21. Friends and Foes

"What the heck are you talking about?!"
Tigremon marched up to Muchomon until they were practically nose to beak. She unsheathed her claws and curled her lip in a silent snarl.
Muchomon returned her glare cooly before turning to face MetalTyrannomon. The leader of Saurus Fortress had stood with his arms crossed, watching the scene before him with a scrutinising eye.
Muchomon bowed her head as she approached the Ultimate-Level digimon.
"MetalTyrannomon, you probably don't recognise me. I'm Muchomon, but last time we saw each other I was Birdramon."
MetalTyrannomon's face remained impassive.
"Baalmon's wings. You were at the Guardian meeting."
Muchomon nodded.
"I remember you and Baalmon being of the same mind when it came to the idea of humans being brought to the Digital World."
"I'd hardly say that." MetalTyrannomon snorted. "I saw seeking aid from humans as simply a waste of time and resources that could be put to better use elsewhere. Baalmon seemed to think that humans posed a legitimate threat to us."
"And now you've all seen that he was right!" Muchomon turned to address the gathered dinosaur digimon. "You allowed these humans into your home and look what happened!"
"Hold it!" Tigremon pushed Muchomon aside and faced the crowd. "You can't blame this on the humans!"
She gestured to the destruction all around them.
"Minotaurmon had nothing to do with them! Kartik's the one who changed him back!"
"Oh, yes! That human device that allows them to control a digimon's digivolution to their liking!" Muchomon shot back at Tigremon. "What good could possibly come from letting them have such direct control over us?"
The dinosaur digimon talked amongst themselves. There were a lot of nods and glares towards the humans. Even MetalTyrannomon was looking at them with suspicion.
Shinyu couldn't help the feeling of resentment burning in his head. MetalTyrannomon had seemed drawn to the idea of using humans for digivolution; but the second it seemed that humans would have some control in the matter, he wasn't so eager.
Why did it have to fall on them to show digimon what they could get from a union with humans, when they were so unwilling to give anything back?
"What are those things anyway?" To Shinyu's horror, GeoGreymon stomped straight over to him and reached a clawed hand down towards him.
Tigremon leapt at GeoGreymon and swiped at his hand with her claws, causing him to draw back with a hiss of pain. The feline digimon stood in front of Shinyu with her fur bristling.
"Hands off, horn head!"
GeoGreymon growled down at Tigremon.
"You want to go another round, furball?"
"That's enough!" MetalTyrannomon hit the ground with his tail, causing Shinyu and Tigremon to stumble. He pointed a claw at Shinyu.
"Explain what that device is, and it's purpose."
All eyes were now on Shinyu. Practically deafened by the ringing in his ears, he removed the digivice from his belt and held it up towards MetalTyrannomon.
"We call them digivices. I don't know if there's a proper name for them. Also, humans didn't make them. Yggdrasil did."
A collective gasp ran through the crowd. Again, the dinosaur digimon murmured to each other until a sharp look from MetalTyrannomon silenced them.
Shinyu continued.
"Back in File City, Babamon told me that Yggdrasil would grant a gift to a digimon and human that made a genuine bond with each other. I got mine back in the Physical World; Charlie got her's on the journey here, and you just saw Kartik's appear."
He looked back to where Kartik was kneeling with the still unconscious Tarumon in his arms. His focus was on his partner and he barely looked up when Shinyu said his name.
Charlie had her arm around Kartik's shoulders but she and Kumomon were both listening intently to what was being said. Charlie nodded at Shinyu to keep going.
"As for their purpose; I don't know." Shinyu confessed. "As you've all seen, they allow the digimon we've bonded with to digivolve."
"That's not all they do!" Muchomon interrupted him.
She looked to MetalTyrannomon while pointing at Shinyu.
"Those... digivices contain information on all of us! Our strengths and weaknesses! This human used it to discern how to fight your digimon during the match!"
"Is that what you were doing? I wondered why you kept looking at your machine."
Everyone turned their attention to BlackGreymon. The blue dinosaur looked around in confusion at the accusing stares.
"You saw him using that thing?" GeoGreymon strode over to BlackGreymon while glaring daggers at him. "Did you not think it was a good idea to inform the rest of us! "
BlackGreymon hunched down as GeoGreymon yelled at him.
"I didn't see any harm in it. A lot of digimon know each other's attacks and types."
"Yes; digimon. Not humans." Muchomon cut in. "You may not see the danger in them having access to such detailed information on us, but I'm sure MetalTyrannomon can."
She looked expectantly at the dinosaur digimon's leader. Before he could reply, Charlie stood up.
"Hold on! That's not fair! You guys have been watching humans for a long time. Why should you get to know about us, while we know nothing about you?"
"It's because we've been watching you that Baalmon doesn't want you in our world." Muchomon replied. "You humans destroy everything that's different from you; even each other! Allowing you access to the Digital World can only lead to disaster!"
"Oh, like you're paragons of peace!" Charlie yelled back at her. "Digimon fight each other all the time! This whole place seems to revolve around fighting!"
She swept her arm around, gesturing to the barracks and Skull Palace.
"We only fight to survive!" Muchomon's red feathers seemed to flare as her anger rose. "Our world is constantly changing and there's not always enough to go around! You humans have everything you need, yet you're always greedy for more! No doubt you're already planning to take over the Digital World once you figure out a way to get here!"
"That's not true!" Shinyu stepped forward, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "We didn't even know the Digital World existed until a week ago!"
A chorus of surprised noises responded to his statement. Even MetalTyrannomon's eyes widened in shock. Shinyu took the opportunity to continue without being interrupted.
"I knew nothing about the Digital World before I met Tigremon. Nobody in the Physical World does. We're not planning to invade or do any harm to you. We just want to stop the Overloading before it does any damage to our home."
The digimon seemed unsure of how to respond. Even Muchomon still looked shaken from the revelation of humanity's ignorance of their existence.
The dinosaur digimon looked to MetalTyrannomon, who had closed his eyes and stood with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.
Finally, he opened his eyes and fixed them on his digimon.
"I've decided. We're going to File City."
"What?!" GeoGreymon gaped at his leader. "You're still going to help them; even after what they've done to our home? They didn't even win the challenge!"
"Technically, we did." Shinyu pointed out. "While you succeeded in injuring Smilomon, she was still standing when you left the ring. According to the rules MetalTyrannomon laid out, that means you lost the match."
Tigremon's eyes lit up as she realised Shinyu was right. She joyfully stuck her tongue out at GeoGreymon.
GeoGreymon's eyes seemed to bug out of his carapace. He took a threatening step towards Shinyu and Tigremon, but a growl from MetalTyrannomon halted him.
"That is irrelevant. The situation has changed. I want to speak to Baalmon directly. Babamon too, if she is still Babamon." MetalTyrannomon looked at the outsiders stood before him. "I plan to find out everything that they know and what their intentions are. Depending on their answers, I may take control of File City, and it's gate, myself."
Tigremon's mouth dropped open.
"Wh- Yo- Hold on! That isn't what we agreed! You said you'd help us liberate File City!"
MetalTyrannomon fixed her with a cold gaze.
"Like I said, the situation has changed. If you and your humans pose a threat to my digimon then I will put a stop to it." He turned to face Muchomon and Blitzmon. "That goes for Baalmon too. If he knows something that affects all of us, he doesn't get to just keep it to himself."
Muchomon bowed her head to the giant digimon.
"I'm sure I can convince Baalmon that cooperating with you will be best for all of us."
"You're not coming."
"...excuse me?"
MetalTyrannomon nodded to his soldiers. They quickly surrounded the outsiders. Some bared their claws at Blitzmon and he slowly raised his hands in surrender.
"You came into my fortress uninvited. I'm not prepared to trust you." MetalTyrannomon looked at the group surrounding Tarumon. "And you brought a dangerous digimon into my home that endangered my people after I showed you trust. All of you are going to remain here under guard until I have dealt with this issue."
"A-And what will h-happen to us once you h-have?" Kumomon asked nervously.
MetalTyrannomon narrowed his eyes.
"That will depend entirely on how cooperative your leaders are."

-

Jazardmon watched Baromon patrolling from the roof of City Hall.
For the past three days his former partner had walked the same route over and over; stopping for food and rest breaks at the exact same time each day. He had no time for reading or meditation and the populace of File City had quietened down the last few days, so he had no distractions from the endless monotony.
Jazardmon could only imagine the effect this utter lack of mental stimulation was having on his intellectual friend; but what concerned him more was the harsh nature of Baromon's punishment.
While allowing a prisoner to escape was a significant failure, Baalmon's goal had been accomplished regardless. Additionally, to break up Baromon's and Jazardmon's partnership; even going so far as to forbid Jazardmon from speaking to his colleague; just seemed needlessly cruel.
Baalmon was stern when necessary, but he had never been one to take satisfaction in the suffering of others.
Jazardmon could see only two possible reasons for their leader's uncharacteristic response. Either, Baalmon had a plan in motion in which Baromon's punishment played a role; or the stress of their prolonged occupation of File City was taking it's toll on his mental state and Baromon just happened to be the unfortunate digimon that Baalmon was lashing out at.
With no definitive evidence either way, all Jazardmon could do was observe and wait. He tried and failed to ignore the question at the back of his mind; if it came down to a choice, who would have his loyalty?
Logic dictated that Baalmon would be the obvious answer. He was the more powerful, both physically and politically; and Jazardmon owed him a debt of gratitude for taking him in and giving him a home and purpose beyond mere survival.
Yet, looking down at his former partner as he completed yet another lap around the nearby streets; Jazardmon couldn't help but feel compelled to fly to his side.
A welcome distraction from his thoughts came in the form of Coredramon landing on the roof beside him. His injuries had healed but, with Blitzmon still away on mission, he had been at a loss as to what to do with himself.
"Do you always have to hang out in the highest places?"
The green dragon gripped the smooth tiles of the domed roof with his claws. Despite his ability to fly, he'd always felt more comfortable near the ground.
"I don't recall demanding your presence." Jazardmon replied dryly, still watching Baromon.
"Don't get snippy. The quiet is bothering you just as much as the rest of us." Coredramon looked out over the assorted rooftops of File City. "The dang place has become a ghost town. Where is everyone?"
"No one's left via the bridges. The guards posted there would've alerted us." Red light shone from Jazardmon's eyes as he turned his head from left to right in a slow sweep. "Many of the buildings are still occupied. The city's residents appear to have chosen to ensconce themselves away from us. They may simply be waiting for us to leave, or..."
"They're planning something." Coredramon's red eyes darted from one building to the next, searching for any kind of movement. "I wish they'd make a move already. The waiting is driving me crazy!"
He turned to face Jazardmon.
"You know, I've been so restless that I've taken shifts guarding the prisoners. A lot of them keep asking how the humans are; like that's their only concern. It's as if they've been hypnotised or something."
Jazardmon watched Baromon disappear behind a bungalow. He then gave his full attention to Coredramon.
"They've entered a partnership with these humans. They are likely distressed at being kept from fulfilling their chosen role. I imagine it's not that different from how we feel being separated from our riders."
"Oh, come on! That's totally different! Our riders are fellow digimon. For these guys to be so devoted to alien creatures... it's downright unsettling."
Their conversation was halted by the appearance of Baalmon approaching from the direction of the hospital; no doubt checking in on Babamon's condition.
Jazardmon watched in silence as Baalmon entered City Hall through the main entrance. He then activated his feet's thrusters and took off from the roof; hovering a few feet away from the building's wall.
"What are you doing?" Coredramon leaned over the roof.
"I have to know what's going on." Jazardmon's eyes lit up again as he scanned for Baalmon's presence.
"You're spying on Baalmon? You're going to get us into so much trouble!"
"You don't have to be a part of this." Baalmon's data signature was detected in the laboratory and Jazardmon switched to thermal scanning; bringing his leader's outline into focus. "You also don't have to know about his secret meeting."
"A meeting? With who?" Coredramon leaned further down, flapping his wings to keep himself from falling.
"It's 'With whom?', and that's what I'm trying to find out."
There was... something in the room with Baalmon but, while the Ultimate-Level digimon's outline was clear; whatever stood before him kept pulsing and flickering like a flame.
Jazardmon flipped through his different scanner modes, trying to get a clearer image to no avail. He was considering taking the risk of using the lab's broken window to perform his reconnaissance, when the shapeless mass beside Baalmon began to grow larger.
The machine dragon digimon watched as a dark purple energy started filling the room. None of his scanners could identify what kind of data it was. It even enveloped Baalmon but he showed no sign of distress nor that he had even noticed.
A small pinkish purple dot appeared in the middle of the room. Before Jazardmon could start trying to identify it, another appeared, and then another. Soon eight orbs of light were staring straight at him. Staring was indeed the word as circles of light within each orb swivelled to point directly at him.
Suddenly, Jazardmon's entire body seized up. His head felt like it was encased in ice. The purple orbs grew larger until they encompassed all his vision. A wordless scream of rage battered all his senses until all became dark.
"Jazardmon!"
Coredramon launched himself off of the roof and dove after the falling digimon. He managed to catch him a few feet away from the ground and spread his wings to slow their fall enough to bring his legs down and land on his feet.
"Hey! Hey, Jazardmon! Say something!"
Coredramon shook the metal digimon but there was no response. His eyes had turned dark, as if his body had shut down.
"What happened?!"
Coredramon looked up to see Baromon running across the courtyard towards them.
"I don't know! He just suddenly froze up!"
Just as Baromon reached them, the third eye on his forehead opened and he fell to his knees with a gasp.
"Oh, come on! Not you too!" Coredramon turned his head toward the front doors of City Hall. "Hey, we need some help out here!"
Baromon's hand gripped his shoulder.
"No! We have to get him out of here. Now!" Baromon started hoisting his partner off of the ground. "Help me get him on your back!"
"Hold on! What do you mean 'out of here'? What's happening?"
"There's no time to explain!" Baromon yanked on Coredramon's arm, pulling him to the ground.
"People always say that, but I'm sure you could find time to explain if you tried!" Coredramon grunted as Baromon pushed Jazardmon's still form onto his back.
"If we don't leave now, many of our comrades will die! Is that enough explanation?" Baromon climbed onto the dragon, holding Jazardmon in place with one arm.
"No, but I'm willing to wait for elaboration."
Coredramon spread his wings and scrambled along the ground as they flapped, gradually rising into the air.
Baromon looked over his shoulder as they flew away from City Hall. There was no movement in the windows but the sensation of being watched sent shivers along his whole body.

-

"What are you looking at?"
Baalmon straightened up from his position bent over some machinery. Gaomon was staring at the wall with his eyes narrowed. At Baalmon's inquiry, he turned away and the usual casual smile returned to his face.
"Nothing important. Now, are we ready to try this out."
The two digimon stood before a pair of generators. Between them was a screen showing the data of the human device. Some wires were hanging out of the generators, having been connected to those of differing colours.
Baalmon was fairly certain his 'modifications' wouldn't result in the building exploding but, just in case; he had some shield talismans set up around the room to contain any erstwhile energy.
With a final nod of confirmation from Gaomon, Baalmon pulled a lever on the console.
A beam of light shot between the generators. In the middle of the beam a black form started to take shape.
The light intensified, causing Baalmon and Gaomon to shield their eyes. Some arcs of electricity shot through the air but Baalmon's talismans kept them contained.
Eventually, the light dimmed and the sparking stopped.
Baalmon lowered his arm and looked at the result of his work with both awe and dread.
Suspended in the beam was a device identical to the one portrayed on the screen, except it's casing was black with a dark purple band around the edge.
Gaomon stepped up to the machine. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before reaching out and grasping the device in his gloved hand.
Looking down at the device laying in his palm, he bared his teeth in an excited grin.
"Now we can finally get started."