Edward stared at the sky with his mouth agape as Earth was revealed to him. He knew that place, the city where he had spent his entire life. The city where his parents built this place. The city where everything started.
He was going home. Without his sister, now the giant being of pure white glowing with divine energy beside him. The power to fix an entire universe lying within her now brought to surface, just as it was with their mother.
"Incredible." ROOT whispered. Her eyes looked upon Imogen, no, Yggdrasil, with reverence. "After thousands of years this mountain has once again been ordained the Cradle of Divinity, and I, as the Keeper of Chronicles, is here to witness it with my own eyes."
"A-are you in there, Iggy?" Edward asked. He looked up at Yggdrasil, not with the reverence of a mortal gazing upon a God, but with the sadness of a brother who failed his little sister again.
"I am, Eddy." Her voice held so much power and weight within it. It was no longer that of a scared little girl who had arrived in the Digital World mere weeks ago. Yet it still radiated with the same warmth, now brought to the surface. "I am just as much Imogen as I am Yggdrasil." Edward let out a little laugh of relief that she didn't suffer the same as Elizabeth or Tavaras.
"I'm ready to go now. I have a promise to keep." He looked at Wormmon. How was this even going to work? Before he could think on it further, a strong gust of wind sent him sprawling to the ground.
"No!" Imogen and ROOT both shouted and Edward turned his head just in time to see a black and gold hexagonal cube flying to the hole in the sky. He stared up helplessly as Apocalymon's cube got closer to Earth.
"Wormmon, do something!" His partner shone bright with the light of evolution.
"WORMMON, WARP DIGIVOLVE!" His small green partner grew to an enormous size, and Edward tensed up. Would they make it in time?
The black cube flew, and Wormmon grew powerful legs, arms, and wings. Were they too late? No! Not now!
The distance grew and Dinobeemon, still glowing bright gave chase, a trail of bright white afterimages in his wake.
Edward gritted his teeth from the ground. Come on!
And then a black speck appeared above them all. With a kick, the new figure pushed the bringer of darkness back like a goalkeeper's last minute football save.
"Tavaras?" Edward looked up in shock.
Alphamon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/1/1f/Alphamon_new_century.png/154px-Alphamon_new_century.png]
The black knight blitzed down and threw a punch towards the artifact. Steel claws ripped from the sides of the Hexagon, held together by a tether of DNA, and grabbed the warrior's arm to throw him back. Edwards' mouth went dry as the top of the artifact opened and Apocalymon stood tall above the gold top. Fear filled his soul as he gazed upon the creature of nothingness, a pale white face contrasting with the red eyes and black mask. The blue body was held to his cube by wires like a science experiment gone wrong.
Apocalymon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/3/31/Apocalymon_New_Century.png/200px-Apocalymon_New_Century.png]
Apocalymon's laugh made Edward's stomach go cold. "There is always something standing in my way, isn't there? It's no matter. Whoever you are, you are no Susanoomon. Now die so I may reduce all to nothing! Giga Cannon!" One of its claws transformed into what looked like duel metal cannons, shooting two powerful yellow blasts that disappeared into the sky as the black knight jumped over it.
"River of Power!" A serpent of gold armour appeared from another claw and shot a blue beam that hit Tavaras straight on, him barely blocking with his arms of black and gold armour.
"I am Alphamon!" The warrior cried. "And I will not let you destroy the worlds that so many have sacrificed so much for!" Edwards' heart fell as a green circle appeared in front of Alphamon's open palm. His voice was strong and clear, but singular and unfamiliar. And not an echo of two voices as it has been just a couple of days ago. Countless beams of green energy rained down from the circle, peppering Apocalymon.
"Alphamon? You think too highly of yourself, boy. You. Are. Nothing." Barely phased by the attack, Apocalymon flew up towards the portal between the worlds. Alphamon moved to intercept, only to be grabbed by a metal claw and thrown back.
"Hell Masquerade!" Dinobeemon circled their enemy and chopped with dozens of strikes, but to no effect. He screamed as another claw whipped him aside.
"No! Stop him!" Yggdrasil cried desperately. Alphamon roared and flew up. Grabbing a claw he heaved and swung Apocalymon back just before it reached the portal.
"I think not." The God of Nothingness snarled and half a dozen claws-turned spears struck out towards Alphamon. The black knight grunted as a number of them grazed him, chipping off parts of his black armour despite dodging the worst of it. Edwards' heart stopped and time itself slowed as a chained spear sped towards Yggdrasil.
"Iggy!" He cried, helpless as his own partner struggled to shake off another one. The sound of an eagle echoing through the peak hit his ears, and a crimson blade struck the claw. A dark blue figure flew past and with both arms swung orbs of crackling black energy towards Apocalymon. The bringer of Darkness grunted as the attacks met its target, blindsiding him in the back. Shrugging it off, it whipped Bahadramon back with another claw.
"More insects won't change a thing!" Apocalymon shouted, heading back to the hole in the sky.
"Imogen! Close the portal!" Deon cried, running up to them alongside Senna as Garudamon flew overhead to join the fight.
"But!" Yggdrasil's voice rang with uncertainty. "You and Edward, you need to get home."
"There needs to be a home to get back to!" Deon urged. Edward looked to him, waving his hands frantically. Senna stood at his side looking conflicted, slender hand on his shoulder. He looked to his sister, able to make out the war raging within her even through her featureless, mechanical face. He looked to the battle raging above. Alphamon doing his best to keep Apocalymon at bay and their three remaining partners trying to keep its attacks from the black knight. Garudamon and Bahadramon were visibly fatigued as they all weaved through the sky.
"Dinobeemon!" Edward shouted, desperation in his voice. It was now or never. "Quickly, take Deon and I back to Earth." Dinobeemon looked down and raced towards them, only to get grabbed by a claw and thrown into Bahadramon, the two of them crashing onto the mountain top a ways away.
"I want to stay here with Senna!" Deon urged. "Please, Tavaras can't keep it away forever."
"My family though!" Imogen's pleading voice sounded strange coming from Yggdrasil's divine being. "They need Edward!"
"Your family won't be there if Apocalymon gets through! And neither will mine, or Senna's, or Tav's!" Deon cried.
"I-I can't just." Yggdrasil moaned, fighting with herself to do the right thing. Edward grabbed his own head in frustration as Dinobeemon and Bahadramon were forced to rejoin the battle. He was so close. For God's sake, home was right there!
"RAHHHH" A piercing shriek echoed through the sky and darkness started covering the pure white shell that was Yggdrasil. "WHAT THE FUCK DO I DO!"
"Iggy!" Senna cried, stepping towards the Guardian of the Digital World. "I see the turmoil inside you. But please! Remember Palmon and Floramon. Remember Leomon! It isn't just your world at stake, but this one too! Just one last thing you need to let go of. Trust your family. They will be okay."
"No! You're just thinking about yourselves! What about what I want, haven't I sacrificed enough for you?" Yggdrasil's red eye flashed down at them, peering through the black fog around her. Edward stood there paralyzed. Apocalymon was getting closer to the portal, and all the Digimon were busy trying to keep it from accomplishing its goal. But there was still a chance, wasn't there? He couldn't bring himself to try and persuade his sister to do what they all knew needed to be done.
"I- I don't know what to say, Iggy." Senna looked down, shame on her face. "You're right, of course. You've done so much, it's cruel to ask more of you." She grabbed Deon's hand and looked up, staring Yggdrasil in the eye. "But my mother is there, and still has her life ahead of her. Free now that I'm gone. And so as much as I love you, I have to be cruel and ask this one more thing from you."
"Iggy..." Edward muttered.
Yggdrasil screamed and the dark fog erupted from her body and the humans all backed away. It spread before the Goddess and began to give shape.
"What the hell is going on?" ROOT stepped forward, confusion on her face. The fog dissipated and Senna's scream joined Yggdrasil's. Edward stood rooted in place by fear, staring at the large new creature born from his sister's anguish. Deep purple, it resembled an insect with six clawed legs and rows of razor sharp teeth in its white-masked dinosaur like face. Its tail was that of a scorpion, deep purple scales with a blood-red stinger.
Armageddemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/7/7b/Armagemon_new_century.png/161px-Armagemon_new_century.png]
The demonic creature snarled, saliva oozing from its fanged mouth. The being of pure rage stood in front of Yggdrasil, her darkness gone but hunched over, eye downcast.
"I-Iggy?" Edward managed to speak over the sounds of battle still raging on above. He fell back as the creature's head moved, its eyes staring into his soul. Edward screamed as it lunged forward with a spit filled mouth.
Only to be pushed back by a large figure. The large scorpion-like Digimon stumbled to the side, and in front of Edward stood the familiar sight of a large, armoured orange dinosaur with tattered wings. He heard a gasp of relief from Senna at the sight of a tiny old lady dressed in green jumping down from MetalGreymon's shoulder, carrying what appeared to be a broom. From his other shoulder a blue and white werewolf adorned with spikes and leather jumped.
The Guardians of Sanctuary Village had arrived to defend their home.
Babamon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/7/77/Babamon_collectors.png/137px-Babamon_collectors.png] MetalGreymon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/6/6f/Metalgreymon_collectors.jpg/150px-Metalgreymon_collectors.jpg] WereGarurumon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/3/3e/WereGarurumon_collectors.png/137px-WereGarurumon_collectors.png]
Babamon nodded to MetalGreymon, and Edward had to hold his hat on his head as the large dinosaur flew up to aid in the fight against Apocalymon. With a roar, Weregarurumon jumped towards the scorpion, kicking it in the jaw with his spiked knee, the force of the attack throwing its head back. The wolven warrior followed it up with a hammer arm, striking it on the top of its head and sending it crashing into the mountain.
"Poor creature." Babamon clicked her tongue, walking forward. "It appears to be a being of pure rage and malice, one that should not exist in this world." Edward stared at her, memories of elderly woman-type Digimon killing the Woodmon replaying in his mind. "Empress Haze!" Babamon swung her broom and a grey cloud engulfed the dark being.
Edward let himself smile as hope surged in his heart despite his memories. Was it over? With those three maybe they could fight back Apocalymon without having to close their way home.
The smile froze on his lips as Babamon's cloud blew away, and the scorpion stood up, its roar piercing Edward's ears. His legs trembled, feeling its intense rage in his very core.
"Somebody help." His sister's faint voice rang out, barely making it through the creature's piercing screams as it wildly thrashed about. ROOT grabbed Edward and pushed him to the ground, a dark purple leg crushing the ground where he was just standing. Through the corner of his eyes, Edward saw WereGarurumon grab Deon and Senna and jump back, while Babamon herself limberly jumped away.
"What's happening?" Imogen's voice sounded weary and distant. "What is that thing?"
The earth beneath them shook as the creature planted all six legs and braced itself. Its back glowed with the same intensity as Yggdrasil once had, and dozens of rocket-like attacks shot out in all directions. Yellow orbs of fire rained down, ROOT and WereGarurumon both managing to evade while carrying the humans.
Above, the battle stalled as the combatants moved to evade the rockets. Apocalymon grimaced as its hexagonal cube was struck, one of its claws being destroyed while trying to shield its body. The more limber perfect level Digimon all dodged, but Alphamon took the opportunity. With a roar, he braced himself against a rocket while a green circle appeared in front of his palm. A blade of pure white light shot out from the center straight towards Apocalymon's main body as a chunk of black armour tore off his shoulder.
At the last second, the God of Nothingness threw another claw in front of him. The blade of light pierced the claw, destroying it, and Apocalymon fired his giga cannons at Alphamon in retaliation, the black knight evading one of the two shots but getting struck by the second.
"No!" Edward heard Senna's scream, and he turned his head to see Babamon sprawled on the ground, injured and unconscious. The scorpion, finished with its massive attack, sprung towards WereGarurumon who again managed to evade.
"You three! Go help Yggdrasil and the humans!" Alphamon ordered. He kicked Apocalymon back, the interruption allowing him to gain some ground on their enemy. "Give her the chance to seal the portal." The three Digimon partners didn't need to be told twice; swiftly they descended, and missiles whined as MetalGreymon covered their retreat.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
"Iggy." Edward said, ROOT dropping him off. "Iggy, come to your senses!" He shouted. Yggdrasil's eye flashed up at his voice, and the creature turned its attention away from the other three, bounding towards him. Edward stared in terror, but stood his ground. "You have to close the portal! DO IT! Our family, they will be safe. Trust them." The dark creature's jaws were almost upon him, and Edward squeezed his eyes shut.
An eagle echoed through the peak of the mountain, and a crimson blade struck the creature in the side, sending it sprawling to the side. It quickly regained its footing, shooting a death glare at a heavily panting Garudamon. Lunging forward, it moved to stab the Warden of the Skies with clawed legs, only to get kicked back by Bahadramon and Dinobeemon. WereGarurumon set Deon and Senna down and jumped towards the fallen scorpion, red blades of energy emanating from his claws and striking it across the back.
The creature roared, and pivoting its head shot a blast of fire towards the werewolf. WereGarurumon jumped back limberly, getting grazed by the powerful fireball. The werewolf clutched his arm screaming in agony, and dropped to the ground unconscious.
"Hold it back!" Bahadramon cried, his golden disc spinning and gathering light. Dinobeemon sprung towards the scorpion, afterimages encircling the demonic creature.
"Hell Masquerade!" The scorpion's eyes and head darted back and forth as it tried to keep up with Edward's partner cutting it dozens of times. It roared and sprung into the air, tossing Dinobeemon to the side.
"Now!" A large beam of white energy struck the airborne creature square in the chest, sending it flying into the spire beside Yggdrasil. The dark blue dragon landed next to his partner, breathing heavily, and Garudamon joined him, putting a large hand on his shoulder.
A shrill shriek pierced the heavens and the creature of darkness scurried back to the battlefield. Its frenzy was unlike anything Edward had seen before; just a being of pure instinct and rage.
"Iggy! You have to do something! That thing came from you!" Above, Alphamon and MetalGreymon each grabbed a claw and pulled Apocalymon back. The God of Nothingness was edging closer and closer to the real world, and they were quickly running out of time.
"Just go!" Yggdrasil cried. "Go back home Edward."
"I can't leave you with these things, Iggy." The scorpion roared and with a swipe of its clawed legs threw Bahadramon and Garudamon back. The two perfect level Digimon shone with a bright light and reverted to Veemon and Biyomon as they hit the ground. Deon and Senna both shouted for their partners and ran towards them.
"What have I done?" Yggdrasil moaned, head hanging low.
Edward looked around the mountain. Babamon and WereGarurumon lay there, barely clinging to life. The dark creature shrieked, spit flying everywhere as its head shook wildly. Dinobeemon stood at his side, sweating and Edward could feel his helplessness.
"I'm no God, I'm a failure in this as with everything else." Imogen's somber voice reached everyone's ears. Deon and Senna looked up, shaking their heads. Apocalymon sneered; his victory getting slowly closer. The scorpion's head then suddenly went still, its green eyes locking with Yggdrasil's red.
"No! You're not a failure!" Edward cried. "You are strong! You are kind! You are selfless! You are everything I aspire to be!" Yggdrasil shook her head, and its dark other half sprung up embracing her. "NO! STOP!" Edward screamed. He could hear armour creaking as the creature squeezed, digging its claws into his sister's back.
"Edward, in your heart you know what must be done to save your sister." Dinobeemon glanced sideways and looked him in the eye. "I am always with you."
"But," He trembled with fear, fingering the silver pendant around his neck. He felt the two eclipsing circles in his fingers and thought about home. His life, full of running, full of fear, full of regret. And now a chance to make things right. Mum, he thought back to Elizabeth's last words to him. A caring boy? Yeah right. But I do love you all. I hope, after everything, I can finally make you proud.
Imogen's screams echoed through the mountain. The pain and anguish of her short and miserable life squeezing what little she had left. "This is my job. My sins. My atonement." The Soul link shone bright, and he saw Deon, Senna, and ROOT staring at him. The humans shook their heads desperately, but Edward knew there was no other way. He would be a new beacon of light to cut through the void. "Thank you, Wormmon, Hudiemon, Dinobeemon. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a responsible brother. And dare I say, even a hero." Dinobeemon nodded, the two partners in solidarity, and Edward could sense a smile beneath the helmet as they both shone with silver.
"EDWARD!" Imogen shouted his name through her pain.
He looked at her as he and Dinobeemon disintegrated into silver dust, swirling around the Soul Link.
Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/e/ec/Imperialdramon_fighter_re.jpg/200px-Imperialdramon_fighter_re.jpg]
Edward opened his mind's eyes and saw Yggdrasil looking at him through frosted glass. Through her pain, through her darkness, Imogen gave him strength. Deon and Senna looked up at him in awe.
They didn't matter.
WereGarurumon and Babamon lay unconscious.
They didn't matter.
Alphamon and MetalGreymon, damaged with black and grey metal chipping off, glanced over. Alphamon gave a nod of respect as he pushed against Apocalymon.
They didn't matter.
He saw his own new body through new eyes. Black and white armoured chest, gold spiked left arm and the right wielding a black cannon trimmed with gold. He felt his own wings, large and with the power to bear the burden of his sins. A blue tail swung behind him. A draconic fighter born of the will to protect what he held dear.
None of that mattered.
All he saw was his sister's life being squeezed away after sacrificing so much. Squeezed away by the very hurt he caused her.
You are ready? Edward heard Dinobeemon's voice in his own head. Ready to let go? Ready to harness the power that has always been within you? Ready to become Imperialdramon?
Yes.
No desperate attempt to cling to his own conscience like with Tavaras or his mother. No. Edward let the glass frost over in front of him and let go.
With blistering speed Imperialdramon grabbed Yggdrasil's bane. Armageddemon. That's what its name was. A cry pierced his ears as Armageddemon struggled. Imperialdramon winced, feeling a sharp sensation in thigh as his insectoid foe stabbed with its blood-red stinger.
He didn't let go; finding the strength within he pulled and at last Yggdrasil was free. With a grunt he threw the large purple scorpion to the side and aimed his cannon. Energy gathered, and from his right arm an intense beam of white light spiraling with purple shot forth.
Armageddemon shrieked in pain, and Imperialdramon roared, pouring more and more into it. And then a brilliant explosion ripped through the mountain top like a white supernova.
He turned his attention upwards just as MetalGreymon came crashing down, deep wounds and cracked metal all over his orange body. Apocalymon laughed, now able to give a struggling Alphamon his full attention.
Imperialdramon spread his red wings and went to join the fight. Only to hit the ground facedown with a large weight on his back. He struggled, feeling Armageddemon's massive weight crushing him into the mountaintop.
"Edward!" Yggdrasil cried.
"Yggdrasil!" Imperialdramon screamed in pain as his back burned from Armageddemon's flames. "I can't shake it!" He managed to glance up in time to see Alphamon get thrown back, and Apocalymon with a maniacal laugh sped towards the concrete city in the sky.
"I win you fools! Your God is nothing!"
"IGGY CLOSE THE PORTAL NOW!" Imperialdramon managed to shout through the pain as Armageddemon's claws tore into his back. "Nothing else matters. Edward is gone now. Please, you must trust your family to take care of themselves."
Yggdrasil glowed gold, nodding with a serene divinity. "You are right. I'm sorry for having caused all this. Edward, thank you, for helping me see my duty to both worlds clearly and allowing me to let go." A little teenage girl no longer, Yggdrasil's voice rang with divine authority. "I shall use my power to heal this world. All wounds shall disappear. I am sorry Deon."
A brilliant gold beam of light from the pure white Goddess pierced the sky. Imperialdramon felt a weight off his shoulders as it sped past a shocked Apocalymon and hit the portal, the new bandage covering the hole and sealing it shut.
"No!" The God of Nothingness shot through the sky where the hole used to be. "You damned bitch! You ruined it all!"
Golden energy rippled through the sky, covering the Digital World like a divine umbrella. Armageddemon, feeling the power above it momentarily let up its assault. Imperialdramon's eyes flashed red, and summoning all his strength pushed up, throwing the purple scorpion off.
"Fine." Apocalymon seethed. "If I can't destroy all worlds, then I'll be content with this one. Embrace oblivion you worms." Its main body and all remaining claws retracted back into the hexagonal cube.
"TOTAL ANNIHILATION!"
Energy began to swirl within the Artifact. A blade of light struck it, and Imperialdramon saw Alphamon stumble to his feet, breathing heavily.
"Positron laser!" He joined his comrade and his own energy blast struck the Artifact alongside the blade. As the attacks dissipated, the black and gold cube sat there undamaged, gathering more and more power. Alphamon flew up, and Imperialdramon moved to join him only to be struck again by Armageddemon.
"Damn it! Why won't this thing just die?" He grunted, grabbing two of the dark insect's legs and pushing back.
He felt a power surge around him, and found himself surrounded by gold energy.
"Imperialdramon. Alphamon." Yggdrasil's voice rang clear as day. "You are my greatest warriors, and thus I grant to you divine power such that you may enforce the peace of the Digital World, and defend it from any and all darkness." Her red eye turned to Imperialdramon. "Including my own."
Using the new energy, he pushed Armageddemon back once more. The light dissipated and he found himself encased in armour of white and gold, wielding a mighty sword. He turned to look up at Alphamon, who reached Apocalymon now sprouting wings of gold feathers and a giant golden ax.
Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/8/8e/Imperialdramon_paladin_new_century.png/173px-Imperialdramon_paladin_new_century.png] Alphamon: Ouryuken [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/e/ec/Alphamon_ouryuken_collectors.png/137px-Alphamon_ouryuken_collectors.png]
"Omega Blade!" With one swing of his divine blade Imperialdramon Paladin Mode struck Armageddemon down. A whimper reached his ears as the darkness within Edward's sister's heart was eradicated at last.
Alphamon: Ouryuken swung down with his golden double headed ax, digging into Apocalymon's shell. "Yggdrasil! I cannot stop this explosion. We must find a way to get it out of our world!"
Imperialdramon glanced over at Yggdrasil, visibly exhausted. A faint gold light engulfed her once more. "I shall open up the Dark Area, as Susanoomon once did. I lack the power to do so but for a moment; you must act as soon as you see it, Alphamon." She looked at everyone around her and spoke softly. "I will enter stasis for a while after this to recover my strength, but the world is now healed. You all must be the shepherds of the new age. Humans, Digimon, and those born of both. As your God I charge you with this: Live in harmony and peace, and protect everything you hold dear. Thank you, my friends. And I will see you when I awaken."
The sky above Alphamon and Apocalymon flashed open, revealing nothing but darkness. With a roar Alphamon struck the hexagonal cube, and with his divine power pushed it through. Just as a bright explosion erupted from the Artifact, the sky sealed shut, now an unblemished blue with white clouds moving overhead.
Imperialdramon looked over to see Yggdrasil's red eye blink then go out.
"See you, sis." He whispered. "I will keep my promise."
—
Senna lay on her back staring at the clear blue sky. She was on the roof of the school and breathed in, just taking in the clean air. It seemed like so long ago that she first sat here, scared out of her mind but putting on a brave face for people she barely knew. That first night in both the village and the Digital World itself where the dangers first became apparent.
"And now this is the best home you've ever known, is that it?" A shadow fell over her and Biyomon looked down, pink feathers casting much needed shade from the noon sun.
"Hmmhmm." Senna smiled and nodded. She reached up to pet her partner and they both giggled. Biyomon flopped down beside her and the two watched the clouds go by.
"Senna!" A deep voice came from below. "Where are you?"
Oh shoot! She jumped up and looked over the edge to see her friends looking for her. "Up here Palmon!" She shouted.
"It's been a month now! Stop calling me that. It's TOGEMON. " The young girl stuck her tongue out, embarrassed at the slip-up again. "And come on, we need you to help out."
"Right! Coming down!" Without a word of warning, Senna jumped down and landed in the boxing-gloved arms of the giant green cactus. She looked over at Floramon, now evolved into the familiar brown bird Kiwimon. Even though the curmudgeonly old Council member was their first real introduction to the Church of Nothingness, this Kiwimon, she was happy to say, was still the same good friend that Floramon had always been.
Togemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/0/0f/Togemon.jpg/320px-Togemon.jpg] Kiwimon [https://wikimon.net/images/e/e1/Kiwimon.jpg]
Inside the school, Senna could see a haggard-looking Garurumon running around. When she had first come here, he was managing the relatively small number of babies and children with little difficulty. Now though, babies filled the room and even with the newly evolved Adults helping him things were chaotic. She smiled, at least it was chaotic in a good way.
Life was coming back to the Digital World.
"Good, you're both here." Garurumon glanced over at her and Biyomon, speaking while holding a baby in his fanged mouth. "Can you wrangle up those two over there, Biyomon?" He nodded his head over at pink and green babies clambering off the walls. "And you, Senna, Poopoomon here had another accident, can you clean it up?" He pointed to another side of the circular room. "AND YOU! If you don't stop fidgeting about I might eat you. Accidently or not." He scolded the baby held in his mouth.
Senna groaned and grabbed a mop and bucket, heading over to the pink swirl of digital crap. The cost of living here, but it was either this or go hunting for food and building materials.
"I take it this is a bad time?" A voice called from the doorway and Senna saw a green armoured humanoid rabbit standing there, cradling three large eggs between his cannon arms.
Rapidmon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/2/23/Rapidmon.jpg/320px-Rapidmon.jpg]
Garurumon groaned, his mouth now free. Senna looked around and to her relief saw the baby he had been carrying playing with another group. "Just, put them over there with the rest." He pointed to a pile of almost a dozen eggs. "And Rapidmon, can you find out from Jijimon exactly when we can move the school to a bigger building? And maybe get some more help around here?"
"Okie Dokie!" The Rabbit spoke quickly and hurried off before he could be asked to do anything more.
"We can do that." Another voice from the doorway, and two figures walked in. A quadruped wolf covered head to toe in armour and weapons and an orange humanoid dinosaur warrior with large claws and armour.
Metalgarurumon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/0/0d/Metalgarurumon2.jpg/320px-Metalgarurumon2.jpg] WarGreymon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/9/94/Wargreymon.jpg/320px-Wargreymon.jpg]
MetalGarurumon tossed the small red dinosaur-like Digimon he was carrying in his mouth into the room. Elecmon landed with a yelp and stared daggers at the new ultimate level Digimon. "This one tried to run away again."
"I'm a hero! I don't need to be cooped up in this little school with these children and babies." Elecmon pouted. Garurumon walked over and grabbed the small creature.
"You may be growing faster than most, but while you are a child you will attend my school and listen to my rules." He growled. "And thanks, that would be most appreciated." He nodded at the two in the doorway.
"Oh, before we go." WarGreymon spoke up. "Senna, Deon wanted to see you. He's in the library with the Keeper." Senna rolled her eyes. Of course he was. But she wasn't one to turn down the opportunity to get away from cleaning poop off the floor.
"Got it! Thanks WarGreymon!" She smiled. He was so much smaller than he had been as MetalGreymon, but he had the same kind personality and she could sense an even greater power in him.
Finished with that one pink swirl, Senna hurried out the door followed closely by Biyomon. Walking over to the edge of the village, she took the time to glance around. Digimon were working hard around her; the forest immediately around her was starting to get cut down as the village expanded in anticipation of even more growth. Once those babies and children grew up they'd need a place to live of course.
"Iggy would be so happy to see this, wouldn't she?" Her thoughts went to her blonde-haired friend, now the Goddess of the Digital World sleeping on the peak of the mountain in the distance.
She slowed her walk as she got to the library. Tiptoeing in, she saw Deon sitting cross legged on the floor with an open book in front of him. The Keeper stood against the wall, arms crossed. Senna put her finger to her lips, and ROOT gave a little smirk. If she hadn't known red eyed digital being to be completely uninterested in relationships Senna might have felt a little jealous of the time she and Deon were spending together.
Quiet as a Chuumon, she snuck up on Deon and covered his eyes with her hands, giggling. "Hey there stranger." She leaned down and kissed his cheek.
"Hey!" Deon gently pulled her hands away and stood up. His cheerful smile always made her feel even better. "So ROOT's heading back to Log Temple now, and I was gonna go with her." ROOT nodded.
"I figured it was about time I checked up on Clockmon, and I've got all these new chronicles to record."
"Anyways, you wanna come with?" Deon continued. "I would love to have the company on the way back, and I was also hoping to head back to Divinity Mountain."
"First, yes I would love to come with you." Senna said. "Second, why the mountain?" Deon fingered the Soul Link hanging around his neck.
"I've been trying to find a way that we could use the Soul Link temporarily, so we don't end up like Tav and Edward if it's ever needed again." Senna's heart fell, remembering her friend's sacrifices. "I was hoping to pick Alphamon and Imperialdramon's brains, see if they can remember anything about the process."
Senna nodded. Last she heard the two were working with Gigasmon's little group to help hide Yggdrasil, and she very much wanted to see her and them again. She smiled, grabbing Deon's hand. "It's a date."