(Author's Note: I'm done my school year, so I should have way more time to write now! Also, this next chapter is going to be divided into three different parts, which I'll post in intervals of three days. I didn't want to have another two-parter, let alone a three-parter, but it happened out of necessity. It's going to be a bit different from the other chapters. Read, review, and enjoy!)
Chapter 15: The Immortal Champion (Part I)
A Digimon stood on the crest of a small hill, surrounded by eight others. That Digimon was a blue dragon man, humanoid in form, with a long azure tail and a pair of cloudy-white wings. He stood tall and proud before them.
The bright sunlight shone down and reflected off of his pristine, white armour that he wore over most of his body. The white metal was trimmed with gold in various places, matching the colour of his short, blonde hair, which flowed out from the back of his helmet. He gripped the hilt of his sword with his blue scaled hand and planted the blade in the ground. It stood nearly as tall as he did and had the word "Initialize" inscribed on the side in digi-letters.
Imperialdramon Paladin Mode's red eyes glistened in the light. He turned to observe the eight Digimon around him. He smiled warmly as his eyes first landed on a knight clad in black armour. "Alphamon," he said first.
Next, he turned to the Digimon beside him, wearing white armour. "Omegamon."
His eyes then shifted to a knight wearing white and red armour and a flowing crimson cape. "Dukemon."
His gaze dipped to a Digimon of the same Veemon-based species as him, clad in shimmering golden armour. "Magnamon."
"Dynasmon," he spoke, his eyes acknowledging the tall, white-plated, periwinkle-hued dragon man.
Imperialdramon Paladin Mode then turned to one more humanoid Digimon, coated in black, silver, and gold plate. "And DarkKnightmon..."
Each of the six Digimon acknowledged the sword-wielding dragon with a nod. OuRyuumon and Grani lingered behind the group, watching.
Imperialdramon Paladin Mode smiled at them. "I have fought alongside each and every one of you, time and again. And you have all fought alongside each other. I believe in your bonds, and I also believe that now is the time that we ought to make a change," he explained, his voice strong and noble.
"Is this about what we all discussed, Imperialdramon?" Alphamon asked him.
"Yes..." he replied. He looked around at all of them. "You six are officially the founding members of the Order of the Royal Knights as of now. As members of the Order, it is your job to safeguard Digimon from harm and defeat evil wherever it arises. You all have good hearts... now, combine the wills of your hearts together and become unstoppable. You will be a beacon of light and goodness in this world."
"We will do our very best," Omegamon reassured him.
"I have no doubt in my mind you all will," Imperialdramon Paladin Mode answered. He turned his gaze to Alphamon. "And you shall be the leader, Alphamon. The Lord of the Empty Seat."
Alphamon frowned with uncertainty. "What about you, Imperialdramon? I know we discussed this, however..."
"My calling is elsewhere, Alphamon," the dragon man told him with a smile. "You have the leadership abilities necessary for the responsibility. Do not doubt yourself."
DarkKnightmon walked over and placed his hand on Alphamon's shoulder. "Imperialdramon is correct. Besides, we are all behind you," he reassured him.
OuRyuumon narrowed his eyes a bit and began to walk to the crest of the hill.
"He's right, Alphamon," Dukemon said, grinning. "We can pull it off."
Omegamon looked at Alphamon and nodded, quietly expressing his support.
"But we don't have a base of operations," Magnamon pointed out.
"Don't you?" Imperialdramon asked with a sly grin on his face.
Dynasmon turned to Imperialdramon Paladin Mode curiously. "Do we?" he asked.
Imperialdramon Paladin Mode gestured down the small hill to the stone castle in the distance. The six knights turned, looking past the approaching OuRyuumon.
"...Your castle?" Alphamon asked. He turned to Imperialdramon in disbelief. "You don't mean to say that you want to give that to us."
Imperialdramon Paladin Mode folded his arms, looking taken aback and somewhat offended. "Hey, now. It isn't that bad. If you really don't want it though..." he muttered, scratching the metal dragon head on his chest armour.
"I mean, you can't give a gift so big," Alphamon explained. "It's too much."
"That is for me to decide, Alphamon," Imperialdramon told him with a light smile. "It's rude to reject a gift. Now, you'll likely need to make several additions to the castle to truly make it the Order's headquarters and spacious enough for a standing army, but I'm sure you'll all be able to figure it out."
"Where will you be going, Imperialdramon?" Omegamon asked him.
Still wearing a wry smirk, the dragon knight responded. "'Where?' indeed." He clasped his hands together. "Now, you six, gather in a circle and put your hand on one another's."
Alphamon, Omegamon, Dukemon, Magnamon, Dynasmon, and DarkKnightmon all gathered in a circle. Before they could move their hands, a voice called out.
"Wait a second, damnit!" OuRyuumon protested, storming over. "What about me?! Why aren't I a part of this again?!"
"It might have something to do with the fact that you enjoy shouting your mouth off… like you're doing now," DarkKnightmon dryly informed him, glancing over his shoulder at the gold dragon.
"Who asked you?" OuRyuumon snarled at the black knight Digimon.
"OuRyuumon..." Imperialdramon Paladin Mode said to him warmly. "Alphamon will need you as his trusted friend and advisor."
"Yeah, and why can't I do that as a Royal Knight?" the gold dragon contended, folding his arms.
Magnamon and Omegamon exchanged uncomfortable glances. DarkKnightmon rolled his eyes and raised an index finger, making to speak, but Imperialdramon Paladin Mode decided to respond before DarkKnightmon could be too harsh. He knew that the two had a propensity to bicker at times.
"Maybe Alphamon will invite you to join as an official Royal Knight after you've... grown a bit," he suggested.
OuRyuumon cocked his eyebrow up at Imperialdramon's words and sneered. "Grown? What's that mean?" he challenged. "I'm one of the best fighters here."
"That may be, but there's more to being a Royal Knight than just fighting," Imperialdramon Paladin Mode explained to him. "However, that's not to say that you won't be needed. Those fighting skills will surely be required, and, like I said, Alphamon will be able to benefit from your advice." Imperialdramon turned to look at Grani, who hovered further back. "And Grani. You said that you're prepared to act as a scout?"
"I can manage that, yes," Grani replied, glancing from OuRyuumon to Imperialdramon. "I'm content with that role."
OuRyuumon rolled his eyes and folded his arms, reluctantly dropping his protests with an indignant grunt. "Whatever."
Alphamon sighed but smirked at his friend and turned to Imperialdramon. "So, our hands on one another's, yes?" he asked him, extending his hand to the middle of the circle.
Imperialdramon nodded, and watched Omegamon place his hand on top of Alphamon's, which was followed by Dukemon's hand, Dynasmon's, Magnamon's, and DarkKnightmon's. "Now, repeat this pledge," he told them.
"I pledge my blood, my data, my heart, and my soul to the betterment of the Digital World and those who reside in it, to Yggdrasil, and, most of all, to each other. I am a Royal Knight, and this is my oath."
As each Royal Knight finished, they pressed their extended hands down and lifted up them up symbolically.
OuRyuumon whispered the oath under his breath, watching as the six Digimon officially became the Royal Knights.
"Is that it?" Dynasmon asked, grinning as he retracted his large hand.
"That's it," Imperialdramon Paladin Mode said, smiling. "Congratulations, Royal Knights."
The six Royal Knights looked at each other with smiles as well.
"What say we celebrate with ale?" Dynasmon suggested, grinning broadly.
Imperialdramon Paladin Mode chuckled. "That sounds like a good plan. You all could use some relaxation time," he said. He flashed the group a smile. "Especially since you'll all be so busy shortly."
"You really know how to put a damper on things, Imperialdramon," Dukemon laughed, walking over to Grani.
"We'll have to enjoy ourselves while we still can," Magnamon said, following him.
DarkKnightmon walked alongside Alphamon and Omegamon, following the others as they made their way down the hill.
"So, 'the Royal Knights'..." Omegamon said to them, smiling a little.
"It definitely sounds prestigious," Alphamon responded, smirking as well. "However, I think that we'll be able to do a lot of good once we get set up and running."
DarkKnightmon nodded. "I agree. This might just be what this world needs..."
Around a month later, things were already progressing in full swing. The castle that Imperialdramon Paladin Mode had given to them was extremely busy. Digimon were coming and going, many coming from parts all over the continent. The Royal Knights were renovating the castle and making many additions to it. At Imperialdramon's approval, they made changes to much of the interior of the castle, along with made many additions here and there. They had hired carpenters, stone masons, sculptors, architects, and heavy lifters for the various jobs that needed doing.
On top of that, they were hiring Digimon to be members of the Order itself. They wanted strong, professional, loyal, and good-hearted Digimon for members of their forces. It was a time-consuming ordeal, going through the applicants, sorting out the worthy from the unworthy, and the noble from the opportunists. Each of the six Royal Knights were still finding their feet in the new environment. There were many administrative things that they weren't used to, and they had to adapt to the learning curve.
DarkKnightmon marched along the castle grounds within the walls. Dynasmon strode beside him at a leisurely pace. Around them were Digimon, busy at work. Up ahead of them was a stone building under construction; a Golemon was lifting heavy bricks as directed by a Gazimon foreman. The building was to serve as a barracks.
Even the nearby walls were under construction. There were large ditches being dug by Digmons and Drimogemons at the base of the wall, allowing Digimon to build the wall further underground to protect against burrowing Digimon.
DarkKnightmon and Dynasmon looked around them at all the Digimon moving around busily.
"I wonder when things are going to calm down," Dynasmon asked his fellow Royal Knight.
DarkKnightmon shrugged. "Another month, perhaps? A few weeks at the earliest," he replied offhandedly.
"Hopefully sooner," Dynasmon said. "I keep getting woken up early in the morning."
The tall knight nodded, glancing at the dragon man. "I'm getting weary of waiting as well. I want us to get settled into our roles."
"Settled in..." Dynasmon mused. "That's going to take some getting used to too."
"I suppose adventurers like you aren't exactly the type to settle down, are you?" DarkKnightmon asked.
"I guess not but, then again, hey! I'm a Royal Knight now!" he replied with a smile.
"Excuse me!" a voice beckoned to them.
The two Royal Knights looked over and saw a tall, dark Digimon approaching them as he walked away from the main building. They couldn't help but stare for a moment at the Digimon's nine eyes on his body.
"Greetings," DarkKnightmon said, examining him without giving a visual reaction to his unique form.
"My name's Duskmon," Duskmon said to them. The eyes on the various parts of his body looked between the two Digimon. "You're both Royal Knights, right?"
"Correct," DarkKnightmon answered.
"Yeah..." Dynasmon uncomfortably replied, seeming to be unnerved by all of the Duskmon's eyes that were staring at him widely.
"Alphamon just hired me as the resident physician, so I thought I'd introduce myself," he said, smiling a bit, a gleeful look emerging in his nine eyes.
"Congratulations," DarkKnightmon told him. He extended his arm and shook his hand. "I'm DarkKnightmon. And this is Dynasmon."
"Yeah..." Dynasmon repeated, continuing to stare at the giant eye on his chest. DarkKnightmon elbowed him sharply to keep him from staring.
"I'm sure we'll get along well," Duskmon said to them. "That said, I hope we don't see each other much while I'm on duty."
DarkKnightmon released a short chuckle. He turned to Dynasmon. "It sounds like you'll be seeing a lot of Dynasmon."
Duskmon grinned, all of his eyes once again turning to Dynasmon. "Is that so? Well, don't worry. I'll be able to fix almost anything you come in with."
Dynasmon tried his best to hide his unnerved wince. "Great... Nice meeting ya, Duskmon..." he told him.
Duskmon nodded and the eye on his right shoulder suddenly moved independently to look behind him, to where a Digimon shouted in pain and clutched his head. "I spy a concussion. I'll be seeing you both," he said to them, turning around and making his way over to the injured Digimon.
Dynasmon shuddered and sighed with relief. "That was unsettling... He's going to take some getting used to too."
"I didn't mind," DarkKnightmon said, starting to walk again.
"You think Bommons are cute," Dynasmon pointed out, walking after him. "You're not the best judge."
"At any rate, I wonder who else Alphamon has decided to hire," the dusky knight mused.
"Maybe that guy," Dynasmon said, pointing to the entrance that Duskmon had exited from.
DarkKnightmon looked over and saw a tall, sapphire-armoured wolf striding out of the building. His red cape flowed behind him as he passed the doorway. The MirageGaogamon wore ornate armour that included a metal wolf head on his chest. As he made his way away from the double doors, he looked rather pleased with himself.
Dynasmon cut in front of DarkKnightmon as he suddenly turned to walk over to the lupine Digimon. "Hey!" Dynasmon greeted.
DarkKnightmon stopped, turned, and walked over to him as well.
"Dynasmon, Sir. DarkKnightmon, Sir," MirageGaogamon said, smiling. "Hello."
"What's your name?" Dynasmon asked, looking him over. "A MirageGaogamon, right?"
He nodded. "MirageGaogamon. It's a pleasure to finally meet you both," he said. He took off one of his large, bladed gauntlets that were styled like claws, and offered his hand.
The two knights shook his hand. "Were you just hired?" Dynasmon asked. "I know Alphamon started making appointments for the applicants as of yesterday."
MirageGaogamon smiled and slipped his gauntlet back on his arm. "I was, actually," he told them proudly. "I'm the Captain of the Defence Forces."
"Hey, congratulations!" Dynasmon remarked, grinning and slapping his shoulder with his claws, taking the wolf Digimon off guard and causing him to stumble. The dragon man laughed. "For the Captain of the Defence Forces, I sure hope you can take a hit better than that," he teased.
MirageGaogamon flushed and stood up perfectly straight, readjusting his armour. He cleared his throat. "Y-Yes, well..."
"Ignore him," DarkKnightmon told the new captain. "Dynasmon's a nuisance at the best of times."
Dynasmon chuckled and folded his arms, looking over at his fellow Royal Knight. "You mean that with love, don't you, DarkKnightmon?"
"See what I mean?"
MirageGaogamon smiled a bit. "It's still an honour to work alongside you both. I've heard about both of your exploits," he complimented. "And I'm fortunate that I'm now able to help your cause to purge the Digital World of evil and to help protect the Digimon who can't defend themselves. I hope that we can strike fear into the destruction-filled hearts of evil Digimon everywhere."
"Is that so?" DarkKnightmon asked him. "You sound dedicated. I'm glad to hear that. This order needs Digimon with that resolute mindset."
"I am dedicated, Sir. I hope that my skills will come in use to you all," MirageGaogamon told them.
DarkKnightmon gave him a half smile and a nod. "Alphamon wouldn't have hired you if they didn't," he reassured him.
The beast knight nodded. "Thank you. I'll be on my way now. I look forward to working with you both," he told them.
"Likewise," DarkKnightmon responded.
"See ya," Dynasmon said as the blue-armoured Digimon walked off. The winged dragon Digimon turned to DarkKnightmon. "He seems nice. Kind of formal, though."
"And eager. He's likely capable too. I hear MirageGaogamons have remarkable speed," the dark knight observed.
"If that's the case, I'm surprised he was assigned to be Captain of the Defensive Forces instead of the Strike Forces," the violet dragon mused.
"I think it makes sense, actually," DarkKnightmon observed. "Stereotypically, defensive Digimon are slow, so having a swift captain makes a good change and adds balance. Additionally, his speed will be an asset when organising the defences of the castle, as he'll need to be in several places in a short amount of time."
Dynasmon grinned. "Okay. I defer to your strategic knowledge, oh wise DarkKnightmon," he said, ribbing him.
"Maybe if you did that more, you'd get hurt less," DarkKnightmon retorted, eyeing the Royal Knight calmly. "Anyways, I'm going to find Omegamon. I want to speak with him about something."
"Sure. In that case, I'm going to find a bite to eat," Dynasmon replied.
DarkKnightmon nodded and bid Dynasmon farewell as his comrade went off in search of sustenance. He readjusted his shadowy cape and headed inside the main building.
He walked down the entrance hall, passing a few Digimon as they headed for the exit. The whole building still had an earthy smell to him, probably from all the stonework going on. He walked up a few steps and went through a doorway into the foyer. The octagonal room was large and vacant, filled with nothing but stone flooring and walls.
DarkKnightmon noticed that the double doors on the opposite side of the room were open, so he continued to head towards him. He knew that Omegamon had been with Alphamon during the last time that he saw him, so he assumed he was helping with the interviews. It didn't seem like there was an interview in progress, so DarkKnightmon entered the vast great hall. The hall's floor and walls were coated in a swirled, white and gold marble, left over from when it was Imperialdramon Paladin Mode's castle.
At the very end of the room was a circular table of smooth, grey stone. Standing up from the table were the contrasting forms of Alphamon and Omegamon. It was when they turned and started walking away from the table that they noticed DarkKnightmon's presence.
"Oh, DarkKnightmon," greeted Alphamon with a smile.
"Alphamon," DarkKnightmon responded with an acknowledging nod. "How are the interviews going?"
"Slowly. Omegamon and I are just taking a break for lunch," he explained. He observed DarkKnightmon curiously. "Did you want to see us?"
"I was hoping I could borrow Omegamon for a few minutes," DarkKnightmon told him, turning to the white knight.
Omegamon looked at Alphamon. "Do you mind waiting for me?" he asked him.
Alphamon shook his head. "You're free to join us after you two are done talking, DarkKnightmon," he told him, patting the other dark knight on the shoulder as he passed by him.
DarkKnightmon looked over his shoulder at Alphamon as he passed. "Thank you," he said before walking over to Omegamon.
"Yes, DarkKnightmon?" Omegamon asked him curiously.
After he was sure that Alphamon was out of the great hall, DarkKnightmon walked up beside Omegamon and leaned back against the table, holding onto the edges with his black hands. He turned his horned head to look at his comrade. "I was just wondering, Omegamon. How is Alphamon managing?" he asked him.
"Alphamon?" Omegamon asked, blinking in surprise. "Why do you ask that? Is he not feeling well?"
"I mean with the responsibility," DarkKnightmon explained. "It hasn't been easy setting up this order, and Alphamon has been doing the most work out of any of us. I'm concerned that it's too overwhelming for him."
Omegamon turned to face him, folding his arms and thinking. "I wouldn't necessarily say he is overwhelmed..." he answered. "He's been very busy, but so have we all. I'm confident that he'll be okay."
"As long as you're sure," DarkKnightmon spoke, standing up straight. "I'm not doubting him; I just don't want him to overwork himself. You know how he is."
Omegamon smiled at his friend. "Yes, I suppose you're right," he conceded. "It's nice that you're worried about him."
DarkKnightmon shrugged dismissively and began to walk. "He would do the same for us," he replied simply. He stopped in front of Omegamon and looked at him. "Now, shall we join him for lunch?"
The white-armoured knight complied and began to walk with him out of the great hall in order to meet up with Alphamon in the makeshift cafeteria.
Almost a year later, the Order of the Royal Knights was firmly established. They had performed several forays into the areas that surrounded Imperialdramon Paladin Mode's former territory. Sometimes they intervened in and mediated conflicts, but, mostly, they arrested or destroyed bands of bandits, brigands, and mercenaries. In one instance, they stopped an evil king from invading his neighbours.
The Royal Knights were comfortable in their new role as regional protectors. As their size, prestige and experience grew, they slowly expanded their sphere of influence. There were currently talks between the Royal Knights and many of the surrounding states of combining under the Royal Knights' protection. It was known as the 'Free Area Plan'.
That was what the six Royal Knights were discussing in their meeting.
The six sat around the grey, circular table in the great hall. Alphamon was seated with a large, open scroll in front of him. OuRyuumon, who stood behind him, decided to attend the meeting as well, not wanting to be left out of their discussions.
"These are the list of territories that give their consent to be a part of this project," he explained, rolling up the scroll and handing it to Omegamon for it to be passed around the table.
Magnamon opened up the scroll once it got to him. "It's almost all of them," he said with surprise, looking at all of the names and territories signed in digi-letters.
"They want the protection and the trading benefits," Omegamon said.
"They know about the conditions, right?" Dukemon asked. "Taxes, ruling under our laws, et cetera."
"Yes, it was made clear to them," Alphamon responded. "They still seem enthusiastic about the idea."
"Well, these lands were pretty dangerous before we officially banded together and formed the Order," Dynasmon pointed out.
DarkKnightmon sat quietly as the others talked. He just thought with a veiled frown on his face.
"They'd be idiots not to sign it," OuRyuumon remarked proudly, crossing his arms. "Who wouldn't want our protection?"
Alphamon regarded the question silently as he looked across the table at DarkKnightmon. He couldn't help but notice the look on his face. "DarkKnightmon…" he said. "You've been quiet during this meeting. Is there something you disagree with?"
DarkKnightmon looked up at Alphamon. "Well, actually…" he put forth, although with hesitation.
"What is it?" Omegamon asked, looking over at him curiously.
DarkKnightmon stalled, mulling over his thoughts a little longer. "It's nothing," he insisted dismissively.
"If there's a problem, DarkKnightmon, please, voice your opinion," Alphamon told him. "That's what these meetings are for."
Omegamon nodded. "What's bothering you?" he questioned.
"Well…" DarkKnightmon began, sitting upright and frowning. He looked straight across the table at Alphamon. "Don't you think these measures are a bit… generous, Alphamon?"
"Generous? How so?" Alphamon asked, arching his eyebrow.
"The Digimon of this potential 'Free Area' will pay a tax and supposedly adhere to our laws, and we're supposed to protect them while they still retain their autonomies," DarkKnightmon said. "Don't take this the wrong way, but it seems a little naïve."
Alphamon frowned at the last comment. "I don't understand how…"
"Will it really change anything within these territories?" DarkKnightmon asked him. "I understand that we need the tax to finance ourselves for this service we're providing, and, therefore, we need to give something in return, but I don't think that this idea is strong enough."
"What's wrong with it, in your opinion?" Alphamon questioned, willing to hear the knight out.
"I just think it needs a complete overhaul," DarkKnightmon explained. "Evil Digimon work outside of the law, so it wouldn't make a difference if the Free Area existed or not."
"We could keep a closer eye on the Digimon in these territories this way," Alphamon contested.
"Perhaps, but I think that it's too contingent on the Digimon being good. There's too much room for exploitation. What if we end up defending a mayor who's treating the citizens horribly?" DarkKnightmon argued, although in a polite manner.
"We wouldn't let it get to that point," Alphamon responded. "We'll have inspections."
"And if the mayor and his advisors are corrupt and all of the civilians have been scared into silence?" DarkKnightmon contended.
"We will appoint the mayors," the Lord of the Empty Seat told him.
DarkKnightmon frowned. "Why these weak measures?" he inquired. "All of your answers have been to have somewhat higher controls on the states. We should just go all the way and exercise a stronger amount of control over all of them. Allowing them their independence will just result in abuses of power and a higher rate of crime. If we're going to create a Free Area at all, then we need to go further to exert our control over the territories in order to eradicate evil."
Alphamon frowned deeper at these words. "The Digimon in charge of the territories would never agree to those terms. This agreement hinges on the states retaining a fair amount of independence."
"That would just be selfishness on their part," DarkKnightmon insisted, looking at Alphamon intensely. "They want to hold onto their own power, of course. They don't care about evil Digimon unless they're affected directly by them."
Alphamon returned the silent stare. "That's a very cynical outlook you have, DarkKnightmon," he responded. "I don't believe Digimon are that selfish."
DarkKnightmon glanced away and quietly sat back in his seat. "Well… You wanted to hear my opinion…" he told them, somewhat regretful that he had voiced it at all.
"I can understand what you're saying, DarkKnightmon," Omegamon reassured him. "A greater degree of centralisation would theoretically crack down on crime, war, and brigandage, however…"
"However, we can't take away Digimons' freedoms," Dukemon added, looking over at DarkKnightmon.
"I wasn't suggesting that we become their overseers," DarkKnightmon replied, glancing at Dukemon.
"It's a slippery slope," the crimson knight chimed back.
"Yes," Alphamon agreed. "And there's the practical aspect of it. We don't have the resources to do something like that. We're but six Digimon and our whole order is just less than two hundred fifty Digimon. We don't have the means to preside over all of those territories, not that they would ever agree to that. And if they resisted, what would we do? Force our rule upon them? Then we would be as bad as the Digimon who you seek to root out, DarkKnightmon."
"I never said we should do that," DarkKnightmon replied defensively.
"I didn't say you did either," Alphamon explained. "I'm just making a point. Anyways, even if we did have the resources, I wouldn't want to rule over those Digimon. I can agree to stronger checks on the states of the Free Area in order to reduce potential abuses, but nothing more."
"I agree with that," Dukemon said.
"Me too," Magnamon followed up.
"Yeah," Dynasmon added.
OuRyuumon grinned across the table at DarkKnightmon, enjoying seeing the Digimon put in his place. "I agree too."
"Nobody asked you, serpent," DarkKnightmon said to OuRyuumon. OuRyuumon glared at him. The dark knight turned to the Royal Knight who hadn't spoken: Omegamon. "Omegamon? What's your opinion?"
Omegamon frowned and stalled. His blue eyes went from DarkKnightmon to Alphamon, and then back to DarkKnightmon. After thinking about it, he spoke. "I can understand your points, DarkKnightmon, and they make sense, however… I have to agree with Alphamon. I think the best option is the one before us now."
There was a pause, and all eyes were on DarkKnightmon. DarkKnightmon looked around the table with his usual expressionless face. After a few, tense moments, he sighed. "Very well," he conceded. "I still have my reservations, but… the majority has spoken…"
Alphamon nodded. He then offered DarkKnightmon a warm, conciliatory smile. "Don't think they have gone unnoticed. We just… disagree on this, it seems, old friend."
DarkKnightmon nodded. "…So begins the Free Area," he said diplomatically, although somewhat half-heartedly.
"This calls for a celebration," Dynasmon said, leaning back in his chair and stretching out. He placed his hands behind his horned head. With one eye open, he looked at Dukemon. "Right, Dukemon?"
"I think I can be convinced," Dukemon responded, looking over at him with a smirk.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves," Magnamon told them.
DarkKnightmon placed his hands on top of the table and pushed himself to his feet. "Are we finished then?" he said, a hint of exasperation lacing his words. "There are some things I'd like to attend to."
"Yes, I suppose we are," Alphamon said, standing to his feet as well.
"Good night, then" DarkKnightmon bid them. He nodded at the Royal Knights and turned around. With his cape flowing behind him, he briskly started making his way out of the great hall.
Alphamon's eyes narrowed with concern. "…Do you think he's upset?" he asked. "Maybe I should go after him…"
"He's a big boy," Dukemon reassured Alphamon, as he stood from his chair. "He certainly doesn't need to be babied."
"I suppose you're right," Alphamon conceded.
OuRyuumon shrugged dismissively. "He sure acts like an overgrown Baby Digimon sometimes."
"Don't be like that, OuRyuumon," Magnamon said, beginning to head down the great hall.
"Like what?" OuRyuumon asked, following him alongside Dukemon and Dynasmon.
"Your usual jerky self?" Dynasmon joked, slapping his back firmly.
OuRyuumon stumbled forwards, nearly tripping over his own stubby legs. "Damnit! Hey!" he growled.
Omegamon watched as the four departed. He turned to Alphamon. "Do you want me to check on DarkKnightmon?" he asked him.
After a moment of thought, Alphamon shook his head. "No. Dukemon's right. I'm sure he's fine. Apart from the bickering with OuRyuumon, he's almost as mature as you are."
Omegamon smirked. "Do you think so?"
Alphamon grinned and put his hand on Omegamon's shoulder, beginning to lead him towards the foyer after the others. "Without a doubt," he dryly said, heading with the others to the cafeteria in order to get some drinks.
Meanwhile, DarkKnightmon stood at the balcony outside of his room, leaning forwards on the railing as he looked out at the peaceful night. "Could it be that I'm just being too cynical…?" he asked himself. He closed his eyes and calmly inhaled, taking in the warm, summer air. "That must be it. I'm sure it will work out like Alphamon hopes. I just need to trust him…"
A few months later…
"Twin Spear!"
DarkKnightmon's blood red lance ripped through the bandaged body of a Mummymon, tearing him to shreds. As the scraps of bandages fizzled into fragments of data, the dark knight burst through the cloud with silent anger.
"Hellfire!" an Astamon shouted. The well-dressed demon cocked his weapon and unloaded a fountain of bullets from his sub machine gun. The bullets whipped through the air and slammed into DarkKnightmon's armour as he ran.
DarkKnightmon was unaffected. Sparks flew off from all over his body but his armour was thick enough to deflect the bullets. He charged forwards and plunged one side of the Twin Spear deep into the Astamon's chest, enough that it burst out the other side. The Astamon's arms suddenly went slack and he continued firing his gun aimlessly into the ground until it fell from his grasp and burst into data. The demon Digimon was the next to disintegrate.
The Royal Knight swung his spear to the side, flicking the traces of blood from its metal. He let out a breath and took the moment of peace to look around. The other five Royal Knights and OuRyuumon were in combat against a band of raiders. They had been fighting for the past half hour, and the raiders' numbers were dwindling. Each knight faced only one or two Digimon now. They knew that the battle was almost won.
DarkKnightmon turned to the nearest Royal Knight. Dukemon was locked in combat with the tall, skeletal, red form of a SkullSatamon. He blocked the swift, powerful swing of its staff with the Aegis.
"Just drop your weapon and leave!" Dukemon warned him. "This battle's over!"
"Eat crap, tin can!" the SkullSatamon screeched. The SkullSatamon raised his staff up over his head and the yellow orb on its end began to grow brightly. "Nail Bone!"
"Lightning Joust!" Energy swirled around the Gram in Dukemon's right hand like a vortex that culminated in an orb at the tip of the lance. With a fiery yell, he thrust the pike forwards and power exploded through the SkullSatamon's core, reducing him to ashes just as he was about to fire.
Meanwhile, Alphamon and Omegamon stood side by side as three Digimon charged them in a frantic fury. Omegamon raised his Garuru Cannon and Alphamon raised his two palms towards the ExVeemon, the Asuramon, and the Cerberumon charge them.
"It seems like they won't stand down," Alphamon said as he gathered emerald energy inside of his palms.
"I agree," Omegamon answered, the mouth of the cannon on his right arm brimming with icy blue power.
"Fire?" Alphamon asked, taking aim.
"Fire," Omegamon confirmed.
"Digitalize of Soul!"
"Garuru Cannon!"
Green and azure beams burst from their hands and soared across the ground like a gushing torrent. The blasts enveloped the three Digimon and easily reduced them to data particles. Omegamon's cannon leaked cold breath as he lowered it and surveyed the damage in front of them. He confirmed that they were destroyed.
"Stubborn fools… I hate it when they don't surrender," Alphamon said, his hands smoking with green steam.
"OuRyuumon doesn't," Omegamon said, nodding towards the gold dragon in question.
OuRyuumon smirked widely as he clashed swords with a Piedmon. He deftly swung the Gairyu swords, blocking every slash that the clown Digimon tried to make. "Not – rrgh – bad, clown – guhr – face!" he shouted between parries. For somebody who was staving off deadly attacks, he was enjoying himself far too much.
The gold dragon suddenly swerved his long, flexible body to avoid a precise stab. He then lunged off the ground, flying in an unpredictable, circular fashion that suited his body. OuRyuumon circled around the Piedmon and slashed his back with his bladed Gaiba Daimeijin wings. He let out a triumphant laugh and suddenly spun around to cleave his two swords through the demon clown's lanky body.
OuRyuumon gave a wild grin and flew up into the air. "Who's next?!" he demanded excitedly, looking around for his next opponent.
"Nobody," Magnamon called up to him, having just finished Magnum Punch-ing a Volcamon into a tree.
"Yeah, we're all done here," Dynasmon agreed, nudging an unconscious Vikemon with his foot.
OuRyuumon released a disappointed growl and flew down. "And it was just getting good!" he complained upon landing in the dirt. He gathered his swords in one hand and bent down, plucking an oversized leaf from a plant in front of him. He used the leaf like a cloth, wiping the blood from his blades.
The Royal Knights began to gather around his general vicinity. "We didn't come out here for you to entertain yourself, OuRyuumon," DarkKnightmon said with a hint of irritation at the dragon Digimon.
"Yeah, I know that," OuRyuumon retorted, looking over at him. "I can't help it if I like fighting."
"Just so long as you realise that this isn't a game," DarkKnightmon told him, narrowing his enigmatic, gold eyes.
"Hey, I don't need a lecture from you," OuRyuumon replied fierily.
"OuRyuumon, don't start," Alphamon told him firmly. He glanced over at the nearby town. "That was the last of the raiders?"
"I'm pretty sure," Dynasmon said.
"Magnamon and I will go check on the townspeople," Dukemon said, nodding to Magnamon and heading towards the town.
"We should start restraining the unconscious ones," Alphamon told the others.
"Omegamon and I can do that," Dynasmon said. Omegamon nodded and took off this Garuru Cannon and Grey Sword.
A troubled, annoyed look grew on DarkKnightmon's face. "This was the third raid in the past two weeks…" he remarked lowly, turning to Alphamon.
Alphamon turned his crimson gaze towards DarkKnightmon. "I suppose you're right."
"Since we created the Free Area, there have been fourteen raids, attacks or invasions that we've had to intervene in," DarkKnightmon continued.
"What's your point?" OuRyuumon asked, walking over and flicking the edge of the metal crest on DarkKnightmon's armour, to create a twanging sound when his claw struck it.
DarkKnightmon ignored the action and turned back to Alphamon. "Evil Digimon are still active. Creating the Free Area has barely made a difference at all. They're just as active as they were before we did that."
"We've defeated every one of them, with the consent of the Free Area's states, and we have the funds to improve our order," Alphamon responded calmly.
"We're just stopping these attacks as they happen," DarkKnightmon argued. "You're not looking at the bigger picture. All we're doing is quelling attacks day-by-day. What we should be doing is looking into the future."
"Looking into the future…" Alphamon mused. "And what do you suggest?"
"We should be stopping evil Digimon before they can even act," the shadowy knight explained.
Omegamon looked over as he tied up the Vikemon raider. "That would be ideal, but it's not so simple in practice."
Alphamon nodded. "He's right. How could we do that?" he asked DarkKnightmon.
"By ruling over the Free Area," DarkKnightmon replied. "If we make it a tightly ordered society, we could stop Digimon before they even act, and discourage future crime and brigandage."
Alphamon frowned deeply as his friend's words. "Ruling…?" he asked. "No, DarkKnightmon. We're the benevolent protectors of this part of the continent. Our job is to root out evil and have only limited control over the Free Area. Nothing more."
"Don't you see, Alphamon?" DarkKnightmon said, more animatedly than usual. "It isn't enough. That strategy isn't working. What we need to be are benevolent rulers. This continent needs strong, centralized control. The Royal Knights need supreme authority over the Free Area. We need to rule with an iron fist to stop more of these raids. It takes shows of strength to dissuade Digimon like these."
"DarkKnightmon, your words are unsettling," Alphamon told him, maintaining a concerned frown. "The Royal Knights are a deterrent force, not tyrants."
"For a deterrent force, we haven't been doing very much deterring," DarkKnightmon quipped, folding his arms.
"Don't be a smartass," OuRyuumon said to him. "Alphamon's right. We're doing fine."
"What do you know about these matters?" DarkKnightmon snapped at him. "All you care about is satiating your bloodlust. It's no wonder you like things as they are; there will be more Digimon for you to kill."
Before OuRyuumon could heatedly respond, Alphamon took DarkKnightmon by the arm and led him away several paces. "DarkKnightmon…" he said with a concerned tone. "What's come over you?"
"I'm frustrated, Alphamon," DarkKnightmon told him with irritation. "We're not making any progress and you won't heed my words. Aren't you supposed to listen to the advice of your friends?"
Alphamon sighed and let go of DarkKnightmon's arm, walking in front of him so that he could look at him directly. "DarkKnightmon, I've taken your words to heart," he assured him. "However, you can't expect me to go along with what you're proposing. I can't just name myself the king of the Free Area. We would lose the good will of the Digimon that we're protecting. In fact, they could even revolt."
"They wouldn't revolt. We're too strong," DarkKnightmon countered.
"So we would be ruling through fear," Alphamon argued. "Is that what you want?"
DarkKnightmon frowned and was silent.
Alphamon's gaze softened and he raised his hand to place it on DarkKnightmon's shoulder, squeezing the armour there. "Look, DarkKnightmon… I understand that it's frustrating. However, I'm sure that what we're doing is the right thing. I'm also sure that it will be effective if we give it some time. This is just a bad patch."
"You can't know that for sure…" DarkKnightmon pensively said, although raising his hand and placing it on top of Alphamon's extended arm.
"No, I can't," Alphamon admitted. "But I believe that I'm right. Don't lose hope, DarkKnightmon."
DarkKnightmon hesitated. After a couple moments, he frowned and nodded uncertainly. "I… hope you're right, Alphamon. But it's hard… I'm struggling to remain optimistic."
"It's not always easy for me, you know," Alphamon reassured him. "That's why it's good to have friends to talk to. OuRyuumon, Omegamon, you… If you still have doubts, rest assured that you can talk to me about them."
"Right…" DarkKnightmon replied apprehensively. He removed his hand from Alphamon's arm and frowned, looking away slightly. "I'll… be fine," he said, although he didn't sound too sure. "Don't worry."
Alphamon smiled and squeezed his shoulder before letting go. "Good," he told him. He gave DarkKnightmon a nod and began to head back to the others.
DarkKnightmon turned, and saw that Dukemon and Magnamon had returned too. He sighed and started following Alphamon back.
OuRyuumon watched as the two returned. He had his arms folded and wore a sour look on his face. The gold dragon looked at Alphamon with an irritated leer. "That looked like a cozy chat…" he said bitterly.
"He just needed some reassurance," Alphamon replied, walking past OuRyuumon and over to the others.
OuRyuumon scoffed and turned his glare towards DarkKnightmon. "Hey, you!" he snarled at him, still angry about what DarkKnightmon had said to him before.
"My apologies, OuRyuumon," DarkKnightmon said to him. "I didn't mean to bite your head off; I was just agitated from the excitement of the battle."
OuRyuumon opened his mouth hastily to retort, but he stopped and blinked in response to the unexpected apology. "O-Oh… Well, don't let it happen again…" he said sheepishly, turning and picking up the Gairyu swords from where he stabbed them into the ground.
Omegamon observed DarkKnightmon carefully. "Is everything alright between you two?" he asked him.
"Yes…" DarkKnightmon answered. "I suppose so."
Omegamon nodded, although he still had his doubts.
Dynasmon grabbed the bicep of the restrained Vikemon and hauled the woolly mammal up. "Let's start hauling these Digimon back to the dungeons before they wake up."
"You can take the light one, Magnamon," Dukemon told him with a playful grin.
"Thanks…"
DarkKnightmon stood there, thinking to himself and staring into space. He reflected on Alphamon's words quietly.
"Hey, DarkKnightmon!" Dynasmon called out to him.
The voice brought DarkKnightmon out of his thoughts and back into awareness. "Yes, Dynasmon?" he asked, looking over at the dragon man.
"Want to help me with this guy?" he asked, gesturing to the Vikemon. "I may be strong, but he weighs a tonne!"
"Oh… Sure," he responded uncertainly. He walked over and helped Dynasmon, and the group of knights began to head back to their castle.