It was late, and somehow the party was still ongoing. As one tired Gazimon began making his way towards the palace to start his shift on service duty, yawning and rubbing his eyes as he passed by a few other workers that seemed to be leaving their posts. "What, is Mephistomon throwing a tantrum again?" He questioned.
A Ghostmon stopped briefly, looking back at him. "What? No! Well, probably," He shook his head, "But we need to get out of here! Things are going on in the great hall and we don't wanna be anywhere near that!"
"What things?" He asked, scratching the side of his head. "What are you talking about-"
A thunderous crash sounded, as the rooftop of the great hall, centerpiece of the palace, was suddenly blown sky high. Rubble and dust billowing in all directions, as a massive metal winged digimon emerged from within. A great gale of wind ripping through the area surrounding the palace, while the great cyborg dragon roared.
"Yeah you know what," The Gazimon swallowed nervously, "I think I'm taking the day off..."
. . .
"Gigadramon!"
His voice thundered from above, as dozens of Vilemon swarmed around the massive digimon. Thomas narrowing his eyes as he rode atop the cyborg dragon, "The sky is ours Gigadramon! We'll deal with these flying goons and keep any of Mephistomon's other forces from reaching the palace!"
"You can count on me!" He growled back in response, "Genocide GEARS!" Followed by a flash of light and earth shaking explosions.
Madison watching in awe at the great digimon, "Is... Is that really Kokuwamon?" And then there was Thomas, his body now glowing golden with that strange symbol on his chest, she could see it shining through his shirt before he'd disappeared into the sky with Gigadramon. "Is this the power of the Crests?"
"And now I need a new roof," Mephistomon scoffed, before slashing a hand through the air, "Don't just stand there KILL THEM ALL!"
"Bring it on!" Cody barked back, "GO APEMON!" His own body starting to glow a sharp silver.
Crest Digivolution
"Apemon Digivolve too!" His golden fur rapidly turning silver, as he grew a few feet taller. Clothing and armor starting to form over him while a great staff appeared in his hands, "Gokuwmon!" Emerging from the light, twirling his staff as two Bluemeramon fired off their flaming shots at the group. They were harmlessly knocked aside by his weapon, splashing against the drapes and setting them ablaze!
"Block this!" Arukenimon sneered, extending her arms. "Spider Thread!" Thick strands of silk fired from the bindings around her wrists, but they weren't just sticky ropes, each one lined with razor sharp edges!
Kai narrowing his eyes as he looked to Yasyamon, "You're up!" As a fiery red aura ignited around him.
Crest Digivolution
"Yasyamon digivolve too!" Light surrounding him as he leapt forward to meet the oncoming attack. His body surrounded in golden armor as it rapidly formed, blades extending into long katanas while a royal blue cape unfurled behind him. The great Golden knight emerged from the light with swords at the ready, "Grademon!" Slashing clean through the incoming webs with ease.
Both Madison and LadyDevimon watching with dropped jaws at opposite ends of the room, eyes wide as they muttered the word, "Amazing..."
"We'll protect everyone," Cody assured, clenching his fist tightly as he looked to his partner. "You focus on kicking some ass!"
Kai nodded, drawing the sword from his belt. "You too Grademon!"
Both warrior digimon nodding, gripping their weapons tightly. "RIGHT!" Their sights set clear on the tyrant who started all this, Mephistomon.
Gokuwmon charged forward, staff crackling to light with lightning, and Grademon was right beside him. Taking the already hesitant forces of the court by surprise with their brazen attack. Gokuwmon went for the fire throwers first, crossing the distance between them as he tossed his staff into the air, both fists crackling with electricity. "Now its our turn!"
Grademon's blades glimmering, as he held them the form of a cross while charging Arukenimon. "That's right! SOUKEN GRADALPHA!" In one swift strike, he cleaved right through the spider digimon, cutting her down in an instant.
"RAIKO HOU!" And Gokuwmon was no less swift in his disposal of both Bluemeramon, striking them each with his thunder infused fists. The attacks piercing clean through their chests, eliminating two more members of the court and catching his staff before it could hit the ground.
"Arukenimon!" Mummy cried out in despair as she was destroyed, "How DARE YOU!" Aiming his gun right at Grademon, he started to open fire. Energy bullets firing, peppering the knights body as he held up both blades. Block bullets while others bounced harmlessly off his armor, the gap in power evident to all in attendance.
Grademon dashed forward, reaching the mourning Mummy as he drew back one blade. "I hope you're reborn as good digimon." Before driving the blade deep into his chest.
Mephistomon sighed heavily, the various sounds of explosions and cries up above told him that the remaining members of his court were doing no better. "All this work, my court in shambles and my palace in ruins."
"That was... Surprisingly easy." Sam noted.
To which Darcmon shrugged, "Well when you're entire reign of terror revolves around hedonistic parties and growing fat on others misery, they might have just been a little rusty."
"I suppose I'll make note to add a gym to the palace once it's rebuilt." Mephistomon scoffed, shaking his head. "How annoying..."
"We're gonna be a lot more than annoying!" Cody barked back at him.
"You're all alone now," Kai added, "Surrender!"
"Hmm? Surrender? Heheheh HAHAHAHAHA!" His booming laugh erupted along with a wave of malice that seemed to flood the hall. Before he finally began to rise from his throne. That same pressure, they could all feel it weighing down on them as what remained of the windows were blown away by an unseen force. "Don't get ahead of yourselves brats!" He sneered, spreading his wings as he began to rise slowly off the ground. "My court may have grown complacent and weak, but I assure you I'm an entirely different BEAST!" Orbs of purple flame appeared in both hands, "You will regret coming here, and you'll beg for mercy before the end!"
Gokuwmon and Grademon held their ground, weapons at the ready as the building began to shake around them. The golden knight looking back over his shoulder, "Darcmon! Get everyone out here now!"
"What!?" She exclaimed, shaking her head. "You can't expect me to run from this fight!"
Madison having her own protests, "And what about Tsu!?"
"We'll handle it!" Gokuwmon replied sharply, "And we'll rescue Tsu!"
"We're trusting them to you, Darcmon!" Grademon added sharply, "Keep everyone safe."
The Angelic digimon didn't like it, but she knew keeping the humans here wasn't safe, there was no telling what Mephistomon might try. "We're wasting time! Lets go!"
Cody nodding, "Right, you'd better not lose, Gokuwmon!"
"Ha! As if!"
"You too Grademon," Kai added, "Win this so we can all go home!"
"Of course!"
"You think you can defeat me alone!?" Mephistomon sneered, watching as the others fled through the doors of the great hall. "You've only doomed yourselves to dying in solitude!" Before he swung one arm forward, launching the great orb of purple flame. The blast raging towards them while rapidly expanding, swallowing up much of the remaining tables and chairs as well as the stage itself.
While Grademon jumped to the right, planting his armored feet into the wall and running along it's surface to evade the flames. Gokuwmon jumped into the air taking a more direct approaching as a silver cloud formed beneath his feet.
The ape warrior charged him head on, as Mephistomon hurled the second ball of flame. Gokuwmon began to spin his staff, twirling and cutting clean through the fire just as he'd done before, crossing the distance between him and his foe before turning the twirling staff on the dark lord himself. "Take THIS!" Flipping forward, attempting to slam the staff down on Mephistomon.
But the Dark Lord was no impressed, raising one arm he took the brunt of the attack with ease. "Is that the best you can do!?" He demanded, as if insulted by the pitiful attack before lashing out with his massive arm. Slamming Gokuwmon in a brutal lariat and sending him flying, the monkey warrior smashing through an already shattered windowpane and out of the great hall.
But his attack had been a distraction, and Grademon had closed in, blades in hand as he launched himself from the wall. "Hang on Tsu!" He cried, aiming himself towards the base of those black tendrils keeping her trapped, intent on cutting clean through them to free her so she might escape or join the fight!
"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER!" Mephistomon roared with a sudden rage, the earth starting to crack beneath the halls floor. As spikes made of black ichor erupted through the sundered tiles.
"WATCHOUT!" LadyDevimon cried, fearing for his safety.
"Gah!" Grademon forced to halt his advance, jumping back and using his blades to both cut away and defend himself from the spikes. His hasty retreat leaving him blind to the Dark Lords movements.
"Impudent fool!" Barreling into Grademon, Mephistomon smashed the knight into the wall behind his dark throne. Not letting go, he spread his wings and took flight, dragging Grademon up and through the roof of his palace. Heavily battering him as they flew up into the sky, before he dropped Grademon. "Now PERISH!" Raising both arms, he started forming an even greater orb of dark flame, before hurling it down towards Grademon, the golden knight in freefall and unable to get clear of the rapidly approaching attack!
"Hang on!" But Gokuwmon was faster, riding his silver cloud he caught his fellow warrior. Carrying him out of danger for only a moment, as the orb hit sections of the palace below, tearing through the reducing entire wings of the massive structure to ruin, the main hall itself barely left standing.
"Not so fast pest!" Mephistmon was was already upon them again, speed unnatural for his size. He caught Gokuwmon and Grademon with one hand on each of their torsos. Taking them back down to courtyard outside the Great Hall, smashing them into the earth with force enough to crater the ground around them. The goat demon stepping back, chuckling to himself and wearing a smug grin. "Aaah, it's been too long since I've been allowed to cut loose like this..." Before he lifted on arm, he used his control of the darkness now seeping from the earth to pull LadyDevimon from the great hall, making sure she could watch the ongoing battle. "Devimon, bring me the heads of those children." He ordered simply, as a nearby shadow shimmered.
"Of course sir." Disappearing into the darkness.
"These two..." He pondered, narrowing his eyes at Gokuwmon and Grademon, "I sense something within them, I should destroy them now before-" But his thoughts were interrupted by a great shadow looming overhead, drawing Mephistomon's eyes, "Oh?" Looking at Gigadramon, who seemed to have finished clearing the skies. "Very well, you'll be next."
. . .
From the forests beyond the now ruined palace, the humans watched as fireworks began to light up the sky. Great purple orbs of fire, missiles exploding, creating an ominous light show in the cloudy skies.
"Come on Gokuwmon you've gotta give me something here!" Cody barked into his digivice, the only response coming in the form of some muffled and pained groans. "Well... I guess that's something."
"Knightmon wasn't kidding," Kai noted, "Mephistomon is a real monster..."
"Well we aren't out of this fight yet," Sam retorted, looking to Darcmon for confidence. "We... We aren't out of the fight yet, right?"
She quirked an eyebrow, "No, not yet... But you're safe now I should go and help." She suggested, pulling her blade from its sheath.
"Not happening," Sam argued, "You see the power being thrown around out there? You wouldn't stand a chance!"
Darcmon narrowed her eyes, "I fought Dragomon, remember?"
Causing Sam to scoff, "You got your butt kicked by Dragomon, and I don't think he was nearly as strong as Mephistomon is."
"Then I'll be a distraction," She shot back, "Give the others a chance to recover, anything is better than just standing around here and watching!" But before she could walk away, something slammed into her side. Nearly tackling her as she was pushed to the side, "Hey!"
But looking back, she caught a glimpse of her apparent savior. As Cody, surrounded by his protective Aura, was thrown across the ground following a strike by an elongated black claw emerging from the shadows. "Cody!" Madison cried as he tumbled.
"Aw, so close..." Came the mocking voice of Devimon as he emerged from the shadows. "Oh well, it'll be more fun this way."
Cody cringed as he slowly stood up, his arms which he'd evidently used to take the brunt of the attack, were cut up along the forearm. His barrier not quite enough to protect against fully against Devimon's attack. "D-Dammit... That was close..."
Darcmon held her blade and staff at the ready, "You'll regret coming after us." She said sharply, "Everyone get out of here while take care of this one."
"Oh you're going to hold me off? Buy them time?" He questioned, a wicked sneer on his face, "I can't possibly assume you think you can defeat me~" Before he lashed out with his claws at blinding speed.
Darcmon was immediately put on the defensive, unable to track his movements as they seemed to completely changed course through the shadows. Her blade sparking whenever it made his claws, nails grazing her as she narrowly avoided being skewered. One blow finally hitting mark, striking into her chest armor and sending her crashing through a nearby tree trunk.
"Darcmon!" Sam cried out.
While Devimon laughed, "Oh don't worry! That probably wasn't enough to kill her." He assured, spreading his wings. "I've been watching all this fighting, seeing my comrades cut down, dying in terror... Oh how it fans my bloodlust~" He chuckled with a twisted grin, watching as Darcmon pulled herself up from the dirt.
Her chest armor had almost been completely caved in, her body heavily battered as she gripped her blade and staff tightly. "Devimon, he isn't just strong for a champion, he's on a completely different level!" She realized, trying to think of a plan. "Raw power like Devidramon, but with speed and skill to match..."
"He moves through the shadows!" Madison called out, remembering what she knew about him. "That's how he gets around so quickly!"
The demon chuckled in amusement, "Is that supposed to help her? In this land there is nothing BUT shadows!" Before Devimon licked his fangs, "Now lets continue the bloodletting." Flexing his wings, Devimon raced towards her. Darcmon was ready this time, and moment he moved she brought up her barrier using that staff. Causing Devimon to hesitate for only a second, before he cocked back both arms. "Oh that's just cute, you bring the light into MY DOMAIN!?" Lunging with both claws, cloaked in a black aura, they ripped right through her barrier.
Darcmon forced to try dodging, but one claw struck her arm holding the staff. "Gnngh!" Claws cutting right through her forearm, causing both it and her weapon to be digitized in an instant.
"NO!" Sam cried out in fear as she watched, "Darcmon!"
She tried to fight back, lashing at him with her silver sword. Swinging at him wildly, desperation making her attack more viciously. But he knocked it from her hands with a switch backhand, laughing as he grabbed her by the face. "How pathetic!" And slammed her head right down into the dirt, "What's the matter? Aren't you going to digivolve? Where is your Crest?" He demanded, planting his boot on the back of her head. "Or are you not like them? Are you not chosen~?" Mocking her weakness.
"CHOOSE THIS!" Cody roared, having taken advantage of Devimon's bloodlust, he'd closed the gap between him without being noticed. And drove his shoulder into the devilish digimon's ribs shoving him off of Darcmon. "You leather clad piece of shit!"
Devimon glared down at him in annoyance, unsure how this human had actually managed to move him. "I'll have your head you little- AAAGH!" He cried out suddenly, as the bite of steel came from his lower back.
"You're overconfident!" Kai spat harshly, his blade hilted in Devimon has high as the teen could reach.
Devimon grit his teeth, body shaking. "Hrrnnngh! HRAAAGH!" Spinning, an explosion of darkness erupted from him and sent both Kai and Cody flying as Devimon spread his wings. "Impudent little humans," He panted lightly, the hole in his back sealing itself. "Wait your turn..." Eyes returning to the Angel digimon before him.
"I can't... I-I won't lose like this!" Darcmon was pushing herself up, rising with one arm clenched into a fist. "Cody, Kai... Thank you for giving me a moment to breathe." She silently noted, narrowing her eyes sharply.
Sam was watching, tensed up and almost ready to charge Devimon herself. Her heart racing as she looked at her Digivice, "Come on Dammit... What else is it gonna take?!" She demanded, drawing Madison's eyes, "Haven't we done enough?" Placing a hand on her chest, "Why won't my stupid Crest ACTIVATE!?"
Devimon laughed in amusement at her lamentations, landing his blood red eyes on her. "Maybe it's because you're just not worthy?" He suggested, sneering as he tried to cause as much torment as possible. "Maybe, you're just too weak, maybe this is the limit of your potential..." Spreading his arms wide as he prepared to attack once more, "And look at how pathetic that has left your partner~"
Sam felt heat building up behind her eyes, one of the rare times she felt herself getting emotional as he attacked her insecurities. "STOP!" Normally she'd brush something like this aside, but seeing the results of her weakness in Darcmon's suffering hit different than mere words.
Darcmon grit her teeth, her one fist clenched tightly. "How... How dare you!" Crouching slightly, her wings twitching.
Devimon quirked an eyebrow, "Oh? Did I upset you? Well if you're ready to die already please be my guest and-"
She flexed her wings, throwing all her momentum forward as she boosted with a gust of wind. Crossing the distance and taking Devimon by surprise. "Say what you want to about me!" Her fist cocked back. "But don't you dare insult my sister!" Slamming her knuckles right into Devimon's jaw, the force of the blow took him by surprise and actually knocked him back. "
"Gah! A punch?" Devimon scoffed, regaining his footing and getting ready to strike with his claws. "Really!?"
"Darcmon RUN!" Sam begged, fearing what might happen if this fight continued.
"NO!" She shouted back, ducking as Devimon lashed out, the claw narrowly missing her head. Before she grabbed him by the wrist, "If he moves through the shadows, I'll have to put him somewhere the shadows can't be cast!" She spun around with all her might, before throwing Devimon up through the trees and into the sky. "KAI!" Crouching low as she held out her arm.
He seemed to catch on, nodding. "RIGHT!" And threw his sword into the air.
Darcmon launched herself, taking flight and catching his blade as she ascended rapidly towards Devimon. "You're FINISHED!"
Devimon couldn't use his shadow step, and in his arrogance refused to back down from one badly injured angel digimon. "NEVER!" He cocked back both arms, lunging at her with his claws elongating to try and stop her from reaching him.
"PLEASE!" Sam clenched eyes shut, crying into her digivice as the screen flashed for a moment.
In that instant, Darcmon's body surged with energy! Her lost arm was replaced by a limb of golden light that she held up before her. "HAAAH!" A barrier of light was raised to stop the arms, and this time it halted the strikes dead in their tracks. But while his body was stopped, Darcmon was able to pass right through the wall of light! Closing the remaining distance between them. "This is for TSU!" With one swift strike using Kai's blade, she cleaved Devimon's head from his shoulders.
"Aaagh! NO! NO I can't be destroyed like this!" He cried as a disembodied head, while his body broke down. "I can't fail my master! MEPHISTOMON!" Before he vanished completely into the night sky.
As it ended, Darcmon panted heavily, struggling to keep her eyes open before finally she lost control. Falling from the sky as her wings failed her. "Hang on!" Cody cried, Kai running alongside him, the two managing to catch her as Sam and Maddie rushed over.
Kai reaching out a hand, "I'll try to repair your arm."
Darcmon winced, "I-I don't think I can-" Her words hitched as she began to change, dedigivolving. But she didn't stop at Kudamon, instead she shrank down even further! Until she was nothing but a little ball of yellow fur with cat ears and a tail.
Leaving the humans to breathe a sigh of relief, Madison standing by Sam's side. "You alright?"
She nodded, wiping her cheeks. "Yeah, yeah I'm good I just..." Looking to her partner, "Wow, been awhile since I've seen you in this form."
The tiny digimon huffed, "Because it's just embarrassing."
Madison chimed in with a big smile "Oh but you're so cute now!" She beamed, carefully picking up Nyaromon. "Sam why didn't you tell me Darcmon could be this adorable?"
Sam released a snort of laughter, "Guess it just slipped my mind."
Nyaromon grumbling, "This is so undignified."
"Here," Madison smiled as she handed her off to Sam, "You should carry her."
"I do not need to be carried!" The little fluffball argued.
But Sam wasn't hearing it. "Yeah you're gonna sit right here and rest," Her eyes looking off towards the palace ruins, "It's up to them now." She'd worry about that surge of power later, for now they were out of this fight, as much as she hated to admit it.
"But I guess that takes care of Mephistomon's court," Kai noted, crossing his arms. "Right?"
Madison wasn't so sure, "No... There's still one more," Thinking about her Vampiric ally, if she could consider him such. "But... I'm not really sure who's side he's on anymore."
"Well fingers crossed it's ours," Cody huffed, watching as more explosions echoed in the distance. "Because we're gonna need it..."