13th Royal Knight

It was a quiet night in Canterlot. Only a few bars and nightclubs were still open serving those who lived or were visiting the capital of Equestria. Princess Luna held her night court to hear the issues of her citizens, mainly bat ponies, who came to speak with her. She recorded anything of note for her sister to investigate in the morning. While she listened, she also monitored the realm of dreams to ensure everyone who slumbered in Equestria slept peacefully. Rarely did she need to enter the realm and dispel a nightmare, but she was ready when she needed to do so.

Bat ponies patrolled the castle ensuring it was safe for the slumbering Princess Celestia and their princess of the night. A few flew through the skies over Canterlot, monitoring the streets for any disturbances or anything unusual. The patrols had to be increased since several break-ins occurred at night for the past few days. The target of the break-ins were grocery and convenience stores. The culprit only seemed interested in stealing the food. Princess Luna had requested far more patrols to be sent around Canterlot to watch the streets around the grocery and convenience stores to catch the criminal in the act.

A figure watched as a patrol of two bat ponies flew overhead. The figure was a quadruped dragon-like creature with white metallic armored skin. A red cloak and hood with goggles sowed into the hood covered his body. Three sharp dark blue claws were on the end of each of its legs. A single black horn vetted out from the front of his face. The figure went by Hackmon, the 13th and finalRoyal Knight of the Digital World.

He watched as the patrol left the area before making his move. Hackmon stayed in the areas with the heaviest cover to hide from the patrolling bat ponies. He only moved when he was sure the area had no patrols. Damn, it looks like they have increased their patrols since I first started stealing. I know Master would be very displeased with me if he learned of what I was doing. But I need to get food for young the Digimon in the village. Hackmon continued until he arrived at his target, a grocery store. He looked to the sky seeing if another patrol was overhead. I need to move quickly before the next patrol comes. He reached the back of the store and spotted the rear door lock. He once more turned his attention to the sky. It seemed to be clear for the time being.

Hackmon used one of his claws from his right leg to break the lock. He continued to work, but something was up, he couldn't break it. Then he felt a sharp sensation shoot up his claw. He pulled it back and waved his leg back and forth attempting to relieve the pain. Damn, what was that? Was the lock booby-trapped? I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Hackmon looked to the sky to see no patrol. I should check the front. Hackmon knew that could be dangerous and expose him, but he knew the village needed the food. He took another glance at the sky and saw nothing. I would estimate I have only a few minutes before the next patrol comes over. Hackmon ran to the front of the store and looked for the lock, eventually finding it. He once more stuck a claw from his right leg into the lock.

But unknown to Hackmon two bat ponies were watching the store. Private Night Caller was a male thretral that stood at 5'8'' with a midnight blue mane and tail. His fur color was a dark navy blue. A single light blue stripe ran down his mane. His cutie mark was of a mace sitting over a crescent moon. A mace sat attached to his hip as his weapon of choice. Next to him was a greenhorn thretral named, Crimson Star. He was fresh from the academy and today was his first big night out. He stood at 5'7" with a crimson red mane and tail. His fur was a pastel blue. His cutie mark was of three red stars. His weapon of choice was a long sword with magic runes that allowed him to ignite the sword in a blaze of fire. Both wore black armor with the crescent moon in the center of it. The standard armor of all guards who served the night.

"I still do not understand why we are watching a grocery store?" Asked Crimson

"If you read the report that the general gave, our culprit only hits stores that sell food. As per our orders from Princess Luna, we are to watch all grocery and convenience stores for the culprit." Said Night

"But how do we know they will hit this store?" Asked Crimson

"We don't, but that does not mean they will target this business next. Whether they do or not, it is our job to bring in this culprit." Said Night

Crimson sighed, "Not what I was expecting when I enrolled in the academy."

Night chuckled a little, "what were you expecting when you enrolled for the academy? You live in Equestria, a nation that hasn't seen a conflict that requires us guards for more than a century."

"Well, I thought I would be patrolling Equestria. Seeing the country and being praised by locals. Who knows maybe getting a little lucky with the local mares. I didn't think I would be bored senseless watching a building." Said Crimson

Night laughed, "Yeah, this career can get quite dull from time to time. But no worries, rookie, you'll get your wish soon enough. But for now, our orders are clear. We are to monitor the store, catch the culprit in the act, and bring him in for questioning."

Crimson sighed as he sat bored staring at the business. Neither was sure how much time had passed, but soon enough they both watched as Hackmon appeared at the front of the store Night smiled, "Looks like princess's plan was a success." Luna had ordered her guards watching over the stores to curse the rear door lock, the door the culprit used, forcing the culprit out into the open. But, she also requested that the front door lock be cursed as well. This was accomplished by runes on the opposite side of the lock. Only the business owner's key or the princess's magic could disable the rune. This completely ensured that if the culprit did escape, they would not be able to rob any grocery or convenience store.

"Now what?" Asked Crimson

Night didn't say a word but gestured for Crimson to follow and stay quiet. The two moved quietly across the rooftops keeping their eyes on the culprit, who was struggling to break the lock. Night smiled as he and Crimson approached. They stopped one building away from the culprit.

"What is it?" Whispered Crimson

"I am not sure, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that we bring it in. You will confront the culprit and I will sneak behind it and knock it out." Said Night

Crimson nodded his head as he watched the private fly off to get behind the creature. Crimson stared down at the creature who was waving his leg back and forth. Before jumping he took note of the culprit. His eyes looked at the three sharp claws that sat at the end of each leg and the horn at the front of its head. Need to be careful of those. Look like they could tear through my armor easily. Noting that looked to be the only weapons on the culprit, he jumped into action.

Hackmon shook off the feeling in his leg as he had encountered the same pain as with the rear lock. Damn, another booby-trapped lock. What else could go wrong tonight? "Halt criminal scum!" Hackmon turned his head to see Crimson landing before him. I had to speak into existence.

"By the order of Princess Luna, di-monarchy of Equestria, you are under arrest." Said Crimson

Hackmon growled as he began to back up. Crimson, readied himself for the creature to either run or attack. He flexed his right hand, ready to pull his sword to defend himself, if need be. His eyes quickly darted up to the building behind the creature. He spotted Night readying his mace. He then turned his sight down to the creature to ensure it wouldn't catch on to the plan.

"I would come quietly if you know what's good for you." Said Crimson

I need to get out of here. But I need to make sure I don't lead him back to the village. Hackmon was about to run when he saw the bat pony smile at him, causing him to raise his eyebrow. Before Hackmon knew it, something hit him hard in the back of the head. He suddenly felt woozy and his vision was beginning to go blurry. Fuck! He fell face first into the ground as he closed his eyes and fell into a state of unconsciousness.

Night placed his mace back on his hip as he looked at the creature. He gave Crimson a thumbs-up before picking up the creature. He then stretched out his wings and began to take flight. Crimson followed suit as the both of them flew back to the castle. Once inside, they reported to Princess Luna, who ordered the creature to be restrained in the dungeon. She would have her sister deal with it in the morning. The two of them acknowledged the order from the princess and took the creature to the dungeon where it would wait to meet with Princess Celestia for questioning.

***

Hackmon groaned as his body began to awaken. He growled as he felt a throbbing pain running through his head. What happened? He tried to move his right leg to rub his head in an attempt to soothe the pain but felt it was impossible to move it past a certain point. He moved his head to see what was holding him back. His vision was still hazy, but he could make out the shapes of chains straining his leg. He blinked and shook his head to clear the clouds in his vision. When his vision was back to normal, he saw that both of his front legs were chained up. The length of the chain was short, which limited his mobility. It also meant he couldn't use his claws to pick the locks of the chains. Not that he thought he could, because he believed they were also booby-trapped. He then looked around to see he was in a cave with iron bars before him. Damn it! I need to get out of here! Hackmon attempted to pull the chains to break them, but he wasn't strong enough to do it. He huffed as he felt his stomach growl with hunger. He ignored his stomach and continued to try to break the chains. But he didn't have the strength to do it as his stomach let out another growl. He also felt that even at full strength, he wouldn't be able to break the chains. He bashed his front legs into the ground in frustration. That's when he heard a door opening and closing.

He stayed quiet as he heard the sounds of hoof steps on the concert floor coming near his cell. He waited until Princess Celestia appeared before him. In one hand was a metal bowl with what looked to be two loaves of bread and an apple. In the other was a cup. Hackmon raised his eyebrow at who this stranger was and why she was bringing him food and drink. He watched as her horn ignited with a warm yellow glow. He was expecting her to shout out her attack and blast him as he was completely defenseless. But instead, he saw the same glow appear on the chains straining his front legs.

He watched as each chain unlocked itself and fell with a loud clatter as each hit the stone floor. He rubbed the area where the chains were attached to his legs before rubbing his head. He then watched as the glow enveloped the bowl and cup. Instantly they disappeared in a flash of white light before appearing before him. It started with Hackmon, who looked at where it once was to now where it is. He continued this attempting to understand what had just happened. The princess giggled a little at Hackmon's antics. He shook his head as he stared at the food. He approached it with caution as he still was unaware of the stranger's intent. He sniffed the food seeing if he could pick anything up from the smell. I wonder if she poisoned it? I doubt they would have a poison that would hurt me. But still, I shouldn't eat it. Hackmon stared at the food and drink. But when's the last time I ate?

Most of the food Hackmon stole, he gave to the Digimon of the village. He preferred their stomachs to be full than his. His stomach answered his mental question as it echoed loudly around the room. He cursed at himself, but he was starving. He grabbed one of the loaves with the claws of his right leg. He was still hesitant, but the growl from his stomach, made him disregard it. He took a gingerly bite from the loaf of bread. As he chewed, he realized it was sweet bread, a very delicious sweet bread. The taste was wonderful on his tongue, he began to scarf down the loaf of sweet bread. While consuming the loaf, he used the claws on his left leg to pick up the apple and bite down into it. Again a pleasant sweetness hit his tongue from the juice of the apple. He consumed both happily. Princess Celestia smiled as she used her magic to pull a stool over so she could sit. After sitting, she straightened up her dress and waited for the Hackmon to finish eating.

Soon enough, Hackmon placed the cup, filled with orange juice, down. He gave a content huff, but he still felt hungry. He looked up at the princess, unsure if she would grant him another meal. He was also hesitant to speak to her, but his stomach decided to speak for him as it growled. Celestia giggled a little, "Would you like some more food and drink?" Hackmon nodded his head in agreement. Celestia's horn came to life and in a flash of white light, the bowl and cup were filled once more. Hackmon grabbed the newly appeared food and began to gorge himself on it until he had consumed it all.

Hackmon let out a content huff as he patted his full stomach. He could hardly remember the last time he felt his full. Certainly not since awakening to this new world.

"I see you were quite hungry. Odd considering the amount of food you have been stealing from the local grocery and convenience stores. That tells me, you are stealing food for somepony else. So, tell me who you are and why you've been stealing from my ponies?" Hackmon only stared at the princess before adverting his gaze. He had no desire to speak to her, even after she fed him. He still wasn't sure of her intent. "So, giving me the silent treatment after I fed you." Hackmon did not knowledge her. "And I know you can understand me since you nodded when I asked if you wanted more food." Hackmon continued to stay quiet. Celestia sighed as she got up from the stool knowing it was pointless. "Whether you want to answer me or not, you still stole from my ponies. I will determine your sentence with the courts, until then you will be staying here. I will return once I am free, to see if you are willing to speak then."

Celestia's horn came to life, attached the chains to Hackmon's front legs, and returned the stool to its rightful place. She then teleported the bowl and cup out of the cell before turning and making her way out of the dungeon. Hackmon growled, Damn it! The village needs me. I cannot stay here and certainly cannot serve time in a prison cell. I have no choice but to speak with her and resolve all of this. Celestia was about to exit when a voice called out to her, "Wait!" She turned and walked back to the cell and looked down at Hackmon. Celestia was silent as she waited for Hackmon to speak.

Hackmon let out a sigh, "My name is Hackmon, I am a Digimon and more importantly a Royal Knight of King Drasil.

Celestia pulled the stool back to her with her magic and sat down. She gestured for Hackmon to continue speaking.

"As I said, I am a Digimon, Digital Monster, from the Digital World. I am the 13th and final member of the protectors of the Digital world and its king, the Royal Knights. We are an elite group of Digimon who were formed by Imperialdramon Paladin Mode to defend our home from threats that seek to plunge it into darkness. I am also the personal student of Gankoomon, a Royal Knight who saw my potential as the final member of the Royal Knights. He took me under his wing and began to train me. He also had me chaperoned by three Digimon named the Sistermon. They would also help me train when Gankoomon had to leave." Hackmon paused to collect his thoughts, "Everything in the Digital World was going smoothly until the darkness came. One day out of the blue, an unforeseen darkness began to cover the Digital World. Before we knights could respond, the darkness enveloped us. From the moment the darkness took me to the moment I awoke to this world, I have no memories. I am not even sure how much time passed while I was in the darkness. But the next thing I know after the darkness consumed me, I awoke to this unfamiliar world."

"I see, but that does not explain the thievery you have been committing. Hard to believe a knight, protector of Digimon, would be so open to stealing. What would your master think of you if he knew his student was stealing?" Said Celestia

Her stern words hit Hackmon's core. He knew what he was doing was wrong and that it was unbecoming of who he was and what his master taught him. But he was also doing it for young Digimon back in the village.

"I wasn't doing it for myself," Celestia raised an eyebrow at Hackmon's comment. "When I awoke to this world, I stumbled onto a Digimon village full of baby and in-training Digimon. They were starving and needed food. Their only protection was an Elecmon, a rookie-level Digimon. He had been trying to find food for the young Digimon but had a hard time getting enough for them. He told me of this town. I came here a few nights back and found plenty of food. I know it's wrong of me, but the village needed food. So, I accepted what I had to do, and began to steal from the stores to feed the Digimon of the village. Elecmon had warned me that I would get caught sooner or later and that we needed to find a different way to feed the village. I ignored him and I guess that ignorance caught up to me."

Celestia was quiet as she mulled over Hackmon's words, "So, you stole only to help feed the Digimon you swore you to protect." Hackmon nodded in agreement, "That does not excuse your actions, but I do understand them." Celestia stood up and ignited her horn. She freed Hackmon from his chains and then opened the prison door. "To ensure the truth of your story, I need you to take me to this village."

Hackmon wasn't sure if he could trust her. He didn't want to put the young Digimon and Elecmon in harm's way for his actions. But he could also feel that she had no ill intentions to hurt the Digimon, she seemed more curious than anything.

"Before I show you this village, how about you answer something for me?" Celestia nodded her head in agreement. "Who are you?"

"I am Princess Celestia di-monarchy of Equestria."

"Princess Celestia, I ask you to promise me that you will not hurt or harm the Digimon village. I was the one who stole the food for them and will accept the punishment for breaking your laws. They are innocent in all of this." Said Hackmon

Princess Celestia smiled, "I promise you as the ruler of Equestria that I will not bring any harm to the Digimon of the village."

Hackmon was still hesitant, but he could feel she was genuine with her answer that she would not harm the Digimon. He sighed, "Alright, I will lead you to them."

Celestia smiled as the two left for the Digimon village.

***

Hackmon had led Celestia to a path that led to the base of the mountain where Canterlot rested. The two stayed quiet throughout their entire trip. Hackmon had been thinking about leading the princess somewhere else and then ditching her to return to the village. He would then round up the young Digimon and leave the area to find somewhere else to live. But he felt that was a dumb idea. He felt that she could use the power of her horn to catch him and strain him. Plus, he felt that he had some good grace with the princess, so he didn't want to jeopardize that grace.

Eventually, the two stopped before a set of head-high bushes. "Elecmon, are you there?"

It was quiet for a moment before the bushes began to rustle and out came Elecmon, "Hackmon glad to hear your voice. Where have you been? What happened? Did you bring..." Elecmon stopped mid-sentence as he looked at Princess Celestia who smiled and waved. Elecmon turned to look at Hackmon with a deadpan face. He looked away from the rookie Digimon. "Let me guess, you got caught."

"Yes."

"Hello Elecmon, my name is Princess Celestia di-monarchy of Equestria. I am here because Hackmon said that he was bringing food here to feed some young Digimon."

Elecmon turned his attention to the princess, "That is correct your Highness."

"May I see these young Digimon?"

Elecmon turned to look at Hackmon who nodded his head. Elecmon motioned for them to follow. The three of them pushed through the bushes to find a small village of Digimon. Little hunts had been set up as well as what seemed to be the start of a garden. Celestia saw a wide variety of different Digimon that had been playing before the three of them appeared. Some looked like black blobs with ears and yellow eyes. A few were green blobs with a pacifier in their mouth, black eyes, and a leaf for a tail, which shaded their body. Then there some that were looked like a metal cat toy mouse with red eyes. That was the majority of the village, but there were a few other Digimon in the village. First was a pink blob with pink ribbons coming out of its head with red eyeshttps://digimon.fandom.com/wiki/Koromon. Then there was a cat-like blob with white and blueish stripes. It wore a metal helmet with two horns coming out of it. Lastly was a larva-like creature with its head coming out of a pine cone.

When all of them laid their eyes on the Princess, they ran and hid from her. They poked out from their hiding spots shaking with fear. They were not sure who she was or what she wanted to do. Princess Celestia, seeing their unease, decided to make herself smaller. Hackmon and Elecmon watched her every movement, ready to spring into action. Even if she gave off an aura of a loving and caring mother. Celestia got down on her knees, not caring if she got her dress dirty, and reached out a hand to one of the Botamon. It seemed scared to move towards Celestia, but a warm smile on her face seemed to change its mind. It slowly moved forward and sniffed Celestia's hand. The Botamon once more looked up to see the warm smile still present on her face.

It seemed to ease the Botamon to allow Celestia to begin to pet the little black blob. It closed its eyes and seemed to be happy with the petting as it began to spit out a few bubbles. Celestia stared at them surprised.

"You seemed to have made the Botamon happy." Said Elecmon

"Botamon?" Asked Celestia

"Yes ma'am, that Digimon is a baby Digimon named Botamon. All Digimon start our life as baby Digimon after we hatch from our digital egg." Elecmon pointed to the green blob Digimon and the larva Digimon. "The babies there are Leafmon and their in-training form, Minomon." Elecmon then pointed to the remaining Botamon and the pink blobs. "You already know about Botamon but the other one is one of their in-training forms, Koromon." Then he pointed to the mouse and the cat-like Digimon, "And finally the baby is Metalkoromon and one of their in-training forms, Kapurimon."

The other Digimon began to walk out from hiding spots seeing that Princess Celestia was not a threat to them, but were still cautious about her. She smiled at them all, "Hello everyone, my name is Princess Celestia. I came here to say hello to you all." While they were still uneasy about her, they felt like she meant them no harm. Once they felt that way they began to go near the princess. She smiled and petted and stretched them making them all happy.

"Glad to see the little ones are warming to her." Said Elecmon

Hackmon walked over and sat next to Elecmon and watched as the young Digimon played with Princess Celestia, "Yeah."

Hackmon turned his head to see a small cave where he stored stolen food. He could see that they were running dry and growled at his failure last night. Elecmon turned to see where Hackmon was looking, "Yeah, we're running dry again. We have enough for probably tonight and that's it." Elecmon then turned to the laughing princess as the Digimon played around her, "Do you think she could help get us some food?" Hackmon turned to Elecmon before turning to Celestia.

'I'm not sure. But a part of me believes that she would be more than willing to help us."

After a while of playing with the Digimon and letting them warm up to her, they decided to leave her alone. She continued to watch them play among each other with smiles on their faces, well for those that had faces. She then saw Hackmon and Elecmon walk over to her after she was free from the young Digimon.

"I am impressed how quickly they warmed up to you, your highness." Said Elecmon

She smiled, "I have that effect on others." She turned her eyes to watch them play, "Elecmon you mentioned that Koromon and Kapurimon were only one form of Botamon and MetalKoromon, what does that mean?"

"Many different Digimon have different digital lines they can digivolve to. For example, a Botamon can digivolve into Koromon, Wanyamon, or Budmon. But then there are some Digimon that have a singular line they follow. For example, Leafmon only has a single digivolution line they follow until they reach their rookie form, Wormon. The vast majority of all Digimon have different digital lines they can follow. It's rare for a Digimon to only have a singular digital line."

"Not to mention that there are other evolution forms as well. Armour, DNA, DigiXros, and Slide Forms are other ways a Digimon can digivolve. But these evolutions are rare as they can only occur with certain Digimon." Hackmon turned to Celestia, "I find it interesting back in your castle, that when I said I was Digimon, you seemed to understand what that meant."

"Yes, because before I saw you, I had already met some Digimon before you. They live in Ponyville with their Tamers." Said Celestia

"Did you say, Tamers?" Celestia nodded her head, "They wouldn't happen to have devices that allow for a Digimon to digivolve." Celestia once more nodded her head. "They wouldn't happen to be human would they?"

"Well of the seven of them, five are human and two are ponies." Responded Celestia

"I see." Said Hackmon

"Why is that important?" Asked Celestia

"Throughout the history of the Digital World, when a great evil threatens the Digital World, an evil that no Digimon alone can face. A phenomenon calls out to humans and gifts them a powerful device known as a digivice. An object that allows a human to digivolve a Digimon through its line by the use of an unknown connection between Digimon and Tamer. This connection grows the strength of the Digimon and Tamer creating the bond necessary for a human to digivolve a Digimon at will. Typically, a Digimon must absorb enough digital data to perform the evolution themselves, this is bypassed by the digivice. These chosen humans become known as DigiDestined. These DigiDestined alongside their Digimon work together to stop the evil that threatens the Digital World." Hackmon paused as he thought about what he said before continuing, "But what I find odd is this is not the Digital World. The minute woke in this place, I felt like my connection to Digital World was served, but I swear that I can still feel digital data flowing around me. It's like this world and the Digital World are connected somehow. But now the question is asked, what brought the DigiDestined here? It is because of the darkness that consumed the Digital World. And this time around, not only were humans chosen and brought, but it would seem that the local populace of this world might be chosen as DigiDestined as well." Hackmon sighed, "It seems the mystery deepens before us. A mystery with no clues or leads to follow. I guess will have to be patient and wait to see how this all unfolds before us."

"It would seem that way. Tell me Elecom," he turned his gaze to the princess. "How much food do you have left?"

Elecmon sighed, "Probably enough to get through tonight and that's it."

"I see, I will have to have food delivered at once to this village." Said Celestia

Both rookie Digimon turned to look at Celestia. Elecmon was the first to speak, "You would give us food. Even after Hackmon stole from you."

"While Hackmon broke the law, I understand why he did so. And as princess of Equestria, I cannot let these young Digimon or yourself go hungry." She then turned to the little garden of the village, "I will also have supplies dropped off to further help you grow your food."

"Even though we are not your subjects." Said Hackmon

Celestia smiled, "All those who live in Equestria are citizens of Equestria. No matter if they are a pony, human, griffin, zebra, or Digimon. All those who live in this nation are my sister and I's subjects."

"Thank you, princess! We are more than grateful for your kindness." Said Elecmon

Celestia smiled as she got up and dusted the dirt off of her dress, "Hackmon and I should be getting back to the castle. I will have a couple of my guards deliver the food and supplies before sundown. I will also have them drop something off so that you can get in contact with me or my sister if you need more, in case, you do not wish to leave the village to meet with us in person." Elecmon nodded happily as the two began to leave.

Before the two left, a Kapurimon stopped them, "Where are you going, Hackmon? Aren't you staying?"

Hackmon turned to look at the in-training Digimon before walking over to and placing his hand against the Digimon's head, "You see, I broke the laws of this nation young one, and when you break the law, you have to accept the punishment given to you. I plan on returning with the princess and facing judgment for my crimes. I am not sure how long I will be gone, but Elecmon will be taking care of you." Soon all of the other young surrounded Hackmon, "I promise that once I have completed my punishment, I will return." Hackmon wanted to say more but the Digimon ran past him and confronted Princess Celestia.

"Please forgive Hackmon, he didn't do anything wrong. He was only trying to keep us fed and safe." Said the Kapurimon which was echoed by the other Digimon whether by their voice or body language.

Celestia gave them all a warm mother smile as she bent and placed a hand gently on the Kapurimon's head, "I know, but in our nation we have rules. And when someone breaks the rules, they must face the consequences for their actions. But," she turned her gaze to Hackmon, "I promise you all that I will keep Hackmon safe until he can see you all. But if it's too long for you all, you all are more than welcome to come visit him."

The Digimon seemed to cheer at this idea and Celestia giggled as she stood up and waved for Hackmon to follow. Hackmon turned and said goodbye to Elecmon and then each of the young Digimon, telling them once more to listen to Elecmon. Soon, he left with the princess and headed back to the castle.

"Princess," Celestia turned her head to look at Hackmon. "Thank you."

Celestia smiled at him, "You are welcome."

***

The doors of the throne swung open as Hackmon entered the room. He turned to watch as the guards closed the doors behind him. He turned his gaze back to Princess Celestia who sat upon her and her sister's throne. Her horn was ignited in her yellow glow as papers and documents floated before her. A quill worked tirelessly scratching down notes, scratching out lines, and making signatures on all of the floating documents.

"I see you have finally arrived, Hackmon."

"I have your highness, but I am confused. I thought I was going to court today to face punishment for my crimes?" Asked Hackmon

Celestia used her magic to roll up all of the documents placed them on a table next to her and put the quill back into the ink pot, "That would be true, but I struck a deal with the courts." She got up and walked over to Hackmon, "Since the day my sister and I rose to power following our parent's disappearance. I have learned to lead all manner of creatures that come to find a life in Equestria, but Digimon are something else. So, I need someone with knowledge of Digimon to help me lead this new age Equestria is entering. So, the bargain I broke the court is that you would serve your sentence working for me as an official advisor of Digimon. You will have to complete one year of service to fulfill your sentence. Once you have completed your year, you may go your way."

"If I decline this?" Asked Hackmon

"Then it will be up to the courts to decide your fate. Whether that's time behind bars or so many hours of community service. You chose to work for me, neither of those things will happen to you. You will live here in the castle, helping me and my sister and learn more about Digimon and how we should help them. And no matter which way you go, I will continue to protect and keep the Digimon village safe and send supplies to them when they need them." Said Celestia

Hackmon was silent before closing his eyes to think, but he didn't have to think hard about it. He opened his eyes and reached out his right leg. It took Celestia a second for her mind to figure things out, but she understood. He took hold of Hackmon's leg and shook it. The two smile at each other. But as both shook on the offer, they both felt something inside of them, deep within them. Something that felt like a connection. Faint, but it was there for them both. A feeling that they were meant to be together.

Author's Note

A new Digimon has entered the fray. Are these two destined to become partners? Will Celestia become a DigiDestined? What is ahead for Equestria as more Digimon awaken in his new world? What is this darkness that consumed the Digital World? You will all have to find out as the story of Digital Equestria continues to unfold.

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