Second Coming: Providence
Chapter Four: Loose Ends I
"...gave them each a card and left," Takato finished debriefing the Admiral of events that took place three weeks prior. TK had already told him of Black Steel's agreement to the exchange program. Takato only hoped that he was as fortunate with Fire and Ice.
The brunette suddenly began snickering. "Oh man, when I got home, you should have seen the looks on my parents' faces. It was priceless!"
"They were that freaked out, were they?" the blond asked with a hint of amusement.
"My mom thought I had joined a street a gang!"
"Yeah," TK said, eyes shifting over into the infinite darkness surrounding them. "She doesn't know you've joined a different sort of fellowship," he said quietly. "Still, it's your own fault for calling so much attention to yourself. You didn't have to change your clothes so radically."
"Says you," Takato retorted. "I had to get out those clothes. They were cramping my style!" claimed the greatest Tamer of all, as though such an act was an affront to the universe itself.
"If 'style' means 'insanity', then yes."
"Tomato, potato," Takato dismissed. "Not like you're one to talk, Mr. Sunglasses and spiky hair. So, what did your mom say to Huey living with you guys? Was she cool with it?"
TK grunted lightly. "She was pretty dubious when I first mentioned it, but she came around to the idea eventually."
"Yeah? What was the problem?"
"I'm not really sure I know. There's enough space for a third person, so that wasn't it." The boy's blue eyes lowered briefly. "I think it was the idea of having someone else, anyone else, living with us when Mom and I have been by ourselves for years now..."
Takato sighed happily as he laced his fingers behind his head. "I know what you mean. I didn't realize until I started helping them bake bread in the mornings just how much I missed my parents. I guess I just forced myself to forget so it would hurt less," he added with a slight shrug.
A sudden shimmer of emotion hit Takato; it was like a slight tingling on his skin. He knew it to be from the empathetic link that he shared with TK. But the slip in his friend's control was so short, lasting only a fraction of a second, and the escaped feeling so minute that he was not able to recognize it in such a brief window of time.
Fortunately, Takato had never been one for subtly.
"What is it, TK? I felt it. You know I felt it. So what's up?" After getting no other response than a blank stare, Takato's eyes became misty and his lips quivered. "Don't hide your feelings from me, TK!" he cried in horrendous melodrama. "You know we have something special!" Crocodile tears ran down his cheeks as he moved to embrace the other Virus Buster.
He got within arm's reach before TK's outstretched hand against his forehead halted Takato's advance. Takato childishly pressed on, but TK had the longer reach, that lanky, emotionally repressed bastard.
"Get away from me, you whack-job!" TK shouted, backing up from his deranged ally.
Takato gave a maniacal chuckle as he assumed what could only be described as groping posture. "Not until you stop holding back your feelings."
"Takato," the blond growled, pushing down a shudder as the other boy wiggled his fingers. "If you don't cut it out I'll stop holding back alright." He slid into a fighting stance with his right fist raised and his left hand open and near his hip. His hand-to-hand had always been better than Takato's.
Sadly, this did not deter the Gogglehead. Takato, truly a boy who knew no fear, lunged. His hands scarcely touched TK's shoulders before the momentum was used against him to send him flying overhead with a roll. As the blond kicked off his back, Takato twisted and easily landed on his feet, facing TK. Without any hesitation he charged again.
"Come on," he prompted, ducking under a roundhouse kick, "just tell me what it is; I've had it up to here with your emotional constipation!"
"Stop imagining things! There is no 'it'!" TK kicked out again, but Takato caught his leg. He jumped and attempted to kick the brunette, but Takato tilted his head back, out of the way. Rolling with this, TK rotated his body before he hit the ground and pivoted off his hands, leg-sweeping Takato. The Gogglehead flipped in the air two times before landing on his face.
"Ow..." the boy croaked. Before he could get up TK was siting cross-legged on his back, holding his wrists in submission.
"Had enough?" TK asked, tightening his grip. His eyes widened when he felt two sneakers lock together under his chin. The shoes were pulled back with great force as Takato simultaneously lifted his upper body as much as he was able, slingshoting TK into the air. The blond curled then flipped and landed nimbly on his feet in a rigid posture.
Takato sprang up like a snake. "Have you?" he asked in return, red eyes narrowed.
TK stared down the Commander for a moment before sliding out of his combat stance and shifting his eyes away. "I'm fine. Stop worrying about me," he said lightly.
Takato stood straight as well. He laced his fingers behind his neck again. "Hm, yeah, okay. If you say so." He decided to let the mater drop for now. TK didn't have to share if he wasn't ready to.
Getting back to business, Takato said, "So, anyway, you had asked me about the tv show..."
"Were you able to watch all of the... episodes?" TK asked, pausing briefly to sigh before saying the last word. There wasn't any point in being angry every time it was brought up. The reality of the situation was that, to everyone but Takato, their plights were merely those of fictional characters in parallel Real World.
"Yeah. Thankfully they were running a marathon about a week ago. They really don't show tem the way they used to.... I wonder why that is." Noticing the slight glowering in the other boy's eyes, he cleared his throat and continued. "Uh, no, there wasn't anything different about any of the episodes. All the way through that batshit insane finale, everything was the same as it had been." Takato laughed. "Once again my nerd tendencies contribute to the welfare of the universe."
"You are a credit to your people," Takeru said in absolute deadpan. But of course he knew Takato was right. His savvy had saved TK on a number of occasions.
The Tamer's smile only widened.
A sudden beeping noise sounded from his waist; his D-Ultima was glowing. Takato unclipped the Digivice from his waist and looked at the screen. Rarely had TK ever seen such an unbridled look of joy in anyone's eyes as he was seeing from Takato at that moment.
"Oh yeah! Looks like it's time for me to become a mommy!"
With a quizzical look on his face, TK pieced it together. "So Guilmon's egg is hatching. Congratulations," he said, completely sincere. He too had awaited the time he would be reunited with his partner. The past three weeks without him were surreally empty. But the younger part of TK was used to being separated from his partner. Neither side like it, but it did make things more bearable.
"Thanks man! So are we done here, or..." Takato inquired. TK could feel the excitement bubbling off of him.
He smiled. "Just go," he ordered with a salute. "And tell Guilmon I said hello."
Takato saluted in return. "Only if you do the same for me with Patamon. Good luck with your Easter egg hunt!"
The Digidestined and the Tamer faded from the darkness and returned to their corporal forms.
(Digimon)
TK opened his eyes. It was night outside, as it had been before he had contacted Takato. He never slept very well anyway.
His mother was asleep, as she would expect him to be at the moment. But TK had other plains. Takato wasn't the only one about to be reunited with his Digimon partner. Not by a longshot.
He stood from his bed, where he had been sitting, and went to his closet. TK withdrew a green backpack; it was the same as when they had gone on that 'camping trip' to defeat the Digimon Emperor.
They were moving tomorrow, so all of their nonessentials were already waiting in the moving van. He had another bag with his change of clothes, but the backpack contained what he needed for he trip he was about to take. Including his deck of cards, which he attached to his hip at that moment.
With a strap slung over each shoulder and his sunglasses on, he was ready to depart. He unsheathed the blade of his D-Ultima, its golden glow lighting the room, its soft hum in his ears. He slashed forward once, ripping open a hole between the dimensions of the Real World and the Digital World.
"Here I come... Patamon."
He leapt into the golden abyss.
(Digimon)
Perched on the window in his room, Takato prepared to depart. Of course Guilmon would choose now to hatch, he thought with a small smile. Right out of the egg he was starting to be unruly again. In his home it was always early to bed early to rise, a direct result of running a bakery on the first floor. That left him with only a few hours to get Guilmon and get back before they could notice he was gone.
He couldn't have Yamaki finding Guilmon first. Takato remembered that currently the G-man was a little unhinged in all matters Digimon.
The Digital Hazard symbol burned into life on his forehead as he donned his goggles. With a deep breath, he attempted to zoom on to the roof of the building adjacent to his window. But it seemed he had not performed the maneuver correctly, as he missed his intended landing spot...
Takato gave startled shout of surprise and pain, but mostly pain, as he clipped the corner of the roof during his highspeed movement. His body ricocheted and spun out of control, spiraling rapidly six stories in the air. The severe tunnel-vision plaguing him prevented Takato from righting himself, or even knowing where he was going to land.
Abruptly, hellish journey and girlish screams alike were brought to an end as he began to pinball between the two walls of an alley, ultimately bringing him to a halt as his body crashed into a cluster of conveniently placed trash cans.
Takato blinked beneath his goggles. A part of him was amazed that he was still alive after that, without any broken bones, even. But the other part knew he had survived much worse.
Releasing a shuddering breath, Takato peeled a rotting banana peel off of is head.
"Yeah, flash step still needs some work," he heaved despairingly. He guessed his body was still adapting to the presence and use of Digital Hazard. "Dammit! I bet TK's not having this problem!"
Sighing, he stood up and dusted himself off, taking the time to right the trash cans he knocked over... and dented... and crushed. Thankfully, in this very early morning hour, no one was around to notice this completely natural event.
And on the positive side of things, according to his D-Ultima he was closer to Guilmon's hatching spot.
"Well, there are other ways to get around than flash stepping," he said to himself resignedly. He unhooked the necklace of Guilmon's baby teeth from his belt. He held it in his left hand and began to spin one end of it like they did with the grappling hooks in those old ninja movies.
Takato threw the chain upwards, and it stretched to the point of impossibility, reaching the top of the seven-story building; one of the fangs latching onto the surface. He had but to will it and the chain heaved him upward. His hair was flapping in the wind as his body ascended to the roof. Once he had the proper momentum to carry him, the chain began to slow its reel. At the zenith of his leap, the chain released the surface of the roof and returned to normal size as Takato landed safely.
His chest huffed as he breathed heavily, his heart was racing with pure adrenaline. He'd never felt so alive!
He approached the edge of the roof and looked down. From his position, Takato could tell exactly where Guilmon was going to be born into this world. And to be honest, he should have been able to guess it much earlier.
The park.
Grinning like a damn fool, Takato jumped onto the ledge and readied his chain. "Heh, heh, heh, rippin' it Spiderman style." Taking in a deep breath, Takato to a face dive off the roof. After falling a good thirty feet, he whipped his arm out and threw the chain to the roof of four-story building. He swung in a wide arc as his body raised in altitude yet again. It was kind of like being on the swings at the park, just a lot more dangerous, and a lot more fun.
The chain released the roof and slung him further into the air. "Hang on, boy, I'm a coming!"
(Digimon)
She was running. She seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. Everyone was. It was the new thing. The new thing for anyone who happened to not want to become one of the Digimon Emperor's slaves.
Gatomon had always considered herself to be something of a hunter; from the first day she hatched, all alone in the cold world, she had sought out a purpose, then power, and then finally friendship. And she had found all three in her human partner. It was a skill that was finely tunned when she worked for that bloodsucking bastard.
But now... she was the prey.
And she didn't like it. Not one bit.
Her predator had wings. He hunted her from the sky. He also had freakin' laser balls shooting out of his mouth.
She remembered being able to fly, for a rather brief period of time. She missed it. She missed her Ultimate form so very much. The feelings of beauty, and of power. Oh, if she had the power now, it would be the Digimon Emperor who'd be running, not her. She would be raining down justice in the form of light arrows.
But even if Kari was with her, that power was gone now, given back to the Digital World to help restore the beauty that the Dark Masters had tarnished so exhaustively.
Her closest friends, Digimon of the other Chosen Children, were in the same predicament that she was in, running from the Digimon Emperor and those who were unfortunately under his command. They had been separated early on, and she had not seen any of them since.
Without their partners, they were stuck at the Rookie level. In that regard, she had the advantage over them, which in all honesty was a first. Being a Champion, Gatomon was able to defend herself better, but not against the sheer numbers that the Digimon Emperor sent out on patrol. Fighting one was an almost guaranteed way to fight five or even twenty. And the Digimon were innocent...
Her sharp, purple-tipped ears twitched as they picked up the familiar sound of a Dark Ring whizzing through the air. Startled, she looked back without stopping, and discovered that indeed there was a Dark Ring flying through the air, headed right for her!
No, no! She picked up her pace, desperate to outrun the floating obedience collar. But it was still gaining on her. Meters away, then feet, and then mere inches from latching onto her and stripping away her freedom; it was one of the things she coveted deeply, having already been enslaved for the majority of her life.
And in mere fractions of a second, that sweet freedom would be taken away from her.
Her heart was racing as a fear she had never known swept through her.
In mid-stride, the Dark Ring zoomed in to latch onto her. To Gatomon's immense relief, her Tail Ring shone with holy light and repelled the Digimon Emperor's foul invention.
Pausing her fleeing, Gatomon eyed the holy artifact on her curving tail. "That was close," she remarked breathlessly.
She was ripped from any further thoughts on the matter when she sensed a presence behind her. Her crystal-blue eyes widened when she realized that her predator had caught her off-guard, and was capitalizing on that advantage.
Unimon struck without hesitance or mercy. "Horn Blaster!" From his mouth the helmeted phantom beast type breathed a light-blue ball of energy and spat it at one of his master's targets.
Caught flatfooted, Gatomon could only watch as the attack was sent on a collision course toward her. That was when a familiar voice called out.
"Ambush Boom Bubble! Pah! Pah!"
Two spheres of compacted air intercepted Unimon's blast. The first stopped the attack a mere foot from Gatomon's face. The second sphere actually bounced the glowing ball of energy back in the direction of Unimon, sending it slamming into him. The winged horse neighed furiously and rose up on its hind legs in an attempt to stomp her out.
Gatomon, though perplexed by the preceding events, shook off her surprise and moved into action. Unimon's hooves only hit dirt as the smaller Champion nimbly jumped out of the way and onto her front paws, springing off them and back-flipping into the air, . Her long tail neatly coiled around Unimon's neck, just above the Dark Ring, halting her in the perfect position to strike the objet of her ire.
"Lightning Paw!" Gatomon shouted fiercely, lashing out with a perfect horizontal slash of her sharp claws. The Dark Ring shattered into fragments under the force of her attack.
Suddenly finding himself in control of his body and mind again, Unimon stumbled. There was no longer a menacing red glow emitting from his eyes. "What happened to me?" he asked groggily.
"You were under the control of the Digimon Emperor. I had to destroy it to free you," the white feline informed. "You should get out of here while you can, 'cause the place is still flooding with the Emperor's patrol."
Unimon nodded and took flight, not wanting to be taken control of for a third time. First Dark Gears, now Dark Rings... What did a mon have to do to get some peace around here?
"Now then," Gatomon said aloud, looking around the shrubbery that surrounded her, "I think a certain big ears needs to get his butt out here so I can thank him for saving me." She didn't recognize the attack that shielded her from Unimon's, but she definitely recognized the voice.
Bashfully, Patamon revealed himself from the shrubbery. "They aren't that big, are they?" the bat-pig asked self-consciously, fingering one of his wings. Instead of receiving an answer, he was pounced upon by his longtime friend.
"Patamon! I'm so glad you're alright," Gatomon said, crushing him in a hug, her nails digging into him possessively. She held him out in her arms to look at him. "Have you seen any of the others?"
Reacquainted with oxygen, Patamon shook his head. He looked down at Gatomon "No, you're the first one I've seen since we we're separated... Could you put me down please? Being held like this... it's kind of embarrassing," he muttered. She wouldn't hold Agumon or Gabumon in such a manner. She couldn't, as a matter of fact. But that was the price Patamon paid for being fun-sized.
"You're right. We don't want to get caught by the Emperor's slaves." Gatomon set him down. She noticed him eyeing the ground behind her. He was looking at the Dark Ring that had almost caught her.
Patamon approached the black halo. "Isn't this one of those Dark Rings? What happened to it?"
"It tried to get me before Unimon showed up," Gatomon informed him. She rubbed her tail comfortingly, that moment of terror resurfacing. "Somehow, my Tail Ring deflected it awa-well don't touch it!" the feline shouted as a warning when Patamon picked up the ring and examined it.
"Don't worry, it seems like it's been deactivated," the bat-pig noted. He shook the device, and when it did nothing, he smiled. "Guess you must have shorted it out."
Gatomon was still uneasy. Active or not, it was like holding a landmine in your hands: just not worth the risk. What was worse was that Patamon was the one holding it. She really wasn't sure she could handle him being enslaved. She'd have to kick his butt.
"Well... we should get out of here, before anymore of those things show up. Right... Patamon?" she ventured when he didn't answer.
The Rookie looked at her for a moment, as if deciding what he was going to say, before giving her a remorseful smile. "Gatomon, I think we should spilt up."
As expected, she did not take that to well. Gatomon, taken aback, looked at him with wide eyes. "What are you talking about?" She crossed her arms and tapped her foot against the ground as she impatiently waited for an answer. "We just got back together!"
"...I know," he said gently. "Believe me, I know. But just think about it for a second. How many opportunities would we have to find a Dark Ring that's completely intact? We might be able to find out how they work, and maybe then we can find out how to shut them down."
Gatomon blinked. She raised a gloved paw to her mouth in thought. "That's a good plan, little man. But there's just one problem: who would we get to analyze it?" While Gatomon was decently computer literate, she did not have the tools for such a task.
"Listen, you know that they're coming, right? You know that they will be here, don't you?"
Gatomon nodded seriously, knowing full well to whom he was referring. They would come, she knew it. She didn't know when, but their human partners, the true Digidestined, would be there.
"But until they do get here," Patamon continued, "it's our duty to keep this safe. I think we both know a certain someone who'd be happy to take a look at the Emperor's technology..." he trailed off.
"Ah! We get Izzy to look at it."
Patamon blinked, looking sincerely confused. "No," he said, keeping his voice open and honest. "We get Tai."
The two Digimon looked at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. The Gogglehead's 'maintenance' of computers was infamous for consisting of well placed haymakers.
"So where are we going to keep this thing where it'll be safe?" Gatomon asked, calming.
She was a little thrown by what she had just said. Keeping a Dark Ring safe? Not what she imagined she'd be doing with her day.
Thoughtfully, Patamon said, "I do have a place in mind, but it's pretty high up..." He paused, rubbing his neck. "That's why we have to split up; I have to fly to get there."
That made sense to Gatomon. But she still didn't like it. "Don't count me out just yet! Where is this place, exactly?"
The Rookie's eyes uncomfortably inched away from hers. "Infinity Mountain."
It was barely a whisper but she had caught it. "Oh... I see." She paused briefly. "Are you sure you want to go alone?" she asked carefully. Gatomon knew that he would never go there unless he thought he absolutely had to, so she didn't bother arguing.
He nodded. "I'll be fine. And it'll be quicker this way." He hoisted the Dark Ring over his narrow shoulder. "Try to find the others if you can, but don't take any risk of being found. Stay safe," he stressed.
"Patamon," the Champion called before her took flight. He turned back to her. After a moment of silence, Gatomon smirked and pointed at his ears. "They're huge!"
Patamon groaned.
(Digimon)
The air was still. Solemn. It enveloped the boy in a haze of remembrance. Takato Matsuki gazed up at the stone steps that suddenly seemed to go on forever; his red stare forlorn.
Though short, the trip to the park had been some of the most fun Takato could remember having for a very long time. He had felt utterly weightless as swung from so high in the skies from one rooftop to another, leaping, flipping and twirling. Weightless... and free! For so long there had been nothing but war and death in Takato's life; at least that of his older self. He made it through everything, shouldered the burden of fighting, brutally killing his enemies as the feared Blood Knight, and losing all but three of his closest friends.
He hesitated.
At the top of the hill would be the truest step to walking that path of carnage once again. It was really stupid and immature not to have realized sooner, but Takato wasn't sure if he was ready for the reality of his situation to come crashing down on him as it was now.
By this point in the original time line, Takato had been a novice in combat, innocent and almost sickeningly green. He'd never killed a Digimon before, and he certainly had never taken a human life. But the Commander of the Virus Busters had done both in great abundance. Those memories came unbidden to the younger portion of his soul. They made him uneasy as the likelihood of having a part in similar events only increased with the pass of time.
For one brief but intensely selfish moment, it crossed his mind that he could walk away from it all. But then, just as quickly, he realized that such an act would mean giving up on Guilmon, Takeru, and Patamon.
And that was unthinkable.
He took the first step and fell into a torrent of memories.
The entire city was in a panic. It was pure unadulterated madness and anarchy. Streets were filled with panicking civilians being carried away by various Digimon. Their terrified screams as they were picked off the ground by the Harpymons' sharp talons were drowned out by most of the chaos. Even children were not spared.
His red eyes, seasoned and glowing with hatred, scanned the area and saw that his home was one of many buildings set ablaze. No! His faithful partner charged forward and he, nested upon the red beast's head, began slashing cards like crazy as they mauled anything Digital that dared be in their path.
Staggering just a little, Takato caught himself and cautiously took to the next step.
Things were even worse for them here, as he had expected. The fighting was quickly over in the vast majority of the world. Only the Tamers of Shinjuku remained to fight, and that only caused more trouble than it was worth. With the dominated populace of the entire world demanding them to stop fighting a lost war, Takato had decided it was best for them to leave, because damned if he let any of them be handed over to the 'Daemon Corps'.
Here in the Digital World, it was nothing but one continuous wave of enemies after another. They didn't have a steady residence, couldn't afford to. But they were ready for them. And as the one who lead them to this Godforsaken land, he had to remain the most vigilant of all. He owed them that at least.
He took the next step with strengthened resolve.
In every sense, hope and light had just entered into their broken lives. Along with it came a good deal of surrealism. He could scarcely believe it but they were real, and their plight identical to their own. Things were looking up for the Tamers. They would free their world yet!
Takato began to steadily climb the stairs. His pensiveness was fading with each memory.
Meeting the original Gogglehead for him was what it must have been like meeting the original Red Ranger. And more than that, they were all... well, most of them were here. Having previously thought of them as beloved fictional characters, he was no less saddened to hear about Cody's death. And hearing about it just after witnessing Kari's... It quickly drove home shit was as real here as back in his world.
He reached over and patted Guilmon on the head as he whimpered from the thick scent of despair.
I can do this, two voices in his head chanted in unison. I can do this.
With dual, double-barrel shotguns, he stood over his target anxiously. Takeru was nowhere in sight, and the girl before him was turning. Her warm amber eyes flickered with the soulless black they associated with the Nightmare Soldiers.
He cold see her lips move, mouthing 'Please', begging him. They both knew the consequences of what would happen if he did nothing. Their position would be given away before the Admiral could free himself. They would be overwhelmed.
Hardening his heart, Takato raised his shotgun to her head.
"I'm sorry, Jeri."
Takato gritted his teeth and pressed on. I can do this...
"Argh!" the redhead screamed in an unusually girlish manner. Well, unusual for her anyway. She backed away from her sparring partner with a light cut on her cheek. "Takato, watch where you're pointing that thing!"
"Heh," he scoffed, eyes closed with a leering smile. "You weren't saying that last night!"
Even if his eyes had been open, he wouldn't have seen the punch that knocked him unconscious.
I can do this, the two voices chanted, one belonging to the young and innocent wannabe cartoonist, the other to the cold-blooded killer, Blood Knight. With each step came another memory he conquered. And by the time he reached th top of the steps, the two voices had gradually become one. There... was no echo. There was no ring of the voices. There was only one.
I can do this. I already have.
He reached the of the steps. Takato blinked and slowly glanced from side to side. He felt different somehow... complete. Ever since the merge it had been like he was being split in two different directions. But now he felt at peace.
Freeeeaky, Takato thought. Guess it comes with the time-traveling territory.
Takato approached the iron-barred 'cage' that had been Guilmon's home. Giddily smiling, he opened the gate and jumped inside. "Guilmon! I'm here, boy!" he called jubilantly. He looked around and his smile dropped.
His partner was nowhere to be found. There were no marks on the ground that indicated digging. No flaming rodents. Nothing.
An irrational panic quickly sprouted inside the Tamer. He checked the D-Ultima again. According to the compass Guilmon should be right in front of him but..!
He ran out of the concrete hut to search for Guilmon. He had scarcely begun to call his name before something crashed into him bodily.
"Ambush!" a singsong voice shouted . Guilmon laughed from atop his Tamer. "Got you, Takatomon!" He blinked when his Tamer turned his head too look at him with a serious face.
"Guilmon..." he began. Then he burst into a wide smile. "Good one, boy! I never saw it coming! Oh, and TK says hello."
The heavy Rookie let him up and Takato gave him a fierce hug. Guilmon returned it quickly. He stepped back to look at his partner. Guilmon was exactly as he was supposed to be. Not a single design or color was out of place.
"Takatomon, did you bring any bread?" the Reptile type asked with hopeful golden eyes.
Even his apatite was in check.
Takato smiled apologetically. "Sorry boy, but I didn't want to wake my parents up. Next time, I promise." Guilmon pouted unhappily, so Takato added, "Well, you could have bread sooner if you got into the D-Ultima..."
Guilmon scrunched hin nose. "Bleh!"
Takato smiled. He knew Guilmon hated being in that confined space. "Don't worry. Next time is in just a few hours. I'll be back with plenty of bread. And peanut butter too!" This promise caused the Rookie to howl happily.
That was when the only thing that could make the moment even better happened. The D-Ultima began to beep, and Guilmon's eyes dilated. There was a Digimon realizing into the Real World.
"Well that's mightily convenient," Takato noted. He shrugged and turned to Guilmon. "Ready to go, boy?"
Always eager for a battle, Guilmon nodded, and the gruesome twosome were on their way.
(Digimon)
Patamon was flying. No, it felt more like he was soaring. He'd never flown this quickly in his Rookie form before. Some people thought it looked cute and desperate when he flew, with his big ears and proportionately small body.
Well they certainly wouldn't have that opinion of him now! His wings were moving as quickly as Tentomon's did, but they were even more powerful than Biyomon's. The Dark Ring he carried to the mountaintop didn't slow him down at all.
He had flown as lowly as possible to avoid detection by any unwanted parties that might interfere with his mission. But when the place of his first death came into sight, he flew high and fast. In just under a minute he reached the sanctuary that crowned Infinity Mountain. Patamon had no intention of entering that accursed building. So he set the Dark Ring on the ground and meditated on his situation.
Thoughts of his newly acquired power coursed through his mind. What were his limitations? Would he be able to go Ultimate or even Mega as he pleased? Patamon searched within himself for the answer.
No. I won't, he decided. He could feel that his Digicore was still not stabilized from the fusion. And until it did, he would not have full access to the tremendous powers residing within him. I won't be able to sustain anything above Champion until I've mastered all the forms. Just as Seraphimon said.
Patamon's ears suddenly twitched. He slowly opened his eyes as the sounds of footsteps coming up the mountain became louder. Gliding over to the edge, Patamon peered down.
A green and yellow blur was speeding up the side of the mountain with vertical leaps and dashing movement. Every now and again he would simply vanish and appear three or four feet closer to the mountaintop; only traces of a gold outline were left where he previously stood. The figure soared over Patamon's head with a final leap. His crouched landing was surprisingly soft.
Patamon turned to look at the newcomer as he stood upright. The first thing he noticed was the Crest of Hope emblazoned on the forest-green duster's back; the long coat was just as tall as its wearer. The young man turned to face him, showing him that the Crest was also on the front of his equally green buttoned-up tunic. His heavy pants, also green, seemed loose, but since they didn't fall of while he was scaling Infinity Mountain, Patamon knew they had to fit. And on the waist of his pants a green rectangular container for cards rested.
There were pockets of yellow around the boy's uniform other than the Crest: the sash around his waist which the card holster was attached to; the wrappings around his pant legs that kept them secure so that he couldn't trip on them; the D-Ultima clamped to his right wrist; the pauldron on his left shoulder that was identical to Angemon's; and finally the yellow-tinted sunglasses on his face.
TK removed them to look down at his partner. He smiled joyously. "It's good to see you again, Pat."
"Well it's great seeing you, TK!" Patamon said, flying onto blond strands of hair, taking his rightful place atop TK's head. He was a little worried that the spiky hairstyle would hurt, but it was surprisingly comfortably for the pat-big.
For his part, TK just felt as though something that had been missing for a long time had finally returned. He hadn't seen his partner's Rookie form in years, as he had opted to stay only at Champion or above, even when sleeping. The mere presence of the mammal type told him that the world was in a better state than he was used to.
After a few moments of agreeable silence, Patamon spoke up. "So, I brought you a present." He pointed to the Dark Ring lying on the ground.
TK whistled. "Very nice." They had never recovered one of those fully intact before.
"You can thank Gatomon. I just flew it here express-style."
"Ah, noted." He picked up the Dark Ring and carefully placed it in his backpack, which he was carrying in his hands. "And I've got something for you as well." He took out an ice-cream sandwich that thankfully hadn't melted. Patamon gave a shout of joy and eagerly dug into the treat.
When he was done, TK told him to toss it over the cliff. Patamon frowned. "TK, you know I am strictly against littering."
TK rolled his eyes. "Just trust me."
Shrugging, Patamon did it. TK locked onto the falling trash and he took aim. Bizarrely, his eyes became a dark orange color. Courage.
He thrust his fist out and small pyre extended from it, incinerating the wrapper. Clenching and unclenching his fist, the Child of Hope checked his hand for any adverse side effects. There were none.
"So does that mean you have all your powers?" Patamon asked, curious as ever.
TK stared at his hand. "I don't think so. At least not to the extent they were. My flash steps are fine, if limited in distance, but my control over the ten elements is restricted to a very basic level. I can't even use my attacks! Tch, I bet Takato isn't having this problem. How about you?"
"I can only go Champion and Armor until I master every form on that level. Then my Digicore should be able handle Ultimate, and once I've done the same for that, Mega."
The blond made a thoughtful noise. "Well that makes things a little more difficult for what I have planned tonight."
"What are we doing?" Patamon inquired
"We're going to have to seal each of the Digieggs that I have with me," the Chosen Child stated patiently. "That way, when the others discover their eggs, I'll get them back, and I won't have to explain how I got them. Except maybe for why I have two Digieggs of Hope..."
Patamon nodded, but seemed dubious for some reason. "TK," he began carefully, "are we ever going to tell them?"
"Maybe," he said in return, eyes dimming at the thought. "Someday, maybe. If there is ever a right time to tell them, I think I'll know when that would be." He paused. "Are you alright with that?"
"I trust your judgement," Patamon said quickly. "I just don't like this lying to them, even by omission. It feels like we're manipulating them, playing gods like the Harmonious Ones..."
TK inwardly cringed at the comparison. It was alike, he supposed. No, he knew it was. He planned to withhold information from the other Digidestined, his friends, and in some cases would probably have to lie outright to do it.
The four guardians had kept vital information and necessary power from them. From him, specifically, because they doubted his ability. They doubted him and let the world burn. If the Digidestined had been given their Spheres when they were all alive, they could have contained the Daemon Corps to at least a stalemate. Then their world, and Takato's world, and who knew how ever many others would have been saved from devastation.
But while they were alike... they were also vastly different. Yes, he was holding back the truth because he didn't believe that, as they were now, the Digidestined would be able to handle news of their deaths.
However, TK did have faith in his friends. He was placing everything on them being able to take care of themselves and the entire world if he was killed while facing Daemon. He didn't want to twist them into his soldiers. He didn't even want to be their leader. He just wanted to help guide them into the strong people he knew they could be, that they had to be if they were to fulfil the taxing obligations they had accepted as Digidestined.
He didn't plan to tell them, but he also didn't plan to keep the truth from them forever. If, after he'd told them, they rejected him...
I don't care if they hate me, Takeru decided. As long as they're alive to do it. Their safety is what's important.
TK turned his attention back to the Rookie. "Everything is going to be fine Patamon. I promise."
He felt Patamon nod. "So what's the plan, Wing Zero?" the Mammal type asked him with a smirk.
"We have a mechanical lunatic to take care of," the human snorted. Patamon looked down at him from the top of his head with a blank stare. "Chaosdramon," he elaborated.
Patamon's eyes widened. "Oh. Well crud, are you sure we should be doing it alone?"
TK nodded certainly. "It's best we deal with him now before he's fully rebuilt himself. And it will be a good test of our skills to see how far we can go. Trust me, I have a plan"
Sighing, Patamon accepted that. Takeru always had a plan.
He jumped onto the ground as the blond placed the backpack over his shoulders. "So we're going to kill Chaosdramon and then we'll seal the Digieggs?" TK nodded. "Okay then. Just remember that I told Gatomon I was taking the Dark Ring here for safe keeping until you guys arrived..."
Again TK nodded to put Patamon at ease. "I'll take care of it. Ready?"
Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, Patamon braced himself. "Let's do it."
TK raised his D-Ultima and slashed a portal; then the Crest of Hope glowed in the center of the device. "Digi-Armor Energize!" Energy surged through the Rookie.
"Patamon Armor Digivolved to..."
His tiny body more than quadrupled in size, taking on the shape of a purebred stallion with muscular limbs for maximum leg power. Only his ears remained intact as two large feathered wings shot from his back. Jewel encrusted armor encased his head, calf muscles, and upper torso, where the Crest of Hope could be seen. Horseshoes of equal quality encased the holy beast's hooves. His mighty mane flew freely from the back of his head and a winding tail with finely trimmed hair completed the transformation.
"...Pegasusmon: Flying Hope!"
TK swiftly jumped onto the golden saddle. "To Multitask City!" Pegasusmon neighed and galloped to the portal. His feathered wings spread and the two entered.
(Digimon)
The fogbank they were searching for was on an undisturbed stretch of peaceful grass. They stood practically in the middle of the park, which was convenient, as the area was wide, open, and most importantly it was deserted. Better here than in the streets.
Guilmon's fierce eyes scanned the area for the enemy. Takato found this strange; he was used to the idea of the Rookie tracking with his nose, first and foremost. Must be because of the younger Guilmon's inexperience in battle... Oh crap! I hope I don't screw things up.
A large and rather terrifying looking shadow passed over them. Way over them. But it still rustled the trees with its wingspan. Guilmon growled and his Tamer's heart began to race. It was feeling like the first battle for each of them, and in some ways it was.
A real live Digimon battle, the thought passed through his head in awe. Takato gulped. I can handle this. I'm a war veteran for fuck's sake. Still, I am a little nervous.
Takato looked toward his partner. He was tense, to be sure. Guilmon's shoulders were hunched and he seemed about ready to lunge at anything that moved. "Ready, boy?" he asked uncertainly. The dino answered with a savage roar that would have made him tremble if he hadn't been sure it wasn't for him.
The newly realized opponent heard this call and apparently accepted it as a challenge. The wickedly winged Digimon circled around and swooped down at them.
Goggles shielded his eyes from various litter and other debris, but they didn't help him keep his balance against the accumulated winds. Takato was bowled over as the Digimon flew by. Guilmon remained firmly rooted on the ground; as soon as his eyes made contact with the gargoyle-like figure, and his Tamer lifted himself from the ground, a holographic image appeared over the D-Ultima.
Devidramon
Level: Champion
Attribute: Virus
Type: Evil Dragon
Attacks: Crimson Claw, Red Eye, Demonic Gale
He tears the enemy with his long arms, and flies in the darkness with his strong wings
Takato gaped as his eyes passed back and forth disbelievingly between the image on his D-Ultima and the soaring virus type. "Him!? Now? You've gotta be shitting me!"
"Who dares believe they are worthy to face me?" Devidramon demanded in a bestial and dominant roar. "Who!?"
"Not us! Not us!" Takato cried, frantically waving his hands.
"Yes us, Takatomon! Let's take him down!" That was Guilmon's voice, right? His heart was hammering so loudly he could barely hear.
But the message did get through. Okay, okay. Calm down. Take a deep breath, Takato. A deep- oh shit, he's coming back!
Guilmon attacked. "Pyro Sphere!" He launched a vivacious fireball, but his enemy shielded himself using his tattered wings.
The reptile type received a mocking laugh for his efforts. "Too weak!" It seemed irritatingly familiar to Guilmon.
Devidramon swiftly dove down at them again. Takato was able to remain standing only because the evil dragon had been targeting Guilmon, who was smacked in the head by Devidramon's long tail. The Rookie was thrown to the ground.
"Guilmon!"
"Takatomon," the smaller virus type whimpered. "Focus!"
Seeing his partner downed and outclassed, Takato realized that his hesitance was going to get Guilmon killed.
Seeing his partner downed and outclassed, the part of Takato that was terrified decided it was time to shape up. He was still afraid, but dammit, he was not going to let his partner and creation down just because of a brief and completely rational fear of four-eyed, snaggletoothed monsters. "Alright, that's enough cowering for one day! Maybe I can fit some into the schedule tomorrow, but right now we've gotta kick some digital ass. Guilmon, let's do this!"
At hearing the sound of his Tamer's voice, Guilmon righted himself. It seemed like Takato had finally gotten his head in the battle.
Takato knew he had to think fast because the angry Devidramon was coming back and seemed intent on having Guilmon's data for lunch. No, wait, it was morning, so for breakfast then. Or was it nighttime in the Digital world? Maybe-
Focus goddamnit! For the love of skating on sausages, focus!
Right, right. So which cards should he use? He was eager to use one of the Sovereign cards, but that would just be horrendous overkill. And he was pretty sure Guilmon couldn't handle that kind of power; no Rookie could.
Guilmon ran straight for the larger Digimon that was dive-bombing him. Maybe if he could score a hit, Takatomon would get even more confidence, and know which card to use. As Devidramon outstretched his suddenly-glowing-red claw, Guilmon did the same.
"Crimson Claw!
"Rock Breaker!"
It was no contest; when their attacks collided, the supernatural order of Digimon proved itself as the Champion completely overwhelmed the Rookie with superior strength. Guilmon was thrown against the trunk of a tree, splintering the bark and causing him to groan in pain.
Geez, this is worse than Charmeleon vs Aerodactly! Oh man, what did we do before? I used a Power card... but it didn't work. Neither did Speed or Hyper Wing. Guilmon ended up having to Digivolve. I'm not sure if that's even an option right now...
"Have you have enough, Rookie?" Devidramon spat. He glared down with his four eyes.
Painstakingly, the determined underdog rose to his clawed feet. "I'm... still... standing." By the time he finished that strained sentence, Guilmon fell flat on his maw with an exhausted sigh. "Ow..."
"Pitiful!" Devidramon snarled. "Weak! I had hoped to find a powerful opponent in this realm but it seems my search will continue. I will take your pitiful data and seek a worthy enemy." The evil dragon flapped its wings several times, forming a dark tornado of energy in front of him. "Demonic Gale!" One final push from its wings hurled the vortex toward the downed Digimon.
"Oh no," Takato gasped in horror as the attack raced toward his partner. "Guilmon! Guilmon, get up!" The brunette panicked as he tried to decide which card-holster would help him end this battle with Guilmon intact.
Every time he thought of reaching for a card, he froze. The sheer number of choices... the experience and knowledge his older self had of Digimon and card combinations... All of that with the stress of the situation was overwhelming him.
Should I use an Airdramon card to counter the vortex? Or a... Brave Shield? A Beam Shield?
Weakly opening his golden eyes, the reptile type gave an undignified yelp. With the dark tornado about to sweep him up, he clawed at the ground to keep himself from being drawn into the attack. Guilmon's grip on the concrete did not hold for long. He was sucked into the vortex.
Guilmon's body was being tossed about every which way. The attack covered him with light cuts and scratches as it tried to rip him to pieces with increasing velocity; though that didn't bother him as much as the spinning.
"Ta. Ka. To. Mon. I'm. Get. Ting. Di. Zzy." Guilmon shouted in broken syllables.
I should be doing something, Takato thought as he looked into Guilmon's pained eyes. I'm his Tamer. He needs me to do something. But I don't know what do. I don't... I can't... I.. I..
I can do this.
Those words went through his mind once... and suddenly seemed to drain away his nervousness. No answers came to him, but for some reason Takato began to believe in himself. In Guilmon. In the heart of the cards.
Red eyes stilled, and then narrowed.
I can do this.
The Tamer reached into the third holster of his card-belt.
So I will.
He didn't look at the card; he didn't need to. Takato just knew that it was exactly what they needed.
The Tamer raised and crossed his arms. "Here it comes, Guilmon! Aim for the bottom of the whirlwind." Unfurling his arms, Takato raked the card's edge against the slot of the D-Ultima in an upward arc of crimson. "Digi-Modify! Power Activate!"
Guilmon felt the strength of the card flowing through him. Doing as instructed, he aimed his head toward the ground as heat gathered in his mouth. "Pyro Sphere!" The attack collided with the ground and disrupted the winds of the Demonic Gale. The attack dissipated and Guilmon was freed. Landing on his own two feet, the golden-eyed Digimon looked toward his Tamer.
Takatomon looked back at him and nodded. "Take him down."
With that confirmation, Guilmon turned to face Devidramon. The evil dragon was growling something fierce at the smaller virus type. To think that a Rookie Digimon would be able to break free of his attack! And with the aid of a human no less..
"So you do have some fight left in you after all," the winged beast rumbled.
Guilmon's stare became more intense as his pupils seemed to contract even further. "It isn't going to stay inside me for very long. Raaahh!" The Rookie rushed at Devidramon with animalistic vigor.
Four red eyes widened briefly before the audacity of those words dawned on their owner. "You are right," Devidramon growled through his many sharp teeth. "Soon your power will belong to me!" His eyes began to glow with the intent to kill. "Demonic Gale!"
One flap of his wings sent another dark tornado at the approaching Guilmon; the attack was weaker than the first but traveled more quickly.
Takato withdrew another card and slashed it. "Digi-Modigy! Hyper Speed Activate!"
Guilmon shot past the attack which dissipated harmlessly behind him. It was difficult moving at such a speed but his tail helped balance him.
The Tamer watched Devidramon prepare to attack again, and realized there would be an opening when he reared his arms and wings back. "Digi-Modify! Veemon Activate!"
"Demonic-"
"Vee Headbutt!"
A red and black blur rocketed into the Champions exposed gut to deliver a truly punishing, rib-cracking blow. The force of Guilmon's attack was great enough that Devidramon was heaved off the ground and launched into the air, gasping and wheezing. The evil dragon caught himself using his wings and halted his backward ascent.
But Guilmon wasn't letting up. Almost the same moment as he landed, the ground exploded underneath him as he leapt at the suspended Digimon. With his movements still aided by the Hyper Speed card, the jump was easily able to carry him the distance.
Takato already had another card in hand. "Digi-Modify! Ankylomon Activate!"
The reptiles's red, scaley tail suddenly became yellow and armor-plated with a spiked, iron mass rested at the tip. Guilmon shifted his body to account for this devastating new weight. Managing one full twirl, he brought hammer down on the airborne Devidramon.
"Tail Hammer!"
Devidramon, who had not yet fully recovered from Guilmon's last attack, threw up a hasty defense with his arm and attempted to bat away the appendage; he severely underestimated the weight of the tail and the force behind it. It was like a toothpick trying to fend off a bowling ball. And the toothpick snapped.
The pained Champion howled so loudly that Guilmon almost missed the crunch of his arm breaking. Guilmon's Tail Hammer attack smashed into Devidramon's already damaged abdomen. The evil dragon plummeted to the ground unforgivingly. Guilmon's tail returned to its normal state just as his inertia faded and he began falling.
"Finish him," Takato all but whispered. Red eyes narrowed. His eyebrows trembled. The boy's breathing was labored. Voice gaining, he shouted his final order, "Finish him, now!"
Guilmon prepared to do just that, and dove down at his wounded enemy. Because Takatomon told him to. Guilmon raised his claw.
He was down. His wings were damaged from the fall. He couldn't stand because of the scathing injuries that had just been inflicted on him. His left arm, that had proudly torn through so many, was completely disabled. And then he heard the human meatbag give the order for his termination.
Was he... going to die? Was it all a waste? All the fighting he'd done... destroying his opponents and uploading their data to add to his power... had it all been pointless? Was it all meant to end here?
No... No! He would not be killed here! He would not! Not by some whelp of a Rookie!
"I will not be defeated! Not by you or anyone else!" Devidramon cried. His claw glowed red again. He brought the attack up at the falling Digimon with everything he was worth. With the force of his life!
The black markings on Guilmon's right wrist began to do the same. They flashed red several times before the Rookie's claw ignited. With flame racing around it, Guilmon brought his arm down upon Devidramon.
"Crimson Claw!"
"Hazard Claw!"
The two strikes clashed against one another, red sparks of energy exuding between the virus types from the conjoined output of their attacks. Takato watched on in suspense.
Five seconds after impact, the larger claw began to fracture under the pressure of Guilmon's onslaught. Devidramon's eyes widened as the reptilian tore through his long arm in a downward curve.
"NOOOOooooo-"
He was silenced as Guilmon's flaming claw punctured his throat.
Devidramon was ended. He had no time to contemplate how a Rookie could overwhelm him, or how the strength of the bond between a human and a Digimon could topple anything. He burst into blue data particles and was absorbed into the victor; as it had always been, and always would be for all time.
Guilmon's eyes briefly glowed red as he assimilated Devidramon's power into himself. Then the reptile type threw his head back to unleash a victorious roar. He had won!
He then turned to his Tamer and trampled over to him. "How was that, Takatomon?" he asked, waiting for much desired approval.
Takato removed his goggles and blinked for a moment. "Guilmon, that... that was awesome!" He embraced his partner. Then he pulled back, shamefaced. "Guilmon, I'm so sorry I froze up like that..."
"It's okay Takatomon. Everyone makes mistakes," Guilmon responded easily.
Takato smiled. "Yeah, I guess so. I just want you to know that you can count on me as a partner from now own."
Guilmon blinked innocently, and then laughed. "But I already do!"
Sighing, Takato just patted Guilmon on the head. "Let's go get you something to eat. Gah!" the Tamer cried as Guilmon excitedly jumped him.
(Digimon)
Flying over the decaying ruins of Multitask City was hauntingly similar to looking over one dire failure after another to protect the world on the part of the Digidestined. Famous monuments, statues and globally recognized national icons lay in waste. There was a collapsed Eiffel Tower in the Paris section of the city. The Statue of Liberty lie in pieces just outside the city limits of the New York section. Crumbled pyramids of Egypt...
"This is... terribly depressing," TK sighed out.
Pegasusmon had to agree. The carnage was unsettling in its familiarity. "We should take this site to heart, TK. This is exactly what we're trying to prevent."
The Chosen Child kept silent.
They flew a bit longer before their landing destination came into view: Multitask City's Rome Colosseum. Beneath the entire arena was a launchpad hidden underneath the dirt. The doors were damaged, much like the rest of the city, thanks to Machinedramon's Operation Elimin-8; they didn't close all the way, leaving a four foot wide gap that they could slip through.
The phantom beast landed on one of the broken panels and reverted to Patamon. He promptly seated himself on TK's head. "We should watch out for traps." His voice was significantly lighter than it had been just moments ago.
TK acknowledged the warning with a grunt as he set his backpack down to avoid damaging the Dark Ring. He approached the opening to the elevator and leapt down. The sound of creaking metal gears him prepared to jump, but the elevator began to lower them at a steady pace.
Once the elevator reached the bottom, it became abundantly clear that this facility was not built with the comfort of human travel in mind. The hallways were massively wide to fit the likes of the biggest Digimon, namely Machinedramon. The two warriors couldn't help but feel small in comparison.
Traveling through the gigantic hallways, they remained cautious and alert.
Oddly, many of the doors they passed weren't big enough for even Greymon to fit through, let alone someone of the former Dark Master's size. TK figured it must have been things Machinedramon didn't concern himself with, like the intricacies of running this facility.
Entering one room through a sliding automatic door, TK accessed the base's mainframe through one of the terminals, which seemed to be on an emergency battery. "If we can find out where the power is being syphoned to, we'll find Chaosdramon," he explained to Patamon's questioning stare. "There, on basement level five." He typed quickly to locate an elevator before the console lost power.
This elevator wasn't oversized like the previous one they had taken; that one had been for Gigadramon and Megadramon. This elevator seemed more suited to smaller, Rookie level Digimon like the Hagurumon that served under Machinedramon four years ago.
No music played in the lift. When doors opened at B-5, they exited.
After traveling down several more hallways, and backpedaling a few times, they came upon a very large, very thick sealed door... made of Chrome Digizoid, the strongest metal in the didn't open automatically, and with no control panel in sight, it was evident that this door was simply not meant to be opened. At least from the outside.
"Why would he seal himself into a place like this?" Patamon asked.
Blue eyes narrowed. "For his own protection. When his body is completed, he would just be able to smash through, or maybe he has some other escape route..." He shook his head. "Either way, we had best take care of him now before that happens..."
They both remembered when the new and improved Mega had come rampaging into the war with his machine army as a third and highly berserk faction. The Metal Empire simply exploded onto the battlefield during a skirmish between the Digidestined and the Daemon Corps.
Unfortunately, this had been roughly a year and a half into the war, when the Digidestined were still green in the arts of large-scale combat. The location of the Metal Empire's first attack was the same place where they had all banded together to defeat Malomyotismon; while they had been fighting in the canyon, the demented machine Digimon launched their sneak assault.
On that day they learned never to allow enemies the high ground.
What had once been a site that symbolized their triumph was reduced to nothing more than a mass graveyard as a horde of Tankmon had rained down gunfire from all sides. Indiscriminate of which alliance their targets belonged to, the tank monsters bombarded the battlefield from the cliffs.
Any organization that the Digidestined Alliance had possessed quickly collapsed, allowing panic to ensue. TK's orders fell on deaf ears as he shouted for everyone to serpentine to the base of the hills for cover. The Child of Hope couldn't keep track of everything happening all at once; some were retreating, others attacking whoever crossed their paths, friend and foe alike, and some he didn't now what the hell they were doing, but the artillery shells brought it to an end.
Daemon's forces forgot about the humans and their Digimon partners and began launching attacks at the Tankmon. Those able to get high enough without being shot down like geese held the advantage in retaliating... until Megadramon and Gigadramon showed up. At that point, the DA was being bombed by the air as well.
After roughly half of the Tankmon had been defeated, and MagnaAngemon had managed to decapitate the air serpents with his Excalibur, the Metal Empire began to retreat. Oddly, the Tankmon began to drag away their fallen brethren that were not destroyed, but could not leave under their own power. Matt and MetalGarurumon quickly arrived to help polish off the few remaining Daemon Corps.
Ultimately, the end result was a tattered battleground littered with the bodies of children clutching their Digivices, and Digimon mourning their partners.
Blinking back the hot moisture in his eyes, TK realized he was trembling... whether it was with anger or grief, he couldn't tell.
"Patamon!" he barked. He could feel the Rookie jump. TK reigned in his breathing to calm himself. "Can you cut through the door?" he asked petulantly.
The Rookie studied him for a moment before jumping from his head and gliding down to the floor. "I'll see what I can do." Patamon spread his wings and slashed them against the door. "Ha! Ha! Ha!" But to no avail. He studied the surface with a careful finger. "Not even a scratch. That's not too surprising, considering what this is made out of."
"Alright then. I'll cut through myself," TK decided, significantly more calm than before. He clenched his right fist and the D-Ultima sprouted a golden blade.
The Digidestined took a stance in front of the door, holding his right wrist with his left hand for needed power. His Digisoul began to pour into the sword in excess. The air around the blade began to shimmer as waves of energy were emitted from it like a heartbeat.
TK drew his arms back and thrust the saber toward the metal obstruction. "Blade Pulse!" His weapon cut into the door like a hot knife through butter. From there he slowly cut out a circle that he would be able to fit through. He found it difficult to cut through the thick frame of the doorway and continuously push his Digisoul into the sword, but he finally managed.
As soon as the blond caught his breath, he sheathed his sword and looked down at Patamon. "Ready?"
Patamon's response was to inflate himself and shoot one of his Boom Bubbles at the cut out portion of Chrome Digizoid. The duo jumped through the opening, prepared for battle.
A large dimly lit chamber awaited them. There was a sophisticated system of pulleys and levers hanging from the ceiling that were currently deactivated. This was clearly the place where Machinedramon was building himself a new body. And in the corner of the room furthest from them was their target.
The figure was immense. A majority of its body was cloaked in Red Digizoid: the most defensively powerful of all the rare metal's varieties. Humongous cannons were at rest on its back, where wires connected to a generator above jutted from. The legs and the chest area were covered in armor, with a spiked helmet adorned atop the Digimon's head. Its vicious-looking right claw, designed for grappling and pummeling, was also plated with armor, as was the triple bladed left claw.
The only other door in the roomy laboratory opened, and a tiny figure scurried out in a fuss. When he spotted the duo, the figure spoke in an alarmed, mechanical voice. "You there, human boy, winged rat, what are you two doing here?" he demanded of them.
TK's eyes widened beneath his shades when he recognized the figure. "Datamon?"
Back from the dead!
Despite the complete lack of updates, I have been working on SCP in a less conventional sense. I have been discussing the structure and factors of the story with my Beta, Patrick O'Shea, fellow writer. It's been a tremendous and needed help in moving things along.
Well, that's it for now.
Peace.