Digimon Adventure Tamers
Chapter 22
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon
Hello, my friends! I have finally returned after a long hiatus. Before we begin this chapter, I felt the need to address something about this chapter. I know that this was supposed to be the chapter where we would get Shurimon, but after a while typing this, I came to the conclusion that the following chapter would be much too long. I want to start trying to keep these chapters short, so it won't be so time-consuming for most of you to read such long chapters. A few chapters in the future will be longer than most for a special occasion. I promise you, the next chapter we will get Shurimon.
Also, I am aware that my updates haven't been as frequent as before, but I have been distracted by other things, most notably watching the Internet show "Atop the Fourth Wall", hosted by Lewis Lovhaug, known better as Linkara, who reviews comic books. I'd advise you see his show when you can if you haven't. Linkara is very entertaining and funny in his reviews, and he also does storyline segments that are just as entertaining.
I will begin to put more time into this story, as the announcement of the release date for the 20th Anniversary Digimon Adventure movie has just been made recently. The movie comes out next year, which makes no sense to me. If you want to celebrate the anniversary of a franchise, shouldn't it be on the year said anniversary takes place (2019) instead of a complete year after (2020)?
Anyway, with that out of the way, enjoy the chapter, and I promise, Chapter 23 will be out very soon, hopefully before my birthday in two weeks.
(Play The Biggest Dreamer: TV Size)
(Play Digimon Tamers: Avant)
Kidnapping Yolei and taking her to the Digital World, Millenniummon verbally and mentall tortured her by showing her Ken's tragic past and showing her past displays of selfishness and uncaring to others. Though Yolei was dejected, Kazu, Davis and Yolei's family convinced her to be honest with herself and get past her selfishness and not be someone else, just herself. Taking this advice to heart, Yolei now plans to face her future with honesty…
(Play Digimon Tamers: Subtitle 2)
The Swift Warrior! Ninjamon!
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Ankoku no Hohoemi ~Digimon Kaiser no Theme~)
Millenniummon smiled sadistically as he looked down at a Japanese-style village from his perch on an Airdramon. For the last few hours after mentally torturing Yolei, the mad Digimon resumed his conquest of various areas of the Digital World. However, he was no longer taking over every area he laid eyes on, but only in areas that he felt would prove beneficial for him in giving the Digidestined and the Tamers trouble. By doing so, he would be able to continue his other plan without distraction.
"I managed to find one of the two Digimon that remain," Millenniummon said to himself as he continued flying over the village. "But the other one will be most difficult to find. And knowing those children, they'll be close to finding my base soon. I must slow them down long enough…and this village will provide me the Digimon to do so."
"What about me, Lord Millenniummon?" The dark Digimon turned his head to the Digimon riding on Airdramon with him. Standing behind him was a small round Digimon with his top half covered in a red scarf. Chain armor was worn over his arms and legs, and a small sword was strapped to his back. "I imagine you will need me here as well?"
"I do, Ninjamon," replied Millenniummon. "I am counting on you and the Digimon I have chosen to take care of the Digidestined and the Tamers should they come here."
"I will not fail you, Lord Millenniummon," Ninjamon stated with a bow before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
"Oh, you will Ninjamon," Millenniummon whispered with a chuckle. "I'm excited to see how it happens, quite frankly…" Raising his hand in the air, Millenniummon snapped his fingers, and a rumbling sound echoed throughout the village. Moments later, a Control Spire appeared in the middle of the village, inciting panic among the Digimon residing in the village.
"Yes…scream, you little fools, and become part of my army!" Millenniummon laughed maniacally as Dark Rings fell from the top of the Spire and began claiming Digimon. Satisfied with his work, Millenniummon beckoned the Airdramon to take him back to his base so he could continue his search.
"All right guys, thanks for coming," Davis said, looking at everybody in the warehouse. Another day of school had just finished, and the Digidestined and the Tamers were meeting once again. The burgundy-haired boy looked around to see Cody, TK, Kari, Takato, Suzie, Rika, Jeri, Ai, Mako, Joe, Matt, Tai, and Sora sitting in front of him, their Digimon with them. Izzy and Henry sat by him with Jun, a computer in front of them open.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" asked TK.
"Obviously, the usual stuff of destroying Control Spires, but we need to do more than that," said Davis. "We have to track down Millenniummon's base, and I mean it when I say we have to really find it. Last night that maniac actually got into Yolei's bedroom when she was home."
"He WHAT?!" yelled everybody, except Jun.
"Is Yolei all right?!" Cody asked, concern for his friend taking over.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Hirogaru Fuan)
"She's fine," Davis assured his friends. "Millenniummon was using scare tactics on her, and it shook her up a bit."
"Good God," Sora muttered in fear. "To think Yolei was that close to death…"
"What's to stop him from doing the same thing to us?!" Jeri asked, fear coursing through her as well."
"Knowing Millenniummon, he's just trying to scare us and not kill us," said Gatomon. "He'd find killing us in our homes boring, even with his ability to travel through time…limited as it is in Ken's body."
"No…he would want to finish us off in a grand fight, but not without rattling us first," Veemon said with narrowed eyes. "This is his M.O."
"Still, to think he managed to get in Yolei's room…" Kari said, looking around to notice the absence of the lavender-haired girl. Perhaps after what happened last night, Yolei needed some time to herself.
"Millenniummon is obviously planning something big, but there's no telling what it is," said Lopmon.
"Well, whatever it is, it doesn't look like it involves the Control Spires so much," Izzy said, showing the grid map to everybody in the room. "There's not many Control Spires being put up now. Granted, some areas are still being turned black, but not so much when it was just Ken. In fact, only one area was claimed last night." The combined teams looked at the screen to see a blinking red square, indicating a new Control Spire's construction.
"And…that's a good thing, right?" asked Davis. "I mean, the Control Spires mess up the barriers between our worlds, so Millenniummon not putting up Control Spires everywhere means the barriers won't keep getting messed up, right?"
"Maybe, but there's no telling how badly messed up the barriers are by now," said Henry. "This may be a good thing, since he's not putting up Control Spires consistently, only in a few areas, but it's also a bad thing."
"He's probably only focusing now on areas with massive numbers of powerful Digimon," said Izzy. "And what's more, the Dark Spirals don't need to be powered up by Control Spires."
"Plus, Millenniummon can Digivolve any Digimon that serve him now with Calumon, if he so wished," added Renamon.
"We can't keep doing the usual pattern of going to the Digital World, spending a few hours a day destroying the Control Spires, and then return home when we're done," said Tai. "The only way we can truly stop Millenniummon and save our friends is to go to the Digital World…and stay there until we're done."
"What?" Cody and Davis asked in surprise.
(Play Digimon Tamers: Ruki no Theme)
"Tai's right," said Matt. "With how serious things have been turning, we have to step it up. This is something we should have done from the beginning."
"I agree," said Takato. "We have the means, the strength and numbers to fight back against Millenniummon and finish him off for good. But we won't be able to finish him off if we keep going home every night. Bottom line, we set up shop in the Digital World, and we stay there until our work there is done."
"Well said, goggle-head," said Rika. "The sooner we do that, the better."
"How will that be possible?" asked Cody. "There's no telling where we can operate from in the Digital World, and our families could be worried if we don't come home."
"Well, our families know about the Digimon, and they understand," said Tai, referring to himself and the older Digidestined. "And the Tamers are all right, since they're not really from our dimension."
"And our families back home know what's going on, and they understand as well," said Henry.
"Plus, Yolei told her family about the Digimon last night after her confrontation with Millenniummon," added Davis, "and they seem cool about it." He then looked over to his sister. "And even though my sister and Cody's grandfather know about Digimon, I think it would be best if everybody else in our families, that being my parents and Cody's mother, know as well."
"In that case, I propose that we spend the next couple of days telling our families what we plan on doing regarding the Digital World, as well as find our own base of operations in the Digital World," said Izzy. "Once we have everything arranged, we leave for the Digital World."
"And we don't come back until we're done," said Davis. "Are we clear on that?"
"Agreed," voiced everybody.
"I have a question, though," said Suzie. "If we're all going to be in the Digital World, who exactly will be helping us out from here, since Izzy and Henry will be with us?"
"Jun will," Davis answered, gesturing to his sister, who waved to the rest of the team before returning to looking at the computer screen. "She wants to help us out more, and I figured she could serve as tech support from Odaiba."
"And what exactly does the female Tai know about computers?" asked Impmon.
"Female Tai?" asked Tai, an incredulous look on his face. Behind him, Matt, Kari, Sora and Agumon snickered at Impmon's remark.
"Well, you do have the same hairstyle," answered Impmon. "Do you go to the same barber?"
"If we can get back to matters at hand…" Gatomon said, though she was smirking as well.
"I had Yolei show her most of the Digital grid map last night," answered Davis, getting back on subject. "And before you guys came in, Izzy and Henry showed her the rest of the works, so she pretty much has everything memorized."
"So, with that being said, where are we going today, and what teams will be splitting up into today?" asked Takato.
"If I may make a suggestion…" Jun piped up, getting everybody's attention. "While you were all talking about what you plan on doing in the next few days, I got some sort of distress signal from a place called…" the burgundy-haired girl paused to look at the map for verification. "…Little…Edo."
"Little Edo?" asked Kari. "What's that?"
"I know what it is!" said Takato. "It was a settlement in the Digital World that was seen in the show. Little Edo's houses and structure is similar to Japan from the Edo period."
"I guess that would explain the name…" Izzy muttered. "Jun, who sent the signal?"
"Uh, let's see…" Jun looked at the screen again to see the receiver's name. "A…Gekomon. The message says, 'Digidestined, please come if you are able to get this message. The Digimon Emperor has placed a Control Spire in our village and has sent several Digimon to overtake it. Please help us again as you have before in the past.'"
"Again?!" Tai asked in surprise. "That means the message came from our Gekomon friends!"
"Good grief, can't those guys catch a break?!" asked Gomamon. "I mean, seriously! What is it with evil Digimon picking on the Gekomon?!"
"That's the way it is with dark Digimon Gomamon," Elecmon said gravelly. "They enjoy picking on those who can't defend themselves, like the Gekomon."
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Adventure Heart ~Daisuke no Theme #2~)
"Well, if the Gekomon need our help again, then I'm going!" said Davis. "Ai, Mako, Rika, Kari, Suzie, Cody, TK! You're with me."
"We'll take our own areas as well," said Tai. "I'll take Matt, Izzy and Henry. Sora, Jeri, and Joe, you're with Takato."
"I gotcha, Tai!" Takato stated, holding up his D-Ark.
"Hang on a second, we're several people short!" said Terriermon. "Where are Kazu and Kenta at?"
"Yeah, and where's Yolei?" asked Cody. "And Mimi?"
"They…have their own thing going on right now," said Davis. "Yolei was still a little shaken up from her confrontation with Millenniummon last night, and she really regretted her actions during our missions yesterday, so she didn't feel like seeing everybody right now. So, Mimi and Kazu decided to take her around some Control Spire-free areas in the Digital World, and Kenta tagged along."
"Speaking of Yolei, we're not going to have worry about another…incident regarding her, are we?" asked Suzie.
"I doubt it," said Davis. "When I talked with Yolei last night, she seemed to really regret her actions. Plus, she also had a talk with Kazu that made her realize her mistakes."
"I wouldn't be all that surprised," said Takato. "An incident similar to Yolei's incident yesterday happened to Kazu three months ago in our dimension. It really made Kazu grow up a little and mature."
"So hopefully, Kazu managed to talk some sense in Yolei," voiced Rika.
"Well, it sounded like he did," piped up Veemon. "Anyway, we should probably get going now. The Gekomon and the Otamamon need our help!"
"You're right, Veemon!" Davis agreed, pulling out his D-3. "Jun, open up the Digital Gate program."
"Already done," Jun responded, turning the computer around so everybody was looking at it. "Just say the words!"
"Digital Gate, open!" At Davis's command, the Digital Gate opened, allowing the burgundy-haired boy and his team to go through the gate. Moments later, Takato and Henry performed the same action, allowing their own teams to enter the Digital World.
"Good luck, guys…" Jun whispered to herself, slight worry for her brother and friends overcoming her.
In Little Edo, a lone Gekomon ran down the streets as fast as his little legs could carry him to the palace where his sleeping lord resided. He had not expected Millenniummon to get this far in the Digital World, but now a Control Spire stood in the city of the village. Gekomon had already managed to send a message to his old friends the Digidestined, and now he needed to inform ShogunGekomon.
"Lord ShogunGekomon!" Gekomon yelled, entering the palace and running into the room where the giant red frog slept. "Lord ShogunGekomon, please wake up! We have a very terrible situation! Wake up! It's an emergency!"
"E…mer…gen…cy?" ShogunGekomon groaned, yellow eyes opening slowly. "What…"
"Millenniummon! He's placed a Control Spire in our village!"
"HE DID WHAT?!" ShogunGekomon roared, now fully awake and sitting up. The red frog pulled a purple rope near him, opening up the ceiling above him and Gekomon. The bed rose up in the air, giving ShogunGekomon a better view of the village…and the Control Spire in the distance.
"I don't believe it!" ShogunGekomon panicked. "This means he has managed to get this far! How could this have happened?!"
"I don't know, but it's just like the one from the Night Forest!" Gekomon replied, looking at the Control Spire through a telescope.
"The Night Forest?!" ShogunGekomon yelled, remembering that day. "Darn it all! Can't these evil Digimon just leave us alone already?!" Gekomon had no answer, as he looked out at the Control Spire with fear and apprehension.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Sweet Innocent ~Mimi no Theme~)
In another area in the Digital World, Yolei, Mimi, Kazu and Kenta were walking around with their partners, taking in the beauty of everything around them. The area they were in was a lush valley with trees around it, and in the middle of it was a moon-shaped lake. Yolei sighed deeply as she walked around. After all the crazy stuff that had been happening to her the last few days, especially yesterday, she needed to take a small break away from it all, with Kazu and Mimi agreeing with her, and Kenta agreeing as well.
"I must say…this area's very luscious," Hawkmon said, breathing in the fresh air.
"You said it," Palmon agreed, her feet buried in the ground to absorb nutrients. "It's been a while since I've buried my roots in soil this good! And it's a good thing too, because I was getting really hungry!"
"Speaking of hungry, is there any chance we can get something to eat?" asked Betamon. "I'm starving here!"
"Yes, some food wouldn't be much of a problem at all," said Hawkmon.
"Agh, I knew I should have packed some more snacks," said Yolei, holding her own stomach. "I'm getting hungry as well."
"Same here," said Mimi, with Kenta agreeing as well while Kazu walked off from the group. Kokuwamon said nothing, as his robotic nature meant he was unable to become hungry. "I wonder if there's any safe food nearby that we can eat…"
"We don't have to worry about finding food!" Kazu called out from the ledge on a nearby cliff. "Because I just found a good place to eat!"
"Where?" Yolei asked, walking over with the rest of the group. Once they reached the cliff ledge, Kazu pointed down below, and everybody's gaze went down to see a small white building near the lake.
"Right there," answered Kazu. "It's a restaurant."
"Oh, great!" Mimi said in relief. "And I think we can be able to pay for whatever we eat, if we pool it all together."
"Then let's go!" said Yolei, who was already running down the hill with Hawkmon, Betamon and Palmon.
"Hey, wait for me!" Mimi called, following close by. Kazu, Kenta and Kokuwamon followed at a slower pace so the two boys could talk to each other.
"Kazu, is that…"
"Yep, that's Digitamamon's diner," Kazu said with a nod and a small smile. "After everything that went down yesterday with Yolei, I think it's time."
"So, how is this going to work?" asked Kenta. "Will it be the same or…"
"We just have to wait and see," Kazu answered before picking up the pace to catch up with Mimi and Yolei. As the group reached the restaurant, they could hear crashing noises and loud screams from inside, making them stop short.
"Okay, that doesn't sound good at all," Palmon observed.
"Yes," said Hawkmon. "Perhaps it would be best if we find somewhere else for us to eat…"
"AND STAY OUT!" an angry voice yelled from inside the restaurant. A second later, the doors flew open, and two Digimon, one looking like a stuffed doll with a pumpkin-shaped head, and the other looking like a giant flesh ball with facial hair and sunglasses, were sent flying out of the restaurant by a black mass that made them crash on the ground. A third Digimon, who was about as tall as Hawkmon, Palmon and Kokuwamon, and looked like a giant white egg with yellow eyes peeking out of a crack in the middle and two green legs jutting out from underneath, stomped out of the restaurant with his eyes lowered in a glare.
"The next time you two want to get wasted and wreck everything you see, don't do it in my place!"
"Aw, thhaddup!" the flesh ball Digimon, known as Nanimon, said with slurred speech. The small Digimon staggered to his feet. "You juthht…are no fun…"
"Yeah!" said the pumkin-headed Digimon, known as Pumpkinmon. Like Nanimon, Pumpkinmon was staggering on his feet, his speech was slurred, and a strong odor from the two of them. "That thake…isth…stho…good!"
"Yeah, another round!" Nanimon spun around as he raised his finger in the air, before collapsing.
"You two have had enough!" said the egg-shaped Digimon. "Now get out of here!"
"All right, all right!" Pumpkinmon said, walking away clumsily, Nanimon following close by.
"Rotten little ingrates…" the egg Digimon grumbled as he walked back into the restaurant. Yolei looked at the scene with slight worry.
"Um…maybe we should find somewhere else to eat. If that's the owner, I don't think I want to eat at his restaurant."
"Relax, it doesn't seem that bad," said Kenta. "Pumpkinmon and Nanimon were obviously drunk and they made a mess in Digitamamon's diner. Digitamamon just did what any other restaurant owner would do."
"Yeah," said Kazu. "Jeri's dad owns a restaurant, and I've seen him deal with several drunkards like that when they're really being uncooperative."
"Did you say Digitamamon?" asked Mimi, a finger on her cheek as she was trying to recall something. "I think I've heard that name before…"
"Maybe you heard it from Matt and Joe," Kazu suggested, making Mimi remember.
"Oh! That's right, Joe told me about him! Digitamamon was a Digimon who owned a restaurant, and he was a bit of a rotten egg…pardon the pun."
"Wait, this Digitamamon is a bad guy?" Yolei asked, looking at the restaurant warily.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Iya na Yokan)
"From what Joe told me, yes," said Mimi. "During our first adventures in the Digital World, we ended up separating at one point when Tai disappeared after our fight with Etemon, and Joe ended up here." Mimi gestured to the restaurant.
"Yeah, I remember that," said Kazu. "Old egghead was taking bribes from Myotismon's lackey DemiDevimon to keep Joe working for a long time, and he also did the same for Matt when Matt showed up here."
"I see," Yolei said, an uneasy look on her face. "In that case, let me repeat what I said before: Perhaps it would be best to eat somewhere else than at a restaurant that's owned by a bad guy."
"Yolei, relax," said Kazu. "I highly doubt Digitamamon's that bad anymore. We just have to make sure we have the proper money, or he gets mad."
"What's the proper money?" asked Yolei.
"I think it was American money, from what Joe told me," said Mimi, "but maybe we should ask him what kind of money he takes before we eat here. If he takes Japanese yen now, then we can eat here. If he doesn't, then we'll leave."
"Well, all right," Yolei said reluctantly, and the group of eight walked into the restaurant, where they saw Digitamamon grumbling angrily to himself as he looked over several wrecked chairs and tables.
(Play Digimon Tamers: Umin-chu)
"Stupid, rotten little…I swear I…"
"Excuse me!" Mimi called out to get Digitamamon's attention. The white-egged Digimon turned around, and blinked in surprise at the new patrons in his restaurant before speaking.
"Oh! Hello there! I take it you're here to eat?"
"Well, sort of," said Kenta. "What currency to you take?"
"Pardon?" asked Digitamamon.
"Money," replied Kokuwamon. "What money do you take?"
"Oh! That!" Digitamamon said with an embarrassed chuckle. "Well, I take American money, but after a, well…an incident four years ago, I started taking Japanese yen as well."
"Okay, because we have Japanese yen, and there's no telling if it was any good," said Kazu.
"Well, it's good here," said Digitamamon, "as long as you have enough to pay for whatever you're eating."
"I think we do," said Mimi.
"Then sit down!" Digitamamon said cheerfully, gesturing to some non-damaged booths. "These booths are still intact."
"Thank you," everybody said, though Yolei was still uneasy about Digitamamon, given what she was just told about him moments ago. Kazu and Kenta took one booth for themselves, Kokuwamon and Betamon, while Mimi and Yolei claimed their own for themselves, Palmon and Hawkmon.
'He doesn't seem that bad, I guess…' she thought as she looked at the menu in front of her. 'And the food that he has on these menus doesn't look bad. Still, I feel uneasy about this…'
In the village of Little Edo, a television set that rested on the porch of a house glowed brightly, spitting out eight children and seven Digimon, all of whom managed to land on their feet.
"Well, that certainly went better than the last few trips," Impmon said. "At least I don't have anybody's shoulders digging in my sensitive areas."
"Yeah, considering the number of times we've been going through the Digital Gate now, we can definitely expect this sort of thing and not end up in a big pile," said Patamon.
"So, this is Little Edo," Veemon said, looking around the village.
"It really does look like an old Japanese village," Cody said as he saw something in the distance that was very familiar, "and there's the Control Spire over there!"
"Millenniummon really has taken this area," Davis said gravelly, before getting a determined look in his eyes. "But not for long. Let's go, guys!"
"Hold it," Renamon's voice cut through the air. The yellow fox stood rigid, her head turning sharply from left to right with her eyes narrowed.
"Renamon, what is it?" asked Armadillomon. Renamon said nothing for a moment before looking down at Armadillomon and speaking with an ominous tone in her voice.
"We are not alone…I sense Digimon in all directions…"
"Yeah, I can feel it as well," said Impmon, eyes narrowed as well. Lopmon nodded, sensing danger coming close.
"Okay, where are…" Davis began to ask, when he saw numerous pairs of red eyes peeking out from barrels, houses, and even a small lake nearby. "Uh oh…" After a few tense moments, a number of Floramon and Mushroomon, all of them wearing Dark Rings, burst out of their hiding spots and surrounded the Digidestined and Tamers.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Kyoufu no Ashiato)
"This is Millenniummon's forces?" asked Suzie skeptically. "Rookie level Digimon?!"
"They may be Rookies, but their numbers are great," said Gatomon. "Don't take them lightly!"
"We usually don't!" said Rika. "Renamon, get ready to Digivolve!" The red-haired girl began to pull out her Digivolution card when the Floramon and Mushroomon began attacking.
"RAIN OF POLLEN!"
"FUNGUS CRUSHER!"
"Incoming!" Lopmon warned, seeing the cloud of pollen and the soaring mushrooms fly towards her and the others. At the close proximity, it would be nigh-impossible for them to dodge the incoming attacks. Fortunately, Impmon acted much faster.
"PILLAR OF FIRE!" As Impmon raised his arms in the air, the ground around the Digidestined and Tamers cracked open, making a wall of fire appear around them for protection, making the pollen burn away to nothingness and the mushrooms to explode harmlessly. The Floramon and Mushroomon closest to the children backed away from the flames, careful not to get burned.
"Now would be a good time to Digivolve!" said Impmon. "I can't hold this fire barrier all day!"
"We're on it!" Davis immediately pulled out his D3 and D-Terminal. "Veemon, let's Armor Digivolve!"
"I'm on it, Davis!"
"Patamon, Digivolve normally!" said TK. "Angemon will be able to move around better than Pegasusmon!"
"Here we go!" said Suzie.
(Play Digimon: SLASH!)
"DIGI-MODIFY! DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVATE!"
(Play Digimon: EVO)
"RENAMON DIGIVOLVE TOOO…KYUBIMON!"
"LOPMON DIGIVOLVE TOOO…TURUIEMON!"
"DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!"
"VEEMON ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TOOO…BLAZING COURAGE, FLAMEDRAMON!"
"ARMADILLOMON ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TOOO…STEEL KNOWLEDGE, DIGMON!"
"PATAMON DIGIVOLVE TOOO…ANGEMON!"
"Now, Impmon!" At Gatomon's word, Impmon dropped his arms, making the barrier of fire dissipate and allowing the Digivolved Digimon to strike at the Floramon and Mushroomon, who yelled in surprise at the sudden attacks.
"Digmon, Turuiemon! Get to the Control Spire and wreck it!" Davis called out. "We've got these guys here!"
"We got it!" said Suzie, settling in Turuiemon's arms before the rabbit Digimon began leaping and jumping for the black tower.
"Don't worry Davis, you can count on us!" Cody called from his place on Digmon's back as the yellow insect Digimon took flight. As the two Digimon advanced for the Control Spire, their actions were watched closely by Ninjamon, hidden in plain sight thanks to camouflage.
'I think not, children!' the red-clothed Digimon thought to himself as he snuck behind closely.
"We're coming up close on the Control Spire!" Turuiemon said after a few minutes of jumping on buildings and avoiding Digimon attacks. The rabbit's sharp eyesight and hearing enabled her to avoid any incoming threats on her, despite having her partner in her arms, and was also able to slice through several Dark Rings with one hand whenever she saw an enslaved Digimon on the same rooftop as her. Likewise, Digmon and Cody provided air support, the former shooting his Gold Rush attack at large groups of Digimon and making them run off.
"I have to say, this may be one of the easiest Control Spires we've had to get so far!" said Digmon, landing in front of the black tower with Turuiemon. Cody slid off his partner's back and looked up at the tower with Suzie.
"That is true…" Cody said, a little uneasy about Digmon's statement. "The Digimon we've encountered so far here aren't inherently strong…"
"Do you think something's not right about this?" asked Suzie, realizing Cody's suspicions.
"Yeah…" Cody said, looking around the surrounding area carefully, Turuiemon mimicking his actions. "I think there may be a very strong Digimon somewhere around here…"
Turuiemon knew Cody was right about another Digimon being here. Though it wasn't a strong Digimon, she could sense that the Digimon around here could prove a problem…
And then she saw it. It was fast, but her eyes managed to catch a flash of red and black, as well a something shining off the sunlight and moving fast…
"GET DOWN!" The martial artist ran forward, pushing Cody and Suzie to the ground and covering them with her body. A swishing sound was heard from overhead, followed by a thunk.
"Turuiemon, what was that about?" Suzie asked her partner once Turuiemon moved off her and Cody. Turuiemon said nothing, but merely pointed to something behind them. Turning around, Cody and Suzie were surprised to see a sharp metal object with four points lodged on a house porch.
"A giant shuriken?" asked Cody. "Where did that come from?"
"That would be me!" Looking up to where they heard the voice, Cody and Suzie's eyes fell on a piece of tree bark, actually a blanket, being flung away, revealing Ninjamon.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Kuroi Inbou)
"I'm impressed," the small Digimon said with a chuckle, leaping on a rooftop. "Not many people are able to evade my deadly shuriken. You might just be a worthy opponent, Turuiemon."
"Who the heck are you?!" asked Digimon. Ninjamon merely smirked at the insect Digimon, and Suzie answered Digmon's question by looking up their attacker with her D-Arc.
"Ninjamon. Mutant type Vaccine Digimon, Champion level. He's a master of espionage, and is skilled in the ways of Iga-style ninjutsu. His special attack, Ninja Knife Throwing, is a giant shuriken."
"So, you know of me!" Ninjamon said as he disappeared in a blur of red, appearing a split second later between the Control Spire and the two children. "And Lord Millenniummon has told me about you, Digidestined…and Digimon Tamer."
"We're flattered," said Suzie. "Cody, take care of the Control Spire. This guy seems to want a piece of Turuiemon, so we'll give him it and break his Dark Ring off."
"That sounds like a good plan, but there's a small problem with that," said Ninjamon.
"Yeah, and what's that?" asked Digmon.
"What made you think I was wearing a Dark Ring?" Ninjamon asked with a smirk, making his four opponents back up slightly and take a better look at him. Now that they did, they noticed that while Ninjamon's eyes were red, they were a natural color, and not the blood red color that indicated a Dark Ring on him. And looking closer…
"He doesn't have a Dark Ring on him!" Cody gasped in shock. "But…why is he working for Millenniummon if he's not being controlled?"
"You naïve little boy," Ninjamon chuckled again. "Do you really think all Digimon are good-hearted and can be controlled by darkness? Of course not! Some of us actually agree with Millenniummon's views on the Digital World, and we work with him of our own free will."
"But why?" Cody asked again, shocked at this revelation.
"Well, some of us can make a little money from working with Millenniummon, while others want a little power of their own. As for me, Lord Millenniummon told me that the Digidestined and the Tamers could provide me with a worthy battle."
(Play Digimon Tamers: Theme Action)
"I think you'll find me to be a worthy battle!" Turuiemon declared, leaping up in the air. "NINJA FIST!" The purple rabbit shot down like a rocket, her fist aimed for Ninjamon. At the last second, Ninjamon vanished in a puff of smoke, causing Turuiemon to hit only the ground.
"Where did he go?!" Digmon asked, his drills aiming in different directions.
"Don't worry about him, Digmon!" said Turuiemon. "I'll take care of Ninjamon! Go for the Control Spire, now!"
"NINJA KNIFE THROWING!" Ninjamon's voice rang out and another giant shuriken flew in, slicing Digmon in the chest and knocking him on his back with a yell.
"AGH!"
"Digmon!" Cody yelled in concern.
"I'm all right, Cody!" Digmon insisted, standing back up and showing the scratch on his chest. "My armor was able to take the brunt of it!"
"Let's see our well your armor holds out against this!" Ninjamon declared, appearing again in front of Digimon and Turuiemon and bringing his hands together. "IGA-STYLE SHADOW CLONE!" The next thing the two Digimon knew, eleven more Ninjamon appeared, surrounding them in a circle and running around.
"IGA-STYLE SWORD DRAW!" The twelve Ninjamon drew their swords out, and began attacking Digmon and Turuiemon, slashing at them at fast speeds.
"Come on!" said Suzie, not pleased with this. "I don't need this now!"
"We have to find a way to keep Ninjamon's attention on Turuiemon so Digmon can take out the Spire," said Cody, "and we need to find it fast!"
(Play Digimon Adventure: Shuugeki! Soshite…)
"FLAMING FIST!" Flamedramon leapt into the air and punched his arms out rapidly, raining fireballs down on the Floramon and Mushroomon. The plant Digimon yelled in pain from the fire attack and collapsed, their Dark Rings shattering. Despite the large number of Rookie level Digimon, the more experienced Digimon partners were able to hold their own with ease.
"SUMMON…ICE!"
"HEAVEN'S KNUCKLE!"
Impmon and Angemon were teaming up their attacks, the former freezing attacking Digimon with his ice attacks, strengthened by his partners, and the latter blasting them away with his energy attack while smacking those that got too close with his staff. Nearby, Gatomon engaged others in hand-to-hand combat, knocking them down with her Lightning Paw and shattering Dark Rings by smacking them with her tail ring.
"RAIN OF POLLEN!" Gatomon turned around at the voice to see a Floramon charging for her, but the white cat stood still and glared at her, her blue eyes flashing violet.
"CAT'S EYE HYPNOTISM!" The Floramon stopped when she saw the glowing eyes and held her arms up in the air, causing the pollen to fly in the air and fall on top of her.
"I quit…" Floramon said, suddenly feeling tired. "I'm so tired…time for a nap."
"FOX TAIL INFERNO!" With help from a Targeting card slashed by Rika, Kyubimon was able to control the fireballs from her tails with better ease than usual, careful to only hit the enslaved Digimon and free them from the Dark Rings, and also careful to not hit any of the buildings or her friends.
"It's going good, guys!" Davis said when he heard angry yelling. Turning around, the burgundy-haired boy yelled in surprise seeing more Floramon and Mushroomon running towards them.
"Damn it! Where are all these guys coming from?!" asked Impmon.
"Davis, let's switch it up!" Flamedramon said, reverting to Veemon.
"All right!" said Davis, turning to the twin Tamers. "Ai, Mako! Digivolve Impmon!"
"We're ready!" Ai said, D-Arc and card in hand.
(Play Digimon: Break Up!)
"Here we go!" said Davis. "DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!"
"VEEMON ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TOOO…THUNDERING FRIENDSHIP, RAIDRAMON!"
"DIGI-MODIFY! DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVATE!"
"IMPMON DIGIVOLVE TOOO…WIZARDMON!"
"Combine your electric attacks!" Davis called out. Raidramon and Wizardmon nodded as the former's lightning-shaped horn began crackling with electricity, and the latter's staff began charging up with magic lightning.
"Now!" said Wizardmon. "THUNDER CLOUD!"
"LIGHTNING BLADE!"
The two electric-based attacks flew forward and combined, creating a giant ball of electricity that collided with the brainwashed Digimon. The lightning arced throughout all the Dark Rings, overloading them and making them explode, freeing the Floramon and Mushroomon.
"Nice work!" Raidramon complimented Wizardmon. "Not a scratch on us so far, huh?"
"Don't get cocky!" called out Kyubimon, who smacked a Floramon away with her tails. "There's still more of them!"
"What's taking Cody and Suzie so long?!" Mako asked, looking at the distant black tower.
"IGA-STYLE SWORD DRAW!" Ninjamon and his copies, still running circles around Digmon and Turuiemon, continued slashing away at the two Digimon, forcing them on their knees.
"Digmon, are you okay?!" Cody called out.
"Yeah, but I don't think…I can hold out…much longer!" said Digmon.
"Suzie, I think we need to even things up!" Turuiemon said, deflecting several strikes with her clawed gauntlets.
"Yeah, you're right," Suzie replied, pulling out two cards, "and these two should give us the edge! DIGI-MODIFY! ALIAS ACTIVATE!" With the swipe of the first card, a second Turuiemon appeared right next to the first one, and began striking back at the Ninjamon duplicates.
"And for the next trick…" Suzie swiped the second card through. "DIGI-MODIFY! HIGH-SPEED PLUG-IN B!" The next thing anyone knew, the two Turuiemons began moving at fast speeds, intercepting the twelve Ninjamon duplicates and slicing through them. Eleven of the clones fell to the ground in piles of straw and torn cloth, with the real one being knocked to the ground.
"Your duplicates won't be able to help you out, Ninjamon!" Turuiemon declared, her duplicate fading away once it fulfilled its purpose.
"Perhaps, but regardless, I believe you'll still find me a challenge!" Ninjamon said, drawing his sword and charging for Turuiemon. The two Digimon leapt into the air and began engaging in a tense fight. Ninjamon threw a few jabs at Turuiemon with his sword, but Turuiemon countered each strike with her claws before swinging her leg around and sending Ninjamon down to a roof with a kick.
"NINJA KNIFE THROWING!" Ninjamon threw another shuriken that Turuiemon deflected with a kick before landing on the rooftop, her claws creating sparks with every strike it made with Ninjamon's sword.
"You fight well, Turuiemon, but do not think you can defeat me easily. I am one of Lord Millenniummon's most skilled assassins!"
"Big whoop!" Suzie called out. "My partner is a Deva, a servant of the Digimon Sovereigns!"
"What?!" Ninjamon exclaimed in surprise. Turuiemon capitalized on the distraction, forcing Ninjamon back with a push before delivering her Ninja Fist, knocking him to the ground with a mighty punch.
"Digmon, don't just stand there!" Turuiemon yelled to the insect Digimon, who was watching the ninja battle in slight awe. "Destroy the Control Spire!"
"Oh! Right!" Digmon yelped, coming back to his senses and turning to the Control Spire. "ROCK CRACKING!" The ground split open in front of the Control Spire, causing the black tower to sway slightly and fall into the crevice, electricity arcing from it.
"GOLD RUSH!" The drills flew forward and slammed into the already-damaged Control Spire, which exploded in a shower of black debris.
"Good work Digmon, that Spire's done for!" Cody praised his partner.
"Yeah, but Ninjamon's another story!" Digmon pointed out, seeing Ninjamon and Turuiemon continue their battle on the rooftops.
"NINJA KNIFE THROWING!" Another shuriken was thrown by Ninjamon, but Turuiemon had picked up Ninjamon's pattern now: Strike first with the sword before finishing off the opponent with a shuriken. Knowing this now, the Deva Digimon knocked the shuriken aside with her claws and jumped towards Ninjamon, raining down punches, kicks and scratches at the small Digimon. Ninjamon attempted to defend himself, but Turuiemon was now pressing on the offense, especially with another speed card from Suzie.
"NINJA CLAW!" Turuiemon's claws flashed brightly in the sunlight as they swung out and made contact with Ninjamon's sword, breaking it in half and knocking Ninjamon flat on the ground.
"G-guh…" Ninjamon groaned as he looked up to see Turuiemon descending on him, claws stretched out.
"It's over for you, Ninjamon!" Turuiemon yelled as she raised her claws, ready to deliver the final blow…
"STOP!" Cody's yell rang throughout the area, causing Turuiemon to stop from attacking and look at the young boy in shock and confusion.
"What?!"
"Cody, what are you doing?!" Suzie asked, seeing Cody's face of fear and anger.
"Turuiemon was going to kill Ninjamon!" said Cody. "You saw what she was doing, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did, and I wasn't going to stop her!" said Suzie. "If he's a servant of Millenniummon, then he has to die!"
"But…we just can't!" Cody said, slightly appalled at killing another living thing, even if they were evil.
"Your compassion for all living beings makes you weak, boy!" Ninjamon spat, regaining his strength and jumping away from Turuiemon. "This was a duel just between the two of us, and you had no right interfering! Mark my words, I will be back, and this will be finished, Turuiemon!"
"Get back here!" Turuiemon ran for Ninjamon with Digmon following, but Ninjamon threw a pellet on the ground in front of him, creating a smokescreen that allowed him to evade capture easily.
"Where did he go?!" asked a perplexed Digmon once the smoke dissipated.
"He got away," said Turuiemon. "And it's highly possible that he's no longer in this village."
"Darn it all, Cody!" Suzie yelled at the boy in anger. "Now look what you've done!" Cody gaped at Suzie in shock and prepared to retort when the rest of the group came running up.
"Hey guys! Good work on destroying the Control Spire!" said Davis.
"That's another area saved from Millenniummon, I guess," Patamon chirped from his place on TK's head.
"Not really," Lopmon said gravelly. "The Control Spire may be destroyed, but the danger has not subsided yet."
"Lopmon, what are you talking about?" asked Renamon. "Did something happen?"
"Yeah, something happened," said Suzie. "We got attacked by a Ninjamon that wasn't wearing a Dark Ring or Dark Spiral. He was working for Millenniummon of his own free will, and he also said that Millenniummon has other Digimon working for him of their own free will. Turuiemon and I were very close to destroying him, but Cody stuck his nose in at the last second, and Ninjamon managed to escape!"
"But…I didn't…"
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Seijaku)
"Yes, you did!" Suzie interrupted Cody. "Turuiemon could have finished off Ninjamon, but you just had to butt in because 'We can't destroy any Digimon at all!' Now Ninjamon will probably bring back even stronger Digimon to raze the village with! How much more damage will be done until you realize some lives have to be taken to save others?! Your father was a police officer, so I thought you could understand that. But clearly, I was wrong." Cody stiffened at Suzie's last remark about his father, and went completely numb, unable to say anything.
"Suzie!" Rika scolded the young girl. "What were you thinking, saying that?!"
"Yeah!" yelled Impmon. "I may insult people a lot, but even I wouldn't go that far!"
"All right, let's calm down!" said Gatomon. "If what Suzie and Lopmon said is true, and Ninjamon is coming back with reinforcements, then we have to prepare for this. Let's see if we can contact the others."
"I already did," said Davis. "But both Tai and Takato's teams are busy. They won't be here for a while."
"Well, maybe if we talked to some of the Digimon around here…" Kari started before a voice rang through the air.
"Digidestined! Thank you, thank you for helping us again!" Turning around, the group saw a Gekomon run up to them with a look of ecstasy on his face. "You freed our village from Millenniummon!"
"Hey, it was nothing Gekomon," said TK. "We're glad to always help you out, but I don't think we're out of danger just yet."
"Well, at least the Control Spire and the Dark Rings are destroyed," said Gekomon. "Now the rest of us can come out of the palace where ShogunGekomon is. Those that were lucky to evade the Dark Rings are holed up in there."
"Hey Gekomon, can you take us to the castle so we can talk to ShogunGekomon?" asked Davis.
"Of course!" Gekomon replied. "Come this way!" As the green frog Digimon led the Digidestined and the Tamers to the palace, Rika looked back to see Suzie looking annoyed, and the red-haired girl was equally annoyed as well. Cody also looked hurt and confused over what Suzie said, and Davis noticed as well.
(Play Digimon Tamers: Kage no Yasashisa)
"So you're the Digidestined," ShogunGekomon said once the children and the Digimon partners were brought before him in his throne room. "I would like to thank you. You have definitely done much for my Gekomon and Otamamon in the past, as well as myself. You have come to our aid before, and it is a relief for you to come to our aid again. I have feared that Millenniummon would come to my kingdom ever since I heard of his return and replacing the Digimon Emperor as a great threat, but I didn't think it would be this soon."
"Do you know where Millenniummon could possibly have gone to after putting a Control Spire here?" asked Davis.
"No, I'm afraid not…" said ShogunGekomon. "He came in the dead of night while all of us were sleeping."
"Another dead end…great…" Veemon muttered.
"Maybe not," said Cody. "Ninjamon escaped and he's coming back with more Digimon to attack the village. If we're able to capture Ninjamon, he might tell us where Millenniummon is."
"He's coming back?!" an Otamamon yelped in shock. "Oh no!"
"I don't want to be a slave again, especially to a psycho like Millenniummon!" a Gekomon cried, tears in his eyes. "Lord ShogunGekomon, what should we do?!"
"At a time like this, I say…" ShogunGekomon grunted to himself, obviously thinking of something with an uneasy expression. Finally, the answer came to him: "We sleep!" The Digidestined and the Tamers could only stare in disbelief as ShogunGekomon dropped on his side and began snoring loudly.
"ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!" yelled Rika, Davis and Impmon, clearly unhappy with the answer.
(Play Digimon Tamers: Kyodai Kuukan)
"The Control Spire…was destroyed?" Millenniummon asked, looking down at Ninjamon with a dark glare. "How did this happen, Ninjamon? I expected better from you. You're said to be one of the most skilled warriors in the Digital World!"
"I…I apologize for my failure…Lord Millenniummon," Ninjamon said, looking up at his master with a nervous expression. "But the Turuiemon partnered to one of the Tamers was extremely tough for me. From what her partner said, she was…a Deva…a servant of the Digimon Sovereigns."
"A Deva, you say?" Millenniummon asked, his anger fading and being replaced with interest. "Ah, yes…I remember now. The Devas are powerful Digimon at the Ultimate level."
"Ultimate level?" asked a confused Ninjamon. "But I only faced her when she was at the Champion level."
"Clearly the reason for that is because you were also at the Champion level, and she wanted to fight you on even ground."
"If that is the case Lord Millenniummon, then she may be worthy after all for me to fight," said Ninjamon. "Please, give me another chance. Let me return to the village. I promise you by the end of the day the village will be destroyed, ShogunGekomon will be under your command, and you will have several less Digidestined to worry about. And I ask that you give me the strength to Digivolve to the Ultimate level, and the Deva will fight me with all her strength then."
"Hmm…" Millenniummon said nothing as he stroked his chin with his hand, deep in thought. After what seemed like an eternity, when it was only a minute, the dark Digimon finally spoke again. "Very well Ninjamon. I shall grant you your request. You should consider yourself lucky that you are being given a second chance. I am not so lenient with other Digimon."
"So, you'll give me the power to Digivolve?" Ninjamon asked in a hopeful tone.
"I shall, but you must get me ShogunGekomon first." Raising his hand, a swirl of dark smoke appeared in Millenniummon's hand before solidifying into a Dark Spiral, which he handed to Ninjamon. "Place this Dark Spiral on ShogunGekomon first, and only then will I provide you the strength to fight the Deva."
"Thank you, Lord Millenniummon," Ninjamon said with a deep bow. "It shall be done."
"And bring Blossomon with you as well," said Millenniummon. "She has been itching for a fight."
"Yes, Lord Millenniummon," Ninjamon said before vanishing in a blur of red. Once he was alone, Millenniummon walked back to his monitor room. After several minutes of searching, he finally found who he was looking for: There, in Little Edo sitting in a room with her partner Lopmon, was Suzie.
"So, this is the one who is partnered to a Deva…" Millenniummon chuckled as he watched the footage. "She could very well be a good one…"
(Play Digimon: Days: Aijou to Nichijou TV Size)
END CHAPTER 22