Falling Inside the Black
Summary: Yamato, Hikari, and Ken find themselves being drawn back to the world of Darkness. There, they must traverse the Digital World's Hell to take down the Demon Lords and Dagomon while overcoming their personal dilemmas.
Warnings: Heavy violence, mentions of abuse, incest, and rape.
Pairings: Taishirou, ex-Sorato/ex-Jyoumato, hinted Takari, hinted Kenyako. Also DaemonxLilithmon.
A/N: This is part of the headcanon, but can be read as a stand-alone. The Chosen's Digimon will likely not make an appearance (the Digital World was cut off in 2004).
A/N: Yes, Lilithmon is sometimes called "Laylamon" in English materials, but it just sounds dumb. I hope it wasn't confusing anyone.
A/N: Kindly anon reviewer, no need to worry. There's definetly a few more hints at YamatoxHikari, as it's one of my favorite pairings. I'll see what I can do Ken/Hikari-wise; they will be spending more time together, though :)
6 – Lilithmon's Castle
PicoDevimon was laughing and Ken's first instinct was to worry, until he heard the comfort of Hikari's voice. She was telling jokes to the little bat-devil and he was getting quite the kick out of them. She was also eating a Chain Melon. Ken held his forehead as knowledge continued to flood back into him. Was he imagining a pain in his neck, too? Surely.
The Chain Melon had the power to reduce fatigue and delay sickness. So, it was a worthy choice for a drained Hikari.
"I'm glad you made it safely," Ken said, taking a seat.
"You made a friend," Hikari chuckled.
Ken returned her smile and she returned his shades. Ken held them awhile and when he finally put them back on his face, he felt worse than ever.
PicoDevimon cooed at him, "That Sirloin you were eying is still good, you know."
"Thank you," Ken replied. "But we can't sit here eating. We need to go rescue Yamato."
"I had a feeling something went wrong when you didn't come back with him," Hikari said, a sliver of melon skin disappearing between her parched lips.
"Rosemon took him to Daemon's castle."
"Ha! Ha, ha!" PicoDevimon snorted. "Daemon's castle. How archaic. Lilithmon would never subservient herself to Daemon long enough to let him call it that again."
"Lilithmon... I think Rosemon mentioned her," Hikari mused. "What does she want with Yamato?"
"Some Devimon said something about her finding a body, like a vessel or something."
"Yep! She's going to use it to enter the Human World undetected, before Daemon destroys the Digital World. Once he meets her there, I would imagine they plan to destroy your world, too."
"We can't let that happen!" Hikari said, forming a fist. "My family... I wish I hadn't been so sick of everything, so angry at everyone. We're no better than Mimi said."
"Then let's prove Mimi wrong," Ken stated. "Let's show her we're still the Chosen, we're still friends, and it doesn't matter what any of us have done. We can be forgiven. After all, you guys all forgave me and I was..."
"You're right, Ken," Hikari said.
"Save Yamato?"
"Yep!"
"Hmm, there's always guards, aren't there?" Ken sighed. He slumped over part of the boulder they were hiding behind. The city wall extended to each side of the looming castle. One would expect it to be made of bones like everything else, but instead, the castle seemed to be alive, breathing with pink muscle and slime.
"Will there ever be a time in this place I don't feel like hurling?" Hikari muttered.
The gate was guarded by two DarkKnightmon, large humanoid Digimon in thick, black armor. They were like statues and didn't move. Ken wondered in the back of his mind if he wasn't the only one given Dagomon's dark power- the armor covering them was as foul as their virus ridden forms.
"We can't fight our way through. This whip can't annihilate everything. When I commanded Digimon-" Ken stopped himself and forced a fist into the dirt. "When we had our Digimon, this wouldn't be so bad, would it?"
Hikari nodded. "We'll just have to use our heads." After some silence, Hikari smiled, "All the Digimon in town worship you Ken, now why is that?"
"...because I'm the Kaizer? I don't even know what they want with me. As far as I'm concerned, I should be nothing but human scum to them."
"...they see you as power. Power to get out of this horrible place. Even I see you that way, at this moment," Hikari admitted. Ken hung his head. Hikari twisted her lips, "My point is, you're technically working for Daemon, their King. We should be able to waltz right in and have our way with Lilithmon."
"Hikari..."
"Yes?"
"I've never heard you talk so... strange."
"I would like to go home sooner than later."
"He's all yours," Rosemon hissed, tossing Yamato across the purple and black tile floor. "So, what do I stand to get from all of this?"
"You keep your head," Lilithmon remarked.
"I was going to test him out for you, too. I had a BlueMeramon and ShimaUnimon waiting for the chance, until those loathesome humans interrupted me."
"I told you not to harm him," Lilithmon hissed. She stood and marched over to Yamato and took him into his arms. "Besides, you'll be coming to the Real World with me and there, you'll have all the slaves you could ask for."
In his dazed slumber, he felt the comforting arms of the mother he once knew for just a moment, before coming to. He flailed in the goddess' arms and nearly crashed to the floor, but Lilithmon embraced him. "Now, now. Wouldn't want to bruise that handsome body of yours." She took a quick glance to Rosemon. "Leave."
"I'll have you know those kids are at your doorstep."
"I don't care about them. It won't be long," Lilithmon cooed, brushing back Yamato's blonde locks, "Until I have what I need."
He whimpered in the Digimon's arms. She held Yamato tight with one and adjusted the golden crown atop her head with the other. Rosemon bowed with a growl. She would have to take care of those kids herself, because making Lilithmon happy was the only way she would be going to the Real World, too.
As she started down the long, spiral stairs, Rosemon contemplated if appealing to Anubismon or the other Demon Lord's bidding would have been more suited. The Digital World was just as good as the Real World, but a mighty bit harder to intrude. This was her best chance to get close to Lilithmon, anyway. You could say they were rivals, in a sense. Both beautiful woman-like Digimon, of course, but Rosemon knew she was the best. Rosemon had to be the best. The one and only. It was only a matter of time before everyone saw it that way.
Lilithmon would be trapped in that human body forever, if Rosemon had her way. And of course, no human could ever be prettier than her.
In the throne room, Lilithmon was still admiring the boy's form. His whimpering had quieted and he was growing quite angry. Everything she did made him thrash with the urge to kill. Not quite in a Wrathful way- no, that was more potent for Daemon's Kaizer. This one was just concieted. In fact, it didn't matter who he hurt. Yes, she could sense that in him.
"What are you going to do with me?" he breathed. Then, she let go of him. Like a fool, Yamato ran straight for the balcony, the door to the stairwell. All closed tight in his face. He threw his fists against the door until Lilithmon broke out in laughter.
"There's still one door you haven't tried," she chuckled.
Yamato looked around, eyes landing on one, last door. He never laid his eyes on Lilithmon as he strolled across. Then he could see something there beyond that final door, even from the throne room. A giant bed covered in luxurious silks and pillows. The room carried the same purple-black scheme as the rest of the castle. Almost gothic, but with some modern, fine lines that reminded him where he really was. Jagged posts extended to the ceiling like glaives and a large, black moon- no, a mirror –hung above.
Lilithmon didn't dirty her feet and she floated over to him, the tiny wings on her back providing some lift. Yamato backed away and stared at his feet. She made a concerned noise and then her hand was under his chin. "Why won't you look at me? Am I not beautiful?"
He jerked away and scrambled into the bedroom because it was the only place he could go. The balcony here was locked, too. Lilithmon inched closer to him, her eyes finally meeting his. "How rare. Humans so very rarely have blue eyes amongst you Chosen. They're very bewitching. I shall enjoy using them."
He squeezed them shut and Lilithmon resisted the urge to slap him across the face with her Nazar Nail- but then, what would a corroded body do her any good? She instead pushed past him and took a seat on the bed, causing the sheets to fluff out. "I don't understand," she continued, tapping her finger against her chin. "I am sure you were the one I sensed unbelievable lust from... and now, it has all but vanished. This will not do for me."
"You're not my type," Yamato joked, doing anything to ease his mind.
"Show me. Show it to me," she demanded. Her voice suddenly became very harsh and stirred up the fear inside Yamato. He had never run into such an instance as this, where his darkest fears were warranted, so this was unusual for him. "Show me why you're worthy of inheriting my body- I am the Goddess of Darkness and holder of the Crest of Lust and I order you!"
Yamato started to run but she reached out to him- just a moment with her Nazar Nail, a golden claw upon her right hand. Just a little touch would be enough and she would understand everything. She wasn't going to wait around for some onery human to open his mouth.
"Hey, you two!" Ken barked. He looked back for a second at Hikari, who was waving him not to look back at her. She made the motions of his whip and Ken fumbled for it at his side. "What are you doing?!"
One of the DarkKnightmon looked at him.
Ken huddled into his shoulders and then stomped his foot with new resilience. "Don't you know who you're talking to?!" But they aren't saying anything, Ken. Shut up, me. "I mean, listen up! I request entrance into the castle!" Ken started climbing the stairs. They made a sick, squelching sound under his boots. He tried to hide his disgust and held his whip high. He cracked it inches from the left DarkKnightmon's face. Oh my, I wasn't aware I still had it in me... I feel so awful already.
"Daemon told us you would be here. Don't crack that thing in my ear. I could be listening for something useful... like the Daydream Soldiers."
"What are tho—I mean, I order you to tell me what you're talking about, this instant!" Ken said. He held a hand to his neck. All this yelling and ordering around was making his throat sore. He turned to Hikari and motioned her over. The two statues had no qualms with her, especially because she had thought to tie her hands together, as if a prisoner, while Ken was yammering on.
"Beezlemon's Army of Rebels," the Right DarkKnightmon answered. "Anything else? You're in my way, human."
"Just because everyone in town treats you like a Queen, doesn't mean we will. We serve the one and only, beautiful Lilithmon, Goddess of Darkness. We don't answer to some... human imposter. The only reason we don't destroy you is because Rosemon wants the honor."
"Peachy," Ken muttered. He grabbed Hikari by the ropes and pulled her forward and the great, black door opened. Ken nearly caught his coat sleeves on the thorny spines. As the door closed behind them, the foyer grew dark, save the many lamps hanging from the ceiling in consecutive rows. A carpet lined the way and the place was still, like death. Even the flames hesitated to jump above them. "I don't like this place, Hikari..."
"Niether do I. I feel like it was too easy to get in here," Hikari explained. "The way they talked about you... like you're nothing. I don't believe that."
"It's like you said, Hikari. I'm just a tool to be used." Just like I used all those helpless Digimon... this is my pentance.
"That's not what I said at all, Ken."
"Let's just find Yamato..."
"We gotta get to GranDracmon's Castle when this is all over. A Renamon told me he is the creator of the Dark Area and the one that can fix this mess," Hikari reminded.
"How can we even trust some random Digimon?"
"Ha, ha, you can't, mister Kaizer."
Ken and Hikari glanced around. Rosemon stood at the top of the center stairs, right where they split into opposite wings. She had her hand on one hip and her whip ready in the other.
"I'm getting real sick of her," Hikari breathed.
"I'm sick of you, too, sweetheart," Rosemon snorted. "I see your friend cured you, but this time you won't be so fortunate."
"You'll have to go through me, Rosemon," Ken growled, standing between the heroine of light and the harbinger of dominance.
"Don't think just because Daemon helped you invoke what was already there that we have some use for you, either, Kaizer!" Roseman howled. She leapt down to the bottom stair and tossed out her whip. Dark electricity sparked in all directions.
Ken grabbed his own whip and tossed hers away. "Good, because I don't intend on letting anyone down." He turned to Hikari, whispering, "Go. Find Yamato."
Hikari nodded and started off to her right, dodging another of Rosemon's attacks. She found herself in the dining hall. A table as far as the eye could see and a giant portrait of Lilithmon to top it off. The table was empty, but she could smell food from the kitchen nearby. When Hikari looked back at Ken, the two whip-masters were busy sparring.
Part of her was glad to not face Rosemon. She knew what Ken had meant back there. She was the one that was useless, not him. Still, she hoped for her safety. She hoped that when she found Yamato, he would be safe, too.