Digimon Adventure: Storm Warning

In the grasslands of Nature Level, a Trailmon sped through. Its whistle was howling loudly through the night, like a beautiful tune being played by a virtuoso. As it chugged down the line, a single Digimon stepped onto the tracks. It was a Gabumon. It faced the oncoming Trailmon without hesitation. Its eyes were covered in a red haze. A joyous smile stretched across its face as it lifted its arms towards the Trailmon's light.

It spoke. “Please, let me ride.” The Trailmon was getting close to him. It was not slowing down. He continued. “Please, oh, please let me hear your song.” The Trailmon whistled loudly; its whistle, oh, the beautiful whistle. He fell to his knees, arms stretched and opened wide. He yelled out. “PLEASE! TAKE!”

The whistle drowned out his last words as the Trailmon collided with him. His data vanished instantly into its unforgiving steel body. It continued to chug down its line, not even worrying about the other Digimon it would soon absorb. After all, one must be careful to avoid hearing its killer melody. For when Black Trailmon was near, Digimon would disappear. The whistle echoed loudly across the plains. It sounded almost like a ghost howling out forever, refusing to rest.

Labramon barked happily as she raced with her partner down the trail. The group had just arrived at the mountain region of the level. Ice laughed as she looked back at her partner. Seeing this, Labramon picked up her pace, trying her best to outrun her. The others smiled at the sight of a Digimon and their partner bonding. They were walking just behind them as they sped down the trail.

Snow giggled before saying. “Gonna burn themselves out before they get there.” She then called out to them. “Hey! Pace yourselves! It's going to take all of us just to knock that thing down!” She watched as the two continued to run. She sighed while shaking her head.

Zipp giggled a little at the two. They could give Izzy a run for her bits in the energy department. She still couldn't believe she was here, even after traveling for two days with them. She was still finding it hard to believe that this was happening. She looked at Guilmon, who walked close beside her. He noticed and smiled at her, and she smiled back at him. For the last two days, their group had been heading to Lava Village. There was something there called a Data Siphon. A tool used by the Reapers to steal the Level's digital code. Snow got her up to speed last night about their mission. Four Levels make up the Digital World. Nature is currently under the control of Worm. Utopian, a big city world under the power of the Reaper known as Selfie. Level Three was under the control of Riot. And the last Level was where the leader of the Reapers stayed... Queen Eternal Eclipse.

Snow called out. “ZIPP!”

Zipp yelled as she jumped back. She had been so deep in thought she didn't notice that Snow had stopped walking. Snow laughed a little while she smiled sheepishly.

Zipp replied. “What is it, Snow?”

Snow answered. “I just got a message from Dust. She needs us to head to the Grassland of the Nature level.”

Zipp asked. “Why?”

She answered while loading the mission document on her Digivice. “There have been numerous reports of Digimon disappearing in that area. The area is also locked in a constant night setting. She suspects that Worm may be setting up a new siphon. If that's the case, we'll have to put Lava Village on the back burner for now. And, deal with this before he can get it set up.” She then pressed a button on her Digivice before saying. “Step back.”

Zipp nodded and took a step back. A bright flash of data then appeared before them. From it, Ice and Labramon fell. They landed on the ground in a heap. Both of them laughed a little before they stood up. Ice dusted herself off while her partner shook herself clean.

Ice asked. “What happened? Did we get too far ahead for you slowpokes?” She giggled a little.

Snow answered. “No, we got a new mission. We're going to the Grassland area.” She knew what the two were about to do and quickly instructed. “We're all going to pace ourselves until we get there. Because if Worm is doing this, we will be in for a serious fight. So no racing understood.” The two nodded and started walking down the trail again

Zipp walked up and asked. “They're gonna start running as soon as you say 'yes' to this question, aren't they?”

Snow answered with a deadpanned look. “Unfortunately, yes.”

On cue, the two raced each other down the trail. Snow brought her hoof to her forehead; while Zipp tried to keep herself from laughing at their antics. Guilmon wondered why the two were running. Were they under attack? He looked around but didn't see or smell anything dangerous. So why were they running? We're they playing a game? His tail wagged as he started to run after them.

Zipp called out. “Guilmon, get back here!” She ran after him.

Snow and Betamon watched as the other two chased after them. They stood calmly on the trail before they looked at each other. They then shrugged their shoulders before chasing after their team. If they were all tired by the time they got there. Ice and Labramon were to blame for it.

Both Ice and Labramon panted heavily as they lay on the soft grass. Their group had arrived at the Grasslands in good time. But, all of them were worn out because they raced each other all the way there. Zipp and Snow were setting up camp while their Digimon rested. Zipp was surprised when Snow showed her how much their Digivices stored. After a little while, the two had gotten not only the tent pitched. But, they had also got a nice campfire going. They sat around the fire, enjoying its comforting warmth.

Snow looked at Zipp and said. “Hey, Zipp.”

Zipp looked at her and replied. “Yeah.”

Snow said. “Thanks for coming out with us.” She paused a moment before continuing. “For a while, it was just me, Ice, and our partners fighting back against the Reapers. Now with you and Guilmon here. It looks like we've finally got a fighting chance.”

Zipp smiled before replying. “No, problem.” She then asked. “Snow?”

Snow replied. “Hmm?”

Zipp asked her. “How long have you all been fighting these Reapers?”

She answered her question with a question. “You wanna know when you can go home, huh?”

Zipp nodded; she felt Snow would see right through the question. She watched as Snow rubbed the back of her head. That meant she would not like the answer she was going to get.

Snow answered. “For Dust and Ice, a little over five months.” She sighed heavily before continuing. “For me, I had been fighting the Reapers by myself for ten years.” She waited for Zipp to gasp or deny their new reality. What shocked her was when she heard her sigh.

Zipp then commented. “I thought you were going to say about a year or two. But, ten.” She looked up at the night sky before asking. “Is there a way out?”

Snow thought a little bit before she answered. “Yes, but.”

Zipp interrupted her. “We need to beat all of the Reapers. Am I correct?”

Snow nodded before she commented. “You're taking this a lot better than I had thought.”

Both of them then heard Ice call out. “Labramon!?” They looked and saw her searching for her partner. “Labramon! Labramon where are you?!”

Both of them got up and walked over to her. When she noticed them, she said. “It's Labramon. Labramon's gone! She's gone!”

Snow told her. “Calm down, Ice! Getting worked up like this isn't going to help find her.” She watched as Ice nodded before she looked at Zipp. “Zipp, go wake Guilmon and Betamon, please.”

Zipp nodded and walked over to the two Digimon. She smiled at the cute sight of the two cuddled together. She hated having to wake them up. But they needed their help. She gently shook them awake.

Guilmon groaned as he opened his eyes; he asked. “Zipp?” He yawned. “Zipp, is that you?” He watched her nod before he asked. “Is everything okay?”

Zipp shook her head before answering. “No, that's why I had to wake you up. Labramon is missing.”

Guilmon stood up and shook himself before following Zipp over to where Labramon used to be. He started to sniff the area hoping to pick up her scent. It did not take him long to find it. He then began to follow the scent. The others followed close behind him as he followed the smell. The group didn't know how far they had traveled. All that mattered was finding their friend. They found her sitting on some rail.

Ice smiled as she ran up to her partner. “Labramon!” When she was close enough, she hugged her—sniffing a little as she buried her face into her partner's fur. She asked her. “Labramon, what are you doing? You had me worried sick.”

Labramon spoke. “It sounds so beautiful.”

Ice asked. “Huh?” She looked and almost gasped in horror. Labramon's eyes' were glazed over with a strange film.

Zipp suddenly shouted. “Watch out!”

The two were then tackled off of the tracks by her and Guilmon. Just as a Black Trailmon sped by them. Its whistle howled loudly as it rushed along the line. The group watched as it chugged along. It didn't even seem to notice that it had almost hit them. After the last car had passed, Snow and Betamon joined them on the other side.

Betamon asked. “Are you all okay?”

Zipp, Guilmon, and Ice nodded before Labramon suddenly asked. “Are we all playing a game?”

They looked and saw Labramon with a confused look on her face. Ice smiled before she hugged her partner. Labramon smiled before she said. “Oh, the hugging game! I love this game!” She then hugged her partner back before asking. “Why are we playing the game here and not back at camp?”

Betamon answered. “That's because we're not playing a game.” She looked at him before he continued. “You and Ice nearly got ran over by a Trailmon.”

Labramon replied. “Betamon, don't lie. It's not good to lie to friends.”

Betamon growled before asking. “Why would I lie?”

Snow spoke. “The better question is, what is a Trailmon doing in the Nature Level?” The group looked at her as she scanned the rails with her Digivice. She looked at Labramon and asked. “Labramon, do you remember anything before we started playing the hugging game?”

Labramon thought for a moment. Suddenly, Betamon screamed in terror as he backed away from the rails. Snow yelled. “Betamon!” She got next to him.

He screamed. “Digimon!”

The group looked around, each of them taking a defensive stance. But there was nothing there. All around them was nothing but empty grassland. Snow looked at him as she tried to calm him down. She spoke calmly. “Where, Betamon? We don't see them.”

He lifted one of his trembling paws and pointed towards the rails. She looked at them before bringing her Digivice up. She switched to the screen that allowed her to see what her partner was seeing. She gasped in horror at what she saw. The rail was made of Digimon code. And the code was still active.

A calm voice then spoke. “Fear the call of the Black Trailmon.” They looked in the direction of where the voice had come from. Standing just a few feet away was someone dressed in a hooded robe. The figure continued speaking. “For if it claims you; forever your code, it will ride on.” The figure then faded away.

Before any of them could ask, the ghostly face of an Agumon appeared out of the rail. It was followed by a Renamon, a Poyomon, and Ranamon, and one after another, Digimon heads appeared from inside the rails. Each of them cried out and begged for help. The group backed away in fear before they ran away from the rails. They could hear the ghostly screams echoing across the land. Cries for help ringing in their ears like a horrible symphony. They ran back to camp. All of them piling and hiding in the tent. The screams and pleas grew louder. They covered their ears as the sound got louder. Then in an instant, everything was silent.

Zipp asked. “What was that?”

Ice woke with a start as she sat up inside the tent. She didn't remember falling asleep. Did she fall asleep, or did she pass out? She then remembered all the screams that she had heard. She felt an icy chill go down her back, causing her to shiver.

Labramon asked. “Are you cold, Ice?”

Ice turned and looked at her partner. Usually, Labramon was full of energy and would have already burst out of this tent. But, the look her partner had on her face told a different story. Labramon was scared. Ice shook her head before motioning for Labramon to come closer to her. Slowly, her partner walked up to her. When she was close enough, Ice gently wrapped her in a protective hug. Labramon whined a little as her partner held her.

Labramon whined out. “All those Digimon.”

Ice shushed her while whispering. “I know. I know.”

The front of the tent opened, allowing Zipp to poke her head in. She looked at the two and said. “Good, you're both up. Both f you need to see this.”

They nodded as Zipp walked away from the tent. Ice and Labramon followed her; when they stepped out, they gasped in shock. They were inside a train car. It was filled with Digimon, who sat like lifeless statues. Snow and Betamon were examining them. At the same time, Zipp and Guilmon tried to open the door. How did they end up here?

Ice asked. “Snow, where are we?”

Snow answered. “We're inside the Black Trailmon.”

Ice's went wide as she asked. “What?! How?!”

Snow answered. “I guess that when we passed out due to a combination of exhaustion and fear. It relocated its rail and attacked us.” She then lifted her Digivice and explained. “Thankfully, our Digivices' activated, keeping us from becoming a part of its rail line.”

Ice shuddered at the thought just as Zipp and Guilmon managed to open the door. The group started to make its way to the engine. They walked through cab after cab. Each one was filled to the brim with Digimon. The Black Trailmon was probably downloading the data from their physical bodies and, at the same time, trapping the consciousness into the rail line. They felt sorry for the poor Digimon. They eventually came to a cab junction with an opening at the top—leading up to the roof(back) of the Trailmon.

Snow nodded before saying. “Betamon and I will go up and take a look.” She then instructed. “All of you. Stay here until we say it's all clear.”

She watched as each of them nodded before she motioned for Betamon to climb on her back. She then started to climb up the ladder. As she reached the top, the wind whipped wildly past her head. Her mane was blown out like a curtain in the wind. Betamon jumped onto the roof before turning and helping her up. Once she got herself steady, she looked in front and behind them. Noticing that it was clear, she turned to let the others know to climb up. But they were gone.

A voice spoke against the howling wind. “On these wicked rails, we speed.”

Snow turned towards where the voice had come from. In front of them now stood the cloaked figure from last night. Whoever they were, they didn't seem bothered by the wind. Both Snow and Betamon prepared for a fight.

Zipp and Guilmon stood back to back as they tried to figure out how they ended up in the train's caboose. Guilmon growled at the door, causing Zipp to face it with him. The door opened, revealing the cloaked figure from last night. The figure slowly walked into the cab as Guilmon growled at them.

The figure spoke. “Calling all Digimon whose code that we need.”

Guilmon shouted. “Pyro Sphere!” He launched a massive fireball at the figure. Only to have the figure catch it and redirect it back at him. Knocking him back.

Zipp called out. “Guilmon!” She tried to run to him, but the figure blocked her and kicked her into the open cab. She yelled out in pain as she slammed and skidded across the floor. When she stopped, she tried to get to her hooves quickly. Only to have the figure suddenly appear before her. She gasped as she was suddenly grabbed and slammed into a window.

Ice was inside what appeared to be the Trailmon's reefer. She shivered a little as the cold air worked its way around her body. She looked around, the dim overhead lights barely illuminating the cab. She was alone, and Labramon was nowhere in sight.

She called out for her. “Labramon.”

She heard no response; her body shivered as the air seemed colder. Where was her partner? She gasped as she heard the sound of hoofsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw a large earth stallion walking toward her. She gasped as she backed away in fear.

She stuttered. “D-D-Dad!?”

She was then slapped across the face by him. She screamed out in pain as she backed away from him. She bumped into something, causing her to turn around quickly. In front of her stood a mare with a hateful look on her face.

Ice yelled out. “Mom!”

The mare screamed. “You have no right calling me that!” The mare then pushed her to the ground.

Ice gasped as she landed on a hardwood floor. She looked at the two who stood over her like terrifying giants. She looked at herself; she was now a foal cowering against the wall of her home. Her body was covered in various bruises and cuts as her parents walked toward her.

Her mother sneered. “You pitiful runt! Look at yourself! Still wetting yourself like the stupid foal you are!”

Ice put her forehooves in front of her as a shield. It was a pitiful attempt to shield herself from their attack. She gasped as her father's hoof suddenly wrapped tightly around her neck. It wasn't tight enough to choke her. But, it was still hard for her to breathe.

Her father spoke coldly. “Why are you so weak?” He then threw her down hard. His body smacked into the floor hard. A sickening crack echoed through the house. Her father walked up to her. “You're not worthy of the name you were given.”

Labramon shouted. “Retriever Bark!” She smashed open another door as she raced through the cabs.

She was separated from her partner, and she had to find her fast. The only problem was that her scent was somehow everywhere. It had to be the Trailmon. Somehow it was using Digital code to mimic her partners' scent. It made her growl before multiple Digimon husks blocked her.

It was then she heard her partner's voice scream. “LABRAMON!”

Labramon growled before she yelled. “All of you, get out of my way!” She then sprinted forward. “Cause Labramon is coming through!” She knocked all the husks down as she steamrolled through the carts.

She used her attack to smash open the doors in her way. All that mattered was getting to Ice. Her partner was in trouble, and she needed her now. She focused on her partner. Anything that stood in her way was knocked over or destroyed by her. Nothing, not a thing, not even a Digimon, was going to stop her. She eventually reached a large steel door. Her partner was behind it, and she needed to get through it. She then heard her partner scream in pain.

She shouted. “ICE!” She used her attack and smashed open the door. She jumped inside and saw her partner crouching on the floor. Above her stood a figure which seemed surprised to see her. She shouted. “Retriever Bark!” The attack caused the creature to disappear. Allowing her to walk up and lick her partner.

Ice gasped as she looked up with tear-filled eyes. She saw her partner and said. “Labramon?”

Labramon replied. “It's okay, Ice. I'm here.” She then started to nuzzle her.

Ice sobbed as she pulled Labramon into a needed hug. Labramon didn't say anything. All she did was let her friend cry. Her partner needed this. She growled as she swore to make whoever or whatever that was pay. She suddenly heard Ice say. “I...I'm so sorry, Labramon.” She looked at her.

Ice slowly lifted her tear-stained face. She saw the curious look of her partner. She sobbed before saying. “You don't deserve a pathetic partner like me.”

Before Labramon could say anything, the figure reappeared and spoke. “For once, you are right.”

The two turned and looked at the figure as it stepped into the light. Labramon growled loudly before it continued. “The only reason you're here is because your world didn't want you. Your parents didn't want you. And, now even this world dose does not want you.” It listed off everything that Ice fear was true.

Ice sobbed heavily as memories that she tried to forget came back to her. Memories of all the hurtful things that were said to her. The painful thing that struck her. She felt small, like the stupid and useless foal she was.

The figure spoke. “You don't deserve to be a Digi-Destined.”

Labramon howled. “That's enough!” Ice gasped as the figure backed away from them. She continued. “She wasn't sent her because her world didn't want her. She's here because this world needs her.” Labramon glared at the figure. “She's here because I chose her as my partner, and she chose me!” She growled as she stepped closer to the figure. “You say her parents didn't deserve her. No, she didn't deserve them as parents. Like how mine didn't deserve me.” Ice remembered what Labramon had told her. Labramon took another step closer; her growl was becoming louder. She finished. “And, if this world didn't want her. You wouldn't be facing this.”

Ice's Digivice glowed brightly as Labramon was surrounded by digital code. Labramon's voice echoed. “Labramon! Digivolve to!”. Her body became slimmer, her tail shrunk to almost a stub, her paws became bigger, and her claws became sharper. Around her neck, a sizeable spiked collar grew. Her ears became thinner, and her typically white coat turned dark and lean. When the digital code disappeared, Labramon stood in her champion form. She shouted. “Dobermon!”

Dobermon growled loudly at the hooded figure before she shouted. “Black Beam!”

A massive beam attack struck the figure, destroying its body the moment the beam touched it. She then sniffed the air before a wicked smile stretched across her face. She howled. “Gray Noise!”

The howl echoed throughout the train. The train began to shift and fade in and out of reality. Ice stared at her partner as she continued to howl. She then felt herself being pulled away; she screamed as she was pulled into a black void. Her hooves reach out for her partner.

Ice, along with Zipp, Snow, and their partners, sat up in surprise. They were back at camp. Each of them panted heavily as they tried to get their senses back. Ice looked around, trying to find Dobermon.

She asked. “Where's?”

She was interrupted by a loud growl coming from her right. The group got to their feet quickly and looked. There was Dobermon and the Black Trailmon. She growled again at the Digimon that was stopped at their camp. The Trailmon whistled loudly just as long spider legs shot out from its sides. Each one sticking into the ground like a sharp spear.

Snow said. “I should've known! Worm sent a Digi-fuse here!”

Zipp asked. “A what?!”

Snow explained. “The Reapers can fuse Digimon into a new Digimon. We call them a Digi-fuse.” She then lifted her Digivice and switched to another screen. This time she saw the Digimon who were fused into it. It was a Trailmon and an Arukenimon.

Dobermon called out to her partner. “Ice!”

Ice nodded before saying. “Leave this one to us.” She then lifted her Digivice and tapped the button in the middle. She yelled. “Data Cards!” A screen appeared in front of her; on it was a large number of cards. She selected one that had the image of two swords on it. She shouted. “Data Upload!” The card appeared to load into the Digivice as she aimed it at her partner. She finished. “Lobomon's light swords activate!”

A beam shot out from the Digivice and into Dobermon. The spikes on the side of her collar transformed into two light swords. Dobermon growled at the Digi-fuse in front of her. Before she charged at it. The front of the train opened, revealing razor-sharp teeth. From the mouth, large webs shot out and flew rapidly at her. Dobermon deflected each one before using the train's spade to jump above into the air.

Dobermon shouted. “Dobo-Kendo!”

In a bright flash, Dobermon landed just behind the Digi-fuse. Everything was silent as her light swords vanished from her collar. It was then that countless cuts and slashes appeared along its body. It screamed in pain as it started to fade away into data. Along with it, all of the digital code that was trapped in the rail was also released. Numerous voices thanked them as they flew back into the digital world. In front of Dobermon, the code of the Trailmon and Arukenimon appeared. She stared at them as they bowed their heads in thanks before flying off. The night finally began to turn to day in the zone. The Black Trailmon was gone.

Ice walked up to her partner as she De-Digivolved back into Labramon. Labramon turned and looked at her. She was smiling happily as her tail wagged. Ice began to laugh as she ran up to her. Labramon barked happily as she tackled Ice and began to lick her happily.

Snow commented. “Those two will never change.” She smiled happily before turning back towards the tent. Her partner following her.

Ice noticed and asked. “Where are you going, Snow?”

Snow answered. “Back to sleep.”

The others looked at one another just as fatigue had finally set in. The only thing that kept them going through that battle was a mixture of fear, courage, and adrenaline. Now that the battle was over and they hadn't gotten a proper rest since they got there. Their bodies were forcing all of them to rest. Zipp and her partner followed them into the tent. At the same time, Ice and Labramon brought up the rear. Once they were in the tent, all six almost immediately fell asleep. Before Ice fell asleep, she felt her partner snuggling close to her. A gentle lick of her forehead followed it. She smiled and hugged Labramon.