No good excuses, my beta-reader sent me this chapter ages ago and I didn't even notice. My mistake.
Part Three: The Digital World
Library
The World of the Devas
Sunday, June 3rd, 2018
12:00 P.M.
Takuya lay on a small cot on the floor, dangling his crest above his face. He watched the pendant twist and turn as he passed the chain between his fingers. Sincerity, Honor, Duty, Charity, and Peace. Those were the powers of their crests, Makuramon had said. Those virtues were what drove their partners' ability to transform into the ultimate level.
"Renamon told me I had honor…" He mumbled.
"What's that?" Mimi looked up from the book she was flipping through as she sat on her cot. The tome was larger than her, and she had to use both hands to turn the page. The day before, Makuramon had told them the analysis would take a couple of days, and they wouldn't be able to find where Asuramon had gone before then. The tamers had volunteered to help with Gallantmon's research in the meantime, and were currently in Antylamon's chambers, a brightly lit but simply decorated room, with a massive bed for Antylamon, and a large dresser-and-mirror combination pressed up against the light-blue stone walls. Lopmon had fished out some pillowcases, which when folded were as thick as bedding, for the tamers to use as cots.
"When Renamon and I were looking for Koji, Majester, and Dinoster," Takuya replied, "He told me that I had honor, because I came to help him fight off the Gizumon even though we had no reason to do so." Takuya had been lost in thought as he stared at the pendant, leaving Dinoster to flip through the book that had been assigned to them. "It was after that when my crest began to glow."
"Sincerity, Honor, Duty, Charity, and Peace." Lopmon recalled, sitting on Alice's shoulder. "That must be your crest. I hadn't really thought about which was which, but I suppose it must be relatively easy to ascertain, given that we've all digivolved to ultimate."
"And when we were down there," Takuya continued, sitting up, "I told Koji that it was his duty to help us fight Kimeramon."
"Mimi," Palmon looked to her partner, "I remember before the battle with Blossomon, you didn't want to admit how angry you were, but when you were sincere with yourself, our crests appeared."
"So, sincerity is my crest then?" Mimi looked down at the pendant, rubbing her thumb across the face of the teardrop symbol. Palmon nodded fervently.
"Then mine is…" Alice stared down at her crest.
"Charity," Lopmon happily jumped down into her lap, looking into her eyes, "You said you'd give all of yourself in order to save everyone, a selfless sacrifice to be sure."
"That means that Tommy has the crest of Peace." Takuya hummed.
"Wait, I don't understand." Mimi scratched her head. "Does that mean that when we got these crests, we were given these virtues, and that's why you were able to digivolve?"
"No, not at all." Lopmon shook her head. "From what I understand, the destiny key sought out individuals who already fulfilled these virtues." She explained. "That power was in you all along, it just took you being in a dangerous situation to realize what was inside."
"Does this help us at all?" Dinoster slammed his book closed. "We've already digivolved to the ultimate level. What does it matter which crest belongs to whom?"
"Dinoster…" Takuya turned to his exasperated partner.
"I'm sorry." The Digimon groaned. "I just feel so useless sitting here, doing nothing while we wait for Makuramon to tell us where to go."
"Do not forget Dinoster," Lopmon jumped over to the rookie, placing her paw on his shoulder, "We are all Digidestined, tamers and partners. The crests belong to us, just as much as they belong to our partners."
"Maybe we should go speak with Makuramon." Alice suggested. "We can see if there's any way we can help speed up the process." She stood up, causing the rest of the tamers to follow suit.
"That sounds more bearable than sitting up here, thank you." Dinoster replied. The group then filed out of the room, towards the library.
12:00 P.M.
Gankoomon sat with his left leg propped up over his right, flipping the pages of a book as he skimmed through it. A History of Contagious Diseases, was the title. The book detailed various diseases from the human world that had had a substantial effect on the population. Gallantmon had proposed that their might be some similarities between the virus afflicting the digital world and human plagues, so Gankoomon had offered to help him research.
Gankoomon had quickly learned that not every kindness he offered was as stimulating as the rest. He preferred to be on his feet, fighting the oppressive, or tending to those in need. Sitting and reading had proven to be hard for him to sustain, especially his current material. Human diseases had provided no helpful information; Digimon simply didn't react in the same way to the affliction, due to the nature of matter and data in the digital world.
"Find anything interesting?" Gallantmon returned to the table, another large book under his arm.
"I think it's safe to say that whatever the virus is, it behaves nothing like human viruses." Gankoomon answered. "The problem lies not in that it causes sickness, but in that Digimon can no longer be reconfigured, a situation that does not exist in the human world." He slammed the book shut. "Regardless, the answer does not lie in here."
"That's not surprising." Gallantmon placed the book down on the table. Gankoomon took quick notice of the symbol on the front: the digital hazard. "I was hoping there would be some correlation, but a digital virus does not behave in the same way as an organic one."
"The behavior of the virus should not be the issue. We know how it works, and why it is here: the humans have told us as much." Gankoomon recalled the story of the Monster Makers, which he had reiterated to Gallantmon. "The existence of 'Factory Mark' aside, there are no more mysteries left on that front. Digimon are what protects the digital core, and the less of us there are, the less protected it becomes. The virus corrupts our digital cores and infects us with a terminal illness, so we cannot be reconfigured."
"I know." Gallantmon nodded. "My hope was that in researching more about the behavior of the virus, we might find an antidote for something that behaved similarly. But it's clear to me that we should be focusing on solutions, not sources. There has been nothing like this before in our world, and we're not going to find a solution in the history books."
"You know…" Gankoomon drummed his fingers against the front of the book. "I wouldn't go that far." He stood up. "There's a recent history somewhere," He looked through the stacks of books, "Written by Antylamon herself."
"Right here." Gallantmon pulled out the smaller volume from lower in the stack, handing it to him.
"We've had something that behaves like this virus not once but twice, actually." He flipped through the tome. "Once, eight years ago, and a hundred years before that." He settled on a page with a hand drawn photo of the original Digidestined.
"The dark beacon…" Gallantmon rounded the table and skimmed the lines on the page. "You think they're correlated?"
"According to this text," Gankoomon answered as he followed Gallantmon's finger, "Someone was speculated to have interfered with the digital world during this time, creating the dark beacon for use by the dark masters, and again by Henry and Apocalypse."
"Outside interference from the human world on all three occasions…" Gallantmon scratched his chin.
"The children claimed that someone named Koushiro Okawa had designed the algorithm that became the virus. What if this Okawa person is the same one who created the dark beacon?"
"The dark beacon didn't function exactly like the virus though." Gallantmon argued. "It caused degeneration of Digimon to their rookie forms: it didn't kill them."
"Maybe the virus is an evolution of the dark beacon." Gankoomon reasoned.
"You're reaching."
"I'm making assumptions, yes, but you can't deny the parallels. There's nothing else we have to go on." Gankoomon replied.
"Even still, we found no way of combating the dark beacon back then." Gallantmon shook his head. "The first time, it was active only once, and we had no way of stopping it." He flipped some pages down, where a different set of Digidestined had been drawn. He placed his palm under one of the children, a spiky-haired boy wearing goggles. "The second time, the beacon was active via Henry's digivice, a function of Apocalypse's presence. The only way to turn it off was to destroy the dark spires that amplified and broadcast the signal. The virus is contagious: it goes from Digimon to Digimon via physical contact, contaminated perishables, and close proximity. If it is a modification of the dark beacon, we have no precedent for stopping it."
"That's not totally accurate." Gankoomon pointed to the boy with the goggles. "That's your partner, is it not?"
"Takato Matsuki," Gallantmon nodded, "He'd be a grown man now."
"More importantly, he shared energy with you to make you stronger." Gankoomon continued. "With his help, you were able to overcome the effects of the dark beacon."
"We were still never able to digivolve if the dark spires were active." Gallantmon argued. "Even with the added strength."
"But you were able to digivolve in the presence of Henry, and Apocalypse, correct?" He inquired. The knight nodded. "The dark spires amplified the beacon, which is why you weren't able to evolve, but it stands to reason that Apocalypse himself, the source of the beacon, would have prevented you from being able to digivolve. But still you did, with the help of your partners."
"Digimon and humans are stronger together." Gallantmon raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying that humans are the key?"
"The Digidestined have told me some incredible stories, and though they've not realized it themselves, the one connection I've seen in each and every instance where they've triumphed, is that they've shared energy with their partners. The three Digimon up in that room are by far the most talented Digimon I've ever encountered, and I sincerely believe that it is thanks to the bond they share with their tamers."
"When I became Gallantmon again, when fighting Etemon," Gallantmon recalled, "Takato and I fused our bodies. The Knights and I had speculated that this was the only way for a human to provide enough energy to catalyze the Digivolution into a Royal Knight, as it's happened in every instance where a human was partnered with one."
"But you were stronger than normal when you fused, weren't you?" Gankoomon inquired.
"Unfathomably stronger," Gallantmon answered, "I could feel wells of power that I had never felt before, nor since."
"We need to research information regarding the sharing of energy between humans and Digimon. If we can find a way to harness that power, it could make Digimon strong enough as to become immune to the virus." Gankoomon suggested.
"It's a stretch," Gallantmon looked apprehensive, "But if you're correct, and the virus is an evolution of the dark beacon, then you might be right. We need books on human interaction with Digimon, as many as we can find."
"I'll start looking." Gankoomon walked away from the table, towards the stacks. Gallantmon gathered a number of volumes he now felt were useless, dropping them onto a cart, when he saw the Digidestined walk into the main hall from a distant door. He looked to the book with the digital hazard sign, remembering why he had pulled it from the shelves in the first place. He snatched the volume off the table and moved to join the Digidestined.
"I'll be with you in a moment." Gallantmon called to Gankoomon as he walked down an aisle of books. The Digimon waved an arm in acknowledgment.
"We're going to speak with Makuramon about finding Willis," Alice told the knight as he approached them, "We need to see if we can help to speed up the process. I'm sorry, but we didn't find anything useful in those books you suggested."
"No need to apologize," Gallantmon shook his head, "Many of the volumes we've been looking through were only hopeful leads, at best. I would, however, ask to borrow Takuya and Dinoster, if it's not too much trouble." He looked to the tamer and partner.
"Uh, yeah, that's fine I guess." Takuya nervously replied. "That okay with you Dinoster?"
"Anything's better than sitting upstairs, reading." The Digimon groaned. Alice and Mimi waved as they left with Lopmon and Palmon. "So what do you need us for?" Dinoster inquired.
"Reading." Gallantmon answered bluntly, and waved them over to an empty table. Dinoster stood in place, his face mortified. "Relax, nothing too strenuous." Gallantmon smiled. "Please, come look at what I have to show you." The pair came up to the table, climbing up onto the massive chair so they could see the book that Gallantmon was opening.
"What's this?" Takuya stroked the edge of the book, dark red scales covering the binding.
"It's called the Song of the Hazard." Gallantmon answered. "It was written thousands of years ago, before the existence of the Royal Knights, back when our world was ruled by three powerful entities: Susanoomon, Chronomon, and Apocalymon."
"Were they stronger than the Royal Knights?" Takuya inquired.
"By far," Gallantmon nodded, "In fact, Susanoomon gave us Knights our powers, to combat Apocalymon when he became out of control. But that's a story for another time. This book tells us of the Four Great Dragons."
"I don't think I've ever heard of them before." Dinoster said.
"Yes, it's not a common story told in the digital world." Gallantmon continued as he opened the book and flipped the pages, starting at a double-sided drawing of four massive Dragons slithering around each other. "Like most Digimon who lived during that time, the Dragons were much more powerful than any Digimon who have existed since, even us Royal Knights, or so the legend says. There was Megidramon, of the north." He pointed to the dragon at the top of the page, a muscular, red creature with short arms, a torso, and a long tail, "Goldramon of the west," On the left side of the page, Goldramon was shaped much like Megidramon, but his body was covered in golden feathers, and he wore a helm over his head. "Magnadramon, of the south," The pink dragon had a long, serpentine body. "And Azulongmon, of the east." Azulongmon was serpent-like as well, his blue body covered in chains, with a blue mask covering his horned face. "Legend says that they surveyed the digital world, keeping it safe from strife, while the three Master Digimon battled amongst themselves."
"Why'd you want to show us this?" Takuya inquired.
"Well, the Song of the Hazard isn't specifically about the Dragons, although it does tell their story. The song is about two brothers, both of them champions for good. The brothers fought many battles together, and became the strongest amongst their people. But then tragedy struck, and the older brother lost his mind in grief. He grew mad with power, becoming so strong that he was a threat to the digital world itself. The younger went to the great dragons, begging them to grant him the power to defeat his brother, and bring peace to their home. The dragons decided to give him this power, but they would not give it for free. Thus, they created a test, called the Trial of the Four Great Dragons. The Digimon took on this trial, and prevailed, and in return the Dragons entrusted him with the strength to defeat his brother."
"The Trial of the Four Great Dragons," Dinoster hummed, "That sounds familiar."
"And that is why I told the two of you." Gallantmon explained. "The two brothers are said to have been Dracomon. After the younger brother gained his new power, he did battle with the older one, and defeated him. The older brother then saw the error of his ways, and together they rebuilt their home, and founded a great clan of dragons that lasted throughout the ages. The Trial of the Four Great Dragons has been passed down in legend, only to those within the lineage of that clan."
"Are you saying… you want Dinoster to enter the Trial?" Takuya inquired. "How would we even know where to find the Great Dragons?"
"I'm simply offering you the choice." Gallantmon spoke to Dinoster. "It is a tradition among dragon Digimon, after all. And if you wish to do it, you need not seek out the Four Great Dragons, should they even still exist. The trial is entered via ritual, which is described in the song." He flipped the pages, finding the passage he was looking for. There was a station of pen and paper at the edge of the table, so he grabbed one of each, and copied down the passage. "Take this to Majiramon." Gallantmon handed Dinoster the paper. "If you so choose, he will be able to set up the ritual for you. It might increase your power tenfold, or it might do nothing, I cannot say."
"I'll keep it in mind." Dinoster folded the paper and handed it to Takuya, who slipped it into his pocket. Gallantmon then left the table, walking towards the stacks.
"Gankoomon and I have research to do. Hopefully a recent lead will show us how to combat the virus. I will speak with you later." He disappeared down the stacks, leaving Takuya and Dinoster alone.
"So, what do you think?" Takuya asked his partner.
"I… I don't know." Dinoster shrugged. "I remember hearing about the trial when I was younger. I lived in a village inhabited by many dragon Digimon, but I never heard about anyone actually doing it. But if the legends are true, and I could receive power from the Great Dragons, it might give us the power to fight the other Royal Knights, and Yggdrasil."
"Or it could just be a myth, and do nothing." Takuya reasoned. "Not to say it's untrue, but we need to keep that in consideration. But I'll support whatever you decide to do."
"I think…" Dinoster contemplated for a moment, "I think we should talk to Majiramon. We'll see what he knows, being a dragon Digimon, and if he can even perform the ritual, and go from there."
"Good idea." Takuya nodded. The two then left the library, stepping out into the bright, light-blue sky. They made their way across the floating isle, marching down the long spiral staircase which led to Makuramon's home. They checked inside, but no one was there, and assumed that Makuramon had been at work somewhere else, so they continued down to the platform with the pyramid, and then to the lowest island, where Hookmon's crew was in wait.
"Have ye found yer friend yet?" Hookmon inquired as the tamer and Digimon came down the stairs.
"Makuramon is still looking." Takuya answered. "He said it will take a couple of days to find out where Asuramon took him, but that he'll be able to find out for certain once he's done."
"I see." Hookmon nodded. "Well, we'll be waiting in the meantime. Let us know when it's time to go, and we'll be getting' out o' here."
"Understood." Dinoster replied. "We're going to talk to Majiramon, but the second we're done, we'll go check on their status." Dinoster waved as they walked towards the dragon Digimon's home. Impmon gave them a glancing nod, but didn't acknowledge them. Takuya and Dinoster walked apprehensively into Majiramon's home, the cave in the rock that led underground.
"Hello?" Dinoster called. "Majiramon?" They stopped near the entrance, not wanting to intrude too far into his home.
"Who goes there?" Majiramon's head popped out of the darkness, his eyes squinting against the light from outside. "Oh, it's the two of you. What can I do for you?"
"Gallantmon sent us here, with this." Dinoster patted his partner's leg, and Takuya pulled out the slip of paper from his pocket, handing it to the dragon. Majiramon grabbed it carefully with his talons and held it close to his eyes. "It's about the Trial of the Four Great Dragons, whether or not you know about it, and if you can assemble the ritual for us."
"Ah…" Majiramon smiled. "Yes, I know of the trial. Many Digimon have taken it where I come from, but few have succeeded. It's not for the faint of heart, I hope you know."
"Gallantmon told us the story of the two brothers and how the trial came to be. I understand that Digimon back then were quite stronger than they are now." Dinoster replied. "If I could tap into that strength, we might stand a chance against the Royal Knights."
"Dinoster, are you sure?" Takuya inquired.
"I've decided. I want to do it." Dinoster nodded with determination. "Can you do it, Majiramon?" He looked up to the Deva. "Can you perform the ritual?"
"Come with me." Majiramon answered. "I should have the materials inside." The Digimon turned around, disappearing into the darkness. Takuya and Dinoster warily followed, cautiously walking through the cave. It quickly turned into a staircase, dipping down into the earth. It rounded a bend, and their eyes were immediately met with torchlight lining the walls. The Deva was at the foot of the stairs, which opened up into a large chamber. The tamer and Digimon picked up their pace, now that they could see where they were going, and found themselves in Majiramon's living quarters. Torches were on the walls of the circular chamber, with a round bed placed in an indent in the side. A row of cabinets was on the opposite side, filled with bottles and scrolls.
"What are all these for?" Takuya asked as the Digimon rifled through the cabinets, pulling out a variety of potions and bottles, filled with materials that he dared not ask about.
"Each of the Devas is responsible for a different sort of information." Majiramon answered. "Antylamon holds the historical data from the human and digital worlds. Makuramon specifically monitors interactions in the human world that have direct correlation with the digital. My job is sort of an apothecary: I hold onto the ancient medicinal and alchemical techniques that have been developed in the digital world, or carried over for use from the human one." He opened a drawer, revealing a row of bundled scrolls. "It's important to keep records of our past, you know."
"Of course." Dinoster agreed. The Digimon then sat in the center of the floor, mixing a number of the ingredients into a bowl. He mixed for a short time, and then left the bowl in the middle of the room, with a box of matches next to it, as he shelved his ingredients.
"The mixture is complete." Majiramon stated as he closed the cabinet doors. "Take a match to it, and it'll ignite, releasing a smoke into the room that'll induce a hallucinogenic state. In that form, you shall experience the Trial of the Four Great Dragons."
"So, we have to get high?" Takuya smiled jokingly. Majiramon frowned.
"Do not make light of the ritual. Many have tried, and only few have succeeded. I have seen the results for myself; it is not something to be trifled with." Majiramon warned.
"I apologize." Takuya bowed quickly. "I didn't mean to insult you, or the ritual."
"Just take caution." Majiramon said again as he moved towards the door. "Only the one performing the ritual may be in the room: come." He waved to Takuya.
"No way." Takuya shook his head, looking back to his partner. "We're in this together, Dinoster. If you do this, I'm doing it with you."
"Are you sure Takuya?" Dinoster asked. "Can humans even perform the ritual?"
"I've no idea, quite honestly." Majiramon shrugged. "The ritual has only ever been performed by dragon Digimon. But he is your partner, and you share a bond. It might work to your benefit if you are together on this. I will leave the two of you to your duty. Call me when you are done." Majiramon snaked out of the room, and up the stairs.
"Takuya, this could be dangerous." Dinoster whined.
"It doesn't matter. You're my partner, remember?" Takuya held out his arm. Dinoster nodded with a smile, grabbing his hand in a firm grip. "Besides," He pulled up his crest, "I'm honor bound to help you." They both laughed a little. The two then took up seats on opposite sides of the bowl, and grabbed a match. They both lit the stick, holding it over the bowl.
"Are you ready?" The Dracomon inquired.
"I'll follow your lead." Takuya answered.
"Okay…" He stared down into the fluid. "Now." The two then dropped their matches, which landed in the mixture with a whoosh. The liquid came alive with green fire, and pumped an emerald mist into the room. It swirled around the two Digidestined, filling their mouths and nostrils with a strong, fiery odor.
"What now?" Takuya asked, suppressing a cough.
"I'm not…sure…" Dinoster's eyes fluttered closed, and he dropped onto the ground, unconscious. Takuya reached out for him before falling backwards, his world going dark.
