Part 1: The Five Generals

Chapter 2: First DigiXros

With a grunt of pain, Taiki slowly opened his eyes, taking in a much different landscape than he remembered. The sky was pierced with strange clouds, patches of green blocks rather than fluffy white. He recalled falling for a long while before he lost consciousness, and he could remember a weight attached to him...

"Akari!" he realised, jumping to his feet the next second and really wishing he hadn't as a thumping pain shot through his head. Ignoring it for the present, he looked around. "Akari!" There she was, lying in an awkward pile a short distance away. Running to her side, he knelt and checked her over. There was a small cut on her forehead that had bled, but otherwise she seemed okay. Gently shaking her, he whispered her name. "Akari..."

She shifted under his hands, her breathing deepening as she wearily opened her eyes. "Taiki," she muttered, feeling really tired. "Is it time for school already?"

Taiki stifled a chuckle at her childish sounding words. "I don't think so. Are you alright?"

She tried to move, but found herself in too much pain. "I feel like I crashed into something," she grimaced. Her eyes opened wide as she took in the sky. "What's wrong with the clouds?"

"What are you talking about? They look perfect to me."

"Where did that come from?" asked Akari fearfully, looking about herself in a blind panic, before wincing.

"Akari, stay still a second and rest, okay?" said Taiki. She was about ready to argue the point with him, but she could hear the concern in his voice and accepted his words.

"Okay, I will."

"Good." He offered her a genuine smile before focusing on what he had heard before. It sounds just like that person I helped before, he thought before speaking. "Where are you?"

"Heh. I'm inside your Xros Loader," was the answer Taiki received.

Taiki retrieved the red device from his pocket. "What, this? Whoa!" he cried as it lit up with a red light and a deep chuckle sounded from it.

"That's right! I can feel a crazy amount of energy being poured into my body. I'm going to be stronger than ever before by the time this is finished," the voice proclaimed proudly. "So, this is the mystical Xros Loader."

"Mystical...?"

"That's right. I've only ever heard rumours of it; a device that can increase a Digimon's strength."

Digimon...? thought Taiki confusedly.

"Okay! I'm fully healed and ready to go. Taiki! Set me free."

"...How do I do that?"

"Hmm," the voice mused. "According to the rumours, you have to say reload, plus the name of the Digimon you want to set free. So! I bet you want to know."

Want to know...? pondered Akari as she winced against a peal of ringing in her painful head.

"I bet you're wondering. You want to know, right? My name. Carve it deep in your minds! Say it with pride."

Taiki grinned at the thought of knowing this person's name. "Tell me."

"My name is Shoutmon!"

With a flourish, Taiki held the Xros Loader at arm's length and clearly intoned, "Reload, Shoutmon!" With a burst of green light, a small, red creature that resembled a dinosaur or a dragon came into being. A heavy looking microphone was held loosely in his hands and he had a crooked smile set on his massive jowls.

"Heh. So, Taiki, what do you think?" asked Shoutmon, maintaining his pose, his eyes tightly closed from the smile on his face.

"What do I think?" repeated Taiki, his confusion clearly getting the better of him. Fortunately for him, Akari was more straightforward in her approach.

"I think the question is what are you?" she said as she struggled to her feet, gaining both Taiki and Shoutmon's attention.

"Akari," he whispered as he kept a steady hand on her for support.

"Thank you," she mouthed, not wanting to disrupt Shoutmon.

"Anytime," he mouthed back.

"I am the one who will become the Digimon King!" Shoutmon announced with an air of regality. "And you, Taiki, are my General."

"General?" spluttered Taiki in surprise.

"It is said that those who wield Xros Loaders are known as Generals. They wield armies of Digimon to help save us from the evil Bagura Empire."

"Bagura...Empire...?"

"Yes," growled Shoutmon, his face taking on an angry visage. "Led by Baguramon, they wield immense power."

"Brother! I thought you'd died. It's good to see you!" A star-shaped yellow being bounced into view, followed by smaller beings in two different shades and three different shapes, waddling on tiny feet, cheering for Shoutmon.

"Not a chance, Starmon," said Shoutmon, proudly sticking out his chest and hitting his thumb against it. "Thanks to my General, I'm better than ever."

Starmon bounced up to Taiki. "Thank you for saving my brother, General. If you would have us, both I and the Pickmons would like to join your army."

"Hold on a second!" said Taiki, holding up his hands in a placating motion. Shoutmon looked at him with concern. "I really don't know what's going on."

"What do you mean?" asked Shoutmon, now very worried by the reaction of his General.

"I just don't know what's going on," answered Taiki honestly. "One minute, we were in that alleyway, the next we're here, wherever here is."

"I can answer that question for you, brother!" said Starmon, hopping lightly on the spot. "This is Green Zone."

"Green Zone..."

"It's a peaceful place where a number of Digimon of different species live together in harmony."

A sudden growl tore through the area as a deep shadow zoomed over the children and their makeshift friends. Looking up, Taiki saw a giant foot rapidly descend towards them. "Akari!" he cried, grabbing her tightly as before, bounding to the side. The foot crashed down, sending shockwaves through the ground which upset everyone's balance and sent the Digimon crashing to the earth. As the dust settled, Taiki could make out an enormous creature with giant tusks that looked deadly sharp, glinting in the light. A massive gold relief was on its head in the shape of a strange eye, surprisingly since it didn't seem to have any eyes of its own. "What is that?" Taiki exclaimed before a beep from the Xros Loader drew his attention. An image of the monster hovered above the screen of the Xros Loader with writing surrounding it.

"Taiki, what does it say?" asked Shoutmon, genuinely interested in what the Xros Loader was capable of. After all, if it was as powerful as rumours would have him believe, it would be in his interest to learn everything he could about it. Since spending a few moments inside the Xros Loader, he could feel his strength has risen considerably. Perhaps, with Taiki and his Xros Loader, his dream of becoming Digimon King was not so far off any longer.

"Let me see," began Taiki, scanning the information as fast as the situation would allow.

"I'll read it," said Akari, taking command. "Keep an eye out for it while I read."

"Got it," he said easily, focusing his eyes on the giant mammoth-like creature.

"Mammon. Perfect Level. Ancient Beast Type. His attacks are Tusk Strikes and Tundra Breath. Taiki, where in the world are we?" she asked fearfully.

"I...honestly have no idea," he said.

"Less talking, more battling," shouted Shoutmon as he brandished his microphone. "This Mammon is too much for us, but we just have to delay it enough for us all to run. Okay, Starmon, Pickmons?"

"You got it, brother!" called Starmon as Shoutmon began creating a ball of fire from nothingness, focusing it in the palm of his hand. "Rock Damashii!" he cried as he let it fly into the Mammon's bulk. However, the attack was less than effective as it fizzled out as soon as it impacted, leaving nothing but a slight acrid smell of burning. "Damn it!"

"Meteor Squall!" said Starmon as the Pickmons began to fly around the Mammon's head, distracting it for sure, but annoying it a whole lot more, for it began to wildly swing its snout, trying to knock them out of the sky.

"Taiki! We don't have time to explain. You need to grab your friend and run! We'll hold him off as long as we can. Don't stop! Don't look back! We'll follow you as soon as we can!"

"...Shoutmon..."

"Heh. Don't go getting all emotional on me again. You need to be strong now for your friend. She needs you."

Taiki looked to his side to see Akari's eyes wide with fear, her hands tightly clinging to his arm, her fingers kneading the fabric of his shirt into small knots. "I understand. Follow after us, Shoutmon. Don't you go and die on me now!"

"Heh. Not a chance, my General. Now, go!"

"Come on, Akari!" Taiki gasped as he grabbed Akari's hand tightly and began to tug her after him, away from the enormous monster that was overwhelming his newfound friends without batting a proverbial eyelash. Away from Shoutmon who was risking his life to save theirs. Away from a battle that would most likely end in Shoutmon, Starmon and all the Pickmons losing. But losing what? This Green Zone was so unlike their home. What if they were to...?

"Akari, you have to keep running," said Taiki firmly, looking at his friend to gauge her reaction. "I have to help Shoutmon."

"But...Taiki...what are you saying? What do you think you can do against that thing? It's enormous! It'll squash you...and then you'll...and I'll be all alone...No! I won't lose you, Taiki!" She seemed on the verge of tears and she clung to his arm for dear life.

"I can't turn my back on them!"

"And I can't turn my back on you!"

"...Akari..."

"We go together," she said firmly, her resolve, for the moment, stronger than her fear.

Taiki agonised within himself, knowing that he didn't want to put her in danger, but also knowing that she would never forgive him if he pushed her away now. "Okay," he said quietly, "but stay behind me."

"Okay," Akari said just as breathily.

Together, hand-in-hand, they raced back to their friends.

"Damn it!" growled Shoutmon as reinforcements began to flood into the area. Large, bird-of-prey like beings began to swoop through the sky, letting off volleys of explosive rounds that sent chunks of earth blasting into the air. "I can't hit them with anything other than Rock Damashii, and they fly too fast for me to hit them accurately. Damn it, damn it, damn it!"

"We're outnumbered, brother!" fretted Starmon as some of the Pickmons fell to the floor, winded but alive while others had been cruelly deleted by the Mammon's vicious strikes. "We need to think of an escape plan."

I promised Taiki that I would follow after him, but it looks as though this second chance is going to be much shorter than I had hoped. Forgive me, General.

"Shoutmon!"

Shoutmon looked up in surprise as he spotted Taiki and Akari heading in their direction. "You fools! You damned idiots! What did I tell you? Don't stop, don't look back! Damn it! Now, you'll..."

"We couldn't ignore you, Shoutmon," called Taiki as he felt a tingle run through his body, like a jolt of electricity. What was that?

Use the DigiXros, Kudou Taiki.

"DigiXros...?"

The Xros Loader began to glow a pale red, drawing Taiki's attention to it. "I have a plan," he said firmly as the top of the Xros Loader popped up and a new symbol was revealed underneath, a golden boomerang shape.

"Pickmons! DigiXros!"

The Pickmons that were struggling on the ground were engulfed in a bright light before reappearing, transformed into an enormous slingshot.

"Heh, I don't know how you did it, Taiki, but with that, I can finally show those pesky Pteranomon who's in charge!"

"Pteranomon...?"

The Xros Loader glowed as before, displaying new information on the jet-like beings zooming above their heads. "Pteranomon. Armor Level. Pterosaur Type. Attacks are Side Winder and Beak Pierce. This is a different Level. Does this mean it's weaker than Mammon, Shoutmon?"

"Oh, yes. These are nothing more than target practice for me now. Taiki! Will you and your friend pull this slingshot back for me? I've got some Pteranomon to swat."

"Us?" started Akari, noting the sheer size of the slingshot Taiki's DigiXros had created. "We'll never be able to launch you that high."

"We'll never know unless we try," said Taiki, taking Akari's hand. "Come on! We can do this."

"...Okay! Let's give it our best shot." Grabbing a sturdy handful each, they tugged back with all their might, but the slingshot just wasn't taut enough for them to launch Shoutmon where he needed to go.

"Taiki! Try using the Xros Loader."

"...Xros Loader..."

With a shrug, Taiki pointed the Xros Loader at the slingshot and watched in amazement as a beam of light connected the two together. All Taiki had to do was move his arm back as far as was need for the slingshot to be prepped for firing.

"Shoutmon, are you ready? This is quite possibly insane, and may result in a whole world of hurt."

"Heh. No problem. I can rest in the Xros Loader later if needs be," said Shoutmon confidently. "Now then. Let's wahh!" Shoutmon's final words were drowned out by his yelp of surprise as Taiki let the slingshot fly. Recovering from his surprise quickly, Shoutmon spotted the Pteranomon coming in for their next bombing run. "Don't think you can get away from me this time." Grasping his microphone tightly, Shoutmon called out his attack. "Rowdy Rocker!" He smashed his microphone into each Pteranomon he could, causing several to explode and sending the rest plummeting to the ground below where they exploded on impact.

Shoutmon hovered momentarily, pleased with his actions before he began the rapid descent to the ground. Bracing himself for the fall, he tucked into a ball and rolled as he landed, ensuring that he would hurt but at least his legs would remain intact.

"Shoutmon, are you alright?" called Taiki, his voice laced with concern.

"Not to worry," said Shoutmon brightly. "This is nothing."

"Why don't I believe you?" said Taiki worriedly, noting the Mammon was once again on the attack. "Okay! Now to deal with you, Mammon."

The Xros Loader began to glow. "Shoutmon! Starmon! Pickmons! DigiXros!"

Starmon looked amazed as he disappeared in a flash of light along with the remaining Pickmons, only to reappear as the hilt of a blazing sword. "Star Sword!" called Shoutmon as he claimed the weapon for himself. "Here I come!" he cried as he ran for Mammon, the Star Sword glowing violently with lust for battle.

Mammon had seemingly had enough with them, for he called out his most devastating attack as Shoutmon rushed head-on into a rout. "Tundra Breath!" A deep torrent of ice was spat from Mammon's snout, heading straight for the already weakened Shoutmon.

"Shoutmon, no!" screamed Taiki as he prepared to watch his failure once again.

Without warning, a streak of lightning carved through Mammon's attack, rendering it beyond useless.

"What?" was all Shoutmon could say as he slumped to the floor, exhaustion getting the better of him.

"Where did that come from?" said Akari before she spotted a large being that was shaped like an insect charging up an attack, a steady stream of electricity coalescing into a huge ball of lightning that was hovering in front of the large horn atop its head.

"Plasma Crack!" came the deep voice as the ball shot at massive speed towards the Mammon, shredding its way through the enormous creature before escaping on its other side. A massive hole was left where the strike had drilled, tendrils of static crisping the frayed edges of the wound before Mammon screamed a harsh cry and was lost in a burst of green light.

Taiki and Shoutmon were open-mouthed at the display of sheer strength. In one attack, an enemy they could barely make a dent against had been mercilessly devastated.

Damn it, thought Shoutmon as he grit his teeth. I have to become stronger. What chance do I have of others respecting me enough for me to have a shot at becoming King if I can't even defend myself?

Akari stared, transfixed by the one who had saved their lives. However, just as soon as it was there, it turned and walked away. Akari held out her arm to reach for it. "What's the matter, Akari?" asked Taiki as he noticed her outstretched arm.

"...It's nothing," she replied, keeping her head turned to where she had seen the insect Digimon.

oOo

"Well done," said the young man as his Digimon returned to his original state, the teal Xros Loader in his hand shining brightly.

"It wasn't a problem, my General," was the reply as they headed to the front of their gathered army, the army under the banner of Static Flash. "Will you ever reveal yourself to them?"

The young man considered the question for a few moments. "Perhaps, but only when the time is right." With that, he turned to his army, gave a rough yell which was echoed by numerous free Digimon, then proclaimed loudly, "Now we advance on the Bagura Empire. To war!"

To Be Continued...

oOo

A/N: The mystery deepens while the danger becomes tangible. Who is the insect Digimon that saved everyone from certain peril? Who is the young man with the teal Xros Loader? Where has a new army come from? Answers in upcoming chapters.

I want to try and create an actual ranking system for Xros Digimon in this story, hence why I go into detail about what level enemies are. I also gave the Xros Loader new abilities, ones which I shamelessly borrowed from older seasons. From Tamers, the ability to scan Digimon data and inform the Xros Loader's owner as to the potential threat an enemy may possess, and from both Adventure and Adventure Zero Two, the ability to manipulate the world with their Xros Loader and the power of their hearts.

I never liked how you had to be told an enemy's name in Xros Wars. It seemed so backwards to me. Throughout seasons 1-5, there was always some way of knowing what you'd be up against. In Xros Wars, unless one of Xros Heart's Digimon already knew who it was, they were pretty much flying blind. I realise part of that was because they don't follow an actual levelling system like the older seasons, but since my story will have ranks, levels and types, I will have some way for Taiki to know what he's facing.