Episode 9

Snyper stepped into the room, not sure of what to expect. The door behind him closed and instantly a mist swirled around him. He couldn't even see the corners of the room. He walked forward, hands extended. Something came into his vision. The figure was small. A child, perhaps. He pointed one of his pistols at it. The face became one he knew too well. One that was etched in his memory. One that haunted him far too often. One that came into his sleep. It was one of the faces that no one would see in life again. Because of him. That child had died because of him. His knees weakened, and he fell. Suddenly, more figures came into view. All were children. All he knew by memory.

"Here he his children. The one man that could have saved you. But he chose not to." Snyper looked up to see Kimua standing over him.

"No. That's not what happened. You know that's not what happened."

"What did happen, Snyper? Why are these kids dead? Why did you not save this class, like you saved all the other ones?" Kimua asked mockingly.

"I saved as many as I could. When I went after Strake, I was promised backup. I was promised that Gerrard would send troops after those kids." Snyper shot back.

"You knew Strake had wired the whole school. You knew these kids were still stuck in that school. Yet you went after Strake. Did you want them to die? Was that it?"

"NO!!" Snyper screamed. "I wanted them to live! If I could have traded their lives for mine, I would have."

"But they did die. They did die, and no one was sent in after them. They were forgotten. Whose fault was it that no one was sent in?"

"It was Gerrard's fault. And I have never forgiven him for it."

"What if I told you that it wasn't Gerrard's fault. What if I told you that he wanted to send those troops in. What if I told you he wasn't allowed to send those troops in. What if I told you that the big wigs thought you could stop Strake before he blew up the school. What would you say to that? Whose fault would you say that was?" Kimua asked, leaning down to Snyper's ear.

Snyper's eyes widened as realization, responsibility, and guilt settled onto him. "It was my fault." He whispered almost inaudibly.

"What?" Kimua asked. "I don't believe they heard you."

"IT WAS MY FAULT!!!" Snyper screamed.

At those words, as if they were finally allowed, each child transformed. What they transformed into, I will not describe. They were demons, and that is what Snyper knew. He never talked to anyone else about them. Whenever asked about it, he would merely shake his head and say, "I will never talk about them, even in the daylight."

Snyper looked at each demon. Each one was different, but same in ways. He knew that they were not physical, for he knew no demon of this kind could have any flesh. But he knew they were not some feeling of dread, hanging over him. He could feel their evil. He could feel them beat him. These were neither physical, nor spiritual. And there was no way that these were any sort of digital creation. These, he knew, were in the real world also.

He flinched as the demons beat him again and again. There was no protection he could put up against these things. One of the demons threw him into a wall. He slumped down. His clothes were torn, and he was bloody and battered. Through the demons, he could see Kimua, standing and laughing. He looked toward the ceiling as the demons approached.

"If there is one God, please, help me now. I can't do it alone." For the first time in his life, the one and only Snyper, the invincible Snyper, admitted that he could not do it on his own. As soon as he said those words, it seemed as if the demons were blown away by some unseen blast. Only Kimua and Snyper were left in the room. The mist cleared away, as did the darkness. Snyper's head snapped up. "Kimua." He growled. Kimua looked at Snyper, then ran through the door behind him. Snyper launched himself up and followed.

Merlin walked cautiously through the door. What he walked into was not a room, but a cave. A fire in the middle of the room reflected red onto the rocks. He let his pistol lead his examination of his surroundings. A rock falling to the ground brought both his pistol and his eyes to the spot. TK looked around. A rock suddenly flew into his hand, knocking the pistol away. Instinctively, TK ducked. A kick flew over him. He fell into a crouch and lashed backwards with his foot. He heard and felt the thud as the man fell to the ground. Merlin looked up and caught a foot before it connected with his face. He jumped up and backwards, still holding the foot. The opponent in front of him fell to the ground. TK backed up, first looking behind him. He did a roundhouse kick to clear the two men behind him.

"Four to one. Not that bad." He muttered under his breath. The first one came at him again. TK charged as well. That made the man pause. He backed up and pulled out a knife. It looked like a standard army knife. Merlin smiled and pulled his own knife. Except this knife had a curved blade, with another blade coming out from the handle and going up around the grip, protecting his hand. He held the two-bladed knife aloft, beckoning the man to come. He came, along with one of his friends. TK ducked as the first man tried to cut his throat, and blocked the second man's attempt to stab him in the stomach. Merlin reached to his waist to grab a second knife. This was larger then the first, and heavier. As the man in front of him continued to push against TK's block, the man that had at first missed him, came around to try again. TK brought the second blade behind him to block the stab. Then he pushed both away with all his might. Merlin's thoughts were a jumble. I can't kill these men with knives. Guns and knives are two totally different things. You kill a man with a gun, he's just a target twenty yards away. But if you kill a man with a knife, you're close enough to smell him. Knives are too personal, too painful, one quick slash won't kill them. But, It doesn't have to. The last thought came as a surprise. Then he realized he didn't have to kill them, only incapacitate them. That, he could do. The two men were coming back at him. He picked one and ran towards that man at full speed. The man slowed slightly. TK brought up one his one-bladed knife, but the man blocked it. However, TK used his two-bladed knife and made a deep cut on the man's leg. The man grabbed his leg with one hand, dropped his knife, and grabbed the wall of the cave with his other hand. TK turned and blocked the blow from the second man, and used the fist wrapped around the one-bladed knife to deliver a blow from his fist to the man's face. The man spun around, hitting his head on the cave wall, and fell. Merlin turned to the wounded man. Without a second thought, he knocked the man out. He turned to the last two. One reached behind his back and brought a long, curved scimitar. The second brought out two wicked looking knives. TK looked at both of them, then threw one blade to the ground. The knife hit the grip of the gun, and sent it flying straight into the air. Takeru reached out, caught it, and fired twice. He turned, looking for the way to Kari. But something caught his eye. It was a screen, showing a map. On the map there were three red dots. On the side of the map, there was an explanation of the systems in the girls rooms. He didn't like what he was reading.

Matt walked into the room slowly. This room also looked as if it was a security room, much like the room he had just exited. Only this one was bigger. Much bigger. One wall was taken up with monitors, keyboards, and computers. On three separate monitors it showed the three girls. In front of the wall were several swivel chairs, spread at regular intervals. He had entered on one side of the room, but he could clearly see the door on the other side. Finding his destination wasn't so hard. Getting to it may be a challenge, though. He cautiously looked into the room. Well, there didn't seem to be any places someone could be hiding. He continued to walk slowly, only glancing at the monitors. He did a double-take, however, when he saw one of the images.

On it were his parents, arguing. The sound from the monitor grew to drown out other sounds. They're just trying to play mental games, he knew. But he kept hearing one reaccuring theme throughout their argument. Their son, Yamato Ishida. He shouldn't have done this, and that was his mom's fault. Then his mom countered with he shouldn't have done that, and that was his dad's fault. It all seemed to revolve around him.

But it wasn't his fault. It wasn't his fault that his parents were divorced. Was it? What had the prophecy said? The Hunter would face past sins and nightmares, or something like that. Did past sins mean causing his parents to get a divorce? How could that have been his fault? Yes, they did seem to argue about him a lot. But he wasn't the center of the divorce, was he? If he was, that would mean it was his fault that TK didn't get to enjoy a mom and dad as much as he should have. It was his fault that his parents weren't happy.

He kept his gun still as his mind came under a barrage. He kept all emotions from his physical body, not letting them influence them. But it was too late. He was thinking of TK, and how much danger TK had gone through, a lot because of Matt. What if he died? Could he take that? Could his parents take that? He didn't know. He shook himself out of the daze. How long had he wasted? He started to walk quicker, knowing the others probably had found the girls.

A shot rang out in the room. It hit the floor beside him and ricocheted off it, into the wall, and finally burying itself in one of the computers. Matt dove toward the monitors and brought his gun up. But instead of finding an enemy, he found his brother. Matt stood cautiously.

"What was that for?"

TK looked deathly pale. "I'm sorry Matt, but only one of the girls can be rescued."

"What do you mean TK?"

"If you turn off the electrical field on one of the doors, the two other rooms will be filled with poison gas. If you open the door to Sora's room, Kari will die. I can't let that happen Matt, I'm sorry. But to make sure of that, I have to make sure of you. I love her more then I love you Matt." TK managed to say, tears streaming down his face. Matt took a step backwards and dropped his gun. TK had never said he loved anyone more then Matt. I mean, they were brothers. Were they supposed to love anyone else more then each other?

"So you have to kill me?" Matt asked dispassionately.

TK shook his head. "No, but I do have to make sure that you don't get Sora before I get Kari. I would rather just knock you out."

Matt shook his head. "That wouldn't work. You don't know when I would wake up. You'll have to shoot me."

"I don't want to, Matt." TK pleaded.

"You'll have to." Matt replied as he walked over to one of the office chairs to steady himself. "I won't stop going after Sora unless I'm dead. What about Snyper?"

"I found a map. He had the longest to go. I'll get there before he gets to Mimi. I don't want to shoot him, or you. But I will to save Kari."

The last statement caused thoughts to cascade through Matt's mind. Hunter fell to his knees. Fighting his brother had always been one of his worst fears. He didn't mind dying that much. It was just that his brother was the one to do it. Also, when he died, Sora's death was also a certainty. Sora, dead? Matt would be dead too, but the last thought in his head as he died would be he failed Sora. Could he bear that?

"I won't fight you TK. There is no way that I could. You are my brother. Shoot if you must." Matt's hand was still on the arm of the chair, and Matt's head was turned sideways, toward the computer wall. TK raised his gun.

"I'm sorry Matt." TK told him. Matt nodded. He decided to look at Sora's image as he was killed. As he searched the monitors, his eyes fell on Kari. So she was the cause of this whole thing. As he watched, the door to the room opened and Matt's brother walked in. Hunter's eyes narrowed. He pushed the swivel chair just as the gunshot rang out. The back of the chair took the bullet instead of Matt. Hunter jumped for his gun.

They had used the scene with Matt's parents to geet him emotionally off guard. That had let him fall for this image of his brother. The false TK looked at him with surprise.

Matt pointed his gun at the enemy soldier. "You are a very good actor. But always make sure there is no chance that I will see the person you are imitating. Now put the gun down."

"How about not? And where did you see your brother?"

"The monitor. He's rescuing Kari right now."

"Well, you see this little gadget?" The ersatz TK asked, holding up something. "If I push the button, that will signal men that I am dead. Which, in turn, orders the men to kill the girls."

"You wouldn't do that." Matt confidently replied.

"Why not?" Fake TK asked, cocking his head.

"You need three of the Digi-Destined to resurrect something or other."

Fake TK laughed. "You seem to know a lot of things. But not everything. We just need to have the blood of some of you. And we have enough from all three of them."

"I don't believe you. The prophecy says you must have the lives of three. Not just the blood."

"What makes you think that is true? We don't follow any old prophecy. We follow what we say, not some prophecy written thousands of years ago. Now put the gun down or your lovely girl dies." Fake TK threatened. Matt let his grip go, but didn't drop the gun. The gun's barrel drifted down to the floor, pointing at a slight angle towards the wall. "I said drop it."

Hunter smiled confidently. "How about I drop you?" He pulled the trigger. The bullet ricocheted off the floor, off the wall, and imbedded itself into Fake TK's side. The boy dropped the button as he flew to the side, the direction the bullet was going.

Fake TK looked at Hunter and smiled. "Why didn't you just shoot me when you had your gun pointed at me?"

Hunter crouched down to him. "Just shooting you in the chest didn't mean you wouldn't have time to push that button. I was pretty sure if I shot you in the side, you would drop it. Was that just a bluff?"

Fake TK shook his head. "I wouldn't have come in here, if I thought I didn't have something that would stop you cold."

"I have one request before you leave. One soldier to another. Could you kill me before you go?"

Matt considered the request. It was a very reasonable request. Matt nodded once. He raised his weapon and fired. Hunter then turned and walked out of the room, to find Sora.

Snyper picked up Mimi in his arms. She looked pale, as if she had lost blood. She stirred slightly as they walked out of the room.

"S-Snyper? What, where are we?"

"We're in Venomon's castle. But we are leaving now."

"You came after me." Mimi said, her eyes glowing.

"Mimi, I rescued a friend. There is another one that loves you. I do not." Snyper answered simply. She nodded and fell back into unconsciousness. Snyper shook his head as he walked down the hall.

He had let Kimua escape. He didn't know how the bastard had disappeared, but he had. Snyper was sure that Kimua was right in front of him. But when he entered the hallway, there was no sign of him in either direction. Snyper certainly couldn't go looking for him with Mimi to rescue. He just hoped he was going in the right direction now. He would find Merlin or Hunter soon enough.

Just as this thought passed through his mind, a gunshot sounded. He raced forward, careful not to drop Mimi. He reached a door, in front of which a guard was lying. The door opened and Merlin walked out, carrying Kari.

"Very good Merlin. Let's find Hunter." Snyper ordered as they continued to walk forward.

"Have any trouble?" TK asked Snyper, looking at his torn clothes.

"It was easy getting here. You?" Snyper asked, looking at Merlin's bruises.

"Nah. I almost think it was too easy."

"That's because you talk too much." Hunter said as walked out of a door.

"Haven't found Sora yet?"

"Yes, I have. Now hold the door open." Hunter ordered as he lifted Sora. Snyper used Mimi's feet to let Matt and Sora out.

Merlin looked at both of the men. "Gentlemen, shall we leave this place? And in a hurry I might add. I found out that this place can explode at the touch of a button."

Snyper looked at Merlin. "Isn't that nice. Where do we go?"

"I found a map also. The quickest way is to go up to one of the towers. It has a long stairwell leading to the outside."

"If you say so Merlin. But, in my experience, the towers are always where the main badguys are." Hunter answered. All three young warriors looked at each other.

"Let's go." They told each other in unison.

Tai slid behind the cage, making sure none of the guards heard or saw him. The huge white wolf that had joined them was still back in the cave. Joe was trying to sneak around the guards and get behind them. Izzy was on the guards flank. Tai quickly looked for the lock to open the cage. Agumon opened his sleepy eyes.

"Tai? Is that you?"

"Shhhhhhh. Wake up the others. We're about to start fighting."

"I don't know Tai, we're all pretty tired. I don't know if we can beat them all."

"You don't have to. Now get the others up." Tai ordered as he kept searching for the lock. Agumon did as he was ordered. Finally, Tai found it. It was an electronic lock that need some kind of card to open. He glanced back at the cave to see if Iezer was ready. He could only see the outline of the white wolf, but it looked as if he was ready. Tai pulled a pistol and shot the card reader several times. The lock sparked several times before the door opened. The guards had of course turned and readied themselves to fire by this time. But Iezer, Joe, and Izzy had readied themselves by this time also. Gunfire erupted from behind and to the side of the guards as Iezer ran from the cave at full speed. With one jump, he cleared the cage and landed on the same side as Izzy. Tai doubted that either Izzy or Joe had shot to kill, but just to confuse. But now Iezer had joined the fight, and he knew that the wolf had no reservations about killing. Tai turned and rested his arms on the cage as he took aim with his pistol. He fired haphazardly into the guards, careful not to shoot in the direction Joe was lying. Soon, mostly because of Iezer, there was nothing left between them and the entrance to the castle. Joe came running over to the digimon.

"You guys feel strong enough to follow us into the castle?"

Gomamon nodded. "We're just not strong enough to fight, but we can certainly walk."

"Matt and TK may need our help. Let's go." Izzy said as he and Iezer headed off for the castle. Tai, Joe, and the Digimon quickly followed in suit.

It was hard carrying a girl and a gun, but they each managed. Every time they turned the corner, there seemed to be more guards. And more stairs. The castle hadn't looked that tall from the outside, but it was exhausting on the inside. They climbed another set of stairs after disposing of the guards on it. The stairs led to a large hall, with another pair of stairs on the other side. And someone was coming up those stairs. Simultaneously, the trio aimed their guns at the stairs. Tai threw himself to the floor and pointed his pistol when he saw them. But after realizing who it was, he got up.

"Did we tell you that you could come in?" Matt asked.

"I got tired waiting around for something to happen." Tai shrugged as the rest of his group came up.

"Glad to see you got the digimon." Snyper commented.

"Can't let you have all the heroics." Izzy answered.

"Yeah well, have Iezer take the girls." TK ordered.

"Right, we know the way out."

"Hold it. I saw a map, and a quicker way is through this door." TK informed them. They looked at each other and shrugged. Every one of them that had guns pointed them at the door as it slowly opened. TK walked through, followed by everyone else.

"Well Merlin, that's the last time we take one of your shortcuts." Snyper told him as he looked around the room. The doors swung shut behind them. The room looked as if it was entirely made of ice.

"Knew that was coming." Matt said as he shook his head.

"Welcome." Said a familiar voice.

"Oh man." Snyper said as he recognized it. Now would be a good time to improvise, he thought.