Neill sat on the park bench and sighed. Maero was at the hospital, apparently it was broken bones but he would be OK, provided he got plenty of rest. After explaining to his friend's family that Maero had fallen down stars ( not that they had believed him) Neill had found himself randomly wandering the city. Eventually retracing his tracks back to the park.
Once there, he had sat down, awestruck by the sheer amount of damage that had been done, the cement torn up and gauged, grass set on fire and some even frozen solid.
There were muffled sounds coming from the back-pack and Neill quickly unzipped it. A feathered head pocked out of the open bag and gasped for air, " What do you keep in there?" Ignimon demanded.
Neill grinned sheepishly, " Sorry."
" What are we going to do now?" she asked.
" We are not going to do anything, I took you with me because I wanted to make sure you weren't hurt after that battle-but now I know your OK we'll both go our own ways."
" But we're partners!" she cried.
" I don't recall signing anything." He replied.
" You really shouldn't treat your Digimon like that."
They both turned, Duna was standing before them. He looked so different now that Neill had the chance to properly examine him. He did stand at Neill's height, his clothes tattered and old but clean. His hair was no longer uncared for but had been brushed neatly back into place
Betamon walked along beside him, calm and serene.
Neill turned to the other, " You said you'd explain what this is all about."
with a nod, Duna said, " I also said we would have to go somewhere more private."
" No one saw it," Neill countered, " It would have been all over the news if they had."
" OK, I can give you that."
" Then tell me everything, starting with just what that monster was that attacked us."
Duna slowly sat down beside him. How do I say this? I never thought I'd have to worry about this kind of thing...
" Well... This is mostly guess work-no one's confirmed any of it but I think that I've got most of it right. The first thing you have to understand is that our world isn't the only one."
" Other planets?" guessed Neill visions of aliens floating through his head.
" Not really. There's a difference between planets and worlds. But that's beside the point, I'm talking about the Digital World."
Duna saw that Neill was quiet, concentrating upon what he was saying.
" The Digital World was created by us. More specifically , it was created by our computers. Originally it was populated by simple programs, nothing more than somewhere where random bits of data tended to gathered. Then, something changed."
" Changed?" Neill asked, " What caused it?"
" I really don't know, I doubt anyone still alive does. Whatever caused it, the change mutated the Digital World, the simple programs began to change, to take on a life of their own. They became more complex, at the same time, the world itself began to mimic Earth. Forests, seas, plains were all formed and those first few programs began to adapt to them. After a certain amount of time, said programs became something more. They're called Digimon, which stands for Digital Monster."
" So, that thing which attacked me was nothing but a bunch of data?"
" In a manner of speaking, at this stage Digimon while still made of data are in possession of something more.... something that I would even go so far as to call a soul. They take many shapes and have many families."
" That explains the existence of the monsters," said Neill willing to let it go, " But I saw your creature grow and change into that sea serpent but now he's changed back. "
" He Digivolved. A normal Digimon can Digivolve by absorbing data. All Digimon do this, in the Digi-World, data is like air, all around but invisible, Digimon absorb it constantly. When they have enough it causes them to change becoming stronger. Its like evolution. However, a Digimon can also Digivolve by destroying other Digimon and absorbing the data they release upon their death."
" But then how did Betamon do it?" questioned Neill, " He didn't destroy anyone and this isn't the Digi-World so there's no data."
" I was getting to that. Betamon is not a normal Digimon. He and I are partners. I can see you're having trouble understanding. As far as I can tell, the Digi-world has been threatened a number of times in the past. Each time a group of humans have been called from this world, from the Real-World to save the Digi-world. To help them, each human is pared with a Digimon. The two share a special bond, a bond which allows the human to split his energy, giving his partner the ability to Digivolve for a limited amount of time. I am one of the chosen, a Digi-Destined, and so are you."
Neill let out a small laugh, " Me? I'm not even sure I believe you about the while Digi-World thing never mind me being a chosen one!"
" Ignimon's the proof, she is your partner just as Betamon is mine. She wouldn't hatch for anyone else, trust me. Yet she did it for you, even though her egg in my back-pack she nevertheless hatched and saved your life. "
" Doesn't prove anything!" snapped Neill, " It could have been the fiery attack that caused her egg to hatch."
Duna sighed, I can see he's not going to accept it unless I prove it.... maybe this will work.
" Well do you have a Digivice?"
" What's a Digivice?"
Duna described his own one. It small enough to fit into the palm of his hand, coloured blue it bore a strange design on it's back.
Neill examined it. Taking it in his hand and turning it over and over, for such a small thing it had an aura of power around it. Could all this be true? Digimon and a Digital-World? It seemed so far fetched but Neill had himself witnessed. Wait, didn't he have one of those too? Stored away in his pocket where he had put it after the fight.
Slowly, he reached down and withdrew a device. It was the same basic shape as Duna's but there were differences. His was red, it had a feather etched into it right above the screen.
" That settles it!" cried Duna triumphant, " You are one of us!"
Neill didn't really like the way he had said it, one of us but let it pass.
Duna continued his explanation, " That gadget you have in your hand is called a Digivice. Only the chosen get one. It allows you to share your energy with Ignimon, giving her the ability to Digivolve into a higher form like I do with Betamon."
Neill shook his head, " This is all so much gibberish to me, Digivolve? Digimon? I'm lost.."
" Maybe its easier to show you." said Duna, " But there is one thing I do know, you feel a connection with Ignimon, right? Pretty weak right now but it will get stronger the longer you two stay together. Eventually you'd give your life for her and she'd do the same for you."
Neill made to deny it but froze halfway.
Duna saw this and found himself smirking slightly, " Trust me, that's a bond shared by all Digi-Destined, it's what gives us our power."
Neill threw his hands into the air, " This is still not making sense! I need time to think it all through."
" That's only natural." replied Duna, " But remember that we don't have much time, more monsters will be coming and I don't know if we can destroy them all."
Neill couldn't think of a reply. It seemed to him that he had come here to this park to think everything over but now he was more confused than ever!
He strode out of the park without a backward glance. Ignimon flying alongside him.
As he walked trough the street, Neill couldn't help but notice the passers by giving him strange looks, some directed at him but most of them directed at the red bird.
" why are you following me?" Neill hissed out of the corner of his voice.
" well, where else should I go?" she hissed back.
" Don't you have a home or somewhere in this Digi-World?"
" No. I just hatched, remember?"
" Don't you have any family then?"
" No. No Digimon does. We're not born like you humans."
" Sounds interesting, mind explaining?"
" Not at all."
Humanity loved technology. And why shouldn't they? It was what had raised them up from humble beginnings as just another species of monkey to the uncontested rulers of the planet Earth. It had fed them, natured them. It had armed them. First against predators and then against each other. It protected them, kept them safe in their gigantic cities. After all this, it had seemed only a natural step to use it for security.
Humans also loved shopping. It was a powerful instinct, to own, to posses. To say " This is mine."
From this, it was a small step to begin buying and selling, trading and sometimes even taking by force. This had led to the rise of markets, at first local events taking place maybe once a month but slowly they got bigger, better organised. More frequent. In the middle ages, markets were places where almost anything could be bought or sold. Food, weapons, slaves, anything and everything. As time progressed, markets slowly lost some of their importance. Local shops taking over some of the load. In modern times, markets had returned to their place of power albeit with a different name. Now they stayed in the same place, housed in permanent buildings. Known to the world as shopping centres ( or sometimes malls)
It had only been natural to combine these two loves. Technology protected the shopping centre. Cameras watched from above. Electrical measures guarded the stores against theft. Some of the more advanced malls even had their own mini-internet system. Computers connected to each other from all over the building. Sharing information. How could such a network ever be used against humanity?
He would show them how. The protection program was quite complicated, it took him two whole minutes to bypass. Once through that however, he had the entire system in the palm of his hand. The doors, the air ventilation, the cameras, they were all operated by computers and he had control of them all.
" Gate command, this is unit zero-zero-two. I have succeeded in gaining control of the system."
" Confirmed. Commence phase one."
" Commencing."
" So, you're saying that Digimon don't have families?"
" Exactly. In some cases a single egg can hatch two Digimon but that's as close as it gets."
Neill was lounging about in the main room of his house. On the sofa to be exact. Sprawled out and idly flicking through the TV channels as he chatted with Ignimon.
" You really have no where else to go?"
" Nope."
" I guess you'll have to stay here then."
" I knew you'd come around!"
" How did you know that, exactly?"
" Lucky guess."
Neill switched channels again-but this time something caught his attention. The same reporter who had been present during Seadramon's battle was once more covering some kind of event.
" -so far they have refused all attempts at negotiation. Wait, we're getting something new... one of the kidnappers is leaving the building!"
The camera cut to a large warehouse. Near the docks, the warehouse looked like it had been abandoned long ago, a multitude of police cars had pulled up and even been formed into a crude barricade. The officers themselves were behind the cards, many with guns pulled and aimed towards the door of the building. The door which had just opened.
A bulky figure walked out of the darkness. Standing at average height, the kidnapper was wearing a suit of metal. It appeared to be home made but had a definite high-tech look.
One of the officers brought a mega-phone up to his lips and said, " What are your demands?"
The man turned, his eyes looking out through a wide slit in his armour, " Our demands are simple. Bring us the Digi-Destined or we will kill the prisoners. You have two hours to comply."
He turned around to re-enter the building but a single shot rang out clear in the brittle silence.
Time seemed to freeze as the kidnapper turned slowly, ponderously until he was once more facing the police.
" You have chosen to defy the will of the Dark Lords." His voice had changed now. Not human but machine like and eerie. " There can be only one outcome: death."
He moved and a cry came, " he has a weapon, take him down!"
There was an explosion of bangs as the officers opened fire with deadly precision, but the bullets only seemed to annoy him as the led pellets impacted the body-armour and dropped harmlessly to the ground. Sparks seemed to fly as the police continued their assault upon the metal man but slowly the guns fell quiet-if only to reload.
And he spoke again, " Now, taste the real power of a real Digimon. Guardian Barrage!"
Slots on his forearms opened and with an explosions, missiles launched from the creature and struck the police barricade. Fire blossomed as they hit their target. Cars were thrown back, melted metal and plastic rained down from the sky along with still living bodies. The attack took seconds but when it ended, the police had been scattered with their cover destroyed and most of them out in the open.
" Consider this a warning. Next time the missiles will not be aimed at objects only. Digi-Destined, you have fifteen minutes."
That said, he was still, not moving, breathing perhaps not even thinking.
Slowly, Neill fell back into the sofa, he hadn't even noticed standing up at some point during the one-sided fight. He didn't really notice now. He had gone numb, time standing still for him as his mind raced, he remembered Duna's words: " We don't have much time, more monsters will be coming and they will be stronger."
it said Digimon.... and Digi-Destined... Again he thought back to his conversation with the other.
" I am one of the chosen, a Digi-Destined and so are you."
Is this somehow my fault? Is this all my fault? Is what Duna said true, and now this monster wants me? What am I going to do? What am I going to do?!
" What do we do now, partner?"
The voice snapped him out of his dark pondering, " Partner?"
" That's right. We're partners. I'll do whatever you think is best."
whatever I think is best. What if I don't know what's best? I'm scared... I hate to admit it but I am. That creature easily blow up those cars, what would happen if I tried to fight it?
What would happen if I failed?"
His heart beat wildly as he steadily leapt from roof to roof, luckily for him the warehouses were built close together and he could move quickly this way.
In his backpack, Betamon sat head poking out and sometimes offering a comment or two.
Duna raced towards the kidnapper as fast as he could, all the while fearing he would be too late-that the evil Digimon would kill the prisoners anyway. No more people will die because of me.
Knowing that he was rapidly approaching his target, Duna's hand sneaked into his pocket and withdrew his Digivice.
There! Just a little farther, but now he could hear a mechanical voice " The time has elapsed and you have failed to produce the Digi-Destined, as promised we will now slaughter the prisoners. "
There were some grunts and Duna had a sudden insight that they were dragging those poor people outside, so that the world could watch as they died!
Anger lent new speed to him and he leapt from the last roof with a scream! And realized with a start that there was no roof below him, he had leapt off the last one. Now he found himself facing the warehouse but he had a small snag-now he was falling quite fast. Luckily, he had a solution.
" Betamon Digivolve to Seadramon!"
Duna caught his partner's neck as Seadramon easily soaked up the force of impact.
Standing proud, Duna glared down at the kidnapper and said, " I'm here now, let those people go!"
" Negative. Only you came, there is another. We demanded both of you. Kill the prisoners."
The robot-thing moved towards two people tied up and left in front of the door to the buildings.
Duna yelled, " Don't let him do it, Seadramon!"
The sea Digimon roared, " Ice Winder!"
Shards of sharp ice sprayed from his mouth and struck the foe. He staggered back and fell to one knee.
" Duna, get down there and save the humans, I'll distract them."
His partner nodded, " Right."
He bounded off the other and ran towards the people.
" Denied!"
Cried the robot and stood up, " Guardian Barr-!"
Seadramon's mighty tail slammed into the other's chest and this time he smashed into a wall. Taking some time to recover himself.
When he did, the sea Digimon was between him and the prisoners.
" I know all about you Guardromon." he said, " You're android Digimon who tend to travel in groups. Your Guardian Barrage is powerful but I'm still stronger."
Guardromon took up a battle stance, " Think again."
Then, the street exploded. Six bulky forms bursting up through the cement, sewer water dripping from them.
Seadramon looked from one Guardromon to another, the unpleasant truth slowly dawning on him. "It was a trap."
And then as one, the six androids shouted out, " Guardian Barrage!"
The rockets whistled as they shot through the air, twelve deadly missiles all aimed straight at Seadramon.
Neill watched numbly as the battle took a turn for the worst, the reporter was still recording though no one was saying anything.
" What are we going to do?"
Ignimon was doing laps around the house, flying quickly and somehow avoiding any obstacles.
He didn't know, couldn't decide. He didn't want to get into a fight, certainly didn't want to get into one which would almost certain end in his own defeat and maybe even his own death. Yet.... Duna had done it. And innocent people were in danger. That struck a nerve within Neill but his own confusion made it hard. He couldn't think.
" We have to help him!"
Neill found that his hand was shaking. Slowly, he withdrew from his pocket the small device that that Duna had called a Digivice And he recalled the other's words.
" You are one of us!"
One of us... Duna wanted my help.... he waited for me... and now he's in trouble.. because of me... One of us. He called me that. I think he meant it. And if what he told me is true, if this Digital-World is truly a real place and is in real danger that means Duna has very little time but he was willing to let me decide for myself..
Neill felt appreciation for the other, but I can't save him now.
And then, a thought bubbled up from his deepest mind, Would you help if it were Maero? Or Ruki?
If you don't help that will be their fate, the fate of all humanity.
Was that me who thought that? But I don't have thoughts like that... is it the truth? Impossible! The fate of everything can't just depend on one person.
He looked back at the TV in time to see Seadramon take a powerful blow to the face and hear Duna's helpless screams. His terror not for himself but for his friend, for Seadramon.
That sound made up his mind, Neill found that he had stood up.
" Are we going to help?"
Seadramon flinched as a Guardromon landed another blow upon him but rallied and used an Ice Blast to knock the Digimon back to the ground. Two more had launched their attacks striking him in the back. More rockets struck him, one scoring a hit on his nose. The resulting pain made him scream out loud.
Seadramon pulled himself together and struck out with his tail smashing into one of the Guardromon but it was a losing battle and he knew it, years of fighting had taught him when to run. He would just love to run now but the Guardromon had cornered him against the wall and were pelting him mercilessly. Pain erupted as more attacks struck hard.
Seadramon forced his aching muscles to move and bite down hard one of the androids, snapping it in half and releasing it's data.
Ah, he thought darkly, the odds are evening-now it's only five to one.
Still, it didn't matter if the odds were a thousand to one. If Duna were threatened then he would fight to the end.
And I might end up doing just that. He thought as his foes struck one more, this time he managed to avoid most of the attacks and counter with his tail but the other Digimon avoided as well. He growled in frustration.
" Warning Light!" cried the Guardromon and each one fired beams of red energy from their eyes. The lasers burned Seadramon as they each focused on a section of his body.
It was agony. Every fibre of his being was on fire as the attacks burned their way into him.
There was a scream and it wasn't him. One of the Guardromon had turned towards Duna he realized with shock.
Anger lent him power. " Ice Blast!"
The freezing water attack hit the attacker in the back, ice quickly spreading over him as he turned towards the source.
Another of the red lasers struck him and Seadramon lunged with a roar, head butting the Guardromon and smashing it into a wall, two rockets struck him in the neck and he cried out but rallied again and his tail swept out tripping up his attacker so that Seadramon had time to recover himself as the Guardromon formed into a group.
They want to finish me off. He realized, they're going to fire their lasers at the same time, at me!
Seadramon was very concious of his steadily depleting energy reserves. No where near enough to Digivolve. And even if I did have the power I doubt these guys would just stand still and let me.
" Duna, Run!"
Seadramon hoped that his partner would see sense, they were outnumbered and overpowered. However, he doubted Duna would. His friend wasn't very smart in that aspect. He could still remember the day they had first met. It brought a smile to his heart even now. He had always felt lonely, never really been happy until that day. Then, Duna had arrived. Just like that dropping from the sky. They had become friends quickly, there was something about them that just clicked. Betamon had brought Duna back to the village, a friendly place full of in-training Digimon. He had been welcomed with open arms of course.
Seadramon saw the red light begin to build in the Guardromon's eyes. He mustered all his remaining power for one final assault. Never give up. That single phrase brought back so much memories, of their struggles in the Digital-World, when Duna had doubted himself and when Betamon had done the same. But they had always pulled through, sometimes by the skin of their teeth but they had always done it. Now it finally looked like their luck had run out.
Seadramon decided to give it one more go, " Duna, Run!"
The androids spoke then, calling out the name of their attack as the lethal lasers blasted out towards Seadramon's face.
He drew back, summoning all the power he had. I hope this works.
The red attack soared towards him but Seadramon roared defiantly " Ice Blast!"
The blast of freezing water met the red beam halfway the sea Digimon smirked but his joy was cut short when the laser sliced cleanly through the waters, moving as quickly as ever towards him.
With no time to think, he reacted on instinct, jerking to the side in the hopes of avoiding the beam. It worked to a certain extent, the red energy lanced narrowly past his eyes. It ploughed a shallow wound from the his eye over to the top of his head. The pain was intense, firstly the beam was red hot, secondly it seemed to dissolve his skin, the data floating up into the sky as he writhed in pain.
In the midst of his agony, Seadramon didn't even notice as he shrunk down to his rookie form.
That is, until he saw a Guardromon towering above him.
" Guardian Barrage!"
Betamon leapt out of the way, narrowly avoiding the explosion but not the shock-wave. It tossed him into the air as the Guardromon took aim together and cried out in sync " Guardian Barrage!"
The missiles shot up towards him in a tightening circle. Betamon saw this and somehow dodged the first of the projectiles, the missiles struck each other and detonated with an almighty bang.
Betamon was hurled to the ground giving a small scream upon contact. He didn't seem able to get up as he lay there and shivered.
Again the Guardromon towered above their downed foe but this time it seemed there would be no escape.
Duna watched numbly from the side-lines as his partner was defeated. All the while, thoughts ran through his head like lightening, this can't be happening, Betamon can't lose like this, He can't!
" Betamon, get up! Don't let these guys kick you around!"
Still the rookie Digimon didn't rise. I don't think he's going to be able to get up, realized Duna as fear closed a cold hand around his heart. I can't lose him now, hang on, I'm coming!"
Duna ran forwards, wind suddenly wiping through his hair. Truth be told, he had no idea how he could possibly aid Betamon but that didn't mean he wouldn't try. He launched a fist at the nearest Guardromon but the cold metal did more damage to him than he to it. He yelled and fell back clutching his hand but the Digimon turned and easily picked him up with two hands and held him above it's head.
He screamed helplessly and struggled vainly to free himself but Guardromon's hands were like clamps and held him tight.
" No, let go of me! Help! Somebody help! Please, somebody help Betamon!"
The android Digimon converged on the downed partner, weapons priming and charging.
" Now you understand the price of defying the Dark Lords."
Duna let out one last ditch cry, " Somebody, anybody, help!"
And his cry was answered, " Howling Blaster!"
A blue beam of energy smashed into the group of Guardromon, one of them took it head on and disintegrated the other four were thrown back in confusion.
Duna was dropped to the ground with a cry and looked up. Standing over his fallen friend the biggest wolf he had ever seen.
Black fur with purple under fur. , his eyes huge and intelligent. No, he realized, not a wolf a Digimon.
Sitting on it's back, a girl. A tank top, short cut dark hair and combat jeans all added to the loner image. She was grinning, not in the least bit afraid.
" Somebody call for help? I'm Meegan and this is Ori."
The wolf growled as if to suggest that if anyone other than Meegan dared to call him Ori he would personally rip out their throat.
" I'm Garurumon, a mighty Digimon of the champion level. As you've just seen, my Howling Blaster is rightly feared throughout the Digi-World."
Duna nodded, " I'm Duna and this is Betamon."
This said, he hurried over to his friend's side.
" Are you OK, pal?" he asked worriedly.
" I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough." gasped Betamon.
" Don't be stupid, of course you were strong enough, it was five against one, you fought as well as you could have been expected to."
The Guardromon had regrouped now and were surrounding them.
Garurumon growled " Stand back, I'll take care of these guys."
" No! You'll never beat them all." cried Betamon. " Let me fight too."
" You're beaten up enough, little guy. I can handle them."
"Wait for us!"
A figure came pelting out of one of the ally-ways, Neill!
Ignimon came up behind him, wings beating quickly just to keep up but she was doing it.
She perched on the ground next to Betamon and there was a red aura surrounding them both.
" I saw how badly you were getting beat up. Thought you could use a recharge."
Betamon grinned, "I was doing OK, when was the last time you took on six enemies and lived?"
She ignored his comment, " I've given you enough to fight again but not enough to Digivolve I'm sorry I couldn't spare that much."
Betamon was back on his feet again, " No worries, we'll show them what we can do!"
" I'll take two, you rookies can just about handle one each." said Garurumon.
Pausing only to let Meegan get down he leapt with a wild roar onto the group of Digimon!
Ignimon and Betamon shared a look and charged together.
Neil watched speechless as Garurumon clamped his might teeth down onto the arm of a Guardromon and toss him sky high, leaping after him he opened his mouth, " Howling Blaster!"
The mighty blue beam slammed into it's chest, but Guardromon wasn't beaten just yet, " Guardian Barrage!"
Garurumon twisted in mid-air and avoided both missiles before turning back and growling " My turn, Subzero Ice Fang!"
His teeth closed around the enemy's fist once more but this time a freezing sheet of ice quickly covered the android's arm, with a grunt Garurumon tore off Guardromon's limb!
" Not over yet," he growled, " Howling Blaster!"
Guardromon buckled under the icy assault and disintegrated into streams of data. Garurumon landed easily and turned about to rejoin the fight.
Betamon narrowly avoided a robotic fist, " I wont lose to you again, no I'm not alone, I wont let you defeat us! Electric Shock!"
A bolt of thunder struck the Guardromon but metal armour deflected it and the creature turned to counter-attack.
" Living Flame!"
The stream of fire struck Guardromon's back but did little damage.
It did however give Betamon the chance to fall back. Ignimon joined him and said, " we're not doing much."
" Our attacks can't even get through that thick armour." agreed Betamon.
" Not alone." pondered Ignimon, " But if we focus our attacks together."
" We could do it." said Betamon. " Let's go!"
Guardromon charged them but together the two rookies called out.
" Living Flame!"
" Electric Shock!"
The twin attacks struck the same spot and knocked the Guardromon back but it still didn't seem to do much damage.
Betamon swore and they each dodged to a separate side as the androids counter-attacked.
" This is not working!" hissed Ignimon.
" What would you suggest?" asked Betamon.
She didn't get to answer, a Guardromon came out of nowhere and smashed Betamon with a metal fist! He staggered back and Ignimon took to the sky.
" Guardian Barrage!"
She avoided the attacks-if only just, and came in for another of her own. " Living Flame!"
This time, luck was with her. The attack struck Guardromon right in the unshielded eyes. He staggered back and Betamon, seeing his chance, joined her with his own attack.
Together, the two attacks overpowered and shattered Guardromon.
Now they both turned towards their last foe as Garurumon settled with his. He took a charge at it, and with a wolf-howl leapt!
But the Digimon was ready, " Guardian Barrage!"
The twin missiles impacted on his soft underbelly and with a yelp Garurumon was knocked to the ground.
" Ori!"
She made to run to him but he snapped, " Stay back you stupid human! You'll get into the line of fire!"
She paused, knowing he was right but every instinct in her body screaming for her to go and help her partner, no matter the cost!
" Warning Light!"
The red laser shot at the downed Digimon. Unlike Seadramon, Garurumon was built for speed, so he was on his feet and jumping long before the laser hit the ground. Guardromon once more took aim but it was too late now. Garurumon landed on top of it and cried out, " Sub Zero Ice Fang!"
His freezing jaws clamped down on what for lack of a better word should be called Guardromon's face. The Digimon shattered into data and the wolf looked around for new foes.
There! The two rookies were having trouble. No matter, he would take care of it.
He hurtled towards the sole-surviving Guardromon with a cry of " Howling Blaster!"
The icy attack struck Guardromon's undefended back and knocked it face-first to the ground.
It didn't move again.
Garurumon let out a triumphant howl as Meegan rushed over to him.
He seemed slightly embarrassed by all the attention, " I was never in any real danger." he explained, " They just weren't fast enough to hit me."
Betamon couldn't help but laugh as Duna hoisted him into the air, " I thought I'd lost you."
" Relax, Duna I'll never leave you that easily! A few measly Guardromon can't come between us!"
Ignimon perched on Neill's shoulder as he overlooked the others. " Were you worried about me?" she asked anxiously.
He opened his mouth to reply but before he could the fallen Guardromon disintegrated. Nothing strange about that right? Not when another Digimon was formed out of the loose data.
Garurumon growled and prepared himself to spring as the data took on a clear shape and colour.
This new creature looked like someone had taken the biggest tank they could find and reshaped it into a vaguely humanoid form. Very vaguely in fact the only thing it shared with the humans was that it had four limbs and a head. This creature was hunched over, it's arms ended in massive three pronged claws that glittered in the light.
It's head was elongated slightly and dragon-like, two metallic horns juting backwards from where it joined to the creature's neck.
Resting on it's back ( and perhaps explaining the hunch) were two massive cannons that looked like they could take down a building with a single shot.
Not a single one of them, not human nor Digimon, was not surprised by the thing's appearance.
" I know this guy," said Betamon, " And believe me he's trouble. That's Machinedramon a mega Digimon and one of the most powerful. His Giga Cannons attack is more than enough to wipe out any ultimate you care to name!"
Machinedramon spoke, and his voice was mechanical and harsh, " That's right, and I have come for you."
" Everyone get ready to fight!" snapped Garurumon.
" Not necessary." hissed Machinedramon, " I would not degrade myself by fighting you. My minions will make quick work of the so-called Digi-Destined."
" If you're not going to fight why are you in the Real-World?"
" I like my enemies to know who killed them. So, enjoy the rest of your lives, Digi-Destined, it wont be long!"
With that, the image shattered and this time the data streams faded as they should.
As the Digi-Destined watched dumbstruck, Betamon muttered " I have a feeling things will get a lot tougher from now on."
__________________
Back in the Digital World, inside that huge mecha-pyramid. The core room was still dark and the screen once more showed eight images.
" You failed,. Machinedramon." said a voice. It wasn't like the others, it was hard and unyielding in a way that can only mean an experienced warrior who has seen many enemies die at his hands.
" Negative. Elimin-eight is going according to schedule."
The joking/commanding voice came, " Tell me, did Master-Tyrannomon have any hand in this plan of yours, Machinedramon?"
" I did."
" Ah, that explains it. Machinedramon would never think of such a subtle plan by himself. He's more of the smash things kind."
" So, Machinedramon, what is your plan?"
" I can answer that." said Master-Tyrannomon. " The first attack was a mere diversion. It also served information gathering purposes. Now we know that the Digi-Destined have only mastered champion level."
The harsh voice: " So, how did they defeat Myotismon?"
Machinedramon replied, " Let him answer yourself."
The joker, " His data has been reconstructed?"
" Yes. I have finished with him. His powers are much weakened but he will recover them eventually. His ultimate level takes too much power, for now he has reverted to Devimon."
" I am strong enough to defeat those fools."
This voice clearly belonged to Devimon, " I was defeated last time by pure luck but even as a champion I can destroy them."
Machinedramon interrupted, " Elimin-Eight is going well but we need more time to gather information. Someone else shall have to fight the fools until we are ready."
" I will have my servants destroy them." said a voice. Though the picture was shrouded in shadows, it was clearly an insecticidal Digimon who spoke
" I have two squads ready and a third that can be deployed in less than an hour."
" I wouldn't suggest that." said Master-Tyrannomon, " If a large number of Digimon appear suddenly who knows how the human army will react? If they close off the area we may lose our chance to destroy the Digi-Destined. It is far safer to send a single powerful agent."
" Do you have such an agent?" asked the joking voice.
" I have someone who fits the bill. It may take me several days to send him to the Real-World but I doubt he will fail."
Devimon spoke up, " You don't know the power of those Digimon. At least one of them can reach the ultimate level."
" No ultimate appeared during the battle."
" Perhaps he was too tired from the fight? I will come with your agent, Tyrant-Kabuterimon and insure that he doesn't fall for the same trick I did."
" My agent does not need help."
" So you say, but I know that he may just require some aid."
Tyrant-Kabuterimon made to reply but the joker cut in, " That is satisfactory. Master-Tyrannomon and Machinedramon can work on this plan of theirs, Devimon and Tyrant-Kabuterimon's agent will try to eliminate them at the same time. If one plan fails, then the other will be bound to succeed."
Master-Kabuterimon bowed, " My lord."
The meeting broke off, the screen showing static.
The huge insect Digimon made his way to the top of the stone pyramid.
Once up there, he closed his eyes and just felt the wind. It carried scent that he knew well, trees, pain, sweat. Despair. But enough of that, he had a job to do.
Concentrating, he sent his mind questing outwards, searching the forests of the Digital-world. There! A response to his wordless call. Tyrant-Kabuterimon easily tracked it back to his champion.
Using his unique abilities, the mega-Digimon looked through the other's eyes and saw that his agent was in the middle of a fight. Or rather, about to end a fight.
An exhausted looking Meramon was laying on the ground at the feet of his warrior. The insect Digimon raised a hand to finish it and called out, "Insect Lord!"
A swarm of tiny insects appeared from the warrior's wings and rushed head-long at the downed foe. It was very like Myotismon's famed Grisly Wing attack though much less powerful, still it ought to be enough to take down this foe.
The fiery Digimon cried out as the insects stung him, swarming over biting and stinging and clawing. He struggled back, and tumbled straight off a cliff that he had been slowly pushed towards.
The surviving warrior looked down as his foe struck the water with a cry of pain.
The fight over, Tyrant-Kabuterimon left the needed information in the other' mind and withdrew, the last thoughts he received were simply: " At once, my lord."