Night has and always will be the time when people frightened easily. The same can be said about digimon. While a human's fear of the night was due to superstitions passed down to them by their ancestors, a digimon's fear of the night was the result of being unable to defend themselves.
In a mountainside, where the trees were a blaze, nothing seemed to be capable of living. Screams were killed by the silence of the night, as the total number of dying digimon kept accumulating. Those who survived this night would consider themselves lucky, had it not been for them witnessing the death of their friends.
A cross between a beats and a dragon digimon is running trough the forest of fire. It is covered in purple fur, with a large crystal on its forehead.
"DORUmon!" A scream called out to the sprinting digimon.
Turning around DORUmon saw a Guilmon and two V-mon finding shelter inside a cave. Seeing that it was the safest place from the spreading flames DORUmon knew that it would be wise to hide out there. Reaching the cave he was immediately greeted by the three digimon.
"Did you find any survivors up there?" Said the first V-mon.
"No." DORUmon responded. "They appeared to have attacked there some time ago to the point where the land appears dead."
"What about food?" Said the Guilmon. "Where you able to get anything?'
Placing his hand underneath his fur, DORUmon pulled a couple pieces of fruit, handing them over to Guilmon. Walking back Guilmon removed a sheet, revealing several baby digimon
"Here you go. Remember to share."
Watching the petit digimon pick at the food, DORUmon was glad that he was at least able to do something right. However, he was the only one who was somewhat satisfied as the first V-mon appeared to be angry.
"If only we hadn't of spend so much time looking for that blade! Then we might have been able to focus our attention on something else."
"That sword was our only hope and you know it!" DORUmon responded. "We at least had something to look forward to while we were searching for it."
"What good does it do us when the one who is supposed to wield it can't even reach the Ultimate level, much less the Royal Knight stage."
"Excuse me for not being able to reach the strength of a knight."
Strong tensions were building up between those two. Before they even had a chance to fight, Guilmon and the other V-mon held them back.
"Think of the small children." Guilmon told DORUmon.
"Brother, please!" Said the second V-mon to the other. "Omegamon put you in charge of here so it is your responsibility to keep us united."
"What does that sorry excuse for a sword know? Father should have kept him as the decoration he was meant to be."
"Please, brother, this is not the time to for this. You need to be strong for all of us, as you are the only one here capable of that amount of strength."
Knowing that he was right the first V-mon calmed down and made his way further back in the cave. Seeing that the conflict had ceased, DORUmon had also calmed down and was soon released. Also leaving the room, only the second V-mon and Guilmon remained.
"I swear, those two are far too similar to be in the same team." Said Guilmon. "We are the ones doing the dirty work, yet you don't see us complaining."
"Brother just feels robbed seeing as DORUmon is supposed to lead us and not him." V-mon responded. "You add that he was given the weakest role, and all the hard work he's done for us, and you'd be mad to."
"If only he could reach Imperialdramon Fighter Mode, then he and Omegamon might be able to stand a chance against him."
"Don't let him hear you say that. He already feels bad enough that he's let a lot of us down. Adding to the guilt trip would only make him angrier."
"Any sign of Omegamon?"
"He's still holding them back at Notos Oppidum. With him being the only one capable of fighting, it will only be a matter of time before it's over."
"Shut up!" Turning around, they saw that the other V-mon had been tuning into their conversation. "Omegamon may be a tool whose had it easy all his life, but if father left him in charge then that is good enough for me to have faith in him. Come on, brother, I expected more from you."
"...Sorry."
"Hey, we're back."
As the whole group turned their attention to the caller, they saw two digimon approaching.
"It's Hawkmon and Dracomon!" said Guilmon.
"But what's that they are carrying," said the first V-mon.
Finally, reaching the cave, the four digimon were able to see that they were carrying a large wagon with plenty of food.
"You actually found food?" Questioned DORUmon.
"We would have gotten more but we couldn't risk the weight slowing us down." Responded Hawkmon.
"Fair enough," said V-mon. "Brother, gather the children. They actually get to eat a good meal tonight."
Doing as he was told, the second V-mon went where the children were. Back in the entrance room V-mon began questioning the two.
"Did you manage to find any survivors?"
"I'm sorry but, with the nearby river being turned to waste, all the surviving digimon were forced to flea." Responded Hawkmon. "We manage to gather the remaining food they had in storage and there was only a bit left."
"This is getting far to repetitive!" Screamed Dracomon.
"Care to speak your mind, Dracomon?"
"Doesn't a fire always go out?" Dracomon said.
They all turned outside to see the burning trees.
"Okay, forget I said that. But, as I was saying, food supplies are low in all the nearby areas. Unless we become nomads we will eventually die out."
"Are you actually suggesting that we fight these things off?"
"Listen, V-mon, either we go or they go because in the end, we will not be able to share the same planet. Fighting them should have been the first thing we did when the population was still high."
"Even if we were all in our Royal Knight stage we would still lose. If we are forced to live the life of traveling nomads, then nomads we shall be. Are there any objections?"
"No, sir." Dracomon responded.
"What about the other six?" Questioned Hawkmon. "We should go out and look for their convoy."
"Duftmon is with them. They should be fine by themselves. For the mean time I want Guilmon and V-mon to continue maintaining watch. Everyone else, take care of the children."
"Well that's not fair..." Turning to the winning Dracomon V-mon signaled him mentally to stop. "I'll shut up now."
The second V-mon approached the first. "Brother, you know that the children like me. Maybe I should be in charge of watching over them."
"Do you know as to why I do not want you to baby them? Much like the Royal Knights these young ones will force to live a life of due or die. They need to learn early on that this will be the life they have to live; fighting along side us depending only on themselves and each other."
"But..."
"Brother, you baby them far too much. This is why they take so kindly to you; you are too nice. Heck, you are too nice to be part of this death squad. You are a good fighter, but not a good warrior."
"Father specifically started the Royal Knights in order to prevent other digimon from suffering our fate; it is not right that they are force to live a life of fighting."
"You are letting your heart decide what is right; don't do that again."
There was a silence between these two. One was right while the other was correct. There was much to talk about but at this moment, there would be no time for them to discuss their differences.
"V-mon," said Guilmon, "I can smell them. They'll be here soon."
"What?!" He screamed. "How did they find this location?'
V-mon's scream had manage to gather the attention of all the digimon in there, and told them to assemble where he was at.
"Dracomon, Hawkmon, did you evolve while coming here?"
"No, sir!" Hawkmon responded. "We did not take all the remaining fruit because it would have been to heavy for us to carry in our child level."
"Then how did..." V-mon's attention shifted towards DORUmon. "You! It was you, wasn't it?"
"I only evolved because they were right behind me. I made sure that I killed them all off before coming here."
"You bastard!" He ran up to him and delivered a head butt that knocked him out. "You've domed us all! We've set it so many times; only take your higher states if need be, it's how they find you. Why were you so careless?"
Walking towards the fallen DORUmon, V-mon was stopped by his other half.
"Brother please, this is no time for this. If they truly are coming then it will be best to prepare for them."
Looking at his comrades the leading V-mon knew that he was right. Without hesitation and fear V-mon ordered his team.
"Hawkmon."
"Yes, sir!"
"I want you to gather the small ones and leave out the back door. Make sure that none of them die."
"Right!"
"Dracomon, Guilmon, DORUmon, you all fight with me."
"Sir!" They all responded in unison.
"And what do I do, brother?"
The leading V-mon did not listen to his brother. Instead he kept walking, causing the other V-mon to shamefully look at the ground.
"I want you to provide cover for Hawkmon. Calm the children if it comes down to it."
As they all moved to their desired spots, all six digimon began evolving to their higher stages.
"Hawkmon, evolve to...Silphymon."
"Dracomon, evolve to...Slayerdramon."
"V-mon, evolve to...AeroV-dramon."
"Guilmon, evolve to... MegaloGrowmon."
"DORUmon, evolve to...Grademon."
"V-mon, royal evolve to...Magnamon."
Standing where the child digimon once were, now stood six of the finest warriors that this world had ever known. Each one of them was a beacon of hope and, though their lights were not well lid, those who saw them were willing to put their futures in their hands. The way that each one of them looked like they were indestructible, or the way they each held seemingly unlimited strength, were some of the reasons that people looked at them in a heroic light. Their courage radiated the air, allowing them to share it with the small digimon. With their new powers at hand the six were now ready to perform their task as ordered.
"Follow me," Silphymon ordered AeroV-dramon.
"The rest of you do not give these bastards any bit of your lives! Fight them back till the brink of death!"
As Slayerdramon, MegaloGrowmon, Grademon, and Magnamon stood right outside the cave they saw something that robbed their courage right beneath their armor. A tall creature, adorn in the shadows and lid up by the surrounding flames, was some distance away from them.
"Oh no... It's him," stuttered Magnamon.
The creature in question was several times bigger than their already impressive sizes. It had a strange feel to it that just screamed out death to all those who apposed it. Around it's body, which was still covered by the shadows, were the tarnished memories of all those who had lost their life to this monstrosity. The approaching behemoth was not only something to be feared, but something to be worshipped as well.
Just as everything seemed lost for these brave warriors one final obstacle stood between them trying to fight and them giving up. Flying gracefully through the air was the famed leader of the Royal Knights. As he gently cut through the air that carried the scent of death his shining red cape flapped behind him, giving him a heroic look that suited him perfectly. The way that his sword lead the charge and the way that his cannon was there to support him gave the other knights a reason to fight.
"Sir Omegamon is here!" Said Magnamon. "We must fight until this war in won! Charge!"
As they all flew off the ground they were ambushed mere seconds later by unnamable ground troops. Several burst of energy hit each one of the knights, forcing them to go back on the ground and duck. The increasing number of shots they were under seemed to be increasing in speed and in power. Losing sight of their leader they all knew they would have to defeat them first before they proceeded in helping him. Leading the team Magnamon went in for the first attack. Seeing the first abomination in his sights, Magnamon threw the first punch.
These memories? From how long ago are they? Opening his eyes Alphamon found himself facing AlforceV-dramon. Knowing that he was currently sitting down Alphamon tried standing up, only to find that his whole body refused to move. Yes, I used that attack on Omegamon. That would explain why my body is like this.
The blue knight approached Alphamon. "Sir Alphamon, we regret to inform you that you will not be able to partake in the operation."
"That is quite understandable. The Omegamon from here, while not stronger than others, knew how to handle himself against opponents stronger than himself."
"You are guessing that there is something on this world that would require something stronger than an Omegamon to take out?" Asked the blue knight.
"It might appear so. It also worries me what happened to the two digitamas belonging to Magnamon and Dukemon. He was somehow able to use his sword as a conductor to transfer their energy to the Parallelmon. They were no stronger than average, but I will not be taking any chances. Assemble them."
As AlforceV-dramon left the chamber, the whereabouts of the two digitamas were baffling the thoughts of Alphamon. Was it even possible to transfer the energy of another digimon like that? And if so, it would need a catalyst of equal wavelength, meaning that the transferred energy would have to find a digimon who has achieved those evolutions in the past. To reach the level of a Royal Knight was near impossible, but even if they did manage to find the right body, there would be no guarantee that they would win. After all, unless they came back with a new source of power, they would be defeated just, like last time.
With several of the knights entering the room, Alphamon decided to end his thoughts right there. "Where are Sleipmon, Dynasmon, and Examon?"
"They have yet to report back, sir." Responded Craniummon. "Sleipmon went off to chase the other one while Examon followed Dynasmon to look for his other half."
"Any word from them yet?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Then we wait until they arrive. This universe is a bit different from the others, and I do not feel like taking any chances."
On cue Dynasmon entered from the sky and stationed himself right next to the other knights. Looking around he saw that he was missing something. "I manage to kill my guy..."
"Where is Examon?" Asked Alphamon.
"There was a nuisance that appeared after I finished him off. Since my orders were to report back after my assignment Examon felt it would be best for him to handle the situation." They all noticed the mark that he had on his face, suggesting that he had gotten into a small scuffle. It was quite small, so it caused them all to question the strength of their ally.
"About that thing on your cheek?" Questioned RhodoKnightmon.
"Just forget about it!" He shouted. "Examon should have taken care of it by now."
"It is safe to say that we are all curious about it." Responded Craniummon.
"Just say it already so we can get on with it." Ordered Alphamon.
Since it was Alphamon that gave the order, and not one of the others, Dynasmon knew that he would have to answer. "All right then, a human punched me in the face. But he just got lucky!" The room filled with silence. As all eyes shifted between Alphamon and Dynasmon all the knights knew what was coming.
"Let me get this straight?" Said Alphamon. "You wanted to put the team in danger just to protect your pride?" Dynasmon stayed silent and did not answer. "Answer me!" Alphamon commanded.
"It is just that Examon said he was going to take care of him so I felt that it would do me no good to say anything."
"For your sake, you better hope that he did. Other wise you will be force to pay."
And on his cue, Examon entered from the roof landing next to the other knights. "'Sup, guys." With all eyes currently on him, Examon knew that they were expecting something from him. Rather than saying anything he attempted to leave the room, not wanting anything to do with it. But before he had a chance to leave the room Dynasmon managed to stop him.
"Examon?"
"Yo!"
"Where is the human?"
"Oh! You mean that loud mouth brat."
"Yes! Him."
"He fell down a water fall."
Dynasmon turned to his leader "Told you it would be taken care of!"
"Examon, do you have this humans body?" Asked Alphamon.
"Didn't think I'd need to, as I doubt humans could survive a fall that big."
All of the other knights looked down at the floor, but still used their ears to follow the conversation.
"I didn't ask for your opinion. All I asked is to show me the body."
"Well I uh... I don't have it."
If one were to carefully pay attention, they would hear some snickering coming from the rest of the knights "Dynasmon, consider this your unlucky day. Now where is Sleipmon?"
They had completely forgotten about their other comrade. They had all witnessed as he went off to fight his counterpart and knew that it was taking him longer to get rid of him. Not receiving any answers Alphamon appeared to be getting angry. Hoping to not have to face an angry Alphamon, AlforceV-dramon responded to him. "Allow me to conduct the search, sir."
"Good. You are dismissed."
"Thank you, sir." And with that, the blue knight teleported in a quick flash.
"Show off," Said Examon.
"I think that I speak for all your comrades when I say to not talk for a while."
"Sir!" Dynasmon stepped in. "I do not think that it is necessary for us to put so much of our concentration against one human."
"I do not care how strong and useful you may be, but do not question my authority! I guess that it is time that I let you all in a secret. We all know how in some dimensions some humans are partnered to digimon. In very rare cases, like we have seen today, a member of the Royal Knights from this dimension was partnered up with a human. We have never once had to face off against a human partnered digimon when he is fighting along side his partner. There is a rumor tha,t when they combine their strengths, they have the ability to posses' great power. Though it would be interesting to fight against him, as Royal Knights, it is an insult to have to side with humans."
"So are you worried that this human could use his digimon to defeat us?" Asked Duftmon.
"There are few things in the universe that worry me, and only one thing that scares me. Anything that might have a threat against us does worry me. However, even if it only holds a one percent chance of winning, it should still not be taken lightly."
A blue flash appeared behind Alphamon, materializing into AlforceV-dramon. Around his body hung Sleipmon, who was seemingly unconscious.
"What happened to him?" Asked Duftmon.
"He was like this when I found him not to far from here. It seems that the other Sleipmon did quite the number on him."
Alphamon looked at the rest of the team. "If he was able to hurt one of our own without his partner's help, then we might be in trouble if they are found next to them." The rest of the team knew that they would have to take this assignment seriously. To give one of them trouble in a fight was one thing, but to manage to actually leave them like that was something else. While some of the knights looked at this challenge cautiously, some looked at it with excitement. After all, how often was it that they manage to find something challenging to do during their visits? How they sometimes wished they were human, just so that they could feel their heart pounding as their blood ran through their veins. "It is decided," he continued, "we will attack the desired locations and find the information we seek. If we are correct then this blasted journey will finally end. We will finally be able to go home."
The silence was dreadfully calming. There was much awaiting them back home. A welcoming party, death, war, and ill will. All things that would not take them too long to find. They were happy, of course, but they had lived their lives a certain way that would be defeated by the awaiting comforts of home, if there were any. But at the moment there were more important things for them to consider. These thought would have to sink like the morals they had lost long ago.
"Examon." Alphamon signaled to him. "I want you to look for the body of that human. If he or his partner are alive then kill them. We will not take any chances here."
"But that means that I will miss out on the destruction!" He whined. Alphamon looked at him in a force full fashion. "Ah, sure. Kill the human."
"Dynasmon."
"Yes, sir."
"You will go to a different location as a part of that computer is being withheld in another place."
"Understood."
"As for the rest of you..."
"Sir Alphamon." Interrupted Duftmon. "Pardon my intrusion, but what about him?" He pointed towards the unconscious Sleipmon.
"Well he doesn't appear able to do much, so I think that it might be best to let him rest."
"If I may, sir." Duftmon continued. "During my well earned free time I managed to create a device that would allow one of us to continue fighting even after we have fallen. When implanted on anyone their body would become a puppet, without much harm going to them, of course. Think of it as a way to continue fighting without us unconsciously knowing."
"So what you are asking is to try and experiment on one of your own comrades?"
"Well, technically, it would be going on its first ever run. Theoretically, it should already work. It is just that I have not had a chance to test it on one with a strong will as a Royal Knight."
"By your statement you have tested it on others, I presume."
"Yes and no. The ones that I did have a chance to test it on were a bunch of weak-minded digimon from a few universes ago. It managed to work but, since they were no more than weaklings, I am having doubts that it would work on one as strong willed as a Royal Knight."
"This device of yours, will it cause harm to him?"
"No, sir. Unless he fully fights it off, it will leave him unharmed."
"If he fights it off?"
"Well, you see, I was originally planning to also use it on our enemies back home, if given the chance. If they had been strong enough to resist its mesmerizing command then it would have damaged them just long enough for us to stop them from running away."
"But Sleipmon is injured. He might not survive the damage if he does indeed fight it off."
"Not to worry, sir. All it would do is sent a small jolt through his body, putting him out for a bit longer than he already is."
"I do not think it would be wise to test on our own comrades however, due to our already shrinking numbers involved in this mission, it would be wise for us to take whatever chance we get."
"So do I have your consent that this is okay?"
"Only because we are low in numbers but other wise, you are responsible for making sure he stays alive."
"Your wishes shall be kept, sir."
A blue square materialized in the hand of Duftmon. Approaching his fallen comrade Duffmon positioned the device next to the injured body. As the device began to glow the light radiating from it began tangling the injured knight. Continuing its enslavement of him it appeared to be causing him no harm. With the light finally fading, Sleipmon appeared to be standing up on his own accord.
"Is he okay?" Asked Alphamon.
"I believe so." Responded Duftmon. "Sleipmon, can you hear me?"
"Yes," Sleipmon mechanically responded.
"He appears to have as much personality as a MechaNorimon," Examon said.
"Technically, he is not himself. He is a puppet who will fight at Sleipmon's full strength, regardless of how badly his body is injured."
"Will that cause damage to his already inured body?" Asked a worried Alphamon.
"I understand your logic behind that question, and I can safely say that the answer is no. It would take me a while to fully explain the design behind my genius, so it would best be that we skip this part."
"Fair enough. Now, as you all know, every time we skip a universe, we get closer and closer to finding our target. I now believe that we have finally found what we've been looking for. However, rather than scouting the grounds of this world, we have all decided that, since this world has its way of tracking digimon in the digital world, we will use it to confirm its location. Since the computer fragment is split into three parts, I will split the group up as so."
All the knights listened carefully for the assignment. Though they all knew what to generally expect they knew they were not going to be surprised.
"AlforceV-dramon, due to my injuries, I will need you to stand by my side, just in case."
"Yes, sir." He bowed respectively.
"Duftmon. Since Sleipmon is under your care, it will be best for you to go with him. You two will be in charge of finding the main computer."
"Understood." Duftmon responded.
"RhodoKnightmon, Craniummon, you will search for the energy component. Be forewarned, you will be attacking a human base, so expect resistance to be high."
"Our defense will not be broken, sir!" They both responded, synchronously.
"Dynasmon, due to you not performing your duties, I will assign you the lone man mission to find the memory. Do not fail, as this is the most important part."
"Yes, sir."
"Examon..."
"Yo."
"Since you failed to carry out your partners duties I will assign you to clean them up."
"Tell me something that I don't know."
"All of you, be ready to leave in five minutes. Today might be the last time we have to do this."
With the other knights going of to prepare for the task at hand, Dynasmon caught up to Examon. "Listen Examon. We have been friends for a long time, not to mention partners since our early days. You saw what these partnered up digimon where able to do; just look at Sleipmon."
"Great! You're going to make one of them heart filled speeches."
"Be serious for once in your life! Anyway, this human actually managed to damage my armor. If he manages to evolve his partner, then you might be in trouble." Putting a hand on Examon's shoulder Dynasmon's hand began to emit a light white aura.
"Wait! What do you think that you're doing?" Asked Examon.
"I'm giving it to you," he responded.
Examon threw his friends hand of to the side. "Look. That is your ability. When I finally manage to reach it on my own, that is when I'll use it. You were the first to earn it and, so far, you are the only one capable of summoning it. I know that I'll probably be the last one to get it, but it doesn't mean that I won't be able to hold my own. When it does happen, it will happen." Dynasmon was left silent. "You okay their, bud?"
"I'm just amazed that you, of all people ,were able to think of something smart. It is like I'm seeing as new side of you."
"And don't expect to see it often. After all, just because Sleipmon and Duftmon are the brains in this team doesn't mean that the rest of us have to, by default, be of average intelligence."
"Trust me, they are not the only smart ones around here."
"Now just because you talk big doesn't mean you are big. Anyways, I guess I'm off to fight the big bad human then."
"Still, I wish that you were more cautious about going to fight of this guy. You yourself have seen what he can do, so I would expect you to be a bit worried."
"Not to sound like a complete ass, but I have a few trick up my sleeves that not even Alphamon knows about."
"Do so kindly tell."
"Pleasure. You see, a human's ability to make digimon evolve comes from that device they wield. You take that away and the digimon will be incapable of evolving past their current stage. My theory is: No device, no evolution, no challenge for me."
"You were able to come up with a theory all on your own?"
"If some guy in a coat can do it, why can't I?"
"But what about this thing about always wanting a challenge?"
"If he finds his device then I'll still fight him head on. Don't forget, we are the offensive side on the team, are we not?"
"I guess."
"I guess? It's a sure thing! Plus, this human has one giant weakness just waiting to be explored."
"You manage to spot his weakness from your small confrontation with him?"
"How can one not. Plus, fighting is my specialty. This guy should be no match for me, even if he does manage to find his device."
"Then, for the teams sake, I hope you do."
"And what about you, mister lone mission. Don't tell me this is where our partnership ends?"
"What can I say; everyone deserves a break from you."
"Just don't go and get yourself killed, Dynasmon,"
"Funny, that was going to be what I said next."
"Wow, guess we do act like a married couple. Looks like your group is leaving, I best be of to then. Make sure you get some for me in case mine is already dead."
"May you be watched over."
Joining the rest of the team they were all next to their partners. With them all being in position Alphamon used his remaining energy to lift up his arm summoning the Parallelmon orb. As if flashed it opened up three holes behind the knights. Walking in Alphamon spoke his last words to them. "Fight to survive, and survive to fight."
Singed: GuitarDude Two-One-Five
Word Count: 5254
March 7, 2008 2:15 am PT