Chapter 1: Council
He awoke to emptiness. He didn't know whether he was falling or floating in place, he only knew that he lacked the strength to move his body. His eyes were another matter however, and in moving his eyes to scan the emptiness, he saw his body; strong and thick with muscle. He was a warrior. Large, powerful hands, fingers tipped with short yet sharp looking nails, and the scars of many hard fought battles covering his skin; he could be nothing but a warrior. The sharpened teeth in his mouth further solidified his opinion of himself though he found one thing peculiar. Why would a warrior such as he have such long, sun colored hair?
Far away from the emptiness and inside the tree that once housed the great computer known as Yggdrasil, a meeting was being held to determine the future of Digital World. In the large crystal meeting hall, the seven members of the Yggdrasil Council were meeting with the eight Ambassadors of the Digimon Species. Legions of the armor clad Knightmon were gathered outside the hall as security, the silver and gold of their armor and buster swords reflecting the light and making for a grand sight.
Leader of the Yggdrasil Council, the white feathered Chronomon Holy Mode, who simply named himself Wise, was addressing those in attendance. "This council was not made to combat the Seven Great Demon Lords. We have lost too much to them already." Wise and the Council, along with the Ambassadors, had been deliberating for a long time now on their next course of action when it came to the Demon Lords and their followers. "War is not the answer. Their forces are also weakened and unable to continue so it is at this time that we should rebuild."
"Nonsense, war is always the answer!" bellowed Poseidon, the ironically named Neptunemon, blue digizoid armor shining, trident in hand. "You are correct, they have stolen much. From me they have stolen my brother, my allies, and yet you would rather rest than attack the half dead cretins who've wronged us?"
"Council Member Poseidon, please, I ask that you calm down," began White, a KingChessmon and Ambassador of the Metal Empire. "As you have stated many times, they've stolen from all of us. Council Member Gloria is the last of the three Celestial Angels, Council Member Excalibur has lost contact with the rest of the Royal Knights and without an Omnimon, has no way to find them all, I myself lost a son. Regardless, we must not allow our emotions to take grasp of our decision making."
The beautiful, alluring Rosemon stepped in, "Ambassador White has a point, Council Member. After all, had any of us managed to maintain our composure after the death of Lord Cross, we may not have rushed the stronghold of the Great Demon Lords and we'd be in a better position at this time."
"Stop, Ambassador Eden." Poseidon slammed the end of his trident on the ground. "Too much has been lost for us look back in hindsight with our hardened hearts and tired eyes." Poseidon glanced over at Gloria the Ophanimon, widow of Lord Cross the Seraphimon, but more importantly, a good friend from when the Olympos XII initially came over to Yggdrasil's server. Gloria maintained her strong composure but Poseidon saw through her mask and into the internalized pain. He hoped Lord Cross' name would not be brought up again. "We have deliberated for too long. I say that the Ambassadors and the Council vote now. What say you, Council Leader Wise?"
Wise sat in his throne, slightly elevated so that he was higher than everyone else. His hands together forming a complete red sun with his arm's feathers. He studied the room quickly and what he saw were Digimon that had been strong for far too long. They'd all forgotten what it felt like to lack the strength to protect their loved ones. They felt helpless. Poseidon, finally in charge of the Olympos XII, or rather what was left of them, and longing for his brother to return from the dead. Gloria, blue armor and blonde hair without luster after having lost her husband, the killer being her oldest friend. Excalibur, powerful beyond his dreams and fresh out of his Dragon Mode and now tasked to find the great defenders of the Digital World. Core the Fanglongmon who was trapped by the joint effort of the Demon Lords and forced to watch as they laid waste across the Server he swore to protect. Divine the Goldramon who had to show unmerciful judgment unto his brother after Megidramon slayed Divine's wife and Divine's mentor at the command of the Demon Lords. Spirit the Susanoomon whose spirit was shattered when he realized that years of peace had dulled his skills, as while he still had his power he lacked the ability to best use it. And finally the Ambassadors themselves, they who saw the death of their species up close, who had desperately called out for help only to realize too late that no one was listening. Wise sat there and was saddened at the thought of the devastation wrought by the Demon Lords.
After his short moment of indulging in his hidden grief, Wise calmly and without hesitation spoke. "It is time to vote. If you wish the Council continue the war with the Great Demon Lords, say aye," he commanded.
"Aye," said Poseidon, Gloria, and Ambassadors Blade the SlashAngemon, Freakshow the Piedmon, and Light the ShineGreymon.
"Five votes," counted Wise. "All in favor of rebuilding the groups that have defended us in the past such as the Royal Knights and Olympos XII, say aye."
"Aye," said Spirit, Divine, Excalibur, Core, and Ambassadors Eden, Phantom the MirageGaogamon, Marina the MarineAngemon, and Ozone the Varodurumon.
"I too vote for rebuilding our proven defenders," stated Wise. "Ambassador White, why have you not cast a vote?"
"Because I agree with neither. I wish the council to give me permission to create a new group of defenders," replied White.
Wise's beak opened slightly in surprise. "Truly, White, this is no time for that. After all, we have the most powerful members of all Digimon gathered here, there is no one to fill the ranks of your defenders."
The blue orbs within Light's crimson colored wings shined bright with curiosity. "I apologize, Council Leader, but I will retract my vote of going to war until I know more about the Ambassador's plan."
The azure wolf-knight Phantom nodded his head and announced his agreement with Light in unison with Eden. "I do the same," they both stated.
"Please recall that the three of us come from humble beginnings, Council," began Phantom the MirageGaogamon as he swept his arm motioning at himself and the two other Ambassadors.
Continuing from Phantom's thought, Eden followed, "yes, and now we have risen to power far above most. While none of the Ambassadors are as old as the Council, Council Member Excalibur notwithstanding, I ask that you treat us with respect and present all the information you have. Our wisdom is not lacking regardless of our age," finished Eden, her voice charming despite the harder tone she had taken.
Phantom and Light both nodded in appreciation of their old friend's statement.
"We are Ambassador's, not Council Members, you three," said Blade, his sharp steel wings expanding above his head. "Do not see yourselves as more important than you truly are."
Freakshow's red lips parted to reveal exaggeratedly white teeth. The Piedmon always enjoyed these types of squabbles.
"Ambassador Blade, please stop. Ambassadors, you get your wish," conceded Wise. "Ambassador White, please, your plan."
"Excellent," said the happy KingChessmon, the tip of the gold crown atop his head shining brightly. "While it is true that we currently lack new warriors I will have my members eventually and they will be picked by me personally." White was sure of his plan and was not going to allow the Council to deny him his opportunity at creating something great. "I plan to look for Digimon with the potential to endlessly grow stronger and I will groom them to be the greatest defenders we've ever had. I will use the full strength of the brain available to me for being a KingChessmon and use every calculation, statistic, algorithm, etc., to find candidates that in time could turn the tide against the forces of the Dark Area."
Though some heads were nodding in acceptance, Ambassador White was after all recognized as a master tactician, Wise was beginning to get annoyed. Ambassador White had mentioned creating such a group in the past while the two of them enjoyed leisure but Wise had never expected his friend to so openly propose such an outlandish idea. Especially because the plan was so dependent on White himself.
"We lack the time and resources to fund such plans, Ambassador."
"I'll fund the search myself," snapped White. "I have the resources and besides, I've already begun my plan. I'll have those with potential come to me."
Larger than most, the mighty four winged Ozone made his presence felt as he interrupted with an ear piercing screech."You speak of your Champion's Tournament," he said, disgust audible in his tone. "A single Knightmon from those gathered outside could defeat the champion of your childish tournament yet that is the start of your selection process. Your plan is a fruitless endeavor, a waste of time, Ambassador White"
Divine the Goldramon was shaking his bearded head at the Varodurumon's words. "I disagree. All of us began weak and defenseless no matter how far ago that may have been. Perhaps some of us are too set in our ways to adjust to our new enemies."
Small, pink, and beloved by most, Marina sweet sounding voice joined in. "I have to agree with Council Member Divine. I too believe Ambassador White's plan may prove to be a much needed shot of adrenaline. Having new warriors is never a bad thing."
"I give my full support," announced Spirit, red and blue armor accentuated by gold giving him the look of a true authority figure. "My Legendary Warriors began in a similar way and they have done endless good since they joined together. I will believe in this plan -"
"Th-thank you, Council Member Spirit," interrupted White.
"You get ahead of yourself, Ambassador," said Spirit. "Do not allow your emotions to control your tongue. I believe in your plan on the condition that you allow one of my warriors to enter your tournament. They will follow the rules so you need not worry about them Digivolving to Ultimate level. Is that acceptable?"
White stroked his mustache in thought, concerned at the prospect of one of the Legendary Warriors participating. He reviewed it in his head for a few moments before responding proudly, "I accept those terms. If my one of my warriors can't defeat one of yours then this truly is a fruitless endeavor. Council Leader Wise, will you allow it?"
Wise once more scanned the room and saw that Spirit's words had gone a long way in convincing the rest of Digimon gathered. Nonetheless, Wise asked, "any member against say aye." No one spoke, not even Ozone. "Very well, you will be allowed to do as you please White, but you will report directly to the Council with all news and results."
"Understood," said the triumphant White.
"As for the rest of the Council, we are to dedicate our time to returning our forces to their previous strength as agreed upon by our vote earlier." Not a single Ambassador or Council Member argued. Wise had a certain tone he used when deliberating and another once he had decided. On this matter, he had decided. "After my official announcement, the Ambassadors shall return to their domains and await further instruction from us, the Yggdrasil Council." Wise rose from his seat and walked over to where a large balcony opened up behind him.
Ambassadors and Council Members remained inside their large meeting hall within the tree that once housed the true Yggdrasil. They heard Wise make the announcement of the Council's decision followed by the booming proclamation of loyalty from the Knightmon, a proclamation all Digimon had learned after the first attack by the Great Demon Lords.
"Yggdrasil is dead, long live His Council!"