Disclaimer: I don't own digimon. Period. Really.
Author's Note: I can update faster. Really I can.
Episode XXXV
Busting Loose
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going."
Anonymous
"Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks."
Herodotus
So, any idea how to use this? Yolei stared, lost, at the gigantic computer standing in front of her. Cross-linked data storage devices, towers of computing power, all sorts of gizmos and gadgets that she could not even name, all of them cast a shadow over her, looming uncomfortably close.
Izzy remarked. This looks a lot like the setup at Tokyo University. I can probably break its security.
Davis remarked. Even he looked intimidated by the monster standing in front of them. I think I'll just stand over here and wait.
I hear you Davis. ExVeemon snorted, noting that Izzy was already completely oblivious to their presence. The two of them started muttering and moved off towards one corner.
Yolei sighed and wandered off to another corner, where a more normal looking computer terminal stood, as well as a set of computer manuals. After a moment she realized she had been followed.
She remarked in surprise as Ken walked up behind her. What's up? What aren't you off helping Izzy?
I have no idea how that monster works. I barely even knew that something like that existed, so I guess that I would really be no help in trying to crack its systems. That's a lot more like Izzy's thing. I would just be in the way, so I came over to see how you were doing.
Oh...uh...thanks. I'm doing great. There was a long period of awkward silence between the two.
So...uh...have you been watching TK and Kari lately? Ken asked.
A safe topic. Yolei thought briefly before answering. You mean that way that they never really act like they're dating.
Yeah, they act like they're married. After all it's not like they go around and giggle and talk to each other. Ken mused thoughtfully. It's just that they sit around and talk to other people. They're just so happy that the other one is there that it nearly defies belief. I think that it's impressive. TK and Kari are so comfortable together that they don't have to go through the stages everyone else goes through. They just look so blissfully happy that it's hard not to envy them.
For a moment Yolei felt a touch of envy, but she quickly brushed that aside. What right did she have to be envious of her friend?
I wish I could have something like that. Ken remarked.
Well, maybe you can some day. Yolei responded. Of course he will. She thought at the same time. He's still famous Ken Ichijouji.
Well, I was just thinking. Yolei frowned. It sounded like his voice was shaking. She glared suspiciously.
That is I just wanted to know...um...if you would consent to...that is if you wanted to... Ken really began to stutter.
What is it? Yolei asked, a bit sharply.
Well, if you wanted to go on a date with me. I mean I'll let you choose...where we go that is...and I can afford to pay for both of us...and...
Did Ken really just ask me on a date? You really want to go on a date with me Ken?
Of course...I mean yes...I mean...you have pretty eyes you know. The boy genius was clearly trying to salvage something out of all of this.
Ken asked me out on a date! Yes, yes, of course I'll go! She almost shouted, toning down the volume at the last moment.
You will, really? Ken sounded earnest this time.
Of course. You are a really great guy, and so gorgeous too...did I say that? Yolei suddenly turned bright red as Ken took on a slightly poleaxed look. She was turning redder as she stammered out. Well, I usually just think that...you know, I have a lot to learn about the dating game.
It's my first one. Ken remarked.
Well, I'll forgive any mistakes you make. Yolei reached out a hand.
And if you make any, I'll forgive them too. Ken reached out his own hand, and then, in a movement from another age, bowed forward and kissed hers.
Oh My! Yolei thought as the fireworks began.
Someone began clapping behind them, and they spun around to find Davis leaning against the cubicle wall, smiling out at both of them.
You again? Ken sounded resigned.
He's been practicing that for two weeks now. Davis whispered to Yolei, a whisper that was clearly designed to carry over to where Ken was standing.
Two weeks. I'm impressed. Yolei's eyes widened while Ken attempted to dissolve into the floor.
Cody, that's fifty yen you owe me. Davis exclaimed, grinning wider.
Don't rub it in. Cody peeked around the corner, grinning impishly.
For what? Yolei asked suspiciously.
On whether or not Ken would ask you, or you would ask him. Davis grinned again.
Sorry Cody. Yolei apologized. I guess I let you down.
Don't worry about it. It was worth it. Cody responded cheekily.
Then, for some reason, in the middle of their enemy's fortress they broke down and started to laugh.
Izzy felt the streams of knowledge begin to build again, flowing through him like a river, the tiny branches gently caressing the stored data in the data chips. He could feel himself slip like a ghost through all the defenses of the data system. Firewalls and security passwords flashed by him. This computer system was built to ward off human intruders, but with his computer and his crest Izzy was aware that he was no longer quite human, that his ability to access extra abilities made him a force to be reckoned with. He could manipulate the data, avoid the clumsy traps that were set up to stop him.
And then he was in, floating in the endless sea of knowledge that filled the computer. Within seconds he had managed to create a steady flow, and then that knowledge was pouring through him, and then into the data banks of his computer. He let the flow continue, taking him with it, as he kept careful watch for other traps he might have missed.
And then he really did see something weird. His virtual eyes narrowed and he began to pick his way through the information stream.
He was aware of the stillness of his corporeal body, but ignored it. For now, the knowledge was everything.
They were right. Matt breathed out in something like awe. There is no God.
If there is, we have clearly left his domain. Adam frowned, his brows bristling like a miniature thunderstorm. He was grasping the hilt of his sword, suddenly materialized out of his gear, so hard that his knuckles were whitening.
This place gives me the creeps. Mimi admitted.
Me too. Joe shuddered, drawing closer to her.
What's all this doing here? TK asked, but nobody could answer him.
They were standing in a huge room, six stories tall. In six separate tiers around the edges of the room were walkways, open to the middle so that they could see exactly what was on each level. Each level seemed to be composed of tubes, huge cylinders of plastic or glass containing a strange, sticky looking green liquid. And hanging suspended in each tube was a human body somewhere in the process of decay. Some seemed to have lost their limbs, as if they had melted away. Some were missing just an arm, or a leg. Some, strangely enough, still had their hair, even though they might be missing an ear, or a foot or some such. Some were simply strangely deformed, as if they had been warped by their storage in the liquid. Huge banks of machinery were deployed around the wall, reaching their tentacles up to seize hold of each separate tube, probing within. In some tubes at the far end it seemed that mechanical and electrical equipment had been placed so that it entered the corpses of the humans there.
We must be in their idea of a house of horrors. Agumon muttered. The digimon seemed less effected by this, but it could be that they simply thought that this might be a human experience. But even the normally unflappable Angewomon was looking a bit spooked.
What is this place? TK asked Kari.
I don't know. She was almost too shocked to speak. But I'll see if I can find out.
Carefully she advanced past the banks of complicated machinery, displaying green and red lights and reaching up to touch every tank, until she was standing at the far end. There a huge mechanical object, seemingly a pump for the green fluid, waited for her, liquid calmly flowing within. Carefully, she placed both hands on the pump and waited.
This is taking too long. Ken muttered.
How long has he been at it? Davis asked nervously, having no watch.
About half an hour. Cody reported, still staring at Izzy.
Well, it can't be that bad. After all, nobody's seen us yet, right? Yolei asked.
Calm down Ken. Wormmon murmured soothingly.
Right, we would have heard them if they had found out about us. Armadillomon tried his best to be reassuring.
I'm still worried. Ken told them, and resumed watching Izzy sit in a trance by his computer.
So what do you think this place is? Joe asked, shivering again, for the third time.
Maybe they just wanted a place to store research items. Maybe that green junk preserves the bodies. How am I supposed to know? Adam looked nervous. All I know is that I have a bad feeling about this place.
Destroy it. Destroy it all. A voice spoke up, a voice raw and ragged, grating on the senses, almost as if a rusty machine had been given voice. They all turned to find Kari standing there, her eyes glowing white, an expression on her face unlike anything they had ever seen before. She looked as if she was ready to rip the facility, and them, apart with her bare hands.
Kari, what is it? Angewomon asked, alarmed.
Destroy it all. The voice came out laboriously, as if she was having to force it out through gritted teeth, as if she was staring into the depths of a horror that they simply could not imagine.
What is it? Tai demanded.
Don't you understand? They did it. They succeeded. All those hours, all those experiments involving torture. They finally managed to do it. They managed to find the energies emitted by the darkness inside all of us, find it and trace it back to its source. They can use the dark energies of our own minds as a weapon to fight against us. They can use it to power machines. Machines, Tai. They took this dark energy and used it, used it to power their engines of war. They built the Titans with this.
So this is a giant battery. Matt looked repulsed, but Kari merely laughed.
No. The minds who generate the energy have to be alive. So they took good people, and broke them because that gives the most pure strain of darkness, as Ken well knows. And from their broken bodies and minds they extracted the energy they needed. But they needed to keep the brains alive, so they took those broken bodies and removed only the essential human organs, keeping them alive, wiring the brain into a guidance computer, using the dark energies to power their devices. Do you understand now? In each machine, in each one of these bodies writhes a human spirit, aware of what is happening to it, but powerless, unable to stop what is happening to it, wasting away under the fires of their own personal hell. Slowly going mad as the bodies they once controlled are forced to perform unbearable acts, under the commands of somebody else's will. They can do nothing! And the only way we can save them, is to destroy them.
My God. Matt whispered.
Adam ordered tersely.
Tai jerked around.
Go. Now. Adam pointed toward the exit.
It seemed Tai was astonished by this.
Because no matter what form these creatures are in, they are still human lives, they are still alive, and I don't want you to have to kill another human being yet. Now go.
Someone started clapping.
Such a touching display of compassion for your poor sensitive morals, don't you think. An image flared to life, the torso and head of a familiar figure.
TK shouted.
Of course, you didn't expect me. How careless of the traitor in your midst to fail to inform you that I was going to show up. He really should be more attentive to common courtesy. Khartan absently buffed his nails, already as sharp as fangs.
Traitor. What traitor? Tai demanded angrily, red splotches coloring his cheeks.
Oh, you haven't figured it out yet? Perhaps I overestimated you after all. Of course you have a traitor near to you. You hadn't figured it out? That is how I remain untouched by you and your pathetic plans. How else do you think I have spent all this time here and you have never once caught sight of me, in any form? You should make friends more carefully boy.
Suddenly there was a grinding noise as something large and mechanical began to move.
A trap! Master Ishiguro yelled, vaulting easily over Mimi and Joe's heads.
Curse me for a fool for listening. Adam muttered, placing himself squarely in front of Tai.
What in... Tai began, just as the first Titan units marched into the room from concealed lifts.
The machines clearly knew that their best chance lay in getting the digidestined before their digimon could digivolve, something that they were momentarily too shocked to do. Without hesitation the two different groups of machines entering the room raised both arms and cut loose with minigun fire, aimed at sweeping the digidestined aside in a bleeding heap.
Joe watched in amazement as Master Ishiguro, now standing between them and the machines menacing them, holding his katana in one hand, began to move. His sword rotated through his hands faster and faster until the blade was nothing more than a blur. Instants later that blur began to fountain sparks, thousands of them, as Ishiguro began to block the streams of incoming bullets. Whines and cracks resounded around him but the sword continued on its rapid path, whirling and screaming around, sending shells ricocheting all over the facility. A quick glance over Joe's shoulder revealed that Adam was doing the same thing on his side, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
Tai gasped.
Adam's voice came as if from a far distance away.
Hey guys. Are we going to help, or are we just going to stand here? A voice interrupted from below Tai. Agumon was standing there, impatiently tapping his foot.
Agumon...warp digivolve to...WarGreymon!
Gabumon...warp digivolve to...MetalGarurumon!
Patamon...digivolve to...Angemon!
Palmon...digivolve to...Togemon!
Togemon...digivolve to...Lilymon!
I'd digivolve to, but I don't think we would all fit. Gomamon whispered.
Now it's our turn. WarGreymon grumbled, a moment before he was hit by a thunderbolt.
Virus!
That panicked warning was the first indication that Izzy had that something was going wrong. It rushed at him out of the blue, a dark devouring beast, targeted specifically at him, trying to consume him alive. He fought back with a courage and strength born of desperation. Should that creature ever manage to corner him it would destroy everything. He understood instinctively that this was not a virus of software, that this was beyond the construction of any hacker in the world, that this was a virus that would attack the information processing ability of a human mind as easily as that of a computer. It would have devoured a normal person alive.
But Izzy, here, in a realm composed of knowledge, was no longer confined to human resources. He threw up firewalls with a thought, burning the mass of darkness in flames that roared and snapped even at him. He blasted at it with spears of light, he created purging programs that fell upon the dark cloud and devoured segments. And then, while the virus was still busy he threw himself out of the link, and pulled his computer out with him.
What's wrong? Sora asked quickly as Izzy, breathless and sweating, toppled to the ground.
We're in trouble. He groaned, a moment before a smashing at the door proved him right.
So what now? Ken asked.
Have a problem with fighting? Izzy asked.
Not here. Let's see if we can take these goons.
Master Ishiguro swore in a language that Tai had never heard before.
What are they? He heard Matt ask, shocked.
Bad news. Gomamon muttered. Really bad news.
Well, I'm sure that all of us remember Piedmon. TK muttered. So he needs no introduction, and the other guy looks bad too.
I think I remember him. Joe repeated slowly, trying to jog his memory. From Izzy's data banks. Meet KingEtemon, the other of Etemon's many annoying evolutions. This one is gold, with an even worse wardrobe, but I don't know anything else. Talk about Deja Vu!
I don't want to talk about it. I want to do something to it. Tai roared. Go and get him WarGreymon!
WarGreymon and Piedmon were circling each other in the air rapidly, each trying to pin down the other as they traded punches, kicks and sword blows. KingEtemon was trying to get behind MetalGarurumon, and was having very little luck, but was managing to keep MetalGarurumon from attacking. They swarmed back and forth in the air overhead.
Adam asked through gritted teeth.
Oh, right. Flower Cannon! A blast of green-white energies coursed through the first Titans, sending them sprawling. Angewomon raised her arms, and a shield of pink energies settled down around them, protecting them temporarily from incoming bullets. As the bullets began to bounce off of the pink field, Adam lowered his sword temporarily, panting hard.
Bought us a moment. TK stepped up. So now what?
There was a thunderous roar, and then the shield buckled under several different cannon shots. Angewomon winced just a little as she balanced the shield out.
Not much of a respite. Adam noted as the shield rocked again. Now what?
WarGreymon danced with his opponent. He was feeling exhilaration here, and knew that Tai could feel it too. Unlike the last time he had fought this digimon, even if it was not the same one, he felt different, more confident. Here he knew the steps, and his opponent did not. Here he remembered how to avoid the thrusts, the blows, the sudden attacks. Piedmon was a powerful opponent, but he could handle the overgrown clown.
There was a flash of purple in the air, and then MagnaAngemon floated into view out of the corner of WarGreymon's eyes. This fight was in the bag.
Bane asked, rasping.
Khartan confirmed with a slight smile.
As the room suddenly crackled with lightning, TK realized that something was wrong. There was a moment when the fight paused, and then, with a sharp jerk a damping field arose and the powers of the digimon outside of Angewomon's barrier were jerked from them. He could feel the shock as they de-digivolved to rookie, could feel the invisible clouds of energy trying to get away, and grabbed onto them as best as he could, reaching out with hands not made of matter, and grounded the escaping strands sharply.
Tai screamed as his skin exploded in fire. He felt different, like there was a storm riding in his blood, trying to rip him apart from the inside out. Fires he had never felt before roiled in his stomach, and it felt like his blood was beginning to boil. He needed to control it, it was new, foreign. Out of the corner of his eye he could barely make out that Matt was also writhing on the floor in torment. He opened his mouth to scream, but his lungs were convulsing too much to make it work.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the pain resided, but the unfamiliar fires still raged inside. He forced himself to focus through them, at the appalled faces of his companions, at the strangely detached face of his sister.
He clutched spasmodically at the smooth floor, and his fingers ripped up five centimeter steel plate like aluminum foil.
Tai. Matt. Kari's voice came as if from a long way away, floating on a sea of calm in the middle of the chaos. TK has given you another chance. He has taken the energy from your failing digimon, and given it to you. I don't know how long this will last, but for now you have the power of Mega level digimon. You alone have the power to save us. You have to concentrate.
Tai felt his mind respond to her words, and forced the energies out of his head, and down into his arms. He vaguely wondered what he was supposed to do as he staggered upright when he was passed by a golden bullet. TK, glowing with the inner fire of MagnaAngemon, surrounded by a golden aura, shot past him like a meteor, springing lightly through the shield, just as Piedmon approached. There was a moment where shock was evident on the Mega's face just before TK kicked him in the stomach. Piedmon doubled over and was thrown backwards with such force that he left a crater in the nearest wall.
What are we waiting for? Matt growled, having finally regained his feet.
Tai threw himself forward, straight at where Piedmon was getting up. He stopped halfway through in shock as he realized what kind of power he had, because the jump he had started was hurtling him through the air faster than he could have ever imagined. He barely had time to bring up his elbow as a shield before slamming into Piedmon. The clown's face, closer to Tai then the original had ever gotten, contorted in sudden pain, as the powerful Mega leaned over.
Get clear Tai. This guy is all mine. You two get golden boy. TK interrupted Tai's reverie and the leader of the digidestined jumped back, more controlled this time, just in time to miss being skewered by TK's palm as it smashed into the underside of Piedmon's chin.
Matt was already there, instincts spawned by a year in the digital world giving him an advantage over a digimon who clearly was not expecting to meet someone his equal. He was always circling behind the befuddled monkey, kicking him from behind, sending him sprawling. Judging from the face that KingEtemon was making, the giant ape really did not enjoy this.
You dirty stinkin' cheater. Well, I'll learn you. Monkey Wrench!
A globe of blue and red fire gathered in KingEtemon's outstretched hand and then shot after the rapidly dodging Matt. But this attack appeared to have a mind of its own, it chased Matt down no matter how high he jumped or how well he ducked, changing direction in midair.
Matt swore as he leapt out of the way again. Something was building in him, gathered by instinct, something primal and unfettered. He could feel it come and then, as the ball of fire changed course yet again his instincts flared, and he let it out.
Both of his hands extended and he could feel power build in them, releasing halos of blue fire. For a moment it felt like he was holding ice, a solid block of it, but the intense cold was not even touching him. He could barely feel it. And then he triggered the right nerve and...
Metal Wolf Claw! A blast of blue ice slammed forward and caught the incoming ball of fire head on. There was a flare of white light, and then Matt was still standing, a large scorch and freeze mark on the ground the only evidence of the attack.
Joe's eyes were wide.
Well, why not? Tai asked rhetorically. He took advantage of KingEtemon's momentary surprise to zoom forward again, skimming the ground at tremendous speed. KingEtemon had barely registered Tai's presence when Tai, concentrating as hard as he could on images from his past, grew closer. He focused his power down into one arm and yelled out:
Mega Claw!
At first it seemed as though nothing would happen. Then, as he ducked under and came up with an uppercut there was a red-gold flare and the faint image of a huge set of claws appeared for a moment, a faint image of energies beyond Tai's comprehension, but they still glimmered as the light bounced off of them. The claws slammed into KingEtemon just below his head, throwing his head upward as they sunk in. He yelled in pain before focusing on Tai.
King Monkey Kick!
A kick like a tornado came at Tai. He crouched down and immediately thought Shield. With hardly a sound the huge metal shield that WarGreymon normally wore on his back slammed closed in front of him, deflecting the oncoming attack. The blast still blew him backward, sending him sliding along the floor like a hockey puck, but only stray light penetrated around the shield.
Looks like we're still here. Tai murmured.
TK stood and fenced with his opponent. Piedmon had haunted his dreams long enough for him to remember every feature, every tilt of the cruel face. Now he was fighting back, for the first time on the same level. Piedmon had two of his swords out, one in each hand. TK had his own sword, MagnaAngemon's purple blade blazing in one hand, its edge raging with fire against its old foe. Fortunately for TK the blade, which had no handle, merely needed to respond to his willpower, hovering a short distance from his hand, turning there at his command.
Piedmon came around and TK could feel him coming. Every sense was heightened, every ability stretched beyond its maximum. He felt alive, and he moved with the fluid grace of the superhuman.
High blow. Piedmon's first blow bounced off of the horizontal blade.
Low sweep. The second sword tried to sneak in, but the purple blade cut down and slammed it away again.
High backspin. The first sword came around again, aiming to decapitate on the end of a spin. Piedmon stopped in shock as TK countered, blade slashing backwards, letting Piedmon bounce back so his side was exposed.
Take back the initiative. The purple blade blazed in, slicing just below the ribs. Piedmon jerked back, screaming in pain.
Take advantage of his distraction. High jump, 180-degree jump spin sidekick, slamming into the back of Piedmon's head.
Now he counterattacks, and I move.
Trump Sword! The blades shot out, but TK was not there anymore, leaping skyward, and then descending with his blade held in strike position. Piedmon managed to get his own up barely in time.
CRUNCH. The two warriors collided. Purple fire and red flames blazed at the point of their impact. TK and Piedmon bounced out in different directions, the digimon slamming into a wall, TK splaying himself onto the floor.
Full attack.
Clown Trick! TK dodged aside as the blast of distorted space came by him.
Downward strike. Piedmon slammed his sword down like a hammer where TK should have been but he was already dodging to the side.
Counterspin. Piedmon spun towards TK. TK easily ducked the blow of the leading sword, but only the presence of his own blade held parallel to Piedmon above his head allowed him to avoid being decapitated.
Downward strike. Piedmon's second blade came around, clearly meaning to spit TK where he was, but TK was singing his way skyward, floating in the air, twisting just enough that all the sword did was cut a piece off of his hat.
Look into my eyes Piedmon. When I was eight years old we fought each other for the first time. That time I was terrified of you, but you aren't that one, you aren't the one I was scared of, merely another wearing the same body. I have no fear of you, and I do not intend to allow you to escape this battlefield.
TK spun in midair, his sword coming around like a glowing scythe. There was not even a sound as it impacted, and then it was through any resistance. TK landed heavily, but remained standing and looked down at the object at his feet.
It's over. You don't scare anyone anymore.
Piedmon's decapitated head stared at him for a moment before dissolving into digital data.
The roof of the computer center exploded upwards. Something rose out of it. Something huge. MegaKabuterimon, roaring in rage, the digidestined on his back, moved skywards as the Titan units that had come to stop them were thrown aside like bowling pins.
Who says size doesn't matter? ExVeemon asked.
What say we get out of here. Armadillomon suggested.
We have to wait for the others. Izzy shouted back.
Well then I suggest... Silphymon began.
What are those? Yolei pointed at a set of lights behind them.
Knowing our luck, probably bad news. Sora responded, peering at them.
Suddenly there was the sound of machine gun fire. A set of brilliantly colored tracers flamed from the incoming lights. Most of the shots missed, but a few bounced off of MegaKabuterimon's hide.
They're shooting at us! Stingmon exclaimed from where he was holding Ken.
No kidding. Really? Davis asked, ducking behind ExVeemon.
Get us out of here Izzy. Cody ordered.
We have to help the others though. MegaKabuterimon, evasive maneuvers. Izzy snapped to his companion.
Evasive maneuvers, right. MegaKabuterimon fired up, and blasted off, a moment later shooting towards the nearest other tower.
How do you do evasive maneuvers with something as big as a skyscraper? Davis asked.
Matt struck again. He was unused to this, and KingEtemon was fast recovering from his surprise at facing mega level humans. But Matt was striking with determination, depending on his feet and his fists more then he depended on MetalGarurumon's attacks. He still had not figured out the best way to trigger them, and was too worried about getting caught off guard. But this time the Mega seemed unaffected, and Matt was flung back violently.
Monkey Wrench! He threw his next attack, another globe of fire.
Metal Wolf Claw! Matt responded, and the familiar cold blast stopped the attack in its tracks, but beyond that did nothing.
KingEtemon rushed forward in an attempt to slam down his fist on the top of Matt's head.
Matt. Out of the way! Tai barreled through, tossing Matt out of the way. The blow of KingEtemon's fist on the ground sent them both sprawling.
We aren't doing too well here Tai. Matt noted.
I sort of noticed this. How about a new plan?
I'd settle for a plan at all. Matt shook his head to clear it.
We hit him both at the same time with everything we've got? Tai suggested.
If that's the best plan we've got, why not?
They rushed him as one. Matt, his fists suddenly flaming blue jumped over the surprised ape's first blow and pounded him on the head. Tai stood back, gathering energy in a giant ball over his head and threw it.
Terra Force! The blast knocked KingEtemon over, sending him flying, just in time for Matt to slam him in the back of the head with both fists as he passed.
Well, he's not getting away. Tai lifted WarGreymon's shield in both hands and, just as KingEtemon was regaining his feet, send it skidding over the floor. KingEtemon tripped as it slammed into his shins, and fell slowly downward. And then Tai was there.
His right arm flamed with red-gold energies, playing up and down his arm, blazing like the sun. The glowing interplay of those same fires lit up the entire room, and then he felt the now familiar claw encase his arm.
Mega Claw! He screamed, and thrust the sharpened talons directly up into KingEtemon's stomach. KingEtemon stared down at him once, and jerked convulsively, openeing his mouth as if he was going to vomit. And then he screamed once and dissolved into spray of digital data.
Matt was there a few moments later. In time to see Tai's eyes widen with sudden horror as he realized that he had finally killed a living being.
This is nuts. Yolei claimed, sitting on ImperialDramon's hard shell. The digidestined had finally transferred to ImperialDramon, reasoning that his glowing shield would be better able to protect them then MegaKabuterimon's bare back. Now the two huge digimon flew through the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, each of them with a small fleet of helicopters behind them. Ken could catch a glimpse of them from time to time, glowing gnats, spraying out bullets in a steady stream.
Sure, but I don't have a better idea. Davis yelled back.
Still no word from Tai? Cody screamed back over the roar of another machine gun salvo.
Ken returned. I don't know what he's doing.
Adam grunted as his sword swung, and he split a Titan unit straight up the middle. Joe had been watched, flabbergasted, as the two Helios trained humans, unburdened by the necessity of protecting the others almost effortlessly destroyed the Titan units. The merely flashed through the enemy's defenses, avoiding gunfire, and then those long, sparkling swords sliced through composite armor like it was not even there. Shards of armor spat across the floor like bullets, as massive machine units collapsed in heaps. But the huge collection of tortured beings in the walls was still untouched.
This isn't working. Mimi remarked to Joe.
We need a new plan. Palmon responded.
Look. Tai, Matt and TK won! Gomamon exclaimed, but even as he did there was another explosion to the side and a huge MetalSeadramon crawled through a new gap into the building.
Okay, now this is nuts! Joe exclaimed. They can't win against all of them.
They don't have to. They have done their job. Kari spoke from behind them, her voice possessing an unearthly quality. She was glowing now, pure white, her hair waving in an unseen wind. She seemed not to be standing on Earth anymore and her eyes were narrowed, something the calm girl rarely did. Fire burned inside of her of its own accord, and the faint flames were seen outside.
Angewomon floated serenely behind her human partner, wings stilled, perfectly calm and straight. She seemed to be concentrating on something so hard they could almost hear it.
Even beings as tortured as this hold out their own hope. Even fallen angels may look upon the Light and know of its glory. There are powers in this world, and in all others, that exceed the might of any power you might know of here, powers that are stirring. They call out that this wrong must be righted. They call out that there must be light here, and that this light must shine beyond all efforts of the darkness to shield it. They say that what was wrong here must never happen again.
I am Hikari Kamiya, seeker, guide, appointed guardian of the Gate of Stars, a bearer of the Light, and I say NO MORE! On those last two words her voice rose to a tempest, and like a tempest the room around them started to shudder. It was almost as if the building itself was shuddering, trying to raise itself, rising like a slumbering giant, waking from a century's long sleep. The room seemed to twist and rise in anger, and then, in something that started so faint that ever after Joe wondered if he had only imagined it, Light began to radiate from the cylinders holding those twisted remnants of bodies. Light, a steady beam of it, gradually growing, gaining strength, getting stronger, faster, more powerful. It rose in strength, until the room seemed to shake with it. Kari, her eyes closed, shook with it to, the Child of Light being battered by unseen forces like a boat in the storm, but Joe could feel her willpower unabated.
Angewomon de-digivolved into Gatomon, the light from the de-digivolution adding to the growing cloud gathered around Kari. All combat had stopped as the watchers could only stare in wonder at the shining beacon. Then Kari's eyes opened.
Symphony of Light!
For a moment two great wings rose from Kari's back, gleaming white constructs, covered with delicate white feathers, transparent but somehow very, very real. They glowed against the background until they seemed to be the only reality left. Spreading across the world like the stars across the sky as the sun set, they were almost the only thing that they could see after a moment, so bright was their glare. And in the midst of the sparkling madness, hanging like a small ornament in the middle of a million blinking Christmas lights, Kari hung, now several meters off the ground, her eyes pale and unfocused.
And then, just for a second, every feather stood out in wonderful detail. And then they shot out, a million different projectiles, turning into unstoppable spears the moment they left her wings. Every tank in the room exploded under those piercing impacts. Every Titan unit toppled lifelessly to the ground as that Light sought out their living components and granting them one final wish, freedom. MetalSeadramon writhed under the onslaught, eventually exploding into digital data. The room was bathed in light. And then it was gone, and Kari, pale and exhausted, dropped to the ground.
What was that? Izzy gasped as the flare of light blasted through half the city like a rogue star.
Apparently a big blast of light. Armadillomon noted sarcastically.
Never mind. Something big's going on back there. Ken squinted, trying to see through the sudden spots hanging in front of his eyes.
All around ImperialDramon! Davis screamed, and ImperialDramon spun on his axis and headed back to the compound.
So how do we get out? Tai asked loudly.
Well, there is a sizeable hole in the ceiling. Matt pointed out sarcastically. We could go out that way.
Well, that's just wonderful. Tai murmured. Shall we get going?
Sure thing. How? Joe asked.
Just then the entire ceiling blasted open and ImperialDramon and MegaKabuterimon appeared, lowering themselves down to earth, slowly and carefully.
Everyone on the big guy! TK pointed, holding Kari in his arms, and then a blue light descended upon them, and the next moment they were standing in ImperialDramon's protective bubble.
Get us out of here! Tai shouted, but the two digimon were already on their way.
Where's Adam? TK asked after a second, counting the people in the luxurious containment field.
He stayed behind. Said something about wanting to check out the rest of the complex. Master Ishiguro replied, staring behind them.
Hang on! Izzy yelled as they revved to full power.
Tai asked, and then a furious bloom of fire exploded against the blue force field.
What was that? Matt asked as they staggered sideways.
Izzy muttered quietly, trying to direct them out of this mess.
Missiles? Who's shooting missiles at us? Tai screamed.
Cody pointed. Tai turned around just in time to see the flitting helicopter gunships close in on them again.
Oh crud. Mimi muttered.
Diversionary tactics. MegaKabuterimon, ditch us, try to draw some of them off, and then turn into Tentomon and lose them. ImperialDramon, let's find out how good you can maneuver out there in the city. Tai commanded.
MegaKabuterimon peeled off, and just about half the helicopters turned to follow him.
Gunfire splattered against ImperialDramon's blue shield, but the massive mega turned to avoid it, suddenly executing a right turn that made him stand up on his side, arcing around a skyscraper, and then plunge toward the ground, diving back up only at the last moment, banking sharply to fit between another set of skyscrapers. Several helicopters got lost, but others still managed to follow the massive Mega, even through all those maneuvers.
Blast it. We need a way out. Davis muttered as more gunfire splattered against their protective shield.
We've got it. Izzy suddenly smiled. We've just been waiting around to see whether or not these guys needed any help. ImperialDramon, head for the ocean.
Ocean it is. ImperialDramon grumbled.
Gomamon asked. How will that help us?
As soon as you get into line of sight, go to the speed of sound. It'll be loud, but I bet those helicopters won't be able to catch us. We can skim back to Odaiba after we get out of sight.
One sonic boom coming up. ImperialDramon suddenly made a hard left and shot forward at incredible speed, leaving the helicopters floundering hopelessly in his wake.
Why didn't we think of that earlier? Ken asked, laughing, as they made their way back to Odaiba.
We'll think about that tomorrow. Tai slapped everyone on the back, one by one. The exhilaration of having escaped, the sudden joy, the release of pent up tension, all of it changed to sudden laughter. They were now all laughing, hugging each other in joy. Sora and Matt kissed, in the middle of much jeering from the audience, and not even this could keep Tai's spirits down.
The next day the first digidestined died.
Author's Note: I can update faster. Really I can.
Busting Loose
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going."
Anonymous
"Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks."
Herodotus
Izzy remarked. This looks a lot like the setup at Tokyo University. I can probably break its security.
Davis remarked. Even he looked intimidated by the monster standing in front of them. I think I'll just stand over here and wait.
I hear you Davis. ExVeemon snorted, noting that Izzy was already completely oblivious to their presence. The two of them started muttering and moved off towards one corner.
Yolei sighed and wandered off to another corner, where a more normal looking computer terminal stood, as well as a set of computer manuals. After a moment she realized she had been followed.
She remarked in surprise as Ken walked up behind her. What's up? What aren't you off helping Izzy?
I have no idea how that monster works. I barely even knew that something like that existed, so I guess that I would really be no help in trying to crack its systems. That's a lot more like Izzy's thing. I would just be in the way, so I came over to see how you were doing.
Oh...uh...thanks. I'm doing great. There was a long period of awkward silence between the two.
So...uh...have you been watching TK and Kari lately? Ken asked.
A safe topic. Yolei thought briefly before answering. You mean that way that they never really act like they're dating.
Yeah, they act like they're married. After all it's not like they go around and giggle and talk to each other. Ken mused thoughtfully. It's just that they sit around and talk to other people. They're just so happy that the other one is there that it nearly defies belief. I think that it's impressive. TK and Kari are so comfortable together that they don't have to go through the stages everyone else goes through. They just look so blissfully happy that it's hard not to envy them.
For a moment Yolei felt a touch of envy, but she quickly brushed that aside. What right did she have to be envious of her friend?
I wish I could have something like that. Ken remarked.
Well, maybe you can some day. Yolei responded. Of course he will. She thought at the same time. He's still famous Ken Ichijouji.
Well, I was just thinking. Yolei frowned. It sounded like his voice was shaking. She glared suspiciously.
That is I just wanted to know...um...if you would consent to...that is if you wanted to... Ken really began to stutter.
What is it? Yolei asked, a bit sharply.
Well, if you wanted to go on a date with me. I mean I'll let you choose...where we go that is...and I can afford to pay for both of us...and...
Did Ken really just ask me on a date? You really want to go on a date with me Ken?
Of course...I mean yes...I mean...you have pretty eyes you know. The boy genius was clearly trying to salvage something out of all of this.
Ken asked me out on a date! Yes, yes, of course I'll go! She almost shouted, toning down the volume at the last moment.
You will, really? Ken sounded earnest this time.
Of course. You are a really great guy, and so gorgeous too...did I say that? Yolei suddenly turned bright red as Ken took on a slightly poleaxed look. She was turning redder as she stammered out. Well, I usually just think that...you know, I have a lot to learn about the dating game.
It's my first one. Ken remarked.
Well, I'll forgive any mistakes you make. Yolei reached out a hand.
And if you make any, I'll forgive them too. Ken reached out his own hand, and then, in a movement from another age, bowed forward and kissed hers.
Oh My! Yolei thought as the fireworks began.
Someone began clapping behind them, and they spun around to find Davis leaning against the cubicle wall, smiling out at both of them.
You again? Ken sounded resigned.
He's been practicing that for two weeks now. Davis whispered to Yolei, a whisper that was clearly designed to carry over to where Ken was standing.
Two weeks. I'm impressed. Yolei's eyes widened while Ken attempted to dissolve into the floor.
Cody, that's fifty yen you owe me. Davis exclaimed, grinning wider.
Don't rub it in. Cody peeked around the corner, grinning impishly.
For what? Yolei asked suspiciously.
On whether or not Ken would ask you, or you would ask him. Davis grinned again.
Sorry Cody. Yolei apologized. I guess I let you down.
Don't worry about it. It was worth it. Cody responded cheekily.
Then, for some reason, in the middle of their enemy's fortress they broke down and started to laugh.
Izzy felt the streams of knowledge begin to build again, flowing through him like a river, the tiny branches gently caressing the stored data in the data chips. He could feel himself slip like a ghost through all the defenses of the data system. Firewalls and security passwords flashed by him. This computer system was built to ward off human intruders, but with his computer and his crest Izzy was aware that he was no longer quite human, that his ability to access extra abilities made him a force to be reckoned with. He could manipulate the data, avoid the clumsy traps that were set up to stop him.
And then he was in, floating in the endless sea of knowledge that filled the computer. Within seconds he had managed to create a steady flow, and then that knowledge was pouring through him, and then into the data banks of his computer. He let the flow continue, taking him with it, as he kept careful watch for other traps he might have missed.
And then he really did see something weird. His virtual eyes narrowed and he began to pick his way through the information stream.
He was aware of the stillness of his corporeal body, but ignored it. For now, the knowledge was everything.
They were right. Matt breathed out in something like awe. There is no God.
If there is, we have clearly left his domain. Adam frowned, his brows bristling like a miniature thunderstorm. He was grasping the hilt of his sword, suddenly materialized out of his gear, so hard that his knuckles were whitening.
This place gives me the creeps. Mimi admitted.
Me too. Joe shuddered, drawing closer to her.
What's all this doing here? TK asked, but nobody could answer him.
They were standing in a huge room, six stories tall. In six separate tiers around the edges of the room were walkways, open to the middle so that they could see exactly what was on each level. Each level seemed to be composed of tubes, huge cylinders of plastic or glass containing a strange, sticky looking green liquid. And hanging suspended in each tube was a human body somewhere in the process of decay. Some seemed to have lost their limbs, as if they had melted away. Some were missing just an arm, or a leg. Some, strangely enough, still had their hair, even though they might be missing an ear, or a foot or some such. Some were simply strangely deformed, as if they had been warped by their storage in the liquid. Huge banks of machinery were deployed around the wall, reaching their tentacles up to seize hold of each separate tube, probing within. In some tubes at the far end it seemed that mechanical and electrical equipment had been placed so that it entered the corpses of the humans there.
We must be in their idea of a house of horrors. Agumon muttered. The digimon seemed less effected by this, but it could be that they simply thought that this might be a human experience. But even the normally unflappable Angewomon was looking a bit spooked.
What is this place? TK asked Kari.
I don't know. She was almost too shocked to speak. But I'll see if I can find out.
Carefully she advanced past the banks of complicated machinery, displaying green and red lights and reaching up to touch every tank, until she was standing at the far end. There a huge mechanical object, seemingly a pump for the green fluid, waited for her, liquid calmly flowing within. Carefully, she placed both hands on the pump and waited.
This is taking too long. Ken muttered.
How long has he been at it? Davis asked nervously, having no watch.
About half an hour. Cody reported, still staring at Izzy.
Well, it can't be that bad. After all, nobody's seen us yet, right? Yolei asked.
Calm down Ken. Wormmon murmured soothingly.
Right, we would have heard them if they had found out about us. Armadillomon tried his best to be reassuring.
I'm still worried. Ken told them, and resumed watching Izzy sit in a trance by his computer.
So what do you think this place is? Joe asked, shivering again, for the third time.
Maybe they just wanted a place to store research items. Maybe that green junk preserves the bodies. How am I supposed to know? Adam looked nervous. All I know is that I have a bad feeling about this place.
Destroy it. Destroy it all. A voice spoke up, a voice raw and ragged, grating on the senses, almost as if a rusty machine had been given voice. They all turned to find Kari standing there, her eyes glowing white, an expression on her face unlike anything they had ever seen before. She looked as if she was ready to rip the facility, and them, apart with her bare hands.
Kari, what is it? Angewomon asked, alarmed.
Destroy it all. The voice came out laboriously, as if she was having to force it out through gritted teeth, as if she was staring into the depths of a horror that they simply could not imagine.
What is it? Tai demanded.
Don't you understand? They did it. They succeeded. All those hours, all those experiments involving torture. They finally managed to do it. They managed to find the energies emitted by the darkness inside all of us, find it and trace it back to its source. They can use the dark energies of our own minds as a weapon to fight against us. They can use it to power machines. Machines, Tai. They took this dark energy and used it, used it to power their engines of war. They built the Titans with this.
So this is a giant battery. Matt looked repulsed, but Kari merely laughed.
No. The minds who generate the energy have to be alive. So they took good people, and broke them because that gives the most pure strain of darkness, as Ken well knows. And from their broken bodies and minds they extracted the energy they needed. But they needed to keep the brains alive, so they took those broken bodies and removed only the essential human organs, keeping them alive, wiring the brain into a guidance computer, using the dark energies to power their devices. Do you understand now? In each machine, in each one of these bodies writhes a human spirit, aware of what is happening to it, but powerless, unable to stop what is happening to it, wasting away under the fires of their own personal hell. Slowly going mad as the bodies they once controlled are forced to perform unbearable acts, under the commands of somebody else's will. They can do nothing! And the only way we can save them, is to destroy them.
My God. Matt whispered.
Adam ordered tersely.
Tai jerked around.
Go. Now. Adam pointed toward the exit.
It seemed Tai was astonished by this.
Because no matter what form these creatures are in, they are still human lives, they are still alive, and I don't want you to have to kill another human being yet. Now go.
Someone started clapping.
Such a touching display of compassion for your poor sensitive morals, don't you think. An image flared to life, the torso and head of a familiar figure.
TK shouted.
Of course, you didn't expect me. How careless of the traitor in your midst to fail to inform you that I was going to show up. He really should be more attentive to common courtesy. Khartan absently buffed his nails, already as sharp as fangs.
Traitor. What traitor? Tai demanded angrily, red splotches coloring his cheeks.
Oh, you haven't figured it out yet? Perhaps I overestimated you after all. Of course you have a traitor near to you. You hadn't figured it out? That is how I remain untouched by you and your pathetic plans. How else do you think I have spent all this time here and you have never once caught sight of me, in any form? You should make friends more carefully boy.
Suddenly there was a grinding noise as something large and mechanical began to move.
A trap! Master Ishiguro yelled, vaulting easily over Mimi and Joe's heads.
Curse me for a fool for listening. Adam muttered, placing himself squarely in front of Tai.
What in... Tai began, just as the first Titan units marched into the room from concealed lifts.
The machines clearly knew that their best chance lay in getting the digidestined before their digimon could digivolve, something that they were momentarily too shocked to do. Without hesitation the two different groups of machines entering the room raised both arms and cut loose with minigun fire, aimed at sweeping the digidestined aside in a bleeding heap.
Joe watched in amazement as Master Ishiguro, now standing between them and the machines menacing them, holding his katana in one hand, began to move. His sword rotated through his hands faster and faster until the blade was nothing more than a blur. Instants later that blur began to fountain sparks, thousands of them, as Ishiguro began to block the streams of incoming bullets. Whines and cracks resounded around him but the sword continued on its rapid path, whirling and screaming around, sending shells ricocheting all over the facility. A quick glance over Joe's shoulder revealed that Adam was doing the same thing on his side, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
Tai gasped.
Adam's voice came as if from a far distance away.
Hey guys. Are we going to help, or are we just going to stand here? A voice interrupted from below Tai. Agumon was standing there, impatiently tapping his foot.
Agumon...warp digivolve to...WarGreymon!
Gabumon...warp digivolve to...MetalGarurumon!
Patamon...digivolve to...Angemon!
Palmon...digivolve to...Togemon!
Togemon...digivolve to...Lilymon!
I'd digivolve to, but I don't think we would all fit. Gomamon whispered.
Now it's our turn. WarGreymon grumbled, a moment before he was hit by a thunderbolt.
Virus!
That panicked warning was the first indication that Izzy had that something was going wrong. It rushed at him out of the blue, a dark devouring beast, targeted specifically at him, trying to consume him alive. He fought back with a courage and strength born of desperation. Should that creature ever manage to corner him it would destroy everything. He understood instinctively that this was not a virus of software, that this was beyond the construction of any hacker in the world, that this was a virus that would attack the information processing ability of a human mind as easily as that of a computer. It would have devoured a normal person alive.
But Izzy, here, in a realm composed of knowledge, was no longer confined to human resources. He threw up firewalls with a thought, burning the mass of darkness in flames that roared and snapped even at him. He blasted at it with spears of light, he created purging programs that fell upon the dark cloud and devoured segments. And then, while the virus was still busy he threw himself out of the link, and pulled his computer out with him.
What's wrong? Sora asked quickly as Izzy, breathless and sweating, toppled to the ground.
We're in trouble. He groaned, a moment before a smashing at the door proved him right.
So what now? Ken asked.
Have a problem with fighting? Izzy asked.
Not here. Let's see if we can take these goons.
Master Ishiguro swore in a language that Tai had never heard before.
What are they? He heard Matt ask, shocked.
Bad news. Gomamon muttered. Really bad news.
Well, I'm sure that all of us remember Piedmon. TK muttered. So he needs no introduction, and the other guy looks bad too.
I think I remember him. Joe repeated slowly, trying to jog his memory. From Izzy's data banks. Meet KingEtemon, the other of Etemon's many annoying evolutions. This one is gold, with an even worse wardrobe, but I don't know anything else. Talk about Deja Vu!
I don't want to talk about it. I want to do something to it. Tai roared. Go and get him WarGreymon!
WarGreymon and Piedmon were circling each other in the air rapidly, each trying to pin down the other as they traded punches, kicks and sword blows. KingEtemon was trying to get behind MetalGarurumon, and was having very little luck, but was managing to keep MetalGarurumon from attacking. They swarmed back and forth in the air overhead.
Adam asked through gritted teeth.
Oh, right. Flower Cannon! A blast of green-white energies coursed through the first Titans, sending them sprawling. Angewomon raised her arms, and a shield of pink energies settled down around them, protecting them temporarily from incoming bullets. As the bullets began to bounce off of the pink field, Adam lowered his sword temporarily, panting hard.
Bought us a moment. TK stepped up. So now what?
There was a thunderous roar, and then the shield buckled under several different cannon shots. Angewomon winced just a little as she balanced the shield out.
Not much of a respite. Adam noted as the shield rocked again. Now what?
WarGreymon danced with his opponent. He was feeling exhilaration here, and knew that Tai could feel it too. Unlike the last time he had fought this digimon, even if it was not the same one, he felt different, more confident. Here he knew the steps, and his opponent did not. Here he remembered how to avoid the thrusts, the blows, the sudden attacks. Piedmon was a powerful opponent, but he could handle the overgrown clown.
There was a flash of purple in the air, and then MagnaAngemon floated into view out of the corner of WarGreymon's eyes. This fight was in the bag.
Bane asked, rasping.
Khartan confirmed with a slight smile.
As the room suddenly crackled with lightning, TK realized that something was wrong. There was a moment when the fight paused, and then, with a sharp jerk a damping field arose and the powers of the digimon outside of Angewomon's barrier were jerked from them. He could feel the shock as they de-digivolved to rookie, could feel the invisible clouds of energy trying to get away, and grabbed onto them as best as he could, reaching out with hands not made of matter, and grounded the escaping strands sharply.
Tai screamed as his skin exploded in fire. He felt different, like there was a storm riding in his blood, trying to rip him apart from the inside out. Fires he had never felt before roiled in his stomach, and it felt like his blood was beginning to boil. He needed to control it, it was new, foreign. Out of the corner of his eye he could barely make out that Matt was also writhing on the floor in torment. He opened his mouth to scream, but his lungs were convulsing too much to make it work.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the pain resided, but the unfamiliar fires still raged inside. He forced himself to focus through them, at the appalled faces of his companions, at the strangely detached face of his sister.
He clutched spasmodically at the smooth floor, and his fingers ripped up five centimeter steel plate like aluminum foil.
Tai. Matt. Kari's voice came as if from a long way away, floating on a sea of calm in the middle of the chaos. TK has given you another chance. He has taken the energy from your failing digimon, and given it to you. I don't know how long this will last, but for now you have the power of Mega level digimon. You alone have the power to save us. You have to concentrate.
Tai felt his mind respond to her words, and forced the energies out of his head, and down into his arms. He vaguely wondered what he was supposed to do as he staggered upright when he was passed by a golden bullet. TK, glowing with the inner fire of MagnaAngemon, surrounded by a golden aura, shot past him like a meteor, springing lightly through the shield, just as Piedmon approached. There was a moment where shock was evident on the Mega's face just before TK kicked him in the stomach. Piedmon doubled over and was thrown backwards with such force that he left a crater in the nearest wall.
What are we waiting for? Matt growled, having finally regained his feet.
Tai threw himself forward, straight at where Piedmon was getting up. He stopped halfway through in shock as he realized what kind of power he had, because the jump he had started was hurtling him through the air faster than he could have ever imagined. He barely had time to bring up his elbow as a shield before slamming into Piedmon. The clown's face, closer to Tai then the original had ever gotten, contorted in sudden pain, as the powerful Mega leaned over.
Get clear Tai. This guy is all mine. You two get golden boy. TK interrupted Tai's reverie and the leader of the digidestined jumped back, more controlled this time, just in time to miss being skewered by TK's palm as it smashed into the underside of Piedmon's chin.
Matt was already there, instincts spawned by a year in the digital world giving him an advantage over a digimon who clearly was not expecting to meet someone his equal. He was always circling behind the befuddled monkey, kicking him from behind, sending him sprawling. Judging from the face that KingEtemon was making, the giant ape really did not enjoy this.
You dirty stinkin' cheater. Well, I'll learn you. Monkey Wrench!
A globe of blue and red fire gathered in KingEtemon's outstretched hand and then shot after the rapidly dodging Matt. But this attack appeared to have a mind of its own, it chased Matt down no matter how high he jumped or how well he ducked, changing direction in midair.
Matt swore as he leapt out of the way again. Something was building in him, gathered by instinct, something primal and unfettered. He could feel it come and then, as the ball of fire changed course yet again his instincts flared, and he let it out.
Both of his hands extended and he could feel power build in them, releasing halos of blue fire. For a moment it felt like he was holding ice, a solid block of it, but the intense cold was not even touching him. He could barely feel it. And then he triggered the right nerve and...
Metal Wolf Claw! A blast of blue ice slammed forward and caught the incoming ball of fire head on. There was a flare of white light, and then Matt was still standing, a large scorch and freeze mark on the ground the only evidence of the attack.
Joe's eyes were wide.
Well, why not? Tai asked rhetorically. He took advantage of KingEtemon's momentary surprise to zoom forward again, skimming the ground at tremendous speed. KingEtemon had barely registered Tai's presence when Tai, concentrating as hard as he could on images from his past, grew closer. He focused his power down into one arm and yelled out:
Mega Claw!
At first it seemed as though nothing would happen. Then, as he ducked under and came up with an uppercut there was a red-gold flare and the faint image of a huge set of claws appeared for a moment, a faint image of energies beyond Tai's comprehension, but they still glimmered as the light bounced off of them. The claws slammed into KingEtemon just below his head, throwing his head upward as they sunk in. He yelled in pain before focusing on Tai.
King Monkey Kick!
A kick like a tornado came at Tai. He crouched down and immediately thought Shield. With hardly a sound the huge metal shield that WarGreymon normally wore on his back slammed closed in front of him, deflecting the oncoming attack. The blast still blew him backward, sending him sliding along the floor like a hockey puck, but only stray light penetrated around the shield.
Looks like we're still here. Tai murmured.
TK stood and fenced with his opponent. Piedmon had haunted his dreams long enough for him to remember every feature, every tilt of the cruel face. Now he was fighting back, for the first time on the same level. Piedmon had two of his swords out, one in each hand. TK had his own sword, MagnaAngemon's purple blade blazing in one hand, its edge raging with fire against its old foe. Fortunately for TK the blade, which had no handle, merely needed to respond to his willpower, hovering a short distance from his hand, turning there at his command.
Piedmon came around and TK could feel him coming. Every sense was heightened, every ability stretched beyond its maximum. He felt alive, and he moved with the fluid grace of the superhuman.
High blow. Piedmon's first blow bounced off of the horizontal blade.
Low sweep. The second sword tried to sneak in, but the purple blade cut down and slammed it away again.
High backspin. The first sword came around again, aiming to decapitate on the end of a spin. Piedmon stopped in shock as TK countered, blade slashing backwards, letting Piedmon bounce back so his side was exposed.
Take back the initiative. The purple blade blazed in, slicing just below the ribs. Piedmon jerked back, screaming in pain.
Take advantage of his distraction. High jump, 180-degree jump spin sidekick, slamming into the back of Piedmon's head.
Now he counterattacks, and I move.
Trump Sword! The blades shot out, but TK was not there anymore, leaping skyward, and then descending with his blade held in strike position. Piedmon managed to get his own up barely in time.
CRUNCH. The two warriors collided. Purple fire and red flames blazed at the point of their impact. TK and Piedmon bounced out in different directions, the digimon slamming into a wall, TK splaying himself onto the floor.
Full attack.
Clown Trick! TK dodged aside as the blast of distorted space came by him.
Downward strike. Piedmon slammed his sword down like a hammer where TK should have been but he was already dodging to the side.
Counterspin. Piedmon spun towards TK. TK easily ducked the blow of the leading sword, but only the presence of his own blade held parallel to Piedmon above his head allowed him to avoid being decapitated.
Downward strike. Piedmon's second blade came around, clearly meaning to spit TK where he was, but TK was singing his way skyward, floating in the air, twisting just enough that all the sword did was cut a piece off of his hat.
Look into my eyes Piedmon. When I was eight years old we fought each other for the first time. That time I was terrified of you, but you aren't that one, you aren't the one I was scared of, merely another wearing the same body. I have no fear of you, and I do not intend to allow you to escape this battlefield.
TK spun in midair, his sword coming around like a glowing scythe. There was not even a sound as it impacted, and then it was through any resistance. TK landed heavily, but remained standing and looked down at the object at his feet.
It's over. You don't scare anyone anymore.
Piedmon's decapitated head stared at him for a moment before dissolving into digital data.
The roof of the computer center exploded upwards. Something rose out of it. Something huge. MegaKabuterimon, roaring in rage, the digidestined on his back, moved skywards as the Titan units that had come to stop them were thrown aside like bowling pins.
Who says size doesn't matter? ExVeemon asked.
What say we get out of here. Armadillomon suggested.
We have to wait for the others. Izzy shouted back.
Well then I suggest... Silphymon began.
What are those? Yolei pointed at a set of lights behind them.
Knowing our luck, probably bad news. Sora responded, peering at them.
Suddenly there was the sound of machine gun fire. A set of brilliantly colored tracers flamed from the incoming lights. Most of the shots missed, but a few bounced off of MegaKabuterimon's hide.
They're shooting at us! Stingmon exclaimed from where he was holding Ken.
No kidding. Really? Davis asked, ducking behind ExVeemon.
Get us out of here Izzy. Cody ordered.
We have to help the others though. MegaKabuterimon, evasive maneuvers. Izzy snapped to his companion.
Evasive maneuvers, right. MegaKabuterimon fired up, and blasted off, a moment later shooting towards the nearest other tower.
How do you do evasive maneuvers with something as big as a skyscraper? Davis asked.
Matt struck again. He was unused to this, and KingEtemon was fast recovering from his surprise at facing mega level humans. But Matt was striking with determination, depending on his feet and his fists more then he depended on MetalGarurumon's attacks. He still had not figured out the best way to trigger them, and was too worried about getting caught off guard. But this time the Mega seemed unaffected, and Matt was flung back violently.
Monkey Wrench! He threw his next attack, another globe of fire.
Metal Wolf Claw! Matt responded, and the familiar cold blast stopped the attack in its tracks, but beyond that did nothing.
KingEtemon rushed forward in an attempt to slam down his fist on the top of Matt's head.
Matt. Out of the way! Tai barreled through, tossing Matt out of the way. The blow of KingEtemon's fist on the ground sent them both sprawling.
We aren't doing too well here Tai. Matt noted.
I sort of noticed this. How about a new plan?
I'd settle for a plan at all. Matt shook his head to clear it.
We hit him both at the same time with everything we've got? Tai suggested.
If that's the best plan we've got, why not?
They rushed him as one. Matt, his fists suddenly flaming blue jumped over the surprised ape's first blow and pounded him on the head. Tai stood back, gathering energy in a giant ball over his head and threw it.
Terra Force! The blast knocked KingEtemon over, sending him flying, just in time for Matt to slam him in the back of the head with both fists as he passed.
Well, he's not getting away. Tai lifted WarGreymon's shield in both hands and, just as KingEtemon was regaining his feet, send it skidding over the floor. KingEtemon tripped as it slammed into his shins, and fell slowly downward. And then Tai was there.
His right arm flamed with red-gold energies, playing up and down his arm, blazing like the sun. The glowing interplay of those same fires lit up the entire room, and then he felt the now familiar claw encase his arm.
Mega Claw! He screamed, and thrust the sharpened talons directly up into KingEtemon's stomach. KingEtemon stared down at him once, and jerked convulsively, openeing his mouth as if he was going to vomit. And then he screamed once and dissolved into spray of digital data.
Matt was there a few moments later. In time to see Tai's eyes widen with sudden horror as he realized that he had finally killed a living being.
This is nuts. Yolei claimed, sitting on ImperialDramon's hard shell. The digidestined had finally transferred to ImperialDramon, reasoning that his glowing shield would be better able to protect them then MegaKabuterimon's bare back. Now the two huge digimon flew through the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, each of them with a small fleet of helicopters behind them. Ken could catch a glimpse of them from time to time, glowing gnats, spraying out bullets in a steady stream.
Sure, but I don't have a better idea. Davis yelled back.
Still no word from Tai? Cody screamed back over the roar of another machine gun salvo.
Ken returned. I don't know what he's doing.
Adam grunted as his sword swung, and he split a Titan unit straight up the middle. Joe had been watched, flabbergasted, as the two Helios trained humans, unburdened by the necessity of protecting the others almost effortlessly destroyed the Titan units. The merely flashed through the enemy's defenses, avoiding gunfire, and then those long, sparkling swords sliced through composite armor like it was not even there. Shards of armor spat across the floor like bullets, as massive machine units collapsed in heaps. But the huge collection of tortured beings in the walls was still untouched.
This isn't working. Mimi remarked to Joe.
We need a new plan. Palmon responded.
Look. Tai, Matt and TK won! Gomamon exclaimed, but even as he did there was another explosion to the side and a huge MetalSeadramon crawled through a new gap into the building.
Okay, now this is nuts! Joe exclaimed. They can't win against all of them.
They don't have to. They have done their job. Kari spoke from behind them, her voice possessing an unearthly quality. She was glowing now, pure white, her hair waving in an unseen wind. She seemed not to be standing on Earth anymore and her eyes were narrowed, something the calm girl rarely did. Fire burned inside of her of its own accord, and the faint flames were seen outside.
Angewomon floated serenely behind her human partner, wings stilled, perfectly calm and straight. She seemed to be concentrating on something so hard they could almost hear it.
Even beings as tortured as this hold out their own hope. Even fallen angels may look upon the Light and know of its glory. There are powers in this world, and in all others, that exceed the might of any power you might know of here, powers that are stirring. They call out that this wrong must be righted. They call out that there must be light here, and that this light must shine beyond all efforts of the darkness to shield it. They say that what was wrong here must never happen again.
I am Hikari Kamiya, seeker, guide, appointed guardian of the Gate of Stars, a bearer of the Light, and I say NO MORE! On those last two words her voice rose to a tempest, and like a tempest the room around them started to shudder. It was almost as if the building itself was shuddering, trying to raise itself, rising like a slumbering giant, waking from a century's long sleep. The room seemed to twist and rise in anger, and then, in something that started so faint that ever after Joe wondered if he had only imagined it, Light began to radiate from the cylinders holding those twisted remnants of bodies. Light, a steady beam of it, gradually growing, gaining strength, getting stronger, faster, more powerful. It rose in strength, until the room seemed to shake with it. Kari, her eyes closed, shook with it to, the Child of Light being battered by unseen forces like a boat in the storm, but Joe could feel her willpower unabated.
Angewomon de-digivolved into Gatomon, the light from the de-digivolution adding to the growing cloud gathered around Kari. All combat had stopped as the watchers could only stare in wonder at the shining beacon. Then Kari's eyes opened.
Symphony of Light!
For a moment two great wings rose from Kari's back, gleaming white constructs, covered with delicate white feathers, transparent but somehow very, very real. They glowed against the background until they seemed to be the only reality left. Spreading across the world like the stars across the sky as the sun set, they were almost the only thing that they could see after a moment, so bright was their glare. And in the midst of the sparkling madness, hanging like a small ornament in the middle of a million blinking Christmas lights, Kari hung, now several meters off the ground, her eyes pale and unfocused.
And then, just for a second, every feather stood out in wonderful detail. And then they shot out, a million different projectiles, turning into unstoppable spears the moment they left her wings. Every tank in the room exploded under those piercing impacts. Every Titan unit toppled lifelessly to the ground as that Light sought out their living components and granting them one final wish, freedom. MetalSeadramon writhed under the onslaught, eventually exploding into digital data. The room was bathed in light. And then it was gone, and Kari, pale and exhausted, dropped to the ground.
What was that? Izzy gasped as the flare of light blasted through half the city like a rogue star.
Apparently a big blast of light. Armadillomon noted sarcastically.
Never mind. Something big's going on back there. Ken squinted, trying to see through the sudden spots hanging in front of his eyes.
All around ImperialDramon! Davis screamed, and ImperialDramon spun on his axis and headed back to the compound.
So how do we get out? Tai asked loudly.
Well, there is a sizeable hole in the ceiling. Matt pointed out sarcastically. We could go out that way.
Well, that's just wonderful. Tai murmured. Shall we get going?
Sure thing. How? Joe asked.
Just then the entire ceiling blasted open and ImperialDramon and MegaKabuterimon appeared, lowering themselves down to earth, slowly and carefully.
Everyone on the big guy! TK pointed, holding Kari in his arms, and then a blue light descended upon them, and the next moment they were standing in ImperialDramon's protective bubble.
Get us out of here! Tai shouted, but the two digimon were already on their way.
Where's Adam? TK asked after a second, counting the people in the luxurious containment field.
He stayed behind. Said something about wanting to check out the rest of the complex. Master Ishiguro replied, staring behind them.
Hang on! Izzy yelled as they revved to full power.
Tai asked, and then a furious bloom of fire exploded against the blue force field.
What was that? Matt asked as they staggered sideways.
Izzy muttered quietly, trying to direct them out of this mess.
Missiles? Who's shooting missiles at us? Tai screamed.
Cody pointed. Tai turned around just in time to see the flitting helicopter gunships close in on them again.
Oh crud. Mimi muttered.
Diversionary tactics. MegaKabuterimon, ditch us, try to draw some of them off, and then turn into Tentomon and lose them. ImperialDramon, let's find out how good you can maneuver out there in the city. Tai commanded.
MegaKabuterimon peeled off, and just about half the helicopters turned to follow him.
Gunfire splattered against ImperialDramon's blue shield, but the massive mega turned to avoid it, suddenly executing a right turn that made him stand up on his side, arcing around a skyscraper, and then plunge toward the ground, diving back up only at the last moment, banking sharply to fit between another set of skyscrapers. Several helicopters got lost, but others still managed to follow the massive Mega, even through all those maneuvers.
Blast it. We need a way out. Davis muttered as more gunfire splattered against their protective shield.
We've got it. Izzy suddenly smiled. We've just been waiting around to see whether or not these guys needed any help. ImperialDramon, head for the ocean.
Ocean it is. ImperialDramon grumbled.
Gomamon asked. How will that help us?
As soon as you get into line of sight, go to the speed of sound. It'll be loud, but I bet those helicopters won't be able to catch us. We can skim back to Odaiba after we get out of sight.
One sonic boom coming up. ImperialDramon suddenly made a hard left and shot forward at incredible speed, leaving the helicopters floundering hopelessly in his wake.
Why didn't we think of that earlier? Ken asked, laughing, as they made their way back to Odaiba.
We'll think about that tomorrow. Tai slapped everyone on the back, one by one. The exhilaration of having escaped, the sudden joy, the release of pent up tension, all of it changed to sudden laughter. They were now all laughing, hugging each other in joy. Sora and Matt kissed, in the middle of much jeering from the audience, and not even this could keep Tai's spirits down.
The next day the first digidestined died.