Chapter 37: Light Within
The Tamers arrived with the Sovereigns at the current destination where they saw something was emerging from within the floor of the mountain range, where Azulongmon then asked. "You see those red blobs coming out from the crater?"
"That is the D-Reaper." He informed, where the Tamers examined the blobs and saw them getting bigger and growing at an accelerated rate.
Concerned, Takato said. "It's growing!"
"Yes, and if it continues to grow, it'll delete everything it touches." Eboniomon informed, further concerning Takato and his friends.
"Then we have to kick that things butt." Kenta said.
"How are we supposed to kick its butt if it doesn't even have one?" Terriermon suddenly questioned, which mad Henry comment. "Good point."
"Somehow, we must stop it!" Biyomon said, but it just made Rika ask. "And how do we do that?"
"Well we have to do something. The Digital World is my home, and I won't see it destroyed!" Biyomon said back, showing a great determination in her voice and her expression, which all picked up on, namely Agumon.
"Well in that case, I will help you." Rika said, smiling at Biyomon's resolve as she drew her D-Power and stated with confidence in her partner. "If I can Biomerge with Renamon, I bet I can also Biomerge with you."
"Rika, thank you." Biyomon said, feeling her trust and respect for the Nonaka remain within her, trusting Rika with her very life as she then said. "Let's do this."
Unsure what they were thinking, the Tamers got a shocking answer as Rika and Biyomon leap off and toward the crater.
"Rika!" Takato called out, bringing his hand out as he tried to grab Rika's, but found he missed, concern filling him, that was until both began to glow with a set of great and powerful lights, where Rika felt connected to Biyomon, feelings Biyomon shared as the pair began to combine their beings into one form.
"Biyomon Biomerge to..." Biyomon began to call, changing into a anthro phoenix-like Digimon that had viking like clothing, which covered her ample breasts, but in the sametime, showed off her amazing figure.
Talon-like blades adorned her feet, just as she spread her wings out and called out majestically. "Taronfuremon!"
From the sudden Biomerge, as if acting on a defence protocol, the D-Reaper erupted and came towards the newly merged Digimon, where Calumon called out in warning. "Look out!"
"Come, let us end this." Taronfuremon just said with a calmness in her voice as she flew towards the D-Reaper, ready to destroy the being that threatened both their worlds.
-Meanwhile-
Back at his temple, Patamon was giving it his all to train Guilmon, knowing that the Hazard Digimon was also putting in all his effort as to combat his corruptive power and ensure it never harmed anybody again.
"Guilmon, the time is now. Time to find that light within the Digital Hazard, and this time I have faith that you will succeed." Master Patamon said as he and Mistress Gatomon stood in front of Guilmon, ready for one huge step.
"I hope so." Guilmon said in reply, smiling a little as he informed. "And I think I know how to find it this time."
"Same here. But I am afraid you have to let the Hazard try to control you again, but keep your mind relaxed and at ease at what is important to you." Gatomon said, planning to use her Cat's Eye Hypnotism if things were too much for Guilmon to handle, not wanting to go beyond and have to strike the red dino Digimon down if the corruption consumed him.
"I am afraid this would happen, but it has to be done." Patamon added, setting a paw on his wife's shoulder, having faith in Guilmon as he commanded. "Now, power up with the Digital Hazard."
Trusting those who had helped him advance so far, Guilmon nodded and spread his legs open, clenched his fists, before yelling with a sudden discomfort and intensity as the dark aura emitted from his body.
"That's it. Now keep your mind focused and don't let it be consumed by evil." Gatomon instructed, feeling things were different than the last time that the Digital Hazard had infected Guilmon..
While still powering up, Guilmon felt the evil power trying to control him again.
"It's... it trying to corrupt me again. I don't know..." Guilmon groaned through clenched teeth, starting to doubt himself.
"Focus, Guilmon!" Patamon cut in. "Focus on what you want to do, what you feel, who you wanna protect. Don't let the darkness win!"
"Yes... I'll try..." Guilmon said, keeping his eyes closed and tried to focus against the evil powers consuming his being, just as the images of those he cared for, those who had touched Guilmon's heart entered his mind.
Calumon, Kazu, Kenta, Jeri, Leomon, Suzie, Lopmon, Terriermon, Henry, Biyomon, Rika and then came to the three important people he cared so much about, his brother Agumon, his partner Takato and his lover, Renamon.
"Takato! Agumon! Renamon!" Guilmon called out opening his eyes revealing a shade of light blue, before a mighty blast of white light overtook him, cancelling out the darkness as a pillar of white shot upward and through the clouds.
Amazed at what she was witnessing, Gatomon finally managed to speak.
"Whoa! What power!" She said in awe, while Patamon smiled with pride and said. "He's done it!"
Looking at Guilmon, Patamon and Gatomon saw Guilmon now covered in a white aura, bio-electricity crackled through his body, his eyes a shining light blue, while his Digital Hazard mark glowed brightly with a pure golden yellow.
And similar to Renamon's angelic forms, Guilmon found he gained a set of giant white feathered wings, replacing his eerie and twisted ones.
But what he found the most enjoyable of his changes was his mind was at ease, he felt the light from within, he felt clarity and knew he was no longer the puppet to his Hazard powers.
"Could this be the hidden light within the Digital Hazard? The power of the hidden good?" Guilmon questioned as he looked at his claws in amazement, feeling the power flowing through him, where Patamon smiled and said with a continued pride. "Congratulations, Guilmon. You finally conquered the darkness inside you. This is the hidden light within the Digital Hazard, and I am proud you have finally unlocked it."
Guilmon smiled at Patamon's praise, before casting down his powers as he returned to normal, bowing before the duo who had given him his light.
"Thank you both for everything." Guilmon said with nothing but respect for Patamon and Gatomon, before he then said with a seriousness. "But I need to remain here for Sephiromon to show up."
"Yes. As well as using that new form of yours' for battle. Please remain here and train for as long as you like. We need you to prepare for your showdown with Sephiromon." Patamon replied, which caused Guilmon to nod in reply.
"Thank you. For you, for Renamon, for the Digital World, I'll keep up training. I won't stop until I know nothing will threaten those I love." Guilmon said, before picking up his sword and resumed his training.
Watching Guilmon, Gatomon smiled as she rested her head on Patamon's shoulder.
"He is quite an accomplish Digimon isn't he?" She asked, unable to help herself as she purred softly at her love's close embrace.
"I knew he could do it." Patamon replied, wrapping his arms around Gatomon, before smiling as he added. "And I know someone who can help put him to the test. Call Veemon. Let's see if these two can become friends in due time."
-Back with the Tamers-
Taronfuremon leapt away from the D-Reaper as it tried to attack her, amazing the group at Taronfuremon's speed and power.
But as great a fighter she seemed to be, Terriermon noticed Agumon, Takato and Renamon seemed somewhat distracted, focusing on a huge white aura in the distance.
Confused, Terriermon questioned. "Why are you guys looking over there? The fight is just below."
"Did you feel that?" Takato just asked, where Agumon and Renamon nodded, before the foxy Digimon smiled.
"Yes. That is the hidden powerful of light within the Digital Hazard." Renamon replied, continuing to smile as she said with pride. "Guilmon did it..."
And surprised, Agumon asked. "That power came from big brother?"
"Yeah. Guess we don't need to worry about the evil Digital Hazard corrupting Guilmon anymore if he can use that light power now." Takato said with a smile, proud of his partner.
As the battle below continued, curious, Kazu asked. "So who is this new Digimon anyway?"
"She is Biyomon's Mega form, Taronfuremon. She uses attacks including Blazing Claws and Rainbow Shards to shine her might against her enemies." Henry said, having scanning her with his D-Power and analyzing the Digimon.
"Ok, Biyomon, let's do this!" Rika called from within Taronfuremon's being, just before the Tamer and her partner attacked as one
"Rainbow Shards!" Taronfuremon announced, flapping her wings and sending off a series of multi-coloured shards at the D-Reaper, where it crashed back into its crater.
"You guys did it!" Suzie cheered, thinking the battle was won, watching happily as Taronfuremon returned to the group and disengaged the Biomerge.
"You did alright for humans." Zhuqiaomon confessed, thinking the D-Reaper was also disposed of and that his perception on humanity was misjudged.
"No..." Takato said suddenly, changing the cheerful atmosphere as he then stated. "I think we should get out of here."
"He's right. To a safe distance, quickly!" Azulongmon suddenly called as the Tamers got back on the Sovereigns and make for a quick retreat to a safe distance.
But confused, Guardromon asked. "But why should we get away from here?"
"Wait for it..." Takato said, just as a huge geyser of D-Reaper energy emerged from the crater and spread itself all over the Digital World.
Shocked, Biyomon questioned. "Impossible! It survived!?"
"Listen... you humans and Digimon should return to the Real World. We'll handle the D-Reaper from here." Baihumon said, willing to put himself in harm's way as to protect the Tamers.
"But we can't just leave you." Henry said, unsure if the Sovereigns could face a force such as the D-Reaper.
"Don't worry. We can handle this." Azulongmon assured.
And while he was still unsure, Henry was unable to express further concern as a familiar voice broke through the frequency of his communicator. "Henry, can you read me?"
"Dad?" Henry asked, surprised to hear his father's voice and had to ask. "Where are you?"
"At Hypnos. I have just finished a project called the Ark. It will be what you need to take you all back home." Janyu informed, where he then added. "I told all your parents to meet you all at the park. That is where you return home."
"Thanks, Mr. Wong." Kenta said, grateful for the assistance.
However, noticing they were another friend short, Calumon questioned with worry in his voice. "Hey, where's Jeri gone to?"
"Over here!" Agumon called out, noticing Jeri standing a few feet away from the group, only her skin was pale, her eyes were a strange yellow colour and she seemed to give off a distant vibe to her.
"Jeri, are you ok?" Henry asked, concerned for his girlfriend, but found Jeri did not respond to his voice.
It was if Jeri was in a trance, or something else was occurring.
'Something's not right.' Takato thought as he gazed at Jeri, shaking his head as he then thought. 'Maybe Guilmon's seriousness is rubbing off on me, but something about Jeri is wrong.'
"You feel it too?" Renamon whispered to Takato, making him nod and say silently. "Keep it to ourselves for the time being ok?"
While Takato and Renamon sensed something off with Jeri, the Sovereigns had their attention upon the D-Reaper, where Azulongmon then said. "Calumon, we need your Shining Digivolution to make all Digimon Digivolve to aid us in our battle. The Digignomes will give you power to do so."
"Ok, I'll give it a go." Calumon said in reply as he focused his power, where the red jewel glowed brightly upon his forehead, where the Digignomes gave Calumon their power, causing Calumon to float in the air, shining brightly as he released his power, causing the Digimon throughout the area to Digivolve to their Mega forms, before they headed over to aid the Sovereigns in battle.
And while the light expanded throughout the Digital World, filling those at Master Patamon's temple, all but Guilmon, Patamon and Gatomon remained.
"That's Calumon's power alright." Guilmon said as he looked at the light from beyond.
"I take it you're Guilmon right?" A friendly voice then asked Guilmon, where the red dino Digimon turned to see a blue skinned dragon-like Digimon approach him.
Curious, Agumon asked. "Yes... and you are...?"
"I heard you're one of the strongest Digimon around. And you conquered the evil inside you. That's pretty awesome." The 'V' marked Digimon said, smiling as he held his hand out as a gesture of friendship and added. "By the way, my name's Veemon."
"I brought Veemon to be your sparring partner to help you learn more about your new light in the Digital Hazard." Patamon explained, where Guilmon then asked the blue dragon Digimon. "So you will help me?"
"Of course, and I am getting excited that I can fight against one of the Tamers' Digimon. Come on and let's get this fight started!" Veemon said, getting pumped up and getting ready to fight, while Guilmon smiled, liking Veemon's enthusiasm as he got into his stance and ready to fight.
-Back with the Tamers-
After the digivolution was done, Calumon was drained of energy and collapsed into Rika's arms.
"You did good today." Rika said to the catalyst Digimon, showing a surprising caring side as she rubbed Calumon's head gently.
"Man, why can't Rika ever be that nice to us?" Kazu questioned when he saw the kindness Rika was expressing, causing her to glare at Kazu and say with sarcasm. "Maybe if you break your arm or lose a finger then I'll send you a card."
"Yep. Same old Rika." Kazu sighed.
"Guys, the ark is here!" Kenta called, where all then looked up to see a transportation pod coming towards them.
'This is it. We're going home.' Takato thought as he knew that this was the best way to get back to the Real World, but he had a feeling his battles were far from over.