Narration by Davis.
Last time on Digimon: Ditital Monsters. Genai summoned Tai and the original digidestined to help rescue the rest of us from Devimon. Meanwhile the Tamers battled Skullmeramon to save their digimon. While Tai and the others kept Devimon and his army busy, Willis and the Tamers freed us. We all joined forces to fight Devimon but he was just too strong. It looked like we were toast but then Calumon rleased his power and helped everyone to digivolve. We beat Devimon but then Yamaki's new weapon released Devimon's darkness and we were all almost deleted. We trashed Devimon's dome and the sunlight destroyed the darkness for good. We said our goodbyes and left the Tamers to return to our own world. Genai decided to erase the damage Devimon had caused to the Tamers' world and had some friends of his turn back time on their earth to before Devimon attacked. I guess it was for the best but now they won't even remember meeting us. It's been a few months since then and everything has been pretty quiet. Somehow I don't think it will stay that way for long.
"Davis, can we go home now?"
"Quiet Veemon. I already told you we can't leave until I find the perfect birthday gift for Kari."
A passerby gave Davis Motomiya a strange look. "Are you talking to your backpack?"
Davis blushed and gave a nervous grin. "Nope. Just talking to myself." Davis hurried away and ducked into another store. "We gotta be more careful Veemon." The bag slung across Davis' back shifted slightly.
"Can you at least let me out for a while.", a muffled voice replied.
"Hey. You're the one who wanted to come."
"I didn't realize that you would be carrying me around in here the whole time."
Davis sighed. "What did you expect. You know you can't just walk around in public. Most people still don't know that digimon exist, and we need to keep it that way."
"Whatever. Just hurry up."
"Can I help you?"
Davis tuned in panic to see a saleswoman looking at him. "Can I help you?", she repeated. "Are you looking for something for your girlfriend?"
Davis looked around and realized exactly what store he was in. Racks of lingerie surrounded him. His entire face reddened.
"Uh...No! I was just going!" Trying not to make any more of a spectacle of himself, Davis rushed back out into the mall. He walked a ways down the main walkway and slumped into a bench. "Maybe I just ought to give this up.", he sighed. His backpack rustled and a pair of eyes peered out through a gap in the zipper.
"No argument here."
Davis glanced at the eyes looking out at him. "I'm sorry Veemon. I just really wanted to get something great for Kari for her birthday. But I waited too long and her party's tomorrow, and T.K.'s probably already gotten her the perfect gift anyway." A thin blue arm reached out of the pack to pat Davis on the shoulder.
"Don't worry Davis. Kari will like anything you get her."
"I know.", Davis replied. "She's such a good friend. That's why I wanted to get her something she'd really like." He sat with his chin resting in his hands for a few minutes. Finally he got up and put the backpack on. "C'mon buddy. I'm just gonna grab her a card and a CD and then we'll get out of here."
"Don't worry Davis. Kari's not the kind of person who cares about gifts anyway. She'll be glad just to see you at her party."
Davis looked over his shoulder and smiled. "You're absolutely right. I've gotta stop getting so worked up about stuff involving Kari anyway. She's a great friend, but any chance I had with her is long past."
"Gotta agree with you there Davis."
Davis grinned and playfully elbowed his backpack. "Watch it. Or I might just drop you in a trash can."
Di Di Di...
Di Di Di..
Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!
Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!
Change into digital champions to save the digital world!
Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!
Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!
Digivolve into Champions! Power Merge!
Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!
Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!
Digimon, Digital Monsters! Digimon!
Digimon: Digital Monsters
The Light Before Dusk
"Kari? Why do humans make such a big deal out of their eighteenth birthdays?"
Kari Kamiya looked at the large white kitten sitting on her bed. "Well Gatomon, a lot of people consider it the symbolic transition from childhood to adulthood. Turning eighteen is like becoming an official adult."
Gatomon's nose twitched and she carefully looked Kari over. "You don't seem any different to me."
Kari laughed and scooped Gatomon into her arms. "It's not a physical change. There isn't really any actual change at all. But everyone has to stop being considered a child at some point. Somewhere along the line, somebody just decided that it would happen when you were eighteen years old."
Gatomon stretched in Kari's arms revealing her soft, white stomach, which Kari obediently scratched. "So if you're an adult tomorrow, does that mean no more laser tag at the mall?"
"Well I wouldn't go that far.", she replied with a smile. Gatomon's only response was a contented purr as Kari continued to rub her stomach.
* * *
When Kari went to bed that evening she had little on her mind except for the festivities of the day to follow. First there would be a party at her at her boyfriend T.K.'s apartment with all of her friends. Later there would be another celebration at her own apartment for all of her relatives. Kari drifted to sleep with Gatomon in her arms and slept soundly without a single worry clouding her mind.
As Kari slept the rest of the city slept with her. The night was quiet. Around eleven o clock, dark storm clouds began to roll over the quiet city. The first blast of thunder came shortly after. By eleven thirty, the storm was in full swing. Crashing thunder was followed by jagged flashes of lightning. But through it all, Kari slept soundly. Had Kari been awake, and had she been looking out her window, she may have noticed during the brief moments of illumination that resulted from the lightning, a dark form crouched on the rooftop across from her apartment building. Of course, Kari was asleep and totally oblivious to the figure which stared through her window, unhindered by the darkness or the distance separating them. She was also unaware as her mysterious watcher rose to his feet and cleared the distance between his perch and her rooftop in a single leap.
At five minutes 'till midnight, the first step in the beginning of the end of Kari's life as she knew it occurred. The outside wall of her bedroom exploded inward showering the entire room with broken chunks of brick, and clouds of plaster dust. Kari awoke with a start as did Gatomon. The human girl was almost completely uncomprehending as her sleep addled brain tried to grasp what was happening to her. Gatomon regained her senses almost immediately. She jumped to the floor and stood protectively in front of her partner.
The door to the bedroom burst open. Kari's parents stood framed in the rectangle of light from the outside hall.
"What the hell is going on?!", yelled Kari's father.
"Get out of here!", Gatomon yelled at them. But both adults were frozen in shock.
"Kari, what?", stammered her mother.
Years of battle had honed Kari's instincts somewhat. She had come to her senses quickly and was surveying the situation. Standing in the ruins of her wall was a huge figure. Its skin was dark and glints of gold armor reflected the light from the open doorway. His silhouette had four massive arms and he stood several heads taller than even the tallest human. Each side of his head had a face on it and three pairs of eyes glared at the humans and lone digimon.
"Child of light!", it bellowed. "You will come with me!"
"Who are you?", Kari whispered.
"She's not going anywhere!", Gatomon cried defiantly. "I recognize him. He's Asuramon, a wizard-warrior digimon."
"A digimon?", Kari's mom asked.
"Get out!", Gatomon yelled at Asarumon.
"Not without her.", Asuramon replied calmly pointing at Kari.
"Not a chance!" Gatomon leapt forward. "Lightning Paw!" Gatomon's clawed fist struck Asuramon but he barely flinched.
"Forgive me little one. Hand of Asura!" A bolt of red energy flew from one of Asuramon's hands and struck Gatomon knocking her across the room. Her small body struck the wall next to Kari's parents.
"That's enough!", Kari's father bellowed. "This is my home and I want you out of it right now."
Asuramon regarded Mr. Kamiya with a bemused expression. "Your daughter will not be harmed. I assure you she will be safe in my care."
Mr. Kamiya stomped across the room. "I told you to get out of my home!" He drew back his fist and threw a punch that struck Asuramon in the stomach. It felt like punching a wall. Mr. Kamiya stumbled back nursing his hand. Asuramon sighed.
"Enough time has been wasted. I must act quickly." Asuramon strode forward and grabbed Kari by the wrist.
"Kari!", her mother screamed.
"Let go of me!", Kari cried. Asuramon took a step backward dragging her with him.
"Please believe this is for your own good, as well as the good of countless others.", he said gently while continuing to pull her towards the hole in the wall.
Kari struggled against his iron grip and tried to dig her feet into the carpet. "You're not exactly convincing me of your good intentions.", she said through gritted teeth.
"All will be explained in time."
That was when the clock struck midnight. For a moment there was perfect silence. A flash of lightning illuminated the scene. Kari continued to try to pull her hand away from Asuramon. Kari's mother and Father seemed to hesitate between running to help their daughter and going for the phone to call the police. Gatomon slumped against the wall and groaned her way back into consciousness. And then, with no warning, Kari's entire body erupted in light. Asuramon cried out and released his grip, stumbling backwards. Kari's parents shielded their eyes. And Kari stood still with the light pouring off of her body in waves. Then her gaze turned to Asuramon. Her eyes were blank under the harsh light which poured from them.
When she spoke her voice echoed and was far deeper than normal. "You are not welcome here." Her hand extended forward and the light from her body seemed to focus on one point within her palm. With a brilliant flash the light exploded outward and struck Asuramon. With a cry he was hurled back through the hole he had created. As soon as he had disappeared from sight, the light around Kari disappeared. With a moan she collapsed to the floor unconscious. Her parent rushed to her with Gatomon right behind them. On the ground outside, several floors below, Asuramon stirred and rose to his feet. "Blast."
At the same moment that Kari had released her power, next door, Rumiko Anyaka woke from a deep sleep with a gasp. Rumiko was thirteen years old. Her round face was framed by black hair which came to just above her shoulders. At the moment, her eyes were wide and her heart was beating rapidly as her body adjusted to the sudden jump from being asleep to awake.
"Are you okay?", a small, feminine voice asked. Rumiko stared at the source of the voice in shock. Sitting at the foot of her bed was what appeared to be a small yellow head. It had a tiny beak-like mouth and black marks resembling lightning bolts marked its skin where its eyes would be. A pair of tiny horns which also looked something like lightning bolts poked out of the top of its body.
"Don't be scared Rumiko.", it said. "There's a lot I have to explain to you but right now you have to listen to me."
"Are you a digimon?", Rumiko asked cautiously, looking intently at the small creature.
"You know what a digimon is?", it asked in surprise.
"My friend Kari. I caught her talking to her cat the other day. She said it was a digimon. I didn't have a lot of time to talk to her about it but she told me that there was a whole other world full of all kinds of creatures called digimon. Are you one of them?"
The yellow ball sighed. "Well at least you already know the basics. My name is Larvamon and yes, I am a digimon. I'm your digimon in fact."
Rumiko did a double take. "My...digimon. You're kidding?"
Larvamon shook her head, which basically involved shifting her entire body from side to side. "You and I are partners. Here." With this, Larvamon turned around and when she turned back she had something clutched in her mouth. Rumiko reached forward slowly and took the object in her hand. It was a silver ball which fit perfectly in the palm of her hand. Golden circuitry traced intricate patterns all over its surface. A small crystal screen was imbedded in the top of it. As soon as she took held it glowed faintly. After a moment the light faded. Now, tiny points of yellow light zipped through the circuitry patterns. The screen was dark but a green cursor was blinking in the upper left-hand corner.
"What is it?", Rumiko said, staring at the object intently.
"Its your digivice.", Larvamon replied matter-of-factly. "Your friend Kari has one too. All humans with a digimon partner have one."
"Digivice? What does it do?"
"Try pressing the button on the left of the screen.", Larvamon replied.
Rumiko leaned closer and noticed the small round button on the left side of the screen. There were actually four such buttons, one on each side of the rectangular screen. Rumiko experimentally pressed a finger over the button and the screen came to life. Green text displayed across its surface.
D-SPHERE ONLINE.
ANALYZER ACTIVE.
SCANNING.
LARVAMON.
LEVEL: IN TRAINING
ATTACK: BUBBLE BLOW
ANALYZER DEACTIVATED.
"That's you huh?", Rumiko said. Larvamon nodded then hopped off the bed and proceeded to hop towards the door. "Where are you going?", Rumiko asked.
Larvamon turned back. "Next door. C'mon."
"Why are we going there. It's practically midnight."
"A few minutes after actually.", Larvamon responded. "Now hurry! Your friend Kari is in trouble."
At this, Rumiko jumped of the bed. "Kari? What's wrong?"
"It's too complicated to explain. Just trust me."
Rumiko followed it out the door. "You know I'm taking a lot on faith here."
"And don't think I don't appreciate it.", Larvamon said with a backwards glance.
Together they snuck past Rumiko's parents' room and into the living room. At the apartment door, Rumiko undid the lock as quietly as possible. She then opened the door just far enough to slip out. Larvamon bounced after her. They proceeded down the hall to the door of the Kamiya apartment. Rumiko put her ear to the door. "It sounds quiet."
"Not for long.." Larvamon replied. "We have to get in there."
"You're sure this is important?", Rumiko asked. Larvamon nodded solemnly.
Rumiko sighed and took a step away from the door. She took a deep breath and then struck up with her foot. The lock snapped and the door swung inward.
"Wow.", Larvamon said. Rumiko walked into the apartment with Larvamon right behind her. They outer room was empty and they couldn't hear anything except for the storm outside. Then, Rumiko made out faint sound from the direction of Kari's bedroom. Rumiko had been in the apartment enough times to be able to make her way in the minimum light. Larvamon's body let off a slight glow that was just enough to dispel the pitch darkness. They entered the kitchen and saw that the light in the hallway leading to the bedrooms was on. The sounds of the storm seemed dramatically louder. They cautiously made their way down the hall. Rumiko poked her head around the edge of Kari's door. Inside, her friend lay on the floor in her parents' arms. The cat, Gatomon, stood close by.
"Hello?", Rumiko said softly. The humans and digimon looked at her in surprise.
"Rumiko?", Mrs. Kamiya asked. "What are you doing here?"
Rumiko rushed forward and knelt by Kari's side. "What happened to her?"
"She was attacked.", Gatomon replied with a snarl of anger.
"By a digimon?", Rumiko asked.
The Kamiyas looked at Rumiko. "You know about digimon?"
"Sort of. What did this to her?"
"Asuramon.", Gatomon said. Her reply was punctuated by a crash of thunder from outside.
"Asuramon? That's not good.", Larvamon said softly. Gatomon regarded Larvamon curiously. The Kamiya's stared at her for a moment but they were used to stranger things.
"You're a Larvamon.", Gatomon said. "Where did you come from?"
"She's with me.", Rumiko answered for her. Gatomon raised an eyebrow and looked Rumiko over as if seeing her for the first time.
"Let me guess. You have a digivice?" Rumiko nodded and held out the device. Gatomon looked it over and nodded. "New model, I guess."
"So, does that mean that Rumiko is like Kari and Tai?", Mrs. Kamiya asked.
Gatomon nodded. "She's a digidestined, I guess." Larvamon nodded in confirmation.
The building shook as Asuramon leapt back into the room through the hole in the wall! The Kamiyas fell back in shock and Rumiko stumbled away in fear. Gatomon and Larvamon stood their ground.
"I have deliberated with my comrades. I am sorry. The child of light must come with me. Her previous display of power has only confirmed our fears. Please do not get in my way."
"You aren't going to touch her!", Gatomon yelled. "Lightning Paw!" Gatomon jumped forward and was easily batted away.
"My intention is not to hurt you. I realize you are only protecting her. But if you knew the danger she posed..."
"The only danger here is you!", Larvamon said. "Bubble Blow!" A flurry of pink bubbles flew from Larvamon's mouth. They splashed against Asuramon's chest but he didn't even acknowledge the attack. He took a step forward and Larvamon moved to block his way. "Stay back."
Asuramon looked downward at the tiny creature. "I will not tolerate any more delays. Move aside or I will be forced to remove you." Larvamon didn't budge. "Very well." Asuramon raised a fist glowing with red energy.
"No.", Rumiko whispered. With far more courage than she felt, the slight girl ran to her digimon's side. "Don't hurt her!"
"I'm sorry.", Asuramon replied. "Hand of..."
Rumiko's digivice released a flash as the screen once more came to life.
D-SHERE ONLINE.
INITIATING DIGIVOLUTION.
Larvamon's body was suddenly surrounded by a ball of yellow light.
"Larvamon digivolve to...!" The ball of light surrounding her burst outward to reveal her new form. Her body was like that of a large worm. her skin had changed from yellow to orange. Her head retained it's beaky mouth and lightning shaped eyes. A dozen tiny legs grew from her segmented body. A pair of wispy antenna stuck out of the top of her head. "Kunemon!"
"Whoa!" Rumiko jumped back. "What happened to you?"
Kunemon looked up at her. "I digivolved. Check your digivice."
D-SPHERE ONLINE.
ANALYZER ACTIVE
KUNEMON.
LEVEL: ROOKIE
ATTACK: ELECTRO THREAD.
ANALYZER DEACTIVATED.
"Amazing.", Rumiko gasped.
"Yes. Quite. Now get out of my way.", Asuramon ordered.
"No way! Electro Thread!" A crackling line of electricity shot from Kunemon's mouth and wrapped around Asuramon's head, obscuring his eyes. He cried out in frustration and grabbed the energy thread, tearing it off.
"Enough! This ends now!" Asuramon stomped forward and kicked Kunemon out of the way. The bug digimon landed on her back and flipped over. Her tiny legs move and she scuttled forward.
"Leave her alone!" Asuramon sighed and knelt. One of his hand swept forward and knocked the rookie away again.
"Lightning Paw!" Gatomon's fist slammed into the back of Asuramon's head and this time he stumbled forward from the impact.
"Electro Thread!" The line of electricity crossed directly in front of Asuramon's ankles. Stumbling from Gatomon's attack, he hit the thread and tripped. His massive body toppled forward and hit the floor with a crash.
The noise was enough to jar Kari awake. She bolted up and looked around her. "Wha..."
"Kari!" Rumiko ran to her side and tried to pull her to her feet. "We've got to get out of here!"
Kari looked at her younger friend with a confused look. "Rumiko?" Kari's parents joined them and added to Rumiko's attempts to pull Kari out of the room.
Kari shook them off. "I'm not going anywhere! I'm sick of this guy!"
"Hand of Asura!" The red energy blasted Gatomon and Kunemon, knocking them both silly. With a growl he turned towards Kari. He had taken one step forward when a tentacle shot through the hole in the wall, wrapped around Asuramon's chest, and dragged him out and up out of sight.
"What was that?", cried Rumiko. Kari's parents stared out the hole in their wall in shock. Freed from their arms, Kari ran to her desk. She wrenched a drawer open and pulled out a digivice of her own. It was different from Rumiko's. It looked more like a rounded, flat, handheld computer. She knelt by her fallen digimon.
"Gatomon? Are you okay?" Gatomon stirred and got to her feet painfully. "I think we're going to have to pick it up a little." Gatomon nodded. Kari's digivice began to glow with a pink light. A column of pink light enveloped Gatomon.
"Gatomon digivolve to...!" Her new body was that of a human woman. Eight feathered wings grew from her back. A metal helmet covered the top of her head. "Angewomon!"
Rumiko gaped at the newly digivolve ultimate with her mouth open. "Can you do that?", she asked Kunemon.
"I don't know.". Kunemon answered with a shrug.
Angewomon swept out the window with Kari in her arms. "We'd better go too.", Kunemon said. They moved towards the hole.
Mr. Kamiya grabbed Rumiko by the shoulder. "Where are you going?!"
"After Kari!", Rumiko replied.
Mr. Kamiya tired to hold her back. "It's too dangerous!" Rumiko pulled free and joined Kunemon at the edge of the hole.
"I have to." Kunemon shot an electric thread from her mouth up the side of the building.
"Hang on!", she called. Rumiko grabbed the lower part of Kunemon's body and gasped as they were both drawn up on Kunemon's thread.
Above, Kari and Angewomon had set down on the roof. The storm was raging around them and they only got glimpses of the battle in front of them when the roof was lit by flashed of lightning. Asuramon grappled with what appeared to be some type of sea serpent. It's body was coiled several times around Asuramon. Two of his hands were occupied with holding its open jaws away from him. The others had a death grip on it's body but didn't seem to be hurting it any.
"Is that Megaseadramon?", Kari asked.
"It looks like it. But his skin is too dark. And his helmet should be gold, not black.", Angewomon said back.
Rumiko and Kunemon appeared at the edge of the roof. Rumiko scrambled over the ledge. "What is that?", she asked, pointing at the creature fighting Asuramon. She held out her digivice and pointed it at the pair of battling digimon.
D-SPHERE ONLINE.
ANALYZER ACTIVE.
ASURAMON.
LEVEL: ULTIMATE
ATTACK: HAND OF ASURA
SCANNING.
WARUSEADRAMON.
LEVEL: ULTIMATE
ATTACK: POISON WAVE
ANALYZER DEACTIVATED.
Kari joined Rumiko and peered at the screen of her digivice. "Waruseadramon?"
"Do you know what it is?", Rumiko asked.
"It looks like a digimon I've seen before. But it's like a dark version of it. I've never encountered this type before."
A bolt of lightning struck a rooftop several blocks away. Intent on watching the fight, none of them noticed that Kunemon's body had taken a light glow.
"Should we stop them?", Rumiko asked.
"I don't know.", Kari answered. "I don't know why this Asuramon is after me, or what Waruseadramon is after. I don't think Angewomon can fight them both."
Another bolt of lightning struck. This one was actually only a few rooftops away. The two humans and their digimon looked at the point of impact in shock. Kunemon's glow was a bit brighter.
"That was a bit close.", Angewomon commented.
"Maybe we should get off this roof.", Rumiko said.
"We can't just leave the two of them up here.", Kari said, pointing at the struggling pair.
With a roar, Asuramon forced Waruseadramon away from him. "I will have the child of light!", he bellowed.
"Your kind won't touch her!", hissed Waruseadramon.
"Warudeadramon seems to be trying to protect you from Asuramon.", Angewomon said.
"I still don't get the feeling that he's one of the good guys.", Kunemon replied.
"I'll try to break them up. Maybe then, we can get some answers." Angewomon stepped forward.
"Poison Wave!" A blast of purple energy fired from Waruseadramon's mouth. It struck Asuramon dead on but he walked through it.
"Hand of Asura!" Asuramon's attack smashed into Waruseadramon's head, throwing him back. Stunned, the serpent digimon was unable retaliate. With a vicious cry, Asuramon leapt forward and punched his opponent with a pair of arms. Waruseadramon dropped and didn't get up.
Without a word, Asuramon stomped across the rooftop towards Kari and the others. Angewomon stepped forward defensively. "Celestial Arrow!" A glowing white arrow fired from her hands and struck Asuramon in the chest. He grunted in pain but kept coming.
"Stop!", Angewomon commanded.
"No.", he growled in reply.
"Celestial Arrow!" Asuramon leapt over her attack and landed right in front of her. Before she could defend herself, he smashed a fist across her chin and she dropped. He stepped over her and continued towards Kari who backed up towards the edge of the roof. Rumiko and Kunemon backed up with her.
"We have to do something!", Rumiko cried.
"I won't give up. But I'm not strong enough to fight him.", Kunemon said desperately. "But maybe you are Rumiko."
"What do you mean?", Rumiko asked. Kunemon looked at her.
"It's never been tested. But it may be our last chance." Rumiko looked at her with confusion..
"What?"
"Press the lower button on your digivice, and get ready." Asuramon was only a few feet away. Rumiko took a deep breath and did as Kunemon had said.
D-SPHERE ONLINE.
POWER MERGE.
Kunemon gasped and a bolt of light shot from her body into Rumiko's. Rumiko cried out. For a moment her body glowed and then arcs of electricity began to crackle around her body.
"What happened to her?", Kari gasped. Kunemon lay limply on the ground.
"It worked.", she said weakly.
"What is this?", Asuramon asked.
Rumiko's entire body was crackling with electricity. "This is incredible! I've never felt anything like this." Asuramon hesitated a moment more and then continued to move towards Kari. Rumiko looked up and the electric discharges around her body intensified. "Leave her alone!"
A bolt of electricity fired from her hands and struck Asuramon. The attack was enough to stagger him for a moment.
"How?", he gasped.
"I don't know.", Rumiko answered. "But I won't look a gift horse in the mouth."
Another, more powerful bolt fired from Rumiko's hands and this time Asuramon took several steps back in spite of himself. But this time, Rumiko found herself incredibly weakened. She almost collapsed, but kept her footing. Asuramon held the scorched mark on his chest where Rumiko's attack had hit.
"You won't stop me.", he growled. He came forward again and Rumiko raised her hands a third time. But the strain was to much and this time she did collapse before she could attack again. Her body glowed and a bolt of light released from her back into Kunemon, who seemed instantly invigorated.
"You defenders have fallen Child of Light. Do not make this more difficult on yourself."
Kunemon looked between Rumiko and Kari. "There has to be something else I can do.", she whispered. Nearby, another bolt of lightning struck. This time, Kunemon noticed that her strength seemed to grow slightly. "What?" Another bolt and this time she definitely felt stronger. "Rumiko is my partner. But, I was sent here, joined with Rumiko, so I could help her protect Kari. I can't fail. I won't fail. I have to be stronger."
Asuramon reached Kari and grabbed her roughly by the arm. "We're going.", he growled.
Rumiko blinked and slowly sat up. Kari was struggling in Asuramon's grip and nearby, Kunemon had a strange look on her face. Her body was glowing with an unusual yellow light. "What happened?", she groaned. Her whole body felt strange. Everything felt like pins and needles, as if her whole body had fallen asleep. And she felt something else. A kind of deep longing within her. A need to be more than she was. With a gasp she realized that the feeling wasn't hers. She didn't know how she knew, but it was coming from Kunemon. "I have to help Kari." The though flashed through Rumiko's mind. And although it was the same thing she was thinking, this thought was Kunemon's. "You can do it.", Rumiko thought. Kunemon looked at her and smiled. Rumiko knew she understood. And then, they both felt a very new sensation. It was as if their entire beings knew that something big was about to happen and they were bracing themselves for it.
The sky above split open and a jagged bolt of lightning struck down. It tore down through the sky straight towards the rood they stood on. Rumiko cried out. Asuramon looked up in confusion. Kari gasped and shielded her eyes. Kunemon's eyes went wide ad she braced her multiple feet. The bolt hit Kunemon and her limbs shot straight out and her antenna stood straight up. The glow around her body intensified as her small form absorbed the massive power coursing through it. In her hands, Rumiko's digivice flared to life.
D-SPHERE ONLINE.
ELEMENTAL FUSION.
INITIATING DIGIVOLUTION.
"Elemental Fusion! Kunemon digivolve to...!" Her segmented body stood straight up. Her small legs grew long and thin. Each was tipped with a needle-like claw. Her mouth disappeared. Her head grew longer and thinner. Her antenna lengthened and became jagged like lightning bolts. Her eye markings grew larger but retained their distinctive shape. On her back, six protrusions resembling lightning bolts stuck straight back. She stood upright and balanced on her lightning shaped stinger. "Dynamon!"
Rumiko looked in amazement at her partner's new form. "Kunemon, how did you do that?"
"I'm not sure. Somehow, I absorbed the power from that lightning bolt and used it to digivolve. You can call me Dynamon now."
ANALYZER ACTIVE.
DYNAMON.
LEVEL: CHAMPION.
ATTACK: LIGHTNING STORM.
NOTES: SPIKES ON BACK ACT AS LIGHTNING RODS. POWER IS GATHERED AND RELEASED THROUGH POWERFUL ELECTRIC ATTACKS.
ANALYZER DEACTIVATE.
Asuramon gazed at Dynamon intently. Kari continued to struggle in his arm but he ignored her for the moment. "Fascinating. But you will not stop me." Distracted, Asuramon failed to notice that Waruseadramon had woken up and was sneaking behind him.
"Poison Wave!" Asuramon buckled under the unexpected attack and released Kari. She sprinted across the roof to stand beside Rumiko. Dynamon stood in front of them.
"I will not fail." Asuramon got painfully to his feet and took a step towards Kari and Rumiko.
"That's as far as you go! Lightning Storm!" Electricity crackled along Dynamon's spikes and a flurry of electric blasts flew from her arms. The lightning struck Asuramon and he screamed in pain. Asuramon dropped to his knees.
"Poison Wave!" Another attack from Waruseadramon struck Asuramon and he collapsed. Waruseadramon and Dynamon watched cautiously. Asuramon drew a breath painfully.
"I have failed. May all existence forgive me." Asuramon's body flickered and then disintegrated. Rumiko and Kari seemed relieved but they still watched Waruseadramon warily. The serpent digimon stared at them for a moment, then turned and disappeared over the side of the building.
Gliding on her stinger, Dynamon followed to the edge of the roof and looked over. "He's gone.", she said.
Suddenly very tired, Kari sank to her knees. Rumiko knelt and put her arm around Kari's shoulders. "Are you okay?", she said softly.
Kari smiled weakly. "I'll be all right. What a way to start my birthday."
Rumiko grinned in response. "It can only go uphill from here."
Dynamon searched a moment longer, then returned to the two girls. Her body glowed faintly and then she returned to her Larvamon form. "So how did I do?", she asked.
Rumiko grabbed her digimon and hugged her. "I'm no expert, but I'd say you did great."
"We both did.", Larvamon replied.
Gatomon joined them, holding her head. Kari rushed to her digimon and hugged her. "Gatomon!"
Gatomon winced under Kari's tight embrace. "Oof. What did I miss."
"Not much.", Kari sighed.
"We'd better get back downstairs.", Rumiko said. "Your parents must be worried sick."
Kari winced at the thought. "I guess we both have a lot of explaining to do."
Rumiko shrugged. "Don't look at me. I'm totally new to all this."
Kari hugged her friend. "Don't worry. You'll have plenty of help."
"More than you realize.", Larvamon whispered to herself.
"Come on!", Gatomon finally said. I'm freezing. Let's get inside."
The two humans and digimon walked to the roof entrance t the building and let themselves in.
And somewhere, shrouded in darkness, something evil smiled. "Soon."
Whoa! What was all that about? Well it looks like a new digidestined with some cool new powers has joined the game. But what's up with Kari? And who were Asuramon and Waruseadramon working for? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters.