Old Ones Return (V)

Taiyo: "That sounds nice."

E"Yeah, that's great news! Thanks, little buddy!"

*She pats it on the head.*

Datamon<The message has been delivered & received. No clear reply. Reply not necessary. Returning from destination.>

*So he turns & heads off in that creepy crawling way of his. Euryale watches him briefly, then turns to Taiyo.*

E"Odd little thing. So, should we tell the others?"
================================
T"Not too difficult. And we're surrounded by data always, so we may even be able to create one."

Kylie:<It was when we needed one...>

*Lunamon hugs her leg*

Lunamon:<Cheer up, we aren't dead yet!>

Taiyo: "Yeah."

T"The point is, we can now talk to each other, & if we can just set up a more permanent link to Mr. Yamaki, Mrs. Ohtori, and Ms. Onodera, then we'll have friends from the outside world who can send us help."

*Euryale pokes her head out from behind the cliff & points back the way that they came.*

E"Hey, Datamon just told us that we can go back to Venusmon's temple, as long as we don't try to fight or start any fights."

*Agumon & DemiDevimon jump up, the latter flying in circles around Thiera's head. The Leomon Trio just eye her warily.*

ML<Sounds suspicious.>

Reg<You're not just saying that 'cause you still pine for Venusmon, are you?>

E"I'm not lying! ...Or pining, for that matter!"

Lyra:<But what happens when the assholes come back?>

Azuma: "We'll deal with it outside of Venusmon's territory. Hopefully. It's a much better idea than sleeping in a hole."

E"Yeah, we can just lead them away."

Reg<And how will we do that without attacking them in some way?>

E"We'll figure it out. Find what they want, & deprive them access to it until they deal with us on our own terms. C'mon, let's go."

Reg<I still think you're fibbing.>

E"I'm not making it up! Just ask Taiyo!"

Reg<Right, like she wouldn't cover for you.>

*Thiera sighs & checks her D-Power.*

T"There IS a Digimon heading back that direction. Also, frankly, Venusmon has the only food that I've seen in this entire valley. We should probably accept her offer."

Azuma: "What reason would they have for making something like this up?"

Lyra:<Venusmon's love spell?>

Lunamon:<People, let's just go!>

*She starts dragging Kylie in that direction*

*They eventually catch up with Datamon.*

E"Hey, little buddy, can we use the river to wash up!"

Datamon<Of course you may not defile the river with your filth. What manner of savages are you? Use the bath house, like civilized individuals.>

Lyra:<That's even better.>

Azuma: "Is it wrong to be wary of Venusmon's sudden change of heart about us?"

Datamon<Yes. It is paranoid & irrational, even if I have not supplied you with all of the relevant information.>

*Tsune had been looking at the cliffs with a bored expression, but now her head snaps towards Datamon.*

Ts"Wait, what do you mean?"

Datamon<The offer that I extended to you was conditional. I was to submit it only if I discovered that you were complying with the Mistress's conditions.>

Ts"So your proof that we should trust you is that you are a manipulative liar?"

Datamon<I fabricated nothing & delivered 100% of the message that I had been tasked with. Furthermore, you were offered assistance & safety, which you now scoff at.>

*Agumon lifts a claw.*

A<I just want to point out that it's only those 2 who are scoffing.>

G<Hey, don't throw Tsune under a Locomon!>

Azuma: "I'm paranoid. After awhile of being somewhere where most things want you dead from the inhabitants to the landmarks, it's understandable."

Lyra:<She hates violence, right? I can't see her turning on us.>

D<Right! We can trust her.>

Datamon<Most things that want to kill you came here from your own world. It was reported to me that you met many peaceful Digimon & their settlements, including the Smith Zudomon, the Chieftess Lillymon, & of course, Venusmon & her children.>

Lyra:<What happened to them?>

*Kylie looks away*

Lunamon:<Kurata got them.>

Azuma: "I was also in a cave recently that intended to kill myself and others. It's traumatizing."

Datamon<Well, that's all in the past.>

*Datamon steps in the water, at which point an anemone blooms & he begins floating downstream.*

T"Wait, why didn't you have to say a thing?"

Datamon<It is not necessary to keep inputting that information. As long as Venusmon does not revoke her permissions, then you can come & go at will.>

Salamon: "So get over it. We don't want to keep hearing about the Murder Cave."

Azuma: "What did you say in the first place, a software upgrade?"

*Kylie, Lunamon, and Cameron all enter the water, while Biyomon heads over to DemiDevimon and Lyra&Kotemon to Hideki*

Lyra:<You comin' this time?>

*Datamon turns away from them as he drifts out of sight. Euryale takes Taiyo's hand & moves towards the water, Agumon following along.*

D<Of course! Why wouldn't I?>

*She perches on Thiera's shoulder as she enters the water. Agumon turns to Renamon.*

A<You coming?>

D<Oh yeah, I'm with her. She's my best friend. And my first, come to think of it.>

*Thiera stares at DemiDevimon, eyes watering & lips quivering, then grabs the Digimon & gives her a BIIIIIIIIG hug!*

D<Ack! I've changed my mind, she's evil!>

T"It's too late to take it back!"

Hideki: "Can we?"

Azuma: "Just curious."

Renamon nods and approaches the river, still very much hesitant.

*Lyra grins and pats him on the back*

<Why couldn't you?>

Biyomon:<And now you have more friends!>