Everything seemed to slow down around Riku. It was as if the very world around him was exploding. It took a moment for his brain to process what was happening. A giant, clawed hand had burst from the ground. It was covered his thick, green scales, and the claws were red as blood. A single thought went through his head: [i]Move, you idiot![/i]

But Riku's body didn't listen. His muscles had frozen in fear. All he could do was watch as the massive hand came towards him. He was briefly aware of the scales and claws swatting his body, sending him flying into the air. It felt like he'd been hit by a bus.

Everything went black when he hit the ground.

[hr]

[i]No, no, no, no![/i] This stupid little ratbag! Why had he just sat there while Groundramon attacked?  Maybe he'd made a mistake. The human definitely wasn't the full quid. [i]Damn it all! He's got kangaroos loose in the top paddock, but he's my only chance at getting home![/i] The Digimon emerged from hiding, sprinting towards the crumpled body. "Oi! You got a gutful of piss? Wake up!"

[hr]

Riku opened his eyes. Oh God, everything hurt. "You can't cark it yet, ya fruit loop!" He turned his head. The hit must have knocked his brain loose or something, because there was a lizard covered in sand talking to him. It seemed flickery, like a fuzzy channel on an old TV. "Crikey, you look like you been in a bingle. Look, I've been followin' ya fer a while now, mate. You been lookin' in on Digimon, right?"

[i]Digimon? What the hell is a Digimon? Is this a hallucination? Am I going to die?[/i]

"You're one weird stickybeak, but you're the only one I've been able to find who can help me." The lizard took a breath. "Look, you don't wanna die, right?" Riku nodded. "Right. Then I think we can help each other. We can make a contract. You don't bite it, and I get the ability to manifest whenever I want in the world. That sound all apples, mate?"

[@Mole]