d'Arcmon was not amused.
Finding her daughter's new domicile had proven to be not as difficult as she had thought. She just had to follow the little angels that returned from their 'missions', to relax and play in their personal playground which was Ai's 'temple'.
When d'Arcmon arrived, multiple children wondered if they had to turn her into a plaything as well, to show her how joyful the new world Ai had envisioned would be.
One glare from her angelic eyes convinced them that it was better not to trifle with an angel of a higher rank and thought of a place where she could wait for her daughter's return. After a short discussion (which really was nothing but a short session of bickering, shoving around and name-calling), a young girl brought her (with all due respect) to the 'pet room', which was what they called the quarters of all the parents that had 'joined' Ai's little cult.
And now, the proud angel warrior was sitting amongst several pets, toys and similar beings that used to be adult people and mature Digimon... all of them transformed to fit a new role.
She had to admit, the little Labramon had been very polite when it offered her a (saliva-covered) rubber bone. But she couldn't help but frown when she saw the doll-sized couple of merpeople that swum around in a big goldfish bowl, looking at her through the glass with sad eyes. And let's not mention the life-sized doll which still looked like the adult man it once was... only that it was dressed in a jester's outfit, complete with jingling bells on the cap. There was a huge key in its backside, and when she turned it around, the father-turned-windup doll had spoken in a monotone voice:
"Life-is-fun-without-adults! Let's-play-a-game! Long-live-Ai! Booyah!"
And similar things.
When she was about to cry out in frustration, the door to the room finally opened up, one of the ChibiAngewomons looked inside and smiled. "Ai is back!"
Finally, d'Arcmon was able to confront her only daughter...
She was lead into the throne room, where Ai was sitting with an upset expression on her face. She had just come back from the kindergarten and did not like MarineAngemon's behavior towards her. And the gall of that dragon-boy... she would have to take care of these troublemakers later on.
"State your business, mother dear!" she spoke harshly. "I am not in a pleasant mood today."
d'Arcmon did NOT want to hear this. She marched up to the big throne, and grabbed her daughter's arm.
All of the surrounding angels gasped at that display of impudence.
Ai was way too shocked by her mother's actions that she would have protested. This was the only reason why she didn't struggle when d'Arcmon roughly pulled her out of the room, and into one of the (currently empty) playrooms.
She slammed the door behind her and stared down at the little angel that was her daughter. "All right, I have seen many things in my life, but THAT... what is the meaning of this, young lady?"
Ai found her composure and glared at her parent. She crossed her arms and said in a snobbish voice: "You are fortunate that you are my mother, or else your actions would bring about a severe punishment. What were you thinking, degrading me in front of my disciples? The scandal! The shame!"
"Why are you speaking like this?" d'Arcmon demanded to know. "Where is the little girl I adored and cuddled? Which I brought to bed and read bedtime stories? Which always asked for an additional cookie from the cookie jar, and which always got into trouble when following Impmon and Mako on one of their pranks?"
"I have found my purpose, mother dearest!" Ai proclaimed. "I will bring about a new era of joy and peace, ruled by the children that had never been asked by their parents how they would like to live. Under my guidance, there will be no crimes, no wars, no hunger and no sorrow. Everyone will be happy and enjoy life to its fullest." She smiled. "Why work all day when you can play? Why argue with your neighbor when you could have so much fun with each other? Why digivolve to a higher level when In-Training and even Rookie forms look so much cuter? Why build huge houses when you could build playgrounds?"
d'Arcmon did her best to control her temper. "I agree that this world isn't a perfect one... but what is your alternative? Punish everyone that doesn't agree? Turn them into Digimon, animals, children or dolls if they don't comply?"
"I will show them that they are wrong," Ai insisted. "And if they can't see the truth, I'll force them to see it... it's not like I would hurt anyone."
"Of course you are hurting people!" d'Arcmon shouted. "Pain is not just caused by injuries or scratches you might get when falling down on the playing ground. People suffer when you take their children away, when you force them to do something against their will, or when the city is in turmoil because of your 'disciples'. The people are afraid because of what you've done, adults and children alike."
"Why would other children be afraid of us?" Ai frowned. "That won't do... I have to bring them here and make them believe."
"NO!" d'Arcmon forcefully slammed her hand down on a table standing next to her. "That's what I'm talking about: You can't just change everybody's mind! That's vile and unjust!"
Ai's frown deepened even more. "But I am showing them nothing but joy and fun... why should they be afraid of this?" She was confused. "Are you trying to trick me?"
"Ai, I am your mother! I love you and I would never do anything to harm you. But what you've done is wrong! You may still be a child, but since you carry the data of Lucemon, I'm afraid of what they could do to you. So, please, before it is too late: Stop this madness and come back home with me!"
"I won't!" Ai said, and her voice was resolute. "I won't stand what the adults are doing day by day. "I beseech you, mother, not to interfere with my plans. If you decide to do so... then you will be my enemy!"
d'Arcmon stayed silent. She didn't have anything else to say. She seemed calm, but within her, part of her heart appeared to be shattered under the words her child had just spoken.
"I see..." she whispered. "Then there is nothing I can do for you, my child..."
She turned around and left.
Staying behind, Ai wondered if she should stop her.
'If she stays home and leaves me in peace... maybe I won't have to change her,' Lucemon thought. 'But anyone who opposes my dream of happiness... will be eradicated.'
Unbeknown to her, a glowing emblem had appeared on her forehead, for a short time.
It was the symbol of Pride.
A few hours later, d'Arcmon was in another throne room... but one that was solely made of clouds. Deep beneath her feet, she could see the landscape of the Digital World.
The long body of her superior officer was curled up in front of her.
"I see," the white-furred dragon said in a soft voice. "You have my condolences, General..."
"My Lady Magnadramon, I am ready for anything you order me to do," d'Arcmon said, bowing down her head.
Magnadramon frowned. "You know what that entails, right? I wouldn't ask you to do it if you don't want to... I know what it's like to have children, I am a mother, too."
"Please... it is my wish to bring this to an end," d'Arcmon pleaded. "I am aware of the consequences."
The white dragon sighed. "Very well, if that is your wish... then we have no choice left. Only angelic Digimon powers can undo their charms, and with Lucemon's ability to change any child into an angel, the Champions and their children won't be able to do anything without our help."
Magnadramon rose to her feet. In a sudden display of power, her mane and wings fluttered around in the waves of power her body radiated. Her eyes started to glow golden, and she extended her claws. She hated to take on the role of an aggressor... but she would do what the circumstances forced her to do.
"Prepare the Heavenly Fleet, General!" she roared in a thundering voice. "Provide all ships with rays of pure, holy light... this will dispel any enchantment Ai has placed on somebody, may it be human or Digimon. Non-enchanted people won't be harmed by them... so feel free to cover the whole city with light! The troops shall arm themselves... I doubt Lucemon will go down without a fight."
d'Arcmon stood up to her feet and saluted. "As you command, my lady!"
Only one hour later, the sky of the Digital World was covered with the biggest fleet of airships ever seen in history. Even though they were streamlined and provided with radar, high-tech weapons and all kinds of other technological equipment, every ship looked like it was made of marble. Pillars like those of a Grecian temple were aligning the command bridges, and archs of a cloudy substance were floating over the cannons, which sparkled with silver.
All kinds of angelic Digimon were manning the airships. Angemons, Angewomons, Piddomons, MagnaAngemons, Valkyrimons, Gryphonmons, Pegasusmons, Nefertimons, any many others, were preparing for the huge battle, loaded the cannons, accompanied the battleships as the flying infantry, or zoomed in-between she ships as couriers and messengers.
d'Arcmon stood on the bridge of the most massive airship there was, the MAGNADRAMON'S GLORY.
She pointed ahead. "All ships, full power! Activate the digital gate... we will enter the human world in 15 minutes. Prepare for battle instructions... CHARGE!"
And the Heavenly Fleet of the Digimon moved out to save their human allies from the most dangerous Demon Lord in existence... Lucemon!
'I wished we would never have to use this fleet...' Magnadramon thought to herself while watching her brave angels leave. 'But the chaotic force of this game forces us to do this...' She looked up in a certain direction where she knew that somebody was watching her. "Thank you!" she whispered.
Kei sighed when she leaned back in her chair.
HolyCalumon smiled. "See? She knows what you did and she still doesn't blame you. I mean, you even made sure that those holy ray cannons would not harm normal humans or Digimon... maybe you just saved the world!"
"Even so, do you realize what I just did, Holy?" Kei murmured. "I've started a WAR! How can I justify this... ever? And against children, too!"
She then felt her brother's firm hand on her shoulder.
"A soldier has to make difficult decisions, Kei," he said. "And for all it's worth... you did a great job! You have been burdened with this task, and maybe you have just given us the advantage we need. Let BioCalumon come up with something against this..."
"You are right," Kei sighed. "Still, why do I have this bad feeling something horrible is about to happen...?"
"Well... maybe you should start and design the Air Fleet Level," Holy spoke up. "This is still an RPG, and the heroes will have to fight, too. When Lucemon's troops attack the airships, they will need help... after all, the rules of every RPG say that NPCs are generally expendable... and we don't want to make any unnecessary sacrifices, do we?"
"No, you're right," Kei nodded. "All right, let's see... Rookie and Champion enemies that have been Digimon before and forced to serve Ai and her regime... or even better, inanimate objects that she has turned into expendable slaves..."
"Don't forget to put item chests in places the heroes can easily reach," Stingmon smirked. "And fill them with the best healing items and equipment."
Kei smirked back. "You're getting the hang of this, aren't you?"
Suddenly Eiko came into the room, covered with mashed carrots.
"Kei... can't you take over? Your Mom is kinda getting fidgety every time I want to feed her..."
Kei and Stingmon tried very hard not to grin. The LadyVampimon looked too funny with the mashed carrots smeared in her hair, and an expression of pure dismay on her face.
Eiko grimaced. "Oh, yuck! Some of this stuff has slipped in-between my boobies, and I can't find it... Stingmon, you wanna help me?"
Stingmon suddenly wondered if it was possible for insect Digimon to develop a nosebleed.
BioCalumon chuckled when he pictured the images of the Heavenly Fleet in his mind. "Well played, plant-girl, well played... but do you honestly think I wouldn't be prepared for ANYTHING you throw at me? You want a fight? You got a fight... but a fight on MY terms!"
He turned to his little, floating Mokumon helper. "Say, dear little Yui... don't you want to do me a favor and inform Ai of this? You don't have to tell her that I sent you..."
Mokumon nodded and quickly flew away.
Bio snickered. "A fleet of airships, not bad... most RPGs only have one airship, with the heroes on board... but sure, I understand: Quantity over quality, that's your motto, right? Well then... be prepared to face the true meaning of terror... when LUCEMON emerges!"
And he cackled evilly to himself, which lasted thirty minutes. And then he laughed another ten minutes, just for fun.
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:47)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.