The Digimon King and The King of Gondor
Chapter 12 Forest Guardians
XXX
In the river that flows, Deckerdramon and his two companies Stingmon and Lilamon are traveling in the river to search for a town or village. Deckerdramon had been traveling in the same river for hours. But have not found no civilization. What they can see is plains of grassland.
The river was easy to travel for Deckerdramon as he is on Float Mode and traveling up the course of the river.
As Deckerdramon continued swimming the river he spoke up to his companions. "You two see anything?" He asked.
"No Deckerdramon we have not seen anything." Stingmon shook his head.
"Same here." Lilamon shook her head too.
As they continued Lilamon spotted a village ahead.
"I see a village ahead." Lilamon pointed out the direction of the village.
"We should ask the people where we are." Stingmon said as they are heading to the village.
"I will get us there." Deckerdramon said as he approach to the village. When they got closer they see the buildings were made of straw and wood, stone or other stronger and more durable materials. Deckerdramon had seen all kinds of buildings in his time as a Fusion Fighters and Blue Flare.
When they got there what caught their attention more was not the material the buildings were made out of, but rather their condition, they were all completely in ruins. Some had been particularly pulled down and flattened as if trampled by dozens of stamping feet. Others had been set on fire with varying results. Some of them were still burning slowly. Some of them were still standing barely. Others were only recognizable as having once been a building due to the charred lump of ash on the ground where they had once stood.
The three Digimon have seen three of these villages alongside the river and each one the story was the same. There could be no question that the village had been attacked by something. Something violent, aggressive and very evil. In each village they had passed there was no signs of life remaining, either of the attackers or the previous residents, the three Digimon had see plenty of signs of death.
Stingmon and Lilamon both went to search for any survivors in the village, found nothing but ruin buildings. The two of them went back to Deckerdramon to report.
"It is the same as the others Deckerdramon." Stingmon grimly said. "There are no survivors in this village."
"It was awful." Lilamon sadly said. "Who can be cruel to innocent people and kill them."
Deckerdramon was now sure that they are no longer in the Digital World anymore for two reasons. Firstly, attacks such as this would not have gone unnoticed by the members of the Fusion Fighters. King Shoutmon had been adamant that they do whatever it took to ensure they responded to threats the moment they arose, so the three Digimon had done things like place sensors in vulnerable looking villages that would go off if there was an attack, had some subjects posted in most villages so they could send messengers quickly, and send scouts of flying Digimon that answered only to him and their leader, MailBirdramon. They would definitely have heard of attacks on three villages by now if this were their world.
And the other clue was the fact that each village had corpses littered in them. Not only did Digimon not leave corpses behind when they died, they disintegrated into data, these corpses were most definitely humans.
The three Digimon were all saddened and revolted by what they witnessed but they knew there was nothing they could do here. They have arrived too late to help the innocents and they did not have time nor the ability to dig them graves. So they merely passed on sadly, but they were becoming more wary. It was obvious that whatever they ended up, there was definitely some kind of evil at work. And you could never be to careful, even when they are powerful Digimon.
They were not sure how much time has passed as they continued north up the river, but they kept going well through the night and into the next morning. They wondered how many other Digimon friends were in the same situation as them. Wandering in the wild with no idea where they are or where they are going. Some of the smaller and younger ones might be breaking down with fear.
They need to move quickly.
And so they did. And, eventually they came across a forest.
When they spotted in a distance, Deckerdramon chuckled. "Excellent." He said.
"That forest does reminded of home back where we live at." Stingmon said.
"Yes, we can take cover in the trees." Lilamon happily said.
"The forest will be a much better place to live than these plains for anybody. Perhaps we will find more luck beneath the trees." Deckerdramon said as they moved on with renewed purpose, noting that the river course would lead them straight towards the trees.
Eventually they pulled to a stop, slowing their progress until Deckerdramon, Stingmon and Lilamon were now facing the forest. The forest was dark since there are a lot of trees blocking the light, but the darkness they could see between those trees was darkness of a whole different level. It was just there, it was almost foreboding, as if it were alive. The shadows seemed to curdle and lengthen and shorten as if they had wills of their own.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Stingmon said as he did not like the look of the forest.
"I maybe a plant Digimon, but I can feel anger in this forest." Lilamon said as she can feel the forest give off.
As the three of them stare at the forest they see some trees are twisted and their roots and branches seemed stretch out as much as possible in any and every direction.
Even Deckerdramon, who had face countless of foes in battle and had enough firepower to obliterate a small village in five seconds, hesitated at the sight of this forest, and wondered if perhaps heading into those trees would be a good move after all.
Especially since he was sure that some of these trees had shifted position a little bit since had begun staring at them.
Nevertheless, the three Digimon put aside the feelings of doubt within them. They had no luck out on the open plains so the forest would now be their best bet.
"Let's go in and search for the others." He move up in the river.
"We will follow your lead." Stingmon said as he was on his back.
"I don't like the feeling of this place." Lilamon said worryingly as she was on Deckerdramon's back.
The forest remained silent and still as the three Digimon approached, but they kept on guard and other senses turned just in case. There was something about this forest that was just not... normal.
They were under the shadows and it took their eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness. The river they are traveling up was now much thinner and Deckerdramon had travel in the path of the river and Stingmon and Lilamon both were on Deckerdramon's back. There was no breeze now. Next to no sunlight, no bird song... if fact no sound at all but for the faint rippling river and some sort of... slow groaning sound coming from... all around them.
What have I got myself into? Deckerdramon thought as he and his two companies pressed themselves on.
XXX
"WOOOHOOO! YES! THIS TAKES ME BACK!"
Gandalf chuckled at the actions of his fellow passenger. For a noble King of Digimon, Shoutmon wasn't particularly be having with decorum and grace at the moment. The two of them had been riding through the night, but come the dawn and Gandalf had urged the horse, Shadowfax, to pick up speed even farther and how they were hurrying across the plains of Rohan at an incredible speed, and Shadowfax didn't look a least bit tired.
And Shoutmon was currently standing precariously at the base of Shadowfax's neck, supporting himself with a hand on the back of the horse's head, with the other fist raised into the air as he whooped and hollered, clearly enjoying the wind ride across the plains and grinning almost from ear to ear.
Shoutmon was, of course, no stranger to riding on larger creatures. Ballistamon had given him lifts for many years and there were numerous times when he had ridden Dorulumon into battle or other dangerous situations during the war and many times afterwards. But mostly since he has assumed the role of King the situation had called for seriousness on his part, he had not had the opportunity recently to just enjoy himself as they pelted along. And though this situation was still a serious one, given he had been separated from his friends and all, Shadowfax's sheer speed had eventually gotten the better of the King and he was really letting rip now.
Shoutmon looked back at the White Wizard and shouted over the rushing wind that Shadowfax was practically producing from his sheer speed. "Doesn't your horse need a rest yet? We've been running for about half a day now haven't we?"
"Shadowfax is more than capable of running for a week without tiring." Gandalf replied, with a hint of pride in his voice. "He is part of a special breed of horses called the Mearas and even among Mearas Shadowfax is the fittest and strongest. He was given the title, the Lord of Horses by the people who bred him in Rohan."
Shadowfax whined, as if he had understood that remark and was thanking them for the praise and, as if to prove what Gandalf had just said as he galloped up the side to a steep, rocky incline and bounded right off its summit, sailing out through thin air as if jumping over a giant hurdle and landing with a spray of dirt kicked up from under his hooves but still running almost full speed. He seemed to take everything in his stride.
"This is awesome!" Shoutmon grinned, his yellow scarf streaming in the slipstream from the horse's run and almost hitting Gandalf in the face. "And you're pretty good rider. For a old man."
Gandalf actually laughed. "Shadowfax would not allow me to fall unless I wanted to. But I have had quite a bit of experience with horses as I have walked this world for three thousand lives of Men."
"That long, huh?" Shoutmon blinked. "Yeesh. And I thought Jijimon was old. Still, at least you don't seem to be going senile like he is. Please, don't try opening a door by farting at it."
Gandalf blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Long story." Shoutmon grinned. "Suffice to say we had to get past this large door in a place called the Sand Zone to find a treasure that would help us win the war against the Bagra Army and that was Jijimon's solution to getting past it. He called it a refreshing wind, though none of us saw it like that of course."
"You are a strange one, Shoutmon." Gandalf mused. "As are most of your party by the sound of things. When my own group arrived at the West Gate of Moria, I too had to figure out away to get pass it to continue our journey to Mordor. Farting at it was not one of the things that never came to my mind."
"I highly doubt it would have worked." Shoutmon chuckled. "And yeah, I guess you could say we're a strange bush. Jijimon will probably be somewhere in this world too if what you told me before is right. Perhaps you'll meet him one day. In fact I hope you do, because that would hopefully mean I reunite with him as well as all the others."
"Indeed." Gandalf agreed. "I would be most interested in meeting your companions. I know very little of your world or your friends and to be quite frank I believe you will be an interesting change of pace for me. I have lived for so long that there is little in this world I have not yet encountered or experienced. You Digimon are something new, and to an old man such as myself that is most welcome."
"Especially since we can help you take out the Dark Lord guy, right?"
"Sauron, yes." Gandalf nodded. "You say that you are powerful creatures and while power is not the only thing that will be required against Sauron, it will be most welcome nonetheless."
"Yeah, we are strong." Shoutmon nodded. "Some of us have enough strength to level a small town in half a minute, if that. But that's not all, we have Wisemon is the smartest guy that I've ever met. Beelzemon can be silent as a ghost when he wants to be. Sparrowmon can travel faster than the speed of sound. Cutemon can heal wounds that would cause slow and painful deaths with ease. Agumon and Gatomon are two of my best fighters. Taomon, Wizardmon and Sorcermon are our best strategists that can come up with a plan to turn the tide of battle."
"Indeed?" Gandalf felt a smile tugging at his lips. "Well then, perhaps we have more than I initially realized with you on our side. Galadriel was right. However, even that will not be enough to win... we must set a trap for Sauron. Fortunately, I do have a plan of sorts, but there are many gaps that have yet to be filled. And hopefully one of those gaps will be closed when we reach the end of our current journey."
"Oh, really?" Shoutmon frowned. "Who is this friend of yours that we're going to meet anyway? You never actually said wh-"
A sudden shadow fell across them and Shoutmon's instincts cause an immediate reactions. His microphone was summoned from thin air and his head snapped upwards as his body tensed, taking in the large creature that was suddenly above them. He stared at it. For a second he thought it could be MailBirdramon, but it was, unfortunately not Beelzemon or Biyomon either because it still had the body of a bird. A very large bird, easily just as big as MailBirdramon himself.
Gandalf reach forward and patted Shadowfax's neck and the horse drew to a stop. He then place a hand on Shoutmon's arm and said. "Stay your staff, Shoutmon. This is a friend."
"It's not a staff. It's a microphone." Shoutmon replied without thinking, but he still remained slightly tense as the bird settled on a large rocky boulder nearby. Its body was covered in grey feathers that interlocked smoothly as if folded its wings to its sides. Its feet were adorned with enormous talons that could each rip Shoutmon's head off if they got the opportunity and the viciously hooked beak on the bird's face looked just as formidable. The giant bird fixed Shoutmon with a fierce and calculating stare with its large yellow eyes, which seemed to be trying to pierce its way into Shoutmon's soul.
Shoutmon stared back without flinching and the bird seemed to appreciate this for some reason, because it nodded at him. It then turned to Gandalf and spoke in a voice that was surprisingly deep, Shoutmon had been expecting a screech for some reason. "I take it that this is the new ally that you mentioned, Gandalf." It said.
"Indeed, he is." Gandalf nodded. "Meet Shoutmon, the Digimon King, and our latest friend in the fight against Sauron."
"King, eh?" The bird turned to give Shoutmon the stare again. "He does not look like much but I can tell that he has guts and bravery apparently."
"I have lot more than that, I can assure you." Shoutmon glared. "Care to test my mettle? I've fought enemies bigger than you."
The bird chuckled wryly. "Spirited too." He said. "I did not wish to offend you, good King. I have no doubt that you are stronger than you look. I have seen it many times before. And it is always nice to meet a fellow monarch."
"Fellow monarch?" Shoutmon blinked. "You're a King too?"
"I prefer the term Lord." The bird replied. "But to all intents and purposes, yes. I am Gwaihir the Windlord, the Lord of the Eagles and ruler of the skies."
"Gwaihir is an old friend of mine." Gandalf explained. "We have faced many trials together and he has helped me numerous times in the past. In fact, very recently, Gwaihir rescued me from where I was imprisoned on the tower of Orthanc by the former White Wizard, Saruman. And he save me again a second time from the peck of a mountain after my fight with the Balrog of Morgoth to Lothlorien, which was where I heard about your arrival to our world."
"And let's not forget the time I rescued you and your companions when you were stuck in the trees with Wargs and Orcs prowling around the trunks." If Eagles could smirk, Gwaihir would probably be doing it, though he seemed to be managing to mostly do it anyway despite his stiff beak.
Gandalf fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Why must you always bring that particular event up? Regardless, I am afraid time is short Gwaihir. Tell me, did you find them?"
"Of course." Gwaihir nodded. "I spied them from miles away, as well as a great many other things. The lands have changed greatly since I last flew over this region Gandalf. The forces of Saruman are already beginning their assault on the north and west territories."
"So I heard." Gandalf sighed thinly. "But what of the others? What is their position?"
"What others?" Shoutmon interjected. "What are we talking about?"
"The rest of the Fellowship." Gandalf related. "I asked Gwaihir to scout out their position for me. There is much that needs to be done and I must meet with them as soon as we finish our current business."
"Ah. Okay." Shoutmon nodded. "So what's the word, Mister bird?"
Gwaihir stared at Shoutmon for several moments. "I do not know how to respond to that." He said. "What is the word?"
"No, I mean, what's the news?" Shoutmon fought down the urge to chuckle.
"Oh. Well, ig appears that your prediction was right, Gandalf. When I spotted them they were heading northwest, in a similar direction to you yourself. They are, I estimate, about a day and a half behind you at a surprisingly fast one considering they were on foot. They spotted me as I flew overhead but I did not descend to speak with them."
"Who was in the party." Gandalf asked.
"Both of the Men, the Elf and Dwarf." Gwaihir responded instantly. "I did not see any Halflings among their group but I am afraid that I did see that they were pursuing what appeared to be a group of Saruman's Uruk-hai, and I was able to pick out two small shapes in their ranks, the size of children, which could have well been two of the Halflings. As to the other two, I could not say. I did not see them."
Gandalf's expression was unreadable, as if he were trying to feel many different things at once and his face did not know which one to express. "Then we can only hope that Galadriel was right and that Frodo decided to continue the journey alone. If the Uruks have captured him then I fear all might be lost already."
"That doesn't sound encouraging." Shoutmon said worryingly.
"I am afraid it was not meant to." Gandalf muttered. "Still, that does not explain where the last two remaining Hobbits are. And I shall have to find a way to deal with the Uruks myself if the rest of the Fellowship cannot catch them in time. If they are heading for Isengard then they will have to be way behind before they get there."
"I could attempt a rescue myself." Gwaihir offered.
"No, Wind Lord." Gandalf replied. "Alas, I fear that this requires a little more delicacy than you might be able to provide. You are a powerful creature, but your attack could lead to the death of the two Hobbits if something went wrong. No, I shall have to think of something myself. And beside that, I believe you have been away from your own people for too long. You must return to the Misty Mountains once more, my friend."
"You do not wish for my help?" Gwaihir cocked his head.
"On the contrary, I fear that with the speed of war is progressing, the Eagles of the North will soon be needed far more than they currently are, and when the time comes, you shall have to lead them Mighty Gwaihir. Leave the Hobbits to me. For now, I would bid you return home and lead the Eagles as you see fit. I hope that we meet again.
"As do I, Gandalf." Gwaihir nodded. He glanced back to Shoutmon and said. "Watch yourself, little one. You might be powerful, but so are many of this world inhabitants. I would hate to hear you had died before I got to see what you are capable of first-talon."
"Little one?" Shoutmon sputtered, but before he could say anything else, Gwaihir was already in flight, throwing himself off the rocks and swooping so low over their heads that his talons almost clipped Gandalf's head before he rose upwards and high into the sky.
As he fly in the distance, Shoutmon said. "Well I think I understand most of that conversation. Sounds like things are getting pretty serious."
"Indeed." Gandalf nodded. "We must press on. Fly Shadowfax. Onward!"
Shadowfax complied instantly with a neigh of determination and sprang forth once more, putting on even greater speed than before as he ran. Nevertheless, before he could get too far, the Shadow of Gwaihir fell over them again as the Eagle descended once more to fly over their heads.
"Oh, and I believe I should mention." He chuckled. "That your Fellowship members had some additional company Gandalf. Some additional company that might be familiar to our red Lizard King. Farewell."
"Wait, what?" Shoutmon blinked. "Familiar?" But Gwaihir has already gone once again, soaring off into the distance. "Hey! Get back here! What do you mean? Do you mean other Digimon? My friends?"
"I would not bother shouting." Gandalf replied. "He has said all he is going to. Still, if there are more Digimon traveling with my own companions then that could be most helpful."
"Yeah." Shoutmon agreed. "And I could meet up with some of the others sooner. How long until we reach this friend of yours?"
"It will be about an hour before we reach his domain." Gandalf replied. "After that, we shall have to find him."
XXX
"This is the domain of your friend?" Shoutmon asked, rather alarmed. Shadowfax had finally pulled to a halt next to what appeared to be a forest, but a forest with the most ugly, bent, contorted and foreboding trees that Shoutmon had ever seen. It reminded him eerily of what Bagramon's Great Demon Palace would have looked like if there had been a forest in it.
"Yes, this is our destination." Gandalf replied as he dismounted smoothly. "This is the Forest of Fangorn, one of the Middle Earth's oldest remaining woods."
"And we have to go in there?" Shoutmon asked. "Looks very, very... sinister to me. Quite creepy."
"Be careful what you say." Gandalf chuckled as the Digimon King hopped off the back of the horse and landed easily. "The forest might not appreciate such descriptions."
Shoutmon's brow raised up. "Your kidding right?"
"Kidding?" Gandalf frowned in bemusement.
"Er... joking." Shoutmon supplied.
"Oh, I assure you I am not joking, Master Shoutmon." The Wizard replied. "I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself, but I would advise you to stick close to me all the same. I have been in this forest many times, the trees know me. You, on the other hand, are a stranger and they are not over fond of strangers these days. They have not been for many long years now."
"Oh lovely." Shoutmon muttered. "Great. Well, let's not keep the creepy forest waiting."
Gandalf nodded and patted Shadowfax's neck, muttering something to the horse. The Mearas turned and walk away. "Shadowfax will not stay out here. Horses do not generally agreed with Fangorn Forest. And one last thing, Shoutmon. No fire. Whatever happens, do not use that fire technique I saw you use before. The trees will get very angry indeed if they think you might try and burn them. And so will my friend for that matter."
Gandalf set off towards the treeline. Shoutmon stared after him for a moment, unsure how to respond to this. They had many plant-like Digimon where he came from but the forests themselves had always been... well... forest. Ordinary forests. But Gandalf was talking as if this one was completely and utterly sentient.
After a moment, he shrugged to himself and said. "Well, if magic exists... magic forests might not be too much of a stretch. Maybe?" And he quickly hurried after the Wizard.
XXX
Shoutmon lost track of time almost immediately as they strayed underneath the trees. After a mere couple of minutes they had already lost sight of the edge of the trees and after that they were in almost complete darkness. No Sun, no Moon, or stars and only the faintest drops of light reaching the floor in certain places. Soon Shoutmon was not sure if they had been there for an hour, two, or just five minutes. It was a very disorienting effect.
The more they went on, the deeper Shoutmon's unease became. He kept a close eye on the trees. Usually when he did this, he wanted to make sure that there are no enemies behind them. But when the enemies might be the trees themselves... that was something new.
Just think of them all as dormant Cherrymon, he thought to himself. And this actually seemed to work, to a degree. It put him in a mind set he was more familiar with.
Although the slow groaning and creaking noises were coming from all around him were still off putting. Whenever he turned around he was pretty sure that he caught a glimpse of movement in the corner of his eye as if the trees had been shifting about and suddenly thought, oh, he's looking. Freeze.
The deeper into the woods they traversed the more insistent the groaning noises became and there was the occasional sound like splintering wood, as if the tree roots were shifting underneath the soil. Gandalf, who didn't seem the least bit concerned by any of this, looked back to see Shoutmon peering out into the trees suspiciously, searching for any sign of activity.
"This place is..." Shoutmon muttered. "Dark. And not just the without light kind of dark."
"Fangorn Forest is the nature of a great power." Gandalf told him. "It is one of the places of Middle Earth where the spirits of the earth still reside strongly, and there are other kinds of ancient magic embedded in its structure. It is very old, but with age comes strength. And the trees have seen much since they first began to grow... and they have come to hate much of what they have seen."
"You keep talking as if they have feelings." Shoutmon muttered. And before he could say anything else, there was a loud groan that sounded more like a deep rumble of resentment and anger coming from close by. Shoutmon spun around, but all he could see was a tree looming over the top of him. He blinked. He could have sworn that has been leaning the other way a few moments ago.
"That is because they do." Gandalf warned. "It would be wise to remember that, Shoutmon. Many forest across Middle Earth are more alive than they might at first glance seem. Most have trees that are just trees. This forest is not one of them. These trees... are different. They have hearts, thoughts and minds just as much as any Man, Elf, Dwarf... or indeed, Digimon."
Shoutmon said nothing for a moment. "Well, if that is true... why are they so angry? What reason would trees have to be angry?"
"Trees are ancient creatures. They are slow, they are patient, and they remember." Gandalf said gravely. "They remember everything. Some Man, every Dwarf, every Orc, every being has taken an axe to one of their comrades. They remember every fire that has been taken from them, every one of their number which has destroyed. And so they have come to hate much of the outside world. Of the many races of Middle Earth, few understand the minds of trees anymore. The Elves are the ones that do. And the other... the other has grown distant."
Shoutmon was momentarily stunned. He had heard many strange things from the Digital World, but the enormity of what Gandalf was saying was staggering. If what he said was true, then no wonder the trees did not like strangers. He stepped back away from the truck of the tree and said. "Uh... no hard feelings... friend. I didn't mean to offend you. Oh, and please don't squish me. I only arrived yesterday. I have nothing to do with any of all that."
There was a slight rumbling noise coming from all around them and Shoutmon was pretty sure that a couple of the other trees around him shifted every so slightly.
"Er... was that a good thing?" Shoutmon asked the Wizard.
"Perhaps." Gandalf said. "But the trees are still watching. They are more alert than I remember. The forest mist be waking up."
"And... that's bad? Or good?" Shoutmon asked.
"Good." Gandalf confirmed. "Very good."
"Uh... If you say so." Shoutmon muttered. "So, where's this friend of yours?"
"Not far." Gandalf replied. "He is close now."
XXX
And so he was. Gandalf only led Shoutmon on for a further five minutes, though Shoutmon still couldn't tell exactly how long it was. But eventually the Wizard drew to a stop in front of a tree that seemed to be shorter than most of the others. Its head did not break the canopy of the others and it seemed to be covered in a lot of moss and lichen with a few thin leafy branches protruding out of the top and back.
"Here we are." Gandalf said.
"He lives in this tree?" Shoutmon asked.
Gandalf chuckled. "You have much to learn about our world, Shoutmon. This is no tree."
"What?" Shoutmon blinked. "No, I am pretty sure that's a tree. Look, it's got bark and leaves and everything."
Gandalf did not reply. Instead, he raised his staff and banged the base twice against a small boulder nearby. The sound it made seemed to be absorbed by the closeness of the forest, disappearing into the thick stillness like everything else, but for a moment it was crisp and clear.
For a moment, nothing happened.
And then when Shoutmon looked up at the tree again, he yelped and stumbled backwards, landing on his backside, because he could now see two large amber eyes staring down at him. Eyes which were part of the tree.
The tree moved slightly and Shoutmon stare as he picked out more details. The eyes were situated over a woody knob that was shaped like a human nose, and the long trail of moss that extended down from its resembled a long beard. It was a face. A face on the tree. And, as it moved further, Shoutmon saw it's trunk split into two enormous legs and two extremely long arms with wooden fingers rose up from where they had been hanging limply. The tree was no longer a tree. It had never been a tree at all.
A gap in the mossy beard opened to reveal a mouth in appropriate place on the wooden face and the creature spoke. It was low, rumbling voice that seemed to flow in a slow but steady fashion as if the being had all the time in the world, but seemed to hold behind the deep age and wisdom of the earth itself. It also sounded as if the creature did not actually need to breathe as it spoke.
"Young Master Gandalf." It said. Sounded male, but Shoutmon didn't really know if a walking tree could have a gender. "You have not visited my forest for many years. Much appears to have change in you since I last set eyes on you."
"There have indeed been many things, Fangorn my old friend." Gandalf replied. "The world outside of your forest is in turmoil. The forces of evil are rising once again and I have been selected to replace Saruman as the head of my order."
"Grey turns to White." The tree observed. "It seems Greyhame is no longer a suitable title for you."
"Indeed not."
"Perhaps this is fitting." The tree murmured. "Saruman's mind has changed much over recent years. I have heard that he now consorts with evil and is attempting to create war and death."
"That is much true, I'm afraid." Gandalf sighed. "It is a tragedy to see one so great as he fall so far, but sadly that is indeed what has come to pass."
"Saruman would once come and speak with me on regular occasions." The tree intoned. "But it seems his love for things that grow has diminished. Replaced instead by his desire for cold metal and his vile machines. I have seen columns of smoke rising from his fortress in recent weeks."
"And with smoke there's fire." Gandalf agreed.
The tree-man rumbled with distaste and suppressed anger and there was groan of disapproval that seemed to run through every single tree within earshot. Shoutmon had recovered from his shock by this point. After all, he had seen Woodmon and Cherrymon and other plant Digimon before on many occasions so the idea of walking, talking tree was not that much of a stretch of the imagination, it was just the initial surprise which had gotten to him. Now though, he looked around warily. As a creature with power over fire himself, he felt a little uncomfortable at the sounds of anger emanating all around him at the mere mention of it.
"Er... could somebody tell me what the heck is going on here?" He demanded.
"My apologies, my friend." Gandalf said. "Allow me to introduce you to Fangorn, the forest's namesake and one of the three oldest of his kind left in existence. He is an Ent, a caretaker of trees and the forest and he has been on Middle Earth longer even than I. He also sometimes goes by the name Treebeard."
"An appropriate name." Shoutmon murmured at the long, mossy beard descending down from the Ent's face.
Treebeard stared down at Shoutmon with calculating eyes. They were neither warm or cold... they were mostly just... blank. It was clear he did not know what to think of Shoutmon. Shoutmon looked up into the eyes of this Ent creature and was rather startled when he saw the sheer depths they seemed to go to. They were the color of tree sap, but they appeared like wells... wells that had seen so much and yet so little at the same time. They reminded him a little of Beelzemon, steady, calm and scrutinizing. And slow. Very slow indeed.
"Hrum, hoom." Treebeard murmured. "How strange. Never before have I lain eyes on a creature such as this? You are fortunate that you are with Gandalf, for you were not I might have mistaken you for another of Saruman's vile abominations. I have seen some of what he has made from afar, yet you are not like them, I realize. I sense temperament within you but I cannot think of what you are. You do not belong in any of the old lists."
"Lists?" Shoutmon frowned. "What lists?"
"Hasty for knowledge, I see you are." Treebeard rumbled. "I refer to the ancient lists of creatures of the world. Long lists they were, but were supposed to encompass every living creature brought to live in the world by Eru, excluding the dark creatures of Morgoth, of course. Eldest of all, the Elf-children, Dwarf the deliver, dark are his horses, Ent the earth born, old as mountains, Man the mortal, master of horses. Hoom, there were many, many more besides but places you, I cannot."
"Not surprising really." Shoutmon chuckled. "I'm not exactly from around here."
"Shoutmon is what we might refer to as a Digimon, Treebeard." Gandalf replied. "As his kind only came into our existence yesterday there would be no place for him in the list. He and his kind were sent here by Eru himself to help aid in the coming war."
"Hm. I did think I felt a change in the world but last sun..." Treebeard muttered. " An alteration in the earth that might have consequences for all."
"That was probably us." Shoutmon conceded. "You haven't seen anything else new have you? Odds are it was probably a Digimon if you didn't recognize it."
"Nothing have I seen except for the strange new breed of Orc that now run across the open spaces." Treebeard shook his head. "A most foul abomination they are, able to endure Sum and running with the strength of Men."
"So you haven't seen anything either?" Shoutmon grumbled. "Brilliant."
"No, don't be hasty." Treebeard chided him as if he were a young child. "Things will come to those who wait."
"Including death." Gandalf replied. "While I admire your steady nature, Treebeard, I fear that if ever there were were as a time for haste it would be now. War is coming, and when it arrives, it will affect all, including you, your brethren and your tree's
Treebeard's head slowly turned around to look back at Gandalf. "For one so old, Gandalf, you are remarkably quick. Haste leads to rashness and rashness can lead to poor judgment and bad decisions. Patience can bring many rewards to those who have it. This Digimon friend of yours may be one example of that."
"Perhaps." Gandalf agreed. "But unfortunately Sauron will not see it that way. The soon sooner he can conquer this world, the better in his view, and the people must be ready for him when he arrives, or they shall be caught flat footed, including your own. Sauron will destroy everything in his path, including the forest which you hold so dear. Fangorn is many times smaller now than it once was. Losing its great dynasty would indeed be tragedy."
"Hm, this war is the war of Men." Treebeard grumbled. "It is with them that the darkness has its quarrel, not with us. We have changed little over the years, Gandalf, but we have seen the world change around us. We witnessed the rise of Sauron before and we were left well alone. You assume this time will be different?"
"Indeed I do." Gandalf nodded. "Sauron's rise was thwarted before from the Last Alliance was many years to prepare for their assault. Sauron will be quicker this time. He will drive his Orcs onward from the southeast and take all in his path."
"Got that right." Shoutmon agreed. "If Sauron's anything like Bagramon, he'll want to mold everything in this world into something he likes. Those he doesn't kill will suffer. They always do."
"Hroom." Treebeard turned back to Shoutmon again. "You have face great evil before then." He surmised. "War may affect everyone but it affects them in different ways. Fighting for the world is not my duty. We Ents were meant to guard the forests and that is what we shall do until the forests fade away. Perhaps if Sauron makes a move against us then act we will, but we do not have any business with him as of yet."
"Well, make it your business then!" Shoutmon suddenly cried. "You would turn your back on those that needed help?"
"The world has turned its back on us." Treebeard responded sagely. "Men are little different from those that they fight. They have spread across the four corners of this world, imposing themselves on everything before them. They care not for what they despoil, including the forests, yet they claim they are different from Orcs. Men are interested in little but themselves. The forests have fallen under their hand and the time of the Elves and the Ents and the trees draws ever closer to an end."
"Well maybe." Shoutmon grunted. "But still, are you telling me that if a human, a Man, whatever, was fighting for his life against a bunch of bad guys right under your nose, you would merely let the guy be killed?"
Treebeard looked affronted. "Many Men do have good hearts, but it is their ignorance that is the greatest bane on the world."
"That does not answer my question." Shoutmon glowered.
"You are hastier then I assumed, I see." Treebeard replied. "Hrum, but the answer is of course, I would help him. Orcs have no place in this world. They were brought into it by foul sorcery and evil, as were the Trolls. The Trolls especially are an affront to everything Entish. I would not stand by as they ravaged our land."
"Well then." Shoutmon pointed up at him. "If you wouldn't leave someone to die when they're in front of you, why should you leave many others to die by not going out to help them, huh? You'd wait until they come to get you that we are far, far weaker than we could ever be when united."
Treebeard continued to regard Shoutmon for what felt like a full ten minutes, but was in reality just one, before he said anything else. When he did say it, he said. "Root and twig, you are something very different indeed. You speak with such conviction for your stature."
"That's right." Shoutmon scoffed. "I know better than most how combining strength builds it."
"And he is right." Gandalf nodded, sending Shoutmon a smile of gratitude. "I will not make any demands of you, Treebeard. You are the master of this realm after all and we are in your land. However, I would request that you at least consider our words. Sauron understands the strength of combining forces just as well, and even now he calls as many evil creatures and races as he can to his cause. It is time, my old friend."
"Time is as steady as everything else for an Ent." Treebeard responded. "But what time would you say it is?"
"I would request that you would discuss at the Entmoot once again." Gandalf replied. "Only you can decide whether you will help in the war which is consuming the world and I trust in your judgment, Treebeard. I feel that the Ents have more to give to the world than they currently are. You must decide, and soon, whether to fight for us. Saruman the White is in league with the enemy now and he is your neighbor. The danger may be closer than you would like to think."
Treebeard rumbled to himself. "Not since the Second Age have Ents gathered, Gandalf. We do not have the strength that we once had."
"Perhaps." The Wizard said again. "But I believe you have more than you think you do."
Treebeard looked like he was about to say something else after a brief moment's pause. But something else interrupted him before he could manage it. One of the nearby trees visible started to move, to shake slightly even though there was absolutely no wind to cause it to do so. A groaning that was so low it was almost guttural started up around them as other trees began to shift. Treebeard looked up at them, eyes narrowing slightly as he listened to the noise.
"Er... what's going on?" Shoutmon asked, edging away from the nearest tree.
"The trees are speaking to one another." Gandalf said, with a frown. "They are agitated."
"That groaning noise is tree-talk?" Shoutmon asked.
"Indeed." The Wizard nodded. "Few are able to understand what trees are capable of understanding one another. Treebeard, what news?"
"Something comes." Treebeard replied, with a slight frown. "Something unusual. The trees are... growing restless. They are awaking faster then I had anticipated and now they are saying that something is approaching. Something which has unsettled them. I must investigate."
Gandalf had, throughout his time, rarely seen an Ent move at any pace except a slow, striding walk, but evidently the disruption to his beloved trees was more than enough to get this Ent moving quickly. He stepped forward, past the Wizard and the small Digimon and moved away into the forest at what might be a brisk pace for an Ent, but was actually quite fast considering the size of his legs meant that his strides were far longer than anything other humanoids might be able to manage.
"Come." Gandalf said, nodding in the direction that Treebeard had taken. "Whatever is taking place must be significant to have this effect on the trees of the forest. And our business with Treebeard is not yet concluded either."
"Well, if there is a threat." Shoutmon growled, raising his microphone and patting the bulbous tip into the palm of one hand. "Then they might have found a little more than they bargained for." And the Digimon King charged after Treebeard with Gandalf in hot pursuit, leaping over tree roots with easy bounds and following the huge depressions in the ground made by Treebeard's every footsteps. Gandalf held his staff close and his other hand stayed towards the hilt of his sword, Glamdring. He hoped he would have to use neither, but he knew that whatever this was, it was likely to be more than a simple Orc raiding party.
XXX
Deckerdramon had pass up the river along with Lilamon and Stingmon as they entered the forest. They see this forest was deserted of life as the plains, lots of plants but no animals of any kind. Perhaps the birds had more sense to live in a place like this. Everything seemed thick and slow and dense, even the air around them as if it was pushing down on them and attempting to force them underwater.
And the three Digimon could never shake the feeling that they were being watched by something.
Eventually, the river had tapered out and grown even thinner, too thin for Deckerdramon to navigate his way through. He sighed as he look up at his two passengers on his back. "Well, this is the end of the river." He said. "We will have to go on foot."
"We will follow your lead Deckerdramon." Stingmon said. "But there is something strange in this forest I don't like." As Stingmon jump off Deckerdramon's back on the forest ground.
"I agree with you Stingmon." Lilamon nervously said as she stand close to Stingmon. "This forest is giving off a sense of foreboding and anger in this place." Stingmon help Lilamon to climb down to the ground.
"I know what you mean." Deckerdramon said as his legs folded outwards and returned to their original position, while his back-launchers shifted back down to their prime position for firing, pulling himself out of Float Mode and into his normal form. As he touched the bottom of the shallow river he motored himself forward, forcing himself up the shallow bank and onto the first openly large space amongst the trees that he could find. Lilamon and Stingmon followed him.
They were rather surprised when the trees reacted to this and the nearest ones to them seemed to try and back away, though it could have been a trick of light, or lack of light. Regardless, the groaning sounds that continued to resonate all sounds that had continued to resonate all around them increased the moment Deckerdramon pulled out of the river and they could distinctly hear sounds of rushing branches coming from every direction.
The enormous alligator, the insectoid and the fairy plant Digimon all stood there for a while, listening and watching, but nothing else other than that seemed to happen for a while so they merely shut their eyes and try to bolt out the noise with both Stingmon and Lilamon both covering their ears. Deckerdramon was giving himself some rest as he tried to think what his next move would be.
This forest was unlikely to get them anywhere. They had not been in it for long but the river was too thin for them to continue effectively and we're pretty sure that traveling with Deckerdramon's large and rather unwieldy body through the dense trees would not be wise for a course of action they could take, turn back and head back out across the plains, this time on the ground. It seemed like a lousy option, but it was the best they really had.
After a while though, the three Digimon heard something which caused their eyes to open. Something like heavy footsteps, muffled by the sound of the forest but still distinctly footsteps. Ones which were getting closer. Deckerdramon frowned, wondering if his luck was in. Perhaps this was another Digimon approaching who could help them find out where they are. They slowly turned themselves around so they were facing the direction of the noise and waited for the perpetrator to appear.
When it did, the three Digimon blinked at the sight of a walking tree-like creature which came into view ahead of them. It was long, mossy hair stretched down past its hips and it had a look of both confusion and wariness in its amber eyes.
The four creatures stared at each other for a while before the newcomer moved first, stepping forward and saying. "You three have disturb the forest, strangers. The trees do not take your presence here. They say that you reek of industry and metal and smoke. They are angry. You all must leave." He said as he pointed at Deckerdramon.
Deckerdramon eyes rolled to the side, able to see the trees a little more clearly. Some of them did still appear to be shifting uneasily. Deckerdramon's eyes narrowed, wondering once again just where they are. Stingmon and Lilamon were both looking at the tree-like creature and look back to Deckerdramon.
He nodded to them and turned to the creature. "I beg your pardon, good tree." He said, turning his eyes back to face the new person. "It was not our intention to cause disruption in your home. We are very lost in our way and we are seeking to find our friends."
"Your friends?" The tree rumbled. "Perhaps you are referring to Orcs? And I am not a tree. I am an Ent, a guardian of the forest."
Lilamon and Stingmon both look at each other wondering what Orcs and Ent. But were surprised to hear that he was a Forest Guardian.
"Guardian of the Forest?" Deckerdramon repeated. "Well, fancy that. A noble title, if I do say so myself."
"You have an eloquent tongue." The Ent stated. "Hum, hroom, but your body, your form... this can only be the work of Saruman. But the other two your with do not look like creations of the Wizard. You bear the mark of his foul machines and contraptions. A body of metal is no natural thing. It this some treachery of the Wizard? Are you one of his creations?"
Deckerdramon, Stingmon and Lilamon all frown about who is the White Wizard. They do know two Wizard Digimon are Wizardmon and Sorcermon. Deckerdramon speak. "I am afraid I have not the foggiest idea what you are talking about." He said. "Who is the Wizard you speak of? I know two Wizards that are our friends. And I assure you that I was not created by some magic. I was born into my world just as the other two I have traveled with. And my metal body is perfectly natural where I am from, I guarantee it."
"And perchance where you all from a place would be Isengard?" The Ent's rumblings were growing stronger as he grew more suspicious. He was spreading his legs out and reaching down with his enormous gnarled hands to where a large boulder was on the ground, as if making ready to scoop it up and throw it at them.
"Now hold on." Deckerdramon protested. "What have we done to deserve such aggression from you, Master Ent. We did not wish to cause you unease and if you so desire we shall leave immediately. But..."
"We don't want to destroy your forest." Lilamon said before Deckerdramon could say something else. "We are only looking for our friends."
"That's right." Stingmon said. "We are lost in this strange world and we cannot go back."
Before anyone else is going to speak, a new voice speak. "Oh, I don't believe it." Cried a familiar voice from nearby. "Deckerdramon, you old croc! Lilamon, Stingmon, you two lovely couple! It's so great to see you all!"
The Ent and three Digimon faltered as the red form of Shoutmon bounded past the Ent and skidded to a halt in front of the three Digimon, while a man in white robes stepped up from the same direction. Deckerdramon, Lilamon and Stingmon all took one look at Shoutmon and Deckerdramon let loose an uproarious bellow of laughter, lifting himself up onto his back legs slightly for a moment before crashing down again with a colossal thump. Lilamon and Stingmon laugh to happily to see Shoutmon.
"My liege." Deckerdramon laugh.
"It is good to see you my King." Stingmon was laughing too as he keeled to Shoutmon.
"It was nice to see you okay my lord." Lilamon smiled as she too keeled to Shoutmon.
"Shoutmon. Thank the Code Crown we have found someone at last. We've been wondering around for over half a day without the faintest idea where we are or what's going on. But at least we finally found you, my Kings." Deckerdramon said to Shoutmon.
"And a good thing too from the looks of things." Shoutmon laughed. "It sure as heck is good to see some familiar faces after all this madness that's been going on recently. But have you guys seen any of the others?"
Deckerdramon, Lilamon and Stingmon all shook their heads slightly, smoke unfurling out of the vents of the bottom of Deckerdramon's snout as he did so. "I'm afraid not. We have found ourselves close to the river when we woken up after the celebration and we forge our way up stream in the hope that we found someone or something but until you we have seen nothing at all. No sign of anyone else I'm afraid."
Shoutmon grimaced. "Well, you can't have everything I suppose, but still, running into you three again is more than enough. I already feel a lot better knowing that the Digimon who could probably destroy our own castle in a single move is back and the two lovers that can fight alongside us."
Deckerdramon chuckled. "And I feel better knowing that the King is safe."
Stingmon chuckled too. "We will stand with you King Shoutmon."
"We will fight with you to the end." Lilamon smiled.
Shoutmon looked a little uneasy for a split second. Deckerdramon's statement and Lilamon and Stingmon's devotion reminded him of self-confidence issues that he'd been having recently. If everything that Gandalf had said about this world and why the Code Crown had sent them here was true then he would indeed need to be responsible for everything that happened next, like a King should be. He already knew that this was going to be the greatest challenge he had to face since rising to the throne by far leading his Digimon, if he found the rest of them, into alien territory.
And, as before, he was not entirely sure he was up to it.
Still, he quickly wiped the unease off his face and grinned. There was no need to tell Deckerdramon, Lilamon and Stingmon about his own doubts right now. They had enough problems to worry about besides the fact that the King didn't know if he could lead or not.
"I see you've picked up some new friends, Shoutmon." Deckerdramon looked up at the Ent and the Wizard once again. "Care to introduce us? And perhaps tell us what is going on?"
"What is going on is just about everything we know had been turned on its head." Shoutmon muttered. "But yeah, I can introduce you guys. This is Gandalf, and Big, Tall, Leafy here is Treebeard."
"Then perhaps we are in the Human World?" Deckerdramon enquired, taking in Gandalf's appearance.
"Are we truly in the Human World, Shoutmon?" Lilamon asked.
"He's not human. He's a... I forget the word. Let's just go with Wizard, for now. And no this is not the Human World. Anyway, you guys, this is Deckerdramon, one of the most, if not the absolute most, powerful Digimon in my personal forces, the Fusion Fighters United Army. When I was talking about some of my friends who could level villages instantly, this guy is primarily who I had in mind." Shoutmon turn to Lilamon and Stingmon. "The Insectoid on the left is Stingmon, he is one of the fighters in my army. And last is the fairy plant on the right is Lilamon, she is kind and caring fighter I know. The two of them fight alongside with Deckerdramon and the two of them are mates."
"I see that you were not... kidding... as you put it." Even Gandalf seemed to find himself slightly stunned and amazed as he took in the sight of the three Digimon stand before him, one of them larger than him and the other two were human size. "If they are indeed Digimon, then you were not exaggerating when you said that you could come in many forms."
"Course I wasn't." Shoutmon snorted, patting Deckerdramon's huge, armoured leg. "And I can tell you, now that we've got Deckerdramon and his missiles on our side, and his two followers Lilamon and Stingmon as both flyers and fighters as well, the forces of this Sauron guy are going to tremble themselves in fear and running the other way, you mark my words."
"Sauron does have many large and powerful creatures on his side as well." Gandalf cautioned. "But perhaps you, Deckerdramon, Stingmon, Lilamon, could put even many of them in an uneasy state of mind."
"Who exactly are we talking about?" Deckerdramon asked. "Who is Sauron?"
"Is he an evil version of Bagramon?" Stingmon asked.
"If so, we will fight alongside you Shoutmon." Lilamon said.
"Well." Shoutmon shrugged. "It's quite a long story I'm afraid. And I already can't remember about half of it."
"Your memory is improving then." Deckerdramon chuckled, blowing more steam from his vents. Stingmon and Lilamon both chuckled too.
"Watch it." Shoutmon glared at him. "I am not above bashing you in the nose, Big Guy."
Treebeard, who had remained silent of observing since Shoutmon had entered the picture, chose this moment to speak up again. "Hrum, hm, you say that you four are Digimon? Yet your body shapes are so vastly different. The lists of old may not apply to you, but they agree that members of the same species are supposed to be similar to one another, excluding differences between male and female."
"Where Digimon are concerned, anything is possible." Shoutmon shrugged. "And we tend to break the usual rules."
"So, then you three are not servants of the fallen Wizard?" Treebeard asked for confirmation. "You do not associate yourselves with the vile, destructive Orcs of the mountains."
"If you are referring to the Wizard you mentioned earlier then I have never heard of him before today." Deckerdramon replied evenly. "I certainly do not serve him. I serve only King Shoutmon or Sorcermon and the Generals of our army, Christopher or Mickey or Nene. And since we have not seen them in many years, Shoutmon and Sorcermon are the only two I answer to."
"We serve only Deckerdramon, King Shoutmon and Sorcermon as our leaders." Stingmon said.
"We are to loyal to them to the end and to help them." Lilamon said.
"And do you, believed their tale, Gandalf?" The Ent looked down at his friend.
"I do." Gandalf nodded. "Shoutmon would have little reason to lie about this and the Lady Galadriel has personally vouched that the Digimon can be trusted. Those three, Deckerdramon, Lilamon, and Stingmon are indeed Digimon and therefore are allies of ours."
Treebeard coughed and had the decency to look mildly embarrassed. "Hoom, then I must beg your forgiveness." He said, turning to Deckerdramon, Stingmon, and Lilamon once more and lowering his head. "In my need to protect the trees I seem to have ignored my own motto and acted to haste. You see, Gandalf, how haste can lead to poor judgment and incorrect decisions. I assumed that those three. Deckerdramon, Lilamon, and Stingmon were dark creatures created at Isengard by the traitorous Wizard, and in my haste I almost acted rashly. I must remember to pace myself further in the future. And I see that Lilamon is a plant creature that is to kind to be made for evil."
"We accept your apology Treebeard." Lilamon said. "We understand you were protecting your home."
"These are difficult times, Treebeard." Gandalf nodded. "As I said they would be. And I am sure that Deckerdramon, Stingmon, and Lilamon all understand your need to protect your home."
"Naturally." Deckerdramon agreed somberly. "I have did that in the past myself. You need not worry, Treebeard. I do forgive you. I can sense strong love emanating from within you, love for everything that you have cared for since you first came to being, love for everything that grows and your forest and your home. I sense true self through that love and I understand your position."
"I too did the same as well." Stingmon said. "I acted to quickly to judge and without thinking."
"Deckerdramon is the Guardian of Love in our world." Shoutmon explained. "He's able to judge a person's character almost immediately by how much love they hold in their hearts, allowing him to recognize enemies and friends on sight. And he will only ally himself with those who have very strong love in their hearts."
"Love is a most important commodity." Gandalf smiled warmly. "One of the most valuable there is and one that our enemy does not understand and seeks to eradicate. The world would truly be an empty place without it. Tell me, good Deckerdramon, what do you sense coming from my own heart."
Deckerdramon fixed Gandalf with one large, red eye for a moment, which then closed as if basking in something. "Oh, you're love burns like the sun, Master Wizard. I can sense your strong feelings for everything that you see around you that is good, and all the people and races that you consider under your care. You have lived for so long now, I can tell, and your love has grown exponentially with each passing year. And... while there are many who you constantly worry for, you also care deeply for all people you consider free, even those who are less than receptive to in."
He opened his eyes and added. "You understand love at its deepest heart and in all its forms. And you wish to use that love, inspire it in others and teach them to stand together. Strong love. You have it in abundance."
"More than Christopher?" Shoutmon raised a brow.
Deckerdramon laughed. "Perhaps even more than Christopher." He said. "But do not tell him I said that if we ever come across our Generals again?"
"Why? Is the big, powerful Deckerdramon worried he'll upset him? Or are you afraid of getting scolded off?" Shoutmon joking said.
"If you were not the King, I would tell you to be quite." Deckerdramon muttered. Shoutmon snickered into a hand. Stingmon and Lilamon both chuckled too.
Gandalf had actually felt his self-esteem lift when he listened to Deckerdramon's description of hi. "I thank you for your kind words, Master Deckerdramon." He said as he look at Lilamon and Stingmon. "You two as well Stingmon and Lilamon. And I can see why you Deckerdramon can make a fine friend and ally in the coming fight."
"You have no idea." Shoutmon grinned. "No, seriously, you don't. You've never seen Deckerdramon in action before as well as Lilamon and Stingmon. The things I seen Deckerdramon do are mind blowing at times. The sheer amount of firepower he possesses can sometimes be astonishing. And if you guys don't even have technology in this world... then you've never seen missiles in action before, have you?" He grinned as he continues. "Lilamon is a person to care for the people and she protects them with her life. And Stingmon is a trained assassin to fight only evil and he is willing to protect the people as well."
"I see. We have never had much need for this technology." Gandalf said, with slight distaste. "It is a word that is new to our world, as is another word, industry. Saruman is, even now, creating weapons and machines which might well do similar things to your friend here."
"I doubt they'd be as good." Shoutmon chuckled. "And it's not all bad you know. From what I know of things like industry, which is not much admittedly, it can be just as useful to build as to destroy. It's just the problem is for some people it's difficult to always know which one they are doing. Though I bet it's destroy all the way with Saruman, right?"
"Sadly yes." Gandalf nodded. "Nevertheless, the world has gone through three ages without the need for this new found industry and the way it despoils the natural world and I do not believe we shall need it in the future. Though I do not wish to cause offence to you Digimon if you would rather use it."
"We don't use it a whole lot ourselves really." Shoutmon shrugged. "It's just that some of us, like Deckerdramon here, are technologically built."
"Though I assure you I am not a metal creature." Deckerdramon replied. "I am quite flesh underneath all this armor."
The rumbling of trees grew more insistent. Treebeard shook his head. "They do not believe you. They say you are a destroyer, who could wreck everything in your path, and that all things like you are made only to cut and break and kill them and their brethren. They have long seen Men and others like them destroy their fallen comrades and burn them. And you have fire within you. You release smoke. You are a destroyer of trees just as Men are."
"Can you not tell them that they have it wrong?" Deckerdramon asked.
"The trees have feelings." Treebeard replied. "Their hate for things like you is strong and set deeper than their roots. They will not change their thoughts on you easily. I would not wish to make such decision in haste, but perhaps it would be better for you to leave the forest now. The forest is waking up and they may not remain idle for long."
"The trees will attack us?" Shoutmon asked. "Seriously?"
"Any of the trees here are just trees." Gandalf said. "But not all. Many of them are more than they seem, Shoutmon. And they have the strength of the ages within their wooden bodies."
"They say the same to you, Shoutmon." Treebeard agreed. "They say that they smell fire on you too."
"Smell?" Shoutmon blinked. "Trees can smell?"
"Is that way the trees are so aggressive?" Lilamon asked.
"Is it true that trees hate fire so much?" Stingmon asked as well.
Before Gandalf or Treebeard could answer those questions, Deckerdramon decided to do something about the incessant groaning. He opened his jaws wide open, which momentarily surprised both Gandalf and Treebeard as he not been opening his jaws to speak, his voice had slightly echo like quality to it, and reared up onto his hind legs a far distance. His back and shoulders push up against the canopy and the trees seemed to retract from his his touch and he let out a bellow which shook the area for miles around.
"Ancient Forest." Deckerdramon cried. "I know that you fear me and that you would rather see me gone, but I can tell you now that I am not your enemy. I will never be the enemy of the Forest, of any Forest. Apparently you have a Guardian in the form of this Ent and possibly more others of his kind here already, and in that instance I am not so different from them. For back in my world, I too was a Guardian of the Forest."
The trees actually quieted, the groans and moans reduced to a minimum and an intense and thick air of silence settled over the forest, one that seemed like the silence of many people listening attentively to what was going on.
Treebeard looked surprised. "You? A Forest Guardian?" He asked.
"Indeed." Deckerdramon nodded. "Perhaps not the same sense as you in guarding and caring for the trees, but back in the Digital World, we had a large number of territories which we called Zones. One of these Zones was the Forest Zone. It was a single big woodland filled with trees far taller than any around here and numerous plant and insect Digimon alike. I may be a Guardian of Love, but I was also the Guardian of Forest Zone and it was my duty to protect it and its inhabitants from any threat that sought to destroy both land and life. So, in many ways, perhaps I am similar to you Ents. I lived in a great temple, filled with an abundance of life and protect the most sacred treasure of the realm to ensure that nothing could change the forest to its purposes."
"Hey, he's right." Shoutmon nodded, a grin on his jagged mouth. "He and his two closest followers Lilamon and Stingmon, both helped to defend everything and everyone from the Bagra Army when they invaded. The Forest Zone was a place where they tried for months to invade without success thanks to Deckerdramon and his subordinates."
"That is right." Deckerdramon rumbled. "And while I might not be a Forest Guardian in the same sense as an Ent, I am still one in some sense. I regard the Forest as my first home, and I will always defend it, never destroy it. You have nothing to fear from me."
"How about me and Stingmon do the Love Dance for you guys." Lilamon said as she and Stingmon were about to dance.
"Uh, maybe another time Lilamon." Shoutmon awkwardly said to her. "Only we get back to our world, you guys are okay with that."
"I understood Shoutmon." Lilamon said as she and Stingmon both stop from doing the Love Dance.
"That Dance is proof that you have love in your heart." Deckerdramon object. "And perhaps this forest could do with a little more of it."
The trees rumbling grew in pitch again but they did not rise the same heights as before. Treebeard listened to them for a few moments and then gave an earthy chuckle. "Perhaps the trees were too hasty to jump to a conclusion themselves. They are still suspicious and they claim that they will be watching, but they have subsided their complaints for now. Hrum, hoom, you are most certainly an odd bunch, you Digimon. Root and twig, you are. Hm."
"I most certainly agree." Gandalf nodded. "A strange bunch for strange times. If there are as many of you in our world as you think there might be then I must confess I am eager to make the acquaintance of the others, and there has been little that has made me eager for many long years now."
"You flatter us, sir." Deckerdramon laugh as he settled back down onto his front feet. Lilamon and Stingmon both laugh too. "Now that I at least have some form of trust from the forest perhaps somebody could actually tell us more about our current situation. If this is not the Human World or the Digital World, then where actually are we?"
"I want to know to." Stingmon asked.
"Alright, here's that long story which I mentioned before." Shoutmon grinned, and he began to explain everything to Deckerdramon, Lilamon and Stingmon.
As he did, Gandalf stepped around to face Treebeard again and said. "Well, Treebeard? Do you believe that the Digimon are worthy of your trust now?"
"Hrum... still in two minds, I am, Gandalf." Treebeard replied. "The trees are right, those creatures do not feel like any other we have experienced and still the two smell of fire and smoke and the other two don't. But I shall not be hasty. I shall make my decision when I have seen more of their activity."
"And something tells me you may see quite a bit more of what they can do in the future." Gandalf said. "I have the beginning of an idea, Treebeard. An idea that may help to the end this war and the reign of Sauron forever. But Sauron is a great threat, Saruman is the closer and more Immediate one. We must end his misguided attack on the world now before we can truly begin our attempt to turn the tables on Saruman. I would ask you once again to consider convening the Entmoot. The Ents must play their part if all the Free Peoples you spoke of in the lists before can remain free."
"There has been no Entmoot since the Second Age, Gandalf." Treebeard replied. "Not since the Entwives..." He stopped and grimaced through his mossy beard and said no more, but he did not need to. Gandalf knew what he was talking about.
"I know my friend." He said. "But all I ask is that you at least discuss it among you and your kin. For I agree with Shoutmon. Either we all unite, or we all fall."
XXX
The next story will be about Lunamon, Lillymon and the three green Monitamons that are in the Forest of Mirkwood to find a why out.
Next time Chapter 13 Mysteries of Mirkwood