After learning of Hudiemon's disappearance from the Digital World, K contacted the heroes and offered a ultimatum. The final part of the Golden Armor they received from Red Eyes in return for the safety of Hudiemon. As they approach the place for the exchange Takumi and Ami become distracted with K's words to them...
The team entered the old doorway and were in a large indoor room. The walls looked ancient. They could make out statues and pillars that were mostly crumbled. "Look at this place." Solana muttered. "It really is like an ancient temple."
"To think something like this was hiding in Tweakwood all this time." Rand said.
"Welcome." A voice echoed throughout the room, raising everyone's guard.
"That voice! It's K!" Monodramon said.
"Tell me meddlers. Do you remember this place? I believe you have come here many times before in your quest to interfere with my plans."
"What on earth are you talking about?" Kate asked.
"I apologize, but I have something I need to carry out before our exchange. But I brought a little something to keep you entertained while you wait." A bright flash of purple blinded the team in front of them. Something formed from the feet up slowly. A giant red body. Blond hair. Menacing wings.
"Wow! Look at the size of that thing!" Keith gulped.
"It's like something straight out of a nightmare…" Yu muttered.
"Is that…VenomMyotismon?!" Takumi gasped.
"Myotismon?" Rand asked. "That Digimon Purple Eyes had with him?"
"But we defeated him on Mt. Layuda!" Summer exclaimed. "How is he here?!"
Alphamon stared at it. "I cannot sense a Digimon's consciousness. It's possible K merely reconstructed a copy of VenomMyotismon's body with his data."
Keisuke stared at the familiar Digimon. "This is…"
"I guess this is what our hooded friend was telling us about." Matayoshi said. "We're going to have to get past it fast if we want to find K before he finishes whatever he's doing."
Takumi nodded. "VenomMyotismon is a Virus Type! So, everyone use Vaccine Type Digimon! If your Digimon doesn't have a Vaccine form just avoid using Data!"
"Right!" the tamers nodded as they got out their Digivices.
DIGIVOLUTION
"Terriemron Double Warp Digivolve to…MegaGargomon!"
"Palmon Double Warp Digivolve to…Ophanimon!"
"Agumon…Double Warp Digivolve to…WarGreymon!"
"Gabumon…Double Warp Digivolve to…MetalGarurumon!"
"Keramon Double Warp Digivolve to…Diaboromon!"
"Guilmon Double Warp Digivolve to…ShineGreymon!"
"Hagurumon Double Warp Digivolve to…HiAndromon."
"FanBeemon Double Warp Digivolve to…Durandamon!"
"Lopmon Double Warp Digivolve to…Kerpymon!"
"Tentomon Double Warp Digivolve to…HerculesKabuterimon!"
"Monodramon Warp Digivolve to…Cyberdramon!"
"Otamamon Warp Digivolve to…Whamon!"
"Biyomon Warp Digivolve to…Garudamon!"
"Armadillomon Digivolve to…Ankylomon!"
"Patamon Digivolve to…Angemon!"
"WarGreymon!"
"MetalGarurumon!"
"DNA Digivole to…Omnimon!"
"Ankylomon!"
"Angemon!"
"DNA Digivolve to…Shakkoumon!"
Everyone's Digimon Digivolved as far as they could and prepared for battle. Ben and Summer jumped into the air. "Go, Guardian Sign! Raikou, come forth!"
"Go, Guardian Sign! Zapdos, come forth! In a flash of lightning two legendary Pokemon appeared before them.
"Here we go team!" Rand said. "Attack!" The Ranger, Pokemon and Digimon sprung into action.
"Destruction Cannon!" VenomMyotismon screeched as a violet sphere came out of it's mouth. Everyone scattered from it as it exploded. Omnimon and ShineGreymon then took a leap at it. "Transcendent Sword!"
"Geo Greysword!" With one clean slash each they sliced off one of VenomMyotismon's arms.
"Nice one you guys!" Nokia rooted.
The Digimon staggered with labored breathing. But it roared and held out it's severed arm. Purple pixels formed a new arm. "Regeneration?" Arata asked. "How annoying."
"Indeed." Alphamon replied. "K's done some work on this one."
"Burst Shot!"
"Catastrophe Blaster!"
"Desolation Claw!"
"Disaster Blaster!" Four Digimon fired at once, filling the Digimon with holes. But those were slowly filled in as if nothing happened. He then threw a punch that they barley evaded.
"Eden's Javelin!"
"Heaven's Judgment!"
"Giga Blaster!
"Shadow Wing!" Ophanimon, Kerpymon, HerculesKabuterimon and Garudamon all attacked it's chest, leaving a good dent as it slid back on its feet. But even that wound soon healed. It then jumped at the four that attacked it who flew into the air. His wings flapped as he took flight after them.
"Atomic Ray."
"Tidal Wave!" HiAndromon and Whamon fired at it, but it dodged the attacks and continued it's pursuit. Soon it had Ophanimon and Garudamon trapped in one hand and held Kerpymon by the head with the other.
"Plusle!"
"Minum!"
"Pachirisu!"
"Pichu!"
The four small Electric Partner Pokemon gathered and summoned a powerful bolt that hit VenomMyotismon in the back, making it let the other Digimon go. HerculesKabuterimon rammed his horn into it's torso, knocking it back a bit.
"Zwei Glänze!" Durandamon took the chance to sneak up behind and slash it's wings off with her blades. VenomMyotismon groaned as it dropped to the ground.
Ben saw his chance. "Summer!"
"I got you!" Both of their legendary Pokemon zipped to both sides of the downed Digimon.
"Discharge!" As soon as the order was made, both Raikou and Zapdos let lose a massive storm of electricity. The VenomMyotismon howled in pain as it was zapped. But it's eyes slowly glowed red as it glanced at Raikou.
Ben knew what was coming. "Raikou, get out of there!"
"Venom Infusion!" It shot red beams from its eyes. Raikou barely had time to stop attacking and dodge. It then set it's gave on Zapdos, who flew away. The Digimon's gave flailed wildly, making all the combinations scramble.
Parts of the ceiling were starting to come down. "At this rate he'll tear the whole place apart!" Kellyn growled.
Kyoko was looking at her Digivice. "Just give me a few minutes."
"At this rate a minute will be all you get!" Chitose replied.
VenomMyotismon growled as it got up It hunched over and roared as its wings grew back. "This guy is seriously getting on my nerves." MegaGargomon growled.
Ryuji growled. "We don't have time for this. Erika is just ahead. I can finally make things right. Make up for how I acted back then. Maybe we can even find a way to all go home together this time…So don't…GET IN OUR WAY!" A burst of red aura exploded from Ryuji's body.
"Whoa!" Chitose backed up. "This time you really blew up on someone!"
Cyberdramon looked at his tamer. "Ryuji…"
"Let's go Cyberdramon!"
"Right!"
DIGIVOLUTION
Ryuji held up his Digivice and it sucked in his aura. It then fired it off into Cyberdramon and a shell of light formed around him. "Cyberdramon Digivolve to…" After a laud crackling it exploded and showed a Digimon that looked similar to Cyberdramon, but he looked more like human then a dragon. Instead of wings he had a red scarf. His left arm was clad in heavy silver metal. "Justimon!"
"Look at that!" Keith said. "That one sure is flashy!"
"Justimon?" Takumi asked in awe.
Arata grinned. "So, this is Ryuji's Mega Digimon."
Yuuko scanned it. "Justimon, Mega Level Vaccine. A hero of justice that never overlooks evil deeds."
Matayoshi laughed. "Ha, ha, ha! How appropriate! Hudie always was a righteous bunch of hackers!"
"Righteous bunch of hackers?" Solana muttered. "Never thought I'd hear that term."
Kyoko then found something from scanning the enemy. "Ryuji! See that red bat symbol with what looks like eyes on its body?"
"Yeah?"
"I think that's where K installed it's regenerating program. Take it out, and he won't be able to heal himself."
"Got it. You ready Justimon?"
"Of course. We won't allow K to do whatever he pleases with this world!" Justimon declared.
"We'll crush his ambitions and rescue Erika!" Ryuji added. "Keisuke! Chitose! Yu!"
Keiuske nodded. "Alright!"
"You got it bro!" Chtiose grinned.
"I'm ready!" Yu added.
Hudie's Digimon lined up in front of VenomMyotismon. Justimon glowed silver. "Chain Max!" HerculesKabuterimon, Shakkoumon and Whamon started to glow with him. Justimon then punched the ground. "Acceleration Boost!" The light surrounding him shifted to a fiery red.
"Giga Blaster!"
"Disaster Blaster!"
"Tidal Wave!" Three energy attacks combined and slammed into the centre of the Digimon's body. It roared in agony as the resulting attack opened a hole, showing a purple cube inside it.
"There it is!" Kate said.
Ryuji held a fist forward. "Go! Justimon!"
The Mega Level Digimon leapt into the air and dove towards VenomMyotismon. With his foot held out, he started to catch fire with his movement speed. "Justice Kick!" He rammed his foot right into the cube. As he leapt off it, the program shattered into pieces.
"He did it!" Summer gleamed. "Now's our chance! Zapdos! Zap Cannon!" He legendary bird charged up energy in front of it and fired a golden sphere that flew into the hole left on VenomMyotismon. It exploded and sent electricity through its entire body. After a howl of pain, it slowly disappeared.
"It's not leaving data like the others?" Ami asked.
"Because it's not a real Digimon." Omnimon replied. "Just an empty being."
"I kind of feel sorry for it." Nokia said quietly.
"Oh please." A new voice echoed. "Why bother pity a being without a soul?"
"Who said that?" Yu asked looking around.
"Look!" Solana pointed above them. A swirl of red mist hover in the air. It slowly poured to the ground. It slowly took the shape of a creature before dissipating, showing a new Digimon. It had blond hair and a mask similar to Myotismon's, but it's white and blue body came with a long rat like tail, red claws, wings, and two shoulders that looked like jaw creatures. Three red eyes on one. Three blue eyes on the other.
"What the heck is that?!" Ben asked. "Another copy?"
"No." Alphamon replied. "This one seems to be a real Digimon."
"Don't mistake me for that failed experiment. I am MaloMyotismon. The right hand of the Vampire King."
"Vampire King?" ShineGreymon asked.
Yu scanned him. "MaloMyotismon, Mega Level Virus. Apparently, it's supposed to be a Myotismon's final form, making it superior to VenomMyotismon complete with an inhumane and cruel personality. Its shoulder cannons, "Sodom" and "Gomorrah" fire the Crimson Mist."
"So, you also work for K?" Ryuji snarled.
"To an extent. Normally I wouldn't dream of taking orders from a lowly human. But my master insists that we collaborate with him. So, for the time being, I tolerate the man you call K."
"You're master?" Kellyn asked.
"He means that Digimon that was with K." Keisuke said. "Matadormon."
"That creep?" Chitose asked. "But isn't he only a Ultimate Level Digimon? Why is he calling the shots for a Mega Level?"
"My master is merely waiting for the chance to regain his power. That is part of the bargain he made with K. And for that, he needs…" He pointed to the gold object in Takumi's hands. "That." Takumi glared at him and tightened his grip on it. "K arranged a deal to give you that Human/Digimon hybrid for it. But my master is reluctant to let her go free. And so…" MaloMyotismon got into a fighting stance. "I have come to take it from you pathetic humans by force!"
Justimon stepped in front of him. "Just try."
MaloMyotismon grinned as Sodom and Gomorrah opened up. "Crimson Mist!" The two mouths fired off two eerie red beams. Justimon jumped away and took flight. MaloMyotismon kept his attack trailed on him as he flew around.
"Burst Shot!" MegaGargomon fired a barrage of missiles at MaloMyotismon, but the evil Digimon laughed as his eyes flashed red and the weapons detonated prematurely. He then continued to fire, scattering the team as they evaded his attack.
"I think it's time we stepped in." Kyoko said.
Alphamon nodded. "I am reluctant to show off my abilities. K could be watching us after all. But it seems cruel to leave everything to the kids. We'd be setting a poor example." The knight stepped forward. A white sphere formed in her hand. "Power Energy." She threw it into MaloMyotismon and it exploded in his face.
The vampire Digimon scowled at her. "You…! The Digimon that dared to harm my master!"
"I believe your master was the one who dared to harm my partner and her assistants. I'd call it retaliation."
"I'll destroy you in his name!" MaloMyotismon's Sodom and Gomorrah opened wider and the mouths started to glow. "Disappear into the abyss!"
Alphamon held a hand up. A green circle formed in front of her palm. HerculesKabuterimon stepped forward. "Guys, he's gunning for her! We gotta-
MegaGargomon grabbed him from behind and pulled him back. "Clear the decks, that's what we gotta do!" Ophanimon, ShineGreymon, Omnimon and Diaboromon started dragging the other Digimon away.
"Uh, guys, why are your Digimon freaking out?" Ben asked.
"Everyone, don't panic." Nokia said. "Just slowly get behind the tall, mighty looking Royal Knight."
MaloMyotismon roared as he finished charging energy. "Pandemo-
"Soul Digitalization!" The emerald circle fired a bombardment of lasers at high speed. They ripped apart MaloMyotismon, piece by piece. Flashes of green blinded those around them and the attacks tore through the target and blasted the wall. The onslaught kept going until what little was left of MaloMyotismon fell to the ground.
"Th…this power…Impossible…" He slowly reached a hand upward. "My Lord…Vampire King Gran…Drac…" What remained of the Digimon turned into shards for Kyoko's Digivice to collect.
"It's done." Alphamon said before taking notice to the large dents in the wall behind where MaloMyotismon stood. "Hmm…Maybe I went a little overboard."
"That was amazing Kyoko! Alphamon!" Takumi and Ami went over to them.
"Looks like there's nothing stopping us now!" Nokia said. "That guy earlier said K was planning on having us wait here for him."
"And that in the meantime he's conducting an experiment." Yuugo added. "I don't know what he's cooking up, but it would be unwise to leave him be."
"Agreed." Yuuko nodded. "Let's go after him."
"But first…" Arata said looking behind him. "I think the others need to get their jaws rehinged." The six teens, Kyoko and their Digimon then noticed Ben, Keisuke and the others with their mouths agape and their eyes wide at what they just witnessed.
"S-so that's the power of the leader of the Royal Knights huh?" Summer muttered.
"Takumi? Ami? Please don't ever do anything to make your boss and her Digimon angry." Kate said. "I don't think this world could take it."
"Heh, heh…Yeah." Ami muttered quietly, clearly terrified of the thought like her brother. Kyoko and Alphamon giggled at the look on their assistants' pale faces.
Kyoko then turned to her Digimon. "Though not to be rude, but these… "shared memories" of ours tells me you were capable of even more."
"She's right." Takumi said. "It didn't look like you were holding back that much, yet…"
"Did something happen to you Alphamon?" Ami asked in concern.
Alphamon looked at her hand. "I had hoped to hide it, but I suppose my partner and our assistants are too observant for that. It seems that after our fight with Suedou and our worlds returned to normal I lost quite a bit of power. Maybe a side effect of being merged with Kyoko Kuremi for so long?"
"How long will it take for you to recover it?" MegaGargomon asked.
"Who knows. Maybe forever."
"You don't sound too bothered by it." Omnimon stated.
"I can't say I am. Power isn't everything."
"She's not wrong." Ryuji replied.
"In any case, we should find that WarpZone that man mentioned." Kyoko said. "I suspect it might be down that corridor over there."
"Better keep our Digimon in the Digivices." Arata said.
"Yeah, yeah, we won't fit through that tiny hole unlike you squirts." Diaboromon said before the Digimon went to their partners' devices.
"Thanks for your help you two." Summer said to Raikou and Zapdos. "We'll call you again if we need you." The Pokemon nodded and disappeared in a flash of lightning.
"Let's hurry." Ben said. "We can't let K finish whatever it is he's doing." Everyone nodded and went on ahead.
Keisuke thought back to the last thing MaloMyotismon said. It was the same thing another evil Digimon said before he destroyed it. "If Matadormon really is…No. I can't let that happen."
Ami tapped Takumi's shoulder. "You remember what K said just now? I think you might be right…"
"Tell me meddlers. Do you remember this place? I believe you have come here many times before in your quest to interfere with my plans." Those worlds flashed into Takumi's head. Then other things he heard K say as well.
"Steal? How rude. Like I said, this is my property. I'm only taking back what belongs to me."
"I am no pawn pretending to be a king like him. Though if it interests you, I was the one who lead Ed and his "Societea" to the Golden Armor."
"All is as the script I wrote many years ago should be. Soon you will see. Ben Natsuya. Summer Minami. Takumi Aiba. Ami Aiba. Arata Sanada. Nokia Shiramine. Yuuko Kamishiro. Yuugo Kamishiro. Fei Wong Tomoe Ignacio. I'll have you all pay for your sin against not just me, but the very laws of nature."
"I know the Golden Armor better then anyone. If you try to pass me a replica I will know."
Takumi clutched his fists. "I don't know how he could be here if it is him." Takumi looked into the corridor the others disappeared into with a cold glare as he pulled on his glove. "But if it really is that snake who did all of this…"
Ami had the same intimidating look in her eyes as she clenched her gloved hand. "We'll finish what we started! I'll make him regret setting foot in Oblivia again!"
They went inside the corridor and saw a large hallway filled with multiple doorways. "Oh, great!" Keith groaned. "That hooded weirdo couldn't have told us which doorway to take?!"
"No need." Ben replied, moving ahead. "Follow me."
"What? How do you know the way?" Date asked. "Hey, wait!" They hurried after him.
Ben stopped and turned to the left. "This one." It was a doorway at the end of the hall.
"What makes you so sure?" Solana asked.
"Look." Ben pointed to the top of the doorway. There were four purple triangles. "All of them are marked with a color. Green, orange, blue, yellow and purple. That guy said K was at the deep end of the Dark Temple, right? Out of those colors, purple suggests dark the most. And this is the end of the hall, so it must be the deepest part."
"I see. Good thinking Ben." Keisuke said.
"Thanks." Of course, there was another reason why Ben knew where to go. He had been to this temple before a long time ago. A long, long time ago. He led everyone into another room. A staircase lead to a square, dark blue platform.
"That's a WarpZone alright." Yuugo thought. "But it looks…dead. As if time sapped it of its power."
"Is that it?" Rand asked.
Ben took out the armor fragment he received from the hooded man from his vest pocket. "Must be. He said just to hold this thing up while standing on it, right?"
"Right. Let's go." Keisuke nodded. "Hang on Erika. We're coming."
One by one, everyone stepped onto the square. Once Ben was sure everyone was standing on it, he held the armor fragment up high. It slowly emitted a purple light. A noise was heard under them and the WarpZone started to glow a bright blue. "I guess it's working." Yu said looking down.
"Yup. Hold onto your hats guys!" Summer said. "This could be a bumpy ride!"
The light grew stronger and swallowed the team up. They reappeared deep inside a dark structure. "This is the temple he mentioned?" Solana asked.
"I can't believe something like this was in Oblivia all this time." Rand murmured. "We should have brough Leanne."
"There'll be time for that later." Fei replied. "Let's focus on getting' Ryuji's sister out of this bind K got her in."
"She's right." Ami nodded. "Come on."
They watched her walk towards the edge of a cliff. Date ran up and grabbed her arm. "What do you think you're doing, are you crazy?!"
"Don't worry." Ami stuck her foot out and set it on the invisible floor. "See? There are invisible tiles we can cross."
"How the heck did you see that?!" Kate asked.
"There was a reflection of light on the floor. Come on." Around half of the team went ahead. Others were crossing more slowly. Eventually they found another green platform.
"Is that another WarpZone?" Lunick asked.
"Sure is." Takumi nodded. "Let's go."
Matayoshi and Kyoko watched everyone enter one by one. "He and Ami sure are taking this calmly." Matayoshi sighed. "I guess after everything that's happened, not much will surprise em anymore."
"I wonder." Kyoko muttered. "They seem a little too lax about this. As if they…No. Now's not the time to suspect such things."
Back at Rand's House, Rythmi sighed. "I lost their signal again."
"That's not good." Proof. Hastings murmured.
Leanne turned to Nema. "How's it going on your end?"
Nema looked at her computer. "Gallantmon? UlforceVeedramon?"
"We were successful in contacting them." Gallantmon replied. "And they do believe they can open a gate where Alphamon did."
"The problem is the space between worlds is vast." UlforceVeedramon said. "They're having a hard time locating this world. And it's too dangerous for them to just jump in with no clue where they are going. Alphamon was able to find this place by using Kyoko, a human she merged with as a beacon. But the others never had any human partners."
"Yeah, that's true." Nema nodded. "If only there was a way to mark where we are on their radar…"
After a series of WarpZones and invisible floors, Ben lead the team to a Red WarpZone. "That one is red." Chitose said. "What does it mean?"
"Maybe it means the big boss is up ahead." Yu said.
"You make this sound like a video game." Lunick muttered.
"Well, we're about to find out." Takumi said. "Let's go." One by one they entered. They came into one last room. In front of them was a wall with a fading picture of a face on it.
"Hey…That looks like the Steelhead." Rand said.
"Steelhead?" Lunick asked. "The so-called knights of old that the Pinchers cosplayed as?"
"That's right." Yuugo nodded. "Long ago they were referred to as Oracles."
"So, they were guarding this temple." Kellyn noted. "But it's clearly been abandoned for some time."
"K chose one heck of a hiding place, I'll give him that." Chitose murmured.
"So, what now?" Keith asked. "Looks like we hit a dead end. Should we turn back?"
"Hold that thought." Ben walked up to the wall. Takumi, Ami, and Summer hurried with him. The eyes of the painting flashed and the floor they stood on started to rise.
"Whoa! Hey, wait!" Keisuke got out HurculessKabutarimon and grabbed hold as he took flight.
"Keisuke, wait!" Atrata expected him to crash into an invisible wall, but nothing stopped him from getting on top. "Huh?"
"The barrier must no longer be there." Yuugo thought. "Not surprising, seeing the state the temple is in."
Soon everyone had their Digimon out and it helped the rest of the humans get up where Takumi, Ami, Ben and Summer stood. "Did you find anything?" Yuuko asked.
They stared at a staircase in front of them, leading to a hole in the ceiling. "That wasn't there the last time we came here." Ben thought.
"I bet this is K's doing." Takumi said as he and Ami got out their Digimon. "Let's go."
"I can tell you're eager, but be carful." Alphamon said. "Who knows what else he'll do if we corner him."
Everyone ascended the massive staircase. Soon they came to the top. "Hey…Are we on top of the temple?" Arata asked.
Kellyn looked around. "I think so. Yet we're clearly underground." The are around them was a massive cavern. Only slivers of sunlight got through from above.
Ophanimon looked ahead of them. "Look! Over there!" Up ahead was a short but wide platform with stairs. On top they saw four things. A massive computer with a large screen, K sitting in a chair in front of it, Matadormon standing net to him, and on the left end of the platform, Hudiemon still restrained in the electrical contraption.
"Hudiemon!" HerculesKabuterimon yelled.
"Erika!" Keisuke started running towards then. Ryuji was close behind.
"Keisuke, wait!" Takumi yelled. "Ugh! I was hoping to catch them by surprise! He's too reckless!"
"No choice now." Arata sighed. "We'll have to take him head on!"
"Let's be carful though." Date said. "One wrong move and he might hurt his hostage again."
Matayoshi smiled as they followed. "You've really grown Date. It could be that time…"
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Keisuke was the first to reach the front of the short set of stairs. "K!"
Matadormon turned around. "What's this?"
Hudimon gasped as she saw familiar faces. "Kei…Keisuke!? Ryuji! Chtiose!"
The man turned his chair around. "Well, well. How did you lot find your way in here? The WarpZones to the temple should be shut down."
The others caught up and stopped behind Keisuke. "K, you scum!" Ryuji growled. "Let Erika go!"
K sighed as he stood up. "Temper, temper. I'm so close to finishing my experiment."
"We won't let you!" Omnimon aimed his Garuru Cannon at him.
K took out his remote and pressed a button. The electrical binds on Hudimon's hands, feet, waistline and neck zapped her again. She screamed in pain. "Nothing hasty! Or I raise the voltage and this girl is no more!"
"Ngh!" Omnimon reluctantly lowered his weapon.
"That's better. No need to be uncivilized. I see you brought he Golden Helmet like you asked. Now then, give it to me and this stops."
"How do we know you'll honor your deal?" Matayoshi asked.
"I am a man of my word. The Digimon for the helmet. I suppose it's natural for you to doubt me, but you really have no choice, do you? Oh? Still need to decide? Perhaps if a add a little more power…and make her suffer even more…will the sound of a louder scream help you make up your mind?" He slowly brought his thumb closer and closer to a button.
Takumi was struggling to figure out what to do. He was completely caught off guard when the helmet was yanked out of his hands. "Wha-Keisuke!"
"Here, take it!" Keisuke violently threw the helmet at K who caught it with one hand. He stopped the shocking and Hudiemon gasped and went slack.
K examined it. "Yes, this is the real thing. Excellent. To think you would come all this way to the Dark Temple. I feel like such effort should be rewarded. So how about a little story about this place? Many years ago, Oblivia was carefully guarded by warriors wearing the armor that the Pokemon Pinchers wore. They went by two names. The Steelhead and the Temple Oracles."
"Temple Oracles?" Kerpymon asked.
"Indeed. There were six temples here in Oblivia. The Forest Temple. The Fire Temple. The Ice Temple. The Thunder Temple. The Dark Temple which we stand in now. And the Light Temple. Each temple was guarded by these Oracles and their Captains who maintained peace with their Pokemon. The ruler among them and the people and Pokemon of Oblivia was the High Oracle Ellios."
Ben's eyes widened. Along with most of the gang. "He knows?"
Takumi clenched his fist. "Ellios?" Kate asked.
"But the one who would change Oblivia forever was the Dark Captain."
"The Dark Captain…" Kyoko murmured. "According to the "Legends of the Oblivia Region" he became the Evil Ruler who donned the Golden Armor and threatened Oblivia with the Sky Fortress."
"Oh, ho!" Matadormon laughed. "Aren't you well educated!"
"Agreed." K nodded. "As to be expected of the mentor of the Cyber Sleuths. But did you know the Evil Ruler was not the first to use the power of the Golden Armor?"
"He wasn't?" Kellyn asked.
"Surprising, isn't it? The first person to wear the armor was the man the Dark Captain gave it too. Ellios. With that armor, Ellios took over the minds of all other Oracles and their Pokemon."
"So, he was evil as well then?" Lunick asked.
"No." Ami shook her head. "No, he wasn't. Ellios was a good man. If anything...maybe a little too good."
"Uh, Ami?" Summer whispered. "We shouldn't be talking about this in front of the others!"
"It doesn't matter now."
"What do you mean?" Arata asked.
"Wait, what's going on? What are you guys hiding from us now?" Date groaned.
"As I was saying Ellios only wanted the best for people and Pokemon." Ami continued. "So, when the Dark Captain told him of a means of creating a utopia for everyone, he was prepared to do anything to see it to fruition. But it was all a lie. The Dark Captain fooled and betrayed him."
"That is correct." K cackled. "Using him, the Dark Caption created an orb filled with the energies of many powerful Pokemon. Including the most powerful of them all. Arceus."
"Arceus? The Pokemon that's essentially a god?" Garudamon asked.
"When the time was ripe, the Dark Captain stole that orb and set about his own goal. To create a flying fortress that he could rule the world from."
Ben's eyes widened. "The Sky Fortress."
"Correct. And after Ellios lost the Golden Armor the Dark Captain reclaimed it and used it to control the Sky Fortress created from the orb."
"Wait a second, how did Ellios lose the armor?" Solana asked.
"Ah yes. See the orb was previously used to control Arceus. When it was taken, it went on a rampage. Ellios tried to claim it as retribution for his sins, but was ultimately defeated. But then, Arceus was tamed by the intruders."
"What intruders?" Yu asked.
"Those who would defy the flow of time and interfere with the Dark Ruler's plans in an era they don't belong in. Those intruders…" K pointed in front of him. "Are standing before you right now! Fei! Yuugo! Yuuko! Arata! Nokia! The Cyber Sleuths Takumi and Ami! And the Pokemon Rangers Summer and Ben!"
Almost everyone in the group was shocked either by learning this or learning that K was well aware of it. "What?!" Keisuke gapped.
"Unbelievable…" Kyoko said with a rare, surprised look.
"You guys were in Oblivia's ancient past?!" Rand asked. "How is that possible?!"
"They received aid of the time traveling Pokemon Celebi." K replied.
"Celebi?!" Solana gasped.
"Just the opposite actually." Takumi said, who along with his sister were the only ones who remained calm throughout K's story. "It was Celebi, who sought Ben's help. When he went back to the past, the rest of us followed him."
"Is that so?" K asked. "Well, it does not change that you brats meddled with the flow of time. You did something that by nature should be forbidden."
"How do you know about all of this?!" Durandamon asked.
"Because he was also there." Ami asked.
Ophanimon looked at her. "What?"
"Not just that. He was responsible for everything." Takumi added.
"Evreything?" MegaGargomon asked.
Matadormon grinned at K. "Uh, oh! Someone's been busted~!"
K looked down. "Heh…Heh, heh, heh, heh!" Everyone looked at him uneasily as he raised his head. "BWAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Nokia shuddered as he broke into hysterical laughter. "What's gotten into him?!"
"Excellent! Well done detectives! I was hoping to surprise all of you, but it seems you figured out who I am before you reached me!"
"So, it is you." Ami growled. "Hypocrite. You accuse us of interfering with eras we don't belong in…Yet you yourself invade ours just to hurt more people?!"
"Was, manipulating lives in your own time not enough for you?" Takumi gave the masked man a sharp glare. "You have some nerve coming back here…SABIOS!"
As Takumi's shout echoed, Ben, Summer, Nokia, Arata, Yuuko, Yuugo, Fei, and their Pokemon and Digimon along with MegaGargmon and Ophanimon were petrified with shock. "…What?" Summer whispered.
K slowly pulled his hood down. Long purple hair flowed down behind his back. He put his hand on the mask he wore and slowly pulled it from his face. Ben's eyes widened as he saw his face. "It can't be!"
"Oh, but it is." The Dark Captain laughed. "It has been a very long time "Cyber Rangers"."
An great evil has returned. How did the Dark Captian from centuries ago return to haunt our friends in his time? What does he plan to do with Hudiemon and the Golden Armor? Find out next week on Cyber Ranger Guardian Story: The Next Heroes!