Part Three: The Digital World

Elsewhere

The forest path was winding, twisting and turning every so often as Dinoster and Takuya marched onwards. The rookie still gripped the large sword in his hand, the blade slung over his shoulder. Takuya had to walk in front of the Digimon, on his left side, to avoid being accidentally swiped by the blade.

"This is a hell of a walk." Takuya groaned. "I think my blisters are getting blisters."

"The trial sure does enjoy its long stretches." Dinoster agreed.

"At least we could sit in the boat." Takuya moaned. "You think we could take a break: just until my feet stop hurting."

"Takuya, we're on a mission." Dinoster rolled his eyes.

"Just for a few minutes, Dinoster, come on." He whined.

"Ugh… fine…" Dinoster growled. He stopped at another curve in the path, and set his sword up against a tree, sitting against the large roots that crowned above the dirt. Takuya sat across from him, leaning against a bundle of vines that were intertwined through the trees.

"Aw…" Takuya sighed. "Much better." He propped his feet up against the roots across the path. Dinoster drummed his fingers impatiently.

"Comfortable yet?" Dinoster glared.

"Yeah, this is great. Thanks for stopping." Takuya leaned back against the vines.

"Happy to be of service." Dinoster growled.

"Is there a problem?" Takuya inquired, his face puzzled.

"Just think it would be a good idea to not waste time, that's all." Dinoster shrugged. "Unless you've forgotten what we came to the digital world for."

"Hey, I haven't forgotten anything!" Takuya leaned forward. "I just wanted to conserve some energy, that's all!" The two glared at each other. "Excuse me if I can't move as efficiently as you do!" Dinoster was about to respond, but a rustling in the vines distracted them. Takuya started to stand, but a human hand shot out from within the vines, with shiny black fingernails, that dug into Takuya's skin as it grabbed his shoulder, and yanked him back into the trees.

"Takuya!" Dinoster jumped to his feet, grabbing his sword. He tried to jump through after them, but the vines were too thick. The Digimon then grabbed the hilt of his blade with both arms, and started to slash away at the vines.

"Oophf!" Takuya fell back onto a small, dirt clearing. The forest around him was overgrown, with branches and vines interweaving to form a barrier, encircling him.

"Hello there." A woman spoke. Takuya jumped to his feet, turning around to see a tall, slender woman standing opposite him. She was clothed in a black dress, which was tightly bound to her body, exposing her chest. A white skirt could be seen under the frills of the skirt, and long black leggings met high heels at her ankles. Her face was covered in a cat-like mask, which had a veil dropping down from the back: only her mouth was visible.

"Who… who are you?" Takuya gasped, entranced by the woman's beauty.

"I am Noir." She approached him, placing her hand on his shoulder as she began to circle him.

"W-why did you grab me?" He inquired. He snapped out of his trance, watching over his shoulder as she circled him.

"I only wanted to help." She claimed. "The two of you seemed so angry with each other. I thought I'd intervene."

"Dinoster's my partner. Sometimes we fight." Takuya rebutted.

"Oh my, a partner?" She leaned up against him, pressing her chest against his back. Takuya's heart began to flutter. "I've always wanted to feel the strength that comes with being paired with a human. And I could appreciate you, unlike that angry little dragon."

"He's, he's just stressed right now, that's all." Takuya struggled to control his breath.

"You know; I'd never treat my partner that way. We could do great things together, you and I. You could give me power, and I'd show you things you've never even imagined." She leaned into his cheek, her breath blowing past his ear. Takuya jumped away, backing into the trees.

"I'm sorry, but I don't even know you. Dinoster is my partner." Takuya snapped.

"Ungrateful little…" She growled, her smile turning to frown, "I'm only trying to help you. Don't you want someone like me by your side?"

"I… I don't… I mean…" Takuya was nervous. He hadn't wanted to offend the woman, but he didn't know how to handle her persistence. "No, I don't." He finally said. "I'm sure you're a lovely… Digimon… but Dinoster and I have a job to do. I can't accept your offer."

"Vile filth!" She hissed, her eyes glaring behind her mask. She slashed at the boy, her nails digging into his cheek.

"Agh!" Takuya ducked away, grasping his face, blood dripping down between his fingers.

"If you won't have me, then you won't have anyone!" She yelled, and threw her hand towards his throat.

"Takuya!" A blade tore through the vines, and Dinoster appeared moments later. He immediately dashed between them, swinging at the Digimon with his sword.

"Dinoster!" Takuya cheered as the Digimon beat the monster away, the woman hissing as she receded across the clearing.

"Whoever you are, stay away from my partner!" Dinoster ordered.

"Make me!" She lunged for them, and Dinoster swung his sword. The blade sliced through her torso, and the woman vanished, a phantom disappearing in a whiff of smoke.

"What was that?" Takuya's heart pounded.

"Another test, I imagine." Dinoster dropped his sword down. "Although I can't figure what it meant to test me on."

"Not you…" Takuya gasped. "Me. She wanted me to become her partner… I think… but I said no."

"The Trial's testing both of us together." Dinoster pulled the sword over his shoulder once more. "I'm glad you're safe."

"Yeah, other than…" He removed his hand from his face, where the blood had already begun to dry. "But it's just a scratch." Before their conversation could continue, a sound appeared in the forest. A sobbing came from the path that Dinoster had cleared, what sounded like a young girl.

"Come on!" Dinoster ran back through the trees, with Takuya close behind. They jumped back onto the path, following it until they found a young girl kneeling in the dirt. She wore a black dress, like the woman they had just encountered, but a white habit covered her from chest to neck. The girl had short, grey hair, and a black hood hung off her back, a train leading down behind it.

"Be careful." Takuya warned, wary of the similarities between them.

"She's just a young girl." Dinoster argued. "Are you okay?" He asked the child, who lifted her head to reveal tear-filled grey eyes.

"My-my sister…" She wept. "Something took her. A witch grabbed her while we were walking through the forest. Please, I don't know where she went!" The girl continued to sob.

"We…" Dinoster looked at the girl. "We can help. Where did the witch take her?"

"She… they went that way." The girl pointed down further along the path. "I think they went towards the castle."

"I see." Dinoster nodded. "We'll find her, don't worry." Dinoster beckoned his partner, and the two moved passed the girl and down the path.

"Wait!" She cried. "What if the witch comes back?" Dinoster and Takuya watched as tears began to well up in her eyes once more. The two looked back at each other, not sure what to do.

"We can't take her with us." Takuya reasoned. "She'll be in too much danger."

"Maybe…" Dinoster pondered. "No, you're right." He looked back to the girl. "You should stay here, but in the meantime, take this." He flipped the sword around, handing her the hilt.

"But Dinoster!" Takuya protested. "We need that. The trial obviously provided it to us for a reason!"

"Maybe, but right now, she needs it more than we do." Dinoster replied. "Listen," He looked back to the girl. "We saw the witch who took your sister. She attacked me and my friend, but this sword fought her back. Do you think you can hold it?" The girl looked unsure, but she grabbed the hilt with both hands, and could sling it over her shoulder. "Good: if she comes back, you can use this to fight her off. We'll go and look for your sister in the meantime."

"Thank you," She smiled as tears dripped down her face, "Thank you so much." Dinoster stood up and began walking down the path again.

"Do you think that was part of the trial?" Takuya inquired. "Is she even real?"

"Right now, it doesn't matter." Dinoster answered. "I made a promise, and I intend to keep it."

"Of course," Takuya agreed. They made their way down the path once more, but this time, it opened after a short while, revealing a road which led through a hilly meadow. The road took them up one of the tallest hills, where a towering castle stood, with four great pillars at each corner, and an open drawbridge across a wide moat.

"Why does it feel like we're playing a video game right now?" Takuya asked rhetorically. "Forests, castles, mythical swords, an evil witch, and a princess in trouble…"

"The Dragons must be fans of the classics." Dinoster quipped. They crossed the drawbridge, entering the castle, which was dimly lit by torches lining the walls. They entered the main hall, which was barren of any tapestry or rugs. Various wooden doors lined the walls, all of them closed, and a grand staircase led up to an upper level. When they entered, they heard footsteps from above. A woman walked into view, this one in a white dress, with frills at the end, a white habit covering her shoulders. She wore heeled boots that came up to her knees, and wore a pink mask with ribbons drooping down her back. In her hand, she held a golden lance, tipped with a triple-pronged cross barbée.

"She looks… not evil." Takuya said hopefully as the woman descended the stairs. They then heard the rapid pulling of chains, and turned around to see the drawbridge slamming shut behind them. Out of the darkness, another woman walked into view, the cat-masked witch that they had encountered in the forest. Behind her, she dragged a large sword, the one Dinoster had given to the girl.

"Oh, no…" Takuya and Dinoster said simultaneously.

"I… warned you!" Noir screeched as she ran towards them, swinging the sword wildly in one arm. Takuya and Dinoster rolled away, narrowly dodging the blows, as she continued her rampage, chasing Dinoster around the room. The dragon Digimon flew, narrowly dodging each swing.

"Hey!" Takuya called to the other woman. "Can you help us?" She looked down at him, raising her staff. "My partner is in trouble!" The woman raised a foot against the railing on the stair, pushing herself into the air. She flipped down, landing in front of him, her trident held tightly in both hands. Takuya was about to greet her when he noted the frown on her face, and managed to jump out of the way just before she swung her lance at him.

"I was wrong!" Takuya called to his partner as the woman gave chase, jabbing at him with her trident as he jumped and rolled away. "She's definitely evil!"

"We have to…" Dinoster flipped through the air as Noir continued her violent slashing. "Disarm them… somehow."

"I've got an idea!" Takuya yelled in reply, and began running towards Noir, the white witch hot on his heels.

"Hey!" Takuya yelled at the witch, causing her to turn around, swinging her sword instinctually. He tucked under her legs, sliding across the floor, as her sword and the white witch's trident clashed against each other. Dinoster took the opportunity, flying towards Noir and snapping his jaw around her wrist. The woman screeched loudly, howling in pain as she let go of the weapon. She shook her arm angrily, trying to throw the Coredramon off, but Dinoster wouldn't budge. The white witch then struck, jabbing her trident at the dramon, who caught the motion out of the corner of his eye, dropping off Noir's wrist and onto the floor. The woman pulled back her weapon to avoid hitting Noir, which gave Dinoster the time to snatch the sword off the ground.

He slashed upwards, and both sisters jumped away. Noir came back first, letting out a blood-curdling cry as she reached for the sword, but Dinoster jumped into the air and kicked her in the face. The white one then came from above, her trident stabbing down at him. Dinoster flipped the sword over his head, and the lance bounced harmlessly off the side. She landed behind him, but Dinoster predicted the move, and swung around with the blade fully extended. It crashed into her lance, knocked into her body, and flung the witch across the room. She bashed into the railing on the stairs, flipping over the side, and fell head first into the floor, crumpling on the ground in defeat.

Noir came back, scratching at him wildly with her nails. Dinoster turned to face her and swung the sword, cutting open her cheek as the woman turned away to dodge the blow. Dinoster then slammed the sword like a bat against her head, which threw the woman across the room. She slid across the floor and smashed into the wall.

"You did it!" Takuya cheered as Dinoster flew over to the black witch. He landed on the woman, sword held over his head. "Dinoster, what are you doing?" His cheers turned to horror as the Digimon flipped the sword down, holding it in a stabbing pose with both hands.

"She… has to… die…" Dinoster said through deep breaths.

"It's over, we've won!" Takuya ran towards the Digimon. "You don't have to do this!"

"I have to… end it… have to…" Dinoster fought his impulse to bring the sword down, but in the end, gravity was the better of him. His muscles dropped, and the sword came down to her neck, but Dinoster switched the trajectory at the last minute, and the sword cracked into the stone by her head instead. The steel quivered as a thin crack formed up the length of the sword, and Dinoster angrily ripped it out of the ground and swung the broad side down into the floor. The impact shattered the blade, and strips of metal scattered across the floor.

"Dinoster, what happened?" Takuya carefully stepped over the jagged blades of metal that now lay across the floor.

"It was… the sword…" Dinoster breathed heavily as he knelt. "It had some kind of… hold over me. I think it's what… changed her." He looked back to Noir, who had become enveloped in a circle of light, which dissipated to reveal the young girl they had seen in the forest. At the stairs, the white witch had changed as well, and was now a young girl dressed in similar white clothing.

"What do you mean the sword?" Takuya inquired as the Digimon moved back to the child, cradling her head as he tried to wake her.

"I felt so angry when I was holding it." Dinoster answered. "Back in the forest, when we stopped, I don't know why, but I was just so frustrated. And then just now, fighting her, it almost consumed me. I had to destroy it." He shook the girl's head, whose eyes slowly fluttered open.

"What… what happened?" Noir whimpered as Dinoster helped her sit.

"The witch is gone." Dinoster answered. "I made her go away."

"Is my sister okay?" She asked.

"I'm not sure." Dinoster looked over to the staircase, where the girl in white lay.

"Blanc!" Noir scrambled up to her feet rushed over to the girl, shaking her. The girl in white groggily awoke.

"Noir?" She grunted.

"Oh Blanc, you're okay!" The girl cried, throwing her arms around the girl. Blanc still looked confused, but embraced the hug, wrapping her arms around her sister.

"The sword turned both of those girls into those witches?" Takuya inquired. "How does that even happen?"

"We're in a fairy tale, remember?" Dinoster smiled. "The sword must have been cursed."

"Well, whatever happened, at least those two are okay now." The two girls continued to embrace each other. Dinoster and Takuya watched peacefully for a moment, but then looked up when a set of double doors, previously invisible in the darkness, began to spread open, letting light flood down the stairs.

"I've a feeling that's for us." Takuya started towards the staircase. "It couldn't get any more clichéd."

"Yeah, no kidding." Dinoster passed him as they walked up the stairs, looking back at the two girls, who were still hugging each other, as if they hadn't even noticed the doors open. The two Digidestined ascended the steps, squinting as their eyes adjusted to the light, and entered the gilded chamber, with rows of portraits and chairs lining the walls, all leading up to the throne, where a massive man with a red beard smiled down on them, dressed in purple and yellow robes, and wearing a small, golden crown adorned with emeralds and rubies, which was fitted over his scruffy hair.

"Heroes, I bid you welcome!" The man boomed into the room, his voice echoing throughout the empty hall. "Thanks to your efforts, my daughters have been saved! Tell me your heart's greatest desire, and I will do all in my power to grant it!" The man beamed down at them, grinning from ear to ear.

"Could, could you not?" Dinoster sighed, dropping his shoulders in exhaustion. "I'm sorry, but I'm done with the charade. If this is the end, can we please speak with the Great Dragons?" He dropped to his knees. "I don't care about any reward; I just want to speak with them: please." He bowed to the king. Takuya smiled a little and then bent down with him, bowing his head until his nose reached the floor.

"If that is truly your heart's desire…" The king leaned back into his chair, stroking his beard. "I don't know of these Great Dragons of which you speak, but…" His voice trailed off, but his mouth continued to move. Dinoster and Takuya looked up in confusion, watching the now mute king continue to speak. The light dimmed as well, and soon, the walls started to fade away. The king vanished along with them, and the tamer and partner were now standing in darkness.

"Is… is that it?" Dinoster looked around the empty void. "Is anybody here?" A thunderous boom cracked across the sky as a bolt of lightning tore open the void, revealing the starry sky above. Thunder continued to boom as lightning came down, illuminating the clouds above. Takuya and Dinoster looked up into the clouds, mesmerized as a serpentine being descended, his ethereal blue body covered in chains, with numerous pairs of white wings trailing down his back. The monster wore a spiky blue-and-yellow mask, with a large horn protruding from the snout, and a long, grey beard dragged below its chin as the dragon descended upon them.

"You called, and I have answered." The Digimon boomed into the night, his voice drowning out the thunder. "Rest easy, travelers, your trial is at an end."

"Have… have we passed?" Dinoster sighed in exhaustion. "You're one of the Great Dragons, right?"

"I am Azulongmon." The dragon answered. "I watch over the eastern sky, and yes, I am one of the Four Great Dragons, as we have been so graciously named."

"Azulongmon," Takuya spoke, "We've come so far. Please, we're just trying to save our friend. Can you give us the power to save him?"

"Your mission is a noble one, I have observed." The Dragon circled around them, his red eye focused on them. "But let me ask you a few questions, first."

"Of course." Dinoster nodded.

"Takuya Kanbara," The dragon surprised Takuya by knowing his name, "When you were approached by the woman in the forest, you were certainly tempted to join her, where you not?" The dragon inquired. "Please, be honest."

"I…" Takuya hung his head in shame. "I was. She was so beautiful, and I don't know why, but I found it so hard to resist. But I knew that we were being tested, and that Dinoster needed me. I couldn't give in."

"There is no need to be ashamed." Azulongmon assured him. "Many humans your age goes through similar experiences. What matters is not how you felt about her, but that you remained true to your partner. You kept your honor intact, above all else." Takuya looked up at him curiously, the word honor ringing in his mind.

"Dinoster," Azulongmon turned his attention to the rookie, "You knew this was a test all along, and you were under the impression that everything you saw here was a hallucination, correct?"

"That's what Majiramon told me." Dinoster nodded.

"Then why did you go to such great lengths to protect those children, even though there was no need?" The dragon inquired.

"Well…" Dinoster took a breath. "I won't lie: I knew that we were probably being tested on our reaction to those situations. I wanted to behave in a way that would impress the most respect upon whoever was watching. But even still, I couldn't hurt those two Digimon. They were innocent, even if they weren't real. The sword took advantage of my rage, but I couldn't let someone who was a victim of its power, like myself, be hurt."

"And just because this journey has taken place inside your minds, what makes you believe it wasn't real?" The dragon smiled, much to Dinoster and Takuya's confusion. "Yes, those two Digimon you met, Sistermons Noir and Blanc, are real Digimon, who live in a place neither of you have ever been to or heard of, I am sure. The trial takes your minds wherever we need you to go, wherever true champions are needed. That is the only way to truly prove your worth, to place you in a real situation where we can observe your abilities."

"So you're saying..." Dinoster began to smile.

"Takuya Kanbara and Dinoster the Dracomon, you have passed my trial, and I hereby bestow upon you the power you seek. Use it wisely, for I have taken an interest in your journey. Good luck, my new friends." Azulongmon began to snake back into the air, his body vanishing into the clouds.

"What now?" Takuya inquired, but his voice was drowned out by the thunder, as bolts of lightning rained down from above. The light from each bolt encompassed them, blinding their vision as a high-pitched screeching caused them to cover their ears. Their eyes were shut tight as the light began to overcome them, the world fading to white.