"Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love."
~Morihei Ueshiba~
The Troopmon were supposed to be Bagra's ideal soldiers, without the ability to think for themselves and charge into battle blindly for a reason they didn't even understand. But they were weak, and their thoughtlessness left them unable to think for themselves. They needed constant direction and replenishing, but they were easy to replace and sometimes their sheer numbers were enough to overwhelm a Zone. Even if they weren't, they served to weaken any resistance and left any enemies an easy task of disposing for the Generals. They were like parts of a machine; without opinion, personality, or intelligence, only the instinct to fight and follow orders. Such a simple programming was pitiful, but Reapmon was grateful for it. It allowed there to be a small gap in patrols that gave him just enough time to slip into Tactimon's personal meeting room where he met with his subordinates to discuss battle strategies without being caught.
He eased the door shut silently behind himself, relieved the room was empty as he'd hoped. He didn't waste any time, heading straight for the table in the center of the room and looking over the map labeled 'Jungle Zone' splayed over it. There was simple markings on it, making the tactics effortless to discern. Tactimon had always had a straight-forward approach to battle, usually relying on pure strength, though he was no fool. Reapmon picked out Pteramon, Drimogemon, and Shurimon among the forces he intended to use, all which would excel in the Jungle Zone.
Pteramon can drop bombs from above and are small enough to fly between trees if needed, Drimogemon can burrow underground and get behind opponents without being noticed, and Shurimon are quick as well as experts in camouflage, which will do well in dense foliage... A difficult combination to overcome...
"I thought I might find you here..."
Reapmon glanced over his shoulder at Tactimon, not having heard the door open. He mentally cursed his carelessness and turned to fully face the swordsman. "My apologies, sir. I've overstepped my bounds again."
"Yes, you have. Emphasis on the again. Why Laylamon gives you so much slack I will never understand.. Anyways, I was actually looking for you." Tactimon replied, closing the door, and approaching the table as well.
"How may I serve you?" Reapmon asked curiously.
Tactimon grimaced. "I'm afraid Dorulumon is still a no-show, and I intend to carry out the siege on Jungle Zone in two days."
"You want me to find him?"
"No. We can't assure he'll be found or in fighting condition. If he's alive and has intentions of returning to Lord Bagra's service, he'll find his own way back. I want you to join my company as his replacement."
The reaper shifted slightly, hoping it wasn't noticeable. "With all due respect sir, I'm an assassin. I don't walk on the front lines. That's why I serve under Laylamon's army."
"I'm aware. Fight however you prefer, I'll be taking the lead of the attack in Dorulumon's place. I just need another strong soldier other than the basic ones I have planned here as a fall back. There's quite a little resistance starting up there that may cause some trouble. Your skill set is most viable in this Zone compared to my remaining subordinates, and Laylamon said she doesn't require your help at the moment. You can fight however you like." Tactimon explained. "Besides, I'm sure you've already memorized the map, haven't you? And you know the way to the Hidden Sanctuary."
"Yes, those are both true." There wasn't a point in denying it.
"Then I guess we're at an agreement."
"I guess we are." Reapmon murmured, turning toward the door. "If that's all, I'll be leaving now."
"Just be ready at dawn two days from now."
The sun was slowly making it's descent down toward the horizon as Mervamon headed to her post by the Sanctuary, and she was glad to be returning. The hours since the Bagra assassin had left had seemed to drag on forever, and she wasn't even able to waste the time sleeping. Each passing second was counting down the time until Bagra army attacked, and it had left her restless, spending the majority of the day training and sharpening her sword so it would be in peak condition.
Once she reached the Sanctuary, she was surprised to find Lilamon and Stingmon already there.
"Hey, what are you two doing here..?" Mervamon asked, stopping next to them.
"Well Stingmon's finally all rested up and feels better, and is ready to take over guard duty again. Isn't that great?" Lilamon replied.
"No!" Mervamon blurted out in panic, though upon seeing their shocked looks and realizing how it sounded, she quickly added, "I mean, he just got better. He might get worse again if he takes up guard duty so soon. I can still do it."
"Really Mervamon, I feel fine. I really appreciate you taking over for me, but you should be at home with Ignitemon." Stingmon told her gently.
Lilamon nodded. "Poor thing probably misses you all day."
"I.. I know.. But please, just one or two more days. I can't explain to you why, but I need to. Please, it might not seem it, but it's very important." Mervamon said, and the pleading and almost desperate tone to her voice must have been enough, because Stingmon sighed in resignation.
"Alright, just two more nights.. If it's really this important, I trust you mean it and will do the right thing."
Mervamon relaxed, relieved he'd agreed without arguing too much. "Of course. I only want what's best for Jungle Zone and everyone who lives here."
The warrior tapped her foot on the ground impatiently, glancing occasionally at the moon's progress across the sky. It was already nearly at it's zenith, and he still hadn't shown up. The next thirty minutes dragged on unbearably slow, until she jumped at a sudden rustling to her left.
"About time you got here." Mervamon growled, crossing her arms as Reapmon stepped out of the foliage into the clearing. She couldn't help but notice how his bright white cloak stuck out like a sore thumb against the dark shadows and dark greens of the forest and wondered how he managed to sneak up on her every time.
"Sorry, I ran into some complications." He apologized, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Well, did you get the battle plans?"
"I was able to memorize them, yes. It's simple but extremely effective. Tactimon's planning on leading the Troopmon himself, and he's using Pteramon for aerial support, Drimogemon for getting behind any barriers you might put up to get straight to the Sanctuary, and Shurimon for an advantage in fighting in the trees. He said he'll be here at dawn in two days time. Well, I guess since it's past midnight, it will be in just over 24 hours." Reapmon told her, drawing out a basic replica of Tactimon's map in the dirt.
Mervamon bit her lip nervously. Only a little over a day..?
"Do you know any Digimon living here that can fight each group of soldiers?" Reapmon prompted, looking up at her.
"..No, but maybe Stingmon would..." Mervamon replied, rubbing the side of her arm.
"Right, you're not the exactly the strategist here. Then go and fetch him and see if he can figure something out. I'll wait."
"What..?! I can't tell him I'm working with someone in the Bagra Army! And I'm not leaving you alone with Sanctuary!" Mervamon snapped.
The assassin shook his head. "If I wanted to get to the Code Crown, I would have killed you and done it by now. I really don't think I could even get passed the barrier. As for Stingmon, he doesn't need to know I'm under Bagra's service at the moment. Besides, if you can actually fight off Tactimon here, I might consider joining your little group."
"What makes you think we'd let you? If you'll backstab your other comrades at the drop of a hat like that, what's stopping you from turning on us?"
"I told you, I don't want a Digital World ruled by Bagra. I never have. I have my own reasons for what I'm doing. Now either waste more time arguing with me, or bring Stingmon here, or take me to him if you really don't want to leave me here. You only have a day to make a battle plan and prepare everyone for it."
Mervamon hesitated for a few heartbeats before giving in, realizing he had a point. "..Alright, fine... I'll take you to him. You'd better not make me regret this."
He dipped his head. "Of course. I am on your side after all, whether you believe me or not."
"Whatever, let's just go already." She said, turning on her heel and starting into the forest.
"Oh, and there's something else I should tell you." Reapmon said, falling into step with her brisk pace.
"What is it?" Mervamon asked in irritation.
"Tactimon caught me while I was looking over his strategy."
"And why should I care?"
"He told me he wants me to join the attack."
Mervamon stopped and whirled around to face him. "And you agreed?!"
"It's not like I had a choice. But it's fine-"
"That is not 'fine'! That means you're going to be killing my friends! What's the point of helping us now then?!" Mervamon spat, drawing her sword.
"Let me finish.." Reapmon interrupted, an edge to his voice. "Tactimon didn't give me a specific set of directions. He told me to fight how I want. Anything I do he will not see as suspicious, as he will not know what to expect me to do. I can slip away and get ahead of his army and join up with your forces, or pick off his before they even get to you. I can't stop the Drimogemon, but I can fight the Pteramon and Shurimon, as well as Troopmon."
Mervamon relaxed slightly at his explanation, lowering her sword. "Alright... I guess that makes sense..." She shook her head. "Come on, Stingmon's home isn't too far from here..."
The rest of the short walk was spent in silence, and once the small hut was in sight. Mervamon stopped and turned to Reapmon. "Stay here. I'll let him know what's going on before introducing you, so he doesn't freak out or anything."
He nodded in acknowledgment, and Mervamon walked up to the door, knocking and waiting restlessly for someone to answer. After nearly a minute, the door opened and Lilamon blinked out at her tiredly. "Is something wrong, hun..?"
Mervamon sighed, feeling inwardly guilty for waking her but knowing it was too important to avoid. "Yes.. I need to speak with Stingmon immediately."
"Well, I'll go and get him. Would you like to come inside?"
"Yes, but.. I've brought someone else to meet Stingmon.."
Lilamon blinked. "Oh? A friend of yours?"
Mervamon snorted and shook her head. "Hardly... He says he'll help against Bagra's Arny though."
"Well, alright. I'll go get Stingmon, and you can come on in and bring your frie- er, acquaintance too."
Mervamon sighed and beckoned Reapmon over, stepping into the house.
Lilamon returned not long after with Stingmon in tow, looking confused, though he shook it off when he noticed Mervmon and Reapmon. "What's going on?"
"Tactimon's going to attack very soon.." Mervamon replied quietly.
"How soon exactly..?"
"Next dawn, approximately 24 hours.."
Stingmon grimaced. "And I'm guessing you're here to plan a counterattack?"
"We don't have much choice, or time." She replied, nodding.
The insect Digimon nodded and looked to the stranger. "And he is..?"
"My name is Reapmon. I'm here to help fight against Tactimon." The reaper replied, dipping his head politely.
"Well, any help is appreciated and needed.. I'm not sure how we'll be able to fight back against Tactimon's troops though.."
"I've infiltrated their base, and know Tactimon's plans." Reapmon said, though upon Stingmon's and Lilamon's surprised expressions, he added, "It would take too long to explain how."
Stingmon nodded slowly. "Oookay.. Then please do tell us what they are."
After explaining to the two other Digimon what he'd told Mervamon, Stingmon frowned and crossed his arms. "That will be difficult to counter... The Pteramon will be a big problem, since most Digimon here are stuck on the ground. As for the Drimogemon, if they're trying to get to the Hidden Sanctuary, we can just have most of our forces close to it with our backs to the wall, so they'll have to appear in front of us to get inside. It can't be dug into, so we don't have to stop them from that, and they can't be behind us. And all of the Digimon here are used to living among the trees and are well hidden in the leaves, so they can hold their own against Shurimon and Troopmon. But Tactimon himself..." Stingmon shook his head. "I don't think we can stop him..."
"He may retreat if his forces dwindle too low." Lilamon offered.
Reapmon shook his head. "Tactimon's different from the other Generals. They'll retreat if things start going South, but Tactimon will keep fighting himself. He must be took out. Picking off his soldiers and ganging up against him, or using the environment to your advantage is the only way."
Stingmon remained silent for a while, then murmured, "All the weak Digimon who can't protect themselves will be rounded up and put into Sanctuary. We'll need to talk with Deckerdramon first so he'll let them. Then we can have Cherrymon, Woodmon, and Floramon can protect Sanctuary. All of those who can fly, including myself, will engage the Pteramon. Then anyone else who can maneuver through trees quickly will fight Shurimon and Troopmon. Everyone will just have to avoid Tactimon until his forces are weakened. And while asking Deckerdramon permission for Digimon to hide inside Sanctuary, we'll see if he will be able to help us fight. He should be able to stand up to Tactimon."
"If you can convince Deckerdramon, I believe you will actually stand a decent chance of saving your Zone." Reapmon agreed, looking impressed.
"Then we'd better start gatherin' everyone now. It's going to take some time and we don't have any to spare." Lilamon said, starting toward the door.
"Alright, I will join you shortly." Stingmon told her, looking to Mervamon after she'd gone. "Do you think Ignitemon is ready to fight..?"
Mervamon looked horrified. "What..? No! There is no way I'm letting him fight! He'll get hurt!"
Stingmon gave her a sympathetic look. "I know how you feel, but we don't have much choice.. I don't want Lilamon getting hurt either, but I know we'll need to rely on her to help us fight as well. We don't have any numbers to spare.. And his ability will make fighting large groups so much easier.."
"Y-Yes, but... What if something happens to him..?"
"It's not a guarantee he'll be hurt, but if we lose here, then it will be..." Stingmon replied gently.
Mervamon sighed, knowing he was right. "I'll talk to him about it..."
"Thank you.. For now, just focus on gathering as many Digimon as you can and have them meet up at the Sanctuary. I need to go catch up with Lilamon now, so good luck.."
Mervamon nodded in acknowledgment and waved to him as he left, still uneasy at the thought of Ignitemon fighting against the Bagra Army. She was startled out of her thoughts when Reapmon spoke up.
"I need to head back now, so I don't get in any trouble. But I'll meet you on the battlefield when the time comes. In a friendly regard, of course. And I will see if I can stall Tactimon for more time for you to get ready, though don't depend on it. If I do stall him, it will only be for a few minutes at most. I can't fool him like I can the other Generals."
"Alright.. Just try not to get yourself killed between now and then.. As much as I hate to say it, we do need your help.." Mervamon replied.
Reapmon only nodded in response, opening a portal and vanishing inside without another word.
Mervamon sighed and started towards her own home, stopping at any other homes she found along the way to pass on the message to meet at Sanctuary.
Is letting Ignitemon fight really a good idea..? I know Stingmon said it was, but... She shook her head. I'll just keep him in my sights and fight harder than I have ever before in my life.
