Chapter 1: Encounter and Aftermath
A teenage boy sits all by his lonesome in a classroom. His gaze is unflinching as he focuses on writing on the book laid on his desk. The orange light of the evening fills the room, indicating the current time. All the classmates of the boy had already gone home but him.
"...It's done." The boy spoke with one last scribble to the book. "That's all the homework done, I should move on to next week's lesson after this." He idly spoke as he turned to face the clock on the classroom's wall to check the time. His impassive face didn't change even as he realized it was so late in the day. The boy tidied up his belongings to his bag and decided to leave for home.
Before leaving the school's premises he took the time to go to the restroom to use the sink. The boy looked to the big mirror atop the sink, his reflection greeting him in return.
The boy has fair skin, a youthful handsome features, short purple hair, and yellow colored eyes with bags under it, indicating his fatigue. He's currently wearing his school uniform which consists of a white collared shirt with elbow-long sleeves, green neck-tie, a black vest with an image of a bird on the right breast side, and dark blue pants.
Unhappy with the bags under his eyes, the boy took a handful of water and splashed his face with it. The cold water helps wake his body a bit more. But, even with a little bit of freshening up the boy's face is still impassive, if anything it seemed as if he just got more tired. With a sigh, he leaves the restroom and heads on his way.
Idle thoughts cloud his mind as he walks home. School, studies, homeworks, exams, succeeding. Those loops on and on inside his head even after his steps brought him to his home.
He entered his home while trying to make as little noise as possible and went past the living room, rushing towards his own room. But he was stopped as a voice called out to him, welcoming him home.
"Welcome home Akio." He stops at the voice of his mom. The boy walks back to the living room and sees her mom on the couch. Her legs are lying on the couch but her body is standing, she must've just woken up.
"I'm home. Did you sleep on the couch mom? You look tired." He asks.
"Yeah, I just got back home a couple hours ago. There was extra work during my shift, it was exhausting." She explains to her son.
"...Anything I can help with?" Akio offered. But his mom simply gave him an amused shake of her head and smiled.
"It's fine Akio, don't worry about it. How was school?" She returns.
"It's fine, I finished all the homework I got. I think I'm going to review next week's lesson after this."
"I see, that's good… did you make any friends?" She asks with a small frown. When the boy awkwardly turns his gaze away her worry is brought true. "Akio, it's fine focusing on your studies but are you sure you're fine with not making friends in your new school?" She spoke with a chiding tone.
"But it's fine! If I do good then I can help you and dad!" The boy tried to defend but his mom wasn't convinced.
The woman rests her hand on her forehead and sighs. "I know we're in a spot of trouble but that's our responsibility Akio. Just enjoy your school life and make some friends. We just want you to be happy, you know?" The boy frowns but listens to his mom raptly. "Now go back to your room and rest okay? I'll call you back when dinner is ready."
With a nod he turns back and heads towards his room, but not without one last comment from his mom. "Oh and when you do make friends, make sure to befriend some cute girls too!" He almost stumbled on his step as his face became red from his blush.
"Mom! This is why talking to the girls is getting harder! Your matchmaking talk keeps getting into my head!" He replied back heatedly. But he just heard a loud "HAH!" from the living room. With an embarrassed scowl he stomps to his room and slams the door loudly.
The boy threw his bag to the floor gently and threw himself onto his bed. Tiredly Akio sighs and stares at the ceiling listlessly, he lets himself be swept up by the softness of his bed.
"I want to enjoy myself but it's hard to do that when this is all my fault."
His family is in a spot of trouble after an accident that happened because of him. Because of that they had to spend quite a large sum of money. Now his mom and dad are working hard to keep them afloat. His parents didn't even blame him, they just assured him everything will be fine and he should leave everything to them.
That's why he's been doing nothing but focus on his studies after entering 7th grade. So focused on this that he even drifted apart from his old friends from elementary school. He wants to repay his parents back for their kindness.
Still… if his mom is starting to get concerned like that then maybe he should slow it down a bit. God knows how his father would react if he knew his son refused to have a social life.
"But… I can do it later right?" The guilt he has is winning over again. He really does want to follow his mom's advice but he got too much going on in his head. In addition to that, trying to befriend his schoolmates sounds a bit much at the moment.
Akio pulled his hair back in frustration, confused on what to do. At times like this, there's only one thing to do to calm him down. He twisted his body to reach for the table next to the bed and grabbed a black and yellow wireless headphones. He placed it snugly on his head and browsed through his phone for his favorite music to play at a time like this. A Wada Koji's classic, Butter-Fly. With the song playing in his ears, Akio lets himself go and closes his eyes to immerse himself in the music.
…
Yeah… he'll try to follow the advice tomorrow. He'll still focus on his studies but he'll try to befriend his schoolmates. He doesn't want his parents to worry over him like that again. It's a start.
-o-
"Dad, Mom I'm heading off now!" Akio called as he left his house, clad in the same uniform and school bag but with the addition of the black and yellow headphones resting nicely on his neck.
"Take care at school son!"
"Be careful out there!" He heard his mom and dad reply.
So he began his trek towards his school with renewed vigor. The plan is laid out, he'll go to school, talk to his classmates and try to befriend them! He even saved ice breaking lines in his phones!
Hopefully they don't already have a group…
And don't mind befriending the loner of the class…
Or one of the girls… He can still hear the whispers of his mom whenever he tries to talk to them.
Oh boy this is going to be a hard one isn't it?
Akio continues his walk while crossing his arm and tilting his head in contemplation for how he's going to approach this. This is a tough one, coming from not socializing to trying to socializing again is a big image change. He's already known as the studious loner so his classmates respected his boundaries and left him alone to his studies… huh. If they're that kind maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.
However his thoughts were brought to a halt when he heard a noise to his side. A simple noise wouldn't really catch anyone's attention but it's because the noise itself was weird that it caught Akio's attention. To put it simply, it's like hearing the static of a television, the ringing of bells, and a glitching computer program.
Even stranger still is the sight that accompanies the source of this noise. It was an alleyway tucked between two buildings but everything inside is coated in green paint- no that's no paint, it's like looking at one of those interpretations where digital data became real in anime and other media.
"What the heck…?" The boy muttered in confusion. It seems highly dangerous but he can't help but approach the distorted alleyway.
With each step towards it, the sounds got louder and louder, it was almost unbearable but he pushed on. Once he's in front of the distortion, Akio is almost mesmerized by it. It's as if something is pulling him there.
"Just what is this… huh?" His musing was cut when he realized he could see something within the green distortion. Is that… a lion man fighting a samurai in black armor? What the heck? What he saw only perplexed him. Getting even worse when he began to hear them talking.
"Tactimon! Just what are you pulling!" The lion man let out a punch that was easily blocked by the samurai's massive unsheathed katana.
"Hoooh… it would seem the boundary between the worlds is weakening." Tactimon mused as he kept blocking the lion man's attacks.
Tactimon? Boundary? He doesn't understand what these things are talking about. The boy winced when he saw the lion man receive a well placed strike from the samurai using the butt of the sheathe.
"Hmm… it would seem I'd have to cut our duel short, Leomon. I'm not too keen to see if this place would turn awry, and I'm surprised your ragtag group is able to hold on for this long. Be grateful, for I shall give you a temporary reprieve." Tactimon turns his back from Leomon and leaves.
"What? You're leaving like this? After everything that you've done!?" The lion man demanded the samurai to answer.
Tactimon stops in his tracks and leers at Leomon condescendingly. "Didn't I tell you? I'm giving you a temporary reprieve, if that's not enough then let me give you another gift."
Something feels wrong, he's not sure if what he's watching is real but once the one named Tactimon brandished his unsheathed katana he felt an unpleasant pressure looming over him. One thing is for sure to the boy, the lion man is in danger.
"Oi! Watch out!" Akio tried to warn the one named Leomon but his voice didn't reach him. The boy can only watch helplessly as the armored samurai moves at inhuman speed in front of Leomon and strikes.
"Kishintotsu." The unsheathed katana is thrusted into Leomon's stomach. The attack was so fast the beast man didn't even comprehend it until the force of the thrust blast through behind him. "Hmph, how weak. Our next bout will be a simple one. My perfect victory." Tactimon turns back again and leaves for real this time. The beast man finally crumples to the ground unmoving.
Akio can only wince in sympathy over Leomon's defeat. He doesn't understand what just happened or why it just happened but… he doesn't like how Tactimon struck Leomon down without remorse.
Is there some way he could help Leomon? It doesn't feel right for him to just leave him alone after just watching him being beaten to submission.
Without thinking, Akio took one more step forward and reached for the green distortion. But before the boy could react, bright flashing lights engulfed the alleyway and himself.
"H-huh? WAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
…
Those who came to investigate the bright light would only find an empty alleyway bereft of any signs of life.
-o-
...
"Ughh…" Akio groaned in pain. Confused as to why his body feels like it's been dropped like a sack of potatoes. His hand grasped the ground and he lifted himself up slowly. Halfway through, he opens his eyes and sees a vast grassy landscape… wait what? The boy blinked and rubbed his eyes repeatedly. When the scenery didn't change he pinched his cheeks with both hands, it hurts, meaning he's not dreaming.
…
"...What the heck?" The boy slowly stood up and gazed in awe. The vast grassy landscape filled with greenery and rocky hills look so vibrant, it reminds him of those beautiful images of Switzerland's wilderness. No, it somehow feels more… alive? He couldn't put it into words.
The boy looked around the hills out of curiosity and gasped as he noticed someone lying on the ground. "Ah! The lion man!" Akio remembers the monster he saw losing to the samurai, Leomon.
The boy ran next to the downed lion man and stopped when he's beside him. The lion man is bigger than he thought, easily towering over him. If he'd make a rough guess Leomon is probably taller than 2 meters, maybe around 2.5? He's humanoid in body shape but his head and limbs show his inhuman nature. A head of a lion with flowing yellow mane, a muscled body surpassing bodybuilders with thick arms and legs, hands with sharp claws, and feet with sharp bestial nails. Akio also notices the lion man is wearing a necklace of red beads on his neck, black pants tightened with a black belt, multiple black sashes covering his left hand, and lastly, an unsheathed sword attached to the back of his black pants.
Akio examined the lion man's injuries, there were bruises and cuts but externally it doesn't seem too bad… until he remembers the samurai monster's last strike. The blow looked downright insane with it piercing through the lion man's body… this is real, oh god. Can he even do anything? It feels wrong to do nothing after he just watched Leomon being beaten.
Akio shook his head, he could feel guilty later. He needs to somehow help Leomon first, but how? He remembers having some band-aids and minor medicine in his bag in case of emergencies but does it even work on something like Leomon?
The boy began to unpack his bags to try and help Leomon but he stopped when he heard a loud voice behind him.
"Stop right there, you dastardly villain! Don't you dare touch Leomon with your grubby hands!" A bombastic voice demanded him to stop. When he looked behind him there was a… monkey man?
Smaller than Leomon but the monkey man is as tall as an adult. The fur on its body is orange in color with the stomach and chest area being colored white. He wore sunglasses on his face, on his hip is a doll of a yellow toy bear and there's also a tail behind him. Looking at the monkey man closer, his "Fur" and outer looks are looking closer to a monkey suit rather than a natural part of his body. His bestial limbs and monkey face makes quite the comical sight.
"To think Tactimon would send his lackey to finish an injured foe, hah! I knew that guy was a coward deep down!" The monkey man continued. Akio is doing his best to process what is happening and the being in front of him. First a lion man fighting a samurai with a big sword and now a monkey man?
But his thoughts were cut off when all of a sudden a fist was coming at him. The boy yelped in panic and rolled to the side, evading the blow that left a fist sized crater… oh god this is real!
"Wh-wuh-wait! Wait! Wait! I'm not an enemy I swear!" Akio pleaded as the monkey man turned to him menacingly. Oh god, is he going to die to a monkey monster of all things!?
"Nice try, but you're not fooling the one and only me! Etemonkey!" Etemon points at himself with his thumbs pompously. "If you're not an enemy, then explain this!" With speed Akio couldn't match, Etemon snatched his backpack and began to rummage through it.
"Wha- hey! Give it back!" Akio demanded as he tried to take his bag back, but Etemon held him in place using his tail.
"Let's see here… aha! A book and pen, to take note of our information no doubt." The book was tossed to the side and the boy leaped to catch it. "Assorted medicines and band-aids, they must be secretly poisons!" The monkey tossed the first-aid pack now and the boy caught it like his book. "Yeesh, lotsa books and boring stuff." Now he tossed the bag at the boy.
"Hey watch where you throw that!" The boy caught is haphazardly. Etemon quickly takes the chance to snatch his headphones and phone from his pocket. "Oh you jerk!"
"And this! …What even is this?" Etemon dangled the two items in front of him questioningly.
"It's for listening to music!"
"Music? Hah! The only music the Bagra army listens to would probably rot our ears! So that's what you're going to use to end Leomon! Well I won't let you!" Etemon declared exaggeratedly.
Wait, exaggeratedly?
"...Are you messing with me?" The boy spoke questioningly. There was a second of pause before Etemon burst out laughing in front of the boy.
"Gehahaha! Oh you should've seen your face kid!" Etemon slapped his own knees as he laughed.
"Ar… Are you serious!?" Akio explodes on Etemon. "Leomon is hurt and you're making fun of me?" The boy yelled at the monkey man who's unperturbed by his outburst.
"Leomon? Oh nah, dummy's stupid sturdy. He looks hurt but he'll recover fast." Etemon waves it off dismissively.
"I saw what happened to him! No way in hell he'd-"
"Hngg…" And Etemon's words turns out to be true as he heard groaning from Leomon. Turning back, he saw the lion man slowly getting back up, some stiffness in his motion but he's getting up nonetheless. "Hmm? Ah! Etemon, you're here!" Leomon spoke to Etemon with a friendly tone.
"And you are up, big L." Etemon replied with two finger guns. "Took quite a beating from Tactimon there bud."
"Yeah, he packs quite the punch. Hmm? Who's that next to you?" Leomon notices the boy who looks at him with a tilted head, confusion splayed on his face.
"This boy? Dunno, just met him. Said he wanted to help you when I found him." The monkey man jerked his thumb at the boy.
"Help?" The lion man examines the boy. He then crouched down on Akio's eye level and gave the boy a grateful smile. "Thank you for your consideration, kid. But as you can see," The lion man flexed his arm. "I'm fine and dandy!" The lion man spoke confidently.
"Seriously? I saw what that samurai guy did to you! It was all zwoosh and then the blow even pierced through you! It was insane!" Akio motions his arms to the scene recollection.
"Hrmm… not my proudest moment." A sweat rolls down Leomon's face. "I do have to admit Tactimon's hard to fight against." He looks down in shame.
"That bad? Damn, so the Bagra army's tactician really is no joke. I heard stories from passing digimon but never expected to encounter him for real in this zone." Etemon comments seriously, his pompous demeanor lessens for a moment.
"Yeah, the worst part is I don't think he was seriously fighting me at all." Leomon begrudgingly admits.
As the two beastmen ponder seriously. The human boy raises his arm slowly. "Ah… excuse me. I just realized this but, what's going on here anyway?" He asks with an awkward tone.
"...Oh yeah. What's a human boy doing over here anyway?" Etemon pounds a fist to an open palm.
"Yeah… and where is… here? This isn't Switzerland is it? I don't remember that country having lion men or… monkey men."
"Huh, looks like the boy got a concussion or something." Etemon chuckles in amusement. "This ain't Switzerland or whatever kid, this is the digital world!" The monkey man spread his arms wide exuberantly.
"Digital what now?"
"Di-Gi-Tal World." Etemon emphasizes each syllable. "More specifically, you're in the Green Zone." The monkey man supplies unhelpfully to the boy because it's just confusing him even more.
"Wait wait wait, you mean we're not in Japan right now? Are we even on earth?!" The boy panicked restlessly. "Oh no, how do I even get back home?!"
"Hmm… so you didn't go here on your own?" Leomon asks.
"No! I was walking by and saw an alleyway being covered in these green things! Next thing I know I was watching him," Akio points to Leomon. "Fighting a samurai and losing and then I touched the green things and woke up here!" The boy finished his impromptu retelling.
"Green things…? Hmm, not sure I'm familiar with what you mean… but I do remember Tactimon mentioned something about the boundary between the world being weakened. Maybe that's what pulled you in, kid?" Leomon speculates.
"Ugh… can I even go back to my home? I was about to go to school…" Akio lamented. "Ah! Give me back my phone!" The boy snatched back his stuff from the monkey man. "Maybe I can call someone-... no signal…" The boy sighs in defeat.
"Wahaha! Don't fret kid, sorry that you're stuck here for a while but I'll be sure to help you get back home!" Leomon declares loudly.
The purple haired boy looked up to the lion man and gave a weak smile. At least someone is willing to help him… the monkey man however.
"Bahahaha! Oh that's gold! You just wandered around and now you're stuck! Bahahaha!" The monkey man is laughing at his predicament.
After a moment the laughter died down and Etemon turned to the other two seriously. "As much as I'd like to keep laughing, we should probably get somewhere safe. Don't know when the Bagra army would strike again and I'd rather not be attacked unprepared."
Leomon returned his gaze seriously and nodded. The boy doesn't know what's going on but hearing the word "Attacked" probably means they could be in danger. So the best choice at the moment is to follow the two… creatures? Beings? For safety.
-o-
The armor clad form of Tactimon gazes on a screen floating in front of him. The screen displays the Green Zone, with this one showing Leomon, Etemon, and their new human companion.
"Hmm, a human…" His eyes focused on the distressed purple-haired boy. "It would seem my perfect victory will be easier than I thought."
-o-
The trio found themselves in a settlement filled with other creatures Akio had never seen before. If he'd recall correctly, on the way the duo of beastmen explained to him that they're beings called a Digital Monster, or Digimon for short. That didn't explain much though, and he didn't press on that longer because the next information they gave was-
"You're being invaded!?" The boy exclaimed in shock.
"Yeah by the Bagra army." Leomon confirmed.
"Okay, first you guys explain that you're all digimon and the next you're telling me this place is being invaded by some kind of evil army?!" Akio chopped the air left to right to emphasize.
"Yep." Etemon nonchalantly said as they walked. "Honestly you couldn't pick a worse time to come here." The monkey man chuckled.
"Don't just "Yep" me! I'm in danger here!"
"We, we're in danger here boy." Etemon corrected. "And relax, it's not like you'd be the one fighting here. What can you even do with that noodle of an arm of yours?"
"Etemon does speak the truth." Leomon flexed his arm muscles. "You need to be powerful like us to be able to fight!"
Reluctantly the boy conceded, it's not like they're wrong. Still though, listening about a world he's never seen before and seeing it up close is just… crazy. He went to make friends at school and got transported here instead, not how he expected his Tuesday would go.
The boy saw the community inside the settlement, most of the digimon he saw seemed harmless… he thinks. A walking talking purple mushroom, A big kiwi bird with a gray mask and tufts of leaf on its head instead of hair or feather, short yellow creatures making burgers, green… snails with big eye stalks?
Honestly he'd react more but this whole encounter has been a bit too much for him. Not to mention his head is busy filling itself with wild thoughts.
"Is… Is it okay for you guys to bring me here? I-I don't even know what I can do here and you're willing to protect me." The boy asks unsurely. With how an invasion is going on and this settlement seems to be a refuge for digimon he feels like he's just going to be a burden.
Leomon saw the distress in the boy's eyes and tones. With a gentle pat on the shoulder Leomon gave him an affirming smile. "Why do you look hard on yourself kid? Look at everyone around you," Leomon motions towards the other digimon. "They're all lost just like you and all of them are victims of the Bagra army. When I saw them I swore to protect them all with all my power!" Leomon pounds his chest proudly.
"That's… that's super bold and reckless you know that?" The boy can't help but be flabbergasted by the lion man's declaration.
"Yeah Leo's kinda like that, as much as I protest to it." Etemon shrugs nonchalantly. Akio was about to ask what Etemon meant by protest but the monkey man was already moving on. "Alright let's get you comfortable somewhere alright? The faster we let you go the faster Leo can prepare defense."
The monkey man turns to the boy and… has not said anything yet, snapping his fingers and head scrunched up as if trying to remember something. Is he trying to call him- oh wait, he never introduced himself has he?
"The name's Akio by the way. Akio Hirose." Akio introduced himself.
"Akio! Now get your butt to safety while the big boys play eh?" Etemon snapped his fingers again bombastically.
The rest was a bit of a blur to the boy, there was hustling and bustling, chatting and discussing before he finally found himself in a tent near the edge of the settlement. One of the yellow humanoids, who are apparently called Burgermon, even gave him some burgers to eat. Burgermons making burgers… he didn't know what he expected.
Akio listlessly eats his meals as he watches the digimon running about. He supposed being here with all the others is better than wandering listlessly in… what was it they called this world again? The Digital World, that's what it is.
Hmm… he's probably already late for school, wonder how long he's going to be stuck here? Hopefully not for long, he still needs to get back home or else his parents would get worried.
How is he going to get back anyway? He suppose he can find another one of those green distortion things, maybe they'd return him to the human world. But where is he going to find another one of those?
"Hey excuse me!" Akio called out to one of the green slug creatures… Numemon if he remembers correctly.
The digimon notices his call and goes to him. "Yes?"
"I'm a bit new to the… whole world here, came here by accident really." The boy bashfully explains. "Do you know where I can find… I guess a green colored distortion? That's how I came here."
"Green distortion?" Numemon tilts his eye stalks as he thinks. "Don't know. Maybe Sukamon knows." He shrugs before turning around. "Hey Sukamon! Know any green distortion?" He yelled at a big yellow-colored… comically shaped poop with eyes and arms… what the hell.
"Hngg, green torso? Isn't that you?" Sukamon yelled back.
"Distortion, not torso!"
"Green portion? Did you mean salads? Yeah, the Burgermons can make those! Just ask them!" Again, he got it wrong.
"No no! It's-"
"Alright alright, stop! If you two don't know it's fine!" The teenager had to put an end to this before it just loops eternally. Numemon shrugs and returns to his business while Akio sits back down and sighs.
Should he ask more digimon about the green distortion that transported him? There are a lot of them so he's bound to find someone that knows something right? Hmm, that would take a bit too long though, it's a whole settlement after all.
"Hmm… maybe I can look for it myself?" Akio wanders and looks around outside of the settlement. His eyes fell upon a pretty tall hill that he could climb. "That's pretty tall, I can probably see a lot from there." The boy looked back to the settlement before speaking apologetically as he left for the hilltop. "Excuse me…"
A short but tiring climb later he managed to reach the hilltop that oversees the Green Zone. The boy gazed at the world discerningly, trying to find the green distortion that brought him here. Which is proving to be quite the challenge since this place is the GREEN zone and everywhere he sees are green grassy plains and forestry. Oh boy he did not think this through did he?
The teenager shook his head in defeat. Looks like there isn't much option for him except to wait for Leomon and Etemon's aid.
As the boy was about to leave, a familiar ringing sound came from behind him. His heart soars as when he turned around, he saw the same green distortion covering the place- hmm? No… it's more like a portal now. Eh, whatever form it takes doesn't matter. For sure this looks like the same thing that brought him here.
"YES!" Akio cheered as he walked closer to the portal. The boy turned behind and yelled towards the settlement. "Sorry for leaving early but thanks for helping me guys!" Not sure if Leomon and Etemon would hear it but at least he said his goodbyes.
He slowly turns to face the portal-
A pair of black armored hands emerges. "No. Thank you." An eerie voice spoke before the boy's vision went black.
-o-
"Come on, you lot! Mushroomon saw Tactimon and his underlings marching near the settlement, we need to hurry!" Leomon spoke as he led a group of digimon to protect the village. They expected Tactimon to return but he didn't expect it would be this soon.
Etemon quickly leads the evacuation of the digimon refugees while Leomon handles all the able-bodied digimon willing to stave off Tactimon's platoon. The beast man observes the digimon gathered, their numbers are smaller as the rest have not recuperated from their previous encounter with the Bagra army yet. Leomon can't help but frown in concern, he's confident in his strength but not everyone can hold on long enough. The best course of action would be to stall for time and retreat once Etemon signals the end of the evacuation.
"Hmm? They're here." Leomon's ears picked up the sound of marching digimon coming towards them, no doubt it's the Bagra army. Not long after he can see many digimon coming their way, Troopmons, Chikurimons, Pteramons, some others and the star of the show himself, Tactimon.
The armored digimon raised his right hand and flicked it forward. As soon as he did, his army hastened their march and began attacking.
Leomon swipes an attack shot by Pteramon and rallies his allies. "Let's go everyone! Protect our home! Protect our friends! Don't let the Bagra army win!" He roared as he charged forward.
Soon the two forces met and clashed. With Leomon as the vanguard he swats down incoming attacks and lets his allies take on the weaker foes while he takes on the stronger ones. A tough strategy to follow as there are many powerful digimon among the enemy ranks, such as Minotarumons and Mammothmons.
Lemon scoffs, if he loses to them first before taking out Tactimon he's not worthy to be the protector of his allies!
The lion man roared as he clashed with the Minotarumons. The bovine digimon have mechanical arms that could cause earthquakes, a danger for him and his allies and his first priority to take out. With his sword he sliced down their mechanical arm, not even allowing them to touch the ground and activate it. The disarmed Minotarumons rushed together to stop him, trying to pin him down but the lion man jumps in the air and clenched his fist.
"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon punched below, unleashing a lion shaped energy that consumed the bovine digimon in its light and deleted them.
The lion man landed with a crash and paused for a short moment. Enemies they may be but they are fellow digimon nonetheless, the least he can give them is a moment of mourning. The loud trumpet of Mammothmons snapped Leomon out. Herd of the huge digimon rushed to trample him flat.
Taking advantage of their large sizes Leomon jumps on top of one of them lithely. Feeling its enemy on its back the Mammothmon trashes around to try and get rid of him, the beast man held on to its fur. He waits until the other Mammothmons realize his presence and roars to taunt them. The wild digimon crashes into the Mammothmon he's riding in blind anger, toppling it down and leaving it lying motionless on the ground. The mammoth digimon expected their enemy to be downed on the ground as well but found nothing near their former comrade's body.
The herd looks around in confusion. The mammoth digimon were about to search until all of a sudden one of them fell. The enemy is on the ground! They deduced, even though there are still zero visuals on Leomon. The beast digimon trashed around the place, stomping everywhere they could to smoke out the lion digimon. But their effort was in vain as even after all of that, they fell one by one until the last one fell as well.
Leomon reappears from the side, all along the lion digimon was hiding nowhere near the mammoth digimon. The wild digimon fell courtesy of his sword and power, a technique he's been training. Sending off an almost invisible energy slash using his sword imbued by his power. To a tempered foe it would've been a simple move but the wild digimon couldn't comprehend that in their blind rage.
With those threats down Leomon heads off again. With them out of the way his allies should be able to handle the Bagra Army better. It's time for his revenge match with Tactimon. If he could somehow beat him then they could repel the Bagra army out of the Green Zone. The lion man speeds through the battlefield to his target who is calmly watching the battle, even as Leomon approaches.
"We meet again, Leomon." Tactimon spoke, his stance unchanging but Leomon can tell the armored digimon is leaving no openings.
The lion digimon didn't speak, he brandished his sword in his left hand and clenched his right hand.
"Yes, there's no need for banter anymore." The unsheathed katana is pointed at Leomon. "It's time for me to claim my perfect victory." He calmly stated.
The two digimon stood still unmoving, both of them watching one another analytically. Leomon couldn't charge recklessly, he knows what Tactimon is capable of, one wrong move and he'll end up like last time, only this time it would be a permanent slumber.
The armored digimon broke the tense silence first. "Feeling nervous are we? Let me help you with that." The ground Tactimon stood on breaks as the armored digimon charged first.
Leomon was ready, blocking the unsheathed katana with his sword. The impact however was stronger than he thought, the lion digimon was pushed back. His hand feels numb but at least the blow wasn't a direct one. Again the armored digimon strikes with his unsheathed katana and the lion digimon blocks it. On and on the clashing of swords repeated but it's clear from an outsider's perspective it's Leomon that's on the losing side. The lion digimon is swept up by Tactimon's flow and could not find any chance to go on the offensive.
Tch, if I can't find an opportunity then I'll just make one! Leomon's right fist glows with power. "Fist of the Beast King!" The lion-shaped energy was shot towards Tactimon.
Tactimon quickly pulls back before it could hit him but Leomon quickly pursues, sword sheathed and both arms ready. "Hundred Beast Fist!" The lion man punches the air repeatedly, shooting out a barrage of lion shaped energies at Tactimon. The barrage forced the armored digimon to cross his arms to defend as he was compromised. Leomon watches as the armored digimon is swarmed by his energy and explodes, covering the place in a cloud of dust.
The lion man watches closely, he knows that attack is not enough to defeat Tactimon and he needs to be ready for when the samurai counteratta-
"Hmm, you're better than before." Leomon punches behind him, but his fist is blocked by the sheath of Tactimon's sword. Aside from a few scuff and dusty parts, the armored digimon looks unscathed. "Let's see how you handle this. Ichi-no-Tachi, Earth Shaker." The unsheathed sword was slammed down to the ground.
The earth rumbled and the violent shifting shattered the surface of the ground in a directed eruption towards Leomon. With how close Leomon was he could not dodge this. His body took it on harshly, being flung into the air before crashing into the ground. The attack continues with clouds of dust pluming out from the path of the earthquake's destruction. Anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in the aftermath would not survive that.
"My my, was that all it took to defeat you?" Tactimon idly spoke as he watched Leomon lying on the ground unmoving.
As if to respond to Tactimon's taunt, Leomon twitched. His eyes open and he slowly rises. His breath is heavy and his body hurts, but Leomon stands defiantly. "That's… that's not enough to defeat me, Tactimon!" He roared before brandishing his sword.
Tactimon could see Leomon's sword being covered in by some sort of aura. When the sword was swung, Tactimon couldn't help but instinctively dodge from danger. His eyes found themselves in the aftermath of Leomon's little attempt. The ground was sliced clean off and he can even see trees behind him falling with a clean slice on its body.
"Hoooh, impressive." Tactimon mused as he dodged another slash Leomon sent. The beast man's arm turns into a blur as he slashes the air, sending many of those deadly slashes towards the armored digimon. Tactimon calmly enters a stance, holding the sword with both hands in front of him. Tactimon brought his sword up and swung down, Leomon's myriad of slashes were stopped all at once with one swing.
But the lion digimon didn't stop there. "Crushing Kick!" Leomon quickly jumps in front of Tactimon and gives him a roundhouse kick that lands cleanly at the armored digimon's head. For the first time, the attack was proven successful as Leomon heard a grunt from Tactimon and the armored digimon was brought to lean slightly down.
"Such tenacity and strength." The armored digimon grabbed Leomon's leg before he could pull out and threw him away. The lion digimon flips through the air and manages to land safely. "Your power is wasted being used like this Leomon. Why would someone like you prefer to fight against us? Would it not be better if you were to join our side?" Tactimon extends his free hand out towards his foe.
"Bah! I'd sooner be a cowardly lion than join your master!" Leomon scoffs at Tactimon's offer. "You conquer zone after zone leaving death and destruction behind. I, Leomon, will protect the victims of your oppression!"
The armored digimon shakes his head and sighs. "Such a shame." Tactimon snaps his finger, a Pteramon comes from the air to his side carrying something covered in black cloth. The tactician of the Bagra army took it and picked it with his hand. When Tactimon uncovers the black cloth his eyes widen. "What about now?" Tactimon asks.
"H-he-help!" On Tactimon's clutches is the human boy Leomon met earlier. His limbs are bound and his eyes are fearful with tears running down. How did Tactimon kidnap the boy!?
"Quite a coincidence huh? There he was wandering around trying to find a way home desperately." The tactician bows his head slightly, his eyes glowing with a sinister gleam. "So I generously gave him a gift, one that led him to me." Tactimon finished retelling, all the way through his tone was condescending.
"Tactimon you bastard! He's just a human boy, let him go!" Leomon threatened without effect to the tactician.
"What was it that you proclaim last time… Protector of the weak you say? Would you leave the boy to an untimely demise, or would you surrender? It's entirely your choice." The armored digimon gave his ultimatum.
Leomon stood still and gritted his teeth. How cowardly, he should have expected this from the general of Bagra army. He shouldn't do this, if he were to surrender then he'd waste the sacrifice his companions had made to battle with him. But he just can't ignore the life of the human boy! Damn it!
Begrudgingly, Leomon kneeled down and placed his sword on the ground. The armored digimon smirked as he saw and the boy widened his eyes.
"Le-leomon!?"
"I'll stand down… just let go of the boy please." Leomon said with a hateful glare towards Tactimon.
"Heh, I knew you'd cave soon enough." Tactimon laughed, this is his victory.
Meanwhile the boy was scared and horrified. Scared that he was being held hostage by the armored digimon but horrified by Leomon's action. The lion digimon is willing to surrender just to save him? Dammit, this is all his fault. He shouldn't have tried to wander around! Now the one who helped him is in trouble.
With quivering lips, the boy resolutes himself. "Do-don't do it, Leomon!"
"Boy, why?"
"I-it'd be bad if Tactimon wins r-right? Then don't give up! Just forget about me!"
"Bo- Akio! Are you serious? You're the one in danger here!" Leomon argued back. "And I can see you shaking. You're scared, you don't need to put on a brave face! Didn't I tell you that I'd help you before kid?" The lion man spoke with an understanding gaze.
Dammit why is he so kind! Why would he do this for someone he just met?
Leomon's words struck the boy's heart, tears welling up in his eyes. He really does want Leomon to not help him because of his guilt, but he's just as scared of his life.
"Hmm… touching, but it's a waste of time." Tactimon cut in. "If you wish to not be saved I'll oblige."
"Tactimon you cur! I knew I couldn't trust you!" Leomon lashed out with wide-eyes. The boy had the same level of surprise, but with the way Tactimon acts they should've expected this.
Before Leomon could retake his sword and strike, Tactimon had already done so. Kicking him to the ground while still holding the boy.
"No!" Akio yelled. "That's not what you-"
"Ah ah ah, you said for Leomon to forget about you. I'm simply honoring your wishes." The armored digimon wagged his finger tauntingly. The tactician gazes at his downed enemy and listens to the sound of battle, he can hear his forces going forward despite the initial resistance. "Ku ku ku, a perfect victory inde-"
"ETEMONKIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!"
The armored digimon quickly blocks towards the voice with his sword but the lithe figure of Etemon instead lands and pulls his hand back. "I'm still counting this as part of my KIIIIICK!" The monkey digimon lands an uppercut straight at the tactician's jaw. Forcing him to step backwards and snatching the boy from his grasp.
"E-Etemon!"
"In the flesh kid!" The monkey gave the boy a megawatt smile, his teeth somehow giving a sparkle. "Yo Leomon, is it really time to taste the dirt?" He snarked at his ally who grumbled as he rose up.
"Etemon… glad to see you're here- ugh." Leomon grunted as he gladly welcomed his friend. "Is everyone-"
"Yeah most of them already moved out to safety." The monkey interjects as he watches Tactimon recovering from his attack. He let go of Akio on the ground and the boy took a deep sigh of relief.
"That's good. Now we got the head honcho to deal with." Leomon took a stance, as did Etemon but he seemed hesitant Akio noticed. The boy simply backed off and sneaked behind the two beast digimon.
"Hrngh… one or two of you doesn't matter. There goes the fastest way to my perfect victory." Tactimon sighs as he rubs his chin. "Looks like it's time to execute plan B." The armored digimon snapped his finger.
The earth trembled and shook. The boy could hear loud noises coming out from within the ground. It was the sounds of loudly spinning drills. Is there a drill digimon in the enemy's army?
The boy's internal question was answered when several spots on the ground ruptured and a human sized moles with purple fur and drill on their nose rose from it. On their back were a platoon of eerie black colored digimon with white mask carrying a gun.
"Tch, Troopmon and Drimogemons. This could be bad." Etemon's smile wavered as he saw the new entry. Now they're outnumbered three to many.
"If I can't make you surrender then overwhelming force is a valid option as well." Tactimon rests his sword on the ground. The armored digimon is content to see the struggles of his enemies without laying a finger.
"Leomon! We can't fight like this! It's time to bail!" Etemon took charge, motioning them to escape from the back.
"Ah ah ah," The armored digimon wagged his finger. "There won't be any escape." The ground behind them erupted as well, when the dust settled the trio was now completely surrounded by Drimogemons and the Troopmon platoons.
"Oh no! They blocked our escape!" Akio cried out, stepping closer to Etemon for safety.
"This… is not good at all." Leomon lamented.
The trio watches as the Bagra looms over them. The Troopmons point their gun and charge it while the Drimogemons watch their movement. It really does look like it's the end for them. Etemon's smile falters into a worried frown and Akio clings to the two digimon in hope for safety. To them all hope was lost… except for one.
"Fist of the Beast King!" A line of Troopmons and Drimogemons were blasted into nothingness. Leomon stands defiantly against despair.
"Leomon?" The boy muttered, gazing at the back of the beast digimon.
"You two escape, I'll buy you some time." Leomon declared as he brandished his sword.
"W-what!? You're going to fight against them?" Akio exclaimed.
"Leo, are you insane? You can't take them on, it's suicide! Escape with us!" Etemon heatedly spoke.
"No… if we escape together then Tactimon and his minions would just follow us to the others. One of us would have to stop him here and that's me." Leomon didn't budge, his eyes were burning with resolution.
The monkey digimon grit his teeth and punch Leomon in frustration. "Dammit Leo! This is why I never liked the idea of resisting the Bagra army. We can't keep fighting… one of these days we'd get offed eventually and now the day actually comes!" Etemon vented with gritted teeth.
"I knew what I signed up for. And didn't I tell you guys before? I'll protect you all with all my power!" The lion digimon's gaze turns to the human boy. He can see the nervousness and conflict within the boy's mind as plain as day. "Akio… kid. Don't blame yourself for what happened ya hear? It's all just misfortune, you did nothing wrong." He assured the boy with a grin.
"Wha- but!"
"You accidentally came to this world and while you were trying to find a way back that jerk over there captured you. It's all out of your hand right? Lighten up a bit kid, someone young like you doesn't need to worry so much like that."
The boy froze. The way Leomon is talking to him reminded him too much of what his parents like to say.
"Hey Etemon, take care of this one yea? I still promised I'd help him find a way home." Leomon requested before walking off towards the enemies.
"W-wait!" Akio didn't get a chance to finish. Etemon wasted no time and picked him up again, using all his might to escape to the opposite direction.
Tactimon who is silently watching the exchange simply shrugs his shoulders. "Touching. Is that all?"
The lion digimon didn't fall for the provocation. Instead he took a stance and brandished his sword in a reverse grip. "I'll make you eat those words soon Tactimon. I am the king of beasts, Leomon! Protector of the Green Zone! And I will be your end!" Leomon shouted just as he shot towards Tactimon.
-o-
The pair was silent all the way in their escape. What can they say in this situation? Etemon lost a friend and Akio lost someone who was willing to genuinely help him. Their silence was broken once they reached back to the settlement, or at least what it used to be. The only thing in front of them now are just ruined structures and burning tents.
"This… this is horrible." The boy frees himself from Etemon's grasp and watches in horror as the once lively settlement he saw is reduced to rubbles.
"Haaah… I knew they'd attack this place, Good thing I evacuated most of them out of here. Hopefully they can find someplace else safe."
"Most? Wa-wait does that mean that-"
"Yeah, some of them refused to budge even though they knew what the Bagra army was capable of." The monkey digimon sat tiredly on a broken chair. "They're tired, kid. Tired of constantly running and escaping from the Bagra army," Etemon explained before Akio could ask.
"That's…" A rustling from a ruined tent caught his attention. The boy rushed to it and saw the same green slug and yellow poop shaped digimon. "Numemon, Sukamon! You guys are alive!"
"WAGH! Don't attack us!" They raised their arms in surrender while closing their eyes.
"Hey hey calm down. It's me, the one that asked you questions about distortion." The boy reassures them. Once the pair opened their eyes they sighed in relief. "Uh, are you guys the only survivors here?" Akio asks worriedly.
With sad eyes Numemon shakes his head, that answer was enough.
Trying to make himself useful, Akio scoured around and found surviving food and supplies and gathered it to where Etemon is. The four huddled together in the middle of the ruined settlement, they're all they have now.
"Haaah… I should've just asked everyone to escape." Etemon laments as he watches the other three munching on their small meals.
"Escape? You were going to let the Bagra army roam around and do all they want?" Akio asks, his gaze tinged with suspicion at the monkey digimon's statement.
"Well no duh kid, just look at all around you." The monkey waved his hand around. "At least if we escape we'd get away with our lives. That dummy was too noble to choose that route. But I suppose I get what he's preaching, can't really dash over someone's way of life you know?"
"Hmm… wonder if escaping would even be safer. Wouldn't you guys still be chased by the Bagra army? Wouldn't it be less tiring if you guys submit?"
"Hah! Kid kid kid, we'd rather take the fugitive life than live under the Bagra army." The three digimon shook their heads disapprovingly. "You saw the other digimon in the battlefield that we passed? A lot of them are conscripts from the places they've conquered." Etemon explains. "So submitting is almost the same as agreeing yourself to be canon fodder for their frontline."
"Oh that sucks." The boy winced, they can't even catch a break if they submit. "It just sucks all around for everyone huh?"
"Pretty much." Sukamon and Numemon spoke together in agreement.
"Yep. Not to mention those that fight just left behind those who can't fight. Once they're gone there's nothing left to protect them. The only thing you have left are… well the losers." The monkey man points at everyone including himself.
"The losers huh… kinda fitting." The boy couldn't help but chuckle. It's demeaning but the word describes them perfectly right now. "There must be so many losers like us in this war huh?"
"A lot, kid. A lot of losers." The monkey man stood up and walked away.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Akio calls out.
"Escaping this dump. There's nothing here that would make me stay anymore so why bother."
"How are you going to escape here?"
"Something I originally planned before Leomon got all heroic." Etemon walks near a rubble and digs out a… white colored phone… thing? Curiously, the trio got closer and saw Etemon fiddle with the device. There was something akin to an SD card that was inserted to the side. A green colored portal formed right in front of them shortly after, surprising the clueless trio.
"Holy smokes!" Numemon and Sukamon cowered behind the boy.
Akio instantly recognized what the portal was. "That looks like what brought me here! And… the one that Tactimon used to bait me…" He sulked at the last part. "Where does this even lead?"
Etemon simply shrugs nonchalantly. "Who knows, but anywhere is probably better than here. You guys wanna come too? Leomon did ask me to take care of you." He offers.
"Running away like the losers we are huh…?" The boy muttered sullenly as he looked at the ruins around them.
"Do you see another option?" Some of Etemon's cheeky attitude surfaced as he gave the boy a light grin.
Akio looked back on the events that befell him today. The encounters, the meetings, the settlement, the kidnapping, Leomon's sacrifice, and now this. His eyes fell upon the cowering digimon behind him and then to Etemon.
"Hey Etemon?" He started.
"Yeah?"
"Can we… still help other digimon?"
"Whaaa? Are you serious? Didn't we establish-"
"I mean like digimon that got in this situation like us. The losers." The boy chuckled sadly. "I wouldn't feel right to just abandon everything after I saw Leomon's sacrifice. At least this way I could honor him a little bit?" He scratched his cheek unsurely.
The monkey digimon examined him for a moment before sighing again. "Yeah… wouldn't feel right after that dummy did all that for us. I'll agree to this, but we just help who we can alright? We're losers but not idiots, we need to survive too." Etemon wags his finger.
"...Thanks Etemon." Akio smiled gratefully.
"Yeah yeah, now let's get out of here." The four walk towards the portal together. They don't know what will come their way but at least they got each other.