[] Tell Fu that you'll attempt to help, but can't promise results. Truthfully you're not sure that kind of damage can be healed.
-[] Next time you see Ardat, tell her about Frgimons situation. She deserves to know the truth about her guardians suffering. And how it might be fixed.
===
Your mind naturally snaps towards two extremes; first an oath to heal the caretaker, then an apology citing your lack of authority in Bulwark to assist the issue. However… both possess their own problems. A sworn oath when you're not sure if it can be completed would be exceedingly painful, and not being able to fulfill it would be devastating. But the opposite would mean eschewing said issue and… Frigimon deserves more than that.
The lack of a decisive answer is in itself straining, but in the end you only see one true path moving forward.
"I will... attempt to help her." You reply tentatively. "However I cannot promise results, the damage of which you described… I'm unsure if Bulwark can repair it.
Fu waivers for a few seconds in the air, weighing your words against her question. In the end she perks up, twirls about, then floats forward to put a cloth-covered hand on your forehead.
"Fufufufu, you should have more confidence in yourself Verge." The Phantomon giggles, still patting you like some sort of rookie. "I know you'll come through, you helped your big sis after she died, didn't you?"
That…
"I merely made sure you-" Fu summons her weapon and beans you on the nose with its flail before the sentence can finish.
"You helped me and that's all there is to it!" The ghostly Ultimate scolds. "And I know you won't let Frigimon down. Even if you think you might!"
…
You find yourself letting out a low chuckle at her words. The matter of factness of Fu's words, her confidence, it all brings that warm feeling back to the forefront of your mind. Despite the prior reservations, you find yourself nodding with a smile.
"Aye."
Although… given this is Frigimon's injuries. I must ask for her permission first… should I inform Ardat of her caretaker's injuries? She loves Frigimon… but the secret is not mine to share. It's up to Frigimon, not me.
Before you can voice your thoughts to Fu, a loud roar of "Student!" echoes over Electown. Which can only mean that *Boy* broke something and needs healing.
"A moment Fu, I'll be returning shortly."
"... 'kay." She shrugs as you turn around and dart towards the source of *Boy's* spirit. The fact that it took this long for him to need healing is a little disappointing. It can only mean that your master is going easy on his training, and your student is himself not pushing his limits enough.
However given how well the Aegiomon did yesterday… you're willing to allow him this day to work out lightly. For tomorrow he'll be forced back into the full course.
===
"Wowie! Auntie Fu where did this hill come from?" A
Plotmon prodding your back gasps, her paws effortlessly sinking into your thick Gryzmon coat. "It's so… fluffy!"
"She's right!" Another rookie, this time a
Sunlizamon exclaims after leaping into your fur. "I could… huah… just take a nap right now…" That breaks the metaphorical dam, and within moments there's a score of the young mon rushing over to your immobile body to play.
You take a strange sense of pride in this, providing such enjoyment and comfort to others.
"Fufufu, that's not a hill!" The Phantomon exclaims, soaring to the "peak" of your immobile form and planting her scythe like a flagpole in the center of your back. "This is none other than my little brother!"
A chorus of gasps and denials rise from the various rookies.
"There's no way this could be that scary mon!"
And that would be my cue.
While Fu begins to giggle, you slowly lift your head up from where it's buried in the ground. Cries of surprise gather up from the child-digimon, which quickly fade into silence as you look over your shoulder to regard them.
"U-uh-umm…" The holy dog digimon stammers out, shaking so hard she nearly falls out of your fluff.
"Greetings."
"Kyaaaah! He's gonna eat me! Help auntie! Help!"
… ow.
You resist the urge to bury your head back in the ground, which is fortunate since only a third of the gathered rookies share her reaction.
"Wow! He looks so different now!" The Sunlizamon and others seem to be more in awe.
"Don't be rude to your uncle Verge." Fu admonishes, lightly tapping the holy rookie's head with one hand. "He's being super nice by letting you all play in his fur."
"B-but… he's scary auntie!" The rookie whines… only to receive another tiny slap.
"Don't judge him by his appearance! Your uncle Verge is trying his best to be friendly, it's not his fault he looks super evil!"
I… I look evil?!
"Okay…" The Plotmon swallows, then forces herself to look at you again. She shakes, but manages to bow her head in apology. "S-so-sorry uncle Verge."
"It is of no consequence." You murmur, trying to sound as friendly as possible.
"Kyaaah!"
Spirits below.
It doesn't work.
===
AN: first half of the update. I should have gotten it all out last night, but I was uh... kind of watching the Mandalorian. Next part will deal with Frigimon.