Holy War

by Griff4823

The sequel to "A Dragon in Shining Armour". The Royal Knights secured victory and peace set over the continent, but it isn't to last. The autocratic Metal Empire, a team of amoral mercenaries, and a mysterious Digimon in the shadows; it's up to the Order of the Royal Knights to intervene. Can they stop things from spiraling out of control, all while dealing with their own issues?

75. Chapter 52: Metamorphosis

(Author's Note: Here's Chapter 52! I hope everybody's keeping safe and washing your hands and following the medical guidelines and all that. I'll do what I can to help social distancing be a little more enjoyable. xD

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this new chapter. Let me know what you think!)

---

Chapter 52: Metamorphosis

The sound of electronic beeps filled the dungeons of Castle Albion.

GrandisKuwagamon sat on his bed with his winged back pressing against the stone wall. He rested with one hand behind his head to cushion it against the firm surface. In his other hand was a small book. He had since moved on from the previous one and insisted to the guard that the next one be a good one. The one the guard ended up giving him turned out to be a comedic romance novel. It wasn't bad, he supposed, but it so far it wasn't as erotic as he would have liked. He was sure that there were better books in the Royal Knights' library than the ones he'd been reading. He wondered if the guards were doing this on purpose or not.

Regardless, he needed something to pass the time. It had been a few days since he had been allowed to leave his cell. All of the Order's military had returned from New Terminal several days ago, but it was quieter around here than he expected it to be.

More than anything, he read to keep his mind occupied. He knew that if he didn't focus on something, he would drive himself crazy thinking about what TigerVespamon had told him. His words kept echoing around in his mind, but there wasn't anything that he could do to find out if he was telling the truth. He had to know if he was really telling the truth. There was so much that he had to know. Was he really his brother? How could that be possible?

He needed more proof, but he hadn't seen TigerVespamon since his visit. He felt helpless again, so he decided that he had to put his energy into doing something productive, whether that was exercising in his cell or reading a sappy novel.

The sharp, methodical beeping pulled him out of the story. GrandisKuwagamon looked up from his book. On the other side of the bars of his cell, he could see a wing of black feathers sticking out from around the corner. He had heard the doors of the dungeons open, but he barely heard any footsteps approach his cell. He already knew who his visitor must be.

"Karatenmon?" GrandisKuwagamon asked, putting his book down on the bed. "Or do you expect me to call you 'Boss' now?"

"No; I've never liked formalities, even when I was a ninja. Just call me Karatenmon," the raven spymaster casually told him, poking his corvid head around the corner with a friendly grin.

Karatenmon deactivated the invisible barrier that contained the cell. Next, he input another code on the electronic touch pad to deactivate the electronic lock system. A heavy 'thunk' resounded through the cell as the sturdy locks released. Finally, he raised the ring of keys in his hand and inserted the key into the lock to manually unseal the remaining safety lock.

"Ooh, all three locks today," GrandisKuwagamon mused, standing to his feet. "What's the occasion? You're gonna say you're letting me go, right?"

"Not quite," Karatenmon responded, his grin remaining on his corvid face as he pushed open the door.

GrandisKuwagamon groaned. "Ugh. Let me guess, it's time to put the shock collar in."

"Not yet; that'll probably happen in a few days." Karatenmon informed him, finishing pulling the chrome digizoid bars aside. "The first candidate turned out to be afraid of needles, so we're reassessing the situation."

GrandisKuwagamon eyed the spymaster glibly. "Uh huh. Well, I'm afraid of getting electrocuted without warning. So, hey! Maybe we don't need the whole shock collar thing at all!"

Karatenmon smirked. "Sorry, Grandis. I respect your effort, but the Proximal Restraint System stays. I'll make sure that the candidate doesn't purposefully move out of range though."

"Gee, thanks," GrandisKuwagamon muttered, although he knew he was pressing his luck with that request. "So… what is this then?"

"It's a day pass," Karatenmon explained, gesturing outside of the cell. "We're letting you out of the dungeons for the day. You'll be shown around the castle – only non-restricted parts, of course. While we're doing that, I'll tell you all about the Rooks and our responsibilities. If there's anything you want to do around the castle, you're free to ask, within reason."

GrandisKuwagamon frowned and nodded. "Actually, there is." He walked out of the cell and turned to Karatenmon. There was some hesitation, but he decided that he needed to just say it, even if it resulted in some awkward questions. "…I want to speak to Ko—I mean, TigerVespamon."

Karatenmon cocked his head and gazed at GrandisKuwagamon curiously. "TigerVespamon…? Do you mean the Strike Forces recruit who helps Duskmon in his free time? Do you know him?"

GrandisKuwagamon turned his head and fixated on a nearby torch, his eye becoming distant and thoughtful. "I used to. Maybe…" he answered. He looked at the crow man insistently. "I really need to find out, okay?"

Karatenmon thought about his unusual request, but it didn't take him long to decide. He placed his hand on his hip and nodded. "I'll have to be there to observe, but that sounds fine," he informed him. "We had better hurry though. Since returning, all of the Strike Forces and Defence Forces have been given a week of leave. I heard Duskmon mention that TigerVespamon was thinking of travelling for that time."

GrandisKuwagamon frowned. So that was why it seemed so quiet lately. He knew there was no way that he would be allowed to leave the castle, so if TigerVespamon was travelling, he had to find him. He had to speak to him before it was too late.

With inner resolve, he walked out of the cell and into the dungeon corridor. "What are we waiting for?"

The raven man gestured with his hand down the hallway, allowing GrandisKuwagamon to walk ahead of him. Flanking the dungeon corridor and its exit were two pairs of guards. They stood at attention for the Spymaster, but each watched the mercenary with suspicion.

GrandisKuwagamon continued past them towards the dungeon exit. He was used to being on the receiving end of suspicious stares, so it didn't particularly bother him. He knew that working for the Order wasn't about to be an easy ride for him. He was sure that there were many who wouldn't appreciate his presence. He was prepared for the adversity. He couldn't say it was entirely undeserved either.

"Sir, do you require an escort?" a Knightmon guard asked the spymaster.

"No, I'm fine, thanks," Karatenmon assured him, looking ahead at GrandisKuwagamon and shooting him a wink. "Right, Grandis?"

GrandisKuwagamon rolled his eyes and put on a smile. "Don't worry. I'll be a good little bug."

After the final pair of guards moved aside, the two black Digimon walked out of the dungeon. They stepped out into the basement level of the castle. Being mostly underground, it was still quite dark, though it was intermittently lit by torches and glow forms.

GrandisKuwagamon was just glad that he was finally able to stretch his legs. They were stiff after being holed up in a small prison cell for over a week. It didn't help that his whole body felt like it was pent up with energy. Ever since he woke up from initiating the X-Antibody, his body was fidgety. His muscles tingled and felt like they were rubber bands about to snap.

He remembered how Blitzmon and Bolgmon were when the X-Antibody took over their digicores, after they killed the raiders and absorbed their data. In the days following the intense, initial system shock, they were antsy and hyperactive. They were able to move so much faster. They were so much stronger, even when they reverted to their Blitzmon and Bolgmon forms. He wondered how much of energy surge had been from the X-Antibody and how much was from the data that they had absorbed. He certainly felt like he had more energy because of the X-Antibody. It had been strong enough to save his life my rewriting his core data, after all. He wasn't a doctor, but he felt he must have been surging with fresh data.

He wanted to test his new power out, but he knew that he was on thin ice. Anything that seemed even remotely aggressive was likely to turn him into the Royal Knights' pin cushion. He didn't want to test his luck, even if he was curious. Maybe if they eventually let him spar one of his new teammates…

Karatenmon led him up the stairs to the main level of the castle. GrandisKuwagamon vaguely remembered going up this way during his escape. It felt like ages ago now. A lot had happened since then, even though it wasn't that long ago.

He never expected to be back here under these circumstances. Still, his feelings had changed a lot over those past few weeks. Although he was still technically a prisoner… somehow, he felt free. Although he still felt guilty for some of his recent actions, it had been like a burden had been lifted from him. He didn't have that same uneasiness of feeling trapped. Could it be that he felt he had direction again?

He continued walking alongside the spymaster. Once they reached the top of the stairs, they began heading down the long, stone corridor.

"This is the main level of the castle," Karatenmon explained. "In the center of it is the great hall, which leads to the council room on the east side. This is the floor that the cafeteria is on. I'm sure you're hungry."

"After I talk to TigerVespamon," GrandisKuwagamon replied, frowning seriously. "This can't wait."

Karatenmon nodded. He was intrigued by whatever relationship the two very different Digimon had. However, he respected GrandisKuwagamon's privacy, so he didn't ask.

…Though, to be honest, he didn't respect his privacy that much, seeing as he planned to eavesdrop on their conversation. Apart from his innate curiosity, it was mostly for security reasons. After all, he had to be sure that GrandisKuwagamon wasn't conspiring with TigerVespamon or anything like that, even though he very much doubted they would.

After a few moments of awkward silence, GrandisKuwagamon glanced over at the ninja crow. "So…" he began, trying to break the ice. "You said you're a ninja?"

"That's right," Karatenmon responded, nonchalantly strolling behind him.

"Really... I know a few ninjas. The ninjas I know are mostly shady ones and clan rejects though," GrandisKuwagamon casually chatted. "What clan are you from?"

"The Masamune Clan," Karatenmon explained with a smile.

"Don't know it," GrandisKuwagamon replied, shrugging flippantly.

Rather than being offended, Karatenmon chuckled. "We wouldn't be a very good ninja clan if you did, would we?" he pointed out.

GrandisKuwagamon couldn't help but smirk. "Point taken," he conceded. "Though it's hard to stay completely anonymous, even in the covert business."

"We didn't really operate like a 'business'. We didn't rent our services out at all in the past. Even now, our clan and its alliance are pretty insular," Karatenmon explained, idly resting his talons on the blade of his sword. "Too insular, in my opinion."

"So, how'd you end up working for the Royal Knights?" the dark scarab warrior wondered. He smirked sarcastically. "Are you another 'saved villain' too?"

Karatenmon grinned at him wryly. "Maybe in another life… But, no. I ended up here because, well…" The crow man folded his arms, his crooked grin softening. "I wanted freedom…"

GrandisKuwagamon eye the corvid spymaster curiously. "Freedom, huh…?" he mused, rubbing the back of his head.

"I felt trapped where I was. I was desperate to leave and see the world. I was always kind of a misfit that way. An 'odd bird', if you want," Karatenmon explained with a comical smile. "So, after a long story that I won't bore you with, I ended up travelling the world and met a lot of different people. Eventually, I met the Royal Knights. They were looking for a Spymaster after the whole incident with DarkKnightmon, and they managed to convince me to take the position. This is probably the closest I've ever been to settling down. But even now, in the structure of the Order, I enjoy a lot of freedom. The Stealth Forces are kind of their own thing, separate from the Order's military. We're pretty independent and we get to travel a lot."

GrandisKuwagamon folded his arms and nodded. "I see... Could be worse, I guess."

Karatenmon eyed him. "I got the sense that we're similar in that way. You value your independence too, right?" he asked lightly. "That's why I thought that you would be a good fit for the Rooks. You definitely have a good resume for it."

"I nearly die, I'm dragged here in chains by an angry, metal skeleton, I sit in prison for weeks, and then I'm drafted into the Order," GrandisKuwagamon sardonically stated. "Weirdest job interview I've ever had."

Karatenmon chuckled. "If you want to look at it like that," he supposed. The crow winked at him good-naturedly. "Not all of the Rooks get that treatment. You should consider yourself privileged."

"Uh huh…"

By the time the pair had finished talking, they had reached the octagonal castle foyer that separated the great hall from the entrance hall leading outside.

To GrandisKuwagamon's surprise, SaviorHackmon and VictoryGreymon were in the center of the foyer. VictoryGreymon held a long mop and was washing the marble floors while looking somewhat unsteady on his feet. Meanwhile, SaviorHackmon was on his hands and knees, using a brush to scrub the particularly stubborn spots that hadn't been caught by VictoryGreymon.

VictoryGreymon turned his head and his green eyes lit up upon seeing the black beetle. "Grandis!" he exclaimed, spinning around. At the same time, he saw Karatenmon and began to hastily salute. "Sir! W-Whoa!" In his hasty movements, the dragon man nearly slipped on the wet floor and he had to catch himself using the mop.

GrandisKuwagamon smirked. "Yo, Victory. Still got two left feet, I see," he teased. As SaviorHackmon turned towards him and stood to his feet, the former-mercenary glanced over.

"Grandis?" the white dragon man wondered, frowning slightly with confusion at seeing him out of his cell. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't worry. I haven't escaped again if that's what you're worried about," GrandisKuwagamon answered with a grin. "The boss crow here let me out for the day."

"Just for the day," Karatenmon pointed out.

"What are you two doin'? I thought people here had a few days of vacation or something," the humanoid Kuwagamon inquired. "Or are you two just extra eager to help out? Yeah, it's probably that, knowing you two."

SaviorHackmon levelled him a sideways glare. "This is your fault, actually," he pointed out. "VictoryGreymon and I are in trouble because you tricked us into letting you out."

GrandisKuwagamon looked away innocuously, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh, uh… That sucks?" he sheepishly replied.

SaviorHackmon eyed him as he bent down to soak his brush again. "That's all you can say? How's it fair that VictoryGreymon and I are stuck washing the castle while you get to have a day off?"

"Hey, I recently took a beam to the chest. I'm very fragile," GrandisKuwagamon lamely replied.

The steel dragon gave him a judgmental stare.

GrandisKuwagamon looked at Karatenmon, who grinned and shrugged. The beetle warrior rolled his eye. "Fine, I'll help." He pointed to a spot on the floor behind SaviorHackmon. "You missed a spot. There. I helped."

SaviorHackmon managed an exasperated smile. "Here I thought you turned over a new leaf…"

"There's switching sides and then there's a complete personality reversal," Karatenmon pointed out, raising a talon.

The steel dragon man chuckled a little. "I suppose you're right, Sir. It would be a little too suspicious if GrandisKuwagamon actually started being nice."

"Oh, I don't know," VictoryGreymon said, smiling broadly as he carefully stepped off of wet marble to the dry section of the floor that needed to be cleaned. The tall dragon man ambled over to them and slung his arm over GrandisKuwagamon's shoulders. "GrandisKuwagamon saved me! He has to be pretty nice to do that for me." VictoryGreymon smiled down at him warmly. "Seriously, Grandis… Thank you. If it weren't for you…"

GrandisKuwagamon looked away sheepishly and tried to shrug VictoryGreymon's arm off. "It's no big deal," he answered, doing his best to downplay his actions.

"You nearly died, Grandis," SaviorHackmon added. "What you did was selfless."

'Yeah, you're a hero!" VictoryGreymon exclaimed.

GrandisKuwagamon's cheeks were tinted slightly and he finally managed to free himself from VictoryGreymon's powerful grasp. "It's nothing. Seeing VictoryGreymon die like that would have been so pathetic that I would've died from second-hand embarrassment. That's all," he insisted, turning away.

SaviorHackmon sighed and looked at VictoryGreymon. "I guess he's still not ready to admit that he's actually nice sometimes."

The humanoid Greymon rubbed the back of his head. "I guess not… Still, we know the truth. Grandis is a big softy underneath that hard car piece."

"Ugh. It's 'carapace' and no, I'm not," GrandisKuwagamon irately corrected. He turned and pointed at VictoryGreymon. "Should you even be working? Last time I checked, Imperialdramon nearly made dragon sushi out of you. Not to mention you've got the equilibrium of a drunken dinosaur on the best of days."

VictoryGreymon smiled awkwardly. "Uh, well, Duskmon said I was fine during my last check up. The doctors at New Terminal gave me a load of healing magic. And High Curator Phantomon said that if I was well enough to fall without getting really hurt, I was well enough to get back to work," he explained. "Thanks for your concern though."

SaviorHackmon nodded. "I'm making sure that he doesn't work too hard. We want to use our free time to catch up on the punishment that we missed while we were in New Terminal. That way, we don't have to miss out on our training when everybody's back."

"You two are dedicated, I'll give you that," Karatenmon told them with his usual grin. The crow man turned towards GrandisKuwagamon curiously. "You mentioned that you wanted to find TigerVespamon, didn't you?"

GrandisKuwagamon frowned and nodded, reminded of what he was doing. "Yeah. Have either of you two seen a TigerVespamon?" he asked, looking at the pair of dragon men.

"Vespa?" VictoryGreymon asked, blinking with surprise."Um… Yeah. He was with ShineGreymon and the others earlier. But I think he said he was going to the Gallery of Reflection for some alone time."

GrandisKuwagamon tilted his head with confusion at the lofty-sounding area. "The what? What the hell is that? Like a hall of mirrors?"

"Come on. I'll show you," Karatenmon told him, walking towards the staircase in the north east wall of the octagonal foyer.

VictoryGreymon frowned pensively. He knew there was some sort of history between TigerVespamon and GrandisKuwagamon, but he didn't want to pry. Still, he was curious about how the two very different insects could have possibly known each other. "Good luck, Grandis," he told him.

"Thanks…" GrandisKuwagamon replied, though without his usual snark.

Now that they knew where he was, he thought about what he wanted to say. He had a lot that he needed to know from him. What if he really was his brother like he claimed? He didn't want to get his hopes up only for them to be dashed, but… What if his brother was alive? Until now, it seemed an inconceivable possibility. He didn't know how he'd react if it were true. He didn't know how he'd feel. He wasn't sure what he'd do.

The anticipation was getting a bit much for him, more than he wanted to admit.

Well, he'd soon find out.

"Hey, Grandis!" VictoryGreymon called out after him as the bug reached the mouth of the stairs. "After you're done with TigerVespamon, why don't you meet us at the cafeteria for lunch?!"

GrandisKuwagamon glanced over his shoulder at them. "Yeah, fine," was his subdued reply. With that, he disappeared inside the stone stairwell. He turned the corner and followed Karatenmon up the broad set of stairs, leaving the two dragons' sight.

After watching the mercenary disappear from view, SaviorHackmon looked down at the reflective marble floor. He turned back towards VictoryGreymon, holding the dripping brush in his claws. "…He really has changed, hasn't he?"

"Yeah, I think so…" VictoryGreymon replied as he dipped the mop in some more water. "He wouldn't have saved me if he didn't, I'm pretty sure."

SaviorHackmon looked at VictoryGreymon with a small, appreciative smile. "It's all thanks to you…"

VictoryGreymon blushed and rubbed the back of his head humbly. "Me? Nah… It wasn't just me…" he insisted, laughing a bit. "It's not like I forced him to change. He did a lot of that on his own. I just helped him along. All of us did."

"Well, I'm glad you did, Victory…" SaviorHackmon told him.

SaviorHackmon's smile was a bit sad and wistful as he thought about it. He looked down at the brush in his hands, which leaked water down his metal claws and wrists. "I always thought that maybe I'd be able to change him. But… I was so hurt and angry about what he'd done; I don't think I'd have even tried. When I saw him in New Terminal, I wanted to fight him. Doing what you did wouldn't have even crossed my mind…" His words were soft and guilty as he admitted his feelings to VictoryGreymon. "I guess you're the better Digimon between the two of us."

VictoryGreymon frowned and walked over to the younger dragon man. "Hey, I don't think that's true… You've got a big heart too," he insisted. "I'm just stubborn. …And I'm probably pretty naïve too." VictoryGreymon smiled remorsefully at SaviorHackmon. "After all, I tried the same thing on Imperialdramon and it didn't work… Look where I ended up."

"You tried though. Not many people would do that. What you tried to do for both of them shows how much you care about people," SaviorHackmon countered.

"Yeah… But it didn't work. I nearly died…" VictoryGreymon winced a little and gripped the shaft of his mop tighter. "I nearly let Imperialdramon kill me. Something she wouldn't have forgiven herself for. And I nearly made my friends and my father sad. I thought that if I could save Grandis without hurting him, I could do the same with her. I was… kinda arrogant and reckless, wasn't I? I didn't want to have to kill her, but I made things more difficult. Grandis got hurt protecting me…"

"…Why are you so determined not to kill, Victory?" the steel dragon man couldn't help but ask.

VictoryGreymon frowned and looked down at his hands, tightly clenched around the neck of the mop. "Because… it's a life. We usually get reformatted when we're deleted, but… it's just data that remains. All those memories, relationships, loves, goals, and dreams… they're gone. There are still loved ones who are left behind. Nobody's the same person after being reformatted. They're as good as gone. So… that hole and that sadness still remain."

SaviorHackmon grimaced. He thought about his parents. The Night of Falling Stars… The Battle of Saversburg… Hope's Crest… He remembered Hope's Crest the most. In that battle, he took lives himself. It had been the first time he had killed a Digimon. He didn't know the Digimon that he deleted. He wasn't even sure how many he had killed. He had been so caught up in the adrenaline and fighting to survive that he didn't hesitate. It wasn't until now that it really began to sink in. He began to feel sick.

"I… I know… I hate killing too. Knowing that I caused such pain…" SaviorHackmon looked down at his tightly clenched hands bitterly, watching as he squeezed water and soap out of the brush and onto his hands. "But…" He turned towards VictoryGreymon. "We're working for the Royal Knights. We're fighting to protect Digimon… If we need to kill in order to protect innocent Digimon… If we need to kill in order to protect our friends… Is that wrong? Is it okay to do it to protect?"

"I'm not sure, SaviorHackmon…" VictoryGreymon answered, frowning hard as he considered his words. "It's… It's a lot to think about."

"Sleipmon-shishou said that there're a lot of shades of grey," SaviorHackmon responded, his eyes softening as he remembered his talk with the Royal Knight. "He refuses to kill, and I respect him for that, but… I also know that sometimes the Royal Knights have to kill in order to protect."

VictoryGreymon nodded softly. "Yeah… but GrandisKuwagamon and Paildramon might not be alive right now if I did that…" He sighed and rubbed his head. "This is making my head hurt."

SaviorHackmon offered a small smile. He certainly couldn't blame the dragon man. He didn't have any easy answers himself. "Sorry… Let's talk about something less heavy."

VictoryGreymon smiled and nodded. "Okay…" he agreed. He took his mop over to wash the marble floor near the wall. "Hey, have you heard any cool stories from the battle? I heard that Alphamon single-handedly held back waves of Nightmare Soldiers during the battle before going one-on-one with Demon!"

"That must have looked so cool," SaviorHackmon agreed, nodding excitedly. "I heard that UlforceVeedramon went up against Leviamon too. And Sensei fought against Beelzebumon. I wish I could have seen them in action."

"Those fights must have been amaaaazing," VictoryGreymon exclaimed, nearly swooning against his mop. "Maybe one of the New Terminal comic artists will re-enact the battle in comic form."

"Do you know what I hope?" a wispy voice asked from behind VictoryGreymon.

"What's that?" VictoryGreymon asked, turning around. Suddenly, he stopped and blinked. The only thing behind him was a stone wall.

Suddenly, a small, floating Digimon clad in floating grey and red cloth emerged out of the wall. A shadowy face concealed by a crimson hood appeared right in front of VictoryGreymon's, the shrouded, blue eyes piercing into him irately. The cloth-covered spectre floated right up to VictoryGreymon's surprised face and pointed his tattered arm at his snout.

"For you two to actually get some work done!" the ghostly reaper declared.

"GAH!" VictoryGreymon shouted, stumbling backwards and landing on his butt. Despite the pain in his backside and his palpitating heart, he hastily saluted. "H-H-High Curator Phantomon, Sir!"

"S-Sorry," SaviorHackmon stammered, saluting the Digimon who was in charge of the Maintenance and Supply Division. "We were just—"

"Jabbering. I am aware," the stalky phantom chastised them. "You do realise that this is your punishment for your blunders, yes?"

"Y-Yes, Sir," both dragons meekly said.

Phantomon folded his little arms and narrowed his shadow, blue eyes. "If you have time to talk, it seems I am not giving you enough work to do…" he mused forebodingly. "This afternoon, you can help Paildramon and the others. While they're cleaning Barracks Alpha, you can start on Barracks Beta. The best time to sanitize the barracks is now, when most of the soldiers are going on leave. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir!"

The High Curator looked at them and nodded approvingly. "Good… Now, finish here and you can take your break."

With that, the phantom Digimon crossed the foyer and disappeared through the wall.

VictoryGreymon stood to his feet and looked at SaviorHackmon sheepishly. "Let's back to work. He's kinda scary," he said, soaking his mop again.

"Yeah…" SaviorHackmon agreed, looking nervously towards the spot that Phantomon disappeared through. He got back down on his knees and started scrubbing some mud crusted onto the marble floor. "Maybe we can convince GrandisKuwagamon to help us."

VictoryGreymon smiled a little and went back to mopping the floor.

"I kinda doubt it…"

---

TigerVespamon sat on a stone bench in the Gallery of Reflection. His winged back rested against the rock wall with perfect posture.

The gallery was a long, spacious hall. A long, stone basin of water ran along the opposite side of the corridor. The light shining in from the clerestory windows cast against the rippling water, causing shimmering peaks that glistened and reflected erratically against the walls of the gallery.

TigerVespamon relaxed as he listened to the soothing sound of water pouring from the fountains into the long basin. It reminded him of meditating near the fountain back at the monastery. There was a slight tugging at his heart as he thought about home.

Although it was his decision to join the Order, he missed Father Angemon and the rest of the monks. He hoped they were doing well without them. Since hearing that everyone would be having a few days off, TigerVespamon considered going back to the monastery for a visit. He wanted to see them again and there were things that he wanted to talk to Angemon about. However, the monastery was a long way away, all the way on the west side of the continent. There was also GrandisKuwagamon to consider.

He had a lot of mixed feelings towards the mercenary right now. He still felt angry. He didn't feel like he could forgive all the things that GrandisKuwagamon had done. However, he had heard that GrandisKuwagamon had gotten badly hurt by throwing himself in front of VictoryGreymon. Was this true? Would GrandisKuwagamon really do such a thing? He had escaped to work with the Demon Lords – the monsters who slaughtered teems of angels of the Heavenly Choir and dropped a Sky Colony on the Digital World. He couldn't forgive him for that.

But… Was there a sliver of good in him?

TigerVespamon didn't know. He felt confused. His feelings were unsettled. The revelation that the Greymon Five had told him about what GrandisKuwagamon did for VictoryGreymon challenged his pre-conceived notions. TigerVespamon wasn't entirely sure if he believed it. Yet, why would SaviorHackmon and the Greymon Five lie? And he had treated the unconscious GrandisKuwagamon himself. While there were no wounds, something was definitely strange about his condition.

In addition, Father Angemon always told him not to close off his heart. He was taught to be forgiving and open minded…

Maybe he should hear GrandisKuwagamon's side…?

The hornet monk bowed his head and kept his eyes focused on the water. Ever since coming here, his heart had been tumultuous. That was why he came to the Gallery of Reflections. He hoped that he would be able to meditate and calm the unease inside him. Perhaps he would be able to come to a decision.

TigerVespamon emptied his thoughts, focusing solely on the sound of trickling water. The Gallery was absent of sound except for the flowing fountains. It soothed him and helped him to focus. TigerVespamon soon found himself in a deep, meditative state.

He began to hear sound of footsteps along with the rushing of water. They came from the left side of the Gallery of Reflection. TigerVespamon heard the footsteps stop.

"There he is… Do you mind waiting here? It's kind of private…" a familiar voice said.

"Hmm, I guess that's fine. I'll be nearby though, so don't try anything," another voice said.

"I won't, I won't… Jeez. I escape one time…" the first voice replied.

TigerVespamon lifted his compound eyes. Down at the left end of the tranquil corridor, he saw two black forms. One was the feathered body of Spymaster Karatenmon. The other one was a surprise to him. The voice was familiar, but he immediately recognised the black carapace and the long, jagged pincers. It was none other than GrandisKuwagamon.

TigerVespamon took a calming breath and tried not to let himself be affected by his presence. Despite that, he wondered why GrandisKuwagamon was out of his cell. He supposed he must have asked to be released for a little while after what he had told him a few days ago.

He slowly stood to his feet, trying to be at peace with talking to him. He knew that GrandisKuwagamon wanted answers. He supposed he at least deserved that much…

The golden wasp Digimon stepped away from the stone bench and stood in the middle of the Gallery, turning to face the black beetle. He took a gentle, meditative breath and looked into his eye.

GrandisKuwagamon began walking towards him, making his way down the long and tranquil corridor. The black mercenary glanced over at the ornate founts, quietly thinking that they were a bit fancy for just a hallway. He looked over his shoulder to see if Karatenmon was still there, but the crow had vanished from view. He knew he was still nearby, probably listening in.

GrandisKuwagamon made himself look at TigerVespamon. At first, he felt awkward, but he didn't shy away. He made a direct course for the soft-spoken wasp who claimed to be his brother.

The closer that GrandisKuwagamon got to him, the more that his heart hardened. Trapped in his cell, he had allowed his mind to get carried away. He had nothing to do but think about his words. They festered in his mind. He had seriously considered the possibility that his brother might be alive. He had wanted it to be true. After the attack on his village, he had tried to convince himself that his family had somehow gotten away. It wasn't long before that hope had faded and given way to the grim reality. As he approached that Digimon, he convinced himself that the reality of the situation was that he was still alone.

Who was this Digimon? There was no way that he was Kokuwamon. He couldn't be. He had watched as Kokuwamon was swept up in an explosion. He, Kunemon, and Kokabuterimon had looked everywhere for their families. There had been nobody left. This Digimon… It was clear that he had some sort of grudge against him. He must have found out about his past. He must be using it against him to mess with his head. His anger began to bubble.

GrandisKuwagamon's gaze hardened and he began marching up to TigerVespamon with intent. The slender insect stared at him and calmly waited.

As the distance between them closed, GrandisKuwagamon's stride increased. He quickly reached forwards and grabbed TigerVespamon's scarf roughly. Keeping a tight hold on the crimson fabric, he growled and pulled TigerVespamon forwards until they were face to face.

TigerVespamon didn't react or resist. He felt his carapace knock against GrandisKuwagamon's as their crimson eyes locked. He just calmly stood where he was, not allowing himself to rise to GrandisKuwagamon's violence. He didn't even react to the pair of sharp pincers that hovered on either side of his head.

"Who the hell are you?!" GrandisKuwagamon demanded, glaring at the tall but physically smaller insect. In the corner of his eye, he could see some movements from the shadowy corner of the hall. He knew it was probably Karatenmon getting ready to act, but he was so caught up in the moment that he didn't care.

TigerVespamon leered back at GrandisKuwagamon calmly, countering his fire with ice. "…I already told you, GrandisKuwagamon. I am your brother."

"You expect me to fall for that?! My brother's dead! I watched him die!" GrandisKuwagamon shouted. "What the hell kind of trick are you trying to pull…?"

TigerVespamon raised a hand and gently placed it on top of GrandisKuwagamon's wrist, though he didn't attempt to wrestle the black hand away. "It is the truth."

"I don't believe you…" GrandisKuwagamon suspiciously growled. "I looked everywhere for my brother. We looked from dawn until midday. The only one me and Kunemon could find was Kokabuterimon. I called out over and over! There's no way… He would have replied."

"I was unconscious."

"Yeah, of course…" GrandisKuwagamon warily retorted. "I think you're lying. You can't be my brother. You're nothing like him." He released TigerVespamon's scarf from his hold and eyed him guardedly. "What is this? Why're you doing this? Revenge?"

"Revenge solves nothing. I am not so petty," TigerVespamon evenly explained, staring at the black insect pointedly.

"Tch… You say you're my brother? He was a Kokuwamon at the time, so any bug can say that," GrandisKuwagamon challenged. "Prove it then. Tell me something only he'd know."

TigerVespamon nodded gently and gazed at the suspicious bug Digimon. The humanoid wasp released a breath and relaxed himself. "Very well."

"…When we were children, Father wouldn't let us go past the tree line that bordered the town of Manu. However, I never listened. Whenever we played with the others, I always tried to convince my brother to go beyond the big tree – the one with all the moss…" TigerVespamon softly explained.

GrandisKuwagamon stared at TigerVespamon uncertainly. But, as the hornet Digimon spoke, his stance began to weaken.

"One time, my brother and I went too far out. It was just before sunset, when we were supposed to be going home for dinner. I convinced him to explore with me beyond the ominous rocks. He wanted to go home, but… I insisted on going ahead, with him or without him. I always was the reckless one between us… He was responsible, and he wouldn't let me go alone, despite knowing that he would get in trouble too." TigerVespamon didn't realise it, but on his face was a wistful, nostalgic smile.

As he spoke, GrandisKuwagamon's single eye slowly widened with disbelief.

"We became lost and it was growing dark. We tried to make our way back to the village, but we ended up wandering deeper into Restart Forest. I remember hearing something moving nearby. I was frightened and I knew that it was my fault that we ended up in that situation… I started crying. However… my brother assured me that everything would be alright. He said that Father would find us." TigerVespamon looked at the stunned beetle in the eye. "And he was right. Father did find us. He hugged us, and then he started scolding us. He was so angry with worry that he was ready to hit us. But my brother said that it was his idea… He took the blame and the punishment for me, even though it was my own foolhardiness. He was trying to protect me."

TigerVespamon stared softly into GrandisKuwagamon's eye. There was a gentle shimmer as the water reflected light across his eyes.

"My brother was a kind and loving Tentomon... He always looked out for me, even when it inconvenienced him. The last time I saw him was the day that our village was attacked. And even then, he worried about me... he tried to stop me... I am certain that he searched for me as hard as he cou-"

Before TigerVespamon could finish, GrandisKuwagamon rushed forwards. Instinctively, TigerVespamon stiffened up and prepared to defend himself. But rather than an attack, he felt himself be pulled into a tight embrace. GrandisKuwagamon wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close.

"It's… It's really you…" GrandisKuwagamon said in a breathy and tremulous voice. His mandibled face looked over TigerVespamon's shoulder with a grimace full of emotion. His teeth clenched together and his throat was tight. The sheer tidal wave of joy, shock, relief, and astonishment began to overwhelm him. "It… It can't be… How? I… I thought you were dead. I was… so sure."

TigerVespamon was rigid with shock at the sudden embrace. As much as an amalgam of contradicting emotions overwhelmed his brother, he too felt the same. He raised his arms past GrandisKuwagamon's sides, unsure of how to respond to the sudden, unexpected gesture of brotherly love. He could still feel resentment and antinomy towards the mercenary. The moral aversion still bubbled inside of him. Part of him didn't want to return the gesture.

However, the hug was so unabashedly sincere. TigerVespamon realised that, whatever GrandisKuwagamon had done, he was still his brother, and he suffered that day as much as he did. It was only natural that he would be overjoyed to see him alive right now.

TigerVespamon's wooden stance began to soften. He winced guiltily at his own compunction. With a gentle sigh escaping his mouth, he moved his arms and returned the hug.

"I'm… I'm so glad you're alive…" GrandisKuwagamon breathed, his compound eye glistening as he just barely managed to keep his emotions in check.

TigerVespamon stalled for a moment, grimacing sadly over GrandisKuwagamon's shoulder. "I, as well…" he sighed.

GrandisKuwagamon slowly released TigerVespamon from his grip. He backed off a few steps and looked away, trying to appear casual by rubbing the back of his head.

"I... I dunno what to say," the darker of the two brothers awkwardly responded. He eyed TigerVespamon uncertainly. "I know what you said, but… I still don't think I can believe it. I just… I don't get it. I thought I looked everywhere… I mean… there was smoke, fire, and rubble all over the place, but… did I really just not see you?"

TigerVespamon readjusted the crimson scarf the rested around his neck. The backs of his fingers brushed against the string of the star crystal necklace that Angemon had given him.

"I am afraid that I cannot say," he admitted. "The last thing that I remember of that night is the explosion. It concussed me to the point of unconsciousness. I must have been thrown some distance away…"

"Where did you wake up? And when? You can't have been that far from us…"

"I woke up a couple days later, I think," TigerVespamon explained. "I can't be certain. When I awoke, it wasn't in the ruins of Manu. I found myself in Father Angemon's monastery. He had heard about the attack in Restart Forest late the following day. He followed the smoke to what was left of Manu. He and some of the others looked around for survivors. He told me that he found me in some foliage beneath a fallen tree. He took me back to the monastery and treated my wounds. I woke up a few days later." TigerVespamon's face darkened at the memory. "Alone."

"You were seriously there the whole time…?" GrandisKuwagamon asked with a wince. "No way…"

"I believe Father Angemon's account of the events," the hornet Digimon explained. "Did you not see him?"

GrandisKuwagamon shook his head grimly. He walked over to the nearby wall and leaned against it, folding his arms across his chest.

"No. We can't have. We decided we had to leave when the sun started setting. We were scared that the MetalTyrannomon gang would come back," GrandisKuwagamon explained. "We tried to head north to Glade Hollow."

"To Wormmon and her family?"

GrandisKuwagamon nodded a little. "Dad always let us come along whenever he went to sell his furniture there, so I thought I knew the way. I knew that Wormmon and her family would let us stay since you, me, and her were friends, but…" He shrugged. "It was dark. We got lost… We ended up outside of Restart Forest and we didn't know where to go. We found a road and just decided to follow it, so that was how we ended up on the streets of New Terminal."

TigerVespamon looked at his brother carefully. "…Why did you not try to go back to Glade Hollow?"

"We couldn't. We were too busy fighting just to survive," GrandisKuwagamon explained. "The city was big and we needed food. It was dangerous living there, but it felt safer than trying to travel for days to the Western Reaches by ourselves. We were still kids, after all. We probably would have died trying."

"Why not when you were older?"

GrandisKuwagamon looked away bitterly. "…By then, it was too late. Things happened that changed us… It was like we were on a path that we had no power to change. What were a few street urchins supposed to do? We had to make the best of the cards we were dealt."

"I'm not sure that I understand…"

"I doubt you could…" GrandisKuwagamon answered. "I… changed. I became a different person. I didn't feel like I had any right to go back to the life that I might've had. To be honest, I didn't really want to anymore. I wanted to be strong…"

TigerVespamon nodded gently. "…I see."

"…What about you? How is Wormmon?"

"I could not say… I never returned to Glade Hollow either," TigerVespamon explained.

GrandisKuwagamon frowned. "What? But I thought…" He went quiet as he thought about TigerVespamon's words. "…So, what happened to you then?"

TigerVespamon walked over to the wall and stood near the ebony beetle. "When I woke up, I had a different body. FunBeemon… Angemon explained that my body must have unconsciously absorbed the X-Antibody of one of Digimon who died in the raid in order to survive."

GrandisKuwagamon's eye widened a little. "An X-Antibody? You mean, you've got one too? But… " He stalled as he thought about the implications of it. "Why didn't you become a Kokuwamon X-Antibody, then? Why FunBeemon?"

TigerVespamon shook his head. "I can't say for certain… Perhaps it was an adverse reaction of my body to the antibody, or maybe it was because of the unique data of the X-Antibody's original carrier. Since I was unconscious, I don't know if it was one of the raiders or one of the villagers whose X-Antibody I absorbed. It doesn't really matter; I am who I am now."

"I guess…" GrandisKuwagamon responded pensively. "So… What happened next?"

"After Father Angemon treated my wounds, he could see that I had nowhere to go. I was so lost and distraught… He offered to let me stay with him and the others at the monastery. I was reluctant at first, but… he was so kind. I was alone… I had felt I had nowhere else to go, so I ended up staying." TigerVespamon smiled a little bit. "I ultimately became an unofficial member of the monastery. Father Angemon and the others treated me as one of their own. I wasn't an angel Digimon, but that mattered not. It was as if I found a new family…"

"…A new family, huh?" GrandisKuwagamon muttered bitterly.

TigerVespamon looked away with a light wince. "…Please understand. I thought that my family was no longer with me," he explained. "When Angemon took me in, I began a new life… I wished to move on from the pain. Being a part of a loving community allowed me to do that. It is because of them that I am who I am today. I can never repay Father Angemon's kindness."

"Must've been nice…" mumbled the dark insect.

TigerVespamon nodded a little bit. "I was very fortunate to have been taken in and raised by such compassionate Digimon. They taught me almost everything that I know."

GrandisKuwagamon looked at him aversely. "Oh. So… you're not like 'religious', are you?"

The golden insect stared back at GrandisKuwagamon without embarrassment. "Yes, I am… Father Angemon and the others taught me all about the Religion of Light. I follow all of its strictures and I look to the Being of Goodness for strength. It has opened my mind to many answers about the Digital World and our place within it. It allowed me to move on from the hardship of my childhood."

"So, they brainwashed you as a kid," GrandisKuwagamon muttered under his breath, glancing away.

TigerVespamon heard just enough of the comment. He bristled, but his demeanour remained unchanged. "I am intelligent enough to make my own decisions. I take it that you believe in one of the Two Faiths?"

GrandisKuwagamon laughed. "Not even close. They're all ridiculous. Yggdrasil, Huanglongmon, God… They're all shams designed to control and manipulate Digimon. I've known lots of con artists in my time, but none have been successful as the three religions. I don't know how you can believe some magical overlord who creates and monitors everything. After what we went through…? Not even that… Just looking around and seeing all the vice and suffering should be enough to convince you that there's nothing watching over us."

TigerVespamon stared at GrandisKuwagamon sadly. "You truly believe that, don't you?"

"Don't pity me... I've opened my eye. You may have been taught by some monk, but I've been taught by the school of life. What I learned is that the only things with any agency in this world are Digimon. And Digimon are flawed creatures. We're the ones who cause the Digital World to go around. And we're the ones who're doing our best to destroy it."

"I am saddened that you have come to think that way," TigerVespamon replied.

"Yeah, well, in my experience, there's two kinds of Digimon. The assholes who know that the world's immoral and embrace it, and the idiots who pretend that it's not and reject it," GrandisKuwagamon cynically stated.

TigerVespamon frowned, looking at him unconvinced. "If that is true, then why did you save VictoryGreymon?"

The mercenary looked away sheepishly and shrugged. "…Because I'm an idiot," he admitted.

TigerVespamon thought about his words for a few moments. It was clear that he had a sarcastic and cynical disposition – something that he expected from a wanted mercenary. However, maybe VictoryGreymon and SaviorHackmon were right. Maybe it's possible that GrandisKuwagamon had changed. He had been in unfavourable circumstances, so he did what he needed to in order to survive. Perhaps he wasn't such a bad Digimon as he had initially thought?

Perhaps he should give his brother a chance…

"I see…" TigerVespamon pensively replied.

Awkwardly, GrandisKuwagamon turned away. He wasn't really sure what to say next. It had been so long since they had seen each other that they didn't really know how to act around one another. They had both changed so much.

"…Anyway, I'm pretty hungry. Uh, do you want to go grab lunch? Or do you have somewhere you need to be?" GrandisKuwagamon asked him.

TigerVespamon hesitated. He had been planning to start his trek back to the monastery soon. There was a train that he needed to take, after all… However, perhaps he had time. Maybe he should get to know his brother.

"I suppose I have some time for lunch," TigerVespamon agreed with a nod.

GrandisKuwagamon looked into the shadows. "Okay, you can come out now, Boss Crow. I know you're listening."

As if on cue, Karatenmon emerged from the shadows like he was materializing into thin air. "Sorry. I had to be nearby for security reasons," he explained with a grin. "Nothing I heard leaves my mouth."

TigerVespamon nodded a little, though he was confused. "Pardon me. 'Boss'?" he questioned.

"Oh, right. Uh…" GrandisKuwagamon turned and glanced at TigerVespamon. "As part of my 'rehabilitation', I'm gonna be working for Karatenmon with the Rooks. So, looks like I'm working with the Royal Knights for real this time."

TigerVespamon frowned at the prospect. He reached up and idly tugged at the collar of his scarf as he thought about the implications of GrandisKuwagamon working here. "I see…" he answered reticently. He didn't wish to question Spymaster Karatenmon's decision. It wasn't his place to disagree, even if he did feel a little uncomfortable with the idea. Perhaps he just needed time to adjust...

"Anyway… Food?" the black insect suggested.

TigerVespamon nodded. He supposed he should make the effort to reconnect with his brother. If he saved VictoryGreymon and was now working with the Royal Knights, perhaps he had changed?

The composed hornet began to walk down the Gallery of Reflection, prompting GrandisKuwagamon to stand up straight from the wall and walk after him. Karatenmon followed from behind, giving them enough space to have some privacy.

As they walked, TigerVespamon glanced over at GrandisKuwagamon thoughtfully. The black insect strode casually with a barely visible grin on his face.

TigerVespamon looked forwards expressionlessly. The shimmering, star crystal pendent swayed and bounced against his carapace as he walked.

Perhaps he had misjudged him…

Perhaps he should give him a chance, after all.

---

"You invited the guy who beat you up and nearly got you fired to lunch? Are you serious, dude?"

VictoryGreymon smiled sheepishly as he looked at ShineGreymon. "Uh… Yeah?" he responded, rubbing the back of his neck.

The two stood near the entrance of the castle's cafeteria. It wasn't as busy as the usual lunchtime rush since many of the soldiers had gone into the city for their free time. Still, there were about thirty Digimon in the cafeteria, half of which were already eating at the tables, while the rest waited in line for their meals. The Order soldiers talked amicably with each other. The free time did well to ease their spirits. Despite the recent battle, they were allowed a temporary reprieve from the crisis at hand. However, the spectre of war with the Demon Lords was never far from mind.

ShineGreymon sighed. "You're too nice for your own good, Vic," he said with his usual, trademark grin.

VictoryGreymon blinked. "I am? I don't know about that…"

"Look, I'm glad the guy saved you and everything, but I haven't forgotten about the other stuff that he did to you," the solar dragon man explained. "It was only a few weeks ago when he was beating the crap out of you."

"Yeah… but he's trying to change. That should count for something, shouldn't it?" VictoryGreymon debated.

ShineGreymon shrugged. "I guess…" He leaned against the doorframe, casually placing his hands behind his head. "So, I guess this means that you're not coming with us to Gold Keep? We're gonna do some shopping and then some bar hopping."

VictoryGreymon smiled apologetically and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. SaviorHackmon and I have to clean the barracks this afternoon," he explained, nodding over to the white dragon man who was reserving them a table. "You guys go and have fun."

"Okay, dude. I'll bring you back something nice. And I'll make sure that War doesn't eat it this time,"

"Aw, thanks, Shine. You're the best," VictoryGreymon graciously replied.

ShineGreymon grinned and confidently inspected his hand. "Yeah, I am, aren't I?" he playfully boasted. He stood up from the wall and smacked VictoryGreymon on his muscular shoulder. "Anyway, I'm gonna get going. Don't let Phantomon work you too hard, bro. You're still recovering, remember?"

"I'll try to finish early. Have fun in Gold Keep," VictoryGreymon told him with a friendly smile.

"No worries there. See ya, dude," ShineGreymon replied, ruffling VictoryGreymon's red hair before walking off down the stone corridor.

VictoryGreymon waved at his friend as the white and red dragon man departed down the illuminated hallway.

Right as he was about to turn, he noticed two figures walking towards ShineGreymon from the opposite direction. It was GrandisKuwagamon and TigerVespamon, both heading down towards the cafeteria.

ShineGreymon grinned upon seeing TigerVespamon. "Hey, Vespa!" he exclaimed cheerfully. The dragon man raised his fist and offered it towards the hornet Digimon.

TigerVespamon stared blankly down at ShineGreymon's fist for a few moments. "…Oh," he said in recollection. He raised his own fist and awkwardly poked ShineGreymon's with his knuckles. "Was that right?"

"…Eh. We'll work on it," ShineGreymon said, grinning and patting TigerVespamon's shoulder. "Hey, you want to come with us to Gold Keep?"

TigerVespamon glanced over at GrandisKuwagamon, who stared at them with dry amusement. "I apologise, but I already have other plans arranged."

ShineGreymon side-eyed the black scarab. "With him?"

"For lunch, at the very least," TigerVespamon confirmed. "After that, I am unsure. I was considering travelling back to the monastery, but I haven't set those plans into stone just yet. Either way, I wouldn't want to hold you up."

"Well, okay, dude," ShineGreymon conceded. "Come find us if you change your mind." He cast a suspicious leer in GrandisKuwagamon's direction. "And don't let that guy take advantage of you."

GrandisKuwagamon rolled his eye. "Wouldn't dream of it, Sparkles."

ShineGreymon proudly wiggled his glistening wings, which indeed emitted incandescent sparkles from their immaculate lenses. "You're just jealous," he declared, marching away from the pair.

GrandisKuwagamon looked over at TigerVespamon. "Friend of yours?"

"Yes, he is," the golden insect confirmed. "He is a fellow recruit here at the Order."

"A recruit, huh? So that's what you're doing here…" the darker bug mused. "When did you join?"

"A little over a month ago."

"Why? Isn't it kinda weird for someone following the Religion of Light to join the Order? …Was it because we crossed paths in Vernal Springs?"

TigerVespamon began walking ahead of GrandisKuwagamon, not looking back at his brother. "No… although my encounter with Dynasmon and Dukemon indeed gave me the idea. Once I heard about the Demon Lords' escape, I knew that I couldn't simply stand by and watch. I needed to act. If I was not permitted to join the Powers, then this was my best avenue."

"Gotcha…" GrandisKuwagamon responded. He continued looking ahead at his brother uncertainly. "So… Should we tell them?"

"Tell who what?" TigerVespamon impassively wondered.

GrandisKuwagamon shrugged. "VictoryGreymon, SaviorHackmon, Sparkles, whoever. You know, about us. That we're brothers," he clarified.

"I would rather not."

The one-eyed beetle frowned, unable to feel a little offended. "Why not? …Are you ashamed of me because I'm a mercenary or something?"

TigerVespamon continued walking ahead without replying. Although he didn't confirm it, the silence was enough for GrandisKuwagamon.

GrandisKuwagamon sneered and folded his arms. "Look, it's not like I want to take out ad space for it on the bulletin board. It's not something I wanna brag about either. But how else are we gonna explain knowing each other? It's gonna be pretty obvious to people that we have some sort of connection and I don't want them getting the wrong idea."

"What idea is that?" TigerVespamon innocently asked.

The scarab man sighed and shook his head. "…Forget it." He looked up and stared at the back of TigerVespamon's head. "…So, you really don't want to be publically related to me that much? I mean, I get it; I'm a wanted criminal. Well, not so wanted anymore, I guess."

TigerVespamon frowned to himself, unable to help but feel guilty. As he reached the entrance of the cafeteria, he stopped. "…I merely do not want to be defined by the fact that you are my brother."

GrandisKuwagamon walked up beside him and leaned against the wall, leering at his face. "In short: you're ashamed of me."

"That isn't—"

Before he could finish his reply, VictoryGreymon wandered over. "Hey! Grandis! Vespa!" the dragon man said with a big grin. "You two found each other, huh?"

"Uh, I guess…" GrandisKuwagamon answered as he stepped into the cafeteria.

The cafeteria went quiet as soon as he entered. The amicable voices suddenly silenced into hushed murmurs. The mercenary looked around and saw several hostile eyes leering at him. He could see the covert whispers and the suspicious stares. He was good at reading a room, but almost anybody would be able to detect the tension in the air.

"Let's go over to our table," VictoryGreymon told him, placing a hand on his shoulder and ushering him along.

GrandisKuwagamon instinctively resisted. He was immediately on his guard and sensing threats. He knew that he was an enemy to most of them, even if Alphamon arranged for him to join the Rooks.

However, he forced himself to continue. He knew that he would have to deal with this adversity eventually. GrandisKuwagamon knew he couldn't hesitate. He wouldn't allow himself to show weakness in front of them. Even if he was at fault, he had to put on a show of strength. That was how things were done on the streets of Shroud and Dark Point. It had become second nature to him.

He strode deeper into the cafeteria, moving between the tables as he followed VictoryGreymon to their table. The former-mercenary moved through the dining area brazenly, meeting any hostile gaze that was levelled his way.

TigerVespamon lingered behind, putting some distance between GrandisKuwagamon and himself. He went to get a platter for himself in preparation for getting in line.

Hushed murmurs reverberated among the various groups of soldiers in the cafeteria. No word left the confines of their tables, though there were furtive glances aplenty.

Sitting at a nearby table was a Minotaurmon and a few other soldiers. As GrandisKuwagamon walked past them, the brown bull man eyed the insect with a caustic glare.

"Can you believe that guy?" the Starmon sitting across from him whispered. "Walking around like he owns the place… Shouldn't he be locked up?"

"I know. Is he really joining the Rooks? After everything he did?" a black KnightChessmon who was standing beside them wondered.

The Minotaurmon snorted and glared down at his plate of food, quietly simmering.

Meanwhile, SaviorHackmon waited by a table near the center of the cafeteria. He smiled when he saw GrandisKuwagamon walking over with VictoryGreymon and TigerVespamon. "Hey, Grandis," he greeted.

"Hey," GrandisKuwagamon responded. He gestured around the cafeteria, noting all the Digimon that were giving him apprehensive or downright hostile looks. "Just a wild guess, but I don't think I'm the most popular guy around here. Should I sit at the nerd table?"

SaviorHackmon shrugged sheepishly. "It's hardly a surprise, given the circumstances. They'll get used to you," he assured him. The caped dragon looked over as TigerVespamon finally approached. "Oh, hey, TigerVespamon. Are you joining us too?"

TigerVespamon nodded a little and looked at the ebony-shelled insect beside him. "It seems so…"

SaviorHackmon smiled a little wider and looked between the two bugs. "Good. You two were able to work out your differences?" he asked straightforwardly. As Gankoomon's apprentice, he had never been one for tact.

The two brothers exchanged awkward glances. "…We're working on it," GrandisKuwagamon qualified.

TigerVespamon frowned and looked at the larger bug inquisitively. "How much does he know?" he asked quietly.

"You tell me. I've been locked up since you dropped that bombshell," the former mercenary countered.

VictoryGreymon glanced between the two, smiling innocently. "Know what?"

SaviorHackmon looked at TigerVespamon. "Actually… I've been meaning to ask you how you two know each other. I got the sense that you knew GrandisKuwagamon personally. Now that you're both here…"

TigerVespamon released a cross between a meditative breath and a sigh. He didn't really want to tell anybody yet, but now that he was being asked directly, he couldn't lie. Deceit wasn't in his nature. He supposed he knew that it would have to come out eventually. At the very least, he had to be transparent with his friends and superiors.

GrandisKuwagamon looked at him uncertainly. "It's on you. You're the one with something to lose," he told him. "They already know about my past, so…"

TigerVespamon was quiet for a few moments. His shoulders slackened and he nodded. "Very well. We can tell them. But first, may we get our lunches? I would like to compose my thoughts," he requested.

SaviorHackmon raised an eyebrow, his interest definitely piqued if it hadn't been already. "Yeah, of course…" he agreed.

"Yeah, good idea," VictoryGreymon concurred with a warm, welcoming smile.

SaviorHackmon picked up a small stack of empty trays. "I got one for you and VictoryGreymon too, Grandis."

"Oh. Uh, thanks," GrandisKuwagamon responded, taking one of the platters from him. "It'll be nice to eat some of the Order's food outside of the dungeon for once."

"Yeah, I guess it must be," VictoryGreymon agreed. "It must feel nice to stretch your legs without being on the run from us or working with the Demon Lords or something."

GrandisKuwagamon flatly stared at him. "…Yeah, thanks."

As those two spoke, SaviorHackmon turned his attention back to TigerVespamon. The hornet Digimon seemed lost in thought. At first, SaviorHackmon didn't want to interrupt, but he couldn't help but notice the shimmering, white crystal that hung from the string necklace below TigerVespamon's scarf. The pendent was beautiful and curious, like a shimmering star alone in the night.

"I like your necklace, TigerVespamon," SaviorHackmon pointed out, his yellow eyes fixed on the luminescent pendent. "What is it?"

A little surprised, TigerVespamon looked down at his necklace and raised his hand to let the pendent rest in his black palm. "This? This is a star crystal."

"It's beautiful," SaviorHackmon exclaimed. "Where did you get it? Does it have a special meaning?"

TigerVespamon smiled fondly. "Star crystals are good luck charms in the Heavenly Choir. They are rare to find outside of the Sky Colonies…" he explained. "I have never been there, myself. Father Angemon gave this to me when I left to join the Order."

"Father Angemon? Is he the leader of your monastery?" SaviorHackmon further inquired.

"Yes… He is the Keeper of the Light. He is also my mentor." TigerVespamon paused. He felt he should preface the revelation that he was preparing to tell in order to avoid confusion. "…I lost my parents when I was young. Father Angemon found me and took me in. He raised me. I will always be grateful to him for that."

SaviorHackmon frowned, but nodded softly. "I'm sorry…" he apologised, feeling a sudden empathy with TigerVespamon. "I know how that feels. I lost my parents as a child too. Gankoomon-sensei found me and raised me. I'm sure Angemon is an amazing Digimon. I know that Sensei sure is."

TigerVespamon smiled gently. "He is…"

The two looked over as GrandisKuwagamon weaved past them, interrupting their moment. The black beetle man squeezed around their forms and walked down the aisle between the rows of tables, back the way they came.

"Are you guys coming? I'm getting in line before it gets any longer," GrandisKuwagamon told them, walking ahead.

"Oh, yeah," VictoryGreymon responded, his stomach growling as he walked after him.

GrandisKuwagamon walked towards the table that the Minotaurmon, Starmon and KnightChessmon were sitting at.

"Great. Here he comes…" Starmon complained in a whisper to the other soldiers at the table.

"Just don't make eye contact," the KnightChessmon murmured.

The Minotaurmon, however, didn't say anything. His fist clenched and he continued glaring intensely down at his plate of food.

"What's on the menu today?" GrandisKuwagamon asked his companions, looking over his shoulder as he neared the soldiers' table.

"Seafood chowder with herbs of Summerglade," VictoryGreymon recounted, following after the bug. "I think there's also cheese-stuffed black woods mushrooms and sourdough bread."

"Do you guys eat like royalty every day or something? I'm used to half-stale bread and greasy bar food."

"Sir RhodoKnightmon is an amazing chef. The whole cooking team takes a lot pride in their work every day."

The Perfect level Minotaurmon slowly stood up from his seat, gripping the edges of his platter. He slowly began to turn his muscular, furry back to GrandisKuwagamon as the bug drew near.

He felt the wind of GrandisKuwagamon's wings against his fur. The Minotaurmon covertly spied him as the mercenary began to pass by.

GrandisKuwagamon looked over at VictoryGreymon as he walked, facing away from the soldier's table. "Yeah, well I could get used to—"

The Minotaurmon suddenly stuck his boot out in front of GrandisKuwagamon's back foot. He pulled his foot back roughly, causing GrandisKuwagamon to trip and lose his balance.

The red-haired scarab man tried to grab hold of something to catch himself, but he couldn't catch himself. He crashed to the stone floor, scuffing his knees and forearm and scratching his mandibles against the rock.

"Gah! Damn it!" GrandisKuwagamon cursed, grabbing the floor with his hands. Since his carapace and armour took most of the blow, he wasn't in much pain, but he was still reflexively annoyed. "Watch where you're going, you clumsy idiot!"

"Grandis!" VictoryGreymon exclaimed with concern. He began to try to help him up, but he suddenly felt the Minotaurmon's right hand on his chest, keeping him at bay. "Huh?"

The bulky minotaur snarled and put his foot on the back of GrandisKuwagamon's neck, forcing him back on the floor. "Stay down, you bastard," Minotaurmon growled, glaring down at the Ultimate level beetle beneath his foot.

"H-Hey, Mino…" the Starmon cautioned him, staring at his friend uneasily. "What are you doing?"

GrandisKuwagamon gritted his teeth as the bovine soldier's true intentions became apparent. His gut instinct was to fight back. He was an Ultimate level, so he could easily grab the Minotaurmon and throw him off. If he was so inclined, he could probably chop the bull's foot off.

However, he knew that he was in a precarious situation. If he rose to the Minotaurmon's hostility and fought him, he would almost certainly be thrown into prison. He was on his last chance and they both knew it. As much as his pride screamed at him to show the minotaur who was boss, he knew that he had to lie there and take it.

"Oh, so that's how it is," GrandisKuwagamon sarcastically replied, leering up at the towering bull.

"Shut up!" Minotaurmon barked, pressing his body weight onto his foot to push GrandisKuwagamon down harder.

"H-Hey, there's no need for this…" VictoryGreymon diplomatically urged him.

SaviorHackmon frowned and made his way up beside VictoryGreymon. "Yeah, cut it out, Minotaurmon."

TigerVespamon walked over and quietly looked between GrandisKuwagamon and Minotaurmon.

"Stay out of this, recruits," Minotaurmon told them, his gaze unflinching. "I've been here for ten years. You couldn't understand."

"Understand that you're an asshole?" GrandisKuwagamon taunted, glaring up at the Minotaurmon but not taking any action. "I think we pretty much got that."

"I said shut up!" Minotaurmon growled, pushing down on the insect warrior again. "What the hell gives you the right to be here?! You're a damn criminal! Why does a black claw mercenary like you get to sit and eat with the rest of us?! I haven't forgotten what Black Pincer Company's done, even if some of you here have!"

VictoryGreymon winced and tried to take a step towards them. "Hey… He's a different person now. He's trying to change," he insisted gently. "He saved my life."

"What about the lives of the people he's killed?!" Minotaurmon roared. He raised his foot and stomped it down on GrandisKuwagamon's back.

GrandisKuwagamon winced as he felt the bull's foot impact his winged back, but he didn't retaliate.

Minotaurmon snarled and raised his foot. "What about MachGaogamon?!" He brought his foot down. "What about Leomon?!" His foot slammed down again. "What about JewelBeemon?! Megadramon?! Yanmamon?! Pegasmon?!" he snarled, punctuating each name with a powerful stomp. "He murdered our friends and now he's one of us?!"

"Hey, Mino!" KnightChessmon shouted, jumping over and grabbing one of his arms. At the same time, VictoryGreymon rushed over and grabbed Minotaurmon's other arm, restraining him and pulling him away from the mercenary.

Minotaurmon was pulled back but he didn't resist them. Still, his eyes were brimming with tears of rage. "You killed them, you bastard!"

TigerVespamon's compound lenses were wide as he gazed down at GrandisKuwagamon. He watched the humanoid beetle clench his fists. His body trembled slightly as he pulled himself onto his hands and knees.

"…I didn't murder them…" GrandisKuwagamon hissed, wincing as he stared up at the raging Minotaurmon. "The Royal Knights were my enemies. It was a war…"

At this, the Minotaurmon snarled and glared at him even harder. "You snuck up on them in the night and killed them! That's not killing in the heat of battle! That's an execution!"

GrandisKuwagamon grimaced and looked down at the floor. "…I only did what I was paid to do," he muttered.

"That's your excuse?!" Minotaurmon demanded, trying to thrash his foot out and kick him again. "That's all you can say?!"

TigerVespamon winced and turned his gaze away. Without saying a word, he walked past GrandisKuwagamon and began walking towards the cafeteria exit.

"…Sorry," GrandisKuwagamon murmured.

Minotaurmon growled and continued glaring down at him. "You think I care about—?!" The bull soldier suddenly stopped when he felt a hand on his chest.

Standing next to him was Karatenmon. The spymaster stared at him, wearing a rare, serious expression.

"…That's enough, under sergeant. You made your point," he told him, his voice gentle, yet firm.

Minotaurmon grimaced and bowed his head. "…I'm sorry, Sir. But I disagree with this. How can we let somebody who attacked us off like this?" he wondered. "Are we supposed to look the other way because he's strong?"

Karatenmon sighed and lightly patted Minotaurmon's chest. "I understand how you must feel…" He turned and looked down at GrandisKuwagamon, who was slowly standing to his feet. "But, he really is trying to atone. I would never have offered him this chance if I wasn't certain of that fact."

"Sir, I just… I trust you and Alphamon completely, but… I'm not ready to forgive him. Not after he killed some of our friends. I know that I'm not the only one who feels that way…" Minotaurmon explained.

Karatenmon smiled a little and nodded. "We're not asking you to. I knew that this would be a controversial decision. Admittedly, I knew it was a large request to ask of all of you. For both Alphamon and I, it would have been easier to shove him in Havelock Prison."

Minotaurmon frowned, having largely calmed his temper by now. "Then why, Sir?"

The raven man looked over at GrandisKuwagamon and grinned. "Because I believe in him. You don't have to like him, or even accept him. All I ask is that you trust me. Give him a chance to change your mind."

GrandisKuwagamon looked at them uncomfortably. He remained silent, knowing anything he said would probably make things worse.

The Minotaurmon winced and nodded slightly. "…Yes, Sir," he conceded. He eyed GrandisKuwagamon with a hostile leer. "Just stay out of my way."

"Deal," GrandisKuwagamon replied, looking away.

"I apologise for my unprofessionalism, Sir," Minotaurmon said to Karatenmon. He saluted the leader of the Stealth Forces, as did Starmon and KnightChessmon. The three soldiers excused themselves and began to clear their plates in preparation to leave.

The cafeteria seemed to let out a collective sigh as tension began to wane.

VictoryGreymon walked over to GrandisKuwagamon and began looking at his back with worry. "Are you okay, Grandis?"

The beetle man nodded and brushed himself off. "Yeah, no big deal," he dismissively answered. It was then that GrandisKuwagamon noticed something. He frowned with confusion and began looking around the cafeteria ardently, trying to spot a certain Digimon. "Hey, where'd TigerVespamon go?"

"Uh… He left, Grandis," SaviorHackmon explained with a wince. He nodded over to the exit of the cafeteria. "I saw him leave…"

GrandisKuwagamon frowned and turned in the direction of the exit.

"Maybe he doesn't like violence," VictoryGreymon suggested.

The one-eyed scarab sneered and began walking quickly towards the cafeteria entrance. He had to catch up with him. Things seemed to be going well until then. He had to make sure he heard his side of the story.

Karatenmon saw GrandisKuwagamon heading for the exit. He allowed him to go on his own, but kept a distant eye on him.

GrandisKuwagamon reached the exit of the cafeteria just in time to see the distant form of TigerVespamon at the end of the hallway. He started jogging up the corridor after him. "Ko! Wait up!" he shouted after him.

He watched as the scarf-wearing hornet turned the corner and headed left, down the perpendicular hallway. He was either ignoring him or he hadn't heard his shout. The X-Antibody insect narrowed his eye and ran after him, not about to give up his pursuit. He was just glad that they hadn't installed the proximal restraint system yet.

Part of him knew that he had to be careful or else it would look like he was escaping. However, he didn't really care. He just had to speak with TigerVespamon, no matter what they did to him.

GrandisKuwagamon reached the end of the hallway and turned left. He found himself in the large corridor that led to the marble foyer. He remembered the area from when he tried to escape with SaviorHackmon. There, he could see the fluttering of TigerVespamon's crimson scarf moving behind one of the pillars in the foyer. Acting quickly, he ran through the stone archway and into the octagonal room that was filled with nothing but doors and columns.

As he entered the room, the sound of his feet hitting marble echoed through the foyer. He arrived just in time to see TigerVespamon reach the door on the right side of the room. It led to the entrance hall, leading outside. He knew that once he went outside, he wouldn't be able to follow him.

"Ko! Wait!" GrandisKuwagamon called out to him. He ran to the center of the room and stopped several meters behind the wasp Digimon.

TigerVespamon stopped in the threshold. His body was tense and his head was ducked slightly. He raised a hand and tightly gripped the collar of his scarf.

"Ko, where are you—"

TigerVespamon's shoulders tensed up and he spun around. There was no anger on his face. His expression was completely calm. However, his body language betrayed his true feelings.

"…Do not call me that," he told him in a low, ethereal voice.

GrandisKuwagamon frowned with confusion. "…What?"

"My name is TigerVespamon," he explained with an icy firmness. His cold rubies pierced into GrandisKuwagamon's eye. "My name is not 'Ko'. Nor is it 'Kokuwamon'." He gently released the tension from his hands and stood with aloof poise, his face darkening as he stared at his fraternal twin. "…That child is dead. He died on that terrible night alongside his brother."

The words struck something deep inside GrandisKuwagamon. His eye widened momentarily as he processed the wounding declaration.

"…What did you just say?" an uneven voice hissed from his mouth.

TigerVespamon stared at him coldly. "…I thought that I had made a mistake about you. I sincerely thought that, perhaps, I judged you unduly," he explained. "What I heard just now not only confirmed my fears, but it made me realise the depths of depravity that you have reached." The acolyte winced bitterly. "…Not only are you a thief, a thug, and a mercenary without morals… you are a murderer, GrandisKuwagamon. You… are not my brother."

GrandisKuwagamon clenched his fists tightly. His eye was narrow and his teeth were gnashed together with outrage. "You… What gives you the right to judge me?!" he demanded. "You have no idea what I had to go through! I did what I had to in order to survive."

"Survive, perhaps, but the crimes that you committed as Black Pincer Company were not for your survival. They were for wealth. Simply put, you killed Digimon for money. I am sure that you have many excuses, but there is no justification for those crimes," TigerVespamon frigidly replied.

"What choice did we have? We were orphans living on the streets. We didn't exactly have a lot of career options. At least that way, we had our independence!"

"At what price?" TigerVespamon pointedly asked. He sighed and broke his gaze. "Save your excuses for the Royal Knights. I have no interest in hearing them."

GrandisKuwagamon's obsidian-hued face darkened as he lowered his head. His fists were tight and trembling with rage. "You think you can just stand there and judge me? It must feel really fucking good having the moral high ground, doesn't it?! Well, I've got news for you: not all of us were so lucky as to have an angel save us!"

The cutting words struck TigerVespamon. He felt a sudden burst of guilt inside of his chest that caused him to turn. He opened his mouth to try to respond, but he felt himself at a loss for words.

"After all this time… You have no idea what I would have given to see you alive…" he hissed. "But it sounds like you wish I really had died that night…"

TigerVespamon winced softly. "I… didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

The acolyte took a soft breath and lifted his head back up to face GrandisKuwagamon. "I merely wish that you hadn't—"

"Resorted to being a shady mercenary? Yeah, well, it's a bit late for that," GrandisKuwagamon flippantly replied. "I'm trying to make up for some of the stuff that I've done. That's all I can do at this point."

"And I hope that you continue to do so," TigerVespamon explained. "But, as far as you and I are concerned… I believe it is best if we continued to lead our separate lives."

GrandisKuwagamon released a cynical chuckle. "So, you're washing your hands of me. Can't have your angel friends learning about your dirty little secret, can you?" he bitingly challenged.

TigerVespamon gazed at him sadly. "…I cannot change the fact that we are brothers. However, I have moved on with my life. I have put that other life behind me. Our family, our life in Manu, those innocent days… They are gone, and I have no wish to revisit them. After that night, I became FunBeemon. I am a new Digimon now. I am not Kokuwamon of Manu. I am TigerVespamon, Acolyte of the Light and recruit of the Strike Forces."

"Tch… You're kidding yourself. You can't just start a new life like nothing ever happened! You can't just say you're a new Digimon like you've been reformatted. I've changed too, but I haven't rejected my past. What about Mom and Dad? Are you pretending that they didn't exist too?!" he contended.

TigerVespamon's eyes narrowed into a wince. "…No. I have thought long and hard about them. However, dwelling on my past and the pain that I felt is meaningless and destructive. I know that they would want for me to move on with my life. They would be happy to know that I found a new family."

"A new family…?" GrandisKuwagamon snarled incredulously. "You think they'd want us to turn our backs on each other?"

"Do you think that they would be happy with the things that you have done?" TigerVespamon countered incisively.

"They'd… try to understand. Stop trying to make your damn moralistic justifications. Admit it, you're ashamed of me. You're ashamed of your roots. It's so much easier to pretend to be an angel of the damn Religion of Light. You'd rather live a lie!"

TigerVespamon's eyes narrowed at his brother. "…I choose to look to the future, whereas you are trapped in your past. I chose to let go of my bitterness, whereas you have let it become a part of you."

GrandisKuwagamon growled and took a step forwards. "You holier-than-thou—"

"I have moved on with my life, GrandisKuwagamon," TigerVespamon interrupted sharply. After a moment, his features and tone softened and he looked at GrandisKuwagamon sadly. "I suggest that you do the same."

With that, TigerVespamon turned around and crossed the threshold, making his way down the hall towards the exit.

GrandisKuwagamon sneered and jogged over to the foyer's exit. "Hey! Ko! Where do you think you're going?!"

"I have a Locomon to catch. I am returning home to the Forest of Equilibrium to visit the monastery," TigerVespamon explained without stopping or turning around. "I must seriously consider whether I wish to return to the Strike Forces."

GrandisKuwagamon frowned with shock. "…What? Hey! Wait!" he protested, beginning to go after him.

"Let him go," a familiar voice said from behind him.

GrandisKuwagamon clenched his teeth and turned to see Karatenmon walking towards him from across the foyer.

Karatenmon gave him an encouraging smile. "This is something that he needs to figure out for himself. Right now, anything that you say will push him in the opposite direction," he advised him.

GrandisKuwagamon growled and glared down the entrance hall, watching as TigerVespamon opened the doors and walked into the light of the exterior.

"Anyways, you know I can't let you follow him," Karatenmon reminded him.

"Tch," GrandisKuwagamon scoffed, folding his arms indignantly. "Whatever, Boss…"

The Spymaster looked at him with a gentle smile. "…It's a lot for him to process too. I'm sure he's more conflicted than he lets on."

"Uh huh," GrandisKuwagamon grunted dismissively. He walked past Karatenmon and began to head to one of the hallways. "I don't really care. The preachy prick can do what he wants."

Karatenmon sighed and looked at his charge out of the corner of his eye. "Where're you going?"

"Cafeteria. I never did get to eat," the mercenary dryly replied as he disappeared around the corner.

As soon as GrandisKuwagamon was alone in the semi-lit corridor, he grimaced bitterly. He walked down the hallway, passing by the flames of the torches,

"How do you expect me to just forget that you're alive?"

The image of his brother flashed through his mind as he proceeded by himself.

"Kokuwamon…"