Note: I don't own any of the characters mentioned, just my own OC. Credit for the GrimmFall Universe goes to Lord Maximus. :3 Enjoy! :)

Opening Files: The Faceless Ones

The Faceless Ones are a group of interdimensional entities that hail from an unknown dimension. Not much is known about their motives or plans, but whatever their ambitions are, they seem to be more interested in stopping the Grimm than invading.

Very little is known about their abilities, but what few have been observed are:

- the ability to cling to walls and ceilings like spiders or other insect-based Faunus or Mobians
- the ability to speak an unknown language
- the ability to blend in with humans via some disguise magic or technology

The Faceless Ones are also rumored to be the pilots of an unknown breed of 'War Men.'

Close Files

"Well, when it comes to unknown forces, there is so much that remains unknown," TOM lectured as he closed down the file. "Like the Faceless Ones. Or even other forces in different realities that possess the same tier of mystery. When it comes to black ops forces, many things are kept classified due to a matter of national security. And sometimes they may even use experimental technology to allow them to complete their task or mission."

He leaned back in his seat and tapped the button on his left arm rest. "So next time, think about these special ops soldiers and what they often risk to protect their country. Is it often worth it? Well, as someone once said, it takes a special kind of crazy to do what they do." The main monitor flashed as it showed an image of Dracon and Agunimon lunging at a shadowy shape.

(Scene shows a small shape huddling in terror as light sweeps over the screen, revealing the title of the series.)

START ANGELS FALL (BREAKING BENJAMIN)

I try to face the fight within (The light fades before the camera pans in on a figure huddled into a ball)

But it's over (The figure breaks down into dust as wind blows leaves past to show an old estate covered in vines)

I'm ready for the riot to begin (The vines creep over the camera before fire burns them down, showing Londoners in an uproar)

And surrender (Several of the individuals surrender to a cloaked figure as it steps out of the flames)

I walked the path that led me to the end (The figure lowers its hood to reveal Dracon as he turns, the shadow of Denver in the background)

Remember (Images of his family are shown in the background of Denver)

I'm caught beneath with nothing left to give (Embers swirl before it shows a fight raging as Agunimon stands in front of a burning home, his teeth bared and his sword held at the ready)

Forever (The Warrior of Flame lunges for the camera, fractal coding surrounding his form)

When angels fall with broken wings (The coding engulfs the screen before vanishing, showing Major Glory as he flies overhead, the city of GrimmFall in the background)

I can't give up, I can't give in (The symbol of peace dives down, his fists outstretched to smash them into something, tears running down his masked face)

When all is lost and daylight ends (The hero flashes past Scotty Blake as he wields his claymore, swinging it at a Grimm that threatens to destroy a small community)

I'll carry you and we will live forever (The shockwave generated from his claymore shifts to show a blue energy wave released by the Royal Knight, Omnimon)

Forever (The Digimon lands, his cape fluttering about his frame as he turns to look back at the sky as light begins to dawn beyond the horizon)

Gray skies will chase the light away (Rain is shown lashing at the windows of a hotel as Dracon stands before it, staring at his reflection)

No longer (The Gundam turns away from the window, walking down a street with rain falling around him)

I fought the fight, now only dark remains (Ruins of an estate are shown in the background)

Forever (Two figures in shadow stand before it, a third looming behind them)

Divided, I will stand (The camera pans away to show two women - one blonde and one with a brown braid - standing in front of a shadowy emblem)

And I will let this end (The women turn to face the emblem as it glows, engulfing the screen)

When angels fall with broken wings (The light fades to show Dracon charging out of the sun, wings flared as he fires his beam magnum)

I can't give up, I can't give in (The camera follows the shot to show it impacting a hulking structure)

When all is lost and daylight ends (His psychoframe glows and encompasses his frame as Scotty dashes past, his own Aura shimmering around him)

I'll carry you and we will live forever (Scotty's sword slams into the ground, causing a crack to form as Omnimon scoops up one of the two women)

Forever (The camera pans out to show Denver, then London)

The sun begins to rise (The sun is shown coming up over the Rocky Mountains)

And wash away the sky (Darkness fades in London as the light creeps over the buildings)

The turning of the tide (The old estate is shown as it starts to shake and shudder)

Don't leave it all behind (Dracon stands before a crate in a warehouse, a sick look in his optics)

I will never say goodbye (One of the women aims a gun at a man in a truck with the same contents as in the warehouse)

When angels fall with broken wings (BurningGreymon is shown slide evolving to Aldamon)

I can't give up, I can't give in (Dracon deploys his fin funnels despite damage to his frame)

When all is lost and daylight ends (Scotty hefts his sword as he flares his Aura)

I'll carry you and we will live forever (Major Glory clenches his fists as Omnimon summons his weapons)

Forever (The five stand before a huge shape, two shadowy humanoid shapes behind them, the two women in front of those as the series name appears below them)

GRIMMFALL: DRAGON'S SURGE

ARC I

FEAR OF FURS

CHAPTER V - MISSING 'MON!

The 'specter' launched itself at us.

Tina's eyes narrowed as her hand flew for her rapier and she snapped it out towards the 'specter', lightning Dust lancing over the segments.

The entity laughed as it twirled to the side, only for my wife to pull her whip back and snap it out again, this time for the bottom of the 'specter's' body.

However, what she did not expect was for the weapon to suddenly go taut with a jerk. Tina yelped as she felt her weapon tugged out of her hands and then it was tossed aside like it was nothing. I hefted my beam magnum and aimed at the sheet, only to lower the gun and put it back on my flight pack. I needed a new strategy. Since this thing was not really a specter, maybe if I could just tackle it...

But I was not about to be given that chance. The 'specter's' sleeve flew out and then Tina's rapier was called to its grasp.

I hissed through my vents as my hand flew for my Hyper Beam Sword stowed within my shield. I grabbed the hilt and pulled the physical blade free from its sheath. I held my sword at the ready as the 'specter' lunged for me, swinging Tina's weapon my way. I lashed out with my sword, deflecting the tip and sending it flying off to the side. However, the 'specter' pulled on the whip and it snapped back into rapier form. Then the thing was on me, coming in hard and fast. I reacted by bringing my sword up in front of my chest to deflect the incoming strike. Sparks flew from the impact point and I grunted as I was pushed back by the strike. That alone made me suspicious. I knew from the force of the blow that it shouldn't have been enough to knock back a six-foot-two, two-hundred-seventy-five pound, fully armed Gundam.

That made me think that maybe whomever was aiding this 'specter' had used their telekinetic Semblance on me to make it seem like the 'specter' was stronger than it actually was.

And that was enough to piss me off.

I gripped my sword tightly before I pressed the switch on the hilt and ignited the beam edges on the sides of the blade. I tensed my frame before I lunged, my thrusters roaring in my audios. I swung my sword as hard as I could as the 'specter' brought Tina's sword up to counter. It was only due to my momentum that I was able to push this thing back.

And it was just as well, too. A blur of white caught me off guard and my optics widened as I saw the lithe form of Omnimon flip overhead, his own sword summoning from that orange 'head-hand' of his in a flash of light and smoke. The blade glinted as those unknown runes on it began to pulse, and his Aura swirled around him in a tri-colored fire. He swung his blade down, those runes glowing bright gold.

I rolled to the side as Omnimon's sword flashed past my face, and then I noticed that the 'ghost' was moving, barely avoiding the tip of his sword. But apparently Omnimon had counted on that, for his body was just a blur as he landed on his feet and spun around with such frightening quickness I swore he was more like a phantom than a living entity. (Even though I had seen it numerous times, it still made me shiver.) His sword was still glowing with that golden light as he whipped it around, the tip just creating a mere scrape in the cloth of the sheet. But whoever was under there was able to avoid getting hit by the tip.

Or so I thought.

The figure underneath began to flicker as their Semblance was canceled out by Omnimon's sword. I had heard of his variable Semblance and even seen it in action once, but this was the first time I had ever seen one of its other abilities. And apparently this one allowed him to cancel out someone else's Semblance. Now that I was witnessing it, it actually made sense that this ability would be handy in many cases.

If there was one thing it proved though, was that it made him a force to be reckoned with. And it meant that any adversary couldn't underestimate him.

The form underneath the sheet flickered and fizzled, like an old movie projector, slowly becoming visible.

Already I could make out a tall man, about six-foot three, but very lean, almost skinny. Nothing like Omnimon, whose skinny frame possessed some muscle under that armor of his. He had on a dark brown coat and dark grey pants with grey shoes. A light brown shirt covered his lanky torso, and on his head he wore a brown newsie cap to hide his scraggly black hair. His Aura covered his entire body, revealing it to be a dark brown color. He looked up, brown eyes narrowing.

"Who the hell...?" Scotty whispered, surprised.

Omnimon spun around, his sword's runes no longer glowing. "Just as I thought!" he growled. "An invisibility Semblance!"

"Dammit! How'd you know?!" the man growled, tossing the sheet aside.

"Let's just say I have had experience with those before," the Royal Knight stated. "And your efforts at imitating a ghost are far too crude."

"Crude?!" The man's lanky frame tensed. "Why you...!"

"And don't even try to use your Semblance. My own Semblance lets me cancel yours out for a limited time span, so you're not going to pull that old invisibility trick on us again," Omnimon added, his eyes narrowing.

The man's eyes narrowed as his body flickered briefly before returning to the visible spectrum. He glanced down, surprised. "Oh, come on!" he growled.

"I told you," Omnimon remarked, casually looking at his sword.

With a roar, the man lunged for the Grimm Slayer, but he reacted with his incredible reflexes, dodging the man's attempted tackle. The man's hand plunged into his pocket and he pulled out a small shaft. I tilted my head to the side a bit in confusion before the man pressed a button on the side and the shaft extended into a battle staff. The top of the shaft opened and out came two prongs that snapped open into a bident shape, electricity surging through it as he spun it.

Omnimon's eyes widened in surprise at this as he landed. His surprise gave the man a chance to lunge for him a second attack, this time swinging the bident at him. But the Digimon proved to be far swifter than his opponent, dodging the sparking bident. He whipped his body around, his left foot flying out in a kick to try and knock the weapon away from his opponent. But the man was already on the move, ducking the blow and jabbing his bident at Omnimon's chest.

Omnimon shifted his stance and ducked, his sword coming up to counter the bident's impact and with a grunt, he clashed his sword to the man's weapon. The impact of metal on metal rang out and the two pressed, trying to one-up the other. Well, in most circumstances, it would've been a contest of strength that Omni would've won. But much to his surprise, he was actually being pushed back by the man's weapon! A sneer crossed the man's face as he cackled. "Well, look at that! I'm stronger than you, Grimm Slayer!" he chortled.

The Digimon's eyes went wide as his opponent shoved and then he was sent flying right for where Scotty stood, his own broadsword held at the ready. The huge Scotsman whipped out his massive arm and caught the Grimm Slayer in his grasp as he stared down this skinny little man who seemed to be mocking us.

And technically, this only confirmed my theory. Since this man had an invisibility Semblance, then there was no way he could have a telekinesis Semblance! And from the looks of things, he was actually weaker than Omnimon, which meant that his helper had used their Semblance to push him back!

I narrowed my optics as I started scanning all around me using my sensors, radar, and psychoframe.

'Okay! So it looks like that his helper has to be here somewhere! But where!?' I thought as I looked around the room.

And it turned out to be a good thing I was using my psychoframe to scan, because right then I picked up a thought that was not my own, or anyone else in the room.

'Jasper!'

My psychoframe sent the data to my processor and then my radar was able to triangulate the position of where the thought had come from. My beam magnum was in my hand in a flash. I aimed the gun in the direction of the window, and my optics narrowed as the targeting reticle danced across my vision. I shifted my vision to infrared and it was then I saw the source of the telekinetic activity.

A small, short, yet stocky shape, hiding right behind a tree trunk.

"Gotcha..." I muttered, aiming just a bit off to the right of the trunk and firing.

The shot rang out, startling everyone as the glass shattered. The beam streaked past the tree, and I swore I saw Agunimon frowning. "So that's it... isn't it?" he asked.

"Yeah." I gave a nod.

That was all Agunimon needed to hear. He lunged forward, leaping out the shattered window and landing on the grass as rain continued to pour down in sheets. He dashed as fast as he could for the tree. Behind the tree, the unknown intruder reacted, tossing something out his way, and I swore my reactor ceased to function briefly. That object that the intruder had thrown? It was a grenade!

But before I could even move, a blur of speed caught my eye, and I turned just in time to see the body guard of Miss Pitstop running for the window, leaping out and dashing for the Legendary Warrior. He grasped something in his hand and threw it, knocking the grenade away from the Digimon and turning on the spot, a second object glinting as it flew towards the tree, embedding itself before the unknown intruder yelped and scurried deeper into the grounds.

"Shit!" I heard him mutter as the grenade exploded away from the two, creating a thick smokescreen.

I shifted my vision to infrared just in time to see the figure inside the smoke running for the heiress's body guard.

"Oh, no you don't!" I muttered. I ran for the window as well, vaulting over the shattered glass and igniting my thrusters. I boosted towards the intruder, my fist flying out to try and nail them. However, the intruder whipped their body around, and the next thing I knew, something heavy slammed into my face and I was sent flying, landing on my back on the ground. I groaned as I shook my head, trying to clear the static in my vision.

The static cleared up, allowing me to see that the intruder had by now retreated deeper into the woods.

I grunted as I pushed myself into a sitting position before I got to my feet. By now, Agunimon and Miss Pitstop's body guard (Minato, if I remembered correctly) ran up to join me. Behind me I could hear Major Glory flying up and the air shimmered as a portal opened up, depositing the huge Scotsman and Omnimon beside him. Major Glory's eyes narrowed as he studied the area with his keen vision.

"It seems like whoever was behind this activity has fled," he noted.

I fought the urge to roll my optics as I reattached my beam magnum to my flight pack. Instead, I turned to look in the direction the intruder had fled. "Yeah. And I suspect that they're going to reunite with that man...Jasper," I mused.

"Jasper, huh?" Agunimon folded his arms. "That his name?"

"Seems that way to me," I said as I gestured to my psychoframe. "You know what I can do."

The Legendary Warrior just gave a minor grunt in response.

"Yeah, I know. Your psychoframe and all that," he retorted.

Major Glory looked to me and I actually froze up, trying to rein in my dislike for the man. And given his mask, it was hard for me to see just what his expression was like.

I clenched my fists and turned away. I had other things to worry about. Like trying to figure out where Jasper was and where this other intruder was going.

However, I had no idea that things were about to get a lot more... brutal... down the line.

Way more brutal that I imagined possible.

With the intruder having escaped and leaving no evidence of who it was behind, I decided to head back in and see if Pongo and Perdita had any information on who could be behind this. After all, as members of the nobility of Britain, it made sense that they'd have numerous enemies, chief among them being Satyra. But that didn't explain the sudden kidnapping of the young mouse Mobian Timothy. And that brought memory files back to the fore that I didn't want to remember. I brushed them aside and continued walking.

I stepped back through the window I had shattered and spotted the two Mobians as they stood chatting with another one of the nobility. Pongo heard my footsteps and turned to face me, holding out a hand to his wife and fellow noble. He stepped over to me, holding his cane at the ready, as if in anticipation of a possible attack.

"Have you found anything?" he asked.

I shook my helm. "Negative. The intruder got away before I could even get a glimpse of 'em," I admitted. "But I did pick up a stray thought from the intruder. It wasn't much, just a name. Jasper. But it is something."

Pongo put a paw under his chin and looked down. "Jasper... I think I've heard that name before. But I can't be sure," he mused. He then lifted his gaze and looked directly into my optics. "Still, that is good news. It may not be a real big lead, but it is still a lead nonetheless."

I nodded. "Yeah. And I intend to try and follow this one through." My voice was hard as I said this.

"Good. The sooner we get this case cracked open, the better," Pongo stated.

I gave a nod. "Yeah." I cast my gaze over the gathered crowd.

'The only question was...who was that? And that name Jasper... why am I getting a bad feeling about it?' I thought.

That was something I needed to investigate.

I made my way back over to where Tina stood off to the side, eyes narrowed. "Something's bothering you," she mused.

"What isn't?" I retorted, looking back at the party goers. "Ever since we got here, strange things have been happening. And now this. I'm not liking this, Tina. Not at all."

"Same here, Dracon," she whispered.

My optics narrowed as I turned back to the assembled group. The only question now was... what to do next.

I knew I had to find little Timothy. But without anything to go on, I was stuck having to make guesses, and even though I was very intelligent, it wasn't enough. I needed a clue... something. Anything.

Like that shoeprint...!

My optics widened a bit as I glanced at the spot where I had noted the footprint. A size eight men's work boot. I mentally brought up the image in the lower left hand corner of my vision and started to examine it. A small image of the man it had been on appeared as well, rotating before homing in on the boot. The image rotated to show the underside of the boot and it matched the footprint. Now that I knew what it looked like, all I had to do was match it to whatever footprint I saw. The only issue was what make it was.

But that was minor compared to who it was on.

Something about that guy just rubbed me the wrong way.

I dismissed the image of both Jasper and the footprint.

Of course, things were about to get a bit weirder.

And I didn't know it.

At least at the moment.

I had no idea that Cruella was watching me. But I did get a tingling sensation racing down my spinal struts.

I cast my gaze over in the direction of the Ratigans and Cruella, who were huddled and whispering. I frowned to myself and wondered what they were talking about. I squared my shoulders and brushed Tina aside as she looked at me in confusion. But when she saw where my gaze was locked, she understood.

Cruella heard my metallic footsteps and she looked over, narrowing her eyes. "Oh. What do you want?" she asked.

"Sorry. But I couldn't help but notice you three talking in the corner here," I said, trying to be as polite as I could.

James Ratigan scowled. "You think we would discuss something like this with you?" he snorted, looking at me like I was a speck of dust. I felt the urge to spread my wings come over me, but I repressed it and remained calm.

"I'm just curious," I remarked, raising my hands.

Jenner narrowed his eyes, and for a moment I could see something that sent shivers down my spinal struts. I gulped at the look. It was one of utter disdain. But not just that. There was a glint of something more sinister. Like... I couldn't explain it then, and I can't even now. But that aside, the look was enough to make me concerned. And the way his gaze swept over the crowd... I wasn't liking it one bit. But then as quickly as it came, it was gone, and he directed his attention to me. I instinctively tensed.

"Do forgive my brother," he said in a smooth voice. "He's not used to mingling with notable Hunters and Huntresses of common stock. And I do not mean that in an offensive way." He gave an elegant bow.

"Uh... Thanks..." My voice trailed off as my optics narrowed. My psychoframe pulsed softly and I inched back a bit. The feeling I was getting was not a good one. I kept my guard up, but I didn't let him know it. "I'm just glad someone of high society is respectful of actions rather than birth alone."

Jenner gave a small smile. "Yes. Why should it matter when we are all united against the Grimm?"

As much as I hated to admit it, he did have a point. I nodded. "Yeah."

I didn't like the way he had diverted the conversation, but I wasn't going to press it. In fact, the sooner I got away from the three the better. Especially Cruella and her furs.

I turned and walked off, heading back to where the others were.

Pongo and Perdita both were off to the side in the grand hall, muttering between themselves before nodding. Pongo raised up his cane and rapped it against the floor a few times, catching the attention of the rest of the party goers.

"Now that I have your attention, I would like to address the issue that has been on many of our minds: what to do next. Well, me and Perdita have agreed that we shall resume the party, but we are to also be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. These events have been targeted in the past. So it is with a solemn attitude that I finally say that the party shall continue," he stated. Then his eyes swept over the crowd. "But let it be known that we, as Hunters and researchers alike, shall defend ourselves should the need arise. That goes for all of us here, including us of the nobility."

With that, the party was back in full swing.

I made my way to a secluded corner and sat down, unaware of what was to come.

(General Allen's 3rd POV)

General Allen peeked out from behind the pillar she was hiding behind, grateful that no one had seen her and Cagalli sneak off.

Her eyes narrowed beneath her flight helmet and she frowned.

She wasn't sure why, but she was getting a bad feeling in her gut that something was about to happen. And when it did, she usually knew it was big.

Her gaze swept over the crowd, roving over the guests and scanning for anything out of the ordinary. But so far things were normal. At least as normal as one could get in this world.

That was when she saw it.

Or rather, she felt it.

A strange feeling like something was sliding along the floor, but unseen and unheard. That feeling came with a strange pressure inside her head, but she brushed it aside, thinking it had to be because of something she had eaten. It wasn't uncommon for people to get headaches from that sometimes, she mused.

But the strange thing was, this pressure didn't seem to be inside her brain. It was more like it was... a sort of... feeling in her mind, if it could be called that. And it was weird.

Beside her, she could sense via Cagalli's body language that she was also getting the same feeling, if it were possible. She shot a glance to her fellow leader and soldier, and the queen gave a grim nod. She had also sensed it. :Did you get that? feeling too: she asked over the COMM in Cybertronian.

:I did. It didn't feel right.: General Allen responded. She glanced up at the assembled partiers. :And I'm not liking this one bit.:

The Orb Queen gave a small nod before she directed her own attention back to the crowd. :The only question is where is it going?:

Allen's eyes narrowed a bit more before she suddenly perked up, looking in the direction of the Dragon of Denver, and that was when she saw it happen.

The mech's frame suddenly spasmed and he grunted as he collapsed, only to get to his feet shortly after, wobbling like a puppet on a string.

:Oh, shit! That's not good!: Allen exclaimed.

:And how do you expect us to free a Gundam that's fully armed and has freaking Gundanium for his armor?!: Cagalli hissed.

:Just let me think, dammit!: the general snapped.

She turned her gaze back to Dracon as he stumbled, his hand flying clumsily for his beam magnum. A frown crossed her features as she tried to figure out what to do. But then a glint of light caught her eye and she turned to look out the window.

Only for her eyes to land on the figure huddled outside, one hand glowing a light grey color as it moved like a puppeteer's.

:Cagalli! Look!: She pointed in the direction of the figure and Cagalli turned to see where she was pointing.

:Oh, c'mon! That's just low!: she muttered. :Think we should take him?:

Before the general could even answer, a loud cry came from the crowd and the duo turned as Dracon's frame lunged for one of the other party goers. That is until a rapier came whipping out from behind the mech, wrapping itself firmly around his chest. Allen looked over to see Tina, the Dragon's wife, with her hand clenched tightly around her weapon's hilt, her eyes narrowed as she pulled as hard as she could to keep him from attacking others.

That was when a sudden spike of pain lanced across Allen's forehead and she gasped, her hand flying to her helmet. She had to actually fight the urge to remove it. But then as quickly as the pain appeared, it was gone.

Cagalli let out a soft swear in Cybertronian and the general cast her gaze back at Dracon just in time to see his psychoframe glowing. What was happening here? Was it possible the figure was doing something to cause his psychoframe to act up? Her hand flew for her gun and she was very tempted to pull it and shoot the Gundam in the optics. But that was in the end rendered moot as she watched the Gundam suddenly tense and then clench his fists, letting out a cry and thrusting his wings wide open. A shimmering pulse of light grey energy was unleashed from his frame before it shifted to a brilliant greenish white.

The former President glanced back at the window as the light grey Aura of the figure was terminated in a brilliant flash, and her eyes narrowed. :C'mon!: she said.

:Hold it!: Cagalli's hand flew for her shoulder and grabbed on. :Not yet! Look!: She pointed at where the figure of Agunimon - if that was correct - ran for the window, leaping out of it and shattering it like the last one.

The figure by now had bolted, and that was their cue.

The two women looked at one another and nodded before running after, slipping out amidst the chaos into the pouring rain.

(Dracon's 1st POV)

I staggered back, feeling the power of my psychoframe surging through me. My hand flew out to grasp the wall as I felt my balancing systems waver and I nearly collapsed to my knees.

The sheer audacity of that unknown person to even try and control me like a puppet was something I couldn't believe.

Sure I had been possessed before, but this was far worse. I glanced up, anger building in my chest as I clenched my hand on the wall. "T-That bastard... is in for it!" I growled.

The one good thing about my psychoframe was that it rendered most psychic Semblances close to moot. Well, when I say most, I meant those that could affect the mind. But in the case of telekinetic Semblances, that was an iffy thing. It was somewhat effective against that type, but not as effective as with mental Semblances. Regardless, it had worked in terminating whatever had been controlling my frame. I finally staggered to my feet, looking around for any possible sign of the one behind it.

That was when I saw that someone was missing. My optics flashed as I looked around. "Oh shit..." I muttered. "Where's Agunimon?!"

Tina looked over in shock. "What?! He's missing?"

I nodded.

Major Glory looked over and I swore his face paled under that mask of his. His eyes widened and then he was on the move, becoming just a blur of color. I was practically shoved aside by the man; it was only due to me flaring my wings that I wasn't knocked on my back. I regained my balance and followed after.

I vaulted out the window and landed in the muddy grass, the major flying ahead of me. I grunted to myself. Sure he could fly, but then again, so could I!

I flared my wing wide open and kicked on my flight thrusters, springing off the soggy ground and into the rainy night sky. My cloak whipped around my frame as I sped after, my scanners probing for any sign of Agunimon's unique energy signature. I expanded my sensors to full range, and then I sensed him. He was slightly ahead of us, but it was him. I tucked my arms close to my sides and placed my legs together, becoming as streamlined as I could make myself. With a loud roar, I pushed all eight of my thrusters to full burn, speeding right past a startled Major Glory. I had to resist the urge to turn around and taunt him.

And it was just as well, too. Agunimon's shape appeared in my sight and I could see he was chasing the figure from earlier at the party. His eyes were hard as he sprang off another tree branch, landing on the ground and giving chase. His athleticism paid off as he sprang towards the man, tackling him and sending him rolling. The stockier man whipped his foot up and kicked Agunimon off before spinning and running for it.

"Oh, no you don't!" I growled.

My psychoframe began to seethe with raw power, taking on that pseudo-Aura I knew so well.

The man looked back and his eyes went wide as he thrust a hand out, his Aura flaring and his Semblance kicking into action. I could feel his efforts to grasp my frame and move it like a puppet. But I was not letting him. My psychoframe was my most potent defense against things like that.

His eyes seemed to grow wider as he saw his efforts had no effect on me as I hovered down, wings flared and psycho-energy swirling around my frame. I folded my arms across my chest as I looked down at him. "Nice try!" I muttered. "You're not gonna control me like a puppet!"

That was when a blur struck me and I was sent flying back from the force of the blow.

I landed flat on my back, wings splayed out behind me. My vision flickered with static, but I brushed it aside and pushed myself into a sitting position. "D-Dammit...! What was that?" I muttered.

I lifted my gaze, and my optics widened as I saw the lean form of Jasper leering down at me, a shovel in his lands. "Well, this should be interesting..." he muttered. He drew back the shovel and I reacted on instinct, knowing what he was trying to do. As he brought the shovel down towards my helm to knock me out, I slid to the side, my hand flying up and grabbing the handle of the gardening implement and pulling on it. Jasper gave a grunt as he held onto it in a death grip. Sure he was strong, but he was not as strong as me.

I gave a firm grunt and pulled harder, tearing the shovel out of his grasp.

Jasper recoiled in shock, ducking back into the undergrowth of the woods. I gave chase, only for Agunimon to sprint past me. Major Glory was trying to stop him, much to my surprise. "Wait! Don't!"

I, however, intervened. I knew how well he could hold his own, and I was not about to let Major Glory stop him.

That would prove to be a disastrous mistake.

I sped in front, landing. "No!"

"Are you mad?!" Major Glory exclaimed. "We cannot let those fiends escape!"

"I know that, dammit!" I shouted. "But he can handle himself! He's not as weak as you think!"

Major Glory pursed his lips, obviously remembering something. A quick probe into his mind revealed what he was recalling, and I had to admit, I was shocked. The good news was that Major Glory had no idea what I had just done - I was getting better at concealing my mental probing. But I was shocked that Agunimon had actually held his own against Scotty Blake of all people!

And that only gave me further justification in letting him go.

But as I said, it was a disastrous mistake that I would regret much later.

Anyway, Major Glory tried to take a step forward, but I detached my fin funnels from my wings and erected my beam barrier, stopping him from advancing.

"You are making a foolish mistake!" Glory growled.

"Am I?!" I retorted. "You seem to think otherwise about his strength!"

"This is not about strength!" Glory insisted. "I am trying to look out for him!"

"Because he's weaker than you?!" I bellowed. "Then forget it! He can handle himself!"

"Not against these people!" the major snapped.

Major Glory's shoulders tensed as he prepared to attack. I spread my wings to their full width, my psychoframe still seething with that raw power. I knew Major Glory was strong. I was also strong. Strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Sammael and live. But I also knew what I could take. I only hoped Major Glory didn't know that.

Then the hero was on the move, trying to punch his way past my barrier. He thrust his fist forward, striking the barrier and causing it to waver. But I kept it up, using my psychoframe's energy to further reinforce it.

"You just don't get it!" I snarled. "Agunimon is more that capable of holding his own! And I for one won't allow you to disrupt his mission!"

My optics flashed as Major Glory pushed harder, trying to breach my beam barrier.

The two of us kept at it, me trying to stop Major Glory and him trying to break through my defenses. A low growl escaped me as I held out a hand and gave a firm shove with my psychoframe's power. My fin funnels concentrated closer and then spread out. forming into a barrier around the hero.

Major Glory gaped in shock as he looked around. "What in the name of Washington's axe are you doing?!" he cried.

I was finally pissed off.

Everything I had endured up to this point was finally clear. I was stronger now. I could hold my own. I had a nigh indestructible frame. I possessed a vast arsenal on my person. I had advanced sensors, audios, and optics that no human, hero or not, could hope to surpass with their own organs. I had greater strength. I could fly. And I had my pyschoframe.

I was not the same kid from all those years ago. I had grown, changed as a person. And I was determined to make Glory pay for abandoning me at Navy Pier all those years ago.

I clenched a fist, and my fin funnels started to move closer together.

That hatred I knew was now egging me on, urging me to do away with him. And I was so tempted to let it guide me. My optics began to burn an intense emerald green. Major Glory looked at me in a panic, and for a moment, I felt a sense of fear flood him. But the more my fin funnels began to close in, I suddenly paused, seeing myself in the dim energy reflection on my beam barrier.

And I saw what I was becoming.

I was becoming what I was fighting against.

A monster.

I finally lowered my hand, dispelling my fin funnels and dispersing them into attack configuration. But I didn't do anything else with them.

Major Glory was now wary as he eyed me critically. "Why... why did you do that?" he asked.

I grunted as I turned in midair. "Let's just say... I have my reasons." I was not too keen on telling him of my past. And for that matter, I was not keen on revealing anything about myself to him.

I prepared to give a burst of my thrusters to head back to the Radcliffe estate, only for a loud scream to suddenly cut through the air. "Oh, shit!"

I spun around in the opposite direction and gave a firm burst of my thrusters, speeding off towards where the scream had come from. My sensors analyzed the location of the sound and triangulated it to a spot not that far off from us. I reached there first because I had a head start.

Major Glory was right behind me, according to my radar. But I ignored him in favor of trying to find Agunimon. My reactor was now racing big time as I remembered his true form. He may have been a Digimon, but in reality he was still just a kid. A damn kid! And I was not about to let a kid get involved in something big like whatever was happening! Or rather, I wasn't about to let him take any stupid risks.

My radar scanned the surrounding area, but nothing showed up on it. That was worrisome.

I gave a second burst of my thrusters, pushing myself faster.

And then I saw it.

The main road.

Me and Glory burst out of the trees over the main road, and I could see cars coming and going. But there was no sign of Agunimon anywhere. Not even within mind-reading distance. I expanded my psychoframe's power as far as it could go, but nothing was present.

Beside me, Major Glory was hovering, his eyes locked onto the side of the road. I turned my gaze down to look at it, and my reactor hitched inside my chest as I saw Agunimon's Tri-Knife, lying on the side of the road...

Covered in blood.

I slowly hovered down, shock flooding my frame and systems. As soon as I landed, I bolted for the discarded weapon and I knelt, slowly picking it up in shaking hands. I stared at it, my scanners analyzing the blood splattered on it. A few flecks of something sparkling blue stood out, and my sensors registered it as unknown. But the DNA within it was clearly Agunimon's. I looked up, my optics wide, as I turned my head, peering down both directions of the road.

But there was no sign of him anywhere there.

How was I supposed to explain this to Tina? And the others, for that matter?

"By the Liberty Bell..." Major Glory's voice reached my audios, and right then I just lost it.

I whirled around, holding the Tri-Knife in one hand, and drove the other into a nearby tree, a roar of rage escaping my throat and chest. At the same time, I let off a pulse of psychoframe energy, a small part of me thanking Glob that the road was clear at this point. My wings twitched as the tree began to tilt, my punch having gone right through it and broken it in half. The upper half of the tree fell down away from us both, and then I stood up, my optics hidden in shadow.

Major Glory's face was filled with shock at what I had just done. But then again, I could've cared less about that.

All I cared about was trying to find Agunimon.

And I would do it, with or without Major Glory.

I turned and flared my wings, taking to the skies and speeding back to the Radcliffe Estate.

I was going to put together a team.

And I knew just who to gather for it.

Name: Jasper Badun

Species: Human

Aura: Dark brown

Semblance: Visioncloak

Description: His Semblance makes him invisible to many forms of sensor and vision. However it is not very effective against infrared or thermal sensors or cameras in the case of Dracon. Enough time spent invisible also means his body temperature increases, making him easier to spot via thermal cameras.

Weapon: Pillager

Description: A collapsible bident staff capable of shocking opponents with electricity generated by lightning Dust capsules

Name: Horace Badun

Species: Human

Aura: Light grey

Semblance: Telekinesis

Description: He can take control of any object or individual and manipulate them like a puppet. However, he can only control one person at a time or up to three objects at a given time. He tends to need to eat a lot in order to compensate for the extra calories his Semblance burns.

Weapon: Fitz

Description: A club that is made from an old chair leg.

Just when things are looking up...

(Shows Railspike training the young Shinkalions in the main hangar bay of the SDI Headquarters)

A new foe arises...

"W-Who the hell?!"

(Six shapes vaguely resembling the Shinkalions appear in the middle of a battle, brandishing weapons)

And the team is framed for crimes they did not commit

"Team Shinkalion has gone rogue?!"

(The four remaining members of the team flee by rail to avoid the police)

But a young boy will slowly uncover the truth

"Somehow I doubt that this is the whole story. It just doesn't add up."

(The train speeds past a young boy with gold-blonde hair standing atop a building, holding a small device in his hands)

And truth...

"The project is in jeopardy."

(A white shinkansen with red accents speeds past the boy, a winged shape with glowing green optics appearing behind him)

Is always...

"And this will help expose the truth?"

(The boy is shown standing before a large pod, Director Hayasugi beside him)

More potent than lies

"Yes. This device is the key to revealing the truth behind those attacking the city."

(The youth hands over his device before getting into the pod)

The future of Project SHINKALION hangs in the balance

"You're our only hope, Rei."

(The pod hisses shut before two green optics flare)

And the world's future is set on a crossroads

"Everything you've seen is false!"

(The team is shown standing in shock at a winged shape hovering above them, Tezuka narrowing her eyes at it)

GRIMMFALL SHINKALION: DARK DOUBLE DAZE

COMING SOON TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU