Kouji squinted, looking down the long ravine. "Well?"

"According to what the villagers said, this is the quickest way through the valley. If you don't mind all the 'cursed

ancient shrine' stuff they went on about." Armadillomon replied. "Hmm...Hey, Hiroki?"

"Yes?"

"How about a name change? I'm starting to like being called Armadimon."

"Whaaah?" Hiroki asked, confused.

"Well, all the Armadillomon here are called Armadimon, and I kinda like that name. It'd cut down on the confusion back

home with Dad and Armadillomon."

"I don't think this is the time to be talking about that." Hiroki replied.

"I know, I know...just think about it, alright?"

Kouji shook his head. Are all digimon partners like this, he wondered. "Well, there's a town ahead, maybe we can get

directions."

==

Digicross Frontier episode 12

'Soldier of Justice Armormon!'

==

"So, this is the sacred Alforce shrine." Kouji said, looking up at the massive archway.

"Yes." their guide said, an elderly Kokuwamon. "Here is enshrined the remains of Alforce V-dramon, one of the eight Royal

Knights who sealed away Lucemon and ended his evil reign."

"Let me guess, he gave his life in the process?" Kouji asked sourly.

"No, Alforce V-dramon and Dynasmon alone returned, though both were gravely wounded. Alforce V-Dramon eventually passed

away, though noone knows what happened to Dynasmon. Some say that he was so overcome by the loss of his comrades, he

destroyed himself. Others say that he still wanders around, trying to vanish into the mists of history. Come, we must go

inside."

"Umm, we're kind of in a rush." Armadillomon said, looking around.

"The people of my village always pray here before setting off on a long journey." Kokuwamon said, a bit indignant.

Armadillomon flinched, both from Hiroki's glare and Kokuwamon's tone. "Stay outside, if you wish."

"Dad and I are going to have to have a long talk with you, Armadillomon." Hiroki sighed. "What?" he asked, confused by

Kouji's expression.

"Nothing. Come on, let's go inside. I think it's going to rain soon." Kouji entered the shrine. It was weird, he

thought. He looks almost exactly like Tomoki, but their personalities couldn't be further apart.

==

"There, there it is." the giant digimon said. "Alforce temple. Cherubimon's going to be pleased that we claimed the

digicode contained therein."

"And the old knight isn't around to stop us, right Mammon?" Black Tyrannomon asked. "We can just sail in and grab it.

Who's going to stop us?"

"No one." one of several Apemon said, bowing. "The nearby town only has a few Kokuwamon that could possibly put up a

fight. The rest would be no challenge whatsoever."

"Weren't they the ones who escaped from that Snimon some time back?" Black Tyrannomon asked.

"Who cares." Mammon said. "We move. For Cherubimon!"

==

Hiroki waited for Kokuwamon, kneeling on the floor quietly. Kouji racked his brain, trying to remember what that pose was

called. Sieza, was that it? He saw it in martial arts films all the time, he should know. "So...how long have you been

practising Kendo?" he asked conversationally.

Hiroki glanced up. "Um, since I was five, about the same time dad started. Everyone thinks I'm good, but I still have a

long way to go. Yohko is a few years older than me, and she's a lot better."

"Yohko?"

Hiroki nodded. "Yohko Tachikawa, aunt Mimi's daughter. My dad's teaching us both. He's won several competitions. Did

you take Kendo? You're a good swordsman when you're using Wolfmon's swords."

"Only a little." Kouji replied. "We travelled a lot, and one of my homes was on a military base, where I picked up some

basic self-defence techniques. When I'm Wolfmon...I think there's something in the Spirit that helps me fight, if that

makes any sense."

"Sounds a bit like how we digimon work." Armadillomon said. "When we digivolve, we know how to use our new abilities right

off. It's kind of like an instinct, you know?"

"Yeah. That's how it feels. Like I've done this before." Kouji admitted. He stopped, looking up. "What was that?" he

asked, looking towards the entrance. He noticed that Hiroki was already standing, and that Armadillomon had tensed up,

expecting a battle. Nothing like Tomoki, he thought.

Outside, three of the Apemon that served Cherubimon approached the entrance. "What do these remains that Cherubimon's

after look like?" one Apemon asked.

"Dunno." A second replied. "Maybe it's a statue or something like that. I hope it's not some rotted skeleton."

"Quiet!" the third one hissed. "Someone's in there. Remember, we're just tourists!"

"Well the giftshop's back that way!" Pteramon yelled, shooting out of the entrance. "Sidewinders!" Explosions blossomed

around the Apemon. "You shouldn't talk so loudly when you're sneaking up on someone!"

Wolfmon dashed out a second later, saying nothing as he cut down two of the three attacking digimon with his sabres.

"You...you're one of the ones that got away from Mercuremon! I'll be rewarded if I bring you back." the remaining Apemon

snarled. "I'm not as weak as those other two were." Wolfmon regarded Apemon impassively, then looked up. Stupidly,

Apemon looked up as well, and saw Pteramon seem to shrink.

"Armadillomon, digivolve to...Ankylomon!" he yelled, falling on top of Apemon. The massive digimon landed on top of

Apemon, crushing him. "Hnnn...I didn't get a chance to say 'Megaton Press.' Must be getting slow in my old age." He

stood up, and walked back towards the entrance, switching back to Armadillomon as he did.

"You're my age." Hiroki interjected. Armadillomon shrugged.

Dismissing his own evolution, Kouji walked over to the one Apemon that remained; the other two had become digieggs and had

flown off. "Did Cherubimon send you? Why are you here?"

"To get...digicode from temple..." Apemon groaned, then vanished.

"They want the temple?" Hiroki asked, confused. "But what good would it do Cherubimon?"

"Maybe this area has some sort of power?" Kouji wondered. "He's been taking digicode from everywhere else."

"Please!" Kokuwamon begged the three. "You must defend this temple! What's contained inside is of sacred importance to us

all! Cherubimon cannot be allowed to take it for himself!"

"So there is something in there?" Kouji asked. "Can you move it to a safer place?"

"Yes, but I must summon help from the village. It will take me a few hours, there is much that must be done." Kouji

hesitated. He really wanted to get moving and find Tomoki and Junpei. "I swear, I will be as quick as I can."

"Alright." Kouji said, relenting.

"How many ways are there to get here?" Hiroki asked.

"The quickest way is over the hill, where those three Apemon came from. Flight is difficult towards the peak because of

the wind currents, so I don't think they'll bring any flying digimon.' Meaning they will, both Hiroki and Kouji thought.

"Thank you for helping us. If there's anything we can do to repay you, merely name it."

==

"The Apemon we have sent were defeated. What now?" Dark Tyrannomon asked.

"You three, go in. I shall summon my brethren. If we cannot take the temple, we shall flatten it and pick what we need

out of the rubble. I sense one of the Spirits we are seeking is there."

"But...A Mammon stampede would destroy everything!" one of the remaining Apemon protested.

"We have no choice! Recovering Cherubimon's Spirits takes precedence over everything! I will return shortly, now go

attack!" Mammon thundered off.

==

"This must be it." Hiroki whispered. He and Kouji were looking at a statue of Alforce V-Dramon, about twice the size of an

adult human. At its base was a small inscription, but neither of them could read it. "I wonder if Armadillomon could make

it out?" Kouji asked.

"I don't think so." Hiroki replied. "It looks different from the digital language digimon use at home. Maybe it's an

older dialect?"

Kouji's D-Scanner lit up. "It is...an inscription of Alforce V-Dramon's passing." a female voice said.

"Ophanimon!" Kouji gasped.

"It tells of the last days of Alforce V-Dramon. When he and the other Royal Knights went to seal away Lucemon, only he and

Dynasmon survived. However, the pain of losing his comrades was so great, that Alforce V-Dramon was unable to recover,

and eventually died. There was no digiegg, and only some of his digicode remained. With the last of my power, I sealed

that digicode into this statue, to remind everyone of his sacrifice."

"Is that why Cherubimon wants it?" Kouji asked. "Will this increase his power somehow? Ophanimon?"

"I...you must be careful, children..." the light died out.

Kouji growled, frustrated. "Another vague warning. Just great."

"Hiroki!" Armadillomon called from the entrance. "More coming!" The two humans ran out of the room. Outside, they saw two

more Apemon, and a large black dinosaur.

"Surrender, humans!" Black Tyrannomon ordered. "Turn over your spirits, and we might let you live!"

"Hmph." Kouji smirked. "I could use something to take out my frustrations on. Spirit Evolution...Wolfmon!"

"I'll help!" Hiroki said.

"No. Stay here." Wolfmon replied. "This won't take too long." And I won't lose Tomoki...no, Hiroki, he added to himself.

==

"We're waiting!" Black Tyrannomon yelled.

One of the Apemon suddenly groaned, the fell over. Wolfmon advanced on the remaining digimon, sword in hand. "You're not

welcome here. Leave."

"Don't give me that attitude!" Black Tyrannomon roared, pivoting and launching a wave of fire at Wolfmon. The remaining

Apemon also moved in, forcing Wolfmon back. "I'll take the Spirit from your cold body!"

An image of Junpei and Tomoki flashed inside Kouji's mind. Wolfmon's eyes narrowed. "DIE!" he yelled, driving one sabre

through Apemon, then pulling it back. He thrust his other arm out, and started firing at Black Tyrannomon, laser bolts

striking the dinosaur. So focussed was he, that he failed to notice the first Apemon he attacked get back up and strike

him with his Bone Stick.

Wolfmon tried to recover, some sort of whistle ringing in his ears. Then the ground exploded around him.

==

Hiroki got up, one hand on Armadillomon's shell. "What happened?"

"Something powerful exploded very near the cave." Armadillomon replied. "Shame Kyoko's not around; I could use her digiegg

to evolve to Digmon and tunnel an escape route." He glanced down the entranceway. "It's collapsed. And I don't like the

way the ceiling looks right now, either. Time to leave."

"But...what about Alforce V-Dramon's remains?" Hiroki gestured at the statue.

"Digivolve me to Ankylomon; I think I can carry it like that. But we really don't have much of a choice." Nodding, Hiroki

held up his arm. "Armadillomon, digivolve to...Ankylomon! Okay, time to make an exit! Hiroki, wait by the far wall until

I tell you, alright?" Ankylomon started trying to push his way through the rock wall, using horns and Tail Hammer (VERY

carefully -ed) through the weakened wall of the shrine.

Hiroki glanced up at the roof of the cave. Then, he froze. "Ankylomon! Look out!"

==

Mammon looked at the two large craters around the shrine. As he did, his brethren stepped back, tusks reappearing, ready

to fire again. "Excellent. One more round should do it." He glanced up, seeing three digieggs flying away. "A shame

about Black Tyrannomon. Strong, but not too bright."

"Leader!" one of the other Mammon called. "Human!" The lead Mammon looked down, and saw a boy slowly getting to his feet.

"Even better. The bearer of the Spirit is here, and weakened. Fire again and finish him off!"

==

Hiroki winced as Ankylomon nudged the large rock off his foot. "Is it broken?" the digimon asked.

Carefully, Hiroki checked his leg. "I think it's just sprained a bit. Are you OK?"

"Takes more than a few flying tusks to stop me. Come on, let's grab the statue and get out of here. Climb up on my

back." Hiroki did so, then Ankylomon set about trying to figure out how to move a statue with no hands to speak of.

"Ahh, there you are!" two Mammon said, crashing through the wall. "Turn over the statue and the boy and I will let you

live."

"That's a joke, right?" Ankylomon replied.

==

Kouji got to his feet, ears still ringing. "What...what did that?"

"We did." One of the Mammon herd proclaimed, striding over. "We are Mammon in service to the great Cherubimon, master of

the Beast Digimon. And you have one of his Spirits, human worm!"

"I'm getting sick of all this 'worm' garbage." Kouji growled. "And I'm even sicker of hearing about Cherubimon. Why do

you serve such a monster?"

"DON'T INSULT OUR MASTER!" Mammon roared, charging forward. Kouji rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being trampled.

"He freed us from the Humanoid Digimon that were oppressing us!" Another stomp of his feet. "He destroyed Seraphimon, who

was plotting against us!" Now, a swing of his trunk, catching Kouji off-guard. "And any who oppose him will be made to

serve. Including you and your little friend, brat!"

Again, Kouji saw images of Junpei and Tomoki becoming Arbormon and Grottomon, and his eyes narrowed. "No. I won't let

that happen. I'll...I'll stop all of you first."

"And how will you do that?" Mammon taunted.

What surprised him later when he recalled the fight was that Kouji didn't say anything, do anything, or even pick up his D-

Scanner. One second, he was Kouji, the next he just became Wolfmon, with no perceptible pause. Then Mammon roared and

about eight more of the giant digimon ran over, leaving two trying to tunnel into the shrine.

==

"Okay, it's on!" Ankylomon roared, holding the statue in place with his tail. "It'll be a little scuffed, but I think I

can move it!"

"Don't bother!" one of two Mammon said, blasting through the wall. "We'll take that statue! Tusk Strike!"

"Hiroki!" Ankylomon yelled, twisting around to take the attack. As he moved, the statue fell off, hitting the ground.

Ankylomon grunted as the two missiles struck him, exploding against his armoured hide. "Are you alright?"

"Forget me, what about you?" Hiroki replied.

"Ah, barely felt it! Now one side while I handle these two! MEGATON PRESS!" Ankylomon's head slammed into one of the

Mammon. "And Tail Hammer!" he added, spiked tail hitting the second Mammon.

"You won't stop us! Mammon, evolve...Orochimon!" The first Mammon that attacked shimmered, and grew into a giant eight

headed snake. "Alcohol Breath!"

"Hey...I'm underage..." Ankylomon stammered, staggering back. "Alright, I'll take you on...all five of you...just stop

spinning around..."

"What did you do to him?" Hiroki demanded.

"Heyyy...not so loud..." Ankylomon groaned.

"He's inebriated." Orochimon sneered. "Now I will seize the statue and the digicode within it." Orochimon slithered

forward, frowning as Hiroki stood in his way. "Out of the way, runt." All of Orochimon's mouths opened, each one glowing

with power. "Clouds of Heaven!"

==

Wolfmon aimed, fired, and spun to attack the sixth Mammon, having managed to dispatch the first five he had attacked. His

normal control was almost gone; Wolfmon was almost reckless in his fighting, nearing a berserk state.

He lead Mammon stepped back, appalled. "He's stronger than I expected. How could one human defeat so many of my

brethren?" Behind him, there was a sharp crack, and the shrine collapsed. Mammon spun around, seeing the destruction.

"Fool! You've destroyed the Alforce statue!" He yelled as Orochimon emerged from the rubble. "At least tell me you

destroyed the humans inside!"

"All dead." Orochimon grinned. "We'll have to dig out the statue, but what of it?" Wolfmon stopped, horrified. Then

everyone looked at the centre of the rubble, which had started to glow. "Huh? What..what's going on?" Part of the rubble

sank, faint bluish glow seeping through the cracks. Then the rubble started to lift up, falling away. "No! The digicode

from the Alforce statue!"

"Ankylomon, digivolve to...Armormon!" Wolfmon gasped as a new digimon exploded out of the rubble. He was reminded of a

centaur, although the ones he read about didn't have gatling guns for forearms and two shoulder mounted cannons. Armormon

had Hiroki in one of his arms, cradling the human, who appeared to be alright.

"He...evolved!" Mammon and Orochimon gasped. Mammon's remaining herd ran, panicked by the sight of the heavily armed

digimon. "Clouds of Heaven!"

The shoulder cannons on Armormon snapped into position. "Dramon...Buster!" he cried as the two cannons fired into the

oncoming attack, dispersing it.

"You little...Gatling Tusk Striker!" Mammon roared, launching multiple missiles.

Armormon set Hiroki down, then brought his arm-cannons up. "Vulcan Barrage!" The two attacks cancelled each other out.

"We appear to be matched." Orochimon taunted. "But there's two of us, and only-" he stopped as Mammon suddenly gasped and

vanished in a flurry of digicode, leaving only a digiegg. Wolfmon glanced up at Orochimon, nodded to Armormon and stepped

back. "It doesn't matter! You'll never find my real head! And I can create illusionary heads as fast as you can destroy

them!"

"Then I'll have to destroy them all at once." Armormon replied, all of his cannons taking aim. "Full Fire!"

The barrage almost deafened Wolfmon, energy blasts striking all over Orochimon's body. Head after head vanished, until the

last head, the real one, paused for a second and was vaporized. Orochimon vanished, digiegg flying away.

==

"We're sorry." Hiroki said to the assembled Kokuwamon. "We tried to stop them, but the Alforce Statue was destroyed."

Armadillomon nodded. "And the digicode that was inside it was absorbed into me. I think that's what triggered my

evolution."

"Well, at least Cherubimon did not get it, that is what is important." The elder Kokuwamon replied. "Do not worry, we

shall rebuild the shrine and create a new statue. Actually, I think we will create several new statues, one for Alforce V-

Dramon, and one for each of you, who helped to protect our village."

"Us?" Hiroki asked. "But the shrine was destroyed."

"You fought bravely, and were able to unlock the power of the Royal Knight. That alone deserves recognition. We have a

Digmon coming tomorrow, he will do the sculpting for us."

"Um." Kouji said, still a bit stunned. "I don't know if we can stay that long."

"No worries, I have a camera. Just hold still...No, to your left. No, my left..."

==

"Cherubimon." The fallen angel started, surprised by the voice. "Alforce V-Dramon's digicode has been converted."

Cherubimon's eyes narrowed. "That leaves Dynasmon unaccounted for. And one of the spirits has been sighted in the area.

My missing Light spirit."

"As you planned, Master." Cherubimon answered.

In the hallway, Ranamon listened, careful not to give herself away. Interesting, she thought to herself.

Next Episode

While fighting Arbormon and Mercuremon, Ryoko, Sneasel, and Izumi find Seraphimon's attendant Sorcerimon and Patamon. Can

even they defeat Mercuremon, and will the power of two Sorcerimons be enough to free Junpei? Next time, on Digicross

Frontier:

'Divine assist! Return of the Holy Digimon, Angemon!'