The Unicorn mare sat in silence amongst the plethora of books surrounding her. She wore gold Chrome Digizoid armor that covered her features from head to hooves, Only her dark indigo mane and tail were visible swaying to and fro as she quietly read, the mask covering her face possessing no features aside from two slits from which she looked out of.
In her lap lay a small, curled-up creature, sleeping soundly as the mare turned the pages in silence. The firelight of a nearby candelabra illuminated the flank of her armor, revealing the stylized eye with a hollowed-out ying-yang symbol emblazoned on the side.
Behind the mask, her Amethyst eyes betrayed no emotion as she scanned the pages of the book. She had read all these books before, over the course of many years in the castle. And yet, the only time she felt at peace was when she was reading. Sadly, that peace was not to last.
“Your highness, a thousand pardons-”
Before another word could be uttered, the mare raised her head, causing a wicked-looking halberd to embed itself microns from the trembling form of Gotsumon. She spoke with no emotion, and yet her fury could be felt.
“Why are you disturbing me? Choose your next words carefully.”
Barely able to keep its composure, the messenger of Queen Asmodaemon began to sweat profusely. Meanwhile, the furry creature on her lap opened one eye to watch the scene. Stammering the Gotsumon cried out.
“Princess Solara, Queen Asmodaemon a-asked me to get you!”
The book snapped shut with an audible thud as the mare slowly nodded.
“I see. Come, Gabumon-”
The furry mass on her lap yawned and uncurled, revealing a yellow animal Digimon wearing a blue wolf pelt made of Chrome Digizoid. Its brown eyes were soft and warm. Rising to its yellow paws, Gabumon stood at the ready.
“Let us see what mother wants.”
As Solara walked slowly out the door, the halberd suddenly wrenched itself free from the door frame and slashed at the unfortunate Gotsumon, leaving a gash across its body; data pouring out of the wound. With a scream, the Gotsumon disintegrated into nothing as Solara coldly spoke, her halberd now levitating by her side encased in a glowing light blue magic as she walked down the corridor.
“Next time, knock first.”
Queen Asmodaemon sat there in silence, staring at the various portals before her. Resembling CRT Televisions, each depicted various areas of the digital world. The Mega-level Digimon grinned; the world was hers. Suddenly, she frowned glancing at the portal depicting Agumon and Shining Armor once more. No, not yet. That Agumon had caused her distress for years; its strong, seemingly unbreakable will, had been the source of much aggravation to the self-proclaimed ruler. Just like her companions, but I ground them beneath my claws, just as I will her.
Asmodaemon sat there, recalling with glee the captures of each of the Digi-Destined and how their Digimon had been erased one by one by her own claws. They never saw her coming, did they? The fools, betrayed by one of their own. Slowly rising to her talons, her tail swished from side to side as she approached a row of containers along the back wall. Filled with a glowing green liquid, within each housed the perfectly preserved form of a single pony.
Six mares of various fur colors, and mane styles, each branded with various runic markings. Their eyes were wide open and their chests heaved in and out as they breathed, bubbles exiting their mouths. But they didn’t move, blink, or make a sound as Asmodaemon ran a long talon almost lovingly across the surfaces of the sealed containers. Only two were empty.
She seemed to pause, considering the empty one that bore a crest of a hollowed ying-yang within a stylized eye, for just a moment, before moving on to the empty one that bore Shining Armor’s cutie mark.
“Soon Digi-Destined of Courage, you too, will belong to me. Isn’t that right, my precious playthings?”
“Am I interrupting your playtime, mother?”
Turning slightly to address the speak, Asmodaemon laughed.
“Ah Solara, my daughter. No, mommy is just so very excited. The final toy for my collection has revealed itself.-”
Whirling around to face Solara, the massive dragon grinned hungrily, its eyes flashing in anticipation.
“And I want you to fetch it for me.”
Glancing over at the televisions, Solara was silent for a moment. Her lips pursed in a grim smile as she stared at Shining Armor. So, you finally came. But you’re too late.
“And what about his Digimon?”
Waving a clawed hand dismissively, Asmodaemon said sharply.
“Erase it, like the others. I have no need for such accessories.”
Solara turned on her hooves, she would not question the command; if that’s what Asmodaemon wanted, that’s what would happen. As she strode away, she replied.
“As you wish. Come Gabumon. Let’s go pay Shining Armor a visit.”
The world belongs to her. Everything belongs to her, I belong to her.
Her eyes narrowed underneath her mask.
And soon you will, too.
With a groan, Shining Armor opened his eyes. Ungh how long was I asleep and where am I? That’s when he remembered the orange creature from before. He glanced towards the door on the other side of the room. Slowly, he tried to move his leg, only to find it bent quite easily and painlessly. Climbing out of the bed, Shining made his way over to the door before flinging it open, to reveal a grim scene.
All around lay piles of rubble and destroyed buildings, scattered across a crater of scorched earth. Everyway he looked, pink round creatures, resembling disembodied heads, rushed around in silence; the black rings around each’s midriff pulsing with mysterious red runes.
Suddenly one of the pink heads bumped into him, and as he leaned down to utter an apology for being in its way, it raced off as though nothing had even happened.
“Don’t bother with them. They can’t hear you.”
Turning, Shining Armor watched the orange creature from before approaching him.
“Oh, um it’s you-”
“Agumon.”
“Oh, right. Sorry, but what do you mean they can’t hear me?”
Gesturing around at the scurrying Digimon, Agumon said in a sobering tone.
“See the rings on those Koromon? While wearing them Digimon can’t hear anything aside from her voice, think any thoughts aside from hers or do anything but what she wills. Just mindless slaves.”
Feeling his blood boil at such a sentiment, Shining Armor cried out.
“That’s horrible! Who would do such a thing?”
The single eye of Agumon narrowed in disgust as she spat out the name.
“The Digimon Princess, Solara.”
“Digi-mon Princess?”
Agumon kicked at the ground, scornfully stating.
“It’s Digimon, not Digi-mon. And yes, Solara. No one knows where she came from, but one day, a year ago, she appeared and announced that she was taking over in the name of her queen.”
Staring in dismay at the Koromon as they bustled along, Shining Armor spoke.
“Is there something we can do to remove those rings?”
Agumon shook her head in dismay.
“No. Nothing short of a Champion-level attack can break those.”
“Champion-level?”
“For reference, I’m a Rookie-level. If I was to Digivolve I could break those rings easily.”
Shining looked confused.
“Then why don’t you do that? You know, Digivolve?”
“I don’t know how.”
“Oh. Well, maybe I can help. Somehow. What do you know about this Digivolving thing?”
Agumon shrugged and looked down as if in thought.
“Just that it involves some kind of activity that makes me change shape and grow stronger.”
Shining put a hoof to his muzzle.
“I see. So some kind of training or exercise huh? Well, you are lucky I’m here to help.”
Looking dubiously at Shining, Agumon asked.
“How so?”
Smiling proudly, Shining armor revealed the source of his confidence.
“Back in Equestria I am a Royal Captain of the Guard, I train my subordinates night and day to be the best they can physically be. With me helping I’m sure we can get you Digivolving.”
Agumon just stared at him, her voice less scornful than normal.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Let’s get started, no time like the present.”
Agumon smiled, revealing several sharpened teeth in her jaw.
“Yeah. Let’s do it!”