Me: *pant Et ole tosissasi(You're not serious)
Beelzemon Blast Mode: Not bad, but your little boost from that armor isn't enough against me. Especially when half of it is now in pieces.
Me: Okei... siis B-suunnitelma(Okay... plan B it is then) *Body is covered in smoke before being replaced by a bright light*
Beelzemon Blast Mode: What? What's going on?!
The Children and their partners were worried about Novice wanting to fight Beelzemon now. They still remembered how the Demon Lord of Gluttony kicked WarGreymon's and MetalGarurumon's butts. And even after becoming Omegamon, the white knight couldn't hit the Demon Lord. Then again, Beelzemon couldn't deal any real damage to Omegamon. Even Imperialdramon joining the fight didn't change much. And the worst part is, they still remember the fact that Beelzemon's Code Crown was still sealed so the gun-slinging Demon Lord wasn't even at full power.
"In terms of raw combat power, Beelzemon is more dangerous than I am," Black said from Novice's chair, "If Novice manages to beat Beelzemon at full power, then I will feel slightly better about my loss."
Lotosmon frowned at this, "I'm going to go and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." And with those words, the purple skinned fairy digimon was off.
"So... what do we do now?" Agumon asked out of curiosity.
"You could pick a reader among yourselves," Black supplied helpfully.
"But... Shouldn't we help him or something?" Ken asked in slight worry.
Black laughed at the notion, "I heard how that fight went, your Omegamon and Imperialdramon were beaten through attrition because they couldn't hit Beelzemon and he couldn't deal real damage. Trust me when I say this, with his full power, your two so called powerhouses can't win."
"Is there no other way to power them up?" Yamato asked, now looking at his D-Crest.
"The only way to do that at this point is training," Black said with a shrug.
"Of course it is," Agumon groaned.
"Oh please, like anything ever came too easily to you," Black said uncaringly, just when the doors opened and Wisemon entered.
"Greetings, Chosen Children, Novice has instructed me to take over the reading for the moment... again." The Children and their partners were pretty sure the wise digimon sighed at the last part.
"Will he be alright?" Biyomon asked in slight worry.
"I like to believe that he knows what he is doing," Wisemon said before going for Novice's seat.
"This is mine," Black said with a challenging look. Wisemon didn't wish for a fight so he went to the seat that Lotosmon had vacated.
"Now there is a slight complication," Wisemon said, "Novice did not tell me who should read next or even how to choose. So the question is who would be reading."
"Which of us haven't red yet?" Taichi then asked.
"Out of the digimon, I think Biyomon hasn't red yet," Sora replied first.
"I haven't red either," Tentomon piped up.
"Neither have I." Wormmon also said.
"So maybe one of you should read," Koshiro said with a thoughtful look.
"Wisemon, show me the book," Black suddenly piped up.
"Why?"
"Just humor me." Black didn't have much patience right now. Or rather she needed a distraction that made her not think about Novice fighting Beelzemon.
"Very well," Wisemon said and the book floated to the black feline who proceeded to open it from the appropriate page.
"As I thought," Black said before addressing the Children, "I will read this chapter."
"What?" Wormmon asked.
"Why?" Patamon followed up.
"You'll find out soon enough." Black said with a cheshire grin. Without even waiting for a reply, Black began reading.
The Lords of Spiral Mountain! Dark Masters!
Before the Children could ask more questions the title card showed silhouettes of all four of the Dark Masters.
"Oh? So that's why Black wants to read," Hikari said in disapproval.
"Is that a problem?" Black asked with a frown.
"No, just... it makes too much sense," Hikari said before sighing,"Please continue."
Black did just that.
In an ominous castle atop a massive mountain, a figure was chuckling as he looked through a telescope. "Look at them, so full of fear, wishing for the return of peace and order that will never come," the figure chuckled as he used the Telescope to look at the human world, and their soon to be next conquest. "It is truly a wonderful sight."
"Piedmon." Was the universal thought at hearing that voice.
"I disagree!" came another voice as a large form emerged from the water, revealing a large sea serpent covered in metallic yellow armor. "I say we should kill them all in one shot!" he thundered before diving back into the water.
If that wasn't MetalSeadramon, the Children and their partners didn't know what it was.
"But time in their world flows differently than ours," a third voice said, this one sounding notably more childish than the previous two. "I say we should use it to pick them off slowly. One by one," he said, as he stepped into the light revealing a child-size wooden puppet with gears and cables. "Just like him," he said again, looking at a large mechanical creature that was saurian in design, bipedal with a pair of large claws and huge cannons on its back.
"Enough," the first voice said, getting out of his seat, revealing a humanoid being in clown-like garb with a black and white mask on his face, and a set of swords strapped to his back. "The Chosen Children will be arriving shortly. It is time for a break of our conquest, and on to an amusing distraction."
The Children frowned at this. The Dark Masters they faced also probably treated them as a distraction.
"They'll show you who's distraction when my other skewers you," Agumon said with a grin, getting a mental image of Piedmon being skewered by Dramon Killers.
"Or maybe this is the scenario where everyone goes Ultimate and curbstomps him," Gabumon suggested.
"Oh, I would so like that," Gomamon said with a sadistic grin as he tried to picture what his Ultimate would be like.
With that, all the other digimon of the original eight and Veemon and Wormmon began fantasizing about what their Ultimates looked like. Although Gatomon was a little worried that her other apparently had three possibilities. The question is, which one will her other take.
At that, the others looked at him, seemingly in excitement at that. "Now then...let us leave the dressing room, and enter the stage as the curtains rise! To the play called 'The end of the Chosen Children!" the clown laughed, as a series of spotlights illuminated the four of them.
"I hope they will do better than we did," Takeru commented, remembering their first run in with the four Ultimates.
"Okay….that was a bit rougher than last time," Gyro groaned as they'd all been deposited on the ground. "Is everyone here? Say 'aye'."
19 'ayes' were his answer, confirming that yes, everyone was indeed here.
"Well...this is a familiar sight," Weiss couldn't help but say at the sight of the vegetation that was that of the familiar forests they'd gone through a few times.
"At least that confirms we're here," Veemon sighed, rolling his neck a bit. "So, what horrible change has happened while we were gone?"
Everyone gave their Veemon a look of concern.
"...What? I'm not the one who said it." Veemon protested. Even he was a little worried about what his other said.
"Well...unless they blocked out the sun, I think either we arrived at night, or the trees here are just too thick for us to see," Biyomon said, not even batting an eye at how casually Veemon said that. Yeah, they'd all gotten TOO used to this shit.
"...I'm not sure that's a good thing or a bad thing," Jo said in slight worry.
However, before they could talk further, a rustling was heard in the tall grass. "Who's there?!" Everyone said in alarm, weapons ready, attacks prepped in the Digimon's case (and Koromon and Tsunomon quickly evolving back into Agumon and Gabumon). However, instead of a vicious monster trying to kill them (something they'd gotten waaaay too used to by now), all that came was a whimper of fear. THAT took the wind out of their sails quickly.
"Is it Chuumon?" Mimi was the first to say, still remembering the little mouse.
"Uh...okay, I think its safe to say that's not who we're here for," Ruby blinked as she put away Crescent Rose, and carefully approached. "Um...excuse me? Are you okay? Don't worry, we won't hurt you," she said.
When she got close enough, she could see that the Digimon who was clearly afraid was a small pink mouse, one which she vaguely remembered seeing on File.
"That's Chuumon." Tentomon noted quietly.
Digimon Analyzer: Chuumon
Chuumon. Virus Type. A Child Level Beast Digimon. A small Digimon who is best friends with Sukamon, acting as his conscience most of the time. It's not the strongest Digimon, and is rather cowardly, but it can be very cunning in the right situation. His special attack is Cheese Bomb, throwing a bomb hidden inside a piece of cheese… it is strangely efficient.
The Children chuckled a little at the special attack being described the way it was.
"Hey… are you ok?" she asked worriedly.
"A-Are you the Chosen Children?" Chuumon asked, fear clear in his voice.
"Right, Ruby never dealt with him and Sukamon," Palmon commented, remembering that little tidbit.
"The one we met was still terrified." Sora pointed out.
"I think any digimon would be scared when powerful digimon like the Dark Masters were on the loose," Yamato also added in.
"Yeah… can you tell us what's going on?" Ruby asked calmly, hoping that seeing everyone else calm would help the small Digimon.
At that Chuumon burst into tears and ran into her arms.
"Okay, I'm thinking it's gonna be REALLY bad…" Pierce couldn't help but say.
"After Myotismon disappeared from the Digital World about 15 years ago, my best friend Sukamon and I went back to File Island and decided to just go back to our lives of peace and tranquility. For the first few years it was just fun and games without having to worry about anything. But then… then THEY came. They ripped File and Server to pieces. So many Digimon died when they ripped it all apart, even Sukamon! Just so they could make their base." Chuumon explained, crying at the same time.
The second generation looked to their seniors with concerned looks.
"Was the Chuumon you met this bad?" Miyako asked in worry.
"Yes, he was." Mimi muttered, barely audible.
Black rolled her eyes at the girls caring about such an insignificant creature, but decided to keep her feelings on the matter bottled up for a change.
"There there," Ruby said, doing her best to sooth the distraught Digimon...about as well as she could considering the poor guy was no doubt reliving the horrifying event. "We came to stop the Dark Masters, and we promise we'll do what we can," she said.
"Actually...you said something about a base?" Ren checked that detail.
"Yeah, they plan to turn the entire Digital World into their personal domains, and to rule it more easily they're trying to add everything to Spiral Mountain!" Chuumon said. "They already turned all of Server into it, and they're trying to absorb the other continents and File! It's horrible! Even with the other Continents putting up a fight, it's only a matter of time before...before…!" by now Chuumon looked like he was ready to have an emotional breakdown, to which Gyro pulled out a tissue form his pouch, giving it to the mouse who blew really hard.
The Children frowned a little at hearing that the other continents are putting a fight but losing. Then again, perhaps Chuumon is just despairing.
They sincerely hoped it was just that.
By the end of his story everyone's eyes had darkened. "So...who's in favor of tearing a mountain down?" Blake asked coldly.
"Aye!" was the answer from literally everyone else.
"No surprise there," Tentomon commented.
"Can you show us where it is?" Agumon asked.
"If… if you guys can really do it… yeah! Yeah, I'll help!" Chuumon said, his face showing determination despite his tears.
"Urgh... I hate sappiness," Black complained earning several sets of glares, but the BlackGatomon either didn't notice or care.
"...oookay, I know we said we'd tear this thing down, and we still plan to, but….that's a BIG mountain," Salamon couldn't help but say as they looked up and up and up at the strangest mountain they'd ever seen. True to its name, Spiral Mountain was...well...a big spiral, apparently made up of 4 bands of ocean, forest, city, and...wasteland respectively.
The second generation were staring at the strange mountain. They did hear about this part, but it was still strange actually seeing it.
"I know this is weird, but then you have the sky as well." Wormmon idly noticed as they could even see Remnant in the sky.
"Right, that too," Taichi commented on the sight.
"Points for efficiency, negative points for creativity," Gyro commented. "So let me guess, since there are 4 Dark Masters, they rule like one section of that spiral each, right?"
"And better yet, their base is at the top, isn't it?" Pierce added.
"Yeah, that's exactly right!" Chuumon nodded. "Wow, you guys are amazing to already know that!"
"Oh no, we didn't. Let's just say we've seen PLENTY of guys like these guys in the past...they kinda all followed a trend," Gyro sighed, scratching the back of his head.
"Sad thing is, he's not wrong," Gatomon commented with a frown.
"So….how do we start bringing this thing down?" Nora asked. "I didn't carry enough grenades."
"I don't think we can bring it down THAT way," was the deadpan response from several of the Digimon, including her own partner who were giving her dry looks.
"It would be funny if they could." Daisuke commented.
"But it can't be-" "Come on! Imagine if it was. Wouldn't it be funny?" Daisuke interrupted Miyako.
"...You're right, it would be funny if it were possible," Jo commented with a small chuckle, having a mental image of Spiral Mountain crumbling due to large amount of explosives.
A mental image that was soon coming to others. Although some of them imagined it along the lines of a tree falling.
"Well...seeing as so far it's been working in undoing damage, I say we go murder the guys who made this thing," Yang suggested.
"Does she have to say it like that," Sora said in clear disapproval.
"Yeah... it makes it sound like we're the bad guys." Biyomon added in with a slightly downed look.
"Also... how can she say that so casually," Iori also questioned.
"I don't know what's more disturbing. How much that makes sense or how easily we've come to accept that as our best answer," Weiss sighed.
No one had any words on Weiss' line. They just... they were now wondering how they never became that crazy.
"Probably somewhere along the lines of how it seems killing off the evil Digimon who did shenanigans seems to always undo said shenanigans," Tentomon deadpanned.
"Well... he's not wrong," Gabumon commented in concern.
"But it's still not something to say so casually," Yamato added in.
"Y-You're serious?!" Chuumon asked in alarm. "That's impossible! You can't beat them!" he said in fear.
The group looked at him before shrugging. "Eh, won't know unless we try," Palmon said.
"But you could die!" Chuumon countered.
"Yes, but they will do it anyway," Taichi commented with a small smile.
"Just like we did." Jo added in, now finding it almost funny how he was the one to say that.
"Would you rather live forever under their rule? Or die fighting for a better tomorrow?" Agumon countered. THAT shut the mouse up as he gained an introspective look.
However, before they could talk further, a sinister laughter filled the air. "Chosen Children, I've been waiting for you!" the voice said before a large form burst out of the ground.
"And there's one of them," Gomamon dead-panned.
"I-Its MetalSeadramon!" Chuumon shouted in fear as one of the Dark Masters emerged.
Digimon Analyzer: MetalSeadramon
MetalSeadramon. Data Type. An Ultimate Level Cyborg Digimon. The final form of the Seadramon species, with a body coated in Chrome Digizoid armor, granting him ultimate defense. Though it is a sea serpent, it can even more through the sky and earth, making him a capable fighter in all situations. His special attacks are Ultimate Stream, firing a powerful laser from the cannon mounted on his face, and Poseidon Divide, kicking up a tsunami to attack his foes.
"Ooookay, that was fast," Veemon blinked. Normally they had to fight through some minions and mooks first before one of the bosses showed up.
"Not this time," Agumon commented with a frown. Still remembering how he and Gabumon got their butts handed to them as WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon. Then again, now they wonder how Piedmon might have fared against Beelzemon.
"And he's coming at us fast too. DUCK!" Pierce added as they all ducked for cover as the gigantic sea serpent dove for them, but narrowly missed them.
"A bit early, but we can work with this," Gabumon mused. "So what's the plan? Go Ultimate?"
"Hang on," Gyro said, stopping them. "Normally I'd be all for that, but keep in mind, when was the last time a big boss of any villain faction just waltzed right up to us without being absolutely sure they could win?"
"...never," Ren nodded, seeing the logic.
"Okay, you two are the video game buffs, what do you think is likely gonna happen next?" Patamon asked the twins.
"Their trying to either scare us, or gauge our strength, if it's the second, best we don't reveal all our aces just yet, because I think we won't actually have time to properly damage him, it's likely we'll meet the rest of them soon anyway." Pierce pointed out.
"You know... I think it's strange that that brand of video game logic actually applies here," Takeru couldn't help commenting.
"But it's not wrong," Taichi added in, "And they will probably meet the rest of them soon like we did."
"Okay, so Perfects only for now," Jaune said...before he remembered the last fight with an Ultimate they had… "...we're about to be walking into a hopeless boss fight, aren't we?" he deadpanned. He'd been around the twins long enough to pick up their gaming hobby.
Taichi, Takeru and Daisuke immediately remembered a couple instances of "forced failure" in some of the games they had played. Those were not pleasant.
"Which is why we'll be using the Ultimate Technique first chance we get," Gyro nodded simply.
"...He still calls it that?" Wormmon asked with a sweat drop.
"Well it works if they don't feel like pursuing," Black commented with a shrug.
"And how many times has that cost you?" Wisemon asked, "Because as I recall, you and the others allowed Hackmon to live because he was a Child level digimon and not worth the trouble, and then he came back as Jesmon and turned the tide."
Black couldn't have shifted her attention to Wisemon faster, "How did you find out about that?!"
"...It was recorded by Novice on the biography he had gathered of you all," Wisemon replied.
"When I get my paws on that meow... Oh come on!" Black complained at her inability to curse her human. "One more word about that, and I will find a way to put you in a world of hurt." the black feline threatened Wisemon.
"...Very well." It didn't sound like he took her seriously, but Black decided to just suck it up and continue reading. Although she briefly glared at the Children and their partners who were clearly holding their laughter.
"...this is gonna suck…" everyone sighed, but pulled out their D-Cores (And D-Crests for Gyro and Pyrrha) as well as their Tags.
The Digivices and Crests shone brightly as everyone soon evolved to their Perfect stages, and began attacking the Dark Master before them.
"Giga Destroyer!"
"Flower Cannon!"
"Shadow Wing!"
The others of the ones attacking MetalSeadramon wanted to cheer, but sadly they knew that this attack wouldn't do anything.
The three attacks were let loose and hit MetalSeadramon dead on...but he didn't even seem phased, before he rammed right through their ranks.
"No effect whatsoever," Ruby frowned, before checking her scroll. "Of course…" she sighed.
"What's wrong?" Blake asked.
"He's literally covered in Chrome Digizoid," Ruby deadpanned.
"...crap…" was all they could say to that tidbit, as their partners were soon thrown to the ground from a slap from the Dark Master's twin tails.
"I'm not sure even Leviamon could bite through that," Black felt like commenting. Although the Demon Lord of Envy could simply use his breath attacks to destroy the sea serpent.
None of the Children cared though, so no further comments on that.
MetalSeadramon was laughing at this point. "Is that the best you can do? As if you could possibly defeat me with that power!"
"Are you SURE we can't just go Ultimate and waste this guy now?" MetalGreymon groaned.
"You know, I'm starting to agree with my other," Agumon commented in annoyance.
"What do you mean starting to?" Gabumon said, being annoyed himself.
"If more of them don't show up in the next few minutes, sure," Gyro frowned. However, it seemed MetalSeadramon was done playing with them for now.
"You're finished. Ultimate Stream!" MetalSeadramon called out, firing his best move from the blaster on his nose, which soon sent them all flying, but they'd been able to grab hold of each other in the explosion.
"Okay, first of all, oww...and second...is everyone okay...relatively speaking?" Pierce groaned as he got up, AeroVeedramon having cushioned the landing for him.
"Aside from feeling like we just got caught in a flood? Yeah," JewelBeemon said.
"But at least everyone is alright," HolyAngemon said as they all got up...before he tensed. "Something is here…" he said as currently the area they were in was full of mist.
"...If this follows the same script we went through, then Machinedramon is next," Koshiro commented on the area.
"With our luck, it probably will," Mimi commented, while idly wondering if Chuumon will die here too.
"Careful, it's likely another one of them if our luck holds," Blake cautioned.
"Think it's another sneaky one?" MetalGreymon asked as he scanned through the mist, hoping to catch sight of anything out of place.
"I hope not, MetalSeadramon bursting out of the ground was sneaky enough already, we don't need another villain who uses fog." Angewomon ground out, some annoyance in her tone as she remembered Myotismon.
The group surveyed the mist...before HolyAngemon noticed a glint. "Over there!" he said, but just as he said that, a series of blasts came through the mist and hit him several times till he reverted to Patamon, Blake quickly catching him. "Everyone duck!" she shouted, but too late, as more shots were fired, knocking all the Perfects off their feet.
"And there it is," Patamon commented with a small scowl at his other being turned into a target practice even as HolyAngemon.
The source of the shots soon revealed itself. "Okay...that's obviously Machinedramon," Yang couldn't help but say at the mechanical dragon...dinosaur...thing...that was standing before them.
Digimon Analyzer: Machinedramon
Machinedramon. Virus Type. An Ultimate Level Machine Digimon. A Digimon made entirely out of mechanical parts without a shred of organic material within him. It's rumored that all Cyborg Digimon acted as prototypes for him, which explains why he shares some aspects with other Digimon, like having an arm from MetalGreymon. His special attacks are Infinity Cannon, firing powerful energy beams from his twin mounted cannons, and Catastrophe D, a desperation move that detonates his body to take out his opponents with him.
Machinedramon didn't say anything, instead continuing to pepper them with blast after blast.
"Huh, we went from chatty to a mime...and I'm oddly okay with that," AeroVeedramon commented...right before getting hit again. "Though those cannons I can do without…"
"Machinedramon focuses on efficiency," Wisemon commented, "Talking while trying to talk is most likely a waste of time to him."
"Don't we know it," Koshiro commented, remembering how they were on the run in his territory.
"As refreshing as a villain who's not out to talk our ears to death is, we're in DEEP trouble if we don't do something about those cannons!" Gyro shouted...right before the ground started cracking and breaking from the barrage. "...nevermind, we're already deep into it," he deadpanned before gravity asserted itself and they were soon screaming as they fell.
"Wait, can't most of you guys fly?!" Nora said, reminding about over half the team that yes, they COULD fly, to which they promptly made use of, slowing the descent, before they suddenly stopped...by themselves.
"And now for the most humiliating moment we had," Biyomon commented while covering her eyes.
This made the second generation look worried. Was there a detail that their seniors forgot to mention?
"...anyone get the feeling they've been deliberately herding us so we can meet and greet all of them?" Zudomon said flatly.
"Eeeeyup," was the deadpan response from everyone else.
"Well...bring on the next one. Not like my butt hasn't been kicked enough today," WereGarurumon deadpanned. Ask and ye shall receive, as not 2 seconds later, he quite literally felt something kick him in the butt. The surprise? The one who did it was Garudamon.
"What?" The second generation said in unison.
"Yup, it's happening again," Sora commented with a pitying look.
"Okay...what?" was his flat response to that...before his arm raised itself and promptly socked her in the face.
"Why did he just do that?" Veemon asked with a confused look.
"...Just let Black read," Hikari sighed.
"Guys guys, not a good time to get physical in an argument," Yang said in alarm.
"Hey, we would like to stop too, but our bodies suddenly grew a mind of their own!" both Digimon said frantically.
"Uh...guys? I think mine did too!" Pyrrha suddenly said as she was doing some bizarre poses.
"Okay...why are we acting like we should be screaming weird stuff as Punching Ghosts fight for us?" Pierce couldn't help but ask as now they were all doing bizarre poses.
The Children and their partners tried not to, really they did. But this looked too funny to them. Including the first generation who were laughing for the simple reason that it wasn't them this was happening to.
And they didn't understand whatever reference "Punching Ghosts" was.
"You are wasting your looks, I do not know." Wisemon said when several questioning glances came his way.
"This would be funny if it was anyone but us!" MetalGreymon said...having actually understood the reference.
"Strings! There are strings attached to us!" Weiss shouted in alarm.
"Ahh! So that's it! Puppetmon is doing this." Iori deduced.
"Right in one," Palmon replied.
"Took you long enough to notice," a new voice laughed, as they looked up and saw what appeared to be a wooden puppet.
"Okay, if you're not Puppetmon, I don't know who you are," Blake said flatly.
Digimon Analyzer: Puppetmon
Puppetmon. Virus Type. An Ultimate Level Puppet Digimon. A Digimon apparently built out of wood from a cursed tree, it has a cruel personality. While it has the appearance of a marionette, it can move of its own will, and enjoys spreading lies… which makes its nose grow longer. His special attacks are Bullet Hammer, packing gunpowder into the chambers on his revolver barrel styled hammer before bashing his enemies with it, making them blow up with each hit, and Flying Cross Cutter, throwing the cross on his back like a deadly boomerang.
"Heh, well I wish I could have played with you all more, but…" Puppetmon started, but…
"Stop! Let me guess. This is the part where you send us flying again, and no doubt next you're gonna be sending us to Piedmon. Am I right?" Gyro deadpanned.
Puppetmon stopped...before not so much throwing them as LAUNCHING them into wherever they were supposed to go next. "You can fly too! Bullet Hammer!" he called out, sending a barrage of shots at the Digimon, forcing them back to their Child forms before sending them flying after the screaming hunters.
The first eight digimon were getting flashbacks from how they were sent flying in the same manner.
"Gyro...the next time you think it's a good idea to go taunt a powerful evil Digimon who literally had us on the ropes...or rather strings...I'm kicking your butt," Weiss deadpanned from the pile they had found themselves in after their impromptu flight and collision on the hard ground.
"You mean you'll try." Gyro told her dryly, and Weiss grumbled, since she knew it would be easier said than done for her to actually beat Gyro in a fight.
"She doesn't have to fight him, just stab him once when his guard is down," Gomamon commented, earning several shocked looks. "What?"
"...Gomamon... I never thought you of all digimon would ever suggest that," Jo said first, not sure if he should feel disturbed or highly disappointed.
"What? Taunting very powerful enemies is never a good idea." Gomamon defended himself.
"... Since when did you care about that," Tentomon couldn't help asking.
"Well... since... MegaSeadramon." Gomamon admitted in embarrassment.
"Can everyone move now...please…" Blake groaned as she was the one who had been the first to hit the ground, leaving her at the bottom of the pile...followed by another groan as several more weights were added to the pile, the Digimon landing on top of them...before the impromptu tower crumbled as everyone soon rolled off.
"Okay, we just had our butts kicked by 3 Dark Masters, so by that logic, next is the big boss himself," Jaune sighed.
"Yeah, so fill the next guy you see full of holes if you get the chance," Pierce said. True enough…
A clown, of all things, actually rolled into the area from behind a stone pillar, balancing perfectly atop a large ball.
The second generation laughed a little as they did hear about this part too, but as they say, seeing is believing.
"Really?" Gyro muttered dryly as he looked at the clown, savvy enough to know who it was.
"Hello there children, would any of you be interested in a story?" the clown asked, and his voice did not bring smiles.
"Not really?" Jaune answered awkwardly.
"You guys didn't listen to this right?" Iori asked, turning to the seniors.
Several faces either flushed or looked embarrassed.
"...Really?" Armadimon dead-panned.
"We just... wanted a break," Mimi said weakly.
"As I recall." Wisemon butted into the conversation, "You second generation have your fair share of foolish moments."
"Oh yeah, like what?" Daisuke challenged with a cocky grin.
"For you, charging ahead without thinking, your idiotic plan to have Veemon evolve, your... actually I might have to keep my silence on that one." Wisemon listed before seemingly deciding not to voice a third one.
"See, Daisuke is the idiot," Miyako said with just a hint of smugness.
"Do not cheer too much, considering how you got Hawkmon hurt when you were a little... out of control." Wisemon then said, causing the purple haired child to feel a wave of heat permeating her cheeks.
Then the purple haired 6th grader turned to her partner, "Hawkmon-" "It's alright, Miyako." Hawkmon said before his partner could even try. "That was a long time ago now." This earned the hawk-like digimon a grateful smile.
"...I think it's safe to say that we have all been stupid," Iori said, partly because he knew that he didn't do much to avoid their stupid mistakes, partly because he didn't want Wisemon listing his shortcomings.
"Too bad, you get one anyway." the clown said, making everyone blink, not expecting that, as the clown pulled crude drawings out of… somewhere.
The drawings actually seemed to depict them, albeit as if they had been drawn by a child… possibly made by Puppetmon if the signature at the bottom was any hint since it depicted a long nose.
"Now that it's mentioned, maybe Puppetmon drew the ones Piedmon used while telling his stupid story to us," Yamato commented with a thoughtful look.
Several thoughtful looks were had among the Children's and their partners faces, which were soon followed by signs of agreement.
"Once upon a time there were 10 Chosen Children and their Digimon, they tried to climb to the top of Spiral Mountain to defeat the Dark Masters, but instead ended up dying. The End." the Clown said his story, smiling all the while.
The response to his story was… gunfire… and fire in general, as he moved out of the way, through the drawings weren't so lucky.
No one could help smiling at the drawings getting the treatment they deserved.
"Can you BE anymore obvious, Piedmon?" Pierce asked in complete deadpan. "And yes, we know its you. We just went through the other 3, so who else could it be but you."
"Also, next time you try to tell a story, try not to tell it using drawings that was probably made by Puppetmon," Weiss deadpanned.
The clown actually looked affronted for a second, before he soon regained his composure. "Well then, I suppose I can see why you managed to defeat Devimon, Etemon, and even Myotismon," the clown admitted before he revealed his true form as the leader of the Dark Masters...which still had a clown-like theme to it. "At least you're not completely stupid."
Digimon Analyzer: Piedmon
Piedmon. Virus Type. An Ultimate Level Demon Man Digimon. A Digimon with a low amount of information regarding him, save for the fact some refer to him as the Clown of Hell. He uses trickery to defeat his opponents, and likes to make a show of it at that. Special attacks are Trump Sword, throwing one of the four swords on his back, and Clown Trick, a multi-purpose attack that usually takes the form of a magic trick, such as using a white cloth to make an object disappear or change.
"We live in a world of bloody evolution, where you need to be able to fight to live to the next day. What were you expecting? A bunch of clueless kids who would fall for every trick you pull?" Yang shot back dryly.
For some reason, the first generation felt like Yang was directly insulting them with that. But the sad thing was, they kind of fell for a lot of traps that in hindsight should've been obvious.
"You are much younger than the Remnantians," Wisemon reminded everyone, "I would be more surprised if you had the level of maturity that these ten have."
That did nothing to improve anyone's mood, but they did appreciate it.
Piedmon hummed in thought at that as he held his chin, nodding after a moment. "Yes, I see your point."
"So, what's the plan now?" Pyrrha whispered.
"I say we go all out on this one. Win or lose, this might be a chance for US to get a feel of how strong these guys are, and who better than the boss?" Gyro whispered back, to which they both nodded in agreement. "Stand back everyone, we're going Ultimate on this one."
Taichi, Agumon, Yamato and Gabumon prayed that this fight would go differently for Gyro and Pyrrha.
Everyone blinked, before doing as they were told, while Agumon and Gabumon moved forward.
"Agumon, Warp Evolution! WarGreymon!"
"Gabumon, Warp Evolution! MetalGarurumon!"
It wasn't long before the two of them were in the air, Gyro and Pyrrha with them. "Okay, this guy is the leader of them, so it's safe to say he'll be stronger than the other three," Pyrrha said.
"Yes and no." Wisemon piped up, "Machinedramon has the greatest power, but Piedmon is the trickiest.
"Makes sense," Ken agreed, seeing as Piedmon is probably the schemer among them.
"So what do we do?" MetalGarurumon asked.
"We play smart is what," Gyro said. "Combo moves everyone!"
"You got it! Gaia Force!" WarGreymon said, throwing his attack.
"Cocytus Breath!" MetalGarurumon called out, firing his attack as well.
Piedmon smirked, before pulling out his swords and cutting through both attacks with ease. "Is that all? Well then, Trum-" Piedmon didn't get to finish, as suddenly a volley of missiles was fired from MetalGarurumon...who wasn't using his targeting system?
Piedmon evaded a few before chuckling. "Where are you aiming?" he laughed...right before the missiles suddenly turned around and were now aiming for him. "What the-?!" he blinked before jumping out of the way, but the missiles continued to chase him, forcing him to dodge.
"Nice trick with the swords. Now try THIS one!" Gyro smirked as he created a massive wind tunnel with his semblance, one that WarGreymon soon threw another Gaia Force through. The wind was pulled into the massive ball of flame and heat, making it bigger and stronger, till it was at a point that one would be hard pressed to dodge.
"Damn!" Piedmon growled, going for his swords again...but at that moment the missiles impacted, all of them aiming for the swords on his back the whole time, causing them to freeze and thus he couldn't pull them out in time as the next attack hit. "Graaah!" he growled in pain as he was sent flying from the attack, but at the critical moment, he stabilized himself in mid-air. "Clown Trick!" he called out, and suddenly the entire sky was blanketed in smoke, obscuring their vision, before a pair of swords went flying, forcing the two to evade, but not quite fast enough as they still got stabbed, forcing them both to revert to Child form, but fortunately Gyro managed to use his Semblance in time to slow and cushion their fall.
"GARGH DAMMIT!" Was the two set of shouts that made everyone jump.
Turning to the sources, everyone saw Agumon and Gabumon looking highly embarrassed.
"...Agumon, I get how you're feeling, but don't you think you were a little too loud?" Taichi asked from his partner who was now burying his snout into his hands. It didn't look like the yellow reptile wanted to comment.
"Gabumon-" "Please don't, Yamato," Gabumon said while trying to bury himself into his pelt.
The Chosen of Friendship shook his head before turning to everyone," Guys can we just move on from this?"
"Oh, come on, this calls for teasing," Veemon said with an evil grin. A grin shared by Daisuke.
Hikari noticed this and had a small scowl,"Daisuke, don't you dare make fun of those two."
"...Yes, Hikari," Daisuke said stiffly, "Veemon, let's just move on."
"But Daisu-Umpf!" The blue dinosaur was cut off by his partner covering his mouth.
"Okay...he's strong...as we expected," Agumon groaned.
"But we at least managed to hurt him," Gabumon added, as true enough, when the smoke cleared, there was a panting Piedmon, nursing a frozen burn on his side.
"Our Agumon and Gabumon couldn't even manage that," Gatomon commented, not even mockingly. It wasn't funny when those two got beaten back then, and it isn't now.
The two digimon that were mentioned decided to try and hide behind their respective couches in shame.
"I'll admit, that one was actually pretty good. But not good enough," he frowned. "You may be on the same level, but it'll take more than a pair of inexperienced Ultimates to beat me."
"Called it…" Ren frowned. They'd long since realized that the longer each Digimon fought in a form, the better they'd fight overtime. In short, it was no different than a muscle that got stronger with training. And by that logic, they had considered the possibility that the Dark Masters may have THAT edge over them. It seemed they were right.
"...Yamato, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Taichi asked his best friend.
"...If you're thinking about training Omegamon, then yes," Yamato replied, "If we could train him, then perhaps we then have something powerful enough to beat Beelzemon... Or whatever future threat we might face."
"...Next break we have Omegamon training?" Taichi then said with a small smile.
"Next break." Yamato agreed.
"Can Ken and I join you guys?" Daisuke then asked, earning a surprised look, "I mean... Imperialdramon couldn't beat Beelzemon either and we were outclassed by Daemon, we need that training too."
"...Daisuke isn't wrong," Ken said with a resolute look, "We only won by sealing him away, what if he does find a way out and we can't use the same trick?"
That sent some scary thoughts among everyone, before Gatomon remembered something, "Wisemon, does Novice have Daemon in his Child form somewhere?"
"What?" Came out of Hikari.
"I am afraid Novice has not told me about his plans, but I doubt he would unleash Daemon until he has worked his way past Leviamon and Belphemon at the very least." The wise digimon replied, "And this Daemon is not the one you sealed away, if that is what you are worrying about."
"Ahhem!" Black let out loudly, "As interesting as hearing about your plans is, I would like to get this reading over with, so you can get your plans straight later."
While everyone still had their apprehensions about Novice and whatever plans he might have, they decided that Black had a point.
"So...I'm thinking now is a good time for us to use that Ultimate move?" Salamon checked.
"First chance we get yeah," Veemon nodded.
"Now then, I think its time we brought this play to a close," Piedmon said, regaining his confident smirk. "But first allow me to introduce our star players. MetalSeadramon!" he started, and at that MetalSeadramon emerged from the ground. "Machinedramon!" at that Machinedramon stepped into the arena, not saying a word. "Puppetmon!" Puppetmon suddenly appeared hanging upside down, letting out a laugh as he commented on how he'd love to have been able to 'play with them more'. "And finally myself, Piedmon!" he said, giving a dramatic bow.
"And the Dark Masters have assembled." Hawkmon commented in worry. While the first generation was able to escape thanks to Piximon, there was no guarantee that the same would happen here.
"I knew it...it really is impossible..." Chuumon whimpered.
"Don't worry, we're not done yet. Not by a long shot," Ruby reassured.
"Now then, who shall be the first to die?" Piedmon smirked, looking through them...however much to his annoyance, not one of them had a look of fear on their faces. No, rather than fear, it was that infuriating look of one who would be defiant to the end. They'd all been soundly defeated, yet not even the smallest bit of hope and will had left them. However, it was when his eyes landed on Ruby did his expression change. "You…!" his eyes widened for a moment, the other Dark Masters with notable eyes soon doing the same. "Why are you here?" he growled.
"Huh?" was the universal reaction.
"Huh?" Ruby blinked.
Black snorted at Ruby saying the exact same thing as her captive audience.
"No...you are not that infernal woman with that Taomon, but why do you look so much like her?!" Piedmon was actually angry now, as the memories of the seal that kept them at bay for so long was fresh in his mind.
"Oh. He's talking about Summer," Palmon deduced.
"And sounds like Piedmon doesn't like her," Sora commented now even more worried.
"A woman with a Taomon? That can only be…!" Pyrrha's eyes widened when they all realized what Piedmon was going for.
"Mom…!" Ruby breathed. She knew that her mother and her partner had been involved in the seal, but from the way Piedmon was talking, it seemed they were more than just involved.
"Mom? I see...so that is your relation to her," Piedmon mused, before a cruel smirk crossed his face. "Very well then, you will be the first to die. Perhaps I should even bring your head to that woman the next time we find her again," he smirked as a knife suddenly appeared in his hand. "Now die!" he shouted as in a flash the knife was thrown.
Mimi had some flashbacks from this part. She broke down and Piedmon decided to target her because of it. He probably would have succeeded if Chuumon hadn't gotten in the way.
"No... Not again." Mimi said in distress.
"Mimi?" Sora sounded out in worry while Palmon was hugging her partner.
But Black wouldn't stop reading.
Time slowed to a crawl at that point, as movements happened without anyone thinking. When the second was over, what happened was not Ruby getting a knife to the chest as Piedmon would have wanted...but what happened was Chuumon hitting the ground on the side, having been rammed by something, and what the knife hit...was Yang's right shoulder, the blade rather deeply embedded into her skin, drops of blood falling to the ground.
"Yang!" Ruby said in alarm, but Yang didn't respond, instead she grasped the handle of the knife, and with a pained groan, pulled it out, the now bloody knife clattering to the ground.
Miyako turned to Iori to turn his head away, but it seemed that the youngest member did it on his own. He didn't want to see this.
Part of Mimi was happy that Chuumon didn't have to die, but another part of her was now worried for Yang. A worry which was shared by Sora, who the Chosen of Love had come to like to an extent.
"No way," Yang growled. "If you want to get to my sister, you're gonna have to go through me!" she glared at the Dark Masters, her eyes red and hair ablaze, and for a moment, her Crest was starting to shine brightly.
Sora was the first to notice this and had a very hopeful look as she was now picturing what might happen.
"Yang, don't move your arm! It's bleeding!" Biyomon said in clear worry as she hovered up to her partner's shoulder.
"Chuumon, what happened?" Patamon said as he helped his fellow Child level to his feet.
"I… I tried to take the shot." Chuumon admitted, blushing a bit "Guess I didn't need to in the end."
"Fools," Piedmon frowned. "What use is there covering one another when you're all going to die. But if that is what you wish, then very well," he said, this time going for one of his swords. However….
"Bit Bomb!" came a familiar voice as the Dark Masters' view was suddenly obscured by a blinding light, followed by the Chosen, their Digimon, and Chuumon suddenly feeling themselves pulled into a barrier.
"It's Piximon." Patamon commented with a small smile.
Inside the barrier which was now rapidly escaping…
"Piximon?!" the group said in surprise, before they grinned.
"Man, are you a sight for sore eyes! Guess that's another we owe you," Gomamon said in relief.
"Nice to see all of you again as well." Piximon spoke with a grin.
"Let me guess, you've been fighting against the Dark Masters since they got free with guerilla tactics until we got back?" Gyro asked knowingly.
"That's pretty much it yeah, there was some close moments over the last few years though, I can tell you that. I'm glad you're all here though, we have a chance now after all, but first, you'll need to become a bit stronger." Piximon said with a sigh.
"Yeah, we gave it a decent shot at least, we managed to hurt Piedmon a bit." Pierce said, looking for the positive.
"That's more than what anyone else has been able to do recently." Piximon said with a hopeful grin.
No one felt like commenting anymore on the fact that their Agumon and Gabumon couldn't even touch Piedmon. In fact, now a part of Taichi and Yamato felt jealous of them accomplishing that when they couldn't, despite Wisemon's and Novice's constant reassurances.
"Great, so now that we're all here, let's make a tactical retreat, then we'll come up with a counter-" Weiss started, before the barrier suddenly shook.
"There you are!" came MetalSeadramon's voice as the Dark Masters were in hot pursuit.
"I guess it WAS too much to hope they'd just let us get away…" Wormmon sighed.
"Can this barrier go any faster?" Palmon asked urgently.
"Sorry, this is more or less maximum speed," Piximon said, right as another hit rocked the barrier.
"Well, can this barrier let attacks out? Maybe they'll back off a bit if we fight back," Jaune suggested.
"No, we can't risk them getting to you. You all are our last hope," Piximon said. "That's why I'll hold them off."
The brief feeling of jealousy now gave way to small pang as Taichi and Yamato realized that Piximon would sacrifice himself... again.
Only Sora remained hopeful, perhaps Yang somehow could get Biyomon to her Ultimate which would allow everyone to escape.
"Wait what?!" came the response from the group.
"I know you're the poster boy for 'don't judge a book by its cover', but you're STILL one Perfect against 4 Ultimates who just wiped the floor with us more or less," Agumon gasped.
"But this is also the only way for you to escape. Once I'm outside, I'll be able to launch you well away from them. Take this chance to gather your strength, formulate a plan, and save this world!" Piximon said, before he exited the barrier. "One last time...STRIKE OF LOVE!" Piximon shouted as he slammed the barrier with his staff, sending it and its passengers careening into the distance.
"No!" Sora cried out... her hopes crumbling to dust.
"Well well well, if it isn't Piximon. Should have known you would be the one behind this," Piedmon smirked cruelly. "You know you can't win, right?"
"Maybe, but even if this is my end, I don't intend to go out without a fight!" Piximon snarled, before looking to the sky. "What I once willingly gave up, I ask to be returned. Master!" Piximon shouted, as from the sky what appeared to be a Holy Ring came flying towards Piximon, before it entered his body, his form glowing with power.
"W-What is this?!" the Dark Masters gasped in surprise, before Piximon roared as he charged right at them.
Far away in the barrier, all the Chosen could see was a bright light suddenly covering the arena, before it slowly died away…
"Dammit!" Yang growled, punching the side of the barrier, completely ignoring the pain that flared up in her shoulder. She was about to go for another punch, but Pierce and Biyomon stopped her.
"Yang, stop! You'll only make it worse!" Biyomon said.
"And hurting yourself isn't going to change anything!" Pierce added, before pulling her into a hug. "Don't worry. We'll get them back for this. We're gonna make sure every life lost to those monsters wasn't in vain."
"For now, let's get that patched up." Jaune said as he reached into his pouch, pulling out a roll of gauze, everyone giving him a look. "What? I picked up some medical stuff before we went to fight Myotismon."
"Huh...good thinking," Veemon said, as the barrier continued to speed off.
And with that, the book shut itself.
Black took a look at everyone's expressions and none of them were happy for these turns of events.
"Why... Yang seemed to have it." Sora muttered with a depressed look.
"Sora." Biyomon muttered as she snuggled against her partner.
"What was that Holy Ring?" Gatomon then questioned, "There was no bright light when we were sent flying."
"...Maybe Piximon survived somehow?" Patamon said with a hopeful look.
"Maybe, but who was this master he was talking about?" Takeru then asked with a curious look.
"Maybe Novice knows," Iori suggested, now daring to look again, "We could try asking him if he knows."
"Or if he doesn't," Ken added in, "There is a chance that the story might explain."
At that moment a blinging sound was heard. Soon, Wisemon slid his index and middle fingera along his hood and a holographic image of a headset was formed.
"Yes?" Wisemon answered. "Ophanimon? To what do I owe the-What?! And you are absolutely sure?... What about Beelzemon?"
At the mention of Beelzemon everyone perked up a little in worry, because Wisemon sounded worried when he mentioned the Demon Lord.
"That is a relief." Wisemon then said with a sigh, "Thank you for informing me." With that, the call ended.
"What was that about?" Black asked with a frown.
Wisemon hesitated before replying, "...Ophanimon informed me that Novice is hurt."
"What?!" Was the reaction that everyone, including Black, had to that.