Digimon Heroes

Chapter 3: The Exciting Demonstration. Angemon, Descend!

AN: I do not own the Digimon franchise.

Ryuji and Veemon were resting in Ryuji's room. Veemon was stuffing his face with junk food and snacks, seeming not caring of the confrontation the two of them had earlier that day. Ryuji ran the events of that day over in his mind. 'What was with that Keith guy, asking me to try and beat his partner Digimon. I don't want to fight him, it just doesn't feel right fight another human with a Digimon partner...'

"Hey Ryuji, you okay?" Veemon stopped his feast to ask his friend. "You look worried."

Ryuji sighed. "Just thinking about that Keith guy from earlier. He said he wanted to fight us, but I'm not so sure about it..."

"Well, I'm perfectly ready to fight him, whenever you shay the word!" Veemon punched the air enthusiastically.

"That's because you're really hot-headed..." Ryuji sweatdropped. "I meant, if it was right for two different humans with Digimon partners to be opposing each other."

"Hmm, I didn't think about that." Veemon pondered. "It's true that he'sh been doing our job for us-"

"'Our job'?"

"Yeah, fighting those Digimon that attack everyone."

"Why do you think that?"

"That human'sh partner, Angemon. He smelled a lot stronger than any other Digimon, and we shaw him absorb Kuwagamon'sh data."

"What does absorbing data have to do with it?"

Veemon sighed. "Whenever a Digimon absorbs another Digimon's data they grow stronger, but the losing Digimon can't change back into an egg. It'sh kinda like killing them. The Angemon absorbed Kuwagamon's data, so if he was absorbing other Digimon's data, it'd explain why he's so much stronger."

"I see... so Keith is probably fighting other Digimon that are appearing in the city. But..."

"I guess that if he's fighting other Digimon then we should conshider him a friend!" Veemon smiled in the prospect of a new friend. "I might get to learn about the Digital world from Angemon!"

"Just a moment ago, you were talking about how you were ready to kick the guy's but..." Ryuji sighed. "It's true that he's stopping rouge Digimon and if we make him a comrade then he can answer a lot of our questions, but as you said he's also killing the Digimon he's fighting."

Veemon's mood tensed up. "Yeah. Even if they are attacking people, I don't want to downright kill another Digimon." Veemon scratched his head in frustration. "Jeez, just what the heck are we going to do with that guy?!"

"Calm down, Veemon." Ryuji reassured. "We're not even sure that Keith's even doing all that. All we know is that he killed that Kuwagamon and he asked us to try and beat his Angemon."

"Hmmm, if we aren't absolutely sure about what Keith and Angemon are up to, then we can't really decide whether to fight them or not..." Veemon closed his eyes in thought and scratched his chin.

"Indeed..." Ryuji rested his chin on his hand also pondering what to do. Then Ryuji thought of something. "Wait, I have an idea."

"You do?" Veemon asked. "So, what is it?"

"Well, uh..." Ryuji felt a bit embarrassed. "It's kind of a stupid plan."

"Hehe, last I checked we do a lot of shtupid stuff already." Veemon joked.

"I guess you're right." Ryuji chuckled. "Well, Keith actually goes to my school. I thought I could go and talk to him about all of this."

"How is that stupid?" Veemon asked with a puzzled face.

"Keith told me to try and beat him. If I try to talk to him he might try to challenge me to a fight or something."

"Aww, ish wittle Ryuji scared of the meany weeny blondy boy?" Veemon teased.

"Jeez, shut it!" Ryuji hit Veemon on the head. "Still, we won't know what will happen until we talk to him." Ryuji sat back in his chair, folding his arms and giving a cocky grin. "Even if he is very aggressive, he won't attack me when we're in the middle of school. I'll have my chance to reason with him then!"

"Well, good for you..." Veemon huffed. "Since you're going to talk to him during school, I'll have to stay on the roof all day."

Ryuji patted Veemon's head in his pity. "Don't worry, I'll tell you all that happens, buddy." 'He said that he wanted to know about the Digital world.' Ryuji thought to himself. 'I guess it is pretty lonely for him. That makes turning Keith into a comrade all the more important.'

The next day Ryuji made his way to school, met and talked to Gen on the way, left Veemon on the roof and headed to class. When Ryuji entered the classroom there were students scattered and gathered at diferent tables talking with friends before class began. What grabbed Ryuji's attention was a blonde haired boy sitting at a desk only a couple of seats away from his own. "Keith..." Ryuji whispered to himself. "To think he was right in my class and I didn't notice before." Ryuji sighed as a bead of sweat dropped from his head. "How much does that say about my social life?" He directed his attention back to Keith. He was invested in a book which he held in his hand and showed an emotionless, stern look as he read it. 'Perhaps now is good time to speak with him...' Ryuji walked nervously towards the other boy's desk. When he stood next to it Keith didn't move, merely continuing to gaze upon the book in his hand.

"Um, good morning Keith!" Ryuji gave a nervous greeting.

No response.

"F-fancy having you in my class, right? I never even noticed you before!" he nervously laughed to himself, rubbing the back of his head.

Ignored.

'This isn't going good! Okay Ryuji, enough chit chat. Get to the point!' Ryuji straightened his stance. "Keith. I'd like to talk to you about yesterday."

"There's nothing to talk about." Immediately Keith replied, not looking away from his book.

"Eh?"

"If you want information, then here's not the place to do it."

"N-no, I'm just saying that-"

"Saying what?" Keith interrupted impatiently.

"That.. you should reconsider me and Veemon as your enemy."

"Tch." Keith looked up at Ryuji's face. "I'm not looking for a bunch of goody two-shoe friends from the two of you. I want the two of you to ease my boredom."

"H-Hang on! I just want you to answer me some questions, that's all." Ryuji raised up his hand defensively.

The bell for class rang as the other students went back to their seats. Keith placed his book in his bag. "Just leave already." he moaned.

Ryuji reluctantly retreated back to his seat. 'Damn it, I'll have to try again later.'

When the bell marking the end of school rang everyone began to pack their bags and leave. Ryuji noticed that Keith was almost the first to leave, so Ryuji gave chase in haste. "Hold on, Keith!" Ryuji panted as he ran up to him in the corridor.

Keith turned with an annoyed look. "What is it?" he grumbled.

"Okay, enough running away! Answer my questions!" Ryuji said, catching his breath.

Keith sighed as he closed his eyes. "I guess you won't stop bothering me until I do. Alright, I'll humor you."

"Right, first of all I want to clear a few things up. Is Angemon your Digimon partner? And do you two fight Digimon that appear in the city?"

Keith twitched in irritation. "'Partner'. I don't particularly like words like that." he scoffed. "But yes, him and I do work together and we do fight rogue Digimon."

"I see... So, why do you want me to fight you?" Ryuji inquired. "I mean, we're both trying to defeat Digimon and save the people in the city, right?"

Kieth's eyes tensed in anger. "You're really annoying, you know that?"

"Hey! That's rude!"

"Look, I don't know why you're fighting those Digimon, justice and hope or something, but there's only one reason I fight with Angemon." Keith glared at Ryuji intensely. "To make Angemon stronger."

"But..." Ryuji hesitated after Keith's answer. "W-why would you do that?"

"Digimon posses the natural ability to fight. They can also absorb other Digimon and become stronger and fight even more Digimon. They're fighting machines. Why should they do anything that's against their nature?" Keith explained.

Ryuji wavered his stance at Keith's argument. "Fighting machines..."

"Fighting Digimon with Angemon has become increasingly tiring however. All the fights having the same outcome, no matter what." Keith sighed. "But now a new Digimon and human team has appeared. Can you imagine my excitement? If the two of you absorb Digimon aswell and get stronger and fight me it would be quite... exciting..." A devilish grin crept onto Keith's face as he finished his sentence. He returned to his serious composure as he said "That's why we're enemies. Now if you'll excuse me." he turned to walk away.

"Wait, let me ask one more question."

"Fine, just one. Let's get this over, already."

"You know the way we're both Tamers... or Digidestined..." Ryuji tilted his head in thought. "Come to think of it, there isn't really a name for us. How 'bout 'Hunters'?"

"I would've preferred to be called a Tamer. It does fit what we do better..." Keith threw in his two cents. "Wait, what am I talking about? Stop distracting me with stupid names!" he yelled in frustration.

Ryuji rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, sorry. So like I was saying, we're both Tamers or whoever, and you come tome because I have a Digimon partner. I want to know," Ryuji tensed his gaze. "if there was another Tamer you've come to before."

Keith glared at Ryuji. "You already guessed there's more Tamers than just you and me?"

Ryuji rubbed his nose with his thumb. "I thought that I was the first Tamer until I met you. Then I thought I was the second. But then I thought 'Come to think of it, I don't know how many other Tamers there are'."

"Tch, you're an idiot, but a smart idiot." the boy grimaced.

"Uh, that doesn't make much sense." Keith began to walk away. "Hey, where are you going? Come back, you didn't answer me!"

"I'm currently the least of your problems." Keith said, not facing Ryuji. "One last piece of information; everyday, around this time, a Digimon appears in the city. Not even I know why they come here, and quite frankly I don't care. However, you would care people were attacked, wouldn't you?"

In realization, Ryuji dashed off outside of the school. "Veemon! Knowing him, he'll already have..."

"He's really an idiot." Keith murmured when Ryuji was out of earshot. "He's too concerned with others to focus on himself. One day that'll be the end of him." Keith took his Digivice out of his pocket. "And if he's worried about not finishing that Digimon before it does anything bad... Angemon, report." he said to his Digivice.

"A new Digimon has appeared." a proud, but obedient voice responded. "Infact, there are two."

Keith grinned widely at this. "Exciting!"

Ryuji was running down streets and alleys looking for Veemon. He knew that if a Digimon appeared, he'd go off and fight it. During his searches he guessed that Keith may have been lying to him. 'But what for? He wouldn't want to fight Veemon alone, he said himself that the reason he rivaled us was because he wanted a strong opponent so fighting him alone wouldn't make sense.'

"Hey Ryuji!" he heard the familiar voice of his partner who was running up to him.

"Veemon, you sensed a Digimon?" Ryuji asked, relieved to see his partner.

"Yeah, but..." Veemon sniffed the air, feeling frustrated. "It feels weird! It's as if there's two of them, and they keep moving around. I can't figure out where it is!"

"Two of them? Dammit, this is bad. If two of them attack at once, it could be real trouble." Ryuji panicked.

"Wait!" Veemon sniffed the air again. "There's a new one. And it's pretty big!"

'A stronger Digimon... could it be him?' Thoughts ran through Ryuji's head of Keith and Angemon fighting and killing the rogue Digimon.

"Let's go!" Veemon cried as he ran of, on the scent of Angemon.

"H-Hey wait!" Ryuji ran to catch up. 'He caught the scent of a really strong Digimon and the first thing he does is run off to fight it...' The words of the conversation Ryuji had earlier came into his mind.

"They're fighting machines. Why should they do anything that's against their nature?"

'Maybe it's true... Maybe Digimon should fight. But Veemon's different! He wants to save everyone, like me. But... right now, he is eager to fight. Is he doing this by his nature? No! I don't want him to do that!' Ryuji stopped in his tracks. "Veemon, wait!"

Veemon slowed to a stop, turning to Ryuji in confusion. "What ish it?"

"I... I had a talk with Keith today." Ryuji said looking down to the ground.

Veemon smiled with delight. "Aweshome! How'd it go?"

"What we thought was true, he's fighting and absorbing Digimon. I also tried to convince him to be friends but, it didn't work..."

Veemon huffed. "Aw, dammit!"

"Look, uhh..." Ryuji felt both awkward and ashamed to say what he wanted to, but he knew he had to. "Perhaps we should stop this..."

"Huh?" Veemon tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean? Shtop what?"

"Stop... fighting Digimon."

Veemon's eyes widened. "What? Why?"

"Well... Keith and Angemon have been Tamers for a longer time than us. They're much stronger and therefore better at beating those rogue Digimon. If we try to fight the Digimon, we'd get in his way."

"What the hell are you saying?!" Veemon yelled. Why was his partner acting like this?

"If Keith is by himself, he can take care of any Digimon that appear in the city. And if we try to do the same, we'll be doing what he wants, getting stronger so as he can fight a strong opponent."

"Like hell I'll do that!" the blue monster punched a wall in anger. "Even if he does stop Digimon from killing people, Keith is absorbing those Digimon that he kills! I can't let him do such a thing!" Veemon ran away, leaving Ryuji standing in the alleyway. Alone.

"He's concerned about those Digimon aswell. He wasn't just in the heat of battle?" Ryuji hit his forehead with his fist. "Jeez Ryuji, I thought you weren't gonna do stupid things!" Ryuji broke into a fast sprint.

Veemon kept hunting the trail of the Digimon. It was close. Too close. All of them stopped moving, all in the same spot. 'Did they meet? That big one is there aswell, is Keith and Angemon going to fight?' Veemon slowed down as he came to a corner. Placing his back to the wall, he peeked around. He saw two large Digimon looking down at a blonde haired boy. 'Keith! But where's Angemon? I don't see him anywhere...' Veemon thought. Neither of the Digimon were Angemon, instead just brown reptilian Digimon covered with spikes and the other a bright orange bird that flapped its wings, allowing it to hover in the air.

"What's this...?" the four legged reptile grumbled, glaring at the lone boy.

"Caw! It looks like food to me!" the bird squawked in response.

"A Tortomon and a Birdramon." Keith thought aloud. "Not the biggest challenge but I suppose it shall be enough of a challenge."

"'Not the biggest challenge' you say?!" the Birdramon asked in rage. "Try saying that once you're dead!" The bird flapped its wings and dived towards the boy, its mouth open ready to chomp the boy.

"Birdramon, wait!" Tortomon cried in urgency. The flying Digimon noticed it as well; a pillar of light quickly descending from the sky. He quickly dogged it as the pillar hit the ground, leaving a crater in the ground.

"What was that?" Birdramon flailed, trying to recover from the attack.

Both of the Digimon looked up to the sky to see a figure surrounded in a shining light. "You called me 'food', didn't you?" Keith asked the two. "Well now, you'll be feeding him. Your Data." The light surrounding the figure died down to reveal Angemon gazing down at the Digimon. Keith pointed his index finger to the now terrified Digimon. "Angemon. Descend!" he cried and Angemon flew down at a great speed towards his opponents.

"'Descend' huh?" Veemon pondered, still hiding behind the corner. "I guess that'sh his catchphrase, hehe." he chuckled. "Wait, don't get distracted!" He focused his attention back onto the fight.

The Birdramon flew up to Angemon, trying to catch him with his razor sharp talons, but the angel swirled away and avoided it. Birdramon flew up higher then faced his opponent. "I have you now!" he cried in triumph as flapped his wings, flames surrounding them. "Meteor Wing!" With one fell flap, the flames were shot off his wings heading towards Angemon.

Angemon simply held his hand out to his side. A thin pillar shot down from the sky, Angemon grabbing it. The pillar's light faded away, leaving a long, golden staff in Angemon's hand. "Angel Rod!" he cried as he twirled the staff in his hands and struck Birdramon's flame balls before they hit him. Angemon flew forwards, out of the smoke the flames left upon their destruction. He quickly reached Birdramon's height and hit the terrified bird with his staff, sending him flying to the ground, landing in front of Tortomon.

Tortomon shook in terror at the fall of is friend. "Tortomon..." the fallen bird struggled to get to its feet. "Get out of here..."

Above them, Angemon's hand started to glow in a bright light. He clenched it into a fist and held it behind him, looking like he was readying a punch. "Hand of Fate!" He punched the air and a beam shot out of his hand, hitting Birdramon.

"NOOO!" the bird cried out as he was consumed by the beam of light and turned into data.

Angemon floated down and the bits of data flew up to him, being absorbed into Angemon's body. "If you surrender now," Angemon called out to the remaining Tortomon. "I'll make your death less painful."

"Angemon!" Keith ordered sternly. "No chances, remember?"

"R-right. Sorry, master." Angemon corrected himself, worried about disappointing his master.

"You... bastard!" Tortomon trembled in rage. "You absorbed him! How could you do that to another Digimon?!"

Angemon floated down, eventually standing on the ground. "Because it his my master's wish. I sworn to serve him, and so he asks this."

"You... you..." Tortomon ran towards Angemon. "I'LL KILL YOU!"

Veemon watched in anger at Birdramon's defeat. "I.. couldn't do anything..." Veemon smacked his fist against the wall. "After all I said, I still can't protect one shtupid Digimon!"

"I know, it's frustrating, isn't it?" Veemon heard the familiar voice comfort him.

"Ryuji!" he said as he turned to his friend but quickly closed his eyes, folded his arms and turned away from him. "Hmph! What are you doing here?"

"Aw, come on! Please forgive me?" Ryuji half-heartedly pleaded. "Tell ya what, I know how to make it up to you." He pulled his Digivice out of his pocket.

Veemon turned his head to his partner. He grinned furiously. "Well then, let'sh get to work!"

Tortomon fell on the ground, covered in bruises. "You're a fool." Keith taunted. "That armor on your back was the best advantage you had, now you're blindly attacking and throwing yourself wide open."

"Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Tortomon yelled. He didn't care about being fool, he had to avenge Birdramon. He charged towards Angemon only to be hit in his side by Angemon's staff and fell on the ground.

Angemon's hand began to glow again. Punching the air, he cried out "Hand of Fate!" and fired the beam out of his hand. Tortomon felt his entire body become paralyzed in fear as the beam came towards him. Before the beam hit him however, a light blue beam intercepted it, causing a small explosion in the street. Both Tortomon and Angemon were surprised and confused by what happened.

"So you came." Keith mumbled. When the dust settled Ryuji and Veedramon appeared, standing in front of Tortomon, facing Angemon. Ready to fight.

"Who the heck are you?" Tortomon asked in confusion.

Ryuji turned to Tortomon, took out his Digivice and pressed the first button on it, opening the portal to the Digital world. "Quick, go through this!" he ordered to Tortomon. "It'll take you to the Digital world!"

"Go back to the Digital world?" Tortomon asked considering the thought, but quickly dispelled the thought. "No! I have to avenge Birdramon!"

"Forget about that, we'll handle Angemon!" Veedramon gave Tortomon a thumbs up sign.

"Yeah, right now you can't really beat him. We'll take care of him while you get out of here!" Ryuji explained.

'This guy, helping me when we haven't even met.' "Okay then." Tortomon reluctantly accepted. "But, who are you two?"

Both Ryuji and Veedramon turned to the tortoise. With reassuring smiles Ryuji said "We're just two Dragons coming through!"

A bead of sweat ran down Tortomon's head from the eccentric response, but ignored it. "R-right. I'll make sure to remember it." Tortomon farewelled as he escaped through the portal, with it closing behind it.

Ryuji and Veedramon turned their attention back to Keith and Angemon. "Well, for one, I'm annoyed that you let that Digimon escape." Keith said. "But on the other hand, I finally get to see how strong you two are. Angemon!"

Angemon, who was awaiting his master's orders flew towards Ryuji and Veedramon, who barely dodged the tackle. "Get ready Veedramon, he's coming around again!" Ryuji ordered. "Remember the plan I told you?"

"Y-you do know how much of a risk that is?!" Veedramon barked at his partner as he shivered in fear.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine.." Ryuji responded nonchalantly.

"You're only saying that 'cause you're not the one at risk!" Veedramon yelled, but returned his attention back to Angemon who had turned around and was preparing to strike Veedramon. 'Now Veedramon!' Veedramon reassured himself. 'What did Ryuji say about Keith? That strategy...'

A few minutes earlier:

"Veedramon, before we fight those two, I want to tell you an idea I have to defeat Keith." Ryuji explained.

"Fine, fine. Jusht make it quick."

"I still don't want to fight Keith, but he'll still attack us if we appear before him."

"Yeah, yeah, what're you trying to say?" Veemon impatiently asked.

Ryuji chuckled. "Elementary, my dear Veemon! Do you know why Keith wants us to fight him in the first place? It's 'cause he's bored and he wants a strong opponent. A challenge. Someone who he can enjoy struggling against. So what would he not attack then?"

"Someone who won't put up a fight!" Veedramon spread his arms wide, awaiting the oncoming Angemon and closed his eyes in prospect of the attack.

"Angemon, stop!" Keith cried. Angemon instantly stopped his attack, barely a few centimeters away from Veedramon.

Veedramon let out a sigh of relief. "That was too close for comfort..."

Keith walked towards Ryuji. "What was that?" he demanded.

"Your weakness." Ryuji replied with a cocky smile. "You're proud. You'd never beat an opponent that wasn't trying. So I figured that if I didn't want to face you, I'd have to just not try. And you'd ignore us."

Keith grimaced. "You're right. I'd never attack someone very weak or who wasn't trying. It wouldn't be an actual fight. But I see that your priority is sending Digimon back to the Digital World."

"Well, duh." Ryuji mocked. "If they stay around here they're gonna hurt people. But we don't want them to be absorbed by the likes of you. So, the only place for them is their own world."

"But.. why? Why won't you absorb them and make Veedramon stronger?!" Keith asked, angry at Ryuji's ridiculous thought.

Ryuji chuckled as Veedramon came to his side and changed back into Veemon. With a cocky grin he replied "Because we're not like you. We don't want absolute power just for the sake of it."

"We wanna help both Humansh and Digimon!" Veemon added.

"Me and Veemon, we're partners! Not just Digimon and Tamer. We're heroes!"

"We're Digimon Heroes!" They both cried in unison.

"'Heroes' huh?" Keith whispered. "Angemon, let's go." he called out.

"Yes, sir." The two of them turned their backs to the newly self-proclaimed 'Heroes'.

"Ryuji. I almost forgot." Keith called to him. "I didn't answer you question."

"Huh? Oh wait, you mean that..."

"Wait, what're you two talkin' about?!" Veemon demanded, trying to get the two's attention.

"I asked this guy if there were other Tamers in the city." Ryuji explained. He turned his attention back to Keith. "So?"

"There are two." Keith saw Ryuji and Veemon high five each other as if they just won something.

"And? What are they like?" Ryuji asked enthusiastically.

"One of them hardly knew anything about Digimon and their Digimon was growing very slowly. And the other..." Keith paused at the memory of that person. "... irritating woman..." he muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Ryuji asked.

"Uh, n-nothing." Keith regained his composure. "Well, see ya." he began to walk away with Angemon in toe.

"Wait!" Ryuji called. "Why are you telling me this?"

Keith chuckled. "You won't fight me, but you can still humor me. Run off and be 'the hero this city deserves, but not the one it needs' or whatever you like to call yourself. It should be fun to watch." Keith and Angemon walked away, disappearing from sight as they turned a corner.

"So..." Veemon broke the silence as he turned to his partner. "What now?"

"We keep doing what we do best. Stop Digimon and send them back to the Digital world."

"Is that it?" Veemon asked in disappointment.

"Of course not!" Ryuji grinned and held his head high. "According to Keith, we still have two Tamers to meet! And who knows, maybe they'll become Digmon Heroes like us."

"Right!" Veemon raised his hand. "Here's to tomorrowsh friends!"

Ryuji high-fived Veemon. "Yeah!"

'Well, that didn't go exactly as I predicted.' Keith monologued as he walked down the deserted street. 'Perhaps I told Ryuji a bit too much...' He pulled his Digivice out of his pocket and stared at it. 'Oh well, at least he doesn't know every secret I have...'

AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorited, or followed