As soon as he walked into the classroom, Max felt like he was in high school all over again. At least the subjects they were teaching was more interesting than what they offered back home. There was no math, thank goodness, but instead there was something labeled battle training. That sounded like fun! Although, he had to wonder just what kind of fight his little partner would be able to put up. Max looked at the Nyaromon in his arms, and the small catlike creature just gave a blank look in return.

Class started the minute everyone sat down in their chairs. The professor started talking, and went on and on and on. Yep, this was definitely like high school again. He knew this was only the first day, but Max was never good at keeping up with long lectures. He kept on talking for four hours straight. How was anybody supposed to learn anything from listening to somebody yak for that long? He didn't even let anyone ask any questions. Max lost interest very quickly, and zoned out into his own world. Everything the teacher was saying was no doubt in the blue handbook on his desk, he could look at that later. On the other hand, Cinderella was sitting on the table, listening to this is as if it were the most fascinating subject in the world.

There are some cute boys in this class... Max thought to himself. Shame they're probably all underage... and they're probably all straight too. Max sighed. Meeting other guys was always challenge.

The only break was when Cindy made a face that meant she had to go to the bathroom, and Max had to tend to their needs. Otherwise the class was pretty dull. Finally, the class was over. Max got up, picked up his book and Digimon companion, and went to the door. Apparently, they were headed to some place called the Arena. That must be where those Battle Training classes were.

"Oh boy! Lunchtime!" Cinderella shouted as she bounced around in Max's arms. He had to keep a tight grip on her to keep from getting away.

Max laughed, and patted the Nyaromon on her head. Now, Mr. Mameo let them ask questions. Now that she'd mentioned it, there was one thing needed to know. "Yeah, about lunch time. Anything in particular we should feed them? Or not feed them?" He asked as he held on tightly to his Nyaromon.

Anemone sat leaning back and with her arms crossed as she listened to Mr. Mameo. Her 'digimon,' as she had recently learned they were called, sat atop her head, having found it to be a suitable spot for him since his hatching. Anemone put up with it, already getting used to the feeling. He wasn't particularly heavy. Though it did make her a little worried about what size he'd be when he changed forms again--hopefully he'd understand her neck wouldn't be able to handle him sitting there if he got too large.

Mr. Mameo's lecture reached the part about the little digimon needing to go to the washroom. Anemone's eyes narrowed and glanced up.

"You'd better not," she said under her breath.

"Wouldn't dream of it! Soiling my personal perch would be no good," came the reply from the Gummymon she had named Aero.

The girl reached up and poked him in the side. "Call me your 'personal perch' again and you're gonna be walking everywhere." Aero simply gave a giggle in response, patting her head with half of his soft lower body as though to calm her down.

Anemone smiled slightly to herself, enjoying the little guy's company. She couldn't really explain it, but she felt strongly tied to him already...

The thought of which turned her smile into a frown as she looked down at her desk. She had a year to decide whether to stay her, in this Digital World... but even deciding to use that whole year to make her choice would force her to give up on volleyball. That long of a break at her level and age was enormous. On top of that, it'd set her back a year in her life that she already had no handle on. Though... if she chose to stay, then she supposed that wouldn't really matter.

Though her concerns clouded over her, Anemone was still able to pay attention. It was fascinating to learn of a completely different world and how to care for the child-like Aero.

It was a temporary distraction, as the lecture came to an end eventually. Anemone followed Mr. Mameo along with the rest of the small class as he led them to the 'Arena.' Lunch was mentioned by a few indivduals.

"Food," Aero stated simply to no one in particular, somersaulting off Anemone's head and landing tall, as though he were a gymnastics olympian. He started waddling off ahead of the group, forcing his tamer to catch up to him.

"I'm going to put a leash on you, I swear," she said.

The Gummymon halted, and turned sharply, staring up at Anemone with listless eyes. A moment passed before he opened his mouth.

"Digimon are friends, not slaves," he said, in a shockingly good but deadpan impression of Mr. Mameo.

Anemone paused, sighing through a mildly incredulous stare. She was already starting to get used to this behaviour. "Weren't a fan of his lecture, huh?"

The reply came in the form of an extremely exaggerated back flop followed by loud snores.

"Don't be rude," she chided softly as she reached down to pick him up, keeping him in her arms for now. "I enjoyed it." Her mind drifted back to the thoughts she had been having during the lecture. She glanced between the three boys who were her classmates, and Mr. Mameo. Maybe at least one of them had a similar worry. It was worth asking, instead of just being left to wonder.

"Mr. Mameo..." she started, deciding how to phrase the question as she went. "If we decide to stay past the one year time limit, will we be able to see people from... well, the 'real' world again?"

The girl felt Aero shift in her grip, turning to look up at her, but she avoided his gaze and he kept quiet.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Asher could feel the liquid hitting his forehead. Was he lying on the ceiling? No, that implied there were any walls in the empty darkness that he inhabited. Observing his father floating on his back while wearing his work clothes, surrounded in a deep ocean of whiskey. The only sound came from his father’s whimpering cries. His body felt as hard as the booze, unable to even lift the tips of his fingers. Calling out wouldn’t give him an answer, it never did. So he just calmly waited until he fell asleep, silently counting the seconds passing by. The father stretched out his jaw wide, looking like he dislocated it. Asher’s eyes screamed at the sight. Alcohol began seeping into his mouth and starting sinking him deeper beneath the surface, no longer in view...Drip. Drip.

Asher blinked and rubbed his eyes. Seeing his classroom and fellow classmates. “Huh? Was I daydreaming again?”

Noticing a blue book had been placed on his desk. Hearing the teacher warning them about digimon using the restrooms. Unconsciously wiping the dampness from his forehead and nose with his jacket’s sleeve. He glanced at the drooling Peti-Meramon sleeping on his head. Prodding his partner digimon awake with his index finger, feeling mild warmth despite the appearances of being a sentient fireball. Vulcan glared down, letting out a humph. Hopping off his head and snuggling into the jacket hood.

“Sorry lil buddy. Your mouth was running like a leaky faucet.” Asher whispered, looking over his shoulder. Vulcan was chewing on his hood, speaking inaudibly. "My jacket isn’t edible either.” He chided half-heartedly still trying to not interrupt the teacher currently speaking. Vulcan spit out the jacket, pouting while the flames grew and began waving about frantically.

“I said what’s that supposed to mean!?” He muttered in a grumpy tone.

Asher smiled, replying kindly. “Try to chill a little.” Vulcan seemed stunned in response, seeming to calm down. He picked up the book and started flipping through the pages, able to absorb the information before they could be reasonably read aloud. The lecture lasted several hours, and when Vulcan wasn’t mindlessly chewing his jacket. He was loudly chiming in his thoughts of the class.

“So boring!” Asher could only shush him, rubbing the back of his neck. Which his partner begrudgingly compiled with, for a short while. Speaking up again loudly, being the last one that needed to be escorted to the restroom. Trying his best to focus and not let the many questions distract him further, until the word lunch suddenly sparked Vulcan’s interest. Once class had ended, Asher stood up from his seat, following Mr.Mameo to the Arena with the rest of the class. Realizing he hadn't really paid attention to his surroundings, getting a better look at the other students and their digimon as they interacted with each other.

“I want food now!” Vulcan demanded while starting squirm around hyperactively, rambling on still barely understandable with the jacket stuffed in his mouth.

“You need a pacifier, before I require a new jacket…” Asher thought while letting out a sigh, still speaking in a reassuring tone. “Don’t worry, we’ll be eating soon.” Asher said reaching over his shoulders and picking him up and carrying him in his folded arms. Vulcan stopped squirming after a few seconds and grumbled. “Soon isn’t soon enough.”

Asher held his partner by his upper-chest, keeping up with the group. Vulcan’s eyes glimmered and his mouth was overflowing with drool from the mention of meals. His expression remained reserved. The surrealness of butterflies and this entire scenario seemed like just another figment of his imagination. He looked at the girl, hearing the answer to her question.

“I hadn’t even thought of that until my dream…” Asher recalled. “How can I stay here when my father-”

“Hey!” Vulcan interrupted Asher’s thoughts, seeing Vulcan staring up at him. “Why’s your chest being so loud?!” Vulcan asked as if he was across the room, instead of beside him. Asher blinked. He didn’t really realize that his heart was pounding since the class finished. “I don’t like that!” Noticing the slightest frown on Vulcan’s face. Asher smiled and stopping walking. Shifting Vulcan to hold him with only one hand. Patting Peti-Meramon's head, the second pat suddenly feeling like he was touching a lit stove.

“Ow.” Asher instinctively let go, letting out a slight gasp as Peti-Meramon fell just above the ground as he floated. Asher sighed out in relief. Peti-Meramon glared up at him.

“No touching.” He said sounding upset. Asher rubbed the palm of his hand with his other thumb, realizing that he hadn’t actually been burned. “Oh right...he didn’t like that when I did it the first time-” Asher thought looking down.

“Now pick me back up!” He added before Asher had a chance to reply. Asher picked his partner up and caught up with the other students. “You sure are finicky...but I think he was worried about me. I guess I can wait until I’ve eaten…”

Going through the fields of flowers, the scents reminded him of something that he couldn’t quite place. Approaching the clocktower, and another girl with a small digimon, both quickly introducing themselves. He walked toward the table and grabbed the bag with his name on it. Vulcan’s eyes set on the paper bags, smiled wide.

“Don’t care. Too hungry! Where’s the food? Is it there?!” Vulcan states in disregard.

“Vulcan-you don’t need to be rude.” Asher quietly scolded. He smiled at Lilac and the other digimon. “It’s nice to meet you both.” Turning to his fellow students, keeping an eye on Peti-Meramon. “Well if we’re going to be classmates. I suppose I should introduce myself...” He stopped Vulcan from ripping the bag from gnawing on it.

“Hello, I’m Asher…” He fell silent. Gulping down the frog in his throat. “...W-we didn’t already do this before have we?”

“I’m starving!” Vulcan moaned loudly in protest, interrupting any possibility of awkward silence.

“Alright. Try to chill a little.” Asher said reaching inside the lunch bag and pulling something out. Blankly staring at the completely unfamiliar food, having the consistency of day old bagels but it had a slightly sour smell and it barely looked digestible. Peti-Meramon quickly chomped down, nearly taking the whole thing and starting chewing. His face twinkled with satisfaction, with filled cheeks.

“Yum!” Vulcan said mouth still crammed full of food, before swallowing it all down.

“You don’t need to bite off my hand.” Asher uttered, tossing what was left in the air being caught by Vulcan’s open mouth.

Mr. Mameo's reply avoided giving a concrete answer, which wasn't particularly encouraging... but he was right, that it didn't really matter in this instant.

"Yeah, Anne is fine," she said with a shrug. "Anemone is good too, whatever you want," she added, loud enough so the others would be able to hear her. There, introduction done.

"Amenomonemone!" came the overly enthusiastic voice of Aero.

"Yeah, no, it's Anne to you," the girl said with playful dryness.

"...Annie?" Aero said, face screwed in thought.

Anemone paused for a moment, smiling to herself as she looked to Lilac, greeting the other girl and her digimon with a nod.

"Guess I gave you a nickname, so that's fair," she said to the creature in her arms.

Looking mighty proud of himself, he puffed his chest out and reaffirmed "Annie."

Lilac mentioned the name Takai--the person Mr. Mameo was heading off to find--which made Anemone wonder about the mystery person. Other than being the fifth person in their class, she knew nothing about him. Well, other than a relatively poor first impression, going off the fact that he was apparently skipping lectures to pout or something.

Probably best not to judge too quickly, though. The girl grabbed her food, glancing over at the white-haired boy introducing himself as Asher. He seemed to be even more socially inept than she was, which was reassuring in a bit of twisted way. Anemone simply gave a small wave in acknowledgment, mimicked uncannily in perfect sync by Aero.

The little creature's head turned sharply upon hearing Asher tell his digimon to chill out. Aero's gaze glanced between the tamer and the literal sentient fireball.

"Chill out. That's a difficult request. You have my sympathies, sir Vulcan. I hope you manage to excel even with such a demanding human," he said, delivering the line straight man style.

Anemone clicked her tongue and flicked her digimon in the side of the head. "Shut up."

"Yikes." Aero continued to look towards Vulcan and kept up his character without any visible reaction to Anemone's scolding. "It seems I've received an even more impossible request." He looked dramatically towards the sky. "Pray for me."

The girl rolled her eyes, turning her attention to the lunch bag.

The answers to the questions were only vaguely helpful... At least meals would be provided for them. The answer to Anne's question didn't seem helpful at all. Yeah, being in the digital world is nice and all, but if he had a loved one in the real world, he certainly would like to know when he'd get to see them.

The arena was basically in ruins. The glowing blue butterflies were gorgeous though. The group eventually arrived at the clocktower, where they were supposed to be eating. There was another young woman, and a mischievous looking Digimon that was her partner waiting for them. There were also little bags of food with their names on it waiting for them.

Max sat on the table, and dug right into the bag with his name on it. There was a personal pizza and a cup with a fruit smoothie inside. Yum! There was also a box with something that he guessed was food for Cinderella. Whatever it was, it did not look appetizing. Still, Cindy seemed to enjoy it. She ate as gracefully as one could when they didn't have limbs.

"Hey, what you're eating looks good. Can I have some? Her eyes then got real big, and she batted her eyelashes cutely. "Pweeeease!"

"Well, alright... Max took a piece of his mini pizza, and fed it to his Digimon.

Cinderella immediately scarfed up the piece in one bite. "Yum! That was much better than what they gave me."

Max laughed, and patted his partner on the head. He then looked at the other humans and Digimon sitting around the table. "Hey guys. I'm not sure if we actually met each other properly. My name's Max. This cutie pie here is Cinderella. Max smiled and waved, then pointed to his Digimon. "Ya know, when I signed up for this, I wasn't expecting to have to go through high school all over again... But at least we get cute little babies to take care of.

Meanwhile, Cinderella was bouncing around the middle of the table. She seemed to notice discontentment amongst the humans Digimon. "Guys, guys! Why are we being mean to each other? This is like, the best thing that could happen to us!"

Asher watched Vulcan chewing without closing his mouth. Swallowing it before Asher could bother teaching him proper etiquette and manners. Asher blinked not knowing how to respond, hearing Gummymon’s words and watching his trainer’s immediate scolding of his behavior. Vulcan seemed to glance at the digimon, stopping his actions. Asher somehow understood his partner was currently processing that comment. Vulcan smirked.

“Yeah, I don’t like getting told what to do. You should only do what pleases you.” Vulcan replied proudly to Gummymon. Asher sighed as he sat down, setting the lunch on the table. Watching Dante getting annoyed by his digimon. Slightly surprised when he ended up yelling and questioning the point of their partnership. Vulcan glared at the kid. Asher quickly rummaged through his bag and pulled out an orange.

“I don’t really understand how this relationship is supposed to work...but somehow, I think I do understand this digimon. I guess he’s happier with a full stomach...”

“Here.” Asher quietly said, trying to get Vulcan’s attention. Vulcan shifted focus to the food instead, biting into it and squirting juice all over his hands.

“Maybe you should be less of a pushover.” Vulcan scoffed still chewing, making his words less understandable. Gobbling up the whole thing before Asher could even attempt to peel it. Asher rubbed his temples, hoping his partner's comment wasn’t heard. The slight growl coming from Asher’s stomach noticeably startling Vulcan. “Your stomach doesn’t have to get angry with me. I didn’t say anything to it.” His child-like understanding coming into clear view. Asher simply cleared his throat and pulled out a tuna sandwich, something he was very used to eating for lunch. Sinking his teeth into it, keeping the sandwich close and starting to focus on eating himself. He smiled politely at the one who appeared to be the oldest of the group and his partner introducing themselves. But both their statements made Asher’s eyes drift off into thought, leaning his elbows on the table.

“Hey, can I have more food!? Hey!” Vulcan exclaimed loudly right beside Asher, but it went in one ear and out the other. Asher didn’t acknowledge Vulcan, which caused him to glare. Vulcan approaches the sandwich and curiously sniffed it. His eyes widened, mouth opened while drooling slightly.

“But is that even true? Do the digimon benefit from us meddling with them in the first place? What do they get by being put in our care, when other digimon could be doing it? What if we aren’t meant to do this? What if I decide I don’t want to do this?” Asher contemplated, while the tuna sandwich was scarfed down in an instant. Asher lifted his hands, taking a bite out of the air where his sandwich once was. He snapped out of it, blinking at his empty hands. Noticing Vulcan’s pleased expression, as he swallowed. Vulcan looked up at Asher’s stare, head tilted.

“Oh. Were you going to finish that?” Vulcan uttered, pausing for a moment. “Can I have it?”

Asher sighed and replied half-muttering. “You can’t ask after you’ve already ate it...” His attention turned to hearing Dante's disappointment. Asher certainly understood his feelings. Vulcan approached and floated in the air, circling Gummymon.

“I’m bored. Let’s race!” Vulcan said.

Anemone ate her food slowly, making sure she had Aero's attention so she could demonstrate passable manners. Maybe he'd be smart enough to learn by example...

The sight of the Gummymon inhaling food proved that thought wrong.

"Aero!" she said sharply, but did her best not to raise her voice. The digimon froze dead and look towards her, mouth full of food.

"Mhm?"

"You should chew your food. That's why you have teeth. It'll keep you from choking and make it easier for your body to digest it..." she trailed off, wondering if digimon even digested food.

Aero complied after a moment of thought, awkwardly moving his mouth to chew. When he swallowed, his eyes went wide. "That went down easy!" Apparently having seen the light, the little Gummymon went back to stuffing his face, this time chewing furiously, still not really displaying any manners. Well, it was technically an improvement, Anemone thought, letting it drop for now.

Introductions went around, Anemone taking note of everyone's names. Aero took a hop, eager to follow up.

"My name's Aero," he said, dropping half-chewed food out his mouth onto the dirty stone floor. He paused and stared at it. He glanced towards Anemone, leaning in slowly towards the food. The tamer pulled a subtle face of disgust.

"Don't."

Aero paused again, still staring at her, mouth wide open and an inch from the food. After a long second of deep consideration, his mouth snapped up the grub.

"Aero!" Anemone found herself saying again, this time louder though.

"What? Look, look! I left the bottom layer of food! The part touching the ground! So I ate the part that never did!" he said while chewing.

Anemone sat back, still looking grossed out, though realizing what was done was done. "You can get sick doing that. Just keep your food in your mouth next time."

The girl continued eating, having the entertainment of her classmates to pass the time. It was interesting to finally get something of a handle on their personalities. She glanced between them, gaze lingering on Lilac, who caught her interest the most, mianly because she was the only other girl. She also seemed to be close to their age, despite acting as their teacher.

It seemed Dante's outburst had rubbed her the wrong way--understandably--as she spoke up, keeping Aero from responding to Vulcan's request to race.

Anemone watched with great interest, eyes widening as her hand went to take her Digivice out of her pocket. She looked from the Impmon to Aero, who had also been staring. With a determined smirk, he looked up towards her.

"I wanna sprout arms and legs too," he said, earning a pause and then a giggle from Anemone as his words sunk in.

"They are useful," she agreed. The girl looked again to the Digivice in her hand. Lilac had avoided giving them any real instructions, but that was evidently purposeful. Demonstrate that you can figure it out on your own was the loud and clear message.

Because of that, Anemone refrained from asking any questions. She simply gripped the Digivice tighter, holding it close to her chest. She glanced once more to Aero, who seemed to be trembling with excitement. He gave her a nod, and she closed her eyes.

Immediately, she felt something. A tingling deep in her chest. She focused on that feeling, instinctually stoking it however she could. Something went right, because she felt the warmth suddenly burst outwards from her chest and into her limbs, her toes and fingers prickling with numbness.

Her eyes snapped open at the sudden excess of energy coursing through her... and Aero now. The Gummymon was at the center of a blinding light, as Yaamon had been a minute earlier. The girl stared, breath held as the process continued without any more conscious thought from her. The light from Aero grew in intensity as the tingling began to fade from her body's core, traveling like a wave out to her numbing extremities.

The sensation passed a moment later, as did the light. In its place was a Terriermon. Anemone stared at the digimon, a slight smile dancing on her lips.

A wave of dizzyness ran through the girl suddenly, causing her body to waver for a split second, as though she were about to topple. Her eyes narrowed as she bit the inside of her mouth, regaining her balance as quickly as possible. Anemone did not want to be collapsing in front of these people. Not after she had just managed to get Aero to digivolve on her first try. Maybe it was the fact that she was the only girl out of this group, or maybe it was just her natural personality, but she felt she had something to prove.

She took a second to breathe, looking back towards Aero.

"I feel different," he said.

"You look different," was her reply. She took the sight in some more, the faintest blush appearing on her cheeks. He looked different, alright. He looked adorable. Not that she was about to say that out loud, though.

"So? How does it feel to have limbs?" she asked with a smirk, the dizziness finally beginning to subside--though in its place she realized she was tired.

"They're amazing!" he yelled, jumping and splaying out his arms, legs, and sizable ears, which kept him afloat in the air for a moment. "I feel stronger."

Aero hopped up, catching one of Anemone's shoulders with an ear and swinging himself around so he landed on her other shoulder. "You shrunk." he said to the girl. His gaze shifted to look out to the arena.

"I... kind of want to punch something with my ears," he mumbled, still reeling from the amount of energy coursing through his small body.

"Relax a bit," Anemone said, though she was glad he seemed as proud as she felt about the digivolution. "I want to see what the other digimon turn into." The words seemed to refocus Aero, and he nodded.

Something about his personality seemed different--it was clear he was still the same Aero, but he seemed to have suddenly matured a few years. As though he went from being a toddler to a ten year old. She could tell he was raring to go, but he was holding himself back far better than any of the in-training digimon she had seen so far.

Asher pulled up his hood while the breeze blew by, unconsciously fiddling with one of the hood ears. Quietly observing the instructor explaining instructions on how to digivolve. Vulcan brightened up from the word battle, eyes twinkling in awe from the digivolution.

“...Can I really do that?” Asher thought, rubbing his cheek and looking at Anemone digivolving her partner. Pulling the digivice from his pant’s pocket. Catching Vulcan’s attention, flames started waving erratically. Charging straight at Asher, stopping inches away from his face. Seeing Vulcan’s wide smile, feeling like he dipped his nose into a campfire.

“Me next! You can do it!” Vulcan exclaimed bouncing in the air, his enthusiasm was contagious. Asher smiled slightly. Giving his partner a nod and stood up from the table. Taking a deep breath and attempting to focus, he gulped and held the digivice up. Feeling some force flowing through his fingertips, feeling a sense of static shock. Vulcan focused on the glowing screen, beginning to match in intensity. Asher’s eyes closed, clenching his teeth like he was suffering a tactile hallucination. The atmosphere became a layer of darkness blanketed over him. Similar to a lucid dream, despite knowing it wasn’t tangible, it felt very real. Witnessing a dragon towering above him, its infinite wingspan outstretched. Obscured in darkness and bathed in fire. Blood red flames dripping from the creatures jaws.

Asher didn’t feel in danger, clenching the digivice tighter. What felt longer, had only been a couple of seconds to the others. When Asher’s eyes opened, he saw Vulcan had changed into a black dragon, albeit quite smaller. Asher’s jaw dropped, seeing Vorvomon for the first time. Vulcan’s wings fluttered higher in the sky, head held high. Vulcan let out a heavy exhale, spitting out fire. Vulcan suddenly let out an uproar of laughter. Asher could tell his voice had gotten deeper.

“Yes! I feel stronger. I feel powerful!” Vorvomon said, not shouted but seemed equally intense. Suddenly shifting his prideful posture, starting to hyperventilate. Vulcan began to plummet like a stone, diving into Asher’s arms. “Now, I’m tired.” Vulcan sighed being held, appearing content, sharp teeth grinning.

“He certainly got heavier,” Asher thought. “Maybe he’ll be calmer now too-”

“Now when do we get to fight?” Vulcan asked head turned to Lilac then at the other tamers with their in-training digimon. “Come on! What’s taking you so long?!” Vulcan jeered at Dante and Max, while acting restless. Clutching Asher’s arm with his claws, starting to feel a burning sensation.

“Try to chill a little.” Asher reminded maintaining in a calm voice, despite the growing discomfort.

"You're from Italy? That's great! Max replied to Dante's comment. "Maybe not for you, since you live there, you see it all the time. But I certainly would love to take a trip there someday! I hear it's gorgeous! The Italian men aren't bad looking either." He fanned his face with his hand. "I'll still give it a chance. It is only the first day. Things can only go up from here, right?"

Max suddenly felt a chill in the air. It was weird, and it left as quickly as it came. Lilac then came over, and demonstrated digivolution. She took out her digivice, and her little companion had transformed. It wasn't much of a demonstration. She didn't tell them what exactly they were supposed to do. Max was intrigued. "Cool, I wanna try that! Max held out his violet digivice in front of Cinderella's face. At first, it didn't seem to be doing anything. So, Max shook the device a little. "Come on! Do something!

Finally, a light eminated from the device's screen. Cinderella glowed with the same bright light, and her size and shape started to change. Throughout the entire process, Max felt a pleasant warm feeling. Almost like he was the one surrounded by bright light as well, even though he wasn't. Lilac did say it would feel different for everyone. Guess this must have been what she was talking about.

When the light faded, a cream color creature that reminded Max of a puppy was standing in front of him. Ta-da! Cinderella exclaimed as she struck a pose with her front paws.

Max giggled. "Ohmigosh! You look adorable! But um... what are you exactly? You were a cat-blob-thing before. Now you've become a puppy.

"I'm a Salamon, silly! Cinderella laughed. She responded as if that answer was the most obvious statement in the world.

"Oh, yes. How silly of me. What was I thinking." Max smiled, and picked up the newly evolved Salamon, and gently stroked her head.

---

Anemone watched the light show with interest, seeing the forms all the little Digimon progressed into. Other than the boy who liked complaining the most, Dante, there was little trouble to be had with the process.

And, if Lilac's words were any indication, it looked like Dante's Digimon would be sparring against Aero in a few minutes. She felt him shift on her shoulder, winding up like a spring that would be let loose soon.

The explosion caused him, as well as Anemone, to jump, attention immediately turning towards the direction of the noise. Violently kicked up dust was proof that something had gone down. The girl was already moving to the source when Lilac told them to stay put, before herself taking off.

The order gave Anemone pause for a moment. She moved forward to the edge of the clocktower, placing a hand on the pillar as she looked out towards the commotion. The girl's expression narrowed with concern, her instincts telling her to take action. She wanted to know what was happening. She wanted to help.

Her eyes widened slightly as she saw Mr. Mameo come into view, followed by another boy her age... holding a digivice. Was this the previously mentioned Takai? Something was off with him, though.

Aero stiffened on her shoulder, ears spreading wide to keep his balance as he stood. A Digimon they hadn't seen yet struck out at Lilac, Yaa, and Mr. Mameo. It was the boy's evidently, and he was even going after the teachers. That was all Anemone needed. Her brow furrowed, and Aero spoke up.

"Annie--"

"Yeah. You wanted to punch something?"

He grinned. They were on the same page. The girl was already making her way down the slope.

"Damned idiots! Your struggle will only hasten your destruction!" The pair heard as they approached.

"Your voice sure doesn't match your face, buddy!" Aero chirped, leaping off Anemone's shoulder into the air as she skidded to a halt. He launched a blast of green energy from his mouth at the caped Digimon, the recoil strong enough to send him into a backflip, ears spanning out to catch himself and slow his fall to the ground. "I don't have a lozenge to give you, but I've got plenty more of those souped-up pills."

Anemone, surprised for a moment by the power of the little guy, glanced for a moment towards her teachers. She hadn't listened to Lilac's directions, but now wasn't the time to worry about that. It's not like she hadn't gotten into trouble with adults for disobeying before, anyway. "What's his problem?" she asked, nodding towards Takai as she kept her focus on him and his partner. "Is he just getting carried away with this whole 'arena' thing?"

As soon as all the mons finished evolving, it was time to battle. It looked like Max was going to be paired up with Asher, and his little dragon companion. "Bring it bro!" Then he looked at Cinderella. "Are you sure you can handle this?

"Trust me, I'll be fine."

But as Lilac and Yaa were explaining everything, an explosion rocked the arena. Max and Cinderella jumped. The kicked up dust caught everyone's attention. Lilac ran off towards the direction of the noise, and told everyone to stay put. Max rolled his eyes and scoffed. As if anybody here was actually going to heed that request.

"Something serious is going on, and I can't just sit by and do nothing. Then she grinned mischievously. "She did say stay here students. Technically, I'm not a student." With that she ran off in the same direction Lilac, Yaa, Anne, and Aero went too. Max did absolutely nothing to stop her.

"Well Dante, it looks like you just might get that high living adventure after all!" He gave him a thumbs up and a wink before running off after his Digimon.

--

They came out to see the teachers, looking worried as they were facing off against another kid and his caped Digimon. The Digivice the opposing kid was holding looked like the ones everyone else had, except his was glowing creepy black aura, and the boy sure sounded possessed by the way he talked. He had seen this trope a few times in cartoons... "Oh, it's one of those situations. The kid is possessed by the bad guy, which means we can't do anything that could seriously hurt him.

Cinderella's eyes widened knowingly. "Not a problem. I know just what to do. Uh... I'd cover your ears if I were you. This is gonna get loud. PUPPY HOWL!" With that, Cinderella let out a super high pitched howling noise that made Max flinch, and cover his ears.