(Author's Notes: Thanks for all the replies. Here's the latest chapter. The next one will be in a few weeks or so. Anyways, enjoy and review!)
Chapter 9: Infiltration
Omegamon stood in the thick of darkness.
He looked up, but he couldn't see any semblance of sky or colour. He looked down and there was no ground beneath him – only impenetrable shadows. Omegamon spun around only to be faced with more of the sable void.
No matter which way he turned, there was darkness around him. He was completely surrounded by an endless abyss.
"Hello?" he called out.
He received no response. Omegamon narrowed his eyes and looked down at his hands. To his relief, the Grey Sword and Garuru Cannon were both fixed onto his arms. However, he still felt a sinking feeling all over his body, as if he was in quicksand.
Nevertheless, he decided to venture forth, into his lightless surroundings. His blue eyes shot back and forth warily. He half-expected something to lunge at him from the shadows.
Everything was quiet. He couldn't even hear his own footsteps or the sound of his cape rubbing against his back.
Omegamon scanned the darkness. In the far distance, he could see movement. It was just a hazy silhouette, but it was enough to ensure Omegamon that there was somebody there. His fingers twitched as he prepared to fire his Garuru Cannon at a moment's notice.
He grew nearer, walking cautiously into the looming abyss. As he stepped towards the shadowed form, he felt a sense of ease for some reason. Omegamon continued to walk towards the figure in the distance.
It was Alphamon. Omegamon immediately recognized his dark figure vaguely silhouetted against the daunting void.
A sigh of relief escaped his lips. "Alphamon…" he said to him. "Where are we?"
Alphamon took a step backwards. "Omegamon, stop this…" he told him with unease in his voice.
Omegamon frowned. "What?"
Before Omegamon could do anything else, his perspective suddenly changed. Omegamon found himself in Alphamon's body instead of his own. He looked down at Alphamon's arms, which replaced his own.
Omegamon in Alphamon's body looked up and saw that his old body was still opposite to Alphamon's. He watched as Omegamon raised his Grey Sword towards him.
"Omegamon, what are you doing?" he spoke, completely taking on the role of Alphamon now.
Omegamon's white, resplendent armour suddenly grew dark. It became as black as the darkness around them. His body turned ebony and gold, and his eyes flashed to a blood red colour.
He became Omegamon Zwart.
Alphamon's eyes widened. "Omegamon… Listen to me!" he called out to him.
Omegamon Zwart ignored him. He raised his arm and swept it out to the side, allowing his Grey Sword to shoot out as his cape blustered behind him. Omegamon Zwart then began to slowly walk towards Alphamon.
Alphamon scowled. He tried to step back again, but he found that his feet seemed to be stuck in place. He couldn't move them at all from the shadowy ground beneath him. "Damn it…! Omegamon! Don't do this!" he begged him fervently. "I'm your friend!"
Omegamon Zwart ignored him. The Digimon strode forwards implacably.
Alphamon raised his hand, palm open, but he didn't fire an attack. "Omegamon! It's me! Alphamon!"
Omegamon Zwart didn't respond. He grew ever closer. He began to poise the Grey Sword.
"Omegamon! Stop it!" Alphamon called out desperately.
Omegamon Zwart coiled his arm back. He gave Alphamon a final glare with his dark, red eyes before thrusting his sword arm forward.
Alphamon's eyes widened as the Grey Sword pierced through his armour, drove straight through his chest, and then emerged out of his back. Alphamon felt the metal inside of his body. It felt cool and the edges around the blade felt like pins and needles going through his chest. He watched as blood flowed from his armour and down onto the sword. He grabbed hold of the Grey Sword and shut his eyes tightly. Darkness enveloped his vision.
Omegamon's sapphire eyes snapped open and his body twitched with shock.
He found himself staring at the stone ceiling of his room. Dim, morning light shone in from the half-open window on the left side of the room.
The Royal Knight blinked and grimaced as his breathing began to grow calm once again. The blanket over his body was dishevelled and he could feel beads of sweat tracing his body. He lifted his body slowly and propped himself up on his elbows.
"Another nightmare…" he thought with a sigh.
He slid his slender legs over the side of the bed and sat up. He leaned forwards and rubbed his face with his hand.
"It was about Zwart again…" Omegamon contemplated to himself. "I hate those dreams…"
The acting-leader of the Royal Knights lowered his hand and looked up. He felt slightly at ease upon seeing the light - however dim - shining into his room and illuminating it. He saw his armour over on the rack on the opposite side of the room. To his relief, it was the regular white, gold and blue colour that he was accustomed to.
He shook his head and forced himself to stand to his feet. "I'm filling in for Alphamon while he's gone," he remembered. "I can't afford to worry about a nightmare. I have work to do…"
Omegamon went and started to prepare himself for the day. He did his best to shake off the lingering emotions from the dream and forget that it ever happened. He couldn't let himself be distracted, after all.
The sky was grey with overcast clouds. The thick blanket of condensation was a mixture of pale and dark grey, revealing thunderheads further up in the atmosphere. They blocked out the sun and darkened the grassy landscape of the Royal Knights' territory within the Free Area. It was known as Splendor's Reach.
The Royal Knights' headquarters – Castle Albion - stood over the surrounding landscape. It was a prominent landmark, given its size and design.
Two kilometers away was a small, interspersed grove of trees surrounded by plants and shrubbery. As the smoky clouds drifted overhead, a breeze swept through the trees and undergrowth. Hidden among the flora were three Digimon.
"How's it look?"
GrandisKuwagamon levelled a long, handheld telescope to his eye and looked through it. He peered through the lens at the distant castle.
"This barely has enough range," he said, lowering the telescope. He turned and looked at Bolgmon.
All three of them were covered in camouflaged fabric. The cloth of mesh and various shades of green concealed the three bugs' shiny bodies, and it helped them blend in with the plants and trees around them. Blitzmon and Bolgmon even had some wrapped around the length of their horns.
"What about you, Bolgie?" GrandisKuwagamon asked him. "Have any better luck with your optics?"
"Shut up; I'm concentrating," Bolgmon answered curtly. He squinted into the distance as numbers and a ranging HUD flashed in his vision. He was zoomed in on the headquarters and its walls.
"Hurry it up before one of their patrols passes by," Blitzmon told him as he kneeled behind a bush.
"Get off my ass!" Bolgmon snapped. "You'll make me screw up the display!"
"Not so loud. The Royal Knobs probably have Digimon with good hearing on guard duty," GrandisKuwagamon reminded them.
Bolgmon went back to checking out the headquarters, ignoring his two companions.
"This is nuts, Grandis," Blitzmon said to the black beetle Digimon.
"More nuts than picking a fight with the Metal Empire?" GrandisKuwagamon asked him rhetorically. "At least if we get caught by the Royal Knights, they won't torture us. If they're idealistic as they say, that is…"
Blitzmon's gaze steeled. "I don't intend to get caught."
"Me neither, Blitz," GrandisKuwagamon agreed. "Just think about the reward."
"I am," Blitzmon stated calmly, although there was tension in his voice. "But what's our client's angle? First the Metal Empire and now the Royal Knights… What's he trying to do? Is he just dangling money in front of us until we get ourselves deleted?"
"I hear ya. These jobs are pretty dangerous. …But that one in Haganemame City was easy money, so there's got to be more to it. Whoever he or she is, they're probably working some sort of angle that we're not even thinking about. We're just pawns in their game," GrandisKuwagamon explained.
"Pawns are usually the first pieces to be taken out," Blitzmon stated dourly.
GrandisKuwagamon smirked. "Not us… We're survivors, Blitzie… We didn't claw our way through hell just to be taken down by some tin cans in a battle of wits we don't understand," he stated firmly. "As soon as we see something we can't handle, we cut and run."
"We're under contract though," Blitzmon reminded him.
"The contract says we get a payment after each new job we finish. We can get out if it gets too dangerous. We've got a hell of a lot of money outta this, so let's not get greedy. We know our limits."
"Do we?" Blitzmon asked. "We're facing down the Royal Knights. We've been on their blacklist for awhile."
"They won't know it's us. Wizardmon said that's what the client wants," GrandisKuwagamon replied. He then smirked and placed his hands behind his insect head. "Besides, won't it feel good to hit these self-righteous bastards where it hurts?"
"I'm down with that," Bolgmon said with a darkly excited look in his eyes. "I'd love to wipe the smug grins off their faces."
"What smug grins?" GrandisKuwagamon asked him. "You've never even met them."
Bolgmon shrugged. "That's how I picture 'em," he answered. "Anyway, I got a good scan of the castle. There's five guards on the south side of the wall. Probably one or two more in the gatehouse. Think those numbers'll change once it's past their bedtime?"
"Might reduce the numbers by one or two, but I'm guessing there'll still be a decent amount of guards at night. Enough to cover every angle, probably," Blitzmon deduced.
"There's hardly any cover from here to the walls, no matter what way we approach," Bolgmon added. "There's that river to the south of the castle, but I don't do water. You two could always go in and do it."
GrandisKuwagamon shook his head. "We need you for this Bolgie," he told him. "You heard Wizardmon; it's not about taking him out. We just need to make a big bang. We're supposed to get the Royal Knights' attention without being seen. You've got the best firepower out of the three of us."
Blitzmon nodded. "Besides, we need to you lay down tread tracks going to and from the wall," he explained. "Give them something to follow."
"Yeah, that's really fricking' safe," Bolgmon complained. "Charging the wall with my engine running. Might as well paint a giant, pink bull's-eye on me."
GrandisKuwagamon looked over at Blitzmon. Blitzmon nodded. "Blitzmon and I'll Zone Black Hole to the wall and take out the guards. It'll probably be cloudy tonight so we can't fly without havin' our backs to the clouds anyway. Once we clear the wall, I'll teleport you up and you can blast away," GrandisKuwagamon explained.
"Our lightning-thunder strategy," Blitzmon agreed.
"Hit 'em like a sonic boom," Bolgmon said with an electric laugh. "Okay."
"Just don't take too long and leave us standing with our dicks in our hands," GrandisKuwagamon told the tank Digimon. "Oh, and did you find his room? That would be helpful."
Bolgmon rolled his eyes. "Top floor, north side, seventh window down," he replied.
"You sure?" Blitzmon asked.
"I'm positive," Bolgmon insisted. "I'm in charge of support for a reason."
"Can you make the shot from the wall?" GrandisKuwagamon questioned him.
Bolgmon grinned. "Does a Numemon smell like shit?" he answered rhetorically.
"Remember, Bolgmon, we've got to be quick with the exit strategy," Blitzmon reminded him.
"I know. I'll go into full gear on the escape. Attacking this place'll be like kicking the Royal Base; soon as we hit it, they'll come pouring out in swarms," Bolgmon stated. "I'll meet you guys on the dirt road where they won't be able to see my tracks anymore. Then you can Zone Black Hole us outta there. Then let's head west into the UDC, to those caves we found in the Dragon Mountains."
"That's what I was thinkin'." GrandisKuwagamon agreed. "Cool. So we've got the exit strategy down. Let's stay in that nearby town this afternoon. Knights' Cross, right? The one further up the river."
"Sounds good," Blitzmon agreed. "We'll lay low until it's time."
GrandisKuwagamon stood up and slowly slide-evolved to his GranKuwagamon form in the midst of the trees. "We attack late tonight," he said with a hiss.
Blitzmon nodded with a calm intensity and Bolgmon let out a dark chuckle.
"Let's get outta here before a patrol comes by. Zone Black Hole," GranKuwagamon spoke, tearing open a dimensional hole in the ground beneath them. He held out his arms for Bolgmon and Blitzmon to grab hold of, so that they could safely travel through the spatial rift.
There was a glint in GranKuwagamon's blood red, compound eyes. "Those Royal Knobs are in for a nasty surprise."
Omegamon strode down one of the hallways on the first floor of the Royal Knights' castle. He had just had a meeting with Shutumon, the head of administration.
It was late in the morning by this point. There was a thick layer of clouds in the sky outside, as well as a slight, temperate breeze.
Alphamon, UlforceVeedramon, and Dynasmon were still away at New Terminal. Sleipmon and Gankoomon also went off to do an inspection elsewhere in the Free Area. This left only himself, Dukemon, Magnamon, RhodoKnightmon, Craniamon, Duftmon, and Examon as the Royal Knights still at the castle. He was the acting leader of the Royal Knights in Alphamon's absence, but Dukemon insisted on helping him out.
Omegamon turned a corner and proceeded down the hallway, heading towards the foyer at the entrance of the building. He had a thoughtful expression on his face. He had tried to forget about it, but the nightmare he had still bothered him.
He thought about it as he walked down the wide corridor. He felt uneasy. He began to have pessimistic thoughts, but as soon they entered his mind, he immediately became worried that those very thoughts would have a negative effect on him. Omegamon grimaced as he reached the end of the hallway. He walked into the foyer at an increased pace, becoming so consumed in his thoughts that he wasn't watching where he was going.
The white knight walked straight into Dukemon's chest. Omegamon was alerted by the impact and he immediately recoiled with surprise.
"Hey! Careful, Omega," Dukemon said with a chuckle, raising his hands and placing them on the sides of Omegamon's shoulders. He observed him with a curious smile. "That face… You're already beginning to look like Alphamon and it's only been a few days since you took over for him. Things are taking the toll already, are they?"
Omegamon turned his head away with sheepish embarrassment. "S-Sorry, Dukemon…" he apologized.
Dukemon cocked an eyebrow and the smile behind his visor disappeared. "Is everything okay?" he asked him.
The white Royal Knight paused. He deliberated telling Dukemon what was on his mind, but he decided against it. It seemed much too trivial to make a big deal out of it. "Yes… I was just distracted," he responded.
"Well, okay," Dukemon conceded. He then smiled amicably. "That's what I'm here for," he reassured him.
Omegamon managed a small smile. "What? Distracting me?" he asked with a touch of humour in his voice.
Dukemon chuckled. "Helping you out," he responded, turning around so that he could walk beside Omegamon. "So, what's next on the agenda?"
"Hmm…" Omegamon stopped in the middle of the octagonal, marble foyer, and looked down towards the entrance hall that led outside. "How are the training drills going?"
"Good. I just came from the training grounds," Dukemon responded. "The Defence Forces and Strike Forces are working hard. They've made it a sort of competition between them to see who can train harder. It looks like they're going to train even if it ends up pouring outside." He smiled. "Grademon and HippoGriffomon are working well together while Ouryumon's away too. The Strike Forces are in good hands."
Omegamon nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. We all need to be cooperating at times like this," the white knight reasoned.
"Yeah, you're right," Dukemon agreed, placing his hands behind his head. "So, is there anything else pressing that we need to see to?"
"Is Karatenmon back yet?" Omegamon asked him.
"No, he's still out conferring with his spies," Dukemon explained. "He said he wanted to make a stop at his hometown on the way back too. Maybe he'll ask for the help of the ninjas there."
"Whatever reliable information we can get would be useful," the holy knight Digimon said. He turned and looked at Dukemon. "What about Grani?"
"The dragon-bird's off scouting the Mamemon Kingdom. He insisted on doing it personally," Dukemon said with a chuckle. "He's too dedicated for his own good."
Omegamon smiled a bit as he eyed Dukemon. As his blue eyes lingered on the white and crimson knight, he grew thoughtful. He wanted to ask him something, but he wasn't sure if he should. It was something that he had been wondering for awhile, but it involved information that Dukemon never offered up to them. He wasn't sure if there was a reason for it, so he was reluctant to ask something that was potentially sensitive to his friend.
"Dukemon…" he began uncertainly.
Dukemon turned to Omegamon curiously. "Yeah?"
The Royal Knight stalled on his words. "…Never mind. It's nothing," he spoke, changing his mind.
Dukemon half-grinned and tilted his head. "What? You can't just tease me like that, Omegamon."
"Well, it's about you and Grani…" Omegamon sheepishly said.
Dukemon blinked. "What about us?" he asked him.
"…I was just wondering when you think he'll be back," Omegamon spoke, deciding against asking his real question.
The crimson knight rubbed the back of his head. He knew Omegamon well enough to have doubts that that was really what he wanted to ask. "Tonight probably. Tomorrow at the latest, since he's doing a training exercise with the Recon Squadron that day. Why? Do you need him for something?"
"Not urgently," Omegamon responded. "I just think that we should step up the patrols around Splendor's Reach – particularly around the castle."
"Why?" Dukemon asked him curiously.
"Well… I thought that since we've been implicated in the attack against the Metal Empire, Chaosdramon won't just ignore that. I highly doubt that they would attack us, but we still have to be careful. There's a chance that they could slip in spies or saboteurs," Omegamon explained.
Dukemon began walking to the other side of the foyer, prompting Omegamon to walk with him. "Yeah, that's true. Why don't you tell the Recon Squad yourself?"
Omegamon frowned at the idea. "I wouldn't want to undermine Grani. It's something I should talk with him about first, before I make any decisions."
The red and silver Royal Knight grinned at Omegamon. "You're too nice sometimes, Omega. Not that that's a bad thing."
Omegamon smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "I will just wait until he's back," he insisted.
"Okay," Dukemon answered, still smiling. "Anyway, want to grab some lunch? Rhodo's experimenting with Mesozoic cuisine, apparently."
"I just want to check in on MetallifeKuwagamon first, if that's okay with you," Omegamon put forward diplomatically.
Dukemon nodded and continued down the hallway with Omegamon. "Hope you don't mind if I join you," he said to him, raising an arm and patting Omegamon's caped back.
Omegamon nodded and they soon turned left down another corridor. It was there that they saw Magnamon walking down the hallway towards them.
"Hey, Magna!" Dukemon greeted with a friendly grin.
"Hey, guys," Magnamon responded. "Busy this morning?"
"Pretty busy, yeah," Dukemon replied, looking over at Omegamon momentarily. "Lots to do. You?"
Magnamon sighed and nodded. "I agreed to help Duftmon with something. He's a real taskmaster."
Dukemon chuckled. "I sympathize… What about the others?" he asked.
"I think Rhodo's making lunch with the kitchen staff. And Examon's helping Craniamon write a stern letter to PrinceMamemon."
At this, Dukemon blinked and exchanged glances with Omegamon. "He… is? That's not like Examon," he said quizzically.
Magnamon chuckled. "Actually, I think he's getting Craniamon to dial things back so he doesn't give PrinceMamemon nightmares."
"He'll be having a few of those in the future if we don't clear this mess up," Dukemon stated. "Does that guy think that Chaosdramon won't retaliate?"
Magnamon's smile faded. "I don't know…" He looked at Omegamon. "Actually, I was wondering if you think it's a good idea for us to send an envoy to the Metal Empire. We should try to get this cleared up before it escalates."
"I think that's a good idea, though I'm reluctant to do so without Alphamon…" Omegamon spoke meditatively.
Dukemon looked at the white knight. "He left you in charge, Omegamon. Don't be afraid to use your initiative; he trusts you, after all," he reminded their friend.
Omegamon nodded but frowned uncertainly. "I'll give it some thought. It's just that Alphamon is a better negotiator than I am," he replied.
Magnamon smiled. "You might be introverted, but you should give yourself more credit. I've seen you talk down some tense situations," the gold Royal Knight encouraged him.
"Yeah. You've cooled down my hot temper a few key times," Dukemon added with a grin.
Omegamon rubbed the back of his head. "Er, well… thank you," he awkwardly remarked. "I'll think about it." Eager to change the subject, he looked at the knight of Miracles. "Magnamon, is MetallifeKuwagamon in the computers room?" the Royal Knight questioned, looking over the shorter knight to look down the hall that he came from.
Magnamon glanced over his shoulder towards the computers room. "Yeah, I just came from there. He's working hard."
"I'll just check up on him," Omegamon responded. "Talk to you later, Magna." With those words, he walked past him and began to stride down the hallway.
The blue-scaled dragon knight raised an eyebrow and watched Omegamon quickly walk off. When he was out of earshot, he looked up at Dukemon. "Is he okay? He seemed a little… I don't know…" he said hesitantly.
Dukemon folded his arms and eyed Omegamon. "He's been acting kind of strange today," he agreed. "I'll talk with him a little later."
"Think it's the pressure of taking over from Alphamon?" Magnamon questioned, ponderingly tapping his golden mask with a claw.
"I don't think so… He's done this before, and he only ever gets flustered when he has to make speeches," Dukemon answered. "I think it's something else."
"Well… let me know if I can help," Magnamon told him. "I'll be in the library with Duftmon's shopping list."
Dukemon chuckled. "Don't let him make you his errand boy."
Magnamon shuddered. "Zero chance of that happening. That's almost more than being a Royal Knight's worth," he joked. "Anyway, good luck with Omegamon."
"Thanks, Magna," Dukemon said, patting his shoulder as he passed him to head after Omegamon. "Oh, by the way, have you seen BaoHackmon? I'm supposed to check up on him for Gankoomon."
"He's training with the Sistermons," he called behind him. "Or, at least Noir. Blanc suddenly disappeared when I walked by."
Dukemon thanked him and they parted ways. He figured that if BaoHackmon was with the Sistermons, he wouldn't need to keep his eye on him for awhile. The silver and red Royal Knight proceeded to wander down the stone corridor. He gazed down a few rooms ahead of him. On the left side of the hallway was a doorway from which the glowing light of a computer monitor shone.
He walked over and stopped in the door. Omegamon was inside the room, watching MetallifeKuwagamon type away on the keyboard across a long desk. The monitor screen was filled with complicated coding and Digi-Letters.
"-and this should update our firewall's security," MetallifeKuwagamon finished telling Omegamon.
"Hey," Dukemon greeted, walking inside. "What's up?"
"I was telling Omegamon about the security of our database," MetallifeKuwagamon said, glancing over to Dukemon. "I've been patching it after I detected a hacking attempt from the Metal Empire."
Dukemon frowned. "They've been trying to hack us?" he asked him.
The metallic insect nodded as he continued to type rapidly. "It's most likely the intelligence branch of the D-Brigade. They developed a strong cyber team soon after Digimon first realized that data streams could be used to carry long-ranged, digital information via e-waves. The team wasn't initially used for spying but to ensure that their own official and industry databases couldn't be hacked. However, when Chaosdramon took over, they were increasingly used for industrial espionage to make sure that they would have the economic edge. They also—sorry, I'm rambling, aren't I?"
Omegamon smiled. "It's fine, Metallife."
"What are they trying to hack us for?" Dukemon questioned.
"Most likely evidence that links us to PrinceMamemon. Or maybe sensitive information about our military," MetallifeKuwagamon explained. "I've managed to repel them."
"Keep up the good work," Omegamon told him. "We won't distract you any longer."
As Omegamon turned towards the door, MetallifeKuwagamon stopped typing suddenly. "…Is it going to be war?" he asked, his voice apprehensive.
Omegamon stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Don't worry. We're trying to avoid that if at all possible."
The former-Metal Empire Digimon gave a short nod and went back to work.
Dukemon moved aside so that Omegamon could walk out. The two Royal Knights walked side by side down the hallway.
"He seems worried," Dukemon mentioned, glancing over at Omegamon.
"Yes, he does," Omegamon replied, his gaze softening. "I suppose it's natural, considering that he's wanted for treason by the Metal Empire." He sighed softly and folded his arms and they walked down the corridor. "It must be hard… not having anywhere to go back to."
Dukemon's gold eyes trailed down and he subconsciously placed his hand over the black symbol engraved in the center of his breastplate. "Yeah… It is," he said softly.
Omegamon froze in his steps, inadvertently causing Dukemon to walk ahead of him. The crimson knight stopped and turned around to see Omegamon looking down at the ground, embarrassment all over his face.
"I-I'm sorry, Dukemon," he told him, his head bowed. "I wasn't thinking… I forgot that you-…"
Dukemon observed him with astonishment. After a few moments, a warm smile grew on his face, behind his helmet. "Don't be, Omegamon…" he reassured him. "I like to think that you don't have to walk on eggshells around me. You're… Well, you're one of the few people I feel comfortable talking to about my problems… especially that one problem."
Omegamon raised his head in surprise. "I… am?" he asked him, blinking.
The red Royal Knight stood up straight and rubbed the back of his head. "Apart from Grani, you're the first person I told about the Digital Hazard. You were also one of the most supportive, along with Examon and Magnamon."
"What about the others?" Omegamon asked him.
Dukemon half-smiled at his question. "…Don't get me wrong, the others are great. They were supportive too... It's just… there was this nervousness when I told them. I could tell that they were worried about it…"
"Of course," the white Royal Knight responded. "They were worried about you, like I was. Naturally…"
At this, Dukemon stalled. He thought about Omegamon's words carefully.
Finally, he spoke. "Yeah…" He forced a smile. He didn't want to pursue his scepticism, so his voice was resigned and acquiescent. "Yeah, you're right, Omega…"
Omegamon quietly stepped beside him.
"I'm… I'm glad that you feel that way, Dukemon," the second-in-command said to him sheepishly, his blue eyes staring at the stone floor in front of them. "That you feel like you can talk to me."
Dukemon smiled a bit and gave him a friendly elbow. "It's not hard when you're one of the least judgmental guys that I know," he told him, raising his hand and resting it on his shoulder. "So… Speaking of talking to you…"
Omegamon raised his gaze and looked at Dukemon curiously. "Yes?"
"I've been meaning to do that today," Dukemon informed them. "Do you mind if we go to your room?"
Omegamon frowned and looked forward again. "My room?" he asked sceptically. "…What about lunch?"
Dukemon chuckled. "We can get it after. I know you have a big appetite," he assured him. "It won't take long."
After some deliberation, Omegamon nodded in agreement. "Let's go then."
The two holy knights made their way over to the stone staircase at the end of the hallway and walked up it. Upon reaching the second level of the castle, they strode down another broad hallway towards the wing of the headquarters where their bedrooms were. Upon reaching the semi-lit hallway, Omegamon headed to one of the rooms near the end of the passage. He opened the door and allowed Dukemon to walk in.
Dukemon stepped inside the bedroom. The bedroom was standard fare for the rooms inside the castle. There was a large, carefully tidied bed with white covers over on the far end of the room, near the windows. Over on the left side was a large desk with a personal computer and several notebooks neatly stacked on it. Dukemon briefly glanced outside the windows from where he stood. The room overlooked the training grounds, so he was able to see the Strike Forces doing combat drills across the wide, open area.
He turned around and closed the bedroom door after Omegamon walked inside. "Can we sit down?" Dukemon asked him.
"Of course," Omegamon responded. "Shall I pull up a—" He didn't finish his sentence as he saw Dukemon already walking over and sitting down on his bed. The white knight felt a bit embarrassed at Dukemon's informality, but he walked over and sat down on the bed as well, although at the foot of it.
Dukemon looked over at him. "Sorry, what?" he asked, leaning one arm over on the nearby pillow.
"Nothing," Omegamon assured him with a nervous smile. "So… What did you want to talk about?"
"Well… you, to be blunt," Dukemon explained. He sat up a bit straighter and looked at him more fully. "Is everything okay? You seem kind of different today."
Omegamon winced and looked down at his lap. "I'm fine, Dukemon," he said, although none-too-convincingly.
"Omegamon…" Dukemon told him with a flat, disbelieving voice. He folded his arms for emphasis. "I can find other ways to get it out of you, you know."
The acting-leader of the Royal Knights felt a bead of sweat drip down the back of his head. He wasn't sure what Dukemon meant by that. Regardless, it meant that Dukemon saw through his thin façade and he probably wouldn't leave him until he got to the bottom of it.
"I just have a lot on my mind, Dukemon," Omegamon told him, his words vague and minimizing.
Dukemon leaned forwards a bit. "Anything in particular?"
Omegamon realized that Dukemon was going to be stubborn. He sighed softly. "…Yes…" he admitted. "I had a nightmare last night."
Dukemon raised an eyebrow. "A nightmare…? What about?"
The Royal Knight brought one of his legs up onto the bed and leaned forwards onto it. "I dreamt that I was Omegamon Zwart again…" he replied, his voice melancholy. "I stabbed Alphamon…"
The crimson caped warrior winced faintly at his words. He reached his hand over and rubbed Omegamon's shoulder. "It was just a dream…"
"Was it?" Omegamon said with a grimace.
Dukemon frowned curiously behind his helmet. "Huh?"
"What if there's more to it, Dukemon?" Omegamon inquired as he turned to his friend.
"What do you mean?" Dukemon responded.
Omegamon looked down. "What if… What if Alphamon wasn't able to fix me completely? What if there's still dark data inside of me? It was an impromptu thing that he did to purify me, and he wasn't entirely sure that it would work. Perhaps it didn't completely work. Perhaps Duskmon missed something when he checked me afterwards."
Dukemon sighed and closed his eyes meditatively. "Let me ask you this, Omega. How do you feel? …Do you feel like you?"
The white Royal Knight looked over with some confusion. "Do I feel like me?" he repeated in question.
His red and silver counterpart nodded. "Do you feel like there's something trying to sweep you away and take control? Do you feel like you're sinking with nothing to grab hold of?" he asked, his voice serious and meaningful. "I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. You can remember when DarkKnightmon forced the dark data into you, right? Do you remember how that felt?"
Omegamon grimaced and felt a cold chill creep down his back. "…Yes…"
Dukemon looked Omegamon in the eyes. "And do you feel like that at all? Even a little?"
Omegamon looked down in thought for a moment before looking up to face Dukemon again. "…No. I don't think I do," his light voice responded.
His friend smiled and gripped his shoulder. "Then you're fine."
The fused knight observed Dukemon thoughtfully. "You sound like you're speaking from experience, Dukemon…"
Dukemon smiled wistfully and looked away. "I am… From one time," he said, his deep tenor voice honest yet reticent.
Upon seeing Dukemon's reaction, he knew not to pry deeper. He simply nodded understandingly. "…I still feel guilty, Dukemon…" Omegamon sombrely said. "For what I did to Alphamon… to all of you."
Dukemon inched down the bed and slid his hand onto Omegamon's back. "Which was in no way your fault. Yeah, you and Alphamon had an argument, but the dark data amplified that. Don't blame yourself, Omega."
"It's hard not to when it was me who was doing everything," he explained. "It was my sword, my cannon… I saw everything happen as it took place. I can't separate myself entirely from what Zwart did; it wasn't like my body was stolen from me…"
Dukemon's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "Yeah, I understand that… but still… It was the influence of the Dark Area," he told him.
Omegamon nodded lightly. "Yes, I know…" he sighed. "I'm sorry, Dukemon. I don't know why I'm moping. This is very unprofessional of me."
"We all have our problems," Dukemon reassured him with a small smile. "You're allowed every now and then."
Omegamon returned the tiny smile. "It shouldn't be when I'm in charge of the Order," he replied.
"Hey, at least you didn't try to throttle Duftmon like I did, last time I was in charge," Dukemon joked.
The acting leader allowed for a soft, light chuckle. "We all think about doing it at one time or another."
"I didn't hear the end of it for awhile. It's more trouble than it's worth," Dukemon told him with a playful wink.
Omegamon smiled. He began to feel more at ease with both himself and Dukemon. He found that Dukemon often had that effect on the people that he was with. At least, most of the time.
"Dukemon…" Omegamon spoke up. "Can I ask you something now?"
"Sure, Omega. Anything," Dukemon replied light-heartedly.
"Anything?" the Royal Knight repeated, looking him in the eyes.
Dukemon nodded. "Go for it."
"…How did you meet Grani?" Omegamon asked him.
The crimson knight sat up slightly, taken off guard by the question. "U-Uh…" he stammered and paused. "Did I say 'anything'…?"
"It's just that nobody seems to know how you two met…" Omegamon put forward. Upon seeing Dukemon's reaction, he was suddenly not as comfortable asking as he was a few moments ago. "It's all a big mystery. The few times it came up in conversation, you changed the topic."
Dukemon pivoted on the bed so that his legs hung over the side, making it easier for him to stand up. "It's no big deal, really," Dukemon dismissively responded, obviously uncomfortable.
Omegamon frowned. "Then why don't you tell me?" he asked him.
The carmine Royal Knight rubbed his chest and stood to his feet. He considered walking out of the room, but he stopped himself and stood there silently for a few moments. "…Okay, it is a big deal," he told his friend. "It is to me, anyways."
Omegamon placed his feet on the floor and stood up as well. "Do you not trust me?" Omegamon asked him, locking eyes with him.
Dukemon sighed. "That's not it, Omegamon. You know it's not," he replied animatedly. "I just don't like talking about it. With anybody – not just with you."
Omegamon folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. "I'm trying to be understanding, Dukemon, but it's hard when I have so many questions," he explained. "I respect your right to privacy, it's just that…"
"It's really nothing personal, Omega," Dukemon assured him, looking away from him. "I don't like talking about my past. You can probably guess as to why."
The white Royal Knight nodded and sighed. "I understand… I'm sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to cause you discomfort. I was just curious."
Dukemon smiled a bit. "It's fine, Omega. Sorry for being weird about it…" he told him, offering his hand as a show of good will.
Omegamon took it. "You have your reasons."
"I'll tell you one day. It's just not an easy thing for me to talk about," he told him, smiling ironically. "Which I realize is weird, considering that we're talking about the time I met my oldest friend."
"You don't have to explain, Dukemon," Omegamon told him. "Anyways, thank you for talking to me. It helped to get that off my chest."
Dukemon gripped Omegamon's hand and then released it. "Whenever you need it, just ask," Dukemon told him
"Likewise," the acting leader of the Royal Knights replied. "Want to get some lunch now?"
Dukemon laughed. "Always thinking with your stomach," he said, patting Omegamon's shoulder.
Omegamon tinted in the cheeks a bit and walked towards the door. "Then let's get back to work," he made sure to add.
Dukemon grinned and allowed Omegamon to walk out. "Whatever you say, acting leader," he told him.
As soon as Omegamon left the room and began to walk down the hallway, Dukemon's smile faded. He watched with a mixture of guilt and hesitation as Omegamon walked ahead of him. He stopped himself from gripping the symbol on the front of his armour and instead reached behind him to close the door of the room. Putting his thoughts out of his mind, Dukemon walked to catch up with Omegamon.
The afternoon passed smoothly and without irregularity. The training drills continued until the evening and the patrols maintained their consistency.
It was now the evening and a large portion of the Order was in castle's cafeteria, eating their supper. Those who weren't were either on duty or waiting for free space to open up in the cafeteria so that they could find a place to sit. It was in the early evening that the cafeteria was most active, teeming with hungry soldiers.
This included the Royal Knights. Since half of the knights were away on business, the ones remaining at the castle were all able to fit at one table. The rectangular table was located over at the far wall of the cafeteria, opposite to the one where the entrance was. Sitting at the table were Omegamon, Duftmon, and Craniamon on one side. Opposite to them was Magnamon, Dukemon, and RhodoKnightmon. At the end of the table was Examon, as his wings would get in the way otherwise. The seven were chatting amicably.
"Shouldn't you be in the kitchen helping your kitchen staff?" Dukemon asked RhodoKnightmon in jest.
"Ah, now, you know they are competent enough to make RhodoKnightmon-approved meals even while I'm away on a mission," the svelte, pink Royal Knight responded, wagging his fork. "Besides, with the rest of the Royal Knights away and the Aerial Strike Forces still practicing manoeuvres at the coast, we aren't as busy as usual."
Duftmon took a polite, modest bite of a vegetable on his fork and swallowed it before speaking. "I hardly think that they will need to practice anti-amphibious assault manoeuvres in preparation for fighting the Metal Empire," he mused aloud. "It seems like a waste of time to me."
Craniamon elbowed the tactician's arm sharply.
The leopard knight let out a cry of surprise when he suddenly dropped the food-filled fork down his front. He looked down at his lap and then up to glare at the violet Royal Knight. "Now look what you've done! I just washed this sash!" he rebuked him.
Craniamon, unfazed, gave him a stern look. "Officially, they're not training to fight the Metal Empire. Don't say that out loud," he curtly told him.
Duftmon muttered something about Craniamon under his breath and took a new, thoroughly cleaned fork from out of his pocket. "It may not be official, but that's what they are doing. Why do you think Alphamon gave the order to step up the training for all branches of the Order?"
"That doesn't mean you should say it out loud," Craniamon countered. "There's no war yet, and the soldiers might hear you. We don't want it getting out that we're considering that option."
"Hmph," Duftmon huffed as he sat up straighter in his seat. "I'm finally able to enjoy a meal without Gankoomon's and Dynasmon's disgusting table manners and you go and ruin it."
Craniamon rolled his glowing, red eyes. He took some pleasure in knowing that Duftmon's annoyed demeanour meant that he was conceding the point. He looked over to his right, to Examon, who was eating red meat. "Examon and I finished the letter to PrinceMamemon," he stated with a hint of pride in his voice.
Omegamon looked over at Examon. "How bad was it?" he asked him.
Examon swallowed the food in his mouth and smiled. "I at least convinced him not to use insults," he replied. "Do you want to read it for approval?"
Omegamon shook his head. "I trust it's fine. At this point, using the strongest terms is probably necessary, if it shakes PrinceMamemon out of his stubbornness."
"A letter's fine, but I think we should go to his palace and knock on his door," Craniamon suggested. "That way, he can't just ignore us."
"I don't know," Magnamon said sceptically. "Going to meet with PrinceMamemon would only implicate us to the Metal Empire even more. I'm sure they have spies all over the city by now."
Duftmon nodded. "You bring up a good point, Magnamon. The first step the Metal Empire takes in times of crisis is to intensify their surveillance," he explained.
"It's a good thing we put Karatenmon and his spies on counter-espionage, then," Dukemon stated.
"This is all we can do, for now," Omegamon told them. "Like Craniamon said before, we don't want to escalate things, so we have to play defensively."
Magnamon sighed and put his eating utensils down. "I'm worried about how MetallifeKuwagamon is handling it. I can tell he's getting anxious." He looked across the cafeteria to another table where the mechanical insect Digimon was sitting across from Karatenmon, who had since returned to the castle.
"He should be fine as long as he stays in the castle," RhodoKnightmon pointed out.
Dukemon frowned. "That's no way to live though," he stated with a hint of anger in his voice. "Digimon living in fear… That's why we need to take Chaosdramon down."
Craniamon kicked Dukemon's leg under the table.
"Ow!" Dukemon yelled. He glared at Craniamon. "What was that for?!"
"You're talking suspiciously in public," Craniamon responded simply. "Let's change the subject already."
Examon nodded and looked at the crimson Royal Knight. "When is Grani coming back?" he asked him.
"Tomorrow, it looks like," Dukemon responded, rubbing his sore leg under the table. "Gankoomon and Sleipmon will probably be back in the afternoon tomorrow too." He stood up with his empty tray and glanced over to a nearby table, where BaoHackmon was sitting across from Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode. "Anyway, I have to go talk with BaoHackmon. I'm gonna give him a little bit of mentoring."
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that," Magnamon said with a knowing smile. "A lot."
"Just don't go overboard," Duftmon added as he dabbed his mouth with a napkin. "Although, knowing you, you likely will."
Examon grinned. "Ignore him, Dukemon. You're a good mentor," he told him.
Dukemon chuckled. "Big compliment from my favourite student," he said with a wink. With that, he took his tray to be cleaned and walked over to Gankoomon's apprentice.
Magnamon took a drink from his glass. "What are all of you going to do this evening?" he asked curiously.
"Train," Craniamon spoke immediately.
"You just ate. You shouldn't exercise while digesting," Duftmon told him disapprovingly.
"I didn't get a chance to practice today," Craniamon responded.
"I think I'll have a long, relaxing bath," RhodoKnightmon spoke. "Oh, and speaking of which, be sure to shower after your session, Craniamon."
Craniamon rolled his eyes. "And the rest of you?"
"I will be reading a book in my room," Duftmon stated.
"I might join you in training, Crania," Magnamon told him.
Craniamon nodded, willing to have somebody to spar and work out with. "Fine with me."
Magnamon looked across the table. "And you, Omegamon?"
"I have some paperwork that I need to finish up. Then I'll probably just relax," Omegamon answered.
"Sounds like a good plan," he said.
And with that, the golden Royal Knight stood up from the table, taking his empty plate and silverware in his claws. He began to bring his plate to be cleaned, but he was interrupted when MetallifeKuwagamon suddenly walked over to their table.
The short dragon knight looked up. "Oh, hey, Metallife," Magnamon greeted.
"Hello," the bug Digimon greeted. "I just wanted to say that I've finished updating the security for our systems and databases. They should be D-Brigade-proof now."
Omegamon gave him a small smile and a nod. "Thank you very much, Metallife," he told him. "You should take a rest."
MetallifeKuwagamon nodded. "I will. Just happy to be of service," he told them.
"Come on. I'll walk with you," Magnamon told him, beginning to walk.
Craniamon stood to his feet as well. "Meet me at the sparring room in half an hour, Magnamon," the violet knight told him as he walked away.
The rest of the Royal Knights finished up and cleared the table as well. This was so that they could make room for the next set of occupants.
Omegamon looked across the cafeteria to Dukemon, who was talking to an excited BaoHackmon. He was glad that he talked to him earlier. He felt more relaxed and confident now. The Royal Knight wasn't sure if it was because Dukemon just had that effect on him or if it helped to talk with someone who knew what they were talking about.
Either way, Omegamon felt more like the acting-leader of the Royal Knights now.
Evening soon turned into night. The weather stayed the same over the Royal Knights' headquarters and the rest of the Splendor's Reach. The thick pall of clouds covered the sky, blocking out the setting sun and the dual moons. The dark, ashen veil also threatened rain. As night set in, mist covered the landscape and gently glided across the grassy plains. The thick, ghostly fog caressed the ground as it drifted in the breeze. The mist was impenetrable, so it was hard to see more than five meters in front.
Even from the castle walls, which were raised above the mist, it was hard to see what was happening on the ground below. Despite this, the castle guards continued to stand on guard. They patrolled the walls and various places around the castle vigilantly. They were on night duty, but they were still very much alert. It was around midnight and most of the Digimon living in the castle had gone to bed with the exception of the on-duty guards and a few others.
Two anthropomorphic Digimon walked along the western wall – the one that faced the road in and out of the castle. One had the brawny, feline body of a Leomon. The other was a blue furred canine – MachGaogamon. The two guards walked along the ramparts towards each other. They were at the part of the wall just north of the barracks buildings, adjacent to the north side of the castle grounds where the large training area was located.
"Hey," the Leomon greeted as he stopped in front of the MachGaogamon.
"Yo," the MachGaogamon responded, halting as well for a short break. "How's your shift going?"
The Leomon shrugged. "Okay, I guess. It'd be better if it weren't so creepy tonight," he said, nodding over the parapets to the eerie mist swathed across the plains. "I don't like not being able to see the ground."
The MachGaogamon grinned and folded his arms. "Have you been listening to scary stories again?" he questioned, glancing over at the veiled landscape. He then looked up at the grey clouds, which made the night not as dark as it could have been. "I'm more worried about it raining before my shift ends. I don't want to get my fur drenched."
"Just towel off if that happens," the leonine guard told him.
The canine Digimon shrugged. "Can't. Everything's in the laundry today," he responded. He was about to open his mouth again, but he suddenly frowned. His ear twitched and he turned towards the misty landscape around the castle. "Do you hear that?" he asked his comrade.
The Leomon raised an eyebrow at him and glanced over to the distance. "Hear what?"
"I don't know…" he murmured, listening keenly. "It's like a whirring sound."
"I don't hear anything… Maybe it's the wind," the lion man responded.
The MachGaogamon narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "It doesn't sound like the wind. I'm going to check it out."
"Are you serious?" the Leomon asked him incredulously. "Stay on the wall."
As the two castle guards debated and continued looking into the distance, neither of them noticed what was happening behind them.
A tear leading to a black void opened in mid air, just behind the wall. The jet-black body of GranKuwagamon slowly emerged into the open air from the dimensional Zone Black Hole. His ebony carapace blended into the night. Standing on his back was Blitzmon, who gracefully jumped off.
GranKuwagamon silently slide evolved into GrandisKuwagamon. The now-humanoid insect moved towards the ramparts alongside Blitzmon.
The MachGaogamon guard sneered and his ear twitched again at the presence of another sound from behind them. "I hear something else," he told his comrade.
Just as the canine Digimon was about to turn around, a pair of pincers clamped shut around his neck, holding him in place. The MachGaogamon released a gurgled yell of pain and surprise. He reached up on reflex to grab the tight forceps choking him.
The Leomon spun to face him and his eyes widened to see a GrandisKuwagamon standing behind MachGaogamon. He immediately reached for his sword hanging from his belt. "Mach-grgh!?" He was cut off when a yellow hand reached out and grabbed the end of his snout. A second arm wrapped around his neck from behind and put him in a firm chokehold.
Blitzmon stood behind him and glared with a silent intensity. As the Leomon grabbed Blitzmon's arms with one hand, his other drew his blade and prepared to strike. However Blitzmon wrenched his arms sharply in different directions, strong enough to break the Leomon's neck. The guard buckled and burst into data, after dropping his sword with a clang.
Meanwhile, GrandisKuwagamon kept hold of the MachGaogamon's neck before he drove his Gran Killers into the canine's back, straight through his digicore. The tips of the claw gauntlets pierced from his chest and caused blood to spurt onto the stone parapets of the wall. The MachGaogamon guard ceased struggling and burst into data along with his comrade.
GrandisKuwagamon withdrew his Gran Killer from the cloud of data, the tips of which still dripped crimson liquid. He looked around the walls and towers carefully, his blood red eye shimmering with intensity. He then turned to Blitzmon and spoke in a hushed voice. "This part of the wall looks clear," he whispered. "We need to make this quick."
"I'll keep watch here. You go get Bolgmon," Blitzmon quietly responded.
GrandisKuwagamon nodded and jumped off the wall, flapping his wings and flying towards the misty ground. He disappeared in the fog.
Alone on the wall, Blitzmon watched the castle carefully. He could see the outlines of guards on different parts of the wall, but they were likely too far away for them to be able to distinguish him. He also worried about the guard towers and the nearby barracks. They had to make this quick, otherwise they'd be spotted.
It was a minute until a second Zone Black Hole opened up in the fabric of space. GranKuwagamon emerged from the spatial rift with Bolgmon in his arms. The large, black insect gently placed Bolgmon on top of the wall and then clung onto the parapets from the outer face of the wall.
"Can you make the shot from here?" GranKuwagamon asked in a low hiss.
Bolgmon slowly drove forwards on the wall, positioning himself so that he was facing the main building of the castle. He brought up the HUD in his vision and scanned the north side of the giant building. "Yeah, I can. The angle's good enough," he responded.
Bolgmon then bent forwards and planted his larger pair of hands firmly on the castle wall. He began to angle his giant horn cannon. A screen suddenly emerged from the cyborg insect's back. It was a tracking screen that began flashing with numerical and digi-letter algorithms as the screen showed him taking aim at one of the windows on the third level of the castle.
"Seventh window down…" he murmured. Bolgmon glanced over his shoulder to GranKuwagamon, who was standing nearby on the wall. "Grandis. Get behind me and hold me steady. If I hit the wall from the recoil, it could throw my aim off."
"Fine," GranKuwagamon replied, repositioning himself on the parapets and latching onto the wall with his four clawed legs. Once in position, he pressed his hands against Bolgmon's back to brace him against the recoil.
Bolgmon aimed carefully and he began to charge up energy within his horn cannon. "I can't be sure the MetallifeKuwagamon guy is in there," the tank Digimon stated.
"Where else would he be at this time?" GrandisKuwagamon asked.
"Anyway, it doesn't matter if you hit him or not," Blitzmon added. "Just don't take too much time taking aim."
"Gotcha," Bolgmon responded. His eyes narrowed and a grin crawled onto his metal face. "Firing in 5… 4…"
GranKuwagamon held Bolgmon tightly.
"3…"
Blitzmon took a few steps back. "Be ready, Grandis," he told the giant, black bug Digimon.
"2…"
GranKuwagamon nodded and braced both himself and Bolgmon.
"1," Bolgmon rumbled as his cannon brimmed with positronic energy.
"Field Destroyer."
A massive, glowing beam tore from his cannon and surged through the night sky. The force of the laser sent Bolgmon shooting into reverse; sparks ignited beneath his cannon arms as they dragged against the stone despite Bolgmon trying to hold himself in place. He was cushioned by GranKuwagamon, who held him steady from behind as the stream of positrons roared.
The thick, positron laser soared over the barracks and the castle courtyard as it shot up at a slight incline towards the building. The beam wailed and crackled with surging energy and its light lit up the stone surroundings brightly.
The tip of the beam hit its destination and tore through the stone wall. The targeted room exploded, and the residual beam passed into the next room down, creating a secondary blast. Positronic energy and dust exploded out of the windows in a thunderous, fulgent blast of yellow-white. Giant fragments of stone shot outwards from the building and the ceiling collapsed inside the room.
No later than when the last bit of smoking energy leaked from Bolgmon's cannon did he get upright again. "Let's go!" he barked as shouts began to echo through the reverberations of the explosion.
GranKuwagamon grabbed Bolgmon and started flapping his wings rapidly, using all his strength to heave the heavy Digimon into the air. He flew over the parapets and swooped down, Blitzmon right behind him. As soon as GranKuwagamon was near the ground, he let go of Bolgmon and allowed the cyborg mecha to drop.
Bolgmon dropped like a brick, but he sent his energy into the vents on his underside. This sent pressurized steam shooting out, which allowed him to land gently on the ground. As soon as his treads touched the grass on the other side of the moat, he put his engines into full gear. Bolgmon ripped across the fog-veiled grass, steaming away as quickly as he could.
While he did that, GranKuwagamon ripped his pincers into the fabric of space once again. "Zone Black Hole," he whispered, ripping open a temporary void in front of him. He allowed Blitzmon to jump onto his back as he flew through. As soon as they passed through the rend, it sealed up as if it was never there.
Black Pincer Company left behind them a chaotic scene. As the Order's soldiers began to scramble, smoke billowed out of a gaping hole in the third floor of the castle.
Omegamon, Dukemon, Magnamon, and RhodoKnightmon ran up the stairs from the second floor to the third floor. They wanted to know just what was going on. They had been either awoken from their sleeps of drawn away from whatever they were doing by the quaking explosion a minute earlier. The reverberations from the explosion could still be felt in the stone foundations.
The first one up the stairs was Omegamon. He darted into the hallway and stopped. The ceiling of the corridor was cloaked in smoke, which seemed to be pouring out of two of the rooms far down the hallway. Omegamon readied his Garuru Arm and dashed down the hallway towards the epicenter of the explosion.
Dukemon was right behind him, but as soon as he started to run, Captain Knightmon charged out of his room, half-naked and holding his short sword in one hand and his kite shield in the other.
"What in the blazes is going on?!" he demanded, looking around with a mixture of grogginess and vigilance.
"Dunno. Think it was an explosion," Dukemon responded hurriedly. "Grab everyone in the other rooms and bring them downstairs. Then scramble with the Defence Forces!" he called to the Captain as he ran by him.
"Sir!" Captain Knightmon called back, dutifully running into another room.
Magnamon and RhodoKnightmon ran after Dukemon and Omegamon. A worried glare formed on Magnamon's face. "Those are Metallife and Karatenmon's rooms…"
"Be prepared for more blasts!" RhodoKnightmon warned as he slid on his Pile Bunker.
Omegamon and Dukemon stopped just short of the rooms, allowing Magnamon and RhodoKnightmon to catch up with them. Running towards them from the opposite end of the hallway were Duftmon, Craniamon, and Examon.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Duftmon demanded as he hastily finished pulling on his armour.
"We're under attack," Omegamon stated, using his free hand to pull his cape over the bottom half of his face so that his throat wasn't irritated by the dust and smoke.
Just as Omegamon was about to enter the room in front of him, a tall, dark figure staggered out of the next room down.
Karatenmon emerged from the smoky room, clutching the twin Irataka no Ken swords in his talons. He was wobbly on his feet and he looked around in a daze. The black, scruffy feathers on his head were matted with blood from a cut above his eye.
"Karatenmon!" Dukemon called out urgently.
Craniamon cautiously walked over to him and held the crow man steady. "I've got you," he told him. "Are you alright?"
Karatenmon grunted, wincing at the shock and the pain in his head. "Yeah… Just dizzy… All I need is a minute," he responded.
"What happened?" Examon asked him, glaring as he hurried into Karatenmon's room, Ambrosius in hand.
"Explosion," was all Karatenmon said before releasing a haggard cough.
"Metallife!" Magnamon shouted out.
Omegamon turned and watched as Magnamon ran into MetallifeKuwagamon's room to the left of Karatenmon's. The white Royal Knight frowned and followed him inside.
The room was half full of dust and smoke and it radiated static. Rock crumbled from the half-collapsed ceiling. The outside wall and window were completely gone, allowing the smoke to flow out and Omegamon to see into the night. The wall separating the room from Karatenmon's was partially vaporized and partially collapsed too.
MetallifeKuwagamon lay on the rubble-strewn floor in the center of the room, unconscious. The exoskeleton of his right leg was badly scorched and the metal shell fragmented, allowing blood to ooze out. The rest of his body was badly scuffed and it looked like the blast had thrown him hard.
"Metallife! Can you hear me?" Magnamon asked him urgently, kneeling down beside his body.
Omegamon's sapphire eyes narrowed. He looked to his right and gazed into Karatenmon's room, where he saw Examon looking out the partially destroyed outer wall with his lance-rifle hybrid at the ready.
Omegamon looked around at the other Royal Knights and then back to Examon. "Examon!" he called out to him. "Go scout it out." Examon nodded and jumped out of the hole in the wall, taking to the sky.
"Dukemon, Magnamon, you're with me!" Omegamon ordered with determination and composure in his voice. He then turned around. "Duftmon, RhodoKnightmon, go and help organize the forces. Craniamon, you stay here and guard Metallife and Karatenmon!"
Omegamon ran and jumped out what was left of the window, flying into the air as well. Dukemon also made his way down to tail him, as did Magnamon, although he was reluctant to leave the wounded bug Digimon. Following them were Duftmon and RhodoKnightmon.
Meanwhile, Duskmon ran down the hallway towards Craniamon and the wounded Digimon after being arisen by Knightmon. The eyes on his body were red and irritated from all of the smoke and dust, but he continued anyways.
"Good timing, Doc," Craniamon told him. "There was a powerful explosion. We've got a couple wounded here."
"I'm fine. Just need to collect myself…" Karatenmon insisted dismissively.
Duskmon narrowed his eyes and walked up to the avian Digimon. He used his hand to turn the spymaster's head so that he could inspect his head wound. "You might have a concussion, so you aren't 'fine'. You're coming with me to the ward," he told him.
"But we might be under attack," Karatenmon protested stubbornly. "I'm not going to let a tiny cut slow me down."
"The others can handle it for now, whatever the situation is," Duskmon insisted, his voice not leaving room for argument. He then looked into MetallifeKuwagamon's room and looked the wounded Digimon over. "Craniamon, can we use your shield as a stretcher? We need to carefully move him down to the medical bay."
Craniamon nodded. "Consider it done," he said. He allowed Karatenmon to lean against the wall. "Now, you heard the physician. Don't you go disappearing."
Karatenmon gave a weak smile of resignation. "I won't. Ninja's honour… Don't want to get told off by Duskmon…" he said with a bit of humour in his voice.
"Good," Craniamon said, moving into what was left of MetallifeKuwagamon's room so that he and Duskmon could transport him. The violet Royal Knight took off his shield and placed it beside the insect Digimon. He then kneeled down and glanced out the window. "Still no follow-up attack? Strange… Maybe it's over now…"
It wasn't long until dawn broke the next morning. The dark sky was still a deep grey as the clouds continued to cover the sky. The rest of the night after the attack had been busy. Everybody had to prepare for another potential attack, but Examon and the scouts were employed to try and follow the attackers. The entire Order was on guard.
The hours passed and they soon realized that it was just the single attack. However, that didn't stop the constant patrols and investigations around the castle.
Omegamon stood outside the castle walls, poised on the grassy landscape. He stared down at a patch of dewy grass, which had been crushed by dual tank treads. His blue eyes had an pensive intensity in them as he leered down at the tread-like impressions in the grass.
Dukemon stood beside him silently. He gazed into the dark distance. He was able to spot Examon's form against the cloudy sky. "He's back," he told Omegamon.
Omegamon looked up to see swooping down towards them. Examon flapped his sentient wings a few, graceful times, and landed gently before them.
"Any luck?" Dukemon asked him.
Examon sighed and shook his head. "We've looked everywhere," he stated. He pointed down at the lines of crushed grass. "We followed these tracks, but they just disappear once they lead to the main road. Right now, the scouts are doing a general sweep of the area around the castle and following the road through Knights' Cross, but it's not looking good."
Omegamon narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Examon."
Examon looked over as Magnamon, Duftmon, RhodoKnightmon, and Craniamon walked over to them as well.
"What's the final report?" Omegamon asked.
"Leomon and MachGaogamon of the Castle Guards have been deleted, it seems," RhodoKnightmon grimly explained.
Omegamon grimaced and nodded.
"It was likely during the infiltration," Duftmon surmised.
Magnamon was glaring furiously.
"How are MetallifeKuwagamon and Karatenmon?" Examon asked them.
"Karatenmon only has minor injuries and a small concussion," Craniamon responded. "MetallifeKuwagamon's leg is broken and he's still unconscious. Duskmon said he'll be okay though."
"Whoever it was snuck onto the wall, attacked, and then disappeared into the night," Dukemon said regretfully.
"How did they get past our defences?" Examon asked.
"They were smart. They took advantage of the weather and infiltrated stealthily. They probably timed the guards' movements as well," Omegamon noted with a frown.
Duftmon placed his hands on his hips. "We need to learn from this experience. Furthermore, we examined the damage to the castle," he stated. "Assuming that their aim was accurate, they were targeting MetallifeKuwagamon. Though from the angle of attack, Karatenmon was a bonus."
"And we all know who did it, too!" Magnamon angrily spoke up.
The Royal Knights turned to look at him.
"It was the Metal Empire trying to assassinate them!" Magnamon stated firmly.
Duftmon frowned with thought. "It's possible… Although it was a flagrantly aggressive and provocative move. Foolishly so," he cogitated.
Magnamon turned to him. "Come on, Duftmon. How can there be any doubt?" he asked him. "Tank Digimon… a covert infiltration squad… The fact that they tried to assassinate their former scientist and inventor… Who else could it be?"
"I have to agree with Magnamon here," Dukemon said. "The Metal Empire… They think we've been working with the Mamemon Kingdom to steal from them and undermine them. This is their declaration of war. They're sending us a message saying that they're not afraid of us."
Craniamon nodded and cracked his knuckles. "Who else would do this?"
Duftmon folded his arms. "I suppose the evidence is pointing clearly towards the Metal Empire…"
Magnamon's intense red eyes narrowed. "We're the defenders of Yggdrasil. Attacking us is like attacking Yggdrasil itself! We can't let them get away with this!" he stated ardently.
Dukemon and Examon looked at him worriedly. It was rare to see Magnamon angry like that.
RhodoKnightmon frowned. "I suppose we now have an excuse to go to war," he pointed out.
Omegamon raised his head and stared towards the horizon. "I suppose…" he murmured. "…However, I'm not making any official declarations until Alphamon and the others come back. I said that I wouldn't make any massive decisions about the Metal Empire without everybody present." He slowly closed his fists. "With that said, I think it would be best to assume that we're going to war. We need to make the necessary preparations, just to be on the safe side."
Examon shouldered his Ambrosius lance. "We really may be going to war?"
"That depends on how the Metal Empire reacts," Omegamon stated firmly. He narrowed his blue eyes with determination. "However, we need to bolster our defences. And keep up that search. We need to make sure that what happened last night never happens again…"