The Remains Of Heaven
By Ryan Bodle
Chapter Thirteen: The March Of The Digital Army: Part Three
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon.
Matt collapsed to his knees. They had travelled long into the night and at speeds he was not used to. Physically exhausted he didn't attempt to make a bed for himself. He just wished to close his eyes and sleep, not to wake up for a long time.
"Come, sit up," Ark instructed. Matt protested with a weak wave of his hands. "You should eat before you rest. It will do you no good to wake in the middle of the night with no energy."
Matt was handed a bowl of steaming soup, filled with stock and vegetables. "How did you cook it so fast?" he asked. Meramon grinned from the other side of the small camp now set up. The bowl was steaming as Matt gave a quick blow, then he gingerly raised it to his lips. It wasn't as hot as he had first thought. With his famished stomach giving him good reason, he ravished the contents of the bowl. Ark laughed at him.
Matt caught his breath between his eating. "I meant to ask you something," he said distracted by his food. "Where'd you get that sword? And armour?"
Ark pulled at his rough shirt, looking at the elegant breastplate he wore beneath it. He hadn't thought anyone had seen it. "It was given to me, by my digivice." He explained. "I had thought that you would have received your own, given your encounter with the shadow creatures on your arrival."
Matt looked at his attire. It had changed to something similar to Ark's, his regular clothes had been dirtied and torn and he couldn't wear them any longer. He was now in brown pants that were similar to leather hide, though he had no idea where the material came from. He wore a cotton shirt, which was hidden by a brown cloak. It was nothing glamorous by all accounts but it was suitable.
"This is for you," Ark said revealing a scabbard. "Keep it by your side at all times." He handed Matt a sword in a plain sheath. A cord of rope was strung through it to keep it held to the bearer's waist. The blonde teenager drew the blade and it sang slightly as it was revealed. It glowed brightly in the fire but otherwise was as plain as his clothes.
"Thanks."
"Soon enough I will show you how to use it, but now you need rest."
Matt sheathed the sword and lay it down by him before laying down himself. Finding a comfortable position, he fell asleep almost immediately. He remembered hearing the rhythmic breathing of Gabumon close by as dreams took him.
The sun was dying beyond the horizon as Yolei sought out Kari and her digimon. She found Kari sitting solemnly on the bed she was given when she first arrived. As Yolei entered, Kari look up and gave her a brave smile.
"Hey." Yolei said hesitantly.
"Hey."
By now the older girl had sat down beside her. "Do you want to talk?"
"Its funny. I don't feel the way I imagined I would. Just numb, you know? Tai used to be so much for me. I hated him for it, but now he's not there, it just feels wrong. It all feels wrong."
"It isn't fair for him to be taken from you, I know."
"Its not just that. It feels like he shouldn't have died, that's why I'm not sad." Yolei fixed her with a curious look. "I feel like this whole Dark ocean thing should never have happened. We were supposed to stop it."
"How can you know that?"
"I don't know, its just a feeling."
"You know what? Now that you mention it, I have that feeling too." The two digidestined looked at each other sternly. Yolei finally broke the silence. "I have something to show you, come on."
She led Kari out in to the courtyard. Several torches were lit as lookouts were posted on the battlements. Yolei indicated to a standing target some twenty feet away from them and Kari was about to ask when the elder digidestined produced a crossbow. The design was basic yet well crafted.
"You need to be able to defend yourself, I can vouch that Gatomon will not be able to help you every second if we are going to battle. Take it."
Kari grasped the large handle and then held on to the under bar supporting the contraption. An arrow was already cocked and ready to fire. Yolei stepped behind her and lifted her arms for her.
"Make sure you have the stock fixed against your shoulder," She placed the curved end of the weapon against Kari's body which was shaped to fit the upper torso. "You'll take the kick back a lot easier. Now hold your other arm up and out very level."
Kari's other arm stuck out so her elbow was at a right angle and holding the weapon straight. She saw down the arrow at the target and neared her eyes to the sights to get a better aim.
"No, move your head back. The bow will buck right back in to your eye." Yolei moved her head back an inch. "Look down the sight and fix your target." Kari went for the dead centre. "Keep it steady." The arrow swayed over the target but once Kari's hand steadied, her finger went for the trigger. "Fire."
A jolt rippled through Kari as the pressure from the bow firing kicked back against her. She pushed the weapon up as the arrow ended up on the outskirts of the target.
"Quite a punch isn't it?" Yolei asked.
"Only quite?" Kari asked surprised. Yolei laughed.
"Lets try again, here's how you cock the bow and reload."
"We should probably equip you for going out tomorrow," Izzy opened a large, thick door in the inner sanctums of the fortress. He ushered Joe inside. The large hall had been converted into and armoury. Even the throne at the other end had been utilised for holding leather plates. Joe wandered down the aisle in front of him, amazed by the craftsmanship of the weapons and armour about him.
There was the sound of clattering somewhere the other side of the room. "Izzy?"
"Yeah? I think I found the perfect armour for you, come over here!"
Joe backtracked and headed over several aisles till her found Izzy held up an old rusty looking breast plate with a lop sided smile. "It may not look much, buts it's as sturdy as they come and hasn't broken yet. I think it suits you."
Joe grinned back, "What do you mean it doesn't look all that?"
"I didn't mean it like that, try it on." Joe slipped the armour on over his clothes. It fitted perfectly as Izzy clamped it on for him. "How do I look?"
"Like a man in rusty armour."
"Thanks, I suppose I'll get a valiant steed to ride on and a lance next?"
"Not quite," Izzy produced a broad shield and matching sword in a plain scabbard. "You'll probably need these."
"You're kidding right? I'll never be able to hold those two at the same time, they're huge."
"Well, I don't expect you'll be able to hold any sword and shield at the same time, at least not any useful ones. I suggest you use the shield with both hands, and if you feel the need to fight," Izzy demonstrated holding the shield then slinging it over his back. The shield was the size of his body. "Wear it like so and draw your sword."
The shield was passed to Joe who took the chance to hold horizontally and look at the simple design. It was painted black and had a silver cross over its coat of arms shape. Izzy laid the sword over it.
"We just need to show you how to use it now."
"And I suppose you're the guy to do that?" Izzy played his fingers over the hilt of a sword by his side.
"I won't deny that Cody could wipe the floor with me in a head on fight," the genius digi-destined answered drawing the blade, it sang with eagerness at being freed after all the time it spent hidden from the world. "But I must say," he made a tactful display of sword handling. "I'm somewhat of an expert in the field myself."
Joe gave the man a lop-sided grin. The last few hours had been strange if not disheartening, he didn't how soon he'd last taking in so many changes. That was until he reminded himself he shouldn't be thinking about that future, if a future at all right now. He had to be there for people in the present. He could Kari on the verge of cracking and saw equally how much of a null effect Yolei's friendship was having, if not a more negative one. He wondered what it would take to make everything normal again and how much he would have to do to get there. He broke his train of thought.
"OK," he agreed, holding his new weapon loosely. "What do I have to do?"
"Hold the damn thing the right way first."
The Sun peeked over the horizon and shone upon the blackened hide of the castle. Few eyes were there to watch it, but those few were mesmerised by its glory. Even in times so dark, the digital world could seem so beautiful. It brightened spirits of the waking digimon, knowing fate was ahead of them that day. Fear of destruction was only rivalled by the promise of salvation from the shadow invaders to the inhabitants of the world. Each digimon throughout the Tower felt their stomachs light and unable to eat that morning. A far more daunting task was at hand.
There was a rap on the door, which caused Kari to wake with a scare. "Kari? Its time to go!" Yolei could be heard the other side.
"I'll be there in a minute," she answered groggily.
"OK, we'll be waiting for you in the courtyard, by the podium."
Kari looked at the bottom of her bed, Gatomon was curled up and purring comfortably. She looked up to the bright sun outside. There was a twist in her gut, she had never felt more nervous. What she wouldn't give for some bull-headed but beyond a doubt courageous moron to make her feel better right now.
'Don't even think about it.' She cursed herself. She needed to be strong right now. Everybody needed her to be strong. She couldn't cause everyone to wait for her. They might get hurt because of it. She would carry on and she would do her best. Make them proud.
"Gatomon," she whispered gently as she petted the cat digimon. Her partner replied with an alluring purr. "Gatomon, time to get up."
"We should be on them soon," Cody called behind them. "We must be a kilometre from them at most." He carried on lunging uphill in huge strides. Following not far behind, Matt was doing his best to keep up. His long legs were doing every favour they could for him but he still only managed to lag behind. Meramon and Leomon were already over this hill and scouting ahead.
Matt managed one last step over the peak and looked on towards the plain in front of him. Cody, who still preferred to be called Ark at this point held a seeing glass up. He spoke up with some excitement in his voice.
"I see them! They are travelling this way."
"Good," Matt answered with relief. They were OK.
"Wait, there are only two," Ark continued. "I think Davis is missing, Veemon too."
Matt drew a heavy breath and sighed. "We have to find him, we'll take them with us, ok?"
"Of course," Ark looked down at Matt and smiled.
Leomon came into view running and with a grim look. "Shadow creatures are hunting them. Myself and Meramon ran into an alpha sect."
"Alpha sect?" Matt asked.
"A scout group," Ark answered. "How many?"
"Just eight, we dispatched them easily, but the company were not far away and traced our scent, we retreated to bring you this message."
"There must be a large number to deter you, Leomon."
Leomon shook his head and looked graver at his general. "The are a Shadow Lord companion tribe."
"Curse it!" Ark answered. Meramon approached. "What companion do they serve?"
"It is one that travels through the Earth I fear, perhaps the Worm," Meramon answered, his voice cackling with flame.
"Then they may already know of our presence." A blinding light distracted them and they looked to the plains. Patomon had digivolved. "We make haste, engage the enemy and secure the digidestined before the companion arrives!"
Leomon and Meramon bounded off down the hillsides at great speeds, leaving the two digidestined behind. Matt started after them. "Wait!"
"There's no time!"
"We will need Gabumon's help." Matt didn't need telling twice as he went for his digivice.
Gabumon digivolve to........GARURUMON!
The wolf digimon came to be and growled with the anticipation of battle. Matt mounted the digimon and offered a hand to Ark, who climbed upon him also.
"OK, Garurumon! Lets get T.K back!"
"Don't these guys ever give up?" T.K asked in frustration as he watched Angemon send another creature into oblivion.
"Apparently not, Matt should be here by now, where is he?"
"Fist Of The Beast King!" A roaring wave of energy ripped through the attackers. The ferocity making them falter.
"On his way it seems. Here's the advance party!" Stingmon answered.
"We will cover your retreat!" Leomon instructed as her drew his sword. "Make for the hills, something far more powerful is coming."
"What like that huge thing that came out of the ground and got Davis?"
"Exactly that thing!" Meramon cackled. "You must go!" The fire demon digimon's mere touch burned the bodies of the shadows.
Ken and T.K needed no second telling, they ran for cover as the digimon continued to stop the shadows advancing. T.K's mouth curled into a smile as he saw Garurumon approach at lightening pace, Matt ridding with what looked like a sword held high in one hand.
"T.K! Look Out!" Matt screamed.
The blonde haired boy stopped and looked over his shoulder. On creature had slipped through the digimon and was poised to rip through T.K's back. He raised his arms up in defence for all the good it would do as the sharp claws of the thing swiped at him, cutting through his shirt and drawing blood from his skin. T.K winced and fell back, his arms held up higher and tighter around his head as thing shadow being set in for the kill. He felt more tears around his midsection and screamed out in pain, his guard dropping.
There was an almighty roar and suddenly it stopped, his vision behind his eyelids went black and all that was left was a dull stinging sensation. He swallowed his fright. If he could feel, he was still alive. His vision changed to light again and he dared peek through his eyelids. The sun blinded him and he looked away.
In front of him laid the dissipating body of the creature attacking him. Head cut clean from its body. A quivering sword was the next thing he saw and then Matt holding the weapon, looking at him with concern.
"Does it hurt?" Matt asked in a panic. "Did they get you?"
"Obviously," T.K answered dryly. "But not badly, thanks to you."
"I mean did it infect you?" He asked.
"Infect? What do you mean?"
"They do something when they scratch you, it changes you somehow," Matt looked T.K over who was completely confused by his brother's concern. "Never mind, looks like you really got lucky."
"Who is that guy you were with?" Ken asked looking to a battle growing fiercer. Gararumon had charged into the shadow's ranks. Ark was now in combat, waging his sword furiously.
Matt was about to answer bluntly, his voice seemed to have got stuck in his throat. Perhaps it was best if Ark told them the truth. "His name's Ark, and he helped me find you guys," he answered. "Come on, we need to get out of here."
"What about the fight?"
"Trust me, they can handle themselves."
There was a sudden jolt from the ground. Everyone and everything stood still. The shadow retreated in anticipation of what was soon to happen. The digimon and digidestined shared a nervous glance as the earthly surface began to crack. The centre of it all was around Ark, Leomon and Meramon.
"Break!" Ark shouted as he made a dive. The ground opened with a mighty roar as a black worm creature burst out.
"What is that thing anyway?" T.K asked.
"Bad news!" Matt answered, "We have to make a run for it."
"The hell we do, we can't leave them to fight that."
"You think fighting that is a part of their plan?"
"What is that thing anyway?" Ken interrupted. Ark got to his feet, now among the group.
"It is a companion of the shadow lord. A strong being a kin to the Dark One, its Lieutenant. They are stronger than any shadow save for the Lord himself, made by darkness and evil, their armour is almost impossible to break."
"I'd like to test that!" T.K shouted back. "That thing took Davis, Angemon!" The Angel digimon looked at his partner. "Time to take things up a notch!"
Angemon digivolve to........MAGNA-ANGEMON!
In a heartbeat, the ultimate level angel was now in front of the Shadow Lord companion. It stopped its rage and regarded its foe. It cackled and spat, as it seemed to stare right into Magna-Angemon's eyes. The angel digimon stared right back.
Ark stood in awe of what he had just seen. "No digimon has ever been able to exceed a champion level since the shadow came."
Suddenly the two charged each other, a thunder crash sounded as they collided, a storm of dust built. When the dust cleared, the two were locked in combat. Magna-Angemon held the head of the best in both hands, crushing it, whilst likewise; the body of the beast was wrapped around him, trying to squeeze the life from him.
"Angemon!"
"I'm fine T.K!" The ultimate urged, stopping T.K from rushing forward.
Magna-Angemon's vice like grip tightened even more, almost crushing the monster. The pain caused its grip to lessen and Angemon took to the skies, taking the beast with him. When reaching the height of a mountain, Magna-Angemon whipped his arms round and hurled the creature back towards the ground. The resulting collision was near catastrophic. More earth and dust was kicked up and with a piercing scream and an earthquake, the beast was gone. It had burrowed back into the depths of the earth.
Everyone stood in silence, daring not to move and stared at the crater the creature disappeared from. There was a chorus of screams. The shadow creatures fled in fear, their leader had been defeated.
Magna-Angemon lowered to the ground lightly and a golden silhouette formed around him as he shrunk back to Patamon. "Phew!" The small digimon gasped. "I wouldn't want to do that twice in one day."
"Lets hope you don't have to," T.K answered as Patamon rested on his hat and near fell asleep straight away.
"It was fortunate you were here with us Takeru," Ark said placing a hand on his shoulder. "I feel we'll need Magna-Angemon again soon."
"Who are you anyway?" T.K asked him staring at the older face he somehow knew but couldn't quite name.
"Cody?" Ken stammered. "Is that you?"
Ark gravely nodded and looked away from T.K and to Ken. "I have much to tell you, but we must keep moving. Where did this being first attack you? We need to find Davis."
"Where we landed in the digital world," Ken explained. "A short distance that way."
"Lets move and move quickly, we don't have much time."
The group quickly departed to find Davis, Ark recounted his story one more time for the benefit of Ken and T.K.
The rhythmic beat trembled for miles as feet in perfect synchronisation marched forwards through the large black gates of the fortress. Some two thousand digimon left the confines of the walls and walked without fear into the open world that was no longer theirs and had not been for a great deal of time. But with each step there was a growing hope that it would be reclaimed.
Units of Gatsumon stomped their heavy rock legs, armed with broadswords, their own bodies were the only shielding they would need. They were followed by Gazimon with swords and shields slung on their back, they carried crossbows over one shoulder. Champion digimon heralded as unit leaders, showed them the way. Ogremon with his club marched eagerly and proud with his unit of mismatched digimon, rookies and lesser champions under his command. Pegasusmon led a flying division whom remained grounded until needed.
Following the regular ranks of this army were the heavy support of Tankmon. Twelve were combat ready, their dominant chant echoing right across the army and despite its tone, enriched their allies.
Bringing up the rear, the digidestined marched. Yolei was dressed in battle gear she thought she would never wear again. Plain white pants shivered as the wind brushed them, above that she wore a brilliant white breastplate that seemed to be designed for her figure, now fully developed. A cloth hair tie kept her hair from her face as it flew magnificently in the wind behind her. A rapier was sheathed and by her side, and she wielded a spear in her right hand.
Izzy came in attire similar to that of Cody's. It was suited to him and he bore colours of bronze and chrome. A sword hung over his back with a shield on top of that.
Compared to these two, Joe and Kari really did look like children. They tried to remain focused on what was a head. Joe couldn't help look at those and think. The armour, the weapons, the stern looks on their face. The whole picture made them look like well-seasoned warriors. It was almost encouraging if it weren't for the fact he knew what life they would have had to be as experienced as they are. He wondered if that's what fate had for him as well. His thought was broken by the slamming sound of the fortress gates behind him, his stomach tried to come out through his throat. He wouldn't let it.
"I guess this is it," Gomamon said from his shoulder, where he was perched.
"This is it," Joe confirmed. "Ready to save the digital world one more time?"
"You bet!"
"Kari?"
The sudden mention of her name ripped her from her own little of thought and she looked to Joe with a fake smile. "As always."
A horn sounded ahead of them and Yolei looked over the ranks with concern. Izzy immediately pulled out his laptop. The thing was now ancient and modified so may times, it barely resembled its original form.
"Looks like our scout reports were right. Shadow tribes have been congregating together and have amassed in our path, we'll have to break through them."
"Sounds tough," Joe probed.
"Not necessarily, it's a small army by comparison, it just slows us down. Looks like a party has been sent to flank us from the forest. Shall I send a unit to meet them?"
Yolei considered the idea. "No, I'll take care of it."
"Are you sure?" Yolei nodded.
"Don't worry, I'll take my guard with me." She whistled just ahead of her and a small force of digimon appeared very quickly, looking to Yolei expectantly.
"A small force of shadow are attempting to out flank us whilst the army forms ahead of us," she briefed. The digimon nodded. They were five in all, a fairy type, a light coloured fox, two odd looking imp digimon similarly coloured in whites and blues and a white bird like digimon. None of them Kari recognised. "We will take Hikari with us, be prudent in ensuring her safety." They again nodded and departed for the forest to the east.
"Wait! I'm going?" Kari burst out. Yolei grinned at her mischievously and grabbed her wrist.
"Come on!" With that the two girls were off.
Joe watched them disappear into the trees. "I take back anything I thought about you guys all grown up. Yolei hasn't really changed at all."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter, please leave a review and let me know!