Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ New Gennai Order ❯ NGO -- Episode 02: "Newfound Allies, Part 2" ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"New Gennai Order" -- Episode 02: "Newfound Allies, Part 2"
(C) June 2001, Ryan Berke
http://ryanberke.cjb.net/


((DEDICATION: This one's for Thinker, who I'm begging to help out with this fic. If anyone other than him ends up reading this, it's because I finished this at the last minute before going away to camp for two weeks, and gave this to him for editing and subsequent posting. If you're not familiar with him or his works, check out "A.D.: After Digimon -- SCATTERED," one of my personal favorites of his, and "A.D.: After Digimon -- Resurrection," of which he let me write a sequel for. To Thinker, thanks man.))

((ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE: For the remainder of the saga, I'll try to use Hikari's japanese name (Hikari), so she and Kami are less easilly confused. Likewise, I'll be using Takeru's (Takeru) because it reads better in Notepad.))

((DISCLAIMER: I do not own, nor do I claim to own, any of the Digimon characters (heck, I refuse to claim even the ones I made up! Feel free to steal them!) They are all property of FoxKids, Toei, and Bandai. I haven't received any permission ahead of time, but then this wouldn't be a Fanfic, would it? Likewise, I do not own the song "What If?" by Creed))

((ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMER: This story is not Copywritten, as implied by the heading. (c) stands for "completed," allowing me to know when I wrote it.))

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Daisuke opened his eyes.

It was dark. He was in a bed, though it was not his. The matress was too hard, the blankets too rough. He turned his head to look around, and realized he'd best add a lumpy pillow to his growing list of complaints.

He saw two more beds, but only enough to see someone was in them, though not ho. Extracting his hand from the covers, he moved to turn on the bedside lamp. V-mon stirred on the floor beside him. Maybe it'd be best not to wake him.

Not that turning on the light would; the bulb was shattered.

Gound Zero wasn't making out to be a very cozy place. Better than expected, given the circumstances, but nothing like the comforts of home.

Slowly, carefully, he sat up, pushing the blankets away. Mindful of his footing, he sidestepped his true blue friend and tiptoed out the door, quietly shutting it behind him, listening for the click.

The lights came on. Freeze.

"Can I help you?"

Daisuke let his shoulders relax, turning to face the speaker. The voice was familiar to him, though he hadn't met the speaker in this world yet.

"Not a problem, Palmon." he replied. "I just couldn't sleep."

"Oh, would you like me to prescribe something? Normally I'm supposed to ask Mimi, but I think I could manage."

"No, it's fine." Daisuke dismissed. He frowned, then asked, "Where is Mimi, anyways?"

"She's with Izzy and Kami trying to figure out what to do next. You guys are the best shot we have of defeating Lord Dramon, and they're trying to figure out how best to work it to our advantage." Palmon explained.

"Makes sense." Daisuke acknowledged. "Especially given this world's history."

"They just don't want you guys to end up like Joe did--she still loves him, y'know. She hasn't talked much ever since he left, always praying for his safe return. When you guys showed up, she thought he finally had. Maybe she still thinks he will."

"Even though he's already dead." Daisuke noted.

"And Izzy's been milking it for all its worth." she agreed. "It's not that Joe was a bad leader; he just didn't know where to draw the line."

Daisuke blinked, shifting, "Pardon?"

"The proverbial line between right and wrong." she clarified, launching into an explanation. "Joe spent all his time trying to live up to his father's standards. He was so afraid to take risks, he didn't dare make them. Then, all of a sudden, it was he who had to make the life-and-death decisions, and he didn't know when and where to stop.

"When some of us started dissapearing, he quantified his resulting feelings by number of losses. Yami helped him to change tactics, so they depended on likeliness of casualties. That's why some of the deaths ended up meaningless; he'd lost four of us already, and was experimenting to figure out how to lose the fewest possible."

"I see..." Daisuke said slowly, once he was sure she was done. Whether he did see or not was unclear.

"Doesn't exactly sound like the kind of thing you'd confess to Mimi." he commented, additionally. "Bet it feels great to get it off your chest."

Palmon blinked in momentary confusion, "Uh...yeah, actually. Now that you mention it."

Daisuke smiled and put his hands behind his head. "Glad I could help." he turned and walked back into the hospital dormitory.

That's funny, he didn't get whatever he came for, Palmon realized. Could it be he just knew I needed to talk to? Even when I didn't?

As if to prove her wrong, the door reopened. Daisuke exited with a rather large (and painful-looking) bump on his head, and walked this time into the door to the Boys' dorm.

Palmon sighed.

---------------

"Rise and shine," Izzy's surprisingly, and almost mockingly, upbeat voice ordered. If there were shutters in the underground room, he'd certainly have thrown them open. Instead, he settled for the overhead light fixture.

"Go 'way!" Miyako moaned.

"The others are waiting." he replied. "It's relative-morning."

"Go on without me." she groaned. "I need my sleep."

Izzy's eyes narrowed. He grabbed at the linen sheets and yanked them off the bed--apparently, he didn't like the idea of his orders being disobeyed. If he wasn't the likeness of the computer club president, Miyako would've slapped him right then-and-there. Not that that would've gone over too well with the rest of the Resistance.

"Listen, I never asked for you to come here." Izzy replied, gruffly. "Grateful as I am for the help, we've gotten along just fine without you. As long as you're in my territory, you live by my rules."

This was definitely not the Koushiro she was used to. After a moment, his face softened and he added, "If your people are willing to do a few favors for us, the Restistance is willing to help you find a way home."

Home? Home was good.

She gave herself a once-over, noting her nightgown with a tug to one corner. "I'll be out in a moment, after I get dressed."

"How do I know you won't just go back to sleep?" he inquired.

She patted her D-Terminal at her bedside. "I've got the Digimental of Sincerity, ne? You can count on me to be there."

Izzy's only reply was in closing the door behind him as he left. Hearing the rustle of clothing behind him, he knew the girl spoke the truth.

He shook his head. After seven years, it was hard to think of someone other than Mimi with the crest of Sincerity. These new digidestined would take some getting used to.

And for better or worse, once they were on their way, he knew he wouldn't have to.

---------------

Izzy walked into his War Room, hailed by the respectful rise of his officers. Ever the diplomats, Takeru and Hikari rose too, as did Kami and WarAgumon. Izzy dissmissed the assembly with a wave, and chairs were reclaimed. He took his place at the head of the conference table, the end furthest from the door, and waited patiently. Miyako arrived minutes later, taking an empty seat. The meeting was ready to begin.

The table itself, uneven as though altered for this convention of freedom fighters, sat 12 occupants. To Izzy's Right, his senior officers, a Gazi-, Wizar-, Gotsu-, and Agu-mon, followed by Mimi, backed by Palmon. Opposite them were the five outlanders, with their In-Training partners varying from Upamon, bouncing happily in Iori's lap, to Chibimon, snuggled under Daisuke' goggles and snoring softly. Kami took the opposite end, WarAgumon at her side. So many human/digimon pairs shook loose a sense of longing in Izzy, but he quickly suppressed it to wait until he was alone.

"Friends," he began, arms wide to address the motley assembly, "Today truly marks a joyous occasion, a true turning point in our history. In an effort to ensure this, I needn't tell you that everything said within these walls, from this point on, is confidential.

"For two years now, Lord Dramon has brought pain and suffering upon our world. Bested only by his Master, Gennai, we've been left completely at his mercy. But no longer. From this point on, we will not go down silently. We finally have a way to fight back.

"Wizarmon," he finished, everyone's attention his, "You have the floor."

"Certainly, sir." Wizarmon rose, addressing his audience, "We've put together Survival Packs for each of you, each located under your respective seats." He paused as the packs were withdrawn, digidestined and partner sifting through the contents. "I'd brief you on the contents, but most is self-explanatory.

"What you DO need to know, is that we've included a two-piece communication device you can use, in case of emergencies only. The first part, located in Kami's pack, contains directions to emergency safehouses where you can stay. Don't think of betraying us; they're linked to the combinations of your digivices and biosignatures, and even if you do turn traitor, the safehouses aren't tied in any way to here. The first part is entirely encrypted, and useless without the second. The second part, located in Hikari's pack, is the encryption mechanism. It only works within the region it's in; in other words, using it gives you only the closest safehouse, not all of them. Additionally, it sends out an untraceable, broad-beam transmission upon use, so we know when and where you are if it's used. Don't even try to disable the trasmitter; it's also set to activate if the outer casing is cracked, and all components are wired through it, so if at any point it becomes inactive, the entire device is useless. In short: do not mess with us."

"Your objective is clear." the Agumon added, wordlessly demanding their attention, Wizarmon confirming it with a nod. "Destroy Lord Dramon, and your mission is complete. His name confirms it: he'll be susceptible to WarAgumon's Dramon Destroyers, so tactically, his use would make sense. As for the rest of you, this guy was able to digivolve pretty fast. Keep on your toes, in case he has any more tricks up his sleeve."

"At that point," Izzy added, "Activate the transmitter, if you haven't already done so, and we'll arrange for my Digivice to be sent to you. If the transmitter HAS already been used, you'll have been given another. The second is only for use upon Lord Dramon's defeat. We're not about to sacrifice all our safehouses without a reason to. Once you have the digivice, Kami can use it to open another portal, and your task will be complete.

"Are there any questions?" he finished, expecting none, but hoping for them nonetheless. They'd been pretty thurough about this; taking nothing for granted, foolproofing at every level. But this new batch of kids thought completely different from anyone he'd ever seen before, and worked in ways he'd never imagined possible. If there were any flaws to be worked out, they were the ones who'd find them.

"Since you obviously aren't willing to trust us," Daisuke asked, "Why not just send WarAgumon and be done with us?"

"We considered it," Izzy admitted, "But after reviewing the battle with Piedmon, it's evident that WarAgumon may encounter unknown threats he is unable to handle alone." he paused, possibly to make sure what he'd said made sense, but more likely to see if it did to the neanderthal with which he spoke. Daisuke nodded, so Izzy took his cue to continue. "As digidestined, you are resourceful, as newcomers, you are unknown to the enemy, and as foreigners, you'll be willing to do what it takes to return home."

Daisuke gave a final and knowing nod, made somewhat awkward by the Chibimon perched on his head. He gently set his friend on the table, and folded his hands in his lap.

"Any other questions?" Izzy asked. There were none. "Very well, you're dismissed."

---------------

Hours later, the children emerged on the surface, under the cover of night. The lift door closed behind them, a loud explosion signalling it's collapse. Dirt and dust flew outward, settling on the party in a thin film.

Iori brushed himself off, "They sure are going through a lot of trouble for us. Putting in one of those things couldn't have been easy."

"Or cheap." Takeru added. "They had to get the construction resources somewhere. Even if it was all leftovers from Machinedramon, they still had to sacrifice it from other use."

"Especially those charges for the explosion." Hikari agreed. "They probably deal a lot of damage, as loud as they are."

"Maybe too loud." Gatomon cautioned, darkly.

"Too loud, indeed." a sinister voice chuckled. "I knew if I waited long enough, I'd have my revenge."

"PIEDMON!" they gasped in unison.

"You hope to overthrow my master and save this world." he stated, "Well, I'm not going to let you. If you ever want to see Lord Dramon's territory, you'll have to get through me first."

"Careful what you wish for," WarAgumon launched himself at Piedmon, grabbing the midsection and letting the momentum guide him through a tackle. "It might come true."

"It's digivolving time." Daisuke noted, leading his companions in whipping out his D-Terminal. Gatomon and Patamon already prepared, the In-Training digimon grew into their Rookie forms. "We know we can't beat him with damage, so pick whatever can dodge best and work from there."

V-mon, Armor Digivolve into... Raidramon, the Storm of Friendship!
Hawkmon, Armor Digivolve into... Shyurimon, the Samarai of Sincerity!
Armadillomon, Armor Digivolve into... Digmon, the Drill of Power!
Gatomon, Armor Digivolve into... Nefertimon, The Angel of Light!
Patamon, Armor Digivolve into... Pegasusmon, Flying Hope!

And so the battle is joined, Hikari noted, but is it enough? She bit her lip, setting down her pack. She started sifting through it, just in case.

---------------

"So, who's next?" Piedmon sneered, several hours and a fierce battle later. His defeated foes lay once again exhausted in a heap. WarAgumon was sprawled out on his stomach, Piedmon's foot to his back, pinning him down. He strained in his attempts for freedom, using all his strength just to lift himself up enough to breathe. The effort didn't escape Piedmon's attention, who squashed the resistance, removing all weight from his other foot.

"If you must take anyone, take me." Daisuke offerred, rising from his vigil at Chibimon's side. One hand behind his back, he stepped away, separating his and his companions' ultimate fates.

"Such bravery will be rewarded with a painless demise." Piedmon grinned. "Are you the bearer of the Crest of Courage, in your world?"

"Yeah!" Daisuke smiled like a little kid, glad for the recognition. The smile never left his face as he added, "But I'm also well known for my bullheadedness against people like you!" He whipped out his hidden arm, revealing a signal flare. He opened it right in front of Piedmon's face, sending the Mega digimon staggering backwards.

"Insolent pest!" he screamed, frantically rubbing his eyes to clear the blindness. "I should've known; but now, you'll really pay!"

Vision clearing, he zeroed in on his adversary. He took a step forward, matched by Daisuke' nervous step back. Daisuke felt the back of his foot brush his pack, and knew there was no more running to be done.

"Daisuke!" Hikari cried, hurling something, anything, at Piedmon. It hit him square in the head, bouncing off harmlessly and hitting gravel. His attention shifted, but only slightly.

It gave WarAgumon the opening he needed. Launching himself in a tackle not unlike the one that began the fight, he removed the danger towards Daisuke, by removing the threat.

Piedmon snarled. "Haven't had enough, have you?"

"As long as scum like you exist, my purpose will next be satisfied." WarAgumon countered. "I was forged solely for the purpose of destroying you and those like you, and I fully intent to devote my life to it."

"You speak as if 'life' and 'long' were synonymous." Piedmon laughed.

"Perhaps they are." WarAgumon replied. "Either way, what's it matter to you? Why kill a mere boy like him, when you could take on a battle-hardened veteran like me."

Daisuke felt the urge to protest, but thought better of it. WarAgumon stood a better chance of surviving than he did, and no way would he be able to get away with the flare trick twice.

"Very well." Piedmon agreed, backing down. "So far we have yet to settle our score. In our last encounter, your cowardice led you to hide between barriers in Alliance tricks. In our first, you escaped into the other world, leaving the girl behind. Pity I didn't finish her off while I had the chance; I wonder what became of her."

"You'll never live to find out." WarAgumon retorted, clenching his teeth.

"Oh, won't I?" Piedmon doubted. "You escaped me twice; it will not happen again."

"Nor would I desire it." WarAgumon agreed.

"You're a fool." Piedmon sneered. "A brave fool. Nevertheless, you cannot win. You can not resist me, you cannot defeat me. And now, you will die. TRUMP SWORD!"

His arm snapped forward, sabre snaking along it to launch itself at its victim. WarAgumon jumped over the projectile, but this only provoked it to adjust its course. Veering around, it came right back at him.

Piedmon on one side, sword on the other, WarAgumon did the only sensible thing. He dodged.

The sword struck home, sending Piedmon staggering from his own malicious intent.

"Very good." he complimented, "But such parlor tricks will not win you a battle. You cannot last long; I will prevail." The trickle of doubt in his voice didn't support the claim, and for perhaps the first time he could remember, an inkling of fear penetrated his mind.

He brushed aside the unwelcome sensation, wielding a sword in either hand. Surging forwards, he swung wildly, leaving WarAgumon hard-pressed to counter. The clash of claw and steel resounded, as both combatants used ever ounce of adrenaline their digital bodies had to offer.

Stepping back, Piedmon unleashed the pair of blades, and both flew directly at WarAgumon. Both missed, but now his attention was divided, blades flying behind, still just as lethal as before. The other two joined the whirlwind, and WarAgumon was trying desperately not to let any near enough to cause harm.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Piedmon did the only sensible thing possible. He pressed his attack, taking down the warrior with a simple uppercut.

The blades stopped their erratic flights, focussing on the intended target. They embedded themselves around him, bracketing his head and waist.

"Nowhere to run, my Nemesis." Piedmon observed. "The battle is mine."

"Not quite." WarAgumon replied. Gritting his teeth and drawing on all reserves, he forged a ball of pure energy in his palms, and willed it outward, forcing Piedmon away. The miniature Terra Force served its purpose, buying time for him. Unexpectedly, the shockwave of the impact sent him skidding backwards against the the ground, the Trump Swords digging into his shoulders before splintering under the strain.

"Looks like we're even." WarAgumon gasped, wincing with the pain. Unable to stand, he remained where he laid.

"Think so?" Piedmon asked. "CLOWN TRICK!"

WarAgumon braced himself for the onslaught, but felt none. Instead, he opened his eyes to watch four new swords summoned out of thin air, sheathing themselves under Piedmon's control.

WarAgumon gulped. This was truly the end. A life spent fighting for the liberation of the world he was destined to protect. He wouldn't have had it any other way.

The closure was almost refreshing.

A short distance separated he and his death. Piedmon seemed to savor the victory, advancing slowly. He held two swords at the ready, but resisted the urge to throw them, deciding instead to make the killing blow himself. An eternity later, he stood over his opponent, ready to strike.

"And now we know who the better 'mon truly is." he gloated, slicing downwards.

The blow never landed. The short distance that separated was suddenly occupied by an explosive force, sending Piedmon hurtling back.

Where did it come from? Not WarAgumon; he seemed as shocked as the clown was, if not more. Then where... there, on the horizon. Two vague shapes, one on the ground, and one flying.

Which left the next question: Where did they come from?

He took a step backwards, stepping in a small pile of electronics, the remains of Hikari's desperate countert attack. Discarded and forgotten, the transmitter's LED display blinked one final time, before crumbling under Piedmon's heel.

"Okay everyone," Daisuke ordered, drawing strength from the reinforcement, "One more time. Digivolve."

V-mon, Armor Digivolve into... Flamedramon, the Fire of Courage!
Hawkmon, Armor Digivolve into... Shyurimon, the Samarai of Sincerity!
Armadillomon, Armor Digivolve into... Digmon, the Drill of Power!
Gatomon, Armor Digivolve into... Nefertimon, The Angel of Light!
Patamon, Armor Digivolve into... Pegasusmon, Flying Hope!

Piedmon looked around frantically for escape. He was weak; better though he was to WarAgumon, it had taken a lot from him, and the remaining opponents seemed to have this limitless source of energy that kept them coming back. He had little time to think more of it before his body was rocked by another impact from afar.

Pegasusmon and Nefertimon took advantage of the scenario, trapping the clown with a "Golden Noose!". He twisted around to wrest his way free, but found his arms restrained in Flamedramon's iron grip. Before he could react to that, an airborn impact hit, the call of "Twin Beam!" in the air. The duo dug their feet into the ground to resist the blow, but were still sent in a generally backward direction. To Piedmon's dismay, it wasn't enough to shake the blue defender of Courage from his back.

The forms were more clear, in fact, within short-range now. The unmistakable pair of a Tankmon and a Mekanorimon rolled up to the digidestined, the Tank stopping next to Hikari and opening it's hatch.

"Looks like I showed up just in time." Mimi commented, poking her head out. "Good thing you sent us the message."

"Thanks for the save," Hikari agreed, "But could we save the conversation it until after we've beat the bad guy?"

"Of course." Mimi replied. "Let's see how well he takes to this baby at point-blank."

Hearing the exchange, Piedmon's eyes went wide in shock. He was doing so well, how could he lose now? This couldn't be happening.

"This one's for Joe, you self-centered bastard." Mimi laughed. Clutching the firing control, she fired off one final blast. Flamedramon went flying, which is more than she could say for Piedmon...

Flamedramon landed amidst a flutter of dissolving virus. Exhausted, he de-digivolved two levels, and let sleep take him.

Daisuke scooped up his friend, as the Mekanorimon landed beside him. Palmon clambered out, landing beside him as the dust settled.

"I never got a chance to thank you for this morning." she said.

Daisuke gently stroked Chibimon's head, looking up as the sun overtook the eternal night of the blackened plain. Such beauty in a land once so torn, he replied, "And it seems I have you to thank for this one."


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To Be Continued
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