Mark of the Demon Lord part 25
"Angels and Demons,"
"Okay, Lord Beelzemon and Lady Lillithmon have been informed of everything that has happened," Wisemon states as he appears in the foyer. He sees all the Digital Heroes had decided to stay there as they all decided to remain there. It was honestly a tense atmosphere since no one knew what to think of what is happening around them. Suddenly Lucemon called Daemon, TK and Patamon left, and now they're trapped in the castle. Unable to mount an attack or even make a move for a rescue plan, but that didn't stop them from planning one in the event of a worst-case scenario. Thankfully it's only been about half an hour, but who knows what could happen in that amount of time? Still better to be prepared for the worst.
"And what did they say?" Matt questions.
"They will return here as soon as Lord Daemon returns."
"What the hell!" Marcus barks. "We have no idea what's happening to that kid and he could need rescuing right now! We can't just sit around without knowing what's going on!"
"I understand everyone's frustration. However, if Lord Daemon had any doubt of his return here, he would not have allowed himself and Masters TK and Patamon to leave this place. To act rashly would put them and all of us in grave danger. Especially since we have no knowledge on the size of the Lucemon Corp."
"Which is comprised of mega level Digimon, so it would be wise to not act rashly," Thomas points out in agreement. "However, we are sitting here with barely a speck of information. Wisemon, you must be able to tell us something that could give us peace of mind."
"Despite him merely being a child, please trust in Master TK's judgment. This is the best assurance I can give you at the moment since I know so little myself."
"Ah so this is where the party is!" a voice suddenly exclaims. Everyone quickly about faces to the door that Wisemon had sealed see a Digmon walk through the doors casually. It was surprising and Wisemon seemed just as startled. The Digimon quickly take defensive positions at this new presence. "Whoa, I come in peace in, geez Lord Beelzemon did say you all were wound way too tight."
"Beelstarmon?" Wisemon questions.
"The one and only," She remarks with a smirk.
"Uh, is that a genderbent Beelzemon?" Marcus questions.
It was true, this female Digimon wore the same mask as Beelzemon only female covered in black female biker motif as well. Two revolver pistols holstered on her side with her mid drift showing. She seemed to have a friendly disposition. But nothing could be trusted in this area of darkness.
"Pleasure to meet you all, I'm Beelstarmon," She introduces with a mock curtsy. "I am one of Lord Beelzemon's loyal agents. He asked me to come here to check on you and in his words not mine 'Prevent ya from doing somethin stupid' again his words."
"How did you get here?" Wisemon asks.
"Well it was a pretty good seal, but Lord Beelzemon can gain access anywhere if he truly wants it and you know how strong his wants are," She produces the crest of Gluttony in her palm to showcase her authority. "Also, Lord Beelzemon and Lady Lillitmon have access to Lord Daemon's area. So in contrasts so do I."
"Ah, of course…I had assumed Lord Beelzemon would appear in person."
"No such luck, he's currently trying to locate another of his agents that got bored and wanted to venture into the wildlands to pick a few fights."
"No need to guess on who that may be…"
Beelstarmon's gaze move to the Digital Heroes scanning the crowd before she nods, "Yep appears everyone is here and accounted for. SO, I will take my leave to and-,"
"Hold on a second we still don't know what's going on here!" Marcus exclaims.
"Yeah… the details are lost on me as well…" She admits with a frown. "I'm afraid I won't be able to give you much peace of mind either."
"So, are we just supposed to sit here?" Matt asks.
Beelstarmon sighs, "Listen, I'm not a Great Demon Lord, so I agree with you that their train of thought is super messed up. I'd use stronger words but there are children present. They don't make any sense and almost everything they say has a double meaning. It's irritating, but I still choose to serve Lord Beelzemon because I acknowledge he's able to see things that I can't. After living so many lives, after so many years, it could drive anyone crazy, yet the 7 of them are able to keep it together at least for the most part. So, I don't see any reason not to lean on their judgment, unless it does me any harm. Try to trust your Demon Lord."
"…Why do you serve Beelzemon?" Marcus questions rather confused.
She snickers, "He's a good shot, haven't beat him in a gun battle yet." With that she opens the door to leave the castle.
"Trust Daemon, it's hard to argue with that at this point…" Thomas admits.
"Alright guys listen, I know you don't have any experience with Daemon, but he is a scary guy. You cannot trust him!" Yolei exclaims.
"But like they've said the Daemon you guys fought was him, but it wasn't. It may have been a Daemon who was very immature. We don't know, not even Daemon knows, so how can we lean on that single experience for a Digimon that has lived thousands maybe millions of years?" Izzy asks the purple hair girl.
"I-well…he-,"
"Even if it is a younger Izzy, he still always has a point," Ken speaks up placing a hand on Yolei's shoulder cutting her sputtering off. "We only have our own experience to lean on. And in terms of experience that's like a grain of sand in a very large hourglass. We can't even fathom how large that is. Let's try and approach the situation with an open mind."
"Ken is right," Cody agrees. "I think we should believe that TK can keep him in line."
"Wow, that's weird coming from someone who just joined this large group of ours…" Koji says.
"Well, I would have to agree with Cody." Takeru adds. "If anyone knows me, it's me, I think the younger me has a pretty good grasp of the situation. Let's not get in his way, but we should be there when he gets overwhelmed. I did tend to try and take a bigger role when the opportunity presented itself…"
"Lord Daemon and Lord TK return!" Wisemon exclaims suddenly cutting all conversation to an end. Suddenly the crest of Wrath on the door disappears right before TK walks through the door.
"TK!" Matt exclaims rushing over to his little brother. He bends down to meet eyes with his brother. "TK, are you okay?"
"Yeah…" TK responds in a low tone of voice.
"TK?"
"Matt…" TK reaches out wrapping his arms around his brother.
"What's wrong?" Matt asks growing more concerned with the sudden affection from nowhere.
"Matt…please…I'm sorry for anything I'm going to say or do to you. Please…I'm sorry, I mean it, I'm really, really sorry… please…"
"TK you're freaking me out," Matt responds as he pulls TK out of the hug to look at the small boy. TK's eyes are a mixture of red and blue. On his chest shined the crest of Hope, Wrath, and…
Pride…
"TK, what happened?!"
"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry Matt. I don't mean it, I swear I don't, I promise I don't mean it."
"TK-,"
"That's enough," TK's voice suddenly takes a sinister tone as he slaps Matt's hands away. "Mastemon," as he utters the name a Mastemon appears above him. "Remove them from my castle, I don't care where, just get rid of them…"
"Yes, milord," Mastemon responds as red and blue orbs of light glow in her hand respectively.
"TK!?" Cody question.
TK raises a hand pointed at Matt before a shockwave explodes out of the extended hand that knocks Matt back into the bulk of the group. Once there Mastemon opens a portal below their feet swallowing the entirety of the group.
"TK!" everyone calls.
When the portal swallows up everyone TK falls to his knees as he clenches his chest.
"Lord TK?" Wisemon questions.
"I need to be alone…please leave me alone…if you get a message from anyone respond to it telling them I'm okay," TK states. He picks himself up from the floor before moving down a corridor. Mastemon floats behind him with Patamon now in her arms.
-000-
The expedited group was drop out of a glowing portal onto the front lawn of a new location. Thankfully, they landed in a place with within the control of Demon Lord since they were able to see a yellow sun above. But the group was none too pleased being dropped in a mob of limbs and some of those limbs having rather sharp claws. After getting their bearings a bit, they see the situation they've landed in.
"What the heck just happens?!" Marcus demands.
"Seems like we got the boot…" Agumon responds.
"Pretty harshly at that, but at least we weren't thrown into the actual Dark Area," Goamon points out.
"We have to get back there!" Matt exclaims.
"Oh, hello again," a voice speaks up. Attention shifts to the new voice to see the Digimon Beelstarmon. "Wasn't expecting to see you all so soon."
"Beelstarmon right?" Matt questions. She nods. "Can you get us back into Daemon's area?"
"Huh, you guys got booted out?" She asks.
"Yes, and we could really use your help getting back," Gabumon adds.
"Ah, well see my entrance fee was a one per visit type deal. I'd need to get permission from Beelzemon but even with that if the ruler of the zone booted you there probably isn't much anyone can do to regain entry. Breaking in would be…a bit hazardous…"
"I'm willing to take that chance."
"What's going on Beelstarmon?" a new voice questions arriving on the scene. Everyone turns to see Beelzemon land from flying through the air, oddly sporting a party hat on his head. Attention immediately shifts to him followed by stark silence. "I am STILL an ultra-powerful Demon Lord no matter what's on my head!" Beelzemon exclaims with arms crossed. "Sides you try entertainen 8-year olds…"
"I delivered your message, but as soon as I get back these guys showed up. Seems the ruler gave them the boot."
"Seriously, I mean given that its Daemon that makes sense. Just didn't think he throw a tantrum about them."
"Something happened to TK," Izzy explains.
"We were having a nice picnic when one of Lucemon's flunkies came to get TK! Than as soon as he comes back he's all different," Marcus explains.
"We didn't even finish eating…" Marcus' Agumon groans.
"That aint important!" Marcus scolds his partner.
"So Lucemon got involved huh. Guess that was a safe bet after all…" Beelzemon says out loud with crossed arms.
"That's it! You guys need to start explaining. It seems like everything that happens is apart of Daemon's grand scheme plan or something! Every time we're all confused about what's going on you three always shrug if off like its so obvious that it would happen." Matt glares at the Great Demon Lord, looking as if he would be willing to fight to obtain the information he seeks. Beelzemon seemingly turns his nose up at Matt a bit unimpressed with the silent threat.
"That's awfully nice the amount of credit you're giving us twerp. But there ain't no way we can know everything that's been happening. Like the appearance of our new guests," Beelzemon turns his gaze to the D-3 holders of the group who seem to flinch under his gaze. "Being observant and knowing everything are two very different things. Lucemon always feels like he must be the one who is one step ahead of everything. Daemon acting out the way he is has him curious and we knew he'd do something to get a handle on the situation. To be frank, you dolts probably know more about what's going on than I do!"
"Like I said," Beelstarmon says towards with a nod towards Beelzemon. "So, boss want me to show this group around?"
"What about MagnaKidmon?"
"Oh, he'll show up soon. He may even already be here. I told him what would happen if I completed my task and arrived back before him. Probably trying to pick the right moment to make an entrance."
"Well as long as the idiot is on hand, I guess that's fine. I should head back before those pipsqueaks convince Gundramon to do something stupid," With that Beelzemon unfurls his wings to take to the sky quickly flying away.
"Alright guess I'll show you around," Beelstarmon says as she tips her hat towards the group. She leads the way down the paved stone path. Although the group was not too happy about having to put their worry for TK to the side for the moment they follow along. As they pass the foliage of the path they are greeted with a marvelous castle wall. Once they pass through they could see within the castle walls were what could be described as a perpetual carnival. Food stands align the grounds of the small castle town. The actual castle was further down the paved road. "This is the courtyard."
"It's massive…" Ken mutters.
"Whoa look at all these food stands!" Davis exclaims staring at it all. Stands for sweets, meat, Japanese cuisine, and other stands clearly from outside of Japan. The Digimon serving were varied in variety. Mushroomon, Gazimon, and BlueMeramon. It seemed like the one in charge of all the food was a Digitamemon. This made a few members of the group send a glare at the Digimon as he approaches.
"Beelstarmon, are these new consumers?!"
"Well, I'm sure they would love to try out your work Digitamemon. You are the best chef around, anyone want anything?" she questions the group.
"Oh, do they have fried eggs!" Marcus's Agumon exclaims.
"We didn't really finish our picnic," Armadillomon points out.
"You guys are still hungry?" Yolei sighs exasperated.
"Well it can't be helped, we'll take a few samples than," Beelstarmon tells the egg Digimon.
"Understood, I'll have those samples ready for ya soon," with that the egg Digimon walks off.
"Sure, sounds like the Digitamemon we met…" Matt mutters.
"But he seems a lot more upbeat," Gabumon points out to his partner.
"I mean there's no way it's the same Digimon though," Takeru points out to his brother.
"Besides he's a lot nicer in our time period," P2 adds.
"Huh, that's really surprising to hear," Matt responds a bit in disbelief.
"Guess WereGarurumon beat the attitude right out of him," Takeru smirks rubbing Gabumon's head. Gabumon smirks proudly with his head held high.
"Hey, hurry up we're moving!" Davis calls back.
"So where are the others?" Thomas asks.
"Most likely enjoying themselves in the back courtyard. Here we can walk around." She says as they move to a portion of the castle wall before it suddenly morphs into a doorway when she places a hand on it. She pushes it open to an open area with a large stage with a small banquet, pews on the grounds, arcade machines and a large metallic Digimon on the stage standing erect. The group quickly notices the other members of their party all enjoying the festivities.
"Geez, it's like Beelzemon's space is just one big party…" Koji states exasperated with all the merriment.
"The Demon Lord of Gluttony doesn't know when enough is enough. Guess that means having fun too," Koichi points out to his brother.
"Beelstarmon!" the large metallic Digimon waved over the groups guide. It was a monstrous Digimon not only in size but it looked to have guns on every part of its body. On its shoulders, the end of its tail, even its two forearms are in the shape of giant revolvers. It seemed as if it could aim in all directions at any time. Just the site put every person on edge. "MagnaKidmon had arrived!" the large metallic Digimon gestures with its head pointing to a Digimon sitting on the edge of stage with its legs crossed. Those legs being in the shape of gun barrels. A cowboy hat dragon man Digimon covered in a red garb, three fingers on each hand and a face partially covered with his long black scarf. "We may now proceed with our young masters request!"
"So, it seems Gundramon," She snickers. "Hold off one moment I must take my role."
The three Digimon gather on stage Gundramon standing in the center and Beelstarmon and MagnaKidmon standing on his right and left. The two smaller Digimon tipping their hands down as if trying to hide their eyes.
"Allow us to introduce ourselves," they all state.
"The Digimon whose aim always find their mark!" MagnaKidmon points out his hand the making the implication of wielding a gun.
"The Digimon whose aim is always true!" Beelstarmon exclaims pointing out her revolvers.
"The Digimon whose aim is always on target!" Gundramon finishes.
Beelstarmon and MagnaKidmon jump into the air as Gundramon drops down to a knee. Gundramon raises its right arm in the air as Beelstarmon lands on Gundramon's thigh striking a pose with both of her twin revolvers in hand with legs crossed MagnaKidmon in the center with his twin guns on his writs pointing forward. Just as this happened Gundramon lets out a shell from his right arm to explode in the air raining down a sparkling effect like fireworks.
"The Three Musketeers!" all of them exclaim at the same time.
The members of the audience all give a loud applause while the newest group could only stare in wonder at what they had just witnessed.
"Was this to your desire young lord Mako?" Gundramon asks turning his attention to the cheering brown haired boy just off stage.
"That was awesome, just like real superheroes on TV!" he responds.
"Mission terminated with resounding success!" Gundramon cheers.
"Ugh, why was it so important for me to be part of that…?" MagnaKidmon wonders aloud a slight bit embarrassed.
"Aww come on how could we say no this face?" Beelstarmon questions as she holds Mako up before MagnaKidmon.
"You were so cool!" he exclaims.
It seemed as if MagnaKidmon's defenses were shattered within an instant as he tries to avoid the gaze of the adorable beaming child tipping his hat down to avoid the boys gaze.
"What exactly was all that?" Koji asks as he approaches JP who is over by the arcade playing a game with Tommy.
"Well, Beelzemon was telling Ai and Mako about this elite group he has under his wing called the Three Musketeers. Mako thought they sounded like superheroes."
"I mean they kinda do!" Tommy adds.
"Yeah, so Mako had asked if they do those poses like those heroes on TV do. Mako was too adorable to say no to, so one thing led to another and that's how that happened."
"So, it's safe to say that Ai and Mako are influencing this place just like TK does at Daemon's area," Koichi couldn't help but chuckle at this entire area. It was like a crazy festival. If someone told him that they were pretty much in the hell or the purgatory of the Digital World, he would have called them absolutely insane and then jumped off a cliff himself.
"What are you guys doing here anyway, Daemon's place that boring?" JP questions now turning away from the game. His eyes notice the large group. "Wait, this is everyone who stayed at Daemon's and…who are those new guys?"
"A lot has happened," Koji says simply.
"Which is why I decided to go here and have some fun. Daemon is a new problem in the making."
"Did something happen to TK?" Tommy asks turning his attention from the game.
"I think-I mean-," Koji begins.
"He's fine, he just wanted some space for a little bit," Koichi jumps in knowing that Koji's default response was always bluntness. This would not be ideal in reassure Tommy at the moment.
"That figures, he and TK are probably coming up with some super complicated plan that will fix everything," JP assure going along with Koichi's idea. Tommy seems doubtful but he at the very least trust JP and Koichi, so he decides to believe them.
"Geez after all this time with Tommy ya think you'd learn how to talk to little kids…" JP mutters. Koji couldn't really come up with a response to that statement seeing as JP did have a point.
"Well we still have time to just relax anyway. We should enjoy ourselves for the time being," Koichi adds as he walks over another arcade machine. Koji wasn't sure if he could agree with that statement. But they were locked out of Daemon's area. No one could get in contact but at the very least no one was getting in. Although who knew what Lucemon had planned with the boy and his Digimon.
-000-
"You really haven't changed the place much Daemon," Lucemon speaks as he has taken physical form in the conference room. Daemon stands in his robed form while TK sits in the chair with Patamon in his lap.
"I haven't had much need to. It is unnecessary," Daemon responds evenly with crossed arms.
"Simple but effective, the same ol theme."
"What is it you which to discuss exactly Lucemon?"
"You seem crossed that I sent all those humans and Digimon off, why is that?"
"It was unnecessary. Also having them worry about TK is a complication that is also unnecessary. Making enemies of them is something that will hurt the bottom line in the end."
"What is the bottom line exactly Lord Daemon?"
"Power and leverage."
"Let me see if I can follow so far. You originally sought out the boy to use him to obtain more power. Turning his power into darkness and adding it to your own. Using it to destroy the DigiDestined, myself, and conquer the Prime World. Is that right?"
"Yes, that is correct. However, through TK my memory of the past has become stirring loose certain forgotten details. Our past in fact. I've seen a greater end goal."
"I'm actually quite fascinated by this end goal and the secrets your forgotten memories reveal."
"They shouldn't be that foreign as we come from the same place do, we not?"
"Ah, that is true…"
"What are you guys talking about?" TK asks.
"The past child," Lucemon answers.
"A past you should be aware of," Daemon states turning to face the small boy.
"You're going to tell me everything?" TK asks a bit excited.
"A good bit," Daemon responds. "Some information is still unclear but having Lucemon here to compare notes would most likely help clear some things up for me."
"My memory is not perfect either Daemon, honestly it sounds as if you remember the story more than I do."
Daemon doesn't say anything, but TK could sense the suspicion Daemon feels. "Well TK, settle in for a long story."