Holy Dragon, the Hope Rebirth
By: Theodore 'Blitz' Leung
Disclaimer: All Digimon and their characters (except for those introduced in this fic/series) do NOT belong to me. I do not have permission to use their characters, but it's a FanFic, so, who cares? =) This story line belongs to me and me alone. Please ask for permission if you wish to use it. Thanks. Now let's get onto reading!
Tiberius ran out the door, checking out what was going on. Much to his surprise and delight, he saw Shastina conscious, shaking her head dizzily, with Tigramon hanging over her. Kari still stood by the doorframe, hands clasped, with a faint smile on her face.
"I don't believe it!" Tiberius exclaimed. "Tao did it! He actually defeated Drowsmon!" Shastina quickly turned her head towards Tiberius, blinking in confusion.
"What…happened?" she spoke softly, unable to comprehend the events before. Tigramon was still overjoyed with Shastina's revival to answer. Tiberius walked over to her, followed by Tai, who decided to hang back with Kari.
"Well…it's a very long story…" Tiberius answered, scratching the back of his head. "How should I explain this…" The teenage boy didn't have time to continue. Both K.H. and Marc returned from their searches, each with a frown on their face.
Kari examined the two Digi-Destined, and just by the way they looked, she knew something incredibly wrong happened.
"You're back!" Tiberius spoke, happy, but then noticing a third person from that party was missing. "Hey…where's Tao…?" The two exchanged glances, unsure how else to break the news.
"He's…gone…" Xemon answered, removing the burden from the two Human's shoulders.
"What…do you mean…gone?" Shastina asked, not wanting to believe the certain context that this means.
"We…found his vest at the 'Gateway of Death'," Kinoumon reported. "It was tattered and torn."
"But…" K.H. spoke, trying to find an upside to this. "Since Shastina is awake…we know that he succeeded…" The upside didn't sound very pleasant, and Shastina wasn't sure how else to take it. She sat on the couch, stunned with the news.
* * * * * *
A week had passed since the defeat of Drowsmon. For all four students, the winter break was starting, which meant they had more time for the Digital World.
However, none of the four stepped foot into the Digital World since that day…afraid of what might await then…or perhaps a similar fate to that of one of their Digi-Destined.
Sora was still in Toronto however, unable to leave Biyomon behind, and unable to take the Digimon back with her to Japan. Marc offered to take the bird Digimon to the Digital World, but Biyomon didn't seem very talkative. Marc's other concern right now was to somehow convince Tao's parents that something wasn't wrong.
Tiberius continued to research the Digimon and their attacks, however, the thoughts of Tao and Harriermon remained intact in his mind, and haunt him continuously.
K.H. took it the lightest, trying his best to cheer up the other Digi-Destined whenever he could. Even then, Tao remained firmly imbedded on his mind.
As for Shastina…she couldn't function knowing how she basically sentenced Tao to death. For the last seven days, she felt responsible for the death of a Digi-Destined, and a close friend to her.
No matter how hard each Digimon tried, they couldn't seem to bring their partners out of the depressive mood they were in.
And so life continues for the four Digi-Destined and their partners…
* * * * * *
Tiberius sighed, his head lay flat on the counter at Yasmine's store. The older Digi-Destined just finished serving another customer before turning her attention back towards Tiberius.
"Hey…cheer up…" Yasmine told him, patting the boy on the back. Tiberius didn't budge. He lay there, sulking. Yasmine sighed, leaning on the counter.
"There are ups and downs to being a Digi-Destined…" Yasmine lectured. "This is obviously a down, but you can't give your hopes up."
"How can you say that?" Tiberius asked, anger in his voice, yet overlaid with sadness.
"Do you truly believe Tao is dead?" Yasmine asked, calmly.
"I don't want to believe it!" Tiberius exclaimed. "Yet…with all there is so far…it seems like he is gone…" Yasmine sighed, patting the boy on the back again.
"Hope is not easily extinguished…" she told him, heading to the storeroom. "Remember that."
* * * * * *
K.H. sipped his soda slowly through a straw. Across the table from him sat Mimi and Michael, both unsure how else to talk to the boy in front of them.
"Strange how drastic changes can come…" K.H. spoke, stirring his straw around the can. Kinoumon remained hidden in K.H.'s bag, but it was opened all the way so he had more air to breathe. Palmon and Betamon sat underneath the table, in the far recess as not to be detected by others.
Silence once again ensnared the Digi-Destined, no one making a sound nor move for that matter.
"K.H." Mimi spoke. K.H. raised his head to face the female. "You couldn't have stopped him from going alone."
"I could've…" K.H. remarked bitterly.
"He was driven by a force that you couldn't stop," Mimi reasoned. "Even if you tied him to a chair and locked him in a room, he would have still found a way to go." K.H. was silent, taking another short sip from his drink.
"You all have a responsibility to fulfil…" Michael spoke, his hands wrapped around his can of pop. "A responsibility that has been left in your hands. Even with the fall of a comrade, you four still have to push forward. I'm not sure how Tao would react…but I can bet he wouldn't like if all four of you let the Digital World and Real World fall apart while you mourn over him."
K.H. remained deathly silent, unable to bring himself to do anything else but just sit and think.
* * * * * *
A batch of snow landed on the city of Toronto, burying it under ten centimeters of snow. Marc was busy shoveling his driveway while Xemon watched, hanging out inside the garage and keeping out of the cold.
"A little help would be appreciated you know!" Marc shouted to Xemon.
"I would if I could!" Xemon shouted back, grinning. Marc smiled back, but his face faulted after a few seconds. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get his mind off a certain friend he had and lost. He continued to push snow, in slow and deliberate movements.
Xemon also seemed affected, sighing. Silence surrounded both, with only the sound of shovel scratching against gravel road. Marc was pretty much absorbed now in shoveling snow, trying to get his mind off Tao. As for Xemon, he didn't notice a friend approach him until she spoke.
"Xemon…" she whispered, voice soft and sad. Xemon quickly turned to his left, seeing Biyomon standing beside him. Where she and Sora resided so far wasn't very far away from Marc's house.
"Biyomon?!" Xemon exclaimed, but not loud enough for Marc to notice. "What are you doing here?"
"I…I was lonely…" Biyomon whispered. She sniffed, and then Xemon knew what was bothering the other bird.
"You miss Harriermon…" Xemon stated. She nodded slowly, looking away.
"I-I'm sorry…" she apologized. "I should not bother you…"
"No…don't say that," Xemon told the female Digimon quickly. "We all miss them…"
"Oh Xemon…" Biyomon spoke, hugging the dragon Digimon and crying onto his shoulder. The dragon was taken aback by this, but allowed the Digimon to continue to cry.
* * * * * *
"It's…been a while…hasn't it…" Shastina commented, gazing left and right. She and Tigramon were back in the Digital World, after the Digivice decided to pull this pair back into the danger zone.
"Drowsmon is gone…" Tigramon told Shastina. "So…there really isn't much to fear…"
"There's always much to fear," Shastina replied, sighing. "We are as liable to die…"
"Just like Tao…" Tigramon spoke softly, all hope lost from her voice. Shastina did not respond, but curled her hand into a tight fist.
"Come on…" Shastina ordered. "The faster we get this done…the faster we can get out of here. I dare not stay in the Digital World for much longer."
* * * * * *
Marc blinked, trying to figure out what happened. Then he remembered, being that he hasn't done anything like that for a while.
"I'm not used to Digital Portal travel anymore," he commented to his dragon friend.
"Then you'll just have to adapt again," Xemon told Marc. The two had just escorted Biyomon back home to Sora once Marc finished with the driveway. However, a few minutes after they left, Marc's Digivice began to go off, and thus starting another adventure into the Digital World.
"Marc…" Xemon whispered, looking away. His Human companion looked down at the dragon. "I guess this would be a better time then any to ask…" Marc was confused by those words,
"What's on your mind?" he asked, kneeling down to be on eye level with his Digimon.
"Marc…there is this gleam in your eyes…" Xemon told him, slowly. The Digi-Destined blinked, wondering what the dragon was getting to. "A gleam of hope…protest…if you would so say."
"You don't believe he's gone," Xemon told Marc in a matter of fact tone. Marc looked down at the grass below him, laughing a bit. Now it was Xemon's turn to be confused.
"You're right…I don't believe Tao is gone yet," Marc answered, standing back up. "He always told me to never give up. There is always a way…a way to overcome it all."
"I know he survived…I just wish he would come home…" Marc spoke, sighing. "He is alive…"
"You have such a strong conviction of hope…" Xemon commented. Marc nodded his answer, turning once again to face his Digimon.
"If Tao has taught me anything…it's to never give up," he spoke, lifting the Dragon up. "And so I won't…not until there is proof he's gone for good." Xemon's frown slowly turned into a smile.
"Well, if you will believe that, then I will to!" he piped in, now more enthusiastic. Marc also smiled, happy with the Dragon's energy and letting him back down.
"And since we're here…we might as well search…" Marc spoke next. Xemon was a bit confused now.
"Um…why didn't we do that some time before?" he asked. Marc smiled, hoping to avoid answering the question and heading of into the distance, Xemon walking beside him.
"I wish I knew Xemon…I wish I knew…" Marc thought, looking towards the sun, bringing his shades over his eyes to protect against the sun. "I guess…deep down…I am afraid of the truth…"
* * * * * *
Shastina remained unmoving, her left holding the small body of a tree, keeping her from tumbling down the side of the hill. Tigramon remained on her shoulder, also staring at the distance.
In front of them lay the vast desolate lands: 'Gateway of Death', the place where Tao was last thought to be.
"Are you going to go in there and look for him?" Tigramon asked, keeping her balance on Shastina's shoulder. She shook her head, unsure what she wanted to do at the moment.
"I don't think he's gone…" Shastina said softly. "But everything seems to point elsewhere…"
"It's strange how we both got attracted to the same place," a voice spoke behind her. Shastina quickly turned around, seeing Marc at the top of the hill, Xemon by his side.
"Marc?!" Shastina exclaimed, not expecting another Digi-Destined to be in the Digital World with her.
"You're looking for him," Marc spoke in a form of a statement, not as a question. He slowly stepped down to join her.
"Maybe…I'm not sure why I came here…" Shastina answered, turning back to face the ruined wastelands.
"You can't give up yet," Xemon quickly chipped in.
"Yeah…Tao wouldn't give up if you were gone…" Marc continued, turning his head towards her once her was at the same elevation as the other Digi-Destined. "You shouldn't either." Shastina remained quiet, unable to accumulate a response.
"Even if there was truly despair in his heart…Tao, I know you believed…" Marc added in his own mind.
"We shouldn't stand here for very long…" Tigramon offered, leaping off her partner's shoulder and onto the soft soiled ground. "This place gives me the creeps…" she told them, shuddering and running back up the hill. Shastina smiled lightly, following the Digimon back up. Marc, on the other hand, stood still, continuing to stare at the lands in front of him.
"Come back soon…" he whispered.
A loud and high pitched screamed erupted from behind he. Marc quickly turned around, seeing Shastina falling down the hill. With on quick gesture, he grabbed one of her arms with his own free arm. Shastina was breathing hard.
"What happened?!" Marc asked quickly, looking back up. He was answered when he saw Axeramon standing at the top of the hill, his weapon ready, with traces of blood on the blade. Marc glanced back down at Shastina, a small wound on her right leg, but nothing serious.
"At least most of the attack missed…" Marc thought, helping Shastina regain her footing. It took her a few moments to regain herself, due to the fact she was stunned by the attack.
"Shastina, you okay?!" Tigramon exclaimed, hopping back down the hill. She nodded slowly, still grasping Marc's arm.
"Thanks Marc," she spoke, a bit weaker, but still okay. With her free hand, she withdrew her Digivice from her pocket, ready to fight. Shastina gained her balance, allowing Marc to get his Digivice and prepare for combat as well. Axeramon had a small smile on his face, ready to engage his two opponents. The Digimon stepped back.
"Tigramon…" "Xemon…"
"Digivolve to…"
"Toramon!" "Vormon!"
Toramon leaped back up onto the top of the hill, while Vormon clambered up, toppling weak and frail trees in the process. During that time, both Marc and Shastina were climbing back up, Marc assisting Shastina since she was wounded.
"Two Champions?" Axeramon asked, obviously sounding disappointed. He lowered his weapon. "You'll need at least one Ultimate before you even come close to being able to defeat me." The other two Digimon growled, angered by the remark.
"TYPOON PUNCH!" "DENKOU CLAW!"
Both Digimon leaped at Axeramon, striking with their respective attacks. The crimson armoured Digimon raised his weapon with such speed he easily deflected both attacks and struck both Digimon with his two handed, twin bladed, axe like weapon. The two staggered back, giving their opponent the time he needed to attack.
"TORMENT AERO!"
Axeramon slashed with his weapon. A shockwave erupted once it touched ground, flying right between both Digimon and knocking them both down, while tearing up the ground as it flew past. The two Humans behind covered their eyes when the attack flew past, dirt and grass flying everywhere.
"Pathetic…" Axeramon mocked, lowering his weapon once again. "Tao could've provided more challenge if he survived that duel against Drowsmon." Shastina instantly snapped her head towards that Digimon, provoked by that statement.
"Alright…then let's show him some challenge," Shastina thought. Toramon slowly rose to her feet, looking back at Shastina, as though reading her mind. The Digimon nodded, ready for another power boost. The White Digivice burst with energy.
"Toramon…Digivolve to…Siberimon!"
The Angel/Feline Digimon stretched out her wings, arms spread out and ready to fight some more. Axeramon raised his weapon once again, accepting the challenge brought before him. Vormon could only watch, the previous attack knocking the wind out of him. He remained stunned, vision blurred and pretty much disabled for a period of time, leaving Siberimon and Axeramon to conclude their duel.
Axeramon took the initiative, launching forward and reeling his weapon back to strike. Siberimon leaped into the air, barely evading the swing.
"HOLY DAGEKI!"
While in the air, Siberimon charged up Holy energy, launching the ball of power towards Axeramon, who quickly looked up towards her direction when he missed.
"No problem…" he muttered, swinging his weapon yet again. A small crimson aura surrounded each blade on the weapon. With the swing, Siberimon's attack was deflected, much like a baseball player would hit a ball. The Angel/Tiger Digimon was shocked by the revelation, leaving her open for attack. Axeramon took full advantage of the situation.
"INFERNO CRIMSON!"
The hail of kindle blasted towards Siberimon, nearly catching her off guard. In the few seconds she had, Siberimon managed to dodge the majority of the sparks, though some singed her skin and clothes.
The attack wasn't over however, with her back exposed to Axeramon while she evaded, it would be over all too quickly.
Axeramon leaped into the air, raising his weapon over his.
"Look out!!" Shastina screamed, but was too late with the warning. Axeramon brought his weapon down against Siberimon's back. There was a scream of pain, then blinding light surrounded the area, the Ultimate turning back to her Rookie form and falling into Shastina's arms, out cold. Axeramon gracefully landed, turning now to face Vormon, who was still stunned and trying to regain himself.
"Damn…things aren't looking good…" Marc thought, clutching his Digivice. "Crysdramon was thrashed last time he fought Axeramon…and Metamorphazimon is only 100% good in the water…"
Axeramon slowly advanced towards Vormon, knowing full well the temporary disabilities the other Digimon suffered.
"I can't give up!" Marc thought, gritting his teeth. "If I give up here…then all would be lost…" He quickly glanced over to Shastina, know was on her knees, her Digimon pulled to her chest. "Tao would kill me if he knew I let Shastina get harmed."
"In spite of darkness…there will always be light…" Marc remembered, a certain phrase Tao told him when thinking about hope. "Even if the light is dim, I still got to reach for it!" Marc rose, with renewed energy and determination in his eyes.
Which lead to the next event.
With untraceable speed, a golden blur of energy blasted past, cutting in between Vormon and Axeramon. The beam shot into the sky, then back down towards Marc, where it entered his Digivice. Axeramon's gaze was now turned towards the Digivice, with a new symbol in its database.
"And so the Crest of Hope has chosen again…" Axeramon thought. Marc didn't hesitate. He knew for any chance of success, he had to do something, and with the acquisition of another Crest, he had nothing to lose by trying.
"Vormon…Digivolve to…"
Golden energy surrounded Vormon, changing his form and empowering the dragon. His wings grew larger, and his neck longer, and his tail grew in length.
"Millenimon!"
The aura subsided, leaving a pure white dragon with majestic wings in Vormon's place. Short red and blue stripes trailed down his back, and long black stripes across the outside of his arms. His emerald eyes regarded Axeramon, before he stretched out his wings and shouted a mighty roar.
"Ahh…this is more like it…" Axeramon thought next, knowing if this kind of progress is to keep up, he would join Drowsmon in deletion. "Well…I might as well make the most of it," he spoke aloud, rushing forward towards the larger target. The Digimon raised his axe like weapon, hoping to open a large wound against the dragon's chest. Millenimon swatted the weapon with his massive claw, continuing to spin with his swipe and attacking with his tail. Axeramon, despite being knocked off balance and with the weight of his armour and his weapon, back flipped out of the way, his right arm wrapped around the weapon that was parallel to his back and arm.
"Impressive…" Axeramon thought. "Quite agile for such a monstrous creature." Millenimon was also thinking thoughts like that on the same line.
"For someone so armed and armoured…he can move fast…" the Holy Dragon thought, knowing now it would be difficult to strike this humanoid Digimon with conventional methods. Millenimon raised his head, howled out and unleashing a beam of energy into the sky above.
"SPRAY OF HOPE!"
Laser fine rain began to fall, each charged with Holy energy. Axeramon had no way to avoid the attack, so all he could do was brace himself, ready to absorb as much pain as possible, like he has always done whenever he and Drowsmon practiced. The rain was short lived…the pouring beginning to subsided. Axeramon quickly leaped back to his feet and rushed forward again, believing he could get an attack in before Millenimon could respond.
"VORTEX OF GOODNESS!"
Millenimon now unleashed a stream of fire from his mouth, the rope of fire wrapping around Axeramon. The flame was unusual, with a white and silver glow to it instead of the normal crimson.
"Holy fire…" Axeramon thought. "This dragon is prepared…" The whip of fire enclosed on him, scorching his armour, though not hurting the Digimon himself in anyway. "Thank you again dear armour…" Axeramon praised, looking back up at the dragon. "He has proven his worth. There is no more need to test him," Axeramon remembered, knowing full well he can't afford to use his full power yet.
"Until next time then!" he shouted, bowing his head and then running back into the forest behind him at an incredible speed. Both Shastina and Marc blinked.
"We won?" Marc thought. Millenimon reverted back to Xemon, who also had a confused look on his face with the sudden end to the battle.
Fin
Completed: 01/15/01
