Chapter 49
Purification
The entire ground seems to come alive, shaking like mad as though a massive earthquake had taken place. Kari yells suddenly, dropping to her knees and grabbing at her head.
"Kari?!" Gatomon yelps in alarm, halting in mid run and turning back around to see her partner in incredible pain.
"So….wrong…." Kari manages to breath out through clenched teeth, still holding her head as though she was having a massive migraine. "This is….so wrong…."
A roar echoes throughout the darkness, a roar that makes TK's spine shiver. It sounded both triumphant and bloodthirsty, powerful and old. "….Oh Yggdrasil….you don't think that….."
"Monodramon….Lily…." Gatomon whispers, her blue eyes widening as all of her fur stands on end. She bolts forwards, like a streak of white lightning against the ground.
"Wait! Gatomon don't rush…." TK throws his hands up in the air in frustration. "Geez, why do we even bother anymore? Tell me that."
Kari is still shivering on the ground, murmuring things under her breath, and TK's frustration disappears as he looks at her. "Hey…." He drops down next to her, touching her shoulder lightly and making her jump.
"Kari, look at me." He says firmly, blue eyes locked on hers. "It's going to be okay. I promise." His hand rests protectively on her shoulder. "Kari look at me. Please."
Kari feels as though she was in a complete fog. This is not the first time she'd wished that she didn't have whatever these strange powers were, the ones that made her so sensitive to the darkness. It felt like a violation of her very being, what she was sensing right now. All of this hate and anger and bloodlust made her feel physically ill.
But TK's hand on her shoulder….it made her feel as though she had something she could grasp onto, something she could use to pull herself out. Swallowing hard, she looked up at him and nodded in gratitude. "…Thanks TK." She says softly.
There's a faint hint of red in his cheeks as he manages to stammer out, "What are friends for right? Now come on, let's go get Lily and your partner."
Kari nods, staggering back to her feet, and feeling TK's hand slip through hers, even though the her head kept hurting. The sounds of battle and death seem to swarm around her, but somehow, she manages to keep moving. It seemed more than fitting that TK's Crest was the Crest of Hope. Because even when her light seemed to dim out, she could always cling to him and he would reignite it.
…
"LET-ME-GO!" I roar, thrashing like mad in Murmuksmon's grip, trying to break free and get to Monodramon, who literally looks like he could die at any moment.
He just scoffs mockingly. "Look at you. You barely have any strength left in you. Just like your pathetic family. Weaklings like you should be completely annihilated."
"You talk too much."
My eyes widen as I recognize that voice. "Gato…"
There's a furious yowl and then Murmuksmon yells, caught off guard from the heavy blow to the back of the head. Gatomon lands on the ground, swishing her tail triumphantly and arching a cool eyebrow. "What was that you said about weaklings being annihilated?"
"How did you find us?" Renamon asks incredulously, as I repeat the sentiment in unison.
"Followed the scent of complete rashness and utter stupidity."
"Okay, really now, I've been getting more than my fair share of sarcasm from Dorkula. Do I really have to hear it from you too?"
Gatomon's eyes narrow down to slits. "…Myotismon…." Her fur prickles on end and she hisses out, fangs bared, "Where did that #$$$ go?"
"Don't worry he's not going to try anything, the idiot can barely…." My voice trails off as I notice that the ground behind me is noticeable absent of a teenage boy possessed by a vindictive, sadistic vampire. "Okay, how does he keep doing that?!"
"GHENNA FLAME!"
I manage to grab Gatomon and roll out of the way just as the fire shoots forwards once more. "We'll focus on that later!" I manage to shout through the roar of the fire. "Right now I think we have bigger problems!"
"Oh gee, you think?" Gatomon questions sarcastically before leaping into life like a living ping pong ball, practically bouncing off the walls as her gloved fist slams into grunt after grunt, knocking them to the ground.
I'd almost forgotten how formidable Gatomon could be just in her Champion form. Clenching my teeth I shout, "You go get Monodramon, and I'll deal with the rest of them!"
Another roar echoes right in my ear, catching me off guard. Murmuksmon charges at me, his very fists glowing with flames, and I quickly raise my staff to block him, but my reaction time is too slow and I take a punch straight to the gut.
"GAH!" I skid backwards and slam into the wall opposite, having the wind completely knocked out of me.
"We've been in this form for too long Lily I...can't…."
"Yeah I know….I'm sorry Renamon...we just have to try a little bit longer and then it will all be over."
My eyes widen as Murmuksmon raises his fists again, placing them both together and creating a huge ball of fire, his smirk even more sinister in the shadow of the flames.
He suddenly lets out a howl of pain and surprise as Gatomon leaps down from above and lands on his head, scratching at his eyes like mad like cats always do in comedies.
He stumbles around like a deranged ballet dance, unable to shake her off, and Gatomon shoots me a quick look, narrowing her eyes.
"...On second thought…" I call over, pushing myself back to my feet. "Maybe you should hold them off and….I'll get Monodramon?"
"Good plan you moron."
..Well she didn't actually say that, but I could tell that's what she was thinking. I had more than enough strength in me to blast several of the more minor grunts out of the way with my own fire, or whack them through the walls with my staff.
I was mere steps away from Monodramon's torturous prison before I could hear that loser Wisemon utter, "Nah aha ah."
His yellow eyes peer into mine and I snarl vicously, baring fangs at him. "I am NOT in the mood you idiot!""
He rubs his hands together, acting like the typical creepy mad scientist. "I'm sorry but I can't possibly let you interfere with the process, now can I? I have to admit, I'm fascianted to be able to get the chance to see how YOUR core is, being part flesh after all-"OH GET A LIFE!"
I prepare to shoot a massive attack at him, but literally right before I can, Murmuksmon manages to fling Gatomon off of him and shoots off another MASSIVE blast of flame, possibly the biggest yet.
Wisemon, who was apparently preparing for me to attack him, lets out a shout of "PANDORA DIALOGUE!" before realizing what exactly he just did.
He sends Murmuksmon's Ghenna Flame right back at him, and Murmuksmon screams in pain as his own super-charged flames consume him.
Wisemon can only manage to gape in disbelief before he looks up to find me leering in his face.
"...Oh dear."
Gatomon, the other grunts taken care of, bounds over to me right as I blast Wisemon into data at point blank range. In the face.
"Did that really just happen?" Gatomon questions in a deadpan sort of way.
"Apparently."
"Ah."
"You know I feel sort of dirty saying this…" I begin before shaking my head and grinning savagely. "Who am I kidding? That felt freaking GOOD."
Gatomon cuffs me on the back of the head. "Don't get too cocky yet kid. We still could have any number of nasty surpris…." Her voice trails off as another roar echoes.
"...Um...that wouldn't happen to be the roar of a power hungry, completely insane and bloodthirsty monster would it?"
"Millenniumon's awake…." I breathe, glancing back over at Gatomon, who nods and grimaces, her fur standing completely on end.
"...Wait a minute….if he's got his body back like we were afraid of, how are we not all dead? Didn't they say that Millenniummon has enough strength to give GranDracmon a run for his money?"
"...The Digieggs…." My mind flashes back to that conversation with...Damien. "As long as he doesn't have those, he can't escape his realm." I can only pray that just wasn't another one of Myotismon's many, many lies.
Gatomon's eyes flicker to mine and I know she's thinking the exact same thing I am. "Demidevimon escaped too." I growl, my fists clenching at my side.
She lets out a low, angry hiss. "...Those two are up to something. And whatever it is, it's big." I don't have to ask how she knows. She knows the same way I do. When you've spent years living with someone, against your will, you can just….sense it.
"I wish to Fanglongmon I was able to give him a good Lightning Claw to the face." Gatomon growls. "I'd rip out his eyes in a heartbeat."
"He was already injured…" I mutter. "How did he….so freaking fast too…." My jaw clenches and Renamon snarls inside of me.
As much as I want to hunt the undead creep down, I don't have time to deal with him for now. Leaning back I bring my fist smashing into the glass wall between me and Monodramon.
"..Is he…." Gatomon's voice trails off as though she's afraid to ask.
I cradle Monodramon in my arms, my fingers reaching up towards his neck, desperately hoping for a pulse. "It's there…." My voice catches. "But I don't know for how much longer."
The guilt crashes over me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I have to fight back the urge to sob. I did this. I was trying to get away to make sure no one could force me to hurt my friends, and what happens? I freaking hand one over to his doom.
"WE did this…." Renamon replies miserably to my own thoughts. "I never even thought to really ask you what was going on, I was just happy to have you back….and I couldn't fight the Dark Spore any more than you could."
I force myself to swallow hard as Gatomon leaps up beside me, blue eyes narrowing. "Are you going to sit in your own angst….or are we going to find a way to make this creep pay in blood?" She demands.
"...I want to make ALL of them pay." I manage to growl out through clenched teeth, turning around to look at her.
She smirks, but it's not an amused smirk. It's much more of a dangerous smirk. "That's my girl. We'll fix Monodramom, even if we have to rip open Millenniummon's chest to do it."
"...Like I said, you are a scary, scary cat." I comment, shaking my head ruefully.
Gatomon raises an eyebrow and holds up a paw, and it only takes me a moment to realize that she's requesting a fist bump. "We're in this together?" Her eyes lock on mine and narrow. "No more hiding and no more secrets." She says the last part forcefully.
"..." A faint smile appears on my own lips as I return the fist bump. "No more."
"You swear?"
"Heh, what do you want me to do, sign in blood?" I cradle Monodramon closer to my chest. "I'm tired of shutting everyone out and trying to fix things on my own."
Gatomon smiles finally, and it's a proper smile. "...Then come on. Let's get going."
…
Demidevimon flutters around uneasily, muttering under his breath in a way that got on his master's nerves like little else could.
"If you don't shut up, I'm not above melting your mouth shut." Myotismon growled, still leaning heavily against the wall. He feels inside his jacket, wincing at the burn mark that was still there, though thankfully much less painful than it was before.
"Soon I shall be done with this…" He mutters through clenched teeth, baring his fangs in anticipation at the thought.
"But boss if anyone figures out what's going on….especially Millenniummon…." He shudders.
"What Millenniummon will do to you is nothing compared to how...creative I'll be with you if you continue to try my patience."
Demidevimon gulps pointedly. "Eh heh no boss, nope, not at all…."
"Good. Go out and scan the area. I doubt in this chaos any of these fools are bothering to look for me….but still…"
"You know he does have a point." A feminine voice echoes and Myotismon's eyes narrow dangerously as he looks over his shoulder. "Are you questioning me as well Arukenimon?"
Arukenimon smirks behind her sunglasses, but it's a wary, cautious smirk. "I would never dream of questioning you my lord….but there is one thing that's bothering me."
"Oh? Do tell."
"If you had let the girl die back there they wouldn't be hunting you down right now. They wouldn't consider you a complete, dangerous traitor."
Myotismon snorts in contempt. "Don't be a fool Arukenimon. They considered me a traitor the moment that stupid womon figured out that Lily had a Dark Spore."
"Perhaps you should have killed her before they figured it out."
Myotismon positively twitches. "Perhaps." He allows.
"Then why didn't you?"
A slow smirk appears on his face. "Because despite what some might believe, I think that girl could still have her uses. And I'm not so willing to throw away seven years of training her just because she slipped her leash."
"She fought off the influence of the Dark Spore even when Millenniummon was able to control it."
Myotismon scoffs. "Only because Millennummon is still trapped inside of his realm. His powers are limited."
"You believe you will be more successful this time?" Arukenimon allows her doubt to slip into her voice.
"I don't believe anything. I know." He replies with that unchanging arrogance. He pauses for a bit, a sneer appearing on his face. "Of course there will come a day when I don't need the little brat anymore, and when that day comes I will take great pleasure in ending her pathetic life. But first I'll make sure she murders every single one of the people she loves most." His smirk grows. "I think that's….more than adequate punishment for defying me."
Arukenimon allows a smirk of her own to appear on her face. "I look forward to seeing that day very much, my lord. What will you have me do?"
He shoots her a charming smile. "Continue to serve me well and I promise you you will be rewarded. But for now….we shall sit back and watch the show."
…
Magnamon yells as he's slammed into the cliff opposite, wincing as he manages to pull himself out of the armour Digimon sized dent he's placed in the rock.
"Geez, doesn't this guy ever get tired?" He mutters, wincing as he looks at the equally big dents in his armor. The battle couldn't have gone on for more than 30 minutes but it felt like it had been hours.
He can see Rapidmon darting around Cherubimon-well not really see. The cyborg bunny was moving so quickly it was near impossible to track him with the naked eye.
But he could tell that for now, his battle partner was fine, because he kept hearing roars of pain from Cherubimon.
Rapidmon was like the world's most annoying mosquito-nearly impossible to spot and they kept biting you.
"RAPID FIRE!" He yells, grimacing once more at the holes he formed in his brother's skin, and it was only more frustrating when those wounds immediately healed over.
He met one baleful yellow eye, and he started as that eye seemed to widen in recognition. "Brother…" He breathes. "Do you remember me?"
Cherubimon stares silently at him for a moment, as though trying to unlock a memory that had been well buried.
"You do remember me." Rapidmon whispers. "I know you do. You remember us playing together? You remember when it was just the three of us, you me and Willis?"
"What is he doing?" Davis whispers to Willis, confusion in his voice.
Willis was staring fixatedly at his two Digimon, for the first time in a long time, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I think...I think Cherubimon can hear him…."
Unfortunately, that wasn't the only thing Cherubimon could hear. His massive ears twitch as he slowly turns around to face the two young Digidestined.
"...Um…."
"That's….really not good."
"WILLIS! DAVIS!" Magnamon roars, propelling forwards with such speed you might have thought that he'd been shot out of a cannon. "GET OUT OF THERE!"
Cherubimon raises his hands once more, but instead of summoning more lightning bolts, dark spheres surrond him.
"DATA CRUSHER!" He roars, and the black spheres hit the ground like cannon balls, sending both boys flying.
Davis yells in pain as he lands at an awkward angle, hissing in pain as he realizes he just broke a couple of ribs.
Talons wrap around his waist and the next second he's being hauled unto Aquilamon by Yolei, whose eyes are frantic as she looks at him. "Are you all right?!"
"Ah….could be better…." He manages to hiss out, holding his chest. Yolei looks like she's not sure rather or not she wants to hug him or punch him.
"Wait, where's Willis!"
"Did I mention that I really, REALLY hate heights?" A voice cries from below, and both Yolei and Davis sweatdrop as they realize that Willis is clinging onto Aquilamon's leg for dear life.
"Eh heh….sorry dude."
Aquilamon winces under the weight of three people, but still manages to keep his wings beating regualrly through little more than complete determination.
Yolei blinks as she glances back at Cherubimon. "Um...okay….that's different."
"What the heck is he DOING?"
For Cherubimon was paying no attention at all to his escaping quarry. Instead he was bent over, howling in pain and clutching at his head. Though the kids would have no way of knowing it, this was much the same thing Lily had gone through.
Rapidmon's chest seems to squeeze as he has to watch his brother in that much agony. Magnamon grabs his partner's shoulder to keep him from charging forwards and trying to help, when the rabbit could easily turn on them in a heartbeat.
Groaning, Cherubimon raises his head and slowly looks at them, his expression filled with pain.
He opens his mouth and Magnamon can't help but feel sick to his stomach. Spilling out of Cherubimon's mouth is some kind of black gunk, which smells as bad as it looks.
Yolei lets out a gasp of realization. "The dark spore….it spread so much that…." Her hand reaches up to cover her mouth. "Oh my Yggdrasil."
Cherubimon gestures frantically at his mouth, even as he is gagging on the black virus that thretanes to choke all life out of him.
"...He wants us to destroy it…." Rapidmon says slowly.
Magnamon grimaces. "...You realize….if we do what I think you're suggesting...we could kill him."
"...I…."
Cherubimon's low moan echoes across the battlefield, and he starts staggering towards them, but there's something wrong about his movements. He acts instead like a puppet on strings, as though control of his muscles is completely beyond him.
Magnamon keeps looking at Rapidmon steadily. "Are you prepared to deal with that?"
Rapidmon clenches his teeth, his own ears quivering though the rest of his body seems to have frozen. "No...of course I'm not, but what CHOICE do I have?"
Magnamon touches his friend's shoulder once again before saying in determination, "Then let's do this."
The two of them both charge forwards, yelling out battle cries, golden streaks against the dark sky.
Cherubimon snarls, opens his mouth to let out a defiant roar…..and that's when they take their oppurtunity.
The two Digmon charge right into the black fungus that fills Cherubimon's mouth...and disappear. Willis' eyes widen in horror. "Did he just….did they just…."
"No…" Aquilamon whispers as he watches what appears to be the demise of his best friend.
"MAGNAMON!" Davis screams. "VEEMON! NO! COME BACK!"
There is no answer to his cries, and time seems to stand still. Yolei is crying openly, with her head on Davis' shoulder, and Willis seems to be holding back tears of his own.
Davis keeps his eyes focused on Cherubimon. "Come on buddy…" He breathes. "Don't let me down...come back,..."
Cherubimon slowly turns his great head to face them, and Davis' spine stiffens, holding Yolei protectively towards him.
Cherubimon glowers at them, before suddenly letting out a scream of pain, much worse than the one previously. Davis' eyes widen as bright light surrounds Cherubimon-no-streaming out of him.
"GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"CHERUBIMON!"
Cherubimon's roar is drowned out by a terrific and terrible explosion….along with a flash of bright light that causes all of them except Willis to look away. He catches a glimpse of Cherubimon's face, and his heart nearly stops as he sees light pink and white fur, and eyes softened with love and recognition.
Then…..there was nothing.
"...They're gone." Aquilamon whispers, nearly forgetting to flap his wings in the shock and grief that filled him. "...They're all gone."
"...No…." Willis' voice chokes. "...I can't have lost….both of them,...no….please...please…."
Davis stares determinedly ahead of them, refusing to accept what was right in front of them. His hands were tightly clenched and he was still as a statue.
"...They're not dead. They're NOT. I'll never believe it."
But as the silence stretches on, Davis feels his conviction begin to fade….his shoulders slump and to Yolei, he seems to be curling in on himself.
He doesn't say anything for a moment before slowly whispering, "We should get out of here."
Yolei reaches out a hand to touch his shoulder, and her eyes widen as she looks in front of her. "THERE!"
Davis and Willis both look sharply back around to see three balls of light bounding there way. Davis' eyes narrow and then widen in disbelief and joy.
"DAVIS!" Demiveemon squeals, throwing himself into his ecstatic partner's arms. Davis hugs his partner close to his chest, unwilling to even slightly let him go. "Demiveemon! Oh man buddy, you had me scared."
"I can tell, you're crushing my spine!"
"GUMMYMON!" Willis cries, as a little green head with what looked a skirt for legs throw itself at Willis. He hugs his partner tightly, as though he's afraid he'll disappear on him again. "Don't you ever do anything like that again, you understand me?"
"Well it worked didn't it?" The little green monster grinned, nodding his head behind him.
Willis glances up and completely freezes. "...Kokomon…."
The little Digimon looked exactly like his twin brother, except with soft brown fur instead of green. His black eyes lock shyly on Willis. "...I'm sorry…."
"You're sorry…" Willis' voice cracks. "I'm the one whose sorry. I've missed you so much…."
Yolei and Davis both smile as Kokomon joins the trio's hug, whispering a soft, "I've missed you both so very much too."
Yolei glances over at Davis. "You know this war isn't over yet, right?"
Davis grimaces. "...No. It's just getting started."
"And with so many of our Digimon completely exhausted, I don't know how much longer we can keep this up…."
….
Joe was wishing he had about ten more years worth of medical experience as he pressed hard against Lilithmon's wounds, trying to staunch the bleeding. Leomon and Ogremon were both watching over him, guilt in their expressions, for entriely different reasons, but just as strong.
"Will uh….the lady be okay…?" Ogremon asks nervously.
Joe is too busy focusing on tending to his patient, glancing up into Lilithmon's glazed over eyes. "Come on stay with me…." He silently chants.
Leomon sighs heavily. "...She will be if she can work up the desire to fight. And after the…." His voice trails off, as though he's afraid saying the words will make her even worse. "...After the...accident...I don't know if she'll want to."
The big cat Digimon's ears twitch, and he turns around, growling menacingly before he recognizes the scents.
"Joe!" Tai pounds down the hallway towards his friend, skidding to a halt as he sees the injured womon lying on the ground. For a moment he's afraid that it's Lily's Lilithmon, but this is just as bad. This is a Digimon Tamer's partner. The partner of a….dead Digimon Tamer.
"Will she be okay?"
"...I don't know." Joe says softly, closing his eyes as if he were in pain. Tai touches his friend's shoulder. "You did good man. It wasn't your fault...Are you okay?"
"...If Gennai hadn't been able to get me out of there, then I probably would have suffocated in that chamber." Joe says flatly. His voice cracks. "I was so freaking USELESS."
"Joe, it wasn't your fault."
"But it was our fault." Lunamon sniffles, as Gomamon leans into her. She snaps her head around and gives him a look. "You shouldn't have bothered saving me! The life of a Demon Lord is nothing compared to the life of a Tamer."
"...Your life matters to me." Gomamon says softly, looking at her.
Ryo kneels down next to the injured demoness, who finally seems to recognize that there are others around her. "...Ryo?"
"Be strong." Ryo murmurs. "We'll make this right…." Her voice catches. "I'll avenge him, I promise."
Gennai inclines his head at the red-headed girl. "Will you follow?"
Joe finally speaks. "Gennai, you should have a Digidestined come with you. The portal won't open for a tamer." He blinks. "By the way how did you get me out?"
Gennai allows a slight smirk to appear on his face. " Getting out isn't what's sealed, getting in is. And...I think they'll make an exception in this case." before placing a hand on Ryo's back and leading her out of the room.
Ryo holds her Digivice up to the wall, taking a deep breath. The shimmer shines across her face and her, creating a translucent effect. Slowly the wall opens up, and Ryo steps in. She immediately recognizes the glow of the Digiegg. Hestiatingly, as though she's convinced she'll be nothing but burned, she reaches a hand out towards it. The barrier doesn't block her, and the metal is warm and inviting to the touch.
"Why do you defy me?"
Her spine stiffens at the sound of that voice, and she slowly raises her Digivice. Behind the screen was the face she feared above all others. Repetellian, with a metal face plate similar to WarGreymon's, and dark blue hair. And cold yellow eyes that seem to see right through her.
"What did you do to Monodramon?" She demands through clenched teeth.
"I grow tired of your concern for that little runt. I am your partner, am I not?"
"You never were….not truly…."
"We are connected Ryo. You cannot deny that."
"Partners don't lie and manipulate each other." She says tightly. "Partners don't try and KILL everyone that their partner loves and cares about."
"You don't need them my child. You have me. We can rule together."
"Not interested."
He snarls pointedly, showing her razor sharp teeth. "What are you without me girl?"
"You'd be surprised. You always thought of me as nothing more than your weak little pawn. Well I'm tired of living in fear and playing your sick little games. I'm done." Her eyes flash. "And I'm taking you down with me!"
"We'll see about that…." Her Digivice suddenly glows brightly, and she gasps, struggling as she tries not to be pulled in.
She can hear pounding on the wall, people calling her name desperately. "HELP ME!"
Her fingers claw at the wall, but just as she feels herself loose her grip, she feels a hand lock around her wrist.
Ken….and Cody holding onto him...and Matt holding onto him….and Tai holding onto him as well as their partners behind them.
Ken's eyes lock with hers and the message is clear. "We're not leaving you."
She allows a smile to appear on her face….just as the portal sucks them all in.
