Deceptive Heroism

As Ladon walked around town nothing stood out that hinted him in the right direction. People began staring at his unusual attire considering it was the middle of Spring, some passing Floramon giggled as they past him. He wouldn't get anywhere just walking around looking for his targets. He'd need to change up his strategy.

Ladon continued walking and found himself getting nowhere fast. He was acutely aware of the strange looks he was getting based on his outfit. It was more attention than he wanted, but it was better than being questioned on his real appearance. However, he also didn't seem to be accomplishing anything. Other than the strange looks and hushed muttering he heard from the locals as he passed, there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. He ducked into a restaurant along his root and ignored the Burgamon that asked if he needed anything. He went straight into the bathroom and threw off the jacket. He was sweating like crazy, and was relieved at the cool air hitting his skin. He pulled up his D.I.G. and opened the quest file, skimming the directive. There! The PicoDevimon had been dispatched to the park area. That was just a few blocks away, according to his GPS. He was close! He took a minute to splash some cold water on his face and chest, and let his body cool. He then replaced the jacket and hurried out of the bathroom, once more ignoring the staff.

Ladon turned the direction indicated by his GPS, and hurried towards the park. Within a matter of minutes, he was there. The park was relatively small, no doubt smaller than the famous Wu Park area, but it was quaint and pleasant. He looked around. The PicoDevimon had to be around here somewhere. This is where Snatchmon had sent them to cause havoc, after all.

As Ladon scanned the park for the PicoDevimon he'd see nothing. It wasn't until a few moments he'd feel pebbles being pelted on the back of his head. Once Ladon turned to see who was behind it he'd see a PicoDevimon waving him down behind the bushes. "O-V-E-R H-E-R-E!" He motioned with his wings. Once Ladon's attention was got, they'd wave him over and hide behind the bushes away from prying eyes.

Ladon looked around, finding nothing. He was disappointed, and considered the possibility that the intel was faulty, or perhaps a local digimon of higher level had settled the matter by eliminating the PicoDevimon themselves. He was about to turn around and return to the Imperium when a pebble hit him in the back of the head. "Ow! What the...." he said, rubbing the spot and looking for the source. Soon enough, he saw his target. A PicoDevimon was peaking out of a bush and waving him down. Ladon was surprised for a moment, then remembered the PicoDevimon would have no idea why he was really here. He hurried over to the bush in question and ducked in.

"What are you doing in here? How did you even know who I was? Master Snatchmon sent you here to terrorize the locals. Why are you just hiding in a bush? You're not very good at your job, PicoDevimon," Ladon said upon getting situated next to the small demon. He had quickly removed his hat and jacket, unable to take the heat anymore.

PicoDevimon sighed when Ladon questioned him. "Well, you're not exactly wearing in season clothes, you stick out like a Numemon at a Tokomon convention! Of course I knew it was one of Imperiums!" PicoDevimon whispered loudly. "As for terrorizing the locals I have been! Why do you think I am HIDING!?" PicoDevimon hopped a little closer. "I wanted to make sure you knew the plan! My buddies are over in the tree ready to go on my cue." He said and pointed up into a tree where three more PicoDevimon were. They waved to him with smiles. "Listen, we're not exactly battle experienced digimon so we didn't want you attacking us at full strength! Make it look real but don't actually hit us okay!? Leave the flopping to us!" PicoDevimon said.

Ladon was surprised once more. Turns out the PicoDevimon did in fact know why he was there, and were expecting to walk away alive. If that was the case, then it was most likely by Snatchmon's design and killing them would be unwise. Ladon nodded in understanding, and looked up the PicoDevimon in the tree and gave them a quick saluting gesture to show them he was on their side. Ladon changed his crouched position in the bush to get a bit more comfortable, and adjusted his pistol's angle, for the butt of the gun was digging into his hip and bothering him. He looked over to the PicoDevimon there in the bush with him.

"Alright, I think we're all on the same page now. The confrontation is to be staged. I'll do my best not to hit you, but if you guys make a mistake and move the wrong way into the line of fire, that will be your own damn fault and I will feel no pity for you. Are we clear? I'm here to complete the mission of causing these people to distrust W.A.D.A.'s effectiveness. If I end up killing you in the process because you weren't paying attention, that's no problem to me. I did my job. The rest is up to you. Now, having said that, what is the plan?" Ladon made a show of drawing his gun and checking his clip was full, then cocking it so the first round was in the chamber ready to go. It was his way of both preparing and making sure the PicoDevimon knew he was serious.

The PicoDevimon nervously swallowed when Ladon cocked his weapon. "Uh, well, We were going to attack some of the children in the park with our Pico Darts, get them to start fleeing in fear! We'll steer them all to the center of the park and right when the parents arrive to make us flee, you'll show up." This next part PicoDevimon used air quotes, "and beat us so and make us flee threatening us into never attacking this place again!" PicoDevimon then cleared his throat. "Don't kill us either, show some restraint! These people are goodie goodies, if you kill us they'll not be so quick to listen to your words. Now did you get all that?" PicoDevimon asked.

Ladon was silent as this PicoDevimon explained the plan, then he looked up at the two in the tree and nodded to them to let them know he was read in. "Alright. Let's get this done. I'm tired of hiding in bushes and wearing this stupid outfit. I'm going to leave the park and wait in one of the alleys next to a nearby business. Once I'm there, wait ten minutes for people who may have seen me to forget about me, then make your move. That way it will eliminate the chance of someone realizing the rescue is staged." Ladon holstered his sidearm and donned his disguise. He assumed a squatted position ready to move. "Let's do this."

Ladon peered out of the leaves and made sure no one would see him emerge from the bush. He then walked towards the nearby businesses that surrounded the park and found an alley next to a laundromat. He walked into the shadows and ducked behind a dumpster to hide and wait for his cue.

The PicoDevimon let out a sigh of relief once Ladon left. He flew into the tree where his brethren were waiting. "Ready fellas? This is for the good of Imperium so make it look good!" PicoDevimon ordered. They all got ready and waited for the children to be in one place. It took about ten minutes for the opportunity to arise. The PicoDevimon flew out of the tree yelling and began circling the children. The children were all Baby I and II levels so they began to scream and cry as they all hopped around. "Pico Darts!" The Pico Devimon attacked relentlessly; barely missing the babies. The digimon gathered in the corner of the playground all with tears in there eyes. One of the PicoDevimon stayed behind in the tree to scout the area. He saw the parents running back from their social gathering spot. The Pico Devimon held up a flag and waved in Ladon's direction as a signal.

Ladon watched as the PicoDevimon began their attack on the children. Their darts never made contact, so they seemed to be missing on purpose, but Ladon couldn't help but smile at the terror being wreaked. Ladon spied the Digimon parents running to the aid of their children, and spotted the PicoDevimon scout wave a flag from a tree, which Ladon took as his signal to move.

Throwing off his disguise and leaving it in the dumpster, Ladon emerged from the alley, drawing his weapon. He took aim at the PicoDevimon in the tree that had waved him to come. Lowering his aim just a tiny bit, he fired two shots at the Digimon. If his shots flew true, they would strike the branch he was perched on, snapping it and sending him falling to the ground. "Hey! Knock that off! What did those children do to you?" Ladon yelled loudly, making sure everyone in the area could hear him. He charged at the other PicoDevimon that were hovering around the kids. "Beat Knuckle!!" He yelled, swiping his clawed hand at the closest demon, taking care to just barely miss.

He ran a few steps further, then turned around and stopped, facing the kids, if they hadn't run away, and the trio of PicoDevimon that he had just "attacked".

"These are innocent children. Leave them alone, by order of the Shadow Guild Imperium! I will not tolerate this uncalled for attack! Be gone, or face the consequences!" Ladon aimed his pistol at the PicoDevimon with his right hand, and unfurled the wing on his left arm, which began to glow a dark light, ready to launch his Shadow Wing attack if he needed to.

The Pico Devimon in the tree was taken by surprise when Ladon shot his branch. He did not like that all to much when he fell, hitting his head on the ground. Meanwhile, the other Pico Devimon all pretended to be utterly surprised when Ladon showed himself.

They waited to respond to Ladon until the city folk were in earshot. "Shadow Guild Imperium!?" A picodevimon said, "We thought you were W.A.D.A." A parent said hearing the devil digimon. "Grr. What does Imperium care if we beat up a few kids!?" A Pico Devimon asked. "Nows his chance to make Imperium look good!" The Pico Devimon that was in the tree; now on the ground, whispered to himself.

Ladon looked around at the growing crowd, and could see that all eyes were on him and the PicoDevimon trio. He felt a sense of accomplishment at what he was doing, but was able to not smile due to his intense training.  He lowered both his arms as a PicoDevimon replied to him, egging him on to make Imperium look like a heroic organization.  "Shadow Guild Imperium!? We thought you were W.A.D.A."  

Ladon shook his head, and did give a chuckle. "You really think that I would be associated with W.A.D.A.? I'm insulted. Look around you. W.A.D.A. doesn't care about these people, or else they would have sent one of their precious agents to the rescue. Yet here we all are. So now Imperium has to step up where W.A.D.A. has failed." Ladon was steadily raising his voice to be sure that everyone in the area could hear him, and looking around as he spoke. "Imperium is an organization dedicated to the protection of the Digital World and all the digimon that reside in it. Therefore, they could not stand idly by as innocent children are attacked, so I was dispatched to protect them and this city!" Ladon was almost yelling now, as he holstered his pistol and raised his right arm once more, unfurling his wing in a threatening manner at the PicoDevimon. "Now leave this place at once or I shall be forced to take drastic steps!" Ladon remained standing in his place, doing his best to look heroic and honorable to the people watching.

The Pico Devimon all pretended to be frightened. "We're no match for Imperium!! They're far to strong!" one cried, "We will flee and never return!" Another said. The remaining one to speak turned to face the crowd, "You all have been saved by Imperium this day! Count your blessings!" With that the three flew away.

The parents ran to their babies and began coddling them. Another adult, Woodmon, approached Ladon "We thought Shadow Guilds were full of criminals and lowlives, we were wrong to think all of them were bad news. Tell us. What exactly is Imperium?" He asked. The other adults all turned their attention to Ladon.