Reaching their destination wasn't hard, not with the their collective experience and Gazimon's knowledge of the land. Following pathways left foolishly unwatched, meant only for servant digimon of the lowest class. Along the way they passed by more than a few workers that were happy to look the other way and not cause trouble. They'd been thoroughly beaten into submission by their cruel overlord, and didn't want any attention themselves. It was heartbreaking to see, but it worked to the chosen teens advantage for now.

The hard part, was convincing everyone to go along with Madison's plan.

"Our biggest advantage is the element of surprise, Mephistomon has a whole court of Digimon that seem strong." Madison had explained, technically she'd seen none of them in combat other than Devimon so she couldn't really speak for their actual power. "I... I wish there was a way to do this without fighting..." But Mephistomon and those fattening themselves on the suffering of others couldn't be bargained with. "So let me be the distraction."

There was opposition of course, the others all sure that Madison was just going to get herself killed.

"I'll keep the court focused on me, while you guys get into position, and while Gazimon gets the word out to the service digimon to evacuate."

It was reckless, both Digimon and Human telling her that she wasn't thinking this through.

"I know Mephistomon, he won't be able to ignore an attack on his pride... And this is the only way I can get to Tsu before the fighting starts."

But there was someone among them, who would have her back. "Look," Sam said with a shrug, "You trusted her to bring Tsu back before, didn't you?" Leaving the others in silence. "I believe in her, as long as we all do our parts."

Her testimony enough to convince the others, or at least silence further arguments. And it allowed Madison to proceed with her plans.

Now she stood before those familiar doors, the entrance to the great hall just ahead. A couple of Gazimon servers standing outside arguing over who would have to send in the next course of food. They froze up as they spotted her approaching, "Wh-What are you doing here!?" One demanded.

"Are you insane human!?" The other questioned, "If you get caught-"

But she walked right past them, leaving the duo in stunned silence. As she reached the door, she looked back at the two of them. "You and the others forced to work here should evacuate, it's not going to be safe here soon."

They looked back at her like she was crazy, before both nodding their heads. "Sure, whatever you say lady..."

"Yeah this job doesn't pay very well anyways..." Scampering off before this powder keg blew.

Taking a deep breath, Madison pushed through the doors. Throwing her weight against it as they slowly swung open, the sounds of grim merriment and dark festivities going silent as many sharp and shocked eyes landed on her. She swallowed her fears, and continued forward into the hall. None dared step in her way, knowing their Dark Lord would prefer the pleasure of ripping her to shreds himself. Even Myotismon was present, seated at the piano beside that damned stage, where the court had humiliated her before.

But Maddie's eyes never left the twin thrones at the far side of the hall, where Mephistomon shifted in his seat. "Well well well... And here I thought you humans had at least a fraction of intelligence in your heads." Chuckling lowly, his eyes flicking sideways to glance at LadyDevimon, as if searching for a reaction. "Tell me, what do you make of this?"

The Devilish beauty had to strain herself to control her grip on the arms of her throne, fearing she might rip them off as her body tensed up. "I think... She has clearly gone mad." She scoffed, attempting to keep up her appearance.

Madison came to a stop in the center of the hall, not wanting to approach any further than she'd have to. And being in the center would make her the focal point of their attention. "Mephistomon, LadyDevimon." She greeted calmly, keeping up a strong poker face. "If I'd known you were going to throw such a big party, I might have stuck around."

A snort of laughter escaping Mephistomon's snout, "And is this your attempt to be clever? To try and impress me?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "Or just the death throes of a girl who knows she'll be nothing more than a failure in both this world and her own?"

Madison shook her head, "I told you before, I'm not leaving without Tsu."

LadyDevimon rose from her seat at that, eyes narrowed sharply. "Are you daft?!" She scoffed, "I am not your Tsu anymore! I'm not your partner, our bond is broken, I never needed or wanted your help!" She all but screamed at her. "The only thing I want is to never see your face again!"

"You're lying." She answered simply, lowering her gaze for a moment and bringing a hand to her heart. "You're in pain, so much pain... And you think it'll just go away if you bury it all inside," Thinking about her mother, the way she dealt with her death. Or rather, the way she didn't. "I understand that it's easier to shut yourself up, to try and numb yourself to-"

"You don't understand anything!" LadyDevimon snapped at her, slashing a hand through the air with enough force to generate a small gust of wind throughout the chamber. "You think the death of one worthless human can compare to the pain of lifetimes I foolishly spent trying to deny my destiny!?" She was trying to hurt Maddie, to make her think she wasn't worth saving.

And to her credit, that particular knife to the heart silenced her for a moment. The various Digimon, and even Mephistomon himself eating up the drama. These sadistic bastards practically lived to see this kind of emotional torment. "Maybe you're right," She said finally, voice a bit shaky. "Maybe I'll never understand what you've gone through..." But not because she was hurt, "But I can still choose to stand by you." A soft smile crossing her face.

Mephistomon however, was not satisfied with this answer and sighed heavily. "Now that is where you're wrong, human." He said simply, "You see, the deal was that if you returned to this land I would destroy you, and it seems my new pet has made herself quite clear that she cares not what happens to you anymore." Smirking wickedly, "So tell me, despite the way you've livened up this party, why shouldn't I just destroy you on the spot? Aside from it leaving a terrible stain on the rug..."

Madison's smile turned to a sharp glare as her eyes shifted back to Mephistomon. "Because you still doubt her loyalty, don't you?"

Causing LadyDevimon to tense up where she stood on her throne. Slowly looking back at Mephistomon, "My lord I promise you-"

"No no," He held up a hand, tone growing darker. "Let her finish..."

"You might be a monster but you aren't stupid," Madison continued, "The only reason you kept me alive in the first place was to make her behave, and you only let me leave here because she requested it." She stated bluntly, the whispers throughout the crowd made it clear this wasn't exactly public knowledge to the court. Good, anything that might make him look weaker would only help her plan. "You think just keeping us apart would make her swing to your side, but even now you aren't sure if she's actually turning to your side or if she's just acting, right?"

She could feel it, that dark pressure in the air as the lights themselves seemed to dim. Mephistomon's rage palpable in the atmosphere, barely restrained. "An interesting theory, so what?" He scoffed, "She'll turn one way or another, it's only a matter of time, she's already destroyed your bond, the destruction of your digivice by her own hands is proof of that."

"Wanna bet?" Madison questioned sharply. "I'll make you a wager, that I can prove once and for all if she is really loyal to you." Making her challenge clear, "If I'm right, you can destroy me and start over with her, if I'm wrong then you have your proof she's yours forever."

Madison had never considered herself very smart, at least... Not in an academic sense. But she knew people, she could understand others after only a short time in their presence. She knew Mephistomon was prideful, narcissistic megalomaniac. To challenge him like this, in front of his entire court, forcing him to prove his ability to corrupt and revive the demon lord they'd all been waiting for? She'd backed him into a corner.

If he agreed, she had her chance to reach Tsu. If he refused, there would always be doubt he wasn't the all powerful Dark Lord he claimed to be...

LadyDevimon hadn't quite caught on yet to Madison's plan, solely focused on her safety. "Let me dispose of this wretch," She scoffed, taking flight from her throne. "I'll throw her into the nearest lake and let the beasts of the deep have her!"

But before she could get more than a few feet from her throne, "SIT DOWN!" Mephistomon's voice boomed like thunder, sending a shockwave through the great hall. His rage leaking out for just a moment, his eyes burning hatefully into Tsu. Before he took a deep breath, calming himself. "Give her the chance she wants, the last chance, and we'll prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're one with the darkness, and mine."

Like a kicked dog, she returned to her seat after offering only a small nod in return. His outburst reminding her of every last fear she had in regards to this monster. She silently watched Madison, fearing whatever was to come next.

"Go on then," Mephistomon ordered, giving a dismissive wave. "You've got ten minutes before I erase you from existence, use the time wisely." Smirking wickedly, convincing even himself that this would not change anything.

Madison nodded, "That's more than enough time." She said simply, turning and walking towards the stage. Burying her fears, her doubts, and her anxiety. Just as she'd done once before, for her partner. Though, she knew she couldn't do this alone, and as she stepped up onto the small stage she looked to Myotismon. "May I borrow your talents?" She questioned, wearing a faint smile.

Myotismon blinked in surprise, "What?" As if she were insane.

"Please," She muttered, low enough that only he could hear. "If you really want to see it all change, please help me."

His eyes widened as he stared into her own, seeing something that maybe even she didn't realize. He looked away as if unworthy, before his eyes lifted to meet Mephistomon's. The disapproval on his face was clear, and Myotismon sighed heavily as he lowered his head. Knowing what fate likely awaited him if he aided this human, even so-

"Of course." He answered, with a soft smile on his ruby lips.

"Start slow, and follow my lead." She nodded, withholding her sigh of relief as she turned and made her way to the center stage. Standing before the crowd, watching as many eyes now wholly invested in her gambit stared back. She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes, lowering her head. "If this is it... If this is the only real one I ever get to sing..." Feeling a single tear roll down her cheek, "I hope you're watching, Mom."

(Insert Song "I Believe" By Christina Perri, with slight altered Lyrics to fit better)

A few slow, soft notes rang out from the piano behind her as Myotismon started.

Madison waiting a moment, letting him set the tone before she opened her mouth and let the words flow.

"I believe if I knew where I was going I'd lose my way."

"But I believe that these things that they tell you are not your fate."

Lifting her head, opening her eyes and looking directly at LadyDevimon.

"I know that we are not the weight of all our memories..."

"I believe in the things that I'm not afraid to say."

"Hoooold on... Hoooold on..."

Letting the words linger in the air, as Myotismon picked up the beat a little. Shifting from soft and somber to something ever so slightly more upbeat.

"I believe in the lost possibilities you can't see~"

"And I believe that the darkness is somewhere that Light can be!"

"I know that your heart is still beating beating darling..."

"And I believe that you fell, so you would land next to me."

Myotismon seemed to notice in her pause that she was building up for something, and really hit the higher notes to give it extra weight.

"Because I have been, where are you are before..."

"And I have the felt the pain losing who you are!"

"And I have cried so many times! But I am still alive..."

She took another pause, letting her words sink in not only for Tsu but for all listening.

Myotismon continuing his beautiful piano work, carrying on a brighter tone as Madison continued.

"I believe that tomorrow is stronger than yesterday."

"And I believe that your head is the only thing in your way!"

"I wish that you could see! Your scars turn into beauty~"

"I believe that today it's okay to be not okay..."

"Hoold on... Hooold on..."

Myostismon picking up on her build, and began to crescendo his notes into their most powerful.

"Because I have been! Where you are before!"

"And I know the pain of losing who you are!"

"And I have cried so many times! But I am still alive~!"

Myotismon's notes carried on, as Madison's tone changed. Going from this somber, hopeful voice to a more determined one, as lights flashed above the hall, figures moving in the rafters. Madison continuing to sing the final lines of her swan song, repeating its last words.

"This is not the end of me, this is the beginning."

The angelic form of Darcmon sweeping down, landing behind Madison with Samantha at her side.

Digivolution

"This is not the end of me, this is the beginning."

The Fire of thrusters burning as the mechanical champion landed beside the stage, Thomas seated inside. "Mekanorimon!"

"This is not the end of me, this is the beginning."

Sliding down the walls with graceful agility, landing beside Madison on the stage before setting Kai down as well. "Yasyamon!"

"This is not the end of me, this is the beginning."

Slamming both feet into the ground with enough force to overturn the closest tables, Apemon stood with Cody at the front of the stage. "Apemon!"

Madison's eyes locked onto Mephistomon's, that annoyingly resilient flame burning in them.

"This is not the end of us, this is the beginning."

In the silence that followed, LadyDevimon's eyes looking down at them all in disbelief, "E-Everyone, you're all here..."

"Of course," Yasyamon answered, gripping his blades tightly. "We won't let you suffer alone either!"

Kai nodded, "We're here for both of you!"

"Hell yeah!" Cody exclaimed as he fist pumped, "We're gonna kick every last one your asses for what you did to Tsukaimon!"

Thomas gripped the controls of Mekanorimon, already powering up weapons. "I promised I was gonna get everyone back home safe, that means you too!"

Even Darcmon called out to her, "If those tattered wings aren't strong enough to carry you away from here..."

"Then I guess we'll just have to be your wings, so you don't have to be afraid anymore." Sam chiming in to finish the thought.

That coldness she'd felt before, the creeping darkness LadyDevimon had been able to feel slowly taking root inside of her. In an instant it was blown away by their words, her heart soaring as she was completely overwhelmed with something she'd not felt in a very long time.

Hope, that she might finally be free of her abuser...

But Mephistomon was unimpressed, "Devimon, remind me to completely replace the current guard once we're done cleaning this up." He scoffed.

"Of course sir," The long armed devil digimon nodded as he poked out of the shadows nearby. "How shall we proceed?"

"A handful of champion level digimon will make little difference," He scoffed, waving them off. "You're free to rip them to shreds! But save Madison for me!"

Tsu turned to him, "Wait! Mephistomon please-"

"SILENCE!" He boomed, eyes glowing as dark tendrils ripped up through the ground beneath LadyDevimon's throne, ensnaring and binding her with his dark power. "You will sit and watch while your friends are ripped apart!"

All around them the evil digimon took up arms, Vilemon filling the air above while Devimon bared his claws. At the same time, the Witchmon took flight on broomsticks, and the Bluemeramon brightened their sinister flames. The woman in red changed forms entirely, turning into a grotesque spider monster, and the man in blue accompanying her transformed into a tall, gangly mummy wielding a large rifle.

In spectacular fashion, the battle against Mephistomon and his court had begun. A fight to the finish, and only time would tell if the chosen humans and their partners were strong enough now to come out on top...