He didn’t know how many times they’d come after him. Frankly, he’d lost track of the number some time ago.
Not that it’d mattered, he’d always escaped each time.
Dorumon hissed, baring his teeth at his assailant, a Matadormon in league with the entities that ruled their world.
“Really, dear boy, it must be so hard living on your own like this. If you follow us, we entities will become like gods under Lord GranDracmon’s care! Do you not wish to escape this world that treats us so different so cruelly?” Matadormon orated, arms spreading wide, trying to show the insolent youth his meaning.
“Yeah, right. I may be a kid, but I’m smart enough to know when I’m being sold bullshit! You monsters are ruining this world! Why would I ever help you?! Metal Cannon!” the little beast shouted back, body propelling itself backwards as iron spheres shot from his mouth at high velocity. He thought he was doing well, even though his opponent was able to weather the blows with ease.
“Now, now. Just because you have an Antibody doesn’t make you all-powerful. You’re still but a child, and my creator wishes to take you under his wing.”
“I said I’m not going, so shut up!” the Rookie shouted, rushing him with every single pound he had in his body. Over and over, he flung himself into the other, trying to knock the Ultimate level off balance. Over and over again he was pushed back until his fur was sticky from small cuts all over.
“Are you done yet?” Matadormon chuckled from where he stood, drawing up one of his long, thin limbs. Metal fingers clacked together as a faint humming noise began to emanate from them. “Thousand Arrow!” Even if the orders weren’t to kill the petulant child, Matadormon was sure that he could…
Dorumon screamed, eyes scrunching shut as the whistling blades sped towards him. He was sure this was it—
--Until the blades fell apart into flecks of harmless data, dissolving as the choked gasps of Matadormon faded out, the vampire crumbling away. Looking closer, Dorumon’s eyes widened as he saw the creature, split in two, falling away from the great blade of a white-winged dragon man.
“Are you alright?” he asked, turning to the injured Rookie.
“I-I…” Dorumon breathed, staggering over to him. With a shudder, he fell to the ground, the stress of the battle and his injuries getting to him at last as he slipped into unconsciousness.
Sometime later, Dorumon awoke, to the sound of a crackling fire and bandages wrapped snug- but not too tight!- around his body. Raising his head, he looked over to his companion, who sat quietly nearby, polishing his greatsword.
“Why did you save me?” he asked suspiciously, moving to rise but falling back as the pain got to him again.
“Be careful, you don’t want to reopen your wounds. And, why not? All life should be protected. Especially one that has such a strong will to live as yours. Why was he after you?” the dragon man asked, inquisitively examining the boy he’d saved. He was a feisty one, claiming toughness even as a child. And self reliant in a way that made him sad.
What did he owe this Digimon? Other than saving him, of course. But he wasn’t talking about debts.
Could he trust him? Then again, it wasn’t as if it was hard to tell, with the indicator on his head.
“…It’s something called an X-Antibody. GranDracmon has one according to some people, and it’s a power that lets you stand up to Yggdrasil. I have one, too. So he keeps trying to have me brought in to be one of his men.”
So he was one of those Digimon after all. The warrior nodded, adding another chunk of wood to the fire. He’d suspected as much, but he wanted to be sure.
“And you do not want to go with him.”
“Of course not! You’ve seen the state the Digital World’s in! Evil Digimon everywhere… Who needs him, anyway! I’m gonna become the strongest Digimon in the Digital World! I don’t need his help.”
The older Digimon chuckled. “Do you know who I am, boy?”
“Imperialdramon, Paladin Mode.”
Dorumon’s jaw dropped. “Y-You’re Yggdrasil’s man!” he exclaimed with a start, bolting up. Whimpering, he realized he’d tugged on a cut but continued backing away. Yggdrasil wasn’t fond of the X-Antibodies.
“Don’t! You’ll hurt yourself worse,” Imperialdramon started, reaching out to Dorumon. “I will not hurt you. While I am Yggdrasil’s servant, I hold the belief that all life must be protected. And I fight those who threaten life.”
“N-no, you’ll just… take me to him, too! I don’t—“ he backed up again, wincing. Why did his words seem so kind? So… sincere? This Digimon…
If he were going to take me to Yggdrasil, though, wouldn’t he have done it already? he reasoned with himself, falling back onto his haunches. Why did it seem so easy to trust someone he didn’t even know? The sense he got from this Digimon…
Imperialdramon watched the younger’s dilemma, the indecision in his eyes. He was a bright child, quick witted to have survived this long in the hellish terrain the conquest GranDracmon and his Demon Lords. Filled with that much potential…
And, he wanted to protect that life. A bright future that could be so cruelly wasted in the state of the world. He wanted to protect that, to give the child a chance.
“I can promise, I will not bring you in. However… I would like to offer you the position of my pupil. I’ll train you, to protect yourself and this world.”
“What makes you think I care about that?” he replied stubbornly. “I just want to be the strongest!”
“Because, I heard you. It was what drew me to your side. You care for this world, even if it deals you a cruel hand. You are a protector, I can feel it. I want to help nurture that power.”
Dorumon took a few steps forward. “What do I have to do?”
“Live with me, train by my side. Though, it will not be easy. And once you start, I can’t allow you to quit.” Because that will to survive is what lead me to this place today. I want to protect that.
He contemplated it for a moment.
The offers were similar, but Imperialdramon was right, he wanted to protect the Digital World. He was fed up with seeing the sadness as he wandered through town to town. He didn’t want to see that anywhere else. Not again.
Shuffling up to Imperialdramon, he nodded. “You got yourself a deal, mister.”
With an easy smile, Imperialdramon scooped the little Digimon up and held him gently before opening a gate back to his domain. “What’s your name, little one?”
Alphamon woke, panting heavily as one hand passed over his face. That dream... it had been so vivid!
He sat up, trying to gather his thoughts as he focused on what he'd just dreamed. However, as it was in the nature of dreams, the wispy fragments began slipping away from him, leaving him with a vague series of jumbled images and phantom pain.
He could remember none of the words, and yet he felt as though he should have.
Like something was missing.
The more he thought about it, the more elusive it seemed to become, until he almost felt sick from trying to recall it.
Still, he couldn't help but wonder.
romaincrisis
gamechangershow
yousharknotpass
turnnoffyourmind
pixelskylines
