By The Glow

Kester raised an eyebrow towards her, giving a roll of his eyes at her comment. "Im not heartless. I just prefer solitude, thats all. Dealing with others is annoying." They traveled in silence for a bit more, Kester noticing the trees becoming larger and thicker. The light that his collar gave off dimmed a bit in case of any predators around these parts. Or any bugs...

Kester gave a small shrug to her comment. "Its not that dangerous out there. Nothing I cant handle. I feel like the darkness of this hell hole is worse. Especially for someone from the outside." He shook out his fur a bit, the collar jingling on his neck.

"Im not heartless. I just prefer solitude, thats all. Dealing with others is annoying." So she was annoying was it?! Melissa shot daggers into his back. If dealing with others was annoying why go after this friend of his? Could it be he liked this person. It would explain a lot. Maybe it was his girlfriend.

"Its not that dangerous out there. Nothing I cant handle. I feel like the darkness of this hell hole is worse. Especially for someone from the outside." Hell hole? She liked her home. Though admittedly right now definitely was not the best time for tourist season.

Their path slowly opened up into several large glowing ponds. The moss covered bottoms glowing and making the whole ponds light up. Their crystal clear water seeming to magnify the brightness and make the ponds themselves glow. Dozens of mushrooms dotted the open space also glowing. A single large mushroom with several smaller ones branching out of it sitting dead center in the middle. 

It was obvious the bugs had control here. Several tentomon and funbeemon seemed to be flying about securing the place. Making traps near the pools to catch any beasts that go there to drink. There was roughly ten all together. Near the center three of them seemed to be guarding over something.

"There is too many we should go back and warn the others not to drink here," Melissa said taking in the scene from behind a root.

Her silence at his two comments made him wonder if he offended her. Without looking over his shoulder at her, he guessed that he did because she didn't say a word as they made their way to the glowing pools. As they got closer, Kesters keen hearing would pick up on the light buzzing of multiple wings flitting against the wind. At this moment, Kester would take a more covered route, slipping under roots and foliage as she went towards the blue glow.

The light his collar gave off slowly dimmed, the gold metal laying silently against his neck and shoulders. Soon, the light would go off completely once they were in the vicinity of the pools. He settled down under a large root with Melissa, looking out at the open area in front of them. His eyes narrowed taking in the sight before them. Several Tentomon and Funbeemon guarded the pools and Kesters mind immediately started to count and keep track of the each one. He noticed how three of them were in a triangle formation near the center. Definitely guarding something...

When Melissa suggested going back, Kester let out a low growl at her. "No way.... This is the reason we stayed with our fathers. We cant just let them take over whatever area they want. The Glowing Pools is a clean water source. They cant just kick us out of it." He looked back to the bugs flying around. He started to speak lowly to himself, although it would be loud enough for Melissa to pick up. "6 Funbeemon, 4 Tentomon... 2 Tentomon and 1 Funbeemon appear to be guarding something in the middle. Something important? Hm... That leaves 5 Funbeemon and 2 Tentomon actively flying around... Not a good idea to announce our presence... We should try and take the item they are guarding... Sneaking in is our best bet but those pools dont give enough darkness." He growled as he flipped through different things they could due, his legs itching to take off and jump into the fray to teach the bugs a lesson.

Melissa shook her head there was no way they could do this. There was simply too many to fight and even if they managed to sneak close enough to get what they are protecting. They would be on them in an instant closing off any possible escape. They needed help pure and simple.

"Unless you can tunnel under them without drowning I don't see any way," Melissa whispered. She suddenly looked up as a glint of yellow caught her eyes.

"Listen up you dolts," the Honeybeemon said forcing all but the guards to gather around. "Mr. Ty want's this all finished in the hour. As for our unique prisoner slit his throat before you leave. We have no use for him." It finished its speech and remained hovering for a moment. "WEELLL what are you all waiting for back to work!" The workers dispersed quickly not wanting to feel the small adults wrath.

She remained a moment then disappeared back into the canopy. "That isn't good,"  Melissa said frowning.

Kester growled at her, narrowing his eyes at the Bearmon. "Do I look like a fish to you? Plus, digging would take much to long. Im sure theyd notice to." He quickly threw her sarcastic suggestion aside. Once his gaze went back to the field, it immediately got drawn to the Honeybeemon. An adult!? Not something they could handle if it stayed. Kester pressed a bit lower as the adult gathered most of the insects to her.

Kester took this as the largest opening he would be able to get. Although, with the adult hovering there, he would have to be careful. "Stay here if you want... Im going in." Those were the only words he spoke to Melissa before he moved quickly and silently around the clearing. Same as yesterday, he would use bushes and roots as coverage as he made his way to the point where the largest mushroom blocked the gathering from view. His ears were perked and listening to the Honeybeemon speak, keeping an ear out for her dismissing them.

Although she did answer his question of what they were guarding. A prisoner... Ace... He growled lowly, barely audible as he made a dash for the middle mushroom. He easily caught her dismissive words and moved as quickly as he could. As long as he wasnt caught, Kester would slide to a stop behind a smaller mushroom that grew next to the largest one, tucking himself between them as a hiding spot. His main mission was to get to the prissoner (which was possibly Ace), but getting passed the three guards would prove difficult without a distraction.

"Stay here if you want... Im going in."

"Baka," Melissa hissed after him watching the insects. A cold sweat breaking out on her brow. Her gaze went back and forth between the two silently pleading for him not to be noticed. He stopped short of the destination as the insects dispersed. Melissa looked to where he was hiding. It would only be a matter of time before one of them spotted him. There were far too many eyes not to.

What could she do? There was only one possibility and she bit her lip at the thought. Kester was so going to owe her for this. She stepped out from hiding and took a deep breath before releasing a squeaky roar. The insects looked to her a moment in silence then burst out laughing. She turned a deep crimson.

"We could have fun with this one boys. Let's get 'er," one of the funbeemon said. Melissa bolted with five of them on her heels. The three guards remained and two others who shook their heads at their dumber counterparts. They only had an hour so they were working over time to try and pick up the slack. Their attention purely on the task at hand.

Kester's body pressed close to the ground as the insects started to spread out over the multiple pools of glowing liquid. He could practically hear his heart beat quicken in his ears, his breath coming to a stop as he held it in to not be heard. His fur practically stood on end as he heard the sound of wings approaching. Shit shit shit shit! His eyes closed and before he could feel the insects eyes on him, a rather pathetic, squeaky roar echoed into the clearing.

Kesters eyes opened and her lifted his head to see over the mushroom in time to notice Melissa standing where the sound came from. The roar attracted the attention of the insects, laughter coarsing through the air. If Kester wasnt so focused on keeping himself hidden, he would of broken into mirth as well. Instead, he watched as she ran off, half of the insects following after her. Kester let out a barely audible sigh, relaxing his body as he now had a lot less enemies to deal with. Standing carefully, he watched as the 2 insects rushed around, to focused on the task to even notice him as he moved to stand on the mushroom he was behind. Carefully, and as silently as he could, the Salamon scaled the mushroom by using the smaller that grew from it as stepping stones. Once he settled on top of a mushroom that was above the guards, he huddled down against the soft top, staring down at the 3 guards.

A growl emanated from him as he noticed that one of them held onto Ace's sword. It confirmed his suspicions that Ace was the prisoner they were holding onto. Kester made a quick plan in his mind, body tensing up as he readied himself to ambush them. The Salamon would jump down, planning to land straight on top of the insect holding onto Ace's blade, putting all his weight into the landing. The collar started to whirl, picking up speed and glowing within a second or two. Upon landing on the insect, Kesters jaws would immediately go for the wrist that held onto Ace's blade, planning on either ripping their hand off or, at least, getting them to drop the weapon. As this happened, the swirling energy emanating from the collar would explode outward, Kester knowing all to well that the other insects would be on him in a second. The light would be bright enough to daze or blind the others, two beams extending outward to hit the two closest guards to the Salamon.

The one guard had no idea what hit him. The tentomon fell face forward with a thud dazing him. The bright light and ping of pang in his one wrist happening in moments. It yelped letting go of the sword. The other two guards having tried coming to his aid both fell back at the sudden burst. The one tentomon rocking back and forth his legs kicking at the air a moment.

The one under Kester buzzes irritably. His body suddenly electrifying. "Electro shocker!" It commanded and its electricity following his metal collar giving him a nice shock.

Ace watched from the shadow of the mushroom. He was completely stunned to see Kester. He thought for sure that he was dead or had simply left him. With a new found hope he went back to work on his bindings using his shell to cut at the rope. Albeit it was an unnatural angle for his wings behind his back. He was almost sure he had broken one trying to free himself of these accursed bindings.

Kester made a satisfied growl as his plan of attack worked, hearing the clang of the blade hitting the ground. He didnt let go of his wrist, however, growling lowly and putting more pressure on it. The announcement of his attack made Kester's eyes go wide. The electricity arched away from the Tentomon, connecting quickly to the only metal surface it could find: his collar. The shock made his fur stand on end and a loud yelp escaped the pup, releasing the bugs wrist as he did. His legs immediately pushed himself off and away from the tentomon by instinct, Kester landing rather roughly in the moss. Once he was away from the enemy, he quickly got to his feet, lowering his head and letting out a loud growl.

He glanced behind him to the struggling Ace. He would have helped but he wanted to get the sword first. His collar started to whirl once again, building up energy as he made a move to grab Ace's blade from the bug. If the Tentomon moved to grab it himself, Kester would blast him with a beam of holy energy, moving to grab the blade by the hilt in his jaws. As soon as he had it, he would jump backwards to Ace, swinging the blade if either of the guards got between him and his friend.

If his whole plan worked and if Ace was still in his bindings, Kester would swing the blade downward through the ropes binding him, careful to not cut him. If Ace was somehow freed, he would drop the blade at his feet before turning to their enemies, ready for any attack.

His foes had no interest in the blade. The other two getting up to continue the attack. As Kesters ring began to glow again the other tentomon also released his electricity to provide their fallen ally time to get up. The funbeemon meanwhile took flight. The other two looking at the scene.

"Should we help," one asked.

"It's three on one they will be fine," the other said. "Let's finish this." The two went back to work confident in their co-workers.

The funbeemon watched to see where the salamon went before firing his stinger as a follow up.

If he managed to dodge the stinger despite the electricity flowing through his veins. The one tentomon would aim to shock him again. Only to be met by Ace who had stood up and rammed himself into the bug. He may still be tied but he could fight. 

"Now that is why you don't wear metal. To many shocking experiences," Ace said his had been gag now around his neck.


Tentomon - Level 25                                   
Tentomon - Level 30                VS               Kester - Level 20
Funbeemon - Level 30                                Ace - Level 18

Kester raced towards his friends sword, about to slide to a stop and grab it in his maw when electricity crackled through the air to his metal collar. A shook stood his fur on end and Kester couldnt help but release a yelp, tripping over his feet and sliding to a stop a bit past the blade. His muscles twitched to the shock, but he forced himself to his feet as he saw the stinger coming at him. The small Salamon growled and pushed himself forward, just barely escaping the stinger as it struck the ground.

His jaws wrapped around the hilt of Ace's blade as he passed by it again, stumbling to a stop. If any of the enemies moved in to attack, he would counter with the blade. If any of the enemies used their projectiles, Kester would dodge to the side, careful to not allow himself to be shocked again. Kesters eyes snapped to the sound of Ace's voice and he made a small growl. He raced towards the Hyokomon, swinging the blade downward to slice through his bindings. Once Ace was freed from his bindings, Kester would drop his blade near him and move to attack the closest of the insects.

Ace felt relief as his bindings were cut. The rope fell to the ground and he shook out his wings coated in blood both fresh and dried from him trying to free himself. He glared at his captors ready for his revenge as he grabbed the hilt of his blade. 

"You three are about to get your asses handed to you. You don't have the jump on me this time," Ace snarled. 

The bugs wasted no time in surrounding them. The funbeemon struck first throwing stinger after stinger at them. Ace took the lead parrying the sharp stingers away with his blade. The tentomon glared and rushed the pair their bodies glowing with static. Ace took the one head on his sword clashing against its claws. They hacked away at one another the sound of his blade ringing against the carapace. 

The other rushed Kester his claws posted to strike. He went back and forth with his claws one right after the other to force Kester back into the water. His static threatening to connect with Kesters collar. The funbeemon was unable to get any clear shots with the other two in the way.

Kester gave a smirk at his freed friend, stepping close to his side as they stood to face their enemies. He made a short growl at Ace's words, ephasizing that they were indeed about to get their asses kicked. The salamon took his position behind Ace as the funbeemon started to fire off stringers in order to wound them. Luckily, Ace was a lot better at weilding his sword then he was, deflecting the stringers with ease. As the Tentomon raced forward and Ace went to parry one of them, Kester immediately went for the other, moving in close. He knew he wouldnt be able to fend off the electricity so, as the Tentomon swiped at him with his claws, Kester ducked under them, sliding in the moss. As he passed by the Tentomon's leg, his jaws snapped at it. If his feint worked, he would press down as hard as he could, pulling on the leg in order to have him fall down.

If the Tentomon didnt fall for his sliding attack, Kester would immediately be back on his feet, dodging a stinger if the Funbeemon fired at him during the opening. Either way, Kester would race back towards the tentomon, his collar whirling with holy energy. He would fire the beam at him before jumping on him, snapping at his neck.