Hello, sorry this chapter took me so long! I was driving back up to my college from across the US and then getting another year of college going. I'll admit this chapter was a bit of a rush job and I don't think I did Curibmon's Joint Evolution form as much justice as I wanted to so I might fix this chapter eventually. Anyway, I hope you'll read, favorite, follow, review and enjoy as always!

Chapter 12:

Origin: Perhaps a Mishap

Gomamon was done all right. And he knew the young Guardians were done with him. It wasn't like he didn't deserve it, he had hidden the existence of the other egg from them. Besides they were all Rookies now, they could take care of themselves. After all, he was only a Rookie as well, so he wasn't as if he could provide any additional help.

They would be able to navigate the Digital World just fine. Together they would stop Fujinmon, they were the Celestial Guardians after all. It wasn't like they needed Gomamon.

Besides, Owryumon had told him he was no longer obligated to fulfill such duties after getting the eggs somewhere safe. He had no idea why he had stuck around so long. Those kids were the Chosen ones, they could take care of themselves, Gomamon would return to his village and tell the other Digimon of his greatness, he'd work hard so he could Digivolve into Plesiomon once more. By then Fujinmon would be defeated and Gomamon would be able to do whatever he pleased without serving under Owryumon.

Gomamon took a deep breath, looking back at the Chosen Digimon and children.

Despite their rocky beginning, Takeshi and Commandramon were leaning against each other, having finally been able to access their bond. While they constantly argued, Gomamon knew better than to think they had any malicious intent towards each other. Although, even after accessing his Rookie form, Commandramon was still immature and always seemed to be hungry. Takeshi was a stickler for rules, always enforcing them upon his partner.

Liollmon had draped herself over Asuka as the duo slept towards the back of the small cavern they were spending the night in. The lion Digimon's tail flickered back and forth despite her unconsciousness, while Asuka's hands rested on the Digimon's pelt. Together they embodied hard work and sloth, but when it came to the others, they were always acting in their best interests. Asuka was perhaps Gomamon's favorite of all the Chosen with her mild and practical attitude.

Yua and Bearmon were clumsily sprawled out over each other, the latter snoring faintly. While intelligent, Yua was unable to properly apply herself to think before entering a situation. Bearmon was that logical side, always acting on behalf of the safety of his partner who couldn't bare to see Fujinmon's cruel treatment of any Digimon. Even so, they were powerful enough to win any battles they were involved in.

Lastly was Katsuo and Crubimon, the strongest among the Celestial Guardians. They were both reserved but fierce when the situation called for it. Katsuo hesitated to trust most of the Digimon they ran across, having long since realized most were working with Fujinmon for fear of what would happen should they oppose the current emperor of the Digital World. Crubimon was eager to defeat their enemy, his power seemingly growing daily.

They truly were growing to be fine warriors. And they would do even better without Gomamon there to burden them.

With that, he slipped away from the cave, leaving them for what would be forever.

Or so he had thought.

Yua woke up with a long yawn, stretching and allowing her back to pop. They had been away from civilization for way too long, and she would give Gomamon a piece of her mind if they had to camp one more night in a cave. Hopefully, they'd find a decent inn in the next town—and, with a bit of luck, decently priced. So far, they'd been relying on the charity of whatever Digimon they encountered to make their ends meet, although with the number of traps they had gotten into from this, they'd need to somehow make some money of their own. She'd have to talk to Gomamon about it before they left today.

Speaking of which, the seal Digimon must be already out looking for food for them. He was such a diligent Guardian, despite his usual crass attitude. They'd be lost without him.

"Imai-chan are you awake?"

Yua startled at the whispered question, having thought she'd been the only one awake. She looked over to Asuka and Liollmon, the two watching her. Working silently, Yua removed Bearmon's paw from it's resting place on her lap and crept over to the two. "What's going on?" she whispered.

"Liollmon heard Gomamon leave last night—well early this morning—and he hasn't come back since," Asuka answered. She shifted uncomfortably, and truly, Yua got that, she was kind of the nobody in their group of somebodies. Before coming to the Digital World Yua had never seen, or even heard of her. But she fit in, she was the cohesive element that held them all together.

"What do you mean? He usually leaves pretty early anyway, right?"

"Well that's the thing, we usually wake up around the same time, and if not he always waits for someone else to get up before he leaves, in case, you know he doesn't return because he got captured or something.."

"Well did someone like take him or something?" Yua questioned. She frowned, it was quite a disquieting notion. Had someone been able to take Gomamon had they done it as a warning? After all they could have just as easily taken any of them, but they had chosen to take the one who they depended on most.

Liollmon shook her head, her ears flicking in displeasure, "No, he was not forced, as far as I could tell, there are nobody else involved."

Yua's brows knitted in confusion, surely Gomamon hadn't just left them because he couldn't stand to be around them anymore. Why hadn't he just told them there was a problem? Didn't he know it was dangerous to be by himself? Why would he risk being captured by Fujinmon? Yua couldn't imagine what Fujinmon would do to their guardian in order to get information about them.

"Yua! Yua, calm down!"

Yua felt her breathing instantly calm at the touch of her partner's paw on her shoulder. "Thank you Bearmon," Yua said after she got her bearings back. Of course, she'd overthink such a situation. Gomamon probably just left to go on a nice morning walk and maybe he was hiding from some of Fujinmon's agents.

"Asuka what happened?" Katsuo asked. He must have woken up from Bearmon trying to calm her. Although it wouldn't surprise her If he had been awake the whole night, watching over them so they weren't attacked while they were asleep,

"Gomamon's gone. For a couple hours now, I'm getting worried," Asuka answered, "I think we should go look for him. We have been seeing more of Fujinmon's agents in this area. What if, what if they find him."

"I think that's the best plan. We can look for food while we look for Gomamon. Crubimon, do you think you could track him?" Takeshi asked.

The small wolf Digimon nodded and they set about packing their meager belonging before leaving the cave behind to find Gomamon.

Gomamon cursed, he truly hadn't expected Fujinmon to pay such attention to the small village he had been raised in. Although it made sense, it wasn't particularly a secret that Gomamon had once called this place home, and he had been leading the Chosen right to it in hopes of seeking sanctuary there for a few days. He should have expected Fujinmon's lackeys to be crawling all over the place.

And the missing Chosen.

The boy and his small fox like partner dwelled towards the center of town. The Bucchiemon Takeshi claimed to accompany the boy, was ordering the Digimon of the town around. No doubt to search the surrounding area for the others. Gomamon couldn't believe he'd been such a fool. The others were in trouble because of him. He had to get back to them, to warn them.

The former servant of Owryumon turned towards the forest once more, tromping back to where he had left the Chosen Children.

However, in his hurry, he failed to notice once of Bucchiemon's ears twitching.

"What did you hear?" the child asked as soon as the Digimon Bucchiemon had been ordering parted ways.

"Observant as always, aren't you? We have a runaway, I will pursue them, you should remain here and await for Fujinmon's orders," Bucchiemon explained to the Chosen. The kid would just get in his way, specifically if that Gomamon was leading him to the rebellious Chosen. Fujinmon would be displeased if they lost the Chosen and Bucchiemon would be punished once more even if it was the child's fault.

"Very well, if you think that is best, Bucchiemon. Saemon, we shall await word from Fujinmon.

Bucchiemon let out a deep breath of relief as the child wandered off. He wouldn't have to worry about him, now he would be able to capture those Children and claim a place by Fujinmon's side. He'd no longer be the child's caretaker.

With a triumphant smirk, Bucchiemon stalked off into the woods, following the trail left by Gomamon.

"Katsuo! Yua! Anyone?" Gomamon called, slipping through the cave in the midst of his panic. His charges—ex-charges, he reminded himself, after all he'd left them—were nowhere to be seen.

Was he too late?

Were they already captured?

He had to act quickly and save them. Or else the doom of the Digital World would be his fault.

"It seems the Chosen ones are not here. What a shame. And here I thought you were leading me right to them."

Gomamon whipped around to face Bucchiemon, his fur bristling as he prepared to fight against the stronger Digimon. "You don't have them?" Gomamon questioned, keeping his eyes on Bucchiemon as the Digimon inched closer to him.

"Afraid not, but I am going to assume you were Plesiomon, Owryumon's faithful guard dog reduced to a babysitter. Fujinmon would be honored to have a powerful Digimon such as yourself on his side. He's such a generous ruler that he will forgive your previous offenses against him should you help me bring those children back to him."

"I will not betray Owryumon, as you have. These children will defeat Fujinmon, it is you who would be better off leaving his side," Gomamon bit back.

"So be it," Bucchiemon growled. He attacked, knocking Gomamon back against the cave wall with a hard thunk.

The rookie slowly came back to his senses, struggling to stand back up. "Claw Attack!" he yelled as he swiped at Bucchiemon, his claws barely glancing off the other Digimon's side. But it gave Gomamon enough time to rush past his enemy and back outside where he'd have more room to maneuver. Hopefully, it would help him to escape.

"You won't be able to escape, Gomamon. Perhaps if I capture you, the Chosen Children will come to rescue you. Then I can end this once and for all," Bucchiemon spat out as he emerged from the cave. He rushed at Gomamon, leaving the Rookie no time to dodge, as he swiftly pounded him, jumping back only to hit him with a beam of energy.

Before even beginning this fight, Gomamon knew he wasn't going to be able to win. But the least he could do was buy the children some time before they were pursued by Bucchiemon. As long as they didn't come back to rescue him, the Digital World would be safe.

He was a necessary sacrifice for the good of the world he had been raised in.

"Stop!"

Katsuo could feel Gomamon stiffen with surprise as the boy threw himself over the group's guardian, shielding him from Bucchiemon's next blow. He was only a human, but there was no way he would let the Rookie get hurt because of his weakness. It was their fault Gomamon had ended up in this situation, he was their guide and guardian in the Digital World. Without him, the Digital World would be doomed.

"Fox Fire!"

Katsuo slowly sat up, hearing his partner's attack. The small fox Digimon was barely holding its own against the Bucchiemon, its speed giving it an edge to avoid attacks, although never able to retaliate. Katsuo looked down at Gomamon, as far as he could tell the Rookie was unconscious and a bit bruised, but he'd recover. For now, Katsuo needed to help Crubimon.

Somehow.

"Joint Evolve."

Katsuo's eyes shot back down to the stirring Rookie. "What did you say?"

"Owryumon told me. The reason you were so special, it's because you and your partner can fight. Katsuo, say Joint Evolution and hold up your Digivice. Then you'll be able to help Crubimon."

Katsuo nodded, leaving the seal Digimon laying on the ground as he stood. He raised his Digivice. "Crubimon, Joint Evolution!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Katsuo was forced to close his eyes as the blinding light that seemingly radiated from his Digivice. When the light finally ebbed away, he slowly cracked his eyes open. Nothing felt that different, well until he caught sight of Crubimon.

What took his partner's place took Katsuo's breath away. Standing at five feet, the large wolf Digimon had the same black fur as Crubimon. But now, red lines of what appeared to be fire ran down its flakes, accenting its musculature. Flames flickered widely down its back, it's tail completely made of the flames streaming from its spine. Dark red cuffs encircled it's four ankles, winding upwards to its body. Its already sharp claws were shielded with some form of red metal which ended in sharp points. A black collar loosely encircling its neck.

This Digimon was the very image of raw power. And even though Katsuo was a good ten feet from the wolf Digimon, he could feel the heat radiating from it.

"Katsuo, you-you've changed," the Digimon's gruff voice said in awe.

The boy looked down, his arms encircled with the same armor as the wolf Digimon's, apart from his being black. His legs were covered by black armor, cutting off just below his knees. He reached over his shoulders, now aware of the new weight pressing onto his back. And gently, he pulled out the two swords, both blades as black as his armor. Around his neck was a collar, the color of which he could not see.

Finally able to tear his gaze away from his and his partner's new appearances, Katsuo's gaze leveled with the now terrified expression of Bucchiemon.