Ann and the newly Warp-Digivolved DarkTigressmon charged through the forest, leaving the clearing where they had met Jareth and Kayo far behind. Now that Enzoromon had reached her Mega level, nothing could stand in her way. Power rippled through her limbs with every stride, dispite their bony appearance, and she roared loudly--a roar that shook the ground.
"That's right, now we can kick those Digidestined's butts for good!" Ann laughed.
"It's payback time for all the times they beat us!" Agreed DarkTigressmon.
The sky was no longer safe either. MithrilAngemon and Jareth made sure of that, and were surveying from their height for any sign of the Digidestined they were supposed to go after. Jareth's long hair and trenchcoat billowed behind him as he sat on MithrilAngemon's shoulder, making the two a rather intimidating sight...if only there was anyone to intimidate.
"Where did they go? I'm positive they weren't that far off the last time we checked..."
"You don't suppose they went up the mountain?" Asked MithrilAngemon.
At this both Dark Digidestined and partner Digimon glanced upwards at the odd wireframe structure that was the remains of Spiral Mountain. Jareth adjusted his sunglasses, even though the landscape was dark and bleak enough to nullify their use.
"To meet Piedmon? Are they in that big a hurry to meet their deaths?" But Jareth was frowning. "I suppose they may be."
"We'd better go follow them up, then." MithrilAngemon took off for the apex of the mountain.
Which left the third and neglected Dark Digidestined at the bottom of a tree. Kayo hadn't moved from the spot where DarkAngemon's red arrow shaft that was supposed to Dark Warp Digivolve Aeromon had thrown him. Aeromon looked at his partner in concern, finally resorting to shoving his nose in Kayo's face.
"It happened again..." Kayo said quietly, sinking into new depths of depression.
"Well this time you didn't ask to be part of this thing. And anyway, what's the big deal with Mega? I could kick Mega butt in my Ultimate form, easily! Who needs Mega anyway? After all, I beat our target to the ground, right? Kayo?"
Kayo didn't reply. It seemed as if Aeromon had little memory of the last battle with Matt and Gabumon. Good for him, Kayo thought bitterly. I, on the other hand, had to see him nearly kill a kid. Even at this moment he wasn't sure if he called off Aeromon in time--was Matt really done...? Maybe he should go back and check, finish him off if need be--whoa there. Did he really just think that? The boy blinked and shook his head.
"Kayo...hey, snap out of it!"
Kayo looked at Aeromon's concerned wolfish face, and sighed. "Alright, I'm here. What now?"
"Stop beating yourself up about this weakness thing, okay? It's really getting in the way of our mission. And I really can't stand having you mope around," the wolf cub added as an afterthought. "We'll just have to try harder, that's all."
Was there something familiar about Aeromon's comment? Kayo couldn't be sure. He half-smiled, wishing he felt as cheerful as that. "Okay. Let's go...I guess."
"Tai, I think we should stop for a bit and think about this," Izzy said. The Digidestined had been trekking almost continuously for what seemed like hours, if not days, and it was really taking a toll on the youngest of the group.
"We're practically there, Izzy!" Tai protested. "A few more hours and we'll be flattening that oversized clown like we did the other three Dark Masters!"
"Yeah, but...consider this, Tai. Piedmon's a Mega-level, and he's probably more powerful than Machinedramon was. What's more, he has those Dark Digidestined and who knows what other Digimon at his disposal. We're not at full power without the others, because we only have one Mega and four Ultimates, including Andromon, who still needs to recouperate. What's more, all our Digimon are tired and haven't had a good break since the last battle."
"You're saying we should wait?"
"I say we should call back all the others, expecially Matt. With everyone back together, plus the reenforcements Mimi and Joe promised, the battle will be in our favor."
Tai paused and considered this. "Yeah, I guess you're right. We'll need Matt for sure."
"I'll go find him, Tai," volunteered Sora. "From the air, it should be easier to see him. Besides, we need you here in case Piedmon decides to attack--at least WarGreymon could hold him off until we get back with Matt."
"I'll go too!" T.K. piped up.
"No, T.K., you're staying," Tai said firmly. "It's too dangerous!"
"I want to go find my brother! Please, Tai?"
"He'll be safe between me and Patamon," Sora reasoned. Tai shrugged with reluctance--his already small group was splitting up even more. How could he make sure all his friends made it out of this if they kept wandering off? Agumon seemed to sense Tai's internal dilemma and laid his hand on Tai's arm.
"They'll be okay, Tai. Biyomon and Patamon will protect them."
"Oh, okay...just get back as soon as you can, okay?"
"Don't worry, Tai," smiled T.K. "We'll be back before you know it!"
Both Patamon and Biyomon digivolved to their Champion forms. T.K. and Sora held onto Birdramon's legs as she took off from the ground, Angemon close behind. The three remaining Digidestined waved them goodbye in a rather subdued manner.
"Be safe, you guys!" Kari called to them as they dissapeared into the horizon.
Piedmon almost cackled as he looked through his telescope. The fools! Broken into nice small chunks like that, they were prime pickings for him and his minions. Jareth was already on his way towards Spiral Mountain and would undoubtedly cross paths with the two Digidestined that left. Ann was closing in on Joe and Mimi, who were making very slow progress up the other side of the mountain. As unreliable as Kayo had been, he seemed to have been able to dispatch the stronger Digidestined pair--Piedmon had not been able to locate Matt or Gabumon since the last battle with Aeromon's admittedly impressive conduct. If only Kayo hadn't held him back. Currently the last two were too far away from Spiral Mountain to make it in time, but Piedmon, to be truthful, wasn't all that fussed. The remaing three Digidestined he would deal with personally...but it would still be wise to send out a lackey to soften them up first.
"LadyDevimon, why don't you give our visitors a warm welcome," Piedmon sneered, addresing the last of his stronger minions. LadyDevimon smiled deviously from the shadows behind his shoulder and chuckled.
"Certainly."
Joe, Mimi, and their ragtag army of allies found themselves crossing what was formerly Primary Garden. The Digimon nurserly was grey and forlorn, devoid of color and of the playful laughter of baby Digimon.
"I hope they're all alright," Mimi sighed, looking sadly at the empty stone cribs and the grey unmoving eggs.
"Once we defeat Piedmon, everything's bound to be back to normal," said Ogremon confidently. Behind him, several Gekomon nodded.
Joe checked his stride suddenly, almost causing Mimi, Palmon and everyone else to run smack into him. Gomamon had stopped too, and seemed to be concentrating on something far away. The answer to this strange behavior was soon answered as a faint whisper of song floated through the stagnant air--a familiar song, somehow, played on an equally familiar instrument.
"Matt!" Both Joe and Mimi yelped at once, then set off at full steam towards the music. Their sprint led them to the shore with an odd, swan-shaped boat, and a small figure playing a forlorn melody on a harmonica. No, too small to be Matt. Joe and Mimi stopped, slightly dissapointed. No, it wasn't Matt at all. It was Elecmon. But the harmonica the Digimon was playing such a mornful tune on was definately Matt's.
"Elecmon?" Joe asked. The former caretaker of Primary Village stopped playing and looked up at Joe with forlorn eyes.
"Oh, hello there. How's everything?"
"We were just wondering where you got that harmonica," Palmon said. Elecmon grunted.
"This? It was just lying around here. I can tell you the whole area was smoking when I found it, like something had gone off. Not that anything matters anymore."
"It may matter. Did you see anyone come by this place?" Joe pressed on. Elecmon's ears perked up somewhat.
"As a matter of fact...not too long ago there was a pretty nasty fight around here. I'm not sure who won, I was keeping well out of the way...you know. But when I went to look, there was this kid and a Digimon who took a boat across the lake."
"It sounds like Matt," Gomamon said when Elecmon was done talking.
"It also sounds like he met one of those Dark Digidestined," Ogremon growled.
"It won't hurt to try looking," Joe decided.
Mimi knelt down so she was face-to-face with Elecmon. "Thanks, Elecmon. Hey, do you want to join us?"
"Where're you going?"
"We're gathering Digimon from all over File Island to fight Piedmon."
"Piedmon! You mean one of the Dark Masters? You must be crazy to try...but then, it's better than sitting around and moping..." a look of determination crossed Elecmon's face. "Okay, count me in!"
"Great! Now, let's go find Matt."
Joe shook his head. "No. I'll go find Matt. You guys go on ahead."
Mimi was confused, as was Palmon and the rest of the army. "Why?"
"Matt left us so he could go find himself. I've just realized I have no idea who I am either. I need to find out what my place is as one of the Digidestined. It's something I have to do, and I have to do it by myself."
"Okay, Joe...good luck," Mimi sighed, as she and the Digimon army left Joe and Gomamon to cross the lake alone on the remaining swan boat, dissapearing into the mist.
"Uh-oh," muttered Sora, loud enough for T.K. to hear her over the wind. Their Digimon tensed as well, as a large black splotch barrelled their way. Neither had to say anything to agree that it could only be the advance of one of the Dark Digidestined, but there was still time to manuver away from it...
"Sora, T.K, you go on with Angemon," said Birdramon. "I'll hold off this creep."
"It'll be better if we're all fighting," argued Sora.
"You two need to get to safety first," Angemon countered, holding T.K. in his arms. "These things can get very ugly."
Birdramon digivolved to Garudamon with the help of Sora's crest as Angemon bore the two children away to the safety of the foliage below. At the same time, MithrilAngemon and Jareth arrived on the scene, ready to fight. Garudamon narrowed her eyes.
"Wing Blade!" She cried, shooting a red light into the sky above her, which formed into a bird and dove straight at MithrilAngemon. The dark angel dodged the attack easily despite his size, and laughed.
"Come now, do you really think you stand a chance against me?" MithrilAngemon was about to launch an attack against the giant bird when he was knocked sideways by a bright blast which was more annoying than functional. He turned--Angemon had entered the fray.
"Back for more, holy boy?"
Jareth smacked his forehead upon hearing his partner's taunt. 'Holy boy'?! Angemon replied with a frown and wound his fist back. Garudamon charged up for another attack.
"Hand of Fate!"
"Wing Blade!"
MithrilAngemon dodged both attacks, and launched his own, firing gold plasma shots at Garudamon with an open palm. The Digimon shrieked as the shots hit, and fell to the ground with a tree-shaking thud. MithrilAngemon closed in for the kill, but was repelled by Angemon, who struck the dark angel's forehead with the butt of his staff and followed up with another Hand of Fate. Temporarily blinded, MithrilAngemon swung his own staff at Angemon, missing and giving the Champion level time to fire off another Hand of Fate. The repeated barrage was beginning to have an effect on the massive MithrilAngemon, since he was adverse to the power of light. Angemon knew it, and closed in for the final blow.
MithrilAngemon raised his staff in the air, conjuring a ball of shadow at its end. Angemon hesitated, glancing back at the Digidestined below, who were attending to a downed Biyomon. There was no way he could take on this monstrosity alone, and all he needed to do was make sure T.K. and Sora could escape so they could find Matt...
"Divine Shadow!" Roared MithrilAngemon, and a concussion wave of darkness burst from the dark pulsing orb on his staff. Angemon swung his staff in front of him like a propeller, using the move that had saved him from many of VenoMyotismon's blasts to dissipate a good deal of the force headed for him, and simultaneously launched a last Hand of Fate directly at the source.
The resulting blast was strange enough without having to describe it. The pulsing orb exploded into alternating waves of light and darkness, blinding Jareth and MithrilAngemon. By the time their surroundings had faded back to its natural grey tones, Angemon was nowhere to be seen. MithrilAngemon scoffed.
"Where'd the cowards go? I'm not finished with them yet!"
Jareth stopped him with a few taps on his Digimon's helmet. "Let them go. They're headed where we last left Kayo anyway. He can keep them busy while we hit the main team, with WarGreymon. They're the priority."
"Oh, right..."
"Besides," added Jareth in a sarcastic tone, "Piedmon couldn't handle them all on his own despite him being 'the strongest Digimon--'"
"I HEARD that," echoed a loud nasal voice that caused both Jareth and MithrilAngemon to start badly. Piedmon materialized in mid-air in front of them, arms crossed and sneering unplesantly. Jareth's eyes narrowed.
"I don't remember giving you permission to Digivolve your partners to Mega," Piedmon continued.
"I don't recall you having anything against that," Jareth shot back. "Besides, how are we supposed to defend you--" his tone changed adruptly again, "--oh Powerful and Almighty Piedmon, if we don't have the firepower?"
Piedmon scowled. This human, though sufficiently suppressed with his mind control, had an agonizing tendency to mouth off and exactly the wrong times. Was the girl the only one he didn't have problems with? The clown raised his hand.
"Clown Trick!"
Jareth was blasted off MithrilAngemon's shoulder by the attack, but his partner managed to catch him with a large, armored hand. Jareth landed with a thud, head spinning and sunglasses asknew. Piedmon smirked.
"Fine. Now get back to Infinity Mountain. Our guests are waiting for their final performance..." with a cackle, Piedmon faded from sight. Jareth frowned as he replaced his sunglasses, feeling as if something was vaugely wrong but couldn't place just what, because of the headache Piedmon had given him.
"Jareth, you alright?" MithrilAngemon asked. Jareth nodded.
"I'll be fine...we better get going."
Centarumon and Ogremon yanked a shocked Mimi backwards, so that the gristly, half-decayed paw swiping at her missed and left deep furrows in the ground with its claws. Lilymon flew up and unleashed her flower cannon right at DarkTigressmon's head, stunning the Mega long enough for the rest of the Digimon army to attack. Astride the festering Digimon, Ann scowled, sensing the tables were turning on her. She'd only expected those two misfits and the ugly green thug, not an entire army of Champion and Rookie levels. Alone, she could pick them off easily, but it seemed as if they insisted on co-ordinate themselves in such a way that it was nearly impossible.
"Ann, snap out of it!" Roared DarkTigressmon as she shook off the remaining attacks and flew higher to avoid the rest. "I can take these little creeps!"
"It's impossible!" Ann cried, almost hysterical. "We never thought there would be so many!"
"There's only one Ultimate in the bunch. Once I'm done with her, the rest are bug bait!"
Ann held on tight as DarkTigressmon swerved to avoid another series of projectiles. "But--"
"Last time I was too weak to finish them off. The fight before that, those other inept Dark Digidestined messed me up. But not this time! This time, I'll get them once and for all!"
Ann blinked. Had she heard something like that before? It felt familiar...like that sentance was a part of her somehow...
At this moment, Mimi's Digivice let out a shrill whistle and shot forth a beam of light from its screen, which zapped Ann's crest. Ann screamed and writhed atop her mount, who roared in confusion or anger.
"What did you do to Ann?! I'll get you for that!"
But at the same time, a dark haze seemed to be lifting off of the Dark Digidestined to hover over her back. DarkTigressmon halted her assault, feeling a strange crawling sensation under her fur. Down below, everyone, even Mimi, stared in shock.
Then DarkTigressmon gave a violent heave and broke off the connecting beam of light with a roar. The Digivice's screeeching died out, and all was dark again. Ann collapsed on DarkTigressmon's back, seemingly unconcious. Her partner Digimon glared at the assembled group, then retreated into the trees. Silence followed in their wake.
"What was that?!" Centarumon demanded.
"It was just like the time we freed Leomon from Devimon's Black Gears..." Mimi muttered, wide-eyed.
"Then maybe they ARE controlled by Piedmon," said Lilymon, landing in front of Mimi. "Now we know how to free them from Piedmon's spell! We've got to go tell the others."
"But what about Joe and Matt?"
"Those guys are tough," grunted Ogremon. "They'll make it through."
Elsewhere, Ann came to, lying on something rather oily and ragged, like a carpet that hadn't been washed in a long time. She groaned and shook her head, which was throbbing rather painfully.
"Ann? Are you okay?" DarkTigressmon asked, turning her head to look at Ann, who was still resting on her back. The Digimon seemed genuinely concerned. Ann nodded groggily.
"I've been worse...but what was that?"
"No idea. But it took a lot out of you...the cowards. If they want a fight, they should take it up with me, and not mess with my partner." DarkTigressmon hissed angrily at the memory, but Ann wasn't listening. She was staring at her tag and crest with a faint feeling of confusion. A hairline crack had appeared across it, splitting the star from the moon with a line of clear blue, breaking the solid black. What did that mean?
"That's right, now we can kick those Digidestined's butts for good!" Ann laughed.
"It's payback time for all the times they beat us!" Agreed DarkTigressmon.
The sky was no longer safe either. MithrilAngemon and Jareth made sure of that, and were surveying from their height for any sign of the Digidestined they were supposed to go after. Jareth's long hair and trenchcoat billowed behind him as he sat on MithrilAngemon's shoulder, making the two a rather intimidating sight...if only there was anyone to intimidate.
"Where did they go? I'm positive they weren't that far off the last time we checked..."
"You don't suppose they went up the mountain?" Asked MithrilAngemon.
At this both Dark Digidestined and partner Digimon glanced upwards at the odd wireframe structure that was the remains of Spiral Mountain. Jareth adjusted his sunglasses, even though the landscape was dark and bleak enough to nullify their use.
"To meet Piedmon? Are they in that big a hurry to meet their deaths?" But Jareth was frowning. "I suppose they may be."
"We'd better go follow them up, then." MithrilAngemon took off for the apex of the mountain.
Which left the third and neglected Dark Digidestined at the bottom of a tree. Kayo hadn't moved from the spot where DarkAngemon's red arrow shaft that was supposed to Dark Warp Digivolve Aeromon had thrown him. Aeromon looked at his partner in concern, finally resorting to shoving his nose in Kayo's face.
"It happened again..." Kayo said quietly, sinking into new depths of depression.
"Well this time you didn't ask to be part of this thing. And anyway, what's the big deal with Mega? I could kick Mega butt in my Ultimate form, easily! Who needs Mega anyway? After all, I beat our target to the ground, right? Kayo?"
Kayo didn't reply. It seemed as if Aeromon had little memory of the last battle with Matt and Gabumon. Good for him, Kayo thought bitterly. I, on the other hand, had to see him nearly kill a kid. Even at this moment he wasn't sure if he called off Aeromon in time--was Matt really done...? Maybe he should go back and check, finish him off if need be--whoa there. Did he really just think that? The boy blinked and shook his head.
"Kayo...hey, snap out of it!"
Kayo looked at Aeromon's concerned wolfish face, and sighed. "Alright, I'm here. What now?"
"Stop beating yourself up about this weakness thing, okay? It's really getting in the way of our mission. And I really can't stand having you mope around," the wolf cub added as an afterthought. "We'll just have to try harder, that's all."
Was there something familiar about Aeromon's comment? Kayo couldn't be sure. He half-smiled, wishing he felt as cheerful as that. "Okay. Let's go...I guess."
"Tai, I think we should stop for a bit and think about this," Izzy said. The Digidestined had been trekking almost continuously for what seemed like hours, if not days, and it was really taking a toll on the youngest of the group.
"We're practically there, Izzy!" Tai protested. "A few more hours and we'll be flattening that oversized clown like we did the other three Dark Masters!"
"Yeah, but...consider this, Tai. Piedmon's a Mega-level, and he's probably more powerful than Machinedramon was. What's more, he has those Dark Digidestined and who knows what other Digimon at his disposal. We're not at full power without the others, because we only have one Mega and four Ultimates, including Andromon, who still needs to recouperate. What's more, all our Digimon are tired and haven't had a good break since the last battle."
"You're saying we should wait?"
"I say we should call back all the others, expecially Matt. With everyone back together, plus the reenforcements Mimi and Joe promised, the battle will be in our favor."
Tai paused and considered this. "Yeah, I guess you're right. We'll need Matt for sure."
"I'll go find him, Tai," volunteered Sora. "From the air, it should be easier to see him. Besides, we need you here in case Piedmon decides to attack--at least WarGreymon could hold him off until we get back with Matt."
"I'll go too!" T.K. piped up.
"No, T.K., you're staying," Tai said firmly. "It's too dangerous!"
"I want to go find my brother! Please, Tai?"
"He'll be safe between me and Patamon," Sora reasoned. Tai shrugged with reluctance--his already small group was splitting up even more. How could he make sure all his friends made it out of this if they kept wandering off? Agumon seemed to sense Tai's internal dilemma and laid his hand on Tai's arm.
"They'll be okay, Tai. Biyomon and Patamon will protect them."
"Oh, okay...just get back as soon as you can, okay?"
"Don't worry, Tai," smiled T.K. "We'll be back before you know it!"
Both Patamon and Biyomon digivolved to their Champion forms. T.K. and Sora held onto Birdramon's legs as she took off from the ground, Angemon close behind. The three remaining Digidestined waved them goodbye in a rather subdued manner.
"Be safe, you guys!" Kari called to them as they dissapeared into the horizon.
Piedmon almost cackled as he looked through his telescope. The fools! Broken into nice small chunks like that, they were prime pickings for him and his minions. Jareth was already on his way towards Spiral Mountain and would undoubtedly cross paths with the two Digidestined that left. Ann was closing in on Joe and Mimi, who were making very slow progress up the other side of the mountain. As unreliable as Kayo had been, he seemed to have been able to dispatch the stronger Digidestined pair--Piedmon had not been able to locate Matt or Gabumon since the last battle with Aeromon's admittedly impressive conduct. If only Kayo hadn't held him back. Currently the last two were too far away from Spiral Mountain to make it in time, but Piedmon, to be truthful, wasn't all that fussed. The remaing three Digidestined he would deal with personally...but it would still be wise to send out a lackey to soften them up first.
"LadyDevimon, why don't you give our visitors a warm welcome," Piedmon sneered, addresing the last of his stronger minions. LadyDevimon smiled deviously from the shadows behind his shoulder and chuckled.
"Certainly."
Joe, Mimi, and their ragtag army of allies found themselves crossing what was formerly Primary Garden. The Digimon nurserly was grey and forlorn, devoid of color and of the playful laughter of baby Digimon.
"I hope they're all alright," Mimi sighed, looking sadly at the empty stone cribs and the grey unmoving eggs.
"Once we defeat Piedmon, everything's bound to be back to normal," said Ogremon confidently. Behind him, several Gekomon nodded.
Joe checked his stride suddenly, almost causing Mimi, Palmon and everyone else to run smack into him. Gomamon had stopped too, and seemed to be concentrating on something far away. The answer to this strange behavior was soon answered as a faint whisper of song floated through the stagnant air--a familiar song, somehow, played on an equally familiar instrument.
"Matt!" Both Joe and Mimi yelped at once, then set off at full steam towards the music. Their sprint led them to the shore with an odd, swan-shaped boat, and a small figure playing a forlorn melody on a harmonica. No, too small to be Matt. Joe and Mimi stopped, slightly dissapointed. No, it wasn't Matt at all. It was Elecmon. But the harmonica the Digimon was playing such a mornful tune on was definately Matt's.
"Elecmon?" Joe asked. The former caretaker of Primary Village stopped playing and looked up at Joe with forlorn eyes.
"Oh, hello there. How's everything?"
"We were just wondering where you got that harmonica," Palmon said. Elecmon grunted.
"This? It was just lying around here. I can tell you the whole area was smoking when I found it, like something had gone off. Not that anything matters anymore."
"It may matter. Did you see anyone come by this place?" Joe pressed on. Elecmon's ears perked up somewhat.
"As a matter of fact...not too long ago there was a pretty nasty fight around here. I'm not sure who won, I was keeping well out of the way...you know. But when I went to look, there was this kid and a Digimon who took a boat across the lake."
"It sounds like Matt," Gomamon said when Elecmon was done talking.
"It also sounds like he met one of those Dark Digidestined," Ogremon growled.
"It won't hurt to try looking," Joe decided.
Mimi knelt down so she was face-to-face with Elecmon. "Thanks, Elecmon. Hey, do you want to join us?"
"Where're you going?"
"We're gathering Digimon from all over File Island to fight Piedmon."
"Piedmon! You mean one of the Dark Masters? You must be crazy to try...but then, it's better than sitting around and moping..." a look of determination crossed Elecmon's face. "Okay, count me in!"
"Great! Now, let's go find Matt."
Joe shook his head. "No. I'll go find Matt. You guys go on ahead."
Mimi was confused, as was Palmon and the rest of the army. "Why?"
"Matt left us so he could go find himself. I've just realized I have no idea who I am either. I need to find out what my place is as one of the Digidestined. It's something I have to do, and I have to do it by myself."
"Okay, Joe...good luck," Mimi sighed, as she and the Digimon army left Joe and Gomamon to cross the lake alone on the remaining swan boat, dissapearing into the mist.
"Uh-oh," muttered Sora, loud enough for T.K. to hear her over the wind. Their Digimon tensed as well, as a large black splotch barrelled their way. Neither had to say anything to agree that it could only be the advance of one of the Dark Digidestined, but there was still time to manuver away from it...
"Sora, T.K, you go on with Angemon," said Birdramon. "I'll hold off this creep."
"It'll be better if we're all fighting," argued Sora.
"You two need to get to safety first," Angemon countered, holding T.K. in his arms. "These things can get very ugly."
Birdramon digivolved to Garudamon with the help of Sora's crest as Angemon bore the two children away to the safety of the foliage below. At the same time, MithrilAngemon and Jareth arrived on the scene, ready to fight. Garudamon narrowed her eyes.
"Wing Blade!" She cried, shooting a red light into the sky above her, which formed into a bird and dove straight at MithrilAngemon. The dark angel dodged the attack easily despite his size, and laughed.
"Come now, do you really think you stand a chance against me?" MithrilAngemon was about to launch an attack against the giant bird when he was knocked sideways by a bright blast which was more annoying than functional. He turned--Angemon had entered the fray.
"Back for more, holy boy?"
Jareth smacked his forehead upon hearing his partner's taunt. 'Holy boy'?! Angemon replied with a frown and wound his fist back. Garudamon charged up for another attack.
"Hand of Fate!"
"Wing Blade!"
MithrilAngemon dodged both attacks, and launched his own, firing gold plasma shots at Garudamon with an open palm. The Digimon shrieked as the shots hit, and fell to the ground with a tree-shaking thud. MithrilAngemon closed in for the kill, but was repelled by Angemon, who struck the dark angel's forehead with the butt of his staff and followed up with another Hand of Fate. Temporarily blinded, MithrilAngemon swung his own staff at Angemon, missing and giving the Champion level time to fire off another Hand of Fate. The repeated barrage was beginning to have an effect on the massive MithrilAngemon, since he was adverse to the power of light. Angemon knew it, and closed in for the final blow.
MithrilAngemon raised his staff in the air, conjuring a ball of shadow at its end. Angemon hesitated, glancing back at the Digidestined below, who were attending to a downed Biyomon. There was no way he could take on this monstrosity alone, and all he needed to do was make sure T.K. and Sora could escape so they could find Matt...
"Divine Shadow!" Roared MithrilAngemon, and a concussion wave of darkness burst from the dark pulsing orb on his staff. Angemon swung his staff in front of him like a propeller, using the move that had saved him from many of VenoMyotismon's blasts to dissipate a good deal of the force headed for him, and simultaneously launched a last Hand of Fate directly at the source.
The resulting blast was strange enough without having to describe it. The pulsing orb exploded into alternating waves of light and darkness, blinding Jareth and MithrilAngemon. By the time their surroundings had faded back to its natural grey tones, Angemon was nowhere to be seen. MithrilAngemon scoffed.
"Where'd the cowards go? I'm not finished with them yet!"
Jareth stopped him with a few taps on his Digimon's helmet. "Let them go. They're headed where we last left Kayo anyway. He can keep them busy while we hit the main team, with WarGreymon. They're the priority."
"Oh, right..."
"Besides," added Jareth in a sarcastic tone, "Piedmon couldn't handle them all on his own despite him being 'the strongest Digimon--'"
"I HEARD that," echoed a loud nasal voice that caused both Jareth and MithrilAngemon to start badly. Piedmon materialized in mid-air in front of them, arms crossed and sneering unplesantly. Jareth's eyes narrowed.
"I don't remember giving you permission to Digivolve your partners to Mega," Piedmon continued.
"I don't recall you having anything against that," Jareth shot back. "Besides, how are we supposed to defend you--" his tone changed adruptly again, "--oh Powerful and Almighty Piedmon, if we don't have the firepower?"
Piedmon scowled. This human, though sufficiently suppressed with his mind control, had an agonizing tendency to mouth off and exactly the wrong times. Was the girl the only one he didn't have problems with? The clown raised his hand.
"Clown Trick!"
Jareth was blasted off MithrilAngemon's shoulder by the attack, but his partner managed to catch him with a large, armored hand. Jareth landed with a thud, head spinning and sunglasses asknew. Piedmon smirked.
"Fine. Now get back to Infinity Mountain. Our guests are waiting for their final performance..." with a cackle, Piedmon faded from sight. Jareth frowned as he replaced his sunglasses, feeling as if something was vaugely wrong but couldn't place just what, because of the headache Piedmon had given him.
"Jareth, you alright?" MithrilAngemon asked. Jareth nodded.
"I'll be fine...we better get going."
Centarumon and Ogremon yanked a shocked Mimi backwards, so that the gristly, half-decayed paw swiping at her missed and left deep furrows in the ground with its claws. Lilymon flew up and unleashed her flower cannon right at DarkTigressmon's head, stunning the Mega long enough for the rest of the Digimon army to attack. Astride the festering Digimon, Ann scowled, sensing the tables were turning on her. She'd only expected those two misfits and the ugly green thug, not an entire army of Champion and Rookie levels. Alone, she could pick them off easily, but it seemed as if they insisted on co-ordinate themselves in such a way that it was nearly impossible.
"Ann, snap out of it!" Roared DarkTigressmon as she shook off the remaining attacks and flew higher to avoid the rest. "I can take these little creeps!"
"It's impossible!" Ann cried, almost hysterical. "We never thought there would be so many!"
"There's only one Ultimate in the bunch. Once I'm done with her, the rest are bug bait!"
Ann held on tight as DarkTigressmon swerved to avoid another series of projectiles. "But--"
"Last time I was too weak to finish them off. The fight before that, those other inept Dark Digidestined messed me up. But not this time! This time, I'll get them once and for all!"
Ann blinked. Had she heard something like that before? It felt familiar...like that sentance was a part of her somehow...
At this moment, Mimi's Digivice let out a shrill whistle and shot forth a beam of light from its screen, which zapped Ann's crest. Ann screamed and writhed atop her mount, who roared in confusion or anger.
"What did you do to Ann?! I'll get you for that!"
But at the same time, a dark haze seemed to be lifting off of the Dark Digidestined to hover over her back. DarkTigressmon halted her assault, feeling a strange crawling sensation under her fur. Down below, everyone, even Mimi, stared in shock.
Then DarkTigressmon gave a violent heave and broke off the connecting beam of light with a roar. The Digivice's screeeching died out, and all was dark again. Ann collapsed on DarkTigressmon's back, seemingly unconcious. Her partner Digimon glared at the assembled group, then retreated into the trees. Silence followed in their wake.
"What was that?!" Centarumon demanded.
"It was just like the time we freed Leomon from Devimon's Black Gears..." Mimi muttered, wide-eyed.
"Then maybe they ARE controlled by Piedmon," said Lilymon, landing in front of Mimi. "Now we know how to free them from Piedmon's spell! We've got to go tell the others."
"But what about Joe and Matt?"
"Those guys are tough," grunted Ogremon. "They'll make it through."
Elsewhere, Ann came to, lying on something rather oily and ragged, like a carpet that hadn't been washed in a long time. She groaned and shook her head, which was throbbing rather painfully.
"Ann? Are you okay?" DarkTigressmon asked, turning her head to look at Ann, who was still resting on her back. The Digimon seemed genuinely concerned. Ann nodded groggily.
"I've been worse...but what was that?"
"No idea. But it took a lot out of you...the cowards. If they want a fight, they should take it up with me, and not mess with my partner." DarkTigressmon hissed angrily at the memory, but Ann wasn't listening. She was staring at her tag and crest with a faint feeling of confusion. A hairline crack had appeared across it, splitting the star from the moon with a line of clear blue, breaking the solid black. What did that mean?