OK everyone, here's Chapter 7. I hope you like it! Thank you to
everyone who read and reviewed my previous chapters!
1 Chapter 7: The Trump Cards
After Gennai had left, the Chosen Children reassured their parents that everything was fine, and they should go home and have some rest. After all, they told them, that horrible creature won't be coming back.
In Kari's house, Tai was relieved to find his little sister safe and well.
"Kari! I'm glad you're back! I was so worried about you!"
"What? You didn't think we could take care of ourselves? I'm not a little kid anymore you know!" Kari joked back.
"No, no, of course you're not. But that wasn't what I meant. You went with a ticking time bomb, did you not? There's no telling when he might –"
"No he's not!" Kari vehemently spat those words at her brother, "We now know more about his true nature. Do not speak any evil of Hugh the Watcher – you know not what you say. He is not capable of evil – unless someone tells him to do so. And then let them beware."
Kari was sweating. She had never got mad at anyone – let alone her brother – before.
"I'm sorry, Tai. I overreacted. It's just that…after traveling with Hugh, learning all about him…I felt sorry for him, and I can't bear the thought of anyone who thinks he has malign intentions."
"I'm sorry too, Kari. I spoke hastily about something I didn't know enough about. Please, tell me what you've learnt."
Kari recounted their campaign against the Ken, and her knowledge of Hugh's past. Tai listened intensely throughout Kari's monologue, but when his sister recounted Gennai's words to them about the end of the world, Tai pricked up his ears and was visibly shaken.
"So, Kari, they wanted him so they could rule the digital world. Who knows what they'll do after that. We could well be next. And Gennai has given us two days to prepare. I'm not sure that's going to be enough. With Hugh as strong as America's nuclear arsenal, they would be unstoppable."
"Yes, you're right," replied Kari. If only there was a way…wait! We already have a secret weapon! she thought.
"Tai! I'm going after him!"
"What – are you insane?!?! We're not the ones giving him orders now!"
"Even so, I know that he will not harm me, regardless of what Daemon tells him, because of the oath he swore three years since. Remember when we were in the prison?"
"Yes…well, you may be right. It could be the only chance we have. I'll go with you, but first we should email the others.
Meanwhile, Cody was practicing kendo with his grandfather. Cody was able to defeat his sensei several times during the course of the session.
"Cody, I am amazed at how much your skill has improved in so short a time. Am I really that good a teacher."
"With all due respect, teacher, your skill as an instructor is astounding, however, I did not beat you with your methods."
"I see. Well, your technique has something different, although I cannot quite put my finger on it. What did you use, my boy?"
"I observed a master – a true master at work. Not just a master at swordplay, but one who excels at fighting to kill. And because of that, I feel that he has the ability to be more successful at what he does – more so than you or me – simply because of the reason he does it – he doesn't take any prisoners."
"I see. Well, I hope that you're not going to become like him."
"No…not in that sense, Sensei. I only intend to use what I learnt from him to improve myself, not to hurt others. I would say that his methods are a cross between intuition and cunning. He could predict an enemy's attack, then either move out of its way, or feint before it occurred to throw his opponent off guard."
"I see. He sounds like a fascinating person. I would be honoured if you would introduce me to him one day."
"Well, I'd like to as well, but he…went away, and I don't know if he can come back. I would like to try to get him to come back, but a friend told us that to do so, we need to go about it in a diplomatic manner. Could you teach me some secrets of negotiating?"
"Of course, little one. First, you need to find out what the other side wants, and whether you can give it to them…"
Yolei was slightly distraught when she arrived home. Her parents seemed to have recovered from their ordeal, but that was not what plagued her mind.
"Mom…Dad…a friend who was very dear to me gave himself up so that you could live. I'm not sure whether he feels the same way about me, but I want to prove my feelings for him."
"I was waiting for the day you would say that," replied Yolei's mother. "This may sound corny and clichéd, but the best way would be to fight for him. Don't lose him to anyone else."
"Well, that would work, I guess," Yolei agreed, "but he is so strong that he doesn't need anyone to fight for him – not physically, anyway. Are there any other ways to win him over?"
"If you truly care about someone, Yolei, you will be attracted to them for something more than their face or their body. I must admit that I myself looked at superficial qualities in my boyfriends at school before I settled down with your father. But I eventually realized that relationships based on a physical attraction are fleeting compared to those of an emotional and mental nature. I appreciate and love your father for what he does, but more importantly, for who he is. And I learnt to consider what is best for him, not what is best for me. For example, I know that he detests going shopping for anything but power tools and cars, so I don't make him go grocery shopping. With teenagers, though, they don't always know what is best for them, so you must balance their wishes with what you think is best, but always give a clear reason as to why you are doing it."
"That's exactly what I needed to know! Thanks, Mom!"
Yolei gave her mother a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the house. I know what to do now! I just need to get to him before it's too late! she thought to herself.
A few hours later, TK read the email he had received from Kari, and decided that he, too, would join her. If I go now, I might get there without Davis interfering! I could get closer to Kari! Gennai said to wait, but even he didn't know how much time his world had left. Better safe than sorry.
"Patamon, we're going to the computer lab at school – there's no time to lose." Without so much as a squeak of protest, TK's partner perched on his friend's hat on the journey back into peril.
Yolei, TK, Kari and Tai arrived at the lab at roughly the same time. Kari explained her theory – that they were safe from Daemon because of Hugh's oath. With this hope, they reentered the digital world, and came upon a wasteland of pestilence, plague and pain. It was a sight even worse than they had witnessed in their previous campaign three years ago. They could not take two steps without bumping into a rotted corpse, and the stench of death was rampant. In the distance they found the source of this wanton carnage. Daemon was ordering Hugh to lay waste to the landscape – leaving no hope of survivors – this time, there would be no one left to warn neighbouring settlements.
The children trudged through the pile of corpses and torched rubble. The level of genocide would have put Hitler to shame. Eventually they caught up to the perpetrator. But before they could speak, Daemon noticed his pursuers. As he readied his spear, clearly with the intent of impaling whoever happened to be in its flight path, he was immediately halted by the vice-like grip of Hugh's hand upon his wrist. Kari stepped forward triumphantly and spoke.
"We won't let you use our friend to ruin this world! As you have seen, he will let no harm come to us! All we need to do is act as a human shield to anything else you wish to destroy, and your plan shall fail!"
Daemon merely threw his head back, laughed gleefully and responded. "Do you even know what you speak of? You call him your friend, and yet you use him to achieve your own objectives! Hypocrites! Your motives are the same as mine – selfishness! At least I am willing to admit what my methods entail. I cannot help it if he is so easy to manipulate."
"But whose fault is it? Is it his fault for being so accommodating? Or is it yours for taking advantage of him?" countered Cody, who was still panting from having to run. "I would say that it is yours – and our – fault for using him the way we have. After all, he cannot change his nature so easily."
"You're right, Cody," replied Yolei. "I admit, even I have only ever thought of what he could do for me, not what I could do for him. When I gave him the 'choice' to go with you, Daemon, I gave him that choice knowing that his conscience would not allow him to deal with the consequences of staying behind. But now I think I have a solution."
"You would put his wishes ahead of your own?" Daemon replied in a sardonic tone before rolling on the ground giggling and cackling like a toddler. When he had composed himself he continued. "Forgive me, its just unheard of for anyone to be selfless as opposed to selfish where I come from. Don't ask, you wouldn't want to know where I've been. But if that is truly your intention, I will allow you to do so."
"My thanks for your offer, Daemon," returned Yolei. "Hugh, come here." When he did so, she continued, "Now, dissect your chest with your sword. Good. Now, this may hurt a little, but I believe it's for the best."
She reached in and pulled the crest from its resting place. It remained warm in her hand. Hugh was wracked with convulsions. Spasmodic twitches took control of his body. Yolei feared that she had given him a final death, but was too stunned to react. Even Daemon was surprised, but not at the results – he was more amazed that Yolei stuck to her word.
When the spasms had subsided, the cut in Hugh's chest had sealed itself. His skin became grey and aged before their eyes. It stretched until it appeared to be tautly stretched over his bones. Despite all of this, he was clearly 'alive'. He got up and floated on the ground in front of the children and Daemon. His eyes burned with an unnatural black flame, yet without malice. He approached Yolei and gently placed a skeletal hand upon her shoulder.
"Thank you for setting me free. I apologize that my true form isn't quite as 'hot' as you would expect. Daemon was right. The only reason I have been a slave is because my previous masters have all put their happiness above my freedom. There have been some – the most notable being the hero Hiroshi before he became Myotismon. But once they see my powers in action, they either feel it is too dangerous for my powers to be let loose – by they themselves want to use my full potential to pursue their own ends! Either that, or after being granted several 'wishes', they will be blinded by their greed and take me for granted."
"Well, you don't need to worry about any of that now," reassured Kari. "But indulge me this: why do you look so…"
"Old? Well, this is merely the result of existing since nearly the dawn of this world – you would look like this after several eons of 'living'. Actually, an 'existence' would be a better way to describe my 'life'. This body reflects the age of my soul – it is a shell for me now. My internal organs have wasted away, my voice box non-existent. I can only communicate with you by echoing my thoughts in your minds."
"But how is this possible?" asked a skeptical Cody. "The digital age has only lasted for the past few decades!"
"True, but this world has existed far longer than yours. The digital age only gave you the capabilities of reaching this world."
As Hugh continued to enrich their minds with his experiences, they did not notice the legion of angels that approached from the distance, with a chariot at the vanguard. Their leader whisked Yolei away and turned to the children, cackling with glee.
"Yemeth!" taunted the general, "You want this, do you not? Come and claim it! Prove your worth!"
And with that, the holy swarm disappeared through another portal. The other side of it showed that they were headed to Odaiba. Incensed, Hugh demanded an answer from Daemon. With a clenched fist as tight as death upon his throat, Daemon was only too happy to oblige.
"Yemeth…"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT! I HAVE NO TIES TO THE DESTRUCTION OF ANY WORLD ANY LONGER!" came the reply.
"As you wish." Hugh loosened his grip slightly, allowing Daemon to continue. "The 'angel' who kidnapped Yolei was Gemma, a lieutenant of Heaven's army. Your crest served as a regulator to keep Heaven and Hell separate from our world and the real one. But only so long as you remained united to it. I did not stop Yolei because I never imagined, even for a second, that the 'Holy Ones' up there would do such a thing."
"I see."
Hugh's eyes glowed darker still and flared up, seemingly with an unholy light. He opened a portal in front of him, and the destination was crystal clear, even to a newborn child. The sight in front of the children instilled a foreboding sense of fear and dread. Even Daemon averted his eyes. He had opened a gate to the deepest layer of Hell itself.
"What are you doing?" screamed Kari.
"I must do this if I am to get her back," came the response. "Gemma came from Heaven with his army. I shall descend to Hell to recruit mine."
End of Chapter 7. The next chapter will conclude this story, then I will start a new story crossing over this one with Love Hina.
Note: An eon is a scientific term, I think it is a 'thousand billion years.' I'm not sure of the exact length. Please email me if you find out!
1 Chapter 7: The Trump Cards
After Gennai had left, the Chosen Children reassured their parents that everything was fine, and they should go home and have some rest. After all, they told them, that horrible creature won't be coming back.
In Kari's house, Tai was relieved to find his little sister safe and well.
"Kari! I'm glad you're back! I was so worried about you!"
"What? You didn't think we could take care of ourselves? I'm not a little kid anymore you know!" Kari joked back.
"No, no, of course you're not. But that wasn't what I meant. You went with a ticking time bomb, did you not? There's no telling when he might –"
"No he's not!" Kari vehemently spat those words at her brother, "We now know more about his true nature. Do not speak any evil of Hugh the Watcher – you know not what you say. He is not capable of evil – unless someone tells him to do so. And then let them beware."
Kari was sweating. She had never got mad at anyone – let alone her brother – before.
"I'm sorry, Tai. I overreacted. It's just that…after traveling with Hugh, learning all about him…I felt sorry for him, and I can't bear the thought of anyone who thinks he has malign intentions."
"I'm sorry too, Kari. I spoke hastily about something I didn't know enough about. Please, tell me what you've learnt."
Kari recounted their campaign against the Ken, and her knowledge of Hugh's past. Tai listened intensely throughout Kari's monologue, but when his sister recounted Gennai's words to them about the end of the world, Tai pricked up his ears and was visibly shaken.
"So, Kari, they wanted him so they could rule the digital world. Who knows what they'll do after that. We could well be next. And Gennai has given us two days to prepare. I'm not sure that's going to be enough. With Hugh as strong as America's nuclear arsenal, they would be unstoppable."
"Yes, you're right," replied Kari. If only there was a way…wait! We already have a secret weapon! she thought.
"Tai! I'm going after him!"
"What – are you insane?!?! We're not the ones giving him orders now!"
"Even so, I know that he will not harm me, regardless of what Daemon tells him, because of the oath he swore three years since. Remember when we were in the prison?"
"Yes…well, you may be right. It could be the only chance we have. I'll go with you, but first we should email the others.
Meanwhile, Cody was practicing kendo with his grandfather. Cody was able to defeat his sensei several times during the course of the session.
"Cody, I am amazed at how much your skill has improved in so short a time. Am I really that good a teacher."
"With all due respect, teacher, your skill as an instructor is astounding, however, I did not beat you with your methods."
"I see. Well, your technique has something different, although I cannot quite put my finger on it. What did you use, my boy?"
"I observed a master – a true master at work. Not just a master at swordplay, but one who excels at fighting to kill. And because of that, I feel that he has the ability to be more successful at what he does – more so than you or me – simply because of the reason he does it – he doesn't take any prisoners."
"I see. Well, I hope that you're not going to become like him."
"No…not in that sense, Sensei. I only intend to use what I learnt from him to improve myself, not to hurt others. I would say that his methods are a cross between intuition and cunning. He could predict an enemy's attack, then either move out of its way, or feint before it occurred to throw his opponent off guard."
"I see. He sounds like a fascinating person. I would be honoured if you would introduce me to him one day."
"Well, I'd like to as well, but he…went away, and I don't know if he can come back. I would like to try to get him to come back, but a friend told us that to do so, we need to go about it in a diplomatic manner. Could you teach me some secrets of negotiating?"
"Of course, little one. First, you need to find out what the other side wants, and whether you can give it to them…"
Yolei was slightly distraught when she arrived home. Her parents seemed to have recovered from their ordeal, but that was not what plagued her mind.
"Mom…Dad…a friend who was very dear to me gave himself up so that you could live. I'm not sure whether he feels the same way about me, but I want to prove my feelings for him."
"I was waiting for the day you would say that," replied Yolei's mother. "This may sound corny and clichéd, but the best way would be to fight for him. Don't lose him to anyone else."
"Well, that would work, I guess," Yolei agreed, "but he is so strong that he doesn't need anyone to fight for him – not physically, anyway. Are there any other ways to win him over?"
"If you truly care about someone, Yolei, you will be attracted to them for something more than their face or their body. I must admit that I myself looked at superficial qualities in my boyfriends at school before I settled down with your father. But I eventually realized that relationships based on a physical attraction are fleeting compared to those of an emotional and mental nature. I appreciate and love your father for what he does, but more importantly, for who he is. And I learnt to consider what is best for him, not what is best for me. For example, I know that he detests going shopping for anything but power tools and cars, so I don't make him go grocery shopping. With teenagers, though, they don't always know what is best for them, so you must balance their wishes with what you think is best, but always give a clear reason as to why you are doing it."
"That's exactly what I needed to know! Thanks, Mom!"
Yolei gave her mother a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the house. I know what to do now! I just need to get to him before it's too late! she thought to herself.
A few hours later, TK read the email he had received from Kari, and decided that he, too, would join her. If I go now, I might get there without Davis interfering! I could get closer to Kari! Gennai said to wait, but even he didn't know how much time his world had left. Better safe than sorry.
"Patamon, we're going to the computer lab at school – there's no time to lose." Without so much as a squeak of protest, TK's partner perched on his friend's hat on the journey back into peril.
Yolei, TK, Kari and Tai arrived at the lab at roughly the same time. Kari explained her theory – that they were safe from Daemon because of Hugh's oath. With this hope, they reentered the digital world, and came upon a wasteland of pestilence, plague and pain. It was a sight even worse than they had witnessed in their previous campaign three years ago. They could not take two steps without bumping into a rotted corpse, and the stench of death was rampant. In the distance they found the source of this wanton carnage. Daemon was ordering Hugh to lay waste to the landscape – leaving no hope of survivors – this time, there would be no one left to warn neighbouring settlements.
The children trudged through the pile of corpses and torched rubble. The level of genocide would have put Hitler to shame. Eventually they caught up to the perpetrator. But before they could speak, Daemon noticed his pursuers. As he readied his spear, clearly with the intent of impaling whoever happened to be in its flight path, he was immediately halted by the vice-like grip of Hugh's hand upon his wrist. Kari stepped forward triumphantly and spoke.
"We won't let you use our friend to ruin this world! As you have seen, he will let no harm come to us! All we need to do is act as a human shield to anything else you wish to destroy, and your plan shall fail!"
Daemon merely threw his head back, laughed gleefully and responded. "Do you even know what you speak of? You call him your friend, and yet you use him to achieve your own objectives! Hypocrites! Your motives are the same as mine – selfishness! At least I am willing to admit what my methods entail. I cannot help it if he is so easy to manipulate."
"But whose fault is it? Is it his fault for being so accommodating? Or is it yours for taking advantage of him?" countered Cody, who was still panting from having to run. "I would say that it is yours – and our – fault for using him the way we have. After all, he cannot change his nature so easily."
"You're right, Cody," replied Yolei. "I admit, even I have only ever thought of what he could do for me, not what I could do for him. When I gave him the 'choice' to go with you, Daemon, I gave him that choice knowing that his conscience would not allow him to deal with the consequences of staying behind. But now I think I have a solution."
"You would put his wishes ahead of your own?" Daemon replied in a sardonic tone before rolling on the ground giggling and cackling like a toddler. When he had composed himself he continued. "Forgive me, its just unheard of for anyone to be selfless as opposed to selfish where I come from. Don't ask, you wouldn't want to know where I've been. But if that is truly your intention, I will allow you to do so."
"My thanks for your offer, Daemon," returned Yolei. "Hugh, come here." When he did so, she continued, "Now, dissect your chest with your sword. Good. Now, this may hurt a little, but I believe it's for the best."
She reached in and pulled the crest from its resting place. It remained warm in her hand. Hugh was wracked with convulsions. Spasmodic twitches took control of his body. Yolei feared that she had given him a final death, but was too stunned to react. Even Daemon was surprised, but not at the results – he was more amazed that Yolei stuck to her word.
When the spasms had subsided, the cut in Hugh's chest had sealed itself. His skin became grey and aged before their eyes. It stretched until it appeared to be tautly stretched over his bones. Despite all of this, he was clearly 'alive'. He got up and floated on the ground in front of the children and Daemon. His eyes burned with an unnatural black flame, yet without malice. He approached Yolei and gently placed a skeletal hand upon her shoulder.
"Thank you for setting me free. I apologize that my true form isn't quite as 'hot' as you would expect. Daemon was right. The only reason I have been a slave is because my previous masters have all put their happiness above my freedom. There have been some – the most notable being the hero Hiroshi before he became Myotismon. But once they see my powers in action, they either feel it is too dangerous for my powers to be let loose – by they themselves want to use my full potential to pursue their own ends! Either that, or after being granted several 'wishes', they will be blinded by their greed and take me for granted."
"Well, you don't need to worry about any of that now," reassured Kari. "But indulge me this: why do you look so…"
"Old? Well, this is merely the result of existing since nearly the dawn of this world – you would look like this after several eons of 'living'. Actually, an 'existence' would be a better way to describe my 'life'. This body reflects the age of my soul – it is a shell for me now. My internal organs have wasted away, my voice box non-existent. I can only communicate with you by echoing my thoughts in your minds."
"But how is this possible?" asked a skeptical Cody. "The digital age has only lasted for the past few decades!"
"True, but this world has existed far longer than yours. The digital age only gave you the capabilities of reaching this world."
As Hugh continued to enrich their minds with his experiences, they did not notice the legion of angels that approached from the distance, with a chariot at the vanguard. Their leader whisked Yolei away and turned to the children, cackling with glee.
"Yemeth!" taunted the general, "You want this, do you not? Come and claim it! Prove your worth!"
And with that, the holy swarm disappeared through another portal. The other side of it showed that they were headed to Odaiba. Incensed, Hugh demanded an answer from Daemon. With a clenched fist as tight as death upon his throat, Daemon was only too happy to oblige.
"Yemeth…"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT! I HAVE NO TIES TO THE DESTRUCTION OF ANY WORLD ANY LONGER!" came the reply.
"As you wish." Hugh loosened his grip slightly, allowing Daemon to continue. "The 'angel' who kidnapped Yolei was Gemma, a lieutenant of Heaven's army. Your crest served as a regulator to keep Heaven and Hell separate from our world and the real one. But only so long as you remained united to it. I did not stop Yolei because I never imagined, even for a second, that the 'Holy Ones' up there would do such a thing."
"I see."
Hugh's eyes glowed darker still and flared up, seemingly with an unholy light. He opened a portal in front of him, and the destination was crystal clear, even to a newborn child. The sight in front of the children instilled a foreboding sense of fear and dread. Even Daemon averted his eyes. He had opened a gate to the deepest layer of Hell itself.
"What are you doing?" screamed Kari.
"I must do this if I am to get her back," came the response. "Gemma came from Heaven with his army. I shall descend to Hell to recruit mine."
End of Chapter 7. The next chapter will conclude this story, then I will start a new story crossing over this one with Love Hina.
Note: An eon is a scientific term, I think it is a 'thousand billion years.' I'm not sure of the exact length. Please email me if you find out!
