Digital World-"Gennai's" Underground Arena-15 Seconds Till Countdown

So far "Gennai" was able to predict most of this encounter. He knew that Maki would indubitably fail. However, he knew her sacrifice would be worth it in the end. After all she was not even the main course, just the appetizer for a bigger plan. What he did NOT expect was how Gennai was matching him blow for blow. He was half expecting to be toying with the man for most of this engagement. If this were to be drawn out for much longer, he did not know who would win. What caused Gennai's surge of strength whether it be seeing Maki like that or intense training for five years; "Gennai" did not know.

The two continued to be trading blows, dodge here, a blast there, and a flip there. The two continued their battle interrupted when Maki collapsed.

Gennai did not seem to notice as he kept his assault, ah figures, the old brute is just too blood thirty to notice, no matter, "Gennai" thought to himself. "Gennai" begun counting in his head as even though he was wrong about this part of this engagement, he was sure his timing was right.

Three

He blocked a swift kick which almost threw him off balance…almost.

Two

He jumped away to put some slight distance between him and the other man.

One

Then it happened. There was this blinding light and there were two large thumps to the floor. He had succeeded.

He then used the last of his strength to cast a spell to freeze Gennai in place. Gennai threw the man the coldest death stare imaginable, one that would put "Gennai's" to shame. It would not hold long, but it did not need to. He just needed to get him to look.

"My dear Gennai," "Gennai" said while doing his best to not show strain in his voice, "would you look over there? Your friends are about to die. Please I advise you do something about it, it would be very unfortunate for both of us if they were to die now."

Gennai struggled to look in the Digidestend's and his eyes lit up in horror. He saw Angewomon and MagnaAngemon both glowing white and struggling…extremely struggling to keep their forms and attacks going, otherwise they would all die along with their partners. 2

"You bast…"Gennai started to say then stopped.

"Go on, save them, I don't want them to die. Truthfully, I have other plans for them…well two of them anyways. Of course, you can try and continue to stop me but then how would you explain to everyone that all this time that you were the "dark" one?"

"Gennai" released Gennai from the spell. Truth be told he could not have held him any longer anyways, but he was not about to admit that to the other man.

Gennai turned around and muttered "this isn't over" over his shoulder.

"Oh, my dear Gennai, you'll find me again, I just know it," "Gennai" taunted.

As Gennai ran over to help his comrades in arms "Gennai" took a moment to breath, then he snapped his fingers and just like that he was gone.

Well, I'm pretty sure I'm the biggest idiot in the entire Digital World right now, Gennai thought to himself. I was so sure we could stop him, so sure the Digidestends could hold out long enough. However, just as before I've have led myself and others into another trap that I've couldn't overcome. I'm not a particularly good Guardian, am I? he let himself believe. No! Now's not the time for self-pity, he told himself as he was running closer to the battle, I'm the Guardian of the Digital World, I won't let my friends die!

Kari stood there frozen unable to turn her gaze away from Angewomon. She couldn't bear to look at her Digivice right now. Her partner was glowing and under tremendous pressure just to keep her form active which was one of the few things just barley keeping them alive right now.

However, the Heaven's Charm was growing weaker, and the Gate of Destiny was fixing to close. What was worse is that MegaKabuterimon, now with the lack of support was starting to get pushed back from MegaDramon. Well, this is it, I'm sorry Tai, I'm just not as strong as you she thought to herself.

T.K. was glued to MagnaAngemon at first. However, he had Kari with him. He was NOT going to let her die no matter what. Come on, think T.K. think. There's got to be a way out of this. We're so close. We can still win this I know it. He was looking around and saw Gennai approaching. It was their Gennai. "MagnaAngemon," he yelled, "JUST HOLD OUT A FEW SECONDS LONGER!"

HORN BUSTER! MegaKabuterimon fired a beam from his horn in one last desperate attempt to throw MegaDramon in the gate. It didn't work, MegaDramon didn't take any notice and was about to break free of the Heavens Charm and poof, that would be it. Izzy did notice Gennai approaching and knew he would arrive in a few seconds. With Gennai's help they might be able to retreat and get Davis and the others for backup then with Imperialdramon's help…no he thought solemnly to himself. There's NO TIME Even at Gennai's pace it would be too late. Izzy then looked at MegaKabuterimon, the Digimon must have known what Izzy was thinking. They two shared a moment which couldn't have been more than half a second but to both of them it felt like a lifetime. Izzy smiled, checked his Digivice, yeah there was enough energy for this.

MegaKabuterimon started glowing.

MegaKabuterimon Mega Evolution…HerculesKabuterimon

Izzy heard Kari gasp like if the was just woken out of a trance. "GO!" Izzy shouted. HerculesKabuterimon wasted no time, "Mega Electro Shocker," the mega yelled. This time the power was more than enough to move MegaDramon, and the blast was angled right into the gate.

RAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

MegaDramon howled in pain and flew right into the gate which promptly closed.

Then HerculesKabuterimon transformed back to Tentomon and MagnaAngemon and Angewomon transformed back to Tokomon and Nyaromon. Unfortunately for the in-trainings, due to the shear amount of energy the two used just to stay in their ultimates for a few extra seconds, they were both completely unconscious.

T.K. and Kari ran to pick up their respective Digimon. Tentomon flew close to Izzy. The two had at most a day left together now. Gennai slid to a halt unable to believe the battle ended the way that it did. He seemed sad. "I'm sorry everyone" he said.

Gennai and the others walked up to Maki and Gennai bent down to check for a pulse. The woman was still alive, but she appeared to be in dire need of medical attention. Just then the group heard footsteps coming. Gennai was weary from battle and feared the worst, figured that this was the elaborate trap that "Gennai" had cast and that they had utterly lost.

However, while the face that first appeared was his own, it wasn't "Gennai." Gennai sighed in relief.

"Hola Amigos." Jose said. He was soon followed by the rest of the Distraction team who all seemed to be in cheery spirits despite the somber nature of the Extraction Team's mood.

"Dude we totally wiped the floor"…Davis stopped after seeing the group's somber tone.

"Did you all win?" Yolei asked hesitantly.

T.K. nodded and walked towards them still caring Tokomon.

Kari followed him, "it costed us a lot though" she said trying to be strong in front of everyone while carrying her partner.

Gennai beckoned to Ilya and Jose. "We've recovered Maki, but she needs immediate medical attention. There's no telling what that monster has done to her. Quick someone help me carry her out of her."

Sure, Gennai realized, they had one the day…at least it should be a win but at what cost? Izzy appeared to be barley keeping it together, apparently that last display of power has gravely costed him and his partner gravely. T.K. and Kari both were now facing the same fate. Ugh it wasn't supposed to be like this. He wondered what the mad man's goal was. Did he succeed? Did he in fact win? Gennai forced down those thoughts. There will be time to comprehend all that's happened later. However, what was a harder pill to sallow that for the second time, Maki has lost her Digimon. She was once again a Digidestined no more.