Story Seven: The Final Foe
The Digi-destined had now begun a search for the Collector's fortress. Alex was more determined than the others, mostly because he didn't sleep, vowed revenge for tampering with his mind, and realized just how cheesy the animation was in the Digimon movie.
"How can you watch that #$@% anyway?" Alex asked.
Getting back to the story, Alex became dead serious once again, as the Digi-destined trudged through a small forest in the blazing afternoon heat.
"Can we rest again?" Jennifer asked. "This heat is killing me."
"At least you don't have a fur coat." Tapirmon muttered, as the Digimon all lay in the shade.
Kunemon scratched behind its head with the point on its tail, before making a pillow out of webbing and lying down.
As the other Digi-destined all sat down, Alex stared out across the land, looking for any sign of the Collector's fortress.
"He's really serious about this, isn't he?" Angela asked.
Michael nodded. "Alex has always been a fighter. He becomes quite obsessive with his tasks, especially back in the original team of Digi-destined."
"Hey, that's right, Michael!" Jennifer said. "You never told us about Alex and that Kari girl!"
"Well, I wasn't there for most of it, but Alex said he had been assigned to protect Kari in exchange for finding us." Michael explained. "He nearly died, he took that responsibility so seriously."
"Wow…Hey, wait a second! You said they had a relationship!" Angela said.
"She did kiss him before we left." Michael replied. "But, that's all I know. I mean, if you're so interested in his personal life, why don't you ask him yourself?"
"Excuse me?" Angela was surprised. "Are you an idiot? If we ask him, he'll probably go psycho!"
"Despite how ruthless he is in battle, he's a pretty calm guy." Michael told them.
"Well…" Angela looked at Alex, who still stared out across the land. "Jennifer, go ask him."
"What?! Me?!" at that point, Michael and Angela tossed her over, and she slammed into Alex from behind, falling to the ground, leaving Alex standing over her.
"Are you all right?" Alex asked, helping her up.
"Yeah…" Jennifer dusted herself off. "Listen, Alex, the others were wondering…"
"Sorry, but that's my life." Alex replied. "Please mind your own business."
Michael snickered at this, as Angela and Jennifer socked him into the high heavens. Adam just watched, taking notes.
"Females angered when tricked…" he said, scribbling it down. "Michael's life shortened. Alex doesn't care. Adam rules all."
The Digimon rolled their eyes. Tapirmon, who was sleeping in the shade near Kunemon, snapped to attention.
"Something's wrong!" Tapirmon said.
Alex turned from his vigilance. "What do you mean?"
"Something's flying this way…I can hear it." To prove Tapirmon's claim, a blast of sound rang out, as a shadow flew above the Digi-destined.
"We're under attack!" the Digi-destined all ran to their Digimon, who Digi-volved to their Champion forms, ready for battle.
The creature revealed itself, as it landed on four clawed feet. Overall, this Digimon looked like a tiger mixed with a bird. It had a hooked, beak-like face, as well as large taloned feet infront, as well as two large wings on its back. The other half of its body was like a tiger, only with larger clawed feet, and less spread out stripes. It stared at them through a pair of blood red eyes.
"What do you want?" Alex demanded.
"I am Gryphomon." The strange creature greeted. "The Collector has ordered me to take you down."
"Is that so?" Alex asked. "Well, you're messing with the wrong team, pal."
"I think not." Gryphomon replied. "I am a Mega level Digimon. I will crush all five of you with ease."
Alex was still not concerned. "You may be a Mega, but we happen to be the Digi-destined. Don't count us out."
"Whatever you say." Gryphomon screeched a war cry. "Now, we begin!"
"Hammer Punch!" Veedramon slammed Gryphomon's beak with a powerful fist.
"Lobster Claw!" Ebidramon slashed at Gryphomon with a clawed hand.
"Ice Winder!" Seadramon launched blasts of ice from its mouth.
"Mega Bone Stick!" Apemon whacked Gryphomon with its club.
"Ninja Blade!" Musyamon hit Gryphomon with its sword.
Despite the overall power of the assault, Gryphomon lifted, still quite strong and ready for battle.
"My turn…" Gryphomon smiled maliciously. "Legendary Claw!" One of Gryphomon's fists cast a hand of energy, which slammed all five Digimon to the ground. Gryphomon then lifted into the air, and began creating large tornadoes with its wings. "Legendary Wind!"
"Digi-volve!" Alex cried out. The others nodded, as their four Ultimate Digimon charged Gryphomon, hitting him with everything they had. Musyamon de-Digivolved into Kunemon, and Alex got out his crest and Digi-vice, giving the command.
"Kunemon, Warp-Digivolve to…" Kunemon passed its Champion and Ultimate stages, revealing himself as the black Mega warrior: "Darkmon."
Gryphomon slammed down the other four Digimon with another Legendary Claw attack, laughing as he did.
"You Digi-destined are too weak!" Gryphomon said. "You're not even a challenge."
"Then try me." Darkmon walked over. "Dark Staff!" He slammed Gryphomon
over the head with his staff, and quickly put it away.
"Gah!" Gryphomon rubbed its hit. "You'll pay for that! Legendary Wind!"
He began creating twin tornadoes which shot at Darkmon.
"Final Flash!" Darkmon launched the huge blast of energy from its hands, which slammed Gryphomon straight through the side of a mountain. The Mega would not quit, however, as it shot out, tackling Darkmon in midair. The two Megas wrestled through the forest, uprooting trees, and sending dust flying. It soon became apparent that Gryphomon was winning, until a new contender joined the fray.
"Shogun Sword!" Gryphomon turned, just in time to see Alex slam his blade through its side. Gryphomon roared in pain, and dropped to the ground, greatly weakened.
"You…Digi-destined…" Gryphomon moaned. "I…can't…beat you…"
"Tell us where the Collector is, and we let you go." Alex said.
Gryphomon shook his head. "He'll kill me if I do…"
"And who's to say we won't?" Alex pressed his sword to Gryphomon's neck. "Now tell us, fly your sorry #$$ out of here, and we'll get on with our lives."
Gryphomon saw the seriousness in Alex's words, and nodded. "Beyond this forest lies a small cove in which the Collector runs his operations. He also has a number of Digimon stored in cells underground, which you may want to free."
Alex nodded. "Get out of here. And no more evil-doing for a month." Gryphomon flapped away, and Alex sheathed his sword. All the Digimon de-Digivolved and walked/crawled/hobbled over.
"So, you ready to attack?" Michael asked.
Alex shook his head. "Our Digimon will need energy and rest first. Tomorrow
morning, we go after the Collector…and end this once and for all."
The Collector watched the display. "The time of battle is indeed at
hand. At last, the foolish Alex will fall, and my reign will be supreme!"