Darkenss Reborn

Chapter 10: Freed Heart

by Silver

*I do not own nor do I even wish to own any rights to Digimon. Seriously, what would I want with rights to a show that's finished its run?*

            Author's Note: It's been nearly two years since I started this fic. I stopped to focus on "The Outcast" for a time, then struggled to complete this story. I know that this is not by best work by any stretch of the imagination, but I am proud of it nonetheless.

But I need to be done. This is the second-to-last chapter. I'll soon be finished. I want to thank everyone for their patience with this story and their faithful reviews. Your input helps me keep going.

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            Her insides were still sparking while the world returned from a blurry mess. Kari had never felt such pain before, even when she hurt her leg. The current from the control spires, mixed with the conductive Dark Ocean water, had nearly killed her and everyone else. Everyone except TK, who stood across the way, leaning on his fist against a control spire's surface. Something was very wrong with him. She'd been afraid when he started to shout at a voice that no one else could hear, and then terrified as Daemon explained his grand designs using TK's subconscious as his tool. But now there was a feeling to TK, an aura that didn't belong there. She'd known TK half her life. She'd visited with him a few times after their first adventure in the Digital World, and when they'd become classmates they spent a great deal of time together. He was a familiar in her life, but the boy standing across from her did not feel at all like TK Takashi.

            He began to chuckle a dark, cynical laughing that rose to a cackle. He threw his hands up in the air and whirled on the Digidestined, an unnatural hatred across his face. "YES! Finally, I am in control! Full control! I am free!"

            "TK?" Kari pushed herself to her knees. There was not enough strength to stand.

            The thing with TK's face smirked. "Just the looks. I suppose you'd recognize me more this way." The water around him began to swirl and splash, climbing around him. He vanished behind a whirling vortex of dark water. When it fell, TK was no longer standing there. Kari couldn't connect the figure she now saw with that of her best friend. Daemon had said it, but she couldn't believe it. TK couldn't be the Digimon Emperor she now saw.

            "Recognize me now?"

            "No way." Davis had recovered faster than the others. "You're just a big faker, like those Chaos Generals. There's no way you're TK! Now where is he?"

            The Emperor mockingly rubbed his chin. "Oh, yeah. Where is the guy who was standing here two seconds ago? I guess he magically teleported to nowhere, eh Dufus? Face it; the TK you knew is gone. I'm in charge now. And now that he's out of the way I have no need to keep you alive any longer. The earlier Chaos Generals were meant to keep you occupied, but this next one was specifically designed with your deaths in mind. Patamon, come here."

            "No!" The small Digimon hovered near the Digidestined. "You're not my friend TK. I'm not listening to you."

            "Fine. Then we'll do this my way." The Emperor reached down and swirled his hand through the black water. As he rose, a thin line of black trailed in his fingertips. The black cord twisted around itself and grew points along its outer surface. "Let me introduce all of you to my most powerful General. Pain and loss embodied: ChaosAngemon!" He lashed out with the spiked dark spiral, its slender form flying forward like a whip, faster than Patamon could react. The slave device wrapped itself around his midsection and wound its way up his body before anyone could intercept it.

            Patamon's eyes flashed red just before his body darkened to match his surroundings. With a glow of evil that made Kari's stomach clench, Patamon's form grew and expanded until it was shaped like a man, but far too large to be human. The being known as ChaosAngemon was an even greater mockery of its namesake than the other Chaos Generals. Whereas Angemon had been clean and pure, this thing was tattered and wretched. Its carved iron helmet resembled a skull, minus the lower jaw. The gray body suite was tattered and ripped in many areas, with crimson ribbons running along his right arm and leg, and a bloody sash hanging from his waist. Six raven-like wings held the Digimon above the ground while he stared expressionless at the Digidestined.

            "This is my strongest General, for he was created from a real Digimon. You won't defeat him as you could my other Generals."

            Daemon clapped. "Splendid. Now put him to use and annihilate these nuisances!" Kari caught the scowl crossing the Emperor's face and realized there was more to this partnership than first seemed.

            "That does it!" Davis snarled. "Veemon, let's show this faker how it's done!"

            "Right, Veemon digivolve to… XV-mon!" The winged dragon rushed the Emperor his fist cocked back. "Bring back TK, now!"

            Kari couldn't fully see what happened next. One moment, ChaosAngemon hovered so close she considered lunging for the spiral around his neck and pulling it off. But now he'd materialized before the Emperor, intercepting XV-mon's assault with a staff that looked as if it'd been carved from rotting wood. Despite its frail appearance, the staff demonstrated brutal force as ChaosAngemon sunk it into XV-mon's belly. Davis' partner groaned and leaned forward, and ChaosAngemon spun to smash the staff against his opponent's skull, ending the confrontation with a kick to the chest before the Champion could even fall to the ground. XV-mon tumbled back, and Veemon landed on the ground. Davis cradled his partner, asking if he was okay.

            The Emperor laughed. "ChaosImperialdramon and ChaosWarGreymon were merely distractions meant to keep you off balance. I intentionally added flaws to their personalities to give you a chance to destroy them. But ChaosAngemon has no weakness for he has no persona of his own. He is a mindless machine designed to follow my orders. And my orders are to kill all of you!"

            ChaosAngemon flew forward and smashed his staff at the center of the group. All the Digidestined and their partners scrambled out of the way. The force of the shockwave still tossed them like leafs in the wind.

            "Hawkmon digivolve to… Aquillamon!" Yolei's partner transformed into a titanic horned eagle. "Yolei, it's time to see if we can DNA digivolve."
            Yolei nodded and looked at Kari. "Ready to try."

            "Y-yes." Or maybe. She couldn't be sure. Everything was happening to so fast, more than she could take in. She had hated the Emperor for all the death and cruelty he'd caused, yet now he turned out to be her best friend? It didn't seem true, but something insider her heart knew that it couldn't be otherwise.

No matter how painful it was, she'd have to retaliate. TK had protected her in both the Digital World and in the catacombs beneath the city. He'd watched out for her and kept her safe. Now he was relying on her to free him. She would. Kari vowed to fight and free TK from his own sadness, even if it meant her life. She held up her D3, "Gatomon, DNA digivolve!"

"Aquillamon…"

"Gatomon…"
            "DNA digiovolve to… Sylphimon!" A burst of energy merged to the two Digimon into a form almost as tall as ChaosAngemon. Sylphimon stood upon Aquillamon's two talons, but his upper chest bore the white body suite and claws of Gatomon. A metallic visor obscured his eyes, but Sylphimon had no trouble aiming his attack. "Static Force!" A blast of red energy sprung from Sylphimon's hands, but it never hit its mark. ChaosAngemon held up his own fist to intercept the blast.

"Hand of Chaos." His voice was monotone and cold as stone on a snowy mountainside. There wasn't a hint of emotion behind it. The beam of dark energy that lashed out from his hand held far more force than any word ChaosAngemon spoke. It cut through the Static Force blast and struck Sylphimon in the chest, toppling the hybrid.

Veemon winced and got back to his feet. "Davis, let's golden armor divivolve."

"Are you sure you can fight?"

"I got a choice?"

"He has a point." Ken signaled his readiness with Wormmon.

"Golden armor energize!"

"Veemon golden armor digivolve to… Magnamon!"

"Wormmon golden armor digivolve to… Hypermon!" The twin golden Digimon joined the fray, but had no more luck than Sylphimon. Even Ankylomon assaulted his fusion partner, but ChaosAngemon dodged and retaliated against all their attacks. He moved with a subtlety and precision that had been lost on the other two Generals. Without an ego or persona, this Chaos General was truly flawless… and terrifying.

Daemon yawned. "This battle bores me, and I'm missing the destruction downtown. It's time to see how the concentration is going." He had enough ego to spare.

The Emperor nodded. "ChaosAngemon, return to me after you have finished off these fools." Daemon scooped the Emperor up and the two flew off towards the city. It wasn't until she tracked them that Kari noticed the unusual light from the city, and the noise. Fires were springing up all over Odaiba, possibly even the world. And those sounds were appallingly familiar. She'd heard them as ChaosImperialdramon's blast had decimated an entire city section, and as ChaosWarGreymon had torched the Digital World. It was the cries of people in pure terror. There were thousands of voices raised in panic and fear, along with the roars of something not human. The Emperor's designs were coming to fruition. It seemed as if the Digiestined had already lost.

"Kari," Davis touched her shoulder, snapping her out of her gloom. "We gotta move back and give the Digimon more room." Indeed Ken, Yolei, and Cody were already rushing farther back while ChaosAngemon continued to batter the Digimon all about Ferry Futo Park. Kari leaned on Davis' shoulder and limped towards the relative safety of the trees.

"Hey, hey hey!" A high-pitched voiced called to them from the other group. A small ball of bright green bounced besides Yolei.

"Datirimon?" Kari couldn't believe it. "How'd you get here?"

            The tiny Digimon hopped up and down in a panic. "I came with other Digimon! The Emperor took all the Digimon and brought 'em here! The Digital World's empty! We're in trouble, trouble, trouble!"

            Ken nodded. "This is starting to make sense. First the Emperor conquers the Digital World, then links the two worlds and uses the enslaved Digimon to conquer us."

            Cody added, "And then we become cannon fodder in a war against the Dark Ocean… and TK stays the Digimon Emperor."

            "That wasn't TK!" Davis protested. "There's no way-"

            "Davis, it was TK." Kari felt her heart break as she said it. "I know it's impossible to believe, but that really was TK back there. It wasn't a copy, or an illusion, or mind control. That was TK."

            "TK'd never do something like this."

            Datirimon said, "It's all that Daemon guy's fault! He turned TK bad! And now he's collapsing both worlds?"

            "Collapsing?"

            Yolei pointed up. "Yeah. The, uh, sky is falling." Kari looked up with the other and noticed that the Digital World seemed to be hanging lower in the sky than before. Even as she watched it looked as if the two worlds would sandwich together, crushing everyone in between. "Any idea why that's happening?"

            Datirimon shook his head. "Nope."

            "We need a plan."

            "How 'bout this: we free Patamon, then kick Daemon's butt and free TK!"

            "Brilliant, Davis. And how do we do that?"

            "I'll do it." Kari said. Everyone stared at her, and she couldn't blame them. "TK—or the Emperor side of himself—is controlling everything that's happening. Daemon entrusted too much power to TK. If we can free him, I think we can stop all this. Then we can use our combine strength against Daemon."

            Yolei said, "Remember last time? Imperialdramon, Sylphimon, and Shakouamon couldn't beat Daemon."

            "But if we can free TK, the Digimon will be liberated, and we'll have a whole army on our side. Even Daemon can't defeat every Digimon at once."

            "Okay," Ken nodded, "sounds solid enough. But how do we free TK?"

            "He and I are very old friends. I'm sure I can remind him of his better self."

            "I'm going too." Davis stepped forward. "TK and I are buds, after all."

 "You don't hate TK; even after everything Daemon said?"

            "Naw. It's not like I haven't had a grudge against him myself. I just never expected him to have all that stuff hidden."

            Yolei agreed. "It's always the quiet ones. I'll have to get him to chill out after all this is over."

            Cody said, "He is my DNA digivolution partner, after all. I need to support him now more than ever."

            Kari turned to Ken, who probably had the most reason to hate TK. All that was happening was a mirror of Ken's former reign. Those scars had to run deep. Ken seemed to read her mind. "I swore I wouldn't let this new Emperor control my feelings. I won't let him ruin my friendship with TK either. I know what it's like to have to combat a dark side."        Kari smiled. She'd been afraid that Daemon's narration had driven a wedge between the Digidestined.

            "Okay, less talking, more doing." Davis led the team in a full-hearted cheer. Despite the situation, everyone was still committed to the fight. "Cody, can Ankylomon give us a ride while the others fight ChaosAngemon?" Cody nodded and had his partner evolve to his Champion form.

            "He can protect us from the slave Digimon, but what about Daemon?"

            "We'll… deal with that when we have to." Davis grinned, signaling he had no idea. He and Kari mounted the Dinosaur Digimon while Daitirmon and the others remained behind to battle their lost friend.

            This night was more uncertain than any other. If they failed, three worlds would be lost; and even if they won they might never recover TK. But Kari felt the others' strength and took confidence in their resolution. One way or another, this war would end tonight; and she fully intended to see it through with all her friends and loved ones surviving.

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *

            The city prostrated itself before him, falling to his will faster than any other conquest in human or Digimon history. Far below a group of Tyrannomon were  herding the city's inhabitants, using their Nova Flame attacks to force them down the street while Veggimon used their rope-like arms to capture and drag any stragglers. Farther ahead various Digimon stood guard over the ever-growing prison crowd. Smaller sized Digimon passed among the captives, listening for plans of escape or other possible surprises. Not that it mattered since every Champion and Ultimate in the Digital World was standing ready to recapture any escapee. This was but one of a million scenes going on across the world.

            America, France, Germany, Africa, Russia, Britain; all countries fell before his might simultaneously. How he wished he could see the faces of the international Digidestined when they learned that one from their own ranks had engineered their destruction.

            With the barriers gone, the Emperor's slaves had stormed every major population center without warning, catching Earth's defenders off-guard. The Digidestined's own partners were mostly enslaved now, and a majority of the world's military stations also fell under the Emperor's grip. Even if a few stragglers managed to mount a resistance, there wasn't a force powerful enough to resist every Digimon in creation. Earth would be his by dawn, and then it was on to the Dark Ocean. And from there… the unknown stretched before him, waiting for a rule. Peace would come to all dimensions under his rule.

            Already the control spires pulled the two worlds closer together. When they clashed, there would be no differentiation between the two. There would only be one world he needed to rule, and that world would expand with each conquest and merger he orchestrated. Eventually, every layer of existence would be under his heel. 

            Daemon surveyed the scene as if it were his own creation. The fool. "You've carried out my designs well. I never thought a human would be so useful."

            "I've spent too much time planning to fail now." The Emepror tried to keep his voice level. No sense causing a confrontation before he was standing on something solid.

            "And just how do you plan to control these humans? I don't see any dark rings around their necks."

            "Dark rings only work on Digimon. There's no magical way to enslave a human mind so quickly."

            Daemon narrowed his ice-blue eyes. "Then what use will they serve in my new army?"

            The Emperor waved his hand. "We'll keep the children hostage and send their parents and families to fight. Anyone who refuses will forfeit the lives of their offspring. Some will still refuse, of course, but there will be enough people willing to obey that they can serve as cannon fodder. We'll still have a fighting force while raising the next generation to accept a different leadership." Daemon merely nodded. Arrogant creature; it couldn't even acknowledge its ignorance of such important planning. That's why you're not fit to rule.

            They finally set down atop a building overlooking the plaza where humans were being confined. So late at night, many had been dragged from their homes in their pajamas or less. Some were wounded and burnt, and here or there a fatality occurred. But such was the nature of a conquest. Anyone afraid to get their hands dirty had no right to undertake such a venture. Humans were cowardly by nature. Their so called "evolution" had weakened their resolve to survive. Feed a man a burger and he would compliment its delicious taste. Tell him how that burger was made and he wouldn't take another bite of the sumptuous meal. If humans couldn't handle slaughtering a lesser animal to survive, they could never grasp true peace. Democracy pursued peace, but defeated itself in allowing people choice. Crowds, such as the one before him, were misguided and panic-plagued. Only an individual could choose the right path to peace. Dictators and Tyrants often followed this much simpler path, but always thought too small and failed to crush all opposition at once. The Emperor was different. He knew the road to true peace, was willing to sacrifice a few for the good of the many, and had the means to bring about his order in one swift stroke. Three worlds would be his in less than two weeks.

            Daemon chuckled. "Such an accomplishment. I have now surpassed any other Digimon. Devimon couldn't hold an island, Myotismon lost his hold here on Earth, and the Dark Masters were invincible only so long as they remained unchallenged. I have outdone all of them."

            Strange how this sounded so much like the Emperor's thoughts; but with one crucial difference: this wasn't Daemon's plan. "What is all this talk about you? I am the architect of this war."

            Daemon gave him the look of a scientist studying a new type of bug. "It was always my plan to create an ally from this world to do my bidding. Your schemes are a component of my greater design."

            "Your design ended with my creation. Everything from there on has been mine. You have no claim to my accomplishment."

            Fire formed at Daemon's fingertips. He leveled all of them at the Emperor. "Watch your words, human. You had free reign only because I allowed it. I no longer need you and it is only through my good grace that you continue to survive."

            The Emperor chuckled. "What do I have to fear from a Digimon who won't even show his face?"

            "You wish to see my true self?" Now Daemon was mocking with laughter. "I doubt any mere human could stand the sight."

            "Try me."

            "Very well." Daemon reached up with one massive claw and tossed off his cowl and robe. Perhaps a normal person would have been terrified by the sight of Daemon's massive body, covered in fur from his head to his knees. A bare patch of blue skin on his chest featured a design of blood-red points. His hands and feet were abnormally large, and each digit ended in a long red claw. His mouth gaped wide, displaying all his knife-sharp teeth. Those eyes were soulless and still possessed that steely blue devoid of any pity or compassion. Yes, someone else would have screamed or cringed at the sight of Daemon's true self. But the Emperor was born from fear and pain. He did not shy away from such sights; he embraced them as a test of courage and a reminder that not even the emotions of ordinary people could hinder him.

            "Is that all?"

            Daemon grinned, once again showing the precision of his teeth. "You've grown very bold since I first created you. I think you need a reminder who is master." The flames returned to his fingers.

            "Correction. You need a reminder." With a snap of the fingers, several dark spirals floated over Daemon's body. Each spire was studded with small spikes running along the outer coil. Such modifications were needed to control Mega-level Digimon. Daemon barely had time to register their presence before the spiked spirals dove down and lashed around his wrists, legs, and neck. He howled and clawed at the restraints, glaring at the Emperor all the while. The Emperor smirked. "My plan calls for the enslavement of all Digimon, yourself included. You'll make an excellent front-line soldier in my army."

            Daemon aimed his palm at the Emperor. "Don't bother. Those spires are programmed to ensure none of my slaves can harm me. Now, kneel." Daemon's body twitched and strained as two desires struggled within. But the final outcome was never in doubt. The Emperor had ensured Daemon's submission by ensnaring him with more spirals than necessary. He had planned well indeed.

            Finally, the would-be conqueror knelt before his true master. Triumphant and invincible, the Emperor sat atop his new slave's shoulder and commanded a view of the surrounding area. More and more humans were brought to the detention area. The Rookie Digimon were now separating adults and teens from children, preparing the armies of conquest. Coercion was needed right now, but even so it would yield him the victory he desired. Many would die, but the end result would be a unification of worlds with no fear of war. Sooner or later he'd find away to control human minds as well. Then there would be no threat to peace. One ruler, one will.

            A small flash of yellow at the corner of his vision drew the Emperor's attention. A Digimon was moving without authorization. A towering Dinosaur clad in varying shades of yellow. Ankylomon. So a few Digidestined had escaped and still aimed to oppose him. How very amusing. "Daemon, let us go greet our former rivals for one last time."

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *         

             Kari spotted their target almost immediately. Daemon was a hard figure to miss, especially now that he had shed his garments. She screamed aloud at the sight of that gapping maw of teeth and those sharp claws. Truly this thing was darkness itself. But as it drew closer she noticed the spiked dark spirals encircling its body; almost like chain links. The conclusion was obvious. It was almost laughable that Daemon had been usurped by the darkness he tampered in. Having been a Digidestined almost as long as TK, Kari could appreciate the significance of the Emperor's betrayal. Those who dabbled in darkness were eventually consumed and then destroyed by the very power they sought to control. That was why she had to free TK before his own pain destroyed him.

            Once before, Kari had been forced to witness the death of Wizardmon, who had tried to remain among the darkness in order to protect Gatomon. Although his actions had been noble the end result had been the same; Wizardmon had died because of the darkness. Anyone who touched it would suffer the same fate. She would not allow another dear one to die. "Cody, you should head back and help the others."

            "Are you serious? How are you going to fight Daemon without a Digimon?"

            "Ankylomon won't stand a chance against a Mega. We'll need all our Digimon just to fight on the same level as Daemon. Go back and help the others free Angemon, then come back as soon as you can." She looked at Davis. "… Maybe you should go back as well."

            "Nuh-huh. I'm staying."

            "I have the strongest link to TK. I have the best chance of saving him. I know you mean well, Davis, but I'm not sure you can do anything to help right now. Your presence might even strengthen the Emperor's hold on TK."

            "Because I'm TK's rival, right?" Davis shrugged. "I really don't get this whole 'evil persona' thing. But TK's my bud, even if we are rivals, and I'm not gonna bail on him. You worry about helping TK. I'll handle Daemon."

            Kari's jaw fell. "How are you planning to-" but Davis was already sliding off Ankylomon's shell and running to meet the Emperor head on. Kari sighed and slid down as well. Ankylomon took off with Cody waving good luck as soon as she touched down. Not certain what Davis was planning, Kari decided to trust him and hid behind an upturned car. With any luck, she'd be able to confront TK one-on-one.

            Daemon streaked in with flames spewing from his mouth as well as hands. Davis lunged to the side, avoiding the worst of the flames, but he was quickly surrounded in ring of fire. The Emperor laughed from his perch atop Daemon's shoulder. "In over your head already, Davis? How a fool like you has lived this long I'll never understand. I'm betting it has to do with me bailing you out countless times."

            Davis grinned up at the Emperor, "You know, TO, I always thought you were kinda weird, but never like this. Gotta give you credit; I never even guessed you had this many issues. And people think I'm nuts."

            "You should be more concerned with yourself."

            Davis continued as if he hadn't heard. "You must've been really embarrassed to be mad at me, 'cause I hardly ever saw it in your face. Truth is I kinda enjoyed making you mad and getting a reaction. Helped remind me that 'mister perfect' was still human. A lot of what Daemon said made sense. I think you're my rival too, so I'm glad you think of me the same way. But you're still my friend. Nothing changes that, not even what's happening now."

            "I think a good cremation will change your mind." Flames appeared at Daemon's fingertips. "Torch him." The Emperor ordered. The flames lunged forward, clawing at the ground where Davis stood. But Davis himself was already in flight, leaping over the flame circle and heading down an alleyway.

            "Catch me if you can, shaggy!" Davis stuck his tongue out at Daemon.

The Emperor leaped off his slave and ordered him to pursue Davis. "Come back with his ashes. Fail and I'll teach you a level of suffering even the Dark Ocean cannot match." Daemon flapped his wings and streaked off after Davis, vanishing into the maze of the city.

Kari stepped out from behind her concealment. "I hope some of what he said got through to you."

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *

            He knew she'd be here as well. After all, who else would willfully follow the Emperor to achieve a fool's goal? Besides Davis, of course. But this Digidestined was something to be concerned about. While the Emperor had little to fear, he could not deny a foreboding about Kari Kamiya. She was no different from the other Digidestined in that she could arouse darker emotions from TK; but there was no way to nurture those feelings. No resentments, no grudges, no power to feed on. This girl, this human being somehow had the ability to cut through all of TK's emotions and draw out even stronger feelings. Perhaps it was the history they shared, or her frank and direct attitude with him. This girl could not fuel the Emperor's hatred. She detracted from it and in doing so became a far greater threat than any physical danger. How fortunate that she was here, alone; no Digimon guardian. He would enjoy this.

            "So good of you to show up. I can now send you to join your soon to be incinerated friend." He grinned and stepped towards her.

            Kari Kamiya stepped back slightly, but continued to stare him in the eyes. "TK, I know you can hear me. There's no way you'd give in completely to this darkness. You have to fight back."

            "He can't hear you. He's locked away where no words can reach him. I should know. I spent years locked up inside his head; a swelling of emotions crowded under denial. Do you honestly think I'd allow him to send me back?"

            Kamiya smiled. "You don't have a choice. I know TK better than you. Even if he can't hear me, he'll feel when his friends are in danger. He won't back down." Such bold words for someone who kept retreating. She maintained the distance between them by constantly back stepping

            "He won't bother to fight because he knows what I'm doing is the realization of his dream. I will create a peace everlasting. He's always known that my methods are the only way to ensure true peace. Now that he's given in to his anger, I can proceed with the conviction he lacked. He won't reject me for I am a means to his goals."

            Again Kamiya denied him. "TK, you know that peace can't come from someone who doesn't care about another's life. Think of how many people and Digimon have died for this 'peace.' Nothing is worth that much. You know this is wrong and I know you're going to resist."

            "Peace is always bought with lives. How many wars ended due to mounting casualties? People only back down from conflict when they see the cost. Beforehand they're all too willing to fight. The deaths I've engineered are nothing compared to how many I can save."

            "Until they resist you, then you'll execute even more people. I know your type. You'll kill every living thing if you felt they were a threat to you."

            True enough. In fact, he should start with the most present threat. No more debates or reflections. It was time for this yapping sympathizer to die. He quickened his pace, but to his surprise she stopped backing away.

            "TK will beat you. I believe in him and I will prove his strength right now. He'll fight to save lives. I'm going to place my life in his hands." She didn't flinch as he approached her. Foolish girl. He grinned as his hands clenched her throat and he forced her up against the wall, her feet now dangling over the sidewalk. While this one could provide no anger or resentment upon which to feed, the exhilaration of her death was more than enough. The thrill of taking a life, and the power one felt during the act, was more intoxicating that any liquor.

            "Fight, TK." Kari gasped. Her skin was already beginning to take on a bluish hue and her eyes were becoming unfocused. This was true freedom: the ability to take a life without fear of the consequences. This was but a prelude to the world he created. Like a god of life and death, he would decide who had the right to survive for the betterment of his world. All who failed to meet his standards would not survive to know their inadequacy. Soon this girl would lie limp at his feet, and any despair that TK felt would only strengthen the Emperor. I will be a god soon. Let this mark the end of the old world and the start of my new future! "TK…"

            Stop it! TK's voice rang in the Emperor's head. So he could actually still speak.

            No. I think you need to see this. It won't take a moment.

            Let her go!

            I am letting her go. She's free to move on to the next world.

            I won't let you do this anymore.

            And just how do you plan to stop me?

            Watch.

            Something tingled along the Emperor's arms, and the Digidestined girl took a sharp gasp, his grip around her throat now loosening. He could feel his consciousness slipping as well. The sensations of the world were growing numb and cold. He could no longer feel the blood rushing through his body as he strangled the life out of Kari. The screams from his new servants became dull, almost inaudible. He was losing control! TK was somehow asserting himself!

            This is my body. You are going back where you came from.

            NO! I am in control now.

            Not anymore. I'm taking back what's mine.

            You couldn't hold me before.

            True. But now I know I have to deal with you. I've ignored you for far too long, but I won't let you ruin everything I care about. You are going back to that mindless mass of emotion you started out as. I'll deal with you after I repair the disaster you've started.

            NO! NO! I am-

            Nothing without me.

            The Emperor's vision darkened, and his awareness slipped away like a ashes being blown by the wind. How could he be defeated so quickly? Was it this girl he held by the throat? Could she really have that strong an influence on TK? How could he have been so sloppy? If he'd just killed the girl outright. Now he could feel that dark void in TK's mind ensnaring him once again, reducing him to nothing.

            But this was not the end. Oh no. TK claimed he would deal with his issues later, but that was just a lie. TK had the luxury of almost ten years to deal with his hidden feelings, yet he had never overcome them. If he survived, he'd just tuck all those emotions away until they built up again. And then the Emperor would rise once more; powerful and fully prepared to complete his goals. I will return. You and I both know this is but a temporary setback. But I will not leave without some degree of revenge.

            With his final conscious thought, the Emperor sent a mental command to his control spire network. All spires were to focus their power on controlling Daemon, thus ensuring he would still follow the Emperor's will after this lapse. He was to enact one final order: kill everything except TK. Another massacre would go a long way to rebuilding the Emperor's consciousness. Goodbye for now, my future slaves. Those that survive Daemon's wrath will one day bow to me.

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *

            Air rushed into her lungs like a flood in the desert. Unconsciousness had come so dangerously close that Kari had feared TK would not be able to break free in time. Even now she was not sure what was happening for the darkness dissipated too slowly. She could hear gasping… and crying. Concerned as she was there was no point in wasting energy when she couldn't even see clearly. She lay there, silent and exhausted as her vision cleared. It took a few moments to muster the strength to even push herself upright.

            TK knelt beside her, his face hidden but tears clearly falling on the concrete. The shudders moving down his shoulders clearly marked the battle of wills' victor. The Emperor had no remorse or pity, so there was no way he could ever show such sorrow. TK, kind, loyal, burdened TK had won. Without a word, Kari leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. He jolted and flinched at her touch, and she could feel his shame as he tried to move away, but she held him close.

            "TK, it's alright. There's nothing more to worry about."

            "No… you're wrong." TK sobbed. "Everything that's happened… everyone that's died. It's all my fault. It was my doing. How can you say everything will be alright?"

            Good question. Kari knew that TK was not responsible. If anything, he was the truest victim of all. Forced to watch as a part of his persona cut away and hijacked his body, causing pain to everyone he cared for and stealing the lives of countless innocents. Surely no assurance could ease such a burden. It was already clear that it would take many weeks, even months, for TK to accept that this was not doing. But what say now? What could she tell him?

            She remembered how Sora and other friends had always supported her through their reassurances. They hadn't promised a solution, or lied to comfort her. They'd been honest and made it clear that they would always be there for Kari. It was because of them that she knew how to answer from the heart.

            "I can't say how things will turn out, but I know that everything will be fine. I believe in you, just like I did when I let the Emperor grab me. I knew you'd protect me and break free. I'm here for you, always. We'll get through this together, and with the help of all our friends." TK's shuddering subsided just a little, and for now that was enough. All Kari cared about right now was that her friend was safe and free. Now all that remained was to undo the damage the Emperor had set in motion. No small task, but hopefully easier than freeing TK. With any luck, the Emperor's imprisonment had shut down the control spires and dark rings. She could already hear the startled roars and declarations of freedom from nearby Digimon. It seemed almost naively hopeful that this conflict had ended so abruptly.

            "HEY! Guys!" Davis came running down the road. Part of his hair was singed, but thankfully he did not appeared burned. TK glanced over his shoulder at his returning friend, but quickly averted his gaze.

            Kari tried to divert attention away from TK. He needed a moment to compose himself. "Davis, how did you get away from Daemon?"

            "I didn't!" A fireball rounded the street corner in Davis' wake. From it emerged the blue and black nightmare of Daemon's true form. His eyes flared a deeper crimson than the flames pouring from his mouth. Kari knew just by looking at him that the Emperor's war was not yet over.

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            Author's Note: Just one more chapter. Just one more! I've spent so long on this fic and now it's finally coming to a conclusion. There's nothing left to say except stay vigil for the final chapter! See you then!