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A young woman with curly blond hair held her microphone close to her face, "This is Catherine Deneuve, reporting. After Neo battled Sakuyamon Priestess Mode, he was determined to unlock that power within his own Holy Digivice. After tapping into his own arrogance, he was able to unlock Arkadimon Ultra! Meanwhile, Toma finished the new Holy Digivice, but he, Miyako, Iori and Ai had to flee from the Dead Army. They became separated in the sewers beneath the city. Daisuke and I met up with Toma and Gaomon but Iori, Miyako and Ai made it back to the street level where they met Arkadimon Ultra!

Arkadimon Ultra roared in deep, hoarse laughter as he smashed through another building, reducing it to rubble. This power was nothing compared to what he felt before, either as Neo or Arkadimon Child. A strange sensation, being both human and digimon at once. Ishida went out of control when he merged with his partner, but Arkadimon Ultra was in control of himself. Maybe Ishida was not as compatible as he boasted, or maybe Neo and his partner shared the same level of insanity.

A pile of metal I-beams crashed behind him. He twisted to see Iori Hida of the Digital Army leading Miyako, Ai and their partners from a hole in the street. Arkadimon Ultra laughed again. "Found you!"

The Dead Princess

Chapter 44

Eleventh Hour

"Oh no!" Ai gasped.

"Evolve!" Iori ordered.

"Yeah!" Miyako cried, "Show that ugly bastard we're not weaklings!"

Armadimon super evolved to Scorpiomon and used his large pincers as a shield. The blast of pure force sent him smashing into the others, scattering them like on a billiard table. Impmon evolve to Bastemon while Hawkmon reached Silphymon.

"Evolve all you want!" Neo laughed, "You're still nothing to us!"

"Helter Skelter!" Bastemon cried. She darted along the top of the debris of a fallen building, swaying her hips and swinging her arms to a song only she could hear. Arkadimon swung his own arms together, creating a shockwave that knocked the cat woman onto the ground.

"Did you really think that was gonna work?" Arkadimon Ultra laughed, "We've ascended past the desires of the flesh!"

"Then ascend past this!" Silphymon cried, pulling back his arms to fire a ball of energy from his palms, "Top Gun!"

Arkadimon Ultra's hand, or rather, his mass of tentacles, was suddenly in front of him. The demon grabbed his head and used him to smack aside Scorpiomon's in-coming pincer.

The humans winced and Scorpiomon hoisted Silphymon back to his feet. "Sorry about that! I…"

He tackled Silphymon seconds before a blast of dark energy struck the ground. "Nice move!" the demon laughed, "But can you keep it up?"

He fired a mass of his tentacles at the two Digimon. "Blackout!" Scorpiomon cried. A thick mist of darkness blasted from his mouth, covering the battlefield.

"Great job," Iori said, "But we've got to run while we got the…"

He was cut off as a sound like a vacuum cleaner filled the air. Scorpiomon's mist whooshed around them before vanishing into what appeared to be Arkadimon's mouth. "Did you really think that was gonna stop us? We are the darkness!"

He threw open his arms and Arkadimon screamed, his tentacles shooting forward like missiles. "Dystopia Lances!"

Miyako cried as she hopped on her feet, avoiding the incoming barrage. "Ahh!"

Silphymon swooped to her aid but was pierced through the left side by a tentacle. He fell to the ground in front of his partner. "No!" she cried.

Silphymon grunted as he tore the appended away. "I'm…okay," he heaved, "Just a scratch and…"

Another tentacle wrapped around his leg and yanked him into the air. Miyako turned to Iori, but he and Scorpiomon were struggling to keep themselves safe.

Arkadimon hovered overhead. "Now, Lt. Inoe," Neo said from his partner's shoulder, "I believe you called me an ugly bastard?"

Miyako paled.


Ken lowered the binoculars and handed them back to the young woman at his side. "Sir? What's happening now?"

"Nothing good," he sighed, "A digimon that looks like Arkadimon is fighting some of our forces."

Wormmon gasped and the soldier nodded. "Are we to prepare for battle?"

He bit his lip and glanced at the veil-covered sun. The soldiers under his command had wanted to return to report to the others but Ken held them back with the reasoning that Queen Mimi would have seen the darkness covering the daystar. First the sun and now Arkadimon in what had to be his Ultra form.

"Go back and report this to Lady Mimi," Ken said, "Tell her that Arkadimon Ultra is in the city."

She paled. "Ultra…?"

Ken nodded. "He's got to be there to stop anyone from getting to Lady Hikari, which means she's close to completing her plans. We've got to attack now."

The soldier saluted. "Yes, sir! But what about you?"

Ken lifted his digivice and fingered the Tag around his neck. "We're going in. Ready, Wormmon?"

"Always," Wormmon grinned, "Wormmon super evolve to Jewel Beemon!"

Ken leaped onto his partner's back and they flew from the hill overlooking the northern wall of Mainframe and into the city, reaching Arkadimon Ultra just as he was about to grab Miyako with his tentacles.

"Ken!" Ai gasped.

"And JewelBeemon!" Bastemon added.

Ken slid off to join the other humans while JewelBeemon jabbed his staff into Arkadimon's elbow. The demon dropped Silphymon but grabbed the insect man's ankle as he past, slamming him into the ground.

"Poison Pierce!"

Scorpiomon's tail pierced Arkadimon's tentacle, forcing him to release JewelBeemon. Neo sneered. "Lucky shot!"

Silphymon fired a Top Shot while JewelBeemon unleashed his Spike Buster. Scorpiomon finished with another Blackout, but as a projectile heading for Arkadimon's face.

"Are you okay so far?" Ken asked, helping Ai to her feet as Iori and Miyako raced over, "I've sent word to Lady Mimi."

"Call as much help as you want!" the demon laughed, "It won't be enough! We have the power of an entire army!"

Arkadimon Ultra screamed, the soundwaves alone enough to dissipate the three Digimon attacks and send his opponents crashing into the ground.


Catherine glanced up as the sewer tunnel shook, sending down bits of dust and debris. "What was that?"

"Fighting," V-mon frowned, "Someone really strong for us to feel it this far below ground."

She shivered. "Can we not go any faster?"

"Go where?" Toma asked. He motioned in front and behind them. The tunnel stretched in either direction. "Unless you've got a map, we could be down here for days."

"He's right," Daisuke nodded, "The only way into the city is up."

"Into the battle?" Catherine paled.

"You've got the Tag," Gaomon pointed out, "Floramon can evolve to Fully Evolved."

"Yeah," the plant Digimon said, "But I'm not eager to rush into a fight. I'm not a warrior like you guys, I'm just a reporter."

"You're a soldier now," V-mon snickered, "And we need soldiers unless we want the Digital World to end."

Catherine opened her mouth by Daisuke cut her off. "We can debate all day, but the bottom line is, we need to go up into the city and join the battle." He sighed and studied the Holy Digivice in his hand.

"You think you can handle it?" Toma asked.

"I don't know," Daisuke frowned, "We don't have time to take this slowly."

Another tremble and brick fell, narrowly missing V-mon's head. "Yeah, you can say that again," the blue Digimon mumbled.

Daisuke continued to stare at the device, his mind a mess of thoughts until he nodded. "I made a promise to the other Taichi to help him. I failed doing that and now the Digital World's about to fall apart. I can't be cautious."

He met Toma's eyes. "If me and V-mon start to go out of control, then you take Catherine and Floramon and run, got it?"

Toma nodded. "Yeah, got it."

Daisuke curled his fingers around the Holy Digivice and then smiled. "I've got it."

"Got what?" Catherine blinked, "You figured it out?"

"Huh? No," he said, a sheepish grin on his face, "I've got a name for it; the Miraculous Digivice."

Catherine rolled her eyes while V-mon grinned at his partner. "That's a great name."

Daisuke chuckled and squeezed. He felt a whirl of energy pulse from the device. "Woah!" V-mon gasped, "V-mon super evolve to…"


"How much longer?" Mimi asked.

The officer she had asked turned from supervising the soldiers digging through the ground. "We're not sure, ma'am," he answered, "The plans were stored at the palace. The tunnel could be twenty meters or two hundred."

She frowned. "Great." Seeing the look on his face, she brightened. "Well, you're doing a good job."

He returned the smile. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."

Mimi wiped the sweat from her forehead and made her way back to her tent when Palmon rushed at her, arms waving. "Mimi! We just got word from Ken. Arkadimon has evolved to Ultra and is attacking Iori and the others in the city."

She paled. "Ultra…?"

Palmon nodded. "Yeah. Ken thinks that it's because Hikari's ready to complete her plans."

Mimi felt her stomach open. She studied the blackened sun and then turned to her the army of soldiers assembled. How could she march on the city now? The survivors of the initial assault were less than half of their full strength, maybe less. Their plan had been to sneak inside the city through the tunnels in a sneak attack.

She ran a hand through her hair. What the hell was Daisuke doing? Where was he?

A low rumble filled the air in the distance away from the city. Mimi's panicked expression slowly changed into a smile upon seeing Kouichi and Lopmon rushing towards them.

"Attention!" she shouted to her soldiers, "Change of plans."


"Mainframe," Chika exhaled, "Finally."

"You're telling me," her Yatagaramon heaved, "I'm the one who's been flying for hours."

Chika's retort died as the city came into view. "Oh no," she said, "No…"

Taichi looked over her shoulder and gasped. Smoke rose from roaring fires; the remains of buildings lay in the street, swarms of demonic digimon hovered near the Kernala Palace, but the most sickening sight was the beam of black light that emanated from the tower. "It's her," he snarled.

"More bad news," Yatagaramon said, "Iori's leading a small group that's fighting what looks like Arkadimon."

Taichi saw the gray and black digimon hovering in the streets below, batting Scorpiomon, Silphymon, Bastemon and JewelBeemon. They were in their path towards the Kernala Palace, but Hikari was the great threat. Still, could he just fly past them?

"What's the plan?" Yatagaramon asked, "Where are we going?"

Taichi bit his lip. Ai and his friends or Hikari?


"Astral Laser!" screamed Silphymon.

"Spike Buster!" declared JewelBeemon.

While Arkadimon Ultra used his arms to shield himself from the twin attacks, Bastemon slammed her claws into Arkadimon Ultra's back. Black tendrils erupted from seems in the gray skin wrapped around her, throwing her into the ground like a gnat. His arms moved faster than any thought possible and grabbed Silphymon and JewelBeemon.

"No!" Miyako cried.

"Help them!" ordered Iori.

Scorpiomon spewed out his Blackout Attack while launching Bastemon from his tail. With the cover of black fog, she slashed at the hand holding Silphymon, but was caught when Arkadimon brough his other hand around, slamming all three digimon together. They fell like a massive boulder, crushing Scorpiomon beneath them.

"Enough of this!" Arkadimon roared, "God Matrix!"

The humans braced themselves behind their partner as Arkadimon Ultra's eyes fired twin beams of intense red.

"Tense-great Shield!"

A dragon man with cape-like wings dropped before them with a glowing shield on his arm. Arkadimon's attack was deflected around them, bringing down buildings around them.

When the decimation ended, Ai's heart jumped into her throat. "Ulforce V-dramon?" She twisted her head, "Taichi?"

"Right here," he grinned, helping her to her feet.

Tears came to her eyes and she wrapped her arms around him. "Oniichan! I'm so happy you're safe!"

"Wait," Iori said, "I don't understand. Wasn't the Solar Digivice destroyed?"

Taichi grinned. "We went a little quest to remake it." He turned to Ai, "By the way, the Sage says hello."

Ai's face was a mix of emotions. Iori opened his mouth but then seemed to be aware that Chika and Yatagaramon were standing beside Taichi. "Sergeant? Where's the General?"

"Too long a story right now," she answered, "Hopefully, if he hasn't met up with the Chosen Masters, then on his way here right now."

"Where's Ishida?" Taichi asked.

"Gone," Ai answered, "Hikari killed him, but he gave Ruki his digivice."

Chika and Yatagaramon gasped and Taichi felt an odd feeling inside him. Gone? Yamato was not his friend, and yet…

Arkadimon roared. "You're still alive?" he laughed, "That's good. I really didn't want this world to end without destroying you first!"

Taichi studied the bruises and open wounds on the digimon. "You guys hang back. We'll take care of this."

Ai protested but Ken silenced her. "Just be careful," he said, "He's stronger than a Mega."

Taichi flashed his trademark grin. "No worries, so are we."

Ulforce V-dramon threw open his arms and regressed to Agumon. "Ready buddy?" Taichi asked.

His partner nodded. "Yeah."

He studied Arkadimon. "We've got to get past him as fast as we can and then hit Hikari."

"I got the plan," Agumon replied.

"This could be it."

Agumon mimicked Taichi's grin. "No matter what happens, we'll always be friends."

Taichi laughed and rubbed his partner's head. "Yeah." He took a breath and lifted the Solar Digivice. The screen flashed in bright orange light, enveloping both human and digimon.

"Agumon super warp evolve to Ulforce V-dramon Future Mode!"

Arkadimon roared with laughter as Ulforce V-dramon shot at him, a glowing saber emerging from his gauntlet. Arkadimon swung with his arms but the dragon man darted beneath them, slashing the demon's chest before Arkadimon's fist knocked him from behind

Ulforce V-dramon gasped as tendrils erupted from Arkadimon. Was he a damn jellyfish? He tried to avoid the assault, slashing at the tentacles but it was a losing battle. The thick appendages wrapped around his limbs, pulling them tight. Arkadimon grinned. "Dystopia Lances!"

The remaining tentacles twisted into spears that skewered through Ulforce V-dramon's body. He roared in pain but still managed a Shining V-force. The beam exploded from his chest into Arkadimon's face. The demon screamed and threw Ulforce V-dramon into the ground.

The dragon man climbed to his feet, unsure whether his human or digimon side was making him heave with each breath. He readied himself to continue, but Bastemon and JewelBeemon were at his side. "No," he ordered, "Get back."

"Not gonna happen," Scorpiomon said as he skittered up beside them.

Silphymon and Yatagaramon hovered overhead. "This isn't just your fight."

"It's everyone's," Ai shouted from the sidelines, "Everyone that lives here."

The others nodded and Ulforce V-dramon found himself smiling. He turned back to Arkadimon Ultra and smirked.

Arkadimon's response was to laugh and fire a dark beam from his palm into the sky. "This has been fun," he laughed, "but I think it's time we finished this."

Ulforce V-dramon heard Ai and the others gasp behind him as the army of demonic digimon appeared behind Arkadimon, along with Kenta and MarineDevimon and Zoe and Hippogriffomon. Devidramon and Devimon swarmed in the sky while dark-colored Monochromons and other Virus digimon stomped along the ground. Hundreds, maybe a thousand. How could so many evil digimon have passed through the Dark Ocean gate? He snickered to himself; as if that mattered now.

"Oh crap!" Miyako declared, "This is bad, really, really bad!"

Then chants filled the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of feet marching along the ground. Ulforce V-dramon looked over his shoulder as a sea of humans and digimon in blue pooled out from the left side of the side of the city. Mimi and Rosemon were at its head, followed closely by Takeru and Seraphimon. The Digital Army had come, only half of what was needed to meet the dark army threatening them. Not enough, not enough…

The soldiers lined in formation on the street, but the marching continued. From the right side came another sea of humans a digimon in clothing of all colors. An army with Junpei and Kouichi at its head. They lined up beside the Digital Army and Junpei and TankDramon took their place beside Mimi and Rosemon. "You wanted an army," he grinned, "Here it is."

Ulforce V-dramon struggled for words but then another digimon flew from behind Junpei's forces, a woman in priestess garb with a fox mask. Sakuyamon? No, another form of Sakuyamon. Ruki had mastered Yamato's Lunar Digivice.

More surprises came as in the distance a pile of rubble exploded, allowing a large dragon to emerge and fly to join them. MachGaogamon and Toma jumped from the dragon's back, as did Catherine and a Blossomon. The question of the large digimon's partner was answered when he saw Daisuke riding near the dragon's head. V-mon's Mega form, Imperial Dramon. Had Toma made another Holy Digivice? That question would have to wait.

Ulforce V-dramon turned back to Arkadimon; his grin larger than before. The forces of the Chosen Masters and the rebels were joined together behind him; he was the savior of the Digital World, and brought them together. Now was the time to gloat, to make a big speech, to throat his strength around.

Nah, he didn't need to do that anymore.

He only thrusted his saber forward, and the combined forces ran forward.

Arkadimon screamed the order to kill them and his forces rushed to meet them.

Light and dark collided in Mainframe, the center of the Digital World.

Next: With Hikari about to complete her grand plan, can the assembled forces of the Digital Army and Digital Knights succeed?

The Dead Princess Chapter 45: Darkness before the Dawn

Did you enjoy it? Any criticism? Thanks for the read and please remember to review.