Lofty Ideals for a Lofty City [Katsura/Pipmon/Cion]

Thankful that Brad supported her to defend the Meteormon, it quickly regenerated into its prior form, looking as bored and apathetic as always. Shrugging it off, it did not even turn to the two who had sought to help them, merely returning to the counter like nothing had happened. "Uuuuh... good... yeah." The Arnamon spoke with some disbelief in her voice. All of this started to become rather surreal, but at least the Meteormon was unharmed, and despite it being ungrateful she was still glad that it was fine. Shrugging to the Beamon, she simply motioned them to return to the girl and the other digimons of their team.

And then suddenly, a small horde of Grumblemons appeared that all apologized to Katsura for Antyalmon's rough behaviour, leaving the Arnamon perplexed and speechless. "What...?" She spoke quietly, already carrying a raised eyebrow because all of this seemed so bizarre. Shaking her head, she simply sighed and accepted that this was probably normalcy in this city and wanted to move on.

Katsura seemed to have an emotional outbreak at first, but before Cion even got the chance to console her, the girl shouted that she would not leave this place without having helped her digi-partner. And just as that happend, her crest of loyalty and the one on the wall gleamed brightly, eventually revealing a hidden passage to the basement of the building. "Uuuh..." She let out, still in her state of bewilderment What in the digital world was possibly going on?

A mighty voice echoed from the room behind the passageway, and it was now with disconcertment that the Arnamon followed the others to the... "A throne room?" She more gasped than spoke, wondering why such a room was here in the first place. And the arbiter of the throne was a mighty Gallantmon, apparently the master of the Antylamon. "Wait... didn't ya say Vulcanusmon was Antylamon's master?" She asked his companions, by now utterly confused about what was occuring. At first glance, it truly did not make any sense or at least was not coherent.

And now Pipmon was bowing bowing to Gallantmon just like Antylamon, begging the master to now harm Katsura and Nyao. Wait, he had not said anything like that, and why would the powerful digimon desire to harm the innocent two of them? Wait... was Pipmon crying? Turning to Brad with an open mouth and an expression of chagrin, she simply had no idea anymore what was going on in this senseless mess. Perhabs the Bearmon had answers; if not... she just wanted to return to Colin and co with him.

Downstairs Gallantmon was awaiting the arrival, not much was in the way of how he had expected it. Gallantmon heard Pipmon pleading on be half of Katsura and Nyao, he calmly raised his hand to silence Pipmon. Now he asked again directly looking at Katsura.
"Katsura, why did you come here?" Katsura was nervous as she cleared her throat. She realized that for whatever reason Gallantmon was likely royalty around here and thus she curtsied.
"Umm... Your majesty, I came here to help my partner repair her holy ring and-" Gallantmon raised his hand again to cut her off.
"I already know that part. What I do not know is why you came to the digital world." That comment threw Katsura out of track, for a moment she just stood thinking what to answer.
"Umm... I don't know?" Katsura asked confused. Behind his helmet, Gallantmon raised an eyebrow.
"You don't... Know? So, I suppose you just wandered around minding your own business and the next second you teleport here out of nowhere? I find that story very hard to believe. One more time, why did you come here?"
The embarrassment being called out by Gallantmon was huge for Katsura as she considered the ground. That made Nyao angry, sure it was a horribly stupid story but did he had to be so brutal?
"I... had to... get away?"
Gallantmon tapped the armrest of throne impatiently, Katsura had repeatedly failed to cooperate and now she was starting to wear off his patience. Then he got an idea.
"Let's talk about something else, that book you got there what is it?"
Katsura panicky hid it from Gallantmon which just emphasized its existence.
"It's... It's... Nothing..."
Gallantmon sighed and pretended like he was leaving his throne.
"Very well... If you do not wish to cooperate, I see no reason for me to help either of you."
"Wait!" Katsura yelled as Gallantmon sat returned to his throne.
"Yes?"
"It's... It's... It's my diary... I keep it on me all the time."
"You do? Read the first chapter for me."
The blunt response shocked Katsura in her core and made Nyao cut her teeth in anger.
"WHAAA?"
"The first chapter, read it for me."
Katsura was starting to panic again like before.
"Nooo... Please..." Katsura said almost in tears, which caused Nyao to snap in a fit of rage.
"SHE DOESN'T WANT TO!"
Gallantmon chuckled for himself as he once again pretended to leave.
"Oh, I thought Katsura would do ANYTHING to help her friend. I see, I was mistaken."
"Please don't go..." Katsura said silently almost begging him to stay which made him return to the seat.
"Why not?"
"I'll do it..."
"Very well." He said as he got comfortable in the throne. Katsura looked expectantly around waiting for the others to leave the room, but before they could even consider leaving he lashed out in a stern tone.
"Your friends will stay. Read the first chapter, would you kindly?"
And so Katsura started reading out loud the more she read, the more she was struggling to held back tears, the more tempted Katsura was to cry the angrier Nyao became.
"Dear diary. I have no idea how long I can keep this up. Today dad slapped me again, this time cus I was too long on answering him. Yes diary, dad is right that I'm worthless, I know that I should kill myself. After lunch, I sneaked out again today, it was nice to get out. I like the dark streets in them I can hide. If only the meanies didn't go, there it would be perfect. I wish I could just... disappear. I wonder if dad would miss me or feel bad nobody else will miss me for sure except that jerk who invented that Cat name! I don't even care about that name anymore though, call me Cat if you want! I'm been thinking about running away again and never come back, I already packed most of my stuff."
Gallantmon sat quietly and listened to the chapter occasionally nodded, he waited until Katsura had closed her diary to comment.

"Do you still feel that way?"
Katsura shocked her head while she was partly crying, making the lie all the less plausible.
"Nooo..."
"Katsura."
"Maybe..?" Katsura finally said, it was one of her lowest voices to date.
"Let's try one last time, why did you come here?"
Katsura took almost a full minute of answering, during which she did not look Gallantmon in the eyes, in fact she didn't look anyone in the eyes.
"I ran away..." Katsura finally muttered. Now Katsura had Gallantmon's complete attention.
"From what? Your problems? Your mortal life? Everything? You should not do such things..."
Gallantmon didn't manage to finish his sentence because Nyao was at her limit, with all her lungs she yelled.
"THAT'S IT! NO ONE HARMS KATSURA! ANGRY PAW!" A bright purple beam came out of Nyao's mouth in the direction of Gallantmon. Gallantmon however, being a perfect leveled digimon casually deflected the beam with his backhand. The beam flew to the side and hit a wall that didn't even get a scratch.

Gallantmon was irritated but succinct over Nyao's behavior and stood up, Nyao didn't even blink despite obviously being outmatched.

"You dare to attack me? In my own realm? Knowing full well I could crush you like a bug if I so desired? How peculiar, just what are you doing?"
"I protect Katsura from everyone who harms her no matter who! I'll do anything to protect her" Nyao said angry, Gallantmon was neither impressed or angry by this point. He was mostly just curious as if he was realizing something.
"Anything?" Nyao nodded to confirm with a willful smirk.
"Interesting, if Katsura ordered you to kill this Antylamon would you do it?"
Nyao was confused as she turned to Antylamon, "Why would she say that?"
"I have just scanned Antylamon's soul, by the second Katsura leaves this room Antylamon will strike her down."
Without even thinking, Nyao yelled at Antylamon in anger "ANGRY PAW!" This time, the only thing that came out of Nyao was a harmless white bubble of energy that popped before it could even reach its target. This made Gallantmon stand up, with a combination of disappointment and irritation he copied Nyao's angry tone.
"YOU IMBECILE! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "SOUL SCAN", I MADE THAT UP!
Nyao yelled back frustrated, "WHY WOULD YOU MAKE THAT UP?!"
Gallantmon was returned to his normal stern self, still irritated at Nyao but with no intention of sinking down to her level.
"To prove a point, if this was real life you could have killed an innocent just because I claimed they MIGHT be a threat to Katsura. If you do not wish to be a monster, I advise you to stop ACTING like a monster. If you are 'protecting' Katsura from everyone, who is protecting everyone ELSE from you?" Gallantmon pointed at himself, "This guy. And if you think Katsura is safe right now, how about we ask her."

Indeed, ever since Nyao had attacked Gallantmon, Katsura had just stared blankly. Now she was shaking all over her body, sweat felled down from her and she was hyperventilating. A moment later Katsura lost balance and felt to the floor in fetal position. This revelation made Nyao feel microscopic.
"I'm sorry..." Nyao said as her ears hang long.
"Now if you will excuse me, I will talk some sense in her."
Gallantmon stepped down his throne and walked next to Katsura, he understood that being hard would only make it worse and thud he resorted to a patient comforting tone. He knelled before her just to gain eye-contact
"Katsura, can you stand up?"
Katsura tried to stand up but ended up falling down again, they decided that mermaid position was the best for now.
"Your partner have a unique need to protect you, do you know who she got that from?"
Katsura tried to escape his eye-contact as she shook her head.
"No-uh" Katsura said softly which reminded Gallantmon of a 5 year-old.
"Katsura. It is my opinion that a bonded digimon such as your Plotmon is a mirror to the way it was treated. Treat it with kindness and you get a kind digimon. Be cruel to a digimon and you get a cruel digimon. You know whom I'm talking about do you not?"
Katsura knew she was beaten but did not intend for anyone else to hear her answer. In the tiniest voice, she could muster, she whispered to Gallantmon.
(me?)
Gallantmon was prepared for this kind of tricks, he removed an imaginary clump of earwax.
"What did you say?"
Katsura sighed in defeat, not only was she cornered there was no way Gallantmon would let her go without given the answer he wanted. In a high distorted pitch, she screamed before breaking down in tears.
"Meeee...."
Once again, Katsura reminded him of a 5-year-old and now he couldn't resist the temptation to treating her like one for a moment as he schussed on her which worked.
"Have you done something like that?"
Katsura dried her eyes in her sleeves before nodding, she grabbed out after Nyao and hugged her so tightly Nyao couldn't breathe. Katsura countered Gallantmon attempts to make eye contact by hiding her entire face into Nyao.
"MHMMPf! Help!"

Bewildered, Gallantmon rolled his eyes. "I believe your partner would appreciate not to be strangled"
Katsura lessen her grip on Nyao who started gasping for air. She looked up at Gallantmon from behind Nyao.

"I have seen enough. I have reached a conclusion.

Katsura, you have done terrible things back in the human world and rather than facing the consequences you tried to take your life. When that did not work for you, you turned your partner into your personal comfort blanket. And if that was not enough you have defiled a perfect notebook with self-depraving nonsense. Under normal circumstances you would not have been able to enter this realm without being stroke down. Do you have any idea what makes you so exceptional that I allow such a person to walk freely around?"
Katsura shock her head.
"You stood up facing a danger even if you used excessive force, when you could not live with your guilt you attempted to give yourself the ultimate punishment. you came all the way here just to help your friend even if it was clear as day you would be to blame. You have done all the worst things for all the right reasons. On another note the bond you are sharing with your partner is the strongest bond I have ever seen." Katsura was about to smile at the end when Gallantmon stopped her.
"The last comment was not a compliment, it goes to both of you. Your relationship is as heartwarming as its sickening. When I look at you two I do not see a tamer and partner. I see one single dysfunctional person. Katsura, there is no denial that you are the rightful owner of the crest of Loyalty. The kind of loyalty you have chosen to show is corrupting by nature."

Katsura was about to cry again, "What do you want from me?"
"Look behind you." Gallantmon said which Katsura obliged.
"Why is there so many people in my throne room? Did you force them to come?"
Katsura shocked her head. "No, I told them that I wanted to help my friend and then they just joined in."
"I didn't really want to go though."
"I can imagine that. Katsura your unselfish desire to help your friend without asking anything in return brought you here. You said you would do whatever it takes to help your friend even when said friend didn't want your help. You stood up for anyone who refused to help and now you are here. That is the kind of loyalty you are supposed to represent." He opened his other hand revealing the tag symbolizing the Crest of loyalty which shined.
"Look at me, give me your hand" Gallantmon said as Katsura released Nyao.
"You cannot reverse time. I cannot reverse time and even if I had that power I would not waste it on you. The digital world has a lot to offer you but a clean slate is not one of them. You have already felt remorse and regret, but admitting a mistake is only the first step towards redemption. You have one choice left behind, you can either accept your actions or make amends. If it was my decision it would have been the latter but alas, it is not.

Gallantmon then placed the crest of Loyalty in Katsura's hand and closed her fist.
"This tag is both a present and a responsibility, I hope that by the time you have learned how to harness its power you have learned to use the right kind of loyalty. If that was all I will be going now."

Cion was not really sure what Bread meant with the suggestion that Gallantmon and other entities around the place were ghosts, but by now she could only shrug as everything that occured overthrew her sense of reality. However, she agreed with the Breamon's notion to get ready for a hasty escape if things went south, sticking close to him.

Pipmon approached them, maybe having come to his sense, but instead stuck to the situation and tried to quietly make sense out of situation. His explanation was... acceptable, if a bit appalling. "Glorified thralldom..." She spoke under her breath, now truly adversarial to the city's zealotism. The Arnamon would never accept social Darwinism, and would always strife for freedom of body and spirit. By now, it was easy for her to consider her virtuous self purer than the supposedly 'holy' digimons that resided her. The same went for Owen, and Colin and Co.

What occured between Katsura and Gallantmon was... unsettling to say the least. She forced her to read her diary if she wanted help, and demanded the others to stay. The reaction of Cion was obviously scorn towards the Gallantmon, who dared to just command her and the others like that like they were more of his slaves. But for the girl's and Nyao's sake she'd stay despite her personal antipathy.

And as much the contents of the diary might affect other human beings or digimons familiar with digimons, she really did not know what to make of it. It seemed like she had been mistreated, but the Arnamon did not grasp the meaning of fatherhood, sense of worthlessness and whatever the cat-name-thing was about. While feeling a general sense of commiseration for her, she did not know how to put it into words or even feelings.

Katsura explained she ran away from her home due to her problems, a sentiment Gallantmon, admirably so, did not agree with. However, Nyao seemed to lose her mind from the emotional trauma her digi-destined experienced, lashing out at Gallantmon who thankfully did not retaliate. However, he tested her vow to protect the human from anything, by suggesting she might demand her to take out Antylamon. He tested her by telling Nyao that Antylamon was most likely to strike Katsura down if the chance was granted. And the Plotmon failed the test by complying, failing to comprehend the warrior-digimon's ruse.

Gallantmon explained that Nyao could not just attack anyone who might pose a threat to Katsura, which was true enough on a basic social level. He approached the almost broken girl to talk some sense into her on his own. He made clear she could not run away from her problems, nor form Nyao into a reflection of them to hide herself from them. There were more indirect threats that frustrated the Arnamon, though it eventually lead to surprising compassion. She was loyal, but the way she utilized that loyalty lead to mental decadence; and Cion finally started to comprehend.

Yet there was also good loyalty within her, represented by all the young digimons that wanted to help her, hence the crest still belonged to her. The past and present were clear, but the future was still hers to decide. The Arnamon did not know how she'd fix herself and the ring, but if there was a way to help her out she woud do so out of sympathy for poor Nyao. Seeing the digimon in harmony with her partner was what Cion wanted after all.

Antylamon motioned them to follow it upstairs, a suggestion she gladly pursued to get ouf of here. One in the smithy again, it was declared the holy ring would be fixed, though the reason for that displeased her. "I hope it helps Nyao." She commented quietly to Brad before she listened to Antylamon's apologies, her warm smile bewildering her. These holy digimons were truly inconsistent with their behaviour, now were they? Still, Cion stayed composed and returned the smile with a neutral look. "As long as it turns out well in the end, it does not matter." She spoke with compassion, but also the desire not to delve further into the troublesome matter.

However, there was one more thing, which was a gift for Brad. And while it seemed like Pipmon's crucial and her indirect efforts were ignored, she was happy for the Bearmon's unusual present, but it also left her confused. Rings that were for his future digivolution... "But what purpose do they serve? When he digivolves, he'd have some of his own, not?" She asked the Antylamon, hoping the explanation would be simpler than whatever had just happened.

As Gallantmon was departing Katsura looked at the crest, she wasn't sure if she deserved to have it after everything that just happen but she couldn't get herself to return it. With a deep sigh she put it over her neck as Brad was approaching them. The second Brad came near Katsura she lashed out and gave him a large hug and so anyone else who afterwards would dare to to come near her at this point.
"Thank you, thank you all"
Meanwhile Nyao was starting to get over the way Gallantmon had treated them both, as brutal as he was now they both understood what was going on. Finally at pace Nyao scathed off the leaves and removed her holy ring to hand it over to Antylamon entrusting her that the ring will be repaired.
"Sorry about earlier" Nyao said to Antylamon, still rather ashamed of her past behavior. 

By the time Katsura was done hugging everyone who came near her, Nyao jumped up in Katsura's arms to carried out of the throne room significantly weaker and yet full of hope and energy.
As for Katsura, she was starting to get really attached to the digital world even with all its flaws it was clear to her that this world was in many ways a nicer place to be. Katsura had no idea that anyone could be so friendly and for the first time in a long while someone helped her out without any scams on her part. This fact gave her hope that maybe she doesn't have to scam to get people to like her.

Once the ordeal had been overcome, Katsura showered everyone who came near in hugs out of gratitude. Despite the confusion, bewilderment and exasperation that had come with Gallantmon, Cion appreciated this act of gratefulness and amity dearly, gentle stroking the side of her shoulder as part of her response. "Sure... ööhm, no sweat." The Arnamon spoke with a gentle tone of uncertainty. Of course it had been mentally strenuous and disconcerting, but since it was over now they could take all the time in the digital world to recover from the experience. And her general opinon about Katsura in the end... well, she was confident they'd get the time to grow fond of another; the same went for Nyao of course.

It seemed Brad was just as confused about the gifted holy rings that would eventually be part of his digivolution as Cion was. Though to her delight, he was more concerned about her not receiving any reward for her small contribution to the whole endeavor. She blushed a little and grinned, happy by such display of courtesy by the Bearmon. "Oh how polite of you, Brad. To be fair, I think I did the least, except emotional support of course. If anyone deserves a token of appreciation, it should be Pipmon, not?" She spoke to both the Bearmon and Antylamon with a joyous tone to her voice.

She honestly did not care much about receiving a gift, since seeing Katsura and Nyao happy and everyone serene was what truly made her sunshiny. That was how she wanted the world to be, and while only a small part of this little adventure, she nonetheless had contributed to making the world just an itty-bitty better. And every single bit counted, as they would one day amass to a substantial amount.

The Grumblemons left again by the order of Antylamon, who took the time to answer her and Brad's question about the purpose of the gifted holy rings. It explained they were not only for show, but that they contained data of powerful holy digimons that might give the wielder an edge in times of need. "That indeed sounds nifty!" The Arnamon commented with a smile towards Brad. She did not know if he was much of a fighter like Owen, but who knows maybe he'd join their big cuddly family and occupation which meant many struggles awaiting them. She'd be happy to have him by his side, both because he was a delightful friend to have around and to get a better feeling for a sense of friendship and family. Maybe she'd talk with him about it later.

Antylamon tore her out of her thoughts, both their gazes meeting as she mentioned Cion's possible dislike towards her. "Well I was shocked about how you treated Meteormon. Though it seems it's just your common shtick, so everything's cool on my part." Cion explained herself, offering the Antylamon the same calm, winning smile as everyone she offered amicability. "When we meet again, I'd be happy be to visit you." She self-confidently displayed her open-mindedness. The last thing she wanted was to antagonize someone who seemed so amiable, even if it seemed rather sudden.

The box meant for her opened, and what was inside truly fascinated the little rookie digimon. A chrome-plated chain at which a sparkling blue amulet in form of a brave shield was attached to. "Woah. This is beautiful! And it's truly for me? ... Woah..." She gushed, sparks twinkling in her eyes as she beheld the radiant necklace. She was so amazed that she was not even going to question how Antylamon possibly knew her next stage in her digivolution-line or her abilties... even before the Arnamon knew it herself. She was a unique digimon after all!

All she truly heard was that it would hopefully improve her ability to defend herself and those she sought to protect. And even if it was just a trinket, the thought alone fueled the flame of devotion within her core. "Thank you so much." Cion spoke somewhat quietly, not hesitating to take the pendant to put it around her neck. She pulled it through the opening of her green scarf, so that almost only the blue gemstone could be seen on her chest. "I will be as good as a protector as I can be." She spoke with utmost confidence and dedication in her voice. If not for anyone else, this statement was for herself.

She bowed to Antylamon as well before she left to approach Pipmon, who would apparently receive a gift of his own as well. She was so glad for the rodent-digimon, because if anyone deserved acknowledgement for one's contribution it was this very, nameless Pipmon. It was another holy ring, and the Pipmon seemed to know what purpose it might one day serve. Suffice to say the Arnamon was pleased to know the small digimon knew exactly where his destiny would lead him to, something she could not say about her own just yet.

And with all the formatlities out of the way, it was time for them to rest and Antylamon to get working on the ring. Nodding to it, Cion turned to Brad and grinned, hoping he'd like her green scarf and blue gemstone combination. "Now do I look gorgeous or what?" She asked him with her typical cordial if impish way of expressing herself.

The last one to get a hug from was Nyao, it seemed like everything was about to turn out well for the duo. With Nyao back in the arms, Katsura watched with hidden pride how everyone else was getting a present as well, had Katsura been in the position to give such gifts she would have done the same at least. Katsura had selectivity forgotten how everyone had told her that they didn't want anything.

(I don't think, I could ever repay them)
Katsura thought as she heard her friend bickering whether Pipmon should have a present too. To Katsura the answer was clear. As she turned to Antylamon, "Antylamon, If it isn't too much to ask. Do you think you could work something out for Pipmon? If it wasn't for him neither of us would be here." Nyao nodded confirmedly. Truly Katsura was coming around to admiring Pipmon, while she initially thought of him as well... A rat he had proven to not only be smart but much braver than Katsura ever thought herself to be.

As she carried Nyao back to the waiting area she sat patiently and waited for Nyao's ring to be repaired. When Cion decides to join them, Katsura will turn to her.
"I think I could use a melody right now"

Huh, it seemed Brad was not much into fashion, despite how much he actually wore for a common digimon. But it did not matter, she love the blue, crystalline pendant she was given and whatever powers it granted she would make good use of, even if it was mere faith.

Now all that was left was for the ring to be repaired, something all of them patiently waited for. Nobody knew how long it would take, but by fame of Antylamon it might be shorter than one expected. As long as they could return to Colin & Co. in time, it did not matter much to her, as she enjoyed moments of tranquility as much as adventurous ones. When Katsura however requested a pice of music from her, she beamed and happily pulled out her crystalline ocarina. "I shall provide. A serenade for all of us." The Arnamon declared, taking a couple of moments to think about what she would improvise this time. Ultimately, this came to be... A Happy Ending

Eventually, long after Cion had ceased playing, Antylamon returned with great news, which of course was the repaired and upgraded ring of Nyao. An appropriate warning came that due to its holy nature, darkness from Katsura's and her partner's heart would forever erase it. While the idea behind it startled the Arnamon, she eventually shook her head and smiled at the young girl. "Don't worry! We have plenty of hugs and care on the light side." She jokingly assured the two of them that they were happy to be their friends, both in times of need and in times of serenity.

After everything was set and done, it seemed Brad wanted to return to the ship as quickly as possible, a sentiment Cion could sympathize with. "Sure, let's get going. I think of all us could need some rest now." She approved, readying herself to leave with whomever would join them, hoping the group would not split up though.