“Friends, adored friends of the great realignment, we stand in the presence of greatness today. Many a Digimon waits to see the miracle of the human intervention, and today, we are truly blessed to be touched by their presence.”

It wasn’t exactly the most subtle of presentations. Standing atop the wooden podium, Motimon the Impenetrable carried on with his many (clearly rehearsed) speeches on miracles and well-wishings and innermost desires and suchlike. Martin groaned, and held his head in his palm.

“I think his evil plan may just be to embarrass us to death...”

Callum wanted to agree, but he was too busy focused on the tiny creature at the centre of the arena. With every speech, the excitement of Motimon’s fleet increased even more; with each new platitude, the In-Trainings cheered like nobody’s business. Though there was a clear air of impatience beginning to bubble up through the excitement. And a clear growing anxiety amongst the bigger Digimon in the crowd.

Motimon himself seemed unbothered by his unruly brood. He smiled, allowing himself just the tiniest smidgen of pride. Then his face turned serious.

“This world is cracked. Imbalance is the force that drives the lives of all among us, and it is up to the weak and pathetic of this world to make a stand.”

Motimon shuffled, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he scanned the vast crowds.

“But Yggdrasil has finally smiled upon us. We have hope. We have the means to become the next heroes of the Digital World. And such a time has come again!”

The crowds cheered. They went mental. Callum looked around in disbelief as In-Training levels yelled out with vigour and pride, whooping and hollering with voices far too powerful for them. Only the larger Digimon stayed silent, seemingly waiting for something, and finding it very difficult to hide away and look inconspicuous in the mass of screaming toddlers. Callum swallowed, and looked down at Empermon. The penguin was silent, his usual laid-back disposition having given away to a far more nervous one.

Motimon raised a paw, and the crowds were silenced as quickly as they had started. The pink jelly took in a breath, and tapped his staff.

“The world needs more heroes. We need more warriors. And if Yggdrasil smiles upon you, you too may join the table of the gods.” He held his arms wide. “If you wish to receive the blessing, please step forwards now.”

The tiny emperor stared amongst the crowds, his words hanging in the air. His gaze halted at the very top, looking at the four children and their partners with an immense expectation, which they could pick up despite how far away he was. Aardmon swallowed, clutching her hands together.

“This is bad...this is very, very bad...”

Motimon shrugged, and carried on looking amongst the audience.

“A blessing awaits for those who are worthy. For those who will stand up. Every day you stay back is a day that the forces of imbalance move forwards. I can see every one of you. I know how you feel. You can join us. All of us. All you need to do is-“

He paused, and gently turned to his right, where somebody was standing. Empermon took in a breath, and turned to Callum. “Isn’t that the Guardromon that you just walked into?”

The metal behemoth walked forwards as the In-Trainings all around him scuttled excitedly. The humans were too far away to see the robot’s expression, and even if they could it would have been difficult to make out anything more than a couple of eyes in a black space, staring forwards and completely steeled. But from the way he walked, it was clear that he was scared. Up above, Callum gritted his teeth.

“What’s he doing? There’s clearly something up here; why is he putting himself in danger like that?”

“What danger?” Martin looked up at Callum. “I don’t know what goes on here and neither do you. Maybe...maybe this will give us a clue.” He smiled. “Maybe the blessing is a good thing?”

“When is it ever a good thing?” Callum clenched his fist. “Something’s wrong. We need to stop this.”

Empermon held his shoulder. “Just keep your head down!”

“But we have to-“

“We don’t have to do anything! This is nothing to do with us!”

Callum whirled round, ready to retort, but he stopped short as he stared into his partner’s face. The penguin was petrified, his eyes wide and his beak trembling. All the Digimon were the same, hackles up and skin shivering. Even Scutimon was clearly shaken, keeping her body flat against the roof. Lorelie tentatively held out a hand, pressing it against the great beast’s shoulder. Ursula ground her teeth and turned around.

“Okay, what is going on here?”

Scutimon shivered, and scuttled back a few inches. “I thought it would get easier, but it doesn’t...”

Ursula held her arms up, whispering aggressively. “What doesn’t? What’s the problem? Please...you have to tell us. Now.”

“Can’t you see? How wrong this all is? How scared they all are? None of them want to do this; none of them even want to be here.”

Scutimon blinked, and peered a little further up over the roaring crowds.

“Don’t you understand? Digimon like me, people like you, we’re trapped. The blessing’s our only way out.”

Clunk

The Guardromon reached the base of the pail, and looked up at Motimon. The pink slime nodded respectfully at the great mechanical golem, before he held his head up once again. “There may be one blessing, or one hundred. Any and all are welcome to receive. This is your last chance for the night.”

Ursula bit her lip. Callum held his palm to his mouth. He glanced sideways at Empermon, who gave him a warning look. The boy screwed his eyes shut.

“We’re...we’re here to fix this world...”

His words swung lazily around but the rest of the crowds were silent. Motimon sighed.

“So it shall be. I welcome-“

“I volunteer!”

Everybody turned, and looked up at Callum. The boy stood at the centre of the highest pew, holding his fist tightly and staring down at the self-proclaimed emperor.

“I’ll receive your blessing, Motimon the Impenetrable.”

Empermon stood up and held Callum by the hip. “You madman! What the hell are you doing?”

Unseen by any of the crowd, Motimon grinned. He tapped his staff against the podium, and beckoned towards the humans.

“I am generous. You may step forwards. Although I believe that, as humans, you and your chosen warriors are bound to work as partners. Am I right?”

His eyes turned towards the penguin, who stopped pulling, aware that all eyes were slowly landing upon him. He glared up at Callum, but the boy didn’t take any notice as he began to walk down. Empermon hissed after him.

“You can’t pull me into this! It’s not our fight!”

The boy turned back, his face hardened as he looked up at his partner.

“It is now. I’m not standing back and letting something awful happen without even trying.”

Empermon pressed his beak together. He stiffened, his legs shaking at the top of the steps. There was a chuckle from the pail below, as Motimon tapped his staff again.

“The blessing will wait. Take as much time as you need.”

Empermon felt the eyes of the world on him. Callum refused to move; he just stared up at the bird. The corners of his mouth turned up in a reassuring smile, and he held out a palm.

“We can do this, can’t we? Like we always do.”

“Wait! I wanna go first!”

“No, wait!”

There was a flash of yellow and Hinkymon was suddenly stood beside the penguin, grinning and waving maniacally as his flame bobbed about. “I wanna go! I wanna play with the fancy putty ball!”

All eyes turned to Hinkymon, and then further back to Ursula, who was crouched down, her head in her hands.

“Please no...”

Motimon clapped his paws. “Excellent! I’m sure you will all perform splendidly! Please, come forth. In your own time, of course, my dear friends...”

It took a little while. Five minutes passed, then ten. But eventually, two humans and two Digimon made their way through the crowds, with thousands of eyes hanging on them. There was the occasional whoop and cheer, but mostly the audience was silent, watching in awe. Hinkymon led the group, enjoying all the attention, with Callum helping Ursula just afterwards, and Empermon bringing up the rear, moving impossibly slowly and glaring at the back of his partners’ head.

Eventually they stood at the base of the plaza, staring up at Motimon the Impenetrable on his high throne. Callum looked aside at Guardromon, trying to give him a reassuring look, but the behemoth merely stared at the ground, his expression unreadable.

Motimon rested his staff on his shoulder, rolling it back and forth absent-mindedly.

“So our pilgrims have joined us for their trial. May the fortunes smile down upon them, and may Yggdrasil bless them as they have done the rest of us.” Motimon grinned. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you all have to offer.”

Ursula placed her hands in her pockets, her face straight. “So what is this blessing? How will it help us?”

“The blessing will become clear. If you are worthy to wield it.” Motimon chuckled, and snapped his fingers. “Tanemon, Kapurimon, please join them.”

The two aides either side of him vanished in an instant, before reappearing a few metres ahead of the five, inexplicably standing directly between them and the podium. The two smiled amicably, and Tanemon’s leaf twitched. “I have to admit, I didn’t expect to see you down here so quickly.”

Kapurimon giggled. “I guess humans really are as tenacious as they say.”

Ursula took in a breath, and she turned to Callum, pulling him back. “Let’s call it off. Pride be damned.”

“We can’t back down now.”

“I don’t like this.”

There was a cough from above, and Motimon the Impenetrable banged his staff once more.

“You may proceed at your leisure. The blessing is there for the taking. All you need to do is claim it.”

Callum blinked, and looked at the two creatures in front of him. It finally dawned on him, and he stared up at Motimon. “So...we’re supposed to fight them?”

Kapurimon grinned. “Whenever you’re ready. We’ve been looking forward to this.”

Hinkymon took a step forwards, but paused, staring up at Ursula. “This feels a bit one-sided.”

“I know,” whispered Callum to one side, “couldn’t we just...punt them off the ship or something?”

The two In-Training levels began to pace back and forth, their movements slow and deliberate. Empermon reached behind his back and clutched his saxophone, though he wasn’t completely sure why.

Tanemon chuckled, his leaves flicking back and forth.

“I’ll take it from here.”

The little leafy blob frowned, and glanced sideways at Guardromon, who was marching forwards, a strange expression in his eyes.

“Wait!”

The robot stopped, and his head twisted to look at Callum’s. The boy felt his throat drying out, but he spoke anyway.

“This is all...too far, isn’t it? They’re tiny. They’re...weak...this is all just pretend, right? Just a test. The blessing...comes to those who pass the test...”

He looked up at Motimon, who seemed to be in a meditative state.

“Right? Please don’t hurt them...”

Guardromon shifted, and turned back to look at Tanemon. “They have no idea, do they? What this place really is.”

Tanemon giggled, circling the robot. “Maybe not. Although the blessing reveals itself to all.”

“Luckily for you, I have no such reservations...”

Dust billowed up as Guardromon rushed forwards, bringing his fist back and pummelling it into the dirt. Tanemon was lost, but Kapurimon rushed around behind him at a surprising speed, charging towards him. Guardromon reared up, and twisted one-hundred-and-eighty degrees on his legs, holding out his gauntlets.

“You killed my brothers! Guardian Barrage!”

Guardromon fired two mechanical missiles out of his wrists, both of them homing in on the helmed furball flying towards him. Callum and Ursula found themselves knocked back from the explosion, rolling in the dust. Callum couldn’t quite figure out what had happened; he tried to get to his feet, holding his D-Psyche. “We have to help them! He’s gone insane!”

“Callum, look!”

The two teenagers looked forwards through the dust and the residual flames, to see Guardromon still throwing punched seemingly at thin-air. And as the cloud settled, it was clear that Tanemon and Kapurimon were still very much there, darting back and forth with an incredible speed.

More worryingly, it was Guardromon who was staggering on his feet. He spun, throwing a punch that flew wide. Tanemon flew ever so slightly wider, and the air seemed to shift around him. All of a sudden he lunged, and there was a flash of orange and green within the dust. Guardromon reared back, and a hollow roar echoed around the arena. Something ejected itself from his face and landed at Ursula’s feet.

“Jesus!”

The girl looked down in horror as the mechanical eye blinked lifelessly up at her, spewing yellow fluid from the back nerves. She and Callum stood closer together, watching as Guardromon fell to his knees, gaining new wounds seemingly by the second. Not that he was going to let it stop him.

“Guardian Barrage!”

Kapurimon caught the missile with her tail, diverting it into the dust a few metres away. She landed expertly, spinning on the spot as her tail swished behind her. For a brief moment there was a blue glow in her eyes; a bright glint of malice and deep, vicious power.

“Meteoric Onslaught!”

She disappeared; a shaft of blinding light that shot forwards directly into Guardromon’s chest, piercing it as if it were paper. The impact-zone crumbled to dust, leaving a gaping wound through which the horrified spectators could see cables, pumps and pipes, all working furiously despite being slowly swamped with yellow fluid.

The behemoth staggered back, his words having given away to pathetic gurgles, as Tanemon flew past him, balling energy in his tiny body.

“Theia’s Torment!”

He shot the green pellet into Guardromon’s belly with pinpoint accuracy, and watched as it spiralled into the near-hollow shell.

It happened in seconds. Guardromon shuddered. He jerked, and contorted. Great wooden roots burst out from the hole in his chest, and even more; from his elbows, knees, bursting through the palms of his hands and tearing off his feet. They overcame his squat head and pierced out through both of his eye sockets, knocking out the other eye as they did so. The robot stopped, liquid spilling on the ground as he hung limp on a contorted nightmare tree.

Tanemon landed, and flicked his leaves back, allowing himself a small, smug, ‘hmph’. He shuffled round, smiling innocently up at the humans.

“So there you have it. How did I do?”

None of them answered. Callum and Ursula watched, aghast, as the tree slowly withered, depositing Guardromon’s body carefully on the ground.

At the top of the stands, Lorelie’s hands shook as they covered her screen. Martin was muttering to himself, his eyes wide. “No...this has to be a joke...”

“It isn’t.”

The boy looked up at Scutimon, who shook her head, her eyes suddenly heavy. “You hope it is. But this is what they do.”

“But...why?” Martin stared up at the shrew, but he didn’t really see her. He felt like he was staring at nothing, as if he hadn’t just witnessed the public evisceration. “How could they do this? How can anyone allow this? Why is nobody stopping it?”

He got his answer. As his senses returned to him, he became aware of a steadily growing noise all around, like rainfall, or drums.

It was applause.

Thunderous cheering, humming and whooping, mixed with a thousand bodies and limbs beating against the nearest surface. The In-Trainings were cheering. They had been waiting for this.

Motimon clapped his hands with an immense boom, and the crowds were silenced again. He held out his palm towards the body of Guardromon below.

“He fought valiantly. And now we shall see his worthiness.”

Empermon pressed his beak together, and looked away. “He’s dead. Leave him be, you maniac.”

Even so, he couldn’t tear his eyes away, as Guardromon’s prone body writhed, lights twisting within the hollow shell. For a moment they seemed to converge, forming the shape of a creature sitting on the robot’s chest. It writhed. It reached out, calling silently towards Motimon on top of his pedestal.

Then they dissipated. The metal caved inwards, and dissolved in a flurry of red and yellow data. The clouds spiralled up, then condensed again, spiralling towards Motimon the Impenetrable as he held out his hands. The Impenetrable bowed his head.

“How unfortunate.”

The little blob raised a paw and brushed gently at his eyes, before staring out amongst the crowds yet again.

“You are all witnesses here today. This poor, lost creature fought to his absolute limit, but it appears he couldn’t join our brethren. Through suffering he couldn’t enter Valhalla. Yet we commend him, for in his pathetic and pitiable life, he chose to step forwards and grasp at greatness. He truly is the bravest of pitiable souls.”

Motimon closed his eyes, and ran his hands over his face, leaving mottled markings as the fallen warrior’s data melded into his own flesh.

“Rest well, Guardromon. You will remain in our hearts.”

The applause started again. Followed by a new noise. A terrible, electronic wailing that carried down from the top gantry. Ursula whirled around, staring up; even from down here she could see Lorelie crouched over, far above the cheering crowds, and completely inconsolable. She clutched her trembling head as Martin and Aardmon held onto her.

Ursula shuddered, and held her arms, shaking her head vigorously.

“No...this isn’t happening...”

The girl reached out and shook Callum by the shoulder, gritting her teeth. “We’ve got to get out of here! Right now!”

“We’re not going anywhere.”

Callum thrust his free arm out, pointing up at Motimon the Impenetrable, who still seemed to be in a trance. “Tell me, you pink plastic bellend, what the fuck is all this for? This blessing? I thought you were going against the Funnyman!”

Motimon the Impenetrable seemed not to mind the insult. He shrugged. “I stand by my word; I never meant to be dishonest. However, I apologise for the misunderstanding. It appears we are not after the Funnyman, or whatever the true force is that turned this world. We are merely after equality. Justice for all the time where we were pathetic, and kicked around.”

“So you’re torturing people to death for the sake of justice?”

“We are proving our own will. I gained this power through my own will. This entire armada is built off the oppressed following their own will. Look around you.”

He gestured to the screaming crowds, who cheered even louder as he pointed at them.

“The ones who survive come back stronger, all through their own will. This comical form? This is the purest a Digimon can be, and thus, it unleashes the most power. We finally have the means to balance the Digital World.”

Empermon gripped his saxophone. “You’re insane!”

Motimon smiled. “I’m only offering a solution. And as you can see, my people love it. Therefore it is valid and true.”

Callum’s head was down, his hair hanging in front of his eyes as he clenched his fist tightly.

“And what if we win?”

“I just told you. You ascend to the purest form of power.”

“No, I said what if we win?”

Motimon narrowed his eyes. Then he clapped. “Ah, you’re referring to the test. Silly me. No. You don’t win in your sense. You can’t. You pass and ascend with us, or you die and are remembered for your courage. Which is far more worthwhile in both instances than a simple pat on the back and an ‘I Beat Up An In-Training Level’ sticker, though of course I’d never say that out loud.”

“But what if we still fucking win?” Callum looked up at the pink slimeball, his eyes blazing. “What if we take your perfectly balanced utopia of murderous fuckfaces and shove it?”

Ursula wrenched the boy towards her, pulling his head up. “What the hell are you talking about? Don’t make this worse!”

“How can it get worse?”

“You’ve seen them, Callum! We can’t win! Our partners will die!”

“Get off of me!”

Callum wrenched himself away, his face contorting with rage. “The Dark Area was one thing. Dolphmon, Tinkermon, all one thing. But how the fuck can we stand here and watch this happening and still call ourselves heroes?”

Empermon looked up at his partner, holding his instrument tightly against his chest. “Callum...”

Ursula held her arms back. “But we’re not heroes...”

Callum’s eyes narrowed. “Stay here! Stand with me, goddamnit! We’re winning this fucking thing!” He held up his arm, the metal digging into his shoulder and drawing blood as the device screamed. “Empermon! Fucking get ready!”

The penguin took a step back, looking all around. “Are we doing this now? Right here? Right now?”

Ursula felt a hand tugging at her arm as Hinkymon held tightly to her sleeve, his eyes fearful.

“I don’t wanna play no more...”

The girl held his shoulders, but her own knees were about to buckle. She glanced behind her, just able to make out Lorelie, Martin and the others, still watching amidst the sea of bloodlust. She narrowed her eyes, and her hand went to the screen of her D-Psyche.

“Please forgive me, Hinkymon...”

“Empermon, Psyche Synchronise!”

“Hinkymon, Psyche Synchronise!”

“Evolution Activate!”

Up on the parapet, there was a clattering of feet as Eleanor rushed forwards, Terramon trailing behind her. Breathless, she looked left and right, trying to make sense of the noise and the horrific wailing. “What in the magical land of fuck is going on now?”

Aardmon pointed down at the arena, her eyes wild. “You’ve missed a little. We are all in such deep shit as you wouldn’t believe.”

“How bad is it?”

Terramon stood beside Eleanor, squinting over the crowds as she gazed on the scene below. In the centre of the arena, the blue and orange crystals shattered, revealing two furious Champions standing between Motimon and their partners.

All around the plaza, the Digimon were going haywire. They jumped up and down in their seats, screaming and occasionally ducking for their lives as the battle threatened to come right to them. Only the occasional higher-level Digimon remained, keeping themselves low and trying not to catch attention.

Eleanor ground her teeth as she clasped the banister, staring down at the clouds of dust and flashes of light from far away.

“You fucking maniacs, get out of there.”

“It’s too late for that.”

Eleanor felt the decking tremble as Scutimon landed behind her, crouching down. “Motimon doesn’t allow surrender. His blessing is permanently available. If he decides you’re worthy, he won’t let up.”

Terramon shook her head. “How on earth did this happen? Is this what the Funnyman’s doing? Throwing all this power on one arsehole and then sitting back and watching people tear each other to pieces?”

Eleanor didn’t respond. She merely clenched her fist, digging into the rail.

“I really hate this world sometimes...”

“Saxophmon!”

“Kobolmon!”

To the side of them, Kapurimon whistled to herself. “Now that was a pretty light show.” She looked over at Tanemon. “Ready for another round?”

“Not you two!”

Motimon’s two aides looked up at him, as the pink blob shook his head, twirling his staff absent-mindedly. “You have done an absolutely spiffing job. It would be a privilege to see you battle again.” He switched his gaze the two Champions below, “However, I believe the human has a grievance with my actions. It’s only right that I am the one to atone for it, if that is his wish.”

Without warning, he jumped from the podium, his cape billowing out behind him as he descended. He landed heavily in the dust, causing the very ship to tremble, yet he himself didn’t even seem to flinch.

Saxophmon braced himself, fractals flickering in the air above him, and Kobolmon pawed the ground, his eyes fearful but his jawline strong.

Motimon the Impenetrable merely laughed, and pointed at his own forehead.

“Your blessing is here. Come and get it.”

“Loderndes Leuchtfeuer!”

Kobolmon reared back as bright-white orbs circled around his head and the swinging lantern on his back, before he faced Motimon the Impenetrable head on. The lantern flashed, and burst into light; an onslaught of white energy that turned to yellow, to orange, to a bright burning red as it engulfed the tiny pink blob, releasing sparks at it did so.

The light dissipated, and Motimon stood completely unfazed, shaking one of his paws vigorously.

“That smarts, you know.”

He spun his staff in his free hand and stabbed the dust-bowl, razing a great shard of sandstone from the floor itself. As it hung in the air he spun like a little tornado, thrusting the rock forwards with the force of a bullet, and striking the troll with a direct hit on the shoulder.

Ursula reached out, feeling the wrenching power pulsing through her D-Psyche. “Kobolmon!”

The troll hissed and backed up hurriedly, the lamp on one shoulder fizzing and sparking where it had been smashed. Motimon smirked, and shuffled forwards, dragging his cape behind him.

“Strong beginning, although you do need to have a follow-up. Not bad overall though. Definitely worth cultivating.” He scratched his chin. “Once you undergo the blessing you will be unstoppable. It’s quite something.”

“Instead of making plans, maybe start worrying about yourself!”

Motimon stopped, a thin shaft of ice digging into his midriff. With a quick flick he snapped it away, looking over his shoulder to see Saxophomon standing over him.

“Is that a threat? Or have you decided to tutor me.”

“Midnight Blues!”

The fractals burst outwards in a beautiful display, slashing at Motimon from all sides, but he leapt between them with an acrobatic grace, deflecting them with his cape or staff. Many were being sent back towards Saxophmon, but he was rather agile himself, countering his own shards with a nudge from his saxophone.

Motimon giggled as the flow of fractals slowed. “It’s a valiant attempt, but I don’t tire easily you know.”

Saxophmon forced a smile. “I know... but it’s worth a shot.”

Without warning he dived sideways, playing a loud note and sending a cacophonous finale of shards out in a spray. Motimon leapt up, and Saxophomon lunged, swinging his saxophone like a baseball bat at the oncoming blob.

“Got you!”

He connected effortlessly with the miniature tyrant, but there was no sight of Motimon flying off into the distance. Saxophmon frowned, and looked up at his saxophone.

Motimon tutted, rubbing his hand over the intricate metal of the instrument as he remained stuck fast to it. “What a beautiful piece of artwork.”

“Get off Selma!”

Saxophmon lashed out with a peck, which missed, allowing Motimon to palm him across the cheek. Hard. The penguin spun on his feet, but used the momentum to bring his instrument down on the dust-pan, knocking Motimon away. The pink blob bounced back up, holding up his staff in an attempt to jam it into Saxophmon’s neck, but the penguin brought up his saxophone and blew a note, diverting his attacker just enough to prepare his next strike. He swung around, lashing out with a kick that actually managed to land. Although it was like trying to punt a sack of concrete powder, and the penguin landed awkwardly, glaring at Motimon as he began to run around again.

“Harmony Frost!”

Motimon frowned, and looked at his arm, moving slowly and tinted dark blue from the attack. He squinted, forcing himself out of the cold energy, but not before Kobolmon reappeared behind him, rearing up on his wheels and pressing his fists together.

“Huh. That’s problematic.”

“Prepare to be squished!” roared Kobolmon, clasping his fists and slamming them down into the dust, missing Motimon by inches. The Impenetrable one smirked, and rapped Kobolmon over the knuckles, but Kobolmon merely grinned back.

“Havin’ fun, mister?”

“Always.”

“Lemme help. Ansturm der Flamme!”

The palm nearest Motimon caught alight, and Kobolmon swung his arm outwards, backhanding the tiny blob across the plaza. Motimon bounced off the tower before rolling to a halt in the dust, leaving a scorch mark behind him. Kobolmon turned himself around, looking at Saxophmon.

“Are you still havin’ fun?”

“Bite me.” Saxophmon winced, and held the side of his waist. “That thing can’t half hit hard.”

Kobolmon whined in agreement, and held his busted shoulder. Their reprieve was short-lived, however, as Motimon righted himself with a groan, shaking the dust off of him. Behind him stood Callum and Ursula, watching with horror. Ursula shook her head.

“He really is invincible...how can he survive all that?”

Callum didn’t answer her immediately. He stared at the ground, his hand shaking it was clenched so tightly. The boy’s hair stood up in even more chaotic spikes than before, and his lips were pressed together.

“He won’t.”

Callum looked up, narrowing his eyes.

“He isn’t indestructible. No-one is. I’m gonna prove it.”

“Callum...”

Motimon stood in the centre of the plaza, yawning and stretching, as if he’d just woken up.

“Well that just goshes my darn. You two don’t half put your everything into it.” He clapped, before his hand reached to his chest.

“Perhaps I ought to step things up just a smidge.”

Motimon unclipped the clasp around his midriff, and threw away his cape, tossing it way up into the centre of the crowd, where it was promptly mobbed by a group of his very enthusiastic fans. He did the same with his staff, although that was slightly less theatrical as it sailed over everyone’s heads, pierced the cabin and promptly flew off the ship.

The Impenetrable didn’t seem to mind; he rolled his shoulders and shook out the ends of his paws, the entire flesh around his cylindrical body rippling. It was difficult to describe, but if there was ever a call to describe a foot-high pink jelly with a cat’s face as a fucking built brick shithouse, this was most certainly it.

He kissed his paws, pressed them together, then raised them up in front of him with the stance of a boxer, the poise of a viper, and the unwavering confidence of a first-year student moments after handing away his beer.

“Time for round two, my lovelies?”

“Happily!”

Kobolmon roared, pushing his body as far upwards as he could manage, before thundering towards Motimon with his body aflame.

“Ansturm der Flamme!”

Motimon held his ground as the behemoth ran towards him, staring upwards and holding his paws aloft. At the last moment he darted sideways, skidding in the dust as Kobolmon drifted his bulk round. Motimon rolled, only to find himself directly affronted with an advancing wall of ice as Saxophmon played like a bard.

“Midnight Blues!”

Motimon breathed in, and drew his paw back, a strange golden glow surrounding it.

“Hypernova Punch!”

The ice exploded backwards, showering Saxophmon and knocking him back with the force of a hurricane.

“Empermon!”

Kobolmon scrabbled as he tried hard to slow himself down, but it was too late; Motimon was already turning towards him, a wicked glint in his eyes.

“Ansturm der Flamme!”

Motimon leapt again, landing directly on Kobolmon’s back and yanking on his hair. The troll rolled back and forth, but Motimon stayed still, seemingly unaffected by the flames that lapped at his body.

“Glad I got rid of the cape for now. I like that cape. Would be a shame to have it singed.”

Without warning, the blob grabbed Kobolmon by the scruff of the neck and leapt sideways, yanking him down onto the ground like a wrestler. Kobolmon was stunned, unable to move or retaliate as Motimon picked him up off the ground and effortlessly swung him in an arc, directly into Saxophmon who was running forwards to try and help.

Off to the side, Callum gripped the fence behind him, trying to steady himself. “Saxophmon, stop him!”

“Harmony Frost!”

The blue energy engulfed the Impenetrable one, but it didn’t even last a second, merely being shrugged off. Motimon stuck his tongue out. “We can’t have any dirty tricks now, can we...?”

He swung the troll again, this time letting go and sending him flying like an Olympic hammer. Saxophmon just dived out of the way in time, but not in time to avoid Motimon, who appeared in front of him in an instant, his eyes glowing white.

“Cosmic Buster!”

Motimon’s entire body shot up like a comet into Saxophmon’s midriff, actually lifting him several metres off the ground. The bird was stunned, and he flailed desperately, his saxophone swinging wide of his adversary.

“That’s more like it! Come on, one two! Pip pip!”

The penguin’s wild swings were countered by two rapid jabs, a headbutt, and a brutal punch to the face so powerful that it spun Saxophmon round several revolutions in mid-air before he landed with a thump in the dust, his body spasming.

Motimon bounced down lightly, brushing his hands and looking disappointed.

“It always goes by so quickly. We have a lot of work ahead with you fellows, don’t we...?”

He placed his hands on his hips, and looked behind him, fully aware of the throng of Digimon cheering his name and waving his cape like a banner. He sniffed, before his eyes turned towards Ursula and Callum, who were stood stock-still, their expressions frozen on their faces. Motimon the Impenetrable waved in a friendly manner.

“Hello there! So happy you were able to join us for the game. Shall we call it half-time?”

Ursula narrowed her eyes with such intensity that even Motimon flinched a little, brushing off his chest. “Whoof...okay, so I did admit there were a couple of misunderstandings here, and I have already apologised-”

“Shut the fuck up.”

A flurry of blue sparks burst forth from Callum’s arm as he turned around, his voice seething.

“I’m not just gonna give up and let you do whatever the fuck you want.”

He glanced to his right, at the two Digimon lying in the dust. They were already moving; slowly at first, but forcing themselves up through power of will. Saxophmon gripped his instrument tightly, erratic fractals appearing around him. Kobolmon rolled his shoulders, the lantern on his back flickering into life once again. Callum held his teeth together tightly.

“Take him down.”

“Midnight Blues!”

“Loderndes Leuchtfeuer!”

Motimon hopped upwards as the two Champions’ attacks landed right where he had been seconds before. He spun around, ducking under Saxophmon’s swing and rolling away from Kobolmon’s fist.

“I do appreciate it, but you do know perseverance will only get you so far.”

“Midnight Blues!”

The edges of dozens of blades slashed at Motimon, only a few of them actually connecting. He corkscrewed in mid-air, pummelling the penguin multiple times.

“You’ll only end up fatigued. That’s no good. You have to look after yourselves.”

Callum jerked as his D-Psyche pumped blue energy all the way through his own body, the metal straining as mysterious mechanical gadgetry shuffled inside the vessel. He held his left arm with his right, but it was a weak attempt to stay in control. His anger was coursing through him, clouding his judgement.

Saxophmon could feel it as well. He yelled and threw a punch, actually striking Motimon in the face. But it was a hollow blow, and quickly negated as he was twisted by the arm and thrown on the ground once again. Saxophmon felt the bone crack as he landed, and he screamed.

“Loderndes Leuchtfeuer!”

Lights flashed. Ice and fire collided. All the while, Motimon dodged left and right, avoiding ninety-nine percent of everything thrown at him.

“Cosmic Buster!”

A blast shot out in the dust and both his assailants were thrown back, struggling to lift themselves in the dust. Motimon the Impenetrable sighed in frustration, and brushed his palms off.

“You have to face facts at somepoint. We can all only go so far in our endeavours, am I right?”

“NO!”

Callum’s entire body spasmed, and he fell to one knee, his arm flying all over the place as blue energy flew everywhere. Ursula reached for his shoulder, but he batted her hand away, forcing himself to stand up.

“I’m not done! We’re not giving up. We’re not losing; I won’t allow it.”

“Callum...”

The boy yelled as the device that was once his arm wrenched itself back and forth, the momentum strong enough to shift him back and forth. It split in the middle, then in other places, erupting with blue fire that flew upwards and spread over the crowd, surprisingly to their utter joy (some of them not even caring about being set alight by the freezing pyrotechnics).

At the top of the stadium, Martin held his stance, watching as the other boy visibly shook down below.

“Oh shit...”

Callum’s eyes were blazing as he stumbled on his feet, very nearly toppling over but not quite. He screamed as his arm twisted several revolutions, the panels opening and closing and letting off horrendous scraping sounds. Saxophmon wasn’t faring much better, as he clutched his chest and fell to his knees once again. Motimon merely stood there, watching with an intrigued expression.

“How fascinating...”

“SaXOPhmoN...Psyche...SYNERGISE!”

Callum’s arm blew apart, further and more ferociously than it ever had before. Metal tendrils lashed out and wheels spun deep within some quantum dimension, within which hung Callum’s body, shaking near-uncontrollably. It wasn’t just him; Ursula was shaking next to him as her own D-Psyche roared in pain and fury, and far above Lorelie, Eleanor and Martin were experiencing the same thing, struggling to stand up as raging energy surrounded every single one of them.

Saxophmon tried to push himself up, but the energy was now bearing down on him, sticking to him in clumps which lashed together like spider webs, forming an electric cocoon that pulsated on the floor. He tried to look up, to get a glimpse of his partner, but his vision was smothered in black, the agony and fatigue giving away to hatred.

The D-Psyche opened wider, with such force that it wrenched out the mechanisms that were buried beneath Callum’s skin. As blood cascaded down his chest, he screamed, and his scream morphed into an orb of blue fire that gathered within the vast lattice which had been his left arm, once upon a time.

“Evolution Activate!”

The D-Psyche fired, surrounding Saxophomon with blue lights that twisted and contorted, finishing off the cocoon and binding him tight. He scrabbled, his muffled cries of distress growing in intensity and warping into something more...bestial. As the electric cords bound themselves ever tighter they seemed to pull outwards, making Saxophmon’s body grow. His arms splayed out, and his legs bent double. His chest barrelled, and as he tried to push himself upwards, his face morphed into a great beak, which burst through the cocoon and let out a great pining cry towards the sky.

The cords dissolved, and the new Digimon pushed himself to his feet. He was as tall as Chelydramon had been, and far more bird-like than the humanoid shape he’d had before. His body seemed to be encased in a huge silver barrel, covered with pipes and keys like those of a vast wind instrument, and tapering off to a wide horn where his tail should have been. Instead of arms, two black wings flapped at either side of him; not feathered, but smooth and almost marine in their appearance. He held his head high on an elongated neck, with three black crests sticking up from the back of his head, tapered like music notes. His beak was long and broad, with pipe-like nostrils and tipped with a black bulbous growth, and his eyes were keen, staring down before him with diamond-shaped pupils.

He reared his head back and keened to the sky again; a long, melancholy note that struck the heart of everybody watching. It caught Callum, who opened his eyes, returning to his senses. As his D-Psyche lay tattered and limp beside him, he stared ahead at the new creature.

“Ophicleimon!”

Motimon stuck his bottom lip out. “I guess we’re having an encore after all.”

Ophicleimon’s head snapped towards him and the huge bird rushed forwards, bringing his beak down and stabbing it into the plaza. Motimon just dodged it, but not the second hit, or the third or the fourth. He lay there, slightly out of it, as Ophicleimon reared up and built up a black mass in his beak.

“Mercy Melody!”

“Cosmic Buster!”

The ground exploded as Motimon fired himself away, the black beam just grazing his abdomen. He shivered, and brushed away the cold black tinge from his body. “Honestly, you need to lighten up a little.”

The bird didn’t hear, or more likely didn’t care. He swung his vast head around, the beam swinging through the crowds and buildings with a long melancholy note. Everybody it hit collapsed; seemingly unharmed, save for a sudden, crippling depression that came over them. The cheers of the crowd were interspersed with fearful moans, anxious cries and wails of pure terror. Some of them lost themselves completely; curling up in despair, or rushing off to one side and jumping clear through the mesh and off the side of the ship.

Scutimon pulled Eleanor and Lorelie down as the beam swung over their heads, and cursed inwardly. “Would I be right in assuming this wasn’t supposed to happen?”

“It’s not,” typed Lorelie. “He doesn’t have any control.”

Eleanor narrowed her eyes. “I think we know whose fault that is.”

Lorelie stabbed down at her keypad and practically thrust it in the other girl’s face.

“Not now! Stop it! If we don’t do something someone else is gonna die!!!!”

Down below, Callum held his shoulder as he swayed a little, staring at Motimon as he bounced away from the beaks and blasts with ease. Ursula grabbed his shoulder and turned him towards her, wincing from her own D-Psyche digging into her body.

“We have to back down! Pull him back!”

Callum opened and closed his mouth, shaking his head. “We’re...we’re winning...finally we’re winning...”

“Cosmic Buster!”

A blast ricocheted around the arena as Motimon knocked the Ultimate level to one side, but Ophicleimon wouldn’t go down so easily. He reared up and roared, spreading his wings as he prepared to attack again. Motimon raised a paw, beckoning him.

“It’s been a fun run-around. Are we still going or is it time to break for tea?”

“Loderndes Leuchtfeuer!”

The blast of fire struck Motimon from one side, sending him rolling away in a little white blaze. Kobolmon wheeled himself forwards, clearly out of breath but happy all the same. “Finally, we got him! Oh boy, you’re making things-“

He didn’t finish. With a maddened roar Ophicleimon charged forwards, barrelling into the troll and driving him into the dirt. Kobolmon raised an arm, but it did little to stop Ophicleimon’s wing as it batted him aside.

“Hinkymon!” cried Ursula, before she whirled on Callum. “Stop him! You’re making him go nuts!”

Ophicleimon’s eyes darted sideways to where Motimon was slowly pulling himself up, slightly scorched but overall none the worse for wear. The giant auk pulled his beak in, and a low vibrato note began to rumble in his throat, resonating throughout his body.

Callum pointed. “He’s...still standing...that’s not good enough...”

“Callum please!”

“Night in Antarctica!”

The giant bird reared his head back and cried out; a full orchestra of despair and anguish that buffeted the entire ship. And that wasn’t all.

As the resonance grew, so the wind began to spiral around the bird’s body, forming a huge, freezing vortex of snow and sound. Even the most dedicated in the crowds were now backing away, crouching down and trying to keep the noise out of their heads as frost began to crawl over their bodies, eating into their flesh. The tamers at the top of the plaza tried to stand up, move forward or do anything to help, but the storm reached them as well. Their vision whited out, and their bodies seized. Eleanor called out into the white void, but her words were just whipped away.

The storm thickened, forming vicious eddies over the deck and blanketing the towers and pillars in snow. Ursula held tightly to Callum, trying to shake him into moving.

The boy just stared, seemingly unaware of the maelstrom.

“We have to...we have to have won now...”

Motimon moaned under his breath as he shuffled forwards, wringing both his arms out in a tired manner.

“I suppose it’s time to put a stop to this. This is finally becoming a distraction.”

He whistled, and the auk turned towards him, eyes flashing. Motimon cupped his hands and called out, his voice carrying even through the blizzard.

“I’ve had enough now! Will you concede, and we shall continue this venture another day?”

In response, Ophicleimon roared, and rushed towards the tiny jelly, the maelstrom becoming even more turbulent around him. Motimon shrugged.

“Suit yourself. Emperor’s Thunder!”

A blast of red lightning shot out from his eyes, striking Ophicleimon in the chest and halting him in his tracks. Before the auk could react, Motimon shot up, striking him with an uppercut that launched him skywards. Another three punches before the bird finally landed, rolling next to Kobolmon. Up in the air, Motimon kissed his fist, balling a sphere of energy that was twice as big as he was. He angled himself for descent, and drew his fist back.

“Hypernova Punch!”

There was a crack, and a shockwave, clearing the storm in an instant, and revealing clear skies once again. The plaza was all but wrecked, and all around the towers and the crowd pews were in complete disarray. Ophicleimon lay prone, his body sparkling in the sunlight. Motimon landed next to him, sniffed, and tapped him in the centre of the head.

“Good game, sir. Very good game.”

Callum watched, helplessly, as the great auk dissolved into data. He tried to raise the D-Psyche again, but it too was in pieces, a dangling mass of wires and metal. His mouth was dry as he tried to speak.

“But we’d...won...we’d won...this isn’t fair...”

CRACK

All of a sudden a fist collided with his face, sending him crashing back into the side of the arena. He held his cheek, and looked up. Ursula stood above him, shaking with anger. Her own body was bloodied, and he could see the build-up of frost on her skin. He reached up, and felt it on his own cheek as well.

Ursula gritted her teeth, glaring down at Callum. “Never...NEVER...do anything like that again you...complete fucking...maniac...”

She choked on her words, falling back and placing her head in her trembling hands. The others had joined them now; rushing through the dumbfounded crowds towards them. Callum could see their faces; shame, fear, fury. They were all still shaking, their flesh pale.

“That was highly entertaining.”

Callum looked straight ahead, as Motimon the Impenetrable shuffled up to him, dragging Hinkymon and Empermon’s unconscious bodies behind him. With a grunt he thrust them forwards towards their respective partners, who immediately pulled them close. Callum looked at his shivering palm, then at Motimon.

“What the fuck are you?”

“A very lucky ‘mon, is what I am.” Motimon shrugged. “Though your friends have potential. I expect to see you getting better.”

“You’re letting us...live?“

Motimon smirked. “I’m not so idiotic as to waste good talent. A few drinks and you’ll be standing with the best of them. Then you will be ready to receive my blessing, and we can go forth and cure this world.” He tilted sideways. “Sound good?”

“We’re...we’ll never-“

“You’ll never what? Agree? Fight? You’ll run away or you’ll get stronger to overthrow me? Please. You’ve seen me now; you have to admit. I am unbreakable. Completely and utterly impenetrable.”

In a quick movement, Motimon hopped up onto Callum’s chest, placing a paw gently beneath the boy’s chin.

“This ship is your home now. My armada is your home. Even if you got away, I would find you and bring you back. I like you all, and thus, you are my property. Finders keepers. You will survive this and get stronger. No matter what happens, whether you fight for me or fight against me, you will live. You will grow. And by the time you’re fully grown, you will be completely mine.”

He smiled, the sunlight reflecting off his irises.

“Make no mistake; I’m not threatening you. It’s just the truth. Whatever your mission was before is now irrelevant. This is your new life. I do hope you enjoy it.”

Motimon hopped off, and began to shuffle away, waving as he did so. “We’ll probably postpone the blessings for a few days; your friend really did a hurly on this place. Feel free to have a wander. Sign a few autographs.”

Ursula had taken off her jacket, and was holding Hinkymon’s still form close to her own She glared up, holding the imp out of sight of Motimon. And Callum. She spoke, her words full of poison, “You’re just letting us walk free? After what you did?”

“You started it.”

Motimon turned mid-step, and thrust his arms out. “Besides, there’s nowhere for you to go. And nothing you can do. What do I have to worry about?”

He winked, and shuffled away, whistling cheerily as he did so.

“Hope you sleep well, everyone. Night all!”

They were left, standing alone in the ruined plaza. Even the crowds had dispersed at this point; not even one Digimon remained to comfort them. Callum looked down, and saw that Empermon was staring up at him. The bird looked haggard; ruffled feathers, a cracked beak, and matted blood over his body. He looked away, saying nothing.

Callum tilted his head back, and looked up at the sky, his expression distant. His entire body racked with pain, and he was still nestled in his own wires. He could feel his own blood slowly trickling down the left side of his chest. It was cold. Freezing, in fact.

Lorelie raised her keypad, to no-one in particular.

“What do we do now?”

Nobody had an answer. And as the evening wore on, no-one could think of one. Eventually, with Scutimon carrying Hinkymon and Empermon, and Martin helping Callum, they left the scene, leaving their shattered hopes behind.

TO BE CONTINUED...