Vashkoda:
I'm curious to know what your next story will be. Are you going to continue the Aftermath series, or will you do something else?





Disclaimer:
Toei and Bandai own Digimon. Bandai owns Digimon World 2 and Digimon World 3. This story was not written for profit.





Guard Tamer: Associates of Anarchy
By: RB3





Chapter 7: The Fall of Asuka





In the bustling metropolis of Asuka City, Digimon Online players were perusing the shops in search of great deals on items and equipment. Rika's grandmother, Seiko Hata, was one of these shoppers. She was unlike a typical grandmother, being far more technically inclined and up to date on technological matters. Indeed, Digimon Online didn't seem like a game for people of her demographic, but despite that, many seniors played the game like she did. It really helped her stay in shape and surprisingly, the results transferred over to the Real World.

Seiko had accumulated more than three months of playing time, and had experienced much. Her partner had grown considerably, learning new offensive and support abilities. Snow Agumon had achieved Champion level; Frigimon. In this form, he resembled a rotund snowman with a teddy bear-like head, and coal-like eyes. These traits earned him the nickname "Frosty," after the famous snowman of the Christmas carol. Snow Agumon had unlocked two other Champion forms as well; Seadramon and Airdramon. However, he decided to advance his Frigimon form as it was easier to develop.

Recently, Snow Agumon had reached Ultimate as well, becoming Ice Leomon in the process. He looked much like Jeri's Leomon in this form; a half lion, half man warrior. Unlike Leomon, Ice Leomon's fur was a cold, snowy white colour. He was also more powerful than Leomon ever was. After some shopping, Seiko had equipped Ice Leomon with a second sword, thereby increasing his melee offensive power. He has also unlocked the Aero Veedramon and Mega Seadramon forms, but had not yet developed them.

"So Frosty, are you up for some more adventures?" asked Seiko.

"Sure! I'm raring to go!" he replied.

The two friends walked down the street and passed by a different Tamer and his Agumon, Guilmon, and Bearmon. The Tamer stopped in front of a card store. "Wait here while I do some shopping, okay?"

"Don't worry!" replied the Guilmon.

"We're staying right here!" replied the Agumon.

The Tamer entered a store and the three patiently waited outside. A strange, circular distortion appeared in the air, and the Bearmon peeked inside as though looking through a telescope. Out of curiosity, the Guilmon moved closer to take a look, nudging Bearmon out of the way. As he pulled his head back, the Agumon poked the distortion out of curiosity. It rippled as though a stone was thrown into a lake. They thought it was fascinating and pretty cool, but it didn't last long...

The distortion rose, expanded into an eye, and then into the rest of a Digimon's head! The three were taken aback and gasped. The Digimon's head was massive and leering, with a maw filled with sharp, pointed teeth. Its body formed, and looked much like that of a scorpion with six long legs, and a tail with a pointed stinger. The Digimon, Armageddemon, was most displeased with the three's meddling, especially that poke to the eye. It opened its maw and gathered golden energy in preparation for a massive attack.

====================Digimon Analyzer====================
Name: Armageddemon
Type: Unknown
Level: Mega
Element: Darkness

This scorpion-like Digimon is the physical incarnation of a destructive computer virus. One of his rampages through the Internet can mean the collapse of civilisation in the Real World.

Attacks:
Ultimate Flare - Armageddemon's mouth can fire devastating beams of golden energy.

Black Rain - Armageddemon rains inky darkness upon an area. This gives new meaning to the phrase "death from above."

At this point, the three Digimon were fleeing in terror. Armageddemon's body recoiled like a cannon as he released the energy as a beam. Upon impact, the massive explosion blew the three Digimon into the air. It didn't take long for the players and citizens to realize the city of Asuka was under attack. Elsewhere, a grin crept onto the face of a Beelzemon. He raced to the site of a battle, riding his motorcycle down the cobblestone streets of Asuka City.



****************************************



Back in the sub, Shibumi and Akira were frantically trying to reach HQ. "This is Commander Akira Violet calling HQ. Do you copy?"

All they got was a bunch of static, which puzzled Shibumi. "Why aren't they responding?"

"I've got a vewy bad feeling..." commented Suzie.

Akira tried again, before getting a garbled message. "Yes... we copy... attack... reinforcements... return..."

"Sound like the base is being attacked!" noted Lopmon.

"Yeah, we'd better get back ASAP!" said Akira.

The sub swished through the waters of Divermon's Lake, passing many Divermon swimming within the lake's depths. The Divermon were biped fish men equipped with scuba gear and harpoons. They were diminutive Digimon, being only as tall as the average human toddler. As the sub emerged by a pier on the west shore, the sounds of gunshots became noticeable. On occasion, a deafening boom or two would rip through the air.

"Let's go!" cried Akira.

"Black Gatomon, Digivolve to... Lady Devimon!"

Lillith had Digivolved into a demoness that radiated a dark beauty. Unlike normal Lady Devimon, she had a human left arm, and did not wear a mask. She was a comely woman with a grey skin, and long, silky white hair. Her red eyes were the feature that set her apart from normal woman the most. She wore black boots and a tight fitting black leather cat suit with a skull emblem on the right breast, and the Black Sword insignia on the left.

====================Digimon Analyzer====================
Name: Lady Devimon
Type: Virus
Level: Ultimate
Element: Darkness

Lady Devimon is a seductive demoness who enjoys consorting with male humans, and sometimes female humans. She is an agile Digimon who uses negative energy as her chief weapon.

Attacks:
Darkness Wave - This swarm of orange bats are created from negative energy. They fly at a victim and nip away at his or her energy.

Lillith wrapped her arms around Akira. "Don't worry, I'll hold onto you tight!" she said seductively.

"Oh, I'm sure you will..." replied Akira meekly.

"Lillith really cares about his Tamer..." muttered Suzie innocently.

"Uh, yeah..." said Lopmon nonchalantly.

Lopmon and Darkfryer Digivolved and carried the others to battle. Each of the humans activated their exoskeleton, knowing that they were heading to a major firefight. As they proceeded deeper into Protocol Forest, the gunshots and explosions grew louder. More and more of the ground was dotted by blast marks. Eventually, they found Pharaohmon directing his royal guard. His troops were engaging an unknown enemy force.

"Pharaohmon!" called Akira.

The noble Digimon turned around. He was glad to see everyone in good health. "Akira! Shibumi! You're all safe and sound!"

"That's right. How is the battle going?" asked Shibumi.

"Not too good," replied Pharaohmon. "We're barely able to hold the enemy back. That damn Suijinmon keeps shelling us! We can't gain any ground with that guy around!"

"Not them again!" noted Shibumi, in reference to the AoA.

"So you want us to get rid of him?" asked Lopmon.

"Yeah… Once he goes down or is routed, we'll be able to drive the enemy back," replied Pharaohmon. "He's a Mega level Digimon so he's very strong. He's fighting our front line at the west edge of the forest. Be careful out there!"

Akira looked up Suijinmon with the Digimon Analyzer built into the exoskeleton. It came back with the picture of a robotic, centaur-like Digimon. Its body was constructed out of red Chrome Digizoid. It had cannons grafted onto its shoulders and biceps. The machine's cybernetic arms looked like the cloven feet of a horse or bull. Judging from its appearance, this Digimon had major firepower on its side.

====================Digimon Analyzer====================
Name: Suijinmon
Type: Data
Level: Mega
Element: Metal/Water

This war machine was designed for amphibious combat. His larger cannons fire energy shots and his smaller ones shoot jets of pressurized water.

Attacks:
Giga Cannon - Suijinmon's shoulder cannons are an exact copy of Machinedramon's. They fire massive blasts of yellow energy.

"Since he doesn't know about us yet, let's use this to our advantage. Once we find him, why don't you cook up a little distraction for our metal friend, Lillith?" asked Akira.

"You got it Akira!" replied Lillith.

"While he's busy with Lillith, send some Digital Bombs his way, Datamon. The rest of you, go to Mega and rush him!" commanded Akira.

The squad made their way past the fighting, eventually spotting their target. Suijinmon was unaware of their presence. He was preoccupied with firing upon the unlucky Guard Tamer Digimon that drew his ire. Akira ordered the plan to be set into motion. Immediately, Lillith flew up to the war machine and sent a Darkness Wave into his face. That act elicited an abrupt, hostile reaction from Suijinmon.

"Giga Cannon!" he cried.

His cannons unleashed bursts of energy, which Lillith dodged with deft evasive manoeuvres. Lillith invoked her dark powers and tarred her opponent with a darkness that was much like molasses. As Suijinmon struggled to destroy the goo, Datamon saw this lapse of attention as his cue to strike. The Digital Bombs' explosions disrupted the war machine's equilibrium, and he was reeling. Suzie and Lopmon Biomerged into Cherubimon.

Following their lead, Darkfryer did the same. "Chimeramon, Mega Digivolve to..."

A swirling violet whirlwind surrounded Darkfryer, blowing the yellow Roman numerals of one to twelve in a circle. As the ethereal whirlwind spun ever faster, he grew into an even larger monstrosity. His skin blackened, and his wolf like legs turned navy blue. His arms became uniform in appearance, somewhat resembling the devilish arms of Devimon. The Roman numerals exploded, coalescing on his back as the spirit of a dragon with a pair of shoulder-mounted cannons. The cannons fired and levelled a city in a massive explosion. Darkfryer roared in triumph.

"Millenniummon!"

====================Digimon Analyzer====================
Name: Millenniummon
Type: Virus
Level: Mega
Element: Darkness

Even the Guardians of the Digital World fear this Digimon's power over time and space. He has the potential to ascend to godhood and rival them in power.

Attacks:
Dimension Destroyer - These are converted Giga Cannons. They fire violet energy that causes explosive time-space ripples to occur.

Time Unlimited - Millenniummon can form a dimensional bubble. He has control of time and space within this bubble, and can suck an outsider into it like a vacuum cleaner.

Ultimate Fusion - By gathering energy, Millenniummon can release it from his body as a massive explosion of negative energy.

In the span of a few seconds, Suijinmon had been struck by several lightning bolts from Storm of Judgement. He convulsed painfully as the electricity crackled and surged through his body. Darkfryer continued the pounding, scoring two Dimension Destroyer hits in a row. They toppled the titanic Suijinmon, with a final lightning bolt striking him for good measure. With the damage he had sustained, he requested an extraction. Suijinmon vanished in a flash of azure light, and the AoA fled the battle, giving the Guard Tamers the victory.

"Yeah!" cheered Pharaohmon.

"We won!" cried Cherubimon as she reverted to being Lopmon and Suzie.

Shibumi remarked the extent of the damage the AoA had wrought. "They really did a number on this place, but they'll be back..."

Indeed, each of the domes poured black smoke into the sky. Sections of them had been blown open, revealing the interior. Pharaohmon's ziggurat had blast marks all over its side too. It had been blown open by AoA bombardment. He was furious at the desecration of his temple. The greatest threat still hung over their heads; a possible secondary attack by AoA troops. This area would not be able to withstand another assault.

Everyone held an emergency meeting to discuss their course of action. "We have no choice. The AoA are regrouping at Asuka City. We must move some away or else we won't survive!" declared Akira.

Pharaohmon was reluctant to entertain this idea. "I can't just abandon my temple! Mizuno made it for me as a gift!"

"Don't worry about your temple," replied Shibumi. "I can always make a new one for you after we get through this. Our lives are important right now."

"Shibumi's right," added Lopmon. "There are many of them and few of us. They're just going to come back here with more Digimon and soldiers. We can't beat them all!"

"Let them have this hollow victory," said Darkfryer. "We'll have our revenge later!"

"What we really need is help," said Lillith, stating the obvious.

Suzie was at a loss. "...But where will we get help? Henwy and his friends could help us, with all these bad people, how will we ever find them?"

Colonel Jones interrupted the meeting. "Commander, we've found a wounded civilian and her Digimon in the forest. You might want to talk to them."

"Okay Colonel, I'm on my way," replied Akira.

Akira left the meeting and visited the hospice. The wounded civilian turned out to be a woman entering her senior years. She had greying brown hair, and her clothes were soiled with dirt from the ordeal. She had taken a gunshot wound to the shoulder. On the bed beside her was a Digimon that looked like a living snowman with an ursine head. The Digimon was less wounded, thanks to his fortitude, but still looked fairly beat up. The medics were giving both patients a thorough examination.

"What's the situation?" asked Akira to the medic.

"The woman will need to have her wound sutured," replied the medic. "Otherwise, she's okay. Her Digimon just needs rest and relaxation."

The medic sprayed a soothing mist over the woman's wounded shoulder. "That feels nice," said the woman.

"Don't overexert your shoulder, and it will be completely healed in a day," advised the medic.

Akira gave his introduction. "Hello there, I'm Commander Akira Violet of the Black Sword Guard Team. I'd like to ask you some questions."

"You're Akira Violet?" asked the woman incredulously. "Rika never mentioned anything about you being a young boy!"

"Rika? Do you mean Rika Nonaka?" asked Akira.

"Yeah. I'm Seiko Hata, Rika's grandmother."

It was Akira's turn to be incredulous. "Really? It's such a small world..."

"Where is Rika? What happened to her?"

"I'm sorry, but she's been missing for quite awhile. We went on a mission to Byakko Continent where AoA soldiers shot down our vehicle. We were separated at that time. I was only able to find Henry's sister and Lopmon, but I'm positive she's still alive. I want to search for her, but the AoA is keeping me from getting anything done. So, how did you end up in the forest with that wound?"

"I was running away from the AoA. They took over Asuka City, and nearly killed me and Frosty as we ran into the forest. I got hit and then all of a sudden, a shoot out started! I took cover and it wasn't until everything calmed down before you found us."

"I see..." Akira paused a brief moment in thought before continuing. "Seems we've all had run-ins with AoA troops. I'm glad that you're alive. I have something to ask of you..."

"What is it?"

"Would you join us to fight the AoA? We're very short on troops here. After losing some of our troops coming here, and having others injured, we need all the help we can get. Your Digimon and skills as an Online Tamer would help bolster our ranks greatly."

"I want to help but I don't know how I can. I want to find Rika but..."

"Then join us! There is strength in numbers. Join us so that we can find Rika together."

After a brief deliberation Seiko came to her conclusion. "You talked me into it, Akira! However, I'm just a game player. I'm not a soldier like you are."

"That's okay. You can get basic training from one of our marines. It's your Online Tamer skills and knowledge that are most important. This battle will be won by Digimon and Tamers working side by side."



****************************************



Meanwhile in Mobius Desert, the Tamers, Esmeralda, and their Digimon travelled westward in search of Mirage Tower. With the onset of night time, the sky began to darken and the stars became visible. The group set up camp in a beat up shelter designed for commuters awaiting a bus. They took out some rations and began to eat. They weren't much in the way of taste, but had all the nutrients the body needed for an entire day.

"These have no taste. When can we get some bread and peanut butter, Takato?" asked Guilmon.

"I don't know," replied Takato honestly. "It might be a long time before we get any decent food at all."

"At least you won't go hungry, Guilmon," noted Amar. "These rations contain time released nutrients. You won't go hungry until late tomorrow."

"Yeah, but they could improve the taste of them at least..." muttered Esmeralda.

He glanced over at Henry, who was somewhat shaken up by Suzie's disappearance. "Where are you Suzie? It's not safe for you with those soldiers still out there," mumbled Henry.

Jeri decided to try to cheer him up. "I'm sure she's alright. She's a Tamer and she has Lopmon with her to protect her." Henry remained silent.

Renamon sat against the glass wall. She closed her eyes to have a light nap, when her ears suddenly bolted up. She heard something faint, but noticeable approaching. It sounded like rustling, as though sand was shifting around. As it moved closer, Renamon was able to hear the sound more clearly. She realized that the sound came from something tunnelling underneath the sand. It was approaching the shelter very rapidly.

"Get out of here!" she cried.

Suddenly, a metal drill burst out of the ground! Fortunately, everyone had fled to safety outside. The drill turned out to be connected to the head of a mole-like Digimon. In fact, it was his nose. He had a coat of purple and white fur. Like his nose, there were a trio of drills where his claws would be. He was Drimogemon, who smashed the remnants of the shelter. Two more burst out of the sand and a battle broke out between the groups.

====================Digimon Analyzer====================
Name: Drimogemon
Type: Data
Level: Champion
Element: Earth/Metal

This mole Digimon loves tunnelling through the ground. His drill is made of fortified iron and constantly renews itself, even after prolonged digging.

Attacks:
Iron Drill Spin - Drimogemon's nose and paw drills can be launched as piercing missiles. In flight, they spin to add more kick to the hit.

Mole's Claw - Drimogemon spins his paw drills as tries to gut an enemy.

Guilmon landed the first blow, striking his Drimogemon with a Pyro Sphere. The attack's explosive force bowled the Mole Digimon over, and Guilmon followed by grappling and biting him. An Iron Drill Spin struck Terriermon in the chest and knocked him down momentarily. His opponent attempted to leap onto him in a finishing manoeuvre, but Terriermon rolled away at the last minute. Renamon dodged a Mole's Claw, and scored a quick uppercut on her opponent's jaw. She was ready to nail him once more before a voice interrupted the battle.

"Stop!" it cried.

The Drimogemon and the Tamers' Digimon stopped fighting. Amar, Esmeralda, and Jeri spotted several people and Digimon coming down a dune of sand. Each of the humans was dressed in loose fitting, concealing clothing. The leader pulled his mouth covering open to reveal the face of a handsome, tanned Persian teenager. He looked like a charismatic person who could easily exert influence over other people.

His Digimon partner was Ponchomon. His appearance seemed very appropriate for this desert setting. His face was like that of cactus, similar to that of a Togemon's. He wore a tattered orange poncho, a pair of red boxing gloves with a metal band to add power to his punch. On his head was a large yellow sombrero with red designs. His poncho flapped in the wind as he floated in the air like a ghost.

====================Digimon Analyzer====================
Name: Ponchomon
Type: Virus
Level: Armour
Element: Nature

This ghostly Digimon is a more common sight in deserts and other arid regions in the Digital World. This Digimon relies on his boxing skills to beat his opponents.

Attacks:
Tequila Knuckle - Ponchomon is a top notch boxer who can unleash a flurry of blows in under a second.

Cactus Bat - This move is an extension of Tequila Knuckle. Ponchomon creates cacti, and then punches them into a foe as projectiles.

"I'm sorry about my people attacking you. We thought you were AoA troopers entering our territory," said the leader.

"Who are you?" asked Amar.

"I'm the Byakko Leader, or rather; I WAS the Byakko Leader, until the AoA conquered my city. I retreated here with the citizens and we've been here fighting them ever since."

"Who's the AoA?" asked Rika.

"They're not exactly the type of people you'd want to meet. They're some sort of terrorist group that is conquering Asuka Server. I don't really know why though. Now, I'd like to know who you are."

"We were here to rescue a man from the Dum Dum Factory. Our vehicle was shot out of the air, and we've been stranded here ever since. We're on our way to Mirage Tower to find shelter and return to base," replied Esmeralda.

"So, it seems we have a common enemy," remarked Byakko Leader. "Coincidently, we come from Mirage Tower, so why don't you follow us there and be our guests?"

After a brief deliberation, the group decided it would be best to follow Byakko Leader. After a few hours travel, they came upon a monolithic tower. It was a technological wonder with circuitry running along its concrete walls. Mirage Tower seemed so out of place in such a barren and desolate place as the desert. This tower offered relative safety from the AoA being so far south and out of the way.

The interior of the tower was a bustling place. Byakko Leader gave the group a guided tour of his headquarters and of the Resistance movement. Most of the members were originally civilians and authorities from Byakko City. As Byakko Leader mentioned, they had been displaced by the AoA attack on his city. The rest of the people were random players who were unlucky enough to be caught out in the west during the AoA conquest. Byakko Leader invited them to join the Resistance and took them in.

Mirage Tower was essentially a self contained city within its walls. It had multiple floors, each which had its own purpose. The former merchants of Byakko have relocated to the first floor, turning it into a mall or bazaar. The group passed by a Gargomon weapon smith's stall; a clean alcove with fine swords and guns on display. A Wizardmon owned the medicine shop, and the Tamers could hear a light bubbling from the back. His store had the pungent smell of the strange and exotic herbs used in his potions and pills.

"There are so many people here!" remarked Jeri.

"Yeah," replied Byakko Leader. "The AoA has driven everyone out of my city. Even worse is that our spies are telling us that they're invading other lands and cities as well."

"Other lands?" asked Takato incredulously.

"Yes," replied Byakko Leader. "They have heard word of an attack on Asuka City; the capital of this server."

Esmeralda shocked at this piece of news. "No! Our base is near there! If the AoA find out about it..."

"First we lose Akira and Suzie, Byakko City is in enemy hands, and now this..." muttered Amar.

"What we need to do is to call our base and warn them!" stated Esmeralda.

"We would send word to Asuka, except that the only radio that can reach that far is in Byakko City," informed Byakko Leader. "We'd have to retake the city in order to use it. By that time, Asuka might as well be in enemy hands, as will your base..."

The Tamers didn't take it too well, and Takato had reached his limit. "I don't know about you guys, but frankly, I've had it with the AoA! It's time we paid them back for everything they've done. Byakko Leader, you've just got yourself a new member!"

"Yeah! Count me in too!" said Esmeralda.

"...And me too!" agreed Amar. The rest of the group agreed unanimously.

"Then it's settled then. Go to the meeting hall on the second floor at three pm tomorrow. Be ready to go on a mission that day," said Byakko Leader.

That night, the Tamers went to bed in special guest rooms that Byakko Leader had provided on the third floor. Jeri was unable to sleep, being anxious about everything that had happened. She got out of her bed, and wandered out of the room and down the hall. She eventually found the lounge, where Takato was busy painting something. Takato heard her entering and turned around.

"Having trouble sleeping, Jeri?" asked Takato.

"Yeah," she replied.

"Same here. This is just like when we were fighting the D-Reaper. I was so worried about what happened to you..."

"Takato, do you ever think about how the people you love?"

"What do you mean?" asked Takato. He began to blush, thinking Jeri was about to make a romantic move on him.

"I've been thinking about what happened when we came here. Henry is devastated about losing Suzie. I'm worried about losing more people like Leomon and Suzie; people we really care about."

"I see..." replied Takato, somewhat relieved but also disappointed. "I felt the same way. When Guilmon first Digivolved, he scared the pants off of me! It was like a part him disappeared once he Digivolved. I was afraid that our friendship was lost, but Rika and Henry told me that Guilmon was growing up, and that it was natural."

"...But Suzie and Leomon didn't go away because they grew up. Someone took them away from us. I don't think I can bear it if someone took one of my friends away!"

"I know how you feel Jeri, but listen to something I realized. When Alice gave us the power to Biomerge in the Real World, I saw the big picture. As Tamers, we are part of something more. It's not that we lose our friends if we fight. We fight because we want to keep our friends and loved ones alive, or else we'll keep losing our loved ones until no one is left."

"I see what you mean, Takato." As she felt better, a smile formed on Jeri's face.

Takato smiled. "I'm glad you feel better!"

"Say, what's that you're making?" Jeri looked over at the white canvas on which Takato was painting.

"Oh, this? It's a new Tamers flag. Once we take over Byakko City, I'm going to raise it high in the air to let the AoA know we won't be pushed around! There's me, Guilmon, and I'm working on Henry's face right now. I'm going to put in Byakko Leader's face on it as well."

"It looks nice. I'm going back to bed. Good night Takato!"

"Good night Jeri!"