Well, didn't get any flack for what I thought was a poor writing job for last chapter. Who knows, maybe I'm just being hard on myself.

Disclaimer: What's the difference between Digimon and my admiration of it? I own my admiration (hence the pronoun). I don't own Digimon.

LAST TIME:
KIYOKO: We entered the Black Forest following the radio signals we picked up at Castle Drac. Along the way we ran into a Karatenmon who wanted us to fight one-on-one with him. Daichi, being an idiot, agreed, but Karatenmon mopped the floor with Groundramon and Togemogumon. Angewomon was the only one to actually do anything to him, if only because Karatenmon started acting weird. He retreated for now and we're back on the road. Hopefully, Daichi will learn from this.

Chapter 38
Dishonor

Dracomon had to bite his tongue to keep him from saying anything about cutting the tension with a Chrome-Digizoid knife. Kiyoko and Daichi had hardly spoken a word to each other since Karatenmon disappeared. Kiyoko only gave Daichi some glares of derision whenever she looked at his face, and Daichi was trying to keep his distance from her, preferring to look at the Digi-Analyzer. As with Dracomon, this did not go unnoticed by the others.

After a lunch break the next day, Isamu brought Searchmon out again to continue following the signal, reasoning that they couldn't afford to stay in one place for so long. With Searchmon leading the way, everyone was on the move once more.

Nobody talked. The only sounds to accompany them were the sounds of Digimon moving through the Black Forest. Finally, they heard something which made Isamu cringe. "Guys," Daichi said, "I've been thinking, and I may have a way to beat Karatenmon."

"Let me guess," Kiyoko said, bitterness in her voice. "We attack him with one Digimon, and if we lose, that's it."

"Here we go," Dracomon whispered.

"Uh… no…," Daichi said hesitantly.

"Then how about we just surrender," Kiyoko said, "as if we haven't done that already."

"Guys…" Isamu said slowly.

"Will you stop acting like I don't know what I'm doing?" Daichi argued.

"Giving in to the enemies' demands is exactly the opposite of what we want to do," Kiyoko countered. "If that doesn't count as 'not knowing what you're doing,' I don't know what does!"

"Just hear me out," Daichi almost shouted. "I don't think Karatenmon is such a bad Digimon."

"He's lost it!" Kiyoko said almost immediately. "Has that crest of yours made you completely crazy, trying to come up with things that make no sense?"

"Well, by that same token," Daichi said, almost as angrily, "your crest has given you an insatiable thirst for jumping into the fight!" Isamu had never seen Daichi act like this. "Look, just let me explain: Karatenmon believes in fighting fairly, right? I have this feeling that he's really a good Digimon. It's just that when the Unifier recruited him into the Digi-Agents, his views of good and evil became twisted and skewed." There was a pause.

"Can I talk now?" Kiyoko asked.

"Yes," Daichi said tentatively.

"Good," Kiyoko replied, "because that is the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Isamu just sighed.

Dracomon suddenly stepped in between the two. "Listen, if Daichi thinks that Karatenmon's really okay, then maybe he's got a point."

"Of course you'd defend him," Gatomon interjected. "You're his Digimon."

"I admit it's a little farfetched," Dracomon replied, "but I've learned to trust Daichi even in the weirdest situations. Isn't that what teammates do?" He seemed to direct this question at Gatomon directly.

"Guys!" Isamu yelled. Everyone turned to look at him. "If you keep this up, Karatenmon will find us. Whether we fight together or individually, I'd rather have everyone a little more calm than this. I mean, look at me; I wasn't involved in your argument, and now I'm short tempered."

There was another pause before Daichi dared to speak. "Kiyoko, you have to understand I'm not just doing this on a whim; I've actually come up with a battle strategy which might give us an edge over Karatenmon."

"But you're still thinking of playing by his rules," Kiyoko said. "If you ask me, that's just asking for trouble."

"I admit I'm going to fight according to Karatenmon's code," Daichi replied. "But if he really is a good Digimon, then that may be how we get through to him."

"Or maybe he'll just go through you," Kiyoko retorted darkly.

"Okay," Dracomon said slowly, "not a healthy relationship."

Searchmon just had is head bowed. "Could someone remind me why I thought arguments were a good thing?"

"Let's just keep moving," Isamu interrupted, "and hope that Karatenmon doesn't even show his face."

"Knowing our luck…" Dracomon muttered.

The group walked on with the same unfriendly silence from before. Kiyoko didn't even bother looking in Daichi's direction, and all Daichi could do was continue observing his Analyzer and muttering to himself and Dracomon. Isamu often looked back at them, hoping to see any sign of an improved friendship; not surprisingly, it looked as though that would take a lot of time.

"Everyone, stop!" Searchmon said suddenly. They all did and Isamu walked up in front of Searchmon.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Trouble," Searchmon answered. "A lone Digimon is headed this way. I'm pretty sure it's a virus type, according to my scans."

"Where's he coming from?" Daichi asked. He didn't need to ask who the newcomer was; everyone had an idea.

Searchmon simply answered, "Staight ahead." Everyone looked on to the path ahead and could barely make out a silhouette of a humanoid creature. Only when it got closer did it reveal itself, expectedly, as Karatenmon.

"So," he began, "we meet once again." Nobody else spoke. "You realize of course that we must face each other once more on the field of battle, as we did before."

"On that we agree," Daichi said. Nobody missed Kiyoko's condescending cough. Daichi ignored her and continued. "However, may I suggest that we pick that field?" The other Digi-Destined looked surprised.

What's he up to? Isamu wondered.

At least we'll have some control, Kiyoko thought. Just some, though.

"Why would I allow that?" Karatenmon asked.

"As you say," Daichi answered, "we are Digi-Destined with an honor which, I assume, is not unlike yours. What makes you believe that what we suggest won't be?"

Kartenmon thought about this answer and said, "Very well. Name your stadium."

"Above the canopy," Daichi replied, pointing above them. Kartenmon considered this request.

"For your Digimon, that would seem very foolish," he said. Both Daichi and Dracomon had to remember that they did not battle him as Wingdramon before. "But if that is your final decision, then I shall abide by it." Karatenmon spread his wings and jumped through the leaves and branches.

"Dracomon, let's go," Daichi said to his partner. Dracomon began to fly upward toward the canopy.

"You sure you know what you're doing?" Isamu asked as Daichi climbed up on of the trees.

"I've done dumber things than this when we played Digi-Battle back home," he answered. "And won."

"But you weren't playing against death, now were you?" Kiyoko asked rhetorically. Again, Daichi didn't acknowledge her snide remark.

He finally poked his head through the treetops and immediately squinted his eyes due to the amount of light that had been missing until now. Karartenmon was a fair distance away. Dracomon fluttered near Daichi.

"Are you ready?" Karatenmon asked, swords in hand. Daichi found a comfortable and sturdy area on which to balance himself and took out his D-Power, Digivice card, and crest card.

Digi-Modify! Digivolution, activate! Crest Digivolution, activate! Dracomon Digivolve to… Coredramon Blue! Coredramon Crest Digivolve to… Wingdramon!

Karatenmon was surprised to see a brand new Digimon as his opponent. "I must say," he said almost emotionlessly, "I have never heard of any Digimon taking advantage of its ability to Digivolve in more ways than one."

"Then consider this a learning experience," Wingdramon said. "Wing Blast!" He flapped his wings and produced a shockwave of wind. Karatenmon had to fold his own wings close to his body to prevent him from being flung back too far.

"Your use of wind is admirable," he complimented. "But I too can use it to my advantage. Feather Flare!" He flapped his wings and created a gust of wind. Wingdramon flapped his own wings in response, creating a gale to cancel the other.

Karatenmon put his swords in front of him. "Harmony Swords!" Suddenly, he reeled back and began to pant.

Now! Daichi thought to himself. He quickly took out a card and swiped it across his D-Power. "Digi-Modify! Gargomon Gargo Laser, activate!" Each of Wingdramon's hands turned into what looked like the cylinder of a gun. He turned them to Karatenmon and fired green blasts while he was still dazed. All the shots were able to make contact before the weapons disappeared.

Karatenmon came out of his daze and said, "So, you also have the power to copy other Digimon. I shall not be so fooled next time. I will expect the unexpected. Harmony Swords!" He held his swords in front of him again, but pulled back once more.

"Sonic Lance!" Wingdramon flew toward Karatenmon and struck him with the lance on his back. Karatenmon only survived because he regained his composure quicker than the last time, causing the strike to be just barely glancing.

"Weren't expecting that," Daichi said smugly, "were you?"

"It appears you have discovered the method for my pereception," Karatenmon said.

"Basically," Wingdramon replied.

"Know that this will matter little," Karatenmon said. "One discovered secret does not ensure a victory."

Isamu could only make out the sounds of the battle above them since the canopy all but completely blocked his view. "Searchmon, how are they doing?" he asked, trying to give himself some hope.

"Sorry, Isamu," his Digimon replied, "but I can only tell you where they are, not what they're doing."

"Oh, I'll tell you what they're doing," Kiyoko said. "Karatenmon is all over Wingdramon, Wingdramon's just barely keeping up, and Daichi's thinking to himself what an idiot he is."

"Not likely, especially that last part," Isamu said hesitantly.

"Well, he should be," Kiyoko said. "I can't take this anymore. Gatomon, come on."

"Finally," Gatomon replied as she and Kiyoko went up one of the trees near where Karatenmon took off.

"What are they doing?" Isamu whispered.

"Whatever is," Searchmon answered, "I doubt it will end well."

Karatenmon charged in with his swords ready to strike. Wingdramon used his speed to dodge most of the samurai's attacks, but his large size still allowed a few slashes to connect. Daichi, with a card in his hand, waited for Karatenmon to use his Harmony Swords and perception power. Daichi figured that this attack was related to his unique ability and decided that he would use a card whenever Karatenmon would try to use his attack, throwing him off guard long enough to strike.

I don't care what Kiyoko says, Daichi thought. If we can beat Karatenmon by his rules, maybe we can appeal to his sense of honor and turn him from evil.

Meanwhile, behind Karatenmon, barely peeking over the canopy, Kiyoko and Gatomon observed the battle. Seeing that Karatenmon had what appeared to be the upper hand in this battle, Kiyoko turned to Gatomon and asked, "Ready?"

"Let's do it," Gatomon answered. Kiyoko removed Gatomon's Holy Ring and took out her D-Power and Digi-Egg card.

Digi-Modify! Digi-Egg of Kindness, activate! Gatomon Armor Digivolve to… Opossumon, Fun-Loving Kindness!

Opossumon, still mostly hidden by the canopy, took one of her balloons and threw it at Karatenmon. Daichi, from his position, couldn't see it, and Wingdramon was too busy moving away from Karatenmon's attacks to even notice.

Wingdramon finally distanced himself from Karatenmon, flying over to Daichi. Karatenmon brought his swords together. "Harmony Swords!" Before Daichi could use the card in his hand, Karatenmon moved one of the swords behind him. Everyone heard a faint pop. Daichi realized what had happened and, after a quick scan, saw Kiyoko and Opossumon, with surprised looks on their faces.

"How dare you?" Karatenmon said. Everyone noticed that his voice was lower and angry. "I expected a battle of honor, and you set me up for a dishonorable defeat. That," he said with more anger than before, "I will not tolerate. Feather Flare!" He flapped his wings multiple times, creating a gust of wind that even Daichi could feel.

"Wingdramon, De-Digivolve!" he yelled to be heard over the gust. Wingdramon complied and started to shrink and lower himself below the canopy. Daichi looked at where Kiyoko was and found she too was going down. Daichi then climbed down his own tree and joined Isamu who seemed both excited and confused.

"What's happening?" he asked.

"Have Searchmon De-Digivolve," Daichi said. "We're getting out of here."

"That will not be so easy!" the angry voice of Karatenmon bellowed as he crashed through the trees.

"Opossumon!" Kiyoko yelled. Opossumon tossed some more balloons at Karatenmon, who slashed them all before they could reach him.

"Your treachery will be dealt with just as it will for them!" he yelled as he pointed to Daichi and Dracomon. He started to fly at them with his swords pointing towards them.

"Not so fast!" Searchmon put himself between them and held his dish up, blocking the swords.

Daichi, meanwhile, was frantically searching his deck for two cards. "Got them!" he finally said. He placed his hand on his crest and held the card that appeared from it.

Digi-Modify! Digivolution, activate! Crest Digivolution, activate! Dracomon Digivolve to… Coredramon Green! Coredramon Crest Digivolve to… Groundramon!

"Guys!" Daichi shouted to the others. "Get on!" He ran up to Groundramon's back and waited for the others to follow. Isamu got on first, leaving Searchmon to defend against Karatenmon. Kiyoko and Opossumon soon followed, with Opossumon De-Digivolving as they reached them. Isamu held up his D-3 and De-Digivolved Searchmon to Wormmon, who reeled himself toward Groundramon with his thread before Karatenmon could strike.

"Hang on, everyone!" Daichi said from the front of the group. "Digi-Modify! Ground Seventh, activate!" Groundramon struck his claws into the ground and buried himself and the others into it quickly, leaving a large hole where he dug.

Groundramon began to tunnel through the dirt and rock at high speed. But an angry cry of, "You will not get away!" caused everyone to turn around. Karatenmon was still after them, swords out and with an angry look on his face.

"Leave this to me!" Kiyoko said. "Digi-Modify! Digmon Rock Cracking, activate!" To drills appeared on Gatomon's hands. She jumped up and stuck the drills into the earth above them. The drills spun and dislodged the dirt and rock enough to collapse in front of Karatenmon. Wormmon used his Silk Thread to latch onto Gatomon and bring her back to Groundramon, who continued to bore his way to a safer spot.

On the other end of the barrier Gatomon created, Karatenmon hacked it with his swords but could do nothing to get past it. Out of anger, he screamed.

Well, that certainly could have gone better. Have our heroes escaped Karatenmon's wrath? Or is this just a temporary break? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!

This is CF signing out.