What? A new chapter? In February?
Chapter 36: A Clash of Titans
Primary Village, File Island
10:00 A.M
February 7th, 2010
It was late in the morning as Swanmon arrived at the warehouse. Situated in the middle of the fields where regenerated digi-eggs appeared, it served as a sobering reminder to the tragedy which had occurred a short time ago. However, rather than tear it down, the Elecmon of Primary Village had decided to convert it into an incubator to manage the digi-eggs that appeared so frequently within the fields. Swanmon had also convinced them to leave it intact for a different purpose.
The bird Digimon pushed open the door to find a number of Elecmon caring for the digi-eggs that were being brought into the room by conveyor belt. They were placed in beds made of hay, and placed under newly installed heat lamps to keep warm. Swanmon said hello to the Elecmons and then made her way upstairs, where the secondary purpose of the warehouse came into effect. On this floor, a wooden stall filled with hay held nine digi-eggs, which all possessed the digi-cores of the Royal Knights: Omnimon, KabukiSakuyamon, GoldenRapidmon, Craniamon, Dynasmon, Crusadermon, PaladinImperialdramon, and Leopardmon.
The warehouse provided a safe place to hide the royal digi-eggs, so that no harm might come to them. The Elecmon rotated out guard duty shifts to make sure no one tampered with them. Swanmon arrived at the one farthest to the left and cradled it in her wings, turning it under the heat lamps to allow heat to reach the other side of the shell. She did this with all of the eggs, treating each one delicately as she rotated them.
The swan then walked over to the window and stared outside. She pushed open the glass window pane and leaned out to get some fresh air. As she stared out at Primary Village, Swanmon wondered when if ever these digi-eggs would hatch. While the digital world wasn't in any immediate danger, she had a strange feeling that the battle for the digital world was far from over. Something nagged at the back of the monster's mind, telling her that the digital world was not safe.
A flash caught the armor-Digimon's attention. Her eyes quickly fixed on the circle of light that had appeared above the ground, right at the entrance to the village. Intrigued and concerned, she quickly closed the window and rushed downstairs, bolting outside into the digi-egg fields. She flew across the open plain towards the shining circle to investigate. Upon her arrival, she saw a handful of figures fall out onto the ground, their forms hidden by the sparkling gateway. Once the portal closed, Swanmon could finally make out who had arrived.
"Takato!" The bird Digimon cheered as she noticed the goggle-headed boy standing up, after having been thrown to the ground from the data streams.
"Hey, Swanmon!" Takato looked around for a second and then smiled once he saw the bird Digimon, walking over to greet her. He embraced the swan in a brief hug before they began to speak again.
"Who are your friends?" She inquired, looking at the new group of humans that was brushing the dirt off their pants after having fallen into the dewy grass. "Are these more of the Digidestined?" She surveyed the group, noting the new faces that had arrived. Suddenly, she backed away, eyes widening with fear after noticing Junpei and Gaomon. "What are they doing here?"
"Huh?" Takato looked towards what had startled Swanmon, spotting Junpei and Gaomon. "Yeah, about that: they were kind of forced to ally with us while we were in the human world. Don't worry though, he won't do anything." Takato said as he glared mockingly at the evil tamer, who growled in response. "One of the reasons we're here is actually to figure out a way to get the dark needle out of him."
"These bastards seem to think I'm under some kind of mind control." Junpei grumbled.
"Just pay him no mind." Takato tried to assure her. "Come meet the rest of the Digidestined."
"It's the bread lady!" Guilmon cheered, running up to her as the rest of the tamers came together. "Do you have any more bread for me?" Guilmon said with a rumbling stomach.
"Nice to see you again too, Guilmon," Swanmon smiled, "And yes; I'm sure we can have the cook whip something up for you."
"Yay!" Guilmon cheered. "Digimon bread!"
"Hi miss," Jeri walked up to the swan and shook her wing, "I'm Jeri Katou. It's a pleasure to meet you." The two nodded at each other.
"And I am Lunamon, at your service." Jeri's rookie partner bowed respectfully at the bird Digimon, who reciprocated gleefully. As she backed away, Tai and Matt walked up to introduce themselves as well.
"Hello there," Tai nodded at the swan, shaking her hand as well. "I'm Taichi Kamiya, one of-"
"You're Taichi Kamiya?" The swan gasped. She backed away and bowed gracefully, fanning out her wing feathers as she did so, "It is an honor to meet you, Digidestined. There is not a single Digimon alive today who does not know your name."
"Really?" Tai wrapped his arm around the back of his head, attempting to hide his blushing.
"Don't let your ego get too big there Tai," Matt said jokingly, pushing him out of the way to meet with the armor-Digimon. "How about me? Name's Matt Ishida."
"Of course we know of you as well," Swanmon nodded her head respectfully. "It is an honor to meet you as well. You original Digidestined are considered this world's greatest heroes."
"Well, thank you." Matt's face turned bright red, complimenting Tai's.
"Your other two friends seem quite intrigued by the village." Swanmon craned her head over the humans, scanning the back of the group. Takato, Jeri, Tai, and Matt turned their heads to see Davis and Veemon staring intensely at the entrance to Primary Village.
"Are you seeing this Veemon?" Davis gasped, murmuring to his partner.
"It's so big, and…blocky…" Veemon said with equal awe.
"It's a…" Davis pointed forward. "It's a… toy block town!" He suddenly said with excitement. "This is incredible! I've never seen anything like this!"
"Me neither," Veemon agreed, "I didn't know the digital world was so weird looking."
"This place is so cool! I can't believe this is where you come from Veemon!" Davis cheered as he dragged his partner up the path and towards the town, away from the rest of the group.
"You'll have to forgive him," Jeri spoke, "It's his first time in the digital world." She smiled while staring up at the town. "Though I have to admit this place is pretty cool-looking."
"I've never been here before either." Takato added. "It looks amazing to me. Most of the places I've been to in the digital world are depressing. But this place looks beautiful."
"Primary Village is a sanctuary where every Digimon comes to be reconfigured." Swanmon explained. "This place is designed to be welcoming as it is the first thing the new life of the digital world sees upon entering it."
"Man," Matt looked around in awe as well, staring out at the fields of digi-eggs, "It's been so long since I've been in the digital world. I'd forgotten what it was like." He walked over to one of the digi-eggs and placed his hand against it.
"You've been to Primary Village before, haven't you Matt?" Tai inquired, seeing the look of intrigue on his friend's face.
"No, actually," Matt shook his head, "Devimon didn't really have us deal with Primary Village all that often. He wanted to regain his power and conquer the digital world, but never stooped so low as to attack unborn children." He threw a dirty look over at Junpei, who wasn't paying attention.
"The spirit of the Royal Knight within him must have had some influence on that. I'm sure of it." Tai recalled the last time he had spoken with Piedmon. The Digimon had been his greatest nemesis for the longest time, but ended up becoming their trump card against Apocalymon. Though the monster had done some truly evil deeds, Tai tried to remember Piedmon in the fondest ways he could.
"Yeah, unfortunately the darker parts of his legacy are still haunting us." Matt looked over to Junpei, who continued to stare off towards a cliff overlooking the village.
"Hey, you're not thinking about running off now, are you?" Tai called to the evil tamer.
"Huh?" Junpei turned his head. "Ha," He scoffed, turning around. "Now why would I feel the need to do that?"
"What are you smirking about?" Matt inquired.
"Nothing." Junpei said with a wicked grin. "Though I was wondering about something: How well do you think your little friends did their job last time they were here?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Takato interrupted, overhearing the conversation.
"What I mean is," Junpei smiled wickedly, "You act as if you took care of both Kairo and Henry, but isn't it possible that maybe you forgot something?"
"What are you talking about J.P.?" Tai stepped forward, intent on confronting the tamer, but Gaomon stepped in his way.
"I'll tell you what he's saying." A voice growled from outside the group. The voice came from a shadowy figure standing in the path leading to Primary Village. Davis and Veemon were unconscious next to him.
"Oh no, Davis!" Jeri cried.
"There's no way." Takato mumbled. "How did you…?"
"Everyone stay back!" Guilmon barked, stepping in between the shadow and the rest of the humans.
"Henry…" Matt sighed, recognizing his comrade's face behind the darkness swirling around his body. "I can't believe it. What happened to you?"
"I'm sorry," The figure smiled, "But Henry doesn't live here anymore."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Tai yelled.
"Listen everyone," Junpei began, "It's been fun hanging with you all, but I'm getting tired of all this 'saving the world' crap." He walked over to Henry's side, with Gaomon at his heels. "It's time for me to go back to where I belong: at Henry's side."
"I told you," The shadow turned his head and stared at Junpei, "I'm not Henry."
"What?" Junpei exclaimed. "Of course you are."
"I'm really not," The darkness shook its head, "But if you're intent on joining me, I won't refuse. I'd especially like to get my hands on that dark needle within you."
"You're on about that dark needle shit too?" Junpei rolled his eyes.
"J.P.! Get away from him!" Tai warned.
"You should listen to the others. They could have saved you from this." The shadow grinned wickedly.
"What?" Junpei grunted just before the dark creature smashed his hand into Junpei's chest. The darkness surrounding his body started to envelop Junpei, who cried hysterically as electricity shot through his body. Gaomon tried to come to his partner's aid, but the evil Tamer kicked the rookie away.
"J.P.!" Takato cried.
"Go get Davis and Veemon!" Guilmon ordered. Takato stood petrified, however Tai and Matt sprang into action, running over to the unconscious tamers and pulling them away from the dark entity as it sapped the energy from Junpei. The dark creature finally finished, releasing Junpei from his grasp and letting him collapse onto the ground. Both Junpei and Gaomon fell unconscious as the last few strands of the dark needle were pulled from the boy's body and made their way into the dark creature.
"What have you done?" Jeri inquired.
"I did you all a favor." The creature masquerading as Henry replied. "I took the dark needle out of him and combined it with my own darkness. I am now stronger, while he is free from the needle's hold. Everybody wins."
"Who are you?" Guilmon growled. "You're obviously not Henry, so why do you look like him?"
"That's an excellent question my old friend." The new Henry smiled wickedly.
"Old friend? Where do I know you from?"
"I'm not just going to give that information out for free. You'll have to find out for yourself." He slowly backed away.
"You're not going anywhere until you tell me what I want to know!" Guilmon barked.
"Oh, and what are you going to do to stop me?" The dark creature laughed.
"Takatomon!" Guilmon looked back to his partner. "I need you right now."
"Huh?" Takato, who was staring at Junpei's motionless body, finally snapped out of his trance. "Okay Guilmon, let's do this." He pulled out his digivice.
R-O-Y-A-L D-I-G-I-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N
"Takato!"
"Guilmon!"
"Royal Digivolve to…! Gallantmon!"
Light swirled around the group as Takato and Guilmon fused into one entity. The Royal Knight Gallantmon stepped out of the light, his lance and shield glistening in the morning sun. He walked towards the fake Henry, prepared for battle.
"You will tell me who you are, why you know me, and what you have done to Henry." Gallantmon spoke calmly.
"I'd like to see you try and make me." Fake Henry scoffed.
"Then let's get to it!" Gallantmon burst forward with his lance pointing towards fake Henry. The dark Digidestined jumped away, allowing the lance to harmlessly strike at the earth. As Gallantmon pulled his weapon from the dirt, fake Henry unleashed a counter attack by jumping into the air and punching at the Royal Knight. Gallantmon lifted his shield, blocking the attack, but Henry firmly planted his fist into the center of the shield, pushing hard against the Knight, who had to struggle to stand.
"I can't believe Henry's that powerful." Matt gasped as he held the unconscious Veemon in his arms. "He's just a kid like us, yet he's going toe to toe with a Royal Knight." He watched as Gallantmon flung the boy into the air and jumped after him, ready to attack with his lance, but Henry twirled around in the air and kicked Gallantmon in the back, throwing him into the street. Gallantmon sprung to his feet and blocked just as Henry launched another kick at him, using his shield to soften the blow.
"For whatever reason, the fact that the dark needle has been growing within him for so long gives Henry extraordinary powers," Tai explained, "He has the ability to take down any human or Digimon that stands in his way. I don't even know if a Royal Knight can take him down."
"I remember you telling me about what had happened to him," Matt responded, "But I just didn't fathom it would be anything like this." Fake Henry then started repeatedly punching against Gallantmon's shield, knocking the Knight onto his back. Gallantmon quickly recovered, pushing back up to his feet as Henry came at him. The monster took the offensive this time, throwing his lance forward towards the dark tamer.
"I hope Gallantmon is careful." Jeri sighed. "Whatever the darkness is that's controlling him, it's not Henry's fault. He's still a human being and we can't hurt him."
"Do not fear Jeri," Lunamon tried to comfort her partner, while Swanmon tended to Junpei and Gaomon, picking them up and setting them next to Davis and Veemon. "I have no doubts that Gallantmon will do whatever is necessary to make sure that nobody is injured."
"I'm afraid he may have already failed in that regard." Swanmon sighed. "Gallantmon has acted rashly, and engaged the enemy in an area where there are too many vulnerable lives. The young Digimon here could be seriously injured if this fight gets out of hand."
"Don't worry Swanmon, I'm sure they've already taken that into account." Tai spoke. "Gallantmon knows what he's doing, trust me. You never underestimate a Royal Knight."
Fake Henry snatched at his opponent's lance, thrusting it into the air. Gallantmon swung the weapon back down, attempting to crash it against Henry's skull, but the boy swiftly pushed away and rolled to the side, then rushed for Gallantmon as the Digidestined forced his arm to stop before crashing into the dirt again. Henry's fist collided with the knight's shield as the hybrid Digimon reacted just in time to block the potentially deadly blow from the teen.
"Your strength is incredible," Gallantmon grunted as the two were locked in a standstill. "I cannot believe that the dark needle is the sole source of such strength. From what wells do you draw your power?"
"Heh," Henry scoffed, "I'd bet you'd love to know all about that," He glared, digging his heels into the ground, "But I have a question for you first: why are you holding back against me? I know this isn't the extent of your power. I want to fight a Royal Knight at his greatest potential, not attack against an opponent who is merely fending off my strikes."
"Trust me, you don't want to experience my full potential," Gallantmon warned, "But if you'd like a stronger taste, all you have to do is tell me what I want to know. Who are you?"
"Ugh, I grow tired of this game," Henry growled, "If you're not going to use your maximum potential against me then what's the use of fighting you?" Henry rammed his other fist into the shield, letting dark energy flow across its face.
"Tell me who you are!" Gallantmon commanded, swinging his shield back at Henry. The boy strafed to avoid the blow and came up from the side to jab at Gallantmon's gut. This one caught the mega by surprise, and he was thrown sideways by the force of Henry's strike. Gallantmon quickly recovered, spinning around to face his opponent, but Henry had disappeared. "What?" He mumbled, eyes darting back and forth, scouting the area for the dark Digidestined.
"You gotta be quicker than that!" A voice snarled from behind him. Gallantmon twisted around to see Henry flying down at him from above. Gallantmon jumped back, but not in time to avoid Henry's foot as it slammed into his cheek. Gallantmon's head flew to the side and his body followed, an aching crack sounding from his spine.
"Agh!" Gallantmon cried as he slammed into the ground. He brushed off the pain and leaped to his feet, twisted around to meet Henry again and thrust his weapon forward. Henry was prepared, jumping up into the air just as Gallantmon stood up and bouncing off the Knight's javelin and spinning to gain momentum as he slammed his heel into Gallantmon's face. The Digimon's armor exploded under the pressure, tearing into the mega's face. Gallantmon fell once again, his bloodied face burning in pain. The monster dropped to his knee, trying to catch his breath, but Henry wouldn't let up. The boy punched at the back of Gallantmon's neck, knocking the Digimon face first onto the ground. Henry then grasped at his arm, squeezing so tightly his armor started to crack, and spun him around, then grabbed him by the neck and lifted him into the air.
"How can you be so strong…?" Gallantmon groaned pitifully, the defeat in his voice clear, "Who-no, what are you?"
"Heh, very well," Henry smiled wickedly, pulling Gallantmon in closely, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely, wouldn't you agree?" He whispered into the Digimon's ear.
"I don't understand, what does that have to do with anything?!" Gallantmon roared.
"It means that when an individual, or a group of individuals, becomes too accustomed to living the life of luxury due to the power they hold over others, then no matter how well their intentions for those that they rule, they begin to take advantage of the weak and the misfortuned and put their own personal gain above anyone else."
"Wait, you mean…?" Gallantmon slowly began to understand.
"When that happens," Henry hissed, "Certain individuals have to take action in order to destroy the current system, oftentimes bringing chaos as a result, in order to overthrow the oppressors, even though they were once soldiers of good."
"It can't be…" Gallantmon gasped.
"I am the bringer of chaos, Royal Knight," Henry smiled, "And I will break down the system you've fought for so long to protect. You thought you had gotten rid of me, but I will never stop, I will never rest, until you and the rest of the Royal Knights no longer exist to oppress this world with your flawed ideas of law and order."
"But we killed you," The monster sighed, his eyelids falling as exhaustion set in.
"You cannot kill an idea." Henry growled with a wicked smile, and with that he smashed his hand into the mega's gut, crushing his insides as Gallantmon screamed in agony, data fluttering in the wind as it flaked off of his armor and into oblivion.
Port USB, File Island
10:14 A.M
Jijimon's body shook as he took the last step off of the dock and onto dry land. He heavily favored his cane, leaning against it as he took in deep gasps of air. His partner, Lilamon, gracefully glided down the dock and lightly stepped down onto the earth next to him. The flower Digimon looked down at him, a mixture of concern and anger on her face. Lilamon hadn't wanted Jijimon to make this journey. It was too taxing, she had said. The elder mega Digimon wouldn't be able to survive the trip, or if he did it would cause great strain on his body. However Jijimon had insisted. He had a mission, and aimed to complete it. The fate of the Digital Wold was more important than his health, though that was something that was hard to explain to Lilamon.
"Jijimon, please, why do you insist on pushing yourself this hard?" Lilamon stressed as they walked down the street towards the edge of town. "What could possibly be so important that you would put yourself at this great a risk to travel such a long way?"
"My dear, I know you mean well, but you must understand that there are some things that are more important than one's own wellbeing. There are times when we must put aside our own desires and do what must be done for the sake of the Digital World."
"And these are one of those times?" Lilamon inquired. "I don't understand. The evil tamers have been defeated, what could there possibly be that threatens us so badly?"
"The answer lies in Primary Village, my dear." Jijimon said softly. "The Digidestined are there now, fighting one of the greatest enemies our world has ever known."
"And you know this for sure?" Lilamon asked skeptically.
"Don't pass off my feelings as the ravings of a madman young girl," Jijimon grumbled, "I've been around for a long time, longer than most Digimon should be, and the wisdom I've collected over the years is finally being put to the test." He stopped for a second, leaning against his cane to catch his breath. "There are mysteries in this world that are known to all but a few, and today, we shall unleash those mysteries for the entire world to see. I will finally pull the cover off the eyes of the Digital World and rectify the sins of our forefathers."
"You're scaring me Jijimon." Lilamon whimpered.
"As you should be, my child, as you should be."