Thirty years ago, a group of scientists endeavored to create an alternate plane of existence. This group was called "Paradiso". The few inhabitants they initially placed into this program were of varied levels. Over time, the mysterious creatures - named Digimon, a combination of the words "Digital" and "Monsters" - strangely developed, gaining sentient minds. The digitally engineered world, which was unsurprisingly named the "Digital World", soon began to increase in size as well. It was initially created to be 100 meters in length, but soon it began to increase to be exactly the same size of our own world. "Paradiso" added a small program, dubbed "Yggdrasil", to their creation, hoping to add stability to the program. Soon the ambitions of "Paradiso" received many questions, placing the group within the center of much controversy.
The leader of the project, Allen Fenrir, said his dream was to create another realm of existence so as to create a paradise for humans to live in. While the technology was available to create the program itself, there was no known technology for people to become a part of the program successfully yet. Beta Testers signed up to participate in a Virtual Reality Simulator to test the safety of living within the world, but the Beta Testers died of unknown causes. As such, "Paradiso" was dissolved and the "Digital World Project" was terminated. Allen Fenrir's career was in shambles, and the man soon disappeared.
Despite termination, the Digital World still continued to develop. Was it a glitch, or a fail-safe program within that prevented permanent deletion? Regardless, the Digital World still existed, but there was no one on Earth that knew.
Gallantmon could not believe it; it was rare for him to be nervous. He was among the strongest of the Royal Knights, those sworn to uphold the justice of the Digital World. He sat in the conference room of the Tower of Babel, and the only other occupant in the room was Barbamon, the Demon Lord of Greed and the master strategist of the Seven Great Demon Lords. Gallantmon may have been one of the best candidates to represent the Royal Knights in this meeting, but it was Duftmon who was the leading strategist among the Royal Knights. Sending him would have been much more suitable for a Digimon of Barbamon's caliber.
Gallantmon was garbed entirely in a suit of white armor, with the addition of a red cape and a helmet in the shape of a dragon's head. In his right hand he held a silver lance, and in his left hand was a large, white shield with a golden trim engraved with the symbols of the Digimon's written language engraved alongside the edge. The center of the shield consisted of three triangles with a fourth inverted triangle in the middle. Barbamon, on the other hand, resembled an old man, dressed in a dark green cloak with a blue top. In his right hand was a scepter with a skull stuck to the top of it, with a red orb in its mouth. He had a golden mask with a long nose, obscuring his eyes. His long, grey hair flowed to his waist. He wore a necklace made entirely of red jewels embedded in gold. Finally, he had four red wings of a demon.
"What, it's just you?" Barbamon teased. Gallantmon remained calm, knowing that this meeting was supposed to negotiate the peace of the Digital World. The continents of Stoichea, Embolio, and Ios were at war, placing the rest of the Digital World at risk of entering the conflict and the ruling organizations, collectively known as the Overseers, who were supposed to settle matters.
"The Sovereigns and the Olympus Twelve were supposed to send representatives as well," Gallantmon answered at last.
"Are they not the Olympus Six now? Half of their members have been lost to this war, so I'm unsure if they should be considered part of the Overseers for much longer."
"Neither should the Demon Lords. Each of you are known for your treacherous ways, and you are the most infamous of the seven in that regard."
"That's different. We just have different ideas, we're not lacking in power. You can still trust us."
"I shouldn't even have to consider trusting you after what you've done. The only reason we allow the seven of you to live is because of the balance you present the Digital World as our opposition. The Sovereigns and the Olympus Twelve-"
"Six," Barbamon corrected.
"They've each sworn neutrality. As such, the co-existence of the Royal Knights and the Demon Lords also presents neutrality."
"How do you exist as the force the neutralizes us? There are thirteen of you knights, but there are only seven of us."
"What are you suggesting, a challenge?" Gallantmon assumed.
"Well, if you wish to put it in such mild terms," Barbamon taunted.
"Your death will mean little," Gallantmon declared, readying his weapon. "Even if we'll still outnumber you, I think Yggdrasil's ideas of balance need improvement."
"Lightning Joust!" A streak of lightning shot at the Demon Lord from his lance. The Demon Lord batted the attack away with his staff.
"Gallantmon, you say killing me will mean nothing," Barbamon taunted. "Yggdrasil will have your head for this."
"But you can be easily replaced, can't you?" Gallantmon queried. "And I just said Yggdrasil needs to improve."
Barbamon chuckled. "I am the leading strategist of the Demon Lords. My cunning is irreplaceable." The Demon Lord rise his staff, which suddenly began to gather flames of red and black near the orb encrusted at the top. "Lucemon can be troublesome when he's angry, but he'll get over it."
More flames gathered in the sky at Barbamon's request.
"I'm not going to wait around any longer for this," Gallantmon muttered to himself as he held his shield before him, the insignia on it glowing. "Final Elysian!" A beam of yellow light shot out from the shield and towards Barbamon.
"Hmm, it's not enough," Barbamon snarled, leaping into the air. "But Lucemon will be less angry at me for using less energy. Pandemonium Lost!"
"What?" Gallantmon could not believe his ears. The black flames now encircled the Royal Knight, and the floor immediately rose astronomically in temperature. Instinctively, Gallantmon jumped into the air, watching as the floor burnt until it was nothing. The flames continued to descend down the Tower.
"All those years of work, wasted," the Royal Knight lamented.
"I'm still here!" Barbamon's voice howled. The Royal Knight shifted his gaze towards Barbamon before he realized the Demon Lord's staff was pointed right in his face.
"Dark Inferno," Barbamon muttered. Gallantmon was immediately ensnared in a crimson blaze. The Royal Knight fell headfirst downwards, falling to the incinerating Tower. The impact sent Gallantmon plummeting through several floors of the ruined tower, the Royal Knight dissolving into shards of data.
"You," Gallantmon muttered. "You'll pay for this."
As the rest of Gallantmon faded into nothing, Barbamon howled with laughter over his victory. Rising from the flames, a red and white egg with the same symbol as Gallantmon materialized.
"Lightning Javelin!" Barbamon screamed, throwing his staff at the egg. Unfortunately, the egg seemed to shoot off somewhere. Barbamon chose not to follow, deciding instead to return to the Demon Lords.
The streams of data seemed to flow endlessly in the Castle of the Royal Knights. Right now, there were only six present: Crusadermon, Dynasmon, Examon, UlforceVeedramon, Magnamon, and Omnimon, all seated at a Round Table with seven empty seats. Crusadermon wore entirely pink armor and held a large yellow rectangular shirt over his right hand. Dynasmon wore white armor and a horned helmet and had two purple wings. Examon was a red, draconic Digimon wielding a black spear in his right hand. UlforceVeedramon's armor was similar to Dynasmon's, only his helmet was much more like a dragon's head and his wings were blue. Magnamon simply wore gold armor. Omnimon, who was much taller than the rest of them, wore white armor with a cape that was white on front and red on the back. His left hand was in the form of a dragon's head and his right hand was in the form of a wolf's.
"Gallantmon should be back by now," Magnamon commented, breaking the silence. His statement seemed to be directed at Omnimon more than the others. He knew the Omnimon and Gallantmon were like brothers, and he also knew Omnimon would be the most upset if something had happened to Gallantmon.
"I knew we should have sent you, Omnimon," Crusadermon admitted. Very few of the Royal Knights could stand him, especially since he was more sarcastic than even Duftmon. "But Gallantmon insisted on going, even though you and Duftmon were remarkably tied for the best choice. Well, it's no surprise that you were nominated, but Duftmon? Oh, to even consider him!" Crusadermon held a rose close to his nose delicately and chuckled lightly.
"Duftmon is useful as our strategist. He would have been perfect to negotiate with Barbamon and the others."
"We never did receive word on who the other attendees would be." UlforceVeedramon pointed out observantly, leaning forward and interlocking his fingers, holding his hands close to his mouth.
"It is hard for the Sovereigns to decide on their representatives." Magnamon added in. "There are only four of them, and their 'pets' the Devas are even worse at coming to an agreement."
"But the Sovereigns alternate with each meeting, little brother." UlforceVeedramon corrected.
"Ah, of course. I apologize for my ignorance. That still does not excuse why the Olympus Warriors did not send someone. I realize it is not within my jurisdiction to choose whom, but out of the survivors, I would have preferred Neptunmon. He seems like a good candidate for the leader, what with Jupitermon and the others gone.
"And it is because they have lost half their numbers that the Olympus Warriors could not send someone." Omnimon confirmed. "They chose to prioritize their own numbers above the fate of the Digital World. A selfish choice."
"Omnimon, what does Imperialdramon have to say in this matter?" Magnamon asked.
"Imperialdramon has sent the others to find Alphamon." Omnimon revealed.
"The Lord of the Empty Seat?" Crusadermon asked. "Hah! Is he not supposed to possess the X-Antibody, Lord Yggdrasil's very own creation that was supposed to signify those not meant to live in Yggdrasil's new world? The main source of this conflict is in fact the X Digimon themselves. Would that not mean Yggdrasil is the true catalyst behind this war?"
"You speak blasphemy!" Dynasmon snapped. "I expected more from you, Crusadermon."
"You wish for me to hold my tongue?" Crusadermon asked. "Alright, for you Dyny." He held his rose at Dynasmon as a taunt.
"Heh, so when are you two going to tie the knot?" Magnamon teased. "It's been so long since you two started swinging di-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Crusadermon warned. His rose exploded into many petals, only to be batted away from Magnamon. "Well, you're no fun."
The attention of all Royal Knights was caught by an egg appearing in a flash of light, landing gently in Gallantmon's seat. None of them dared to speak, especially in front of Omnimon.
The Royal Knights exchanged frequent looks at the egg, each other, and Omnimon for what seemed like a long time. The awkward silence was broken when Omnimon uttered one single order.
"I'm going to Yggdrasil. Tell Imperialdramon to call off the hunt. We have far more pressing matters than a world war."
Far away, in state of California, two boys, Alex Kadrou and Yusuke Echizen, were walking along a sidewalk. The younger of the two, Alex, was dressed in a short-sleeved white shirt and black jeans, moving his black hair out of his eyes. The older, Yusuke, was dressed in more of a school uniform, his brown hair well kept. Having just finished the school year, the two were trying to think of what to do, deciding to take some time walking around town. Making their way to a bus stop, they saw a girl with long brown hair, which was strangely covered in a number of clips and pins. She had green eyes, a tanned, boney figure, and a plaid shirt that someone would find at the Men's Department in a clothing store.
The girl kept looking at her watch, then out at the street, assuring both boys that she was waiting for the bus. It was a natural thing to assume when you see someone at a bus stop. Yusuke made his way over to the girl.
"So what's your name?" Alex asked. The girl jumped in shock, not noticing the boy before, but her surprise immediately turned to anger.
"Why did you sneak up on me?" she demanded angrily. It took the boys a moment to notice, but she had a faint French accent.
Alex held his hands up to defend himself "I was just-"
"The bus doesn't come for another hour." Yusuke told the girl, by pointing at the schedule beside the bench. The girl looked at the schedule, clearly embarrassed that she had not noticed it before.
The girl turned to Yusuke. "Oh, thanks. Guess I'll just walk, then."
"You sure you don't want someone to walk with you," said Alex.
"No, I'm fine. Thanks though."
It wouldn't be long before the three of them would meet again.