Chapter 6

Vexmon's Betrayal

The sun rose the next morning, and the tamers were up with the sun. Even Kazu and Kenta managed to pull themselves from their beds, an uncommon fact from the pair of sleepy heads. Once again, the group had eaten breakfast at the courtesy of Leamon, and were now standing near the front door trying to decided what to do.

Kazu leaned against the wall, smiling as he said, "Dudes, I say we explore the mountains around here. There has to be some wicked cool caves, and stuff like that."

Henry shook his head, "I think we have spent enough time enjoying ourselves, Kazu. We came here to get Jason back to the real world. Now, to do that we have to change Jason back to normal."

Kazu groaned, "Ah dude, how are we supposed to do that. We would like, I don't know, have to pull the juggernaut core out of him."

The rest of the group fell silent, realizing that Kazu was right. Jason transformed because he merged with the Juggernaut core. It was simple logic that if they could separate Jason from the core, he would return to normal. Still, how could they possibly do that? In the digital world, they were all made of data. It wasn't a specific thing they could just pull off of Jason. The core was mixed into his entire being.

"You all seem to be giving up without a fight." The tamers turned and saw Leamon walking up behind them, a smile on her face, "One thing I have learned is having a little hope can make a world of difference."

Jeri smiled, looking up at Leamon, "Thanks Leamon."

Terriermon smiled, jumping up onto Guilmon's head, "By the way, thanks for breakfast."

Guilmon nodded his head, "Yeah, you made Guilmon bread. It's a piece of bread shaped like my head."

Leamon smiled, "You Welcome. Now, I was planning to go and speak to Tijgmon up at the main temple. If you all wanted to join me, he would be the best digimon to talk to about Jason."

Takato nodded his head, "Sounds like a plan to me." The others agreed, and soon the entire group was walking through the streets, heading up the long, gentle sloop to the main temple of Peradium. Along the way, Takato noticed that Jeri and Leamon spent most of the time talking. Apparently, spending some time helping injured digimon had made Jeri interested in becoming a nurse or doctor. Leamon was happy, answering everyone one of Jeri's questions. Still, Takato couldn't help but smile. Jeri hadn't looked so happy in quite a while.

When the group arrived at the temple, they walked in the open front doors into the main hall. The long rows of pews were all empty, but near the front of the tower Tijgmon was looking over a piece of paper, reading it intently. The tamers and digimon partners walked up slowly as Leamon took the lead and said, "Tijgmon, you wanted to see me."

Tijgmon looked up from his work, nodding his head, "Thank you for coming, and I see you brought everyone else. I trust you have been enjoying yourselves."

Takato smiled, "Yeah, and thanks for giving us a place to sleep and food to eat. Knowing Guilmon, he would have starved to death by now."

Tijgmon chuckled, "No doubt, but it is good you are all here. Still, we can all talk out in the open air. It's too hot in here, and personally I want a break from this paperwork." The tamers nodded, waiting a few moments as Tijgmon pulled himself free of his priest robes and lead them outside. In the grassy meadow between the temple and the miracle alter Tijgmon took a seat, taking a deep breath as he enjoyed the day.

After a few minutes of idle talk, Tijgmon said, "Well, it's good to hear you all want to help Jason. Still, I think we have tried everything. Jason has used any number of miracles on himself, and I have tried asking every digimon I see if they can pull two things apart without hurting either piece."

Guilmon smiled, bouncing his tail up and down mindlessly as Calumon bounced on it, "Oh, don't sound so down Tijgmon. When I'm sad, I just think about the next time Takatomon and I are going to play. Then, that makes me happy. That and Peanut Butter."

Takato groaned, "Guilmon, I have told you a hundred times. I am not a mon."

Guilmon shrugged as the tamers continued to talk about the problems. Soon, Guilmon and Calumon got board of all the talking and went to play in some nearby flowers. The tamers noticed this, but decided to let it slide. Calumon and Guilmon were children at heart, and weren't ones to think to hard about anything for very long. It was a few minutes later when Guilmon suddenly froze, his eyes growing feral as he looked up at the top of the temple.

The tamers were just arguing about Kazu's idea to just take Jason back to the real world as a pair of hands when Guilmon launched his special attack. The pyro sphere flew threw the air, and struck the top of the temple. Tijgmon turned to glare at Guilmon, his voice harsh, "What are you doing to the temple?"

Guilmon continued to growl, his eyes focused on the plum of smoke that was slowly rising up into the sky. As the smoke cleared, the tamers could see a figure appearing in the smoke. The tamers slowly stood up as they saw that the figure was Vexmon, staring down at them with cold eyes.

Takato smiled a bit, waving as he said, "Hey Vexmon, what are you doing up there."

Vexmon remained silent, lowering his arms to his side. He then quickly leapt up into the air, forming into a tight ball before he called out, "Obsidian Blizzard." The tamers all gasped as several large black energy crystals formed in the air around Vexmon, and then began to fly through the air.

The digimon and tamers cleared out from underneath the attack. When the attack stopped, Jeri looked up at Vexmon and asked, "Why is he attacking us?'

Kazu pulled out his digivice, glancing over at Guardromon before saying, "Who cares why, its time he got his butt handed to him, Guardromon."

"Guardian Barrage," Guardromon called out before launching a pair of whistling police missiles. Vexmon dodged the attack, leaping down the building. He moved quickly, darting back and forth as Guardromon continued to launch a barrage of attacks. Soon, the front of the temple was covered in smoke. Guardromon stopped, looking around as he tried to spot his prey.

Suddenly, Vexmon darted out of the smoke. He ran up to Guardromon, leaping up before he put his foot in the iron digimon face. Guardromon tipped back, crashing to the ground with a metal thunk. Still, Vexmon was already back on the move, darting over toward Renamon. Vexmon raced past the yellow furred vixen digimon, glaring at her for a moment before he turned and headed towards Leamon and Jeri.

In one swift motion Vexmon darted around Leamon, grabbed Jeri, knocked her out with a well placed strike to the head, and was running towards the far end of the city. Leamon spun around, her eyes widening in fear as she called out, "JERI."

Flashback

Jeri and Leamon were in a room at the hospital. Leamon was working over a table, gently wrapping some bandaged around a nasty cut an In-training digimon had gotten on her leg. Jeri was standing nearby, a smile on her face as she handed Leamon the different items she needed.

With the young digimon was bandaged up, Leamon went to the hospitals Kitchen and began making lunch. Jeri followed, smiling as she gently put away all the different medical supplies. Leamon watched Jeri out of the corner of her eye. Leamon couldn't help but smile at how much Jeri enjoyed helping others. Soon, Jeri came walking over to the small table in the kitchen, and took a seat.

A few minutes later, Leamon had a few sandwiches made and was enjoying them with Jeri. As the pair ate, Leamon asked Jeri about the real world. As the pair ate, Leamon noticed something sticking out of Jeri's pocket. It was her old digivice. Leamon tried to stay away from the subject, but within a few minutes her curiosity got the best of her. Leamon finished off her sandwich, swallowing the last bite before she asked, "Jeri, what's that in your pocket?"

Jeri blinked a few times, mindlessly chewing on a piece of her sandwich as she looked down. In an instant Jeri's happy mood disappeared, and she became solemn. Jeri set her sandwich down before reaching into her pocket, and pulling out her orange digivice. Jeri held the mixture of plastic and silicon, the screen displaying nothing at all.

Jeri sniffed, her eyes fixed on the digivice, "You know, you remind me of him?'

Leamon raised an eyebrow, "Who Jeri?"

"My digimon partner Leomon. He was very kind, and he said I had the heart of the lion. Then, he did everything he could to protect me and the others from Beezlemon, back when he was working with the sovereign. In the end, he couldn't stop Beezlemon, and…and…"

Jeri began to break down, tears streaming down her face as old memories were pulled to the surface. Leamon leaned over, setting a hand on Jeri's shoulder, "You miss him, don't you."

Jeri nodded her head, "I can't help but think that because I was his tamer, I should have been able to do something. I should have been able to save him, but all I did was stand there and watch it all happen."

"Jeri, the look in your eyes tells me you would give your own life if it brought Leomon back, but it doesn't work that way. We each have to live our lives as best we can, and make the most of every minute we are given. Leomon lived his life without regrets, and gave it to protect you and your friends. Now, you should never forget Leomon, but you shouldn't ever blame yourself."

Jeri smiled, drying her eyes, "Leamon."

"Yes Jeri."

"Do you think I could ever be a digimon tamer again? I have wondered about it for the longest time, and I always thought that Leomon would want me to try and help another digimon. It's just that, do you think I deserve another chance?"

Leamon nodded her head, "Jeri, everyone deserves at least one more chance, and if I could I would be the one to give it to you." At that moment, Jeri and Leamon made an unknown connection to each other. Jeri slipped her digivice back into her pocket, smiling as she took another bite of her sandwich. Leamon smiled, standing up as she began to clean up fro the pairs light meal. Unknown to either of them, Jeri's digivice beeped, coming to life for the first time in months.

End Flashback

Vexmon continued to run through the city streets, Jeri hanging over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The rest of the tamers followed, Leamon leading the chase as she readied an arrow. She pulled it back, taking aim before calling out, "Arrow of the Beast Queen." The arrow took flight, glowing brightly as it neared Vexmon. The arrow struck Vexmon, pounding him in the back, but it did little to phase the rookie vixen digimon as he continued to make his way towards the gates of Peradium.

As the tamers and digimon chased after Vexmon, Tijgmon shouted, "I am going to go and find Jason. He will be able to cut Vexmon off at the city gates. You guys, keep on his tail."

Takato nodded his head, panting difficulty, "Yeah…(pant)…go ahead…(pant)…we'll just keep…(pant)…on running. Oh, I shouldn't…(pant)…have cut out of…(pant)…gym class."

Henry chuckled, running up beside Takato, "Come on Takato, can't you keep up with one rookie digimon?"

Takato glared at Henry, "I don't want to hear it from you…(pant)…Mr. martial arts."

Henry laughed as the entire group continued to run across the city, trying to catch up with Vexmon. Renamon, Guardromon, Impmon, and Leamon were all launching attacks as they ran, trying to strike Vexmon without hurting Jeri. Still, every attack seemed to do nothing against Vexmon.

Renamon ran up beside Leamon, her eyes focused on Vexmon and Jeri, "Since when has Vexmon been so strong?'

Leamon shook her head, "I don't know, but I am not going to let him kidnap Jeri."

The group continued to run, Vexmon leading them on. Soon, the entire chase had gone through Peradium and had reached the towering gates. Vexmon ran out through the gates, sprinting out into the wide open grassy plains outside the walls while Tamers followed. Then, all of the sudden, Vexmon stopped. He turned, facing the tamers as he smiled evilly.

Takato stopped, his fists tightening as he shouted, "You, let Jeri go."

Vexmon shrugged his shoulders, gently setting Jeri down on the ground, "Sure after all she isn't the one I am after."

The tamers all got confused looks on their faces, staring at Vexmon as Rika asked, "You're not after Jeri, then why the heck did you kidnap her?"

Vexmon smiled, his eyes moving up to the top of the wall, "I just needed to lure Renamon out of the city. Now, why don't I slip into something more comfortable." Vexmon's eyes burst red as he began to digivolved. He grew larger as he evolved into his mega form, but then something began to happen. A dark aura surrounded Vexmon, and began to change his ultimate form. When the digivolution was finished, Vexmon had become ShadowMiromon. A monk mastered in the dark arts, whose hand contains the endless black hole known as the Wind Tunnel.

ShadowMiromon grinned, holding his staff in a battle position as he said, "Now, time to get what I came for." ShadowMiromon rushed forward, his staff glowing black as he prepared an energy attack. The tamers had no time to escape, but just before ShadowMiromon could launch his attack a blur of white and black rushed forward. The sound of metal striking metal filled the air as ShadowMiromon's attack was stopped by none other then Eclipsemon.

The tamers smiled, watching as Eclipsemon forced back the dark monk mega. A few moments later Jason came flying over the city walls, his hands formed into fists as he shouted, "Vexmon, you have broken the deal. I allowed you into Peradium if you promised to give up your viral form for one of data. Now, since you have betrayed my trust you shall be banished from Peradium, never to return."

ShadowMiromon smiled, "If it isn't my lord and master, thank you for coming. I have a friend who is just dying to meet you. Now Hageramon."

From the nearby cliff side, a shadow stepped out into the afternoon light. It was the digimon Vexmon had met with the night before. The old witch digimon began to swish her hands through the air, a low mumble filling the air before she called out, "Dark Entrapment."

Before Jason could react, his hands were bound in powerful chains of pure shadow magic. The chains pulled him back, stringing him up against the cliff side. Jason strained against the chains, fighting and tossing around as Hageramon landed on the ground and began to launch a series of attacks against the tamers. The tamers ran for cover while their partners tried to hold Hageramon off. Takato, Rika, and Henry ran off to one side, glancing at each other before reaching a silent understanding. It was time to biomerge.

In the next instant Gallantmon, MegaGargomon and Sakuyamon were now in the fight. Gallantmon had rushed forward, helping Eclipsemon with ShadowMiromon while MegaGargomon and Sakuyamon attacked Hageramon. The fighting was intense, and the other tamers and digimon could only look on in amazement as the six megas battled.

Jason was also watching the fight as he struggled against the chains that bound him to the cliff. Then, Jason sensed something coming. He turned as best as he could to look out across the endlessly rolling digital plains. Flying towards Peradium, a trail of fire in his wake, was Zhuqiaomon, the phoenix sovereign digimon.

Hageramon backed away from Sakuyamon and MegaGargomon, dodging a barrage of missiles before moving over to where ShadowMiromon was battling Gallantmon and Eclipsemon. Hageramon launched a barrage of black chains, tying the two swordsmen megas together. ShadowMiromon and Hageramon backed away, both smiling as Hageramon said, "It looks like its time for us to take our leave."

ShadowMiromon nodded his head, "Agreed, but we can't leave Peradium without a souvenir."

Hageramon nodded her head, a black chain forming from her hand. ShadowMiromon pulled a paper sutra from his sleeve, throwing it across the battle field. The sutra attached itself to Sakuyamon, causing a surge of electricity to flow through the mega level shamans body. Sakuyamon broke apart, changing back into Rika and Renamon. Hageramon lashed her black chain out like a whip, the dark metal wrapping around Renamon like a deadly snake.

Renamon screamed in pain as the chains crushed her. Hageramon yanked on the black chain, pulling Renamon through the air as Zhuqiaomon drew close to Peradium. Hageramon caught Renamon holding her out to ShadowMiromon as he struck her in the head, knocking her out. At that moment, the pair of megas leapt up, landing on Zhuqiaomon's back as the sovereign digimon turned.

At that moment, Jason broke free of Hageramon's chains. He flew after Zhuqiaomon, reaching out as he tried to grab the Phoenix digimon by his leg. At the last moment, just before Jason could have grabbed hold of Zhuqiaomon's leg, he began to fall. Like a brick Jason crashed down into the grassy plains of the digital world, Zhuqiaomon flying towards the horizon. Jason forced himself up, trying to crawl across the ground as he called out, "RENAMON!"