Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

Revival

Chapter: 28/ Setting off into the Abyss

Within the darkness of GranDracmon's castle, Takato shifted in his bed, his face illuminated by the still flickering fire in his room. The shadows off in one corner moved, and a dark figure swept into view until it stood over Takato. Over by the fireplace, Takato's companion, the reptile-like shade that served as his cloak, stirred, as though sensing the dark figure's presence, but soon quieted. The dark figure eyed it for a moment before settling down onto Takato's bed. Bending over his sleeping figure, it drew closer towards his face. Fangs gleamed in the light of the fire and long strands of crimson hair tickled the boy's cheeks, causing his expression to change slightly. A small smile drew across his lips and the figure moved towards them, catching them in its own.

Takato's eyes flew open as he felt pain nip at his mouth, and he attempted to wrench himself away, only to find himself being held in place by the strength of the figure he found on top of him. Panicking, he pushed against it, but to no avail. The figure's strength was enormous! It…

A blood red eye balefully looked into his own and Takato froze in recognition. He felt the strangest sensation of a smirk drawing across the face belonging to the figure a moment before her lips left his. LadyDevimon sat up, and Takato moved to back away from her, only to freeze once again as she raised one clawed hand and two crimson nails shot out and skewered into his pillow, trapping his neck between their razor-sharp edges. Not batting an eye, but breathing heavily nonetheless, Takato swallowed.

"This…isn't your normal wakeup call," Takato said carefully, waiting for the demon to make her move. LadyDevimon chuckled.

"And you haven't overslept since your first day here," she replied. "We have a job to take care of, remember? Get up."

Retracting her nails, she grabbed the teen roughly, threw back his covers, and hauled him out of bed. Takato stumbled when she let him go, but he maintained his balance, eyeing her warily. Tossing her head, LadyDevimon sneered at him.

"Don't make us wait up for you," she snarled. Stepping backwards, the demonic digimon faded into the background, disappearing from his room. Takato waited for a few seconds, his mind testing the proverbial waters to make sure that her presence was entirely gone before allowing his shoulders to slump exhaustedly.

I really wish she wouldn't do this, he thought, dabbing at his lower lip, finding it swelling a little from her 'playful' bite. She didn't use to when we first met, but these past few months she's been getting more and more aggressive. It's…kind of unsettling.

Takato drew one hand into a tight fist, pondering the incident for a moment before dismissing it…for now.

"Here, boy," he spoke to the quiet of the room, and all at once his shadowy companion got up and transformed from its reptilian shape into a flowing stream of darkness that wrapped around his body. This time, it did not appear as a cloak, but instead settled itself into something a bit more informal, shaping itself into a long sleeved, black hoodie with pants, and shoes. Takato looked himself over, somewhat unhappy with the choice of color, but as his 'companion' seemed to lack the ability to do anything other than black, he had long since given up on it. Whistling to himself in an attempt to calm his nerves, Takato took one last look around to see if there was anything he needed. Grabbing a knapsack, he went over to his desk and grabbed one of the many notebooks that lay on it, along with a small case, and jammed them. After a moment of thought, he added another notebook, just to be on the safe side.

Not much else, he thought, closing up the bag. He didn't own much aside from the notebooks and the case, and the Dark Area lacked the things he used to enjoy in the real world—none of which he could take with him anyway, not for a mission like this. And try as he might, he could never get into any of the books GranDracmon read.

With that settled, Takato exited the room, closing it with a low click. The fire lit in the fireplace blew out of existence a second later, plunging the room into complete and utter darkness.


Takato came to a halt outside of GranDracmon's chambers and raised one hand to knock on the door. Before he could even do so, the doors pulled open and LadyDevimon stepped forward, glaring angrily ahead of her before looking down. Upon seeing him, her expression turned into one of disgust and she stepped aside.

"It's about time," she growled. "Get in."

She's mad, thought Takato, stepping into the chamber. GranDracmon was again seated in his usual manner, leafing through a book. Upon seeing the boy, a kindly smile drew upon the Mega level demon's face and he closed the book with a snap.

"Good to see that you've made it, Takato," GranDracmon said, nodding to him. "I trust that LadyDevimon's ministrations are not too hard on you?"

As GranDracmon said those words, he shot a sharp look at LadyDevimon, who stared defiantly back at him, though she stood rigid and at attention. Takato's shoulders shook as he laughed nervously, having an idea that LadyDevimon would have further words with him later about his tardiness.

"Well…ah…it was…different…"

"So I see," replied GranDracmon, looking him over before glancing back over at LadyDevimon. The female digimon continued to glare at him, and the massive demon leaned back casually, setting his book down. "Today the two of you, and the human Kurata, will be setting out on your investigation of the entity that attacked yesterday."

"Where do you want us to start?" asked Takato. "I mean, the digital world is a big place, and back when I was alive…" Takato paused on the memory of his friends before continuing. "…we would end up getting lost more often than not. I don't think this guy is going to be that easy for us to find."

"Perhaps," GranDracmon said, nodding in agreement. "And the digital world changes as time goes on. Most of the powers are gone or have shifted. The Sovereigns, when I last heard, were deleted three years ago during a massive invasion of undead digimon—a result of this 'Project X' that you mentioned when you first came to us." GranDracmon massaged his chin thoughtfully. "But there are some of the old powers left over who might know something. I shall teleport you to a location where you may begin your search. Seek out the 'Whirlwind General'."

"The…Whirlwind General…" mused Takato. "How would he be able to help?"

"You could say that he was once close to this sort of thing. He knows things that few others do, and I believe that he'll at least be amiable to you, due to your nature."

"All right," Takato nodded. "I understand."

"Good. Are you ready to depart?"

"Actually…" Takato scratched his chin. "There is still something that I need to do. I wanted to do it earlier, but I kind of overslept…"

"Kind of doesn't begin to describe it," sneered LadyDevimon, but a raised hand from GranDracmon silenced her.

"Very well," the demon overlord replied. "Finish making your preparations. I shall refine the targeting seal so that I can direct you to where you need to go more accurately. Please make sure that you do not dally, young Takato."

"Don't worry. This won't take long."

Takato turned and began to head out the door, and LadyDevimon moved to join him.

"LadyDevimon," GranDracmon replied, causing her to halt. Takato did likewise, but GranDracmon shook his head at him. "My apologies. But I must speak with her alone." With a wave of his hand, the doors to GranDracmon's chambers closed, leaving Takato standing outside, alone. Frowning slightly, Takato waited a moment before continuing onwards.


LadyDevimon stared at the closed door, her eyes narrowed and her claws flexing. "Lord GranDracmon…" she began, but again the digimon raised one hand, indicating for her to be silent.

"This won't take very long, my dear. In fact, you'll be able to rejoin your comrade very shortly. However, I feel that I need to remind you about what we talked about before Takato entered…"

LadyDevimon's claws paused in their flexing before drawing up into a tight fist. LadyDevimon made a disgusted sound.

"Yes. I understand."

"Of course you do," said GranDracmon, picking up his book and flipping through the pages. "That is precisely why I have to remind you. It is sometimes best to err on the side of caution, my dear. You can be too passionate at times. That is why you fell, is it not?"

LadyDevimon did not reply, and GranDracmon waved a hand, causing the doors to his chamber to reopen.

"You may go now. Keep Takato out of trouble…and yourself as well. I would so hate to lose the both of you when life was starting to become interesting again."

LadyDevimon inclined her head towards him and faded out of view.


Takato stood at the edge of a window, looking out over the mist that surrounded GranDracmon's keep. His eyes furrowed in deep thought, and he stepped up onto the ledge of the window.

"Going to meet 'him' are we?" asked LadyDevimon, coming up behind him. Takato froze and looked over at her, surprised to see her.

"That was fast," he commented. LadyDevimon narrowed her eyes at him and folded her arms beneath her breasts.

"Answer my question," she growled. Takato chuckled a little.

"I promised Kurata that I'd get his glasses fixed," he replied, producing the spectacles from his shirt's pocket as evidence. "He's the only digimon that I know who's willing to do that."

"GranDracmon wouldn't like knowing that you still visit Wisemon," she said. "I could tell him that, you know. See if you could see the light of the upper worlds again after that."

Takato paused, but shrugged. "I told Kurata I'd do this for him. Besides, you keep telling me that I'm never getting out of here."

"Losing hope then, human?" She had a mocking tone to her voice as she said that, waiting to see what the boy's answer would be.

Takato pressed one hand against the side of the window and flashed LadyDevimon a quick smile before stepping back onto the ledge. Seeing his movement, she ground her fangs together and grabbed him roughly by the shirt, pulling him back. It squirmed beneath her claws in discomfort, adjusting itself, and after a moment, stilled.

"You'd only end up breaking your fool neck on your own," LadyDevimon growled before stepping up onto the ledge and leaping outwards. Her black wings spread, catching the morning air and she held Takato close to her chest as the two of them flew through the air. They made their journey in silence and after several minutes they touched down in front of a small hut. Black smoke billowed out of its chimney as Takato and LadyDevimon separated. LadyDevimon looked over her shoulder, seeing GranDracmon's castle standing in the distance before returning her attention back to her companion.

"You and your 'promises'…"

Takato looked at her and gave her a soft, friendly smile. "Thanks, LadyDevimon."

"Just get a move on," she hissed. "GranDracmon…"

"I know, I know. I won't be long." Takato stepped towards the hut and knocked on its door. It opened, and in the entryway stood a human-like digimon garbed in a dark brown robe with a sand-colored cloak thrown over his shoulders. Stark, amber-glowing eyes stared out from behind the shadows of his hood, but they radiated a warmth to them that was immediately accepting and happy to see all who came to his doorstep. He nodded towards Takato and looked over at LadyDevimon, who stood with her arms over her chest, glaring angrily at the two.

"Hello, Takato," he greeted. "LadyDevimon. To what do I owe this pleasure of your visit today? Anyone care for a drink?"

"Sorry," said Takato, giving Wisemon an apologetic shrug of his shoulders. "We're about to go off on a mission, so I'm afraid that my visit here isn't for…ah…you know. Visiting." Takato coughed in embarrassment and produced the glasses. "One of the people coming with us needs these fixed. If it's not too much trouble…"

"It never is, Takato," said Wisemon, and Takato had the strangest feeling that he was smiling kindly beneath his hood. Accepting the glasses, he produced a gray-covered book and placed the glasses over them. A soft glow enveloped the two, and a second later, the glasses were whole again. Taking them off, he returned them to Takato. "Is that satisfactory?"

Takato looked them over and nodded, smiling.

"Thanks, Wisemon. Again, I'm sorry that I can't stick around…"

"Missions in life are important, Takato," said Wisemon, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "One must never shirk from them when they come calling. During such times, always remember to keep your friends close to you. You will need them."

Wisemon tightened his grip briefly on Takato's shoulder before moving away. Stepping around Takato, he moved over towards LadyDevimon, and nodded his head towards her.

"Nice to see you again. It has been…quite a while since you last graced my doorstep as a BlackGatomon." Wisemon tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "You've changed much I see."

LadyDevimon's eyes thinned to slits and she made a dangerous, guttural sound in the back of her throat.

"Takato. You've got what you came for. We are leaving. Now."

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Um…sure. I'll see you later, Wisemon." Takato glanced between the two nervously before moving over to his companion. LadyDevimon took hold of him, and with a flap of her tattered wings, took to the air. Wisemon watched them go, folding his arms over his chest.

"Until we meet again," he said quietly to himself as the two disappeared.


Takato didn't say anything to LadyDevimon about her association with Wisemon as the two of them returned to the castle. He had always believed himself to have been the only one from the castle who had met with him. GranDracmon did not encourage meetings with him, though he hadn't expressly forbid it from happening, he made it clear that he was best left alone. And now to discover that LadyDevimon had once known him… From his association with her, he had learned that she did not enjoy talking at any great length, especially when he was being sympathetic towards her.

In more ways than one, she reminds me of Rika, he thought quietly to himself. But even at her worst…she was more open and willing to talk.

Takato's expression fell a little as he remembered the red headed Digimon Queen. The memory of her and all of his friends were branded in his mind and they came to him unbidden. As always he pulled his hands into fists and tightened them, forcefully pushing the memories to the side. He hated doing so, but it was times like these, outside the solitude of his room, that he didn't want to remember the things that he lost since arriving here.

Besides. I will see them again…one day. Until then, I can't let myself break. I have to keep looking for a way to get back home. I have too…

Unbeknownst to him, LadyDevimon was watching him out of the corner of her eye. Seeing the tightness of his fists, she made a tsking sound and looked away.

"Huh?" asked Takato, unfolding his hands. "Did you say something?"

"Only at the realization of what a lost fool you are," she mocked, coming to a halt. "We are here."

"Oh." Blinking, Takato saw that he had just been about to miss GranDracmon's chamber doors. Quickly returning to LadyDevimon's side, the two of them pushed open the doors and entered the room.

"Well, well," said the irritated voice of Kurata, leaning casually in a chair while flanked by a pair of ghostly Bakemon and a scythe wielding Phantomon, his distorted face looking at them with an arrogant, bored expression. "Look who finally decided to show up."

"Okay," Takato said as they strode in. "We're all set."

Reaching into his pocket, he produced Kurata's glasses and handed them to the man, who raised an eyebrow at him, but took them all the same without a word, slipping them onto his face. LadyDevimon bared her fangs at him in detestation, but Kurata showed no signs of having seen them or caring.

"So, what's going on here?" asked Kurata. "I assume that you're finally going to get around explaining things to me now that these two are here at last? I know I'd like to know what's going on, among other things, like how I got here, but you don't seem to care to divulge any information to me beyond this nonsense that the kid over there said about my 'being dead'…"

"Human," sneered LadyDevimon contemptuously, "you talk too much."

"And this could easily become a trade of insults until you decide to show me that you're not afraid of eviscerating me again," replied Kurata, pushing his glasses up onto his nose. "But we all know that you're kept on far too tight of a leash to bother, so why don't we move onto the main course, shall we? I have no desire to talk with a thing like you anyway."

LadyDevimon nearly lunged forward, but a sharp look from GranDracmon caused her to draw up short. Tsking, LadyDevimon straightened and crossed her arms. GranDracmon smiled.

"My apologies, Kurata. LadyDevimon. Takato. Now, if I can have your attention." Pointing towards the floor, all eyes turned towards the circle that had been drawn on the floor. A series of mystical, star shaped images and words written in digi-code lined it.

"A magic pentagram," scoffed Kurata, getting up from his seat. "I don't know why I'm even here."

The Bakemon moved to intercept him, and Kurata scowled.

"It is not so much as 'magic'," said GranDracmon, "as it is merely advanced programming language. It's appearance comes more from you humans because your desires, dreams, and fantasies come out through the digital world." A smile drew across GranDracmon's face. "You cannot fault us for how things appear before you. After all, you are all responsible for how we came to be, and we reflect who you are. We are your mirror."

"Please. As if I could be bought into that claptrap." Kurata shook his head in annoyance. "You digimon are nothing more than a mere disease, and I want to leave this place, so if you don't mind…"

"I am providing you with a means to leave," chuckled GranDracmon. "This seal will transport you to the actual digital world. From there, I must ask you to remain in the care of these two—at least for a time while we search to identify an unusual individual who arrived here, looking for you. If you want to know anything further, you should ask these two while you journey with them. They'll have the answers you seek, and provide more."

Kurata scowled. Someone was after me? he wondered. His memory was…fuzzy at best. The last thing that he could remember clearly was staring up at the presence of the digital world in the sky after his attempt to destroy it had backfired horribly—all this after his brutal defeat at the hands of the brat, Marcus Damon and his digimon pet of a partner, ShineGreymon. He looked down at his deformed hand, a shocking twist of black veins against pale skin, with fingers that couldn't seem to make up their minds whether or not they wanted to be clawed or not. His skin crawled just seeing the veins alone, as they pumped unknown fluids through his body.

"This all sounds very well and good," said Kurata, looking away from his arm and stuffing it into the pocket of the clothes he had been provided with. "But I have only your word about this."

"Please," snarled LadyDevimon. "How could you possibly not know? You fought the entity himself! He wanted you, and the only reason he backed off was because my master arrived."

Kurata pushed his glasses up onto his face, eying LadyDevimon warily. "If this is digital hell," he said carefully, not wanting to divulge the loss of memory at the moment, "how can I trust anything you say to me?"

LadyDevimon glanced up at GranDracmon. "We don't need him. He'll only slow us down, and will probably escape at the first opportunity."

"If he should do that," smiled GranDracmon. "Then let him."

Kurata blinked. What?

He was not the only one confused, as Takato and LadyDevimon both looked at GranDracmon with equal confusion.

"You have a mission to complete," continued GranDracmon. "I had merely been holding Kurata here for safekeeping as he had been dangerous at the time. Awake and in control of himself now, I could care less about where he goes or what he does. It is only the essence of Belphemon that holds the interest of the entity that came looking for him, and I am interested in knowing who and what he is. Kurata is free to go where he will, since this place would provide him with no safety from the entity and he desires to leave anyway. I have no desire to keep people here if they do not want to stay."

Kurata stared at GranDracmon suspiciously. There was something about his words that left him feeling a bit…off. He didn't know how to describe it really, but that was it. Still, there were some things that he said that could not be denied…right? Besides, it wasn't as though he had to stay with the LadyDevimon and Takato.

Can I trust them on that?

Kurata couldn't be sure. For some reason it was strangely hard to think, and the world felt as though it was spinning. He couldn't focus, but after a moment, he finally nodded.

"If I can get out of here, fine. I'm sick and tired of all these gray shadows…"

"Than please stand in the center of the circle. Takato and LadyDevimon will fill you in on the rest afterwards."

Takato looked up at LadyDevimon and smiled. "Well, that was easy enough."

LadyDevimon just looked at him with a blank expression. "You're an idiot."

"Hey! Why are you…?"

"Enough talk," she said, shoving him towards the circle. "It's time we were going."

Standing in the center of the circle, the trio waited while GranDracmon spread his hands out, mumbling something under his breath. After a few moments, a series of clicks firing in rapid succession followed by a mechanical distortion emerged from his mouth, and his hands glowed brightly. In response, energy flared around the circle. Kurata stiffened as he felt energy pervade his entire body.

"Hold on," he said, feeling every fiber of his being squirm against the feeling of 'loosening' that he felt. "I don't think this is a good id-."

Kurata was cut off as his body, and that of Takato and LadyDevimon, all disappeared in a flash of white light. The light dimmed and the steam arose from the seal. Leaning back, GranDracmon reached for his cup and filled it with wine.

"The next move is yours, oh mysterious one," he said to the empty room before taking a drink.



Marcus hit the ground hard and rolled. Coming a rest, he lay still for a moment, catching his breath as he felt his hand pulsate painfully. Looking down at it, he saw a dark red bruising swelling beneath his skin.

Somehow, he thought, flexing his hand and wincing at it painfully, I get the feeling that King Drasil was holding back. But at least nothing's broken. At least…nothing feels broken. I really can't tell right now.

Marcus staggered to his feet. "Agumon," he muttered, shaking his head. "Agumon!" he shouted more firmly. As though in response, a bright flash of light followed by an explosion rocked the earth, sending him sprawling to the ground where he hit his injured hand. Marcus bit off a cry and gritted his teeth, forbidding the noise from escaping his mouth. Regaining his balance, Marcus stood up and quickly found his partner, ShineGreymon. He wasn't that far away from him, but he was blasting fire through a series of buildings in front of him. The sound of digimon screaming in surprise and fear filled the air. Marcus cursed as a Gotsumon bumped into him, nearly knocking him over.

"Hey!" Marcus exclaimed. "Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry," the Gotsumon apologized, rubbing the side of his head before his eyes widened in surprise. "Marcus!"

"Wait," Marcus blinked. "You know me? Hang on…you're Gotsumon!"

"That's right! We were together when the Royal Knights attacked…"

An explosion rocked the village again, and the two dove to the side, narrowly avoiding getting hit by a flying piece of debris.

"We're going to have to catch up after this is over," said Marcus, looking over his shoulder to see ShineGreymon level yet another building. A stream of fire erupted from the ruins and struck the Mega level digimon, but it did nothing to him. ShineGreymon immediately followed up with a slash from a blazing, dark colored blade of raw energy, gouging a trench through the ground and sending a shower of sparkling data into the air. More screams. Fire broke out amongst the buildings and began to spread.

"What's going on?" demanded Gotsumon, grabbing hold of Marcus' shirt. "That guy looks like Agumon!"

"Long story," Marcus said, pulling his shirt free from the rock digimon's grasp. "Tell you later. Right now we've got to stop him!"

Marcus rushed forward with Gotsumon chasing after him. Dark fire flared around the street fighter's uninjured fist and his stomach clenched in response. He pushed it down however, knowing that every second counted if he was going to put an end to this.

If he could put an end to this.

Pushing aside such negative thoughts, Marcus prepared to leap into the air…only to fall to the ground as a spear of energy emanated by ShineGreymon split the ground beneath him. Marcus rolled to the side and fire burst before him. There was another scream. Marcus found himself pulling backwards, the searing heat becoming too much for him to bear. ShineGreymon threw his head back and let loose a powerful roar. Dark flames erupted from his back and in his hands.

"Agumon!" Marcus shouted, trying to get his partner's attention. "Cut it out! Stop it!"

ShineGreymon continued to tear into the village, shattering another house. The fires crept up around his body, and with one final, intense roar, they exploded outwards, and Marcus was knocked backwards again, striking the side of a house with enough force to send stars bursting across his vision. Blinking them back, he hurried to his feet and looked around. ShineGreymon was gone.

"Agumon!" Marcus shouted, wincing in pain. His head was pulsating, and his stomach was hardly doing any better. Digimon continued to scream but there were no more explosions now. Only burning fire.

No…he can't be gone, thought Marcus, feeling panic beginning to set in. Not again…

He remembered the last time Agumon had dark-digivolved into ShineGreymon's Ruin Mode. He ran out of control and burned himself out, returning to the Digi-egg stage of development. Back then, there had been danger that Agumon, though he would be reborn, would not remember anything about his life or his friendship with Marcus or anyone from DATS. The strength of their bond had managed to circumvent the risk, but would that still hold a second time? Especially now that something seemed to be going wrong with their bond?

"Agumon! Agumon!"

Marcus rushed through the fires, trying to find some sign of his partner until he finally spied a familiar form lying among the burning ruins of a house. It was a small, pink colored ball with a face, and two, long, antennae-like objects protruding from the top of its head. It was Koromon, Agumon's In-training form.

Marcus ran over to him, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was his partner. Kneeling down, he picked up his partner, and after hearing a light groan coming from him, breathed a sigh of relief. Standing up, he looked around him, holding his partner close to him.

"Is everyone all right?" he called out. Now that he had confirmed that Koromon was all right, he needed to know the extent of damage he and Agumon inadvertently caused. Who was injured, how many lives had been ruined…and all because of them?

Marcus turned around until he found a crowd of digimon gathering before him. At the head of them was Gotsumon, and he was looking angry.

"Marcus…" the rocky digimon growled. His eyes suddenly flared red and an orange circle with two lines linking up into a crown-like design appeared on his forehead. A circle that was reflected on the bodies of the multitude of digimon gathered behind him.

"Uh…Gotsumon?" Marcus asked, feeling a sudden sense of worry. The crowd seemed to be getting bigger and bigger by the second. "Are you okay?"

Slowly, Gotsumon took a step forward, as did the rest of the crowd behind him. Rage beat upon the air amongst the crowd as the legion of digimon began to advance, their eyes promising violence for the destruction visited upon them.


A/N: Takato and LadyDevimon's part of this chapter wasn't originally meant to last as long as it did, but as I kept writing, I found more things to add about their lives there and how they interact with each other. Pinning down LadyDevimon's personality is proving to be a bit challenging, as she's supposed to be very demonic, and incorporate what has been shown in the series proper: nasty, takes delight in the suffering of others, sensual to the extreme and often at the expense of others, etc…while at the same time being a bit different because of the duty forced upon her, which in turn forces her to hold back and be less than what she delights in being.

Likewise, Wisemon was supposed to do more in this chapter, and there was to be a bit more of an in-depth look into his connection with Takato, but time restraints made me decide to touch on it later as the story requires.

Marcus' appearance is meant to build upon the look into the digital world that I've wanted to do, but the Dark Area part of the chapter crowded it a bit, so more will be looked into as he looks for a way to get out of the trouble that he's in. Gotsumon's presence was more of an afterthought to drive home how that aspect, especially in regards to his character in Data Squad, which will see a revisit to his more negative side.

Until next chapter then. :P

-Crazyeight


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