[center][h2][u][color=Gold]Izabel Ivanowski[/color][/u][/h2][/center]Izabel stepped out of the bushes and averted her gaze. As she gently pushed down on Muchomon’s wing, after he attempted to shield her eyes from Alice’s flashlight. Since this was her chance to see a guild member in real life. Although, in contrast to Clockmaker’s more chummy personality inside the game, she kept her distance from the brown-haired teenager. Making it hard to interpret exactly what she was thinking with her deadpan stare. But it’s not like she wasn’t expecting Doormaus to be older than her — as everyone on the internet seemed to be. Nor did she really care about getting mistaken for a boy, when her little brother had said the same thing. Yet there was just something at the back of her throat, that made it difficult to articulate to someone she had messaged online numerous times. [color=Gold]“Yeah. That’s me.”[/color] She finally managed to answer, soon bending over to set Sunny on the ground. Freeing her hands to pull out the device and endlessly fidget with it. Though Muchomon smiled at the pair of them, spreading his colorful feathers with an eye-catching flourish.

[color=f49400]“A pretty name I shall never forget.”[/color] Sunny noted once Dorimon had introduced himself. Receiving an immediate scoff from the young girl beside him. Before gracefully bowing his head to the other human in kind. And unlike Izabel, lacking a hint of reluctance, as he waddled forward to delicately touch Alice’s extended hand with his soft wings. [color=f49400]“It’s truly wonderful to meet some of my partner’s friends.”[/color] He remarked in a sincere tone and cherished expression. Causing Izabel to sigh wearily and walk up behind him. Showing a glimpse of true emotion in her flustered reaction to his big mouth. [color=f49400]“Izzy was so concerned that you two were in danger, that she rushed through this dark spooky forest to help-”[/color] 

He was abruptly interrupted by a bop on the noggin. [color=Gold]“You told them my name, bird-brain.”[/color] She chided, having him look up at her in confusion.

[color=f49400]“I did?”[/color] Muchomon asked while lightly rubbing his head, having no recollection of it. 

Izabel shook her head in disbelief and took a brief moment to scrutinize her surroundings. [color=Gold]“I swear your head is denser than the forest.”[/color] She muttered, causing Sunny to hold his blushing cheeks.

[color=f49400]“Hehe, you make me sound so impressive.”[/color] He twittered fondly, imagining the strength and sturdiness of the trees. As Izabel heard Alice’s intention to digivolve her pint-sized partner, she nodded firmly with a curious sparkle in her eyes. Focusing on the purple ball, as the light beamed and transformed the now dragon digimon in a flash. Gawking at the surreal sight, at least until she noticed Muchomon had vanished from the spot he was standing in. Only to touch Izabel’s hand from behind her legs. 

[color=Gold]“It’s the same digimon.”[/color] She stated, getting Muchomon to peek his head out.

[color=f49400]“Yes, quite. I knew that.”[/color] He uttered sheepishly. As Muchomon hopped out from hiding and smiled warmly upon Alice’s question. Clearly eager to share precisely how happy he was to answer. [color=f49400]“I’m Sunny.”[/color] He chirped. [color=f49400]“Because that’s how Izzy makes me feel when I’m around her.”[/color] Izabel groaned, as Muchomon leaned back and looked up at her with a naive smile. [color=f49400]“And she’s the best friend a bird could ask for.”[/color] He added, in hopes that she’d smile too.

Instead, Izabel reached down and pinched the air near his mouth, then threw her hand over her shoulder. [color=Gold]“I tossed away your speaking key.”[/color] She chided, before facing Alice. [color=Gold]“I believe it would be wise for us to return home.”[/color] She explained maturely, unaware of Muchomon’s wide teary eyes until he sniffled.

[color=f49400]“Why Izzy?”[/color] He whimpered sadly, as she coldly stared at him.

[color=Gold]“What are you crying for now?”[/color] She sighed.

[color=f49400]“Why did you throw away my speaking key? How am I going to find it now?”[/color] Sunny uttered, impossible to tell how serious he was being in this regard. But she calmly crouched in front of him and wiped the tears from his eyes.

[color=Gold]“I’m sorry Sunny.”[/color] Izabel said, softly patting his head, in a similar way she would for Koushiro.
[hr]
[h2][center][color=f26522][u]Kate Beckham[/u][/color][/center][/h2]Kate had never been happier to be inside her own room again. As she flopped backward onto her bed, and buried her troubled face underneath a pillow. [color=f26522]“Thank you Ouro.”[/color] She huffed gratefully.

[color=2fff81]“No, please. It is I who must thank you for your hospitality.”[/color] Dracomon replied sincerely. As he casually stepped out of her open closet where the portal would disappear. Beginning to feel even worse due to how much better he sounded in comparison to her. Since the devastated image of everything he seemed to hold dear, was still at the forefront of her mind. Before being beaten to the punch by Dracomon, asking her the obvious question first. [color=2fff81]“Um...will you be okay?”[/color]

Making Kate abruptly sit up and stare at Dracomon’s inexplicable grin. [color=f26522]“[b]I[/b] should be asking [b]you[/b] that.”[/color] She countered, sounding frustrated. Causing him to take a prideful stance.

[color=2fff81]“Great and ancient dragons have exceptional emotional control. So unlike more fragile species, I won’t let my feelings be a burden to others.”[/color] He explained in a pompous tone, while waving his claw in a dismissive manner.

Kate glared and folded her arms in response. [color=f26522]“Sharing your feelings isn’t a weakness, Ouro.”[/color] She argued calmly, as he firmly shook his head.

[color=2fff81]“It is for me.”[/color] He insisted, pointing to himself.

But instead of engaging the dragon — she promptly left her bed and retrieved the acoustic guitar from her closet. Causing Ouro to blink a few times, and then quietly wait for Kate to explain herself, as she sat back down and held the instrument in her lap. Soon hearing the pleasant sound of plucked strings that garnered Dracomon’s full attention. So once she noticed Ouro had closed his eyes, and began tapping his foot to the rhythm, her gaze returned to focus on strumming one of her upbeat songs. Both relaxing in the moment and smiling without the other knowing. However, her music would eventually be halted due to a sharp tone-deaf humming coming from Dracomon. The kind so bad, it was funny enough to invoke a burst of laughter from Kate. 

[color=2fff81]“Huh? Why’d you stop?”[/color] He uttered with a tilted head. [color=2fff81]“And what’s so funny?”[/color]

[color=f26522]“Nothing-”[/color] She lied, wiping a tear from her eye. Both interrupted by the device suddenly beeping from within her pocket. 

[color=2fff81]“Oh, well that’s probably not a good sign.”[/color] He remarked, with his wings fluttering a bit. Getting Kate to quickly pull it out as if it was going to explode, only to then notice the displayed messages on the lit-up device. [color=2fff81]“So what’s it say?”[/color] He pried, approaching up to the foot of the bed.

As Kate slowly read the on-screen text aloud, and was utterly lost as she did so. [color=f26522]“Mission One...find out what happened in...Mushroom Forest...and return it to its original state.”[/color]

Noting Ouro’s silence, she then held it out for Dracomon to look at it. [color=2fff81]“Hmm...I’m not too familiar with that forest. But I do know about the Mushroomon.”[/color] He acknowledged, thoughtfully tapping his chin.

Having a mental lightbulb go off, she promptly headed to her computer chair and set the device on top of her desk. [color=f26522]“Another digimon that looks like a mushroom?”[/color] She guessed, while sitting down and turning on her computer. Proceeding to launch the Digimon Tamers 2.0 game client, and grabbing her phone to send texts to her perkier friend. [color=f26522][i]“If anyone knows what this means — she will.”[/i][/color]

[color=2fff81]“Yes. But more importantly, their virus-types which have a sinister tendency to brainwash and assimilate their opponents.”[/color] Ouro warned, walking up to her chair.

[color=f26522]“Well it won’t matter, if we don’t go there.”[/color] She commented, starting the game to play the tutorial. [color=f26522]“[b]Look[/b] — I have no clue what I’m doing. So I’m hoping that if I join this guild, somebody will able to help me figure this all out.”[/color]

As Dracomon nodded in response. [color=2fff81]“Then do what you think is best.[/color] He approved with a burst of confidence. [color=2fff81]“Because I’ll be by your side no matter what.”[/color]

[color=f26522]“That part of your ‘Dragon’s Code’ too?”[/color] She snarked, with a playful smirk.

Dracomon pouted. [color=2fff81]“Don’t mock a Dragon’s Code.”[/color] He muttered, unconsciously nomming on his tail and speaking like his mouth was full. [color=2fff81]“It’s a set of sacred guidelines that all superior dragons must abide-”[/color]

[color=f26522]“Biting your tail.”[/color] She interjected, making Ouro swiftly spit it out.
[hr]
[center][h2][u][color=4acdff]Asher Shaw[/color][/u][/h2][/center][color=a13535]“That’s it!”[/color] Vorvomon exclaimed with a teeth-clenching scowl, as his wings swung up in the air. Promptly stomping his way toward the rear of Asher’s bed, and clamping his jaws down on a hanging corner of the puffy comforter that his partner's head was currently lying on top of. Starting to yank the blanket backward in his maw, which dragged Asher ever closer to hitting the floor, inches at a time. But neither the motion, nor the endless procession of complaints that he made since their arrival, had entered the teen’s mind for the past nine minutes. Instead, his eyes were entirely focused on the messages he was typing on his phone.

[quote=Asher][code]Can everyone please confirm when they’ve returned safely? Thank you.[/code][/quote]

[quote=Asher][code]And I’d like to ask if anyone has any ideas on how we can all meet up in the digital world together.[/code][/quote]

[quote=Asher][code]Cuz we’d be better off working in a group, and keeping each other safe from potential danger.[/code][/quote]

[quote=Asher][code]I’ll be testing a few theories I have myself, and report my findings here.[/code][/quote]

[color=a13535]“Hey! Stop looking at your whatzamagit and answer me!”[/color] Vulcan shouted with an angry hop and flailing of his wings. Finally snapping Asher out of his stillness, and having him sit up to notice that his sheets were pulled halfway off. With the culprit glaring at him, and tapping his clawed foot. Though notably, not emitting the same glowing heat as he was before.

[color=4acdff]“I’m sorry Vulcan. I didn’t mean to ignore your questions. I just zone out sometimes.”[/color] He explained, rubbing the back of his neck. Watching Vorvomon let out a heavy sigh, and swiftly point at his wing at him.

[color=a13535]“So?! What am I going to do if the threat returns, and they bring reinforcements? Since I wasn’t allowed to pursue them.”[/color] He questioned in a passionate tone, which was several decibels higher than what was necessary.

[color=4acdff]“You’re right.”[/color] Asher acknowledged calmly, while pulling out the device from his pant’s pocket. [color=4acdff]“I’ll create us another portal so we-”[/color] 

[color=a13535]“Can return to that place where we were nearly attacked?”[/color] Vulcan interrupted grumpily. As Asher shook his head in response, and closed his eyes to clearly picture one of the game’s sanctuaries. Places known as the only combat-free zones in the game's world. However, after a spare moment of silence, he opened his eyes to see that no portal had formed. Receiving an irate huff from Vorvomon.

[color=4acdff]“Because the Mushroom Forest exists in the game I tried to make a portal to another location that I know from your world.”[/color] Asher elaborated, shaking his head. [color=4acdff]“But I guess it didn’t work...”[/color]

[color=a13535]“Hmph! Well I could’ve told you that.”[/color] He scoffed, then averted his gaze. [color=a13535]“And you’re supposed to be the smart one...”[/color]

A sudden beeping sound stopped the conversation, as Asher looked at the new information that displayed on the device’s screen. [color=4acdff]“A mission objective? Did...one of my guildmates trigger this?”[/color] He muttered in speculation.

[color=a13535]“Sounds like your allies are taking this as seriously as you seem to be.”[/color] Vulcan derided, as the dragon watched Asher silently crouched down in front of him. Unwittingly flinching at the sight of Asher’s hand reaching out for him. But Asher hesitated and dropped the hand to his side.

[color=4acdff]“Try to chill a little.”[/color] He advised patiently. As Vorvomon’s aggressiveness had plummeted along with his eyes — now gazing at the carpet. 

[color=a13535]“My world is not a game.”[/color] He muttered, with a deeply concerned expression. [color=a13535]“And I just don’t want you to get hurt.”[/color]

[color=4acdff]“I am taking this seriously, Vulcan.[/color] Asher reassured, showing the device’s screen to Vorvomon. [color=4acdff]“And I was given a task to learn more about your world — so I’m willing to take a risk and go back.”[/color] He added. Though his words were met with a brief silence, as Vulcan looked up anxiously. Asher stood undeterred, and created a portal to the same spot within the Mushroom Forest.

[color=a13535]“Alright, we’ll do it your way.[/color] Vulcan conceded with a firm nod, while he marched toward the glitching light. [color=a13535]“But I’m going in first this time…”[/color] He proclaimed, heading into the portal and subsequently vanishing from the room. 
[center] * * *[/center]
Asher soon followed Vorvomon through the portal, and heard his shouted warning after it was too late. 

[color=a13535]“Asher get out of here now!”[/color] Vulcan demanded, sensing far more than just a single hostile target like the last time. Causing Asher to trust Vorvomon’s urgency and turn to the crimson moss tree, where the portal had predictably vanished the moment they entered. Quickly pulling out the device to make another portal home — but it wasn’t fast enough. As Vulcan’s eyes rapidly scrutinized the surrounding darkness, and began building up some fire in the back of his maw.

[color=a13535][i]“Eight of them! We’re surrounded!”[/i][/color] Vulcan thought in panic. Watching as seven little red mushrooms with wicked grins being hurled from every angle at once. [color=a13535][i]“No-no-no!”[/i][/color] Vorvomon panicked, realizing he couldn’t stop them all. As he quickly spewed an ascending diagonal line of fire across the air — hitting four of the bombs as each burst into an extinguished puff of purple smoke. Then while using his quick reflexes and aim, Vulcan quickly spun his tail 180 degrees to smack one of the bombs, and sent it careening into the bushes where one of these bastards were hiding. Only to have the bomb harmlessly smack the Mushroomon in the face. Having the other two hit their intended target, colliding into both of Vorvomon’s wings and covering him in a purple smog. But the true terror of the situation was when Vulcan observed a lone bomb that was a mere foot away from hitting Asher directly in the face. But when Vulcan opened his mouth to shout out his partner’s name...heartily laughter escaped instead. And both were helpless to stop it — as Vorvomon begun laughing like a maniac.

Meanwhile, Asher didn’t create the portal in time. But perhaps that was the most fortunate outcome due to what would come next…

Swiftly catching a glimpse and recognizing the red mushroom flying his way, as one of Mushroomon’s status-inflicting attacks from the game. But having no physical talents to simply backflip out of the danger, he could only shield his face with an open hand, as the mushroom bomb exploded.

[color=4acdff][i]“You were right Vulcan. I was...supposed to be the smart one.”[/i][/color] Were Asher’s final thoughts before unwittingly inhaling the nasty odor from the purple smog. Suddenly, undergoing the same impossible-to-stop fit of uproarious laughter.

[color=4acdff]“HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!”[/color] is all that came from Asher’s mouth. [color=4acdff][i]“Ow. I can’t...breathe. This...hurts…”[/i][/color] Asher grieved internally, accidentally dropping the device to the dirt below, and clutching his stomach. Followed shortly after by Asher collapsing forward onto his knees, with his hand reaching out for his fallen partner. Before Asher's head met the ground, looking on as Vorvomon’s legs gave out on him, as Vulcan had collapsed on his rear end. As both abruptly stopped laughing. The complete and utter paralysis of his entire body, overtook the teen. Meaning the pair could only stare at one another from a short distance apart. 

[color=a13535]“Asher!”[/color] Vulcan managed to choke out. To a proceeding chorus of snickering, as the entire group of Mushroomon walked out of the forest. One of them waltzing over and kicking Vulcan over onto his stomach.

“That’s for having the nerve of coming back to our territory, after you tried to burn me to a crisp earlier.” The Mushroomon revealed with a bitter sneer, stomping on Vorvomon's back.

“Yes, yes. We got rid of our biggest threat!” Another exclaimed, as six of them approached the unmoving dragon and formed a circle.

[color=a13535]“You-you bastards better not touch my partner.”[/color] Vorvomon growled, though remaining on the ground, while he watched two of them approaching Asher.

“Don’t worry, we aren’t looking to absorb your data. Or hurt your little friend.” The first Mushroommon replied.

“No, No. We have other plans in mind.” The second added blithely. Which was when the two standing in front of Asher, began to chant the same snidely-toned words. 

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t resist. You are now one of us.” The duo repeated over and over again.

As every single one of Asher’s memories up until his body hit the ground had instantly vanished from his head. Not helping was the fact that he was already a bit forgetful as it was — regardless of the bomb’s impact. 

[color=4acdff]“I am...”[/color] Asher uttered with his speech quivering slightly. [color=4acdff]“One of you...I am...one of you”[/color] Asher agreed. Making Vulcan’s eyes leak, as the group of Mushroommon snickered victoriously.

“Relax pal, his side effects won’t last [b]that[/b] long.” The first Mushroommon informed Vorvomon. “Besides, we only want [b]you[/b] to join us.”

[color=a13535][i][b]“Die. I want all of you...to die.”[/b][/i][/color] 

Vorvomon features began to glow red, growing hotter and hotter. As some of the Mushroommon started to fearfully back away. The first merely had to remove his foot from the dragon’s scalding exterior.

“Oh, he can’t even move, you cowards.” The first one chastised. Followed by the second nodding quickly.

“Yes, yes. And unlike the mindless fool over there. We can transform this foul beast into a fellow Mushroommon. One who will be forever loyal to us and our cause.” The second Mushroomon hastily reminded them all precisely why they waited there in the first place. Getting all eight to reluctantly walk back over to Vulcan, and lean their heads in close without touching him.

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t resist. You are now one of us.” The seven chanted endlessly. While the first explained exactly what was happening with intense glee.

“The toxins we produce will begin...to smell...so good...” He mocked, looking down at the now silent Vorvomon. “And it won’t be much longer...until we alter...and corrupt...every last bit of your data...”

Asher merely spectated the unfolding conflict, mindlessly uttering the same phrase. As the fallen device soon screeched and glowed pitch-black.