Royal Knights

The Royal Knights (守護騎士「ロイヤルナイツ」) are a group of thirteen Mega-level Holy Knight Digimon that are the Digital World's sacred guardians, and are famed among Digimon as guardian deities of the Network. The group was founded by Imperialdramon Paladin Mode, and serves Yggdrasill. Because the Royal Knights are placed in the highest ranks of Network Security, it is absolutely impossible to violate security in their presence. Based on a certain "Prophecy" handed down from the ancient Digital World, it is said that the Royal Knights will assemble at the time of the Digital World's greatest crisis.

Most of the Royal Knights are Human Digimon, although there are a few with bestial forms. Like historical knights, some of the Royal Knights are the lord of other types of Digimon, although they are all subservient to Yggdrasill. Furthermore, each of the Royal Knights possesses a dogma that it believes in. Many of the Royal Knights also have alternate Modes or X-Antibody forms, which are generally still considered Royal Knights.

Members
Some of the species that are members of the Royal Knights have also appeared as partner Digimon in earlier seasons, but were not members of the Royal Knights. As of now, there are two unrevealed Royal Knights.

Digimon Frontier
The Royal Knights who appear in Digimon Frontier (Dynasmon and Crusadermon) are servants of the ancient villain Lucemon. The two served Lucemon so that he would grant them access to the human world, which they wished to rule over. Though these two Knights are villains, Baromon explains that at one time "the Royal Knights did fight for justice."

The two Royal Knights were introduced after the defeat of Cherubimon by the Legendary Warriors. They easily defeat the Legendary Warriors, and then leave to collect the fractal code of each area of the Digital World, in order to free Lucemon from the Dark Area. Although the Warriors repeatedly attempt to stop the Knights—getting closer to victory each time—the Knights end up taking the Fractal Code from each area of the Digital World.

The Knights ultimately free Lucemon, who joins them for a brief period. Lucemon sends the pair to finish off the Warriors, but they are finally defeated by EmperorGreymon and MagnaGarurumon. Instead of helping them, Lucemon takes advantage of their weakened state by absorbing their data so that he can digivolve to his next stage, Lucemon Chaos Mode.

Crusadermon
Crusadermon, along with, is a major villain. Following the defeat of, Crusadermon and Dynasmon began the accumulation of Fractal Code data for in exchange for entry into the human world.

In their first clash with the Legendary Warriors, Crusadermon easily overpowered. The two would fight numerous times as the Legendary Warriors tried to stop the Royal Knights from stealing the data of the Digital World. On a few occasions, Crusadermon also employed several Knightmon.

When Lucemon was finally reborn and the Legendary Warriors were forced to retreat to the Ophanimoon (one of the Digital World's three moons), Crusadermon pleaded for Lucemon to give them the key to the human world, a request which Lucemon denied. When Lucemon sent the Knights to finally take care of the human children, the two were struck down and their own Fractal Codes exposed. In the end, Lucemon betrayed the two knights and absorbed their data in order to digivolve into.

In the D-Spirit Version 1, Crusadermon is one of the bosses of the final area.

Dynasmon
Dynasmon, along with, is a major villain in Digimon Frontier. Following the defeat of, Crusadermon and Dynasmon began the accumulation of Fractal Code data, all for the purpose of reviving , in exchange for being allowed the opportunity to gain the key to entering the human world. In the two Knights' first encounter with the Legendary Warriors, he soundly defeated, who would prove to be his usual opponent in the battles that followed.

When Lucemon was finally revived, the two Knights fought the Legendary Warriors again, and were both defeated. Their master then betrayed them, absorbing their data and using it to digivolve into.

Digital Monster X-Evolution
The Royal Knights are protectors of the Digital World, and initially serve the super computer Yggdrasill. When they communicate, they are represented by twelve screens; when dies, his screen disappears, to be replaced by 's when he awakens.

During the movie, Yggdrasill's forces are enacting "Project Ark", which is designed to reduce the overload of data by transplanting a small amount of Digimon to a "new Digital World", and allowing the rest to perish with the destruction of the old world. However, this plan is disrupted when some of the abandoned Digimon acquire the X-Antibody, which allows them to survive in the new Digital World. To fix this, Yggdrasill sends the Royal Knights to eliminate the interlopers. Gallantmon opposed this genocide, and is killed for it, which fosters doubt in, eventually causing him to help the mysterious , who is revealed as Alphamon, the Royal Knights' legendary leader. The pair confronts Yggdrasill, and in the end, Omnimon must save the Digital World by destroying his master.

Omnimon
Omnimon is the leader of the Royal Knights during 's absence. He is loyal to Yggdrasill, and initially carries out Project Ark to the letter.

When confronted Omnimon about Yggdrasill, Omnimon was unwilling to disobey Yggdrasill and ended up duelling and killing Gallantmon. Shaken by his friend's death, Omnimon began to question Yggdrasill's sovereignty. It was only when Alphamon saves Omnimon's life by giving him the X-Antibody that Omnimon leaves Yggdrasill. He then transforms into and destroys Yggdrasill with his All Delete, which resets the Digital World as a result.

After sacrifice against, Omnimon gains Alphamon's X-Antibody and, taking his new form, sees Yggdrasill's actions for what they are. He destroys Yggdrasill with All Delete, resetting the Digital World. Afterward, he shares a few words with his ally,.

Gallantmon
Gallantmon is a member of the Royal Knights who questioned the intentions of the host computer, Yggdrasill. Because of this, Gallantmon acted individually, and tried to convince his close friend that they were just being used and that their master Yggdrasill's Project Ark was more than it seemed. However, Omnimon refused to listen, and killed Gallantmon in a duel and is revealed that Gallantmon wanted to be deleted so that he may further invesitage Yggdrasill's intentions. Gallantmon was soon reborn as, with the X-Antibody.

Gallantmon X appeared to help Dorugreymon, WarGreymon X, MetalGarurumon X, and the others fight off the great numbers of DexDoruGreymon and ordered the others to lead them out of the hidden road, and that DoruGreymon will stay and help him fight off the remaining enemies. DoruGreymon asked him why he existed and if he was dead, none of the dangers would have happened.

Gallantmon X asked him if he wanted to know the reason he existed and opened the gate to Yggdrasill's lair. After Omnimon X destroyed Yggdrasill, which caused the Digital World to reset, Gallantmon X is seen surveying the landscape along with Omnimon X. Then Gallantmon X said to Omnimon X that he was beginning to understand the reason behind Project Ark. Gallantmon X said that Yggdrasill generally intervened in the Digital World, but the world is a complex place, and that is where it thought about 'fixing it'.Omnimon X asked him if that was really Project Ark, and Gallantmon X told Omnimon that it was the most likely reason behind it. Gallantmon X said that was the time it thought up the experimental being, Dorumon,and they were merely just pawns of Yggdrasill's plan and Yggdrasill merely wanted to live, and said that from now on, all the digimon can be happy.

Magnamon
Magnamon remains fiercely loyal to Yggdrasill throughout the movie, and is the one who captures and brings him to Yggdrasill. When and  go to stop Yggdrasill, Magnamon professes that he still believes in their leader, but does nothing to stop them besides warning Yggdrasill.

Crusadermon
LordKnightmon participates in the conference with the other Royal Knights, and agrees with Omegamon's suggestion to press the offensive against the X Digimon.

Digimon D-Cyber
Ten thousand years before the events of the story, the "Holy Knights" defeated and sealed it away as a Digi-core. Years later, a virus infects the digital world, and only those with the X-Antibody survive. The three surviving Royal Knights make an appearance as allies of the story's DigiDestined - Omega of Power, Duke of Courage and Magna of Miracles. At the end of the story, Dorumon is revealed to be their lost leader, Alphamon.

Gallantmon X
Duke, one of the Holy Knights, digivolved to Gallantmon X from MedievalGallantmon in order to send the group to help Omega.

Magnamon X
Magna of Miracles is one of the few remaining Holy Knights. After Dexmon is defeated, he uses his miracles to allow Hikaru Ryuuji to return to the Real World.

Omnimon X
One of the few remaining Holy Knights, Omnimon X appears as Hikaru's rampages out of control. The Holy Knight is no match for the Mega digimon, however, until Hikaru interferes and returns him to his senses. After 's Dragon Spirit is stolen however, Omnimon X sends Hikaru, Teru, and Masuken to another of the Holy Knights, Duke, while he attempts to track MetalPhantomon. He witnesses the birth of, however, and is immediately beaten down by him until Hikaru and the others arrive to fight.

Digimon Data Squad
In Digimon Data Squad, the Royal Knights are again King Drasil's subordinates. Digimon Data Squad also depicts the largest gathering of Royal Knights, with nine out of thirteen making an appearance.

Before the events of the series, King Drasil decides that due to humanity's crimes (most of which are in fact Akihiro Kurata's doing), it is too dangerous to be allowed to live. Though he is convinced to wait by Dr. Spencer Damon, the imminent collision of the Human and Digital Worlds prompts him to move forward with the plan, and he sends the Knights to eliminate humanity. Before they begin, the Knights encounter and defeat the DATS, but are prevented from finishing them off due to the intervention of the rogue knight (who is revealed to be Commander Richard Sampson's ).

The destruction of the human world begins immediately afterwards, starting with a battle between Gallantmon and Kentaurosmon, which ended with both being sealed in ice. and fall in battle, and  is defeated by the DATS, even though he was using King Drasil's power, showing him that his sovereign is not absolute.

Craniamon then goes to the Human World to replace, who was holding the two worlds apart. Eventually, the other Knights also decide to defy King Drasil, and join Craniamon in holding the two worlds apart. After King Drasil is defeated, they thank the humans and return to the Digital World.

Craniamon
Craniamon is the closest Royal Knight to King Drasil, and carries out his orders without question. It is revealed that long before the events of the series, he was defeated in battle by Spencer Damon and, prior to their encounter with King Drasil.

Shortly after Belphemon is destroyed, Craniamon listens to King Drasil's arguments for humanity's destruction, and agrees with his master's decision. He was the first Royal Knight to face the members of DATS in battle, and he overpowers them until Marcus activates Burst Digivolution, digivolving into. The tide of the battle turns, but is halted by the arrival of Gallantmon and the other Royal Knights, who defeat the DATS in one attack. King Drasil then arrives and commands the Royal Knights to destroy the DATS, but they are interrupted by Kentaurosmon, who escapes to the Human World with the DATS.

Craniamon battles the DATS members again, this time with the impenetrable Omni-Shield given to him by King Drasil. However, the power of all of the DATS' Burst Modes is able to shatter the shield, convincing Craniamon that King Drasil's power is not absolute. Craniamon forfeits the battle, and allows the DATS to face King Drasil. He later travels to Mt. Fuji and replaces BanchoLeomon in holding the Digital and human worlds apart.

He struggled with this task until King Drasil's arrival at Mt. Fuji, when he is joined by the other Knights, and they learn of King Drasil's real plan. The other Royal Knights then join Craniamon in holding the two worlds apart, since he is weakening against King Drasil's attacks, while the DATS fend off King Drasil. After King Drasil is defeated, the Royal Knights head back to the Digital World.

Dynasmon
Dynasmon is introduced when the DATS first encountered the Royal Knights and King Drasil. The Royal Knights are ordered by King Drasil to destroy the DATS, but were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Kentaurosmon, who carried the DATS away.

Later, Dynasmon was seen attacking New York City along with the Royal Knights' army of Knightmon. He had a short conversation with Magnamon about Craniamon's battle with DATS, but remained confident of victory after assurances by Magnamon.

When King Drasil heads to Mt. Fuji to destroy the Human World, the Royal Knights follow and join in questioning their master's sovereignty, resulting in King Drasil's imperfection being revealed. The other Royal Knights then join Craniamon in holding the two worlds apart, since he is weakening against King Drasil's attacks, while the DATS fend off King Drasil. After King Drasil is defeated, the Royal Knights head back to the Digital World.

Gallantmon
Gallantmon is introduced when the DATS first encountered the Royal Knights and King Drasil. The Royal Knights are ordered by King Drasil to destroy the DATS, but were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Kentaurosmon, who carried the DATS away.

Gallantmon pursues and easily defeats the DATS team, and is about to finish them off, when Kentaurosmon intervenes. A brief scuffle ensues and is ended by Kentaurosmon using "Icy Breath" to freeze both of them in a giant block of ice. Gallantmon attempts to prevent this, but fails, and they fall into the sea alive but incapacitated.

In the last few episodes, Gallantmon and Kudamon join the other Knights at Mt. Fuji as Gallantmon explains that he understands why Kentaurosmon had left them, and that Kentaurosmon had used his D.N.A. to free the two of them. The Knights then question their master's sovereignty, resulting in King Drasil's imperfection being revealed. Gallantmon attempts to attack King Drasil, but is thrown back. Craniamon weakens due to King Drasil's attacks, so the other Royal Knights join him in holding the two worlds apart while the DATS fend off King Drasil. After King Drasil is defeated, the Royal Knights return to the Digital World.

Leopardmon
During King Drasil's campaign to destroy the human world, Leopardmon presented himself to King Drasil, and was allowed to join the battle. Leopardmon then appeared in Japan, and attacked Yoshino "Yoshi" Fujieda, Keenan Crier, and their partners, and.

During the battle, Leopardmon gave his opponents an insight to the Royal Knights' sense of justice, stating that saving the Digital World was a task worthy of even sacrificing its own inhabitants. Determined to save Marcus Damon's family, Yoshino and Keenan empowered their partners into and, respectively. The two digimon then defeated Leopardmon. The Strategic Knight was then reverted into a Digiegg which was pulled back into the Digital World.

LoadKnightmon
LoadKnightmon is introduced when the DATS first encountered the Royal Knights and King Drasil. The Royal Knights are ordered by King Drasil to destroy the DATS, but were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Kentaurosmon, who carried the DATS away.

LoadKnightmon also participated in the attack on the human world, commanding an army of Knightmon. When Thomas H. Norstein and held back an attack on an airport, LoadKnightmon appeared personally and overwhelmed both them and Commander-General Homer Yushima's partner,. It was only when Thomas activated MirageGaogamon's digivolution to that LoadKnightmon was defeated. The Knight reverted to a Digi-Egg, which was pulled back into the Digital World.

Magnamon
Magnamon is introduced when the DATS first encountered the Royal Knights and King Drasil. The Royal Knights are ordered by King Drasil to destroy the DATS, but were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Kentaurosmon, who carried the DATS away. Magnamon is later seen in a conversation with Dynasmon, assuring him of Craniamon's victory over ShineGreymon.

When King Drasil heads to Mt. Fuji to destroy the Human World, the Royal Knights follow and question their masters sovereignty, resulting in King Drasil's imperfection being revealed. The other Royal Knights then join Craniamon in holding the two worlds apart, since he is weakening against King Drasil's attacks, while the DATS fend off King Drasil. After King Drasil is defeated, the Royal Knights head back to the Digital World.

Omnimon
Omnimon is introduced when the DATS first encountered the Royal Knights and King Drasil. The Royal Knights are ordered by King Drasil to destroy the DATS, but were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Kentaurosmon, who carried the DATS away. Omnimon is later seen attacking a city in the Human World, and briefly reappears when King Drasil is expelled from Spencer's body.

When King Drasil heads to Mt. Fuji to destroy the Human World, the Royal Knights follow and question their master, resulting in King Drasil's imperfection being revealed. The other Royal Knights then join Craniamon in holding the two worlds apart, since he is weakening against King Drasil's attacks, while the DATS fend off King Drasil. After King Drasil is defeated, the Royal Knights head back to the Digital World.

UlforceVeedramon
UlforceVeedramon is introduced when the DATS first encountered the Royal Knights and King Drasil. The Royal Knights are ordered by King Drasil to destroy the DATS, but were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Kentaurosmon, who carried the DATS away. He is also seen attacking Egypt with a Knightmon battalion, and makes a brief appearance when King Drasil is expelled from Spencer Damon's body.

When King Drasil heads to Mt. Fuji to destroy the Human World, the Royal Knights follow and question their master's sovereignty, resulting in King Drasil's imperfection being revealed. The other Royal Knights then join Craniamon in holding the two worlds apart, since he is weakening against King Drasil's attacks, while the DATS fend off King Drasil. After King Drasil is defeated, the Royal Knights head back to the Digital World.