Everyone has gathered together once again! And are sent on a wild trip through history in the ancient sky temple. But will they be separated once again?

Kiya is ©  dragonsurfer

RD is ©  rainbowdragon

All other characters are © Me (DO NOT USE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION)

Digimon is © Bandai

Enjoy!

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Tale of Two



Slowly, Jesse started coming too. The last thing he remembered was a powerful gale blowing, Flare, Coronamon and himself into the clouds. Now...he found himself laying on a sandstone floor, Digicode characters were arranged on each tile, and for once he wished he had Max's natural ability to decipher these characters. "Where's..." Jesse's head darted to one side of the room to find Coronamon and Flare bundled up together, for the most part they were okay. But WHERE were they. "We should be digi stains on the ground from how high we were being pulled up..."


"I see you are well and good. I feared you would not be so." Came a soft, soothing voice, as a golden, eastern style dragon floated over. He had six pairs of wings and wore a silver helmet with red engravings. "Forgive me. But it was all I could do to keep you out of the clutches of the enemy."


Jesse turned his head to look at the golden dragon, then blinked when he realized that he wasn't a Loweemon anymore, but his regular human self. It startled him at first but he was quick to draw out his chain scythes. "You were the one who created that gale that seperated us? And why is it that I'm not a digimon?"


"You can call me Goldramon..." Goldramon gave a small bow before speaking again. "Some of it yes. The Darkness planned for all of you to fall into a trap that would have spelled the end of you. But I was able to use a good portion of my power to divert you each into key positions of this world. And with the help of one of my companions...even managed to pull you all the way here. As for why you're not a digimon...this place borders between the real world and the digital. As long as you're here, you can rest easy in your original body."


Jesse rubbed over his body then looked relieved when he found both his digivice, and pokegear strapped over his waist. When he was satisfied he started walking over to Goldramon. "Why did you bring us here then? Why not bring us all to the same location instead of seperating us."


Goldramon began scratching the top of his head, smiling. "If I could have I'd have done it from the start...When you guys forced open the portal it surprised me. And the Darkness had been a fraction of a second faster in acting than I had been. My power...as great as it may be, pales in comparison to that of the Darkness."


Jesse was about to ask another question, but blinked as Flare started coming too, he rubbed his head a bit and blinked when he realized he was in his human body. Jesse turned his attention back to Goldramon, now a bit concerned. "If Flare and myself are humans again...why isn't his Charmeleon back to being a Charmeleon here?"


Curious about that too, Flare jostled Coronamon slowly, waking up the small digimon as they started walking over to Jesse. Goldramon took a deep breath and pointed to the digivices on their waists as well as their pokegears. "You two house the spirits of the legendary warriors. In both the human and digital worlds you have the ability to freely become a digimon. Your friend there was forcibly transformed to exist in the digital world. In this case he can't control the transformation, and it would be an irreversable process. and the moment you leave this temple he would be consumed."


"So him not transforming back to a Charmeleon is actually saving his life at this point." Jesse muttered quietly, looking at the characters on each tile and decided to ask. "What do these symbols mean?"


Since introducing himself, Goldramon let out a soft chuckle as he started floating away, leading them through a narrow corridor lined with thick lit torches. "They mean to tell a story. A prophecy if you believe in such things. It tells about the battle between Light and Darkness. A story I'm sure is told in many different cultures in your world but not in this manner. But I guess the best way to explain it would be in this question...Do you think Light and Darkness could exist without one another?"


The question surprised both Flare and Jesse, who looked to one another before the Latter responded. "I think that neither can exist without a bit of light OR darkness."


"Ah! That's where you're wrong!" Goldramon lifted a finger and pointed it at Jesse. Then pointed towards the walls, where images of the darkness could be seen taking many different shapes. "The Darkness can live in nothingness...there need not be light for it to thrive as destruction is in it's very nature. Light on the other hand...relies on one element that I think everyone confuses for the darkness."


"And that would be?" Jesse asked while glancing at the wall paintings. It looked like the Darkness in every rendition just kept growing and growing. But there was no real pattern in it's transformation. "Light and Darkness are key to any worlds balance. If one has too much sway then it drifts into Anarchy."


Goldramon stopped for a second, turning to look Jesse in the eyes and narrowing his own. "The Darkness is not the opposite end of the scale. But a mockery and a twisted one at that. When the sun hits you at the right angle what does your body produce?"


That's when it hit Jesse, he knew where Goldramon was headed now. "It creates a shadow. So then...the counterbalance for light ISN'T Darkness...But-"

"But Shadow." Goldramon nodded, taking the pair what looked to be a large blank chamber. "Light creates a shadow in every living thing. In some cultures they even believe that a person's shadow is their very soul, and that without it they would surely die."


Jesse started recalling the past years events and suddenly it started making sense. The darkness is a force that only lives to create chaos, to consume. Yet there were two beings supposedly born of pure Darkness of a person's soul. Chaos, born from Max's sorrow, and Shade, who was the deepest parts of Guilmon's heart, the dark side. "They aren't beings of darkness...but of shadow... It's why both of them have trouble understanding their feelings, but at the same time...they aren't inherently evil. Yet they can control the power of darkness."


Goldramon raised an eyeridge, before smiling. "Ah but it isn't darkness they are controlling. It can't be controlled. They are controlling shadow power. Even your spirit of darkness. While it may be the ruler of a nobeler darkness it is in fact, using shadow powers. But it's you who can truely wield it to the highest calibur. It's why I chose to bring you here. Whereas Max already can control his natural light energies."


Jesse blinked, looking a bit surprised. How did this guy know Max's name. And how did he know that he could control such powers. "Are you an original?"


Goldramon never stopped floating. Keeping at a steady pace with a chuckle. "What do you mean...Original?"


"You know about me, you knew about Max. And somehow you know about the Darkness and what it truely is. Everyone has a different story, something new to the story that just makes it all the more confusing. But you're the first person to say that my power is Shadow power instead of Dark power." Jesse let it all out, grinding his teeth a bit. "Even Delta was sure that I was in tune with the power of Darkness. So my power is different from what Daemon and the demon lords are using as their source of power?"


Goldramon sighed, crossing his arms together. "You are an inquisitive one...Here I thought you would be less so than Max but it appears I took the one who asks ALL the questions. But at the same time you nearly have it right. I am an original digimon, from BEFORE the war between the dragons and beasts. Hundreds of thousands of years old. Tasked by Yggdrasil himself to protect this sacred temple even after this worlds destruction."

With a small breath, Goldramon waved to a large image carved into the farthest wall. It was an image of a cloaked figure. Garbed completely in black with a wolfish muzzle poking out of the hood. Standing below the large figure were two human shaped figures. One was enveloped in a golden aura, while the other had a dark shade of purple enveloping him. "Before THIS world even existed there was a third. The digital world has been rebuilt and reborn three times since it's inception. In the original world there WAS no seperation. Every digimon was the same...all were rookies at the beginning. And it wasn't until the first digimon evolved into a Champion that jealousy started running through their minds. Thus the first wave of Darkness in our existance was born. And back then there weren't many things we could do to stop it...But somehow two humans broke the boundry between worlds and managed to supress the Darkness!" He pointed to each of the human figures. "One with the power to control a blinding light. And the other with the power to manipulate dark shadows. After this victory, Yggdrasil thought it'd be best to just start over and create a new digital world...but this one had more troubles than the first. Digimon could more readily digivolve but the resources each digimon had were...limited."


Jesse stared at the artwork, mesmerized by the story it told. "That's where the Dragon/Beast war took place right?"


Goldramon nodded, smiling. "You've brushed up on your digi history! Yes, this war gave the Darkness all it ever needed to be restored back to it's full might. Dreadfully so I'm afraid. Some people believe that Victorygreymon was the reincarnation of the Hero of Light because he was branded with the crest of Light at birth. Same with ZeedGarurumon...though he wasn't very defined by having dark powers he had a tendency of...bending rules. These two while they never attacked the Darkness head on, had managed to keep it at bay by rallying their troops. And by meeting Yggdrasil's demands they were able to establish peace. The power the Darkness had, faded...with time."


"Which brings us up to you." Goldramon sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I believe that you and Max are reincarnations of the original heroes of Light and Shadow. Proof of either of these are the fact that you were both proficient in your elements from birth. Neither of you needed that much training to manifest your powers."


Jesse rolled his eyes at that, before crossing his arms. "We still needed time to train. To develope them and make it practical for battle."


Goldramon nodded, chuckling. "Aye. But nobody is proficient enough without some method of improvement. If both you AND Max take care of this PROPERLY...you can probably end the darkness once and for all."


"Strife causes the Darkness to spread. As long as we have-"


"As long as you eleminate it where it stands...In a solid form. It won't be able to regenerate, or restore itself to it's former self. The darkness CAN be killed. But if someone other than the heroes of Light and Shadow perform the deed...then the Darkness might very well take that person as it's host." Goldramon sighed, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. "I know that Max is the chosen hero of Light. It chose HIM personally from birth. And your father was the grim reaper. That isn't a title passed down from father to son."


Jesse sighed, trying to take all this in without letting it get to him. "How can you know...that it's us that are these chosen legendary heroes? Is there any proof?"


Goldramon nodded, walking over to the young man and grabbing his hands in his own. "There is one way. I know for a fact that Max is the chosen hero. As for you...simply touch the stone tiles that depict the battle. If they respond to your touch, then you are definitely the one."


Feeling a little bit irritated that Goldramon just grabbed him without any consent, Jesse walked with the dragon, or rather, ran as he was dragged forward, then pulled his hands free. "I'm going I'm going! Eesh...you're rather excitable for an old fossil..."


Goldramon rolled his eyes, snickering at the comment. "I live in solitude...No digimon ever comes to this place. Even the corrupted Knights and Demon lords fear my abilities in that they wouldn't dare tresspass. Speaking of..." Goldramon turned his head towards the entrance. "It looks like we have company on the way... You three stay here. I'll go check it out."


Flare blinked, watching the dragon type digimon dissapear into the depths of the temple. "He's so friendly...but I have a feeling that kindness isn't directed at everyone he meets..."


Jesse raised an eyeridge as he stepped on a platform, listening to Flare rant but keeping his gaze over the mural. "This feeling you have...is it the same as your ability to sense malice?"


"No...Well yes. But I don't sense ill intent from him. I think we can trust him to a point. But I feel like he is only kind towards us because he believes you to be this incarnation person..." Flare muttered, looking up at Jesse and sighed. "Do you really think it's safe for you to be climbing up so high?"

It took them some time, but their flight above the clouds lead them in the direction of an oddly shaped temple in the sky, from it's appearance it was of sandstone design. And surprisingly enough, it looked like Scav made it at the same time with Alphamon following at his side "Wow...it kind of looks like we're all together again." Max commented, whistling "And Doru's become Alphamon!"


RD blinked noticing this too "Yeah we took care of what we needed to take care of thus far, we felt Jesse from up here that's why we came"


Alphamon nodded subtly "We finished subduing an enemy ourselves. Kiya's resting inside of my digivice for the time being." Alphamon formed his digivice in an armored hand before Hackmon poked his head from Scav's clawed hands, looking at the group "S-so many digimon..." He whispered, Goggles over his eyes to shield him from the wind of this altitude.


RD winced hearing about Kiya, then blinked at the sight of the small new digimon "Who's he?"


Scav was about to respond but Alphamon interrupted "This is Hackmon. He's been training under Gankoomon of the royal knights. And under his command, is fighting alongside us."


Hackmon nodded shyly, looking at everyone, head bowed slightly. "P-pleasure to meet you all."


RD nodded "Well as long as everyone feels he's alright with us then it's ok. Nice to meet you"


Scav nodded, looking down at Hackmon with a big grin. "He's more than proved himself. He put a big dent in Kentaurosmon's shield when he fought alongside Kiya. I doubt either of us would still be alive if not for Hackmon. He may be a rookie but he can defend himself as well as any of us."


"So Kentaurosmon attacked you huh? It seems like every royal knight is here" RD muttered looking at the temple ahead.


Alphamon nodded "We'll explain later when there's time. For now I think we need to get up to the temple. I sense the remainder of our team inside."


Everyone else nodded in agreement, though Blade decided to add in his two cents. "Just be careful. This place has been around since before the great war. And the guardian of this sacred place doesn't take kindly to unwanted visitors."


RD blinked "Who's the guardian of this place?" RD asked as he flew in to land at the temple, inspecting the area before carefully landing.


Blade looked over at Fang for a moment and shared a nod, before he responded. "One of the four great dragons. He's also known as a deity like Azulongmon and the other high lords. His name is Goldramon."


RD froze but then nodded, not quite expecting this new set of information. "That's....a digimon I've never heard of before"


Blade nodded, landing just at the temple's entrance "He's a powerful digimon. Enough that Zeed and myself agreed on this being a neutral ground. Both of our armies would have been demolished. You might also be interested in knowing he's one of the four you'll eventually have to challenge if you ever want to become Slayerdramon."


RD completely froze again, just standing in place. "He is?"

Blade nodded, then blinked "Brace yourself. He's here." Blade growled as a red dragon's head made of pure energy came flying at them, he pushed RD out of the way and leapt into the air, watching as the six winged golden dragon emerged from the set of doors. His six wings kept him steadily above the ground.


"Tresspassers aren't welcome he-" Goldramon stopped in his place, the red energy dragon was pulled back into the vembrace on his right arm "I hadn't known you were with the digidestined...And I sense multiple light users." Goldramon turned to the rest of the group including RD.


RD nodded, looking a bit unnerved. "We came here because we sensed one of our friends in this place"


Goldramon raised an eyeridge "Jesse, Flare and Coronamon are here yes. And I intended to summon the rest of you in due time."


"We ended up getting blown in random directions, and the defected royal knights went and ambushed us at every turn, one was so lost to grief that he wanted to reset the entire digital world" RD said sighing as he remembered that. Recalling how frantic Crusadermon had become.


Goldramon bowed his head "You have me to blame for the gale. You were about to all bite more than you could chew. The Darkness was about to send you plummeting into a trap you wouldn't escape. So I sent you all to different corners of the planet. I had intended all of you to make it up here, but the darkness skewed my plans."


RD winced "We thought the windstorm WAS the trap with the way the ambushed ended up when we were blown all over the place"


Goldramon shook his head "I have little influence aside from this temple. But I had to make sure you were safe. The darkness just anticipated where you would wind up. A miscalculation on my part but you all still live yet. If you wish, I'll take you to your friends now."



RD nodded gratefully "Thank you"


Goldramon nodded, bowing as he parted the doors completely, a bright aura eminating from his body to act as a light source inside of the building "Please be careful in here."


Blade took a deep breath "He's a divine being. Act as you would with Baihumon when you were granted an audience with him. I'd rather not die before we reach our final destination." He chuckled, stepping into the building, as did the others. When they followed Goldramon down the old halls, they would find Murals plastered over the walls, many of which depicted events throughout this worlds history. One image would likely catch RD, Blade and Max's attention. It was the same wolfish figure that came from the ground down below, but why was it painted over the walls in the first place. Blade eyed them with scrutiny, but Max's reaction to them was that of a shocked expression. "So then...this happened before..."


RD was so busy staring at the murals that the people following behind nearly plowed into him "Whoop! Sorry, I just like reviewing history, after all those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it right?"


Goldramon nodded a few times, chuckling despite a few complains and protests from the others "You have good eyes! Those are events from the FIRST digital world." He admitted while guiding them further.


"Ah from the first fight in digiworld and all that ok" RD said reviewing the murals, carefully watching the scenes change with each slab on the wall.


Blade shook his head, chuckling as he walked along "The first digital world period...and the birth of the Darkness. We learned when we first discovered this...sanctuary that there was a digital world before this one. And it'd been rebuild twice around. I think...I know exactly where you're taking us. Goldramon does this have to do with the tale of the two saviors?"


Goldramon paused for a moment, turning around to smirk at the group. "You always were quick to catch up...Yes that's EXACTLY where I'm taking you."


RD blinked, looking in Blade's direction. "The Tale of the two saviors? You don't mean you and ZeedGarurumon, do you?"


Blade and Fang both shared a laugh at that before shaking their heads, as if to share a joke that RD hadn't known he told. "No. But there are many that believe we are the reincarnation of those two..." Blade pointed out calmly, but for the most part it left everyone looking more riddled than satisfied.


Finally, Goldramon stopped infront of a massive room that depicted wildfires burning down great forests, primitive buildings being blasted to smitherines by what looked to be dark creatures, dragonic in nature. On the center wall, just infront of them was the image of a great robed figure, lupine in appearance with only it's claws poking out of it's sleeves and muzzle poking out of the hood, bright blue eyes pierced through the dark veil. Standing just infront of the hooded figure painted on the wall looked to be two humans, one with a black aura surrounding him, and the other with a great light enveloping him "This is a tale from the digital worlds first inception...when the Darkness had been born. It had many different forms, and could split it's conciousness much like the D-reaper. Most of the digimon had given up hope...merely waiting for their ends...to be consumed by the dark."


"Looks like there are two beings there one of light and darkness...these are the saviors?" RD asked looking at it, taking one step closer as if to get more detail.


For once, Goldramon burst into laughter "Not darkness...The darkness is an impure thing...it lives outside of the boundry of our understanding. and does not need light to thrive. The being you're looking at is controlling the power of Shadow. But yes, they are the saviors."


RD nearly fell over, turning to Goldramon in confusion. "I thought that darkness was shadow, they're not the same thing?"


Goldramon shook his head "I'll ask you the same question I asked your friend Jesse. The darkness doesn't need any sort of outside assistance to remain dark. But what does your body produce when the sun is at the right angle in the sky?"

"A shadow, I once told someone else about this. Hrmm but that means that darkness technically isn't darkness at all but an emptiness...a vacuum" RD pointed out calmly.


"Exactly!" Goldramon grumbled a bit, but he couldn't supress a grin "The Darkness does nothing but devour. It takes shape, and eats...it's why the royal knights have become corrupt, and why the demon lords are taking such bold steps. It wants nothing but destruction. Shadow powers live inside of everyone, but like the light it's hard to bring out. Anybody can wield it, which is opposite to the light which very few can handle. But at the same time, it's even trickier to master." Goldramon blinked as he turned back to the mural as it started glowing bright purple, he noted Jesse standing at it's side, hand touching the shadow savior "Looks like I was right. Max would you do me a favor and touch the savior of light on the wall?"


Max blinked, looking confused, then his jaw went agape "Wait why are flare and Jesse human in the first place?! None of us have changed back!"


Goldramon sighed, rubbing his temples "Just do it please. Besides none of you contain the spirits of the legendary warriors...if you changed back NOW, you wouldn't be able to become digimon again."


RD was confused "Maybe you want to know this now Goldramon but something in the digital world, maybe yggdrasil himself, kept us from our human forms and now two of our friends regained theirs....why?"


Goldramon nodded, pointing a claw at himself and the ceiling. "I already know. Yggdrasil gave me this post since the first digital world and it's here I'll stay till this temple falls. This temple lies between the worlds...in between the real and the digital. As such...those that normally would not take their original shapes would. If Max had his human form in reserve this place would have changed him as well."


"oh, well that explains a few things in any case well Max?" RD asked, craning his head towards Max.


Max blinked, hopping off RD's back and stepping up towards where Jesse had been standing. "I still don't know what this is about..." Goldramon nodded "It'll make sense...I've already explained it to your friends, and according to the response he had in touching the mural I'm now very certain the darkness will be expelled perminantly."


RD blinked as he heard this, before smiling. "Sounds like the solution to a lot of our problems"


Goldramon nodded "The story goes like this...While the murals can depict what happened, I was there, watching above the clouds as events unfolded. The two saviors were proficient in their mastery of light and shadow. When they worked together, they were able to cast out the darkness, destroying it and reversing it to it's most basic state. Had they been a little quicker, they could have erased it perminantly. When the world was reset to this one, there was a lot of conflict because of how Yggdrasil set the balance. Hence the war between the beast and dragons...That gave the Darkness all it needed to slowly bring itself back into a strong fighting shape. It took itself a few thousand years but it DID return, following the decline of man."


RD nodded, sighing softly. "I was told about the war and the fighting over the resources"


Goldramon nodded "The darkness would have risen much sooner, but both sides managed to make peace before then." Goldramon then turned to face the mural as instead of a purple aura surrounding it, now a bright blinding white light enveloped it, both Max and JEsse's hands glowing as if in resonance to the Mural.


RD stared at this and began to back up "That's too bright!" RD held a claw in front of his face


Goldramon winced, before chuckling as the light slowly receded, turning into a yellowish glow in Max's palm "And these two...Are their incarnations. We'd been waiting thousands of years for this moment. We can right the wrongs of the past."


RD stared, mezmerized by the glowing in their palms. "They're reincarnations of the two saviors? That's helpful" RD blinked "Of course that means that aside from the two royal knights it'll be up to them to defeat the darkness" RD then turned on his heel and headed towards one side of the temple "They'll be coming, I want to say hi to exemon and maybe stall....from the sound of things he's the size of a mountain" He said it so cheerfully that everyone else could only stare in shock, wondering if RD had lost it, before RD blinked and turned back "Some help would be nice" Everyone facefaulted.


Goldramon blinked before chuckling "You need not worry...Exemon will not show. Though I may not look it, here in this domain I have the powers of a god. But it will be up to you to stop him. It is your role."


RD froze, not liking the prospect of it relying solely on him. "oh um ok yeah" RD nodded "I need to stop him or at least stall for time, some of these guys have had their personalities altered so they focus on one thing and one thing only"


Goldramon nodded in agreement "The darkness is hiding in the core of this world. But only when it's managed to form a solid, sentient form will the saviors be able to completely destroy it. It's up to the rest of you to break the remaining seals. Exemon has one, as does Craniamon."


Alphamon clenched his fist, deciding to break the silence of the group. "Leave Craniamon to me. As the commander of the royal knights I might be able to get him to listen to reason...if anything get him to understand the situattion if he doesn't already. A leader must be prepared to bring down his comrades if they have defected..."


Scav smirked, crossing his arms. "Leave Daemon to Kiya and I. We'll break his seal and avenge Azulongmon! Right bud?"


Scav looked toward Alphamon, watching the Knight's digivice glow with affirmation followed by Kiya's voice. "Damn right we will! We've been waiting for this moment!"


Blade nodded "And I have hilt...He's my brother, and it is my duty to set him straight. He must be brought back to the village for his crimes." Blade's fists clenched slightly, a low growl coming from his throat.


Flare, Fang and Coronamon looked at one another "So you're leaving Belphemon to the three of us?!? Flare cried out, jumping in place as he heard this.


RD blinked "I'm going to be on my own against exemon, and from the sound of things he's one of the strongest royal knights" RD's complaint was voiced the same way as flare's and fang's.


Max blinked, taking out his digivice as it started glowing. A second later Leo had materialized from it, the newly formed leomon was standing by pure will, and using his blade as a balance. "I'll...go with Fang and the others...Belphemon is one of us...one of the original test subjects done by my master."


"Don't be rediculous!" Max cried out, helping Leo up. "YOu're still rehabilitating. There's no way you can fight a cold much less the ruler of a crime syndicate!"


With a low growl, Leo pushed Max aside and looked him in the eyes. "I will talk with him...He is still human inside, and I can probably sway him."


Hackmon blinked, before leaping on RD's head, hanging over one of his horns. "I'll fight with you! I'm not afraid of this Exemon fellow!"


RD sighed "Ok well that does help" He smirked at Hackmon who slowly wiggled up to the top of RD's head again.


Delta and Duke looked at one another "We don't have digimon forms anymore but we'll help you too. I still have my deletion shot! Might not be too effective against a giant dragon but might prove a handy distraction."


RD sighed nodding "Listen i'll take anyone not taking on anyone else, exemon is one of the strongest royal knights next to alphamon, and he's huge to boot, right now splitting up might not be the best idea, in fact it might be a better idea to take out our opponents one by one or two by two if we can. "


Goldramon shook his head as several orbs came from his body, before flying into the direction of each of the digimon. "Finishing your tasks will each bring you all back here. While splitting up isn't the best idea after just getting back. It's also all that will keep the darkness from becoming too powerful. The keys need to be taken and the world below destroyed. the longer we wait, the worse things will get."


"So we're on a time limit then and this needs to be done as quickly as possible gotcha" RD nodded as he took the orb himself.


Everyone else did the same, Delta and Duke climbed onto RD's Coredramon form "The orb should take you right to Examon's lair. As well as for everyone else...it will take you to your targets. everyone be well." Goldramon bowed his head "And survive please..."


RD laughed "We don't plan on being deleted" RD nodded as he looked at his orb, before leaving the scene to take flight.


Everyone else blinked, before Kiya re-formed out of Alphamon's digivice and climbed onto Scav's armored hide. "We're off too guys. Max!" Kiya looked over to the Guilmon and grinned, giving him a thumbs up. "We'll get your body back from Daemon. Then you can perform your duties."


Max looked a bit stunned, but before he could voice his opinion, Scav had taken off.


Goldramon bowed softly, watching as Blade was the next one to leave. It made him chuckle with amusement as he noted the remaining party members. "Well? Flare...Fang, aren't you guys going to leave as well?"


"We would...but we don't exactly have a ride..." Flare pointed out, rubbing the back of his neck.


Alphamon lifted up the trio, calling Leo into his digivice as well. "I'll take them down there myself. I'm sure Craniamon is guarding Belphemon's lair so it is well within my own mission parimeters."


Just as Alphamon was walking away, he turned towards Max. "Magnamon...wanted to bestow this to you when the time was right. I think now you may need it." Alphamon lifted a single palm, and a orb of light shimmered into the air. it flew over to Max before becoming a metallic red Dragon. "We had expected you would become a Gallantmon when you ascended to the level of Mega...but you've proven yourself honorable enough to maintain this unique digimon. It is known as the Zero Arms Grani."


Max blinked, walking over cautiously to the metallic creature hovering in the air, then gasped as he felt an unfamiliar sense of contact within his mind. "S-Stand on you?"


cautiously, Max started climbing ontop of the Zero arms and then gasped as it immediately began hovering in the air, carrying him with it. "W-woah! This guy is like a digi hover board!"


With a soft chuckle, Goldramon approached the two. Grani did not awknoledge his presence however, and simply stared ahead. "It is the faithful companion of the Gallantmon evolutionary path. If it has allowed you to climb aboard it, then it has chosen you as it's Master."


Alphamon chuckled softly, before giving Max and Goldramon a curt bow. He took one step forward then looked back to Goldramon. "What are the great dragons planning...?"


Goldramon only chuckled softly, giving Alphamon a kind smile in return. "We have many different plans...but the Darkness must be averted before any can take place."


With a satisfied grunt, Alphamon took flight, carrying his load with him.


Clasping his hands together, Goldramon smiled kindly to both Max and Jesse. "Now...let's prepare the two of you for this impending battle. First...let's see if I can't grant you your body back, in case defeating Daemon does not give us the desired result..."


Both Max and JEsse tilted their heads, then blinked as they noticed a dangerous gleam in Goldramon's eyes.


(To be continued)