Chiisi had never felt such darkness in his entire life. The concept of sensing such a powerful feeling was still new to him, only discovering it when he first came to this world. Though fresh, he picked up on it and despite the new sensations that filled his mind and body, he understood what was considered weak and what was considered powerful.
This aura felt powerful, not just any power but the strongest he had felt yet. It seeped into his pores and filled his body with a feeling that could only be described as fear. The digimon certainly could feel it. All five of them trembled just a little within the void. KnightGenkimon and Celestialdramon seemed to be handling it far better than the others, but whether this was because of their level or the fact they were merged with their humans, Chiisi couldn't tell.
"Master Grandracmon!" Cherubimon shouted in both shock and what could be happiness.
The Demonic rabbit bowed in reverence, and Lilithmon followed in suit. Even Duskmon did the same. Impmon however was too fear stricken to pay any respects. Though seeing the will-less Tsukiamon bowing made him do the same. Although not quite understanding the whole dark lord and Digital World ancient history, Impmon knew to stick with the winning party, and a giant half man half beast taur digimon definitely seemed like the winning party.
Assumedly.
Grandracmon breathed in the tainted air, the first breath he had drawn in centuries; frankly it felt good. His arms, his wings, his legs, they were like meeting a long lost companion. The sensation of having a body had not been lost to him despite being a disembodied spirit for centuries. A crack followed as the vampire lord cricked his neck; as he stretched, several other body parts did the same.
"You've nurtured this body well Lilithmon." Grandracmon praised in a voice that was rather young. Despite the bestial body, his face still resembled a human man in his twenties or so. It held a certain classy air about it. Yet laced within, and just barely noticeable, was a growl. It was certainly reminiscent to the doubled up voices that KnightGenkimon and Celestialdramon shared.
"I was simply following your orders master." Lilithmon humbly answered in her drained voice.
Grandracmon turned his eyes towards Cherubimon. "Of course, your machines helped speed up the process." The demon grinned. "The darkness you channeled was like honey to me."
Cherubimon bowed again. "It was my pleasure Grandracmon sama!" The rabbit beamed with pride upon hearing his genius praised.
Lastly he turned to his final servant. "Duskmon, you never failed me. Without your assistance towards this cause, I would have remained imprisoned far longer."
Duskmon said nothing, nor did he show any sign of pride in serving his master. Whatever feelings he may have had, it laid behind that mask. Grandracmon paid no mind towards Impmon and Tsukaimon. The latter didn't care, the former however felt a twinge of rejection. Sure the sight of Grandracmon terrified him, who wouldn't be terrified? Still, a little recognition would have been nice. Grandracmon's eyes drifted towards another party. Seeing them, he couldn't help but spread his grin into an evil display.
"So, these are the fabled chosen ones? The Digidestined?"
The kids and their digimon stood aback or what could be considered standing within the void. Soon it turned to steely resolve. They wouldn't show any fear towards this new enemy.
The demon merely chuckled. "Such bravado in the face of danger. I have to respect that and your efforts." The kids were really taken aback upon hearing that comment. "You defeated hordes of my minions some which hunted you down relentlessly. Also I must thank you for disposing of that traitor Demon. Had he not been dealt with, my reign would not come to pass."
"Your reign!" KnightGenkimon protested with Kazuya's voice become most prominent.
Grandracmon lowered his grin into a standard smirk. "This was unavoidable. The key factors that sped it along were just little additions. The seal placed upon me wore down with time, I would have broken free eventually. Although it would have been longer than it was now. Still I thank you once again for your part in this."
The children winced at that remark. The horde of digimon they had faced outside the castle were obviously sacrificed to this monster. Unintentionally, they had aided his return to the world of the living. But they couldn't sit here and beat themselves up about it, what was done was done.
"Now that I am free, I shall spread my darkness to the far corners of the Digital World. All digimon shall praise my name and relish in the new world of evil that will follow."
Praises were sure to follow upon hearing their master's resolve towards his goals. Yet the Fallen Angels never got a chance to speak. Someone beat them to it.
"That's not going to happen!" KnightGenkimon boldly proclaimed, Kazuya's voice shining through once more. Turning to the shaken group he spurred, "Come on guys! We're the only ones that can stop him!"
The group didn't know how to exactly respond to that. They had just witnessed the birth of an evil embodiment, an evil so powerful that the original god of this world sacrificed his life to defeat it. Yet out of all of the uncertain expressions, one person stood by their leader.
"You have me." Celestialdramon spoke earnestly. Behind the dragon's voice, Sakura's voice shone through.
KnightGenkimon smiled. It was a smile that held two meanings. For Kazuya it was one of gratitude for his best friend. For Gazimon within, it was one of pervertedness, especially in regards to the thought of any incarnation of Fairydramon supporting him.
Sho on the other hand looked the same as usual; uncertain and rather frightened. Chiisi held some kind of unreadable emotion upon his face. Jun on the other hand looked just about as she normally did in regards to a crisis.
"Well I'm with ya goggle rabbit!" She shouted, fist pounding into the other. Parrotmon per usual squawked with fright at the prospect of fighting, but he held his complaints down knowing they wouldn't be appreciated. His desire to protect his partner outweighed his cowardice.
Sho likewise showed fright, but kept it down. He knew when was the time to fight and this certainly was time. With a nod, he gave his decision. Cerberusmon would follow regardless; although her lack of joy still remained. However, now wasn't the time to question his digimon's personal feelings. Chiisi said nothing. Had the other two not beaten him in speaking, he would have been the third to go along with Kazuya. Likewise as with Jun, Myotismon loved a good fight as much as the next slightly homicidal hero.
Unanimously, their conviction and bonds were set together. Looking to their human partners and the humans to their digimon, the assembled group looked toward their new enemy with much resolve.
Grandracmon stared down at the chosen ones. It had been centuries since he had seen such courage Long in the past, he had seen many in the eyes of digimon who had opposed him. Such strength, such belief, such devotion in their golden god, their master and savior. Good and evil, it didn't matter what side one was on, a master would be behind it all. However, the golden one had fallen while he had risen from death.
Slowly, a chuckle started to form in his throat, heaving his chest slightly up and down. The chuckle continued to grow and his chest shook. At last it urned into a full on evil laugh.
"Really? You want to fight me?" Grandracmon posed the question as if it were a ludicrous statement. The grin upon his face showed how much humor he found in it. "Very well, come at me."
The demon lord spread out his arms beckoning the group to him. KnightGenkimon smirked and answered his call. "If that's what you want then you got it!" The rabbit knight immediately summoned an orb of energy and formed it into his familiar aura sword.
"If goggle boy is in on it them so am I!" Jun proclaimed. Parrotmon didn't need any urging from his partner; at this point in time there could be no cowardice. With a squawk, the great bird charged forward with electricity sparking atop his head feathers.
The remaining digidestined held the same feelings. The situation looked grim, but they at least had to try. Myotismon, Cerberusmon, and Celestialdramon showed signs of starting up their signature attacks: a bloody stream, an emerald flame, and embers sparking across a metal rod. For Grandracmon, everything slowed. The humans and their digimon (both merged and unmerged) gallantly assaulted him. In their eyes he could see a light; oh it was such a familiar light, a light that needed to be extinguished. Within the air a cold feeling spread around. Immediately Chiisi felt it again, the overwhelming feeling of darkness. Grandracmon spread his wings wide causing gusts to blow across the area. The air pulled back just as his arms followed his wings. Suddenly the dark air blew forward with merely a thrust. The force of it sent the everyone flying backwards. KnightGenkimon was the first to get the full brunt of it. The armored rabbit crashed with a satisfying metallic clang. Or at least Grandracmon found the sound enjoyable. As KnightGenkimon toppled down, an emotion lay etched upon his face, one that didn't leave even as he attempted to get up. All of them did but only managed to kneel.
"Really? Was that all?" Grandracmon asked. "Please, do try again." The demon lord added a laugh at the end of that offer.
KnightGenkimon was quick to take up that offer. His legs shook under the strain of hauling his battered body.
"Don't get up!" Celestialdramon warned. "He's too strong!" Behind the dragon's voice, Sakura's pitch became more prominent.
The Kazuya within KnightGenkimon halted their shared body. The Gazimon half argued against the decision, but the human part always listened whenever Sakura spoke. KnightGenkimon froze in place making him look like a living statue. Although his body stilled, within his mind a debate formed. It went back and forth as the two halves of the being argued on what to do next. Although to the outside, the decision seemed to last for all but a few seconds. On the inside however, it seemed to last for several minutes, at least to the two inhabitants that made up the Mega level. Kazuya and Gazimon's viewpoints soon formed into one. When they were finished, KnightGenkimon moved again. Behind, he could see tell his comrades held the same look as he did.
"I wonder if the rest of your race is as helpless as you are?" Grandramon suddenly queried.
The question was enough to snap the kids out of their shadowy funk. Above, the demon lord's grin showed an exceptionally evil glint to it. "Once my darkness spreads throughout all the corners of the Digital World, perhaps I should visit the Human World?"
The digidestined immediately snapped to attention once that was said; Grandracmon noticed this and broke into laughter.
"Like hell we'll let you do that!" KnightGenkimon declared rising to his feet. The rabbit knight still shook from his weakened state, but he didn't care. Even if it killed him, he would stop this monster. He tried to move forward only to collapse onto his knees once more. Despite that, he still attempted to move, his eyes fixated upon his enemies.
"Don't get up!" Celestialdramon cried. The dragon priestess held a scaled arm out towards her friend.
Normally the Gazimon half would listen to whatever any incarnation of Fairydramon told him, but he and Kazuya were still one in their thoughts, and their thoughts were to defeat this evil.
Grandracmon let out another chuckle. "I do admire your courage, but I grow weary," the demon turned his head to the side, "and I have much to do." Outstretching his palm the dark feeling came again. The children could feel it around them growing with intensify and fury. Although KnightGenkimon would stand and fight, the others wouldn't. Stubbornly he clung to the hope he could stand against this evil, but his body said otherwise. The darkness of this realm could be felt by everyone, especially Celestialdramon, Chiisi, and Myotismon. Grandracmon willed all negativity to him. Curling around his palm, he gathered it into an invisible ball. It grew and grew until the demon lord became satisfied with its size. With a mere flick of his hand, it sped towards its targets.
At last KnightGenkimon could grasp what the emotion upon his face was. All of them knew just how they felt. They were up against an enemy that they could not defeat. The invisible energy neared its course ready to erase the humans from the world. It never reached anyone however. An immense light exploded from nowhere like supernova blinding the dark digimon present. The chosen children and digimon shielded themselves from the light wary of it possibly being a new enemy. That fear went unfounded for they knew that light always meant good; they had been in this world long enough to come to that assumption.
The light dimmed instantaneously and an unsurprising figure stood from where it had appeared. Celstialdramon recognized it immediately.
"Maia!" The twin voices exclaimed.
Across the field, Duskmon's eyes widened the moment he heard that name. Maia glared daggers right back at him. Duskmon looked shocked at first, and then switched to his usual calm disposition.
"You will not harm these children!" Maia boldly declared. "Not while I live and breathe!"
"Live and breath?" Duskmon muttered to himself. "Master?" Grandracmon looked down at his most loyal servant.
"Yes?"
"Allow me to deal with this one." Duskmon's request was only matched by the tiniest trace of a plead in his voice.
Grandracmon considered it for a moment, but a short one. "Very well. You have my permission."
Duskmon would smile if he had an actual mouth. Walking forward, he brandished his blades. Maya met the digimon's cold approach with another glare; this one was of pure hatred.
"Maya?" Celestialdramon called out, a perfect blend of Sakura and Fairydramon spoke showing equal control.
Maya didn't look back as she continued her pace; this moment deserved her undivided attention. A short chuckle gave way underneath Duskmon's mask; it only served to infuriate Maia.
"So here we are once again...sister." Duskmon didn't bother keeping his voice down. Somehow he wanted all to hear.
Everyone heard indeed. The Digidestined were simply astonished by the statement and rather confused. Maya literally spat upon the ground, right at the space in-between themselves.
"You have no right calling me that Drian!" Maya announced.
Several hushed gasps sounded behind the data child.
"W-wasn't that her brother's name?" Parrotmon asked.
Cerberusmon sniffed the air once. Her fine canine senses were telling her something. The senses pointed towards Duskmon. When Cerberusmon sniffed again, a familiar scent reached her nose. Her eyes could see the red glare of Duskmon's own eyes. She had seen that look before. Suddenly vast repository of memories came to the surface. They were fuzzy images but soon grew clearer. Within them, Cerberusmon saw herself looking up at a figure. In the memory she must have been in her baby stage, it made sense given the circumstances. Above she could see a white shape, one she immediately knew was Maya. The loving, kind, respectable guardian she was, or in other words a surrogate parent. Cerberusmon couldn't sort out every little memory; they suddenly just flowed back to her in a tangent. Each tangent brought along a new memory each carrying a joyful moment; but then it stopped at one, one that wasn't so joyful. Cerberusmon was still a Paomon in her memories, but she stared up at not the image of Maia, but someone else. Her vision was blurry at first, perhaps digging away at the recesses of her mind, but it soon unclouded in clarity. There was a boy garbed in the same outfit as Maia, but the figure underneath the white robes belied the outer appearance. The boy underneath had long flowing raven hair, a stone cold look, but the most distinguishable feature were his glaring red eyes. A name steadily formed at her lips, a name she had long forgotten.
"Drian." Both the past and present Cerberusmon uttered.
At last Cerberusmon remembered Drian; the one with the cold look in his eyes. The one who had betrayed everyone.
"But it's the truth isn't it?" Drian, or rather Duskmon countered. "We both were spawned from the same source, we each carry the same strands of data." The former data child continued to walk towards his sibling; his pace was slow.
"What you are now is nothing but a mockery of the life our creator gave us!" Maia spat again.
Duskmon countered his sister's words with yet another laugh. The more Maia heard it the more she could feel her anger rise.
"Life goes hand in hand with death, how long would light stood against dark? You seek to bring light to this world but in the end all that remains is darkness." Duskmon's speech commenced, attuning with his steps. His gaze remained cold, lifeless; a black void.
Maia's stern gaze attempted to overpower her brother's, but suddenly she found it faltering. Something was going to happen, an an event she couldn't stop. She had predicted it long ago, or rather received a prediction from a somewhat senile mind. Part of her had tried to ascertain a way of preventing it. Though, in the recesses of her mind she knew that would be impossible. Sometimes the future certainly was set in stone; what was set in stone couldn't be changed. Maia's guard fell at that moment. She didn't know if it was intentional or unintentional. Maybe she was obey ing the prophecy or perhaps not. Duskmon certainly didn't care nor did he know. All he could see was an opening and he certainly took it.
"Goodbye sister." Those words rung in Maia's ears, just as the pain that went through her.
Crimson stained Duskmon's blade, matching it in color. Maia's vision spun all around her, blurring and dimming at the same time.
"MAIA!"
She thought she heard the name being called, called by dual voice of Celestialdramon. They were all about to do something in retaliation, she could hear them moving towards her. This could not happen, but being the heroes they were, that would be asking the impossible. She had to do something; two things actually. The blade twisted inside her as she moved. The pain was excruciating but she fought it. Willing what was left of her energy, she waved her hand and a flash covered the children.
On the opposite end, the children had watched this gruesome scenery play out. Sakura was the most affected within the confines of Celestialdramon. Maia's arrival had brought hope to her heart. The data child had served as a guardian and guide, her arrivals always heralding some sort of aid. Though, for some odd reason she sensed something foreboding in the air. It wasn't the darkness that permeated this realm, it was something else just as bad; it was death. Sakura had seen much death in this world. For a digimon it was a simple matter of deleting into bits of data, still it was death all the same. The feeling grew as she noticed Duskmon growing closer. What was Maia doing? She was just standing there. While this question poised, Sakura watched attentively. The death in the air kept growing and growing, it never stopped. Sakura's eyes grew wide as she saw the red blade ascend.
The blade then found a new home, right through Maia's abdomen.
The feeling reached its height and then fell all the same. For Sakura and the others it came as a shock. Their shock was put on hold as the light blinded them, and they were gone.
Maia was glad to help safeguard her world's future in her last moments. Last moments, it really was the end. She had lived a long life, and now that life was at it's end. Most of her energy had been used to divert the Digidestined away, but there was some droplets trickled. Using what was left, Sakura completed her second task. Her vision blurred again, rolling around within her eye sockets. The last thing she saw were red eyes, the eyes that belonged to Drian.
"Keep this world safe."
Those were her last thoughts before her body deleted into nothing. The one formally known as the data child Drain watched with silence as the data fragments dissipated into the air. Memories followed the silence; memories of days long gone. Laughter, joy, sibling bonds, those were prominent, but they meant nothing to him. That was the past, that person no longer existed.
With a scoff, Duskmon returned to his master's side.
XXX
The regained peace of Don Guil's living room had just been disrupted again. The coffee table that he had just position so neatly was now shattered with the added weight of five humans and five digimon.
The young adult Guilmon stared blankly at the scene and sighed. "Oh well, I wanted to buy a new one anyway." He had the money so it wouldn't be that much of a hassle.
A chorus of groans came from the crushed group. "Whoever is responsible for all this random teleporting, I'm going shove my boot where the sun don't shine." Jun threatened to an invisible source. Slowly everyone managed to pick themselves up and with a bit of staggering, they were right back to form, albeit with some bruises.
"Hey were not Mega anymore!" Gazimon exclaimed.
He and Fairydramon were no longer merged with their partners, neither were the other digimon Ultimate level. Random teleporting could be the only reason, that or they were too weak.
"So what happened?" Don Guil immediately asked.
For a moment nobody knew what he was talking about. Then they quickly realized he was referring to the fight, especially when he added another question.
"There was a huge rumble coming from Fallen Angel Castle."
Upon mention of that place, the digidestined frowned. A myriad of memories played back instantaneously. None of them were pleasant. It was so sudden but it quickly sank into their minds. Still it was clear to them and they blurted it out.
"We lost."
Don Guil flinched slightly at the news. "You lost?" the reptile looked down at his feet and straightened his coat. "That's a darn shame. So any details?"
"Pretty much," Chiisi said to the point. "The Fallen Angels resurrected their leader who is basically some ancient evil digimon, and now he is probably going to take over the world." He stated that all in his dry monotone.
Once more Don Guil showed no hint of emotion on the matter. All in all he looked rather uncaring. "Well that is bad I would have to say."
"OH COME ON!" Kazuya screamed. The suddenness of it all surprised everyone present, more so that it came from Kazuya. "Is that really all you have to say about this? We lost okay? No we royally screwed up!" Kazuya's breathing grew heavy as he finished his rant, or at least part of it.
"Kazuya calm down!" Sakura attempted to reason with the disgruntled teenager.
The goggle headed boy was not finished quite yet. There was one last memory that he had to speak of. "Don't you remember what happened to Maia?"
Sakura stayed her hand from Kazuya's shoulder; a look of sadness crossed her face. The face was imitated by the rest of the group. Maia's death had dealt a hard blow to them, Sakura especially due to their shared element. The girl had been their guide, always staying behind the scenes helping when she could. Though they had not interacted long, Maia was a key factor in making them digidestined. In essence, she was responsible for the team they had formed, their bonds of friendship. The loss of what caused them to be what they are today.
"Yeah, I guess I wasn't that awesome huh?" Gazimon sadly said. Surprisingly his overinflated ego had been shattered; that was the surprising part.
A scaly hand brought him some comfort. "We weren't a match for him so it wouldn't matter." Fairydramon spoke earnestly. The Rookie was mature enough to handle the reality of the situation."
"So what do we do now?" Asked Sho.
That was a big question, their future was uncertain and they had no idea on how to face it. They were weak, they were helpless, and all after one battle.
"Giving up isn't like you Kazuya." Sakura suddenly said.
Kazuya chuckled with a sardonic hint to his voice. "Yeah, ironic isn't it?" Indeed it was that the bearer of Hope would give up.
Sakura felt useless in the situation. In some ways she agreed with Kazuya; they couldn't do a thing. This situation was hopeless at first glance, but there had to be a way out. Looking around her, she looked for any sign of hope. But as she looked, she found no such feeling upon anyone's faces. It was disheartening. They had come across this feeling several times before and they always overcame it. Now it seemed utterly impossible.
"Don't give up."
Sakura gasped at that voice. That sound, that tone, it couldn't be. Sakura opened her mouth to speak but before she could, she suddenly felt lightheaded. Her body swayed as she stumbled.
"Sakura?" Fairydramon called out in concern.
"I don't-" Sakura started to speak.
Inside her head, her thoughts were growing dim, as were the voices of her friends. Yet one voice rang clear, it was speaking loud and clear.
"Relax Sakura, I'll take it from here."
Sakura listened and obeyed and at that moment, her body went still.
"Sakura!" Kazuya grabbed her in concern as she looked ready to fall.
But that wasn't necessary as Sakura looked up with a bright grin on her face. Upon seeing it, the group had to say it looked almost angelic. There was something behind it that just seemed unnatural, but peaceful at the same time.
"Hello once again Digidestined."
A voice came from Sakura, but it wasn't her voice. The group could not believe their ears once they heard it. But there was no doubt to whom it was.
"Maia?"
Don Guil sat himself down making himself comfortable. Straightening his jacket once again, he remarked on what was happening in a very simple manner. "Now this is freaky."
XXX
Not much had changed in the Digital World. To Grandracmon it was still the same, a world ripe with souls waiting to be corrupted. It was exhilarating.
"What are your wishes master?" Cherubimon said midst bowing. Duskmon and Lilithmon did the same , and Tsukaimon as well. The only one who didn't participate was Impmon. The Rookie looked upward towards the demon lord with shaking legs; in fact his whole body shook.
"Just what did I get myself into?" He muttered.
Grandracmon ignored the lack of worship from the imp and focused on his devoted servants. "My orders?" Grandramon posed a question. "My orders are to simply spread my darkness across the Digital World."
That order filled Cherubimon with glee. Finally! A chance to prove his loyalty to his master. There was just one problem, the order was too vague. Cherubimon demonstrated by raising himself to speak, mouth agape with words of praise and good news. Then it fell. "I-I-I'm not...sure."
Tsukaimon had remained silent from since the revival had been completed, but now she felt compelled to speak. "My creator," she began in that emotionless drawl," "what about your project?"
Cherubimon thought back to all he had done. There were so many "projects" that he didn't know which one she meant. However, there was a recent one that had slipped his mind, "My master, I have been working on something that will spread your influence to the far corners of this world." Cherubimon bowed once more. "If you so desire, I will go to implement my plan."
"Very well. Go!" Grandracmon spoke with a pleased smile.
That smile filled Cherubimon with what could be considered joy. Although joy and darkness didn't seem to fit a twisted being as the demon rabbit; maniacal glee would be a better word.
"What of us Master?" Duskmon asked.
Grandracmon turned his attention to his remaining two servants. Duskmon stood ready to undertake any task given to him. Lilithmon on the other hand held that lifeless look upon her face. The succubi had played her role well, her personality had suited his needs but now it was time for that to end.
"You have pleased me Lilithmon, but your original self is what I need." Grandracmon waved his hand in the air. There was a chilled breeze, but Lilithmon was the only one to feel it.
The wind encircled the digimon, trapping her within. Lilithmon blankly followed the trail as she felt its cool touch. In her dulled mind she accepted whatever her master did to her. It had been a long time since she had felt anything, but then something happened. There was what could be best described as a tweak in her persona. On the outside she looked the same at first, but slowly the ice that made up her looks began to melt. Something happened that shocked everyone; Lilithmon smiled.
Lilithmon placed a hand to her cheek which felt uncommonly warm. Taking it away she looked at it as well as the rest of her body. "I can feel." Lilithmon's voice held something that wasn't there before; it was emotion. The digimon laughed haughtily, grinning wide as she twirled around. "Oh thank you master! Thank you!" Lilithmon hadn't felt this good in a long time.
"You and Duskmon will take care of any loose ends." Grandracmon instructed.
"Loose ends? You mean the humans?" Lilthmon inquired.
Grandracmon nodded. Upon hearing that, Lilithmon cackled again. "Oh this will be interesting, I never got a chance to play with them."
Impmon was further shocked by the demon lady's demeanor. She seemed almost, childish.
"You and Duskmon will deal with the loose ends." Impmon's focus switched back to the evil one.
"It shall be done master." Duskmon bowed reverently. Impmon's heart began to race furiously, Something was going to happen he just knew it.
"Excellent, I leave the task to you my servants. Drown this world with my evil. Pave the way for my new kingdom!" Impmon trembled at his voice. This was a mistake, he should have just walked away after SkullMeramon's base exploded, should have walked away when he first encountered Duskmon, he definitely should have escaped when Lilithmon made him her mon toy.
Grandracmon stared up at the sky. His eyesight was fixed on something he couldn't see, at least not yet. "I have my own loose ends to keep my occupied, to make sure my kingdom comes to fruition." Just as Impmon was about to make a run for it, he stopped when he felt the death glare from Grandracmon. "You two will have some use to me." Impmon stopped, two?
"As you wish milord." Tsukaimon responded with an emotionless bow.
Impmon's blood froze along with his body. "No wait!" He pleaded.
Grandracmon paid no heed to the pleads of those weaker than him. When he saw a pawn, he most certainly used them. Impmon watched fearfully as Grandracmon outstretched his palm. The fear was brought one by what followed after. Underneath, something squirmed. A squash accompanied the squirm and ended when it showed. A single eye opened in the middle of Grandracmon's palm. Glowing a dark red, a wave of darkness spread forth and overtook Impmon and Tsukaimon. The latter did nothing as it enveloped her. The former screamed with all his breath before he fell silent.
XXX
Sho hadn't shown much cowardice during the supposed final battle. However, now he couldn't contain himself. "Maia? But you're dead!"
His exclamation was shared amongst his comrades. Maia was dead but to make matters weirder, her voice was coming out of Sakura.
"Never mind that, How the heck is she talking out of Kodiro's mouth?" Jun asked what she felt was more important; although both phenomenons were equally important.
Chiisi was the only one of them who didn't seem to have any sort of fear towards what was happening. Sure he had a look of shock upon his face just as everyone else, but he could gain an understanding. "You're using Sakura's body as a conduit."
Per usual, everybody was astounded by Chiisi's astuteness.
"You are correct Chiisi, she and I embody the element of light, so I was only able to reach out through her." Maia explained.
It made sense considering Sakura was the only one who could sense whenever Maia was aiding them. Through Sakura's glasses, a sage like shine appeared.
"I know how you all must feel, Grandracmon's revival has come to pass." Maia said somberly.
It provoked a groan from Kazuya. "Don't rub it in."
Maia looked all around through Sakura's eyes. Their sadness filled the entire room, a stench of their failure. The glow behind the glasses became sympathetic. "You can't give up. You ten are the only hope for this world."
"But how are we supposed to do anything?" Kazuya cried.
"Yeah, he beat us." Gazimon piped. The rabbit let out a sigh. "I don't think even a cigar is going to cheer me up." Though right about now the rabbit could really go for one.
Maia didn't respond to that, instead she merely held out her palms. Suddenly a bright flash filled the room and then subsided into two tiny balls of light. The light subsided as did the group lower their hands. The lights had grown into two golden orbs. Inside the center of one was an archaic looking M. The other one held a sign of infinity.
"These are the digicores of Miracles and Destiny." Maia explained.
"But I thought the bad guys had them?" Labramon asked remembering what Wisemon had told them.
"Before Duskmon slew me, I could feel them within the darkness." Maia explained. "I managed to free them and bring them here." The digicores floated towards the unpossesed kids and shattered into five glowing lights each. The twin golden streaks flowed into their bodies leaving not even a trace. The last two streaks flowed right into Sakura.
Maia gazed once more at the group, but held a particular shine for Labramon. Labramon looked the same to Maia. Again, memories of joy played back in her mind; days long past. The data child host body smiled happily with only a small taint of sadness. "Miracles and Destiny were the only elements we could find no chosen bearer for, but now I understand, it was meant for all of you." Maia proclaimed. "Throughout your journey you have done the impossible, and with it it will face your destiny as saviors of this world."
Everyone listened well. Despite the doubts they had just faced, something made them believe. Even if they didn't believe it, their drive had returned, slowly but surely.
"I have faith in you all." Maia's words had a sense of finality to it. "Goodbye."
Immediately, Sakura's body swayed for a moment before it went back to normal. Sakura looked around in confusion. The confusion lasted for only momentarily. Clear understanding appeared upon her face. It came as soon as Fairydramon went to her. She looked to Kazuya almost for guidance it seemed.
The goggle boy looked back at his friend; like her, understanding came to him. The drive and hope that had been formally squashed slowly came back. Kazuya looked down at Gazimon and then towards everyone else in the room. Clenching his fist, he looked serious. "Let's do this." He said determinedly. To everyone, that meant one thing.
The digidestined were back, and it was time to be heroes.
To be continued...
A/N: I'm starting to wonder about this fic. I'm looking at the storyline and dialogue and really it's just not up to par with everyone else's. Maybe that's why it is so unpopular? Well I'm still finishing this fic no matter how long it takes even if I feel like I am kind of waning in interest. Although, it could be because there hasn't been a lot of digimon news since the show stopped airing in the U.S. I admit, I still wish this story was popular and was featured on tv tropes or had numerous amounts of fan art like other stories, but like I said, I am still writing even if it never becomes popular.
