Early next morning, the sun was just rising over the mountains, allowing
its light to peek over the mountains and shine down on the city of Tamur.
Houses right on the mountains didn't recieve this early gift and were still
blanketed in darkness for at least another hour.
Just like Hieshi was right now. He was just sleeping off the effects of the Shadow data that was transferred into him yesterday. Luckily for him, the effects of it were short, so it only lasted about a day. A slight berserker rage that almost result in the death of five chosen and himself. It's a very scary thought.
At RTC, Jeska was sprawled out on her bed, fast asleep. The Yami Chosen with beautiful red hair awoke when she saw light creep through her window. It hit her closed eyes and forced them open.
"Unnn... what time is it...?" she asked, while yawning.
"Exactly 6:43 AM. You should get more rest," answered Magemon, who was leaning back against the wall of her dorm room.
"Do you sleep?"
"Don't need to," answered the cloaked Digimon.
"Weird..." began Jeska. She reached onto her bedside table and felt around for her alarm clock so she could shut the alarm off before it went off in her ear. Her hand rested on her D-Volver for a minute as she felt around and it shocked her hand. Magemon looked up at it.
"Ow!" she hissed, blowing on her palm. "What was that!?"
(Oh no... Irvine's using the Shadow data...) thought Magemon. (Now I'm going to be affected too. Well, I suppose if it helps us achieve our goal faster...)
"It was probably nothing. Why don't you try and get more sleep. I'll wake you."
"Alright..."
- - -
Ace and Arik dashed down the halls of RTC, pushing their way past people as they searched frantically for something. Ace and Arik both had brown hair; the only major difference between them was that Ace is considerably taller. And the fact that Ace wore a short that read: 'Your mom thinks I'm hot'.
"So where is Lee?" asked Arik.
"He's at Karate. James and Nathan went with him to observe," answered Ace. "Ali is pissed at us, so I don't wanna ask her for anything. We'll ask Earnest."
"He'd better be able to," replied Arik. "You saw how insane Hieshi went yesterday! If that happens to any of the other Yami Chosen... or even to one of us-"
"Let's not think about that," said Ace, cutting him off. "Look, there's Earnest!"
Earnest was the only Chosen who stood taller than Ace or Lee, and he had long dark brown hair that was tied up in a ponytail behind his head. He was clothed in a sleeveless jacket that was overtopping a red shirt, and he also had blue jeans on. Like most people nowadays, he wore a necklace, and his had a wolf's tooth on it.
"Ernie, my man!" shouted Ace, waving at him.
Earnest groaned and rolled his eyes. He was quiet and studious, and Ace totally ruined his rhythm when he was around. Calling him retarded nicknames and just plain acting like himself. But Ace and Earnest still got along exceptionally well when they hung out, and fought as a tag-team together a lot during the Shadow incident.
Arik and Earnest were both quiet people, so they could get along well without saying much to each other.
"It's Earnest," he corrected Ace. "And is there something in particular that you need?"
"Uh, yeah. We really need to update ya and ask you for some help," said Ace, turning serious and whispering that to Earnest.
Earnest nodded and leaned up against the wall, all ears.
"Bouncemon came back to me the other day," said Arik. "The Yami Chosen can upload wild Digimon by using humans as host bodies. Ray used our PE coach and made a Meramon. But during the upload, Bouncemon was able to escape."
"We think we can get yours, Nathan's and Ali's partners back in a similar way," added Ace. "And that's what we need your help with..."
"You gotta get Leila back!" shouted Arik.
"I really want her back, but why the high demand all of a sudden?"
"Shadow data!" hissed Ace. "It's around and it's DANGEROUS! Leila is a guardian, she can destroy it!"
Earnest's eyes fixated on Ace with a look of shock.
"Are you SURE you saw Shadow data? You SAW a Shadow?"
"No, but their data is coming from somewhere. I think it's just leftover viruses, but someone has managed to process it and is using it to fuel the Yami Chosen's darkness. That's what their D-Volver's are made of!" Arik exclaimed, getting fairly worked up, which was unlike him.
"Hmmm... yes that does seem logical," replied Earnest after a bit of thinking. "I had an idea to get her back, but I'm not sure if it would work..."
"Yeah?"
"Well, I originally discovered her when I was 8, near my village in Hive Forest. I was thinking I should go back there and see if the gate to Trinity Server is still open..."
"You haven't done that yet?" asked Ace, skeptically. "Are you retarded? Let's go!"
"Alright," agreed Earnest. He turned around to leave the school and head for his car. Ace and Arik followed him. As they walked out the doors, two passing Yami Chosen happened to see them.
"Hmm..." mumbled Jeska as she saw them leave.
"Hmm..." mumbled Hieshi at the same time.
Hieshi and Jeska looked at each other, nodded, and followed them.
"Hieshi... I detect more Shadow data..." whispered Levelermon from Hieshi's pocket. Hieshi glanced down at him and then looked at Jeska.
"I think I know where it's coming from," he whispered back. He narrowed his eyes as he studied her. "This is going to be interesting..."
"Interesting?! It almost killed you!"
"I recovered quickly," replied Hieshi in protest. "Besides, it won't effect her until she gets into battle like it did to me. I'll help her if she gets sick."
"Wow, you actually care about other people."
"I like this one. She's brilliant."
- - -
At Lunn's Karate dojo, Lee was dressed in his white karate uniform and repeatedly punching a black bag that was hanging from the roof. James and Nathan yawned.
"Come on! I wanna see some fighting!" shouted Nathan. "Hey Amara!"
Amara, who was at the other side of the gym with her friend Tammy, looked up at Nathan as she called. Tammy had short blonde hair, completely the opposite of Amara's long dark brown hair.
(Nathan, I would advise you not to mention anything about Digimon in front of Master Lunn or Tammy,) she projected into his head.
"Yes, Nathan?"
Amara and Tammy walked over, and Lee rolled his eyes, continuing his training under Master Lunn's supervision.
"Isn't the Karate tournament in two days?" asked Nathan.
Amara wondered why he was even brave enough to talk to someone who was sworn again them, but had no objection to playing the little game he was planning.
"It is, Nathan," answered Tammy. "And I'm gonna win!"
"Sure you are," groaned Amara. "So where are you going with this?"
Amara already knew, and Nathan knew that too. But they had to pretend so the non-Chosen people wouldn't get suspicious.
"I wanna see some pre-tournament action! You and Lee go at it! Right now!"
Lee froze when he heard Nathan say that, and the punching bag flew back and smacked the blonde boy right in the face. He rubbed his jaw and turned to Nathan.
"Hell no!" he exclaimed in protest. "Master Lunn, we shouldn't-"
"Some practice couldn't hurt either of you," spoke the gray haired Karate master. "You two should spar."
"This should be good," giggled Nathan as Tammy sat down next to him and James. Nathan looked down her uniform. "Well hello there..."
"In your dreams," said Amara's best friend, shooting Nathan down. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have black eyes? Are those contacts?"
Nathan almost fell off the bench, and James laughed at him a bit.
"Yes, Tammy, they're contacts. I like them," he answered with disgust.
"Lying putz," whispered James.
Amara and Lee squared off in the center of the mats and both of them bowed, as was tradition.
(Ugh. I'm going to kill Nathan...) thought Lee.
(You won't be capable of that once I take you out,) projected Amara into his head, having read his mind. (Not here, not at the tournament... but the next time we fight with our partners, you're MINE! I'll make you pay for what you said to me!)
(I said what?)
"And... begin!" shouted Lunn, cutting them off. The two of them began to spar, Amara immediately taking his lead, knowing where his every strike would be.
(You know what you said to me!)
(I didn't say anything! Even read my mind!)
Amara did so and gasped when she found out that Lee was telling the truth. She glanced around and stopped the match.
"I have to go," she said quickly.
"What? Why?" asked Tammy.
"I've got to go do something," she answered, picking up her things. (Oh, Crystalmon is going to pay for screwing with my head...)
Amara quickly left, leaving Lunn, Lee, Tammy, James and Nathan confused.
"Whaat? I wanted to see a chick kick Lee's ass!" shouted Nathan in disappointment. Lee blew a raspberry at him.
"I'll take over," said Tammy, back flipping onto the mat and throwing a kick at Lee. Lunn studied her moves carefully.
(Tammy is quite the skilled fighter, and a very energetic girl,) observed Lunn. (Perhaps... she's quality material to be the next Yami Chosen...)
- - -
Earnest, Ace and Arik walked into a small village that lay in a clearing in hive forest. The village had a few buildings in it, a post office, a general store, a gas station, a forge and a town hall. It was small, but it was where Earnest was raised and was used to being.
"Uh... wow. This is like the size of the dorms," said Arik, looking around.
"Where's this Digital gate?" asked Ace, impatiently.
"Just a minute, I have to go check in with my grandfather," replied Earnest, heading for one of the small houses in the village.
"The guy who found you and adopted you, right?"
"Hey, you DO listen."
"I drift in and out," replied Ace. "Hey, if he adopted you, shouldn't he be your dad, instead of your grandpa?"
"Uh. Shut up."
Earnest opened the door and went to check in with him while Ace and Arik remained stationary outside. They looked around the quiet forest, with no noise except for that coming from the forge.
"Wow, this place is really quiet and relaxing," observed Arik. "Almost makes me wanna go to sleep."
"Eh, nature is not my favorite place. I'll be glad when we find that Digital gate and get out of here..."
"A city boy, eh?" asked Arik.
"Well, I-"
Their conversation trailed off as in the trees encircling the village, we see Hieshi and Jeska sitting on one of the outstretched branches, hidden from view by the leaves in front of them. But they could see Ace and Arik very well.
"A Digital gate, hmm?" asked Hieshi, intrigued. "This could well be our ticket to Trinity Server."
"I don't care about that right now. I just wanna take those useless Hikari Chosen out," replied Jeska.
"I see. Well I want-"
Jeska grabbed Hieshi by the collar of his shirt and pulled him towards her so his eyes were locked with her angry ones.
"I don't give a damn what YOU want! We're going to follow those fools to the Digital gate and then take it from them! And you're going to listen to me, you egotistical male freak!"
Jeska threw Hieshi off the tree and sat there watching as Earnest came out and rejoined his two comrades. Hieshi groaned and rubbed his head.
"That's definitely the Shadow data." Levelermon said to him.
"No, I think she's always like that..." groaned Hieshi.
Earnest, Ace and Arik turned to leave when they heard a voice call out to them. It was Earnest's friend Harold.
"Hey, dude! Where ya goin?!"
"Just to go look for something," answered Earnest. "These are my friends from school; Arik and Ace."
"Nice to meet ya," said Arik.
"Like, dude! What are ya lookin' for?!"
"Just a way to get Leila back."
Ace and Arik gave Earnest a strange look.
"Are you sure it's, like, cool to mention Leila to him, dude?" whispered Ace, mocking Harold's way of speak.
"Yeah, none of the people in my village care about Digimon. They believe them to be spirit creatures. Leila can roam here as much as she want without being hidden."
"Are you serious?!" exclaimed Ace. "So they'd like to have DemiTyrannomon around?"
"Yes. As long as he didn't blow anything up."
"So, we could keep our partners here! Without having to hide them in the house!" shouted Ace.
"Uhh... we'll ask the mayor when we get back. Let's get going," replied the long-haired boy. Ace and Arik turned to follow him.
"Dude, can I come too!?"
"Say no." groaned Ace under his breath.
"Yeah, come on then!" shouted Earnest to Harold. Ace fell over. The four of them began to trek into the forest. Earnest and Arik were in the lead, with Harold right behind them and Ace keeping his distance far far back.
"So how far are we exactly?" asked Arik.
"Not far. We'll soon arrive in the place where I was warped to Trinity server for a brief second before encountering Leila."
"You just got warped there? That's odd..." mused Arik. (Sounds like the barriers were just becoming eroded by the Shadow at that point. I wonder how they're holding up with all these Yami Chosen uploading things...)
"Dude, that fox-chick was like, wicked!" exclaimed Harold, remembering Leila.
"Dude, get a life," mumbled Ace.
Harold, annoyed by Ace's attitude, turned and left the others, them not even noticing his absence. He took a few steps through the forest and looked around, scratching his head.
"Geez, that dude was harsh..." sighed Harold. "Maybe I don't mix well with those city-type people..."
Harold continued walking, only to have Hieshi run up behind him and clamp one hand over his mouth and wrap his other hand around his neck.
"Well this is convenient," whispered Hieshi into his ear. "How do you like being my hostage?"
- - -
Earnest, Ace and Arik arrived at the side of a mountain that was very craggy and looked impossible to climb. Where they were standing though, was in front of a strange bed of flowers that was about ten centimeters long.
"Here we are," said Earnest. Ace and Arik looked at him skeptically.
"There's no Digital gate here," protested Ace, calling DemiTyrannomon to the area. "Is there?"
DemiTyrannomon sniffed around for a minute and then nodded.
"There is, Ace. I can sense it."
"Me too," said Bouncemon, whom Arik called as well.
"I told you. Now let me see if I can open it..."
Earnest began to concentrate on opening the gate with his mind. It was a daunting task, but he'd done it before years ago. The air in front of him began to ripple unnaturally as Ace and Arik looked on in amazement.
"Did you... do it?" asked Ace.
Earnest stuck his arm into the rippling air and the amount he put in disappeared. He pulled it back out and nodded.
"It's open. Now we have to-"
"You have to do nothing!" shouted a female voice. The three of them turned to see red-haired Jeska standing there, along with Tawnosmon. The two of them looked very dominating and sure of themselves.
"Hey, you're one of the Yami Chosen!" shouted Ace, recognizing her. "Well we'll send you packing!"
"Will you?"
Jeska motioned to Hieshi, who came walking out of the forest, holding Harold as a hostage. Harold struggled and tried to call for help, but Hieshi had a good grip on his mouth and neck. Hieshi grinned as he knew they'd won already. Ace, Arik and Earnest gasped.
"That's what happens when you're mean to people, Ace," hissed Arik.
"Hey, shut up."
"You three step away from the gate, or this guy won't be living to see twenty-five," threatened Hieshi. Ace, Arik and Earnest had no choice but to comply, and walked away from the rippling air.
"You win. Now let him go," said Earnest.
"Not yet," Hieshi replied. "Jeska, test the portal."
"Don't give me orders."
Jeska and Tawnosmon walked over to the rippling air and Jeska dipped her arm in just like Earnest did. She looked at her partner.
"Do you sense your world?"
"I do," replied the armored Digimon. "It is through the gate-what the?!"
Tawnosmon tensed up and Jeska looked at him, confused.
"What is it?"
Suddenly, Leila leapt out of the gate! The Renamon in army pants outstretched both of her legs and kicked Jeska and Tawnosmon, sending them both crashing to the ground!
"Leila!" exclaimed Earnest, joyfully.
"Hey, you think I'd miss this party?" she asked.
Jeska growled as she wiped the dirt off of her face. The Shadow cells were beginning to take effect on her just as they were with Hieshi yesterday.
"Grrr... meddlesome witch! Tawnosmon, rip her apart!"
Leila turned and whipped out a gun, pointing it directly at Tawnosmon's head.
"Don't even move, or your partner will be a widow," threatened Leila.
"Heh heh... you are a fool. ASTRAL PROJECTION!!!"
Tawnosmon suddenly turned into ten Tawnosmon's! Leila gasped, startled by this illusion. Tawnosmon then took the time to kick the gun out of her hands and tackle her!
"Oh that's it now!" shouted Hieshi. "This guy gets it!"
"I don't think so!" yelled Ace, running at Hieshi. He dove to the ground and did a swoop kick, knocking both Harold and Hieshi off their feet! He then tackled Hieshi and the two of them went rolling down the hill into the forest uncontrollably!
"Ace!" shouted Arik, dashing after him. Earnest ran to help Harold up.
"You alright?"
"Dude, the next time I try to follow you somewhere... don't let me."
Leila bucked up and kicked Tawnosmon off, then whipped around and pulled out her guns again, skillfully shooting all nine projections of himself that he made. She turned around expecting to see one of him... but now there were twenty of him! Her jaw dropped.
"What is this?" she gasped.
"Your downfall," answered a hybrid of twenty Tawnosmon voices. They all ran at her, and she, unable to discern which ones were real, just shot at them rapidly! She took out about five projections before the real one kicked her in the head, sending her sliding through the dirt.
"Now finish her off!" screamed Jeska. "Rip her to shreds!"
"Earnest, I'm detecting a lot of Shadow data in that girl!" announced Leila, leaping back up to her feet.
"So, you're a guardian, destroy it!"
"I... can't. Earnest... there aren't guardians anymore," she told him, sadly.
"What!?" he exclaimed, hardly able to believe her. If she was telling the truth, then their entire strategy was ruined!
- - -
Hieshi growled and threw Ace off of him! Ace landed a few feet away from Hieshi and both boys stopped to catch their breath. Arik ran into the area where they fell and looked at the both of them. Bouncemon and DemiTyrannomon ran down after him.
"Ace, you alright?" asked Arik.
"Never better," groaned Ace as Arik grabbed his arm and hauled his buddy up to his feet. They heard gunshots coming from up the ridge Ace and Hieshi had fallen off of and glanced in that direction.
"Earnest is in trouble," said Arik. Ace nodded, already knowing where Arik was going with that statement.
The two boys ran to climb back up and help Earnest, but Levelermon was hurled right between their heads with the help of a pitch from Hieshi. The rubic cube clattered on the ground in front of them before it began to evolve.
"Oh, not this again..." groaned Ace, knowing that Hieshi was planning to head to Perfect stage once more.
"Levelermon Shinka... DYACTORALMON!!!"
"Dyactoralmon Shinka... RIEVERMON!!!"
The demon Digimon outstretched his wings and glanced menacingly down at the two frightened Hikari Chosen.
"We couldn't even beat this guy with Lee and James, so what chance do we have now?!" exclaimed Ace, backing away from Rievermon alongside Arik.
"None if we don't try!" shouted DemiTyrannomon, running up next to Ace.
"Yeah, since when did we turn into the wuss squad?! A year ago we kicked butt and took names! We beat stronger Chosen than this guy, and those were the mind-warped ones that Desiree sent at us!" agreed Bouncemon, leaping next to Arik.
"That's a pep talk if I ever heard one. Evolve now!" shouted Arik.
"DemiTyrannomon Shinka..."
"Bouncemon Shinka..."
"Morons," muttered Hieshi as their two Adult forms appeared. "I only wish my brother was here to crush as well."
"... DRAGONMON!!!"
"... RACERMON!!!"
"Don't hold anything back! This guy is so arrogant, he makes me sick!" growled Ace.
The mighty black dragon took to the air while Racermon revved his engine and sped in on the ground. The two adults charged their attacks at the same time as they charged Rievermon, who didn't budge an inch.
"DRAGON INFERNO!!!"
"VORTEX SPRAY!!!"
Both attacks hit Rievermon dead center in the stomach, creating a explosion that sent him skidding backwards through the dirt while still on his feet. The demon warrior outstretched his arms and smacked two trees down with ease as he flew back. He stopped himself and picked up the trees in each hand.
"Oh that can't be good," gasped Arik.
Rievermon hurled one tree at Dragonmon, who was too slow to avoid it and got smashed across the head and sent plummeting to the ground.
Racermon was hit next, as Rievermon used the other tree like a baseball bat and sent Racermon flying through a tree.
"Alright, now let's win this, go kill the other guy and get the hell to Trinity Server already!" shouted Hieshi, getting impatient.
Rievermon acknowledged his comment and leapt over to Ace and Arik, who screamed.
"Well, it was nice knowing you, Arik."
"You too, Ace."
"GOODBYE!" yelled Rievermon, raising his right arm to slay them. Suddenly, there was a bright glow from both of their Hikari D-Volvers, which blinded Rievermon!
"Argh! What is that?!" he hissed.
"The shining light of us about to kick your ass around the forest!" shouted Ace, suitably relieved that he knew what was coming next. The fallen Dragonmon and Racermon began to glow as well.
"Dragonmon Shinka..."
"Racermon Shinka..."
Dragonmon reconstructed himself so that he was wearing a metal helmet now and had two large metal wings. A missile compartment appeared on his chest as well.
"... METALDRAGONMON!!!"
Racermon changed form completely, becoming a green techno-organic, humanoid Digimon with a red visor on his head in place of eyes.
"... TECHAMON!!!"
Hieshi and Rievermon overlooked their two new opponents and did not seem too impressed.
"This is it?" asked Hieshi. "Can it really be any improvement?"
"Oh there's improvement alright! Why don't you show him, Techamon?!" yelled Arik.
Techamon leapt at Rievermon faster than the eye could see and drew a sword from his back.
"TECH SABER!!!"
Rievermon held up his forearms to block the attack as Techamon brought the saber down on him. The force of the hit crushed Rievermon into the ground a bit, making a small crater.
"Hmm, perhaps stronger than I expected," said Hieshi, changing his mind. "The outcome of this battle will still be the same, however."
"There's no room in this forest for your evil!" growled Techamon, still forcing the blade down on Rievermon.
Rievermon simply smirked and kneed Techamon in the gut, causing him to choke and drop the blade onto the dirt. Rievermon punched him in the side of the head, knocking the green android to the ground. He stepped out of the miniature crater they made together.
"There's no room in this forest for your weakness," growled Rievermon.
Suddenly he noticed the sun was blocked out above him and glanced up to see MetalDragonmon was the culprit, having positioned himself directly above him.
"Putting me in the dark are we?" asked Rievermon. "You sure that's wise?"
"DRAGON MISSILE!!!" was all MetalDragonmon had to say in response. He chest plates opened and he fired two missiles directly at Rievermon. Rievermon simply held out his hands and caught each missile in his palms.
"What?!" exclaimed Ace.
"No way!" yelled Arik, in disbelief.
"These are of the lowest quality," said Rievermon, looking at the missiles. "You keep them."
He hurled them back upwards through the air at an awestruck MetalDragonmon. The missiles collided with the armored dragon, sending him crashing down into the forest, out of sight.
Hieshi turned to Ace and Arik, who were distraught over still losing the match.
"Here's a hint," began Hieshi. "Rievermon gains large amounts of power in darkness, hence how he reflected your pathetic attack. You never wanna meet me in a dark alley."
"Quit taunting us. If you're going to finish us off, just do it,." growled Ace.
"Not today. I expect a bigger challenge from you in the future. If you even have a future."
Rievermon leapt over to Hieshi and picked him up, then he began to fly back up to where the gate was located. Ace and Arik watched him as he left.
"I just don't get that guy..." sighed Ace.
"He thought we were weak, so he figured he'd kill us. When he saw our Perfect forms appear, he knew he could have more fun toying with us in the future. To put it simply."
"Well, let's hope he doesn't get his Ultimate before we get ours back. Of course knowing our luck, he will."
- - -
Back in the meadow area, Leila and Tawnosmon were still engaged in combat. However, as the fight took it's toll on Leila, Tawnosmon continued to grow stronger thanks to the Shadow data.
"Kill her! Rip her to shreds!" screamed Jeska, under the full influence of the infected D-Volver. Tawnosmon was attempting to do so, but even with his power boost, the kitsune Digimon was still very agile.
"Don't you realize that your mind has been poisoned?" asked Earnest of Jeska. "You look like you're going to collapse."
"I don't need ANY advice from either of you!" she growled at Earnest and Harold. "Go worship some spirit or something."
"Sorry, but I'm going to need to restrain you to prevent your partner from attacking mine," said Earnest, heading toward Jeska. "Harold, help me?"
"Sure, like, this isn't crazy enough already without us having to manhandle some red-headed chick."
The two boys approached Jeska, who glared at them with a look of uncertainty. She was unsure if she was going to be able to properly defend herself, but then again, she was unsure of everything right now, thanks to the Shadow data.
"Excuse me. Picking on girls?" asked a demonic voice from behind them. Earnest and Harold turned to see Rievermon standing there.
"What the--" was all Earnest got out before Rievermon smashed he and Harold away with his right arm. The two of them landed hard on the ground, knocked out.
Leila dodged a punch from Tawnosmon and leapt upwards, kicking the armored Digimon in head and knocking him to the ground. She whipped out one gun and held it to his head.
"End game," she growled...
... right before she was hurled a good two feet into the side of the mountain by Rievermon.
"Ooh, that's got to hurt," observed Hieshi. "Three Hikari Chosen taken out in under two minutes. That's a good record, Rievermon."
Jeska ran over to the Trinity portal and Hieshi watched her as she did. He raised an eyebrow at her.
(Now why would a girl with no interest in Trinity Server be wanting to go there so badly. It's got to be those moronic old men tampering with her head. If the Shadow truly do exist, though... she might just be letting them-- oh crap.)
"Jeska, don't go near that portal!" screamed Hieshi. But Jeska was too worked up to even care what he had to say. She held her D-Volver up the rippling air that Leila came out of earlier.
"Like I'll listen to you, tool! Portal open!" she ordered it. Instead, a bunch of black data was sucked out of her D-Volver and body, flying into the portal. The air simply stopped rippling after that and Jeska collapsed into the dirt.
"What just went on?" asked Rievermon.
"The Shadow data that was inhabiting Jeska was released into the portal," explained Hieshi, picking up Jeska. "She'll be fine in about a day... but our server's barrier..."
"Oh, I see. Killing the Hikari Chosen weakens OUR barrier. But the Shadow data is going from our world to Trinity Server, so..."
"Trinity Server's barrier will be weakened," finished Hieshi. "And I can't tell you yet if that will help or hurt us..."
- - -
"Whoa!" exclaimed Green, looking at a monitor screen in the scientist's underground base. Lunn; the karate sensei, walked in when he heard Green. The grey haired man looked at the businessman. The two had completely contrasting jobs and personalities, but their goal was united.
"What is it?" asked Lunn, curiously.
"Trinity Server's barrier power is dropping! Ten percent... thirty percent... FIFTY percent!" yelled Green in amazement.
"So can we escape there now?" inquired Lunn, unsure of what that meant.
"No, but we can bring bigger things here. ALOT bigger," Green informed him. "Perfects, even Ultimates!"
"How about a very powerful Child?"
Green raised his eyebrow at Lunn.
"Why would you want to bring a child? We already brought four, and it was easy."
"Well, our current Yami Chosen aren't doing their job right..." began Lunn. "I say we give them a week, if no success is achieved... we'll make the most powerful of them all..."
"Anyone in mind?"
"There is a girl I would like to corrupt, and a Child I would like to bring."
"Ask Irvine first, but the quicker you do this... the better."
"I will. And neither the Yami or Hikari chosen will know what hit them..."
Just like Hieshi was right now. He was just sleeping off the effects of the Shadow data that was transferred into him yesterday. Luckily for him, the effects of it were short, so it only lasted about a day. A slight berserker rage that almost result in the death of five chosen and himself. It's a very scary thought.
At RTC, Jeska was sprawled out on her bed, fast asleep. The Yami Chosen with beautiful red hair awoke when she saw light creep through her window. It hit her closed eyes and forced them open.
"Unnn... what time is it...?" she asked, while yawning.
"Exactly 6:43 AM. You should get more rest," answered Magemon, who was leaning back against the wall of her dorm room.
"Do you sleep?"
"Don't need to," answered the cloaked Digimon.
"Weird..." began Jeska. She reached onto her bedside table and felt around for her alarm clock so she could shut the alarm off before it went off in her ear. Her hand rested on her D-Volver for a minute as she felt around and it shocked her hand. Magemon looked up at it.
"Ow!" she hissed, blowing on her palm. "What was that!?"
(Oh no... Irvine's using the Shadow data...) thought Magemon. (Now I'm going to be affected too. Well, I suppose if it helps us achieve our goal faster...)
"It was probably nothing. Why don't you try and get more sleep. I'll wake you."
"Alright..."
- - -
Ace and Arik dashed down the halls of RTC, pushing their way past people as they searched frantically for something. Ace and Arik both had brown hair; the only major difference between them was that Ace is considerably taller. And the fact that Ace wore a short that read: 'Your mom thinks I'm hot'.
"So where is Lee?" asked Arik.
"He's at Karate. James and Nathan went with him to observe," answered Ace. "Ali is pissed at us, so I don't wanna ask her for anything. We'll ask Earnest."
"He'd better be able to," replied Arik. "You saw how insane Hieshi went yesterday! If that happens to any of the other Yami Chosen... or even to one of us-"
"Let's not think about that," said Ace, cutting him off. "Look, there's Earnest!"
Earnest was the only Chosen who stood taller than Ace or Lee, and he had long dark brown hair that was tied up in a ponytail behind his head. He was clothed in a sleeveless jacket that was overtopping a red shirt, and he also had blue jeans on. Like most people nowadays, he wore a necklace, and his had a wolf's tooth on it.
"Ernie, my man!" shouted Ace, waving at him.
Earnest groaned and rolled his eyes. He was quiet and studious, and Ace totally ruined his rhythm when he was around. Calling him retarded nicknames and just plain acting like himself. But Ace and Earnest still got along exceptionally well when they hung out, and fought as a tag-team together a lot during the Shadow incident.
Arik and Earnest were both quiet people, so they could get along well without saying much to each other.
"It's Earnest," he corrected Ace. "And is there something in particular that you need?"
"Uh, yeah. We really need to update ya and ask you for some help," said Ace, turning serious and whispering that to Earnest.
Earnest nodded and leaned up against the wall, all ears.
"Bouncemon came back to me the other day," said Arik. "The Yami Chosen can upload wild Digimon by using humans as host bodies. Ray used our PE coach and made a Meramon. But during the upload, Bouncemon was able to escape."
"We think we can get yours, Nathan's and Ali's partners back in a similar way," added Ace. "And that's what we need your help with..."
"You gotta get Leila back!" shouted Arik.
"I really want her back, but why the high demand all of a sudden?"
"Shadow data!" hissed Ace. "It's around and it's DANGEROUS! Leila is a guardian, she can destroy it!"
Earnest's eyes fixated on Ace with a look of shock.
"Are you SURE you saw Shadow data? You SAW a Shadow?"
"No, but their data is coming from somewhere. I think it's just leftover viruses, but someone has managed to process it and is using it to fuel the Yami Chosen's darkness. That's what their D-Volver's are made of!" Arik exclaimed, getting fairly worked up, which was unlike him.
"Hmmm... yes that does seem logical," replied Earnest after a bit of thinking. "I had an idea to get her back, but I'm not sure if it would work..."
"Yeah?"
"Well, I originally discovered her when I was 8, near my village in Hive Forest. I was thinking I should go back there and see if the gate to Trinity Server is still open..."
"You haven't done that yet?" asked Ace, skeptically. "Are you retarded? Let's go!"
"Alright," agreed Earnest. He turned around to leave the school and head for his car. Ace and Arik followed him. As they walked out the doors, two passing Yami Chosen happened to see them.
"Hmm..." mumbled Jeska as she saw them leave.
"Hmm..." mumbled Hieshi at the same time.
Hieshi and Jeska looked at each other, nodded, and followed them.
"Hieshi... I detect more Shadow data..." whispered Levelermon from Hieshi's pocket. Hieshi glanced down at him and then looked at Jeska.
"I think I know where it's coming from," he whispered back. He narrowed his eyes as he studied her. "This is going to be interesting..."
"Interesting?! It almost killed you!"
"I recovered quickly," replied Hieshi in protest. "Besides, it won't effect her until she gets into battle like it did to me. I'll help her if she gets sick."
"Wow, you actually care about other people."
"I like this one. She's brilliant."
- - -
At Lunn's Karate dojo, Lee was dressed in his white karate uniform and repeatedly punching a black bag that was hanging from the roof. James and Nathan yawned.
"Come on! I wanna see some fighting!" shouted Nathan. "Hey Amara!"
Amara, who was at the other side of the gym with her friend Tammy, looked up at Nathan as she called. Tammy had short blonde hair, completely the opposite of Amara's long dark brown hair.
(Nathan, I would advise you not to mention anything about Digimon in front of Master Lunn or Tammy,) she projected into his head.
"Yes, Nathan?"
Amara and Tammy walked over, and Lee rolled his eyes, continuing his training under Master Lunn's supervision.
"Isn't the Karate tournament in two days?" asked Nathan.
Amara wondered why he was even brave enough to talk to someone who was sworn again them, but had no objection to playing the little game he was planning.
"It is, Nathan," answered Tammy. "And I'm gonna win!"
"Sure you are," groaned Amara. "So where are you going with this?"
Amara already knew, and Nathan knew that too. But they had to pretend so the non-Chosen people wouldn't get suspicious.
"I wanna see some pre-tournament action! You and Lee go at it! Right now!"
Lee froze when he heard Nathan say that, and the punching bag flew back and smacked the blonde boy right in the face. He rubbed his jaw and turned to Nathan.
"Hell no!" he exclaimed in protest. "Master Lunn, we shouldn't-"
"Some practice couldn't hurt either of you," spoke the gray haired Karate master. "You two should spar."
"This should be good," giggled Nathan as Tammy sat down next to him and James. Nathan looked down her uniform. "Well hello there..."
"In your dreams," said Amara's best friend, shooting Nathan down. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have black eyes? Are those contacts?"
Nathan almost fell off the bench, and James laughed at him a bit.
"Yes, Tammy, they're contacts. I like them," he answered with disgust.
"Lying putz," whispered James.
Amara and Lee squared off in the center of the mats and both of them bowed, as was tradition.
(Ugh. I'm going to kill Nathan...) thought Lee.
(You won't be capable of that once I take you out,) projected Amara into his head, having read his mind. (Not here, not at the tournament... but the next time we fight with our partners, you're MINE! I'll make you pay for what you said to me!)
(I said what?)
"And... begin!" shouted Lunn, cutting them off. The two of them began to spar, Amara immediately taking his lead, knowing where his every strike would be.
(You know what you said to me!)
(I didn't say anything! Even read my mind!)
Amara did so and gasped when she found out that Lee was telling the truth. She glanced around and stopped the match.
"I have to go," she said quickly.
"What? Why?" asked Tammy.
"I've got to go do something," she answered, picking up her things. (Oh, Crystalmon is going to pay for screwing with my head...)
Amara quickly left, leaving Lunn, Lee, Tammy, James and Nathan confused.
"Whaat? I wanted to see a chick kick Lee's ass!" shouted Nathan in disappointment. Lee blew a raspberry at him.
"I'll take over," said Tammy, back flipping onto the mat and throwing a kick at Lee. Lunn studied her moves carefully.
(Tammy is quite the skilled fighter, and a very energetic girl,) observed Lunn. (Perhaps... she's quality material to be the next Yami Chosen...)
- - -
Earnest, Ace and Arik walked into a small village that lay in a clearing in hive forest. The village had a few buildings in it, a post office, a general store, a gas station, a forge and a town hall. It was small, but it was where Earnest was raised and was used to being.
"Uh... wow. This is like the size of the dorms," said Arik, looking around.
"Where's this Digital gate?" asked Ace, impatiently.
"Just a minute, I have to go check in with my grandfather," replied Earnest, heading for one of the small houses in the village.
"The guy who found you and adopted you, right?"
"Hey, you DO listen."
"I drift in and out," replied Ace. "Hey, if he adopted you, shouldn't he be your dad, instead of your grandpa?"
"Uh. Shut up."
Earnest opened the door and went to check in with him while Ace and Arik remained stationary outside. They looked around the quiet forest, with no noise except for that coming from the forge.
"Wow, this place is really quiet and relaxing," observed Arik. "Almost makes me wanna go to sleep."
"Eh, nature is not my favorite place. I'll be glad when we find that Digital gate and get out of here..."
"A city boy, eh?" asked Arik.
"Well, I-"
Their conversation trailed off as in the trees encircling the village, we see Hieshi and Jeska sitting on one of the outstretched branches, hidden from view by the leaves in front of them. But they could see Ace and Arik very well.
"A Digital gate, hmm?" asked Hieshi, intrigued. "This could well be our ticket to Trinity Server."
"I don't care about that right now. I just wanna take those useless Hikari Chosen out," replied Jeska.
"I see. Well I want-"
Jeska grabbed Hieshi by the collar of his shirt and pulled him towards her so his eyes were locked with her angry ones.
"I don't give a damn what YOU want! We're going to follow those fools to the Digital gate and then take it from them! And you're going to listen to me, you egotistical male freak!"
Jeska threw Hieshi off the tree and sat there watching as Earnest came out and rejoined his two comrades. Hieshi groaned and rubbed his head.
"That's definitely the Shadow data." Levelermon said to him.
"No, I think she's always like that..." groaned Hieshi.
Earnest, Ace and Arik turned to leave when they heard a voice call out to them. It was Earnest's friend Harold.
"Hey, dude! Where ya goin?!"
"Just to go look for something," answered Earnest. "These are my friends from school; Arik and Ace."
"Nice to meet ya," said Arik.
"Like, dude! What are ya lookin' for?!"
"Just a way to get Leila back."
Ace and Arik gave Earnest a strange look.
"Are you sure it's, like, cool to mention Leila to him, dude?" whispered Ace, mocking Harold's way of speak.
"Yeah, none of the people in my village care about Digimon. They believe them to be spirit creatures. Leila can roam here as much as she want without being hidden."
"Are you serious?!" exclaimed Ace. "So they'd like to have DemiTyrannomon around?"
"Yes. As long as he didn't blow anything up."
"So, we could keep our partners here! Without having to hide them in the house!" shouted Ace.
"Uhh... we'll ask the mayor when we get back. Let's get going," replied the long-haired boy. Ace and Arik turned to follow him.
"Dude, can I come too!?"
"Say no." groaned Ace under his breath.
"Yeah, come on then!" shouted Earnest to Harold. Ace fell over. The four of them began to trek into the forest. Earnest and Arik were in the lead, with Harold right behind them and Ace keeping his distance far far back.
"So how far are we exactly?" asked Arik.
"Not far. We'll soon arrive in the place where I was warped to Trinity server for a brief second before encountering Leila."
"You just got warped there? That's odd..." mused Arik. (Sounds like the barriers were just becoming eroded by the Shadow at that point. I wonder how they're holding up with all these Yami Chosen uploading things...)
"Dude, that fox-chick was like, wicked!" exclaimed Harold, remembering Leila.
"Dude, get a life," mumbled Ace.
Harold, annoyed by Ace's attitude, turned and left the others, them not even noticing his absence. He took a few steps through the forest and looked around, scratching his head.
"Geez, that dude was harsh..." sighed Harold. "Maybe I don't mix well with those city-type people..."
Harold continued walking, only to have Hieshi run up behind him and clamp one hand over his mouth and wrap his other hand around his neck.
"Well this is convenient," whispered Hieshi into his ear. "How do you like being my hostage?"
- - -
Earnest, Ace and Arik arrived at the side of a mountain that was very craggy and looked impossible to climb. Where they were standing though, was in front of a strange bed of flowers that was about ten centimeters long.
"Here we are," said Earnest. Ace and Arik looked at him skeptically.
"There's no Digital gate here," protested Ace, calling DemiTyrannomon to the area. "Is there?"
DemiTyrannomon sniffed around for a minute and then nodded.
"There is, Ace. I can sense it."
"Me too," said Bouncemon, whom Arik called as well.
"I told you. Now let me see if I can open it..."
Earnest began to concentrate on opening the gate with his mind. It was a daunting task, but he'd done it before years ago. The air in front of him began to ripple unnaturally as Ace and Arik looked on in amazement.
"Did you... do it?" asked Ace.
Earnest stuck his arm into the rippling air and the amount he put in disappeared. He pulled it back out and nodded.
"It's open. Now we have to-"
"You have to do nothing!" shouted a female voice. The three of them turned to see red-haired Jeska standing there, along with Tawnosmon. The two of them looked very dominating and sure of themselves.
"Hey, you're one of the Yami Chosen!" shouted Ace, recognizing her. "Well we'll send you packing!"
"Will you?"
Jeska motioned to Hieshi, who came walking out of the forest, holding Harold as a hostage. Harold struggled and tried to call for help, but Hieshi had a good grip on his mouth and neck. Hieshi grinned as he knew they'd won already. Ace, Arik and Earnest gasped.
"That's what happens when you're mean to people, Ace," hissed Arik.
"Hey, shut up."
"You three step away from the gate, or this guy won't be living to see twenty-five," threatened Hieshi. Ace, Arik and Earnest had no choice but to comply, and walked away from the rippling air.
"You win. Now let him go," said Earnest.
"Not yet," Hieshi replied. "Jeska, test the portal."
"Don't give me orders."
Jeska and Tawnosmon walked over to the rippling air and Jeska dipped her arm in just like Earnest did. She looked at her partner.
"Do you sense your world?"
"I do," replied the armored Digimon. "It is through the gate-what the?!"
Tawnosmon tensed up and Jeska looked at him, confused.
"What is it?"
Suddenly, Leila leapt out of the gate! The Renamon in army pants outstretched both of her legs and kicked Jeska and Tawnosmon, sending them both crashing to the ground!
"Leila!" exclaimed Earnest, joyfully.
"Hey, you think I'd miss this party?" she asked.
Jeska growled as she wiped the dirt off of her face. The Shadow cells were beginning to take effect on her just as they were with Hieshi yesterday.
"Grrr... meddlesome witch! Tawnosmon, rip her apart!"
Leila turned and whipped out a gun, pointing it directly at Tawnosmon's head.
"Don't even move, or your partner will be a widow," threatened Leila.
"Heh heh... you are a fool. ASTRAL PROJECTION!!!"
Tawnosmon suddenly turned into ten Tawnosmon's! Leila gasped, startled by this illusion. Tawnosmon then took the time to kick the gun out of her hands and tackle her!
"Oh that's it now!" shouted Hieshi. "This guy gets it!"
"I don't think so!" yelled Ace, running at Hieshi. He dove to the ground and did a swoop kick, knocking both Harold and Hieshi off their feet! He then tackled Hieshi and the two of them went rolling down the hill into the forest uncontrollably!
"Ace!" shouted Arik, dashing after him. Earnest ran to help Harold up.
"You alright?"
"Dude, the next time I try to follow you somewhere... don't let me."
Leila bucked up and kicked Tawnosmon off, then whipped around and pulled out her guns again, skillfully shooting all nine projections of himself that he made. She turned around expecting to see one of him... but now there were twenty of him! Her jaw dropped.
"What is this?" she gasped.
"Your downfall," answered a hybrid of twenty Tawnosmon voices. They all ran at her, and she, unable to discern which ones were real, just shot at them rapidly! She took out about five projections before the real one kicked her in the head, sending her sliding through the dirt.
"Now finish her off!" screamed Jeska. "Rip her to shreds!"
"Earnest, I'm detecting a lot of Shadow data in that girl!" announced Leila, leaping back up to her feet.
"So, you're a guardian, destroy it!"
"I... can't. Earnest... there aren't guardians anymore," she told him, sadly.
"What!?" he exclaimed, hardly able to believe her. If she was telling the truth, then their entire strategy was ruined!
- - -
Hieshi growled and threw Ace off of him! Ace landed a few feet away from Hieshi and both boys stopped to catch their breath. Arik ran into the area where they fell and looked at the both of them. Bouncemon and DemiTyrannomon ran down after him.
"Ace, you alright?" asked Arik.
"Never better," groaned Ace as Arik grabbed his arm and hauled his buddy up to his feet. They heard gunshots coming from up the ridge Ace and Hieshi had fallen off of and glanced in that direction.
"Earnest is in trouble," said Arik. Ace nodded, already knowing where Arik was going with that statement.
The two boys ran to climb back up and help Earnest, but Levelermon was hurled right between their heads with the help of a pitch from Hieshi. The rubic cube clattered on the ground in front of them before it began to evolve.
"Oh, not this again..." groaned Ace, knowing that Hieshi was planning to head to Perfect stage once more.
"Levelermon Shinka... DYACTORALMON!!!"
"Dyactoralmon Shinka... RIEVERMON!!!"
The demon Digimon outstretched his wings and glanced menacingly down at the two frightened Hikari Chosen.
"We couldn't even beat this guy with Lee and James, so what chance do we have now?!" exclaimed Ace, backing away from Rievermon alongside Arik.
"None if we don't try!" shouted DemiTyrannomon, running up next to Ace.
"Yeah, since when did we turn into the wuss squad?! A year ago we kicked butt and took names! We beat stronger Chosen than this guy, and those were the mind-warped ones that Desiree sent at us!" agreed Bouncemon, leaping next to Arik.
"That's a pep talk if I ever heard one. Evolve now!" shouted Arik.
"DemiTyrannomon Shinka..."
"Bouncemon Shinka..."
"Morons," muttered Hieshi as their two Adult forms appeared. "I only wish my brother was here to crush as well."
"... DRAGONMON!!!"
"... RACERMON!!!"
"Don't hold anything back! This guy is so arrogant, he makes me sick!" growled Ace.
The mighty black dragon took to the air while Racermon revved his engine and sped in on the ground. The two adults charged their attacks at the same time as they charged Rievermon, who didn't budge an inch.
"DRAGON INFERNO!!!"
"VORTEX SPRAY!!!"
Both attacks hit Rievermon dead center in the stomach, creating a explosion that sent him skidding backwards through the dirt while still on his feet. The demon warrior outstretched his arms and smacked two trees down with ease as he flew back. He stopped himself and picked up the trees in each hand.
"Oh that can't be good," gasped Arik.
Rievermon hurled one tree at Dragonmon, who was too slow to avoid it and got smashed across the head and sent plummeting to the ground.
Racermon was hit next, as Rievermon used the other tree like a baseball bat and sent Racermon flying through a tree.
"Alright, now let's win this, go kill the other guy and get the hell to Trinity Server already!" shouted Hieshi, getting impatient.
Rievermon acknowledged his comment and leapt over to Ace and Arik, who screamed.
"Well, it was nice knowing you, Arik."
"You too, Ace."
"GOODBYE!" yelled Rievermon, raising his right arm to slay them. Suddenly, there was a bright glow from both of their Hikari D-Volvers, which blinded Rievermon!
"Argh! What is that?!" he hissed.
"The shining light of us about to kick your ass around the forest!" shouted Ace, suitably relieved that he knew what was coming next. The fallen Dragonmon and Racermon began to glow as well.
"Dragonmon Shinka..."
"Racermon Shinka..."
Dragonmon reconstructed himself so that he was wearing a metal helmet now and had two large metal wings. A missile compartment appeared on his chest as well.
"... METALDRAGONMON!!!"
Racermon changed form completely, becoming a green techno-organic, humanoid Digimon with a red visor on his head in place of eyes.
"... TECHAMON!!!"
Hieshi and Rievermon overlooked their two new opponents and did not seem too impressed.
"This is it?" asked Hieshi. "Can it really be any improvement?"
"Oh there's improvement alright! Why don't you show him, Techamon?!" yelled Arik.
Techamon leapt at Rievermon faster than the eye could see and drew a sword from his back.
"TECH SABER!!!"
Rievermon held up his forearms to block the attack as Techamon brought the saber down on him. The force of the hit crushed Rievermon into the ground a bit, making a small crater.
"Hmm, perhaps stronger than I expected," said Hieshi, changing his mind. "The outcome of this battle will still be the same, however."
"There's no room in this forest for your evil!" growled Techamon, still forcing the blade down on Rievermon.
Rievermon simply smirked and kneed Techamon in the gut, causing him to choke and drop the blade onto the dirt. Rievermon punched him in the side of the head, knocking the green android to the ground. He stepped out of the miniature crater they made together.
"There's no room in this forest for your weakness," growled Rievermon.
Suddenly he noticed the sun was blocked out above him and glanced up to see MetalDragonmon was the culprit, having positioned himself directly above him.
"Putting me in the dark are we?" asked Rievermon. "You sure that's wise?"
"DRAGON MISSILE!!!" was all MetalDragonmon had to say in response. He chest plates opened and he fired two missiles directly at Rievermon. Rievermon simply held out his hands and caught each missile in his palms.
"What?!" exclaimed Ace.
"No way!" yelled Arik, in disbelief.
"These are of the lowest quality," said Rievermon, looking at the missiles. "You keep them."
He hurled them back upwards through the air at an awestruck MetalDragonmon. The missiles collided with the armored dragon, sending him crashing down into the forest, out of sight.
Hieshi turned to Ace and Arik, who were distraught over still losing the match.
"Here's a hint," began Hieshi. "Rievermon gains large amounts of power in darkness, hence how he reflected your pathetic attack. You never wanna meet me in a dark alley."
"Quit taunting us. If you're going to finish us off, just do it,." growled Ace.
"Not today. I expect a bigger challenge from you in the future. If you even have a future."
Rievermon leapt over to Hieshi and picked him up, then he began to fly back up to where the gate was located. Ace and Arik watched him as he left.
"I just don't get that guy..." sighed Ace.
"He thought we were weak, so he figured he'd kill us. When he saw our Perfect forms appear, he knew he could have more fun toying with us in the future. To put it simply."
"Well, let's hope he doesn't get his Ultimate before we get ours back. Of course knowing our luck, he will."
- - -
Back in the meadow area, Leila and Tawnosmon were still engaged in combat. However, as the fight took it's toll on Leila, Tawnosmon continued to grow stronger thanks to the Shadow data.
"Kill her! Rip her to shreds!" screamed Jeska, under the full influence of the infected D-Volver. Tawnosmon was attempting to do so, but even with his power boost, the kitsune Digimon was still very agile.
"Don't you realize that your mind has been poisoned?" asked Earnest of Jeska. "You look like you're going to collapse."
"I don't need ANY advice from either of you!" she growled at Earnest and Harold. "Go worship some spirit or something."
"Sorry, but I'm going to need to restrain you to prevent your partner from attacking mine," said Earnest, heading toward Jeska. "Harold, help me?"
"Sure, like, this isn't crazy enough already without us having to manhandle some red-headed chick."
The two boys approached Jeska, who glared at them with a look of uncertainty. She was unsure if she was going to be able to properly defend herself, but then again, she was unsure of everything right now, thanks to the Shadow data.
"Excuse me. Picking on girls?" asked a demonic voice from behind them. Earnest and Harold turned to see Rievermon standing there.
"What the--" was all Earnest got out before Rievermon smashed he and Harold away with his right arm. The two of them landed hard on the ground, knocked out.
Leila dodged a punch from Tawnosmon and leapt upwards, kicking the armored Digimon in head and knocking him to the ground. She whipped out one gun and held it to his head.
"End game," she growled...
... right before she was hurled a good two feet into the side of the mountain by Rievermon.
"Ooh, that's got to hurt," observed Hieshi. "Three Hikari Chosen taken out in under two minutes. That's a good record, Rievermon."
Jeska ran over to the Trinity portal and Hieshi watched her as she did. He raised an eyebrow at her.
(Now why would a girl with no interest in Trinity Server be wanting to go there so badly. It's got to be those moronic old men tampering with her head. If the Shadow truly do exist, though... she might just be letting them-- oh crap.)
"Jeska, don't go near that portal!" screamed Hieshi. But Jeska was too worked up to even care what he had to say. She held her D-Volver up the rippling air that Leila came out of earlier.
"Like I'll listen to you, tool! Portal open!" she ordered it. Instead, a bunch of black data was sucked out of her D-Volver and body, flying into the portal. The air simply stopped rippling after that and Jeska collapsed into the dirt.
"What just went on?" asked Rievermon.
"The Shadow data that was inhabiting Jeska was released into the portal," explained Hieshi, picking up Jeska. "She'll be fine in about a day... but our server's barrier..."
"Oh, I see. Killing the Hikari Chosen weakens OUR barrier. But the Shadow data is going from our world to Trinity Server, so..."
"Trinity Server's barrier will be weakened," finished Hieshi. "And I can't tell you yet if that will help or hurt us..."
- - -
"Whoa!" exclaimed Green, looking at a monitor screen in the scientist's underground base. Lunn; the karate sensei, walked in when he heard Green. The grey haired man looked at the businessman. The two had completely contrasting jobs and personalities, but their goal was united.
"What is it?" asked Lunn, curiously.
"Trinity Server's barrier power is dropping! Ten percent... thirty percent... FIFTY percent!" yelled Green in amazement.
"So can we escape there now?" inquired Lunn, unsure of what that meant.
"No, but we can bring bigger things here. ALOT bigger," Green informed him. "Perfects, even Ultimates!"
"How about a very powerful Child?"
Green raised his eyebrow at Lunn.
"Why would you want to bring a child? We already brought four, and it was easy."
"Well, our current Yami Chosen aren't doing their job right..." began Lunn. "I say we give them a week, if no success is achieved... we'll make the most powerful of them all..."
"Anyone in mind?"
"There is a girl I would like to corrupt, and a Child I would like to bring."
"Ask Irvine first, but the quicker you do this... the better."
"I will. And neither the Yami or Hikari chosen will know what hit them..."