Come again? How could he…
Sparks slams a fist into the table between him and Astamon, shattering the chessboard and scattering its pieces.
"How in the Dark Zone did ya find that out?!"
"How indeed." The Demon Lord murmurs, his gaze lazily traveling back to the Wisemon. "General Mercuremon." Sparks flinches back, glass-like eyes going wide in shock. Instinct bids your hackles to stiffen, and you take a step forward in support of your friend.
He shouldn't know about either of our secrets, it can't-should not be possible.
And yet here it is.
"Accountant Auger." Astamon says, voice raised but gaze remaining locked in place. "
Leave us." The Digmon in question doesn't argue, your old friend merely salutes with a drill, spares you a quick glance and then hurries out the door.
Astamon steeples his fingers together as the portal closes and the wards activate. Finally he glances from Sparks to the broken chessboard and gives a barely noticeable nod.
"I could say something along the lines of knowing from the moment we first met." The Demon-Man muses. "But I've grown tired of such outright deceptions. The truth of this matter is…" Astamon leans back in his chair and plants both heels onto the damaged table. "I hadn't completely confirmed my theories until just now." He admits with utter shamelessness. "You both have my gratitude for proving my suspicions by the way."
"... you cannot be serious."
A strangled sound of outrage tears its way from Sparks' throat, and you can
feel his urge to leap across the table and
strangle the Demon Lord.
"Keikuku, oh don't misunderstand. There was enough evidence laying around for very strong suspicions to be raised, I found all the necessary clues some time ago." The Gloaming's leader explains with a shrug. "But even I am far from omniscient. Truth of the matter is, improvisation and a well-told bluff can be of more importance than long term planning."
That did not answer our question… what is his purpose in speaking so?
"Tch, stop beating around the damned bu-" The glaring wizard cuts himself off, his glare gaining an accusatory undertone.
"You lying jackass, you're just tryin' to piss us off!"
"Trying? No, not
trying." Astamon retorts through an unmistakable haze of smugness. "And you have my word as a Gentlemon that
everything I say in this room will be the truth." With that the Mega gingerly brings a hand to his sternum and pulsates his demonic aura.
"Yeah, I ain't believing' that for a sec-"
"Very well." You know an oath when you see one… even if that oath happens to be coming from a wretch like Astamon.
"-Verge! Come on ya-ya can't really-"
"Enough." Sparks deflates at your dismissal and after a moment, lets out a long sigh of defeat. "You've given your word Astamon, now how did you know the truth of our identities?" The Demon Lord meets your stare levely, unaffected by your anger and contempt.
"Really the most obvious clue was your nature as a mutant, one whose Rookiehood *just so happened* to resemble one of Malkimon's more long-running experiments." The Lord Of Sloth explains, the damned smirk never leaving his face. "And once your spirit grew enough, its resemblance to Malkimon became undeniable."
"I see… that does make sense."
Then he must have had access to the Host's reports on me… Rgh, Karatenmon mayhaps?
"Alright so ya got Verge, big whoop." The Wisemon beside you grumbles.
"Let me take a guess, ya read Taomon's report on the Temple?"
"Indeed. And I must say it's quite impressive how
you managed to overwrite the old Ego stashed in his lesser spirit." He drawls with a single, solitary clap. "General Mercuremon was quite the self important creature you know. It's entertaining to think that my old rival was subsumed by a muscle-bound letch of all things."
"..." Sparks raises his metal hand, and extends the middlemost finger. However his rude gesture only serves to deepen the Demon Lord's amusement.
"There were other signs that a mon of my intelligence could ascertain. Such as your fondness for machinery. I knew your predecessor well after all." His gaze swivels back to you. "Almost as well as I knew your other progenitor. I must say it's a shame we have to be enemies, you remind me very much of Shuzen in his prime."
I do?.. Hold, by prime does he mean time as Malkimon's gladiator or as The-
"Time out." Your companion crosses his arms.
"You've been trying' to delete us most of our bloody lives. You put dark-zoned bounties on our heads!" Sparks thrusts an accusatory finger at the Mega.
"By The Ten you nearly did kill us before SlashAngemon came and kicked your ass." After patiently waiting for him to finish, Astamon lets out a sigh.
"I'm disappointed by your lack of deduction on the matter. While the both of you do have my apologies for the spectacle and my threats, they were for the most part false. You know well how these things happen. A gentlemon sometimes has to play the role of a scoundrel in order to grease the wheels of progress."
"Eh?"
Come again?
"You claim that entire interaction was an… act?"
"He's friggen' nuts. And stupid too if he expects us to believe this crap."
"Oh make no mistake letch. It
is always infuriating to see a random insect digimon steal the name of my old friend." Astamon retorts, a dangerous edge coming to his voice. "But I'd never have been able to stay alive, much less High Lord if that was enough to make me lose my temper."
… he was baiting SlashAngemon into an ambush.
"Rest assured, had I personally wanted either of you gone it would have happened long ago. Certainly before you grew to such potent levels of power." Before either of you can object, the Demon Man snaps his fingers. "Observe."
You tense up as Astamon's submachine gun materializes in his right hand, ready to activate AVALON and shield Sparks from any attack… However neither of you end up being a target.
A screen on the far wall flickers to life, and as the sound of a gunshot rings out, your anger and worry turns into pure horror.
He's showing the two of you
Electown, and more specifically MayorTyrannomon's house. Your teacher is at his desk, mulling over his paperwork for the day. He doesn't see the bullet coming until it's too late.
You witness a flash as the bullet tears through his wall, and strikes the enormous dinosaur's head. Then hear a roar of pain and surprise as Astamon's bullet shatters the line of scales running down his spine.
As the screen fades away you find yourself in relief over the Mayor's survival… Which is immediately followed by an intense rage as you round on the Demon Lord with a snarl. However despite your anger and Sparks leveling a fully charged fire spell his way, the Demon Lord remains impeccably calm.
"There are few beings beyond the reach of
Oro Salmón." For once Astamon sticks to a single sentence, but his actions did most of the speaking for him here.
Prior to Bulwark's training… I would have been helpless against that.
"Alright I'll bite." Sparks murmurs, lowering his spell.
"Why did ya call us here? Can't be just to hear yourself talk."
"Sentimentality played a large part." He muses, letting the gun fall away once more. "It's so rare that I get to unwind and monologue these days…" The Demon Lord withdraws his legs from the table's edge, straightens up and gives you a knowing smile. "There's just so many plotting against me these days you see."
That earns a sarcastic snort from Sparks, however you stiffen.
He can't know about Luna's plans she-.
"Lady Luna, that
dear sister of yours is proving to be an annoyance." The Gloaming's leader continues, all but confirming your concerns. "What would you say if… there was a way for her to be yours again?"
"Come again?" Even while you're blinking in shock, Sparks is shaking his head.
"It ain't ever that easy."
"Why not? We're both Gentlemon, so this is a matter that should be settled over a
Gentlemon's Bet." Astamon finally takes his chance to stand up. "Theoretically If you were to say… defeat the current Legendary Warrior of wind in your match, I'd gladly hand Lady Luna over."
You nearly agree right then and there.
Nearly. However a lifetime of caution and dealing with Sparks halts any affirmation before they can begin. Something about this feels… off.
It cannot be that easy, not with Astamon.
"I call bullshit. We all know Verge could take her with one hand tied behind his back."
"... why would I tie-"
"Not the friggen' time Verge!"
Sorry.
"Right, right of course. There
is the matter of collateral to consider." Astamon muses, putting one finger to his chin. "How about that adorable little limpet following you around? Xia was it?"
…
"I'm certain that with a few attitude adjustments, her use as a weapon will be... extraordinary."
FURY
===
AN: Surprise early morning update. Mostly because I couldn't quite finish things yesterday. Yes, Astamon is in fact a massive dick.