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“…ax… Max!"

He could hear his name being called, but his eyes refused to open, however much he tried to do so. The voice sounded distant, but despite its familiarity he couldn't make it out… Just let him rest, he thought… He was so tired.

“Maximus!"

WHAM!

A brutal smack across the cheek woke Maximus, sent reeling by the force of the blow. He was fairly sure a tooth had been dislodged by the blow, feeling something falling down his throat when he gasped and reflexively swallowed.

“Ow!" Maximus growled, rubbing his cheek and looking up sharply at Maverick. “What the hell, Mav?!"

The Veedramon glared back, his hand raised and clenched into a fist, ready to smack him again. Maximus shook his head and lifted a hand to rub his cheek, groaning.

“Wh-What happened?" he asked.

“You passed out."

Maximus lifted his head again and looked at the owner of the voice, seeing the familiar Wizardmon – Caram, standing beside Maverick – easily overshadowed by the much larger Veedramon, hence why he hadn't noticed him at first.

“While we carried you back here, you fainted," Caram went on. “You've been slipping in and out of consciousness for the past hour." He cast a disapproving look at Maverick. “Although slapping him was not the best way to wake him up."

“He's tough; he can take it," said Maverick, dismissive. Beneath the tone though, his voice carried a note of concern, and Maximus could read it in his eyes, even if his face didn't show it.

Maximus groaned and rubbed his cheek, trying to think back to what had been happening before he had blacked out. “I fainted… And we-Argh!" he was cut off when he suddenly felt pain rippling through him – not from Maverick hitting him again. The pain was coming from his back, and he toppled over as he clutched his shoulder, where the source of the pain was.

“Bro! What's wrong?" Maverick asked, hands raised to catch his brother if he fell.

“My shoulder feels like it's on fire," he replied.

Caram moved beside him, climbing onto the bed and standing over him to look at his shoulder. “The bite; you're still bleeding data," he said, alarmed, and turned. “Raist!"

“I tried to heal it, but I'm too weak right now to do much," came the strained voice of the Wizardmon's twin. “J-Just give me another minute."

“My brother might not have a minute!" Maverick retorted. “I have to get him to the village doctor!"

“This isn't just some injury," Caram said. “One of those Sangloupmon did something to him."

“Yeah, no shit," Maverick retorted as he moved to pick up Maximus. “Come on, bro."

“Wait; Raist can do far more for him here!" Caram argued.

“Your bro can barely stand after that wave trick; Maximus needs help now," Maverick retorted.

“Maverick, hold on," Maximus tried to reason, though he wasn't sure what he was going to say.

“No. We're going," Maverick stated firmly, scooping up the ExVeemon in his arms. “You two can come along if you want, though I'm still not convinced that your arrival and that of those hounds isn't connected somehow."

Caram's eyes went wide, and then contorted into a deep scowl; even behind his turtleneck they could hear his teeth grinding. “How dare you!" he exclaimed. “Raist and I risked our lives to save you two!"

“We can handle ourselves," Maverick returned.

“Getting the tar kicked out of you by an Ultimate-level Digimon counts as 'handling yourself'?" Caram countered.

At that, Maverick snarled, and unceremoniously dropped Maximus back onto his bed before rounding on Caram. “You wanna say that again to my face, half-pint?!" he growled, baring his teeth. “I could chomp you in half right now!"

Caram held out his hand, a sphere of condensed electricity forming in his open palm. “We'll just see about-!"

“Knock it off!" Maximus roared, startling the two with the power in his voice, slamming his hands on the bed to either side of him. “Maverick, step back, now."

Maverick looked like he wanted to protest, but another sharp glare from Maximus seemed to steal any argument from him. With a growl, Maverick did as he was told, stepping back from Caram. The Wizardmon, for his part, clenched his hand around the sphere in his hand, and it vanished in a cloud of smoke. For his part, Caram didn't lose his scowl…

“I am certain that Caram and Raist," Maximus reasoned, “have nothing to do with what we just saw out in the woods. It may seem like too much of a coincidence, but think about it, bro. They just saved our tails out there."

“But Maximus, they-"

“That Black WereGarurumon was going to destroy us both," Maximus interrupted. “Or worse," he lifted a hand to rub his shoulder. “Let those two hounds of his do it… Either way, I think Caram's right. Our village doctor uses natural remedies and surgical techniques – whatever is happening to me is outside of his scope."

“Then what do we do?" Maverick asked. “You're still leaking data; if it keeps on like that, you're gonna delete!"

“Let's let Raist regain some of his energy, and then we'll see what he can do. For the moment, I'll just take it easy," he said, and breathed a deep sigh before turning to Caram. “Still, I do share one thing about my brother's suspicions; your guy's arrival here was very coincidental."

“I assure you, that's all it was," Caram reasoned. “I know I only have my word to give you, but Raist and I were just passing through. We know nothing about those hounds or even that Woodmon you were fighting when we arrived."

“I suspect that Woodmon was running from them," Maximus reasoned, “I saw signs of another fight there in the woods. It's only a guess, but that Woodie probably saw those guys attacking someone else; no way to know who or what, but the damage signs were everywhere."

“Must've been quite a fight," Maverick put in.

Maximus leaned forward, still watching Caram, listening attentively as he voiced his next question. “What about last night, when you showed up to help us?" he asked. “How did you know we needed help?"

Caram held up a hand with an outstretched finger. “That is easy to explain," he began. “After you left, just as the sun was going down, we heard a howl. We didn't think much of it, until we saw your brother," he gestured to the Veedramon, “running in the direction it had come from. Then, Raist deduced it was the same direction you had gone before, and we started to think something might be wrong."

“So, you followed me," Maverick stated, coolly.

“Yes," Caram admitted. “At first, we lost you, until we heard the sound of fighting. When we got there, we saw the two of you with that Black WereGarurumon standing over you and knew you needed help. Raist put everything he had into conjuring that wave to carry those hounds away."

At that, Maximus turned his gaze toward the Sorcerimon, sitting quietly in one of their chairs, leaning partially on his staff. Indeed, the wizard Digimon looked exhausted; he had said nothing throughout the conversation, and his tipped neck caused his hat to obscure his face – Maximus couldn't even be sure he was awake or not.

“I guess, with that in mind, we owe you thanks," said Maximus. “You and your brother saved us out there. The least we can do," he added pointedly, looking at Maverick, “is give them the benefit of the doubt, and be willing to chalk their arrival up to a coincidence."

“I like to think fate leads everyone where they're meant to be," Caram offered, shrugging. “How else could Raist and I gain a teacher like Nagata, long retired from his academy days, willing to take us on as his students?"

Maximus smiled wryly. “With all due respect, I'm not one to believe in fate," he said.

“Me neither," added Maverick. “Luck, yes, fate or destiny or all that mumbo jumbo. Ha. Leave that crap for the human world and their spiritualist junk."

“Like cults or faiths have never existed here?" Caram asked pointedly.

“Stay on topic," Maximus cut in. “The next issue is, what do we do now? Those hounds are still out there."

“We definitely need to warn the village," Caram offered. “Those howls could be heard all the way from the mill. If they're bold enough to come that close… It's only a matter of time."

“You think they're going to come here?" Maverick asked, suddenly losing his suspicion of Caram as he focused on the Wizardmon's words.

“Maybe, but even if they don't, they're close enough to be a problem," Caram replied.

“Yeah, Caram's right," Maximus agreed. “Those guys are lurking out there, preying on any Digimon they can catch in the woods. Unless they move on after our fight with them, they'll just wait for the next unfortunate Digimon to wander into their clutches."

“Exactly," Caram concurred.

“Then the first guy we need to talk to is Xavier," said Maverick.

“Who's that?" Caram asked.

“Another ExVeemon like me," Maximus said. “He's the foreman for the foresters; our boss, to put it another way. He can get the word out."

“Good idea," agreed Caram, nodding. “We'd better get-"

A blood-curdling howl pierced the walls of the cottage, causing Caram's words to die in his throat as the sound reached their ears. From his seat behind Caram, Raist's head shot up, his pallid face growing paler as his eyes widened – a terror shared by the Veemon brothers, who looked at each other with horrified recognition.

That howl… They knew it.

No one spoke a word before Maximus – ignoring the pain in his shoulder, stood up from the bed and started to run for the door. He barely made it four steps before his vision swam and he lost his balance, nearly falling to the floor before Maverick caught him.

“Max! You shouldn't be getting up yet!" Maverick argued.

“But the village…!" Maximus argued, even as Maverick pulled him back to the bed and forced him to sit down.

“I'll go warn them!" Maverick replied. “You just stay here; I'll be back!"

Ignoring his brother's protests, Maverick turned and went to the door, his bulky form shaking the house with each step and more so as he bulled through the double doors, running out into the night even as Maximus called after him.

“I have to… Help him…!" Maximus rasped, trying to stand.

“You're still injured!" Caram argued. “Just hold on a minute!"

Maximus snarled at him. “I can't wait for your brother to get his strength back!"

“Then you won't have to," Caram replied, setting his staff aside. “Just sit still – give me five seconds."

“What are you-?" Maximus started to ask as Caram put his hands together, then went silent when he saw the green glow encompassing his hands.

As Maximus watched, Caram parted his hands, a sphere of green energy appearing between them. With a slight push, he cast the green sphere over Maximus, who went still as a cooling sensation suddenly covered his shoulder, the pain lessening under the effects of the Wizardmon's spell.

Turning his head and trying to see what was happening, he felt the wound on his shoulder closing. There was still a slight burning pain beneath the surface, but it became considerably less as the spell took effect, and he could feel some of his strength returning as well.

“There… That's the best I can do," said Caram. “I've at least stood the data bleed, but I can't speak for any internal damage. I'm sorry…"

Maximus looked at him curiously. “I thought you said your brother was the healer?"

“I never said he was the only one with some healing power," Caram clarified. “He's just… Much better at it than I am."

Maximus rolled his shoulder to test it, feeling a minor pull but no flaring pain from the wound itself. With that he gave a nod of approval and stood. “Thank you," he said to Caram. “I won't ask you to help us protect the village, but your help has been welcome, and still would be."

“I have to look after Raist until he recovers," said Caram, looking at his twin.

Raist gave Maximus and apologetic look. “Sorry…"

Maximus shook his head. “Don't be. You've done plenty for me," he said. “Stay here and hide for now; kill all the lights. Make this place look deserted. If the hounds should get the better of us, that should keep them from coming this way."

Caram nodded. “Be careful out there," he said, offering his hand to Maximus.

Maximus grasped Caram's hand – gently, as his hand was much larger than that of the Wizardmon's, and shook it. “I'll be back before you know it," he promised, before he released Caram's hand, turned and ran out the door the same way his brother had gone.

Once he was outside, Maximus spread his wings and took to the air, the bat-like wings on his back beating hard to carry him aloft as he made a beeline toward the village, passing over the trees to quicken the journey.

But it was there he saw the fires blazing; from its position, he judged it to be the location of the community hall, where the town meetings and events were usually held. It was the largest building in the village – easily recognized even from his current distance.

Pushing aside the question of what could've started the fire, he continued on, falling into a short dive for a burst of speed until he was over the village. There, he saw them… Not just the Black WereGarurumon or his two vampiric hound companions, but a whole pack of other canid, dark beast Digimon.

Loogamon – a dozen of them at least, making up the bulk of the invaders, ran through the village streets. Wolf-like Digimon, with dark blue fur; small, but vicious. But they paled in comparison to their evolved form – the Champion-level Loogarmon, that ran at the head of the pack. It had similar dark blue fur to its smaller packmates, but stood apart due to the dark red highlights – tufts of fur rising like pillars from the elbows of its forelegs and the tip of its tail.

With its massive forepaws clawing the earth, the Loogarmon carried itself along. Ahead, around the corner of one of the houses, came a Veedramon, roaring as the ran to meet the massive hound head on. At first, Maximus thought the Veedramon was his brother, but on closer inspection he realized that it was Avanita – the head of the village school, one of the oldest Digimon in the village…

And not a female to back down from a challenge, as the Loogarmon found as he leapt to meet her charge, only to be violently thrown back by her headbutt, sending him tumbling into the pack of the smaller Loogamon behind him. Those that avoided their leader's fall rushed at Avanita, swarming her. Maximus could hardly believe when he saw the Veedramon fall, remembering all the times she had put rowdy students in their place with a single slap – not the least of which being him and Maverick when they were still Veemon.

“Hang on, Avanita!" he called as he dove toward the ongoing fight.

But he was too late; even as he plunged toward the throng, Avanita soon succumbed to the feverish bites and flaming breath of the Loogamon. Her body dispersed into particles of data. Feeling a surge of anger shooting through him, Maximus roared as he formed a Hearty Shatter in his mouth, and spat a barrage of fireballs at the Loogamon.

Those that took direct hits from the attacks shared Avanita's fate, exploding into data particles. Maximus had no time to absorb the data, though, as he fell into the throng with bestial fury, landing on his feet and bursting into a Spinning Lariat, smacking aside every one of the Loogamon as they lunged at him.

He almost missed the one that hadn't joined the group, as their body glowed brightly and began to grow… The Loogamon that had scored the killing blow on Avanita had absorbed the Veedramon's data, and it had apparently been enough to trigger its Digivolution; even as Maximus fought off the pack, the the Loogamon evolved into another Loogarmon, howling in triumph as it emerged.

To make matters worse, the other Loogarmon was back up, and rushing to join its new comrade as their pack closed in on Maximus – even with those that he'd managed to destroy, their numbers far exceeded his own, and they had him surrounded.

'Crap, crap, crap!' Maximus screamed in his head, trying to force an opening in the swarming wolves to take to the air again. He'd been foolish; in his rush to help Avanita – and failing to do so, he'd put himself into a deathtrap.

Fortunately, he didn't face it alone for long; as one of the Loogamon leapt at him, jaws wide, it was intercepted by another blue form dropping from above, landing on it with both feet and utterly crushing the wolf Digimon beneath the attack, deleting it as Maximus had done to the others. It took him only a second to recognize the other ExVeemon, particularly by the scars on his right arm and the brown sash he wore across his chest – the foreman's sash.

“Xavier!" Maximus exclaimed.

“Getting yourself into trouble again, Max?" he asked.

Ignoring the question, Maximus saw the pack closing in again, and fired a Vee Laser from his chest, blasting one of the Loogarmon as they tried to attack Xavier from behind.

“Questions for later, boss," Maximus offered. “Have you seen my brother?"

“No, not since this attack started," Xavier replied, turning and facing the incoming pack with Maximus.

The pack of Loogamon seemed less eager to attack the two now, even with the pair of Loogarmon that now stood with them. Maximus allowed himself a small grin, thinking that between him and Xavier they might be able to chase off this group of invaders and give the village a chance…

That thought died though as he realized the wolves weren't looking at him or Xavier.

“Boss, move-!"

Once again, Maximus was too late…

“Half-Moon Kick!"

From above, came the somersaulting Black WereGarurumon, falling upon Xavier like a hammer with his outstretched leg. Xavier, unprepared for the attack, had no time to defend himself as the werewolf Digimon fell upon him, knocking him to the ground and standing on him, the back of his foot on the ExVeemon's face and pressing it into the pavement.

“Found you," the Black WereGarurumon growled, his eyes on Maximus.

Without thinking, Maximus charged another Vee Laser, but was blindsided by one of the Loogarmon before he could discharge it, the massive wolf Digimon tackling him to the ground and biting his shoulder as they pinned him – the same shoulder that had already been hurt before. Maximus roared in agony, trying to force the creature off him to no avail.

“Hold him just for a sec," the Black WereGarurumon commanded. “I want that one personally."

At that, the Loogarmon released Maximus' shoulder and looked up at the other Digimon. “You promised us equal opportunities, Talbot," he growled. “If you get this one," he looked at Xavier. “Then I want that one."

The Black WereGarurumon – apparently called Talbot, shrugged. “Fair's fair," he said, stomping once more on Xavier's back to wind him before he stopped off. “Dig in."

The weight disappeared from Maximu's back as the Loogarmon leapt off him, and fell upon the helpless Xavier as he screamed, struggling with the other wolf Digimon as Talbot casually walked away, making his way over to Maximus, who could only watch in horror, feeling sickness rising from the pit of his stomach.

In a surge of anger, Maximus scrambled to his feet. “You filthy-!" he growled as he stood before Talbot, bringing his arm up in an uppercut.

The punch never landed, as Talbot leaned out of the way, and struck back with his spiked fist, the spikes piercing Maximus' chest in multiple places as he was knocked off his feet, growling in pain as he held himself, feeling more of his data leaking out of him.

“Now, if only that Veedramon you were with was here too," Talbot said.

Almost as if on cue, the wall of the house behind Maximus exploded. Maverick – recognized by his severed tail as he leapt over Maximus, charged through the boards like a runaway vehicle, catching Talbot off guard from the unexpected appearance of the Veedramon. He barely managed to catch Maverick's open jaws as he tried to bite the Black WereGarurumon's head off, his feet skidding over the pavement.

Suddenly, the inside of Maverick's open mouth glowed; Talbot's eyes widened in horrified realization. He had no time to get out of the way as the V-Nova Blast exploded from Maverick's mouth, the large beam of concentrated heat burning into Talbot's chest and sending him skidding backward even as he tried to plant his feet.

Talbot howled in pain as the heat beam burned into his chest, his harness burning away and sending the leather pauldon on his shoulder tumbling to the ground, its severed harness smouldering. By the time Maverick ran out of breath and had to stop his attack, a visible scar was left on Talbot's chest; the fur had burned away to bare skin around his pectrorals, leaving a blackened scorch mark, and filling the air with the stench of burning hair.

Talbot's head was lowered as he clutched his chest, growling first in pain… Then, in vengeful fury as he raised his head and glared at Maverick. His eyes seemed to glow with murder as he glared at the Veedramon, standing between him and Maximus as he had only an hour before, when they first met.

This time, though, nothing could save Maverick from Talbot's wrath. He held out his arms as his claws glowed with power. Maximus recognized the attack, and tried to warn his brother to run, even as he struggled to stand, reaching for Maverick, intending to pull him out of the way.

For the last time… He was too late…

“Kaiser. NAIL!" Talbot roared, slashing both claws outward. Twin trails of crimson light burst forth, crossing in midair to form a blazing red X.

Maverick didn't flinch. Whether or not he knew Maximus was behind him, he planted his feet and crossed his arms to brace for impact. The Kaiser Nail struck him dead-on, searing into his scales and hurling him backward—straight into Maximus.

The two brothers were launched like ragdolls, crashing through the outer wall of the nearby house. Maximus felt the air driven from his lungs as Maverick's weight slammed into him, sandwiching him against the wooden wall - just before it gave way with a splintering crack.

Darkness and chaos followed. Maximus tumbled through dust and broken beams, his back slamming into something solid—furniture? No, the central support column. A heartbeat later, the ceiling groaned and came down. He barely had time to throw up his arms before heavy rafters and debris rained onto him, crushing him into the floor.

When the thunder of the collapse faded, Maximus was pinned. A massive beam lay across his chest, grinding pain into his ribs with every breath. He coughed, tasting copper – Digimon didn't bleed, but the same sensations felt by living beings were shared by them. He knew then that something inside had broken.

Still, his first thought wasn't for himself. “Maverick!" he rasped, straining to lift the beam. “Talk to me, bro! Are you okay?"

No answer. Gritting his teeth, Maximus stretched out a leg and found his brother—scaly shoulder, unmoving. Fear twisted in his gut.

Then came the creak of shifting wood. Roof tiles crunched under heavy feet. Maximus froze. He didn't need to see who it was. He felt Talbot's presence like a shadow falling over his soul.

But then, he did see him, rising from the wreckage, his large paw curled around something limp. Maverick seemed the scene of a bad motor vehicle accident, dangling from Talbot's paw with data leaking from torn wounds – especially on his arms that had been mangled by Talbot's attack before. His limbs barely twitched, and he couldn't manage much more than a groan.

Talbot raised his other claw, eyes glowing with malice. “And this time," he growled, voice like gravel, “you're deleted."

Maximus tried to cry out in defiance before he saw Talbot's claws pierce into Maverick's chest, twisting sharply. Maverick tensed, and his mouth fell open in a silent scream before his body burst into a shower of particles. Maximus felt something rupture inside him—not just grief, but a sickening hollowness that spread through his chest like ice water. He could only stare as Maverick's form dissolved into motes of light.

And then—even worse—those scattered data particles were pulled into Talbot's waiting body, absorbed like stolen breath. Maximus watched, numb, as his brother's essence was devoured.

Talbot's face twisted into something obscene: a slow, satisfied smile, eyes half-lidded like someone savoring a rich meal. “Ah," he sighed, almost dreamily. “Now that's the stuff."

Then came the grin. Wide. Sharp. Cruel. His laughter was low and content, echoing softly through the debris.

“Now… where's that other one?"

Terror gripped Maximus like a vice, clamping down harder than the beam across his chest. His breath caught in his throat. The pain that burned through his ribs became secondary—distant. He didn't dare move. He didn't even dare breathe.

Please… don't see me.

The thought stunned him the moment it surfaced. He didn't know why he felt that way—when he'd started to feel that way. Until now, even knowing Talbot was far stronger, an Ultimate while he was only a Champion, Maximus had stood his ground. He'd been ready to fight. Even ready to die.

But watching Maverick perish had broken something deep inside him.

Now, fear gripped him completely. Not for someone else. For himself.

Every creak of the shattered beams beneath Talbot's feet made Maximus flinch inwardly, his pulse pounding in his throat. Each slow inhale the Black WereGarurumon took—sniffing the air for a trace of his scent—was torture. He held his breath, certain that this would be the moment Talbot found him.

The moment he died.

“Hm… Can't smell him over the smoke," Talbot muttered, wiping his nose. “Must've slipped away, or got crushed under the house… In which case, I'll never get his data now." He huffed. “Whatever. There's plenty more where he came from. Let's see if there's anyone else in this miserable hamlet worth my time."

With that, Talbot departed, leaving the pinned Maximus where he lay, helpless… But alive, for the moment.

Maximus let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Relief was fleeting—his body lit up with pain the moment tension left it. The broken ribs screamed again, sharp and suffocating. He bit down on the cry that threatened to escape, terrified that if he made a sound, Talbot would return to finish what he'd started.

Hands trembling, he gripped the beam across his chest and pushed with everything he had left.

It didn't move. He tried again. Nothing—except a fresh jolt of agony that forced a choked moan from his throat. Tears welled up and spilled down his face as the truth crashed in on him.

Maverick was gone. His brother… dead. Xavier, his employer, was almost certainly the same. And Avanita—he hadn't reached her in time. He'd tried. And failed.

Even if he did manage to free himself… what then? Talbot would hunt down and execute everyone in the village; every Veemon, ExVeemon and Veedramon, no matter how hard they fought, he'd kill them all… There was no one left…

He was alone.

His arms gave out. The beam remained, unmoved. Maximus let them fall limp at his sides. His breath trembled. Then, slowly, he closed his eyes… and let the dark take him as the data – the lifeblood of Digimon, flowed out of his body…

For a long time, Maximus felt nothing.

Then… warmth. And cold. A strange contrast, like waking in a cold sweat under heavy blankets. The pain was gone—but the exhaustion remained. He was so tired. Yet slowly, awareness crept back in, like sunlight through fog.

His eyes opened.

Above him: familiar wooden rafters. Hanging from one, the brass idol of Magnamon, its shine dulled by dust but still comforting. He'd owned it for years. It had always been the first thing he liked to see when he woke up.

Realization sank in—home. He was in his bed. In his house.

Was it all a dream? The hounds. The attack. Talbot. Maverick…

A wave of relief flooded him, unearned but overwhelming. Heart racing, he sat up—weakly, but driven by hope—and turned toward Maverick's bed.

It was empty.

“He must've already got up," he muttered.

Then froze.

His voice. It was… off. Higher. Younger. Like it had been before his Digivolution. Had his throat been injured?

“Ah, you're awake," said a voice from nearby. Not Maverick.

Maximus turned, squinting. A tall figure stood beside him—familiar robes, veiled face.

“Caram?" he croaked. “What… What happened?"

The Wizardmon's eyes widened, as if he'd seen a ghost. Silence stretched between them until Maximus broke it.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Caram's voice faltered. “W-Wait. Are you… Maverick?"

“No," Maximus said, frowning. “The other one. I'm Maximus."

He raised a hand to point at himself—and stopped.

Five fingers. No claws. Smooth blue skin where the heavy knuckle spikes used to be.

His breath caught.

Frantically, he touched his face—no horn, just a tiny nub on the tip of his nose. His wings… gone. He reached back. His tail—short. Useless. The long, heavy appendage he'd once used to strike and balance had vanished into something stunted.

“No," he whispered, heart sinking. “No… It can't be…"

He'd devolved.

He was… a Veemon.

The realization struck like a slap. His breathing quickened—shallow, erratic. His limbs trembled beneath the covers, he felt his eye twitching and his hands shaking.

No. No, no, no…!

He threw off the blanket and scrambled to the edge of the bed, his hands fumbling at his chest, arms, back—desperate to find proof it wasn't true. But the familiar weight of his wings, the strength in his limbs, even the curve of his tail—gone.

“What's happening to me?" he gasped, voice cracking.

Caram stepped forward, holding up his hands in a gesture for calm. “Maximus, wait—don't panic—"

His efforts proved futile, though, as the ExVeemon – or rather, Vee_mon, blurted out. “_I've devolved!" His voice was teetering on the edge of a sob. “Why? How?!"

And then, like ice water down his spine, the memories returned.

The house. The beam. The crushing weight. Talbot.

Talbot. His brother's voice. The data. The—

He staggered, catching himself on the bedframe. His knees buckled beneath him, not just from weakness, but from the sudden weight of truth.

It wasn't a dream.

Maverick was dead. Xavier. Avanita.

Gone.

His breath left him in a single, broken exhale… He lost all feeling in his legs, falling to his knees, and before he knew it, tears streamed from his eyes as he stared at his hands… The small, weak hands of a Rookie Digimon…

“It all happened," he said, his voice breaking. “Maverick… My brother…"

Caram lowered his hands, his voice sympathetic as he spoke. “Maximus… I'm so sorry," he said.

Any resolve Maximus had left vanished in that moment… He threw back his head and wailed, feeling the tears flowing freely down his face, down his neck and to his chest, shuddering with every sob.

It had all been real... Every moment of it… The village, and all of his kind, had perished…

Maverick was gone.

His brother was gone.

He was alone…

FOOTNOTE : I know in the Digimon Wiki it says Sorcerimon can't learn healing moves like Magic Heal, which Wizardmon does learn naturally. However, in the game Digimon: Cyber Sleuth, Sorcerimon is capable of learning an attack called X-Heal, and Wizardmon can learn no healing moves in that game. So, for this setup they both can learn some healing moves and it shall come down to user skill.

Also, has anyone picked up on the naming conventions of the cast? Do let me know in the comments, please!