In the middle of the Digital World, two figures walked continuously through the sand against the beating heat of the desert. One Digital, and the other not quite, but arguable just as strong, if not more. Both of them shared many similarities, but if there was anything worthy of notice about these two, it would be the fact that they had challenged something that was once called a God and won.
Of course, that was a long time ago; five years ago, to be exact.
Still, the reputation of these two was well-known throughout the Digital World. A Human, and his partner, traversing the Digital World and crusading as its protectors by nonchalantly beating the hell out of anyone that dare cause a ruckus or step out of line.
The two could only be the Digimon Savers— Masaru Daimon, and his partner, Agumon.
"Aniki, where will we be heading now?"
"To the Royal Knights HQ." A nineteen-year old Masaru Daimon shrugged to his partner, Agumon.
"What? Why the heck would we want to go there?" Agumon asked with a confused look. "Are they going to reprimand us again?"
"Nah, not this time, I think. Craniamon called for us," Masaru shrugged again, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from his face. "Or to be more specific, he said that Gallantmon was asking to meet with us."
"Gallantmon?" The look on his partner's face was a surprised one, but that surprise gave way to confusion. "What would he want?"
"Yeah, I was thinking just about that. I dunno what he'd want with us either," Masaru stopped, allowing for Agumon to catch up with him. "But I figured it couldn't be too bad to drop by. It's not like they're our enemies anymore… What do you think, Agumon?"
"Well, I'm with you, no matter what, aniki." Agumon murmured resolutely, as he padded his way to Masaru's side. "Even if it means having to walk through this stupid desert."
"That's my follower." Masaru grinned, before taking a moment to glance around. "…Huh."
"Which reminds me, isn't Royal Knight HQ the other wa…" Agumon trailed off, and gave Masaru a look of curiosity. "What is it?"
"Do you know anything about this area, Agumon?" Masaru asked questioningly. "I haven't seen a single Digimon since we've arrived."
The only things around were data packets and endless sand, much to Masaru's distaste. It was something disconcerting to see that a place as barren and desolate existed inside the Digital World.
"I think…" Agumon muttered, holding a claw to his face. "We might've wandered into the Southern Quadrant, aniki."
"Speak up." Masaru said offhandedly. "I can't hear you."
"I said, that we might be at the Southern Quadrant!"
"Southern Quadrant?" Masaru stopped.
"Yeah. The Digital World's divided into different places, remember? North, East, South, and West. I've never been to the Southern Quadrant myself, but it's a place where the strongest Digimon live." The Rookie answered, again glancing around warily. "Though, the rumors I've heard about this place are crazy."
"The strongest Digimon?" Masaru said eagerly, before noticing Agumon's unease. "What kind of rumors are there, though?"
"Uh… That's the thing. There are a lot of rumors about this place, aniki."
"Well, say the one that you were thinking about!"
"Fine! They say that a long time ago, Digimon that came from the Southern Quadrant used to kill and absorb each other's data to get stronger."
"…What the hell?"
"It's kind of like an old ghost story." Agumon murmured passively. "A long time ago, they said that they would do that so they would gain the strength to Digivolve."
"Talk about desperate," Masaru muttered with a look of distaste. "They don't do that kind of thing anymore, do they?"
"Uhh… I wouldn't know." He shook his head. "This is my first time here, since this is the part of the Digital World that everyone avoids."
"So in other words, this area's like one gigantic ghost town."
"That's one way of putting it." Agumon nodded.
"Well, it doesn't matter either way." Masaru exclaimed, grinning widely. "We're still the protectors of the Digital World, and besides… There's no way in hell I'll let some delinquent Digimon beat up my underling!"
"You're the best, aniki!"
Despite his grin, Masaru found it kind of strange.
Up until this point, he had never even heard of the Southern Quadrant of the Digital World. To his knowledge, the Royal Knights had taken residence in the old capitol of the Digital World— Yggdrasil's Tree… or at least, where it once stood. The reason he knew was because he had been there several times for different reasons.
While some Royal Knights still harbored a staunch dislike for him (or his actions, rather), Masaru was still free to visit them whenever he liked, or whenever he was called. Craniamon and Magnamon of all the knights took to him the most and sparred with the two on occasion. The others had been more or less neutral with a shared mutual respect towards Masaru.
Gallantmon, however, was another story.
The more he thinks about it, he's never spoken the Crimson Knight since the events of five years ago. What would make him want to talk now?
Furthermore, why in the world would he want to meet up here of all places?
It was a detail that he had deliberately kept from Agumon, because he figured that it would be easier for the both of them. The truth was, was Gallantmon had not wanted to meet up at Royal Knight HQ; he specifically wanted them both to go to the Southern Quadrant.
If it had not been for this fact, Masaru probably would have never come here.
Yet, now that he was here, all he could see spread before him was a barren wasteland. The Royal Knight in question was nowhere to be seen.
"This place sucks." Agumon said aloud.
"No arguments there." Masaru scowled in agreement as he kicked up a bout of sand.
Suddenly, a giggle caught his attention.
Turning around, he came into contact with a small creature. Its body was a luminescent white, save for the small markings on its body that could have easily been missed. Masaru stared at it with a puzzled look. It didn't resemble any Digimon that he knew of— if it was a Digimon.
The thing stared at him with a goofy smile, before cocking its head from where it floated in the air.
"…What?" Masaru said warily at the little creature.
"Ihihihihi~!"
"What are you laughing a—" He began to say, just as the creature circled around him twice and began flying away. "Hey! Get back here!" With a grunt, Masaru began running after it.
"Aniki, hey! Wait up!" Agumon yelled in pursuit.
His attempt at catching up with it proved fruitless, however. It easily out sped him with no effort at all, only causing Masaru and his partner to tire from running under the beating heat of the 'sun'.
"Aniki," Agumon panted. "…What was that?"
"…Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Masaru grumbled tiredly, as a low hum over took the area. Shifting up, Masaru scanned the immediate vicinity for some kind of source. "Hey, Agumon. Can you hear that?"
"Yeah. It's that weird buzzing noise, right?" Agumon mumbled. "It's really annoying…"
As the hum gradually grew in intensity and volume, the ground began to shake. Bewildered, Masaru's began darting wildly in search for the source of the clamor.
He gaped in disbelief as a pillar of light— no, of data dropped from the sky. With its appearance, the trembling became increasing violent—
And to make matters worse, it was heading towards them.
"Agumon," Alarmed, Masaru began to back away from the rapidly approaching stream of data. His partner stood in the path, gaping in shock. "Move it Agumon!" He yelled urgently, shaking his partner more insistently as the stream grew closer. "C'mon!"
Masaru's calls fell on deaf ears. In the next moment, he opted to hastily pick up the oversized reptile and carry him away on his back.
But it was too late.
The data stream dropped on the both of them with a violent tremor. In a whirl of light and sound, Masaru hung onto Agumon for dear life as the both of them were spirited away.