Digimon is the property of TOEI Animation, and Akiyoshi Hongo, we are just
borrowing their characters and certain situations to tell our story. Domino
and Dice are our little darlings, Hikari and mine's that is. We gain no
money from this.
Story by Hikari and Wanderer D
***
After a merry chase all through a forest, Matt and Tai were finally able to reach Sora and her companions.
"Sora... why don't you tell them what's happened?" Biyomon asked, seeing that they were unable to escape.
Sora looked at the gathered Digidestined before answering. "Well... okay... it was the night that Biyomon, Domino and I left camp to go and look for you, Tai... We were in the forest, and we all saw this strange digimon... He looked like a bowling ball with wings! And he was talking to this creepy... creature... inside of a bubble!"
"Could you hear what they were saying?" asked T.K.
Sora nodded. "Yes... they were talking about...about our crests... He was saying how each of them has a special meaning... Like yours, Tai, is the Crest of Courage... and yours, Matt, is the Crest of Friendship..."
TK's eyes were wide as plates. "And mine?!" He asked excitedly.
She smiled. "Yours is very special, TK... it's the crest of Hope." She then started counting with her fingers. "Joe has the Crest of Reliability, and Mimi has the Crest of Sincerity. It will come as no surprise that Izzy's crest is teh Crest of Knowledge..." she paused. "And then... then there's mine..."
They waited until she sighed. "Mine...is the Crest of Love..."
"Wow, Sora, the Crest of Love? That's perfect for you!!" Tai exclaimed excitedly, but this apparently only served to get her angry.
"No it isn't!" She shouted. "How can yo usay that, Tai? It's not like me at all!!"
"But it *is*, Sora, you're always worried about everybody else!" Tai insisted.
"No way! I don't care *what* happens to the rest of you! You don't know *anythiong* about me!" She paused, suddenly ashamed. "Tai.. I'm... sorry... I..."
Tai looked at her, concerned. "Sora, what's wrong with you?"
"It's just that..." she started sobbing. "Well... that strange digimon, he... he said my crest would never glow!"
Oh, is that all? I thought it was gonna be something *serious*...like they were gonna stop making those silly stuffed beanbag animals..." he stopped, ignoring the disbelief in everyone's faces and smiled at her. "Besides, Demidevimon is a liar... you know that..."
"But it's true... it all started back when I was on the girl's soccer team..." She told everyone how she had never really loved, and about her mother not letting her got to the soccer play. "That's how I knew he wasn't lying when he said I grew up not understanding what love means..." When she finished, she suddenly moved to throw her tag away. Tai, however, grabbed her arm. "Sora, stop it!!"
"Even if what you told us was true, you shouldn't believe a word that creep Demidevimon says! He's just a jerk who's trying to hurt you!" Sora didn't stop crying however, and Tai found himself at a loss, he didn't know what to do. "Wait, stop crying, Sora, please! Matt, help me out here, buddy, I dunno what to do with her when she starts blubbering!"
"Just leave her alone, Tai... she'll be all right..."
Agumon looked at Gabumon in awe. "Wow, Matt's almost like a real grown up!"
Gabumon nodded solemnly. "Yeah...now if only he would cut his hair..."
"Sora? I like you..." TK said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Please don't go away again... I don't like being away from you... when you're around, I don't miss my mom so much!"
The others arrived, and were happy to see that Sora, Biyomon and Domino were okay. The later remained silent, still unsure of how to act. ***
"You are pathetic, Demidevimon!" Myotismon growled as his lackey groveled before him. "I cannot trust you to stop the Digidestined."
"But Master Myotismon. please! Let me try again! I guarantee I can stop them now!" the little Digimon cried.
"No Demidevimon. I will give you another chance, but you will not go alone." Myotismon answered as he gestured to a nearby Bakemon to go.
The Bakemon returned shortly, followed by another Digimon, and Demidevimon sighed in disgust. Well, it could be worse. It could've been *her*.
"Dice," Myotismon greeted, smiling a little. Demidevimon scoffed, why should the two Gatomon be Myotsimon's favorites?
"I'm sorry to interrupt your search for strong Digimon to take with us, but we have a problem." Myotismon continued.
"What is it, Myotismon?"
Myotismon's eyes narrowed a little at the lack of proper décor where he was regarded. "Those Digidestined are starting trouble again! They destroyed a restaurant, and almost killed Vademon! We have to stop them!"
"Digidestined?" Dice growled. He still remembered what they had done to his friend, Leomon.
Dice grabbed Demidevimon by one of the wings and dragged him behind, ignoring his protests. "I'll stop them, Myotismon."
As they left, Myotismon smiled. It wouldn't be too long now before Dice also called him Lord. He had been with him for months now, and his influence was already making him more ruthless than before.
As nightime came, Dice and Demidevimon crouched behind a bush overlooking the Digidestined camp. They were a little distance away, but could watch the camp without a problem.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go get them!" Devidemimon growled as he took a step forward. Dice stopped him.
"No, we wait 'till later and attack when they're not prepared."
Demidevimon stopped and stared at Dice. "Hmm... I like that! Where did you get that idea? I Thought you always faced your enemy. Dice's 'Famous Honor' and all that bull."
"From my days as a Digimon Hunter. I faced some Digimon that... nevermind that now. Let's just say that these kind of individuals *do not* merit honor. But don't kill them. I want to give Leomon a proper revenge."
They waited until nightime. Demidevimon was getting restless, while Dice observed every movement. Finally, he got tired of Demidevimon.
"Listen, why don't you attack from that side of the camp, while I go over to the other side. Remember to wait for my signal, ok?"
Demidevimon nodded and smiled. He went off as Dice went to the other side.
On his way Devidemimon stopped. "Why should I wait for Dice?" he asked, slowly creeping forward.
"If I could kill them all, Myotismon will know that I'm definately better than those two!"
"I won't wait... I'll do it now..." Demidevimon said finally, looking at the sleeping Sora. "Oh boy, once I get done with this job, Myotismon will be sure to give me a promotion. Hah, let's see what those gushy Gatomon do once *I'm* the favorite. They won't be so cocky when Myotismon gives *me* all the important jobs..."
He watched as Biyomon shifted in her sleep, and Domino twitched her ears, but dared not wait any longer. "Demidart!!"
"Sora! Watch out!" Biyomon shouted, jumping in front of her and recieving the dart instead. Sora woke up with a start, just in time to see Biyomon hit the ground next to her. "Oh no! Biyomon! Biyomon, wake up! Biyomon, please!"
Domino leaped to her feet at the commotion, and noticed Demidevimon trying to get away.
"Sora, don't worry... I'll protect you..." Biyomon whispered weakly.
"No, Biyomon!!" Sora shouted.
Tai kneeled next to her. "Sora, what is it?"
TK suddenly noticed Demidevimon. "Gaaaugh!! Look, it's Demidevimon!!"
Domino snaped her head to the side as Demidevimon tried to retreat. She saw what he had done to Biyomon and became enraged.
"You won't get away so easily you rat with wings!" She ran and pounced on him, pinning him to the ground- Demidevimon struggled until he was ablte to bite her foot. Domino yelped, more in surprise than pain and jumped back, when she tried to grab him again, he had flown too high. "Coward! Come back here!!"
"You wont catch me! HAHA!" Demidevimon shouted back down, giving them a red eye. Domino narrowed her eyes. "You won't be laughing when I accidentally mistake you for a ball of YARN!"
"They won't have to, you idiot, if I get my paws on you first!" Dice shouted, furious, as he made his way out of the bushes. "You were supposed to wait for MY SIGNAL!"
Domino gasped as a new digimon leaps out of the bushes and starts giving Demidevimon a serious reaming. She backsteped and tensed, ready to attack.
"What, more of you? Must you villains always travel in packs?" Domino taunted, making a motion to the Digidestined, who had already Digivolved their Digimon.
Dice ignored Domino for the moment, and concentrated on Demidevimon. He shook his paw at Devimon. "Now that you've ruined it at LEAST be honorable enough to come down and face them, you coward!"
"I WON'T BE ORDERED AROUND BY A GATOMON!" Demidevimon shouted back.
Domino is a little startled. Was this really a Gatomon? She thought all other Gatomon were ice-white, with purple striped tails...
"Ooohhh!" Dice growled. "Later, Demidevimon, you are going to be cleaning the floors on Myotismon's castle for the rest of your misserable little life!"
"Why don't you stop with the talking and start with the action, Demidevimon? Scared to be beaten by a CAT?" Domino challenged, growling.
Dice turned his attention to the Digidestined. More specifically to Tai. "You're Tai?"
Tai ran forward. "Yeah, I'm Tai...and after I'm done with you, you're gonna wish you never messed with the Digidestined, Fluffy..."
"No, you're wrong. You're not Tai." Dice interrupted.
Tai blinked. "Um...excuse me?"
"You're dead." Dice growled, but then stopped as Domino scoffed.
"Pff, some Gatomon you claim to be..." She said, rolling her eyes."Physics would definetly prove that Tai is NOT dead..." to prove her piont she stepped on Tai's shoe hard, making him shout.
"HEY!" Tai shouted.
"Sorry." Domino said sweetly.
Dice smiled evilly. "Oh, you'll be suprised. Dark Claw!" Dice seemed to disappear from sight. Suddenly, Greymon was sent flying back as the black Gatomon appeared just infront of Tai.
The Digidestined stepped back surprised as Dice smiled viciously."Don't worry, that Gatomon was right... you're not dead... yet. First, the others fall."
Tai looked over at Greymon, who had two slashes of energy still cutting his chest and was weakly trying to stand up.
Dice pushed Tai, and the Digidestined fell on his haunches. "Did you like the name? Myotismon suggested it, although there's nothing 'dark' about it, but it fits the occasion."
He turned to look at the others. "Ok, so, who's next?"
Domino's eyes flashed in a fury as she stepped forth. "I'm next, you sorry excuse for a digimon... How dare you!? Just who do you think you are?" She growled at him, and only got an amused smirk in return. "Gatomon or NO Gatomon, nobody hurts the Digidestined without answering to me!"
She took a deep breath, and, for a moment, time almost seemed to slow down as Domino began one of her special attacks...
"Oh? Impress me, will you?" Dice sneered looking at the energy sorrounding her.
Domino grinned. "We'll see if I impress you... If you live...."
"Fire, Water, Gold and Wind, Release the power from deep within, Wind, Earth, Shadow, Dash Unleash the Thunder-- Lightning Crash!!"
The dark clouds above them writhed and roiled, as though a storm were coming... and there was a blinding flash of light as a single bolt of lightning shoots down from the sky and strikes Domino, illuminating her in a bright blue-white light. As Dice and Demidevimon watch, unable to move from surprise, she rears back on her hind legs and throws her forefeet foreward, sending the lightning shooting toward them. It hits Dice full in the chest and he is thrown backward by the sheer force of it.
The Digidestined watched, shocked, at what their little Domino just did. Only Sora, who knew of Domino's great power, seemed really unaffected, nothing but pride and gratitude on her features.
Dice stayed on the ground for a moment. Then sat up suddenly. That hurt, but he wasn't about to let this weird Gatomon see that.
And so, he smiled. "Nice effects." He stated bluntly and stood up, dusting himself trying hard not to wince, and trying hard not to laugh at Demidevimon's incredulous face. "But not nearly enough!"
"Now, here's mine..." Dice started glowing and he suddenly shot forward, dividing into various multicolored 'ghosts' that hit Domino one after the other, full force. It ended with a bright flash that blinded everyone for a few seconds. The next thing the Digidestined knew, Domino was flying in the air and suddenly meeting the ground. Hard.
Domino let out a yelp as the ground rushed up to meet her. Where the hell did this Gatomon learn to fight like that? She squinched her eyes closed, trying to block the searing pain in her side. She managed to push up to her elbows and looked at the horrified faces of the Digidestined.
No, she thought, I won't lay down and die here... I won't be defeated by another Gatomon... especially not this arrogant peacock with his fancy tricks...
She shakily got to her feet, much to the surprise of Dice.
He had nearly killed Monochromon with one blow using that shot... why hadn't it done more damage to this Gatomon? Stuck somewhere between fury and admiration, he watched as she refused to falter, and turned back to face him, her chest heaving as she drew in painful breaths. She was sure the impact with the ground had broken a rib, maybe even somethign more... but she refused to be defeated... not with the fate of the Digidestined and the Digiworld hanging in the balance...
"What the..."
She tried to take a step forward, but it just hurt too much... With an anguished cry, she pitched forward. I'm sorry... I just can't... She could just hear the other Gatomon laughing at how easily she had fallen.
Sora, still cradling the unconcious Biyomon, leaned forward. "Domino! Domino, get up!! You're the only one strong enough to fight him!!"
"I can't move..." Domino whispered to herself.
"Domino--please!!" Sora insisted.
She could taste blood in her mouth. Blood? But... she was a digimon... wasn't she? Well... whatever was happening... she was sure that she had broken every bone in her body...
But Sora's cries were so plaintive... so desperate... She held her breath and focused her energy.
"I can do this...I can get up..." she told herself.
Slowly, deliberately, she lifted her head, and glared pure ice at the other Gatomon and his shocked (yet somehow smug, in her opinion) expression. Fighting back the yelp of pain that threatened to escape her mouth, she felt her legs quivering as she again got to her feet. She lifted one forepaw and wiped the blood from her mouth. She looked at her paw and was startled to see that it was, indeed, blood. But... how is that...? How is that possible? She began to think that maybe her human self was more than just a memory... what if... what if...?
Nevermind that, she scolded herself, figure out your past later... save the children NOW...
She placed her paw back on the ground, and took a deep breath.
"Nice light show, Gatomon... But it's going to take more than pretty lasers to kill me, I guarantee you that..." she growled at Dice.
Dice scoffed, and looked around, pointingly ignoring her. "Well, now that the newbies are done, who's next?"
Domino got enraged by his complacency. "Do not mock me, Boy, you don't know what you're dealing with!" she shouted, rearing back.
"With Power to guide me, and Spirit my Sword, Let the wicked be given their just reward, Gold, Wood, Silver and Steel-- Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water's Wheel!"
Four beams of light converge upon Domino's outstretched paw, one green, one gold, one red, and one blue, and they all swirl into one. The swirling ball of color becomed a blinding white light and Domino throws it forward, slamming Dice against a tree and knocking the huge tree onto its side.
"When you mess with fire, you get burnt... but when you mess with oracles of nature..." she shook her head slowly. "You get THE FLOOR WIPED WITH YOU!"
Ignoring the pain all over her entire body, Domino pulled her teeth back in a snarl and charged forward toward the mess of fallen timber, ready to deal the death blow.
"Nobody threatens my friends!" she shouted on her way.
Dice growled and spitted blood, as he stood up.
That had been strong. Correct that, that had been *very* strong. He could feel his body complain as he started up again, but the look of suprise on everyone, specially the hated Tai's and Gatomon's eyes.
"That's IT! KIDS GLOVES OFF! EAT THIS LOSER! FIST OF THE BEAST KING!" Dice shouted as he jumped out and ignored a sudden crack inside his body. With all his might he pushed his fist forward, powering the punch with as much hate and energy as he could. "I'M GETTING THOSE KIDS AND A TWO BIT, PAMPERED DIGIMON LIKE YOU WON'T STOP ME!"
The lion's head that shot from his fist was darker than Leomon's.
Powered by hate, anger and fear, it seared the ground as it passed and slammed into Domino, sending her to the ground just in front of the Digidestined.
Dice fell to his knees and spit more blood. His body couldn't resist more. But he wouldn't stop before he avenged Leomon. If the noble Lion Digimon had fallen under this cruel humans' hands, they might find Domino someday and do the same to her!
Dice's eyes were becoming dark, he couldn't feel anymore and he could hear his heart pounding. He closed his claws on the ground gathering dirt in his paws, as a small tear escaped his eye. "I won't let you get Domino or Gatomon." He muttered, or rather tried to, he couldn't gather enough breath to do that.
He spit some more blood and drew a ragged breath.
Domino screamed in agony as she was thrown through the air. Tai let out a cry as he saw the blood fly from her wounds, and leaps backward, throwing his arms out to catch her before she can hit the merciless ground again.
He slamed into the ground himself, but curled his body as if catching a soccer ball, and somersaulted backwards.
"Domino! Speak to me!!" Tai shouted.
Domino's eyes flicker open, and she looks up at Tai, but cannot speak. Tai's eyes flash in fury, like fire, and he glared at the fallen Dice over his shoulder.
"Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?" Tai asked infuriated. "Answer me, you monster! No--wait, you're more than a monster..." he stood up and started walking towards Dice. "There are no fitting words for a creature who would kill one of his own as easily as you seem ready to... not even in my world..." He looked back at Greymon, who is wounded, but still able to fight. He was pretty confident that one blow from Greymon would be more than enough to finish him. "Greymon--"
Domino stopped him. "Wait... Tai"
"Huh? What is it, Domino?" he asked softly.
Domino stirs in his arms and shakes her head. "Don't do it, Tai...it's not you. You're not like them...you can't be..." she squirmed in his arms. "Put me down..."
"But--"
"Put me down!!" Domino repeated, her eyes flashing with green lightning, and he quickly obeyed.
Domino refused to cry out at the pain in her body. She staggered over to Dice and stared at him in the eye, though he was barely able to retain consciousness to look at her.
She limped the last few feet, barely able to stay concious herself. "I feel sorry for you... "I pity any creature who is so uncaring about life... If you treat others with such complacency... do you value your own life just as little?"
"Hate..." Dice muttered and struggled to get up, doing so and staring at the Gatomon in the eye.
Domino bristled. "How dare you steal the attack of the great Leomon... How dare you use his attack in hatred!? Why, if he knew what a bottom-dwelling creature had mimicked his powers..."
"I will not... stop. I may die today... but.." he drew in a ragged breath, and coughed blood to the side. "I'm taking you with me."
Dice starts to glow pushing Tai and Domino away from him a little. "I... do not... steal.. I... learn..."
"But.. you... wo" he's cut short by a coughing fit. "You won't understand... ever... must do it..."
"I should kill you for what you've done..." Domino answered.
Dice scoffed. This Gatomon actually thought she could...
"For what you've done to me... and what you were willing to do to these kids..." she paused. I will not strike down an opponent with such indifference as you." She took a deep breath and let it out, barely wincing at the pain. She wouldn't be able to stay on her feet much longer. "If you wish to kill me, Gatomon... you will kill me... And only then will you be permitted to have a go at the Digidestined... do you hear me?"
She backsteped and waited for a reaction as Tai and the other children watched in horror.
Dice looked up directly at Domino's eyes and smiled at her. "You.. you don't know what you're asking." He stood up slowly, and Domino could clearly hear another bone breaking as he stumbled to the left.
Even Demidevimon winced at that one.
"Once you... kill... and don't feel... you just hate yourself forever. So... kill me... then."
Domino winced at the sound, and tried again. "It doesn't have to be this way... You are the only one insisting that it must be..."
"I won't stop." Dice growled, and blood seeped from his lips. "If not for me... for them... for her... I won't let you get... close..."
"I understand... Shout at me all you wish about how no one could understand the torment in your heart, but I do... A dear friend of mine was taken from me... because I was not there... I failed him, even when I promised I would not. I was not at his side when he died, and I hate myself eternally for that..." she however didn't budge. "I refuse to stand by and watch you take away others I care about. I am here now... and I will make sure they do not die like he did..." she snarled. "This I promise you...and this promise I will make sure I keep..."
Sora turned away, for she knew the story, and didn't wish to see Domino struck down. She knew for a fact that Domino would die first before she allowed any harm to come to the rest of them.
"Then... you die... with us..." Dice growled. "Fangs..."
"Dice. That will be enough." A voice interrupted from above.
Demidevimon's voice carries through the wind. "Master Myotismon!"
Domino snaped her head up. What had that voice said?
Myotismon landed a few feet behind Dice and looked him over from his position.
Domino painfully backsteped at the sight of the horrifying digimon before her. Tai dropped to one knee beside her to see if she was okay.
"You will not carry on this fight, you are too valuable to die for now. Go back with Demidevimon to the Castle."
"But..." Dice started. "I... can't..." He looked at Tai with so much hate in his eyes that Tai paled.
Myotismon ignored the Digidestined as he looked at Dice. "You. Will. Go. Back. Now. DICE!" Myotismon shouted, and twirled his cape.
"NO! I CAN'T LET THEM G-" Dice shouted as he and Demidevimon dissappeared.
"I'll take care of them personally." Myotismon said to no-one in particular.
Domino let out a cry at the sound of the name and rushed forward as Tai tried to grab her back.
She stopped in front of Myotismon, who looked at her battered state in contempt. "Say it again! What did you call him?"
Tai grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and yanked her back with a painful yelp. "Are you CRAZY?!" he shouted.
Myotismon looked at her askance. "Dice is one of my commanders. He would've killed the Digidestined if you hadn't stepped in the way. In fact..." He added smilling. "He almost killled you. You can barely stand on your feet. You were lucky he just got back from a mission and hadn't had time to regain his energies. If he had used his 'Fangs of Saber' you would all be dead. Including him. That's why I stopped him."
Domino lets out a wail of anguish and crumples to the ground as Tai looks up at Myo.
"Who...who ARE you?" Tai aked.
Joe rushed forward to tend to Domino, scooping her battered body up and pulling her back
Sora had recognized the voice and the creature. "That's it! That's the thing that Demidevimon was talking to in the forest!!"
"Demidevimon said his name was 'Master Myotismon'..." TK shouted from the back.
Domino managed to squirm out of Joe's grasp and fell with a shriek of pain to the ground. She knew that this Myotismon character was way too much for them to handle... So she used the last of her energy on one last chance...
"Winter's Calm, Spring shall erase, With new life and rebirth, the bleak shall be replaced. Oracles, Elements, heed my command, Converge on me now, to the spot where I stand! Strength of Steel and Power of Sight, Save us, oh Spirits--Unending Night--"
A black cloud formed from Domino's paws as she leaned back to stand on two legs. She closed her eyes as the black mists swirled around her.
Myotismon shot a Crimson Lightning at her, for she seemed vulnerable and unaware, but his attack was repelled by the black mist as if it were a shield around her.
"Release the Light!!!" Domino shouted, finishing her spell and the black mist suddenly turned a blinding white hurting Myotismon's eyes.
He turned away, leaving the Digidestined an open shot....
Domino fell unconcious as the last of her strenght was spent, Sora, watching this and feeling Biyomon's weak breathing on her lap, suddenly understood what her mother had been trying to do... protect them.
With this realization, her Tag started glowing, and Biyomon Digivolved into Birdramon, and then, for the first time into Garudamon.
They took the opportunity to clamber aboard Garudamon's outstretched hands as Garudamon flapped her mighty wings taking to the air.
***
Story by Hikari and Wanderer D
***
After a merry chase all through a forest, Matt and Tai were finally able to reach Sora and her companions.
"Sora... why don't you tell them what's happened?" Biyomon asked, seeing that they were unable to escape.
Sora looked at the gathered Digidestined before answering. "Well... okay... it was the night that Biyomon, Domino and I left camp to go and look for you, Tai... We were in the forest, and we all saw this strange digimon... He looked like a bowling ball with wings! And he was talking to this creepy... creature... inside of a bubble!"
"Could you hear what they were saying?" asked T.K.
Sora nodded. "Yes... they were talking about...about our crests... He was saying how each of them has a special meaning... Like yours, Tai, is the Crest of Courage... and yours, Matt, is the Crest of Friendship..."
TK's eyes were wide as plates. "And mine?!" He asked excitedly.
She smiled. "Yours is very special, TK... it's the crest of Hope." She then started counting with her fingers. "Joe has the Crest of Reliability, and Mimi has the Crest of Sincerity. It will come as no surprise that Izzy's crest is teh Crest of Knowledge..." she paused. "And then... then there's mine..."
They waited until she sighed. "Mine...is the Crest of Love..."
"Wow, Sora, the Crest of Love? That's perfect for you!!" Tai exclaimed excitedly, but this apparently only served to get her angry.
"No it isn't!" She shouted. "How can yo usay that, Tai? It's not like me at all!!"
"But it *is*, Sora, you're always worried about everybody else!" Tai insisted.
"No way! I don't care *what* happens to the rest of you! You don't know *anythiong* about me!" She paused, suddenly ashamed. "Tai.. I'm... sorry... I..."
Tai looked at her, concerned. "Sora, what's wrong with you?"
"It's just that..." she started sobbing. "Well... that strange digimon, he... he said my crest would never glow!"
Oh, is that all? I thought it was gonna be something *serious*...like they were gonna stop making those silly stuffed beanbag animals..." he stopped, ignoring the disbelief in everyone's faces and smiled at her. "Besides, Demidevimon is a liar... you know that..."
"But it's true... it all started back when I was on the girl's soccer team..." She told everyone how she had never really loved, and about her mother not letting her got to the soccer play. "That's how I knew he wasn't lying when he said I grew up not understanding what love means..." When she finished, she suddenly moved to throw her tag away. Tai, however, grabbed her arm. "Sora, stop it!!"
"Even if what you told us was true, you shouldn't believe a word that creep Demidevimon says! He's just a jerk who's trying to hurt you!" Sora didn't stop crying however, and Tai found himself at a loss, he didn't know what to do. "Wait, stop crying, Sora, please! Matt, help me out here, buddy, I dunno what to do with her when she starts blubbering!"
"Just leave her alone, Tai... she'll be all right..."
Agumon looked at Gabumon in awe. "Wow, Matt's almost like a real grown up!"
Gabumon nodded solemnly. "Yeah...now if only he would cut his hair..."
"Sora? I like you..." TK said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Please don't go away again... I don't like being away from you... when you're around, I don't miss my mom so much!"
The others arrived, and were happy to see that Sora, Biyomon and Domino were okay. The later remained silent, still unsure of how to act. ***
"You are pathetic, Demidevimon!" Myotismon growled as his lackey groveled before him. "I cannot trust you to stop the Digidestined."
"But Master Myotismon. please! Let me try again! I guarantee I can stop them now!" the little Digimon cried.
"No Demidevimon. I will give you another chance, but you will not go alone." Myotismon answered as he gestured to a nearby Bakemon to go.
The Bakemon returned shortly, followed by another Digimon, and Demidevimon sighed in disgust. Well, it could be worse. It could've been *her*.
"Dice," Myotismon greeted, smiling a little. Demidevimon scoffed, why should the two Gatomon be Myotsimon's favorites?
"I'm sorry to interrupt your search for strong Digimon to take with us, but we have a problem." Myotismon continued.
"What is it, Myotismon?"
Myotismon's eyes narrowed a little at the lack of proper décor where he was regarded. "Those Digidestined are starting trouble again! They destroyed a restaurant, and almost killed Vademon! We have to stop them!"
"Digidestined?" Dice growled. He still remembered what they had done to his friend, Leomon.
Dice grabbed Demidevimon by one of the wings and dragged him behind, ignoring his protests. "I'll stop them, Myotismon."
As they left, Myotismon smiled. It wouldn't be too long now before Dice also called him Lord. He had been with him for months now, and his influence was already making him more ruthless than before.
As nightime came, Dice and Demidevimon crouched behind a bush overlooking the Digidestined camp. They were a little distance away, but could watch the camp without a problem.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go get them!" Devidemimon growled as he took a step forward. Dice stopped him.
"No, we wait 'till later and attack when they're not prepared."
Demidevimon stopped and stared at Dice. "Hmm... I like that! Where did you get that idea? I Thought you always faced your enemy. Dice's 'Famous Honor' and all that bull."
"From my days as a Digimon Hunter. I faced some Digimon that... nevermind that now. Let's just say that these kind of individuals *do not* merit honor. But don't kill them. I want to give Leomon a proper revenge."
They waited until nightime. Demidevimon was getting restless, while Dice observed every movement. Finally, he got tired of Demidevimon.
"Listen, why don't you attack from that side of the camp, while I go over to the other side. Remember to wait for my signal, ok?"
Demidevimon nodded and smiled. He went off as Dice went to the other side.
On his way Devidemimon stopped. "Why should I wait for Dice?" he asked, slowly creeping forward.
"If I could kill them all, Myotismon will know that I'm definately better than those two!"
"I won't wait... I'll do it now..." Demidevimon said finally, looking at the sleeping Sora. "Oh boy, once I get done with this job, Myotismon will be sure to give me a promotion. Hah, let's see what those gushy Gatomon do once *I'm* the favorite. They won't be so cocky when Myotismon gives *me* all the important jobs..."
He watched as Biyomon shifted in her sleep, and Domino twitched her ears, but dared not wait any longer. "Demidart!!"
"Sora! Watch out!" Biyomon shouted, jumping in front of her and recieving the dart instead. Sora woke up with a start, just in time to see Biyomon hit the ground next to her. "Oh no! Biyomon! Biyomon, wake up! Biyomon, please!"
Domino leaped to her feet at the commotion, and noticed Demidevimon trying to get away.
"Sora, don't worry... I'll protect you..." Biyomon whispered weakly.
"No, Biyomon!!" Sora shouted.
Tai kneeled next to her. "Sora, what is it?"
TK suddenly noticed Demidevimon. "Gaaaugh!! Look, it's Demidevimon!!"
Domino snaped her head to the side as Demidevimon tried to retreat. She saw what he had done to Biyomon and became enraged.
"You won't get away so easily you rat with wings!" She ran and pounced on him, pinning him to the ground- Demidevimon struggled until he was ablte to bite her foot. Domino yelped, more in surprise than pain and jumped back, when she tried to grab him again, he had flown too high. "Coward! Come back here!!"
"You wont catch me! HAHA!" Demidevimon shouted back down, giving them a red eye. Domino narrowed her eyes. "You won't be laughing when I accidentally mistake you for a ball of YARN!"
"They won't have to, you idiot, if I get my paws on you first!" Dice shouted, furious, as he made his way out of the bushes. "You were supposed to wait for MY SIGNAL!"
Domino gasped as a new digimon leaps out of the bushes and starts giving Demidevimon a serious reaming. She backsteped and tensed, ready to attack.
"What, more of you? Must you villains always travel in packs?" Domino taunted, making a motion to the Digidestined, who had already Digivolved their Digimon.
Dice ignored Domino for the moment, and concentrated on Demidevimon. He shook his paw at Devimon. "Now that you've ruined it at LEAST be honorable enough to come down and face them, you coward!"
"I WON'T BE ORDERED AROUND BY A GATOMON!" Demidevimon shouted back.
Domino is a little startled. Was this really a Gatomon? She thought all other Gatomon were ice-white, with purple striped tails...
"Ooohhh!" Dice growled. "Later, Demidevimon, you are going to be cleaning the floors on Myotismon's castle for the rest of your misserable little life!"
"Why don't you stop with the talking and start with the action, Demidevimon? Scared to be beaten by a CAT?" Domino challenged, growling.
Dice turned his attention to the Digidestined. More specifically to Tai. "You're Tai?"
Tai ran forward. "Yeah, I'm Tai...and after I'm done with you, you're gonna wish you never messed with the Digidestined, Fluffy..."
"No, you're wrong. You're not Tai." Dice interrupted.
Tai blinked. "Um...excuse me?"
"You're dead." Dice growled, but then stopped as Domino scoffed.
"Pff, some Gatomon you claim to be..." She said, rolling her eyes."Physics would definetly prove that Tai is NOT dead..." to prove her piont she stepped on Tai's shoe hard, making him shout.
"HEY!" Tai shouted.
"Sorry." Domino said sweetly.
Dice smiled evilly. "Oh, you'll be suprised. Dark Claw!" Dice seemed to disappear from sight. Suddenly, Greymon was sent flying back as the black Gatomon appeared just infront of Tai.
The Digidestined stepped back surprised as Dice smiled viciously."Don't worry, that Gatomon was right... you're not dead... yet. First, the others fall."
Tai looked over at Greymon, who had two slashes of energy still cutting his chest and was weakly trying to stand up.
Dice pushed Tai, and the Digidestined fell on his haunches. "Did you like the name? Myotismon suggested it, although there's nothing 'dark' about it, but it fits the occasion."
He turned to look at the others. "Ok, so, who's next?"
Domino's eyes flashed in a fury as she stepped forth. "I'm next, you sorry excuse for a digimon... How dare you!? Just who do you think you are?" She growled at him, and only got an amused smirk in return. "Gatomon or NO Gatomon, nobody hurts the Digidestined without answering to me!"
She took a deep breath, and, for a moment, time almost seemed to slow down as Domino began one of her special attacks...
"Oh? Impress me, will you?" Dice sneered looking at the energy sorrounding her.
Domino grinned. "We'll see if I impress you... If you live...."
"Fire, Water, Gold and Wind, Release the power from deep within, Wind, Earth, Shadow, Dash Unleash the Thunder-- Lightning Crash!!"
The dark clouds above them writhed and roiled, as though a storm were coming... and there was a blinding flash of light as a single bolt of lightning shoots down from the sky and strikes Domino, illuminating her in a bright blue-white light. As Dice and Demidevimon watch, unable to move from surprise, she rears back on her hind legs and throws her forefeet foreward, sending the lightning shooting toward them. It hits Dice full in the chest and he is thrown backward by the sheer force of it.
The Digidestined watched, shocked, at what their little Domino just did. Only Sora, who knew of Domino's great power, seemed really unaffected, nothing but pride and gratitude on her features.
Dice stayed on the ground for a moment. Then sat up suddenly. That hurt, but he wasn't about to let this weird Gatomon see that.
And so, he smiled. "Nice effects." He stated bluntly and stood up, dusting himself trying hard not to wince, and trying hard not to laugh at Demidevimon's incredulous face. "But not nearly enough!"
"Now, here's mine..." Dice started glowing and he suddenly shot forward, dividing into various multicolored 'ghosts' that hit Domino one after the other, full force. It ended with a bright flash that blinded everyone for a few seconds. The next thing the Digidestined knew, Domino was flying in the air and suddenly meeting the ground. Hard.
Domino let out a yelp as the ground rushed up to meet her. Where the hell did this Gatomon learn to fight like that? She squinched her eyes closed, trying to block the searing pain in her side. She managed to push up to her elbows and looked at the horrified faces of the Digidestined.
No, she thought, I won't lay down and die here... I won't be defeated by another Gatomon... especially not this arrogant peacock with his fancy tricks...
She shakily got to her feet, much to the surprise of Dice.
He had nearly killed Monochromon with one blow using that shot... why hadn't it done more damage to this Gatomon? Stuck somewhere between fury and admiration, he watched as she refused to falter, and turned back to face him, her chest heaving as she drew in painful breaths. She was sure the impact with the ground had broken a rib, maybe even somethign more... but she refused to be defeated... not with the fate of the Digidestined and the Digiworld hanging in the balance...
"What the..."
She tried to take a step forward, but it just hurt too much... With an anguished cry, she pitched forward. I'm sorry... I just can't... She could just hear the other Gatomon laughing at how easily she had fallen.
Sora, still cradling the unconcious Biyomon, leaned forward. "Domino! Domino, get up!! You're the only one strong enough to fight him!!"
"I can't move..." Domino whispered to herself.
"Domino--please!!" Sora insisted.
She could taste blood in her mouth. Blood? But... she was a digimon... wasn't she? Well... whatever was happening... she was sure that she had broken every bone in her body...
But Sora's cries were so plaintive... so desperate... She held her breath and focused her energy.
"I can do this...I can get up..." she told herself.
Slowly, deliberately, she lifted her head, and glared pure ice at the other Gatomon and his shocked (yet somehow smug, in her opinion) expression. Fighting back the yelp of pain that threatened to escape her mouth, she felt her legs quivering as she again got to her feet. She lifted one forepaw and wiped the blood from her mouth. She looked at her paw and was startled to see that it was, indeed, blood. But... how is that...? How is that possible? She began to think that maybe her human self was more than just a memory... what if... what if...?
Nevermind that, she scolded herself, figure out your past later... save the children NOW...
She placed her paw back on the ground, and took a deep breath.
"Nice light show, Gatomon... But it's going to take more than pretty lasers to kill me, I guarantee you that..." she growled at Dice.
Dice scoffed, and looked around, pointingly ignoring her. "Well, now that the newbies are done, who's next?"
Domino got enraged by his complacency. "Do not mock me, Boy, you don't know what you're dealing with!" she shouted, rearing back.
"With Power to guide me, and Spirit my Sword, Let the wicked be given their just reward, Gold, Wood, Silver and Steel-- Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water's Wheel!"
Four beams of light converge upon Domino's outstretched paw, one green, one gold, one red, and one blue, and they all swirl into one. The swirling ball of color becomed a blinding white light and Domino throws it forward, slamming Dice against a tree and knocking the huge tree onto its side.
"When you mess with fire, you get burnt... but when you mess with oracles of nature..." she shook her head slowly. "You get THE FLOOR WIPED WITH YOU!"
Ignoring the pain all over her entire body, Domino pulled her teeth back in a snarl and charged forward toward the mess of fallen timber, ready to deal the death blow.
"Nobody threatens my friends!" she shouted on her way.
Dice growled and spitted blood, as he stood up.
That had been strong. Correct that, that had been *very* strong. He could feel his body complain as he started up again, but the look of suprise on everyone, specially the hated Tai's and Gatomon's eyes.
"That's IT! KIDS GLOVES OFF! EAT THIS LOSER! FIST OF THE BEAST KING!" Dice shouted as he jumped out and ignored a sudden crack inside his body. With all his might he pushed his fist forward, powering the punch with as much hate and energy as he could. "I'M GETTING THOSE KIDS AND A TWO BIT, PAMPERED DIGIMON LIKE YOU WON'T STOP ME!"
The lion's head that shot from his fist was darker than Leomon's.
Powered by hate, anger and fear, it seared the ground as it passed and slammed into Domino, sending her to the ground just in front of the Digidestined.
Dice fell to his knees and spit more blood. His body couldn't resist more. But he wouldn't stop before he avenged Leomon. If the noble Lion Digimon had fallen under this cruel humans' hands, they might find Domino someday and do the same to her!
Dice's eyes were becoming dark, he couldn't feel anymore and he could hear his heart pounding. He closed his claws on the ground gathering dirt in his paws, as a small tear escaped his eye. "I won't let you get Domino or Gatomon." He muttered, or rather tried to, he couldn't gather enough breath to do that.
He spit some more blood and drew a ragged breath.
Domino screamed in agony as she was thrown through the air. Tai let out a cry as he saw the blood fly from her wounds, and leaps backward, throwing his arms out to catch her before she can hit the merciless ground again.
He slamed into the ground himself, but curled his body as if catching a soccer ball, and somersaulted backwards.
"Domino! Speak to me!!" Tai shouted.
Domino's eyes flicker open, and she looks up at Tai, but cannot speak. Tai's eyes flash in fury, like fire, and he glared at the fallen Dice over his shoulder.
"Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?" Tai asked infuriated. "Answer me, you monster! No--wait, you're more than a monster..." he stood up and started walking towards Dice. "There are no fitting words for a creature who would kill one of his own as easily as you seem ready to... not even in my world..." He looked back at Greymon, who is wounded, but still able to fight. He was pretty confident that one blow from Greymon would be more than enough to finish him. "Greymon--"
Domino stopped him. "Wait... Tai"
"Huh? What is it, Domino?" he asked softly.
Domino stirs in his arms and shakes her head. "Don't do it, Tai...it's not you. You're not like them...you can't be..." she squirmed in his arms. "Put me down..."
"But--"
"Put me down!!" Domino repeated, her eyes flashing with green lightning, and he quickly obeyed.
Domino refused to cry out at the pain in her body. She staggered over to Dice and stared at him in the eye, though he was barely able to retain consciousness to look at her.
She limped the last few feet, barely able to stay concious herself. "I feel sorry for you... "I pity any creature who is so uncaring about life... If you treat others with such complacency... do you value your own life just as little?"
"Hate..." Dice muttered and struggled to get up, doing so and staring at the Gatomon in the eye.
Domino bristled. "How dare you steal the attack of the great Leomon... How dare you use his attack in hatred!? Why, if he knew what a bottom-dwelling creature had mimicked his powers..."
"I will not... stop. I may die today... but.." he drew in a ragged breath, and coughed blood to the side. "I'm taking you with me."
Dice starts to glow pushing Tai and Domino away from him a little. "I... do not... steal.. I... learn..."
"But.. you... wo" he's cut short by a coughing fit. "You won't understand... ever... must do it..."
"I should kill you for what you've done..." Domino answered.
Dice scoffed. This Gatomon actually thought she could...
"For what you've done to me... and what you were willing to do to these kids..." she paused. I will not strike down an opponent with such indifference as you." She took a deep breath and let it out, barely wincing at the pain. She wouldn't be able to stay on her feet much longer. "If you wish to kill me, Gatomon... you will kill me... And only then will you be permitted to have a go at the Digidestined... do you hear me?"
She backsteped and waited for a reaction as Tai and the other children watched in horror.
Dice looked up directly at Domino's eyes and smiled at her. "You.. you don't know what you're asking." He stood up slowly, and Domino could clearly hear another bone breaking as he stumbled to the left.
Even Demidevimon winced at that one.
"Once you... kill... and don't feel... you just hate yourself forever. So... kill me... then."
Domino winced at the sound, and tried again. "It doesn't have to be this way... You are the only one insisting that it must be..."
"I won't stop." Dice growled, and blood seeped from his lips. "If not for me... for them... for her... I won't let you get... close..."
"I understand... Shout at me all you wish about how no one could understand the torment in your heart, but I do... A dear friend of mine was taken from me... because I was not there... I failed him, even when I promised I would not. I was not at his side when he died, and I hate myself eternally for that..." she however didn't budge. "I refuse to stand by and watch you take away others I care about. I am here now... and I will make sure they do not die like he did..." she snarled. "This I promise you...and this promise I will make sure I keep..."
Sora turned away, for she knew the story, and didn't wish to see Domino struck down. She knew for a fact that Domino would die first before she allowed any harm to come to the rest of them.
"Then... you die... with us..." Dice growled. "Fangs..."
"Dice. That will be enough." A voice interrupted from above.
Demidevimon's voice carries through the wind. "Master Myotismon!"
Domino snaped her head up. What had that voice said?
Myotismon landed a few feet behind Dice and looked him over from his position.
Domino painfully backsteped at the sight of the horrifying digimon before her. Tai dropped to one knee beside her to see if she was okay.
"You will not carry on this fight, you are too valuable to die for now. Go back with Demidevimon to the Castle."
"But..." Dice started. "I... can't..." He looked at Tai with so much hate in his eyes that Tai paled.
Myotismon ignored the Digidestined as he looked at Dice. "You. Will. Go. Back. Now. DICE!" Myotismon shouted, and twirled his cape.
"NO! I CAN'T LET THEM G-" Dice shouted as he and Demidevimon dissappeared.
"I'll take care of them personally." Myotismon said to no-one in particular.
Domino let out a cry at the sound of the name and rushed forward as Tai tried to grab her back.
She stopped in front of Myotismon, who looked at her battered state in contempt. "Say it again! What did you call him?"
Tai grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and yanked her back with a painful yelp. "Are you CRAZY?!" he shouted.
Myotismon looked at her askance. "Dice is one of my commanders. He would've killed the Digidestined if you hadn't stepped in the way. In fact..." He added smilling. "He almost killled you. You can barely stand on your feet. You were lucky he just got back from a mission and hadn't had time to regain his energies. If he had used his 'Fangs of Saber' you would all be dead. Including him. That's why I stopped him."
Domino lets out a wail of anguish and crumples to the ground as Tai looks up at Myo.
"Who...who ARE you?" Tai aked.
Joe rushed forward to tend to Domino, scooping her battered body up and pulling her back
Sora had recognized the voice and the creature. "That's it! That's the thing that Demidevimon was talking to in the forest!!"
"Demidevimon said his name was 'Master Myotismon'..." TK shouted from the back.
Domino managed to squirm out of Joe's grasp and fell with a shriek of pain to the ground. She knew that this Myotismon character was way too much for them to handle... So she used the last of her energy on one last chance...
"Winter's Calm, Spring shall erase, With new life and rebirth, the bleak shall be replaced. Oracles, Elements, heed my command, Converge on me now, to the spot where I stand! Strength of Steel and Power of Sight, Save us, oh Spirits--Unending Night--"
A black cloud formed from Domino's paws as she leaned back to stand on two legs. She closed her eyes as the black mists swirled around her.
Myotismon shot a Crimson Lightning at her, for she seemed vulnerable and unaware, but his attack was repelled by the black mist as if it were a shield around her.
"Release the Light!!!" Domino shouted, finishing her spell and the black mist suddenly turned a blinding white hurting Myotismon's eyes.
He turned away, leaving the Digidestined an open shot....
Domino fell unconcious as the last of her strenght was spent, Sora, watching this and feeling Biyomon's weak breathing on her lap, suddenly understood what her mother had been trying to do... protect them.
With this realization, her Tag started glowing, and Biyomon Digivolved into Birdramon, and then, for the first time into Garudamon.
They took the opportunity to clamber aboard Garudamon's outstretched hands as Garudamon flapped her mighty wings taking to the air.
***