The
DigiDestined
An enemy from the past returns . . .
again.
Nitegramon's Return
Jay Barial
Last Time . . .
Summer: While searching for my Crest of Reliability, we were attacked by an evil Monochromon- but we easily took care of it. As we progressed forward, we entered a forest with a giant tree in the center of it known as the Hive. This was home to many bug Digimon. But, there were only Kunemon there when we came. A huge group of Kunemon attacked, but hurried away. Then, at the giant tree were Lily and SkullBaboomon. We thought we could stop the Kunemon when my Crest was hidden there and they fell into a giant pit beneath it. But, Lily's Digivice created and they all Digivolved to Flymon. After defeating them, we stopped SkullBaboomon and then he appeared: DeviMuertemon. This was the Ultimate form of Muertemon. He was destroying us until Crossmon came with backup- the rest of the bug Digimon of the forest. It knew it'd have to escape, but it didn't leave without destroying Crossmon. Now we must wait until Crossmon returns at Primary Village. Now, we're off to find the Derek's Crest of Knowledge.
Chapter One: The Digimon Trap
"Bugmon Digivolved to . . . Spidmon!"
"Tripupmon Digivolved to . . . Cerberusmon!"
"Monomon Digivolved to . . . Primemon!"
"Pondmon Digivolved to . . . Aquamon!"
Centarumon and Flarerizamon, two deadly data-Champion Digimon stood in their way from entering the beach area where Derek's Tag was pointing. They had been altered by DeviMuertemon already and were sent there to guard the beach. It'd also help Jason, Karen, and Henry so that they'd be able to catch up.
"Out of our way!" growled Cerberusmon. "We don't want to hurt you."
Flarerizamon snorted as his fists started to flare up with fire. "Flame Hit!"
Aquamon's fist started to glow a bright blue. "I'll counter that! Frost Fist!"
The two Digimon lunged at each other and their two attacks hit with a deadly explosion, tossing both Flareizamon and Aquamon flying backwards. That's where Cerberusmon came in.
"Tail Twister!" Cerberusmon grabbed Flarerizamon in the air by creating the giant tornado with its tails. But, by grasping Flarerizamon, this caused its flame to flare up and increase.
"Flare Tower!" Suddenly, the fiery Digimon increased its flames on its own. With the wind from the Tail Twister attack and its own strength, Flarerizamon created a giant tower of fire the encased Cerberusmon and itself.
Just as Aquamon was about to slow down Flarerizamon's fire, the gun on Centarumon's hand started firing and pummeled Aquamon into the ground.
"Spider Claw!"
"Banana Club!"
As Centarumon slowly turned around, Spidmon and Primemon lunged at the Digimon and knocked it out with its deadly claw and its powerful club.
"Aquamon, now!" shouted Derek.
"Mystic Cyclone!" Aquamon gathered water energy and focused it into a giant cyclone of energy and sent it towards Flarerizamon's attack. But, the water phased out when it evaporated against the fire Digimon's attack.
"If we draw away some of Flarerizamon's energy," said Voltmon, hopping out of Alley's arms, "we can slow down its flames and Aquamon can send them flying." He turned to Alley. "I need to Digivolve!"
"Why?" asked Alley.
"Because if Voltmon Digivolves," said Summer, "then Aquamon and Sparkmon can create a stable Absorb attack that'll slow down Flarerizamon!"
Alley nodded. "Okay, Digivolve."
"Voltmon Digivolved to . . . Sparkmon!" The small Rookie Digimon hopped on Aquamon's shoulders and nodded, as it glanced at the flaming tower. "Ready?"
"Right," agreed Aquamon.
"Absorb!" Aquamon and Sparkmon created a wall of electrical and water energy that slowly grew larger and larger, until it was a giant wall that was larger than Aquamon. Slowly, Aquamon moved in towards Flarerizamon, who was hopping Cerberusmon captive. When the shield touched the fire, it slowly absorbed into the shield and went into Sparkmon and Aquamon as positive energy and slowly energized them up, and slowly weakened Flarerizamon, causing it to stop the attack.
"Our turn! Spider Fang Rockets!"
"Banana Club!"
While Primemon hurled its club towards Flarerizamon, Spidmon released twin rockets that headed straight towards the weakened fire Digimon. As the two attacks hit, Flarerizamon fell right next to the injured Centarumon. But, they weren't easily defeated and were already starting to get up.
"Static Burst!" Sparkmon released a tremendous blast of electrical energy that hit both Digimon, frying them, and causing them to collapse again.
"Mystic Cyclone!" Aquamon created a giant cyclone of water energy that headed straight towards the two Digimon and rose them up into the powerful Mystic Cyclone attack. The attack continued around and around and slowly carried the Digimon off, as Spidmon, Primemon, and Aquamon returned to the Rookie stages- after the powerful blast of fiery exposure, Cerberusmon had Digivolved all the way back to Pupmon.
Chapter Two: A Change of Plans
"Hmmm," murmured DeviMuertemon, peering into the image of the DigiDestined children, heading straight towards the pathetic trap that James, Steel Wavemon, Erik, and Frost Joltmon had set up on the beach. "This won't work . . . Metal Arachnosectmon, DeviHydramon, and SkullPonymon are too far behind."
"If we were to stall them," suggested Lily, "then the other Dark DigiDestined could get here in time. Just transform some Digimon into its virus form."
"That'd be great," murmured DeviMuertemon, leaning back in his chair. "But there's a problem with that. All the Digimon in the area are mainly aquatic Digimon that live underwater- and they won't surface. It's either that, or I'll have to drag some Digimon all the way to the beach, and by that time they'll have already gotten the Crest of Knowledge." He sighed. "Besides, they are slowly becoming useless since the Light DigiDestined easily toss them aside each time."
The defeated Dark DigiDestined were still with their Digimon, who were healing and regaining their strength after their previous encounters. Jessie and Lily's defeat weren't looking good in the eyes of DeviMuertemon, who had slowly taken command of the Dark DigiDestined. They had even found a base on the Beta Moon, which DeviMuertemon claimed its own instead of in the name of the Dark DigiDestined. Things weren't looking too good in the eyes of the Dark DigiDestined; Muertemon was using them as their pawns.
"These Light DigiDestined are really becoming a pain," murmured DeviMuertemon. "True they are not at their strongest, but with the power of those DigiGems, they can reenergize whenever they want."
"Except for Bugmon," muttered Jessie.
"Oh well," said DeviMuertemon. "Two Ultimate Digimon should at least be somewhat entertaining. Besides, if they do defeat these Digimon, it'll help us to see their strategy."
Suddenly, Jessie's Cubmon's ears twitched and it ran over to the image overlooking the two Dark DigiDestined. "Hey! Maybe something interesting will happen after all."
"Why do you say that?" DeviMuertemon looked into the image and there flew a shadow over the two Dark DigiDestined children.
* * * *
"Waiting has been a real drag," muttered Erik, as he and James waited on the beach, looking up at the sky with Erik's Joltmon as their guard.
"Those Light DigiDestined idiots better hurry up," mumbled James. "How slow are they anyway?"
"Maybe the others destroyed them," suggested Erik. "Or maybe DeviMuertemon demolished them."
"No," murmured James, "someone would have contacted us by now. And the DeviMuertemon idea, he won't want to use up its energy when it's 'so close to achieve its Mega stage.' Besides, why do it when you could get DigiDestined to do it."
Suddenly, a giant shadow loomed over the two DigiDestined children and a giant dragon Digimon landed in front of them. It as none other then that annoying beast that had taunted them by rescuing Pondmon and Sparkmon back on the Alpha Moon. It was Nitegramon.
Chapter Three: Nitegramon
"Well, well," growled Nitegramon, landing in front of them. "It's the Dark DigiDestined. How have ya been? Heard your base blew up!"
"It's a sensitive subject," replied James. "Get him Oceanmon!"
Suddenly, a giant wave from the ocean behind Nitegramon appeared and loomed over the dragon Digimon. "Wrath of the Ocean!" The giant wave crashed down towards Nitegramon, but it speedily jumped out of the way, as Oceanmon crashed down into the sand, quickly reforming itself into its human-like stage.
"You think two pathetic Champion Digimon will be able to defeat me?" Nitegramon laughed. "Show me your best."
Joltmon and Oceanmon turned to each other and nodded as they turned to their Dark DigiDestined partners. "Do it!"
Suddenly, a signal from the DigiDestined's Digivice hit their Crest and the signal from the Crest went up into the air and hovered above their Digimon. The signal turned into energy and rained down upon their Digimon, powering them up.
"Joltmon Digivolved to . . . Frost Joltmon!"
"Oceanmon Digivolved to . . . Steel Oceanmon!"
The two human-like Digimon appeared next to each other, standing almost as tall as Nitegramon.
"So, this is your best, is it?" Nitegramon shook his head slowly. "Can't even beat me in your Champion stage, so you immediately Digivolve to the Ultimate stage. That is truly pathetic."
"So, you are this Nitegramon I've heard so much about." Suddenly, darkness filled the sky as DeviMuertemon emerged from a portal and landed in front of Frost Joltmon and Steel Oceanmon. "You're the one who helped the Light DigiDestined at one point, are you not?"
"Yes," said Nitegramon, "since the Dark DigiDestined would have destroyed them. It is my destiny to destroy these Light DigiDestined, not them. So I rescued them from the ones who would have stolen my destiny."
DeviMuertemon chuckled. "Well, I have a proposition for you, Nitegramon." He glanced back at James and Erik. "These two Dark DigiDestined together can combined their Digivices, along with my dark energy, and power you up to achieve a deadly Ultimate stage. This stage could destroy the Light DigiDestined once and for all."
Nitegramon snorted. "I don't need your help." He flapped his wings and started to take off. "The Light DigiDestined are near anyways. I'll take them out now!"
DeviMuertemon shook his head. "He'll be back."
Chapter Four: Nitegramon's Return!
"You know, DeviMuertemon's really beginning to become very dull," noted Pupmon, as the Digimon was being carried in Sasha's arms. "His tainted Digimon pose more of a threat then he does."
Derek sighed as he stepped is feet into the gravely sand of the beach in the Digital World. "Well, we're at the beach."
Taylor walked next to Derek on one side of him, while Summer stood on the other side. The DigiDestined of Light sighed. "Just one problem Derek."
Summer pointed ahead. "If your Tag doesn't start reacting more soon, I'm guessing we'll have to cross through that cave to continue to the other side of the beach."
Michael sighed as he fell to the ground. "That means . . . more walking."
"Come on Michael," said Sparkmon, who was standing next to Alley. "Get up so that we can find the Crest of Knowledge, then rest for a bit!"
Suddenly, Whelpmon's ears started to twitch and it glanced around. "Hey, I think I hear something."
The other five Digimon glanced at Whelpmon in confusion as his ears continued to twitch until . . .
"Spinning Needle!" Suddenly, eight Airdramon emerged from the sky, raining tons and tons of needles down upon the Digimon. With them emerged a Gigadramon and a Megadramon.
"Arg!" The Light DigiDestined children quickly grabbed their Digimon and dived out of the way of the millions of needles raining down on them.
From these ten Digimon, a familiar voice emerged. "So, we meet again, DigiDestined youths who all carry the powers of light." The giant ground/dragon Digimon flew down from the sky and landed in front of them. It was Nitegramon.
"Just when you though things couldn't get any more annoying," muttered Bugmon.
"I am actually here to prove your enemy wrong," replied Nitegramon. "They say I can't defeat you unless I achieve my Ultimate form. Ha! I can defeat you in this form easily. And, I wish to prove it."
"As long as you'll leave," said Taylor, as he turned to the other DigiDestined. "It's time to Digivolve!"
"Bugmon Digivolved to . . . Spidmon!"
"Monomon Digivolved to . . . Primemon!"
"Pondmon Digivolved to . . . Aquamon!"
"Sparkmon Digivolved to . . . Joltmon!"
"Whelpmon Digivolved to . . . Cubmon!"
Pupmon was the only Digimon that remained, but it was too exhausted to fight.
"Sasha," said Derek, turning to his old friend, "there's no need for Pupmon to Digivolved to Tripupmon or Cerberusmon."
"Using the Crystal of Friendship, I could power up Pupmon," said Sasha.
"Yes," said Derek, "but if Pupmon uses up all its energy, it won't Digivolve back to its previous stage. It'll be destroyed and fade away." He glanced at the four Champion Digimon and the Rookie Digimon. "We can handle Nitegramon!"
"Oh really? Try this on for size! Tail Quake!" Nitegramon slammed its tail into the sand to create a giant earthquake, but the sand had softened the attack, not causing a quake.
"Whoa, you're great Nitegramon," muttered Primemon as it drew out its club. "Banana Club!" Primemon rushed towards Nitegramon and slammed its club into Nitegramon's side.
"Mystic Cyclone!"
"Thunder Blade!"
"Spider Fang Rockets!"
The three attacks hurled at full speed towards the deadly Nitegramon, and caused a giant explosion, that forced Nitegramon to topple to the ground.
"Grrr," growled Nitegramon, as it slowly rose up again. "Take this! Dragon's Breath!"
Joltmon created a surge of electrical energy and hurled it at the giant fireball that Nitegramon had launched at them. "Static Convey!" The electricity it the fire and swiftly teleported towards Nitegramon, forcing it to topple to the ground again.
"Everyone, surround him!" ordered Aquamon and Joltmon.
All of the Digimon (Pupmon and Cubmon stood next to each other) surrounded Nitegramon as the Airdramon, and the two Ultimate Digimon watched as their Digimon master was slowly pummeled down.
"Spider Claw!"
"Monkey Fist!"
"Frost Fist!"
"Electro Punch!"
"Honey Claw!"
"Saliva Bubble!"
All the Digimon, except Pupmon, lunged towards Nitegramon and furious scratched up the Digimon with their claws or deadly pummeled the Digimon with their fists. Pupmon simply shot its altered Bubble Blow attack at Nitegramon. After all the attacks hit, Nitegramon collapsed on the ground.
Chapter Five: The Aerial Attack
"Say good bye to Nitegramon. Static Convey!" Joltmon released a blast of electricity that swiftly teleported the giant dragon Digimon away.
Suddenly, there was a low growl from several of the Airdramon. Gigadramon glanced at four of the Airdramon and growled, "You four Digimon stay here with Megadramon. The rest of us will be looking for Nitegramon."
* * * *
"ARG!" Nitegramon reappeared in front of DeviMuertemon and the two Dark DigiDestined, just as the dark Digimon had anticipated. It collapsed on the ground, and slowly looked up at the giant, winged Digimon. "Oh, it's you three."
"You five," corrected Steel Wavemon and Frost Joltmon.
"It's an unfair fight," replied DeviMuertemon. "They all can reach their Champion stage, and there can be from one of them to six of them in their Champion stage, against one Champion."
"So," growled Nitegramon, "you're saying if I were an Ultimate, my powers would be as strong as theirs and they wouldn't be taking advantage of me in an unfair fight?"
"Exactly." DeviMuertemon turned towards Erik and James and chuckled. "And, we wouldn't be defeating the Light DigiDestined, you would. We'd just help you a little by giving you some powers linked to darkness." He turned back towards Nitegramon. "So, are you ready?"
Nitegramon nodded.
Erik and James held up their Digivices and they started to glow and sent two dark signals towards Nitegramon. As this was happening, DeviMuertemon flew over the Digimon and sent a beam of dark energy into Nitegramon and the deadly dragon Digimon start to grow . . .
* * * *
"Cubmon Digivolved to . . . Grizzlymon!"
"Pupmon Digivolved to . . . Tripupmon!"
The Champion and the Rookie Digimon emerged next to the other four Champion Digimon.
"God Tornado!"
"Spinning Needles!"
Two Airdramon flew over the Light DigiDestined and released a powerful pinkish color beam of energy, while the other two Airdramon flew over the DigiDestined and released tons and tons of needles.
"Web Wall!"
"Bubble Wall!"
"Static Convey!"
While Spidmon and Aquamon tried to slow down the two attacks with their defenses wall attacks, Joltmon created another blast of electrical energy and hurled it towards the needles. The electrical surge teleported the needles elsewhere, while the two walls managed to deaden the beams.
Joltmon moaned and fell to one knee. Suddenly, Joltmon started to glow and Digivolved back to Sparkmon. "I need more electrical energy to stay as Joltmon."
Tripupmon stepped in the way of Sparkmon and replied, "we can handle these Digimon."
"Spider Fang Rockets!"
"Mystic Cyclone!"
While Spidmon shot twin rockets at the flying dragon Digimon, Aquamon absorbed the Bubble Wall attack energy and transformed it into a powerful cyclone of water energy that hit the Airdramon at full force.
* * * *
As the Airdramon and Gigadramon headed straight towards the spot where Nitegramon had encountered the Dark DigiDestined, a dark beam of black light emerged from beyond several rocks. The light transformed the area around them into a darkened area where everything was a dark color. The beam shot up into the air and released a powerful shock wave, that forced the Airdramon to lose control and fall to the ground.
As the Gigadramon flew closed towards the beam, it managed to make out the shape of a familiar Digimon that headed towards them. "Nitegramon! Is that you!"
"Nite Force!" Suddenly, the darkness around the area entered (who seemed to be) Nitegramon, powering up the Digimon. Then, the Digimon released a black beam of energy that hit the Gigadramon, and the four Airdramon, quickly destroying them . . .
Chapter Six: ExNitegramon
"Genocide Attack!" Megadramon flew up over to a rock formation and released a series of deadly missiles towards the Light DigiDestined.
"Spider Fang Rockets!"
"Banana Club!"
Spidmon and Primemon both tried to counter Megadramon's powerful missile attack, but they only knocked down acouple of them. The rest exploded in front of them, forcing them to stumble backwards.
Grizzlymon was the first to get up, as Megadramon laughed after his brief victory. He still hovered over the same rocks. "Grizzly Quake!" Grizzlymon sunk its claws into the earth, creating a deadly earthquake that headed straight for Megadramon, but the Digimon didn't care since it was in the air.
But it was too late as the Digimon realized that the earthquake hit the rocks and created an explosion. Giant rock chunks flew everywhere and knocked Megadramon out of the air.
Aquamon started to glow and Digivolved back to Pondmon. "All right guys, time to go!" Aquamon was about to use Aquatic Teleport, when all the Digimon heard a loud roar not too far off, and the land around them started to darken and turned to plain black, white, and grayish colors. "Someone's coming!"
Suddenly, a giant dragon Digimon roared again and flew from further down the beach and landed right behind the rock formation. It appeared to be the Ultimate stage of Nitegramon.
"That's ExNitegramon," said Pondmon. "This deadly dragon Digimon is what our good ole Nitegramon Digivolves into. Its Nite Force attack takes all the negative energy around the area and transforms it into a focused beam of energy. But, I'd be more worried about its Dragon Force attack."
ExNitegramon laughed sinisterly as its shadow loomed over the sun of the DigiWorld. ExNitegramon resembled an extremely large Nitegramon, but purely black. Its claws were large and curved. It had multiple tails, along with six giant wings. Its teeth were much larger, and two fangs emerged from its mouth from the top set of teeth and the bottom set of teeth.
ExNitegramon slowly opened its giant mouth, revealing its several sets of teeth, and started absorbing the dark energy around the area, returning it to its regular color. The darkness was absorbed into ExNitegramon, slowly focusing it into a beam.
Megadramon and the four Airdramon lowered themselves in front of ExNitegramon in total confusion. "Boss, what are ya doing?" growled Megadramon.
"I have the supreme power, given to me by a demon-beast," replied ExNitegramon. "Now nothing stands in my way! Nite Force!" ExNitegramon shot the focused beam of dark energy right at Megadramon and the Airdramon, but only hit Megadramon, shattering it into millions of pieces. The Airdramon were sent flying because of the shock wave.
"Demon beast?" repeated Michael.
"DeviMuertemon!" shouted Sasha, Summer, and Alley.
Taylor sighed. "Great. Nitegramon's working for DeviMuertemon too."
"I am just here to prove that I can destroy you once and for all," replied ExNitegramon, "and becoming an Ultimate will even things out."
Taylor glanced around at Sparkmon and Tripupmon. "Not if there are only four Champion Digimon."
ExNitegramon closed its eyes and a strange dark aurora surrounded the Digimon, along with Sasha and Alley's Digivices. Suddenly, they sent the regular signal to the Digimon and they started to Digivolve.
"Sparkmon Digivolved to . . . Joltmon!"
"Tripupmon Digivolved to . . . Cerberusmon!"
The six Champion Digimon stood before the giant Ultimate Digimon, all ready to fight against this annoying nemesis- ExNitegramon.
Chapter Seven: The Fair Fight
"Why should we fight you!" growled Derek. "There's no reason to fight you, when we could teleport away!"
ExNitegramon held up his giant claw, and between two of the deadly claws was the small, purple, Crest. "This is your Crest of Knowledge, is it not DigiDestined?" He grasped it in his fist and replied. "Defeat me, and you can have your stupid Crest of Knowledge."
"Spider Claw!"
"Banana Club!"
"Frost Fists!"
Spidmon, Primemon, and Aquamon quickly leaped into action. As they soared towards ExNitegramon, the giant dragon Digimon swatted the three Digimon away.
"Really? Is that all you have, Light DigiDestined?" A fiery aurora surrounded ExNitegramon and slowly circled around its body until it entered its mouth. "Dragon Force!"
"Tail Twister!"
"Mystic Cyclone!"
"Thunder Blade!"
As ExNitegramon released a focused beam of fiery energy towards the Light DigiDestined, their Digimon attempted to counter the attack by sending several powerful attacks to deaden it, but it merely absorbed the attacks and created a larger explosion as it hit the Digimon.
As the blast cleared, Spidmon glanced around and shouted, "Digimon! All psychical attacks, now!"
"Banana Club!"
"Tri Doggy Treat!"
"Grizzly Claw!"
"Duel Hit!"
And finishing it off, Spidmon shouted, "Spider Claw!"
The six Digimon all surrounded the giant dragon Digimon and all lunged straight towards ExNitegramon.
"X-Gra Force!" Suddenly, a ray of dark energy was released from the dark and leathery skin of ExNitegramon. The ray hit the six Champion Digimon, forcing them to be slammed back against the sand. "Had enough, Light DigiDestined?"
"You villainous characters are always so annoy. Monkey Rage!"
"Take this! Underworld Wrath!"
"Spider Fang Rockets!"
The three Digimon all launched their attacks at ExNitegramon, but the Digimon spun around and deadened the trio of attacks with its giant tails.
"Now is the last time you'll laugh at me." ExNitegramon started to glow with a black aurora again and its several tails stretched out and turned to giant stones. "Supreme Tremor!"
Chapter Eight: The Ally's Return
"Supreme Tremor!" Suddenly, ExNitegramon's tails began furious beating the ground causing a giant earthquake. This time, the sand didn't deaden the attack and it released powerful shock waves that sent all the Digimon flying back. This attacks would eventually swallow up the Airdramon, the Light DigiDestined, and their Digimon.
"Total Darkness!" None of the DigiDestined or the Digimon noticed the trial that the giant sand-worm Digimon had left as it burrowed underground towards ExNitegramon. Suddenly, Dunemon emerged from the ground with its jaw wide opened and clamped down onto ExNitegramon's shoulder.
"Dunemon!" shouted the six Champion Digimon.
ExNitegramon roared in pain and tried to shake off Dunemon, but it won't come off. "X-Gra Force!" The giant Ultimate released a shock wave, from itself, that hit Dunemon and forced it to the ground.
"So, you're the Digimon, Nitegramon?" replied Dunemon, as it quickly spun around, getting ready to attack.
"Yes," replied the Digimon, "though I'm ExNitegramon now." He snorted. "And you're Dunemon; The Digimon that protects the deserts of this sector of the Digital World. And, you're one of the few Digimon left who help these Light DigiDestined. Now, why is that again?" ExNitegramon thought for a moment. "Aw yes, because the rest were killed off."
"And you're Nitegramon," replied Dunemon, "the Digimon that is obsessed with stalking the Light DigiDestined for some absurd reason. Sand Storm Rage!" Dunemon inhaled and released a deadly storm of sand and rocks at ExNitegramon.
"Dragon Force!" ExNitegramon absorbed its surrounding fiery aurora in its mouth and shot a focused beam of fire energy straight towards Dunemon.
Though the sand enlarged ExNitegramon's fire and harmed Dunemon more than it would have, this heated up the sand that lodged into ExNitegramon, creating small bullet-hole like markings all over its body.
ExNitegramon roared with pain as it fell to the ground, roaring in pain and trying to furious scratch away the pain of the various grains of sand and pebbles that were trapped inside of its arms and belly and legs and wings and so on.
"Looks like a good time to step in!" Frost Joltmon and Steel Wavemon emerged from the rocks that separated the two sections of the beach. With them were Erik, James, and DeviMuertemon.
"What are you doing here!" growled ExNitegramon. "Why must you Dark DigiDestined taunt me with lies of power!" The Digimon closed its eyes and the same, black, aurora appeared again. "X-Gra Force!" Suddenly, there was another shock wave that was released from ExNitegramon's body, which also forced out all the small pebbles of sand and rocks from out of its skin.
DeviMuertemon turned towards the two Virus, human-like Digimon. "With myself out of this area, ExNitegramon's powers will weaken and it'll either Digivolve back . . . or have used up all of its energy and shatter away." DeviMuertemon closed its eyes and teleported away. "I'm gone . . ."
Chapter Nine: ExNitegramon's Decision
"Cool Shock!" shouted Frost Joltmon.
"Liquid Steel!" shouted Steel Wavemon.
While Frost Joltmon released an electrical charged blast of ice while Steel Wavemon shot a beam of steel and water energy straight towards ExNitegramon. The two attacks hit ExNitegramon, and the attacks stung from the various holes covering its body.
"Banana Club!"
"Grizzly Claw!"
"Spider Fang Rockets!"
"Tri Doggy Treat!"
Primemon and Grizzlymon lunged at Steel Wavemon, but their two attacks didn't harm the Digimon because of its hard, metal shielding. Spidmon and Cerberusmon's attacks couldn't land a hit, because Frost Joltmon was incredibly quick.
"Total Darkness!" Dunemon emerged from the sand once again and lunged at Frost Joltmon, to try to swallow the giant Digimon, but it had already started to glow as it performed a countering attack.
"Stormy Blizzard!" Frost Joltmon released a blast of cold, icy, snow that went straight into Dunemon's mouth and frost part of its insides, forcing Dunemon to drop to the ground.
"Duel Hit!" Aquamon and Joltmon linked fists and lunged straight towards Steel Wavemon, combining their Frost Fist and Electro Punch attack. The two attacks hit Steel Wavemon, but the attacks were deflected and they bounced off of the Digimon.
"Ow! That hurt." The Digimon swiveled around and chuckled. "Tsunami!" Suddenly, its watery form inside its steel casing circled around its body, creating a giant storm of dark water energy that sent Aquamon and Joltmon flying back.
ExNitegramon slowly rose up, realizing what was really happening. They had been using him to slow down the Light DigiDestined, so that they could finish off these Light DigiDestined. These two groups of DigiDestined are pathetic! One exiled me while the other uses me! Why must I be surrounded by those who deny my power! ExNitegramon glanced around and laughed. The Light DigiDestined are still my main objective, but these Dark DigiDestined may prove as a threat. Slowing them down will be vital. Destroying them will come later.
"Spider Fang Rockets!" Spidmon released twin rockets at both Digimon, but neither missile was strong enough to do anything to the Virus Digimon.
"Take this! Lightning Swipes!"
"Liquid Steel!"
The two attacks hurled straight towards Spidmon, but to their surprise, the giant dragon Digimon emerged in front of the spider Digimon, taking in the attacks. Luckily, the attacks were virtually ineffective against ExNitegramon.
"Supreme Tremor!" It turned away from the Dark DigiDestined and it started to rapidly beat its tails and created a deadly earthquake in the Dark DigiDestined's direction, forcing Steel Wavemon and Frost Joltmon to stumble around.
"He's helping us," murmured Taylor and Derek in unison.
"Sand Storm Rage!" Dunemon released a blast of sand that hit the two Ultimate Digimon in the face, blinding them.
"Tail Twister!" Cerberusmon began rapidly spinning its tails to create a giant twister that picked up the two Ultimate Pokémon in the deadly gust. Cerberusmon glanced at ExNitegramon and replied, "Dragon Force might be a good attack to use now."
"Dragon Force!" The fiery aurora surrounded ExNitegramon again and the fire energy entered its mouth and ExNitegramon shot a streaming blast of fiery energy straight towards the two Ultimate Digimon caught in the twister, slamming them against the ground. "I don't know why you Light DigiDestined are helping me. I'd think you and the Dark DigiDestined would have joined together to try to stop."
"Huh?" wondered six Champion Digimon in confusion, as the area slowly started to darken.
"ExNitegramon," said Alley, "wasn't try to help us. It was only trying to take out the Dark DigiDestined . . . then us."
"And all we did was help them," growled Joltmon.
Suddenly, ExNitegramon started to absorb the energy for his next attack. "You know, I don't only have to use this dark energy for my Nite Force attack- I can use it for any attack! X-Gra Force!" ExNitegramon released an array of dark energy from its body, which slammed Dunemon to the ground, and was also slammed all six Champion Digimon of the Light DigiDestined to the ground, and the two Ultimate Digimon were being loaded and loaded with pressure from the beam. As the beam continued heating them, the six Champion Digimon Digivolved back to Bugmon, Whelpmon, Pupmon, Monomon, Pondmon, and Voltmon, while the two Ultimate Digimon Digivolved back to Voltmon and Pudmon.
Chapter Ten: The Beta Moon
ExNitegramon laughed sinisterly as all the Digimon started to Digivolve backwards. But, as the dark array slowly fade away, ExNitegramon felt something weird that it had never felt before. "What's . . . happening to me?"
Erik shook his head sadly. "You betrayed us. And now you don't have enough energy to keep this stable form."
James nodded. "You see, we powered you up with our Digivices and some of DeviMuertemon's dark energy. This combination of energy made you rapidly Digivolve to your next stage, instead of naturally getting there at your own pace. DeviMuertemon was supplying you energy just by being in the area, but when he left, you slowly started to lose power . . . until you used it all."
"Oh!" said Derek. "Oh! I get it! Digimon who naturally Digivolve on their own pace can keep the form they're in, even if they become really exhausted. But Digimon like the two DigiDestined groups have are dependent on energy from the Digivice to make them Digivolve. They wouldn't have Digivolved to this stage without the energy from the Digivice. So, after losing a lot of energy, in order to remain intact and stable, they have to Digivolve backwards until they become stronger."
"Correct, Light DigiDestined," sneered James. "Since you, Nitegramon, were not ready to become ExNitegramon, your Ultimate stage, and since you've used up all your energy, you're Digivolving back."
"NO!" ExNitegramon started to shake and glow and suddenly, ExNitegramon started to rapidly shrink. It slowly shrunk and shrunk, until it was smaller than its Nitegramon form and continued shrinking until it was a brownish color Digimon, with large wings, but somewhat small body. It had a small tail, and tiny claws on its feet and on its tiny arms. Next to the Rookie Digimon dropped a small, purplish color Crest.
Derek rushed over to the small Crest and picked it up. "This would be mine."
"Light DigiDestined, may I introduce you to DemiGramon," replied Voltmon. "This is the Rookie stage of Nitegramon. It can't do much except for its Deadly Gust attack. Other than that, DemiGramon is pretty much harmless- and useless."
The Dark DigiDestined picked up their In-Training Digimon and turned away from the Light DigiDestined. "We're out of here." Suddenly, they teleported away back to DeviMuertemon's base.
"Uh, heh- heh," laughed DemiGramon weakly, as the six Light DigiDestined Digimon and their human partners surrounded the small Rookie Digimon. "Whoa, you don't look too pleased."
"Ah yes," said Pupmon, "you were just trying to kill us- no big deal."
"And what a fine job you did," replied Whelpmon. "Used all your energy just when you were about to win." The little Digimon sighed. "Even the Dark DigiDestined aren't as pathetic as that."
DemiGramon looked sadly at the ground. "I've never used the powers of a Digivice before. How was I suppose to know I'd Digivolve back to my Rookie stage." DemiGramon sighed. "Well, now that you're leaving, I guess we're parting ways."
"Why would we be leaving?" asked Derek.
"You know," said DemiGramon, "you'd head over to the Beta Moon. That's where the location of the last Crests are rumored to be, along with the energizing pools that you all need to Digivolve. So . . ?"
"So nothing," replied Taylor. "We're bring you to . . . some kind of prison of some sort. Are there any jails in the DigiWorld?"
"Um," said Bugmon, thinking hard. "There's Starmon's region, but that's a ways away."
"Here," said DemiGramon, "I'll make a deal. I won't cause any more trouble around these parts, and I'll even head west to stay out of your way- since you all protect the eastern part of the Digital World." DemiGramon turned towards his injured Airdramon. "In return, you can use my Airdramon to fly you to the Beta Moon." DemiGramon glanced at the injured Dunemon, "I promise I'll stay out of trouble! And if I get in any, Dunemon can rat me out! But trust me, after this, I won't cause any trouble until Dunemon fly."
"Funny," replied Dunemon, slowly getting up. "I'm heading back to the desert. Good bye Light DigiDestined. Until you return to the Digital World." Dunemon borrowed underground and departed.
"Fine DemiGramon," said Taylor, "you can go free to the western continent." He sighed. "But if you ever get in any trouble, we'll be here in a split second."
"I'm sure you will," replied DemiGramon, as his Airdramon flew over to him. "You three will accompany the Light DigiDestined safely- no trick intended- to the Beta Moon." DemiGramon glanced at the third one. "Due to my current state . . . you will fly me to the western continent." DemiGramon hopped on the Airdramon's head and they flew off. "You won't regret this!"
"I'm sure we will," replied Bugmon, as he glanced upward. "Now, on towards the Beta Moon DigiDestined!"
* * * *
As he saw his Airdramon fly the Light DigiDestined fools away from the Digital World, DemiGramon chuckled evilly as he continued flying towards the western continent. "Those DigiDestined fools think just because I'm leaving I'll stay out of trouble. No way." He continued laughing. "And, now that I've been exposed to DeviMuertemon's powers and the powers that I possess, the northern Digital World will be in ruins . . . as soon as I achieve my Champion form once again."
What dark plan does DemiGramon have in store for the Light and Dark DigiDestined? Well . . . you won't find out until season 3. But, in the mean time, the Dark DigiDestined only have one last chance to stop them before they obtain Sasha's Crest of Friendship. But will it be so easy when for Ultimate Digimon await them at the location of the last Crest? Find out in, The Final Crest.
