Digimon Adventure Tamers

by DigimonAT0318

A retelling of 02 and a sequel to Tamers, set in the year 2003. The Digidestined and the Digimon Tamers, heroes of two worlds, join forces to face their greatest challenges yet. What's more, Davis has been to the Digital World before with Ryo and Ken to fight Millenniummon. Under the leadership of Tai, Davis and Takato, along with Ryo, can they prevail? Elements of tri. later on.

18. Chapter 18: The Warrior of Darkness

Digimon Adventure Tamers

Chapter 18

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon

(Play The Biggest Dreamer: TV Size)

(Play Digimon Tamers: Aban)

With MagnaAngemon under his control, the Digimon Emperor has slowly been taking over more areas of the Digital World, killing anyone who opposes them. The combined teams went to engage him in battle, while Impmon has agreed to undergo a test in Witchelny to obtain a sword that could turn the tide against MagnaAngemon…

(Play Digimon Tamers: Subtitle 2)

The Warrior of Darkness, Baalmon!

Impmon, Ai, Mako, Kari and Gatomon continued walking through the dark tunnel. It had been a while since they went into the tunnel to do Impmon's test, but so far nothing had happened yet that seemed like a test. Impmon and Gatomon were in the lead, prepared for anything that could happen, while Kari could only wonder what kind of test was in store for Impmon. And Ai and Mako, taking up the rear, were beginning to tire out from walking so much.

"How long is this tunnel, exactly?" asked Ai. "I feel like we've been walking for hours!"

"Ten minutes actually," Kari said as she looked at the time on her D-3's screen, which shone a faint light in the tunnel. "I wonder what this tunnel has for a test?"

"Well, Wisemon said this tunnel will have three memories from my past," said Impmon. "I can only wonder what…" the purple demon suddenly stopped when he heard a faint chuckle. His eyes widened slightly. It was faint, but the chuckle sounded familiar.

"Hang on," he held up his hand to stop the group from moving any further.

"Impmon, what is it?" asked Mako.

"That laugh…did you just hear it now?"

"What chuckle…" Gatomon started before she heard the chuckle herself, her ears twitching as she heard the faint sound. "Wait…I can hear it too." Kari, Ai and Mako stayed quiet and they could hear the laugh as well. It grew louder, and it could be made out as a deep, rough laugh. A white fog suddenly appeared in the tunnel, and enveloped everything around the group, leaving them in an area of white fog.

(Play Digimon Tamers: Digital Field)

"What the heck is this?!" asked Gatomon.

"It's just like a Digital Field back home," said Mako. "If this shows up in our world, then that means a Digimon would always appear."

"So what does it mean for us here?" asked Kari. "Is this part of Impmon's test?" The deep voice laughed again, much clearer than before. Impmon stared off in the distance, a scowl of distaste on his face. Now that the voice was clear, there was no mistaken that taunting laugh.

"Impmon, what's wrong?" Ai asked, seeing the dark look on her partner's face.

"That laugh…I would recognize it anywhere," Impmon growled as he stepped forward to where the laugh was coming from. "Stop laughing at me and come out! I know you're here, you arrogant jackass!"

"Why shouldn't I stop laughing? Your insult was very much unoriginal." the voice asked with another chuckle. "Just when I thought you couldn't look even more pathetic than the last time we met, now you have attached yourselves to two pathetic meatbags that are just as weak as you are."

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT AI AND MAKO THAT WAY!" Impmon roared, lighting up a fireball on his finger. "GET OUT HERE, NOW!" Ai and Mako had looks of anger as well to whoever insulted them.

"Very well then, if it means enjoying such a sad sight." Thunderous footsteps were heard, and a giant Digimon stepped out of the fog and stood before Impmon.

Impmon's scowl turned into a sneer as he looked up at the familiar Digimon: A purple horse Digimon that stood on its hind legs, its front legs dangling almost to the ground, three horns on his forehead, white hair covering his eyes and showing only his snout, and a giant golden shell strapped to his back. This Digimon was Indramon, one of the twelve Digimon Devas that served Zhuqiaomon. Memories flashed back to when he encountered Indramon. Not only did he humiliate and insult him in front of his friends, but he had beaten him to near death. These events would lead to Impmon accepting Caturamon's deal to become Beelzemon in an attempt to become stronger without a partner.

"Look at you," Indramon said as he looked down at Impmon. "You used to be able to Digivolve to the Mega level by yourself, but now you're once again kept by humans, and you're back to square one at the Champion level. Do you honestly think these little children will help you Digivolve again? They do not appear so strong. I may have fallen to a human-partnered Digimon, but he was on even ground with me, and his partner showed true strength!"

"Leave Impmon alone!" Mako shouted bravely to the Deva. "If you have to insult somebody like that, then you're nothing but a bully that can be beaten by anybody!"

"You're a bad horsey, and Impmon could kick your tail!" agreed Ai.

"Ai, don't give him suggestions…" Impmon whispered through gritted teeth, but Indramon had chosen to laugh again, drowning out his whispers.

"Is that so? You wish for another humiliating beating at my hands?" Impmon glared up at Indramon. He knew he was outpowered and outclassed against the Deva, but he could tell the only way to pass the first part of his test was to beat Indramon.

"You can do it, Impmon! You can beat him!" said Mako. "Ai and I can help you as well!"

"Yeah!" Ai chirped. "We're together again, Impmon! If we're together, then we'll be able to beat Indramon."

"You guys…" Impmon said in surprise, before smiling. They were right. The last time he fought Indramon, he had been alone. He had left Ai and Mako and hadn't accepted them. But now, they were with him, and he knew if they helped him with the right cards, then he would be able to make it past phase one of his test.

"They're right, horse meat!" he looked back up to Indramon with a glare. "I want to fight you again, but it won't be like last time!"

"Is that so?" Indramon laughed skeptically. "Then prove that those humans make you stronger. Fight me as you are. No Digivolving…not that it would help you much. And it must be only myself, yourself, and those two you call partners. The girl and the white flea bag will not interfere."

"Why you…" Gatomon hissed at the giant horse.

"That does it," Impmon growled. "I can let you taunt me all you want, but I've been trying to hold it in since you insulted Ai and Mako. But now you insult Kari…and Gatomon…THAT'S THE LAST STRAW! SUMMON…FLAME!" A ball of fire twice the size of Agumon's Pepper Breath rose out of the ground and Impmon launched it at Indramon, who barely flinched as the attack hit his face and barely left a mark.

"That's just a warm up! Let's see how you like it cold! SUMMON…ICE!" The attack this time was a ball of ice that hit Indramon's shoulder, and a small patch of ice coated the body part.

"Hm. You have a new trick, I see," Indramon noted as he brushed the ice off his shoulder. "But do not think the elements can protect you from my power!" The giant horse raised his arms in the air as the yellow ropes holding his shell up dissipated into data particles, allowing the shell to rise into the air and drop down in front of him. Impmon steeled himself, knowing what was to come.

"Ai, Mako! Any time now!" he said with gritted teeth, watching Indramon place his lips on the small end of the shell and take in a deep breath. Ai and Mako were searching through their cards frantically, wondering what could work.

"What do we do, what do we do?!" Ai yelped, going through card after card. Mako looked through the cards in his hands before finding one with a MetalGarurumon.

"Here! This could work! We can freeze his shell!" Mako took the card and swiped it through the D-Ark.

(Play Digimon: SLASH!)

"DIGI-MODIFY! METALGARURUMON ACTIVATE!"

"Wait, hang on!" Impmon started, but it was too late as he felt the power flow within him, and he couldn't hold it in.

"METAL WOLF CLAW!" The ice blast flew from Impmon's mouth and towards Indramon's shell. Instead of freezing the shell as Mako hoped for, the attack flew into the shell and disappeared.

"What the…where did it go?!"

"His shell can absorb energy-based attacks," Impmon answered. "We have to rely on physical attacks!"

"HORN OF DESOLATION!" Indramon blew into the shell and a shock wave flew from the giant shell.

"Give me something for defense!" Impmon called to his Tamers. Ai looked down at her cards, wondering what could work until she saw a card with a shield she recognized instantly.

"This will work!" The brown-haired girl pulled the card out and took the D-Ark from Mako, sliding the card through the slot. "DIGI-MODIFY! BRAVE SHIELD ACTIVATE!" The shield appeared in Impmon's hands, and Ai slid a Strength Plug-In Q card through the D-Ark to give Impmon extra strength to hold the massive weapon. The shockwave hit the shield and Impmon slid back, back with his extra strength, Impmon managed to protect his partners and his friends from the attack before tossing the shield at Indramon, knocking the shell out of his hands.

"It's payback time, jackass!" Still feeling the effects of the strength card, Impmon charged forward and leapt up, landing punch after punch on Indramon. The last time they fought, the punches the Rookie landed did nothing on the more powerful Ultimate level, but this time, Indramon actually staggered back from the fists.

"Impossible! You actually…hurt me! You didn't have this power last time!"

"Because the last time, I was a blind and arrogant fool that tried to take you on single-handedly! This time, I have Ai and Mako with me. They may not fight like I do…but they have their own strength! And through that strength…I WILL BEAT YOU! BADABOOM!" The six fireballs flew from Impmon's fingertips and hit Indramon's chest, and the horse Deva was surprised at the small burns he received. His anger rose and he brought up a large, golden hoof.

"ENOUGH!" The hoof smacked Impmon and knocked him to the ground. Indramon then smacked Impmon with his other hoof and sent him flying back to his Tamers.

"Impmon!" Kari cried in worry. Impmon grunted as he stood back up and glared at Indramon.

"Don't think smacking me with those golden hooves will keep me down this time!" he yelled as he charged forward. Indramon raised his hooves again and tried to smack Impmon, but Mako thought quickly and slid a High-Speed Plug-In B card to increase Impmon's speed, enabling him to dodge the attacks.

"They're evenly matched as far as attributes go," Ai said, looking down at the D-Ark. "They're both Virus attributes."

"So Impmon will need a strong Vaccine attack to finish off Indramon," said Kari, remembering Kenta's words earlier about attributes.

"First he has to break that shell, since it can absorb attacks," said Gatomon. "If we had something strong to break it…Ai, Mako, give me your cards! Let me see what can work!" The twins quickly gave her the cards, and the white cat flipped through the cards while watching Impmon continue to dodge Indramon's hooves and fire his attacks, but it was clear the small devil couldn't hold out much longer, especially when Indramon brought his shell back to him and knocked Impmon aside with it.

"Hurry Gatomon, Impmon needs us!" Mako said. Gatomon continued looking through the cards as she watched Indramon raise his shell up to his lips again to blow, and her eyes widened when she saw who Indramon was aiming the shell at.

"Since your newfound strength seems to come from these pathetic meatbags, I'll finish them off first and then you," the horse said to Impmon. The small demon growled as he looked up; the last blow from Indramon had knocked some wind out of him.

"Don't even…think about it!" he grunted angrily. "Ai…Mako…hurry!"

"Gatomon, have you found anything?" asked Kari. Gatomon gritted her teeth in frustration. None of the cards she saw would be of use against the horn, but if an energy-based attack could be used on the side of the horn…suddenly, Gatomon found something that could be of use.

"Wait…this card could be of use," she said. "Do you think Impmon can handle another Mega attack?"

"Let's hope so!" said Ai, taking the card and staring down at Indramon, who was breathing in deep. It was clear Indramon was planning for his next shock wave to be strong enough to kill her, Mako, Kari and Gatomon. But this would prove costly.

"DIGI-MODIFY! SABERLEOMON ACTIVATE!" Impmon gasped as he felt the new power enter his body and give him some strength back. Leaping up high, his hands turned into giant black paws that glowed bright blue as he dropped down on the shell.

"HOWLING CRUSHER!" The claws collided with the shell, and the golden weapon shattered to pieces upon impact.

"No! It cannot be!" Indramon gasped in shock. "How could a puny Rookie like you break my most powerful weapon?!"

"Like I said before…my Tamers…they give me strength to fight…and I give them strength as well! And you shouldn't have attacked them, because I'm done holding back! Ai, Mako! Let's finish it!"

"I'm on it!" Ai smiled as she pulled out a card. "Here's a shout-out to you, Gatomon! DIGI-MODIFY! ANGEWOMON ACTIVATE!"

"CELESTIAL ARROW!" Impmon fired the white arrow at Indramon, who held up his arms to protect himself. Unfortunately, the arrow went straight through his arms and pierced his chest. The horse Deva gasped as the projectile tore through him. The horse Deva stared in shock and took a step forward before falling face first and disappearing. Instead of turning into data, his body turned into smoke and faded away into the sky, but the white fog remained.

"Told you…I'd beat you this time…" Impmon gasped and dropped to his knees, breathing deeply to regain himself. Ai and Mako ran over to him and helped him up.

"Impmon…are you okay?" asked Kari.

"Yeah…I'm fine, I just need to take a breather…" Impmon breathed deep as he relaxed in Ai and Mako's arms before standing back up.

"I told horse-face that I'd beat him this time and I did…" the purple demon smiled lightly at Ai and Mako. "And it's thanks to you two."

"It is?" Ai and Mako asked in surprise.

(Play Digimon Tamers: Kage no Yasashisa)

"Yes, it was," said Gatomon. "You provided Impmon the strength he needed to defeat Indramon, and his strength and motivation to fight Indramon was what gave you the strength to help him."

"This is part of the bond between a Digimon and their partners," said Kari, bending down in front of the twins. "It's a special bond that will last forever."

"Forever…" Ai and Mako muttered, looking down at their shared D-Ark.

"Well, if we're all good, let's see what phase 2 is," Impmon said to the group. "Just one thing twins. The next time you use a Digimon card to give me a Digimon's attack, any chance you can start lower than Mega? Those last attacks nearly drained me!"

"Sorry Impmon," Mako said sheepishly. "We're still new at this…"

"So we don't know what cards can work," said Ai. "The other Tamers have been teaching us…"

"I get it," Impmon sighed. It did seem hard for him to be mad at his partners. "Just think more clearly before you act." The twins nodded and Impmon looked back at the direction they were walking in before confronting Indramon.

"Congratulations Impmon," a loud voice suddenly boomed in the area, startling everybody. "You have passed the first part of your test. Proceed for the second part."

"Sure thing…" Impmon said, slowly walking forward as he wondered what the next part of the test would be.

---

(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Kurihirogaru Battle)

"G-UGH!" WereGarurumon grunted as MagnaAngemon's leg rammed into his stomach. The beast man groaned as he staggered back and was kicked into Lillymon by MagnaAngemon. Whamon attempted to strike MagnaAngemon with his tail, but the corrupted angel Digimon grabbed the tail, and with surprising strength, swung the whale Digimon around and threw him into MetalGreymon and Garudamon, knocking down the three Ultimate level Digimon. Though it was one Ultimate level that the Digidestined and the Tamers were facing now, MagnaAngemon was able to replenish his energy and heal his wounds instantly with Magna Antidote, and the partner Digimon had used up most of their energy fighting the Digimon slaves Ken had.

Ken watched as the battle progressed, pleased with the results. He knew MagnaAngemon would not be able to fight the entire group of Digidestined and Tamers at full strength, thus the reason for bringing in several powerful Digimon to make their partners drain themselves of energy first before setting MagnaAngemon on them. It would be easier to eliminate them that way.

"MIRACLE MISSILE!" Rapidmon's missiles soared again, but MagnaAngemon managed to slice through the missiles with his sword. The extra Dark Spirals had not only changed MagnaAngemon's appearance and height, but they had also increased his strength and speed. Rapidmon disappeared in a green blur and appeared behind MagnaAngemon to fire his Tri-Beam, but the winged Digimon swung around at an incredibly fast speed and swiped at Rapidmon with his sword.

"AGH!" Rapidmon yelled in pain as the sword cut into his chest, and the cyborg Digimon plummeted to the ground, where Henry grunted in pain from feeling Rapidmon's pain.

"BUNNY BLADES!" Antylamon swiped at the angel again with her blades, but MagnaAngemon dodged the swipes and blasted Antylamon down with his Soul Vanisher.

"HORN BUSTER!"

"VULCAN'S HAMMER!"

MegaKabuterimon and Zudomon both charged for MagnaAngemon once he was down on the ground, but the angel flew upwards, causing the two Ultimate Digimon to crash into each other. Paildramon flew up at MagnaAngemon and fired his Desperado Blaster. The angel Digimon protected himself with his beam shield, allowing Paildramon to use another of his attacks.

"CABLE CATCHER!" His fingers flew out on cables and wrapped around MagnaAngemon's legs. Once he had him secured, Paildramon pulled with all his strength and sent the angel Digimon falling to the ground, allowing Cyberdramon to tackle him and pummel his face and chest mercilessly. MagnaAngemon grabbed Cyberdramon's hands and flipped him off of him before hitting him in the back with his Soul Vanisher. Paildramon dropped down with his Sting Strike, but a hard swipe from MagnaAngemon's swords sliced his lances in half, and Paildramon was blasted off his feet by another Soul Vanisher.

"ATOMIC BLASTER!" WarGrowlmon's red energy beams tore into MagnaAngemon, and the angel Digimon decided to attack WarGrowlmon, who was the last Digimon standing. The red cyborg fired up his jet engines and flew straight at MagnaAngemon, grunting as multiple Soul Vanishers hit his body until he was up close to the angel.

Trapping MagnaAngemon in his arms, WarGrowlmon began charging his cannons for another attack.

"Take this! ATOMIC BLASTER!" Right at the last minute, MagnaAngemon's beam shield flashed brightly and covered him in a purple aura. WarGrowlmon gasped in surprise before yelling loudly as his attack was released, sending both Digimon flying back in an explosion. MagnaAngemon crashed to the ground and his barrier broke, but the Dark Spirals remained unbroken. WarGrowlmon crashed and reverted to Guilmon, the damage received during the battle taking its toll on him.

"Guilmon! Hang in there!" Takato ran over and scooped his partner up in his arms, ignoring the pain he felt from WarGrowlmon's injuries. "Are you okay boy?"

"I have to commend you for your plan, as well as your strength and teamwork," Ken laughed as he looked over to the humans that were tending to their Digimon partners. "But you were fools for thinking you could have freed MagnaAngemon as easy as you did MetalGreymon. You think this strength was enough? Don't make me laugh!"

"It's not just power that makes us strong Ken! Don't you remember?" called Davis. "Strength also comes from all of us together!"

"Can't you see the reason we're all fighting is because we're trying to help you Ken?!" asked Ryo. "We can't bear to see you like this!"

"Do you honestly still think talking to me will work?" Ken asked skeptically as he looked down at Davis and Ryo. "Nothing you say or do will stop me!"

"Maybe not us," Davis smirked, looking behind Ken, "but TK, on the other hand…"

(Play Digimon Adventure: Tatakai no Toki)

"AAHH!" Ken turned around and yelled in surprise as TK tackled him and knocked him to the ground. He was absolutely stunned. TK must have snuck up behind him during the fierce battle. He didn't even notice TK leave the battlefield to sneak up on him!

"Undo all of this!" the blond-haired boy yelled at Ken. "Shut down the Control Spires, free the Digimon and give me back my partner! You honestly think you know darkness?! You don't know its true nature like I do!"

"Like you do?" asked Ken. "You just think of darkness as plain evil, but it is more than that! It can be used for good as well, just like light!"

"Good?!" TK yelled angrily, pulling Ken up to his feet. "What's good about enslaving Digimon and taking over the Digital World with darkness?! You call this good? You call this order?!"

"Such a blind fool!" Ken snarled, punching TK in the gut and forcing the bearer of Hope to release him.

"You can't control the darkness Ken, because it has been controlling you this entire time!" TK yelled as he threw a punch, but Ken dodged it and rammed his fist into TK's face, breaking his nose. The blond-haired boy yelled as he held his bleeding nose, and it left him vulnerable to a kick from Ken that knocked him flat on his back.

"TK!" Matt cried, running over to his brother, but a swipe of MagnaAngemon's sword made a strong wind that knocked the Digidestined off their feet. Davis pulled himself back up and ran over to TK.

"TK, come on! Get up, you can do it!"

"Like I said before, this will end today, and the end begins with the end of Hope and Miracles!" declared Ken. "MagnaAngemon! Kill Davis…and your partner!"

"NO!" yelled many of the Digidestined as MagnaAngemon dropped down in front of Davis and TK, his arm pulled back and his sword extended. Davis and TK could only look up in shock and horror.

"MagnaAngemon…Patamon…please, don't do this!" TK pleaded, his mind flashing back to his nightmare from last night. He shut his eyes as he realized this was no dream. He would die here at the hands of his own partner.

"Davis…hang on…!" Paildramon groaned as he stood up, but like most of the Digimon, he was still tired from the battle.

"TK! Davis! Get out of there!" called Takato.

"Hang on, guys!" Ryo charged towards the two boys as MagnaAngemon thrust his arm forward. Davis closed his eyes as well and his life flashed before his eyes; Jun, Tai, Sora, Matt, Veemon, Ryo, Ken, Takato…and Kari…the prettiest girl he ever knew, and the best girlfriend he could ever ask for…

The sound of a sword going through a body was heard, and Davis flinched at the sound…but yet…he felt no pain. Did the sword kill him fast and was he already dead? Had he passed on in another plane of existence?

"STINGMON!" Davis opened his eyes slowly upon the sound of Ryo, Cyberdramon, Paildramon and Takato yelling in shock. What he saw nearly made his heart stop. Stingmon stood over Davis and TK…and MagnaAngemon's sword was going right through his body.

"W…what?!" the burgundy haired boy gasped. The Digidestined and the Tamers were shocked at Stingmon's actions. And Ken was equally shocked as well when he saw his partner move in at the last second and allow himself to be stabbed in Davis and TK's place. MagnaAngemon pulled his sword out, and Stingmon collapsed on the ground, data leaking out of his body as Paildramon and Cyberdramon ran to their old friend.

"You…what is the meaning of this, Stingmon?!"

(Play Digimon Adventure: Kanashimi)

"You left me…no choice, Ken…" Stingmon said sadly. "Where's the kind, gentle boy I met so long ago…?" Data continued leaking out of his body; it was clear he didn't have much time left. "I knew…that everything you were doing to the Digital World…to the Digimon…to our own friends…I knew that it was wrong. But I did nothing against you, nor did I say anything. I stood by your side as always, and I did whatever you wanted me to do. I did it all because I thought as your partner, I was supposed to act in your best interests. But I was wrong. Only now do I realize…because I'm your partner, I should have been opposing you and stopping you. I stood by you in hopes that one day you would return to your old, kind self, but it only served to cause you to fall further into darkness."

Stingmon's body continued dissolving until all that was left were his arms and head.

"Stingmon…don't go! Please…" Davis pleaded with the insect Digimon, but Stingmon continued looking at Ken as he continued dissolving.

"I just hope…when we meet again…you'll be back to the old Ken…" Stingmon turned his head towards Davis and Ryo. "Ryo…Davis…please take care of him…while I'm gone…"

"We…we will..." Davis said, his eyes faint with tears.

"We'll save Ken Stingmon. I promise," Ryo said solemnly.

"Thank…you…" Stingmon spoke his last words as his head vanished, leaving Paildramon and Cyberdramon holding nothing but the air. All was quiet as the Digidestined, the Tamers and their Digimon silently mourned Stingmon's brave sacrifice.

The silence was broken minutes later by Ken, who was shaking with anger.

"You…how could you do this?!" he snarled at them. "Stingmon always stood by my side…he was the only one who never betrayed me…who ever cared about me…and now…he's dead because of you! YOU MADE HIM BETRAY ME! YOU COST ME MY LAST FRIEND! I'LL KILL YOU ALL FOR THAT!" MagnaAngemon's wings spread, and released a strong gust of wind that knocked everybody off their feet, except for Takato, who stood his ground firmly.

"You have done that yourself, Ken!" Takato yelled, his eyes wet with unshed tears as well. "Stingmon had such a good heart…he died still believing in the real you…you're the one who can't be forgiven!" Guilmon stood back up and snarled at MagnaAngemon.

"Takato…I can still fight…but I need your help…to end this for good…"

(Play One Vision: Dukemon Version)

"You're right Guilmon!" Takato's grip tightened on his D-Ark, which began glowing white-hot. "We're done holding back!" Takato thrust his D-Ark into the sky, and the white light consumed Takato and Guilmon as Takato yelled at the top of his voice. "BIOMERGE…ACTIVATE!"

"Biomerge?!" asked Tai, Davis and Izzy.

"GUILMON BIOMERGE TOOO…!"

When two shining bodies

Melt together, Matrix Evolution

Then you'll understand everything

The meaning of your meeting

To the shock of everybody except the Tamers and their partners, the two white figures that were Takato and Guilmon merged together into one tall form that was revealed when the light faded. White armor that shone in the sunlight with hints of crimson and gold. A long, billowing red cape. A lance in one hand, and a shield in the other. The knight Digimon yelled his name to the heavens in a deep, booming voice.

"GALLANTMON!"

"No…no way!" gasped TK, holding his bleeding nose. "They combined…"

Can you write the shape of your heart on a piece of paper?

"Biomerge?" asked a stunned Izzy.

"That's how Takato and Guilmon reach the Mega level," said Henry. "I can do it as well, and so can Ryo and Rika."

It's something that can change its color in just one second

"Wait, you and Cyberdramon can combine to form Justimon now?!" Davis asked Ryo in complete shock.

"Yeah, we can," said Ryo. "But I think we should leave this to Gallantmon."

Do you know what it means to believe?

"Can he handle MagnaAngemon?" asked Mimi.

"You bet he can!" said Kazu. "Gallantmon is a Royal Knight Digimon like Omnimon."

Your everything is being tested

"Like Omnimon?!" Matt asked in surprise. "Does that mean he's as powerful as Omnimon?"

"Just watch," Suzie said with a smirk.

---

Courage alone can't reach

"Guilmon, how are you holding up?" Takato asked from inside his partner.

"I'm still hurting Takato," Guilmon responded. "That Biomerge has given me a second wind, but I'm not sure how long it will last."

In that instant when your fear, too, becomes one

"We just have to hold off MagnaAngemon long enough for Impmon to return," said Takato, looking straight and Ken and MagnaAngemon. "Now let's do this. For Stingmon!"

"Right!"

---

Ken and MagnaAngemon could only stare in complete shock at the new Digimon before them, the Digimon Emperor stumbling a little before he could speak clearly.

When two shining bodies

Melt together, Matrix Evolution

"A human and a Digimon Digvolving together?! What is this madness?!"

The instant everything is fulfilled

Now, it's now!

When two hearts change to zero and

Melt together, Matrix Evolution

"Digimon Emperor!" Gallantmon spoke. "You have allowed the devil to corrupt your soul, and through your actions, you have become one yourself. You have rejected every offer of help your friends have given you, and you killed your own partner. Your very existence is unforgiveable!"

Then you'll understand everything

The meaning of your meeting

"Unforgiveable?" Ken asked, his teeth gnashing angrily and his pupils shrinking in his eyes. "MY EXISTENCE IS UNFORGIVEABLE?! LET'S SEE YOU SPOUT THAT NONSENSE WHEN YOU'RE DEAD! KILL HIM, MAGNAANGEMON!" The corrupted angel Digimon charged forward with his sword held out front. Raising his right arm, Gallantmon aimed his lance at the Ultimate level and charged forward with a yell.

If you carve even your hearts with the same rhythm

You should be able to feel the overflowing power

You didn't so much become one in order to fight

Rather you became one in order to understand each other

The two weapons met and both Digimon were knocked back by the winds that were created by the collision, but they were immediately on each other again. MagnaAngemon swung his sword at Gallantmon, but the Royal Knight blocked the strikes with his shield before swinging and stabbing with his lance. MagnaAngemon swung his sword again, and the two weapons met in a battle of strength as the two Digimon pushed each other back. Being a natural Mega level, Gallantmon managed to push MagnaAngemon back with his lance before leaping back towards his friends.

"Heh…" Ken chuckled, breath heavy and fingers clenching. "Even if you Digivolved into a Royal Knight Digimon, do you honestly think you can defeat an Archangel Digimon? Don't make me laugh!"

In the instant when the drops of time that have piled up

Open the door to a miracle

"An angel corrupted by devices of Hell cannot stop I, Gallantmon!" The Royal Knight raised his lance again as MagnaAngemon flew down to strike him with Excalibur.

"ROYAL SABER!" The lance glowed bright blue before releasing a blast of energy that knocked MagnaAngemon out of the sky.

When the power to choose the future

Awakens, matrix evolution

Only you can do it

The brunt of the attack hit the Dark Spiral on his right arm, shattering it to pieces. Once the angel Digimon landed, Gallantmon was immediately on him, striking him with his lance and shield before kicking him back. Every blow the two Digimon landed on each other shook the area around them, and the Digidestined could feel it.

Now, open your eyes!

"Amazing! So this is the power of Gallantmon!" Izzy marveled.

Only you can do it

That's the final evolution

"It's more than that," said Henry. "It's the true power of a Tamer and his partner working together."

When two shining bodies

Melt together, Matrix Evolution

The instant everything is fulfilled

"Boy, Rika wasn't kidding when she said the Tamers were different from us," Joe noted as he watched MagnaAngemon blast Gallantmon back with his Soul Vanisher, the Royal Knight protecting himself with his shield.

"HEAVEN'S GATE!" The gate opened up again, this time releasing an energy stream.

Now, it's now

"That won't work this time!" Gallantmon raised his shield again, the triangle symbol glowing brightly. "FINAL ELYSION!"

When two hearts change to zero and

Melt together, Matrix Evolution

Then you'll understand everything

The meaning of your meeting

Like Gallantmon's Royal Saber, a beam of energy flew from the shield, but it was bigger and wider than Royal Saber. The beam blasted through the Heaven's Gate and hit MagnaAngemon, knocking him to the ground again and breaking the Dark Spiral on his left leg.

"Two down," said TK said as he watched the battle, hoping beyond imagination that they could somehow pull this off and free his partner, who stood back up and healed himself again with Magna Antidote.

Gallantmon raised his weapons again and charged forward. He still felt exhausted from the final battle, but he would not stop fighting until the fight was over, or until he had fallen. Frankly, he was hoping for the former in the form of Impmon and whatever the sword he was talking about.

---

Impmon and the group continued walking through the fog. The purple demon grunted a little as he walked forward. The fight with Indramon had drained him and left several bruises on his body. Ai noticed this and decided to speak up.

"Impmon…can you walk well? You're limping."

"Yeah, so what?" asked Impmon with a scoff and a smirk. "I've been through worse." This was true. After being impaled by the D-Reaper over and over again, being hit by Indramon's hooves again was like being bonked on the head.

"But you still look like you're hurt," Mako walked over and stopped with his back to Impmon. "Climb on. I can carry you."

"Thanks, but I can manage," said Impmon, touched by Mako's offer. "Besides, I'm a lot heavier than I look."

"I don't mind," Mako insisted. "We don't want you to overexert yourself."

"But if you don't want to be carried, then it's all right," said Kari. "We're just thinking about how you're doing right now Impmon."

"Yeah," said Ai. "We really care about you."

"Do you? Do you truly care about him, humans?" Everybody stiffened when they heard a new voice in the white fog. It wasn't Indramon's voice, and it wasn't the voice that told them that Impmon had passed the first phase of his test. This voice sounded jeering, taunting. Impmon grit his teeth angrily and clenched his fists. He knew this voice just as well as he knew Indramon's. And the shadow that appeared in the fog and approached them was one he knew well.

(Play Digimon Tamers: Kyodai Kuukan)

"Caturamon…" the demon growled as the Digimon was finally revealed: A giant dog Digimon with blue armor and red eyes, gold trimming on his armor, and his face set in a permanent smirk.

"So…you have become partnered to humans," the dog Deva said, sneering at the twins. "You have turned traitor as well against us to join with such selfish creatures."

"I've betrayed nothing," Impmon growled, pulling himself up to full height. "And if you as so much as say one more thing to Ai and Mako that I don't like, I'll beat you as badly as I beat Indramon!"

"Hmph. Empty threats from someone who doesn't have the power anymore to do so," Caturamon said. "You should have finished off those traitors when you had the chance Impmon. You were powerful, strong! You had everything, and you threw it all away to go back to two pathetic weaklings who could break easily if they fell from a great height. And then you went and died actually protecting one of them, as well as her traitorous partner."

"You shut up!" hissed Gatomon. "This is one cat that's not afraid of dogs!"

"Let me ask you a question Impmon," Caturamon continued, ingnoring Gatomon's words. "Do you honestly think these humans still care about you?"

"Stop right there!" yelled Impmon. "You threw that dog crap at me the last time we were in a position like this, and I was stupid, foolish and desperate enough to believe it! But not this time, you mangy mutt! What you showed me about Ai and Mako may have been true, but they worried about me and they missed me when I left them! And Kari cares about me just as well! The only one that doesn't care is you!"

"Yeah! You're just telling a bunch of lies to Impmon!" yelled Mako. "And lying is bad!"

"You're a bad doggie!" added Ai.

"Do not talk to me in that manner, humans!" Caturamon snarled and advanced for the twins, but stopped when Impmon threw a fireball in his face.

"Hey! This is between you and me, flea bag!" yelled Impmon. "You've never cared about me or the other Digimon! You just offered me that deal since you knew you couldn't beat Guilmon and the others on your own, so you looked for a pawn…and I was the unwilling one."

"Unwilling, you say?" Caturamon asked with a chuckle. "If I remember correctly, you accepted the deal of your own will."

"After you filled my head with lies, half-truths and doubts!" Impmon growled. "Had I been smarter, I would have said no. But I said yes, and I've had to deal with the consequences of my actions ever since then."

"By joining with humans and actually dying for them," said Caturamon. "You truly are an insult to Digimon everywhere."

(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Yuukan ni Tachimukau zo!)

"Oh, yeah?! The way you're talking, you sound like you're making yourself out as some sort of saint, but the fact is, you're not!" retorted Impmon. "You lied to me and you tricked me into doing your dirty work for you. And if it wasn't me, you would have probably gone to another Digimon and done the same. And if they said no, they would have been destroyed by you. All you talk about is peace, but you bring nothing but suffering, you and your Devas! And you're not even sorry for it!"

"Except Lopmon," Ai muttered.

"Are you saying you actually care for these humans?" Caturamon asked in a disgusted tone. Impmon looked over to Ai, Mako, Kari and Gatomon with a soft expression before glaring hard at Caturamon.

"I do care about them…and they care about me as well," he said, standing his ground against the dog Deva. "I regret all the pain I ever brought them, but I'm done leaving them behind and doing everything myself. Humans and Digimon are strong together…but you won't accept it because of your narrow-minded view on the old ways of Digimon!" Caturamon growled angrily at Impmon's scathing words.

"If that is your choice…you shall die with the humans! SWABHOJANA!" Caturamon leapt up into the air and spun around, transforming his entire body into a blue hammer. Impmon rolled out of the way as the hammer swung down and hit the ground.

"Ai, Mako! The card. Now!" Mako nodded and grabbed the card, swiping it through his D-Arc.

"DIGI-MODIFY! DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVATE!"

(Play Digimon Adventure tri: Brave Heart)

"IMPMON DIGIVOLVE TOOO…WIZARDMON!"

"Kari, it's my turn!" said Gatomon. "This time, I'm helping out!"

"All right, Gatomon!" Kari held up her D-3 as the Crest of Light appeared on her chest.

"GATOMON DIGIVOLVE TOOO…ANGEWOMON!"

"THUNDER CLOUD!" The lightning blast flew from Wizardmon's staff and hit Caturamon in the face. Growling angrily, Caturamon planted his feet in the ground and let out a loud howl that released a shock wave. Wizardmon quickly erected a magic barrier to protect himself and the others. The barrier shattered from the force of the shockwave, but the damage was not as bad as it would have been had the barrier been up.

"CELESTIAL ARROW!" Angewomon flew overhead and fired her arrows at Caturamon, pelting the dog Deva with them. Some of the projectiles bounced off Caturamon's armor, but more of them hit the small cracks in his armor, bringing him some small pain.

"I shall not allow myself to fall again to traitors!" Caturamon leapt into the air and performed his Swabhojana attack again, striking Angewomon in the head and knocking her out of the sky.

"Angewomon, are you okay?" Kari asked, running over to her partner. The female angel groaned as Kari helped her sit up, clutching the sides of her head with her hands.

"My head…it's pounding hard…he certainly hits hard…"

"He's a Deva like Indramon, they're some of the toughest Digimon out there," said Wizardmon, using his Magical Game to send magic cards flying at Caturamon, forcing the Ultimate level to jump back and destroy the cards with another sonic howl.

"Not just that, he's a Data attribute Digimon, and Angewomon is a Vaccine," Ai said, looking up Angewomon and Caturamon with her D-Ark.

"And Data Digimon have an advantage over Vaccine Digimon…" Kari muttered, remembering Kenta's words earlier about attributes.

"So Wizardmon will need a strong Virus attribute attack," said Mako, knowing that Wizardmon was a Data attribute Digimon that was fighting an Ultimate level.

"You are an absolute fool for fighting alongside humans, Wizardmon!" Caturamon snarled. "They are nothing but vain! Selfish! Cruel! Greedy! All they care about are themselves! They fight amongst themselves without a care!" Wizardmon fired his Thunder Cloud as Caturamon spoke and the lightning went into the Deva's mouth.

"Shut up already!" yelled the mage. "You may be right Caturamon. Humans can be foolish and arrogant beings, and they can be selfish and fight amongst themselves, but not all of them are like that forever. They can mend their ways, realize their mistakes and become better people! They can evolve like us Digimon! They can care about others…just like how Ai and Mako care about me."

"Yeah!" said Ai, glaring at Caturamon. "Impmon is family to us and we care about him! You don't!" Caturamon's throat was burned by Wizardmon's lightning, so he could only growl angrily before leaping up, beginning to transform into a hammer again and smash those who dared insult him.

However, this proved fatal as Angewomon saw Caturamon's yellow belly.

"Hit…his belly," she groaned, standing up with Kari's help. "His belly is a weak spot. Hit it there…and you may be able to win."

"He's right," Ai said, watching Wizardmon dodge the falling hammer. "It's not covered in armor."

"Then that's where we'll hit him," said Mako. "Wizardmon! Try sliding under him! I have a card ready!"

"It better be a good one," Wizardmon muttered as he ran right for Caturamon and dropped down on his back, sliding right under him. Knowing this was his cue, Mako swiped the card through the D-Ark.

"DIGI-MODIFY! DEVIDRAMON ACTIVATE!"

"CRIMSON CLAW!" Wizardmon's hands became Devidramon's large black ones and he thrust them up, the blood red claws burying themselves in Caturamon's stomach. The dog Digimon could only gag and gurgle as the claws went deeper into his body.

"DIGI-MODIFY! STRENGTH PLUG-IN Q!" Thanks to Ai, Wizardmon's strength increased, allowing him to lift Caturamon off the ground and throw him to the side. Caturamon groaned as he pulled himself back up, glaring at Wizardmon, data pouring out of his body.

"Y…you…" he growled, leaping up at Wizardmon, but Angewomon flew in right between the two, her bow ready to fire.

"CELESTIAL ARROW!" Kari, Ai and Mako looked away as the projectile went flying into Caturamon's mouth and tore through his head. The dog Deva could only look on in shock as he collapsed to the ground and turned to smoke.

"Okay, that was pretty gross," Mako said, making a face.

"I had him, you know," said Wizardmon.

"I know," Angewomon grinned, making her old friend roll his eyes.

"You have passed the second phase of your test Wizardmon," the mysterious voice boomed through the area. "Proceed for your third phase."

"Well…let's see what the last phase is," Wizardmon said, taking the lead with Angewomon.

---

"…and with Winning Percentage 40%, my Airdramon Digivolves to Megadramon, who takes out your Halsemon with Genocide Attack!"

"Aw, come on! That's the fifth game in a row! Cut me some slack here, I've never played this game before!"

(Play Digimon Tamers: Juri no Theme)

Outside the temple entrance, Jeri had decided to pass the time by playing the Digimon card game with Yolei and Cody. While Cody had declined, Yolei was eager to learn and play, as well as do something to pass the time while Impmon went through his test. So far, the inheritor of Love had been unable to beat Jeri, who had learned much of what she knew from Rika, who was leaning on a nearby tree. The Digimon were off to the side, watching Jeri and Yolei play the game, while Cody continued hitting a tree with the stick in his hands.

"Sorry Yolei, but don't think I'm going easy on you!" Jeri said with a laugh.

"Tell me about it," Yolei pouted. "The last four games, you beat my Birdramon with a Whamon, my Togemon with a Growlmon, my Flybeemon with a BlackGreymon, and my Rinkmon with a Boltmon!"

"But you're learning," said Jeri. Yolei merely sighed as she stood up and walked off.

"Let's call it quits for now. How long has Impmon been in there anyway?"

"He's been in there for half an hour," said Renamon. "Whatever the test is, it seems to not be an easy one."

"Well, I hope he finishes this test soon so we can leave," said Yolei. "I'm worried what Ken's doing to the others right now, and we have to go home soon." Rika sighed with annoyance at Yolei's complaining and was prepared to finally rip into her when the sound of beeping caught everybody's attention. Looking into her pocket, where the beeping noise was coming from, Yolei saw that it was coming from her D-Terminal.

"What is it?" asked Armadillomon. Yolei opened her D-3 to read the message she got, and her face paled.

"Yolei…what's wrong?" asked Cody.

"It's an update from Izzy," said Yolei. "According to this, MagnaAngemon tried to kill TK and Davis, but Ken's partner Stingmon…took the blow for them…"

(Play Digimon Adventure: Hirogaru Fuan)

"What?" Jeri gasped in shock. "Stingmon's…dead?"

"There's more," said Yolei. "Ken also put three more Dark Spirals on MagnaAngemon, making him even more powerful, and…wait…this can't be right…"

"Yolei, what is it?" Hawkmon asked when he saw Yolei's face become one of confusion.

"It says here Takato and Guilmon combined to become a Digimon called Gallantmon," she answered, getting looks of surprise from Jeri and Rika.

"Combined?" Cody asked, looking at the message in confusion. "Is that possible?"

"For us, it is," said Rika. "Myself, Takato, Henry and Ryo can Biomerge with our partners to help them reach the Mega level."

"You mean you actually fight alongside your partners?!" Yolei asked in surprise.

"We always have," said Rika, holding up the Digimon cards. "If Gallantmon is fighting MagnaAngemon, then our friends will have a chance until we get back with the sword."

"But that all depends," said Jeri. "Gallantmon may be a Mega level, but he's also a Virus attribute fighting a Vaccine attribute." Cody's face turned serious as he began heading back for the Hippogriffomon, Armadillomon following close by.

"Cody, where are you going?" asked Yolei.

"I'm going back to help our friends," said Cody. "We're wasting our time here waiting for Impmon to finish up a test just so he can get a sword. You said it yourself Yolei."

"Well, technically, that's not how I said it," said Yolei. "But maybe we should help out the others."

"Nobody's going anywhere!" said Rika. "We're not leaving without Impmon and the twins, and that includes Kari and Gatomon."

"But Rika, I think our friends could use some backup," said Jeri. "You and Renamon go on without us. I'll stay here with Yolei and Cody and wait for Impmon and the others to come back with the sword."

"Just Rika? Are you serious?!" asked Yolei. Rika glared at the lavender-haired girl, and Yolei shrank away from the glare.

"And do we even know if Impmon will come back with the sword?" Cody asked skeptically. "I don't trust him at all with this task!"

"Why do you not trust Impmon?" Elecmon asked with a raised eyebrow. Cody glared at the red Digimon before answering.

"I don't trust him because of what he's done in the past. He willingly accepted a deal from Caturamon to kill the Tamers and he killed you and absorbed your data in cold blood. After the evil things he did, he just becomes a Digimon partner without apologizing or facing any consequences for his actions and you just forgive him like that?"

"Did you not see what he did when he showed us his memories from yesterday?" Rika asked, angry at Cody's harsh words about Impmon. "He nearly died helping us free Jeri from the D-Reaper! He died protecting Kari and Gatomon from Myotismon. Those are pretty harsh consequences, if you ask me. He's had a hard life, being ripped away from his Tamers, stripped of his memories, and spent four years as a ghost! And all that time, he never said 'I'm sorry' for what he did because he knew apologizing wouldn't cut it! He's changed for the better and redeemed himself, and I will not let you talk bad of him like that, you stuck-up little brat!"

"What did you just say to me?!" Cody growled, glaring up at Rika. The red-haired Tamer glared back and it took everything inside of Cody to not back away from Rika, whose glare looked like it could kill if she was a basilisk.

"Rika's right Cody!" said Jeri. "I've forgiven Impmon as well. All of us Tamers have. And I don't think Gatomon and Kari would like it if they heard you talking about Impmon like that. You talk about honor, yet you insult and belittle someone behind their back, which is dishonorable! That makes you an absolute hypocrite!" Cody could only gape at Jeri, her comment about him being dishonorable stunning him.

"Hey, don't talk to Cody like that!" Yolei said, glaring at Rika as well. "What is your problem, Rika? Ever since we first met, you have done nothing but belittle and insult me and Cody every chance you had. You don't seem to act like this to the other Digidestined, or your friends, so why us?" Rika sent a glare Yolei's way before looking at Cody again. The red-haired girl breathed deep before answering.

(Play Digimon Tamers: Ruki no Theme)

"Do you want to know why? I'll tell you why. Do understand that I don't hate you. I don't even dislike you. I do like you, but what I don't like are your personalities. I've seen how you are in the TV show, and seeing you in person, it confirms my suspicions that in real life, you are exactly the same as your TV counterparts." She pointed to Yolei, "You are nothing but a loud and obnoxious fangirl who obsesses over boys, doesn't take things seriously, and complains over every single little thing while thinking she's all that and better than others when she's not," she then pointed to Cody, "and you are a judgmental little brat who cares more about honor and stupid Kendo than friends, you don't trust anyone with a dark background that's trying to redeem themselves, the moment someone does something you think doesn't agree with your views you leave them behind in the dust without a second thought, and you take things way too seriously." The inheritors of Love and Knowledge could only gape at Rika in shock. "And what's more, neither of you are taking this seriously. There is a bigger picture here that you don't understand yet."

"We are taking this seriously!" said Cody. "We know we have to stop Ken from taking over the Digital World, destroy the Control Spires, and break all the Dark Rings and Dark Spirals."

"But it's not simple," Yolei said sheepishly. "We have our own lives to live…"

"And you're lucky," said Jeri. "The original eight had to spend months on end in the Digital World, fighting to stay alive with little to no way to return home. That's how it also was for Ryo, Davis and Ken, and that's how it was for me and Rika, and the other Tamers. Eventually, you'll have to stay in the Digital World for longer than a day. This may have to become a permanent thing."

"You mean…we may have to stay in the Digital World for days on end and not come home?" asked Yolei, eyes widening in shock. Cody was shocked as well.

"Yes," Rika said with a nod. "Coming to the Digital World for a few hours every day will not speed up the process of stopping Ken. The only way we can make real progress is if we stay here and don't leave until it's finished."

"I…I don't know about that," said Cody. "Our families may worry…"

"Then just tell them about the Digimon!" snapped Rika. "And as for the Dark Rings and Dark Spirals, that's all you've been doing so far, breaking brainwashing devices on innocent Digimon. But let me ask you two a question: What will happen when you face a truly evil Digimon that will not hesitate to kill you or your loved ones if given the chance? The answer: Kill him."

"What?!" Yolei and Cody asked in shock.

"You're saying we…we may have to kill Digimon?!" Yolei asked, shaking a little at the thought.

"That's unacceptable!" said Cody. "My grandfather always says that all life is precious! We can't just kill Digimon!"

"You have to if you want to live," said Rika. "We've had to do that as well back home…and we had no choice. The Digimon there were about the law of the wild, kill or be killed. We had to adapt to that as well if we wanted to live and ensure no damage was done to our home."

"Don't you understand?" asked Jeri. "Eventually, you'll have to make the tough choices like us. If you don't, then everything and everyone you love and care about will be destroyed."

"But what if there's another choice?" Cody asked, still uneasy. "If there are evil Digimon, then they should be brought to justice for their evildoings."

"Oh, really? And how exactly will that be possible when the Digital World has no courts to judge them and deem them guilty? No prisons to hold them?" asked Rika. "We have to kill them."

"That is our justice," said Renamon simply. "What will you do when it comes down to it? What is more important to you? Taking one life and saving many more…or sparing said life and letting many others perish?"

"I…but…" Cody stammered, uncomfortable about the whole talk while Yolei stayed quiet and let what Rika and Jeri said sink in to her. She was beginning to understand why Rika was like this towards her and Cody. The Tamers, as well as Davis, TK, Kari and the older Digidestined had been through more than she and Cody could even begin to possibly imagine. Rika wasn't insulting them for fun. She was trying to make them understand the seriousness that came with being a Digidestined, and she didn't want them to freeze up or hesitate at all during a battle, or treat it like it was a video game.

(Play Digimon Tamers: Setsunasa ~The Biggest Dreamer~)

"So that's why you say we're weak…" she looked down sadly. "Maybe we really aren't taking this seriously."

"It's not just that," said Elecmon. "You don't believe in the strength we possess, the strength that you possess. You look at a situation and you immediately think it's hopeless without even trying to fight back, or believing that there is a way to win. A true warrior never stops fighting until the battle is won, until their very last breath has been drawn. You are Digidestined, and it is high time you prove it. Only by believing in your strength will your Digimon be able to Digivolve further and become stronger."

"But what about Impmon?" asked Cody, wanting to get back on the current subject that had them talking in the first place.

"I'd say Impmon has more than paid for his crimes," said Renamon. "He has atoned for his past sins and he has been forgiven."

"That doesn't excuse the fact that he was a pawn in the Devas' plans against you," Cody replied stubbornly. "The Devas may have answered for their crimes, and Millenniummon may have answered for what he did to the older Digidestined, but even those who are pawns need to face justice as well." That had always been Cody's philosophy given how his father died.

"Is that why you have a problem with Ken?" asked Yolei. "Even though you know he's being brainwashed by a Dark Spore?" Cody merely nodded.

"Okay, let me ask you this question," said Rika. "Don't you think you're being a little too harsh on Ken and Impmon? How do you think it would feel if you were being controlled by an outside force and had no control over your thoughts and actions, and everybody knew, but still refused to forgive you? Or if you were so desperate enough for power, you'd believe and do anything you were told for that power, even if it meant hurting your friends? And then you realize your mistakes and do everything you can to atone, but nobody forgives you for it? How do you think that would feel?"

"Impmon has acknowledged his ignorance, and I know Ken will as well when we free him from the Dark Spore's influence," said Elecmon. "But can you bring yourself to forgive them?"

Cody was silent as he pondered on Rika's words as well as Elecmon's. From what he had seen, Impmon was truly sorry about what he had done, but the small devil knew saying a simple apology would not be enough to fix it, hence everything he had done for the Tamers and Gatomon. And Ken may have been acting evil, but according to Ryo, it was an effect of Millenniummon's influence and Dark Spore. If Ken wasn't being controlled, then he certainly wouldn't be acting like this. In the end, both Ken and Impmon were innocent, which was more than he could say for the men that were responsible for taking his father from him. None of them were sorry for what they had done. The man who pulled the trigger only cared about making money, and the man who hired the sniper wanted his political opponent out of the way. They deserved to face justice and be in prison for what they did. He believed Ken and Impmon were in the same mold as well, but after being berated by Rika for it, as well as looking back at Impmon's memories…perhaps he was being too harsh towards them.

"Maybe…maybe you're right…" the brown-haired boy looked down forlornly. "Maybe I am being too hard on Impmon and Ken…Impmon is a partner Digimon…and Ken doesn't know he's being used…"

"You know I'm right," Rika said before turning and walking away with Renamon, Jeri and Elecmon, leaving Yolei and Cody to their thoughts.

"Yolei…?"

"Cody…?"

Both Digidestined ignored their partners' calls to them as they stayed quiet, Rika and Jeri's words still simmering in their memories.

---

(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Dream World)

"We should be approaching the end of the test soon," said Angewomon, taking the lead with Wizardmon in the white tunnel. Neither Digimon had reverted to their previous forms after fighting Caturamon, as they believed whatever the final test was, it would end in a fight much like the previous tests. As they walked, Wizardmon looked up at Angewomon before looking down at Ai and Mako, and then to Kari, with a feeling of wanting to say something.

"You know…I want to tell you all how grateful I am that you accepted me, despite my past sins. Even after everything I've done, you offered me nothing but kindness and friendship."

"Everybody has a light side and a dark side to them Wizardmon," Kari said with a smile. "And I want to believe in the light."

"Yeah," said Ai. "Who cares what you did in the past?"

"You're our friend," smiled Mako.

"And you two are my friends as well," Wizardmon said with a smile of his own, though his high collar concealed it. "You, Kari, are my friend as well."

"Thank you," the brown-haired girl smiled.

"Angewomon, you are my friend as well. My first true friend."

"And you are mine as well," the female angel said with a smile of her own.

"And the other Tamers and the Digidestined, they are my friends as well. And even Witchmon and the Digimon I lived with in Witchenly," he continued. "For the first time in quite a long time, I feel like I'm no longer alone."

"For now, at least," a snide voice rang in the near distance, making everybody stop.

"Great, another voice interrupting us," Angewomon muttered, making out a tall shadow in the fog, slowly walking towards them.

"Whoever it is, he must be the final part of the test," Kari thought aloud.

"Well, who is it?" Mako squinted his eyes in order to see the figure better. "He looks familiar."

"I know who that is," said Wizardmon, whose voice had dropped down to below a whisper. "But it can't be."

"What can't be?" Ai asked confusedly. What was it about this shadow that made WIzardmon uneasy, and not angry like Indramon and Caturamon?

"Don't be so surprised. After all, sometimes…" the figure stepped out of the fog and was revealed. Everybody gasped at what they saw. A tall figure that towered over Angewomon and wore black clothes and a black leather jacket, a tail trailing from his lower back. A shotgun strapped to his back and another shotgun in a holster on his leg. And three blood-red eyes poking out of a purple helmet, looking down at the group of five.

"…your greatest enemy is yourself," finished Beelzemon.

(Play Digimon Tamers: Panic)

"What is this? Who are you?" Wizardmon demanded, holding up his wand. Beelzemon simply chuckled as he looked down at the mage Digimon.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm your dark side Wizardmon. I'm the side of you that craves power. I'm the side that's been with you ever since you accepted the deal from Caturamon. I'm the side of you that wishes to be alone. And you cannot deny it Wizardmon, because I am you."

"No…that can't be!" said Kari.

"Why can't it be?" Beelzemon asked with a smirk. "You said it yourself doll-face. Everybody has a light side and dark side…even you have one."

"Leave her out of this!" said Wizardmon. "If you are a part of me, then this should just be between you and me." Wizardmon glowed brightly and shrank back down to Impmon, the small devil glaring up at the demon lord Digimon.

"You're right! It should just be you as always," Beelzemon said with a laugh. "Isn't that how you do things all the time? Alone?" Impmon backed up slightly in shock.

"Are you implying I do things all the time by myself?"

"Of course! Isn't that how it is for you? You craved the power to Digivolve by yourself without a human, which is why you abandoned Ai and Mako. You wanted to achieve the power alone. What about when you returned to the Digital World after the D-Reaper was defeated? You left the Digimon you called your friends so you could find Ai and Mako alone. You lost your memories along with Leomon, and even though you traveled with him, you left so you could be alone. Though Witchmon and her family, and the Digimon of Witchelny accepted you into their culture, you felt like you never truly belonged with them and you wanted to continue being alone. And when Gatomon saved you from dying, you were ready to leave her once you woke up so you wouldn't be with anybody. You have always been alone and wanted to be alone, because you wanted to become strong, and you know you could never be strong and have power if you were sticking around with losers like these. Face facts, Impmon. We were meant to be alone. Only by being alone, can you be strong!"

"No…that's not true!" Impmon yelled, but he was choking on his words. He wanted to deny that he had never been alone, but everything Beelzemon was saying was true. Ai, Mako, the Tamers' partners, Gatomon, Witchelny…they had always been friendly and offered to stay with him, but there always came a point where he left them, intentionally or not. And it was sometimes to be alone. He had been alone a long time in his life.

Gatomon's words from their first meeting came back to him: "When you live in solitude for so long, your heart becomes cold." Perhaps this was what the white cat meant. His heart had become cold and hard because he preferred to be a loner.

"And if you do stay with them, do you honestly think Ai and Mako will be with you forever?" Beelzemon's taunting voice continued. "Humans aren't like Digimon. Eventually, they'll die, and they can't be reborn like us. Whether they grow old or a Digimon kills them…one of these days it will be all over, your humans will leave you for good…and you'll be alone for the rest of your life. If you want my advice, you should ditch them for good and not worry about the pain of seeing them die."

"L…leave them…?" Impmon choked.

"Don't listen to him, Impmon! He's just a big, fat liar!" said Mako.

"Yeah! We'll never leave you!" said Ai.

"But…but everything he says…it's true…" Impmon dropped on his hands and knees, his green eyes slowly welling up with tears. "All my life, I've been a loner…always relying on my own strength to Digivolve…Digimon are practically immortal, but humans…they never live forever. Eventually, they die…and then what?"

(Play Digimon Tamers: Program Kidou)

"They never truly go away," Angewomon said kindly, walking over and bending down, placing a hand on Impmon's back. "It is true Impmon. Humans do die and they don't come back. I know there will be a day where I'll never see Kari again…but I will always have my memories of her…and you will always have your memories of Ai and Mako…"

"Impmon…we promise, we'll never leave you." Ai walked over and wrapped her arms around Impmon in a warm hug.

"You'll always be with us," Mako hugged Impmon as well. "And we'll always be with you."

"As long as you hold those precious memories and never lose them again…you'll never be alone," Kari walked over and finished the hug. Nearby, Beelzemon rolled his eyes and groaned at the scene.

"Ugh, I think I'm going to barf. Too much sweetness. Give me a break! Do you honestly think hanging out with humans will make you strong again?"

"Yes, they can!" Impmon glared, looking up at his Mega form. "You may be right when you say that Ai and Mako will leave me forever one day, but you're wrong when you say I'll be left alone forever, and I want to be alone forever! I may act like a jerk to everybody, and I may act like I don't want anybody close to me…but I don't want to be alone ever again! A person alone can be strong…but somebody that's backed by his friends and loved ones is much stronger! So you can get out of here!"

"I can't," Beelzemon laughed as he began fading away. "Like I said, I'm your dark side Impmon. I'll never leave you…"

"But I'll be damned if I ever allow myself to go down that dark path again," said Impmon. "And if I do…then at least I'll have friends to pull me back to the light." The purple demon continued glaring at Beelzemon until the biker demon was completely gone. Once he was sure he was gone, Impmon moaned and dropped to his knees.

"Impmon…are you okay now?" asked Ai, helping her shared partner up. Impmon breathed several times before smiling and looking relaxed.

"Yeah…I think I'm okay now," said Impmon. The fog suddenly began fading away, leaving everybody in a dark tunnel again.

"What's going on now?!" Kari asked in surprise. Her question was answered moments later when the sound of stone doors opening was heard, and a light shone in front of them. None of them knew what do to as they looked at the light, but Impmon had a gut feeling telling him what this meant.

"Come on." Impmon walked into the room with everybody following him. The room they walked into was a massive chamber with white pillars, and a bright light shone throughout the area.

(Play Digimon Adventure: Ansoku)

"What is this place?" asked Mako.

"This is the place where the Dashenbian resides," a voice answered. The group stopped, recognizing the voice as the one that told Impmon that he had passed the first two phases of his test. At the end of the room, a Digimon wearing white armor and a purple cape sat cross-legged, his eyes on the small group that stood before him. A sword glowing orange sat by his side.

"And you are?" asked Angewomon.

"I am Mistymon," said the Digimon, "and I was chosen to guard the Dashenbian sword years ago, keeping an eye on it until someone worthy of it came for it. And now, that someone has appeared," Mistymon stood up and walked over to Impmon, "and the sword has chosen him."

"You mean…me?" asked Impmon.

"Yes Impmon. You have passed the test," said Mistymon. "Only one of true strength and power can be able to wield the Dashenbian, and you have shown it in your test. True power and strength do not come from being alone. It comes from the bonds of friendship you forge with others, and acknowledging them. You have given strength to your partners, and they have given strength to you as well. By accepting them, the Dashenbian has chosen you to be worthy."

"So, where is this sword?" asked Impmon, noticing the sword Mistymon left behind. "Is that it?"

"Actually, that's my own sword," Mistymon said, picking up the orange blade. "The Dashenbian is over here." Mistymon led the group to the far end of the room, where a black box sat. Mistymon raised his arm in the air, and the top of the box opened up, revealing a blood-red jagged blade.

(Play Digimon Adventure: Shouri Zen no Theme)

"Is this it?" asked Angewomon.

"Yes. This is the Dashenbian," said Mistymon. The sword began glowing brightly as it floated out of the box and towards Impmon. "Take it, Impmon. It is yours." Impmon looked at the sword nervously, sweat running off his face as he raised his hand and took hold of the red blade. The moment he took the sword, the Dashenbian burst into data particles that flew into Impmon's body. As this happened, Ai and Mako's D-Ark flashed briefly before a light began shining in Mako's pocket.

"Woah…what was that?" Impmon asked, feeling different from before. "I feel funny…"

"The Dashenbian has become a part of you Impmon," said Mistymon. "By acknowledging your friendship with Gatomon and the other Digidestined, and accepting Ai and Mako as your partners, you have gained the ability to Digivolve to your Ultimate level, and you can once again become Beelzemon."

"What…seriously?" Impmon asked in surprise. A gasp of surprise from Mako made Impmon look around to see Mako holding a card that was glowing brightly: A Blue Card.

"Yes, but your Ultimate level will be the only stage where you'll be able to wield the Dashenbian," said Mistymon. "Use this power wisely Impmon."

"I will," said Impmon, smiling lightly at Ai and Mako. "I promise I won't forget my friends anymore…or my family." The twins' eyes watered as they ran over to Impmon and hugged him tightly.

"If we have the sword now, let's get back to the others," said Angewomon. "I fear they may need our help." Everybody nodded and ran out of the room, Mistymon bidding them farewell.

'Good luck, Impmon…for you are a warrior of true darkness…'

---

(Play Digimon Tamers: Tamer Action)

"ROYAL SABER!"

"SOUL VANISHER!"

The two attacks collided in midair as Gallantmon and MagnaAngemon continued their battle. The Royal Knight had managed to break another Dark Spiral, leaving only one left. Unfortunately, the only Dark Spiral left was the one on his left arm, which was protected by MagnaAngemon's beam shield.

The battle had been going on for several minutes now, and though Gallantmon was a Mega level Digimon fighting an Ultimate level in MagnaAngemon, he was still a Virus attribute fighting a Vaccine attribute. What was more was the injuries he had sustained earlier as WarGrowlmon were still lingering, which meant he couldn't fight at his full strength, even with Takato, and every time MagnaAngemon received major damage, he would instantly use his Magna Antidote to heal his injuries. And the other Digimon were still injured and unable to help. Until Impmon returned, it was up to the Royal Knight.

"FINAL ELYSION!" Gallantmon fired another blast from his shield, but it was not as strong as before, as MagnaAngemon only slid back several feet, protected by his beam shield.

"Takato, it's no use…I'm running low on power…" Guilmon moaned to Takato, who was beginning to tire out as well.

"I know Guilmon…I'm beginning to go out as well…" Takato said. "Come on Impmon, Jeri…where are you guys?"

"HEAVEN'S GATE!" MagnaAngemon opened his golden gate again and the beam of light flew out at Gallantmon. The white-armored knight raised his shield to defend himself, but the light blasted him hard and sent him off his feet. Gallantmon rolled on the sand before falling on his chest.

"Gallantmon!" called Kenta worriedly. "Come on, get up buddy!"

"It may not be much use," said Henry. "His earlier injuries must be catching up to him, as well as his attribute as a Virus…"

"No! It can't end like this!" yelled Davis. "We will win!"

"Still as optimistic as ever, Davis!" Ken said, laughing like crazy. "But I told you your Royal Knight would be unable to defeat an archangel Digimon! MagnaAngemon, finish them all off starting with Gallantmon!"

"Takato, get out of the way!" Kazu yelled as MagnaAngemon leaped up towards Gallantmon, his sword held high and ready to strike Gallantmon down…

"CELESTIAL ARROW!"

"TALISMAN OF LIGHT!"

The two attacks flew out of the sky and hit MagnaAngemon, knocking him aside and allowing Gallantmon to stand back up. Looking to the sky, the Royal Knight felt relieved when he saw Taomon and Angewomon fly out of the sky with Leomon, Wizardmon, Halsemon, Digmon and their partners.

"Hang on, guys!" called Yolei. "The cavalry's arrived!"

"Well, it's about time!" said Rapidmon.

"Ha!" yelled Ken. "Do you think extra help will be enough? I've already won! You have no idea who I truly am, do you?!"

"No, I don't," Wizardmon said, slowly approaching the insane Digidestined. "But I do know when somebody is just being used, and you are being used right now. You're just making a fool out of yourself right now."

"Who the hell are you to judge me?!" Ken snarled at the mage Digimon, who didn't seem intimidated by the threat before him.

"I know what it's like to be used," Wizardmon continued. "To crave something so much, but nothing comes from it except for pain and grief. That is something I will not allow to happen to you."

"You think…you think I need saving?!" Ken asked hysterically. "I don't need saving! The only thing that needs saving is this world, and I will silence anyone who gets in my way, even my own partner!"

"The way you're acting says otherwise," said Wizardmon, his grip tightening on his staff. Ken glared darkly at Wizardmon. How dare this fool think he can stop his moment?!

"I've had enough of this. MagnaAngemon, take him!"

"Ai, Mako! The Blue Card!" said Wizardmon. The twins nodded and Mako quickly pulled out the Blue Card, surprising the Tamers.

"They have a Blue Card!" gasped Henry.

"Then that must mean…" Ryo started.

(Play Digimon: EVO)

"DIGI-MODIFY! MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVATE!" Mako swiped the card through the slot as Calumon's mark began glowing brightly and Wizardmon began changing.

"WIZARDMON DIGIVOLVE TOOO…"

Who you want to become, what you see in your dreams

You can not ask anyone for help

Try, sometimes there's kindness we bare our fangs at

The mage Digimon's body crackled with red and black lightning as he grew taller. The light faded and his new form was revealed. He wore white clothing and his right arm was covered in a tall white sleeve with black belts, his left arm resembling Beelzemon's. Black boots adorned his feet, and the long cape on his back looked like it was made from paper. A red book was chained to his back, and a red scarf was wrapped on his left arm. His face was covered with a black mouthpiece and his blond hair stuck out of a blue cloth, a red eye poking out of the middle of his head. The only visible part of his face were his red eyes.

When there's something we want to protect

"BAALMON!"

The world will change, I know it, you can overcome the pain

"A…amazing!" Tai gasped, seeing the new Digimon before them.

"Wizardmon's…Ultimate form…" Angewomon gasped.

There's no time for doubt, you've got to fight

The scenery will change, because you have the courage not to fear the sky

You can take off, looking for another you

"Who is that?" asked TK. Rika quickly pulled out her D-Ark for analysis.

"Baalmon. Demon Man Data Digimon. Ultimate level. A mighty warrior that is said to have a solution for nearly every problem he's in. His special attacks are Guiltish, which can turn his amulets into various weapons, and Kamiuchi, a strike with the Dashenbian sword, said to be effective against Holy-type Digimon."

"Baalmon…looks awesome!" said both Ai and Mako.

"Digimon Emperor, I shall give you one chance to surrender now, or I will attack with everything I have," said Baalmon, his voice low and cool as he spoke. Ken could only growl at the Digimon who thought he could be able to defeat MagnaAngemon.

"Hmm…if that is your answer, then you leave me with no choice!"

Thinking of more excuses

Baalmon placed on foot forward, and the next thing anyone knew, the warrior had cleared the twenty-foot distance between himself and MagnaAngemon in a split second.

Will you once more put the blame on something else?

Cry, it's not we get hurt and get passionate

"KAMIUCHI!" Baalmon raised his left arm into the air, and the red Dashenbian blade appeared in his hands before he swung it down. MagnaAngemon barely had time to raise his beam shield when the sword came crashing down. The force of the strike made MagnaAngemon stumble back, and when he looked down at his left arm, he was shocked to see a crack in his shield.

That we live to the fullest

Tomorrow will change face the tears

"GUILTISH!" Baalmon took advantage of MagnaAngemon's shock to spread his cape, and numerous paper pieces flew off, turning into sharp projectiles that riddled MagnaAngemon's body. The Digidestined were surprised at how the Ultimate level was holding his own against MagnaAngemon.

There's no place to hide, now you've gotta fight

History will change, because from now on you've vowed to have no regrets

You can destroy the weak you and be reborn

'Amazing…I guess MagnaAngemon may have met his match…hopefully,' TK thought as he watched the battle intently and anxiously. His hopes of having his partner back now rested in Baalmon's hands.

Ken was having a similar thought as well. 'This cannot be…MagnaAngemon is supposed to be one of the most powerful Ultimate level Digimon! There can't be an Ultimate level stronger than him!' The boy gritted his teeth angrily. He would not allow some…hobo-looking Digimon to rob him of his chance to finish off Davis and Ryo.

"MagnaAngemon! Don't just stand there! Attack him! Kill him!" MagnaAngemon obliged and flew at Baalmon, swinging his sword for a decapitation, but Baalmon blocked the strike with his sword. The demon man kicked MagnaAngemon back with his foot and charged again.

"KAMIUCHI!" The Dashenbian swung out and struck MagnaAngemon's body, leaving a long cut on his chest. The angel Digimon staggered back and crossed his arms to perform his Magna Antidote, but Baalmon was much faster at acting. He raised his right arm and the sound of a gunshot was heard from it. Two bullets flew out and slammed into MagnaAngemon's leg.

"ARGH!" MagnaAngemon yelled as he dropped down to one leg, and Baalmon was instantly on him again, striking him at fast speeds with powerful kicks from his legs and swipes from his sword.

"GUILTISH!" This time, the attack had the papers flying forward and exploding, forcing MagnaAngemon to take flight. Unfortunately, Baalmon leapt up and spread his cape to fly. The battle continued with a clash of swords until Baalmon swung in a full circle and the Dashenbian caught the golden band on MagnaAngemon's wrist, breaking it and robbing him of his sword. Another swipe of the sword, and the beam shield split in half, exposing the Dark Spiral.

The world will change, I know it, you can overcome the pain

"Baalmon's actually doing it…" Davis said with a big smile. "He's actually winning!"

"No…NO!" Ken yelled in anger. This could not be possible! How could he lose again?

There's no time for doubt, you've gotta fight

The scenery will change, because you have the courage not to fear the sky

"It's over!" Baalmon's left arm moved in a flurry of motions on MagnaAngemon's left arm, the Dark Spiral falling to pieces. The angel Digimon fell out of the sky as he felt his energy leave. MagnaAngemon landed on the sandy floor of the desert, reverting to a tired Tokomon.

You can take off, looking for another you

"Tokomon!" TK cried happily, running over and scooping up his partner. Tokomon was unconscious, but he was still alive.

"Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Davis yelled, pumping his fist into the air. The rest of the team celebrated as well at the battle finally ending. Baalmon dropped back down next to his Tamers, who stared at him in awe.

"Baalmon…you were amazing!" gasped Ai.

"Yeah, that was awesome!" cheered Mako.

"It wasn't just me that did it," Baalmon said, looking down at his Tamers with soft eyes.

"It's not over yet," Ryo said, looking off in the distance where Ken was. "Like I said, this ends today."

"Yeah…let's get him!" Davis began walking forward along with Ryo and the others. Most of the Digimon returned to their Rookie forms, Taomon, Angewomon, Cyberdramon, Leomon, and Baalmon remaining in their evolved forms. As they walked, Cyberdramon was at the very back, feeling funny as he walked slowly. He was feeling something dark build up inside of him. It had been building up for the last two days since he touched Ken. He knew deep down what this feeling was. He should have figured the Dark Spore in Ken would react with the data in his body, but he foolishly assumed it wasn't true. And now, he was awakening…and Cyberdramon couldn't fight it.

---

Ken was kneeling in the sand, a mortified look on his face. How had it come to this?

He remembered when this all started. Ryo had vanished, and Davis had all but stopped contacting him after Sam died. He was alone with only Wormmon there for him. Then some dark thought came to him, convincing him that Davis and Ryo had abandoned him and didn't care about him, and that he should take revenge on them when he had the chance. He embraced the thought.

And then the next time he went back to the Digital World, he had learned about the balance between light and darkness, and how the light was threatening to eradicate the entire Digital World without darkness to keep the balance in check. He learned that he had to be the one to do it, that he had to rule the Digital World as its Emperor of Darkness.

So he adopted an outfit and became the Digimon Emperor, and he went about the Digital World, telling the Digimon to wreak havoc and destroy everything around them, to bring darkness back. The Digimon didn't listen to him. They laughed at him and called him crazy and delusional. The insults only served to anger him, and he decided to force them to do what he said.

He created the Dark Rings and the Control Spires, and he began spreading them about the Digital World. Before long, he became the most powerful and the most feared individual in the Digital World. He was unstoppable.

And then Davis returned with the Digidestined in tow, and he found it an opportunity to take revenge on Davis for abandoning him. He would destroy them and the Digidestined, and nobody left would oppose him.

But Davis and his friends were resourceful. They had found Digimentals to battle him with, and they started destroying the Control Spires. That's when he began to take it seriously.

He captured all of the new team but Davis and was very close to killing Davis…but then Ryo returned with new friends, and their Digimon could bypass the Control Spires, and they even enabled the older Digidestined to bypass the Spires as well.

He had then decided to change things by taking Agumon and using the new Dark Spirals to make him fight the Digidestined, thinking their reluctance to fight their friend would be their downfall. Instead, Davis received a new Digimental, and the Digidestined and the Tamers did not hold back at all.

But then, he received the greatest slave yet when he managed to capture MagnaAngemon. But despite how powerful MagnaAngemon was, they still managed to defeat him. And Stingmon had betrayed him as well, leading to his own death.

It simply wasn't right, and it could no longer be denied. No matter how many Digimon he threw at them, they would come right back and win.

"I lost…" he muttered, pounding his fist into the sand before yelling in anger. "How!? How could I have lost!? How could I have been denied my revenge…my destiny?!"

"Because this wasn't your destiny." Ken looked up and yelled in shock when he saw Baalmon towering over him, a dark look of sympathy on his face. "And revenge is never good."

"Ken…that's enough," Ryo said, walking up with Davis. "We don't want to keep fighting you…and I know there's a part of you that doesn't want this anymore, especially after what happened to Stingmon."

(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Yogiru Fuan)

"What would you know?!" Ken snapped, looking up at the two in anger. "Three years…three years I never heard from either of you! And now…you think you can just…waltz back into my life and try to be my friends again like nothing happened?!"

"No…we can't," Davis said sadly. "A lot has happened, and we're to blame for it. Maybe had we stayed with you for the last three years, none of this would be happening. Do you honestly think taking over the Digital World is the correct answer for saving it?"

"Of course it is!" Ken said harshly. "The world needs light and darkness. You only see darkness as evil and you prejudice it because it's been abused by evil Digimon like the Dark Masters for years! Light and darkness cannot exist without each other! Why can't you idiots realize that?!"

"You're right," said Baalmon. "Neither light nor darkness can be classified as good and evil. They are both elements that can be used by either side for their benefit."

"Maybe you're right," TK said grudgingly. "There is that, but then there is everything Ken's done in the last few weeks!"

"All you've been doing is causing pain and suffering to the Digimon and to us!" Davis said angrily. "Dammit, Ken…WAKE UP AND REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" The burgundy-haired boy's hand swung up and smacked Ken in the face. Nearly everybody gasped as Ken staggered from the slap and fell on his side.

"Ken…please…" Veemon begged quietly. Ken pulled himself up on his hands, and as he did, he began feeling something strange inside of him, like a dark feeling inside of him was dissipating slowly from the slap he received from Davis. Suddenly, a blank look appeared on his face, as if he was in some kind of trance.

"I…what…what is this?"

(Play Digimon Adventure: Yuugure)

"That's all of reality crashing down on you," Rika said with a light glare. "You've been causing suffering Ken, and you need to realize that. Taomon…show him." Taomon nodded and raised her hands in the air. Before Ken could move, he began seeing himself creating Control Spires and placing them around the Digital World…striking Digimon mercilessly with a whip…imprisoning and enslaving Digimon…Stingmon being killed by one of his own slaves…attacking and trying to kill his own friends relentlessly…all while saying it was to bring proper peace and order to the Digital World. But with Taomon showing these memories to him…it never seemed like peace…only chaos…

And the entire time, Wormmon, Davis, Ryo and the others were trying to save him and mend their friendship with him, and he thought they were betraying him the entire time…

And suddenly, he saw another timeline where Davis never went to the Digital World until the beginning of school this year, where it was just him and Ryo against Millenniummon…and he saw a black orb from Millenniummon imbed itself in his neck, slowly corrupting Ken and driving him evil, making him forget the entire Digital World was real, making him think it was just a computer game, making his actions even worse than they already were. Once Taomon was done showing Ken these visions, the violet-haired boy could only stare in shock.

"No…no…no…this can't be…this can't be! It…it just can't…" he muttered over and over again, gripping his hair tightly.

"It is, Ken," Ryo said, looking down at Ken sadly. "Don't you see now? We just want to help you…"

"What…what have I…what have I done?!" Ken yelled, his breathing coming out in short gasps. "Everything…everything I've done…I'm a…I'm a murderer…I'M A MONSTER!"

Crying out in anger and sadness, Ken grabbed the clothes he was wearing and tore at them, throwing off the gloves, whip, cape and sunglasses, each one dissolving to pixels as they hit the ground. He fell to the ground as the rest of his Emperor uniform dissolved, leaving him a sobbing mess in his school uniform.

(Play Digimon Adventure: Namida no Yukue)

"Everyone…Sam…Ryo…Davis…Wormmon…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…!" Ken choked, grasping the sand in one hand while pounding the floor with his other fist. Davis could only look at his friend with a torn look, his heart breaking at the sight of Ken realizing his mistakes and crying out over them. Ryo had an equally sad expression, and the rest of the team, who looked angry or annoyed at Ken before, could now only look on sadly as well, realizing that though Ken had been brought back, it was not without its cost, or without the pain coming down hard.

Davis couldn't take the sight much longer, and he ran over to Ken, dropping down to his side and pulling him in close to a hug.

"Ken…it's okay…I'm here buddy…let it out…"

"Get off me," Ken shoved Davis away, though he didn't look angry. "I don't deserve anyone's pity…I don't deserve anybody's kindness…"

"Damn it Ken, don't do this!" Ryo said with his voice a mix between anger and sadness. "Don't shut us out! Can't you see we're trying to fix things? I'm sorry I left you for three years, but it's not like I planned for that to happen."

"He's right," said Davis. "I know I may not have been there for you after Sam, but I'm here now for you…for Wormmon…"

"Wo…Wormmon…" Ken gasped, dropping down to his knees again. "He…"

"He's dead Ken," Jeri said, her voice thick with sadness. It hurt her greatly to say that, as she couldn't bear the thought of seeing anybody else lose their partner Digimon, but it had happened again, and it was clear the pain Ken was going through was much like her own pain from losing Leomon. "I'm so sorry..."

"No! Not Wormmon too…" Ken sobbed, his mind flashing back to that day he saw a body lying in blood, and the number of mourners. He could only hit the ground again in sadness. "Why? First Sam…and now Wormmon…WHY DOES EVERYBODY I CARE ABOUT DIE?! Why am I…always left alone…?" The Digidestined and the Tamers' sadness only grew as they watched Ken mourn, realizing he had lost two people important to him. Yolei, who already looked sad from seeing Ken break down over realizing what he done, couldn't take it much longer and ran forward, dropping down next to Ken and rubbed his back for comfort, tears appearing in her eyes over seeing Ken mourn for his dead brother and partner.

(Play Digimon Adventure: Tomodachi Tatakai no Theme)

"You're not alone," said Baalmon, remembering his test. "Your brother may be dead, but he still lives in you. The memories you have of him will always remain with you forever. You must never forget that."

"Okay, when did Beelzemon get all poetic?" Kazu whispered. "That's definitely not like him."

"He learned much from his test," Angewomon said simply.

"Ken…I know Sam is gone…" Davis said to Ken, "but Wormmon will be reborn someday…"

"And how will I know that he wants to continue being my partner? After everything I've done…"

"Because he never stopped believing in the real you," said Ryo, pulling out the Crest of Kindness and showing it to Ken. "Just like how I never stopped believing in you, and Davis as well." Nearby, Cyberdramon growled low enough for nobody to hear, and his fingers flexed as he looked at Ken, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Come on Ken," Davis held his hand out for Ken to take. "Let's get you home."

"After everything I've done?" asked Ken, shocked at Davis's gesture of friendship. "I don't…"

"That's in the past Ken," said Ryo. "We can't continue living in the past and think about what if this happened differently. It's time to live in the present, and focus on the future. Please Ken, we want to help you this time."

"Please…" Davis pleaded. Ken looked down at Davis's hand again before looking up at his old friends. The looks on their faces were looks of pleading. They wanted to help him…they wanted to make up for the lost time…and he needed their help. The boy pulled himself up and threw his arms around Davis and Ryo, shaking slightly.

"I'm sorry…for everything…"

"Don't," Ryo said firmly. "You're not to blame. Everything that happened was because of Millenniummon's influence on you."

"Come on Ken," Davis said with a soft smile. "Let's get you out of here." Davis and Ryo walked down the sand dune they were on with Yolei, Ken, Jeri and Rika, the child of Kindness taking up the rear. As they walked down however, a black blur suddenly shot past everybody and stopped in front of Ken, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground. Everybody gasped when they saw Cyberdramon was Ken's attacker.

(Play Digimon Adventure: Arata no Teki)

"Cyberdramon! What are you doing?! Ken's not our enemy anymore!" Ryo yelled out to his partner. Cyberdramon only roared as a black mist began appearing around his body and swirled around Ken's, the boy yelling in pain.

"Ken!" screamed Yolei and Davis. Jeri and Rika watched in horror as the mist flew off of Cyberdramon's body and into Ken's like black snakes. A sudden shock sent Cyberdramon off his feet and away from Ken. The child of Kindness landed on the sand with a grunt and Cyberdramon crashed in front of Ryo, reverting to Monodramon, who groaned in pain.

"Monodramon, are you all right?" Veemon asked, running over to his friend. "What was that all about?"

"It…it wasn't me…" Monodramon said shakily. "It was…him…" Ryo gasped in shock as he looked over to Ken in worry.

'Oh, no…'

"Ken, are you all right?" Yolei asked as she helped Ken up.

"I…I don't know…" Ken answered, staggering away from Yolei. He began feeling funny again, and it wasn't a good feeling. "What…what's happening?"

Ken's question was answered with a deep laugh echoing through the desert, making everybody freeze up in shock.

"At last…after all these years…" the deep voice said after laughing. Ken suddenly felt his skull split open, and he couldn't contain the blood-curdling scream that came from his mouth.

(Play Digimon Tamers: Hakai to Konran Futatabi)

"Ken!" yelled Davis, who was shocked to see a black aura around Ken.

"Davis…that voice…!" Veemon said in shock. "It's…it's his voice…!"

"Whose voice?!" Davis began to ask, when it suddenly came to him. The Dark Spore, the black mist from Cyberdramon, and Monodramon having Millenniummon's data inside of him…

"It can't be…" the goggled boy said in shock.

"What can't be?!" asked Takato. "What's going on?!" The aura around Ken faded, and everybody yelled in surprise when he saw he was in his Digimon Emperor clothes.

"K…Ken…?" Yolei asked cautiously, slowly approaching the boy.

"Yolei! Get away from him!" shouted Ryo, his face one of panic. "I don't think that's Ken anymore!"

"Correct, Ryo," Ken said, but his voice sounded deeper than before, and when his eyes opened, they could see they were glowing blood-red, even through the glasses. "I'm finally back…after all of these years!"

"Who are you?!" asked Cody. The being that was Ken chuckled before answering.

"I am the true evil, the mastermind of the Dark Spores! I am Ryo's partner Digimon…I am Millenniummon."

(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Nante Tsuyoi Teki Nan da!)

"Millenniummon?!" Tai yelled as everybody had looks of shock on their faces.

"That's impossible!" gasped Izzy. "Ryo said Monodramon had absorbed Millenniummon's data! How can it be in Ken's body?!"

"Isn't it obvious, Izzy?" Millenniummon asked with a cruel chuckle. "Anything is possible in the Digital World. It is true. Monodramon had absorbed my data during our final clash all of those years ago, but I was not one to go so easily. With my powers of time travel, I was able to see how my final stand against Ryo, Ken and Davis would go, so during our final battle,I planted a Dark Spore inside of Ken before I left this dimension with Ryo, in the hopes that he would continue my legacy one day. Since the Dark Spore was an extension of myself, I could see everything Ken did, and it made me proud to see him bring darkness to the Digital World." The dark Digimon let out a loud laugh before continuing.

"But I wasn't content with merely watching. I wanted to act again, so I attempted to control Ryo's partner several times so I could conquer the Tamers' dimension, but it wasn't easy. He was truly a strong Digimon, able to suppress my control, but that didn't mean I wasn't able to make him go berserk now and then, or see everything that Monodramon saw. But shortly after the Tamers' partners returned from the Digital World, I began feeling something back in this dimension, and I knew it was my Dark Spore reacting inside Ken, turning him into the Digimon Emperor. And it enabled me to make Ryo's partner's outbursts more frequent. I knew Ryo would let his worries for Ken and his desire to help the Digidestined again take control of all his other thoughts, so I waited and I watched as the Tamers traveled here. Once we arrived, I intended to take control over Monodramon temporarily so I could find Ken and take over his body. That last battle disrupted my data badly that I'm unable to hold my current form for long, so I needed a host that wasn't as strong as Monodramon."

"You needed Ken," Angewomon growled, "since he had your Dark Spore."

"Correct!" Millenniummon laughed. "But the travel here caused my influence to be suppressed again, and I had to find another way. But then, when Cyberdramon grabbed Ken during your battle with MetalGreymon, the Dark Spore in Ken's neck reacted to my data, and I awoke again, stronger than before. I buried myself back in Monodramon's mind so Ryo wouldn't worry so much, but the damage was already done. All I needed was for the right opportunity to take over Cyberdramon temporarily so I could make physical contact with Ken and take his body over. Then today came…"

"…and you decided to take over Ken's body when he was feeling sadness and regret over his actions!" snarled Cody. "You fiend! Have you no honor?!"

"Do you?" Millenniummon asked, causing Cody to growl angrily.

"Damn you, Millenniummon!" TK yelled angrily. "Get out of Ken's body!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that just yet," said Millenniummon, an evil smirk on his lips. "I have need of a host body, but don't worry…I won't hurt Ken…much."

"You…!" Davis yelled as he pulled out his D-3, but Millenniummon acted faster. Raising his hands in the air, a dark blast of energy flew from Millenniummon's body and hit all of the Digidestined and the Tamers, sending them flying off the ground and knocking them unconscious. When the dust settled, all of the humans lay out cold on the desert floor, their exhausted Digimon reverting to the In-Training level: the older children's partners Koromon, Tsunomon, Yokomon, Motimon, Tanemon and Bukamon, the younger children's partners DemiVeemon, Tokomon, Nyaromon, Poromon and Upamon, and the Tamers' partners Gigimon, Gummymon, Kokomon, Hopmon, Kapurimon, Tsunomon and Bukamon. But Millenniummmon's gaze was on Ryo and Hopmon, as well as Calumon.

"Ah…they'll do." Millenniummon chuckled and walked over to the three, grabbing Ryo by the collar of his shirt, and trapping the two small Digimon in a small dark orb.

"Now, back to base," the evil Digimon said, turning around to leave when a gunshot was heard and two bullets flew past him. Turning to where the bullets flew by, Millenniummon saw Baalmon and Taomon standing off to the side, their weapons drawn and their Tamers standing ready with their D-Arks. None of them had injuries on their body, which made it clear to Millenniummon that the two Digimon must have been able to shield themselves and their partners when he released the dark energy.

(Play Digimon Adventure: Taiketsu)

"Millenniummon. Release them now!" Taomon said threatingly.

"Or else," said Baalmon, his sword and gun drawn out.

"I don't think so," laughed Millenniummon. "I have need of Calumon, and I want Ryo and Hopmon to watch as I destroy everything and everybody they love."

"Then we'll take them back by force!" Baalmon ran forward and leaped up with his sword drawn out. Before he could strike, a dark smoke covered Millenniummon and his new prisoners, and they completely faded away, leaving only sand for Baalmon to stab. The only thing that remained where they stood was Ken's D-3 and Crest of Kindness.

"No!" screamed Rika. "Get back here!" The red-haired girl ran to where Millenniummon disappeared, and kicked the sand in anger. Taomon and Baalmon looked at Rika with pity, while Ai and Mako were in shock.

"Did we…just lose?" Ai asked, completely shaken by what happened.

"I'm afraid so," said Baalmon, looking around the torn up desert and laying eyes on the unconscious humans and Digimon.

"Now what do we do?" Mako asked Rika, who was the oldest and more experienced. The red-haired girl looked around the battlefield as well, and could only feel uneasy about everything that had just happened. She picked up Ken's D-3 and Crest and stared at them with great worry.

"For the first time in a long time, Mako…I don't know…"

(Play Days: Aijou to Nichijou TV Size)

END CHAPTER 18

Just when things look like they're going up for the heroes, it comes down again hard. Millenniummon has left Cyberdramon and is now in Ken's body. The only question now is what Millenniummon has planned, and why he took Ryo and Calumon.

Also, Yolei and Cody now have a lot to think about now regarding taking action against Digimon. I figured if anybody was going to rip into them like that, it had to be Rika.

For those wondering how MagnaAngemon was able to hold off a number of Ultimate level Digimon, as well as Gallantmon, keep in mind what was said earlier in the chapter. By having his slaves from the last chapter engage the Digimon partners first, Ken was able to get the Digimon to waste their energy by having them free his slaves, and then he would have MagnaAngemon finish them off. And MangaAngemon was also able to replenish his energy constantly with Magna Antidote, giving him a distinct advantage.

As for Gallantmon, keep in mind he's a Virus attribute fighting a Vaccine attribute in MagnaAngemon, and also, he was still injured from fighting moments ago as WarGrowlmon before merging with Takato, who was also injured due to his bond with Guilmon being high at the Ultimate level, where Takato can feel WarGrowlmon's injuries.

Next time on Digimon Adventure Tamers: Kari's nightmares reach their peak as she is taken to the Dark Ocean, and Jeri is dragged in with her. Davis and Takato lead a rescue mission, where they confront the ruler of the ocean and learn of the Dark World's origins.

Next chapter: The Call of Dagomon

Now that Impmon is back and has reached his Ultimate level, here are the Digivolution lines for the Tamers' partner Digimon

Guilmon-Growlmon-WarGrowlmon-Gallantmon-Gallantmon Crimson Mode

Renamon-Kyubimon-Taomon-Sakuyamon

Terriermon-Gargomon-Rapidmon-MegaGargomon

Monodramon-Strikedramon-Cyberdramon-Justimon

Elecmon-Leomon-GrapLeomon-SaberLeomon

Impmon-Wizardmon-Baalmon-Beelzemon-Beelzemon Blast Mode

Lopmon-Turuiemon-Antylamon-Cherubimon

Kokuwamon-Guardromon-Andromon-HiAndromon

Betamon-Dolphmon-Whamon-MarineAngemon