Round three of the Starlight tournaments finals ensues. As do some questions regarding Doru's past. He will be facing the mysterious Grapleomon. A being none yet have met or even understand. Max is copyright of myself. Kiya belongs to  dragonsurfer mentioned.

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A knights duty




Five armored digimon stood around a large rounded table. Their surroundings were not so grand as their standings as Royal knights. In fact if one were to step outside, their 'base' of operations was no more than a large pitched tent. It's coating reflected the surrounding area making it nearly invisable to the naked eye, long as nobody looked TOO closely. Standing around the table was Alphamon, Omnimon, Leopardmon, Ulforceveedramon and lastly Magnamon. None of the five remaining knights looked too happy, and the atmosphere was most certainly grim as they stared over set of plans laid out on the table by Alphamon himself.


"We've already lost seven of our comrades to the enemy. Our numbers are dwindling...Exemon was the last one afflicted with the touch of darkness. And though he was able to resist for a time, in the end he succumbed. We need a plan of action before even one more of us defects." Magnamon called out, looking among his comrades as if hoping someone would come up with a solution.


Alphamon kept his attention on Magnamon for but a moment then began addressing everyone else. "At this point the darkness is becoming too powerful. Daemon's cornered many of us. Belphemon himself had to butt in just to capture Exemon. As long as we remain openly against the Darkness we will be targets. Omnimon and I have made a decision in regards to our situation."


Omnimon stepped forward, looking at Alphamon who simply nodded, gesturing for him to speak. "We recieved a message from the Smithy village. Apparently the new digidestined have been selected. As have the new order of the royal knights. After today, you will see neither him nor I as we will be going into hiding."


Magnamon seemed to take offense to this, yet neither Ulforceveedramon or Leopardmon looked particularly surprised. "We can't just give up! If we hide away like frightened animals then we lose."


"Nobody is running away. But at our number's we're far too underpowered to be taking on anything as powerful as the Darkness." Leopardmon pointed out, looking Magnamon square in the eye. "This plan's been centuries in the making. Lord Baihumon told me all about it on our last visit and the selected eight are our best shot at saving the digital world."


Ulforceveedramon cut in. "As far as we know, these newcomers have already tackled a psudo royal knight ChaosGallantmon in the real world. An enemy very few could tackle even in this world, but they did. They also managed to restore one that was corrupted by the Darkness."


Magnamon looked stunned, but he still could not agree. "What will the rest of us do then? You've already made it clear you and Omnimon are leaving the knights, you're the leader so you should be the last one making such a judgement call."


Alphamon lifted a hand and gestured out the door. "Leopardmon will be waiting within the sacred halls of Baihumon's chambers. Omnimon will be splitting into his two componant races. Wargreymon will return to Zhuqiaomon's domain while Weregarurumon will remain with me. For security sake I can't tell any of you where we'll be hiding."


Ulforceveedramon placed a reassuring hand on Magnamon and smiled. "The two of us can retain our posts. If all of the Royal Knights end up vanishing then it'll cast suspicion. Not only that...the residents of our world will begin to panic."


"I think it's settled then." Leopardmon nodded calmly. Moving the flap of the tent to walk out, turning his head to look at his comrades one more time. "Until the digidestined are ready and can tackle this great beast we call the darkness. We are officially disbanded."


Alphamon watched as the feline knight walked out. He then looked at Magnamon. "You will have an especially important task." Alphamon held out a small round orb of light and handed it to Magnamon. "Within that orb is the Zero arms. One of the digidestined happens to be Gallantmon's grandson, and that is the last of those flying contraptions ever created. I believe that it's original name was Grani. Protect it with your life. He'll be needing it once he's achieved Mega level."


Magnamon looked at the glowing orb, then digitized it into his golden armor. He gave Alphamon a firm nod and clasped his forearm. "I do this for you Alphamon. While I don't agree with us disbanding in the digital worlds worst crisis...You are our leader and your foresight's usually been spot on. Take care of yourself."


Alphamon nodded softly, watching Magnamon step out next, followed by Ulforceveedramon. Omnimon and Alphamon remained standing in the tent alone. The former starting to digitize the map into his body. "You said ONCE he's achieved Mega level."


The black armored digimon decided to ignore that comment, choosing instead to take to the sky and lead his companion to the Smithy village.


It didn't take them very long. Two knights flying at full speed could traverse an entire continent in less than an hour. The first indication that they'd finally arrived in the village of Smithy were the high rising walls, meant to keep out wild digimon. The way to Baihumon's temple was shrouded in thick forest so even flying digimon such as themselves would have to be grounded to even attempt forcing their way through. For politeness sake, They landed just outside of the village and stepped through the open gates as calmly as possible. Aside from the glaring looks from the locals, nobody objected to their being here, very few would object to a knights presence as it usually involved important buisiness.


They made their way to a building made entirely of stone, to it's side was a well stocked blacksmithing forge, a burly leomon pounding on a piece of metal to shape it into a fine sword. One could tell that he'd been through several life and death encounters, though Omnimon couldn't help but wince when the Leomon gripped the newly formed blade and slashed into his wrist, no blood or data came out, but a sound similar to nails on a chalkboard. The Leomon looked at the blade from all sides, tilting it before setting it on a pedestal. "So that is the legendary Smithy? He's supposed to be a renowned blacksmith, the best in the world?" Omnimon inquired, not entirely convinced after that show.


"He is. While not widely known, he is also a master programmer. We're here to help him with the finishing touches on the digidestined's digivices." Alphamon pointed out, stepping toward Smithy carefully, knowing full well even as an Alphamon, Smithy could still be a threat.


Turning to face them, Smithy looking over both Omnimon and Alphamon, sizing them up before setting his hammer to the side and snuffing out the forge's flame. "You arrived five minutes faster than I expected you to. The meeting wasn't until 8:45. Come into my house. The devices are in there, the infusion will take place inside as well."


Omnimon stared at Smithy in shock, to address the leader of the royal knights, or even himself in that manner! It was inconcievable. "Why do you talk so casually with us? You are not an equal knight, nor are you one of the four Lords of the digital world."


Alphamon decided to let it slide, allow Smithy to explain as he guided the pair inside. "I only address Lord Baihumon with high regards. I am his guardian, as such I am well aware of your titles and I'm going to be open and honest with you. I couldn't care less. We're all digimon and we're all after the same thing. If you want my respect you have to do what everybody else does, including Lord Baihumon. EARN IT."


Alphamon had to agree with Smithy's logic. While most digimon would address a royal knight with the title LORD, Smithy had reserved such honorifics for his charge, And though Omnimon would not admit it or even understand, that was the way it should be. To blindly show respect, when one might not be deserving of it is foolish.


Stepping into the main living quarters, the trio stood infront of a small table with a box sitting at it's center. With large hands, Smithy began to remove the cover, revealing eight digivices, Styled much like the ones from the Digimon Tamers anime, but each one was powered down and looked practically lifeless. No color, just grey emptiness. "The digivices in question, they'll be given life after two conditions are met. One...they must be in contact with their chosen possessor, the colors they take will reflect the owners personalities upon contact. The second condition is you...It needs a boot up so to speak. That's where you both come in. As you've agreed Alphamon...it will need your energy of digivolution. What this means is you will be reverted to your base Dorumon form. And Omnimon you'll be reduced to your core componant forms that made you who you are now. "


"That much we're ready for." Omnimon called out, bending low so he could get a better look at the digivices. "So this is our final plan. Alright what do we do?"


Looking to his side, Omnimon could spot a light eminating from Alphamon's chest, a round white orb coming out of his body, strings of code spiraling around it as he brought it to bear on the digivices, then crushed it in his hand, strands of data soaking into the digivices, giving them a faint glow, before he was reduced to a small Dorumon, having to stand on the tips of his toes just to look over the table.


"YOu're...so tiny." Omnimon observed, but now he knew what he had to do at least. Using his Garurumon cannon, he pulled out a white orb similar to Alphamon's out of his chest, then crushed it in his pincer like hands. The digivices, finally came to life, at least partially as they started glowing within the box. Soon after, Omnimon split into a Wargreymon and Weregarurumon.


Weregarurumon rubbed over himself, as did Wargreymon. They looked at one another, then gave a subtle nod as the latter flew off to follow his part of the plan. Weregarurumon lifted up Doru and sighed. "We will have to rebuild our lives...and you being so small...And your tendencies as a Dorumon. You're gonna need to be watched constantly."


Dorumon blushed bright, wiggling in the Weregarurumon's paws. "Hey! Leggo!"


Smithy laughed at the two, put the lid over the box and set it under his arm. "I'll be delivering this to old Guilmon...There's an old Tavern in Starlight city that you both could work on together. MAke it your own, start a new life."

---

"So that's how you became the Doru we know now?" Max asked, wiggling on Dorugamon's neck.


"That's shortening the story! But yeah that's how it all happened. Magnamon showed up in the Starlight inn a few days later, before you guys came to the digital world he was corrupted by the darkness. He returned the zero arms to me, and apologized for being weak enough to be taken over. With the last of his free will..." Doru closed his eyes, teeth clenching. "He deleted himself... He thought complete destruction was better than becoming a pawn to something that wanted nothing more than to destroy both worlds."


Max frowned, that was the last thing he wanted to hear. "We'll stop it...We'll stop the darkness you know. So no more digimon feel like they have to end it." Max turned to the arena when he suddenly heard cheers, and climbed off Doru with a gentle smile. "Looks like repairs to the ring are done. Be careful out there."


Doru sighed and stretched over his limbs. "Max...our life for the last several months...it was different from our life as Royal Knights but it was real. Were became my surrogate father. I was a renowned knight that was known for his valued insight. Yet I couldn't save my friends. I couldn't save Were. If I were to lose any of you kids..."


Max cut him off, putting a paw over the furred dragon's muzzle. "You won't lose us. And even if Were is gone I'll find a way to bring back him back. Just go on out there, show Were and Magnamon that what they fought and died for wasn't for nothing."


"Thank you Max." Dorugamon gave Max a gentle nudge and a lick, before stepping out. Grapleomon following behind quietly. "So...ready to have a good fight? I may not be as strong as Blade...or RD was in this form but I can still put up a decent fight."


Grapleomon rolled his eyes, waving a hand. "Tough fight or no. We'll make it worthwhile for the watchers. For now...let's just have a good time." He grinned, stepping out into the ring with Dorugamon and started waving to the crowd, laughing and doing a couple backflips to stir up excitement.


Smithy stared at both contestants before grabbing the Mic next to Dorulumon. "Alrighty! We're finally able to continue onto the third round of the finals! We have a regular of Starlight city, you may all know him from working in the Starlight Tavern, he goes by the name of Doru! And in the other corner, we have the warrior lion of Starlight give it up for Grapleomon!"


The crowd cheered for the two regulars of the city. Doru had relived a painful memory of his past, but one thing made everything worth it. He didn't tell Max, or anyone for that matter, but in Magnamon's dying moment, he relinquished a very important piece of the digital world, left it in the beast types care. The digi egg of Miracles. "I may have been the leader, but despite your many objections you never disobeyed a direct command. You trusted me and I let you down." He closed his eyes, then trained his gaze toward Grapleomon, a growl coming from his throat. "Let's do this."


Grapleomon nodded, grinning as he tap danced over the new stone tiles that decorated the ring. "I'll kick us off then. And I do mean kick! Cyclonic Kick!!" He immediately began charging forward at Dorugamon, the turbines on it's legs spinning at a breakneck pace as he starts rotating himself, several roundhouse kicks being flung in Dorugamon's way, the only think protecting the champion type digimon was a veil of light that suddenly enveloped him, acting as a shield as each kick harmlessly bounced off his body. "Woah! So you're one of them!!"


Doru nodded softly, the light enveloping his body starting to focus on his muzzle. He let loose a massive cannon ball from his jaws, shining with a golden layer of light around it, moving at the speed of light and smacking Grapleomon in the face sending him staggering back a few feet. "Power metal light!"


Grapleomon groaned as he rubbed over his face, that stung but for some reason...it felt like your every day cannonball from a Dorugamon, there must have been something going on there. "That was weak for an attack made of light. Rumors suggest in previous battles, light increases fighter movement and attack power."


Grinning, Doru simply held up a paw, de-digivolving into his Dorumon form. "Come at me. This forms much more suitable for battle."


Back in the waiting room, Max was sitting alone with Triceramon. He really didn't know what to expect, until he was pulled into his inner conciousness, Leo looked troubled, sweating even. "L-Leo are you okay?"


"I'm fine...It took me awhile to realize who Doru is fighting. And you're not going to like it." Leo spoke, panting as he gripped the end of the countertop.


Max blinked, tilting his head to the side, he'd never seen Leo look so winded. "Who is it? Is it another one of the Hybrid Test Subjects you mentioned?"


Leo shook his head, growling as he rubbed his head. "In a way. That's me!"


That got the Guilmon's attention, he didn't quite grasp the concept though. "I don't get it though...you're in here. And Kiya's safeguarding your digiegg within his digivice. There's no way you could have hatched."


He shook his head again, this time the leomon holding out three clawed fingers. "I was the most unique among the test subjects and the first. I've explained this to Jesse already when I encountered him once before. Inside of me were three digicores. One was given to you by your uncle. The other two were scattered throughout the digital world. I had assumed that the two had become one digiegg. But it looks like they took on seperate identities...or at least different bodies."


"You've lost me...How could you possibly know that this Grapleomon has one of your cores?" Max then connected the dots, recalling Doru's first attack. "You're suffering from that Power Metal aren't you? So you're linked!"


Leo nodded, rubbing his head a bit. "I still feel a light ringing...But there's no doubt about it. Every hit afflicted on Grapleomon is affecting me as well. It's been a year since I was 'erased' from the human world. Plenty of time for one of the eggs to hatch and gain experience."

Max winced, this obviously wasn't good. And it brought one thing to realization. "We have to beat him don't we?"


Leo nodded a few times, sighing. "He has my core...he is me."


That worried Max, now concerned he hoped that the battle wouldn't turn out that way. He wants Dorugamon to win, and at the same time he wants to meet Grapleomon, get some answers out of him. "Let's hope that Doru can win without forcing a deletion. He's not the type to kill afterall."


The Grapleomon surged forward with another Cyclonic kick, this time, there was no light barrier and Doru was blocking each kick with his bare paws only, given the speed Grapleomon was moving, it was as if they were moving at light speed like a cheesy anime fight scene.


"The hell was that?!" Grapleomon cried out, breaking the attack to stare suspiciously at Doru. "How did you do that?!"


Doru giggled, bouncing a bit. "My light shield and light attack was all I needed. The shield told me everything I needed about your speed and attack power. And the attack was simply so I could match your defensive prowess. Even if I can't become Alphamon, as a rookie I am the master of copying my opponant. I can match an ultimate's fighting ability as a rookie or champion. But anything past that would be a little too high for my current situation."


Grapleomon grumbled, then perked his ears in excitement. "Then you were too quick to revert to your Dorumon form. Because you don't know all that I am capable of."


"I don't need to know all. I've mimmicked your speed and strength." He gestured to the light surrounding his foot and handpaws. "Long as I've got that then I'll be able to counter attack."


"Is that so..." Grapleomon grinned, licking the corner of his lip then bounding forward, the turbines on his hands rotating in a blurred motion. The air around him started shimmering, distorting as chips in the arena floor started coming apart and floating in the air. He thrust a fist towards Doru, who at first looked as if he were about to successfully parry Grapleomon's attack, but suddenly his movements slowed, body starting to float into the air, then the attack hit. Grapleomon's fist connected to Doru's muzzle and the floating sensation ended, and was suddenly sent flying out of bounds into the grass, leaving a pretty sizeable crator. "I can manipulate our center of gravity. Making you light as a feather...or make your body and my arm as heavy as a truck. Your mistake was thinking I was just fast, instead of thinking what these wind turbines were actually for." He spat.


The crowd remained silent, they couldn't understand just what happened. At one point, they looked to be evenly matched. Then in a split second, Grapleomon leapt forward and stole the match in one blow. It seemed to surprise Smithy as well, who took a few moments to gather himself. "In a one hit knock out...we have Grapleomon the victor!"


Grapleomon jumped out of the ring, stepping over to Doru's unconcious form and opened his maw wide, starting to stuff the defeated beast type down his gullet, swallowing eagerly and hungrily. His stomach bulged out once he was finished with his meal and he gave it a few satisfied pats and belched. "I think I'll be sitting out of one of those regen pods..."


Max cringed, staring at the hollow screen and thinking to Leo. "Were you ever...able to stop time?"


"It wasn't time control. It was gravity. He decreased the flow of gravity around Doru, making his bodies reaction time slower, then increased the gravity around Doru ten fold so when he was sent flying out of the ring it would leave a lasting impact. It means that one punch from him is a knock out hit." Leo corrected him, a sense of worry in his voice. "My ultimate form was a Grapleomon. Though I barely used it, it felt like a cheap tactic. Be wary, he could be the most dangerous force in the tournament."


Max could definitely get that vibe. He smacked his face a few times and smiled. "We'll just have to be careful then! But nows not the time to worry about your alter ego...Now's the time to worry about Triceramon. He was the one who trained RD in how to control his own darkness. He's no easy opponant...and according to RD, his body is nearly impenetrable. This will be fun."


Triceramon looked in Max's direction, gave a low growl and pointed to the arena. "Let us go. We have a match to play out."


To be Continued