Enter the Hybrid

Enter the Hybrid

By: Theodore 'Blitz' Leung

Theoleung@sprint.ca

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!

Everyday it bothers me how our Digimon could've turned so…evil.

Evil might not be the right word, but it looks like they have jumped sides.

Botanimon seems to keep something back, but Yuriko can't get any information from her.

I guess we just have to hope the fourth generation of Digi-Destined can defeat…our friends…

~Diary of Tsurugi 'Damon' Hiroki, first generation Digi-Destined

* * * * * *

Biyomon was crying on Xemon's shoulder once more, releasing her sadness with the last trip to the Digital World.

"Why?!" she sobbed, unable to hold back anymore. Her heart was broken, being so close yet so far. He was right there, and she couldn't reach him. No, correction, he didn't want anyone to reach him. The two sat on Marc's bed, legs dangling over the edge. Neither of their partners was in the room. Xemon remained silent, pulling the pink bird a bit closer as she continued to cry.

"I ask myself the same thing…" Xemon thought, repeating Biyomon's question in his head over and over. "Come on Harrier…where are you?"

* * * * * *

Marc sighed, leaning back against the couch and staring up at the ceiling. Sora sat beside him, the two silent inside the family room of the residence.

"We know that he really is out there…" Marc spoke finally. Sora nodded slowly, looking up at the room above them. She knew Xemon was trying to calm Biyomon down, but it didn't seem like it was working.

"They are out there," Sora corrected, hanging her head. Marc didn't bother to acknowledge.

"And they are hiding…for what reason?" Marc asked, though not expecting an answer for his troubles. The question perplexed the two, as did it for their Digimon.

* * * * * *

Shastina sat on her bed, legs pulled up to her chest and watching the outside world through a window. Tigramon was curled up on her lap, still a bit sickly from the previous experience, but infection free.

Neither Human nor Digimon made an attempt to spark conversation. The air was thick with questions, questions that only the person who started them can answer. That person didn't want to be found. The predicament continues.

* * * * * *

"He doesn't want to come back then I take it," K.H. asked through an ICQ message.

"I'm not sure, but the way this is playing, it looks like it," Tiberius typed back.

"All this searching was in vain then?" K.H. asked, though there was an untold message that Tiberius shouldn't answer. "What would our plans be now then?" came the next message from K.H.

"Keep searching I guess…" Tiberius replied, a 'tone' of uncertainty in his 'voice'. "Or we can concentrate on stopping Serangmon once more."

"But we can't do that without a full team," was K.H. protesting response.

"It looks like we have little choice in the matter," Tiberius answered. "Until Tao wants to come back, we can't do much to change his mind."

"Man…this sucks…" was all K.H. replied with.

* * * * * *

Axeramon waited in an open field, the sun shining brightly against his crimson armour. All around the open field were high mountains, giving this particular area the feeling of arena like properties.

"So…this is where my end will be…" Axeramon thought, glancing down at the newly acquired bracelet Serangmon gave him. His eyes then fell onto his weapon: the double sides axe that served him faithfully all these years.

"It's just a matter of waiting…they will come…" he spoke softly, looking up at the clear blue sky.

"Drowsmon…is this feeling in my heart the same feeling you felt when you left?" he asked the sky. Axeramon couldn't express himself, he didn't have the words that would have expressed it.

"Maybe there is no way I can express it…" he thought, looking at the distance in front of him. He continued to wait, knowing that they won't let him down.

* * * * * *

Four Digivices began to collect energy across the world, simultaneously opening four Digital Portals for each of them. Each of the Digi-Destined was taken by surprise by the suddenness of each gate, quickly be drawn in.

It was as if the spirits were telling them they must go to face their foes.

* * * * * *

One by one, each Digi-Destined crashed down onto the Digital plane. There were initially groans of pain and protest, followed by surprise that all four Digi-Destined ended up at the same location. The final emotion was more surprise and bitterness, seeing Axeramon in the distance, standing alone in a field surrounded by that of mountains. He was staring at them, he knew they were there, but made no attempt to move towards them. Instead, he continued to wait.

"What's with him?" Shastina asked the others, slowly getting to her feet.

"It's as though he was expecting us…" Tiberius commented, gripping his Digivice tightly.

"So…I guess we take him on them…" Marc spoke up, also readying his Digivice to Digivolve his Digimon.

"He's got an aura of confidence…" K.H. piped in. "We need to be cautious."

"There's no way he can take on four Ultimate level Digimon," Kinoumon told his companions.

"We got an advantage, so let's take advantage of it…err…that sounded weird," Xemon spoke up, grinning lightly.

"I agree, if we can defeat Axeramon here, it'll be a pivotal point in this war," Lepumon assessed.

"It's settled then," Tigramon whispered. "Let's take him on!"

Axeramon lowered his head, taking his eyes off the Digi-Destined and their Digimon for a second. His weapon was in his left hand, his right hand placed over the bracelet he wore.

"Give me your best shot…" Axeramon thought, looking up once more. The four pairs of Digimon and Digi-Destined approached him, cautious at first, but determination were as clear as day with those eight.

"I was waiting for you all," Axeramon spoke out, the four pairs all in lined up side by side. "I knew you wouldn't disappoint." He made no move to attack, not even raise his weapon. He waited for the Digi-Destined to try to step it up one level. If the device worked…

"Something's wrong…" K.H. thought, clutching his Digivice even tighter now. "He's much to confident…there has got to be some catch…" He glanced down to his Digimon, Kinoumon looking up expectantly.

The same thoughts came up in the minds of the other Digi-Destined, but Marc made the first move.

"Alright Xemon, let's end this…" he spoke softly, directing his Digivice towards the Digimon. Energy began to collect within the Red Digivice.

"Xemon…Digivolve to…"

There silence as everyone waited for something to happen. Xemon stood there, first raised, expecting himself to change. Time passed, nothing happened.

"What's wrong?" Marc asked Xemon, kneeling down.

"I don't know…I…I just don't feel the charge of power…" Xemon answered, shock in his tone with the sudden development. K.H.'s eyes went from Xemon to Kinoumon. The teenager nodded, directing his own Digivice at his own Digimon.

"Kinoumon…Digivolve to…"

Again, there was silence as the spectators expected some sort of change. Again, they were disappointed. Axeramon still held the bracelet, waiting for the other two Digi-Destined to try to use their Digivice.

"You first or shall I?" Tiberius asked the only other Digi-Destined who hasn't tried to Digivolve their companion yet.

"I'll try…" Shastina spoke softly, losing faith in her ability to succeed. She directed her white Digivice towards Tigramon.

"Tigramon…Digivolve to…"

Once more, there was silence, though there was hardly surprise now at the failure. All eyes fell onto Tiberius, the only Digi-Destined that hasn't tried to Digivolve his Digimon.

"Isn't this the part where one person is supposed to make a heroic stand where the others failed?" he asked aloud, though getting no reaction from his companions. "Alright Lepumon, let's go! Digivolve!"

"Lepumon…Digivolve to…"

To the dismay of all, there was no change. In a way, they were expecting it, and in a way, they now knew they were doomed.

"I guess that only works in fiction…" Tiberius thought, looking back up at Axeramon. He continued to stand still, not making a move against his vulnerable enemies.

"So, what is your secret?" Marc asked, sarcasm quite clear in his tone. Axeramon grinned a little.

"Ever heard of the Digimon Emperor?" he asked. There were some confused looks between, but Shastina spoke up first.

"Ken Ichijouji, third generation Digi-Destined, former Digimon Emperor trying to enslave the Digital World…because he was corrupted," she informed the others without turning to face them. She remembered what T.K. and Kari told her when he visited Japan.

"You stay well informed," Axeramon commented. "Consider the Black Spire technology that keeps you all from Digivolving," he told them.

"Black…Spire?" Tiberius asked, unsure what he meant. Once more, Shastina provided the information they needed.

"Black Spires…prevented Digimon from Digivolving," she spoke. "Fortunately, it didn't prevent Armour Digivolving, a form which bypassed the effects of the Spires."

"Very well informed…" Marc thought, but he couldn't worry about that right now. His concern, as were the concern of his companions, was on defeating the Digimon they were now poised to face with Rookie level Digimon.

"So, what's the plan?" Shastina asked aloud. No one answered the teenager, none knowing the answer to that question.

"How about you plan to die?" Axeramon asked, releasing the grip on the black bracelet and raising his weapon.

"Can I get a second opinion on that?" K.H. joked softly, though there was no joking tone in his voice. The line stepped back one, but the Digimon stood their ground, ready to protect their comrades to the bitter end.

"You do realise that you don't stand a chance," Axeramon told them. Still, they held their ground.

"We got to try, right?" Xemon asked, entering a fighting pose. "Hope is within us."

"I'm not afraid of you," Kinoumon responded. "Courage is with my partner, it's with me to."

"Knowledge is power," Lepumon told Axeramon. "We'll think of something."

"The light that protects all others," Tigramon spoke softly, determined to stop Axeramon. "I will not let Light fall again!"

The crimson armoured Digimon regarded each Digimon, admiring their actions. Even against all odds, they will stand and fight in order to protect what they truly believe.

"Say goodnight…" Axeramon told them, dashing forward.

An emerald glimpse caught the corner of his eyes. He haled immediately, a Sonic Sword attack blasting in between him and the other four Digimon. Eyes quickly turned in the direction of the attack. Gasps of surprise came from the Digi-Destined line.

A boy, the same age as Shastina, held a blade in his hands. His head was lowered, blade down, with a slight shimmer of emerald energy around if before evaporating.

Tao raised his head slowly, attention towards Axeramon. Harriermon stood by his partner's side, also unable to Digivolve with the Black Spire technology in place.

"If you want them…you'll have to go through me first…" Tao spoke aloud, dropping the weapon to his side.

"Tao…" Shastina whispered, clasping her hands together. She waited for this day for so long. The teenage girl could hardly hold back the tears, but she knew this wasn't the best of time to breakdown.

"Damnit…you sure know how to pick your time to come back…" Marc cursed, fist curled into a ball. K.H. and Tiberius weren't sure if they should take the sudden appearance as a good sign or bad. By the looks of it, Tao was the only one that could defeat Axeramon, and he was human.

"Gladly…" Axeramon agreed, quickly redirecting his movements towards the lone human being. Harriermon stepped out of the way, allowing the two space to duel.

Axeramon used his axe like weapon to chop Tao, but he quickly raised his sword to block. Tao was surprised by the force of the blow, as was Axeramon's surprise to see the boy able to stop that attack without shatter his arm from the pressure.

"He's trained well with your weapon," Axeramon thought, pushing Tao away while retreating himself. Tao remained in a battle pose, preparing for any sort of assault Axeramon could throw at him.

"That weapon…it is not yours," Axeramon stated in a matter of fact tone. Tao didn't flinch, but he knew who it belonged to. "Tell me, did he give it to you? Or did you take it from his corpse?" Axeramon inquired. Once more, Tao didn't answer, he only awaited another attack.

"What's he talking about?" K.H. asked the group.

"The weapon…it doesn't belong to Tao…?" Marc spoke aloud, confused with the entire concept.

"No, it belongs to Drowsmon," Shastina spoke, after piecing together the pieces. "It's the only plausible explanation for that weapon to expel Sonic Sword attacks."

"The question remains, then, if he stole the weapon or if it was a present," Tiberius spoke. "I, of course, believe it's the first option. Drowsmon wouldn't just give up his weapon, would he?"

"I dunno," Marc answered, anxious to see what Tao could do with that weapon while he was gone for those weeks. "I'm just glad he knows how to use it. He might just save us in this situation."

"Well, according to my research, Digital Weapons enhance, in Role Playing Game terms, statistics of a Human wielding it," Tiberius informed the others. "In all essence, Tao could possible be an 'Ultimate Level Digimon' with Drowsmon's weapon in his possession."

"Wait, you're telling me he can fight like an Ultimate?" Marc asked, dumbfounded with that information. "Man, there's so much to learn in the Digital World."

Axeramon rushed forward once more, slashing high with his blade, following with a low slash with the other end of his weapon. Both attacks were parried by the weapon Tao used.

Frustrated, Axeramon swung with his all his might in a forehand slash. Tao quickly rose his weapon to block the attack, but the force of the blow knocked Tao to the ground. He grunted in pain, rolling backwards as Axeramon slashed at him once more, the axe digging into the ground.

"You're going to have to do more then that to knock me off," Tao taunted, awaiting the next blow to come towards him. Annoyed, Axeramon dashed forward once more, and once more Tao blocked. This attack, however, bore more force then the prior one. Despite being blocked, the shaft of Axeramon's weapon made contact with Tao's head, knocking him down once more. Tao stopped rolling at the feet of the other Digi-Destined, disoriented by the blow. He tried to shake the dizziness from his head, but not before Axeramon was going to cleave him in two.

"NO!" came the shouts from both Marc and Shastina, both stepping into the way. Axeramon's blade was inches away from their skins when he paused.

"Leave, this is between me and him," Axeramon told them angrily.

"I don't intend to let my friend die without having a say in it," Marc protested. "I've done it once, I won't do it again."

"He…is my friend…and more then that," Shastina told Axeramon. Tears were clear on her cheeks, but she stood her ground. "He's 'died' for me once! I intend to do the same for him!" K.H. and Tiberius weren't sure how to respond, they remanded petrified on the spot.

The actions Marc and Shastina expressed spoke for them. Both there Digivices began to glow with light blue aura. The Crest of Friendship loaded onto both their screens, blasting out from each. Both halves joined together, floating in the sky with all its splendour. The scene was admired, until two beams of energy lashed out, one directed at Xemon, the other at Tigramon. Both Digimon cried out.

"Tigramon…" "Xemon…"

"Ainoko Digivolve to…"

The two Digimon became energy, sucked up by the energy tendril from the Crest. Slowly, the Crest grew into an orb. A few more seconds, if shattered into a million pieces, the silhouette of a Digimon appearing. It slowly became whole revealing the form of a Digimon. It stood twelve feet tall on two legs with three pairs of wings out stretching form its back. The body resembled that of a cat. Dragon like horns emerged from its head in burst of sapphire energy. The beast fell onto four legs.

"Tomodachimon!"

The crystal blue eyes of this massive Digimon regarded Axeramon for a brief moment, the Digimon then assess its own body.

"What…is that?" K.H. asked. Tiberius quickly had his Digivice out to analyse the beats.

Tomodachimon: A cat/dragon hybrid Digimon. A species of Digimon that has become lost over time. This twelve foot behemoth is a formidable foe. Main attack: Ice Archer. An Ultimate level Digimon.

"Well, looks like we found the Digimon to take on Axeramon," Marc commented, helping Shastina pick up Tao and pulling him away from the battle. Harriermon decided to join them.

"It bypassed the Black Spire tech," Shastina thought.

"They succeeded in the Digivolve," Axeramon thought, smiling lightly. "Well…Drowsmon…I hope you saved a spot for me up there, I think I'll need it…"

Axeramon charged forward, readying to take on the foe that towered over him. He slashed at Tomodachimon, but he was promptly swatted away with one of those massive claws. He fell back with a grunt, quickly getting back to his feet.

"INFERNO CRIMSON!"

Embers of fire darted towards Tomodachimon, but the Digimon was prepared, releasing its own attack.

"ICE ARCHER!"

Arrows of ice energy formed quickly and shot towards Axeramon. The first arrow was destroyed, taking the entire Inferno Crimson attack with its cold touch. The other seven or so arrows impaled against Axeramon's armour. He grunted in pain, looking down slowly.

"That wasn't as bad as I thought…" Axeramon told himself, falling down onto the ground. His breathing became harsh. He smiled once more, closing his eyes. "It's over…I can rest now…" he spoke softly, crumbling into black data. In a matter of seconds, he was with the Digital World no more.

* * * * * *

Tao held Drowsmon's weapon in his right hand, his eyes away from his Digi-Destined companions. Haeromon by his side, the two were ready to depart.

"Tao…" Shastina spoke softly, hugging Tao tightly and crying into his shoulder. Tao hugged back lightly, slowly releasing himself from Shastina's hold.

"But why?" K.H. asked, emphasising his disappointment. "You're part of the team, you can't just leave us!"

"I…I've failed…" Tao answered. "I almost got Shastina killed…and it's my fault. I'm a weak link the chain. You're better off without me around…"

"But…" Tiberius was about to protest, but was silenced with a swing of the weapon Tao carried.

"I've made up my mind…you can't change it…" Tao told them, eyes still away. He held onto the talon of Haeromon. Shastina continued to sob, but tried to remain strong.

"Marc…take care of Shas for me…" Tao told his friend, nodding his head. Haeromon took off, his passenger dangling from his talon as they flew away.

"I can't take care of her…" Marc thought. "That's your job…I can't do something that is your responsibility. I hope you realise that and come back soon…"

Fin

Completed: 03/12/01

Author's Note:

Oh, for those who's wondering, I've been thinking of Ainoko Digivolve well before I've seen DNA Digivolve on Series 2. Just to let you all know.