Amethyst Blizzard: I'm inspired! Inspiration is kind to me, peoples! Feel the inspiration, feel it I tell you! Okies, now that that's done, let's get down to the fun! But first, whoever's reading this can you please send some of that wonderful inspiration to my fellow author DigiqueenTMIM cause she needs it (as well as a bunch of Clay Aiken pictures, but we'll talk about that later ;)

A big thank you to those who reviewed my last chapter: marisha, Iceblast, con2020tran, Luzr_Gurl13, Dragon Queen16, alexian-goddess and anyone else who read it but couldn't be bothered reviewin'.

If you guys are wondering why I haven't been writing lately it's because of the weather over here; it's beginning to become a lot colder and I ain't dealing with it very well, yessie indeedy, not goody. So it's becoming a lot harder to sit down in front of my computer and type cause it's cold…And another reason is because I've had this constant recurring headache that won't go away, ever since I made those sausage rolls at school the other day (it was the onions, I tell ya! Yes, they are plotting against us this very second! Beware of the killer onions!!)

Oh, and speaking of inspiration, this chapter was mostly inspired by the song "Out of Control" by Hoobastank, so beware: violent. Gotta love Hoobastank ;)

Floramon: *hugs herself rabidly* It's so cold…Ok, you know the drill; Amethyst, nor myself for that matter, does not own Digimon, though we would like to, but never will…-_-

A/N: Chapter will be violent…character abuse!! Lol…read and review!

Devil's Advocates

Chapter 14: The Eye Of The Storm (notice the recurring reference to storms in this fic…)

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Takato breathed in sharply and took a step back, noting the changes in the Champion. Her usually yellow fur was now a pure black tone, and the flames around her feet were a deep red. But the thing he noticed most were her eyes, those once deep crystal blue orbs were now crimson, a vicious shade empty of emotions, all except fury. "That is NOT Kyubimon!" 

"You're wrong, Gogglehead. Kyubimon's just not feeling herself today. Too bad for you." Rika fingered her D-Power from behind her back and smirked at Takato, completely void of any emotion but malice; she wanted to hurt someone. And when Rika wanted something, she'd do anything to get it.

"Tck, yeah right." Henry stepped in front of Kyubimon and held his D-Power up to her. The data scanned, but to everyone's dismay, Kyubimon's normal data showed up above the base of the device, the only difference was the change in colour.

Rika's smirked never changed. "Yeah, right." She feigned a yawn and held a hand to her chin. "Kyubimon, I'm bored. Enlighten me."

Kyubimon snarled, jet-black fur rising in an array of tiny spikes. Her newly crimson eyes glazed over and locked onto Guilmon's own slitted ones. "As you wish, my Tamer." Her voice was deep and hoarse, not soft and silky like always.

Takato held out an arm to protect Guilmon. "Watch out, boy. She's serious."

"Like always." Kyubimon leapt forward, clutching onto Takato's arm and pulling him out of the way. Takato screamed at the pain of having something so sharp drag on his delicate flesh and fell heavily to the ground. Seeing this, Guilmon charged forward and grabbed onto Kyubimon's bow, pulling on it. Kyubimon stood still and watched amusedly on as Guilmon tried in vain to pull her back. The fox-like Digimon lashed out and grabbed Guilmon's arm in her mouth, dragging it from her bow and wrenching it away from her. Guilmon's coat of leathery skin ripped slightly at the wrist, revealing his red hidden data.

Guilmon staggered back and glanced at Takato, who looked on with horror at how vicious Kyubimon had become, and all because of Rika's repressed anger. Guilmon turned back to Kyubimon and hesitated, and at that precise moment, the dark Digimon hurdled out and pounced on the Rookie, pushing him into the ground. Guilmon screamed out, struggling as hard as he could to try to keep Kyubimon's mouth from latching onto his neck. Though to no avail, as Kyubimon's Champion strength was far passed his own. Kyubimon's teeth pierced Guilmon's neck in several different places, and left small, gaping holes in it.

"Guilmon!!" Takato immediately jumped up, all thoughts of pain evaporating as he watched his partner lie back, defeated. "You can't give up! Not now!" Light surrounded his golden D-Power and a golden-swirled-with-red glow poured out and engulfed Guilmon.

Kyubimon jumped back and landed gracefully beside Rika, watching on as Takato's D-Power beeped loudly.

"Digivolution…"

Guilmon's eyes snapped open as he felt the powerful feeling flush over him. "Guilmon Digivolve to…" Guilmon was engulfed in a digital sphere, and his data began rearranging itself. His skin peeled off, revealing the hidden red data that was his true form. The sphere exploded in red and golden light and Guilmon's skin began to re-peel and take the form of a champion. A long tail sprouted from the old, small one, and longer claws began to form on the Digimon's paws. Smoke emitted from the Champion's nostrils as it lashed its tail around its large figure. "Growlmon!"

Growlmon stalked up to Kyubimon and snarled at her, silently demanding a rematch.

Rika uncrossed her arms and looked Growlmon up and down. She nodded to Kyubimon. "Finally, a fair fight."

Kyubimon leapt up and slashed her paws out at Growlmon, who countered by raising his arms up in defence. He grabbed onto Kyubimon's paws with his own and the two wrestled with each other in a vicious contest of strength. However, it was Kyubimon who came out on top, and thrashed Growlmon to the ground with one flick of her paw. The red dinosaur's feet dragged in the ground, creating great trenches in the dirt. With a snarl, he threw his head back and a yellow substance formed in his mouth.

"Pyro Blaster!" The yellow energy shot from Growlmon's mouth and flew towards Kyubimon, who jumped up in the air to counter.

"Dragon Wheel!" The dark Digimon ran several feet in the air before transforming into a blue substance herself. Kyubimon encircled the fireball with ease and pushed down on it, vaporising it into tiny particles. Kyubimon returned to her place next to Rika after turning back to normal.

Growlmon growled (A/N: Hah!) softly from where he stood, the deep trenches surrounding his feet pressed hard against them. "You're not getting away with this!"

Kyubimon smirked at his vain and bowed her head. "In case you haven't noticed, you're not exactly winning, so how do you plan to stop me?" Her voice was again that deep, hoarse sound, and one that didn't sound like Kyubimon, at all. Without any warning, she leapt up in the air and let out a yell before pouncing on Growlmon, catching his ear in her sharp teeth. She clamped her mouth down on it while Growlmon let out a painful yelp. Pulling the ear down with her, Kyubimon heard the satisfying rip of flesh and suddenly found it easy to pull on the ear. It had become detached from Guilmon's head, leaving him breathing heavily and stumbling back.

Takato yelled out to his partner, but was knocked back by a quick swipe of Kyubimon's paw. He fell to the ground with a thud and felt the pressure of a heavy body pressing against his. He looked up and saw Kyubimon's snout snarling at him from on top. Her paws rested against his chest and Takato yelled in surprise. Kyubimon's speed had increased with this amazing transformation.

Watching from a few yards away, Henry cringed at Takato's strained yell. 'Hang in there, Takato.' He didn't voice his words; though he was sure Takato could hear them. Terriermon stirred in his arms and Henry looked down. "Terriermon…"

Terriermon's features changed into a deep frown. "Henry, we have to help them. They're doing this alone, and we're all just standing here watching from the sidelines. Why aren't we helping?"

Ryo came to stand next to Henry, eyes never leaving Rika and her Digimon. "This is their fight, not ours."

Terriermon jumped down from Henry's folded arms. "Not out fight?! What do you mean? We're a team, aren't we?"

Henry sighed desperately. "It's better if we all fight Kyubimon one by one. We'll be next, Terriermon, so get ready."

Terriermon turned to his partner with sadness in his eyes, knowing what he meant. "So Growlmon's just gonna get his butt whipped and we're just gonna stand here waiting for our turn in the ring? This sucks…"

Ryo tensed when Kyubimon looked his way with malice in her eyes. "Totally."

Rika smirked at him. "You're last, Ryo."

Just those three words made Ryo shiver unintentionally. His face was set into a dead glare, and without warning, he turned sharply. He ran, and could barely hear the screams of Growlmon before he stopped. "Mephismon, stop them! They'll destroy each other! I thought you wanted me!"

Right on que, Mephismon materialised in front of Ryo, in the clear view of the four Tamers. He glared deeply at the questioning boy; arms once again crossed in front oh his dark purple chest. "Stop interfering, you insolent boy!" Then he smirked. "I'll get to you soon enough."

Ryo clenched and unclenched his dropped fist, dark blue D-Power in the other. "I'll stop interfering when you explain, everything."

Looking in Ryo's eyes, Mephismon could see the rage forming in them. He finally gave in. "Fine." His voice was one of pure silk, calmness controlling his slight defeat.

At the initial sight of Mephismon, the other Tamers, in addition to Alicia, Brad and Stacie, ran forward, stopping beside Ryo, eyeing Rika and her vicious Digimon nervously. Stacie was the one standing beside Ryo, and gently laced her hand with his. Rika's void eyes saw this, and took it all in, registering it for later…

"What's going on?" Kenta's voice was a mere whisper as he addressed Ryo. MarineAngemon was trembling in his jacket, whimpering softly into the small inside pocket.

"He's going to tell us exactly what's going on." Ryo pointed to the Ultimate Digimon, emphasising on the impersonal noun.

Kazu looked Ryo's way, confused. "Huh? Don't we usually fight and kill the bad guys, not start friendly conversations with them?"

Ryo's eyes never left Mephismon's dark irises. "The difference is, this isn't a friendly one."

To the side, a little ways off, Growlmon lay unconscious. Takato squatted next to his partner, fear and worry present in his features. His eyes flickered hesitantly back and forth from Mephismon to Growlmon. Then he looked at Rika, who stared back, her hollow amethyst orbs piercing his own crimson ones. It was as if she were looking through him. 'As if her spirit isn't really there.' Takato shivered at his own thought and looked back towards Mephismon, Rika inadvertently doing the same.

Everyone stood close to each other, bar Rika and Takato, and waited patiently for Mephismon to explain his conspiracy. The fact that he had made a mutual truce with Ryo certainly wasn't going to help matters, if only making them worse. Mephismon's pride had been bruised, for letting a human get what they wanted was against his policy.

Mephismon began by uncrossing his arms and letting them lay idle next to either side of his devil-like body. "My hatred for the human race became potent at the time many of us were being destroyed carelessly by you 'Tamers'. I thought that if our kind were being killed, then your kind deserved the same fate. However, my thoughts changed as I came up with a much better way to punish you. I chose certain 'pawns'," he cast a look at Alicia before continuing, "who would later help me to attain what I wanted. I knew that my helpers had to have certain abilities, so I planted in them some of my own seeds: telepathy, physic visions, telekinesis, and so on and so forth. However, there was someone special I was seeking out, and decided to give her an unusual ability; one that made her see the life or future of someone whom she touched, or came into contact with something that a person owned." Mephismon sent a smirk to Alicia, who in turn glared at the Digimon.

"You did this to me, you son a bitch!" Alicia leapt forward, however Brad and Kazu, who held either of her arms tightly, restrained her quickly. She quickly recovered, pushing away both boys, and glaring hard at Mephismon. Her voice was but a cold whisper, one full of promise and guarantee. "I'll get you for this."

Mephismon looked at her levelly before continuing. "As time went by, the abilities took root and grew inside of my chosen few, sprouting into blossoms of power. I subconsciously taught them to control their abilities, as something such as telepathy can be frightening sometimes, not that I really cared for the sake of the human, but this was a delicate operation. These chosen few were scattered all around the earth, in as many countries as I could manage without having to enter the real world. There, they created for me one portal in each area; a portal that allowed the entry to either the Digital World, or the Real World."

Alicia's head swirled and she felt like fainting. 'I was being used? So, everything that happened with my dad, with my family, happened for no reason? How could I have let it get this far?'

Brad tightened his grip on her arm when she began to tense. Alicia glanced over her at good friend and the two had an understanding. Locked in a silent staring contest, violet eyes met with cerulean blue, both hardened yet soft at the same time. Brad was the first to break the silence. "It's going to be ok, you know that right? We're gonna get him."

Mephismon gave a half-hearted laugh without amusement. "I'm sure you will, but right now, can I please continue my story?" He never waited for a reply. "I gave each of my helpers a certain foreshadowing message, or passage if you like. This sentence would be the key to make the portal open and accessible for either entries or escapes to or from the real world. Only the ones I command to use the passage have complete access to the Digital World, and vice versa. This time around, I only commanded one to open the passage, and that person was you, Alicia." He once again gave Alicia a level stare, one that which she returned. "You carved the passage I gave you into the wall of that abandoned building you happened to come across. As it just so happens, Ryo and Stacie also came across that same building, and happened to read out the passage, creating a gateway to the Digital World, where we are now."

Terriermon snorted. "No shit, Sherlock." He was quickly reprimanded by Henry's deadly glare. Reducing his insolence to a look of pure innocence, Terriermon stared up at Henry from the cracked, parched ground. "Sorry, your dad, you know…" Henry shook his head at the obvious reference to his father. (A/N: ;) Had to do that…)

Stacie tightened her grip on Ryo's hand and gritted her teeth. This was all just one big mess that she had unconsciously gotten herself – and others – into. Now that Mephismon had the power of the Phoenixmon behind him, she could only guess what was going to happen next; she had read it all over the Ultimate Digimon's plain features. Ryo glanced down at her with concern. He knew that she was thinking about what was coming next; hell, so was he. Ryo didn't know if they would survive whatever it was, but he knew that they weren't going to let life slip that easily through their fingers.

Mephismon caught the consternation in Stacie's eyes and he smirked at her, consequently souring his features to the limit. "Yes that's right, my dear. The Phoenixmon was a legend thought to be only that; a legend, but I knew better. I had seen stone tablets of this powerful creature and since the very beginning; I had not been able to cast it out of my mind. You see, it has this incredible presence, not only when it's risen, but when it's latent as well. From the very first time you realise its power, you can't get it out of you head. The Phoenixmon has enough power to destroy this world, as well as the human world, although however angry I was with the humans, I knew I could do better than to destroy their world; I could rule it with the power I would obtain. However, I needed a host body, one that I could experiment with and control perfectly. I knew it had to be you, Ryo, though I realised that one body just wasn't enough. I needed two, and you Stacie were also perfect for the part." A flick of an eye caught Stacie's as she squeezed even tighter Ryo's hand. "You two were both wallowing in the depths of despair, for two different reasons. This is what the prophecy asked of me to fulfil; let those who's mortal thoughts share the same depth rise together to form one great entity, for the power tremors with unspoken anxiety."

Both Ryo and Stacie knew what was being said; however the others were at a complete loss and just stared at the evil being. Rika came over from the shadows to stand next to Mephismon, Kyubimon at her side, her crimson orbs seeming to form tears of swirling blood.

Mephismon took a breath in before looking back at Ryo. "Rika was the object of your despair, so I thought it fitting that she should be the last you would fight before the Phoenixmon arose." He flicked his hand in irritation, as if he'd forgotten something vital. "Just what was that one deadly passage carved into the wall of that building, Ryo? 'Remember your roots, my friend. They're right down below, because heroes come and heroes go?' Yes, that was it! I bet you never thought those words would ensure your own betrayal unto your own race."

Ryo watched complacently as Mephismon took a step back, allowing for Rika to take his place. Once again, the two locked eyes in a silent but deadly staring contest, ice blue meeting ice violet and flowing almost surreally into swirls of the two different shades. The two colours were contrasted brilliantly with the swirling emotions raging on in the two's minds. Those emotions surfaced immediately and the events took a turn for the worst. Monodramon stepped in front of his Tamer, while Kyubimon never left Rika's side. The other Tamers and their Digimon moved back, allowing the two rivals liberty. Alicia, Brad and Stacie also stood back, though Stacie was more resistant to the idea, noting the look of absolute desolation in Rika's void eyes.

Ryo shook his head, as if all of this could've been prevented somehow. "What happened, Rika? Why did it have to happen this way?" A world of pain surfaced in his voice, as well as in his face.

Then something incredible happened; a tear surfaced in Rika's right eye, and dropped slowly down her cheek, though her eyes remained vacant. The tear remained but a smear of fluid, until it evaporated on the foreboding breeze that followed. Without answering Ryo's painful question, she took a step forward and held out her D-Power towards Kyubimon. A dark aurora drifted its way from the metallic device to Kyubimon's subtle form, seeping slowly inside her. The Digimon's optics expanded slightly, dilating beyond normal capacity. The white fur on her fetlocks and neck prickled up, as did her surrounding black fur. The red flames that licked at her feet exploded in an array of dark crimson and cascaded up through her entire body, the flames engulfing the fox.

A startled Ryo stared on, the flames reflecting in his ocean blue gaze. This was the storm coming; the calm had ended and had given way to the incredulous storm that was Kyubimon and her newfound power. Ryo wondered fleetingly whether the flames were a sign of what was to come, with the Phoenixmon and everything, but the thought soon escaped him and Kyubimon gave an outrageous shriek and leapt forward, towards him. However, Monodramon intervened and took the full force of Kyubimon's swoop, deflecting the both of them out of the striking range of Ryo. The two Digimon went tumbling, both now completely engulfed in dark red flames. The crackling of the fire could be heard throughout the mass of dust conjured up by the two wrestling bodies.

From the other side of the battlefield, Rika slowly walked towards Ryo, purpose the only thing evident in her features. Ryo's eyes flickered hesitantly back and forth between the teenager and the two wrestling Digimon, one being his partner, and the other being Rika's hatred. His own thought made him shiver slightly and he tensed unconsciously.

Kyubimon deflected Monodramon with ease with her paw, whilst clutching onto the Rookie's neck with her mouth. Monodramon struggled under the pressure of the dark Digimon's taut jaw, which she quickly clamped down and snapped Monodramon's neck—

-- Rika drew closer to Ryo, now, and her expression set into a malicious smirk, all evidence of the earlier tear now erased—

-- Monodramon jumped back, opening the gap between the two to an extent. Kyubimon snarled before leaping forward, closing the gap, before Monodramon scooted to the right, allowing for Kyubimon to land on an empty space—

-- the gap to which distanced the two teenagers become smaller still, with Rika walking still slowly towards Ryo. The boy never moved from his position, fearing slowly the intent for which Rika was walking up to him. He saw Rika almost methodically clip her D-Power onto her belt, and clenched her fist into a tight ball—

-- Monodramon's winged paw swung towards the Champion, before it was caught in Kyubimon's deadly mouth--

-- Rika had reached Ryo, standing about a foot away from him. Both had a mutual respect for one another, and both feared what the other would do, though Ryo was more susceptible to what was coming next. Rika drew her arm back, and with an elicit force, swung it forward until it connected with Ryo's left cheekbone – at the same time Kyubimon's jaw clamped down tightly on Monodramon's clenched fist.

Suddenly there was a swirl of energy as the different forces collided – Rika's fist hitting Ryo's hardened cheek, and Kyubimon's jaw pressing hard down on Monodramon's small fist. Wind gathered as the dark clouds doubled in the sky, leaving no gaps for the blood-red sun to shine through. However, instead of fighting for a gap, the sun seemed to split, and form in different places behind the clouds, creating a blood-red shade against a grey blanket.

Ryo quickly covered from the initial shock of something hard connecting with his equally hard cheek, and grabbed onto Rika's fist with his own hand, pulling her down beside him. Rika fell in the direction of the ground, but Ryo's hold on her fist stopped her from hitting it altogether. Instead she just hung there, relying completely on Ryo's hold to support her. But both were surprised by the green light emanating from Henry's D-Power.

Terriermon was running up to where Kyubimon stood, her four legs dug deeply into the ground below her, while Monodramon was hanging from the Champion's mouth. Suddenly, Terriermon began to glow his respected colour and stopped in his tracks, looking back towards Henry.

"Digivolution…"

"Terriermon Digivolve to…" A green sphere enveloped Terriermon and his skin began to peel, revealing his inner green data, complete with the blue defining lines where the data stretched right across Terriermon's tiny form. The data began to rearrange itself and the Rookie's tiny form sprouted into a larger one. Large, cream-coloured ears sprouted from a large head, while two Vulcan guns latched themselves onto the bunny's arms. Stunted legs sprouted, complete with black pants and spikes, thus completing the evolution. "Gargomon!"

The gun-bunny stood about a yard away from Kyubimon and stared horridly as Monodramon fell limply from the fox's mouth. Red dust rose lightly from the ground with the 'thud' that came with the fall. Gargomon blocked Kyubimon's way when Ryo ran over to his partner. The large bunny snarled. "You're fight's with me, now, ok? So you can stop picking on Monodramon and Ryo and focus on me."

Kyubimon's emotionless features seemed to light up slightly when she gave a deep, throaty laugh. "Just try to fight me, I dare you." With that, the vixen circled around Ryo and moved slyly towards Gargomon, malice gleaming in her crimson orbs. Her nine tails split in different directions and the tips became flaring flames, crimson in colour. "Foxtail Inferno!"

The flames drifted apart from her tails and plunged towards Gargomon, who braced himself to counter. However, he was too late, as when the flames reached him, Kyubimon already stood baring her teeth behind him. Distracted, Gargomon hesitated a look behind him just as the flames encircled him. He gave a yell, trying to scoot away from the intense heat, however Kyubimon clutched onto his ear with her tangible mouth, pulling down on it so Gargomon fell with the force.

Henry flinched from the sidelines, able to feel his partner's intense pain. "C'mon, Gargomon! Don't let her win!" 'You can't.' He added mentally, not daring to voice his worry.

Blood-red flames surrounded by Digimon, one completely susceptible to the extreme heat, the other controlling it. Smirking from behind Gargomon, Kyubimon's form slowly dissolved into blue energy, becoming one with the flames of blood. "Dragon Wheel!"

Engulfing Gargomon's form with her own, Kyubimon swirled through him and pressed down, earning a quick yelp from Gargomon, before he fell into eternal darkness, unconscious.

Kyubimon landed gracefully on the ground, and with a swift turn of her slick form, glanced a look at Rika. But the girl wasn't watching, instead she was walking in the opposite direction, an awed expression present in her features. She was looking eternally to the completely covered sky, and pensively reached up a hand to it. 'Finally…'

***

All was quiet in the two large towers that remained known as 'Hypnos'…until two female figures bustled their ways through the large, automatic front doors.

One of them, who had long, flowing blonde hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, grunted an exasperated sigh and turned to her counterpart. "Jeri, do you have to be so slow? I could walk and I could still beat you…while you were still running, that is."

Jeri slowed to a panting walk and glanced a pouting look towards Alice. "Well I'm sorry if I don't exercise as regularly as you do. Give it a rest, would ya? I don't exactly run this much every day, you know." 

Half running up the many stairs of the building, Alice gave a harsh laugh. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Following suit, Jeri just sighed. "Sadly, you wouldn't understand…"

"What are you two doing here?" The two stopped running and turned to look at the producer of the accusing voice. Yamaki. "Shouldn't you be in school at this hour?"

Alice impulsively glanced towards the large clock that hung just above the stairs. Two thirty. "Can't explain, just need a computer."

Without an explanation, Alice ran selfishly up the rest of the stairs, leaving Jeri to nervously rub her head with her hand. She wasn't really used to cutting class, so I guess you could understand her situation.

'Uh, that's it Jeri, just look innocent…' She turned and ran as fast as she could up the stairs to find Alice. 'Great, innocent…'

When she stumbled up the top step, she spotted Alice on one of the corner computers, the ones that monitored the Digital World…

The room was dark, and the illuminating glow of the computer lit up the surrounding area. Jeri ran up to stand behind Alice's desk chair. "What's going--"

Alice shook her head in disbelief. "No, this is…n-not good…"

Jeri stared at her friend nervously. "What do you…mean?" She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

Alice turned to face her, trying to remain composed. "There's something…a Digimon…that's covering the entire sky of the Digital World!"

*

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A/N: *laughs manically* Oh, I'm so evil…and Kyubimon's my little killing machine! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I own her, yes I do!!! And there's nothing you can do about it! *calms down when a bucket of ice water is thrown on her* Ok…*stares blankly*

Floramon: *sigh* Repeat after me: I shall not abuse the characters…

A/N: I shall always abuse the characters…

Floramon: Grr…is this really getting through to any one?

A/N: Nup! Read and review my trusty little reviewers! Yeah, click that little button that says 'Go', not 'Review' 0_o

Floramon: *sigh* Why do I bother?