Fighting against multiple opponents, even when most of them were only Rookies, was proving to be a frustrating experience for Maildramon. Another ball of light from the Kudamon flew past him and a burst of fire from the now de-digivolved Yukarumon caused some vague discomfort as it heated his armour; the attacks from the Rookies were worthless but distracting and if one struck him at the wrong moment it could still be decisive.

The Falcoman was proving especially troublesome, purposely returning to his weaker form in order to create an obfuscating group of clones in an effort to hide the Leomon. It made no difference for his spear, which had already been launched at the real Leomon before the clones were created and which struck the Lion Digimon directly, but it did make things trickier when all of the Leomon rushed him at once.

As the clones drew close to Maildramon he began to swipe at them with his claws, or tried to bat them away with his large wings, only for them to all disappear as soon as he made contact with them. In the midst of this confusion the real Leomon slipped through his defence and swung his sword in a powerful down stroke that caught Maildramon in the neck. The force of the strike forced Maildramon to bow his head, his feet cracking the surface of the roof as he was pressed down by the harsh blow.

But the sword failed to cut through his armour.

Swinging his head around Maildramon sought to knock the sword away as he pointed his horn directly at Leomon’s chest. [color=aba000]“Yes, you charged in so valiantly, as befitting a hero, but I think this reckless action might be the end of you! Lightning Spear!”[/color]

Once more electricity gathered at the point of Maildramon’s horn, which was all but touching Leomon’s chest at this point. Before he could launch the attack however, Kudamon’s Blinding Ray struck and turned Maildramon’s vision pure white. [color=aba000]“Blasted pests!”[/color]

Dazed and blinded Maildramon turned his head at the last second, firing the Lightning Spear not at Leomon but just off to the side instead.

****

[color=fff79a]“So the Digidestined have returned. It is just as you said.”[/color]

Far from the battle, in a large chamber bathed in shadows, a single humanoid figure stood next to the cowering form of Hagurumon. The two of them were illuminated only by the light coming from the screen in front of them which was currently displaying the on-going battle between Maildramon and the Digidestined from a bird’s eye view.

[color=0076a3]“Y-yes sir. Maildramon ordered me to report this information to you as soon as possible.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]“And yet he decided to attack them without waiting for our orders. I suppose the fool thought he could defeat them by himself when they were weakened.”[/color]

Though the figure spoke calmly, or perhaps coldly, there was an underlying tension to his words; a subtle threat of anger that belied the disapproval he was feeling. Beside him, the Hagurumon whimpered quietly and tried to make himself invisible.

[color=fff79a]“Well, he might have been successful had those other two not returned.”[/color] Turning away from the screen the figure began to pace into the darkness, moving towards the centre of the room. Hagurumon followed him with his eyes, having not been asked to follow he didn’t dare move to follow. [color=fff79a]“They are almost all gathered in the same place for the first time in over a century. In addition to this, Yukarumon has been revived.”[/color] The figure stopped, seemingly at random, at a spot near to the centre of the large expanse. Facing the far end of the room, the figure craned his neck back and looked up. 

Hagurumon looked up as well, trying to see what the figure was looking at; at first he saw nothing, but as his eyes adjusted to the darkness he could just make out a faint outline of something massive which completely filled the far end of the huge chamber.

[color=fff79a]“I think now would be the best time to strike.”[/color]

The silhouette shifted ever so slightly at the words and Hagurumon’s eyes widened in fear as he realised that there was another Digimon in the room that he hadn’t noticed. And he felt a dread certainty that he knew who it was.

[color=a0410d]“Yes.”[/color]

A voice as old as the mountains and just as heavy reached his ears; despite how softly spoken it was the word was clearly audible all throughout the chamber. [color=a0410d]“Carry out the plan. Bring them to their knees.”[/color]

Upon hearing the voice and confirming his fears Hagurumon threw himself to the ground and prostrated himself, cowering in terror and awe. The mysterious, humanoid figure placed a hand over his heart and bowed deeply to the hidden figure. [color=fff79a]“As you wish General.”[/color]