In a dark, desolate wasteland a knight in black armor with a ripped white cape and torn golden wings trudged forward. In one hand was a giant black and golden sword. In the other was a white orb. The knight was hobbling as she walked forward. She hadn't rested or eaten since arriving to this cursed place. "…I think I finally lost track of how long I've been here…This place is getting on my nerves."
"Good. You should suffer." A familiar voice made the knight look behind her. There were two teenagers with red hair behind her. A boy and a girl. She said nothing. Just stared at them. "Suffer…like we have." the boy spoke.
"It was hard for us." the girl said. "Doing all those cases, risking our lives repeatedly, fighting harsh battles. All while you stayed behind sitting in your damn chair safe and sound."
"You bossed us around the whole time. Pushing us. While you did nothing." the boy added. "You said we always had to push ourselves and never slack off because that was part of your agency's "moto". Well, what the hell is your excuse for not helping and just joking around while sending us to do all your work for you while you loafed around, you lazy cur?"
"And then you made us clean up your mess. Where were you when the Royal Knights split up?" the girl asked. "If you're such a "smart cookie" why didn't you step in to stop them? Why did you wait so long to revel that you were one of them? You didn't join the fight against Examon calling yourself a "non-combatant" but that was clearly bullshit!"
"You could have easily convinced them as their leader to join us or destroy them yourself, but instead you just let them run wild and watched as we scurried around to deal with them for you!" the boy mocked. "Legendary 13th Royal Knight" my ass!"
"And we suffered! Because of you!" the girl said as she and the boy looked at the knight with a psychotic look in their eyes. "Because of your laziness and incompetence! You acted like you were hot shit the whole time, but you are nothing but a failure who pawned off all her duties on a couple of kids!"
"I wonder which title your pathetic existence disgraced more. The head of the Kuremi Detective Agency or the head of the Royal Knights?!"
"How does it feel to be actually working for once?! How does it feel to be the one to suffer?!"
"Now wounder this darkness alone forever! Just as we were trapped between worlds because of you! Lament on how you failed your world just as you did us you pathetic pile of trash!"
The knight stabbed her giant sword into the ground then fired green lights from her hand at the manically laughing teens who upon being hit disappeared in black smoke. "This bad joke is getting old." the knight said gripping her blade and pulling it out of the ground. "Do you think I don't know them better? They aren't so spiteful." Three Ghoulmon appeared in front of her. They jumped at her. With one swing the sword tore through all three Digimon. She grunted dropping to a knee. "...Can't fall here..." She held the orb close. "If this falls into the wrong hands...everyone's actions will have been for nothing." She continued moving forward.
Takumi, Ami, Takuto, Shiki, Koh, Sayo, Keisuke, Mameo, Arata, Kouta, Nokia, Himari, Yuuko, Yuugo, and Fei along with their partner Digimon, and their allied Royal Knights were walking through a deep dark tunnel. Magnamon led the way illuminating the path with his golden armor. Along the way multiple Digmon and Drimojimon who were responsible for digging the path were keeping an eye out. "This is it..." Takumi declared. "We finally get to meet Alphamon again..."
Mameo looked at him. "That's right...she's the one who trained you two. Looked after you. She means a lot to you two."
"Yeah." Ami replied. "She made us who we are. We learned so much from them. She...she's like family to us..."
"Family..."
Takumi looked over his shoulder at Keisuke. "What's up Keisuke?"
"Takumi...it was thanks to you I got to see Erika again. That's why I will do everything in my power to put your family back together."
"Same here." Yuuko nodded. "Thanks to you and Ami, I got my family back. Now it's my turn to fix yours."
"I'm in too!" Nokia declared. "Helping Digimon is why I established the Rebels after all!"
"Don't forget about me." Arata smiled. "We all owe her."
"I got yer back as well." Fei said. "It's the least I can do ta make amends."
"Same here." Yuugo nodded. "And we need her now more then ever."
"I'll do whatever it takes too." Sayo said. "You and Ami went great lengths to save Dianamon. So, I'm going to help you rescue Alphamon."
"I can relate to being forcefully separated from those close to you." Koh said. "If there's anything I can do to help I'll do it."
It was Takuto's turn. "We're in on this too. I promised you Takumi that I would do whatever it takes to save this world. And if that means we rescue Alphamon, then we rescue her! Plain and simple!"
"That's right!" Shiki cheered. "We bring Digimon together, so nobody needs to feel alone!"
"Besides, after all I heard about how amazing Alphamon is I wanna met her!" Himari smiled.
Kouta nodded. "Yeah. With her help we'll save this world in no time."
"And we will save her." Shoma declared. "All of us together."
"There you have it." Mameo grinned. "We're with you until the end."
"Thanks guys." Takumi breathed. "Still...she's been trapped in there for a long time. What if we get there and find out Alphamon is already-
"No Takumi!" Rapidmon Armor interjected. "You and I both know that Alphamon will not fall."
"That's right!" Rosemon Burst Mode added. "She's a survivor! She is alive! And we will find her!"
Takumi calmed down. "You're right. Okay. Let's go."
Ami nodded. "We're coming Alphamon. Just hold on!"
The team soon reached the end of the tunnel where a WarGrowlmon was waiting. "There you guys are. This is the closest we can get you to the gate. Digging any further will bring us to the lava Dorbickmon flooded the cavern with."
"Hopefully this is close enough for us to use Mirei's program." Kouta said.
"If it's not we'll think of something else." Yuugo replied.
Keisuke Arata, Fei, Yuuko and Yuugo walked up to the rocky wall in front of them. "Okay...here goes." Keisuke put on his visor and they started working. Everyone watched as they worked with anticipation. After what felt like forever the monitor in front of the hackers beeped and glowed.
"I think that did it!" Yuuko replied. "The Dark Area should be connected to the Digital World now!"
"Good!" Gallantmon nodded. "Let's try to open the gate!"
"Allow me." Kuzuhamon stepped forward. She held her staff forward and then purple sparkles formed opening a gateway. "We've done it! We can now enter the Dark Area!"
"All right!" Nokia cheered. "It's Alphamon rescuing time!"
Kentaurosmon stared at the portal. "I never would have imagined I would be entering the Dark Area."
"Indeed." Omegamon replied. "We Royal Knights were forbidden from entering here to avoid conflict with the Deadly Digimon."
"Well, now that they're gone there's no reason for us to stay away." UlforceVeedramon replied. "And besides, this is an emergency."
"Agreed." Gankoomon nodded. "However even with the Deadly Digimon gone the Dark Area is still a dangerous place. Let us proceed with caution."
"Okay...here we go." Ami said walking towards the portal. One by one the rest of the crew followed her inside.
WarGrowlmon watched them go and waved. "Good luck everyone! Come back safely with Alphamon!"
Himari was the last one to step in. The portal closed behind her. She looked around. The area had a dark purple sky, black floors divided by orange lines into squares. Small dark decayed looking trees were around them. "What's with this place?" Himari looked around. "The sky...the ground...even the air feels...dead..."
Nokia couldn't keep herself from shivering. "It feels like something's creeping up on me ready to attack..."
"It's like this entire place is alive and doesn't like us being here..." Koh gulped.
"Such is the nature if the Dark Area." Gallantmon replied.
Kentaurosmon looked at the humans. "This place is essentially what you humans would call "hell" except real."
"Well..." Keisuke gulped. "Let's make this visit as quick as possible, shall we?"
"Right." Mameo nodded. "Remember, we're looking for two things here: Alphamon and something with dark energy to help us bypass Cloud Sanctuary's defenses. As soon as we're done, we leave via Home Gate."
"This area is big, so we'll have to split up." Zero said.
Mameo sighed. "As much as I'd prefer we stick together it's the only way we're getting this done, isn't it? Okay, Shoma, Kouta, Gankoomon, you're with me. Takuto, Shiki, Himari, you go with UlforceVeedramon. Takumi, Ami, you're with Jesmon. Nokia, Sayo and Koh will go with Magnamon. Yuuko, Yuugo, Fei, stick with Gallantmon. Lastly is Keisuke, Arata and Kentaurosmon. If any of you need help call for it. And let us know if you find anything."
"Right." Gallantmon nodded. "And remember Alphamon is our primary objective. Saving an ally will always take precedence over hunting an enemy."
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Arata nodded. "And on that note let's get going. The shorter this field trip is the better."
"Here, here." Magnamon replied. "Everyone, let's be off!"
Nokia, Sayo, Koh and Magnanon were walking through the Dark Area as a group. "This place is pure creepy..." Nokia murmured. "It's even worse then when the Eaters had the Digital World..."
Koh looked around. "Nothing is here...yet you feel like you're being watched by all your worst nightmares."
"I have to admit I didn't even imagine the Dark Area being like this..." Sayo exclaimed.
"Haven't you been here before?" Omegamon asked. "I thought you defeated the Deadly Digimon of your parallel world."
"We didn't go to the Dark Area to defeat them." Dianamon replied. "They came to us. They attacked various areas of our Digital World. That's why we had to stop them."
"I see."
"After we destroyed them...Dianamon was taken from me." Sayo frowned. "Banished as a result of what we did..."
Apollomon looked at Sayo's Digimon. "What was that like?"
"Horrifying..." Dianamon reflected on being alone in a dark void covered in black chains. "I was alone. Unable to move. Or speak. I felt death constantly breathing down my back. Fear gripping my heart...it was torturing my spirit. When the Cyber Sleuths and Sayo rescued me I...I never want to go back there..."
"That indeed sounds horrible." Magnamon replied. "I bet Alphamon is suffering something akin to that right now..."
"You know, I've been thinking..." Nokia sadly spoke. "At first I thought Beelzemon was a total jerk. But when I think about how he was torn from his family and forced to live alone here...trapped in this horrible place...it hurts just thinking about it..."
"No matter how sturdy one may be, I do not question that this place would wear down one's soul after a while..."
"Yeah. It makes me realize how quick I was too judge things without thinking...just like when I decided to beat Zaxon to Under Zero."
Omegamon shot his partner a worried look. "Nokia..."
"Don't worry, I'm fine now. Still...I'm worried what being in here all alone for so long will do to Alphamon..."
"Then let's go save her!" Koh replied. "Nobody needs to go through something like that!"
Keisuke, Arata and Kentaurosmon were silently traversing the darkened landscape when the Royal Knight suddenly paused. The hackers noticed he was behind them and turned around. "What is it?" Arata asked.
The knight had an alert look in his eye. "We're being watched. No...they already have us surrounded."
Purple mist circled around the group. The Hackers and their Digimon stood ready as multiple Megidramon rose up from the smoke. "Crap, that was fast." Diaboromon scowled.
"The Dark Area impowers them." Kentaurosmon said aiming them. "Do not mistake these for the Next Order fodder we delt with."
"Then let's pull out all the stops." Arata said. "Diaboromon! X-Evolution!"
Keisuke slid on his visor. "TyrantKabuterimon! MetalSeadramon! PileVolcamon! Extra Xross Evolution!"
Takuto, Shiki, Himari and UlforceVeedramon were walking through a forest of dead trees when they spotted a purple light. "Hey, what's that?" Shiki asked.
"It's coming from that tree over there!" Takuto replied running over to it. The group caught up and stood in front of a stump with a skeletal hand embedded into it.
"What the heck is that thing?" Himari asked.
"Like we would know." Shiki replied.
"I can sense a dreadful dark energy emitting from it..." UlforceVeedramon spoke grimly.
"Me too." Rikka added. "Just looking at it makes me feel sick."
"Dreadful and dark you say..."
Shiki looked at her brother's knowing grin. "Takuto, what are you thinking?"
"The other reason why we're here besides rescuing Alphamon is to find something with dark energy to get us over to Cloud Sanctuary, right? Maybe this can be our ticket in!"
"Hey, you're right!" Himari smiled. "I bet this creepy thing can counter the light energy!"
"Somehow this seems like a bad idea..." UlforceVeedramon murmured. "The forces withing this object might be greater than we can fathom."
"Yeah, I'm with the Royal Knight on this one bro." Shiki said. "I don't think we should be touching this thing, much less taking it back to the city with us."
"Oh don't be a sissy sis." Takuto walked over to the arm. "We gotta get to the Next Order somehow." He grabbed the object and started pulling. "Guh! This thing's kinda stuck!"
"Let me help!" Himari ran over and helped him pull. "Ugh, you're not kidding!"
Takuto put one foot on the stump and pulled with all his might. "Hold on... Almost got it!" The hand slowly moved from the stump and then it exploded with dark smoke. Takuto and
Himari yelped as they fell over. "Yikes!"
The smoke covered the trees around them. "What's happening?!" UlforceVeedramon asked looking around.
"I told you! I TOLD YOU!" Shiki yelled. One by one the trees and their long branches started moving like giant hands. Takuto, Shiki, and Himari were grabbed by them and lifted upward. "Hey!"
"What's with these things!?" Takuto shouted.
"Let go!" Himari screamed struggling.
"Takuto!" Nova shouted as he and the other Digimon ran up to help only for the trees to slam down onto all off them.
Black smoke rose from the skeletal arm as it grew evenly in size and formed into a tall body with red eyes, a cape and long hair. "What the hell is that?!" Storm yelled. "A Digimon?!"
"I do not sense a Digimon's presence..." UlforceVeedramon grunted from under the trees trapping him. "It feels more like the lingering darkness of a Digimon long gone..."
The phantom walked towards them clenching the giant right skeleton arm into a fist as it started moving towards the Digimon. "Oh no." Shiki pushed against the branches enclosed around her as hard as she could.
As the ghostly monster lifted its fist Himari wriggled her arms enough to pull them in front of her and reached for her Digivice with her right hand. "Come on...!" She enclosed her hand around it, and it glowed. "Rikka! X-Evolution!"
The attacker was blinded by light exploding from Rikka's body. In a flash the trees on top of her and the other Digimon burned away, and she ascended in the form of Magnadramon X. "Fire Tornado!" She shot golden flame at the monster who blocked with the giant arm.
Nova and the others sprung to their feet. The WarGreymon and Rosemon flew over and cut the Tamers lose. Once they landed on their feet Takuto and Shiki held up their Digivices. "Now it's our turn! Nova! Storm!"
"Skyla! Gaia!"
"Extra Xross Evolution!" Their Digimon combined into Omni and Faye.
UlforceVeedramon drew his swords. "Here it comes!" The monster unleashed a black shockwave.
Takumi, Ami and Jesmon were adventuring through the Dark Area in their own group. "Still no sign of her..." Ami murmured.
Rapidmon Armor looked around. "I'm not picking up her signal anywhere..."
"What?" Takumi looked at him. "What?! You mean she's-
"Calm down. That just means she's hiding her signal."
"Oh...makes sense. This place is dangerous. She must be trying to hide from the Digimon in it."
"Indeed." Jesmon said. "From the stories my master told me this place is home to the most wicked souls here. Not just the Deadly Digimon."
"Any examples you can name dead offhand?" Takumi asked.
"Well...there is this one legend of a Digimon that tried to overthrow King Drasil before. He tried siphoning some of the king's power for himself causing him to mutate. After a fierce battle with Imperialdramon who would later form the Royal Knights, the remains of that Digimon were left here..."
"Let's just hope those "remains" don't come back to haunt us." Rosemon Burst Mode sighed.
"No kidding." Dorugoramon murmured. "We got enough problems as it is."
"Hmm..."
Takumi stared at his sister's plundering face. "What is it Ami?"
"I've been wondering...didn't Hosaka say he and Kiryu lured Alphamon here using the Eaters...or what's left of then she was looking into?"
"You're right...that means they're in this place too...do you think something might have happened to them?"
"I hope not...if something like the Eater incident happens again..."
Jesmon stopped. "Hold up!"
The group looked at him. "What is it Jesmon?" Ophanimom asked.
"I sense something...Yes! It's a Royal Knight signature!"
Ami gasped. "Is it her?"
"I don't know. It's weak...but it's still there. Whoever it belongs to is alive! But barely!"
"Where are they?!" Takumi asked.
Jesmon turned to the side. "This way! Come on!" He flew straight for what he sensed, and the rest followed.
The wounded knight limped forward. Her giant sword scraped into the floor with each step. She panted holding the orb in her hand close. Lossing balance in mid-step she fell dropping her sword to stop the ground from hitting her with her hand. "Can't...let this..." She felt a sinister presence and four DarkKnightmon showed up. "Damn it...just can't leave me alone, can you?" She grabbed her sword and forced herself to her feet. "I must be popular." The four DarkKnightmon charged at her. She deflected their spears with her giant sword the best she could, but her retaliating swings were too slow and easily deflected. She backed away from another swing but one of the enemies got behind her.
"Multi-Dimensional Axe!" The Knight was caught completely off guard when something sharp cut into her back. She stumbled forward and turned around when all the DarkKnightmon charged at her at once. She held up her sword ready to block but with out loud clang it was sent spinning into the air, and she collapsed onto the floor. The sword sunk into the ground behind her.
The knight weakly groaned and looked at the approaching knights. 'So...this is how my life ends...well...' She thought back to a life she lived as a certain detective and a couple of red-haired teenagers she mentored. 'I've had a good run. My only regret...is that I never got to see them become the best they could be…oh well…Maybe in another life.' She closed her eyes as the Digimon leapt at her and accepted her fate. What she didn't see was a golden laser and a thorny black whip that struck the DarkKnightmon flinging them away. Or the Rapidmon Armor, Rosemon Burst Mode, Dorugoramon, Kuzuhamon, BlackWarGreymon, Ophanimon and Jesmon fly after the Digimon that were knocked away midair. The knight was ready to pass out when she heard voices.
"...phamon...Alphamon! Alphamon, can you hear me?!"
"Please...open your eyes! Please...let us see you again...please..." The knight's eyes slowly opened. She saw two teary eyed teenagers and thought that either these were illusions or that thinking of them had caused her mind to play tricks on her. "Alphamon!" Takumi gasped.
The knight's hand slowly reached over to Ami who put her smaller human hands against it. Takumi did the same. Feeling their hands against her made it clear this was real. She didn't know what to say or even what to think at first. "And here I was about to blast you thinking it was another illusion sent to mock me. …But I'll never fail to recognize my assistants' true eyes."
"Alphamon..." Ami ran up to the 13th Royal Knight's head and closed her eyes resting her face against her mentor's helmet. Takumi ran over and cried against her face too. Alphamon was surprised at first but then closed her arm around them.
"Takumi...Ami...my assistants...my companions...my friends..."
Having just destroyed the DarkKnightmon Rapidmon Armor and the other Digimon hurried over. "Alphamon, are you okay?!" Rosemon Burst Mode asked.
Alphamon glanced at them. "All of you came here...reckless as always."
"Sais the knight who insisted on coming here alone." BlackWarGreymon replied.
"Heh...can't argue with that."
Takumi noticed something glowing in her hand. "Alphamon...that light...isn't it...?!"
"Oh, this?" Alphamon looked at it. "This is what got me into this mess."
"The remains of the Eaters..." Rosemon Burst Mode breathed.
"It wasn't easy finding it after I was locked into this place. I've been wondering around here ever since protecting it while I sought out a way home."
"Has anything happened with them while you were here?" Rapidmon Armor asked. "Are they going to return as Eaters?"
"I don't know. We'll need to examine them when we get out of here. ...You do know how we're getting out of here, right?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Takumi asked.
Jesmon turned around as a horde of Gulfmon appeared. "Guys, we got company!"
"Black Requiem!" They all let out screeching roars that unleashed black waves. Takumi, Ami and the Digimon screamed as they fell to their knees.
"Agh...! My head..." Ami groaned.
The Gulfmon approached them and the effects of the attack worsened. "No..." Takumi's vision started to blur.
Alphamon grunted. "Takumi...Ami..." She pushed herself to her knee and held the light in her hand towards them. "Take this and go."
"What...? What are you saying?!" Ami asked.
"I'll only slow you down like this. It's important you get this somewhere safe."
"NO!" Takumi and Ami shouted as they rose to their feet with their Digivices glowing. Their Digimon got back up as well. "We came all this way here to save you Alphamon!" Ami declared. "Not to leave you behind just to protect the Eaters!"
"We promised everyone we'd rescue you and all return together!" Takumi said. "And we'll see that mission through!" The Cyber Sleuths put on their goggles.
"Dorugoramon, BlackWarGreymon, Rapidmon Armor!"
"Ophanimon, Kuzuhamon, Rosemon Burst Mode!"
Alphamon stared at the light emitting from them. "Oh...!"
"Extra Xross Cross Evolution!"
Takumi's Digimon merged. "Rapidmon Armor X!"
Rosemon's Digimon took on their X-Antibody form as well. "Rosemon X!"
"Alphamon..." Ami stood bravely.
"This time we protect you!" Takumi declared.
Alphamon watched as Takumi and Ami's Digimon went into battle. "Takumi...Ami...when did they grow up so fast...?"
The Gulfmon let lose more screams, but Rapidmon Armor X flew around them. "Rosen Blood!" Rosemon X emitted red light that froze them.
"Rapid Blaster!" Takumi's Digimon tore through them like paper.
"Great job." Takumi turned around. "Hold on Alphamon. We'll get you back to the city and patch you up."
Alphamon chuckled. "W-what's so funny?" Ami asked.
"I leave you two for a mere month...and suddenly you're acting all mature."
"What did you expect?" Takumi asked. "That we'd just be kids forever?"
"I guess it had to happen sooner or later..."
A pack of MadLeomon pounced at the group. Takumi and Ami gasped as they ran in front of Alphamon with their arms out. "Takumi! Ami!" HiAndromon rushed in front of them, and they all pilled on top of him.
Takumi gasped. "HiAndromon?!"
"Gallant Charge!" Gallantmon knocked them all off of HiAndromon who was badly beaten by the time they were off.
"Takumi! Ami!" Yuuko hurried over with Yuugo, Fei and their Digimon. "Are you hurt?!"
"We're fine." Ami replied. "But Alphamon..."
Gallantmon turned to the knight. "I did not think you could be brought to this state. But I suppose we should be thankful you're still alive."
"Nice to see you too..." Alphamon grunted.
"Thank goodness we found you Alphamon." Yuuko spoke. "We were all worried. Takumi and Ami especially."
"Is that so?" Alphamon asked at the flustered twins.
Yuugo went over to his Digimon. "HiAndromon, are you alright?"
The cyborg grunted getting onto his hands and knees. "More or less."
"Well, mission accomplished." Fei grinned. "Come on. Let's call the others and get the hell out of here."
When Rapidmon Armor approached the group he noticed something behind Gallantmon. "Uh, Gallantmon?"
The knight turned around to him. "Yes?"
"What's up with your shadow?"
"What?" Gallantmon looked down. His shadow pulsing and wriggling as if it were alive. Even more disturbing was it had red eyes. Gallantmon took a step back. "What is this?!"
Something started to rise from the shadow. A ChaosGallantmon ascended from the ground. It lifted its head to stare at Gallantmon then pointed its spear at him. "Tch!" Gallantmon backed up and pointed his own weapon forward.
"Demons Disaster!" It shot waves from its Lance.
Gallantmon blocked them with his shield and retaliated. "Shield of the Just!"
His doppelganger blocked with his shield then they both rushed at each other. "Gallant Charge!" There was a loud clang as they passed through each other. The ChaosGallantmon dropped to the ground.
"Nice one Gallantmon!" Sakuyamon replied.
Gallantmon watched his clone become a pile of black goo. Then it started to shift shape. "What?!"
The puddle expanded and one by one more ChaosGallantmon rose up. "Oh, you've gotta be kiddin' me." Fei grumbled.
"There are so many of then now!" Yuugo paled.
"Yuugo stay back!" Yuuko said. "You're Digimon had taken heavy damage! We'll fight them!"
"But..." Yuugo watched his sister and the other walk past him. He looked at HiAndromon then at his friends and family. "No...I can't just do nothing but watch again...this isn't like the Eaters! I'm not just some helpless spectator!"
"Yuu...go..." HiAndromon tried to stand up but collapsed. 'Gah...am I... not strong enough...?'
"The strength you wield is not just your own."
A familiar voice echoed in HiAndromon's head. He opened his eyes surrounded by white light. And standing in front of him… 'Craniamon?!'
"Inherit my will. You will be my contribution to humans and Digimon."
'Your will...?' HiAndromon mustered his strength. 'That's right...I made a promise to Yuugo. And extended it to Craniamon as well! That's why he left everything with me! I can't let him down! I can't let everyone down!'
Yuugo turned around as his Digimon glowed blue and stood up. "HiAndromon?!"
"I swore and oath! And that means I cannot allow others to uphold it for me! I must protect my allies! So that together we may find a future for humans and Digimon to live together! I will never...GIVE UP!" Takumi and the others stopped their battle and turned around as light erupted from HiAndromon. "HiAndromon Digivolve to...!"
"What's happening?!" TigerVespamon gasped.
"Wait...this presence..." Gallantmon murmured. "It can't be!"
Alphamon stared at the light. "There's no mistaking this data signature..."
A tall blue knight stood in place of HiAndromon. A familiar one at that wielding a skull shield and a double spear. "Craniamon!"
"Yuugo! Your Digimon!" Fei gaped.
"Craniamon?!" Yuugo gasped.
The knight looked at his hand then clenched it. "I will honour your will. Come Yuugo! We may have been helpless during the last incident! But not this time!"
Yuugo shocked expression shifted to determination. "Okay."
The other Digimon backed away from the new Craniamom as he walked past them. The remaining ChaosGallantmon pointed their shield at him. "Judecca Prison!" They fired off purple waves that all converged towards the knight.
Craniamon held up his own shield as the attacks went towards him. "Breath of the Gods!" A barrier around him tanked the attack. The dark knights lowered their shields to look at his barrier then pointed their lances.
"Uh, oh." TigerVespamon murmured.
"Stay back." Craniamon ordered his allies.
"Gallant Charge!" The ChaosGallantmon flew towards Craniamon.
Yuugo took out his Digivice. "Overclock."
Craniamon glowed red holding his weaponoverhead. "Waltz's End!" He created a hurricane around him that swooped up his enemies. Inside the ChaosGallantmon spun out of control before they were sliced apart by blue gales. Yuugo deactivated Overclock and Craniamon's glow died down.
"Amazing…" Yuuko breathed. "He's way stronger then the previous Craniamon…"
Fei looked at the teen who summoned the previous knight. "Yuugo…"
The boy took a deep breath. "I won't let everyone else risk themselves while I do nothing like when I was trapped in the Eaters. I can fight too. And I have to. There are people I must protect. Promises I have to keep."
"Yuugo." Craniamon knelled to him. "I will support you and your dream. Always."
"Thank you Craniamon."
Alphamon's chuckling got the group's attention. "And so, a new Royal Knight is born. It seems all you kids are growing up on me."
Takumi and his sister turned to her. "Alphamon…"
"What a pathetic showing "Royal Knight"." Everyone gasped and saw two redheaded teens, a boy and a girl walk up to them. Both glowing with red aura.
"What the hell is this?!" Fei shouted.
Yuuko covered her mouth. "Takumi?! Ami?!" Everyone stared at the duplicates of the Cyber Sleuths.
"What's going on?!" Yuugo asked.
Alphamon sighed. "I thought I told you I've grown tired of this bad joke."
The fake Takumi scoffed. "Once again we had to fight your battles for you."
"And once again you just watched." the fake Ami added. "What a joke."
"Who…what are you?!" Takumi shouted.
"Calm down." Alphamon said. "The Dark Area is just trying to mess with me."
The fake Ami looked at the real Aibas. "You two are just so eager to help and follow Alphamon. Why? She's a weak coward who does nothing but drag you both into trouble."
"That's not true!" the real Ami objected.
"Is it?" the fake Takumi asked. "Where was this useless fool while you were getting harassed by Date in her agency. Where was she while you recruiting her fellow Royal Knights and fighting Examon? All that wisdom and power, and she only applied herself to the battle for the fate of both your worlds at the very end. What a fool."
"You shut your mouth!" Takumi glared. "If you think that's all there is to Kyoko you know nothing of her!"
"She did more then just order us around!" Ami added. "She guided us! Helped us grow! Takumi and I wouldn't be who we are now if she didn't push us!"
Tamumi looked at Rapidmon Armor X and Rosemon X. "Ami and I pushed our Digimon and that allowed them to become as strong as they are now. That's what Alphamon did for us!"
The fake Ami shrugged. "That's stupid. Humans help Digimon grow. Not the other way around. Alphamon must have forgotten her place."
Ami scoffed. "Shows what you know. That's not exclusive. Humans can learn from Digimon as well!"
"We've felt that firsthand." Takumi said. "When I think of all my past encounters with Digimon…Terriermon, Dorumon, BlackAgumon, Palmon, Salamon, Hawkmon, Darcmon, Omegamon, Samudramon, Diaboromon, Alphamon, and so many Digimon. All the things I felt and learned from them… I realised that I was the one who relied heavily on them. On Alphamon."
"How foolish." The two clones started to erupt with red mist and transformed into two Ghoulmon. "Humans and Digimon make each other suffer! You two and Alphamon are proof of that!"
"If you don't understand we will show you true suffering!" The two leapt at the Cyber Sleuths.
"TakumI! Ami!" Yuuko sprung into action.
But Takumi nor Ami even moved as their Digimon flew in a cut the enemies apart. They vanished without a trace. "That's what you get for mocking our bond with Alphamon." Takumi glared.
"Never show your faces to us again." Ami added.
"Wow…" Yuugo looked at them in awe.
Even Alphamon was surprised. "So, this is what it means to watch someone grow up. It's a happy feeling…but I'm also a little sad. You're both completely different from how I remember you…but…"
Takumi turned to her. "Alphamon, don't talk right now. We'll get you back to Cache City and patch you up."
Ami nodded. "Right. Then we can discuss our next course of action."
Alphamon chuckled. "It's funny listening to you two so mature and calm. I must have missed a lot while I was here."
Fei folded her arms glancing at Yuugo and Yuuko. "She has no idea." the Kamishiros laughed.
Gallantmon chuckled. "Welcome back Alphamon."
"Now that we've found her let's call the others and get out of here before we're attacked again!" Jesmon said.
"Sounds good to me." Rosemon X said. "I've had it with this place."
The phantom with the giant skeletal arm was knocked back a bit. It hissed at the panting enemies in front of it and reeled back a fist with its giant hand. "Astral Snatcher!" The hand glowed before he thrusted it towards them.
"Scatter!" Takuto shouted. The Digimon dodged in separate directions.
"Attack all at once at different angles!" Shiki ordered.
"Understood!" UlforceVeedramon said flying around. "I'll make it drop its guard!" He dodged a swinging arm and flew low behind it. "Victory Swords!" He slashed at the legs with his blades and it lost balance dropping to a knee. "Now!"
"Overclock!" Takuto, Himari and Shiki activated their enhancement program then closed their eyes activating Matrix Link.
Rikka flew above it. "Apocalypse!" She shined with bright light. The phantom held it's arm up as it suffered the holy attack.
"Ray of Victory!" UlforceVeedramon fired a V snapped laser from his chest.
"Gran del Sol!" Faye shot a beam from her lance.
Omni landed in front of the enemy. "Double Threat!" He punched the ground twice launching waves of flame and ice.
Taking all the attacks at once the phantom screamed before it disappeared. It left behind the arm that returned to normal size behind. The Digimon panted deactivating their enhancements while Takuto, Shiki, and Himari's Digimon revered to their previous forms. "Is everyone alright?" Shiki asked.
"Yeah..." UlforceVeedramon replied. "But that was a taxing battle."
Takuto walked over to the arm and slowly reached for it. Once his hand was around it, he picked it up. "Hopefully this...whatever it is, will prove worth it." Suddenly all their Digivices beeped, and they entered the chat.
"This is Takumi, we found Alphamon!"
"Thank God!" Arata replied.
"Is she alright?!" Nokia asked.
"Well, she ain't dead." Fei replied. "But it looks like she took a hell of a Royal beatin'. Let's get out of here and get her some help."
"Good call." Himari nodded. "We think we found something that can help us get to Cloud Sanctuary on our end."
"Great work." Mameo replied. "We got no reason to stay here. Let's split!" The call cut off and everyone activated Home Gates.
The Legendary 13th Royal Knight returns! But will she recover from her long stay in the Dark Area? How can she benefit the Resistance? And what exactly did Takuto, Shiki and Himari find? Find out next week on Next Story!