Leopardmon followed the hallway he was on while carrying a human, a rookie digimon and a crystal sentry. The group was searching through the rooms they pass for a certain pink knight digimon with a rough attitude. So far, there has been no luck on locating their target.

"This is the problem with RhodoKnightmon." Leopardmon sighed. "He is the hardest one to find out of all of us, Royal Knights. Looking for an invisible Bakemon is easier." Fanbeemon chuckled lightly while his partner was confused. After explaining the identity of Bakemon, Tsubasa joined in the laugh. Leopardmon looked down sadly at his companions. "I would like to apologize for my comrade's personality."

The rookie digimon snorted. "You don't have to apologize for him."

"Still…" The feline knight digimon drawled.

"Is RhodoKnightmon always that cranky?" Tsubasa asked and looked towards the brown knight innocently.

"He is rather cold even to us." Leopardmon stated still sounding like he's down. "However, he is most intolerable when humans are around." Leopardmon opened one more door, showing a storage room. He then closed it after seeing that RhodoKnightmon was not there and went on further down the hall. "He has been like that ever since he was reborn the first time."

Tsubasa blinked. "Reborn?"

Fanbeemon scratched his head with his right claw at the somewhat grim topic. "You see, digimons who are killed in battle reverts back to their egg forms." The insectoid digimon crossed his claws over his thorax and closed his eyes. "After some time, the eggs hatch and the digimon inside is the dead digimon reborn. Some digimon lose their memories when they are reborn but there are those who retain their memories." Fanbeemon stated sadly. This brought sorrow to his partner. He then looked up at Leopardmon. "If I remember correctly, RhodoKnightmon fought against Mirage Gaogamon in Earth right?" All he got was a nod.

Tsubasa then looked confused at the knight. "Wait, you said 'reborn the first time'. How many times was he brought back?"

"Twice." The feline knight said flatly. "The second time was with MirageGaogamon. The first time… It was a very long time ago." He stopped walking at the end of the hall where a door stood. From beyond the door, sound of metal hitting metal could be heard. "A few hundred years ago, just after the Royal Knights were formed, RhodoKnightmon and Dynasmon served under the Great Demon Lord Lucemon. He, along with Dynasmon, was tasked to gather the land codes for the DigiWorld to unseal Lucemon." Leopardmon told.

"Great Demon Lord?" The human asked.

Fanbeemon explained once more. "The Great Demon Lords were seven evil digimons who represented the seven sins of the human world… Or so that is what the legend says."

Leopardmon growled. "Believe me, it is most certainly not a legend." The trio then heard the distinct voice of RhodoKnightmon grunting beyond the door. "Back to the story, the other knights and I were back in our hometowns, protecting the surviving digimons. The ones who fought Lucimon, Dynasmon and RhodoKnightmon were a group of humans who were granted the power of the Ancient Ten."

Sensing that his partner was about to ask something again, Fanbeemon went ahead of his partner. "The Ancient Ten were ten digimons who were considered the guardians of the ten elemental codes: Code of Fire, Ice, Wind, Thunder, Light, Dark, Steel, Wood, Water and Earth. The ten of them were the ones who sealed Lucemon." The human then looked contemplative and nodding seeming understand everything now.

"Anything else to ask?" Leopardmon inquired. Tsubasa just shook his head while staring at the door.

With that, Leopardmon stepped forward and the door split in the middle horizontally revealing a large rock dome with large crystals protruding on the sides and ceiling. Mostly the area was a huge empty space. On the left side of the dome, the crystals there shone brightly and the trio could see RhodoKnightmon fighting a pack of Cerberumon.

The Cerberumons outnumbered the Royal Knight thirty to one. As dire as the situation may seem RhodoKnightmon stood straight and calm; his pink armor showed no signs of scratches from any attack even though the knight has been training for a while. Several Cerberumons pounced on the pink knight with their claws raised and fangs showing but the only thing they touched were the floor. The attacking canine digimons ended up in a dog pile while the others looked around for their target.

As they frantically scanned their immediate area, the pack suddenly heard one of their companions cry out in pain. They looked towards the source of the sound and saw one of them disappear and RhodoKnightmon stood in its place, his ribbon extended from his arm in a manner of how a sword would appear. Ten Cerberumons charged at the knight, who just stood unfazed. Once the ultimate digimons passed, the field went silent as the team and the knight were facing away from each other. The rest of the occupants of the field watched with interest on who is the victor.

It started from one but it all snowballed as the offensive group members fell one after the other and disappeared without a trace. "I thought you said that digimons who lost in battle would go back to being eggs." Tsubasa spoke sadly towards his partner.

Leopardmon chuckled earning him a questioning stare from the two sentient beings on his hand. "Do not fret. They are merely illusions." The brown knight explained. He then pointed towards a crystal to his left. "The crystals in this room are not solely used for illumination. The crystals here have the ability to form solid hallucinations of digimons in our database." As if to prove the information on the crystals, RhodoKnightmon snapped his fingers. The crystals near him glowed brighter and more Cerberumons appeared around him.

The black canine digimons tried their attack pattern earlier and tried pouncing at the knight. "Now I believe RhodoKnightmon is about to demonstrate one of his attacks." Leopardmon informed his companions who watched with great curiosity.

RhodoKnightmon got down on one knee and the ribbons on his body started to wave. "Spiral Masquerade!" The ribbons around his body stretched out move around him swiftly; the ribbons could only be seen as blurs. Once a target got near the knight, he is cut to pieces by the ribbons. With the attacking force destroyed, the ribbons stopped, went back to their original lengths and RhodoKnightmon stood up.

He inspected his immediate area and found that there is only one Cerberumon left. The two stared at each other silently. "Why doesn't RhodoKnightmon attack?" Fanbeemon wondered.

"RhodoKnightmon's fighting style is… more pacifistic yet sadistic." Leopardmon sighed. "Pacifistic in a way that, when up against weaker opponent by his standard, he is more defensive." The feline knight's shoulders slumped. "He is sadistic in a way that, once he finds an opening, he mercilessly counters until the enemy is no more."

The Cerberumon let out a loud, piercing howl making the observing digidestined to cover their ears; the knights didn't even flinch from the sound. Beneath the pink knight, crimson pentagram with digialphabets appeared. As quickly as it appeared, it vanished and was replaced by a swirling black vortex. RhodoKnightmon started sinking into the hole. Having done with the demon dog's howl, Tsubasa and Fanbeemon took the cover of their ears off and were now hearing ominous screams and howls from the vortex that was swallowing RhodoKnightmon. "What is that scary sound?" Tsubasa asked fearfully.

The digidestined could have sworn they felt Leopardmon shiver a little. "That is called Inferno Gate: Cerberumon's ability that opens to the Dark Area, the Hell for us Digimons. Within that area, lies the most foul of digimons that have ever lived."

"Will he be alright?" The rookie digimon inquired a bit worriedly.

Leopardmon shrugged. "We cannot really say. These digimons are digital clones but the crystals' powers give the clones' attacks to be felt. If one is not careful, you might just be dragged into the Dark Area. However…" The brown knight then looked towards his sinking comrade. "Knowing, RhodoKnightmon, he will be fine."

As he sank, RhodoKnightmon didn't move a muscle. By now, his shoulder was by the floor level. The Cerberumon smiled wickedly as he watched his target's head slowly disappeared to the black abyss. After a minute, the pink Royal Knight disappeared along with the portal. Satisfied with his work, the Cerberumon howled loudly. The digidestined looking at the demon dog with fear and concern escalating within them.

Leopardmon snorted, making his two passengers stare at him questioningly. "I'm afraid it's not over yet." He then gestured to the field. "Do you notice something odd?"

The two looked around the room and Fanbeemon saw something at the floor that took him by surprise. "The pentagram… It's not vanishing."

Leopardmon nodded. "That means something is stuck between the Dark Area and this plane."

As if to prove his point, the ground shook in pulses, as if something was banging on it with incredible force. The Cerberumon took on its fighting stance once more and started growling at the pentagram. Just then, a golden fist broke through the floor where the pentagram is drawn and from the break, the portal can be seen. From the portal, RhodoKnightmon jumped up gracefully and levitated above it. The vortex disappeared and the floor looked as if nothing happened.

Upon seeing his target surviving his strongest attack, Cerberumon inhaled deeply then let loose a torrent of green flame. RhodoKnightmon quickly drew a rose and threw it upward. "Scarlet Tempest…" The flower exploded into a shower of petals around the pink knight. The flames were then being pushed to the sides by a barrier created by the petals. RhodoKnightmon walked slowly towards the canine digimon as the flames are continuously burning and being deflected.

On Cerberumon's side, he was starting to walk backwards, trying to put some distance between him and his assailant. He wasn't succeeding because the exalted knight still walks towards him and he was running out of room. If he turns a little, it will weaken the flames and it will be easier for RhodoKnightmon to move forward. It didn't take long before the hell dog hit the wall and RhodoKnightmon to really start getting closer.

The pink knight raised his right arm slightly, showing the Pile Bunker to his opponent. The major part of the weapon moved forward, clicking into place. On an act of desperation, Cerberumon jumped forward to tackle the knight but in the end he knew it wouldn't faze the other. "Urgent Fear…" RhodoKnightmon quickly crouched then rose, delivering an uppercut with his right arm. The Pile Bunker collided with Cerberumon's belly. A single energy pulse was released from the arm and Cerberumon disintegrated into nothing, leaving the knight standing in the middle of the field with his right arm raised. RhodoKnightmon lowered his arm and slightly jumped when he heard clapping behind him.

RhodoKnightmon turned around and saw Leopardmon walking towards him; on the feline knight's shoulder was a levitating crystal and on his hand were two small life forms. "Why did you bring these two here?" He growled at his comrade.

"Now, RhodoKnightmon, I know that you are rather against going near humans," Leopardmon started. "But you cannot keep avoiding forever. We certainly cannot have you getting into an argument with Masaru every time you two cross paths."

Fanbeemon looked at their carrier. "He gets into fights with Masaru?"

"More than you know." Leopardmon sighed. "RhodoKnightmon does not stay for long but when he and Masaru see each other, it is rather difficult to break up the two." The brown knight stopped his explanation as he could feel the silent anger growing stronger. "Please, try to be reasonable just for once."

RhodoKnightmon looked down at the human and the rookie digimon. The boy looked at him fearfully while the bee was glaring at him. "You want me to talk to you? Alright." He then bent down and moved his helm closer to the boy. "If you know what is best for you, then leave this place now and take that pest, Masaru, with you." RhodoKnightmon stood up, walked past Leopardmon calmly and headed for the door.

The latter took in a deep breath then turned around, glaring at the other. "How could you be so stubborn for so long?" Leopardmon's friendly voice turning sharp.

The pink knight stopped midstep. He then slightly turned his head to look towards his comrade. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"You know exactly what I mean!" The brown knight shouted. "How long will you keep this grudge against the humans? All of us here have moved on except you!"

The other knight turned around to face feline mimic. "May I remind you that they have been the cause of numerous catastrophes in our world?"

"Yes, and every time it is humans who saved our world from both human and digimon caused tragedies!" Leopardmon shouted with a menacing step forward. "You have to learn that not all humans are evil!" Tsubasa and Fanbeemon looked at RhodoKnightmon and saw his hands are balled into fists. "Can you not let go of the past?"

A moment of silence passed and the pressure around the room was getting thinker. Tsubasa spoke up to try to ease the tension. "RhodoKnightmon, sir. I know what happened before and it's nothing really to be feel bad about." The boy's two companions thought for a bit and realized where the former was going and were now giving signs to stop. "Losing to human partnered digimons doesn't mean it's the end of the world."

RhodoKnightmon turned around sharply and created a sword with the ribbon on his right arm. He pointed the blade menacingly at the human. "You have no right to tell me what I should feel, vermin. You will never understand the pain I feel."

Leopardmon took out his sword and raised it towards his friend. "RhodoKnightmon, lower your weapon, now!"

The pink knight then looked to Leopardmon. "You… You went through a battle with the humans. How could you stand being with humans when you were defeated yourself?" RhodoKnightmon growled. Upon hearing RhodoKnightmon said, Tsubasa and Fanbeemon looked at Leopardmon both curiously and sorrowfully.

Leopardmon closed his eyes in frustration."Yes, I was defeated. I fought against two partnered digimons at once." He then opened his eyes and stared at his brother in arms. "I lost my memories after I was reborn and all I know are from what the other knights told me." The feline knight stated sadly. "However, I weighed the scenarios of losing and winning and found that the consequences of letting Yggdrasil do as he pleases would be more terrible than letting the humans win." He then looked the other knight over. "You of all people should know what would have been as you were summoned by one of the accursed once."

"The ideals of Lucemon and King Drasil were true and you know that." RhodoKnightmon voiced angrily; memories of his time with the Demon Lord and AI flooded his mind. "Rule by force and by one fierce leader will ensure the peace of the DigiWorld and the human world."

Leopardmon shook his head. "That goes against our principles, the very principles that Lord Imperialdramon left us."

"I don't like that idea."

All of the digimons looked at the human on Leopardmon's hand. The boy was fumbling the hem of his shirt shyly. "I think it's a bit stupid." Tsubasa said softly but audible enough for the three digimons to hear.

"Stupid? How dare-!" RhodoKnightmon warned but was interrupted by Leopardmon blocking him.

"Let him speak." The brown knight said sternly. "Maybe his words will sway you." He then looked towards Tsubasa. "Continue."

Tsubasa nodded hesitantly. "I don't want to live where everything is decided by one person. Everyone has some good ideas for making a world better. It would be okay if the person leading me was a nice guy but I don't want someone scary." The boy explained. "If someone scary was our leader, we really wouldn't want to do what he wants. We just do it so we won't get hurt."

"That is the point." RhodoKnightmon insisted. "You could force other people follow your orders no matter what."

Fanbeemon huffed. "So you don't care even if the people you were supposed to lead to a better life hate you to no end?"

RhodoKnightmon cursed under his breath from hearing that remark. He was expecting that but still the Royal Knight in him reacted, causing guilt. "It is a small price to pay… For peace." The pink knight whispered.

"Peaceful as it may be but it would be pointless if the people are miserable for other reasons." Leopardmon insisted.

Tsubasa nodded. "A leader should always keep everyone happy and safe. A leader should be nice and friendly to everyone around him. I've read about a lot of bad kings went into war and were killed by those he ruled." The human boy explained.

"That is because you humans are barbaric!" The pink knight growled.

Leopardmon shook his head and sighed. "Are we so different? There are numerous digimons in our world who would love nothing more than to rule our world." The feline knight stated sadly. "And you would know that they wouldn't stop with the DigiWorld. They will try to get to the Human World and destroy it. If they did that, then we would have the same with that human, Kurata, 5 years ago." Leopardmon knew instantly that he had hit something. RhodoKnightmon lowered his head and his hands were clenched. "True: Humans are not meant to be in the DigiWorld. However, we, digimons, are not meant to be in their world as well. Only those chosen by the Sovereigns should be the ones to crossover the dimensional wall."

Tsubasa has heard about the digimons who attacked his world. Most of them were dismissed as superstitions or mad rambling though. "We only wanted to protect our world just like you are protecting yours. So…" Tsubasa raised his right hand as if waiting for RhodoKnightmon to take and shake it. "How about we work together this time?"

Fanbeemon nodded, proud of his partner's action. "Knowing that Tsubasa was called here and partnered to a digimon, it would mean that something might happen in the future. We will need all the help we could get and that includes you."

"If you don't succeed twice, try changing your strategy." Leopardmon stated nonchalantly.

RhodoKnightmon stared at the trio in front of him. All three of them were grinning at him which is a strange sight for him. It was still new to him that the knights are showing more emotions than how they were before. 'It must be the effect of the humans. Very disturbing…' he thought He then focused at Tsubasa. He raised his index finger and was about to shake hands but instead, he gently pushed away the boy's hand. The pink knight then walked past them casually. All he said as a reply was a word he usually heard from Masaru when the DATS member was irritated. "…Whatever."

The three looked at the retreating knight until the latter was outside the room and the door was shut. A long silence was lingering across the training field and Fanbeemon broke it. "So… Was that a yes?"

Leopardmon shrugged. "Considering his personality, that would be a probably."

"That's a start." Tsubasa giggled.