This is it, the finale of the battle with Mephistomon, after this it'll just be small winding down chapters to the end of the season

And congrats on catching, Shuriken XD I'm glad you've been enjoying the story so much!

Moments earlier...

Back on the battlefield, LadyDevimon was struggling against her bindings, trying to break herself free. "Come on... I know I'm stronger than this!" Clenching her eyes shut, trying to use that power inside of her. But as she reached deep, she felt something pushing back. "Ngh!" Her eyes widening, looking down at the darkness seeping out of the ground all around. "Why? Why aren't I strong enough!?"

In the sky above, Mephistomon launched his attack on Gigadramon. Opening fire with another one of those massive orbs of dark flame, "Hang on Thomas!" The cyborg dragon cried, flexing his wings and generating a great gale, buffeting the flames and threatening to snuff them out before he ascended higher. Evading the flames with ease.

"Awfully spry for your size." Mephistomon snorted, before he started racing towards him. "Lets see how well you maneuver at close range!"

"Not gonna happen!" He growled in response, raising both arms as the silos opened up. "Genocide Gears!"

The hail of missiles fired and raced towards him, "Ngh!" Unable to stop himself or change course in time, Mephistomon raised his arms to block. The impacts rocking his body, hitting harder than he'd expected as he cringed in pain. "These fools are stronger than I anticipated, but even so-" His eyes gleamed with malice amidst the smoke, before he launched himself directly at Gigadramon. "I'M STRONGER!"

"Gngh!" Gigadramon yelped as Mephistomon grabbed him by the tail, "Uh oh."

Mephistomon grinned wickedly, "Lets go for a spin then, shall we!?"

Meanwhile, Gokuwmon and Grademon were picking each other up from the dirt. Recovering from that brutal beating Mephistomon had just given them. The golden knight recovering his blades and shaking off the dirt, "We were careless, you still good to keep going?"

Gokuwmon scoffing at the suggestion that he might be done already. "I'm still breathing aren't I?"

"Indeed," Grademon nodded, eyes darting up to the sky where Gigadramon was- "We should move."

Gokuwmon quirked an eyebrow, "Why?" Before noting the sudden darkness overtaking them. A great shadow descending, "Oh..."

The body of Gigadramon coming crashing through what remained of the great hall and front of the palace, sending debris flying their direction as both ultimate level digimon jumped away from the impact zone. The cyborg dragon erupting from the rubble a second later, panting lightly but also growling lowly, Thomas still standing atop his head.

While Mephistomon slowly descended to rejoin them, "All still standing eh?" He chuckled in amusement, "Well you're certainly giving me plenty of time to stretch my legs."

Gokuwmon barking back, "Give me a few more minutes and I'll rip them off!"

Grademon sweatdropping, "Remember what I just said about being careless?"

The goat demon digimon smirked wickedly, taking in a deep breath as the liquid corruption seemed to swell beneath the earth itself. Causing more to spurt from the cracks, some of it flowing towards him as he planted his feet. "Lets kick things up a notch, shall we?" Gritting his teeth, as a shockwave erupted from his body, sparks of purple lightning discharging from his body as he stepped into the pool of corruption.

It swirled beneath his feet, as if it were being absorbed into his body. And those standing before him could only watch as he began to grow in size, his shadow soon looming over them all. In a matter of moments, he had grown to match Gigadramon in size!

"This is bad." Grademon noted.

Gokuwmon turning to shout at him, "YOU THINK!?"

"He's just a bigger target as far as I'm concerned!" Gigadramon snarled, aiming both hands at the enlarged evil digimon. "Genocide Gears!" Unleashing a salvo of missiles that exploded and burned against Mephistomon's body.

Causing him to grumble in annoyance, glaring at Gigadramon. "You'll die first." Before flexing his wings, and launching himself towards the cyborg dragon.

"We've gotta move!" Grademon shouted, beating a hasty retreat to get out of the way.

Gokuwmon following as a silver cloud formed beneath his feet, taking to the sky as he flew by the golden Knight. "Grab on!" Extending one hand.

While they took to the skies, Gigadramon and Mephistomon collided, putting brute force to the test against one another as their grips locked. Mephistomon's oversized hands grabbing Gigadramon by his mechanical pincers. "You've got the mass but you lack in power!" He sneered, turning and dragging Gigadramon by his arms, smashing him through what little remained of the palace's entrance.

"Get off of him!" Gokuwmon roared, flipping from his cloud as electricity sparked along his staff. "Raikou HOU!" Slamming it down on the back of Mephistomon's neck, unleashing an explosion of lightning!

"Gnngh!" He winced in pain, "Annoying little-"

"Souken Gradalpha!" The cry came from Grademon, before Mephistomon felt a biting back at the back of his ankles. Sharp edges slicing along the limbs supporting his mighty frame. Still, Mephistomon fought back, swinging one mighty arm towards him. Striking Grademon and causing him to slide back across the ground. The golden knight remaining focused, "NOW! While's off balance!"

"HRAAAGH!" Gigadramon, having been waiting for an opening, lunged from the rubble. Slamming his metal helm into the side of Mephistomon's face, stunning the Dark Lord and causing him to stumble back on weak legs, before collapsing under his own weight! "Everyone get clear!" Gigadramon cried, taking flight as he held up both arms. "Genocide Shell!" The wave of missiles raining down on Mephistomon, peppering him with explosions as he tried to cover his body with both arms.

The dark lord groaning as the barrage came to an end. Wincing as he started to force himself up from the dirt, "How... How shameful," He grumbled out, looking at the cracked ground beneath his feet. "Hmm, the last time I felt myself pushed this far was... Against those damn nosey knights..." Watching as the black corruption started to spill from the cracks. "And just like them... You'll come to regret this."

Thomas was still standing strong on his head, smirking as he watched the fireworks. "Let's try some modifications, see if we put him in the ground for good huh?"

Gigadramon seemed ready, holding up both arms. "Lets do it!"

Using his Crest, Thomas began to interface with Gigadramon's data, accessing files buried in his core. "We don't have the power output for more than two at a time, but this should be enough!"

Gokuwmon watched from his cloud, circling Mephistomon, as Gigadramon's right arm suddenly started to transform. The data warping until it appeared more reptilian, with a glowing lens between his metal claws. "What is he doing?"

Grademon watched as the cyborg dragons other arm started to change as well, this one turning a large metal cannon! "Not sure, but we should get clear!"

"Nuclear LASER!" Gigadramon cried out, as his right arm started to heat up, before firing a beam of red hot nuclear energy. "Psycho BLASTER!" His left arm following, as it fired an orb of glowing red light! The beam struck first, slamming into Mephistomon and burying him deeper in the crater. Pushing him into more of that black ooze, before the orb struck and lit up the surrounding area with a mighty explosion! "Ha Ha!" Gigadramon cheered, "He's finished!"

Thomas breathing a small sigh of relief, "I think we'll call that a successful test..."

While the others could only watch from the distant tree line as the explosion slowly faded. "Damn Thomas was holding out on us!" Cody grinned, "Not so tough now are you? You big stupid goat monster!"

Kai chuckling lightly as well, mostly feeling relieved. "I only wish Dragomon was here too so we could get rid of two problems at once."

"No kidding," Sam smirked, still holding Nyaromon in her arms. "And here I thought this mission was doomed to failure..." Looking to Madison, "Looks like you got to save the girl and defeat the big bad Dark Lord after all huh?"

Madison releasing a nervous chuckle, "Well yeah but... They're doing most of the heavy lifting, but I'm glad it's over- Ngh!" She nearly fell to the ground, gripping her chest as she felt something. Like a hand gripping her heart.

"Maddie? What's wrong?" Kai questioned, by her side in an instant. "Are you hurt?" Ready to use his Crest.

"I-I don't know," She stammered, struggling to breathe. Her eyes looking to the ground. "S-Something is... I-I don't-"

Near the battle, LadyDevimon could feel the darkness beneath her beginning to shift, it felt like she was slowly being pulled in as she struggled. "No! Please! Don't make me go back!"

"Crimson Lightning!" A blood red lash severed the tendrils restraining her, allowing LadyDevimon to safely stay aloft and avoid the darkness sinking into the ground.

Watching as it disappeared through the cracks, before looking to her savior. Seeing none other than Myotisomon standing nearby, "You... But why are you helping me?" He was another member of the court right? One of Mephistomon's pawns.

Myotismon smirked faintly, "Call it... Repayment of a debt." He said simply, "To that annoying little friend of yours... But I suggest you flee while you can." He added, looking towards the crater where Mephistomon had been buried, where all that dark energy seemed to be seeping towards. "I'm not sure they can defeat him now..."

LadyDevimon glanced towards the crater as well, that fear still present in her heart. "N-No... That can't be true..."

Meanwhile the Chosen teens were watching the shuddering earth with caution, everyone on guard while Madison seemed to be recovering. Before in the distance, around the ruined palace, great pillars of black energy began erupting from the ground. Reaching as high as a hundred feet in the air, cracks spreading throughout the ground fast as the palace itself began to sink into the earth.

"We need to move!" Nyaromon barked, knowing the ground beneath them could be removed at any moment.

As they began to run, Madison looked back briefly at the rising darkness. "Is this what Wisemon was talking about? The darkness Mephistomon used to corrupt my Crest?"

Kai sharing a similar train of thought, "Is this the terrible power that Knightmon spoke of?"

"Gokuwmon!" Cody called into his digivice, "We need some help down here! Think you can send a few clouds?"

"The Gokuwmon Express is on its way!" His voice answered.

"Thomas!" Kai called into his own digivice, "What's happening? Can you see anything from up there?"

In the sky, Thomas and Gigadramon watched while searching for any sign of their foe. "I don't know, I don't see Mephistomon anywhere!" Before his eyes caught a small flash of light, just barely through the smoke and dust of the earth now sinking into darkness. "What th-" Before Thomas realizing what he was seeing. "Gigadramon WATCH OUT!"

They were small, couldn't have been any larger than baseballs, but they came shooting out of the darkness at high speed. Gigadramon just barely getting his arms up in time to protect Thomas before they made impact. Just two small orbs of dark energy that slammed into his body, erupting in terrible explosions that shook the heavens above more so than the earth below even as it fell apart.

"Holy shit!" Cody exclaimed, "THOMAS! Are you guys okay!?"

"Guys look!" Kai shouted, pointing towards the center of the darkness, nothing left of the palace at this point. It had all been consumed by the oily blackness below. But from the darkness was rising a figure much smaller than Mephistomon had been, though it retained some of his appearance. Now much thinner, face no longer that of a goat but the horned skull of an ewe, body now taking a more feminine appearance. "Is that Mephistomon?"

A series of coughs came through the digivice, "W-We're okay up here! Just barely..." Thomas answered.

Gigadramon winced in pain, body badly battered from just that small attack. His helm cracked, metal wings shaking, with bits breaking off. "Grrngh... W-We aren't out of this yet!" Raising both his hands, "Lets see how you take a second volley! Genocide Gears!" Firing off another mighty salvo at their enemy.

Mephistomon slowly looked up towards the oncoming missiles, burning eyes narrowing. He started to crouch slowly, as it he were standing on something even as he hovered there. Before launching himself straight upward towards the missiles, pushing off of the air itself as he spread both wings and flew. With such a smaller body, and evidently increased speed, Mephistomon weaved between the incoming missiles with serene grace.

Reaching Gigadramon as two more orbs formed in his hands, "Merry Destruction!"

The impact was nearly point blank, another great explosion ripping through the sky and parting what few clouds remained. Those on the ground helpless to watch as the form of Gigadramon disappeared entirely within the light and smoke. And before it all even had a chance to clear, the form of Mephistomon emerged from it, racing towards the humans at high speed!

"Oh shit, everyone move!" Cody cried out, "Gokuwmon where the hell-"

"Right here!" The monkey warrior answered, racing by with a small fleet of clouds, "Lets get out of here!"

"What about Thomas?!" Sam questioned fearfully.

"I've got them!" Grademon answered over their digivices, riding his own cloud on an intercept course. He managed to catch both the battered human and Kokuwamon right out of the air. "Kokuwamon is down, Thomas is out like a light!"

"Get on the clouds and GO!" Gokuwmon ordered, turning to face their oncoming foe. "I'll-"

But the Dark Lord had already crossed the distance, going so much faster than Gokuwmon could have reacted to. His skull face now just inches from Gokuwmon's, "You'll what?" He questioned in a deathly calm voice, while he held a condensed orb of darkness right against Gokuwmon's chest.

The Monkey warrior however, showed no fear. "GO!" He roared, while his right hand moved at lightning speed, burning to life with electricity.

Rather than attacking Mephistomon, he grabbed the orb with his super charged hand.

The clearing was ripped apart by the blast, tearing up the ground and burning away much of the vegetation. Covering everything in dust and smoke.

When it started to clear, Mephistomon had been pushed back by the sheer intensity of the blast. Looking at his burned hand, narrowing his eyes. "Injecting your own power into the orb to make it detonate beyond my control?" He scoffed, looking up Gokuwmon. "You must be desperate, or insane."

Gokuwmon was panting heavily, his armor completely destroyed by the blast. The only clothing he had left were those baggy black pants, and he was covered from head to toe in smoldering burn wounds. "Nah, I'm just sick of looking at your ugly mug..."

"Hmph," Mephistomon snorted, "Awfully persistent, aren't you?" Before his eyes darted past them to a flicker of movement on his flank.

Watching as LadyDevimon landed, having finally found some modicum of willpower. "Mephistomon please, stop this!"

"You see what you make me do?" The Dark Lord scoffed, eyes burning into her. "All of this suffering, because you can't just accept what you are... It's pathetic."

Gokuwmon grit his teeth, "Shut your mouth!" Arms both sparking to life with lightning as he charged at Mephistomon. Swinging fists rapidly, trying to land a blow even as the transformed Dark Lord weaved between the attacks seamlessly. "You don't know anything about Tsu!"

Before Mephistomon jumped up, spinning and delivering a brutal roundhouse kick with his hooves right to Gokuwmon's jaw. "I'm the only one the knows anything about her!" He corrected, sending the monkey warrior smashing through one of the few trees that remained standing in the area. "How long are you going to drag this out?" Mephistomon questioned, holding up one hand as another orb began to form. "Is it really worth all of this?" Aiming the blast at her.

LadyDevimon was trembling, completely unable to move as she watched with fear. "I am supposed to be standing up to him, to fight back!" She told herself, "Why can't I move!?"

"I'll make you suffer before we start over," Mephistomon promised, "Starting with the removal of these pathetic humans!" At the last second, he turned his hand away from Tsu, aiming instead for the now defenseless humans!

Her eyes widening with horror, "NO PLEASE!"

But where her resolve had started to waver, one young man's was unshakeable. "Get everyone out of here!" Cody ordered, leaping forward just as the blast left Mephistomon's hand.

Sam gasping as she realized what he was doing. "Cody YOU DUMBASS!" Unable to do anything but watch as he got right in front of the attack. Creating a cross block in front of himself, planting his feet and keeping his head down.

The impact shattered the already tattered earth, splitting it into pieces and uprooting much of the surrounding area. Amazingly, the blast was mostly backfired towards Mephistomon. Taking him by surprise, as the forefront of the impact was still occupied by Cody. Who stood on shaky legs, clothes in tatters just like his partner. Body covered in small burns that had made it through his shield.

The human wearing a cocky grin, even as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "Don't... Underestimate us humans..." He said defiantly, before collapsing to the ground. The lights around his body fading before he even hit the dirt.

"Cody!" Madison cried, all of them rushing to his side, "Kai! Kai you have to heal him!"

Mephistomon blinked in surprise as he watched them scramble, "Hmm, well then... Not what I expected but not an entirely undesirable outcome," Before starting to raise his hand again, "As they say, if at first you don't succeed-"

A faint wind blew by, a dust cloud passing behind Mephistomon as the golden knight appeared just above him. Both blades in hand, coming down to strike at him from above, to cleave him clean in half with a single precision strike. But Mephistomon was too fast for him, sidestepping the strike and spinning into another roundhouse kick.

Grademon getting up his blades just in time to block it, the impact sending him sliding back on his heels. "Hnngh! You're mine!" He declared, dashing right back in and attacking with righteous fury, slashing left right up and down, trying to cut through the evil digimon.

"This is getting tiresome!" Mephistomon growled in annoyance as he evaded the blows. Raising a hand to unleash another bolt of his raw power, but the moment it fired Grademon cut it clean through sending the halves off in different directions behind him before lunging forward and slamming his helm into the Ewe's skull face. Taking Mephistomon by surprise as he recoiled, not expecting the gilded knight to have so much fight left in him. "It isn't just that he's still got energy left, he's actively starting to react to my movement patterns, he's learning as he fights me!"

As Grademon continued his furious assault, movements focused and precise, if it were any lesser digimon he were facing he'd have reduced them to shreds by this point. "I can't stop! I have to win! I have to protect everyone!"

While the others were tending to Cody, pulling him from the field while checking over his wounds. "Okay, nothing major," Samantha noted as she looked him over. "Maybe a concussion, but with stupid ideas like that one I'm sure some brain damage could only be an improvement."

"FURIOUS SPIKE!" Mephistomon gasped as he felt something stab into his back, nearly making him stumble into Grademon's attack. He only just barely reacted fast enough to fire off a weaker burst of energy that sent the Knight sliding back once more. Turning and glaring at the injured form of Apemon who had returned to the field, unable to maintain the form of Gokuwmon. "Ha! You're not as invincible as I thought!"

Watching the now much weaker champion digimon joining the battle, LadyDevimon felt herself starting to shake again. "Everyone..." Thomas, Kokuwamon, Cody and Gokuwmon, Kai and Grademon. "They are going through all this for me... And I can't even bring myself t-" Her eyes darting to Madison, a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. Like her will to fight was battling sickening sense of fear and shame, and even now she didn't quite understand why. "I-I'm strong enough to stop this, aren't I? So... So why do I feel so... So helpless?!"

"Crown of the Beast King!" Apemon roared, attemping to slam down his glowing fists on Mephistomon. Who was currently locked in combat with Grademon, the golden knights attacks seeming to get faster with every minute they fought.

"ENOUGH!" But these attacks would never land, as the flames burning within Mephistomon's skull began to grow brighter. Cracks started to spread from the palace towards them, and as the earth split into pieces, great pillars of that dark energy erupted from within. Blasting Apemon sky high, away from the battle. While Grademon was forced to retreat. "You won't escape me!" Launching towards him, he caught the knight off guard by flying straight through one of the black pillars, arm outstretched as light formed in his palm. "Merry Destruction!"

The resounding explosion sent Grademon soaring from the field, armor cracking apart mid flight. And by the time he struck the ground, the golden knight had dedigivolved back into Kotemon. The dark lord landing just feet away, breathing out a sigh of relief, "You know, of all the fools I've faced today, you are perhaps the most bothersome." He chuckled in amusement, slowly walking towards the unconscious Kotemon. "In fact, if you and that Ape knew how to properly work together I might have been done in... But there's no chance of that now." Raising one hand, preparing to form an orb and erase this pest once and for all.

"CRIMSON CLAW!"

Mephistomon sidestepped, as LadyDevimon clawed hand hit nothing but the air. "You know," He slowly turned towards her, wearing a sinister a smirk on his bone face. "If you're going to come at the king, you'd better not miss."

She grit her teeth, "I-I... I won't be scared of you anymore!" Trying to convince herself more than him.

And without waiting for a response, she charged. Taking flight and launching herself towards Mephistomon, the Dark Lord catching her incoming claw attack. "Oh ho!" He laughed in amusement, "Look who finally found their fighting spirit, though you sound more like a paper tiger than a real one." He sneered, before throwing his knee upward and slamming it into her stomach making Tsu double over. "It's too late to change anything!" Before throwing her into the air with all his might, "Merry DESTRUCTION!" Firing off one, two, three of those condensed bolts of darkness at her.

"TSU NO!" Madison cried out as she watched, all the humans unable to do anything but witness the carnage.

Thunderous explosions shaking the area as they made impact one after another, each feeding into and expanding the previous blast. The children watching in horror from the brutality of the attack. She fell from the smoke, her body trembling and terrible injured, struggling to keep her eyes opened. "I won't... Give up!" Even with tears in her eyes, she corrected her flight path and lunged at him once again.

Mephistomon caught her by the wrist, scoffing at her pathetic excuse for an attack. "That is enough! I'm done playing games!" He snarled, flying higher until they were over the pit of darkness raging down below. "Time to start over, to return you to the pit you came from, and maybe this time when you're reborn you'll become who you should be!" Forming another orb in his free hand, before letting her fall, delivering one final brutal blast to punctuate her demise, blasting LadyDevimon and leaving her to plummet into the pits.

"NO!" Madison cried out as she watched, "Tsu!" They were so far away, she'd never make it. Even so- "I'm coming Tsu!"

"Madison wait!" Kai tried to stop her as she ran off, "It isn't safe!"

But she didn't stop, running at full speed across the loose dirt, closing her eyes as she ran. "Please!" She begged anyone who might be listening, "Just let me reach her!" She hadn't come this far to give up, "Just let me save her!"

When she opened her eyes, she saw what she must have missed before. In the blink of an eye, it was like something had opened up before her. A hole in space, through it she could see her destination. Her falling partner right in front of her eyes, Madison didn't question it she just jumped and threw all her weight forward.

"What!?" Mephistomon exclaimed, watching as Madison seemed to appear out of thin air. Tackling LadyDevimon mid fall, throwing off her descent just enough that they didn't land the pits of darkness. Crashing down on some fractured earth, the tattered remnants the landscapes now being consumed by darkness, it hadn't quite sunk all the way down just yet.

The two rolled across it's surface, LadyDevimon nearly tumbling over the side before Madison grabbed her by that elongated arm. "Hang on!" The human girl cried, trying desperately to gain some kind of traction to prevent them both from falling. Managing to catch a crack in the stone, locking her grip with all her strength. "Gnngh! I-I've got you!"

LadyDevimon looked up at her weakly, slowly regaining her senses following the attack. She could see Madison holding her arm, "She's here... To try and save me, again..." She realized, and it only made her feel worse. "Just... Just let me fall," She begged, not sure how exactly Madison made it here at all. "Forget about me, we did our best but... There really is no escaping him."

"Not happening!" She argued, gritting her teeth as she struggled to pull her up. Between Tsu's size and her own grip on the stones, Madison was afraid one of her arms might get pulled right out of its socket! "I told you I won't leave you!"

Tsu lowered her head, releasing a heavy sigh. "You're... Amazing, Madison, and I've done nothing but cause you trouble." She lamented, wallowing in self pity. "I wasn't good enough to be your partner..." She added, "You... You deserved a better Digimon."

"Not this again." Madison cringed as she tightened her grip, practically feeling Tsu starting to slip out of her grasp. But even as her nails cracked against the stone and her fingertips started to bleed she didn't let go of the rock or her partner. Thinking about all the times her partner made comments like this about herself. It was so self deprecating, it was the thoughts Mephistomon had put in her head, and Madison finally had enough of it.

"Even now I... I can't become what I should," The darkness in her heart starting to react to the corruption around them. "Even now... After everything, I'm still wrong!"

Madison was bewildered by her words, "What are you talking about!? That's just what he thinks of you!" She argued, "Why? Even after everything we've done she still thinks he's-"

"Even bolder to assume Tsukaimon is the one you must reach..."

Myotismon's words echoed in her mind, the ones she hadn't quite understood at the time. But now, knowing the things he'd said and done to her, it was starting to make sense. This self loathing, it had been amplified ever since returning to Mephistomon's side. But it was deeper than Tsukaimon being terrified of Mephistomon, she was hurting in an entirely different way that Madison had never even considered! At least, that was the theory. If she was right, she might finally be able to save her.

If not... Well, she wouldn't have much time left to think about it.

"LILITHMON!" Madison cried out, taking a leap of faith. "Was Mephistomon right the entire time?" She wondered, getting a glimpse of her partners stunned and confused face, giving her all the answer she needed. "Ever since being reborn as Tsukaimon, Mephistomon has been trying to force her back to Lilithmon. And ever since this struggle between Mephistomon and I began, she was so sure that becoming Lilithmon again was the worst possible outcome, all because of me!"

Even Mephistomon seemed confused by her cry, "L-Lilithmon? But she isn't-"

"Mephistomon has got it in your head that there's something wrong with you, but there's NOT!" She had to reach her, even if meant accepting that Tsu was- "And I'm sorry that I made you think it mattered who or what you became!" Madison could feel something, a strange sensation starting to course through her body, her heart rate slowing down and making heavy beats. "All that matters is that it's YOUR CHOICE! Not mine and not his!"

At the same time, the liquid corruption was starting to crawl up LadyDevimon's legs, starting to consume her body.

"I don't care who or what you become!" She assured, "Even if you become Lilithmon again or something else entirely, I'll still be here for you! Because I know it'll still be you!"

Mephistomon could see the creeping darkness growing turbulent around them, as it continued to swallow up LadyDevimon, "Your words mean nothing! It's already too late to stop it!"

Tsu had tears running down her cheeks, even as the cold darkness began to crawl up her neck. "Oh Maddie..." Before her eyes widened, seeing something start to happen around Madison. A faint glow was starting to overtake her body, her eyes a faint glimmering pink. She started to feel something in her chest as well, "Th-This is-"

"Whatever happens," Madison continued, her tone going softer as she looked back at her partner. "I'll be by your side, and I'll accept whoever you are."

The darkness around their island of rubble erupted, swirling and sinking the chunk of stone into the depths of the black corruption. Even as a glimmering light started to shine from within. Madison finally losing her grip, falling into Darkness as she embraced her partner for what she thought would be the final time.

Her form shifted, from the pale devil with tattered wings to a beautiful demon with leathery bat wings, a long flowing purple dress. Hovering just beneath the surface of the corruption, the Demon looked down at her partner, who's eyes were clenched shut as she tried to weather the storm of darkness around them. And then down at her own body. Contemplating this power, if this is what she wanted, to return to... This.

"No, I will be who I choose, who I want to be!"

In an instant, Lilithmon was gone.

And LadyDevimon remained in her place.

The light surrounding Madison began to grow! Enveloping them both beneath the sea of darkness!

"And I'll fight for those, who accept me."

Crest Digivolution

(Tsu's Mega Digivolution Theme "Accentier" By Eir Aoi)

A pillar of pink and black light erupted high into the sky, the sea of corruption writhing as if it was burning. Mephistomon barely even noticed, watching as the lights focused on a single point.

"LadyDevimon Digivolve to!"

Her body remained the same size, but her clothing warped and changed. The tattered leather garb began to fill out into a full set of clothing.

Leather boots and gauntlets trimmed in gold, her gloves ending in golden claws. While a long black coat flowed behind her with a fluffy mantle around the back of her neck, along with a long prehensile tail. While a leather corset of sorts covered her chest, leaving a... Notable amount of cleavage exposed.

Her skin turned from that pale shade to a soft, cold bluish purple, while her once snow white hair erupted into a brilliant and pale golden mane flowing down her back.

Over her face, the half mask expanded into an angled, almost corvid look.

Her eyes turning more human, with pink irises and a third eye opening in the center of her mask.

Around her waist, leather belts with holsters on each side appeared, two ebony and golden hand cannons appearing in them.

In the end, her tattered wings were replaced by a remnant of her old life. As she carried herself with Lilithmon's wings.

The lights faded, and Mephistomon's excitement slowly turned to confusion as he took in her appearance, watching as Madison was held close to her side by one arm. "What... What is this!?" He demanded, confused and angry. "You're not- Where is she!? Where is my Lilithmon!?" Slashing a hand through the air furiously, as this newly formed digimon slowly descended to the now clear ground, the black corruption having almost burned entirely away. "WHO ARE YOU!?"

She set Madison down gently, giving her a soft smile and nod. Before turning back to Mephistomon, "BelleStarmon, and I am not yours any more!" Her words carrying a sharp venom in them.

While beside her, Madison stood proudly with her now pink hair flowing in the air freely. A symbol like a hand reaching out shined on her chest through her shirt. Madison carried with her the Crest long since buried and corrupted in this land. A crest who's corruption lead to the slow decent into fear and madness among many other digimon in the Digital World.

The Crest of Compassion.

Granting it's wielder the power to reach out to anyone in need with their kindness.

"Grrrnnngh!" Mephistomon was seething, his body starting to glow with that dark energy he'd been using to attack them. "You!" His eyes locking onto Madison, "You've ruined EVERYTHING!"

BelleStarmon seemed unfazed, shooting Madison a sideways glance. "You going to be okay here?"

Madison nodded, "I'll be fine, go get him."

She pulled one of the twin barreled pistols from her belt, gripping it tightly in her left hand. "With pleasure."

And then she took flight, racing towards her target at high speed as all three eyes narrowed sharply. Mephistomon grit his teeth and raised both hands, "You think I can't still crush you!?" Orbs forming in both hands rapidly before he opened fire. The small orbs of energy whipping through the air at the incoming demon. "You're just a pale husk of a real Digimon!" Completely unhinged by this point, "YOU'RE NOT HER!"

She halted her ascent with a breakneck stop, "And even after all this time you still don't understand." Raising her single hand cannon and putting one finger on the trigger. "Fly Bullet!" The sound of gunshots echoing as she fired off two bullets. They had faces like her mask, and weaved through the air as if they had a mind of their own, cutting clean through his orbs and causing them to explode harmlessly in the space between both of them. Before flexing her wings and diving right into the storm of fire.

Emerging right in Mephistomon's face gun aimed at his head. The moment she fired he leaned back to evade, eyes wide in awe of her speed. Before he swung up both legs and kicked her in the chest, sending her flying upward. "I won't LOSE!" Channeling his power, as orbs began to form all around him in the air, varying in sizes as his control started to slip away. "I'll destroy everything before I let you stop me from bringing her back!"

The bolts fired, racing up into the air after their target homing in on her as she flipped up through the sky. BelleStarmon starting to spiral and pick up speed, changing course mid fall and sweeping over the ruined palace. The blasts hitting the earth behind her before she wove back into the clouds. BelleStarmon hovered in the air, looking down at him with her sharp, judging eyes. The Dark Lord's own eyes burned brighter in response, as he brought both arms together and started to form an even larger orb of darkness, "HRAAAAGH!" Roaring furiously as he threw the orb up at her.

BelleStarmon clicked her tongue, "I need to end this fast, or he'll destroy the entire continent in this rampage." Raising her second pistol as well, she fired a hail of shots into the oncoming attack. Causing it to destabilized and erupt in the sky, the massive explosion having an unexpected effect as the blast and great gale that followed spread the clouds! Sweeping clean the dark skies, and in an instant putting an end to Mephistomon's eternal night, letting in the light of day for the first time in years! "Now there's an idea." She smirked faintly, as a plan formed in her mind.

Mephistomon already looked like he was about to launch another attack, when BelleStarmon charged him. Racing towards him head on, "A forward attack? You might have power but you're still a FOOL!" Forming another wave of those dark orbs, "Merry Destruction!" Hurling them all towards.

BelleStarmon didn't stop however, instead she raced right into the bolts. "This is gonna hurt, but I've felt worse!" The attacks hitting mark one after another, releasing thunderous explosions that swallowed her whole. Before her smoldering form could be seen falling from the cloud, dropping to the earth at high speed and crashing into what remained of the ruined courtyard outside of where the palace had been.

Mephistomon released a booming laugh, "SEE!? I am still the strongest! You're nothing!" His relief and excitement evident, as he flew down towards the courtyard. "Nothing without her!"

Meanwhile, Madison had reached the others after stepping through another gateway. Smiling lightly, "Hey guys, I finally got my crest."

Kai had healed Cody but he was still knocked out, while they were all watching Mephistomon's descent towards BelleStarmon. "Yeah that's great," Sam replied, "But what about her?" Nyaromon also looking concerned.

Madison looked back, quirking an eyebrow. "Oh that?" Noting the smoldering ruins, "She'll be alright."

Mephistomon touched down beside the smoking crater BelleStarmon had landed in, panting softly as the excessive use of force had taken up much of his power. "Heh... Hahahahahaha! See how pathetic you are like this?" He mocked, walking up to the edge and spotting the fluffy mantle of BelleStarmon's jacket just barely peaking out of the dirt. "If you'd accepted the power sooner, if you'd become what you were supposed to be you... You'd..." Slowly stopping, his amusement fading as he stared her buried corpse, as if the gravity of his actions was starting to hit him. "Why... Why do you have to make this so hard!?" He demanded suddenly, anger returning. "I'm just trying to bring you back! I'm doing this FOR YOU! FOR US!" Going silent for a moment as he took heavy breaths, the exertion of his power starting to catch up. "Why can't you just... Come back?" He knelt down and gripped that furry mantle, intent to pull her from the dirt by the scruff of her neck. But as he lifted it up, "Huh?"

He realized too late that the only thing in the crater was BelleStarmon's jacket.

"I'm right here," Her voice in that moment sounded so familiar, and out of what could have been desperation, Mephistomon turned to face her with his guard completely dropped. "RAZOR NAILS!"

"GNNGH!" The Dark Lord gasped out, as BelleStarmon drove her golden claw right through his chest, reaching all the way through his back. Trembling as he stared down at the claw, one he recognized. "Th-That's... M-My Lillith-"

"Lilithmon, I was destroyed a long time ago, somewhere far from here," She said calmly, as Mephistomon collapsed to his knees, body starting to shudder and break down. "You recovered a piece of me, and forced it into a recently formed digi-egg to try and bring me back." Sighing as she shook her head, "You succeeded, it's me... It's always been me." Almost sounding shameful in saying it. "But I'm not the same Digimon I was before... I didn't want to be the same digimon I was before." Looking down at her golden claw, one of Lilithmon's signature weapons. "I've grown, changed."

Mephistomon grit his teeth, lurching forward as he gripped the hole in his body. "Gnngh! No... No you're wrong! You can't be her! You're... You... You can't be..." Clenching his fists tightly, slamming one into the ground. "Why... Why won't she let me bring her back?"

BelleStarmon didn't need to think long for an answer. "I never wanted you to bring me back," The mega level digimon shaking her head. "I wanted you accept what I became."

"But... Why?" Mephistomon nearly begged, "Why didn't you... I-If I'd known-"

"I don't know," BelleStarmon shrugged, sadly lowering her head. "You made me feel... Disgusted with myself for just trying to exist, like there was something wrong with me... So somewhere along the way, I guess even I started to believe I wasn't really Lilithmon." Before she smiled faintly. "I guess that's why I was chosen, and partnered with someone who'd accept me no matter what I was."

His eyes widened in that moment, before he released a short, pained laugh. "Then I am... Both a failure, and a fool." Body sinking to the ground as more of it broke down. The realization shattering what little pride and ego he had left in his final moments, learning that every terrible thing he'd done was for nothing. He lifted his head slowly, staring up at the clearing skies as he put his final thoughts in order. "At least... I die knowing you're in... Good hands."

BelleStarmon hated the idea of this monster getting to die at peace, but knew that sometime long ago, even if they were both monstes, he'd been important to her in some way. "Goodbye, Mephistomon." Turning her back on his broken form as he fully vanished. Before spreading her wings and flying back towards the others after grabbing her jacket. When she neared, she could see not only all of her friends, but other digimon too! Various dark digimon that had been servants of Mephistomon, as either soldiers or slaves, slowly crawling out of the ruined woodwork to see their saviors. BelleStarmon landed by her friends with a faint smile, "Everyone alright?"

Madison nodded, "Yeah, Kai's healing everyone up with his Crest." She assured, "And Mephistomon?"

"It's over, he's... He's gone." Saying the words, the realization of it all suddenly started to hit her. She felt dizzy, lightheaded, "After all this time he's really-"

"Tsu!" Madison gasped as her partner fell to her knees. "Are you okay?"

As tears began to run from beneath her mask, "It's over... I'm... I'm finally free." She said as she started to openly cry.

Madison realized what was happening and smiled softly, approaching BelleStarmon and giving her a hug, rubbing her back as the formidable mega level digimon buried her face in the humans arms and sobbed. To everyone else, a great evil tyrant was just destroyed, and their lands were free. They were celebrating, word spreading across the Dark Lands like wildfire.

"But for you..." Madison was happy for her, but felt a little sad as well, knowing how terrible this all must have been. Facing her abuser, facing the thing that had taken away her ability to choose, taken away her freedom to live the life she wanted, and destroying him. "It's alright..." She said softly, stroking her long golden hair. "Everything's going to be okay now." Of course Tsu was emotional, for the first time in what must have been multiple life times, she was free.

"Thank you," She muttered, slowly and reluctantly lifting her head as she looked at the others with tear filled eyes. "All of you, thank you so much..."

Kai bowed his head, "Of course."

While Sam gave an awkward thumbs up, "Any time." Not entirely used to things getting all emotional like this.

One by one they had faced each and every challenge thrown their way and succeeded. The Digital World was a treacherous place, but with their arrival it would certainly be left a brighter one. With the Crests awakened, Mephistomon defeated, and everyone safe, there was only one thing left to do.

Find a way home...

And that wraps up the final battle, and both Madison and Tsu's arcs to get here. I might have to give this chapter another passover or two to find any mistakes, it's a whopper of a chapter and I'm pretty busy with work as it is heheh...

Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed the ride, and understands Maddie and Tsu will probably be sliding off center stage for a bit so the others can shine now!

On a final note, I'm using an altered version of BelleStarmon/BeelStarmon, since I wanted her to look more demonic to show that Lilithmon is still part of her. It's been mentioned a few times how people think I am going to "Purify" or give a "true digivolution" to Tsukaimon, but in case it isn't crystal clear at this point, what you've seen is it lol

While I love the speculation and theory crafting, I have always been a little bored of the concept of "Dark Digivolutions" as a plot device to show off a different form than you'd usually see. And also the concept that a Dark Digimon can't be one of the good guys, so to be absolutely clear, Devidramon is staying, LadyDevimon is Staying, and BelleStarmon is staying, all part of our little demonic friend Tsukaimon :D

Oh and also, there will be a link to the artwork for this form of BelleStarmon in my profile, but if that somehow still doesn't work you can find it by searching for "Notorious Noire BelleStarmon" I think it's like the second google image result lol