Chapter 25

Battle for Wizardmon: Part 2

Gulfmon gaped up at the shining figure. 'An archangel! It can't be! To think that one of the Digidestined hid such an identity...'

Ophanimon was an archangel digimon, who wore turquoise armour over her entire body, covered in golden runes. She had four pairs of semi-triangular wings, each divided into four even segments, and an extra feathery pair down the bottom. She carried a long, angelic lance in her right hand and a unicorn-adorned shield in the other. She surveyed the group's situation, all of which were looking up at her in wonder. The Devitamamon made no visible reaction to her presence.

'Eden's Javelin!' She aimed her javelin at the Devitamamon.

The Devitamamon quickly withdrew, and as soon as they did Ophanimon directed the beam towards Gulfmon.

'Dead Scream!'

Ophanimon stopped her attack and raised her javelin and shield in front of her. 'Heaven's Aura!'

The party was enveloped in the same rainbow light as Heaven's Charm, and they felt some of their energy return. They were also not affected by Gulfmon's wail.

Ophanimon smiled down at them. 'That should increase your resistance to dark attacks.'

MetalGarurumon and Agumon nodded, then directed their attention to one of the Devitamamon. 'We have to try and focus them down, one at a time!' Agumon called out.

WarGrowlmon nodded, and looked to the others. 'We should help, or at least distract the other.'

Veedramon didn't appear to hear him. He was transfixed staring at Gatomon's new form. 'Veedramon? Hey!'

MegaKabuterimon nudged him with his horn. 'C'mon, they need our help.'

Veedramon grunted in annoyance, then returned his attention to the Devitamamon. 'OK then... sorry.'

'I'll stop Gulfmon from interfering.' Ophanimon announced as she flew towards Gulfmon, javelin brandished.

Calumon groaned as he slumped against the wall. TK and the others knelt next to him. 'Are you OK, Calumon?'

Calumon sighed. 'That... took so much energy...'

Kari looked at Ophanimon with amazement. 'I'd imagine. Thank you, Calumon. You just might have saved us.'

Calumon smiled weakly, then yawned. 'Well, I'll... have a nap now. Wake me when it's over.'

'Wait, Calumon!' Izzy called. 'Are you sure you can't help anyone else? What about MegaKabuterimon? Can you...'

Calumon was already asleep before Izzy had finished. He sighed. 'Oh well. I suppose we'll have other chances in the future...'

Now with the threat of Ophanimon, the Devitamamon barely budged, and would not risk coming out of their shells.

MetalGarurumon growled. 'The only thing I can think of is forcing them to use their limbs...'

'Didn't you nearly throw one out before?' MagnaAngemon asked. 'We could try that again.'

MetalGarurumon nodded. 'We'll have to focus enough attacks onto its face. Someone will have to keep the other one distracted.'

'We'll do it.' MegaKabuterimon, Veedramon and WarGrowlmon surrounded the other Devitamamon. 'Hurry back, if you can.'

MetalGarurumon knelt down again to let Agumon up. He eyed the giant egg, hunched down on all fours and took off running towards the Devitamamon. He rammed against it and sent it tumbling, but not far. He continued pushing against it. 'Help me!'

MagnaAngemon attempted to help move the egg, but Agumon appeared unsure whether he should get off. Suddenly, one arm reached out of the egg.

'Spirit Fire!'

'Soul Banish!'

The attacks combined were enough to cause the limb to retract. MetalGarurumon ignored the limbs and kept pushing.

After a minute of pushing they were at the edge of the tower. The Devitamamon emerged and began attacking them once more.

'Go for the eyes first!' MetalGarurumon called as they focused their attacks.

The Devitamamon was helpless as its every attack was interrupted by three beams hitting its eyes. Finally, it opened its mouth.

'Black Death Cloud.'

MagnaAngemon began focusing light energy between his palms. Agumon and MetalGarurumon directed their attacks to the black cloud.

'Cocytus Breath!'

'Spirit Fire!'

The attacks collided with the cloud, the energy burst pushed them back.

'Now!'

'Soul Banish!'

Ophanimon momentarily turned and aimed her javelin at the Devitamamon as well.

'Eden's Javelin!'

The two holy beams pierced Devitamamon's jaw, and it began hissing in pain as its body combusted in a blinding light.

'Yes!' MetalGarurumon yelled elatedly as Devitamamon disintegrated.

Agumon smiled down at him. 'How was that? Just like old times, MetalGarurumon?'

MetalGarurumon glanced upwards and snickered. 'Not really.'

Gulfmon growled. 'You insolent pests... you won't destroy the other!'

Ophanimon turned to him adamantly. 'You won't be able to stop them.'

She spread her wings and hovered in front of him. 'Sefirot Crystals!'

'Black Requiem!'

Ophanimon strained against the dark blast as she focused more energy into her beam flying in the gems' wake. Gulfmon's attack ceased just as her beam did, neither of them able to continue their attacks for too long.

'Eden's Javelin!'

'Black Requiem!'

Ophanimon tensed with frustration as Gulfmon continued countering her light beams with the same dark beam, over and over. Gulfmon was equally aggravated since none of his attacks could overpower her beams or aura.

'Dead Scream!'

The attack proved next to useless, as Ophanimon's aura automatically blocked and resisted his manipulation. Instead, he opted to ram Ophanimon, catching her off guard as she found herself unable to dodge in the relatively small space, leaving her no choice but to block with her shield. Gulfmon clawed furiously at her, and he two of them struggled to gain the upper hand. Ophanimon knew his weight gave him a slight advantage, but hers was being airborne, if only a little. She brandished her lance and aimed at Gulfmon's head.

'Eden's - '

He quickly grabbed the end of her lance and pulled it in towards him, and Ophanimon struggled to retain her weapon, eventually lashing out with her shield and freeing herself from his grip, leaving them where they started. Ophanimon sighed tiredly.

I'll need help to defeat him... I only need to keep him at bay until they're done with the other.

Seeing what happened to the other Devitamamon, the first did not allow any digimon to approach and flailed wildly at any who tried to get close. As everyone but Ophanimon surrounded it, they took turns in attacking its limbs until they were rendered useless.

As Devitamamon's arms slumped to the ground, it opened its mouth and attempted the same attacks as before, despite the hopeless odds against it. As everyone focused their attacks into its eyes and mouth, it wasn't long before it disintegrated from MagnaAngemon's Soul Banish.

Tai and the other kids were slightly bothered as it was destroyed.

'What's wrong, Tai?' Davis asked.

'I dunno. It's just... it didn't seem at all concerned that it was about to be destroyed, and went to whatever lengths it could to harm us. It's like... it wasn't even a digimon.'

Izzy tapped his chin. 'Technically, it's a data type digimon, but... it's exactly like a virus in a computer program. Self preservation comes first, and if that's impossible... the logical next priority is to cause as much harm to those that threaten it.'

Tai shook his head. 'That doesn't explain why they followed Gulfmon...''

TK sighed. 'It's impossible to understand dark digimon.' He spoke with slight bitterness. 'They always want power; no matter what it takes. Those Devitamamon most likely saw that following Gulfmon would allow them to obtain more data than they would by themselves.'

'Or,' Izzy began, 'any loyalty to Gulfmon could be due to the remainder of their minds that they may have retained. But... I don't know how those kinds of digimon originate.'

Tai frowned. 'Perhaps we should find out... and if it's possible to put a stop to those creatures.'

Gulfmon didn't even flinch as the entire party advanced on him. WarGrowlmon gave a menacing growl. 'Let's get him!'

'Wait!' Ophanimon called. 'I would speak with you first, Gulfmon.'

'I have nothing to say to one such as you.' Gulfmon said defiantly. 'Angels are our sworn enemy; likewise, we are yours. There is no doubt that you will destroy me, so spare me your patronising moral soul searching and end this.'

MagnaAngemon shook his head. 'We would seek a peaceful solution, first.'

'Really?' Gulfmon scoffed. 'The only desire I have to devour digimon and their data, in order to sustain myself and become more powerful. Knowing your kind, you would never allow this to continue.'

'Surely,' Ophanimon began, 'there is an alternative to the way you live.'

Gulfmon scoffed. 'No. I've seen the digital world. I laugh at it. It is beneath my contempt. All those fools... wandering aimlessly, rarely seeking to better themselves, who have never tasted true power.' He smiled. 'That is why I take so my pleasure showing what true power is, by devouring those foolish enough to find themselves trapped in the dark area.'

Agumon growled. 'If you must die, then be quiet about it.'

Gulfmon laughed. 'Hah! You are a good example of those foolish digimon. You don't seem to understand - causing pain fulfills me, satisfies me. Even taunting you with words is enough to make you snap, weakling.'

Agumon trembled slightly in anger. 'Shut up!'

Gulfmon ignored him. 'The look on their faces... as they're about to die... that is the best part. The look of despair as they see me - '

MagnaAngemon and Ophanimon attacked first.

'Sefirot Crystals!'

'Excalibur!'

As everyone else joined, Gulfmon continued laughing as he was cut down. This, especially, sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Agumon kept attacking him long after everyone else had ceased. It was only after his data was absorbed by Ophanimon that he slowed down and remained kneeling as he breathed heavily after his fury.

'Uh... Agumon?' MetalGarurumon asked. 'You all right, buddy? You seem tense.'

He didn't answer. Everyone degenerated one after the other, and Gatomon approached Agumon, and placed a paw on his shoulder.

'It's all right, Agumon. He's gone now. He won't harm any other digimon again.'

Agumon frowned before slowly opening his eyes. '... he was a monster. It's good that he's gone, but... part of me still feels guilty... even though he deserved death.'

Gatomon silently nodded. 'I know.'

Finally, Izzy's computer sounded a long, single beep.

'Oh. I had almost forgotten about that...'

Everyone approached the computer, and Wizardmon's silhouette also appeared. 'Gatomon...'

She smiled up at him. 'We did it. Now you'll see the digital world again.'

Wizardmon looked away hesitantly, which caused Gatomon to look at him questioningly. 'Wizardmon? What's wrong?'

'Gatomon... I don't think I will see it again.'

Everyone looked up at him with shock. 'What? Why?' Kari asked, distressed.

Wizardmon simply frowned sadly. 'I... don't know how to explain it. I've tried, Gatomon. I've tried to go back myself. After all, the digital world has a strong link to this place... there were small portals I could have gone through myself. But I found that I simply couldn't go through them.'

Izzy stared at the computer. 'But.. why? Why would you be blocked?'

'I fear that, along with dying in the real world, Myotismon cursed me as he destroyed me. My data would not manifest as it normally would if I was sent back.' He looked down at Gatomon, who appeared ashen. 'I'm sorry, Gatomon.'

'But... why didn't you tell us before we opened the portal?'

Wizardmon turned and stared out the window, to the setting sun. 'Even if I can't come back, I want peace. And if I told you before, you may not have prevailed against Gulfmon and his Devitamamon, since you may doubt whether this is what you wanted.'

Everyone was silent as they contemplated what to do.

After a few moments, Wizardmon addressed them again. 'Even my data would help the digital world, in its own small way. I would be glad to be of some use.'

'But...' Gatomon began, barely able to speak, half-sobbing. 'I might - never see you again...'

'I will leave it up to you, Gatomon. Will you close the portal? Or will you let me go?'

Kari and Gatomon sat together, crying softly. 'Wizardmon...' Kari whispered. 'Why? You don't deserve this... you deserve to live again...'

'I'm sorry, Kari. Sometimes death is irreversible... as humans well understand.'

Kari looked at Gatomon sympathetically. 'We have to decide, Gatomon. The portal won't remain open for long.'

Veemon studied Wizardmon for a while. 'The only options for him are to enter the portal and disappear, or for him to remain trapped here.' He looked to Gatomon. 'Which fate is kinder to him? That much is obvious.'

Gatomon nodded reluctantly. 'I know. Peace is what's best, but... it's hard to let go...'

Wizardmon smiled gently. 'You've fared fine without me, Gatomon. Let me be of some use, to help you and the digidestined, one last time.'

Agumon approached and sat next to Gatomon. 'Wizardmon gave his life defending you, Gatomon, without hesitation... and he would do it again. Do what's best for him. You know what the right decision is.'

Gatomon slowly looked at Izzy. 'All right, let him through, Izzy...'

Izzy pressed his digivice and a small portal opened. Through it, Gatomon and Wizardmon recognised the plain where they had first met. Tears welled in her eyes as she remembered.

Wizardmon took a deep breath in anticipation. 'There's nowhere else I would look upon before I go...'

Gatomon looked away, unable to watch. Kari hugged her tightly as tears streamed down their closed eyes. Tai and Agumon joined them, if only for close company.

Wizardmon slowly entered the portal. As part of his data dissipated through it, he turned to look at everyone.

'Thank you. I will never forget any of you for your help. You're all capable of great things, which you demonstrated today, Gatomon. And Kari, Tai, Agumon...'

The three of them looked up at him.

'...take good care of her.'

Tai looked away for a second, then gave Wizardmon a determined look. 'We'll do our best.'

Wizardmon nodded with approval and relief, and turned back into the portal. 'And now, at last, rest...'

The portal hummed for a minute as his data streamed into the digital world, before the portal dissipated.

Everyone waited for Kari and Gatomon to stop crying, which took a few minutes. Agumon looked away guiltily as Kari studied him.

'Agumon?' She asked. 'What's with that look...'

Agumon shook his head apologetically. 'I... I didn't know this would happen. I'm sorry.'

Gatomon wiped her eyes. 'What... what are you talking about? We came here to help Wizardmon, and that's what we did, even if...' She fell silent. 'Even if it wasn't exactly what I wanted. But... it was the best we could do for him.'

Gatomon made an effort to smile at Agumon. 'Don't be sorry. If it wasn't for you, we would never have come, and released Wizardmon. No digimon deserves to be trapped like that, especially Wizardmon.'

'Except perhaps Gulfmon...' TK muttered resentfully. Only Patamon heard him, and frowned with concern towards TK.

'What I'm trying to say is... thank you, Agumon.' She looked at everyone gratefully. 'Thank you, everyone, for being here for Kari and me.'

Agumon scratched his nose. 'Uh... well, you're-'

He was cut short as Gatomon pulled him into a hug. Smiling, he returned it.

'Hey, what about me?' Kari laughed.

'And me!' Tai called.

'I helped too!'

'I want Gatomon to hug me too!'

'Ow! Gatomon, that hurts!'

One by one, everyone soon joined in the group hug, with Kari and Gatomon managing to laugh with everyone, despite everything, and they went to leave the TV tower, feeling a great weight being lifted off their shoulders.

Goodbye, Wizardmon... rest in peace. My friend.