Chapter 91: Ambushes Part 4
Happy Holidays! I'm publishing this on Christmas Eve, so I thought I'd better start by saying that. I hope everyone has a great time.
Many thanks to Lilly The Omega Wolf for your review of the previous chapter. I always appreciate your continued support and all of the very helpful feedback that you provide for this story :D
Now it's time to pick up where the last chapter left off …
Metalseadramon's laugh reverberated over the ocean as he towered over the ships before him. Debris from the submarine that he'd just attacked floated to the surface as he took aim at his next target. Blue energy erupted from his cannon as the beam cascaded towards a Russian battleship. "River of Power!"
The ship tried to turn but it couldn't move fast enough as the attack struck it on the bow. The hull melted as the beam cut straight through and punctured out the other side. A huge explosion suddenly ripped through the boat as one of the ammunition stores was ignited, lifting the ship out of the ocean. It broke into three parts before crashing back down into the water and quickly sinking beneath the waves.
The other ships turned their guns towards Metalseadramon as he fired straight through a destroyer in the fleet. He arced his beam so that he cut straight through the boat, forcing everyone onboard to abandon their ship. It exploded as well, throwing molten metal high into the sky with a huge smoke plume.
The Plesiomon flanking Metalseadramon surfaced alongside him, preparing their attacks and aiming them at the ships. "Sorrow Blue."
The sea monsters sung in a high-pitched voice that was crystal clear to all of the sailors on the boats. They placed their hands to their ears to try and block out the sound as overwhelming sorrow engulfed them. The sailors dropped to their knees, abandoning their posts as Metalseadramon sliced up a third ship in the fleet.
The metallic monster focused on another ship as two of the Plesiomon stopped singing and swapped their attacks. They unleashed high frequency soundwaves straight at two vessels that hit their hulls with enough force to crumple and tear open the metal. Water started flooding into the boats as the Plesiomon followed it up with another wave of attacks. The gouges opened wider, making the boats roll over before sinking as the ocean rushed inside.
The Megaseadramon split up into two groups to team up on another two boats. One group took aim at a battlecruiser, firing blots of electricity from their jagged metal horns straight at the vessel. The attacks caused explosions to breakout and rock the ship as they tore holes in the side and top. They followed up with a second salvo and managed to strike some shells near one of the guns. The explosion ripped the boat in two like it was made from paper as it was thrown into the air before it came crashing back down and dipped under the waves.
Oil from the wreck ships ignited, sending huge black plumes of smoke high into the sky. It began blocking out the sun as the second group of Megaseadramon focused on a frigate. They released their bolts of lightning straight at the boat, scoring direct hits that instantly blew it apart. Debris scattered across the sea and those onboard had no chance of surviving.
Metalseadramon fired his beam straight through another battleship, cutting it in two before it exploded like all of the previous ships. His twisted snicker was carried by the wind across the ocean as he stared down at the two remaining boats. "Leave them for a moment."
The sadistic serpent's wicked laughter continued as he began circling one of the remaining ships. It was out of control because the crew had been left cowering by the Plesiomons' attacks. Those with him joined in as they swam around it like sharks coming in for the kill.
Metalseadramon led them in, starting with a bump that rocked the support ship as he struck it with his tail. A Plesiomon followed up and rocked it with a flipper before two Megaseadramon gave it a shove. They lined up, taking it in turns to torment and play with the crew onboard as they slapped it around like it was nothing.
Each hit got progressively harder, jolting the ship more violently as they continued playing with it like it was a new toy. The crew inside were tossed around and slammed from wall to wall with each hit. The strikes began denting the hull as they started lifting the boat out of the ocean. Creaking metal echoed through the air with the ringing of each hit as the boat got closer and closer to its breaking point.
Metalseadramon rammed his head into the side of the ship, taking the battered hull beyond its limit and finally splitting it open. Seawater rushed inside before he turned around and drove the blade of the fin on his head deep into vessel. He pulled it out as the other demonic Digimon took over, taking more strikes at the helpless ship as it slowly sunk under the waves.
The group turned their attention to the final ship, quickly making their way over to it and continuing their twisted game. Metalseadramon swung his tail straight at the bridge, taking it clean off the boat as a Megaseadramon took out a gun. A Plesiomon took out another gun as a different Megaseadramon made a huge dint in the deck.
The hull of the battlecruiser was much thicker than that of the support vessel but it was still no match as the sea monsters laid strike after strike into it. They battered it harder, creating huge dints in the side as the beasts toyed with it some more. It didn't last long as the hits became stronger each time and they soon smashed holes into the side of the boat. Water poured in before Metalseadramon slammed straight through the battlecruiser, tearing it in two before leaving it to sink to the depths of the ocean. His sadistic laugh echoed over the burning fuel on the waves as he surveyed the devastation that he and his comrades had caused.
Tai sprinted through the open door of the office with Noriko behind him. His eyes locked onto the monitors on the walls and he saw the camera feeds from some ships on them. "What's going on?"
"Metalseadramon has ambushed a fleet of ships that were patrolling the edge of the fog barrier," Matt informed him before pointing at one of the screens. "He and some Plesiomon and Megaseadramon have taken out several vessels already. Now they're …"
The blonde man trailed off as Tai put his earpiece in. The wild-haired teen looked at the monitor that his friend was pointing at and drew a deep breath through his clenched teeth. He watched as the boat was struck again and again by the evil Digimon as they toyed around with it. He could see pieces breaking off the supply vessel as the crew were thrown around helplessly with each impact.
There was nothing that Tai or the others could do as he watched Metalseadramon come in and deliver the finishing blow. He tensed up as he glanced around the room at those with him. Sora and Yolei couldn't watch while Matt clenched his fists. Noriko took his hand in hers and held it tightly, making him glance down at her. His girlfriend had a death stare fixated on the screen and, after everything that Metalseadramon had put her through, Tai couldn't blame her.
Their Digimon were all staring at the monitors as Tai returned his attention back to what was happening. The cameras on the single remaining ship allowed the Chosen to see the sea monsters coming for it. Tai caught a glimpse of some of the crew on one feed and he noticed that they were either on their knees with their heads in their hands or laying on the floor.
"What happened to the crew?" He turned to Matt. "Why aren't they doing anything?"
Matt clenched his fists tighter. "The Plesiomon used some kind of attack on them. It made all of the ships' sonars go crazy and the sailors dropped to the ground with their heads in their hands. They've not recovered even if they are still alive."
"We're ready to go," Davis' voice left the earpieces of the group. "Just give the word."
Tai's eyes didn't leave the screen as he watched Metalseadramon line up his attack on the final ship. The metal monster's tail came flying for the camera that Tai was watching, smashing into the tower and turning the screen to static. One by one, the other cameras cut off as the sea monsters toyed with this ship too. The feed quickly cut off from them all, leaving only the satellite images left.
"There's no point," Tai sighed as he replied to his fellow goggle-head. "It's already over."
He stared at the huge plumes of black smoke and the burning sea in the feed from the satellites. There were some pieces of wreckage floating on the surface but Tai doubted that anyone had survived the attack, especially after the Plesiomon had apparently incapacitated the crew of those ships. From what he could see, all of the boats had slipped beneath the waves, or were about to, but he wasn't completely sure because the smoke was already blocking out a lot of the satellites' views.
His eyes suddenly fixed onto something as he spotted it moving. "Yolei, can you zoom in on that?"
Tai pointed straight at a trail in the sea and the purple-haired teen did as she was asked. Their leader gritted his teeth and Noriko snarled as the image focused on Metalseadramon. Tai wanted to kick a chair or take his anger out on something because he could only watch as his foe swam off towards the fog barrier.
"Metalseadramon is now heading back towards the fog," Yolei relayed the information over their comms so that both Davis' team and Kari's group knew what was happening. She let out a long sigh as her head dropped. "There's nothing that we could have done to stop him or help those sailors."
"Davis, Kari, have you got three readings each on Dragomon's location?" Tai asked using his earpiece.
"Yeah, Ken just took our third one." Davis was the first to reply. "What's the plan?"
"We have four readings," Kari added over the comms. "Do you want more?"
"We're not going to stand for this," Tai growled before taking a deep breath. "We're going to send a message to Metalseadramon and Dragomon. Forget taking any more readings and just focus on ambushing as many of their forces as possible. If you spot a group that you think that you can defeat, wipe them out."
"Just remember to not do anything reckless," Matt quickly added. "We don't want any more losses today. You better come home safely."
Tai nodded as the two shared a glance. "What Matt said. Don't do anything stupid."
"Roger that." Davis' tone was filled with a rare seriousness. "There are plenty of groups that we can take out around Chiba."
"There aren't as many groups here in Tokyo," Kari replied stoically. "But we'll deal with those that we can find."
"Get to it," Tai finished before he glanced back at the satellite feed. He watched as Metalseadramon disappeared back into the fog, making him impossible to follow. It felt like he was trying to send a message to the Digidestined and Tai hated it.
Silence hung thickly in the air as Yolei turned off the satellite feeds on the screens. Sora sighed as Tai glanced down at the floor. Noriko still held onto him tightly as she gritted her teeth and Tai could feel that she was as tense as he was. Matt stood there with his fists clenched while Yolei placed her head in her hands and stared at her keyboard.
The silence was interrupted as Mitsuo entered the room, capturing everyone's attention. "They're going to send some search planes and helicopters to look for survivors. Do you want to send anyone to go with them?"
"Metalseadramon and his group have gone back into the fog." Tai met the DPD leader's gaze. "It means that they should be ok. I've instructed the Digidestined out on patrol to attack Dragomon's forces, but I'll make sure that Imperialdramon is ready to go and lend support if the rescue party needs help."
Mitsuo nodded. "Understood. Let me know if you're planning to send someone out there because I'll need to inform the rescuers so that they don't shoot at any Chosen Digimon."
"Imperialdramon, see those Marinedevimon?" Davis pointed in their direction even though he knew that his partner couldn't see him because he was on his back. "Get them and the bad guys around them."
Davis knew that his emotions might be getting the better of him after what had just happened but he wasn't going to let Metalseadramon get away with this. He was determined to make sure that the Digidestined left their mark on Dragomon's forces so that the evil Digimon knew that they weren't going to stand for this. The Marinedevimon were a deliberate choice of target because he knew that they were part of the strongest group closest to his team.
"Roger that," Imperialdramon nodded his head before diving down towards the huge demonic creatures. His cannon powered up before he fired the blue and purple beam straight at one of the beasts on the edge of the group. "Positron Laser!"
The attack struck the Marinedevimon square in its back, cutting straight through it before smashing into an Octomon, vaporising that too. It exploded on contact with the ground, which wiped out the Deep Ones around the dark Digimon and threw debris into the air. Imperialdramon arced his dive so that his beam cut through their foes, turning Gesomon, Ebidramon, the Deep Ones and more Octomon to dust before he sliced through a second Marinedevimon.
He kept his attack going, cutting through more of the bad guys before pulling out of his dive while finishing off another Marinedevimon. There were two more left in the group and Imperialdramon banked around before firing his beam again. The energy shot straight through one of the aquatic monsters before cascading straight towards the only remaining Marinedevimon. It stood no chance as the dragon's attack sliced straight up its body, turning it to data.
Imperialdramon banked around again, firing his beam for a third time to take out the remaining evil Digimon and Deep Ones. He cut huge gouges through them with attack after attack that exploded each time one hit the ground and sliced into it. More debris was thrown into the air with the bodies of Deep Ones and marine Digimon as Imperialdramon kept going until none were left.
"Good job, Imperialdramon." Davis patted his partner's back. "Let's move on to the next closest group."
The giant dragon swooped around and flew straight for a much smaller platoon of bad guys. There were only a few Gesomon and maybe one hundred Deep Ones grouped up in a field and they were on full alert after watching what had happened less than a kilometre away. Whether they were ready or not didn't matter because the barrier around Imperialdramon kept him hidden and allowed him to fly straight towards them without him being detected.
He fired his beam again, taking out half of the group in one go before looping up and diving back down again to finish them off. Davis knew that he didn't need to tell his partner what to do next as he focused on the next closest group and finished them off with ease as well. They were going to make sure that Dragomon and Metalseadramon regretted their actions and they were going to keep this up for as long as they could.
TK watched from the safety of Megakabuterimon's hand as the remaining Deep Ones were pulled into the Gate of Destiny. The doors closed behind the last of them, making sure that they would never cause trouble for the Chosen ever again. The gate dissolved away as Magnaangemon, Angewomon and Lillymon flew over to the building where they'd agreed to meet back up with their partners.
They flew inside the barrier as Megakabuterimon took to the air again. Izzy had suggested that they extend the barriers around them so that their Digimon could remain at the ultimate level as they flew around to hunt down groups of evil Digimon and Deep Ones. TK thought that it was an excellent idea and it meant that they didn't have to de-digivolve before digivolving again for the next attack.
"The next closest group is to our left and over near the park." Kari pointed in the direction of their next target, which TK knew that she'd used her extra sense to pick out. "This one is the strongest so far, but it's still going to be rather easy for us to defeat them."
"It seems like Dragomon has kept his strongest forces out of the centre of Tokyo for quite some time now," TK commented as he used his extra sense to check on what was still around them. They'd taken out ten enemy platoons and one aerial squadron so far, with the two Skullbaluchimon in amongst the Pteramon of that squadron being the most powerful foes. Even so, they'd still been no match for the Chosen Digimon and had been quickly finished off.
Mimi nodded. "Yeah. We're only dealing with small groups that seem to be out on patrol."
"Most of Dragomon's forces seem to be concentrated in Chiba or close to the edge of the fog," Izzy replied, even though they already knew that information. TK could feel it with his sixth sense after all. "Unfortunately, that's a bit too far for us to go right now if we want to ambush as many groups as we can before we need to head back."
"Yeah." TK gave a nod of agreement. "It's best if we fly around the city and take out the groups that we can find here. They might only be small fry but it is the best use of our time."
With that, the group fell silent as they flew over the rooftops towards their next target. As soon as they were close enough, Magnaangemon sped up and led Angewomon and Lillymon in. TK watched his partner fly down to the road in front of their enemies and prepare his main attack.
"Gate of Destiny!" The portal formed from the familiar circle of light that the angel had drawn before the doors reopened and began sucking in the demonic creatures.
Angewomon formed pink energy around her hands as she placed them together. She quickly pulled her palms apart and released a large cross of energy towards the far side of their foes. "Heaven's Charm!"
Lillymon formed a bulb around her hands before the petals opened up to reveal a cannon. She fired the familiar green spheres of energy from it straight at the two Gesomon in the centre of the group. "Flower Cannon!"
The attacks vaporised the dark creatures in their paths and exploded as they hit the road, sending dust and debris up into the air. TK watched as the remaining Deep Ones began losing their grip before being pulled straight into the Gate of Destiny. More and more of them were being ripped from the ground, their aquatic features unable to help them on land.
Megakabuterimon moved closer to perform an attack of his own to finish the group off. TK realised that the Deep Ones were now inside the barrier with them because they had it set to such a large radius to hide their partners. It didn't matter though because there was nothing that the demonic creatures could do as their red eyes stared in his and Kari's direction.
"Horn Buster!" Electricity crackled as it built up around Megakabuterimon's horn before he fired a bolt of lightning straight at an Ebidramon and some of the remaining Deep Ones that were desperately holding onto a tree. The blast wiped them out as the last of their foes were pulled into the Gate of Destiny.
TK watched it close again as Magnaangemon, Angewomon and Lillymon returned to Megakabuterimon's side and the group flew upwards. TK closed his eyes and used his extra sense to find their next target. "There's another small group to our right and not far away from the tower with the large satellite dish."
Imperialdramon hovered high in the sky over the ocean, making sure that they were out of reach of any potential surprise attacks that Metalseadramon or any other of Dragomon's forces could perform. Davis had insisted that he led a group out here to make sure that the rescue helicopters had some support just in case some evil Digimon did come back or had stayed to perform an ambush. So far things had been quiet, which was a relief for the goggle-head.
He had decided to support the rescue mission when he and his team had returned to base after wiping out a decent number of groups of evil creatures. Davis had put his suggestion to Tai and their leader had agreed, so they grabbed a quick dinner before Davis and Ken were joined by Cody, Joe, Mimi, Izzy and their Digimon on this escort mission.
"It's been several hours and they've still not found anyone." Cody sounded very down as he stared at his watch. It was a good job that the barrier that hid them from Digimon also seemed to protect the electronic gadgets inside it too. If it hadn't, they would have been in trouble when they passed through the fog surrounding Tokyo and parts of the ocean because of the electromagnetic pulses in it.
Nobody needed to reply to their youngest member and Davis knew that they weren't expecting any survivors after what Tai and Matt had told him. However, he knew that they needed to stay just in case the rescue helicopters were attacked. He gazed over the sea as the sun slowly slipped over the horizon, taking the light with it.
This was actually the first time that he'd seen the sun in a long time and he realised that it was probably the first time that he'd seen it since Dragomon had invaded. The fog barrier that the leader of their enemies had put up had stopped a lot of the sunlight from getting through and this was the first time that he had been outside of that enveloping evil mist.
"Davis." Tai's voice left his earpiece. "I've got an update for you."
He switched his microphone channel so that those back at base would be able to hear him. "Hi Tai. What is it?"
"They're going to call the search off within the next two hours." Their leader informed them in a solemn tone. "They've not found any survivors yet."
"Understood," the younger goggle-head replied before he glanced over the side of Imperialdramon. "We'll stay here until they leave and then we'll head back to base."
I know this chapter isn't really the best tone for the festive season, but I couldn't really go in any other direction for this chapter given what I have planned. Hopefully this hasn't put a downer on things for anyone.
What are your thoughts on how the Digidestined reacted to what Metalseadramon did? What do you think Metalseadramon is going to do next? Please can you let me know your thoughts on these things and the chapter as a whole by posting a review below? :D
And, again, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! I hope you have a great 2020 :D