[] Refuse. Ardat's dark evolution may have corrupted her mind, but she's pulled herself back from that insanity once before. If she does get overtaken by… Lilithmon, you'll swear to get her back onto the right path.
===
The late sergeant's final words echo forcefully in your mind, only serving to make Ardat's deadly request more agonizing. Your core pulsates with steady waves of pain, nearly making you fall to a knee.
Doing what she's asking… that would break your oath to Sir Scratch's, but refusing? That would mean admitting that you'd let a fully realized Demon Lord free to wreak terror and destruction because of your own selfishness.
Agnimon would have strove to prevent suffering and the deletion of others, a true
Hero would never entertain the possibility of letting such a villain run free… and yet here you are, sturdily against the idea.
I'm… I am sacrificing the right thing, all for my own selfish desires.
That realization
does bring you to a knee.
"No." You spit through gritted teeth. "I refuse."
Ardat's lips purse into a deep frown at your words, and for a moment her aura flashes in anger. However she clamps down the emotion quickly, and settles for narrowing her eyes.
"Why would you say that Verge? We might become… " She trails off, casting her gaze away from you in shame. Watching her trepidation, her worry, her
fear… it all resonates with you. Your la-friend doesn't need an oath to delete her, she needs your
support.
"Though your path as a Scion may lead to
Lilithmon." You start, reaching out to gingerly wrap a hand over her shoulder. "Sir Scratch believed in you, your potential to be more than that, and so do I. Ardat, my lad-my friend, you've overcome the treacherous effects of a dark evolution once before, I
refuse to believe you won't be capable of doing so a second time." A finger ever so gently turns her head back, forcing the ashamed digimon to look you in the eye.
"Upon my
honor, upon my pride, upon the
Great Tree and
AVALON. Should your journey ever falter, I will escort you back to the proper path."
"Verge…" With tears flow freely out from beneath her mask, the LadyDevimon pulls herself into your hug.
"We're... not as strong as you think..."
"I disagree. Now enough defeatism." You reply, trying hard not to let your discomfort show. "There is training to be done."
Agnimon, If I'm wrong… what will the price be?
=
"Oh our time together has been such a pleasure Ser Verge." Fonte says, raising her berserk sword in a final dueling.
"When we next meet, may mine strength match your own."
"I wish you luck in that endeavor, may your training be prosperous." You reply, clasping a hand over your fist and bowing in respect.
"Ya done makin' out? Or can we get to shuttlin' already?" Your closest friend snarks, drawing a heated from Fonte. Naturally your own glare is not far behind.
"Sparks, your crass behavior is not appreciated."
"As Ser Verge says you wicked scoundrel!"
"Aww, don't be like that! Ya already trusted me enough to agree about doin' me a few favors for, what's a little fun in the meantime?"
"Dame Fonte you… agreed to do
him favours?" Your incredulous voice causes the Knightmon to wince.
"V-verily Ser Verge I did it for his promise of transportation… but only favours that are not wretched!"
"Yeah what she said, don't worry Verge I ain't gonna mess with your side-girl."
"My what?!"
That phrase… I know not what it means, but it must be awful!
"H-how dare you insinuate such a-"
*Snap*
And just like that, both of the Ultimates vanish, leaving you alone on the training facility's roof… for a few moments anyways.
Leopardmon's aura reaches your senses not long afterwards, and rapidly gaining in power as he approaches.
Why would Leopardmon travel here? Does he wish to make use of the facilities? No, none of the equipment would work for a mon of his power… then it must be to converse with us.
You consider heading below to gather up Thresh for the incoming conversation, but discard the thought after a moment. He's still in the midst of training, and interrupting him would be unwise. Your sibling
still wants to kick you in the face for waking him up in such a rough manner. That drama would only amuse the incoming Mega, and you'd prefer not being laughed at.
The
winged, bestial Mega sets down beside you soon afterwards, and nods in an informal greeting.
"Ah, chevalier GrappLeomon! Shishishi, it is good to see you again. I can see you've fixed AVALON, bien, bien. And your diplomacy with the hermit, délicieux! I've been trying to work with him for years."
"That… my failure should not be celebrated."
"Nonsense chevalier! One must always look at the positives of their situation!" He declares, thrusting a paw into the air triumphantly.
"Why, your *failure* furthered many plans I'd nearly given up on! Ser Schwartz… Shishishishi!"
Why is he laughing about … focus Verge. Find out why he's here.
"Your presence here is surprising… sir. I would know why."
"Ah, so curious no? Let me satisfy your merveille chevalier."
"My… what?"
"Your wonder my good chevalier. Ah, forgive me this one time, my exuberance leaked over."
"Very… well?"
"To answer your question, Oui, I could have sent the details over a letter, but this is far more personal, no?"
"Aye, it is… then this is about my next mission?"
"Smart. Yes Chevalier, there are two such suited tasks for you." Leopardmon replies, before turning towards the entrance.
"Walk with me GrappLeomon, I shall share details while we go to meet the others."
"So be it… then what are these ordeals?" You question falling in beside the four-legged mon.
"Oui… one of the missions you turned down previously has grown more advanced. As you know I disposed of a Mega, but there will be more soon. I fear the long lost code crown, once thought lost has been repossessed. It, or an artifact with similar abilities are riling up the zone."
"You're not sure?"
"Non, we're aware of who had it last, but their location has been unknown for years. They may have perished, and it's only returned now… or perhaps the zone has formed a new one hélas, there's still so much we left unknown."
"And… you want me to try finding it? I admit that seems… beyond my capabilities."
"Shishishi, of course not Chevalier, I'm well aware that your genius is in other fields. You'd merely be part of an escort into the northern beach. Other would handle the gathering."
"I see.. And why the *Beach*"
"Why, it's a possible source of the zone's corruption of course. Sending you on a wild goose chase would be wasteful no?"
"Wild goose-" You cut yourself off. The weird phrase isn't actually important here. "The zone's source of corruption? Is the Hazard Coast not normally so… spiky?"
"Non chevalier, there's an outside influence over the server." Leopardmon explains while the two of you enter the facility's lift.
"Ah! And speaking of that! We have news on troublemakers from another server, mon that we suspect have been aiding certain factions of the gloaming."
"That is… certainly… rgh... news."
Peace Verge, peace. Mon from another server supporting the Gloaming?! When?! How?! Why wasn't I informed!?
"Not happy for the secrecy, no? Unfortunate-ly, it's a necessity in this business."
"I… understand." You breath out, cooling the wrath before it surge outwards. "What does this other mission entail of my path?"
"Ah, this won't be a simple mission you understand? Our little network has been given reports of four Ultimates of overwhelming power appearing in the server. Them popping up out of the woodwork is suspicious no?"
Out of the... wood... work. Move on Verge.
"Aye… but how do you know they're from another server?"
"Strictly speaking, not at the present" He admits as the lift's door slides open.
"But such mysterious and powerful mon appearing as the Tyrant Hills announces its grand contest raises my suspicions."
"I suppose… but what is this *contest* you mentioned? Some sort of game?"
"Oui, in a way." The Mega nods.
"Caputal Tyranno's ruler has set an empty city as the stage of a grand battle royale."
"A… royal battle?"
"Mmm, how to say this… teams from all around the server will be coming to fight each other. The last one standing will be granted an audience from the crown holder himself. And where to direct his army for the next year."
"The Tyrant hills army… is it that formidable?"
"It lacks the Host's or Gloaming's strength, but among the City-State's his armée is unmatched. The mysterious mon have already entered, and countering their plans is only prudent, no?"
"If they're from another server, one that supports the Gloaming, then yes. It would be."
"Ah, I'm so glad you agree with me Chevalier." The bestial mon croons in a clearly exaggerated manner.
"All the major groups will be sending teams of Ultimates there, including that temperamental friend of yours."
Temperamental…
"Pit?"
"Oui. The strange specimen of an Asuramon, and the Host's great hope. I imagine Beat shall be there as well. Should you attend, they'll be opponents."
"... do
not order me to delete my friends." Your snarl is meant to be threatening, however Bulwark's leader merely shakes his head in faux horror.
"Perish the thought Chevalier. I'd never order such a thing. Simple incapacitat-ione will suffice."
Oh…
"Then my apologies."
"Think nothing of it! Shishishi! Ah and to think I nearly forgot the objective."
"To delete the invading team."
"Non, non. Should you take the mission, you're strictly to capture them. War is won my information Chevalier, something we're in desperate need of."
"Very well, I take it we'll be given restraining supplies?"
"Just so GrappLeomon." Leopardmon nods as you come to a stop outside of the floor's gym.
"Oh! And one final condition. Ser Schwartz shall be accompanying you on whatever mission you choose."
Huh.
"But… he's strong I'm aware, but still a champion."
"Of that I'm well awarem but you see Chevalier... I'm hoping the danger may finally push him to evolve."
=== Choose One:
[] Caputal Tyranno Battle Royale.
[] Hazard Coast Defense.
===
New Oath Gained:
Ardat's Current Stats:
Strength 13,300
Fortitude 10,220
Endurance 9,300
Agility 14,240
Special 19,060
Spirit 17,520
===
AN: And woot done! I hope you guys liked the briefing!
