The Four Sovereigns had been defeated and suppressed by the Dark Masters, their authority over the rules of the Digital World stripped away. Even their Digi-Cores had gone dim. When Tai reformatted and recombined the Digital World, they used the last spark of the world's primal power still lodged within them to open a gate into an extradimensional refuge and led their followers inside. But when the reassembly finished and normalcy returned, they were stunned to find a world no longer their own. The Steel Empire had seized the foundation of their dominion—Primary Village—and had already rebuilt a new one.
After Tai arranged for every Digimon to be reborn, the influence the Four Sovereigns had painstakingly cultivated over so many years vanished overnight. In other words, they no longer had any support anywhere in the Digital World.
The world they had ruled for ages no longer belonged to them. Unwilling to sink into oblivion, the Four Sovereigns gathered their power with the intent to reclaim control.
Deep beneath the sea, in a trench at the ocean floor, the Four Sovereigns convened.
Azulongmon, embodiment of the Azure Dragon among the Four Sovereigns, stood at the pinnacle of all Dragon-type Digimon and was counted among the Four Great Dragons. It could unleash devastating thunderbolts. At standard scale, its body stretched well over three thousand kilometers. Like the other Four Sovereigns, it was a being of legend, said to possess strength on par with the gods. Among the Four Great Dragons—alongside Magnadramon, Goldramon, and Megidramon—Azulongmon was the most divinized. Yet for all its divinity, it did not lightly lend aid to humans or the weak. Unless a grave crisis occurred, it would not cooperate with anyone.
Its finisher was Blue Thunder (Sōrai), divine wrath transmuted into searing lightning that crashed down from the heavens.
Wind-Chain Lightning (Wind Electricity): converting lightning into shackling chains of thunder that bind an enemy's body and wrack it with agony.
Light of Azulongmon: lances of light fired from its body to immobilize foes.
Zhuqiaomon, guardian of the flaming lands to the south of File Island, could command scorching fire. Since mythic times it had descended again and again, its existence passing into legend, and encountering it was vanishingly rare. Even the power of an ordinary Mega-level foe could scarcely bring it down. Its strength stood at the apex among Digimon—truly a godlike being. Of the Four Sovereigns, Zhuqiaomon was the most hot-blooded; anything meaningless that drew near would be reduced to ash. Its finisher was Scarlet Flame, a vortex of fire rivaling a solar prominence.
Purgatory Claws: whipping up a colossal, flaming tornado with its wings to incinerate enemies over a vast area.
Fire of Ruin: an ultra–high temperature conflagration exhaled from its beak that burns all things to cinders.
Baihumon bore the attribute of steel and possessed the strongest defenses among the Four Sovereigns. It had lived since the age of myth, its overwhelming power widely believed to match that of gods. The youngest of the four, it nevertheless possessed the most formidable might. Its undying force was said to emanate from twelve Digi-Cores. Like the others, Baihumon was neutral and seldom formed partnerships with other Digimon.
Finishers:
Kongou: a wave of metallic particles spewed from its maw that corrodes every enemy it touches, ceasing only when the foe perishes.
Iron Claws: rending foes with adamantine talons.
Signature Techniques:
Bronze Cannon: a superheated energy wave blasted from its jaws; any Ultimate-level or lower Digimon struck is annihilated on the spot.
Iron Claws: slashing enemies with steel claws.
Spiked Tail Ring: a brutal lash with its iron-hard tail, powerful enough to swat foes flying.
Ebonwumon, a Holy Beast–type, commanded water in all its shifting forms. The eldest of the four, it possessed a kindly, gentle temperament. A legendary guardian of the planet, Ebonwumon watched over the northern waters of File Island and was said to have immortal life and transcendent strength. Like its peers, it was spoken of as a being whose power could rival the divine. Though mild by nature and loath to fight, it would not allow itself to be beaten, nor would it strike back without cause. A trait shared by all Four Sovereigns: four eyes, and twelve Digi-Cores floating externally about them—unlike ordinary Digimon, whose single Digi-Core is internal.
Finisher:
Illusion Mist: blanketing the surroundings in dense fog that unravels the enemy's mind.
Signature Techniques:
Black Hail: calling down a storm of massive hailstones.
Twin Dragon Wave: twin beams of overwhelming force from its two heads that reduce foes to ash.
Now, the four titanic Digimon filled the whole of that dark sea.
"We cannot sit and wait," Azulongmon began. "We must check the Steel Empire's advance—and take back dominion over the Digital World."
Baihumon hesitated. "But with our current power, we can't oppose them. The influence we labored so long to build—gone, crushed by the Steel Empire."
"What's there to discuss?" Zhuqiaomon snapped. "We fly at them and we'll see who's stronger soon enough."
"Wait," Ebonwumon interposed. "Why must we keep fighting the Steel Empire? The Digital World only just regained its peace—must we stoke war again? It was our own infighting that let the Dark Masters seal us away in the first place. Now that we're free, why not simply live in this world? Why start another war? Can't we coexist with the Steel Empire?"
Azulongmon turned a sidelong gaze on Ebonwumon. "You're being naïve. The Steel Empire won't let us be. Four Megas like us are too great a threat. To cement their rule, they'll come to exterminate us. Better to strike first than wait for the axe."
"They might not come at all," Ebonwumon pressed. "Must war be our only answer? Can't we choose peace?"
"Hmph." Zhuqiaomon's snort sizzled. "You're far too timid, Ebonwumon. I don't buy that some brat's so-called Steel Empire can surpass us. He needs to learn what true power is."
"Don't underestimate that child," Baihumon said gravely. "Don't forget—he defeated the Archdemon King. He also uncovered the Steel Empire's ruins. And in the old days, the Steel Empire could stand against Millenniummon."
Zhuqiaomon scoffed. "You think that brat can raise the Steel Empire to that height again? Back then they had Millenniummon's backing. I don't believe he can match that."
"We won't be careless," Azulongmon said, sweeping its gaze around the circle. "That child is no simple opponent. To face him, we go all out. Not a shred of slack."
Ebonwumon wavered. "Have you considered that if we charge into war and lose… there will be no room left to turn back?"
Azulongmon narrowed its eyes. "Then we find allies to raise our chances."
The other three looked to Azulongmon, waiting to hear whom it had in mind.
Azulongmon spoke a single name—and the others stiffened.
"Millenniummon."
"No." Ebonwumon was first to object. "Millenniummon is far too dangerous. That would be inviting a wolf into the house. The child may have taken control of the Digital World from us, but he doesn't seem intent on killing us—and he's maintained the world's stability. Millenniummon would slaughter us the instant it entered the Digital World—and then tear the world apart. I absolutely refuse this."
Baihumon and Zhuqiaomon said nothing, but their faces made their doubts plain.
"I know," Azulongmon rumbled on. "It's a last resort. I would use Millenniummon only to pin down the Steel Empire. I will not let it enter the Digital World."
"I still disagree," Ebonwumon said, shaking its head. "Millenniummon is too great a risk."
Silence fell again. Each of the Four Sovereigns sank into private thought, weighing fate and the road ahead.
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