Forgotten Technologies - Prelude Pt.1 [Toki] [Armor Hunt]

Toki said that his form wasn't the best for ranged fighting, and would only be able to handle one of the turrets, unable to repeat his feat from earlier.

"That's fine, Ice Bear here can handle the other turret!" Nik called out to Toki. The tamer was still standing safely out of range, but could hear the blasts and commotion from the room easily.

"Ice Bear concurs." Brad replied with a grin. He got the reference, having lived with Nik on Earth for quite a while now. However, by now the turrets would be active and tracking targets. If they moved from cover, they would fire some nasty laser beams that would sting even champion levels quite badly.

"I have a shield." Bixby answered Toki. "And it can handle a few shots from these turrets, so whatever you have planned in mind, Brad, do it as quickly as possible."

"Will do." Brad answered, remembering that the turrets could target via motion sensors as well as heat detection. They would not be blind to him like the drones were. "Only expose yourself for a few seconds, Bixby, then get back behind cover. I'll handle it from another angle."

With that, Bixby nodded, then positioned his pod to prepare to draw the turret's fire. He took a deep breath to steel himself - he was a scientist after all, not a soldier, but he could help those that were. Then with a cry of "Bubble Shield!" he activated a spherical shield around his pod, then revealed himself to the turret's right. It locked on to him and began firing laser bullets.

"Hah! Nice try!" Bixby shouted back at the automatic machine as it attempted to blast him, but his shield deflected the beams. Meanwhile, Brad quickly moved to attack it from the left. Bixby's shield began to lose power and he quickly shot back behind cover. The turret turned to lock on to Brad instead, but it was too late.

"Slalom Strike!" Brad cried, easily evading the few blasts that the turret shot at him as he created an icy path on the floor where he quickly approached, skis forming on his boots, then, at the very end, he leapt and delivered a kick so strong that the turret was smashed from its mounting, fizzling on the floor.

Toki meanwhile was also successful in dealing with his turret, destroying it just as decisively.

"Whew. Okay. That's the security dealt with on this floor." Bixby declared. Following this, the Gomamon would hover over to a terminal to the side of the room. With the turrets and drones out of action, he'd be able to switch the main power on this level and disable its security alert without them firing on him. He managed to do so in a few moments, and soon, the room was just as illuminated as the top floor had been.

Nik looked around at the illuminated room, seeing all sorts of junk, bits and pieces scattered around. Although some resembled gun barrels and dangerous weapons, so he elected not to touch any of it.

"Right... that was the easy part." Bixby said to Nik, Brad and Toki, looking serious. "I can open the door to the lowest level just like last time, but security's top notch down there. There's... a digimon that was in stasis down there. Just like I was. Only he has standing orders to open fire upon and destroy anyone who enters without security clearance. I've only met him once... god it was horrible."

"Who is he?" Brad asked, the Kumamon returning his weapon to its harness on his back.

"I don't know his name, I just know that he's a Tankdramon." Bixby said. He looked between Brad and Toki. "However, if both of you can reach Ultimate level, you should be able to overpower him. However, human... I mean... Nik, you and I should hold back. One shot from him can finish us both off."

"Alright." Nik replied, then looked to Toki. "Do you wanna continue, bro?" he consulted his companion. Nik had never seen a Tankdramon before.

---

Toki succeeds in destroying Turret X.

Bixby distracts Turret Y, his Bubble Shield nullifying damage to himself.

Bubble Shield: Bixby's hover-pod creates an energy shield that either blocks 1 rookie attack, or reduces the damage from a Champion attack by 50% before destruction. In-Training and Baby attacks do not affect it. Lasts for 1 turn if it is not destroyed, then fades. [Cooldown: 2 turns]


Brad uses Slalom Strike to evade Turret Y's fire and destroys it.

Slalom Strike: Extends the skis on his boots, sliding at his opponent at high speed, allowing him to evade incoming attacks this turn a little easier. Then jumps and aims a kick at the foe. [Cooldown: 1 post]

Bixby made a smile to Toki when he revealed that he could evolve even further if the need arose. But he noted that Toki seemed to be uncomfortable about it.

Then Toki asked if there was any way to reason with the Tankdramon below. Bixby initially shook his head, but then hesitated. Maybe there was a way? But if there was, it would be very difficult to enact.

"There might be..." he began in a hesitant answer. "But... first we need to convince him that the DWR no longer exists, and we gotta do that with all his cannons firing. Then afterwards, even if we succeed in that, we'd have to convince him that he might have a new place in this new digital world... which not even I know about..." he looked between Toki, Nik and Brad. "If you guys don't want to destroy him, do you think you'd at least be able to do that?"

"...I think we can." Brad answered. "Digimon in the DWR knew very little about humans. Him seeing one in person might be just what we need to convince him of the new ways of the world."

"...and if he decides to shoot me?" Nik asked, a little more than worried.

"Nik. I can evolve to Perfect if the need arises. I can move fast enough to stop him." Brad replied. "I just hope he's as reasonable as you, Bixby."

"He isn't, but, if you make it clear enough to him, he may power down once he figures out his standing orders no longer apply." Bixby answered. With all that settled, they looked to Toki.

"So, Toki, bro... think we're ready to continue?" Nik asked, cautiously.

While this was happening, Nik and Brad watched in silence as Toki worked out whatever was happening inside. They understood that his dealings with his spirits was different to their relationship as digimon and human, so they gave him the space that he needed here.

But, it seemed whatever needed to be worked out was worked out, and Toki slide-evolved to a form that would hopefully be better to deal with the Tankdramon ahead.

And what an impressive form it was too. "Wow..." Nik breathed in wonder at the near divine presence of ZenCherubimon. Brad and Bixby felt the same, recognizing his power as strong enough to confront whatever was down here.

For a moment, Nik considered evolving Brad to Ultimate level pre-emptively, but decided against it. If Toki's overtures of peace were to be successful, it might be better if his partner was a mere Armor Champion rather than an Ultimate.

And so, they followed Toki to the lowest level of the facility. As Bixby stated, facing them, was a giant Tankdramon. 15 feet high, yet still able to move under the 20ft roof. The area of the floor was 100ft by length and width, with many in situ experiments still present. As they revealed themselves, Tankdramon raised his guns at Toki, ready to carry out his orders.

"Identify yourself and prove your security clearance." he said in a near robotic, furious voice. "You have five seconds to comply."

What Toki said in response was enough to give him pause here. Tankdramon's standing orders still stood, but... he saw that the unknown digimon was accompanied by others. One he recognized as a junior scientist here. The other... was... this a human?!

Tankdramon had enough of his sentience to respond to Toki. His gun barrels still raised, he asked further. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, narrowing his eyes, wanting a clear answer.

Tankdramon didn't move as he listened to Toki's words. "The DWR... is gone?" he asked, sounding a little shocked by that. He lowered his gun barrels a little as he absorbed the enormity of that. His former life... everyone he knew, all gone. Other than this scientist. He turned to Bixby.

"Is this true?" he asked.

"It is." Bixby replied. "I have a Sergeant of the 7/71st Recon Battalion to confirm." he turned to Brad. "Right, pal?"

"Yes. Sergeant Braddon, military ID number MX774121." Brad stated. Tankdramon paused, seemingly confirming this with his internal records, and when they came up as positive, it seemed that he was brought out of a trance. He blinked, and seemed to have changed modes completely.

"I... I don't remember much of my past." he began. "I... began as a Commandramon, but... DWR scientists did something to me... enhanced my combat abilities... at the cost of my self-awareness. From what you tell me... my mission - defend this facility for the DWR... is all for naught?"

"No, it's not for nothing!" Brad told him. "You had a job and you completed your mission! You can go home now!"

"I... defended this facility... with my life... for the return of humans." Tankdramon continued, his voice growing somewhat unstable. Bixby hovered back a few feet in fear. "I ask myself... was it worth it?!" suddenly he seemed to grow angry.

"You stopped this technology falling in the wrong hands..." Brad attempted to reason, but Tankdramon seemed to be going down a path of rage.

"I was told... humans would be the salvation of the DWR!" he shouted, raising his gun barrels again. "And I see two before me - one cowering behind cover, the other wearing another digimon's spirit like a cloak! These are humans?!" it seemed that he was now steeling himself for battle. "Prove it to me. Prove to me that you humans are worthy of what lays in this facility!"

Bixby bit his lip, but Brad braced himself. He turned to Toki.

"Looks like he wants to throw down." the Kumamon stated, then turned back. "Well then. Tankdramon, we attempted to do this peacefully. Is this how you want things to go down?"

"It is, Sergeant Braddon!" Tankdramon replied, but not in a tone that implied he was out of control. "I issue you a challenge, humans! Prove to me that you're worthy of what lies in this lab, only then will I let you pass!"

That reassured Brad somewhat, that this wasn't going to be a battle to the death, they just simply had to convince Tankdramon that they were strong enough.

"If that's your challenge, we accept!" Nik shouted from behind him, then activated his digivice. In a burst of light, Brad transformed. His body grew in size, turning pink and white. His paws were replaced with blades, and long purple hair rolled from his head. The Kumamon had digivolved to his Ultimate level form - Kyukimon.

"Instant digivolution... yes...!" Tankdramon remarked, seemingly intrigued. "This is what humans can do! Now! Prove to me your power! Else I'll destroy you!"

He did not fire though. He seemed to be inviting them to deliver the first shot. At this, Bixby sighed, speaking to the group.

"He's conditioned for combat... I never thought that talking would get through to him." he admitted.

"But we don't have to kill him." Nik reasoned. "So go ahead, Brad! Show him what a chosen partner digimon can do!"

Brad knew this wasn't what Toki wanted, but, he trusted Nik's word on this. If he only had to fight to prove his power, or to at least disable Tankdramon, he'd do so. But he would refuse to fight to the death over this.

"Double Crescent Blade!" Brad cried, whipping his body around once to build up momentum, then sent twin blades of energy at Tankdramon, aiming for his unarmored spots. The attacks left their marks, and made Tankdramon gasp with pain. His grin was somewhat terrifying.

"Yes...! This is the kind of power the DWR needed!" he exclaimed. "If only you humans had arrived on time... we'd still exist!" he then turned to Toki. "Now you, Spirit user, show me what you have!"

---

Brad evolves to Kyukimon and reluctantly uses Double Crescent Blade on Tankdramon as challenged.

Double Crescent Blade - Rotates momentarily, his claws crossed, then slashes forth two blades of wind energy that track toward their target. [Cooldown: 1 post]


Tankdramon does not retaliate, and awaits Toki's move.

What Toki said was true. Tankdramon saw the spirit-wielder as little more than a pretender. Sure, in his time of the digital world, spirit-wielders were nothing more than legends. And he was skeptical that they actually held any significant power.

That all changed when Toki used his Starlight Gaze technique. At once, not only Tankdramon, but Brad, Nik and Bixby knew that he was the real deal here with what digital power he possessed. Tankdramon had not felt a power this strong since his days of training. For a moment, and only one, he trembled. Feeling a power superior to his own was something he hadn't felt in over a hundred years, but, it was not enough to make him yield. He forced himself to resume his position.

"Noble words translating to noble deeds is easier said than done!" he countered. "I was trained as one of the elite soldiers of the DWR! If you cannot overcome me, you cannot overcome the threats that face us in our world!"

"The DWR is dead!" Brad countered immediately. "Don't you see?! You're fighting a war that nobody remembers or cares about. The world has moved on! Please, accept this! We don't want any more digimon hurt by this!"

"Words are wind!" Tankdramon snarled back, and to Brad's horror, twin gatling guns emerged from his hull, pointing directly at himself and Toki. The guns spun into action and sprayed a burst of bullets at them both. Nik and Bixby took cover, but Brad was caught out in the open. He was struck several times by the bullets before he could find cover of his own. Seething with pain, but not quite dead yet, Brad turned to Toki.

"I've got a technique that might be able to take him out of the battle." the Kyukimon said. "But to pull it off, I'd need you to distract him. I can heal you now if you need it, but after that, my plan involves you making a frontal attack on him so I can strike. Does that sound okay by you?"

If so, Brad would heal Toki with his Life Cross technique, then rely on his distraction to close in on Tankdramon to take him out of the fight, preferably not to the extent of destruction.

---

Tankdramon is struck by Starlight Gaze and feels its effects. [1/2 turns].

Tankdramon uses Blast Gatling on Toki and Brad. Brad is hit.

Blast Gatling - Raises his gatling guns from his chassis and burst-fires them on all opponents within 100 yards. [Cooldown: 1 turn].


Brad offers to heal Toki with Life Cross if he has taken damage, then moves to a better position to strike.

Life Cross - The cross on Brad's forehead glows, then sends a burst of healing light over himself or an ally. Heals moderate damage. [Cooldown: 1 post]


Double Crescent Blade cooldown: 1/1 (ready)

Brad was glad that Toki agreed to this. It would allow him to initiate his strike. He watched in awe as he slide evolved to Stefilmon, and then attacked head-on.

Tankdramon knew that the damage was coming, so he aimed to defend himself by emitting a blue shield around himself. But to his astonishment, Toki was able to shatter through it completely, forcing him to defend himself with his bare arms. He tried to fire his guns, but Toki had those locked down too. Grunting in pain, Tankdramon desperately sought a way to break out of this grapple, but he could not think of a way in time.

"Assassin's Scythe!"

Tankdramon heard the words after the pain had already been inflicted. He felt a pain beyond words across his chest as Brad had swiftly moved to his flank and slashed him from behind with his scythe appendage.

It was in that moment that he knew he was defeated. From the combined attacks of Brad and Toki, his old body had reached its end. Already, it was beginning to disintegrate into data.

"Alright... you win..." he said. "While I know you owe me nothing... my last request... please, just load enough of me so that I can return to the Village of Beginnings... with no memory of what my wretched life has turned into..."

Brad considered this, turning to Toki, then Bixby and Nik. Tankdramon had fought fair, and from what Bixby had told them, he didn't mean to be in this position. If he asked for this, then maybe they should grant him his last request?

"How do we know when to stop?" Brad asked, having never absorbed the data of another digimon before. He didn't want to mess this up and go too far.

---

Tankdramon attempts to shield himself from Toki's onslaught, but his shield is pierced and shattered.

Deflector Shield - Tankdramon emits a sphere of blue light around himself that will block 1 attack up to Perfect level for 1 turn. [Cooldown: 2 turns]


Brad uses Assassin's Scythe on Tankdramon.

Assassin's Scythe - If Brad is in combat with allies, and the enemy targets one of them for their turn, Brad can charge himself behind them and deal an attack that does 50% more damage. If not, this attack deals the strength of a basic Perfect level attack.


Tankdramon has received too much damage for him to continue to fight. He surrenders, and asks only to be partially absorbed.

Hearing Toki speak against this request, Brad listened carefully, thinking of what he had been raised to believe with what little memories he had as a soldier of the DWR. Namely that every digimon was entitled to 1 soul - their own. To load the data of another digimon, destroy their soul and add their power to their own was an abomination. That was something that Brad remembered clearly.

As he slowly died, Tankdramon listened to the words of the digimon that defeated him. "You are... very noble." Tankdramon replied, quietly. "You sound like an officer I once knew. She's long since dead... but I should have listened to her more, maybe I wouldn't have done so many things that I regret."

By now, that it seemed so close to being over, Nik and Bixby raised their heads from their cover, watching this sad scene unfold.

Brad listened to the advice given to him by Toki in loading another digimon. Don't touch the core, that he knew, but... the act itself just felt so... instinctively wrong to him. Like doing so would make his own soul soiled.

"I... don't want to do this." Brad admitted eventually, his voice trembling. "Tankdramon, I don't want to load any of your data. You fought honorably, you offer you soul in defeat... I'm going to decline it."

"W-what?" Tankdramon asked, his eyes widening in astonishment at this.

"I'm going to let your data reconfigure itself." Brad replied. "You may have your old memories, maybe not. But I'm not going to claim your power and your memories as my own. They're yours. And I want to grant you them so they can help you make amends for the sins of this life, and start anew."

"But... what if I go down this same path?" Tankdramon asked, his own voice quivering in fear at the thought.

"It's unlikely." Brad answered. "The digital world is a better place now. The path before you is in the Village of Beginnings, then Rosewood. There's enough good digimon in both to help you lead a good life now."

The Kyukimon paused for a moment here, thinking a thought deep inside, that eventually he felt the need to speak.

"Besides, there's not much of us DWR soldiers around anymore." he admitted. "If on the other side, you remember us, talk to Owen in Rosewood. He'll tell you more."

"So... you're sparing my data?" Tankdramon asked as his body was almost gone. "Very well... I too remember what the DWR said about one soul for every digimon. I thank you for this second chance, Sergeant Braddon. I hope we meet again."

With that, Tankdramon faded completely, his data rising from the room, his presence no longer solid. From here, his data would return to the Village of Beginnings, where he would begin anew. Following that, Brad turned to Toki.

"Thank you for saying that." the Kyukimon said, smiling. "At first I felt I had no choice, but, what you said really resonated with my beliefs. I think this is the best option for him."

With that, there was little else to do in the room. It seemed clear now, there were no further turrets or defenses. And after Brad made sure of it, he called his partner over.

"Nik, I think the digimental's clear for you now." he said. Nik stepped forward, Bixby hovering at his side, both of them silent from what they had witnessed here.

All Nik could say was "Thank you." to Toki and "Well done." to Brad, then proceeded toward the digimental.

As he did so, his D-Terminal glowed. Nik took it from his pocket, and held it forward toward the artifact. It too glowed and resonated with his energy, then was drawn through the air toward it.

"The digimental of Solidarity." Bixby declared. "Finally... a human's got it."

The digimental was absorbed into the D-Terminal. Nik felt at once its power, his hand trembling as he held the device, but it didn't drop. It felt warm. Given that it was now safe, Brad de-digivolved to his Rookie form.

"Now then, Brad. Want to test it?" Nik asked his partner.

"I think so, yeah." Brad replied, eager to see what new form it would give him.

Using his past knowledge of armor digivolving, Nik held the D-Terminal and his Digivice up, focusing on their power, and said "Digiarmor Energize!"

At once, Brad felt the power it gave him. He knew it was the real deal, and he felt his power grow again. "Bearmon armor digivolve to...!"

At once, his grey fur turned white. Appendages grew from his back. He grew even bigger than he was as a Gryzmon. Large axes formed in his paws, and he felt the chill of elemental ice coarse through his body.

"...Korikakumon!" he finished, revealing his new form as the digimon equivalent of the legendary Yeti.

"Whoa... really cool stuff, bro!" Nik said, excited at his partner's new form.

"Heh, thanks!" Brad replied. All in all, he was glad that they had achieved their goal without having to load  Tankdramon. "So then. How about we go home now?" he asked. "Toki, would you like to come too? We're happy to share a meal with you." he smiled at Bixby. "You too, pal."

"Well, I got nothing better to do here, so, sure, why not? You said the world's good now, so, now I wanna see it for myself." Bixby said. If there was nothing else, they and Toki would make their way out of the underground lab.