The general's lust
chapter 26
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Back outside the castle, Tuwarmon groaned out as he was slammed against a wall by MetalGreymon. "And stay down!" Kiriha's Digimon warned his enemy.
"You think you're so tough?" Tuwarmon then asked, before saying as he remained against the wall. "Well I've got news for you, we've already won."
"You're just being a sore loser." MetalGreymon said back, which made Tuwarmon explain why Xros Heart was bound to lose. "It's between Taiki and Yuu now. And unlike your precious Taiki, Yuu won't be afraid in hurting his opponent. Or worse."
-Back in the castle-
Yuu showed no mercy as he tried to slash Taiki in half, forcing the brunette back. "Put it down, I don't wanna fight!" He called out to Yuu, who just continued to smirk wickedly. "You've got no choice. En garde!" Yuu then yelled, bringing his blade down at Taiki, who, after noticing a sword lying by his side, acted quickly and picked up the blade, using it to block Yuu's attack.
'Whoa, he can handle a sword.' Taiki thought, before he was forced to continue blocking each of Yuu's strikes. 'He may even be better than Zenjirou.'
"Too slow!" Yuu stated, breaking from his clash, as he then asked. "If that's the best you can do, we're not even on the same level. How did you ever become a General anyway?"
-Meanwhile, with Shoutmon X5-
His power no match for AxeKnightmon, the Dark Digimon continued to torment Shoutmon X5.
"Now maybe you'll realize you're in way over your head!" He called out, slamming his Twin Spear into Shoutmon X5's chest once again and forcing him into the lava.
"We've got to come through guys. Taiki is depending on us." Shoutmon managed to get out, before he was plunged into the molten pool and sunk.
And things weren't doing so well back at the castle.
As Yuu's forces continued to advance, making it in range where they could begin their assault, Lilithmon, Beelzemon and Mervamon were forced back and had to regroup.
"Nene, what's happening?" Mervamon asked as she approached her human partner.
"Our defenses are weakening. I don't know how much longer we can hold out." Nene replied, her tone full of worry.
And her worries increased when a torrent of flame shot up, shocking her, Mervamon, Beelzemon and Lilithmon when it was revealed AxeKnightmon, who was holding Shoutmon X5 emerged from the lava.
"I'll answer that for you." AxeKnightmon then said, before he stated. "It's over Nene, for you and your friends."
-Back at Yuu's castle-
"MetalGreymon!" Taiki called out in concern, as through the doors to the castle, he could see Tuwarmon had gained the upperhand in their battle, for Megidramon had joined in and was using his unstable power to demolish his Digimon ally.
"Time to finish this. Megiddo Flame!" Megidramon roared out as his maw filled with flames, which he then unleashed the massive conflagration and consumed MetalGreymon, making him roar out in agony.
"And that's that. I admit I was worried there for a minute, but now it looks like the shoes is on the other foot. Now all I have to do is win this round and the game will be mine." Yuu then stated, before he lunged at Taiki once again, causing the pair to engage in another battle of blades
While Yuu was giving it all he had, Taiki, still reluctant to harm Yuu, made MetalGreymon, who had survived Megidramon's attack, think to himself. 'Taiki's fighting at a disadvantage. It's not in his nature to be vicious. He doesn't want to hurt Yuu, but how do you defeat someone if you refuse to hurt them?'
Breaking from their fight, Yuu spoke once again. "From looking at me, I know you thought I was a pampered little rich boy, soft and weak, right Taiki?" He asked, before saying in a serious tone as he glared at Xros Heart's General. "Maybe I was a long time ago, but then I learnt to be tough. I kept it a secret from everyone because they would never understand, they're weak, they don't know what I know."
"What's that?" Taiki asked, taking several steps back as Yuu approached him.
"That nothing lasts. That no matter how much you love something, sooner or later it gets hurt, or it goes away." Yuu replied, telling Taiki he wasn't ready to accept death was part of life. "But it's not like that in the Digital World. I found that out the first time I wandered in here with my sister. AxeKnightmon told me all about it." He then said, remembering when he was offered his Xros Loader, AxeKnightmon told him that the Digital World, the Digimon and the war between the forces of good and evil was just a game.
"So that means the Xros Loader AxeKnightmon gave to Nene wasn't hers', it was yours'!" Taiki said, realizing AxeKnightmon was using and manipulating Yuu and preying on his weaknesses for power.
"AxeKnightmon was right about this world. Here you can blow things up and nothing ever happens to anyone because it's all just a game. I would never really hurt anybody. I don't like it when people are sad or are in pain, that's why I like it here better than the Real World." Yuu told Taiki, which made Taiki realize the truth behind Yuu.
'So that's it. Yuu's not a bad kid, he's the opposite. He's sensitive and the Real World's too much for him so he'd rather live in a game world. If it comes off as cruel or reckless it's only because he thinks this is all a game and no one will get hurt. So Kiriha could see the real Yuu and he knew I would too that's why he trusted his Digimon to me.' He thought.
"Well, are you finally ready to fight?" Yuu then asked, before he got his answer.
"You bet! More than ready! It's time you learnt your actions have consequences in this world!" Taiki yelled, bringing his blade down and forcing Yuu to go on the defensive, before pushing him back and making the brunette think. 'I'll fight you. I'm the only one who knows how.'
-At Xros Heart's castle-
"Disengage Fuse!" AxeKnightmon called out as he split back into Axemon and SkullKnightmon, who was standing atop Shoutmon X5, making him scream out in pain, while filling Nene with fear.
"As you can see victory is in our grasp." SkullKnightmon told Nene, before turning to Axemon. "But just to be sure. Axemon, go to the black castle and support Yuu in case he should falter in his battle with Taiki." He instructed, making Axemon head back.
With Axemon gone, SkullKnightmon turned to Nene. "Nene, you've been a great disappointment. You've proven to be a poor substitute for your brother. However, I do appreciate your assistance in the development of the Darkness Loader, that was a big help. You never imagined, did you, that by saving Yuu, you were actually saving my most valuable game piece for me?"
"He's not a game piece! I'll get him back!" Nene snapped at SkullKnightmon, who then told her. "You should know that's quite impossible. You're about to be deleted and nothing can save you, certainly not your precious X5, as you can see."
Hearing SkullKnightmon words made Nene smile, before she said in reply. "Did you say X5? You counted wrong buckethead, that's X4 you're standing on."
SkullKnightmon was confused by Nene's statement and further confused when Shoutmon X4 began to laugh, making him look down to see Sparrowmon was no longer part of the Fusion.
And before he knew what hit him, Sparrowmon shot down from the sky and rammed herself into his chest.
"You!? Where did you come from?" SkullKnightmon questioned in shock and confusion as Sparrowmon then pushed him back, while Shoutmon X4 got back to his feet and stood by Nene and Sparrowmon's side.
"Well Nene, ready to give it another try?" Shoutmon X4 asked.
"Yeah!" Nene replied in a determined tone as she withdrew her Xros Loader and called out. "Digifuse!"
"Shoutmon X4!"
"Sparrowmon!"
"Digifuse!"
"Shoutmon X5!"
"You alright?" Nene asked as Mervamon and Lilithmon landed before her.
"Don't worry, I can handle them. You need to find Yuu." Mervamon replied, making Nene nod, before Mervamon then turned to Lilithmon.
"Lilithmon, I'm entrusting you with Nene." She said, before adding. "I know you can protect her."
Lilithmon smiled, glad from Mervamon's trust in her, before she and Nene began to rush off to check on Yuu and Taiki, both hoping their loved ones were alright.
-In the black castle-
MetalGreymon was thrown through another wall as Megidramon unleashed more of his power, devastating everything around him.
And while Megidramon continued to bring destruction to everything around him, Taiki continued to push Yuu back in their sword fight, making the blond think. 'What is he doing? It's like he's attacking my weapon and not me.'
Desperate to finish the game, Yuu lunged forwards, only for Taiki to dodge the attack, causing Yuu to accidently embed his blade in the stone wall, before Taiki then slashed through it, breaking Yuu's sword, followed by punching the boy in his face, knocking him down.
"Ow." Yuu said, rubbing his cheek, which made Taiki ask. "You felt that didn't you?"
"That's because this isn't a game. Get it through your head already, this is real!" He then yelled at Yuu, who said back in a defiant tone as he stood up. "You're making that up! Nothing here is real, it's only super realistic and I'm gonna win this game..."
"Grow Up!" Taiki shouted, making Yuu stop in place as he found himself grabbed by Taiki who glared at him in all seriousness. "Ever since I got here, I knew it wasn't just some two bit game! Living things inhabit this world, LIVING things! I have fought and handled things that can affect a person. This isn't a game, it's a war. A war where lives can die and never come back. But if you think it's some sort of press and play game where you can just sit back and have a smile on your face, then you need to grow up!"
At what Taiki had told him Yuu's face paled and gained a horrified expression from what he had done and what could happen to him, his Digimon and to his sister.
"Now why did he have to go and tell him the truth?" Tuwarmon groaned in an annoyed tone, before he was interrupted when Shoutmon X5 landed before him, making Tuwarmon jump back and question. "Where did you come from?"
Ignoring him and Megidramon, Shoutmon X5 faced MetalGreymon, asking if he was alright, which made MetalGreymon say in reply. "You're late..."
Unable to accept Taiki's words, Yuu snapped. "It's a lie!"
"No, it's the truth." A familiar female voice said, making Taiki and Yuu turn to see Nene, who was standing beside Lilithmon, making Taiki smile to see the pair, while Lilithmon smiled back, glad to see Taiki, but felt some of the darkness resurface when she noticed Taiki's wounded arm.
But for Taiki, Lilithmon made sure to remain in control. "Listen kid, this isn't some video game. Everything in it is real. I am real, Taiki is, so are the feelings I have for him." She told Yuu, who looked at Lilithmon, confused. "I love Taiki and would die for him. He's saved many lives to be called a hero, while you just take them away, causing nothing but misery with your selfishness."
"Lilithmon is right. This world and everything in it is as real as our own. And the Digimon here are as alive as the people back home." Nene then told her little brother.
"That's right. They're more than just pixels or gigabytes, they're our friends." Taiki added. "And they laugh and cry and feel pain, just like we do. And they're in danger from losing their world. We're here trying to save it!" The General of Xros Heart then told Yuu, who was shocked further at learning the truth of the Digimon and the Digital World.
After a long silence, Yuu spoke. "It can't be. But if this is all happening for real, then that means if Taiki or Tuwarmon or anybody gets eliminated, they're not just eliminated from the game, they're eliminated forever? I don't want that."
"Then stop fighting already. AxeKnightmon tricked you into believing all this was a game, he knew you'd never do it if you thought people were getting hurt for real. If you're a good person, prove it." Taiki said, trying to reach out to Yuu.
"Come on little brother, let's go home." Nene offered.
"Home? No!" Yuu shouted, before he yelled out, sounding like he had truly lost his grasp on reality. "I know what's really going on here. You just don't want me to finish the game because you know I'm about to win! Tuwarmon, stand ready to Digifuse! Absorb all the Digimon of the underworld! Forced Digifusion plus Absorption Fusion!"
"Yes General!" Tuwarmon replied loyally, before he was enveloped in complete darkness, which consumed the remaining of Yuu's forces, including Axemon and Megidramon, absorbing them and their power, which increased his own and created.
"Tuwarmon Beast Mode!" He called out, revealing his new form, as well as Yuu, who was riding in the back of his Digimon, controlling him.
Seeing Tuwarmon's new form and the defiant look on Yuu's face, Lilithmon grit her teeth. "Damn it! This brat is more stubborn than Shoutmon." She commented.
"Tuwarmon Missile Storm!" Tuwarmon then announced, unleashing the spikes on his shoulder plates right at Shoutmon X5 and MetalGreymon, consuming the pair in a massive blast and making Taiki say in a serious tone. "We have to stop him before someone gets hurt, including himself."
"You already tried reasoning with him. I say we take that twerp down and make him see what suffering he's put us all though." Lilithmon said, making Taiki look over at Lilithmon and nod.
"We're ready Taiki." Shoutmon X5 said, breaking the Digifuse, before Shoutmon called out. "Let's do this!"
"Right!" Taiki replied as he withdrew his Xros Loader and then exclaimed. "Shoutmon Digivolve!"
"Shoutmon Digivolve to… OmniShoutmon!" OmniShoutmon announced, ready to fight, as were the others, in which Dorulumon called out. "Now attack!"
"Seismic Speaker!"
"Drill Bit Blitz!"
"Meteor Shower!"
"Lightning Lasers!"
"Phantom Pain!"
With the combined attacks striking Tuwarmon, Dorulumon called out. "Now, Shoutmon!"
"I'm on it!" OmniShoutmon replied, charging at Yuu and Tuwarmon, but was knocked back, making Tuwarmon state. "Nobody touches General Yuu!
"Ultimate Firestorm!" Tuwarmon then exclaimed, shooting the Digital Underworld's fire and lava from his armor at OmniShoutmon and the others, consuming them all.
"Pretty cool, huh? You guys didn't even know I had this weapon at my arsenal did you?" Yuu asked as he continued to let the flames burn and consume all before him. "There's no way I was ever going to give up, not when I was this close to winning!" He yelled, before OmniShoutmon emerged from the flames, only for Tuwarmon to quickly react as he fired four spikes that shot through OmniShoutmon's arms and legs, pinning him to the wall of the black castle, which made him cry out from the pain, before Tuwarmon shot lava at the pinned OmniShoutmon, making his cries turn to screams of agony.
Seeing and hearing OmniShoutmon in pain made Yuu think about what Taiki had told him. 'Digimon laugh and feel pain, just like we do.'
"He just making that up!" Yuu just stated, shaking his head and refusing to believe the truth. "Go on, keep firing Tuwarmon. Finish him off!" He shouted in a commanding tone.
"Yes sir!" Tuwarmon replied loyally.
However, his attack was then stopped when MetalGreymon attacked him, seizing his flames and allowing OmniShoutmon to break free.
But looking at their enemy, both Yuu and Tuwarmon were confused to see MetalGreymon had Digivolved to ZekeGreymon, making the blond ask. "Hold on. How did you Digivolve?"
"Like I told you before, this isn't a game and you have to be ready for anything!" Kiriha said, making Taiki and Nene smile to see their friend, while Yuu was in panic.
"But I thought you were eliminated." Yuu said, before he noticed something, making him say as he looked at the three Generals, OmniShoutmon, ZekeGreymon and the Digimon. "Wait, all seven of you are here now?"
"Taiki, Nene let's go!" Kiriha yelled.
"Right!" Both called out in reply.
"Great Fusion!" Taiki, Kiriha and Nene announced as one, unleashing the power of their Xros Loaders to make their ultimate Digimon.
"Shoutmon X7!"
"ZekeGreymon!"
"Ballistamon!"
"Dorulumon!"
"Starmon!"
"Pitmons!"
"Sparrowmon!"
"Great Fusion!" Taiki and the others called out as one, giving their strength to OmniShoutmon, who shone brightly as he Digifused with his friends, before he yelled in a mighty tone. "Shoutmon X7!"
"Fire!" Yuu commanded, making Tuwarmon unleash all the power he had at Shoutmon X7, which consumed him in a massive explosion. But to Yuu's shock, Shoutmon X7 didn't even get scratched.
"Ok, time to take out the trash!" Shoutmon X7 yelled, before he slammed his fist into Tuwarmon, knocking him through the castle.
Struggling to get up, Yuu asked, concerned. "What is it Tuwarmon, are you hurt?" Making him realize. "So you do feel pain after all." Yuu said.
"No, no, of course not it's just a game." Tuwarmon lied, trying to spare the boy's feelings as he got back up and ready to continue his battle with Shoutmon X7.
"Mad Mantis Dance!" Tuwarmon called out, spinning at an intense speed, while planning to tear Shoutmon X7 to pieces.
Taking charge, Lilithmon then called out. "X7, snap Yuu back to reality and counter attack!"
"Fusion Burning Rocker!" Shoutmon X7 yelled in reply, countering Tuwarmon's attack as he unleashed a blazing wave that struck Tuwarmon through the castle wall once again.
"Ok, that hurt." Tuwarmon admitted, before saying. "Change of plans, disengage Fusion. Let's get outta here!"
Breaking the Fusion, Tuwarmon leapt out of the castle with Yuu in his arms, who then asked. "You're running away?"
Reassuring him, Tuwarmon said in reply. "Don't worry it's just a game."
"Yuu!" Nene called out at seeing her brother being taken away.
"At least he's safe. Which is more than I can say for AxeKnightmon and the rest of his crew. Don't worry Nene we'll find him." Taiki said in a reassuring reply, watching alongside Shoutmon X7, Kiriha and Nene as the black castle toppled.
"Well Taiki, I think we won that round." Kiriha commented.
"I'm not too sure. But during that last fight with Yuu I think I might have." Taiki replied, thinking he might have finally helped Yuu see the reality that was the Digital World, before saying. "I keep thinking about what Yuu said, about one of us coming here just to be destroyed. I didn't come all the way here just to stay here forever. I wanted to help you and Nene and help the good Digimon. I didn't want anybody to get hurt."
"You have a good heart, Taiki." Lilithmon then said from behind as she wrapped her arms around her lover, feeling all the darkness in her body fade away. "And I know if anyone can reach him, it will be you." She stated, making Taiki look at her and smile, knowing he could save Yuu the next time they met.
-With Yuu-
After retreating as far as they could, Tuwarmon set Yuu down, before he asked. "My General, are you alright?"
"Tuwarmon are you sure it's not real?" Yuu had to ask. "Because it really hurts." He groaned out, unaware that Tuwarmon had suffered a great amount of damage in his battle with X7 and part of his body was digitizing.
But that didn't matter to Tuwarmon, all that mattered was the safety of Yuu, his General and his friend.