Everything we know is about to be tested...

Two worlds, on the edge of a knife...

Evil Digimon from the Dark Lands descend upon our freedom...

New friends and old friends...

We come together in our darkest days...

Alone we are doomed...

Together, united in a pact of justice, we stand a chance...

Digimon, Digital Monsters!

The climax is upon us... the first of many evil foes has found his way to Earth... read on...

Chapter 10 - Dark Transcendence

What am I doing...

Gaomon finally came back to his senses. He was in the Dark Lands once more. He dreaded the place so, and tried with all his might to run the other way, but realized he was not in control of his body yet. Unable to physically do anything, Gaomon thought about what would happen now that Dracmon had acquired the holy ring.

I guess this is it then... he'll surely take over the human's world...and I guess that means Gatomon is dead by now...

He sunk realizing that he had caused all this to happen. Had he just told Gatomon in the beginning about Dagomon, this would have been avoided. He never hated other Digimon or humans; he had himself once had a partner. The shrine came into vision; all around it hundreds of Digimon of all shapes and sizes were fanactically calling out to Dagomon. Dracmon stepped up to the stone alter.

"Greetings Master Dagomon."

"Ah yes...Dracmon...someone who can...actually accomplish...a simple task. The ring..."

"Of course."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden ring; inscribed on it, spanning the entire mass, was some Japanese kanji:

デジタルモンスター

He placed the small ring in the center of the alter, and it lit up instantly. Dagomon's face filled with evil joy.

"Yes...this is good...the incantations, Dracmon..."

Dracmon opened a small grey covered book that was resting on the alter. He opened it and began to speak some phrases:

Ecce Ut primo semel unum tam sanctum datum fuscum magistro,

que jam sit ut demus vota Domino nostro.

Tempus inimícos nostros timere, quia jam habemus sanctam robore sed Flectamus nostra omnia faceret malum tela.

Erumpere in virtute tua et da nobis immortalitatem.

As the final words were read, the air around the shrine began to twist and turn. Darkness began to descend upon Dagomon. A very large fissure began to form behind him.

"Now...for the sacrifice..."

Dracmon turned around and looked Gaomon up and down.

"He's a weak fool, but he will do just right for sacrificial needs."

I betrayed my own kind and now...it's too late.

Dracmon forced Gaomon to lie down in the center of the pentagram. For a few moments he let the blood red mist currently surronding the pentagram to envelop Gaomon before heading over to where he was lying down. He bent over, and in one quick motion, cut through Gaomon's throat with his claw. Right before dying, Gaomon regained the control of his body.

"Dracmon...damn you..."

As blood poured from his now lifeless body, the shrine erupted in sound. Digimon were cheering and dancing around fanatically, celebrating the death of Gaomon. Dagomon roared with laughter as the previously unopened rift was now beginning to realize. In a few moments, he would enter the human world...

*** Meanwhile***

BlackGatomon cackled as Veemon lay motionless under the bent streetlamp.

"Poor creature. I didn't expect him to survive anyways."

She turned towards Gatomon, who was in shock; her mouth hung open and she was shaking. BlackGatomon became filled with rage when she noticed Gatomon wasn't even paying attention to her.

"Fool! Your foe is right in front of you! Stop daydreaming and face me!"

Gatomon turned around, a dangerous fire in her eyes. She cried a blood curdling roar; two friends being incapasitated in the same day for reasons she did not understand was a little too much for her. She sped towards BlackGatomon, who in turn ran towards her. They both met and exchanged kicks and punches, but after awhile it was clear they were evenly matched.

"Why would you try and hurt him when he's done nothing wrong! What's your problem?"

BlackGatomon once again gritted her teeth together.

"Because I hate all you goodie goodie Digimon; trying to save the world from evil. Hah! If only you knew of the forces you now face! If you give up now, maybe I can find someone to take you as a soldier in our army. Or you can die. Your choice."

"I choose to fight! No one scares me, especially not some brat like you!"

At this, BlackGatomon launched a claw at Gatomon. This time, she was not quick enough to dodge and took a fierce three cuts down her chest.

She cried out in agony. At this point, Karatenmon had once again appeared.

"BlackGatomon, is this the Digimon you spoke of?"

She turned around to face him.

"Yes sir. But Dracmon, Phelesmon's servent, has already taken her ring. I am merely cleaning up his leftovers."

Karatenmon looked up at Gatomon; she was lying on the ground holding her chest, blooding sneaking it's way around her paw.

"Very well. Do as you see fit..."

He then noticed Veemon and Patamon.

"Who are they?"

"Her friends I presume... the little brown one was unconcious when I saw them."

Karatenmon looked over the situation than flew away.

BlackGatomon continued to watch Karatenmon until he was out of sight, than turned back to Gatomon. She had crawled over to Veemon, and was shaking him, attempting to wake him up.

"Vee-mon... please, I... can't fight her alone..."

When she realized it wasn't working, she went over to Patamon, with the same outcome. She was, after all, truly alone.

"Just accept death Gatomon...come here and I will diffuse the pain."

BlackGatomon started upon her, as she collapsed on top of Patamon. The sheer weight atop him was enough to bring him back to consciousness.

"Mmm...Gatomon... Gatomon! What's going on?"

"Just lie back down and wait your turn hamster! I will finish you off soon enough!"

Patamon got up and looked around, absorbing the situation. He first noticed an unmoving Veemon, than an injured Gatomon, and finally BlackGatomon, who was a few feet in front of him.

Where's Lalamon...and why are all my friends injured like this? Oh no, what should I do...I can't carry either one of them away and BlackGatomon is a Champion...but still...

"Stop right there BlackGatomon... if you want to hurt my friends you'll need to fight through me first!"

"As you wish, although I wont kill you swiftly now; you'll have to die slowly as I watch you bleed."

Patamon charged her with all his might. Right before contact, she stepped to the right and slashed Patamon with her claw. His right wing was shattered down the middle and he fell to the ground just beyond her.

"See? This is what happens when you try and disrespect your betters! Learn your place; on the ground!"

Gatomon...Veemon...I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough...

"Vee Punch!"

When BlackGatomon went to turn around, she was greeted by a fist. Veemon stumbled as he tried to find his footing, but fell back down. It was a nice punch, but his tired body took a toll from it. BlackGatomon was beastily angry.

"Hasn't anybody told you never to hit a lady! You're about to get it now!"

At this point Gatomon had regained enough energy to stand, though she was still bleeding from the chest a bit. BlackGatomon launched a paw at Veemon, but he was able to get up and away just in time. He spotted Gatomon, who was dazily walking towards him.

"Gatomon! Wait, stay back, it's dangerous!"

"Vee-mon..."

BlackGatomon spotted her and ran forward, readying a finishing kick.

Neko Kick!

But before the attack landed, BlackGatomon was thrown violently back by a ray of yellow energy. Patamon, Gatomon and Veemon looked back to see a new Digimon had arrived: Sunflowmon.

"Hey! Patamon! It's me, Carol!"

Patamon remembered her from before.

That's Lalamon's partner...so that means...

Gatomon had now reached Veemon and she fell into his arms; not a good decision considering he himself was quite tired. He fell over backwards due to the weight.

In any other time, this would be a dream come true. But I gotta help out Patamon!

He gently grabbed Gatomon's shoulders and lifted her up and over his body. Placing her to the side, he ran over to Patamon, who was remaining still on account of the damaged wing.

"Patamon, buddy! Can you walk?"

"Yes but... I can't fly...my wing..."

"Just try and get out of here, no need to die for no reason, there's nothing you can do now!"

Patamon began to crawl towards the apartment complex. Sunflowmon was dodging punches from BlackGatomon, attempting to counterattack but to no avail.

Carol ran over to where Gatomon lay and picked her up.

"I'll get her to safety; can you help Sunflowmon please?"

Veemon nodded in response. BlackGatomon was furiously swiping at Sunflowmon, eventually hitting her in the face.

" BlackGatomon! You fight is with me, leave her out of this!"

"Hah! You? You're a child! But if you are so eager to die,"

BlackGatomon brandished her bloody claws.

"Come at me!"

Veemon ran at her, preparing a V-Headbutt. He launched himself in the air.

"V-Headbutt!"

BlackGatomon didn't expect him to be so fast or powerful. All she could do was stand and take it as he came crashing in on her. His head smashed into her face; breaking teech, cracking bone. Before she could feel much pain, she exploded into streams of data. Veemon, it seemed, had emerged victoriously.

Second last chapter. Tomorrow, it all ends... or does it?