Chapter 24: True Evil

The snarling beast on the screen had three heads, demonic wings, and a tail of fire. It stood, ready to pounce on the Digidestined and their digimon. Beside the screen were many more. Each screen showed regions of of every land on Digiworld. Some even showed the scene with the feral creature from different angles.

The screens numbered in the hundreds and created a spherical shell around a large sphere. The sphere wasn't perfectly round. It had spikes that protruded from the main mass. The spikes had flattened points with large wires jutting out from them. These wires ran into the ceiling of the large chamber holding the sphere and its shell. Along the spikes ran many metal strips. These strips formed patterns not unlike those found on the Digidestined under TeraDatamon's control. The mass floated in the chamber looking at the many screens that showed countless events as they unfolded in Digiworld.

The screen it now watched showed DarkAngemon as he fell downwards into a fiery pit of lava. DarkAngemon's body was changing. Sharp bones shot out of his spine and shoulders, forming a painful looking suit of armor. He didn"t scream, but mearly laughed. The sphere also noted a small amount of resistance. He soon came to realize that DarkAngemon was losing control to LordDevimon's soul and was now changing to better suit its commander.

"Do not fear," a voice spoke from the sphere and several of the metal strips lit up with blue light. The lights blinked on and off with each w9ord. The voice sounded emotionless, but human. It was formed from three voices together. A female voice, male voice, and a very low tone that seemed to echo the words. "My creation will keep your suffering short."

On another screen, a green, spiky shell with a single eye held within a mouth made of three jaws swam through the lava pit. Unseen by DarkAngemon, the massive claws of the creature drove the main body effortlessly through the hot sea. "Nothing escapes from Lavos. Not even time."

"Lavos?" A man's voice asked from beyond the shield of screens. "Another creation you found in the real world?"

The shell opened a small hole where the voice originated to reveal Derek standing on a floating platform. His suit of blue armor mimiced the body that of a sea creature. He had removed his helmet to reveal his hardened face. His empty gaze showed no sign of betrayal. The metallic lines on his face flashed as he received a constant feed of information to and from TeraDatamon.

The spherical computer seemed to rotate to face the man, but had no face to give him visible evidence of full attention. Compared to him, the computer was a tower. The sphere spoke, "Yes..."

Derek seemed to calm and his blue armor turned into light as it vanished from his body. He now was dressed more generously, with a cloth tunic that loosely covered his body. He wore black boots that went halfway up his shins as well as armored gloves. His spear became simpler as he withdrew his power from it. The once glamorous weapon now looked like any other weapon found in history books. "Is this necessary, Eminence?" Derek said as he dropped to one knee on the floating platform.

The sphere spent a short moment contemplating the question and answered with a calm, welcoming voice, "Is what necessary?"

Derek lifted his head slightly and pointed at the spiky mass swimming through the lava towards the crashing body of DarkAngemon. He spoke slowly, cautiously, as if he feared he were out of line, "These hacked up abominations you draw from their digital networks. These..." He thought hard to find the right word for them, but nothing came to mind, "Things."

The sphere turned so that one of its spikes pointed directly at Derek. The wire that connected it to the ceiling broke off and attached to a small plug on his neck. "What I feel is needed to alleviate these outworlders is my concern alone." The wire sent a shock into Derek's body and caused him to jerk, "Or have you forgotten your role?"

Derek dropped down slightly as another shock was forced into him. He struggled to form his words, "Of course not, your greatness. But..."

The sphere now began to glow with life as it became more interested with the feeble slave before it, "But what?"

Derek regained his composure as the shocking stopped and took a few deep breaths before continuing. "You say alleviate, sir. Do you mean to allow the Digidestined to live?"

The sphere's metal strips went back to their unlit state as the sphere spat back, "Of course not! What makes you think such things?"

Derek shook as he continued. His words could bring him death, but to deny TeraDatamon a response did mean death. "Sir... Alleviate means 'to make more bearable.'"

"I know what it means!" The sphere removed the wire from derek's neck and returned it to its socket in the ceiling. "I can only bear them if they are dead! Now do you understand?" The voice became louder and now echoed through the cavernous chamber.

Derek quickly bowed his head down, "Yes! Perfectly, TeraDatamon, sir!"

"Good!" The sphere suddenly realized that the conversation had gotten him away from his task and became angry. TeraDatamon also sensed that something was not right within his chamber. He sent a signal upwards through the wires connecting him to the ceiling and the shell of screens rose upward to reveal the entire chamber around him. There stood the 6 Digidestined under his control. Six? He only saw five. Derek had returned to his alcove on the floating platform and now joined the others as they went into a deep, but empty sleep. Ashton was missing. "Menthius!"

- File Island -

The three headed beast still held still as the six digimon began to form a wall between him and the children. The beast looked outraged, but uninterested in fighting with the tiny creatures. It shook its middle head in confusion and then suddenly advanced towards the challenge.

"That's enough, Cerberusmon!" Matt shouted from below. He floated upward out of the ravine encased in a ball of red energy. He didn't look any different than when he had left, so the field that allowed him to fly puzzled the children. They also wondered about the beast he commanded. Was it Gabumon?

The beast turned around to look at Matt as he landed on the soft ground that had turned to mud from the melted snow. He looked at him like a curious animal and slowly spoke his name, "M... Ma... tt..."

"That's right," Matt said calmly. He placed his open hand on his chest, "I'm Matt. You're Gabumon, remember? Those are our friends." He tilted his head to address the group behind the large creature.

Cerberusmon's heads shook violently and his muscles became tense. He had trouble remembering what MAtt suggested, "Me... Gabumon! Fr... fr... friends? Them!"

Matt suddenly realized that the creature needed his help to return to normal. He had completely forgotten of the symbiotic bond he shared with his digimon and how his actions and emotions effected their appearance and abilities. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. He let his entire body relax, only working enough to hold him up. He let go of his anger and thirst for revenge on DarkAngemon and allowed his joy to return to him.

Cerberusmon began to slump and dropped his heads as if they were too heavy to hold up, "So... tired... Must rest..." He became pale and collapsed to the muddy ground with a sigh. As Matt let his anger completely subside Cerberusmon returned to Gabumon.

Everyone who witnessed the event gasped in awe at the transformation. Gabumon, the ice wolf that had for so long protected them had turned into the mythical beast from Hell. Tai walked forward at the ground that quickly began to freeze from the cold temperature. As he made his way to him, Matt opened his eyes and gave Tai a tranquil look.

Tai returned the friendly face with a smile. He looked his friend over and noted a few injuries. Matt's clothes looked dirty and he had a few cuts along his arms. The wounds had long been sealed, so Tai wasn't too worried at the moment. He also noted a long object hung over his shoulder by a leather strap. It was easily recognized by him as he had such an object as well. "Matt, you..."

Matt cut him off and raised his hand. His palm faced towards him and began to glow. The shape of a blade made of fire appeared in black outlined with red. Tai didn't understand what was going on, but felt a warm glow in his own hand. He felt compelled to raise hand and removed his glove. He had a tattoo on the back of it. It was a white shield outlined with gold. As he raised his hand it began to glow and the two tattoos shined through their palms. The group stared as the symbols flew outward and combined between the two.

Tai felt a warm power fill him. He could feel Myn's truth of heart awaken to the calling. Another presence was there. One filled with anger towards his enemies. He concentrated on that voice and tried to discover its source. The calling became quiet and ended as Matt dropped his hand. His face was stiff and didn't show any overbearing emotions.

"So it's true then," Matt said as the power emptied out of Tai. "We are one with our past vessels."

Tai seemed dumbfounded and tilted his head as he tried to absorb what Matt was saying, "Vessels? What on Earth are you talking about?"

"Not Earth," Matt corrected him. "Digiworld. What we were and have become are both part of this world." Matt lifted his bare hand again and his tattoo began to glow, "Don't you feel it, Tai?" He said as the energy once again began to fill him, "they call to each other. Don't you feel his mind within you?"

"What? You mean Myn?" Tai smirked as he began to understand. "I've heard him for some time now. Ever since that fateful battle against LordDevimon." He crossed his arms and stared into the air blankly as he remembered the strain his body felt as it transformed. "What does it mean?"

"I'm wondering that myself actually," Matt answered. He replaced the glove on his right hand and pulled out the sword on his back. He swung it through the air in contemplation, "Their legacy fills us, Tai. That's all I know. I believe it is the true way of the Digidestined."

"To inherit one's power?" Tai stepped back and laughed in consideration, "Come on, Matt. It can't be that serious!"

"But it is!" Matt shouted back. "Don't you see? They were the digidestined before us! They have entrusted us with their powers to protect this world."

Tai turned his head and looked at the other people behind him. They didn't seem to understand at all, but how could they? They haven't felt their bodies being stretched and twisted to transform. "That can wait for later, Matt. Right now we have to look at the problem at hand."

"Maybe your right," Matt admitted and replaced his sword into its sheath.

- Magi Chamber -

"Most interesting," Balthesar said as the three Magi watched the scene unravel before them. "These developments were not anticipated."

"Indeed," Melchior mumbled. "The first and second children's fusions prove past beliefs, but brings up an alarming question."

"What of the others?" Gasper offered. "All of the 6 other vessels were destroyed and then revived under TeraDatamon's control," he pointed out. "There is no way to predict what coming in contact with them will cause."

"We only need worry if the vessels come in contact with their corresponding person." Balthesar retorted.

"The digidestined are a team," Gasper pressed. "They will face each challenge together."

"Pray that they do," Balthesar said in a dark tone. "If what I think is true, they will need each other to survive."

- TeraDatamon -

"Sir," came Derek's voice from an unseen speaker. "There is no sign of Ashton anywhere within the compound."

"Yes," TeraDatamon replied. "I know." He turned his attention to the screen that watched over Lavos. It was quickly ascending to the surface. "It doesn't matter now. Return here immediately."

"Yes, sir."

- File Island -

Matt's head twitched and he turned slowly to the fiery pit behind him. Tai's ear also twitched and he gave Matt a hard look, "Matt?"

Matt pushed his hand forward and Tai immediately fell silent. The entire group stood in silence. The only sound was that of the bubbling lava with the occasional swish of a wave. Matt thought nothing of it. He listened more closely and discovered what had caused Darius to alert him. "Get down!"

They all listened and fell to the ground. Matt twisted around and pulled his sword. He brought it up as a flame spat out of the lava and flew at him. He trapped the flame within his blade and then shot it off in another direction away from him. "Don't you ever die!?" He shouted.

DarkAngemon rose out of the pit like a worshiped God, but quickly lost his composure. His shoulders slumped and he showed just how weak he was. Covered by spikes that protruded from his arms and shoulders and strange pieces of bone that resembled armor he looked like a lost cause for survival. But he wasn't about to give up. He lifted his scythe in defiance and prepared to swing.

Matt lifted his sword in defense for the coming attack. As he did so he felt the ground begin to shake and saw a green creature leap out of the lava pit at DarkAngemon. The sudden attack shocked him and sent him tumbling to the ground.

The same happened to DarkAngemon causing him to disappear behind the spiky creature. It turned to face Matt, who was now accompanied by Tai. The creature screamed. Not just a scream, but a sound wave. The wave hit the duo and dropped them to their knees in agony.

Izzy shouted over the screaming sound at Tentomon, "What is that!?"

Tentomon, who looked like he was about to faint from the sound tearing through his head, shook his head for all it was worth, "Unknown! Unknown! Digimon Unknown!"

Izzy tightened all his face muscles as if it would help and lifted his digivice, "Give it all you got!" The digivice shook and whined with a sound that ripped through the sound waves, "Digivolve!"

"Tentomon, warp digivolve to... HerculesKabuterimon!"

HerculesKabuterimon towered over the green creature and roared like a beast gone mad. He gave no sign of the intelligence he once possessed and rammed into the beast with his horns. The beast faltered and fell over as HerculesKabuterimon viciously attacked without any signs of availing. It screamed in a pitch higher than before, but failed to produce the shock waves that hindered the digidestined.

The digidestined had finally gotten up and watched as the two armored beasts rocked the field with their massive bulks and powerful attacks. Izzy gave a look of horror, "My God... Tentomon, what have you become?"

Sora patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, Izzy. If he were any different he would have changed into something else like Agumon and Gabumon. He's just not holding back."

Izzy smiled, "Of course! How could I miss something so obvious?"

Tai suddenly shouted, "In coming! Run for it!"

HerculesKabuterimon came crashing down as the digimon regained the offensive. The children and smaller digimon were tossed into the air as the impact kicked into the ground. They all came down with a thud and slowly got to their feet.

Sora winced as a sharp pain shot through her arm and shoulder. She grabbed her digivice, "Biyomon! Take it out!"

"Right!" Biyomon, warp digivolve to... Phoenixmon!"

Phoenix mon tore through the air with flaming wings and tail. It twisted downward and dove at the green digimon. "Blazing crush!"

Phoenixmon smashed into the digimon's armor. She spat flames against it and tore at its plates with her claws, but the beast appeared undamaged.

"That's impossible!" Kari screamed.

"Should have known better than to use fire against a lava beast!" A shrill voice creeped from behind her.

Kari screamed as DarkAngemon grabbed at her. TK spun around and cried out, "No! Patamon, go!"

"Patamon, warp digivolve to... MagnaAngemon!"

DarkAngemon fell back as MagnaAngemon smashed his energy sword into his chest. "Ah! MagnaAngemon! I shall crush you with the damnest powers you will ever know!"

"Keep talking, fool!" MagnaAngemon retorted. "You haven't much time left to speak! En Garde!"

"It's your grave!" He screamed as he met the challenge.

TK reached Kari by the time the battle began, "Kari, are you alright?"

Kari rubbed her arm that was grabbed by DarkAngemon, "Yeah, thanks."

TK smiled as her face lightened, "Come on." He said as he lifted her in his arms, "We better get out of their way." He turned and ran with Kari in his arms as the two Angelic figures continued what seemed like a battle as old as time.

"look out, MarineAngemon!" Joe shouted over the intense battle with the large creature. "He's routing you into the lava! You'll never be able to stand the heat!"

"Rosemon! Use your whip and get MarineAngemon out of there!" Mimi shouted with determination.

Rosemon dove under the creature's massive claws and lifted MarineAngemon away from the lava pit that was much too close to him. Matt waited until they were safely out of range and then pointed forward, "Enough! MetalGarurumon! Go get him!"

MetalGarurumon ran into battle and fired his ice rockets. With each salvo he tore into the beast's armor plated body with cold fury. The beast stepped back with quack inducing steps and roared. His triple jawed mouth opened to reveal a single eye. The eye dilated and a blue-white beam blasted into MetalGarurumon.

The metal wolf flew to the side out of reach of the beam and sank into the still muddy ground. Matt opened his eyes wide and went into a flurry of shocked cries, "Look out! Lift off! Lift off!"

The beast brought it's clawed hand down onto MetalGarurumon with such force that the swamp-like ground cracked open. Smoke lifted over the battle and momentarily blinded the Digidestined. The digidestined all coughed as the thick gas filled their lungs with dirt and fought against a gagging feeling in their throats. Matt covered his mouth with his hand and mumbled, "MetalGarurumon!"

The smoke cleared just as the monster lifted its hand to strike again and reveal its crippled prey. Motionless, it looked almost dead, "MetalGarurumon, no!" Matt cried.

Tai, assuming his transformed self, flew over MetalGarurumon as the clawed hand fell downward. He caught the large, rocky mass and attempted to hold it from crushing him and the metal digimon below him. "MetalGarurumon!" Tai said. "Get up!"

MetalGarurumon's eye shot open and he shifted in his craggy hole. Still too weak to flee, he lifted his head to see what was happening. "Tai!"

Matt clenched his fist, "Darius, I call upon you! May your body be mine!" He transformed into Darius and flew to Tai's side to help hold the claw at bay. "Come on! Get up!"

MetalGarurumon shook his entire body as he struggled with all his strength to get up. "Can't..." He said. "Too weak."

Matt made a face, "Now is not the time to be negative! Huh?" He suddenly felt the weight being lifted off of him. He looked up and saw HerculesKabuterimon easily holding the digimon's claw away. "Thanks, HerculesKabuterimon."

"Don't mention it!" With a moan, HerculesKabuterimon threw the creature aside and lifted MetalGarurumon. "This isn't working! We have to regroup!"

"How? Tai exclaimed. "We've already used our most powerful digimon but Angewomon! We have no more options to choose from!"

As if to clarify Tai's words, a sudden tug from above them pulled the duo into the air. The digimon were slow to follow, but too were in the air against their will in time. The entire group was now perilously floating in mid-air. Their bodies feeling strange with no base to push against. Sora screamed as large, diamond shaped boulders were lifted as well, "What's happening!?"

"Interesting," Izzy mused. Somehow we're managing to defy the laws of gravity.

"That can wait!" TK cried, Kari was floating beside him still in the position of resting in one's arms. "This can't mean anything good!"

The large creature roared a low, rumbling bellow that shook through their heads. The triple-jaw mouth opened to reveal its single eye again. It was a vast blackness that seemed to beat like a heart. A weak tug spread across the entire group's bodies. They tightened their jaws and grit their teach as that fought against the unfamiliar sensation. They moaned and cried as the pulls became stronger and they began to feel their bodies stretching beyond their limits.

"AH!" Mimi whined. "My arms! Feels like they're being pulled out of their sockets!"

Joe shut his eyes tightly to try to fight off the pain. He pushed his words through his teeth, "My insides feel like they're being pulled out!"

For Tai and Matt it was much worse. The pulling went from a tug to a wrenching tear. Literally trying to rip them limb from limb. The strain proving too great, they reverted to their normal forms and the pulling subsided to match that of their friends'.

Tai released a deep breath he didn't realize he was holding, "Forced reversion! This can't be good, look!"

The digimon too were overrun by the internal war and reverted to their rookie forms. Floating like plush dolls in the grasp of the clawed arm of a carnival game. DarkAngemon jerked around as if tangled in hundreds of interwoven ropes.

The act saw no end as the rocks began to form into definite shapes. They grouped into small triangles of three and created a large circle around the group of humans and digimon. Fire spewed forth from the creatures mouth and formed a spiral of red flame around the boulders.

The group watched helplessly as the show continued to exact their fate. As the flames rose into the skies the hold on their bodies began to shake violently like an earthquake on solid ground. Their bodies relaxed as the inner pulling stopped, but the rattling of their bones spiked their calmness into absolute fear. The monster roared as the shaking became more violent and the flames became an aqua-ish blue. The roar entered their ears, but they only heard it in their minds. It seemed to chant something to them.

The chanting went on. It became louder and louder as the flames rushed to the heavens and the group soon felt their bodies being lifted by invisible strings. They floated higher like they were caught in a wild tornado a bright light forming at their destination at the top.

The feeling sank into them like a ton of bricks falling from the top of the Tokyo Tower. The feeling of losing a war. A war to save both worlds was at its end. They had lost. And with that loss came the enslavement of mankind and digimon alike. Their would be no escape and no one would be spared the iron hand of Nightmaremon and his master. The future seemed to infest their minds with darkness as the light blinded their sight. Tai slowly felt his eyes become heavy and entered a deep sleep.