R/N: Well... authors notes are gone. So sad.... especially since this is a last chapter (give or take an epilogue.) Well... let's do this thing, so the BC edition can FINALLY come!

Warning: For the first time in Secret Base Inc. history, some parts of this chapter were written at abysmal hours of the morning, after several days without sleep. Viewer discretion is scoffed apon, but watch out for flying sinks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh!, Digimon, or any related characters or aspects of either of these. I do not own Gema J. Gall's character, Shayla, her Digimon, Chinchillamon, or any of Chinchillamon's evolutions.

"Can't hold on much longer... (but I will never let go!)

I know it's a one-way trap... (tell me now how long this will last!)

I'm not gonna be this way... (nor will I count on others!)

Close my eyes and feel the burn... (now I know just what I gotta do!)

Open Your Heart, it's gonna be alright!" - Chorus of 'Open Your Heart', the main theme song of Sonic Adventure.

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Triera City, Abandoned Street

Triera City was almost empty of anything that could be considered life. Aside from the small group of humans and Digimon at it's main gate, the countless streets had no inhabitants. The numerous skyscrapers all seemed to be colored in a pallette of red shades, matching the ominous skies above.

"This used to be a prosperous place." Dracomon said, nervously scanning the fraction of the metropolis he could see." I was here only a few days before we met, and it was teeming with life!"

"Yeah... it is weird." Roan agreed, his eyes roving the absent areas." Kimon's main theme is stirring trouble between the three types... seems kind of hard to do that in an empty city."

"It's entirely possible that he has the entire city's population ready to ambush us." Shayla suggested half-heartedly.

"Well, that's a nice reception, in any case!" Chinchillamon said enthusiastically.

Gatomon also looked around, her senses greater than her comrades' and her view better from around her partner's neck. "I can only smell a few Digimon in the entire city... probably only eight or so.

Yami/Yugi had his confident look back on his face. "That means Drake and Dracomon can handle Kimon, Kaiba can take the two strongest leftover, and the rest of us can each focus on one opponant."

The blue eyed one half-smirked at that comment. "Is that your confession that I'm the strongest? Or are you trying to off me before the tournament?"

"Don't complain, Kaiba, I could've been the one giving orders. And I'm sure you need arms to duel..." Drake said, sounding mock-thoughtful on the last sentence.

Lara smiled softly. "We can finally go home. I'm looking forward to a rest, and a change of clothes. Granted, I did spend three years in the same outfit once, but I'd rather not do that again."

"Maybe when you guys are gone, I can finally De-Digivolve, and get some rest." Flamedramon griped. "Being tall's cool, but I can't find any chairs short enough for me!"

"A final battle, and a final test of my strength, before my next training..." Kotemon said, his yellow flashlight-like eyes narrowing as he thought.

"Everyone here gets to go home after this. I'd mention mine, and complain about needin' ta' hire more servants, but this city's mostly made of good conductors, so I'll pass." Demidevimon mused.

"Back to searching for something I can't remember. Back to being alone..." Renamon said, her stoic voice slightly lower than usual. She blinked, and realized the grins on all of her digital allies.

"Come on, get serious! I tried the whole Lone Wolf thing, and it got really boring after the first few decades." Dracomon said, landing and folding his wings inside his gi." If Gatomon's willing to let me back in, I'd offer you a place at the inn-"

"I am-take-it-you both still have to pay." The cat said, pouncing off her partner and grinning smugly at her now even redder friend.

"I'll have to get used to it....storing up energy, I mean." Shayla said. She fingered a pair of shades in her backpack.

Kaiba glanced at her, not intending to make a remark. Something about her had always felt...familier. And it also always gave him an uncomfortable feeling, like he was being watched.

Remembering where they were, his turned around, expecting to see an inhuman sillouhette zip off down an ally. Instead, he found was appeared to be.... a cut in the air.

Not saying a word, he carefuly examined the phenomena; it looked as if small dust particles in the air around them were being pulled into it... not appearing on the other end. Demidevimon noticed too, and immediately opened his mouth...

Yami flinched, and turned around. "Kaiba? Demidevimon?"

The others turned around, too, shocked. Though the unseen rift was now unseen to them still, the two mentioned above were gone.

"Shades of Zera..." Joey said warily, starting to walk backwards." Something tells me-"

His lack of continued speech brought the group back around; He and Flamedramon had also vanished.

"Who's there? Where have you taken our friends!?" Yami shouted angrily.

(A good question.) A sudden voice answered, shocking the Pharoah. (But the better question would be; where have I taken your OTHER friends?)

Turning around weakly, the King of Games noticed that, aside from Renamon, he was alone.

"It was a trap." Renamon noted, going into a battle pose. "He's seperated us from our allies; Kimon's forces are in divided into each seperate place our friends have been taken to!"

(KIMON'S forces? Bah! That dragon-head doesn't know how to control a small band of Champions and Ultimates, let alone an entire army! No, my friends, Kimon isn't the ringleader here. Neither am I, for that matter, but regardless, I WILL take you out.)

"Then show yourself, and stop hiding like a coward!"

(He he he.... street fights were always my specialty. Screw the alternate dimension crap, here I come!)

Another rift appeared in front of them, and a dark shape started to exit it.

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-
Dark Master Chamber
-
The colder millionaire of the group opened his eyes to view a dark, elegantly designed room. Grey marble made up the walls, cieling, and floor, while old, dark statues of armor littered the side. A black-draped four-poster bed, both longer and wider than his favorite duel monster, was at the leftmost corner of the room, the pale light from grey, stained glass windows shining across the sheets. The wall opposite boasted a large organ, as well as five large portraits, one recognizable as the departed Piedmon. For a second, Seto wondered why the picture of a black, many-sided, 3D shape was centered, and most magnificantly bordered, before a sultry voice echoed into the room.

"Welcome to the living quarters of my Lord Kimon, Seto Kaiba." A black-clothed, humanoid Digimon said as she walked toward them. She wore gloves to cover her frighteningly pointy fingers, and had red nails that cut through said gloves. Two black, tattered wings were at her side, and a strange, ghost-like shape of cloth with red eyes came from her side. She wore a tight, corset-like garment, although it was armor-plated, and familier black, weathered boots. Her long legs and white face were whiter than even Myotismon's, and a black, spherical helmet covered her head, letting only red, slit-like eyes shine through.

D-Navi Analyzer Bio.

???: I am LADYDEVIMON, a VIRUS, EVIL Digimon. My Darkness Wave attack doesn't need a corny line to announce it's power!

"You were brought here mostly because of your partner. Although I must add that you'd have been great, had you lived in the Eastern Quadrant, Kaiba. Maybe then your partner wouldn't be in such a sad shape today." She said, holding her nails near her face in a haughty manner." Of course, that'd mean calling you Emperor, and I'm afraid you're not the leading type. Or did you know that already?"

His eyes narrowed until they were similar to hers in width. "I don't need to lead a bunch of idiots around to be greater than anyone else. And I'll prove it to you. Demidevimon?"

The CEO sweatdropped at the winged bowling ball, who seemed incapable of speech. A long bit of drool was coming from his mouth.

"groan, VAMPIRE LORD!"

D-Navi: Redemption Activate!

"Demidevimon, Digivolve to.... DEVIMON, Digivolve to....MYOTISMON!"

The digital equivalent to the card folded his arms, drawing his cape around him. "You may be enchanting, but beauty, or a substitute for it, is only skin deep. Therefore, permit me the honor of revealing your true self, the HARD way; Grisly Wing!"

"Nightmare Wave!"

Further sweatdrops, this time on both sides, commenced as both waves of digital bats collided...and collapsed on the floor.

"...... This...could take a while." Kaiba theorized." Unless, I use a sneakier method." He held his D-Navi near his mouth and whispered," Ring of Destruction, Ring of Defense, Negate Attack, facedown."

He gasped at a loud, ringing sound, and looked up to see Ladydevimon's now spike-like hand pushing against Myotismon's pointy, grey-gloved fingers.

"You're strong... no doubts to that.." Myotismon said, stepping backwards slightly; she was actually pushing him back." But you waste your strength fighting for someone incapable of caring. That is why you will lose."

"Oh, really?" the demoness asked in a childish tone. Myotismon's normally expressionless eyes widened at the piece of cloth, which grinned menacingly at him. "Darkness Wave!"

"Activate! Negate Attack!

Ladydevimon, pushed back by the recoil of her attack, blanched even further as her bats vanished into rippling air.

"Rings of Destruction and Defense!"

She yelled as the multi-bombed device was suddenly around her neck, and a spiralling ring appeared in front of her.

For a second, the room was silent. Then, Kaiba's smirk grew deeper. "Bye."

The vampire blocked his eyes at the explosion, less used to the bright light as his duelist partner was. Any shrapnel that might have struck him was dissolved in the Ring of Defense's vacuum.

As his dim eyes opened to the equally lit room, he frowned." No data. She's still alive."

"But she still lost. That means we go on." Kaiba declared, almost as if he expected someone to agree. As luck would have it, someone did, judging from the large door that appeared and opened along an empty wall.

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-
Deep Walkway
-
Joey panted, stooping to his knees to rest. Flamedramon responded by doing the same. Around them was nothing more than a long, unending pathway, made of gray stone and lit by perpetually continuing candles. "Any idea how long this thing could be?"

"None." Flamedramon said, extending a claw." You're more than welcome to ride on my back, you know. I can take the extra weight."

Joey gave his trademarked grin. "Nah, it's fine, really! You should try walking through miles of sand wearing red armor and a blue bedspread."

"I DO wear red armor, and I AM blue."

"Point taken. Now, let's-"

Any further carefree discussion was ended as every candle near them went out briefly, and re-lit, shedding light on an intimidating sight.

Though Drake would have mixed feelings, Joey was definatly not happy to see a large, light-green scaled dragon in front of him. It had two pairs of legs below it's long, snake-like body, and two long, clawed arms. It's horns were actually large antlers, and it wore a purple kimono that was far to small for it's size, reaching only a few feet under it's arms. It had white hair between the antlers, and a white beard parted from near it's nostrils, giving it a sage-like appearence. All in all, it stood over three times Flamedramon's height.

D-Navi Analyzer Bio.

???: I am MAJIRAMON, the Dragon Deva! My Flaming Arrowheads and Fire Wall attacks will make your training seem like wasted time.

Flamedramon sneered, and went into a fighting pose. "Wasted time? I believe you've made a very big mistake, gramps!"

Joey pulled himself together, and joined in his partner's confidence." Yeah! We'll see whose da' better dragonoid after you're charbroiled!"

"Pah, arrogant whelps." Majiramon's voice had a loud, echoing nature. "It almost makes me feel sad to destroy you, seeing as you've come so far in life."

Puzzled, the fate-tempting duelist lowered his arms, blinking." What?"

Majiramon's long neck bent down, so that he was at eye level with the two." I am one of the oldest living Digimon currently in this world. Reading minds is nothing to me."

THIS brought back feelings of doubt. Majiramon grinned at his opponants shocked faces." You're wise, to feel ready to retreat. That shows that you have the strength to overcome your pride. If you use that strength now, I will send you back to the city, and you may live to be seen by your sister."

Any of those doubts vanished again, replaced by mixed anger and sadness." As if I'm gonna back down after letting you know THAT! You're gonna pay, scaly!"

"Why do you feel so suicidal?" Majiramon demanded, anger also entering his voice. His head reared back again, and he pounded one foot, shaking the pathway for miles. "Your dreams are meaningless if you are dead, so why do you still wish to fight?"

Joey spat a collected amount of drool into the abyss." After so long, and after so much braggin, I'da thought you'd know, reading my mind n' all. It's my heart; Go on and feel annoyed by any memories of Yuge's Heart of the Card speeches, but they hold true in more than just Duel Monsters. As long as my heart, my will, and friends are with me, there's nothin' I can't do And what I WANT to do, is help my friends kick butt, and save alotta Digimon younger than you, gramps!"

His D-Navi erupted in red light, and he grinned as the knowledge he needed entered his mind. "Get ready, scaly, cuz here we come!"

Majiramon smiled again, this time appraisingly. "Admirable. You value your heart? Then I shall test it with my flame!"

"Lightning Blade!" Joey yelled, and the red light suddenly turned blue.

D-Navi: Determination activate!

"Flamedramon, Digivolve to..."

The armor suddenly regained it's original black color, and Flamedramon fell forward, his arms and legs suddenly more muscular. The spike on his head grew longer, and bent once, giving it a lightning bolt appearance. Several more spikes erupted from his armor, which grew longer, leaving a what looked like a rideable area between them. Blue electricity started to crackle around him.

"RAIDRAMON!"

D-Navi Analyzer Bio.

Raidramon: I am RAIDRAMON, the former Storm of Friendship! My Lightning Blast and Blue Thunder attacks will burn faster than my old Fire Rocket did!

Joey gaped, then, pushing his now static-impaired hair down, he grinned. "Wait'll Kaiba sees who's got a lightning-totin' dragon now!"

Raidramon grinned as well, his now more dragonic mouth revealing sharper fangs. "Save the gloats for later. Get on, and let's give this geezer a shock he won't forget!"

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-
Crimson Study
-
Shayla blinked; yet another thing she was unused to was the sudden pain caused by an abrupt change in brightness. The dim, reddish streets had been replaced by a library. The walls, cieling, shelves, tables, books, EVERYTHING was the same shade of bright, harsh red. Chinchillamon glanced around, curious as usual. "Where are we?"

"I don't know..." Shayla said, feeling as confused as her partner. "A few seconds ago, we were right behind Yami, when-"

"A blowhard's simple plan was put into action."

She gasped, and swiftly turned. Declining down a pure red staircase, almost dissapearing into the color of the room with it's full-length red robes, was a decidedly feminine Digimon, given the shape the robes fell into, which covered all but her head and hands. For the most part, she looked like nothing more than a human, possibly the same age as her and roughly the same height. However, her deep orange eyes were obviously unnatural. Aside from that, she had long, shiny, almost golden-blonde hair, which had an almost familier shape to Shayla. Her skin was softly tanned, and a strangely peaceful smile was on her face.

"I am Alluremon, the weakest of Triera's defenses, and your opponant before the final brawl. "She said, now at Shayla's level and slowly walking toward a small table near them both. "I was given the task of preventing your entry to the lower levels, but I have to admit, in a battle against your partner I'd be decimated."

She sighed as she sat down, and motioned for Shayla to do so. Warily, the brown-haired girl sat on the opposite end, while Chinchillamon tilted her head naively at the strange scene.

"Then again, that would be different, had the two of you been male." She suddenly said, a bitter, annoyed face replacing her serene one. "My own honor would force me to lower your guard, then finish you, at it's own degradation, I migh add. Fortunatly, there's a much better way to do this, and it was for that reason you were chosen to face me."

"I'm listening." Shayla said carefully. "What do you want?"

Alluremon grinned, this time taking on a cocky grin, not unlike what many of the others would have done. "It's something right up your alley: A battle of wits. You're the most skeptical and strategic mind in your group, and you also have a way for figuring things out. A riddle, nothing more. I know, it's a bit Tolkien-esque, but it works well for both of us."

"Okay... what happens if get it wrong? "She asked, vaguely wondering why she bothered to.

Alluremon sighed, her eyes closeing in a careless way. "This room collapses immediately. I escape through my own non-damaging attack, and both of you are buried in digital literature."

"Poetic.." the tactical duelist groaned. "And if I win?"

Alluremon's eyes stayed shut, but her face went into a chibi-ish form, smiling naively, almost like Chinchillamon. "I let you go on, hopefully meeting up with the others, and kick Kimon's tail to Server and back."

Mentally deciding that this was the strangest villian she'd ever seen, Shayla nodded, starting to focus her mind immediately.

Alluremon glanced down, still not opening her eyes, her mouth becoming neutral in shape.

"I am nothing more than what I am.

People know me, think of me, use me, make me, and react to me each day.

I am a cause of annoyance, and seem to aggravate younger people just be being asked about.

I wonder why I was ever given thought to, when I am so simple, you know me without thinking.

Simple in being, Complex in understanding, what am I?"

Shayla also closed her eyes, moved her head down, and sank into a thoughtful consciousness. Chinchillamon glanced briefly at both girls, then, yawning, followed them, though drifting into sleep instead.

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-
Shadowy Ballroom
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All around them was a beautiful chamber, soft blue marble on every inch of the floor, elegant tables and flowers at every side, and soft light barely illuminating the entire place. Roan took these in suspisciously, knowing something dangerous was about to happen.

"I expected to be brought to some arena that fit our style." Kotemon said, his bone brandished, held firm and ready to strike. "Something devious must be planned, for the enemy to go to such a different extreme."

"Exactly." The bushy-haired youth nodded, slowly, reluctantly, removing the Millenium Dagger from it's hidden sheath. The blade seemed to elongate into a full sword as it left it's long-time confined quarters, and Roan swiftly moved it into the same position Kotemon had his weapon in. "I'll help with the cards, and I might even be able to aid you, to... if we're fighting someone with a heart."

Kotemon didn't let his confusion show, but felt for a moment as though his partner was talking in a secretive manner. True, he knew little about Roan's past, but shook his head, not wanting to pry, at least not at this time.

For several seconds, there was complete quiet. Then, soft, echoing footsteps sounded from the expansive walls. Both warriors turned to the steps, to see someone walking toward them.

Roan's eyes widened; his hands fell limp, and the Dagger, shrinking as it fell, released a loud clang throughout the room. "No...."

The person slowly walking toward them was a girl, more than a head shorter than Roan. She had an innocent look to her, from her old jeans and jacket to her still young face. Her eyes were a soft blue, and short, pale pink hair came down to just below her ears. Her skin was also pale, and had a definate, soft complexion.

"Roan..." She said, her voice sad and elegant. "Finally....I can say to you...."

The boy mentioned fell to his knees, his dark eyes shining. He let out a sharp, strained breath, which turned to fog in the suddenly freezing air. "Se....se......se-"

"...that I do not blame you....that I bear no hate...for what your forced actions did....."

His suddenly pulled his head down, his hands scrunching his hair as images returned...the things he dreamt of every night....his nightmares. "Se....Seri....." He finally said, tears forming under his fiercly shut eyes.

Kotemon glanced at his grief-stricken partner, to the still walking girl, whose face refused to change, not even blinking. He stood in front of Roan defensively as she walked into one of the dim streaks of light...and gave no shadow to her side.

"Hot Head Strike!" The reptile yelled, swinging his suddenly burning bone directly through the girl. She vanished, her body turning to a white vapor. Roan's eyes opened, he looked up to see the now empty place where the girl had been, then blinked in pain.

His tears were solid ice. The very air around him was suddenly frigid. He scraped the icicles away, and turned, angrily, to a new figure behind them, who was chuckling darkly.

The being was like Myotismon, if Myotismon had been entirely white, his cape and mask being blue.

D-Navi Analyzer Bio.

???: I am ICEMYOTISMON. My Bat Blizzard attack will leave you shuddering in fear and in cold.

The ice creature grinned cruelly. "I see you've already experienced my other ability; to create images out of cold vapor. I suppose you're going through some very painful memories right now, Mr. Slade, but it makes my job easier, so I won't complain."

The vampire slowly folded his arms, and more of the condensed air started to swirl around him. Kotemon's eyes were narrowed to the extreme, his stick shaking with anger.

"How dare you use such dishonorable methods? To use your opponant's own memories against them, to tap into their own shame? I swear by the remaining branches of Human Digimon, you will not avoid death for this!"

The evil one lowered his arms again, sneering confidantly." If its any consolation, it wasn't MY idea, or even Kimon's! I got my orders straight from the top, and our leader got the idea from one of his new friends."

"Kotemon's right." Roan suddenly said, surprising both Digimon. He was glaring at Icemyotismon with a fury that could have melted the tears still clinging to his skin." Regardless of its origins, such strategies can't be allowed to continue. Its not the first instance of such a thing, I'm sure, but YOU won't use it again!"

Silvery light poured out of Roan's D-navi, and he smiled, weakly but determined, as he called out, "Sword Hunter!"

D-Navi: Honor activate!

"Kotemon, Digivolve to.....DINOHUMON, Digivolve to...."

The green, reptilian skin turned into a pinkish-red, with a white coloring appearing through the Digimon's center. The blades seemed to meld into his hands as they re-formed into scythe-like shapes, and whiskers sprouted from the sides of his mouth. The feathers and headband shifted into a long, blue plume of hair, and the clawed feet rounded, becoming more mammalian. Overall, the appearance was that of an over-sized catfish.

"KYUKIMON!"

???: My name is KYUKIMON, but don't be deterred by my strange new appearance. My wind attacks are vicious, and I can shred much tougher things than ice with my new weapon-like claws and immense speed!

The newly evolved warrior's eyes returned to their narrow position, though now a brilliant blue with pupils instead of glowing yellow circles.

"Icemyotismon, you have lived your last, cold-hearted day." Kyukimon decreed; his voice now had a...noble sort of quality to it." Prepare to die."

"Hmph. I don't need to listin to an over-evolved fish like you." The ice demon smirked." Bat Blizzard!"

He threw out his arms, and, like Myotismon's attack, thousands of digital bats flew out. Unlike the Grisly Wing, however, the bats were pointed, made of pure ice.

Kyukimon's arms quickly rose apove him, scythe-end facing away from his body. Then.."

"Blade Twister!" He cried as his body suddenly started spinning at a ridiculus speed, giving him the appearance of a large pink top.

Icemyotismon smirked again as the Twister enveloped him and his bats. "Nice, but it'll take more than a little wind to stop-"

He suddenly flinched, and looked down at his own bats, piercing his stomach, blown back by the cyclone. He smirk dissolved into a grimace, before the rest of him just dissolved.

Roan sighed in relief as his tears melted, and gingerly rubbed the skin around eyes. "Thanks, Kyukimon. And congratulations.."

"It is not I who deserve congratulations, though my family will no doubt dispense them apon seeing my training's result." The now deep voiced Digimon replied." Even after reliving a point of tremendous pain in your past, you had the strength to merely reprimend that villian for his actions. Lesser men would still be shaking, or else they would explode with anger at their manipulation. You remained calm, and acted with the Honor your crest shows."

Roan's eyes were still wet, memories still fresh, but he nodded, and the two of them exited the false peace of the chamber.

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-
Crimson Study
-
"Truth." Shayla said suddenly, her eyes opening. She winced them shut again, though, again experiencing the sudden brightness of the room. Chinchillamon woke up, yawning as she rubbed her eyes with her furry paw.

The normally blind girl tensed as Alluremon slowly opened her eyes, an almost somber expression on her face. However, she let her breath out in great relief as the Digimon gave another chibi-ish grin." Close enough."

"So we can go now?" Chinchillamon asked sleepily. Shayla smiled at her innocent friend." Looks that way."

"You mean looks THAT way." The red-cloaked one said, pointing to a bookcase against the wall, which then slid away, revealing a dark passage." Happy hunting."

Shayla nodded, and, her partner slowly picking up energy, walked into the secret passageway and dissapeared from sight. The tanned womon sighed." Aren't you supposed to be fighting the girl I'm anti-portraying?"

"I'm allergic to cats. And I'm glad the chinchilla left; My nose was starting to twitch at her, too." A tall, demonic Digimon said, stepping out from a taller bookcase.

"What nose?" Alluremon asked mockingly. Her orange-boned companion glared back at her.

"And what about that riddle?" Skullsatamon countered." What was the answer? And why'd you let her pass if it was only 'close'?"

"1. Onomatopoeia. " she answered casually." 2. Truth DOES fulfill most, if not all of the aspects of the riddle. Besides, I don't wanna pick up all of these books if they fall down."

"Kimon's gonna kill ya' if they fail, you know." The Ultimate said, his eyes sockets moving as if his eyes had just rolled.

"As if he could. I am his boss's 'sister', afterall." She said, returing his annoyed glance. "Speaking of which, what does he say to do now? You wouldn't bother meeting me here if you just decided to leave your post."

"He wants us to go ahead an open a gateway for the kids to go home when they finish beating our scaly leader. Something about getting them back with some free time."

Alluremon dropped her childish look, and her face suddenly looked honestly puzzled." He wants to send them home, safe and sound?"

"I know, it's dumb. Then again, he IS our boss. And your brother. Or I should I put that last word in quotes?"

"Nevermind. Let's go."
-
Deep Walkway
-
Majiramon's claws slammed on the ground as he roared out "Fire Wall!"

A large pillar of flame burst forth from his mouth, and elongated into a literal wall, slowly moving toward the two. However, it was obviously smaller than the last, due to the energy he had used to fight the two of for this long.

"Even I'm getting tired of this fight, and I'm the pasenger here.." Joey griped. "Think we can take him down now, Raidramon?"

"You bet." The lightning dragon replied. He leaped into the air, OVER the moving wall, and cried," Lightning Blast!"

A large surge of electricity went from his spikes, and surrounded the older dragon, whose roar filled the endless path, echoing into the nothingness below.

"ENOUGH!" He roared, and suddenly collapsed, his claws barely keeping his head from smashing into the stone. Joey and Raidramon blinked, and landed gracefully, Joey carefully exiting his spiky seat.

"You were splendid, young fighter, you and your Digimon." The Deva said, his sharp teeth shaping into an attempted grin." You have reason to feel as glad as you do. Yet I still can't help but wonder how your newly-evolved ally took be down, with all the experience I have..."

"Don't think on it too much." Joey said, aslo grinning in his usal, cocky way." It could'a just been luck. Not to belittle Raidramon's strength, " he added, noticing the mock-anger in his friend's eyes," but that's how I win most'a my battles."

"So I've read." Majoramon joked, his eyes once again serious." But your earlier words were true, as well. Your heart holds great strength, both from those you care about, and from you will to protect them. I would like to meet this 'Yami Yugi' you thought of when you said that."

Joey frowned, and Majiramon nodded." Yes, I too, wonder what HE is now facing, when you were given ME to deal with..."

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-
Triera City, Abandoned Street
-
The Digimon stood high, more than a head higher than both Yami and Renamon. He wore black jeans, which held a small, sheathed sword tho them. His body was greatly muscular, and had greyish skin...or was it fur? The latter may have been more correct, for his face was that of a lion's, mane and all. His eyes were dark, pupiless slits.

???: Name's BLACKLEOMON. I'm the king of this metal jungle, and my Black Beast Fist can turn your little safari into a nightmare!

"Now that that's all settled, I'm taking you down." The beastman said, large teeth grinning wickedly. He thrust his right arm back, his hand forming a fist, and black light started to gather around it.

Renamon's eyes didn't take their normal stoic slant, but rather a strangely annoyed shape. "He's powering up to finish us in one hit. How original."

"Regardless, we have to do the same if we plan to win this!" Yami said quickly." If our own strength cannot defeat his, we lose. We must counter him with his own tactic."

Almost casually, Yami's crest shone a greyish light and his trademark smirk slid into place." Mystical Ref Panel!"

"Renamon, Digivolve to... KYUBIMON, Digivolve to...."

The mirror-like panel appeared in front of Kyubimon, blocking her from view, and mystical symbol flew behind it, eventually causing the mirror's back to erupt in light. The mirror span, showing noone behind it, but once the front returned to view, it shone briefly, before the new figure emerged from it. Though the fox-like face remained, she now stood up straight, and wore long, purple and white robes. A black, ancient cap with appeared on her head, as did the Yin-Yang symbol on the front of her robes. She spun once, revealing what looked to be the tip of a brush from her right sleeve, before yelling out," TAOMON!"

Taomon: The mirror reflected light back into the darkness; I am the result. My Thousand Spells will ward off all demons, and my Talisman of Light shall purify the taint from your being.

"I sense within you a pure heart, Blackleomon." Taomon said. Yami's smirk broadened in humor; like his own transformation, Taomon's voice was now deeper." And for your sake, if not our own, I will cleanse you of whatever darkness binds you."

Blackleomon didn't respond, though his form seemed to darken even as she spoke. The now single-tailed creature suddenly produced a sutra from inside her robe, and stuck it in the air. She swiftly moved one flat palm in front of her face vertically, and began chanting something in a language Yami couldn't recognize.

The darker animal suddenly released an ear-splitting roar." BLACK BEAST FIST!"

Yami flinched briefly at the sight of the technique; a lion's head, made of black fire, at least the size of the building just to the side, rushed toward them. Taomon only tightened her form, and abruptedly ended her chant. The attack struck the sutra, mere inches in front of her face, and...

Vanished? Yami blinked; Blackleomon stood by his knees, panting thickly with his mane full of sweat. Taomon, though her eyes were closed, didn't show the least sign of being tired. Then, the brush glimpsed before suddenly shot out, writing a symbol in the air before Taomon raised it higher.

"Now, be purified by my Talisman of Light!" She swung, and the symbol rocketed toward the beast, who didn't fare nearly as well at blocking his opponant's attack. As the symbol moved through him, the darkness dissapeared, replaced by orange and yellow fur. He burst into data, and the air was filled with a single phrase.

"Thank you..." Leomon's voice echoed. Yami nodded at the rising data, and started forward.

"We have to find the others. Can you sense any of them, Taomon?"

"Their energies are faint, so I cannot tell who is who..." she answered, unmoving," but all except one are moving toward a dark aura. Speaking of which, there are two; one digital dark aura, and one that feels...human."

"You're sure it's not me?" The Pharoah asked hopingly. At the nod from his partner, he grimaced.

"From what I can tell, the human dark aura is right next to the only person not heading toward the digital one. Not only that, but the one not moving is human as well." She suddenly pulled another sutra out." We must hurry to the digital aura immediately; if we defeat Kimon, we can concentrate on fighting the human one, which may require YOUR skills."

Yami could barely open his mouth before a large blue sphere of energy surrounded them both, and suddenly moved them forward at a high speed. He quickly recovered his collectiveness, but unknown, his parter was having less luck at it, though she showed no emotion as she directed the ball.

{I do not understand.... perhaps it was the fact that he was darkness and I light, perhaps because I have a partner and he didn't, but, he being a Virus and I being a Data, I shouldn't have been able to destroy Blackleomon in one hit. I sense something deeper behind this, something untimely...}

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Drake's eyes opened, but he saw nothing... and the signs came to him. Around him was complete darkness, a pulse from his Gauntlet hand suddenly rushed forward, and the Psuedo-Millenium Item's familier feeling crept onto his hand. But the tell-tale sign that he was where he though he was...was...

{Where the hell have you been?}

Lance was back. Lance, the world's least serious Yami. Lance, the one who tried every day to make Drake as much of a dirty-minded guy as he was. Lance....

{The guy who's gonna kick your mental ass if you don't stop describing me!} he shouted, causing Drake to wince inwardly. {First of all, your mind goes M.I.A. for several days, and THEN you get yourself thrown into the Shadow Realm? Where have you been? And what happened to your eyes?}

A short instant of concentration, and Drake was staring into his slightly taller, slightly more muscular, and black-striped, spikier haired Yami's still-red eyes." You've got access to my mind now, so why don't YOU figure it out?"

For a few seconds, both just glared at each other. Then, Lance suddenly had a look of surprise in his eyes." You're in a video game?"

Drake fought the erge to facefault." Close. I'll fill in the gaps later, but right now I have to get back to where I was. Any idea how I got here, anyway?"

Lance grinned in his usual sarcastic way." Its walking toward you right now, and it starts with a 'B' and ends with an 'A'. And it's not a common Japanese expletive for 'idiot'."

Drake's glare deepened." Right, that'd be your department. Any chance we could fuse this time without using that copyright debateable 'Dra-gi-oh' cry?"

To answer this, Drake found himself glaring at a less visible darkness, although his body now took the form of his Yami instead." Thanks."

"Don't mention it." A familier, oddly accented voice said, and Drake caught the image of a blue and white-striped shirt, a golden ring with several sharp cylinders, and white hair shaped like the interior of a rolled-up iron maiden.

"Yami Bakura....Ryou..." He said, his now blood-red eyes narrowed in suspicion and disbelief." I thought I defeated you back at the Colloseum!"

"The Darkness can never be defeated, little dragon, especially in its own world." The ancient thief said, his smirk just as creepy as it was the last time Drake had seen it." Something I'm going to back up, here and now!"

From the unseen ground between them, and ancient, rectangular table emerged, it's design easily matching the standard Duel Mat sold with Starter Decks." A final duel between the two of us, this time with that idiot Kaiba's new rules."

Still stunned at the reappearence of the white-haired enemy before him, Drake didn't question how his deck appeared from his D-Navi. Shaking his head, he once again glared at his opponant." Why should I? Your shouldn't even be here, let alone be able to remove me from the Digital World.."

"Why should YOU deny me a duel?" Ryou countered." Helios is dead, so he can't ask for such, but I'm still around, and the energy from MY Millenium Item is what enabled your joke of a dark side to speak with you, or even to let you free your friends from the Shadow Realm the first time!"

{He IS right...sadly..} Lance admitted silently. Drake snarled," Fine. I can total you easily, and get back to more important things."

"I wouldn't be so sure of yourself." The thief remarked as his foe sat down across from him." This a Shadow Duel, and a very unique one at that. Though you won't see what happens, I can ASSURE you, win or lose, you'll fail..."

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On a vast, grassless plain of stone, the red-scaled dragon Digimon appeared. He opened his eyes, his stronger claws leaving their protective stance." I'm Odjmon...I've Digivolved..."

"Precisely..." a familier voice said, and Odjnmon glared at the figure ahead, before gasping.

Slightly taller than himself, the Digimon had lost his black robes in exchange for similarly-colored armor, and a long, grey, dragon headed-staff was in his right claw. The black scales, long, strong wings, and the superior smirk, however, remained.

'Greetings... Odjnmon." He spoke, his mocking voice also the same." Your name, minus 'mon' means 'one, or first' in Russian, did you know? Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Chetyremon, the Second. And you know the old school-rhyme: 'First is worst, second is best'... allow me to prove that."

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R/N: Change of plans; this is the second-to-last chapter. Hold tight, guys, the conclusion's coming soon!

"Could it be that I am afraid? Or do I simply know not my own limits? Perhaps, I presume...." Sesshomaru, from Inuyasha.