Chapter 4: Setting the Tone
Leelee the Palmon and Leon the uniquely named Leomon spent the night in the coliseum. Special rooms were made for all the competitors and despite the rough violent types that liked to compete, the chambers for each of the individuals were of the highest quality. Even one such as Dragon the Agunimon who was used to such lofty accommodations was unprepared for how nice the rooms would be.
All the rooms were large with white and black checker patterned walls. The rooms were furnished with soft cream colored furniture including a bed, that White ensured would be excessively spacious, for each competitor, a walk-in closet, a personal gym, a bathroom, and hologram set for entertainment. The rooms were made further nice by sections of the rooms made specifically for each competitor. Leelee had a tiny pond with a heat lamp to rest in, Dragon had a furnace he could walk into, and Leon was able to convince Ambassador White himself to create an anti-gravity room so Leon could go back to floating.
That night before the first day of the Champion's Tournament was peaceful. Despite the promise of violence in the tournament, that night prior to its start was quiet.
PawnChessmon of both colors held golden trumpets in their glove like hands and despite their covered mouths were able to perform a gallant greeting for everyone attending the Champion's Tournament. Ambassador White and his wife, Black the QueenChessmon, were standing in the coliseum's center, a large circle shaped, slightly elevated platform surrounded by the many levels of seats and hanging balconies.
"A warm Metal Empire welcome to you all," greeted White. "My wife and I would like to thank the PawnChessmon for their skills with the trumpet, let's hear it for them, Mons." The large audience all clapped for the small rookies, the PawnChessmon bowing before heading back their quarters. "And of course, thank you to all of you who have come from around the Digital World. Without you, this tournament would not have been possible." The audience clapped some more, a few cheers sounding throughout from the more rambunctious spectators.
"Without further ado, Announcer Cruz, start this tournament" commanded Black as she slammed the bottom of her staff on the ground causing pyrotechnics around the top of the coliseum to be set off. The vibrant display of colors garnering "ohs" and "ahs" from the younger members in the audience as well as setting up couples for a kiss, Black and White included.
"Sweetheart, you said I could set them off this year," whispered White as he and Black walked to their thrones.
"Yes, I lied," said Black just as quietly. "Maybe next year."
White and Black took their seats, the levitation devices of the thrones taking them to their special balcony to watch the day's events. As they floated up, Cruz the Kudamon took center stage as the announcer, his proud wife, Icebreak the Ikkakumon, glowing with joy in the front row.
"Well wasn't that something, yessiree. Well it's time to start this tournament and I for one can't wait to see this first battle. Introducing first, last year's runner up hailing from the Nature Spirits, it is Toro the Minotarumon!" The quick pace of Cruz's introduction pumped up the crowd as Toro received quite the ovation as he walked up the steps to the top of the platform. It might have been a chorus a boos but some noise was better than no noise. "Next, we have the young up and comer, first time competitor, heroine for the young who descends from the Jungle Troopers, it's Leelee the Palmon!" The initial reaction to Leelee's introduction was great due to most in the audience willing to cheer for anyone taking on Toro. That jubilation died down when the audience saw Leelee, worried expressions finding their way onto the faces of most.
In the lounge room for the other spectators, Leon was watching the event hoping Leelee had some hidden strength. He had questioned White during the building of the anti-gravity room about why Leelee was allowed to compete but White responded that it would be surprise. Leon had done some research on Toro and found out that he liked to brutalize his opponents and in small street fighting circles, he'd deleted his own number of Digimon. Luckily, White had explained that there was a special field set up around the circular platform. No one inside can be deleted due to the stabling properties of the field, and nothing could enter or exit, except for sound on the inside of the dome, in order to protect those watching and competing. Despite all this, Leon was hoping Leelee would be okay. With Tig-Rey out of the picture, Toro had been bumped up from round 2 to round 1, throwing the competitors a little bit off as everyone was prepared for the wrong opponent. Not that Leon thought Leelee could prepare for Toro. Though he had only known her a short time, Leon was already fond of the young girl and he wished her the best.
Back on center stage, Leelee was waving to everyone in attendance, an open mouth smile clearly visible for everyone, showing she was not afraid. "Don't worry everyone, I'll be fine." Leelee twirled on a dark green, vine-like toe and allowed her fingers to extend around her and surround her body. "I'm like last year's winner, I can digivolve!"
The crowd cheered at Leelee's announcement, Leon was caught off guard, Ambassador White and his wife just sat and smiled. Digivolution, a Digimon's ability to release their latent power for short amount of time resulting in larger increase in combat ability when compared to digivolution caused through aging. Also, other than their own identity, the biggest difference between Aware Digimon and Program Digimon was that Aware Digimon alone had the unique ability to digivolve.
As the vines continued to cover up Leelee, a faint white glow began surrounding her until it was almost too bright to look at. Bright white arms and a large head became visible. As the light disappeared, a giant humanoid cactus stood up, red boxing gloves on its hands, menacing black thorns all over its body.
"Palmon digivolve to Togemon," said Leelee's new form. "Announcer, if you could please announce me again," said the large new form in a much deeper voice.
Cruz nodded and started over. "The new up and comer, first time competitor, hailing from the Jungle Troopers, its Knockout!" Cruz floated to the top of the dome like barrier to take his place in a floating station all his own. The blue light of the forcefield started to ascend and create a dome, cutting off sound from the outside. "First match . . . BEGIN!"
Knockout rushed the brown beast man in front of her, both arms folded close to her body. Toro took a strong step outwards, slightly angling his body for a solid stance that had his right arm in front. Both digimon threw a straight right handed jab. Fist meeting fist, the clash of knuckles created a noise like a small explosion. They stood together in the center of the platform, arms still outstretched and trying to force the other one back but stuck in a stalemate.
"I thought this was an insult but I now see you might have a little fight in you," said Toro, an aggressive smile across his face.
"You're telling me, I asked for last years winner, not the runner-up," mocked Knockout.
Toro's pupils became completely red. "I'll make you suffer before I let you rest in the medical ward," he spat.
Slowly, Toro's left foot came forward. Then his right leg did the same. He had begun to push Knockout back despite her best efforts. She pulled her arm back suddenly and as Toro fell towards where she had just been, Knockout spun around him and used her momentum to throw a powerful left handed punch to the back of Toro's head. Her strategy failed as Toro threw his Demon Arm back in time to block the oncoming blow.
Toro reflected the attack off his gun and forced Knockout a few steps back. He quickly took aim but as the three barrels began to spin so did Knockout, legs together and arms outstretched.
"Darkside Storm!" roared Toro.
"Needle Spray!" yelled Knockout in response.
The bullets from Toro's Demon Arm met the needles being flung off Knockout's body. Knockout's needles, while less powerful, were more numerous and through this she gained some advantage. Toro stopped firing opting instead to cover his face and some of his body from the oncoming barrage. When Knockout stopped spinning, there was a multitude of small punctures covering Toro's body. Small bits of red, damaged data were escaping from his wounds.
Toro's arms came down to his side and he looked up at Knockout. "You're really pissing me off." The iris in both of Toro's eyes turned red, masking the already red pupils. He stood up straighter and flexed his powerful body causing all the needles to shatter immediately. "Not nearly enough, little one," said the taller Toro.
"Don't get cocky," said Knockout in response. "Needle Spray!"
Again Knockout spun and again the needles were shot at Toro. This time however, Toro didn't flinch at the oncoming assault. The needles hit but they couldn't pierce the combination of hair and muscle on Toro's body. Toro began to walk towards Knockout's spinning form and when he was close enough, he stuck out his hand and caught her by the arm. He squeezed her forearm with all his might which gained him a small startled squeak of pain from Knockout and a gasp of shock from the spectators outside. Toro pulled her in close to himself and shoved the end of his Demon Arm into her stomach.
"Looks like it's over already," said Toro as his licked his lips.
"Not quite," argued Knockout as her free hand smashed down on Toro's gun. She followed that with a backhand to Toro's nose which stunned him enough loosen his grasp. Knockout jumped several steps back and away from Toro who had taken to checking his nose. As the distance increased, Knockout decided to lure Toro towards her. "Needle Spray!" She yelled out once more as the needles flew.
"That won't WORK on me!" shouted Toro as he charged straight through Knockout's attack, head down ready to stab her with his horns.
"Exactly what I was counting on," revealed Knockout who continued to spin faster and faster as Toro approached. "Now, Sandstorm Fist!" Knockout had timed her attack perfectly. Just as Toro had gotten close enough to almost impale her with his horns, her punch had connected perfectly across his face and knocked him spiraling into the air, body limp.
Toro landed with a loud meaty flop. The crowd eagerly anticipating what would happen next as the ten count began. 1, nothing happened. 2, nothing still. 3, a gasp for breath. 4, a cough. 5, Toro arm's began to move about. 6, Toro began screaming at the ground. 7, Toro's arms managed to get his upper body off the ground. 8, Toro was on one knee. 9, Toro stood straight, his eyes completely red with anger.
Raising his Demon Arm above his head, Toro brought it crashing down hard. "Darkside Quake!" he shouted as a Knockout began to feel the trembling beneath her feet. The stone of elevated fighting ring beneath her launched Knockout a few feet into the air throwing her off balance. Toro lunged at her stabbing one long horn into her body before whipping his head to slam her back to the ground.
"At my best, you're nothing, little one," said Toro as he landed next to her, standing tall over Knockout's down facing body.
The ten count began for Knockout. 1, Knockout's arms reached up to grab Toro around the ankles, Toro unable to do anything without breaking the count stood motionless. 2, Knockout was on her knees using Toro for support. 3, Knockout was slightly bent over but she was standing on her feet, the count had been broken.
Metal clicks were heard throughout the arena. Parents covered the eyes of their young ones. Back in the lounge, Leon stared at the hologram terrified. Toro once again had his gun to Knockout's gut and it didn't look like she'd be able to fight out of it this time.
The barrels began to spin realizing everyone's fears. The gunfire was heard over Toro screaming "Darkside Storm". Countless large calibur bullets tore through the plant like body of Knockout as she stood defenseless. The used up shells clattered to floor creating the story of steel tearing through a forest for all those who weren't watching. The barrels kept spinning, and spinning, a seemingly endless amount of bullets going through Knockout creating a disgusting, red data leaking hole in her body.
"I win, little one," sneered Toro who obviously cared little about his opponent.
Knockout was barely conscious at this point. Somehow she was and she did not want to waste the last of her willpower. She wouldn't let Toro win. "I don't think so," she whispered as her eyes shut. "No" she thought to herself, "I win". Knockout's eyes burst open.
She grabbed Toro's Demon Arm which was still pressed against her and locked it in place as she brought her free hand down on the weapon. The pressure of the two pronged attack was enough for her to rip the gun off of Toro's body. Toro howled in pain as everything from the elbow down was taken from him.
"Shut up!" commanded Knockout as she hammered Toro's temples with her two fists, his horns breaking off in the process. "You can't handle this," said Knockout as she puffed what was left of her chest out. "Northern Crossing," a right handed jab that knocked the red out of Toro's left eye. "Southpaw Rising," an uppercut that caused the crunching of Toro's jaw bones and knocked the red out of his red eye. "Twins on the Horizon!" Knockout pulled her arms back against her body before taking a large step forward and throwing two straight forward punches with all her might. The impact of the blow audibly breaking bones in Toro's abdomen before violently propelling him backwards, him flying backwards through the air until he hit the barrier, his eyes all white from unconsciousness when he met the floor.
The ten count started for Toro but as per the rules, if Knockout collapsed before the ten, the fight would be considered a draw. At 7, Toro still hadn't moved and his chest had just begun to expand with his breathing. At 8, Knockout could no longer keep her eyes open. At 9, Knockout could no longer maintain her Togemon form and returned to Leelee the Palmon who was a few feet in the air due to suddenly reverting back. The countdown struck ten before Leelee hit the ground.
"And the winner of the first fight on day one is Knockout the Togemon, better known as Leelee the Palmon!" announced Cruz to a mighty ovation from the crowd.
Back in the spectators lounge, Leon sat back in the couch, relieved at the outcome as well as feeling the warmth of pride in his chest.
"That's too bad," said a voice behind Leon. He turned to find Dragon the Agunimon standing, arms crossed on his red armor, watching the hologram. "Even after all that I can tell you right now, she doesn't stand a chance against me."
"Yeah,we'll see about that," said Leon with his teeth bared. "After all, I'm sure Toro thought the same thing when he first saw Leelee."
Dragon shook his head. "No, even Toro was far weaker than I imagined. Watch my fight and you'll understand the difference between myself and the rest of the competitors here."
Dragon exited the room and headed for the arena. His fight against Goldenback the Apemon, former trainer of the previous year's winner, was next.
"And that's a ten. Goldenback's first time entering a tournament after training so many participants in the past has been cut short by the overwhelming might of Dragon the Agunimon. Now as the barrier lowers, let me see if I can get a few words with our fiery fighter." Cruz flew down to meet Dragon, the holy ring around his neck shining in the sunlight. "Lord Dragon, would you like to say anything after your victory here today."
Dragon raised his head, he still stood over Goldenback's large collapsed body. A single strike to his stomach had been enough to down the particularly big Apemon. No fire, no strategy, just pure, simple, insurmountable strength and the Legendary Warrior of Fire had won his first round match. Dragon looked at Cruz and nodded his head.
"Bigger isn't better. Stronger is better and that makes me the best in this tournament," began Dragon. "I set the bar, I am the gold standard, I'm what the others strive to be." Flames erupted from Dragon's armor causing Cruz to back away from his fiery form. "I am the uncrowned winner of this tournament. I look forward to the finals." Dragon dropped to both knees, arms spread above his head and yelled for all to hear, "Yggdrasil is dead, long live His Council!"