Episode 21:Dark Machinations, Part One

In a far off snowy tundra,a storm raged on. The wind whipped and howled,driving frost and snow in every direction. Nothing dared to venture out into the storm. Save for a pair of strange black creatures.

They were vaguely bat like,with two long tendrils hanging off their bodies. A single slitted yellow eye,dominated their featureless faces. And they flew against the wind,despite their wings not flapping.

Soon they reached their destination,a frozen lake,and floated down to it. One of the creature's eyes glowed with energy. Before firing a yellow beam,and slicing a hole into the ice. The other black thing,extended its tendrils. Stretching down to the watery depths below.

After a few moments,the tentacles grabbed onto something,and hauled it upward. Their prize breached the surface in mere moments. Revealing it to be a creature not unlike them,but different in purpose and shape. With their target retrieved,the creatures took to the air once more. Ready to return to their master.

Trent and Koromon had traveled a little over three days. When,after traversing through a mountain pass,the environment took a dramatic turn. The temperate forests they had grown used to,were replaced by lush tropical rainforest.

Giant trees towered above the jungle floor,the canopy kissing the edges of the clouds above. The roots of the trees were hard and thick. Appearing almost like industrial electrical wiring. Large ferns and other plants sprouted up from the ground. All in varying shades of blue and green,some with swirls of warmer colors. Forming together to create a dense undergrowth.

The air was muggy,almost clinging to the skin. A shimmering sheen of water covered everything. Evidence of the random drizzles that occurred rather frequently. In addition to the other plants,vines of every shape and size hung everywhere. Some of them snaking their way up the towering trees. Desperate to breach the canopy and bathe in the sunlight above.

Sword in hand,Trent paused,wiping a mixture of water and sweat from his brow. "You know I always wondered why they were called rainforests." He said,looking over his sweat and water drenched clothes. "I honestly could have gone without finding out this way." He then got back to cutting through the undergrowth. His sword slicing through the jungle plants with ease.

Atop his shoulder,Koromon shook off the rain that still clung to him. "I really hate this place." he grumbled. "If it was just hot it'd be fine. But why does it have to rain all the time!?"

Trent smiled at him sympathetically. "It could always be worse." This did little to placate his partner,who continued to grumble under his breath.

The pair went on for a little over an hour,before Koromon's growling stomach signaled lunchtime. Upon gathering a bushel of fruit from a nearby tree. As well as finding cover beneath the leaves of some giant elephant ears. They sat down to enjoy their meal.

Trent looked over one of the purple and yellow spotted fruits. "Are you sure these are safe to eat?" he asked.

Koromon grabbed one with his ears,and took a huge bite. "They're fine,trust me!" he replied,mouth full. "I would be able to smell if they were poison."

The boy gave one more look at the fruit. Before shrugging,and taking a huge bite of his own. "Mmmm tastes like pineapple." he commented,a bit of juice dribbling down the side of his mouth. He wiped it away,before polishing off the rest of the fruit.

As he reached for another,a rumbling sound caught his attention. "What's that?" he asked,looking about curiously.

Koromon immediately perked up,his eyes narrowing. "There's a digimon coming."

"It might be friendly,but you should digivolve just in case." Trent said,raising up his d-brace.

Koromon nodded,and leapt in front of his partner. His body bathed in shimmering light. "Koromon digivolve to...Huckmon!"

The rumbling sound grew louder and louder,until a giant form burst through the thick greenery. It appeared like a giant white gorilla. His right arm bereft of of hair,with several metal hoses attached to it. The gorilla's entire right forearm and hand were twisted,into some form of organic cannon.

"Gorillamon,Champion level Beast type digimon." said Trent's d-brace. "A territorial digimon with incredible muscular strength. Despite its muscle power,it prefers to fight with the cannon on it's arm. Its special attack is Energy Cannon."

The Gorillamon bellowed,beating his chest like a drum. Before aiming his cannon at the pair before him. "Energy Cannon!" The wires on his arm began to pulse rhythmically. White energy gathering in the cannon's barrel. Before firing out as a searing orb of light.

Huckmon and Trent leapt away from the oncoming attack. The energy exploding,as it struck the ground they stood upon moments ago. Trent then activated his barrier,drawing his sword on reflex. While Huckmon rushed toward the champion.

"Searing Shot!" The orb of flame blasted from his mouth. Exploding against Gorillamon's shoulder in a flash of smoke and fire.

Gale swatted at a mosquito,as she trudged through the undergrowth. "I freaking hate this place." she grumbled.

"Its that not that bad." commented Kyokyomon,floating alongside her.

She spared him a sidelong glare,before turning her attentions forward again. "First it was that hellhole of a desert,and now this god forsaken place! I honestly don't know which one is worse!"

"Well at least we won't die of thirst out here."

"No. But the way the rain falls around here. We might end up drowning instead." Gale said,wringing out some of the water in her hair. She then looked down at her d-brace,her eyes widening in surprise. The red arrow on the locator had disappeared,replaced by a pair of red beeping dots.

"Kyokyomon look!" she exclaimed,holding up her digivice for him to see.

"It looks like two of the others are nearby!"

Before anymore could be said,the pair heard a loud explosion closeby

"Its coming from their direction!"said Gale.

"They could be in danger!"

"Then let's get moving!' The girl exclaimed,and began sprinting toward the sound of the explosion. Kyokyomon flying a little ways behind her. As she ran,her d-brace glowed with energy. Her partner suddenly enveloped in light.

"Kyokyomon digivolve to...Ryudamon!" The rookie burst through the light,still keeping his momentum. Quickly catching up to Gale,and running alongside her.

"Saber Claw!" Huckmon called,leaping at Gorillamon.

The champion sidestepped,the keen talons still grazing his chest. As Huckmon landed,Gorillamon turned about. Letting loose a powerful left hook at the rookie,that sent him flying.

Huckmon shook off the impact,righting himself midair,before landing on his feet. As he opened his mouth to unleash another fireball. The call of a familiar attack caught his attention.

"Iai Blade!"

Gorillamon turned at the attack's call. Just in time to see three katana blades flying toward him. He had no time to dodge,and the blades sunk into his left arm,causing him to howl in pain. Gale and Ryudamon stepped into the clearing moments later. The dragon ready to launch another volley of blades.

The champion looked back and forth between the two dragons. After a moment's deliberation he spun about,and fled. Disappearing deeper into the jungle,to lick his wounds. A tense silence followed,as the four listened to his retreating footsteps. When they finally disappeared into the distance,they all relaxed visibly.

With the danger now passed,Huckmon rushed toward the newly arrived duo."Ryudamon! Gale!" he exclaimed. The white dragon tackled Ryudamon,knocking him to the ground,and nuzzling him affectionately. "It's so good to see you!"

Ryudamon couldn't help but smile. "It's good to see you too Huckmon." he groaned,gently pushing Huckmon off him. Before offering him a quick hug.

Trent soon approached,looking to the two digimon with a smile. Before turning his attentions to Gale. She looked right back,the two staring silently for a few moments.

The boy extended his hand to her. "It's good see you're alright."

Gale smirked at him,and shook the offered hand. "Yeah same to you goggle boy." Her eyes drifted downward to the weapon in his hands. "Whats...with the sword?" she asked,eyebrow quirked.

He chuckled,rubbing the back of his head. "Thats kind of a long story."

After procuring some more fruit,Trent and Huckmon sat back down to their meal. Gale and Ryudamon joining them. As they ate,Trent told them of what had happened since the explosion at the rift. The town,the shadow digimon,Knightmon and his death. No detail seemed to be spared.

When it was Gale's turn to tell her own tale,their lunch had long since been finished. Apart from the more personal moments shared between her and Ryudamon. Nothing was left from her story either.

"So you haven't seen any sign of the others?" Trent asked,once she had finished.

Gale shook her head. "Nope. Who knows where they are." She groaned in her arms. "They could be on a different freaking continent,for all we know!"

"Well aren't you just Ms. Optimism ?" the begoggled boy said,with a roll of his eyes.

"Yeah well having to walk across a scorching desert. Only to get to a mosquito infested jungle." As if for emphasis one of the mosquitoes in question bit her neck. Which she promptly squashed. "Kind of has a way of dampening your spirits!" she finished,with a scowl.

"Well,it hasn't exactly been a cakewalk for us either!" Trent retorted,returning her scowl.

"Can you guys not fight right now?!" said Huckmon.

"Yes please,this is not the time." agreed Ryudamon.

Trent sighed,his features softening. "They're right. Truce?" he asked,looking to the girl with a hopeful smile.

Gale seemed to consider it for a moment before replying. "Yeah,alright." she answered,although a bit begrudgingly.

Ryudamon and Huckmon nodded approvingly. "On another note." Ryudamon began. "About those stones that you found. They both seem to be of a similar nature."

"Yeah. They both made us digivolve to ultimate." Huckmon put a claw to his chin in thought. "Knightmon said the stone had one of the prime sigils inside of it. Does that mean the other gem had one too?"

"There was a symbol inside of it,yes. I've only heard of the prime sigils,and have never seen them for myself. So I could not say for certain if it was one of them."

"What hell are these 'prime sigils' anyway?" interjected Gale.

"Knightmon said they were some kind of ancient digicode." answered Trent,looking to the digimon for confirmation.

"That's right." Ryudamon said with a nod. "They were said to be the first pieces of digicode ever written. From which all other digicode is said to come from."

"Like a digital tower of babel?" asked Trent.

Gale looked to him,brow raised slightly in surprise. "You know what the tower of babel is?"

"Hey! I'm not a complete idiot!?" Trent retorted,insulted by her insinuation.

She held back the obvious 'Could have fooled me' reply. Instead,turning her attention back to the digimon. "Okay that answers one question. Sort of,anyway. But do you have any idea what was up with those weird voices we heard?"

"No idea. I'm just as weirded out by that as you are." answered Huckmon.

"Maybe they're ghosts." Trent joked,wiggling his fingers.

"Honestly after all the crazy shit that's happened to us. I wouldn't be surprised at this point." Gale commented,sighing heavily. "Just another mystery to add to the fucking pile."

Trent frowned,and nodded sympathetically. "Yeah. It feels like every time we get an answer. More questions just seem to pop up." After sitting in silence for a few moments he stood up. "Well,we should get moving and try to find everyone else."

Gale nodded,standing up as well. "I can agree with that. No use sitting around with our thumbs up our asses."

"Which way do we go?" asked Huckmon

Trent looked to the d-braces locator,the red arrow pointing toward the northeast. "Looks like we gotta go that way." he said,pointing to the indicated direction.

With that,the newly reunited group of four set out once more. Heading deeper into the wild jungle. On the path to find their lost friends.

After traveling for a few hours,the group came to a wide rushing river. With a stone pathway stretching across it. When they reached the midway point of the crossing,they were suddenly attacked. Not by a digimon,but a large predatory fish,that leapt out of the water. It however,did not stand a chance against a fireball from Huckmon. The creature was slain instantly,and dragged to shore. Where it was gutted,and tied onto the end of a long stick to be carried. So that it could be eaten later.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully,the sun setting several hours later. Signaling the jungle's nighttime chorus to begin. The croaking of frogs,mixed with chirruping of insects. With monkey like howls,and beastial growls indespersed at random.

Not too keen to sleep on the ground,with who knows what. The party found shelter above the jungle floor. In the almost cavernous hollow of a giant tree. After clearing away some of the debris on the hollow floor. Trent quickly got to work starting their campfire.

"Got it!" he exclaimed,as the flames roared to life.

"Wow,those lessons with Chloe really payed off." said Gale. "Gotta admit,I'm impressed." Trent smiled proudly at those words.

Ryudamon sat down by the fire,trying to dry his fur. "If you would have had the patience. You could have learned how to start a fire as well." he commented,giving her a sidelong smile. She responded with an annoyed growl.

Trent chuckled at the two,before untying the fish from earlier,and setting it over of the flames. The hollow was quickly filled with the smells of wood smoke and cooking fish. The sound of sizzling fat,just barely audible over the crackling flames. The fish soon finished cooking,and was cut up into more manageable pieces. So that it could divvied out to the four.

Gale hummed in satisfaction,as she took her first bite. "Damn that's good. Definitely a lot better than the canned stuff we've been eating."

Trent nodded in agreement,his mouth full. "Yeah nothing tastes better than meat cooked over an open fire." he said after swallowing.

Huckmon ate his portion with ravenous speed. While Ryudamon took his time,only taking small bites.

Halfway through her meal,Gale looked up to Trent. "Hey there's something I've been meaning to ask you." she said,pointing at him with her fork.

Trent quirked his brow,and swallowed. "What's that?"

"It's something that I've wanted to know since we met. I just never really got around to asking." She paused taking another bite of her fish. "What's the deal with those goggles anyway? It's kind of a weird fashion choice."

Trent took off the goggles in question,looking them over with a smile. "They're sort of a family heirloom. They belonged to my great grandpa Marshal. He was a pilot in world war two,and these goggles supposedly brought him good luck."

"That's actually pretty cool." Gale admitted. She grabbed at her grandma's pendant,and smiled at it fondly. "My grandma was alive during the war. She was around my age when it happened. Had all kinds of stories to tell about it."

"I wish I had gotten to meet my grandpa Marshal. At least,I got to hear lots of his stories from my older relatives. From all they said about him,he must have been one amazing guy. Fought in all kinds of crazy battles,and even met FDR."

Gale almost did a spit take,her eyes widening. "Your great grandpa met president Roosevelt!?"

Trent chuckled. "Yeah,supposedly the president presented him and his squadron with medals of honor."

"Wow,awesome."

Ryudamon and Huckmon looked back forth between the two,as they continued to converse.

"Are they actually bonding?" Ryudamon whispered to his companion.

"I see it,but I don't believe it." Huckmon replied,looking just as perplexed as Ryudamon.

The Next morning,the four awoke a little later than usual. Yesterday's travel having been a bit more draining than they had realized. After shaking the weariness from their bodies. They continued their trek,eating a breakfast of nuts and fruit as they walked.

Throughout the day the jungle's terrain slowly began to shift. Water was now everywhere,colored a sickly brownish green,and rising past the human's ankles. With deeper pools scattered about them. That made Gale a tad unnerved,each time they passed by one.

The water seeped into the earth,turning the ground beneath the surface into a thick muck. The towering giant trees,and leafy undergrowth slowly disappeared. Mangrove trees,water borne plants and lily pads taking their place. More mosquitos buzzed through the air than ever before. Much to Gale's annoyance. While the cacophony of frog song filled the four's ears.

"Just when I thought this place couldn't get any worse." Gale groaned,as her feet squished and squashed in the mud.

"Yeah,it's like walking through sewer sludge." commented Trent,already feeling the muck seep into his shoes.

Gale crinkled her nose at the stench of rotted vegetable matter. Mixed with pond scum and stagnant water. "Almost smells as bad too." she added.

"You guys think you've got it bad?" said Huckmon. "At least you don't have to worry about this gunk spraying up into your mouth."

"Or it getting stuck in your fur for that matter." said Ryudamon. "It'll take me forever to wash this out." Gale and Trent couldn't help but laugh a little at the digimon's plights.

It was late afternoon,when they began to see structures off in the distance. Soon they came into focus,revealing them to be,what looked like,a village of sorts. Positioned,on a large swath of dry land,just above the water line. Most of the buildings seemed to be simple huts,constructed of wood with thatched roofs. With some distance in between each of them. There was a large open area,much like a town square. A tall log pole,with a variety of carvings sitting in it's center. A large wooden archway indicated the villages entrance,its sides framed by a pair of unlit torches.

Several wooden piers stretched from the island. Out into a wide waterway just beside the dry stretch of earth. Fishing nets and other such equipment sat the near ends of them. With Dugout canoes docked nearby,bobbing lazily in the water. Unlike the water the four now walked in. The water beyond the village had less of a green tint,and a gentle current flowed through it.

"Oh thank god,some dry land. Let's stop and take a break up there." said Gale.

"Yeah. Maybe we can even ask the villagers if we can stay the night." Trent added.

When the four stepped through the gate. They could see the village's inhabitants,all marching in a long line. Each of them carried something,food,fine pottery,shell necklaces. None of the items seeming to have any rhyme or reason.

Trent recognized some of the villagers as Floramon. Though they were different in coloration to the ones he had seen before. Bodies a darker green,and flowers more vibrant and varied in color. There were also small blue tadpole like digimon. With large clawed arms,and tiny back legs. As well as several digimon that appeared like bipedal green frogs. With some sort of brass instrument,like a tuba,wrapped around their necks.

The holographic screens sprang up from Gale and Trent's digivices. Trent's displaying the tadpole digimon,and Gale the frogs.

"Otamamon Rookie level Amphibian type digimon." said Trent's d-brace. "Peaceful digimon who live in swamps,ponds and lakes. They often gather in large groups,and sing together. Their special attack is Lullaby Bubble."

"Gekomon Champion level Amphibian type digimon." chirruped Gale's digivice. "Pacifists by nature,they love anything that has to do with music. Despite their looks they sing rather beautifully. Thanks to their time spent singing when they were Otamamon. Their special attack is Symphony Crusher."

"What do you think they're doing?" asked Trent,watching them file past.

"A really lame attempt at a parade?" answered Gale,shrugging her shoulders.

"They are making an offering to the spirits."

The four turned to see a Gekomon,wearing a red beaded necklace,and carrying a gnarled wooden staff.

"Who are you?" the redhead queried.

"I am the chief of this village." the Gekomon answered. "What you brings you to our humble village travelers?"

"We were looking to rest here,and if it wouldn't be too much trouble,find a place to stay the night." Ryudamon answered.

"Well I would be happy to offer your our hospitality." The chief's face suddenly fell. "But I'm afraid you've caught us at a bad time."

"Did somebody die?" Gale asked bluntly,earning her a glare from her three companions. "What!? I was just asking."

"Yes Gale,but you could show a bit more tact." Ryudamon said,before turning back to the chief. "I'm sorry about her. She can be a bit too blunt sometimes."

The Gekomon smiled,waving his hand dismissively. "It's fine,no offense was taken. But to answer your question. Some of our villagers have gone missing."

"Missing?!" Huckmon asked,eyes widening slightly.

He nodded in response. "Every so often some of us will head out to catch fish,and forage food for the rest of the village. A few days ago,eight of our number went out and didn't return. We of course sent out a small search party,but they've disappeared as well."

The chief gestured to the procession of villagers. "That is why we are making offerings to appease the spirits. So that they may give answers to our shaman. Now if you'll excuse me. The ritual is about to begin,and I must be present. I will see if I can arrange lodgings for you when I return." With that,he took his leave,walking past the marching digimon,and toward the carved pole in the village's center.

With nothing to do but wait,the party stood back,and watched the proceedings. The sun was just beginning to dip,when all the villagers had finished making their offerings. Their gifts to the spirits gathered around the pole. With their offerings made,they all sat in the village square.

With a signal from the chief,torches were lit,as well as a large bonfire. While four Gekomon began to beat on a set of drums. It was a primal rhythm,one that resonated across the swamp. When the beat reached it's crescendo. A form stepped out from one of the nearby huts.

He was a tall monkey like digimon,with light brown fur. A colorful tribal mask,decorated with feathers,and a flowing green mane,covered his face and upper body. Tied around his waist was a string of fangs. As well as a skirt made of dried grass. In his right hand he wielded a giant boomerang,covered in strange markings.

"Sepikmon Champion level Wizard type digimon" Gale's digivice chimed,it's voice almost drowned out by the drums. "A wise but lonely digimon,with amazing spiritual power. He is said to have the ability to speak with the dead,and see into the future. His special attack is Spirit Boomerang."

"He must be the shaman the chief mentioned." Huckmon whispered.

"Gee,ya think." Gale retorted dryly.

As Sepikmon made his way to the offering place,all gathered bowed as he passed.

Even though they were some distance away from him. Ryudamon and Huckmon could feel an energy resonating from him. It was a mysterious,almost magnetic power. Giving the shaman digimon an unearthly quality.

When the shaman reached his destination,he raised his hands to the sky. All then fell silent,even the wild sounds of the nighttime jungle. Seeing that all was quiet,Sepikmon walked toward the nearby bonfire. He reached into a pouch on his side. Pulling out a handful of blue dust, and tossing it into the fire. The flames flared up,and began to shift in color. The typical orange and yellow were still there,along with greens,blues and even white. They moved mesmerizingly,creating a mysterious dance of colors and hues.

He waved his hands over the blaze,the flames touching but not burning him. As he moved his hands,Sepikmon began to chant. The chant was low and resonating,sounding like the whispers of the dead. The other digimon soon began to join in the incantation. Repeating the mysterious words over and over.

"Is anybody else freaked out by all this,or is it just me?" Gale asked in hushed tones.

"No,I'm with ya. I think it's kinda creepy too." Trent answered.

"I must admit it is a tad unnerving." said Ryudamon,Huckmon nodding silently in agreement.

Suddenly Sepikmon stopped his chant,the villagers following his example. Without pause he reached into the fire. Grabbing a few glowing embers from within,and crushing them in his grasp. He sprinkled them onto ground,and as if possessed by an unknown force. The shaman began to draw into the now ash covered dirt. When he finished,he looked over the markings he had made into the earth,and backed away in horror.

The chief quickly approached him from behind. "What is it!? What did you see!?" he pleaded.

Sepikmon looked up to the chieftain slowly. "It as an ill omen. The lost ones have been taken by demons. Demons who walk with soulless machines,in a fortress of iron."

"Do they still live?"

"Yes they live,but we cannot save them. The demons and the machines,they are too strong." Sepikmon stood up,and walked past the now shocked and stunned chief. Disappearing into his hut without another word.

Worried chatter and panicked whispers,soon began to ripple out through the gathered villagers.

"Did he say demons!?"

"Yes,demons! Demons and machines!"

"What do we do!?"

"Will they come for us too?!"

The chieftain stepped forward,raising his hands. "Please everyone calm yourselves! Now is not the time to panic!" The villagers soon quieted down,allowing the chief to continue. "Good. Now,the hour is late! Return to your homes and rest. We will discuss this issue further in the morning!"

The villagers soon began to disperse,and walk toward to their homes. Many of them with their heads hung low,or eyes shifting about fearfully.

With a heavy sigh,the chief walked through the crowd. Making his way back over to the four travelers. "I'm sorry you had to see that. Now please follow me. You will be staying at home tonight."

The group silently followed him toward the edge of the village. Soon catching sight of the chieftains home. Unlike the other houses in the village,it was a two story affair. As well as being much broader than the rest. Though it was still made of the same materials.

On the inside,the whole bottom floor was one giant room. A few torches along the walls,as well as the firepit in the center,cast a dull orange and yellow light all about. There was no real furniture to speak of. Instead,seating places seemed to be large mats of straw,and grass. Hanging on the walls,were several decorative masks. As well as a few wind chimes,made of dried gourds.

"Why don't you have a wash while I prepare us a meal." said the chief. "Just step out the back entrance,and you'll find a waterfall nearby. You can clean up and wash your clothes there."

"I call first dibs!" Gale exclaimed,running out of the hut. Ryudamon and Huckmon quickly following after.

Trent seemed to linger for a moment,lost in thought. Before processing the situation,and trailing behind the three.

The sun was just barely visible over the horizon. When the four finished their much needed bath,and changed into their spare clothes. They returned to the chief's hut,refreshed. Hanging their clothes out to dry,before entering the home.

"Aah you're just in time! Dinner is ready. Please have a seat,and make yourselves comfortable." the chief offered,gesturing to the seats around the fire.

The four nodded their thanks,and took the offered seats. They were soon served a bowl of fish and vegetable stew. It was quite tasty,and extremely filling. The kind of meal that would keep you full throughout the day. Unless of course you had Huckmon's ravenous appetite.

While the others dug into their meal,Trent stared down at his bowl in thought.

Huckmon looked from his own food,to his partner. "You okay?" he asked.

The boy looked up with a start,and turned to face him. "Y..yeah just thinking about something." This seemed to satisfy the digimon,who turned back to his stew.

Trent set his bowl aside,and stared across the fire to the Gekomon chief. "So what are you going to do now?" he asked rather abruptly.

The chief paused mid bite,and looked to him in surprise. After taking a moment to finish chewing,he replied. "I'm honestly not sure. I don't think there's much I can do. We are a peaceful village. This whole business with demons and machines seems far beyond us." He looked to the ground sadly. "I fear that those who have been taken are lost forever."

Trent tightened his fists,and stood up with purpose. "We'll find them for you,and save them from whatever's taken them!"

"Do what now!?" Gale exclaimed,looking to the boy incredulously. Huckmon and Ryudamon were equally surprised by this decree. But the boy's partner was quick to agree with him.

"Yeah! We'll save them! By my honor as a knight!" Huckmon exclaimed.

The chief stared at them in shock. "You...you would do that?"

"Of course!" Trent answered.

Gale immediately stood up,grabbing Trent by the arm. "We need to talk. Now." Without another word,she roughly dragged him outside.

Ryudamon rose up as well,and began heading for the door. "Come on Huckmon,let's make sure they don't kill each other." The other dragon nodded in agreement,quickly following his companion outside. Leaving a bewildered Gekomon sitting alone in the hut.

Once they were some distance away from the hut. Gale released her iron grip on Trent,pushing him roughly as she did so.

"Ow! What was that for!?" Trent demanded,rubbing his shoulder.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing!?" Gale fumed,ignoring the boy's query.

"Trying to help. What does it look like?"

"Oh,and you just decided to sign me and Ryudamon up for your heroic rescue!?"

"Are you saying you don't wanna save them?" the boy retorted. By now Huckmon and Ryudamon had stepped outside as well. Keeping some distance from the two's quarrel.

"Look,I feel just as sorry for them as you do. But this is none our business! We should be trying to find the others,so we can get back to the rift! Not going on some heroes errand!"

Trent stepped forward meaningfully,his fists clenched. "Are you saying that going to find those villagers is just a waste of time!? How can you be so heartless!?"

Gale stamped her foot in frustration. "That's not what I'm saying at all! God why do you have to so pig headed!?"

"I could say the same about you!"

The girl growled, gritting her teeth in fury,as she pulled back her fist. Huckmon moved to intervene,but a claw from Ryudamon stopped him. She held the fist cocked,as Trent braced for the seemingly inevitable impact. After a few tense moments,Gale let loose rage filled scream and punched a nearby tree.

"God I am so sick you!" she screamed,her three companions looking to her in surprise. "I am sick of this fucking wacko wonderland!" She punched the tree again. "I'm sick of having to sleep outside!" Gale let loose a powerful kick this time. As she continued to vent all her pent up frustrations.

"I'm sick of having to walk miles and miles,across this insane fucking place!" Another kick. "I'm sick of getting attacked by goddamn monsters every other fucking day!" Two punches. "I AM SICK OF EVERYTHING!" One last punch,so hard it made her knuckles bleed. With a defeated sigh,her body sagged.

"I just wanna go home."

After many silent moments,Trent approached her. "I'm sorry. I wanna go home too." he said quietly. Tentatively he placed a hand on her shoulder. When she didn't brush him away,he continued. "But those villagers that got captured. I'm sure they miss their homes just as much as we do."

"I wanna try and help them. And I don't think me and Huckmon can do it alone."

Gale chuckled a little,and turned to him with a soft smile. "Yeah. Without me,you are pretty hopeless." Trent grinned at that,and the two shared a quick laugh.

Not far off,Ryudamon and Huckmon looked to each other,smiling brightly.

When the four reentered the chieftain's hut they assured him of their aid. After being thanked profusely,they finished their meal,and headed upstairs. Where the they laid down for a good night's rest.

The following morning,the group awoke to find the chief preparing breakfast. As well as some supplies waiting for them. Over breakfast,the Gekomon told them of the place where the villagers most likely went missing. As well as the most direct route there.

After changing back into their freshly clean clothes,and packing their new supplies The four were ready to set out on their mission of rescue. Word had quickly spread throughout the village,about the mysterious travelers. All the villagers gathering to offer words of encouragement,and good luck. These offerings of good fortune grew quieter and quieter. As the four left the village,and followed the path the chief had laid out for them.

Luckily for the four travelers,the path seemed to mostly on dry land. They stayed on the solid ground as much as possible. Keeping the nearby waterway constantly in sight. After traveling for nearly three hours. They came upon,what appeared to be,the remains of a campsite.

Huckmon walked over to a set of footprints nearby,sniffing at them. "These are about three days old." He smelled at another set of tracks. "And these ones here are fresher. Maybe one and a half days."

"The first ones must have the been the original group." Trent surmised. "The second was probably the search party."

Ryudamon scanned about. "There doesn't seem to any signs of a struggle. All of them must have been taken when they were away from the campsite."

"Both sets of prints head in the same direction." said Huckmon.

"Then let's follow em and see what we can find." Gale stated,and began marching alongside the tracks. Her three companions right behind her.

They had been walking for about fifteen minutes. When Ryudamon and Huckmon paused,their bodies tensing.

"There are digimon coming. A lot of them." stated Huckmon.

"Quick,hide!" said Ryudamon.

After searching about for a few moments. The four found a perfect hiding place,in some nearby bushes. It didn't take long for them to hear the sound of a dozen marching footsteps. They peeked out from the bushes,to see a squad of Commandramon running in formation.

"These guys,again?" whispered Gale.

"Well Sepikmon did say something about machines." said Trent. "But I didn't think it would be them."

The four waited until the squad had passed,before emerging from their hiding place.

"Let's follow them!" said Trent,the other three nodding in agreement.

Keeping well out of sight,the four trailed after the squad of rookies. Until they came to a wide open area. All the greenery had been cleared away there. Leaving nothing but clean cut stumps,and heavily trodden earth. The stench of oil,gunpowder and noxious chemicals wafted through the air. From afar,the group watched as the Commandramon followed a paved path through the open space. Their eyes going wide in shock,as they laid eyes upon the rookie's destination.

It was a towering factory complex,of iron and machinery. Several metal silos rose up from the structure,holding fuel and caustic chemicals within their confines. Smokestacks towered over the main complex. Billowing thick clouds of acrid black smoke. The sounds of heavy machinery,echoed softly from within the buildings.

Surrounding the compound,was a of wall reinforced concrete. With four main gates on the north,east,west and south sides of the wall. Standing atop the wall,were several Commandramon sentries. They patrolled the perimeter,scanning about for enemies. Guarding the main gate were a pair of giant black digimon.

They appeared like bipedal dragons,with long arms and four red eyes. Each of their four fingered hands ended in razor sharp crimson talons. A spear like spike tipped the ends of their tails. Two pairs of tattered bat like wings grew from their backs. While a smaller pair swooped back from their heads.

"Holy shit." Gale whispered,her mouth agape.

"I think we may have bitten off more than we can chew here." said Trent. His eyes still transfixed on the fortress that lay before them.

To Be Continued...

Next Time On Digimon Saga! Episode 22:Dark Machinations, Part Two

Author's Notes

There you have it. This chapter would have been posted a day earlier. But I sort of had an internal debate with myself on whether I wanted this to be a two parter. In the end I decided it felt appropriate as one. I really wanted to focus on Gale and Trent's relationship in these episodes. There dynamic is a little different to the red oni,blue oni one we see in a lot of other series. Their's is definitely more of a red oni,slightly different shade of red oni. A couple of fun facts for this chapter,as well the next. First of all the bit about Trent's goggles being world war two goggles. Is a direct reference to Taichi's goggles from the V-tamer manga. Next,the Commandramon and the other machines from episode 11 were never supposed to return. But a comment from Bestocmaker made me reconsider that. It doesn't change the story too much though,just another interesting layer I hadn't thought of before. On another note I'd like to take this opportunity to give a big thanks to the newest followers and favoriters of this story. LittleDreamer24, Nirvashv7 and Jaredin Snow! Thank you guys so much!

As always,thanks for reading guys!