Chapter 18
For Good

WickRenamon smiled, bending down as she gently touched the side of Rika's face. The red-haired tamer was in such a state of shock, all she could do is stare in disbelief. WickRenamon then stood up, taking a step past Rika as she neared the other tamers. Her smile widened, a green low forming in her hand, "Now, what will all of you do now that your shining knights are as useless as dirt."

Eclipsemon stepped forward, holding both of his sword up as he said, "I won't let you harm the tamers."

WickRenamon laughed, the green glow on her hand slowly becoming a long sword of green crystal, "You talk as if you have a choice in the matter, but you couldn't stop me even with Jason's help."

WickRenamon lunged forward, the crystal blade growing to a huge size as she slashed at Eclipsemon. Impmon ran forward, changing into Beezlemon as he pulled out his guns. He took aim, lining up a shot as he started to pull the trigger. Suddenly, Beezlemon lowered his gun, looking at the ground. Memories of Leomon flashed in his mind, and Beezlemon said, "I won't do it again; I won't put Rika through the same thing as Jeri."

Beezlemon then growled, turning as he kicked a nearby bucket high into the air. The bucket turned over, tipping its soapy water out. The water tumbled down, a few drops falling on WickRenamon. The witch fox cringed, leaping back as she held her shoulder. There, for a split second, a patch of yellow fur broke through the green.

Eclipsemon blinked, looking at the spot as he said, "Is it possible that she holds that tie with the true witch of the west." Eclipsemon, however, could not ponder the thought for long before WickRenamon rushed forward again, the blade of crystal driving towards his heart.

Gallantmon, Chilvarmon, and Generalmon struggled, trying to free themselves from WickRenamon's spell, but all they could do is turn their heads, and watched as Eclipsemon fought for his life. It was true, Renamon was actually stronger then he was at the moment, the powers of darkness driving her forward as her heart grew more corrupt. He also didn't dare hurt WickRenamon, for if he did he would be hurting the true Renamon, the yellow furred love of Jason.

Henry bit his lip, Terriermon standing beside him as he asked, "Come on Henry, let me at her."

"No Terriermon, we are still too weak from the battle with ShadowMiromon. We can't biomerge right now, and it looks like it would take at least that to even hold WickRenamon down."

Terriermon grumbled, turning his attention away from the battle to the fire at the front of the room. Rika still sat their, her eyes staring forward at where WickRenamon had first shown her face. "No…" Rika whispered as she slowly stood up, "she can't be gone…Re…Renamon would never give up. She…she has to be there, she just has to be."

Rika then turned, her eyes falling on WickRenamon as she continued to attack Eclipsemon. The tiger mega jumped back, taking a fresh defensive position as WickRenamon stared at him, her had still incased in the green jewels that were as hard as a sword, but moved as nimbly as a whip.

"Come now, is that all you can do Eclipsemon. I must say your power is terrible underwhelming. What the…?" WickRenamon said, feeling a sudden pressure around her chest. WickRenamon turned her head, and saw Rika had come up and wrapped her arms tightly around the waist of the digital witch.

WickRenamon snarled, the crystal disappearing from her hand, "Cursed girl, what are you doing?"

"Please Renamon, come back." Rika whispered as she buried her head in WickRenamon's black dress. Quickly, WickRenamon turned and pushed Rika down to the floor, her eyes becoming as cold as ice as she said, "Girl, you would be smart to give up. The Renamon you knew is gone, and nothing can bring her back."

Rika shook her head, slowly standing up, "No, Renamon is still here. Even if you did take over her body, Renamon is still fighting. Sooner or later, she will free herself, and you will be the one that is gone. You…you…parasite."

WickRenamon's eyes widened, a frown forming on her face, "You will pay for that, and you will pay with your life." WickRenamon quickly reformed the sword of crystal on her hand, pushing the Rika to the ground again before stepping down on the red-head's chest. Rika struggled, trying to get up as WickRenamon held her sword high above, the tip pointed directly at Rika's heart, "Now it is time you join Renamon in the afterlife."

Rika watch, the world seeming to slow as WickRenamon began to drive the blade forward. Rika was sure WickRenamon was going to do it, but still she saw something else. It was there, just under WickRenamon's eye. It was a tear. Renamon was still in their, and right now her heart was breaking.

The air then sang with the sound of a sword piercing flesh, but WickRenamon's sword had stopped a few inches above Rika's chest. Instead, Eclipsemon had driven his own sword through WickRenamon's stomach. Eclipsemon pulled his sword free, WickRenamon gasping for air as bits of data began to break away from the wound and flow up into the air.

WickRenamon began to fall forward, but Eclipsemon had enough mind to grab the witch digimon and gently lie her down onto the ground. As WickRenamon's spark of life began to slip away, her spell on the three trinity knights began to end. The trio broke apart, changing back into Takato, Guilmon, Kazu, Guardromon, Kenta, and MarineAngemon as the others rushed forward, circling around WickRenamon.

For a moment, the hatred in WickRenamon's eyes began to clear. She turned, looking at Eclipsemon as she forced as smile, "Th…thank…you..."

Eclipsemon hung his head, shaking it slowly, "Do not thank me, for I wish I had never done the deed." The other tamers circled around, each hanging their heads as the inevitable began to happen. WickRenamon's feet began to slowly break apart, the data disappearing into the air.

WickRenamon turned, looking at all the tamers as she said, "You…must hurry. Zhuqiaomon has…the knowledge…he needs to kill Jason. Please…I beg you…don't let him do it."

Eclipsemon nodded, quickly standing up as he said, "Everyone, get back to the Trident. We must get back to Peradium now." The other tamers nodded, each pausing a few moments to look at WickRenamon before heading towards the castle's door. The digimon also followed, but still Rika remained.

Eclipsemon paused, turning back as he looked at Rika. He sighed, walking over to the tamer as he pulled a medallion from his pocket. Eclipsemon knelt down, setting the medallion down on the ground beside Rika as he said, "When your ready, just hold this medallion and think of Peradium. It will take you back to the city, making you appear at the alter of miracles."

Rika did not even turn her head, her head hung as she watched WickRenamon continue to break into data. She was halfway gone, the data starting to drift away from her waist as Eclipsemon turned and followed the others out. It was only when everyone was gone, and the Trident was charging away when Rika broke down. She dropped down, wrapping her arms around what remained of WickRenamon.

(Song, "For Good", from the Broadway show Wicked)
(Notes for song, parts I would have Renamon sing are underlined
(Parts I would have Rika sing are in bold)
(Any part both sing in unison is both bolded and underlined.)
(All song lyrics are generally italicized.)
(The pair is not actually singing in story, but it adds to effect.)

I'm limited, just look me. I'm limited.

"Rika…I'm sorry."

And just look at you, you can do all I couldn't do
So now its up to you, for both of us
Now its up to you.

Rika shook her head, slowly sitting up to look into WickRenamon, no…Renamon's eyes, "Renamon…please, you can't leave me now."

I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are lead to those who help us most to grow, if we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you………I have been changed for good

"I don't want to Rika, but I may have to." Renamon coughed out, the only part of her body remaining her head and shoulders.

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime
So let me say before we part
That so much of me is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend

"Renamon, I am sorry I couldn't save you. Can you ever forgive me?"

Renamon forced a smile, "Rika, I could never be angry with you. You are my tamer, and my friend."

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea
Like a siege rocked by a sky bird, in a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But, because I knew you

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good

Rika chocked, tears welling up in here eyes again, "Renamon."

"Rika."

And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done that you blame me for

But then, I guess, we know there is blame to share

And none of it's seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun
Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood
Like a siege rocked by a sky bird, in a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

Only Renamon's head remained, but her fur had returned to its beautiful yellow color. Rika held tightly to Renamon, as if her embrace would be enough to bring Renamon back. At the same moment, Rika digivice began to go of, a strange series of beeps and clicks coming out as the screen flashed between a bright white and pure static.

I do believe I have been changed for the better

And, because I knew you

Because I knew you

Because I knew you

I have been changed………………………………for good.

In the distance, The Trident was charging across the digital planes at full speed. The steam engine was chugging along at an unimaginable speed, the Tridents mind and will of force the old reason the train had not already fallen apart. Beezlemon rode along side, Behemoth's engine roaring as he kept up with the train. Then, Axel did what he usually won't dare to attempt. With a throw of a lever a digital plain jump tunnel appeared. The tunnel was only designed to carry the train between levels of the digital world, but now Axel was trying to make it bridge the distance, and take the train directly to Peradium.

The tamers and digimon were all in the lounge car, their heads out the windows as they entered the tunnel. Like before, the train was surrounded with falling ones and zeros until it exited the tunnel. On the horizon, a pillar of smoke rose up from the city of Peradium. The once pristine outer wall was now nothing but rubble, and cries of pain and anguish rose up from the city itself.

Dark, viral digimon like Devimon and IceDevimon, under the command of Zhuqiaomon, ravaged the streets. They destroyed buildings, and tried to kill as many digimon as possible. Most of the cities populace had fled to the high temple and the later of miracles. There, a barrier of purple mist protected them, but sooner or later the barrier would fail. It was a fact that haunted the populaces as they watched the battle high above them.

Jason floated high above the city as he faced off with Zhuqiaomon and Azulongmon. His hands were covered in cuts and bruises, a sign that his strength was weakening. Zhuqiaomon was using a powerful attack that first encircled Jason with an orb of pure darkness, changing him back into a human before a surge of electricity laid siege to his body.

Zhuqiaomon laughed, preparing another of the dark sphere attacks as he said, "You shall die here today, and the power of the sovereign will reign supreme."

Jason cringed, forming his hands into fists as he flew towards Zhuqiaomon. Azulongmon quickly blocked Jason's attack, using his powerful chains to bind Jason and force him back. Zhuqiaomon released his attack, the dark sphere enveloping Jason again and forcing a huge surge of electricity through his body. The sphere then disappeared, and Jason hung in the air.

Then, he began to fall. Jason tumbled to the ground, his hands landing in the cities fields with a resounding thud. Zhuqiaomon laughed, lowering down as Azulongmon watched from above. "Now", Zhuqiaomon, "it is the end of your time in this world. Good bye, good lord of Peradium."

Zhuqiaomon began to form his attack again, letting the energy build up for several seconds for the final strike. He then heard something that made his attention shift, his attack disappearing as his eyes drifted to the walls of Peradium. A blue blur charged through the opening in the wall, sliding to a stop as several figures leapt out. In one bright flash of light the figures changed, the tamers and digimon biomerging as they prepared to fight Zhuqiaomon to save Jason, to save Peradium.

Zhuqiaomon laughed, looking over the digimon that now opposed him. He knew four of them, his eyes recognizing Gallantmon, MegaGargomon, Eclipsemon, and Beezlemon. The other three, however, were new to his eyes. Still, it did little to worry Zhuqiaomon. A few extra knights and a royal looking lioness was not enough to worry him.

"Oh Azulongmon, finish them." Zhuqiaomon said as he turned back to finish what he started. Azulongmon roared, charging down from the sky and towards the tamers. Suddenly, a second blur of blue blew by the tamers and clashed with Azulongmon. The tamers and digimon stared in awe as a being, as large as MegaGargomon, stopped Azulongmon in his tracks.

It was the trident, the train that had carried the tamers across the digital world had a defense system. In case of emergency, the trains cars merged together to form a giant, fighting robot. Axel still sat in the train's engine, his body hooked directly to the trident as he helped the Trident itself fight Azulongmon.

"Go…" the tamers heard Axel yell, "get Zhuqiaomon. We can handle Azulongmon."

Gallantmon nodded, charging forward with Generalmon and Chilvarmon a few steps behind him. Zhuqiaomon had already amassed his final attack again, starting to launch it when Generalmon threw his axe, the large metal weapon flying through the air and slicing through Zhuqiaomon's attack.

Zhuqiaomon turned, glaring at the three knights as Generalmon's came flying back and returned to its master's hand. Gallantmon pointed the tip of his lance at the phoenix digimon and called out, "Zhuqiaomon, you are going to pay for what you did to Renamon."

Zhuqiaomon laughed, flames beginning to surge from his wings, "You insolent fools, I shall make you learn the meaning of respect, and fire will be your teacher." Zhuqiaomon then flapped his wings, sending his flames rushing at the three trinity knights. Gallantmon raised his shield, blocking the flames as Generalmon and Chilvarmon ducked behind him.

The three waited until Zhuqiaomon's attack passed, and then quickly lunged out to counter attack. Gallantmon dug his feet into the ground, his shield beginning to glow as he shouted, "Shield of the Just."

Generalmon and Chilvarmon joined in, both launching their special attacks. The three attacks began to intertwine, forming a great, shimmering beam of light as all three called out, "Strike of the Noble Trinity."

The attack struck Zhuqiaomon in the chest, sending the phoenix digimon flying backward. The three trinity knights followed after him with MegaGargomon, Eclipsemon, and Beezlemon following a few steps behind. EmpressLeamon ran up to Jason, stopping a few feet away as she asked, "Jason are you alright?"

Since Leamon was wearing one of Jason's medallions when she and Jeri biomerged, EmpressLeamon could easily hear him say, "I'll be fine. Where is Renamon?"

EmpressLeamon turned, looking away, "I am sorry Jason, we tried, but Hageramon…"

Jason slowly got up, hovering above the ground a few inches as he asked, "What happened?"

"She is gone Jason. Zhuqiaomon had Hageramon turn her evil, changing her into a digimon called WickRenamon. She was about to kill Rika, and Eclipsemon did the only thing he could. He had to do it Jason, that way we didn't loose both Rika and Renamon."

Jason hung in the air a few seconds, the air silent until he began to clench his fists. The sky above Peradium began to darken, storm clouds joining with the smoke that filtered up from the fires that ravaged the city. Jason began to float up into the air, his hands beginning to shake as lightning arched across the sky.

EmpressLeamon tried to stop him, but Jason was already flying across the city towards Zhuqiaomon. The other tamers were still trying to battle the sovereign phoenix, but like the first time Zhuqiaomon was just too powerful. MegaGargomon was just being thrown back by a burst of fire when Jason raced in.

Jason's hands quickly found Zhuqiaomon neck, squeezing tightly to his neck as Jason shouted, "I'LL MAKE YOU PAY, RENAMON WILL BE AVENGED!"

Zhuqiaomon chuckled, his body growing hot as he said, "Hmm…it seems I struck a nerve. Well, why don't we just strike something else while we are at it?" Zhuqiaomon's body became so hot it began to burn Jason's hands, but he still held on. Then, the phoenix digimon began to prepare his new shadow sphere attack again, this time bringing himself and Jason into the sphere.

A loud scream of pain filled the air, cutting through all other sounds like a knife before something was thrown from the shadow of the sphere. The small figure flew through the air, crashing into the fire pillar of the altar. The populace of Peradium gasped, the flames surging up before going out completely. The miracles around the altar began to disappear, and the shield spell slowly spread into the air and vanished.

The tamers saw this, and could hear the cries from the digimon that had lived in Peradium, had lived in the peaceful utopia under Jason. He was gone, his last act an attempt to avenge Renamon's life.

Eclipsemon growled, pressing his two swords together into the one, huge Eclipse Saber. The other megas followed, preparing their strongest attacks. In one great attack, all the tamers and digimon assaulted Zhuqiaomon. The attack names rang through the air, a battle cry the digital world would always remember.

"Shield of the Just" – Gallantmon

"Joust of Honor" – Chilvarmon

"Distance Desolation" – Generalmon

"Corona Destroyer" – Beezlemon

"Gargo Missiles" – MegaGargomon

"Solar Strike" – Eclipsemon

"Empress Arrow" – EmpressLeamon

The attacks all struck at once, creating a huge explosion. The smoke billowed for a few seconds, and the tamers and digimon waited and watched. Then, through the smoke they began to see shadow. It was Zhuqiaomon, he had managed to put up a shield of fire, and block their attack.

Zhuqiaomon quickly countered the massive attack, sending out a wave of fire that hit all the megas swept them off their feet. With their energy drained the tamers and digimon de-biomerged.

Zhuqiaomon looked over the children, smiling as fire began to form at his wings again, "Azulongmon won't save you this time you filth. This time, I will destroy you all, and be rid of the abominations that are your digimon partners."

All the tamers shut their eyes, the fires on Zhuqiaomon's wings growing larger as a blood thirsty look appeared in his eye. Then, before the attack could be launched, an arrow flew threw the air and struck Zhuqiaomon directly in the head. The arrow was shining with pink energy, and seemed to be burning Zhuqiaomon as he tried to knock the arrow free.

All the tamers and digimon turned, looking up as they saw a figure standing on the roof of a nearby windmill. It was a mega level digimon dressed in the clothes common of a Japanese Priestess, a Miko, with loose, red pants and a white shirt. (For those who have seen Inuyasha, think of Kikyo's clothes.)

The warrior carried a very simple wooden bow, a quiver of arrows hanging loosely off her back. Dull gray hair flowed down from the digital Miko's head, draping down in two long ponytails that ended just an inch above the ground. On the digimon's head was a golden mask, covering everything except her lower lip. The mask depicted a golden fox head, its eyes focused and sure.