AN: Oh boy, new chapter. So this one took awhile because honestly it's one of the most important chapters so far. This my friends is Takato and Guilmon's origins and what they did during the 5 years they were in the digital world. It's obviously not everything and I've been tempted to do a side series about their adventures but that'd probably happen after this story is finished. In addition I've come to announce the story is nearly halfway finished as there'll be 40 chapters and an epilogue. So anyway on to the story and please, if you enjoy it leave a review and tell me what you liked, it'd mean a lot to me.

Digimon Tamer: Hazards Sorrow

Episode 19: The Beginning of Sorrow

The Digital World(5 Years Ago)

It had been a few days since the tamers had been in the Digital World and since then they've learned it was nothing like the show. This world was a desolate wasteland where every digimon they'd met had tried to kill them, it was a harsh climate that made you fight to even survive and even worse data streams roamed the land sending you off to who knows where if you were caught in one. That's what had happened to them, Ai, Kazu and Kenta had been caught in one and had left Takato and Mako alone with Guilmon and Impmon.

The four had found a cave to rest in for the night and they currently sat around it, Guilmon already asleep and Mako nearly ready to fall asleep. After a long silence Impmon spoke up, "So what's the plan goggles? We get to the sovereign, you really think a bunch of ultimates can take him down?" Takato said nothing, truthfully he'd been out of it since coming to the digital world, still recovering from his parents deaths. Mako however answered for him, "Aw don't worry about that Impmon, everything usually turned out alright in the show so I'm sure it'll turn out alright for us too, who knows maybe a miraculous digivolution will happen." Takato looked at Mako and scowled, "This isn't the show Mako, it's real life you should've figured that out by now. If we aren't ready for the sovereign we could all die."

Noticing he'd raised his voice Takato frowned, "Sorry" Mako nodded in understanding, "I know you're going through a lot right now so I understand if you're feeling a little angry." Takato said nothing and continued to stare at the fire they'd made, Mako ended up going to sleep a little later and now Takato was left with Impmon the two sharing an awkward silence. Imp cleared his throat, "So uh, how ya doing after all this goggles? Losing the people you came out of can't be easy."

Takato sighed, "The only thing keeping me together right now is you guys, I'd probably snap if I lost any of you. There's so many questions about what will happen if we get out of here in one piece, where will I go without my parents?" Impmon nodded slowly, "Well we ain't going anywhere goggles so let's just worry about the sovereign." Takato nodded and the rest of the night was spent in comfortable silence between the two until Takato eventually fell asleep.

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Shinjuku, Japan(Present Day)

Two weeks, it had been two weeks since the Tamers had decided to stake out the cafe in Nakano Broadway and since then they hadn't seen Shibumi. They'd taken turns skipping school so they could be there at all hours of the day and at night but despite all the time they spent there they'd yet to find him. The owner had offered to let them know if he saw him but they declined, thinking Shibumi might not come back if he knew they were looking for him. Today luck was on their side though as casually sitting there as they all got there on a Sunday was Shibumi, typing away at a computer and drinking coffee.

They went up to them and waited for him to notice them, after 5 minutes of watching him type away Alice cleared her throat, "Uh excuse me, Mr. Shibumi?" He looked up at them and stopped typing, "Oh you kids, the tamers working for the evil government agency, what do you want?" Rika frowned at him, "Only those three are, two of us were on Takato's side and speaking of Takato we had some questions for you." Shibumi nodded, "Depends on what the questions are?" Ryo sat down in front of him, "Listen man we noticed that you and Takato seemed to know what's going down, so we wanted to know if there's some kind of big bad guy behind the Digimon coming to the human world."

Shibumi frowned and shook his head, "Sorry kids, I promised Takato not to say anything." Jeri sighed, "Please Mr, Shibumi we just want to know if there's something worse out there than the random Digimon." Shibumi continued to type away at his laptop ignoring her, "Unless you have any other questions I need you kids to leave, I'm helping a friend of mine work on this thing he's working on, he's calling it EDEN and I need to get this coding done." Henry frowned and sat down in the chair next to Ryo, directly in front of Shibumi, "Mr. Shibumi, My name is Henry Wong and I get that you don't like us or HYPNOS and you're trying to respect whatever Takato asked you, but please if we want to honor him we need to know what we're up against."

Upon hearing Henry's last name Shibumi perked up, "Hmmm Wong was it? Tell me Henry what do you plan to do if I tell you? Go in guns blazing and try to recklessly fight evil?" Henry shook his head, "No, personally Mr. Shibumi I'd rather not fight if I don't have to, these Digimon are living beings and I hate destroying them but someones sending them into this world and I want to stop it before someone gets hurt, before someone besides Takato dies because we were left in the dark."

Shibumi smiled lightly at him, "Boy you sure do sound like Tao, fine I'll tell you, It all starts back to when I first met Takato 5 years ago." He sat back in his chair and began to drift off, back to the time he first met a scrappy and slightly damaged brown haired boy with goggles.

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Digital World(5 Years Ago)

They reunited if only briefly, the tamers had reunited and for the first time since coming to the digital world laughed. Kazu and Kenta told them of meeting the two elderly digimon Jijimon and Babamon, Ai simply said they would be a good place to go if they ever needed someplace safe in the digital world. Sadly that didn't last, Takato, Mako and Impmon had been sucked into a data stream and unfortunately for Takato he was separated from Guilmon. The three had ended up near a lake and learned that they could breathe underwater if they simply thought they could, even their clothes managed to stay dry.

That wasn't the strangest part though, they had found what seemed to be a large mansion and had gone inside against their better judgement. They'd found themselves in what seemed to be a college classroom and Mako looked around in awe, "Man who do you think lives here?" Takato frowned, "Hopefully someone friendly." Impmon smiled cockily, "I wouldn't worry either way, cause if they mess with us I'll just give them a bada boom." Suddenly what seemed to be a man with long blonde hair and beard appeared through the doors causing Takato to point in shock, "I think that's the owner, and he just phased through the walls."

The man looked over at them and smiled, "Oh hello, it's not often I get any guests besides the Digignomes." Takato stepped away still wary of him, "So who are you and what are Digignomes." The floated over to them, "My name is Gorou Mizuno, I'm one of the monster makers." Mako looked at him confused, "What's a monster maker?" Mizuno scratched his chin, "We're the group that created the programs that would become the digimon, although after we were shut down I continued the project which eventually resulted in the digital world." Takato nodded, "So Mr. Mizuno you created the digimon."

Mr. Mizuno nodded, "Call me Shibumi, in a way yes but I really just created the early versions, they evolved on their own." Impmon scowled at him, "So what, you're basically my god?" Shibumi laughed and shook his head, "Heavens no, I'm just a man who was interested in the possibility of digital life." Takato frowned, "So if you created the Digimon, are you the reason we're tamers." Shibumi nodded slowly, "Kind of, the Digignomes are technically the ones who handed out blue cards to create your D-Arcs and establish connections with your partners but it was all random, you weren't chosen by me or anything. So tell me what your names are." Mako smiled at him, "My name is Mako Kurosaki and this loud mouthed digimon is my partner Impmon."

Takato sighed, "My name is Takato Matsuki and unfortunately I got separated from my partner Guilmon." Shibumi's eyes lit up upon hearing the name, "Guilmon! Are you the boy who created his own digimon? Oh my boy you made me impressed, creating your own art, stats and digivolutions for a digimon and scanning it, it helped advance my research seeing the digignomes grant your wish." Takato nodded, "Uh thanks, so what are Digignomes?" Suddenly a small creature floated into the room causing Shibumi to smile, "That's a Digignome, they're small creatures that originated from the digital world just like Digimon, but instead they have the power to grant wishes, it's what brought your partner to life."

Takato looked at the flying gnome, "Ok so why did you create us tamers anyway?" Shibumi frowned, "You see there's actually 4 sections of the digital world, divided into quadrants and somehow there's each a human world connected to it." Impmon raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean 4 human worlds." Shibumi walked over to a white board located in the room and began to draw on it, "You see when the Digital World was in its infancy something extremely powerful split reality, resulting in 4 digital worlds and 4 human worlds, I think it was in order to protect itself from enemies. Now because of this there eventually came to be 4 guardians of each quadrant, the digimon sovereign, this quadrant is the southern one and it's sovereign is Zhuqiaomon."

Takato frowned, "Yeah we know, he doesn't like humans and kidnapped a friend of ours." Shibumi continued to draw out the different worlds for them, "You see each quadrant seemed to have humans who became partnered with Digimon in order to defend it, the eastern quadrant has the Digidestined who's adventures somehow became known here as the show Digimon Adventure." Takato looked at him in shock, "So the show was real?" Shibumi nodded, "Loosely I'd say, it's probably not entirely accurate, but due to reality fluctuations someone in your world had a dream or idea about them and it became the show. Anyway every quadrant besides here had something like that so I decided to take matters into my own hands so just in case some evil attacked the human world."

Takato nodded, "Ok so that's a lot to take in, but I have to ask any chance you can get us to the sovereign?" Shibumi frowned, "I can, but I really can't guarantee you'd defeat him, it could be suicide." Mako shook his head, "Well we can't let him hurt our friend, if he did then things could get a lot worse and we don't want that." Shibumi nodded, "Alright then, I'll send you in an arc I've been working on, just tell it where you want to go and it'll get you there."

He led them to what appeared to be a giant version of their digivices and the middle opened, with Mako and Impmon going inside. Before he got in Takato turned to Shibumi, "Thank you Shibumi, I hope we meet again." Shibumi smiled as he went inside the arc and it began to take off, "Me too, I really liked you." He waved to them as they left, hoping that they'd be able to defeat the sovereign.

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Takato shook his head as he regained some semblance of his senses, the arc had crashed into the ground, something that would've been nice to have been warned about. It had crashed into the ground when it got them to the sovereign's domain and now he was picking himself off the ground and trying to regain his senses. Mako sat up and brushed himself off, "Well that was unexpected." Impmon crossed his arms in annoyance, "Yeah, remind me next time we see Shibumi to give him a bada boom." Takato began to look around at the area, it certainly wasn't impressive for the sovereign, rocky wasteland, a pit and what seemed to be a waterfall. It was hot though and he tugged on his shirt, "Well this certainly seems the perfect place for an evil Digimon." Suddenly a data stream appeared and Takato and Mako began to run as they didn't want to be sucked into it again.

However it was what came out that surprised them, their friends had appeared, Guilmon having somehow digivolved into Growlmon was carrying Kazu and Kenta. They began to wave to them as Growlmon charged up to him and hugged him, "TAKATOMON oh I'm so glad you're ok, I felt like something was wrong and I was worried so then a data stream sucked us up and no we're here." Takato began to rub his belly happy to see him again, "How did the data stream get you here though?" Ai came up to them riding Coredramon and hopped off, "Growlmon thought you guys were in trouble and the data stream seemed to react to him, though you guys seem fine." Mako nodded, "Well we may have had a rough landing getting here but that's about it."

They began to laugh happy to be reunited before they heard a sigh. Mako turned to his partner who was frowning, "What's wrong Impmon?" Impmon frowned, "You know I was almost hoping you kids wouldn't make it here, since that'd mean I'd have to end this stupid charade but since you did I guess I have to deal with it." Kazu looked at him, "What are you talking about man?" Impmon smiled slightly, "I've been tricking you dunderheads since I got to the human world." He began to glow, "IMPMON WARP DIGIVOLVE TO" He grew to be 7 feet tall and soon a biker looking digimon appeared, "BEELZEMON"

Mako looked at his partner, "Impmon what's going on?" Beelzemon laughed, "There never was an Impmon, this whole thing has been a ruse. Shibumi's little experiment was easy to infiltrate and we wanted to see how much a threat you tamers would be, and clearly you're more of a threat than we realized." Kenta frowned in confusion, "So what about the sovereign?" Beelzemon laughed once again, this time harder than before, "The sovereign was never a threat, he's my lackey who I've been giving orders to, the deva's were all sent by me and after I eliminate all of you then I'll go clean up loose ends."

Takato frowned, "Something tells me we might want to digivolve." Beelzemon smiled and removed one of his shotguns from it's holster, "You're right, you might want to. DOUBLE IMPACT!" With a sick and twisted grin on his face the shotgun fired and time seemed to stop as Takato struggled to get at a blue card, he watched as the attack hit it's target. But none of their digimon were the targets, the shotgun shells hit Mako and Takato watched in horror as his friend fell to the ground, dead instantly. Ai screamed in horror, "MAKO!" Beelzemon laughed and stepped over his corpse, "No need for him anymore, now who's next?"

Given an answer WarGrowlmon, Wingdramon and Andromon charged at him but he effortlessly repelled them all, not even WarGrowlmon could scratch him as he continued to laugh. Kazu turned to Kenta who didn't seem to be doing anything, "Kenta what are you doing? We need to attack this guy." Kenta shook his head, "No we need to escape, he killed Mako and he'll kill us too." Beelzemon jumped away from the Digimon and appeared behind Kenta, "That's the idea four eyes." Smiling with glee he thrust his claw through Kenta's chest, killing him instantly as Kazu watched in horror, "Kenta!" The body dropped to the ground as Penguinmon tried attacking him before he too was swiftly deleted by a simple swipe of Beelzemon's claws. Kazu grit his teeth, angry at seeing his best friend killed before him, "Damn you, Andromon get him."

Andromon appeared behind Beelzemon and fired an attack at him, "LIGHTNING BLADE" Beelzemon did nothing to dodge the attack as it hit him and didn't even leave a scratch, "Heh that tickled." He jumped forward and grabbed Andromon by his head, starting to squeeze until the robot's head practically popped like a balloon. He loaded the deleted robots data and smiled, "Who's next?" He laughed as he approached Kazu who stood there emotionless, struggling to understand that his partner who he thought was invincible had been killed effortlessly. Beelzemon didn't seem to care though casually putting his gun to his face and pulling the trigger, the fresh corpse falling to the ground. Beelzemon bent down and picked up Kazu and Kenta's Digivices and smiled, "I think I'll keep these as trophies." He turned around though as something large was rushing towards him "RADIATION BLADE"

WarGrowlmon who was growing angrier at seeing his friends die rushed towards him, but Beelzemon simply dodged ever swing he took, dancing around the blades, "You forget chowda head I know your every move, I watched you grow from a baby into a killing machine." WarGrowlmon growled at him, "Try this then." He got Beelzemon into a bear hug and began to charge his gunports, "ATOMIC BLASTER" The attack hit Beelzemon at point blank range and there was a massive explosion nearly causing Takato and Ai to be blown back. As the dust settled Ai looked to Wingdramon with near tears in her eyes, "Go make sure he's dead." Wingdramon nodded as Takato fell to his knees, his friends were dying around him, his partner was possibly gone as well. He couldn't take it, why couldn't Beelzemon kill him too, why did this even have to happen?

WingDramon approached the dust settling and as he looked to see if Beelzemon or WarGrowlmon survived he was met by a purple light, "DARKNESS CLAW" Ai screamed in shock as her partner was deleted instantly and Beelzemon stepped out of the dust, barely scratched. WarGrowlmon was behind him, unconscious as he began to laugh, "Chowda head nearly got me, I'll give him credit he's the strongest you kids got." He began to walk towards him as Ai began to tug at Takato's arm, "Takato we need to run, we can maybe get out of here, please just do something." Takato didn't budge as he sat on his knees looking down on the ground, he'd stopped caring about anything. Beelzemon laughed as he approached him, "Awww has goggles lost the will to live, you know I thought you were joking when he said he'd break if he lost his friends but I guess he was serious. I was maybe gonna let him live since he wasn't that bad of a guy but I guess I'll put him out of his misery." He pointed his guns at Takato and pulled the trigger, "DOUBLE IMPACT"

Takato did nothing to move out of the way, he looked up waiting for the release of death but it never came. Ai stood in the way taking the hit for him as she fell backwards, Takato registering what was happening caught her body as he began to cry. Barely clinging to life she smiled at him, "Takato." He shook his head, "Ai why? It should've been me." She put a hand on his face, "Because you need to live, if anyone can survive this it'll be you, get stronger Takato, get strong and defeat him one day. Avenge him for us." She closed her eyes and her hand fell to the ground, Takato felt the life leave her as he began to register what had happened. His friends were dead, he was alone and all he heard was Beelzemon's laughing, "One left huh, maybe I should spare you so you can maybe give me a challenge one day." Takato finally felt something after all this time, he'd been feeling empty since watching his friends die but now one emotion remained, anger.

He clenched his fists and practically growled as he looked to WarGrowlmon, "Digivolve, I order you to Digivolve." Beelzemon raised an eyebrow at him, "You lose your marbles goggles? Chowda head is down for the count he ain't digivolving." Takato knew Guilmon felt his emotions, he began to channel all his anger into him and it appeared to be working as WarGrowlmon opened his eyes, them completely glowing red as the symbol on this chest began to flash red. Takato smiled, "Yes that's right, get up, digivolve to mega, your master commands it, DIGIVOLVE TO MEGA!" The world began to shake around them as Beelzemon looked back to see WarGrowlmon roar as he was enveloped in red light, "WARGROWLMON DIGIVOLVE TO"

What emerged was exactly was Takato hoped for, a fiery dragon that seemed to come from someones nightmares, it had a serpent like tail, blades on its arms and claws on its hands. It's wings were frayed at the end and its body covered in metal. It let out a massive roar as it fully emerged, "MEGIDRAMON!" He snarled at seeing Beelzemon who smiled at it, "Oh yeah now this is what I'm talking about, I knew you had it in ya goggles." Takato seemed to glow red as his digivice began to crack from all the power Megidramon had. Beelzemon began to shoot at it but Megidramon seemed to ignore it as it snarled at him once again, releasing saliva that was like acid. It roared at him causing a shockwave and then launched itself at him, as Beelzemon staggered back from the loud roar.

Megidramon's mouth burned as he let out fire from his mouth, "Megiddo Flame!" The fire hit Beelzemon who was knocked back as Megidramon went in for a close up, wrapping him in his tail. As Beelzemon felt the life being squeezed out of him and the ground shaking from Megidramon's simple presence he decided a tactical retreat was in order, "BEHEMOTH" A motorcycle appeared and crashed into Megidramon causing him to drop Beelzemon. Beelzemon got onto the motorcycle and frowned, "I'm out of here, I'd rather not be killed by this thing. Mark my words though Matsuki, I will kill you one day." As Megidramon roared Beelzemon drove away, opting to fight another day as Takato stood there still smiling.

His digivice still beeping and cracking from the power as Takato smiled at Megidramon, "We did it boy, you can dedigivolve now." Megidrmon snarled in response as Takato frowned, "Hey did you hear what I said? Dedigivole and let's figure out what to do next." Megidramon snarled again and the next thing Takato knew his claws were extending towards him. As his claws hit him, Takato's digivice shattered, the pieces dissolving into data as Takato looked down to three fresh claw marks in his skin as they began to bleed heavily. Takato felt his flesh burning as Megidramon approached him, "Hey calm down boy, it's me, it's Takatomon."

Megidramon roared as Takato turned around trying to flee but just like his front, Megidramon attacked him on his back leaving claw marks and fresh wounds. Takato began to feel weaker as he fell to the ground, ending up on his back as he felt the blood pool around him. This was it, he was either going to die either by Megidramon's hand or by bleeding out, it didn't matter as he'd join the others soon. He waited for the finishing blow but it never came, he felt something land on him as Guilmon had apparently dedigivolved.

Megidramon probably didn't have energy left as he had attacked his energy source. Takato put a hand on Guilmon and smiled, this was it, he was going to join his parents and friends. As he waited for the end though he couldn't help but notice how quiet it was, despite a large battle taking place the world was now quiet. He hated that and as he felt his consciousness slipping away he couldn't help but look up at the sky, thinking about how he wished he had wings so he could fly in that beautiful sky. Darkness surrounded him as he slipped into unconsciousness hoping that if there was something after death then he'd see his parents there.

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Unknown

His body felt heavy, he felt himself in darkness and he was left wondering if this is where he'd ended up now that he was dead. He tried moving and felt pain throughout his body. Wait was he alive? He opened his eyes and found himself in a white room, technology with blue lights was scattered throughout the room and he found himself in a small but comfy bed. He had bandages on his body but besides that he seemed fine. Looking out the window his eyes widened, he seemed to be in a tree. Despite the palace-like look of the room he was in a tree and he could only wonder how he had gotten there. He looked around and found Guilmon on the ground next to his bed, sleeping peacefully, he frowned remembering what he had done to his partner.

Just thinking back to what happened caused the flood gates to open and tears began to roll down his face. His friends were gone, he watched them die and couldn't do anything about it and what was worse they were killed by a trusted friend. He deserved to die for failing them, he deserved to die for turning Guilmon into a horrible monster. He felt a paw on his hand and looked down to see an awake Guilmon looking at him, "Takatomon what's wrong?" Takato rubbed the tears from his eyes, "Oh Guilmon, I'm so sorry, I turned you into a monster." Guilmon shook his head, "Guilmon was angry too, Impmon took our friends so he wanted him to pay, I digivolved because I wanted to."

Takato frowned, "Do you have any idea how we got here or how I'm even alive?" Guilmon shook his head, "Nope, but we're together and that's all that matters." Takato nodded, "Yeah, I guess it does." Suddenly a bright light appeared in front of him and a digivice appeared from it, it was golden compared to his previous red one and despite his hesitation he reached out and took it, "Guess I'm still a tamer huh?" Guilmon nodded as the door opened and into the room stepped two rather large digimon. Both appeared to be knights, one all black with some gold on his armor and the other white with various colors.

They walked into the room and the black knight looked at the two, "Oh good I see you're up, my name is Alphamon and this…." Takato feeling starstruck finished for him, "OMNIMON!" Omnimon nodded, "I forget that in your world I'm a well known digimon." Takato nodded, "You're like my favorite, I always envisioned Guilmon's mega form would be similar to you." Alphamon sighed, "I know that you're young Takato Matsuki but please save the excitement for later." Takato blushed from embarrassment, "Oh right sorry, so how did I get here anyway." Omnimon looked at him observing his new digivice, "We are the royal knights, 12 digimon assembled together to keep the peace in the digital world, all 4 quadrants of it."

Alphamon took over the explanation, "We sensed a rather large power coming from the sovereign's domain in the southern quadrant and went to investigate, finding you and unfortunately bodies of your fellow tamers. Seeing the digital hazard on your partner's chest and sensing the presence of a demon lord we put together what may have happened." Takato raised an eyebrow, "Demon Lord?" Alphamon nodded, "A group of 7 extremely dark and powerful digimon who each represent a sin, they're our groups biggest enemies and we've been at war with them for years." Takato nodded, "So that's who Beelzemon was." Omnimon's eyes widened, "Beelzemon? He's the demon lord of gluttony and is known for his love of battle and his cruelty, you're lucky to be alive." Takato frowned, "The only reason I'm alive is because I forced my partner to digivolve to mega, he tried to kill me though after Beelzemon fled."

Alphamon nodded, "So that's what happened then? Your partner possesses the digital hazard, making him dark digivolve is something that could put the whole digital world at risk." Takato looked at them confused, "You keep mentioning that, what is this digital hazard?" Omnimon sighed, "The Digital Hazard is the mark on your partner's chest, it holds great destructive power and when used in the wrong hands could spell the end of the digital world. Only one other known Digimon has it, Lucemon of the demon lords and now for some reason your partner has it as well." Takato looked at Guilmon who just looked confused, "Well that explains the way he gets in battle, but how did it get on my partner, I didn't draw him with it." Alphamon shook his head, "Perhaps it was destiny, no human has ever controlled something like the digital hazard."

Takato frowned, "So who do you serve? There's no way a group like the royal knights gathered randomly." Alphamon chuckled softly at his question, "Very astute, we were gathered by King Yggdrasil, he is the ruler of the digital world and the one who long ago separated the digital world into quadrants in an effort to hide himself from his enemies." Takato nodded and looked at his digivice, "So what happens now? You guys know about Guilmon and I and that he's dangerous, what do you plan to do with us?" Omnimon looked down hating the answer to the question, "Unfortunately we have to keep you here, to monitor you and your partner and make sure the hazard doesn't act up again. We know it'd be hard separated from your family but it's for the sake of both worlds."

Takato looked at him, seemingly no emotion in his eyes, "No it's fine, I have no family so I have no problem staying here. I just ask you to help me deal with one problem." Alphamon nodded, "What is it young Takato?" Takato pulled the blanket off of him, preparing to get out of bed, "Beelzemon mentioned Zhuqiaomon was his lackey, he's been attacking the digital world and kidnapped a friend of mine named Calumon. I want to rescue him and stop the sovereign." Omnimon sighed, "A rogue sovereign is bad, left unchecked he could cause great harm to the world.

Plus I've heard of this Calumon, he possesses the catalyst." Alphamon nodded, "More reason to help the young tamer, if Zhuqiaomon and worse the demon lords obtain the power of the catalyst it could be catastrophic." Takto cleared his throat, "Uh what's the catalyst?" Alphamon looked at him, worry filled his eyes, "The catalyst is essentially the power of digivolution, somehow it was implanted in your friend. Takato Matsuki we will help you both to save the digital world and make sure the digital hazard is kept in check." Takato stood up and nodded, "Then let's go, the sooner we defeat him the sooner my friend can be saved." The two knights nodded and turned to exit the room, Takato followed them, the guilt he felt now weighing him down.

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Takato tugged at his shirt as the trio arrived at Zhuqiaomon's inner domain, the remaining Deva's tried giving them trouble but with a few swings from Omnimon's sword they were deleted in seconds. They arrived at the door, Guilmon already digivolved to ultimate as Alphamon held up his hand, a green energy coming from it as the door was blasted open and they stepped inside. The heat became worse as there floated the giant firebird, glaring down at him, "Royal Knights? What are you doing here? And what are you doing with this human?" Takato winced at his booming voice filled with malice as Alphamon stared at him unintimidated, "This human has informed us that you've sworn allegiance to the demon lords, and we simply cannot allow that to go unpunished." Zhuqiaomon roared at them, "The demon lords promised me something you never could, the destruction of those damn humans perverting our world."

Omnimon sighed as he summoned his weapons, "You always were the biggest pain in the ass out of the four of you." Fire began to surround Zhuqiaomon as he flew towards them, "I will not lay down and die by your hands, CRIMSON BLAZE" A swirl of flames came at them and while Alphamon and Omnimon chose to dodge it, Takato quickly swiped one of the few remaining cards he had left, giving WarGrowlmon a shield to block the fire. The shield soon broke though and WarGrowlmon was sent back by the flames, being reduced to Guilmon. Takato, feeling his partner's pain ran towards him, "Guilmon!" He couldn't lose him, not after he'd lost everyone else.

He had always feared this would happen, even if they had made it to the sovereign he would've defeated them easily, they would've been slaughtered either way be it by Beelzemon or Zhuqiaomon. He reached Guilmon who frowned at him, "We can't give up yet Takatomon, I can still fight." Takato shook his head, "If I let you fight again you might become that monster again and I can't let that happen to you." The royal knights were pinned down, having no real means of blocking the intense heat and attacking, they knew they at least had to get to Takato and Guilmon but saw no opening to move. Guilmon put a claw on Takato's hand, "Takatomon if we work together then I'll never become that monster again."

Takato smiled and nodded, "Yeah, you're right, we can do anything together." Guilmon nodded, "So let's fight together, that way we can defeat anything any enemies throw at us, we'll be invincible." Takato smiled and pet his head, "Alright boy, I don't know how but we'll do it. WE'LL FIGHT TOGETHER!" As they stood up Zhuqiaomon launched another attack, "DESOLATION BLAST" He began to launch fireballs from his wings, sending them out everywhere and Alphamon and Omnimon watched helplessly as one fire ball headed towards Takato and Guilmon. They made no efforts to move though and as one nearly collided with them, no one noticed a Digignome pass by as a circle of light enveloped Takato and Guilmon, "BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION!" Takato awoke in what appeared to be a ball of light, he naked and as he noticed his surroundings he frowned, "Ok I'm definitely dead this time." He heard a chuckle come from nowhere, "I don't think we're dead Takatomon."

Takato looked around, wondering where his partner was, "Guilmon? Where are you?" Guilmon thought for a moment, "I'm not sure but I think our wish came true." Takato raised an eyebrow, "You mean we're fighting together?" Guilmon laughed, "See I told you we could do it, we merged somehow." Takato smiled, "But the question is who are we?" The two knew the answer though, it simply came to them as the smoke cleared and Alphamon, Omnimon and Zhuqiaomon were in awe as a knight in white and red armor appeared. He had a flowing red cap and the digital hazard symbol on his chest, in his hands were a large shield and a lance in the other.

In a voice that was both Takato's and Guilmon's he announced, "We are Gallantmon, the mega form of Guilmon, and the result of Takato and Guilmon's wish to fight together. We are the very embodiment of the thing you hate Zhuqiaomon, the thing you fear. HUMANS AND DIGIMON COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE EACH OTHER STRONGER!" Zhuqiaomon roared in anger, "You dare show off this horror in front of me, I will end this weak excuse of a bond, PHOENIX FIRE'' He shot fire from his mouth at Gallantmon who simply raised his shield and blocked it, he began to walk forward not even bothered by the flames or heat. Zhuqiaomon ceased his attack as he yelled in anger, "HOW DO MY FLAMES DO NOTHING TO YOU!"

Gallantmon chuckled, "Your flames are nothing compared to our bond." He raised his lance and a ball of energy form on it's tip, "LIGHTNING JOUST" He fired the energy at Zhuqiaomon and it hit him in his wings, resulting in him falling to the ground. He slowly got up and shot more fire at Gallantmon, "HOW? HOW ARE YOU SO STRONG?" Gallantmon approached him and raised his shield as it glowed and the triangles on it began to light up, "Don't you get it? I'm powered by the thing you reject, the thing you never realized is what protects the digital world and causes digimon to grow stronger, the bond between humans and digimon." Zhuqiamon shot one last fireball that was blocked by Omnimon's supreme cannon, "I REFUSE, I REFUSE TO BE BEATEN BY SOME HYBRID DIGIMON''

Takato's laugh came from Gallantmon, "Yeah well sorry Moltres, you don't have a choice." The triangles finished filling on the shield as Gallantmon called out, "SHIELD OF THE JUST!" A massive beam was fired from his shield, pushing him back and went towards Zhuqiaomon who took it head one, completely engulfing him and causing an explosion. As the smoke cleared Zhuqiaomon who was fizzling out struggled to get up, "I can still fight, I can still kill you all." His head was suddenly pierced by the transcendent sword as Omnimon stood above him, "Enough of that." Zhuqiaomon was deleted as Alphamon rejoined the group, "Well this was certainly unexpected." Omnimon for the first time that day let out a small laugh "Well he did say he wanted his partners mega form to be based on me."

Alphamon nodded slowly, "Yes but for the two of them to merge, I didn't think it was possible." Omnimon shrugged and crossed his arms, "Something tells me if we keep them around long enough they'll keep doing the impossible." Gallantmon ignored their conversation as he looked over to where Zhuqiaomon originally was, there in a crater was Calumon, trapped in a cage and scratched up beyond belief. Gallantmon slid down and went to comfort his friend, his data was barely holding together and Gallantmon picked up the cage carefully. Alphamon appeared behind him, "The catalyst isn't long for the world." Gallantmon looked at him, sorrow in his golden eyes, "I think I know someone who can at least salvage the catalyst, please can you send me to them?"

Alphamon hesitantly nodded, "Very well, but do know we'll need you back at the server tree, to discuss your future as a royal knight." Takato's heart nearly skipped a beat, he wanted to feel excitement at the chance of joining their order. But all he felt was sadness, his last friend from his team was dying and all he felt was weariness from the events that had transpired. As Alphamon opened a portal for him and instructed him to simply think of the destination he wanted to go, all Takato could think of was how nothing had gone right since he had come to the Digital World.

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Shibumi hummed to himself as he typed away at a computer, he'd gotten so excited since the two tamers had visited him last week he was working on developing more Digivices. However he certainly wasn't prepared for a white and red knight to fall out of a portal in the center of his lab, nor was he prepared as it looked down at him with pleading eyes, "SHIBUMI WE NEED YOUR HELP." The knight had two voices, one of Takato's and the other he didn't recognize, "Takato is that you?" The knight sighed, "Oh right." He glowed crimson and Takato and a red dinosaur Shibumi could only assume was his partner appeared before him holding a cage, "Look we got our friend Calumon back from the sovereign but he's really hurt."

Shibumi nodded, "Bring him over here, I'll see what I can do." Takato nodded and placed Calumon on the table before looking at Shibumi's rather relaxed expression, "Aren't you surprised by the two of us splitting?" Shibumi shook his head, "Due to your partner's unique birth I had a hunch you two may do this eventually, the real question is if the other tamer's would be able to do this." Takato frowned, "There are no other tamer's." Shibumi frowned, "What happened?" Takato shook his head, "It's a long story and I'd rather you look at Calumon right now." Shibumi looked down at the little Digimon, "I already know I can't save him, but I can put the catalyst into something else, perhaps something that could aid your mega form."

Takato nodded slowly, "Ok how long will it take?" Shibumi shrugged, "Maybe a year, the catalyst is rather complicated as is creating new life, so why don't you tell me what happened as I look into designs." Takato frowned, "Fine but I'll give you a quick version, I have somewhere I need to go." Shibumi nodded as Takato drew a deep breath, he was about to tell the man a rather crazy story.

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One Year Later

It'd been a year since they joined the royal knights, and for the first time in awhile Takato had felt like he'd belonged somewhere. They were like a new family to him as they trained daily, carried out King Yggdrasil's orders and sometimes had downtime. That wasn't all he'd done, Shibumi had been teaching him about the digital world, how the Digimon were created and the Digignomes. He was on his way to go meet with Shibumi, he'd been having problems recently and been having random outbursts of anger. He decided to ask Shibumi about it since he nearly seriously injured Omnimon in a sparring session and he swore he saw the digital hazard in his pupils. As he talked into Shibumi's lab he saw the man working on something in the corner, "Hey Shibumi what are you up to?" Shibumi typed away on a laptop and turned around smiling at him, "Takato! Great timing I think I've finally finished it."

Takato raised an eyebrow, "Finished what?" Shibumi smiled, "Well remember when I said I'd use the catalyst to make something to aid Gallantmon, well it's finished." Takato smiled, "Awesome, so what is it?" Shibumi gestured him over to him and Takato caught sight of what appeared to be a mechanical dragon, it was white and didn't seem to be functioning. Shibumi patted it's side, clearly proud of his work, "So I remember you telling me you guys couldn't fly as Gallantmon and traveling around in portals was getting annoying, so I created this." Takato nodded, "A dragon?" Shibumi nodded, "Yup, every knight needs a loyal steed to ride into battle and this Gallantmon's, I've named him Grani."

Takato frowned, "Uh it doesn't seem to be active though or even alive." Shibumi laughed, "Of course not, it needs to make a connection with your digivice, it'll almost be like having a second partner." Takato nodded and held up his digivice, "Alright then, like this?" His digivice suddenly came alive and a crimson beam came out of it hitting Grani, the mechanical dragon's eyes glowed and it was bathed in a crimson light. When the light died down Takato and Guilmon were in awe of a now red and gold colored Grani. Guilmon went up and pet Grani, "Hello Grani, my name is Guilmon." Grani's eyes glowed as a voice responded to him, "Greetings Guilmon, I am Grani your new partner in battle."

Guilmon looked at Takato like a kid on Christmas, "Takatomon he talks." Takato face palmed, "I can see that boy, heyya Grani I'm Takato." Grani's eyes glowed in recognition, "Greetings Tamer." Takato sighed, "Call me Takato Grani." Grani answered back, "Very well tame… Takato." Shibumi crossed his arms happy with his work, "So Takato what are you doing here anyway, since I didn't call you over." Takato frowned, "About that, any chance you can scan my body or something, I've been dealing with bouts of anger and I think something is wrong with me." Shibumi nodded, "Sure, go lie down on that table over there." Takato did as he was told, going over to the table and lying down as Shibumi began to run a program to scan his body, "So Takato any idea what might be wrong?" Takato shook his head, "No idea, I might be going crazy but I swear I saw the digital hazard symbol in my pupils after one of my anger fits."

Shibumi looked at the results of the scan and frowned, "I'm afraid you aren't going crazy, you know I feared Biomerging might have some negative results besides you getting Guilmon's appetite but I was hoping I was wrong." Takato sat up and looked at his mentor, "What's wrong?" Shibumi sighed, "It seems that due to biomerging you've been infected by the digital hazard." Takato looked at him confused, "Ok, so does that mean I just have random mood swings like Guilmon does?" Shibumi shook his head, "No, you see Guilmon as a Digimon has a sort of defense to prevent the hazard's full corruption. You as a human don't, so it'll spread and get worse."

Takato looked at him and horror, "And what happens when it gets worse?" Shibumi looked away, not wishing to look the 13 year old in the eyes, "You'll be no worse than the evil Digimon you royal knights have to deal with." Takato's eyes widened and he nodded, "So basically they'll have to take us out eventually. Is there anything that can be done to slow it down or stop it." Shibumi shook his head, "The most you can do is keep your emotions in check and not let Guilmon go viral, even then though I can't guarantee it'll slow it down. I'm sorry Takato it's inevitable, you will be taken over by the digital hazard one day."

Takato frowned, "Any idea on how long I've got?" Shibumi shrugged, "Could be months, could be years, could be days I have no idea since it's such an unknown force." Takato sighed, "Then I guess I better use whatever time I have left to do some good in the world." Shibumi frowned, "Takato" Takato smiled, "I'm not just gonna lay down and die, even if I do lose one day I'll keep fighting the good fight till they have to put me down one day." Shibumi nodded, "You still have nightmares don't you?" Takato said nothing, his silence was all Shibumi needed to get his answer. His life was on a clock and he knew he needed to get stronger then, if he wanted to defeat Beelzemon before he went.

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3 Years Later

Gallantmon rode atop of Grani as his fellow royal knight Ulforceveedramon flew beside him. The two were on their way to a battle that they other's were already participating in. Gallantmon turned to Ulforceveedramon, "So care to fill me in on who this GranDracmon is?" Ulforceveedramon looked over at him, "Basically the king of vampire digimon, he's been at war with the demon lords for a long time and King Yggdrasil finally decided he needed to be taken out before their war destroys the world." Gallantmon nodded, "So he's on par with the demon lords then?" Ulforceveedramon nodded, "Apparently even Lucemon fears him, cause no matter how many times they kill him he comes back."

Gallantmon's eyes widened, "And what makes King Yggdrasil think we'll take him out for good?" Ulforceveedramon shrugged, "Maybe if we throw enough light at him it'll work. By the way are you sure you want to be coming for this fight? I know the infection is pretty far along." Gallantmon nodded, "I'll be fine, even if it kills me I won't turn on all of you." As they arrived at the battlefield they saw the worst results imaginable, Alphamon and Omnimon were knocked unconscious, Kentaurosomn was frozen by his CRYSTAL REVOLUTION attack and the rest of the royal knights hadn't arrived. Gallantmon looked on in horror, "Our two heavy hitters are down already and the others aren't here yet, we can't go in yet."

Ulforceveedramon nodded in agreement, "I'll use my speed to go get Alphamon and Omnimon, you try to distract him." Gallantmon nodded and Ulforceveedramon disappeared into a blurr, before he could go and distract GranDracmon however Grani was hit by a beam of darkness. Grani began to nosedive and Gallantmon yelled for his stead, "GRANI!" It was a hard landing and Gallantmon was thrown from Grani and roughly landed near the monstrous GranDracmon who began to laugh, "Oh look another fly for me to squash." The two heads on his body began to open, "DEATH SCREAM" A loud wail hit Gallantmon as he covered his ears he was blown back, landing next to an unresponsive Grani.

He reached his hand out to his friend, "Grani, please answer me." Grani said nothing as Gallantmon struggled to get up but something went wrong, inside his sphere deep within Gallantmon Takato began to lose control. He felt it all, the pain, anger and all the hatred he had inside of him and as his eyes flashed with the digital hazard he put his hands on his head struggling to stay himself. GranDracmon scoffed, "Hmpf what a pathetic bug, I'll put you out of your misery." Darkness began to swirl as his two heads began to gather energy and Gallantmon watched through one eye as he launched it at him, the attack never hit though. Takato managed to look at what had saved him and looked with horror in his eyes, "G-G-Grani." His steed had jumped in the way of the attack and crashed into him, sending both flying back.

Gallantmon got up, hardly scratched and looked at his partner who was barely holding together, "Grani why?" Grani barely could respond, "Because you're my friend Gallantmon, I have memories, that aren't my own of the human world and you being nice to me, I felt happy and alive around you." Gallantmon fell to his knees, "Grani you are alive, you've been alive since you were with Calumon." Grani laughed softly, "Do you want to fly Gallantmon?" Gallantmon wiped a tear from his eye, "I could fly?" Grani weakly began to move, "I can give you my wings, I would always be with you and perhaps it could prevent the hazard from taking you over, Takato." Takato smiled within his sphere, ever since that day he had wanted to fly, sure he'd flown with Grani, but now he was being offered his own set of his wings.

Gallantmon nodded, "Grani you always be with us." Grani moved closer to them and began to glow, "Thank you for being my friend Gallantmon, promise me you'll always be a good friend to those that need it." Tears ran down Gallantmon's face and he nodded, "Of course Grani, thank you for being our stead." Grani fully burst into light and in a flash a pillar of crimson light surrounded Gallantmon, over by where Ulforceveedramon had set down Alphamon he noticed it, "Is that Gallantmon?" Takato felt warmth, not painful heat, but the warmth that one gets when near dear friends, the warmth that you feel when you do something noble, the warmth that comes with the power to protect. Gallantmon felt that warmth over flowing in his body as he announced, "GALLANTMON MODE CHANGE TO!"

Gallantmon emerged from the light set in crimson armor brought on from the heat of the light, he had 5 pairs of angelic wings on his back and in his hands were a holy sword and energy lance. He slashed away the remaining light and announced, "GALLANTMON CRIMSON MODE" GranDracmon not able to take the light shielded his eyes, "The light, it's so strong how did a fly like you pull this off." Gallantmon looked down on the vampire king, "We are one, Grani and I, he has given me the power to vanquish you for good!" Within this moment there was no Takato and Guilmon, no tamer or digimon, Gallantmon Crimson Mode was a full merger of body, mind and soul, one last gift from the catalyst that had aided them for years.

GranDracmon screamed at him, "How dare you fill my realm with light." He fired darkness at Gallantmon CM one again who simply raised his sword, "INVINCIBLE SWORD!" Effortlessly Gallantmon CM cut the darkness to ribbons, causing it to explode behind him. Gallantmon's lance began to glow red, "This is the end of you, there will be no resurrection, you'll never threaten anyone again, you'll never take another friend from everyone." His lance glowed more brightly as he threw it up into the air, "QUO VADIS!" A pillar of crimson light exploded from the lance and pierced GranDracmon, he screamed as he was engulfed in light and easily deleted, there was a shockwave clearing darkness from the area as it spread out.

Gallantmon CM floated to the ground as a revived Kentaurosmon appeared, "Gallantmon is that you?" Gallantmon nodded, "Grani merged with me and this was the result of it." He glowed and split up into Guilmon and Takato who fell onto his knees, breathing heavily, "Ok remind me not to do that often, I feel drained right now." Kentaurosmon nodded, the day had been won but unfortunately Takato and Guilmon had lost another friend.

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1 Year Later

A 17 year old Takato Matsuki walked down the halls of the server tree, it had been a year since the birth of Gallantmon Crimson Mode. He had rushed to Shibumi afterwards and Shibumi gave him good news, the catalyst within Guilmon had reversed the infection and slowed it by nearly 90%, he wouldn't have to worry about the hazard for a while. Crimson Mode had ended up being so powerful it had affected him in human form as well, he now had enhanced senses, strength, speed and reflexes, it wasn't anything superhuman but his body was like an olympic level athlete. They just couldn't figure out how to unlock the mode again, but Shibumi gave Takato a card that could use the power to give Guilmon a short power boost at the cost of some of his own energy .

He still needed to keep his emotions in check but that wasn't much of a problem anymore, he hardly felt anything anymore after losing Grani and Shibumi went back to the human world. He'd felt so alone and had stopped caring about the things around him. He walked into the main hall where all the other knights gathered and bowed before King Yggdrasil, "Your majesty you sent for me?" The glowing ball nodded responded, "Yes Gallantmon, I've decided I'm sending you to the human world." Takato's eyes widened, "Are you sure King Yggdrasil?" Yggdrasil ignored his concerns, "There seems to be more Digimon going there recently, I fear it may be a plot by the demon lords, so while we investigate here you'll be going there to protect the city."

Takato nodded, "Very well, but what about my living expenses and such?" Yggdrasil fired a beam from it into his digivice which had been turned crimson and gold, "I've seen to it that you'll have everything you need, no one needs to know you exist, you'll be a ghost to the world." Takato stood up and nodded, "Very well I'll leave at once your majesty." King Yggdrasil glowed dimmer as he exited, "Good luck Gallantmon, hopefully you won't be too mad at me not telling you about the new tamers."

Takato was already out of the room so he hadn't heard that last part. He was already thinking of what he'd do in the human world, he hadn't been home in 5 years. He figured he'd at the very least meet up with Shibumi, he did miss the man after all.

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Present Day

Shibumi sat back in his chair as he allowed the story sink into the tamers. Rika was the first to speak, "Wow, Takato went through a lot." Shibumi nodded, "He's dealt with a lot in just 5 years and lesser minds would have broken from it, but Takato and Guilmon came back after every set back, every tragedy, Takato may be a little weird and seem unhinged but he's the best person I knew." Henry nodded, "We can't let his sacrifice be in vain." Jeri smiled, "We know the enemy now, so let's be ready for them." Shibumi raised an eyebrow, "So what's the plan now kids?" Alice shrugged, "I guess the thing Takato always stressed on us when we first met him." Shibumi cocked his head to the side in confusion, "And that is?" Ryo stood up and stretched, "We train, we reach mega level and we kick demon lord ass when they come knocking on our door." The tamers turned to leave and Shibumi smiled as they left, Takato trained them well and he couldn't think of a better group to be carrying on in his name.

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Meanwhile at HYPNOS, Yamaki sat on his desk reading a report. Riley entered into his office and dropped a folder on his desk, "Sir we found something worth looking into." Yamaki raised an eyebrow, "What is it?" Riley frowned, "A tech company in Okinawa called VP Laboratories is showing high levels of wild one activity near it." Yamaki took off his glasses, "Have you contacted the president of it?"

Riley nodded, "The President, Ryuuji Tamashiro refused to answer any questions." Yamaki sighed, "Well that's fishy, I'll call Henry Wong and see if he can convince the tamers to go investigate." Riley nodded and left to leave Yamaki with his report, he had a bad feeling that whatever was going on in Okinawa was bad on catastrophic levels.

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Server Tree

Red eyes flashed open and Takato Matsuki jumped awake, taking a deep breath as he did so. He looked to his side and found Gigimon sleeping peacefully at his side and turned to see Alphamon at the other end of the room, "Welcome back Takato, how are you feeling?"

Takato stretched and yawned, "I had a long dream, no, more like a nightmare." Alphamon nodded, "Well you're awake now and that's all that matters." Takato nodded and looked over at Alphamon and smiled, "So, what'd I miss?" Alphamon smiled on the inside of his helmet, it was good to have Takato back.

AN: I wanted to talk about what was probably the most important scene in the chapter, Beelzemon and Megidramon. This entire fanfic started off with the idea, what if things with Beelzemon in the original show got as bad as they could get, what if he killed everyone besides one. And that's how this story was born, I didn't want to use Henry, Rika or Jeri, so thats how it was decided who'd end up dying in the scene. But needless to say it was an important scene and I've been really looking forward to writing it so to finally have it out feels so good. Anyway see you next time.