Italics = thoughts
"Quotes" = dialogue
underlined = reading something that is written
Bold= words and thoughts of Norn/Yggdrassil/The Mistress
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon or any of its characters. I do however claim ownership of any original characters introduced.
Chapter 55: Trust and Trickery
Rika, Renamon, Takato, Guilmon, and Atticus move silently over the desert. Chiblynmon emits a moan every so often, but otherwise makes no indication of his presence. Atticus begins to fish through his cards when Chiblynmon moans again. Takato taps his shoulder and places a card in front of his face.
"You can use my recovery card if you like." Atticus gives a smile and a nod before taking the card and pulling it through his d-ark, "Digi-Modify! Recovery activate!" Chiblynmon settles in once more and mutters a quick, "Thank you…" in Takato's direction.
"Yes, thank you," Atticus adds. "I really appreciate it."
"What's wrong with him?" Takato asks. "What happened?"
"He was infected with a virus by DexDoruGreymon. I'm not really sure how exactly it is doing it, but I know that it's causing him to decompile."
"And those recoveries you keep swiping are all you can do?" Takato asks. Atticus nods and replies, "For now, yes. And I'm running out of cards. If I don't find some data packets for him soon, I'm not surer what I'll do…"
"Will Chiblynmon be ok?" Guilmon asks in his childish voice.
"I'll be ok Guilmon… I'm tough…" Chiblynmon mumbles out. "I'm more worried about what will happen when Atticus starts experiencing symptoms. He can't use recovery cards on himself."
"Wait, you're infected to?" Takato asks, concern bleeding into his voice.
"Yea, that's sort of my fault…" Rika calls back as she comes to a halt.
"Nonsense, Ms. Nonaka. You had no reason to stop your fighting. I don't hold you accountable for that," Atticus responds while trying to force a smile as he comes up next to her.
"But you're infected too... Does that mean you'll…"Takato starts.
"Decompile? Eventually, yes. I'm not sure why, but it's progressing slower in me. I suspect it might be due to the dark spore implanted in my data. The virus may be having trouble breaking it down, but I know it definitely is…"
"How do you know?" Guilmon asks as they continue their walk.
"Well he was convulsing like crazy before we found you. It seems to have stopped after our fight with those DexDoruGreymon." Rika explains.
"DexDoruGreymon?" Takato asks. "I've never heard of that digimon."
"It's what I turned Ren's partner into," Atticus adds. "Somehow, it's multiplied and now it seems to be eating away at the very fabric of the Digital World."
"How do we stop it?"
"At the moment, I do not know. There are many of them…a whole swarm. I fear it would require an army, certainly more than three tamers, to overcome them."
"Not to mention we have other problems," Rika adds. "Like the sovereigns and the others who are probably boarding the ark as we speak…" Takato lowers his head. "It's all because of this stupid Hazard… I'm sorry I got you mixed up in this, Rika…"
"Lighten up, Goggles," she says while gliding her hand into his and clasping it tightly. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be. You shouldn't be sorry for what's out of your control."
"On that note, it's really I who should be sorry," Atticus speaks up. "I gave you the Hazard, however inadvertently, and I destroyed those DigiGnomes before they could grant your wish…"
"Did you really have to destroy them?" Takato asks, to which Atticus scratches at his head. "I didn't actually mean to… They kind of just evaporated when they touched me."
"Why?" Guilmon asks.
"It has something to do with him being a shade, right Atticus?" Chiblynmon asks from his shoulder. Atticus gives him a nod. "Those DigiGnomes are an embodiment of hope and light whereas the only thing I embody is death and despair…"
"But that's not true. You're Taka-chan's friend," Guilmon responds, drawing everyone's attention. He nuzzles his snout into Atticus's leg and Atticus jumps back from shock. "I think I need my ears checked…" Rika says, turning back around after Guilmon cocks his head at her.
"It's almost as if…" Atticus starts aloud before closing his mouth.
"What?" Takato asks.
"…Never mind. Just…what he just did… it reminded me of…"
"Who?"
"That girl… The one who pleaded with me to save you. She was the first person to hug me in a long time…"
"You mean Suzie?" Renamon interjects suddenly in her cool and calm voice.
"I guess that would have been a better wish to make…" Takato says with a frown, causing Atticus to arch a brow towards him. "I should have wished her back. Instead I was selfish and tried to wish away my own problems…"
"It wasn't selfish. I did the same thing you tried to do. Not to mention, you have it much worse than I did: the Digital Hazard has cost you most of your friends, whereas I already had none when I was infected. I wished it away because I was afraid. You wanted to wish it away because of what it's cost you."
A DigiGnome suddenly chirps and flutters by, drawing Atticus' and Rika's attention. The former sighs, turns to look at Takato, and asks, "You still want to wish it away, don't you?"
"A little. I'm sorry…"
"Don't be. If the DigiGnomes are following us, than it's a wish deeply rooted in your heart. It's not fair of me to ask you to bear the burden."
"I know that it would infect someone else if I wished it away…but…"
"Maybe you should just wish it on Ryo or Henry. I'd pay to see how they'd react," Rika jests.
"Or wish it back to me…" Rika and Takato turn their gazes on Atticus, who shrugs. "If I'm correct, I'm going to die anyway. May as well send the Hazard out with me."
"I couldn't do that…" Takato starts. "I couldn't knowingly wish it on someone…"
"You forget that I bore it once. I can find a way to manage. Besides, if you don't have the Hazard, then nothing would stop you from going home. I can't even board your ark, so I'd be happy to bear the burden if it means you get to go home. It'd be nice to leave some kind of positive legacy behind…"
"…No Atticus…" Takato says after a moment's thought. "I promised you that when I went back, we'd find a way to bring you there as well…"
"This virus will take me eventually, Takato. You're not betraying me, if that's what is worrying you. It's a logical choice…"
"No… I can't…" Takato mutters, looking up at Rika, who returns a sympathetic gaze. "We'll find a way to help you," he adds as he shifts his gaze back to Atticus. "I promised you we'd get you to the Real World, and I'm going to keep that promise."
Atticus smiles briefly and shakes his head in disbelief. "Of everyone in the world… my wish ruins the life of the one decent person out there. The one person who when he has a chance to return my suffering, entirely justified, he doesn't. I can't imagine another person: not from my group and not from yours, who would make the choice you are making."
"If you could do it over," Takato starts. "If you knew it would infect me then, would you have wished it away?" Atticus looks at him with a degree of bewilderment before diverting his gaze and finally answering, "No. If I had known anyone else would suffer from my wish…"
"Then that's why I can't wish it back to you. You don't deserve it anymore than I do." Atticus stares at him for a time. "If you would have been strong enough to continue to bear it, then I can be too."
Atticus chuckles at this. "I'm going to die, Takato. This is a way out, entirely guilt free."
"I wouldn't be guilt free if there was a way to save you."
"Why do you want to save me?"
"Because he's a Gogglehead who has to save everyone," Rika responds with a slight smirk.
"Because we're friends and I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't at least try."
A tear slowly streaks down Atticus' cheek and he wipes it away. "If it's the last thing I do, Takato, I will get you home. You and as many of your friends as possible. I can't think of another way to express my awe and gratitude. I'm a shade, but you still treat me like I'm human."
"You are human," Rika and Takato say together. Atticus only laughs in response, another tear finding its way down his face.
"I just wish there was a way to bring Suzie back too…" Takato says as he deflates slightly. "But I guess that's one thing I can't fix…"
"Wait," Rika remarks, drawing the two boys' attention. "I can't believe I didn't think of it till now!"
"What?" they both ask.
"If Suzie died, doesn't that mean she could be a shade now like Atticus?" Atticus places a hand to his chin. "It's possible, I suppose, but…"
"But what?" Takato asks, clearly becoming excitable.
"Well… I don't really know how it works… There're so many differences between what happened to her and what happened to me."
"Like what?" Chiblynmon chirps from his shoulder. "She died, didn't she?"
"Well…yes…but she was still connected to her partner when she died. Not to mention Megidramon absorbed the data she left behind whereas all of mine remained free floating after my deletion. Then there's the question of where she would recompile. I'm not sure if the Dark Ocean is the only place, but assuming it is, there's no way to get to her…"
"I guess that's a bust…" Rika says with a frown as Takato deflates once more.
"Don't be sad, Taka-chan. I still believe in you. We'll find a way to help Suzie," Guilmon mutters while nuzzling his tamer's leg.
"Atticus crosses his arms before saying, "I suppose there's only one thing left to do…"
"What's that?" Rika asks.
"If I'm going to be stuck here until you find a way to change a shade back to a human, I can spend that time scouring the Digital World to see if I can find a shade of her."
"You would do that?" Takato asks, to which Atticus nods. "Of course. That way if you do manage to find a way to restore me, you could restore her as well. I can't promise that I would find her, but I can try.
"That's great! I can't wait to tell…" he suddenly trails off, a look of sadness starting to permeate his face. Atticus place a hand on his shoulder, asking, "It's Henry, isn't it?" The boy gives him a slight nod.
"You deleted him, didn't you?" Takato pops up, giving a grave look and shakes his head. "I…I couldn't do it… Despite all of it… I just couldn't be the cause of his death too…"
Atticus' eyes seem to widen. "That means… you controlled the Hazard… I must admit, I'm impressed."
"In that case, Henry's lucky I wasn't there. I wouldn't have been so merciful," Rika states with a hmph.
"He was motivated by fear, Rika," Atticus reminds. "They all were. It doesn't excuse them of course, but it makes their behavior more understandable."
"I still don't understand it…" Takato states with a frown. "I keep trying to imagine what I would do if it was the other way around… I mean, I don't want anything bad to happen to them of course, but…"
"Forgiving or not forgiving them is your choice, Takato. There is no right or wrong; no should or shouldn't. You should do what your heart tells you."
"Would you forgive them?" Takato asks. Atticus diverts his gaze before replying, "I'm not you. I can't tell you what to do here. Only you can decide what is right."
"Well friends don't do what they did to him," Rika states affirmatively. "I wouldn't forgive them, especially knowing that they're not even sorry."
"In my experience, Rika, fear drives people to do terrible things, even to those with whom they are closest. Regardless of what has happened, what matters now is getting you all home, Takato and all the others included."
"Whatever. I'll take point again. Just try not to fall behind. We've wasted enough time as it is." As she walks off, Atticus and Takato follow close behind her. Takato tugs once more on Atticus' sleeve, drawing his attention, before muttering, "If we brought back Suzie, do you think there's a chance Henry and I could be friends again?" Atticus shrugs. "I don't know, Takato. I'm definitely not sure if we should even tell him of my intent to try to find her. False hope could just make it worse if I ultimately fail."
"Henry…said I didn't deserve to lead the group…" Takato mutters, his hand subconsciously moving to his head. "I'm pretty sure he hates me now."
"Do you think you are worthy to lead? To 'wear the goggles' as you have put it?"
"I don't know anymore."
"Then let me answer it for you. You are, no matter what anyone else says. You've already proven it several times just in the little time I have been around you. And I'm sure Rika, Kai, and Suzie all agree with me." When Takato gives no response, Atticus continues. "Rika is right about one thing. Friends don't do what they did. Henry and Ryo are invariably in the wrong and we will either convince them to change their minds or overcome their resistance. No matter what, I'm getting you home. How many of your friends go home with you will depend on them."
Kotemon hops in front of his tamer and draws his kendo stick as Darkdramon enters the hut behind Jeri. "What's he doing here?!" Darkdramon bears his teeth, which glint in the firelight of the room and he answers, "I came here to save you all."
"Get out!" Kotemon yells. "I haven't forgotten what you did to Pandamon!"
"None of us have," Ryo answers suspiciously. "Save us from what exactly?"
"A swarm. It's coming," Jeri answers. "I saw it. We need to leave."
"A swarm? You mean like the one that attacked Henry and Impmon?" Alice asks, looking at the blue haired tamer. Darkdramon moves his gaze over the boy and asks, "So he was infected, was he?"
"What do you mean infected?" Dobermon asks through his usual light growl.
"Well, Terriermon was hurt pretty badly in a battle with that swarm," Kenta interjects. "We've got some data packets though…" Darkdramon laughs interrupting the boy. "You can't repair it with data packets. Once infected, you're dead."
"What are ya talking about!?" Impmon barks out. "What kind of digimon gives a virus like that?"
"DexDoruGreymon," Darkdramon answers. "I wouldn't expect you to be familiar with it."
"How are you familiar with it?" Ryo asks, still suspicious. Darkdramon turns to him and laughs lightly. "Because my tamer created it. That swarm out there is comprised of the ultimate level of Ren's partner."
"How do I stop it?" Henry asks weakly, trying to force himself to sit up. "How do I…?" His data suddenly shifts violently, causing everyone to shout in alarm. "You won't do anything to stop it. You're infected too," Darkdramon responds in a somewhat callous tone.
"They infect humans with the virus too?" Alice asks as MarineAngemon flutters over to Henry and begins blowing out a stream of hearts. "That's not possible…"
"Perhaps not for most, but Atticus was the digi-destined of darkness, and the spirit of darkness is a rather unknown factor."
"So this swarm is closing in. How does it transmit the virus?" Ryo asks.
"By landing a strike on any exposed area," Darkdramon replies while scanning about the room. "Has anyone else encountered them already? I can see that one is unconscious…"
"Kai isn't infected," Kazu answers quickly. "And as far as we know, Impmon is the only other one here who ran into them. He seems fine."
"I don't trust him," Kotemon growls, tightening his stance. "For all we know, he's trying to trick us so he can delete us too!"
"I only needed the Pandamon's data so that I could digivolve and destroy the Hazard. If I had any interest in your data, I would have taken it by now."
"What do we do, Ryo?" Alice asks, looking to him.
"I don't know… run I guess…"
"We have to tell my dad…" Henry manages to get out. "We need the ark…"
"I'll send another message, but we have to move first."
Darkdramon stomps over to Henry and Terriermon before swiping the data packets and devouring them. He flexes his wings as they glow, starting to mend. "I might be able to hold them off a little longer: Give you some time to escape."
"We don't need your help!" Impmon shouts.
"On the contrary, Lord of Gluttony, I think you do. By now I imagine you have met the Royal Knights. I can guarantee they won't harm you so long as I am amongst your group."
"Why would you want to be around us anyway?" Alice asks. "Aren't you off hunting the Hazard or something?"
"I think I'm more likely to catch him if I stick close to you."
"You're not using us as bait!" Kotemon shouts.
"We can argue about this another time," Ryo orders. "Get moving. Grab whatever data packets you can and make for the desert. I'll go with Darkdramon and hold them off."
"I'll go with you, Ryo man!" Kazu cheers while pumping his chest.
"Kotemon, take my tamers. I'll go help them too," Impmon requests.
"The chuchidarumon should also be evacuated," Ryo suggests.
"That won't be possible," the elder confesses. "This is our village: we cannot simply abandon it."
"Would you rather be deleted?" Darkdramon states in a menacing tone.
"I'll take Kai and Henry a ways out and return to assist you guys," Alice offers. "Maybe we can fight them off."
"They're mindless. They won't stop, and you have not the capacity to defeat them," Darkdramon growls.
"We can still try. It's our duty as tamers to protect the Digital World." Ryo nods to her. "Get the others away. Then you can come help us."
"I'll help too," Kotemon says, still eyeing Darkdramon warily. "I can carry Kai if Dobermon can carry Henry."
"Make it happen!" Ryo says, pulling out his d-ark and rushing out of the house, flanked by Monodramon, Impmon, Darkdramon, Kazu, and Guardromon.
"Digi-Modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
Matrix Digivolution…
Kotemon digivolve to… Musyamon!
Musyamon digivolve to… Asuramon!
Dobermon digivolve to… Cerberumon!
"Kenta, grab as many packets as you can carry!" Alice orders as she hoists Henry onto Cerberumon's back before scooping up the still sleeping Terriermon.
Asuramon grabs Kai and turns towards the exit. "Let's go. The sooner we get them to safety, the sooner we can get back to the fight and ensure that Darkdramon doesn't try anything!"
"Biomerge activate!"
Biomerge Digivolution…
Monodramon biomerge to… Justimon!
Guardromon biomerge to… HiAndromon!
Impmon warp digivolve to… Beelzemon!
Justimon digivolve to… Fujinmon!
Beelzemon mode change to… Blast Mode!
The mega digimon quickly rush to the edge of the village and freeze in their tracks. Hardly several yards from them, red and black dragon-like creatures thrash about in the sand, turning the very land into data and revealing green grid-like lines beneath.
"What are they doing?" Fujinmon asks.
"What they do, Legendary Tamer. Destroy. Everything."
"There's so many!" HiAndromon shouts in alarm. "Can we even fight that many?"
"Of course we can, bub. Just watch! Corona Blaster!" Beelzemon's attack arcs forth and plows through several of the thrashing DexDoruGreymon.
"Dark Roar!" Darkdramon emits a sound wave that sends the DexDoruGreymon tumbling backward, some deleting instantly.'
"Alright then! Maltcyclone!"
"Atomic Ray!"
Several more of the DexDoruGreymon explode into data, though more press forward in their place, rushing towards the attacking digimon. Darkdramon flexes his wings, testing their strength before yelling, "Split up, and don't let them land any attacks!" He jumps forward and flaps his wings, which carry him into the air. "Gigastick Lance!"
Fujinmon ignites his blades and charges towards the encroaching horde. "Critical Arms!" He stabs into two, deleting them instantly as three more attempt to rush him.
"Atomic Ray!"
"Corona Blaster!"
The three DexDoruGreymon disintegrate, but still more push their way towards the green cyborg digimon. "Maltcyclone!" He destroys a few, but others push on, forcing him to jump back as they slam their drill-like tails into his last position.
"Double Impact!" Beelzemon fires at a DexDoruGreymon before flapping his wings and shooting to the sky to dodge the attack of a second. Several DexDoruGreymon change course and rush at the demon lord, jaws snapping at their would-be prey.
"Atomic Ray!" HiAndromon's attack disperses the horde and Beelzemon zips through to safety, raking his claws along a couple of the DexDoruGreymon as he goes: "Darkness Claw!"
"Thank for the save HiAn…" Beelzemon is suddenly cut off as a massive metal sphere slams into him, forcing him back to the ground. HiAndromon turns quickly, only to be tackled by one of the creatures, it's jaws snapping down on his arm, trying to pierce the thick metal. "Get off me! Atomic Ray!" The DexDoruGreymon is deleted but three more are already rushing for the cyborg mega.
"Critical Arms!" Fujinmon rushes past, slicing through the three dragons before looking back and asking, "You alright, Kazu?"
"I think so. I don't think I'm infected."
"Gigastick Lance!" The shadowy shot flies over HiAndromon's head and deletes another DexDoruGreymon. "Concentrate you fools!"
The DexDoruGreymon seem to swarm above them, the sky around them distorting and ultimately breaking apart to reveal gridlines beneath. Large metal spheres form and rain down upon the desert and the megas standing within it. "Take evasive action!" Fujinmon commands. The green cyborg jumps away, attempting to weave through the falling projectiles. Darkdramon ducks and weaves through the air, trying to reach the hordes above, but always being forced back down by the raining metallic spheres.
"Watch out HiAndromon! Corona Blaster!" HiAndomon jumps to the side in time for the attack to fly by and vaporize another DexDoruGreymon.
Three more suddenly rush up behind him, and with a flick of the tail, send the cyborg digimon to the sand. They raise their drill like tails, ready to try to pierce his metallic plating.
"Emerald Blaze!"
"Asura Bakunenken!"
"Are we glad to see you!" Kazu's shrill voice emits from HiAndromon. "I was almost android kebab!"
"You can thank them later!" Beelzemon barks as he comes up beside them. "They're getting dangerously close to the village. We got to stop them now!"
Fujinmon suddenly slams into the sand in front of them and they look up to see at least five DexDoruGreymon diving toward them.
"Corona Blaster!"
"Styx Killer!"
"Asura Bakunenken!"
"Atomic Ray!"
"Gigastick Lance!"
The five DexDoruGreymon explode into data and Darkdramon lands amongst the group. "If you're here, I take it your brats are safe. Time to call the retreat."
"We can't run away!" HiAndromon whines. "The village will be destroyed!"
"There's nothing you can do about that," Darkdramon growls as Alice runs up to join them. "We're not leaving until we at least try!" Fujinmon forces himself to his feet. "She's right. It's our duty as tamers to protect the Digital World, no matter what the threat."
"Incoming!" Beelzemon shouts before grabbing Alice and bolting away. The other digimon jump to the sides as several metal spheres pelt their last position before DexDoruGreymon slam into the sand and begin thrashing about.
"Atomic Ray!" HiAndromon destroys one, but the others continue to thrash about as still more rush towards the cyborg with snapping jaws.
"Corona Blaster!" Beelzemon destroys a few and HiAndromon jumps to dodge the rest, only to be slapped aside by the swing of one's tail. HiAndromon lands in the sand as three DexDoruGreymon gather round and raise their drill-like tails.
"Darkness Claw!" Beelzemon tosses his cannon aside and rushes forward, clawing through two of the DexDoruGreymon. The third impales him on his tail and his form immediately begins to distort.
"Atomic Ray!" HiAndromon destroys the last DexDoruGreymon and Beelzemon dedigivolves to Impmon before falling into the sand and writhing about. "Impmon's down!" HiAndromon calls out.
Alice rushes over to grab the rookie and take him to safety, but is soon intercepted by a DexDoruGreymon. Fujinmon tries to rush to her aid, but is intercepted by still more DexDoruGreymon, who slap him aside with their tails before diving to deliver a blow.
"Atomic Ray!" HiAndromon destroys the DexDoruGreymon diving for Fujinmon before the cyborg digimon breaks apart into Ryo and Monodramon. "Kazu! Alice is still in trouble!"
The DexDoruGreymon lunges forward and Alice dives to the side. She tries to get back to her feet and run, but the dragon snaps its jaws closed on her arm and she cries out as her own data distorts.
"Hold on Alice! Fire Fist of Shiva!" Asuramon destroys the DexDoruGreymon and Alice falls unconscious. Cerberumon rushes toward them, destroying still more DexDoruGreymon, which continue to advance. "Grab Impmon! I got her!" Asuramon assures. Cerberumon hesitates for a moment but ultimately complies, dashing out to grab the still writhing Impmon as DexDoruGreymon close in on him.
"Portals of Darkness!" he emits several beams, which explode into circular discs as he rushes in and snatches Impmon while the DexDoruGreymon struggle to escape the pull of the portals. As Cerberumon turns to retreat, he is struck by a large metallic sphere, releasing Impmon and rolling aside in the sand. He staggers up to his feet and suddenly cries out as a DexDoruGreyman rams him, stabbing its teeth into his underbelly. His data distorts wildly before Darkdramon stabs into the DexDoruGreymon, deleting it. "Time to retreat!" he calls out to HiAndromon and Asuramon. HiAndromon hoists Ryo and Monodramon and makes a mad dash in Darkdramon's direction, the DexDoruGreymon thrashing about in the sand behind him and giving chase.
"We'll never outrun them!" HiAndromon screams between pants for breath as Darkdramon grabs a now dedigivolved Dobermon and Impmon before joining the cyborg's retreat. "Yes we will. They won't follow us if we get far enough away."
Asuramon joins them, Alice slung over his shoulder, as they clear the village and manage to escape into the desert. True to Darkdramon's words, the DexDoruGreymon seem to break off their chase, instead attacking the village and deleting every chuchidarumon who crosses their path.
"Wait…the chuchidarumon…" Alice mutters weakly.
"Forget them," Darkdramon growls. "There's nothing you can do. They're already dead…"
"Takatomon, my feet hurt. Are we almost there?" Guilmon moans as he drags his feet alongside his tamer. "Atticus, are we close yet?" Takato asks, drawing the shade's attention. Atticus halts and places a hand up to his partner, who forms his bauble and hands it to him as Rika taps her foot impatiently. Atticus' eyes suddenly widen and his face grows pale.
"What is it? You look like you've seen a ghost," Rika remarks.
"DexDoruGreymon…" Atticus mutters. "They just destroyed the Village of Discarded Data."
"What?!" Takato shouts in surprise. "You mean the chuchidarumon?" Atticus nods. "Your friends are running away from it now, from what I can tell."
"So those things are on this level too," Rika remarks while crossing her arms.
Atticus nods. "We should make haste. The Village isn't far. We can probably catch…"
Guilmon suddenly crouches low and begins to snarl as Renamon's fur stands up on end and she gives a hiss. "What is it boy?" Takato asks. The red saurian only continues to growl.
"It's Zhuqiaomon," Renamon responds. "I can feel him…in the air around us."
"The sovereigns… They must have found us…" Atticus remarks fearfully.
"So what do we do?" Rika asks. "Run for it or fight?"
"We can't outrun them Rika," Renamon warns.
"No, but we can't beat them on our own either," Atticus adds.
"Well there must be something we can do," Takato states timidly while crossing his own arms, his face contorting in thought.
"We had a hard enough time beating the devas, Gogglebrain. I'm the first person to want to fight, but this is one that I don't think we can win. We're talking three of us…" she looks at Atticus before continuing, "…maybe two and a half against five of them."
"We need the others…" Atticus says as a crooked smile begins to etch itself on his face. "Rika, you've given me an idea. I know how we can win."
"Well let's hear it," Takato prods.
"We have the data of the devas. We know Millenniummon wanted it to challenge the sovereigns: their data could give us an edge."
"We only have three of the data sets though," Rika points out.
"No. We have ten, if you count all of the others minus Darkdramon. It might be enough…"
"Not an option," Rika rebuts once more. "Have you forgotten that they tried to delete Takato earlier? There's no way their going to fight the sovereigns to save him."
"Save him, maybe not. But themselves, that's another story."
"Ok, I'm kind of lost, boss," Chiblynmon admits.
"Huanglongmon is rather hotheaded. I think I can trick the sovereigns into attacking the others. At the very least, Impmon and Kotemon would be willing to fight to save me and that may be enough to draw the others in."
Rika looks to Takato, who answers, "I don't know… You'd be putting the others danger… What if something happened to them?"
"If you ask me, they deserve whatever comes, save of course for Kotemon, Impmon, and their partners."
"Kai's with them too," Takato points out.
"I know it's not a desirable choice…" Atticus starts.
I guess it might be our only choice…" Takato concedes with a frown, interrupting before Atticus could finish.
"I say we go for it," Rika states with determination. "If they're all still here, it means the ark hasn't come. This battle could keep them distracted long enough for the ark to arrive and for us to get Takato onboard."
"There is one other thing," Atticus states. "I assume that the devas' data won't be as useful against Huanglongmon. On what I know of him, his scales can absorb any attack, making him invincible. I hate to ask this, but we will need Takato to use the power of the Digital Hazard if we are to defeat him."
Takato's eyes widen and he points to himself as if in question. "You want me…to unleash Megidramon on purpose?"
"Yes… Wait, no… I want you to try to channel the Hazard's power somehow. I know it sounds complicated, and to be honest, I don't know exactly what I'm asking you to do either. I just know that if you don't, we probably don't make it out of this alive."
"I don't know… If we don't even know what I'm supposed to do… What if I can't do it?"
"Quit whining, Takato. You can do it. I believe you can and I'm betting my life on it, so you better not screw up."
Atticus gives a nod and slight smile. "She is right. If anyone can do this, you can." Takato considers this for a moment before giving a nod. "If you're willing to put your faith in me, I'm willing to try!"
"Good. I'll intercept the sovereigns and draw them towards the others. Follow at a distance and join the battle only after the others are significantly engaged in the fighting: We can't take the risk that they or the sovereigns would turn from the battle to focus on you."
"I can keep Takato safe from them," Rika retorts while clenching a fist.
"I don't doubt that, Rika, but I must implore that you be careful about letting any feelings of anger burn too fiercely. We need you both in control of yourselves for this, so we can't afford for either of you to dark digivolve."
"We won't," Takato assures, clasping Rika's hand in his own. "But are you sure that you'll be ok to fight?"
"Chiblynmon?" Atticus asks. The gremlin flexes his arms and pumps a fist, "I still got some fight left in me. If Atticus wants to try it, I'll do my part and give my all."
"Ok. We'll be right behind you," Takato assures with a smile. "Good luck, and thanks."
"Don't thank me yet. Only when and after this works," Atticus responds with a wink while pulling out his d-ark. "Biomerge activate!"
