Chapter 117: Just A Bunch Of Rookies
"Big Sister BlackGatomon, the cruise ship has been completely secured."
"We can set sail again at your command."
The dry, sweeping winds of the Server Continent's desert region clashed against the salty ocean breeze. Aboard the massive, commandeered cruise ship resting near the coastline, BlackGatomon stood near the railing. She listened to the crisp report from the Dobermon beside her and gave a slow, approving nod.
"In that case, let us continue our journey." She turned her gaze away from the horizon. "Impmon, you can show us the way, right?"
"Of course!" As soon as his name was called, the little purple demon eagerly stepped forward, puffing out his chest. "That is absolutely certain!"
"Then, I will rely on you to guide us."
"R-rely on me?"
Impmon froze. His tiny wings twitched, and he stared wide-eyed at the dark feline Digimon.
After spending the past few days traveling together, Impmon had already realized just how terrifyingly powerful this strange group of Digimon was. Even though the vast majority of them appeared to be merely Champion Level, the sheer density of the data pulsating within their bodies was monstrous. Without exception, they were overflowing with raw power, only slightly lacking in actual life-or-death combat experience.
Yet BlackGatomon, the undisputed leader of this terrifying pack, did not look down on him. She did not sneer at him the way the white Gatomon under Myotismon's command always did, nor did her voice carry even a fraction of that familiar, suffocating arrogance.
More, she, a vastly superior Champion Level Digimon, had just told him she would 'rely' on him.
A strange warmth bloomed in Impmon's chest. For the first time in his entire life, he felt genuinely respected.
Snapping out of his daze, Impmon slapped his cheeks and focused two hundred percent of his energy on the task ahead. The thought of working alongside colleagues like this in the future was incredibly pleasant. But to earn his place, he had to make absolutely sure he guided them flawlessly!
Watching Impmon practically skip away with a newfound spring in his step, BlackGatomon scratched the back of her head in mild confusion. She had absolutely no idea that a casual, polite remark could trigger such a dramatic shift in the little demon's attitude.
Footsteps approached from behind. BlackAgumon sauntered up to her side, crossing his dark, clawed arms.
"What is wrong with that guy?" BlackAgumon asked, watching Impmon's overly enthusiastic retreating back.
"...Nothing." BlackGatomon shook her head, pushing the mystery of Impmon's mood swing aside for the moment. "Right, why did you come looking for me? Have the matters concerning those Nanimon and that Kiwimon been handled?"
BlackAgumon gestured casually toward the lower deck. Down below, Kiwimon and a group of subdued Digimon were diligently working under the heavy, watchful supervision of two of their Ultimate Level companions.
"Everything is sorted down there," BlackAgumon replied, his tone dropping to a more serious register. "I actually came to ask you a question. When we finally meet Myotismon, should we display our true strength, or hold back?"
"Regarding that..." BlackGatomon narrowed her eyes, her tail swishing thoughtfully behind her.
She weighed the options in silence. "While revealing our Ultimate Level strength might make it easier to immediately gain Myotismon's trust and secure high-ranking positions, it also carries a massive risk of drawing his suspicion. A sudden influx of Ultimate Level Digimon is too abnormal."
She tapped her chin with one claw. "How about this? We strictly suppress our auras and only display Champion Level strength in front of him. We will keep our Ultimate Level combat power hidden as a trump card. That way, we have far more room to maneuver when sudden situations inevitably arise."
"Alright." BlackAgumon nodded, fully approving of the cautious approach.
A teasing smirk suddenly tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I was a little worried before, but it seems the sharp intelligence you cultivated during your Champion stage hasn't been completely lost to your recent digivolution."
"What are you talking about? I was always smart!" BlackGatomon bristled, one ear twitching in clear displeasure at the backhanded compliment. "Do not associate me with that idiot Agumon."
"Yes, yes, yes." BlackAgumon rolled his eyes at her childish reaction. He waved a small claw dismissively and turned back toward the lower deck. "I will go inform the others of your plan. However, regarding our subsequent itinerary, we will have to trouble Miss Gatomon to take care of the details."
"Hmph! I would do it even if you didn't tell me!"
Completely missing the patronizing, coaxing tone in BlackAgumon's voice, BlackGatomon lifted her chin and spoke with absolute pride.
Thanks to the sheer size and power of the commandeered cruise ship, the group's travel speed increased exponentially. Even though they had to make a few brief stops to recruit wandering Digimon along the coast to maintain Impmon's cover story, it hardly delayed them.
Before long, the ocean gave way to a dense, unnatural fog. They had successfully breached Myotismon's territory.
However, as the ship anchored and the group disembarked into the gloomy, shadow-drenched landscape, BlackGatomon immediately sensed something was wrong. The oppressive aura of a Mega Level Digimon was nowhere to be found.
Instead, the figure waiting to receive their batch in the clearing was an Ultimate Level Digimon draped in a tattered, ghostly cloak.
"Phantomon, why are you here?" Impmon fluttered forward, his wings beating nervously against the thick fog. "Where is King Myotismon?"
From beneath the heavy, ragged hood, a single, massive eye narrowed. A cold, murderous glint flashed in the darkness.
Without a single word of warning, a massive, icy chain whipped out from Phantomon's cloak, tearing through the air straight toward Impmon's throat.
The little demon's fur stood on end. His breath hitched in absolute terror. His mind screamed at him to dodge, but the oppressive pressure of an Ultimate Level attack locked his joints in place. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the agonizing impact.
The sound of clashing metal rang out.
Impmon opened one eye.
A slender, dark figure stood firmly between him and the deadly strike. BlackGatomon had moved faster than the eye could track, her gloved claw wrapped tightly around the freezing iron links of Phantomon's chain.
Beneath the hood, Phantomon's eye widened slightly. He had not put his full power into the strike, merely intending to maim the insolent Rookie, but for a mere Champion Level Digimon to catch his weapon bare-handed was unthinkable. The gap in raw data between Champion and Ultimate was supposed to be an impossible chasm.
'This dark cat's strength... is highly irregular.'Phantomon calculated silently, the tension in the chain easing slightly.'If used properly, she might prove to be an exceptional pawn for King Myotismon.'
Adjusting his strategy, Phantomon let out a raspy, hollow laugh, feigning a gloomy, authoritative tone.
"BlackGatomon, you are one of the new recruits brought in by Impmon, correct?" The ghostly Digimon floated an inch higher. "Since you have decided to pledge your loyalty to us, what is the meaning of your current insubordination? Are you perhaps attempting to rebel before you have even begun?"
Facing the suffocating pressure of an Ultimate Level interrogator, BlackGatomon's expression did not shift a single millimeter.
"Oh dear, Lord Phantomon," she purred, her voice smooth and entirely devoid of fear. "I have absolutely no such intentions. There is no need to throw such heavy accusations around."
She casually tossed the chain back toward him. "I am simply a little curious. Impmon clearly did nothing wrong just now, so why are you treating him so harshly? We are all comrades here. Instead of shedding blood among ourselves, wouldn't developing a harmonious relationship better serve King Myotismon's grand ambitions?"
"Heh heh heh... harmonious?" A dry, grating sound echoed from beneath the hood. "I must admit, your naive perspective is quite amusing."
The iron chain slithered back into the folds of his cloak. "Since you have provided me with a moment of entertainment, I will answer your question. The reason I sought to punish this rat is that he forgot his place. He attempted to pry into King Myotismon's whereabouts and secrets."
Phantomon's single eye locked onto Impmon, radiating pure malice. "King Myotismon has already decreed that I possess the authority to execute any Digimon who attempts to monitor his movements."
"H-how is that possible?!" Impmon gasped, shrinking behind BlackGatomon's leg. "I am clearly King Myotismon's capable subordinate—"
"Silence!" Phantomon's voice cracked like a whip. "Impmon, I will spare your miserable life this once, solely because you managed to recruit such a sizable and capable batch of Digimon for our King. But if you fail to recognize your place again, do not expect my blade to miss."
"Ugh..." Impmon swallowed hard, clamping his mouth shut.
Satisfied that the rat was thoroughly cowed, Phantomon turned his back to them, his tattered cloak dissolving into the surrounding fog. "Process these new recruits immediately. Keep them on standby. You will await King Myotismon's command."
The group stood in silence as the ghostly Ultimate Level Digimon vanished completely into the gloom.
Once the oppressive aura faded, Impmon let out a massive breath and cautiously peeked out from behind BlackGatomon's leg.
"That hateful Phantomon... how dare he treat me like that..." Impmon grumbled, kicking a loose stone. Then, remembering what had just happened, he looked up at BlackGatomon, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "BlackGatomon, thank you so much for standing up for me! I knew it! I knew you were a good Digimon!"
"A good Digimon, huh..."
BlackGatomon stared down at the trembling little demon, her expression twisting into something incredibly complicated.
'We are literally infiltrating a villainous army right now. Being called a good Digimon feels like an insult to my acting skills.'
Just as BlackGatomon opened her mouth to offer a comforting, albeit fabricated, response, a crisp, cold voice cut through the fog.
"I wondered who was making all that pathetic noise out here. Turns out it's just you."
Footsteps approached from the shadows of the castle gates. "What is wrong this time? Did Myotismon decide to punish you again?"
"Gatomon!" Impmon shrieked, his fur puffing up all over again. He scrambled backward, pointing an accusing finger at the approaching figure.
BlackGatomon turned, her eyes narrowing with intense curiosity.
Stepping out of the fog was a pristine, snow-white feline Digimon.
Looking at her was like looking into a distorted mirror. They were nearly identical in build and posture. The only glaring differences were the stark white fur, the holy alignment radiating from her core, and the gleaming Holy Ring securely fastened around her tail.
While BlackGatomon analyzed her counterpart, the white Gatomon was doing the exact same thing.
Gatomon's blue eyes locked onto the dark feline. A primal warning bell rang in her head. Even though they were both clearly Champion Level, Gatomon felt an overwhelming sense of danger radiating from the black cat.
'Just as I thought,'Gatomon concluded silently, her guard rising.'No Dark Type Digimon is ever good news.'
"You are the new comrade Impmon recruited?" Gatomon asked, her tone flat and unwelcoming.
"Hello. I am BlackGatomon."
Despite sensing the immediate hostility and their naturally opposing attributes, BlackGatomon pasted on a flawless, polite smile. Keeping up the facade of a cooperative subordinate, she stepped forward and extended a dark-gloved claw. "Shall we introduce ourselves properly?"
"...Gatomon."
Gatomon stared at the offered hand. The fake smile on the dark cat's face made her skin crawl, but refusing a greeting from a new recruit would only cause unnecessary friction. Reluctantly, she reached out and briefly shook the dark claw.
The simple gesture instantly triggered the little demon standing nearby.
"Hey! BlackGatomon, do not let her fool you!" Impmon waved his arms frantically. "That Gatomon is a highly manipulative, sly, and evil villain!"
BlackGatomon: "..."
Gatomon: "..."
A heavy, incredibly awkward silence descended upon the clearing. Both feline Digimon stared at the frantic Impmon.
'A villain?'BlackGatomon thought dryly.'We are standing in the courtyard of a dark lord. We are all part of the villain faction.'
Before BlackGatomon could voice the sheer absurdity of the statement, Gatomon released her hand and sauntered over to Impmon. She looked down her nose at the little demon, her blue eyes filled with absolute disdain.
"Look at you," Gatomon mocked, her voice dripping with condescension. "It has been so many years, and you haven't improved in the slightest. Since we are technically colleagues, I will offer you a piece of advice: do not boast so loudly when you speak. It only highlights exactly how weak you truly are."
"What?! I am not weak!" Impmon bristled, his face flushing dark purple. He spun around and gestured wildly toward the massive crowd of Digimon waiting near the tree line. "I brought all of these powerful comrades to serve King Myotismon! Can you do that?!"
Gatomon followed his pointing finger, her gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd.
She blinked.
Because the vast majority of BlackGatomon's elite forces were currently stationed back on the cruise ship, managing the vessel alongside the Tylomon, the only Digimon standing in the clearing were a massive herd of low-level recruits they had picked up along the way.
"A bunch of Rookie Level trash," Gatomon stated flatly. "Even if you bring a thousand of them, they are completely useless in a real war. The only Digimon of any actual value here is this single Champion Level BlackGatomon."
She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow at Impmon. "And you call this impressive?"
As soon as the words left Gatomon's mouth, the atmosphere among the three specific Digimon standing directly behind BlackGatomon shifted violently.
BlackAgumon, Agumon, and Monochromon all froze.
Rookie Level trash?
The three little 'Rookies' exchanged a long, deeply complicated look.
Agumon slapped both claws over his mouth, his cheeks puffing out as he desperately tried to hold it in. Monochromon clamped his jaw shut, a thick plume of black smoke shooting out of his nostrils from the effort. Even BlackAgumon, who usually maintained the stoic composure of an older brother, felt his shoulders begin to tremble violently.
Hold it in. They had to hold it in.
A muffled snort escaped Agumon. Then a wheeze from Monochromon.
Finally, the dam broke. A chorus of suppressed, wheezing laughter erupted from the three 'Rookies'.
Hearing the commotion, Gatomon's brow furrowed in deep irritation. She glared at the shaking trio. "What exactly are you laughing at?"
BlackAgumon instantly straightened his posture, clearing his throat loudly. "Cough. Apologies. We just remembered something incredibly happy."
Gatomon's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What happy thing?"
"My wife had a baby."
BlackAgumon delivered the line with absolute, deadpan sincerity, perfectly channeling the exact brand of absolute nonsense Mizuki used whenever he wanted to troll someone.
"..." Gatomon stared at the small, dark dinosaur, completely derailed by the sheer absurdity of the statement.
"Cough. My apologies." Realizing he had let Mizuki's influence slip out a bit too naturally, BlackAgumon coughed again, forcing his expression back into a mask of stoic obedience.
Before Gatomon could interrogate the bizarre dinosaur any further, heavy footsteps echoed from the castle path. Wizardmon emerged from the fog, his staff clinking softly against the stone. Trailing closely behind him were two towering figures entirely concealed beneath thick, heavy cloaks.
"Gatomon, I would advise you not to underestimate this group," Wizardmon spoke, his voice muffled by his high collar. "I sense that these newcomers are far from simple."
He gestured with his staff toward the two massive figures behind him. "Do not forget, we already have a prime example of unexpected strength right here."
Following Wizardmon's cue, the two towering figures reached up and threw off their heavy cloaks.
If Mizuki or Tai had been standing in the clearing, they would have instantly recognized the two imposing warriors. The scarred, muscular green skin of the goblin, and the noble, battle-hardened mane of the beastman.
It was Ogremon and Leomon from File Island.
Ogremon cracked his knuckles, a savage, bloodthirsty grin splitting his face as he surveyed the new recruits. "I was told this place would provide me with some genuinely enjoyable battles. Who wants to go first?"
Leomon stood silently beside him, his hand resting firmly on the hilt of his sword, his stoic gaze sweeping over the crowd.
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