Scizor glanced at his former trainer. "Well, back to Shogun Geckomon's village. Never did settle that challenge Ninjamon issued. Then...well, Mewtwo said he could use some help settling into his new role, so I'll hook up with him. Someone has to show those other guardians how to fight."
Kyle laughed. "Can't think of anyone better." His face fell a bit. "I'll miss you."
"None of that now, I'll be around. Look, it's like you said before; I'm too powerful for a regular pokemon match now. I'm fighting Ultimate digimon. And..." Scizor sighed. "I hate this mystical sense garbage. But it feels right.
"Anyway, I'm not leaving right now. I'll stick around for a while until we get everything sorted out. How's Kari?"
"Better now." Kyle shuddered a bit, thinking of Kari's recount of her encounter with Josh's psychotic father. "She and Izzy went on a date, and Tai is, of course, following them."
The pokemon snickered at the image. "Listen, even after I'm gone...you need me, just call. I'll be there. And we both know that that little rodent Eevee's useless in a fight."
Eevee looked up from his nap. "Ah, go swat yourself, bug-boy." To Kyle: "Hey, weren't you getting together with June today?"
"Tomorrow," Kyle answered. "June said she had to go meet Yolei today."
Eevee's head slowly dipped back down. "Ah. Ken."
-
Digicross TV series 'Endgame 1: Empress'
--
-Dark Ocean
Demon looked at Arukenimon, curious about the unusual transformation she had undergone during the incident with Murmuxmon. The black-clad spider-woman had not spoken since her return, and had, instead, shimmered in and out of the small cube she was in. "Fascinating."
"Master?" Lady Devimon inquired.
"Arukenimon's ability to travel between the dimensions has been changed. Supercharged, if you will. She no longer exists solely on one plane, but is slowly shifting between all three. This...has possibilities."
-Real World
Yolei looked out over the river, resisting the urge to sigh. Beside her, Ken sat, looking about as nervous as she felt. For once, Yolei couldn't think of what to say. She really didn't want to blow this. She almost wished that Hawkmon had tagged along. "So..."
Ken looked up expectantly. He knew this wouldn't work...
"Hey," June said suddenly, seeming to appear between the two. Both Yolei and Ken jumped, then recovered.
Yolei looked at June a bit enviously. She'd been almost perpetually happy since Kyle had proposed to her. Well, why sugar coat it, she thought to herself. I'm jealous. Why can't I have Ken throwing himself at me? "So, June, what brings you here?"
"Oh, nothing. Hey, want to go to a movie?"
"Well..." Yolei stammered. "I mean, if you and Kyle are on a date," not that we are, Yolei thought.
"No, it's just me and you two. Come on, I know the perfect one for you two."
"Huh," Ken asked.
"We don't need a chaperone," Yolei insisted.
"Nope. But you do need a...romantic motivator."
I'm going to kill her, Yolei thought to herself as June led her and Ken down the road.
-Pokemon World
Kari and Izzy stepped out of the Johannesen household, Josh following them. "Listen, just-"
"Josh," Kari sighed. "If you thank us again, I'm going to have to ask Tentomon to shoot you."
Josh's partner Agumon blinked. "Izzy? I thought Tentomon was your digimon partner."
Izzy shook his head. "I've been reduced to borrowing him from Kari. Sad, really, he used to be such a loyal digimon too." Beside him, Tentomonpointedly said nothing, while Kari wastrying not to giggle too loudly. "So, what will you do now?"
Josh sighed, temporary supply of good humour running out. "I don't know. We're all just settling in," he didn't add that he, and his mother, had both done a lot of screaming those first few days as the enormity of the move had started to sink in. "Kristen wants to go out and try her hand at pokemon training, so does Jacob...Me, I'm just tired. Tired and a bit empty, you know?"
Kari nodded. "Yeah, a little. And like I said before, if you need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Yeah."
-Dark Ocean
"Arukenimon," Demon said to the black-clad digimon. "It is time. Go now and capture the one I have spoken of."
Back in her original pokemon form, Sneasel listened intently as Demon gave Arukenimon her orders. Why them, she wondered. One made sense, but the other one.
Why June, she wondered.
-Real World
June led Yolei and Ken out of the theatre. Despite herself, Yolei had enjoyed the movie, as had Ken. Remarkably, Yolei thought to herself, June hadn't said a lot, sitting a few seats away while 'arranging' for Ken and Yolei to be seated together. "So?"
Yolei sighed. "Alright, I had fun."
"S...so did I." Ken added. "Thanks."
"Well, that's good then. So, double date on Saturday?" June tried not to laugh as Ken and Yolei both face-faulted. "Come on, we can't lose the momentum now, can we?"
"But...I have a test on Monday," Ken protested.
"What, a test is more important than me," Yolei demanded, blushing a second later.
"No, not at all," Ken replied automatically. "You're not helping, you know." Ken added a glare at June for effect. June was too busy laughing to notice it.
The three walked on, Yolei (eventually) forgiving June and starting up some pointless chatter; even Ken got involved. Which was good. Kari had confided to June (and had put her up to this whole stunt) that those two were taking far too long to go out on an actual date and do something aside from sit beside each other and look embarrassed. Sora (Who was out with Tai today) agreed, and seconded Kari's plan to have June intervene in the stalled romance. "Hey, June?"
June glanced at Yolei. "Yeah?"
"After all this is over...I mean, once we beat Demon and save the Digital World, what will you do? Aside from marrying Kyle?"
June smiled a bit. "Well...Originally, I was going to study psychology, but I read a book and it's so..."
"Boring," Ken suggested. "I...I saw a few psychologists once. I wasn't impressed." Yolei gave Ken's hand a slight squeeze.
"Yeah." June said after a minute. "But, well...I'm going to become a Gym Leader."
Ken and Yolei stopped. "You...you're...a GYM LEADER?" Yolei boggled.
June laughed. "Not now, silly. I need to finish school, move to Stone Town, get a trainer's license, become the greatest pokemon trainer ever, marry Kyle..."
"So, you're going to move to Kyle's world, then," Ken asked.
"Yeah. I mean, it's beautiful there. The air's clean, and kids can walk around the countryside without having to worry about some maniac grabbing them." June sighed. "It'd be a nice place to raise a family." Yolei stammered a reply. "What about you?"
"Hm? Oh, I'm going to start my own business." Yolei got a bit of her confidence back. "I am a genius with computers after all, and I should share my gift with the world."
"Weird," Ken said. "I had the same dream."
"Oh. Well...Alright, we'll go into business together," Yolei stated confidently. Then, her nerves slipped. "I mean, if you want to."
Caught off guard, Ken's reply was a bit more forceful than he'd intended. "Yes!"
Yolei was about to ask about Ken's tone when the digimon appeared. She had about a second to get irritated at Hawkmon and the other digimon for following her, then thanked heaven as the evil digimon appeared and started wrecking everything.
-Pokemon World
Kyle looked up. He stood, not saying anything.
Scizor stopped, mid-comment, and also stood. He caught Kyle's expression and, in perfect time with his former trainer, took off for the nearest Digiport.
Izzy had come close to tearing his hair out about this in the past; Everyone knew that DNA partners had some sort of link; however, the link between Kyle and June could, on occasion, reach levels that Mimi had once called 'creepy.'
-Real World
Aquilamon roared, launching another set of blast rings at Metal Devidramon, while Stingmon and Leomon double teamed Lady Devimon.
It was going well until Demon himself showed up...
-15 minutes later
All the nearby portals had been blocked off. Even so, Kyle and Davis had made it first. No one was surprised by that; after all, June was involved.
The two looked around at the devastation, both silent. Minutes later, the other digidestined started to arrive. "What happened," TK whispered, awe-struck.
The road had been torn apart, little more than fragments of asphalt left. The shops and stores surrounding the road were all ruined; there were a few ominous creaks and some crashes as support columns, damaged beyond repair, finally gave out.
Growlithe and Gabumon were sniffing around the wreckage. "Three digimon," Growlithe said. "Metal Devidramon, Lady Devimon, and..." The pokemon trailed off as recognition hit him.
Gabumon answered. "Demon."
"But I thought Demon couldn't leave the Dark Ocean," Cody gasped.
"He can, for short periods of time," Izzy answered. Beside him, Kari shivered, remembering her encounter with Demon.
TK stepped forward. "Was..." He couldn't continue.
"He has her," Kyle growled, making TK start at the pure rage in his voice.
"And we're getting her back," Davis echoed, matching Kyle's tone.
"Ken and Yolei were here too," Growlithe called.
There were no jokes. "Then we'd better get going." Kyle took out his D-3 and started searching for the nearest terminal.
-Dark Ocean
Demon glanced at the three humans and three digimon. "Ah, Ken Ichijouji. And you brought friends, how delightful. Now, whatever should I do with you?"
"Let them go," Ken snarled. "It's this thing in me you want, isn't it?"
"Yes. And no."
-Primary Village
"ANOTHER portal to the Dark Ocean?" Gennai stared at the assembled digidestined. Specifically, the entire Japanese contingent, plus Kyle, and less Ken, Yolei, and June.
TK interrupted Davis before he could say something they'd all regret. "They just came and took them. Lady Devimon, Metal Devidramon, and Demon himself."
"We know," Gennai said, voice suddenly deepening. Abruptly, he vanished, and the sky above Primary Village lit up.
Azulongmon came down, snakelike body coiling up into the sky. He regarded the digidestined quietly for a moment, then spoke. "We sensed Demon's passage through the digital barriers separating the Dark Ocean from the Digital World."
Kari looked at the dragon. "By we, you mean the other guardians as well."
"Yes. What he did was unprecedented. Normally, when Demon leaves the Dark Ocean, his power is reduced drastically. Which is why he went to such lengths to recruit Sneasel and Larvitar, as well as Arukenimon. All three of them have the ability to traverse the barriers between the dimensions with no loss of power. Now, however, something has changed."
"Arukenimon," Kari said. "She changed during that fight we had when we were rescuing Josh."
"Yes. Her power has grown. In a way, she is now a walking, sentient Digiport now."
Even through Kyle's emotional state, that got through. "You mean, Demon could use her to show up anywhere?"
With a faint shimmer of air, Mewtwo appeared in the midst of the digidestined. "Yes. I sensed that the process of her transformation has destroyed her mind. She must be stopped before her actions destroy the barriers between the worlds."
"Let me guess," Tai sighed, "that's bad."
"The multiple realities would all coalesce and reduce each other to nothingness. So yes, that would be bad, as you put it," Mewtwo replied evenly.
-Dark Ocean
Davis and Kyle were through first, ExVeemon, Pyroangemon, and Arcanine at the ready. "They probably know we're here," Exveemon grunted.
"Good. It'll save introductions." Arcanine smiled grimly as the other digidestined appeared, all with champion level digimon. "Plan?"
"Save June, Ken, and Yolei," Kyle answered.
"And Demon's troops," Gatomon asked.
"Bury them," Davis replied. "Let's go. You ready?"
Kyle nodded. "Yeah. Just had to get a few things from home."
-Demon's Castle
"Ah, we have guests. Metal Devidramon, Lady Devimon, please, show them our first surprise. And don't forget our special...equipment." Metal Devidramon nodded, taking two large black crystals with him.
After the two had left, Demon turned to look at the third figure, staring defiantly back at him. "And you, young lady...I have special plans for you."
"Let me go!" June shouted. She glanced at Elecmon, unconscious beside her.
"Oh, I will. Eventually." Demon grinned under his hood as his hand reached out, holding a small black sphere. "Your fiancée refused this gift of mine. Perhaps you'll be more receptive."
-Dark Ocean
His friends were captured, and Demon was probably trying to turn Ken back into the Digimon Emperor. Despite this (mistaken) assumption, Tai felt a rush of excitement. He'd missed doing this!
"Careful," Matt whispered. "We're not the strong ones anymore." He watched, a bit envious, as his little brother and Cody's digimon DNA digivolved to Shakouomon. "Omnimon would be handy right now."
"The Guardians are still recovering from the last battles, and from the effort of restoring the digital world," Gabumon explained. "They didn't have the power to spare, this time."
"Well," Agumon cut in, "Sora and Phoenixmon can always come to our rescue. If Tai doesn't mind too much."
Tai glanced at Sora, blushing slightly as she overheard Agumon's comment. "You know, Agumon, I wouldn't mind that at all." Coming to a decision, he strode over to his girlfriend. "Sora?"
"Tai, please, I don't want-"
"No, listen. Just promise me, if something goes wrong-"
"Tai, stop-"
"Sora," Tai hissed, stopping her. "Just promise me that you'll get Davis and Kyle out of there, alright?" At her confused look, she went on. "We both know that I won't be the one to sail in and be the hero this time, it'll be them. And...this doesn't feel right, y'know?"
Reluctantly, Sora nodded. "Yeah, I know. Especially Kyle. But what about you?"
"I'll be fine," Tai promised. "You know me."
"Yeah, that's why I'm worried." Tai laughed a bit at Sora's joke, hugged her, and headed back over to Matt, who was making gagging motions.
-10 minutes later
The first wave was mostly champion and the odd ultimate level digimon, all of them control spire created. The digidestined had not wasted any time, digivolving their partners to the champion level as soon as the fight started. As expected, Davis and Kyle showed the most ferocity, shards of black stone flying as Arcanine and ExVeemon tore through the Dark Ocean ranks.
Somewhat impressed, Lady Devimon watched the spectacle. "Well, shall we present Demon's surprise?"
"A moment, Lady Devimon." Metal Devidramon, incredibly, hesitated before charging into battle. "He will betray us, you know. I do not know what Demon has planned, but I do know that he will sacrifice us if he needs to."
The dark angel grinned. "Another rebellion, Metal Devidramon? Don't bore me." She flew down.
Metal Devidramon shook his head. "Arrogant fool." He had overheard a bit of Demon's plans, the dark overlord taunting him during his punishment. He knew now why Demon had wanted a digidestined on his side. Taking over the digital world was just a cover. Demon's true goal...
Demon wanted it all.
-
"Now what," Joe wondered, watching as Lady Devimon and Metal Devidramon, both carrying something, flew towards the battle. "With our luck, it's a bomb."
"Nahh," Ikkakumon grunted as he speared another Tyrannomon. "That'd be too simple. It's probably another giant digimon that's even stronger than Imperialdramon was."
"I thought I was supposed to be the pessimist," Joe shot back, then returned to watching. The two evil digimon landed, and were planting something in the ground. "If those are control spires, we'd better pull Tai and the others back." he warned.
"No," Gatomon said, trying to make out what was going on behind the lines. "It doesn't feel like a control spire." Abruptly, the attacking digimon pulled back. "Now what?"
Lady Devimon finished placing the two objects on the field, then stepped back. Above her, Metal Devidramon roared, and released some of his power into the objects. They started to grow, re-forming into control spires.
"Weird, I don't feel any weaker," Ikkakumon said, "In fact, I...no!"
"What," Joe asked, glancing at the spires. Then he saw it too. Shock spread among the ranks of the digidestined as they saw what was partially embedded in the spires.
Ken and Yolei.
Two digimon were standing by the spires. Slowly, Hawkmon and Wormmon advanced, ignoring the calls from their friends. Then they glowed and digivolved. Behind them, Lady Devimon cackled madly, revelling in the horror the digidestined were showing. "Now, attack Chaos Stingmon and Chaos Aquilamon!" The two mind controlled digimon surged ahead, aiming for Kyle and Davis.
Greymon and Ikkakumon intercepted the attack. "Go get June!" Tai roared. "We'll take care of Ken and Yolei!"
"But-" Davis protested.
"GO," Matt shouted. "Sora, you too!"
"Matt?"
"They're using Ken and Yolei as shields to guard the spires. If you cut loose with Phoenixmon..." Sora nodded. "Relax. This calls for precision. Which Mimi and I have covered." Mimi, a short distance away, waved. "Now get going!"
Sora nodded again. "Right."
-
The blind run to Demon's fortress was, compared to the mass battle the other digidestined were facing, fairly simple; Arcanine and ExVeemon tore through anything that came up. Sora, riding Birdramon, started to wonder if this wasn't a trap. She gasped as Arcanine tore -through- a charging Mammothmon, Kyle holding onto the giant pokemon's mane like an obsessed knight charging into battle. Davis and his partner were the same, demolishing a Knightmon that got in their way. It all went too fast for Sora to keep up with.
Another Devimon, two Ebidramon, a wall, and the three were inside the fortress. "June? JUNE!" Kyle looked around, yelling.
Davis checked his D-3. "She's nearby; right ahead of us!" He and ExVeemon took off. Sora started to call a warning when the door exploded and Demon stepped out. "All this fuss? Why, I have guests! And me without a proper welcome."
"Where's my sister," Davis growled.
"Give her back, and we'll make it quick." Arcanine emphasised his threat up with a lick of flames from his mouth.
"Oh? No, return her or else," Demon mocked.
Kyle answered. "'Else' implies a choice. Where-" He got as far as 'Wh' before the ground exploded as a lion's head shaped energy blast struck the ground in front of Arcanine, throwing Kyle off the pokemon's back.
"I suppose I cannot refuse such a dire threat. Please, here is your beloved June back. And I'll throw in her digimon as a...bonus."
Leomon stepped forward, dark yellow fur replaced by gray and black. His eyes were white, and black energy crackled around his fist. At his back was a long, wicked looking naginata, hung diagonally, blade over his left shoulder.
Beside him was June, Kyle's one true love and Davis' sister. Clad in a variant on Ken's Digimon Emperor outfit. Her eyes were obscured by the indigo goggles, the cruel set of her mouth the only clue to her intentions.
Demon stepped aside, letting the two advance on the digidestined. "Please, play among yourselves."
Next Episode.
-The Digital World falls
-Kyle makes the hardest decision he has ever had to make
Digimon Digicross -'Guardian Ascendant'