The Greatest Power
Chapter 4 -- Escape!
(Author's Note: This is a TK/Kari fic, but expect Tai/Sora and Matt/Mimi in there as well. It's definatly a romance fic, but it'll have plenty of action in there, too. This fanfic is set 4 years after the defeat of Apocalymon and writen before the second Digimon series or movie came to America, so no characters or plots from that series or movie are in this story. Also, so nobody has to fight to think of how they changed in looks, just imagine the TV characters taller and more mature looking, I wont make reference to their clothes so you can imagine them however you want, I thought that would make it easier on you. Please read Chapters 1, 2 and 3 so you'll know everything that's going on in this story. This chapter won't have the action of the last, but it has all the TK/Kari romance any fan could want.)
The Digidestined and their Digimon were nearing the top of Infinity Mountain, still being lead by their captors, DarkAngemon's MetalMonochromon. The two in back were pushing anyone that fell too far behind while the two up front lead the way, one of them still holding Tai, wrapped in his chain. He was on his feet and could walk, but the metalic guard gave a tug every now and then to speed Tai up. They had surrendered out of fear for Tai's safety. Somehow DarkAngemon knew just how to get at their emotions and turn them against themselves.
TK and Kari were almost in the back of the pack, being a little slower than the others. TK was holding Patamon in his arms, still really hurt from the fight and unable to walk of fly on his own. Gatomon was being carried by Kari, though she wasn't hurt as badly thanks to Patamon.
"TK... Gatomon..." Patamon choked out weakly. "Sorry I didn't fight better..." Kari walked closer to TK, letting Gatomon take ahold of Patamon's paw.
"Don't worry about it." Gatomon said, trying to comfort him. "None of us could have beaten DarkAngemon and you did your best." Patamon gave a weak sigh before suddenly going to sleep, too weak to stay awake. Gatomon's eyes teared up slightly. "He got hurt protecting me..." Gatomon said, sobbing a little. "I should have been the one fighting better..." Kari pulled Gatomon closer, trying to comfort her.
"Like you said, none of you could beat DarkAngemon." Kari said. "Besides, we'll get another chance sooner or later." Gatomon didn't seem to share Kari's confidence, but smiled anyway, glad someone in the group had some hope. Kari looked over at TK, who was looking down at Patamon in worry. Something in her mind hated seeing TK so sad... Kari couldn't help but feel... somehow hurt by seeing him so sad. Kari started to feel sad just by seeing him like this, but why she didn't know... Kari didn't have much time to think, however, as they had reached the top. The black castle was much larger than any of them had imagined and much more vicious looking, with spikes and horns decorating the various towers and pillars of the castle. At the top of the path, on each side of it, were two powerful looking Digimon they hadn't seen before. They looked like triceratops dinosaurs standing on their hind legs and with a slightly humanoid look to them.
"Hmm, I know those two." Tentomon said, riding on Izzy's back, too banged up to fly or walk. "They're Triceramon, the best guards in the Digiworld since all they know is brute force. Nothing short of an atomic bomb can move them." The two Triceramon did look brutish, with bloodshot eyes and clenched teeth. They almost looked like they were waiting for one of them to step out of line so they could put their strength to good use. Nobody did dare do that, though, allowing the MetalMonochromons to lead them to the front of the palace. Even the doorway looked dangerous, with spiked columbs on both sides of the door. The metal guards in front opened the massive twin doors, pulling Tai in by the chain with Agumon and Sora following close behind. One by one, everyone else entered, the last two MetalMonochromons closing the doors behind them and dropping a bar down on the doors, locking them.
Inside everything looked as dangerous and dark as it did on the outside, but the entire place did have a more regal design than they had expected. They were in a large dark room with only a pale light from the few lit candles around the room. Gargoyle statues were placed at the corners of the room, all facing a fairly large throne in the back of the room. The area around it was so dark nobody could tell if someone was sitting in the throne or not.
"Well he could definatly use a good decorator." Mimi said out of nowhere. Coming from anyone else it would have been a joke, but everyone knew Mimi was probably serious.
"If you don't mind, I prefer my decore the way it is." Someone said from the back of the room. Two torches near the throne suddenly burst into flames, lighting up most of the room and revealing DarkAngemon on the throne, his sickle leaning against it. "Much better than what Devimon did with his old temple up here..." DarkAngemon stood and started walking towards the group, waving the MetalMonochromon to the side. The one that had it's chain around Tai withdrew it, pulling it back into his hand and freeing Tai.
"What do you want with us?!" Tai yelled, still angry at the dark angel.
"Simple..." DarkAngemon said. "I just want you out of the way. You stand no chance to defeat me, but your presence annoys me, so I will simply get rid of you." With that, DarkAngemon raised a fist that was glowing with black energy. Everyone looked around, expecting something, but they didn't notice much, until they looked at their Digivices, which were surrounded by the back energy. Before they could grab onto them, the black energy pulled them away, landing them into DarkAngemon's open hands. "In case you get any ideas... Your Digimon won't be healed till morning, but without these you don't stand a chance of escaping with them." DarkAngemon gripped the 8 Digivices tightly, almost mocking his prisoners. Without thinking, Kari suddenly ran at DarkAngemon, catching him off guard, and tried to tackle him. Kari hit him with all her force, but barely made him budge. DarkAngemon looked down at her, angry, then waved his fist in her direction, throwing her back through the air. TK ran at her out of instinct and did his best to catch Kari before she hit the ground, only to get knocked to the hard rock floor along with her.
"Thanks, TK..." Kari whispered, dazed by the invisible hit she recieved. The two remained on the ground, watching one of the MetalMonochromons walk over to the evil angel, holding a small open treasure chest. DarkAngemon turned and dumped the Digivices in his hands into the chest before shutting and locking it himself. DarkAngemon then turned to Kari, and even though you couldn't see his eyes, it was easy to tell he wasn't happy.
"Be glad you did little more than annoy me, girl..." DarkAngemon warned, returning to his throne. He seemed to be in thought about something.
"How did you come around, anyway?" Izzy finally asked, his curious side getting the better of him. DarkAngemon seemed to look at Izzy for a second before wickedly laughing a little.
"Heh... Believe it or not I admire a curious mind..." DarkAngemon said, grabbing his sickle. "Very well... For the next few hours you are my guests, not my prisoners..." Everyone looked at each other, confused about this sudden change of attitude. Even the MetalMonochromon guards looked a little confused. The dark angel looked toward one of the MetalMonochromon. "Lead them to the dining hall, such adversaries deserve one last decent meal before being imprisoned in my dungeons." That last part worried everyone a little, but they didn't have any other choice and followed the guard into the next room, which was hopefully not the dungeon.
It wasn't, though. Instead it looked like DarkAngemon was telling the truth. The room was definatly a dining hall, with a very long banquet table covered in food like this had been his plan all along. The table even had places for everyone, including DarkAngemon, who took a seat at the far end of the table. From there he waved to Tai to take the seat at the other end of the table. Tai did, even though he was still mad at the dark angel. Everyone else, including their Digimon, took seats at the table, except for Patamon, still too weak to leave TK's arms. Izzy was the last to take a seat and ended up with the one closest to DarkAngemon, making him nervous. Still his curiosity was overpowering him, making him take the seat anyway.
"Why are you doing this?" Izzy asked. "Feeding us and trusting us not to run off or fight back?" DarkAngemon looked in Izzy's direction, his helmet gleaming a little in the torch light.
"Your Digimon are mostly still injured and they cannot Digivolve without your Digivices, I know even if you thought you could escape, you'd get no farther than my guards." Izzy and everyone else looked back at the door they came in at to see a MetalMonochromon and a Triceramon standing there, blocking their only exit. "Besides, although I am a virus Digimon I am also an angel Digimon, I can have a great deal of mercy when I wish to. In fact once the Digiworld is mine you shall be released from my captivity and returned to your own world." For a second Izzy thought DarkAngemon wasn't totally bad, until he snapped back into reality.
Most had started eating the various foods on the table, though everyone was cautious with it and ate slowly, not wanting to be thrown into the dungeon so soon. TK and Kari seemed to be the only ones not eating, after the incident in the main room they weren't too trusting in DarkAngemon. Eventually hunger got the better of them as they both reached for a leg off of a roasted turkey, or at least that's what it looked like. Their hands hit each others as they went for the leg, both pulling back their hands quickly out of embarrassment. TK left the leg and grabbed for a nearby bowl of soup, letting Kari take the turkey leg. TK looked down at Patamon, then spooned out some of the soup and brought it down to his Digimon, trying to get some food in him. Patamon was still weak, but did manage to eat a few spoonfulls of soup before falling asleep again. TK couldn't do more but finish the bowl of soup himself.
"I'd still like to know where you came from." Izzy said between bites of a pie. "I've never heard of a virus type angel, it's still hard to believe." DarkAngemon looked across the table at Tai, who still looked irritated. DarkAngemon was the only one not eating, leaving him free to speak.
"My origins may involve your group more than you realize." DarkAngemon said. The room had a good deal of harmonics to it so nobody had trouble hearing him. "It started many years ago, but for you it may have only been 4 or 5 years. Before Piedmon had stolen the tags and crests, he was working on building his own dark army, one of Mega Digimon that nobody could stop. His goal was never to have just himself and three other Megas, but to have an entire army of Dark Masters. He would take Digimon from everywhere in the Digital World and warp them with his evil power, making them Digivolve into evil Digimon to serve him. Three of his "failed experiments" you know, Devimon, Etemon and Myotismon. Piedmon was satisfied with them and knew the three would one day be unstopable Megas, so he entrusted Etemon with hiding the crests and Devimon with the tags. Myotismon, however, craved more power, so Piedmon allowed him to attempt to take over your world. To his disappointment, Devimon was destroyed before he could reach even his Ultimate stage and MetalEtemon proved a sorry excuse for a Mega, falling to a single Ultimate and Mega level Digimon. When Myotismon became VenomMyotismon, it was everything he had hoped for, desiring a Mega of superior size, but he, too, was weaker than Piedmon had hoped for. By then, of course, he had already suceeded in creating MetalSeadramon, Puppetmon and Machinedramon. It was enough to take over the Digital World, but he craved more. Then he remembered the Digimon that had defeated Devimon, who would have been the strongest of any Mega he created, in a single blast. Seeing the power a properly Digivolved Patamon, he captured one and imprisoned it inside Infinity Mountain. After being fed black gears, it became an Angemon, but it was corrupt, with more evil intentions than good. In that form, the Angemon was being fed by the black gears that imprisoned him rather than hurt by them. Years passed... eventually Piedmon and his Dark Masters were destroyed at your hands and the corrupted angel was forgotten. After another 3 years of waiting, the Angemon finally digivolved, giving birth to me. In my new ultimate form I found I had immense power, unmatched by anything. It allowed me to create this palace and build my army, and it will soon allow me to take over the Digiworld, whick my creator Piedmon failed to do." With his story told, DarkAngemon reached for a nearby gobblet and took a sip from it. Everyone had to admit, it was quite a story. Most of them did wonder about how Digimon like Etemon, Myotismon and Devimon came to be. It was strange to think of them as Piedmon's failed experiments.
"Did Piedmon have any other Digimon he was attempting to create?" Izzy asked, still curious. DarkAngemon looked at him again.
"Just a warning, my curious friend." DarkAngemon said. "There's a fine line between being curious and being nosey... watch that you don't cross it." Izzy took the warning to heart and decided to make any further questions a bit lighter. "To my knowledge, I was Piedmon's last experiment before being destroyed by you, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did try to create another Mega level Devimon. He always was especially disappointed by it's failure." DarkAngemon stood from his seat and looked around the table. Most everyone had finished eating and the Digimon looked better as well, even Patamon, who was now awake and sitting in TK's lap. "Now that my story is told and you've finished your meal, you are no longer my welcomed guests, but my prisoners." The MetalMonochrmon and Triceramons returned, surrounding the table and the Digidestined and Digimon. They all stood at once, ready to fight, but their Digimon couldn't Digivolve anyway and they were still injured. DarkAngemon was right when he said it would be morning before their Digimon were recovered completely. "This was part of the deal." DarkAngemon said. "You will only be my prisoners until the Digiworld is mine, then you shall be returned home, I'll even spare your Digimon friends and send them with you." Tai glared back at DarkAngemon in defiance. As he looked around, though, seeing the ultimate level Digimon all around, leaving no escape route, his eyes lost their rebelious look.
"...Guys, we don't have a choice..." Tai said, feeling defeated. "He's too strong, even if we had our Digivices we can't beat him..." Sora couldn't believe Tai was saying this, but as she looked around herself, the situation did look hopeless. The rest saw the same and gave in, though none of them were ready to give up permanently. They watched as two large doors on both sides of the dining hall opened up, revealing two dark hallways that didn't seem to be used much, with cobwebs and dust decorating the hallways.
"Any preference as to who goes to what dungeon?" One of the MetalMonochromon said in a harsh voice. DarkAngemon looked them over, then raised a fist, glowing black with energy. Suddenly Tai, Sora, TK, Kari, Agumon, Biyomon, Patamon and Gatomon were thrown to one side of the room, towards the west dungeon. Matt, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, Gabumon, Palmon, Gomamon and Tentomon were thrown to the east dungeon. DarkAngemon stopped glowing and lowered his fist. The guards easily understood, dragging or pushing the groups into the dungeons DarkAngemon had selected. His selection was very specific, though, it had to be if his plan was to suceed.
**********
Tai and his group soon found themselves being lead down a long, fairly large hallway. It was very wide and tall so it could easily accomodate the large MetalMonochromon. For a second he thought of turning around and fighting his way out, but with two MetalMonochromon behind him made him think otherwise. They wouldn't be a problem for WarGreymon or even MetalGreymon if he just had his Digivice. It was locked in DarkAngemon's chest, though, definatly out of his reach from here.
Finally the 8 prisoners found themselves in a mostly steel room with 8 cells, 4 on each side. There was a Triceramon in the back, apparently the guard for the dungeon, sitting beside a large lever. He reached down and gave it a sharp tug, pulling it back and opening the 8 cells. The MetalMonochromon seemed to throw everyone in at random, not careing where the prisoners wound up. TK, Kari, Sora and Biyomon were thrown into the cells on one side while Patamon, Agumon, Gatomon and Tai were thrown into the cells on the other side. With everyone in, Triceramon pushed forward on the lever, shutting all the cell doors. Tai immediatly ran up to his and shook the door as hard as he could, testing how strong the bars were. It was no use, though, DarkAngemon had built the dungeon to withstand anything they could try in their state. After a few minutes, Tai gave up and took a seat against the wall closest to Sora's cell. He wanted to at least see her as long as they were trapped there. Sora had the same idea, sitting against the wall closest to Tai's cell.
"Sorry all this happened, Sora..." Tai said, breaking the silence of the dungeon. The Triceramon on guard didn't seem to mind them talking. In fact he seemed to be paying attention to every word.
"It's not your fault." Sora said, trying to comfort him. "DarkAngemon was just too powerful. At least we know he won't keep us here forever." Tai looked more upset than at ease from the comment.
"That isn't fair, though..." Tai said. "We shouldn't just sit here and let him take the Digiworld just for our freedom..." Sora knew he was right, but she also didn't see any other option to it.
"I know, Tai, but we can't get out of here." Sora said in dismay. She really hated admiting that, but the way things were going, it was true.
"I'll think of a way..." Tai said, his familiar defiant look in his eyes. "There has to be a way..." Tai dropped his head in thought. Sora decided it was best to leave it at that and slumped back against the wall a little, doing her best to get comfortable in the stone cell.
Meanwhile, TK was looking over at the cell across from him with the still weak Patamon laying in there asleep or unconcions, from the distance he couldn't tell. He was sitting against the back wall, almost against the wall to Kari's cell. Even in this kind of situation, TK knew there had to be a way out of it. The holder of the Crest of Hope couldn't think otherwise. Somehow he just had this feeling there was a way out of this he wasn't aware of.
"TK, can you hear me?" A faint voice said. TK jumped, surprised by the voice. He looked around to see where it came from, but we was too far away from the front of the cell to hear anyone else. "TK, down here, in the corner." The voice said again. TK looked down at the corner and noticed a hole in the wall where something had worn away the wall. TK got onto his belly, putting his face down near the hole and saw Kari on the other side, also with her eyes up to the hole. TK was glad he could see her crimson eyes again, even if it wasn't in the best of places. "TK, give me your hand." Kari said, shifting around on the floor of the cell to get her hand in the hole. TK didn't know why she wanted him to do it, but he shifted onto his back to reach into the hole anyway. The wall was a few feet thick, but it was wide enough for them to both get their arms into the hole, meeting halfway between. Kari held onto TK's hand, getting a good hold on it.
"Kari, what are you doing?" TK asked in a whisper tone. He didn't know if Kari could hear him or not, though. With their arms in the hole his whisper might not have gotten though.
"I can't believe both of our angel Digimon couldn't beat one evil angel." Kari said outloud so TK could hear her. He also felt Kari giving his hand a quick squeeze for some reason. "Maybe if you used MagnaAngemon we would stand a better chance." Kari continued, giving his hand another squeeze. TK didn't know where she was getting with all the squeezing, though. "Maybe if my Digimon went to her Mega level of HolyAngewomon we could win easy." Kari said, this time squeezing twice. Now TK had no idea what she was talking about, they both knew Gatomon couldn't go Mega... or maybe that was it... TK was starting to get an idea but didn't want to be too hasty.
"MagnaAngemon would have been enough..." TK said, giving Kari's hand a quick squeeze. He hoped he had the right idea.
"Yeah..." Kari said back. "But you told me my Digimon's Mega was your favorite Digimon." TK felt two squeezes of the hand that time. He was sure of it now, one squeeze meant true and two meant false, since Kari knew TK's favorite was Patamon. Kari was trying to throw off the guard somehow with the bad information.
"Yeah, but Joe's Mega is the one that beats everyone elses, that's the one to be afraid of." TK squeezed twice on that comment. The Triceramon guard seemed to be getting a good earfull, too. "I'm sorry I got you into this, I should have fought better..." TK said, squeezing once.
"You should have, this is all your fault, TK." Kari said, quickly squeezing twice. This was a little different, though. That was false, but it also had some meaning behind it somehow.
"I'm sorry..." TK said, giving Kari's hand a squeeze.
"You were never my best friend, anyway..." Kari said, giving TK's hand two hard squeezes. TK was getting mixed up again, Kari always told him that he was always her best friend... That's when it hit TK. She was changing the game, two squeezes now meant that she meant the opposite of what she says. TK felt clever picking up this code so fast.
"No problem, you were never my best friend, either." TK replied, giving her hand two squeezes. It was a half lie, though, he definatly felt more for Kari than just friendship, even best friendship. He never figured out what, though, not for sure at least.
"Now that I think about it..." Kari said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I think... I absolutely hate you, TK..." Kari gave TK's hand two hard squeezes, but just hearing those words hurt TK badly, like his world had crumbled out from underneath him. Then he realized his hand had recieved two squeezes, he was just confused. What could Kari mean by the opposite of hate... except for... love? TK wasn't sure what to say back, if Kari really did mean what he thought.. what he hoped...
"I'm glad..." TK said, squeezing once. "I hate you too, Kari." He gave two more squeezes. "...more than anything." One last squeeze, he just hoped Kari could peice all that together. Kari stayed quiet for a few minutes, not saying anything in reply.
"Just get to sleep, things will look better int he morning." Kari finally said, squeezing once. TK was getting tired, it had been a long day. He didn't want to let go of Kari's hand, though. Kari must not have, either, since she didn't pull her arm back out. TK left it at that and got as comfortable as he could with his arm still in the hole. Hee didn't really care, though, as long as Kari's hand was still in his.
**********
The next morning, TK awoke with a sore neck from sleeping on the hard rock floor and a stiff arm from keeping it in the hole all night. He didn't mind that, though, since Kari was still holding onto his hand in the next cell. He remembered last night well and never wanted to forget it, either. Who would think his first day as a prisoner would be one of the best days of his life?
"Hey, TK!" Tai shouted from across the dungeon. TK, reluctantly, pulled his arm from the hole and walked over to the cell bars. TK looked to where the Triceramon guard was the night before, but found his chair empty.
"What happened to the guard?" TK said, making sure Kari's plan worked.
"He ran off saying something about Gomamon's Mega level." Tai said, a bit confused about that himself. "What happened last night, anyway? You and Kari kept talking nonsense..." TK laughed a little, glad Kari's idea fooled her own brother.
"I'll explain it later." TK said. "Let's just say the guard's probably giving DarkAngemon some bad info right now." Tai didn't have much of an idea what TK meant, but he left it a that. Just then TK heard a small bang behind him, like something metal just hit the floor behind him.
"TK, grab that quick!" Kari said from the bars of her cell. TK turned around and walked to the back of his cell where he found a Digivice, the object that hit the ground. TK looked over at the hole in the wall and figured it had to come from there.
"Kari, how did you get a Digivice?!" TK said, walking back to the bars with the metalic device in his hands.
"I grabbed it away from DarkAngemon when I tried to tackle him." Kari said. "Luckily he never noticed it gone. I told you things would look better in the morning." TK couldn't help but admire how clever Kari was sometimes. "TK, hit the button on it and see who's Digivice it is, we can get out of here if it goes to one of us." TK looked down at it and noticed the large button on one of the top corners. He pressed it in, lighting up the small screen and making a little pixel picture of Agumon appear on it.
"Agumon popped up on the screen." TK announced. "It's gotta be yours, Tai." With the Digivice in hand, TK managed to get an arm passed the bars. Tai did the same, but it was too far apart to just hand it to him. TK decided to risk it and lobbed the Digivice at Tai's hand. It was on target, but Tai never was a good catch, fumbling it around a little before it fell to the ground, out of reach for both of them. Sora was awake, too, watching the whole scene. She looked over and saw Biyomon stirring awake, then got an idea.
"Biyomon, are you awake?" Sora asked across the dungeon. Biyomon jumped to her feet to show she was, but she was obviously still a little drowsy. "Think you can knock Tai's Digivice over to him?" Biyomon shook her head, knocking some of the sleep out of her, and saw the Digivice lying face down on the floor.
"Sure, no problem!" Biyomon said, gaining a little height. "Spiral Twister!" The green blast of fire and wind hit right beside the Digivice, knocking it into the air and right into Tai's cell, hitting the ground right behind him. Tai reached down and grabbed the Digivice, checking to see if it wasn't too banged up. It looked as fine as ever, though, they were definatly built to last. He gripped onto it tight, half out of worry that it would go away if he didn't.
"Agumon, wake up!" Tai shouted at his sleepy Digimon in the cell between Patamon and Gatomon. Agumon woke slowly, but did feel slightly more energized than he expected. "Come on, sleepy head, we're getting out of here!" Agumon looked over at Tai as best he could and saw a gleam of light come from sonething in his hand. Agumon grinned, knowing what it was.
"Agumon Digivolve to..." Agumon surged with an all too familiar energy. A flash of red and orange energy engulfed Agumon, replacing him with a large t-rex looking Digimon, complete with a horned helmet and blue stripes along his back. "Greymon!" The champion's size was easily enough to bust throught the cell bars. Luckily the hallway was made for Digimon his size, though. Greymon stomped over to the lever at the back of the dungeon and pushed it back, opening the cell doors. Anyone who wasn't already up was easily waken up by Greymon's escape. Everyone rushed out of their cells, glad to be free of them. Tai and Sora immediatly hugged each other, as did Gatomon and Patamon.
"If you guys don't mind." Greymon boomed behind them "We've gotta get the others and get out of here fast!" Tai nodded, running for the door.
"We've gotta get the Digivices back, too." Sora added, running down the hallway with Biyomon. TK, Kari, Gatomon and Patamon soon followed with Greymon following behind. Eventually they found themselves back in the dining hall, now empty of anything, even the leftovers on the table were gone.
"Greymon, let's get the others out of the other dungeon!" Tai said, starting for the second dungeon's hallway. Sora and Biyomon followed quickly behind them. TK and Kari started to follow, then got a better idea and headed for the throne room.
"Where are you two going?" Gatomon asked, stopping in her tracks. Patamon stopped beside her.
"Tai and Sora can get the others out no problem." TK said, watching the two head into the dungeon hallway with their Digimon. "We'll go after the Digivices while they do that!" Kari has hit on the same idea, following TK into the throne room. Gatomon and Patamon both quickly followed behind them.
**********
Everyone in the second dungeon had waken up already, unable to sleep much on a rock floor, especially Mimi, who was still complaining about it to herself. Izzy was typing away at his computer, not really working on anything, just keeping his mind off of their situation. Matt was acting about the same way Tai was, trying his best to see Mimi from his cage and still think of a way to get out. Joe was just keeping to himself in the back of his cell, waiting for something to happen next, good or bad. Their Digimon were a different story. Gabumon and Tentomon were up most of the night, blasting a single bar of their cells, hoping it would break. Palmon was trying to extend her Poison Ivy vines to grab the lever and open the cells, but they took some care and put her in the cell farthest from the lever. Even when she got close the Triceramon on guard duty would swat her vines away easily Gomamon was watching the door, half expecting someone to bust through and come to the rescue.
Suddenly Gomamon got his wish as the door was busted down by Greymon's Nova Blast, surprising the guard at the far end of the room. Tai came through the door, followed by Sora and Biyomon. The Triceramon didn't look happy, either, looking like it was going to explode if it didn't get to fight soon. Tai looked around and noticed this dungeon was much bigger, with more space above and around him. Lucky for him, too, as Greymon charged forward and got ready to Digivolve.
"Greymon Digivolve to..." Greymon's left arm was replaced by a robotic arm with a vicious claw, which extended to give his chest a robotic part as well. His helmet became metal with a mass of hair now hanging out the back of it. His back grew a pair of short, broken wings. Parts from his legs and tail went away, revealing robotic parts underneath. "MetalGreymon!" The Ultimate Digimon had just enough space in the dungeon, thankfully, slashing at Triceramon with his robotic claw. Triceramon jumped back to avoid it.
"Triple Missile!" Triceramon fired his three horns at MetalGreymon that exploded like missiles. Triceramon grinned at his apparent victory, only to see MetalGreymon still standing without a scratch on him.
"Guess Triceramon's rumored strength is more myth than fact." Tentomon said, mentally making a note to keep that weakness in mind.
"I think you need to know what a real missile is!" MetalGreymon threatened. Triceramon started running for the back of the room, the only place he could go. "Giga Blaster!" The robotic chest piece opened up, revealing two missile launchers that fired a pair of long missiles at Triceramon, blowing him up and taking most of the back wall with him. The explosion also knocked the cell doors open, freeing the rest of the group.
"Thanks, Tai!" Matt said, looking over at his friend's handywork. "Now how about we get our Digivices and get out of here?" Tai nodded, his confidence restored. He turned and looked up at MetalGreymon just in time to see a black blast hit him from behind, damaging him so bad he had to return to his Rookie form of Agumon. Tai looked back and saw the blast's origin, DarkAngemon.
"Impressive, I didn't think you'd be able to escape." The black angel was looking over the group. "You don't even have your Digivices, you can't win. I should have destroyed you all when I had the chance." DarkAngemon raised a glowing fist, ready to blast the entire group with black energy.
"Celestrial Arrow!" An arrow of light came from the door behind DarkAngemon, but the blast seemed to only stun him for a second. He spun around to see Angewomon and Angemon in the hallway outside of the dungeon, with TK and Kari entering the door. The first thing everyone noticed was Kari carrying the small chest DarkAngemon put their Digivices in.
"You two again..." DarkAngemon said, glaring at the angels. "I would have thought you learned your lesson last time." Angemon walked forward, returning the glare.
"This time we don't hold anything back. The angel you face next won't be so easily." Angemon looked down at TK, who's Crest of Hope was glowing brightly from his chest.
"Show him a real ultimate angel!" TK said, holding his Digivice up and letting its light spill out, illuminating the dungeon.
"Angemon Digivolve to..." Angemon's 6 wings made room for 2 more, as well as the armor which appeared around him. Across his upper left arm a long shield came down and on his right arm, a lazer sword appeared on his wrist, forming a fairly long blade. Angemon's face was exposed for a split second as his helmet became longer, looking more like a bishop's hat. "MagnaAngemon!" The ultimate angel aimed his energy sword at DarkAngemon in challenge, which seemed to surprise the black angel.
"I wasn't aware you were able to Digivolve..." DarkAngemon admited. "But it makes little difference, ultimate level angel or not, you are no match for me!" DarkAngemon drew his sickle and aimed the blade at MagnaAngemon. "Falling Heavens!" The sickle fired a storm of black energy bolts, too many to avoid. MagnaAngemon was ready and raised his sword into the air.
"Gate of Destiny." MagnaAngemon swung his sword in a circle, leaving an energy trail that formed a golden gate in front of him. The gate opened up and absorbed the Falling Heavens from DarkAngemon's sickle. Angered, DarkAngemon stopped his attack, drawing back his sickle. MagnaAngemon wasn't finished, sending the Gate at the dark angel. When DarkAngemon was starting to enter it, the gates closed down on him, forcing him to struggle to keep the gate from closing on him.
"The Gate won't hold him long." MagnaAngemon announced in his usual calm, harmonic voice. "We must escape while he is trapped." MagnaAngemon flew at the already blasted wall and swung his sword at the damaged wall, shattering it down and revealing the outside of the castle. Tai ran for the new opening, but took a look down from the hole and saw there was no ground underneath.
"We need a ride down, fast!" Tai said, looking back at everyone. Everyone was digging through the box Kari was holding, pulling out their Digivices. Once Sora had hers, Biyomon ran for the hole and leaped out, taking to the air.
"Biyomon Digivolve to..." The familiar energy rushed through the small bird, sending small flames all around her. The flames flashed a blinding red light, replacing Biyomon with a firebird, complete with a set of fangs. "Birdramon!" Birdramon flapped in place for a second, waiting for everyone to get on. Everyone soon did, excpet for Kari and TK who were carried by their angels. The three Digimon flew off, leaving DarkAngemon's palace behind as they flew to the bottom of the mountain. The trip down turned out to be shorter than a trip up, since they landed fast. Once everyone was off, Birdramon, Angewomon and MagnaAngemon returned to their usual forms.
"Guess we know what that new evil is..." Matt said, holding Mimi's hand tight. The rest just nodded, looking back at Infinity Mountain.
"We'd still be stuck in that dungeon, too..." Tai said, looking at his Digivice. "If it wasn't for Kari..." Matt looked at Tai.
"Hey, don't forget it was TK and his Digimon that stopped DarkAngemon so we could get away." Matt was back to trying to rival Tai as best he could. The two were about to get into it some more when they both noticed something.
"Wait, where's TK and Kari?" Tai said, looking around. Before he could freak out over their disappearance, he saw the two, just a few yards away, facing each other. Everyone started looking at the two, not sure what to do or to expect.
"Well TK..." Kari said, a slight smile on her face. "You know how much I hate you..." TK had the same smile on his face, slightly more mischevous though.
"Yeah... Just as much as I hate you." Nobody from the main group could believe what they were hearing, it didn't sound like TK and Kari. Then what came next nearly killed them. Kari put her arms around TK's neck, with TK putting his arms around her waist. The two looked at each other quickly before pressing their lips together. The kiss had as much passion and love as two 12 year olds could manage for their first kiss. Patamon and Gatomon were looking on, glad thier human partners knew what they had. Sora and Mimi thought it was kind of cute, until they looked at their own boyfriends, who were flat on the ground from fainting at the sight.
"Well..." Joe said, dazed. "If this is how they show their hate, I don't want to know how they show their love..." Everyone that heard the comment couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Just think." Mimi said to Sora. "If TK and Kari keep this up for long, these two might be brothers!" Sora looked down at the two, still unconcious, then cracked up. TK and Kari, still embraced, looked back at everyone else.
"You'd think they never saw people kiss before..." TK said, looking back at Kari.
"Yeah, they could at least be more mature about it..." Kari joked, putting her head on TK's shoulder. TK closed his eyes, glad he finally knew what made Patamon so happy.
**********
Back at the black palace, DarkAngemon was walking through his throne room, looking over the damage done by the Digidestined. The misinformed Triceramon was following him around, helping with what he could.
"Master DarkAngemon..." Triceramon said, a little scared. "The Digidestined escaped, one of the dungeons have been destroyed and we're out one Triceramon, somehow I thought you would be furious..." DarkAngemon stopped and looked back at Triceramon, then only laughed evily.
"Why should I be mad?" The dark angel replied. "You see, my minion, this is my game. I make the rules and I decide when it's over. The Digidestined's escape was planned by me. When the youngest girl tackled me, I allowed her brother's Digivice to fall into her hand. I even arranged for the hole in the wall between their cells. For what I have planned, a dungeon and a Triceramon are small prices to pay..." DarkAngemon took his seat on his throne, smiling wickedly. "Now... my real game begins..."
To Be Concluded...
Next: Chapter 5 -- Power Unleashed
Special Note: Just so nobody complains, and I don't get sued, the dungeon scene was borrowed from Piers Anthony's Centaur Aisle, one of his early Xanth novels. Just to clear things up, an idea isn't something you can put a copywrite on, even from a book, as long as it isn't exactly word by word and then you do have to give credit like I am here. The dungeon hand holding scene from the book has the same code that was used for that same reason, but the similarities end there. The book has more talk of marriage, eventually went to a little hand biting instead of squeezing and the scene lasted a few pages rather than a few paragraphs. I've read the same kind of scene in other books and stories myself, but just in case, I admit I did get the idea from Centaur Aisle. I tried my best to not make it match, though, I thought it was perfect for this story.
Want to see DarkAngemon? Take a look:
http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/CyberDracomon/images/DarkAngemon.gif
Chapter 4 -- Escape!
(Author's Note: This is a TK/Kari fic, but expect Tai/Sora and Matt/Mimi in there as well. It's definatly a romance fic, but it'll have plenty of action in there, too. This fanfic is set 4 years after the defeat of Apocalymon and writen before the second Digimon series or movie came to America, so no characters or plots from that series or movie are in this story. Also, so nobody has to fight to think of how they changed in looks, just imagine the TV characters taller and more mature looking, I wont make reference to their clothes so you can imagine them however you want, I thought that would make it easier on you. Please read Chapters 1, 2 and 3 so you'll know everything that's going on in this story. This chapter won't have the action of the last, but it has all the TK/Kari romance any fan could want.)
The Digidestined and their Digimon were nearing the top of Infinity Mountain, still being lead by their captors, DarkAngemon's MetalMonochromon. The two in back were pushing anyone that fell too far behind while the two up front lead the way, one of them still holding Tai, wrapped in his chain. He was on his feet and could walk, but the metalic guard gave a tug every now and then to speed Tai up. They had surrendered out of fear for Tai's safety. Somehow DarkAngemon knew just how to get at their emotions and turn them against themselves.
TK and Kari were almost in the back of the pack, being a little slower than the others. TK was holding Patamon in his arms, still really hurt from the fight and unable to walk of fly on his own. Gatomon was being carried by Kari, though she wasn't hurt as badly thanks to Patamon.
"TK... Gatomon..." Patamon choked out weakly. "Sorry I didn't fight better..." Kari walked closer to TK, letting Gatomon take ahold of Patamon's paw.
"Don't worry about it." Gatomon said, trying to comfort him. "None of us could have beaten DarkAngemon and you did your best." Patamon gave a weak sigh before suddenly going to sleep, too weak to stay awake. Gatomon's eyes teared up slightly. "He got hurt protecting me..." Gatomon said, sobbing a little. "I should have been the one fighting better..." Kari pulled Gatomon closer, trying to comfort her.
"Like you said, none of you could beat DarkAngemon." Kari said. "Besides, we'll get another chance sooner or later." Gatomon didn't seem to share Kari's confidence, but smiled anyway, glad someone in the group had some hope. Kari looked over at TK, who was looking down at Patamon in worry. Something in her mind hated seeing TK so sad... Kari couldn't help but feel... somehow hurt by seeing him so sad. Kari started to feel sad just by seeing him like this, but why she didn't know... Kari didn't have much time to think, however, as they had reached the top. The black castle was much larger than any of them had imagined and much more vicious looking, with spikes and horns decorating the various towers and pillars of the castle. At the top of the path, on each side of it, were two powerful looking Digimon they hadn't seen before. They looked like triceratops dinosaurs standing on their hind legs and with a slightly humanoid look to them.
"Hmm, I know those two." Tentomon said, riding on Izzy's back, too banged up to fly or walk. "They're Triceramon, the best guards in the Digiworld since all they know is brute force. Nothing short of an atomic bomb can move them." The two Triceramon did look brutish, with bloodshot eyes and clenched teeth. They almost looked like they were waiting for one of them to step out of line so they could put their strength to good use. Nobody did dare do that, though, allowing the MetalMonochromons to lead them to the front of the palace. Even the doorway looked dangerous, with spiked columbs on both sides of the door. The metal guards in front opened the massive twin doors, pulling Tai in by the chain with Agumon and Sora following close behind. One by one, everyone else entered, the last two MetalMonochromons closing the doors behind them and dropping a bar down on the doors, locking them.
Inside everything looked as dangerous and dark as it did on the outside, but the entire place did have a more regal design than they had expected. They were in a large dark room with only a pale light from the few lit candles around the room. Gargoyle statues were placed at the corners of the room, all facing a fairly large throne in the back of the room. The area around it was so dark nobody could tell if someone was sitting in the throne or not.
"Well he could definatly use a good decorator." Mimi said out of nowhere. Coming from anyone else it would have been a joke, but everyone knew Mimi was probably serious.
"If you don't mind, I prefer my decore the way it is." Someone said from the back of the room. Two torches near the throne suddenly burst into flames, lighting up most of the room and revealing DarkAngemon on the throne, his sickle leaning against it. "Much better than what Devimon did with his old temple up here..." DarkAngemon stood and started walking towards the group, waving the MetalMonochromon to the side. The one that had it's chain around Tai withdrew it, pulling it back into his hand and freeing Tai.
"What do you want with us?!" Tai yelled, still angry at the dark angel.
"Simple..." DarkAngemon said. "I just want you out of the way. You stand no chance to defeat me, but your presence annoys me, so I will simply get rid of you." With that, DarkAngemon raised a fist that was glowing with black energy. Everyone looked around, expecting something, but they didn't notice much, until they looked at their Digivices, which were surrounded by the back energy. Before they could grab onto them, the black energy pulled them away, landing them into DarkAngemon's open hands. "In case you get any ideas... Your Digimon won't be healed till morning, but without these you don't stand a chance of escaping with them." DarkAngemon gripped the 8 Digivices tightly, almost mocking his prisoners. Without thinking, Kari suddenly ran at DarkAngemon, catching him off guard, and tried to tackle him. Kari hit him with all her force, but barely made him budge. DarkAngemon looked down at her, angry, then waved his fist in her direction, throwing her back through the air. TK ran at her out of instinct and did his best to catch Kari before she hit the ground, only to get knocked to the hard rock floor along with her.
"Thanks, TK..." Kari whispered, dazed by the invisible hit she recieved. The two remained on the ground, watching one of the MetalMonochromons walk over to the evil angel, holding a small open treasure chest. DarkAngemon turned and dumped the Digivices in his hands into the chest before shutting and locking it himself. DarkAngemon then turned to Kari, and even though you couldn't see his eyes, it was easy to tell he wasn't happy.
"Be glad you did little more than annoy me, girl..." DarkAngemon warned, returning to his throne. He seemed to be in thought about something.
"How did you come around, anyway?" Izzy finally asked, his curious side getting the better of him. DarkAngemon seemed to look at Izzy for a second before wickedly laughing a little.
"Heh... Believe it or not I admire a curious mind..." DarkAngemon said, grabbing his sickle. "Very well... For the next few hours you are my guests, not my prisoners..." Everyone looked at each other, confused about this sudden change of attitude. Even the MetalMonochromon guards looked a little confused. The dark angel looked toward one of the MetalMonochromon. "Lead them to the dining hall, such adversaries deserve one last decent meal before being imprisoned in my dungeons." That last part worried everyone a little, but they didn't have any other choice and followed the guard into the next room, which was hopefully not the dungeon.
It wasn't, though. Instead it looked like DarkAngemon was telling the truth. The room was definatly a dining hall, with a very long banquet table covered in food like this had been his plan all along. The table even had places for everyone, including DarkAngemon, who took a seat at the far end of the table. From there he waved to Tai to take the seat at the other end of the table. Tai did, even though he was still mad at the dark angel. Everyone else, including their Digimon, took seats at the table, except for Patamon, still too weak to leave TK's arms. Izzy was the last to take a seat and ended up with the one closest to DarkAngemon, making him nervous. Still his curiosity was overpowering him, making him take the seat anyway.
"Why are you doing this?" Izzy asked. "Feeding us and trusting us not to run off or fight back?" DarkAngemon looked in Izzy's direction, his helmet gleaming a little in the torch light.
"Your Digimon are mostly still injured and they cannot Digivolve without your Digivices, I know even if you thought you could escape, you'd get no farther than my guards." Izzy and everyone else looked back at the door they came in at to see a MetalMonochromon and a Triceramon standing there, blocking their only exit. "Besides, although I am a virus Digimon I am also an angel Digimon, I can have a great deal of mercy when I wish to. In fact once the Digiworld is mine you shall be released from my captivity and returned to your own world." For a second Izzy thought DarkAngemon wasn't totally bad, until he snapped back into reality.
Most had started eating the various foods on the table, though everyone was cautious with it and ate slowly, not wanting to be thrown into the dungeon so soon. TK and Kari seemed to be the only ones not eating, after the incident in the main room they weren't too trusting in DarkAngemon. Eventually hunger got the better of them as they both reached for a leg off of a roasted turkey, or at least that's what it looked like. Their hands hit each others as they went for the leg, both pulling back their hands quickly out of embarrassment. TK left the leg and grabbed for a nearby bowl of soup, letting Kari take the turkey leg. TK looked down at Patamon, then spooned out some of the soup and brought it down to his Digimon, trying to get some food in him. Patamon was still weak, but did manage to eat a few spoonfulls of soup before falling asleep again. TK couldn't do more but finish the bowl of soup himself.
"I'd still like to know where you came from." Izzy said between bites of a pie. "I've never heard of a virus type angel, it's still hard to believe." DarkAngemon looked across the table at Tai, who still looked irritated. DarkAngemon was the only one not eating, leaving him free to speak.
"My origins may involve your group more than you realize." DarkAngemon said. The room had a good deal of harmonics to it so nobody had trouble hearing him. "It started many years ago, but for you it may have only been 4 or 5 years. Before Piedmon had stolen the tags and crests, he was working on building his own dark army, one of Mega Digimon that nobody could stop. His goal was never to have just himself and three other Megas, but to have an entire army of Dark Masters. He would take Digimon from everywhere in the Digital World and warp them with his evil power, making them Digivolve into evil Digimon to serve him. Three of his "failed experiments" you know, Devimon, Etemon and Myotismon. Piedmon was satisfied with them and knew the three would one day be unstopable Megas, so he entrusted Etemon with hiding the crests and Devimon with the tags. Myotismon, however, craved more power, so Piedmon allowed him to attempt to take over your world. To his disappointment, Devimon was destroyed before he could reach even his Ultimate stage and MetalEtemon proved a sorry excuse for a Mega, falling to a single Ultimate and Mega level Digimon. When Myotismon became VenomMyotismon, it was everything he had hoped for, desiring a Mega of superior size, but he, too, was weaker than Piedmon had hoped for. By then, of course, he had already suceeded in creating MetalSeadramon, Puppetmon and Machinedramon. It was enough to take over the Digital World, but he craved more. Then he remembered the Digimon that had defeated Devimon, who would have been the strongest of any Mega he created, in a single blast. Seeing the power a properly Digivolved Patamon, he captured one and imprisoned it inside Infinity Mountain. After being fed black gears, it became an Angemon, but it was corrupt, with more evil intentions than good. In that form, the Angemon was being fed by the black gears that imprisoned him rather than hurt by them. Years passed... eventually Piedmon and his Dark Masters were destroyed at your hands and the corrupted angel was forgotten. After another 3 years of waiting, the Angemon finally digivolved, giving birth to me. In my new ultimate form I found I had immense power, unmatched by anything. It allowed me to create this palace and build my army, and it will soon allow me to take over the Digiworld, whick my creator Piedmon failed to do." With his story told, DarkAngemon reached for a nearby gobblet and took a sip from it. Everyone had to admit, it was quite a story. Most of them did wonder about how Digimon like Etemon, Myotismon and Devimon came to be. It was strange to think of them as Piedmon's failed experiments.
"Did Piedmon have any other Digimon he was attempting to create?" Izzy asked, still curious. DarkAngemon looked at him again.
"Just a warning, my curious friend." DarkAngemon said. "There's a fine line between being curious and being nosey... watch that you don't cross it." Izzy took the warning to heart and decided to make any further questions a bit lighter. "To my knowledge, I was Piedmon's last experiment before being destroyed by you, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did try to create another Mega level Devimon. He always was especially disappointed by it's failure." DarkAngemon stood from his seat and looked around the table. Most everyone had finished eating and the Digimon looked better as well, even Patamon, who was now awake and sitting in TK's lap. "Now that my story is told and you've finished your meal, you are no longer my welcomed guests, but my prisoners." The MetalMonochrmon and Triceramons returned, surrounding the table and the Digidestined and Digimon. They all stood at once, ready to fight, but their Digimon couldn't Digivolve anyway and they were still injured. DarkAngemon was right when he said it would be morning before their Digimon were recovered completely. "This was part of the deal." DarkAngemon said. "You will only be my prisoners until the Digiworld is mine, then you shall be returned home, I'll even spare your Digimon friends and send them with you." Tai glared back at DarkAngemon in defiance. As he looked around, though, seeing the ultimate level Digimon all around, leaving no escape route, his eyes lost their rebelious look.
"...Guys, we don't have a choice..." Tai said, feeling defeated. "He's too strong, even if we had our Digivices we can't beat him..." Sora couldn't believe Tai was saying this, but as she looked around herself, the situation did look hopeless. The rest saw the same and gave in, though none of them were ready to give up permanently. They watched as two large doors on both sides of the dining hall opened up, revealing two dark hallways that didn't seem to be used much, with cobwebs and dust decorating the hallways.
"Any preference as to who goes to what dungeon?" One of the MetalMonochromon said in a harsh voice. DarkAngemon looked them over, then raised a fist, glowing black with energy. Suddenly Tai, Sora, TK, Kari, Agumon, Biyomon, Patamon and Gatomon were thrown to one side of the room, towards the west dungeon. Matt, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, Gabumon, Palmon, Gomamon and Tentomon were thrown to the east dungeon. DarkAngemon stopped glowing and lowered his fist. The guards easily understood, dragging or pushing the groups into the dungeons DarkAngemon had selected. His selection was very specific, though, it had to be if his plan was to suceed.
**********
Tai and his group soon found themselves being lead down a long, fairly large hallway. It was very wide and tall so it could easily accomodate the large MetalMonochromon. For a second he thought of turning around and fighting his way out, but with two MetalMonochromon behind him made him think otherwise. They wouldn't be a problem for WarGreymon or even MetalGreymon if he just had his Digivice. It was locked in DarkAngemon's chest, though, definatly out of his reach from here.
Finally the 8 prisoners found themselves in a mostly steel room with 8 cells, 4 on each side. There was a Triceramon in the back, apparently the guard for the dungeon, sitting beside a large lever. He reached down and gave it a sharp tug, pulling it back and opening the 8 cells. The MetalMonochromon seemed to throw everyone in at random, not careing where the prisoners wound up. TK, Kari, Sora and Biyomon were thrown into the cells on one side while Patamon, Agumon, Gatomon and Tai were thrown into the cells on the other side. With everyone in, Triceramon pushed forward on the lever, shutting all the cell doors. Tai immediatly ran up to his and shook the door as hard as he could, testing how strong the bars were. It was no use, though, DarkAngemon had built the dungeon to withstand anything they could try in their state. After a few minutes, Tai gave up and took a seat against the wall closest to Sora's cell. He wanted to at least see her as long as they were trapped there. Sora had the same idea, sitting against the wall closest to Tai's cell.
"Sorry all this happened, Sora..." Tai said, breaking the silence of the dungeon. The Triceramon on guard didn't seem to mind them talking. In fact he seemed to be paying attention to every word.
"It's not your fault." Sora said, trying to comfort him. "DarkAngemon was just too powerful. At least we know he won't keep us here forever." Tai looked more upset than at ease from the comment.
"That isn't fair, though..." Tai said. "We shouldn't just sit here and let him take the Digiworld just for our freedom..." Sora knew he was right, but she also didn't see any other option to it.
"I know, Tai, but we can't get out of here." Sora said in dismay. She really hated admiting that, but the way things were going, it was true.
"I'll think of a way..." Tai said, his familiar defiant look in his eyes. "There has to be a way..." Tai dropped his head in thought. Sora decided it was best to leave it at that and slumped back against the wall a little, doing her best to get comfortable in the stone cell.
Meanwhile, TK was looking over at the cell across from him with the still weak Patamon laying in there asleep or unconcions, from the distance he couldn't tell. He was sitting against the back wall, almost against the wall to Kari's cell. Even in this kind of situation, TK knew there had to be a way out of it. The holder of the Crest of Hope couldn't think otherwise. Somehow he just had this feeling there was a way out of this he wasn't aware of.
"TK, can you hear me?" A faint voice said. TK jumped, surprised by the voice. He looked around to see where it came from, but we was too far away from the front of the cell to hear anyone else. "TK, down here, in the corner." The voice said again. TK looked down at the corner and noticed a hole in the wall where something had worn away the wall. TK got onto his belly, putting his face down near the hole and saw Kari on the other side, also with her eyes up to the hole. TK was glad he could see her crimson eyes again, even if it wasn't in the best of places. "TK, give me your hand." Kari said, shifting around on the floor of the cell to get her hand in the hole. TK didn't know why she wanted him to do it, but he shifted onto his back to reach into the hole anyway. The wall was a few feet thick, but it was wide enough for them to both get their arms into the hole, meeting halfway between. Kari held onto TK's hand, getting a good hold on it.
"Kari, what are you doing?" TK asked in a whisper tone. He didn't know if Kari could hear him or not, though. With their arms in the hole his whisper might not have gotten though.
"I can't believe both of our angel Digimon couldn't beat one evil angel." Kari said outloud so TK could hear her. He also felt Kari giving his hand a quick squeeze for some reason. "Maybe if you used MagnaAngemon we would stand a better chance." Kari continued, giving his hand another squeeze. TK didn't know where she was getting with all the squeezing, though. "Maybe if my Digimon went to her Mega level of HolyAngewomon we could win easy." Kari said, this time squeezing twice. Now TK had no idea what she was talking about, they both knew Gatomon couldn't go Mega... or maybe that was it... TK was starting to get an idea but didn't want to be too hasty.
"MagnaAngemon would have been enough..." TK said, giving Kari's hand a quick squeeze. He hoped he had the right idea.
"Yeah..." Kari said back. "But you told me my Digimon's Mega was your favorite Digimon." TK felt two squeezes of the hand that time. He was sure of it now, one squeeze meant true and two meant false, since Kari knew TK's favorite was Patamon. Kari was trying to throw off the guard somehow with the bad information.
"Yeah, but Joe's Mega is the one that beats everyone elses, that's the one to be afraid of." TK squeezed twice on that comment. The Triceramon guard seemed to be getting a good earfull, too. "I'm sorry I got you into this, I should have fought better..." TK said, squeezing once.
"You should have, this is all your fault, TK." Kari said, quickly squeezing twice. This was a little different, though. That was false, but it also had some meaning behind it somehow.
"I'm sorry..." TK said, giving Kari's hand a squeeze.
"You were never my best friend, anyway..." Kari said, giving TK's hand two hard squeezes. TK was getting mixed up again, Kari always told him that he was always her best friend... That's when it hit TK. She was changing the game, two squeezes now meant that she meant the opposite of what she says. TK felt clever picking up this code so fast.
"No problem, you were never my best friend, either." TK replied, giving her hand two squeezes. It was a half lie, though, he definatly felt more for Kari than just friendship, even best friendship. He never figured out what, though, not for sure at least.
"Now that I think about it..." Kari said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I think... I absolutely hate you, TK..." Kari gave TK's hand two hard squeezes, but just hearing those words hurt TK badly, like his world had crumbled out from underneath him. Then he realized his hand had recieved two squeezes, he was just confused. What could Kari mean by the opposite of hate... except for... love? TK wasn't sure what to say back, if Kari really did mean what he thought.. what he hoped...
"I'm glad..." TK said, squeezing once. "I hate you too, Kari." He gave two more squeezes. "...more than anything." One last squeeze, he just hoped Kari could peice all that together. Kari stayed quiet for a few minutes, not saying anything in reply.
"Just get to sleep, things will look better int he morning." Kari finally said, squeezing once. TK was getting tired, it had been a long day. He didn't want to let go of Kari's hand, though. Kari must not have, either, since she didn't pull her arm back out. TK left it at that and got as comfortable as he could with his arm still in the hole. Hee didn't really care, though, as long as Kari's hand was still in his.
**********
The next morning, TK awoke with a sore neck from sleeping on the hard rock floor and a stiff arm from keeping it in the hole all night. He didn't mind that, though, since Kari was still holding onto his hand in the next cell. He remembered last night well and never wanted to forget it, either. Who would think his first day as a prisoner would be one of the best days of his life?
"Hey, TK!" Tai shouted from across the dungeon. TK, reluctantly, pulled his arm from the hole and walked over to the cell bars. TK looked to where the Triceramon guard was the night before, but found his chair empty.
"What happened to the guard?" TK said, making sure Kari's plan worked.
"He ran off saying something about Gomamon's Mega level." Tai said, a bit confused about that himself. "What happened last night, anyway? You and Kari kept talking nonsense..." TK laughed a little, glad Kari's idea fooled her own brother.
"I'll explain it later." TK said. "Let's just say the guard's probably giving DarkAngemon some bad info right now." Tai didn't have much of an idea what TK meant, but he left it a that. Just then TK heard a small bang behind him, like something metal just hit the floor behind him.
"TK, grab that quick!" Kari said from the bars of her cell. TK turned around and walked to the back of his cell where he found a Digivice, the object that hit the ground. TK looked over at the hole in the wall and figured it had to come from there.
"Kari, how did you get a Digivice?!" TK said, walking back to the bars with the metalic device in his hands.
"I grabbed it away from DarkAngemon when I tried to tackle him." Kari said. "Luckily he never noticed it gone. I told you things would look better in the morning." TK couldn't help but admire how clever Kari was sometimes. "TK, hit the button on it and see who's Digivice it is, we can get out of here if it goes to one of us." TK looked down at it and noticed the large button on one of the top corners. He pressed it in, lighting up the small screen and making a little pixel picture of Agumon appear on it.
"Agumon popped up on the screen." TK announced. "It's gotta be yours, Tai." With the Digivice in hand, TK managed to get an arm passed the bars. Tai did the same, but it was too far apart to just hand it to him. TK decided to risk it and lobbed the Digivice at Tai's hand. It was on target, but Tai never was a good catch, fumbling it around a little before it fell to the ground, out of reach for both of them. Sora was awake, too, watching the whole scene. She looked over and saw Biyomon stirring awake, then got an idea.
"Biyomon, are you awake?" Sora asked across the dungeon. Biyomon jumped to her feet to show she was, but she was obviously still a little drowsy. "Think you can knock Tai's Digivice over to him?" Biyomon shook her head, knocking some of the sleep out of her, and saw the Digivice lying face down on the floor.
"Sure, no problem!" Biyomon said, gaining a little height. "Spiral Twister!" The green blast of fire and wind hit right beside the Digivice, knocking it into the air and right into Tai's cell, hitting the ground right behind him. Tai reached down and grabbed the Digivice, checking to see if it wasn't too banged up. It looked as fine as ever, though, they were definatly built to last. He gripped onto it tight, half out of worry that it would go away if he didn't.
"Agumon, wake up!" Tai shouted at his sleepy Digimon in the cell between Patamon and Gatomon. Agumon woke slowly, but did feel slightly more energized than he expected. "Come on, sleepy head, we're getting out of here!" Agumon looked over at Tai as best he could and saw a gleam of light come from sonething in his hand. Agumon grinned, knowing what it was.
"Agumon Digivolve to..." Agumon surged with an all too familiar energy. A flash of red and orange energy engulfed Agumon, replacing him with a large t-rex looking Digimon, complete with a horned helmet and blue stripes along his back. "Greymon!" The champion's size was easily enough to bust throught the cell bars. Luckily the hallway was made for Digimon his size, though. Greymon stomped over to the lever at the back of the dungeon and pushed it back, opening the cell doors. Anyone who wasn't already up was easily waken up by Greymon's escape. Everyone rushed out of their cells, glad to be free of them. Tai and Sora immediatly hugged each other, as did Gatomon and Patamon.
"If you guys don't mind." Greymon boomed behind them "We've gotta get the others and get out of here fast!" Tai nodded, running for the door.
"We've gotta get the Digivices back, too." Sora added, running down the hallway with Biyomon. TK, Kari, Gatomon and Patamon soon followed with Greymon following behind. Eventually they found themselves back in the dining hall, now empty of anything, even the leftovers on the table were gone.
"Greymon, let's get the others out of the other dungeon!" Tai said, starting for the second dungeon's hallway. Sora and Biyomon followed quickly behind them. TK and Kari started to follow, then got a better idea and headed for the throne room.
"Where are you two going?" Gatomon asked, stopping in her tracks. Patamon stopped beside her.
"Tai and Sora can get the others out no problem." TK said, watching the two head into the dungeon hallway with their Digimon. "We'll go after the Digivices while they do that!" Kari has hit on the same idea, following TK into the throne room. Gatomon and Patamon both quickly followed behind them.
**********
Everyone in the second dungeon had waken up already, unable to sleep much on a rock floor, especially Mimi, who was still complaining about it to herself. Izzy was typing away at his computer, not really working on anything, just keeping his mind off of their situation. Matt was acting about the same way Tai was, trying his best to see Mimi from his cage and still think of a way to get out. Joe was just keeping to himself in the back of his cell, waiting for something to happen next, good or bad. Their Digimon were a different story. Gabumon and Tentomon were up most of the night, blasting a single bar of their cells, hoping it would break. Palmon was trying to extend her Poison Ivy vines to grab the lever and open the cells, but they took some care and put her in the cell farthest from the lever. Even when she got close the Triceramon on guard duty would swat her vines away easily Gomamon was watching the door, half expecting someone to bust through and come to the rescue.
Suddenly Gomamon got his wish as the door was busted down by Greymon's Nova Blast, surprising the guard at the far end of the room. Tai came through the door, followed by Sora and Biyomon. The Triceramon didn't look happy, either, looking like it was going to explode if it didn't get to fight soon. Tai looked around and noticed this dungeon was much bigger, with more space above and around him. Lucky for him, too, as Greymon charged forward and got ready to Digivolve.
"Greymon Digivolve to..." Greymon's left arm was replaced by a robotic arm with a vicious claw, which extended to give his chest a robotic part as well. His helmet became metal with a mass of hair now hanging out the back of it. His back grew a pair of short, broken wings. Parts from his legs and tail went away, revealing robotic parts underneath. "MetalGreymon!" The Ultimate Digimon had just enough space in the dungeon, thankfully, slashing at Triceramon with his robotic claw. Triceramon jumped back to avoid it.
"Triple Missile!" Triceramon fired his three horns at MetalGreymon that exploded like missiles. Triceramon grinned at his apparent victory, only to see MetalGreymon still standing without a scratch on him.
"Guess Triceramon's rumored strength is more myth than fact." Tentomon said, mentally making a note to keep that weakness in mind.
"I think you need to know what a real missile is!" MetalGreymon threatened. Triceramon started running for the back of the room, the only place he could go. "Giga Blaster!" The robotic chest piece opened up, revealing two missile launchers that fired a pair of long missiles at Triceramon, blowing him up and taking most of the back wall with him. The explosion also knocked the cell doors open, freeing the rest of the group.
"Thanks, Tai!" Matt said, looking over at his friend's handywork. "Now how about we get our Digivices and get out of here?" Tai nodded, his confidence restored. He turned and looked up at MetalGreymon just in time to see a black blast hit him from behind, damaging him so bad he had to return to his Rookie form of Agumon. Tai looked back and saw the blast's origin, DarkAngemon.
"Impressive, I didn't think you'd be able to escape." The black angel was looking over the group. "You don't even have your Digivices, you can't win. I should have destroyed you all when I had the chance." DarkAngemon raised a glowing fist, ready to blast the entire group with black energy.
"Celestrial Arrow!" An arrow of light came from the door behind DarkAngemon, but the blast seemed to only stun him for a second. He spun around to see Angewomon and Angemon in the hallway outside of the dungeon, with TK and Kari entering the door. The first thing everyone noticed was Kari carrying the small chest DarkAngemon put their Digivices in.
"You two again..." DarkAngemon said, glaring at the angels. "I would have thought you learned your lesson last time." Angemon walked forward, returning the glare.
"This time we don't hold anything back. The angel you face next won't be so easily." Angemon looked down at TK, who's Crest of Hope was glowing brightly from his chest.
"Show him a real ultimate angel!" TK said, holding his Digivice up and letting its light spill out, illuminating the dungeon.
"Angemon Digivolve to..." Angemon's 6 wings made room for 2 more, as well as the armor which appeared around him. Across his upper left arm a long shield came down and on his right arm, a lazer sword appeared on his wrist, forming a fairly long blade. Angemon's face was exposed for a split second as his helmet became longer, looking more like a bishop's hat. "MagnaAngemon!" The ultimate angel aimed his energy sword at DarkAngemon in challenge, which seemed to surprise the black angel.
"I wasn't aware you were able to Digivolve..." DarkAngemon admited. "But it makes little difference, ultimate level angel or not, you are no match for me!" DarkAngemon drew his sickle and aimed the blade at MagnaAngemon. "Falling Heavens!" The sickle fired a storm of black energy bolts, too many to avoid. MagnaAngemon was ready and raised his sword into the air.
"Gate of Destiny." MagnaAngemon swung his sword in a circle, leaving an energy trail that formed a golden gate in front of him. The gate opened up and absorbed the Falling Heavens from DarkAngemon's sickle. Angered, DarkAngemon stopped his attack, drawing back his sickle. MagnaAngemon wasn't finished, sending the Gate at the dark angel. When DarkAngemon was starting to enter it, the gates closed down on him, forcing him to struggle to keep the gate from closing on him.
"The Gate won't hold him long." MagnaAngemon announced in his usual calm, harmonic voice. "We must escape while he is trapped." MagnaAngemon flew at the already blasted wall and swung his sword at the damaged wall, shattering it down and revealing the outside of the castle. Tai ran for the new opening, but took a look down from the hole and saw there was no ground underneath.
"We need a ride down, fast!" Tai said, looking back at everyone. Everyone was digging through the box Kari was holding, pulling out their Digivices. Once Sora had hers, Biyomon ran for the hole and leaped out, taking to the air.
"Biyomon Digivolve to..." The familiar energy rushed through the small bird, sending small flames all around her. The flames flashed a blinding red light, replacing Biyomon with a firebird, complete with a set of fangs. "Birdramon!" Birdramon flapped in place for a second, waiting for everyone to get on. Everyone soon did, excpet for Kari and TK who were carried by their angels. The three Digimon flew off, leaving DarkAngemon's palace behind as they flew to the bottom of the mountain. The trip down turned out to be shorter than a trip up, since they landed fast. Once everyone was off, Birdramon, Angewomon and MagnaAngemon returned to their usual forms.
"Guess we know what that new evil is..." Matt said, holding Mimi's hand tight. The rest just nodded, looking back at Infinity Mountain.
"We'd still be stuck in that dungeon, too..." Tai said, looking at his Digivice. "If it wasn't for Kari..." Matt looked at Tai.
"Hey, don't forget it was TK and his Digimon that stopped DarkAngemon so we could get away." Matt was back to trying to rival Tai as best he could. The two were about to get into it some more when they both noticed something.
"Wait, where's TK and Kari?" Tai said, looking around. Before he could freak out over their disappearance, he saw the two, just a few yards away, facing each other. Everyone started looking at the two, not sure what to do or to expect.
"Well TK..." Kari said, a slight smile on her face. "You know how much I hate you..." TK had the same smile on his face, slightly more mischevous though.
"Yeah... Just as much as I hate you." Nobody from the main group could believe what they were hearing, it didn't sound like TK and Kari. Then what came next nearly killed them. Kari put her arms around TK's neck, with TK putting his arms around her waist. The two looked at each other quickly before pressing their lips together. The kiss had as much passion and love as two 12 year olds could manage for their first kiss. Patamon and Gatomon were looking on, glad thier human partners knew what they had. Sora and Mimi thought it was kind of cute, until they looked at their own boyfriends, who were flat on the ground from fainting at the sight.
"Well..." Joe said, dazed. "If this is how they show their hate, I don't want to know how they show their love..." Everyone that heard the comment couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Just think." Mimi said to Sora. "If TK and Kari keep this up for long, these two might be brothers!" Sora looked down at the two, still unconcious, then cracked up. TK and Kari, still embraced, looked back at everyone else.
"You'd think they never saw people kiss before..." TK said, looking back at Kari.
"Yeah, they could at least be more mature about it..." Kari joked, putting her head on TK's shoulder. TK closed his eyes, glad he finally knew what made Patamon so happy.
**********
Back at the black palace, DarkAngemon was walking through his throne room, looking over the damage done by the Digidestined. The misinformed Triceramon was following him around, helping with what he could.
"Master DarkAngemon..." Triceramon said, a little scared. "The Digidestined escaped, one of the dungeons have been destroyed and we're out one Triceramon, somehow I thought you would be furious..." DarkAngemon stopped and looked back at Triceramon, then only laughed evily.
"Why should I be mad?" The dark angel replied. "You see, my minion, this is my game. I make the rules and I decide when it's over. The Digidestined's escape was planned by me. When the youngest girl tackled me, I allowed her brother's Digivice to fall into her hand. I even arranged for the hole in the wall between their cells. For what I have planned, a dungeon and a Triceramon are small prices to pay..." DarkAngemon took his seat on his throne, smiling wickedly. "Now... my real game begins..."
To Be Concluded...
Next: Chapter 5 -- Power Unleashed
Special Note: Just so nobody complains, and I don't get sued, the dungeon scene was borrowed from Piers Anthony's Centaur Aisle, one of his early Xanth novels. Just to clear things up, an idea isn't something you can put a copywrite on, even from a book, as long as it isn't exactly word by word and then you do have to give credit like I am here. The dungeon hand holding scene from the book has the same code that was used for that same reason, but the similarities end there. The book has more talk of marriage, eventually went to a little hand biting instead of squeezing and the scene lasted a few pages rather than a few paragraphs. I've read the same kind of scene in other books and stories myself, but just in case, I admit I did get the idea from Centaur Aisle. I tried my best to not make it match, though, I thought it was perfect for this story.
Want to see DarkAngemon? Take a look:
http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/CyberDracomon/images/DarkAngemon.gif