After leaving Strikedramon behind, Sen started running back to the park. She was afraid of what might have happened, hoping Tsukaimon and Agumon were okay. But as she descended the stairs, her eyes widened spotting two much larger figures near the burning tree.
The taller of the two had a fox face, yellow fur and wore some very strange robes with yin and yang symbols in various places. It was honestly hard to tell if this Digimon was male or female, but it was simply watching as its companion held Agumon and Tsukaimon in place on the ground.
This companion in question had a body only a foot or so taller than Strikedramon, covered in yellow fur with powerful long arms. Its monkey like features and the bone weapon it seemed to be carrying on its back made it clear this was some kind of warrior. The great ape holding down both Agumon and Tsukaimon with ease using his large hands.
"I-I told you we haven't seen anything!" Tsukaimon argued, glaring daggers at Agumon, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut.
"You're lying," A male voice came from the taller one, he sounded sharp and intelligent, "You scroungers know everything that goes on around here, so I will ask you one more time... Where is the human?"
"There is no human!"
Sen ducked down behind a park bench near the stairs, watching the scene unfold before her eyes with growing fear. "What do they want with me!? Does this have something to do with time moving again? Does that mean these two know about the login room here?" She had too many questions and nobody to answer them. Of course, these two new Digimon probably had some of those answers but she wasn't too confident they could have a pleasant conversation.
"Heh," The monkey faced Digimon grunted in a low voice, "You say that, but this big mouth over here sure didn't hesitate to start spitting fire once we brought it up..."
"Grrr..." Agumon grit his sharp teeth, struggling to get up only to be pushed right back down by the big yellow monkey.
The apparent brains of the group sighed shaking his head, "Very well, if you won't tell us willingly... I will harvest your data and look through your memories later." He decided simply, "Apemon, do it."
"About time."
The big brute released the two for a split second before slamming them together with his mighty fists. Both Tsukaimon and Agumon cried out in pain before hitting the ground seemingly stunned and unable to move. Sen herself flinched as she watched, eyes widening with fear as her heart raced, "I-Is he really going to... Kill them?!" She watched in horror as he slowly pulled that big bone club from his back, and just as it was being raised high into the air she moved without thinking, "STOP!"
The taller one looked towards her slowly, holding up a hand for Apemon to stop as his eyes landed on Sen, "Hmm, interesting timing..." He noted, his eyes scanning her over and memorizing every detail, "A child, how strange... But, you will do." He said simply, and took a step towards her, "My name is Taomon, and you'll be coming with us."
Sen instinctively took a step back, "A-And what do you two want with me huh?"
"Oh we'll get to that," He added, a faint smirk crossing his lips, "But that information isn't something everyone needs to know... Apemon, dispose of the witnesses."
"Of course." He chuckled wickedly, and began bringing the club down in full force!
"No WAIT!" Sen stepped forward, holding up a hand as her eyes widened.
"HRAAAAH!" But before the blow could land, a fire covered lizard slammed into Apemon from the flank. Knocking him right off his feet, as Strikedramon landed in his place. The metal plates on his body burning white hot and sizzling as he glared between Taomon and his monkey lackey.
"Strikedramon!" Sen cried out in joy, a rush of excitement coursing through her veins, "Nice save!" A grin of genuine happiness spreading across her lips.
Tsukaimon winced, opening her eyes weakly as she looked up at him, "You... You saved us... Why?"
"Good question," Taomon added, bringing a sleeved hand to his chin. Not at all upset by the Digimon's interference, "You're a Virus Buster, your programming says to destroy Virus types, and yet you defended those ones..."
Strikedramon didn't shift his gaze at all from the two enemy Digimon, as Apemon pulled himself up, "Bastard... I'll club you good for that!"
"Apemon, Vaccine Type..." Strikedramon grunted, sniffing the air.
The monkey blinked, "Huh?"
The metal plates on Strikedramon's body began to heat up once again, "Digivolves from... Shamanmon, Virus Type." The red hair on the back of his head ignited into white and blue flames, "These parameters are... Acceptable!"
Apemon wasn't prepared for Strikedramon's speed, and was run clean through by the burning lizard as the attack landed. Strikedramon carried Apemon right off his feet and slammed him into the wall beside the stairs making Sen yelp in surprise and flinch to avoid debris and flames that went flying. Seeing her opening, the girl completely ignored Taomon and made a mad dash for Agumon and Tsukaimon.
At the same time, Taomon watched with a faint smirk, "How very interesting..."
"Are you guys okay!?" She asked, sliding to a stop beside the fallen Digimon.
"Ugh... Not really." Tsukaimon groaned as she rolled off of Agumon, "Don't suppose you have a plan other than bringing in the maniac?"
"I have a plan and its called improv!" She answered, picking up Tsukaimon and tucking her under one arm, "Up and at'em Agumon we've gotta go!" Offering him a hand, but doubting she'd actually be able to pull him up.
The dinosaur digimon sat up slowly, looking at her and seeming to forget all about any injuries as he smiled brightly, "Friend came back!" Springing to his feet quickly.
"Yeah we can celebrate later," Sen said hastilly, looking around for another exit as Strikedramon and Apemon tumbled across the grass. Tearing up the dirt and leaving scorch marks everywhere while struggling to overpower one another, "We need another exit!"
"There are two exits to this park," Taomon spoke up suddenly, smirking as he looked down at them both, "And both are behind me, so what will you do Human?" He asked, "I am most curious to see what choice you make... Fight, or run?"
Her bravado was faltering, as she looked up at the taller figure. Maybe it was his height, or the commanding presence, but she knew he was powerful. More powerful than Strikedramon at least, and definitely stronger than these two. They needed a way out of here, and fast!
"The river!" She realized, eyes widening. Her eyes darted towards the bridge, the river ran directly under it. If they could just find a way climb up there, "I choose!" She shouted suddenly, raising her voice. Taomon quirking an eyebrow at her sudden intensity, "TO FIGHT! Tsukaimon use that Purple Haze!"
"On it!" The smaller digimon answered with a grin, jumping up and inhaling deeply before she unleashed that thick purple fog. It quickly started spreading across the park between them and Taomon.
The Ultimate level digimon blinked in surprise, not expecting her to choose combat. Nor was he expecting that rookie level to obey her, "You think you can land a sneak attack on me?!" He scoffed, slashing a hand through the air after producing a small paper talisman from his sleeve. The fog was blown away with a gust of wind, Taomon's eyes widening to see they were nearly at the rivers edge already, "A trick!?"
"Come on! Run!" Sen shouted, urging the injured Digimon onward as she ran, "We can ride the current to outside the city!" But another crash made her slide to a halt, looking back towards the fighting, "Strikedramon! Come on!" She cried out to him, as he slammed Apemon through the burning tree trunk with a brutal throw, "We've gotta go!"
"Your quick thinking is impressive." Sen felt a chill run down her spine, as Taomon's shadow loomed over her as if he'd appeared out of nowhere, "But you will not escape me." He added, before holding out a talisman in front of Sen. The symbols on the paper lit up yellow, unleashing a powerful burst of electricity.
"Aaaagh!" She cried out, feeling it coursing through her before she was thrown back to the ground. Her entire body hurt, and her limbs wouldn't respond, like she had gone numb, "I-I can't move!"
"That should silence anymore scheming." Taomon said coldly, reaching down to grab her.
Before a small swirling orb of light appeared over her stunned body. The center was orange and white, while three smaller blue orbs orbited around it slowly.
Taomon's eyes widened, "Impossible..."
"Registration... Completed."
The automated voice sounded from the orb, robotic in nature and partially distorted. Taomon hesitated for a moment, before a bright light caught his attention. Raising his arms, he practically caught the massive fireball Agumon had fired off at him, "Hngh! A bit more powerful than I expected," He grunted, holding back the flame, "But no matter, this is-"
"Dark Twister!" A typhoon of black wind struck the fireball as well, the intense gust amplifying the flames! Tsukaimon flashing a smug grin as she hovered above BlackAgumon.
Taomon's eyes widened, looking back at Sen, "At this distance-" He pulled back one hand, aiming it at her before another Talisman appeared.
Sen braced herself for the attack, closing her eyes tightly and expecting more pain. But before any could be felt, a massive explosion sounded. Agumon's fireball exploding as it made contact with Taomon fully, powered up by the winds Tsukaimon created. Strangely enough, Sen didn't feel any pain as the fire washed over her, none of it even made contact with her skin. As if it were redirected by an unseen force.
Taomon appeared a short distance away, panting lightly. His high and mighty posture in shambles, robes singed and a few embers persisting, "To use such a reckless attack with her so close," He muttered, wincing in pain, "If I hadn't shielded her..."
"Partner Registration... Completed."
Sen winced as she looked up at the orb, feeling her movement returning ever so slowly. But more confused than anything by the orbs flickering and random words. Whatever questions she had would need to wait, Taomon was still standing and looking far less polite than he had before. Strikedramon finally arrived at her side, taking a stand between her and Taomon.
He was a little beat up, but still appeared ready to fight, "Will protect..."
"Apemon!" Taomon barked loudly, glaring daggers at the battered monkey, "If you're done laying around, I could use some help here..."
"Uuugh... R-Right boss," He grumbled forcing himself up and shambling over, "Lets... Lets club'em good!"
Taomon narrowed his eyes, "You've taken too much damage, pathetic." He scoffed before holding up a new talisman. The symbols glowing bright green, a veil of emerald energy swirling around them before their injuries were cured in an instant, "Ah, much better."
"That's not good." Tsukaimon said, hovering beside Strikedramon's right while Agumon stood at his left.
"No fair!" Agumon whined, "We can't do that!"
"It was a valiant effort," Taomon said with after releasing a small sigh, "You certainly surprised me, but this game of ours is over, you are coming with me back to the Kaiser."
"The Kaiser has no power here!" A new voice cried out, Taomon's head turning back towards the stairs where a number of Digimon had appeared. Several of them looking like BlackAgumon but much smaller, and yellow. A few red reptilian digimon and even a yellow version of Tsukaimon.
"Get out of our city before we make you leave!" A larger blue Digimon with big fish lips and fins ordered as he blasted out of the water nearby, wielding a harpoon.
Taomon silently cursed, as Apemon looked around confused, "Seems we took too long, turn a few lights on and all the moths come fluttering back in..."
Sen cringed in pain as she sat up, "Ow... Who... Who are they?"
"Digimon that inhabited city," Strikedramon grunted, looking between them, "Agumon, Guilmon, Patamon, Divermon... Even Gargomon came back." Seeing the mad rabbit spooling up his machine guns.
"Why?" Sen asked, leaning on Agumon for support as she stood up, "Why now?"
"Because you turned on the server." Tsukaimon finished with a smirk. Flying forward closer to Taomon, "So what will you do, Taomon?" Deciding to mock him with his own condescending words, "I am most curious to see what choice you make, fight or run?"
His brow furrowed as he glared at her, "You got lucky this time, but the Kaiser will not let this city stand so long as it hides her..." Looking to Apemon, he nodded, "For now we depart, but you'd best consider joining the right side if you wish to survive." Holding up a talisman, a ring began to appear beneath them with blue lights. His eyes locking onto Sen, "And if you want to go home."
Before they disappeared in a flash of light.
"Wait, what?" Sen blinked, before stumbling forward, "Ow, ow ow, it still hurts." She whined, trying to shake off the pain. It didn't feel like anything was actually broken or damaged, she was just sore from the convulsing she'd done while being electrocuted.
Tsukaimon sighed in relief as they vanished, watching as the Digimon at the stairs began running towards them, "Lets get you to a bed, I'm sure Gatomon will be happy to open up the Inn again..."
Strikedramon was already leaving, Sen saw him walking off and smiled, "Hey! Strikedramon! Thanks..."
He stopped, turning his head halfway before nodding, then continuing on his way.
Though she still had plenty of questions, for now Sen would hold onto them. And just enjoy the fact that for the moment, she was safe...
Aaaand that's everything in my files for this story. I'm glad I finally got it out here and I hope anyone that stuck with it enjoyed. I don't really have huge aspirations to continue this, but if you really liked it please let me know. I certainly wouldn't mind having another side project to work my brain over lol
And I'm replying Digimon World 3 atm so hey maybe the time is right? Idk, just let me know if you enjoyed. Thanks for reading, have a nice day!