"This is not very heroic!" Baohuckmon yelled over the winds and speeds Rizegreymon flew everyone out of the area.
"It's not heroic to fight a Titan without backup!" Tai yelled over as he kept an eye on the distant volcano. He wasn't the only one as everyone else turned to see the peaceful area they were once at...become nothing short of a catastrophe. Earth cracked open, and tectonic plates crashed against each other. Rocks rose and shattered, some reaching even the height of mountains. Despite all the destruction, all eyes turned to the volcano... no...Ancient Volcamon rising to his full height.
They knew he was gigantic; they witnessed his destructive prowess, but they did not expect the Titan to look beautiful. The volcano itself was menacing, creating plumes of smoke that obscured the skies, lava raining down constantly with earth so charred it made the color black look weak. But as for the rest of the body? He was twice the size of Ancient Troiamon, and the Titan of Wood was already the size of a mountain. But every part of him that was not the volcano was lined with pure crystal diamonds. A monumental figure of awe and destruction, and its face, with eyes glowing with static... turned towards the escaping Restorers.
It unleashed a roar: one that melded with the sound of map-shaping earthquakes. Even in the skies, they could feel the force beneath them.
"Zero, there!" Tai pointed to a sea of clouds some distance away. The Rizegreymon did not hesitate to increase his boosters and fly into the clouds.
They flew and flew but even then they still felt like it wasn't enough.
"Everyone alright?" When Tai felt the overwhelming aura fade, he turned and did a headcount.
"W-What was that!?" Itsuki managed to ask.
"That was a Titan," Tai looked back narrowing his eyes even though he and the others could no longer see the Earth Titan. "Ancient Volcamon. Kennan warned me the Titans were on the move. But to meet one of them so soon..."
"Never fear!" Everyone looked at GD who puffed proudly. "If we saved the God of Wood, so too can we cleanse the God of Earth!"
"Yeah! We can do it again!" Stefania pumped herself up.
"A fight against one of the Gods of the Digital World!? Yes! Our battle will be legendary!" Alph raised a paw in the air and shook it.
"We have to fight that thing!?" Itsuki yelled in panic.
"Yes, but we also need a plan. Koji wasn't lying when he said Ancient Toriamon was the easiest core to infiltrate. As you saw, Ancient Volcamon had less exploitable entrances to his core."
"Wait, why was he made of diamond?" Rei asked aloud.
"The Titans control their element fully. For The Earth Titan, he can turn his body into solid diamond, making him impervious to physical damage. Maybe even take on properties of the..." Tai shook his head. "Long story short, the only possible way to get everyone in a fighting chance against that Digimon is to somehow keep him in the air. And that's not happening anytime soon."
What did happen soon was something moving in the clouds and snagging Zero's legs. He yelled as he suddenly felt himself stop, and everyone riding on him got thrown forward. Mimi took out her own Digivice mid-air but was stopped when she halted abruptly. She and everyone else were caught by a net.
Faster than everyone could process, the net that caught them jerked downward, making everyone crash into... wood?
"Alright, ye be knowing the drill! Go right for their Digivices!"
"Aye aye!"
While everyone was still confused and disoriented, a small light dashed through the humans. It was an instant, but Mimi saw the light steal her Digivice. However, Tai was the last one the small light aimed for.
A mistake on the ambusher's part.
"AH!?"
Tai had already removed his cloak and wasn't startled like everyone else was. He moved at the last second and used his cloak to catch the incoming light and slam it down into what he saw was a wooden floor.
CLICK!
Tai didn't need to move his head to feel a gun pointed above him, but he did move his eyes.
"Quick on the draw and cool under pressure. You must be their leader," Since Tai's Digivice was on his wrist, he saw the information about the Digimon pointing a finger at him. Or rather, his finger in the shape of a gun.
"Magna Kidmon," Tai remained calm but didn't stop the sweat from pouring down his face. As fast as Tai was, he doubted he could out-quickdraw a Mega Digimon who was basically a walking super gun and who had him at point-blank range. "So I take it you're the leader of this group of pirates?"
As things finally slowed down, the others also gathered their bearings and took on their surroundings. The wood they had fallen into was actually a Jolly Roger ship floating in the air. Above them, Zero was trapped in an energy net similar to the one they were all in. Not only that, a large group of Digimon surrounded them and included aquatic Digimon styled as pirates.
"Him!? He's the only non-pirate here! We only have one captain!" Everyone focused on the voice and looked to see a Digimon Tai's Digivice revealed to be Hookmon. "Now then, kindly free one of me mates! And hand over your Digivice, human."
Tai relented, freeing the small light, revealing Tinkermon holding everyone else's Digivice. The small fairy stuck her tongue out and mocked Tai before flying over to a new Digimon, one called Petermon, and handed him all of the Digivices.
"Hey! Give those back, criminals!" Baohuckmon shouted as he tried to claw through the net, but the energy made it impossible to cut.
"Criminals," Hookmon said, "We be pirates! We do what we want! ... Or at least we used to... until you humans destroyed the Digital World!"
"What do you mean us!?" Stefania shouted defiantly. "It was the Tyrant who set this world to ruin!"
"Oh yeah," Tinkermon flew up into Stefania's face. "And whose job was it to get rid of him? Oh right! The humans! And guess what!? HE'S. STILL. RULING. In fact, all you humans have done is drag the best and worst of us to their deaths in trying to overthrow him! Some of you punks even joined him!"
Tai looked ashamed after hearing that. Stefania recalled that although Tai was an accomplished Digidestined, he still felt the weight over everyone's suffering as the first one to fail to defeat Ragna Lordmon.
"We will overthrow the Tyrant!" GD stood up as much as he could from the net. "Tai and Zero have shown us that they have never given up on fighting for the freedom of Digimon and neither will we!"
"Ha!" Tinkermon laughed ticking off GD before pointing to Tai. "He's one of the earliest generations, isn't he? It's because of his group we lost our captain!"
"Tinkermon!" Hookmon shouted. "The Cap'n is still alive! And we ARE getting him back!"
"...Wait, you're not the Captain?" Rei asked.
"No! Our captain is CaptainHookmon! And he be the finest pirate the Digital World ever did see!" Hookmon shouted before looking to everyone else. "But Tinkermon be right! The First Generation of Digidestined be the ones who captured him in the first place!"
"That's impossible!" Mimi spoke out while Tai's face lost all color. "We'd never give up fighting Ragna Lordmon!"
"Mimi..." Tai tried to say.
Hookmon leaned in close to the defiant brunette. "Oh, I saw the Digivice alright! Ain't it hard to recognize that Phoenixmon she rides on!"
"Phoenix- Are you talking about Sora and Biyomon!?" Palmon shouted beside Mimi.
"Now I know you're lying! Sora would never join Ragna Lordmon! Right, Tai!?" Mimi looked at Tai. To Mimi, Sora was her best friend. She was a bit naggy, but she fiercely cared for everyone, especially those who suffered under the wrath of the Tyrant. There was no possible way that... that...
Their usual fearless leader refused to meet her gaze. "... Mimi... I..."
"Tai," She didn't realize she gulped. "Come on, they're our friends!"
"Have ye be living under The Dark Area?" Hookmon took back all attention. "Or ye be one of 'em newer generations? Regardless, I be hearin' enough of this. Take 'em to the brig! And make sure to separate their partners! Ye be our bargaining chip to get back our Capn!"
With Hookmon's words, it wasn't long before the group was brought to the cells of the Jolly Roger. Petermon and Tinkermon watched the humans while Magna Kidmon took the partners away in a different part of the ship.
Even though no one liked being captured, there was another problem. Stefania, Rei, and Itsuki watched Mimi face Tai.
"Why didn't you defend Sora!?" She shouted. "I know she chose Matt over you but I never thought—"
"We thought we lost you." Tai's voice was uncharacteristically soft. He looked her in the eyes and everyone could see the long-carried pain Tai was trying to explain. "We lost you and Joe when Ragna Lordmon broke the Leylines of the Digital World and changed the Digignomes into Eaters. That was the end of the 3rd Generation." Without looking away, Tai motioned to the others in the same cell. "Mimi, they're the 7th Generation. You've been an Eater through 3 more of those Digital Wars, Mimi."
"W-Well yeah, b-but what does that have to do with..." The usually energetic woman stammered before Itsuki spoke up.
"Can't you read the context clues? You missed a lot. Of course things are going to change." The bespectacled boy was less tactful, which earned him an elbow into the rib by Rei.
Tai spoke again, but he struggled to find the right words. "The last one, the 6th Gen... there wasn't a lot of time to tell you because Ragna Lordmon was on our heels and I had to plan everyone's routes... but I was going to tell you what happened to the others... I just... didn't know when the right time... I didn't want you to learn like this."
Mimi's eyes widened with disbelief. "That's impossible! Sora would never!"
"It wasn't just Sora," Tai sighed. He inwardly struggled against the strong and hurtful emotions of the event but eventually, he relented.
He told the story of how the 6th Generation failed, of how the Ultimate Fusion shattered. But this time, Tai told the story of the aftermath...
[The End of the Crown Wars]
Thunder crashed, lightning flashed. Shoutmon's final fusion, one that held the will of the entire Digital World... was undone. All of the Digital World looked up and saw the lone mountain left "untouched" by the warring factions of the Bagra Army, Xros Heart, and Ragna Lordmon's forces.
Atop that lone mountain, Bagramon, who was chained by special material and was dismembered of his right arm, was kicked down. He fell to the dirt atop the mountain before a knight's boot smashed into the back of his head.
Ragna Lordmon, broken, dirty, but utterly victorious once more brought up both his arms to reveal both Taiki Kudou and Shoutmon trapped under the grip of his hands.
"DIGITAL WORLD! WITNESS ME! YOU HAVE SENT HEROES AND VILLAINS TO SUPPLANT ME! THESE ARE THEIR FATES!" By his own power, or even by cowing the winds of the Digital World, everyone could hear Ragna Lordmon's voice.
The remnants of all armies could only stare as Bagramon grunted under being crushed under Ragna Lordmon's literal heel. Taiki was unconscious, and Shoutmon struggled but try as he might, he could do nothing... but weep tears of bitter and unfair defeat.
"AS VICTOR OF THE CROWN WARS, I AM NOW THE TRUE KING OF THE DIGITAL WORLD!" As Ragna Lordmon exclaimed this, a giant crystal formed behind him: The Code Crown, the soul of the Digital World, glowing as it responded to the winner of the war. "MY FIRST COMMAND: ... Bow."
His last word was soft but heard like thunder. But the rumbling that followed were countless Digimon, including the remaining Bagra Army and Xros Heart, prostrating themselves to the winner... the new King of the Digital World.
"I said," Ragna Lordmon stepped forward. "BOW!" His voice echoed forward, creating a shockwave carrying throughout the battlefield. Those who still could not believe the war was over, had no choice but to bend the knee.
"We need to go!" Tai shouted to the remaining Xros Heart Members. "Get the injured out first!"
"Now then, those who still have not," Ragna Lordmon glanced beyond and Tai felt his eyes directly looking at him. "I order the rest to capture them or defeat them."
In an instant, Tai took his Digivice and Digivolved Zero into Omnimon Alter. But as soon as he did...
"Black Garuru Cannon!" "Garruru Sword!" Zero swiped and cut an incoming attack. Tai and Zero could only stare in horror as Matt on top of Black Omnimon was facing him.
"Matt, Garurumon, what are you doing!?" Zero shouted to his fellow Digimon pals.
"... Tai... TK... TK was..." Matt gripped his fist and shook his head. When he looked forward, he said. "Surrender to Ragna Lordmon."
"No... Matt! You didn't!" Tai shouted back in disbelief.
"Omnimon Black, attack him!"
But it wasn't just Matt. While The two were having their fight, another blast from above intercepted those trying to escape. Tai had to focus on Matt and the incoming forces. But he heard a single name cried out in disbelief.
Sora.
[Present Time.]
"Everything happened so fast after that. But all I recall was seeing the Lord Knights making their way towards us. Knowing we had no chance, I fled after the others, having Zero attack Sora and Phoenixmon to let the others escape. Thomas Norstein and his partner reaching Burst Mode covered our retreat. I didn't even know if he made it out of there." Tai finished.
Everyone, including Mimi, was silent as Tai explained what had happened.
"TK... he took a blow... one worse than death. An evil Digimon in the last war could rip souls, Mimi. He tore TK's soul in half... Matt was desperate to save his brother. And we failed AGAIN to stop Ragna Lordmon from winning. When Matt left... Sora knew she had to stay with him. I don't blame her; Matt needed someone," He exhaled as he leaned his head back to the wall and looked up. "And Sora herself? Losing you and many others after? When you last saw and who she is now... may surprise you."
Stefania watched Mimi's actions: she was quiet as if processing it, or trying her best to find this all as some cruel joke. Mimi didn't want to believe, but a small part of her knew it was true.
"If we saved Mimi, then we can save the rest of them, right?" Stefania asked out of the blue.
Tai blinked as he looked over to Stefania. "It's possible. If you all can heal a Primary Village and purify a Titan, who's to say you couldn't do the same for TK? But..."
"No, butts!" Stefania clenched her fist. "We can do it! Now we just gotta get out of here!"
"I already thought of a few ways out," Tai put his hands behind his head. "But I'm not gonna act on them."
"What?" Itsuki looked over to their leader. "WHY!?"
"What they said caught my attention. They're trying to trade us for their Captain. Why? Actually," Tai looked beyond them. "Hey, Petermon. Mind telling us how your captain got captured by the Paladins?"
"Hey!" Tinkermon flew forward. "Don't you dare talk about-"
"Tink, it's fine," Petermon spoke at last. His voice was calm despite being based on the fairy tale of Peter Pan. "You have a similar aura to the Captain. I take it this isn't your first time being locked up?"
"It isn't. But this is the first time I'm part of a hostage exchange. I wanna learn more about CaptainHookmon and how Sora is involved."
"Why should I tell you?" Petermon narrowed his eyes.
At the question, Tai stood up and walked up towards the bars. Meeting Petermon's gaze he said, "Because I want to save your captain and my friends."
"Now that sounds more like it, fearless leader!" Stefania cheered.
Petermon motioned a stop sign to Tinkermon, who had a spear ready in case Tai tried something. For a moment, all eyes were on Petermon.
Eventually, they heard Petermon sigh before he spoke again. "Well, it'll take some time before we get back to the isle. It started when Ancient Volcamon dried up all the seas in the area..."
[?]
Nicole Davis, or Nikky, as everyone liked to call her, was a pacifist. She absolutely refused to fight, or rather let her partner, Cleo, a Mikemon, fight.
Her wishes greatly conflicted with the world she was currently in, the group she was currently with, and her own partner, who was excited to be called into a mission briefing.
"Come on, Nikky!" Cleo pointed forward. "It's gonna be a big one today! I can feel it!"
Nikky didn't appreciate that, but her partner ran ahead down the hall. As Nikky sighed, she heard the steps of high heels and turned to see another blonde woman, one wearing dark gothic lolita clothes and shorter hair with small pigtails.
"She's very spirited," Nikky didn't know what to make of her senior, Alice McCoy. She was of the 3rd Generation, but very monotonous. While Nikky appreciated her calm attitude, it was impossible to get a read on her.
"Cleo has mentioned repeatedly that she also wishes to go on a mission just as the others have," Alice's partner was Dobermon, a dog Digimon who also stayed and preferred to rest as a Champion Digimon. "If all goes well, we'll also head towards another mission after this one."
Nikky frowned. Missions meant danger to her, and danger meant the possibility of Cleo getting hurt.
"You're worried," Alice was observant but blunt. "I understand your feelings, but we're all in danger regardless. Let's hear what the meeting is about."
Nikky despised the fact that she agreed with Alice. Ragna Lordmon was hunting them down. If Xros Heart wasn't keeping their attention, his forces would fall on them. But Nikky also felt bad for those in Xros Heart. Yet, what could she do? She didn't want to go into danger but hated the idea of others suffering.
But her thoughts were pushed aside as the group entered the meeting room. Nikky spotted many of Blue Flare's seniors and fellow 7th Generation around a digital table. Ken Ichijouji, Keenan Crier, and Rika Nonaka were around the table as well as Kentaro Akiyama, Rikku Tokunaga, Isabella Fletcher, and the newcomers: Jackson Bloom and Rose. Each of their partners stood by their human.
"So, where's the leader?" Kentaro began as he looked around. "Shouldn't he be here if he called us?"
Rika answered. "He went ahead. He briefed Ken and me on your first team mission."
"We're all going? That sounds exciting!"
"We're all going?! Oh no! I have a bad feeling about this!"
Rose smiled at the same time Isabella clutched her head. Nikky felt the same as Isabella, maybe not as fearful, but she didn't enjoy the idea of everyone being called to a mission. Usually, more people meant something bigger—and more dangerous.
"Let's start," Ken pressed a button on the table that lit up and showed a knight Digimon. "This is Crusadermon, one of the last Royal Knights," Nikky recalled who they were: some of the strongest before Ragna Lordmon consolidated his rule. Are they trying to find this Digimon to help them?
Ken finished. "... and currently a Paladin."
Nikky frowned.
"To explain," Alice walked beside Nikky and continued, "She survived her battle and was captured by Ranga Lordmon after the fall of the 5th generation. From what we found out during the Crown Wars, Crusadermon had no choice but to swear allegiance to Ragna Lordmon, or else he would delete all of the Knightmon who swore themselves to her."
Rikku narrowed his eyes after hearing that. "Despicable."
"Me. Surprised." Keenan folded his arms. "Meet Crusadermon before. She despicable one."
"Ah right, before and even during teaming up with us, most of the Royal Knights thought they were better than us and the Demon Lords. Crusadermon was among those who... had an ego- to say the least," Falcomon eloquently put it. "From what we knew? I'd imagine that she would rather go out in a blaze of glory rather than serve someone she loathed."
"The point is," Ken spoke again, "Crusadermon only obeys Ragna Lordmon because her people are enslaved and under watch. With the Paladins and Titans occupied, now is a great time to liberate the Knightmon and possibly recruit Crusadermon to our side, cutting manpower from Ragna Lordmon and boosting our own forces."
"That's a pretty good plan," Kentaro rubbed his chin. "But now it's time for the details on HOW to do that, right?"
Rika pressed the screen and it changed to show the combination of a canyon and a forest. "This is Bleak Wood Canyon. It used to be a forest of Darkness before Ragna Lordmon commissioned a fort and lumber mill in the area."
"Lumber mill?" Jackson, Rose, and Isabella asked in confusion.
Alice answered the three. "Our scouts have reported 90 percent of the Knightmon population are enslaved here. They're forced to use their holy blades to cut down the dark trees and create lumber for purposes we're not entirely sure of."
"Knightmon are considered some of the strongest swordsmen in the Digital World," Kentaro's partner, Kotemon narrowed his eyes. "What polices a large group of Ultimate Digimon?"
"An equally large patrol of Ultimate-Level and Mega-Level Digimon," Ken made the screen change again. "Meet DexDoruGreymon and DexDorugoramon."
"Aaaaaaah!?" Although Isabella was screaming, Nikky had to admit she felt the same way. She could see why even the Knightmon were powerless: the two Digimon looked beyond imposing, especially DexDorugoramon.
"Wow, they look scary!" Algomon blinked with his huge eye.
That was an understatement.
"These were part of Ygdrasil's army until Ragna Lordmon supplanted the creator of the Digital World," Rika folded her arms. "Now they serve him. Lucky us, they're mindless and do everything automatically. But it doesn't change that the Megas are strong enough to even overwhelm a Royal Knight if allowed to. Lucky us, our new secret weapons should give us some advantages, but that's where you all come in."
Ken nodded. "See, despite us having a chance of victory, we are on a timetable. If the warden, PileVolcamon, finds out we're making an assault, he may either activate an alarm or worse: he may have all the slaves killed."
Rika looked over to her fellow 3rd generation member. "Alice has cards based on infiltration and subterfuge. She and Dobermon can sneak all of you in towards the stronghold, disable the alarms and machinery needed, and then we'll attack the DexDoruGreymon and DexDorugoramon. Alice can handle PileVolcamon, while the rest of you handle the stragglers."
"Not only that," Ken continued. "You are all our escape as well. With your Restorer ability, as soon as we free the Knightmon, use your Digivices to regrow the land the Knightmon have been cutting down. The forest will regrow and give us cover to escape pursuers."
"So that's why we're joining, huh?" Isabella's Impmon put his hands on his hips.
"That... and Algomon," Ken looked over to Jackson's partner.
"Huh?" Jackson blinked.
Ken explained. "Algomon has the ability to manipulate Digimon technology, no doubt you've seen him do so when you were in that... dance battle... with Tlalocmon. If anyone can shut off and detect all alarms and machinery, it's him."
"Whoa! Jackson, we're important!" The floating rookie pressed himself to Jackson's face.
"Great..." Jackson sighed.
Ken and Rika continued on the details of what they needed to do. However, Nikky held her hands close to her chest. She abhorred violence, that much was true, but she couldn't help but feel overwhelming danger coming from this mission the more she heard of it. Hopefully, it was all in her head.
[Bleak Wood Canyon Airspace. Deep in cloud cover.]
Blimpmon swam through the dark clouds. Thanks to gear from Blue Flare, she was able to navigate her passengers without trouble.
Inside, Nikky sat on a bench, thumbing her Digivice: a dark orange D-3, a 2nd Generation Digivice. Yes, Ken admitted the name was very confusing. But a part of her wished her Digivice was like that of Kentaro or Isabella's, being able to use the power of cards would help greatly.
Then again, she didn't exactly like the idea of beating up those poor Cardmon.
"Is something the matter?" Nikky looked up to see Rikku. "You seem out of it."
"I... don't like missions," The blonde admitted.
"I don't like them either!" Isabella whined as she was nearby. "Why do we have to go to a place with an army of powerful megas!?"
"We're not fighting them," Kentaro walked towards the group. "Or rather, we're not supposed to. Leave that to our senpais and seniors."
Nikky kept quiet that she didn't like fighting in general.
"Oh! Oh! Are all missions like this?!" Rose came up as she held Labramon in her arms.
"This is the first big one we've had," Rikku glanced at Nikky for a second. "It's... hard not to feel trepidation."
"I get what you mean, koreshy!" Blue, the Blucomon, and Rikku's partner nodded. "Even I feel chills to the tip of my tail. See?" He showed off his tail... which was already made of solid ice.
"Wow, it's frozen solid!" Algomon didn't seem to notice it was always like that.
"I'm more excited about what we're gonna fight!" To Nikky's horror, Cleo was speaking up and punching the air. "I can't wait to kick the butt of the Tyrant's men!"
The door on the other end of the room slid open as Alice walked in with a box in hand. "Everyone, come here. Our new communicators are ready."
Inside the box were Z-shaped earpieces similar to the color of the team's flag. As the humans took one, Alice explained the finer details of the device, which was capable of communication over long distances, capable of creating a Digital Visor that allowed for night vision, Digimon scanners that detected levels but couldn't quite replicate the exact database of a Digivice, and other features.
"Whoa!" Rose cooed as she placed the item on her ear. "This is so high-tech! How was this made!?"
"To make a long story short: some Machine Digimon escaped Ragna Lordmon and... "disagreed" with his plans for most of them. Those left have joined our cause." Alice closed the box after everyone received their earpiece.
"Huh," Kentaro looked at the scanner feature, showing the energy labels of the partners. Most were Rookies, but since Cleo was a Champion, her signature was different. "Can this work beyond walls?"
"It should have a moderate distance unless there are special circumstances and interferences... which the Canyon may have."
Rikku perked up. "What do you mean?"
"The Knightmon are here because they have a holy aura alongside their blades. So their weapons can cut down the previously dark forests. Bleak Wood Canyon used to be a place everyone avoided, and only the most powerful Dark Digimon lived here previously. Those that used to go into the forest disappeared to never return," Alice paused, allowing everyone to digest it.
Jackson and Isabella looked like they were growing more pale hearing about this.
"No one knows why Ragna Lordmon is taking lumber from this specific forest, but its power has waned with the Knightmon continuously cutting it down. That's why, when we escape, your abilities will restore the forest to its full power, slowing down our pursuers after we reach our exit point."
"That makes sense, but I have so many more questions about the forest itself!" Rose put her hands together.
A small beep echoed in the area, making Alice speak again. "Another day. We're about to arrive."
[Bleak Wood Canyon: Enroute to Ragna Lordmon's Lumber Mill.]
Blackened husks of dead trees fused and twisted with television screens from the era of the 1950's. Static swarmed in the screens on the plant corpses, with faint echoes of swing music slowed down and repeating like a scratched record. And then there was the smell of fruit: something didn't sit well with how a place like this could smell so sweet.
"We really need to fix this glitch of hers!" Impmon grunted as he and Cleo carried an already unconscious Isabella. Poor girl could not handle how this creepy forest was technically weakened.
"We can't turn back now," Alice spoke softly as her partner had Digivolved: Cereberusmon. In his Ultimate form, he led the group through the dark forest. Alice Digimodified her partner with a card that enshrouded them, hiding them from would-be enemies as they made their way. Alice raised her hand, signaling everyone to stop moving.
They heard... voices? No, it was the old swing music becoming louder and clearer... but it felt like it was in one area that was moving towards them.
Instinctively, Rikku took his blade and readied his Digivice as Kentaro picked up one of his best cards. But Alice kept her arm up, signaling no one to move or speak.
Isabella was the only one listening despite not hearing or seeing.
"Help! Help me!" A small voice cried out. Nikky made a motion toward the voice in fear of the one asking for help, but this time Alice glared daggers at them to not move. The reason became clear soon after.
"Help! Help me! Help! Help!" Although the voice was shrill and meek, where it was coming from was not. Sharp, almost harsh red peeked out of the trees, spikes gleamed and were poised to bullet at the smallest of movements, and heavy metal clanked. Although it was armored, it sounded more like chains that bound it to eternal servitude.
It was a DexDorugreymon, patrolling the area. As it breathed, the voice came out again. "Help! Oh, won't someone please help me!?" But by now, everyone stared in equal parts horror and disgust that it was all a lie.
They watched as the single Ultimate slowly walked... before turning in their general direction.
Cerberusmon lowered his stance, ready to pounce but was still quiet. Alice readied a card. Everyone else forgot to breathe.
The Ultimate... turned away, walking slowly as it continued its false cries for help.
When it was gone, Alice lowered her hand.
"Oh my god," Jackson gasped for air as he tried to support himself by putting his hands on his knees. "T-That was scary!"
"And that was the Ultimate! Imagine the Mega! Or all of them together!"
"Algo, not helping." Jackson looked at his partner.
"That is a weakness they tend to exploit," Alice spoke again after making sure the patrol was gone. "Good would attempt to help, Evil Digimon would attempt to take advantage, and both would fall for the trap. But it also means we're getting closer. Be on your guard."
Blue Flare's Restorers listened as they followed Alice and Cerberusmon. But now they were all on edge after getting a taste of how dangerous this mission would be.
It wasn't long before they reached an area of the woods that had nothing but empty stumps. Further down, they could see Knightmon placing the odd wood into bins before being taken into a massive building that stuck out like a bulging wart. For one, it was sleekly designed for a lumber mill, looking more like a building from fantasy utopias, made of shiny chrome and with perfect lines in its architecture.
It felt out of place to the point of nauseation and uncanniness, but Alice was unfazed. She led the Restorers further in. Some of the group noticed that all the Knightmon they were passing by had this odd pink choker around them and their eyes looked vacant. Whatever they were under, they looked to be in no condition to fight back even without the patrols.
"Does anyone hear that?" Algomon asked, making everyone turn to the floating Digimon.
"Hear what?" Rikku kept his hand on his blade.
"It's weird: I can't explain. Ummm colors?"
"Colors?" Nikky thought back to when she smelled overripe fruit.
"How can you hear Colors?" Rikku asked, mistaking Nikky's question as if it was disbelief instead of surprise.
That disbelief went away VERY quickly when they entered into the modern building. Why? Because instead of seeing security guards, cells, or even items one would find in a lumber mill, all they saw were hallways with paintings.
Each painting looked freestyle, a splash of colors painted across, over, and without discernable patterns. But something about the stark, clean, and white hallways with these contained chaos of colors made everyone's senses flare.
"I don't like this. I don't like this at all." Kentaro said as he looked at one painting in particular: it had a humanoid shape that was cartoonishly out of proportion, but the single realistic eye, with bulging veins, stared at him.
"Why not?" Kotemon looked up to his partner.
"Algomon," Alice said as she turned to the flying rookie. "Can you sense a machine here?"
Algomon tilted his body. "Huh... I think deeper in?"
"Everyone stay close to me, do not trail behind," Alice spoke as she and Cerberusmon led the way.
They heard groaning, making everyone stiffen into combat stances, more so when they heard it behind them. "Uhhh, I-I had this horrible nightmare," But relief came over them when they realized Isabella woke up. "We were on a mission in a scary place!" Though, the relief was short-lived.
"Isa, we're still on that mission," Impmon sighed as he let go. "Seriously, how come you have such a glitch?"
"Uhhhhh! Nicole!" Isa, teary-eyed, ran up to hug the taller girl in fear.
"There there, stick to Alice, and we should be fine," Nikky tried to comfort the girl, but even she did not believe her own words.
Especially since the further they walked, the more of those singular-eyed artworks appeared. Almost as if they were watching them move deeper into the building. What was more alarming was the fact there were less and less differences in the paintings. Soon, it was the same figure, staring at whoever would look. And they tried to look away, everyone did their best to keep their eyes forward.
However, try as they might, in the corner of their eyes they'd always see that lone bulging eye... as the smell of overripe fruit became stronger and stronger—
And then?
"W-Where did the painting go?!" Isabella started shivering as— in a blink— all the paintings suddenly became as white as the walls, the only indication they were paintings being the frames that once housed them.
"I don't like this! I don't like this! Alice, we..." Kentaro looked forward as he trailed off. "Where's Alice and Cerebrusmon?"
Their senior was ahead of them. But in that sudden shift in paintings, she and her partner also disappeared. Instead, the hallway had ended when they had not seen one previously and there was this lone door.
"We should leave, we can't do this without Alice," Nikky held on to Isabella.
"We also can't escape without Alice, we'll be torn to shreds the moment we step back out." Rikku took out his blade and looked everywhere for a sign of attack—anything. But there was nothing—and that was the problem.
"Guys," Algomon spoke up as he pointed at the door. "I sense a machine behind that door. It might be the mechanism that's capturing the Knightmon."
"We can't go; this feels like a trap!" Jackson looked at his partner.
"I am with Sir Jackson on this," Labramon said. "We are vulnerable now more than ever."
That was one of the more eloquent ways to describe how unbelievably screwed they were at that moment.
Unfortunately for them, the situation was about to spiral beyond their control.
"If they're looking for a fight, then let's give 'em one!" While everyone was trying to figure out their next plan, Cleo had gone forward to the door. Nikky was too shocked to shout at her partner to stop, especially when the Champion kicked the door open.
SLAM!
Cleo strode through the door she kicked while everyone else stared with equal amounts of shock.
"Give back our senior or else we'll kick your butt!" Cleo readied her fists in preparation for an attack but only tilted her head when she saw what—or who was in front of her.
"Cleo!" The tall blonde moved faster than she expected, swooping in and picking up her partner before stumbling backward to balance herself and her partner. But as she tried to, her back hit something—something invisible—a barrier trapping her and Cleo in.
"Nicole! Cleo!" Kentaro yelled as he and Rikku sprinted in to help. The barrier let them in, but Kentaro turned on his heel. "You six, stay there!" Rose, Isabella, and Jackson with their partners froze. "We can't all be trapped here!"
A flash of light appeared, signaling Rikku digivolved Blue into his champion form, Paledramon. Rikku himself was already in a stance but his face, which was usually stoic, was now glaring daggers with his sword pointed in front of him.
What was before them? A lone Digimon in front of a massive empty canvas. He held a paintbrush and a color pallet which he used to make a lone red stroke over... and over... and over... never making another color or even a different stroke.
Nicole and Kentaro found themselves covering their nose. The smell of overripe fruit got worse and it came from the back of that Digimon. Soon their Digivices flared up and confirmed the back of this Digimon was PileVolcamon, a mega.
"Something's not right," Kentaro picked up a card from his deck. "The fluff about this mega doesn't match his actions."
Nikky took a second look at the description while Kentaro evolved Kotemon to Gladimon. Kentaro was right: the descriptions said PileVolcanomon was a bombastic fighter based on punching and wrestling, nothing so far reminded her of anything like that. Why? And why was that smell of overripe fruit so strong?
But those thoughts stopped when she no longer heard the sound of brushing. PileVolcamon halted his actions and lowered his hand carrying the brush. "This was not within my calculations. Why are the Restorers here?"
PileVolcamon turned aroun—
At that moment, Blue Flare understood why everything was so uncanny. This was especially true when their Digivices flared again revealing a second Digimon:
Parasimon.
It was a parasite Digimon that latches itself onto others, influencing their actions. Blue Flare understood Parasimon was the true warden of Bleak Wood Canyon, mostly because Parasimon attached itself to Volcamon's head as a face hugger would.
Its lone eye erratically darted to each figure in the span of a second. "Hmm. Although you are at the Champion level, I scan power similarly to the low Ultimates. Curious, are those gears you all wield boosting your powers? How?"
Pilevolcamon's body stepped forward—while Blue closed the distance with his fist reclined and gathering power.
"Glacier Strike!" He unleashed his empowered fist into PileVolcamon's—nothing. Despite how bulky the mega looked, he dodged with a tactical spin before moving close and smashing his elbow over Blue's head. The champion crashed into the white floor, cracking from the force of impact. Worse, PileVolcamon's body never let go of the paintbrush and pallet, implying he wasn't going all out!
"Digimodify: Zanmetsu Arms!" Kentaro wasn't finished, taking a second card, "Digimodify: Clone strikers!"
Not only did Gladimon gain multiple sword arms, but soon he split into twelve versions of himself. The first Gladimon unleashed a flurry of slashes, but all his blades shattered as Pilevolcamon countered with a devastating roundhouse, exploding the clone into a puff of smoke. Unfortunately for those involved, the kick was more than just the attack, the force of the kick created a shockwave erasing two other faraway clones and cracked the wall on the other end of the room.
"I know Megas were supposed to be out of our league, but this is ridiculous!" Kentaro picked up another card. "Digi-modify: HerculesKabuteriermon claws!"
Some of the remaining clones had their blade arms turned into four massive, golden insect arms. Two caught Pilevolcanomon, but soon they strained themselves to keep the arms in place.
"Diamond Fist." A controlled voice echoed through the massive arms. One of the clones felt lighter than he thought he did. It was only as he was vanishing that he realized a punch with enough force to create a vacuum wave tore through the arm constructs and destroyed him.
"Rematch, чудовище!" Blue had gotten back up and launched himself at the controlled mega, prompting the same from the Gladimon clones.
"Nikky! What are you doing!?" Cleo struggled in her partner's arms. All the while Nicole held on to Cleo tighter. "Let me go!"
"N-No!" The blonde held the champion to her chest. "I-I don't want you to get hurt, Cleo!"
"But you're fine with letting our friends get hurt?!" Nicole's eyes widened as she processed the words of her partner. She looked up to see Rikku dashing forward, only for Pilevolcanomon to grab his arm and lift him upward while warding away the other Gladimon clones.
"Darcmon!" "Quetzalmon!" "Algomon!"
Three new Champions entered the fray, attacking PileVolcamon. Kentaro looked back to see Rose, Jackson, and Isabella coming in. "I told you 3 to stay put!"
"And let you get beat up!?" Jackson yelled. "Algomon told me he sensed the machine that controlled everything—It's Parasimon! Take him out of PileVolcamon's body! Even for a Mega the Digivice said he wasn't that strong!"
As Jackson said this, Algomon launched a dozen tendrils at the face-hugging parasite. For once, PileVolcamon moved with urgency, dropping Rikku and unleashing a punch right for—Paledramon!? Blue had flown in, intercepting the strike meant for Algomon. But even with him catching the punch with his glove, the attack sent both Champions into the wall with enough force to create another crater.
"Hyah!" One of the Gladimon clones jumped on PileVolcamon's back, stabbing his blades into the gap between PileVolcanomon and Parasimon. Quetzalmon's eyes glowed, firing Freezing Wave on the legs of the Mega to slow it down. Darcmon used her blade to stab one of the hands of the cyborg mega. The other clones tried to hold down the other hand.
A valiant attempt.
Keyword: attempt.
PileVolcamon's shoulders unleashed a burst of flame and smog, melting the ice on his legs instantly and making the clones burn away from the heat. Gladimon, being on the top of PileVolcanomon, felt the literal brunt of the attack enough to let go of his prying attempt.
Now free, Pile Volcanomon grabbed Gladimon's leg and Darcmon's head before throwing both into Quetzalmon, knocking him over with the speed of a racing car.
"That's it!" Cleo, not taking the fact all her friends were beaten up, pushed her way out of Nikky's hands and raced towards PileVolcanomon.
"Cleo, stop!" Nikky yelled.
But Cleo was far past listening to her partner. "Tiger kick!" The cat leapt and unleashed a flying kick at the face of the Mega with the intent to smash Parasimon off PileVolcamon.
Unfortunately for her, Parasimon was now wary that had a Digimon who could pry him off his host. He dropped his painting tools, grabbed Cleo mid-air...
And threw her into the ground with enough power to crack the entire floor.
"CLEO!?" Nikky yelled in shock.
"Ruaaahhh!" Paledramon flew in and tackled Pilevolcamon's waist and pushed him away. "ICE AGE!" Blue's gauntlet glowed as he unleashed a pulse of ice that started freezing PileVolcamon again.
"Digimodify: Ice Wall! Quetzalmon, his volcano shoulders!" Kentaro was surprised that Isabella, of all people, swiped an ice card first and had her partner help Blue to freeze the cyborg Digimon.
But he knew that she was right. "Algomon, we're giving you a shot, get to Parasimon! Digimodify: Fros Velgrmon's Freezing Ray!" Gladimon felt a surge of power despite being burned. Ice gathered around his arms before he unleashed a focused blizzard at PileVolcamon.
The mega's own heat started to rise, but the three Champions pushed their ice powers further to keep pace with the rising heat. Darcmon raised her staff, "Victory's Rally!" A light shined and empowered all three Champion Digimon, giving them some healing and increasing the power of their ice.
Algomon dove in slipping past the worst of all attacks and sending multiple tendrils right into Parasimon. "Got you!"
"Pull him out!" Jackson yelled!
"I-I'm trying! He's making a lot of firewalls!" Algomon shouted as he sent more and more tendrils to pull off the parasite Mega.
While all of Blue Flare struggled, Nikky ran up to Cleo and scooped her up.
"Cleo! Cleo! Please be all right! Don't let this happen again! Please, not again!"
"A-Again?" To Nicole's relief, Cleo opened her eyes. However, that relief was short-lived when the Mikemon attempted to stand back up.
"What are you doing?! You'll get hurt! The others almost have him!"
As if to cruelly spite her, Nicole heard the sound of a resounding crack. The ice was intense, but everyone overlooked PileVolcanomon's overwhelming strength. Even if they were layering ice attacks to keep his volcano output low, it was enough heat to allow the movement of his arms and legs to break through the ice over him.
Nothing stopped PileVolcamon from hammering his fist into Blue's back with a resounding sonic boom.
"Blue!" Rikku shouted in panic. Before getting to his partner, Kentaro grabbed the swordsman's shoulder to prevent him from getting frozen solid from all the ice.
"I gotta help them!" Cleo forced herself up.
"No! Don't do it!" Nikky held back her friend, which was easier because of how weakened she was from only one attack.
"Why not!?" Cleo yelled back. "I have to help them!"
"You'll be killed, or worse!" With Blue downed, PileVolcamon picked up a chunk of ice and speared it into Quetzalmon, making the light Digimon scream as the spiked ice pierced his body and made him drop the second ice attack.
"If I don't, you'll get hurt!" Cleo shouted back.
"I don't want to lose you like I did with my last cat!" Two ice attackers were downed, allowing the mega to unleash his full heat and forcing Algomon to retreat. Smog and lava filled his area where there was once ice.
"Ah!? Why is Nikky so close!?" "What the heck!?" "Nicole, get out of there!?" The other Blue Flare members were too late in noticing that Pile Volcanomon was closest to the two. They moved in to rescue her, if not for the smog that filled the once-white room and caused many to lose sight and suffocated their breathing.
Nicole looked up... and wished she didn't. The glowing dim fire of lava and the all-consuming ash painted the image of a demon in biblical murals. PileVolcamon's towering form, his face masked by the lone, bulging eye of Parasimon strode with ease over the easy prey.
The imagery was ominous, but Nicole's mind betrayed her even at that critical moment. Instead of a powerful Digimon, she saw bullies. Instead of Cleo, she saw her first kitten in her hands. Her mind flashed between then and now— the bullies taking—Cleo—her kitten—and PileVolcamon wringing—its small fluffy neck—until the snapping of bones—followed by the deafening silence—mocking laughter.
But a feeling, a paw, grabbed her and brought her back into the present. Cleo had gotten back up, free of Nicole's slackened grip, and stared down the captured Mega, even with her injured form from a single strike.
"To think I was worried. Ragna Lordmon will be pleased to have many of the 7th Generation."
"You're not getting her!" Cleo put her fists up but coughed as the ash and smoke got thicker. "I'm not letting you."
"N-No, I-I can't lose you too!"
"You won't!" Cleo screamed, silencing the storm of emotions inside Nicole, if for a moment. "I don't wanna lose you and you don't wanna lose me. So, let's just work together then, right?" She looked back and smiled. "Partner?"
Partner.
The word flashed into her mind, along with their first meeting. "I'm Mikemon, nice to meet ya, partner!" Adorable. That was the first thing that came to Nicole when she entered this world—before the message of AncientWisemon came to her. Nicole saw too much of her old kitten and gave her the love she would have given her pet... But Cleo wasn't that soft, precious babe. She was a fighter... like Nicole was... before the bullies beat that fighting spirit out of her—before it died with her first love for other life.
Cleo turned her heel to the incoming Mega, who reached out to grab Nicole, almost ignoring the weakened champion. Nicole didn't see a kitten at that moment, she saw herself... trying to defeat those stronger than her.
But... a new feeling came to her, seeing the defiance in Cleo's eyes: Anger... the righteous kind. She loathed with every fiber of her being that she failed to save someone she loved before. Now, here was someone doing the same for her? She hated how much she was still the same.
No.
No!
Willpower rose as Nicole stood up. "NO!" She screamed as light shined from her Digivice. The same time, Cleo felt a surge of power as she launched herself at Pilevolcamon.
The light blinded Parasimon, pierced through the smoke and ash, and in that instant...
Everyone heard the sound of stone walls cracking under pressure.
As the flash of light faded and the smoke cleared... those of Blue Flare looked on with shock before them.
"WHOA!?" Rose shouted. "How'd that happen to PileVolcamon!?"
It was almost poetic to see Pilevolcamon in the center of the large frame Parasimon was painting moments ago. He was launched there by a powerful force, but what could do THAT to a mega? But Kentaro and the others looked to where Nicole and Cleo were...
"Mikemon... Digivolve to...! Bastemon!" Where Mikemon once stood, an exotic beauty of both feline and humanoid lowered her hind leg from a fierce sidekick, signaling she was the one who sent the Mega flying.
For Bastemon, her jeweled necklace glowed faintly as if keeping the energy of lingering Digivolution. Cleo smiled as she used her claws to fix it. "Man, I don't know if it's my new form or this necklace we made, but I feel great!" Her eyes sharpened as she took a stance. PileVolcamon freed himself and landed back to ground level before slowly moving his face—Parasimon's hold—to look forward.
"She..." Jackson blinked. "She reached the Ultimate level!"
Kentaro stared before he looked over to Darcmon. "Heal everyone, quickly!"
Darcmon narrowed her eyes but when Rose concurred, the angel champion raised her staff. "Data Resurgence!"
The heal itself was not enough to top everyone else off, but it was enough to give a second wind to those who fell.
"Alright, you parasite," Cleo lowered to a stance. "Now let's see how you do!" In a second, Cleo closed the gap, her legs in the air ready to axe kick PileVolcamon. The Mega blocked the attack but was not fast enough to grab Cleo as she bounced off and maneuvered to an unguarded area.
"Cleo, aim for the back of his knees!" Nicole shouted, surprising not only Parasimon but also the humans of Blue Flare as they'd never heard Nicole be so aggressive or fight dirty. Cleo smiled ferally, zipping with her new speed before unleashing the attack that made even PileVolcamon buckle. However, even as he fell, Pilevolcamon attempted to backfist the Ultimate, but Cleo cartwheeled away before she could get hit.
"Actually," Cleo smirked as she landed. "I realize that you're controlling Pilevolcamon. And this form has a special power... Vampire Jewel!" She dove in, placing her claws near Parasimon's form. That attack did something different. Instead of trying to pry off the parasite, Vampire Jewel weakened Digimon's energy. Instead of Pilevolcamon retaliating, his body started to slack as Parasimon's control over the Mega slipped with each passing second.
"Algomon, now!" Cleo's shout snapped the champion back into action. With Vampire Jewel, Algomon's tendrils planted themselves into Parasimon. Unlike before, electricity sparked as Parasimon's grip loosened.
"Don't let up!" Blue came in, as did Gladimon, all helping Cleo yank Parasimon off Volcamon. Quetzalmon and Darcmon flew to Algomon's side, pulling PileVolcamon away.
"Come on guys, you can do it!" Nicole yelled as her Digivice shined; her emotions giving Cleo enough power to harness the parasitic Digimon, and with one yank, rip him off the Cyborg Digimon.
Parasimon flew from the pull, separated from PileVolcamon as the Mega fell unconscious.
"Now, stop it!" Kentaro swiped a card, "Digimodify: Zanmetsu Arms!
Galdimon launched itself to unleash the finishing blow—
While it was true that Parasimon lacked the power of a Mega, his speed was not left wanting. The Digimon blitzed passed Gladimon's many blades, rushing toward the Digimon that caused this fall with the intent to infect: Bastemon. Cleo herself was shocked for one second at the speed Parasimon moved and was unable to react as it launched itself toward her face—
"Pyramid's Beacon!" A contained voice echoed throughout the room before a beam of light shot out of the ground and pierced through Parasimon. The direct hit turned the spider-like Digimon into data.
Everyone turned to the hole where the attack came from and stepped away. Cracks appeared where the beam came from before a single golden feather slipped through... and formed a resplended Egyptian Digimon with golden wings.
Anubismon. Mega-Level. That's what everyone's Digivices told them and for a second, all were afraid to fight another Mega.
But the look on Anubismon's face was one that was soft and filled with relief. "There you all are. We apologize for letting our guard down and letting that trap separate us from you. The spirits of these lands were chained and took much to quell them."
Nicole realized that speech pattern and the use of the plural term when the Mega spoke. "Alice? Cerberusmon?!"
"I am Anubismon in this form," The Biomerge admitted, making everyone finally relax. "And... I see... PileVolcamon was being controlled. We wondered why such a Digimon would seclude himself in this area."
"Uhhh!" Kentaro exhaled. "That was so close! Good job, Nikky." "Yeah!" "You were amazing!" "Cleo, you reached Ultimate!" "Well done, koreshy!"
All of Blue Flare congratulated and praised Nicole and Cleo. The tall blonde could only smile as she walked up to her partner... and then began to give her head scratches? "Aww, you have such an adorable ultimate form too!"
"Nikky-ah...oh yeah... that feels nice..." The Ultimate resisted—for about one second before she leaned into the euphoria of her ears being scratched.
Anubismon turned to Algomon as everyone else began to laugh. "Are the Knightmon free?"
"Yep! When Parasimon died, all those Knightmon should have been freed of their shackles!"
"Then I can send the signal." Anubismon took some of their feathers before enchanting them with mystical hand signs. With a clap, they slammed the two feathers together as they disappeared.
As soon as Anubismon finished, they could feel attacks outside the lumber mill.
"Now we must take," Anubismon looked back. "Hold on. Turn PileVolcamon faceup."
Although the Biomerge said that, they went forward and did it themselves. Anubismon's eyes widened when they saw a bandana wrapped around the Mega's forehead.
"What?" Rikku looked down and saw an odd symbol, but it looked familiar.
"He's an Xros Heart Digimon...!" Anubismon recognized the symbol PileVolcamon wore. "Change of plans, we will be taking him with us."
"Wait, Xros Heart?" Kentaro perked up at the name.
"In other words, an enemy of the Tyrant. More importantly, an old ally perhaps when both armies were at their best," Anubismon used magic to lift the cyborg into the air. "You've all done well, now let's be off."
With a wave of their free hand, the Biomerge warped all Restorers out of the Lumber Mill.
...
...
...
"D-Did...they...not... know...?" Parasimon's voice faded into the wind with each word, but its whispers still haunted the room. "Avenge... me... my... ᴸᴼᴿᴰ...!"
[Blue Flare Restorers.]
Outside the lumber mill and many confused Knightmon, the symbol of an Ankh appeared above the building, making all see Anubismon fly out with the rest of the Blue Flare Restorers.
"Knightmon!" Anubismon's voice cried out. "We of Blue Flare have freed you, but we also have aimed to free your Lord, Crusadermon! Come with us if you seek freedom!"
There was obviously some confusion on their faces, but it didn't take long before the Knightmon cheered and gathered their weapons in agreement.
"Alright," Anubismon turned to the Restorers. "Once we're down, I will lead us all through the planned escape route. Midway, you will activate your Restorer Program—"
KABOOM!
Something meteored into the empty fields ahead, followed by two more objects crashing at the same speed.
Anubismon acted fast, "Go, start leading them! I will fend off the Dexdorugoramon that slipped past the others!" As the Mega flew ahead, light shining around them, the Biomerge quickly noticed something off. The ones that fell were a bit small to be the aforementioned Mega or even the Ultimates.
As the smoke settled... even the Restorers saw who "landed" in front of the Knightmon.
"Is that Sakuyamon, Ravemon: Burst Mode, and Grandis Kuwagamon!?" Isabella shrieked in panic as she recognized her senior's megas. All three of them were incredibly powerful, but why were they all there when they should have been fighting the Dexdorugoramons!?
"Alice!" Ken's voice rang from beside Grandis Kuwagamon's frame. "Take everyone and RUN!"
"Flee?"
It was a voice. But it was so much more than the air carrying sound; the atmosphere itself felt denser, thicker, and the Restorers suddenly found it hard to breathe. Similar effects happened on the Knightmon: once so proud and ready to revolt, now cowered as children in utter darkness as they turned their eyes to the clouds above them.
"Cometh now, First of the Paladins. Our Liege taughtest thou better than that pitiful display. Thou, the "Digital Empress", and the Digi-Borne had done what even the Royal Knights failed to do: injure me. Yet faltered in thy assault."
What came out of the clouds was a leg... but it did not stop revealing itself. A leg almost the size of a titan touched the dark earth with the grace of a feather—but it did not stop the earthquake and the shattered earth that came with its mere touch. Red and black, two colors that should have been swallowed by these dark lands were instead seen by all. Or rather, even the darkness of these lands, even at their height, would have been too afraid to even dim this Digimon's presence. How could it not be afraid?
The Digital God of Destruction, Chronomon Destroyer Mode, descended before Blue Flare in all his horror.
"IT'S A LORD KNIGHT!" One of the Knightmon shouted in both panic and despair. Some Knightmon could only stare in horror while others physically fell to their knees, knowing any action was futile in the presence of Ragna Lordmon's elite chosen. They already knew to see him was to die.
Chronomon looked past the four Blue Flare megas, his eyes falling on the Restorers. Despite their fight against a Mega Digimon, the Lord Knights were BEYOND even that power that almost destroyed them.
Perhaps it was a good thing no one drank anytime before the day started.
Everyone knew, instinctively, that they stood no chance at all against Chronomon.
"Ah? The 7th Generation! Many of thou are laid before this one." No one knew what to expect, but seeing the gigantic Digimon smile was somehow worse than seeing it snarl. "Fight! Rise and evolve! Show this form why our King bestows his gaze upon thy kin! LET THIS DYING LAND ECHO THE SONG OF OUR BATTLE!"
"ALICE, GET THEM OUT OF HERE, NOW!" Ken yelled as he picked up his Digivice and power shined from it. Grandis Kuwagamon forced himself back up. Soon, the Digimon itself gained new yellow armor, bearing symbols of the Crest of Knowledge.
"Grandis Kuwagamon: Honey Mode!" Despite the silly-sounding name, Ken's partner moved with blitzing speed, ramming into Chronomon DM with enough force to create a shockwave.
... A shame it did not even budge the massive Digimon.
"Knowledge Killers!" Claws erupted from Grandis Kuwagamon's gauntlets, surging with electricity as he unleashed an upward slash akin to lightning going in the opposite direction.
That would have harmed even a Titan.
Yet, three minuscule scratches were the only mark on Chronomon's frame.
"How curious. Thou didst not wield that choker last we met, First. I sense familiar power within... in all armor that thine armaments!" His eyes pulsate with flaring red light as his smile widened further. "An old power revived!? Shrewd! But what makes thou believe it shall succeed where it once failed!?"
Ken looked back. "Alice, are you finished!?"
When he did so, everyone noticed that Anubismon was channeling power into an Aknh symbol.
The smile on Chronomon's face turned to a scowl before he unleashed a roar— or something above it as even opening his maw created a wave of force that sent Grandis Kuwagamon and Ken flying backward to the others. Luckily, Anubismon's aura combined with Sakyuamon also creating a spell circle, created a barrier— that cracked under the pressure of a single roar.
"There's only one way out now!" Anubismon screamed as Chronomon gathered energy in his twin cannons. "Rikka, lead them out of here!"
Sakuyamon looked up. "What!? Alice!? Don't you dar— "
"FINAL SYMPHONY!" "GATE TO THE UNDERWORLD!"
Anubismon created a spell that carried its hopes... wishes... and Alice's feelings.
Chronomon DM unleashed an attack designed to kill miracles.
A giant Ankh appeared below everyone, absorbing them all into it before a giant laster launched itself out of Chronomon HM. Even though there was a forcefield, there may as well have been nothing there for the aegis could not handle even a roar, let alone an anger-filled attack.
Anubismon closed their eyes... as the attack...
[Bleak Wood Canyon... Deleted from the Digital World...]
...
...
...
[?]
"... I see. Be careful, Ken. Ragna Lordmon may have purged the Demon Lords and their armies out of the Dark Area, but that doesn't mean it's any less dangerous. Meet at the emergency rendezvous point. I'll send as many spares as I can."
The mysterious Digidestined closed the device.
"That call better not be what I believe it to be," When this Digidestined looked up, he saw a pink knight, broken-armored, dangerously reaching for her sword. "Or this conversation is long over."
"Your Knightmon are fine, Crusadermon," He spoke cooly in response despite standing in front of a Mega Digimon, one of the former strongest of the Digital World. But that was before he pointed accusingly at the Mega. "YOUR information cost me one of my best agents! You didn't tell me a LORD KNIGHT was there!"
"What?" The pink Digimon sounded surprised. "None of them should have been in that area! Even if Ragna Lordmon predicted this stratagem, he usually has them in tasks he deems most impor..." She trailed off. "No... it can't be."
"What?"
"... They finished their tasks or are close to— I do not know," Crusadermon realized with horror even with her face covered by a mask. "I am sorry for your loss, but if the Lord Knights are on the move again..."
The human finished her thought. "Ragna Lordmon is almost finished with whatever plans he laid. Tch!" He clicked his tongue. He opened a device. "Ken? Good. Change of plans: I need you to split into teams. Yes, now. The Lord Knights returning means Ragna Lordmon is starting his last phase. Execute operation: Titan Fall. ...By all means, if you want Ragna Lordmon to fulfill a plan he's spent a millennium working on— that we all failed to stop multiple times I might add—then ignore my order. ... Good. And see if you can get at least more of them to reach the Ultimate Level. We're running out of time... again!"
He closed the call but soon made another one to a different recipient.
"Hideto."
[Elswhere...]
A young man, tall in stature with black hair, was using binoculars atop a high point. He got a phone call and answered it.
"... The Lord Knights are on the move? Damn. That's too fast. I thought Tactimon would have at least taken one of them down... right. I have eyes on the Ice Titan. Or well, the giant super blizzard it's making. I'll be on standby to whoever appears."
A pause before realization dawned on the tall young man. "Oh, and one more thing: your sister says you're spreading yourself too thin. I agree with her."
Hideto shifted as he stood up. Two powerful Digimon reacted to their tamer moving from what should have been a recon mission.
"You are Blue Flare's new leader. If you collapse we'll be worse off than Xros Heart. And you know Tai will never let you live it down if he hears that."
Hideto smirked as he knew that would get him to listen.
"Good luck, Neo."
[Author Notes]
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the 100 reviews! You guys are amazing!
So! Happy Spook Month, readers! It's also my birth month so I find it funny how I made creepy stuff as well! How fortuitous.
We finally see Nicole Davis from Litni in action, and I thought, since I kinda took so long to introduce her proper, I would make her the first Restorer to reach Ultimate! (It helps that her Digimon is a Mikemon, a Champion by itself.)
Also, an appearance from Crusadermon! I know people by now like to make Crusadermon a guy, but I kinda liked the idea of a female Royal Knight since most of the time they're all guys except for the dub of Frontiers.
Also also— I finally revealed Blue Flare's Leader! Y'all didn't notice I used Zero and the Digivice 01 for Tai and DIDN'T think I'd bring in Neo and the others!? I have a genuine soft spot for them as Zero Tamer is my favorite Digimon Manga. (Not that the competition is fierce.)
And! I finally revealed one of the Lord Knights: Chronomon DM! I was so excited to introduce this guy and what better way to show off his power than by having him wipe an area off the Digital World!? These guys are Ragna Lordmon's elite for a reason!
Funny enough, this chapter wasn't even planned. But I did realize I should make a chapter showing how Blue Flare has been doing while everyone else is doing their thing. They too can't catch a break even with a win. After all, Ragna Lordmon has already won the war for the Digital World, and it'll take a lot to even start weakening his hold over it.
I think I'll take some time off before continuing with the south group. Anyway, thanks so much for reading this far. Please support the story with reviews!