A/N:
For future notice:

Bold words will usually be used for Chapter titles, locations and to show who is talking.

Italics will generally be used for thoughts or flashbacks.

From this Chapter onwards, conversations over text/calls will use the crests as an indication of who is talking.

Chapter 4: The Protector Forever

The Digital World

Fladramon: "Knuckle Fire! Come everyone! Let's run!"

Daisuke: "Hurry! We need to get away before the Digimon Kaiser comes back to this arena!"

The group of new Digidestined were in the Digital World freeing the Digimon enslaved by Ken. They were currently freeing the Digimon trapped in the arena. (A/N: It's the arena from last chapter where he got the Elecmon and Gotsumon.)

Iori: "This should be far enough. I would say that this escape plan worked perfectly."

Takeru: "Yeah… a little too easy… there was no security or resistance here. The Kaiser is probably up to something…"

Daisuke: "Ha! I bet he was just scared of us and ran."

Hikari: "I don't know… I agree with Takeru on this one… it really was too easy. I wonder what he is planning…"

Iori: "Hmm… we should report this to Koushiro and see what he thinks about it. Maybe he will have a plan."

Hikari put her hand to her earpiece.
Light: "Izzy, mission accomplished. Requesting a gate."

Knowledge: "Got it, Kari. Gate opening in a minute."

Tailmon turned around and noticed an odd tower. Her tail ring allowed her to sense the evil energy emitted from it.
"I'll just tell Koushiro about it later…"

The Kaiser's lair

Ken: "These dark towers are brilliant. Being able to control evolution without even needing my dark Digivice to be there. Now to go take a visit to that new village I've taken."

Ken: "Do you see that black tower? That's a dark tower. It means your village is now under my territory, and that means you all are my servants. Understood? Oh, and you can forget asking the Digidestined for help, the dark tower prevents their evolution just like my Digivice. They wouldn't stand a chance here."

A Digimon with a hood was at the front of a group of Gazimon. They were all listening to the Kaiser's self-proclaimed rulership.
"Tsk, those Vegimon are being controlled by those dark rings. I'm such a disgrace. I promised I would protect this village. Only the Digidestined can help us now..."

Koushiro's office

Miyako/Koushiro: "EHH?!"

Koushiro: "Why did you think it was a good idea to bring the Gotsumon here?"

Takeru: "Uhh, I mean, we couldn't just leave them where the Kaiser could get to them… and the quickest solution would be to bring them here…"

Koushiro: "But this is my office not a village for Digimon to stay… Oh well, maybe we can get in contact with one of the villages from our previous Adventure. Anyways, Miyako, can I borrow your Digivice for a while?"

Miyako: "Err, not that I don't trust you but, why mine?"

Koushiro: "I want to study one of the new Digivices and, well considering how you were fine with staying here instead of following them on the rescue mission, I err, kinda assumed you would be fine without your Digivice for a while?"

Miyako: "Eh, I guess that's fine with me. Here."

Tailmon: "Koushiro, just now when Hikari was contacting you, I saw a weird black tower and it was emitting dark energy. It might be a creation by the Kaiser and if it is, he is probably planning something, which could explain the lack of security at the arena we saved the Digimon from."

Daisuke: "That reminds me, why did you call him Izzy when you called?"

Koushiro: "Hmm, I'll try to investigate that Tailmon. Daisuke, were you not listening when I gave the briefing before you all went into the Digital World? I clearly stated that we should be more careful in our communication. Izzy is an easy nickname that comes from my last name, 'Izumi'."

Daisuke: "But shouldn't the Kaiser already know our names by now? Why hide them?"

Takeru: "It's still best to be cautious."

Koushiro: "Takeru is right. If the Kaiser really is that genius kid, it is possible that he can hack my stuff. I'd rather not take that risk. Which is why we will be using those nicknames over the earpieces and when we are texting one another about the Digital World."

At the Village

Ken brought his whip down from where he was seated, scaring the Vegimon. Ken was seated on a throne that was attached to a wooden platform that the Vegimon were carrying.
Ken: "Come on, bring me to the next area! Hurry!

Hooded Digimon: "Alright, he is leaving. Now is the time to escape!"
The Hooded Digimon threw a strong punch at the door, causing it to fall on the Vegimon that were guarding it.

Voice: "Where do you think you're going?"

A green mace-like object came flying towards the Hooded Digimon and the group of Gazimon. The Hooded Digimon raised his arms to block it. The object collided with the Hooded Digimon causing him to stagger backwards.

Voice: "Did you really think you could escape?"

Hooded Digimon: "Tsk, I should have known you would be here, RedVegimon."

RedVegimon: "Trying to escape is a serious offence you know. The punishment is a hundred hits!"

RedVegimon started swinging his green mace-like arm down on the Hooded Digimon who used his arms to guard himself. After a few hits the RedVegimon tried to jab the Hooded Digimon, resulting in the Hooded Digimon being sent flying off the mountainside into a river."

RedVegimon: "Hmph. Finished at only twenty-one hits. Still, I doubt he is even alive after falling down this mountain. Now! all you Gazimon, because I'm feeling nice today, I will let you all get back in the cage without any punishment. Just don't resist, or your punishment will be far more severe than that other Digimon."

The Hooded Digimon managed to bring him out of the river and was panting hard by the riverside. He needed to get to a cave near his village. It had the ability to send an SOS to the Digidestined.
Hooded Digimon: "I… can't die here… I need to find the Digidestined… and warn them… if only I were stronger… I'm sorry Mojyamon… I couldn't protect the village… I was just… too weak… If only… if only the Gold Sword Fighter were here…"

Elsewhere

Yamato and his band were having their concert. The Teenage Wolves had been a popular band gaining multiple fans, often resulting in several fangirls that tried to go for Yamato, who was the lead singer and face of their band.

After the concert, Yamato met up with his brother and Gabumon. Takeru had called him just before the concert to have a talk. Yamato had suggested to wait until after the concert to talk to him.

Yamato: "So we need to find a place for the Gotsumon?"

Takeru: "Yeah, can you think of any place?"

Yamato: "Not really… actually, there is that village we saved from Zanbamon. Maybe you could ask Koushiro to contact Storabimon."

Takeru: "Oh yeah, that reminds me. We saved Mojyamon from the Kaiser yesterday. He told me to give regards to you and Mr Gold Sword Fighter, speaking of, where is Gabumon right now?"

Yamato: "He is back home. I didn't want to risk someone seeing him."

Just then, a red-haired girl came running up to Yamato and Takeru.

Voice: "Hey, can I have your autograph?"

Yamato: "Sure, your name?"

Jun: "Motomiya. Motomiya Jun."

Takeru: "Eh? Motomiya? Are you Daisuke's sister by chance?"

Jun: "Yeah, I am but who are you?"

Yamato: "He's my younger brother, Takeru."

Takeru: "Nice to meet you. I'm one of Daisuke's classmates."

Jun: "Well, You're quite cute. Sign as well."

Yamato chuckled.
Yamato: "Don't get any funny ideas, my Otouto's heart has already been stolen~"

Takeru: "O-Onii-Chan!"

Jun turned around with a sigh and let Takeru sign her shirt.

Jun: "My little brother isn't cute at all… I wish I had a better brother like you two…"

Just then, the brothers received a text message on their cell phones. (A/N: The Digivice phones function the same as normal phones in this fanfic. Just with the added ability to function like their normal Digivices. So, I may refer to them as either cell/Digivice phones depending on the situation.)

Love 2: "Izzy says there is some SOS signal. Come to his office immediately. T.K, make sure Matt comes. Izzy says he might want to come for this."

Yamato and Takeru looked to each other, nodded, and started running.

Yamato: "Izzy? T.K? Matt? Who are they?"

Takeru: "Koushiro will explain to you in detail later. Long story short, they are nicknames for the three of us. Koushiro wants to give one to everyone in the Digidestined for safety during communication. Go get Gabumon and I'll meet you at Koushiro's office."

Koushiro's office

The group of Digidestined were now sitting in Koushiro's office waiting for Yamato to come with Gabumon.

Daisuke: "Come on! What's taking him so long?"

Takeru: "Lay off, he just finished his concert. Gabumon wasn't with him, he needed to run back home to get him."

Koushiro: "It's fine. Anyways, this gives me more time to figure out more about what you guys will be getting into."

Daisuke: "I thought you could just send them through the computer? Why didn't you guys just get your mom to send Gabumon through?"

Takeru flinched and turned away, he pulled his hat slightly lower over his eyes. Hikari went over to him and put a hand on his shoulder while giving him a reassuring smile. Takeru looked up slightly and gave a small smile back. Even Koushiro stopped his work on the computer.

Miyako went over to Daisuke and smacked his head.
Miyako: "Daisuke! You moron!"

Hikari: "His mom and dad are working so they wouldn't be at home."

Daisuke: "It makes sense that they are at work but why did you hit me?"

Hikari looked at Takeru worriedly, but he just gave her a small nod.

Takeru: "It's fine Hikari. You don't have to lie for me. Miyako, don't hit him like that, he didn't know. Daisuke, my mom and dad are divorced… they haven't been… together for a long time already."

Just then Yamato walked into the room with Gabumon.

Yamato: "What's with the gloomy atmosphere?"

Takeru: "It's fine, we were just talking about… mom and dad…"

Takeru's last words were but a whisper, but Yamato still managed to hear them. He went over to Takeru and gave him a hug.

Takeru: "I'm fine Onii-chan. I'm… over it already."

Yamato: "Ok… if you say so. So, Koushiro, what's the SOS about and why is it important that I come over."

Koushiro: "The distress signal came from the village you saved from Zanbamon."

Yamato: "I see."

Iori: "We should go now. Miyako, if you want you can stay here. It will give Koushiro more time to research on your Digivice. Four Armor evolutions should be strong enough for this."

Miyako: "Alright, if you say so."

The Digidestined then went through the gate to find the Hooded Digimon lying on the ground.

Takeru: "Isn't that…"

Yamato/Gabumon: "Storabimon!"

Storabimon stirred a little and opened his eyes.

Storabimon: "It looks like you got the SOS, Gold Sword Fighter…"

Gabumon: "What happened? Who did this to you?"

Storabimon: "The Digimon Kaiser took over the village… I was too weak to protect them by myself. I managed to get away when RedVegimon sent me off the cliff and into the river. Come, I should have enough energy to at least lead you to the village."

Storabimon lead them out of the cave and towards the village, where they spotted a large black tower at the center of it.

Storabimon: "That tower up there is a dark tower. The Digimon Kaiser said that it means this village is now his territory."

Tailmon: "It's just like the one from where we saved the Gotsumon. The energy emitting from it feels off."

Storabimon: "Yeah. The guards are mainly Vegimon, but there is one RedVegimon who is their leader. The Digimon Kaiser left quite a while ago. If I recall correctly, he was going to another area with those dark towers."

Patamon: "If the Kaiser isn't here then we can probably evolve normally and clean up the Vegimon quickly."

Storabimon: "Unfortunately that won't work. He said the dark towers prevent your evolutions like his Digivice."

Tailmon: "So we will be stuck with just Armor evolution…"

Daisuke: "That won't be a problem! We can just break all their dark rings no problem."

Yamato: "Don't be so hasty. Our main goal is to free the remaining Digimon."

Daisuke: "I know, it won't be a problem with Armor evolution."

Takeru: "We can't just rush in. If we do that, they can use the captured Digimon as shields."

Hikari: "That's right, we want to rescue them, so it would be pointless to go in without a plan."

Storabimon: "You guys figure out how to get into the village, I'm going to go tend to my wounds and get the sword."

Yamato: "I'm fine with that, take care of yourself Storabimon."

Storabimon: "I will."

Storabimon then jumped away towards the village.

Daisuke: "So what's the plan?"

Yamato: "Simple, we infiltrate the village and save the Digimon. Gabumon and I will bring them away and you guys just need to buy us time once we have the Digimon."

Vegimon: "Stop! Who are you?"

Tailmon lifted her paw which had a black ring around it.
Tailmon: "We captured these prisoners while looking for the Digimon that escaped."

Vegimon: "Well done. Bring them to the prison."

The group of humans, who were tied loosely by a rope, were being led by their Digimon towards what looked to be a prison.

Patamon: "It's a good thing they didn't realise the rings were fake."

Tailmon: "We must still keep our guards up, we are right in the middle of the enemy's territory."

A Vegimon threw the humans into the cage that contained the Gazimon.

Vegimon: "HAHAHA, it was so easy to catch you humans. Good Job everyone!"

The Digimon then took off their fake rings.
Tailmon: "You did well too! Neko Punch!"

The Vegimon was sent flying into the iron bars. The rest of the Digimon quickly got to work at getting their partners out of the cage.

The Digidestined and the captured Digimon ran around the town, but realised soon that there was no feasible way to escape without conflict.

Daisuke: "I think it's time we fight them."

Yamato: "And lose the Digimon we have saved? Yeah, that sounds like a great plan. We need to improvise. I didn't expect there to be so many guards around, there is no way we can get the Digimon out of here in time if even if you cause a distraction."

Gabumon: "Let's go up to that dark tower, maybe we will be able to find a better way to get away using that."

Iori: "Or we could just ask Koushiro to bring us back."

Takeru: "I think his office is crowded enough. Maybe if we can destroy that dark tower, we can free this village. Then at least we would have a good place for all the Digimon we save."

Yamato: "Then it's settled, let's go."

The group made their way up the mountain, wary of any more Vegimon guards.

Takeru: "By the way, Daisuke, Yamato and I met your sister today."

Daisuke: "Ok, and?"

Takeru: "What do you mean 'and'?"

Daisuke: "She bad-mouthed me, didn't she?"

Takeru: "Not really."

Daisuke: "You're lying. She always bad-mouths me in front of everyone. She doesn't like me and I don't like her either, so we're even."

Yamato: "Hey! What are you talking about! You can't talk about your siblings like that."

Daisuke: "What are you going to do about it? Hit me?"

Yamato: "Is that a challenge?"

Takeru: "Calm down. Let's not get carried away here."

Yamato: "Tsk, you know I wouldn't hit him, even if I wanted to."

Daisuke: "Tsk, why don't you shut up, I can say whatever I want about that stupid girl."

Hikari: "Daisuke, stop that. I hate people who talk bad about their siblings."

Daisuke's world came crashing down… again. The rest of the group was already moving forward but Daisuke stood rooted.

Daisuke: "She hates me… Hikari hates me…"

Veemon: "Daisuke…"
"I've never seen him this down… I have to cheer him up somehow…"

Gabumon: "This cliff is too high…"

Takeru: "We can distract the guards and lure them up here. But we would need some rope to get the Gazimon down safely."

Gazimon: "You saved us, some of us are willing to help you find that rope."

Gabumon: "I'll come with you."

Voice: "Unfortunately, I can't let you do that."

The group turned around to see RedVegimon and numerous other Vegimon preventing them from going down the cliff.

Veemon: "Don't worry Daisuke, he is just another Vegimon. I'll defeat him and cheer you up!"

Daisuke: "Cheer me up? Wait Veemon!"

Veemon ran up to the RedVegimon for a fight but was clearly outmatched.

RedVegimon: "Do you really think you can win against me?"

Daisuke: "Guys! Quickly Armor-evolve!"

Vegimons: "We don't think so!"

The Vegimon ran towards the Digidestined and stopped them from using their Digivices.

RedVegimon: "Good job, now I think I'll have some fun with you. I'll give you the hundred hit punishment. That should teach you not to mess with me."

RedVegimon began to hit Veemon repeatedly while the Digidestined watched on helplessly.
"It's all my fault… I let Veemon see me down, he thinks it's he duty to cheer me up. I can't let him endure this for me!"

Daisuke: "Stop it! Stop hitting Veemon! Hit me instead!"

RedVegimon: "Oh don't worry about yourself. I'll give you the same punishment after him since you're so eager."

Gabumon: "If only we could help…"

Voice: "That's enough RedVegimon!"

RedVegimon looked behind him to see a Hooded Digimon with a sword in his hands.
RedVegimon: "Oh? So, you have returned for more?"

Storabimon: "In the honor of the Gold Sword Fighter, I will cut you down with this blade!"

Storabimon ran forward with the sword, clashing with RedVegimon. Storabimon seemed to be getting the upper hand and was pushing RedVegimon back. But RedVegimon had a smirk on his face.

Storabimon: "What are you so happy about?!"

RedVegimon: "You can't win this fight. I have the advantage here."

Storabimon: "What?"

RedVegimon: "I think you should know. I clearly have your friends captive here. If you even hurt me, they will be as good as dead."

Storabimon took a step back and went on the defensive.
Storabimon: "Tsk, I should have known you would pull dirty tricks like this."

RedVegimon: "Let's see how much more you can take from me."

RedVegimon began to go on the offense, cornering Storabimon at the dark tower. Storabimon was blocking the hits with his sword but was clearly slowing down.
"Tsk, I didn't give myself enough time to heal. This is bad, my injuries are catching up on me…"

RedVegimon struck Storabimon into the dark tower, causing him to stagger. The dark tower cracked at its base.

Storabimon's eyes widened.
"That's it!"

Storabimon: "Hmph, I've figured out how to win."

RedVegimon: "And how is that?"

Storabimon: "Like this!"

Storabimon turned around quickly and slashed at the base of the dark tower, causing it to crumble and start collapsing. Storabimon fell his knees, exhausted.

Yamato: "Storabimon! Let me go!"

Yamato managed to get himself loose of the Vegimon that were holding him. It was considerably easier as they stood in shock looking at the collapsing tower.

Yamato: "Gabumon!"

Gabumon: "Got it, Yamato!"

"Gabumon Evolution! Garurumon!"

Garurumon: "Fox Fire!"

Garurumon's fire hit RedVegimon, which gave Yamato and Garurumon time to get to Storabimon.

Yamato: "Storabimon!"

Storabimon: "Please… defeat him and save the village Gold Sword Fighter…"

RedVegimon: "Not so fast! One step forward and your friends will be dead!"

Yamato: "Garurumon!"

Garurumon: "Leave it to me, Yamato!"

"Garurumon Super-Evolution! Weregarurumon!"

Weregarurumon: "HAA!"

Weregarurumon increased in size, turning into his Sagittarius mode.
Weregarurumon: "Kaiser Nail!"

Faster than light, Weregarurumon's attack killed all the Vegimon that were holding the digidestined captive. They didn't even have time to react.

Yamato: "Storabimon, stay with me! We are going to get help for you!"

Storabimon: "Heh… it's too late for me… I've used up too much energy… Save the village… tell Mojyamon I'm sorry… I leave everyone to you… Yamato… Gabumon."

Storabimon began to dissipate into data. Yamato had a dark expression on his face as he picked up the sword Storabimon had left on the ground.

Yamato: "Weregarurumon…"

Weregarurumon: "We will honor his last wish."

Weregarurumon Mega-Evolution! CresGarurumon!

Cresgarurumon stood tall, towering over RedVegimon. RedVegimon looked like an ant compared to the Golden warrior standing in front of him. Cresgarurumon's eyes showed nothing but grief and anger.

RedVegimon: "W-Wait, p-please have mercy!"

Yamato: "This is mercy, after all you've done."

With that, Cresgarurumon slashed his sword down on RedVegimon, cutting him in half before he even had time to register the pain or let out a scream.

Iori: "No way… he just killed those Digimon with no effort…"

Daisuke: "What in the actual fu-"

Yamato: "RAHHHHHHH! WHY?! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO LOSE YOUR LIFE!"

Takeru went over to his brother and put his hand on his shoulder. Cresgarurumon reverted to Gabumon. The sword was glowing and changed into a ball of energy and went towards Yamato's Phone Digivice.

Hikari reluctantly separated herself slightly from the group to update Koushiro.

Light: "Izzy… mission accomplished. One casualty, Storabimon…"

Knowledge: "I see, got it. And how is Ya- err Matt holding up?"

Light: "Not very well. But he will get over it. T.K and I will make sure he gets over it."

Knowledge: "I assume the village is safe to send the Gotsumon over?"

Light: "It is, bring everyone over, including yourself and Yolei. We need as many hands as possible to make sure there aren't anymore Digimon under the Kaiser's reign. The dark tower has been destroyed. It seems that it functions like the Kaiser's Digivice."

Knowledge: "Noted, we will be over soon."

Iori: "I can't believe he actually killed those Digimon."

Hikari: "Unfortunately, that's how it is sometimes. There was no better way to save us there."

Iori: "You don't seem surprised."

Hikari: "Why would I be? We had to kill many Digimon last time."

Takeru walked back to the group with his head down.

Takeru: "He will come back but… his sacrifice will not be forgotten nor was it in vain."

Koushiro, Miyako, their partners and the Gotsumon all came through a gate in front of the Digidestined. Surprisingly, when all of them went to search the town, they found that none of the dark rings on the remaining Vegimon were working.

Miyako: "Hmm so the towers work as a power source that helps the Kaiser to keep more Digimon under his rule."

Yamato: "Our role is clear then. We must destroy the dark towers."

Koushiro: "Are you ok, Yamato? Also, where is the sword?"

Yamato: "I'll be fine. Let's just… give him a proper send-off. The sword was glowing just now, and it went into my Phone Digivice."

Koushiro: "Interesting. Maybe you will be able to use it again like the Digimentals. But, enough about that, let's go give Storabimon the memorial he deserves."

The group travelled to a cave where there were numerous graves from 3 years ago all had flowers around them. Now there was a new one.

Here Lies Storabimon

A courageous warrior willing to fight for all his friends.

The true inheritor of the Gold Sword Fighter's Soul.

That's the end for Chapter 4. Hope you all enjoyed it. :D