The Future is Now

"I am Endumon." I whisper, holding my hands out in front of my face. The air around me sets my sensors aflame, the wind whirling through my fingers. I turn my head to examine my surroundings. I see sheets of metal coating the ground. Smoke flickers through the air. In the distance, a squadron of machine digimon stand vigilant at the base of a cliff. A line of digimon, chained together, walk past them into the cliff edge.

I begin walking towards the cliff, setting the fragments of memory I have into a basic timeline of my life. I am a member of the Royal Knights, Endumon, master of time. I fought alongside my fellow knights in the last battle against a being of pure evil… why can't I remember what it was? It was dangerous, terrifying, invincible…

I begin to levitate towards the cliff, picking up speed. A sudden flash of light erupts at the cliff, followed by a series of explosions. I clap my arms to my side and accelerate rapidly, pale blue energy encasing my body, leaving a streak of light across the dark sky. Sparks fly from my left side and I fall to the earth again. My flight function has been damaged, however, all other systems seem to be in full working order.

I walk up to the nearest digimon, a Datamon, holding out my hands in a show of peace. "I do not wish to harm you. What is going on here?" The machine draws itself up to its full height, an impressive feat. "Commander HiAndromon has given us our orders from our Lord and Master. The machines will fulfil our duty to execute these traitors to the cause. They are a danger to our lasting peace. Surely, as a fellow machine, you can see the truth of our creed; All beings will follow God into the eternal light."

"Traitors?" I enquire. "They were found questioning the power and authority of our Lord. This is treason of the highest order." hisses the diminutive perfect level. Its features are contorted in a sadistic smile. I can hear the malice in its voice.

"By order of the Royal Knights, cease this barbarity." I declare, by arms by my sides. "Never! You are a traitor! Now you will die!" screams Datamon, its voice spurring a swarm of Mekanorimon and Guardromon into motion, launching beams and missiles towards me. I burst upwards, ducking and weaving through their attacks.

A cry of "Light Leg!" draws my attention from them. I look up to see a Strabimon break free of its chains and launch a glowing kick into the visible core of a Mekanorimon. The latter falls on its back, arms splayed. A second voice cries out "Hyper Shot" as the rest of the prisoners flee the battle, only Strabimon remaining to fight. I turn to see the newcomer, a machine in the shape of a human. Its face is hidden by a dark visor, a gauntlet on its right hand with two large claws protruding from the knuckles.

The newcomer launches streams of energy from four shoulder-mounted blasters with a shout of "Hyper Shot", darting ahead to slash at a pair of Guardromon, crying "Metal Slash" as he runs. I dive down, grabbing Strabimon and the newcomer in one movement. I drop them several metres away from the enemy and turn, collecting energy in my fist, releasing it while calling the name of my technique.

"Big Bang Burst!" The energy takes on a golden sheen and I unleash it, vaporising the enemy, along with a large chunk of the cliff face. I jump forwards to the gaping hole in the rock, holding it open as a crowd of child level digimon scramble to safety. As soon as they free themselves, I drop it, the newcomer blasting the rocks to dust with that "Hyper Shot" technique.

I offer my hand to the newcomer, who laughs and waves his gauntlet at me, offering his left instead. "Good to finally see another machine out here. Name's Raidermon. Pleased to meet you…" "Endumon, of the Royal Knights." The two of them freeze in panic. Strabimon starts shaking.

"Just make it quick!" he yelps. "I've seen what some of your comrades can do when they meet us supposed traitors." I gaze at him for a moment. "What?" "Don't play dumb." hisses Raidermon, stepping between me and the child. "You so-called protectors of the peace have been executing innocent digimon and capturing humans for torture."

"What?" I gasp, frozen in shock. "The Royal Knights… if what you say is true… I must go." "Why?" hisses the android. I turn and glare at him. "The Royal Knights are guardians, righteous, loyal and honest. They would not kill so indiscriminately… unless… unless they cannot control themselves. I need to find out what has happened."

"Then I'm coming with you." they say in tandem, looking to each other in surprise. "No." I insist, walking away as I speak. "If the knights have lost control of themselves, then they are too dangerous for you to face. Any of their members could easily destroy the both of you."

"I don't care." whispers Strabimon. "They captured my partner and turned her into a soldier. Right after she started to become a better partner… I have to stop that from happening to other digimon." Raidermon laughs heartily. "That's what I like to hear from a child level. Determination and Loyalty. You're all right, kid."

"Very well. I suppose it would be safer for you to accompany me rather than risk your lives going alone." I shake my head, before asking the question that I know will quash any respect they may have for me.

"Which continent is this? Server, Folder, Monitor?" Strabimon's jaw drops. Raidermon just shrugs before responding, although his voice seem to be masking a fit of laughter. "Processor. It got restored a few decades ago after that business with Chaosmon finally got dealt with. How did you not know that?"

"I have come from the future," I whisper, barely holding back the rage in my voice. "The future wherein the entirety of the Digital World was destroyed by a threat even greater than that of Chaosmon. A being so vile and powerful that even its identity was shrouded in evil. All I know is that it managed to defeat Alphamon in combat and continue fighting against the Royal Knights, unharmed. And I have come back to make sure that it never becomes a threat. I have to find it and destroy it. I will almost certainly fail. If you still wish to follow me, I cannot guarantee your safety or even your survival."

The two digimon share a sceptical glance. Raidermon shakes his head a moment later. "Doesn't matter to me. I get attacked by nearly anyone I come across, besides the 'traitors' that your fellow Knights are only too eager to punish. I might as well go down saving the future." Strabimon nods his agreement.

I gaze up at the moon before making my decision. "Then we go. We go to the Royal Knights."

Digidex:

Endumon/ Attribute: Data/ Level: Super Ultimate/ Type: Phantom Cyborg/ Attacks: Continuum Blitz, Big Bang Burst, Death's Head Cannon, Pulsar Destroyer/ Finisher: Antimatter Sphere

A member of the Royal Knights from a war torn future, he has the power to manipulate time and space.

Raidermon/ Attribute: Data/ Level: Perfect/ Type: Machine/ Attacks: Metal Slash, Hyper Shot/ Finisher: Destroyer Bombardment

A mechanical mercenary, he can analyse combat situations in seconds and adjust his strategy accordingly.

(Okay, let me know how well the story is going; if there are no suggestions for cameos by next chapter, I'll start putting in my own.)