Griff4815
No. 1 Grovyle Fan
Chapter 14: Forlorn Hope
Duftmon stood at the apex of a small hill.
A soft wind blew through his blond hair from behind him, causing it to lightly blow against his back. He rested his hands on the hilt of his sword, whose tip stuck into the ground. Meditatively, his green eyes surveyed the grasslands below. Apart from the incline he was on, the terrain was largely flat and nondescript. There was a series of small hills in the distance, much like the ones around him. The sides of the plain were flat and predictable, much like the field itself. He had chosen this area.
This was to be their battlefield.
Several days had passed since Examon and Dukemon’s encounter with Black Pincer Company. They had returned to the Royal Knights with what they had found, and their hideout was taken under control and cleared out. Despite the fact that there was good evidence that it was the mercenaries and their unknown client that attacked Castle Albion, it didn’t change the fact that the Metal Empire had attacked the Royal Knights before. It also didn’t change that fact that the Metal Empire had moved into the territory to the west of the Mamemon Kingdom, with full intent to attack the Mamemon Kingdom itself. The Royal Knights were still at war.
Under OuRyuumon’s command, the Strike Forces had gone ahead and set up camp north of the Champion River. Duftmon, along with Dukemon, Craniamon, Dynasmon, and RhodoKnightmon, arrived yesterday afternoon. The battle group was to intercept a sizeable D-Brigade advance force that was trying to take control of the hills to the south of the Mamemon Kingdom. The Royal Knights needed to stop them so that they wouldn’t be able to flank the small country.
The battle was to be today. He could already see the D-Brigade getting into formation on the opposite end of the field. They had accepted Duftmon’s challenge. Standing on the hill opposite to him, he could just barely make out the figures of the enemy commanders.
Duftmon watched as the Strike Forces got into formation in the fields below. The Strike Forces were sub-divided into two groups: the Ground Strike Forces and the Aerial Strike Forces. Every so often, depending on the battle, there were special groups assembled from the Order’s members, such as a long-range bombardment detachment or a group to serve as countermeasures for a particular type of Digimon. For this particular battle, Duftmon deemed it unnecessary.
At the moment, Duftmon had divided the Ground Strike Forces more or less evenly in a standard formation. The strongest troops were at the center and they were the brawn of the fighting force whose job it was to advance and break the enemy lines. Slightly weaker but more manoeuvrable contingents made up the left and right wings of the formation, whose job it was to flank and counter-flank. Meanwhile, the Aerial Strike Forces flew to the rear of the Ground Strike Forces. Their job was to provide aerial cover, bombardment, high-manoeuvre flanking, and air superiority.
In addition to the Strike Forces, Duftmon also borrowed a team of Shield Guards to act as the vanguard for the Strike Force’s center. Their job was to protect the Strike Forces from attacks using their high defence capabilities. Duftmon also took a handful of scouts for scouting the enemy and light skirmishing.
As much as he watched his own forces get into position, Duftmon watched the movements of the enemy forces equally as much. He read the enemy’s movements. The battle had started before a single attack was launched.
“Hmph,” Duftmon calmly scoffed, closing his eyes. “Amateurish…”
Dukemon looked over at the tactician curiously. He was sitting on hill with his Gram and Aegis in hand. Also nearby was Dynasmon, who was cracking his knuckles and seemed to be eager to get the battle started. Further down the hill was RhodoKnightmon, who lazily relaxed in the grass and watched the clouds pass overhead. Not far off was Craniamon, who was alternating between doing stretches and practicing his combat form.
“What is?” Dukemon asked him.
“The enemy’s formation,” Duftmon responded, tapping his foot. “He’s waiting for me to place the rest of you before placing his own troops. He honestly thinks that he can direct the tide of battle now, but he’s really just reacting to me. With amateur tactics like that, he has already lost.”
Dukemon stood to his feet and stretched. “You think so…?” the crimson knight mused. “Our formations seem pretty standard too, though.”
Duftmon gave him a sideways look. “That is intentional; I am allowing for the greatest degree of flexibility from our soldiers. I expect the D-Brigade Commander to make a rookie mistake that we might be able to capitalize on. Our Aerial Strike Forces will be the key element in this battle; they will be able to take advantage of the mistake before the enemy is able to correct it.”
“What makes you think the enemy commander will make a mistake?” Dukemon questioned the leopard knight.
“I suspect that it is either Fujinmon or Suijinmon in charge. While the D-Brigade excels in special operations, they are not yet proven in standard warfare. They have little practical experience on the battlefield, aside from their naval feats in the Pirate Wars. However, pirates aren’t exactly what you would call ‘challenging foes’,” Duftmon explained. “Especially not compared to a master tactician and an experienced, well-trained army.”
“Don’t underestimate them, Duftmon,” Dukemon said. “They wouldn’t go to war if they weren’t ready.”
“The Metal Empire went to war because we dared to stand up to them. Now they have to brandish their rusty weapons and make a show of opposing us, because they know that their empire is built on flimsy ground. It is pure bluster without any real substance,” Duftmon answered. The brown armoured tactician turned his head when he saw the patrol of scouts returning.
The Horusmon flew forwards and landed on the hill before them. His feathers were a bit ruffled, but he was otherwise fine. “Sir Duftmon,” he spoke, bowing his head upon landing.
“What have you to report?” Duftmon questioned.
“We got into a minor skirmish with the enemy when we penetrated the enemy lines,” the Horusmon responded. “We confirmed that the enemy commanders are Suijinmon and Fujinmon. It seems like Suijinmon has taken up the role of tactician.”
“I expected as much,” the tactician responded. “This battle is too concentrated so he will be sitting out. His firepower is useless here. Was there anything else?”
“There is actually…” Horusmon answered with a thoughtful frown. “We saw a large detachment of D-Brigade troops in the distance, far beyond those hills. About fifty in number. It was strange…”
Duftmon closed his eyes. “That is their rear guard,” he answered confidently. “Standard tactics. Suijinmon is cautious and likely insecure about having a field battle. He wants to protect his rear so that he won’t be surprised and made to look foolish in front of Chaosdramon after his last failure.”
Horusmon bowed his head. “With the utmost respect, Sir Duftmon, I’m not sure about that… It looked like they were doing something. I couldn’t tell what, but they were definitely doing something strange. I remember seeing a Breakdramon.”
“Most likely it is a D-Brigade sub-commander,” Duftmon said with a dismissive wave. “It is definitely their rear guard.”
Horusmon frowned uncertainly but nodded. “Yes, Sir,” he answered, flying off to meet the rest of the returning scouts.
Before Dukemon could say anything, he noticed OuRyuumon flying up towards them. The Captain’s serpentine body snaked through the air as he flew over. After swooping down, the gold dragon landed in front of them.
“Duftmon,” OuRyuumon said to him. “Does the formation of the Ground Strike Forces look good?”
Duftmon looked past him and nodded. “Spread them out a little bit more. Otherwise, it’s fine,” he stated.
“And the Aerial Strike Forces?” OuRyuumon asked.
“They will hold back for now. Have them provide bombardment for our advance and take care of the enemy fliers, but don’t let them get too far ahead or break rank,” the Royal Knight told him. “We will begin in twenty minutes.”
OuRyuumon nodded and flew off to consult with his leftenants.
Dynasmon walked over and folded his arms. “Where do you want us?” he asked. RhodoKnightmon and Craniamon walked over to him as well.
“Dynasmon. You and Dukemon take the left flank. Go to the front of the wing. You’ll see how Suijinmon reacts; he will counter you just as expected,” Duftmon responded. He then looked past the two dragon men to Craniamon and RhodoKnightmon. “RhodoKnightmon, you take the center. Craniamon, you take the right flank.”
“Huh?” Craniamon questioned, his eyes narrowing with displeasure. “You want me to take the flank? I should take the center. They’ll be in the thick of the fighting.”
“I feel like I would be best suited in Craniamon’s place on the flank,” RhodoKnightmon concurred. “I don’t want to get bogged down in a heavy melee when I am better at using my speed our advantage.”
“Rather, Craniamon wants to satiate his bloodlust and you want an easy job on the flank where the fighting is reduced,” Duftmon curtly clarified. He looked at Craniamon. “I have placed you in these positions based on your abilities. You are on par with Sleipmon for the best defence capabilities. I need your skills to bolster the right flank’s power and defence.” He then turned his gaze to RhodoKnightmon. “And your high offence and versatility are required in the center. Both of you can handle that, can’t you? I have a plan for this battle, you realise.”
RhodoKnightmon lowered his gaze with annoyance. “Yes, I can, Duftmon.”
Craniamon scoffed and looked away indignantly. “Fine. I still think it’s waste of talent,” he brusquely responded.
“Think that all you like. As long as you do your job like you are supposed to,” Duftmon countered offhandedly. He placed the Shoumatsu no Tsurugi against his shoulder, tapping it against his armour. “It is almost time. Dukemon, Dynasmon, please get into your positions now. Make sure that the enemy sees you.”
Dukemon exchanged looks with Dynasmon. “Alright,” he agreed. “What about the force that Horusmon mentioned?”
“You mean the rear guard,” Duftmon stated certainly. “In the worst case scenario, they will come to reinforce the main force in the late stages of the battle once the table has turned. In the best case scenario, the battle will be over before they have the chance to act.”
“Well, okay,” Dukemon said with a compliant nod. He turned to the larger dragon man beside him. “Let’s go, Dynasmon.”
Dynasmon cricked his head to the side, popping his joints. “Okay. Wish us luck,” he said, beginning to walk down the hill.
“Keep your LRACs on and adjusted to the right frequency.”
Dukemon and Dynasmon made their way to the bottom of the hill, where the large amounts of Strike Forces were getting into an orderly formation. They made their way through the lines and uttered encouraging words to the Digimon that they passed. The two Royal Knights walked out in front of the army and made their way over to the left flank.
As they did that in full view of the D-Brigade army on the opposite end of the battlefield, Duftmon gazed at the enemy forces. He grinned when he saw Suijinmon directing the remainder of his troops over to their right flank in order to compensate for the two Royal Knights on the Order’s left flank. Duftmon knew that Suijinmon had been waiting to see where he would place the majority of the Royal Knights, and then placing the rest of his soldiers to bolster that side.
“As predictable as I thought. What a disappointment,” Duftmon mumbled to himself, shaking his head. He glanced at the two remaining Royal Knights. “When you two get in position, we will begin our advance. Tell OuRyuumon.”
RhodoKnightmon and Craniamon nodded. They began to stride down the hill towards the field. RhodoKnightmon walked through the lines to the center formation, while Craniamon walked along to the right flank.
The rose knight walked up beside OuRyuumon, who stood at the front of the army, beside Leftenant Grademon, who commanded the Ground Strike Forces, and Leftenant Shoutmon X4K, who commanded the Shield Guards. The dragon captain, the golden warrior, and the caped, shield-bearing mecha turned towards RhodoKnightmon.
RhodoKnightmon glanced at them and then looked forwards at the D-Brigade army. He could see them finishing up their formations. “We are starting now,” RhodoKnightmon told them.
OuRyuumon looked over his shoulder at Duftmon, who continued standing on the hill to command the battle.
Duftmon raised his rapier over his head and then gracefully pointed it forwards, signalling to advance.
OuRyuumon looked forwards and drew his scimitars, pointing the Gairyu Udaijin ahead of him. “Advance!” he called out to the Strike Forces.
Shoutmon X4K followed suit with his glowing sword. “Go, Shield Guards! Don’t let a single attack through!” he ordered, raising his silver shield in front of him and leading the advance ahead of the Ground Strike Forces.
Duftmon watched from the hill as the center of the army began to move forwards. The two wings moved in tandem with the center so that it wasn’t exposed at any point. At the back of the Order’s army was a Dondokomon who drummed on his head in order to set a rhythm for the march and adrenalize the Order’s soldiers.
The tactician gazed across the battlefield to the enemy side. “Valiant effort, Suijinmon, but this battle was over before it even began...”
-
Suijinmon stood on the hill on the opposite end of the battlefield, watching as the Royal Knights began to advance towards them. He quietly raised one of his oversized, mechanical Accel Arms, signalling to the D-Brigade troops to begin their engagement.
“Good luck, troops. Commence bombardment,” the red armoured machine spoke calmly.
The din of cannon and gunfire suddenly erupted. As the D-Brigade mechanized infantry began launching a salvo of munitions, the cacophony of metal and gunpowder deafened this side of the battlefield. Tankmon, Tankdramon, Megadramon and Gigadramon began firing their shells, bullets and missiles.
The frontline of the Order’s army withstood the attacks using their thick shields and bodies, allowing the bullets to deflect off and the shells to explode in front of them without much damage. Meanwhile, the Aerial Strike Forces launched their own barrage of attacks to intercept the salvo of missiles before they could rain down on the forces below. A series of explosions blossomed and thundered across the sky as the munitions exploded.
As the first round of D-Brigade attacks faded, the Aerial Strike Forces responded with their own set of attacks, which blasted into the frontlines of the D-Brigade’s aerial forces and the advancing ground troops. Suijinmon narrowed his eyes as he watched the colourful attacks explode across the landscape and some of his soldiers were deleted.
He closed his eyes and released a calming breath through his vents when he sensed Fujinmon land beside him on the hill.
The slender, green Digimon gracefully touched down beside the bulky, crimson tactician. Fujinmon’s Critical Arms were activated and the two beam blades hummed from the energy they emitted. He turned his head and looked up Suijinmon. “Will you be sitting out of this battle, Suijinmon?” he asked the Waterfall Commander.
Suijinmon opened an eye and glanced down at Fujinmon. “Affirmative. It is up to me to see that this battle goes according to plan,” he responded. “I would not be of much use in this situation anyways.”
“Very well,” Fujinmon responded, his green, wire-like hair blowing in the breeze. “The wind is against us. Where do you want me?”
Suijinmon glanced over to their right flank, opposite to the Royal Knights’ left flank where Dukemon and Dynasmon were. “Go to the right with the others, please. Keep Dukemon and Dynasmon occupied.”
“I can do that,” Fujinmon calmly informed him. He looked over his shoulder. “By the way, the subterranean taskforce is progressing nicely.”
“Good,” Suijinmon responded, glancing over to his left flank, which was sparse in comparison to his right flank. “I will try to get the timing right.”
Fujinmon nodded. “I will take my position, then,” he said, floating up into the air. “Your plan had better work, Suijinmon. I don’t plan on being in Chaosdramon’s sights when he demands answers for a defeat.” The Hurricane Commander gave Suijinmon a final look before flying off to join the right flank in their advance.
“Understood,” Suijinmon answered, his gold eyes scanning the battlefield as explosions and flames erupted on both sides of the battlefield. “I hope this works as well.”
-
“We’re closing distance!” Shoutmon X4K called out as he continued leading the advance, blocking a burst of bullets with his shield in the process. “Prepare to fall back, Shield Guards! It’s the Strike Forces turn! But let’s give them a farewell shot first! BURNING STAR CRUSHER!”
The knight-like mecha swept his fiery Star Sword down and unleashed a massive wave of blazing energy across the grass and into the enemy lines. The blast enveloped two Tankdramon and caused them to crumple under the pressure and burst into data. The rest of the Shield Guard who were capable of ranged attacks also fired off their shots into the D-Brigade’s lines. Once their parting attacks were gone, they stepped back and receded into the lines of the Ground Strike Forces.
OuRyuumon and RhodoKnightmon now stood at the head of the army, watching as the Aerial Strike Forces rained down on the D-Brigade’s lines. OuRyuumon raised his scimitar over his head. “Okay! Hold fire, Aerial Strikes! Cover us and await orders! Ground Strikes, we’re moving in to keep the D-Brigade from using all that damn firepower on us! They’ll want to keep us at a range, but we need to close in and show them what it means to really fight!”
RhodoKnightmon nodded. “I shall get things started and cover your charge. Good luck, OuRyuumon. Stay safe for Alphamon, okay?” he said to him coyly. The rose knight then dashed out in front of them and charged the D-Brigade’s lines, drawing their fire.
OuRyuumon blushed at his words and snarled angrily. “CHARGE!” he roared, flying forwards after the Royal Knight.
RhodoKnightmon gracefully sprinted across the grass, managing to avoid all of the bullets, tank shells and attacks, ripping up the ground around him. With acrobatic finesse, he lunged into the air and spun around while throwing his Pile Bunker forwards.
“Urgent Fear!” he called out, throwing his Pile Bunker into the front plating of a Tankdramon and unleashing enough pressure to rip straight through the Digimon’s mechanical body.
Even as the shrapnel, oil and data was still dispersing from the blast, RhodoKnightmon began to extend his ribbon-blades out and strike around him with lightning speed. The blades stabbed into the surrounding Metal Empire soldiers and reduced them to data fragments.
Meanwhile, OuRyuumon caught up to the Royal Knight, shooting through the air as his body shimmered with a golden aura. “Ougai!” he shouted, sending himself crashing through the D-Brigade’s ranks and obliterating those in his path with his swords and draconic energy.
His Ground Strike Forces were right behind them and they soon drove straight into the well-disciplined enemy with a series of attacks.
-
Meanwhile, Dukemon and Dynasmon were closing in on the D-Brigade’s right flank with the rest of the Order’s left flank running behind them. The two Royal Knights sprinted ahead to clear the path for their comrades behind them. Dukemon gripped the Gram lance in his right hand and held his Aegis tightly in his left. Meanwhile, Dynasmon’s claws were brimming with elemental power and his body was enveloped in a bright, blue aura of Wyvern’s energy.
Ahead of him, the two Royal Knights spotted Fujinmon leading the charge towards them. There were about a hundred Digimon behind him. Dukemon eyed Fujinmon and then looked at Dynasmon. “Do you want to take him or should I?” he asked the brawny dragon knight.
Dynasmon shot him a grin. “Go ahead. I’ll have my claws full with all of the others,” he responded, the adrenaline clear in his voice.
“You got it. Just shout if you need me,” Dukemon said with a touch of levity to his voice.
Dynasmon laughed. “I should be telling you that, Duke!” he responded, flapping his wings and racing forwards. “Let’s do this! Breath… of… WYVERN!”
His roar matched Wyvern’s as the aura beast swept out from his body and flapped its mighty wings to shoot ahead of him. The dragon snarled and swooped forwards, crashing into the D-Brigade’s right flank’s heavily guarded lines. A good portion of Sealsdramon, Tankdramon, and Assaultmon were vaporized immediately. The resulting explosion caused temporary disarray in the D-Brigade’s ranks, but thanks to the army’s extreme discipline, the ranks were quickly closed and an onslaught of counter-fire ensued.
Fujinmon elegantly flew to the side to avoid the nearby explosion. He felt the heat and energy impact against him, but he kept himself steady in the air. The Hurricane Commander narrowed his eyes and began spinning his body, drawing powerful gusts of wind. “Marut Cyclone!”
The green cyborg whirled his body around and whipped up blasts of wind that he hurled towards the Royal Knights’ ranks. Dukemon raised his shield as the violent gusts of wind swept towards him. The buffeted the Aegis strong enough to blow the Royal Knight back several meters, though he just barely managed to stay standing as his boots skidded through the grass. The other bursts of wind cut into the Order’s ranks and sent Digimon flying through the air.
“I might just try that too!” Dynasmon snarled, flying forwards and outstretching his claws in front of him. “Dragon’s Roar!” From the gems on his palms, he unleashed two blasts of concentrated wind. They swept into the D-Brigade’s ranks, blowing the lighter Digimon away violently.
Dukemon narrowed his eyes and resumed his charge towards Fujinmon. As he dashed, he gathered radiant, white-blue energy at the tip of his lance. With a grunt, he lunged into the air and thrust the Gram forwards. “Royal Sabre!” he shouted as he unleashed a burning arrow of holy energy from the weapon.
The blast streaked through the air towards Fujinmon, but the Hurricane Commander was swift enough to dodge it. Fujinmon jetted towards Dukemon, poising his two Critical Arms and preparing to strike. “You’ll have to do better than that!”
“I intend to!” Dukemon countered, lunging into the air and matching his charge.
The pair clashed with Fujinmon’s beam sword striking against the Aegis while Dukemon tangled the Gram against the D-Brigade Commander’s other Critical Arm. They broke off from the stalemate and momentarily pulled back. Then each opponent went in for an aggressive stab. Dukemon bashed the energy blade aside while Fujinmon parried his lance thrust.
As the two Ultimate-level Digimon dueled, Dynasmon surged into the D-Brigade lines, throwing a massive punch that sent the mechanized soldiers flying. A Gigadramon attempted to fire two missiles down at the Royal Knight, but Dynasmon looked up in time to notice the barrage. He aimed his palms and fired a laser from each of them, detonating the two missiles in midair.
Dynasmon then lunged into the dissipating fire and smoke of the explosions and closed in on the Gigadramon. Grabbing the serpent by the tail, he swung him around a couple of times before releasing him and sending him flying into the D-Brigade’s ranks.
No sooner than when he let go did Dynasmon begin to attract ranged fire once again, with a couple of shells exploding against his chrome digizoid armour. The Royal Knight was knocked back a few meters, but he spread his wings out to stop himself. He grunted and dusted himself off with a hand. “This might be a tough fight after all…”
-
Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the battlefield, Craniamon was leading the right flank against the D-Brigade’s left. They were at about the same point as Dukemon and Dynasmon’s group, but were facing less resistance, much to Craniamon’s inward disappointment.
“God Bless!” he shouted, bringing up a barrier in front of himself and the Order soldiers behind him in order to block a particularly heavy salvo of missiles. The munitions exploded against the barrier and kicked up smoke and dirt in front of them.
After a few seconds, the barrier fell and Craniamon dashed forwards. An Assaultmon some distance in front of him began opening fire on the Royal Knight with his various machine guns. As he ran, Craniamon raised the Avalon in order to deflect the hundreds of bullets aimed at his body. Cascades of sparks showered from the black shield, but Craniamon pressed onwards. Once there was a break in the fire, Craniamon sprinted forwards and stabbed the Claiohm Solais through the Assaultmon’s body.
Completely absorbed in the battle now, Craniamon’s red eyes glanced around for his next target. He saw a MagnaGarurumon unleash a laser from his cannon towards him. Craniamon quickly brought up his shield and held against the attack, letting the beam part around his defence.
Craniamon grunted and jumped away as a missile landed at his feet. Upon landing, he held his double-headed spear over his head and started spinning the weapon rapidly. “End Waltz!” A tunnel of wind and electricity began to form, catching the remaining missiles up within the folds of air. They spun around before the electricity caused them to detonate in bright flashes of light. At that point the vortex caught the MagnaGarurumon and a few of the D-Brigade aerial Digimon, throwing them around the supersonic cyclone violently.
Once they were dealt with, Craniamon took a moment to breathe and survey the situation. He noticed that the amount of soldiers on the D-Brigade’s left flank, while relatively substantial, was noticeably weaker than those at the center and the right flank. “This is barely a challenge at all,” Craniamon muttered. “There’s so many more enemies in their center and right flank. Stronger ones too. Somebody screwed up here and I have to pay for it.”
“Craniamon!” Duftmon’s voice spoke up on the LRAC.
Craniamon temporarily placed the Avalon shield into his black digizoid armour and raised the LRAC to his visor. “Yeah? What is it?” the violet Royal Knight asked with annoyance. “I’d say I’m busy fighting right now, but that’d be a lie.”
“Don’t get too far ahead of our center or left flank. Maintain a position relative to theirs, understood?” Duftmon said to him authoritatively.
“Fine, but it’s barely a challenge over here on the right flank,” Craniamon responded, unaware that there was a Sealsdramon using optical camouflage who was sneaking up behind him with a combat dagger. “At this rate, we’d be put to better use reinforcing our center or pushing forward harder to make the flank crumble and putting pressure on their center.”
“Maintain a gradual advance and keep pressure on their flank. By all means, destroy their left flank, but the actual job of flanking the center will be that of the Aerial Strike Forces. They will deliver the decisive blow that will take Suijinmon out at the knees,” Duftmon ordered.
“Can’t I be involved in that? I haven’t even worked up a sweat,” Craniamon protested, still not reacting to the cloaked Digimon behind him. The Sealsdramon appeared behind Craniamon, preparing to stab him in the neck. Just he lunged, Craniamon offhandedly punched the Sealsdramon over his shoulder, breaking the Digimon’s visor and causing him to crumple to the grass. “It’s insulting,” he went on to say nonchalantly.
“I don’t care. Keep in formation,” Duftmon told him. “Message complete.”
Craniamon rolled his eyes and rushed forward, slashing the Claiohm Solais into the D-Brigade ranks in front of him.
-
Duftmon watched from the hill as the Royal Knights and their forces fought on the battlefield. He carefully watched the distribution of enemy soldiers and the relative success of each section of the battle.
The battle was going slowest on the left flank where Dukemon and Dynasmon were, due to the high concentration of D-Brigade troops and the presence of Fujinmon. Things seemed to be going as expected at the center; there was a push and pull, but the Royal Knights were slowly gaining ground.
Duftmon’s eyes rested on the right flank where Craniamon was. He could clearly see that the D-Brigade forces were weaker there and quickly ceding. “Suijinmon, you fool… By moving your troops away from your left flank and moving them to your right flank to bolster against Dukemon and Dynasmon, you have severely compromised your formation. That flank is weak and it won’t be long until it crumbles, leaving the rest of your army vulnerable,” Duftmon mused as he stared at the D-Brigade’s left flank, which was quickly losing ground and soldiers to Craniamon and the Ground Strike Forces.
“It is time to end this,” Duftmon said to himself with smug finality. He raised his hand so that he could speak into the LRAC around his wrist. “Leftenant HippoGriffomon, do you read me?” he inquired.
The white gryphon flying at the front of the Aerial Strike Forces looked down and raised his paw up to his beak. “Confirmed, Sir Duftmon. What are your orders?” he asked into the LRAC around his ankle.
“Now is time for the Aerial Strike Forces to act,” Duftmon informed him. “Hook around the right flank and deliver a swift, decisive blow to the D-Brigade’s left and center. End this here.”
“Understood, Sir,” HippoGriffomon responded. He turned his eagle-like head to his aerial troops. “Come on! We’re going on a flanking run and hitting them where it hurts! Follow my lead and watch out for anti-air fire!”
Over-sergeant Paildramon, HippoGriffomon’s second-in-command, nodded and turned to the rest of the Aerial Strike Forces. “You heard him. Advance and stay in formation. Be mindful of your surroundings,” she elaborated.
With those words, the gryphon leftenant soared quickly to the right and began to circle around the battlefield at a wide angle. The hundred-some Aerial Strike Forces followed his lead, jetting through the sky after him in a disciplined formation that favoured their left side. They flew along the right side of the field, passing over the right flank of the Strike Forces.
Duftmon watched from his vantage point as the Aerial Strike Forces manoeuvred to begin their assault. Once they broke through the D-Brigade army’s central lines, the army would crumble and be forced to either retreat or face destruction.
The tactician folded his arms and closed his green eyes certainly. “You were a fool to think you could match me… That first battle in Saversburg was no more than a fluke caused by Sleipmon’s idiocy. Remember that, Suijinmon…”
-
On the opposite hill, Suijinmon calmly watched as his forces lost ground and suffered casualties on their left flank. He gazed at the Order’s Aerial Strike Forces as they flew to meet up with their land-based allies on the left. He knew that this was to take advantage of the weakening flank.
Suijinmon closed his eyes. “Good… He fell for the bait, after all,” he rumbled.
The Waterfall Commander’s eyes snapped open, the gold optics hardening. He waited until the majority of the Aerial Strike Forces were in the middle of the battlefield as they circled around to attack them.
“The tunnelers should be in place. It is time to turn things around,” Suijinmon murmured. He raised his giant Accel Arm into the air.
He brought the steel limb down like a hammer, causing it to smash into the grass and soil of the hill. The impact sent vibrations shooting through the ground, hard enough for the ground to tremor.
Once the thunderous crash had subsided, Suijinmon calmly retracted his arm and watched the battle continue.
“Now for Phase 2…”
-
Craniamon grunted as he drew the Claiohm Solais from the MagnaGarurumon’s chest. As he narrowed his eyes, he glanced around perceptively.
For a moment, he looked up at the sky. He could see HippoGriffomon and the Aerial Strike Forces progressing overhead as they flew towards their destination. As they soared, they fired attacks at the enemy fliers, felling them with ease. Craniamon was a bit annoyed that they got to have all the fun.
However, Craniamon took a few steps and crouched down, strengthening his guard. Something wasn’t right.
He looked at his surroundings guardedly. The Royal Knight could feel vibrations in the ground. The earth was definitely trembling beneath his feet. At first, he had assumed it was just the usual concussion of attacks hitting the ground or the vibration of tank treads. However, the vibrations were too constant and too strong for either of those.
Craniamon grunted and gripped his polearm and shield tighter. He turned his head to a nearby MetalGreymon of the Ground Strike Forces. “Hey! Do you feel that?” he called over to him.
Before Craniamon could get a reply, a sharp burst sounded out to his right. This was followed by a roar and a loud, mechanical drilling sound.
Craniamon spun around and looked with incredulous eyes as the gigantic body of a Breakdramon suddenly burst out from underground, sending a wave of earth into the air. The giant, mechanical, dragon beast lumbered from the ground, and towered over the Order’s soldiers. As soil fell from his giant body, dozens of D-Brigade soldiers began to pour out of the underground tunnel that the Breakdramon had dug. It was exactly to the right of the Order’s right flank, exactly where the majority of the Aerial Strike Forces were. The D-Brigade reinforcements marched out in an orderly fashion and began attacking the surprised Order soldiers, deleting several in the process.
The violet Royal Knight’s red eyes glared up at the Breakdramon. “What the hell…?”
The Breakdramon unleashed a roar and began to swipe his giant arms at the Aerial Digimon.
HippoGriffomon looked over his shoulder with a stunned expression at the appearance of the sudden influx of Digimon. “What?!” he demanded. “Over-sergeant Paildramon, redirect fire to the right! Sir Duftmo- AAH!”
He was interrupted when one of Breakdramon’s arms crashed down on him, throwing the gryphon to the ground violently.
“HippoGriffomon!” Craniamon called out. He narrowed his eyes. “Strike Forces! Hold your ground and fight back!” he ordered them. “Paildramon, you’re in charge now that HippoGriffomon’s down.”
“Yes, Sir,” Paildramon responded, glaring. She pivoted in the air to face the new threat and aimed her hip cannons towards the organized swarm of reinforcements. “Desperado Blaster!”
Beam blasts began ripping from the dual cannons and started to tear through the swell of reinforcements, deleting a few Sealsdramon and Troopmon. She narrowed her eyes when the holes in the ranks were quickly filled. Paildramon turned to her fellow Aerial Strike Force troops. “Regroup and hold the line! Lay down heavy fire!” she ordered. The dragon Digimon grunted and shot to the side when the Breakdramon tried to stab one of his drill-tipped tails into her. After evading, she turned and began unleashing a barrage of beam bullets into the metal appendage. “Desperado Blaster!”
With the mechanical titan momentarily distracted, Craniamon then vaulted into the air to attack the Breakdramon. “Over here, ugly!” he called out so that the giant Ultimate level focused on him.
The Breakdramon swung one of its crane arms at Craniamon, but the knight jumped over the swipe and used the arm to propel himself higher. He lunged towards the Breakdramon’s face, but the giant mechanized dragon activated his drill nose and bore down on Craniamon.
Craniamon raised the Avalon, causing the drill to screech against the metal and send sparks shooting out as it tried to drill through. Although Craniamon could feel himself getting pushed back, managed to get a good swipe against the Breakdramon’s face before getting thrown to the ground.
“D-Damn it…” Craniamon grunted, righting himself on the ground. “This isn’t good… Duftmon!”
-
“Duftmon!”
The tactician in question stared incredulously at the Breakdramon and his hundred-something reinforcements that had burst from the ground. His previously smug and assuming expression had morphed into one of stunned shock and disbelief. He watched as the Breakdramon and began to wreak havoc on the Aerial Strike Forces and the Ground Strike Forces over on the right flank. The wave of reinforcements began to surround them and cut them off.
“Duftmon, what was that?!” RhodoKnightmon asked over the LRAC.
“Duftmon, what the hell is going on at the right flank?!” Dukemon demanded. “Is that a Breakdramon?!”
The bewildered tactician didn’t respond. He was in a state of disbelief.
“Im…possible…” he whispered, his green eyes wide. “He… He…”
“DUFTMON!” Dukemon shouted over the LRAC. “Do you – rrgh! – r-read me?!”
Duftmon was snapped out of his trance. He quickly raised the LRAC to his mouth, his eyes not leaving the battlefield for a second. “Y-Yes!” he stammered. “I read you!”
“What happened?!” Dukemon asked him roughly, his voice haggard and panting. His grunts of effort could be heard over the communicator; it was clear that he was still in the middle of fighting Fujinmon and the D-Brigade as he talked.
“I—“ Duftmon was about to say that he wasn’t sure, but he caught himself just in time. “Reinforcements tunneled underground to launch a surprise attack on our right flank!” he explained, his voice missing the calm, superior demeanour that is usually held. “The Aerial Strike Forces and Craniamon’s group are fighting them.”
“How are they doing?!” Dukemon asked him urgently.
“What the hell is happening to my forces?!” OuRyuumon snarled over his own LRAC.
Duftmon looked over at the right flank. He could see the reinforcements surrounding them. The Aerial Strike Forces had been stopped in their tracks and were getting hit hard. The Ground Strike Forces were trying to hold their own but they were getting pushed back. He winced. “They…”
“We’re surrounded!” Craniamon spoke up. After a moment, he grunted angrily. “I… I’m having trouble with the Breakdramon. I think I can take him, but… we’re taking a beating here. Don’t know how long we can last.”
“What should we do, Duftmon?” Dynasmon also asked over the LRAC.
Duftmon didn’t reply. He stared at the Breakdramon with grimacing eyes, watching as he slammed a giant crane arm into another Order soldier. “How could this have happened? How could I be made to look like such an incompetent fool?”
“Duftmon, respond!” Dynasmon shouted over his audio communicator. The tactician still didn’t answer.
-
Dukemon glared as he briefly looked at the LRAC on his wrist. However, he hardly had time to say anything else before Fujinmon was upon him again.
“It’s rude to ignore your opponent!” Fujinmon told him, shooting towards Dukemon at high speeds. He held his Critical Arms out in front of him, over his head, and began to spin his body like a drill.
Dukemon grunted as Fujinmon tore towards him, trying to drill through his defences. He raised the Aegis to block his charge and he could feel the heat of the dual beam blades on the metal of the shield. Despite being able to hold against the savage attack, he didn’t want to risk doing so for too long. “Nothing personal! Gram Slash!” He swiftly stabbed the Gram at a wide angle, striking Fujinmon’s armoured side with the tip of the Gram.
While not powerful enough to break through Fujinmon’s metal body, it was forceful enough to send the Hurricane Commander flying through the air. With Fujinmon temporarily out of the way, Dukemon could focus on Duftmon and the deteriorating situation on their right flank. He raised his wrist communicator.
“Duftmon!” he shouted into the device. No reply. He snarled. “Damnit, Duftmon! You’ve gotten us out of worse situations than this! Focus!”
The words seemed to have an impact, as Duftmon responded this time. “I am thinking!” he replied, irritation in his voice. “Give me a minute!”
“We may not have a minute!” Craniamon’s voice growled over the LRAC, his words somewhat distorted by the sound of the Breakdramon’s drill. “They’re all over us. A lot of wounded. I can’t do anything about it ‘til I kill this Breakdramon!”
“Try and hold them off!” Duftmon told him.
Dukemon glanced over at the opposite side of the battlefield. He could just barely see that the D-Brigade reinforcements were gaining ground over their right flank. He knew that the situation was bad. He wanted to minimize as many friendly casualties as he could.
His attention was drawn away when he saw Fujinmon shooting towards him again. The green cyborg Digimon soared towards him and performed a forwards flip. He brought his two beam swords down on Dukemon.
The Royal Knight grunted and blocked the strike with his shield. “Royal Sabre!” Dukemon countered. He pressed the Gram against Fujinmon’s chest and unleashed a mighty beam from his lance, square into Fujinmon’s body. The Hurricane Commander shouted with pain and anger as he was thrown across the ground.
After stabbing a blade into the ground to stop himself, Fujinmon swept his other Critical Arm out and released a concentrated blast of wind. “Marut Cyclone!” he spoke, launching the heavy gust of wind towards the crimson knight.
Dukemon grunted and tried to shield the blast, but it was powerful enough to knock him off of his feet and throw him back through the air painfully. The Royal Knight winced and prepared for the landing, but he felt something catch him from behind.
He looked over his shoulder and saw Dynasmon there. Dynasmon gave him a nod and put him down on the ground. “Things aren’t going well,” he observed.
“I know,” Dukemon responded, looking down at his LRAC. “Craniamon. What’s going on?”
“I took a few chunks out of the Breakdramon, but we’re still getting overwhelmed,” Craniamon grunted. “We’re getting pushed into the center. What should we do, Duftmon?”
“Damn it…” Duftmon said, the reluctance clear in his voice. “Retreat!”
“Retreat?!” Craniamon demanded incredulously.
“It is a tactical withdrawal! It’is the only way to salvage this!” Duftmon told them. “Pull back on all sides!”
“We can’t pull back; we’re cut off!” Craniamon explained irately. “If our center pulls back, then the D-Brigade center will advance and we’ll be completely encircled!”
“The center will support you as you break through!” Duftmon insisted.
“It won’t work,” Craniamon tersely explained.
“We’ll do our best to help your flank, Craniamon,” RhodoKnightmon told him. “Make a steady withdrawal.”
“We will, but we’ll need more than that, Rhodo,” the violet knight explained.
Dukemon narrowed his eyes as he stared at the LRAC. After a breath to solidify his resolve, the crimson knight spoke up. “Leave it to me.”
“What?” Dynasmon asked sceptically.
“Pardon?” Duftmon questioned as well.
Dukemon raised the Gram and looked towards the D-Brigade forces. “I’ll break deep through their lines and cause disarray from the rear. They’ll be forced to turn their attention to me. I’ll cover the retreat; just get everybody out of here,” he explained steadfastly.
“What? You plan to act as a decoy?” Duftmon challenged incredulously.
“Are you nuts, Dukemon?” Craniamon demanded.
“I’m doing it,” Dukemon responded stubbornly. “It’s the only way.”
Duftmon frowned on the other end of the LRAC. “Perhaps, but…”
Dynasmon stared at Dukemon. He grinned and shook his head. “I’m going with him,” he announced.
Dukemon looked at his comrade with surprise. However, instead of denying him, he gave him a grateful nod.
“This is idiotic,” RhodoKnightmon stated.
“Idiotic but necessary,” Dynasmon answered. “We’ll be okay. Just get your asses out of here before we lose any more soldiers. This will buy enough time to escape with the wounded.”
“…Very well,” Duftmon stated with recognition. “Give us as much time as you can.”
“What? Are you actually agreeing to this, Duftmon? It is beyond foolish!” RhodoKnightmon asked in amazement.
“They are right. It is the safest option,” Duftmon informed him. “It has the highest chance of success.”
“Not for them,” Craniamon muttered disapprovingly.
“They volunteered. They are aware of the risks,” Duftmon stated, closing his eyes. “Sound the retreat!”
The tactician lowered his LRAC and looked towards the distant flank, eyeing Dukemon and Dynasmon with a faint wince.
Dukemon turned around to the Ground Strike Forces behind him. “The retreat order has been sounded! Fall back!” he ordered them. “Maintain your lines and cover each other as you pull back!”
The crimson knight watched as the Order soldiers obeyed dutifully, although with some reluctance. They maintained a steady stream of fire towards the enemy D-Brigade ranks as they pulled back. Dukemon turned around and saw that the D-Brigade flank was beginning to move towards them.
Dynasmon looked at Dukemon and grinned, Wyvern’s aura already brimming around his body. “You ready, Dukemon?” he asked him with adrenaline-fueled excitement in his deep, growly voice. “Time to give these guys a shock.”
“I’m ready when you are,” Dukemon told him, raising the Gram and coursing energy around its shaft. He raised the weapon and levelled it with the D-Brigade troops.
Dynasmon smirked and his pupils shrunk with primal excitement. He raised his claws and aimed the gems on his palms. “Let’s do it. Dragon’s Roar!”
“Royal Sabre!”
In tandem with each other, the two Royal Knights unleashed three beams straight through the organized ranks of the D-Brigade’s right flank. The beams swept through them, vaporizing a dozen D-Brigade soldiers and opening up a path straight through to the opposite side of the battlefield.
“Let’s go!” Dukemon shouted, dashing forwards into the opening.
“I’m with you!” Dynasmon assured him, flapping his wings and following overhead.
Fujinmon watched incredulously as the two Royal Knights tore straight through the D-Brigade’s ranks. “What?!” he demanded. “What are they doing?”
Dukemon grunted and struggled forwards, stabbing his lance through Digimon that tried to attack him, and bashing others away with his shield. Likewise, Dynasmon punched away Digimon who tried to attack him directly, and launched elemental beams from his hands into their ranks.
Fujinmon narrowed his eyes and gave chase. He soared after the two Royal Knights, who seemed intent on making it to the rear of the D-Brigade army.
Suijinmon watched from the hill as the two Royal Knights tore through his right flank, trying to get as far as possible. He stared at them incredulously. “What do they think they’re doing…? Are they insane? Or simply that reckless…?”
Dukemon used his shield to plow through the last of the D-Brigade soldiers and burst out through the rear of the flank. Dynasmon was right behind them, plowing through the soldiers with his bare claws. The two Royal Knights dashed towards the base of the hill that Suijinmon was positioned on. Ignoring him completely, they turned their attention to the rear of the D-Brigade’s center and flanks.
“Time to really get their attention,” Dynasmon stated, Wyvern’s aura intensifying as a broad grin grew on his face.
Dukemon nodded and dug his feet into the ground, aiming the Aegis. His silver and gold shield began to glow with holy splendour. As the light intensified, the triangle designs on the face of the Aegis started to light up, one by one.
Meanwhile, Dynasmon summoned his primal draconic energy from his body. Wyvern emerged from his body with a roar, flapping his wings and shooting into the air.
“Final Elysion!
“Breath of Wyvern!”
A massive beam pulsed from the Aegis and coursed through the back of the D-Brigade’s center and left flank. Wyvern snarled and flew alongside the beam, sweeping through the D-Brigade’s ranks and crashing straight into the middle of them. A massive explosion of light blue energy tore through their lines, and Dukemon’s beam swallowed up the Metal Empire soldiers and obliterated them.
When the smoke cleared, dozens of D-Brigade soldiers had been deleted. Suijinmon was left calmly simmering. He narrowed his eyes and raised his Accel Arm up. “Fujinmon! Troops!” his deep voice boomed. “Attack those Royal Knights! Leave the others for now.”
The D-Brigade troops, now totally aware of the two Royal Knights behind them, began to prioritize Dukemon and Dynasmon over the retreating Order forces. The hundreds of troops began to pour back towards the base of the hill, while simultaneously covering their own retreat so that the Order soldiers didn’t take advantage.
“Accel Arm!” Suijinmon grunted, bringing his mighty arms down onto the hillside and releasing high powered shockwaves.
“Marut Cyclone!” Fujinmon responded from the opposite side, unleashing super-compressed blasts of winds towards the two Royal Knights.
Dukemon and Dynasmon noticed the incoming attacks and acted quickly. They lunged out of the way as the shockwave tore through the ground where they were standing.
Dynasmon shot Dukemon a grin as they quickly started to get surrounded. “This is where things get interesting!” he exclaimed, crouching down and readying his claws.
-
(Continued in the next post)