My eternal gratitude to those who not only read and review, but continue to engage in such thought-provoking questions and commentary on this story! Believe me, nobody wishes more than I do that I had a better upload schedule. But this was one of the most challenging chapters I've ever had myself write. EVERYTHING happens in a relatively short amount of time. I had to find a way to keep the prose reflective of a looming sense of both uncertainty and urgency, all while keeping the story engaging and—most importantly—fun to read. Whew!
At one point, I considered starting a Discord. Then I realized that there were only so many questions a reader could ask, and everyone else would get real tired of me answering "when is the next chapter?" with a shrug 'moji. So instead, I'm going to at least make it a point to answer as many non-spoilers as I can:
(1) How much do I plan to base this off the TRI series?
Some. I took the vague outline of the original story (an Infection, the Original-Original Chosen Children, School Festival shenanigans, Leomon, Megas/Ultimates, etc) and reworked it into something more...for lack of a better term...cohesive. At this stage, we've strayed pretty far from the TRI plot, though I do have a few upcoming scenes/twists which will be meant to reference, if not straight up parallel the movies. The difference here...aside from the obvious of including Tamers/Ryo...is that I have an alternate Final Villain & ending planned, will be getting back to the Original-Original Chosen later, and will be introducing Megas/Ultimates in a different manner. We've probably about two chapters from the first one appearing and I can't WAIT for that reveal.
(2) Can the Distortion affect the Chosen/Tamers now that they're Digital?
Humans are safe from the Infection. (They're data, but they're a different type of data than the Digimon) Human/Digimon hybrids (ie: Matrix Evolution) are still at risk, but the Tamers are well aware of this and clever enough to avoid direct contact by only using or touching weapons/clothing/armour in battle. Having this limitation was yet another reason why this chapter was unusually challenging: how can the digimon fight without directly touching their opponent?
(3) So...this Glitch is some sort of D-Reaper virus? Or the D-Reaper is trying to repair itself?
The "Glitch"/"Distortion" is directly tied to the D-Reaper, yes. (sorry, Juri)
(4) Will they meet the diginomes?!
I can't answer this question directly because spoilers, but I did want to note that, much as I would love to include EVERYTHING from digimon lore, it would be impossible without running the risk of story bloat. I might be able to sneak the occasional cameo or reference, but if it's not tired to the main plot, I'm probably not going to use it.
o
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DIGIMON TRI: BALANCE
o
o
Dark clouds formed, rapidly eclipsing the sun until day became night.
A shiver ran up Daisuke's spine.
Sudden shifts in the weather weren't, by them selves, cause to worry. During monsoon season in Japan, a sunny morning's afternoon could easily suffer through sporadic (and spontaneous) torrential downpours. He lost count of the times he would run down the street to the convenience store for a snack and wind up soaked to the bone. All because he hadn't needed an umbrella when he left the house. Rain was an inconvenience at worst. The chill that came with it, annoying at best.
Except there was no rain. The temperature didn't drop. If anything, the air felt warmer. Drier. The skin on the back of his hands itched. Static electricity left the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. A bolt of horizontal lightning shot across the sky. No thunder followed.
The wind blew. Unnatural as the skies above, it weaved leisurely through the grassy fields before coming to a stop a few meters from where he stood. There, it swirled around itself, gradually increasing in speed until it built enough charge to tear open.
A lush jungle appeared. Along with a shadowy figure looming just beyond.
Daisuke's eyes were as wide as his goggles. He gulped. His throat felt scratchy. He was thirstier than he'd been a moment ago, despite having gulped down a jug of water not ten minutes prior. There was a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Ominous and foreboding.
Footsteps came up on his left. Ken was still with him. He'd nearly forgotten until that moment. He turned his head and met his jogress partner's gaze. Ken looked as uneasy as he felt. His expression was grim behind the attempt at a weak smile. Miyako was on Ken's other side, struggling to maintain a positive air as she offered a thumbs up. More footsteps, this time on Daisuke's right. Wallace was there too. The twins stood at his ankles, uncertain but unafraid.
Daisuke wasn't afraid either. He couldn't be. Not with his fellow Chosen...his friends...ready to fight with him.
He turned back to the open portal. Reaching up with both hands, he adjusted his goggles. A grin appeared.
"Bring it on."
The shadow grew. A long, hairy leg stuck out. Then another. Two more. Eight in all, attached to to a very large, very agitated, pink-eyed Dokugumon. It let out a low hiss. Venom dripped from its fangs.
Human and Digimon partner alike blanched.
o o o
A blast of cold air hit Taichi in the face. It stung his cheeks.
He winced, grateful for the goggles shielding his eyes. Beyond the portal, there was nothing but white. A brightness that came from mid-day sun shining down upon a crystallized, frozen tundra. Every inch of land was covered in snow. Flakes drifted through the air. A few blew through the portal, melting long before they touched warmer ground.
Mammothmon lifted its trunk, letting out a fierce roar. Bits of ice clung to its fur. Three steps into the new realm, it shook violently, sending icy spears flying in all directions. Taichi put himself in front of Sora, holding up both arms to shield them. Bitter cold stung his arms and torso. One of the shards scratched his left forearm. A shallow wound, but one that he knew would give Sora reason to worry.
"You okay?" He called over his shoulder.
She nodded. As he suspected, she was already eyeing his injury. Though seconds from commenting, she instead bit her lip and remained quiet. Trusting it wasn't as bad as it looked.
Together, they reached for their digivice. Taichi's was glowing before he pulled it from his pocket. Clenching it tightly in his fist, he felt warm metal against his palm. He closed his eyes. A similar sensation radiated from just left of center in his chest. Right where his heart was.
The Courage to fight flooded his senses.
"Agumon! Evolve to..."
"Piyomon! Evolve to..."
Data swirled around their Child level partners, engulfing them until they emerged in respective Adult forms.
"...Greymon!"
"Birdramon!"
Sora immediately grabbed hold of Birdramon's ankle as she took to the skies.
Adrenaline surged through Greymon's system. He claws at empty space in front of him. Ready for the impending fight. He zeroed in on Mammothmon. The half-frozen digimon pawed at the ground, letting out a low snort before charging. Its every breath came out in visible puffs of steam. Greymon extended his tail to give himself better leverage. He dipped his head down, breaking into a run in preparation for meeting Mammothmon in a prehistoric-
"Don't touch it!" Ryo called out. "That's how the infection spreads!"
Greymon came to an abrupt stop, awkwardly frozen mid-step.
Mammothmon did not.
Not knowing what else to do, Greymon dove out of the way at the last second. He belly-flopped on the ground, slightly roughly until he came to a stop directly in front of Taichi. Dust flew around them.
Mammothmon continued its charge towards the horizon.
Taichi watched it get increasingly further away, alternating between his fallen partner. Greymon had yet to move. He sighed once in exasperation.
"Seriously? Get up, Greymon. We can't let him run off. He might spread this thing to another village."
"Sorry, Taichi." Greymon's tail hung between his legs in shame as he stood.
"Taichi!"
He looked up.
Birdramon swooped down. Sora had a hand extended towards him. He didn't question. He reached back. Hand over wrist, she grabbed hold tightly on the pass, pulling him into the air with her. Birdramon then shot straight up, gaining a fair degree of altitude before flying after Mammothmon. Greymon trotted behind them.
ooo
Unimon dashed out of the portal at full speed. Pink sparks emitted from its hooves each time they clashed against air. A blur of white and red against blackened skies, it proceeded to gallop literal circles around and high above the Tamers, ignoring their presence below entirely.
Takato scratched the back of his head. "Why does it feel like he's taunting us?"
"Paranoid," Ruki smirked.
A scream echoed from across the village. Young, female, and definitely human.
Jian spun on his heel. "Xiaochun!"
"One must've opened where she was sleeping," Ryo grimaced.
"Go." Ruki jerked her head towards the source. "Make sure she's alright. I'll stay as backup."
Ryo and Jian nodded once before taking off towards the outskirts. Ruki and Takato remained. The latter had yet to turn away from the Adult Mythical Beast. He watched for any impending signs of attack or escape. When none came, he began to think he was right about Unimon taunting them-particularly after that suspiciously laugh-like whinny on its fifth lap.
His mouth twisted. He reached for his digivice.
"MATRIX EVOLUTION"
No Card Slash was needed. Takato held the device close to his heart and closed his eyes. Warmth flooded every inch of his being. He sensed Guilmon's presence close behind and sought the spark that was their bond. Light exploded, exposing his core data. He fell back into his partner. Their codes merged into a single, new creature: Dukemon.
Saber and shield in hand, the freshly evolved human-digimon hybrid flew up to meet his opponent. His cape billowed in the wind. Sparks flew as saber met horn, the force of contact sending a visible ripple of energy in all directions.
Yamato's jaw was on the ground.
"Pretty cool, huh?"
It took several seconds for him to realize Ruki was talking. She was close, vicariously basking in his awe, and only occasionally watching Dukemon out of the corner of her eye. Her weight shifted to one side. Her posture remained relaxed. She showed precisely zero signs of any interest in joining the battle, despite her earlier claim.
Yamato was confused.
"I thought you said you were going to support him?"
Her response to that was to cup her mouth with both hands and, in a completely unenthusiastic tone, call up: "Go, Takato. You got this."
"That's not what I meant." His expression flattened.
"Oh, relax." Ruki chuckled. She was starting to see why Takeru considered him so easy a target. "He's fine. Takato's way more competent in battle than he looks. Just don't tell him I said so."
Unimon sent a Holy Shot that hit Dukemon square in the chest. He flew back, landing in a horizontal hover. His cape fell from his shoulders, fluttering downward. Seconds passed. He remained prone. Unimon took that as its cue to attack, charging with its horn lowered. At the last second, Dukemon held up his shield, using Unimon's own momentum against it to hurl it up and over his head. Unimon sailed uncontrollably through the air, smacking across the tops of several trees along the way.
Dukemon then tilted his head back, free falling just enough to loop back around, grabbing his cape along the way, and heading after it.
Ruki approved.
"We do patrol in groups of two just in case something happens," she told Yamato. "But if one person can handle it, there's no reason for both of us to expend the energy."
Patrol.
Something about the militaristic term left Yamato uneasy. It reminded him of Daigo and Maki. The latter, especially. How impersonal the fights had become to her. Jaded to it all. These Tamers were good, yes. Very good. Their knowledge of the Digital World-even a Digital World parallel to their own-rivaled Koushiro's and their skills in battle betrayed a disturbing degree of experience. Far more than the Chosen. Perhaps combined. But at what cost did-
Garurumon darted past them, still chasing after his prey: a pink-eyed, but otherwise frantically escaping Neemon. Hints of glee shone in his partner's eye. His tongue lolled out.
Ruki snorted at the sight.
Yamato decided he was probably overthinking things. Ruki wasn't Maki. Maki didn't have anything resembling a sense of humor left.
"So then how do you decide who's turn it is to fight?" He instead asked. "Is it because he's the leader?"
Ruki frowned. "He's not the leader. Why would you...?" A thought struck her. Her expression flattened. "Please don't tell me you think he's our leader because of those stupid goggles."
Yamato made a conscious choice right then to not tell her.
ooo
Hikari and Takeru made it less than three steps before an open portal spat out a Kamemon.
The cyborg turtle digimon uncontrollably somersaulted several times through the tall grass. When it finally stopped, it was on its shoulders, feet sticking up and helmet covering its eyes. It kicked wildly, rolling back and forth on its shell until momentum brought it back to a stand. It looked around, then remembered it still couldn't see, and struggled with the helmet.
Wide, black eyes appeared.
Then narrowed.
A blur of purple slammed into it, sending them both rolling back the other way.
Hikari's heart leaped into her throat.
The pair continued to tumble. And not much else. Tsukaimon hurled more insults than attacks. Kamemon responded in kind. If it wasn't for the clearly discernible bitterness to each new creative pejorative, one might have mistaken the two for innocent roughhousing.
Takeru's hand fell to her shoulder. She looked back. He shook his head. He'd seen her fear and realized otherwise: there wasn't a pink spark to be seen between them. Kamemon wasn't one of the infected.
"Don't worry!" Tsukaimon called after them (though mostly her). "I've got this-ow!...poor excuse for a broken down robot!"
"Your face!" Kamemon snapped back. Its helmet had fallen over its eyes again.
"Better mine than yours!"
Patamon and Tailmon lingered back. The former looked confused. The latter looked exasperated.
Kamemon tried to headbutt Tsukaimon in the stomach. It missed. Tsukaimon retaliated with a double slap of his wings. Except he struck more helmet than cheek. Pain shot up his small frame, causing him to shudder. He fell backwards. So did Kamemon. Whimpers rang out from both parties as they struggled to regain both the upper hand and what was left of their dignities.
Tailmon chose then to quickly slip away. Patamon followed. Their human partners were close behind.
They'd heard screams not long before. With Kamemon sufficiently distracted, they headed in the general direction of its source. Shouts from the two Child digimon were gradually overtaken by another kind. Coming from a young girl. By process of elimination, they figured it to be Jian's little sister. The one they hadn't seen all morning. Miyako mentioned something about her being with Iori on the Northwest corner of the village border. Asleep. Possibly defenseless.
Their hearts beat in a frantic sync at the unknown of what they would find.
They circled around one of the larger village huts.
Iori came into view. His back was to them. He remained frozen in place, barely acknowledging their approach. The whole of his attention lingered on the battle playing out before his young eyes.
It immediately became apparent why.
Fists flew and kicks landed in the most one-sided fight Takeru had ever seen. Xiaochun held nothing back. Fury flashed behind glassy eyes. Dark as the skies had since gone, the flames in each of her pupils burned all the brighter. The poor Sukamon at her mercy barely had time to put up a defense in the breaths between half-awake rambles and accusations.
"That'll teach you-" kick "-to sneak up on me-" stomp "when I'm sleeping, you literally piece of-"
"Stop! Please! I surrender! Uncle! Parlay! I DIDN' DO NOTHING!"
Xiaochun spun around for one last roundhouse kick, sending Sukamon flying. He slammed into the hut, leaving visible cracks in his wake as he slid down the side. No sooner did he hit the ground than he face planted straight into the dirt and chose to take his time getting up again.
"She seems nice," Takeru commented lightly.
"She scares me," Iori half whispered.
Hikari and Takeru shared an amused look over his head.
"Why am I not surprised?"
Ryo emerged from the opposite corner. His lips twitched in poorly concealed amusement as he stared down at Sukamon's semi-prone form.
Jian was close behind, wearing a similar expression. He took in the sight of Xiaochun's victim slowly trying to scuttle away to safety without anyone noticing, ignorant of the many pairs of eyes watching. He saw Xiaochun continue to sway on her feet, stiffening a yawn before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her vision was unfocused and glassy. Meanwhile, her captive audience had yet to decide whether they should intervene or if it would be safer for everyone to...not.
"I can guess who started it," he shook his head.
"He attacked me!" Xiaochun pointed an accusatory finger.
"Objection!" Sukamon squeaked, jumping to his feet. His face was more smudged than usual. His escape plan, abandoned. "It wasn't me, on my honor! I didn' mean to mess with the scary chick. She was already there when I fell!"
Xiaochun muttered something under her breath that earned her a sharp Look from her brother.
Jian turned back to Ryo. "What do you think? He seems lucid."
"I don't see any signs of a Glitch." Ryo agreed. His finger lightly stroked his chin in thought, feeling the hints of stubble growing out. "Though it still sounds like he traveled through a portal."
"That could have been an accident," Takeru chimed in. He shared a glance with Hikari. She knew what he was referring to, and nodded her validation. "Tsukaimon's probably still fighting with that uninfected Kamemon over by the field. Kamemon was definitely itching for a fight, but I got the feeling he doesn't really know where he is, or how he ended up there. And I'm not entirely certain he cares either way."
Iori looked to his jogress partner. "What does that mean, Takeru-san?"
Jian answered for him: "We're not sure. Which is the problem. This many portals opening in one area is weird enough, but it would make slightly more sense if we could say something was deliberately behind the attack. Only it might not even be an attack after all. I mean, could you imagine someone deliberately sending this guy after us?"
"Hey!" Sukamon protested.
A series of distant explosions startled him back into silence. Smoke drifting into the air indicated their proximity. Faint echoes of Daisuke's triumphant hollers offered a partial explanation.
"This is getting dangerous." Ryo stared after them with a frown. He weighed several options in the span of a few seconds before coming to a decision. One he knew Jian would back him up on. "Xiao-chan? I need you to do me a favor/"
Xiaochun was suddenly bright eyed and awake. "You got it, senpai! What's the mission?"
"Gather up the rest of the villagers and get them all out of here."
Her grin promptly faded. "You want me to run away from a fight?" Her nose scrunched in indignation. She folded her arms across her chest, stomping her foot in protest. "Not fair! You guys NEVER let me join in! You know Lopmon and I could run circles around these-"
Ryo reached into one of his front pouches, pulling out a single card. He tossed it to Xiaochun, who cut herself off mid-sentence to catch it between two fingers.
She glanced at the front. Her demeanor instantly shifted.
"You're the fastest person on the team," Ryo stated. His words were more than mere empty platitudes. "Not to mention, you're also the best at wandering off. If anybody can find a safe haven for these digimon, it's you."
The additional praise hadn't been necessary, but she'd seen no reason to stop him.
"You've got a deal." She spun on her heel. "Come on, Iori-kun."
Iori rose an eyebrow. "I'm going too?"
"Obviously." She rolled her eyes at his surprise. "You were the one who said a cute, young girl like me shouldn't wander the woods all by herself, remember?"
"I think you added a couple words in there." His ears burned.
"I'll come too."
A moment of impulse saw Takeru volunteer. He wasn't entirely certain what had motivated him to do so, but he found it worth the effort in the subsequent reactions of those around him. All except Xiaochun; he was mildly disappointed when she wasn't. If anything, she seemed the most ambivalent to his presence. Jian and Ryo had been taken aback. Iori's eyes were wide. Hikari looked uncertain.
"Takeru-kun..."
He turned to face her, taking her hands in his. Their eyes met, and the world around them faded away. Words weren't necessary. Not any more. After their conversation by the swings, Takeru knew she needed only to read his heart to understand. His eyes shone of the hopeful optimism that she would.
The silence between them spoke volumes.
She soon smiled back. His trust in her was warranted.
"Alright. Be safe."
"Always." He winked. "Make sure to tell Daisuke-kun and the others what's happening."
He stepped back. Their hands remained clasped. He gave her fingers one last squeeze before dropping them. His fell to his side. Hers fell to her chest. He turned away, motioning for Iori and Xiaochun to follow.
Xiaochun initially complied, only to double back and grab Sukamon by the arm, dragging him with her.
"Why-"
"You're going to make it up to me by making yourself useful."
"Noooooooooooo!"
Ryo and Jian stared blankly after them, completely at a loss as to how to react until it was far too late. (For Sukamon)
Hikari's expression never wavered.
Jian was surprised. He assumed she had put on a brave face for Takeru when they parted. The nature of their relationship was none of his business, but it was obvious to anyone that they were close. Close enough to be upset at having to part for any duration of time. Concern would have been natural. Worry, expected.
"You're taking this pretty well," he noted.
She turned to him with a look he wouldn't soon forget.
"Takeru-kun once found me when it should have been impossible." Her eyes softened at the memory. Her smile brightened at the future. "We'll see each other again soon enough."
She turned and started back towards the village, calling to Tailmon. Her partner scampered to her side as she reached for the D-Terminal in her pocket.
Ryo and Jian were left blinking in her wake.
"Is...that a Crest thing?" Jian asked.
Ryo shrugged.
ooo
Sword clashed against club.
Splinters and sparks flew. Pink and otherwise.
Leomon held up his bandaged hand in defense. Ogremon grabbed it. His claws sparked with infection, but this time, Leomon felt no pain. The bandages continued to protect him. Ogremon scratched at them, trying to tear them apart. Leomon pulled back, shoving Ogremon with his sword. His enemy stumbled back. This gave him enough leeway to make a beeline for an adjacent tree.
With the built up momentum from his run, he jumped off the rough bark, launching himself into the air. He gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, holding it high over his head. As he came down, so did the sword.
Ogremon was a split-second faster. His club smashed right into Leomon's open torso, sending the Beast King flying back.
Pain, but familiar pain. His lungs ached. He struggled for breath. Sharp sticks struck his back as he skidded across grass and dirt. The friction wasn't enough to slow him, and he continued tumbling until he dug his sword into the ground, using it as a means to stop. His bandaged hand went to his chest. His breath came in heavy gasps. One of his eyes felt tender. Half his vision blurred.
Using the sword as leverage, he pulled himself to a knee.
Ogremon had yet to move.
Leomon's uninjured brow rose. Gradually, he rose to his feet. He pulled the sword from the ground, flicking it to one side to clean the blade. Even in the prevailing darkness, its surface gleamed.
Only then did Ogremon drop to an offensive stance, announcing his readiness to continue the fight.
Leomon understood. A bittersweet sensation flooded his chest. Heavy as the sudden weight of his weapon.
"I see." He closed his eyes. "You are still in there, my dear rival. The noble warrior I have been proud to face across countless strikes."
Ogremon continued to wait. His glowing pink eyes narrowed as he gave a low snort of impatience. Leomon resisted the urge to chuckle. Instead, he brought his sword to eye level, brandishing the blade for Ogremon to see. His left foot slid back. His knees bent. Ignoring the pain in his heart, his head dipped just enough to peer over the edge of his blade.
"On my honor, Ogremon...I will find you."
ooo
Data scrolled across the center window. Some of it in Python. Some in C++. The more frustrating pieces in some dialect of DigiCode. A second window in the top left corner replayed video feed from Taichi's goggles. It paused just as the tundra landscape came into view. Subsequent data was extracted from those readings. These formed a coded map which was then overlapped with a topographical map of the known Digital World sitting in the bottom left window.
The result was a 78% match.
Koushiro rubbed at his forehead. A small twinge of pain threatened his right temple. 78% was decent, but not enough to-
Kabuterimon darted left to avoid another swarm of Fanbeemon.
-reach confirmation. He tried rewinding the feet and focusing on a different timestamp. The second the portal first opened proved-
Right. Just barely avoiding their Gear Stingers.
-promising. There was even a chance he could find some residual code in the energy emitting from the portal while it accessed the region.
A sudden, sharp drop saved them from the ricochets of Togemon's latest Chikuchiku Bang Bang attack.
"Hey! Watch it! You almost hit us!"
Mimi was unimpressed. Hands on her hips, she roughly tapped the ground with her foot as she turned her upward. "You could help us out down here, you know?"
More than four dozen FanBeemon still loomed around them. A quick access to his database had told Koushiro that the viral digimon were typically happy but hard workers who got along with plant types. Apparently, no one had informed the FanBeemon of this fact, as Togemon seemed to be their favorite target. Ikkakumon tried his best, but there were only so many Harpoon Vulans he could shoot before exhausting himself to the sidelines.
Together, they'd managed to take out less than half of the swarm.
"For the record, I am helping," Koushiro finally called back. His attention was unevenly divided. When he did look up, it was to catch a glimpse of the distant figure of Birdramon and Greymon still chasing Mammothmon across the horizon. "Taichi-san! I need you to aim the goggles over here!"
"Little busy!" Taichi exclaimed. He was still clinging to Birdramon's right ankle.
"It'll only take a minute! I just need to compare these readings with-"
The goggles smacked him right in the face. Stunned, he instinctively held out both hands to catch them as they fell. His eyes were wide, mouth gaping, as he stared down at them. The dawning of a stunning realization came upon him, albeit belatedly.
"You want me to...but you...I'[m not..."
Several meters below, Yamato purposely avoided Ruki's accusatory stare.
Togemon came out of her latest attack, but the world around her continued to spin. Her gloved arms flailed. She struggled to maintain her balance. Her eyes swirled. Her breathing was as heavy as Ikkakumon, the latter still flickering with the threat of devolution.
Dozens of FanBeemon remained.
Mimi ran to her partner in concern. "It's too much. There's too many of them. We need backup, like, now!"
"You rang?"
Ruki appeared. A slightly frazzled, but otherwise victorious, Takato was at her side.
Mimi's relief was palpable. "Oh, thank goodness! If either of you have any ideas, I'm all ears."
The two Tamers shared a look. Ruki smirked. Takato's smile was far more hesitant. Still, he knew her well enough to know what she was thinking. He even agreed this time. In sync, they both reached into their respective card pouches, pulling out the same card. Then flashed it for Mimi to see.
"Actually, we kinda like yours."
They were Togemon cards.
"Renamon!"
"Guilmon!"
The fox digimon materialized in a low crouch. Her head remained bowed in silent wait for her Tamer's instruction. Guilmon's entrance was slightly less dignified, but no less ready to do what Takato asked.
They held out their digivices, swiping the twin Togemon cards through the readers. Green auras enveloped their partners. Revived by the temporary boost in power, Guilmon let out a growl as he dashed forward. Renamon leaped to the nearest tree branch for additional height. They took to the air, spinning wildly.
Ruki looked to Mimi; somehow, the bearer of Purity managed to read her mind.
"Togemon! Now!"
The trio formed a triangular border around the remaining FanBeemon, unleashing a triple ChikuChiku Bang Bang attack. Needles flew in all directions. Some made direct contact. Others ricocheted off one another, doubling back. The air was flooded. There was no escape. One by one, infected FanBeemon fell until there were none left.
Mimi pumped a fist in the air. She and Takato shared a high five. Ruki looked pleased. Jou carried a sleeping Gomamon in his arms to share in their victory. Koushiro was too busy trying to figure out why his database gave him error messages each time he attempted to scan one of the Card Slashed digimon.
ooo
"Miyako-san!"
The girl in question looked up. Flashes of light from both Flamedramon and Stingmon's attacks left her partially blind in the surrounding darkness. She had to adjust her classes, then take them off and properly clean them...then squint to properly make out Hikari and Nefertimon's approaching forms.
"Hikari-chan!" She redirected Halsemon mid-flight to meet them halfway. "I was wondering where you two were..." Fully expecting Takeru to be right behind her, she was taken aback to realize Hikari was alone. "Wait, where's your other half?"
"He went with Xiaochun-chan and Iori-kun. They're evacuating the remaining digimon villagers to somewhere safer."
Miyako blinked at the response. "You know...I kinda forgot about them, actually."
No digimon level below Child had been seen since the start of the battles. Miyako could only assume they had taken cover, or straight up ran away. A wave of guilt swept over her for not considering a third possibility: that they could have been trapped in the middle of danger.
"Hikari-chaaaaaaaaan!"
Hikari peered down. Daisuke was waving up at her with both arms. He paused only to duck when one of Flamedramon's attacks nearly singed the tips of his hair. Suppressing a chuckle at the sight, she waved back. Of all the things in her life that were changing lately, she genuinely hoped Daisuke being Daisuke was never one of them.
Jian approached the group, so quietly that Wallace hadn't realized he was there until he was directly beside him, Terriermon at his feet. Terriermon came over to greet him. The two touched paws with wide grins until Jian cleared his throat.
"Oh. Right." Terriermon looked to Terriermon apologetically. "Hold that thought."
Throwing his hands behind him, Terriermon ninja ran forward. Jian's initial Card Slash activated a basic evolution; he jumped into the air, was surrounded in an orb of blue data, and emerged as Galgomon. With his weapons literally in hand, he aimed a series of rapid fire lasers directly at Dokugumon. The arachnid digimon hissed in pain with each strike that landed. It lifted its upper body into the air, shooting out web from its abdomen that struck Galgomon's twin vulcans, effectively cutting him off from further attacks.
"Hey! That's just rude," he whined. When shaking his arms did nothing, he turned back with a pout. "Jian!"
"Working on it!"
Jian wracked his brain for a possible solution, fingers idly toying with the edges of his cards. He watched Flamedramon, Stingmon, Halsemon, and Nefertimon strike in turn. Of all the attacks, Flamedramon's Knuckle Fire seemed to have the greatest effect. Dokugumon was far from impervious, but it was the lingering flames alone that sent it into a retreat. Even its Arachno Batoto was suddenly useless.
That gave Jian an idea.
"Card Slash! Meramon!"
Galgomon's entire form burst into flames. They caused him neither pain nor discomfort. They did melt the web covering his vulcans. He held up both arms, taking in the small victory as well as the sight of being on fire without actually being on fire. A mischievous smirk appeared.
"That's one way to get fired up for battle! Huh, Jian?"
Jian closed his eyes and let out a low groan.
Terriermon's jaw was so far on the ground, he forgot to snicker at the pun. He looked at his own paws, then to Lopmon. His twin shrugged. Together, they turned to Wallace.
"Can we do that?"
Wallace also shrugged. Then, when the twins had returned their attention to Galgomon's new Magma Bomb attack, he discreetly checked his digivice for signs of a card reader.
ooo
Greymon fell behind. He was getting tired.
Taichi couldn't blame him. They'd been chasing Mammothmon for the better part of the last half hour. It seemed a literal wild Mammoth chase; each time Mammothmon reached the outer edge of the village, Birdramon managed to send a quick Meteor Wing to redirect it. This usually resulted in the entire group turning and running in the opposite direction with no apparent end in sight.
On their seventeenth lap, Taichi noticed Ryo appear at the border. Cyberdramon stood at his side, looking as menacing as ever. Enough for even Mammothmon to stumble at the sight of him.
The Legendary Tamer said nothing. A card appeared in his hand. He held his digivice directly in front of him, executing a Card Slash that left his arms outstretched on either side. Silver-grey light outlined his partner. He opened his mouth to roar, but a toxic sludge spewed from his mouth. He used it to form a thick, black line along the ground in front of them.
Mammothmon skidded to a halt less than half a meter back.
Cyberdramon didn't stop. Taking to the air, he formed a large putrid circle around the immediate area.
Ryo turned to Sora: "Your turn!"
At first, she didn't know what he meant. Not until she recognized the sludge for what it was. Nodding her understanding of the plan, she called up to her partner. Birdramon summoned her strength to emit another wave of fireballs. The oil-like substance caught quickly, trapping Mammothmon in a literal ring of fire.
Taichi's eyes shone in the flickering light. "That's our cue, Greymon!"
He leaped from Birdramon's ankle, digivice clutched tightly in his palm. As he fell, it glowed a bright orange. Greymon took two final steps forward before the light of evolution overtook him. He emerged in his next two steps as MetalGreymon. Taichi landed on his shoulder.
"Giga Destroyer!"
MetalGreymon's chest plate opened to reveal two organic missiles. He aimed and fired.
With nowhere to run, Mammothmon was left in the direct line of fire. It took the hit straight on. One last roar, and his form slowly began to dissolve. Taichi hopped to the ground. He turned his gaze upward, watching the tiny balls of data as they drifted into the dark skies above. The remains of Mammothmon already making the long trip back to the Village of Beginnings.
Ryo sent them both a thumbs up.
Sora flushed at the praise.
Taichi frowned. He couldn't escape the dull ache in the pit of his stomach. It was hard to find joy in a victory where yet another digimon had to die as a result.
ooo
A split-second's error.
That was all Leomon needed to find his opening.
Ogremon's club was lost to the trees. Ogremon himself landed on his back. Hard. The breath was so utterly knocked from his lungs, he couldn't cry the pain out. Leomon's knee pressed against his chest. The blade of his sword tipped at his throat.
"No!"
Mimi was watching.
Leomon wished she wouldn't.
He closed his eyes, willing away the mental image of her glistening eyes. The sweet face of one whose heart would cry for even the likes of Ogremon. Mimi knew well their history. Knew what was at stake. Still, she resisted it all to the bitter end.
The air around them stilled.
"...do...it..."
His eyes snapped open.
Ogremon's were looking back at him. They were green.
"Victory...is yours..." his words carried on laboured gasps. Unsurprising, given the whole of Leomon's weight crushed his lungs. A weaked hand raised, trembling with every uttered syllable. "Strike. Now. So I may...end...while I am...still...myself..."
Leomon's expression hardened. "No." He loosened the grip on his sword. His hands shook almost as badly as Ogremon's. Residual adrenaline from the fight was slowly leaving him, replaced by a wave of heavy lethargy. He leaned back. "There is a reason I have sought you as my enemy for so long. You are strong, but also honorable. As am I." There was a sharp pain in his chest. He ignored it. "Fight it, Ogremon. Fight it as I have. I know you can."
Ogremon's hand continued to rise. Reaching for something unseen. For the briefest moment, Leomon wondered if it was seeking his. If he was meant to reach out and clasp it
I have kept my word. I have found you.
He extended his paw.
Ogremon's arm shot past it, grabbing the hilt of Leomon's sword. Before Leomon could stop him, he pulled it to his chest with the full force of the blade.
Mimi hid a scream behind both hands, covering her mouth and nose. She shut her eyes tightly, turning away. Jou was at her side. He placed a heavy arm over her shoulder. Tears brimmed in the corner of his eyes. He refused to shed them. It was his job then to remain strong. Mimi would cry enough for the both of them.
Leomon stumbled backwards in shock. "No!"
It was too late. Turquoise balls of light appeared as Ogremon's body faded into data. They drifted high into the air, joining with the remains of his fellow fallen digimon. Leomon could do little more than watch with a heavy heart. So could Taichi. And Jou. Even Tsukaimon and Kamemon fell still, disheveled and worn but sensing too great a loss by all to willingly continue fighting.
Ogremon alone seemed at peace with his demise.
"Now it can't...use my pain...anymore..." His eyes slowly fluttered shut, as his head fell to one side. "I'll see you...in our next life...my rival..."
Then he was gone.
Leomon shakily rose to his feet. The sword fell from his grip, clattering softly against the dirt ground. He waited until the last of Ogremon disappeared from his sight before closing his eyes in muted grief.
Then he collapsed.
Mimi panicked.
Breaking away from Jou, she stumbled to Leomon's side. She shook him twice. Calling his name over and over. He didn't answer. She used all her strength to turn him over. He flopped onto his back. There were no signs of any reactive response. His eyes were shut tight, face contorted in a pain beyond consciousness. His body began to flicker.
"No. No, no, no..." she murmured over and over again, reaching for his bandaged hand. "Please, no, Leomon. Not again."
Takato's lower lip quivered. Memories he never wanted to relive flashed before his eyes. He sniffled once, gulped loudly, and rubbed at his eyes before they could betray him. For once, not even Ruki dared mock him for the overt display of emotion. She was struggling to contain herself as well, breath staggering as she met Takato's gaze. Their minds shared the same thought.
At least she's not here to see this.
The air burst open behind them.
"Oh, not now!" Mimi sobbed. She looked for something to throw in frustration and found the smallest pebble in existence. "Go away, already!"
"Wait!"
Koushiro stepped forward, Taichi's goggles still firmly secured over his eyes. The screen was on. Bits of data he was only just starting to understand vertically scrolled. They read of an anomaly he had yet to encounter. Far above the expected regional variations.
"Something's...different about this one."
Ruki was the first to realize why. Her eyes went wide.
A second later, Takato paled.
Jian shared an uneasy look with Ryo: "You don't think..."
Miyako reached for Ken's arm. He turned his head. She looked to him in silent question. His lips pressed together in a thin line. He nodded. Koushiro was right about the portal. They both knew that for certain because they'd encountered this type of portal before. They'd even traveled through one. Twice.
Takato's earpiece crackled to life: "Takato? Takato, are you still there?"
It wasn't the voice he wanted to hear.
"Alice?" The others were watching. He turned away and felt their gazes on the back of his neck. "Alice, what-"
"I'm so sorry! I tried to stop her, but she heard everything and was insistent..."
Light appeared from the other side, flooding the darkness around them with a fleeting reminder of day. A silhouette appeared. Petite. Human. The figure of a teen girl. One with medium brown hair. Wearing a green jumper. With warm, brown eyes and an eerily neutral expression.
Ruki gasped softly. "Juri..."
She was at her best friend's side instantly, placing herself directly in front. Hoping to block Juri's view of the last thing she deserved to have to see again. Her hands went to Juri's shoulders. She willed the other girl to look at her and her alone.
"Go back. Please. You shouldn't be here for this."
Juri's face remained blank. There were no signs of pain of sadness. She was looking directly at Ruki, not through her, yet her shoulders remained relaxed in her hold. Her body didn't tremble. She said nothing back, but glanced down at the tiny creature in her arms: Culumon.
Ruki shook her head. "It won't work."
"You don't know that." Juri told her. Her voice was soft-barely above a whisper-yet there was a strength to it Ruki couldn't deny. "I have to try. Even if it doesn't work...I need to be able to say that I did something. No matter how crazy."
"Juri..."
"Please, Ruki."
"Let her go, Ruki."
Takato was at their side. At first, Ruki thought he sounded resigned. Fearful of what he would do if he didn't abide by his girlfriend's wishes. Except he was usually more afraid of her than Juri. And it wasn't resignation gently prying her hands from Juri's shoulders. It was resolve.
"I think she needs this more than we realize."
Ruki did not want to let go. She did not let go. Takato let go for her. When she stepped back to allow Juri to pass, her heart remained heavy with remorse. Every part of her was screaming that this was a bad idea. Yet she could do little more than watch as Juri slowly approached the fallen Leomon. Watch as she came to a kneel opposite Mimi, the two girls sharing a momentary look of empathy.
"It won't work," she whispered to herself.
Juri held Culumon out. The tiny digimon kicked the air until Juri gave her unseen signal. He fell still, eyes closing as he placed his paws together. Whispered words to low for anyone to hear started up the digital magic. The twin triangle shapes on his forehead began to glow. A soft light shone down upon Leomon's form. It wrapped him in a cocoon of warmth.
The pain eased from his features. The flickering stopped.
Mimi choked back a sob. Tears of hope welled in her eyes.
Culumon's light faded. He collapsed into Juri's lap as exhaustion lulled him into a deep sleep.
Ruki was in shock. "That...should not have worked."
"Why not?"
Jian heard her. He came up on her right, arms folded across his chest. He was challenging her. She could tell. At the same time, his simple question left her without an immediate response. Because she had none. There was no reason why Culumon's magic should have worked in a Digital World that wasn't theirs, but...
"There's no reason why it shouldn't, is there?"
She stared at him. He took his time before offering a return glance. The corners of his lips twitched. She felt her shoulders relaxed. Fought the urge to smile. Jian often had that effect over her, and she hated him for it except the times when she didn't.
"No. I guess not."
Leomon stirred. A single, sharp intake of breath passed through his lips. His eyelids twitched. Then opened. Every part of him felt as if he had both slept for a week and not slept at all in that same time. His arms were lead. The skin beneath his bandaged arm continued to sting. It took several minutes for him to summon enough strength to sit up. His gaze first went to Mimi, who pressed his paw to her cheek in relief.
He then turned to the other girl. One he could not identify, no matter how he searched his memories.
"Leomon..."
He did not know her, but she knew him. Her voice trembled as she spoke his name. Years of suppressed sadness welled to the surface. Her eyes flooded with tears until they were little more than pools of blurred brown. They told of joy. Anguish. Loss. Pain. Relief. Love. No longer willing or able to contain these emotions, she darted forward, wrapping her arms tightly around his massive torso. Her face pressed against his chest as she sobbed.
"L-Leomon!"
The Great Beast King was left bewitched, bewildered, and bemused. He had no idea what he was meant to do, or what to say, or how deep his next breath should be. He looked to Mimi. For once, she seemed set on not interfering. Then, on a hunch, he sought Renamon among the crowd. The fox digimon was lingering near the back. Their eyes met across the distance. She nodded once.
He had his answer.
Relaxing into the sobbing child's hold, he used his free paw to gently smooth back some of her hair. Now that he knew why, he would let her cry for as long as she needed.
"It would seem I now owe you my life. Thank you...Juri."
ooo
ooo
The large, pink bubble came to a sharp half just outside the entrance. It hovered in the air for several additional seconds before gradually lowering to half a meter above ground. Then it popped.
Piles of Kyaromon and Pinamon collapsed in positions of various degrees of dignity and grace.
Sukamon barely touched dirt when he started kissing it with renewed appreciation.
Iori and Takeru managed to land on their feet. Barely. Iori's stomach felt queasy. Takeru's knees wobbled; it had been several years since he last traveled via digital magic, but he was fairly certain that bubble hadn't come quite so close to exceeding the speed of sound.
An unfazed Xiaochun held her new Piccolomon card in both hands, kissing the front before lovingly tucking it in her font pouch with the rest of her extra special set.
"Ryo-senpai is so never getting that one back."
At her feet, Lopmon swayed back and forth several times before exhaustion left him collapsed in a slump. He flopped face-first into the dirt. Faint snores emerged.
Iori looked up. A large sign over the front doorway named the establishment in some form of DigiCode. Iori did not read DigiCode, but he did understand the hastily scribbled image of a stick digimon sitting in a circle with wavy lives around it. Lopmon had brought them all to some sort of resort. Find it was short of a miracle. They were deep in the woods in an area not even the Kyaromon recognized.
Distant sounds of running water reached their ears. The temperature already felt several degrees warmer, no doubt from the natural springs. Beads of sweat formed on his brow he was in no rush to wipe away.
He turned his attention downward.
A bearded ball with sunglasses and an apron looked back.
He jumped: "Nani?"
"That's NaniMON."
The digimon looked grossly offended for half a second before taking in the sight of his newest customers. He circled around Iori and Takeru once, eyeing them up and down. He turned to the Kyaromon, pulling out a magnifying glass and peering at them until he was satisfied that none of them were sparkling pink. Sticking his fingers between his lips, he let out a shrill whistle.
The doors burst open. A dozen Nanimon trotted out. All of them wore nurses hats and surgical masks. They flanked either side, making a grand gesture to usher the weary group inside."
"Allow us to welcome you to the Nanimon Hot Springs Sanctuary." the head Nanimon proudly stood at the top of the porch. "Please leave your shoes at the door and don't forget to tip your nurse."