OK this one took some doing. But I got it all done. Heh...Hope everyone enjoys it. Also, this is the 50th chapter in the series! It's been a wild run so far!

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Springing A Trap


"So...explain to me why you're traveling with the half pint Coronamon when you should be making this trip with Fang?" Leo asked within Max's conciousness, arms crossed and a claw tapping his left bicep.

It was a known fact among Max's friends that he couldn't very well keep his train of thought on Leo and keep up pace, so Coronamon had stored the Guilmon into his digivice as he made his way to their assigned location. This didn't stop Max from resuming his conversation with Leo however. He grabbed a glass of orange juice and sighed. "You're a part of me...you should have been able to get a solid grasp of the plan. But I'll explain it to you anyway..."

Taking one sip of his beverage, he started laying out the plan in front of Leo. "We know that there's somebody sneaking around and altering the matches as they're scheduled...But we have no idea if there's more than ONE of them. So we're taking alternate routes, with Fang and Flare going directly for Dorulumon for access into his private quarters. That's the direct route. But for us we're going to take an alternate path, doing our investigation inside of the arena itself for signs of tampering.

"The arena is off limits at night...Of course!" Leo snapped his fingers and smiled. "It's the perfect opportunity for someone to plant a bug or sneak into Dorulumon's private quarters."

Max materialized floor plans of the arena, thankfully Fang managed to recreate it from memory and copy the file into each digivice. It gave Max the chance to memorize it himself so he could lay it out for Leo. "Fang made this entire plan from memory...handing one off to each of us and now I'm showing it to you. The staff lives and works in the arena...but Dorulumon's room is unique...it's the only room that has a top down view of the ring. If one were to scale this part of the spectators stands..." Max ran a hand over the northwestern portion of the arena, up the stairs to what looked to be a domed room just above the spectator seats. "They could sneak into his room without anybody noticing...it also explains how they got to Drill in his sleep to administer the potent piece of Darkness into his heart."

Leo got a good look at the floor plans, he was impressed to say the least. "You know...you Smithy's are very unique and special...Fang was able to recount every last detail of the arena and map it out on this parchement. But you were able to memorize his map and relocate it here...SO then your part of the plan is to scale this part of the arena?"

This got a big grin out of Max, his face became darker than it's usual red scaled color. "Uncle Smithy says it's a gift...But NO, we're not going to scale up to his room that would be breaking an entering. But we are going to hide out, and see if the culprit tries to take this route into Drill's personal quarters."

Max was taken out of his train of thought, back into Coronamon's digivice when he looked up to see the flame type digimon's face taking up the space on the display. "We're here Max. I'm going to reload you under a set of bleachers okay?"

"Alright. I take it then we're in position then." Max took a deep breath when he was digitized underneath a set of bleachers for the spectators. He and Coronamon remaining as still and quiet as possible as they began their surveillance.


Fang carefully opened the door to Dorulumon's quarters, for the most part it was all clear and they were given the go ahead to scope out the room while the tournament's organizer finished pairing up the finals matchups back in the tavern. "Alright Flare...We're to keep the lights out here. We can't have our mystery man being spooked thinking somebody is in here. While Max and Coronamon are keeping an eye out on the ring we'll be waiting here."

Crossing his arms, Flare started pouting and searching through Drill's desk. "Why do they get the fun job...and I don't understand why you had to split Coronamon and myself up...we work the best when we're together."

Fang grabbed the Agunimon's wrist with his glove and shook his head. "Be careful...You might screw up the matchups. besides your armor gives yourself away as to who you are. There can only be one Agunimon in the digital world at a time remember? Whereas there are several hundreds of Guilmon and Coronamon. They'll remain inconspicuous whereas YOU will stick out like a sore thumb."

"I still think we'd be better off going our usual routine. Besides you work best with Max too y'know?" Flare pointed out, sitting carefully on Dorulumon's bed.

Fang was about to point out the reasons behind their pairing then stopped when he heard the door's lock starting to turn. He put a glove to his muzzle and tip toed to the wall.

The door silently slid open and surprisingly Leopardmon came into view. He didn't look hostile, in fact he looked puzzled to see the two sneaking around in Dorulumon's private quarters. "What's a couple of the tournament's contestants doing in this room?"

Fang was on guard at first. When he realized it was one of the royal knights he lowered it slightly. "I could ask you the same thing...I thought the Royal Knights were hidden. Waiting until the right moment to strike. Besides you guys aren't supposed to show yourselves until the finals."

Leopardmon switched on the lights, he didn't once, reach out for the rapiers on his hips. "I was called in early. Doru informed me of an attack on Drill in the middle of the tournament so I digivolved...against my better judgement and came to keep an eye on things. Ulforceveedramon would have been in a better position to do so...but he's currently keeping tabs on your friends at sea."

This caught Fang's attention, but then it dawned on him. "You're talking about Scav and Kiya then. RD already sent me a file regarding the royal knights situation. Perhaps you could enlighten me." He asked, crossing his arms.

"Certainly, Drill already told me to expect you but...the way you were skulking around in the darkness has me a little bit weary. Currently, the war on Darkness is getting perilous. Already 8 of the 13 original royal knights have defected...That leaves only five still laying in wait...You already know about Doru who is Alphamon. As well as Ulforceveedramon. There's also myself, Omnimon and of course Magnamon. For protective reasons...Omnimon has been split apart, and Magnamon had reverted back into his base Veemon form and hidden the digiegg of miracles." Leopardmon took a deep breath, trying to keep himself straight as he told the tale. "Ulforceveedramon has set out to find a replacement, a leader for the new knights that your group will be forming. You and your friends make 8 of the thirteen, and the four guardians of the high lords bring the number up to 12."

Fang started rubbing his chin, it was even more detailed than RD had mentioned in his report. "Wait...but you said there were 13 knights...we're one member short...And I'm going to assume that you will not be participating."

This got a chuckle out of Leopardmon, he merely shook his head. "Good observation. None of the original thirteen royal knights shall be in the ranks of the new order. Max might become Gallantmon due to his lineage yes. And Ulforce will give his form to the one he deems worthy. But neither of which will have been part of the original order. We're currently looking at a number of candidates that would be suitable for the position, such as the Shoutmon Echo, or the Liamon that Scav and Kiya know as Lyle. Both have tremendous potential, but neither can tap into it as of yet."

That caught Fang's attention, he kept his full attention on Leopardmon now, it was piquing his interest. "You speak of Lyle as if you've never met him. Yet you obviously know of him and his potential."

"Well...of course." Leopardmon lifted a claw and spoke matter of factly. "He's my little brother afterall."

This caught both Fang and Flare by surprise, both face faulting at the realization, It was Flare who finally spoke out, leaping infront of Fang. "Wait...So then Smithy has TWO brothers?! Then that would make-"

"Me, Max and Fang's uncle too? Yeah that'd be about right. I was Baihumon's guardian before Smithy, then when I surpassed his teachings I was scouted to become a royal knight." He dipped his head. "I don't...get to visit my family all too often if you can believe it."

Fang just stared at him awhile. IT wasn't that he was thinking of the right way to say something. It's that he didn't know WHAT to say. But he stopped once he heard another sound outside and looked out the window, it looked like two digimon were walking into the arena, One of them was the ring announcer Etemon and the other looked like it was none other than Myotismon. "It's Myotismon! Etemon and Myotismon are in cahoots?! Well now we know who helped that creep re-arrange the match ups."

Leopardmon growled before moving forward. "Come. We must help them."

Before he could even reach the door though, a portal of darkness blanketed it. Coming free from it's depths was Barbamon and Daemon, both looked especially menacing. "We can't let you do that. You made it ALL too easy for us. Four of the eight of you all in one place, and a royal knight. We're going to make short work of you right here." Barbamon sneered.

"Two of the seven demon lords here? I guess we should be honored that our presence makes you nervous." Leopardmon pulled free his rapiers from his hips, growling. "Can you two handle Barbamon by yourselves?"

Fang nodded, materializing his digivice. "We can do more than you think." Fang looked out the window once more and winced. "Well I wanted to save this till the grand finale but guess we're gonna have to start the party early!" Fang's digivice started shining infront of them, his body glowing and growing by massive proportions. "Gaomon double warp digivolve to!"

"Did he just say DOUBLE WARP?!" Flare cried out, shielding his eyes from the bright light.

Fang's body started growing exponentially, brilliantly bright blue armor encasing his body. His chest started protruding outwardly, or rather the armor did, as the chest plate started morphing into the shape of a wolf head, with the lower half being white, and a pair of red eyes featured on either side of the head. A red cape suddenly formed across his shoulders to drape over his back, and three sets of claws protruded from both of his knuckles to signify the end of his evolution. "MIRAGEGAOGAMON!"

Barbamon seemed taken aback as well. "I was under the impression you don't bat-" He was cut off as Fang, now a large armored wolf drove him through the walls and out of the arena's vicinity. "You could let people finish their sentances before you charge in. So rude!"

Fang stared Barbamon in the eyes, it wasn't one of passion or anger, but the cold calculating look of a scientist trying to work his way around a situation. "I see an opportunity to strike and I take it. Instead of wondering HOW I digivolved right away to Mega. You think about the battle at hand? double crescent mirage!

Max's jaw dropped, he watched Fang and Barbamon go flying out of the arena and sweatdropped. "D-did he digivolve to Mega? When did he..."

Myotismon laughed, lashing his crimson whip in Max's vicinity, knocking away the bleachers that gave them cover. "We meet again young hybrid! Have you learned any new tricks since our last encounter? I so hope that you have..."

Growling, Max stepped forward, whispering toward Coronamon. "If you can digivolve to Mega too...now would be a good time to show it..."

"I wish...Fang's digivolution has high risks to himself and his digivice...it's not natural so I imagine he was hesitant to use it. But...I can digivolve to ultimate and deal with Etemon." Coronamon muttered out, calling out his digivice as he started glowing. "Coronamon warp digivolve too!" with that, Coronamon's body started expanding, the first notable change was the fire glowing atop it's forehead split into three fragments two of which covered the placement of his ears while the third remained firmly in place above his forehead. his face started pushing forward, creating a well firmed snout and muzzle. Shoulders materialized a set of steel armor plates protecting them, with red and white spines protruding through their sides at his new arm length. A solid steel belt wrapped around his waist and lastly, his new evolution produced a brilliantly golden mane flowing down the length of his back down to his legs. "FLAREMON!"

Max stared over his friends impressive frame, he could hardly believe that back in the real world, he had been but a simple Charmeleon! Now he was a full blown ultimate level Flaremon. "Uhm...now I don't know what to call you...HOW?"

Flaremon looked down at Max and snorted. "I'll explain later, just suffice it to say my training and battles in the real world allowed me to digivolve to this state and thanks to Fang I finally realized it. I'll hold off Etemon while you finish what you started."

"GUREN JUUOUHA!" Flaremon called out, an energy blast formed as a lion head came flying out at Etemon, knocking him several feet out of the ring. Flaremon quickly jumped into the ring, holding his hands up in a defensive stance.

Etemon pulled himself out of the assortment of chairs and growled low. "You're so lucky you're not in the tournament...or I'd disqualify you right away for attacking the announcer!" He growled, a black orb glowing in his paw as he threw it at Flaremon. "Dark network!"

Flaremon kept his arms at his sides, before letting loose a high pitched howl that made the orb of darkness dissapate. "Purifying howl!"

"Hey hey hey!! That's against the rules!" Etemon stumbled back, growling low as his data was already scrambling due to the attacks effect. "You can't just...attack me like that without throwing a punch!"

If Flaremon heard his complaints, he wasn't listening as he stomped forward. Quickly grabbing Etemon by the neck and started consuming the monkey whole, starting with his feet and slurping over his form. He didn't take his time to savor the ultimate however. Puppets didn't taste that great afterall and when all was said and done he let out a long belch.

"Well...now with that done." Flaremon had his sights set on Myotismon. "Max, this guy feels like he's on a completely different level than Etemon. Think we can take him?"

Max was already digivolving into his Growlmon form. The lion sword bulging forth from his right arm as he focused the light around his legs. "We can and we will. Your twisted games end today Myotismon!"


"You are welcome to try! Grisly wing!" With a tilt of his cape, a mass of screeching bats started flying towards Max and Flaremon.

"Pyro blaster!!" Max growled out, releasing a mighty stream of flames, burning each bat and reducing them to zeroes and ones. Just as quickly, Max sprang forward, his arm blade raised and lunged at the vampiric digimon.

Running to Myotismon's exposed side, Flaremon held his fists towards Myotismon, the same lion head projecting from them heading in Myotismon's vecinity. "Guren Juuouha!"

For a moment, there was nothing but smoke, but it cleared with a single flip of Max's tail, revealing that Myotismon's clothes had indeed been worn ragget by that one attack but other than that he appeared completely unaffected. Even holding Max's blade with both hands, albiet shakily. "You two work well as a team...But the need for a champion and an Ultimate and still being unable to bring harm to my person is only further proof that you are weak."


"Desolation claw!" Roared what looked to be a Cyberdramon, it's claws tearing right into Myotismon's back, sending the ultimate digi staggering back.


"What the hell?!" Myotismon growled, bits of data starting to creep from his fresh wound, his body scattering in threat of deletion.

The Cyberdramon made it's way over to Max, growling. "Sorry...it took me awhile to get here but I DID get here."

Max looked down at the ultimate digi, tilting his head. "So...do we know each other?" He asked, obviously stunned.

Cyberdramon snickered, he was about to reply then lifted up a claw. "Later. Right now we have a Vampire to slay. Now listen to me Max...Even if you were to digivolve right here and now. It still wouldn't be enough, not with him about to digivolve himself..."

"What?!" Max cried out, watching as Myotismon started growing, his body becoming more twisted and grotesque in the process. "So then three ultimates wouldn't be able to nail him?"

Cyberdramon growled, grabbing one of Max's claws, and pulling him down. "I'm not saying that! There is a way...but you're going to have to get over your self rightous sense of being. You need to go past the limits of ordinary Digimon. Have you ever heard of the burst mode?"

"I...no. How do I achieve such a state?" Max inquired, trying not to look nervous as he watched the emerging Malomyotismo. "And in a time like this is it possible?"

"Normally? No...But the Shine mode...IS. You already know how to use the power of light! Unlike the burst mode which temporarily has a digimon running at 150% of it's normal output. The Shine mode transforms you into a completely different digimon. It creates new digimon species previously unheard of. New strengths and powers the likes the common species are incapable of!" Cyberdramon growled out, shaking Max's paw. "You have the shine mode in you already...IT's up to you to determine if you can awaken it."

Cyberdramon took a deep breath, his body glowing brightly as an extra pair of blades grew along his forearms and the helmet over his eyes turned a scarlet red. "Shine mode...Safer than the burst mode, and yet...capable of so much more." A moment later he reverted back to a standard Cyberdramon. "I can't hold the transformation long enough for it to be useful in combat but you will. You ARE the royal knight Gallantmon!"

Max took a deep breath, but nodded in confirmation. "I...don't know who you are but I feel that I can trust you. You two think you can hold em off me so I can try it?"

Flaremon smirked, fists already up as he and Cyberdramon formed a protective shield infront of Max. "Leave him to us. You focus on getting that...Shine thingie up and running."

Max watched as Malomyotismon came charging right at the duo, cringed when they were batted away like swarming flies. But he couldn't afford to keep his eyes on the battle, he shut his eyes tight. The way Cyberdramon described it...it sounds wrong...It's an incomplete transformation...the shine mode he speaks of...is more of a style change than anything. Not a completely new evolution. But somehow Max already knew that he had to overcome that error in the shine mode. He had to make the transformation completely his own. And at this moment he was determined to put all of his experience, all he knew about digimon into this transformation. He would create his OWN Digivolution. And that's when it hit him. Suddenly his body started glowing brightly, a low growl creeping through his voice. "Growlmon!! Shine digivolve TOO!"

"Use all of the light in my being...and transform it..." He muttered quietly to himself. Almost immediately, his body started to morph, his body started slimming down, his stomach tightening inward into a six pack, paws transforming into fully flexible fingers with claw tipped nails, his tail slimmed down and shrunk a bit as well, matching his body as it started slimming down. The digital hazard on his stomach glowing faintly as his snout became a little more defined, two fangs prodruding from his upper jaw. The white mane that flowed down his neck started legthening down to his legs. Lastly, two steel katana's formed in his hands as he got into battle ready position. The light immediately shattered for everyone to behold his new ten foot anthropomorphasized frame. "WereGrowlmon!!"

"Did...he say Were?" Malomyotismon shouted, baffled as he looked over the new digimon. "To...create a completely new species is the right of Yggdrasil only! You dare create something without his approval?!"

Max took a deep breath, smoke billowing from his nostrils. "I honestly don't care what Yggdrasil thinks. Fact of the matter is...he's comatose from whatever virus you put him under so I'm using my own judgement." Max stepped over to both Cyberdramon and Flaremon, katana's at the ready. "You knew from the get go that Wargrowlmon...even if I had become such we couldn't win. It's too slow, it's armor is useless against straight thrusts and it's attacks are too predictable. With this...I have all the speed I'd have with the light boosting my legs as a Guilmon...and all that power of a Wargrowlmon is condensed into a more concentrated force." He held his right hand forward, removing one finger from the hilt to signal Malomyotismon to come forward if he dares.

Malomyotismon growled, gritting his teeth at such a cocky motion. "Crimson mist!" The two jaw like shoulder pads opened their maws wide, spewing a deadly toxin that engulfted the new digi. "You are presumptuous. Thinking just that a new form will give you the power to beat me! I've aquired all the powers of a demon lord in this body."

A deep throated roar sounded among them, the mist quickly departing just as soon as if afraid of the dino's might. "Demon lord power huh? I'm sorry pal...but you're not even close. Want to know WHY they keep you around." Before anybody could even spot Max's movements, he had already climbed atop of MaloMyotismon's shoulder, sword pressed to his neck. "It's because you're an easy scape goat. They can let you do the dirty work...and if they learn any precious information about their adversaries then they consider you expendible at the expense of this information."

A Shiver ran down Malomyotismon's back, those words shouldn't have affected him the way they were but they WERE. He hadn't even seen the Growlmon lift his foot yet now here he was just inches from slitting his throat. "You won't kill me though...Your concious won't allow you to. You'll try to save me. Try to purify me with that digivice of yours. And the moment you reach for it I'll attack."

"I have no intention of purifying you MaloMyotismon." Max stated flatly, a cold look in his eyes as he pressed the sharp edge of his katana into the vampiric digimon's neck. "I already know it won't work. The darkness isn't influencing you, and you will likely never change. The best I can do for you is end the cycle of hatred and the desire for bloodshed right now. I'm going to absorb your data...I'm going to devour you...and absorb your data." He looked away, a look of regret in his eyes as he looked like he were abut to cry. "Maybe living as a part of me will finally shed some light in those eyes of yours. When the darkness is purged, maybe I'll release you and re-form your absorbed data into a digi-egg...then the knights can take care of you."

Malo's eyes bulged out then, shaking Max off without regard for the blade at his throat. He growled in frustration, eyes glowing. "You are but one half of a digimon! Not all and yet you say YOU will devour ME!?"

Max stared into those eyes, his expression remained cold, empty, and a bit sad. His eyes started darting to the left and the right as several copies of Malo myotismon started surrounding him. "Mental illusion huh? An attack that plays on the mind of your opponant. Cheap tricks won't win you this battle."

"Erm...Max certainly has grown cocky hasn't he?" Flaremon sweatdropped, staring nervously at the mass of Malomyotismon that encased them.

Cyberdramon shook his head. "No, this happened before when he became WereArcaninemon. His personality changes at the ultimate level. His mind is cleared of distractions, he's not the fun loving Max you know in this form."

Flaremon turned his attention to Cyberdramon, eyes wide. "How did...were you in the human world?"

"Stay focused..." Max calmly spoke to them. Eyes scanning the area and trying to figure out their best possible form of attack. He took a deep breath and took one step forward so that he was right in the middle of the ring of vampires. "Malo, it's because I'm half digimon that I'll beat you. And it's because of that, you will become my dinner." he licked his lips, eyes emotionless.

Suddenly, the mass of Malomyotismon came running at him. For the most part he remained in place, letting the massive digimon come charging in at him, for the most part they just phased right through him. Except for one who managed to give him a hard sock to the left cheek, sending him tumbling a couple feet away. The mass of Myotismon laughing, proceeding to mock Max. "I'm sorry, did you say that this wouldn't help me win? You don't even know which of us is real! And you're so fraught with fear you can't even move!"

The Malomyotismon came rushing in again, a few more cuts and bruises running over Max's chest, bits of data leaking through but none too serious. Flaremon cringed, staring at the carnage. "We need to help him! He can't defend himself!"

Cyberdramon shook his head, smiling. "Just...sit back...his gaze hasn't changed."

Max stared coldly and collectively at each Malomyotismon, despite the wounds he had accumulated he still looked in control. "If that's the best you can do...as a Mega...then you're nowhere near the power of a demon lord."

Malomyotismon sneered, teeth clenched in resentment of Max. "This time I'm going to flatten your head beneath my boot!" Every clone charging at Max.

The WereGrowlmon took a deep breath, then took a single step toward his right, and making a wide arcing motion with his sword, the clones abruptly faded into dust as he cut a deep, fatal wound into Malomyotismon's chestplate. "One...One attack?" He cringed, clutching at his wound and growled. "You haven't even declared an attack yet...you're just using your base power."

One cold eye gazed into Malomyotismon's, he set both swords into their sheaths and turned to completely face him. "I wanted you to see how fruitless this battle was BEFORE forcing you to regress back into Myotismon." Max took a deep breath, his mouth suddenly alit with flames. "Incineration blast!" Max lept several feet in the air before opening his jaws to release what looked to be a massive ball of flame contained in a sphere of glass. Only when it touched down into Malomyotismon's chest did a huge torrent of flames engulf the poor dark digimon. Heck the blast itself encased half of the ring, charring it into a smoldering pile of ash.

Flaremon's eyes went wide, regressing back into Coronamon as Malomyotismon's body shattered to pieces, a pure white digiegg floating right into the small furred digimon's digivice, while Myotismon himself lay crumbled on the ground, his body smoldering. "Max...what did you do?"

Max took a deep breath, picking up the charred body of Myotismon and giving it a whiff. "I purified the malicious intent of Malomyotismon. Part of him will be reborn...while his dark half will become a part of me." With that, he opened his jaws, starting to stuff the Vampiric digimon straight into his hungry maw.

Back up in Dorulumon's chambers, Leopardmon was holding his own against Daemon, but it nevertheless appeared to be a stalemate, more so whenever Flare put in his two cents. Daemon stared through the window, looking at the unexpected developement, and his 'pawn' being devoured by this new abomination. He scowled and quickly formed a portal by the door. "We'll continue this in the dark network. You still have Barbamon to contend with however!" Before Leopardmon could get in a fatal blow, Daemon had dove into the portal, promptly closing it thereafter.

"Damn it!" Leopardmon drove his blade into the floor, this turned out to be a big mistake as he and Flare ended up falling straight through it.

"If I die I'm blaming you!" Flare cried out, but surprisingly, they landed on a massive Tyrannomon's belly, it jiggled like a water bed when they made their landing.

Back in the arena, Max finally finished off Myotismon and reverted back to his base Guilmon form. Almost immediately he let off a belch followed by a groan. "Ugh...Guys...mind carrying me back to the hotel..."

Cyberdramon sweatdropped, helping heft Max off the ground, the poor dinosaur having fallen asleep moments later. "Comeon...let's get him to bed...I hope Fang can take down Barbamon..."

There it went again, Coronamon was starting to get suspicious of Cyberdramon's quirky responses, they've never ONCE encountered this guy, yet he obviously knew who they were. Guess they'd have to wait to get more answers. First things first, they had to get Max into a bed so he could recouperate.

(To be continued)