Ch.21 "SECRETS OF THE PYRAMIDS."
It was May 2001. The month of which anything was a possibility. The Saturday afternoon was hot and extremely windy. The Digidestines decided to demolish some pyramids while they had the spare time. They all figured that it'll be easier and more efficient to destroy the Emperor's dark pyramids by splitting up into two smaller teams. Izzy, Joe, T.K., Cody, Davis and Ken were on Team-A while Matt, Tai, Sora, Mimi, Kari and Yolei were on Team-B. Team-A headed towards the Silver Lake of the Emperor's Sector A-twenty-three. Team-B headed into the Dark Forest. They were both in the same sector and they expected to destroy both pyramids. What they didn't expect will present itself. When it does, it will be the beginning of their troubles.
* * *
The path into the Silver Lake had been treacherous. Branches of deciduous trees hung very low. They were so low that the Digidestines of Team-A had to bend down and walk. All except for Cody. When the deciduous trees disappeared behind them, there were stems of needles covering the ground. No grass or plant grew on the ground. The needles were spotted very quickly. On the other side, there was a stone bridge over a body of water that gave way into a mixed forest. They were flowering trees and trees that bore fruits and cones.
* * *
Team-B's journey into the Dark Forest was like a journey into darkness. The forest contained all sorts of trees that entangled their branches and leaves. They were tall and growing so closed together that sunlight was unable to penetrate into the forest.
"No wonder this is called the Dark Forest. It's so dark that I can't see where I'm going," Tai said as he led the way for the others. It was true, he couldn't see with the darkness that encircled him and his friends.
"Ah, I've found it. My flashlight," Mimi said as she took it out of her handbag. She switched it on and pointed it in front of Tai and Agumon.
"Great idea. Let me have it, Mimi," Tai said.
"Only if you ask nicely," Mimi suggested.
"Please. May I use it, Mimi?"
"Sure, Tai. If you asked that nicely."
* * *
Tentomon, Patamon, Wormmon and Veemon Digivolved into their flying forms. Tentomon and Patamon, already flying, Digivolved into Kabuterimon and Angemon. They carried Izzy, Joe with Gomamon, Cody with Armadillomon and themselves over to the other side. Stingmon carried Ken and Ex-veemon carried Davis over. They were now ready to cross the stone bridge.
* * *
"We've reached our destination," Tai said.
"The heart of the Dark Forest. But it's so bright now," Yolei complained.
"I don't think we'll need this anymore, Mimi. Thanks though," Agumon said as he handed the flashlight back to Mimi.
"That's because there aren't any trees here. Just a big open field in the forest," Matt commented.
Hawkmon flew higher to get a top view of their location. "Hey. The open field is shaded like a pentagon. And the dark pyramid is located in its centre."
"We can see that for ourselves. Fly back down, Hawkmon," Yolei instructed.
"Izamon. Izamon. Where are you? Izamon. You can come out now. I give up," a male voice called out as Hawkmon flew back down.
"There's someone else but us here," Gatomon said as she looked where the sound was coming from.
"And that someone else sounds like the Emperor," Gabumon added.
* * *
"Here it is, Silver Lake," Tentomon informed.
"But, where's the dark pyramid?" Ken asked.
"According to my D-3, it's underwater," T.K. answered.
"Underwater?" Patamon repeated.
"Yes," T.K. answered again.
"Digivolve, Gomamon," Joe said.
"Right! Gomamon digivolve to... Ikkakumon."
Suddenly the hidden pyramid floated up to the surface, creating big splashes. It revealed itself. The triangular sides of the pyramid slowly shrunk in height until the points of them aligned to create a small square opening at the top that was able to project an image bathed in white light. The image projected was an older version of Sam wearing the Emperor's outfit and glasses.
Sam, the image, asked, "You dare to continue with your insolent behaviour?"
"Yes and no. We're not rude. You are," Davis answered.
"Speak for yourself, Davis."
"You know my name?"
"I've got cameras everywhere. I'm bound to hear everything and see everything."
The four visible sides of the pyramid projected white light and sent out three Digimon slaves of the new emperor.
"Metalseadramon."
"Andromon."
"Metalgarurumon. At your service, my great Emperor."
I never considered this. How can that be possible? Metalgarurumon is a mega. Metalseadramon is also a mega. Some of the previous slave we fought were also megas. How can the Emperor's slaves digivolve to megas when our Digimon can't with the dark pyramids in place? Izzy pondered.
"Glad to hear that," the image replied arrogantly, "then go and blast them into oblivion for me."
"Consider that already done, my greatness," Andromon said.
"I'll leave all three of you to care of this then. If you accomplish my task, I may reward all of you very generously."
"Thanks, Boss," Metalseadramon, Andromon and Metalgarurumon replied with contentment.
The image faded away again. And as usual, the Emperor's guardians were left to protect his dark pyramids. However, this time, the pyramid sank back into the water where it originated from.
* * *
"You dare to trespass into my realm?" the mysterious figure said in fury.
"It's you again. You're the so-called emperor," Yolei reminded.
The mysterious boy had a half a mask on, covering around his eyes. His hair was long and pitch black while his eyes were navy-blue. His eyes reminded Kari of Von.
Could it be? Kari asked herself.
"So, we finally meet in person. Well, at least physically in person," Matt commented.
"Then prepare yourself for a bitter introduction," the mysterious boy replied. "Izamon! Reveal yourself!"
Instantly Izamon emerged from the trees and entered the open field where his master awaited him.
"I'm right here, Master."
"I think that's all the hide-and-seek we can play for today, Izamon. It's back to business now. So go get them! Digivolve!"
* * *
While Team-B's journey led them to the Emperor himself and trouble as well, Team-A was trying to free the guardians of the dark pyramid from the Emperor's control.
"Megakabuterimon!" Izzy's Digimon further digivolved. Ikkakumon digivolved to Zudomon and Angemon digivolved to Magnaangemon while Ankylomon, Ex-veemon and Stingmon remained the same.
"Zudomon, go and destroy the pyramid. We can handle these three!" Joe pointed out.
"Okay, Joe, if you say so," Ikkakumon replied and dove into the lake.
Megakabuterimon, Magnaangemon, Ankylomon, Ex-veemon and Stingmon were left to fight Metalseadramon, Andromon and Metalgarurumon.
* * *
"Pythonmon! Digivolve again!" the mysterious Emperor ordered. His Digimon digivolved to an even higher level right before the Digidestines' eyes. Pythonmon became Snakedramon, half snake and half dragon.
"Snakedramon?" Tai, Matt, Sora, Mimi, Kari and Yolei asked.
"Use Vicious Venom!"
"Watch out!" Tai shouted to their Digimon.
"Don't worry, Tai. We can handle him,"Metalgreymon answered.
"Vicious Venom!" Snakedramon, who was flying, attacked. His thick as syrup, but colourless venom touched Metalgreymon, who suddenly collapsed and di-digivolved to his in-training form, Koromon. Tai quickly rushed to his side and lift him up.
However, it didn't touch Weregarurumon, who reacted quickly to Snakedramon's attack. The flying Digimon were not affected. They flew out of the way before the venom could make contact with them.
"Koromon," Tai called out, "are you all right?"
"Tai. Tai. I'm not feeling so good. I think I'm going to take a nap now," Koromon answered and fainted.
"Koromon. All right, Koromon. Just don't stay asleep forever. I don't want to lose you again."
"But you will. In just one hour, your Koromon will cease to exist. And all those who come between me and my destiny shall suffer the similar fate, maybe not today, but in the near future," the Emperor warned and laughed loudly.
"You're bluffing, right?" Kari asked in disbelief that the new emperor would be this cruel to a Digimon.
"I'm quite satisfied to tell you that it's not a bluff. My Snakedramon's Vicious Venom will kill on contact in mere moments. This Koromon will die in less than an hour from now. And there's no way that you or your pitiful friends will be able to help him live through this hardship."
"We'll find a way! There's always a way through obstacles as long as you have friends to accompany you on the way. Unlike you, Emperor, we've got true friends for life," Yolei said.
"Only for life. Only death do us part? Well, let me tell you something, Yolei. The word friendship in my book will always sink because this ship will always have a hole in it. This translates that there is always a flaw in friendship. Friendship is not that mighty or that powerful. It can and will be defeated by jealousy and individuality. The bond all of you share will eventually be broken, and from that day on, each of you will be alone or at least apart from each other."
"That's not true. Friendship grows with time, and after the death of a friend, he or she will always be cherished and the bond will grow even more," Sora said.
"You've won. You can have it your way. Let Koromon die and we'll see how much all of you will cherish and remember him," the Emperor said as he climbed onto Snakedramon's back. And Snakedramon began to fly.
"This isn't over yet," Matt informed.
"Of course not. We still have to see if Koromon survives or not," the Emperor replied with an evil grin. "And if you don't wish for your other precious little Digimon to die, stay out of my way."
In mere seconds, Snakedramon vanished from the sky with the Emperor.
"Just fifty-five minutes now. We better contact the others and abort our mission for today. We've got Koromon to save," Tai said crying as he checked his digivice for the time.
"Don't worry, Tai. We'll find a way to cure him," Matt reassured as he patted Tai on his shoulder. "The Emperor knows that there is a cure, he's just not telling us. We'll find it, and when we do, we'll cure Koromon."
"I just sent messages on our situation to the others. They'll be on their way. We agreed on meeting back at the house," Mimi stated.
"Okay, let's go there then," Sora suggested.
* * *
"Gatling Missiles," Andromon shouted. The missiles were targeted at Megakabuterimon. However, his hard shell protected him from harm.
"Giga Missiles," Metalgaurumon shouted.
"How are our Digimon supposed to compete with two megas and one ultimate?" T.K. asked.
"Where's Metalseadramon?" Cody asked.
"He's not here anymore," Davis said.
"Do you suppose that he followed Zudomon into the water?" Joe asked.
"Then, he's in big trouble," Ken commented. "There's no way that Zudomon will be able to defeat Metalseadramon."
"Zudomon! Zudomon! Zudomon! Hurry up and destroy the pyramid!" Joe shouted.
"Giga Missiles," Andromon shouted again. This time, they were aimed at Magnaangemon while he was trying to fight Metalgarurumon.
"Look out!" T.K. yelled out to his partner. But it was too late when Magnaangemon turned his attention behind him. Magnaangemon was hit, and he de-digivolved into Angemon.
"Don't worry, T.K., I'm still okay!" Angemon shouted.
"Megakabuterimon! Stingmon! Ex-Veemon! Quickly, destroy the dark rings!" Izzy ordered.
"You too, Angemon, and Ankylomon!" Cody yelled out.
"Right!" their Digimon answered.
"Electro Shocker!" Megakabuterimon shouted as he aimed a jolt of lightning towards the dark ring around Andromon's neck. At the same time, Ex-Veemon launched his V-Laser and Angemon launched his Hand of Fate towards Metalgaurumon. The pyramid guardians were about to launch their attacks but the jolt of lightning, laser beam and energy rays destroyed the dark rings around them, making them both unconscious.
Underwater, Zudomon scanned around and spotted Metalseadramon behind him as he tried to find the pyramid. So far, Zudomon haven't sighted the dark pyramid. He decided that he should destroy the dark right around Metalseadramon's tail before he attacks him with his River of Power or Giga Ice Blast.
However, Metalseadramon launched his River of Power first and Zudomon was slightly in the way and so he was hit. Zudomon de-digivolved to Ikkakumon, but this was good. Ikkakumon aim his Harpoon Torpedoes at the dark ring. Instantly, the dark ring was shattered and Metalseadramon fainted. Ikkakumon quickly tried to push Metalseadramon out of the water.
"Ikkakumon?! You did it!" Joe shouted joyfully.
Ikkakumon returned to his-rookie form like the others. "Actually, Joe, I couldn't find the dark pyramid," Gomamon replied.
"That's all right, we can come back and destroy it. Now, we have to get back to the house and help the others with Koromon," Joe assured.
"Why? What happened to Koromon?"
"He's poisoned. We have about forty minutes to find the cure that could heal him."
"Is there a cure?"
"My Magna-Antidote might work," Patamon answered.
"Let's go then," Davis said urgently.
