Whatever! It doesn't matter now! Vex has always been there for me when I needed them the most! Now, it's time for me to be there for her! One way or another, I need to stop Shurimon and save my friend! That's the only thing that matters! With the help of my new partner Lopmon, we'll be sure to all escape the Kage Manor together!
Ch. 4: The Execution
As Yuji stepped out into the area behind the building, the setting sun seemed to flare up with renewed light. His feet thundered with each step on the stone path as cherry blossoms fluttered from nearby trees in full bloom.
His eyes darted up the middle of the courtyard to see a massive knife, easily 30 feet long, partially suspended in the air and poised to fall at any moment. The base of the grip was connected to a large platform on a hinge. Meanwhile, the blade itself was held up by a structure behind the weapon. A rope was threaded through a hole near the tip to keep it suspended. Just one cut of this tether and the execution would be over instantly... and the one below the giant's knife? Vex. Hands tied behind the girl's back as Shurimon towered above her, silhouetted by the orange and red light of the setting sun.
While Yuji's gaze stared fixed at the contraption, Lopmon spoke up. "Don't worry, we still have time." He said. "Shurimon may be devious, but he would never abandon protocol. Once we challenge him, he wouldn't commence the execution until he defeats us. Trust me, human. He WILL accept our challenge. It would be irregular of him to refuse such a thing from his own underling."
Finally, the two approached the execution stand, both of them at the base of the steps leading up to their captive friend as Shurimon continued to stare down at them with a dominating glare.
"Y- Yuji!" Vex shouted in excitement as soon as she noticed the boy. "I knew you weren't going to just leave me behind! Please, you have to reason with him! Tell him I'm not a bad person! Maybe if you say it, he'll-"
"Quiet!" The plant Digimon snapped as Vex yelped in surprise. "The one to be executed has no say in a decided sentence." The creature's eyes barely shifted as his attention shifted. "As for the two of you..."
Slowly, Yuji let out of long breath. His hands trembled for a moment before he clenched his fingers into a fist. This fight is no different from fighting a boss in any other game. Fear is the enemy. They needed to be decisive in their movements. Confident in their strategies. And yet... now of all times... the magnitude of what was happening finally began to sink in. Vex's life would be determined by how well he did here. Something this serious... was it really okay to put everything on this...?! No... it didn't matter. There's no turning back, this HAS to happen now!
"Shurimon!" The new Tamer shouted. "I'm ready. Both me and Lopmon are here to challenge you! Together!" Yuji took out his goggles before pulling them over his forehead, tying them tight in the back. Then, he pointed up at the enemy Digimon dramatically before continuing! "Do you accept my challenge to a fight?! Or are you just a coward that hides behind his underlings?!"
A short sigh escaped Lopmon at the brazen display. "Good effort, but you could have stopped after the declaration," he snidely added. "Still, I agree with Yuji- I mean, with this human. I, too, wish to invoke the right of challenge. I suspect these terms to be acceptable?"
A dry laugh could be heard from Shurimon as he crossed his arms. "Very well, Lopmon and... Yuji, was it...? It shall be fun to finally have a challenge! I take it you've mastered evolving Lopmon into the champion stage, then?"
For a moment, both Lopmon and his Tamer looked away awkwardly before, suddenly, the boy glanced back. "W- Well! What if we haven't!?" Yuji exclaimed. "Even if you are stronger, we can still defeat you!"
Yuji's mind flashed back to the explanation his partner gave while they were strategizing. There were six stages to Digimon, each one stronger than the last. These stages were Fresh, In-Training, Rookie, Champion, Ultimate, and Mega. As a Rookie, Lopmon wouldn't stand a chance against an Ultimate or Mega Digimon and would struggle against most Champion-rank opponents. Further complicating things was that Shrimon was apparently a rare stage known as an 'Armor Digimon.' According to Lopmon, these were unusual Champions that were more powerful than normal Digimon but also burned energy at a higher rate. While this meant they could potentially tire Shurimon out in a fight, the reality was that he would probably be extra challenging to defeat. Fighting too defensively would be a death sentence. The only thing they could do would be to find an opening and hope they could finish him in one go.
"So you approach me for a fight even though you cannot even hope to match my rank?" Shurimon asked. "How unexpected." The Armor Digimon took a step forward before the creature's feet began to quickly rotate. In an effortless display, the bladed shuriken he held between his three root-like toes spun at high speeds, both weapons acting like helicopter propellers. The Digimon began to suddenly float in the air as his arms remained crossed. Slowly he moved forward as Yuji and Lopmon began stepping backward out of a cautious unease, now visibly shaken in their resolve.
"Tamers only exist for the power they grant us Digimon!" Shurimon announced. "For a powerful evolution, a powerful will is needed. Anything less is worthless! A tamer who can't evolve their partner is less than trash! It is merely a curse upon any Digimon who wishes for even greater heights! Your comrade's will failed them the second they approached this Mannor, resulting in a Black Digivice as a sign of their corruption. Now, so too does your own spirit falter!"
The ninja's eyes narrowed as he focused on his newfound adversaries. "Does this not irritate you, Lopmon? Your own Tamer can barely even serve his proper function as a battery, can he not? Such a bond barely qualifies you as his pet. If you are keen to be his dog, then at least bare your fangs for me, spineless mutt!"
"Lopmon!" Yuji shouted. "It's time to use it!" The Digimon nodded as their Tamer put his hand on the side of his goggles. "Let's do this! Nexus Skill!" The symbols on the goggles began to shine in response. This was it! This was the one advantage they had to turn the tide of battle! The boy's eyes burned with newfound determination, now fully ready to help Lopmon out however he could!
"Let's go! Ryu-Ken Impact Destroyers!"
The ends of Lopmon's ears were enveloped in light before the energy suddenly dissipated, leaving behind a pair of red boxing gloves at the end of each appendage! Then, mirroring Yuji's renewed passion, the Digimon glared upwards as he held both gloves close in a boxing-style stance. "Even if I cannot evolve yet..." Lopmon huffed. "I refuse to lose to you!"
Suddenly, Shurimon dropped from the sky, landing dangerously close to Lopmon as a cloud of dirt and smoke erupted around him! Thinking fast, Yuji pulled the goggles down while his partner was forced to shut his eyes to avoid the onslaught of dust. "On your left!" the Tamer shouted! "Forward thrust into diagonal DP!"
The Armor Digimon's arm launched forward, clearing a path through the smoke cloud as it smashed into an empty patch of ground. "Wait, where?!" The ninja shouted in confusion. It was clear that his opponent had ordered an attack, but where could he have gone? His question was quickly answered as Lopmon emerged from behind him, launching himself into the air with a rising uppercut!
"This mobility-!" The plant Digimon uttered.
"Great!" Yuji shouted. "Now, Shoulder Breaker!"
The rabbit Digimon pulled his right ear back before punching in a curved downward motion. Immediately, as the glove on his ear moved, his body shot forward with unnatural momentum, launching him at the enemy with his own attack! However, before his attack could reach, the Armor Digimon's feet shuriken spun rapidly, sending a gust of wind flying out in all directions! Instead of going forward, Lopmon was quickly launched into the air above his opponent by the blast of air!
Shurimon chuckled. "I wonder..." The Digimon extended his right arm, launching it straight at his foe before Lopmon punched to the left. Once again, his attack pulled his body away in the same unnatural way it did last time, barely dodging the attack.
Yuji clenched his teeth in frustration as he pulled his goggles back up. So close! Their best chance was to take Shurimon by surprise, but now that he knows... it doesn't matter! They'd have to find another way! "Lopmon!" The Tamer shouted. "Helmsplitter! Duo Hadoken!"
Following his orders, the Digimon punched downwards, launching himself at the ground. Then, as soon as he landed, Lopmon threw punches with both ears, one after the other, sending both boxing gloves flying at the Armor Digimon. Immediately, Shurimon blocked the attack without much effort as Lopmon hopped backward a few times to gain distance.
"Nexus Skill!" The Tamer exclaimed again. "Ryu-Ken Impact Destroyers!" Another set of identical boxing gloves formed on the ends of his partner's ears as Lopmon slipped back into his original fighting stance.
After a brief pause, the rabbit Digimon breathed a heavy sigh. "You always were more perceptive than I thought, Shurimon... it was foolish to think this might be easy to accomplish."
"I would hope so," Shurimon said blatantly. "One does not fight without understanding their weaknesses. If I did not develop the Parrying Gust Technique, anyone could counter my fighting style. Normally I would rely on my flight, but it seems that's something you've already accounted for." Slowly, the Digimon crossed its arms as it observed Lopmon's reactions. "This is quite the pragmatic Nexus skill you've created. If it was used against any other opponent, it would be a very reliable skill, indeed. By pushing you forward as you attack, it boosts both your speed and offense. However, that is ALL it can do, isn't it...? Without the ability to break my Parrying Gust, you can never defeat me. Your power is simply too weak."
Yuji clenched his fist as he glared at the Armor Digimon. Was that true? No, it couldn't be... there had to be a way! After all of this, they had to be able to do it! Maybe they could find a weakness in the wind wall above Shurimon himself! Or maybe if they kept fighting they'd be able to weaken him enough to get through! Or- there had to be something-! Anything!
"Yuji!" Lopmon shouted as his partner snapped back to reality. "I can tell what you are thinking. Sorry, Yuji... it's over. We've lost."
A sudden chill ran down the Tamer's spine. "N- No!" Yuji shouted back! "I'm not ready to give up yet! How did we- We can still do this! I'm not ready to give up yet!" The boy took off his goggles, holding them tightly in his hand. "See this?! We're partners! You don't have to do this alone! Maybe if we keep working together, we can-!"
"I'm sorry, Yuji..." The rabbit Digimon said. "I apologize for being too weak. We tried our best, but Shurimon is just too powerful. Sometimes things simply don't work out in the ways you desire them to."
There wasn't an ounce of sadness or remorse in the Lopmon at that moment. It was almost like exchanging attacks was enough for him to realize how impossible the task in front of them was. After years of fighting, Lopmon's instincts had been finely honed. He understood his own limits more than anybody. Warriors with experience would understand when continuing would be useless. For a shinobi, however, such an understanding was a daily necessity.
"Boy!" Shurimon shouted at the Tamer. "I respect your will to fight. And, while sloppy, you have proven your skill as a partner, despite your shortcomings." Petals from the cherry blossom trees floated around the area as the Armor Digimon slowly walked back to the execution stand. "To honor our duel, you and your friend may leave, but only if you promise to never return. However, I do not take back my words. You possess the courage to fight but lack the strength to understand others. Remember this and learn from your own weakness."
On the stand, Vex could be seen nodding her head in agreement. "S-sure! That's fine!" She said. "I can live with that! I promise I'll be a way better dark princess next time, I swear!"
"Know your place, foolish girl." The plant Digimon hissed back.
For a moment, Vex opened her mouth as if she was going to correct something. Instead, she nodded again and gave an awkward smile. "... Sure, that works for me..."
"Wait!" Yuji shouted back. "I- I'm not just some battery-! I can do this!" The Tamer took a few steps towards Shurimon before turning back to his partner. "Lopmon! We can prove ourselves! Maybe we could-!"
The rabbit shrugged its shoulders in response. "It is over, Yuji. You got what you wanted. That's good enough."
The young boy's eyes began to well up with tears before he fought them back to glare daggers at the enemy Digimon in front of him once more. "No! I can't! It can't just end like this! I have to...- WE have to...! We can prove ourselves to him and...! I want him to take back what he said! We can do it! I know I CAN evolve you! And then maybe-!"
"Boy." Shurimon began. "Give it up. You won, now leave. Your own Digimon does not wish to fight. Challenge me again and you will be facing me on your own. Do not press your luck so lightly. As far as I am concerned, you are still an intruder and an enemy. My generosity only extends so far, brat."
Without a second thought, Shurimon cut through the ropes binding Vex in one clean motion. "He has a point," Vex admitted as she slowly sat up, finally freed from her prone position. "You don't have to do anything right now. You can just come back later. Just prove yourself then or whatever, right? There's no shame in that!"
No, that wasn't true! Yuji glanced around. Everyone was staring at him with concern, belittlement, and disgust. Even though things worked out, it still felt like he let everyone down! He was supposed to be the leader! The best member of the group! The expert that kept everyone together, capable of overcoming every challenge! And now he had to just give up?! Be known as the guy that couldn't even win his first Digimon battle?! Somewhere, deep down, his pride wouldn't allow it. Even though he knew it was the wrong choice, even though he KNEW it wouldn't work, he just had to try! Maybe if he could just push himself past this, just focus on what he wanted even harder... maybe then some miracle would let him win? Yes... that had to be the case! If he could just pull this off then everything would be right! Nobody would ever look down on or question his abilities ever again...!
"It's too late to turn back!" Yuji announced. "Now, Lopmon! Let's do this! Evolu-!"
Before he could finish, the Tamer found himself falling backward. Time seemed to freeze as his brain worked to process what had happened. A long tendril-like arm rushed forward, stabbing a large, spinning, metal shuriken deep into his chest. Blood sprayed everywhere as Lopmon seemed to run to his side just a moment too late. Then, as the boy registered Vex's shocked, pale, ghostly face, everything began to turn dark as the woman's scream rang out.
Yuji had not overcome his own weaknesses. He had only failed to acknowledge their existence.