A/N: Forgive me for the lateness. Life always has a habit of getting in the way of things. I don't have much to say about this chapter, aside to warn about some language and violence. Also, since I'm not one for needlessly bringing in characters, the roles of those mentioned will soon be revealed. Enjoy.
Chapter 4-Shattered: Part II
Takato…Takato…
A familiar voice whispered in the darkness, slowly rousing Takato from a sound sleep. His eyes fluttered and he felt a blast of cold air gust over his body. As he stood uncertainly, Takato
began to shiver.
Glancing around warily, Takato's eyes widened in shock. Purple energy glowed all around him, shading his senses and distorting his vision. Where am I? He wondered.
"Takato? Are you awake?" Guilmon inquired weakly from a distance away. His red eyes were full of concern, but shining red ring that enveloped his body served as a powerful means of deterrent.
"Guilmon!" The young Tamer shouted in horror. "I'm coming!" Takato ran forward, unwilling to let his partner suffer while he was still standing. As soon as he reached Guilmon, he leaned over him and grasped the binding ring tightly. Fully prepared to pull on it until it gave, Takato didn't expect a sudden shock to flow through his body and propel him backwards.
Takato grunted as he struggled to his knees. I have to help Guilmon, he thought determinedly, ignoring the stinging pain in his hands. I let him down before, I won't do it again!
Struggling to stand, Takato nearly jumped when an amused chuckle seemed to come from out of nowhere. Then, like some nightmarish rendition of a Jack-in-the-box, Erinyemon slowly phased into the energy bubble from its bottom.
"Ever the hero." She commented offhandedly. "Even when the situation's hopeless and you have no chance at winning, you still try. It's admirable. Extremely stupid, but admirable."
"Let Guilmon go!" Takato ordered angrily. "He hasn't done anything to deserve this!"
Erinyemon shrugged nonchalantly. "So? He would if he could. That's why he's staying gift-wrapped and cozy. It won't kill him, if that's what you're worried about."
"It doesn't matter!" Takato cried out. "Guilmon's my friend, he shouldn't be trapped like this!"
"My eyes are welling up. It's a good thing I didn't get a chance to talk to those parents of yours. I would have chewed them out for raising such a bleeding heart. It's such a shame…"
Takato could feel the blood drain from his face. "What did you do to them?"
"You don't know?" Erinyemon smirked. "Of course not, you were completely out of it." She stretched out a hand and examined her razor-sharp claws coolly. "Actually, I didn't do anything terrible to them. I slipped in, collared Big Red here and picked you up as I left. And if your parents just so happened to interrupt me and end up becoming victims of my Blazing Rings themselves, well that's not my problem."
Her words hit Takato like a punch to the chest. Feelings of both guilt and anger warred within him, making it difficult for him to speak.
Erinyemon frowned at his reaction. "Think of it this way Takato, I let them live when I could have gut and roasted them like fish. Continue to offend me and I might get annoyed and go back there." She raised a hand slowly, a red tongue of flame blooming within it. "And show them the real meaning of the word "Bakery."
"But, all that unpleasantness aside," She continued, her tone becoming jovial. "I have something to show you. You didn't think I brought you out here just for the air, did you?"
Takato glared at her. "I don't know why you're doing any of this. You asked if I would surrender to Demon before and I said no-"
"Exactly!" Erinyemon interrupted. "You said no, so Demon has decided to change your mind. And since you have to willingly go to him, I'd say this will give you enough incentive."
Erinyemon's eyes began to bleed crimson and Takato noticed the solid walls of the bubble begin to flicker and fade. "Now Matsuda Takato," She cried out dramatically. "I present to you, the show of a lifetime!"
The walls of the energy bubble became perfectly clear. Feeling slightly nervous about being high in the air with nothing save a demented Digimon and his chained partner, it took Takato a moment to realize where they actually were.
And then, the awful truth struck. They were floating beside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the location of all Hypnos' operations. Takato squinted, trying to get a better look at what was happening around the building. What he saw nearly made his heart stop.
No!
Takato stared out of the purple bubble in shock and horror. The screams of pain, the sight of bodies…it was too much for his young eyes to bear. Never had he seen such carnage, such a torturous massacre of innocents. He felt the warm tears slide down his face and ignored them.
Everything but this moment had become meaningless.
"Stop it." Takato whispered softly, clenching his fists so hard that he felt his nails dig into his bare skin.
Erinyemon watched him worriedly, wondering if this time she had gone too far. But she still had a job to do.
"Can you hear them Takato?" She inquired softly. "The screams, the cries…it's all for you, you know. You had two choices and you made the wrong one. So now they suffer."
Another screech came, another horrible scream followed and another body fell to the teeth of the saurian monsters. It was carnage. A horrific massacre showered in death and blood.
"It hurts, doesn't it? Knowing that you could have prevented all of this…agony by sacrificing yourself. But if you come with me, I promise that it will all stop. The killing, the destruction, all of it. You have my word."
This is all happening because of me, Takato thought despondently. First Guilmon and Ruki, then my parents and now this! All of those people… And even if I go with Erinyemon, I know it won't end! There's only one thing that will make this stop.
"Takato…" Guilmon murmured weakly. The young Tamer turned to his partner and a single thought passed between them.
Erinyemon watched curiously as Takato began nodding slowly. But before she could inquire what was happening, she heard a familiar, irritating cackle. Then, from the clouds above, a humanoid, female Digimon descended. Her appearance was similar to Erinyemon's, though she lacked a Noh mask and spikes on her elbows. Instead, she had four angelic wings, long white hair and a strange, red-eyes creature glowing out of her shoulder.
"Aw, isn't this precious." The new Digimon spoke mockingly. "I'm so touched that I'm nauseous."
"LadyDevimon," Erinyemon growled. "A Fallen Angel Digimon, Perfect level. Her Darkness Wave and Puwazon attacks are as vile as she is."
LadyDevimon rolled her glowing red eyes. "Please. I'm just here to spread the message about you not being Demon's little pet anymore. In fact, I think he mentioned something about having you flayed when you get back. I hope he lets us watch."
Erinyemon growled, flexing her hands in aggravation.
"Oh, but there is just one more thing. Demon also asked me to do your job and bring back Matsuda Takato. He's had his chance to change his decision and now, time's up."
LadyDevimon's smirked smugly. "You're coming back with me vessel. Demon is going to devour your pure little soul and use the power he gains to drown this world in human blood. Now don't you feel special?"
"He isn't going anywhere!" Erinyemon snapped furiously. "It was I who Demon chose to fetch him and I alone who will do so! So back off before I finish what Demon started and toast your bony-"
Takato and Guilmon watched nonplussed as Erinyemon abruptly ceased speaking and went rigid. And before any further words or insults could be exchanged, Erinyemon unexpectedly flew down into the appalling fray and vanished among the carnage.
Guilmon blinked. "Where'd she go?"
"I'm not sure." Takato replied laboriously. Without Erinyemon around, he knew that he and Guilmon were at LadyDevimon's mercy. And judging by her self-satisfied smirk, the leather-clad Perfect was aware of that as well.
With a demonic cackle, she turned to the imprisoned Digimon and his partner.
"Finally, we can get out of this dump." LadyDevimon said smugly. "First stop the Digital World, next, Hell on Earth." She raised her hands above her significantly and Takato could see the ground below him becoming smaller and more opaque as the bubble began to ascend.
"Guilmon," Takato whispered determinedly. "I don't know what's going to happen when we get to the Digital World, but no matter what, we can't give up. We can't let Demon win without a fight."
Though he was still entrapped by Erinyemon's ring, Guilmon nodded. "We're partners Takato. I'll always fight by your side."
Takato gave the smallest of smiles. "Guilmon…"
But before he could say any more, the clearness of the sky was swiftly replaced. Lightning crashed, an odd wind blew and Takato wondered if the thin bubble would be strong enough to withstand the torment…
~*~
With blond hair trailing behind him and dark cape flapping dramatically in the wind, the undead, Perfect level Digimon Vamdemon swooped down upon his prey, a crimson light burning in his hand.
And for the second time she could remember, the golden angel D'Arcmon was in trouble.
"Damn." She swore under her breath distractedly. She glanced quickly at her discarded staff and sword a distance away, as if they could offer her any aide from the death that hovered above her.
"As much as I've enjoyed our little games D'Arcmon," Vamdemon remarked blandly. "It's time to die. Bloody Stream!"
Despite the roaring pain of her injuries, D'Arcmon struggled to rise. But as the scarlet lighting flew forward, she felt her steely resolve giving way to bitter defeat. The thought of being felled by such an arrogant Perfect and an undead one at that, galled her.
Smirking triumphantly at his adversary's immanent demise, Vamdemon never noticed the presence of another. But the faint sound of a weapon being drawn finally alerted the Vampire and with unexpected speed he flew backwards, narrowly evading a thin rapier blade.
D'Arcmon cringed as she found herself scooped up into familiar, blue furred arms. After a moment, Were Garurumon looked down at her unkempt state with a measure of amusement.
"You still haven't learned, have you?" He observed coolly. "You still go after those that you're far less than a match for."
D'Arcmon remained silent; shifting her attention to the opponent Vamdemon was so occupied with, thereby allowing her rescue to be executed. Her jaw clenched when she saw the leather clad Rosemon standing a slight distance away and skillfully countering Vamdemon's "Bloody Steam" with her rapier.
"Really," The Flower Queen cooed as she moved forward to attack Vamdemon. "If you wanted a good fight then you should have waited. But now that I'm here, you don't have a chance. Too bad."
"Silence!" Vamdemon growled, his handsome face smeared with dirt and twisted into a furious grimace. "When I'm through with you, you pathetic excuse for a weed, you'll wish you had remained planting posies in that wretched garden of yours."
"Night Raid!" He shouted, extending his hands and sending a screeching horde of black bats flying.
Though her eyes were hidden by pink petals, Rosemon's mouth became an injured pout. "Thorn Whips!" She cried, using green, thorn-ridden whips to destroy Vamdemon's squeaking emissaries.
"How rude." Rosemon remarked, her pout becoming a haughty smirk. "How terribly rude of you to speak that way to a lady. Especially one as fair and lovely as I. Humph, you talk boldly for one of your level, but then so do some other weak Digimon I know."
Were Garurumon had been deeply engrossed in the battle between his ally and his enemy. Unlike his close friend WarGreymon, he preferred to rely upon strategy, rather than brute force and luck. But despite his engrossment, he did notice the furious scowl that passed across D'Arcmon's face and inwardly rolled his eyes at Rosemon's undisguised barb.
The angel Digimon all but jumped out of his arms in her fury. "Weak?" She shouted irately. "At least I have the decency to end my battles quickly. Unlike some pompous, glory hogs that I know!"
Rosemon smirked. "Glory hog? Hardly. I may take my time fighting, but at least I don't need anyone to finish my battles for me." She stepped backwards quickly and another flock of Night Raiders was sent crashing into the ground. "Watch closely D'Arcmon." Rosemon spoke, a supercilious smile present. "You might just learn something. Thorn Whips!"
This time, the whips were launched directly at Vamdemon. The Perfect Digimon flew upwards, trying to avoid the vines' deadly grasp. Leaping as if to meet him, Rosemon splayed both hands and seemed to fill the sky with her vines. The enraged Vamdemon could only struggle and curse as his body became entangled.
Rosemon landed gracefully on the ground below, roughly dragging the ensnared Vamdemon down with her.
Bringing the injured vampire before her, Rosemon gave a gleeful laugh. "Hmm…you're kind of cute when you're all tied up and helpless." She said smoothly as she rudely tapped Vamdemon on his mask-covered nose.
"This is not over!" Vamdemon sputtered, trying to pull away.
"Ah, but it is." Rosemon placed her rapier gently against his neck. "I win." With one final motion, she jerked her away and pushed it squarely through Vamdemon's chest. Seconds later, his body disintegrated into shards of data, only to be promptly absorbed by Rosemon.
D'Arcmon found the display abhorrent and was about to comment on such, if a deep authoritative voice hadn't beaten her to it.
"That was unnecessary"
From the shadows of the abyss, WarGreymon emerged. His orange skin and gleaming golden armor was a stark contrast to the putrid darkness. His saurian face was helmeted, but the coldness in his voice expressed volumes.
Rosemon snorted, sounding rather inelegant for someone usually concerned with showing perfect poise.
"I was just having some fun, War Greymon. Or has being Zhuqiaomon's errand boy made you forget the meaning of the word?"
All members of the party tensed.
"Do not forget that Xuanwumon-sama gave you that garden of yours, Queen of Thistles and Thorns." Were Garurumon spoke disdainfully. "Speak wrongly of his brother and you will regret it."
"Aside from that," WarGreymon continued icily. "Play your games and teach your lessons in your own privacy Rosemon. The survival of the Digital World is dependent upon the few of us, something you should try to remember. We've got things to do. Hououmon, Preciomon and Heracles Kabuterimon and I have found the entrance to the inner sanctum and I returned to fetch the three of you."
"The time has come then, old friend." Were Garurumon responded eloquently. "The time for us to face the Beast in our first battle. One that could ironically be our last."
"I feel no need for useless philosophizing Were Garurumon. We've wasted enough time as it is." WarGreymon snapped rudely, his short temper flaring. "Can you fly?" He queried the surprised D'Arcmon. As Rosemon spent her time goading the Adult level angel over her "unworthiness," War Greymon usually preferred to ignore her. The fact that he spoke to her and about her safety was no short of astounding.
D'Arcmon flexed a golden wing tentatively, and then nodded. "I'm able to do so."
"Good." WarGreymon spoke brusquely. "Then I suppose I'll be forced to deal with you, Rosemon."
You say it as though I won't be suffering as well." She snapped heatedly.
"You don't know the meaning of the word." D'Arcmon muttered coldly.
She raised her head and smiled blithely when Rosemon fixed her with a hateful glare.
"Of course, no one knows the word better than you D'Arcmon." Said Rosemon, her light voice awash with cruelty. "The pathetic Adult who has to have others constantly save her and goes running around the desert like-"
"Enough!" War Greymon roared, causing Rosemon to cease speaking and making D'Arcmon cringe. "I told you we have no time for nonsense, especially this infantile bickering. You," He used his Dramon Destroyers to point at D'Arcmon. "Keep your mouth shut and mind unclouded." He then turned to Rosemon, staring her down for a moment before speaking.
"I have no use for a Digimon without the will to fight. If you choose to follow us, then good. If you get in my way, you'll regret it." Turning from her, War Greymon took to the air, dismissing her coldly.
Suddenly, the light of evolution enveloped Were Garurumon. Seconds later, in place of the biped werewolf, Metal Garurumon, a quadruped wolf coved in blue and gold accented armor stood. Extending the two thin wings on either side of his back, Metal Garurumon gave a running lope, before following in War Greymon's path to sky.
Not daring to look back at the chastised Rosemon, D'Arcmon flapped her golden wings and flew, albeit slowly, behind her Ultimate companions.
Left standing alone in the near darkness, Rosemon growled. How dare he insult me! I am Queen of the forests; ruler of the flowers and- Unable to contain her fury any longer, Rosemon gave an ear-splitting shriek.
~*~
Yamaki had never been one to appreciate television. He had thought it unconstructive to sit around watching mindless dribble while the doings in the real world passed one by. But he couldn't help but wonder if watching one of those detective movies beforehand would have aided him in his spying.
He had been tailing Fujitaka and his companion for several blocks and while they had appeared no more or less suspicious, Yamaki felt no less idiotic. And much to his chagrin, he couldn't shake the useless worry and doubt that clutched at his heart.
Deep down, Yamaki was wondering if he had made the correct choice. Thoughts of: What if they didn't have enough time to get out of the building? What if they were injured or…
Growling softly when he banged his foot on a large stone, Yamaki tried to push the morbid musings aside. Reika and Megumi were two of the most competent people he knew, he would have been unable to successfully work with them were they anything else.
Trying to regain his concentration, two things became apparent to Yamaki. The first was that he had been led to the park, a most ironic setting. The second was that he had managed to loose Fujitaka completely.
Swearing with pent-up frustration, Yamaki gazed around warily, hoping for some sign of Fujitaka's whereabouts. So engrossed was he in his search, he never realized that the objects of his attention had snuck up behind him. It was the click of a gun being loaded that caused Yamaki to slowly turn and face Fujitaka's triumphant eyes.
His pale, red-haired companion, wearing a nondescript suit and black glasses stood a few feet away from them, a reticent expression on his face. The metal briefcase Yamaki had seen Fujitaka carrying earlier stood undisturbed by the man's feet.
"So this is what it's come to." Yamaki observed calmly, despite the weapon that Fujitaka pointed directly at him.
Fujitaka smiled grimly. "I never wanted it to Yamaki, but you left me no choice. You brought those Digimon scum back to our world and when you could have redeemed yourself by aiding in the Armageddon project, you chose to become a traitor. I warned you Yamaki, I tried to help you and all you did was spit in my face."
Yamaki glared at Fujitaka coldly. "Help me? I remember you being all too happy to dismiss me." His expression became one of disgust. "But let's be realistic. We both know you wanted my position and have done everything that you could to secure it. You truly are pathetic."
"Pathetic?" Fujitaka repeated furiously. "I'm saving Japan from a mess that you help to bring about! And you're trying to make it out to be the result of some petty jealousy? That I could be jealous of you!?" His fingers strayed to the gun's trigger.
Tensing slightly, Yamaki could feel sweat dripping down his forehead.
"Good-bye Yamaki." Fujitaka spoke softly as he pulled the trigger…
But the bullet that was to end Yamaki's life never excited the gun's short muzzle. Far faster than Yamaki could process, the red haired man moved before Fujitaka. A deadly sword inexplicably appeared in his hand and seconds later the gun fell to the ground, Fujitaka's hand still attached to it.
The agonizing screams emitted by the astounded Fujitaka were then cut short as his former associate calmly beheaded him, a sadistic smile present all the while. Finally, with a spurt of blood, both the body and its disjointed head collapsed to the grass ridden ground.
"You bastard!" Yamaki hissed furiously, his heart beating wildly as he tried to process what had just happened. Fujitaka may have allowed his fanaticism to drive him over the edge, but surely even he didn't deserve such a grisly execution.
The red haired man frowned at the expletive, while thick white smoke surrounded him. Yamaki covered his eyes against the billowing smoke; which vanished as quickly as it had appeared. And where a pale, murderous human had once been, an elaborate harlequin stood in his place.
His outlandish garb, a magenta doublet, two toned mask and high yellow boots especially were what betrayed his identity. Yamaki, like most Hypnos employees, had spent extensive amounts of time learning any information available about the massive amounts amount of Digimon in existence and this one had been no exception.
"Piemon." Yamaki spat disdainfully, his narrowed eyes full of loathing and hate.
The Digimon in question responded with a formal bow and malicious smirk. "With the demise of the second-rate upstart, the time for masquerade has ended."
Yamaki tensed. "Why? What's the point of all of this?" Piemon looked, if possible all the more amused by the questions. "Or is this just some kind of sick game that you're playing?" Growled Yamaki, his anger rising.
Like a parent to a disobedient child, Piemon wagged a finger at him. "Tsk, tsk. It would be a great injustice to spoil the second act before its commencement." Raising a gloved hand suddenly, he shouted, "Clown Trick!" The air shimmered slightly as the attack flew towards the unsuspecting Yamaki, before sending him sprawling backwards into the trunk of a nearby tree.
The force of his body hitting the firm tree trunk made Yamaki moan. His previous injuries, which he had been able to ignore due to adrenaline and determination had become excruciating and judging from the warm, wet blood he could feel flowing down the side of his head, he had obtained some new ones.
Piemon paid him no mind as he bent over and picked up the steel briefcase that housed the Armageddon virus. Yamaki struggled to rise and stop him, but his body was sluggish. He tried not to panic as it became more and more unresponsive and he felt himself slipping away.
"A final word before this curtain falls." Piemon muttered, stepping closer to the injured Yamaki. "Lord Demon's plans, his grand designs have yet to be enacted. While Fujitaka's pain may have ended, the true suffering has only just begun!"
His laughter soon became the only remainder of his prescience to Yamaki, whose vision was starting to go dark. Unable to protest or move, his final moments of consciousness were filled with the insane laughter in the dark…