DISCLAIMER - I still don't own 'em. But Nexusmon, I created myself.
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Author's Notes - Not much to say here, just that this part sends things spiralling towards the conclusion! Action, hooo! Let's go! Oh, hang on... here's some kewl little things: Nexusmon soundbytes! Wonder what he sounds like? Know you can know!
Introduction (from Ch. 6): www.angelfire.com/anime2/digipedia/nexus.wav
Viral Claw!: www.angelfire.com/anime2/digipedia/viral.wav
Binary Wave!: www.angelfire.com/anime2/digipedia/binary.wav
Digital Thunder!: www.angelfire.com/anime2/digipedia/thunder.wav
Okay, now, onward!
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Ascension
Chapter Eight - "Gateway To Power"
By Chris McFeely
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Nexusmon's arms dropped to his side, and he stood stock still for a few long moments.
What now? Tai asked out loud, not directing the question at anyone in particular.
Is he... surrendering? Matt wondered.
Izzy said.
Well, what then? Tai wanted to know.
Izzy pointed, and everyone followed his gaze, to see that Nexusmon's body was crackling with energy. WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon tensed, preparing for another attack, but as they watched, the energy aura flowed off of Nexusmon, into the portal, causing it's growth to accelerate.
No... sense in... wasting time, Nexusmon said, trying to hide the hint of exertion that had crept into his voice. His body sagged a little, and Tai instantly noticed this.
Go, WarGreymon! Tai said, gesturing at the villain.
WarGreymon had noticed Nexusmon's slight weakening too, and leapt into action. NOVA FORCE! he cried, and lunged through the air, whirling his body like a dervish, ploughing into Nexusmon, and knocking him from his feet.
Nexusmon grunted, as he was knocked on his backside. WarGreymon ceased his spinning, and hit the ground a few feet away. A giant scorched dent decorated Nexusmon's stomach, and he growled as WarGreymon flexed his arms. Haven't you LEARNED, you freak? The dent shimmered once, and slowly un-crumpled, popping back into shape, the black scorch marks dissolving and the metal sheen returning to the spot. In a matter of seconds, Nexusmon was on his feet, no worse for wear. He assumed a battle-ready position, and eyed up WarGreymon.
Izzy said. Whatever energy he used to power up the portal has already replenished itself within his body.
That's interesting? Joe muttered, still holding his shoulder wound.
Well, he's proved that he can regenerate damage to his body... Izzy went on, but it takes time.
DIGITAL THUNDER! Nexusmon roared, loosing off the deadly blast, and catching WarGreymon on the leg. The reptilian Digimon dropped to one knee, in pain, and MetalGarurumon lumbered forward, rearing up on his hind legs.
GIGA MISSILE!
As the battle raged, the kids and the Rookies crowded around Izzy, as he tried to rationalise the goings-on.
If we can inflict damage to him faster than he can repair himself, we might have a chance, Izzy said. We can't destroy him, but maybe we can weaken him enough to find some way to stop that portal.
Sounds good to me...! Tentomon started to say, but then cut himself off with a sharp cry.
Izzy spun around to look at his partner. What's wrong?
I'm... not sure... Tentomon groaned, stroking his head with a talon. I just... felt a sudden pain. It's gone now.
You must still be weakened from the battle before, Izzy said.
Look, Izzy, Tai turned the conversation back around to Nexusmon. How can we possibly weaken him? WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon are powerful, but even with their powers added together, they can't work that fast!
Izzy echoed.
Matt asked.
Five and a half years ago, Matt, Izzy said. You must remember.
Matt and Tai's minds flashed back - to that moment, six months after they had left the DigiWorld - back to Diaboromon. The last time they had seen their Digimon before today.
(Author's note - remember, 02 doesn't exist in this story.)
You mean...? Tai asked.
He does, Matt said.
In that second, two minds - two hearts - were one. Matt and Tai's DigiVices exploded with light once more, beaming out to envelop WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon. Nexusmon stepped back, dazzled briefly, but curious to see what was occurring. WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon's bodies began to glow with dull yellow light, as they turned to face each other.
D.N.A. digivolve to... OMNIMON!
The two Digimons' bodies dissolved into pure light, which flowed and mixed together, taking on a newer more powerful form. A shell of solid light formed in the air, and slowly crumbled away, to expose the powerful form of Omnimon - WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon's fused form - hovering in mid-air.
Oh, so you've got an extra trick, do you? Nexusmon sneered. It's not going to save you! VIRAL CLAW!
ASCENDANT SWORD! Omnimon cried, swinging his left arm wide, allowing the powerful obsidian blade to explode outward from his hand. Never ceasing his swing, Omnimon completely severed Nexusmon's Viral Claw as it whipped towards him. The metal cylinder hit the floor with a clang.
Nexusmon screamed, clutching the stump where his arm had been. You goddamn son of a - ! You'll PAY FOR THAT!
Omnimon dropped his sword to his side, and kicked the cylinder that had been Nexusmon's arm. Surprisingly, it disappeared in a spark of light, which floated into the portal. Then, Nexusmon grunted, and the stump of his arm began to morph and twist, stretching out, replenishing itself.
Can't... stop... DESTINY! Nexusmon laughed, as the seconds ticked by, allowing his arm to regenerate. DIGITAL THUNDER!
The beam ripped into Omnimon, searing his chest and setting his cape aflame. The Digimon cried out, as he was hurled backward, to crash to the ground.
Tai and Matt cried.
I'm... okay...! Omnimon struggled to speak.
I've had it! Gatomon yelled, suddenly. We can't just sit here!
Patamon agreed. Let's go! BOOM BUBBLE!
The small air pocket approached Nexusmon, who titled his head and stared. You don't seriously... AUGH! his mocking tone was cut off as the bubble smashed into his face, shattering his visor. H... HOW...?!
The portal! Tentomon said. It's re-energised us... but it's pushing us beyond our natural power levels! SUPER SHOCKER!
Nexusmon staggered as the electric beam tore into his thigh, even as his visor knitted itself together. This... this can't be happening!
POISON IVY!
SPIRAL TWISTER!
Palmon's tentacles wrapped around Nexusmon's damaged leg, yanking it out from under him, and holding him down fast, as Biyomon's attack scorched his chest.
MARCHING FISHES! Gomamon yelped, as, from the wrecked remains of the Digital Inhibitor's coolant tank, a veritable army of rainbow-coloured fishes emerged, soaring through the air towards Nexusmon.
BINARY WAVE! Nexusmon screamed in anger, vaporising the fish in mid-air. Seizing Palmon's tentacles, he tore them free from his leg, which was almost healed, and pulled hard on them, lifting Palmon into the air and whirling her around.
Mimi squealed. Put her down!
My pleasure! Nexusmon retorted, releasing Palmon in mid-spin, sending her crashing into Patamon and Biyomon. He snickered as he watched the three Rookies hit the floor, but was then hit with another dagger of pain as something white and furry shot past him, raking his shoulder with claws. Gatomon came to a halt and spun around to look at the creature.
Had enough? she asked.
You little...! Nexusmon dived towards her, but his leg, still not fully repaired, buckled, and he collapsed, with Gatomon just beyond his reach.
CAT'S EYE HYPNOTISM! Gatomon declared, staring into the black void inside Nexusmon's helmet, her eyes glowing.
N... n... n.... Nexusmon moaned. Y... you... c... c... can't...
Wanna bet? Gatomon teased, but then, quite suddenly, her attack stopped, and she screamed, clutching her stomach, and dropping to her knees.
Kari cried, rushing to her.
Kari, get away from there! Tai ordered, as he and Matt helped Omnimon up.
Too late! Nexusmon laughed, pulling his repaired form up to his full height and moving to grab Kari and Gatomon.
SUPREME CANNON! Omnimon declaimed, unleashing the awesome power of his second attack, sending a massive bolt of energy careening into Nexusmon, smashing him aside. Tai ran to Kari's side.
You could have got yourself killed! he said.
But... there's something wrong with Gatomon! Kari tried to explain.
The cat-like Digimon was still holding her gut, and writhing in pain, even as Kari tried to pick her up. It... it hurts, Kari...! she sobbed.
Kari cried. What is it?
I... I don't know...! Gatomon tried to speak. It's... inside...!
Suddenly, Gatomon's body began to glow with pink light, and Kari and Tai stepped back, startled. Looking around, they could see it was happening to the Rookies, too.
Wh... what's happening to us, TK? Patamon wanted to know, fighting back the tears of pain, as his body throbbed with yellow light.
Sora... the pain.. it's...! Biyomon couldn't even finish her sentence, as reddish-pink light roiled around her body.
Mimi... help me... Palmon was near unconsciousness, and Gomamon was struggling in a similar fashion, as the greyish energy rising from his body intertwined with the green from hers.
It's... the pain... I felt before... Izzy... Tentomon moaned. Purple light was reflected off Izzy's face as he tried to help his Digimon, to no avail. He looked up, to see Nexusmon laughing, as Omnimon stared at the chaos around him.
It's you! Izzy accused. What are you doing to them?
Nexusmon said, with a hint of mock surprise and offence. Why, nothing at all. I'm just realising that this is a delightful side-effect of my portal, that's all. He cackled once, evilly. Like the little bug said, the portal's been regenerating them, the way it helps to regenerate me - but I am the PINNACLE in power! These puny little Rookies were energised beyond their normal limits... and their pathetic bodies can't take the energy! Their own homeworld is destroying them!
Joe... you've got to help us... Gomamon breathed.
But.... how?! Joe wailed.
Got to... figure that one out... still... Gomamon groaned, and then his head lolled to the side, and he was silent.
Joe felt tears in his eyes.
It's... happening... Sora... Biyomon said.
Sora sobbed. We can't let you go again!
Tai and Matt could do nothing but watch, along with Omnimon and Nexusmon, as the life seemed to leave the bodies of the Rookies, and Gatomon.
T... Takeru...? Patamon coughed. I'm the only one left now...
Call me TK, Takeru said, through the tears.
Please, TK... Patamon said. Help me.
Use... your.. DigiVice?
What good would it do?
Beats... me... but it.. always seems to... do the trick... Patamon offered weak smile, and then, his eyes rolled back into his head.
TK cried, ripping his DigiVice from his belt, and holding it up close to Patamon's glowing body. Suddenly, the energy began to flow off of the little Digimon's form, into the DigiVice, which shook and rattled with power. The life returned to Patamon's eyes.
Knew... I could count on you... TK, he said.
Seeing this, everyone else pulled out their DigiVice, and held them up to their Digimon partner's body. The glowing energy sloughed free from them, storing itself inside the little devices, giving life back to the Rookies.
Thanks... Izzy... Tentomon groaned, as everyone embraced their Digimon.
Nexusmon snorted. I HATE mush. I think I'm going to have to kill you all now. The old-fashioned way. The evil creature took a step towards Kari, but threw his hands up when he got too close to her DigiVice, which continued to throb with the power it had drained from Gatomon.
They still work, in that respect, then! Izzy said, turning over his DigiVice in his hand. It was tempered purple, and shaking violently. I wonder...
Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Izzy? Tentomon asked.
I do believe I am, Izzy replied.
Tentomon quipped, stealing Izzy's catchphrase.
That's my line! Izzy laughed, and extended his arm out, holding the DigiVice out again.
As I'll ever be!
Izzy's thumb stabbed down on the small gadget's circular button, and the purple energy shot out of the small screen in its centre like a phosphorescent bullet, striking Tentomon in the heart.
Is it working? Izzy asked, as the energy continued to flow.
You'd better believe it!
Tentomon, warp-digivolve to... HERCULESKABUTERIMON!
Tentomon effectively exploded, and in his place, the gargantuan form of HerculesKabuterimon, his gleaming, golden insectoid Mega form, stood for the first time, just barely being able to fit in the room.
It... it worked! Izzy exclaimed. Quick! Everyone!
The sound of five DigiVices thrumming into life echoed in the room, as five beams of light - red, green, grey, yellow and pink - streamed outward, initiating the most amazing of transformations.
Biyomon, warp-digivolve to... PHOENIXMON!
Palmon, warp-digivolve to... ROSEMON!
Gomamon, warp-digivolve to... PLESIOMON!
Patamon, warp-digivolve to... SERAPHYMON!
Gatomon, warp-digivolve to... MAGNADRAMON!
The snake-like Magnadramon curled into the air, and floated there, as Seraphymon spread his ten golden wings, and went aloft, to hover alongside her. Rosemon, short as she was, stood alongside HerculesKabuterimon, not even reaching his knee. Phoenixmon, a towering, bird-like Digimon, reared up to her full height, standing level with HerculesKabuterimon, as Plesiomon filled up most of the space left in the room. Omnimon floated in front of them all, his sword and cannon glowing fiercely.
Nexusmon looked at the seven Megas, together, with the kids standing around them. This isn't going to save you. he said, calmly, but with a hint of anger in his voice. You're all going to die... if not by my hand, then when the worlds join. Everything living in each world will be deleted - destroyed - then reborn as a fusion of organic and digital - completely loyal to ME. You will cease to be... and there is NOTHING you can do... to stop it.
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Had to take a little creative liberty with the Omnimon digivolve scene, but how'd you all like? C'mon, the finale's onlyt two chapters away, and I'm juuuust not sure that I could write it if I don't get a decent number of reviews... c'mon, even if you hated it, or if you just thought it was okay, PLEASE, R&R! I BEG YOUUUU! ^_^
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