A/N: You'll find out a secret about this foe from the beginning. Maybe you guessed it by now (Adalia Glenys did, although maybe she only had a premonition about it!) or maybe you haven't thought anything about it, but the secret identity of a character… wait, the secret identities of TWO characters are revealed! Also, you'll see some foreshadowing into… it's best you found that out later.
Chapter 8
InfernoDevimon
The vampire faced his nemesis, whom he wished to destroy again. "InfernoDevimon!" he shouted.
The demon's fire-framed silhouette leapt into the air, blazed through it like a fireball, and landed in front of the vampire. His glowing crimson eyes were focused on the scar on Myotismon's chest, then he glanced up at his face. "Myotismon Celestial Mode," he addressed him again. "Little did I expect to find you here… until the Master told me about you." The demon bore a remarkable resemblance to Devimon—he wore the same mask except it was golden and had the symbol of a flame embossed on the front, his bodysuit was as red as his eyes and torn to reveal a physique bulging with muscles, his neck and limbs were wrapped in silver chains, gold-plated boots adorned his feet, and his torn wings were ablaze. A long mane of coal-black hair trailed down his back.
"I did not expect you to be here, either," said Myotismon, his words biting into InfernoDevimon. "I thought you'd be scarring other angels like you scarred me. Do you have any idea how much misery this has given me!" He pointed to the glowing X on his chest. "It throws me back into the most agonizing memories of my past, and when I am not there, it hurts like the very Hell from whence you came!"
InfernoDevimon cracked a malicious grin. "There is a lot about me you do not know, Celestial Mode…" He stared into Myotismon's eyes, blood-red into ice-blue, relishing the suspense. "And you never will know, either! INFERNO WING!" A la Myotismon's former Grisly Wing attack, the demon outstretched his arms to unleash a sea of bats completely made of white-hot flames, flying directly at the vampire, who tried to shield himself with his cape, but they were beginning to burn through it.
Myotismon clenched his teeth, breathing in the smell of his own scorching defense. He knew he did not want to attack, but this was the only way he could escape. "ELYSIAN SWORD!" He whipped himself around as a glowing sword formed in his hands. He pointed it directly at the bats, and a dazzling beam of white light shot out of it. The winged creatures screamed in agony, and their ashes and flames rained onto the ground.
"Don't think I'm fazed by your pathetic little knife," scoffed InfernoDevimon. "SATANIC SCEPTER!"
Immediately, a red-hot scepter with three pointed ends appeared in his hands. He thrusted it at the vampire, who quickly blocked it with his sword. Myotismon pushed the Elysian Sword into the Satanic Scepter and forced InfernoDevimon backwards. Then the demon quickly swung it downwards, and Myotismon blocked it in time. He was beginning to perspire from the unbearable heat, so he backed away towards a nearby wall, still trying to shield himself from the flame.
"CRIMSON LIGHTNING!" Myotismon quickly took the sword in one hand and formed a whip of Crimson Lightning in the other. That attack was the only one the vampire had retained when he mode changed, and he was incredibly relieved. He shot the electrified blood out at InfernoDevimon and struck his left arm.
The demon screamed and leapt backwards, nearly dropping the scepter. "Two attacks at once, eh?" he asked through the obvious agony. "I see you don't play fair."
"Neither do you, you tool," retorted the vampire. "All you are is a pawn for this so-called master."
"All youare is half the mon you are," said InfernoDevimon. "For you see, your sword is melting!" He chuckled as Myotismon glanced in horror at the contorted sword, which had several holes in the side from where the scepter touched it and was melting into a rounded blob on its hilt. He hastily made it dissolve and created another sword out of his Crimson Lightning. "And don't think your pathetic blood is going to stop me! If I could give you a scar from not even trying, imagine what I'm capable of when I actually do try! PURGATORIAN HOLOCAUST!"
Myotismon's eyes widened. That was the attack that had scorched the agony into his heart. He saw the cross-shaped blaze shoot straight at him for the second time.
"HEAVEN'S NIGHTFALL!" he exclaimed. "SHIELD!" He held out both his hands, and the Crimson Lightning disappeared, replaced by dark force field that shot out of his hands and spread out in front of him. He was beginning to feel exhausted already, but the cross started to burn into it. He clenched his entire face together, harnessing all of his energy into summoning the powers of the night.
"DARKNESS WAVE!" exclaimed a voice from behind him. Suddenly, he was whipped and forced to the ground, the shield vanishing into thin air. He turned around to see LadyDevimon about to whip him, her grey cheeks streaked with tears. "Don't attack, InfernoDevimon. I'll take care of him."
"LadyDevimon!" Myotismon exclaimed. "I thought you…"
"You… you would rather find Angewomon than love me, you one-womon bastard!" the demoness cried. "I gave you that last chance, and you seized it by the horns… when you should have seized me by my horns!"
"But you don't have any—"
"SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP! I only gave you that choice because I thought you'd make love to me and compete the transition rather than risk your life… but I lied! There were no hazards roaming these halls, and I was going to ambush you and steal you away! But now… it looks as if you are outnumbered, vampire scum. DARKNESS WAVE!"
"ELYSIAN SWORD!" Myotismon regenerated his glowing white sword, more powerful than ever, and it emitted a white light at LadyDevimon, who was hurled against the wall before she could attack.
"INFERNO WING!"
The vampire felt the bats burning through the cape and searing the skin on his back with their flames and poisonous fangs. Every nip drew blood, and it trickled down his back and legs, onto the floor.
I am immortal.
His breathing staggered, but he knew he had to play through the pain.
"CRIMSON LIGHTNING!" he shouted, but the whip was but a red string that barely emitted a charge. He coughed and fell to his knees.
I am immortal… unless they destroy my Digi-Egg! Don't let them reconfigure me… oh, Goddramon, please… why have you forsaken me?
The bats burned themselves in deeper, tearing his flesh apart and hitting bone. He glanced up at LadyDevimon, whom he knew would give him a second chance…
"DARKNESS WAVE!"
A whip crashed down onto the vampire's back, and the pain was so intense he almost vomited. He fell backwards, feebly attempting to protect any exposed skin with his arms and legs, but all was in vain.
"Mag… Magna…" Myotismon tried to summon his most powerful attack, but could not find any strength to do so. He squinted into LadyDevimon's face, and saw nothing but her thirst for revenge… and now he would die…
All this time, InfernoDevimon had been concentrating. There was something about the vampire that had given him a sense of more than just déjà vu, but he felt as if that he and the vampire had been connected in some fashion. He had never seen the Celestial Mode prior to his great battle with him in the heavens, but he knew he had heard the name somewhere… Myotismon… the scar was not meant for him, but for Angemon; InfernoDevimon had not figured out why, though…
Why was he in the digital world? How did he know?
Why him? How are we connected? Why do I feel like I know him from a past life… why Angemon? Why did I scar him…
Who the devil am I?
At that brief moment, it felt as if a great burden had been lifted from his mind. It was as if he were no longer InfernoDevimon, but…
It was also at that moment when LadyDevimon was milliseconds from attacking.
"DARKNESS—"
"HOLD YOUR FIRE, LADYDEVIMON!" shouted InfernoDevimon. LadyDevimon looked shocked, and Myotismon looked frightened beyond his wits. He looked at the vampire and murmured, "I won't let her lay a finger on you." He stared into the demoness's eyes and advanced on her, feigning interest in killing the vampire. He even formed a Satanic Scepter in his hand, pointing it downward. "I'll finish my foe off," he announced. "SATANIC SWORD!"
Without another word, he thrusted it directly into LadyDevimon's chest and nailed her to the wall.
Dark grey liquid spilled out from between her breasts, and she gave a maniacal grin. "You think you're so powerful by sticking a piece of cutlery into my chest, InfernoDevimon… you always were the cocky one! But when Lord Devidramon finds out… you're done for, you hear me? YOUR HEAD WILL GO THE WAY OF ME!" With a final evil laugh, she and the scepter dissolved. The vampire blacked out and fell to the floor.
He awoke hours, possibly days later, back in his bed in the lighthouse on the cape. He was only in his trousers, and much of the skin above it was wrapped with bloodstained cloth. His back hurt like hell, and he was astounded to still be alive after all he had been through. Even more shocking was the fact that InfernoDevimon stood at the foot of the bed, holding a cracked porcelain pitcher full of what looked like water and another cloth.
"You're awake," observed the demon.
"What are you doing here?" demanded the vampire.
"I'm not who you think I am," replied InfernoDevimon. "Believe me, I am not a demon at all, but rather a friend's heart wrapped in a demonic husk. For months this evil form has blocked out all light from my soul and blotted out every memory I had before I dark digivolved… up until LadyDevimon attacked you. I know you have no recollection of who I am, for we never met. You see, I had known Angemon and Angewomon… and when you were AngeMyotismon, I assisted Angewomon in traveling to the real world."
The vampire was rendered speechless. If it had not been for him, AngeMyotismon would have never had the will to live…
"My real name is PyroAngemon… and I am an angel who is not only fallen, but condemned. It is time I clean your wounds now, but they are nearly fully healed. Your cape has almost been fully regenerated as well." The fallen angel pointed to a chair, where the self-mending cape sat, only a few holes remaining in the silvery fabric. He turned Myotismon over and removed the bandages. The wounds were almost completely healed and did not even leave any scars, although they still hurt when exposed to air. The vampire winced as he felt the wet cloth against his back, but InfernoDevimon decided to tell him the story.
PyroAngemon, after his death at the hands of Myotismon Shadow Mode, felt his data traveling to the Crossroads beyond the Gate of Destiny. The world dissolved before him, and he found himself, whole again, at the dreaded Crossroads, awaiting his final judgement.
A dragon plated in gold, borne on six pure, magnificent angel wings, floated at the very center of the Crossroads; a mystical, starry background that was quite unlike that of Earth and the digital world, but bore a remarkable resemblance with a planet below them and a moon above them. "I am Goddramon, Guardian of the Winds," he said in a voice so sonorous and beautiful that nearly crippled PyroAngemon with awe. Behind the holy dragon, four mysterious figures obscured by the darkness materialized. "And this is all that remains of the Grand Angel Council," he continued.
"Do not think we have forgotten about you, PyroAngemon," a grave male voice said.
"Your insubordination has cost us every touch of the world below," boomed a second, which was deeper and more authoritative than the first. "Civitas Dei has remained hidden in the heavens where no one has seen."
"The digital world has been reduced to a constant battle between the light and the darkness," continued the only female voice of the group. "There was no Good or Evil before we left… only now, the light calls itself the more righteous of the two, though no one can tell which one is anymore. Entire species of Digimon have been wiped off the face of the digital world, and so many Digi-Destined have been summoned…"
"Angel blood has been wiped thin… down to a mere trickle," said the fourth, which belonged to the head angel of the Council. "It is because of you that the digital world is not in need of a Digi-Destined… but a Chosen One."
"Goddramon, why can't you do anything about it?" wondered PyroAngemon. "You're the holiest of all, and considered a god."
"Yes, it is true, but I am not truly a dragon," explained Goddramon. "As a matter of fact, I am barely anything at all…" In an instant, the dragon disappeared to reveal a fist-sized orb floating in the nether regions of space and filled with a glowing white mist. "This, PyroAngemon, is my true form. I merely assume the role of a dragon to be recognized as your god. And even then… I only exist in the Crossroads."
"But what about—" the fiery angel began, but was cut off by the orb.
"In due time, PyroAngemon, but for now, the Council is to decide your fate. And judging by what I have seen, you are in for an agonizing eternity."
The angel perspired from his own fire, it seemed. Everything swam before him, like a dream, as the four Angel Council members conversed silently before him. His record was riddled with blemishes, though they stemmed from good intentions. He did not have a positive rapport with Angemon, and by Goddramon, Angemon was friends with every single angel in Civitas Dei, it seemed! He knew what his fate would be, and it was bestowed upon only two other angels before him… the second was the fallen Angemon who became Devimon; the first was—
The four angels turned and faced their prey.
"PyroAngemon," said the leader, "by my power and authority as leader of the Grand Angel Council of the Digital World, I hereby strip you of your wings and condemn you to the Dark Ocean, where you will suffer for eternity as a demon!" He took his sword in his hand and struck the angel's helmet. With a bang, it cracked open, exposing his face, which he promptly covered. All six of PyroAngemon's wings were sliced off, one by one as the now-fallen angel hid his tears of shame. Suddenly, his body and attire underwent a transformation—his suit became leather, like Devimon's, only it was torn and tattered; flaming bat wings unfolded on his back; and two horns—his crowning glory—painfully protruded from the sides of his head.
The heavens ripped themselves a hole, through which the fallen angel could see his fate. Suddenly, he plummeted through the tear, seeing the solemn faces of the Council and the orb of Goddramon above him. The rip closed, as if it had sewn itself together, and InfernoDevimon landed in the ocean with a mighty splash.
"That's the last of what I remembered… until I was taken by a strange demon Digimon in crimson robes… his face was in shadows, but I saw his eyes glowing through, and…" InfernoDevimon trailed off, having finished putting fresh cloth on Myotismon's wounds. "He had… he had some sort of pendant around his neck… it was as if he sucked out my memories of being PyroAngemon, and he replaced them with false recollections of serving him. But hearing your name brought me back. I now realize that you're the one I'm supposed to be fighting for and not against."
"Daemon," said Myotismon thoughtfully.
"Come again?"
"It was Daemon who took you under his cloak. I wonder if he was the one who told you to scar me…"
"Why do you think that?"
"Daemon and I had some… should I say, rough patches in our past. It would be like him to desire revenge on me…"
"No, you are wrong. It was I who scarred you, but the scar was not intended for you at all." InfernoDevimon took a deep breath, contemplating what he was about to say next. "Daemon briefly opened the gate to the digital world when I told him I wanted to give Angemon the scarring of a lifetime. I had aimed for him, but you flew in the direct line of fire and received the full blast, leaving Angemon perfectly unscathed. Angemon was the one who landed me in hot water—pun not intended, of course—and I've been seeking revenge on him ever since. Even… even helping Angewomon travel through the gate was merely an act of revenge… but I realized later that I also wanted to help you. You and I… we're somewhat alike. We've been condemned to the Dark Ocean for simply existing in our forms… we've been punished for unintentional wrongdoings… we're both fallen angels…"
"How could you say that, PyroAngemon? How could you label me as a fallen angel when… I've…"
The vampire's sudden trailing off left an awkward pause in the air. InfernoDevimon glanced warily at him.
"Forgive me for telling you this, but mark my words, it will save your soul. I was taken by a master named DemiDevimon, and he said that you and he were once one of the same. He plotted to pose as a young, naïve Poyomon who was also 'wrongfully committed,' and he would feed off your dark power with the help of Toxidramon and the Demon Corps, who were under his servitude, and would use your past to the fullest extent and turn it against you. With that power, he planned to digivolve and merge souls with you again as… your Shadow Mode."
The air was so silent one could have heard a pin drop.
"…Come again?" wondered Myotismon. "Did I not hear you correctly when you said 'your Shadow Mode'?"
"I said it," replied InfernoDevimon, shamefully hanging his head. "Yes, and as the scar I gave you burrows deeper and deeper into your heart, it will create a passageway for your Shadow Mode to enter and infect you… then you will once again become not the Shadow Mode or Celestial Mode… but one Myotismon. You will be exactly the way you had been a year ago… worse than ever, it seems."
The vampire could sense the Evil in his heart already. He knew that it had been no one's fault… but he had to stop it from creating a means for Devidramon to digivolve.
"Listen, the Demon Corps are after you. I will do what I can to protect you in this time of dire need, but for now, you still need to heal. I don't know how long it will be before they arrive, but I have a place where you can hide from their minions."
That evening, as the sky gradually darkened, InfernoDevimon took the liberty of removing the cloth from the vampire's back, and both were pleased to know that every wound had miraculously healed. Myotismon was standing up with no evidence of pain or injury.
"Your strength must be returning," remarked the demon as he burned the cloths and carefully handed Myotismon his fully-mended cape, which the vampire clasped to the top of his uniform. "Angels… their immunity and ability to heal are most amazing…" mused InfernoDevimon.
Yes, but only if they are injured… no one said a word of being infected by my virus…
The atmosphere in the lighthouse had an eerie sense of placidity to it—the calm before the storm. Outside, the air grew a deeper grey, and the wind began to howl, as if a storm was brewing. The ocean waves grew to nearly the magnitude of tsunamis, crashing against the rocks and spraying their cold, white foam onto the lighthouse. The air was thick with anticipation and fear. If Myotismon were still a true vampire, he would have drunk it all in, but now he was a part of it. He knew something terrible would happen…
Suddenly, there came a rapping on the door outside, and Myotismon knew who it would be.
"Hide your face, Myotismon," said InfernoDevimon. "They're here for you." He glanced out the window to see an army of Bakemon—his former army of Bakemon—gathering outside the main entrance. "Go!" He grabbed the vampire by the arm and led him down several flights of stairs until they reached the main hall. By then, the rapping had become a strong pounding that would nearly break through the wooden barrier between freedom and condemnation. The demon led his companion into the abandoned kitchen, where he opened a trapdoor that led to a cellar. "Get in here, Myo! It's your only hope! I'll stay here and defend you."
The cellar was filled with thick, choking dust and so dark not even the vampire could see his own hand in front of him. The trapdoor was opened a crack, and from there, his blue eyes could peer through and witness a familiar scene…
The Bakemon burst inside and clogged the doorway to the kitchen, where InfernoDevimon stood guard by the door.
"What the devil do you want?" the demon demanded, in a defensive stance.
"The master wants to know if you have seen Myotismon Celestial Mode," the lead Bakemon promptly answered. "We've traced him back to this lighthouse, and I know he is hiding in here. Don't try to conceal him."
"I haven't seen the bastard since I scarred him," retorted InfernoDevimon.
"The master wants to know if you have seen a DemiDevimon."
"I see a lot of DemiDevimons. What's it to you?"
Myotismon wondered if they could hear his rapid heartbeat and heavy breathing. It was his life as Devidramon, replaying before his eyes. This time, he could count on his friend…
The Bakemon frantically flew around the kitchen as InfernoDevimon strategically stood on the trapdoor, which promptly closed. All the vampire could do was listen… and hope…
Crash. Clang. Smash. Cursing. Raucous laughter, then silence. InfernoDevimon still stood firmly on top of the door, indicating that the Bakemon were still present and searching. The kitchen was possibly a shambles, but the one thing that mattered was still intact—
"Well, he's not in here. Why don't we look upstairs?"
There came a sigh of relief from InfernoDevimon.
"Wait… InfernoDevimon, what is that you're standing on?"
"It looks like a trapdoor to me."
"Perfect place for hiding a vampire!"
Myotismon backed away, aware of the peril he was putting himself in. He did not know what was hiding in this cellar, but the Bakemon would know of one 'mon that was not. He felt his heart pounding a mile a minute.
InfernoDevimon's voice could be heard, and the panic was evident. "Uh… Bakemon, I checked in there before you came, and I can promise you that Myotismon is not hiding in there."
"How do you know when you haven't seen him since you scarred him!"
"That is exactly the point I'm trying to make."
"Well, why don't we check to make sure?"
"Devidramon? As I recall, there's a Devidramon in here now. He's hiding in the kitchen as we speak."
To the dragon's horror, several Numemons clad in gladiator armor burst into the kitchen and bound him in a gunny sack.
"We found him!" they all seemed to be crying at once, ad-libbing as well. Devidramon squirmed and attempted to break free, even attacking for the first time, but this sack seemed to have a force field around it.
"Digitamamon, what did you do?" demanded Vegiemon's voice.
"He's not blind, you idiot," replied the unhatched lizard. "He's not our problem anymore!"
"Lord Toxidramon thanks you!" exclaimed one of the Numemon.
"You can talk to my INFERNO WING!" shouted InfernoDevimon. Suddenly, there came an agonizing screeching of bats, then the screaming of Bakemon dwindling as they seemed to shoot out of the room like flaming comets. "And stay out!" exclaimed the demon as the door slammed. InfernoDevimon opened the trapdoor as the vampire breathed a sigh of relief. The demon took Myotismon by the hand and helped him out of the dirty cellar.
"That was so close I could feel it…" gasped the vampire as his friend held him closely to comfort him.
"Not close enough, I'm afraid," boomed a deep voice from outside. Suddenly, the lighthouse vanished, and not one single floorboard was left of it. Even the light had disappeared and no longer shone over the ocean. Myotismon and InfernoDevimon let go of each other and whirled around to see the vampire's worst nightmare and most dreaded fear.
Toxidramon stood on one side; Daemon on the other; MarineDevimon in the ocean. In the center of it all, hovering in the air and surrounded by an aura of dark energy and blood-colored light, was Myotismon Shadow Mode in his full villanous glory. He looked exactly like Myotismon, except his eyes glowed a piercingly blue shade that freezed anyone who looked directly at them. He wore a red and black cape similar to that of his original form, and underneath it was a tight leather suit like Devimon's, only it was open down to his belts, exposing his well-toned chest that had no scars on it. Belts and chains were wrapped around his waist and limbs, and around his wrists were two broken silver cuffs. To top everything off, a mask darker than night itself was placed over his face, accenting his deadly eyes more than ever.
"Well, it looks as if the tables have turned, Myotismon Celestial Mode," laughed Myotismon Shadow Mode. "You thought I was your friend, did you not? I saw the way you confided in me and told me all your secrets…"
"I knew it before you told me," the angelic one spat back at his dark counterpart.
"Ah, but you only recently found out… I posed as an innocent little Poyomon like yourself at a younger age to gain your trust, and with that, I absorbed all of your dark energy. And don't think Daemon and Toxidramon were working on their own, either… and neither was LadyDevimon."
"We were all against you," said Daemon.
"Shut up, you tool!" retorted the dark vampire, causing the demon to shudder. "And now, InfernoDevimon, prepare to meet your end! And I have special plans in mind for you, Celestial Mode…" He laughed to himself and prepared to attack.
To be continued…