Hello again. Are your eyes still hurting from reading that last chapter? Thanks for the reviews. You guys are what makes this story possible. The name of this chapter is a reference to Star Wars. Here's chapter VIII.


VIII: An Evil Empire


Tai, Matt, and Sora appeared along with their new partners. The fortress was in sight off in the distance. It was beautifully decorated. "It looks like Tron when we do that," Matt said.

"I know, I was thinking the same thing," Tai added.

"What's Tron?" Agumon asked.

"It's a movie from our world," Sora answered.

"Movie?" Biyomon asked.

"Yeah. What, you don't know what a movie is?"

"No. What is it?"

"It's a—"

"Never mind that," Tai interrupted. "We've got work to do. How do we get to that fortress?"

"Follow us," Gabumon said. He and the other two digimon started leading the teens in the direction of the fortress.

"How far is it?" Matt asked.

"Quite a way," Agumon answered.

"Why did we beam in so far away?" Tai asked.

"If we had gotten too close, they would have known we were coming," Biyomon answered. "We need to use the element of surprise."

The six of them walked on in silence for a moment. "So, what's this world like?" Tai asked.

"It was nice before Cherubimon turned into a bad guy," Agumon answered.

"I'm not being rude or anything, but this guy has got to have a lot of guards protecting him," Matt said. "And you guys aren't exactly an army. How are we going to stop this guy?"

"We can Digivolve," Gabumon answered.

"Digivolve?"

"Didn't Gennai say something about that?" Tai asked.

"Yeah. When we Digivolve, we jump to the next level," Agumon said.

"Jump to the next level?"

"Yeah. We digimon have many different levels. Each level is more powerful than the last."

"So, how do you Digivolve?" Sora asked.

"Normally, it would take years for us to get strong enough to Digivolve," Biyomon said. "But you you guys are in danger, your Digivices will activate, and allow us to Digivolve so we can protect you."

"I see," Tai said. "So, by going and attacking Cherubimon, we will be in danger, which will allow you to Digivolve?"

"Right," Agumon answered.

Silence fell upon the group again as the approached the fortress. They got up to a perimeter being guarded by some of Cherubimon's guards. "We've reached the first line of the defense," Biyomon said.

"Two Angemon," Gabumon said.

"Is that what they're called?" Sora asked. Gabumon nodded.

The team took cover to hide from the guards. "How do we get past them?" Tai asked.

"We need to make a distraction so we can slip past," Agumon said. "Here, allow me." Agumon walked around over to the guards' left flank using trees as cover to stay hidden. He picked up and rock and threw it into some bushes. It made noise. It got the guards' attention. They walked over to investigate. Agumon ran out from his cover and waved the others to move up while the guards were distracted. They ran up and and got past the area the Angemon were guarding.

"Good work," Tai said.

"Why, thank you," Agumon replied.

"That was scary," Matt said.

"That was the easy part," Gabumon said. "The closer we get to the fortress, the harder it's going to be to sneak past."

"So why bother trying to sneak past?" Tai asked. "Why don't you guys do that Digivolve thing and tear 'em apart?"

"Because, it takes a lot of energy to Digivolve," Gabumon replied. "And it would alert the whole place to our presence."

"Right, we need to lay low before we start making noise," Agumon said.

"Sounds boring," Tai said.

"You call this boring?" Matt said.

"Why, yes. I would rather go for the direct approach instead of all this sneaking around."

"This isn't a game, Tai. You know that, right?"

"Chill, Matt."

"I will not chill. You're not taking this seriously."

"Do you humans always argue like this?" Biyomon asked.

"Not always," Sora answered.

"Get off of me, Matt!" Tai said.

"If you want to risk your life doing all that direct approach stuff, you go right ahead. That's up to you," Matt said. "But don't involve Sora and me."

"Matt, I would really love to settle this with you, but now isn't the time."

"I thought you guys are friends," Agumon said.

"We are... when Matt's not being a bitch!" Tai said.

"Oh, whatever!"

"Shh! There are more guards up ahead!" Gabumon said.

The team had arrived at the front gate to the fortress. It was heavily guarded by a variety of different digimon. "How are we supposed to get inside there?" Tai said. "Trying to cause another distraction is just asking for trouble."

"We'll have to go around," Biyomon said. "There's another entrance on the other side that isn't guarded so heavily."

The team started sneaking around to the other side of the fortress. They had to evade two patrols on the way. It was a long walk to the other side. The team had to stop and rest for a minute. Matt and Sora sat down with Gabumon and Biyomon while Tai and Agumon watched the perimeter for approaching guards. "What's with you and Matt?" Agumon asked Tai.

"Sometimes, humans argue," Tai answered. "I don't like it when people do me that way. I'm not two-years old, for crying out loud! I know better than that."

"Why do you argue so much?"

"Don't you digimon ever argue?"

"Not very much."

"Matt and I don't usually argue like that. He's just up tight because of the situation. He always gets like this when things get serious."

"I see..."

"So, who are the other two celestial digimon?"

"MagnaAngemon and Ophanimon."

"What do you think Cherubimon did with them?"

"I don't know. I would imagine he has them imprisoned some where."

Agumon and Tai continued to talk. Meanwhile, Matt and Sora were talking as well. "Tai is being too loose and free with this," Matt said.

"You're being too hard on him," Sora replied.

"No, I'm not. Every time something like this comes up, he acts this way. I'm so tired of it."

Sora started to get fed up. "And I'm tired of you bitching about him!"

"I'm not bitching about him."

"Yes you are. Stop it!"

Matt huffed. "Fine."

"What's up with you guys?" Gabumon asked. "You're supposed to be a team."

"Boys will be boys," Sora said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Biyomon asked.

"It's an old proverb from out world."

Tai and Agumon walked back up. "You guys rested up?" Tai asked.

"Yeah," Sora replied.

"Okay, let's get going."

The team got going again. It wasn't very much further to the other entrance. "So, when we get to this other entrance, what are we going to do?" Matt asked. "We can't just walk up and ask to go inside."

"We'll go on the attack," Agumon replied.

"What!"

"Yeah, we're going to Digivolve and blast our way in," Biyomon said. "There aren't as many guards on this side, so we won't encounter as much resistance."

"Then we just go inside and find Cherubimon," Tai said.

"Sounds dangerous," Sora said.

"It's the only way we're going to be able to get inside," Agumon said.

"So be it," Tai said.

The team kept walking. They came upon the other entrance. They were far fewer guards here. "Okay, They don't know we're here," Agumon said. "We have the element of surprise."

"Two Guardromon, one Shellmon, and two Monochromon," Gabumon said. "Five to three odds, but the element of surprise will level the field."

We need to strike quick and fast so they won't know what's coming. We need to split up and attack from different angles. Sora, Biyomon, you go over there." Agumon point over at the left flank. "Tai and I are going to go over there." Agumon pointed to the right flank. "Matt and Gabumon, you stay here. Digivolve and strike them. I'll give a signal to let you know when to go. Okay, let's go!"

Sora and Biyomon carefully made their way over to the left flank. Tai and Agumon made their way over to the right flank. "I hope this works..." Matt said.

"It will," Gabumon said. "They won't know what him them."

Sora and Biyomon got into position. "Let's wait for Agumon's signal," Biyomon said.

Tai and Agumon got into position on the right flank. "Okay, it's time to Digivolve," Agumon said.

"How do you do it?"

"Just hold your Digivice up and let us take care of the rest."

"Okay." Tai got his Digivice out and held it up.

"Agumon, Digivolve to... Greymon!" Greymon was much larger than Agumon. He had blue strips on his back and huge horns protruding from his head.

"Biyomon, Digivolve to... Birdramon!" Birdrmon was a gigantic red bird. She looked fierce.

"Gabumon, Digivolve to, Garurumon!" Garurumon looked like a gigantic blue wolf.

The three digimon charged out of their cover and attacked the guards. "Meteor Wing!" Birdramon opened her wings and sent balls of fire down down on the digimon below.

"Nova Blast!" Greymon blew a great big ball of fire and sent it at the guards.

"Howling Blaster!" Garurumon sent a blue flame out of his mouth.

The three attacks all hit at the same time. One of the Monochromon and one of the Guardromon were destroyed. The Shellmon was badly injured, but the other two were just a little beat up. Birdramon descend down from the sky and swiped at Guardromon with her sharp talons. Guardomon's armor mostly protected him from Birdramon. "Destruction Grenade!" Guardromon fired missiles out of his arms at Birdramon. She closed her wings and absorbed the hits from Guardromon. "Meteor Wing!" Birdramon opened her wings again and fired her attack at Guardromon. He was destroyed instantly.

The Shellmon tried to face off with Greymon. He was not much of a match. Shellmon swung his arms at Greymon, but missed as Greymon was too fast for him. "Nova Blast!" Greymon fired his attack at Shellmon. He was injured even worse. Greymon charged Shellmon and butted him with his horns. Shellmon shouted in pain. He turned into small data particles. The particles floated away into the air.

Garurumon and Monochromon were the only one's left. Garurumon swiped at Monochromon took the swipes without taking very much damage. His armor-like skin was far too thick for Garurumon to penetrate with just his claws. "Volcanic Strike!" Monochromon charged Garurumon and hit him with the giant horn on his head. Garurumon dodged Monochromon's attack, but Monochromon charged him again. Garurumon took a hit this time, but he wasn't too badly injured. "Blue Blaster!" Garurumon launched his attack at Monochromon. The attack hit Monochromon's head and bounched off. Monochromon charged Garurumon again. Garurumon waited until the last second and then jumped out of the way. "Blue Blaster!" Garurumon hit Monochromon in the side where he was more vulnerable. Monochromon was injured bad. Garurumon slashed Monochromon in the side where he had hit him in the side. Monochromon was on his last leg. Garurumon gathered up some speed and head butted Monochromon, sending him up into the air. "Blue Blaster!" Garurumon shot his attack while Monochromon was flying through the air. The attack destroyed Monochromon.

"We did it!" Tai cheered.

"Wow!" Matt said. "You guys are are absolutely awesome!"

"We can celebrate later," Greymon said. We need to go inside and find Cherubimon while we still have the element of surprise."

The three Champion-level digimon and their human partners ran through the opening in the wall and ran up toward the castle. There were large doors the barred entrance into the castle. "Nova Blast!" Greymon blasted the doors, allowing the team to enter. They went inside and started searching for Cherubimon. His reign of terror on the Digital World would be at an end. Peace would once again return.

"We had better hurry up and find Cherubimon before they find out we're here!" Sora said. "Or we'll be outnumbered in a hurry."

"No kidding," Tai said.

The team searched around for several tension filled minutes. They weren't sure when the other guards would find out the patrol they took out had been destroyed, or if they would run into guards inside the castle. They were all terrified of being found. They wouldn't be able to stop Cherubimon if they were to be discovered. There was a lot riding on them right now. They could not afford to fail. Suddenly, they came across a patrol while they were searching for Cherubimon. They had to take cover to hide from the patrol. Luckily, they were not seen. The team decided to follow the patrol to see if they would lead them to Cherubimon. Fortunately for them, the patrol did just that. The patrol walked into Cherubimon's chamber to report to him. "Let's wait here for them to leave and then rush Cherubimon,"

Greymon said. Birdramon and Garurumon nodded in agreement. The guards went on to Cherubimon for a long time. The team was scared that another patrol would come along and find them. Finally, the patrol left the chamber, leaving Cherubimon all alone.

"Now's our chance," Garurumon said.

The team all charged into Cherbuimon's chamber. He was pacing back and forth when they ran in. He didn't pay them any mind at first, but as they got closer, he looked up. "Who are you!" Cherubimon got into a defensive stance.

"We're the Digidestined!" Tai said. "We're here to stop you from treating the Digital World like it's your own personal playground!"

"I am not treating the Digital World in that manner!" Cherubimon said. "I am doing all that is within my power to to set this world right! It has been ruined!"

"Ruined? How?" Matt.

"It has fallen out of order. Digimon are out in the Digital World making all of their own decisions. If this world is to survive, then this must stop."

"What are you talking about?" Greymon said. "We digimon like having freedom."

"Exactly!" Cherubimon said. "This world has fallen into crime and villainy. The only way for this world to experience true peace and safety is for there to be martial law in all the land. That is what I am working for."

"You're insane!" Birdramon said. "The Digital World is built on freedom of choice! Taking that away will surely cause the Digital World to fall apart!"

"No! You're wrong!" Cherubimon said. "My way is the only way!"

"Then we'll just have to show you that you're wrong!" Tai said. "Go get 'im boys!"

The Digidestined's digimon got into a defensive stance. "Storm of Judgment!" Cherubimon extended his hand out and released a dark energy wave. The wave hit the three digimon, knocking them back. The wave then hit the three humans. They were thrown across the room.

"Sora! Matt! Are you guys okay!" Tai shouted.

"I think I'm okay..." Matt said.

"Fine," Sora said.

"Look at the digimon," Matt said and pointed in their direction. They were badly injured.

"They're not strong enough," Sora said.

"They have to be," Tai said. "We came too far to just turn back."

The digimon got back up and faced off with Cherubimon again. "That all ya got!" Greymon taunted. "It's going to take a whole lot more than that to stop us!"

"You're choice. Lightning Sphere!" Cherubimon drew his arm back over his shoulder. A lightning bolt formed in his hand. He threw it at the three digimon. The lightning bolt landed with a loud noise and struck the digimon. They fell over onto the ground in terrible pain. "You should not have come here, and now you're going to die!" Cherubimon shouted triumphantly.

"Oh no, they lost!" Sora said. "What do we do?"

"We have to get them out of here!" Tai said.

"How, that guy's incredibly strong!" Matt said.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing, or they will die! We have to go save them. And I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get attached to these guys!"

"You humans are the masters of these digimon?" Cherubimon asked. "You will die as well for sending them to kill me!"

"Oh, hell! We're going to die!" Matt said.

"No, we're not!" Tai said. "I have no intention of dying. And I have no intention of letting you guys die."

"Be destroyed!" Cherubimon said.

Suddenly, Gennai appeared in the room. "Not so fast!" He took something out of his pocket and threw it at Cherubimon. The object stunned Cherubimon for a moment. Gennai ran and picked up the digimon and then ran over to the humans. "Time to go!"

"You will not escape! Storm of Judgment!" Cherubimon recovered from being stunned and sent his attack at Gennai and the others. He was too late, though, because Gennai teleported himself and the Digidestined out of the palace.


Gennai and the Digidestined re-appeared at his house. "Whoa!" Tai said. "Wow, that was close."

"Yes, it was," Gennai said. "If I had not arrived when I did, you would surely have been killed."

"I thought you said you couldn't help us," Matt said.

"I took a great chance going in there," Gennai replied. "Honestly, I got lucky. My stun spore was enough to hold him off long enough to get you guys out of there."

"Stun spore?" Tai asked.

"A plant that grows here in the Digital World. I'm surprised that it worked on him."

"Anyway, thanks for saving us back there," Tai said.

"Why did you send us in there?" Matt asked. "We were nowhere near strong enough to stop him!"

"You are the Digidestined," Gennai replied. "You are the one's who are supposed to set the Digital World straight again. I thought you would unlock your true power if you attempted to stop Cherubimon."

"That sure was a big chance to take with our lives."

"Take no risks, win no victories," Tai told Matt, to which Matt glared at Tai.

"Just be glad that we're still alive, Matt," Sora said.

Matt sighed. "Yeah, I guess so..."

"How are we supposed to beat this guy?" Tai asked Gennai.

"There are more levels than what you reached when you fought Cherubimon," Gennai replied. "You reached the Champion level. There are two levels above that; Ultimate, the level above Champion, and Mega, which comes after Ultimate. Cherubimon is a Mega-level. You will need to unlock the ability to Digivolve to Mega to stop Cherubimon. I thought you would be able to jump straight there, but I was mistaken."

"How do we unlock Mega level?" Tai asked.

"You have to make your digimon partners stronger. The only way for them to get stronger is to battle other digimon. You will need to unlock Ultimate before you can reach Mega."

"Isn't that just lovely," Matt said sarcastically.

"Could be worse," Tai said.

"Cherubimon has many governors that he has appointed throughout the Digital World to help him maintain control. You can fight them to strengthen you partners. But first you need to let them recover so they can be in top condition when they fight."

"Okay," Tai said. "And you said we can use these to go back home?" Tai held his Digivice up.

"Correct. Your Digivice is not only what allows your digimon to Digivolve, it is also your link between the worlds."

"We had better go right back home," Sora said. "We've been gone a long time. I bet our parents are worried about us."

"You need not worry about staying here in the Digital World for extended periods of time," Gennai said. "There is a time differential between the Digital World and your own. One second in your world is a long time here. When you return, your partners should be healed and ready to fight again."

"Sounds good. Just show me how to use this," Tai said.

Gennai showed the three teens how to use their Digivices to transport themselves back to the Real World. They did so and left.