The Digimon gathered around the middle of their partially destroyed city. Chunks of stone and twisted steel still lined the ground as sand-like dust clung faintly to the air. The aftermath of every attack was like this... as was what inevitably followed.
"Come!" One of the creatures shouted at the Tamers. "This way! Maybe you can finally get them to stop this, Boss!"
Vex slowly approached as she scratched at the side of her face, blushing slightly. "W- well, I know we saved your life, but 'boss' is a bit..." Maybe staying in the Digital world wasn't so bad after all? This was their first real adventure. If they already gained the respect and admiration of an entire city, then that's a pretty promising start!
"A bit what, Boss?" The Digimon repeated before another one of the seal-like monsters quickly added, "Maybe she's shy, Boss!" Another one nodded back. "Yes, yes!" It said confidently. "I've heard of humans acting like that. Thanks, Boss! That explains everything." The second one also nodded in approval. "No problem, Boss! I'll try to not embarrass the other human Boss, Boss!"
As the white-haired girl staggered forward in disappointment, Lopmon crossed his arms in thought as he contemplated the scene. "I see..." the Digimon muttered. "It seems like you are not special after all. I've heard rumors of the BuildGomamon Village. But I was unaware that they considered everyone in their group to be their own leader. Everyone is their own... 'Boss,' if you will."
"Wait-!" Rita huffed at the revelation. "But that doesn't- If everyone's in charge, there IS NO Boss! That's-" The girl took a second to calm herself down as she walked to one of the Gomamon. "You! You're the 'Boss,' right? What would you do if one of the other Gomamon asked you to do something?!"
The BuildGomamon blinked in confusion, tilting its head as it thought the question through. "I'm... not sure what you mean, Boss? I'd do what they say. They are my Boss, after all!"
"Okay- Fine-" Rita responded, trying to follow their logic. "But then, what happens if one of them tells you to do one thing and someone else tells you to do something different? Like... umm..." After a second, the girl re-adjusted her glasses as she came up with an example. "What if one Gomamon told you to go to the forest, but another Gomamon told you to stand perfectly still? Who would you listen to?"
The BuildGomamon blinked several more times as it tried to figure out what the human in front of him was trying to say. "I... I'm not sure I understand...?" It asked, more confused than ever. "I would just go to the forest, go back, and then stand here, right? I can't go to the forest if I'm standing still. So I'd do one and then the other, Boss!"
The red-haired girl finally surrendered, slumping over in despair as the Digimon beamed a bright and cheerful smile at her. "I- I can't-..." she murmured. "I know their logic doesn't make sense, but I can't find any flaws in it... Digimon logic is impossible to fight through... what's even the point in trying..."
Suddenly, Lopmon's ear twitched as his attention went straight to the forest! "Rita! Vex! Someone's coming!"
The two humans immediately perked up as they glanced over to see two humanoid shapes walking towards them from the shadows! "Keramon!" Vex shouted as her Digimon flew over to her side. The monster's wildly grinning mouth cackled as it hovered in the air. Ready to act at a moment's notice.
Rita turned to face the seal-like creatures. "Hang on-!" She said. "What did you mean when you said 'get them to stop this'? Who the heck is 'Them'?!"
The figures began to get closer, their footsteps growing louder as one of the BuildGomamon spoke up. "Oh! She's horrible, Boss! She's one of the most vile things I've ever met." "Yeah!" another Digimon shouted. "Terrible! They all are!" A third Gomamon shuddered in fear before glaring at the person walking towards them. "They're a Black Digivice Tamer. And they're one of the Devils, too, Boss! A real nasty group that won't stop sending Kuwagamon at our town until we hand over our treasure."
Lopmon's face tensed at the explanation. "One of The Nine Devils... and if it's one of their field agents..." His eyes narrowed as he struggled to contain his anger at the thought. Flashes of memory and bitter emotions forced their way through the Digimon's mind as he tried to hold back his feelings. "She might be the one who did it. Be careful, Vex."
Finally, the figure left the treeline. The young girl's long blonde hair and white dress seemed to glow as the light touched her. Next to her, a humanoid fox-like creature could be seen, its yellow fur glistening as it put its arm in front of the girl protectively.
"Renamon..." the Tamer gently breathed. Her blue eyes glanced up in confusion at her partner's sudden action. "I know you're protective, but are you really that concerned for my safety right now?"
The fox's ears twitched at the question. "A- apologies, Master!" The Digimon spoke out. "I just wasn't expecting to see other Tamers here. We don't know what they might be capable of."
"Hmm?" The girl breathed, stepping forward as she turned to face her Digimon. "Don't know what they're capable of?" The girl's demeanor immediately changed at the thought, her eyes narrowing as a disgusted look crossed her face. "That trash...? What. Them?! They didn't even beat Kuwagamon. And you think I should be afraid of THEM?!"
The Digimon seemed to shudder as the fox quickly knelt down. "S- sorry, Master! I wasn't thinking." Renamon said before glancing up at the girl. "I meant no disrespect, just that-"
"Silence!" The girl shouted back, her partner reacting again as she screamed the command. "Renamon... I know what I'm doing. This means I have more leverage to work with! Now we can really show those idiots whose on top around here!" Her eyes glared at the other humans as she carefully sized up her competition. "I can tell they're trash. No matter how strong they think they are, trash will always be trash!"
As the new duo approached, the group of BuildGomamon collectively cowered in fear, hiding behind Vex and Lopmon. "Please, Boss!" One of them said, practically begging. "We can't let her have the treasure!"
As the new Tamer got close enough, her Renamon gave a graceful bow to Vex and the others. "Allow me to introduce ourselves." The Digimon began. "I am Renamon of the Eastern Shinobi Clan. Before you stands my Master, Lucillia of the Nine Devils. Wielder of a Black Digivice and chronic perfectionist." The Digimon gestured to the blonde girl, seemingly oblivious to the frustrated stare her own master was giving her after the remark. "As you might understand, we do not fail jobs. Nor do we miss deadlines. But your insistence on hiding the clock we're after has begun to put my Master's reputation on the line. I doubt you want to cause such a predicament, either. And so, begetting such a problematic scenario..." The Digimon's eyes widened, her dark blue pupils contracting as she focused on the Gomamon in the group. "We shall give one last warning. Give me what we're after, or I will be forced to continue Kuwagamon's onslaught myself! Do we have an understanding yet?!"
Lopmon seemed to relax at the reveal. "They're not the one..." he muttered. "The Southern Clan's records showed that Renamon left months after the attack. But still... why would one of Taomon's forces join The Devils in the first place?"
However, before anyone else could chime in Lucillia quickly pointed at the rabbit-like Digimon. "Southern Clan? As in the Southern Shinobi Clan?" The girl asked. "You mean that place Shurimon is at? Yes, if I remember right, Doumon was going to help him, wasn't she?" The blonde girl shrugged as she let out a heavy sigh. "Taomon was actually replaced recently. And while I'd LOVE to help get Shurimon in charge, sadly Doumon will be preoccupied until we get this treasure. But if you can help us reason with these savages, then I'll put in a good word with Doumon and you could probably be Shrimon's right-hand man. No need to even thank me!" A heavy breath escaped the girl as she gripped her hand over her face in frustration. Her eyes glared through her fingers at the BuildGomamon with renewed hatred as she spoke. "Otherwise... I'm at the point where I might just start killing these freaking bastards just to get them to finally talk for once!"
The white-haired girl gritted her teeth in response as she stepped forward. "No." She said calmly. "You're not going to touch a single one of them." Vex raised her hand as she pulled her black glove tightly over it, the white symbol clearly visible on the back as her eyes glowed with fiery determination! "I've seen enough. People like you... don't deserve to have Digimon!"
Lucillia immediately stepped back as her face twisted in confusion. "W- wait, that- that's a Black Digivice! You're-" Suddenly, the girl steadied herself as her blue eyes glared at the Tamer. "Damnit, Li! Why did you tell us they left?! And you just LET her come here?! What the crap are you-" The girl gripped at her hair before finally just stomping at the ground! "Damnit-!" She screamed! "Damnit, Damnit, Damnit, Damnit, DAMNIT, LI! I'm done with your stupid schemes! If that's how you're treating us- I'm done!" Her face distorted into a scowl as she stared at the white-haired girl with pure, unfiltered rage! "We'll see how much of this you 'planned' when I end this newbie's career as a Tamer in their first real fight!"
"Fine!" Vex shouted back. "You're on! Just don't cry when Keramon wipes the floor with you!"