ago, what are you still doing up here! Get to work," Malcolm yelled. "As for you Joe...." His voice trailed off as the boys headed towards the freight elevator.

"I can't believe this is happening." Butch said clenching his fist. Theos wasn't as angry as Butch. Instead he was more worried... felt bad even. It was a different feeling being caught a liar than lying without no one’s knowledge. The guilt was a big difference.


"I knew we should have told them...." Dan said.

"Well what's done is done, we can't dwell on that now. This is our last day, we just have to do this one more time then we're free." Butch reminded, Dan perked up again, "Yea you're right.... you holding up okay Captain?" Dan asked.

"I'm alright," Theos said with a small smile. He still felt guilty but Butch was right. "Let's work extra hard and make them remember us." Theos said perking up a bit. He sat on the elevator his tail twitching nervously.

Fifty before break, that had to be their goal. Not one hundred but fifty. They could walk home if they went over the time on the second section. It was the first that was killer though. The idea of no water for several more hours would be their downfall if they didn't. They had to work hard for their sake.

Theos stepped out of the elevator as it stopped and made his way; head held high to their spot. He looked up at the camera and showed his defiance to them by raising his head and glaring before entering. They could do this.

Butch and Dan followed Theos into the workstation and looked around, they had gotten deep inside this tunnel from the first time they discovered it. They could see the remaining ore followed by a deep black tunnel, they had ignored it because they couldn't see the glimmer of ore so they had assumed it was a waste of time to explore it.

"So, we need fifty, we have to work together to get them all," Dan said.

"No," Butch replied making Dan glare at Butch.

"No? We've always done this together! That's how we've been so successful! How could you say no Butch," Dan angrily shouted. Butch turned and looked at Dan.

"We've only ever been able to gather twenty any given day working together! The walls were too thick to do alone, but now we've been tasked with gathering fifty! We will never get that much doing one at a time! I know it will be much harder to do it alone but if we give it our all and work through the pain, I'm sure we can gather enough if we pick three at a time," Butch argued.

"Stupid! You just said that the walls are too hard to work alone! We won't be able to get fifty that way! We should just work together and do what we've been doing," Dan yelled back.

"These walls are smooth! That means they’re not as hard as the stone we were working all month! I know what a good wall looks like and these are them! I'm saying we don't need to work together this one time! We divide and conquer," Butch and Dan argued very loudly.

"Together" Dan would say.

"Alone," Butch would reply. Theos looked between them as they argued. The stress was getting to them. His ears went back as he listened and looked to the walls in thought. "Gah, we're wasting time! Captain! You pick, what should we do? Working alone is the best way to ensure we gain much more then working together. If we just work a little harder, it's possible!"

Dan shook his head, "No, we should stick to what we've been doing and work together! Right Captain?" Dan said. They both looked passionately to their captain.

"Together...." Theos said softly. "We've always worked together even when we worked apart in the beginning. We are even going to work together in the future. Something as small as this cannot break us apart. If we learn the wall is soft enough we can work apart."

"If we don't make the fifty but are close. You two go up and get the water during the break. I'll finish mining whatever is left. It is my duty as your captain to make sure you both are alright no matter what. I'll make sure we make the quota. I'll do most of the work if I have to. I've done well in these conditions, so working harder should be no problem for me.... Now let's not waste time arguing," Theos said breaking off any arguments about what he said. This would be his first time putting his hoof down, but he was ready to do so. Dan smiled from ear to ear, Butch pouted and crossed his arms.

"This is a mistake," Butch expressed before taking out his sword and approaching the wall. Dan walked up to Butch and placed his claw on the hilt of his sword. Theos joining them.

"Don't worry, we will get it done, okay," Dan said trying to cheer him up.

Butch half smiled, "I hope for our sake, we're right." Butch lifted his sword and struck down with the might of his friends behind him. The blade cut through the wall rather easily, knocking an ore loose.

"See? Now it's my turn," Dan dug and out popped the ore. "We won't even need Theos to use his jaws to yank it out." Dan added.

"Yea...I suppose," Butch lifted his sword and tried to cut the wall himself and it cut better than in previous days, but not better than their combined strength. "Hmm..." Butch thought removing his blade from the wall.

"Okay let's go again. One down, forty-nine to go," Dan exclaimed. Butch smiled and looked at Dan.

"You sure you can count down from that high," He said jokingly.

"Hush you." Dan said puffing out his cheeks. Of course, the wall did not cooperate so well. Eventually, the three were struggling to get even one out of the wall. Time went by and they had amassed twenty-five in four hours.

"That makes.... twenty-five...." Dan would say after Theos yanked out the latest ore. Dan was tired and Butch was exhausted; his arms felt like noodles. Dan's claws were blistered and bleeding. The heat had intensified and their water supply was low.

"At this rate, we aren't going to make it..." Butch said laying on his back. "I don't know if my arms can swing anymore..." he added.

"We have to.... we don't have a choice." Dan said.

"I know.... we only have enough water for one more person." Butch said looking at their bottle. Theos looked at the bottle as well. He had drunk as little from it as possible.

"That's all," Dan said disappointed.

"Here Theos, you are our captain...you should drink it yourself...or give the last of it to who you think needs it the most," Butch handed Theos the bottle.

"I-I don't need it...I'll be fine." Dan panted.

"No... you should have it Dan. You're smaller and younger, you'll dehydrate," Butch said.

Dan looked at Butch, "You're doing most of the work...if anyone should have it, you should." Neither wanted to admit it, but both wanted the water. They tried not to look at Theos as to not sway his decision, however, they occasionally looked at him.

Butch stood up stretching his arms. "If we get close, I'll try and get more water by begging so just give it to Dan so we can get back to it," Dan shook his head and stood up as well, cringing from the pain on his claws. Begging? No doubt a favor from the foreman was what he was thinking. Something told him that would be a bad thing.

"No, if you pass out from dehydration, we can't use your sword. You should drink it," Dan said. Theos can tell from their faces they were both in need of a refresher.

Dan had a point. Without the sword, they couldn't cut through the wall. Theos looked at the wall.... they weren't going to get that fifty, not in time that is. They would be lucky to reach seventy-five by the end of the day.

If only he was strong enough to dig them all out himself. Still better not to dwell on what he can't do than what he can. They were given the task of mining one hundred ores.... from this room.

He looked down that tunnel they had ignored for so long. Were the walls softer? And it would be away from the magma. Maybe they could find ores down it. If not, at least it would be cooler than here.

"Here Butch," Theos said tossing the bottle. "Dan is right without your sword we can't take on such tough walls. Dan, you should rest for a bit till the bleeding stops. It does no good if you get light headed. Butch, you and I will be seeing if we can find softer walls with ore down there," he said pointing to their unexplored tunnel. Some gems were hidden, right? Despite it looking like a normal tunnel it was here when they got here so either something else dug it.... or it was naturally formed by lava or water.

"He said one hundred from our private room. So long as the cameras don't catch us leaving it if we can still get a hundred he can't complain," Theos said. If nothing else maybe they could find mineral water or something.... though his worst fear was nothing and that they wasted time.


Butch grabbed the bottle and looked at Theos, "Th-thank you.... captain." He took off the cap and drank the last of the water. Dan eyed him and was very disappointed, he knew that Butch was a smart decision but he still felt betrayed. It seemed when it really mattered, he was always second. Dan tried to shake these feelings of his, he was tired and dehydrated. He was not in the state of mind he needed to be in, he loved Theos and Butch, he wanted to remember that. Butch placed the bottle down and looked at Theos; feeling refreshed.

"Alright Captain, whether we continue working here or not. We are much too short so I'll go with you," Butch looked at Dan who had laid down on his belly at this point and looked at them. Butch frowned and looked back at Theos.

"Lead the way, Captain," Butch and Theos disappeared into the dark tunnel. Unfortunately, the two soon realized that the tunnel hadn't a sliver of light inside, outside from the entryways glow from the lava lake. It would be impossible to tell where they were going. They'd need to turn back almost as quickly as they went in, they didn't have the supplies to continue. Theos eyes adjusted in the shadows. He could make out faint shapes but it was still much too dark for comfort. Before long, Butch couldn't see at all. When they turned around to return, they could hear echoes from deep in the tunnel. It sounded very strange, like a conglomerate of movement. With it behind them they both moved quickly the way they had come. It was not a pleasant feeling to be prey. Dan was licking his claws and wincing as he did, he noticed his friends returning rather quickly and looked confused.

"What happened?" He asked.

"The tunnel is way too dark, there is no chance we can see let alone find ores in there without a light of some sort," Butch answered.

Dan smiled and rose painfully to his feet, "Well, my species burrows. Darkness like that is nothing, I can easily see in there. I'll go in the tunnel and look for ore and come back with what I find." Dan said.

"I don't think that is a good idea Dan, we won't be of any help inside that tunnel. It's too dangerous and your claws are in rough shape," Butch said.

"I'll be fine. I can handle it, we need to find more ore don't we," Dan said flinching slightly as he walked. He was leaving faded, bloody footprints behind as he did so. His blisters had burst.

Butch was uncomfortable, he thought about carrying Dan on his back but he'd be too heavy for either of them to carry for long.

"Captain....I can do this. Please, let me go look for the ore," Dan asked his eyes softening as he looked to Theos. Butch looked at Theos and shook his head no. He remained inaudible as to not upset Dan but Butch felt it would be bad if something were to happen. What would Theos choose? Should he protect Dan and keep him close and risk not finishing in time by mining this room? Or send him into the dark tunnel with an unknown outcome? Either way, he would need to choose.

"We'll all go," Theos said. He bent down and motioned Dan to get on his partially melted back. Hopefully he'd solidify a bit once away from the magma. And provide a bit of a cast for Dan's paws. "At this rate, we won't survive to one hundred anyway."

"Since it's decided to go together, Dan you'll have to walk us through it since we won't be able to see." Butch said, Dan shook his head when Theos motioned for him to climb on. He'd be much too heavy for Theos to carry, they were to close in size and Dan weighed the most out of all of them. It would do Theos more harm than Dan good and he didn't want that.

"Thanks Captain, but I'll walk," Dan said.

"Your feet are in rough shape," Butch said, Dan smiled.

"I'll be fine. I want to be useful. I won't let these wounds slow me down," Dan tried to walk forward but was a bit wobbly. Butch pressed up against him on one side.

"At least lean into us, and use us as a crutch. We will walk together in unison," Butch said and Theos joined him on Dan's other side. Dan would close his eyes and rub his head against their furs.

"The feel of fur.... your furs....is unlike anything. It's my favorite in the whole world," Dan said. "Butch's soft fluffy fur and Theos' smooth silk like fur."

Butch returned the compliment with a smile, they would begin their trek into the tunnel. It would be twenty minutes of silence, except for the occasional direction change from Dan.

"It's gotten much cooler since we've gotten away from the lava," Butch said breaking the silence.

Dan nodded, "It makes moving easier." Butch looked at him.

"Do you want to try walking on your own?" Butch asked.

Dan shook his head, "I like being this close to the two of you. I can hear your heartbeats. It's comforting," Dan replied. The constant thumping of another's heart. It was comforting, wasn't it? Especially when one couldn't see very far if at all. It gave a sense of time and let you know you're alive even though it felt like nothing was there beyond that noise.

"You say the strangest things sometimes Dan," Butch said.

Dan giggled, "Hey, remember last night? When I asked you guys who you liked?" Butch looked down at him, "I was thinking this whole time. My special someone. I want it to be you two. There is no one else in the universe that could make me any happier." Dan said. Butch wasn't sure Dan understood what a special someone meant.

"What are you saying? Just focus okay," Butch replied.

"Heh heh, sorry...just being in between you two like this. It is very uplifting and I don't get that feeling from my brothers. They're hardly ever home after all. I just thought I'd tell you in case..." Dan was interrupted by Butch. Just in case.... Theos hated the thought. He smelled the blood and knew too much lost and it would be over for Dan. They should find a way to bandage him. Even if it was temporary.

"Shut up. Don't finish that sentence. I won't let anything happen to either of you. I was weak when I was captain, when I oversaw my friends.... I made bad choices which resulted in their deaths.... I was trying to survive...but...I was trying to survive alone. I didn't realize that until it was too late. I made decisions based on instinct and it led to terrible things happening." Butch said.

"So, I closed off my heart and became cold. It didn't help, I still couldn't be a good leader. I got more of my friends killed because of it. People started to fear me, and they kept saying I butchered my friends all so I could live. It wore me down but then I embraced it. I changed my name to Butch....because I wanted people to fear me. I worked the mines alone for a long time, then two happy faces came along....and it reminded me of a happier time. I wanted to warn these happy faces and show them the reality of life. The reality of the mines, instead, they destroyed my walls one after the other until I trusted them with everything that I was. I made a vow to run away with them, to a happier place so we can do good together. So, I can run away from Butch the killer." Butch said. "I won't let anything stand in the way of that." Butch said. Theos listened in silence. Butch had done a lot of growing in these mines. He couldn't afford to make mistakes. They cost lives down here and he was so young to have such a responsibility. In truth Theos was young....and his mistake...it just might cost them theirs.

"What is it?" Dan asked.

"Hm?" Butch replied.

"Your real name.... what is it," Dan asked.
Butch smiled, "My real name is Kemba. In my village, it means, noble soul." He answered.

"Kemba...." Dan thought on it, "It's a very pretty name." Dan said.

"I don't think pretty is the right word for it...." Kemba said, he'd be quite flush but the darkness covered it very well.

"Should we call you Kemba then," Dan asked.

"Whatever suits you..." he replied. Suddenly, the three of them were blinded by a sudden burst of light around the corner.

"Wha--?" Dan said, when they recovered, they would find themselves in an open room with several small tunnels from the bottom to the ceiling. Theos was blinking rapidly; his eyes adjusting.

"Where are we...?" Dan asked. Suddenly, they could see in front of them a whole mess of ore that was laying in an abandoned cart in the center of the room that had many tunnels leading in different directions.

"It's a cart of ore!!" Dan said finding the strength to run to it. Theos and Kemba would finally notice that Dan's feet were bleeding profusely. He had not said anything during their entire walk, but he was leaving full prints in blood.

"D-Dan... your feet!" Kemba said and Dan turned around. Theos looked to what Kemba had pointed out. That was bad. How much blood had he lost?

"Y-Yea....the wound opened up a while ago...." He said.

"Why didn't you say anything!?" Kemba yelled.

"I didn't want to burden you...we had come so far.... the pain isn't so bad..." Dan said drooping down.

"We need to get you help!" Kemba exclaimed.

"But the ores...." Dan said.

"To hell with the ores! You're more important to us!" Kemba exclaimed.

Just then, a loud sound of chattering could be heard. It was the same sound as before, only it was terribly loud and it was closing in fast. Theos looked towards the tunnel it was coming from. His head and ears forward and alert.

"Wh-What is that?" Dan asked.

"Nothing good...." Kemba said. Glowing beady eyes could be seen all around them and soon out of the holes came the predatory spiders, Kodokugumon. They were very small but were swarming in by the hundreds.

"Kodokugumon! These are the spiders that hunt the miners when they get to close to the nest! They must have been using the ores here as bait for us," Kemba stated while drawing his sword. He ran over to Dan and stood in front of him while eyeing the room. The spiders were preparing to attack.

"This is seriously bad...." Dan said.

"Don't worry, they're very weak. We will cut through them and get out of here. Right Captain?" Kemba asked smiling at him.

"Hit and run tactics. We have to retreat if we are near a nest," Theos said taking up position beside Butch. "Back up towards one of the tunnels they didn't come from," Theos said. He then ran forward biting into one of the nearest spiders before fleeing back with a hop. Taking up a position in front of Dan again. Slowly he backed up encouraging Dan to do the same. This would continue with him and Kemba taking turns to go out and attack then retreat lining up back to back with Dan behind them. Kemba worked alongside Theos, slashing through the spiders one after another. They were dissipating into data as they were killed.

"It's working Captain," Kemba exclaimed.

Dan tried to fight as well biting into any spider that got close. He looked up at one of the tunnels and saw something glimmering. His superior vision could perceive a gold ore, and he remembered exactly what Kemba had told them. That gold ore was so rare, that it would surely count for a hundred pieces!

"W-Wait! I see something," Dan began to run towards the ore.

"Dan!" Kemba exclaimed. "Stay with us!" He shouted.

"It's okay! It's gold ore! I see gold ore," He said heading in front of them. Suddenly, the entire swarm of spiders changed direction towards Dan. It then hit them, the spiders could smell the blood. Dan was the only one in danger. Theos watched in horror as Dan ran off on his own. No matter what, they had to stick together. Luckily, he didn't go far and though he could make out what they were saying, his focus was elsewhere; mainly the hoard of spiders.

"They're after him...not us!" Kemba ran towards Dan.

"Dan! They're after you! Dan!" Kemba yelled. Dan made it to the ore and began to dig, ignoring his injury. He worked through the pain but thankfully, it was not hard stone that housed it. He jarred it free as Kemba and Theos fought to protect him. Theos bucked kicking one while biting upon another hopping out of the way as one retaliated.



"I got the ore.... huh?" a hot pocket of steam shot out of the hole and with it, a drastic rise in temperature.

"Oh no..." Kemba ran, grabbing Dan by the tail and pulling him.

"Theos! It's a lava vein! We gotta run for it," Kemba yelled. Dan tried to run as best he could, Kemba kept Dan close to himself as Dan held the gold ore in his mouth. Just as Kemba called out, a fierce hiss sounded in the tunnel. Theos saw the white fur rush by with their golden friend. He bolted forward hopping on one of the spider’s head as he followed. He raced ahead quickly unencumbered by the toting Dan. He chanced a glance back as the tunnel lit up with a reddish hue. Kemba would bat away spider after spider, just as Theos was doing. Suddenly, the hole that they departed from burst with a strong flow of lava, collapsing the entire wall and a flood of lava came pouring in. It erased the cart of ore and killed countless spiders. It was gushing fast. The spiders began to flee for their lives, escaping into the holes and abandoning their hunt. The sounds of sizzling spiders hitting Theos’s ears, the rest scattering. His gaze went forward again, the ground beneath him shaking with each step. The countless webs of the spiders clinging to their bodies.

The boys reached a ramp and began to run up a cliff side, the lava quickly following behind. They made it about halfway up when the structural integrity began to fail. The stone broke away behind them, falling into the lava. As they were running, the path in front of them crumbled as well. Leaving a sizeable gap between themselves and the safety of the high ground. As the ground broke up and steam hissing at them. Theos felt as if this was all happening in slow motion. His hooves beat all the harder as he leaped with his strong legs to safety. Kemba a step behind him.

"Jump," Kemba said leaping to the cliff and making it, he'd wait for Dan who couldn't make the jump with the ore he was carrying.

"Take the ore," Dan said taking the ore from his mouth.

"No! Drop it and let's go," Kemba yelled.

"With this, you can go join W.A.D.A., I've been nothing but a burden to you both.... please take the ore and grab the future we talked about," Dan pleaded.

"Dan! I can't do that without you......we can't do that without you! You're our..............our special someone to! Dan, we need you!" Kemba looked at Theos.

"Captain, bite my tail and keep me from falling, I'm gonna lean over and give him a better reach," Theos didn't waste any time, taking Kemba’s lithe tail into his mouth. His hooves digging into the ground to prevent them from falling in; Kemba would cringe at the pain of having his tail bit and lean over.

"Dan.........please!" Kemba reached his paw out, the searing heat rising the lava below burning away the last remaining piece of earth to which Dan stood. Dan looked at the ore and then at his friends, making a decision. He dropped the ore and leaped just as the ground beneath him crumbled into the newly formed bed of lava. The golden gleam of the ore, faded as it sank. Kemba grabbed Dan by both of his arms.

"Captain, pull us up!" Kemba cried out. Theos used all his strength and hoisted his friends from certain death. They had escaped the danger, for now. They were laying down to catch their breath when Dan looked at Theos and Kemba.

"Thanks......." He said with a smile.

"Yea....just.... don’t do that EVER again...." Kemba replied. There was still the matter of Dan's wounds. "Gosh Dan.....you call me stupid but you're not very bright." Kemba said. Dan gave a half smile as Kemba looked over his wound.

"There is so much blood, I can't tell how severe it is." He said. "Why don't you lick them clean then?" Dan teased. Kemba turned a bit red and bonked Dan on the head.

"What are you saying dummy! Don't say such stupid things!" Dan closed an eye and stuck out his tongue with a smile.

"What about you captain?" Dan said teasing Theos as well.

"You're hopeless, lucky for you, I thought quickly when we ran past those spiders. I grabbed some of their web while we were fighting. It's strong like steel and will stop the bleeding. It should make a fine temporary bandage for the time being." Kemba treated Dan's wounds as best he could.

Dan stood up and looked around at their surroundings, just a single tunnel, "There is only one way to go." Dan said looking forward.

"Yea, we somehow made it back to our side of the mine." Kemba said pointing to the cave, "This tunnel will take us directly to the elevator." Kemba said.

"Well that won't do us no good would it," A voice called out from the dark above.

"Who's there!?" Kemba yelled, Dan looked up at the voice. Suddenly, a much bigger spider came down from its web and landed blocking off their exit.

"I can't have our lunch escaping," It was still a Kodokugumon but this one was the size of Dan. "You have some serious luck finding a lava vein like that, oh well, more for me. I'm a growing boy after all. heh heh heh." The spider said. Kemba pulled out his sword and held it up. Dan glared at the bug. Theos snarled his fangs coming into view. Though he could imagine they were not that terrifying as chipped as they were from the mines. "Oh, you'll find me much more of a challenge than my cousins. Don't think you can beat me so easily. Not after I'm so close to a three-course meal...." It began to hiss as it moved closer. "Captain, we have no choice but to fight!" Kemba said.

"I'll help," Dan exclaimed.

"Don't over exert yourself." Kemba replied. Their enemy would excrete a web directly at them to pin them quickly, Dan would leap out of the way and so would Kemba.

Instead of leaping away Theos leaped forwards. Over the webbing and towards the spider's head. If he landed on it he would stomp his hooves down. He just had to distract it for them to get a hit in. It may be stronger, but they had numbers. It couldn't dodge them all if they kept attacking one after another and from different directions.

The KoDokugumon leaped with surprising speed to dodge Theos simple attack, it hissed and shot a string of web from its butt towards Theos, to snag him when he landed.

"Captain," Kemba called out running towards the spider with his sword drawn. He jumped into the air and threw the sword at the web, cutting it before it could make contact. He jumped into the spider's side tackling him away, the spider flew but caught himself on the wall.

Dan looked at him and rolled into a ball, "Rolling Stone!" Dan rolled towards the spider but, he was inexperienced and was redirected by their enemy’s headbutt counterattack. He flew at Kemba who took the attack instead of dodging as to not let harm come to Dan, they both went sliding to a stop.

"Dan, are you okay?" Kemba stood up holding onto Dan.

"I'm fine...he's much stronger than me..." Dan said drooping down.

"Just support us from behind." Kemba ran towards his sword picking it up.

"I wonder......who should I kill first?" It said crawling into the darkness above.

"I-I can't see it...." Kemba said looking around frantically. Dan was glaring hard into the dark and saw a glimmer of its teeth.

"Captain! It's directly above you!" Dan yelled out, the spider came dropping down fast; it's jaws wide open. Theos looked up and rolled over.

"You'll do fine!!" It went to bite into Theos. Theos kicked up with his hooves at the spider's head. Letting its momentum and his strength deal the damage. Theos hit the Kodokugumon when it came down, the force of the hit sent the spider flipping backwards. He recovered quickly, using the momentum of the kick to do a complete somersault. Theos then rolled onto his side and put some distance between them before baring his fangs again. He approached slowly, his ears down. Ready to dodge to either side but at the same time to launch forward to bite it. Theos eyed it's many legs. Should it attack him outright he’d hop away. However, should it wait on him, he'd nip at its legs and then flee. Hoping it's full attention would be on him so one of the others could attack. He had no trouble playing the bait.

"Good going Captain!" Dan yelled, Kemba ran in to support Theos. It didn't seem like Theos was doing enough damage alone. The spider eyed Theos as he approached slowly but was also able to see Kemba and Dan thanks to its many eyes.

"It seems at least two of you know how to fight.... this makes things a bit more difficult. However," The spider lashed forward running at top speed, Theos dodged but Kemba held up his sword, it glowing with a blue hue.

"Aurora Blazer!" Kemba slashed at the oncoming spider with his sword charged with energy. The spider jumped over Kemba at the last moment, leaping past him and towards Dan.

"I know a weak link when I see one...." The KoDokugumon hissed as it approached Dan.

"Dan!" Kemba called out.

Dan saw the approaching spider but was not afraid. "You want me! Come get me!" Dan said.

"Gladly!" The spider hissed as it approached quickly, widening its mouth to bite Dan. Dan curled up into a ball, hiding in his shell.

"Rigid Block!" KoDokugumon bit Dan, his teeth scraping on Dan's shell.

"This shell is shiny and durable! It's the captains favorite! You'll never harm me as long as I have it!" Dan yelled. The spider hissed, and Kemba was approaching from behind.

"You're all such a pain!!" The spider shot a string of web from its behind towards Kemba who swiftly dived to the right and approached the spiders right side. The KoDokugumon tried to move to avoid Kemba's obvious attack but he took his attention from Dan and Dan had come out of his defense and grabbed hold of their opponent. "Wha!?" He said in surprise. "HYAAAAAAH!" Kemba drove his sword into the spider's side; it screamed and agony.

It leaped away from the two and towards Theos, not on purpose, he was in such pain and trying to avoid a follow up attack that he put himself in the line of Theos without thinking. Theos would be given a clean, open shot. Kemba and Dan both smiled when they realized the spider's grave error.

It had no idea how close he was. Theos took this opportunity to jump onto it's back his teeth going for the neck. It was kill or be killed. His weight alone should make it nearly impossible for the spider to move as he bit in. He had no trouble with the idea of killing. KoDokugumon twitched as Theos fangs seeped into its neck. It's green blood staining Theos fangs and mouth. It laid on the ground no longer speaking or moving. Once Theos released his vice grip, the spider’s data began to break apart as it bled out. Kemba and Dan cheered as Theos made his way towards them spitting out its blood from his mouth.

"So fierce Captain. Ha ha." Dan said earning an agreement from Kemba. “Way to show that bug what for!” As they were celebrating what they presumed to be a victory, a melody of a flute could be heard, echoing from an unknown location. Of course, they didn't know what a flute was. Kemba's ears twitched at the sound.

"What a nice sound," Dan said humming along to it. It was a sweet melody, but it was not meant for them. Suddenly, the KoDokugumon stirred back to life rising to its feet, it's mandibles clattering together.

"What the!?" Dan pointed it out being the first to notice. Kemba lifted his blade at the sudden movement.

"How? Its data is returning to its body!" Kemba clenched his teeth.

"Maybe it's the sound?" Dan questioned. Theos had to agree it was the only thing that was new that could be causing this.

"It has to be. It's restoring his strength." Kemba added. Just as the melody stopped, the KoDokugumon was covered with light.

"KoDokugumon...." Their eyes widened as the light got bigger and bigger until it burst away.

"Dokugumon," The newly adult form hissed at the boys, striking fear into them.

"I...it evolved?" Dan said. Kemba's paw was shaking as he held the grip of his blade.

"I..it was dead though...how could this have happened," Kemba said as the massive predator began to make its way towards them. The fear etched in Kemba’s voice was etched on all their hearts for sure.

Theos was their captain....and as their captain he'd protect them no matter what. Theos gained some courage at the thought and quickly thought of a plan.

"The magma," Theos said to them quietly then ran forward. His goal to get underneath it and nip at its legs to try and herd it away. Though he might be crushed if he went directly underneath so he would remain towards the outskirts of the belly so he could hop away.

Kemba looked at Theos and how he wasn't frightened by Dokugumon, instead Theos had a plan. The magma he whispered, but how could they get such a powerful opponent into the magma? It seemed an impossible task, but one thing was certain. They couldn't just roll over and die, they had too much to live for. They were going to live together and join W.A.D.A. They were going to make a difference in the world as best friends. No way could they be killed here. It was an impossibility for them. Kemba, thinking these things was able to chase away the fear in his heart and he looked at Dan.

"Dan...." He was going to try and encourage Dan but it looked like Dan did not need it at all. He felt the same way, and seeing their captain rush out to certain danger was not something he was going to let Theos do alone.

"Let's do this!" Dan said and Kemba smiled before turning around at Dokugumon to which Theos was nipping at, attempting to get its attention.

Dokugumon eyed Theos and turned so that his mighty jaws were facing him, it released a stream of paralytic poison gas from its mouth to prevent Theos from running. The stream branched outward, as it got further from Dokugumon’s mouth. Theos backed away from the menacing looking mist. His nose catching a whiff large enough to make him choke. His body going steadily numb. He continued to try to back up only to have his legs buckle out. He couldn't feel them; his body was numb and paralyzed. His head hanging slightly even as his eyes struggled to stay on his friends and what they did.

Meanwhile, Kemba leaped onto the spider's back and began to stab at it with his sword and Dan ran up to one of its legs and bit as hard as he could into it. The spider was unharmed and lifted the leg Dan was biting and kicked him away, Dan bounced a few feet from Dokugumon and came to a sliding stop, his eyes closed tightly from the pain. Then Dokugumon with its powerful legs, jumped high into the air with Kemba on his back, smashing him into the ceiling above.

"Gah hah!" Kemba cried under the weight of the spider and wall. He came falling back down landing head first into the ground. Dokugumon would land near Theos and lash its body towards him with his jaws facing little Theos. Theos growled a bit or tried to. He heard it in his mind but couldn't tell if he succeeded. It lunged at him and he tried with all his might to move. That instant being defining however all he managed to do was roll a bit. It's fangs catching him and making him yelp from his despair and pain. Tears welled up in his eyes and he blinked them away only for them to be replaced with more. He looked behind the spider to Kemba and Dan.

Kemba raised his head looking at Dokugumon, "He's too hard...." Kemba said clenching his paw together.

"Captain....we gotta help him..." Dan said rising to his feet and walking back over to Kemba, grabbing his friend’s sword on the way. Kemba used Dan to help get himself to his feet.

"My sword just bounced off his body. How could we possibly hurt him?" Kemba said. Dan handed Kemba his sword.

"We will think about that together, first we need to rescue Theos." Dan replied making Kemba nod.

"Together," Theos breathed.... mouthed.... did his mouth even move at all? His gaze rested on the sword. His mind was getting fuzzy....

Dokugumon had done it, he managed to grab Theos in his jaws; his teeth resting on the child's flesh. He could feel the young digimon's muscles relaxing as the paralytic toxin took hold, he liked the taste. He wanted to enjoy it, it was so good. The texture of the fur brushing against his mouth was unlike anything he had tasted before. It was causing him to salivate over and over, it dripped onto Theos lower half; the half inside of Dokugumon's mouth, beginning the digestion.

Theos' willed his body to move. He tried to snarl.... anything. And yet all he could do was lie there, his body unable to do more than feel.... feel the slimy texture of its saliva coating him. Making him wet and moving him about its mouth as it hummed in enjoyment. His front half limp and his gaze upon the ground. Theos' muscles couldn't struggle but he could still feel everything, the saliva oozing down the sides of his body and buttocks. His hoofed hind feet resting on the beast's tongue, unable to respond to Theos' will. Dokugumon was enjoying the taste so much he had become motionless, as if he himself had become paralyzed. His entire focus was on the helpless creature half inside his jaw, it was euphoric. Dokugumon wanted the taste to last forever, he began moving his tongue, licking the half of Theos inside. Its tongue running along his lower belly and sheath as it curled around him slightly. Theos could hear the spider making a noise that could be equated to humming.

Dokugumon wanted more to taste, it decided it wanted to taste the blood of his prey, it slowly pressed its jaws into Theos. The pressure of the jaws could be felt on Theos stomach and back, the pricking sting of the teeth beginning to borrow into his flesh. Why Dokugumon did not bite his hardest and end it was the only thing Theos could wonder in what felt like an eternity. The dark rocks being the last thing he sees? That can't be right.... his hide came to life with a pricking pain. The mouth was warm as was but it seemed to grow warmer. The pain that prickled his hide going from sharp to a constant dull sensation with each pump of blood. His ears picked up on a faint noise. He was losing consciousness slowly.... the edges of his vision faded.

This would lead to Dokugumon's downfall, but not before the warm touch of Theos life; pooling in a small amount on Dokugumon's tongue sent the spider into paradise. The blood ever so slightly making its way out of Theos and down the throat of this beast whenever it swallowed. Perhaps this was how Dokugumon felt, moments before Theos bit into him? A thought that could cross his mind. Dokugumon wanted this new drink to last as long as he could, so the wound he inflicted was not deep or life threatening but it allowed for the blood to trickle out.

Every so often he would press a little harder, sinking his gargantuan mandibles into Theos lower half but never hard enough to break the child's spine or ribs. It held its head high with Theos' front half for all to see. The spider was in such a joy that he had forgotten, there were three and was snapped out of his euphoria by the sound of his enemies. Theos vision brightened up however. The new sensation of light entering his eyes awoke him a bit. Dokugumon noticed too late however and turned his head to see Dan and Kemba grabbing Kemba's sword. A blueish hue erupting for the blade.

"You disgusting, filthy, son of a bitch!" Kemba said with anger emanating from his eyes, Dan had tears rolling down his face.

"Let go of Theos! Right this instant! He is my captain!" Dan yelled.

"He's our friend!" Kemba added.

"He's our brother!!!" They both yelled together, the blades blueish hue becoming a form of bright energy. They slashed down and released the energy of their love formed by Kemba's abilities. The energy ripped through the ground, causing it to become unstable. Dokugumon had stopped enjoying his meal watching this energy head straight for him. It was very beautiful, it was the most beautiful light that it had ever witnessed. It was so pure that it could even dim the sun. Dokugumon could not move, it was in shock. The energy collided with the spider's side causing it to release Theos into the air, the spider let out a mighty roar that shook the cavern. It disappeared into the blue light that engulfed it. Theos was still airborne and headed for the ground, Kemba threw away his sword, and jumped towards his best friend in midair. The freedom...Theos could feel nothing as he passed through the air. It was like floating in water almost, only he could breath and he was falling down not up.

"THEOOOOOOOS!" Kemba yelled as he grabbed him, of course not being that much bigger, he was hurdling back alongside Theos. Dan then jumped up and grabbed Kemba who held Theos and they slid to a halt, just before reaching the cliff side. Theos felt paws wrap around him and for some reason he felt peaceful despite the pain and the jarring movement. His eyes closed and he rested. Kemba held Theos close, holding his head to his breast and putting his head on Theos' own; crying into Theos' cheek.

"Don't die...please don't die." Kemba begged. Dan positioned himself on Theos' opposite side and embraced him tightly there resting his head on Theos breast, also crying into it.

"Captain...." Dan cried. "You can't die. okay? You can't...Theos you’re too important to us." Dan said.

"It's because of you, I was able to take down my walls." Kemba said.

"It's because of you I was able to enjoy working...because you kept your promise!" Dan said. "We need you, captain!" Dan exclaimed nuzzling his face deep into his captain's chest his tears staining Theos fur. Kemba closed his eyes as he squeezed Theos tighter his tears dripping off his face and running down Theos' cheek.

"We love you." Kemba said. The two boys wept as Theos would begin to regain movement as the paralytic poison had passed through his system.

"I need a bath," Theos mumbled as he regained some feeling. Just enough to let them know he was alive. His eyes were still half closed. "Together..." he said. It was a thought he had had went getting eaten at first by the spider. Right now, his mind was hazy and its meaning was lost on him. Though he could feel it in his bones somehow like it was always there and always will be. His hoof twitched as he tried to reach out to his friends. Even though they were right beside him.

Dan's crying switched from sorrow to joy as he still wept in Theos chest, Kemba removed his face from Theos and looked at him; his eyes softened to a relieved stare. They shook with happiness as his tears pooled at the sides.

Kemba smiled as he looked down at him, "Yo...you're alive...." He said hugging his friend tighter, bringing his face back down. "I thought I lost another one.... but you're alive.... I don't ever want to let go." Kemba said, his paws trembling from the relief.

Dan took his head from Theos chest and sniffled as he wiped his red puffy face, "I'm so happy." Dan said when his ears picked up movement behind them, he turned to see Dokugumon rising to his feet, it's eyes glaring red.

"My meal.... I will have iiiiiiiiiiit." It hissed as it began to approach, a green fluid running off its side as the attack from earlier was just enough to wound it. Two was not enough to win...but perhaps if their loved one shared his energy, then this battle could be won. Just one more slash to end it all. The combined powers of Theos, Kemba and Dan. Their passion and drive, their will to live together and the strong bond they had created. If only Dokugumon knew, he'd not be so willing to stand again, but Theos left an insatiable taste in his mouth and it would stop at nothing to finish eating what it started.

Dan turned and went in front of Theos his eyes glaring deeply at the beast. "I'll die before I let you touch Theos again!" Dan said. Kemba looked up at the spider and put Theos' head down gently and rose to his feet, he walked over and picked up his sword.

"Even if you stomp on our legs, we will use our hands to strangle you," Kemba said.

"If you break our arms, we will bite you to death!" Dan added.

"In other words, you better make damn sure we're not moving if you want Theos again," Kemba lifted his sword and pointed it at Dokugumon who began to pick up speed. Dan placed his claw on the hilt and Kemba began to draw the energy back into the blade.

"It ends here!" Dan said.

"Dokugumon!" Kemba finished. The blue hue began to glow again. They stood their ground with Theos behind them and would not budge an inch, this was it. The final showdown.

Theos could hear their determination. He didn't know why but the words they spoke, it empowered him. The two shadows surrounded in a blue hue they etched in his mind. These were his friends. He ached to reach out for them. To become closer with them. Were his legs moving it was hard to tell but their shadows grew bigger.

Dokugumon was charging them, remnants of Theos' blood mixed with Dokugumon's saliva flying through the air as it roared. Dan and Kemba were ready, they would not let this monster kill Theos, no, not without them to. They weren't going to dodge, this was it. Their resolve was set and their determination was written in their eyes just when they were prepared, Theos reached out his hoof touching a familiar metal. It's warm pulsing beneath his hoof. He smiled a bit. Dan and Kemba looked in surprise as they saw their captain add his power to theirs. The sword seemed to sing as it's blue hue became deeper and the blade seemed to expand.

"You think I'll let you hit me with that!?" Dokugumon yelled preparing to dodge and end this but luck was not on his side, the attack from before made the cliff side unstable, and as such, the ground gave way under one of Dokugumon's feet and he became stuck within inches of the boys. "N-no!!!" It hissed.

"We got this," Theos said wearily but he puffed his chest out all the same. He wasn't sure how long he would be able to remain upright though. His legs wobbled slightly. Those words rang in Kemba and Dan's ears and they smiled turning their head back to their foe. Kemba, Theos and Dan moved with the rising of the sword in one fluid motion, and then all three of them brought the sword down with a unified battle cry and the blade let loose it's attack towards the unfortunate spider.

"This is the real power of my Aurora Blazer! The power of a weapon-class digimon," Kemba said as the spider disappeared within the light screaming in utter agony as the energy burned its flesh. Theos closed his eyes the light blinding after so much darkness. Even now with his eyes closed his eyelids glowed. He didn't have to see to know that they hit it when the sword swung down. They couldn't possibly miss such a large foe. The mine trembled as the energy erupted until it finally dissipated and left the Dokugumon face first on the ground with streams of data flowing off its body and into the air. Its glowing eyes had been darkened and its movements halted, the battle had been won. As the light disappeared from his eyes, Theos opened them. The darkness just as blinding as the light had been. He blinked while his eyes readjusted to the darkness. His back legs wobbled from under him and he sat down rather heavily. Kemba was at his side in an instant allowing him a place to prop himself on.

"We did it captain.... we really did it," Kemba had teared up again. The adrenaline left Theos whole body aching as it slowly vanished along with whatever remained of the poison.

Dan smiled and let out a laughter and laid down on his belly. "Oh boy...all that excitement...I forgot how thirsty I was...and I've expended so much of my energy.... I seriously hope we can go home now," Dan said.

Kemba held Theos close and let out a sigh, he turned red a bit when proposing his next question given the awkward location of Theos' wounds, "Hey Captain...can I inspect your wounds? I want to make sure you're not in danger of dying on us." He would give a gentle smile to his friend as Theos could finally relax.

"I'm okay, but you can if you want. It was mainly that poison that got me so bad," Theos said smiling. "After we rest up a bit let's head home," He was sure if they were already late his grandpa would be worried. He had a promise to keep to him as well....in fact the only one he hadn't made a promise to yet was Kemba.

"I promise to always be at your side," Theos said nuzzling him. One of protection over Dan...one of life over Jared....and now one of companionship with Kemba. He made promises too easily didn't he. Theos surprised and embarrassed Kemba with his words out of nowhere.

"Wh-what are you saying? Don't be dumb......you don't have to promise me that," Kemba said as he was nuzzled, "You sound like Dan." Kemba moved to inspect Theos backside for his own peace of mind. The wounds were not deep, and had already stopped bleeding. It was likely thanks to Theos unique physiology.

Kemba looked up at Theos, "Besides spider spit all over your rump, the teeth marks aren't anything to worry about. Guess he wanted to eat you slowly, how horrible of him." Kemba rose to his feet. Theos wouldn't call it horrible after all because of that he was still alive.

Dan smiled at his two friends, "Well...maybe we can all spend the night again tonight. Kemba's bath is much bigger than anything I have," He said laughing.

"You're just saying that cause you like my home," Kemba said. Dan stuck out his tongue in response. "In any case, my home is open to you two anytime. Anything I own is yours to use as you like," Kemba added then reached down to help Theos back to his feet. Theos got up on wobbly legs with Kemba's help. He managed to stand on his own though after a few seconds.

"Can I own your fur," Dan asked. Kemba glared at him.

"Don't make me bop you," Kemba replied.

"You said anything you own, didn't you? He he he," Dan began to rise to his feet as well.

"Wise ass." Kemba said.

Dan laughed, "In any event, I'm holding you to those words," Dan said.

"We both will cause I need a bath," Theos said smiling as he started back towards their mining area. "Shall we go talk to Malcolm and Ara so we can go home?" He asked with a confident posture. He wasn't sure they could handle them but they have survived through today. Talking it out with the pair couldn't be any more dangerous than taking down that Dokugumon.

Kemba sighed, "Yea....talking to those two will be the easiest thing we've had to do today." Kemba said following Theos towards the exit.

"Coming Dan?" Kemba said calling out to him.

"Yea!" Dan stood but his legs were wobbling, "That....is weird.... I feel so weak....my body...won't listen." Dan said. Was his body weak from lack of water....and blood loss. His claws had been bleeding badly earlier. Theos turned to go back and help him up when he heard a stirring.

Just as Kemba was approaching the exit, he heard rumbling behind them, in that moment the rumbling under their feet caused Kemba to feel uneasy. Their fallen opponent, their beaten prey had regained consciousness. It was fatally wounded, but some force had kept it from dissipating all at once. The Dokugumon's black orb eyes, flashed to life. It used all its remaining power to jump forward towards Dan who had not moved from the spot he was standing on. Kemba and Theos had already passed the Dokugumon and was moments from the exit, neither would be able to spring into action fast enough, even if they had the energy. Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion, the dying insect's final act. The horn on his head had caught little Dan on its stem and was dragging Dan through the air with Dokugumon. They flew, over the side of the cliff side towards the magma pool below. Kemba and Theos' could see the fear in Dan's eyes and face Dan’s gaze widened and tears were flowing into the air one droplet at a time. They witnessed him unable to say anything as the creature brought him over the edge, his lips just wording the syllable "Hel...." before disappearing.

Theos broke into a run, it all happened so fast though. He felt like he was moving through syrup trying to catch something he could never catch. They disappeared and he stopped in place his mind going for the worst. That he failed....

Kemba's heart dropped into his stomach and all he could do was yell Dan's name as it echoed loudly. Kemba ran at top speed towards the cliff side and looked down to see the backside of Dokugumon disappear into the lava. He was gone for good this time, burned to ash by the magma. Kemba shook and was hyperventilating as he looked desperately for Dan among the molten lake. It felt like time had stopped and his eyes flowed endlessly with tears, but just after a few minutes of frantically searching, it would not be Kemba who noticed Dan, but Theos. He walked over slowly and looked down his eyes noticing a dark spot in the lava.... a rock and thankfully Dan was on it. He let out a sigh of relief as he tried to calm his pounding heart.

A stone that had survived the lava and was just tall enough to poke from its surface. Dan had hit his head and was knocked out, the stone floated down the lake because of the ripples of Dokugumon’s splash, back where they had originally run from. No amount of screaming or calling would wake the young Armadimon. The lake carried him, back to the spider's nest. Eventually, he could not be seen any longer. Now just Kemba and Theos remained, to ponder their next step.