Koenma:
Not really. This isn't an 02 fic so he's out of place here.
Cave Cat:
I won't show the actual picnic. If you really want to see some AshMisty stuff, just wait a few chapters. There's a scene coming up a few chapters into the future.
Disclaimer:
Toei and Bandai own Digimon, and Nintendo owns Pokemon. Some Digimon used in this fic belong to me. Some reviewers have contributed the following characters.
Metal Devidramon - Ninetalesuk
Skyemon - Gijinka Renamon
Socramon - Cavecat
By: RB3
Chapter 11: Sorcerymon's Discovery
The Human-Beast war continued on the plains of the Digital World's wilderness and in the streets of its cities. The battles were most severe in the plains and forests of the Wind Continent, the location of Seraphimon's former castle. They had resulted in the castle being rendered unusable for his purposes, necessitating the usage of Ophanimon's vacant castle. The Lawkeepers were gaining ground, spreading westward across the Wind Continent towards the Bestial Nations territories.
The Lawkeepers had recently advanced towards the plains on the west side of Wind Continent. There, they met with fierce resistance from the Beast-types. The battle went back and forth with each Digimon fighting each other in brutal battle. A trio of crimson dinosaurs with exotic black markings, Guilmon, spit fireballs into a column of Human-type angels, Angemon and d'Arcmon. The angels blocked the fireballs and retaliated with positive energy blasts.
A group of massive blue beetles, Kabuterimon, shot spheres of lightning into the column of angels. Their attack killed three of the enemy and wounded five more. Elsewhere, the Gatling guns of a Gargomon firing team made rattling bangs as they unloaded ammunition into the lines of the Human-types. From the sky a squadron of Lillymon shelled the Gargomon with Flower Cannon shots. The shots exploded all around them, forcing them to run and breaking their group up. The Human-Beast war proved to be very costly in lives for both sides of the war.
Back at Lawkeepers' headquarters, Beelzemon gave a private status report to his leader, Seraphimon. "Our forces are engaging the Bestial Nations along the western plains of the Wind Continent. On the Earth Continent front, our forces have retaken the Summer Sun Fair."
"Excellent," commented Seraphimon. "It has come to my attention that the Beast-types in our lands are growing restless. I fear they will be a threat to the Human-types."
"We'll need to round them up and lock them away," suggested Beelzemon.
"I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to that," lamented Seraphimon. "...But even if we did this, they will resist. That's not counting the resistance that would come from the few moderate elements left in the Human-types."
"If they had made a move against us, then we'd have no choice," observed Beelzemon. "I can 'arrange' something like that if you want."
"I do not like the idea of deceiving our people," stated Seraphimon.
"You don't have a choice. If you leave the Beast-types alone, they will help the Bestial Nations destroy us," warned Beelzemon.
Seraphimon sighed. "Very well, Beelzemon. I'll leave it in your hands."
Meanwhile, Sorcerymon was beefing up the defences of Flame Terminal. This small town had gone through much in recent weeks. It was the site of an attack by a group of the Human-type Asuramon. These nuts massacred several innocent Beast-types in cold blood. However, Sorcerymon soon learned through Beelzemon's great detective work that Cherubimon orchestrated the whole event. The Celestial Digimon was behind everything, using the Dark Rings to control the Asuramon and provoke the Beast Digimon into joining his war.
Earlier, a riot had broken out when irate Beast-types went on strike against the steel production plants in Flame Terminal. One event had led to another and violence erupted. The police had not choice but to step in, but not even they could stop the angry Beast Digimon. It required the Legendary Warriors to intervene before they could restore order. Recently, Flame Terminal became a strategic operational area for the Lawkeepers' push westward into Bestial Nations territory.
Sorcerymon, on a break, decided to start a conversation with one of the Lawkeepers' soldiers, an Angemon. "Say, how is the war going?"
"Very well, our boys are fighting them into the western plains right now. Word is that we're going to take that place very soon. The Wind Continent is going to be ours!"
"Yeah, that's good news!" agreed Sorcerymon. "Despite that, Cherubimon's not going to..."
At that moment, an explosion rocked the Flame Terminal! The blast came as a shock to Sorcerymon and Angemon. The two went over to investigate and found that a cafe in the town had been demolished. The authorities made an exhaustive search and collected all the evidence they could. At the time, the cafe had been filled with Human Digimon. The bomb killed all of them instantly, leaving no survivors.
A police Etemon scoured through the wreckage and found a golden tail ring. "Look at this!"
"A tail ring?" asked a second.
"Yeah, don't Gatomon wear these?" asked a third.
"Yeah, there aren't any other Digimon that wear these things," stated the first. "It looks like a Beast-type operation."
"Hey, I found a video of the perp escaping!" announced a fourth Etemon as he ran over.
The first Etemon took the video and played it in a nearby news van. It showed a cute white cat, a Gatomon, running out of the back door of the cafe. After searching the cafe's ruins, the police could not find anything else of interest. The police declared the bombing to be the work of Beast-type subversives working from within the Beast-type communities. News of this heinous event spread rapidly through the Human-type communities. It soon led to furious protests by disgruntled and enraged Human Digimon.
"Throw out the savages!" chanted a mass of protesters in Light City.
"We are a nation of laws! Beast-types do not belong!" cried others.
The news channels switched to massive coverage of Seraphimon about to make an edict. "I have stated that we as Human-types should not paint Beast-types with broad strokes. I have made every effort to ensure peace in our communities, but it appears that the Beast-types are unwilling to reciprocate. Though it pains me greatly, they have left me with no choice but for me to ask them to leave our villages and cities quietly."
In a Beast-type neighbourhood of Flame Terminal, the mass expulsion of the Beast Digimon was well underway. Many Beast Digimon had already packed their belongings and lined up to be taken away by the Trailmon. Despite Seraphimon's decree, a few of the Beast-types were unwilling to leave the cities. These Digimon had to be forcibly escorted by Human-type guards. One such group of dissenters was a group of Biyomon.
A group of Knightmon smashed the door down to their home. The armoured knights proceeded to drag the Biyomon out and beat them with the flat of their blades. Once this appalling act was over, a group of Angemon swooped down and carried the wounded birds off to the Trailmon station. At the station, Worm the Trailmon was filled to maximum capacity with the sad and desolate Beast-Digimon. He promptly pulled out of the station, taking the Beast Digimon to parts unknown.
While the Lawkeepers cleansed their lands of the Beast Digimon, Sorcerymon was watching a recording of the news on a television set. He had returned to Ophanimon's castle to turn in for the day. He watched the videos of the crime, including the one that showed the bomber's escape from the back. On the film, the Gatomon walked into the cafe with a small backpack on her back. In the next shot, the cat left the cafe without the backpack and before it exploded.
Sorcerymon thought he spotted something odd about the video and rewound it. Upon replaying it, Sorcerymon watched the video more closely. He confirmed his suspicions; something was definitely odd about the video. The oddity was centred on the Gatomon looking around before she ran off. Sorcerymon stopped the video at that scene and moved closer to the television set to determine what it was. He couldn't figure anything out since the scene was so blurry.
Sorcerymon decided to use a computer. He uploaded the video into an art program and froze the video at the moment the Gatomon began looking around during the escape scene. Seraphimon's aide expanded the image until he got a blurry close up of the face. After sharpening the image, it turned out that Gatomon's face was abnormal. Further sharpening revealed that the fur had a discontinuity in it, which indicated that the fur was a suit and not a part of her body. After running a cleaning function, Sorcerymon discovered the truth; that Gatomon was a fake!
In truth, the Gatomon was actually a Betsumon. Betsumon loved wearing disguises and often walked around in Gatomon suits. The Lawkeepers had employed one to stage the cafe bombing and then blame it on the Beast-types. This crime could only have been ordered by the upper echelons of the Lawkeepers. Sorcerymon now held damning proof of a Lawkeeper crime. He realized that as long as he knew this, his life was in danger. He eventually decided to expose the fraud to Cherubimon's Warriors and set out on a dangerous mission.
"...And so, your hero enters a great forest to complete her Spirit Quest and find her true power. What dangers and wonders await her on her journey? What Digimon will she become once she gains Fusion Evolution? Stay tuned and we'll find out!" reported May.
Indeed, May's Spirit Quest had brought her to a great forest somewhere on the Wood Continent. The air was filled with the fresh smell of clean air. The trees towered over May like massive poles of wood and leaves. They gave her a sense of claustrophobia since the trees were so close together. It made it difficult to move quickly through the area, as well as limiting the range of her vision. The Warrior of Wood continued to follow her Spirits' voices to wherever they led her.
After walking along for a few moments, she came upon a tree filled with bright red apples. "Mmm... Food! I haven't eaten in a while..." May climbed onto the branches, plucked an apple, and sat down to eat.
Unknown to May, another Legendary Warrior lurked in the skies above. "Where is she?" asked that Warrior, Kazemon.
Kazemon was in the area on Seraphimon's orders. His agents had spotted May leaving a Trailmon and heading into the forest. The Keeper of Laws had not learned what she was up to and so sent Zoe to find out. So far, Kazemon had not been able to find her anywhere in the forest. The vegetation was so thick that it made it difficult to see objects even from the sky. The Warrior of Wind hovered over the trees and continued her search.
"Danger!" whispered May's Spirits.
May froze and looked around. Once she moved her gaze upward, she saw Kazemon hover by without noticing her. "Eeek! What's she doing here?" May asked herself mentally.
May took cover behind the leaves and waited until Kazemon flew out of sight. With the Warrior of Wind here, her Spirit Quest now took a dangerous turn. Though she wondered why Kazemon was here, May didn't need to guess. Kazemon was here to stop her. Most likely it was Seraphimon or Beelzemon who put her up to this. Zoe had the power of Fusion Evolution and hence was more powerful than May was. May decided that confronting her at this point was not a wise thing to do.
However, fate had other plans. Her branch began to weaken with an audible cracking sound. May screamed as she fell onto the ground, landing with a loud thud and rustling the animals nearby. Once May recovered, she instinctively Spirit Evolved into Arbormon and fled the scene before Kazemon came by to investigate. She dashed into the forest at top speed until a blast of wind smashed a tree in her path. Kazemon had found her.
The fairy of Wind descended from the sky. "Arbormon, stop! What are you doing here?"
"None of your business!" replied Arbormon.
"Like hell it isn't my business! As long as you work for Cherubimon, it is my business!" stated Kazemon. "Why don't you tell me what you are doing before I get angry?"
"Make me!" dared Arbormon.
"If that's the way you want it..." conceded Kazemon.
Kazemon blew a blast of air which struck a nearby tree after Arbormon dodged. The android of Wood threw a pair of extended punches at Kazemon, who flew away to avoid them. The fighting fairy responded by blowing more air blasts at Arbormon and sending her into the ground. As Kazemon came with a powerful kick, Arbormon caught her foot and decked her across the face with an extended punch. The Warrior of Wood got up and Kazemon came in a flurry of kicks. Arbormon raised her arm in defence and then swatted Kazemon out of the way.
Kazemon decided to switch to her Beast Spirit. "Slide Evolution, Zephyrmon!"
"Two can play at that game. Slide Evolution, Petal Dramon!"
The two Legendary Warriors glared at each other in what was an incongruent scene. Of the two Digimon, Petal Dramon was the larger one by a great margin. She was facing down a Digimon about the size of a six or seven foot tall woman. It would seem that someone as small as Zephyrmon would not be threat. It was a fact that the Beast Hybrid of Wind was not known for raw physical power. On the other hand, the advantages of the Wind Hybrids fell into another area, that of mobility.
Zephyrmon made the first move by blowing a cone of wind. The cone was filled with bludgeoning vacuum pellets that pummelled Petal Dramon's body for light damage. Zephyrmon charged into the attack while Petal Dramon was stunned and delivered a powerful thrusting kick. The plant dragon fumbled backwards before retaliating in kind with a cone of air of her own, the Leaf Cyclone. The attack knocked Zephyrmon into the ground leaving her momentarily dazed.
"Slide Evolution, Arbormon!"
Arbormon took advantage of this lapse of attention to flee elsewhere into the forest. Zephyrmon became annoyed upon recovering from the Leaf Cyclone. "Great... Where did she go now?"
Zephyrmon took to the skies to search for the Warrior of Wood. At the same time, Arbormon stopped her retreat into the forest's depths. She didn't want to be dragged into a long, drawn out fight before she completed her Spirit Quest. After confirming that Zephyrmon was nowhere around, the Warrior of Wood continued her quest. The Spirits of Wood guided her on her way until she found a grove.
At the centre of this grove was a tree placed prominently in the centre. This tree was larger than the rest and had a handle sticking out of its trunk. This handle belonged to what appeared to be a knife or sword-like object. The Spirits told Arbormon to grab the handle and pull it out. Arbormon did as she was told and returned to being May for unknown reasons. The tree suddenly disappeared for unknown reasons as well.
The dagger turned out to be longer than she first thought. It turned out to be a katana in actuality due to its long length. It had a curved blade made out of amber and looked like a beautiful work of art. The sword suddenly shrank down into a knife and May looked at it bewilderment. No matter what she did, she couldn't make the dagger turn back into a sword. Once she put the dagger on her belt, the Spirits of Wood fled her Pokeball. May watched as the Spirits sank into her open palms and relished the serene power she felt flowing through her.
Zephyrmon, drawn by the light of the Spirits of Wood, came to investigate. "NOOOOO!"
May smiled as the Kanji of Wood lit up on her forehead as she showed the Spirits of Wood to Zephyrmon. "Oh yeah, I can Fusion Evolve too! Zoe, it's time for us to settle our score. Execute!" cried May as she thrust the Spirits together. "Fusion Evolution!"
Upon the Spirits joining, they released vast amounts of Fractal Code in bands. The superimposed Spirits appeared above May as her skin turned to wood and she became a fully grown, but barren tree. Leaves began to grow as two of the branches began to bend downwards like arms. An unknown force carved the features of a beautiful, curvaceous woman into the bark, turning the tree into a wooden statue. A pair of glowing ambers appeared and formed her eyes. The dryad cracked several vines on the ground like whips and made an alluring pose.
"Dryamon!"
------------------------------------------Digimon Analyzer------------------------------------------
Name: Dryamon
Attributes: Variable, Fusion Hybrid, Grass Type
The Warrior of Wood's evolution has transformed her into a gorgeous female tree spirit. This titanic, beautiful Digimon is the guardian of the Digital World's forests.
Special Abilities/Traits:
Accelerated healing: sunlight, disguise: tree, control plants
Photosynthetic Blast (Grass) - Dryamon's photosynthesizing body allows her to draw on luminescence to fuel a destructive eye blast. Also known as the "Photo Blast," this attack weakens when Dryamon is out of the sun.
Verdant Tendrils (Grass) - Dryamon whips her foes with a series of vines that grow from her body.
Eucalyptus Gas (Poison) - Dryamon can expel a white bacterial cloud with a minty smell. It heals allies but causes inflammation and blisters on the skin of enemies.
"So, what do you think? Don't I look good as Dryamon?" asked Dryamon as she gave a flirtatious wink.
"You won't be looking so good once I'm done with you!" replied Zephyrmon.
"If you think you can take me, bring it on! I'm not going anywhere so what are you waiting for?" taunted Dryamon.
Zephyrmon decided to not to mince words and blew a Hurricane Gale at her opponent. Dryamon took the attack without so much as flinching before spraying Eucalyptus Gas in return. The minty gas gave Zephyrmon severe and painful burning sensations on her skin wherever it touched. The Warrior of Wind formed Plasma Pods on her limbs before shooting them at the enemy. Dryamon swatted the pods away and entered into a stare down with the Warrior of Wind.
Zephyrmon materialized her Spirits in the palms of her hands. "Execute, Fusion Evolution!"
After Zephyrmon turned into Jet Silphymon, Dryamon smiled. "Now we're getting serious!"
"That's right, no more playing around!" exclaimed Jet Silphymon.
The Warrior of Wind immediately materialized and pointed her pinwheel at Dryamon for an Ultra Turbulence attack. Fierce winds began to pick up and blow on Dryamon, but she was too heavy and too resistant to be lifted off the ground. Jet Silphymon followed by spraying several vacuum shots which pummelled Dryamon around. After landing a powerful kick, Jet Silphymon knocked the massive tree spirit onto her back.
Dryamon smiled as she got up. "Nice try, but you're going to have to do better than that!"
Dryamon grew nine vines from her hand and lashed them at Jet Silphymon. Like a cat-o'-nine-tails, the tips stung the Warrior of Wind's skin on contact. Dryamon followed with a series of amber energy blasts from her eyes. Jet Silphymon dodged the shots with deft speed, but there were too many and she was eventually hit. Dryamon lashed Jet Silphymon once more just before she landed on the ground.
Jet Silphymon, now in trouble, decided that the best course of action would be to flee. She could not defeat Dryamon, so her mission was a failure. The rush of power and strength during a first evolution was just too much for her to bear. The Warrior of Wind blasted off into the skies, leaving a sonic boom in her wake as she sped into the distance. The Warrior of Wood had won the battle and acquired her Fusion Hybrid. Dryamon relished her victory and walked off into the forest to return to the Rose Morning Star.
Back at the Rose Morning Star, Cherubimon received a vital message from Sorcerymon. Oryxmon displayed the wizard's image in the centre of the room. "Cherubimon? Warriors? Are you there? Speak to me!" cried Sorcerymon.
"I'm here Sorcerymon, why have you called me?" asked Cherubimon accusingly.
"Look, I'm sorry for my actions back then, but I need you to hide me out at the Rose Morning Star. It's vitally important."
"You want asylum here? Why?"
"I'm being followed by the Lawkeepers. They want to get me!" replied Sorcerymon.
"Get you? Why would they be looking for you?" asked Cherubimon.
"Did you know about the Flame Terminal bombing, the one where the Beast-types destroyed a cafe? I have proof that it was the Lawkeepers who carried out that bombing to frame the Beast Digimon! They are chasing me to keep me from revealing the truth!"
"Alright, where are you? I'll send some of my Warriors to get you to safety," assured Cherubimon before putting down the phone. "Oryxmon, summon my Warriors immediately!" Cherubimon returned to Sorcerymon. "Where are you?"
"Send your Warriors to Flame Terminal. I'll meet them there."
"Very well," replied Cherubimon.
Koichi, Max, Misty, and the Pokemon trainers entered the room. "What happened?" asked Koichi.
"Sorcerymon is being hunted by the Lawkeepers," answered Cherubimon.
"Hunted? Why?" asked Ash.
"He said that the Lawkeepers were responsible for the Flame Terminal bombing. He said he's hiding out at Flame Terminal with the proof," reported Cherubimon.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" cried Max.
The Warriors Koichi, Max, and Misty Fusion Evolved to their Fusion Hybrids. Demi Wisemon invoked a spell and the Warriors magically appeared at the Trailmon station in Flame Terminal. It was night time and all was very quiet. The darkness was a boon to Reichmon, giving him increased strength and vigour. The Warriors fanned out into the town and began their search for Sorcerymon. Reichmon and Demi Wisemon took to the air to scan the town from a higher vantage point.
Since it was night, activity in the town had lessened considerably and there were no crowds to hide Sorcerymon. Despite Reichmon and Demi Wisemon's advantageous location, neither Digimon could see him. The trainers scoured a quiet neighbourhood for signs of the wizard but he was nowhere to be found. Maridmon did the same in the industrial area, but found nothing there either. The group continued their search realizing that Sorcerymon would come out eventually.
Demi Wisemon continued his search around the Trailmon station. He heard chatter coming from the station. "Okay guys, we're here to find Sorcerymon. Spread out and look for him." Demi Wisemon recognized the voice as being JP's.
Demi Wisemon hid himself nearby and watched as a small group of Human-type Digimon fanned out of the Trailmon station. They consisted of Angemon and a second type of Digimon that Demi Wisemon recognized as Ogremon. They were green humanoids with horned bodies and horned heads that made them look somewhat demonic. These Human-type Digimon were being led by Beetlemon, Chakkumon, and Lobomon.
Demi Wisemon immediately contacted his friends through telepathy. "Hey guys, I just saw Beetlemon, Chakkumon, and Lobomon leave the station. They've brought several buddies with them. Watch out!"
"That's not good," replied Maridmon telepathically. "We haven't found him yet. We can't let them get to Sorcerymon before we do!"
Maridmon renewed her search for Sorcerymon back at the industrial area. "Pssst! Over here!" called an unknown voice. The caller was hiding between a pair of cars and revealed himself as Sorcerymon.
"Sorcerymon, you're not hurt are you?" asked Maridmon.
"No, I was lucky enough to be able to stay out of their sights. I don't want to stay in this place for too long. You have to get me to the Rose Morning Star!"
"Certainly," replied Maridmon. "I just heard that some of the other Warriors have entered town. I think they're looking for you."
"We'd better hurry!"
Maridmon relayed the good news to the others via telepathy and before escorting Sorcerymon to the Trailmon station. The two waited there as the other members of her group came in. First to come were Demi Wisemon and Reichmon, who flew over to the station. Shortly, afterwards the Pokemon trainers came running over. Trailing them were several of the Ogremon, who had spotted them and gave chase.
"Hey guys, this way!" cried Reichmon.
The Ogremon seemed to be gaining ground. "They're not going to make it!" stated Maridmon.
Maridmon materialized her Vortex Trident and sprayed a powerful jet of water at the Ogremon. The grotesque Digimon were blown back by the sheer force of the attack. "Demi Wisemon, get us out of here!" cried Reichmon.
Demi Wisemon began to channel the magical energies necessary for his teleportation spell. The others watched with apprehension as Beowolfmon, Dai Penmon, and Rhino Kabuterimon came charging at the station. At that moment, Demi Wisemon's spell triggered and brought everyone safely back to the Rose Morning Star. The escape of Cherubimon's Warriors frustrated Seraphimon's Warriors to no end.
"Damn!" cursed Beowolfmon as he slammed his sword into the ground.
Cherubimon's Warriors reappeared at the entrance of the Rose Morning Star. "Phew, we made it!" remarked Demi Wisemon before releasing the power of his Spirits.
The group returned to Cherubimon, who was pleased with the success of his champions. "Excellent work, Warriors! You have brought Sorcerymon here safely."
Sorcerymon wasted no time in showing the group the evidence he had compiled. "I figured as much," commented Brock. "Beelzemon has to be the one behind this."
"Beelzemon?" asked Sorcerymon. "I know someone high up had to have ordered this attack, but what makes you think it's Beelzemon?"
"I have a Devimon imprisoned in my dungeon," informed Cherubimon. "He confessed Beelzemon's efforts to frame me with my seal and the Dark Rings."
"So Beelzemon was behind everything from day one?" asked Sorcerymon incredulously.
"That's right," replied Ash. "He tricked everyone. He tricked the other Warriors and Seraphimon into thinking that Cherubimon was responsible for everything."
"...And now he is the leader of the Human-types," finished Sorcerymon. "I dread to think what he might do with that much power at his disposal."
"We have to make Seraphimon and his Warriors realize that Beelzemon is a traitor," stated Cherubimon. "The sooner we can do that, the sooner we can prepare for Meracia.
"Meracia?" asked Sorcerymon.
"Max, tell Sorcerymon about the Sins of the State prophecy."
Max told Sorcerymon about how the prophecy predicted a future invasion against the Digital World by the State known as Meracia. "Is this true?" asked Sorcerymon.
"I think so," replied Max. "The prophecy came from Ancient Wisemon. I'm sure it's the real thing. That's why we need to stop the Human-Beast war as quickly as possible."
"You don't suppose Beelzemon is trying to keep the Human and Beast types fighting to weaken them off?" asked Sorcerymon.
"Perhaps," replied Cherubimon. "He might be an agent of Meracia."