Episode 38:Queen Of The Skies
When Daemon arrived back at Lucemon's fortress,he found Alastormon waiting for him as always. If his frantic pacing was anything to go by,he was a bit anxious.
"What is wrong Alastormon?" Daemon asked as he approached.
"My lord!" Alastormon gave a deep bow. "I have some urgent news! It's the digidestined sir. Not long after you left they arrived at the well of souls." He paused for a moment. "They were able to recover their dead friends digicore,and revive him!"
Daemon was taken aback for a moment. "Never would I have imaging they would accomplish such a thing." After recomposing himself,the lord looked to his second. "So,I assume the digidestined are back on course to the demon's eye?"
"Well they were my lord but… Lilithmon,and Beelzemon have deemed fit to go after them. Lilithmon seems to have transported them to her own personal stronghold."
Daemon hummed thoughtfully. "And what of Barbamon?"
"He found out about this only yesterday." Alastormon answered. "He was quite livid for a time. But he seems to have calmed,and returned to his research. He's become almost obsessed with it."
The lord put a finger to his chin. "Perhaps the digidestined's return to full strength could be used to our advantage."
Alastormon looked to his master curiously. "What do you mean my lord?"
"With the other lord's distracted,we can expedite our plans." He smiled beneath his hood. "And perhaps,the digidestined will even take care of some our work for us."
Wind flew past Chakoramon's face as she soared through the sky. The strong updraft kept her aloft,allowing her to simply glide. She could feel the warmth of the morning sun shining down on her shimmering black feathers. It warmed her through,and bit back the chill of the night before. She began to scan the ground below,searching for anything that might provide her with an easy breakfast. As she passed over a rushing river she spied a strange figure down below.
Curious,she began to descend. Coming to land in a tree,just overlooking the river. From her vantage point she could get a better look at the stranger. He looked odd,somehow. With pale hairless skin,brown hair,and dark clothes. Was he a demon digimon? Chakoramon had heard of such digimon,and their general appearance. Though she could not sense any evil intent. So perhaps he was something else.
As she moved in a tad closer she began the hear sound of the strange figure weeping. She cocked her head curiously.
"He's crying?" she thought.
Carefully she fluttered down from the tree. Not making a single noise as she landed. After being assured he had not noticed her presence she began to carefully tip toe toward him. She could see the boy gripping onto his right arm as she neared. Tears falling from his eyes,and into the clear river before him.
Chakoramon suddenly gave a clear of her throat to grab the his attention. He almost jumped at the sound,and turned about to face her. His eyes soon going wider than dinner plates. After a few moments of tense silence,Chakoramon finally spoke up,and pointed to his arm.
"Are you...injured?"
Chakoramon didn't think it was possible,but the stranger's eyes grew even wider. "You...can talk?"
"Of course I can. I'm not some feral digimon." she answered,more than a little insulted.
"Digimon?" the boy asked,looking utterly baffled.
Chakoramon scrutinized him for a moment. "You're...not a digimon are you?" He shook his head in response. Chakoramon paused surprised by the answer. "Does that mean that you're...human?"
"Y..yeah."
Chakoramon was taken aback for a brief moment. "I had heard stories,but I never thought I would actually get to see a human with my own eyes."
"Well I'd never thought I would see talking bird." said the boy. "So it's a first for both of us."
There was another moment of silence between the two,before Chakoramon took a few steps forward. "Your arm is it hurt?" she asked,gesturing to the appendage again. "Is that why you were crying?"
The boy quickly looked to his right arm,and clenched his fist reflexively. He gave it a strange look,as it were almost alien to him. "No...I'm not hurt."
"Then why were you crying?"
He quickly turned from her gaze. "It's personal,I'd rather not say."
"I see." the bird said with a nod of understanding. She then stepped even closer,and held out a wing. "My name is Chakoramon by the way."
The boy looked at the outstretched wing for brief moment. Before reaching out,and tentatively shaking it.
"D..derek." He soon felt the birds feathers against his skin. They were smooth,and soft,yet had a rigidness to them not unlike steel. When the two released their grips,Derek looked down to his hand.
"This must be a dream. " he ran his fingers through his hair. "A very,very vivid dream." He suddenly pinched himself,and let out a small yelp of pain. "Nope definitely not a dream."
Chakoramon cocked her head. "If you really are human,then how did you get here?" she asked,ignoring the boy's muttering.
Derek turned to her,and shook his head. "I have no idea."
Before he could say anymore the loud crack of snapping trees filled the air. The two turned at the noise. Watching as several more trees were felled,and a flock of frightened birds flew into the sky. With the collapse of one final tree,a giant form came lumbering from the forest. A path of fallen trees,and uprooted bushes just behind him.
It was a giant insectoid digimon with a reddish orange carapace. Three sharp claws tipped each of his four hands. His face was eyeless,with a mouth of sharp teeth,and giant set stag beetle like mandibles.
Chakoramon turned to the creature,feathers bristling. "Kuwagamon!"
Derek took a step back,his legs shaking in fear. "What the hell is that!?"
"Kuwagamon." Chakoramon repeated in answer. "I'll handle him,you just stay back."
Derek looked to her incredulously. She was going to take care of that thing!? Just as the thought passed through his mind Chakoramon flew forward,zipping past the Kuwagamon's head. It roared,and reached out to grab her with one of its claws. With a simple barrel roll she dodged the swipe. She glided along its arm,and extended her talons. Their razor sharp edges cutting across Kuwagamon's face.
Kuwagamon roared in annoyance,and snapped its large jaws at the bird. Who dodged it as easily as she had his previous attack. Each following attack the insect made was avoided just as handily. All of them earning Kuwagamon another scratch from Chakoramon's talons. Kuwagamon began to become winded,and took a moment to catch its breath. That was when Chakoramon made her move.
"Wind Razor!"
At her call,an almost invisible blade of wind fired from the flapping of her wings. It cut through the air like a knife. With a loud snap,the blade cut clean through one of Kuwagamon's mandibles. Sending it falling to the ground with a loud,almost wooden thunk. Kuwagamon let out a pained roar,and without a second thought turned about the way he came. Running for all he was worth. Until he found space to spread his wings,and fly off into the distance.
Derek looked on,utterly floored by what he had just seen. When Chakoramon turned back to him,her face was still a cool calm. He could not help but but exhale a quick 'wow' beneath his breath.
"We should get somewhere safe." Chakoramon stated,breaking Derek from his stupor. "My home isn't far from here. Come on,I'll show you the way."
"Right." Derek said with a single nod. Soon following,and moving in stride beside her.
Derek awoke slowly,his vision blurred for a few moments. When his vision finally came back into focus,he found himself on soft,grassy ground. He looked about to see he was surrounded by lush greenery. Towering trees,full bushes,and twisting vines. All of them looking downright prehistoric. Beyond the canopy,Derek saw a gigantic glass dome. That had the illusion of a daytime sky. Complete with a false sun.
As he looked up to the false sky,he heard a gentle groan nearby. He turned to see Chakoramon lying off to his right. Her body beginning to stir to wakefulness. Derek moved over to her,helping the rookie to her feet.
"What happened?" she asked with another groan. She began to look about noting there strange surroundings. "And where are we?"
"No idea,I just remember the fog attacking,and then nothing." Derek answered. "As for where we are. It looks like some kind of gigantic greenhouse. Or one of those glass aviaries at the zoo."
"Have you seen the others?" she asked.
Derek shook his head,and lifted up his digivice. He quickly activated the locator the others had shown him. After a few seconds the screen on the device began to display a map of the surrounding area. With ten red arrows,scattered around its circumference.
"It looks they're all nearby. Relatively speaking anyway." He looked up from the device.,and glanced upward at the glass dome. "We should try,and find the edge of this thing. There must be an exit along it somewhere."
Chakoramon fluttered up into the air. "I'm going to head up,and have a quick look around."
Derek gave her a quick nod,and Chakoramon took off. She flew above the canopy,and scanned the surrounding area. She could see more lush jungle all around,as well as more details of the giant glass dome. Off in the distance she could see the shadowy forms of various birds flying across the sky. She soon found that the two of them were not far away from one the domes walls. After taking one more cursory scan,she dove back down. Quickly relaying the information to her partner. With their destination set,the two headed southward toward the dome's edge.
They trudged through the lush jungle at a less than optimal pace. The thick underbrush,slowing them down considerably. It didn't take long for Derek to remove his jacket,the heat starting to become a bit too much. Though both of them would have preferred the heat over the mosquitoes. They were ravenous,and hardly gave the two a moment's respite. Along with buzzing of the mosquito swarms,the sounds of various birds,and other wildlife filled the air. All them quite large,if the sounds they were making were indication.
After over an hour of traversing the sweltering jungle,they reached the domes edge. Up close they could see that glass was incredibly thick. Though they did not expect just how tough. As Chakoramon had attempted to cut them a way out,but to no avail. So they continued on,following the domes wall. Hoping to find the exit somewhere along the perimeter.
They continued on for two more hours before their tiredness began to get the better of them. They had only slept an hour before the mist had taken them. Add onto that the sheer draining nature of the jungle,and you had a recipe for pure exhaustion. So,they made a quick camp in a relatively clear spot. Keeping their backs to the glass wall.
Because of his inexperience at the task,it took some time for Derek to start a fire. Not helping was the fact that barely any of the surrounding vegetation was even remotely dry. They prepared an easy canned meal. Both of them already missing Chloe's magical touch with the ingredients.
Chakoramon swallowed,and looked about the campsite. "It's so strange." she said with a sigh.
Derek looked up from his meal,brow quirked curiously. "What is?"
"Being alone like this. Just the two of us." she answered. "I never realized how quiet it was before."
Derek gave a nod. "Yeah,I know what you mean. I've gotten used to them being around to." He let out a little laugh. "It's strange to think we were enemies not that long ago."
Chakoramon turned her gaze downward. "I'd rather not think about it honestly."
"Sorry. I want to put it behind me too." The boy's right hand suddenly clenched involuntarily. He had tried to break the habit,but could never shake the reflex.
After a short silence Derek's lips curled into a smile. "Did you see Gale was actually carrying that keychain I gave her? I'm honestly surprised she didn't throw it out."
Chakoramon smiled as well. "She did say she liked dogs. And she has been making the effort to be nicer to us."
"Yeah that's true." he admitted. He paused for a moment looking to the fire. "A lots changed."
"Including us." Chakoramon. "And I think for the better." Derek couldn't help but give a nod at that.
Upon finishing their meal, the two took a short rest,before heading out once again. Though they were still tired,they couldn't waste anymore time than need be. They had only traveled for a few minutes before the two began to smell a strange scent on the breeze. It was sweet,almost sickeningly so. Like overcooked caramel,and ripe fruit. It seemed to almost pull them toward it. They soon came upon the source of the intoxicating aroma. A giant plant,with broad leaves,and thick vines. A long stalk grew from its center. From which dangled the most delicious looking fruit the pair had ever seen.
They hung in small grape like bunches. Their skins were succulent,golden orange color,and seemed to glisten in the light. The scent was even stronger now,making the two's mouth's water. As they moved in closer,Chakoramon suddenly caught movement out of the corner of her vision. She quickly spun about,just as a long vine began to slither toward her. It was quickly sliced in twain by one of Chakoramon's air blades. Leaving it squirming on the ground.
"Derek back away! It's a trap!" she shouted,as she sliced another vine into ribbons.
Derek finally pulled his eyes away from the succulent fruit,and looked about him. Watching as a trio of vines moved in to attack. He quickly grabbed a hefty stick nearby,and smashed one aside. The other two,being easily dispatched by Chakoramon. Suddenly the ground shuddered beneath their feet,and two large plant stalks rose up from the earth. Each one tipped with a drooling,flower like mouth.
The two mouths hissed,and slithered toward them. Derek quickly activated his barrier,completely deflecting them both. Chakoramon then took to the air,and fired off several blades of air. Slicing,and rending the predatory stalks into green wriggling chunks. When the last of the life drained out of the squirming plant parts,the center stalk slowly began to droop. Dropping its delicious payload onto the jungle floor.
Cautiously,Chakoramon approached the bundle of sweet fruit. She gave an experimental sniff,finding it's scent as delectable as before. With seemingly no poison detected,she motioned for Derek to come over. They each plucked a fruit from its bushel,and took a bite.
Immediately,their tongues were assaulted with an almost syrup sweetness. Mixed with the flavor of pineapple,and peach. The juices from the fruit filled their mouths almost to bursting. Each bite seeming to have half a cup of delicious nectar contained within. As they finally swallowed,a surge of energy suddenly filled their them. All their aches,and pains disappeared,and the tiredness drained from their bodies Both of them feeling as if they had just had the most restful vacation of their lives.
"Oh my god." Derek exclaimed. "This one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten."
Chakoramon swallowed another mouthful. "I haven't felt this full of energy since we left Nexus."
Derek quickly polished off the rest of fruit. "We have to take some of these with us." he said,as he began packing away several of them into his bag. "They could come in handy for a quick boost of energy." He let out a small laugh. "We just gotta be sure we don't eat them all."
"That won't be a problem for me." stated Chakoramon. "I'm a master of self control."
"Except when it comes to popcorn." Derek regarded under his breath.
While Derek packed away the sweet fruit,Chakoramon decided to take the air once more. Trying to see if there was any exit along the wall in sight. As she rose up above the canopy,she suddenly felt an intense pressure in the air. She looked about,noting that not a single other bird flew in sky. A sense of dread began to fill the pit of stomach,her feathers ruffling nervously.
That was when she heard it. A terrible cry,like thousands of nails scraping across a marble floor. She quickly spun about in the air,her eyes almost bulging out of her skull. A giant shadow flew across the sky,making her shake with fear as it came into focus. It was a gigantic bird digimon,bigger than any Chakoramon had ever seen. With dark blue,and light green plumage. While its longer feathers were a pinkish purple. Its head was almost dinosaur like. With a large jagged beak,an armored face,and two long horns. Adding to the dinosaur like appearance was its long,reptilian tail,covered in feathers. Three long claws tipped the elbows of wings. They gleamed with deadly sharpness along with the beast's giant talons.
As she looked at the digimon's form,a memory flowed back into her mind. She knew this creature. She had heard tales of it,passed down from her fellow bird digimon. It was a beast of legend,said to be the first bird digimon. In the sky none could match its might. Its name became legend,and story. A name that could strike fear into the heart of even the strongest of digimon. Ornismon.
The predatory eye of Ornismon soon zeroed on the rookie. As his gaze fell upon her,Chakoramon felt her heart stop for brief moment. The blood in her veins running cold. Ornismon let out another ear splitting screech,and began to fly toward her. Chakoramon's wings suddenly locked up,and she began to plummet back to the ground.
Derek let a gasp of utter shock. "Chakoramon!" he called,rushing to try,and catch her.
The boy's voice momentarily snapped Chakoramon from her stupor. Her muscles relaxed,and she began to flap once more. Just in time to save herself from the fall. As she touched back down Derek was immediately at her side.
"What happened up there!?"
She quickly spun about to face him. "There is no time! We have to run! Now!"
The screech of Ornismon suddenly filled the air again,Derek almost doubling over from the pain in his ears. Mighty wing beats soon followed,creating a powerful gust of wind. That blew away bits grass,,and made the branches of the trees sway,and groan. Derek shadowed his eyes,daring to look up at the mighty form of Ornismon,as it loomed over them. The giant bird had a predatory glint in its eye,and it stared at the two with killing intent. Derek began to feel like tiny morsel of meat,placed before a lion.
"Dammit!" Chakoramon cursed. "We can't escape now!"
"Yes you can." a voice suddenly echoed in Derek's mind. His d-brace began glow with his sigil,and fill him,and Chakramon with a subtle warmth. "My power can help you. Simply reach out to it."
Derek quickly called out to his power,Ornismon letting loose another cry. The world seemed to slow down as Derek's will reached out to the power within him. As his mind groped the point of energy,he,and Chakoramon were suddenly surrounded by a purple aura. Slowly their bodies began to fade,becoming completely translucent. The most subtle of shimmers being the only indication that they were still there.
Ornismon suddenly stopped its cry,as the two disappeared from sight. Its eyes slitted,and it began to scan intently. Seeing the slight shimmer of their forms,as nothing more than the sheen of wet that covered the jungle. With it's prey seemingly gone,Ornismon took back to the sky. As the sound of wingbeats became distant,the power around Derek,and Chakoramon faded. Reverting them to their solid,visible forms.
The boy quickly looked over himself. "Did we just turn invisible?" He grinned. "We did! We turned invisible!"
His giddiness suddenly drained from him,as he saw the fear in his partner's eyes. She was shuddering,her breathing ragged. Derek gently reached out,and touched a hand to her shoulder. Making her almost jump out of her skin.
"Chakoramon? What's wrong?"
Chakoramon took in a breath,and replied. "That digimon,was Ornismon. One of the most dangerous digimon to ever exist. How is he here!? He's been extinct for centuries !"
Derek blinked in surprise. He had never seen his partner this way. She was always the picture of cool,and calm. Always keeping a level head in just about in any situation.
"Chakoramon it's okay. He's gone for now." he reassured,the words sounding strange to him. "We should get moving before he decides to come back again."
Chakoramon shuddered,and gave a single nod. "You're right,let's go."
After taking a moment to steady herself,Chakoramon slowly began to walk once more. Her steps,and her body equally shaky. Derek sighed as he watched her go. He then began to follow after her. But not before taking one last glance in the direction Ornismon had flown in.
Lilithmon leaned on the arm of her divan,as she lounged. Her body sinking into the soft,plush material ever so invitingly. Flowing purple curtains hung from the walls of the room around her. Giving the space,an ethereal almost dream like feel. Thick carpet covered much of the floor. Looking just as invitingly soft as the demoness seat. Before the Divan was a giant mirror,that shimmered with magical energy.
She watched the mirror with rapt attention. Its magical power showing images of the digidestined,as they made their way through her abode. Upon a gilded perch,sat Demidevimon,not daring to move. Making him look more like an ornament than a digimon.
Beelzemon stood nearby,leaning against the wall. Wearing a scowl upon his face,as he watched the digidestined.
He took in a breath,almost retching at the scent in the air. It was a musky,intoxicating aroma. That would no doubt bend any weak willed digimon to Lilithmon's whims. But to Beelzemon it just smelled like cheap perfume.
"So this is your plan?" Beelzemon growled. His nose still scrunched up at the room's scent.
Lilithmon sat upright,and turned to him with a pout. "Oh,are you saying you don't like my methods? I find it incredibly amusing to watch the little brats squirm." She grinned wickedly,making DemiDevimon shudder. "Don't you?"
Beelzemon clucked his tongue. "I prefer to do things personally. Not sit on my keister,and watch my flunkies do all the dirty work."
"Then by all means,Beelzemon go." she replied,gesturing to the exit. "I wouldn't dream of keeping you from your fun. So please,go,and cut loose."
Beelzemon cracked his neck,and curled his claws. "Oh it'll be my pleasure." He slowly began to stride toward the exit. "You relax,and watch me pound those brats into the dirt one by one."
Lilithmon put a finger to her lips as Beelzemon left the room. "I hate to see him leave. But I love to watch him go."
Just as she returned to her reclined position. She looked up to the shaking DemiDevimon with a smile. "Oh,little DemiDevimon!" she called in a sing song manner.
DemiDevimon nearly jumped out of his skin,and turned about with a salute. "Y...yes,Mistress?"
Lilithmon chuckled at his fear. "Would you be a dear,and get me some snacks? I always like to indulge in sweets when I watch a bit of suffering. " She gave a general gesture to a nearby cabinet where her sweets were kept.
"Right away,mistress!" He took off like a shot,nearly crashing into the shelf.
The display made Lilithmon chuckled once more. She would definitely keep this one around. After all,she had always wanted a court jester. The thought of the little devil in a clownish costume made her laugh even harder. Only dying down as she turned her attentions back o the magic mirror. Her heart tittering at the sight of Chakoramon shaking with utter terror.
Derek kept an almost constant eye on his partner as they walked. Chakoramon simply stared forward, trying to focus on the path ahead them. Lest her thoughts linger back to the hungry eyes of Ornismon. Occasionally she would glance up to the sky,thinking that the giant bird might swoop down on them at any moment. Though it never seemed to come.
As they went on,the jungle dome seemed to regain its former noise,and life. Birds fluttered in the sky,and the sounds of frogs,and insects flowed on the wind. Their walk was quiet otherwise. Derek had made attempts at conversation to no avail. As Chakoramon would always respond with a simple yes,no,or grunt of affirmation.
After half an hour of walking,they finally came to what looked like an exit. It was a large circular entryway at least twelve feet in diameter. It was kept shut by a round door of thick glass. Decorated with etchings of birds,flowers,trees,and various other jungle flora,and fauna. A set of stone stairs lead up to it. A thin layer of moss covered the steps,and several coils of vines wrapped around the guard rail. After heading up the steps,the two looked over the door curiously.
"So how do we get this open?" Derek asked. Noting that the door had no obvious handle or latch.
"It looks like its made of the same material as the dome." Chakoramon remarked. "So there's no way I'm going to be cutting through it. " She gave a cursory glance at their surroundings. "Perhaps there's a switch of some kind nearby."
Sure enough,after searching the area the two found a large panel. Covered by bits of rust,and vines. With a quick motion Chakoramon cut away a majority of the vines. Allowing Derek to swing it open. On the inside of the panel were two large buttons. The faded words 'open',and 'close' marking their surfaces. He pressed the 'open' button with a satisfying click,and stepped back from the panel. Suddenly,there was a loud hiss,emanating from some hidden mechanism below. Then with a rusty creak,the circular door swung open. A set of stairs unfurling from the other side.
"Finally,we can get out of here." Derek exclaimed as he headed for the door. Chakoramon falling in step beside him.
Just as the two were about head up the new set of steps. They suddenly stopped in their tracks. They hadn't noticed until now. But the jungle was completely silent. They quickly looked to the sky,and saw the shadow of Ornismon soaring toward them. The giant bird let out a mighty shriek,momentarily stunning the two. Ornismon then began to pick up speed,intent on not letting its prey escape a second time.
When the pain from the sound finally passed,Derek,and Chakoramon took off like a shot through the doorway. As they finally crossed the threshold,they began to look about frantically. Trying to find another panel to close the door behind them. All the while Ornismon grew closer,and closer. Finally,Chakoramon found what they were looking for. With frantic speed she swung the panel open,and pressed down hard on the 'close' button.
With another loud hiss,the door mechanism slowly began to swing shut. Up in the sky,Ornsimon opened his beak wide. Black,and yellow crackling energy beginning to gather within. Making the air itself resonate with chaotic energy. All at once Ornismon released the crackling energy, as a single blast. That moved through the air like a bolt of dark lightning.
Chakoramon,and Derek shielded themselves reflexively as the bolt neared. Then,with another hiss,the door closed before them. Ornismon's attack smashed into the thick glass with incredible force. Sending out a thunderous boom through the air. The unnatural tensile strength of the glass held against the brunt the attack. Only showing a few small cracks from the impact.
"We have go,before he busts through!" Derek shouted,and made a move to run. When Chakoramon did not do the same,he quickly turned about to face her. "Chakoramon?"
She didn't respond,continuing to stare up at Ornismon through the glass.
"Chakoramon!" he shouted,finally snapping her from whatever spell had hold of her. "Let's go!"
She gave a halfhearted nod,and turned to follow. The two running down the tunnel ahead of them. They ran,and ran,the long glass tunnel ahead seemingly never ending. When they could no longer hear even the echo of Ornismon's attacks. They finally came to a stop,taking a moment to catch their breath. With their moment of respite,Derek took stock of their surroundings.
The tunnel in which they stood,seemed to be composed of the same glass as the dome. Strengthened by heavy metal supports. The glass itself was colored an amber brown. The floor was made of heavy metal grates. Each one set with a pair of covered bulbs. Providing slightly dim,but warm ambient light. The more Derek looked at it,the more it reminded him of an aquarium tunnel.
"I'm way out of my depth." Chakoramon sighed,pulling Derek from his thoughts.
"What?" he asked,looking to her in surprise.
She turned,meeting his eyes. "I've always been a gifted fighter. But now I'm dealing with digimon of legend. First demon lords,and now the ancient ancestor of my kind. It's all becoming too much. I don't know if I'm really cut out for this."
"Yeah,I can only imagine what that's like." Derek commented,after long pause. " You're literally going toe to toe with beings you've only ever heard of in stories. I mean you fighting these guys is like the equivalent of one us getting into fist fight with Hercules."
He offered a small smile. "Though on the other hand,with Gale's power she might stand a chance in that fight."
The joke brought a small smile across the birds beak. "I suppose she would."
As her smile faded once again. Derek let out heavy sigh,and propped himself against the tunnel wall. "I never thought I was cut out for this either. Being a chosen hero,and all that. Even after all that's happened,I still don't think the sigil made the right choice."
Chakoramon walked over to the boy's side. "Derek…"
"But I can't dwell on that thought." he stated,looking down at her. "I don't have the luxury. Neither of us do. Know why?" Chakoramon shook her head in response. "Because we have people depending on us now. Whether we're cut out for the job or not,we gotta stick it out to the end. For our friends."
"Your right." Chakoramon said with a nod. "But...I still can't help but be afraid."
Derek placed a gentle hand atop her head,and petted her feathers. "You wanna know what helps me get past my fears? Just having you around. Cause I know you'll always be there. Just like I'll always be there for you."
Chakoramon sniffled,holding back her tears. She then looked up to Derek with a grateful smile.
"Come on,lets get going." Derek said,after a few moments of silence. The two soon heading off down the tunnel once more. Both feeling in brighter spirits.
It was only few minutes later when the they came to another circular door. It was half the size of the previous one,and was carved with the image of an oak tree. Just as the previous one there was a panel nearby that opened the door. As they passed through the doorway,they came out into another,considerably smaller glass dome.
The inside was almost like a park,or public garden. With both stone,and dirt pathways snaking their way throughout. Most of the trees,and bushes were broad leafed. None of them would be out of place in the park Derek,and his family used to frequent. A pond,of blooming water lilies sat serenely not far way. With several benches encircling it. Allowing anyone to just sit,and enjoy the picturesque view.
They walked down the path before them,taking in their new surroundings. When suddenly, a thunderous boom echoed from behind them. The pair turned back to the door ,as a low rumble followed. It grew louder,and louder making the ground tremble beneath their feet. When the noise finally reached its crescendo,Ornismon burst forth through the wall,sending shards of glass scattering in every direction.
Derek quickly activated his barrier,as a shower of glass shards began to rain down upon them. "Dammit! He finally broke through!"
As Ornismon spotted Derek,he deactivated his barrier,and he called to his sigil's power. He,and Chakoramon were soon enwrapped in a purple aura. Their bodies began to shimmer,and shifted into almost total transparency. Just as he had before,Ornismon stopped mid flight,and scanned about. His eyes then narrowed,and he began to beat his wings powerfully. The wind from his wing beats kicked up a cloud of dust,and dirt. Making Derek,and Chakoramon cough,and sputter. Ornismon followed the sound,his eyes focusing on their location. With his sharp vision he could just make out the two's movements in the dust.
The bird let out a screech,and opened its beak wide. Crackling dark energy already beginning to gather. Derek,and Chakoramon cursed aloud,and leapt aside. Narrowly avoiding the beam as it fired,and cut a swath of destruction before Ornismon. The power surrounding Derek,and Chakoramon then began to fade. Their bodies coming back into focus once more.
"I guess we can't fool him twice." Derek exclaimed,and held up his digivice. "You ready Chakoramon?"
After moment of hesitation,Chakoramon gave a confident nod. Before taking off into the air. Her body soon enwrapped in a cocoon of radiance.
"Chakoramon warp digivolve to...Simurghmon!"
The griffon let out a screech of her own,as she burst from the orb of light. Challenging Ornismon with her cry. The giant bird replied in kind,with a cry of his own. Simurghmon zoomed passed Ornsimon,and circled back around. Opening her beak to unleash a duo of intense wind blasts,that smashed into Ornismon's back.
The mega was mostly unfazed by the attack,and spun about in the air. His beak opening to let loose a ray of crackling power. Simurghmon narrowly dodged the attack with a deft barrel roll. Countering with a swipe of her claws as she flew past him. Much like her wind blast,her talons did little. Merely cutting away a small bundle of feathers from Ornismon's side.
The two then began to circle,and chase each other. As a pair of planes would in a dog fight. Both firing their respective attacks. Each time Ornismon would take the blow as if it were nothing. While Simurghmon would dodge,and weave out of the way. A few times the beam cut close,singing away a few of her feathers. This continued on for several minutes,neither one seeming to gain an edge.
After taking another one of Simurghmon's blasts,Ornismon stopped,and simply hovered in the air. Simurghmon continued to circle around,watching warily. Down below,Derek began feel a knot of anxious tension in the pit of stomach. Slowly,Ornismon beat his wings faster,and faster. His gigantic wing beats began to create a breeze,that soon turned into a powerful gale. The wind continued to grow in strength,and formed into a miniature tornado.
Derek took cover in a gathering of nearby stones,as the tornado grew. Fastening himself to one of the larger ones with a length of rope. All the trees began to creak,and groan beneath the force of the growing tempest. Some of them bending like reeds in a stiff breeze. Bits of grass were ripped from the ground,and sucked into the vortex. Along with stray branches,dust,shards of glass,and other debris.
Simurghmon fought against the powerful tornado. Beating her wings with all her might,and dodging stray debris to the best of her ability. But the fight was futile,and she soon began to feel the vortex pull her in. The suction grew stronger,and stronger as she was pulled. Soon she could no longer struggle,and was sucked completely inside. Her world began to spin,as she tumbled through the vortex. Bits of debris nicked,and cut at her feathers,and powerful winds battered her body.
When the storm finally slowed,Simurghmon began to drift in,and out of consciousness. Her wings fell to her sides,and she plummeted. Her body smashing into the soft earth with a heavy thud. Derek dared to peek from his hiding spot,as the roar of the wind died. Letting out a gasp of shock,as he saw his partner's fallen form.
"Simurghmon!"
The griffon was snapped back to reality at her partner's call. She groaned in pain,and slowly rose up to stand. Her aching body arguing the the whole way. As she finally stood upright,she looked up to Ornismon who still hovered up above. With a crack of her neck,Simurghmon took to the air once again. Her body began to spin,wind gathering,as she sped toward Ornismon. Her body still ached,and throbbed,but she ignored it all.
"Cyclone Lance!" she cried as she reached maximum speed.
Ornismon opened his beak,as Simurghmon neared. With a loud cry,he then unleashed his attack. Sending the crackling bolt of energy toward the approaching ultimate. The two attacks collided,and clashed midair. Simurghmon strained against the energy,the cloak of wind about her,and her rotation suffusing some of its power. For a brief moment,it appeared her attack would win out. Then Ornismon poured on more energy,sending a powerful surge through the crackling beam. The energy became too much,and Simurghmon was blasted away. Her body sent flying into the reinforced glass of the dome,and left with several searing burns.
With a painful groan,she fell to the ground limply. Only barely staying conscious through the pain. It took every ounce of strength left in her body to sit upright. Derek made a move to rush to her side,but his partner's glare froze him in his tracks. With that one look she conveyed all of her thoughts in that moment. It showed her fear,her resolve,her love,and every other facet of emotions. In that brief exchange,Derek felt more connected to her than he ever had before.
He could almost hear Simurghmons voice in his mind. "If this is where it ends. I'm so happy I got to meet you."
"So am I" he replied,conveying his thoughts through the raw emotion of their connection. "But this isn't the end. We've got a job to do remember?"
Simurghmon gave a weak nod. "Whether we're cut out for it or not."
The world seemed to suddenly stand still,as a pulse of power passed between the two. Their hearts slowly beginning to beat as one. An aura of purple wind started to swirl around them. As Derek's eyes glowed with the same color,and his sigil shone brighter than ever. There was a storm brewing within themselves. It was a great maelstrom that swirled with immeasurable energy.
"Synchronization at 100% Zenith evolution initiated."
Simurghmon rose up,the wind around her growing stronger. Her body soon becoming completely consumed by the violet storm.
"SImurghmon Zenith digivolve to…"
The griffon's body shifted,taking on the form of a tall woman. Her forearms were like the legs of a bird. Each of her three fingers was tipped with a talon,that gleamed like a blade of chrome digizoid. Sleek black armor,accented with bits of purple covered almost her entire upper body. Under a certain light,the armor shimmered like oil,or black birds feathers. A bird like helmet,with a long beak,and griffon like ears,covered the top half of her face,and head. While shoulder length purple hair,flowed down her neck. Giant,black, shimmering wings spread from her shoulders,like an angels. Her lower body was that of humanoid bird. With feathers,and long legs,ending in taloned feet. Giving her entire appearance that of a harpy's.
"...Aellomon !"
With a wave of her talon,Aellomon scattered the wind around her. Revealing her new form in all its glory. Her hawk like red eyes,then looked up to Ornismon. As they locked gazes,Ornismon felt something within itself. A sensation that the ruler of skies had only felt a few times in its lifetime. Fear.
He swallowed it down,and let out a deathly screech. Before letting loose a bolt of crackling energy from his beak. Aellomon spread her wings,and took to the air. Easily dodging the attack. She sped toward Ornismon,and unfurled her talons. They cut into Ornismon's hide with ease as she passed. Leaving a trio of gashes along his right side. Before Ornismon could recover,she came back for another pass. Giving him three more cuts on his left to match the others.
Ornismon screeched,and gave chase,snapping at her with his beak. Aellomon caught his jaws,as they came down,holding them open with her bare hands. Ornismon struggled against her strength,trying with all his might to bite down. Then,with a wild cry,she gripped tight,and tossed Ornismon's head aside. Before slashing the side of his face with her talons. Leaving several wicked scars along his eye. He flew back,growling in pain,and began to beat his wings. Stirring up another storm with his power.
With Aellomon's newfound strength,she was easily able to fight against the pull of the vortex. She held up her claws,as an aura of wind began to gather around them.
"Maelstrom Talon!"
She thrust her claws forward in a spinning motion. The wind around her turning into a pair of violet twisters. They flew through the air,slithering like a pair of serpents. Soon,Ornismon's storm,and the twin twisters clashed,creating a flash of lighting. Aellomon made a motion with hands commanding them forward. The two spirals of wind began to spin faster,and cut through Ornismon's wind. Completely dispersing it into nothing. They continued on their course,and drilled into Ornismon,boring a pair of of holes through his body. With another motion,Aellomon pulled them back,and sheared Ornismon's wings.
As he began to plummet,Ornismon attempted to fire one last crackling bolt. But his attack was silenced by Aellomon's final move. Cutting his head clean off with one of her deadly twisters. His body then slowly began to dissolve. Creating a humongous cloud of shimmering pixels. With a quick beat of her wings Aellomon fully dispersed the cloud. Sending the particles of data scattering in every direction.
With a sigh,her body relaxed,and she flew down to her partner,who moved in to meet her. The boy looked up at her,mouth agape,entirely awestruck by her form. Aellmon's lips curled into half smile at his reaction.
"I'm guessing this isn't what your were expecting?" she asked gesturing to herself.
Derek shook his head,snapping himself from his stupor. "Not really. I was expecting something like a really big bird. Maybe with four wings,or something like that." He paused for a moment. "I don't say this type of compliment lightly. But,you're beautiful."
The barest hint of blush came over Aellmon's cheeks. "Thank you." She leaned down holding out her hand. "But enough with the compliments,let's find the others."
Derek gave a nod,and Aellomon gently picked him in her grip. Cupping her clawed hands together,to keep him secure. She then spread her wings,and took the sky. Soaring off to find their next exit.
To Be continued...
Next Time On Digimon Saga! Episode 39:Moon's Shadow
Author's Notes
Hey guys,would have posted this earlier,but I went a trip at the beginning of the month. Then I got sick,so I was a bit delayed. Since last time this story has over 10,000 veiws! Thank you all so much for your support! We also have some new followers/favoriters Pure Onyx,L3gendaryUmbraFan991,and Pizzajon! Thank you guys for the follows,and the favorites. Finally the last piece of business is talking about Chakoramon's mega form,Aellomon. Her name comes from Aello,one of the three harpy sisters who would torture souls,as they were carried to Tarturus. I hope she didn't disapoint. PS My computer had an update that changed my default font so the chapters might have some format issues from now on. Please if you guys notice anything like that let me know.
Anyway,I'm out for now. Thanks for reading!