Disclaimer: I own nothing. But... soon...

"Friendship... is born at the moment when one man says to another, 'What! You too? I thought that no one but myself...'"

~ C.S Lewis

Partners

Chapter 4

Ties

It all happened in a blur.

"Naruto!"

"Takato-nii!"

The blond was squirming in the bindings that kept his ankles and wrists locked together, attempting and failing to release himself from the ties Devimon had placed on him. Takato moved as quick as he possibly could. He kneeled down next to the young blond and began fiddling with the ropes.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out," he muttered more to himself than anybody else.

Naruto stopped squirming in order to make it easier for the older boy, but his eyes remained glued to Impmon's form being thrown around by Devimon like a rag doll.

"Hurry, Takato!"

"Going, going," he muttered in frustration.

After what felt like forever, the ropes came undone and Naruto untangled his arms and pushed himself off the ground, only to fall again due to the ropes tied around his ankles.

"Wait. Not done yet," muttered Takato as he began to remove the ropes binding Naruto's ankles.

Naruto began getting fidgety as he watched Devimon slowly approach Impmon's downed body. Takato moved as quickly as he could, and when the ropes finally came undone, he had no time to react before Naruto moved.

Takato watched in horror as Naruto sprinted towards the battle between both dark Digimon, which Devimon was so clearly about to win.

The dark sphere that formed in his palm was pointed towards Impmon, who laid on the floor in resignation to his fate, neither of them aware of the blond coming his way.

And Takato could do nothing but scream as Naruto got between Devimon's attack and Impmon.

"Narutoooooooooo!"

Impmon's eyes widened as soon as he saw the yellow blur appear in front of him, intercepting the attack. Time stood still and everybody froze - shock and horror written all over their expressions.

"Gyah!"

Pain. Fire. Agony.

Those were the very sensations cursing throughout his entire body, all of it originating from the circular wound in his shoulder that seemed to screech in uncontained agony.

He clutched the wound tightly with his other hand and cringed at the sound of somebody screaming bloody murder in the distance.

It wasn't until a few seconds later that he realized he was the one screaming.

"Naruto!"

Impmon was panicking. Naruto was squirming on the floor less than a foot away from him with a bloody hole in his shoulder, which was pouring blood and staining the boy's orange clothing a dark red color that made Impmon's stomach coil.

Somehow, someway, he found the strength within himself to pick himself off the floor, and the next thing he knew, he was by Naruto's side unsure of what to do.

'W-what do I do?' he wondered as his gloved hands floated over the blond's flailing body, fearing that any touch, any poke or prod, could shatter the young boy into a million tiny pieces.

"Naruto!"

Not even five seconds later, Impmon was joined by Takato who with shaky hands, began clutching tightly onto Naruto's wound.

"Impmon, your bandana!" he cried out in desperation.

Impmon flinched and looked up at Takato questioningly, taken aback by the wild panic in the boy's eyes as he stared pleadingly at Impmon. Once he caught onto what Takato was asking of him, Impmon removed his bandana and handed it to Takato - ignoring the way he felt naked without it - and watched as Takato placed the bandana over Naruto's bleeding wound.

Naruto was squirming, kicking and screaming in pain over the devastating injury that was almost the size of the the blond's small fist and most likely went in through one side and out through the other.

Naruto... who sacrificed himself all in order to save Impmon.

His hands clenched tightly into fists as he watched Takato uselessly attempt to stop the blood flow and offer words of comfort to Naruto who could not hear him over his screams.

'Why?'

"Takato! How is he?" he heard Henry ask.

Impmon glanced back to see Henry and Rika still standing far off near the wall, both wearing horrified expressions and Impmon swore he could see tears in Rika's eyes.

"He needs a hospital, fast!" answered Takato. Though, it was obvious that the boy himself was panicking and had no idea what to do or how he was going to get Naruto to a hospital when they were in the middle of a battle.

The battle between Guilmon, Terriermon, and possessed Renamon hadn't stopped. But it was obvious by the way Guilmon and Terriermon were moving hesitantly and with terrified expressions, that they were shaken up from what just transpired.

Impmon frowned and clenched his jaw. He could hear his teeth gritting against each other and he turned back to glare at the blond who had finally stopped screaming and was now merely gasping desperately for gulps of air.

"Be my partner!"

"I'm not giving up, Impmon!"

"Stop lying to yourself."

The frustration, the anger, the regret... it was all too much and overwhelming. Why? Whywhywhy?

"Why?" he heard himself whisper. For weeks, Naruto had been chasing him down like a stray puppy with the intent of forcing Impmon into a partnership that he wanted no part of. And Impmon always refused. And yet, the blond hadn't given up, despite Impmon's attitude towards him. And now... despite everything Impmon had done, Naruto had sacrificed himself for him.

He just couldn't understand it.

"B-Because..."

Impmon's eyes widened. Naruto's eyes were opened slightly and clouded in pain, but looking at Impmon with an unreadable expression that quite honestly scared Impmon. There was no hatred, nor regret. In fact, Impmon was even more shocked when a familiar small smile found its way to Naruto's lips.

"W-we're p-p-partners."

Impmon's eyes widened further as Naruto's own blue orbs closed shut in pain, and he proceeded to squirm in misery.

"Stay with me, Naruto. Stay with me." Takato repeated like a mantra as he took out the phone in his pocket and began to dial a number, only to yelp in panic when a large clawed hand swiped the phone.

"I gotta admit, I did not expect that," said Devimon as he crushed the small device and let the small pieces drop to the floor. Devimon chuckled slightly and glanced down at the group of three with a sadistic expression as Takato tried in vain to glare at him despite the fear that had him shaking in his boots. "For this boy to sacrifice himself for a Digimon that made it obvious he hates him," Devimon laughed, "What a fool!"

Impmon's face scrunched up in fury and his hands clenched even more tightly. The pain that had had him motionless on the floor minutes ago was now forgotten, and he was left with a deep-seated hatred that burned passionately in his heart. A hatred unlike any other.

"Why you..."

Devimon laughed, interrupting Impmon's furious growl. "Look at the bright side," Devimon spread his large bony arms and smiled widely at Impmon with a fanged smile, "At least he won't bother you anymore." He continued to laugh.

Impmon's eyes widened, and Rika's words from earlier echoed in his mind.

'Is this... what I will turn into if I digivolve?'

Impmon's hatred flared even more and more to the point that he could feel it physically burning him from the inside, setting his innards on fire. But, it was the fear at the thought of Digivolving into this... this monster that continued to fuel that hatred. A hatred reserved, not just for Devimon, but for himself as well.

'I don't want to turn into him.'

Devimon's laughter faded and he glanced down at the group with a sadistic glee that made Takato's heart curl in slightly.

"Might as well put him out of his misery, don't you agree?" He raised a clawed hand and his attack formed once again at the palm of his hand.

Impmon's fury peaked.

"Get away from him!"

It happened suddenly. One minute, Devimon was standing ready to eliminate the humans and Impmon from the face of the Earth, and the next, he was sent flying against the wall due to a devastating punch.

Impmon stood tall with shaky legs and panting slightly, standing protectively in front of Naruto and Takato who stared in shock.

"I-Impmon." whispered Takato.

Nobody had seen it coming. The light that appeared before him and above the hurt Naruto, was blinding and Takato had to shut his eyes from the intensity of it. But once it cleared, and he was able to open them, his eyes widened from what he saw slowly descending to rest in Naruto's palm.

"I-Is that a...?"

\.~0~./

When Calumon had seen the group of kids running down the street with their Digimon, his curiosity had been grabbed and it didn't take much convincing for him to follow the group right behind them toward their destination.

After all, wherever they went, there had to be fun, right?

Though the group had been too caught up in whatever it was they were doing, Calumon tailed right behind them with a palpable eagerness for adventure and fun.

Unfortunately, he realized far too late that 'fun' was not what they were heading for.

Calumon watched from the pillars on the ceiling in horror and shock. The battle had become intense and the blonde boy he had played with various times before in the past, laid injured and writhing in agony.

"Oh, what should I do?" he whimpered.

He wanted to help. He trully did. But, he didn't know what else he could do besides cheer from the sidelines. It was evident even to him that he was not a Digimon meant for battle, nor did he have any useful skills that could help the group in their current confrontation.

Little did he know, that his mere presence was the only help the group needed.

\.~0~./

Henry watched in bewilderment as the light dissipated from where Naruto and Takato were positioned.

"Impossible." He heard Rika whisper.

"A... Digivice?" Henry blinked as he caught sight of a familiar device in Naruto's palm which was clenched tightly from the immense pain he was suffering.

"But who's...?"

"Pyro Sphere."

Henry was brought back to their own battle when Renamon dodged Guilmon's attack by moving to the side and running forward to punch the red Digimon under the jaw, sending him flying backwards and crashing against Terriermon who had been attempting to stand up.

"I don't get it, how is Renamon defeating both of them like this?" he asked quietly.

Rika scoffed. "Maybe because she's better than both of your Digimon combined?"

Henry shook his head as he analyzed Renamon's quick movements and compared them to Guilmon's and Terriermon's more desperate ones.

"No, something tells me it's more than that."

'Could it be that Devimon's ability did more than take over Renamon's mind? Maybe, he even managed to make her even more stronger than before.'

He reached into his pockets and pulled out a set of cards.

"Rika, call the police now, and have them send an ambulance for Naruto," he ordered as he searched through his cards.

"And what do we tell them?" Rika crossed her arms. "That some giant monster attacked us and nearly killed Naruto," her voice seemed to crack at the last part of her sentence.

Henry glanced at her, and his expression softened when he noticed the way she was trying to hide her fear and shakiness at the sight of the injured blonde. "Naruto needs medical attention. And he needs it now. We'll worry about coming up with a plausible explanation for the authorities later."

In the end, Rika nodded and pulled out her phone.

Henry nodded in gratitude and pulled out the card he was looking for from his deck.

'Time to get this over with.'

Impmon had not been able to see the Digivice appear in Naruto's hand. But he did feel something different as Devimon stood from the floor slowly and wiped his mouth, anger clearly written all over his face.

"Do you honestly believe that was a good idea?" he asked coldly.

"Best one I've had so far," muttered Impmon. 'And very satisfying.'

Devimon smirked cockily. "You know, I really thought you were smarter than this Impmon. Really I did. That's why out of all the Digimon around, it was you I chose. We could've been great together. I could've helped you Digivolve. I could've-"

"Turn me into you," growled Impmon.

Devimon chuckled lightly, "You act as if you're not already on your way there."

Impmon's eyes widened slightly, but rapidly tried to hide his reaction by glaring at Devimon again. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Please," scoffed Devimon, "The way you always talk about humans and attack them as well as berate all Digimon who ally themselves with them. You know, that's how I started out as well."

"You mean before you turned into a killer?" spat Impmon.

"Isn't that what we exist for?" asked Devimon, spreading his arms widely. "We kill our own kind in order to attain more power, how is killing humans any different."

Impmon clenched his teeth, and cursed at himself for his lack of answer.

"Exactly," chuckled Devimon at Impmon's lack of response. "Humans are weak. Idiots. They created us but in the end, we are more powerful than they will ever be. What is the point of their existence? They serve no purpose except to waste space."

His clawed finger pointed at the blond boy clutched in Takato's grip, who tightened his hold over the blond.

"He is no different from the rest of his kind. The only reason he wants you is because he wants a pet like his other friends. He doesn't want a partner, he wants a dog that will follow his every command and fight his battles for him."

Devimon's smiled widened. "In fact, you're doing that right now."

Impmon growled, but he couldn't deny the fact that Devimon was partially right. For so long, Impmon rejected the idea of having a partner, especially if that partner was Naruto. He didn't want to be used like an attack dog the way the others used Guilmon and Terriermon. He's seen the way Rika has treated Renamon, and honestly he's seen dogs that are treated way better than how that vixen is treated by her so called partner.

And yet, here he was standing up for a human despite long ago convincing himself that he would never do such a thing. And he couldn't come up with a rational reason behind his uncharacteristic actions.

"I-Impmon..."

Impmon's eyes widened and he slowly glanced behind him.

Naruto was smiling slightly, and eyeing him with pained eyes.

"I-I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

"You're my partner."

Impmon's eyes widened, and he was left speechless.

"You fool!"

Takato's eyes widened when he saw Devimon charge at the smaller Digimon.

"Impmon look out!"

A bright white light emmitted from Naruto's digivice, and in the distance, a small Digimon yelped when the red triangle in his forehead shone in response.

DIGIVOLUTION

\.~0~./

The feeling was strange and foreign, but the moment he saw Devimon stop in his tracks and stare at the scene in disbelief, and he strange sensations of his body, he knew...

...it finally happened.

"Impmon Digivolve to..."

He grew in size. That's the first thing that he noticed. His once short and stubby body grew larger and his purple body was clothed in a yellow outfit with red rags sown into the fabric. His feet were encased in brown boots with a yellow crescent moon placed on each. His three fingers became four and were covered in brown gloves with rings around some fingers. His pointy ears disappeared and in their place was brown spiky hair that was covered by a large purple, pointy hat with a yellow skull wrapped in the front. A large purple cape with yellow symbols within it wrapped itself around his body and covered his mouth.

And in his hand appeared a large staff with a sun at the top.

The transformation was complete.

"Wizardmon!"

It was now time to kick some ass.

\.~0~./

Takato was left speechless as he eyed Impmon's new form, standing tall and strong before Devimon.

Wizardmon. That's what he had called himself.

He pulled out his digivice and immediately began his scanning.

"Wizardmon. Champion level Digimon. His attacks include Electro Squall, Magical Game, and Vision of Terror," he read. "But, I thought Impmon digivolved to Devimon. Huh?"

Takato's attention was grabbed by a strange light emitting from the corner of his eye. He looked down to see Naruto's clutched digivice glowing once again.

"What's going on?" he muttered.

Naruto groaned and Takato proceeded attempt to comfort him once again. "It's alright Naruto, help will be here soon." Henry or Rika must've already called an ambulance the minute Takato's own phone was destroyed by Devimon, so now it was only a matter of time.

He moved Impmon's bandana slightly to the side to check the injury, only to gasp.

"W-what the...?"

There was a strange white light surrounding Naruto's wound. Same as the one coming out of Naruto's Digivice.

"What's going on?" he asked in bewilderment.

He eyed the light on Naruto's wound and looked up at Wizardmon, preparing for his battle against Devimon.

"Wizardmon," he whispered.

\.~0~./

"He Digivolved," Rika muttered as both kids stared at Impmon's brand new form.

The battle between Guilmon, Terriermon, and Renamon was coming to an end as Renamon was being driven back by the boost in power Henry's card gave Terriermon. It would be over soon. And though she was slightly disappointed that Renamon was being defeated, all Rika wanted at the moment was to have Renamon back.

"Wizardmon, a champion level Digimon. His attacks include Electro Squall, Magical Game, and Vision of Terror. He's Impmon's Digivolution," read Henry from his Digivice.

"I thought Impmon digivolved to Devimon," commented Rika, looking at Devimon's intimidating figure standing combat-ready in front of Wizardmon.

"Some Digimon can Digivolve into other forms. There are different forms that a Digimon can take when Digivolving. Agumon for example, could Digivolve into Greyson or Centarumon. Even Terriermon could've Digivolved into somebody other than Gargomon," explained Henry.

"Yeah, that's true," commented Rika, remembering previous information that she had read on Digivolutions.

Rika felt her heart and pride shatter when she saw Renamon fall to the ground and not get back up, leaving an injured Guilmon and Terriermon standing tall.

"Looks like there is only one more battle to win," commented Henry as he looked up at Wizardmon and Devimon. "Come on."

Henry ran to Takato's side, with Rika following from behind.

This would be an interesting battle.

\.~0~./

"So... in the end, you Digivolved."

Devimon eyed Wizardmon's look with an expression of interest. Obviously, this was not the Digivolution that he had expected.. Devimon had been Impmon at one point, before he Digivolved and turned into Devimon. That's what he had expected this Impmon to Digivolve into.

Instead, he was faced with Wizardmon.

Wizardmon meanwhile, was looking down at his hands and his form with a look of surprise and disbelief.

It happened. It truly happened.

After waiting for such a long time, Impmon had finally Digivolved. His one wish has finally come true.

But... how?

Was it because of his test of strength? Because he was in a desperate situation of life and death?

No. Something told him it was way more than that.

He glanced back at the group of kids to see Takato joined in by Henry, Guilmon, and Terriermon while Rika stayed back watching over an unconscious Renamon. Then, his eyes landed on what looked to be an unconscious Naruto... and the small purple Digivice clutched in his palm and glowing a white color.

His eyes widened as realization hit him like a fucking train.

When did he...?

Did he accept Naruto as his partner?

"Wizardmon look out!"

Wizardmon was snapped out of his reverie and turned to see Devimon charging towards him with an outstretched arm, ready to impale him.

Wizardmon raised his staff and jumped far out of the way. He could feel the power coursing through his veins. The adrenaline that filled him with the idea that he could do this: he could defeat Devimon.

Devimon's hand met nothing but air, and Wizardmon rose his staff up in the air and a large dark cloud formed above Devimon's form.

"Electric Squall!"

The thunder cloud roared and an intense lightning strike was unleashed from within it. Devimon's eyes widened and he barely had time to fly out of the way, causing the lightning to strike the ground and create a large crater.

Devimon floated in the air, and carefully eyed Wizardmon as he stood on the ground with his staff in the defense and glaring at the Dark Digimon.

Devimon scoffed and raised his hand, a dark orb forming in the middle of his palm.

"Death Hand."

The dark beam unleashed from his hand and moved to strike Wizardmon. Devimon smirked when Wizardmon didn't move out of the way and it struck him in the chest, only to be left confused when Wizardmon's form flickered and faded away like mist.

"Magical Game."

Devimon's eyes widened and he turned around to see Wizardmon standing behind him with his staff raised and pointing directly at Devimon.

"Vision of Terror!"

Devimon's eyes widened as a dark spiral-like aura formed at the tip of Wizardmon's staff. It expanded and grew in size, looking like it was going to swallow him whole. Devimon cursed and immediately began to try and fly away from the incoming attack. But, he didn't move fast enough, and before he knew it, he was swallowed by the darkness.

Takato and the others stared at the battle in confusion. Which looked more like a staring contest than anything.

Wizardmon stood with his staff still pointed at Devimon and a dark spiral formed at the tip, and Devimon seemed to be completely frozen as well, staring straight into the spiral as if he was mesmerized or hypnotized by the very thing.

"What's going on?" he asked.

A quiet groan caught his attention along with Henry's and he looked down at the charge in his arms. Naruto's eyes were fluttering slightly, the light that had emitted where his wound had been had vanished, along with the injury that could've cost him his life.

"Naruto!" he cried out his name.

Naruto's eyes opened, though barely, it was obvious that despite the absence of the wound, he was still far too weak and tired.

"T-Takato-nii?"

Takato smiled and sighed in relief. "You're okay."

Naruto groaned in response and attempted to push himself up and off Takato's arms. Only to stop when he felt something at the palm of his right hand.

He looked down at his hand curiously and the minute he saw what was in it, his eyes widened.

"Looks like in the end, Impmon did accept a partner," smiled Henry.

Naruto lifted the purple Digivice and stared at it, analyzing every nook and cranny as he flipped it over and over again, and his mind clicked in dawning realization.

He had a Digimon partner.

He smiled the widest smile he could possibly muster. "Impmon!" He cried out his partner's - his partner's - and looked around the area for the purple Digimon. But, instead of being greeted with the sight of the small, grumpy Digimon, he was met with a different scene that seemed to have been put on pause like a movie.

"What?"

Devimon was there. And the sight of the tall, scary Digimon nearly had him scrambling back. His eyes widened and his empty hand moved to clutch the place where his shoulder met his torso, the place where he remembered feeling such an intense pain that had him seeing white for what felt like an eternity. But, instead of the bloody hole that had pierced him, there was nothing but a tear in his shirt and smooth bare skin.

He looked down at the area in confusion. He had been hurt. He was sure of that.

"It healed," voiced Henry, knowing exactly what the blond was thinking.

Naruto glanced at him, before looking back at the wound. "Healed?" he whispered.

Henry simply nodded, knowing that there was another question hidden under that one, except he had no answer for it. He placed a finger on his chin and lost himself in thought, all the while, unknowingly staring at the blond who went back to analyzing the odd scene in front of them.

'What I don't understand is how,' he thought, 'Was it Impmon? But if so, how was he even capable of doing something like that? It just doesn't make sense. I know that Wizardmon must be strong, but to be able to heal a wound of such magnitude, even though he was so far away?'

He glanced back at Wizardmon. The Digimon was staring directly at the frozen Devimon with a frozen expression of determination.

'This just doesn't add up.'

"Who is that?" asked Naruto, pointing at Wizardmon.

"That's Impmon," answered Takato.

"Eeeehhhh?!"

Meanwhile, Rika sat far away from the group, holding an unconscious Renamon's head in her arms while she stared at the frozen scene before them.

She frowned when the blond kid woke up, and with him a bucket full of questions that ran through Rika's mind.

'Impmon Digivolved not even five minutes after becoming Naruto's partner,' she glanced at the two Digimon by the group's side before looking at Renamon, 'whereas, it took us much longer for Renamon and the others to Digivolve. Not only that, but Naruto's wound healed completely. Not only does it make the call for an ambulance useless, but it's simply... odd.'

She stared intensely at Wizardmon, who still had yet to move. 'A Digimon shouldn't have the power to do that. Especially one that couldn't even take Terriermon or any other lowly Digimon in a one-on-one battle before Digivolving.'

If she wasn't clutching Renamon's head, Rika's hands would've been clenched into fists from the sheer annoyance of the situation.

'It doesn't make sense.'

"T-That's Impmon?" asked Naruto, staring at Wizardmon's form in pure awe. The same awe that his expression held when Guilmon had Digivolved into Growlmon.

Takato nodded. "He Digivolved."

Naruto was left speechless. Impmon Digivolved? But, how? Wait, actually -

"Why are they both acting so... weird?" he asked.

Henry answered this time. "Wizardmon used a move called 'Vision of Terror'. I've never heard of it, but from what I gather, Wizardmon must've cast an illusion which they are both now stuck in until Wizardmon either calls the move off, or Devimon overpowers it."

"Aaahhhhhhh," Naruto nodded. "So... it's a mystery move?"

Henry sweat dropped. "Uh, no - did you... did you even hear what I sa-?"

Wizardmon's body flickered. He noticed it at the corner of his eye, and though the movement was small, Henry was known for being a rather observant young man.

"Hey," he called Takato's attention. Takato nodded back, confirming that he had seen it as well.

Slowly, the dark spiral began to fade away, and the group of tamers watched in anticipation before it completely vanished.

And one fighter fell.

Minutes earlier...

It was dark.

Endless.

And a bit scary.

Devimon looked around the area. There was nothing. Nothing but darkness and emptiness, and just... nothing.

And for the first time in his life, Devimon felt... fear.

It was there. Creeping from the corners of his heart and crawling out to greet him. He managed to keep a lid on it, to not let it overcome him and make the enemy see that he was afraid.

So he hid it. Placed a drape over it and pretended it wasn't there.

Then, he began to do what he does best.

He laughed.

"Hahaha! Idiot! Is this the best you can do?" he laughed and laughed. Each and ever single cackle acting as another drape to place over the fear that was secretly beginning to grow in size.

"I know what this move is. You're showing me my deepest fear, right? Well, you failed! I am Devimon! I don't fear anything, for I am fear itself!"

Then he laughed louder. But even that laugh was not loud enough to cover the voice that appeared out of nowhere and seemed to come out of everywhere.

"Impmon?"

His laugh abruptly ended.

That voice...

"What are you doing, Impmon?"

The laugh of a small child. A girl. No older than ten.

An image appeared before him. A young girl with brown hair tied into twin pony tails, wearing a flower dress smiling at what was a small Impmon. This one different from the one he was facing. This one was much brighter. This one was smiling as he held a bundle of origami roses to the young girl.

"Here, I made them for you!" he said cheerfully.

The girl's smile widened and she grabbed the flowers, hugging them to her chest.

"They're beautiful!"

"Stop..." Somebody was speaking. And it took him all of one minute to realize that that somebody was him.

The image faded, almost as if responding to his pleas, only to be replaced by a different one. This one of the same Impmon being batted away by a giant Ogremon.

"Come on, Impmon!"

It was the same girl from before, only this one was much older. Probably by two or three years, and the young smiling girl from before with ponytails, was now a teenager with a more firm expression that was smothered in annoyance and frustration.

"Get up!"

Impmon struggled to stand up as Ogremon towered him, raising his massive club up in the air.

"Impmon!"

Just as Ogremon's club struck down, the image faded once again.

"I had to use a card," the voice was cold. No longer cheerful or bright like the young girl that once possessed it. It's almost as if somebody else had been using her voice.

Impmon sat up on the couch, his entire frame covered in bandages as the teenager stood over him, an angry expression on her face. He looked guilty, sorry... even scared.

Devimon's hands tightened into fists and he began to grit his teeth.

"This is not mine," he growled.

"Sorry," Impmon spoke shyly.

The girl scoffed. "Sorry? You're sorry?! I don't get it, why do you have to be so weak?"

"I-"

"Shut up!" A smack rang. Devimon flinched at the sound and he had to almost look away when the girl's palm met Impmon's cheek, leaving him in shock.

"I don't understand why you can't Digivolve! Why I was stuck with somebody so weak!"

The last two words echoed and Devimon couldn't take it anymore.

A dark orb formed at the palm of his hand.

"Death Hand!"

The attack struck the image, and it disappeared.

"Where are you, you coward!" he called out.

Another dark orb formed in his palm and he began to blindly attack the vast open space, hitting nothing.

"Come out!"

"So weak."

Devimon's eyes widened. She appeared before him. She was standing right there. Staring at him coldly with those same eyes she had the last time he saw her.

"It was your fault."

Devimon took a step back.

"If it hadn't been for you..."

He didn't want her to finish that statement. Didn't want for her either. Another dark orb formed and he pointed it at her direction, but didn't release it.

She stared blankly at it.

"Do it. Just like last time. Go ahead."

Devimon gritted his teeth.

"You think I feel guilty about that?! You stupid bitch!"

"Death Hand!"

The attack hit, and she vanished.

Devimon began to pant, both out of frustration and using his move far too many times.

"You think this scares me, huh?! Then you are dead wrong!"

He calmed his breathing and focused. "And you're going to be dead soon enough."

"You used to have a tamer."

Devimon turned around to face the familiar voice behind him, and he glared, immediately rearing up another attack.

"What's it to you?!"

Wizardmon tilted his head to the side. "So, that's why you hate them so much. Your tamer didn't really look like the greatest person to have as a partner."

"Shut up! Death Hand!"

He disappeared before the attack hit.

"Did you kill her?"

Devimon's eyes widened and he turned around once again, to find Wizardmon standing passively and unthreatening. Obviously mocking him by letting Devimon know that he couldn't harm him in his world.

"I. Didn't. Kill. Her." he growled out.

"It's obvious that you're lying."

"Death Hand!"

"Why'd you do it?"

He was behind him again. It was getting damn irritating.

Devimon turned around to face him once again.

"I mean, I get it that she was mean," he shrugged, "But to kill your own tamer? That's pretty harsh, man."

Devimon gritted his teeth. Wizardmon wanted to whoop victoriously. He had him practically all wrapped up and bundled and ready for the taking. He had him where he wanted. Practically defeated. And if he hadn't been so curious with his questioning, maybe he could've finished up earlier than expected.

In a surprising turn of events, Devimon smiled. Wizardmon was left confused as a chuckle slowly began to build up in the Digimon's throat before becoming a roaring laugh.

"What?"

Devimon's laugh faded, and he looked at Wizardmon with a different look. Instead of fear, there was now glee. But, not just any glee, more of a bloodthirsty look that wolves wear when bearing down on prey.

"You want to know why?"

Devimon moved. Not like before. Not with any intention of attacking. Rather, he began to slowly walk up towards Wizardmon, as if the smaller Digimon was a good old friend of his.

It took all his willpower not to take a step back from the taller Digimon.

Despite the fact that Wizardmon had him cornered and nearly defeated like a mouse, Wizardmon felt like it wasn't a mouse he had cornered, but a freaking venomous snake ready to strike with deadly poison in a last ditch effort to go down fighting.

"She slowed me down." He finally stopped when he was mere inches in front of Wizardmon, who was forced to tilt his head back in order to make eye contact with the taller Digimon.

"She always complained that I was the weak one. I was the weak link. I was the one at fault. When it had been her all along. She was the one slowing me down. She was the weak one. She was the one at fault."

His sick smile widened, making Wizardmon's stomach twist and turn at the disturbing sight of it.

"And once I realized that, I didn't hesitate one second before I got rid of her. And gee, did how things turn out for the better after that. I went back to the Digiworld shortly after that. And I became stronger, faster... I Digivolved."

He laughed.

Wizardmon could practically feel the bile tickling his esophagus. "Then, why are you back here?"

Devimon's laughter ceased, and his red eyes narrowed in on Wizardmon. "To finish the job of course."

Wizardmon's eyes widened slightly, before he immediately tried to cover up his reaction by pasting on a deadpan expression.

Devimon didn't comment on the split-second reaction. But, it was obvious by the raise of an invisible eyebrow that he had noticed.

"What? You want to kill all humans or something?" Wizardmon really hoped the answer was a no.

"Nah."

He nearly sighed in relief.

"I just want to bring hell," answered Devimon. "There was a plan. To recruit more Digimon to my cause and wreak havoc across the Real World. To make them fear us, respect us, to have them bow down and lick the very ground we walk on."

Devimon looked up at the dark sky of Wizardmon's illusion, almost as if lost in a daydream created from the depths of his sick mind. Wizardmon honestly didn't know how to respond. Here was a Digimon whose goal he had made it out to be destroying the Human World. Now, Wizardmon didn't particularly like humans, but he couldn't find it in himself either to reach such level of madness. It just felt... wrong.

But, looking at this Digimon before him that seemed to have a deep-seated hatred for Humans, he realized that this guy not only had a couple of screws loose - most likely as a result of Tohru's unforgiving slap - but it seemed that all sense of morality and conscience was sucked out of his entire being.

Devimon sighed and brought his head back down. He smiled at Wizardmon, almost fondly, in a way that made Wizardmon's spine crawl, and realization hit him once Devimon's words echoed one more time in his mind.

"That's why you wanted me to join you..." his eyes widened in realization and he felt his stomach want to crawl down and out of his body. "You wanted me to be a part of your little murder crusade."

Devimon scoffed. "'Murder?' Now that's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

"You're not denying that that was your plan though," he commented.

Devimon chuckled. "It's a shame, too, that you refused to join me in the end. You would've been a powerful ally."

Wizardmon ignored the butterflies fluttering in his stomach from the compliment, and instead focused on the sick individual this Digimon was.

"I would never join your idiotic mission. That's stupid," he commented.

Devimon hummed and glanced instead at the large staff in Wizardmon's hands. "That boy..." he began, "He's going to turn out just like her."

Wizardmon's eyes widened.

"That's how it begins. They tell you that you're their best friend, they lie to you, make you believe that they care, and perhaps for a moment they do. But then, there's battles to be won. And you guys jump from one to another, pretending like you're both fighting, when in reality, only one of you is, like the dog you were trained to be. And when the battles are lost more than won, their true nature is revealed and you realized they couldn't have cared an iota for you. They never cared. You were just a fighting pitbull used to gather more money and fame. And every time you won, they felt satisfied as if they had actually contributed to the damn battle."

Devimon leaned forward to and it took all of Wizardmon to not turn tail and run away from the frightening creature. Devimon made sure that he was only a few millimeters away from where Wizardmon's ears were, before whispering.

"That boy will betray you, Wizardmon. Don't let his false friendship fool you for just one second."

Wizardmon's eyes widened. An image of the young, bubbly blond formed in his mind, before being replaced by the shape of a purple Digivice that he had seen just a few minutes ago.

"Then again," chuckled Devimon, "You are a fool yourself."

Wizardmon's eyes widened and he looked down to see Devimon's palm placed over his chest.

"Death Hand!"

The attack fired, hitting Wizardmon straight in the chest, and sending him flying.

Once the attack dispersed, Devimon laughed as Wizardmon's form was left lying limply a couple feet away on the ground.

"Hahahaha! Then again, what was I thinking? Recruiting a guy whose stupid enough to let his guard down in the presence of an enemy?" His laugh died down, and he leered down at Wizardmon's prone form. "You really are a foo-"

"Why did you do it, Impmon?"

Devimon froze. His red eyes widened and he slowly - very slowly - turned his head to the side to look behind him.

There she was again. Leering down at him with those cold, chocolate eyes that haunted his dreams at one point in time. Not that he would ever admit to that.

"You were my friend, my partner."

He flinched and he turned once again. There was another. No, there was a whole bunch of them.

They circled him, surrounded him, each and every one with that same cold expression, leering at him, accusing him. Just like in her last moments.

"And yet, you rose your hand against me."

"Shut up!" he yelled in desperation, "Why - how are you still here?! I ki-"

He looked back to where Wizardmon's body had been, only to find it empty. His eyes widened, "W-What?"

"You were my friend, Impmon."

They closed in on her. They were shutting off his air. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't -

"My partner/ Friend/ Why? / I loved you/ How could you? / I trusted you."

"Get away from me!" he roared, rearing up his hand.

"Death Hand!"

The attack struck one of them, but she only disappeared for a few seconds, before coming back.

"Good job, Impmon / I couldn't have asked for a better friend / Let's be together forever / We make a great team, new? / Why?"

Devimon has never feared anything before. Or so he had once believed.

They were suffocating him. Clinging onto him like an anaconda.

There was one thing he feared. And it was the same thing - person - that he had loved at one point with all his heart.

"You're the greatest, Impmon! / Trash!"

They wrapped around him, their arms clinging onto each and every part of his body, before he was swallowed by the mass of his inner demons.

And for the first time, in a long time, Devimon screamed.

Wizardmon watched the scenery from a distance, his own heart screeching with doubts, insecurities, and - even though this attack was supposed to target his enemy - he too, felt fear.

\.~0~./

The dark orb from Wizardmon's staff disappeared, and the group watched in silent shock as Devimon fell to the ground screaming.

Wizardmon watched from his spot, impassively as his victim squirmed and screamed for a few seconds before settling down and panting in exertion.

"I-Impmon?"

Wizardmon glanced at the blond kid sitting alongside Takato, his gaze shifting from the healed wound that left him confused, to the purple Digivice in his hands.

"It's Wizardmon," he spoke. Not coldly, or even in anything that should've been an intimidating tone, he was just stating a fact. A fact that Naruto seemed to accept, as he nodded in acknowledgement.

"You okay?" asked Naruto. Wizardmon wanted to laugh. The kid just had a hole blasted through his shoulder and he was asking Wizardmon if he was okay. The question had to be a joke.

A joke that Devimon took to heart. The Digimon laughed, as he took the time to peel himself off the ground. The tamers and their Digimon tensed, and Wizardmon brought his staff up, ready to defend himself should he need to. The battle was not yet finished.

"Yeah, are you okay, Wizardmon?" he said in a mocking tone. He chuckled once again. "Don't get in over your head, you stupid lump," he stood up on shaky legs and smiled. "This battle is not over."

Wizardmon's eyes narrowed. "Actually, it is."

Devimon hadn't realized that Wizardmon's staff had been poised and ready. He hadn't seen the dark thundercloud - this one bigger than the one from before - forming above him. It wasn't until Wizardmon cried out his attack's name, that he realized this battle was truly over. And he was the loser.

"Electro Squall!"

The large lightning bolt struck his already weakened form, and Devimon cried out in pain. The others had to cover their eyes from the intense light of the lightning, until it dissipated, leaving behind a smoking and injured Devimon. Whose body flickered, and began to slowly separate into small bits of data that flew towards Wizardmon.

"You'll see," spoke Devimon one last time. "You'll see soon enough."

And nobody else but Wizardmon knew what he was talking about.

Naruto didn't know what to do. Should he whoop in victory? Should he cheer for Wizardmon over what seemed to be a won battle? What did Takato and the others usually do when their Digimon won a battle?

The only thing he could do at the moment, was stare in shock as Devimon's form completely disappeared and his data was absorbed by Wizardmon. Wizardmon who a few minutes ago, had been a beaten Impmon that had defended Naruto despite the hatred he had expressed for the young boy. Wizardmon, who had looked at him without the smallest trace of hatred that Impmon had expressed for him.

So, did this mean...?

Naruto clutched his Digivice. A part of him wanted to cry. Did Impmon really.. accept him as his partner?

As soon as that question filtered in his mind, Naruto moved faster than he could even process.

"Naruto!?" He heard Takato's voice, but just like so many times before, Naruto ignored his call.

"Wizardmon!"

His arms wrapped around Wizardmon, who was only a few inches taller than Naruto himself.

Wizardmon was taken aback by the sudden action, and he froze, unaware of how he should respond.

"I... I'm sorry!"

Everybody's eyes widened at the unexpected apology.

Naruto's eyes were filling up with tears that slowly traced down his cheek. Wizardmon flinched the minute he saw them when Naruto tilted his head back to look at him.

"You... you got hurt... because of me!"

An image of a hurt Impmon taking on Devimon - who was obviously way out of his league - appeared in his mind.

"If... If I hadn't been so stupid...," he bawled, "If... I hadn't been so weak... you wouldn't have gotten hurt!"

Wizardmon couldn't seem to react. His mouth, hidden under his cloak, opened and closed, but no words came out. The only voice he could hear besides Naruto's, was that of Devimon.

'That boy will betray you.'

"B-But..." continued Naruto, a light of determination slowly igniting within his eyes, "I promise... I promise that I will get much, much stronger."

The others could only stare at the scene in awe.

'Naruto...' thought Takato, 'What are you doing?'

"I'll get strong...," cried Naruto, "So that... I can be a partner you won't be ashamed of."

Wizardmon's eyes widened further. What was he...?

"I promise..." the determination in his eyes became a blazing inferno that even Impmon could feel grazing and burning against his skin.

"I promise that I will become strong, and be the greatest tamer ever!"

Wizardmon gasped lightly.

"I promise that I'll help you become stronger, so we can defeat even more enemies and you can Digivolve even more!"

He had no - ... how was he supposed to react to this?

"I promise I won't let you down, Impmon!"

His eyebrow twitched.

He clubbed Naruto over the head with his staff, making him cry out in pain.

"It's Wizardmon!"

Naruto clutched his head and groaned before glaring at Wizardmon. "What was that for?!"

"It's Wizardmon, you idiot!" he yelled back, "And anyway, what were you thinking blocking Devimon's attack like that?! Are you too much of an airhead to realize that you could've died?!"

"I wanted to protect you!"

Wizardmon gaped at Naruto's response.

"I didn't want to see you get hurt anymore, and I couldn't do anything to help you!" continued Naruto.

"So," he nearly whispered. His hands were clenched into fists and he could feel his form shaking slightly. Either out of anger or some other imperceptible emotion that coursed through him. "Your idea of helping me, was to put your life on the line?"

Naruto gaped. "Well... I... I..." he clenched his teeth and glared at the man angrily. "What else could I have done?!

"We're partners, aren't we?!"

Wizardmon's eyes widened and his entire body lost the tension that had tightened around himself. There was something about that statement... that set off a whole set of emotions within himself. Emotions that escaped the cage he had locked them in and began to ravage within himself, scratching up and biting into everything.

It was like the last words were the flame to a bomb that had remained motionless and untouched for so long.

'You'll see. You'll see.'

Naruto cried out when he felt a set of strong hands shove him back, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Naruto!" cried out Takato, who proceeded to run to the blond's side.

Naruto ignored him and instead looked up at Wizardmon, only to flinch at the cold expression that greeted him, along with a pair of eyes mixed with hatred, anger, and so many more emotions that Naruto couldn't read.

"Don't ever say that again."

The voice was cold enough to freeze anything within hearing range. And the words were sharp enough to pierce Naruto's heart.

"W-What?"

Wizardmon's eyes narrowed, but he said no more.

That was all he had to say at the moment. All that needed to be said.

And with that in mind, he disappeared. Completely vanished, along with a deadly tension that was strong enough to nearly suffocate the blond.

Naruto stared at the spot where Wizardmon had been for what felt like hours. His palms were clenching the Digivice so tight, he could feel blood beginning to creep out from where it was digging in. Tears once again formed at the corners of his eyes, but he couldn't let them flow. He made a promise that he would become stronger, and strong people didn't cry. And though Wizardmon ran away from him once again, Naruto was still the kind of person who kept his word, no matter what.

That was his way.

"Hey."

He glanced at Takato, who was standing beside him with his hand over his shoulder. The older boy smiled softly at him in an effort to comfort him. "Don't worry, he'll come around."

Naruto knew that it was more of a hopeful statement than anything. That the possibility of Wizardmon running towards his arms and calling him friend in the near future, was nothing but a joke.

Still, that didn't mean it wasn't possible.

"He's just stubborn," voiced Henry as he kneeled down next to him, also with a small smile on his lips. "But, he'll come back eventually. Just give him some time."

"He just likes acting like an idiot for some reason," chipped in Terriermon as appeared over Naruto's head.

"Yeah," agreed Guilmon.

Naruto smiled softly at them. "Thanks you guys." It might not be much, nor did it mean that what they said was true, but it was their way of trying to comfort him after the rejection he just suffered, and for that he was grateful.

"Uh, guys?" The sound of nearby sirens cut their conversation short and the group turned to Rika who was looking towards the entrance of the building, along with Renamon who had finally regained consciousness and was standing on shaky feet next to her tamer.

"I don't mean to interrupt or anything, but remember that ambulance you guys told me to call a few minutes ago when our blond boy was nearly dying?"

The group gaped as the sirens got closer before stopping. The sound of voices shouting and doors closing reached their ears and they felt dread grip their hearts.

"Shit!" cursed Takato, ignoring the fact that an eight-year old boy was right there. "What are we going to do?"

He turned back to where Rika was, only to find an empty space.

"Where did they go!" yelled Henry.

"Oh, come on! That's not fair!"

And yet, despite the chaotic day and the roller coaster ride from hell it had been with a twist ending, Naruto found himself smiling and even chucking softly, the Digivice clenched tightly in his palm.

Yeah, they were right.

Impmon would be back.

\.~0~./

In the darkened streets of Tokyo, another familiar cloud of smoke formed over the intersection that was Riku Drive and Tsuki Street, where the massive form of a large centaur-like creature formed.

It stood several feet high, easily towering over parked cars and any human that could've lived in the area. It's upper-body was that of a human, but it's lower body could only belong to that of a horse. The majority of its body was covered in orange fur, except for the muscles that were covered in blue plating. Covering its head was a grey helmet, revealing only a sole red eye shining in the darkness within the headset, and the remains of a shoulder guard on its left shoulder. Its left hand was metallic with a silver chain hanging from its wrist, while its right hand was actually a canon.

The beast roared as it took in its new surroundings, relishing the fact that he had made it. He was finally in the Real World. It had been long and arduous to make it here, but he made it, and now was the time to set his mission in motion.

And he would've. He would've waited for the smoke to dissipate in order to be able to move on. He would've carried out his plan effectively the way he was supposed to. It would've all gone well and according to plan.

Keyword 'would've'.

"Katana Attack!"

The sharp blades hit him straight on his back, making him cry out in pain as they impaled him.

"W-What?"

"Centarumon. A champion-level Digimon. His attacks include Solar Ray and Jet Gallop," spoke a young male voice. Centarumon turned his head this way and that in search of the origin of the voice, and found it standing just a few feet away to his right.

He could see two shadows. One that obviously belonged to a young human, and another one that belonged to one of his own kind, standing at the same height as the boy.

"Who's there?" he roared.

"Alright, shouldn't be too much for you, right?" spoke the young voice, almost cockily.

The shape of the Digimon nodded. "Nope. Should be easy enough."

Centarumon growled. "You fools! Think you can defeat me so easily?!"

He could almost see the young boy smirk. "We don't 'think' we can defeat you so easily."

The shape of the Digimon disappeared and Centarumon was left shocked when it reappeared just a few inches away from his face, giving him a full view of what he was facing. Not that it mattered though, it was all over in the matter of a few seconds.

"We know we can," spoke the Digimon.

"Tera Burst!"

His mission was over, the minute he stepped into the Real World.

Chapter End

\.~0~./

A/N: Guess who got her new laptop?!

That's right! I'm back!

Well, not that I was gone for long in the first place, but hey it's sooner than expected. I really I thought I was going to be gone for the entire summer or something.

Anyway, how did you guys like this chapter?

I had a tough time with it because I wanted to build so much drama and suspense and still put bits of comedy in it to ease the tension, but I sure do hope it was worth the wait.

Now to answer some reviews!

Ijustdon'tcare123: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

foxchick1: Sorry for the wait! I did receive your last message, but I decided to respond it by posting this new chapter as soon as possible. I hope it was worth the wait, and thank you so much for reading! It truly makes me happy that you seem to enjoy this story.

kit (guest): Thank you! I tried! XD

Dimension Distorter: Oh, you're making me blush! I normally have a hard time getting somebody's character on point when it comes to fan fiction, but I'm glad that it seems to be going well based on people's comments. Thank you so much for reviewing! And I'm truly sorry for the wait.

ivan0061509: Wait no more! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!

thor94: Yup, Naruto gets himself in some pretty crappy situations XD. Sorry for the cliffhanger. I wasn't planning on it happening, it just.. sort of did. Yup, Devimon is a huge jerk, but he has his reasons. Tohru wasn't exactly the greatest tamer in existence. Nevertheless, his actions were pretty... well, they were too much. Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Echo the Slowpoke: I'm so sorry!

skyh1gh: Glad you enjoyed it! I hope you liked this chapter as well.

suntan140: Uuuuuuhhhhhhh... NO COMMENT! I cannot spoil the Digivolution line! XD Thank you for reading and reviewing! :D

zero full buster (Guest): Awwwww, thank you!

eniox27: I try! XD Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

Anyway, as a result of making you guys wait for so long, here's a small reward!

Preview:

Chapter 5: Rivals, Ice, and Flying Idiots

"He's looking for you."

"Well you can tell him to piss off!"

"How can you call yourself a tamer when you don't even have a Digimon?"

"I have one! He's just... uh... on vacation!"

"He's strong."

"Who is he anyway?"

"Rika, are you okay?"

"I told you I'm fine, Renamon!"

"Stop walking away from me!"

Preview End

Alright, that's it for today. Expect an update sometime in the next two weeks.

I hope to see you guys all soon!