"So," Valamon asked, breaking the silence. "What are we gonna do now?"
Beelzemon shrugged. "Dunno. Usually I'm out and about doin' jobs for Daemon."
"Daemon? You work for him?" Valamon asked, her eyes narrowing.
"Er, y-yeah. Well, I guess I don't anymore. He's gonna be mad that I didn't finish that last assignment and report back ta him. Wouldn't be too awful surprised if he sent out one of his pets ta find me."
"Pets? Oh, I see what you mean. How could you work for him anyway?"
Beelzemon shrugged with one arm. "Dunno really. Guess 'cause there was nothing else for me to do."
"There is now, well sorta." Valamon looked around and sighed.
"Yeah."
Valamon draped one arm over her knee and looked up at the sky, expelling a low sigh. "It's so nice out today. Least I get to get enjoy it a bit." She smiled thinly. Suddenly her smile disappeared and she sighed, looking sullen.
"Valamon? Somethin' the matter?"
"Huh? No, I'm fine."
Beelzemon could tell she was lying by the pain and sorrow in her eyes as she continued to stare at the sky.
"Valamon?"
"What?"
"You wanna talk?"
"No."
"Ok." Beelzemon looked away. He looked at Valamon out of the corner of his eye and was surprised to see tears trickling down her face.
Valamon sensed him watching her and quickly turned her head away, wiping her face with her arm. Oh damn. I lost it again. Damn! Stupid memories!
"Valamon?"
Valamon stood up. "Leave me alone!" She turned on her heel and walked away.
Beelzemon watched as she disappeared behind a tree. "Wonder what's up with her?"
Valamon sat with her back to the tree. She shut her eyes. "I wish these would just go away! Especially Tinuramon's death…." Sudden stabbing pains in her stomach made her cough, clutching her stomach. She began coughing so violently blood frothed from her mouth and her body shook. Not again! She doubled over with pain, a string of curse words spilling from her mouth with the blood.
Beelzemon could hear Valamon. Curious and concerned, he made his way cautiously towards the tree Valamon was behind. "Valamon? You alright?"
"Go away!" Valamon managed to choke out between coughs.
"Oh my god! Look at this! What the hell? Valamon, what's the matter? Yer coughin' up blood like crazy!"
"Go away!" Valamon cried, getting to her feet.
Beelzemon took a step back in surprise. Valamon clutched her chest as she began coughing again, leaning against the tree for support. Beelzemon rushed forward, grabbing her by her shoulders.
"Valamon!" Burnmon cried as he ran up to them. "Are you Ok? Say something!"
Valamon paused with her coughing. She glared at Burnmon. "Leave me the hell alone!" she shouted, giving Beelzemon a hard shove. She rushed past them.
Beelzemon spun around, grabbing her by the end of one leathery wing. "No, wait!"
Valamon turned on the Viral. "Let me go!"
Beelzemon scowled. "No. You need help."
"This happens all the time! I'll get over it, now let me go!"
Beelzemon's scowl was replaced by a look of surprise. "All the time? Whoa, that can't be possible."
"Yeah, no way!"
Valamon sighed, looking away sullenly. "Well it does for me, along with the nightmares and memories. Oh, whatever, like you guys would care." She waved her hand and turned away, folding her arms.
"Why wouldn't we?" Burnmon asked.
"'Cause no one cares about me, it's just the way it is."
"But we do." Burnmon said quietly.
Valamon was quite surprised by his comment and buried her face in her hands in an attempt to hide her tears. "You're just saying that."
"No! No, he's not! We do care about you, Valamon. You're the only one who's ever cared about us. No one has ever been nice to me."
Valamon heaved a shaky sigh. "Everyone has pretended with me. I thought you were at first but no."
"Val-" Beelzemon started but was interrupted by Valamon putting her hand up.
"We got company," she said quietly as she looked up.
"Company?" Beelzemon asked, looking around. "I don't sense anything…."
"It's Daemon! And two other creatures." Valamon growled.
Burnmon pulled a whistle and blew on it. A few seconds later, Raidramon bound into view, stopping at Burnmon's side. You rang? he asked.
Yeah. We got trouble.
Raidramon nodded. I see. Time to DNA Digivolve?
Yes!
Valamon and Beelzemon jumped in surprise as a bright light engulfed Burnmon and Raidramon. The light dispersed, leaving behind a humanoid version of Raidramon except he had silver where the gold had been and white armor and black claws. He also had light silver eyes.
"Wow, who're you?" Valamon asked.
"Thundramon." the Digimon replied in a voice that sounded like Raidramon and Burnmon speaking simultaneously.
Beelzemon whistled. "Neat."
"Rrarrgh!"
The three looked up sharply in the direction of the noise to see a Spinomon and Gigadramon crash through the undergrowth.
"Where's Daemon?" Valamon demanded.
"Right here."
Valamon looked up to see Daemon gliding down.
"You ruined everything! And you!" Daemon snarled, turning to Beelzemon. "You disobeyed me you pathetic excuse for a Viral! And you helped the Guardian. You must be eliminated!"
"Sonic Slash Rain!" Spinomon launched the blades on his back at Beelzemon.
Before he could move, Valamon stepped in front of him, folding her wings around her. Some of the blades penetrated her wings, stabbing her. She gritted her teeth from the pain as she folded her ripped wings against her back.
Thundramon held out his hands "Lighting Inferno!" A lighting bolt burst from one hand while fire burst from the other. Just before the attack hit Spinomon, they merged into a spiral shape. Upon impact, the attack caused a miniature explosion that caused the Spinomon to scream in pain.
Gigadramon pointed his opened metallic claws at Thundramon. "Genocide Gear!" Missiles shot out from the claws.
The missiles hit Thundramon, causing a large smog cloud.
Gigadramon chuckled dryly. "Hehe, got 'em!"
"Lighting Inferno!"
Gigadramon's eyes widened as the attack came hurtling towards him. He barely had time to scream before the attack went right through him, deleting him instantly.
"Viral Rai-"
"Wait! Valamon, you can't use that!" Beelzemon warned.
"Oh, yeah, sorry." Valamon said apologetically, lowering her arms.
"I'll take care of the big lizard. Double Impact!"
While Beelzemon fought with the large dinosaur type Digimon, Valamon and Thundramon attacked Daemon, who was watching the battle from farther away.
"Dragon Claw!"
"Lightning Inferno!"
Daemon nimbly dodged Valamon's attack but was struck by Thundramon's attack. He cried out in pain and anger. "Evil Inferno!"
The blast of flames hit Valamon, sending her flying backward into Thundramon. Both fell to the ground in a heap.
"Oh, sorry, Thundramon!" Valamon said, jumping to her feet, trying to ignore the pain from the burn wounds.
"That's alright. You Ok?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"You fools! You can't kill me, no matter how hard you try!" Daemon exclaimed. "Spinomon, kill them all!"
"Yes, master! Blue Prominence!"
The blast hit Beelzemon, sending him flying into the tree behind him. The tree splintered from the impact, sending shards into Beelzemon's back. He slid to the ground with a grunt.
"Beelzemon!" Valamon cried, rushing to his side. "Beelzemon, you Ok?"
"I'm-fine!" Beelzemon hissed through gritted teeth as he struggled to stand.
Valamon bent down and took Beelzemon by the arm, pulling him to his feet. "We have to work together to beat Spinomon, he's a tough opponent, I should know, I fought one 5,000 years ago. It nearly killed me."
"5,000 years ago? How old are you?"
"10,000. Why? Didn't I tell you before?"
Beelzemon shook his head. "No."
"Oh, well that doesn't matter right now."
"Yeah." Beelzemon nodded in agreement. He pulled away from Valamon, walking towards the Spinomon.
Thundramon was already attacking the larger Digimon. He had created a sword of pure lighting energy and was cruelly hacking away at the unprotected spots of the Digimon, who was far too slow to catch the faster Vaccine/Viral type.
The Viral screamed with a mixture of pain and annoyance. "You stupid little creature! Stop that right now!" he cried, swatting at Thundramon with his clawed hands.
"Haha! Just try and catch me!" Thundramon taunted as he struck out at Spinomon's leg.
Spinomon roared and spun around, striking Thundramon with his tail, tripping him up.
Spinomon chuckled, placing his foot on Thundramon's back. "Got ya now, ya cocky little nuisance!'
Thundramon screamed as Spinomon put all his weight on his back.
"Thundramon! Get off him you damn dino! Darkness Claw!" Beelzemon lunged at Spinomon, lashing out at the larger Viral.
Spinomon cried out as Beelzemon's claws slashed through his chest and backed away, clutching his injured chest, which was leaking blood. Beelzemon bent down and helped Thundramon to his feet.
Valamon walked over to them. "Are you alright, Thundramon?"
"I'm just fine."
Daemon groaned. "You imbecile! Kill them!"
Spinomon growled at Daemon before turning his attention to the three. "Sonic Slash Rain!"
The three leapt out of the way of the blades, throwing themselves on the ground. They stood up.
"Blue Prominence!"
The attack flew between Thundramon and Valamon, startling them both.
"Whoa! That was close."
"Yeah. Come on, let's get this over with."
"I whole-heartedly agree." Beelzemon said as he retrieved his guns.
Daemon was throwing a verbal fit, ranting and swearing angrily. "Fine then, I'll fix this myself! Evil Inferno!"
The attack hit Valamon in the back. She cried out in surprise as she stumbled into Beelzemon.
"Gotcha!" Beelzemon said as he caught Valamon.
"Sorry, 'bout that." Valamon muttered, blushing lightly as she pulled away.
"That's alright. Double Impact!" Beelzemon fired upon Spinomon.
Spinomon flew into a rage. He rushed at Beelzemon, snarling and snapping his jaws, froth and blood flying in every direction.
Beelzemon shoved Valamon away just before Spinomon slammed into him, knocking him down. Clamping his jaws on Beelzemon's shoulder, he tore angrily at the smaller Mega's body with his claws. Beelzemon screamed in pain, writhing violently in an attempt to slash at Spinomon's scaly face so that he could get free.
"No!" Valamon screamed. She dug her claws into Spinomon's side forcefully. "Let him go, you freakin' bastard!"
Spinomon roared in pain, releasing his hold on Beelzemon and turning on Valamon. He grabbed Valamon by her throat with his jaws, pulling her from him and tossing her away.
"V-Valamon!" Thundramon cried, rushing to where she lay. Blood spilled in a crimson puddle from her wounds. "Valamon?" He shook her shoulder.
Valamon's eyes fluttered open and she clutched her throat. She sat up, coughing.
"Valamon, are you alright?"
Valamon coughed and nodded, standing up. She removed her hand; blood continued to stream down her neck to soak into her torn and bloody black shirt.
Beelzemon growled. "Hey, lizard!"
"Huh?" Spinomon turned to Beelzemon.
"Surprise!" Beelzemon stuffed one gun down the startled Viral's throat and pulled the trigger.
Spinomon managed a choked gurgle before exploding into data.
Beelzemon cackled gleefully as he absorbed the data.
"Beelzemon…ow!" Valamon rubbed her throat.
"Valamon!" Beelzemon rushed to her side, catching her as her knees gave way and she collapsed.
"I'm…Ok. I'm fine. Really, just let me go." Valamon said as she pushed away from Beelzemon.
"Yer bleeding like crazy! Just lemme-"
"No! Leave me be, get Daemon!"
Thundramon turned to Daemon, who had turned his back to them and was walking away towards the portal he had created. "Come back you cowardly bastard!"
Daemon whirled around. "Damn you, you insolent Digimon! Die!" He held up his hands. "Evil Inferno!"
Thundramon threw his arms up to block the attack. The force of the impact pushed Thundramon back slightly.
"You alright, Thundramon?" Valamon asked hoarsely.
"Yes."
Valamon smiled weakly. "Good." She covered her mouth to stifle a cough.
Beelzemon placed a hand on her back. "Valamon, you need medical attention, now."
Valamon swatted Beelzemon away. "No, no! I don't need medical attention! Just let me go, my healing abilities are sufficient enough. They always have been."
"Not right now, they won't be. You're losing blood fast."
"No, I'm not. I'm fine!" Valamon insisted. "Daemon needs to die."
"No! Valamon let him go."
"No! He must be stopped from hurting anyone else!" Valamon said, walking towards Daemon.
"Hehehe! Stupid little Guardian! You're too hurt to do anything to me!"
Valamon chuckled. "Oh, really? Viral Rain!"
The sky above Daemon turned grey and black rain poured upon the Viral. He screamed and fell to his knees as the acid burned through his robe to his skin.
Exhausted from the energy used by the attack, Valamon collapsed.
Beelzemon and Thundramon rushed to her side.
Thundramon picked her up as he knelt down. "Valamon? Valamon, wake up, come on!" He shook her roughly.
"Quit shakin' her idiot!" Beelzemon slapped Thundramon upside the head.
"Ow! Hey!"
"Moron, that ain't how ya get someone up! Besides, shakin' her ain't gonna help anyway."
"I thought it would." Thundramon said sheepishly.
Valamon moaned. Her eyes opened to slits.
The two breathed sighs of relief.
"Yer alright." Thundramon said.
"How do you feel?" Beelzemon asked.
"It hurts." Valamon said softly, placing one hand on her neck. She groaned as she started fizzing in and out.
Tears spilled from Thundramon's eyes. Raidramon was trying hard to suppress Burnmon from running around screaming his head off and crying his eyes out.
Beelzemon was trying hard to suppress the sob rising in his throat as he watched Valamon begin to deteriorate into data particles.
Valamon sighed and looked up at the two. "…I'm sorry you guys. I've wanted this for so long, but now I don't want to die…."
"We don't want you to either."
Thundramon began to sob loudly, hugging Valamon tight. "No no no no no!"
Valamon coughed weakly. "Kill Daemon for me, will you?"
"Hell yes!" Beelzemon said, standing up. He walked over to Daemon, who was still bent over in pain, the rain having subsided.
Daemon looked up at Beelzemon. "What do you think yer doing? You can't kill me, if you do, you'll lose your ability to Digivolve."
"I don't care. I'm going to kill you anyway." Beelzemon said. He kicked Daemon hard, purposely digging the spikes of his boot deep in the Demon Lord's chest.
Daemon grunted in pain. "Damn you!" he hissed at Beelzemon as he removed his spikes.
"I hate you too, you bastard. Darkness Claw!"
Daemon screamed as Beelzemon's claws plunged through his chest and he exploded into data.
Beelzemon watched the data as it floated away before turning to see Valamon turn completely into data. He De-Digivolved to Impmon and walked over to Thundramon, who was crying into his paws. "Thundramon?"
Thundramon looked down at Impmon, eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Who're you?"
"Impmon. De-Digivolved form of Beelzemon. Daemon was the only reason why I could get to Mega. Now that he's gone…well, I'm stuck in my Rookie."
"Oh."
Thundramon dispersed into Raidramon and Burnmon.
I must leave now, Burnmon. Good-bye.
Bye.
Raidramon bounded away.
Burnmon looked down at Impmon. "So now what?" he asked, his voice thick.
Impmon shrugged. "I don't know…I could use Daemon's portal to return to his castle. I really don't care right now. I can't believe she's dead!" He pressed his face in his hands, shaking his head.
Burnmon reached out and patted Impmon's shoulder. "It's Ok, buddy."
"No!" Impmon turned and ran to the portal.
Burnmon watched as the small Viral disappeared through the portal and it closed. He stood up, wiping his hand across his eyes. "Now, I'm all alone." He turned and started slowly walking away, staring at the ground through teary eyes.