Well, another chapter out, another chapter that I loved writing.
"Where should we go next?" Daniel asks, "Brian and James have yet to get their Crest Weapons. Whose should we go and get?"
"The Koromon Village is closer, so it would be wiser to go and get Brian's Crest Weapon first," Jesse says, "not to mention the fact that it would be to our advantage since Wizardmon is in his Champion form and wouldn't have to waste time and energy digivolving to Champion before digivolving to Ultimate."
"That does make sense," Samantha says, "and Wizardmon is probably the strongest Digimon we have next to Heromon."
"A Rookie with the strength of a Champion," Tapirmon mutters, "its almost unheard of. It's not too unheard of to find a Champion as strong as an Ultimate. Leomon is an example of such, as was Vilemon. And while its rare, there has been an occasion where an Ultimate was as powerful as a Mega. Seraphimon's Ultimate form is said to be stronger than most Mega's."
"And then there are the Mega's who are unbelievably strong you would think they are at yet another level," Heromon says, "Seraphimon is the only known such Digimon. It is rumored that there is another level called "Armor" that is between a Rookie and Champion in actual digivolution, but has the power between that of a Champion and an Ultimate."
"Armor, you say?" Jesse asks, "do you know the names of any Digimon that would be an Armor level Digimon?"
"I do, but what would it matter?" Heromon asks.
"Because when we were getting Daniel's Crest Weapon, I fought a Digimon called Shurimon who said he was an Armor level Digimon," Jesse explains, "he said his name was Shurimon. He was quite the adversary. You saw how beat up I was when we got back."
"You're still healing from that fight," Heromon points out, "how strong was Shurimon?"
"If Daniel hadn't gotten him from behind with his Crest Weapon, he would have had me," Jesse says, looking at Daniel with something akin to pride, "in fact, Shurimon was about to finish me off when Daniel got him."
"Way to go, little bro," Samantha says, ruffling Daniel's hair, "imagine if mom and dad saw you now. They'd be so proud."
"Actually, they would probably be scared out of their wits if they knew what kind of danger their kids would be in," Jesse says solemnly, "when Heromon and I were in the Dark Ocean, we witnessed true evil. If that was just a comparison of the power of the Beast of Darkness, then we'll need everything we can get to defeat him. Dragomon was merely a lackey and look at what he was able to do to Seraphimon. And seraphimon had every possible advantage."
"Except surprise," Heromon says, "Dragomon got Seraphimon when his back was turned and he was distracted. I'll bet in an actual fight Seraphimon would obliterate Dragomon."
"Hopefully we'll never have to find out," Jesse says, "because if we do, then that will mean that a gateway of sorts to the Dark Ocean has been opened that the beings there can come through." Heromon nods his head in agreement.
"Hopefully the Beast of Darkness does not have that kind of power," Heromon says, "if he does, then we'll really be in for a fight."
"Well, lets quite this talk about the Beast of Darkness and go and get my Crest Weapon," Brian says, ending the conversation. The group heads out for the Koromon village. It takes them two days, but they arrive. The Koromon greet them happily, offering them plenty of food (in a village filled with nothing but In Training Digimon, there's sure to be lots of food, wouldn't you think?) and a place to sleep. They knew where the Crest Weapon of Courage was. Occasionally it would select a Koromon that was exceptional and enable it to digivolve all the way to the Champion, sometimes the Ultimate, and once the Mega level.
The day after they arrive, the Koromon chiftan, which was actually an Agumon, takes them to the waterfall. Little did the DigiDestined know that many years later the next group of DigiDestined would use this same cave to escape from a Digimon named Etemon.
"We always go to this cave for safety when we are under attack," Agumon explains, "and occasionally the Crest Weapon of Courage will react to one of us and digivolve us to a level high enough to protect the village. Once, long ago, it even Warp Digivolved an Agumon like myself to the Mega level."
"What is the Mega level of an Agumon?" Brian asks.
"We do not know what Digimon he Warp Digivolved to," Agumon says with a sigh, "because after the battle, he left. No Koromon saw him leave, but we do know that he is still alive. If he has been training all of those years and he shows up, then he would be a formidable ally indeed agains the Beast of Darkness."
"Indeed he would," Jesse says, "just like Seraphimon is proving to be. Piximon is a great ally as well. So were Leomon and Centarumon when we needed them."
"You are lucky to have Piximon train you as well as look out for you," Agumon says as they near the waterfall, "his fighting prowess is legendary. If he is training you then you must be mighty warriors indeed."
"Yes, these children are strong of will and character," Piximon says, "though the Beast of Darkness will be a mighty opponent, even for them."
"How many times do I have to tell you, Piximon, that we are not children?" Jesse asks plaintively.
"Until you prove yourselves worthy to be called otherwise," Piximon replies simply.
"I stayed in the Dark Ocean for I don't even want to remember how long and I'm not worthy to be called something other than child?" Jesse demands hotly.
"You did \not have a choice in that," Piximon replies, "nothing you have done so far has shown you have done anything out of choice. Children do what they do because they are forced to. To be something more you must do something with no visible gain on your part."
"And by the time that happens on this adventure, we'll be old and gray," Jesse mutters.
"Can we even age here?" Daniel asks.
"I do not know if humans age here in the Digital World," Piximon replies, "but Digimon do age, in a way. Their data, if they are not used to battle, eventually gets old and they eventually just pass on, reforming as a new DigiEgg in Primary Village eventually. But it takes many years for this to happen. Sometimes centuries."
"Well, that doesn't answer my question," Daniel retorts. James looks at Daniel oddly. At times like this, you could tell he was Samantha's brother more than just by blood.
"We're at the cave," Agumon announces. The group looks in front of them. The waterfull wasn't that large, but it was beautiful. But there was no sight of a cave.
"Where is the cave?" James demands. Agumon just shrugs.
"It's behind the waterfall," he replies nonchalantly, "you can't even see it unless the river is low and the watefall isn't flowing as fully as normal. You can't even find it unless you're looking hard. That's what makes it such a great safe spot for the inhabitants of the Koromon village to hide in."
"Well, show us the cave then," Samantha demands, "the sooner we find goggle boy's Crest Weapon, the sooner we can go and find James'."
"Whats the rush?" Brian demands, "and whats with the 'goggle boy' comment?"
"Well, you are constantly wearing those stupid goggles," Samantha replies, "and the sooner we get all of this done, the sooner we can go home."
"It could still be months before we get home," Brian retorts.
"We haven't even been here a month," Samantha reminds him, "who's to say that we won't get to go home as soon as we find all of the Crest Weapons?"
"We are here to defeat the Beast of Darkness," Jesse reminds her, "until that is done, we probably won't be able to go home. I myself will not go home until such a vile abomination is stopped!" He said that last part with such conviction and passion that is startled everyone, even Heromon.
"What's gotten into you, Jesse?" Samantha asks, "you really have changed since returning from the Dark Ocean. You get uptight whenever we mention evil and darkness."
"If you spent all that time in a place that was completely devoid of light and color, and yet still be able to see, you would know how I feel," Jesse replies, "I could feel the darkness just closing in. It was crushingly overwhelming. It left nothing. The darkness was enough to drive even the bravest person to the edge of their limits. The darkness tried to overwhelm you, remake you in its image, and the harder you fight it the more it tries because it knows that the more you resist, the sweeter its victory will seem. There is nothing more vile or evil than pure darkness that is a complete aberration of light. It existed only to make what was not its own part of it or destroy it. It left no free will, no thought, only mindless darkness and destruction. It took beings, Digimon of true integrity and honor, and turned them against each other. It made them fight for nothing more than the destruction that would occur. If that won't change someone, then nothing will!"
The others look at Jesse fearfully. His description of the Dark Ocean scared them all witles. Even Piximon was trembling in terror. Only Heromon was largely unaffected. He had lived it all along with Jesse. Time had been taken from them. They had been forced to go through an ordeal no living being should have to got hrough. Piximon looks at Jesse with sympathy in his eyes.
Samantha averts her eyes from looking at Jesse. His speech had filled her with shame. "I'm sorry," she says finally, "we were unable to stand against Dragomon and you and Heromon had to sacrifice yourselves to keep us safe."
"No, I'm sorry," Jesse says softly, "I didn't mean to scare you. But evil is like that. The idea of evil taking over and we simply going back to our world when our staying could turn the tide against it just sickens me. If it comes to that we either have a choice to stay and fight or go home and be safe, I'll stay and fight."
"You are a truly honorable person," Piximon tells him, "but even I do not know when you will be able to return. It may be that once you locate and activate all of the Crest Weapons that you will be able return to your home and not have a choice. Or it may be that you will not be able to return home until the Beast of Darkness is driven back indefinitely or destroyed. Or you may never be able to return home. No one knows. Not Seraphimon, not Gennai's order, not me, no one. You will not know until the time comes for you to know."
"We can never truly defeat evil," Jesse tells him, "we may be able to destroy its more abominable and more tangible creations, but we can never truly destroy evil. Light cannot exist without darkness, but we can diminish it so that we can live normal, peaceful lives."
"You gained much wisdom during your time in the Dark Ocean," Piximon says, "I regret the manner of how you obtained it though."
"Nothing you can do about it," Jesse says, "now, lets go and get Brian's Crest Weapon."
Brian had been visibly shaken by Jesse's words.
'I could never do something like that,' he thinks to himself, 'Jesse syas I'm our leader, but the leader should be the bravest one, the one most willing to keep the rest of the team safe. Jesse was willing to sacrifice his life to keep us alive, even though he had no way of knowing that his sacrifice wouldn't be in vain and we would have all been killed anyway.'
"Brian, are you okay?" Wizardmon asks.
"I'm okay Wizardmon," Brian tells his partner unconvincingly, "just a little nervous."
"You have no reason to be nervous Brian," Wizardmon tells his partner, "we're gonna do all right."
Suddenly, a large creature emerges from the cave.
"It's Devidramon!" Agumon calls out as he runs, "he's a Champion level Dark Dragon Digimon. His Crimson Claw attack is hazardous for your health!"
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows. His claws glow red and he strikes at the Digimon. Piximon, Heromon, Yokomon, Tapirmon, and Eggmon are all hit.
"He's strong!" Heromon gasps as he tries to get back to his feet, "too strong. We need to digivolve!"
"You're too hurt to fight!" Jesse says.
"Magical Game!" Wizardmon says as he attacks. The energy splays over Devidramon's head.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows as he attacks again. Wizardmon flies over the attack and counters with his Magical Game.
"Brian, we'll keep Devidramon busy," Jesse says, "go and get your Crest Weapon."
"Okay," Brian says meekly. He runs towards the cave.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows. The attack heads straight for Brian.
Samantha jumps in front of the attack and blocks it with her Crest Weapon. Her Crest Weapon shines brightly.
Yokomon digivolve to Biymon!" Yokomon calls out, "Spiral Twister!"
The spiraling green flame hits Devidramon with hardly any effect. Devidramon growls and swipes at Biyomon with a claw.
"Tapirmon, digivolve!" Daniel cries out. His Digivice glows brightly.
"Tapirmon digivolve to Apemon!" Tapirmon calls out, "Metallic Fur!" Apermon launches the metallic hair at Devidramon, but it has little effect on the Dark Dragon.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows. Apemon blocks the attack with his Mega Bone Stick, but just barely. The attack knocks him into a tree.
"Apemon!" Daniel cries out, worried for his friend.
"Don't worry Daniel," Apemon grunts as he gets back to his feet, "it'll take more than this to defeat me."
Meanwhile, Brian manages to get inside of the cave. He wanders through the cave, hoping to find his Crest Weapon. Finally, he comes to the end. There is a pedestal with a symbol shining behind it. It looked like a sun or something. It glowed orange. On the pedestal was a lantern with the same symbol on it.
"So this is the Crest Weapon of Courage," Brian murmurs, "sure doesn't look like much of a Weapon." He reaches for it, but an orange lightning bolt strikes his hand and knocks it away from the lantern.
"What the?" Brian exclaims, "what happened?"
A voice speaks within his mind. It was his own voice, telling him what he had thought after Jesse had told them of his experience in the Dark Ocean. And Brian knew then what had happened.
'My Crest Weapon is supposed to be the Crest Weapon of Courage,' he thinks, 'I'm afraid and unworthy of wielding it.'
A picture appears before him. It is what was going on outside. His friends were fighting Devidramon. Biyomon was unconscious, as was Eggmon. Apemon and Heromon were barely hanging on. Wizardmon was seriously beat up, but still hanging in there. Samantha was guarding the others with her Crest Weapon. Daniel was strengthening Apemon with the power of his Crest Weapon, and Jesse appeared to be trying to find an opportune time to attack. James looked terrified. Piximon was unconscious.
'They need my help,' Brian thinks, 'but how can I help them? Wizardmon can't digivolve to Ultimate without the power of my Crest Weapon, and I can't help in any other way. And I can't even touch my Crest Weapon because I'm afraid.'
'What are you afraid of?' that same voice from before asks him.
"I don't know," Brian responds out loud.
'Yes you do,' the voice tells him.
"Then what am I afraid of?" Brian demands.
'You know,' the voice tells him, 'you are afraid that darkness will win.'
"Yes, I am afraid of that," Brian admits, "but what can 4 teenagers and a kid do to stop something like the Beast of Darkness?"
'Everything,' the voice tells him, 'Courage, Compassion, Honor, Perseverence, and Faith. These powers are enough to hold back the Darkness. But coupled with the powers of true Faith, Spirit, Integrity, Wisdom, and Life, not even the Darkness can win.'
"Our Crest Weapons," Brian murmurs, "those are what they represent. Courage, Faith, Compassion, Perseverence, and Honor. And our Crests. Integrity, Faith, Wisdom, Spirit, and Life. With these, are we able to win?"
'Anything is possible,' ther voice tells him, 'it is even possible for the simple wisdom of a child bring Hope to a hopeless situation.'
"Then we can win," Brian says confidently, though somewhat shakily, "and if we can win, we should fight."
At that, the lantern glows brightly. Brian could now see that it had the same symbol on it as what was on the wall behind. The Crest of Courage. He reaches over and picks it up. As soon as he does, light comes forth from the Crest Weapon of Courage and illuminates the cave. The light spills forth from the cave and bathes Wizardmon.
"I feel my strength returning," he gasps, "Wizardmon digivolve to MetalWizardmon!"
Light envelopes Wizardmon. His staff takes on a more mechanical look. Energy comes forth from his hat and become a helmet with the same basic chape. A metal breastplate forms. His right arm becomes cybernetic and a shoulder pad forms over his left should and forms a shield similar to that of MagnaAngemon's.
"Its MetalWizardmon," Heromon says as he struggles to his feet, "he is an Ultimate level Wizard Digimon. His Thunder Flash attack is incredible. It's a good thing he's on our side."
"Devidramon, you are going down," Wizardmon says. His voice had gotten more synthetic, as if he was partially speaking through a synthesizer or something. He removes his cape and holds it in front of him.
"Magical Blades!" he calls out, removing the cape from in front of him. Three swords go flying at Devidramon. The blades cut through Devidramon, but do not do a lot of damage.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows as he attacks again. MetalWizardmon blocks the attack with his left arm and strikes again. This time he focuses energy in front of him in the form of a purple-white orb.
"Thunder Flash!" he calls out, launching the attack at Devidramon. The attack rams into Devidramon's head, knocking him back into the rock walls.
"Hey guys, is MetalWizardmon cool or what?" Brian asks as he comes out holding his Crest Weapon, "glad we came here first."
"Is that your Crest Weapon?" Jesse asks, sheathing the Crest Weapon of Honor. Samantha stays between the group and Devidramon in case he managed to get an attack in.
"Yep, this is the Crest Weapon of Courage," Brian says, "what do you think?"
"Well, it can't truly be used as a weapon beyind enabling Wizardmon to digivolve to Ultimate, but it can be useful in situations that our Crest Weapons wouldn't be useful."
"Don't you think MetalWizardmon needs help?" Samantha asks, eyeing the battle. From the looks of it, it could go either way.
"Apemon!" Daniel cries out, his Crest Weapon unsheathed and beginning to glow, "digivolve!"
"Apemon digivolve to Mammothmon!" Apemon calls out.
"Tusk Crusher!" Mammothmon calls out, launching his tusk missiles at Devidramon.
"Heromon, help 'em out!" Jesse says, his Digivice glowing.
"Heromon digivolve to Warriormon!" Heromon calls out.
"Warrior Sword!" Warriormon yells, charging his sword then slashing hard at Devidramon.
"Thunder Flash!" MetalWizardmon, launching the purple-white energy ball at Devidramon.
"Tusk Crusher!" Mammothmon yells, launching his tusk missiles again.
The Tusk Crusher hits first, then the Warrior Sword, and finally the Thunder Flash. The combined power of the three attacks completely obliterate Devidramon.
The Heromon dedigivolves to Chosenmon while MetalWizardmon dedigivolves to Magimon and Mammothmon dedigivolves to Mokumon.
The DigiDestined run to their partners except for Jesse. He runs to Piximon to make sure he is okay.
"You okay?" Jesse asks the little pink fuzzball.
"Yep," Piximon replies as he gets back to his feet, "though if the next evil Digimon we come across is stronger than Devidramon I won't be much help.
"You are all welcome to stay with us until you are ready to travel again," Agumon says as he walks back up. Behind him was the entire population of the Koromon village, including a few newly digivolved Agumon.
"Where did those new Agumon come from?" Brian asks.
"When you touched the Crest Weapon, the light that shone from it was energy. Energy not only for Wizardmon to digivolve into MetalWizardmon, but energy for some of us to digivolve to Rookie," the chief Agumon explains.
"I say we take them up on their offer," James says, "we'lre all pretty beat up and we need the rest."
"Agreed," Brian says, nodding his head. He turns to face tha Gumon chief. "We would be honored to stay with you," he says.
"Then let us return to the village," Agumon says, "this victory needs a victory feast!"
The Koromon and all of the other Digimon cheer at the thought of a feast.
Well, how was that? I've been a bit lazy, so it would seem, but in truth a writer's block on Digimon fics claimed me. My muses were finally able to beat it back. Hopefully the next chapter won't be as tough to write. Please review.
"Where should we go next?" Daniel asks, "Brian and James have yet to get their Crest Weapons. Whose should we go and get?"
"The Koromon Village is closer, so it would be wiser to go and get Brian's Crest Weapon first," Jesse says, "not to mention the fact that it would be to our advantage since Wizardmon is in his Champion form and wouldn't have to waste time and energy digivolving to Champion before digivolving to Ultimate."
"That does make sense," Samantha says, "and Wizardmon is probably the strongest Digimon we have next to Heromon."
"A Rookie with the strength of a Champion," Tapirmon mutters, "its almost unheard of. It's not too unheard of to find a Champion as strong as an Ultimate. Leomon is an example of such, as was Vilemon. And while its rare, there has been an occasion where an Ultimate was as powerful as a Mega. Seraphimon's Ultimate form is said to be stronger than most Mega's."
"And then there are the Mega's who are unbelievably strong you would think they are at yet another level," Heromon says, "Seraphimon is the only known such Digimon. It is rumored that there is another level called "Armor" that is between a Rookie and Champion in actual digivolution, but has the power between that of a Champion and an Ultimate."
"Armor, you say?" Jesse asks, "do you know the names of any Digimon that would be an Armor level Digimon?"
"I do, but what would it matter?" Heromon asks.
"Because when we were getting Daniel's Crest Weapon, I fought a Digimon called Shurimon who said he was an Armor level Digimon," Jesse explains, "he said his name was Shurimon. He was quite the adversary. You saw how beat up I was when we got back."
"You're still healing from that fight," Heromon points out, "how strong was Shurimon?"
"If Daniel hadn't gotten him from behind with his Crest Weapon, he would have had me," Jesse says, looking at Daniel with something akin to pride, "in fact, Shurimon was about to finish me off when Daniel got him."
"Way to go, little bro," Samantha says, ruffling Daniel's hair, "imagine if mom and dad saw you now. They'd be so proud."
"Actually, they would probably be scared out of their wits if they knew what kind of danger their kids would be in," Jesse says solemnly, "when Heromon and I were in the Dark Ocean, we witnessed true evil. If that was just a comparison of the power of the Beast of Darkness, then we'll need everything we can get to defeat him. Dragomon was merely a lackey and look at what he was able to do to Seraphimon. And seraphimon had every possible advantage."
"Except surprise," Heromon says, "Dragomon got Seraphimon when his back was turned and he was distracted. I'll bet in an actual fight Seraphimon would obliterate Dragomon."
"Hopefully we'll never have to find out," Jesse says, "because if we do, then that will mean that a gateway of sorts to the Dark Ocean has been opened that the beings there can come through." Heromon nods his head in agreement.
"Hopefully the Beast of Darkness does not have that kind of power," Heromon says, "if he does, then we'll really be in for a fight."
"Well, lets quite this talk about the Beast of Darkness and go and get my Crest Weapon," Brian says, ending the conversation. The group heads out for the Koromon village. It takes them two days, but they arrive. The Koromon greet them happily, offering them plenty of food (in a village filled with nothing but In Training Digimon, there's sure to be lots of food, wouldn't you think?) and a place to sleep. They knew where the Crest Weapon of Courage was. Occasionally it would select a Koromon that was exceptional and enable it to digivolve all the way to the Champion, sometimes the Ultimate, and once the Mega level.
The day after they arrive, the Koromon chiftan, which was actually an Agumon, takes them to the waterfall. Little did the DigiDestined know that many years later the next group of DigiDestined would use this same cave to escape from a Digimon named Etemon.
"We always go to this cave for safety when we are under attack," Agumon explains, "and occasionally the Crest Weapon of Courage will react to one of us and digivolve us to a level high enough to protect the village. Once, long ago, it even Warp Digivolved an Agumon like myself to the Mega level."
"What is the Mega level of an Agumon?" Brian asks.
"We do not know what Digimon he Warp Digivolved to," Agumon says with a sigh, "because after the battle, he left. No Koromon saw him leave, but we do know that he is still alive. If he has been training all of those years and he shows up, then he would be a formidable ally indeed agains the Beast of Darkness."
"Indeed he would," Jesse says, "just like Seraphimon is proving to be. Piximon is a great ally as well. So were Leomon and Centarumon when we needed them."
"You are lucky to have Piximon train you as well as look out for you," Agumon says as they near the waterfall, "his fighting prowess is legendary. If he is training you then you must be mighty warriors indeed."
"Yes, these children are strong of will and character," Piximon says, "though the Beast of Darkness will be a mighty opponent, even for them."
"How many times do I have to tell you, Piximon, that we are not children?" Jesse asks plaintively.
"Until you prove yourselves worthy to be called otherwise," Piximon replies simply.
"I stayed in the Dark Ocean for I don't even want to remember how long and I'm not worthy to be called something other than child?" Jesse demands hotly.
"You did \not have a choice in that," Piximon replies, "nothing you have done so far has shown you have done anything out of choice. Children do what they do because they are forced to. To be something more you must do something with no visible gain on your part."
"And by the time that happens on this adventure, we'll be old and gray," Jesse mutters.
"Can we even age here?" Daniel asks.
"I do not know if humans age here in the Digital World," Piximon replies, "but Digimon do age, in a way. Their data, if they are not used to battle, eventually gets old and they eventually just pass on, reforming as a new DigiEgg in Primary Village eventually. But it takes many years for this to happen. Sometimes centuries."
"Well, that doesn't answer my question," Daniel retorts. James looks at Daniel oddly. At times like this, you could tell he was Samantha's brother more than just by blood.
"We're at the cave," Agumon announces. The group looks in front of them. The waterfull wasn't that large, but it was beautiful. But there was no sight of a cave.
"Where is the cave?" James demands. Agumon just shrugs.
"It's behind the waterfall," he replies nonchalantly, "you can't even see it unless the river is low and the watefall isn't flowing as fully as normal. You can't even find it unless you're looking hard. That's what makes it such a great safe spot for the inhabitants of the Koromon village to hide in."
"Well, show us the cave then," Samantha demands, "the sooner we find goggle boy's Crest Weapon, the sooner we can go and find James'."
"Whats the rush?" Brian demands, "and whats with the 'goggle boy' comment?"
"Well, you are constantly wearing those stupid goggles," Samantha replies, "and the sooner we get all of this done, the sooner we can go home."
"It could still be months before we get home," Brian retorts.
"We haven't even been here a month," Samantha reminds him, "who's to say that we won't get to go home as soon as we find all of the Crest Weapons?"
"We are here to defeat the Beast of Darkness," Jesse reminds her, "until that is done, we probably won't be able to go home. I myself will not go home until such a vile abomination is stopped!" He said that last part with such conviction and passion that is startled everyone, even Heromon.
"What's gotten into you, Jesse?" Samantha asks, "you really have changed since returning from the Dark Ocean. You get uptight whenever we mention evil and darkness."
"If you spent all that time in a place that was completely devoid of light and color, and yet still be able to see, you would know how I feel," Jesse replies, "I could feel the darkness just closing in. It was crushingly overwhelming. It left nothing. The darkness was enough to drive even the bravest person to the edge of their limits. The darkness tried to overwhelm you, remake you in its image, and the harder you fight it the more it tries because it knows that the more you resist, the sweeter its victory will seem. There is nothing more vile or evil than pure darkness that is a complete aberration of light. It existed only to make what was not its own part of it or destroy it. It left no free will, no thought, only mindless darkness and destruction. It took beings, Digimon of true integrity and honor, and turned them against each other. It made them fight for nothing more than the destruction that would occur. If that won't change someone, then nothing will!"
The others look at Jesse fearfully. His description of the Dark Ocean scared them all witles. Even Piximon was trembling in terror. Only Heromon was largely unaffected. He had lived it all along with Jesse. Time had been taken from them. They had been forced to go through an ordeal no living being should have to got hrough. Piximon looks at Jesse with sympathy in his eyes.
Samantha averts her eyes from looking at Jesse. His speech had filled her with shame. "I'm sorry," she says finally, "we were unable to stand against Dragomon and you and Heromon had to sacrifice yourselves to keep us safe."
"No, I'm sorry," Jesse says softly, "I didn't mean to scare you. But evil is like that. The idea of evil taking over and we simply going back to our world when our staying could turn the tide against it just sickens me. If it comes to that we either have a choice to stay and fight or go home and be safe, I'll stay and fight."
"You are a truly honorable person," Piximon tells him, "but even I do not know when you will be able to return. It may be that once you locate and activate all of the Crest Weapons that you will be able return to your home and not have a choice. Or it may be that you will not be able to return home until the Beast of Darkness is driven back indefinitely or destroyed. Or you may never be able to return home. No one knows. Not Seraphimon, not Gennai's order, not me, no one. You will not know until the time comes for you to know."
"We can never truly defeat evil," Jesse tells him, "we may be able to destroy its more abominable and more tangible creations, but we can never truly destroy evil. Light cannot exist without darkness, but we can diminish it so that we can live normal, peaceful lives."
"You gained much wisdom during your time in the Dark Ocean," Piximon says, "I regret the manner of how you obtained it though."
"Nothing you can do about it," Jesse says, "now, lets go and get Brian's Crest Weapon."
Brian had been visibly shaken by Jesse's words.
'I could never do something like that,' he thinks to himself, 'Jesse syas I'm our leader, but the leader should be the bravest one, the one most willing to keep the rest of the team safe. Jesse was willing to sacrifice his life to keep us alive, even though he had no way of knowing that his sacrifice wouldn't be in vain and we would have all been killed anyway.'
"Brian, are you okay?" Wizardmon asks.
"I'm okay Wizardmon," Brian tells his partner unconvincingly, "just a little nervous."
"You have no reason to be nervous Brian," Wizardmon tells his partner, "we're gonna do all right."
Suddenly, a large creature emerges from the cave.
"It's Devidramon!" Agumon calls out as he runs, "he's a Champion level Dark Dragon Digimon. His Crimson Claw attack is hazardous for your health!"
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows. His claws glow red and he strikes at the Digimon. Piximon, Heromon, Yokomon, Tapirmon, and Eggmon are all hit.
"He's strong!" Heromon gasps as he tries to get back to his feet, "too strong. We need to digivolve!"
"You're too hurt to fight!" Jesse says.
"Magical Game!" Wizardmon says as he attacks. The energy splays over Devidramon's head.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows as he attacks again. Wizardmon flies over the attack and counters with his Magical Game.
"Brian, we'll keep Devidramon busy," Jesse says, "go and get your Crest Weapon."
"Okay," Brian says meekly. He runs towards the cave.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows. The attack heads straight for Brian.
Samantha jumps in front of the attack and blocks it with her Crest Weapon. Her Crest Weapon shines brightly.
Yokomon digivolve to Biymon!" Yokomon calls out, "Spiral Twister!"
The spiraling green flame hits Devidramon with hardly any effect. Devidramon growls and swipes at Biyomon with a claw.
"Tapirmon, digivolve!" Daniel cries out. His Digivice glows brightly.
"Tapirmon digivolve to Apemon!" Tapirmon calls out, "Metallic Fur!" Apermon launches the metallic hair at Devidramon, but it has little effect on the Dark Dragon.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows. Apemon blocks the attack with his Mega Bone Stick, but just barely. The attack knocks him into a tree.
"Apemon!" Daniel cries out, worried for his friend.
"Don't worry Daniel," Apemon grunts as he gets back to his feet, "it'll take more than this to defeat me."
Meanwhile, Brian manages to get inside of the cave. He wanders through the cave, hoping to find his Crest Weapon. Finally, he comes to the end. There is a pedestal with a symbol shining behind it. It looked like a sun or something. It glowed orange. On the pedestal was a lantern with the same symbol on it.
"So this is the Crest Weapon of Courage," Brian murmurs, "sure doesn't look like much of a Weapon." He reaches for it, but an orange lightning bolt strikes his hand and knocks it away from the lantern.
"What the?" Brian exclaims, "what happened?"
A voice speaks within his mind. It was his own voice, telling him what he had thought after Jesse had told them of his experience in the Dark Ocean. And Brian knew then what had happened.
'My Crest Weapon is supposed to be the Crest Weapon of Courage,' he thinks, 'I'm afraid and unworthy of wielding it.'
A picture appears before him. It is what was going on outside. His friends were fighting Devidramon. Biyomon was unconscious, as was Eggmon. Apemon and Heromon were barely hanging on. Wizardmon was seriously beat up, but still hanging in there. Samantha was guarding the others with her Crest Weapon. Daniel was strengthening Apemon with the power of his Crest Weapon, and Jesse appeared to be trying to find an opportune time to attack. James looked terrified. Piximon was unconscious.
'They need my help,' Brian thinks, 'but how can I help them? Wizardmon can't digivolve to Ultimate without the power of my Crest Weapon, and I can't help in any other way. And I can't even touch my Crest Weapon because I'm afraid.'
'What are you afraid of?' that same voice from before asks him.
"I don't know," Brian responds out loud.
'Yes you do,' the voice tells him.
"Then what am I afraid of?" Brian demands.
'You know,' the voice tells him, 'you are afraid that darkness will win.'
"Yes, I am afraid of that," Brian admits, "but what can 4 teenagers and a kid do to stop something like the Beast of Darkness?"
'Everything,' the voice tells him, 'Courage, Compassion, Honor, Perseverence, and Faith. These powers are enough to hold back the Darkness. But coupled with the powers of true Faith, Spirit, Integrity, Wisdom, and Life, not even the Darkness can win.'
"Our Crest Weapons," Brian murmurs, "those are what they represent. Courage, Faith, Compassion, Perseverence, and Honor. And our Crests. Integrity, Faith, Wisdom, Spirit, and Life. With these, are we able to win?"
'Anything is possible,' ther voice tells him, 'it is even possible for the simple wisdom of a child bring Hope to a hopeless situation.'
"Then we can win," Brian says confidently, though somewhat shakily, "and if we can win, we should fight."
At that, the lantern glows brightly. Brian could now see that it had the same symbol on it as what was on the wall behind. The Crest of Courage. He reaches over and picks it up. As soon as he does, light comes forth from the Crest Weapon of Courage and illuminates the cave. The light spills forth from the cave and bathes Wizardmon.
"I feel my strength returning," he gasps, "Wizardmon digivolve to MetalWizardmon!"
Light envelopes Wizardmon. His staff takes on a more mechanical look. Energy comes forth from his hat and become a helmet with the same basic chape. A metal breastplate forms. His right arm becomes cybernetic and a shoulder pad forms over his left should and forms a shield similar to that of MagnaAngemon's.
"Its MetalWizardmon," Heromon says as he struggles to his feet, "he is an Ultimate level Wizard Digimon. His Thunder Flash attack is incredible. It's a good thing he's on our side."
"Devidramon, you are going down," Wizardmon says. His voice had gotten more synthetic, as if he was partially speaking through a synthesizer or something. He removes his cape and holds it in front of him.
"Magical Blades!" he calls out, removing the cape from in front of him. Three swords go flying at Devidramon. The blades cut through Devidramon, but do not do a lot of damage.
"Crimson Claw!" Devidramon bellows as he attacks again. MetalWizardmon blocks the attack with his left arm and strikes again. This time he focuses energy in front of him in the form of a purple-white orb.
"Thunder Flash!" he calls out, launching the attack at Devidramon. The attack rams into Devidramon's head, knocking him back into the rock walls.
"Hey guys, is MetalWizardmon cool or what?" Brian asks as he comes out holding his Crest Weapon, "glad we came here first."
"Is that your Crest Weapon?" Jesse asks, sheathing the Crest Weapon of Honor. Samantha stays between the group and Devidramon in case he managed to get an attack in.
"Yep, this is the Crest Weapon of Courage," Brian says, "what do you think?"
"Well, it can't truly be used as a weapon beyind enabling Wizardmon to digivolve to Ultimate, but it can be useful in situations that our Crest Weapons wouldn't be useful."
"Don't you think MetalWizardmon needs help?" Samantha asks, eyeing the battle. From the looks of it, it could go either way.
"Apemon!" Daniel cries out, his Crest Weapon unsheathed and beginning to glow, "digivolve!"
"Apemon digivolve to Mammothmon!" Apemon calls out.
"Tusk Crusher!" Mammothmon calls out, launching his tusk missiles at Devidramon.
"Heromon, help 'em out!" Jesse says, his Digivice glowing.
"Heromon digivolve to Warriormon!" Heromon calls out.
"Warrior Sword!" Warriormon yells, charging his sword then slashing hard at Devidramon.
"Thunder Flash!" MetalWizardmon, launching the purple-white energy ball at Devidramon.
"Tusk Crusher!" Mammothmon yells, launching his tusk missiles again.
The Tusk Crusher hits first, then the Warrior Sword, and finally the Thunder Flash. The combined power of the three attacks completely obliterate Devidramon.
The Heromon dedigivolves to Chosenmon while MetalWizardmon dedigivolves to Magimon and Mammothmon dedigivolves to Mokumon.
The DigiDestined run to their partners except for Jesse. He runs to Piximon to make sure he is okay.
"You okay?" Jesse asks the little pink fuzzball.
"Yep," Piximon replies as he gets back to his feet, "though if the next evil Digimon we come across is stronger than Devidramon I won't be much help.
"You are all welcome to stay with us until you are ready to travel again," Agumon says as he walks back up. Behind him was the entire population of the Koromon village, including a few newly digivolved Agumon.
"Where did those new Agumon come from?" Brian asks.
"When you touched the Crest Weapon, the light that shone from it was energy. Energy not only for Wizardmon to digivolve into MetalWizardmon, but energy for some of us to digivolve to Rookie," the chief Agumon explains.
"I say we take them up on their offer," James says, "we'lre all pretty beat up and we need the rest."
"Agreed," Brian says, nodding his head. He turns to face tha Gumon chief. "We would be honored to stay with you," he says.
"Then let us return to the village," Agumon says, "this victory needs a victory feast!"
The Koromon and all of the other Digimon cheer at the thought of a feast.
Well, how was that? I've been a bit lazy, so it would seem, but in truth a writer's block on Digimon fics claimed me. My muses were finally able to beat it back. Hopefully the next chapter won't be as tough to write. Please review.