Part Three: The Digital World
Offshore
The Continent of Folder
Friday, June 1st, 2018
6:00 A.M.
Rapidmon walked towards them, his arms crossed in a calm manner. "Don't make this difficult." The rabbit warned. "I'd rather not fight, if I can help it."
"Don't come any closer," Gankoomon warned, "I don't want to fight you either, but these children must reach their destination."
"We are at war with the human world." Rapidmon argued. "I have no wish to hurt them, but they cannot be allowed to run free within the digital world. They must come with me."
"I can't allow that." Gankoomon shook his head.
"Everyone calm down, please." Lopmon stepped in front of Gankoomon. Alice followed, still behind the Digimon's arm, with her hand on her hip, where her digivice was clipped. "Rapidmon, let us talk this out. We can all be reasonable here."
"I don't know who you are, young one, but do not interfere." He reached for the barrel on his back.
"Do not reach for that weapon." Lopmon commanded.
"You are in no position to make demands." Rapidmon replied as he continued reaching around his back. Alice clicked her digivice, and light swirled around her partner. Rapidmon jumped back as Antylamon appeared, swinging her Bunny Blades down at him. Rapidmon quickly switched his arm in front of his body, blocking the axe and knocking it harmlessly away. Antylamon then swung her other blade horizontally. Rapidmon jumped into the air, narrowly dodging as Antylamon swung her left arm back up, with Rapidmon throwing his head back to dodge. The Knight landed a few meters away, his arms extended in a defensive pose.
"Antylamon, what are you doing here?" Rapidmon glared at the Deva.
"Gankoomon, please escort the rest of the Digidestined to the ship. I have some things to discuss with my friend here." Antylamon ordered.
"You shouldn't fight him alone." Gankoomon warned.
"Then come back for me when everyone is secure." Antylamon answered.
"I cannot allow you to go anywhere." Rapidmon warned, but Antylamon then went on the offensive, vanishing from place and appearing instantly behind Rapidmon, swinging her blades. Rapidmon blocked with his gauntlets expertly, twirling around and swinging his arm down like a hammer. Antylamon flipped over him, kicking at his back.
"Come!" Gankoomon urged the Digidestined onward, and the group moved quickly down the path, running around Antylamon and Rapidmon as they fought, trading blows while narrowly dodging each other's attacks.
"Alice, go with them!" Antylamon barked as she spotted her tamer out of the corner of her eye, standing on the sidelines.
"I thought you'd understand by now," Alice quipped, "We're stronger when we're together." She backed away, not wanting to get too close to the action, less her partner need to protect her. "And you said it yourself: no weak." Antylamon smiled at her partner's words as she tucked away from Rapidmon, who unleashed a flurry of kicks at the air.
"Antylamon: what is going on here?" Rapidmon grunted as they both landed on the ground and began circling each other. "Why are you working with the humans?"
"A statement like that would never have crossed your mind, once." Antylamon replied. "You've lost your way: you and the rest of the Royal Knights. You've gone against everything we worked toward."
"You know the situation is more complicated than that." Rapidmon groaned. "The digital world is on the brink of annihilation."
"So you sent indoctrinated soldiers into the human world, who were convinced that humans were at fault for all that they had lost, and told them to conquer the humans and find the source of the virus." Antylamon scolded. "And you foresaw no flaws in that plan?"
"Dynas and Crusader trained them not to hesitate," Rapidmon answered, "They needed to be able to do whatever had to be done. But we sent them there with the understanding that the humans wouldn't have the strength to fight back."
"You took it too far, Rapidmon. You viewed humans as enemies, instead of working with them to combat the virus, like you should have all along!" Antylamon's eyes flared with anger.
"We tried!" Rapidmon yelled back. "We tried to call our partners, all of us! But they were silent. We did what he had to do, and I won't apologize for trying to save the digital world from the greatest threat it's ever faced!"
"If only you could hear yourself right now," Antylamon shook her head, "You sound like Etemon."
"It's different, and you know it." Rapidmon shook his head. "We didn't have any other choice. This time the threat came right from the human world. We had to go there to neutralize the threat."
"You went there unprepared, and opened up both sides to attack by the Gizumon." Antylamon barked. "I know Asuramon must have told you about them by now. They tore apart your digital army, and put countless humans in danger. There's no telling how many have died because of your recklessness."
"There are always casualties in a war." Rapidmon sighed. "It's not pretty, but if we eliminate the source of the virus, then those sacrifices won't be in vain."
"And what do you think Izzy would have to say if he heard the words that you just spoke?" She glared.
"Times change. The days of the Digidestined are long passed. We have to find new strategies for survival. I'll always value the friendship with my partner, but he's not here to help us this time."
"Had you gone to the human world yourself, you'd have known that was untrue." Antylamon retorted. "That girl is my partner." She pointed to Alice. "She has a digivice, and a crest. The Digidestined have been called once more, but this time they're here to stop you."
"You lie!" he looked stunned. Alice grabbed her digivice, waving it in her hand.
"And what's worse, is that Izzy's been trapped in Kyoto with us the entire time, a victim of your foolish war." The ultimate dropped her arms, her words hitting Rapidmon harder than any blow she could have dealt. He reeled backwards, not sure what to say.
"We're leaving now." Antylamon began walking away, and Alice followed. "There's nothing more that needs to be said."
"I'm afraid that's untrue!" A figure crashed into the ground before them, causing Antylamon to jump back passed the entrance to the village, pulling Alice with her. Another knight, this one dressed in white-and-blue armor, with wide blue wings outstretched as the Digimon planted his fist into the dirt where Antylamon had once stood. "You've gone too far this time, Antylamon."
"Dynasmon." She backed away slowly.
"Hand over the human." He ordered. "I won't ask again."
"There's more to this than you know." Antylamon protested. "These aren't ordinary humans, they're Digi-!" Dynasmon was in front of her before she could react, his fist planted firmly in her gut. Antylamon had less than a second to release her partner before she was launched back down the path, her body slamming into the dirt. Antylamon gasped, the wind knocked out of her. Dynasmon slowly made his way over to her, cracking his knuckles.
"Rapidmon, if you're not going to fight, at least make yourself useful and secure the human." He nodded back to Alice, whose frightened look complimented her stunned body. "Antylamon has some explaining to do."
He was too preoccupied with his target to stop the foot from crashing into his face, knocking him across the beach and into the water. Gankoomon landed where Dynasmon had once stood, grabbing Antylamon's collar and slinging her over his shoulder. Then he ran, snagging Alice under his arm and darting down the road passed Rapidmon, who was still too stunned to respond. Gankoomon was through the town in seconds, lunging from the docks and landing on a fleeting ship, where the rest of the Digidestined waited.
"Open the sails Captain!" Gankoomon ordered. "We need to be as far away from here as possible!" Captain Hookmon didn't waver. His crew set to work, and within moments the wind had caught them, the ship was tearing through the water, into the open sea.
"Breathe, child." Gankoomon set Alice and a now-unconscious Lopmon onto the deck of the ship. The girl collapsed onto her hands and knees, breathing heavily.
"What happened?" Takuya ran up to the girl and her partner, checking the Digimon's pulse.
"I don't know for sure," Gankoomon explained, "Another member of the Royal Knights, Dynasmon, had appeared when I arrived. Antylamon was on the ground with Dynasmon approaching her. I incapacitated him and got these two back to the ship as quickly as possible."
"Rapidmon," Alice started to control her breath, "Antylamon told him that his partner was in Kyoto, and was working with us." Takuya helped her sit down. "He didn't take it well. We were leaving when Dynasmon appeared. He attacked Antylamon before she could respond. I've never seen anything move faster than her before."
"Dynasmon is a formidable warrior," Gankoomon told her, "Like all the Royal Knights, he is far more powerful than most Digimon you will ever encounter. Sadly, that includes your partners." He looked to the three human children. "At the ultimate level, I'm afraid you don't have the ability to combat the Royal Knights."
"Are you saying that it's hopeless?" Mimi looked angry, her fists quivering. "Are you saying that we'll never get Willis back?"
"Not at all," Gankoomon shook his head, "But it will be far more difficult than anything you've faced up to this point. You'll need to adopt new, stealth oriented strategies. Never go up against a Royal Knight one-on-one, like Antylamon did. And your most powerful weapons will be your words, not your fists. Antylamon has already sown the seeds of discord among the Knights. Hopefully, what she said to Rapidmon will convince him that their cause is unjust, and in turn convince other Knights. Only by avoiding open conflict with them will you be able to save your friend."
"We really can't beat even one of them, not even if we work together?" Mimi whimpered.
"It took all of us together to defeat Kimeramon," Takuya pondered, "Four ultimate-level Digimon and Flamedramon, combining their powers against an already weakened opponent, to defeat him. If the Royal Knights are any stronger than Kimeramon, then we're not even working at full power right now. We'll never win against them."
"I'm glad you understand." He turned to Hookmon. "Captain, how long until we can leave for the fourth plane?"
"The path to the data streams is a half an hour away from the coast," He answered, "We are going at full speed. Regrettably, I cannot be making it there any faster."
"Understood. We'll have to keep an eye out for any Knights in the sky." Gankoomon warned.
"Gankoomon, does this mean you're coming with us?" Dinoster inquired. "To save Willis?"
"I see no other alternative." Gankoomon answered. "Your biggest advantage in saving your friend was that the Royal Knights did not know you were here. I had hoped your status at Digidestined would earn you good will with the people of that village, but it seems animosity towards humans is stronger than ever before. They alerted them to your presence, and now you'll need all the support you can get if you want to make it out of the digital world alive. I cannot, in good conscience, abandon you now."
6:20 A.M.
"Which ship did they take?" Dynasmon stared out into the harbor, watching a number of vessels sailing into the distance.
"All I can tell you is that they took Hookmon's ship," Fugamon answered, "But I was inside when they departed. I've no idea which direction they took, and I could not tell you which one is his from this distance." Nine ships were sailing out into open sea, and all Dynasmon knew was that the humans were on one of them.
"I guess we'll have to search." He sighed. "Hopefully it won't take too long. Most of them are fishing barges, correct?" He turned to the champion.
"Yes, they should all stay relatively close to the shore, although I've no idea where Hookmon is going." He shook his head.
"You knew they were here, did you not?" He glanced over at Fugamon, who didn't react to his question.
"I did." Fugamon replied.
"And you thought it would be a good idea to help humans, knowing that our worlds are at war?" Dynasmon let his irritation show.
"I simply agreed to let Hookmon know of Gankoomon's arrival." Fugamon answered. "He was the one who aided the humans. He is a friend among these parts, and I wasn't going to refuse him. However, the humans did not stay here, in the village. They slept somewhere along the beach."
"I see." Dynasmon continued to study the ships in the sea.
"But with all due respect Dynasmon," Fugamon continued, "I do not serve you. I am harbor master for this village, and nothing else. You can criticize my actions if you wish, but I will not be held accountable by you."
"Forgive me Fugamon, I meant no disrespect," Dynasmon replied, "I simply wish to understand what happened here. I do not comprehend why these humans were so easily able to navigate through the digital world without encountering resistance, but now I see that this Gankoomon is the one who has helped them. Do you have any idea as to why he has done so?"
"He claimed that they were Digidestined." Fugamon answered.
"Digidestined…" Dynasmon gasped. "Now that is interesting. Thank you for your time." He nodded to the ogre, who bowed respectfully, as Dynasmon left the dock and returned to the street, where Rapidmon was leaning against a building, deep in thought.
"Rapidmon, we need to move quickly." He nodded his head back towards the ocean. "The humans are escaping, and we have a number of vessels to look over."
"I don't…" Rapidmon mumbled.
"Rapidmon, focus." Dynas snapped his fingers. "The humans are escaping."
"They said they're Digidestined, Dynas." He sighed.
"I heard. But regardless of what they claim, we still need to find them. We'll bring them to the rest of the Royal Knights and evaluate their claims there, where we can keep an eye on them."
"But why would Antylamon ally with them otherwise?"
"An excellent question, one that I would be happy to ask them." Dynas flew into the air. "I'm going to look for them. Why don't you head back to the castle and report everything that's happened to Omega?" Rapidmon nodded. "I'll meet you there." Dynasmon took off towards the sea, leaving Rapidmon alone in the street.
7:00 A.M.
The morning sun was blasting into Pamela's window as she buttoned up her dress shirt, squinting as she stared into the mirror on her dresser. She looked back at her bed, tapping her foot as she decided between the business skirt or the black slacks. The shareholder's meeting was in an hour, and Mateo would be there. Her discussion with Kyoko last week was still at the front of her mind, and she wanted to make sure that she came off to Mateo as friendly and welcoming. In her profession, she often had to take a dominating approach: often it was necessary to show others that she deserved per position. A woman in a man's world, she had heard people say. She shuttered at how people still clung to old ideas on society, suddenly recalling how she had treated Kyoko about her attire. I shouldn't have done that. She shook her head.
She decided on the skirt. She didn't like people's preconceived notions, but that didn't mean she couldn't take advantage of them. A skirt was feminine, and would create a non-aggressive front when she next saw Mateo. He was involved with the wrong people, and she didn't want to get on his bad side. Still, she needed answers, and looking more friendly would hopefully make Mateo more open to giving her those answers.
Pamela slipped her jacket over her shoulders, buttoning it around her waist, then slipped on a pair of black loafers. High heels put me at eye level with him, she knew. He needs to feel like he's in total control, totally safe. She walked to the living room as she put her hair in a bun, grabbing her purse and phone from the end table. A blue light was flashing.
"A message from Kyoko." She observed as she opened her phone and pressed it to her ear.
"Pam, I need to talk to you. There's some new information I've uncovered that you really need to know. Call me back as soon as you can, we need to schedule a meeting." The recorded message ended, and Pamela slipped her phone into her purse. Kyoko would have to wait until after the shareholder's meeting; she simply didn't have the time. Quickly she stepped out of her apartment, locking the door, and making for the elevator. A minute later she was out on the street, where a car was waiting for her. She ducked into the back seat, and her driver greeted her with a nod.
"Mrs. Grey," He said simply.
"No other stops today Dave, I'll be late otherwise." She instructed.
"Yes ma'am." He nodded, started the car, and then took off down the streets of New York City, rolling up the partition to give her some privacy. Pamela sunk into her seat and closed her eyes, letting her tense body relax. Mateo is my friend, she reminded herself. He still cares for me. even if he is involved in something dangerous, I can talk to him. She pulled out her phone, remembering Kyoko's message, and dialed her back.
"Pam?" Kyoko's voice sounded on the other end of the line.
"Kyoko," Pam replied, "I got your message. I'm on my way to a shareholder's meeting. Mateo will be there."
"You really need to hear about what I've discovered." The girl urged. "What Mateo is involved with, it's really dangerous. You can't talk to him yet, at least until you hear what I have to say."
"I'll have some free time at lunch," Pamela proposed, "I can ask him to stay after the meeting, if you want to brief me before then."
"I don't know if it's such a good idea to confront him so readily about this." Kyoko warned. "You might want to hold off."
"I can't do that, Kyoko. I need answers. Now is there anything you can tell me right now, over the phone?" She inquired.
"I don't- it's complicated." Kyoko explained. "Mateo's involved in some research that-" A horn blared in Pamela's ear. She slowly turned her head, her eyes looking out the window to meet the truck that was barreling down the road. She didn't even have time to protect herself before the truck slammed into the side of her car.
The Digital World
6:57 A.M.
Palmon hugged the rails as the ship rocked back and forth, the seas churning amidst the wind. The storm had appeared with no warning, swirling together in the sky above. The waves had become rocky, the wind a pestering howl, and a light drizzle was inconsistently dropping from above. "Are we almost there yet?" The rookie groaned, her stomach churning. The plant Digimon was used to land, and the churning waters had done her no favors.
"Captain Hookmon!" Mimi sat next to her partner, rubbing her back. "I don't mean to be a bother, but how much longer?"
"We'll be there within the next few minutes." Hookmon replied. "But the storm will be worse before then."
"Worse?" Palmon whimpered.
"We be approaching an entrance to the data streams," Hookmon explained, "Energy flows back and forth in this area, causing the seas to stir and the winds to howl. Our entrance will be in the eye of the storm, where we'll pass through the worst of it. But it won't take long, fret not."
"I don't know how much more of this I can take." She fervently shook her head.
"It'll be okay Palmon, I'll be right here with you." She drooped her arm around the rookie's shoulder.
"We'll be needing you below deck soon." Hookmon continued. "The cargo hold will be safest for the lot of ya. Octomon, did ya tie everything down before we left?" He looked to the octopus Digimon, who was currently securing the hatches.
"Nay, cap'n. We left in a hurry, I had no time." The Digimon answered.
"I thought that might be the case." Hookmon sighed. "You there." He looked to Impmon, who sat against the railing. "Make yerself useful."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Impmon grumbled.
"It means yer sitting up here pouting on my ship instead o' being a productive crew member. Go down to the cargo hold, there should be some rope. Tie down the barrels down there so they don't squish yer friends."
"Hey, I ain't a part of your crew." Impmon snapped.
"Everyone on this ship is part of my crew, so long as they want to stay aboard." Hookmon growled. "I ain't trying to insult ya boy, I'm just using the manpower I have. I need ya, now can you do it?"
"Uh…" Impmon stood up, legs wobbling as the boat rocked. "Yeah, yeah I can do it." Impmon's demeanor changed, eagerly nodding. "I'll get right on it." Octomon pointed him to the hatch below deck, and Impmon slipped inside.
"I've never seen him so eager to help." Mimi gaped.
"Captain Hookmon made him feel useful." Gankoomon observed. "Perhaps he's just been looking for somewhere to fit in."
"The rest o' ya should be making yer way down there as well." Hookmon commanded. "The rain's picking up, and soon the winds will be so strong they'll rip a grown mon right off the deck who don't have his sea legs." Gankoomon helped open the hatch, letting the Digidestined down. Alice went down first, still holding Lopmon, who was recovering from her battle.
"Regrettably, you'll have to stay up here Gankoomon," Hookmon told him as Takuya started down, "There's just no room for ya down there."
"I understand. I'll do my best not to be ripped right off the deck." Gankoomon smiled.
"Gankoomon, look!" Mimi exclaimed, pointing up into the air. A bolt of lightning then illuminated the dark sky as the rain intensified, pounding against the deck. An armored Digimon floated in the sky, his great blue wings slowly flapping.
"Dynas is here." Gankoomon growled. "Hookmon, we need out of here now!"
"I'm afraid I can't let you go anywhere." Dynas shook his head. "If you come quietly, I promise no harm will come to the children or the Digimon."
"I cannot fly," Gankoomon frowned as he looked up into the air, "I'm at a loss."
"Palmon, can you fly in this?" Mimi asked her partner.
"It's better than standing on this ship." Palmon groaned.
"I told you, you cannot fight him head on." Gankoomon growled.
"No, but we can distract him long enough to escape." Dinoster reasoned. "Trust us."
"Hm…" Dynas was making his way toward them, struggling against the wind. "Be fast, and efficient. He will not forgive you if you make an error."
"Don't worry Gankoomon, just watch." Mimi and Takuya clicked their digivices.
"Palmon, warp digivolve to… Lillymon!"
"Dracomon, warp digivolve to… Wingdramon!" Lillymon and Wingdramon shot into the sky towards Dynasmon.
"I see, so the hard way then." Dynas frowned as the two rushed for him. He stretched his arms forward, ready to intercept, but the two Digimon vanished in front of him. "Huh?" He turned backwards as Wingdramon appeared, swinging his tail at the knight. Dynas blocked with his arm, flying backwards from the impact. Lillymon then appeared above him and unleashed a spin kick at his head. "Not again, I'm afraid." He ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, and spotted Wingdramon barreling towards him.
"What exactly is your plan?" Dynas inquired as the Digimon unleashed a flurry of punches and tail swipes, which Dynas expertly dodged. "You cannot hope to win this confrontation: you are only an ultimate, and I am a level far beyond that."
"You're right, I couldn't win in a one-on-one fight, and two of us still probably couldn't win," Dinoster grunted as he swung, "But you can't block an attack that you don't know is coming."
"What are you…" His eyes widened in realization too late as Lillymon's Flower Cannon slammed into his back. With nothing to stop his descent, the Digimon was thrown into the raging waves as the beam tunneled behind him. Lillymon then released her attack, and the two descended onto the deck, degenerating to their rookie forms.
"You can use attacks without calling out their names?" Gankoomon noted. "Impressive."
"We figured he wouldn't expect that from us, so we used it to our advantage. Palmon smiled. "But that won't last us for long. He'll resurface quickly. We need to get out of here now!" She had to scream to be heard over the cracks of thunder and the beating of the rain against wood.
"We're almost there!" Hookmon exclaimed. "Get below deck!" Palmon and Dinoster complied, jumping down into the hatch. Impmon appeared after them, climbing back onto the deck.
"I tied down the cargo, Captain!" Impmon screamed. "Is there anything else?"
"Ya picked a helluva time to come back up here boy!" Hookmon cried. Looking around, the rest of his crew was keeping hold of the sails, as Hookmon struggled to maintain control of the wheel. "Batten down that hatch, and then find something to hold onto! We'll see if yer seaworthy yet!" Impmon slammed the hatch closed and flipped the lock over it, setting it into place. He then ran up to where Hookmon was, overlooking the deck, and wrapped his arms around the railing. Gankoomon watched as he gripped the rigging, cautious of his footing.
"Here comes a big one, on the starboard side!" Octomon yelled from the crow's nest. The ship almost toppled as the water crashed against the side, but Hookmon kept a strong grip on the wheel, and held them upright.
"This is it." Hookmon spun the wheel towards the starboard side, the ship seizing upwards. Impmon's eyes widened as another wave cascaded towards them, this one towering over the ship itself.
"Shouldn't we avoid this?" Impmon cried.
"Nay, this is what we've been waiting for!" Hookmon roared. "Everyone hold onto something; this is the big one!" The ship lurched upwards as the wave crashed into the nose, sailing over the ridge of the water. It began to dip down, and Impmon peered over the side. A massive whirlpool had appeared, sinking down into a dark abyss below.
"Uh…" Impmon whimpered.
"Worry not lad. My ship, the Essex, is lined with chrome digizoid. There's nothing the waves could do to her. This is what she was built to do." The nose tipped down, and the ship sped inwards, the whirlpool sucking them inside. Water swirled around them, swallowing the ship whole.
