Chapter 15: Moon Over Digi-World
Once Daddy and Parker had gotten over their stunned disbelief of Lady Megidramon's De-Digivolved look, the thirteen of us were swarmed by the Digimon that lived in the cave-like maze. "My lady!" One of the Dokugamon bowed at her feet. "Quickly we must leave and get you to safety!" The rest of her group nodded to agree.
"The one responsible for all of the recent destruction is outside as we speak and there is only one exit, he also is someone who will not discriminate when it comes to who he may try to attack." Lady Sistermon told them. "Leave this to the Digi-Destined and I, the rest of you shall wait for us to commence with our battle and then make your escape. "Rose, can I ask for you and your allies' assistance?"
"Yes Milady!" Rose nodded.
"Excellent… Shall we make haste then?"
"Chari, stay here!" Daddy said, "Wait here with the other Digimon."
"Daddy! That isn't fair!" I whined. "Parker gets to go!"
"Lady Megidramon needs someone important to look after her Digimon, besides we'll need someone with a Digivice to be waiting with them so that they know when to move. It's strategy dear Chari…"
"Strategy… Right…" I moped. "I'm sure Sunny would know all about this so-called strategy…"
"Cheer up! Lady Chari!" One of the Mikemon walked over to me. "We are truly grateful that Master Benjamin has allowed us the pleasure of your company. As the leader of Lady Megidramon's personal guard, I'd like to make you our honorary captain in my stead? Is this suitable for one of Digi-World's champions?"
"See, an excellent opportunity!" Daddy laughed, a full-bellied chuckle.
"I think it best you not dig this any further Ben… you know if you still value being a father…" Josh directed Dad's vision to a now scowling Mom… "Or your life…" Rose and Parker weren't too happy with him at the moment either.
"Yeah, yeah… I get it…" Dad sighed. "Chari… I'm sorry… I should be honest with you, even though that's-"
"NOT THE TIME!" Mom yelled at him.
"R-Right…" He stopped.
"Seriously…" I could hear Parker mutter.
"If you are who, you say you are…. Then it's in my best interest to protect you more than anyone else…" Dad had knelt down to look me square in the face. "I truly am sorry that I tried to fib my way in to not getting you involved. I should have known better than to try and trick you… You're the child of the adult versions of the only people I can't trick…" Dad chuckled and patted me on the head. "I spoke myself into a corner before, but Mikemon did remind me… there are Digimon here that need protecting. If all else fails… If we fail… I know we'll have someone I trust to continue the fight for us and keep everyone here safe."
"For a second there even I was roped in… Perhaps there is hope for you yet." Parker smiled.
"Well it is one of my crests…" Dad smiled back.
"Charisma, I leave my people in your care." Lady Sistermon bowed to me. I nodded.
"Alright gang!" Dad turned around and punched his hand.
"Let's do this!" Rose pointed towards the entrance.
"Agreed!" Josh said, running after them.
"Right behind you guys!" Parker nodded.
"SPIRITTTTT! Activate!" They all called in unison as Loremon became Tiberusmon, Cracklemon became Volomon, Nyanmon became Amicoromon, and Servalmon became looked over her shoulder with a smile on her face at me before following behind them and having Fairymon Digivolve into Paxmon.
"Dragon Spirit! AWAKEN!" Rose called as her D-Pad lit up. Volomon roared as his huge body turned into that of a still giant yet much more skinny lizard. He had become a dragon in the form of a wyvern!
"Lunadramon!" A more gravelly version of Cracklemon's voice echoed through the hall. He outstretched his new jetblack wings, the crimson red details highlighting the edge as they glowed.
"Woah! Check you out! Lunadramon! Did someone pallet swap a Megidramon?" Rose cheered on her newly-evolved partner.
"Well this is certainly quite flattering…" I could hear Lady Sistermon say with joy. "There are some differences but it seems that you must really look up to me Lunadramon."
"N-No! Lunadramon flinched. "I just had you on my mind because of that darn dungeon you had Rose, the other two, and me trapped in for the last couple of hours!"
"Enough chatter! Let's go deck us a Nege-Me! Onward Tiberusmon!" Dad hopped on his partner's back and the pair sped out.
"Hey Lunadramon! You're getting out-sped by a Champi-" Rose started before going outside cut her off. Soon Parker and Josh were outside with them.
I looked over to Mom, who was looking at me with uncertainty in her eyes. " Mom?" She winced when I spoke to her. "Is something wrong Mom?" I asked her. She flinched again.
"J-Just something on my mind Charisma… I… I should go… I'm sorry for the way Ben treated you." Mom looked back at me one last time, before she and Fairymon went towards the exit.
"Lady Charisma shall I escort you to Milady's quarters while we wait for further instruction?" The lead Mikemon asked me. I looked over to BabyAngemon, who looked up at me with his innocent face.
"Sir Mikemon, I feel it best that everyone gathers here. While I do appreciate the offer, your mistress does want us to be ready to move at a moment's notice." I told him.
"A wise decision Lady Charisma! Shall I go and collect our co-occupants?" He prepared himself to run.
"Thank you, Mikemon." I nodded to him, and he sped off to find Megidramon's attendants. It was just BabyAngemon and I sitting alone in the big empty room. "This isn't how I imagined being a Digi-Destined to be…" I sighed, slouching over. BabyAngemon looked up at me with his big glittery eyes. "Oh no! BabyAngemon, you're not the problem!" I patted him on the head as the little cherub sat on my lap. I sighed again… "It's… The moment I got your Digi-Egg, Parker and I were flung into this world to keep you safe… Mom always told me…" I bit my lip. "It doesn't matter anyway… Daddy's always gonna protect his Little Gao…" I sat waiting for someone to give me a signal… I sat there… and sat there… and sat there… Mikemon came back with Megidramon's followers, all of them had worried looks on their faces.
"Lady Charisma, might I ask that you rally our forces?" Mikemon whispered to me.
"Wh-what?! Me?" I shook my head with a wide-eyed look of fear spread across it.
"My lady… You are one of the chosen few! The Digi-Destined! My brethren are all seeking guidance…"
"I'm… I'm not Sunny! I'm not a leader!" I whispered in protest. "I-I'm not Daddy or Aunt Rose… or Mom or Uncle Josh…"
"You need not be any of them my lady… We would like encouragement from-" BabyAngemon broke free from my grasp and nodded his entire body. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him as he began to act out a scene, flittering all about in the air. The little guy stuck a pose in midair as he let out some air from his nose and pounded his chest. He pointed to all of Lady Megidramon's forces and flung his hand up into the air. He then pointed to me, and saluted me, then motioned for me to reach into my pocket that held the D-Pad… He nodded and then raised his hand into the air again. Motioning over the shoulder as if to suggest for me to lift something. He motioned tapping about and I finally understood that he wanted me to bring out my D-Pad. When I did he acted out a signal for me to thrust something into the air, which I took to mean that he wanted me to thrust my D-Pad up… though nervous I followed his instruction. He then motioned to the other crowd to scream or cheer… and they all did as he instructed, the room burst aloud with cheers and applause.
"See my lady? You've earned the trust of your partner," Mikemon whispered to me. "You shan't have to fear a leadership role. We're all scared right now… It's what we do with said fear that determines the people we are."
"Sunny would tell a different story… She's not afraid of anything…" I sighed. "Daddy's the same way… That's why they have the Crest of Courage and I'm over here…"
"That isn't true Charisma…" I was startled by Mom's voice. "The fact is at least this version of the boy you call your father is afraid…"
"Mom! What's going on out there, are you okay?" I struggled to not scream and startle everyone.
"He fears everyday… for you… for me… Courage isn't living life without fear… Courage is working through the fear and still fighting for what you want to achieve." There was a pause and I could tell Mom was stopping herself from saying too much…
"Mom… Is there something on your mind?" I asked her, tightly clutching my D-Pad in my hands.
"This isn't a conver-"
"Your future doesn't need to be decided right away…" I repeated a phrase I had heard my Mom tell Sunny a million times.
"Wh-what?" She fumbled over her words.
"Back home Sunny is like Dad… She's headstrong and pushes through everything… She started her own business at thirteen…" It was nice to talk about family. "Dad would always encourage her, he'd limit her but still have her press on… Mom on the other hand… She wanted Sunny to still enjoy being a kid…"
"So…"
"Yeah… The future you is the one that told Sunny that…" I chuckled.
"The future doesn't need to be decided right away…" After a pause, I could hear Mom taking a more chipper tone, "Thanks Charisma…"
"Chari!" Dad's voice was now coming through the D-Pad, he was breathing raggedly. "It's time for you to play your part! Get 'em moving!"
"You heard Master Benjamin!" The lead Mikemon instructed. "Onwards!"
"BabyAngemon Digivolve! Beast Spirit of Miracles, Activate!"
"BabyAngemon Digivolve to…! Miracmon!" Miracmon flew on ahead, as we all ran towards the entrance to the huge maze. I winced and stumbled back, the light wasn't too harsh as it seemed that dusk had fallen over the Digital World. The crowd of Digimon that had accompanied me were panicked as they looked up at the three towering dragons locked in combat. Rose looked to be having a shouting match between either she and Lunadramon or Nege-Ben. Champion Level Artificimon were crawling all over both of the dragons on their backs. Tribalmon was doing his best to ward them off as Paxmon flung the Argomon-Looking Digimon all over the place.
"Wonder Spark!" Miracmon called as he let out a burst of energy that hit several of the Artificimon.
"Chari!" Daddy called to me, "Leave these guys to us!" He said, as he swung at an Artificimon by himself Tiberusmon leaping over his shoulder to chomp out another one with vicious ferocity. Josh and Amicoromon had just melted a path for the other Digimon to escape.
"Lady Megidramon's Legion! You've heard Master Benjamin! Charge! Dokugumon, provide us a barrier! Woodmon, fortify the structure!" The head Mikemon took charge effortlessly. "My Mikemon siblings, you're to ward off any of these wretched artificial Digimon that may linger into our tunneling as to let our comrades do their part uninterrupted. I was about to enter the tunnel, per Daddy's instruction, but I noticed a Shadow looming overhead.
"Rose!" I screamed to her. Parker turned to look at me and then to the shadows.
"Tribalmon!"
"Miracmon!"
"Aestetic Clincher!"
"Ashes to Ashes!" Both Miracmon and Tribalmon struck at the shadowy presence looming overhead.
"Oh so you have finally arrived… Did you have a good nap?" Nege-Ben took notice of the giant ram-like creature that had just arrived.
"Belphemon?!" Josh shouted in disbelief.
"Belphemon?" Daddy looked up at him with dread all over his face. "Tiberusmon, change of tactic! We have to do everything in our power to stop him from mo-" Red steam started to seep from the head of the creature forming a foreboding cloud. "Crap! Sarah, I'll handle the Artificimon with Josh, help the kids to restrain or quell Belphemon before he slips into Rage Mode!"
"Ben…" Mom was still hesitant.
"Ben! They're only champion level!" Rose shouted to him. "We'd need more than just us if we even wanted to just put a scratch on Belphemon…
"Boring Storm!" A burst of yellow emerged from a large cat like Digimon that had just come running out of the tunnel, the blast leaving visible scorch marks on Belphemon. "Then an army you shall have Lady Rose!"
"LoaderLiomon? Cool!" My face lit up seeing one of my favorite Digimon.
"Poison Thread!" The Dokugumon followed the cat and did their best to restrain the sleeping giant Demon Lord.
"Branch Bash!" The Woodmon joined half with Mom, Parker, and me draining the energy to the best of their ability from Belphemon, the other half swatting the Artificimon Daddy and Josh were holding off.
"Cat Punch!" The Mikemon also joined to control the pesky artificial Digimon that were hassling Lady Megidramon and Lunadramon.
"Lady Sarah, how can our forces be of assistance?" LoaderLiomon asked.
"I-I'm not s-sur-"
"Mom! You can do this!" I shouted to her over the chaos.
Mom's eyes darted in the direction of Nege-Ben. "LoaderLiomon, Tribalmon, he's your target. Leave Belphemon to me, my daughter, and our forces! Take him down and the Digi-World is saved!"
"Mom! Venusmon's card!" Mom smiled as I reminded her of her Digimon cards.
"CARD-SLASH! Digi-Modify! Venusmon's Peace Fantasia! Go Paxmon!"
"Satanadramon! Stop that damned bird!" Nege-Ben growled.
"Hey! There are kids present!" Rose had leapt onto Satanadramon's head and punched Nege-Ben in the face. "Why is this so cathartic?" She laughed to herself.
"Don't be getting any ideas!" Daddy chuckled.
"This isn't the time for laughing!" Josh shouted.
"Rose get back on my head!" Lunadramon said as he headbutted Satanadramon. "Lady Megidramon leave-"
"Satanadramon!"
"Breath of Destruction!" At such a close range Lunadramon was struck right in the throat with the full blast.
"Moonlight Torrent Claw!" Tiberusmon ran up Lunadramon's back as the Wyvern started to fall back. Landing his energy charged paw into Satandramon's open jaw to stop the attack before it could get critical.
"Rose! Take my hand!" Dad was riding Tiberusmon in his typical fashion, extending outreached hand for Rose, she nodded with a smile.
"Boring Storm!" LoaderLiomon let out another blast in Nege-Ben's direction.
"While this all was happening the red mist above Belphemon was growing more and more thick… Mom and I could no longer see Miracmon and Paxmon, we just had to believe they'd stop Belphemon in time.
"How fool-hearty…" Nege-Ben effortlessly side-stepped LoaderLiomon's attack, much to the anger of Rose and Daddy. "I remember when I was once as headstrong as you… I wised up… Always have a contingency. If one Demon Lord isn't enough… Then two should be sufficient."
"Flame Inferno!" A flurry of flames fell from the sky.
"Megido Flame!" Lady Megidramon turned to intercept the flame from above with one of her own.
"Wrath and Sloth…" Rose glared.
"How many pawns are you willing to lose,,,?" Nege-Ben smirked. "Oh right they aren't pawns to you…"
"Amicoromon!" Josh called out to his partner…
"Tribalmon!" Parker did the same. Both were gripping the black card algorithm.
"I need you to trust me!" They both said, preparing to slash the program. "Don't count us out just yet Ben!"
"Nor us!" Mom shouted. "Go Paxmon!"
"Peace Fantasia!" Paxmon used its dove beak to make contact with the center of Belphemon's giant skull quelling the giant beast.
"One down~!" Rose cheered.
"All of you to fall!" Nege-Ben growled as the night fell over the Digiworld… Lunadramon began to glow.