Author's Note: Welcome to yet another chapter everybody! And greetings to all those who join us on this chapter! It always makes me happy to know that this story has received such positive comments, still surprises me this kicked off as it did. I also got the new craft essence on FGO's Nero event… Didn't get Nero though… But I got Marie! Which is like a non-roman servant… God, I think my luck is D-rank after all, but Marie fine. "Wassup homies!" xD
P.S. Nevermind! On the last day and only a few quarts left, in frustration of not summoning my UMU, I switched over to Story Summon… Use 1 roll…. BAM! UMU APPEARS! Yatta! My Roman Emperor! My life is nearly complete, now all I need is Tamano!
Sarii: The Regalia will not appear in Digital/Extra as the events of Fate/Extella never occurred.
Aliesterus: I always like to twist events. :D
KRP: Yeah, Altera is great but the events of Fate/Extella never occurred, so the Regalia will not appear nor will Hakuno ever think about returning to the Moon Cell, she kinda despises it, even if she makes a lot of comparisons to it. So no Altera, and no Gilgamesh either!
Xanothos: Those poor Tamamos! To bad cliffhangers is a staple in story writing…
Felipezxa: Sí, los sirvientes estarían muy contentos con Hakuno.
ShugoYuuki123: Thank you for the praise! And no, Hakuno-chan is the only one of the DigiDestined to have magic circuits. As for what he has planned for Hakuno, well, we'll just have to figure that out.
Student: HAKUNO WARP DIGIVOLVE TO… MEGA HAKUNOMON!
Warmach1ne32: We all love them friendships, and thanks for the compliments!
Silver Dragon15: Your username, I love it. I'm a bit dragon fanatic. xD. Anyway, man, that scenario would be terrifying for the Digital World. As for a singularity for Chaldea… Mmh… Maybe as a omake sometime! The Digi-Eggs are a bit out of order, Yolei got hers before Davis (the restaurant episode did happen already). But I'm trying to further develop the young Digidestined group as characters, unlike what happened in 02 due to rushed writing and a tight budget.
Korraganitar the Nightshadow: Your username is LONG! Anyway, you want my Fate Grand Order friendship code? I'll give it out to everybody! 325,412,196
The unsung antihero: Thank you for the kind words, and yes, I'm trying to do my best to keep both Fate and the Digimon franchises at the expected levels of power. I'm not going to beat around the bush and downgrade/buff either one. But of course, everything is up to the interpretation of the writer/reader concerning this stuff so different opinions will be everywhere.
Enjoy the chapter everybody! Live or die by the sword! What power lies in your hand? Dancing flames, decaying earth, withered ocean!
Digital/Extra
Chapter 36: Reliability
A beam of green energy collided explosively against the side of the Oil Platform in a flash of light, its target, an Ebidramon, had evaded the attacks just a moment before. The culprit behind the strike was Pegasusmon, as the digimon flew in the air with its partner, Takeru, mounted on its backside.
"Careful, we don't want to damage the platform with the others inside!" Takeru exclaimed over the wind.
"I'm sorry, T.K. The Ebidramon are very agile in the water, it makes it difficult to hit them without damaging the platform," the winged digimon apologized in reply.
"I know, and Kari is dealing with another Ebidramon while Davis is trying to find a way to get down to them, we need to at least keep them distracted," He said.
"What of Megaseadramon?" Pegasusmon questioned.
"We can't match an ultimate its size right now, at least, not without Hakuno's help," Takeru stated. The armor digimon were around the same level of most champion digimon, but the power gap between each digivolution state was incredibly noticeable, only a few exceptions of certain digimon could match another of a more advanced state.
Patamon could evolve into Angemon, one of the few champion digimon that can match an ultimate. However, if those Dark Rings on the Ebidramon were any indication meant that there was a Control Spire nearby that would certainly power those, as well as stop any normal digivolution.
But Hakuno's partner was a wild card, they didn't fall in with the typical power scaling of Digimon but rather were classified in entirely different ways to deal with various opponents by their unique skill sets. A confusing line of thought, though it worked in their favor.
With the Heroic Spirits or Servants as Hakuno would also call them, they stood a higher chance of success against ultimate level Digimon, as they deal a range of different damage on the Dark Spirals than their own Digimon could.
That's not to say that without them they couldn't free those Digimon from Ken, but the case of the point was clear.
"T.K!" The voice of Hikari caused Takeru to look across towards her.
Hikari came riding on top her Digimon partner's backside, the Egyptian inspired sphynx floating in the air.
"Kari, any luck?" He asked.
She shook her head, "No, the Ebidramon are too quick to hit their Dark Rings… Without an aquatic digimon, we can't get anywhere."
"Mhm… Have you tried contacting Joe?" He asked about the older DigiDestined.
"No answer, he's probably in class or something," Kari replied.
"That just leaves us to think of another way then…" He trailed off, trying to think of a solution to the current situation.
"That's it Raidramon! Show them what for!" Daisuke's voice yelled loudly with optimism. The goggle-head boy running along the bridge side as his armor-digivolved partner blasted the Ebidramon in their way with electrical attacks, which were quite effective against the aquatic Digimon.
"Thunder Blast!" A ball of lightning shoots forth from Raidramon, which collided with an Ebidramon, destroying the Dark Ring with its electrical discharge. The blue digimon leaped on top of a metal platform, "Am I cool or what?" He commented.
"Definitely in my book!" Daisuke grinned, "Let's get to our friends down there," He said as he rushed towards the entrance, opened it, and then entered. His hands grasped hold of some rails as he bent over and looked downward, spotting Halsemon flying upward but a current of water flowing down that blocked his vision of anything below that.
"Davis, we have a problem!" Yolei shouted as Halsemon levitated upward and dropped Yolei on the safety of the exit.
Daisuke noticed the issue, "Where's Cody and Hakuno?"
Caster suddenly dropped in between them, "The water pushed my Master off during our retreat! And I can feel her being threatened right now! I need to get back down there!"
Daisuke looked down again, with that pressure of water flooding in even he knew that it would be a bad idea. He looked to the holes than to Caster, he clenched his teeth in frustration.
Then it came to him.
"Ah, Caster right?" He spoke.
"Yes, flame boy?" She replied while looking a bit distressed.
"Can you seal the holes with ice? I remember you used tags to summon ice against Skullgreymon," Daisuke questioned.
"Wait," Yolei said, "Even then, there is no guaranteed the water pressure would be stronger than the ice and break it apart."
"Yolei is right, it could shatter and harm them below," Halsemon spoke.
"Oh, that tempts me, curses!" Caster bared her teeth like fangs in frustration, "And I can't whip up my special move without draining my Master dry! As kinky as that may sound I'll never consider using her!"
Whether the Heroic Spirit meant that in terms the DigiDestined could or could not understand was lost on them as the situation was too prevalent to react.
Takeru suddenly came through the doorway, "Everybody alright- Where's Cody and Hakuno?!" He spoke.
"They're trapped under the water pressure currents rushing out of the damaged holes!" Yolei replied.
"Well, there are going to be more of those if we don't take care of the Ebidramon and also Megaseadramon!" Takeru stated.
Caster whipped around, "I'll take care of that annoying water snake! Though without my Master I'll need some big back up, I can't take a hit!" She glanced around before pointing at Daisuke, "You!"
"Huh, me!?" Daisuke said while pointing at himself.
"Until my husband can get out you are my temporary lesser Master substitute!" The fox girl announced, "I don't know why my cute Master favors you, but I'll place my judgment with her! She's never failed me before!"
"Lesser Master…" Daisuke's eye twitched a bit, "What does that even mean?"
"Just treat me like another partner like you did with that blue lizard!" Caster explained, "Now, orders?"
Iori 'Cody' Inoue gasped for air as he surfaced from the water, scrambling to grab hold of something to keep him afloat before grasping an elevated piece of metal. It would do, for now, however, it the water levels would eventually rise above it. He heaved with all his strength, and Hakuno breached the water's surface and also grabbed hold of the pole.
"T-thanks," Hakuno said, below her Armadillomon also came up, having helped Cody drag the Digital Human from underneath the waves. His shells also served as a floatation, however slight that was and strange it could be as he was based off an armadillo, not a turtle.
But nobody argued against the logic, especially now.
He nodded and took a moment to collect himself, after regaining his breath he glanced around for a possible exit. Outside of going above, there didn't seem to be any other way to get out of here.
Fear gripped him, he always had nightmares about being trapped on the ocean floor, unable to breathe. But that was that, a dream, where he woke up at an end. This was the reality, and unlike dreams, he could do something about it. The issue is the only way up was blocked, if the water levels rose to that point and somehow he was able to keep Hakuno up at the surface, even then they would be tossed around by the incoming water pressure that would surely bury them under the ocean. He doubted he had the arm strength to swim through it, coupled with the fact he'll have to carry Hakuno as well meant it wasn't an option.
Armadillomon would help, of course, the digimon was a surprisingly great swimmer, but even he could not aid both Hakuno and his human partner at the same time. Armor Digivolution was also out of the picture, as Digmon would be more counterproductive and actually might worsen the situation than help in any way.
"Cody, look!" Armadillomon spoke out, pointing to something in his sight.
Cody looked towards the direction his partner was aiming at, it was a half submerged window but inside it was a submarine. He smiled in hope.
"Good eye!" He complimented, then looked towards Hakuno, "Hey, we need to get over there! I know you can't swim but it's our best shot!"
"O-okay!" Hakuno said, seeing the logic in the action now that she has calmed down.
They better hurry though, which each passing moment the water continues to climb, soon the window would be completely submerged and with it, their only window of escape. It was a struggle against the furious momentum of water and time itself. Armadillomon acted as a sort of makeshift life raft for Hakuno's movements, the only thing Hakuno had to do was kick in the right direction. In a basic point of view, Hakuno was getting a swimming 101 lesson right then and there.
Cody had it rougher, even though he was in fit condition due to his training with his grandfather, that didn't negate the fact that he was still a child with a body of a child. He barely held his own against the waves created by the falling sea water, but remarkably he could.
It made Hakuno feel worse, she was the one who was older than all the young DigiDestined, yet she they continued to help her in all her foolishness and incompetence in skills outside of battle.
In a fight, Hakuno outclassed the young DigiDestined, but outside combat she was a novice, not ignorant, just lacking in daily skills. It wasn't her fault, she knew that logically, but emotionally it felt like it was.
Hakuno slammed her fist on the button displayed against the wall, the window opened up and the current nearly dragged both her and Armadillomon within the small compartment. She managed to grasp a hold on the upper angle which stopped them from heading in.
"Cody, it's open!" She exclaimed towards the child Digidestined.
The boy breathed heavily but managed to make it to the place, he grabbed hold of one of the submarine's wings and took a clear look at it.
It was way too small, it could barely fit Hakuno in if she entered, let alone three individuals.
A dilemma.
"Cody… You can go in," Hakuno said.
"No way!" He said, "You can't swim, I can, and I also have Armadillomon! You should enter and escape while you can!" He argued.
Hakuno Kishinami shook her head, her face making raw emotional shifts as she herself faced internal debate. "Not again, I can't let someone like her vanish when I had a choice!"
Cody opened the hatch, the submarine now floating on the water, he didn't understand what Hakuno was talking about but this time he'll be the one helping her. His fear meant nothing if someone, a friend, was faced with danger while he escaped safe and sound!
"Armadillomon!"
"Right!" His partner agreed.
Then, with combined effort, they pushed Hakuno into the submarine.
"Cody, what are you doing! No, you can't! I saw you can't handle those waters!" Hakuno argued with extreme emotion, it took Cody considerable willpower to ignore it.
"Hakuno," He stated firmly as he could, causing the Digital Human to stop. "I can't be safe and sound knowing someone else will be in danger while I fled safe and sound… I've felt since the time with Asuramon that maybe I haven't done enough to help you. I want you to know that like Davis, Hikari, Takeru, and all the others! That you can rely on me just as much! Now go!"
He slammed the ignition, closing the submarine hatch and trapping Hakuno within as the backside opened and the Digital Human escaped.
"Cody!" She yelled as she the distance grew.
"Well partner, I know you made the right choice," Armadillomon said.
"Yeah… It feels nice, to know that you can help others over yourself…" Cody said as the water levels continued to rise.
"That's why you are my partner, and I'll stick by you no matter what!" He exclaimed.
"Yeah! We'll make out of here! Because we can't help Hakuno and the others while we are trapped! I have to show that they can rely on me even after this!" Cody said.
Then, a bright purple radiance suddenly outshines the water, then outbursts a glowing Digi-Egg from the middle of the area. It hovered there, emblazoned with the symbol that Cody had displayed so faithfully.
"Cody that is-" Armadillomon spoke.
"The Digi-Egg of Reliability!" Cody answered.
It hovered towards Cody who grasped it in his hand, his D-3 in his pocket shined with a blazing light as the boy nodded.
Taking a deep breath he raised it the best he could, "Digimental Up!"
Digimental Evolution
"Armadillomon digimental shinka!"
The Armadillo digimon was enveloped in a bright light with the shining gray symbol of Reliability, before coming out was a large metallic drill attached to a long white vehicle with purple underbelly that could be easily identified as a submarine, as each side came out four flippers, the front two larger than the back just below. On the newly evolved digimon's side, a unique red mark with multiple crystal shapes.
"Submarimon, Guardian of Reliability!"
"I find this way too convenient, but who am I to argue?" Cody said as he climbed aboard the Digimon and entered its portable hatchway.
"Let's get out of here then," Submarimon stated as the armor digimon dived forward and drilled its way out with ease.
"Look!" Cody said, his sight catching Megaseadramon, "He's going after Hakuno's pod! We have to stop it!"
"Aye aye," Submarimon replied, "Oxygen Torpedo!"
Two small hatches opened up and out burst solid missiles made of air. Seeing how this was the Digital World, such a thing could be believable. The missiles traveled quickly through the waters and impacted harshly against the tough golden head of Megaseadramon, gathering his attention away from Hakuno Kishinami's escape vessel and towards Submarimon with Cody.
"Lightning Javelin!" A streak of lightning discharges from the ultimate digimon's dagger-like horn, and barely scratches against the side of Submarimon.
"This is going to be harder than I thought!" Cody said.
"Yeah, let's hope the others are faring better!" Submarimon said.
Meanwhile, Hakuno Kishinami's submarine breached the surface...