A/N: well here is the next chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last, your reviews really helped build my confidence to continue this. Oh and just a reminder, there is no romance in this fic so if you think you are seeing hints of romance then you would be mistaken. However if you would like to think of relationships in this fic as romantic ones then please feel free to.
I should also apologize for this taking so long, but once you hear the reason I hope you will understand. I have been taking some medication that really puts me out. It makes me very drowsy so when I do try to type my mind is so numb that I can't think of anything or I get frustrated very easily. Sometimes I have to go back and delete everything I wrote because it makes no sense (I deleted and re-wrote over half of this chapter twice). So please bear with me, I will update as often as possible, just please keep giving me feed back so I know that the story is being read.
Disclaimer: Digimon is not mine, but once I conquer the world and lead everyone in a giant conga line, then maybe I can own Digimon and go back and add more season for the season one characters, but until then Digimon is not mine. (That sure is a long sentence.)
A radiant light shone from the small TV resting in a clearing of a large forest. The rays glistened brightly illuminating the entire clearing in flashes of bright color. The light began to intensify as a tall figure emerged from the small screen. As soon as the figure had completely emanated from the television, the light vanished leaving the figure in the shadows of early morning.
Matt looked at his surroundings carefully. He was in a forest that seemed to stretch out for miles upon miles. Each tall tree loomed over him creating a canopy of green leafs and dark wood. In the distance a great mountain range stood proudly, the massive figures of stone reached so high that they seemed to touch heaven. The sun had yet to rise over these grand peaks, and so the land was still blanketed in the darkness of night.
Slowly Matt began to walk into the forest. The ground was soft from the morning dew which accumulated on every blade of grass. A cool wind blew from the high mountains down to the shady wood. The cold air and lingering darkness cast a sense of ominous fear into Matt, but he tried not to focus on the feeling, instead he drew his attention to where he was walking. This forest was unknown to him, and it had no traces of life except for himself and the unusual plants that grew everywhere.
The stillness made little sense in Matt's mind considering that every part of the Digital World seemed to have some life, and a forest should be completely inhabited with a variety of Digimon. The only explanation he could come up with to the absents of life was that the nocturnal Digimon had already returned to their homes for rest, while the Digimon of the day had yet to rise from their beds.
'I wonder if Gabumon is anywhere near here?' Matt thought to himself. He long desperately to see his furry companion, he wanted to run with him, and to sit down and tell him all his problems just like he use to. No matter what he was feeling Gabumon always seemed to have an answer; it always seemed like he wanted to listen.
'He even understood the message behind my harmonica. No one not even TK truly understood why I played that instrument so often.' At these thoughts Matt reached in his pocket and pulled out a small metal item. The metallic instrument seemed to glimmer in his hand as if it were saying it had the answers to his pain.
Matt looked around the forest until he spotted a large tree. Sighing quietly he walked over to the tree and sat down leaning against the cool wood for support and relaxation.
After he was comfortable, he brought his precious harmonica to his lips and blew softly. At first the notes came out shaky, as though Matt were uncertain as to whether he should brake the silence with his feelings of pain and confusion; or simply let the silence and his feelings grow to the point that they could consume him and take him from his life of depression.
Soon the notes became steadier as they range out into the forest braking the silence in a beautiful melody of loneliness and sorrow. The sounds of Matt's soul filled the forest and brought an unusual peace to the land. He continued to play through the sunrise until the light of morning touched his pail face.
"A very lovely sound." An eerie yet enchanting voice spoke once Matt had completed his song.
Matt jumped up quickly and looked around searching for the source of the voice. "Who's there?" he questioned after he could not locate the person who had spoke.
"It's odd though, I always imagined Digidestined as joyous creatures, but your music gives off the impression that you are depressed." As these words were being said a Digimon floated down slowly from the tree that Matt had been leaning on.
"Ladydevimon." Matt spoke the name of the Digimon quietly as he watched her land softly on the ground in front of him.
"I'm sorry have we meet? If so I don't remember." She spoke casually as though they were simply conversing over a cup of tea.
Matt looked at her slightly confused. He had expected the fallen angel to attack him immediately, but the dark creature appeared to have no intention of harming him. "I guess we haven't meet, but I have meet others of your kind." He explained as he returned his harmonica to his pocket.
Ladydevimon looked at Matt closely, her scarlet eyes studied every movement the young man made. "If you have meet others like me then you would know how dangerous our kind is, yet you do not seem afraid at all." She spoke almost in wonder at the facts she had learned by watching him.
"Why should I be afraid?" Matt asked, almost mocking the maiden demon before him.
Ladydevimon seemed taken back by Matt's boldness, but she quickly contained her composure. "Simple boy, because of what I can do to you." She threaten trying to instill fear into the brave teen before her.
Matt looked at Ladydevimon emotionlessly, his crystal blue eyes narrowed as he answered. "The worst you can do is kill me, and I am not afraid to die." With that last remark Matt turned away from the shocked digimon and began to trek deeper into the forest.
Ladydevimon was frozen in complete shock. This boy was nothing like the Digidesitned had been described to her. He showed no emotion, except through his soulful music. He had no fear, at least not of her. Soon her fascination with this lone Digidesitned went beyond his beautiful music to who he was and what he was searching for.
She shook her head slightly to clear her mind and then began to chase after the boy who was now some distance ahead of her. Her long ghost white hair flowed softly behind her as she moved through the wind hovering above the forest floor.
"Child wait." She called once she was close enough.
Matt stopped for a moment allowing Ladydevimon to catch up with him. "What do you want?" he snapped in annoyance without turning around to face her.
Ladydevimon fluttered back slightly from Matt's anger, she couldn't understand why his words were hurting her so much, nor could she understand why she was so interested in him. "I was only curious, why are you in the Digi-World?" she asked uncertainly, afraid that if she spoke the wrong words she would receive another blow of anger.
"I'm looking for someone." This time Matt had regained his cold emotionless voice.
Ladydevimon smiled inwardly, as she floated over Matt's head and landed before his face. "Who are you looking for?" she asked softly in an attempted to keep on the boy's good side.
"A friend." As Matt spoke he lifted his head so that he could look the curious digimon in the eyes.
Ladydevimon raised an eyebrow in response to Matt's answer.
"I'm looking for my digimon partner, he's a Gabumon." He informed her, hoping the answer would settle her curiosity.
"Well I'm afraid you will not find any Gabumon around here. Very few digimon in this area remain in their rookie form, and I know for certain that there are no Gabumon near here."
Matt was uncertain on whether he should believe Ladydevimon or not. Fallen angel digimon haven't really proven to be the most trust worthy creatures in the past, but this particular Ladydevimon seemed different from the ones he had encountered in previous battles. "Well if there are no Gabumon around here then I guess I should go back home and try the Digi-Port again."
"It is strange that a gate from your world opened up to this land, no outsiders have ever come to the south. I do not understand how you were able to come here." She answered trying to solve the unusual puzzle of this Digidestined and his presence here.
"I guess I really don't' know how to use the Digi-Port, I'll just have Izzy open it for me next time." As Matt said this he began to walk in the direction of the TV he had enter the world in.
Ladydevimon floated quietly behind Matt, her thin form moved quietly as she passed under the shadows of the trees following her new obsession. Matt tried to ignore the enchanting demon, but her following him around was begging to irritate him. Still he decided not to voice his aggravation. Finally the two arrived at the clearing that Matt had stood at when he first entered the southern lands.
Matt looking around the open space surrounded by the darkened woodland. "Where is the TV?" Matt asked desperately, the small TV containing the power to send him home was no where in sight.
"What is the matter?" Ladydevimon asked the now frantic Matt.
Matt stopped his searched and looked at Ladydevimon accusingly. "You did something with it didn't you!"
The dark angel looked at him with a hurt expression that quickly turned into anger. "I don't know what you are talking about, I don't even know what a TV is!" she shouted at the strained blond. "All I tried to do was be kind to you and offer you my help, but you have been nothing but rude and ungrateful this entire time." After Ladydevimon had expressed her feelings she turned around and headed into the forest.
'There I go again snapping at people before I have the facts. I don't get any of this, why am I even in the Digi-World.' Matt tried to clear his mind, so many questions clouded his thoughts leaving him confused and lost. 'I should go after her and apologize.'
He took off running swiftly in the direction Ladydevimon had gone. His speed and agility surprised him as he moved effortlessly through the obstacles the forest produced. Finally after running a few miles, which took little time for him, he stopped and looked around. He was now at the edge of the forest; he could see the multitude of trees stretching out behind him while a flat grassy land was before him.
'How did I run this far and not even notice? And why aren't I tiered?' Matt thought to himself as the new mystery began to circle his mind. Finally he realized that he could find no answer to his unusual feelings of strength so instead he turned his attention to the task that had caused him to stop.
Matt looked around the edge of the forest, he wasn't certain how but for some reason he just knew that Ladydevimon was near. He could sense her power, sense her very soul. He didn't understand what was going on inside him; he closed his eyes allowing instinct to take over. Somehow his mind began to focus and he could feel everything around him.
He could feel the forest digimon that he had thought didn't existed. He could feel Ladydevimon watching him near by. He cold feel himself; cold, confused, and oddly at place in this strange area of the Digital World. Then suddenly all of this went black, all the digimon vanished and all he could feel was an unmistakable and familiar presence. The power from this being clogged all his other senses sending fear through his heart as he lost all knowledge of where he was. The power was growing stronger causing his whole body to be weakened; he could feel his legs sway beneath him and his breathing become labored. Darkness was all around him calling him forth to its blissful shadows.
"Boy are you all right?" a voice broke through the darkness calling him out of its luring depths.
Matt blinked as the darkness lifted leaving him in the world of light.
"What is the matter, you look like you've seen a ghost." The voice continued this time more earnestly.
As Matt's eyes began to focus he saw Ladydevimon standing closely by looking down at him with concern. The darkness had left Matt and with it went all of the confusion all of the fear. He now knew what he was seeking.
"I think I did see a ghost, or I felt one anyway." Matt answered softly as he focused on the feelings inside of him. "Ladydevimon, I'm sorry I accused you of removing the TV, and I'm sorry that I yelled at you." He didn't wait for a reply from the concerned digimon, after he had given his apology he turned around and began to walk away. His mind was set on finding the source of the power he had sensed, everything else lost meaning to him. He didn't care that he may never find a way home or that he might be attacked by some ravenous digimon with no way to defend himself; the only thing that concerned him was the dark power coming from some unknown origin.
Ladydevimon watched the now focused blond walk steadily away from the forest. She was now the one confused, as Matt seemed to have lost interest in everything around him. "Boy! Boy wait!" she shouted as she approached the Digidestined.
Matt seemed to be ignoring her as he continued his trek. Ladydevimon was about to speak to him again when he cut her off. "Listen my name is Matt not boy. So if you wish to speak with me then call me by my name or do not address me at all." He didn't say this as though he were angry or annoyed; his voice sounded even, polite but also commanding and firm. So much so that it took Ladydevimon by surprise.
"You sounded like someone I use to know." She spoke melancholy. When Matt didn't response to this Ladydevimon decided to ask what was bothering her. "Where are you going Matt?" she used his name in respect of his requested, and in exchange for her courtesy Matt decided to answer her.
"To be honest I'm not exactly certain, when I was looking for you I sensed a powerful darkness coming from the mountains, so I'm going to go find it." he answer still sounding distant as his mind focused on his task.
Ladydevimon decided to continue following Matt. He had proven to be an intriguing person and following him was a good brake from her everyday routine.
So the two traversed through the grassy plains which separated them from the rocky region. For a little over an hour they trek without rest or speech. When at last they arrived at the foot of the mountains Ladydevimon dared to brake the silence that had grown accustom amongst the two travelers.
"What is it that you think you will find up there?" she asked as she gazed upon the towering cliffs of stone.
"Again I don't know, hopefully the source of the darkness I felt. I really wish the others were here, they might already know something about this." Matt said sadly, the whole reason he came to the Digital World was to find Gabumon and spend quality time with his friends. But now he was in some strange land searching for a dark power with a Ladydevimon. The irony of the situation almost amused him, searching for a dark power with the help of a fallen angel digimon.
"I was wondering why you didn't come with your comrades. I thought that you all stayed together like a wolf pack." Ladydevimon spoke casually as she watched Matt stumble through the rocky terrain.
Matt considered what Ladydevimon had just said. It was true that they were a team, and when it came down to it they stuck together but for some reason he always ended up away from them. "I guess you could call me the lone wolf, I'm there for them whenever they need me, but I have my own ideas, and my own destiny. I know that I couldn't follow them all the time. My path leads in a different direction, but no matter what happens I will always stir away from my road to help them on theirs." For once Matt spoke confidently about taking his own path even if it meant leaving the others.
'TK doesn't need me anymore, he has grown up so much that he is the one looking out for the others. I wanted to lie to myself, I wanted to believe that they still need me on their journeys but it's not true. Tai has also grown, he doesn't rush into things anymore and he has the group's safety in mind on every mission. They can handle their paths. Now it's time that I take the first steps down mine.' Matt thought to himself as he continued to climb the mountain.
The mountain actually wasn't that difficult to climb. It only had a few steep parts, and the rest was just a steady uphill climb. Soon Matt was walking on a level area overshadowed by two cliffs. There were no plants or river, just a large stone step placed between to towering walls of rock that reached the clouds.
"The power is near, very near." Matt stated as he walked cautiously into the shadows.
"I sense it too, it feels like" Ladydevimon stopped short as the shock of her own revelation came upon her.
"It feels like what?" Matt asked urgently, as fear began to grow inside him.
"Piedmon." She spoke in awe at the power coming from the shadowed area between the cliffs.
"Piedmon?" on instinct Matt reach for his digivice, but stopped short as he remembered that Gabumon was not with him.
"Yes it is my Lord Piedmon, but his powers are very faint." Ladydevimon stated as she headed into the shadows. "How is it that you were able to sense them from so far away, when I can barley feel his power now?"
"You have to be mistaken, that can't be Piedmon's power we're sensing. He was destroyed, so it has to be something else." Matt argued. He was certain it couldn't be Piedmon. The clown digimon was dead, but still the thought and fear grew in Matt, as he could find no other being that matched this darkness.
"Why dear Child of Friendship are you always so certain of everything." An amused voice chided from within the shadows.
Matt stepped back in fear as a figure emerged from the darkness. The Emperor of the dark digimon looked exactly the same as the day he battle the Digidestined. A twisted smile bored on his lips and two razor sharp swords were fastened securely to his back.
"Lord Piedmon!" Ladydevimon's stunned voice broke through Matt's shocked state. He turned to look at the demon only to see her fall to one knee in reverence to her Lord.
'Well there goes any help I hoped to receive.' Now Matt truly wished the others were with him, or at least Gabumon. 'My sleepless night weren't that bad, was gaining peace of mind really worth an encounter with the worst enemy we every faced?' Matt continued to lecture himself on how foolish he was until Piedmon's voice brought him back to his current situation.
"Do not bow before me Maiden of Darkness, after all how could I be your Lord when I am dead." The mega digimon mocked as he turned to face the lone Digidestined.
Matt was afraid really afraid, but he had learned a long time ago to never let your opponent see your fear. So he put on his best poker face as he tried to stare down his opponent, as he was doing this he began to go over opposition for escape. At first he thought that he could try to run away, but he ruled that out as he remembered how well Piedmon could throw his swords.
"Poor Yamato, no friends here to help him, he's all alone just like the last time darkness came to claim him. Of course this time you don't even have your little puppy dog to help you, how sad." Piedmon smiled as he approached the panicked teen. "Now I can finally finish the job I began four years ago." As Piedmon stated this he reached for one of his swords and sent it flying towards Matt.
Matt screamed in horror as the blade came at him with startling speed. He closed his eyes waiting for the blade to pierce his body and send him into eternal rest, when suddenly the sound of swift movement cause him to look at the seen once more. He opened his eye just in time to see a shadow fly between him and the approaching sword. The shadow took the full force of the attack getting knocked to the ground in a bloody heap.
"Ladydevimon!" Matt shouted as he ran to the fallen digimon. "Ladydevimon, why did you do that?" his voice was frantic but shattered. This creature of darkness just saved his life for the Lord she was suppose to serve.
"I don't really know. I guess I didn't want your music to vanish from this world, at least not until all have heard it." she choked out through labored breath.
Tears began to flow from Matt's eye, mingling with Ladydevimon's blood which had splattered upon his face and clothes when Piedmon's attack pierced her skin. "You are a true friend Ladydevimon." Matt sobbed as he took the demon digimon's hand in his own.
"Oh, how touching I might just cry." Piedmon derided as he hovered closely by.
Anger consumed Matt as he looked upon the malefic digimon. "How could you not care that one of your own servants is dying." He shouted in rage.
Piedmon laughed at this before replying. "I gave her a chance to choose her loyalties and I now know where she stands." He explained with a wicked smile.
Matt released Ladydevimon's now trembling hand and stood to face the jeering clown. "Help her!" he demanded as he glared at Piedmon.
"Why dear Yamato you seem upset." He mocked Matt's pain, and reveled in the sight of the boy in distress. "I am afraid I can not do anything for her, but you can." He stated with a deceitful smile.
"What do you mean?" Matt asked quietly as tears began to flow once more.
Piedmon's smile widened as deception shone in his eyes. "If you can defeat me then Ladydevimon will be healed."
Matt's eyes widened in shock, but then narrowed again as he saw what Piedmon was doing. "How could I possible contend with a mega level digimon?" he was now enraged with Piedmon and his games.
"I don't know Yamato, that is something you will have to figure out if you want to save your friend there." Piedmon replied coolly.
Matt looked back at the injured digimon. Crimson flowed from her wound and formed a puddle of red liquid beneath her. Her chest rose and fell in uneven breaths. Her whole body was going limp from the loss of blood. "How do I know she will be healed?" he asked as his gaze left the dying creature and returned to the baneful digimon.
"I suppose you will never know if you do not fight me and win." The challenger responded.
Matt thought carefully, going over the situation many times and every time his mind formed only one answer. "I will fight you." He replied quietly as he turned to look at Ladydevimon once more.
"Good." Piedmon answered as he floated down and stood ready to fight the boy.
Matt looked at Piedmon again then he turned his eyes to the ground as another problem entered his mind. His opponent had weapon and powers, and the only thing he had was a few martial arts lessons which he had quit a long time ago. "I don't have a weapon, so how am I going to fight you?" he asked feeling slightly embarrassed by his own weakness.
A twisted smile formed on the clown's lips once again as he raised his hand and pointed behind Matt. Matt quickly turned around to see what Piedmon was indicating at when he saw Ladydevimon with the sword Piedmon had used earlier cleaved into her side.
Matt turned back to Piedmon; his eyes pleading mercy for the fallen digimon. "If I pull that sword out, her bleeding is going to get worse, she could die within minutes." He argued hopelessly trying to convince Piedmon to offer him another solution.
"Well then you had best beat me quickly." The demented clown jeered with a trace of glee in his haunting voice.
Matt griped his fist at his side so tightly that his knuckles began to turn white. He turned away from the amused clown and walked slowly to where Ladydevimon rested, and bent down to look her in the eyes.
As Matt took her hand she opened her eyes. The scarlet orbs flashed with mixed emotions, anger, fear, pain, and peace all of these shone in one powerful gaze. "You don't have to do this." her breathing became even more labored as she spoke. "You can run, get away from this monster now." she spoke, urging the teen to run before he suffered the same fate as her.
"I can't leave you here like this, I am responsible for you." He said sounding sure of his decision. "And I have to beat him once and for all." His eyes held confidence, and compassion giving strength to the fallen angel.
Ladydevimon nodded her head with effort, showing her support and approval. With that Matt laid his hand upon the hilt of Piedmon's sword and signaled what he was about to do. Ladydevimon's grip upon Matt's hand turned to iron; her teeth grinned together as she suppressed a yell of pain. Soon the sword was completely removed from her side. More blood began to flow from her wound, as the blade was no longer there to clog the injury.
"Get a hit in there for me." Ladydevimon said as she began to relax once more.
Matt smiled down at her while he griped the sword in his right hand. "I will." He replied softly as he let go of her hand and stood to begin his battle with the once Leader of the Dark Masters.
Piedmon smiled maliciously as Matt approached him with a stern face. "Well its about time, I was afraid I would die of old age before you got here." He laughed and then returned to his fighting stance.
Everything left Matt; his thoughts were completely focused on one thing Piedmon. The fear that he may never see TK or Gabumon again, the fact that he didn't know how to use a sword, even Ladydevimon his new found and now dying friend left him completely. The only thing that matter in Matt's mind was destroying this macabre clown before him.
Matt gripped the hilt of the sword tightly in his hands. Ladydevimon's blood ran down the steel blade making small rivers of crimson that fell in tiny droplets onto the cool stone ground. He took a deep breath summoning all of his strength and courage before charging at his opponent. He ran at full speed, the blade of the sword tilted out ready to be embedded in the mocking clown.
Piedmon watched the charging boy with an amused smile, as Matt drew closer he simply floated into the air avoiding the teen's attack completely.
Matt looked up at the elevated clown just in time to see him prepare an attack. With a startling 'Clown Trick' a ball of energy came flying towards Matt at incredible speed. He tried to jump out of the way, but it was too late the attack hit him with full force, knocking the sword out of his hands and sending him flying. He landed a few feet away with a loud thump on the rocky ground.
Piedmon watched as the dust settled and revealed a crumbled bloody teen. Scrapes and bruises covered Matt's body, some from the blast and some from landing on the sharp rocks of the mountain. Matt moaned in pain as he breathed in quick tiered breaths. Dust gathered on his sweat and blood covered skin. His whole body was in pain as he was certain that every bone in his body must be broken. He forced himself to open his eyes and watch the blow of death that he was sure was coming.
Piedmon walked slowly towards the fallen boy, his eyes sparkled with glee and his sadistic smile broadened with the pleasure of seeing one of the Digidestined in pain. "I was hoping for more of a challenge, but what else can I expect from someone as weak as you."
Piedmon's words hurt more then the immense pain that racked his body. 'I am weak, maybe Piedmon is doing the world a favor for getting rid of me. The world doesn't need me; the others don't need me. Not even TK needs me, not anymore, and he hasn't needed me for a long time.' Tears began to form in Matt's eyes at the thought of his little brother.
Piedmon saw the defeat in Matt so he decided to continue with his mocking. "Oh don't worry Yamato I'm sure you won't be missed." He laughed speaking the thoughts that were going through Matt's mind. "Perhaps your brother is a better fighter then you, I will have to find out once I'm through with you."
That brought Matt back. The thought of Piedmon attacking his brother made everything else seem meaningless. Suddenly all the pain and defeat left Matt, he had a new mission protecting his little brother from the evil looming over him.
Piedmon griped his sword and held it over Matt's chest. He had lost interest with jeering at the boy, and was now preparing to finish the task of destroying him. Matt snapped back to life just as Piedmon was about to bring his sword down upon his chest. In a swift movement Matt rolled out from under the attack then he quick swung his leg kicking Piedmon in the knees and knocking him to the ground.
While Piedmon was distracted by the unexpected blow Matt jumped up and quickly scanned over the battle filed for his sword. To his relief he spotted the blade covered in dust and dried blood a few feet away. As he went to retrieve his sword he felt a shocking pain irrupt from his right leg. He looked over his shoulder to see Piedmon standing right behind him. The clown had sent energy into Matt's lower thigh in an attempt to prevent the blond from reaching his weapon.
Piedmon forced Matt to turn around; he then grabbed the weakened boy by the neck and lifted him into the air. Matt choked and struggled as he fought for air and freedom. Piedmon only smile at Matt's attempts to free himself.
"You have a fighting spirit Child of Friendship, but it is over. You are defeated and soon your friends will be too." The clown's voice sounded cold and cruel as he amused himself with Matt's suffering.
'I can't let him win. He'll go after the others if I don't stop him.' Matt thought to himself as images of his friends being tortured and destroyed passed through his mind. "I'm going to stop you Piedmon even if I get destroyed too. There is no way I'm going to let you lay a hand on my friends!" as Matt shouted his threat a bright light began to surround him.
Piedmon dropped the glowing boy and shrunk back in fear and confusion. The Crest of Friendship appeared on Matt's chest shining like the determination in his blue eyes. The light from his crest completely engulfed Matt, radiating off his body like a shield created from his desire to protect his friends.
"I don't understand, how could this happen!" Piedmon shirked in response to the power coming from his now standing opponent.
Matt smiled, wisdom from a child who had suffered and triumph shone in his eyes. "Friendship is greater then Darkness." Matt's voice sounded distant and out of place amongst the blood covered battlefield. "Darkness can only destroy, while Friendship can destroy and create." With that Matt held his right hand out to the side. The crest of friendship appeared upon his hand just as it had upon his chest. The blue symbol, which was Matt's identity, shone brightly upon his hand, the light grew and began to stretch out and form the shape of sword. Then the crest vanished from his hand and the light turned into a solid weapon of steel.
The blade of the sword was long and shone like freshly polished silver. The hilt of the sword was a dark sliver with the Crest of Friendship carved proudly on both sides.
Matt smile at the sight of the blade, not seeming surprised to see the glittering sword at all. He griped the sword with both hands, feeling far more comfortable with this weapon then with the one Piedmon had given him. He swished the sword gracefully then charged at Piedmon just as he had done before, only this time his speed had increased so much that Piedmon barley had time to reach for his own sword.
In a shattering clang the two blades hit. Matt's grip upon his sword tightened as he pulled back and then came around again for another attack. Piedmon quickly brought his sword up to block the attack, Matt's strength pushing him back slightly as he strained to keep hold of his own weapon.
This time it was Piedmon that came in for an attack. He brought his sword around and thrust it into Matt's left arm. Matt backed away from the shocked clown and looked at his new wound. He gently took his right hand and touched the damaged flesh. Blood had already begun to flow down his left arm, and sink through his clothes.
A small smile tugged at Matt's lips as he lifted his hand and started at the blood on his finger tips, his blood. He then looked at Piedmon his eyes were cold, but they still held that unearthly wisdom that had startled his opponent in the first place.
As Piedmon was hypnotized by the teens overwhelming gaze, Matt used the opportunity to attack. He brought his sword up and sliced Piedmon's painted check. Immediately blood began to drip from the torn flesh.
This action brought rage back into the evil clown. He took his sword and swung with amazing strength at Matt. Matt quickly brought his sword up to block, and the battle began once again. The sound of steel upon steel could be heard, echoing out unto the land below. Piedmon and Matt battled hard, each with incredible speed and strength. Neither was able to brake the other's defenses and the sprawl seemed like it would last forever.
Matt was enjoying the battle. The thrill of combat stirred all of his senses and made him feel powerful, unstoppable. Fatigue left him, fear vanished, he was a warrior. As he continued to fight, drawing out the battle and basking in the glory of the fight something in his mind kept calling him back. 'Ladydevimon' the name of his savior brought him to his senses. Ladydevimon would bleed to death if he didn't defeat Piedmon.
With new focused Matt charged at Piedmon one last time, thrusting his sword with full force at the clown's exposed chest. Piedmon's shriek shattered the unusual silence of the fight, and signaled the end of the battle.
Matt yanked his sword out of the clown's chest causing Piedmon to fall to his knees in pain. Once Matt had backed away the defeated clown looked up at the victor.
"Congratulations Yamato you defeated me." The clown laughed as light began to shine from his weakened body, illuminating the entire mountainside in a bright flash.
Once the light had lifted Matt found that his crest no longer shone on his chest and Piedmon no longer kneeled on the ground defeated. He looked around for the clown in confusion. Finally his eyes fell upon Piedmon. He was floating in the air with a small smirk on his face and no signs of injury on his body.
"Oh great." Matt said sarcastically as he was certain that the clown was going to attack once more.
Piedmon floated back down to the weakened blond and smiled. His eyes held no evil intention only respect for the human who defeated him. "Relax Yamato the fight is over and you won. I had to be certain I chose correctly and now there is no doubt in my mind." Piedmon no longer sounded like an insane carnival clown, but instead his voice seemed wise and passionate.
Matt stared at the clown, confusion written all over his face. 'Either I'm going insane or he finally went completely over the deep end.'
Piedmon smiled understandingly. "Let me explain, and please do not interrupt until I am done." He spoke kindly to the boy.
"Okay" Matt said simply as he finally lowered his sword, and stood at ease.
"You Yamato have been selected out of the many candidates to be the Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers." He explained, but his statement only seemed to cause more confusion for the blond. "I'm afraid I can't give you much more information then this. You are unique Yamato, and I am not the only one who has noticed this, the Supreme Being of the Digital World known as the Digi-Core has also seen your power and felt your soul. He was the being which created me and all of my kind. He selected me to be the leader of the south the land that you are in now, and now he wishes to test you to see if you are worthy of taking my place."
Matt didn't know what confusion was until this moment, because now he truly was lost. "How could I take your place, I'm not evil." He asked one of the many questions going through his mind.
"Well like I said I can't really tell you much more. However you should know that you can not run away from this, the strange feelings you've been having, the knowledge of things you have never seen, all of this is a part of who you are." Piedmon tried to convince Matt of the truth, he knew there wasn't much time and that the boy was in danger, but he wasn't certain of how to get the teen to believe him. "Yamato tell me, who are the Nightmare Soldiers and what is their purpose?"
Matt rolled his eyes at the question, but he still spoke the first answer that came to mind. "The Nightmare Soldier are a race of warriors created by the Digi-Core, to live as noble creatures in service of the Digi-Core and the command of their Lord." As he said this he realized that the history of the Digi World and more importantly the history of the Nightmare Soldiers was in his mind as though he had studied it his whole life.
Matt looked back at the clown. "How did I know that?" he demanded.
"I don't have all the answers, and my time is running out. So I leave you with these last tips. Do not be afraid of the knowledge you posses, and do not be afraid when the Digi-Core summons you back for your final test. He will call you, how I do not know, but he will contact you and give you the next step on you journey. If you pass the next test then you will receive answers to all your questions. The last thing is do not speak a word of this to anyone not even to your Digidestined friends. The only one you may tell is your own digimon partner. There are many enemies of the Nightmare Soldiers, some good and some evil so you can't trust anyone." Piedmon's body began to fade as he spoke these words.
"Wait you said you would heal Ladydevimon if I beat you!" Matt shouted to the retreating digimon.
"You must heal her yourself, now that you are aware of your power use it. Good luck in the future Yamato." With those last words the clown digimon vanished from the mountain.
Matt stared in awe as his brain tried to process everything that had just happened. When his mind could handle no more riddles haunting them he turned his attention to the demon digimon lying on the stone ground near by.
He ran to her and kneeled at her side. The dark digimon seemed to have lost conciseness, and was fading fast. 'How am I suppose to help her.' Matt thought desperately to himself. Panic returned to him as he looked back to the dying digimon, he was just about to give up when Piedmon's word returned to him. 'Now that you are aware of you power use it.' he thought to himself, taking a deep breath he cleared his mind and allowed instinct to take over.
Giving in to what his mind ordered him to do he laid his hand one on top of the other upon Ladydevimon's wound. Closing his eyes he focused on the power within him allowing it to take control and seep out of him into the fading life of Ladydevimon. Suddenly the Crest of Friendship appeared upon his hands once more, the winged circle shone lightly, the blue light passed form Matt's hands to Ladydevimon's side.
Once Matt felt his power completely leave him he opened his eyes. To his delight a pare of scarlet eyes greeted him back to the world of sight. Matt lifted his hand from Ladydevimon side and put his right one on the hilt of his sword. In a flash of light the sword vanished and Yamato was completely drained.
Ladydevimon sat up and stared in awe at the exhausted blond before her. "I heard the conversation you and Piedmon had." She said simply as she continued to stare at Matt.
Matt stood up slowly, his legs shook underneath him, pain and exhaustion overtook his entire body. "I have to get home." He said quietly as he turned away from the now standing demon.
"What? You mean after what just happened you're just going to go home and act like it's a normal day." Ladydevimon looked at Matt closely. His eye seemed distant and his skin had grown pail, the loss of energy from the battle and healing the fallen angel had left him weak and unresponsive.
"Piedmon said I would know what to do and I know that I am suppose to go home until the next test. Don't worry I'll be back and I'll come and find you when I arrive." He said simply as he began to walk away again.
Ladydevimon watched the blond closely; it was like he was under some kind of a trance. He seemed like a zombie simply following his own instincts. "Matt how do you plain to get home without your TV thing?" Ladydevimon asked, she had decided to ignore his unfocused behavior. If he truly was her new Lord then whatever he wished had to be done, and now the only thing he wished was to go home.
Matt looked back at her, this time his eyes held a small spark of life as he pointed in front of him. To Ladydevimon's surprise she found a small box like machine with strange poles on top. "I'm tiered Ladydevimon, and I want to go home. My brother and friends are there, and that is where I need to wait for the next test. When I come back I'll explain." With that said Matt approached the small TV and held his Digivice to the screen. With a quiet "Digi-Port open", a bright light shone out from the screen, pulling the injured blond into the gate.
When the light vanished Ladydevimon was left standing alone and confused on the mountain where one of the greatest battles of all time took place. Years into the future Digimon of all types would journey to see the place where Piedmon leader of the Dark Masters and Yamato Ishida Digidestined of Friendship's noble battle took place.
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Well what do you think? I hope the fight scene wasn't too horrible, I'm not very good with those so please tell me what you thought of it. Also sorry if it's getting confusing, but don't worry I will explain everything in up coming chapters. Well please review and tell me what you think and let me know there are people out there still reading. Thank you and goodnight.