Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Balance of Power: The Return ❯ Part 01 - Challenge of The Olympians ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: Digimon Savers is the property of Toei Animation, Bandai, and Akiyoshi Hongo.

Author's Notes: This story takes place after the epilogue at the end of the Savers series, five years from the defeat of Yggdrasil. It's also recommended you read the one-shot story by Megaraptor The Scribe, “The Path a Man Walks,” as it takes place within the continuity of this story.

Digimon Savers: Balance of Power

Prologue: The Return

Part One - “Challenge of The Olympians”

The Zanzaga Forest: an area of the Digital World with rich, abundant plant life, stretching for miles. That is, until it finally gave way to the two areas that surrounded it, a seemingly infinite, icy mountain range, or a dry, continuous desert. So thick was the fauna, that anyone who didn't know how to navigate the terrain could easily become lost. In the deeper parts of the forest, the shadows cast by the trees made it almost impossible to distinguish night from day. And those were only a few of the dangers, for the plants were often more than an obstacle - they could also easily turn out to be a threat to one's life.

But for all the harshness of the terrain, the Zanzaga Forest was known as a protected place. And the name of that protector was Mercurimon, of the legendary Olympus Twelve. He ruled from the Infinite Ice Ridge, overlooking the vast landscapes from high above on his mountainous domain. And he was not its only guardian, for a young human boy named Ikuto and his partner Falcomon had also served as its defenders. Finally, there was the wise and sagely Jureimon, who protected the young digimon who were too weak to take their place in a harsh world that demanded strength.

But those days were long past, and of those protectors, only Jureimon had remained there in recent years. Ikuto and Falcomon had found their fates elsewhere, and Mercurimon had tragically passed on. All that remained in the forest was was their legacy.

To some, that legacy would almost count as a form of protection on its own. But in recent times, the digimon who lived in the Zanzaga Forest found that idea to be of little comfort, as something swept in and challenged that legacy.

For one young digimon currently fleeing for his life, the idea of trusting a legacy wasn't just foolhardy, it was suicidal.

With all four legs hitting the ground as rapidly as possible, the digimon named Leormon panted, thinking only of how much his life was now in danger. And with a quick look behind him, his fear was realized - his pursuer was still following him, and thusly, he pushed himself forward and picked up speed.

The pursuer was a beast much larger than he: a large, red-colored pig with fur that seemed to be on fire. The digimon, a Boarmon, snorted wildly as it rampaged after his tiny foe. His greater mass ensured that he was able to keep up, allowing him to smash through any obstacles that lay in his way, including ones Leormon led him into with the intention of slowing him down. With each snort, flickers of flame came from the beast's nostrils, filling Leormon with fear that his pursuer would give up the chase and simply try to fry him.

Scrambling around a tree, which the Boarmon simply charged through moments later, Leormon's face brightened. Straight ahead of him was a large pile of heavy-looking boulders. With their larger size, they would likely serve as a way of slowing the larger digimon down.

And with that, Leormon leapt forward, spying a space between the rocks that he thought he could squeeze through. However, once he was in he found, to his extreme annoyance, that it did not go all the way through. Then, when he attempted to move back out, he found it was much harder getting out than it was getting in.

He growled. He was stuck.

Then, looking back over his shoulder and out the crevice in wide-eyed horror, he saw the Boarmon rapidly charging toward him.

Now I've done it! Leormon thought. As if I wasn't already as good as dead already! He closed his eyes tightly and grit his teeth, bracing himself for the inevitable.

“THAT'S FAR ENOUGH, YOU BASTARD!”

The cub-like digimon's blue eyes snapped back open. That voice, it could only mean...!

Before Leormon could complete that thought, the air was filled with the loud thud of two objects colliding.

When he looked back out, the Boarmon was rolling across the ground. The reason for this was quite evident... A young human man hung in the air for a few moments, an aura of energy manifesting around his fist before he landed back on the ground in front of Leormon, who had just managed to free himself.

The Boarmon, once righting itself, shook its head violently and glared at the human... and found the brown-haired young man glaring right back at him. It snorted in rage, flames billowing out of its nostrils, and reared its head back, preparing to fire...

“MEGA BURST!”

Before it could do anything, a massive beam of golden energy shot out from over the mass of rocks. It struck the Boarmon, engulfing its body completely completely. Its eyes widened in shock, the creature gave an agonized squeal before it's body blew apart into bits of data, which then reformed into a smaller egg that then fell to the ground.

“Amazing!” came an enthusiastic shout. Leormon turned, and saw a child-sized humanoid digimon with a body made of rocks come running from behind the pile of boulders. “Simply amazing, Masaru-sama! He never stood a chance!”

The human, 'Masaru-sama,' replied with a grunt. “Gotsumon,” he said, annoyed, “how is it 'amazing' every time we kick someone's ass? Especially a grunt like this sap? He was just a punk.”

The ground shook as something else emerged from behind the rocks - this time, a much larger digimon, as tall as many of the surrounding trees. It was an orange dinosaur digimon with blue stripes, and with a brown helmet covering his horned head. “Well, I'm sure Leormon would say different, Aniki,” said GeoGreymon, before glowing brightly and shrinking down into the much smaller form of a yellow-colored, two-legged lizard who wore red arm-bands.

Masaru gave another grunt, and crossed his arms. “Yeah, I'm sure, Agumon. Gotsumon, do me a favor and hide that guy's Digi-Egg somewhere. We don't need any patrols finding it and figuring out someone turned one of their friends into a would-be omelet.”

With those words, his lizard-like partner seemed to start salivating.

“Of course, Masaru-sama!” Gotsumon chirped enthusiastically, giving the human a stiff salute before dashing off to his appointed task.

With that, Masaru finally turned around. Leormon looked up, and winced. Masaru's expression was painfully blank and unreadable... that is, until his lips curled into a snarl and he pounded a fist into his palm and cracked his knuckles. “Leormon,” he intoned dangerously.

Leormon gulped hard, wishing to crawl back into his hole. “H- Hey Masaru,” he said, finding his voice suddenly squeaky and his legs unable to move. “'Sup...?”

Masaru thrust a hand down and grabbed Leormon by the scruff of his neck. One quick tug pulled him into the air, and it was quickly followed up by a smack to the head. “Ouch-ouch-ouch!” the lion-cub cried.

“I'll show you 'what's up!'” the human cried, raising Leormon up to his eye level, shaking him vigorously. “Just what the hell do you think you're doin', sneaking out of camp when you know this Apollomon guy's troops are swarming all around this place? You remember why we're here, right? Don't you know what words 'covert operation' mean!?”

“Well, he might not,” Agumon said. “I mean, you didn't either, until Kudamon-”

“Not helping, Agumon!” Masaru interrupted, seething.

Agumon backpedaled, grinning sheepishly. “Right...”

Meanwhile, Leormon felt like his brain had been rattled to the point he couldn't tell left from right. “Um, I was, urgh,” he shook his head to clear it, and then glared, baring his fangs to the human. “I was just scoutin' around, is all! I figured they wouldn't catch someone my size-”

“Well you figured wrong!” Masaru snapped. “We're here to see what these guys are up to, and to and try and see if we can't free Jureimon! And that does not mean running around, trying to keep you from becoming pig food!”

Leormon grit his teeth defiantly, but his eyes showed a deeper regret. Masaru snorted in annoyance, and dropped the cub back to the ground, spinning around on his heel. “Anyway, we'll be lucky if their whole army doesn't know we're here now. C'mon, we need to meet Gaomon and the others at the- uhh- render-”

“Rendezvous point,” Gotsumon piped up, walking back towards them, dusting the dirt off of his rocky palms.

“Right,” Masaru snapped back, followed by him easing his stance a little. “At the very least... Leormon's helped us find out there's no one besides that guy right in this area. So lets get movin' before that changes.”

Masaru started off, and the three digimon quickly fell into stride behind him. Leormon stared at the young man's back, feeling both ashamed for disappointing him and angry at the same time. At times, Masaru had such an unbelievably foul temper, but at the same time, his courage often surprised him. He knew most humans were weaker than digimon, without the aid of a Digi-Soul, so who else would dive head first into a hostile army's encampment just to save one Child digimon - much less a screw up like him?

Thinking on it, it was easy for Leormon to understand why he followed Masaru... for all the frustration the human caused him, he found himself inspired by the courage beneath the harshness and bravado.There was no way he was as strong as Agumon, and he couldn't evolve like the human's partner either. As for Gotsumon... well, Leormon figured the mineral-type digimon's single-minded loyalty counted for something.

It had only been a few short months since the lot of them had met. It had been by chance, but... for some reason, there had been something familiar about their encounter... even when Leormon had felt the sting of Masaru's fist. There was something nostalgic about about the strength he had shown - he just didn't know what it was, as Leormon had only lived a very short life. But what he did know was that he had to go with Masaru and his followers, that he had to become as strong as they were.

If he did, something told him he would find the answers to something. Something important.

“Hey, um,” Leormon spoke up finally, after several moments of overwhelming silence. “Thanks, Masaru. For saving me.”

The human didn't respond for a few seconds, but then, he looked back at Leormon, grinning and giving the cub-like digimon a thumbs up. “Eh, don't mention it. Just, next time, if you have to do something like that, try and piss off someone stronger, okay? Thinking about it, I was just pissed 'cause that Boarmon guy too easy to beat!”

Leormon's face lit up, and he nodded vigorously.

It was then that all doubt left Leormon's mind, and he knew Masaru would lead him to whatever he desired to find.

-- --

Trekking across the Zanzaga Forest (and what was more, doing sodiscreetly) was no easy task. The four of them found that there were multiple areas of patrol, and that the digimon covering them were all fire-based, many of whom were Boarmon just like the one they had battled, or tiny PetitMeramon,who were nothing more than balls of flame with eyes, short limbs, and a mouth. The Boarmon, as Masaru well knew, were just mindless beasts that served as “muscle”, and it was their job to take down any “intruders.” The PetitMeramon, on the other hand, were Baby digimon who couldn't put up much of a fight, but could easily evade more powerful attacks, and thus get off quickly to report what they'd seen and gather reinforcements.

Masaru was currently doing some scouting of his own. He had climbed up a tall tree, leaving his digimon companions on the ground to keep watch. The tree was high enough that when he neared the top, he could see out over the treetops. In the distance, he could see their destination: a clearing surrounding a lake, that lay at the foot of a rocky mountain.

It wouldn't be that easy, of course. It never was.

Once they'd gotten close enough to the lake, they made sure to approach cautiously, and sure enough, they spotted what couldn't be seen from a distance. Standing on the beach was another digimon, this one a humanoid dragon man-type, whose blue body was adorned with flame-painted armor. This was obviously another member of this “Apollomon's” forces, but he wasn't patrolling the beach. Rather, he just stood there, staring at his reflection in the water.

Frowning, Masaru furrowed his brow. There wasn't much chance they'd be able to sneak by him... he was distracted, but not heavily so, and they'd likely be unable to move past without making a sound. And they certainly wouldn't be able to search the beach for their friends, or wait for them either.

“What do we do, Aniki?” Agumon asked.

“I don't know,” he sighed. Every instinct told Masaru to just barge in and take this guy on... that is, every instinct except one. And he knew this particular voice of restraint came from dealing with one very troublesome blond rival. He turned to Gotsumon, and asked, “You know anything about this dragon guy?”

“He's a Fladramon,” Gotsumon said. “I've heard there's a number of them in Apollomon's army...higher ranked than the Boarmon, though not incredibly powerful.”

“Yeah, about that,” Masaru hissed. “We've heard a lot about this Apollomon guy and his army, but no one's explained why he or any of any of these other 'Olympus Twelve' guys would bust in and try to take over Mercurimon's old stomping grounds...”

“Isn't that what we're here to find out?” Leormon asked. “But then... this Mercurimon guy was one of the Olympus Twelve too, right? Maybe they think this forest is theirs' anyway.”

Masaru snorted. “Mercurimon would never have condoned something like this! He cared about the digimon in this forest! If his buddies had done this when he was alive, he would have run them off in no time flat!”

“So... what do we do, Aniki?” Agumon repeated.

Masaru grit his teeth, and thought for a moment longer. His instincts screamed to go forward, while that seemingly small voice of reason kept telling him to hold back. But at the same time, the voice of caution was offering him no solutions, either.

Realizing that, Masaru knew what he had to do. He pounded his fist into his opposite palm and moved forward, past the bushes, and beyond the cover of the tree line.

“Ma- Masaru-sama!” Gotsumon shouted, alarmed at the young man's action. The rocky digimon followed after him, but came to a quick stop before entering the clearing. Agumon, meanwhile, grunted “Hoh!” and followed after his partner.

Masaru glanced back over his shoulder, and saw Leormon looking from Agumon to Gotsumon. The lion-like digimon nodded to himself, and inched out of the clearing behind Agumon, careful not to draw attention to himself.

The Fladramon, his attention drawn by the noise Gotsumon had made, quickly turned in the direction. The sight of them caused him to instantly assume defensive stance. “A human!?”

At this, Masaru gave his widest possible grin. It was partly to throw this new opponent off, and partly because there had been no new enemies charging out of the woodwork. “Yo!” he cried, putting his arms behind his head. “'Sup?”

“You will state your business!” the Fladramon snapped, pointing a claw at Masaru. “This land is currently under the protection of the great Apollomon-sama and his army, and anyone living here is to answer to the authority of his Generals!”

Masaru continued smiling. “You know, all this militaristic stuff is kinda... well, it's bull-crap. You know who Mercurimon was, flame-boy? He was never this uptight. Heh, Mercurimon. Now there was an awesome guy. See, this one time, he and my dad-”

Flames ignited between Fladramon's claws. “Don't test me, human!” he shouted. “Your presence in this world is insult enough, so will tell me what you're doing here!”

“Oh, I'm sorry,” Masaru replied, following up with derisive laugh. “The name's Daimon Masaru! Just figured I'd take an afternoon stroll, you know? Work out the calf muscles, see if there was anybody in this army of Apollomon's worth challenging...”

Fladramon's eyes widened, and his stance faltered. “Masaru?! D-Daimon Masaru?!”

Masaru stopped smiling, and his expression changed into a scowl. He cracked his knuckles, and said, “Yeah. You've heard of me?”

Fladramon's twitched again, and that was all Masaru needed to act. Within seconds, he bridged the distance between them, drawing back his fist, which was now glowing brightly with the power of his Digi-Soul. He swung forward, and punched Fladramon square between the eyes, cracking his helmet. The force of the blow sent him flying back, splashing across the surface of the lake before submerging beneath the waves. Quickly, Agumon joined Masaru at his side.

There was a brief silence, and then Fladramon burst out of the water, his body becoming engulfed in flames as he rose into the air.

“FIRE ROCKET!” the dragon man screamed, shooting toward them like a burning comet.

Agumon took a breath, his entire head heating up and turning red, just before he spewed out a large stream of flames from his mouth. “BABY BURNER!”

Fladramon flew down, colliding with Agumon's attack. The blast succeeded in halting his momentum, as well as throwing him up further into the sky. As Agumon's attack subsided, and Fladramon's flames flickered out, and he started to fall back to the earth. The dragon man gave a feral snarl as flames started to swirl up around him again. “FIRE-!”

“CRITICAL BITE!”

A yellow streak flew through the air just moments before Fladramon recoiled, a vital point on his chest being bitten before the flames could engulf him a second time. His eyes widened in horror, but was unable to scream before his body blew apart into data and reformed into a Digi-Egg... which then fell into the lake with a minor “plop.”

Masaru smirked, looking down at Leormon as the lion cub landed back on his feet. “Nice,” he said, giving the digimon a thumbs up. “I was wonderin' if you were setting up for something, Leormon.”

Leormon just grinned mischievously. In truth, Masaru was surprised. He had half expecting that he'd need to evolve Agumon again However, Leormon had been able to strike a fatal blow with just one attack, and that was without evolving.

Intelligence and power. Masaru knew where he'd seen that before, and it was something he himself didn't have a full handle on, even after all his years in the Digital World.

“C'mon, guys,” Masaru said, starting to head off. He paused for a moment, and then called out. “You too, Gotsumon. The coast is clear.”

“C-Coming, Daimon Masaru-sama!” Gotsumon cried, scampering out of the bushes.

The group continued onward, searching the beach for a sign of the people they'd come to meet. Eventually, they neared the base of the nearby mountain, and there, they saw something odd. It was the mouth of a cavern, with a boulder lying in front of it rather conspicuously. Masaru wasn't the sharpest person in the world, but he knew a fair bit about survival, and that this was obviously deliberate.

“Well, I guess I can't expect much,” he grunted, as he neared the boulder. “I doubt they've been here long. This wouldn't even fool Agumon!”

His partner gave him a confused look. “What wouldn't fool me, Aniki?” he asked, innocently.

Agumon stared at him for a moment, and Masaru shook his head. “Whatever. Gotsumon, move that rock, would'ja?”

“At once, Masaru-sama!” the rock digimon replied, and he held out his hands. His eyes glowed for a moment, before the rock began to rumble, before it was slowly rolled out of the way by an invisible force. Once the cavern was exposed, Gotsumon slumped, looking a bit spent.

“Alright!” Masaru cried, running forward. “Come on, everybody, let's g-”

Before the human could could even blink, Masaru found himself charging right into a volley of explosive seeds and razor-sharp shuriken. He cried out, and flailed his body to the side. Then, just as he was about to get his wits about him, something blue and red came flying at him.

Masaru acted quickly, and with nearly inhuman reflexes, reached out and blocked the boxing-glove covered fist of his attacker. “Hey, Gaomon,” he said, grinning devilishly.

The humanoid, dog-like digimon wearing gloves and a red bandanna quickly leapt back, landing next to a brownish gray and purple-colored bird, and a floating digimon that looked like a pink and green plant.

“Masaru!” Lalamon squeaked happily, flying towards him.

“Masaru!” the bird repeated, running forward, only to stop a moment later. “Sorry about that, Masaru,” said Falcomon. “We couldn't be sure just who was coming in...”

Gaomon, the dog, nodded and stepped up to the human. “Though we knew that if it was you, you wouldn't consider it a problem,” he said, and then extended a gloved hand. “Nice to see you again.”

Masaru took Gaomon's hand and shook. “Same here. Everyone else here?”

Gaomon nodded . “They are.” He then eyed Masaru's companions as they entered the cavern, his gaze finally resting on Leormon. He stared at him wide-eyed for a moment, and then his eyes gaze narrowed scrutinizingly. He glanced back quickly at Falcomon and Lalamon, who shared similar expressions, and then to the human. “I see you have a new follower,” he said, shortly, causing Leormon to blink at him in confusion.

“Yeah,” Masaru said quickly, just before spinning Gaomon around and ushering him forward. “Lets go meet everyone!” he said “No need to keep them waiting, right?!”

“R-right,” Gaomon stammered, as Masaru continued to push him along.

“Oh, and Gotsumon,” said Masaru, “close the cave back up for us, alright?”

Gotsumon stopped following them, and then slumped forward a bit. “R-right away, Masaru-sama,” he said, wearily.

Once that was done, they all moved further into the cave, finding that a light ahead of them was guiding their way. As they drew closer, they found a campfire, and that sitting around it were the two PawnChessmon, Kamemon, and Piyomon. After the latter greeted him enthusiastically, and the former three greeted him wordlessly, Masaru glanced around. “Say, everyone's here except Kudamon,” he said, having half expected to hear a derisive comment from the little weasel by now.

“Kudamon, as you know, has rejoined the Royal Knights, and they don't want to show an aggressive hand,” said Gaomon. “At least... not just yet. Though I've been acting as their 'vassal',” (this word choice earned a snicker from Lalamon and Agumon, which was promptly ignored), “and have been helping in their efforts to strengthen their relationships with various groups across the Digital World, it wouldn't have as much of an impact as one of them showing up. They don't want to act until Apollomon's army makes an open act of aggression.”

“This isn't open?” Masaru asked, annoyed. “They came marching into this forest, and either drove everyone off or took them prisoner! They're even holding Jureimon captive, and this is just as much his forest as it was Mercurimon's!”

“But they haven't reverted anyone,” Gaomon replied. “When they first came, Masaru, they demanded that everyone either submit or leave. Jureimon stayed of his own accord, and any others either stayed or couldn't get out in time.”

“People only ran or gave up because there was no way they could fight back,” Falcomon snarled. “And the Olympus Twelve's army is well known... Apollomon isn't even here himself, just his generals, Agnimon and Vritramon.”

Lalamon blinked her black, pupil-less eyes for a second, and then held her hands over where her nose would be if she had one. “Um, Masaru, Agumon?” she said, interrupting.

“Yeah?” they both asked, and found her staring at them, Leormon, and Gotsumon.

“When's the last time any of you had a bath?” Lalamon asked, almost gagging as she did so.

Masaru, Agumon, Leormon, and Gotsumon then just looked at one another and shrugged. Lalamon gave a sigh of exasperation, floating to the other side of the campfire and settling down on the ground next to the PawnChessmon. “Ugh,” she muttered. “Boys.”

The black PawnChessmon gave her a knowing nod, and patted the plant digimon on the head reassuringly. Meanwhile, her white companion looked somehow offended (despite his armor) as he shot his better half a look. She then shrugged back at him.

“Anyway,” Gaomon said, clearing his throat. “The Knights have given us a plan.”

Masaru grinned, despite himself. “Yeah? Whatever it is, I bet it's Kudamon's idea.”

Gaomon nodded. “The plan simple. We can't go in there fists swinging-” Agumon looked disappointed while Masaru looked unsurprised “-but we are going to demand an audience with them, asking them to free their captives, and then agree to a meeting with the Royal Knights.”

Masaru found himself grinning again. “Yeah, and you guys asked me to come here. You know that's not going to work out, and that they'll end up swinging first.”

Gaomon sighed, and nodded.

Falcomon stood up, pounding one of his wings into another “When... err, if they do attack us, Sleipmon, Dukemon, and UlForceV-Dramon are waiting on the edges of the Forest, watching for our signal.”

“Our signal?” Agumon asked.

Falcomon looked at Gaomon, who suddenly looked very put out. He sighed, and crossed his arms, saying, “I told them to wait for a large explosion.”

Agumon and Masaru looked extremely delighted at this news.

“I just don't understand this!” Gotsumon said, suddenly making his presence known. “Why are the Olympus Twelve even doing something like this in the first place? I mean, they've never made a move like this before, have they?

Gaomon looked at Gotsumon for a moment, and then back to Masaru. The silent question was obvious - with knowledge of the Olympus Twelve's current actions, had the rocky digimon regained any memories of his prior existence? Masaru just shook his head, and Gaomon nodded, speaking carefully.

“That, we don't know,” he said. “But Omegamon is understandably bothered by this course of action. With Yggdrasil having sealed himself away since our battle five years ago, it's been up to the Royal Knights to try and maintain the peace of the Digital World. But even before that, the Olympus Twelve had isolated themselves in their individual domains. After Mercurimon was killed, they closed off all of their territories, and even refused a summons when Omegamon contacted them on the Knights' authority. The truth of the matter is, we have no idea what any of them besides Apollomon are up to, or if any of them are aware of what his army is doing.”

“The group isn't even the Olympus 'Twelve,' anymore,” Falcomon said, a distinct hint of bitterness in his voice. “ Mercurimon wasn't...” He paused, looking away from the others. “Mercurimon wasn't the first one of them to die. Their numbers have been dwindling steadily over the years. After we all came back to the Digital World, I tried to join them, but I wasn't even allowed to approach. I thought maybe they'd become afraid for their survival, but... with this? Who knows?”

“Hey, don't worry about it,” Masaru said, trying to sound comforting. “We'll figure out what's going on.”

“And if we don't have to fight,” Gaomon said, though sounding as if he didn't fully believe it himself, “then there's still a chance we can settle this peacefully. And Falcomon... if you're still not sure, the offer I gave you is still open. No one will think any less of you, or-”

“No!” Falcomon spun around, almost looking insulted. “Mercurimon wouldn't have just taken this and hid! Neither would have Ikuto!” Then his expression softened, and he spoke, quietly. “I'm in, Gaomon.”

Gaomon gave Falcomon a nod. “Right. Then we'll move out in two hours. Everyone, get some rest, because we may have a hard battle ahead of us.”

“Can we throw them in the lake first?” Lalamon asked, pleadingly.

Masaru just rolled his eyes. Gaomon took a few steps away from the everyone as the group started to disperse and move around. Leormon moved off by himself, while Agumon and Piyomon began to converse chattily. Lalamon floated off somewhere, while Gotsumon began to engage both Kamemon and the PawnChessmon in conversation, naively unaware that he'd be the only one saying very much.

“Masaru,” Gaomon said, low but just loud enough for the human to hear. “Can I speak with you?”

Masaru blinked, but walked over to Gaomon, squatting down in front of him. Gaomon then led him off to the side. “Hey. What's up?”

“That lion digimon,” Gaomon said, eying Leormon, who was now lying curled up in a dark corner of the cavern. “He is who I believe he is, correct?”

Masaru was silent for a moment, and then nodded. “Yeah. I think he is. We met Leormon a few months back when checking out the place where Yggdrasil used to be. Where we had to...” He paused, closing his eyes. “You know.”

Masaru didn't really like thinking back to those events. They had been the most troubling of the battles they had fought, both before and after he had been forced to take the lives of two people that were dear to him. Not even facing Yggdrasil had been as difficult... in those events, he'd been possessed by an unfaltering drive, an assurance that he would win. But that instance... even if it had been undone in several ways since, he still felt it was where he was at his weakest.

“Right,” Gaomon said, sadly. “So, you haven't told him?”

Masaru's eyes opened. “I didn't think it was a good idea,” he said, after a moment “Agumon agreed with me.” He smiled, and looked back at Leormon.

“He needs a second chance, too, like Dad got,” he said, quietly. “Even if it's not quite the same. But even then, it's not my decision to make. We all decided to come back to this world on our own, and you know you'll see your partners again, somehow. But... I dunno, what if we told him, and he remembered Dad and everything he'd done? It'd be like you coming back, and remembering Touma, only you wouldn't know if you'd be able to see or talk to him. To handle something like that... he'd need to learn how to be a banchou all over again.”

Masaru looked back to find Gaomon smiling at him. “They'd both be proud of you, Masaru,” the dog said.

Masaru grinned, sheepishly. “Yeah? Well, you sound a lot like Touma yourself, Gaomon.”

Before either of them could say anything more, Masaru found himself instantly being drenched with ice cold water. “There we go!” chirped a sing-song voice that could only belong to Lalamon. Masaru looked up to see the plant digimon holding a bucket.

Over on the other side of the cavern, Agumon was roaring with laughter. At that, Lalamon turned slowly, aiming her malevolent gaze at him. Then, in her harshest, sweetest voice, she screeched “YOU'RE NEXT!”

Agumon suddenly looked very pale.

-- --

When the group left the cave some two hours later (it had taken a bit longer, as both Agumon and Leormon had put up a fight), they began their trek towards the main encampment for Apollomon's army. Everyone had decided to come - even Gotsumon, who was now prattling onto himself about how now that he was all wet, he'd be developing moss.

After walking a ways, Gaomon stepped forward and pointed south. “Their main camp is about two miles in this direction. As we get closer, we'll undoubtedly end up coming across more of their scouts, so Falcomon, I want you to take point. You know this terrain best.”

And so they went, with Falcomon leading the way. With his knowledge of the forest terrain, which came from years of training and fighting in it with Ikuto, they were able to proceed rather quickly. This took them off the well beaten paths, and back into the denser undergrowth of the Zanzaga. Though this place was infamous for its unyielding wilds, he led them through it with ease, and more than once, he took them past a near encounter with the patrols.

Masaru noticed too that Falcomon was being very quiet, and not simply for the sake of trying to remain undetected. There was a quiet anger about him, unlike anything he had ever sensed from the digimon. It was understandable, given the situation. Rather ironically, he found himself hoping that this anger wouldn't impair Falcomon's judgment.

Finally, Falcomon came to a sudden stop, throwing his wings out in either direction to keep the group from advancing further. Listening closely, Masaru could hear the sounds of numerous bodies moving and creatures talking up ahead.

“We're here,” Gaomon whispered, stepping up beside Falcomon. “From here on out, everyone move with caution. And remember, if a battle starts, the majority of us will focus on freeing the hostages...”

“While Agumon and I work on taking out Apollomon's goons,” said Masaru, to which Agumon nodded.

“Right,” Gaomon said. The other digimon gave their silent agreements, Gaomon led them out of the thick growth of the forest. They emerged into another large clearing... Masaru knew this place, as the same clearing where he'd battled three powerful enemies some years before.

It had been back when Kurata had all but declared war on the Digital World, and was sending his creations to attack and harvest digimon for their data, all to serve his own ends. Here, in this exact place, they'd found Jureimon and a number of other digimon, crippled by Kurata's assault, and had been forced to defend them from three people Kurata had twisted to aid him in his madness.

What he and the others saw in the clearing was a disturbing mirror of those events.

The entire area was filled with dozens of Apollomon's soldiers, all of them fire-based digimon. And in the center of the clearing was Jureimon, his bark pale and gray, large chunks of it chipped away from his body. The tree digimon's leaves were shriveled and dying, and many of them had fallen off. But even then, his roots remained firmly in the ground. Huddled around him were various sorts of digimon of all shapes and sizes, who looked either injured or incredibly frightened.

There were two, however, that were clearly not prisoners. They stood with them, but carried themselves with authority and assertiveness. One was smaller, and looked like a wild-haired human wearing red and black armor. The other was much larger, and looked like a large, orange-winged dragon, with mostly copper armor that included two blade-shaped cannons on each arm. He seemed to be making a show of glaring viciously at the prisoners, while the other simply watched, smirking. Masaru guessed that these were the generals Gaomon had spoken of, Agnimon and Vritramon.

Masaru had started moving, not fully realizing his own actions. Then, he felt Gaomon grab his arm, which was already holding his Digivice Burst, causing him to stop. “Masaru,” the dog digimon said sharply, “please, not yet. We have to maintain some sense of ourselves. Like I said...”

“Let them attack first,” Masaru said coldly, pulling himself back and pocketing his Digivice. “Right.”

“This is... horrible,” Piyomon said. “Just what do they think they're doing to them!?”

“HEY!”

The shout drew the group's attention, and they were suddenly very aware of the fact that they were standing out in the open. They turned in the direction of the voice, and saw a large, humanoid digimon with dark colored skin. His most notable features were that he had multiple faces and limbs. Furthermore, moving at his side were two other digimon: one who looked like an armored, flame-colored moth; and another that resembled a dragon with a body made entirely of fire save for his head, which was a metal helmet.

“All of you halt!” the multi-armed digimon, an Asuramon, snarled. “This land is-”

“'This land is under the control of the great Apollomon,'” Masaru said, interrupting the larger creature. “We've already heard it, thanks!”

The Asuramon balked, and then sneered. He looked as though he might attack them, but before he could make a move, the moth-like digimon flew in front of him. “And just who are you?” the digimon, a Shadramon, demanded, pointing a cannon-like hand at the group.”

“We come on behalf of the Royal Knights,” Gaomon said. “We wish to speak with General Agnimon and General Vritramon, on the issue of your... occupation of this land.”

The third digimon scoffed, pointing a fiery claw at Gaomon. “You have some nerve, Child, coming in here like you have some kind of author-!”

“Oh, come now FlareLizamon, if they want to speak with us, the least we can do is hear them out,” said a voice said from behind the trio of digimon. The lot of them spun around, and quickly prostrated themselves on the ground.

“Our apologies, Agnimon-sama!” they each cried in unison.

Standing there, revealed to them, was one of the two digimon that they had seen in the center of the encampment - Agnimon, the wild-haired looking one that most resembled a man. His voice was surprisingly soft, and he had an amused-looking grin on his face. “Come now men, it wouldn't do well for us to attack an emissary of the Royal Knights... at least, not at first,” said he. “Great and noble defenders of the Digital World that they are.”

The sarcasm in his words was so thick that Masaru figured even Agumon caught on to it right away.

The ground shook as the second of the two came lumbering up behind Agnimon, causing Asuramon and his two companions to crawl out of the way. “If that's what these jokers really are,” Vritramon growled. “Why would the Royal Knights send a bunch of Child-level digimon and a human to speak for them? Are you all liars, or are the Royal Knights so frightened of Apollomon-sama that they do not want to come themselves?”

Gaomon narrowed his eyes. “I assure you, we are who we say were are. Every one of us has fought alongside the Royal Knights at least once, and this human...” he pointed at Masaru, “is Daimon Masaru, the son of the great Daimon Suguru!”

The two generals shared looks of mild surprise, and then studied the group more intently. “Oh, we see now,” said Vritramon. “The lot of you are the ones who allied with humans, just like the Royal Knight Sleipmon. The ones who were too weak to rely upon their own power...”

“Hey now, that's not-!” Masaru began, but was cut off.

“And you are Daimon Masaru, eh?” Agnimon asked. “No, I'm afraid this does not change my mind about the Knights' supposed cowardliness.”

“Please, Agnimon-sama,” Gaomon said, making sure to show the general proper respect. “Who we are is not important. What is, is that we've come to talk, and hopefully reach an agreement that does not end in conflict...”

Agnimon waved a hand at him. “Very well. And just what exactly do you want to 'talk' about, Child?”

Gaomon frowned at his show of respect not being returned in kind. “You have several prisoners here, and the Knights would have to ask that you free them,” he said. “And then, that you allow them all safe passage out of the Forest.

“Oh,” Agnimon said calmly, crossing his arms as his grin grew wider. “That's all then, is it? I'm afraid you've misjudged us, my little Emissary.”

Vritramon laughed. “My brother speaks the truth! These digimon are all our new allies, who have agreed to help spread the word across this land, and tell digimon everywhere who their new protectors are...”

“BULLSHIT!” Masaru exclaimed, stepping forward.

Lalamon sighed. “Oh boy. Here we go...”

“Quite a mouth for a human,” Agnimon said, looking from Masaru to Gaomon. “Really, you lot should really learn to keep your pets in line.”

Masaru clenched his hands into fists. “You say these digimon your 'allies?' Half of them are hurt or injured! And Jureimon looks like he's dying! Is this how you treat your friends?!”

Vritramon growled, and stomped forward until he was staring right down at Masaru. Everyone else grew tense, but Masaru didn't even flinch. “You are the 'great' Daimon Masaru? The whole Digital World has heard much about your exploits. Grand tales, all of them... You, Daimon Masaru, are said to be a human who fights alongside digimon, who defeated Yggdrasil, the Digital World's god, with nothing more than your fist! We've all heard the story. But you know what I think!?”

“Now, now, brother,” Agnimon said, keeping his calm tone. “Watch your temper. You don't want to excite it too much.”

Masaru only glared at him coldly. “What's that?”

He suddenly thrust out a clawed hand, grabbing Masaru and lifting him high into the air, till they were about face-to-face. “I think those so-called 'grand tales,”Vritramon continued, “are what you would call 'bullshit!' That the only thing 'great' about you is your digimon partner! I believe the so-called legends about you and your father are lies, and that you have been nothing but lucky this entire time! And now, that luck ends!”

At that, Vritramon raised his other claw, lifting it high above Masaru's head. Everyone gasped, and Agumon cried out, “Aniki!” before preparing to lunge forward, only to have Gaomon hold him back.

Vritramon laughed, and swung his claw downwards...

...Only to have Masaru, hand glowing brightly with his Digi-Soul, catch the dragon's hand and hold back his strength. Vritramon's eyes widened in shock, and Masaru glared up at him, letting go on the anger he'd been repressing.

“You think our power is nothing more than a bunch of lies?” he growled. “That all I do is use Agumon for myself?! I'll show you, you bastard... the power of a human and a digimon that fight together!”

At that, he threw Vritramon's arm to the side, causing the dragon to cry out as it made a loud snap. His clawed hand opened, dropping Masaru, whose Digi-Soul now flared up around his body. “Gaomon!” the human cried. “What was that you said about them attacking first?!”

Gaomon sighed, though he obviously had fully expected something like this to happened. “PawnChessmon!” he commanded. “Rescue plan, version A-2! Defend Falcomon and Kamemon as they approach the prisoners! Piyomon, Lalamon, everyone else, get ready to fight! Masaru, you-”

“Already on it!” Masaru growled, as Agumon ran up in front of him. “Digi-Soul Charge...!” he shouted, slamming his fist onto the top of his Digivice, his Digi-Soul turning white as it entered the device. “OVERDRIVE!” he cried, following up by releasing the spiraling blast of energy towards Agumon.

“Agumon, evolve!” Agumon cried, as his body became encased in a rapidly growing sphere of energy, like unto a massive Digi-Egg. When it reached a size many times greater than Agumon, it shattered, revealing what Agumon had become: a towering light dragon digimon, with gleaming red and white armor. “SHINEGREYMON!”

ShineGreymon then rose into the air, glaring down at the assembled forces of Apollomon. At this, Vritramon growled, and took aim with the blade cannons mounted on his arms spun around. “CORONA BLASTER!” the dragon roared, firing a volley of energy blasts at ShineGreymon.

The blasts struck the light dragon's armored body, but they barely seemed to make an impact. He then looked down at Masaru. “Well, Aniki?”

“We'll kill two birds with one stone!” Masaru shouted. “Lets clear up the competition and make sure that Sleipmon and the Knights have their signal!”

“Right! Hoh!” ShineGreymon cried, spreading his wings. They began to glow with intensity before the energy formed around his body, focusing into his hands into the form of a massive fireball.

“GLORIOUS BURST!” he cried, thrusting his hands forward and launching the great fireball. The two generals ducked down, the force of the fireball flying over their heads forcing them down on their knees, just before the attack struck a mass of their soldiers, sending an explosion of rock and flame into the air. When the dust finally cleared, it revealed a crater filled with newly formed Digi-Eggs.

With the majority of the army shell-shocked, Falcomon and the others wasted no time in making a break for the section of the camp where Jureimon and the others were. However, they were stopped, as Shadramon dropped down in front of them. “Not so fast!” the insect digimon shouted. “Flare Bust-”

However, before he could finish his attack, a blue blur leapt at him. “GAO RUSH!” he shouted, delivering a volley of punches, following it up with a powerful uppercut that sent Shadramon flying. Gaomon then landed on both feet, directing Falcomon and the others onward.

Agnimon growled at how quickly things had gone wrong for them in a short time. Cursing the uselessness of his soldiers, he spied Falcomon, Kamemon, and the PawnChessmon, and moved to stop them...

“NUTS SHOOT!”

... Only to be stopped by a rain of explosive seeds that came down around him. He sneered, and spun around, launching a fireball from his fists at his attacker, Lalamon, who quickly flew out of the way. Then, Gaomon leapt at him, swinging his fist at the general's face.

Agnimon smacked Gaomon away, and the dog digimon flipped back, landing beside Masaru. Vritramon rubbed his arm and roared, leaping next to Agnimon. “Brother,” the dragon said said, staring up at ShineGreymon. “We can't win this, not when they have an Ultimate digimon with them...”

“No, I'm afraid not,” replied Agnimon. “And he must be dealt with before we concern ourself with the Child digimon.” He then looked to Masaru, glaring hatefully. “Daimon Masaru! Your insolence ends here!”

“Oh, believe us,” Lalamon chirped. “Masaru's insolence is impossible to stop. We've tried!”

Agnimon laughed at that, and instead of attacking again, took a hold of Vritramon's clawed hand. “Fools! We are the greatest warriors in Apollomon-sama's army!”

“And we would not dare disgrace ourselves by allowing ourselves to be bested by a human!” roared Vritramon, squeezing his brothers hand. “Now behold, the power that our Master has given us! Jogress...”

“...Evolution!” finished Agnimon, and moments later, the two digimon's bodies burst with light, nearly blinding everyone around them. When it faded, only one digimon remained: a taller digimon, with Agnimon's face, and a body that seemed mostly composed of parts of Vritramon. The combined digimon laughed, and assumed a defensive stance, pointing his arm cannons at Masaru. “Behold! We are Ardhamon!”

“They combined,” Gaomon said, sounding a bit amazed.

Meanwhile, Masaru only stared at Ardhamon defiantly. “Is that supposed to impress us?” he replied.

Ardhamon didn't answer Masaru. Instead, he opened his blasters and took aim, shouting “BRAHMA SUTRA!” He thrust his arms out rapidly, sending a volley of fireballs straight at Masaru and the others. ShineGreymon dropped down, crouching in front of everyone to block the attack. However, unlike Vritramon's Corona Blaster, he seemed to actually feel this one, as he cried out as the fireballs struck him.

“ShineGreymon!” Masaru shouted. “You alright?”

“Just... just fine, Aniki,” ShineGreymon grunted, and looked ahead at Ardhamon. “But you...!”

ShineGreymon lunged at Ardhamon, sending a punch flying at the smaller digimon. Ardhamon shot into the sky, while ShineGreymon's fist simply struck the ground. Growling, ShineGreymon looked up and spread his wings, energy flaring out from them as he took to the air after him.

Masaru let out a hard sigh, and tried to get a handle on the situation around him. Falcomon, Kamemon, and the PawnChessmon had already reached the prisoners, but were in the process of defending them from Apollomon's soldiers - the PawnChessmon were holding out their shields, creating a shield that Asuramon and several fiery digimon called Meramon were hammering at with their fists.

“We have to help them!” Lalamon squealed. “Not even the PawnChessmon's shield can withstand that for much longer.”

Masaru frowned, and for a moment, agreed with her, and was prepared to rush off to their aid... before, that is, he noticed the expression on Falcomon's face.

The bird digimon was wearing a look of determination. Masaru recognized it, as the one he himself wore, and one that he had seen Agumon, Leormon, and Piyomon wear would they wouldn't back off from impossible odds. And he had seen Falcomon with that same expression, once when Ikuto was sick, when he refused to back down when his partner needed help.

Falcomon let out a screech that echoed out across the area, as a purple aura flared up around him. It rose up off of him like a flame, shocking everyone around him.

“Th-that's...!” Gotsumon gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Gaomon smiled. “The power of Ikuto's Digi-Soul!”

“But... it's been so many years! And with his human so far away... how can he still tap into it?!” Gotsumon wondered out loud.

“Falcomon evolve!” the bird shouted. Like Agumon before him, his body became encased in the visage of a rapidly growing Digi-Egg, which quickly shattered and revealed a tall, bird man digimon with purple armor, a red mask, and two wings: one black, and the other white and much smaller, with sharpened, blade-like wings. “RAVEMON!”

Ravemon only gave a momentary glance at the situation around him, as the PawnChessmon's shield faded and Asuramon and his group backed away in fear. However, moments later, they seemed to regain their resolve, and charged forward, which caused Ravemon to glare. “AME NO OHABARI - BLADE OF HEAVEN!” he cried, thrusting his sword into the ground. Instantly, dark clouds formed overhead, bringing with them purple lightning that struck down, throwing the soldiers into the air and reverting all of them save Asuramon into Digi-Eggs.

“How... how is this possible?” Gotsumon asked, his voice still heavy with disbelief.

“You probably wouldn't understand, Gotsumon,” said Lalamon, “not having a human partner. But for all of us, we can still feel our partners' Digi-Souls. And even after five years, I know Yoshino is alright... the connection we have can never be broken!”

Gaomon nodded, and Piyomon piped up as well. “I wasn't even with her as long, but Chika's Digi-Soul is still with me too! Not even my being reborn as a Digi-Egg completely took our bond away!”

Leormon just stared, looking more surprised than even Gotsumon. “The Digi-Soul,” he breathed. “So that's what it really is...”

Meanwhile, high above everyone's heads, Ardhamon and ShineGreymon were locked in an aerial battle. After throwing several blows at one another and launching several attacks, they both drew away from another and attempted to stare the other down. Seeing that this wouldn't work, both digimon sneered, and began to focus another attack.

“GLORIOUS BURST!”

“BRAHMA SHIL!”

Simultaneously, both of them created large fireballs, and launched them at the other at the same time. The two attacks collided in mid-air, creating an explosion of flame, which ShineGreymon then charged through, flaring up the energy aura coming off his wings and speeding toward Ardhamon. “SHINING BLAST!”

ShineGreymon collided with Ardhamon, and the force of the blow sent the smaller digimon falling out of the air. The Jogressed digimon plummeted before crashing into the ground violently. For a moment he laid there, prone and unmoving. ShineGreymon hovered down, looming over him as he slowly started getting back up to his feet.

The combined general looked up, only to see two of his Meramon subordinates being cut down, literally, by Ravemon's wing. A look around the battlefield showed that many of his soldiers had already been regressed to Digi-Eggs. And while there were a number rallying behind Asuramon and FlareLizamon, he knew that the odds didn't look good for them...

“No...” he growled, clenching his claws together. “This can't be over... no...”

“ROYAL SABER!”

“ODIN'S BREATH!”

“SHINING V-FORCE!”

Ardhamon's world became consumed in explosions as multiple attacks flew out of seemingly nowhere. Two blasts of energy had struck a number of his soldiers, as had a massive wave of wind and ice. “What's happening?!” Ardhamon demanded. Moments later, Asuramon emerged from the cloud of dust, supporting an injured FlareLizamon, looking very fearful.

“Ardhamon-sama... it's them... the Royal Knights...”

Sure enough, emerging into view next were three of the legendary Royal Knights. Leading them was the six-legged, centaur-like form of Sleipmon, and flanking him were the white armored knight, Dukemon, and the draconic blue knight, UlForceV-Dramon. Each Royal Knight then took a position around the clearing, with Sleipmon walking past the paralyzed Asuramon and FlareLizamon.

“I see everything is going as expected,” Sleipmon remarked, dryly, focusing on Masaru for a moment. Then he looked at Ardhamon, and pointed his bow, Muspelheim, at the general. “Ardhamon. Will you submit, or do you wish to prolong this foolishness?”

Ardhamon snarled, glaring up at Sleipmon. “Royal Knight,” he growled. “Do not think that your treachery will be forgiven...”

Sleipmon looked surprised. “I find your accusation of treason somewhat ironic,” the Knight countered.

“You are the real traitors here... you side with humans, the ones who killed Apollomon-sama's comrade, Mercurimon...” Ardhamon shot back.

“I sided with the humans who opposed that injustice,” Sleipmon replied. “There is quite a difference.”

Ardhamon laughed bitterly. “Oh, you think so, do you?”

“I know so,” Sleipmon said, calmly, and then looked to where the prisoners stood. The PawnChessmon's barrier had collapsed, and both digimon had since collapsed out of exhaustion. “Kamemon, see to both of the PawnChessmon! Ravemon! Escort the captives to the forests' edge. Magnamon is waiting there.”

Ravemon nodded silently, and took off for the clearing's edge, beckoning for the other digimon to follow him. Each one did, save for one: Jureimon, who had not moved once since the whole ordeal had begun.

“Jureimon!” said Sleipmon, beseeching the elder digimon. “Please, go with Ravemon. It is not safe for you to remain.

“No,” the elderly digimon said, his voice weak and barely audible enough to reach everyone in the clearing. “I... I r-refuse.”

“Why!?” Masaru exclaimed, running up to where Sleipmon stood. “We came here to rescue you!”

Jureimon closed his eyes, coughing raggedly. “No... this forest is my home...” he wheezed. “I have called this forest my home for years... more years than any of you have been alive. I will not abandon it... I will live, and die in these woods, either naturally or... or in the process of protecting it...”

“Such a noble sentiment, honored elder!” boomed a voice, that seemed to come literally out of the sky.

Masaru noticed the new voice made Ravemon stop cold in his tracks, the former digimon prisoners coming to a sudden stop behind him.

Flames surged down from the sky, landing in the clearing and then dispersing, revealing a figure that glowed as brightly as the sun itself. Following that, came a ray of light that struck down next to the first being, dispersing to reveal a second entity, concealed in an aura of darkness.

Both beings' auras faded, revealing the entities forms. The first was a massive, powerfully muscled individual that resembled a lion, complete with long mane of orange hair, red armor and massive flames burning on his arms. The second was a smaller, more lithe-looking being, clearly female and clad in white and blue armor. She carried a weapon with sickles on each end, and on her shins, she wore two guards that looked like crescent moons with faces.

Ardhamon let out a wild laugh, while Sleipmon and the other Knights' eyes widened in surprise. “Apollomon-sama... Dianamon-sama...” looking from one to the other. “You've come!”

The masculine one of the two, Apollomon, took a moment to survey the situation, glaring as his eyes fell on Sleipmon. “Royal Knight, you have some nerve interfering with us, invading our new territory...”

“Your territory!?” said Dukemon. “This land may have once been ruled over by Mercurimon, but that gives you no right to come in here and do as you please! You've hurt innocent digimon, and run others from their homes!” He pointed his lance at Jureimon. “Just look what your soldiers have done to this poor digimon!”

“We have done nothing!” Ardhamon shouted, defiantly. “He was like this when we arrived!”

Apollomon turned to look at Jureimon. “He has then? So, you are dying, old one?”

Jureimon opened his eyes slowly. “I am... even we digimon, shaped from data, can grow withered and frail... especially one such as I... a being who draws his life from the world around him... and it seems that this world has become poisoned...”

“And that's where we are agreement,” Apollomon said, approaching and holding out a hand to Jureimon. “This world is being poisoned. The so called god of this world has abandoned us, and humans and traitors run about, bringing hypocrisy and ruin. We are trying to prevent this, Jureimon, through the use of necessary force.”

Jureimon stared at Apollomon, and then, to the larger digimon's surprise, he smacked the Olympian's hand away. “I think... Apollomon... that you are blind to what this poison really is...” he said, his gaze hardening as he looked past Apollomon and Dianamon, at Masaru and ShineGreymon. “Daimon Masaru!” he cried, his voice strengthening.

Masaru felt a jolt run through him, as he stared at the elderly digimon, surprised at the sudden summoning of strength. “Jureimon?” he asked.

“You must understand!” said Jureimon, pointing a withered hand at the two Olympians, bark crumbling off of it as he did so. “The poison I speak of... you must discover what it is, and the sins that these so called 'protectors' have embraced in the name of bringing order to this world! Please... I leave it up to you!”

Dianamon scoffed at Jureimon's words, placing a hand on her hip. “Are you quite done, old man?”

Jureimon looked at her, and then slumped, leaning on his cane. He closed his eyes, and spoke softly, “Quite.”

“This insult cannot be forgiven. You said that you would not abandon this forest,,” said Apollomon, “that you would sooner die protecting it than run, correct?”

“Correct,” Jureimon said, calmly.

Apollomon held up his hand. “We are this Forest's protectors now. We are this world's.”

“So you say.”

Apollomon frowned, sadly. “Then let me give you a final gift. One such as you does not deserve to suffer.”

Realization suddenly hit Masaru. His eyes widened, and he ran forward. “JUREIMON!” he screamed. “Dammit, run! Get out of there!”

Jureimon said nothing. Did nothing.

A fiery orb formed, supported between two tall structures on Apollomon's armor. “Sol Blaster,” he said, calmly, and both Masaru and Sleipmon surged forward. But neither of them were nearly fast enough, as a massive blast of fire burst forth, and flew down at Jureimon, consuming the plant digimon in its flames. Masaru froze, his and his companion's eyes widening in horror, as Jureimon splayed out his arms, looking strangely at peace as his body burned away.

Finally, the flames subsided, and all that was left of Jureimon was a green and gray-colored Digi-Egg.

The shock of the moment was quickly broken, as Masaru let out a scream of anger, charging at Apollomon. As the Olympian turned to face the angered human, Sleipmon took charge of the situation on his end.

“Ravemon!” Sleipmon cried. “Quickly! Get the hostages away, now! We shall cover your escape!” Ravemon broke from his shock, nodding intently - though he looked rather disappointed - and flew off, leading everyone away. Kamemon, however, remained, as he was supporting both PawnChessmon on his shoulders, and they had become too weak to walk.

“YOU SONS OF BITCHES!” Masaru roared, his Digi-Soul erupting around his body once again. He leapt into the air, drawing his fist back, sailing high due to the enhanced strength given to him by his Digi-Soul's power.

Apollomon reacted quickly, despite his apparent surprise from the human's quickness and ferocity. He threw out his own fist just as Masaru did his, and shock became etched on his face as he realized their blows were matched strength for strength.

Apollomon jerked his hand back, allowing Masaru to fall back to the ground, landing on both feet. The god man digimon stared at his fist in amazement. “You... you human...”

“Brother?” Dianamon questioned, looking just as awed as he was.

“He really is Daimon Masaru...” Apollomon said, unsteadily. “The son of Daimon Suguru. The man who fought Mercurimon all those years ago...”

“Don't you mention his name!” Masaru shouted, his voice heavy with rage. “Mercurimon was greater than any one of you! He protected this forest from invaders! He raised a human child as if he were his own son! He gave his life to save all of us! You, Apollomon? You're nothing like Mercurimon at all! You're nothing but a coward!”

“You...” Apollomon growled, and then screamed down at the human. “You know nothing of me!”

“I know enough!” Masaru screamed, pointing at Apollomon. “I felt it when our fists came together! A man puts his entire soul into his fist! You have power, Apollomon, but it's the kind that has no passion! That's how I know you're not the kind of man Mercurimon was!”

“SHUT UP!” Apollomon roared, and he reared forward, slamming his fist into the ground.

Masaru jumped away, letting Apollomon's fist strike the earth, cracking it asunder. Masaru hit the ground, and skidded back a bit before stopping. He looked back at ShineGreymon, who hung in the air, as if awaiting his Aniki's next order. “You ready, ShineGreymon?!” he asked.

“ALWAYS!” ShineGreymon roared, flying past and surging towards Apollomon.

Masaru pulled out his Digivice, and held it out on its side. A glow emanated from it, as he ran his hand over it, drawing power from his Digi-Soul. “GeoGrey Sword!”

ShineGreymon landed in front of the two Olympians, just as started Dianamon swinging her weapon at his head. The earth beneath them shook, causing the two's footing to falter, just as ShineGreymon landed on his knees and threw his fist into the ground. He then pulled back, the earth shattering beneath him as he revealed a golden sword that seemed to surge with the power of flame.

“Aniki's right!” ShineGreymon roared, quickly swinging his sword up to block Dianamon's blow. “You're cowards, the both of you!” He gave a mighty shove forward against Dianamon's weapon, making her stumble back, freeing him up to swing the blade at Apollomon.

The fiery Olympian jumped back, bringing his fists up defensively. ShineGreymon snarled before lunging at his enemy, ramming into him with the flat of his sword. “I'll show you the power that Mercurimon respected so much... I'll show you the power of a Daimon's Digi-Soul!!”

Dianamon hissed, spinning her weapon around. “Brother, hold on!”

“No. Your opponent is me, Dianamon!”

Masaru blinked, and looked over to see Gaomon stepping up next to him. “Gaomon, what are you doing?” asked the young man.

“Master would never stand for something like this,” Gaomon said. “He would give his all to fight them, just as you're doing now, Masaru!”

“THORN WHIP!”

Masaru's eyes widened, and he looked behind him to see that Lalamon was no longer with Gotsumon and Leormon. Rather, she had become Rosemon, and was battling Ardhamon, Piyomon's evolved form of Garudamon at her side. The Royal Knights were now dealing with Apollomon's soldiers, holding some off, and driving others away from the battlefield.

“I know Master's Digi-Soul still burns just as brightly as it ever did!” Gaomon cried, a blue Digi-Soul flaring up around his body. He pointed at Dianamon, growling. “And your opponent is not just me... it is my Master's power!”

A blinding light consumed Gaomon, and Masaru could only shield his eyes, grinning at he knew what was coming.

“Gaomon, evolve!” the Child digimon shouted, and in a matter of moments, his form was replaced by a massive beast knight bursting out of an evolutionary Digi-Egg. The newly evolved Ultimate digimon clashed his claws together, and declared his name. “MIRAGEGAOGAMON!”

Dianamon barely had time to react, as MirageGaogamon surged forward with great speed. His claws clashed against her staff, and she could only growl as his strength fought against hers.

“You- you people!” Dianamon grunted, pulling her staff away and leaping back. “Your insolence-! All at once...! Where does this power come from!?”

“Our power is our teamwork, our friendship!” MirageGaogamon shouted. “That's the power of DATS united!”

“DATS...!? What is DATS?!”

MirageGaogamon threw out another swipe, which Dianamon blocked by locking her blade between his claws. He narrowed his eyes at the Olympian, and replied, coldly.

“That's not something I'd expect you to understand...”

-- --

“Magnamon!”

Ravemon never thought he'd be so glad to see the golden Royal Knight. As he reached the edge of the Zanzaga Forest, a long line of escaping digimon following behind him, he finally let out a sigh of relief. As they neared, all of the once captive digimon let out a cheer. Though a number of them were injured, their escape had gone without much incident.

“Ravemon!” Magnamon shouted, running over to the warrior digimon. “I suppose it'd be safe to say things got a bit sticky back there...”

“Yeah,” Ravemon said, nodding. “Apollomon and Dianamon appeared.”

Magnamon's eyes widened. “Then, we have to get back! Dukemon and the others-!”

Ravemon held up a clawed finger. “-will be fine. I'll see to that. Your job is to protect the hostages, okay?”

The golden-armored Royal Knight looked at him for a moment, before sighing and giving him a nod. “I hate to admit it, but you're right...”

Ravemon looked back at where the distant battle raged. “I need to get going, then. Take care of them!” He didn't wait for a response before he leapt back into the air, flying out across the treetops with as much speed as he could muster

As he flew, worry and inner conflict seized his mind. He did not worry for his friends - he knew he could count on them. Rather, his thoughts were focused on the Olympians.

Apollomon, Dianamon,... he thought to himself. How could you do this!? Mercurimon was your friend, wasn't he? And if you two have decided to go this far, then Marsmon, Neptunmon, Vulcanmon... Minervamon...

He was lost in thought, but not so much that he was unaware of his surroundings. Thus, as he caught something out of the corner of his eye, he gave a gasp and stopped dead in the air. That... couldn't have been... he thought, surveying his surroundings, trying to catch a glimpse of what he thought he saw.

What he seen, it shouldn't be possible. Not after all this time...

He cast one last furtive glance at the battlefield's direction, and dove towards where he thought he'd seen the phenomenon. He then landed on a sturdy tree branch, and gripped it, surveying the area with his sharp eyes, and saw...!

His eyes widened in shock.

It was Digital Gate. And just as he had caught a glimpse of it, he was sure he had seen humans wearing familiar-looking armor running into it before it closed. He had seen men like them before, during Kurata's first attack on the Digital World, and years later when he waged war on it again.

If they were here, then that meant...

Ravemon let out a cry of frustration, and spread his wings, rocketing back into the air. He pushed himself to his limit, suddenly worried about his friends, as well as Apollomon, Dianamon, and everyone else at the battlefield.

He only hoped that he would make it in time.

-- --

It all happened quite suddenly.

With the battle waging as it was, it was no wonder they didn't notice it.

Apollomon's soldiers had either been disposed of or run off, freeing the Royal Knights to join the battle against Ardhamon and the Olympian. UlForceV-Dramon had joined MirageGaogamon against Dianamon, while Sleipmon fought alongside ShineGreymon versus Apollomon. It was all Ardhamon could do to stay alive against both Rosemon and Dukemon, and only did so because he was quick enough to dodge their attacks. Meanwhile, Garudamon had taken to shielding Gotsumon and Leormon from the stray attacks that flew back and forth across the battlefield.

It was clear that the Olympians were steadily losing the fight. But winning or losing, no one was prepared for the explosions that came out of nowhere, ripping holes in the space around them.

Masaru felt sick to his stomach as he fell, losing all sense of gravity as the ground was ripped open beneath him. ShineGreymon reacted quickly, ignoring Apollomon and flying towards his partner. “ANIKI!”

MirageGaogamon just as quickly disengaged from Dianamon, flying back and snatching Masaru out of the empty space. “I have him! ShineGreymon, the others!”

And soon, they were being sucked in by a powerful force. Garudamon grabbed hold of Leormon and Gotsumon, but was being drawn down into the warp that was swelling beneath them. “No! GARUDAMON!” ShineGreymon screamed, trying to reach him.

He didn't need to, though, as Sleipmon flew past, grabbing Garudamon by his arm. He shot a look in ShineGreymon's direction. “Quickly, grab onto me!”

ShineGreymon did as he was told, flying over and grabbing onto Sleipmon's shield, while MirageGaogamon followed, grabbing a hold of ShineGreymon's tail. A cry of “Thorn Whip!” gave way to Rosemon's yellow vine-whip striking out, wrapping around one of Sleipmon's legs.

Masaru, meanwhile, looked around, seeing the world around them, replaced only by a swirling green and blackness. In the distance, he saw Dukemon and UlForceV-Dramon, just before they disappeared... and there was no sign of Ardhamon, or Apollomon and Dianamon.

“The others!” Masaru shouted against the storm.

His cry went of deaf ears, as they fell deeper into the warp, nothing but darkness around them...

And then, suddenly, they emerged into the light.

-- --

Ravemon cursed himself as he landed in the clearing where the battle had once been taking place. Moments before, everyone had been there, fighting for their lives... and now, there was nothing but empty, desolate earth. Not even the Digi-Eggs of the fallen digimon remained.

Save for one...

Quietly, Ravemon neared the green and gray Digi-Egg that had once been Jureimon. The bird collapsed, and took hold of it with his shaking, clawed fingers. It was as if it had refused to be taken from its home world. From the forest it had called home.

Even in another life, he remained firmly rooted to this ground...

His friends were gone, taken back to the Human World. And humans were responsible... he had seen the massive explosions, and then the formation of the Digital Gate that drew them and the Olympian army into the human world. He remembered something similar, over five years ago, when Kurata had done the same to ElDoradimon.

But he had still been there. Back then, he had raced to the gateway like he'd just been now, but still managed to make it to the portal in time so that they could help with the battles in the Human World. He and Ikuto had been able to fight, and had played a role in stopping Kurata and his resurrected monster...

Without any words, Ravemon's body shrunk, and reverted back into Falcomon. Ikuto never seemed as far away as he did now.

He had failed. He saw this coming, and he'd failed.

And now, he wouldn't be there to help his friends or Ikuto face whatever lay on the other side.

-To Be Continued

-- --

Mega sez: There you have it. The backbone of this chapter was written out by Infinity, with me going back and building around what he'd penned down, doing clean-ups and what have you. The core of the story is his though, so he deserves a big hand.

There were two main objectives to this story; deal with the epilogue of Savers, and the fact that the digimon and Masaru are cut off from the human world, and to introduce a number of conflicts that will play a role in the story as it unfolds, using elements that had been hinted at in Savers but not fully realized. Our next chapter sets a very different stage, and for those of you wondering about absent characters, stay patient - they're coming.

Hopefully, this will unfold into a much larger arc, as we manage to put more of the story out. Anyway, that's all I got. Infinity, you want to take it?

Infinity Says: Thanks.

I think this first chapter's gone through so many versions that it makes my head spin. It originally began in a completely different, but similar manner that was a lot more condensed and rushed plot points along. It didn't satisfy either of us, so we tore it down and I wrote the basic rough draft that Mega then expanded on. THEN, I combed over it again, before HE went over it yet AGAIN.

Needless to say, a lot of work, but well worth it, I think. Nice to finally get a lengthy Savers fic out there in the open, WELL beyond the little drabbles I've written in the past. This is the first of many more in-depth Savers fics from the both of us, and I can't wait to do more. (And hopefully read more. C'mon, I know there are more Savers fans out there. WRITE, already!)

One of our other objectives, actually, was to get this out by October 1stin a sort of celebration. Of what? Why, Digimon Data Squad's (the English title of Savers) premiere on Toon Disney, of course! Anyone who has the channel, please, watch it and support it as much as you can. I, lacking that channel, sadly can't, but I can still spread my love of Savers as much as possible.