Zero Unit: As I said last chapter, this skit is dedicated to LGBT education. It's just a simple, civil discussion to clear up misconceptions and things like that. This panel is going to be hosted by me, the gay man. Tachikawa Mimi, the don't-really-care-what-you-call-me-sexual. Her words, not mine. And adult Kanbara Shinya, from my Love or Lust story, who has promised to keep things PG for the sake of the rating. We also have special guest, Oren Pierre Alfonzo, from Kamen Rider Gaim.
Mimi: Time for enlightenment everyone!
Adult Shinya: Okay, but technically, everything we say comes from Zero's mind. I can't swear even if I want to.
Oren: Bonjour! My darlings!
Zero: I'll just be asking you guys questions that gay people have been asked about before. Or I'll bring up stereotypes and misconceptions and it'll be up to you guys to educate and gently try to dissipate those misunderstandings. This means tone down the sass.
Shinya: *To Mimi* Why is he staring at us?
Zero: First, who is the man and the woman in the relationship?
Mimi: *Snorts* Well… *Stops, noticing Zero's stare* I mean… Look, it's just silly. I know of some people who will describe it that way. The submissive one is the woman and the dominant one is the man. But not only is that an outdated idea, but it's kind of rude.
Shinya: Right. Let's say, in a heterosexual relationship, the woman has all the traditional traits and capabilities of a man and for the male, it's the opposite. You don't suddenly refer to the man as the woman and vice-versa. I mean some people will. But regardless, in a homosexual relationship, like mine, I am Tomoki's boyfriend and he is my boyfriend. Simple.
Zero: How do you know though? You're probably just confused.
Oren: Ma cherie. You know, when you know. The only time you don't is when someone tries to tell you what you are!
Shinya: What he means to say is that if someone tries to tell you what you're supposed to be, ignore them. You'll figure out on your own.
Mimi: Also, we know the same way any straight person knows they don't want to sleep with someone of the same sex. We just do. But there are some, not all, some, that don't fully understand their situation. For them, they might actually be confused but it doesn't mean they might be wrong if they say they're gay.
Zero: I'm okay with it, just don't flaunt it. Like with your pride parades and stuff. Why is there even a whole month dedicated to it when there isn't a straight pride?
Mimi: You're making this really hard not to be snarky.
Oren: Non, non. Do you have any idea how long we have lived in shame? How many people have told our predecessors that they should be dead? That we don't deserve to love, live, and lust like everyone else? *Stands up from seat with a flurry of rainbow confetti falling around him* That is the reason for pride month! To live free of that shame! To finally be told to be proud of who we are!
Zero: When did he have time to set this up? He's never even been here before.
Shinya: My question is when he put on the glittery peacock feathers…
Mimi: Well… he's certainly not afraid to flaunt it. But of course, not every gay person is as flamboyant as this guy. Some of us are a little more toned down.
Shinya: *Gesturing* None of us are good examples of that though.
Zero: Moving on. This one is a bit of a jab at the LGBT community. I know what it's like to be oppressed, so how can I be a bigot?
Mimi: Ha! *Slaps hand over mouth*
Shinya: Being discriminated against is not an all-access pass to be a *Bleep*... I swore… didn't I?
Mimi: I think this one couldn't be avoided. Anyway, to continue, yes, you can absolutely be sexist or racist even if you are part of a minority yourselves. For example, here in Japan, being gay has connotations connected to transgenderism because gay men are effeminate. Later, connotations of perversion would attach themselves to the stigma. There are gay people who fall into this mindset as well and it's, well, it's sexist. Because society has brought us up to think it's degrading to be feminine.
Shinya: Note to masc for masc guys. There is inherent sexism involved in your thinking. I mean, Zero and I both prefer masculine guys, for sure. But that doesn't mean we wouldn't date a chubby or skinny or effeminate guy. Therefore, we wouldn't put that on our dating profiles or something like that.
Oren: And yes, it is absolutely racist to say, "No blacks" or "No Asians" on your profile as well. You are immediately barring them out as options. A preference is if you're given two people of different skin color with the exact same body shape and personality and hobbies but the deciding factor is that you find darker or lighter skin tones to be more attractive. Not that it sounds okay in that context either… But anyway, a preference is not saying "No" to this or that.
Zero: Because that is not saying, "I'd prefer something else." It's saying, "You are unattractive."
All: You are not exempt from being discriminatory just because you know what it's like to be discriminated against.
Mimi: Pride month is to shine a little light on everyone who still has that remnant of darkness in them. For all the gay, bi, pan, ace, and trans people who asked themselves, "What is wrong with me?" back in middle and high school or even now.
Shinya: It's about looking in the mirror and smiling because you like what you see, regardless of what it is you see.
Oren: For realizing that you've made it this far already and that there is nothing for you to be ashamed of. So it's pretty much counterproductive to put others down because of the way they act or the color of their skin.
Zero: And a little fact. The Stonewall riots, the pivotal point that led to the modern fight for LGBT rights in America, was thanks to trans women of color.
Mimi: We hope this has been helpful to you guys. And if there's something we missed that you'd like covered, just tell us and we might come back again. Or we'll answer you in private. But for now, thank you for your attention.
Zero: Enjoy today's chapter and happy pride!
-X-
January 21: Shinjuku — 1:17 PM
Mimi was far more confident in her abilities to slap the hell out of a perverted stalker but with her injury hindering her movement, she was having trouble taking on the Voidlings. Not to mention, they were armed with blades and firearms and she had her designer winter coat and bunny stockings. So she ended up being protected by the Monster Makers.
While the humans occupied themselves with the enigmatic shadows, the Digimon charged towards Myotismon to get a few good hits in. But if it wasn't using a wall of bats as a sacrificial shield, then it was dodging their attacks like a dancer on a stage. And they could all tell he was being smug about it from the way he moved.
"You want to dance?" Darcmon huffed. "I'll show you a dance!"
Despite being told by her partner not to do anything reckless, the angel twirled towards the enemy, swinging her sword with the utmost grace. Myotismon reached into his cape and pulled out a rapier, one that he's never shown in battle before. But he used it to parry the blows like a pro before knocking the wind out of his opponent by slamming the sole of his foot into her stomach and sending her backwards.
"Stop stomping on my friend!" Seadramon roared. "Water Breath!"
Myotismon evaded the pressurized blast of water and quickly took to the air when a lightning bolt struck, electrocuting anything that was still standing in the wet area. But now that he was airborne, that left him in range for Hisyaryumon and CannonBeemon to strike. Luckily for him, their massive size made it easy for him to know they were coming and he easily avoided getting struck whilst simultaneously taking them down with his whip.
The vampire laughed heartily, "Is that really all that the original Chosen Digimon can muster? I am severely underwhelmed."
"Why don't you try someone your own size?!" Lillymon snapped, charging forward to punch him.
Sidestepping the attack, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her close to his face. "A delicate flower such as yourself should know her place."
"Let her go, Myotismon!" Mimi shouted, wincing a little as her wound throbbed. "I swear if you do anything to her…"
"Despair," Myotismon whispered. A swarm of bats escaped from his mantle, keeping the other Digimon from coming to the rescue. "I always wondered what it would look like on the face of the child of sincerity. I never got to see it but supposedly, she wailed like a baby whenever a friend of hers died. I wonder what face she'll make now."
"Sky Rocket Infinity!"
"Every Direction Wheel!"
It was like tossing a pebble into a vat of butter. Their attacks didn't seem to diminish the bats whatsoever. Rather, it felt like they increased in volume and annoyance. The only good thing about them was that they couldn't actually hurt the Digimon but it wasn't themselves they were worried about.
"You…," Lillymon growled before letting out a gasp.
She felt the cold steel of a thin blade finding its way through her stomach. The rest of her body was starting to go numb and her wings wilted.
"Now this delicate flower has been crushed and withered."
"Lillymon!" Mimi cried out.
The fairy was tossed aside just as Darcmon and Wizardmon cut their way through the black blur. The mage teleported to the fallen Ultimate's side and quickly gathered her up in his arms. He vanished once more and reappeared on the roof of a nearby supermarket. Rai immediately took Mimi over to where Lillymon had already returned to her Rookie form.
"Let me see if I can do something," said Rai, lowering her staff over the staticky hole in Palmon's belly.
"Palmon," Mimi said. "Can you hear me? Are you okay?"
Palmon was in a lot of pain though whatever Rai was doing seemed to be working. It didn't feel so bad anymore. But she didn't care as much for her wound as she did Mimi's tears.
"Don't cry, Mimi," Palmon huffed. "I'm still here, you know. And once I'm healed, I'll be charging back in."
Mimi wiped away at her eyes before giving Palmon a big smile. "Of course, I don't expect anything less from you. Besides, as if I'm going to let that vampire get tears out of me."
Palmon slowly sat up with Rai's help. "But still… it doesn't seem like I can win this alone. And here I was hoping I was stronger."
"You are," said Mimi. "Far stronger than you even realize. And no one has ever won a battle alone."
"Eh?"
"People get stronger together," said Mimi, holding onto her partner's hand. "Through the words of others, the lessons we learn from losing, the skills we observe from the enemy. Those things are given to us from all those around us. No battle is won by a sole person and their skill. So stop trying to do so."
During this, the remaining four Digimon launched a heavy assault on Myotismon. The vampire had been barely paying attention as he had hoped to hear a devastated cry coming from the human. But there was nothing.
Despite being distracted however, he was still able to fend off each of their attacks. From grabbing the Legendary Sword to using it as a shield to defend from Darcmon's own weapon. Then he ducked under CannonBeemon's Nitro Stinger before raising a hand to somehow instantaneously evaporate Seadramon's Ice Blast before it even reached him.
"How annoying," Myotismon huffed.
He back kicked CannonBeemon into Hisyaryumon, sending them both crashing down a few stories. They picked themselves up before hitting the asphalt but Myotismon had already grabbed the end of Seadramon's tail and used the serpentine Digimon as a lasso to grab the two Ultimates and send them soaring. All while parrying Darcmon's attacks with his one free hand holding his rapier.
"Crimson Lightning!"
The red whip lashed out and struck Darcmon in the stomach before circling around and striking the three gargantuan Digimon in the sky. They all returned to their Rookie forms before slamming into the rooftop. Their partners rushed to their sides with worry in their eyes while trying to fend off the Voidlings.
"Maybe we should've accepted Tai's help after all," Janyu muttered.
Robert swiped at a Voidling with his spear. "Hey, we've been in worse situations! Remember Brakedramon?"
"Those circumstances were different," Shibumi sighed. "We didn't have to destroy him and we also didn't have a hundred shadows breathing down our necks."
"Yeah, but it was still pretty bad."
The Voidlings had already decreased in number dramatically. There were maybe ten left but the humans were tired even if their physical bodies weren't the ones doing the work. As a matter of fact, their digital bodies were starting to crackle under the pressure. It seems like they'd run out of the mental capacity to keep the avatars running.
Myotismon raised a hand and the last of his minions stopped moving forward. They stood perfectly still as the vampire stepped towards the Chosen Children and their partners. Even if he destroyed them, their physical forms were still safe. But they continued to shield the bodies of their fallen partners, not willing to lose them again.
"You guys have to get out of here," Daisy hissed at Salamon.
"Not without you," Salamon huffed. "We've been through everything together."
Betamon nodded. "Yeah, we'll keep fighting until our last breath."
"Don't underestimate us!" Ryudamon added before all four jumped out in front. "Tera Burst!"
"Gear Stinger!" "Puppy Howling!" "Electric Shock!"
Mimi and Palmon both saw a massive red beetle flash before their eyes. It towered above them, like the building they kneeled upon. Seven small Digimon stood before it and they could've been crushed so easily but they persevered to protect their friends that they have known for less than an hour. And somehow, together, they were able to drive it off.
This was not the same case. Myotismon let the attacks harmlessly bounce off his body as he slowly got closer. Shibumi tried one last desperate swing of his scythe but it was caught with one hand. Smiling sickeningly at the human man, Myotismon swiped at his chest with the rapier, leaving the digital avatar in bits.
"Shibumi!" Robert gasped.
Even knowing that the real Monster Maker was perfectly fine, it's not exactly easy watching your childhood friend get cleaved in two. To make matters more stomach-churning, Myotismon maintained a twisted, sadistic smile the whole time. Altogether, the humans pushed their partners aside, before charging at Myotismon.
Myotismon parried a slash from Daisy using his rapier before knocking the hilt down to redirect Janyu's punch. Next, he performed an elegant high kick that knocked Babel's pistol into the sky before slamming the heel into Robert's stomach. Finally, with a single rotation, he sent a red whip slicing through the air, cutting through each of their abdomens and possibly even their faces, leaving them in broken-up messes.
"No!" Rai cried out.
The four Rookies would've seen their partners explode into clouds of data had Wizardmon not shielded their eyes from the sight with his mantle. It wasn't exactly something anyone could bear to watch. And it wasn't much comfort knowing they weren't just brutally slain.
Wizardmon took a step back and raised a palm at his friends. "Blink Breeze," he whispered, blowing the group of five over to the next building where the girls were. "Magical Game!" Raising his staff, he cast an invisibility spell over himself, causing his physical body to vanish before Myotismon's eyes.
"Do you really think you can beat me with a party trick?" Myotismon laughed. "I grow tired of all of you constantly smiling even after all the pain I've caused you."
The spectators on the other building watched as the vampire seemed to swing his rapier around, protecting himself from nothing. But sparks flew from the places where the blade struck an invisible weapon. The disembodied grunts they heard were enough to tell them that their comrade was at his limit.
"Palmon, you saw all of that, right?" Mimi asked.
Palmon nodded. "Myotismon will stop at nothing to try and eliminate happiness… and bring ruin to the worlds."
"That's why we have stop him no matter what," said Mimi. "It doesn't matter how strong we are. We could be babies and we'd still put up a fight, right?"
"Right."
"Then we won't give up."
Rai felt something warm on her back. She turned away from the fight just as her partner reappeared and was knocked down. However, the green glow got brighter, forcing Myotismon's eyes closed. The only reason he even chose this day to attack was because of the lack of light.
"Mimi?" Rai blinked. "What's…?"
Palmon sprinted forward and used her Poison Ivy to swing into the space between the two humanoid Digimon. All of sudden, she turned into Togemon and threw a punch, blowing Myotismon back a few feet. It didn't do him much harm as he had absorbed the attack with crossed arms but when he uncovered his torso, he saw Lillymon standing there instead.
"Wha—?!"
"Flower Cannon!"
'Every time!' the undead Digimon thought,'Every time I get close to winning, someone gets in my way!' He deflected the energy blast before getting a clear look at his foe. "And you! Why? Why don't you ever stay down! I've plucked and plucked and plucked away at your puny petals until you were nothing more than a sheet of paper going through the shredder!"
The two human women stood by their partners. The older one helping her magical partner and the younger one glaring right at Myotismon.
"Five seconds," Mimi stated. "That's how long you can keep us down. After that, we force our way back to our feet! Either with a fire in our hearts or a smile on our faces. Because we know we've either won… or we've tried our best."
Myotismon's face cracked into a grotesque scowl. "But even your best can result in failure!"
"Even so!" Mimi shouted, holding up her glowing green digivice. "We'll still fight with everything we have. Because even if we lose here… we know someone else will beat you."
"Impudent fools!" Myotismon bellowed. "Nightmare Claw!"
Lillymon stepped in front of her partner as the black entity approached them. Still shrouded in the bright green glow, her form began to change.
Her skirt grew longer though it split in the middle, revealing long slender legs covered in fishnet stockings. The flower on her head moves downwards, covering her eyes as a new color shaded her lips. Staves appeared in each of her manicured hands. In her left was a golden scepter tipped with wings and coiled directly underneath were two snakes, one black and the other white. In her other hand was a white weapon adorned in multi-colored petals.
With a wave of her colorful staff, an aurora borealis appeared like a curtain. The black entity reeled back the second it stepped into it, fading away into hissing smoke.
"Palmon Warp Digivolve to… Lotosmon!"
Digital Analyzer: With the appearance of a flower blooming in heaven, Lotosmon is a lady in both appearance and personality. She possesses the power to grant eternal good dreams in order to end the suffering of those she deems worthy of happiness. However, to those who choose to upset or defy her, she will bring down the hammer. The Caduceus in her left hand can bring both joy and ruin.
"A Mega?" Myotismon's frown grew uglier. "Do you really think you'll be able to beat me just because you grew a level? Don't make me laugh! Nightmare Wave!"
Red electricity sparked from his fingertips and jumped out at the woman. But once again, a rainbow curtain shielded her. This gave Mimi the chance to step back but when she moved, Myotismon caught sight of the scar on her arm from before. Or more accurately, a lack thereof. For a second, a white serpent slithered from her wrist and looped around Lotosmon's staff.
"For threatening my partner and the rest of humanity," said Lotosmon. "You will be punished!"
"Healing powers?" Myotismon snarled before running towards her with his rapier at his side. "Regardless, I refuse to lose to you!"
A smile graced Lotosmon's lips before she started guarding against the blade. Not a single movement was wasted as she parried blow after blow simply by shifting her arms just a few centimeters. They swayed in the air like ribbons though they didn't fall apart from contact with the weapon. The grace of a ribbon dance and solidity of stone.
Blocking a downward slash from the sword with the Caduceus, Lotosmon took her chance to slam the rainbow-pointed flowers into Myotismon's stomach. The Ultimate was flung to the very edge of the building where he attempted to regain his bearings. But Lotosmon gave him no time.
"I won't lose," Myotismon hissed. "Not again. Crimson Lightning!"
The black snake wriggled into life as Lotosmon pointed her staff at the vampire. "Serpent of Ruin!"
The end of the dark red whip was swallowed whole by an enormous ebony reptile. The snake spiraled up the whip. growing bigger by the second before finding its way to its prey. All Myotismon could do was scream in fear as he saw the sharp fangs of the creature about to chomp down on him.
"No! No! Stay back! NO!"
"Doom Cannon!"
The snake suddenly vanished in a flash of red light. Lotosmon's smile actually faltered as she was forced to defend her partner against a pack of flying leeches. Once the shadowy familiars were taken care of, they could see a nightmarish demon standing over their enemy.
"Who are you?" Lotosmon demanded.
"Disheveled hair, dilated eyes, is that a blemish?" the unfamiliar demon muttered, examining the Ultimate. "For a creature of vanity such as yourself, you are in quite the pitiful state."
"N… NeoMyotismon?"
"I see," said Lotosmon. "So you're NeoMyotismon. The Dark General that Yuu fought."
"I must commend you for attaining this kind of power," said NeoMyotismon. "The Demon Lords were right. You and your partner… are truly the most dangerous. But I suppose the same could be said about the rest of your team as well."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mimi frowned. She didn't exactly see herself as weak but she was certain the biggest threat to the Demon Lords would be the Generals or Tamers or pretty much any of the others. Why was she, Tai, and the rest considered the most dangerous? "I can't give my partner power-ups, I don't have ancient potential, and I most certainly don't lead a grand army."
The Dark General didn't reply to her as he sunk his claws into Myotismon's hair and yanked him up by it. Mimi could just feel her scalp tingling just from looking at it.
"I'm curious as to whether or not I could defeat you," said NeoMyotismon. "But for today, I must let you live. I was tasked with taking this one…," he raised the head of the pale humanoid. "...back. However, I am sure we will meet again." With a flourish, he vanished.
Lotosmon let out sigh of relief. It was frustrating to let a villain walk free but at least they were safe. But just before she returned to Palmon, Mimi threw her arms around the plant Digimon.
"You were amazing!" Mimi squealed.
"I-I was?"
"Absolutely!"
Rai walked over to them with a relieved smile. "It was truly a magnificent display. And one none of us, and certainly not Myotismon, will forget soon."
"Yeah!" Mimi grinned. "That pompous, sunlight-deficient blood-sucker will think twice than to mess with us next time!"
"We should report back to Hypnos," said Wizardmon, carrying four exhausted Rookies on his back and arms. "And hurry… I'm about ready to collapse."
"You should work out more," Ryudamon muttered from the mage's back.
"You should lose weight!"
Even though they won, Lotosmon felt uneasy. Myotismon admitted that the people he spirited away were still alive. So she supposed it was a good thing someone interrupted her final attack. They needed to find out where the abducted humans were before anything else. But how?
January 21: Odaiba — 1:17 PM
"Tyrant Savage!"
Tai winced as his partner was swiped away with a giant claw, sent flying off into a nearby building and almost immediately decimating it. The next thing he saw was Zudomon stampeding down the street and slamming his hammer into the middle of it. A tremor was sent through the ground as a beam of light traveled from the heavyweight weapon to the bottom of VenonMyotismon's feet.
"Alright!" Joe cheered. "You knocked him down!"
Matt turned to his partner who was racing to the falling behemoth. "And we'll keep him down!"
"Right!" MetalGarurumon growled. "Grace Cross Freezer!"
As the colossal Digimon attempted to get back up, his legs were suddenly coated in ice as a variety of missiles hit him. The next parts to freeze were his hands and then his pelvic area. With heavy, distressed grunts, he tried to break free and the ice was already starting to crack.
"We don't have much time," said Zenjirou. "Everyone attack together!"
"Hit him where it hurts!" Akari added with an air punch for emphasis.
JagerDorulumon appeared from the top of a building, pointing the Zasshu shield at the four eyes on VenomMyotismon's stomach and firing a bright beam. "White Spiral!"
AtlurBallistamon produced immense, crackling energy in his arms from his position next to the Ultimate amphibian, aiming for that known weak spot. "Plasma Crack!"
"The people of Earth aren't your lunch!" Zudomon roared, slamming his hammer into the ground once more. "Vulcan's Hammer!"
By the time all three attacks struck down on the giant, WarGreymon had dug his way out of the rubble. As he took to his partner's side, VenomMyotismon was rising from the smoke and ashes with an earth-trembling cackle. There was not a single scratch on him.
The monster glazed over the scene before him, laying his eyes on Zudomon, the objectively largest target. Opening his mouth like he was unhinging his jaw, intense heat began to gather in the endless crevice that was his mouth. "Inferno!"
A scorching volley of flames traveled down the city street and Zenjirou and Joe were going to be roasted alive because they're only cover was a parked convertible. Zudomon would've gotten out of the way but he also knew he was too slow to do so. Some part of him would be crisp and fried so instead, he spun around and used his arms to cover the boys. He was fully prepared to take the full brunt of the blast with his shell.
"That won't be enough!" Joe shouted.
JagerDorulumon leapt off the building and drop kicked the side of VenomMyotismon's face. At the same time, WarGreymon took off from his position and dug into the monster's ankles with his sharp claws. This changed the trajectory of the shot a bit but not enough to miss Zudomon's back.
Joe and Zenjirou ducked low as they were suddenly engulfed in red and orange fire. From everyone else's vantage points, it was like they had all been swallowed by a tsunami of lava.
"It's hot," Zenjirou coughed. He pinched his throat and blinked multiple times, trying to clear the stinging in his eyes. "And hard to breathe…"
Joe was more concerned for his partner who had his eyes squeezed shut. The bespectacled boy placed a hand on the walrus's hairy claw despite it feeling like touching the inside of a lit fireplace. "Are you okay… Zudomon?"
There was no answer. And when the fire passed, they could see the smoke rising from the back and singed hair on the top of his head. But other than that, he was still standing. Which was remarkable until they realized that a golden AtlurBallistamon stood tall, as a protective wall between VenomMyotismon and Zudomon, wielding two larges axes and using the flat sides as a shield.
Tai heaved a sigh of relief, realizing what had happened. "So Zenjirou Xros-ed him with Olegmon at the last second."
"My elbow's burned a bit," Zudomon huffed, releasing his breath. "Thanks Zenjirou, AtlurBallistamon, I would've been done for if that actually hit me."
Joe slapped his partner's claw before falling to his butt. "Then don't do something that reckless again."
"Then I wouldn't be me, would I?"
"No, I guess not. But I don't know what I'd do without you."
The asphalt seemed to waver and ripple like a disturbed lake. The boys were much too cautious to try and step out of Zudomon's shadow for fear of catching fire as soon as they did. But then a rush of wind blew around them as two more massive dark spots passed over.
"Cavalry's here!" Sora called out, leaping from Garudamon to a nearby building.
Izzy followed soon after as MegaKabuterimon buzzed past. "If his weak spot isn't in his abdomen anymore, then try something else!"
"Wing Blade!"
"Horn Buster!"
VenomMyotismon raised a grotesque claw, catching the attacks in his palm before swiping at the two Ultimates. Garudamon veered off into the Ferris wheel while MegaKabuterimon hit the still steaming asphalt. It was this strange combination of freezing winter air on his limbs and blazing street on his back.
"Hot! Hot!" the insect yelped. "And here I was complaining about the cold…"
With a laugh that sounded more joyous than triumphant, VenonMyotismon took a step forward, ready to crush MegaKabuterimon underneath his foot like the bug he was. Before he could succeed though, a twister made by WarGreymon hit him square in the chest. It wasn't enough to knock him down but he took a step back, placing it on the layer of ice created by MetalGarurumon, causing him to slip and fall.
JagerDorulumon aimed his lance at the monster's face. "Black Nail!"
Unfortunately, the knight was easily backhanded into the other canine Digimon, making them skip across the concrete like stones on a pond. By the time VenomMyotismon had propped himself back up on his elbows, the street had cooled down enough for Joe and Zenjirou to take cover elsewhere. Their partners stayed behind, flinging their weapons to send them spinning towards the behemoth's rising chest.
"Hammer Boomerang!"
"Dual Tomahawk Boomerang!"
VenomMyotismon defended the attacks with his arm but while the axes wedged themselves in his forearm, the hammer landed with a thud on his forehead. He wailed out like a toddler having accidentally injured himself. The sound tore through the air and it sounded almost as if it came from their brains, shooting outwards.
"Gah!" Sora grunted. "What's with this guy? He's like a giant baby!"
"Perhaps it's due to being split into three versions of himself," Izzy theorized. "This one may not have the same level of intelligence and sentience as the other two."
That meant that the enemy was betting on VenomMyotismon's superior strength to come through. Hopefully, they could take advantage of that fact.
Garudamon flew in close and retrieved the hammer but instead of returning it to her comrade, she took off skywards. VenomMyotismon used his free claw to try and stop the bird but dozens of missiles and Horn Buster lasers struck him, slowing him down and costing him his chance. AtlurBallistamon stretched out his mechanical arms to grab his weapons while Zudomon barreled forward, wrapped his thick arms around one of VenomMyotismon's legs, sinking his tusks and horns into the skin whilst pinning him down.
"Ugh!" Zudomon groaned. "Does he ever wash his feet?"
JagerDorulumon landed on the other side, striking down with his Storm Stinger to keep the other foot stuck as well. "Just don't think about it."
AtlurBallistamon had found his way onto the top of the building thanks to MegaKabuterimon. Once he was finished positioning himself, he tossed the tomahawks into VenomMyotismon's wrists. As a finishing touch, MetalGarurumon released a subzero breath from his muzzle, freezing the beast in place.
"This trick didn't work the first time, why would it now?" VenomMyotismon snarled.
"Keep freezing him!" Matt shouted.
Sora turned her head to the sky, realizing that her partner could no longer be seen. "WarGreymon!" she called out. "Tell Garudamon to let it go!"
The armored dragon took off after nodding to her. It wasn't long before they heard two distant shouts and what sounded to be an object whistling through the air. From above, they watched as a large hunk of metal pierced through the clouds with two bodies of fire following right behind.
"Terra Force!" "Wing Blade!"
They collided with the falling object, causing it to move faster as Zudomon and JagerDorulumon took off for cover. It seemed as though the trajectory was slightly off though as it seemed to be coming for the spot just a little off to VenomMyotismon's side. But of course, that was what MetalGarurumon and AtlurBallistamon was for.
"Garuru Tomahawk!" "Plasma Crack!"
They were able to add their own force to the attack and adjust the aim a smidge. As VenomMyotismon howled incoherently, the hammer made it to its mark, smack dab in the center of the vampire's chest. With the collision came a resounding BOOM that seemed to echo through the prefecture but once the smoke cleared, they could see with relief that it had punctured an enormous hole straight through their enemy.
"Yes!" Tai cheered.
"We did it!" Matt huffed.
WarGreymon laughed, "Let's see you get up after that!"
"Wait," MetalGarurumon barked. "He's not… disappearing…"
Usually, taking such a fatal blow would eventually delete a Digimon. The hole should expand, taking more and more data until nothing was left behind. But for some unknown reason, VenomMyotismon just lifted the hammer from the center of his chest and sat up, leaving a gaping crevice with the edges crackling.
Akari shuddered, seeing the ruins of a pedestrian bridge behind VenomMyotismon. "Just looking at it makes my chest uncomfortable."
"Perhaps it's time I give you some assistance," a smooth voice called out from inside her X-Loader.
"Splashmon…"
There was no doubt that he would give a huge boost in combat power if he were to fuse with JagerDorulumon. But at the same time, she knew that this Dark General was nothing like Olegmon. He couldn't be trusted as easily. Besides, out of all the enemy Digimon they've Hunted, this one has been the least helpful in obtaining new information. Well, no, Olegmon and Tactimon are the only ones who have been properly cooperating.
"He's already healing himself!" Joe yelled, snapping her out of it.
"We have to think of something fast," Tai grumbled before turning his attention on Izzy. "Any ideas?!"
Izzy looked over his laptop at the several pairs of eyes focused on him. "You know, you guys can think sometimes!"
"Let's try fusing!" Zudomon suggested. "Dorulumon! Let me try on your armor and weapons!"
"Can't you be serious?" Joe huffed in exasperation.
"For now, strike him while he's trying to recover!" Tai ordered.
The Digimon had already been preparing to launch another assault on the bad guy. Well, except for Zudomon who was without a weapon. But as they released a wave of energy blasts of varying strength and elements, the eyes on VenomMyotismon's abdomen shined.
"Chaos Flame!"
A burst of purple of flame suddenly started to envelop the area, melting down building and blackening the concrete. The Digimon automatically turned tail to protect their partners from the oncoming blaze. The ones that could fly took to the air while the ones that were fast on their feet tried to avoid the heat. Zudomon and AtlurBallistamon were forced to take cover elsewhere, using the giant tomahawks as shields once more.
As soon as the flames were cleared, three blurs shot out from various directions, ready to strike down VenomMyotismon. WarGreymon from the sky directly above, JagerDorulumon from a couple city blocks in front, and MetalGarurumon from directly behind.
"Mega Claw!" "Black Nail!" "Metal Fang!"
The colossus waved his claws around and swatted them away like mosquitoes. They dropped like them too. But just as he finished with that, a flaming tornado and a powerful electric blast were shot in his direction. He took them head on before wailing once more, somehow firing balls of black energy at the two assailants, Garudamon and AtlurBallistamon.
"Is that it?" VenomMyotismon roared. "Is that all you weaklings can do?!"
"Horn Bus—!"
VenomMyotismon clamped his hands together and hammered the bug straight into the ground. In his place was a small blob and as the behemoth cackled, he took a step with the intention of crushing the little one just as he had before. And he would've succeeded too had Zudomon not jumped in the way, using his body to cover his friend.
Zudomon let out a scream as he was pressed into the ground. Motimon trembled underneath as the Ultimate was doing his best to maintain form. The other Digimon flew in to help but VenomMyotismon deflected their attacks, absorbed their blows, and even reduced them a few levels. It was like a reenactment of the iconic scene from King Kong. Where the hairy, roaring beast knocked down plane after plane as they tried to knock him down.
"Yokomon!" Sora cried out as the In-Training landed.
"This… isn't looking good for us…," Ballistamon groaned.
"I don't think Zudomon can take much more," Dorulumon huffed.
Akari nodded in agreement and she held up her X-Loader before an idea hit her. There was a way they could swing things to their advantage. "Dorulumon… You take a rest…"
Everyone's earpieces buzzed for a moment as the teenager relayed her idea to them. Joe, while grateful to her, couldn't let the feeling of unease settle in his stomach. After all, his partner has been deliberately throwing himself into dangerous situations time and time again. It was only a matter of time before his protective shell couldn't save him.
"Is everyone up on higher ground?" Tai asked. As soon as he heard a confirmation from everyone, he directed his next statement to Akari. "We're good to go!"
Akari nodded from where she stood atop a semi-truck. "Okay, here goes. Splashmon! Reload!"
Instead of materializing in front of her, what happened was a torrent of water burst out of her digivice. She was nearly knocked off the vehicle from the pressure had another pair of hands not wrapped around hers to keep her still. Looking up, she saw that it was Joe. It wasn't a lot of help, but it was enough to keep them stabilized as the city street quickly became flooded.
The water washed over the battlefield but it didn't seem to go down as it passed. Rather, it was as if the liquid was alive, swishing back and forth, to and fro, keeping VenomMyotismon trapped in a bowl. Zudomon, in his natural habitat, immediately swam upwards, stabbing his horn into their foe's foot and toppling him.
"Even if this is Zudomon's domain, he still doesn't stand a chance against a Mega," WarGreymon remarked.
"That's what we're for," MetalGarurumon reminded him. "No matter what happens, we'll be there for him."
"Which means we shouldn't pull any punches," said Tai.
Matt sighed, "We shouldn't have from the beginning."
VenomMyotismon bobbed in the water, gasping for air as he attempted to stay afloat. Zudomon was taking this chance to deliver a drenched Motimon back to Izzy's arms before diving back in. As the giant tried to produce flames to vaporize the living lake, he was constantly being pulled back under the waves. Sometimes by a walrus, but mostly by the water itself.
"You're not getting away this time!" Zudomon bellowed. He raised his hammer high above his head before bringing it down on VenomMyotismon.
The beast's movements were slowed due to the water so he couldn't defend against the hard metal smashing him over and over again in the face. But he still recovered quickly, slamming his foot into Zudomon's stomach, sending the aquatic Digimon up for a few moments. Afterwards, the two started grappling underwater and despite the terrain advantage, it was clear that Zudomon was losing. They even ended up switching sides.
Suddenly, Omnimon dove in and thrusted his blade into VenomMyotismon's back. Zudomon got out of the way as the Royal Knight pointed a cannon at the back of their foe's head.
"Supreme Cannon!" For the third time that day, VenomMyotismon was a frozen popsicle. To finish the job, Omnimon sliced his blade in a perfect horizontal line, cutting the horror cleanly in two. "Transcendent Sword!"
That should've been it. But the two parts of VenomMyotismon came to life. The arms grabbed Omnimon's head, crushing it between its claws and dunked him into the ground, creating a crater. Next, opening his black maw, he launched several black balls of energy that exploded on impact with the knight.
"What just happened?!" Sora gasped.
"He's actually putting up a fight against Omnimon of all Digimon!" Zenjirou yelped.
"Don't underestimate our partners!" Tai snapped. "We've been trying to get them to DNA Digivolve all day and they've finally done it. They won't let it go to waste!"
"But I have to wonder," Matt muttered. "What's with this block that's been keeping us from doing it at will? I thought it had gone away last time…"
Somehow, Omnimon ended up in a fight with furiously kicking legs and a frenzy of scratching claws from two ends. While the reaction time was slowed in the water, the same could be said about the Royal Knight who was trying his best to make mincemeat out of the lower body while simultaneously blasting the upper. It was like cutting a worm only to find that it made more and more of itself.
Abruptly, the regeneration process began to take place and the tendrils latched onto each other. Before Omnimon knew it, he had gotten entangled in a thick, black web and the various body parts were closing in on him. No matter how much he sliced or shot, he just couldn't wriggle free of the cackling monster.
"Omnimon!" Tai and Matt shouted.
Before long, VenomMyotismon had fully reformed but parts of Omnimon were sticking out of his grotesque body. The head was halfway inside the left side of the chest while the Garuru Cannon was popping out from the side. A pair of armored legs hung uselessly from the back while just the end of the sword was popping out of the shoulder.
"Let him go!" Zudomon snarled. "Vulcan's Hammer!"
VenomMyotismon's reaction time was still sluggish but just turning a little would be enough. Zudomon stopped his attack just short of smashing in Omnimon's head before feeling a foot crash into his abdomen, sending him into an office building. The concrete structure collapsed and disturbed the water, nearly knocking Akari and Joe into it.
Joe actually had some idea as to why Tai and Matt had a wall standing before them, keeping them from reaching their highest level. Being honest, he felt that the fault laid with the others. Sora, Izzy, Mimi, and himself included. For each of them, something was holding them back, preventing them from reaching greater heights. And somehow, it's affected Tai and Matt who depend on them.
"I'm always messing up," Joe muttered, gritting his teeth against the rocking waves. "Always forgetting something important or screwing up a battle. But I can't rely on others all the time. Even if I'm not dependable all the time… I'll still do everything I can to help."
"Joe?" Akari blinked.
For a bit, he was looking a bit green, like he was going to lose his lunch. But in the next moment, he had vanished into the depths and was making his way to his fallen partner, a faint gray glow surrounding him.
"What just happened?" Sora called out.
Motimon rubbed at his eyes. "Did Joe just… jump in?"
With a sudden burst of flame, the water began to shift unnaturally, not that there was anything natural about it before. Splashmon regained his humanoid form and was frantically blowing at his body which had started steaming. Standing before him was VenomMyotismon, a sick grin on his face as he scratched at the parts where Omnimon's body merged with his.
"Itchy, itchy, itchy, itchy…," he laughed. "I can't stand it. Can't stand. Ha. Ha. Will beating you relieve me? Will destroying you? Will it? Free me?"
Splashmon was breathing heavily but he didn't let it stop him from smiling a bit. There was nothing behind it. "So this is what it's like to be the on this side. I have to say, not fun."
"Free me? Free me? Will it! Free me?"
"Now I'm starting to understand just how hideous I was," the former Dark General whispered to himself. "And it is terrifying…"
Flames gathered in VenomMyotismon's mouth and dripped from his razor-sharp teeth and blood-dyed lips onto the ground, leaving behind hissing steam. Splashmon was frozen with terror, his legs felt like lead and his hands were superglued to the floor. No Digimon could come to his rescue. Not when they were all injured or incapacitated in some other way. Not that they would want to. He was left totally defenseless.
"Inferno!"
A flash of gold shot past and pushed Splashmon out of the way. The pair rolled off as the building they stood in front of exploded.
"Olegmon?!" Splashmon gasped. "What are you…!"
"I'm not going to lose another friend!" Olegmon interjected before glaring at VenomMyotismon. "That goes for Zenjirou, Omnimon, and… you."
The other Digimon stared at his ally in stunned silence before quietly remarking, "You… consider me your… friend?"
"Get out of there!" Akari screamed.
"He's turning around!" Zenjirou shouted.
"You never trusted anyone before, right?" Olegmon huffed, standing between Splashmon and VenomMyotismon, his tomahawks at either side. "As a matter of fact, I bet you were planning on running off the first chance you got. But something told you to stay. And I'll tell you… it's because Akari let you out. She trusts you. And for the first time, you've been given the power to break it."
"I've always had that power."
"But no one ever gave it to you before."
"Inferno!"
A burst of gray light caught Splashmon's attention at the last second and without even thinking, he changed his molecular form once more. Like a floating river, he washed over the light before pushing Olegmon out of the way as well. The blaze still hit the back end, leaving behind a wall of steam which blocked most of the street from view.
"What happened?" Tai blinked, waving his hands through the air. "I can't see!"
"Are they alright?" Matt wondered aloud.
"Itch! Itch!" VenomMyotismon cackled, slowly walking towards the thick fog. "Was that all it took to—!"
"Sorrow Blue!"
A sound wave blew away the fog and everyone stared in disbelief as a polished white plesiosaur appeared before their very eyes, floating on the water that was Splashmon. VenomMyotismon froze and began to wail just as he had before though it sounded much more bestial than before. Olegmon charged forward and sliced away at the beast until he had uncovered just enough of Omnimon for the Royal Knight to free himself.
"That's enough," Omnimon ordered, commanding the aquatic Digimon to stop. "You've done well, Plesiomon, now it's time we finish this once and for all."
"So that's Gomamon's Mega form," said Sora.
"Amazing!" Yokomon cheered. "Him and Joe both!"
Digital Analyzer: Plesiomon was thought to be a mythical Digimon, only existing in rumors though some say that they will appear only in a thick fog when visibility is reduced. Not much else is known as many researchers have been unable to identify any other of their traits or abilities. Only that anyone nearby will hear a sad song and be rendered immobile until the fog passes.
"We won't be able to beat him just by attacking," said Omnimon as their enemy repaired himself. "We have to eliminate him completely. Leave nothing behind to be regenerated."
The water that Plesiomon floated upon seemed to smirk. "I always wanted a shot at that pompous vampire, NeoMyotismon. But this is a pretty good substitute."
"Come to think of it, you're not one to work together with others, are you?" Olegmon pointed out.
"There's a first time for everything," Plesiomon chuckled. "Like how this is the first time I've turned Mega. Now let's break this form in!"
-X-
Both Palmon and Gomamon attained their Mega evolutions but while one's already won, will the other be enough? And what's with the block that's preventing Tai and Matt from reaching Omnimon's level willingly? Could Joe's theory be right? Will it take the release of each of their full powers to do so? Find out by staying tuned to Digimon: Children of the Future!
I'm still not too happy about the fight scenes. Well, actually, the new Megas' introductions are pretty satisfactory to say the least. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed and again, if you've got any LGBTQ+ related questions, then just ask. Oh, and don't forget to leave a review! Hope to hear from you and until next we meet, mes chéris!