==Digital World
Baihumon sped away from Primary Village, face dark with concern despite what he had said to Joe and Gomamon. The Destiny Stones were divided among the four guardians, their way of anchoring the Digital World and preventing it from being rewritten every few seconds.
And one of them was being attacked.
:Need a hand?: the telepathic voice of Azulongmon asked.
:No time: Baihumon replied. :And your power is still limited in the Digital World. Besides, I can handle Demon and his little pet.:
:Don't be so sure,: Azulongmon replied, worried, :Metal Devidramon's power is growing. And your power isn't that much greater. All the guardians have lost a lot of their strength.:
:It's handled.: Baihumon replied. :You keep an eye on your sector. There's no telling if those two might skip over if I'm detected.:
==
Digimon: Digicross Episode 32 -
'Baihumon's Legacy 1: Fall'
==
"Careful!" Demon snarled, watching Metal Devidramon absorb the power of the giant Destiny Stone. The diamond-shaped object had been uncovered easily enough, Demon clearing the small hill that hid it from view. Several of his minions were patrolling the surrounding area, watching for any intruders. He glanced uneasily at Metal Devidramon, barbed tail buried into the Destiny Stone, the digimon draining the power out of it. "Too fast and you might be detected."
"What of it?" Metal Devidramon asked. "The Guardians are no match for...us, 'Master'. You yourself said that their power had decreased since the battle against the four Dark Masters."
"Where there are Guardians, digidestined usually follow." Demon replied. "And once the attack on Primary Village is repelled, they will come here."
"Do you fear this stone?" Metal Devidramon asked.
Demon's eyes narrowed. "That stone anchors this part of the digital world down. Destroy it, and you could destroy everything for miles around, yourself included." Demon looked up. "The attack has begun. Hurry. I expect Lady Devimon will lose soon."
Metal Devidramon glanced at Demon. "Then send me. I can crush them all and take the stone there." Demon's glare was answer enough.
"Master!" a Gizamon yelled, running to the two. "A large white tiger approaches! It might be Baihumon!"
Demon nodded. "He's alone?" Gizamon nodded. "Good. He may not suspect Metal Devidramon's full power. I will deal with our visitor."
==
Baihumon tore through the grass, feeling oddly at peace. Heavens, he wondered. When was the last time I ran like this? He shook his head, remembering...
==
"I have you now!" Baihumon roared, extended claws reaching for the giant metal dinosaur. "I won't let you destroy the rest of the Digital World!" Nearby, Baihumon could sense the other guardians fighting the three other digimon that had attacked. They called themselves the Dark Masters, and were more powerful than anything he had ever seen.
Machinedramon's right arm swung up, but missed Baihumon, allowing the tiger digimon to tear into the Dark Master's side. One of the cannons on its back stopped humming, some sort of vile fluid leaking from a severed hose. "I'll tear your digicore apart for that!" Machinedramon snarled.
"And I'll slice you up like an onion." Baihumon replied, baring his teeth. He gasped as a dagger sank into his back, as Piedmon sailed by, dodging claw strikes from Zhuquiamon, the phoenix digimon of the south.
With a sick feeling, Baihumon realised that the battle was turning against the four guardians. Piedmon's attack had hit a critical area, and he could feel his strength leaving him. Piedmon had wrapped Zhuquiamon up in some sort of cloth net, while Metal Seadramon blasted Ebonwumon, the two-headed turtle of the north, into unconciousness. A part of Baihumon marvelled at the power that could even affect Ebonwumon though his almost indestructible shell.
The distraction was fatal. Machinedramon was able to get his working cannon into position, and Baihumon saw a bright flash of orange, then saw nothing for a long time.
==
Azulongmon, hovering in the skies above his destiny stone, looked east. He was tempted to telepathically call Baihumon again, when a sudden wrenching sickness hit him. "Primary Village? They wouldn't DARE!" Snarling, he charged forward, but stopped a second later as a black field of energy struck him. Looking down, he saw Arukenimon look up, wave at the guardian, and vanish, leaving a Control Spire behind. He focussed his powers, searching for someone to help. :Come. Come quickly!: Unknown to him, the other two guardians were facing similar troubles, and also trying to summon help from other digimon in the area.
Azulongmon, however, had a specific being in mind...
==
The firebolt jolted Baihumon out of his reverie. "You're slipping, cat." Demon taunted. "I can remember when you would have sensed my attack whole seconds before I even launched it."
"I am old, Demon, but I can still bite your head off. And what's with the robe? Liver spots?" Baihumon ran forward, power building up around his teeth and claws.
"These robes hide my true power. But I do not think I will need it to battle you. Chaos Flare!" Baihumon dodged the attack, firing a bolt of power from his mouth. Demon blocked that bolt, and hurled another fireball.
Baihumon dodged this, then jumped at Demon, claws extended. He crashed into Demon, and the two slammed into the ground. Baihumon tried to bite Demon's head off, but he couldn't get the evil digimon into position. Angered, Demon started growing, until he was double his normal size, and was able to fling Baihumon off. "Now to settle this, Baihumon."
==
Metal Devidramon listened to the battle, his own senses heightened enough to follow it in detail. Part of him screamed to join the battle. I can do this, he decided. All I have to do is...eh?
Squinting, Metal Devidramon suddenly picked out a small black object around his tail. "A...control ring? Demon expects to control me with THAT?" Angrily, he started to draw more power from the stone, but found he couldn't. The ring was somehow limiting the amount of power he could draw. "Clever." Metal Devidramon snarled. "But I am no mere digimon to be controlled!" Screaming with rage, he swung his claw down, but the ring repelled the attack.
==
"Your charge is...anxious, Demon." Baihumon taunted.
"He is easily controlled." Demon replied, as the two exchanged attacks. "I am no fool, Baihumon. Metal Devidramon is a tool, just like Lady Devimon, just like the Dark Masters, and just like you."
==The past
Baihumon's consciousness floated through the black nothingness he and the other guardians had been abolished to. They got glimpses of the Digital World, and wept at the damage wrought as the Dark Masters rampaged through the Digital World unchecked. Azulongmon almost gave up when Piedmon led the attack on the secret lab which held eight specially chosen digimon, after destroying the other lab, one of the crests there, and one of the digieggs. It was Gennai's brave actions that saved the project from total ruin.
Then Baihumon decided to stretch his senses in a different direction. After an indeterminate time, he picked out voices, sounds...Leaning closer, he saw...digimon? No, not digimon, but creatures like them! And humans with them, living in peace! Many of the humans there had similar qualities to the children they had selected. If this plan did not work, this new world might provide an alternate means of salvation.
Then, disaster. Devimon escaped through the hole Baihumon had opened. But, he was stopped by a human and a...'pokemon', these creatures were called.
The guardians all felt hope at this.
==Present
Azulongmon watched as the creature he teleported in worked. "Your powers have grown greatly."
"It was through Baihumon's tutelage that this is so." Mewtwo replied. He frowned as he launched another Hyper Beam, smashing another spire. "He has something planned for me, though I have not been able to divine what it is yet."
The giant digimon nodded. "Since our release, he has been acting strangely. When this is over, I'll have to ask him."
==
Metal Devidramon tried to calm his breathing. All his attempts to destroy the control ring had failed; it had not even been scratched, despite all the claw strikes and energy beams he had thrown at it.
He hated it, and hated Demon. He hated being controlled. And he knew only one answer, one he knew that Demon could not have possibly counted on. "I am a warrior." he growled. "All my life, I have fought. And no one, human or digimon, shall ever control me. RRRRAAARRRR!" screaming at the top of his lungs, he raised his arm, claws extended, and brought them down, severing his own tail just shy of the control ring. Driven by pain, he turned, and sunk his claws into the Destiny Stone, drawing the full power of the stone into himself.
Demon, distracted by Baihumon's attempt to bite his arm off, looked up. "What have you done?" He didn't notice it, but Baihumon's face went calm.
"I understand." Baihumon whispered, just as the world went white.
==Past
Baihumon desperately tried to find a way to get out. One of the digidestined had gone back to his homeworld, and the other children had scattered, easy prey for even the weakest of the Dark Masters' minions. The Pokemon world, he realised. I can call another trainer like Ryo and he can help. Eagerly, he ran forward, trying to force open a portal.
As he did, his mind reached out, and touched a small, fairylike pokemon. It looked up, confused by the alien presence trying to reach out to it. Instinctively, Celebi timeported. And nearly managed to take a part of Baihumon's mind with it.
As it was, Baihumon's exposure to Celebi's timetravel power nearly drove him insane. In a split second, he saw life, death, hope, loss, and love. He saw the Dark Masters defeated. And three worlds united to fight the author of this current nightmare. And he saw...
==Present, Primary Village.
Scizor landed. "It is today. Hey, is everyone-" the entire Digital World shook at that point, knocking everyone to their feet.
"What...Something's wrong!" Kari gasped.
"We feel it too!" Cyberdramon replied. In the distance, they could make out a bright point of light, glimmering on the horizon. It receded a few seconds later, but everyone at Primary Village knew something was wrong. Badly wrong. Seth was about to suggest they get Joe back here, having just left for the Pokemon World to have Gomamon healed.
"That was..." TK gasped, looking up. "What was that?" In the distance, he heard a great cry, a roar of something powerful. And evil.
"Kari, Yolei, get to cover!" Sylphimon said, motioning the two to one of the buildings that was still standing.
"Agnimon?" Caryl asked. Then, she gasped. "You're shaking?"
"Can't you feel it?" Agnimon replied. "Ryo, get Caryl out of here!" Caryl started to protest, but Ryo clamped a hand over her mouth and began dragging her away.
"You're not getting rid of us that easily!" Stuart said. "What's going on?"
"I AM!" a great voice proclaimed, sending tremors through the ground. Suddenly, a great black and gold monster appeared, serpentine head regarding the inhabitants of Primary Village coldly. "Behold your death."
Kari stepped back, terrified. "Who are you?"
"Imperialdramon..." Cyberdramon gasped, drawing on Wizardmon's knowledge. "But this can't be! He was a heroic digimon! All the legends-"
"The legends lie. This is the truth. I am Imperialdramon, your destroyer! MEGA DEATH!" Soaring up, The evil dragon fired a single sphere of dark energy.
"You will not succeed!" Baihumon roared, trying to block the attack with his own power bolt. The shot deflected, and shattered a mountain a short distance away. "I'll fight you to the last breath!"
"Very well." Imperialdramon said. "Positron...LASER!" A long bolt of energy stabbed out at Baihumon, who again blocked it. However, the force of the beam was slowly pushing Baihumon back towards the destiny stone in the centre of Primary Village.
"Everyone! Help him!" Kyle shouted. All of the digimon and pokemon there added their power to Baihumon's, trying to push Imperialdramon's own beam back.
"It's not enough!" Pyroangemon gasped, seeing the energy beam still advance. Abruptly, he flew up, and launched an attack at Imperialdramon. "Sacred Fire!" The flames covered the dragon, but had little effect. "Alright, let's try the direct approach! Atom Force!" he yelled, swooping down on Imperialdramon, sword fully charged with energy. He swung at the cannon, hoping to break the attack off. There was a sharp cracking noise, but it was Pyroangemon's sword that shattered!
"No..." Kyle gasped. He watched as the angel was struck by Imperialdramon's long tail, whipping up over his back, scorpion like, and sending Pyroangemon back, and leaving him open for an awkward claw swipe, this one ruining the angel's shield. A second swipe sent him to the ground, reverting to Eevee as he hit the ground. Kyle ran over, picked up the fallen pokemon, and ran back to where the other humans were.
"Not good." Stuart muttered, glaring at the giant dragon. "We'd better get the infant pokemon out of here."
"How?" Yolei asked. "I don't think that monster's going to let us go!"
"Hey, don't you have an Onix?" Ryo asked Kyle, who nodded. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Renamon vanish through a digiport, carrying Caryl. "Good. THe ground here's pretty stable, have Onix dig a tunnel through to just past the lake; the Infant digimon can hide there." Kyle nodded, and released Onix, ordering him to dig a tunnel and take the baby digimon to safety.
Kyle Evanick glanced at Absol and Pichu. "You two, go with them." Pichu started complaining, running over and latching onto Evanick's leg. "Pichu, go. Absol, drag him if you have to." Nodding, Absol padded over, picked up Pichu by its tail, and walked over to the tunnel that Onix was digging, ignoring the small sparks Pichu was releasing. Kyle and Ryo released the rest of their pokemon, sending them through the tunnel as well, both to make sure there was no collapse, and to help handle the terrified baby digimon.
There was a cry from the digimon still outside. Instinctively, the humans ran out, to see what was happening. Imperialdramon had, apparently, stopped his attack and was starting to pull back. "What's he doing?" Seth asked, confused.
"I...I don't know." Baihumon gasped, exhausted by the effort he had just given. "I think he...GET DOWN!"
==
Ken and Stingmon flew towards Primary Village. "I'm sorry Ken. I'm not too fast a flyer-"
"Forget it." Ken replied. "It's not like you could help what you digivolved into. But I can just make out...what is that?" Ken gasped at the sight of Imperialdramon, flying up and launching a giant sphere of energy at Primary Village. Stingmon stopped, stunned by the power Imperialdramon showed.
A split second before the bolt hit, Ken picked out a small white creature (Baihumon?), glowing white with energy, jump and intercept the blast.
==
Imperialdramon regarded the prone humans and digimon impassively. Not bad for one shot, he decided. He heard a faint buzzing noise, and saw Stingmon in the distance. "I'll finish with you in a second, bug." he taunted, then reared up, ready to finish off the village.
Azulongmon's head rammed into Imperialdramon, sending the dragon flying. "Not if I finish you first, monster!" the guardian roared, almost berserk with rage. A bolt of energy smacked into Imperialdramon from the other side. Mewtwo had appeared on the other side of the dragon, also glowing with stored energy. The pokemon said nothing, but looked ready to battle.
"Hmm. That overgrown cat was no challenge." Imperialdramon leered at Azulongmon, ignoring Mewtwo entirely.
"One guardian, perhaps." Mewtwo said quietly. "But what of three?" More cries of anger and rage. From the north, a giant two headed turtle stormed towards Primary Village, a ring of digicores surrounding the trees on its back. From the south, a giant red bird, with her own ring of digicores, flew gracefully towards Imperialdramon, licks of flame trailing behind her. "Can you defeat Azulongmon, Ebonwumon, and Zhuquiamon all at once?"
Imperialdramon looked at the three remaining guardians, leer turned to a frown. "You may have won this round, but you cannot be everywhere. We will meet again." Imperialdramon vanished. Mewtwo looked down at the humans and digimon in the ruined village.
"Get them to safety." Azulongmon said. "We will guard Primary Village."
==Dark Ocean.
Imperialdramon appeared over the palace, and landed on the large balcony, which creaked alarmingly under his weight. "So, you've returned." Demon said evenly. "Impressive, though not exactly what I had planned."
"I knew that the stone's power could be better used." Imperialdramon replied. "I have absorbed the full power of the stone, rather than just nibbling away at it. It seems your 'plans' were not aggressive enough."
"And yours were? I know that you still cannot face the remaining guardians, even with your vaunted might." As Demon spoke, Arukenimon and Sneasel crept forward, gasping at the new digimon before them. "Interesting, that you have taken the form of a legendary dragon digimon. And what will you do with your new power?"
"This." Imperialdramon replied, firing his Positron Laser at Demon. There was a bright flash, and, when Arukenimon could see again, there was no trace of Demon. Imperialdramon laughed, shimmered, and switched back to Metal Devidramon. "Now, what shall I do with you?"
"Stand still while I slice you open!" Sneasel yowled, becoming Lady Devimon and attacking. She got to within an inch of Metal Devidramon before getting flung away by his power.
"Pathetic. Now, for you." Metal Devidramon said, darting over to Arukenimon. His clawed hand reached out, and Arukenimon flinched, expecting an attack. Instead, she felt a hard tug and something metallic breaking. When she opened her eyes, she saw that Metal Devidramon was holding a small necklace with a sphere at one end. "A pokeball. Hmm, I wonder what's inside of it."
"No, DON'T!" Arukenimon half-screamed as Metal Devidramon's clawed hand pressed the release button. Arukenimon remembered all too well how she had received the trinket. Demon, after nearly incinerating her 'partner' Mummymon, had placed the remains of that digimon in a pokeball and given it to her as a reminder of his power. For a second, nothing happened. Then the ball opened, and a digimon emerged. It vaguely resembled Mummymon, but the ribbons that remained were tattered, and the digimon had an ornate head-dress on. "Mu...Mummymon?"
The digimon looked up, insane grin on its face. "Arukenimon...my sweet. Don't you recognise me? I've become stronger now..." The digimon stepped towards Arukenimon, arms outstretched.
"Well, I'll leave you two to get reacquainted." Metal Devidramon said casually. "I have an invasion to plan." With that, he stepped back onto the balcony, became Imperialdramon, and flew off, senses extended. He had troops to find, after all.
==Pallet Town
"Kari? Kari!" Kari slowly came to, hearing someone familiar calling her name. Eyes opening, she saw that it was Izzy, standing over her, clearly worried about her.
"Izzy...?" Kari started to get up, then winced as a small stab of pain went through her wrist. "What happened?"
"Mewtwo told us about Imperialdramon." Izzy said. "It was he that brought everyone here, to Professor Oak's place. Everyone else is here too, except for Davis and Melody." He looked up, smiling a bit as he heard June telling Kyle that he'd better bring her along next time, or else. "Salamon's right beside you." Kari looked down and saw the small rookie digimon. "All of the digimon that were at Primary Village are in bad shape."
"Where's everyone else?" Kari asked. Beside her, Salamon was curled up on the bed, resting.
"Kyle's in the other room, with June yelling at him, Caryl's doing the same with Ryo, Kyle Evanick's with Casey, making sure no one gets near her, TK's resting in the living room with Crystal watching him, and Seth and Stuart are in the kitchen, brooding with their digimon. Yolei left to go get Davis, and Ken's going after Cody. Everyone's digimon survived, but they're in no condition to handle a second attack like that."
"The kitchen?" Kari asked, trying to take all this in.
Tentomon, who had been checking on Salamon, looked up. "Wizardmon got turned back into Candlemon. When he woke up, he nearly set Professor Oak's study on fire. Tracey, he's Professor Oak's assistant, he's checking on Eevee outside."
"What about Baihumon?"
"He...took the brunt of the blast. If it wasn't for him, none of you would have...made it."
"Davis?" Kari looked around, wondering why Davis hadn't been there at Primary Village.
"He probably forgot his D-Terminal at school." Salamon groaned, staggering to her feet. "Typical, really."
==
Scizor and Mewtwo looked at Baihumon, now in his human form. "How is he?" the bug pokemon asked.
"I have used all my powers, but Baihumon's injuries are still severe. In time, he might recover. But I fear we do not have time. Imperialdramon may attack again. I have asked Yolei and Ken to go get Davis and Melody. None of the other DNA teams are able to fight right now."
"Yolei?" Scizor asked.
"She can be...quite persuasive." Mewtwo replied, with a faint trace of humour. He looked up. "Our time grows short indeed."
==
Over the ocean, near the Kanto coastline, there was a huge ripple in the air. Imperialdramon surged through the opening, a large silvery dome on his back. "I have come," he intoned, "to finish what I started. This world, and the Human world, will be torn apart by my hands! ATTACK!" As he said this, he landed, and the dome vanished, releasing scores of evil digimon of varying types and levels, all evil. "Find the one called Mewtwo and bring him to me! He is the only threat to me now. Destroy anything between you and your target!"
Next Episode
Digimon and Pokemon unite to battle Imperialdramon's invasion, while it falls to Komainumon to hold off Imperialdramon while Davis and Cody are found and brought back. Next time on Digimon: Digicross:
'Baihumon's Legacy 2: The Guardian's choice.'
Baihumon sped away from Primary Village, face dark with concern despite what he had said to Joe and Gomamon. The Destiny Stones were divided among the four guardians, their way of anchoring the Digital World and preventing it from being rewritten every few seconds.
And one of them was being attacked.
:Need a hand?: the telepathic voice of Azulongmon asked.
:No time: Baihumon replied. :And your power is still limited in the Digital World. Besides, I can handle Demon and his little pet.:
:Don't be so sure,: Azulongmon replied, worried, :Metal Devidramon's power is growing. And your power isn't that much greater. All the guardians have lost a lot of their strength.:
:It's handled.: Baihumon replied. :You keep an eye on your sector. There's no telling if those two might skip over if I'm detected.:
==
Digimon: Digicross Episode 32 -
'Baihumon's Legacy 1: Fall'
==
"Careful!" Demon snarled, watching Metal Devidramon absorb the power of the giant Destiny Stone. The diamond-shaped object had been uncovered easily enough, Demon clearing the small hill that hid it from view. Several of his minions were patrolling the surrounding area, watching for any intruders. He glanced uneasily at Metal Devidramon, barbed tail buried into the Destiny Stone, the digimon draining the power out of it. "Too fast and you might be detected."
"What of it?" Metal Devidramon asked. "The Guardians are no match for...us, 'Master'. You yourself said that their power had decreased since the battle against the four Dark Masters."
"Where there are Guardians, digidestined usually follow." Demon replied. "And once the attack on Primary Village is repelled, they will come here."
"Do you fear this stone?" Metal Devidramon asked.
Demon's eyes narrowed. "That stone anchors this part of the digital world down. Destroy it, and you could destroy everything for miles around, yourself included." Demon looked up. "The attack has begun. Hurry. I expect Lady Devimon will lose soon."
Metal Devidramon glanced at Demon. "Then send me. I can crush them all and take the stone there." Demon's glare was answer enough.
"Master!" a Gizamon yelled, running to the two. "A large white tiger approaches! It might be Baihumon!"
Demon nodded. "He's alone?" Gizamon nodded. "Good. He may not suspect Metal Devidramon's full power. I will deal with our visitor."
==
Baihumon tore through the grass, feeling oddly at peace. Heavens, he wondered. When was the last time I ran like this? He shook his head, remembering...
==
"I have you now!" Baihumon roared, extended claws reaching for the giant metal dinosaur. "I won't let you destroy the rest of the Digital World!" Nearby, Baihumon could sense the other guardians fighting the three other digimon that had attacked. They called themselves the Dark Masters, and were more powerful than anything he had ever seen.
Machinedramon's right arm swung up, but missed Baihumon, allowing the tiger digimon to tear into the Dark Master's side. One of the cannons on its back stopped humming, some sort of vile fluid leaking from a severed hose. "I'll tear your digicore apart for that!" Machinedramon snarled.
"And I'll slice you up like an onion." Baihumon replied, baring his teeth. He gasped as a dagger sank into his back, as Piedmon sailed by, dodging claw strikes from Zhuquiamon, the phoenix digimon of the south.
With a sick feeling, Baihumon realised that the battle was turning against the four guardians. Piedmon's attack had hit a critical area, and he could feel his strength leaving him. Piedmon had wrapped Zhuquiamon up in some sort of cloth net, while Metal Seadramon blasted Ebonwumon, the two-headed turtle of the north, into unconciousness. A part of Baihumon marvelled at the power that could even affect Ebonwumon though his almost indestructible shell.
The distraction was fatal. Machinedramon was able to get his working cannon into position, and Baihumon saw a bright flash of orange, then saw nothing for a long time.
==
Azulongmon, hovering in the skies above his destiny stone, looked east. He was tempted to telepathically call Baihumon again, when a sudden wrenching sickness hit him. "Primary Village? They wouldn't DARE!" Snarling, he charged forward, but stopped a second later as a black field of energy struck him. Looking down, he saw Arukenimon look up, wave at the guardian, and vanish, leaving a Control Spire behind. He focussed his powers, searching for someone to help. :Come. Come quickly!: Unknown to him, the other two guardians were facing similar troubles, and also trying to summon help from other digimon in the area.
Azulongmon, however, had a specific being in mind...
==
The firebolt jolted Baihumon out of his reverie. "You're slipping, cat." Demon taunted. "I can remember when you would have sensed my attack whole seconds before I even launched it."
"I am old, Demon, but I can still bite your head off. And what's with the robe? Liver spots?" Baihumon ran forward, power building up around his teeth and claws.
"These robes hide my true power. But I do not think I will need it to battle you. Chaos Flare!" Baihumon dodged the attack, firing a bolt of power from his mouth. Demon blocked that bolt, and hurled another fireball.
Baihumon dodged this, then jumped at Demon, claws extended. He crashed into Demon, and the two slammed into the ground. Baihumon tried to bite Demon's head off, but he couldn't get the evil digimon into position. Angered, Demon started growing, until he was double his normal size, and was able to fling Baihumon off. "Now to settle this, Baihumon."
==
Metal Devidramon listened to the battle, his own senses heightened enough to follow it in detail. Part of him screamed to join the battle. I can do this, he decided. All I have to do is...eh?
Squinting, Metal Devidramon suddenly picked out a small black object around his tail. "A...control ring? Demon expects to control me with THAT?" Angrily, he started to draw more power from the stone, but found he couldn't. The ring was somehow limiting the amount of power he could draw. "Clever." Metal Devidramon snarled. "But I am no mere digimon to be controlled!" Screaming with rage, he swung his claw down, but the ring repelled the attack.
==
"Your charge is...anxious, Demon." Baihumon taunted.
"He is easily controlled." Demon replied, as the two exchanged attacks. "I am no fool, Baihumon. Metal Devidramon is a tool, just like Lady Devimon, just like the Dark Masters, and just like you."
==The past
Baihumon's consciousness floated through the black nothingness he and the other guardians had been abolished to. They got glimpses of the Digital World, and wept at the damage wrought as the Dark Masters rampaged through the Digital World unchecked. Azulongmon almost gave up when Piedmon led the attack on the secret lab which held eight specially chosen digimon, after destroying the other lab, one of the crests there, and one of the digieggs. It was Gennai's brave actions that saved the project from total ruin.
Then Baihumon decided to stretch his senses in a different direction. After an indeterminate time, he picked out voices, sounds...Leaning closer, he saw...digimon? No, not digimon, but creatures like them! And humans with them, living in peace! Many of the humans there had similar qualities to the children they had selected. If this plan did not work, this new world might provide an alternate means of salvation.
Then, disaster. Devimon escaped through the hole Baihumon had opened. But, he was stopped by a human and a...'pokemon', these creatures were called.
The guardians all felt hope at this.
==Present
Azulongmon watched as the creature he teleported in worked. "Your powers have grown greatly."
"It was through Baihumon's tutelage that this is so." Mewtwo replied. He frowned as he launched another Hyper Beam, smashing another spire. "He has something planned for me, though I have not been able to divine what it is yet."
The giant digimon nodded. "Since our release, he has been acting strangely. When this is over, I'll have to ask him."
==
Metal Devidramon tried to calm his breathing. All his attempts to destroy the control ring had failed; it had not even been scratched, despite all the claw strikes and energy beams he had thrown at it.
He hated it, and hated Demon. He hated being controlled. And he knew only one answer, one he knew that Demon could not have possibly counted on. "I am a warrior." he growled. "All my life, I have fought. And no one, human or digimon, shall ever control me. RRRRAAARRRR!" screaming at the top of his lungs, he raised his arm, claws extended, and brought them down, severing his own tail just shy of the control ring. Driven by pain, he turned, and sunk his claws into the Destiny Stone, drawing the full power of the stone into himself.
Demon, distracted by Baihumon's attempt to bite his arm off, looked up. "What have you done?" He didn't notice it, but Baihumon's face went calm.
"I understand." Baihumon whispered, just as the world went white.
==Past
Baihumon desperately tried to find a way to get out. One of the digidestined had gone back to his homeworld, and the other children had scattered, easy prey for even the weakest of the Dark Masters' minions. The Pokemon world, he realised. I can call another trainer like Ryo and he can help. Eagerly, he ran forward, trying to force open a portal.
As he did, his mind reached out, and touched a small, fairylike pokemon. It looked up, confused by the alien presence trying to reach out to it. Instinctively, Celebi timeported. And nearly managed to take a part of Baihumon's mind with it.
As it was, Baihumon's exposure to Celebi's timetravel power nearly drove him insane. In a split second, he saw life, death, hope, loss, and love. He saw the Dark Masters defeated. And three worlds united to fight the author of this current nightmare. And he saw...
==Present, Primary Village.
Scizor landed. "It is today. Hey, is everyone-" the entire Digital World shook at that point, knocking everyone to their feet.
"What...Something's wrong!" Kari gasped.
"We feel it too!" Cyberdramon replied. In the distance, they could make out a bright point of light, glimmering on the horizon. It receded a few seconds later, but everyone at Primary Village knew something was wrong. Badly wrong. Seth was about to suggest they get Joe back here, having just left for the Pokemon World to have Gomamon healed.
"That was..." TK gasped, looking up. "What was that?" In the distance, he heard a great cry, a roar of something powerful. And evil.
"Kari, Yolei, get to cover!" Sylphimon said, motioning the two to one of the buildings that was still standing.
"Agnimon?" Caryl asked. Then, she gasped. "You're shaking?"
"Can't you feel it?" Agnimon replied. "Ryo, get Caryl out of here!" Caryl started to protest, but Ryo clamped a hand over her mouth and began dragging her away.
"You're not getting rid of us that easily!" Stuart said. "What's going on?"
"I AM!" a great voice proclaimed, sending tremors through the ground. Suddenly, a great black and gold monster appeared, serpentine head regarding the inhabitants of Primary Village coldly. "Behold your death."
Kari stepped back, terrified. "Who are you?"
"Imperialdramon..." Cyberdramon gasped, drawing on Wizardmon's knowledge. "But this can't be! He was a heroic digimon! All the legends-"
"The legends lie. This is the truth. I am Imperialdramon, your destroyer! MEGA DEATH!" Soaring up, The evil dragon fired a single sphere of dark energy.
"You will not succeed!" Baihumon roared, trying to block the attack with his own power bolt. The shot deflected, and shattered a mountain a short distance away. "I'll fight you to the last breath!"
"Very well." Imperialdramon said. "Positron...LASER!" A long bolt of energy stabbed out at Baihumon, who again blocked it. However, the force of the beam was slowly pushing Baihumon back towards the destiny stone in the centre of Primary Village.
"Everyone! Help him!" Kyle shouted. All of the digimon and pokemon there added their power to Baihumon's, trying to push Imperialdramon's own beam back.
"It's not enough!" Pyroangemon gasped, seeing the energy beam still advance. Abruptly, he flew up, and launched an attack at Imperialdramon. "Sacred Fire!" The flames covered the dragon, but had little effect. "Alright, let's try the direct approach! Atom Force!" he yelled, swooping down on Imperialdramon, sword fully charged with energy. He swung at the cannon, hoping to break the attack off. There was a sharp cracking noise, but it was Pyroangemon's sword that shattered!
"No..." Kyle gasped. He watched as the angel was struck by Imperialdramon's long tail, whipping up over his back, scorpion like, and sending Pyroangemon back, and leaving him open for an awkward claw swipe, this one ruining the angel's shield. A second swipe sent him to the ground, reverting to Eevee as he hit the ground. Kyle ran over, picked up the fallen pokemon, and ran back to where the other humans were.
"Not good." Stuart muttered, glaring at the giant dragon. "We'd better get the infant pokemon out of here."
"How?" Yolei asked. "I don't think that monster's going to let us go!"
"Hey, don't you have an Onix?" Ryo asked Kyle, who nodded. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Renamon vanish through a digiport, carrying Caryl. "Good. THe ground here's pretty stable, have Onix dig a tunnel through to just past the lake; the Infant digimon can hide there." Kyle nodded, and released Onix, ordering him to dig a tunnel and take the baby digimon to safety.
Kyle Evanick glanced at Absol and Pichu. "You two, go with them." Pichu started complaining, running over and latching onto Evanick's leg. "Pichu, go. Absol, drag him if you have to." Nodding, Absol padded over, picked up Pichu by its tail, and walked over to the tunnel that Onix was digging, ignoring the small sparks Pichu was releasing. Kyle and Ryo released the rest of their pokemon, sending them through the tunnel as well, both to make sure there was no collapse, and to help handle the terrified baby digimon.
There was a cry from the digimon still outside. Instinctively, the humans ran out, to see what was happening. Imperialdramon had, apparently, stopped his attack and was starting to pull back. "What's he doing?" Seth asked, confused.
"I...I don't know." Baihumon gasped, exhausted by the effort he had just given. "I think he...GET DOWN!"
==
Ken and Stingmon flew towards Primary Village. "I'm sorry Ken. I'm not too fast a flyer-"
"Forget it." Ken replied. "It's not like you could help what you digivolved into. But I can just make out...what is that?" Ken gasped at the sight of Imperialdramon, flying up and launching a giant sphere of energy at Primary Village. Stingmon stopped, stunned by the power Imperialdramon showed.
A split second before the bolt hit, Ken picked out a small white creature (Baihumon?), glowing white with energy, jump and intercept the blast.
==
Imperialdramon regarded the prone humans and digimon impassively. Not bad for one shot, he decided. He heard a faint buzzing noise, and saw Stingmon in the distance. "I'll finish with you in a second, bug." he taunted, then reared up, ready to finish off the village.
Azulongmon's head rammed into Imperialdramon, sending the dragon flying. "Not if I finish you first, monster!" the guardian roared, almost berserk with rage. A bolt of energy smacked into Imperialdramon from the other side. Mewtwo had appeared on the other side of the dragon, also glowing with stored energy. The pokemon said nothing, but looked ready to battle.
"Hmm. That overgrown cat was no challenge." Imperialdramon leered at Azulongmon, ignoring Mewtwo entirely.
"One guardian, perhaps." Mewtwo said quietly. "But what of three?" More cries of anger and rage. From the north, a giant two headed turtle stormed towards Primary Village, a ring of digicores surrounding the trees on its back. From the south, a giant red bird, with her own ring of digicores, flew gracefully towards Imperialdramon, licks of flame trailing behind her. "Can you defeat Azulongmon, Ebonwumon, and Zhuquiamon all at once?"
Imperialdramon looked at the three remaining guardians, leer turned to a frown. "You may have won this round, but you cannot be everywhere. We will meet again." Imperialdramon vanished. Mewtwo looked down at the humans and digimon in the ruined village.
"Get them to safety." Azulongmon said. "We will guard Primary Village."
==Dark Ocean.
Imperialdramon appeared over the palace, and landed on the large balcony, which creaked alarmingly under his weight. "So, you've returned." Demon said evenly. "Impressive, though not exactly what I had planned."
"I knew that the stone's power could be better used." Imperialdramon replied. "I have absorbed the full power of the stone, rather than just nibbling away at it. It seems your 'plans' were not aggressive enough."
"And yours were? I know that you still cannot face the remaining guardians, even with your vaunted might." As Demon spoke, Arukenimon and Sneasel crept forward, gasping at the new digimon before them. "Interesting, that you have taken the form of a legendary dragon digimon. And what will you do with your new power?"
"This." Imperialdramon replied, firing his Positron Laser at Demon. There was a bright flash, and, when Arukenimon could see again, there was no trace of Demon. Imperialdramon laughed, shimmered, and switched back to Metal Devidramon. "Now, what shall I do with you?"
"Stand still while I slice you open!" Sneasel yowled, becoming Lady Devimon and attacking. She got to within an inch of Metal Devidramon before getting flung away by his power.
"Pathetic. Now, for you." Metal Devidramon said, darting over to Arukenimon. His clawed hand reached out, and Arukenimon flinched, expecting an attack. Instead, she felt a hard tug and something metallic breaking. When she opened her eyes, she saw that Metal Devidramon was holding a small necklace with a sphere at one end. "A pokeball. Hmm, I wonder what's inside of it."
"No, DON'T!" Arukenimon half-screamed as Metal Devidramon's clawed hand pressed the release button. Arukenimon remembered all too well how she had received the trinket. Demon, after nearly incinerating her 'partner' Mummymon, had placed the remains of that digimon in a pokeball and given it to her as a reminder of his power. For a second, nothing happened. Then the ball opened, and a digimon emerged. It vaguely resembled Mummymon, but the ribbons that remained were tattered, and the digimon had an ornate head-dress on. "Mu...Mummymon?"
The digimon looked up, insane grin on its face. "Arukenimon...my sweet. Don't you recognise me? I've become stronger now..." The digimon stepped towards Arukenimon, arms outstretched.
"Well, I'll leave you two to get reacquainted." Metal Devidramon said casually. "I have an invasion to plan." With that, he stepped back onto the balcony, became Imperialdramon, and flew off, senses extended. He had troops to find, after all.
==Pallet Town
"Kari? Kari!" Kari slowly came to, hearing someone familiar calling her name. Eyes opening, she saw that it was Izzy, standing over her, clearly worried about her.
"Izzy...?" Kari started to get up, then winced as a small stab of pain went through her wrist. "What happened?"
"Mewtwo told us about Imperialdramon." Izzy said. "It was he that brought everyone here, to Professor Oak's place. Everyone else is here too, except for Davis and Melody." He looked up, smiling a bit as he heard June telling Kyle that he'd better bring her along next time, or else. "Salamon's right beside you." Kari looked down and saw the small rookie digimon. "All of the digimon that were at Primary Village are in bad shape."
"Where's everyone else?" Kari asked. Beside her, Salamon was curled up on the bed, resting.
"Kyle's in the other room, with June yelling at him, Caryl's doing the same with Ryo, Kyle Evanick's with Casey, making sure no one gets near her, TK's resting in the living room with Crystal watching him, and Seth and Stuart are in the kitchen, brooding with their digimon. Yolei left to go get Davis, and Ken's going after Cody. Everyone's digimon survived, but they're in no condition to handle a second attack like that."
"The kitchen?" Kari asked, trying to take all this in.
Tentomon, who had been checking on Salamon, looked up. "Wizardmon got turned back into Candlemon. When he woke up, he nearly set Professor Oak's study on fire. Tracey, he's Professor Oak's assistant, he's checking on Eevee outside."
"What about Baihumon?"
"He...took the brunt of the blast. If it wasn't for him, none of you would have...made it."
"Davis?" Kari looked around, wondering why Davis hadn't been there at Primary Village.
"He probably forgot his D-Terminal at school." Salamon groaned, staggering to her feet. "Typical, really."
==
Scizor and Mewtwo looked at Baihumon, now in his human form. "How is he?" the bug pokemon asked.
"I have used all my powers, but Baihumon's injuries are still severe. In time, he might recover. But I fear we do not have time. Imperialdramon may attack again. I have asked Yolei and Ken to go get Davis and Melody. None of the other DNA teams are able to fight right now."
"Yolei?" Scizor asked.
"She can be...quite persuasive." Mewtwo replied, with a faint trace of humour. He looked up. "Our time grows short indeed."
==
Over the ocean, near the Kanto coastline, there was a huge ripple in the air. Imperialdramon surged through the opening, a large silvery dome on his back. "I have come," he intoned, "to finish what I started. This world, and the Human world, will be torn apart by my hands! ATTACK!" As he said this, he landed, and the dome vanished, releasing scores of evil digimon of varying types and levels, all evil. "Find the one called Mewtwo and bring him to me! He is the only threat to me now. Destroy anything between you and your target!"
Next Episode
Digimon and Pokemon unite to battle Imperialdramon's invasion, while it falls to Komainumon to hold off Imperialdramon while Davis and Cody are found and brought back. Next time on Digimon: Digicross:
'Baihumon's Legacy 2: The Guardian's choice.'