Steven told Haru, "Patrols are up at the edge of the Confederation's territory and, the fence is well underway."
Haru sighed. The fence had been the compromise between having a wall and, not having a wall. Construction was slow going since Tempusmon's forces attacked the fence every chance they got. The General personally thought that the time would be better spent growing crops that could be put in storage just in case Tempusmon decided to lay siege to the Confederation. Haru had voiced his opinion but, didn't press the issue when the Confederation decided on a fence. He wasn't their boss or president and, he sure as hell wasn't going to be their dictator.
Agumon asked a question, "Is he still building wedding venues?"
Wormmon answered that, "Yeah but, he at least got a little bit smarter. He's building them on his territory."
The General had a question of his own, "Queenchessmon? Are you alright?"
The Black Queen answered with a small fib, "It will all be fine Hayashi."
No one believed that. Most of the countries in the Digital World had chosen to either be part of the Digital World Confederation or to follow Tempusmon. The sole exception was the Chess Kingdom. It had been split pretty much in two with some of the Chess Digimon following Kingchessmon and others following Queenchessmon. The result was that both Tempusmon and the Confedration treated the Chess Digimon with a level of distrust. There could be spies on either side for the other side. Haru wasn't sure he could blame them. The General was slightly aware that Queenchessmon had spies among Tempusmon's forces. He didn't want to be more aware.
Though speaking of spies he had to ask, "Have we heard anything about Kira Kusabe?"
Queenchessmon answered, "My sources tell me that her Biyomon can Digivolve up to Mega but, they can't Recode or Meld. Tempusmon has put them in charge of wedding planning. She seems happy enough doing that."
Steven asked, "Do they have the Legion Hack."
Queenchessmon sighed, "We think so but, we can't be sure."
Agumon scowled, "Lovely."
The Diplomat told his Keeper, "Have we found out any more about why he's obsessed with Yuki?"
The Keeper shook her head, "Just what he's told his troops; together Time and Victory can't be beaten."
Wormmon's face twisted in plain disbelief, "There has to be more to it than that. If there's not I'll eat my hat."
Agumon was confused, "You don't have a hat."
Wormmon explained, "I bet if I ask Petra will design me a hat and, Yuki will Digiprogram her the things Petra needs to make it."
Suddenly Steven cut in with a subject change, "Where's Alphamon?"
The answer came from Haru, "He's off training with the Royal Knights or off with the Royal Knights running patrols. Either way he's off with the Royal Knights."
Agumon reminded his Partner, "We need to find them. We're supposed to train with them as Fiduciammon."
The Diplomat pointed out, "You've been doing that a lot lately."
Haru answered the unspoken question, "It helps Alphamon feel reassured that I'm not trying to take the Royal Knights from him. When we're with the Royal Knights I follow his orders the same way he follows mine when he's with the Questioners."
Steven nodded, "Fair enough." He waved his hands in a showing motion, "Off you two get. I'm sure I can take care of things for a little bit."
The General of Trust nodded, "I'm sure you can. Make sure Yuki eats something and, that Peter goes to bed on time."
The Digidestined of Ambition nodded, "I can do that no problem."
Agumon scowled, "Gee, you two sound like an old married couple worried about their kids."
Wormmon questioned, "Does that make Haru the mom or the dad?"
Haru shrugged, "I don't particularly care. If you care ask Yuki or Petra or both. I'm sure one of them will have an answer." He turned to Steven, "I'll see you in a bit."
As the Japanese boy hurried off the American boy waved farewell, "Be safe."
Then Steven turned to go find Yuki. She was busy trying to find any other way of fixing the time dilation. She didn't have much hope but, there was almost nothing else she could do right now. She also spent her time training with Beelzemon. Snice she couldn't Meld without losing her Partner she was determined to make sure she wasn't a hindrance. The Diplomat didn't fight it but, personally thought Tempusmon would have won long ago if Yuki hadn't been with them from the very start. She didn't listen to comments like that so Steven wasn't going to waste his time making them.
Then Wormmon spotted Petra, "Petra! Who's the dad?"
Petra looked up in confusion as the Diplomat's group stopped by where she was sitting, "What do you mean?"
Wormmon explained, "Haru and Steven act like parents and, the rest of us are their kids. So I want to know who is the dad."
Petra smirked, "Well Haru can be my daddy anytime he wants to."
Venusmon was shocked, "Petra!"
Petra was not sorry, "What? It's true!"
Venusmon chided, "That maybe but, you don't just say things like that."
The Black Queen had to agree, "Some statements should remain private."
Steven was on Petra's side, "Look around." He gestured out, "We're the only six here. It doesn't get more private than that."
Meanwhile Lopmon had been thinking, "Are we just doing the humans or the Digimon as well?"
Wormmon answered, "Keepers yes. Partners no. Partners are more like their human's twin so things get confusing."
Lopmon nodded, "In that case Haru's the dad and, Steven's the mom. They are co-heads of the household and, they both work. Since they both wok Petra's the sister that has taken on the housekeeping responsibilities. Peter's the goofball brother that likes playing around but, still does all his chores. Yuki's the sister that forgets other people exist because she's wrapped up in her job. Venusmon and Anubismon the amused eldest siblings that are waiting for the younger ones to realize that they are rushing though their childhoods. Alphamon is Haru's brother that hangs out more often than he should and, Queenchessmon is Steven's sister who is everyone else's maiden aunt. Beelzemon is Yuki's best friend whose family life sucks so she adopted him as hers."
Queenchessmon had been nodding pretty much the entire time, "That's about right."
Then the ground shook and, cut off whatever Queenchessmon was about to say. It felt like an earthquake but, Steven was instantly on guard. Tempusmon might use this to launch an attack. For all the Diplomat knew this was Tempusmon's attack. Steven didn't move as he narrowed his eyes and, looked around. The Digital World Confederation was reacting appropriately. Champion level Digimon were escorting lower level Digimon to underground bunkers that the Council had asked the Programmer to make for them. Ultimates and Megas were taking up positions to ready for an attack. The Questioners didn't move as the ground finally stopped shaking.
Yuki was running up to the tree were the rest of her group was, "Steven! Steven!" She got to them and asked, "Where's Haru?"
The Diplomat answered as Peter and his group joined them, "Fiduciammon went to train with Alphamon." He asked Yuki, "What is it?"
The Programmer answered quickly, "It's a Convergence point."
Terriermon's eyes went wide, "I thought Tempusmon had given up on that tactic since We can stop it while it's happening."
Petra was sure, "That's right! I bet it will be even easier for Misicordiamon and Iustitiamon than Jihimon and Seigimon!"
Yuki shook her head, "He's sending the entire Digital World!"
Anubismon's eyes went wide, "He was just biding time!"
Petra scowled, "We have to try! That's what Digidestiend do!" She slapped her Digiwatch, "Warp Digivolution activate!"
Lopmon had a matching look of determination on her face, "Lopmon Warp Digivolve to …" The process was quick, "Cherubimon!"
Cherubimon didn't slow down, "Cherubimon Helix Meld to …"
That process was even quicker, "Misicordiamon!" The Meld looked at the group of warriors, "I'm heading to the Real World." She snapped her gaze to Peter, "Get Iustitiamon in place as soon as possible."
Peter only nodded as the Meld took her Keeper and glittered into another world, "Warp Digivolution activate!"
Terriermon was waiting, "Terriermon Digivolve to … Metalgargomon!"
Metalgargomon refused to waste time, "Metalgargomon Helix Meld to …"
The light of Melding faded, "Iustitiamon!" The Meld of Justice hurried off, "Hurry Anubismon! We need to find the epicenter!"
They passed Fiduciammon, "Where are you going?" The Meld of Justice didn't stop so the Meld of Trust turned to ask the remainder of the team, "Where are they going?"
Yuki's eyes were still wide with shock. "It's a Convergence Point. Misicordiamon is already in the Real World."
Alphamon was following behind his Meld partner, "So Tempusmon is sending Confederation lands."
He was cut off by Patamon, "No."
Alphamon ignored the disrespect for a moment, "What do you mean?"
Wormmon explained, "He's going to send the entire Digital World."
Fiduciammon's eyes went wide, "The entire Digital World is going to land in the Real World!"
The Programmer shook her head, "No. Some of the Digital World Data will be used to fuel the transfer. That Data won't be recoverable. The Digital World is smaller snice Tempusmon started the Convergence forever ago."
The Hermit Knight shook his head, "This has to be a ruse of some sort; a ruse to get Tachibana."
As if Alphamon's statement had summoned him dozens of holograms of Tempusmon appeared in the streets of the Confederation land. The Questioners had no way of knowing that similar holograms had popped up just about everywhere in the Digital World, Wishing Well, Dark Ocean and, Real World. Tempusmon wanted everyone to receive this message. Whatever it was couldn't be good.
Then as one all the Tempusmons began to speak, "Greetings citizens of all four known worlds. I am Tempusmon. Many of you already know that. Many of you also know what the signs of a Convergence Point are and, know that one is coming. However, this is no simple Convergence Point. I am sending the entirety of the Digital World to the Real World. While I am sure the Digidestined of the Question are already doing their best to stop this event, which to be honest will be apocalyptic, they have no hope of stopping it. There is too much Data, too many people and, not enough time. However, I am not a cruel man and, I can stop this. I promise I will stop this and, no longer try to destroy the worlds if my sole condition is met.
"As many people know I am deeply in love with the Programmer Yuki Tachibana. Unfortunately, she has spurned my advances at every turn and, forced me to take drastic measures. The Convergence stops when Yuki Tachibana and I are married and, we are safety on our way to celebrate our honeymoon; not a moment sooner. Now I speak to you Yuki-dear. Stop denying fate. You and I are destined to be together and, would you really risk the lives of everybody to fight the inevitable? Two words Yuki-dear and, while I will continue my quest to bring the world under my control I will no longer make any attempts to destroy it. The only time limit to make your decision is until you run out of time completely."
With that the holograms disappeared. Fiduciammon took charge immediately, "Ambitiomon." He paused to give time for Steven and Wormmon to advance to the Meld state, "Take Yuki and run! Don't stop running until the world ends or I send for you. Queenchessmon! I'm going to ask that you come with me and Alphamon as we go after Tempusmon. We need to kill him before he has a chance to finish this."
Queenchessmon nodded, "I can do that."
The General of Trust asked, "Beelzemon?"
The Demon Lord of Gluttony scoffed, "I'm staying with the Lady Programmer!"
Fiduciammon nodded, "I thought so but, I had to ask." Then he ordered the Meld of Ambition, "Go! Now!"
Yuki was still in shock so Ambitiomon swung her over his shoulder, "We're ghosts!"
Yuki came to her senses and quickly helped her Partner to the Mega level. Seraphimon took to the air, "Wait for us!"
They didn't get far before Justimon was there, "Give the Confederation the Programmer."
The Diplomat paused to ask, "Why? What are you going to do with her?"
The liaison between the Confederation and the Questioners told the Meld, "Give her to Tempusmon of course. If the world can be saved with the Programmer's nuptials it his selfish of her to say she'll never marry."
A male member of the Powers that Be appeared, "Listen to Justimon Ambitiomon! She's Digidestined! It's her destiny to save the world and, this is how she does that."
Ambitiomon looked to see that the Meld of Trust and the two Keepers were long gone. He shoved Yuki into her Keeper's arms as he told her, "Get you and yours to the Dark Ocean!" Yuki was still dazed so the Meld shouted, "Now!"
Yuki snapped out of it, "Right!" She let her eyes glow green as she told her family, "Be safe!"
The Power that Be lunged at her, "No!"
Ambitiomon moved impossibly fast to block the enemy, "No!"
That was the last thing Yuki saw as she fell into the Dark Ocean until she saw the grey salt water beneath her. Beelzemon wrapped his arms tight around her as Seraphimon flew next to them. The Digidestned and the Keeper fell into the ocean while the Partner hovered above them. Together the three of them made it to the beach. Yuki walked out of the surf while she pushed her wet hair out of her eyes.
Beelzemon told her, "We can't stay here Lady Programmer. The Confederation knows this is where we went and, I wouldn't put it passed Tempusmon to guess. We need to move."
Yuki turned to view her Keeper with dead eyes, "Is that my only option; to run?"
The Demon Lord of Gluttony shook his head, "No Lady Programmer. You have two choices. You can run like the Lord General said or, you can go marry Tempusmon." He was sincere as he reminded his lady, "Just know that whatever you choose I will be with you."
Yuki scoffed, "Neither one of those options is the least bit bearable."
Beelzemon shrugged, "I suppose you could go to Tempusmon and try to kill and/or Delete him. I don't think that will work."
Seraphimon spoke up, "There is another option. It won't save the world but, it will send Tempusmon a message. A message to Temppusmon that will tell him just how much you despise him."
Yuki slowly turned towards her Partner with wide eyes, "What are you saying?" It was clear she already knew, "What do you mean?"
Seraphimon humored his human, "I mean ending Tempusmon's obsession with you in the only way that's sure."
Yuki nodded, unable to deny what her Partner was saying any longer, "Oh. Yeah you're right that won't save the world. In fact, Tempusmon will probably destroy it out of spite." She looked around and, her eyes landed on a cliff, "She started walking towards it without thinking twice, "Let's go."
Beelzemon asked, "Where are we going?"
Yuki kept walking, "I'm done letting people do what they want with my life. I'm done with being told I'm Digidestined or that I have to get married or save the world or whatever. From this point on my life if what I make of it." Her face was hard and her tone was harder, "Even if I have to make it end."
Beelzemon's eyes went wide as he paused for a moment. Then he hurried to catch up with his lady, "There are easier ways than jumping off a cliff Lady Programmer."
The Programmer kept walking, "I am going to make damn sure I do this right. There will be no way to undo what I am about to do."
Beelzemon nodded, "Then allow me to assist you Lady Programmer."
Yuki stopped suddenly to turn on her heel and, regard her Keeper, "You would do that for me?"
Beelzemon cupped the human's face, "I would do anything you asked. You know that Lady Programmer."
Seraphimon was always in sync with his Partner, "We need to do this quickly; before someone comes to stop us."
Yuki had returned to walking, "Yes. You're right."
Getting up the cliffs was easy for Yuki. She couldn't help the smirk that came on her face as she remembered the blisters from the start of this journey. Now she felt naked if she wasn't in a pair a heels. She walked, fought, Digiprogrammed and, lived in high heeled boots. She crested the ridge and, moved to look over the edge. The cliff face was sheer and, there were pointed rocks coming up from the ocean. Yuki didn't think she would survive this.
Seraphimon smiled at his Partner, "Ready for the next stage Sister-of-my-Soul?"
Yuki was sure, "You're not coming with me."
The Holy Digimon was sure, "Of course I am."
The human shook her head, "No! You're staying here. And when it's done you're going to take Beelzemon and run. Then you two are going to take Tempusmon out. I don't care what it takes. When that is over you two help each live."
Seraphimon hugged his human tight to his chest, "Alright Sister-of-my-Soul."
Then Yuki pulled away from her Brother-of-her-Soul with a sad smile to stand at the very edge of the cliff. She saw Lucemon in the sky but, knew that the Demon Lord of Pride was too far a way to do anything to stop her plan. He was not too far away to not transmit an image of her to Tempusmon. When Tempusmon saw it he gloated and, sent the live image worldwide. He thought Yuki was finally his.
Yuki turned to her Keeper with one last order, "Thank you Beelzemon."
The Demon Lord of Gluttony told nothing but the truth, "It has always been my honor Lady Programmer."
The corners of her mouth twisted upwards, "How many times do I have to ask you to use my name?"
Beelzemon brought up his Berenjena SDX, "At least once more Lady Programmer." His smile was sad, "Goodbye." Then he fired his attack, "Heartbreak Shot!"
Fiduciammon had been watching the live transmission from the Confederation border. He knew what was happening the moment the Keeper of Victory said his goodbyes. His shout of protest was pointless as only Queenchessmon and Alphamon could hear him. Ambitiomon had stopped his battle with Justimon and the member of the Powers that Be to watch in shock. When Justimon commented on Yuki's stupidity Ambitiomon didn't even have to look before punching him in the face. Iustitiamon and Misicordiamon felt each's pain even though they were worlds apart. Both knew that Yuki thought her death was Victory enough. Tempusmon was not as quick and, only figured out what was going on when the smiling Programmer was halfway through falling. He quickly cut the feed. He didn't need everybody to see the object of desire slip through his fingers once again.
What Tempusmon couldn't stop was the whisper that transcended space and time to speak to only one man. The General of Trust heard Yuki's voice whisper in soft Japanese, "I am Yuki Tachibana. My mother died when I was six and, my father all but abandoned me shortly thereafter. Though I was born with shadows inside me and raised to know darkness I still managed to have hope and learn kindness. I was dragged from my life and my goal of programing an epic video game by the Powers that Be to be the Programmer for the Digidestined of the Question since I am currently the only human that knows how to Digiprogram. They thought I would learn Trust or Ambition to claim one of those powers, but what they did not know was that I always knew Victory. For the first time in my life I have a family that would die for me as I would die for them. That doesn't change the fact that Patamon is my Partner as he is my Brother-of-my-Soul and, Beelzemon, the Demon Lord of Gluttony, is both my vassal and my Brother-of-my-Heart. I would start wars and end worlds for the both of them in a heartbeat. I control the Body as Code and Data are the way I think. Call me what you will, in any language. Just know that when I am my purest I am …"
Then there was a flash right in front of the Meld of Trust. Beelzemon fell on his behind next to Queenchessmon with wide eyes. Fiduciammon didn't process that. He was more interested in the Meld that had suddenly appeared in front of him. She was twisted like she was going a backflip and, her face was upside down as the two Melds made eye contact. Her gaze was certainly strange. The top half of her right eye was bright green while the bottom half was silvery blue. The reverse was true for her left eye. Other than that her facial expressions looked like Yuki's. She finished her flip so that way her back was towards the male Meld. This reveled two pairs of smoky dark grey wings with lighter grey flecks at the tips of the feathers that glinted like silver when the light caught them just right. The first pair came from the shoulder blades while the second pair came sprouted from the lower back. Both of these pairs had spans that easily top 4 and half meters. Then she turned to smile with a sparkle in her eyes. The hair of this Meld was caught up in a messy ponytail. It was black with random pieces colored gold. The hair tie looked like simple cotton dyed dark blue. The Meld was wearing a dark grey vest that was a single piece without using fasteners of any kind. The top was just a few shades darker than the wings. The vest had a thin strip of fabric around the neck and, another more substantial strip around the mid back to allow each of pair of wings free movement. The front of the vest had a high collar and simple cap sleeves. The vest completely covered the modest bust and, then tapered into a point that ended right at the top of the pants. These pants were the same dark grey as the vest they were held up by a black belt at the hips and, were artfully tucked into the boots that ended just below the knees. The boots had four inch heels that were pencil thin. The boots were laced with laces crossed in perfect Xs. The laces matched the hair tie. In addition, ribbons of the same color entwined in her fingers and, twisted up both her arms in loose loops that somehow stayed in place. The whole outfit seemed darker against the alabaster skin of the wearer. To finish the outfit there was a circlet of dark silver on the Meld's forehead. It rested in a tilt on top of the messy hair. The point of the tiara was in the dead center the Meld's forehead. Embossed in the center of this point was that Crest of Victory is some type of light blue gem.
She finished the speech Yuki had started in a voice that was a light tenor and pierce the listener to the very core. Fiduciammon heard the voice and hoped but, somehow knew that if an enemy of the Meld of Victory heard it they would despair, "Victoriamon!"
Fiduciammon knew his eyes were wide, "Well this is much better than you dying."
Author's Note: LadyAnnaLee here! How are you? How was your week! I'm not sure anyone won this fight. Tada! Here's Victoriamon! Does anyone really need me to tell them that Victoria is Latin for Victory? Plus, we have Tempusmon being downright scary. He is sure bound and determined to get Yuki top marry him. He's also been unstable mentally and, now it's getting worse. It's that addiction that the Powers that Be are worried about. I got two reviews from enarmonios: one on 52 and one on 53. I am so glad you're not dead. Tempusmon is one of the kids that had a Dark Flower, I called them recovered, but, he wasn't named in the show. Actually a lot of them were not named so I used that. As for the Melds doing something crazy just wait. As for a description you can look back at chapter 8 for now, but I'll see if I can squeeze on in in chapter 58 or 59. As for your chapter 53 review: I'm glad I manage to make things seem real. That is any self-respecting author's goal so, I must be doing something right. As always please remember to review and, ask questions and, forgive typos! I'll see you next week. Love, LadyAnnaLee.
PS. I do not own Digimon. Anything you recognize is not mine.
