A/N: First Digimon Tamers fic. Alternate Ending. I don't own Digimon. Takes place when Kazu and Kenta comes in with MarineAngemon. I'm using some dubbed terms because it sounds better, but the characters' names are mostly Japanese. They're a bit out of character, hehe.

"" - Dialogue

'' - Dialogue between Tamers and their digimon in mega form.

Italics - thoughts

VITAM PRO ALIQUO PROFUNDERE

Chapter 1: Hara-Kiri

~Takato's POV~

"Alright MarineAngemon!" I was still holding Juri when they had arrived. For once in my life, I was glad to have them with us. MarineAngemon sent a bubble to retrieve Terriermon who looked as bad as Jenrya. They both had exhausted themselves to devolve the D-Reaper and it's working! Parts of the D-Reaper continues to disappear through the wormhole.

"Let's get out of here!" I said once Ruki, Renamon, Ryou, and Cyberdramon were safely recovered by MarineAngemon's bubbles.

"So you're not a stupid Gogglehead after all?" Ruki taunted. "Who would want to stay here unless you want to go with the D-Reaper." At the time, I didn't mind Ruki's insults at all. I've gotten used to it and quite frankly thought that something must be wrong if Ruki didn't call me "gogglehead". I'd like her to stop calling me stupid though. I find it hard to believe that I'm staring at her right now yet I find it even harder to divert my gaze. At last MarineAngemon moved us out of the quantum bubble. I returned Juri to her upright position as soon as we cleared D-Reaper.

*Meanwhile...*

~Yamaki's POV~

"Yamaki, you better take a look at this!" I immediately recognized Reika's voice. What could go wrong now? I paced myself to her view screen.

"What's going on, Reika?" I impatiently waited for her answer as I open and close my lighter. I need to get rid of this bad habit, but that can be resolved later.

"The D-Reaper just closed the wormhole. I don't know how it did it but it's closed." I feared the worst but allowed her to continue.

"D-Reaper has been reduced to a harmless program in the Digital World, but a part of its evolved formed still remains in this world. I checked the satellite images and it seems that Shinjuku is its last stand." I thanked the gods that only a small part of the D-Reaper still exist but our troubles hasn't ended yet. From what I learn, D-Reaper is extremely resourceful and no doubt has already adapted to Shaggai. Damn! We can't use it twice to defeat it. We have to think of something else.

"Options, people?" I eyed every people in the room. The Monsters Makers were intelligent people no doubt. We make a good team. A smile crept upon me unexpectedly but I easily dispersed the emotion. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far but we still got more work to do.

"I don't think we can use Shaggai again, Yamaki. We may have to rely on the children with this one." I nodded in agreement. Janyu was right. The children are our only hope of destroying the remnants of the D-Reaper.

*Back to the Tamers*

~Takato's POV~

"I...We finally did it!" I shouted on top of my lungs. I started cheering and was joined by Kazu and Kenta. Everyone joined in except for Ruki. After all we've been through, some things never change.

"I wouldn't celebrate yet gogglehead." she simply stated. Man! Does she know how to break the mood or what? "Look! It stopped!" Everyone started to notice that the D-Reaper stopped disappearing.

"What...what's going on?" I asked nervously. I was afraid of the answer and I knew it's not a good one.

"I don't know. It should've worked! All that for nothing!" Jenrya angrily shouted. I noticed his D-Ark began beeping. Jenrya took out his D-Ark and read the terminal.

"It's an e-mail from Yamaki." He paused for a few seconds and started speaking again. "We have to destroy the D-Reaper now! Yamaki said the D-Reaper's gone from the Digital World and Shinjuku's its last stand. We can't use Shaggai again since it adapted." His tone had changed from worried to serious.

Everyone got into battle mode after hearing that message. It seems that the battle is not over yet. Bad day, bad day, very bad day...

All four of us shouted in unison, "BIO-MERGE ACTIVATE!"

GUILMON BIO-MERGE TO...GALLANTMON!

RENAMON BIO-MERGE TO...SAKUYAMON!

TERRIERMON BIO-MERGE TO...MEGAGARGOMON!

Cyberdramon devolves into Monodramon.

MONODRAMON BIO-MERGE TO...JUSTIMON!

"Let's go!" I charged forward to the D-Reaper with the three of them behind me. I soon realized this was a big mistake when I saw a line of ADRs firing squad. I instinctively raised my shields for protection and thus the battle began anew.

"ROYAL SABER!"

For every one that I destroyed, two more takes its place. It seems impossible but I refuse to give up. We've come so far to lose this war now. With new found strength, I charged my shield into a more formidable blast.

"FINAL ELYSIAN!"

I sent a burst of energy toward the D-Reaper's quantum bubble. The attack was met hundreds of ADRs and I had a faint notion that they were using themselves as shields because my attack never reached the bubble. I know now that it's pointless to fight these ADRs but I can't avoid them. Every seconds more and more keeps coming between me and my target. The others weren't doing so great either. Justimon's Justice Kick turns many ADRs to dust but I can see his fatigue coming fast upon him.

"SPIRIT STRIKE!"

I turned around only to find the ADRs vanishing form. They were sneaking up behind me and had almost succeeded. Sakuyamon's attack momentarily distracted her long enough for the ADRs to attack from behind. With a quick leap, I placed myself between Sakuyamon and the ADRs.

"ROYAL SABER!"

Good bye and good riddance. We only acknowledged our mutual thanks. Once again I turned facing against the D-Reaper's mass. Pushing myself to the limit, my shields began to glow again as I prepare for another assault. I noticed that with each passing moments the D-Reaper gains more ground.

"FINAL ELYSIAN!"

"AMETHYST WIND!"

"GARGO MISSILE!" (A/N: I forgot MegaGargomon/Saint Gargomon's attack and I'm not sure this is it.)

"THUNDER CLAP!"

"PROTECTION GRENADE!"

The attacks screamed toward the remnants of the D-Reaper, crashing into it's defensive line. It pushed and we pushed back! It might seemed hollow but we were forcing the D-Reaper earn every inch of space as it advances. Several ADRs began unleashing their artillery as we tried to recover from our combined attack. I was losing energy fast.

'Takatomon, I don't think I can hold this form any longer.'

'Hang in there, Guilmon! We can do this together!'

I believe we can no longer sit there and hit the D-Reaper with our best attacks. It had to be up front and personal! We had to get close or our attacks won't do anything all.

"AHHHH!"

I immediately avert my eyes to the sound.

"NO!!!!!!"

No matter how loud I screamed, the gunfire between the ADRs and MegaGargomon suppressed it. Ruki had been hit by a newer version of the ADR that I previously destroyed with my Final Justice attack a while back. Sakuyamon de-digivolved back into Renamon and Ruki.

"MarineAngemon!!!!" I knew well that MarineAngemon wasn't great with the offensive but it's still a valuable addition to the team. Heck, it even saved me from the D-Reaper twice now. As if it had heard my plea, MarineAngemon quickly recovered Ruki and Renamon with a bubble and flew them to safety. Using its Kahuna Waves, it began to restore Ruki and Renamon's strength. I know that Guilmon is a virus type digimon and cannot be restored by MarineAngemon. Man, what I wouldn't give right now for a power boost from the pink digimon...

'Maybe if we wish hard enough, Takatomon. We might find our greatest strength yet.'

'Alright. Let's try it!'

"GIVE ME THE STRENGTH!" We screamed in unison.

Immediately a flash of crimson light enveloped me...us once again.

GALLANTMON MODE CHANGE TO...CRIMSON MODE!

'We can't afford to waste any precious energy Guilmon. Let's focus this on one final attack.'

'I'm with you. I think pouring our life-force into the attack might help but it's risky.'

'I have another idea Guilmon.'

"Hey, D-Reaper scum! CORONA DESTROYER!"

Beelzemon! Alright! Let's get this over with.

"Glad you could make it Beelzemon! I need all the firepower I can get." You have no idea...

"Hmph! I can't sit around and let you guys have all the fun. New look?" I nodded.

'Let's do this Guilmon. It's now or never.'

The ADRs recovered from Beelzemon's attack and formed a line again hitting us with everything it got. Jenrya retaliated with his Mega Barrage and Justimon was now fighting hand-to-hand with his blade.

"Listen to me, D-Reaper. You've caused nothing but pain and destruction to both the Digital and our world. I cannot allow you to win."

~Ruki's POV~

I feel so helpless inside MarineAngemon's bubble. Renamon was being healed while I stood by and watch our friends fight. I can't take anymore of this!

"Ruki, I'm ready. Let's do this again!"

"Right!" Fighting is what I like the most and up until now, I'm missing most of it. Without wasting another second, I whipped out my D-Ark.

BIO-MERGE ACTIVATE!

RENAMON BIO-MERGE TO...SAKUYAMON!

I flew to Gallantmon right side and joined the battle for our planet.

"Back for more, Ruki? How are you doing?" I noticed that Gallantmon hasn't used any of his main attack yet. It seemed as if he is trying to conserve his energy and fights only with his swords and evading most of the enemy's attack most of the time. I ignored his last question.

"Of course! Wouldn't miss this for the world." The ironic thing is that the world might be destroyed if I missed any of this.

"Beelzemon! Cover me." Gallantmon flew to a more secure place high in the sky and stopped. What is that goggleheaded idiot doing? Using his swords as some sort of paint brush, he drew up two objects which looked like the Gate of Destiny. Instead of MagnaAngemon's attack, the two circular rings started to spin around Gallantmon. Sparks were generated by the constant spin of the rings.

"He's finally charging himself up but what is he up to?." I whispered. I noticed MegaGargomon, Justimon, Beelzemon, and the gang were just as confused as I am.

"Hey Chumly! What do you think you're doing? Help us down here." I heard Kazu shouted.

Everyone just ignored Kazu and returned to their fight with the D-Reaper. We trusted the gogglehead to know what he's doing. Beelzemon stands between Gallantmon and the ADRs providing cover with his Corona Blaster.

"AMETHYST WIND!"

"MEGA BARRAGE!"

"THUNDER CLAP!"

"GUARDIAN MISSILE!"

We continued our exchanges of firepower with the ADRs. Nothing seems to work. Every time we striked the D-Reaper's quantum bubble, it just comes back with more ADRs. This is hopeless...

*Back to the Monster Makers*

~Yamaki's POV~

An alarm sounded at a nearby station. The station monitors the status of the human/digimon warriors. I hope nothing had happen to the children.

"What's wrong?" I moved closer to get a better look at the status. The tension has become almost unbearable in the room. After coming in for a closer look, I noticed the flashing light indicated that it belonged to Matsuki's kid.

"His energy level is increasing dramatically. It's going over the limit. I don't think he can withstand that much power." She pointed to an energy spike indicating the increase in energy and stress levels.

"What is going on out there?" Is he charging for an attack? "Connect with satellite." Apparently Mrs. Matsuki noticed the alarm and rushed over.

"What's happening to my son?"

"Nothing Mrs. Matsuki. He's still fighting and kicking." I lied. The status showed that he was stationary.

"Why did the alarm go off? Is something wrong?" Mothers can be so persistent. I shrewdly explained to her that was just the computer's warning for being on too long. It's a good thing that she doesn't know any of this technological stuff. One of my assistant escorted the mother back to another room with the other parents. It was too crowded figuratively.

"Sir, I have him on the satellite."

"Takato, what's going on? We're monitoring your status and you're energy and stress level is over limit! You have to stop what you're doing or you'll destabilize your matrix with the digimon."

"I can't stop now. I'm so close. Trust me!" The communication was broadcast to televisions everywhere in Japan since the satellite was used by a telecasting company. The door sprung open and revealed Mrs. Matsuki. Apparently she was watching that. I have to be careful next time.

"Mrs. Matsuki, please..." She intervened and grabbed the mic from me.

"Takato, listen to me. Please do what Mr. Yamaki says."

"I have to do this mom. This is our only chance! Even if it means I'll be in harm's way."

"No, son. We can think of something else. Right now just do what Mr. Yamaki says. Please!"

*Back to the Tamers*

~Ruki's POV~

"She's right Takato. Whatever you're doing is obviously dangerous so stop!" I had hoped to convince him. I heard everything between Takato and Yamaki. I was starting to worry myself. Wait...why?

"Hey pineapple head! Would you listen to your girlfriend for once? I'm getting tired of covering for you here. You need to get back into the battle and stop pooling up power for an attack that can get yourself kill!" Beelzemon made sense for the first time!

"Girlfriend?! Once this is over, I'm gonna hurt you for that!" Deep inside of me, I really didn't feel that much insulted rather complimented. Something struck me while thinking about Beelzemon's remark. Takato might not survive this attack once he's done pooling his power.

"Forgive me, mother. I must do what I must." He paused while still being charged by the rings.

"One's life for another. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing. I cannot is false, I dare not is even falser. No, I will not stop. I will not allow a rogue program to destroy everything we have built. I will not allow it to hurt anyone ever again!"

The rings began to glow a bright golden color and Gallantmon absorbed the energy.

'Ruki, I feel something.'

"AHH..." I cried in pain as I felt the energy leave us. I heard similar cries from the other Tamers and noticed that we had now de-digivolved. All our powers were being absorbed by Gallantmon! How did he do that?

"Takato!!! That's too much power for you to control!" Gallantmon was in pain and trying desperately to control himself. MarineAngemon's bubbles had saved us from falling and had moved us away from the D-Reaper. Beelzemon was still defending Gallantmon.

"Leave now Beelzemon!" I heard Takato screamed.

"No way kid."

"Go! If I fail, you can pick up the pieces." Beelzemon reluctantly retreats alongside with us.

I had to convince him to stop. It was clear now as to what he planned to do. His words still lingered in my mind. "One's life for another." He was planning to kill himself along with the D-Reaper to save all of us. I couldn't let him do that. There must be other ways. He can't leave me now.

"Takato, if you're doing this to impress me then you've beaten Ryou. Don't go through with this!" Somehow I already knew the answer. I only wish he was that selfish.

"You know me too well. After all, you're my dream girl." I felt myself blushing. Of course I understand that was his attempt to lighten the mood. I remember I once told him that I would hurt him if he mentioned that again. Now with his powers under control Gallantmon launches himself at the D-Reaper.

"I'm sorry, mom, dad. I'm really sorry to all the real estates owner out there. Haha." Seeing Gallantmon charges down toward the D-Reaper blazing the sky crimson was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

"TAKATO!!!!!!"

~Takato's POV~

I didn't realize how much I was going to miss my family, my friends, and Ruki until now. I prepared myself for this very moment when I talked Guilmon into this. Of course, Guilmon was ready to back me up all the way. I powered myself up for the final plunge.

"AHH!!!" I can feel our form beginning to destabilize but I kept us in CM as long as possible for this to work.

"SACRIFICE!" (A/N: I can't come up with a better name for the move. If you watch DBZ, the move is similar to Vegeta's Final Suicide where you simply destroy yourself along with your enemies in a powerful blast!"

I flew into the heart of the D-Reaper. The ADRs fired everything they have at me but I will not be stopped by anyone or anything!

"Goodbye..." Juri or Ruki. I guess I'll never know. A white flash extended from us and exploded into the D-Reaper. (A/N: Similar to Angemon's Hand of Fate in 01 against Devimon.)

I can feel myself and Guilmon being deleted along with the D-Reaper. I've beaten you at last.

~Normal POV~

Everyone in Shinjuku had seen this latest development on TV. Static filled the TV because the communication through the satellite had been lost.

From afar the Tamers and the team of Monster Makers covered their eyes from the amazing powerful blast. The grounds shook and the sky as bright as a star. After surviving the explosion, the Tamers make their way back to the scene. The smoke clears and the dust settles. To their surprise nothing can be seen. All the buildings, all the streets, the D-Reaper, everything was gone! Only a huge crater signified that something existed here. Half of Shinjuku was destroyed but luckily it was within the zone previously dominated by the D-Reaper.

Ruki Makino desperately search through the rubbles for any sign of him. The Tamers realized it was the end of the D-Reaper and unfortunately their friend. Takato Matsuki was no more.

Only a pair of yellow googles remain buried in the soil...

A/N: What do you think? I think that ending is more dramatic than the tearful ending. Review and tell me if you want something more than that for the ending. The title translate from Latin into "one's life for another" My first shot at Rukato didn't worked too well.