You frown down at the victorious Angemon, scanning his aura with the full power of your senses… and only feeling slightly less power than what he'd had at the match's start. The Champion has quite obviously gotten a significant boost to his power with every new wing, however those had dropped away mid-transition into real space.
The impossibly strong angel lazily gestures with a hand (more for dramatic effect than anything else) and the wounds CB inflicted disappear in a flash of light. He floats free from the arena in perfect condition, not bothering to throw his comatose opponent so much as a look. The BlueCyberdramon lay motionless on the floor, her body healed and whole, but undeniably unconscious.
This so-called Angemon's skill in the martial arts is far inferior to your own, and the number of techniques at your disposal are far greater. Yet defeating this ridiculous existence seems nigh impossible. That is, at least not as you are now.
Even with Wrath Mode the difference in your potential strength, speed and power is too vast for any reasonable chance at victory. Predicting his every move will mean little if you aren't capable of countering them. In the end it comes down to a single objective difference.
Power.
You need to be faster, stronger, and more enduring to have a chance against his full potential. And the thought of trying to goad your future opponent into lowering himself is repulsive. Your pride as a Martial Artist would never stand for such a thing.
Loading SaberLeomon will help, however… I need a way to push my body further.
You let out a long, slow breath and turn away-
-only to be stopped by a raised Pendulum Blade.
"Don't lose sight on the threat Verge, our match is next." Thresh growls, his eyes narrowed into dangerous, predatory slits. "You're not gonna get the chance to fight him bro." You blink at that, momentarily shocked by his statement. Then reality dawns upon you.
"Zehaha, Zehahahaha!" You roar in laughter, meeting his eager gaze with an equally enthusiastic glare. "My apologies brother, I was too focused on Angemon." Your left hand seizes his sword-arm, and with a burst of effort, wrenches the weapon away. "I'll have to defeat you first."
The air between you thickens with tension, your auras clashing-
-until Xia leaps atop your brother's head and stares into his eyes.
"It's over Uncle Thresh! Can we go eat now? Can we?! Can we?!"
This time you laugh for an entirely different reason.
===
Given your upcoming match with Thresh, morning training with Vajramon is suspended in a bid to save energy. Your brother may not be a threat on the level of that Angemon, however it would be the height of arrogance and foolishness to fight him with anything less than peak condition.
Instead your time is spent in a mixture of last moment meditation, and then the continued search for Grademon. The Draconic digimon has been mysteriously absent from Arena City since her victory over Wolfmon, forcing you to search elsewhere.
Tracking the swordswomon down has proven… remarkably difficult. You've been forced to scan around Arena City for her presence, and covering thousands upon thousands of kilomers takes time.
Most would find the prospect of tracking her down hopeless, especially given that the *Golden Meteor* is capable of muting her aura to some extent. The only other mon you know capable of helping would be Ser Schwartz, however Leopardmon has him on some sort of mission, meaning you're left to search alone. Indeed, if not for your talent in sensing power, finding her would have been impossible.
It takes most of the morning, but you do manage to eventually track the mercenary down, finding her a few hundred kilometers south just before the Ragged Alps zone border.
Grademon stands *alone* in the midst of a clearing, the Hisyaryumon Odachi clutched in her remaining hand as she slowly flows through the forms of a sword kata. The womon's remaining arm is little more than a stump sticking out from her shoulder, regrowing yes, but slowly. Given that her match is set for tomorrow, there's no chance of it healing in time. At least, not without assistance.
The bounty hunter turns as you set down her red, reptilian eyes narrowing into a glare. She doesn't say a word, but the message is clear.
*Leave.*
You take a breath, shrug off her intent and begin to speak.
"Your arm, I would see it healed-"
"I do not accept charity." Grademon's words slice through your offer with the sharpness of a blade.
It's difficult, but you manage to repress a wince.
This will not be… as easy as I imagined. Mayhaps I should try another angle?
"I bear some responsibility for your injury." That earns another glare, and the womon's aura flares with fury, which then immediately turns to confusion. Prompting you to explain further. "I was the one responsible for Wolfmon's use of Mantra Chant. Without it, he would never have lasted long enough to take your arm."
"You…" Her red eyes flash open in understanding, then narrow again in anger.
"Your skill with the blade is a beauty to behold." The compliment flies from your mouth before conscious thought can take hold. "This server is a lesser one now that you're injured. Please, allow me to help."
… wow Verge. That was-uh…
The womon's anger is momentarily replaced by… something else, and she's quick to look away from you.
"C-considering the aid you supplied to my opponent." Grademon coughs, quickly regaining her bearings. "I will accept your gesture of good faith."
It worked? Spirits below, it worked!
"Zehaha! My thanks Grademon! Now, one moment…"
Divine Zone Heal works with remarkable swiftness, regenerating the womon's limb in a matter of minutes. The Warrior digimon is left staring at her reborn arm in wonder, before a hint of giddiness flits through her spirit. She quickly takes the Hisyaryumon sword in both hands and flashes into a series of attacks, gleefully celebrating her return to form…
Only to freeze upon realizing that you've been watching her the entire time.
"Thi-you-consider your debt fulfilled." The bounty hunter declares, before settling back into her more neutral demeanor.
"Very well." You nod back before pausing. A question has been at the edge of your mind regarding her for some time. And you're not likely to get a better opportunity to ask it. "This may not be my place, but Angemon's grudge-"
"You're correct." Grademon hisses, all hint of jubilance evaporating into indignant fury. "It is not your place."
This time you do wince, not having expected the topic to be quite so sore. You turn, ready to depart-
"I slew the wrong mon." Her voice rings out grudgingly, yet there's something underlying her tone. Another emotion you hadn't expected to feel from her. Guilt. "One a smartmouthed Impmon held dear." You glance back at Grademon in surprise, and note her hands are clenched painfully tight around Hisyaryumon's hilt. "One that… did not deserve that fate."
Then, she killed one of his friends? Was it on a mercenary assignment?-no Verge. They all would have been Rookies at the time…
"... Impmon attacked me afterwards and I pushed him to the brink of deletion." Grademon continues before lowering her weapon and letting out a sigh. "My words thereafter were… too harsh." Guilt, regret, anger. The womon's aura fluctuates wildly before settling into acceptance. "What is to happen when Angemon finds me... is well deserved."
=== Choose One:
[]Say something
-[]Write-in.
[]Say nothing.
===AN: And here's the Grademon bit. I wanted to do a flashback but… realized that wouldn't fit very well. Maybe in her fight with Angemon though.
