(Author's Notes: Hey, all. I hope everyone's enjoying Survive. We kicks off Act IV with a two-parter. As usual, Part Two will be up next weekend. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts!)
Chapter 75: Return (Part I)
It was a new day.
It was but an hour after dawn in Splendour's Reach. The warm, spring sun cast its golden light across the rolling, emerald landscape.
In the distance, Castle Avalion stood boldly over the surrounding grass plains and woodlands. The morning light spread a warm, golden glow across the eastern walls of the castle. The low sun caused the fortress to cast a long shadow over the western plains and wooded thickets in the distance. The morning dew sparkled like tiny crystals scattered across the sun-washed fields.
The majestic profile of Castle Avalion could be seen all the way from the nearby, riverside town of Knights' Cross, as well as from the road leading from the town to the castle.
The stone road that led towards the fortress was quiet. The merchants who travelled from the town to the castle had already started making their way to Castle Avalion to set up their shops for the day. With most of the Order away on campaign, activity was scarce compared to usual. Some less-essential or more-opportunistic merchants didn't even bother to make the trip every day while the Order was away on campaign as business would be considerably slower.
However… not all interest in the Royal Knights' castle had ceased.
A shadowy figure stood at the edge of Knights' Cross.
Just outside the entrance to the town, the figure was positioned at the side of the road, gazing up the length of the linear route.
The breeze swept across the emerald field, causing a black cloak to ripple around the figure's body. They remained stock still, fixated on the structure in the distance.
From that vantage point… a pair of glowing eyes watched the distant castle silently.
Then, after a few minutes and without so much as a word, the figure turned and walked back to the inn.
Jesmon stood alone in the center of the training grounds.
His bladed legs hovered centimeters above the dew-touched grass. His shoulders were slack and his body was relaxed. His breathing was slow and measured. He held himself in a state of Zen meditation.
Jesmon had awoken before sunrise in order to train. He was determined to master his new form. He needed to be able to summon those three creatures on his own. If he couldn't depend on his Sensei to help him… then he was doubly-determined to figure it out by himself.
Jesmon began to concentrate. He attempted to focus in on himself, trying to tap into the latent power that lay inside of him. He tried to focus on drawing it out, attempting to actualize it within his mind's eye. He pictured it – the three energy beings surging out of his body. He felt he was ready…
A bead of dew rolled off the tip of a blade of grass. It splashed to the ground, the emerald strand flicking back up. Jesmon's eyes snapped open, and he swept his arms outwards.
"Schwertgeist!" he yelled, straight from his chest.
And then… the prolonged silence of failure. Nothing happened – not even a flicker.
Jesmon slackened and sighed, shutting his eyes with frustration. "Darn it…" he thought to himself bitterly. "There's still nothing. What am I doing wrong?"
He tried to center himself once again, but before he was able to clear his mind, Jesmon heard a soft, fluttering sound in the distance.
"Jesmon? I'm approaching," a calm, deep voice announced from over to his left.
Jesmon's eyes snapped open and he felt his stomach jump inside of him. He recognized the voice immediately, and the thought that its owner witnessed his failed attempt at training caused his nerves to twist and his cheeks to flush.
Jesmon immediately spun on his foot-blade and turned towards the voice. As he expected, he saw the majestic, black form of Alphamon soaring towards him from the direction of the citadel.
Reacting instinctively, Jesmon immediately stood upright and at attention as the leader of the Royal Knights approached. "A-Alphamon-senpai!" he awkwardly exclaimed, embarrassed that Alphamon probably saw his feeble attempt. "Er… How long have you been there?"
Alphamon landed a few meters away from him. He offered Jesmon a reassuring smile as his wings rested against his back and his boots settled on the ground. "Only for about a minute," he assured him with a light chuckle. "You are rather an early bird. Are you doing some morning training?"
Jesmon blushed a little and rubbed his neck. "Er… yes," he confirmed spartanly, sort of hoping that he could avoid the issue.
"Is there anything that I can help with? I have a little bit of free time," Alphamon offered, quietly perceiving that Jesmon might be in need of a bit of guidance.
Jesmon's knee-jerk reaction was excitement at the prospect of having some one-on-one time with Alphamon. His face lit up momentarily… but… then he remembered his last discussion with Gankoomon. He reminded himself that he was supposed to be doing this on his own. He didn't want to burden one of his heroes.
"No… No, thank you, senpai," Jesmon replied, a clear frown forming on his face. "I need to figure this out on my own…"
Alphamon nodded understandingly. "Very well… Though, may I ask what?" he wondered.
Jesmon glanced away, absent-mindedly tugging at the collar of his red cape. "It's a little embarrassing…" he hesitantly replied.
"I won't judge you," Alphamon assured him. "It might help to hear a fresh perspective."
"Well…" Jesmon acquiesced, not wanting to lie to his senior and conceding that he might have a point. He sighed and looked at the black knight. "…When I first evolved to this form, I somehow created these three energy beings as a special ability… but since then, I haven't been able to replicate it. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, senpai."
"Oh…?" Alphamon questioned, quizzically stroking his chin. "Energy beings, you say? You mean like Wyvern and Hinukamui?"
"I think so… I can't speak to Wyvern-san, but they looked a lot like Hinukamui," Jesmon explained.
Alphamon nodded. "In that case, why not ask Gankoomon for advice? Perhaps there are some similarities between your abilities due to your closeness."
At the mention of his former teacher, Jesmon grimaced and went quiet. His eyes drifted downwards to the grass, where he watched a sparkling bead of dew trickle down the length of a blade of grass. His shoulders tightened a little and he glanced away evasively.
Alphamon, noticing the sudden change in Jesmon's demeanour, eyed the knight with a mixture of concern and confusion.
"Jesmon…? Did something happen?" he inquired.
Jesmon uncomfortably fidgeted with the red belts of the cape around his neck. "Uh… Well…" he awkwardly began, forcing himself to look at Alphamon. Despite attempting to appear strong, Jesmon couldn't hide the wistful sorrow that reflected in his eyes.
"…Gankoomon is no longer my sensei, so… it wouldn't be right for me to ask him for help," Jesmon explained, trying his best to sound as though he was accepting of it.
Alphamon stared at the white, metallic knight with shock and confusion. "Pardon?" he questioned. The revelation had taken him completely off-guard. "…What do you mean? Gankoomon isn't your teacher anymore? But you two have always seemed so close…"
"Sensei-…" Jesmon sighed. "We decided that now that I'm an Ultimate level and a Royal Knight… I shouldn't rely on him for advice or training anymore."
Alphamon frowned curiously. Jesmon's correction was not lost on him. "I see… How did this come about?"
"Er… I asked Gankoomon for some help with something, but he told me that I don't need to depend on him now. He said that I'm strong enough to train myself," Jesmon explained, sheepishly rubbing his neck.
Alphamon nodded quietly. He remembered that Gankoomon hadn't been acting like himself lately. The red-haired knight seemed as though like there had been a lot on his mind. He wasn't sure what was going through Gankoomon's head, but he felt he understood a little more now.
"…I see," Alphamon replied. "And how do you feel about it?"
"I…" Jesmon's frown deepened and he hesitated in his reply. "…I agree with him! As an Ultimate level Digimon, I need to do things for myself. I can't keep depending on Sensei to help me all the time," he insisted, not wanting to appear dependent or incapable in front of Alphamon. "Royal Knights are supposed to be strong and capable leaders, after all. I need to be able to make decisions and figure things out on my own. So… I'm glad that Sensei told me that. He's strict… but he always tells me what I need to hear. If it's sink-or-swim, then I just have to swim. I have to trust him that he trusts me to be able to conquer this on my own."
Jesmon glanced down with a bit of uncertainty flashing onto his face. "So… I just have to keep trying…" he answered, attempting to mask his hesitancy and doubt with a mask of resolve. "After all… This is a part of growing up and becoming stronger, isn't it?"
Alphamon smiled a little, almost a bit nostalgically, at the younger knight's words. "Independence is a crucial part of maturity, yes… Most Digimon must learn to be able to stand on their own feet," he confirmed, although his lingering words implied impending nuance.
"However… to be independent does not mean that we must sever our existing bonds completely. No Digimon is an island," Alphamon explained. "Each of us still has many things that we can learn from others."
"Yes, but… it's different for the Royal Knights, isn't it?" Jesmon questioned with an uncertain frown. "You're all so strong and accomplished for deeds going back all the way to the Second Cycle. One Royal Knight is equivalent to a small army."
"With that age comes wisdom, Jesmon. Wisdom is something that comes only with experience," Alphamon informed him with a smile. "Being a Royal Knight is not merely about being strong. Is each Royal Knight very strong and capable? Yes, I believe so… However, that is not where our true strength lies…"
Alphamon looked at Jesmon closely. "Long ago, back before the Order was established, each of the Royal Knights acted alone. We were forces to be reckoned with individually, and our names became well known, associated with great power and capability… However… we were not unbeatable. The strength that we had individually was nothing compared to that which we had together. Our true strength is not derived from our abilities as lone warriors – it is derived from one another. That is why Imperialdramon founded the Order."
Jesmon frowned. "But Sensei… I mean 'Gankoomon'… has always said that I must be strong on my own," he explained. "If I ever hoped to become a Royal Knight, I would need to be able to stand on my own feet."
"And while there is truth to that, I do not believe that the two are mutually exclusive," Alphamon explained to him with a reassuring smile. "I am sure that Gankoomon has his reasons for doing what he's doing, and I know that he has his own beliefs. However, for as much as he talks about being strong, I think that he secretly knows that he can rely on his friends as well…"
"I understand what you're saying, Senpai… but I am not at your level yet. I cannot even control my own abilities," Jesmon answered with a grimace. "I don't want to hold all of you back by being a burden."
"Asking for help isn't being a burden, Jesmon," the black paladin informed him. "Have more faith in yourself… It is no accident that you were chosen to become a Royal Knight. I saw something in you, Jesmon. Something unique. I saw not only strength and untapped potential, but compassion and innovation."
Alphamon placed his hand on Jesmon's shoulder. "Why do you think that you did such a good job in Shadow Retreat?" he asked him.
Jesmon paused, unable to come up with an answer so readily. As far as he was concerned, all he really did was prevent the damage to the village being as bad as it could have been.
Alphamon smiled. "It's because you coordinated with the local villagers there," he explained. "You see… what you did was very different from how we Royal Knights usually operate. If I'm being completely honest, we tend to act unilaterally in the world for the sake of its defence. While it has worked out well for us so far, it does have its drawbacks. We don't always consider the Digimon who we are protecting, and, at times, it causes us to come across as aloof and it can breed resentment."
"I apologise… Should I not have done that?" Jesmon questioned.
"On the contrary… What you did was brave. Innovative, even," Alphamon informed him, shaking his head. "Working with those Digimon, you were able to do that because you are humble and compassionate, I believe. Your way of thinking… I would hate for you to give up on your own unique strengths just as you are coming to find yourself. Just as there is much that you can learn from us, there is also much that we can learn from you."
The Aloof Hermit smiled at him warmly. "You should not give up on your ideals just to accommodate what you feel society's expectations of what a Royal Knight are. We are not perfect, even if some might lead you to believe that we are," he added. "Part of maturing as a Digimon involves realising that sometimes you need others. Doing so is not a sign in weakness."
Jesmon gazed at Alphamon with surprise. He was touched and humbled by Alphamon's words. He felt as though a lot of what Alphamon said made sense. Yet, his words ran contrary to what Gankoomon had told him. It felt wrong to him to ignore his sensei's words. Though… he supposed Gankoomon told him that he was no longer his sensei. Maybe no longer relying on Gankoomon's words alone was the point.
"…Are you sure it wouldn't be a burden if I asked for your help?" Jesmon asked him with a mixture of hesitation and hope. "Can you show me how to form those creatures?"
"It is no burden to me," Alphamon assured him. "Although… I am unsure how much I can help with this particular problem."
Jesmon frowned. "What about your special attack? The other variation of Digitalize of Soul?" he wondered. "I mean that massive monster that you summoned in some of your most famous fights."
"Ah, yes. Him," Alphamon replied with a sheepish chuckle. "I fear that that is a bit of a different circumstance… He is a legendary being who I summon inter-dimensionally. Unless those three creatures that you mentioned are summoned in the same way – and it sounds as though that that is not the case – I don't know how much help I can be."
"Oh… I guess you're right," Jesmon answered, trying to cover his disappointment.
"Although… perhaps I can give you some advice instead," Alphamon continued, not wanting Jesmon to go away with nothing after all his convincing.
Jesmon brightened up a little. "Yes, Alphamon-senpai?" he eagerly questioned.
"I believe that most Digimon inherently have a connection to the world around them. Perhaps those natural instincts have dulled somewhat in the Third Cycle with the proliferation of constructed civilizations, but I believe that those connections are still there," Alphamon explained. "The more one evolves, the more one becomes in touch with the world around them, particularly for those who reach the Ultimate level. Meditation and expanding one's consciousness are important training to honing this natural link."
"Then, you think I should meditate more," Jesmon replied with a nod.
Alphamon smiled knowingly at him. "What I think is that you shouldn't try so hard to force it, Jesmon," he advised him. "The problem might be that you are so focused on what is or is not going on inside you that you might be forgetting about what is going on around you. Take a step back and clear your mind."
Jesmon frowned pensively as he mulled over Alphamon's words. It was true that he was trying very hard to summon them on his own. Maybe he was trying too hard. "Then, what else should I do?"
Alphamon closed his eyes and stroked his chin ponderingly. "Hmm… Perhaps you could reconsider asking Gankoomon?" he suggested, cocking an eye open to peek wryly at Jesmon.
Jesmon shuffled uneasily at the suggestion. The idea of asking Gankoomon for help again was difficult, even after what Alphamon had told him. "Er… I'm not against the idea, Senpai… but I already asked him and he said no," he explained with a saddened grimace. "Even if I want to, Gankoomon isn't somebody who easily changes his mind. I don't see any chance of him agreeing even if I ask him again…"
Alphamon smiled a little, knowing that Jesmon had a point. "Hm… Leave Gankoomon to me," he proposed. "I will have a talk with him. He is a tough Digimon, but I think I'm learning how to deal with him."
"Are you sure?" Jesmon hesitantly asked. As appreciative as he was, he couldn't bear it if Gankoomon ended up clocking Alphamon one because of him. "You really don't have to on my accord. He can be temperamental."
Alphamon shook his head. "Don't worry, Jesmon. I have been meaning to speak with him about something anyways," he assured him.
Jesmon nodded a little in response. "…Thank you, Senpai - for all of that," he told the black knight with a small smile. "I think I needed to hear that…"
The black knight smiled warmly and patted Jesmon's shoulder. "It is my pleasure, Jesmon. Never hesitate to ask anything from any of us. We're all more than happy to help," he explained. "After all, none of us simply became Royal Knights overnight. We were all where you were once."
"Yes, Alphamon," Jesmon answered, straightening up a little.
Out of the corner of Jesmon's eye, he caught sight of movement in the sky. He turned, looking past Alphamon, as he saw a winged serpent flying towards the castle gates, carrying what seemed to be a black bundle of something.
"Senpai?" Jesmon questioned, nodding with his head behind his fellow Royal Knight. "Is that… Captain Ouryumon?"
Alphamon turned around to see for himself. When he did, he noticed one of the messengers of the Recon Squadron, a Diatrymon, who was racing in their direction from the courtyard road.
The Diatrymon dashed over the training grounds at a rapid speed before coming to a gradual stop in front of the two Royal Knights. "Sir Alphamon," the avian messenger addressed him. "Captain Ouryumon has returned from the frontlines."
A confused frown formed on Alphamon's face at the messenger's unusual message. "Ouryumon…? That is most unorthodox…" Alphamon observed the terrestrial bird. "Did something happen? Is he alright?"
"He has a minor wound, but he seems to be doing fine. He is flying alone, but he seems to be carrying some sort of Digimon," the Diatrymon responded. "He told the scout that he has an urgent message to give you."
The confusion on Alphamon's face was replaced with a serious expression. Whatever it is, it didn't sound good. "Very well. Thank you, Diatrymon," Alphamon told the messenger. "I will go and meet with him."
"There is one more thing, Sir," the Diatrymon said. "A few minutes ago, Leviamon was spotted approaching the castle from the east. He appears to be alone again."
Alphamon sighed and rubbed his brows with irritation. "…I see. Very well," he responded, though not without exasperation weighing down his reply. "Find Dukemon, please. Relay a message that I'd like him to go and meet with him."
"Dukemon is already doing so of his own volition, I believe," the Diatrymon explained.
Alphamon frowned gently, but nodded, accepting of it. He turned to Jesmon with apologetic eyes. "Jesmon, apologies, but I must speak with the Captain."
As Alphamon turned to him, Jesmon nodded understandingly. "You go ahead, Senpai," he replied. "I will come find you later."
"Thank you. I will inform you if it is anything important," Alphamon said to him, making to leave.
Jesmon saluted the senior Royal Knight as Alphamon began walking off alongside the Diatrymon.
As soon as they were gone, Jesmon sighed and looked down at the sky blue crystal that was embedded in the middle of his chest.
Although he felt a lot better after his talk with Alphamon, he couldn't help but shake some of the lingering ambivalence that he felt. The words of Alphamon contrasted so sharply with that of his Sensei's, and both of their points of view made sense. He definitely wanted help with figuring out how to utilize his new form, but he worried about being a burden. Yet, if he stubbornly refused help and continued struggling in futility, then wouldn't that make him a burden as well?
Jesmon frowned and clenched his fist. Part of him was worried about what Gankoomon would say when he found out that he had spoken to Alphamon. He didn't want Gankoomon saying that he had gone crying to Alphamon for help… However, he was also excited by the prospect of training with the Royal Knights, and he wanted to get up to their standard as quickly as possible. The more that he thought about it, the more he felt that Alphamon was right, and that asking for help wasn't something he should be ashamed of.
There were many contradictions that he felt he had to work his way through. He wasn't sure if Gankoomon would ever recognize him as his student again… but maybe he still had the other Royal Knights to help.
Even so… the wistful sting in his heart remained.
"Sensei…"
"Fascinating…"
High Physician Duskmon was hunched over in his medical lab, examining his subject studiously.
Duskmon adjusted the hovering glow-form beside him and angled the nearby mirror to concentrate the light better onto his subject. He looked closely using the magnifying surgical goggles over his facial eyes, as well as a broader but less intense magnifying visor that was fixed over the large eye in the center of his chest.
With intense curiosity, Duskmon poked and prodded the subject, took samples, performed basic tests, and jotted down his observations.
"It exhibits absolutely zero involuntary reflexes whatsoever…" Duskmon noted to himself as he scrawled down medical jargon. "In fact, I am quite certain that it is structurally hollow."
Ouryumon watched with a flat expression as he lay down on a nearby bed. He watched as Duskmon was thoroughly engrossed by the prisoner that he brought home. The captured Troopmon lay restrained on an examination table, but it appeared to be docile anyways, making no visible show of resistance as Duskmon examined it.
"Uh… Doc?" Ouryumon spoke up with mild irritation. "That's interesting and everything, but… a real patient is waiting over here." He gestured to his bandaged arm for emphasis.
"Ah… Of course. My apologies, Ouryumon," Duskmon answered. He stood up from the Troopmon and made his way over to the serpentine dragon.
Ouryumon sighed as Duskmon began unwrapping his bandage in order to inspect his arm wound. He hissed with pain as the sticky bandage peeled off his congealed wound, prompting some more blood to emerge. "Hsss… I'm beginning to regret bringing this guy back to you for research," he wryly stated.
"I fail to see why. It may provide us with some useful information about how the Demon Lords were able to create such a synthetic Digimon," Duskmon replied as he began to disinfect Ouryumon's wound, prompting a pained growl from his patient.
Ouryumon attempted to ignore the stinging pain in his arm as his wound was cleaned and disinfected. Now that he was back, he was eager to get this medical treatment over with so that he could go find Alphamon.
He hadn't really had time to think about the knight until he was travelling back home, having been so busy with the battle. It hadn't been until he had some time to himself while riding the Locomon that he'd been able to take a step back and think. It was at that time, as he was staring out the Locomon window, that he had realised something: he missed Alphamon.
Given how poorly the battle went and knowing what happened to Magnamon and Craniamon… Ouryumon decided that he couldn't afford to wait any longer. Now that he was back at the castle, he knew that this would probably be his only chance before everything got serious.
He was resolved… He wanted to talk to Alphamon. He wanted to find out where they stood with each other… and if they had a future. After a few years of giving each other space since the end of DarkKnightmon's revolt, he had to know for sure. This was the opportunity that he had been waiting for, and he told himself he wouldn't just stand idly by while they drifted further apart. He was determined to fight for them.
Then, the sound of approaching, metal footsteps entered his ears. Ouryumon raised his head and looked towards the door of the medical ward. He saw a familiar silhouette emerge in the doorway – one that he knew intimately.
Ouryumon felt his heart flutter when he saw Alphamon appear in the doorway. A sense of relief washed over him that seemed to override the stinging pain in his arm.
"Ouryumon!" Alphamon exclaimed, his golden eyes casting upon him with concern. He quickly sized up his injuries. "Are you hurt?"
Duskmon began to calmly dress Ouryumon's wound again now that it had been cleaned. "When it comes to Ouryumon, the question is usually not 'Are you hurt?' but 'How badly are you hurt?'" he dryly mentioned.
Alphamon smiled, half with relief when he could see that Ouryumon was no worse off than usual. "Yes, I suppose you have a point," he conceded, walking in and making his way over to the pair.
"Hey!" Ouryumon protested, before suddenly wincing when Duskmon tightened the bandage. "Ow."
"It's good to see you back, Ouryumon," Alphamon told the golden dragon as he stopped in front of him. "But why are you back? What about the campaign?"
Ouryumon sighed and irately rubbed the back of his head, his claws running through his violet hair. "Duftmon decided to send me back as a messenger since I was hurt anyways," he grumbled, gesturing to his arm. "He wanted me to tell you about what happened. It isn't good…"
Alphamon frowned and sat down on the bed across from him. "I see… So, what did happen?" he questioned.
Ouryumon looked back at him with a serious stare. "We intercepted the Demon Lord's main army… The battle took place on the night of the eclipse," he began with a heavy sigh. "…Apparently, Barbamon used the eclipse to free Belphemon from his Sleep Mode. In the battle, Belphemon defeated Magnamon and Craniamon and took them prisoner… The Demon Lords backed off and we decided to retreat back to Saversburg."
Ouryumon watched, unable to help but feel guilty, as the dire news sunk in. He looked on as Alphamon's expression went from shock and alarm to a worried grimace, before finally tightening into a dire glare.
"…Magnamon and Craniamon were taken prisoner?" Alphamon questioned, his voice stiff and dour. "What is being done?"
"Duftmon is organizing a rescue operation," Ouryumon explained. "I think the Rooks are dealing with it."
"What else did he say? Does he want us to go up there?" Alphamon ardently inquired.
"No, he said to wait for him to come here. He said he's just waiting to see how the rescue operation goes," Ouryumon informed him, shaking his head. "Both armies are kind of in a state of limbo right now. He wanted me to fill you in and strategise with you guys until then."
Alphamon frowned fretfully. He raised his hand and rubbed his temples one either side of his crystal-fused brow. "This is horrible… I hope they aren't harmed," he grimly murmured as worry grew within him.
Ouryumon awkwardly rubbed the side of his neck. He felt guilty for making Alphamon worry, and he wanted to reassure him somehow. "Uh… Well, Duftmon said that they'll be safe at least for a little while. He said if they were gonna kill them soon, they would've done so on the battlefield," he plainly explained. "So, hopefully that's enough time for the Rooks to do their thing."
Alphamon sighed and nodded. "…Yes, you're right. I must trust in Duftmon and the Rooks. I mustn't become restless," he agreed, although he couldn't push aside his worries entirely.
"Yeah, I doubt we'll have to wait long," Ouryumon added, before hissing when Duskmon tightened his bandage. "Hss. Shit… Probably a day or two, tops. They'll be fine."
"I just have to believe that…" Alphamon replied with a calming exhale.
Alphamon still had lingering worries… not just about Magnamon and Craniamon, but about what Yggdrasil had said about the Demon Lords and Dukemon as well. This bad news merely compounded his internal concerns. However, despite that, he offered Ouryumon a reassuring smile. He couldn't afford to be pessimistic.
It was then that Alphamon noticed the large, black, rubber body that was strapped motionless to a nearby bed. He stood up from the bed and eyed the odd, unresponsive Digimon curiously.
"…Duskmon? Who is this patient of yours?" Alphamon inquired, walking over to Troopmon. He stopped beside the bed and gazed down at the rubbery Digimon. "Hello. What is your name?"
The Troopmon turned its head and observed Alphamon's presence impassively. It made no reply to his question.
"It is really more of a subject than a patient, at this stage," Duskmon explained as he finished Ouryumon's wound. "Troopmon Number Seventy-seven, according to the model number that's inscribed on the corner of its mask. So far, it has not made any verbal responses to any of my queries. I have yet to determine whether that is due to choice or due to a lack of ability or capacity to do so."
"Model number… You mean that it is artificial or mass-produced, like certain machine Digimon?" Alphamon wondered.
"In a different sort of way, yes, it is," Duskmon confirmed. "It appears not to have a corporeal body inside that suit, and, therefore, it has no biological or sexual characteristics. However, it does appear to possess a sort of limited consciousness. I will have to do further experimentation in order to evaluate how much it can do."
"I see…" Alphamon answered, looking closely at the Troopmon. He turned back to Duskmon. "Duskmon, I hope that you will not forget your code of ethics when dealing with this Troopmon, however unlike us it may be. It is still a Digimon, even if it is artificial."
Duskmon calmly nodded. "Of course. I took an oath not to cause undue harm, after all. I will do nothing more than determine how this Digimon was created, analyze it, and determine whether or not it can be repurposed from the programming it has been subjected to."
"Gee, I wish you'd remember your oath more whenever you're experimenting on us," Ouryumon sarcastically mentioned.
"You are all willing participants," Duskmon swiftly replied. He patted Ouryumon's shoulder emphatically. "I am finished. You are free to go."
The High Physician looked at Alphamon specifically. "Make sure that he gets some rest. He rarely listens to me."
Alphamon smiled and offered his hand to Ouryumon in order to help him stand. "Very well. Come on, Captain. Don't disobey the doctor's orders."
Ouryumon sighed and rolled his eyes with exasperation. Despite his show of annoyance, Ouryumon inwardly felt a warm chemical reaction inside of him when he reached out and 'reluctantly' took Alphamon's hand.
Alphamon helped him to his feet like a perfect gentleman. However, when he was standing, Ouryumon let go, insistent on standing on his own.
"I will walk you out," Alphamon politely told him, beginning to escort him to the exit. "Thank you, Duskmon."
Ouryumon nodded a little at Duskmon before turning, grabbing his swords and placing them in his belt, and walking alongside Alphamon.
As he walked beside the black knight, a pensive frown formed on Ouryumon's face. He couldn't help but feel mixed feelings as he contemplated Alphamon's actions. The Royal Knight was polite… but he almost felt too formal. It was almost like he was still putting distance between them… like he didn't want to be too friendly.
Ouryumon glanced down at Alphamon, trying to read his expression. The black knight's eyes seemed distracted, lost in thought – they certainly weren't focused on him, even as held the stare on Alphamon for a few seconds.
The two walked in silence out of the medical ward, and continued into the basement corridor, turning left and making their way towards the nearest set of stairs.
Ouryumon walked quietly, thinking to himself. The distance that he felt between them wasn't anything new. It had been there for the last few years, ever since DarkKnightmon's rebellion. Despite the fact that they had made up with each other after their argument, it had been clear that they both needed time apart from one another. Ouryumon wondered just how much time it would take…
While Alphamon certainly wasn't cool or unfriendly towards him, he did feel as though Alphamon acted a little differently, as if he was afraid to give off the wrong signals. It concerned Ouryumon.
Ouryumon sighed and steeled himself. He was never one to let his nerves get the better of him, except where Alphamon was concerned. However, he decided that he had to speak up. He couldn't let things stagnate any longer until there was nothing left. He promised himself that he'd be proactive.
Ouryumon took in a deep breath and tightened his posture. "Uh, yo, Alphamon…" he awkwardly spoke up, attempting to sound cooler than he was.
Alphamon blinked and raised an eyebrow, turning his head and looking up at Ouryumon. "Pardon? Yes, Ouryumon?"
"Well, y'see…" Ouryumon spoke up, swallowing hard as his mouth began to go dry. He glanced away aloofly and rubbed the back of his head. "The thing is…I wanna talk to you about something. In private, I mean. …Just the two of us."
It took a couple seconds for Alphamon to realise what Ouryumon was trying to say. When he did, his eyes widened a bit and he looked forwards. He continued walking, though, his body movement became a little bit more controlled.
"…Oh…" he answered ambiguously. "…What about?"
Ouryumon glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes, trying not to let his insecurities come to the surface. "Uh… about us," he explained, feeling his insides begin to squirm nauseously as he anticipated Alphamon's response.
"I… see," Alphamon hesitantly replied.
Ouryumon angled his face away from Alphamon and walked alongside him casually. "Look, I just have some stuff that I wanna say to you. It won't take long," he huffily insisted, starting to feel his kneejerk defence mechanism kicking in.
Alphamon frowned, increasing his stride just a little bit. "The thing is, Ouryumon, I have to go and speak to Gankoomon about something urgently," he explained. "And given the severity of the current situation, I'm not sure that—"
"The severity is the situation is exactly why I need to talk to you," Ouryumon firmly and pointedly explained.
After a moment, Ouryumon sighed and rubbed the back of his head with a bit of frustration at himself. "…I just want to clear the air, Alphamon. That's all," he explained, the sharp edges of his words dulling into something calmer and more mature. He turned and looked directly at Alphamon. "…Can we talk after you do what you need to do? …Please?"
Alphamon looked up and saw Ouryumon's poignant, beseeching eyes gazing back down at him. The Aloof Hermit felt a pang of guilt that caused him to reconsider his initial reluctance.
"…Very well," he conceded with a wisp of a sigh. He knew that it would be unfair to deny him that much. "After dinner, come to my office. We can speak there."
Ouryumon nodded stiffly, and he stopped at the foot of the stone stairs. "Thanks, Alphamon," he told him. "I can make it to my room on my own. You go find Gankoomon."
"…Alright," Alphamon answered, giving him a small but uncertain smile. "Ensure that you rest, understood?"
Ouryumon allowed himself a tentative smile as well. "Yeah, yeah. I will…" he said as he turned back to the curved staircase in front of him. "Go find the moody redhead."
"I will see you later then. I promise," Alphamon assured him, before turning and beginning to part.
Ouryumon sighed and began making his way up the stairs on his own. He did his best to ignore the worries and insecurities that were beginning to stir within him. He didn't want to be consumed by them like he had been in the past. He wouldn't let himself.
As he disappeared into the stone stairwell, he tried not to think about the wait ahead of him or the possible outcomes. He knew which one he wanted, but, at that point, he was prepared for anything. He just didn't want it eating away at him anymore.
He glanced over his shoulder, seeing Alphamon's flowing cape disappearing from sight, and he continued to his room on his own.
Alphamon sighed as he walked down the corridor.
He hadn't been expecting that.
He had been planning to impart some advice onto Gankoomon. Now he felt as though that he was the one who needed advice.
The timing of Ouryumon's foreboding request frustrated him. On top of all of the other things that he had to worry about, he didn't feel ready for an intense personal talk adding to his worries. He had so much else going on, that he didn't have the energy to think about his own problems.
Alphamon winced lightly, rubbing his neck as he made his way down the castle hallway.
Though… perhaps he shouldn't be surprised. Perhaps that was the issue; he never felt as though he was ready.
He hadn't been ready when Ouryumon tried to speak with him in New Terminal. He had tried to divert or delay the issue several times. Alphamon began to admit to himself that maybe he had been procrastinating the inevitable. He always inwardly knew that Ouryumon still had feelings for him, and yet…
Alphamon sighed and closed his eyes. He didn't want to brood about it now. He told himself that he would face up to it later, when he and Ouryumon could speak properly. For now, he had other things that he needed to focus on.
Alphamon turned a corner and began making his way down the next hallway. He had a few guesses about where Gankoomon might be. He was generally very predictable, though, as of late, he was increasingly less so.
The Knight of the Empty Seat stopped in his tracks, his head perking up when he heard noises ahead of him.
He heard grunting… and the repetitious thudding of something hard impacting some sort of fabric. The aggressive sounds were coming from one of the rooms ahead of him. Alphamon knew exactly which one, too... He supposed he should be glad that Gankoomon still retained some of his predictability.
Alphamon strode down the stone corridor until he stopped in one of the doorways. The room he came to a halt in front of was the sparring room.
He looked inside the big, expansive chamber to confirm what he had anticipated. Upon doing so, he first noticed a pair of feet moving nimbly across the smooth, hardwood floor. Alphamon looked up and watched the black-suited body of Gankoomon ducking and weaving around a barrier-augmented punching bag.
The translucent barrier rippled with every blow, absorbing them, and then immediately rebounding the blows back at him with an elastic snap. Gankoomon expertly dodged the barrier's reaching strikes and he continued trading blows with the high-tech punching bag.
In the edge of his vision, Gankoomon noticed a black figure appear in the entrance to the sparring room. He initially pretended not to see him, hoping that he would go away so that he could continue his training without his flow being broken.
When it became clear to him that the dark armoured figure wasn't leaving, Gankoomon sighed and gave the punching bag one final, aura-infused wallop before jumping back. The punching bag rocked violently and the barrier lashed back violently at Gankoomon before settling back to its stationary position.
"Alphamon," Gankoomon acknowledged, panting from exertion. He wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and began making his way over to the Royal Knight. His white jacket was slung unceremoniously over one of the benches against the wall.
"Hello, Gankoomon." Alphamon nodded as Gankoomon approached him. He could see that the collar of his bodysuit was drenched with sweat, telling him that Gankoomon had likely been training for awhile. "I'm sorry to interrupt."
Gankoomon shrugged and walked over to the bench where his jacket was, grabbing a towel and throwing it over his neck. "Something you want?" he brusquely questioned. "You wanna step in? Maybe get your hands dirty and actually break a sweat for a change? This gizmo is fine, but it doesn't beat a real opponent."
Alphamon smiled wryly. "As tempting as that may be, perhaps another time," he answered. "You seem to be quite busy lately. I hear you have been training alone a lot."
"Yeah," Gankoomon confirmed. He reached down and grabbed a canteen, tipping it back and splashing some water on his face and in his mouth. "What about it?"
"Hm. Nothing in particular," Alphamon carefully responded. "I was just noting how similar you are to your student."
Gankoomon stopped for just a moment. He became quiet, but he didn't stop what he was doing. Without responding to Alphamon's comment, he turned his back to the Royal Knight. He then splashed some water on his sweaty collar and fiery, red hair and began towelling himself off.
Alphamon observed Gankoomon ignoring his comment, and he perceived that it was more than just Gankoomon's usual aloof demeanour. He decided to press him a little in order to gauge his reaction.
"I saw Jesmon earlier, training by himself," Alphamon casually mentioned. "It looked as though he had been up since the crack of dawn."
"Tch," Gankoomon dismissively scoffed, still not turning around to face him. "No surprise there. We always trained at the break of dawn. I made him wake up before sunrise all the time… He's just doing what he's supposed to – nothing special."
It was unusual, Alphamon noted, for Gankoomon not to look him in the eyes. He was never one to shy away from what he was really thinking. There was also a little detail that Alphamon picked up on… "'Trained'?" Alphamon questioned. "Is there a reason that you are using the simple past tense?"
Gankoomon scowled a little as he pulled the towel from over his head and tossed it onto the bench. "What is this? A grammar lesson?" he brusquely asked, grabbing his white jacket from the bench and throwing it over his shoulder.
"Merely an observation…" Alphamon diplomatically answered. "It seems as though Jesmon is struggling to come to terms with his new form."
Gankoomon quietly reached down and placed his red, wooden sandals on the rest-bench next to the towel. "…He'll be fine," he dismissively insisted. "He's strong. He'll figure it out on his own. He doesn't need any help."
Alphamon arched his brow. "…Not even from you?" he pointedly wondered.
Gankoomon spun on his heel to face Alphamon with a stern gaze. "You're doing that damn annoying thing you always do, Alphamon. You talk like a Sealsdramon hunting its target – skulking in the shadows with your words, circling around the edges… waiting for the perfect chance to strike. It pisses me off. Wipe the silver off that slippery tongue and just come out with whatever you want to say already," he bluntly told him.
Alphamon couldn't help but smile at Gankoomon's forthrightness. He trusted the fiery knight to never let him get away with anything. "…Very well," he calmly replied, looking Gankoomon in the eyes. "I spoke to Jesmon earlier and he told me something surprising… He told me that you said that you were no longer his teacher."
At the revelation that Alphamon knew, Gankoomon tried to respond with calm disaffection as he gazed straight back into Alphamon's eyes. "…Yeah? And? What about it?" he shrugged it off with gruff indifference.
Alphamon frowned curiously. "I must say, Gankoomon, it came as quite the shock," he admitted. "You and Jesmon have always been so close. What brought this about?"
"Tch. What do you mean? Jesmon's an Ultimate level now. He's a mature Digimon. He doesn't need me to hold his hand anymore," he insisted, defensively folding his arms.
"Then… that is the reason why you ended your mentorship?" Alphamon inquired. "Because he evolved to Jesmon?"
Gankoomon clenched his jaw. "He's a Royal Knight now!" he angrily exclaimed. "It's about time he found his own way. How the hell will he grow if he keeps depending on me all the time? He has to be a man and stand on his own two feet! That's his final lesson!"
Alphamon stared at Gankoomon incisively. "…From the way the both of you are speaking, it almost sounds as though you are cutting ties entirely. He seemed quite upset, Gankoomon."
Gankoomon scowled and looked away. "…It's better to be tough and definite," he bitterly answered. "If I try to stay chummy just to spare his feelings, it'll just give him the wrong idea… It's better to hurt him now than try to drag it out and just end up making things worse."
Alphamon winced faintly at Gankoomon's relevant words, and he found his gaze drifting down. He tried not to think about his own problems. Determined not to question whether he was doing the very thing that Gankoomon was suggesting, he turned his attention back to the Royal Knight before him. "It all feels rather unnecessary, Gankoomon," he explained. "What does it matter if he is a Royal Knight or an Ultimate level? He is recently evolved and he is new to his job. He still requires guidance."
"Tch. He doesn't. He'll figure it out. If he's training on his own, then he's obviously fine," Gankoomon dismissed.
"If he doesn't require assistance, then why did he ask me for advice?" Alphamon forthrightly asked.
Gankoomon paused at the news. He turned and looked at Alphamon with shock. When he saw the sincerity in Alphamon's eyes, Gankoomon felt the surprise within him transform into frustration. He closed his fists tightly and angled his body away, trying to conceal the scowl that formed on his face.
He began walking towards the punching bag. Without a word, he coiled his arm back and thrust his fist into the barrier-augmented target. It was all he could do to vent the burgeoning pain that formed in his heart.
"…Then I guess I overestimated his resolve," Gankoomon stoically replied, ducking under the barrier's retaliation as he fought back the growl that emerged in his throat. "I didn't think the first thing that he'd do would be to go running to you. Did he cry to you about how mean I was and beg for your help?"
Alphamon frowned at Gankoomon's harsh comment. "No, he did no such thing," he calmly responded as he watched Gankoomon's unexpectedly frustrated reaction. "I had to initiate the dialogue quite insistently."
Gankoomon stood in front of the punching bag with a stony posture. "Whatever. I don't care if you help him or not. If you and the other knights want to baby him, go right ahead. He's not my problem anymore."
Alphamon stared defiantly at Gankoomon's back with a look of cool doubt on his face. He took a step forwards, his gaze unwavering.
"Very well… If you want me to be blunt, Gankoomon, I will be…" Alphamon began, his voice firm. "I don't believe you. I think that there is more to this than you are leading me to believe."
At this accusation, Gankoomon angrily spun around. Scowling with rage, Gankoomon marched right up to Alphamon until he was inches away from him. "What the hell do you know about it?!" he demanded, pushing his finger aggressively against Alphamon's armoured chest.
Alphamon gazed back at him coolly, not backing down from his aggressive defence. "…I know that lying does not come naturally to you, Gankoomon. That's why you haven't been able to look me in the eyes until now," he calmly responded. "You have been acting strangely ever since Hackmon evolved."
For a split second, Gankoomon's eyes widened behind his visor and he grimaced, turning his head away. Alphamon's words struck something inside of him. They were both blunt and insightful enough that he didn't feel as though he could bring himself to deny it.
"…I'm doing him a favour," he answered, taking a step back.
"…How so?" Alphamon inquired, relaxing a little as Gankoomon stepped off.
Gankoomon sighed and scratched the back of his head. "…When I took him on as a student all those years ago, I told him, I'd train him for as long as I could… until he felt he was strong enough to reach his goal," he explained, remembering back nostalgically. "…He was just some snotty orphan kid with such big dreams… but I saw something in Hackmon… a will like nobody else's."
Gankoomon reached up and pulled his visor up to his forehead, turning and looking at Alphamon with his bare eyes. "…To be perfectly honest, Alphamon, I wasn't sure if he could ever become a Royal Knight… but I wanted him to believe he could," he explained. "There was something about him… He impressed me. Enough that I actually agreed to take him on as a student… Something I never thought I'd do."
Gankoomon sighed, gazing into the distance wistfully. "…But… now he has. The damn kid actually did it… He fulfilled his dream… He became a Royal Knight," he reflectively explained.
"…Isn't that a good thing?" Alphamon wondered.
Gankoomon turned away, looking towards the wooden, dojo wall.
"…He doesn't need me anymore…"
Alphamon blinked, taken by surprise by Gankoomon's candor. "Oh…" was all he could say, beginning to realise what the issue was.
Gankoomon winced a little, gripping his fist with his other hand. "…It was just a few years ago that he was just a Hackmon… Feels like he's grown up so damn fast," he murmured. "He's an Ultimate level now… 'Jesmon'… A Royal Knight, like me."
"…But he's still Hackmon to you," Alphamon spoke with a sympathetic frown. He took a few steps closer to Gankoomon, sensing his unease.
Gankoomon was silent. He stood apart from Alphamon, his head bowed slightly and his fists tight as his sides.
"…He has all of you now," he explained. "He has eleven other Royal Knights – his heroes – to guide him. The way his eyes light up whenever one of you speaks to him…" Gankoomon let out a cynical chuckle and scratched the back of his head, turning around and glancing at Alphamon with a wistful smile. "He doesn't need some rough, old sensei like me anymore…"
Alphamon tentatively approached him. "…I'm sure that's not true."
"It is," he answered unwaveringly. "I'm his teacher, Alphamon… I've seen his growth more than anybody… He's strong, inside and out. He's been through so much… but he's come out the other side, stronger than ever each time."
Gankoomon exhaled, his hand resting on the back of his neck. "…If I keep being his sensei, I'll just hold him back," he murmured. "I… don't know if there's anything else I can teach him. There's so much he can learn from all of you instead."
"I'm sure there are plenty of things that he can still learn from you, Gankoomon," Alphamon explained. "And before you say anything: that is no mere platitude. He asked for your help with regards to his new ability, did he not?"
Gankoomon folded his arms. "Even if he did, that's not the point," he stubbornly insisted. "He only asked because I'm the one that he automatically falls back on. He as much as said that he doesn't need me now, he just thinks he still has to depend on me because he's so used to it." Gankoomon glowered with bitter resolve. "…I'm not going to let myself hold him back. I can't be the one who stifles his growth… That's the last thing that I can do for him as his sensei."
Alphamon frowned with confusion. "I don't understand, Gankoomon. Why would you be holding him back by helping him?"
Gankoomon tightened his fists and turned away agitatedly, looking as though he wanted to punch something. "Because…" He hesitated, his words becoming trapped in his lungs by his pride. "Because… Damn it!"
Gankoomon spun towards the punching bag and drove his fist squarely into it. The barrier reverberated and struck back, but Gankoomon angled his head away just in time.
As a blast of wind swept through his red hair, Gankoomon went quiet, his emotions tempering out as he stood with his back towards Alphamon.
"…It's me who needs him," Gankoomon bitterly admitted. His voice simmered with frustration and shame.
Alphamon blinked and tentatively walked closer to him. "You?"
"…I should be happy," he explained. "I should be overjoyed that my student has finally become strong enough – I should be proud that he was able to achieve his dreams."
Gankoomon bowed his head with a grimace. "…But I'm not."
Gankoomon released a frustrated sigh and took his fist in his hand, rubbing his knuckles. "…Ever since Hackmon evolved to Jesmon and you asked him to become a Royal Knight, I've felt… I don't know," he explained, trying to come to terms with his own feelings. "It's all so damn fast… It's like I turned around for one minute, and the next, he's a Royal Knight."
"I suppose the time span between milestones was surprisingly short," Alphamon admitted. "Perhaps you haven't bad enough time to process it all."
"It's not just that, though…" Gankoomon explained. "I feel… I don't know – jealous or something – of all of you, for replacing me, I guess. And rather than feeling happy for Jesmon, I just feel annoyed. He was supposed to be my student, but now he's on the same level as me…" Gankoomon grimaced and rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "…And I'm ashamed of myself for feeling this way."
Alphamon's gaze softened sympathetically. He approached and placed his hand on Gankoomon's back. "I see…" he answered understandingly. "Perhaps what you're feeling isn't necessarily resentment at him or us, but frustration with yourself. You're so used to a large part of your identity being that of Hackmon's teacher. Now that it is being threatened, you feel as though a part of you is adrift."
"Maybe…" Gankoomon admitted. "I guess… at some point, during those decades together… I started seeing myself as less a wandering warrior, and, instead, more as Hackmon's sensei. …I damn well hate to admit it, but the stupid, naïve, little brat wormed his way into my heart…"
Alphamon smiled at him warmly. "If he is able to do that to even you, then that speaks volumes to him," he explained. "And the fact that Jesmon has become a Royal Knight speaks volumes to your ability as his teacher."
Gankoomon sighed, with a ghost of a smirk on his lips. "Yeah… but now that he's completed his goals… now that he's reached the same level as me… where the hell does that leave me?" he murmured wistfully.
A gentle frown formed on Alphamon's face as he observed the turmoil of his friend. "I see… So you do feel lost."
"Yeah… I need to be his teacher… but he doesn't need to be my student," he heavily replied. Gankoomon turned around to face Alphamon directly. "That's why I'm doing this, Alphamon. If I keep him on as my student, it'd be for my sake, not his… I can't hold him back by being selfish… I need to find my own way again. I need to be able to let go."
Alphamon exhaled pensively and raised his hand to stroke his chin. "I understand your need to feel as though your identity doesn't depend on him, Gankoomon," he calmly explained. "However, I don't think that your analysis is entirely right. It is not a one-sided relationship… Jesmon told me that he needs your help. He still wants you to be his sensei."
Gankoomon grunted and scratched the back of his head. "That doesn't mean anything…"
"Gankoomon," Alphamon spoke plainly. "While he asked me if I could help him with his new abilities, I believe he only did so because you said you wouldn't. However, apart from some words of advice, I was unable to help him with such a personal and complex matter."
The Aloof Hermit eyed Gankoomon steadily and intentionally. "I believe that Jesmon evolved with those hidden abilities that he's struggling with in part because of the environment that he grew up in. That is… training with you," Alphamon explained. "Because his abilities are so inextricably linked to you, I believe that you are the only one who can help him. You and Hinukamui…"
Hinukamui popped out of Gankoomon's shoulders upon hearing his name. Upon rising into the air, the aura dragon looked down and placed his large claws comfortingly on Gankoomon's shoulders.
"…Me, huh?" Gankoomon muttered, not reacting as Hinukamui appeared above him. "…I dunno."
Alphamon smiled a little. "Jesmon will always be your student, Gankoomon. He will always look up to you, even despite us Royal Knights," he informed him. "If you feel as though you need to find yourself, you can still do that. However, you do not need to cut Jesmon out of your life completely. You can still train him in certain areas while also giving him more space and independence to grow on his own. The two aren't mutually-exclusive."
Gankoomon sighed and ran his fingers through his red hair. "I thought it'd be easier to make a clean break… There're no misunderstandings that way. No muddiness."
"That can be a better way of handling things in some situations. However, I don't believe that to be true in your case," Alphamon explained. "Jesmon will still be a part of your everyday life regardless. To keep him at arm's length would be untenable. Besides, he already thinks you're angry at him and he isn't sure why."
Gankoomon's fingers slid down to the back of his neck, which he rubbed uneasily. "…I dunno," he stubbornly said.
Hinukamui scowled and bent down, slamming his fist down onto the top of Gankoomon's head.
"OW! Damn it!" Gankoomon hollered, a vein throbbing in his aching head. He glared up at Hinukamui, who retorted by folding his aura arms. "Okay, okay! I'll think about it!"
Alphamon grinned and winked slyly at Hinukamui. "It usually takes a little bit of force with you, doesn't it, Gankoomon?" he teasingly mused.
Gankoomon folded his arms, glancing away with embarrassment. "Tch… You're making me soft, Alphamon," Gankoomon gruffly said, giving Alphamon a wry look.
"Is it me who's doing that?" Alphamon wondered, smirking knowingly at his fellow knight.
"Whatever…" Gankoomon muttered with irritation, scoffing and looking away indignantly. However, after a few moments of huffing, Gankoomon glanced back over at the black knight. "…Thanks."
He was a little embarrassed about bearing that much to Alphamon, but, secretly, it was a relief to him to get it all off his chest. Gankoomon didn't like being anything other than honest. Bottling up his feelings didn't suit him, and he had been getting stressed out because of it. Now, he felt as though a weight had been lifted.
Alphamon nodded and placed his hand on Gankoomon's shoulder. "It's been my pleasure," the leader of the knights assured him. "Don't hesitate to come to me if you ever need to get something off of your chest."
"Yeah? Does that mean I can convince you to spar with me next time?" Gankoomon asked with a cocky smirk.
"Perhaps, if you like, but I would prefer a discussion over tea, myself," Alphamon replied.
The mere mention of Alphamon's tea caused Gankoomon's stomach to become fragile. "…I'd take a fist to the head any day," he bluntly answered.
Gankoomon rolled his shoulder before walking over to the punching bag and deactivating it. "Anyways…" he spoke, putting his visor back on and glancing over at Alphamon. "I've got some more training to do."
Alphamon nodded. "But you will reflect on what we talked about, yes?"
"Yeah…" the red-haired knight conceded. "It's a lot to think about, but I guess you've got some points. I'll give it some thought."
"Very well. I will leave you to it, then," Alphamon responded, stepping back and beginning to turn away. "Just don't stray too far from the castle. Ouryumon is back, and he says to expect Duftmon back in the next day or so."
Gankoomon cocked an eye with curious interest. "Yeah? …If Neko-chan is coming back, it can't be good news…"
Alphamon turned back towards the door. "I suppose we will see, depending on what news Duftmon brings," he answered. "I have a few things to do, but we can discuss it with the others over dinner."
"Sure, sure," Gankoomon aloofly replied, throwing his flowing, white jacket over his shoulders as Hinukamui went back inside of his body. "I'll see ya, Alphamon."
"Goodbye, Gankoomon," Alphamon told him with a nod.
Gankoomon watched as Alphamon disappeared out the door. He stood with folded arms as the knight disappeared and he was left alone in the dojo-styled room.
He released a sigh and scratched the back of his head. While he felt a sense of relief, he still couldn't help but feel uncertain. It was a feeling that he hated… he hardly ever felt this way. He liked to make decisions and never look back, not this navel-gazing stuff.
Still, he recognized Alphamon's points and began to question his own. He had a lot to think about… and he decided it was worth giving special thought to.
"Hackmon…" Gankoomon quietly thought.
Meanwhile, the black knight walked forwards and made his way out of the sparring room. Once he was back out in the castle corridor, his shoulders slackened and he released a breath.
It felt good to be able to help Gankoomon with his problem, and he hoped that the Royal Knight would decide to mend things with Jesmon now. However, now that that distraction was dealt with, he began to remember his own various issues that he had to deal with, both personal and professional. Suddenly, the thought of sparring Gankoomon felt like a welcome diversion.
However, he knew that he couldn't put them off. Alphamon decided that he would see to his responsibilities for the rest of the afternoon and then begin to address the rest come dinner time.
"Perhaps you should take a leaf from Gankoomon's book, Alphamon," the black knight reminded himself as he began walking. "Sometimes, to achieve the best results, it is better to tackle a problem head-on."
Alphamon nodded and continued forwards. He refused to let himself become mired in indecision and doubt. Despite the various setbacks he was faced with, he determined that he would deal with them with a calm and deliberate hand. As the Royal Knights' leader, that's what everybody expected of him, and that's what he expected of himself.
After all, at least things couldn't get any worse…