Chapter 9: Responsibility as leader:
Back at the Hypno underground base, everyone gathered around Calumon's chair.
He was inputting the data from their latest battle. Multiple screens showed the Anti-Body Digimon.
Leomon was dressed in his normal jeans, along with a new short red jacket over his shirtless chest. On top of it was a black overflowing cloak-like cape.
"The AntiBody Assassins... Seem like a bad bunch" Calumon said as he checked for data. "But I found nothing on their location."
"The Reboot Program... I still cannot believe they got their hands on something that dangerous" Janryu said crossing his arms in worry.
"You're right. That program is a forbidden one sealed away by Azulongmon as I heard" BlackGatomon said as she remained cautious as she watch the screens. "I cannot believe Indramon dug it up and used it to create the Antibody Digimon."
"And then the AntiBody Digimon stole it for themselves, using Leomon's revival as a test" Dawnmon spoke up. "Whatever they're planning, we must stop them."
"Not to mention the Syndicate is still out there." Leomon pointed out as he walked up and stared at the screens. "Indramon is still at large here."
Guilmon just remained silent as he crossed his arms and glared at the screen showing Guilmon X.
His eyes never left the image of his newest counterpart.
Renamon and BlackGatomon looked at him in concern.
And so everyone went back to their homes for rest.
-Next Morning-
In the model industry, Renamon and BlackGatomon are getting ready for another model walk.
Renamon wore a purple O-ring style gown, with think straps on her shoulders, jewelry between her breasts and a space at the back for her elegant tail. She also wore purple high heeled shoes.
BlackGatomon wore a burgundy party dress, with short sleeves, thicker shoulder straps, with a V-cut neckline, the dress cut above the knees and a hole for her tail at the back. She wore red high heeled shoes.
"Have you heard anything from Calumon yet?" BlackGatomon asked.
"He and Mr Wong are trying to figure out where our Antibody selves are hiding. In the meantime, Leomon's got a job as a teacher in one of the local schools" Renamon said adjusting her dress.
"At least our lion buddy got something to do in the daytime" BlackGatomon said with a smile before she notice something. "Hey, Foxy? Are you alright?"
"I am more worried about our Antibody counterparts. I'd never sense such rage... such anger towards us" Renamon said.
"They don't seem angry when we confronted them." BlackGatomon pointed out.
"They were showing some of it but most of it is hidden within their bodies. I could sense it" Renamon said before she looked up at the ceiling.
"You saw Guilmon's reaction to his X self too, right? BlackGuilmon... that guy... Guilmon must be frustrated at the many evil doubles he is gaining."
"He must have some bad history with duplicates" BlackGatomon said.
"He has. He was the only Guilmon around. He was created by Takato's drawings" Renamon replied.
"Then what he need is a good rest. He is working so hard." BlackGatomon advised as she goes to her bag and pulls out three tickets. "I brought three tickets for a outside hot springs where all three of us can relax."
"A hot springs? Why set this up, Kitty?" Renamon asked as she looked at her.
"You lot have been working so hard. You both need to relax for a bit" BlackGatomon said. "It won't do you much good if you all are stressed."
"I guess so. But we must work together to convince him to come" Renamon said.
"That's the spirit. As his lovers we must do our best to comfort him in bad times" BlackGatomon said.
This earned a smile from the fox.
"So where is Studmon anyway?" BlackGatomon said.
"Impmon called him for a private talk." Renamon answered. "I just hope they be alright."
-In the alleyway-
"So, what do you think of our newest enemies?" Impmon asked.
He and Guilmon are seen in a district alleyway facing each other as they discuss their thoughts on their new enemies.
"He may not be our black counterparts, but I can tell whatever they plan is nothing good" Guilmon said still glaring. "We have got to stop them!"
"I'd agree, but we don't know where they are! They hidden themselves in the Real World well" Impmon pointed out.
"Calumon's on the lookout for their hideout" Guilmon said.
He then slammed his fist on the wall letting his frustration out.
"Damn! First BlackGuilmon and now Guilmon X! Don't I have any good copies?!" he snapped.
"Take it easy, Pineapple Head. You've been stressing yourself out" Impmon said trying to calm the dinosaur down. "Besides, you didn't have a good rest after a while. Fox-face and alley cat would be concerned about you."
"I know but I have responsibility as a leader" Guilmon sighed.
"Being a leader dosen't mean working yourself rigid" Impmon said "You need to remain calm under situations like this."
Guilmon just nods at this as he looked at the sky.
Impmon decided for a change of topic to a lighter mood.
"Also, I have been told by Fillymon. You with Renamon AND BlackGatomon. That's lucky for a mon like you." Impmon said.
"I am glad BlackGatomon like me too but my first will always be Renamon" Guilmon flushed. "Besides, I still think..."
But then both Digimon stop mid sentence as both pick up an evil energy.
"Guilmon! This presence!" Impmon said.
"It must be..." Guilmon said.
At this, a dark portal open and a familiar Horse Deva emerged from it.
"Indramon!" Guilmon and Impmon said together, preparing for battle.
Indramon looked around before he spots them. He grins nastily.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The red dinosaur whom killed me before. We meet again." Indramon said.
"Never thought the leader of the Syndicate would come out like this!" Guilmon snarled.
"Acting as though I am not here. Still same old jerk-face" Impmon scoffed.
"Heh. Why would I waste my time with someone like you? My attention is to you, my red foe!" Indramon scoffed.
His attention stayed on Guilmon.
"Yes. Thanks to you, the Devas are now traitors to the Sovereigns and were cast out. I created the Syndicate with my other fellow Devas, whom you defeated, to exact revenge upon you and your friends." Indramon said.
"Yeah. And we were also told you created those Anti-Body freakshows!" Impmon snarled.
"Oh, so you encountered them eh?"
"Yeah. And they had killed Takashi Mishima!" Guilmon spoke up.
"Ah yes. I did make an agreement with Mishima to allow us to rampage the real world as long as he won the election. I knew he that typical human was gonna betray us eventually. But it seems my little creations have killed him for me." Indramon said.
"Well now it's your turn. But your death will be done by us!" Impmon snarked.
"Hahaha! That is laughable as you couldn't defeat me before!" Indramon mocked.
"Impmon's gotten a lot stronger since the last time you fought him! It will be different this time!" Guilmon spoke up.
"Is that right? And you don't have your Tamer anymore! Which means my time for revenge has finally arrived. Now it's your turn to die!" Indramon smirked.
He then take out his horn and implanted it to the ground.
"Guilmon, let's take him down together!" Impmon spoke to the red dinosaur.
"Yes but we need to take this fight away from innocent people as it is still daylight." Guilmon said.
Both nodded and then glowed.
"Guilmon digivolve to... Growlmon. Growlmon matrix digivolve to... WarGrowlmon!"
"Impmon warp digivolve to... Beelzemon!"
Afterwards, they leap away from the alleyway to find a suitable place to fight as Indramon gave chase.
-Back at the Studios-
Renamon and BlackGatomon both sensed Indramon's presence and rose from their chairs.
"Indramon's here! And it seem WarGrowlmon and Beelzemon are moving them to a different location away from innocent people!" BlackGatomon said.
"Guilmon and Impmon may need help! Come on! Let's get going!" Renamon said.
They all rushed out of the door.
In the Wong apartment, Terriermon and Lopmon also sensed Indramon's movement and head out to join the others.
Monodramon told Leomon about it over the phone and they head out too.
Guardromon and MarineAngemon also got the news and headed over.
Dawnmon and Fillymon also headed out as well, sensing the danger.
Janryu and Calumon are still at the base monitoring all events.
"Indramon... why would the leader of the Syndicate come out now? Usually Syndicate Digimon attack at night" Janryu said.
"I do not know but WarGrowlmon and Beelzemon are leading him away from the populace. We don't want innocent people killed." Calumon said.
"I am sure hope they can hold him off till the other Knights arrive." he mumbled to himself.
WarGrowlmon and Beelzemon found a deserted area on the outskirts of the city and turned to face Indramon, who catches up to them.
"So this is where you both chose as your final resting place." Indramon said.
"Ours... or yours." Beelzemon said.
"Truth to be told, I only came to this world to seek out your Anti-Body counterparts and retrieve what they stole from me. Expect I am face to face with you which is perfect." Indramon said.
"Of course. You're after the Reboot Program aren't you?" WarGrowlmon said.
"Too bad for you, we will not let you or our doubles to use that program for anything!" He added.
"Tch. Enough words. Time to end the Tamers by eliminating their Digimon once and for all!" Indramon scowled as he took out his horn.
He then charges at the two.
Beelzemon and WarGrowlmon leap away from his strike, splitting up for more ground cover.
"Wargrowlmon, can you read me? You're fighting Indramon?" Calumon's voice contacted on WarGrowlmon's earpiece.
"Yeah. He came here seeking the Anti-Body Assassins and the Reboot Program but he decides to exact his revenge on us first!" WarGrowlmon replied.
"Hold him off as much as you both can. The others are on their way" Calumon reported.
"There's no time. WarGrowlmon and I will finish this!" Beelzemon said.
Beelzemon held up his Berenjena and called out. "Double Impact!"
He fires from his guns and it aimed at the former Deva.
But the horse Digimon held his horn and it absorbed the attack.
'Oh no! He's gonna use that attack!' WarGrowlmon thought.
"Horn of Desoluton!"
Indramon blew his horn and send ultrasonic waves at Beelzemon.
WarGrowlmon suddenly pushed Beelzemon out of the way.
The attack struck him instead.
The force sending the cyborg saurian crashing into a rocky wall.
"WarGrowlmon!" Beelzemon called out.
Indramon then darted forward and using his right front hoof pinned WarGrowlmon's face against the wall.
"I'm not taking any chances with you this time!" Indramon snarked. "If you value your mouth, surrender to the Syndicate!"
"I... I promised myself I protect my friends! I'd never fall to you!" WarGrowlmon snarled.
"Heh. What? Are you trying to act like the perfect leader? You're as worthless as your human partner!" Indramon mocked.
WarGrowlmon snarled at this. Part of him worried the horse-Deva was right.
"Now, prepare to join your human... in death!" Indramon said as he raise his hoof to finish him off.
However…
"Dragon Wheel!"
A dragon made of blue fire appeared, lunging for Indramon.
The evil leader of the Syndicate saw it coming and back away from WarGrowlmon.
The fiery figure stood between Indramon and the Knights' leader.
"Stay away from our boyfriend!"
The flames subsided, revealing Kyubimon.
She took a protective stance over WarGrowlmon.
On her back was BlackGatomon.
"Kyubimon... BlackGatomon..." WarGrowlmon said as he slowly rose to his feet.
"Hey Studmon. We came at the nick of time" BlackGatomon said sliding off Kyubimon's back.
"And we didn't come alone" Kyubimon added.
As she said this, Gargomon, Antylamon, Cyberdramon, SaberLeomon, Hinoirimon, Fillymon, Guardromon and MarineAngemon arrived at the scene together.
"Wait a minute. That's Leomon right? How did he digivolve?" Beelzemon asked.
"I trained with Cyberdramon in my spare time. Somehow I managed to digivolve without Jeri" SaberLeomon answered.
"I am sorry, guys. I'd should've been better at being a leader and I..." WarGrowlmon began to say.
"WarGrowlmon, don't listen to a thing he'd said" Gargomon responds. "You're doing amazing. Even taking us by surprise when you first announced we are Knights."
"He's just saying that to make you feel bad. But we've seen how you done." Cyberdramon said.
"You don't need to protect us all the time. We wanna protect you too. We're friends after all" Antylamon said.
"You need to stop putting all the burden on yourself. We can fight for ourselves. Just be a good leader and help guide us, not worry about our protection over yours." SaberLeomon said.
"And don't worry about our dark and Anti-body counterparts. We will put a stop to them, together." Guardromon added.
WarGrowlmon's eyes widened as their words of support got through to him.
And what more surprising, Kyubimon stood on her hind feet and kiss his right cheek.
BlackGatomon leaps up onto him and kiss his left cheek.
"And you've got two of the hottest digi-babes backing you up!" BlackGatomon said.
"We'll love you no matter what. You don't have to be perfect. You'll be yourself" Kyubimon smiled.
WarGrowlmon closed his eyes and gave a silent smile.
"So the group all gathered." Indramon spoke up causing all to glare at him.
"Dosen't matter who shows up, I will make sure you all join your human partners in death!" Indramon added.
"Yeah, say the Digimon who goes hiding behind his Syndicate flunkies!" Hinoirimon retorted.
"And I will deal with you myself!" Beelzemon said.
"No. I will."
All turned to see WarGrowlmon slowly moving forward.
"I am the reason Indramon started the Syndicate so I'll be the one to finish it" he said. "But everyone, thank you for your support. I am pushing it too hard to push all responsibility on myself. But if I were to prove myself as leader of the Knights, I need to prove myself. So support me and I'll support you all."
The Digimon all smiled and allowed him to fight.
"You think you can defeat me? Don't forget. I lived for this moment!" Indramon scowled before he charged again.
He threw out his fist but WarGrowlmon caught it, shocking the Deva.
"So have I!" roared WarGrowlmon.
He used the back of his hand to slam the horse deva into another wall.
"Atomic Blaster!"
WarGrowlmon followed it up with a barrage of lasers from his canons.
The shots landed in the center of Indramon's chest.
The horse deva gasped in pain from the gaping hole in his body.
"Impossible! How could I lose twice to the same Digimon?!" he gasped.
"It's all over. The Syndicate is finished!" Beelzemon said.
"Don't be... so sure... *cough* even if I die... The Syndicate will live on... a new leader will rise and the Syndicate will still rise... against you. *cough*" Indramon coughed while smirking evilly.
"Even so, we will stop your organization no matter what" Kyubimon said.
"Now before you die, tell me! What are the Anti-Body Assassins up to?!" WarGrowlmon demanded.
"Hehehehe... *cough cough* You'll find out... soon enough... Go to Warehouse 74... a secret passageway underground... if only I could watch them... destroy you..."
Indramon then burst into data and vanished.
"It's over" Gargomon said as he turns back to Terriermon.
Guilmon returned to his rookie form and collapsed to the ground exhausted.
"Guilmon, are you alright?" Lopmon panicked.
"He's alright. He's just exhausted. He must have use too much power using that attack" Impmon said.
"Leave him to Foxy and me. We'll look after him" BlackGatomon said.
She and Impmon helped place Guilmon onto Kyubimon's back.
Then the black cat climbed onto her back herself.
"Give us word when you find Warehouse 74!" Kyubimon said.
She then galloped off with Guilmon and BlackGatomon astride her.
"Guess we should return to our normal lives too. Calumon will find the warehouse for us" SaberLeomon said.
Everyone nod and returned to where they were before.
Their final showdown is nearing.