[West]
"Forsooth, strangers! Spare my cards, and I will grant you anything you desire!" The Cardmon begged through shiny wet eyes.
"I desire your cards!" Bibi said a little too happily before unleashing an attack at point-blank range.
"That," Marcy's eyes twitched as his partner did not hesitate to beat up the Digimon. "Never gets easier. How did the other 3rd Generation do this?"
Kari also had a nervous smile on her face. "Well, one of them was in a mentality that other Digimon were nothing but fodder for her partner to grow stronger...but she learned better! ...Um... a bit after she got all the cards she needed."
"She should have learned sooner." Gatomon folded her arms.
Marcy winced. "Ummm? What about Henry?"
"Henry was... quick. Despite Terriermon's evolutions, he was able to ambush them and take them quickly and without warning." Dorulumon mused out loud. "Takato tried to ask for their cards."
"... Why haven't we been doing that then?" The afroed-teen looked to the Champion.
"All of them were met with failure. Cardmon are notoriously skittish and ran away when seeing anyone, including their own species. The only reason Takato had cards was that his partner attacked the runaway mon with pinpoint accuracy and savagery."
"The scarier thing was that Guilmon was a newborn," Gatomon shivered. "One second he could be licking things off the floor, and then next, his eyes sharpened into slits. ... He did have the sharpest senses out of all Digimon partners except for maybe Coro."
"Never met the kid myself; wish I did," Mr. Yushima's voice came out of Marcy's Digivice.
The afroed-teen became startled by the voice and slipped with his D-Arc. It took him a moment of frantically grabbing it in the air before he caught it. "Do you really have to do that, Mr. Yushima!?"
"Clavis says the Zenith Zone reacts to the Restorer Program. He doesn't know how yet. You and the others might be able to access all of the Digital World once he figures out how they connect specifically. In the meantime, Clavis can let me hear and see through the Restorer's Digivices of those I met. Think of me as one of those fancy AI assistants you hear about nowadays."
"But why mine?" Marc exhaled.
"Well, you're the group searching for mine. So why not?" In the Zenith Zone, the kindly old man sipped some tea Kamemon brewed.
Marc could see the reasoning behind that. "You guys... were searching for a Digimon that could bypass Ragna Lordmon's immortality, right? How do you begin to find something like that?"
"There is one Digimon we figured existed that might help us especially. Ryo had this idea when one of our allies joined us, Calumon."
"Wait, Calumon is with you guys!?" Kari screamed as she, Gatomon, and Dorulumon looked on with shock.
"This Calumon sounds important. Why?" Marc and Bibi looked at the others.
Dorulumon turned to the newcomers. "Calumon is special! He is the Digi-Entelechy or the Light of Digivolution. In other words, he is the Law of Digivolution turned into a Digimon! If not for him warp-digivolving the masses to mega level, the D-Reaper would have destroyed the Digital World and possibly entered the Human World!"
"Wait... he's the very power of Digivolving!?" Marc's eyes widened after hearing that. "Can he help Bibi and I reach mega?"
"Possibly," Mr. Yushima shrugged his shoulders. "Calumon is... easily distracted. I'm not 100 percent sure that even after the D-Reaper event, he has full control over that ability of his. But that's not the point. I brought up Calumon because Ryo had a suspicion. If Calumon could make Digimon Digivolve, was there a Digimon who could De-Digivolve or Degenerate a mon to the lower levels? And could it be used on Ragna Lordmon?"
"I... never realized that," Gatomon tilted her head. "Ryo suspected that?"
"Yes, but even if it could exist, we'd have no idea where it would be. However, seeing how Chronomon was sealed, we wondered if its location was also hidden. That led us to the old lands of the Olympos 12. There was another Digital Entity that ruled the lands similar to Yggdrasil. We searched for clues pointing us to sealed Digimon. Instead, we found Chaosmon... and confirmation."
"Confirmation?" Kari looked at the old man on Marc's screen.
"You're better off hearing it from Tai. To put it in perspective: did you know Ragna Lordmon had a title before being called the Immortal Tyrant?"
He had a title before being called a tyrant? "What was he called?" To say Marc wasn't interested was a lie.
"Forge Master. During Tai and Zero's first adventure, or as we sometimes call Generation 0, Ragna Lordmon was a mysterious blacksmith working under the Ruler of Evil Digimon at the time: Daemon."
"I remember him working under Daemon, but never the title!" Kari put a hand on her chin before turning to Marc and Bibi. "Tai used to tell me that back then, Ragna Lordmon helped Tai and Zero survive things they shouldn't have despite being on opposite sides. But he also barred them from doing other actions as well."
"Now, the reason why I brought up his old title is because of a suspicion Sampson and I had. We have police training; combining that with information Ryo's generation researched, we found a peculiar timeline for Ragna Lordmon's actions. Early in the Digital World's formation, Ragna Lordmon defeated and absorbed AncientWisemon as soon as he appeared. However, records show that he vanished; not long after his disappearance, The Olympos 12 Digimon were annihilated. Although it may just be conjecture at this point, there's a strong possibility you-know-who had a hand in that."
Marc narrowed his eyes. "Ragna Lordmon."
"It fits as he's the only one who could do so at the time. It's what's after that pantheon's fall are where things get curious. According to Tai, Ragna Lordmon became a part of and served under an Evil Digimon Ruler, Daemon of the Demon Lords. He was their master blacksmith and gave his armies their weapons and gear. But here's what we found out: the Tyrant's species aren't known to be blacksmiths!"
"I see! Legendary Digimon, yes. But there is no word of his kind ever holding a hammer!" Dorulumon concurred.
"If he was a Legendary Digimon, how would anyone know his hobbies? Maybe he likes being a blacksmith?" Bibi asked.
Mr. Yushima spoke up for an embarrassed Dorulumon. "Normally, yes. But here's the thing, he became a MASTER blacksmith. Even for someone like Ragna Lordmon, there's something off about that. But back to my point: the Olympos 12 are based on the Olympus Gods on Earth, and guess which famous god has domain over smithery and inventing?" The old man turned to Marc.
"Hephaestus." The afroed teen felt like a fog lifting. He could also see where this was going.
"In the Digital World Hephaestus' equivalent is Vulcanusmon, who was in the Olympos 12. I went off topic because I needed you all to understand the context of that "confirmation" but the reason I told you all those things was because of what we found in the ruins. Or rather, what we DIDN'T find: Vulcanusmon's forge and tools were missing. Sampson and I could tell they were gone before the place became Ground Zero between Ragna Lordmon and the Olympos Digimon."
Adding all the information given to them, Marc came to the same conclusion that the other Digidestined came to. "Ragna Lordmon stole Vulcanusmon's powers too? ...What about the others? Why not steal all the powers of the Olympos 12?"
"We don't know. He's never shown any other power besides Ancient Wisemon's. Granted, seeing and hearing how he acts, he's efficient: he takes what he needs and nothing more or less. His power alone is enough to topple the other former Pantheons of the Digital World, so it makes sense he wouldn't need the others. But that also begs the question as to why he needed Vulcanmon's power? AncientWisemon makes sense, but why a Smith God's power?" Mr. Yushima said aloud.
"Well obviously, he's trying to forge something with that!" Bibi then realized the other question that answer brought up. "Um, you wouldn't have happened to figure out what he's making, right?"
Mr. Yushima sighed. "Well, I know what he MADE. It's hard not to see it every day."
As he turned, everyone followed the old man's gaze. In the distance, they could see it: the giant black tower that reached beyond the sky, Ragna Lordmon's base of operations, and the center of the Digital World.
"We still don't know why he made such an eyesore. But considering how much time he spends there even between fighting, I get the feeling it's still incomplete," The image flickered before looking solemnly at Marc. "But that same gut feeling tells me it's close to completion with you Restorers involved now."
Marc gripped his Digivice after hearing that. Not only were they being chased by an Immortal Tyrant, but the Tyrant's plans were almost complete?
The afroed-teen could only stare at the tower, a reminder as immortal as the tyrant that ruled them.
He only hoped they could figure out the secret of Ragna Lordmon's immortality.
...And that by the time they do, it would not be far too late.
[South]
Lightning blinded all unfortunate and foolish enough to witness it. Thunder's roar broke the sound barrier, shadowing the speed of light yet still echoing its power.
However, there was not a single black cloud in the sky. Yet, lightning and thunder quaked the heavens with a ferocity that shamed typhoons.
Why?
Because the "lightning" was not natural. Instead of electric fields, Digital Steel clashed at such velocity and force, their sparks lit and burned lesser clouds. And the few clouds that survived the sparks, did not survive the "thunder" of their strikes countering each other, creating sonic booms with each swipe.
A single fight equaled an orchestral storm.
But Tai HATED fighting non-Digidestined Paladins. Well, he also hated fighting his former friends—okay, so he hated fighting Paladins—but he hated fighting the former on a physical level rather than emotional. The reason why was simple: Ragna Lordmon trained them.
Tai saw that in the battle he and Zero were in. Achillesmon bulleted faster than Zero even as Victorygreymon. Zero parried the mega's attacks by half a breath each time. The few times they landed a clean hit, Achillesmon's body rolled with the strike, lessening the power and moving into his next attack. Not to mention, he did not have a recognizable pattern, striking at obscure angles, and throwing off Tai from adapting as fast as he usually did.
Yet, Tai zeroed in on a possible pattern. While he wasn't 100 percent sure, his gut told him it was time to gamble. "To your right!"
Zero's honed bond trained him to move before Tai finished the last word. Their speed, while amazing to most, was necessary in these high-level fights as Victory Greymon swiped his blade, catching an incoming Achillesmon and forcing him to defend with a clash of his spear.
"Ha!" Achillesmon's winged heels fluttered as he and Zero clashed weapons. "Exceptional! Forgive me for being too enthusiastic, yet I could not contain my warrior's spirit seeing one of the strongest of the Digidestined! Even holding back you still can beat me!"
"Then how about you surrender and come back again stronger?" As much as Tai wanted to bust out Omnimon Alter, his aura would attract the Earth Titan faster than the Greymon Megas. That wasn't even the worst-case scenario: Ragna Lordmon or a Lord Knight could sense Omnimon Alter's power if they were on the same continent! And seeing certain signals still not going off, the others in Hook Haven needed more time!
"I decline, Zero Tamer!" Achillesmon backed off and took a spartan battle stance in the air. "How can I get stronger without risking my being on the line!? Even my Kaiser, the top of the Digital World, is not stagnant! All these wars, and he has grown stronger than when he pointed his sword against you all that time ago!"
Zero and Tai narrowed their eyes at that.
"Now, witness the bite of my spear: Lónkhē Adistakto!"
Instincts blared even before Achillesmon spoke the first word of his attack. Tai ordered one word in his Digivice: Defend.
"Victory Shield!" Although Zero currently had a blade, the wings on his back formed a shield that he brought in fron—
Tai and Zero's world blurred as they rocketed away from where they flew, perhaps even faster than when Achillesmon first brought them up here to fight unabated. Tai regained his senses as he noticed the spear was pushing them at terminal velocity! Zero's shield held on, but the spear kept pushing and pushing as small cracks appeared and grew. Tai's mind jolted into overdrive as he had to think of something before this spear pierced through Zero's Digicore.
One idea came to mind, but he wouldn't know if it would work and it was perilous.
...But that was why he had the best partner in the Digital World! "Zero!"
Zero knew the commands he heard. Any Digimon or person would have questioned or balked at the impossibility of the order. Zero acted on them without a moment of hesitation or disbelief.
"HRRAAAHH!" Empowering the shield, Zero threw his arms with great strength, causing the spear to fly upward from the tilt. But the spear, even at the speed it was going, spun mid-air and dove back at Zero. But then, Zero threw his shield at the incoming spear, giving it the power to create a barrier bubble. The spear hit the shield, but because the aegis was weakened, its barrier cracked sooner before shattering into nothingness.
But Tai smiled. The shield brought them what they needed: a moment.
"Slide Evolution: Blitz Greymon!"
The spear bulleted for the red Digimon. Or at least, it did before it abruptly stopped.
Achillesmon arrived only to behold a curious sight: his spear stopping. It never stopped before, yet he could see the electricity sparking between Zero and his spear.
"Take that, Mr. Nishijima! I totally didn't deserve that F in science class!" Tai whooped as Zero had erected an electric field around them before the attack came through. Blitz Greymon was different in that instead of the usual fire element Greymon species used, he used electricity. Seeing how they were fighting an opponent who used metal weapons, Tai had a bold idea.
"A bold maunver Zero Tamer!" Achillesmon backed off when he saw the area of the electrical field around Zero and Tai. "Magnetically charging my weapon and yourself to be the same charge so they'd be repelled!"
"... Y-Yeah, I knew Zero could pull it off!" Tai patted Zero's head, his gaze refusing to meet with anyone else's.
"Uhhh, Tai, I thought your order said the electricity would burn the metal?" Zero whispered back to his partner.
Okay, maybe Tai DID deserve that F in science class. BUT! They survived! Now, if he was right, (please let him be right), same charges repelled each other so the opposite...
"Now, Zero!"
BlitzGreymon pointed his blaster. "Plasma Stake!" As fast as Achillesmon was, lightning at that range caught him by surprise and thunderstruck him into a nearby cloud.
Now, because Tai failed science, he was not fully aware of how lightning generates in storms. While the exact science itself is still argued, most scientists believe that clouds can create their electric field under the right conditions.
Zero and Tai forced that natural process to skip a few important steps. It also didn't help that this was the Digital World, and while it did copy some of Earth's laws, it tended to exaggerate a lot of them.
Hook Haven looked on with horror as all the clouds and the sky turned dark, lightning cackled and shot out to each cloud, creating a lightning storm.
Tai was equal parts surprised and panicked that his original idea to make the spear and Achillesmon different electrical charges didn't work. "I'm starting to see why Taiki and Thomas never wanted me to use BlitzGreymon in aerial assaults." The comment fell to the wayside as Zero tensed. Achillesmon flew out of the cloud, his body still racing with electricity, and attempted to blitz the red Digimon with a punch.
But Zero still held up his magnetic field and Achillesmon was wearing armor with similar metal to his spear. As such, before the fist could connect, the electro-magnetism of the area prevented him from making contact.
Tai was about to tell the Digimon to surrender. But then, he saw it: the exertion of his muscles. Achillesmon pushing and pushing his body until—
Zero's world blurred as Achillesmon through pure strength punched the Digidestined Partner. The blow momentarily downed the magnetic field, allowing Achillesmon to steal back his spear and pursue the flying Blitz Greymon in a growing storm.
Tai's mind regained balance from the blow. "Zero, shield!"
By his words, Zero snapped back upright and created an electrical barrier that stopped the incoming Achillesmon. But the blow cascaded stray electricity outward, causing more storm clouds to ignite. Tai gritted his teeth as he needed to finish this fight fast. But this paladin had no flaw...
Wait a second.
He was based on the legendary Achilles in Greek Mythology, wasn't he? Did that mean...
"Zero, think we can try that magnet thing again but in a different way?"
Achillesmon could not stop his alarm when the barrier opened but revealed Zero with his shoulder cannons aimed at him. The Paladin flew upward, expecting an attack... but nothing came.
Rather, the storms around them grew more intense but then the electricity started gathering into Zero's Thunder Verniers. Logically, Zero was gathering the power of the storm and about to unleash it on Achillesmon.
Achillesmon could dodge it...
But instead, the Digimon gave a feral smile as he spun his lance and threw away his shield. "I see! This is the only way it could end! Testing my power against the strongest! This was how it was meant to be!"
He was pitting his speed, power, and spear against Zero's full electrical attack.
"Come now!" Achillesmon's winged heels exploded with aura behind them. "Show me the perfect combination!"
"Lightning's Law!" Zero did so, unleashing the gathered energy and condensing it into a massive energy beam of electricity at the Paladin above them.
"Lónkhē Adistakto!"
No hesitation. That was the lone sentence in Achillesmon's mind before he dove into the attack spear-first. Lightning: raw, untamed, and a natural force enough to destroy whatever it struck... was cut in half as Achillesmon dove through the beam with his spear. Even as electricity rushed through his very being, the Paladin unleashed a war cry as he cut through the attack... and saw... nothing?
"Dramon Cutters!"
Achillesmon's mind warned him that voice came below him. By the time he looked down, Zero had slide-Digivolved into a new Digimon: Wargreymon. But this one was speedier than even Blitz and Victory as his claws swiped... and struck his winged heels!?
Unlike the rest of Achillesmon, his heels shattered under the power of Zero's claws. The Paladin gasped deathly as pain spread through every fiber of his form.
"Now, Zero!" "Rending Force!" As Tai's Crest of Courage ignited, so did Zero's claws with flames similar to his crest. The 100 percent combination did not falter and Zero swiped his claws in a uppercut across Achillesmon's chest.
The heat of the attack sparked, making Zero back off as a flame explosion engulfed the story, evaporating all the ionically charged clouds.
Zero and Tai did not let their guard down as the smoke settled... and Achillesmon was still standing in the air!?
"Zero, get ready for a counter..." Tai stopped as he took a second look. "Wait."
Achillesmon hovered in the air... but that last attack by Zero had reached and hit his Digicore. Even with his flying heels gone, his lower body was already fading away into digital Data.
Yet... Achillesmon grunted, showing that he was still conscious. With more strength expected of him, he attempted to stand tall even as his body faded away. The sun, now seen clearly thanks to Zero's attack, shined on the dying Paladin.
"... First, you catch me with a fake feint, but then bait me to a powerful attack which was the true feint! A feint within a feint..." Achillesmon smiled as he looked at his opponents. "Well done! ... But how did you know my one weakness?"
"I may not be good at science, but hearing about Greek heroes was one of the few times I listened." Tai felt himself smiling. Yet, when Achilles returned the smile, the Zero Tamer found himself lowering that smile. "You seem happy. Why?"
"... Because... I finally repaid my failure," The Digimon removed his helm and looked towards the sun. "I served The Olympos 12, proudly. I even became good friends with Lord Apollomon. When Ragna Lordmon ambushed and slaughtered them, I sought revenge for my friend and masters."
"What?" Zero blinked in shock as he heard that. "If you wanted revenge on him, why did you serve him!?"
"I don't know!" Achillesmon laughed. "I cannot answer that as well! All I know, was when I found him at last... my hatred for him melted away. Looking at him... made me want to prostrate myself to him."
Tai's eyes widened with alarm. "Did he mind control you?"
"Perhaps he did. But it was so odd," Achillesmon admitted. "Not once did he treat me ill. Not once did he deny me the chance to take revenge. Yet multiple times, he even offered me a chance to leave his service long after we had sparred and trained together! I do not know why... he treated me so..."
Achillesmon saw his arms starting to fade. "Regardless, I had felt shame. I wished to either take vengeance or die in a glorious battle! My vengeance left me for reasons I could not fathom, and my loyalty found itself swearing to my former master's killer. This secret shame... there was only one way to correct it: to fight against the strongest the Digital World had left to offer, and make a battle so grand even my lords will be satisfied."
Tai's eyes softened. "That's why you were in a hurry to fight us."
"I have no regrets, making even Kaiser's great foe take me seriously... now, I return to the Olympos—as a warrior, not a traitor—ready to beg for forgiveness."
Although he was already see-through, the Paladin raised his shield... and his body undid itself, returning to the form of an egg... before shattering into the ether.
"Tai," Zero looked to his tamer. "Can Ragna Lordmon mind control other Digimon outside of sicking Eaters on them and what he did with the Titans?"
"We've fought him for so long, and he's never used direct mind control like that. Even if he does have that power why has he never used it? Why on Achillesmon and not every other Digimon and Digidestined he's fought? ... But something's off. Why would Achillesmon's desire for revenge evaporate seeing the one who killed people he served and loved? In Ancient Troiamon's case, his hate returned after being freed. But Achillesmon remained loyal to his master's killer even as he was dying, which should have been when that mind control lifted. I just don't understand." There was more to this—that much for certain. But while they were learning more about Ragna Lordmon, it felt as if his mystery grew deeper, as did the strangeness of his actions.
Explosions erupted in the skies of Hook Haven, snapping Tai out of his thoughts.
"Zero, we need to get to the others!"
[Hook Haven]
"Pirate Punisher!" The fight opened with a bang, literally and from a gun. Fighting the Bio-Hybrid in any of his Digimon Forms would be as impossible for Captainhookmon as it was for his rival, Olegmon. That is why, his shot blasted the Digivice out of Kouki's hands, sending it flying some distance away.
Without it, the Ultimate stood a fighting—
"BaSTARD!?" Kouki's scream was more monster than human. Hell, even some Beast Digimon's roars were whimpers to the blonde hybrid's scream. Captainhookmon's survival instinct shut down all brain functions to give his body a chance to—dodge a force breaking the sound barrier.
Kouki missed his punch but slid on the ground. Metal plating made by the finest Machine Digimon tore before human flesh. But Kouki stopped as he hunched over akin to a lion before a pounce. His pupils shrank while his aura flared. No, flared wasn't the right word. His aura thrashed wildly with his emotions, cracking the floor around him.
Captainhookmon held on to his hat so it wouldn't fly away from the exploding aura before him. "I swear there's something unfair about all of this."
And that was his only reprieve before the Bio-Hybrid rocketed himself at the captain.
Meanwhile, GD looked back, in awe that a human could unleash the aura of a Mega. Captainhookmon's chance of survival was as high as the Mariana Trench, making GD want nothing more than to help and save him. However, his concern was over Stefania, who was holding her wrist where Kouki grabbed her.
"Okay, you big lug," Fake Agumon Expert started to search the Gold Pirate Digimon's person. "Where did Captain slip the control!?"
The ground shook, making GD look back. As much as he loathe to admit it: this Bio-Hybrid was strong. He made an Ultimate Digimon do his best impression of an amateur matador.
Meanwhile, Stefania's emotions and memories betrayed her. Trauma resurfaced in a dangerous moment and...
"Stefania," The voice was clear but soft enough to catch her attention. She looked up at GD... who only gave her a toothy smile and pounded his chest. "I, GD the God Dragon, will win us the victory and assuage your woes! So rest and cry if you must. I will protect you!"
Without waiting, GD turned on his heel. "Bio-Hybrid, you face the God Dragon of the Digital World!"
"GD? Wait," Stefania reached out, but GD had already rushed into the fight.
"Magnum Pun—" GD rushed in, only for Kouki to intercept and connect a punch into the Champion's stomach. The impact of the attack sent GD flying. Or it should have. GD willed himself and dug his feet into the metal to prevent being flown out of the fight.
"You call that an attack!?" GD gasped before throwing himself back at Kouki.
"No," Stefania only stared as GD threw himself at the blonde Bio-Hybrid, and each time, a quaking strike landed on the blue dragon. Despite Captain Hookmon's attempts to get attention away, the Champion Digimon would get back up and launch himself at Kouki, repeating the violent cycle. "Stop. W-Why are you doing...?"
"What the hell!?" Kouki started to get annoyed as his own aura geysered out of him. These two were cockroaches and it was time to crush them once and for all. Instead of his attacks, Kouki powered his legs and kicked off with greater speed than before. Catching and blitzing Captain Hookmon and sending him crashing into the far wall. GD ran up to attack Kouki again, but the Bio-Hybrid had enough. He tilted his head to dodge the punch and used his arm to grab and vice-grip the neck of the dragon and lift him by the chokehold.
"GD!?" Stefania yelled, but her body froze. She was still... afraid. Still... hurt from...
"A...Ap..."
"Huh?" Kouki thought he was crushing this Digimon's neck; how was he speaking? It did look like one fat neck, maybe he needed to apply more pressure.
"I... said..." The Bio-Hybrid saw GD's eyes narrowing at him. "Apologize... to... Stefania!"
Kouki couldn't help but scoff and laugh. "Apologize? Did I hit your head too hard last time? In case you haven't noticed, we're in the Digital World. The strong make the rules, and the weak obey!" Yet as he said this, Kouki noticed his grip on the dragon... was it weakening?
GD regained focus in his eyes. He grabbed Kouki's arm...
Before he opened his maw. "V-Arrow Breath!"
Being so reliant on instinct, Kouki dropped the Champion and dodged the blow. Yet, the power of the attack was somehow stronger than his first attack?! How!?
"Apologize."
Kouki looked back. When he did so, the air around GD shifted as his eyes narrowed into slits. "You have insulted the God Dragon of this world by hurting his trusted companion. Apologize... and I'll make your defeat swift and painless."
"GD," Stefania couldn't help but stare in disbelief. He was fighting for... her?
Meanwhile, Kouki's eyes narrowed as GD stared him down. Looking into those eyes, made the Bio-Hybrid think of HIM: a brunette whose DNA Charge was like the sun...
...and stronger than he could ever hope to be.
Kouki's emotions spiraled at the simple memory of Marcus Damon. Everything he wanted, everything he needed—
He loved looking down on the weak... but as the Heart of the 5th Generation stood in victory over him... Marcus Damon's eyes changed. They weren't filled with fear or disgust.
It was pity.
There Kouki laid, sprawled on the ground. He was a being who could level armies and mountains, reaching power even these stupid creatures squandered. But all that power... and he still lost? And now? Someone who WAS weaker than him looked at him LIKE THAT!?
"No. No! NonononONO!" Kouki didn't see GD at that time. Instead, his mind only showed Marcus Damon standing in front of him. "Don't you DARE look at me as he did!" Without waiting, Kouki's soul flared as he rushed in, ready to rip the Dragon's head off his neck.
However, GD raised his fist... and countered against Kouki's attack! Unlike before, GD was holding his ground—barely... but more than before!
"Wait a second—is he!? Oh my, he is!" Fake Agumon Expert looked up in surprise. Stefania looked a the rookie as he kept talking. "That VeeDramon is similar to the famous Zero!"
"He's like Zero?" Stefania thought back to Tai's Agumon.
"No, no! Before he lost his original body! Zero was also a Veedramon, an Ancient type of lost Digimon who gained power by their emotions! That anger GD is outputting is also increasing his strength! Multiple times, Veedramon can fight even Ultimate Level Digimon with that power! The same can be said for his Ultimate Level: Zero bested some of the strongest Megas before even reaching his final 2 forms!"
"I won't forgive you..." GD stepped forward, surprising Kouki. "For hurting Stefania!" With a war cry, GD threw his entire weight forward, imbalancing Kouki and landing a Magnum Punch into the blonde's face.
"Now then..." GD huffed for air despite how battered he looked. "I want that apology." He then turned to Stefania and gave another toothy grin.
Stefania... couldn't help but feel touched. GD was fighting so hard for her... and here she was distracted by the past. She was happy and sad: happy because her partner cared for her. But a small part of her mind wondered if she was holding GD back—
"Bio-Hybrid DNA..."
A few seconds ago, CaptainHookmon pushed himself out of the wall he crashed into. When he looked up, his eye widened in disbelief. GD landed his hit and sent Kouki some distance away. While the hybrid landed on his feet from the strike, he was utterly dumbfounded at the raw power from a random champion. His rage was about to overflow, especially when the champion looked away. However, something shined next to Kouki, stopping his thoughts as he saw...
his Digivice...
"CHARGE!" At present time, Kouki activated his Digivice that Captain Hookmon blasted away. As soon as he cried this out, his body was enveloped by a violent light.
CaptainHookmon gasped before he looked over at the others. "Expert, activate Expelling Warp!"
"But Captain, we're still in—" "DO IT!"
By the time the Ultimate ordered, the light finished its transformation, revealing a massive, monstrous, and mutant Digimon. "Bio-Darkdramon!"
Expert fiddled with a device while Stefania saw her Digivice. Her heart sank when she read the label Mega next to the horrifying figure.
Kouki's visor faced GD's direction before his eyes opened behind them, revealing a harsh shining light.
"I'll make you pay for making a fool out of me, you tub of lard!" Kouki gathered energy into his lance.
"GD! Get out of there!" Stefania yelled. As amazing as GD was, he stood no chance against a Mega, especially after the trashing he received mere seconds ago!
But GD did not back down, only gripping his fist and mustering as much power he could find within himself. Luckily for him, Fake Agumon Expert had found the controller for Hook Haven's defense system. Before the attacks could launch, he slammed on a button.
The entire core of Hook Haven flared to life, the energy swirling and accelerating more than before. It pulsed a wave of energy in the area, quickly catching everyone.
Before Kokuki could land his attack... everyone vanished in the blink of an eye. The only thing left in the room was the core of Hook Haven, swirling with active energy.
[Hook Haven]
Palmon looked up to Biyomon and relied on her whenever they had to battle opposing Digimon. She never questioned the possibility they would be on opposite sides, but she always feared the impossibility on fighting her one-on-one. Biyomon's evolutions were akin to fighting the winds themselves. While Palmon's abilities weren't anything to scoff at, she instinctively knew her powers had an obvious disadvantage.
Even with all of this...
"Wing Blade!"
Palmon had the unfortunate realization that reality was infinitely worse than her nightmares.
Lilimon wasn't even sure if she dodged the high-speed, invisible attack that could cut even stone in half like paper. But seeing as she was in one piece, even if blown away by the strong winds, she supposed she dodged.
Meanwhile, down below, Sora and Mimi were having a different type of battle, but one that was still taxing in its own way. "Mimi, don't do this!" Sora shouted as their two partners threw attacks at each other above. "You're only making things worse!"
"Oh come on! You're the one attacking me!" Mimi ran to take cover from the fight between Lilimon and Garudamon. As she did, she reached for something in her person that also triggered a recent memory.
[Before the Rescue of Hook Haven]
"Mimi," The brunette turned to see Tai walking up to her as everyone was dismissed and started making preparations for their plan to save Hook Haven from the Paladins.
He fished his pockets and placed something in her hand. "We got these during the 6th Generation. Izzy upgraded most of our Digivices, but this should still work with yours."
"What is this?" Mimi asked as she eyed what looked like a USB drive.
"It's called Digi-Memory. Long story short, they grant the power of the Digimon inside them. When we found this, Izzy and I realized this could help give Palmon a power boost," Tai shook his head to get back on topic, but Mimi could hear the rest of that sentence: until she came back it was ONLY a what-if scenario and would have stayed as such if not for the 7th Generation. "But use this as a last resort. Making Palmon stronger than her usual Mega might attract Ragna Lordmon and his big guns. I know you're capable, but..."
It seemed like Tai hesitated to say something. Yet he steeled himself and gently held her shoulder. "Look, if things get too dicey, run away with Stefania. I... don't want to lose you again."
Mimi blinked. Her mind buffered as she processed what he just said.
That was not a problem for the crowd of Digimon and people gasping sharply for different reasons. Tai turned his neck faster than an axe swing at the sound, and to his shock and horror: many of the pirate Digimon and some of the other Restorers were watching them.
Stefania in particular had stars in her eyes. "Dio mio! Sta succedendo! Sta succedendo davvero!"
"What is she saying?" Alph the Loogamon looked at GD, but Rei answered.
"I don't know, but I have an idea." The girl thought back to when Stefania roped her into a matchmaker scheme.
"Are you actually flirting?" Itsuki was always guarded, but he expressed annoyance and some disgust.
"Hush you!" Tinkermon snapped at the bespectacled teen. "I haven't seen romance like this in ages!"
Poor Tai only got red-faced as he shouted, "No! I've told you all once, and I'll keep saying it: I just don't want to lose my friends anymore!"
Stefania giving him a thumbs up was not the response the Victory Tamer wanted.
Mimi barely contained her laughter, but she felt touched Tai was trusting her a lot more. Not to mention, the moment was a welcome relief to what she feared doing: meeting with Sora.
[Present time.]
But the moment was now and it was somehow worse than Mimi imagined. A part of her wondered if she should activate the Digi-Memory? But what? Even barring the risk of using top-tier megas, would she use a dangerous power on her best friend? Even now, she didn't want to hurt Sora. Although, Sora didn't seem to have that worry as Garudamon continued to blast at Lilimon.
Whatever thoughts Mimi had, got interrupted when she could feel the entire hovering platform scream in electricity.
She wondered what was going on until one second later, Stefania and everyone else who went ahead appeared on the battlefield of the ruined prison alongside the roar of a powerful Darkdramon.
"What the!?" Lilimon flew out of the path of Bio-Darkdramon's tail almost slamming into her.
"Kouki!?" Sora's eyes widened when she saw the monster scanning around the area. "What are you doing!? We warned you not to Digivolve to Mega!"
"Fuck you, bitch! You don't get to boss me around just because you've been here the longest!" Running solely on wrath, Bio-Darkdramon swung his lance arm at Sora.
Yet Garudamon blurred in, wrapping and shielding the blow meant for Sora. However, as an ultimate, she was swatted away into another building that was long abandoned.
"Where are you, you fat dragon!?" Kouki had no control over himself as he then smashed another building nearby. "I'll grind your bones to dust!"
Mimi was worried for Sora but her ears caught something—someone's voice.
"GD! GD, please wake up! Please! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
While she was worried for Sora, Mimi's subconscious knew her friend survived worse. Not only that, she recognized but did not believe the voice she heard. The Bearer of Sincerity approached the voice, turning the corner before her eyes widened. "Stefania?"
Stefania cried over a bruised and badly beaten GD in his champion form. Mimi didn't hesitate to run up to the green-haired young woman. When Stefania saw Mimi, her face stained with tears, she only cried louder and hugged the experienced Digidestined.
How unfortunate for both girls that the wall behind them got destroyed by Kouki finding them. "There you are fat-ass! I'm killing you and taking your part—"
"Flower Cannon!" Concentrated plant energy slammed into Bio-Darkdramon's face. While a Mega was stronger than an Ultimate, Lilimon was a Digimon empowered by the Crest of Sincerity... and sucker punches always hurt.
But that wasn't all, "Expert, activate Confusion Warp, now!" Captainhookmon's voice came from elsewhere before a stranger beam of energy shot out of the observatory and nailed into Kouki's back. As sudden as he appeared, Kouki disappeared in a strange purple light.
"Mimi!" Lilimon flew down to the brunette and green-haired young lady. "Stefania? I thought you went... what happened to GD!?"
"Hook Haven's defense system," The 1st Generation pair turned to see Captain Hookmon and Fake Agumon Expert walking up to them. "It's portal technology from the Crown Wars, originally used for Bagramon forces to get from one area to the next. We reworked it to send trespassers straight to prison... that you broke obviously from your friend's fight," The captain checked on GD. "Though son of a gun fought that monster and lived. I'm surprised he still has energy to maintain his Champion form."
Meanwhile, Mimi continued to hold a crying Stefania. But it was then that the brunette heard, "It's my fault, my fault di nuovo."
"Stefania," Mimi looked down; she knew some Italian words and recognized di nuovo as (again). "What are you talking about?"
Stefania froze as she looked up at Mimi. "I-I..." She glanced at GD. "I'll only make things worse."
The poor Restorer blamed herself. But Mimi? She knew enough that the Digital World would bring out the worst in them. Hell, there was even a time when negative emotions could open a gate to a light-forsaken world that stole some of their friends. The point was that she knew what she was feeling, so the Bearer of Sincerity did what she was known for: be sincere.
With a kind smile, Mimi took Stefania's hands and clasped them together. "Stefania, do you want to know something? I'm a horrible Digidestined."
"What?" She couldn't believe she heard Mimi right. A horrible Digidestined? Mimi was the first chosen alongside Tai, her bond with Palmon already reached Mega! How could she be anything but horrible!?
"When I first came to the Digital World, the only thing I cared about was my looks and my own comfort, I did nothing but whine and complain. And when the fighting got worse? I ran away, scared. Because of that, more of our allies, or friends, died protecting us. ... Protecting me." Mimi frowned. Along with all those bitter memories, she thought of Sora who also shared the same losses as her, but then lost more than the Bearer of Sincerity dare count... until even The Bearer of Love's heart couldn't take it. Mimi pushed aside the thought of her friend and kept her gaze on Stefania. "You? Not even a day, and you've already promised to help save the Digital World that I failed to help and worked so hard to fufill that promise. I think you're a wonderful Digidestined, Stefania."
"No, no! Don't say that, Mimi!" Stefania shook her head. "I'm... I'm nothing but a fake!"
"And who decided that?" The group showed surprise and then concern as GD forced himself up. "You are this God Dragon's chosen companion! Who said urgh!" He winced as the other Digimon tried to ease him from moving too much.
"I... it's..." Stefania looked like she wanted to say but was too afraid too. Mimi realized this was familiar to her: Stefania acted this way when she and Tai asked her why she was so enamored about someone else's love life.
The need to prove herself, the quickness to believe she was nothing... was she...?
"You don't have to say it if you're not ready," Mimi told her. "You're among friends."
While the moment was kind and patient for Stefania, reality was not. Alarms came from Fake Agumon Expert's device. "Ah! Captain! That fight in the core short-circuited the navigation systems! We can't do a mass warp!"
"I'll go with you to fix it," Captainhookmon turned to the Digidestined. "You four stay here and rest up. I'll be sure to give you all a proper feast once we're—"
He didn't get to finish.
A sound akin to nails on a chalkboard mixed with white noise waved over all of Hook Haven with the strength of a tsunami.
"No..." Captain Hookmon looked up.
[Skies of Hook Haven]
Hookmon looked on with horror where he heard the sound. "Dexdorugoramon!"
Itsuki and Rei turned in the direction everyone else saw, and they regretted the action almost as quickly. It... wasn't Digimon. They looked more like massive dragons birthed from nightmares even darkness would never dare cross. It didn't help that both their Digivices revealed that this...thing... could destroy all Digimon if left alone.
Magna Kidmon did not hesitate, transforming his hands together into a cannon. "Crimson Bullet!" Energy gathered before a streak of red light bulleted out of the Mega allied with Hookhaven. The attack streaked before smashing right into the head of DexDorugoramon. The force of the attack was intense, even killing some stray Dexdorgreymon not even close to the bullet's core.
...
"No..."
As Magna Kidmon gasped, the smoke cleared, revealing Dexdorugoramon unscathed from the attack of a Mega.
Worse still: TWO more of them appeared behind the first one, before angrily starting to make their way towards the ship.
"We have to flee!" Hookmon shouted. "Those Dexdorugoramon are as strong as the Royal Knights and the Demon Lords!"
"But what about the others?!" Petermon asked.
"We lost as soon as soon as the Dexdorugoramon appeared!"
"Wait!" Rei pointed upward, making the pirates look at her. "It's Tai and Zero!"
The 100 Percent combination flew forward, heading towards the 3 Megas.
"We don't have a choice, do we?" Zero asked even though he blitzed towards the incoming Megas.
"We'll deal with the consequences later! For now, get ready! Digi Memory: Cres Garurumon!" As soon as Tai punched in the USB Drive, Zero's form changed.
"Omnimon Alter!" Zero shouted before his speed increased tenfold into a white blur and slammed a drop kick into the face of the center Dexdorugoramon. The shockwave and strength of the impact forced the mindless monster to stagger, but that was not Zero's only move as he had already aimed his Greymon Cannon and positioned his Garuru Sword towards the other two.
"Crescent Moon Sickle! Electro Sphere!" The swipe of his blade unleashed a sword beam of ice that froze the wings of the right beast. At the same time, a condensed electrical ball erupted into the other, paralyzing it. Both started to fall as Zero leapt off the head of the first Dex Dorgoramon with his blade raised high.
"Sword of Ruin!" Zero shouted as he brought his blade down with the weight of a meteor—
CLANG!
The Dexdorugoramon recovered faster than Zero and Tai expected, using his claw to counter and clash with Omnimon Alter's attack. The Golden blade and dark claws sparked against each other.
Yet things only grew worse, two empowered roars broke through the ice of their wings and the electricity attempting to stop them. The other two DexDorugoramon now focused their attention solely on the lone white knight.
"Come on guys, what's taking so long!?" Tai only had a second to look back towards Hook Haven before the trio of monstrous megas were on him and Zero.
[Hook Haven]
"Tai and Zero... they just turned into Omnimon!" Lilimon shouted. "That means the Earth Titan must be sensing him right now!"
"Expert with me! You get to safety." Without waiting, Captain Hookmon grabbed his crewmember and ran ahead back towards the observatory.
Mimi helped Stefania. "Come on, we need to go. Palmon, help up GD—"
They misunderstood. Everyone misunderstood. There were not 3 Dexdorugoramons.
Ω Ω Ω!
There were 4.
Crashing down and shaking all of Hook Haven, the 4th Dexdorugoramon appeared where Kouki vanished. It seemed to scan the area before its faceless maw focused on the Digidestined.
"You two, get out of here!" Mimi let go of Stefania as Lilimon rushed ahead, even though both were unsure if they could even harm such a monster. "Go Mega, Lilimon!" She shouted as her crest ignited with light.
"Lilimon Digivolve to Rosemon!" They wasted no time as Rosemon flew in front of the mindless mega. "Forbidden Temptation!" Her body erupted into energy that blasted Dexdogoramon head-on!
... But the creature didn't even flinch. Even as the beam smashed into its face, it took a step forward that quaked the ground beneath it.
Stefania and GD looked worried that even Rosemon couldn't harm the creature, but Mimi knew what this meant. She looked at the Digi-Memory. "Rosemon, are you ready for new power!?"
"Mimi, anything will be better than this THING getting through me and to you guys!" Rosemon shouted over her attack.
"Alright, here we go! Digi-Memory: Toropiamon!" As the Digivice took the slot, the ghostly image of a giant plant dinosaur/dragon appeared behind Rosemon. The plant mega could feel the Digivice absorbing and giving her the new power of the Digimon...
"Rosemon... Slide Digivolve too...!" Her attack dropped as a new energy gathered around her.
However, without the attack, Dexdorugoramon was now free and did not hesitate to lunge forward and grab at both girls and the injured GD—
SLAM!
A slender but powerful limb hit the torso of Dexdorugoramon, sending it reeling back. It roared as its body took a defensive stance, sensing a true threat unlike before.
Mimi, GD, and Stefania stared in awe as a new Digimon appeared and protected them. Yet, looking at this Digimon, they couldn't help but think...
"Is that... another Omnimon?" Mimi asked in disbelief as the new form of Palmon towered over her and the others. It looked exactly like an Omnimon, but instead of the noble and knightly look, this form was far more plant-like.
Stefania looked at her Digivice. "Bloom Lordmon. Mega Level. A Fairy Digimon clad in plant armor said to rival even the power of the Royal Knights... sorprendente...!"
"Mimi," Palmon's voice came from this new Mega as she turned back to her human partner. "I'm starting to see why Zero and Gabumon always thought of themselves invincible. Wanna send this guy packing before he hurts everyone here?"
Mimi nodded as her Digivice shined and brought her to the shoulder of her partner. The DexDorugoramon charged—but faster than a blink, Bloom Lordmon created a plant that shifted and grew into a lance. "Sprout Rush!" And she jousted the death dragon. As Achillesmon did with Tai and Zero, Mimi and Bloom Lordmon attacked the mega in a straight line, missing most buildings and bringing the mega outside the city to prevent further damage.
Seeing such a brilliant Mega brought about by Mimi and Palmon's bond, Stefania could only sigh. "... How could you ever say I'm better than THAT?"
"What are you talking about? You are amazing, so say I the GaaccCKKK!?"
"GD!" Stefania saw her partner almost fall and tried to help him up. "Don't push yourself."
"T-This? This is nothing to God Dragon!" GD tried to play it off. "Sensei Karatenmon's attacks hurt more! ... Seriously, how can you not believe in yourself? From what I know, you're an amazing partner."
Stefania broke eye contact with her partner and rubbed her arm. "I'm not. She told me I wasn't," Stefania stopped talking.
"Who?" GD raised his brow. The only females he knew were Mimi, Kari, and Yoshino. All three of them were supportive and kind in their own way. But Stefania again said nothing. Instead, GD had a hunch with how she reacted to Kouki...
"I now realize that aside from your love of music, I don't know much about you," GD thought back. Coro would go on about how Arshan went to these things called "skool", sports, about how he had multiple homes in Tex-Hats and Kalik-For-Narnia, and other things the two found themselves talking about. GD loved to talk about being the God Dragon of the Digital World, but he realized... he hadn't done a good job of listening to his partner. Or at least, done more like Coro did.
Yet, the thought made GD stand up as much as he could. "I will rectify that. No, WE will rectify that. But, I only ask when you're ready to talk, I will listen."
"R-Really? Y-You're not mad that I'm making you uncomfortable? You're not mad that I left you alone to fight and get hurt by... him...?" Stefania's body language shrunk. It was like she was preparing for the worst.
"You never have. I am the God Dragon of the Digital World, and I will overthrow the Tyrant and finally bring peace to the Digital World!" GD did his best not to wince as he stood at his full height. "And I won't let down my companions!"
Stefania was at a loss for words. This kind of support and care towards her... it's not that she never had it... but it was always hard to remember over her trauma. Yet, she felt better that GD, Mimi, and the others were all so kind to her just like her friend, Izumi. Stefania started to feel relieved.
How unfortunate that tragedy reared its ugly head once more. The sound of glass shattering echoed throughout the broken prison. Cracks in the middle of the air appeared before something broke through...
Bio-Darkdramon had returned. Maybe he powered through the effects of the warping, perhaps Ragna Lordmon had the insight to give him personal protection from such powers, but ultimately the result of his return would lead to one conclusion.
"YOU FUCKING BASTARDS! THAT'S IT! I'LL LEVEL THIS FAKE MOON INTO THE DIRT!" His Mega form gathered energy as he aimed at the Observatory in preparation.
With too many innocent Digimon at risk of falling to their doom, and with no one else to help, GD knew what he needed to do. "Hey, you!"
"GD, no!" Stefania froze as the Champion rushed out of their hiding spot.
"You want a fight!? This God Dragon will bring you low! V-Arrow Breath!" The attack nailed into Kouki's neck. The damage was nonexistent; however, an already ticked-off Bio-Darkdramon narrowed his eyes at GD.
Faster than GD could blink, Darkdramon closed the distance and stomped hard on the Champion, his screams just barely louder than the sounds of his bones cracking under the weight of the mutant mega.
"NO! STOP IT!" Stefania tripped as she looked over at GD. "Stop it!"
"You call yourself a Dragon GOD!?" Kouki lifted his foot only to smash it down on GD's body. Kouki spoke even over GD's screams. "Newsflash: they're all dead! If you want to be one, I'll be more than glad to send you after them!"
Stefania stared in horror as GD could do nothing but scream in pain... yet... seeing her partner... her dear friend suffer like that... ignited another feeling deep inside the young lady.
How dare he!
GD was boastful, but he was brave, strong, and loyal to those he did look up to and befriended! He did not deserve to be hurt! Why was she even letting ANOTHER person hurt a friend the same way her past hurt her?! Stefania knew her friends were doing everything to protect her, but what was she doing for them!? Didn't she promise to help save them as well?!
Fear and sadness turned into righteous rage.
Stefania gripped her fist as she stood up. Memories flooded in on someone... someone she feared with all her might.
"Camilla..."
However, as much as she hated her—hated what she perverted—the idea of letting that happen to someone else, letting someone else destroy what she once loved spurred Stefania like never before.
"Never again! And not to them!" She admired everyone. Even if she did not believe she was worthy of their love, she would reciprocate it!
She already found herself sprinting towards an inclined debris. Her emotions, her soul... she started moving faster and felt stronger with each passing moment. Her DNA Charge exploded and wrapped around Stefania's entire being. And with that new power, Stefania leapt of the edge of the debris, bounding high enough to reach the crouching Bio-Darkdramon.
"Hey, Sfigato!" Kouki turned towards the direction of the Italian beauty as she threw a punch over-boosted by her DNA Charge. "Vaffanculo!" She roared as she let loose her fist into the face of the Bio-Hybrid. What happened next was beyond comprehension as Kouki, as a mega, was sent flying and crashed face-first into the ground.
"GD!" As Stefania landed, she had no time to even think about the feat she just pulled and ran to her injured friend.
Although his body looked horrible, GD was still tough enough to keep one eye open as he looked at Stefania.
"I... knew you could..." He barely said.
"I-I'm sorry I took too long!" Stefania teared up but quickly activated her Restorer program. Soon, the healing light of her Digivice restored GD to full health.
Even as he returned to health, GD's smile and pride remained wide. In fact, with more of his returning strength, he beamed brighter than before. "What are you talking about? I saw what you did! Wonderful! Kudos! Stupendous! See, you are worthy of being this God Dragon's partner!"
"Graaahhhh!? HOW!?" The Digidestined Pair snapped into fighting stances when they saw Kouki trashing around the area where he was hit. "With Marcus Damon gone, I was the strongest! How are these weaklings hurting me!? It's not even one of the older generations! How!? How!?"
"How pathetic," GD said aloud, making Kouki pause. "Yoshino told us about the Great Marcus Damon. He was strong... because he wanted power to protect those he loved at all costs! You who fight for only selfish reasons can NEVER defeat him... or us!"
Kouki panted for air. His anger boiled over to his every being as his DNA charge erupted violently around.
It was another show of extreme power... but Stefania and GD both felt... pity at the display. Kouki saw this... and again he could only see the same eyes of Marcus Damon haunting him once more.
"Stefania," GD turned to her partner. "Let's end this!"
"DNA!" Stefania unleashed her DNA Charge, which flared brightly akin to a geyser compared to before. "FULL... CHARGE!" Her Digivice shined with energy which Stefania pointed and unleashed at GD.
"GD Digivolve to...!" Light covered and transformed GD. Said energy caused him to leap before the completion of the transformation before two wings erupted from his being. With a flash of light that blinded Kouki, the Digivolution was finished.
"Aero Veedramon!" GD shouted as his new form revealed itself. Stefania quickly looked at her Digivice. She smiled as she saw her partner reach the Ultimate Level. Yet, when she read the extra data, her eyes widened as she realized something.
"You think you can beat me as an Ultimate!?" Kouki got up, "Giga Stick Lance!" He threw his lance in a speedy thrust before it pierced through GD—
"What!? An afterimage—" Kouki did not have time to even finish that sentence as GD was already below the chin of the mega, gathering energy until that very moment.
"Magnum Crasher!" GD unleashed a supersonic uppercut, knocking Kouki off-balance. But GD's speed allowed him to loop back down and see the Mega's torso left wide open.
"V-Wing Blade!" With the same blitzing speed, GD slammed into Darkdramon's torso, causing the Paladin to gasp in pain.
"H-How!?" Kouki looked up. "How am I losing to an Ultimate!?"
Stefania thought back. Fake Agumon Expert said that GD and Zero shared the same Digivolution Line. If Zero could overpower even Ultimates as a Champion, GD had that same potential!
But it was more than just Digivolution. She realized that she was the one to bring this form out of GD.
"That's it! I don't care anymore! Die, all of you!" Kouki's aura flared as he opened his maw and a orb of something dark started gathering.
Stefania quickly checked her Digivice scanner on Bio-Darkdramon and found out this attack was gathering anti-matter! He could destroy all of Hook Haven if that attack reached its full potential!
"GD!" But Stefania felt something. She may not have been a planner, but the winds blew behind her, spurring her to take a chance at something.
GD heard his partner's call and it didn't take long for her to ride on top of his back. Stefania looked at GD. "Ready, partner!?"
"It's time GD returned order to his doomed world! Let's go!" He unfurled his wings and sped toward the Mega.
Kouki roared as he pointed his attack at the two. "Dark Roar!"
Time slowed down; Stefania knew that GD's form grew power from emotions. As such she let loose a shout that came from her very soul, "I BELIEVE IN YOU GD! GO FOR THE GOAL!"
"D..." Having Stefania's faith in him invigorated GD, wanting to protect her, to earn this devotion in kind... spurred his anger towards Kouki and those that would threaten something so beautiful. "DRAGON IMPULSE!"
The winds themselves wrapped around GD and transformed with his power, creating the image of a Dragon as it clashed with the orb of anti-matter...
... and pierced through the destructive energy akin to the truest of arrows!
"What!?"
"As we said!" As they closed in on Kouki, Stefania empowered herself with DNA charge as he leapt off her partner, but GD flew after her, flying right beside her.
"You!" GD threw his fist back.
"Won't!" Stefania did the same.
"Defeat!" The Digidestined pair was right in front of Kouki's cracked visor. Stefania ignited her DNA charge into her fist while GD gathered the remains of Dragon Impulse into his fist.
"US!" The pair shouted as they unleashed the combined punch right into Bio-Darkdramon. The power of both united created a shockwave that sent the mega Digimon flying...
GD quickly caught Stefania before she fell and the two only gasped for air as they saw the Paladin's form revert back into a human shape before being caught by a Dexdorgugreymon.
Before anything else, they heard a loud humming noise coming from the observatory.
"Is that the signal?" Stefania asked.
[Hook Haven skies.]
"It's the signal! Magna Kidmon, the flare!" Hookmon shouted to the gunner Digimon who quickly shot an un-missible explosion up in the air.
Tai, Zero, Palmon, and Mimi saw this and escaped back to Hookhaven, leaving their battle with the Dexdorugoramons.
[Hook Haven Core]
"Captain, I got it fixed!" Fake Agumon Expert said.
"And Ragna Lordmon's men will remember the day they ALMOST caught Hook Haven." The Ultimate pressed the button and a purple light gathered around Hook Haven. It seemed like everyone and everything in Hook Haven, except the Paladins and the Dex Digimon looked to be phasing out of sight before one massive flash of purple light... and the city vanished into thin air.
"U...Uhhhh..." Sora woke up, finding herself and Biyomon being carried by a Dexdorugoramon. "W-Wait. What happened to Hook Haven?"
[?]
"Hook Haven!" Captain Hookmon stood before a large crowd of refugees, his crew, the crew of Olgemon, Olgemon himself, and the South Team. "We are free once more... you know what that means!?"
"PARTY!"
True to the pirate's spirit, everyone brought out drinks and music to a feast for the return of their freedom.
Tai and Zero circled around GD who basked in his new Ultimate form. "You really are an Aero Veedramon." The Victory Tamer noted.
"Man, I can't believe you have my old body!" Zero cried out.
"Even if you had it before, this God Dragon shall bring it to heights even you could not! HAHAHAHA!"
Tai smiled and folded his arms. "Well, good to know that all Aero Veedramons have a huge ego. I thought it was just Z-oof!" Zero himself did not appreciate his partner's comment and kicked the Victory Tamer's shin.
Mimi hugged Stefania. "I'm so happy for you! You did it! You reached Ultimate! And from what I heard a powerful one too!"
Stefania smiled as she returned the action, but she then blushed as she said, "Mimi... thank you... seriously. Your words helped at that moment."
"Hey, the Digital World has those moments. We do our best to make sure we don't fail you..." Mimi said before she looked to the sky. "... I wish Sora came with us."
"I was not factoring a Paladin into the Warp Escape function!" Fake Agumon Expert was nearby and stopped drinking when he heard such a thing. Petermon whacked his head for not reading the room.
"There you all are," The South Team turned to see Captainhookmon and Hookmon walking up to them. "You did a lot for us, and I can't thank you all enough."
"No problem! It's a hero's job to help those in need!" Huckmon beamed.
"We didn't do much though," Itsuki muttered under his breath, but seeing every Digimon's happiness... made him ease up a little.
"I enjoyed all the fights!" Alph nodded along. "Now, I will go and learn how to speak pirate. Their talk has inspired me!"
"Alph?" Rei went after her partner as the Loogamon went ahead.
"Captain," Hookmon looked to his leader. "We do need to discuss with them."
Tai sensed something wrong as he walked up. "What's wrong?"
"...There's no easy way to say this, but our Warp System is broken. Fake Agumon Expert did his best to patch it up for our escape but the fight broke the backup generators used to recharge the city teleport." Captain Hookmon explained. "There were a lot of Megas fighting right now, two of 'em were Royal Knight level." He looked at Tai and Mimi. "Which means..."
"The Titan of Earth is heading here, and you can't escape him." Tai narrowed his eyes.
"Even for that living boulder, it will take time for him to catch us since the area we fought in was far away from where we arrived. That's not even counting how far he was from that position originally. But even with those advantages, he'll find us and we won't be able to escape in time," Captainhookmon shook his head. "I don't want everyone to worry after being freed, but I thought they deserved one night of happiness. I know you did a lot already, so I won't make you. But I have to ask,"
"We'll help you," Stefania stepped forward.
"What!?" Itsuki yelled. "How!? Are you expecting us to fight a living volcano that can create Level 10 earthquakes with just a step!? I say we leave! That's what everyone else is doing!"
"Never, Itsuki!" Huckmon shouted. "We are heroes! Heroes always help!"
Hearing such words, instead of inspiring Itsuki, only made him scowl. "Oh yeah? Then how come they never helped me!?" Itsuki snapped at Huckmon before he saw everyone looking at him. "Forget it, do what you want. I'm out."
The bespectacled teen clicked his tongue and walked away.
"Hey, Itsuki! Itsuki!" Huckmon cried out and ran after his sidekick.
Tai sighed. "Sorry about him, things have probably been stressful on his end. I didn't really get a chance to ask him or Rei if they were alright." He turned to Captain Hookmon. "But, Stefania is right: we do want to help. Actually, you can help us."
"Really?" Hookmon raised his brow. "How be that?"
The leader of Xros Heart gave a serious look to the leader of Hook Haven. "You have a city in the sky, the one place Ancient Volcamon can't reach. Your people, with this stolen technology, are the only group of Digimon in the Digital World that can help us purify and restore the Earth Titan."
[North]
Nene looked out from the captain's deck.
"General, we're about to arrive. Shall I send the signal?" Doumon asked.
"Yes," She took out her Digivice. After staring at it for a second, she exhaled.
"We're so close... so close... to returning to the Human World."
{Author Notes.}
Happy Thanksgiving! Sorry this took a while, I have a lot of issues. There was a lot to cover, so I did my best to plug it all end before the end of the month.
I'm happy to show off that Stefania and GD have finally reached Ultimate and whoo! I was surprised at how strong Aero V-Dramon really was. I knew he was a main character in the V-Tamer manga, but I had forgotten that as of right now, GD is technically as strong as a Mega Digimon right now, by scaling to Tai and Zero's old feats! Whoa!
But don't worry, Stefania is not the only one with some eye-opening potential! I've got special ideas for the others as well!
I am worried about some other dark topic. I didn't want to directly state them, but I hope I alluded to it enough. And if it's not understood, that might be a problem on my part. So just tell me and I can fix later.
I'm also happy to reveal some lore behind Failsafe and the mystery of Ragna Lordmon. I kinda surprised myself with how much I can build off him.
Speaking of Lordmon, we meet a new one: Bloom Lordmon! I always thought this Digimon was soooo cool. And I wanted it in my story somehow. I was surprised at how I could do so through Mimi when I made Tai and Matt reach Omnimon forms without each other.
Is Omnimon overdone and overatted? The answer isn't no.
Do I still like it and will put it in my story? I think at this point you all know the answer.
Anyway, happy holidays. Thanks for reading and please leave a review.
{Extra: Preview}
Chibi Funbeemon: Outrageous! This is unfair! How come the story hasn't shown The Queen of the Digital World in a while!?
Chibi Yuma: Funbeemon... while I agree- the author is hard at work balancing everything in his life right now.
Chibi Funbeemon: Oooooohhh! I demand that the next chapter return to us! I am not being undone by that Dragon God!
Chibi Yuma: Maybe we will. But seeing as Stefania had her turn, and she was 3rd to the last to get her Cardinal Arc, wouldn't that imply Marc and Bibi are the next part since the author is going in reverse order for the next phase of the story?
Chibi Funbeemon: What!? NOOOOOOOOO!
Both: Next time- Lights! Camera! ... and Lightning? An old foe appears?!