THE TEST
Sora rubbed her arms vigorously to try to keep up the heat. The temperature in the large room was less than comfortable, and she could see that she wasn't the only one suffering. Joe, Mimi, Koushiro, Taichi, Yamato, Hikari…they were all doing some kind of movement to keep out the cold. The only ones that seemed not to be affected were their Digimon.
And Allmon of course.
Sora looked at the tall Digimon now. He completely gave her the creeps…through and through. The Digimon was dark and foreboding, glistening darkly with Digichromazoid and covered in torn black cloths. He hadn't spoken since he had brought them to this room, nestled in the side of a hill. Sora remembered his voice though, raspy, and filled with discrepancies…almost as if he had more than one voice. In fact, this Digimon somehow seemed to be misshapen…maybe….as if he were more than just what we saw.
Then there was the fact that whenever she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, she could have sworn she was looking at Garudomon.
That's what really gave Sora the creeps.
They were all spread out, Sora sitting to the front with Yamato and Taichi standing near her with their Digimon. Hikari sat near the back, not looking at anything in particular. Joe, Koushiro and Mimi, along with their Digimon kept her company. The prisoner, Celamon was tied up and was next to Kari too, along with the small newcomer, Edemon. The Digimon were strangely silent in the presence of Allmon.
The room they were in was raw rock, dug out of the mountain side. It was gray and dingy, with only a few flat rocks to act like chairs. The only interesting thing about the room was the mural that circled the place. It was crudely drawn, but it seemed to be a huge battle involving multitudes of Digimon.
Allmon seemed to be in no great hurry, pouring himself several cups of water, and straightening out his weapon collection strewn out on a gray wall. Yamato scowled angrily as the Digimon continued at his business, seemingly ignoring him.
Yamato had enough. He opened his mouth to give the Digimon a piece of his mind. Unfortunately ( or fortunately ^_^) Allmon spoke first.
"Do you know what Digimon are?"
The others were stunned at the outwardly simple but complex question. Only Koushiro's eyes brightened, and he smiled thoughtfully.
"Do you know what we all are in this Digiworld?" Allmon elaborated.
"We're all bits of data." Koushiro answered confidently. This Digimon was strange…and for some reason, it reminded him of MegaKabuterimon.
Allmon turned and leveled his burning stare at the wiz-kid. "Oh really? Tell me, isn't everything composed of 'bits of data'?"
Koushiro was undeterred by the eerie gaze. "Yes….but what I meant was, that in Digiworld, we're composed of complex-simple types of data. That is, data we can read."
"And change!" Mimi said quickly, thinking for a second she was looking at the gentle face of Lillymon. The face turned out to be far from gentle, and Mimi put a gloved hand over her mouth. She looked to Palmon quickly. "..r…right?"
Koushiro turned to her and smiled. "That's right Mimi. The Analyzer Gennai gave me is an example of that." he then turned to Allmon, grinning further. " Not only can we read the data, we can change it…in the process of Digivolving."
"That's my Izzy!" Tentomon said proudly. He turned to Allmon and laughed. "How you like them apples!" he blurted…before remembering who he was talking to. Before Tentomon could freak, Koushiro bent over and put an arm around his mouth, looking up at the tall Digimon apologetically.
Allmon didn't even seem to notice. "How far can Digivolving take you?"
"Of all the stupid…" Yamato grumbled.
Taichi saw that his friend was losing patience. "To Mega, Allmon. You know that already right?"
Allmon looked at him with a withering glare. Taichi gasped silently when he thought he was being confronted by WarGreymon…..if only for a second. "Were any of your Digimon partners at Mega when you fought this…..'Fallen Angemon'?"
Taichi shook his head. "No…we didn't expect….I dunno, our mistake. I guess if WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon were there…things would have turned out differently."
They were all surprised by Allmon suddenly chuckling. "Would it surprise you to say that it wouldn't have made a difference?"
The children turned to him in shock. Yamato then gritted his teeth in anger. "What does he mean, it wouldn't have made a difference!?"
Allmon wasn't finished. "Would it surprise you that Fallen Angemon was in a stage…beyond Mega?"
"Beyond Mega…" Koushiro gasped. "That….you don't mean an Alternate Mega form do you?"
The tall Digimon turned to him slowly. "No. I mean, as far beyond Mega as Mega is beyond Ultimate."
"I guess that would explain how we got our beats in like that." Joe said. Yamato looked at him angrily, then let it drop.
Taichi was still considering Allmon. "Are you at that level Allmon?"
Allmon nodded. Taichi suddenly brightened. "So, you're going to teach us how to get to that level?!"
The tall Digimon hesitated for a while. "I don't know." he said finally. "It could be that it is simply beyond you."
Sora sighed sadly. All of this was too disturbing. They didn't have time to play games, not while Angewomon was dead, and Takeru was insane. "Why don't you help us then? If you're so powerful?" she asked calmly.
Taichi turned to look at her, before Allmon answered. "I've been alive for a long time. Legends and stories about me have been written and told to Primary Villagers. I've seen great Digimon Dynasties rise and fall. I've fought…I've loved…I've lost." He looked down to each of the small Digimon in turn. "I don't even remember being a Rookie, it was so long ago."
He sat down on the stoop at the front of the room. "When times past, when you've seen so much…sometimes, people and Digimon alike…they stop caring." Allmon turned to Sora coldly. "That's what I've done. I've stopped caring. Not completely, or else you wouldn't be here, but enough to do nothing else."
Yamato turned on him, furious. "Is that what you expect from us!? To stop caring? Is that why you're jerking us around like this!? Well guess what, that's NOT going to happen, not from me! I've got no time to feel sorry for myself!"
"If I can't get answers here, I'll look somewhere else." He said, relaxing a bit. He looked at the dark Digimon in the eye. "...and I'm not gonna stop looking, no matter how long it takes."
Allmon returned his stare. Yamato caught a glimpse of MetalGarurumon in his eyes. "Answers often come at a price." He said, looking at Yamato, then the others. "We'll soon see if you're willing to pay."
************
Takeru and his protector FallenAngemon were preparing to leave Sector, to make the short trip to the Escavation site. Dawoemon finally announced that the Gate was nearly uncovered, and now would be a good time to leave.
The little boy was, of course, excited as heck. He had been sitting anxiously, waiting for Dawoemon to give the word. Takeru was actually this close to forgoing her suggestions and leaving by himself…but now that wasn't necessary.
"So…we're finally going right?" he asked the plant-like Digimon. "We're finally getting to that Gate, and when I open it, I'll be able to completely save the Digiworld!?"
Dawoemon bowed graciously…suffering the child's incessant whining for a moment more. "Yes, Takeru-sama, it's just like you say. It shouldn't take more than a day to get to the Excavation Site….and then, it'll all be over."
Takeru smiled at that, so did Dawoemon. The little blonde didn't know what she meant by 'it'll all be over'…but she knew. She knew all to well.
She glanced over to FallenAngemon, and nearly fainted when she saw the scowl on his face. For a moment, she thought she had been found out. Takeru followed her gaze to his dark protector.
"What's wrong?" he asked loudly. Then he shook his arm to snap the Digimon out of thought. "It's not about Celamon again is it? I told you, she'll be back soon! I have a feeling!"
Fallen sighed and looked over to his charge. " I believe you T.K.-san." He said, nodding. Then he realized what he said, and looked around nervously. "B-Besides….I wasn't thinking about her! I was thinking about this trip! I want to be sure it's safe for you."
Takeru smiled and looked over at Dawoemon. "Oh don't worry Fallen. I don't think Dawoemon would let anything happen to me."
"Not right now…not if I know what's good for me….but soon.." the plant thought maliciously. She bowed at the young King of Despair.
"On my life, Takeru-sama, nothing will happen to you." she said coolly. Of course, she didn't mean a word.
************
Yamato was thinking about his father.
"Listen to what I say to you, Digital Destined." Allmon rasped, eyeing each of the kids in turn. "What you requires sacrifice."
Taichi looked at him incredulously. "Sacrifice? What're you talking about? We're not asking for your first born son here! We're doing this for Digiworld too! Unless you've forgotten, you LIVE here!"
Allmon shook his head. "I do live here, but I do not care. Don't get me wrong, I don't care about you, not one of you. You could all be killed, right here, right now, and I wouldn't bat an eye." He clenched and unclenched a shiny metal fist. " It is the way I am."
Ever since they started this journey to find Allmon…..actually, ever since Angewomon was killed and they were banished at the hands of his own brother, Yamato had grown increasingly angry….and increasingly clearer.
"Are you saying you're doing us a favor?" Sora said, getting to her feet angrily.
Allmon wasn't impressed. "In a word? Yes."
The turn of events caused Yamato to think about his dad, specifically the time when he taught him how to box.
Allmon walked among the DigiDestined, looking at all of them, then lingering his gaze on Hikari. Taichi opened his mouth to talk, but Allmon swept his gaze at him, his black cloths flowing around in the motion.
"You want my teaching, you need my teaching. From you, I neither need nor want anything…." he hesitated. "Except, proof of your need of my teaching."
Taichi raised an eyebrow. "Say again?"
Allmon turned to Sora. "One of you will fight me, alongside your Digimon." Before they tried to protest, he pushed on quickly. "I will take you to a void/realm, where the contest will take place. You will be at an advantage over normal battle, in that I will give you the ability to share minds with your Digimon."
He turned his gaze back to Joe "This will mean you will react faster, and be more efficient in battle." Allmon then turned to Koushiro. "Am I lying?" he asked simply.
Koushiro thought carefully for a second. "Technically….I guess that would give us an advantage…with twice the awareness…but still--"
"So we will battle then." Allmon rasped. "I will tell you know the terms of my sacrifice. I will battle you with all means nessecary. This isn't a battle to test your strength…
…it's a battle to test mine."
Yamato remembered how he always marveled at his dads boxing and other martial art ability. His dad had decided to teach him early, in order for defense…and for the sake of the art.
He'd even gotten Yamato to enter amateur boxing tournaments. Even though he was taught well by his dad, he hadn't gotten far in the circuit. His first fight, he suffered a technical knock out.
Koushiro got to his feet, a mix between rage and shock. "You can't! You're asking one of us to die!"
Allmon shrugged. "These are my terms. The sad truth is, you cannot refuse me. Not if you want to be able to put a dent in FallenAngemon."
Taichi stood silently, but Sora stepped into Allmon's face. "No way any one of us are going to die for your sick needs! I don't care how old you are!"
Mimi nodded vigorously. "Yeah.We don't need you, you sicko! We'll find some other Digimon to help us."
"I…" Taichi started silently. "I don't know if there's anyone else that can help us."
Yamato thought his dad would be furious after getting TKO'd like that. Instead he tried to teach Yamato more about the art. Yamato had the skill, but he didn't have the head for it. In times when he needed to use the skill, he was to emotionally distraught to use it even remotely effectively.
Hikari got up slowly. "Tai…what are you saying."
Taichi looked at his sister sadly. "I'm saying…Gennai, as crazy as he is, wouldn't have made us waste our time and energy looking for this guy unless….unless he was really the only one who could help us."
"No way!" Joe protested. Gennai knew what this guy is about. He wouldn't have let one of us voluntarily die for anything!"
"Unless we had to." Koushiro said, eyes wide in a certain horror. "The needs of the many, outweighing those of one…"
"Right." Taichi nodded, staring at his sister. "A necessary sacrifice." He then looked down at Agumon, who nodded fiercely.
Sora couldn't understand. "Tai…what're you talking about?"
He turned to her and put an arm on her shoulder. "I'm saying, I'm going to fight Allmon….and I probably wont be coming back."
Yamato never did have the clarity needed to use his skills properly. When he was stuck on the ice mountain with Taichi, after they were all separated by Devimon… he should have been able to wallop the funky-haired kid. Instead Taichi put him down with natural talent alone. Yamato wasn't thinking clearly. He was out of his mind in worry about Takeru.
Sora lunged and grabbed Taichi by the arm. "Tai!" she whispered. "Don't even joke!"
"Yeah Tai!" Mimi said, trembling. "That's not funny."
"It's not supposed to be funny." Taichi said. "I'm the best chance, right? Besides, what matters is that Takeru and Angemon are back on our side. If I don't go, we could all end up dead." He sighed. "As leader, it's my job to see that doesn't happen."
"Tai! You're the leader! The point of being a leader is 'leading us'!" Joe snapped. "What are we supposed to do if you're gone!?"
Taichi pulled away from Sora and put an arm on Joe. "Come on man, you're way more than 'qualified' to lead the group. And not only that, you have a good crew around you."
Taichi turned to Koushiro. "Izzy's the brains of this outfit. There's nothing he can't figure out. When you guys get in a jam, it won't be because you can't find out what's going on."
He then walked over to Mimi. "Mimi, you're the moral of the group. You guys aren't going to fail, because you've got the eternal cheerleader on your side." Taichi grinned over at the girl, who was crying openly. "Aw come on, I'm serious." Taichi stopped, to hurt to continue, and turned to his sister.
"Kari…what else is there to say about you? You remember what our Mom told us….about 'Hope and Light'. You're the Light. So, we'll never be lost." Taichi put his hand on his sister's head, rubbing her dark hair. Hikari sniffled bravely, not able to look up. She knew what had to be done…but just thinking about it.
Taichi got up and turned to Sora. He started to talk, but she interrupted. "Don't even start Tai!" she said roughly. "I don't agree with this, this is irresponsible and cruel!"
Taichi nodded. "It's also needed. I don't like it anymore than you do…but we have no other options. Remember what Celamon said? T.K. is being worked on something big. Something needs to be done…and now."
"Tai…."
Yamato regarded Tai as a person with a lot of talent, especially physically. It was no wonder he was assigned the Crest of Courage. Even said, Yamato still should have been able to drop him easily. He wasn't clear then…he wasn't focused. He glanced down at his hand, then at his Digimon friend, Gabumon.
The Digimon didn't move, but he could read Matt's every emotion. Gabumon knew.
Taichi was visibly struggling within himself. It was like there was something more he wanted to say. Something more to do. He couldn't bring himself to action. Instead he turned to Yamato.
"Matt…" he started. "Take care of them all right? I'm counting on you"
Yamato nodded. He mind was crystal clear. "You can count on me, Tai." He offered Taichi a gloved hand in friendship. Tai accepted it and shook it vigorously.
Yamato's hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles perfectly lined. This time, there wouldn't be a mistake.
************
His knuckle arced upward from it's position by his side, and crashed into the others sternum. The hit was physically and forcefully perfect, causing the muscles in the others chest to react violently to the shock.
The other's eyes bulged or a moment, his mouth gaping open. He tried to bring in air, but nothing was coming in. There was no pain, just the extreme sensation of not being able to function properly.
The other relaxed, muscles unable to function, and slumped into his shoulder. The next time he let out a breath was when he fell into unconsciousness.
************
Everyone, even Allmon, was in shock at the attack. Yamato held on to Taichi with his one arm, not bothering to look at anyone else. At the same time he had dropped Taichi, Gabumon had nailed Agumon with a silent but perfect sub-zero shot of power in the chest. Agumon careened over to the side of the wall, hitting his head hard. The poor Digimon slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Yamato turned over to Sora slowly. She made several attempts to say something, but all she could muster was, "Matt?"
"Sora?"
Sora looked at him, eyes filling with tears. "Why?"
Yamato walked over and slumped the unconscious boy into her arms. He straightened his shirt and looked at her seriously. "Mine's the Crest of Friendship." Yamato finally cracked a smile and shrugged. "Besides, it was my brother who got into trouble. I've got to do it for him."
He glanced down at Gabumon, who nodded once. Then he walked over to Allmon. The tall Digimon regarded the boy with a certain respect, then proceeded to open to portal to the battlefield. Allmon embedded his claws into the wall of the room, and tore down, revealing the new dimension.
The other's started shouting at Yamato, trying to relay their feelings. He half turned at them. "Tai already said best what needs to be said about all of you." Yamato said. "Take care of yourselves."
With that, Allmon led Yamato and Gabumon into the portal to make the ultimate sacrifice. To fight, and possibly die, for the chance of freeing his brother from the evil hold on him.
It was a sacrifice that Yamato was more than glad to make.
NEXT: Dawoemon Strikes!
Incogntio: Yeah….it's a dumb name for the next chapter. Oh well. It's been a long time coming. I hope you're still reading. Please review. I know it's a lot to ask though. Anyhoo, the end is closing…only a few parts next J