Here's chapter 14! I know I've kinda been dragging out the whole Takuya's death bit, but now we finally move on to gaining some answers to the means behind his death. It took me a few days to get this where I wanted it and a lot of reviewing certain episodes in the series. This is the start of a new story arc in this story and I hope you enjoy.
I DO NOT OWN DIGIMON ADVENTURE 02, TAMERS, FRONTIER OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
01/07/15
Chapter 14: Lord Byakkomon
The Digital World: Location: The Forest Outside Sekizou City
In the morning the pyre's fire had died completely, leaving nothing but a large pile of ashes. Tommy was the first to wake up and he couldn't help looking among the debris. There was nothing left of his good friend and older brother figure. Not even a pane of plastic glass or a charred strap from his goggles remained. A sound behind him alerted him to someone else's presence.
"Good morning, Tommy," a girl's voice greeted him.
He turned and found the quiet Tamer girl, Jeri, standing there.
"Morning," he mumbled before looking back at the pile of ashes.
She joined him and stood by his side. They remained quiet for a few minutes before Jeri spoke again.
"You two were close?" she asked softly.
"He was like an older brother to me," he confirmed.
Jeri nodded.
"I know what it's like to loose someone precious," she said softly. "When my mother passed away it felt like the world was ending."
Tommy glanced at her. She was holding an orange dog-looking sock puppet to her chest as she stared at Takuya's ashes.
"I was only a year or two younger than you are," she continued. "She had been sick for some time before she… Well, my fondest memories of her are from when I was little. She would put on these hand-made sock puppet shows for me. I became attached to the puppets. I even kept one of them as a memento."
She looked fondly at the sock puppet. It was old and a little beat up, but it looked like it'd been loved and taken care of. It made Tommy look at his whistle. She noticed the movement and nodded at it.
"Did Takuya give that to you?" she asked.
"Yeah," he sighed. "It was one of the things he gave me for my birthday a few days ago. …It feels a lot longer than that."
Jeri nodded, a sympathetic smile on her face.
"Everything will be alright," she said. "Things may seem grim now and it may even get worse, but that means that things can only get better after that."
Tommy smiled a bit. What Jeri said made sense to him. When they had been fighting in the Digital World last time, things kept getting worse in their efforts against Lucemon until they finally defeated him and came home relatively safe and sound. They had thought that they had defeated Lucemon for good, but he guessed that they must have over looked something. Something that none of them had even considered at the time.
"Morning!" Zoe's voice called over to the two of them.
Tommy was jolted out of his thoughts and quickly spun around to face the blond.
"Morning, Zoe," he stammered.
She was smiling, but it wasn't her usual bright smile. Tommy doubted that anyone would see that smile for a while. She looked distracted as she nervously looked at the ashes.
"There's nothing left of him, Z," JP's voice sighed from somewhere to their left.
'How long has he been there?' Tommy wondered. He hadn't noticed JP hidden in the shadow of a nearby tree.
Zoe's smile faltered slightly, but came back a little stronger than before. She let out a sigh of relief.
"That's…good I suppose," she managed to say. "I was afraid that there'd be an arm or a…part of him that was still…"
"I know, Z," JP nodded knowingly. "Don't worry. There's nothing but ashes. Right, Tommy?"
"Uh…yeah," Tommy nodded hesitantly.
He felt Jeri place a hand on his shoulder and smiled. She was really nice. Out of all of the other DigiDestined from the other worlds, Jeri was his only friend so far outside of the Warriors. Most would have thought that he'd get along with Cody because they were both the youngest in their groups, but that was not the case. Cody was one of the few who still didn't trust Koichi and, therefore, didn't want to be too close to someone who associated with him.
"Morning all," came Tai's loud call as he joined them, rousing some of the others who were still sleeping. Koichi and Koji were with him. "How's everyone this morning?"
"Fine," they chorused.
He smiled sympathetically as he took in the sight of the large mound of ashes that had once been a friend and fellow leader. He pulled the pack off his back and dug inside it, searching for something. They all looked at him curiously, wondering what he'd show them. It took him a moment, but he finally pulled out five tiny little round orb jars, each one on a gold chain. He handed one to each of the remaining Warriors.
"Izzi packed these little jars in case he found something he wanted to analyze," Tai explained. "Digitamamon gave him way more than he needed though, so last night we decided that you five should have one and fill it with Takuya's ashes. That way a piece of him is always with you. I added the chains with some help from Mimi so that you could wear them around your necks. You don't have to use them like that though. It's just that, if it were any one of my friends, I'd want something to remember them by. …Even if it was just a glass orb filled with their ashes."
Zoe's eyes clouded over at the sentiment and clutched the little chained orb in her hands. Koji and Koichi shared a glance while Tommy stared numbly at his. JP also stared at his glass orb jar, but was the first one to turn around and scoop up a little bit of ash from the center of the burnt out pyre where the ashes would most likely be Takuya's and not from the pyre's wood. He put the stopper back on and hung the chain around his neck.
"Thank you, Tai," he said, bowing slightly and with a small smile.
Tai returned the smile and turned to wake those who were still asleep. Jeri decided that she'd better follow as well so that the Warriors could bid their lost friend one final goodbye.
Zoe was the next one to fill her orb with Takuya's ashes followed by Koji and Koichi. Tommy was still staring at his glass orb, wishing that it didn't have to be like this. He wished for the hundredth time within the past thirty-six hours that Takuya hadn't died. That Takuya was still with them and not a pile of ashes.
He finally unstoppered the glass orb jar in his hand and scooped up some of Takuya's ashes for himself. When he stuck the top back on firmly he looked inside. The ashes were flakey white and grey, and in some places appeared to swirl in the orb. They were still warm so the glass heated up a little. When Tommy closed his eyes, he could pretend that Takuya was still with him inside the jar, warm and alive instead of dead and cold. Even if he hadn't been the Warrior of Flame, Takuya had always been such a warm and lively person. He never felt cold to the touch even in icy cold weather and he shivered like any normal person. Maybe it was because Tommy was the Warrior of Ice, that he thought that Takuya was always so warm.
Later that day, it was decided that they should leave the forest and return to Sekizou City and meet with Lord Byakkomon. When they arrived, the city was even livelier than it had been before. News had spread that the DigiDestined had defeated Aiyokumon and they were welcomed like heroes. None of them felt like heroes, but they allowed the crowds to greet them and accepted the city's citizens' thanks and praise as they were ushered to the palace situated in the center of the stone city. Digitamamon joined them half of the way there accompanied by his Gatsumon trio and Floramon.
"Is it true?" he asked, his yellow eyes wide. "Did you defeat her?"
Tai nodded, acting as spokesman for the DigiDestined once more.
"And your friend?" Digitamamon asked, in a more subdued tone.
"Dead," Tai managed to whisper hoarsely over the crowd so that only the egg Digimon could hear.
"I warned you," Digitamamon sighed. "No one ever escaped her clutches alive. The boy might as well have been dead when you got there."
Tai shook his head.
"It was Takuya who saved us in the end. He killed Aiyokumon."
"Did he now?" Digitamamon asked, surprised. "Looks like that witch chose the wrong DigiDestined to possess. I take it she underestimated him?"
"From what I've gathered," Tai nodded.
"You mean you don't know?" Digitamamon asked, exasperated.
"Only Koji would know," Tai stated sadly. "And I doubt even he knows the full extent of his friend's condition at the time or the degree of mental captivity Takuya was really bound in. But I think it's safe to say that the Zaigou of Lust underestimated Takuya. She'd be alive if she hadn't and we'd all be dead."
Digitamamon took in what the DigiDestined of Courage had told him. It was quiet between the two of them for a moment before either spoke again.
"You lot will have ten percent discounts when you buy from my store," Digitamamon said gruffly in order to change the depressing subject. "For every Zaigou you kids defeat I'll add another ten percent to the discount."
Tai smiled.
"So at the end of this insane quest, we should have an eighty percent discount at your store?" he laughed.
"Everything will be free if you can defeat Kushyamon himself," Digitamamon nodded, all business. "Within reason of course. Any practical supplies like the ones you asked for before will be free, but luxury items will be half price. I have a business to run after all."
Tai grinned, but inside he only hoped that the price for defeating the rest of the Zaigou wouldn't be the life of another DigiDestined. He wasn't sure the group could take so much loss.
They finally reached Sekizou City's great palace and were led into a grand audience chamber that could only be the throne room. There was a large and elaborately engraved high-backed chair at the end of the room. A young man who looked like he was only a few years older then Joe entered the room in regal robes of purple and green. Four Knightmon accompanied him.
"My Lord Byakkomon," Digitamamon said reverently, bowing as low as his shell allowed him. The Gatsumon and Floramon did the same. Some of the DigiDestined gawked at the Lord's apparent youth and human appearance, but they all bowed as well.
"Rise," the human looking Digimon smiled. "Digitamamon, you have done well. You may leave with your companions while I speak to the DigiDestined. I have heard that they have been through a great ordeal. Aiyokumon was no push over."
They all rose from their bows and once Digitamamon, Floramon and the Gatsumon left the room, Tai noticed how the Knightmon appeared to have melted into the shadows, leaving the DigiDestined relatively alone with the young lord.
"Who speaks for you?" Byakkomon asked.
Tai took one step forward to separate himself slightly from the others.
"I do," he said with an authority that no one dared to argue with.
The Digimon Lord of the West looked Tai over as he rose from his throne. He came down to stand before the appointed DigiDestined leader and began to circle him as if he were examining Tai's worth. The other DigiDestined watched the proceedings nervously. Tai appeared relaxed, as if being inspected in such a way was normal to him. This was not the first time his calm surprised the others. He had been just as calm while having tea with Aiyokumon before the battle two nights previously.
"You must be the DigiDestined of Courage from Gennai's world," Byakkomon mused finally, smiling at Tai. "You're not exactly the way he described you to me. He told me you were rather rash and impulsive for a leader."
Tai chuckled, trying to hide his surprise that Byakkomon knew Gennai.
"Well, with age comes change," Tai grinned, trying to match the young lord's cool demeanor.
Byakkomon nodded. "That is certainly true. The world is ever changing. Especially the Digital World."
He looked over the rest of the DigiDestined with a single glance and frowned.
"I see that the rumors are unfortunately true," he sighed before returning to his throne. "You have lost your Warrior of Flame. That is indeed a grave loss. Fire is a powerful element and ally. How did he die?"
Tai told the Digimon Lord of the West what had happened with the Zaigou of Lust from the beginning, starting with the tea party to Takuya's final sacrifice that ultimately ended Aiyokumon. Byakkomon listened intently, taking in everything and missed not even the tiniest detail given. When Tai was finished the entire room was quiet.
"You have suffered greatly," Byakkomon said finally. "I give my humblest grievances to the fallen warrior's companions. Now I know why Kushyamon wanted him so badly. It was as Lady Ophanimon had feared."
The Warrior DigiDestined's ears perked at the familiar name.
"I beg your pardon?" Tai inquired politely.
The young lord looked down from his throne at Tai.
"You said that Takuya had developed a severe case of lung cancer?"
"Yes," Tai replied slowly, wondering where this was going.
"Lady Ophanimon, Lord Seraphimon, and Lord Cherubimon had contacted me not too long ago, before any of you arrived in this Digital World. They voiced a concern that had been plaguing them for some time. You see, after the Legendary Warriors defeated Lucemon, they assumed that he was destroyed for good this time and that his data had been purified to be reborn again. Only Lucemon was never reborn, as he should have been. Not even in a different Digital World."
"Wait, is that possible?" Tai asked.
"For a Digimon to be reborn in a different Digital World?" Byakkomon asked. "Yes. Just ask your friend."
Out of the shadows came a lion Digimon standing upright like a man, wearing pants and a sword at his hip.
"Leomon!" all but Davis, Ken, Cody, Yolei, Willace, Michael and the Warrior's group exclaimed.
The newcomer smiled and gave a slight bow in their direction.
"It's good to see you all again," he said in a low rumbling voice.
"Why don't you rejoin your Tamer, Leomon?" Byakkomon suggested. "I'm sure she has missed you greatly."
"I shall," Leomon bowed. "My greatest thanks, my Lord, for reuniting me with her."
With that said, Leomon crossed the large space and stood next to Jeri who looked like she was going to cry at any moment.
"Leomon was your Digimon partner?" Sora asked Jeri incredulously.
"He is my partner," Jeri emphasized. "Oh Sora! You were right!"
"About what?" the red head asked, confused.
"Remember when we were in that awful desert cavern?" Jeri asked. "You told me that I'd be sure to meet my partner again someday, and you were right!"
She flung her arms around Leomon's and cried silently. Her partner patted her back and smiled fondly down at her.
"It's been a long journey," he smiled at her fondly. "I found myself reborn in another world different from the one I knew. It was there that I learned of the legend of the DigiDestined and had been hoping one of the them would turn out to be you, but instead I found these seven." He gestured to Tai and the other six original DigiDestined from the Adventure World.
"So you are the Leomon we knew," Mimi cried. "I'm so sorry Leomon. If I had just stayed out of the way you wouldn't have-"
"It's alright, Mimi," Leomon chuckled. "I was glad to give my life once more to save the DigiDestined. And if I had not died, I would not have been reconfigured in this Digital World and reunited with you all."
"But how is it possible for you to die in one world and then get reconfigured in another?" Izzi asked.
"I want to know how you were even reborn at all" Henry said. "When you were destroyed by Beelzemon, Leomon, he absorbed your data."
Impmon looking down and the floor, guilt flooding through him. Even though Jeri had forgiven him, he knew that by destroying Leomon he'd caused her great pain and suffering that the D-Reaper had taken advantage of.
"I can explain that," Byakkomon stated, drawing attention back to him. "There are very special circumstances in which a Digimon's data slips out of it's original world, and is then transmitted and reconfigured in a different Digital World. Due to the instability of the Digital World he was currently in, when Leomon died the first time, a few key bits and shards of Leomon's data managed to escape being absorbed by Beelzemon. When Guilmon digivolved into Megidramon he nearly tore the Digital World apart, creating cracks in that Digital World's barrier shortly after Leomon died. It was during this lapse of worldly stability that the remains of Leomon's data slipped through the cracks and ended up in Gennai's Digital World. Enough of his memory data had survived to keep his memories intact. He might not remember everything from his time in his first home world, but his memories of the Tamer DigiDestined and their short time together remains in tact.
"Shortly before he died again, the Dark Masters had taken over and warped that world. Many other Digimon slipped through the cracks formed in that world's barrier with Leomon and came here. Why do you think Gennai needed the original eight DigiDestined to give up their crests? It was to provide not only better protection for that Digital World, but for its barrier's stability as well. Getting back to what was originally Lady Ophanimon's concern, Lucemon hadn't been reborn even though he was destroyed in that major battle with the Legendary Warriors. The instability of their Digital World would have provided the perfect conditions for Lucemon's core data to slip through and be reborn someplace else, so they reached out to many of us higher plane Digimon from all of the Digital Worlds in existence, but none of us found any trace of the Lucemon that they sought."
"All right," Tai said nodding, trying to keep up with what he was being told. "So Lucemon didn't reconfigure his data in any of the existing Digital Worlds. What conclusion did Lady Ophanimon come to?"
"Ah," Byakkomon sighed. "Once it had become apparent that Lucemon had yet to be reborn in any world, Lady Ophanimon, and Lords Seraphimon and Cherubimon began developing alternative theories and eventually came to the only plausible conclusion. That Lucemon hadn't been destroyed as completely as they'd thought and had somehow managed to hide a piece of himself somewhere before he was destroyed."
Before Tai could ask any further questions Byakkomon snapped his fingers and the banner behind him moved aside to reveal a viewing screen.
"Gennai was kind enough to supply Ophanimon with this footage from her world of what was supposed to be Lucemon's final moments, which she later sent to me. How he found this I have no idea, but if you watch carefully you will see that this footage supports their theory."
The image of Susanoomon, the mega form of all ten Legendary Warrior spirits combined, was hovering a short distance away from a terrible looking purple dragon Digimon holding a dark orb in it's clawed hands. All of the Warriors except for Koichi were having déjà vu as the images began to move and sounds and their voices echoed around them as if they were in a movie theatre, saying things that they had said long ago.
"What are we gonna do?" Zoe's voice asked.
"If we don't do something quick, we'll be destroyed too," Tommy's voice added.
"But what can we do against that attack?!" They heard JP counter.
"Wait! I know," Takuya's voice exclaimed.
The sound of his voice made the Warrior DigiDestined's hearts feel heavy.
"What?" the other four voices asked him in unison.
"You have to trust me guys," he stated. "We're going inside."
Susanoomon's visor came down and then he took off towards the dragon. It took a swing at him, but Susanoomon kept on coming, plunging right into it's chest.
"We made it," came the collective relieved sigh from Susanoomon as he pressed through the dark interior of the dragon.
"For all the good it's going to do you," a soft child-like voice hissed. "Nothing can stop my utopia now!"
The screen zoomed out to reveal a chrysalis worm looking thing with a ring around it's pointed tail and wings sprouting from it's back. Lucemon.
"You're nothing but a tyrant who's too weak to accept that he might be wrong!" Susanoomon cried. "We will stop you!"
"Powerful words," Lucemon hissed. "Let's see if you have the power to back them up!"
The ring around it's tail began to glow red.
"Lets do it!" Susanoomon agreed grimly.
"Stand tough guys!" Takuya's voice called out on its own.
"Right!" the others agreed.
Lucemon hissed and a hail of light spears erupted from the glowing ring, raining down on the mega.
Susanoomon took a few in the chest before balling up a little.
"He's not as strong as he thinks he is," he grunted before launching his attack on the evil Digimon.
"No!" Lucemon screeched as Susanoomon gained ground, nearing him every second. Impossible!"
"Impossible is our specialty," Susanoomon retorted as he soared even closer to his enemy.
Lucemon let out an enraged hiss, blasting a direct hit at the mega, but Susanoomon kept coming.
"You'll need more than that!" Susanoomon cried.
"NOOO!" Lucemon screeched one last time. "I cannot be defeated by a human!"
"Guess again!" came the reply as Susanoomon smashed his fist into Lucemon's forehead, nearly splitting him in half.
The purple orb broke and the dragon let out a wail. The images and sound stopped there. The DigiDestined knew that there was more to the fight, but Byakkomon rewound the footage to the point were Susanoomon's fist came in contact with Lucemon's forehead.
"Watch carefully," he instructed.
When he replayed the footage it progressed in slow motion as Lucemon's body began to split. The image froze suddenly and only a few of them could see the immediate significance of what they saw. Susanoomon had his fist full into Lucemon's split head, but Lucemon had a feeler inserted in Susanoomon's chest. It had happened so fast that no one had noticed it when it ran at normal speed.
"Ophanimon believes that Lucemon injected a part of himself into Susanoomon so that a part of him would live on if he was actually defeated. Takuya just had the misfortune to be the one to absorb the hit. It is my belief that because Takuya had Lucemon inside of him, Crusademon was ordered to abduct him. Kushyamon and the Zaigou must have wanted Lucemon for something."
Tai nodded.
"So what are the Zaigou going to do now that they don't have Lucemon?" he asked.
"That, Tai, is what you will have to find out on your own," Byakkomon said grimly. "Unfortunately the only one who might have been able to tell us is dead. Takuya lived with Lucemon inside of him for months and had been under Aiyokumon's control for at least a day. He must have learned something about Kushyamon's plans. But it doesn't do well to dwell on spilled milk as they say. What's done is done."
"So what do you believe should be our next move?" Tai inquired.
Byakkomon looked at Tai for a long moment.
"What do you think you should do?" he asked.
Tai remained quiet himself for a moment before speaking, selecting his words carefully.
"We are in no condition to face any more of the Zaigou at this point in time, but they are sure to know that Aiyokumon is dead. Crusademon was nowhere to be found after he brought us there, so I'm pretty sure he's informed the next Zaigou in line of the situation. We've made our presence known in this city so it would be unwise for us to remain here any longer than necessary. It would only put you and your people at risk. We'll leave as soon as possible."
Byakkomon nodded.
"You make many fair points. But what do you intend to do once you leave this city's limits?"
"What we've always done," Tai answered simply. "We'll rough it. Digitamamon has provided us with more than enough supplies. The only problem will be fighting the Zaigou off once they do find us. In this Digital World it appears that different terrain provides certain elemental advantages to specific types of Digimon and weakens others. That could prove to be troublesome when it comes to overwhelming combat conditions in spite of our numbers."
"So you've figured out that much already," Byakkomon smiled.
"Izzi did actually," Tai admitted.
The Lord of the West nodded.
"You and your own group of DigiDestined are in a pickle of your own, aren't you?" he asked. "None of your Digimon have the ability to Digivolve to their Ultimate levels."
Tai shook his head.
Byakkomon rose from his throne again, deep in thought.
"I cannot ask Gennai to return your crests to you," he sighed, "but I know of another way to unleash a greater elemental power. Your friend was right about the elemental advantages in this world, but there is always a way to bend the rules."
He pulled a metallic medallion from around his neck and held it out in the palm of his hand. On it was an etching of a tiger with a blade between it's fangs.
"This is the Medallion of the West. It grants me the ability to fight at full power no matter what elemental advantage the terrain provides, whether it's to my own or my enemies' advantage. In the hands of one of you chosen children it will grant the others who share the same traits as the holder the same benefit. It will grant you all the ability to allow your Digimon partners to Digivolve to their highest possible level. However, it is only effective in the hands of a warrior."
He looked significantly at the five possessors of the Legendary Warrior's spirits.
"All four of the Lords in this realm hold a medallion of this kind. Gather them all and you should have an advantage against the Zaigou. Especially the higher ups, closest to Kushyamon. It is a pity that Takuya, your Warrior of Flame, is no longer with us," he said grimly. "He would have been the ideal candidate for Lord Suzakumon to give his medallion to. We four Lords knew that this day would come and that we'd have to give these medallions to the chosen ones. There is a prophecy, but I'm afraid I do not know it's finer details. Lord Genbumon of Himizu can tell it to you when you reach his kingdom to retrieve his medallion. His realm is the closest one to this city."
"What does this prophecy say?" Tai asked.
"Oh the usual," Byakkomon shrugged. "A great evil will come upon this land and a group of heroes will rise up to bring hope to the people, yada, yada, yada. That sort of thing."
Tai couldn't help but smile at the young Lord's careless attitude toward the whole thing.
"So we go around collecting these medallions and then go pick a fight with the Zaigou?" he asked sarcastically.
"Essentially yes," Byakkomon sighed. "But never go picking a fight with the Zaigou. Let them come to you. It's easier to make mistakes when you're part of the assault instead of the defense."
He approached the DigiDestined one more time before stopping just in front of JP. Their eyes locked and they looked at each other for a long time. Byakkomon broke the contact after a couple minutes and JP shuddered, shaking his head as if to clear it.
"Warrior of Thunder," Byakkomon said grimly, getting JP's attention once more. "I find you a worthy candidate and charge you with the care and the power of this medallion. May you lead your friends strongly into battle, and safely out of harm's way."
He placed the medallion in JP's trembling hands.
"With this in your possession," Byakkomon explained, "all insect and electric type Digimon will have the power to Digivolve to their highest possible level and give you an advantage on any type of battle field, but you'll always be at your strongest in any sort of clearing."
JP bowed to Lord Byakkomon and slipped the medallion around his neck next to the glass orb that contained some of Takuya's ashes.
Wow. JP's gained some important responsibilities. Can he rise to the occasion? Or did Byakkomon choose the wrong warrior to entrust his medallion with? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!
So what'd ya think? Finally a method forming for the madness. For this chapter I did watch the last episode of Frontier in so the dialogue is 100% accurate. I watched it so I see if Lucemon was ever in contact with Susanoomon so that the way Lucemon got into Takuya's body and became a cancer would work. Thank goodness there WAS a moment and if there hadn't, my story would have been screwed and I would have had to get really creative. Please let me know if anything was unclear and I will do my best to clear it up.
In this revision, I went back and cleared up some of the explanation for how Leomon was able to be reborn. A few of you had pointed out that his data had been absorbed by Beelzemon back in Tamers so that he shouldn't have been able to be reborn even if he slipped past the cracks due the instability of the Digital World. So, for argument's sake, lets just say that not all of his core data had been absorbed and managed to slip away as explained by Byakkomon. Hopefully this satisfies everyone, because Leomon is staying.