Ulforce V-dramon Future Mode 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.
Sylphimon 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 and digimon in clothes of all colors. Another 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, "And 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, or to declare how they were going to win.
Nah, he didn't need to do that anymore.
He only dropped his arm 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.
The Dead Princess
Chapter 45
Darkness before the Dawn
War erupted around Ulforce V-dramon Future Mode as humans and digimon met the demonic digimon. He forced himself to ignore the teenage girl and her Liamon as they were torn in half by the vampiric Monochrome. He forced himself to ignore the boy cheering as his Kuwagamon trapped a Devidramon in one of his pincers before ripping off his head with the other. He forced himself to ignore everything save for the gray digimon hovering above the ground before him. He leaped into the air, extended his saber, and readied himself to strike.
"Bring it on!" Arkadimon Ultra roared.
Ulforce V-dramon was about to dart forward in a burst of speed only to stop short when a blast of energy struck Arkadimon in the side, sending him crashing through a row of buildings.
"We've got this!" Daisuke cried from atop Imperial Dramon, "You've got to get to the top of the tower!"
Ulforce V-dramon twisted to study the tallest tower of the Kernala Palace, where a beam of black light continued to pour into the sun, darkening the sky. He turned back to the war around him. "Yeah, but…"
Bastemon appeared overhead, kicking aside the Evilmon that was about to bite Ulforce V-dramon's shoulder. "Go!" Ai cried, "We'll take care of this Taichi."
"But…"
Sakuyamon Priestess Mode floated down beside her. "Like Agumon said before, no matter what happens, we'll always be friends."
Ulforce V-dramon turned to where Arkadimon was pushing himself out of the building debris and to the Kernala tower. He had to avenge his defeat; he had to beat Arkadimon…didn't he?
Ulforce V-dramon nodded to himself and said, "Good luck."
"You as well," Sakuyamon nodded.
Ulforce V-dramon flew through the city streets, slashing demonic digimon on his way up to the top tower of the Kernala Palace.
Arkadimon roared, the soundwave reducing the building debris to dust. Bastemon and Ai were thrown backward and even Sakuyamon was caught in the force wave. Only Imperial Dramon's massive wings kept him and Daisuke in place.
"Where is he?" Arkadimon roared, "Where is Yagami?"
"Didn't you say that you didn't need to prove yourself against him anymore?" Daisuke smirked.
Arkadimon roared again but his mania died upon staring at him. "You…you look enough like Yagami. I'll kill you!"
"Imperial Dramon!" Daisuke cried.
"I'm ready!" his partner declared.
Daisuke held tight. "Here he comes!"
Arkadimon whipped out his tentacles in insane fury. Daisuke gripped the back of Imperial Dramon as he barrel-rolled, avoiding the black tendrils before firing off a Positron Laser into Arkadimon's chest. The demon grunted but yanked back his tentacles, smacking the dragon from behind. Daisuke held tight again as Imperial Dramon twisted before shooting back into the sky.
"You alright?" Daisuke asked.
"Just nicked me, that's all," his partner grunted.
"I'll do more than that!" Arkadimon cried. Black energy blasted out of his chest. Imperial Dramon fried another Positron Laser. Both attacks exploded in a shower of light and dark. Imperial Dramon had to retreat higher into the sky, but Arkadimon laughed as he let the shockwaves pound against him.
"Yes, yes!" he roared, "More pain, more pleasure!"
"He's insane!" Imperial Dramon gasped.
Daisuke was about to respond when Arkadimon fired out one of his tentacles that hit Imperial Dramon in the stomach. He heaved but spotted the second appendage heading towards them from the side. He shifted around and grabbed it with his teeth, squeezing down until his jaw clenched.
Arkadimon hissed and whipped out the rest of his mass of black tentacles. Imperial Dramon twisted around in the air, smashing Arkadimon through a building. He released his jaw and the demon hit the ground in an explosion of smoke. "Don't let up!" Daisuke ordered.
"I'm not!" his partner screamed, "Positron Laser!"
He fired a giant blast of light from his cannon, covering Arkadimon in white light. The explosion created a massive shockwave that brought down the few remaining buildings in the area, covering the demon in tons of debris.
Imperial Dramon hovered while Daisuke studied the pile of bricks and I-beams. "Stay on your guard."
His warning was well timed. Arkadimon launched out of the pile with a flash, his fist digging deep into the dragon's stomach. Imperial Dramon heaved as Arkadimon yanked out his fist with a sickening pop. "Die, Yagami!" he screamed, "Die!"
Daisuke ignored Arkadimon's madness and called out his partner's name. The dragon did not have time to answer before Arkadimon grabbed his legs and threw him into the ground. He managed to twist around and land on his stomach, sparing Daisuke from being crushed to death. The general had little time to rejoice as Arkadimon's tentacles erupted through the air, skewering both human and Mega dragon.
Daisuke felt Imperial Dramon's data dissolving beneath him as he felt his body grow heavy and light at the same time. "H-hey, buddy. T-thanks for everything," he coughed, spewing blood.
"Y-yeah," Imperial Dramon moaned, "Hope I see you in the next world."
Daisuke's eyes closed with a smile on his face as his partner vanished beneath him.
Arkadimon retracted his tentacles and turned away from the bodies of Daisuke and V-mon. He laughed a deep laugh that caused the air to rumble. Even their strongest warriors fell before him. He was unstoppable!
He turned to a squad of human and digimon in blue uniforms deleting a team of Devimon and Devidramon. Time for more carnage.
TankDramon's missiles tore through a squad of Monocromons with ease. A Boogeimon dropped down and jabbed his trident into TankDramon's shoulder. Junpei instinctively ducked on his partner's back, but the tank digimon shoved the claws on his hands into Boogiemon's head, deleting him in a second.
"I thought you learned how to watch your back!" Miyako called from atop Silphymon's back.
Junpei grunted. "And you're still taunting everyone while staying out of reach."
Silphymon landed and Miyako jumped off. She sighed. "I shouldn't tease you." She waved at the humans and digimon fighting around them. "I didn't really have a high opinion of you."
He crossed his arms. "Oh really?" he snorted.
She glared but continued, "I mean, you were the jokester. You didn't really seem to take anything seriously but…well…" Her cheeks darkened. "But if you hadn't recruited that army, we'd be screwed right now. I mean, we might make it out of this because of you."
For once, Junpei was speechless. He tried to think of what to say but saw the large shape falling towards them from out of the sky. He tried to warn her but was not in time as HippoGriffomon's claw tore through Miyako's chest.
"Miyako, no!" Sylphimon cried. He rushed to her but left himself open to a swipe of HippoGriffomon's wing, separating his head from his body.
Junpei struggled to keep Miyako on her feet but her body slid from his arms to the ground. Zoe laughed from HippoGriffomon's back. "I guess that's the best way to win," she grinned, "from behind."
Junpei screamed and clambered onto TankDramon's back as his partner unleashed all his missiles. HippoGriffomon took to the air, avoiding the attack, and flew away. TankDramon's treads whirled as he followed. Junpei was only just aware of passing by Ken and JewelBeemon but he ignored their greeting, ignored them as they dropped from the sky to follow.
All that matter was Zoe and HippoGriffomon.
Ai and Bastemon made their way through the demonic digimon to where the towering MarineDevimon was smashing through the remaining buildings. They saw Chika and Yatagaramon head there but by the time they had finished off the vampiric Monocromons and NeoDevimons that stood in their way, they were too late to save either of the Digital Army officers.
Chika's Piyomon lay in the street, unmoving, but Chika was moaning next to her Yatagaramon. MarineDevimon was busy with Chosen and their Wind Guardian partners, giving Ai time to rush to Chika's side.
She moaned and Ai cried. "I'm here, I'm here."
The other girl's shirt was soaked with blood and Ai suspected her organs were lacerated. "I…I…"
"It's alright," Chika said, her eyes only just open, "Ai, I…I just want to say I'm sorry for keeping you in prison for long."
Ai blinked; she had almost forgotten her time of being a prisoner of the Chosen Masters. "Don't talk about it right now. Try to save you strength."
Chika laughed, "It's the end, I know. I just hope I'll see my brother again."
Ai bit back her tears. "Thank you for keeping Taichi safe in the Dark Ocean when we could be there."
The officer nodded and then was still. Ai cried and slammed her fists into the ground. If only they had been a little faster! She stared at Kenta and MarineDevimon. "Bastemon!"
Her partner nodded and leaped across buildings to reach the roof of what had to be an office complex. "I've had enough of this!" Ai cried.
Kenta laughed from MarineDevimon's shoulder. "Two or two hundred, it doesn't matter. Lady Hikari's Will be done!"
Sakuyamon Priestess Mode shot through the army of demonic digimon. She sliced off the head of a NeoDevimon before twisting around and cleaving another in half. A swarm of Devidramon descended upon her but they exploded apart after a shot of her Amyest Mandala.
She paused to study her hands. So much power, greater than anything she had experienced before. How close was she to Kami?
She shook that thought from her head, she may be power-hungry, but not crazy.
A NeoMyotismon squealed from above. Sakuyamon smirked and launched into battle.
Ulforce V-dramon landed on the top of the tower without incident. Pedestals sat around the edge, each one containing a Crest. His eyes stopped on the Crest of Courage before turning to Hikari, who stood in the center with her arms raised towards the dark sun. Black Tailmon hissed from her side and Hikari lowered her arms. "Welcome. I see Neo failed again to stop you."
She shrugged, "Well, I guess you wouldn't have stopped anyway." She sneered, "You're a little different than my sad excuse for a brother that way."
Ulforce V-dramon stared, memories of Sora's death haunting his mind. He grunted and Hikari said. "But I guess it doesn't matter." She threw open her arms and the Crests glowed in unison. "Once I kill you, I'll finish the ritual and gain control over the inner program of the Digital World. Then I'll never be weak again!"
She pulled out her digivice from within her cape and Black Tailmon jumped in front of her. "Black Tailmon warp evolve to Ordinemon!"
Ulforce V-dramon threw up his Tensegrity Shield as Ordinemon fired her End of the World attack. The beams hit, forcing the dragon-man back to the edge of the tower. He grunted and pushed sending the beams back to her. She darted aside, moving faster than her lumbering size would suggest, before sending razor feathers from her wings.
"You're quiet," she said in her deep voice, "No more speeches? No more pleas? No more pitiful attempts to save me?"
Ulforce V-dramon shot a Shining V-Force, which Ordinemon blocked with her wings. "I'm through talking," he said, "Look at you, look at what you've become. You gave in to your own darkness so long ago, there's no light left in you. Any part of you worth saving is long gone."
Ordinemon slammed her wings into the floor but Ulforce V-dramon shot into the air to avoid the shockwave. "I gave up that weak, sniveling child, the one that died in Myotismon's castle. I'm the strong one now!"
Arkadimon swung his fist through a building, crushing a digital soldier and his Unimon. The demon screamed, annihilating more humans and digimon. "I don't need Yagami!" he roared, "Hear me? I've already defeated him! Come at me all you want; I'll destroy all of you!"
His roar dropped into a gurgling laugh as he watched MachGaogamon and Andiramon appear on the roofs of nearby buildings. "I've killed Motomiya and defeated Yagami, what do you two think you can do?"
"He killed Daisuke?" Kouichi asked, a nervous twitch in his voice.
Toma's face was stoic, but he still swallowed hard before he answered. "We still have to try."
"I'm ready," MachGaogamon growled.
"As am I," Andiramon nodded, "Together, we may be strong enough."
Arkadimon laughed and shot forward, faster than a creature of his size should. The two digimon leaped from the roofs and kicked Arkadimon's head in unison.
The demon's tentacles erupted from his back. One smacked Andiramon aside while another snagged MachGaogamon's ankle and threw him into the ground. Their partners cried out encouragement but their Digimon jumped back into battle.
Andiramon's hands twisted into blades before he executed an uppercut, slicing across Arkadimon's chest. The demon only laughed before smashing Andiramon into the ground with his head.
"Howling Cannon!"
Arkadimon let MachGaogamon's energy attack blast the wound in the chest. The wolfman hissed while Toma gasped. "H-he didn't even flinch!"
The demon roared. "I killed Motomiya! I killed Imperial Dramon! Did you really think you would stand against me?"
Hs tentacles whipped around Andiramon. Toma cried for his partner to help, but MachGaogamon was not fast enough before the demon's tentacles squeezed and pulled, ripping Andiramon apart.
"No!" Kouichi screamed, "Andiramon!"
Arkadimon laughed, "The one I killed outside the city, he was your brother, wasn't he? I bet you'd like to be reunited, wouldn't you?"
He swung his arm at the base of the building, his tentacles smashing through the pillars. Toma cried for Kouichi as he was buried beneath thousands of pounds of wood and brick.
"Toma, look out!"
He turned at the sound of his partner's voice, only for one of Arkadimon's tentacles to pierce his stomach. Hot pain flooded through him, replaced by unfeeling numbness. His spinal cord had been shattered.
He was helpless as MachGaogamon rushed to his aide, only for Arkadmon to snatch him with his palm and easily crush him. "And you," Arkadimon laughed, "Your sister died, didn't she? I know what that feels like. You should thank me for sparing you a lifetime of that pain, ha!"
Toma struggled to talk but could spit out blood. His body went limp and Arkadimon tossed it to the ground. "So much power! The
He twirled around, firing a blast of dark light at Rosemon. The flower woman darted aside and Arkadimon grunted. "Trying to sneak up on me? Not very fair."
Mimi screamed from the roof she was standing on. "Considering everything you've done; I'll make an exception!" She bit back tears. "Daisuke…Koushiro…Yamato. We're gonna make you pay!"
Rosemon appeared in front of Mimi and screamed, "Forbidden Temptation!"
Arkadimon chuckled and he let the rose-colored energy strike his injured chest. He gasped in surprise and then hissed in pain. "Wha…" He grunted, "Dystopia…"
He was not able to finish his attack before Rosemon fired a barrage of thorns from her fingertips. "Danger Thorn!"
Arkadimon used his arms to cover his face as the projectiles tore across his scaley grey skin. "I'll kill you! Dystopia Lance!"
His tentacles exploded from his body in wild fury. Rosemon countered by firing a vine into the ground which erupted from the ground, slicing off each tentacle.
"Yes!" Mimi cheered, "Finish it, Rosemon!"
Rosemon whipped her thorn-covered vines at him. "Thorn Whip!"
Arkadimon snickered and let the whip wrap around his right arm. "Not bad," he chuckled, "I actually felt those attacks. You're stronger than you look, but not strong enough!"
He yanked on Rosemon's whip and twirled her around before throwing her into the roof. Mimi screamed as her partner crashed into the floor. The roof creaked before collapsing beneath them. Arkadimon laughed and hovered away.
Rosemon pushed a pillar off of herself and turned to her injured partner. They had only fallen a few floors, with the Mega taking most of the damage. Mimi held her side as she struggled to stand. "Let's get you out of here," Rosemon said.
Mimi tried to protest but Rosemon hoisted her into her arms. "No buts. We're retreating."
"Heat Wave!" HippoGriffomon cried, vaporizing TankDramon's missiles before twisting around in the air to slash at JewelBeemon with his talons. Ken held onto his partner as he darted backward. He tried to stab with his spear, only for HippoGriffomon to grab the weapon with his beak and fling it away.
TankDramon growled. "I don't get it. How come they're so strong all of a sudden?"
"We don't have to hold back anymore," Zoe grinned, "Our orders this time are to kill, kill, kill!" Her eyes turned red and HippoGriffomon flung open his wings, creating enough of a shockwave that JewelBeemon and Ken were caught in a tailspin. The vampiric Wind Guardian dive-bombed them, slamming his head into the insect's stomach, crushing human and digimon into a building wall. Zoe's maniacal laughter was complemented by her partner's sinister smile. "Heat Wave!"
At such close range, JewelBeemon and Ken had no chance to avoid. The digimon was deleted while the human vanished in flames.
"No!" Junpei cried, "Damn you!"
TankDramon's gun turrets whirled to life and he fired. "Striver Cannon!"
HippoGriffomon darted and twisted in the air, passing between the projectiles. "There's nothing you can do against us!" Zoe taunted, "We have the advantage in the air."
Junpei clenched his jaw so tight his teeth creaked. She was right. They would never reach her that high. "Hey, buddy," he said, "We've got to try that move."
"You sure?" TankDramon asked, "There aren't any fliers around here to catch us."
"Yeah," he said, "I know."
TankDramon nodded. "It's been a pleasure being your partner."
"Yeah," Junpei smiled, "Likewise." His face hardened, "Let's do it."
TankDramon pointed his gun turrets to the ground and fired. The explosion threw them into the sky right at their enemies. Zoe's arrogant expression fell and tried to order HippoGriffomon to flee but TankDramon reached them first, grabbing hold of the Wind Guardian's wings as the arc of the explosion dying so gravity could take hold.
"No!" Zoe cried as they fell, "You'll die too!"
Junpei only shrugged.
The blond girl's fear turned into arrogance again. "So, go ahead. I'm a vampire! I'll survive this."
TankDramon laughed. "Thanks for reminding me." He broke one of HippoGriffomon's wings with his hand before slamming its claw through the girl's chest.
Junpei did not even have time to gloat before they hit the ground.
Ulforce V-dramon hissed as pain erupted in his heart. This left him open for an energy blast from Ordinemon into his shoulder. He winced and swung his Ulforce V-Saber, nicking her hand. He darted to the safety of the edge of the tower.
Where had that pain come from? It was like it came from deep inside him and…
Then he knew, he saw it in his mind. Kouichi and Ken! Toma and Junpei!
He heaved, trying to push down the rage boiling at the back of his throat. She shook the memory of Megidramon from his mind. This was not the time to lose his control, but how had he known? He glanced at the glowing crests surrounding the tower, like the columns of an ancient arena. Hikari was trying to reach the main program of the Digital World. Had she done it?
Ordinemon screeched and he rolled aside, missing another energy blast.
Bastemon weaved through MarineDevimon's tentacles and punches. Ai knew her partner was outmatched but still faster. If Bastemon could stay out of his reach and continue to slash at him then they could win.
Ai thought of Chika and bit back tears. "Bastemon, take him down!"
Bastemon jumped through the tentacles and pulled back her claws, ready to jab them into MarineDevimon's head. Kenta laughed from his partner's shoulder as MarineDevimon spit out black goo. "Guilty Black!"
Bastemon was covered by the black slime and she fell to the ground. MarineDevmon's tentacles shot at her, their claws gleaming. "Chaos Slash!"
The claws ripped across Bastemon, deleting her as she screamed. The world slowed to a crawl as Ai's mind struggled to process, struggled to comprehend. She was then unaware that MarineDevimon's claws continued towards her. She came back to reality and dove to the side but not in time as the claw tore through the side of her stomach.
Blood poured over her shirt and her leg would not move. MarineDevimon stomped overhead. "Close your eyes," Kenta said, "And I will send you to peaceful oblivion."
A tentacle raced at her and she held her breath. The appendage blew apart as a woman with a fox mask ripped through it. Ai heaved but managed to cry, "Sakuyamon!"
Sakuyamon Priestess Mode landed beside her while Seraphimon hovered overhead with Takeru on his shoulder. "Take her!" he ordered, "We'll handle this."
Sakuyamon hoisted the girl in her arms and took off into the sky.
Takeru narrowed his eyes at Kenta. "We're going to stop you, false prophet."
Kenta laughed. "Lady Hikari will be the new god of this world. Prepare yourself for torment."
Takeru held tight as Seraphimon rushed at them. MarineDevimon readied another Guilty Black but the angel was faster. "Seven Heavens!"
As the glowing balls flew from Seraphimon's hands into MarineDevimon's stomach, Kenta cried, "No! I'll take you with us!"
His partner's tentacles snaked behind them and yanked them closer. Seraphimon's attack exploded upon contact with the demon; the angel could not escape from the tentacles in time before the force wave tore him and his human partner apart.
Sakuyamon was going to bring Ai outside of the city when she spied Mimi and Palmon hiding in an empty lot near the city walls. The Queen had a splint wrapped around her leg, and the plant had a few bruises, but neither seemed the worse for wear.
Mimi's face fell upon seeing Ai. "Oh no."
"It's that bad, huh?" the girl asked, small tears in her eyes.
"Don't talk," the fox woman said.
Ai's chest heaved. "Impmon's dead, Taichi's probably…"
"Taichi's strong, you know that."
Her voice dropped. "I just wish I could stay…" Her hand dropped and her chest was still.
Mimi turned away as the tears fell. Sakuyamon ignored her own breaking heart. They would mourn later.
"It's up to Taichi now," Mimi said, "But even if he stops Hikari, Sabia and Arkadimon are still out there. I don't know if he really wants the same thing she does." Mimi shook her head, "He just wants to destroy."
She stared at her lap. "He's killed Daisuke; killed so many." She sniffled, "I know I can't be selfish, too many others have died too."
Sakuyamon stared at Ai's body and then flew into the sky "Where are you going?" Palmon asked.
She did not answer.
Ulforce V-dramon's saber was ready to cut into Ordinemon's eye when another pain ripped through his chest. No, Ai!
Odinemon took his distraction to whack him aside and then slam both wings into him. He heaved from the pain and saw Ai in his mind while he bit back his tears. He glared at his opponent, rage bubbling in his chest. He screamed and launched at her, swinging with his saber again.
Iori and Scorpiomon ordered the rest of their troops to stay back as Arkadimon's tentacles skewered the humans and digimon that attempted to attack. "We can't just hit him head-on like this, we need a plan."
Arkadimon laughed. "Plan all you want, I'm indestructible."
Iori hissed and then blinked as a shadow fell over him. Sakuyamon Priestess Mode hovered overhead. "Glad to see that you're still okay," she said, "But you need to hang back. I'll take care of this."
Iori blinked. "W-what? Are you sure?"
Scorpiomon added, "We know that you're strong, but maybe…"
Sakuyamon shot forward in a blur, punching Arkadimon in the face with enough force to cause a shockwave that rocked the nearby buildings, shattering the remaining glass windows.
Iori swallowed and shouted to the others. "All right, you heard her. Move back!"
Arkadimon laughed as he blocked Sakuyamon's punches. "Come at me with all your might! I'll still destroy you. I killed Motomiya and the Queen. I scared Yagami so much, he went running in fear."
Sakuyamon dodged his punch, wondering how far from reality his mind had slipped.
"Kenta and Zoe are dead," Sakuyamon said.
Arkadimon snorted. "Like I care!"
"They were your teammates!" Iori shouted.
"They were pathetic ass-kissers!" he roared.
Sakuyamon used her priestess staff to cut through Arkadimon's Dystopia Lances. Should she have been surprised at his answer? He was destruction and evil incarnate. She frowned to herself; not so long ago, though it seemed like forever, she felt the same. Teammates just slowed you down, made you think about them in battle rather than yourself. Ai, Toma, Ken, Junpei, Kouchi! Even Sora. She would avenge them all!
"Izuna!"
Her four energy foxes shot from her palms and hit Arkadimon in the chest, sending out waves of energy as he smashed into the ground. "You bitch!" he screamed, "Dystopia Lances!"
Waves of black tentacles erupted from the front of his body to lacerate Sakuyamon while another set pushed him back into the air. She slashed off a tentacle with her staff while pivoting to avoid another appendage before blasting off another with a small energy fox. She twirled her staff, using it like a helicopter blade to slash off the remaining tentacles.
She only had a moment to catch her breath before Arkadimon launched at her, swinging his arm into her side. She heaved but smacked her staff across his face. He grunted and she used his head as a stepping stone to jump into the sky.
The two Digimon studied one another before Arkadimon roared and shot at Sakuyamon. She launched to meet him, using her staff to block the demon's punch. The shockwave annihilated the remaining buildings and ripped up the ground.
Iori held to Scorpiomon until the wind died. "Amazing," he said, "This is the power of Ultra Digimon?" He glanced up at the top of the Kernala Palace. "What kind of battle is going on up there?"
He turned back to watch Sakuyamon and Arkadimon trade jabs, each strike like a thunderclap. The demon darted below the priestess and swung. Sakuyamon swung down with her staff and sliced off his right arm.
He screamed, trying to reach the wound with his other hand but his body was too bulky. "I hate you!" he screamed, "Hate…hate…hate!"
"You can't fight with only one arm," Sakuyamon said, "Give up."
Arkadimon's eyes flashed. "I'll kill you! I'll destroy everything! God Matrix!"
Twin beams of red light exploded from his eyes, far larger than his previous attack. Sakuyamon glanced at Iori and the others and then back. She dropped, slamming her staff into the ground. "Diamond Realm Mandala!"
A barrier of energy erupted from the ground, shielding them from Arkadimon's attack. Sakuyamon remained in place, pouring out her energy to keep the barrier in place. When Arkadimon's attack fell, her arms felt heavy and he heaved with each breath. She was on her last legs, but with the way Arkadimon wobbled as he hovered, he was not much better.
This was it then, one final attack. She fought past her exhaustion and rushed at him. "No!" Arkadimon screamed, "Kill you! Dystopia Lances!"
Sakuyamon used the tentacles to propel herself closer while dodging others. When she was close enough, she jumped over Arkadimon's head and smirked. "Izuna!"
From her hands leaped four foxes of fire, water, wind, and thunder that tore through Arkadimon, gnashing and tearing until he gave a final scream as his data burst apart. Sakuyamon tried to find a remnant of Neo, but all that remained was the Terran Digivice that vanished upon hitting the ground.
"What do you now," she snickered, "There is more than one way to kill a vampire."
Sakuyamon tried to stay afloat but, with her energy depleted, she fell from the sky. Inside the mind of the Ultra fox, Ruki gave a weak smile to Renamon. "Thank you, for always watching my back."
"Of course, Ruki," Renamon replied, "I suppose everything's up to Taichi and Agumon now."
Ruki smirked. "Yeah, let's hope those stupid goggle-heads can pull it off."
They shared a laugh as Sakuyamon's data vanished into the sky.
Catherine sat in the alley and watched Sakuyamon's data float into the air where it vanished into the dark sky. With Arkadimon gone, the rest of the Dead Army should start to fall apart.
Hopefully.
She rested her head against the building wall, her hand touching the giant shard of metal jutting through her chest before resting against the still form of Floramon at her side. She gave a silent tear as her partner's data started to dissolve.
Her eyes closed and she muttered, "This is Catherine Denevue, signing off."
Ulforce V-dramon screamed. Ruki! Renamon! They were the first ones that join with him. They had always been there, always been by their side. He wondered briefly if he should feel something at the death of Neo. No, he stopped being his friend a long time ago. His true friends, all of them, gone. He was the only one left.
He stared at Ordinemon, eyes turning red. She returned the stare with a curious expression. Ulforce V-dramon ignored the memory of Megidramon and shot at Ordinemon like a bullet. Her left wing shielded her from his saber while she knocked him in the head with her right hand. He ignored the pain, stopped trying to read her moves, stopped trying to anticipate her attacks. He slashed and punched with insane fury, leaving himself open for a blast of her End of the World attack. He screamed as he flew backward through the air and slammed into the edge of the tower.
Ordinemon laughed. "You're making this too easy."
Ulforce V-dramon grunted and fought through the pain. He lost himself again, lost himself in his rage. He had to get up, he had to keep fighting!
Oh, what was the use? They were all gone, all gone. What was the point in fighting for nothing?
Then he felt it, felt them. Ruki and Renamon, Sora and Piyomon, Junpei and Kokuwamon, Toma and Gaomon, Ai and Impmon, Ken and Wormmon and Kouichi and Lopmon. They were there, they were surrounding him, giving him strength. He felt Ruki's Friendship, Sora's Love, Junpei's Purity, Toma's Knowledge, Ai's Hope, Ken's Reliability and Kouichi's Kindness. Traits they embodied, but traits the Digital World needed. Even if his friends were gone, the Digital World would survive.
Ulforce V-dramon pushed himself back to his feet and Ordinemon chuckled. "You're still alive? Good. I'm going to enjoying killing you and draining your essence. End of the World!"
"Shining V-force!" Ulforce V-dramon threw open his arms, firing the energy beam from his chest. He knew it was not strong enough to overpower Ordinemon's End of the World beam, but he felt Kouichi and Andiramon's hands on his right hand, felt Ai and Bastemon's hands on his left, felt Ken and JewelBeemon's hands on his right arm, felt Toma and Gaogamon's hands on the left arm, felt Junpei and TankDramon's hands on the sides of his torso, felt Sora and Garudamon's hands on his right shoulder, while Ruki and Sakuyamon's were on his left.
The Shining V-force grew stronger, so stronger that it ripped through the End of the World's beams, so bright that Ordinemon screamed. "Too bright! Too bright!" She shielded her eyes, giving Ulforce V-dramon the chance to fly forward, his Ulforce V-saber extended.
Ordinemon opened her eyes enough to spy the incoming attack and whipped her clawed hand around. "No!"
Ulforce V-dramon slammed his saber through Ordinemon's chest, but the demoness had swung her clawed hand through the dragon man's chest as well. Both Ultra's were frozen for a moment until their bodies shattered like glass, their data floating into the air.
Hikari and Taichi fell to the floor; both crying out in pain, but the vampiress was on her feet first. She watched the grayish particles dissolving into the air. "Black Tailmon!" she howled. She turned to Taichi, her fangs extending. "I'll kill you!"
She rushed at him with her vampiric speed. Taichi could only push himself onto his knees as she raced closer. He swung out his hand on instinct and Hikari's screamed died, following by a gasp and then a sickening gurgle from her throat. Her face was paler, blood trickling from her mouth. Taichi looked down; the Solar Digivice was in his hand, an orange energy blade extended from the top like a stake, one that he had shoved into her chest.
He let go of his weapon and she stumbled backward before falling onto her back. The Dead Princess then breathed her last.
Pain ripped through Taichi's side; Ordinemon's last attack struck its mark. He hissed with each breath, each labored breath, and watched as the dark veil around the sun began to vanish. It was over.
He turned back to see the image of a young girl, perhaps eight years old, standing over the body of the Dead Princess. She blinked and looked around, a wave of fear passing over her eyes.
"Over here," a voice said.
The girl twisted around; standing behind her was the figure in the cloak. He pulled off his hood, revealing a boy with a mane of wild brown hair. The girl jumped into his arms. "Oniichan! Oniichan, I was so scared!"
"It's alright," the boy said, "You were just having a nightmare." He looked at Taichi, a grin forming on his face.
"Yeah," Taichi smiled, "No problem, buddy."
The boy and girl vanished. Taichi lowered himself onto the floor and stared at the sky. Mimi and Iori were still alive. Would they rebuild? Probably, but hopefully, things would be different this time around. They had better be, or maybe a third Taichi would show up this time.
He laughed to himself as his eyes closed.
Taichi opened his eyes with a gasp. "Are you alright, son?"
He blinked and turned to the source of the voice; a man in a white dress shirt standing to his side. "Are you okay?"
Taichi turned his head to take in his surroundings; he was standing in front of a game console, with two dozen teenagers watching him like a sporting event. He was back at the Digital Pet tournament in the game shop!
His hand dropped to the familiar place on his belt where he kept his Digital Pet device; it was still there.
Neo! He was about to battle Neo when the console pulled him into the Digital World, but the space on the other side of the console was empty. He turned back to the tournament official. "S-sorry," he swallowed.
The official smirked. "I know raising Digital Pet's are a big deal, but no need to faint when you're disqualified."
The crowd laughed and Taichi swallowed again. "Where's Neo?"
"Gone," the official shrugged, "He was disqualified too. We're fine with demon digimon in the tournament, but not unrecognized ones."
Arkadimon!
The official waved his hands, "So if there aren't any more questions, the next match is about to start."
Taichi nodded and wander from the consoles. He scanned the crowd for Neo, but the other boy was not to be found. He ran across the city the Neo's apartment, only to find a different boy who answered the door.
"Saiba?" the boy asked, "Oh, you mean the family that lived here before. Yeah, we just moved in a few days ago." He gave a weak smile, "Your friend ditched ya, huh?"
Taichi put a stern expression on his face. "He wasn't my friend!" he snapped and stomped away.
He wandered the streets for the next few hours, trying to gather his thoughts. He was back on Earth, his Earth, but no time had passed. That meant that if Neo's family had moved, it would have been before the tournament, which also meant he had no way of contacting Neo.
He found himself at the crosswalk where Rei died. He thought of her, but always his sister, his Hikari. He had carried her death with him all this time, even if he did not know it, but now that he saved the other Hikari, it felt like that part of his sister was gone. He would always remember her, but the memory no longer ached in his heart.
What would he have done if he found Neo anyway? Get back at him for what he did in the Digital World? Taichi snorted at the thought of trying to explain to the police officers about journeying to another world.
Another world, and if Taichi was back in his world, did that mean when the others died, they went back to theirs? Were his friends home? Were they safe, were they happy?
If any of it had happened to begin with. What if it had all been a dream, a hallucination? No, it had to be real, it had to be…right?
He pulled out his Digital Pet device and saw the icon for his Agumon. His partner's words echoed in his mind. "No matter what happens, we'll always be friends."
Taichi squeezed the device and grinned while he started the walk home.
Yeah, always.
The End
Author's Note: So, we come to the end. I have another 'epic-length' fic I'm working on right now, and I'm planning for the first chapter to come out in January, but in two weeks I'll be posting the first chapter of a smaller fic.
Thank you for reading and please don't forget to review.
