Digital Equestria

A New Mon

"Pyro Blaster."

Explosions echoed outside Ponyville as the DigiDestined fought to protect the town of Ponyville once more. Manticores with black gears in trapped in their backs were the ones this time threatening the peace of Ponyville. The valley was already becoming scorched from battle.

"Fox Tail Inferno."

Another Manticore screamed out as Kyubimon's attack landed its mark. The Manticore soon disappeared into digital code. But the victory was short-lived as more Manticores run up trying to bring down Kyubimon. Kyubimon leaped into the air and began to spin.

"Dragon Wheel."

Kyubimon ignited herself on fire, and from the fire came a dragon. The dragon went right for the Manticores destroying them and turning them into digital code. Kyubimon landed on the ground and saw a Manticore trying to attack her from behind, but it disappeared. Gaogamon appeared next to her.

"Thank you, Gaogamon."

"No problem, Kyubimon."

Matt bit the inside of his cheek as Growlmon brought down another Manticore using his Dragon Slash attack. But they were still outnumbered. Gomamon was next to Matt, ordering his fishes to attack certain Manticores, distracting them, and allowing Growlmon to take them down. He then decided to look at his friends. Terriermon and Lopmon put their ears together and began to spin towards the Manticores. He saw Byiomon firing down on the Manticores from the sky with her Spiral Twister. Gatomon leaped from Manticore, striking the gears in their back with her claws as Wizardmon gave her support. He then turned to see Crescent pulling her sword free from the skull of a Manticore. He tried to get her to stay behind with the others when they first heard of the Manticore attack. But being a guard and stubborn, she came along.

It had only been two days since he announced his herd to his friends. Sure, James, Alice, Abby, and April couldn't believe what Matt told them but seemed to accept them. Everypony else congratulated Matt, Twilight, and Crescent for creating a herd together. And now here Crescent was fighting dangerous Manticores to protect Ponyville, while his other mate was safe in Ponyville. He sighed as he kept his eyes on Crescent as she dodged attacks and struck down another Manticore.

The team would only fight another minute before the remaining Manticores began to return to the Everfree Forest. The Digimon decided not to pursue the retreating Manticores. They all sighed as a few of the Digimon began to return to their rookie forms. All the Digimon looked exhausted from the fight.

"Yeah, you better run!" Exclaimed James

Crescent tried to pursue them, but Matt stopped her, "Crescent leave them!"

Crescent turned back to look at her mate, "Leave them! We need to go after them! If we don't, they'll come back with reinforcements, and we'll be back where we started ten minutes ago!"

"I sad no, Crescent. Look around you," Crescent looked around at the exhausted Digimon. "Our Digimon are exhausted from the fight. We need to rest and think of a new plan because attacking them straight on will only end up with use getting overwhelmed."

'"Yeah, but I can scout ahead and find where they are. We can use that to our advantage to strike," said Crescent as she landed on the ground.

"No, it's far too dangerous, those aren't average Manticores," said Matt as he made his way over to her.

"It seems you forgot you're talking to a trained lunar guard. I'm more than capable of handling myself." Said Crescent

The two continued to argue as the others watched the two bicker back and forth.

"You two should get a room. I bet it would help!" Exclaimed James as he started to snicker.

Matt and Crescent turned towards James, "Stay out of this!"

The two went back to bickering like an old married couple. Alice sighed as she stood next to James.

"You had to say that." Said Alice

"It's not my fault they can't take a joke. I mean Matt only started his herd two days ago, and they're already at each other's throat." Said James

"Yeah still strange to think that Equestria openly practices polygamy." Said April

"Yeah, it sure is strange." Said Alice

"Well, should we break them up or leave them to bicker. I'm afraid one of them is going to say something they shouldn't." Said James

"When did you start caring about Matt's relationship?" Asked Alice

"Hey, I'm only stating the obvious." Said James

The group watched as they continued to bicker back and forth, and it didn't seem to end. No one from the group wanted to go and try to break up the bickering couple. It seemed like a bad idea to step between Matt and Crescent.

"I'm surprised they haven't run out of things to scream at each other." Said Wizardmon

"Yeah, and they probably have better control over their minds, unlike James." Said Gatomon

She looked up at the African American. He huffed and looked away. James was still working on repairing his friendship with Fluttershy after the whole incident with the dragon. Fluttershy looked at James before looking away, she still didn't consider James, a friend, but she was happy to see him working on becoming her friend once more.

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you, Gatomon?" Asked James

"Not until your on good terms with my tamer." Said Gatomon

James rolled his eyes as he looked back at the bickering couple.

"You know I can do this, so why don't you let me?" Demanded Crescent

"Because..." Matt said before getting stopped by Crescent

"Because of what, Matt? It is because you want to be the hero. Is that it, you want to show how strong you are? Are you trying to prove something?"

"No..." Crescent once again stopped Matt.

"Then what is it?!" Demanded Crescent

Matt grabbed Crescent on the side of her arms, "I don't want to lose you." Everyone was silent, "I can't lose you, Crescent, I only started my relationship with you. I can't go on in life if something happened to or Twilight. I'm your herd stallion, which means I'm responsible for you, and I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you." Matt paused as he let go of Crescent, "I know you're a guard, Crescent, and it scares me. I know you're strong and trained to handle anything, but I'm not sure if you can handle those Manticores alone or the strange blue creatures we have been facing. I almost lost you to those Timberwolves, and that was before we were even a couple. I...I...I wouldn't know what to do if you got hurt by one of those things or if something worse happened to you."

Crescent blinked her eyes as a lone tear fell from her herd stallion's eyes. She rubbed his cheek as she wiped away the tear, "Matt, I know you're scared. But as a herd, we mares stand next to you as you stand next to us. Twilight and I would do anything to make sure you were safe. And I know the danger of these new enemies, but it's my duty as a guard to defend the ponies of Equestria from danger."

"I...I wish you didn't have to get right up in combat. In a way, I wish you were a tamer." Said Matt

Before Crescent could respond, something warped around her waist. It was the tail of a Manticore, and before anybody could even react, the tail pulled Crescent back into the forest.

"Crescent!!" Screamed Matt

He tried to run after her, but a Manticore leaped out, blocking Matt and stopping him in his tracks. He saw its tail raise into the sky and come down at him. He rolled out of the way. He looked to see it turn its gaze on him, but the slap of fishes brought its gaze to Gomamon. But the Manticore didn't have time to react as three different attacks came at it.

"Diamond Storm."

"Bunny Blast."

"Pyro Sphere."

Guilmon's, Terriermon's, and Renamon's attack all struck the gear in the Manticores back, destroying it and, in turn, turning the Manticore into data. Once it was gone, Matt decided to head into the forest. But Renamon held him back.

"Let me go, Renamon!"

"Are you crazy, Matt?! You go in there; you'll end up dead." Said Alice

Matt growled in spite, but he had to save Crescent even if it cost him his life. He wasn't going to lose Crescent, not when he only started his relationship with the bat pony. I'm sorry for this Renamon. Matt threw his head back hard and bashed it right onto Renamon's muzzle. She cried out in pain, and everyone gasped at what Matt did. Renamon's grip loosened, and he roundhouse kicked her to get her away from him. Once free of Renamon, he booked it into the Everfree Forest.

"Matt, wait!" Exclaimed Guilmon

Gomamon and Guilmon ran in after him. Alice ran up to help Renamon as blood leaked from her nose. Everyone looked at the forest entrance. Alice helped Renamon to her feet as she covered her bleeding nose.

"Wow, he kicked your ass, Renamon." Said James

Renamon glared at James and made a mental note to give Matt a piece of her mind. Renamon thanked Alice for the help as she pinched her nose and bent her head back to stop the bleeding. Abby was heading to the forest, but Alice stopped her from going into the forest.

"We have to go in after him!" Exclaimed Abby

"No chance Abby, we can't go in underprepared. We need to regroup with the others and think of a plan of attack. Going in now will only lead to casualties." Said Alice

"What about Matt!" Cried Abby

Tears were running down Abby's face. Terriermon and Lopmon tried to calm her down, but it didn't seem to be working. Alice bent down and hugged Abby, "Matt's going to be ok. You know we can take care of himself ever well, and he has Guilmon and Gomamon."

Abby hugged Alice as she looked at the entrance to the Everfree Forest. Matt, stay safe. Alice picked up Abby, and she looked at the others. They all nodded and booked it back to town, knowing that they all needed a plan of attack and could only hope that Matt wouldn't get into to much trouble by myself.

***

Crescent struggled to break loose from the Manticore's tail. Damn, I'm stuck. Crescent looked down at her sword and smiled as she tried to reach for it. If I can reach my sword, I get into the sky and escape this Manticore. The Manticore noticed Crescent going for her sword and stopped immediately and threw Crescent against a tree. She struck it hard, feeling the armor creaking as she coughed up blood and fell to the ground.

Crescent's body was beginning to shut down as she watched the Manticore come near her. Fuck. She laid there waiting for death to grip her and take her away. Matt. She closed her eyes and fell into an unconscious state.

***

"Well done, my pets." Crescent began to open her eyes. "Now, we can use her to bring down the DigiDestined."

Crescent groaned as her body started to come back to her. She looked to see she was tied up on a tree. Damn. She looked to see the Manticores surrounding a dark area bowing before it. What are they bowing to? She couldn't see anything, but she swore she heard somepony talking a minute ago. She looked around and saw the Manticores stripped her of her sword and armor. All she was wearing was her midnight blue shirt and her sport shorts. She struggled to break loose from the bindings, but they were far to tight. Great, looks like I'm stuck.

Crescent saw the Manticores walking away from the area as if they were no longer needed. She raised her eyebrow since she still didn't see anypony around to even give commands to the Manticores. She noticed that none of them were looking at her. Hm, whoever tied me up here must think I'm not going to escape or able to escape. She tried once more trying to move in the ropes, but it was pointless, they were far to tight around her. Damn!

She huffed and sat there, thinking about what Matt said to her. I beat he's freaking out right now, trying to come in here and save me. Crescent lend her head back against the tree and looked up at the crystal clear blue sky. Matt, don't do anything crazy. She sighed as she accepted she couldn't do anything in her situation. Soon a Manticore ran into the area and began to converse with the other Manticores. In a second, the Manticores went running off, leaving Crescent alone.

"Well, that was strange." Said Crescent

"Are they gone?"

Crescent turned to see a white blob-like creature with streamers coming from its head. It seemed to be scared of something as it peaked from behind a nearby tree.

"Who?" Asked Crescent

"The big creatures with the gears in their backs."

"Oh, you mean the Manticores. Yeah, they're gone." Said Crescent

"Oh, I thought they would never leave."

The creature started to walk over to Crescent and looked up at the tied up bat pony.

"So, what's your name, little fellow?" Asked Crescent

"I'm Tokomon, what's yours?

"I'm Crescent, and why were you hiding from the Manticores?" Asked Crescent

"I didn't want them to notice me. I was sure they were going to find me and give me over to their master." Said Tokomon

"Master?" Asked Crescent

"Yeah, and if those Manticores found me. Their master would have probably implanted a gear into me as well." Said Tokomon

"Harsh," Crescent looked down at the small white blob, and an idea came to her mind. "Tokomon, think you can help me escape. If you do that, I can get you out of this forest. Plus, get you as far away from the master of the Manticores."

"Really." Said Tokomon

"Yeah." Said Crescent

"Ok." Said Tokomon

Tokomon walked up to Crescent and opened his mouth to reveal rows of sharp teeth. Tokomon began to chew through the ropes one by one. Yes, I'll be free in no time and back with Matt and the others. Crescent's ears began to pick up the sounds of howls from the Manticores. Damn it!

"Hurry up, Tokomon, I think the Manticores are coming back." Said Crescent

Tokomon worked harder, chewing through the ropes and working on freeing Crescent. It would only take Tokomon another two minutes to tear through the last rope and let Crescent free from her bindings. She got up and stretched her body. Now time to get out of here. She tried to flap her wings, but pain shot throughout her body. Damn it!

"What's wrong?" Asked Tokomon

"It seems when that Manticore tossed me against the tree, it might have damaged my wings or paralyzed them. I was hoping to fly out of here, but looks it's going to be on foot." Said Crescent

Soon three Manticores appeared before both Tokomon and Crescent. Each them growled as they looked at the small Digimon, who hid behind Crescent's hoof. She looked at them as her mind raced with ideas, and only one came to mind. She picked up Tokomon and booked it.

"Where are we going?" Asked Tokomon

"Anywhere where those Manticores aren't." Said Crescent

Crescent could hear them coming towards her. She looked behind her to see the Manticores trying to catch up to her. Nothing seemed to be putting a stop to them. Nothing was going to be holding them back as they charged after Crescent and Tokomon. She pushed her legs to their max as she tried to dodge any roots or low lying branches. She needed to try to find a way to ditch the Manticores behind her.

"Crescent, they're gaining." Said Tokomon

Crescent peeked behind her to see the Manticores were gaining on her. Damn it! Crescent pushed her body even further. She could feel her heart pounding like no tomorrow in her chest, and her lungs were burning as she tried to fill them with oxygen. She left her legs growing weak as she pushed them to the limit. Finally, she saw a clearing and pushed her body to use whatever it had left. But once she left the trees, she came to a screeching halt. She was barely able to stop in time before she went right over a cliff into a raging river down below. A few pebbles feel from the cliff down to the river as she and Tokomon looked down at the raging water below. She quickly backed away from the end of the cliff.

"That was close." Said Tokomon

"I'll say." Said Crescent

Crescent turned to see the Manticores still rushing towards her. They leaped out of the forest and began to push her towards the end of the cliff. She looked at the raging waters and began to think of her options. I clearly can't run around them, or else those Manticores will get me. And it looks like the Manticores corned me. The other option is to jump and see where the river takes me. She watched as the Manticores grow closer to her. I guess no other option. Crescent took a few steps back and held onto Tokomon tightly.

"Get ready to take a swim, little buddy." Said Crescent

The Manticores rushed her as she turned around, ran for the edge, and leaped off. One of the Manticores was able to reach her and get a swipe off on her back. Crescent hissed as she felt the Manticore's sharp claws breakthrough her shirt and claw into the flesh of her back. She ignored the pain as she concentrated on the task before her, surviving the rapids below. The Manticores watched Crescent plummetted towards the water below. Crescent braced herself for the strike against the water and splashed down into it. The rapids immediately pulled her away as she stayed underwater to keep out of sight of the Manticores.

The Manticores looked around for her, but couldn't find her among the raging water. They growled but didn't dare to jump into the water themselves. The Manticores decided to find a way down to the river below and search for Crescent and Tokomon. They knew if they didn't find the bat pony that their master wasn't going to be pleased.

***

Crescent pulled herself up onto the shore as she huffed and puffed from the exhaustion of fighting the current. After a few minutes of fighting the current, it settled down long enough for her to reach the shore. She laid there as she caught her breath and let her body relax for a few seconds. She looked to Tokomon, shacking himself off before turning to her.

"You ok?" He asked

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I only need to rest for a minute or two." Said Crescent

Tokomon nodded his head and sat watching Crescent catching her breath.

"Can I ask you something." Said Tokomon

"Sure." Said Crescent

"Where are we?" Asked Tokomon

"We're right now in the Everfree Forest. A place that doesn't follow the laws of Equestria and a place that no pony should ever enter." Said Crescent

"So, why are you here?" Asked Tokomon

"One of those Manticores drug me in here." Said Crescent

Crescent finally felt her body coming back to her and slowly got to her feet. She was still exhausted, but exhaustion never stopped her for long. She stripped her shirt, deciding to get the wet cloth off her body. Under her shirt was a light purple sport's bra. She reached back and found the scratch marks from the Manticore. She hissed as she found the wounds and pulled her hand back to see blood. She sighed as she tore her shirt, hearing Rarity screaming in her mind, and tied the strips around her injuries.

"Tokomon, did I get all the wounds?" Asked Crescent

She turned around to let Tokomon, "Yeah."

She smiled as she picked up Tokomon, "Now, let's find a way out of here. I believe if we follow the river, we should find our way out of this forest." Said Crescent

Crescent began to follow the river hoping it would lead her out of the Everfree Forest and back into the arms of her stallion. After a while, she felt tired of carrying Tokomon.

"I'm sorry to say Tokomon, but you're a little heavy, and I'm still exhausted." Said Crescent

"Oh, then let me do something." Said Tokomon

Tokomon wiggled out of Crescent's grip and climbed up to the top of her head.

"How's that?" Asked Tokomon

Crescent smiled up at him, "Much better."

Crescent continued her walk through the forest, following the river. She made sure to watch out for things that might hurt Tokomon.

"So what type of Digimon are you, Crescent?" Asked Tokomon

Crescent chuckled, "I'm not a Digimon. I'm what's called a Threstral or bat pony."

"Bat pony, that's a strange name to call yourself." Said Tokomon

"Well, maybe to you, Tokomon. But here in Equestria, you'll find that ponies are the common species." Said Crescent

"Oh, but what about Digimon, are they common?" Asked Tokomon

"Not so much, only recently have Digimon been appearing. But my friends have a few Digimon and are even tamers." Said Crescent

"Tamers?" Asked Tokomon

"It's the name for my friends who have partner Digimon and use them to protect Equestria." Said Crescent

"Wow, are you a tamer?" Asked Tokomon

"No, I don't have a partner Digimon. But I still fight next to my friends. I have to protect the ponies of Equestria as a royal guard; it is my duty." Said Crescent

"Aren't you scared of getting hurt?" Asked Tokomon

"Sure, who isn't scared, Tokomon. Going into battle is never easy, but somepony has to do it. Otherwise, we would live in a world where ponies are afraid to live or even go outside. We guards keep the gates of chaos closed to ensure peace is always present in Equestria." Said Crescent

"Ok." Said Tokomon

Crescent followed the river but stopped when her ears picked something up. Her ears twitched back and forth, trying to pinpoint the sound. She grabbed Tokomon and jumped behind a tree. She poked her head out to see two Manticores sniffing the area, trying to pick up her scent. Luckily, the water washed most of my scent away. The Manticores probably found my torn shirt. She stayed silent, keeping Tokomon from talking as the Manticores searched the area.

Crescent knew she had no way to fight back and wasn't fully back to her usual self. If one of the Manticores found her, she would be dead in the water. She held her breath as one of the Manticores began to move closer to her. She began to shake in fear, and sweat began to form on her brow as the Manticore drew ever closer. Its nostrils were flaring, trying to find Crescent's scent. Please don't find me! Faust must have heard Crescent's plea, for an explosion pulled the attention of the Manticore away from her.

It wasn't long before a howl filled the air pulling the Manticores off towards the explosion. Crescent poked her head from her hiding spot, making sure the area was clear. Once she made sure that the Manticores were no longer around, she left her spot.

She let out a heavy sigh of relief, "Thank you, Faust."

"Man, I thought that thing was going to find us." Said Tokomon

"Yeah," but Crescent might have spoken too soon when she felt something breathing down her neck. Her fur stood on end as she turned her head to see a Manticore staring at her with rage-filled eyes. "Shit!"

Crescent began to back up from it as the Manticore growled at her. She didn't know what to do, but Tokomon knew what he had to do. He wiggled out of Crescent's grasp and stood right in front of the Manticore.

"Tokomon!" Screamed Crescent

"Frothy Spit!"

Tokomon spat up a bubbling spit that hit the Manticore right in the eyes. It howled in pain as Tokomon smiled. Crescent could see the Manticore was trying to get the spit out of its eyes. Time to make a break for it. Crescent picked up Tokomon and booked it away. She ran through the forest, thinking that the Manticore might think she followed the river.

"What was that?" Asked Crescent

"Frothy Spit, an acid spit." Said Tokomon

"Wow, that's impressive, and thank you, Tokomon." Said Crescent

"I couldn't let that beast harm you, Crescent." Said Tokomon

Crescent smiled at Tokomon as she pushed her exhausted and wounded body to the limit it could reach. But she only lasted a few minutes before she had to stop and rest. She placed a hand against a tree trunk and started to huff and puff. Crescent looked around her but didn't see any Manticores, and her ears weren't picking up anything. She then heard another explosion, and it wasn't far from her. I wonder if that's Matt and the others. She walked towards the sound and came out to a small clearing and watched as a fireball blasted away a Manticore, turning it into digital code.

That had to be Pyro Blaster, which means Matt's nearby. She stepped out and saw her herd stallion ordering Growlmon to fire on another two Manticores. Gomamon was resting on top of his head. Both Manticores didn't stand a chance against Growlmon.

"Matt!"

Matt turned, and his eyes widened when he saw Crescent running up to him. He smiled as Gomamon jumped off his head as he ran for his mate. Crescent could feel tears of joy running down her face as she was finally safe. But fate was not on the lover's side as the Manticore that Tokomon wounded, appeared with scars running over its face from the acid, and its right eye was milky. Everything went into slow motion as it rammed right into Crescent, sending her right into the tree across from the Manticore. Crescent slammed into the tree, and the force broke both of her wings. She heard and felt the sickening snap of her wings as she screamed out in pain. She fell to the ground as she laid there in agonizing pain as she coughed up blood.

"Crescent!!!" Exclaimed Matt

More Manticores came out of the forest and surrounded Matt and his Digimon as the wounded one walked towards Crescent and Tokomon. Matt cursed under his breath as the Manticores surrounded him and Gomamon. Growlmon tried to get to the two of them, but the Manticores around him kept him at bay.

"Damn it!" Exclaimed Matt

The Manticores now surrounded both Matt and Gomamon. Gomamon stood in front of the Manticores, ready to defend his tamer.

"Gomamon, you can't handle them." Said Matt

"Who cares, I can't let them hurt you. It's my job to protect you." Said Gomamon

The Manticores leaped at Gomamon, who was ready for them, "Gomamon!"

Suddenly Matt saw his Digivice glowing white and Gomamon following suit. Is Gomamon digivoling?

"Gomamon digivolve to... Ikkakumon."

The Manticores now looked at a large walrus and polar bear hybrid creature with a horn coming out of its head. Ikkakumon swatted away the Manticores with ease. Ikkakumon looked back at Matt, "Now I'm more than capable of handling these Manticores."

"Looks like it, buddy." Said Matt

Matt pulled his Digivice and looked to see Ikkakumon was Gomamon's champion form.

"Now, let's do this, you oversized kitty cats." The Manticores growled and rushed toward Ikkakumon, "Harpoon Torpedo."

Ikkakumon launched the horn on top of his head. It went a little way before opening to reveal a torpedo, which struck the black gear on the back of the Manticores destroying and turning the Manticore into digital code. Ikkakumon did the same for the other charging Manticores. Soon it was over, and there were no more Manticores.

"Alright, Ikkakumon." Said Matt

"Wow, that was amazing Ikkakumon," The two turned to see Growlmon walked over to them.

"Thank you, Growlmon," but more growls pulled the group to see more Manticores approaching them. "Looks like we have more friends to deal with."

"It would seem that way, Ikkakumon." Said Growlmon

Matt gritted his teeth as he didn't have time to deal with all of these Manticores. He looked to see a small creature standing in front of Crescent as the Manticore that attacked her approached, but the arrival of a few Manticores blocked his site on his mate. Please strange creature, protect Crescent. Matt turned back to the Manticores facing him and his partner Digimon.

"Let's show them what we got, boys." Said Matt

"Harpoon Torpedo."

"Pyro Blaster."

Tokomon stood in front of Crescent as the Manticore approached them both. It growled as it looked at the creature that blinded one of its eyes. Crescent coughed as she struggled to get to her hooves, but the searing pain traveling through her body made it impossible.

"You keep away from her." Said Tokomon

"Tokomon." Said Crescent

The Manticore growled at the in-training Digimon. Tokomon was scared out of his mind, but he stood his ground. I won't let that thing hurt you Crescent. Tokomon felt Crescent grab hold of his back.

"Tokomon, run for it. You can't stop that thing." Said Crescent

"No, I won't leave you." Said Tokomon

Tokomon felt something wet drip onto his back. He looked up, and the Manticore was hovering over him right now. Tokomon swallowed the lump in his throat but stood his ground. The Manticore looked down at the small Digimon and smacked him away. He landed against the ground, not far from Crescent. Tokomon sat on the grass as his mind spun as he tried to get his body together.

Crescent could feel the hot breath of the Manticore on her. She knew this was it. She spied Matt and his Digimon, fighting off a horde of Manticores. He would never make it to her in time. She accepted that this was the end of it all. She recognized that she had no luck to spare, and Crescent would find out if she were worthy to enter the Gold Pasters and meet Faust. She closed her eyes as a few tears leaked from them as she accepted death's grip.

Tokomon shook off his daze and looked at the Manticore hovering over her. He ran right for Crescent. I have to protect her. Soon a light began to envelop Tokomon.

"Crescent!" Exclaimed Tokomon

The Manticore and Crescent looked at Tokomon as he leaped into the air as light entirely took him.

"Tokomon digivolve into... Patamon."

Crescent couldn't believe that Tokomon digivolved. But why did he digivolve into his next form. Was it because of me? The Manticore turned to Patamon, seeing it as a nuisance. It growled at Patamon, and he did the same.

"Let's see if you can handle me now." Said Patamon

The Manticore tried to strike Patamon with its tail, but Patamon dodged it. Patamon flew behind the Manticore and began to inflate his stomach.

"Boom Bubble."

Patamon released the built-up air into a solid mass of air that struck the Manticore's gear. It howled in pain before turning to look at Patamon. The Manticore used its wings on its back to take flight, even if it was a limited flight.

"Wow, those wings do give you flight." Said Patamon

The Manticore howled before flying towards Patamon. Patamon was able to dodge since the Manticore moved slower than Patamon. But it wasn't going to let the Digimon attack from its back once more. The tail went shooting at Patamon as he tried to get behind the Manticore. He quickly ducked under the attack and got far enough away from the tail. Shoot, how do I deal with this.

"Harpoon Torpedo."

Three torpedos smashed into the Manticore.

"Pyro Blaster."

Growlmon followed that up with a fireball to the Manticore.

"Now, Patamon, finish it off."

Patamon looked down at Matt and his two champion level Digimon. He nodded his head as he inflated his stomach once more.

"Boom Bubble."

Patamon spat out another ball of air that struck the gear, which exploded. The Manticore howled for a minute before it was over. The Manticore turned into digital data, and the battle was officially over. Not a single Manticore remained around the group. Matt sighed as he ran over to Crescent as Ikkakumon and Growlmon went back to Guilmon and Gomamon, who was exhausted from his first time digivolving into Ikkakumon.

Patamon landed on the ground as he watched Matt gently pick up Crescent. Patamon watched the strange creature pick up her friend, but he didn't seem dangerous to her. She smiled up at him. He smiled back with a few tears running from his face as tears ran down hers. He held her tight as if he let go. She would disappear once again. Crescent lifted her hand and wiped away his tears before bringing him into a sweet little kiss, even if it strained her body. The two released the kiss, and she snuggled up into Matt's chest. Patamon smiled as he knew this stranger was not going to hurt Cresent but seemed to care deeply about her. He smiled that she was in his arms as he wiped away her tears.

"Alright, let's head back." Said Matt

His Digimon nodded, and off they went leaving Patamon standing there looking at the group. Crescent looked back at Patamon.

"Come on, Patamon. Let's get out of here." Said Crescent

Patamon nodded and took flight and flapped next to Matt. He looked up at the new Digimon.

"Thank you, Patamon, for protecting Crescent." Said Matt

"I couldn't let that thing hurt my friend." Said Patamon

Matt nodded his head and walked out the way he came in. But the group didn't notice that in the darkness behind them, a figure watched. Guilmon turned his head but didn't see anything, but he thought he felt something watching them. He shrugged it off and ran to catch up with Matt.

***

Crescent laid in her hospital bed, looking up at the ceiling. There was nothing much to look at in the white hospital room. The sound of her heart monitor beeping echoed around the room, keeping the silence at bay. Her mind flared with everything that happened to her yesterday. To think that I nearly lost my life yesterday. If Matt hadn't come when he did, and Tokomon hadn't digivolved when he did, who knows what would have happened. She sighed as she kept her eyes on the ceiling until she heard the door open. She looked up to see Matt, Twilight, and Patamon. She smiled as Patamon flew over to her and rubbed his head against her cheek.

She noticed that Matt had a piece of cloth stuffed up his left nostril. She raised her eyebrow as to why he would have that stuffed up his nose.

"What's with the cloth?" Asked Crescent

"Renamon got her revenge when I gave her a bloody nose. She sure does have a strong right hook." Said Matt

"You're lucky, that's all she did to you." Twilight sighed, "But he also received a good left hook to his face from Alice and a hard slap from me. Maybe that will teach you not to be stupid."

Matt rubbed the back of his neck as he chuckled. Twilight rolled her eyes. Crescent giggled as she held Patamon.

"I'm glad to see you're ok, Crescent." Said Patamon

"Yeah, glad to see your feeling better." Said Twilight

"Yeah, but doctors said I wouldn't be able to fly for at least three weeks. It looks like I'm stuck walking for a good while." Said Crescent

"Ouch, but I'm glad to see you're fine." Said Twilight

"Same here, when I saw you the strips of your shirt by the river, I thought the worst happened." Said Matt

Crescent was silent for a minute as she thought what to say, "Matt, I want to apologize the way I acted yesterday. I knew you were only trying to look at for me."

Matt walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Crescent, I said those things back there because I care deeply for you. I already lost my parents, and I can't take losing someone I care about again. But I understand you have a job to do, and you are a defender of Equestria." He grabbed her hand with his right hand and cupped her chin with his left, "But promise me you'll be careful from now on and listen to me when I say to disengage."

"I can agree to that after today." Said Crescent

"And you sir have to promise not to go charging recklessly into situations ever again." Said Twilight

Matt nervously chuckled as he rubbed his neck and adverted his gaze from the stern look Twilight was giving him. He sighed, knowing it was the right thing to do. I guess she is right, I did go in recklessly, even if I had Guilmon and Gomamon by my side. He looked back at Twilight, "I promise."

She smiled as her stern deminer disappeared. Matt smiled at back at Twilight as he placed a kiss on Crescent's lips. Twilight smiled as Crescent and Matt shared a loving embrace. They didn't stay connected long as Matt pulled away from her. She smiled at him before looking back at Patamon.

"And I have to thank you to Patamon. You saved me back there." Said Crescent

"Don't mention it. I was only protecting a friend. I am your friend, right?" Asked Patamon

Crescent rubbed the top of his head, "Of course we are. We're the best of friends."

Patamon smiled and laughed, but stopped when a sphere of light appeared before him and Crescent. Everyone in the room knew what that sphere meant as the light exploded to reveal a black and silver digivice. Crescent reached out and grabbed it. The screen lit up and showed a picture of Patamon.

"What's that?" Asked Patamon

"A digivice, and it has a picture of you on it." Said Crescent

"What does that mean?" Asked Patamon

"It means you and I are partners, and I'm a tamer now!" Exclaimed Crescent

"Really!" Exclaimed Patamon

"Yes!" Exclaimed Crescent

Crescent held Patamon's front paws as he jumped up and down with a smile on both of their faces. Matt walked over to stand next to the Twilight to watch at the cute display. She intertwined the fingers of her right hand with his left as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She looked up at him as he watched Crescent.

"You think I'll get a Digimon to?" Asked Twilight

He looked down at her and placed a kiss on her forehead, "Who knows, but anything is possible."