A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long but school started again and other ideas made their way into my head. This is the final chapter in this little series of mine so I hoped you liked it, and if you did be sure to let me know.
Hell's Hauntress and raine this is truly for you, I would have sent this to the scrapper long ago if you hadn't stepped in and I expected to see more of both your masterpieces soon.
Also raine, Kodachrome, and I are having a season 01 contest and if you want to enter just check out my profile page.
The disclaimers in chapter one if you need it.
Maliki pushed forward relentlessly firing folly after folly of his dark powers. The children had fallen back as far as they could go; using the tattered remains of the control panels for cover. Frustration was reining in his system though, there were only three digidestined, protected by three ultimates, he should have finished them ages ago.
A grunt from Lady Devimon told him she was thinking the same thing "Hold still you little brats" she shouted in frustration. Ever since she had seen Angemon's heart truly belonged to another she had devoted herself fully to Maliki's cause vowing to kill the digidestined one by one. The mental picture elicited a scream and a particularly violent wave of darkness into the panel hiding Joe.
The Bearer of Reliability screamed in shock as the protective barrier disintegrated right in front of his eyes. Zudomon heard his partner cries moving his large body faster than ever before, sliding in right before the wave of darkness hit. The great digimon fell back hard launching one last attack before turning back into Gomamon. The small seal like digimon felt sweaty hands pick him up, shaking slightly from the nerves. "You'll be okay," Joe said quietly ducking behind another consol with Sora.
"They others better get here soon" she said pushing her helmet down tighter "I don't think we can hold out much longer". Joe could only nod while shielding his head.
Not to far away the remaining digidestined knew that every second was a second their friends didn't have. Matt's eyes were focused on the looming metal complex before them his arm wrapped tightly around TK, ensuring he didn't fall off. TK clutched his arm tightly as if it was his lifeline assuring himself that Matt was in fact there and not going anywhere. "Faster" Tai called as puffs of smoke began to billow out of the lab.
Metalgarurumon put on another burst of speed bringing them up alongside Izzy "How much longer?" Matt called over the wind. Izzy's dark eyes met his the worry evident "I don't know Lady Devimon was in a full rage when I left…" No more words were needed as they buckled down for their final landing.
"No" Sora screamed running to Biomon's side as she crashed to the floor, the last of the guardians to fall. Behind her Mimi cradled Palmon and Joe attempted to treat some of Gomamon's wounds. As she arrived at her guardian's side cruel laughter filled the air "You are now mine" Maliki said lowering his hands "now who dies first".
The trio shrank back having nowhere else to go, any sort of cover had been destroyed. Lady Devimon joined him rubbing her hands together "While none of you will really exact my revenge you'll be a nice warm up". A dark ball of power formed between her palms crackling with its evil and lethal energy. Without second thought she let it fly, aiming for the center of the group intending to take them all out in one shot.
The ball never hit its targets because a sword swatted it away. A great sword belonging to Genni. The ancient panted with the effort holding the glistening weapon like a bat acting as the absolute last line of defense "You will not harm these children" he said in a dangerous voice focusing on his brother. Maliki took the challenge drawing his own sword while motioning for Lady Devimon to stay back, she heeded his wishes knowing the others were no threat deciding that the fireworks to come would be a lot more entertaining.
"Genni, my dear little brother why is it you challenge me when you know you can't win?" Maliki asked testing his sword "After all with the block in place you can't access any of your powers…how do you expect to defeat me?"
Genni didn't back down instead taking a step forward as if in a challenge "I don't need my powers for the powers of light will always overcome those of darkness no matter the odds…so you dear brother must prepare to meet your final end". Maliki didn't give a vocal answer, answering instead with a violet thrust of the sword that would have beheaded Genni had he not blocked the blow.
Sparks flew as the two masters, one good one evil, locked themselves into a deciding battle. While Lady Devimon watched with a casual interest, she after all could care less who won just as long as she got her revenge. A shower of sparks got her attention as Genni ran his blade down that of his brothers, slicing deep into his hands. Maliki cursed flipping his blade to the uninjured arm then jumping forward with a violent blow. The blow caught Genni off guard earning him a slash in his upper arm and a seat on the floor.
He pushed himself back away from the advancing blade of his brother ignoring the cackles coming from the madman in the process. "Dear brother I gave you so many chances to be on the winning team, yet to stayed with your feeble light…" Slowly he began to push the blade in ready to relish every moment.
Lady Devimon rolled her eyes as the rant continued and she pushed the urge to finish them both off deep down. It was then an unseen wave of power passed through her body, a power she could place instantly. "Maliki" she hissed spreading her wings "the other digidestined are almost upon us". Both brothers stopped instantly looking at her with equally questioning eyes "I assure you all five are coming…I can sense their power".
Both ancients seemed to feel for the power instantly seeing she was right and while Genni wore a smile Maliki had a look of rage.
"Kill those three now," he said beginning to move toward the weakened trio, prepared to do part of the job himself. The chosen's digimon valiantly tried to get up only to fall seconds after, their partner scooping them into their arms as if hoping to spare them. Genni however had no intention of letting them die and pulled himself up ignoring the steady flow of blood coming from his wounds.
His feeble body didn't want to move let alone pick up a sword…but the children had nowhere to go and nothing to protect them. With as much of his fading strength he could muster he forced his feet into a run. Every step was agony and his vision increasingly blurry. He raised his sword above his head fighting the oncoming darkness, he could hear the panicked cries of the digidestined, and he felt as he thrust the sword into his brother's back.
Unconsciousness claimed Genni and he collapsed to the ground with his brother in a pool of blood.
The dark angle and the digidestined saw every second happen as the feud between brothers was ended. It was Lady Devimon who acted first taking advantage of the distraction to finish off three of the cursed children, after all with Maliki out of the way there was no one in her way. Her eyes turned a darker shade of red as she opened her wings for the finishing blow "So much for the digidestined" she said coldly.
"Hand of Fate"
"Celestial Arrow"
The two attacks soared through the opening in the ceiling exploding at the dark angles feet, shoving her a few feet back, well away from her intended victims. The angels appeared seconds after their attack had detonated cradling their digidestined in their arms. Hate burned in Lady Devimon as her eyes fell on the female angel, she had taken her love from her and she would have to go.
Before she could get up three more figures soared in; Izzy, Tai, and Matt along with their digimon landed in front of the wounded. Izzy let out a scream when he saw is beloved mentor lying in a pool of blood, by now it was hard to tell whom the dead one was. The bearer of Knowledge ignored the danger running over felling Genni for a pulse. It took only a matter of seconds for him to find it, a smile of relief crossing his face his attentions now on the dark angel.
"This ends right now" Tai said standing at the forefront of the group "Surrender or we will defeat you…for good this time". Lady Devimon scoffed at his words feeling the anger inside her growing, building up to something she hadn't experienced for years. So she fed those emotions, her loneliness and betrayal into the mix sending her body into overdrive.
Her primal digivolving instincts were triggered and with a vicious cry she embraced the evil. The evil rewarded her well as she felt her body growing by feet, a new mask covering her face, and new attack joining her arsenal. Only when the transformation was complete did a single name enter her mind "Marine Lady Devimon". That was who she was now, the greatest fallen angel to ever walk the digital world.
The children seemed unfazed, much to her displeasure, by her accomplishment yet she was ready to take them down. "Fools" she boomed "I am more powerful than all of you combined so close your eyes and it will all be over".
"Never" Matt shot she had caused him to attack the innocence of the digital world as well as his own precious little brother and for that she would never be forgiven "Metalgarurumon get her". The iron wolf took off at his chosen's command followed closely by Wargreymon and Megakabuterimon. Only Angemon and Angewomon hung back in case they should fall.
The trio surrounded her quickly launching their respective attacks at the same time, every one hitting right on target, each one having little affect. She barely stumbled from the blows throwing her gigantic arm around to swat them away as if they were flies. Wargreymon was caught in this first pass, slamming into the wall with a horrid crunch followed by his de-evolution.
Tai made a run for his partner stopping when Sora's weak yet firm grip warned him. "You'll just make matters worse by going out there" she said her voice tired and pained "stay here he'll be okay she won't go after a rookie right now". The leader nodded sadly his eyes watching his partner carefully.
The dark angel congratulated herself on taking out one of the megas so quickly and now set her sights on Megakabuterimon. He was the weakest of the remaining guardians but would be a bother none the less, besides she knew his digidestined was very smart and if left alone long enough would find a way to defeat her. So she was going to give him something even more important to worry about.
She flexed her fingers in anticipation getting a feel for the new power that was coarsening through her veins. Angemon made a run at her with his raised staff aiming for her head. She slapped him away gently "Its not your turn right now my love" she cooed not even watching him hit. Megakabuterimon came at her next getting a cruel smile to cross her face 'Like lambs to the slaughter'. Bringing her arm back she let forth some of her new power "Shadow Fist" she cried sending a ball of crackling energy, darker than the darkest of nights, at the guardian on Knowledge.
Izzy saw the attack and who it was heading for letting out an anguished cry when there was nothing he could do to help. Megakabuterimon too knew that the attack was coming and that he couldn't stop it, but he could do at least a little damage before going down. "Horn Buster" cut through the air and the darkness hit him full force, draining his energy and sending him into rookie mode within the fraction of a second. He crashed to the ground a few feet from where Maliki and Genni lay, unmoving.
Angewomon fell back keeping an eye on Kari who had huddled with her brother her mind finally clicking on what her dark counterpart was doing. 'She's picking us off one by one and Angemon will be the last' she thought soaring over to Angemon's side taking. Marie Lady Devimon shot her a deadly look and continued to try and hit Metalgarurumon as he soared around her head launching his missiles every chance he got, hardly scratching her.
"She's picking us off one by one" Angewomon said following the battle with her eyes "and you'll be the last". He nodded in agreement holding his arm as it bleed freely from hitting a shard of metal. "I know" he said "we all need to attack and soon, I don't know how much longer we're going to last". He flew up a little higher taking her hand in order to get her to follow. "Next pass Metalgarurumon takes we join," he said, "give it everything you've got".
The angelic pair watched and waited and as the iron wolf flew past they gave their wings a mighty flap, arriving at his side "Shoot" they screamed in unison letting their holy attacks forth. Pink and gold lights met with the ice blue of Metalgarurumon hitting the dark angel right in the chest.
TK huddled against Matt as he watched the battle with wide eyes, their first battle with Devimon coming back to him in vivid detail. Everything was falling into place just as it had done before, the digimon were falling one by one and his was one of the last ones left. Then he saw the three-left mount what seemed like their final pass. "They're going in," Matt muttered tightening his hold on his baby brother.
The digimon indeed were going in and their combined attacks lit up the destroyed room for only the briefest of moments before exploding. Marine Lady Devimon stumbled back and fell to the metal floor with a mighty crash. The floor vibrated with the force and more chunks of metal fell from above forcing many of the digidestined to dive out of the way to avoid being crushed.
The trio hovered in the air watching the dark angel as they slowly lowered themselves to the ground. She didn't move as they approached, joy growing in the digidestines hearts as the seconds ticked by. Slowly the remaining digimon landed taking cautious steps toward the body. She still didn't move and Angewomon slowly knelt down putting her gloved hand on the fallens shoulder.
Angewomon rolled her over screaming when a black, clawed hand clamped around her delicate throat pulling her off the ground. She flapped her wings frantically trying to get away from the crushing grip. Marine Lady Devimon cackled evilly as she rose looking down at the children as if they were ants. "You fools" she boomed "those pathetic attacks don't stand a chance against me…my evil is unmatched".
Metalgarurmon let out a howl and raced for the captive angel fully intending to take Lady Devimon's arm off if necessary to get her out. "No no my anxious friend" she said coldly pulling her prize away and her other arm around to launch another 'Shadow Wing' at him. Her hitting streak continued and she hit the guardian of Friendship hard, and he joined the rest of the guardians on the ground in unconsciousness.
Matt had to resist the urge to run forward to his friend, the only thing actually keeping him in place was TK. He knew very well the battle with Devimon was now at the forefront of the boys mind and causing him to tremble. "It's happening again" he whimpered quietly, tears unwillingly filling his eyes as his brother's hands closed on his shoulders in comfort. "Don't worry," he said in a soothing voice before holding his breath to see what Lady Devimon decided to do next.
Kari too was on the verge of tears as she watched her guardian helpless in Lady Devimon's grasp. Tai held her just as Matt was TK giving her comfort resisting the urge to cover her eyes. "Don't worry" was all he could saw his eyes on the one remaining digimon, their last hope in this desperate situation, Angemon. How many times had it come down to this, how many times must the youngest of the group take on the full weight of the battle.
They didn't have to wait long for her attention was turned on Angemon who had a stony expression on his face yet his hands gave away his fear. The gloved hands were clutching the golden rod so hard one would swear the solid metal was being bent to fit the angels fingers. He didn't move fearing if he did Angewomon would be hurt.
Finally the angel spoke his voice deep and authoritive voice "Let her go". Silence followed his demand, everyone holding their breaths, the digimon below finally beginning to stir, opening their eyes to the dire situation. But they didn't matter, after all they were powerless now and all they could do was watch.
Lady Devimon tightened her grip causing the angel to gasp for air and Angemon to fly a few feet forward. "Why should I?" she asked coldly her bloody gaze boring down on him "You ripped my heart out, why shouldn't I take yours? With all of you out of the way I can rule the digital world uncontested…but you will suffer the most for you have hurt me".
Angemon was seemingly unfazed by this yet desperation was in his voice "Its me you want" he said "so let the others go". Her eyes didn't move from him and she threw Angewomon into him as hard as she could. The two angels fell into a heap of wings cries coming from them as the fragile bones in one Angewomon's wings snapped. Tears leaked from under her helmet and Angemon's loving arms closed around her. Vaguely she could hear Kari screaming and trying to break free from her brother's grasp.
Marine Lady Devimon moved upon them raising both her hands "It was you I wanted" she said "but you made it clear you didn't want me so I will rid you both of my presence…then your friends will join you". The 'Shadow Wing' began to form seemingly more menacing than ever as the black lightning slipped between her fingers. "Good bye" she said cruelly.
"No!" TK screamed breaking free of his brothers hold throwing himself in front of the angels. His blue eyes were defiant and still filled with tears his tiny arms barely covering them. Angemon tried to push him away but with the injured Angewomon in his lap he couldn't reach. Matt was in a state of panic trying to run to his brother tripping over metal and digimon along the way. He had fully expected her to kill him instantly, thanking his lucky stars when she stopped to stare at the little boy.
Her eyes lost their malevolent look for just a second before coming back full force. Whatever attachment she had developed for the little boy was gone. "Wait your turn," she said coldly.
He still refused to move, protecting his guardian as he had for him so many times "No your not a bad digimon and you don't want to do this" he said firmly with no waver in his voice. The dark angel laughed making her ball ever bigger "Yes I do, I followed the powers of light and look where it got me…second fiddle to a madman and a broken heart. I was much happier evil, spreading death and destruction. I'm going back to that and you are all the first to die". As if to make her point she let her energy fly, making it hit right at Matt's feet and blasting him back.
Takeru didn't move, flinch, or even seem to take notice that she had just attacked his beloved brother. Bright blue yes now seemed lost and unfocused as Angemon's widened under his silver helmet. An odd feeling was forming in the pit of his stomach, a feeling he hadn't felt since his battle with Piedmon. Before him his chosen was beginning to glow and Angewomon was stirring.
He tried to hold her still but her soft voice stopped him "Look at the children" she breathed pulling herself up. Angemon looked in shock as the crests manifested themselves on the digidestines chests, just as they had during the battle with Apoclimon, only this time it had very different results. Takeru's voice came through the silence "Darkness cannot be allowed to rule the world" he said quietly.
It was that phrase that set everything off. The light from the bearer of Hopes chest burst forth striking his guardian full force and as it had so many times before when hope was involved a miracle happened. A cocoon of light formed around Angemon hiding him for only a few seconds before shattering like broken glass to reveal Magnangemon in his full holy glory.
Marine Lady Devimon shrunk back from the light realizing she had blown it, and like so many before her was going to lose…paying the ultimate price. 'If I'm going down I'll take one of them with me' she thought spreading her mighty wings she took flight putting her deadly pointed fingers forward, her sights on the bearer of Friendship.
Matt had recovered from the earlier attack and had resumed his desperate run to his brother's side. He didn't see her coming but heard his friends calling for him to look out. He looked up thinking TK was in danger instead seeing the dark angel coming for him. It was then that TK's terrified cries reached his ears his heart stopping seeing there was no where to go. He didn't want Takeru to see him to die, he didn't want to leave him, his friends, everything. But with nowhere to go he could only close his eyes and wait.
"Matt" TK screamed tears spilling from his eyes as terror filled his very being. Behind him he felt the brush of wind as Magnangemon took flight, one of his soft feathers gracing his cheek as he passed. The purple blade of Excalibur blazed in a holy light filling the dark room with its light. Everyone it touched felt their wounds heal and weary melt away, it was as if the days of torture had never been and the devastating attacks never hit. The digimon forced themselves upon their elbows to get a better view of what was happening, Gabumon holding his breath in silent prayer for that was Matt's only hope.
"Darkness will plague this world no more," his deep baritone voice boomed, echoing off the shattered walls as if in a church "Gate of Destiny".
Lady Devimon didn't stop she was so close to getting one of the brats out of the way an nothing, angel or no was going to stop her. She could see the fear in the boys eye now as she closed in and just as her 'blade' entered the tender flesh of her throat she was wrenched violently back by a force so powerful it would have pull in an entire army.
She flipped in mid air from the force enabling her to see her fate. The golden ring written with ancient digi code rotated as it pulled her in, Magnangemon's figure holding the sword behind it. His mouth was in a stern line, his eyes hidden by the mask but they no doubt were narrowed in contempt. He flipped again and she could see the digidestined for what was to be her last time. They had all gathered around Matt watching her with a mix of awe and hate as she was pulled in. As her feet passed the threshold she felt a peace come over her that she had never known causing the first real smile she had ever had to cross her face.
Tai watched as the gate closed leaving nothing but empty air, as if it was never there. Mangangemon fell to his knee and devolved into Patamon, the tiny creature panting for breath as the short but important battle took its toll.
The leader couldn't believe it was over, after everything they had been through they had survived once again. This reality was apparently setting in with the others as tears of relief and cries of joy. Overcome with that joy Tai gathered Kari into his arms twirling her around in the air getting her to giggle with delight. Matt was doing the same with TK "That was amazing TK" he said proudly "my brother the little hero".
Izzy let go of Sora after their quick embrace a horrid thought suddenly hitting him like a ton of bricks, Genni. Forgoing the celebration he scurried to where his mentor had fallen just in time to see the last of Maliki's body fade away. The fact that Genni was still there was a good sign as he fell to his knees gently rolling the ancient over.
Genni's dark eyes were opening and blinking in surprise "You did it?" he asked/stated slowly sitting up. "Well done, very well done…"
"Why did you bring us into a trap?" Mimi asked immediately still holding Palmon.
He sighed "I didn't call you here to fight Maliki, I called you here because I found a way to lock out darkness. Maliki just found me first I thought he had been locked away, but he came back and it was too late to stop you…I'm sorry".
"There's nothing to be sorry about" Sora said soothingly "there was nothing you could do and it turned out just fine in the end".
"And" Joe jumped in "you just said you have a way of stopping it from ever happening again".
Now a look of sadness made its way one his face as he stood heading for the door, gesturing for the children to follow. They did and he continued in a solemn voice "Its not that easy, while you have the power to stop evil from entering the digital world it will require a sacrifice on your parts". He heard various gasps but no one said a word "You must give up the power of your crests to create the protective barrier, and its not only you children that must make the sacrifice the digimon will sacrifice their ultimate and mega forms".
Silence followed that last statement and the entire group sat on the soft grass at the top of the hill "This is a choice I can not make for you and whatever you decide will be okay with me".
He had expected them to talk it over not answer right away "This world have been through so much already" Kari said scratching Gatomon behind the ears absentmindedly. TK picked up "Our friends live here, we can't let them down". Izzy nodded in agreement "This world have given us more than you will ever know and we owe it everything". "Besides the powers will never leave us" Joe said with a faint smile thinking of all he had learned and grown over their time in the mysterious world. "You taught us that," Mimi added gently. Sora smiled "You taught us so many things and gave the best friends we ever had". "Friends who loved and protected us as we saved their world" Matt said. "And they would do the same for us in a heartbeat" Tai finished.
With those quick and simple statements the digidestined stood forming a perfect circle and closing their eyes in concentration. Genni didn't know what to say instead stepping back as the children began to glow and their powers float into the sky.
The End
A/N: Well there it is all finished, finally. I know it was bad but don't kill me. Any reviews are appreciated and welcome. I'm off to work on other projects and as always suggestions are always welcome.