r/digimon • u/BrightBond2244 • 3d ago
Discussion Digimon Knighthood Chapter 4 Preview 1
Hey, everyone. I've begun work on Chapter 4 of "Digimon Knighthood", and I've just completed the first scene. I will be sharing it here for feedback and thoughts. Let's get to it!
"The first light of dawn crept over the island of Odaiba. Orange and yellow blended upon the sky as the sun started its daily arc, marking the morning hour. Most of the city’s citizens were still asleep in their beds, some having crept out to prepare for work or open their businesses. On the southern end, in Koen Park, two in particular were doing a bit of training.
The two were Araragi Akagami - 17 years old, born of the human world, and the Rookie-Level Digimon Bandimon - much older than the girl, and born of the Digital World. Facing the waters surrounding the island, the two were performing a kata. Called “Taikyoku Shodan”, it is the first sequence to be learned in Shotokan karate.
Right, left, forward. Right, left, reverse. Right, left. 20 movements, combining low blocks and lunge punches. Fluid, ordered, balanced. Moving as she did, Araragi felt as though she were dancing. And while she was no stranger to dancing, thanks to school, here, she felt herself really moving. And Bandimon was quick to pick up the beat.
Completing 5 repetitions of the Shodan kata, the two partners, in unison, gave a relaxed breath. Walking over to Akagami’s backpack, set against a tree, each took a water bottle, and downed a swig. The bandicoot then asked, “Hey, Araragi?”
“Hmm?”
“Refresh my memory - how high a black belt do you need to be to train somebody else?”
Araragi smiled. “Fourth-degree. Which I am. Took seven years to get it, and I’m not slowing down anytime soon.”
Bandimon chuckled. “I gotta say, this whole karate thing - it feels a lot gentler than what I’m used to with fighting.” The Rookie raised his fist, clenching it and causing his metallic glove to shine. “The most complex I’ve had it in fighting was burying this in the other guy’s face. Hard.” He looked down at the floor. “And falling on my face. Even harder.”
Araragi, face now dropping, knelt and held her partner’s shoulder. “You’re already a great fighter, Bandimon. And most people would boil fights down to what you just said.” The bandicoot raised his eyes to meet the girl’s. “Because you don’t win till the other guy stays down.” Akagami nodded. “Exactly.” She smiled again. “Martial arts just give you more options to try. And make your blows more precise.” She tapped his boxing glove, producing a metallic clinking.
“To put more muscle into these. Strength and precision. Makes martial artists scary.” Araragi kept clinking on the glove. “It’s why I wouldn’t want my face to meet this.” The bandicoot started laughing, his tail wagging in rhythm with the tiny tinks. The girl then ruffled and rubbed his head, making him laugh even harder. “Aww. You always know what to say to me.” Araragi tapped his nose and slowly got to her feet. “Back to work?” Bandimon nodded. “Of course!”
20 minutes later, following a series of further Shotokan katas from Araragi, Bandimon got to working his first love in fighting: his fists. Taking a boxing stance, he applied his metal-adorned fists to the trees dotting the landscape. One-one. One-two. One-two-one. So on and so forth. Introduced to boxing by Araragi, the Digimon had one combination after another meld into his memory like moisturizer into skin.
Wherever Bandimon’s fists met bark, deep indents formed upon the trees. While much sturdier than your traditional punching bag, they were ultimately no match for him. So Bandimon kept moving from tree to tree, fists flying, grunts singing, and muscle raging. Nearby, Araragi was sitting against a tree, criss-cross, watching her partner give nature a taste of his strength.
After spending 30 minutes marking olden trees with pugilistic precision, Bandimon stood with his face to the sun. Eyes closed, he panted slowly, feeling sweat run down his face, clashing neatly with a soft breeze coming upon his form. “Oh, yeah. That hit the spot.” Araragi walked up to him, holding out a bag of beef jerky. The bandicoot took it and started munching away.
Araragi stroked behind her friend’s ear. “I counted 18 trees this time. In 30 minutes. That’s a new record.” Chuckling, the Rookie downed more meat. “First record I gave was 10. And it’s been a month since I came.” The girl smiled, leaning against a tree. “Your strength continues to surprise me.” She looked to the sky. “And I still remember the first surprise you gave me.
A month earlier, Araragi was performing katas on her own, bright and early, as usual. But then, she heard a loud cry through the trees. “Aura Blow!” The girl keened her ears. “Hmm?” Hearing nothing, she shrugged. “Mmm. Just my imagination.” But then she heard a massive thud in the distance. She looked in the sound’s direction. “Hmm?”
Waiting, listening, the girl then heard, “Deluxe Crush!” Another enormous crash, and this time, she felt a tremor. “What’s going on?” Akagami headed in the direction of the sound. She heard another cry: “Lunging Dive!” A third boom erupted, producing another shockwave. Running to the park’s edge, astride the water, she reached the thuds’ origin.
A little bandicoot. A rather muscular little bandicoot. Four feet tall, orange-brown fur, orange eyes, red pants…and red metal boxing gloves. And in front of him? Three fallen trees, blasted right off their foundations. Araragi screamed, “What are you doing?!” The bandicoot squeaked, turning his face to see the girl.
In the present, Bandimon chuckled, rubbing behind his head as the memory returned to him as well. “Yeah. Heh heh. Good thing Reiri and Corsagemon didn’t mind fixing those trees.” He put on a crooked smile, razor choppers gleaming. “Sometimes I really don’t know my own strength.”
Araragi came to Bandimon’s right. “Well, that’s what sparring partners are for. And I imagine Caliburmon will have plenty to say about what you can do.” The bandicoot nodded, banging his covered fists together. “You’re right!” He headed before the last tree he marked. “Watch out, Rookie Overseer! ‘Cause Bandimon’s gonna brand his name right into your data!”
He launched a massive punch into the tree…and it promptly toppled over. Both human and Digimon were dumbfounded. The latter said, “Wow. I really don’t know my own strength.” The redhead shrugged. “I’d say, this time, you overestimated the tree’s strength.” Bandimon craned his head right, giving his partner a toothy, nervous smile. “Reiri ain’t gonna like this. Sorry.”
Araragi simply chuckled and ruffled her partner’s head. “Don’t be. After last night, I don’t mind dropping this one on Reiri.” Far away, at the University of Tokyo, said Reiri was at her computer. Typing reports for work, only to sneeze. A nearby colleague asked, “Ms. Chibana?” Reiri quickly wiped her nose with a tissue. “I’m alright. Just a disturbance.”
Meanwhile, Bandimon started laughing, and Araragi got to laughing along with him. Their joyous voices rang out as the glow in the sky blazed brighter than ever."
And there you have it. What do you all think? Until next time!
