章 289: The True Enemy Moves!

Jayr POV - Digital World, Realm of the Holy Beasts - 2001

The newly evolved Imperialdramon once again stands in front of Zhuqiaomon and shouts, "The warm-up is over! Now it is time for the real thing! Get ready, Zhuqiaomon. This time I'm going to bring you down!"

In response, Zhuqiaomon snorts and says, "Hmpf! A Digimon evolving with the power of a human? Such a pathetic being that defames the name of Digimon by choosing such a feeble path is nothing compared to the power of a true Digimon who evolved through countless battles!"

Shortly after saying that, Zhuqiaomon spreads its wings wide open while at the same time unleashing its raging power that causes the whole building to crumble down onto us, but that isn't a problem as the group is still under the protection of the barrier generated by my Digimon Incarnation.

At the same time, Imperialdramon lets out a ferocious roar declaring, "I'll prove that you are wrong, Zhuqiaomon!" before he flaps his wings and rushes towards Zhuqiaomon.

Imperialdramon then tackles Zhuqiaomon with such force that pushes the Vermillion Bird Digimon back, and shortly after, Imperialdramon yells, "Positron Laser!" firing an energy beam from the cannon on his back that hits Zhuqiaomon's chest causing a powerful explosion that pushes the immense Digimon further back, shakes the earth, and makes the Holy Beast grunt in pain.

But Zhuqiaomon quickly regains its balance and shouts back in anger, "You shall pay! Kouen!!"

After yelling that, Zhuqiaomon flaps all its wings and from them, it fires swirling flames comparable to solar prominence that burn everything in their path.

In response, Imperialdramon lets out another ferocious roar before it yells back, "No way! I'll show you that a Digimon will only reach its true power by working together with a human partner! Mega Death!!"

As he calls out the name of his Special Move, Imperialdramon opens his mouth and from it, he fires a dark matter energy ball that splits apart Zhuqiaomon's swirling flames directly hitting Zhuqiaomon's body generating a black explosion that annihilates everything within a wide radius leaving behind only an empty, bottomless chasm in the area where Zhuqiaomon was flying.

Seeing that, the kids behind me start to cheer relieved by the fact that Imperialdramon defeated the Holy Beast, Zhuqiaomon.

"Yes! I knew it! Imperialdramon is invicible!"

"Incredible! He took out Zhuqiaomon in a single blow!"

"That truly is some incredible power..."

"Amazing he left nothing..."

"Now we only need to find Culumon and can return back to the Real World."

At the same time, Lopmon appears to be the most shocked from the fight it just witnessed as it continues to stare at the bottomless chasm and mutters, "A Digimon and a human, holding the power to defeat a god..."

Meanwhile, hearing all that, I can't help but smile wryly while thinking, 'Yeah, right... As if a Digimon whose duty is to watch over and protect the whole Digital World can be defeated so easily. Especially since, I told V-mon, Wormmon, and Patamon not to actually try to kill the Holy Beasts in case we are forced to fight them as they are needed and are a benign force for the Digital World even if the methods that of some of them use to protect the Digital World need to be revised...'

Indeed, just as I think that a bright red light shines from within the bottomless chasm, surprising everyone but Patamon and Imperialdramon, then a huge ball of fire shoots up from the chasm, and once high in the sky, it again takes the shape of Zhuqiaomon who looks completely unharmed by Imperialdramon's Special Move making Ruki exclaim in shock, "No way...!"

Zhuqiaomon looks at us and states, "Fools who do not fear the gods... Recieve their wrath!" shortly after that declaration, Zhuqiaomon flaps its wings, creating a powerful gust of wind with the clear intent of blowing us away, but they are harmless as the group is still under the protection of my Digimon Incarnation's barrier and Imperialdramon is way too big and heavy to be affected by such move.

But even if the wind generated by Zhuqiaomon doesn't affect Imperialdramon, it is still able to impair its sight as it raises an immense cloud of dust, and Zhuqiaomon immediately takes advantage of this as it dives toward Imperialdramon hitting him with its immense body with such force that blows Imperialdramon away.

After that, Zhuqiaomon continues its assault on Imperialdramon by spitting a stream of fire from its mouth which engulfs Imperialdramon and sends him flying into the chasm taking him out of the battle for a few minutes causing the kids to shout out in fear and shock.

After temporarily taking care of Imperialdramon, Zhuqiaomon turns its body to face us with the clear intent of getting rid of us before focusing back on Imperialdramon, and in response, both Guilmon and Terriermon rush out of the barrier making Jianliang and Takato call out their names in worry as they recklessly attack the Holy Beast.

"Fireball!"

"Petit Twister!"

Guilmon spews out a flame shot from his mouth while Terriermon generates a tiny tornado by spinning its ears like a propeller, but of course, such small weak attacks powerlessly disperse when in contact with Zhuqiaomon's body without causing any kind of damage making a baffled Zhuqiaomon mutters, "It pains me to try and understand. Do they seriously think they can defeat me?"

In response, the undeterred Guilmon and Terriermon again attack Zhuqiaomon with a Fireball and a Petit Twister all having the same result as before making the Holy Beast narrow its eyes and declare, "Then, they truly are fools. Still, I shall have no mercy. A fool's fate... is death! Reflect on your sins in the flames of destruction! Kouen!!"

After yelling that, Zhuqiaomon flaps all its wings and from them, it fires swirling flames comparable to solar prominence that burn everything in their path.

As the swirling flames quickly approach the petrified Guilmon and Terriermon and the kids start to despair, Lopmon mutters in a defeated tone, "In the end, we are powerless existences when faced against a god."

At the same time, I remain calm throughout everything, and not because I can easily block that attack using my Digimon Incarnation, and neither is because Imperialdramon is about to come out from the chasm, but because I sense that another presence is about to make its move and save Guilmon and Terriermon from being turned into ashes.

The next moment, as expected, a bolt of blue lightning falls from the sky and warps around Zhuqiaomon's swirling flames before redirecting them away from Terriermon and Guilmon making them explode on the ground a few kilometers away from here while a surprised Zhuqiaomon exclaims, "What?"

At the same time, a dark blue thunderous cumulonimbus cloud appears in the sky above us and its appearance makes Zhuqiaomon mutter in shock, "It cannot be..."

Shortly after that, from the center of the cumulonimbus cloud a truly immense eastern dragon Digimon appears, it is so big that makes even the already enormous Zhuqiaomon look small in comparison so much that Kenta can't stop but ask, "Wh-What's that huge thing?" but Hirokazu recognize him and mutters, "That's... you know, that one!"

The new arrival is an immense eastern dragon whose most of its body seems to be made up of solidified lightning contained only by countless chains, it has 5 pairs of wings throughout its body that get smaller the closer they are to the tail.

Its head is made up of a solid blue mask with yellow lighting marks on it, a long, sharp, horn shaped like a lightning bolt, and it has four red eyes and a long white wizard beard.

Just like Zhuqiaomon, this Digimon too has 12 Digicores outside its body, they are divided into four sets of three, and each set hovers around one of its limbs.

This is the most famous and revered of the Four Holy Beasts who protect the Digital World, the one who guards the East, Dumbledormo- *cough*, Qinglongmon.

(Image Here - Qinglongmon)

As I'm admiring Qinglongmon's dramatic entrance, Takato pulls out his D-Ark and uses the Digimon Analyzer to identify the new Digimon and reads out, "Qinglongmon. Ultimate Level. One of the Four Holy Beasts who protect the Digital World, it guards the East and releases intense lightning strikes. It is a legendary being like the other Four Holy Beast Digimon, and its strength is said to equal that of a god. Also, it is counted as one of the Four Great Dragons alongside Holydramon, Goddramon, and Megidramon, and is the most deified existence among them. However, although it is a divine being, it will not easily cooperate with humans and the weak, and it is not likely to lend help to its allies unless there is something serious. Its Special Move is loosing intense thunderbolts from the sky, with divine fury (Sourai). It's a Holy Beast!"

Jianliang also looks up and mutters, "That's..." but stops as he is unable to voice out his thoughts while Lopmon questions, "But for what purpose has Qinglongmon-sama traveled to this location? Could he be providing assistance to Zhuqiaomon-sama?"

Hearing that, Ruki becomes scared as she exclaims, "No! We can't even defeat Zhuqiaomon alone. There's no way we can fight them both!" but I quickly reassure her, "Calm down. Qinglongmon is the one who just saved Guilmon and Terriermon. And just from that alone, we can deduce that Qinglongmon and Zhuqiaomon have different opinions on how to protect the Digital World."

While I'm saying that, Qinglongmon and Zhuqiaomon continue to stare at each other for a few long, tense seconds before Zhuqiaomon says, "Out of my way!"

After saying that, Zhuqiaomon doesn't hesitate to flap all its wings and from them, it fires swirling flames comparable to solar prominence that burn everything in their path.

In response, Qinglongmon curls its body into a circle, generating an intense burst of lightning that flies toward Zhuqiaomon's swirling flames with immense speed and destructive power.

The attacks of the two Holy Beasts clash against one other generating an intense blinding explosion that makes Takato exclaim "W-What is going on!?"

Soon from the immense cloud of smoke above us generated by their clash, extremely hot fire and deadly lightning start to fly everywhere as the two Holy Beasts start to fight to make the scene above us look like a doomsday.

This shocks Takato who asks, "They are fighting!?" followed by Jianliang who confirms, "They are!"

Seeing that, Ruki says, "Just like Pucci-sensei said! They don't get along!" but I shake my head and say, "Well, they aren't actually fighting with the intent to harm or kill the other... No, I call this aggressive negotiations."

After a few more world-ending swirls of fire and lightning bolts, the two Holy Beasts stop and Zhuqiomon's voice is heard from within the smoke cloud as it asks, "What is the meaning of this?"

Shortly after another deep voice who can only be the voice of Qinglongmon says, "Zhuqiaomon, cease this pointless battle."

In response, Zhuqiaomon says, "Pointless? They bring disaster. We lost the Deva, our servants, because of them!" but Qinglongmon doesn't buy this excuse and says, "Be just. The Deva were the first to strike."

After stating that, Qinglongmon asks, "Why do you seek such strength?" which makes Zhuqiaomon simply answer, "For evolution. To evolve and fight the true enemy!"

At the same time, confused by what is happening, Shaochung can't stop herself from asking to her partner Lopmon, "What are the gods talking about?" making the cute bunny Digimon briefly explain, "Qinglongmon-sama is attempting to persuade Zhuqiaomon-sama to cease his attack upon us."

Hearing that, Shaochung exclaims, "So it is a friend?" while a relieved Takato comments, "I'm glad one of the Holy Beasts understands us."

At the same time, Jianliang turns his head to look at Lopmon and asks, "By the way, what's this "true enemy" he talked about?" but Lopmon slightly shakes its head and replies, "I am unclear. However, I heard it is not a Digimon." making Ruki asks, "You mean it is a human?"

But again Lopmon shakes its head and says, "Does not seem so. Nor is it a DigiGnome. An unknown entity."

Shortly after Lopmon says that Qinglongmon's voice is heard again as it says, "You believe we must evolve to fight the true enemy. Again, be just. The true enemy has started to move again because we evolved too far. In order to stop the true enemy, we must not evolve."

At this point, Zhuqiaomon's eyes start to shine showing its fury as the Holy Beast realizes, "Then... The one who turned the Digi-Entelechia into a Digimon and hid it away was..."

In response, Qinglongmon doesn't hesitate to admit, "Indeed, that is what I wished." but soon Zhuqiaomon's eyes return to normal as it reigns in its temper and declares, "Still, I have retrieved the Digi-Entelechia."

Hearing their discussion, Jianliang guesses something and asks Lopmon, "This "Digi-Entelechia" is Culumon, right?" making his little sister's Digimon Partner acknowledge it with a simple nod.

At the same time, I hear Ruki whisper to Renamon, "Wait... the first time we met Pucci-sensei and his Digimon, he told us that one of the reasons why you couldn't evolve is that there were some higher powers at play that prevented you from evolving. Does that mean that he already knew about Culumon and the Holy Beasts?" which makes Renamon reply, "It seems likely... I have to admit that I always found that man very strange and mysterious... There is something about him that feels off, but nonetheless, he appears to genuinely want to help us."

While they are discussing that, Zhuqiaomon continues with its speech trying to make its fellow Holy Beast understand his point of view, "Digimon evolve through battles. We do not need the aid of humans. That is what Digimon are."

But Qinglongmon doesn't accept that and rebukes, "You are too narrow-minded. Why can you not accept the fact that Digimon can evolve with humans?"

In response to its fellow Holy Beast's question, Zhuqiaomon immediately declares, "That is a misguided evolution. An unforgivable evolution that cannot be allowed!"

Hearing that, Qinglongmon asks, "Is that so?" making Zhuqiaomon declare without any hesitation, "It is so." before it adds, "If you all believe your evolution is correct... Then try to defeat me!"

After saying that, Zhuqiaomon again unleashes its Special Move at Guilmon and Terriermon who are still outside the barrier by flapping all its wings firing from them swirling flames comparable to solar prominence that burn everything in their path.

But before the swirling flames can reach them, a big humanoid shadow quickly appears in the flame's path and creates a shield of energy from the cannon on its arm that fully blocks Zhuqiaomon's attack.

Seeing that, I smirk while saying, "You finally decided to come out from that hole... Imperialdramon."

Indeed, the humanoid figure is Imperialdramon, to be more specific, he is Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode the humanoid version of Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode, becoming a bipedal version of the originally quadrupedal dragon allowing Imperialdramon to unleash all his power.

He has blue skin and tail, and red wings and his whole body is covered in black armor with white and red parts and golden decorations, the previous head became a chest plate, revealing a more humanoid head, while the Positron Laser on its back is now equipped to its right arm.

(Image Here - Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode)

Zhuqiaomon is surprised by Imperialdramon's sudden appearance so much so that it exclaims, "Wh-What!?"

But it isn't the only one as even the kids are surprised by his new form at least until Kenta exclaims, "Wait! He is Imperialdramon! He is Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode! Awesome!!"

Kenta's excited yell is shortly followed by Jianliang's voice who uses the Digimon Anazyler and reads out loud, "Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode. Ultimate Level. A form of the Ancient Dragon Digimon Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode that liberated all of its power, changing form into the legendary Fighter Mode. It is an ultimate Digimon that acquired a great intellect by changing from the difficult-to-control Dragon Mode to a human form. It is said that the power to destroy a planet dwells in its attacks. Its Special Moves are the "Positron Laser" equipped to its right arm, and inserting the Positron Laser into the dragon-face on its chest, then emitting all of its body's energy as a destructive energy wave (Giga Death). Its power is ten times that of Dragon Mode's "Mega Death". Also, when there is truly the need for it in times of great distress, it is able to transform into an even further Mode."

At the same time, Imperialdramon doesn't hesitate to counterattack by yelling, "Positron Laser!" firing an energy beam from the cannon on his arm that forces Zhuqiaomon to deflect it with its talons, but the power behind Imperialdramon's attack is much higher than before and damages Zhuqiaomon enough that it ejects some motes of Data.

Shortly after that attack, Imperialdramon shouts, "What's wrong with Digimon evolving with the help of humans!?" before he rushes toward Zhuqiaomon and starts to attack it with a series of punches and kicks.

Zhuqiaomon fights back using its legs and talons with surprising agility as he asks back, "Can you not even understand that, you fool? If a Digimon evolves with the help of a human then he will also be affected and contaminated by their emotions and feelings and that could end very badly for everyone not only the Digital as the humans have proved time and time again to be very prone to destruction!!"

After saying that, Zhuqiaomon opens its beak and spits another stream of fire forcing Imperialdramon to create a shield of energy from the cannon on his arm again, but even so, the power behind Zhuqiaomon's stream of fire is still able to blow back Imperialdramon by a few meters.

Shortly after the stream of fire disperses, Imperialdramon lowers the energy shield and replies, "You are the one who doesn't understand. Evolving with a human's help is nothing like that! The ability of a human to evolve their Digimon Partner is based on the bond and trust that the two share, and on the emotional state and maturity of the human partner. When both the Tamer and the Digimon relationship and their mindsets are healthy, they are able to evolve, and as they improve, they become able to evolve into stronger and stronger Digimon way beyond what everyone ever thought possible!"

In response, Zhuqiaomon stops, looks at Imperialdramon, and comments, "So this is what evolving with a humans means. I can see why the Deva could not beat you."

Hearing that, Imperialdramon stands proudly and asks, "Do you understand now?" but then Zhuqiaomon says, "However, it is still heresy!" before it flaps its wings, creating a powerful gust of wind in an attempt to push Imperialdramon further back yet it doesn't have the intended effect as Imperialdramon stands tall as he looks at the bird Holy Beast and declares, "If I have to defeat you to make you understand, I will!"

Shortly after saying that, Imperialdramon starts to rush toward Zhuqiaomon who does the same while yelling, "Try to defeat me if you can!" but before they can clash again a chain imbued with lightning passes through the area they were about to clash stopping their charge in their tracks as Qinglongmon yells, "Listen, both of you! You are fighting the wrong opponent. If you want to fight that badly, do so against the true enemy!"

Hearing that, Imperialdramon looks at me asking for what to do, and in response, I smile and with I nod I tell him to return.

Imperialdramon understands and without any hesitation, he flies back and once he is in front of us, his body starts to shine, shrink, and divide in quick succession as V-mon and Wormmon safely land on the ground while the two Holy Beasts calmly approach us.

Ryo POV - Digital World, Realm of the Holy Beasts - 2001

After exploring the mountain range for some time, fighting some hostile Digimon, and asking some questions to the more peaceful ones, we finally learned that we reached the Realm of the Holy Beasts, but we still didn't know where we exactly were and because of that, we decided to search for the highest peak so that we can survey the area.

But while Cyberdramon is carrying me in his arms as he flies up a waterfall, in the distance, I notice some kind of castle made of brown crystals, and picking up the few clues we gathered, I can't help but form a conjecture, "That castle means that the ruler of this world is the Holy Beast Baihumon, right?"

Hearing that, Cyberdramon quickly heads toward that castle and lands on a nearby cliff that allows us to observe the area surrounding the castle and the first thing I notice the the thick forest right in front of the structure which makes me think, 'Such a thick forest in the middle of a pretty bare mountain range... From my experience is very likely that we will encounter many powerful Digimon there... we have to be careful.'

While I'm thinking that, Cyberdramon stares at the castle in the distance and comments without hiding his desire to fight, "Baihumon, huh? So he's the one I'm sensing."

Hearing that, and knowing Cyberdramon's temper, I immediately warn him, "Be careful. He's really strong."

Shortly after saying that, I focus back on the forest and think that the stronger the Digimon the more likely it is for it to live in the more sought-after areas and start to guess, "Is he in that forest?"

Suddenly, Cyberdramon starts to growl as the forest starts to surprisingly rise up from the ground, and shortly after, I finally notice that there is a huge Digimon under that forest.

The Digimon looks like an immense two-headed snake-head turtle, its skin is of a light green, and the upper part of its two heads is covered in a mask with bark-like material, one mask a two horns at the sides, while the other has a file of spikes running up the middle of it, in addition, its eyes are all of a bright red color.

Moreover, the forest I saw is actually growing from the top of its shell, and hovering all around it, I notice the presence of twelve glowing orbs.

Seeing that immense Digimon looking up at us, I do not hesitate to bring out my Digivice and use the Digimon Analyzer to identify it, "Xuanwumon. Ultimate Level. One of the Four Holy Beasts who protect the Digital World, it guards the North and uses phantasmagoric water techniques. It is a legendary being like the other Four Holy Beast Digimon, and its strength is said to equal that of a god. It is the oldest of the Four Holy Beast Digimon, and possesses a gentle personality. Common to the Four Holy Beast Digimon are the possession of four shining eyes, and twelve Digicores floating outside of their body. Normally there is one Digicore per body, and it is not exposed outside of the body except with the Undead types or the greatest of the Ultimate class. Its Special Move is displaying an illusion which generates a dark mist around the opponent, destroying their spirit (Mugen). It is one of the Four Holy Beasts!"

(Image Here - Xuanwumon)

Realizing that I focus back on the immense turtle Digimon and exclaim, "Then, this isn't Baihumon's land, but Xuanwumon's?"

Suddenly, Xuanwumon actually replies in a very jovial and easygoing tone, "No, I am just covering for Baihumon's absence. Although I never expected to see a human so close. It's nice to live such a long life. Uhohahaha!"

At this point, Cyberdramon steps forward barely holding himself back, and yells, "Are you the one I sensed? Fight me!" but Xuanwumon maintains its calm as it says, "I am afraid it was not me. What you sense is likely..."

Then it turns both its heads to the left and continues, "Do you not feel it, deep within that valley?"

Shortly after Xuanwumon asks that question, the earth starts to shake as flashes of lights followed by an explosion can be seen and heard from within the valley Xuanwumon is pointing making me ask, "What's going on?"

In response, Cyberdramon growls before he says, "They are fighting... Baihumon and something else." the last part confuses me as I repeat, "Something else?" but before Cyberdramon can answer, Xuanwumon says, "Leave it to Baihumon. You are no match for it." making Cyberdramon growl even more.