Chapter 14 – The Digivice
The Hypogeum was obliterated. The centre of the Colosseum was completely unrecognizable. The once beautiful, architectural, stone pillars which lead to the underground secrets were no longer there. Shimizu's Digimon worked hard to ensure they did the most structural damage they could while they searched for the item.
SkullBaluchimon paced back and forth while overseeing the many different types of Digimon work towards finding the item. He knew the stakes would be high should they find the item Shimizu is after. The stakes being the possibility of the D-Reaper overtaking the human's world. He did not want that to happen to the humans, however, Shimizu promised that with this new power, he would rid them of the D-Reaper. He did not trust Shimizu any more than Shimizu could trust a Digimon, but what choice did he have?
He knew where the children had been hiding. He had followed them for a fraction of the night. He also guaranteed one of the children's parents were unharmed. It was hard to stay under the radar so Shimizu and the other Guardians would not see his actions. He wished for no harm to ever come to the children, however, promising they would not be hurt was not something he could commit to.
The skeletal Digimon heaved a sigh and sat down, staring at the mess below him. Shimizu had over fifty Digimon at his service looking for this item. They were all exhausted. It had been a long night. Some of the Digimon were even slowing to a crawl trying to dig in the ground. The Digmon, with a broken drill, tried his best to find whatever it was. Shimizu had made a promise to these Digimon. Whoever finds the item will receive a reward. Of what? SkullBaluchimon had no idea. It certainly would not be freedom.
SkullBaluchimon glanced behind him towards the darkened passageways. He was sure the children would be arriving soon. He could bet on his bones that the children would have easily defeated Shimizu's Guardians. Well, all except for –
"SkullBaluchimon?" A voice called.
"Hm?"
"You're lost in thought again? I've been calling to you," Plutomon said.
"Sorry." SkullBaluchimon gave Plutomon a once over. His bones felt cold just looking at the armoured Digimon. He heard rumours of a Plutomon whom was some form of digital vigilante that would punish the criminals in the Digital World. He heard of torturous ways this Digimon would do so. Personally, he had never met a Plutomon before today and he had sure hoped he would never have to.
"Wizardmon was just defeated."
"I sensed as much. These children are strong."
"You almost sound relieved." Plutomon accused. He crossed his arms, and the snarling dog heads on his shoulders began to growl.
"You know I fight with Shimizu." SkullBaluchimon defended. "I just believe that Shimizu underestimated his Guardians." He emphasized the last word. Shimizu sent out Guardians to stop the children and not to guard him. Calling them Guardians was a poor choice. They were more like servants to him.
Plutomon grunted. He, too, believed Shimizu did not make the right move. "There are four of us left."
SkullBaluchimon rose his paws and began counting the Guardians on his nails. "Jazarichmon, you, and I are all who are left. Who am I missing?"
"I think it is you who underestimated Shimizu." Plutomon said.
xx
The corridor was coming to an end. The group could hear the Digimon at work Hypogeum. Ryo turned to the group. "This fight isn't going to be easy."
Rika agreed. "It hasn't been so far."
"We need to attack from every direction. It might be our only shot." Ryo said.
Renamon shook her head. "That sounds like a poor idea. We should group up."
"No, I like the idea of splitting up," Nico told her. "Rika and I can take the east side."
"I'd rather stick with Ryo." She replied.
Ryo hid his smirk. "Well, I was actually thinking that Jeri, Kenta, and Nico wait here. No offense, but without a partner, you are pretty much useless. Sorry Jeri."
"I know this place like the back of my hand. Perhaps Rika and I-"
"No. You are not taking off with Rika alone," Ryo argued. He grabbed Rika by the hand and pulled her close. "Nico, you can stay here."
Nico pulled out his D-Tector. "I can still fight."
Rika and Ryo exchanged glances. They had forgotten about his ability to evolve into a Digimon. Ryo replied, "Isn't it broken? If you must fight, then I suggest you go with Kazu. I'll go this way and Rika you can go that way," he said pointing in different directions.
"I hardly think that it's fair to group me with a weak Digimon," Nico complained. "Pandamon isn't strong enough."
"I'm not carrying you through this battle," Rika said. "Either go with Kazu or go alone."
Although furious, Nico agreed. He, Kazu, and Andromon headed to the east side of the Colosseum.
"Sorry you two," Rika said mostly to Jeri. "I really hate to leave you, but you'll be safer here."
Jeri and Rika embraced. "I understand."
Rika let go and moved to Ryo. They both headed in the same direction and stopped when out of ear shot from Jeri and Kenta. Rika took Ryo's hands and stared into his eyes. "Look, Ryo, I just wanted to say-"
Ryo leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. It was their second kiss but somehow, this one felt more passionate; more real. Rika pressed forward wanting more. Her hands found their way behind his head and she grabbed his hair. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. Rika felt as though her body was on fire. Her cheeks burned and she felt the electricity between them. For a moment, she hated herself. Hated herself for how much she enjoyed this and hated herself for how long she denied wanting it. They kissed for what seemed like forever before breaking apart.
Rika gasped for air and smiled, "you're a good kisser, Akiyama."
"You, too, Wildcat." He grinned. Rika blushed.
"Ahem." Renamon interrupted. "We have a mission to do."
Red in the face, the two teens pulled away from one another. "I'll see you after the fight, Ryo." She gave him a kiss on the cheek before she and Renamon went their separate way.
xx
Exhausted, famished, and worn, Takato and Henry were barely able to Digivolve with their respected partners. Gallantmon, Megagargomon, and Beelzemon made their way over the top of the Colosseum and hovered in the sky. Gallantmon, with the help of a power card, flew several feet in front of the others. The sight of the interior of the Colosseum made Takato sick to his stomach. Shimizu had ruined the historical structure.
Henry had the same thought. "He has destroyed thousands of years of history."
"For a freaking Digivice that might not even exist," Terriermon replied.
Takato's heart ached. "Hopefully, we can stop him before he destroys the walls of the place."
"It'll just be another notch for the history books," Terriermon joked.
"Learn some tact," Henry sighed.
"Takato, look!" Beelzemon shouted over the beat of his wings. Below the Trio, Takato could make out silhouettes of two intimidating looking Digimon staring up in their direction.
The black-armoured Digimon rose an arm, sending a beam of darkness toward Gallantmon. Gallantmon jerked to the left, narrowly avoiding the eternal blackness.
"That was close," Beelzemon celebrated. It was a bit too early. The same Digimon fired off another attack that surrounded Beelzemon's body. The mega's arms and legs were forced together, his wings suddenly unable to move. Beelzemon left out a cry as his body plummeted toward the ground.
Megagargomon reached toward Beelzemon to catch him before he hit the Colosseum but was unsuccessful, for he, too, was hit with an attack.
A silver blur whizzed by Gallantmon. He rose his shield in front of him, attempting to block whatever was to come next. A silver beam shot at him but was pinged away by his shield. He rose his sword, readying an attack. "Show yourself!"
A chuckle cackled from behind him. Gallantmon turned and was struck with an unforeseen attack. Takato felt his armour shift and a crack ran down the front.
Two Digimon appeared in front of Gallantmon and Megagargomon. "Plutomon and Jazarichmon," Henry gasped.
"There's trouble above us," Rika exclaimed. She and Renamon stopped in their tracks to glance up. Gallantmon and MegaGargomon were facing two enemies that Rika had never seen before. Rika held up her D-Tector to gain insights on the new rivals, however, it was blown away.
"You're mine," SkullBaluchimon said.
Renamon retrieved the D-Tector and tossed it to her partner, "you'll have to go through me, first."
SkullBaluchimon grinned. "I've watched you and your Tamer all night. I am aware of your capabilities and of your injuries." He nodded to Rika.
"What is Shimizu really after?" Rika asked, ignoring his comment. She knew it was best not to show any weakness against opponents.
The skeletal Digimon replied, "a device."
"Is it another Digivice?" Renamon wondered.
He nodded. "Yes, this device is said to hold more power than yours and his combined."
Rika and Renamon exchanged glances. Rika asked, "is there a portal to the Digital World under here? One that can bring forth the D-Reaper?"
The Guardian frowned. "We are unsure. It is a risk that Shimizu is taking."
"He wouldn't be able to stop the D-Reaper." Renamon said. "It was hard enough with the four of us mega evolutions. We are already so worn; we wouldn't be able to stop a D-Reaper attack."
"Opening the portals around Italy was part of the distraction. Wearing you children down was his ultimate goal. We never thought you would actually make it this far." SkullBaluchimon confirmed.
"You severely underestimated us Tamers."
Renamon asked. "Why are you telling us this information?"
"I want to help you, but I must stay under the radar."
Neither one believed that one of Shimizu's guardians wanted to help. Renamon did not buy it. "Why should we believe you?"
SkullBaluchimon introduced himself, hoping to gain their trust. "They are close to retrieving the device. If he gains that power, there is no hope for either world."
"Why not stop him yourself? Or get the device for yourself?" Renamon exclaimed. All night, his comrades had used her partner as a punching bag. "If we run into the Hypogeum, Shimizu will be alerted."
The skeletal dog turned and began to walk away, careful to hide within the shadows of dawn. "The Digmon in the southern part of the Hypogeum is the closest to the device. I can feel the power pulsating. Eliminate him first."
The guardian vanished.
"We need to move in, buddy, and quickly." Ryo said, holding up his D-Tector. "Are you ready?"
Cyberdramon nodded. "Our best bet it is to kill all the worker Digimon before they uncover anything."
"Right." Ryo held out his Digivice and allowed the power to consume him as he and Cyberdramon Biomerged together. He had hoped his Digivolution would distract the Digimon in the Hypogeum.
Justimon dove in without hesitation. He needed to stop them at whatever cost. He began kicking and punching any Digimon that came toward him. He heard his friends above, fighting, and had seen Beelzemon get shot down like a fly. However, Justimon remained focused on his task.
Sakuyamon joined him. "The Digmon on the southern part of the Hypogeum is closest to the device."
"How do you know that?" Justimon asked.
Sakuyamon unleashed her Amethyst Wind attack. It was powerful against the champion level Digmon. "I feel its energy," she lied.
Justimon nodded. "You hold them off and I'll go for it." He took off.
The Shaman Digimon fought on, sending out Spirit Strikes and Amethyst Wind. She felt drained within minutes. The Digmon and other worker Digimon just kept coming. It was as if she shot one down, two more would spawn. It felt endless.
Justimon kicked down some Digmon working in the area Sakuyamon had directed him to. He was unable to feel the energy she had mentioned. He was not entirely convinced if he had even found the south side of the Hypogeum.
xx
"I see something," Jeri said to Kenta. She pointed toward Justimon's right.
Kenta pushed his glasses up and craned his neck out to look. "I don't see anything."
"Come on, let's go. No one else has noticed it yet."
Ignoring orders given by Rika and Ryo, Jeri pulled Kenta with her toward the stairs. She had hoped that in the meantime, no Digimon would notice the two sneaking toward the Hypogeum.
Justimon fought with his back to the Tamers. He continued throwing out random attacks and expecting they would strike anything nearby. Not too far from him, Sakuyamon did the same. She, too, had not spotted Jeri and Kenta sneaking away.
"I feel so useless," Jeri admitted, catching her breath. They had a long way to go.
"Maybe we can get Ryo's attention," Kenta suggested. He picked up a chipped limestone brick and tossed it toward the mega Digimon. It fell short. He sighed.
"You've caught my attention," a Digimon snickered. A pink Digimon had somehow appeared in all the chaos. The two Tamers had taken no notice as it approached them. The Digimon's long, purple tail glided toward them and caressed Jeri's chin. "You humans are very annoying tonight."
The tail suddenly grabbed Jeri by the neck, lifting her feet off the ground. The Digimon rose its scythe toward Kenta. Kenta shrieked. It was high pitch and loud enough that it had alerted Justimon.
"Let her go!" Ryo roared.
"I am so sick of you Tamers," the beast sneered. "Why won't you just go the fuck away!"
Justimon stood his ground. "Drop the human and fight me, Kyukimon."
"Kyukimon? Y-y-you're Sh-Sh-Shimizu?" Kenta asked. He felt ready to faint.
"Quite the observation, moron," Kyukimon retorted. With his tail, he flung Jeri toward Kenta, sending them both flying back a few feet. "Blade Twister!" His body turned into a pink and purple tornado, shooting blades of wind at the humans.
Justimon anticipated an attack and lodged his body in front of it. Chunks of his bandana were sent into the wind. "Voltage Blade!" A mass of energy swirled around his arm and shot toward the tornado. It was not enough to hurt him; however, it was enough force to halt the attack.
Kyukimon simply laughed as if the entire fight was a joke to him. "You cannot stop me or my remaining Guardians."
"We'll just have to try! Thunderclap!" His arm blasted the seats of the Colosseum, creating a shockwave. Kyukimon lost his balance for the briefest moment. It was long enough for a Justice Kick to hit him.
Kyukimon's data shifted slightly. "While you were busy fighting me, one of my helpers found the Digivice." He laughed manically. "Bring it to me, Pandamon."
A black and white bear approached Kyukimon. He handed him a Digivice that resembled the one Shimizu and his goons had already been using.
"How many times are you going to betray us, Nico?" Justimon spat. Ryo's voice came through. "You just constantly have to hurt Rika, don't you?"
"If you can't beat them, join them." Pandamon shrugged. "Firecracker!" A giant, bear-shaped firecracker emerged before them. It shot in every direction, causing an explosion.
Justimon shielded the two humans. The firecracker pelted off his armour. Pain tore through Ryo's body.
xxx
The explosion below caught Gallantmon off guard. Jazarichmon seized the opportunity to shoot a blast of lasers from its tail and into Gallantmon's chest. The knight had taken the powerful blow full on. He could feel his data shifting as his armour cracked more. Hang in there, Guilmon.
I don't think we can fight much longer, the dinosaur admitted.
Takato felt it as well. Their power had been draining since they Biomerged. Now, they were faced with two opponents he was confident they could not win against.
Sakuyamon joined Gallantmon. "Twin Blades of Beauty and of Truth!" Her Kongou Shakujou began to create a ring of pink energy around the two Biomerged Digimon. "The shield won't last long. Shimizu has the Digivice."
"Our Master finally has the item he sought?" Plutomon and Jazarichmon exchanged glances. The two Digimon left the battle to rejoin their Master.
"This is not good," Takato said. Gallantmon, Sakuyamon, and Megagomon watched from above as a white and blue light emitted from the Colosseum. The intensity of the light momentarily blinded them. They shielded their eyes.
Megagargomon was the first to assess when the light dissipated. A sliver and blue torpedo shot towards the three. It was faster than Megagargomon could anticipate for it struck him through the chest. The biomerged mega Digimon was defeated before he knew what had even hit him. The torpedo shot back toward the Colosseum.
Henry and Terriermon fell from the sky. Their screams capturing the attention of Sakuyamon. She flew to them, catching them moments before they hit the outer limestone wall of the Colosseum. Sakuyamon gently placed her friends down on the top floor.
"What the hell was that?" Henry wheezed. He felt winded and breathless from the attack.
"I don't know," Rika admitted. "I'll investigate." She flew off, leaving her friends behind.
The chaotic torpedo had hit the Hypogeum, sending rubble and dust spraying in all directions. When the dust settled, a silver, angelic Digimon stood before everyone. Its silver wings spread out, the blades on its arms crested in blue and gold were in an attack position. Its silver helmet illuminated its red eyes. A large red, ominous aura surrounded the Digimon.
Henry held out his Digivice. The Digimon's information appeared before him, written in a language Henry had never seen before.
"SlashAngemon," Terriermon told him. "It looks like his data was somehow corrupt."
With its blades raised, the SlashAngemon scouted the area. It focused in on the Jazarichmon. In an instant, the Digimon lunged toward the sought out Digimon, its blades hacking away. The Jazarichmon screamed in pain before being torn into Digital shreds of data. SlashAngemon turned again, looking for a new opponent.
Below, a shaking Justimon shielded Jeri and Kenta. SlashAngemon made its move; its incredible speed carried it faster than any of the Tamers could see. The mega level Digimon advanced on its new target: Pandamon.
Justimon unleashed a Thunderclap attack toward the Pandamon, knocking him off balance. The Pandamon fell backwards, narrowly avoiding being hit by the oncoming SlashAngemon.
Upon missing its target, the SlashAngemon crashed into the seating area of the amplitheatre and drove right through. It was not long before the Tamers were once again faced with their opponent. Unphased, the SlashAngemon once again, plunged toward another Digimon.
Fortunately for Kazu, Andromon had anticipated the SlashAngemon from the opposite side of the Colosseum. He knocked Kazu out of the way, taking the full heat of SlashAngemon's attack. The cyborg flew back, crashing against the wall.
Once again, SlashAngemon prepared itself to attack again. The Digimon readied its blades, its eyes scanning the amplitheatre.
"No, Andromon!" Kazu cried. His partner's data shifted. "Please, don't leave me dude."
Kazu's cries grabbed the attention of SlashAngemon. With its blades stretched, it pounced for the defenseless Kazu.
A shroud of purple light consumed the Colosseum. A purple knight Digimon stood where Kazu and Andromon had been. A duo spear grasped in its hand with an angry SlashAngemon piked on the end. The purple knight tossed the spear with the impaled SlashAngemon toward the ground. The force of the attack rumbled the Colosseum.
xx
"Craniamon. A worthy opponent for SlashAngemon." Plutomon said to SkullBaluchimon. The two had been sitting in the shadows watching as the SlashAngemon destroyed everything in its path. "I did not think the puny, useless human could merge with its Digimon."
"Worthy indeed. I'm afraid SlashAngemon will cause both worlds more harm than good if he isn't stopped. Perhaps we should intervene."
Plutomon only smiled. "The AWOL Digimon certainly will cause a lot of harm. I would like to see how it plays out."
"What if he kills the children?"
"Then he kills the children." Plutomon snapped. "What of it, SkullBaluchimon? We anticipated something of this sort to happen."
They watched as the corrupted Digimon bounced toward the sky and out of sight. SkullBaluchimon said, "I do not believe that Shimizu anticipated his mind and body to be corrupt from the data in the device. He cannot control such power."
Plutomon sent the skeleton a sideways glance. "Power always corrupts humans."
"At least some have control. This Digimon cannot control his power or himself." He argued. "We need to protect the children. SlashAngemon is preparing for another attack."
xx
"I didn't think Kazu could Biomerge," Rika commented. Sakuyamon landed beside Justimon. "I'll take Jeri and Kenta away from here before they get hurt."
"What about me?" Pandamon asked.
"What about you? You caused this!" Sakuyamon snarled. She held her Kongou Shakujou firmly in both hands and brought it down hard on Pandamon's head. The impact forced Pandamon back into his treacherous human form, Nico, who trembled like the coward he is.
"Please don't hurt me," he moaned, shielding his head with his arms.
"You're pathetic," Rika told him. "Great, so now we need to protect you too because you're so weak." She picked Nico up by the scruff of his shirt and turned to Kenta. "I'll take you too."
SkullBaluchimon came from the shadows, "I'll take them to safety."
"Why should we trust you?" Justimon demanded.
"It's now or let the humans die." SkullBaluchimon rose its head toward the sky. "I sense a powerful attack formulating. We all need to leave at once."
Sakuyamon dropped Nico and Kenta onto SkullBaluchimon's back. "Please, keep them safe."
"I'll be back for the human girl once I grab your friend from over there. He and his rabbit are defenseless. You humans still partnered need to plan a way to stop this and fast." He left.
Sakuyamon placed an Amethyst Mandala on Jeri. She and Justimon stood in front of her to act as a shield. "What do we do?"
"For once, I don't know," Ryo admitted. "Not even Millenniummon was this much trouble."
"Who?"
"It doesn't matter." Justimon took Sakyumon's hand in his. "We will stick together. If SkullBaluchimon is telling the truth, Shimizu is going to hit us hard."
Jeri giggled from behind them. "When did you two…?"
Sakuyamon blushed and looked back to Jeri, "before this fight started."
"I always knew you two would end up together," Jeri grinned. "You're just so cute and.."
Rika felt her cheeks burning. She hoped that Sakuyamon was not showing it. She turned around to talk to Jeri but in that instant, a black beam shot toward them.
Sakuyamon knocked Jeri out of the way before the beam penetrated Sakuyamon's body, sending her into the Hypogeum. The force of the impact was greater than Sakuyamon had anticipated as it was an attack that caught her off guard. Her body had felt as if thousands of bees had been stinging her through her armour. Each time she felt a sting, parts of her armour crumbled into bits of data.
Plutomon hovered over Sakuyamon. "I'll erase you, human. Hell's Gate!"
Markings appeared on the ground in a circle around the Hypogeum. The demonic circle began pulsating. The ground rumbled and began to crack open. Sakuyamon tried to stand to leave the circle before it consumed her; however, between the ground splitting and the stinging happening to her body, she felt unable to move.
The ground began sucking Sakuyamon in to an infernal of black and red flames below.
"Ryo!" Rika cried. Sakuyamon's legs slipped into the mass below. Flames licked her legs. Sakuyamon held on to the edge of the circle with every ounce of strength she could muster.
"Vanish!" Plutomon cried. The mouths on his shoulders snarled and barked.
Gallantmon swooped down, thrashing his shield against Plutomon's head, knocking him out of his trance. Justimon leapt to Sakuyamon, pulling her out of the Gate of Hell. Sakuyamon rolled onto her back, breathing heavily. Her legs burning from the fire that nearly devoured her. Above her, a swirl of silver and blue pelted towards them like a meteorite plunging for Earth. "Oh, fuck!"
The two Biomerged megas looked up a moment too late. The attack from SlashAngemon made contact with the three of them. Sakuyamon screamed in agony as her body was separated into two beings: one digital, one human. Pain tormented Rika's body. She had felt as though all her bones had turned into dust. She began to lose her voice from screaming out in anguish before blacking out.
Gallantmon and Justimon, too, felt the impact of the attack. Pain rose through their bodies, however, not nearly as much as it had for the already half-defeated Sakuyamon. Gallantmon's shield mitigated most of the damage before being demolished. Justimon's armour had turned into nothing but dust, leaving a black mass of a Digimon in its wake.
Justimon instantly de-Digivolved. He knew in that form he would not be able to withstand any more heat from attacks. Ryo picked Rika up and held her like a princess. Cyberdramon grabbed Viximon and the two made their way from the crater SlashAngemon created and over to the stands where defenseless Jeri had been waiting. He placed Rika gently on the ground. "She's still breathing."
"I thought he killed you guys," Jeri cried, tears stained her cheeks. "Her screams were frightening."
"I wish I had done more to protect her." He caressed her cheek as he fought back tears.
"You should take her to safety," Jeri told him. She placed a hand on his arm. "When SkullBaluchimon comes back, ask him to take the two of you."
Ryo shook his head. "Rika would kill me if you got hurt. You take Rika to safety. Cyberdramon and I have a bit of fight left in us." He looked at his partner. Cyberdramon leaned against the limestone wall. His body tattooed in cuts.
The dust and smoke dispelled from the area where SlashAngemon had hit. Plutomon had been patiently waiting. With his arms crossed, he hovered over Gallantmon. "I'm surprised you all lived through that."
"You underestimate us," Gallantmon heaved. The impact had drained him. The crack on his chest plate expanded. Bits and pieces of his armour were gone. Takato struggled to breathe.
"Such a common thing to hear tonight," Plutomon chuckled. "Isn't it you who underestimated Shimizu?" Plutomon flew to where SlashAngemon had landed. The Digimon had not come up from the hole in the ground since impact. The mouths on his body chattered and snarled.
Craniamon joined Gallantmon. "You alright buddy?"
"I've felt worse," Takato grinned. "I think Rika took most of the damage, though."
Craniamon glanced toward Rika. Her unconscious body sent sparks of fury through Kazu. If one of the strongest Tamers has been defeated, then we are no match for SlashAngemon or Plutomon.
We will have to do our best, Guardomon assured him.
Craniamon squeezed his Duo Solar Spear. Kazu said, "it's only you and I, Takato. Think we can take them?"
"We have no choice." Gallantmon sighed.
The two Digimon readied themselves for an attack. Plutomon rose from the ground, grasping an unconscious Shimizu by the back of the shirt. "Useless human!" He tossed Shimizu aside. "Where is the Digivice?"
"Enough, Plutomon!" SkullBaluchimon roared. "Shimizu has been defeated. Leave the humans alone."
"A Digimon can't even use a Digivice. What the hell do you even want it for?" Gallantmon yelled.
"You will become corrupt like the human," SkullBaluchimon explained. "It could destroy you!"
"Do not compare me to that pathetic human," Plutomon snarled. The heads on his body snarled with him. "Humans cannot control such power. Digimon are destined for the power. I will use it to eliminate you all." Black swirls formed around his hands. The ominous power began swallowing rubble from around them.
From the corner of her eye, Jeri saw the Digivice gently move from the black masses on Plutomons hands. With everyone focused on Plutomon, Jeri crawled toward the device laying several feet from Gallantmon's foot.
"I am very surprised with you, SkullBaluchimon," Plutomon said in disgust. "You were one of my favourite Guardians. You had so much potential."
"Your Guardians?" SkullBaluchimon spat. "I think not. I may have worked for that appalling human, but I was never in your service."
"Must I reiterate my statement from earlier? It is you who underestimates Shimizu." Plutoman began laughing maniacally. "He worked for me."
"That's impossible!" Gallantmon gasped.
The swirls on Plutomon's hands grew larger. "I summoned him to the Digital World. I convinced him the power would be his. I lead him to believe he would rule both Worlds."
"You knew that the Digivice would corrupt him!" Craniamon exclaimed.
"Of course, I did. Humans cannot control such power. But I alone could not find the device. I needed help. And of course, I needed to rid the world of you annoying Tamers. Looks like I've succeeded in ridding the world of one of you." He nodded towards Rika.
SkullBaluchimon advanced on Plutomon. "Deadly Fear!" The skeletal Digimon's red eyes grew brighter, its face enlarged as it sent a mist in the form of its face toward Plutomon.
Plutomon simply pulled the attack into the black holes shrouding his hands. In retaliation, he sent one of the black holes at SkullBaluchimon, narrowly avoiding him. Plutomon sneered in annoyance. "I'll finish these brats off first. Starting with that pathetic girl!"
Craniamon moved to shield Rika and Ryo with his Omni Shield. "Where's Jeri?"
"I don't know," Ryo admitted. He spotted her near Gallantmon. "There! By Gallantmon! She has the Digivice!"
Plutomon had also noticed the human girl crawling to her friend. "That device belongs to me! Haggard Cluster!" The attack directed at Jeri succeeded and connected with the defenseless girl.
Jeri left out a blood curdling scream that even pierced the ears of Plutomon. The dogs on his shoulders howled.
Gallantmon thrust a Lightning Joust at Plutomon. It sent him backwards a few feet, temporarily stunning him. SkullBaluchimon pounced at Plutomon using his Grave Bone attack. His giant skeletal paws ready to knock the Digimon down to trample it.
Plutomon swiftly dodged SkullBaluchimon's attack. He dashed high into the sky and looked down. "What have you done?!" He watched, horrified, as the human girl he hit with his attack began to change into a massive lion Digimon.
Jeri's body had been shrouded with an aura marked in Digital writing, much like the aura SlashAngemon had. Unlike SlashAngemon's aura, however, this one was a warming gold. The aura grew as the lion-like Digimon-Jeri's form began to take shape. The transformation lasted only moments. Before them stood a tall man-lion Digimon wielding a sword. Its silver mane glistened from the aura around its body. A green half plate chest armoured its body and its long, green cape blew with the wind the aura caused. The Digimon's bright green eyes flashed toward Plutomon.
"Regulumon," Plutomon sneered. "Another corrupt Spirit Evolution?"
Regulumon said nothing. His face was snarled, and its long teeth protruded from its mouth menacingly. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, readying for an attack.
"Another human defeated," Plutomon jested with pride. "She will lose control over the Digimon and end up like her friend over there."
The smirk on Plutomon's face was enough to set Regulumon off. The Digimon moved with graceful haste, leaping into the sky, and bringing his sword down on Plutomon. The blade tore through Plutomon's chest like butter, ripping through his armour. Data poured out as though it were blood. Regulumon landed on the ground after his attack, facing Gallantmon.
"J-Jeri?" Takato stuttered. "Please tell me that's you in there."
Plutomon laughed. "You think you can stop me?" "Hell's Gate!"
Rings began to form under Regulumon's feet. The Digimon was unphased by this. Regulumon turned, tossing his sword like a boomerang, impaling Plutomon through the chest. Plutomon roared before his body dispersed into thousands of digital bits. Regulumon's sword hit the ground, the metal clanking against the stone flooring.
"That's it? We just needed to stab him this whole time?" Craniamon blurted.
Gallantmon chuckled nervously, not taking his eyes off Regulumon. "I guess. Easier said than done."
"It was definitely done easier than said," Jeri laughed.
"So, let me get this straight," Rika said, "dumb nuts over there can Biomerge and Jeri has Leomon's spirit so she can Spirit Evolution, and yet somehow Kenta is just as useless as ever?"
"Hey, it's not my fault!" Kenta protested.
Rika grinned. "We needed a cheerleader anyway."
Kazu laughed, "sorry Kenta, she's right!"
"Hey, that's not fair," Kenta whined.
Everyone shared a laugh. They had all gathered in a hotel lobby several hours after the event at the Colosseum after locating Rika's mother, grandmother, and Yamaki. It had been a long, exhausting night.
"What happened with Shimizu?" Rika asked. She had been knocked unconscious by SlashAngemon and was only coming to. Although battered and bruised and ready for another nap, she had been awake long enough to hear Jeri proudly tell her about her newly found power of Regulumon.
"After Jeri defeated Plutomon, Shimizu disappeared." Takato said.
"He just got up and walked away?"
Takato shrugged. "No one was paying attention to him. He could have left at any time. We were more focused on Plutomon."
"What happened to Nico?" Kazu wondered. They had not seen him since SkullBaluchimon had taken him, Kenta, and Henry to safety.
"He fled." Henry said. "I didn't stop him."
"I wanted to knock him down with a Terrier Tornado!" Terriermon shouted. He pretended to box thin air. "I would have showed him not to mess with us."
"Terriermon!" Henry groaned.
"You wanted to do the same!"
Everyone laughed again. With the battle finally over, a weight had been lifted and spirits were once again high.
Ryo took Rika by the hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Such an eventful night."
She blushed, "yeah. At least one good thing came out of it."
They leaned for a kiss that was interrupted by Rumiko's awkward cough. They broke away, blushing. Rika asked, "anyway, what happened with the whole D-Reaper thing and the portals?"
Yamaki answered. "The Monster Makers spent the night closing the portals. The D-Reaper was not as large of a threat as we had anticipated. However, it seems that once SkullBaluchimon returned to the Digital World, whatever portals that were still opened simply closed."
"So that's it then?" Jeri asked. "It's finally over?"
Yamaki nodded.
Rika said, "the night was so long that I could have sworn twelve years had passed since the fights first started."
The group laughed once more before agreeing to turn in for the day. They were all deprived of sleep. Everyone had taken several different elevators while Rika and Ryo waited behind. When the doors to the last elevator closed shut, the two embraced in a long, passionate kiss.
When they had broke for air, Ryo flashed his trademark smile. "I've loved you for so long."
"I know." Rika could not help but to return his smile. "You should have asked me out sooner then I wouldn't have dated such a creep to make you jealous."
"Oh, is that why you dated him?"
"Obviously. It would have prevented this whole night from happening."
An elevator touched the ground floor and the doors opened. The two went inside.
"I never want to come back to Italy." Rika told him.
"Well, let's go to New York next summer." The two kissed again as the elevator doors closed.
xx
Whew, finally done! I'm working on a new fiction. I'm almost done the second chapter. Once I get 3 written, I'll begin posting it.
Please R&R!