Chapter 2: Gammamon vs Cyberdramon

Guilmon and Cyberdramon stared each other down. Everyone from Misty Village watched, waiting for whatever happened next. A small wind made Cyberdramon's cape and the back of Guilmon's kasaya flutter behind them. Gammamon, Veamon and Gumdramon stared in silence.

"I cannot believe the Digimon Hero is here!" Beastmon awe, her eyes sparkled with delight.

"Yeah but how long has he been here?" Ballistamon asked.

"Cyberdramon Akiyama. Why are you siding with the bad guys? You are a Tamer Digimon, like me. So why are you with these Regime guys?" Guilmon questioned.

This news shocked everyone, especially Gammamon, Veamon and Gumdramon.

"What?! That means Digimon's a Tamer Digimon too?" Gammamon stammered as he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"But why would he join the Regime?!" Gumdramon cried.

"And where were you for the last seven years, Matsuki!" Cyberdramon snarled as he began to walk with Guilmon in circles still facing each other. "You vanished after we made it back here. And now suddenly you're a hero now?"

"At least I didn't join an evil empire bent on destroying the Digital World as far as I can see! I will stay loyal to what Takato made me believe. I have to do some special training after an incident happened. And now, here I am." Guilmon said.

"Training? Funny. I remember you as a bread-loving, goofy, imbecile of a dino child. And now you're a martial art master or something?" Cyberdramon snarled.

"You didn't answer my question. Why would you join them?"

"Not by choice, Guilmon! We tried to stop the overlord before but he was too powerful. Now we serve the Regime now." Cyberdramon said with a glare.

"We? What about the others? Who else has joined the Regime?" Guilmon demanded as he clenched his fist.

"Impmon, Guardromon and MarineAngemon also joined the Regime." Cyberdramon answered.

Veamon gasped at this. "Those three as well?!"

"You've been missing for seven years, so... I'll tell you what've you missed." Cyberdramon pointed to the red dino. "Lord Duskmon was plotting to overthrow the Sovereigns in secret, gaining allies in the dark. But they need funding to make their empire known. That is where a new funding group comes in. They help innocent digimon pay funds to build homes and organize events."

"What does this funding group have to do with the Regime?"

"Well... why not ask Terriermon about that? He's the founder of that group."

Guilmon's eyes widened at this. Then he gave a low growl. "No! Terriermon Wong would not help an evil group like that!"

"True. But he was duped into doing so before one Digimon Knight called Flamemon told him the truth. They tried to bring Duskmon in, only for another Knight to betray them. He knocked Terriermon out and allowed the lord to kill Flamemon" Cyberdramon said darkly "Afterwards, Lord Duskmon made the world believe Terriermon was a terrorist and had him framed and arrested."

"Terriermon... arrested? No!" Gumdramon gasped before he collapsed in the sand.

"That's awful! Terriermon was a funny happy Digimon, only for him to get tricked like that!" Veamon said angrily.

Gammamon grit his teeth and dugs his claw deep into the sand.

"You allowed the Digimon who framed Terriermon to go scott free?!" Guilmon snarled.

"Afraid so. Terriermon was in prison for some years when the Regime finally came into power. We tried to stop him but he overpowered us, thanks to that black armor Digimon you saw before you... Darknessmon. To spare our lives, we have no choice but to serve him." Cyberdramon explained.

"Wait!" Veamon cried out. "You've said Impmon, Guardromon and MarineAngemon joined the Regime too. What of the others? Calumon? Lopmon? Renamon?"

"Hmph. They are not with the Regime. They did fight alongside us but when we decided to be spared by serving Lord Duskmon, they were outraged. Lopmon is now serving this Delta Army to fight against us. Calumon vanished and we have no idea where he is. As for Renamon, she was so outraged with Impmon. She broke up with him and disappeared."

"What about Terriermon?!" Gumdramon called out.

"Heck if I know. I don't care." Cyberdramon said. "And that is what you missed, Matsuki. While you were training, this world went to hell!"

"Akiyama! If Ryo saw what you've become, he'll never accept you as his Digimon again!" Guilmon scowled.

"What?!" Cyberdramon snapped.

"I understand that Impmon would join 'cause he may be power hungry again. But Guardromon, MarineAngemon and you... You three have allowed this dark lord to play on your fears and betrayed the Digital World we've protected!" Guilmon scolded. He glared at his former friend. "At least Terriermon, Renamon, Lopmon and Calumon have the right idea! They'd never betray the people we swore to protect!"

"Don't lecture me, Guilmon! The days of us being Tamer's Digimon are over!"

"Wrong! You wrong!"

Cyberdramon stopped and turned to see Gammamon run up to Guilmon's side. The white dino Digimon's pupils shrunk to slits. He snarled in rage.

"Tamers are heroes! Cyberdramon coward! Guilmon don't fear Regime like you do!" Gammamon snapped.

"Watch your tongue, kid!" Cyberdramon scowled.

Guilmon turned his attention to Gammamon and noticed how white dino reacted. 'His feelings are making him become more powerful. He's really just like me. He got provoked by what he had heard. Interesting.'

"Tamers do not betray each other! Mean Cyberdramon is chicken!" Gammamon shouted.

"Gammamon, be careful!" Beastmon cried out in warning.

"Cyber Nail!" Cyberdramon roared. He launched himself forward and slashed his sharp claws which hit Gammamon. The blow sent Gammamon fall back into the sand. Gammamon rose despite his injuries.

"You big meanie! You're nothing… but a big old fraidy cat!" Gammamon retorted.

"SHUT UP!" Cyberdramon whipped out his tail and slammed it across Gammamon's face. The small Digimon flew back into the sand. "I don't need to be lectured by a brat like you!"

Gammamon simply stood back up, unfazed.

"Gammamon, stop! You cannot beat him!" Veamon cried out.

"No! Gammamon no give up! Gammamon must stop Cyberdramon!" Gammamon panted.

"You stop me?! You're out of your league, whelp!" Cyberdramon snarled. He then laid a sharp punch in Gammamon's stomach. He then punched him four times in the face before unleashing a roundhouse kick sending the poor white Digimon back. Gammamon rolled back up.

"Horn Attack!" Gammamon called as he launched forward with his twin horns on his forehead to strike. Cyberdramon easily avoided the attack and slammed his foot into Gammamon's stomach knocking him to the sand again.

"Stop, Gammamon! You're gonna get yourself killed!" Veamon cried out.

"He is an ultimate and you're a rookie! He'll turn you into a ketchup sandwich!" Gumdramon shouted.

"No... Gammamon cannot give up..." Gammamon coughed as he slowly rose again and wiped blood from his mouth. "Gammamon must prove mean Cyberdramon wrong!"

"Kid!"

Gammamon turned to see Guilmon call out to him and give him a reassuring smile.

"Put your feelings into strength! Once you do that, you can become stronger! I know how you feel. I was like that too when I was your age. Just... believe in your feelings and you can win. I know you can!" Guilmon called out.

"Believe in Gammamon's feelings... Gammamon try." Gammamon panted. He closed his eyes and put a hand to his heart.

"I have enough of you! If you wanna be deleted, so be it! Desolation claw!" Cyberdramon called. He sent out shockwaves from his claws aimed at the small Digimon.

But Gammamon's eyes opened with a flash of light before his being was surrounded by a small fire tornado. The maelstrom canceled out the Cyder dragon's attack.

"What the...?!" Cyberdramon gasped.

Everyone from the village watched in awe at what they were witnessing.

"What is happening to Gammamon?" Gundramon asked.

Guilmon crossed his arms and smirked. "It's digivolution time, kid. You awakened your first step to power!"

"Gammamon digivolved to..." Gammamon called. He grew in size and took the form of a bipedal red and white Digimon with a ceratopsian-like head, yellow eyes and a long tail. He had a black horn as a nose, yellow accents on his head crest, with black ones on his three horns and the tip of his tail. He wore a long blue scarf around his neck and grey metallic plates on his chest, shoulders, groin, and knees.

"BetelGammamon!" He announced as he burst from a aura of flames.

"He... he digivolved?!" Ogremon stammered. "That's our runt Gammamon?!"

BetelGammamon exhaled for a bit. He then glared at Cyberdramon. "Cyberdramon! You are going to pay for turning against Guilmon and the others!"

"Big words, young one but you'd never be a match for me!" Cyberdramon bellowed. He then sent another Desolation claw at the new red Digimon.

BetelGammamon vanished from the attack. He then reappeared in front of the bewildered Cyberdramon.

"Sol Blow!" He called . He slammed his flaming fist into Cyberdramon's face followed by another punch.

BetelGammamon rained blow after blow down upon Cyberdramon with his fire fists. He then raised his right leg and rapidly kicked him too.

"Wow! I cannot believe it but Gammamon's winning!" Gumdramon yelled joyfully.

"Incredible. This is the goofball that we grew up with?" Veamon startled.

Guilmon just crossed his arms and resumed watching. BetelGammamon even used his tail to whack the cyber digimon in the face several times. The fire Digimon then leaped back.

"Sol Shot!" he yelled. He hurled the flames from his hands into fireballs which knocked Cyberdramon into the side of the battleship.

BetelGammamon roared and fired more fireballs from his hands rapidly to make sure Cyberdramon stays down.

"That's enough, BetelGammamon! You won already!" Veamon called out. She found her words to be deaf to him.

"You're finished!" he then yelled. He prepared a final fireball.

"Wait!" Guilmon called out and put a firm hand on BetelGammamon's shoulder. The fire digimon stopped and turned to the Tamer Digimon. "Don't kill him!"

"But... He joined the Regime!" BetelGammamon argued.

"Because of fear. I know there's still good in him. He has not turned evil. The true villain is this Duskmon I've heard of." Guilmon said. "Show me you are better than him. Spare him and let me deal with him in future time."

BetelGammamon hesitated at first. He looked into Guilmon's eyes. Determination was shone in his golden gaze. This made BetelGammamon smile and calm down. "OK, Guil-sensei. BetelGammamon let Cyberdramon live." He said.

"Guil-sensei?!" Guilmon was surprised at this. He blinked his gold eyes several times.

"Yeah. Gammamon strong thanks to Guil-sensei! So Gammamon must learn under Guil-sensei!" BetelGammamon said with sparky golden eyes.

"Phew. He's still the same Gammamon inside" Gumdramon gave a toothy grin.

"Even when digivolved, he's still a food loving troublemaker" Veamon exhaled.

Guilmon chuckled uneasily. 'Now I know how Takato feels when I call him Takatomon.'

Cyberdramon stood up. He lunged at BetelGammamon. But before he could harm him, Guilmon grabbed his fist and held him in place.

"Grr... let me go, Matsuki! That brat mades a mockery of me!" Cyberdramon snarled.

"Sorry but you should know you have already lost. But I promise one day I will make you return to the light and leave the Regime. Till that day..." Guilmon responded. He then raised his free hand. He placed his middle claw on top of his 'thumb' claw and held it near Cyberdramon's forehead. "This fight is over."

He flicked the ultimate level Digimon in the forehead. Cyberdramon yelled and flew back at top speed. He landed onto the deck of the battleship and collapsed unconscious.

"One flick... Incredible." Ballistamon stammered.

"Wow. Amazing." The trio of BetelGammamon, Veamon and Gumdramon said in awe.

Then there was a crash. WereGarurumon came flying out from the trees and onto the sand in front of his people.

"Elder WereGarurumon!" Lalamon cried out.

WereGarurumon slowly rose up, out of breath. He then spotted Guilmon among the crowd. He was surprised at first but then he smiled gently. Darknessmon emerged from the woods.

Knowing the elder wanted a few silent words with him, Guilmon walked over and stood by his side.

"Guilmon... Digimon Hero. I am so glad you came." WereGarurumon spoke quietly to him.

"Why does everyone call me that?" Guilmon sighed.

"It's your title now. Listen. In my room are diaries explaining about the Regime and Darknessmon. Use them to your knowledge. Also... please... save the Digital World."

"You know you're gonna die. I can tell." Guilmon theorized.

"Yes. Tell everyone I am sorry. Dorulumon will lead the village. Promise me that after I die, you stop the Regime in my place," The elder whispered.

"Alright. I'll do what I can. But I'll take Gammamon, Gumdramon and Veamon with me. I believe they could be the new team of Digi-Warriors." Guilmon responded.

"Thank you." WereGarurumon smiled as Guilmon walked back in place.

WereGarurumon then brought his hands together in a silent prayer and closed his eyes. Darknessmon brought his claw up and slashed through him. The strike broke the elder's body into many digital particles and he vanished.

"NOOOOO!" BetelGammamon and the other villagers screamed.

Gumdramon and Veamon charged at the black armored Digimon in a rage.

"Jacked Hammer!" Gumdramon yelled as he swung his massive hammer-like tail towards the evil Digimon's head.

"Vea Headbutt!" Veamon called as she leaped to attack with her forehead.

Darknessmon held up his right hand and the two were suddenly frozen in mid air. He used some kind of gravity push to send them crashing into the sand. "All too easy." he said.

"Sol Blow!" BetelGammamon roared. He leaped in the air and tried to strike him with his flaming fist.

Darknessmon vanished before he could connect. The flame Digimon searched for where he disappeared too.

"Impressive." BetelGammamon shuddered as he turned around and saw Darknessmon near the entrance of the battleship. "The power is strong with this one."

Darknessmon then turned his masked face and spotted Guilmon among the group. The dino digimon just gave a silent glare but he did not attack.

"I see. So the rumors were true. Who'd thought it would be you? I must report to my master but beware... you're next!" Darknessmon warned as he headed back inside into his battleship. The door closed behind him.

The battleship then slowly sailed away from the shore taking Darknessmon and Cyberdramon with them. The villagers watched them go but were saddened by the loss of Gabumon. Guilmon glared at the ship, knowing he has a promise to keep. But first he needed to read the diaries and know more of the enemies they would encounter.

Back in the village.

The villagers are around the campfire, mourning for their elder. Guilmon told them the reasons why he sacrificed himself and Dorulumon was now made chief of the village. Though they now understood the reason, they could hardly believe the Knight would risk his life to save theirs.

Guilmon was in Gabumon's hut reading all the books and papers about the history of Darknessmon and the Regime. He studied through them carefully. He then closed the last book and nodded to himself. He then saw Gammamon, Gumdramon and Veamon at the doorway.

"Guil-sensei. Are you leaving us?" Gammamon asked.

Guilmon just kept silent but he gave a nod. He rose from the chair and picked up a white duffel bag which he slung over his shoulder.

"Wait! Please, take us with you!" Veamon cried out.

"Yeah! Those Regime bastards will pay for what he did to Elder Gabumon! Take us with you please!" Gumdramon said.

"For what purpose?" Guilmon questioned.

"'Scuse me?" Gumdramon is dumbfounded.

"Purpose. What do you three want to achieve? Why do you want to fight?" Guilmon responded.

"Purpose eh? Gammamon no idea what word means. But Gabumon told Gammamon one time that Darknessmon killed my daddy. Gammamon wanna be trained by Guil-sensei so he can be like daddy!" Gammamon said.

The red dino digimon looked at the white dino. He petted his head making Gammamon purr.

"Those punks are the ones who framed Terriermon and I wanna be like him!" Gumdramon said. "Besides, if he is not with the Regime, it's my dream to see him! Excalitai!"

Guilmon looked at Gumdramon and he could see the white and green terrier digimon in him.

"I want to get stronger so I can protect those I cared about. That is my only goal!" Veamon demanded and Guilmon looked at her. He could see the golden vixen in her. He gave a silent smile.

"Is that not a good reason?" Gammamon questioned.

"Hmph. It'll do." Guilmon said. "First things first. I have to try to find the other Tamer Digimon that haven't joined the Regime. Terriermon. Lopmon. Renamon. Calumon. We need to find them. My Tamer Aura Search should come in handy."

"What is Tamer Aura Search?" asked Gumdramon.

"It's a new type of tracking movement to sense or feel the aura of Digimon who were partnered with humans to find one and another. You saw me used it on Cyberdramon before." Guilmon explained.

"That's impressive." Veamon responded.

"We'll also take some breaks to train and eat along the way. It'll be a long journey but I am sure you kids can handle it." Guilmon said.

"Yes sir!" the trio answered with a eager salute.

"OK. Go and pack and we set off in the morning." Guilmon commanded as the trio smiled and ran back to their homes. He then looked at the full moon in the window.

'Terriermon. Sit tight. I'm coming to free you.' Guilmon thoughts to two certain digimon in question. 'And Renamon. I hope you're doing alright. I'll come and find you. I promise.'

The morning came and everyone gathered at the entrance to see the four heroes about to set off. Gammamon, Veamon and Gumdramon each have backpacks on their backs.

"Guilmon, I thank you for saving our village and honoring Gabumon's request." Dorulumon bowed. "Please take care of these troublemakers and bring peace back to the Digital World."

"I will do what we can." Guilmon bowed in return.

"We bring that Regime down once and for all! Excalitai!" Gumdramon cheered.

"What's this Excalitai?" Palmon asked.

"It's my version of 'momentai'. I cannot believe we're about to find Terriermon!"

"IF we find him," Veamon reminded. "We'll do our best everyone!"

"Dorulumon. Everyone. Bye-bye." Gammamon said.

The four waved goodbye to everyone before turning around and walked down the long pathway out of the village and into the open world. They all have one goal. To reunite the other Tamers who had not joined the Regime and stop Darknessmon and Duskmon once and for all.

At the Regime headquarters, howls of pain were heard through the red corridors. Darknessmon was seen walking down the corridor accompanied by two white armored digimon. He then saw a purple imp creature leaning against the wall with his arms crossed waiting for him. He wore a red neckerchief scarf around his neck and a large black leather jacket which covered a dark grey shirt. He wore black leather trousers as well. Over his right eye was a black eyepatch.

"Cyberdramon has been taken to recuperation. I must report to Lord Duskmon that the Digimon Hero is alive." Darknessmon told him.

"And you sure it's pineapple head?" The purple imp asked as he got off the wall and accompanied him.

"It is very certain, Impmon. And he is a danger to us all. Especially now he is not alone." Darknessmon said.

"Sir, let me go and find him. He and I need a score to settle." Impmon requested. "With Tamer Aura Search I should be able to find him easily."

"Patience. When he arrives in your sector, that is when you will 'settle' things with him. Be warned. If you fail me too, I promise your punishment will not be pleasant." Darknessmon points a finger at him.

"Y-Yes sir. Also speaking of failure, Admiral DemiDevimon was supposed to be tracking Matsuki, but we found him first and now he's moving away from Misty Village." Impmon advised.

"He is stupid as he is unfocused. Return to your sector, Impmon. When they appear, show no mercy." Darknessmon ordered. Impmon nodded and left. The black armour Digimon then snapped his fingers to lower a monitor down to show a DemiDevimon and a Gazimon working hard.

"Lord Darknessmon, we are continuing our search for the Digimon Hero and..." DemiDevimon started only to gasp and held his throat as Darknessmon used some kind of power to choke him.

"You have failed me for the last time, admiral." Darknessmon cruelly said. "Captain Gazimon."

"Yes my lord?" Gazimon asked as DemiDevimon fell to the floor and gasped for air.

"Have Guardromon use his scanners to track Guilmon Matsuki's location and keep him on target. You are now in command, Admiral Gazimon."

"Thank you my lord" Gazimon saluted as DemiDevimon dropped dead on the ground.