Hey everyone! I lived through Covid! It was pretty rough, and I'm still currently on the mend and recovering from the more severe symptoms. So I'm going to apologize up front for any editing mistakes I've made on this one, it's one of the longest chapters yet but I wanted it to be one single entity. I'll probably give it a second glance once my Covid brain fog clears up more T~T

. . .

Cody and Shamanmon

. . .

It wasn't long after their capture that Cody and his partner found themselves in the village of the goblin digimon. Hidden well within the dense jungles, various huts and bone lined structures. It was an absolute mess here, Goblimon randomly fighting one another, while they were barked at and lead around by a handful of Ogremon. The human and his partner were lead to a hut filled with cages, two other rookie level digimon were huddled inside the cramped spaces, looking terrified and half starved.

"You'll wait in here until the boss decides what to do with you!" The Ogremon that brought them here decided, tossing them inside one of the cages.

"Gah! Hey be careful!" Cody barked back at him as Shamanmon hit the ground, "Can't you see that he's hurt?"

"Hah! Maybe he shouldn't go picking fights then eh?" Ogremon snorted, "He always was weak." He added, before turning and walking off once the door was closed and locked.

Once he was gone, Cody shimmied over to his partner, "Hey! You okay? Come on you've gotta give me something here..." Waiting, but getting no response. "Dammit..." He looked to the other digimon, one looked like a mammal of some kind with red fur and blue frills at the end of its tails. Another looked like a big pink pinecone with legs. "Uh... Hi." They didn't say anything, only backed away slightly against the edge of their cages.

Cody sighed heavily, "Alright orchestrating a prison break wasn't exactly how I thought today was gonna go," He rolled himself over, getting up into a sitting position. "Then again, I didn't expect the giant metal bird either... This place sucks." He struggled with the ropes tying his hands, before noting the one with red fur had some sharp looking claws. "Hey uh... You mind?" He asked, sticking his bound hands out towards it. It flinched away at first, like a dog that had been kicked too many times, before realizing what he was asking. It cautiously extended one claw and cut the ropes before pulling it back. "Thanks, I'm Cody by the way." He offered, rubbing his wrists before going back to checking on Shamanmon.

"E-Elecmon." The red digimon squeaked out.

His strange fruit looking friend adding, "Pomumon." In a higher pitched fruit, the fruit digimon was definitely a girl.

Cody nodded, "So I'm kinda new in town, what's the deal with these guys?"

Elecmon sighed, seeming to relax a bit as he slumped against the cage. "They're a bunch of bullies, they abduct digimon when they're alone or hurt if they can, bring back here and make them fight for entertainment."

Pomumon shuddered, shaking her head. "I don't want to fight anyone, I just wanna go home..."

Cody realized how scared they must be, taking a deep breath and nodding. "It'll be okay... As soon as my friend here is rested up we'll get you out of here."

"Eh, not to sound ungrateful but uh..." Pomumon leaned around his side and looked over Shamanmon. "I'm not sure you can get us out of here."

Cody narrowed his eyes, "Hey these jerks didn't beat us! It was that stupid Jazzy-whatevermon!" He exclaimed, "Once Shamanmon is back in fighting shape I'll make him digivolve with my-" His words catching in his throat as he reached for his Digivice and felt nothing. "Oh crap."

Did he drop it in the scramble? Did it fall from his pocket? Did one of these goblin digimon take it? Either way, without it they were pretty far up shit creak without a paddle.

"You can make him digivolve?" Elecmon questioned, quirking an eyebrow. "How?"

"W-Well I could-" He stammered, before shaking his head. "But one of those little monsters must have swiped the device that lets me do it..."

"So... We're back to being doomed?" Pomumon questioned.

Elecmon sighed, "So it would seem."

"HEY!" Cody barked at them both, "Don't go giving up so easily! I said I'd get you out of here and I meant it dammit!" He folded both arms over his chest, "I just need to think..." But he was never the best at that, "Dammit who am I kidding... We're screwed if I don't get that Digivice back..."

"Hrnngh!" Shamanmon tensed up suddenly, slowly opening his eyes. "Ow... I think I broke my... Everything."

"You're awake!" Cody beamed, "About damn time."

"Sorry I was a little worn out after, you know, being exploded." He grumbled, sitting up slowly but still cringing in pain. "Huh, this looks familiar..." He noted, scratching his chin.

Cody nodded, "Yeah we got abducted by some of your dumbass friends." He explained, "And they stole my digivice, so busting out of here ain't gonna work."

"So we're back home..." Shamanmon questioned, still a little out of it. "Guess I couldn't run from this place forever..."

Causing Cody to quirk an eyebrow, "Run from it? I thought you set off on a big adventure."

His partner shook his head, "I just said that because... It sounded less pathetic than 'I ran from home because I hated it here'." Before he leaned against the side of cage, sighing heavily.

"I-" Cody hesitated, not realizing his partner maybe wasn't the big happy dork he had thought. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize." He leaned against the cage beside him, "I guess digimon can have crappy home lives too... At least he had a good reason."

"Sorry I never told you," Shamanmon added, "I just... You were always so strong, from the day I met you." He couldn't help but start to grin as he remembered that night. "I didn't want you to know that I was a coward."

Cody thought back to all the times he'd seen Shamanmon fight, against the Coelamon, against Devidramon and Dragomon too. "Is that why you're always pushing yourself so hard? You're trying to impress me?" He scoffed, shaking his head before putting am arm around his partner. "You dumbass, there's nothing cowardly about getting away from a toxic family life." Thinking about his own home life, "I left home because thought I was a failure, and now... Well, might never get the chance to see Granny and my big brother aga- Ow!" He yelped as Shamanmon elbowed him in the ribs, "What the hell was that for?" Pulling away from him.

His partner glaring up at him, "Don't talk like that, you never give up right? Th-The only reason I can push myself so hard is because I know you're supporting me." He added, grinning up at him. "We'll get out of this, together!"

Cody nodded, grinning and fist bumping his partner, "Hell yeah."

"Ahem," Elecmon interrupted, "This is all very touching, but we still don't actually have a plan."

"I do," Shamanmon grunted, leaning forward and rising on shaky legs. "The tribe leaders, all they care about is looking strong in front of the others," He explained, "If we challenge them for our freedom, they can't refuse without looking weak."

Cody quirked an eyebrow, "Yeah but can we win without the digivice?"

Shamanmon simply shrugged, "Do we have much choice?"

. . .

Samantha and Darcmon

. . .

What seemed like a world away, deep within the mountain located on the eastern continent, Samantha was seated at a table. Darcmon leaning against a wall nearby, having fully recovered her strength by now. All the while her father was working away at the computers that had long since been deactivated just days prior, many still covered in dust while he frantically attempted to attune his sensitive equipment to his daughters Digivice.

So far, it had been a series of dead ends. It wasn't that the device wasn't functional, it just wasn't picking up on anything. Sam had never considered how low the range on this thing might actually be, she'd always assumed breaches in the real world were just happening near her but it was entirely possibly digimon and maybe other chosen humans were all over the world and she just never detected them!

"Still nothing..." He sighed heavily, slumping back in his chair. "And I think I'm starting to understand why."

Sam quirked an eyebrow at that, "Well it'll be the first breakthrough since I got here, hit me."

He spun around in his chair to face her, "The space between the human world and the digital one is occupied by raw data, digitalized information moving from place to place near instantaneously, many of these streams crisscross and end up here as well, mostly junk files or things thought deleted in the real world." Before he folded his arms over his chest, "It's not a matter of power or equipment, the constant passage of data in various forms through the space is creating a mass of interference so thick there's no way we can get a signal more than a few miles out."

"Great," Sam sighed heavily, leaning back in her own chair. "Guess this was a waste... Dammit, wasted days here when we should have been out looking for them."

Her father frowning slightly, "I'm sorry I couldn't help you more, it was good to see you though." Offering a faint smile.

Sam realized how her response might have sounded and sighed, "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that... I'm glad you're okay, things have been stressful lately, and we can't afford to be sitting around."

He nodded, "I know, you just can't seem to sit still for long... I wish there was more I could do to help you," He added, lowering his head, "If only your mother were still here, she'd know what t-"

His words were interrupted by a pinging noise that suddenly began to emanate from the computers. Specifically, from Sam's digivice that was hooked up to all the equipment. Its screen had come to live, pinging the map of its range at the very edge.

Sam was on her feet in an instant, racing towards the console as she started pulling her device from the wires. "I know this symbol, its another Digivice nearby!" She exclaimed, looking to her partner. "Lets go before we lose the signal again!"

Darcmon nodded, "Right, we can't miss this chance."

Her father reaching out as they started racing for the door, "B-But Samantha-"

"We'll be back!" She assured, waving back to him. "And we won't be alone!"

. . .

Cody and Shamanmon

. . .

It wasn't long before Cody and Shamanmon were lead out, along with the Elecmon and Pomumon. They didn't bother retying Cody's hands either, like they didn't even view him as a threat. the four of them were lead towards the center of the village, passing by other cages full of small and weak looking Digimon, more scared prisoners. Ahead of them he could see a large pit dug in the ground. Surrounded by seating like some kind of stadium, with much larger seats at the far end.

"This is all just a game to them?" Cody scoffed, "I can't believe you came from here..."

Shamanmon however, seemed troubled. "This is... Strange, they were always violent, loved picking fights and ganging up on people but taking prisoners? Using them for pit fighting? I don't remember any of this..."

Cody quirked an eyebrow at that, "I wonder what changed."

"Go on!" A Goblimon shoved them from behind as they neared the edge, "In the hole! While we decide who gets to beat the tar out of you!"

"Yeah yeah we're going," Cody grumbled back at him, hopping down over the edge and into the hole. It wasn't very deep, maybe a little over ten feet, but it was no less than a hundred feet in diameter. Shamanmon came sliding down behind him, Elecmon and Pomumon following. "Alright, now we just wait for the bosses t-" His words hitching, as he spotted someone ascending to the central, highest throne overlooking the pit. "Uh... Shamanmon, what is that?"

"What is-" His own words being caught in his throat as well. "I... I definitely don't remember her."

Cody would almost assume she was human, if not for the fact that she had to be at least twelve feet tall. With light skin, toned muscles across her exposed arms and abs. While a golden claw gauntlet adorned each arm, and likewise golden claw boots covered her lower legs. But her more sensitive parts were protected only by some light yellow cloth, the cloth over her chest painfully struggling to preserve her modesty. Her face was half hidden with a golden helm adorned with a blue jewel at the center and two sharp horns sticking out the sides. While wild, jagged green hair flowed from underneath the helm, and piercing emerald eyes burned into the prisoners. Beside her throne sat a mighty metal club, covered in spikes and sharped golden crystals.

"These are all the new prisoners?" She demanded suddenly, turning her head to look at the nearest Ogremon. "You're sure they'll put on a good show?"

"O-Of course!" He stammered out, "W-We found them after they finished fighting off that metal demon Jazarichmon!"

That seemed to pique her interest, "You fought Jazarichmon, and survived? Interesting..." A smirk crossing her lips.

"Got two more!" A sudden call sounded, voice approaching from the edge of the pit. "Sorry we're late!"

"Took awhile to get around all the fires," What sounded like another Ogremon added, as he appeared at the side of the pit holding- "These poor saps were just beaten down by Jazarichmon too! Barely made it over the mountain!"

"It's Thomas!" Cody exclaimed.

"And Kokuwamon!" Shamanmon added, eyes widened as he saw them both appearing to be unconscious.

"Hmph," The giant woman grunted, "Toss them in, hopefully they wake up before we finish with the others."

"HEY!" Cody cried as he watched them get thrown over the edge, he was already running along Shamanmon, both managing to catch their target as Thomas landed in his arms. He could tell the younger teen was in rough shape, "You bastards, what did you do to him!?" He demanded.

Ogremon simply shrugged, "Just found'em like this, they tried to cross the mountains and Jazarichmon crushed them." Before making his way over to the throne, "Another shiny trinket too, my chief." He said, bowing to the new boss while handing over Thomas' digivice.

Shamanmon waved his club up at them after gently setting down Kokuwamon, "This is ridiculous! What happened to you all!?" He demanded, "It's only been a few weeks, and you've gone from fighting each other to capturing innocent, injured digimon for entertainment?!"

"You shut up coward!" An Ogremon barked back down at him, "We're just trying to get stronger, prove that we're stronger for our new chief!" He said.

Cody sweatdropped, "Oh you can't be serious."

And the woman at the center throne nodded, slamming her club into the ground causing a loud thud to sound. Cody could feel the vibrations in the ground. "I came here looking for a strong partner, these Ogremon assure me that it must be one of them! So I'm waiting to see if they'll let me down or not."

Confirming Cody's suspicions, a chorus of voices from both Goblimon and Ogremon answered. "We won't let you down Kinkakumon!"

Cody facepalmed, "These idiots aren't evil, they're just horny... Dammit!"

"Now who should be first..." Kinkakumon brought a hand to her lips, looking over the prisoners before her eyes rested on Pomumon. "I think-"

"HEY!" Cody knew they couldn't wait, in Thomas' condition he needed help. They couldn't play these stupid games. "Forget about the others, we'll take on any and ALL challengers!" He declared, standing beside Shamanmon.

Kinkakumon quirked an eyebrow, "Is that so?"

Shamanmon nodded, "Y-Yeah! We can beat anyone you throw at us!"

"On two conditions!" Cody added, "If we win, release all the prisoners, and return what you've stolen from us."

"R-Release all the prisoners!?" Ogremon exclaimed, "No way!"

Cody narrowed his eyes, "What's the matter? Are you scared you'll all lose?"

"Well?" Kinkakumon questioned, looking to the Ogremon. "Its just two opponents, I don't see a problem..."

"R-Right..." The Ogremon looking back down to them, clearly a little nervous.

"He must have been the one that saw us fight Jazarichmon," Cody surmised, "He doesn't know we need the Digivice to Digivolve!"

"We don't have all day!" Shamanmon added, taking a step forward. "Lets get this show on the r- Ngh!" Stumbling suddenly, still recovering from his earlier injuries.

And Ogremon took this chance, pointing a finger down at them. "L-Look at that one! He can barely stand, it'd be no fun fighting him!" He assured, looking to Kinkakumon. "Forget about the shrimp, we'll just fight the other one!"

"What?!" Shamanmon exclaimed, "No deal!"

"What, are you scared!?" Ogremon demanded, "Afraid your friend can't win a fight on his own?" Followed by a number of the Goblimon laughing and jeering at them as well.

"You know for as ugly and cowardly as you all are," Cody said, stepping forward past his partner. "You sure talk a lot of crap," Before he looked directly at Kinkakumon. "I'm game, I'll take on anyone you throw at me."

"CODY!" Shamanmon exclaimed, before limping closer, "Are you insane? The Goblimon are one thing, but Ogremon is a strong digimon!"

"Yeah we'll we don't have a lot of options," He replied quietly, "You need to conserve your strength, and we've gotta buy time for Kokuwamon to recover too... Just trust me, alright?"

Shamanmon wanted to argue, because he hated the idea of letting Cody fight alone. But in his condition, he didn't have much choice. "Alright, I trust you... Just be careful."

He nodded, flashing a grin. "Just sit back and enjoy the show."

"Get the other Prisoners out of the pit," Kinkakumon ordered, "They can watch from above, in a cage."

The Goblimon quickly shuffled down into the pit, helping get out the prisoners that couldn't move, and a few moments later they were all watching from beside the stands. Shamanmon at the bars, forced to watch his partner fight alone.

"And one more thing," Cody called out, as he stood in the center alone. "I won't be using any flashy tricks, no fire balls or super powers." Trying to swing things a little more in his favor, "Just raw muscle and physical strength! Think you goons can keep up!?" He challenged.

Kinkakumon laughed in amusement, playing into his tricks immediately. "I like it! I don't want to see anything but roaring muscles! Disobey and you're out!"

Shamanmon blinked in surprise as he watched, "Was he... Planning something like this already!?"

"Let the game begin!" Kinkakumon called out, raising he club. "First one on to bring him down wins!"

And almost immediately, there were no less than six Goblimon jumping the edge of the pit with clubs at the ready. Cody clenched his fists, planting his feet as the nearest one closed the gap at full speed. "I guess I never said I'd fight them one at a time, but this doesn't change anything!"

The goblin charged him head on, while others started to circle around. "Watch out Cody!" Shamanmon called.

"I've always been treated like a thug, I was bad at making friends in school so I was an easy target for groups of bullies." He narrowed his eyes, measuring the distance between them. "Jerks who aren't strong alone, so they gang up on people they think are weak!"

Finally, he attacked.

Lunging for the Goblimon charging him, springing off his feet and using his superior height to his advantage. Throwing a knee forward, he slammed it right into the face of his most eager challenger. Knocking him back onto the ground, and while the others were stunned by their prey's sudden attack, Cody snatched the Goblimon's club.

"Lucky for me, I come from a pretty scrappy family."

"What's the matter?" Cody questioned, resting the club on his shoulder while looking to the others that had entered the pit. "Not so eager now that its an even fight?"

The one he'd kneed in the face was picking himself up, glaring daggers at him. "Hrrngh! Give that BACK!" But Cody turned and delivered a swift kick to the chin, sending the Goblimon tumbling in the dirt. Thoroughly kicked and confidence decimated, he accepted that the club no longer belonged to him and began skittering away, tail between his legs.

"Ohoho!" Kinkakumon laughed, leaning forward in her seat. "I like this one." Suddenly far more interested in the fight.

But her approval only angered those vying for her affection, and suddenly a dozen more Goblimon were clambering to get into the pit. Some pushing and shoving each other as they encircled the human. All while those in the cage watched in stunned disbelief.

"Hnngh... Ugh, my head..." Shamanmon looked back to see Thomas was starting to wake up, "Where... Where am I?"

"Thomas!" He exclaimed, rushing to his side. "How are you feeling?"

"Shamanmon?" He asked, still dazed as he started to gather his bearings and take in his surroundings. "What is this? A cage? Is Cody here too?"

Shamanmon sweatdropped a little, "Uh, yeah he's um..." Pointing out towards the pit.

"Don't act so confident!" A Goblimon barked from the crowd, "We've got you surrounded!"

Cody scoffed, masking his doubts well. "The only thing I'm surrounded by, is cowards and friggin morons."

Thomas blinked, "What happened while I was knocked out!?"

"AAAGH!" A cacophony of angered roars and cries sounded as they charged, the ungraceful hoard of goblins practically tripping over each other to prove themselves to their chief.

"You're all going down." Cody said, narrowing his eyes as he gripping the club tighter before leaping right into the fray! Swinging with all his power behind it, striking one Goblimon and sending him crashing into those behind him. "They're easy enough to fool, if I just keep this up they'll think I'm invincible!" Turning and delivering a brutal straightforward kick into another's chest, sidestepping a clumsy swing before cracking the would-be assailant across the jaw with his stolen weapon. "Come on!" He cried, forcing more to hesitate. "Is that all you've got!?"

"CODY!" Pomumon saw it first, at the edge the pit where one of the Ogremon had slipped in a bit more tactfully than his comrades.

There was no time to dodge, as the flying bone club slammed into his side. The impact knocked him clear off his feet, he hit the dirt hard and almost instantly felt something warm and wet running down the side of his head, staining his bleach blonde hair.

"NO!" Shamanmon cried, "You coward!" He barked at the Ogremon.

"Cody!" Thomas added his voice to the cries, "Are you alright!? Say something!?" Taking a direct hit from a Digimon's attack? He might not have survived at all!

"Haha!" A Goblimon laughed as he loomed over him, "Looks like he- Huh?"

"Was that supposed to knock me out?" He grit his teeth, maintaining his composure. "I... I can't give up!" The human rose back up with a vengeance, grip still tightly wrapped around the club. He sent the nearest goblin flying with a brutal uppercut even as the crimson liquid stained hair and the side of his jacket. "You think this hurts?" Cody questioned, panting lightly for breath. "This... Is nothing!" Before he pulled off his coat, tossing it aside in the dirt and leaving him in nothing but a white t shirt. "All you did was ruin my favorite jacket, and piss me off!"

Shamanmon frowned as he watched, leaning against the cage. "Cody..."

"Why is he doing this?" Thomas questioned, "How did this happen?!"

"He's... He's protecting us." Pomumon said, unable to look away as Cody continued swinging, every impact from his stolen club knocking out a Goblimon.

Kinkakumon was silent as she watched, quietly judging both this tribe she had taken control of and this strange creature fighting so viciously in her arena. Her eyes narrowing sharply, "But how long can he keep this up?" Noting how injured he was from a single hit.

"You're really annoying with that thing!" The Ogremon that threw that club had closed the gap as well, most Goblimon were too scared to get near Cody at this point. He cocked back his arm and swung with the bone club once again!

But Cody ducked beneath it! "You think I'll fall for that a second time!?" He demanded, driving his shoulder into the Ogremon's ribs, knocking the wind out of him before swinging up and clamming his big gaping mouth shut with the wooden club. "I'm not good for much, but I can do this!" The Ogremon managed to counter, shoving Cody away with one of his large arms. "I'm not smart like Thomas or Sam, I'm not patient like Madison... But-"

Ogremon tried to swing with his club, but the human evaded by starting to dash away from the Ogremon. "Get back here you pathetic whelp!"

"I can keep standing, I can take a beating so they don't have to!" Shooting Thomas a look up in the cage, "I was never good at solving problems without confrontation or just bullheaded stubbornness, but you're a smart kid, you can figure this out!"

"Watchout!"

His eyes darted forward, as another Ogremon jumped into the ring cutting off his run. Instantly swinging down with his club, Cody just barely managed to evade it, before the Ogremon lifted one left and kicked hard. Sending Cody rolling across the ground towards the center of the ring. Both champion levels laughing as they closed in around him.

"Done running?" The one who'd been chasing him asked.

Cody wiped his mouth, a bit of blood running from his lip. He spit on the ground before answering one question with another, "Is your mouth?"

In that moment however, one of the Goblimon he'd assumed thoroughly beaten rediscovered his courage. Lunging from behind, club in hand he swung with all his might at the arm holding that stolen weapon. "Watch me Kinkakumon!"

The impact was punctuated with a sickening crack, the blow landing right at Cody's elbow. And the way his arm bent as he stumbled away from the strike, club falling from his now limp hand, made it clear that the bone was broken, if not utterly crushed.

He doubled over, his remaining arm holding the broken one as his vision blurred and heart raced. Ears ringing and heart pounding like he was going to go into shock as the pain shot through his system. "M-My arm is..."

"CODY!" Thomas and Shamanmon cried out in unison. The partner Digimon gritting his teeth before he started trying to break the bars. "Let me out! Let me out of here NOW!" Ignoring his injuries, fire in his eyes.

Kinkakumon watched as the Goblimon started closing in around Cody, sighing heavily as she rested her head in one hand, "Well, it was fun while it lasted..."

"Guess you weren't so tough after all," The same Ogremon that had been a pain in his butt chuckled, looming over him. "Just slippery, how pathetic, you don't have real strength!"

"R-Real... Strength?" Cody grit his teeth, his remaining moveable hand clenching into a fist. "This can't be it..." He didn't understand why, but even as his fire burned he felt his heart rate calming. "I-I can't give up over one stupid arm!"

He raised one foot, stomping it down on Ogremon's toe, "Agh!" Causing him to yelp in pain and stumble back, before Cody charged right into him. Driving his good arm into his gut while slipping one leg just behind brute's own. The shift in momentum was enough to knock the Ogremon off balance, "Gah! H-How did you-" His words cut off as Cody jumped onto his chest.

"HRAAAAAGH!" Cocking back his good fist, he slammed it into Ogremon's face. Over and over again, bare knuckles meeting the digimon's hardened hide. With every impact, Cody could feel something thrumming to life within his chest. "I can't-" The skin of his knuckles starting to break, not nearly as tough as Ogremon's, causing blood to run from his knuckles. "I WON'T STOP!"

Shamanmon was rocking his entire cage desperately trying to break free, as the crowd watched in stunned disbelief.

Pomumon's eyes darting between those in the cage around her, before looking down at Cody. "He... He doesn't even know us and still-" Her teeth clenched, eyes narrowing. "Stand back!" Shamanmon shooting her a confused look, before nodding and jumping away from the bars. "Rapid Seed!" A bullet storm of seed pellets were unleashed with inpoint precision, cutting key parts of the bars on their cage.

"Thanks!" Shamanmon nodded, "I'm going!" Before jumping right out of the cage, landing with a stumble as his injuries slowed him down. But he wouldn't slow down, how could he after seeing what his partner was going through?

Cody was forced to stumble off of Ogremon as more Goblimon tried to swing at him. A few blows landing across his back and chest, but he fought back like a cornered animal, the driven teen even going as far as to use his already broken arm to shield himself before delivering a brutal punch or kick to his assailants.

Thomas watching in awe, before he saw something. It was faint, barely noticeable at first and easy to be missed if one hadn't seen it before. But there was a faint glow starting to surround Cody's body, a silver gleam beginning to highlight his hair. His eyes darted to Shamanmon, watching as he jumped over the edge and into the pit as well. "It's happening again, Cody is awakening a Crest!"

While Kinkakumon's jaw was hanging loose, "He just keeps going, this... This isn't just battle spirit or power, what's driving him?" She wondered, before she noticed the cage across the pit rocking. "For them? He would suffer so much just for them?" Before the light starting to surround his body became obvious to her as well. "Wh-What is this power? Is he going to digivolve!?"

"SHAMA BOMB!"

"Huh?" Kinkakumon looked up, just in time to see the oversized fireball racing towards her. It crashed into her and exploded with a resouding crash, fire and smoke going in all directions as Kinkakumon's throne was blown to pieces.

The ring went silent as slack jawed Goblimon and Ogremon looked towards the smoke, eyes darting back to Shamanmon as well who arrived by Cody's side. "What have you done!?"

Shamanmon's injuries were still evident, as he was left winded and panting after just one move. "What you... IDIOTS should have done a long time ago..." Looking to his partner, "You okay?"

Cody coughed roughly, "Y-You moron... I told you I'd... I'd take care of this!" Blood ran from the corner of his mouth, and just as he thought he might collapse he managed to get one foot beneath him to balance out. Firmly planting his feet, despite his words, having Shamanmon beside him gave him his second wind.

"HRAAGH!" A thunderous battle cry sounded as Kinkakumon emerged from the smoke, her golden helm and fit form hardly even scuffed by the attack. As she landed in the arena wielding her club with wild excitement in her eyes. "You think you can sneak attack me and get away with it?! Not when I was having so much fun watching!" She shook her head, slamming the head of her club into the earth and making it rumble. "No more games, Ogremon! Goblimon! I want the fighter, get rid of the tribe traitor!"

"Bring it on!" Shamanmon growled, gripping his club tightly and trying to catch his breath. But just like Cody, he felt a certain rush of energy inside of him. He wasn't sure, but this sensation made him feel stronger, made him feel like his injuries weren't enough to make him stop!

"That's right," Cody rasped out, taking a few deep breaths as he steadied himself. "A-As long as we're standing... Together," Clenching his one good, bloodied fist, "Between you, and them!" Pointing back at those still within the cage.

Both Cody and Shamanmon felt the same driving force, as a silver glow began to fully envelop the bullheaded teen. Both Human and Digimon crying out in unison!

"You can't knock us down!"

From the ruins Kinkakumon's throne, a beam of light erupted. Cody's digivice hovering in the air, glowing bright as the beam passed over their foes who were starting to charge. The beam striking the dynamic duo!

Digivolution

"Shamanmon Digivolve too!" The green goblin digimon growing to his champion form, the golden warrior charging from the light right at the veritable horde bearing down on him and his human partner. "Apemon!"

"PUMMEL WHACK!" Ogremon cried, swinging his mighty club, but Apemon met him head on with his own bone club. A resounding crack echoed through the arena, as Apemon's weapon smashed right through Ogremon's own!

"Magic Monkey FIST!" Light enveloping his fist, Apemon delivered a brutal straightforward punch to Ogremon's chest sending him crashing into those following. Before jumping into the air, spinning as he did so, quills standing on end. "Furious SPIKE!" Firing a hailstorm of those sharp golden spines, careful not to destroy any of his former tribe, mostly just to scare them.

And it worked, as the Goblimon began to flee, the Ogremon suffering injuries as they were pelted by the sharp spikes. Quickly losing their confidence as Apemon unleashed his attack. Kinkakumon gritting her teeth as she watched, "Cowards! You're all pathetic!" Before focusing her wild eyes on Apemon, "But at least I've got a real fight now!"

Apemon landed across from her, weapon in hand as he narrowed his eyes. "This ends now Kinkakumon!" An instinct told him it was happening, he just needed a little more help. "CODY!"

And his partner had the same instinct, something telling him this was the moment. He raised his good hand high, clenched into a fist as the silver glow around his shined even brighter. "GO!"

Crest Digivolution

His body grew taller but his bulkier proportions leaned up making his build look far more humanoid. His golden fur rapidly turned silver as black pants with armored boots and faulds appeared over his lower body.

"Apemon... Digivolve TO!" A black jacket forming over his upper half but leaving his chest and abs exposed while armored skull shoulder pads formed. His skin turning from bluish purple to a dark, near reddish color while a golden band formed over his forehead tying back his wild mane of silver hair.

All eyes were on him as the lights started to fade, standing tall before a long black staff with golden metal ends landed beside him, his weapon of choice.

"Gokuwmon." Any who thought they might try to assist their chief were now fully incentivized to back down and let this one play out. The now Ultimate level glaring daggers at Kinkakumon.

Kinkakumon's excitement skyrocketed as she saw him. Her grip tightening so much on her weapon it looked like her hands were trembling. "Yes yes YES!" Before she charged, body glowing as she started to unleash her true power. Golden light surrounding her the same way silver seemed to cling to Gokuwmon, as she swung her great metal club high overhead.

But the monkey warrior was unphased, and held up one hand. Catching her club with ease, even as the ground beneath his feet cracked from the sheer force and a shockwave erupted between them. Gokuwmon scoffing, "Is that it?" Before he spun and kicked her in the abs, sending her sliding back on her heels, while he pulled the weapon from her grasp, "Didn't you say yourself? No special attacks?" He questioned, smirking as he held out his staff. "I'll finish this by your rules!" Dropping the weapon.

Kinkakumon blinked, sweating as she watched him crouch into a runners stance. "Oh, this is gonna hurt a lot isn't it?"

Gokuwmon charged the moment his staff clanged against the ground, sprinting at full speed and crossing the distance between them in an instant. Kinkakumon tried to raise her arms to blow, but his swift elbow made it through her guard and cracked her right across the jaw. Making the gilded warrior stumble back a few feet.

Gokuwmon didn't give her a second to recover, pressing the attack as he began delivering rapid fire kicks to her upper body. Stepping into them with each one and forcing Kinkakumon back as she was battered over and over. Delivering a blow for each and every digimon she'd tormented with her sadistic games.

His assault continued, as he swung up from below and drove his armored knuckles into her ribs. "GAAH!" The air forced from Kinkakumon's lungs as the blow lifted her right off her feet! Eyes wide and mouth agape as she landed flat on her back.

"HrrAAAH!" Gokuwmon wasn't done yet, as he jumped flipping forward with one fist cocked back. "HAAAAH!" Enough force coming down with his fist that it could destroy Kinkakumon in an instant!

But even in his anger, his fiery indignation at his partners pain, Gokuwmon knew that he'd never teach his people anything with such a brutal display of violence.

The earth shook, cracks spread throughout the arena, as Gokuwmon's fist struck the earth beside Kinkakumon's head. Not hitting her, but sending a very clear message that she was outmatched, if that wasn't already obvious. She was left staring up at the sky, eyes wide and breathing labored, as she struggled with the pain from her own injuries.

Gokuwmon pulled his fist from the earth, looking around at the terrified and bewildered spectators cowering in the stands above. "I'm free the prisoners, and taking back everything you've stolen from us and them!" He declared, eyes scanning the faces of Digimon he once knew. "Any complaints?"

"N-Nope!" One Ogremon squeaked, "Y-You're free to go!"

Gokuwmon nodded, "Good."

Followed by a few sharp coughs from their host. "F-Free to go?" Kinkakumon choked out, slowly sitting up. "Oh... Oh yeah, you're free to go alright..." Watching as Gokuwmon arrived at his parnters side. "On... One condition!"

Cody quirked an eyebrow as he watched her struggle to stand. "You're uh... Not really in the position to be making demands, lady."

Somehow, despite her injuries and thorough destruction of her pride, "Take me with you!" She was absolutely beaming.

"I-" Cody blinked, "What?"

"The whole reason I came here was to have some fun and find a strong partner, and you two are the strongest I've ever seen!" She gushed, seeming to be completely ignoring her injuries as she barked at them. "And not half bad looking either~" Wiggling her eyebrows.

Cody stiffened, cheeks flushing. "Apemon- Shamanmon- Gokuwhatever you are now don't let her near me!" He exclaimed, stepping back behind his partner.

"Don't be like that~!" She whined, pouting as she looked between them.

"H-Hey!" One of the Ogremon called out, the bully digimon finding their courage enough to start popping out of hiding. "What about us?"

"Oh you guys?" Kinkakumon blinked, "You guys kinda suck, to be honest I never really thought any of you were that strong or very interesting." Before her eyes darted back to Cody, "Now this one, I like him~"

Cody groaned as he held his side. "Somebody tell me this is just the concussion and none of this is really happening..." He looked up just as Thomas reached him, Pomumon and Elecmon by his side after escaping the cage. "Oh hey, you're not dead-" Before realizing, "HOW ARE YOU WALKING!?"

"Right back at you," He scoffed, "Working theory was that our bodies couldn't have injuries while we're in data format but you certainly proved that wrong," Thomas shook his head, crossing his arms. "How are you alive?"

Cody chuckled before wincing, "O-Oh god it hurts to laugh," He whined, "I-I don't know how I know but... I think it's this." He reached down and pulled up his stained shirt slowly, showing the symbol now glowing on his chest underneath. It looked almost like a heart, wreathed in tongues of fire, glowing silver like steel.

While Kinkakumon whistled at the view, "Nice."

Thomas rolled his eyes and nodded, "Yeah, I awakened one as well the other day, they give us some kind of power." He explained, "Do you know yours?" Wondering if he'd have the knowledge the same way it had come to Thomas in the moment of awakening.

Cody thought about it for a moment, before his eyes widened. "Hit me."

Thomas blinked, "I'm not going t- Ugh, you know what? Fine." He sighed, lifting one hand he attempted to slap Cody. But just as his hand was about to hit the surface is his body, that light surrounding him pushed back, acting like a barrier protecting him. "Whoa, that's pretty cool... How strong do you think it is?"

Cody nodded, looking down at his one good hand, as if trying to get a read on his abilities. Realizing that the strength of this shield was tied to himself, "As strong as it needs to be."

The Crest of Resolve.

Granting it's wielder the power to stand for themselves, and for others, when it matters most.

"Why am I in a cage!?" A voice suddenly cried out from outside the pit. "Where did you go Thomas!? Where is Lavogaritamon!?"

"Sounds like Kokuwamon's up." Gokuwmon chuckled, looking at both Thomas and Cody. "So what now?"

Cody thought for a moment, before looking to Thomas. "You're the smart one, what do you think?"

Thomas didn't need to think for long as he smirked, "We rest up, then we've got a couple angry birds to take down."

Cody shrugged at that, "Sounds good to me, I think I'm gonna find a nice soft spot to sleep off this concussion."

Kinkakumon poking her head around Gokuwmon's side, "My tents open~" Causing him to jump.

"Yeah thanks but no thanks!" Cody yelped, shuddering and shaking his head. "I've got enough broken bones as it is..."