I do not own anything.


Chapter Twelve: Innsmouth Pt.3

Fear wasn't an emotion TK was alien to, on the contrary he was quite familiar with it. He'd felt it too many times to count during his childhood. Be that as it may there were only a few times he'd felt fear as raw and paralyzing as he did looking at the empowered Control Spire.

Why is now any different? What makes this one different than the rest!? TK questioned as Pegasusmon flew over the structure, dodging every beam and blast coming at them. "God damn it why won't this thing fall!"

'Does it annoy you little TK?"

Human and Digimon alike snapped to their right in horror to find a Phelesmon leisurely flying right alongside them. "Don't worry you won't have to keep worrying about it for much longer. Black Statue!"

TK had had some close calls in the past but he knew that instant was the closest anyone had come to finally ending him. Pegasusmon reacted on instinct more than he did on reason, jetting downward as soon as Phelesmon had called his attack. The black beam grazed TK's raincoat and kept spreading from there onward. With a panicked cry he tore the raincoat off, totally losing his sense of balance. The next thing he knew he'd lost his grip and was falling through the rain.

"TK!" Pegasusmon shouted preparing to dive bomb after him.

"Keep your eyes open you maggot!" Phelesmon cackled. "Demon Shout!"

Helplessness.

It was a feeling TK hated with every ounce of his being. You could say it was a feeling he'd been a slave to all his life. In the time since he was a kid he'd done everything to stave off the feeling, now it had claimed him again at the worst possible time.

Sheets of black and gray rushed past him as he plummeted further and further towards the barely visibly ground. This is it. He thought still wearing a shocked expression on his face. Strange as it was he didn't feel the need to scream his lungs out or try to call for help. The reasons varied from possibly not wanting to try the attention of the countless fiendish Digimon to the darker answer he didn't want to admit. If he screamed he'd alert those that weren't fighting. He'd be an easy kill.

Somewhere inside though TK tried to bit back the answer that had been nagging him ever since he'd laid eyes on the Control Spire.

You can't win this one.

He had no idea where the voice had come from; only that the words ran through his mind with such conviction and coldness that his brain momentarily shut down.

The ground was within view of TK. His death wasn't going to be clean or pretty. In less than thirty minutes the streets had been up torn, broken, and filled to the brim with wreckage. Whatever TK landed on odds were he was going to feel an intense surge of pain before death took him.

THUMP!

Instead of his face he felt his entire left side cry out in pain as something slammed into him with immense force. Immediately afterwards he felt a pair of arms wrap tightly around his waist and a ringing voice in his ear. "Hang on TK!"

"Davis…" TK whispered in an almost dazed voice. The goggle's head voice brought TK back to the world around him just in time to feel the pain of glass cutting into his skin. His hiss in pain was drowned out by Davis's grunting followed by the sound of their bodies rolling against a hard tile floor. Staring at the flickering light above him he became aware of the fact Davis had probably just saved his life. "D-Davis, wha-I…Davis? Davis!"

Blood dripped from the cuts in Davis's right shoulder and back courtesy of the shards of glass lying around him. Moving toward him TK realized he hadn't been spared either though Davis had taken the brunt of fall.

TK could tell the goggle head was in pain but when he saw him he still smiled. "You can't go spacing out on us okay? We still need you!"

Dropping to his knees the bearer of the Crest of Hope felt his throat go dry. This is all my fault. Why did he suddenly get hit with a bout of apathy? Had he been hit by some attack? Did he just suffer a mental breakdown? What the hell is going on here? Is it because of the Control Spire?

BANG! BANG! BOOM! BOOM!

Outside Flamedramon's fireballs collided with almost every Digimon he took aim at. A coat of steam and water vapor had developed around the fire Digimon's body. Like the flames he wielded rage was burning in his heart, rage at having to harm his partner and friend, rage at the destruction caused by this monsters, and rage at having to killed more innocent people than he could count.

Both his feet were alight, being used as rockets. In the past month or so Davis and Flamedramon had been practicing the maneuver. He somewhat enjoyed the fact he was able to test the ability on these heartless fiends.

"Well someone sure seems angry! Is it the rain?" A Boogeymon chuckled as its breather surrounded Flamedramon in midair. "Okay boys now! Ruby Eye!"

Davis and TK watched in awe as the red beams were canceled out by the erupting inferno that was Flamedramon. "Fire Rocket!" First Flamedramon used one arm then his second to unleash a nonstop torrent of fireballs at all the Boogeymon. Their charred bodies fell to the ground in disappearing clumps of data. "TK! Take Davis and get out of that building before it collapses!"

Hooking one arm around him TK and Davis began to make their way down the building; not stop even when they felt the entire structure shake under their feet. Through the pain both boys wore expressions of grief and anger on their faces. Kicking the door open their anger intensified at the sight before them.

The police had arrived however they were little help against the onslaught of demonic Digimon. Cruisers and Swat vans exploded in showers of metal and flames. Most of the drivers didn't have the time to even finish screaming before their lives ended in flashes of red and black. Bullets bounced off a majority of the fiends as they dove towards the officers firing everything they had into them. Some panicked and turned back but they too were either flown into the sky along with their comrades or petrified on the spot.

"This is what you humans elect to protect and serve you? Hahahaha! How pathetic" LadyDevimon shrieked from the Control Spire. "Oh please tell me there's someone stronger than this!"

Davis wasn't one to let an insult slide by. TK didn't feel like stopping him either. "You want the strongest! Come down here and we'll show you!"


Even though the air wasn't Drillmon's normal domain he took to the air as natural as any other flying insect. With Cody nestled safely on his back he powered up all his drills to maximum power and simply blasted through everything in his path. The more Drillmon took down the more they seemed to crowd around him.

Just as horde was closing in on him Drillmon felt fear doing the same to his heart. What if they take Cody? "Cody hold onto me as tight as you can!"

Never had Cody thought of what Digmon did next. At first his stomach could stand it but then as his yellow armored partner continued to speed up things got worse. The world began to turn into one big gray blur. His stomach churned and groaned with every passing second.

Fear worked its way into the black hearts of the Ultimates as the yellow and gray cyclone drilled through their ranks faster than they could blink. Countless energy beams fired off at the cyclone to no avail. After enough of their number had gone down they backed away.

"Spiking Strike!"

A green blur moved through the sky faster than the panic-stricken Digimon could react. One minute they were standing beside their fiends in arms and the next they were watching them explode in chunks of data. A shocked Phelesmon backed away against a building in sheer horror of what he was seeing. A flash of lightning illuminated their attacker.

Stingmon was normally one of the calmer members of the group. Even when things started to go south he usually kept his cool just like his partner. That Stingmon was not the one they were facing now.

The anger and fury that radiated from Stingmon's eyes made the Phelesmon scream in terror moments before he rammed his stinger through the Ultimate's abdomen. Taking off like a jet he plowed through the streets, swiping at everything that came into his line of sight. He had to end this. He had to end it before Ken's condition got worse.

To Ken every sound of terror and destruction seemed magnified. Forget the once pounding rain and thunder, all he could he was chaos. A chaos he'd helped unleash.

Order Ken.

Stingmon thought placing Ken in one of the office buildings would keep him safe. In a sense he was right. The problem was it gave Ken a good view of the carnage unfolding in the city. This has never happened before! We've never had to deal with this much…much insanity!

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

"There's gotta be a way. There's gotta be a way to stop all of this!"

"ARG!"

The next thing Ken knew he was rolling on the ground clutching his head in pain. The pain in his head was replaced when he felt himself being lifted into the air then having his back slammed into the unforgiving floor. Stars danced in his vision. His lungs struggled to take in air. At first Ken thought he was going to pass out from the pain then he felt a pair of hands enclose around his throat. Snapping his eyes open he found taking a breath of air was becoming harder and harder.

A pair of rage-fueled green eyes glared down at him. Insanity danced in the eyes in the same way lightning danced in skies above. Saliva dripped from his snarling mouth. Ken knew he was looking at an animal. An animal that was currently doing its best to strangle the life out of him.

Strength never was Ken's strong suit but now he desperately needed it. He kicked and clawed at the man trying to strangle him. He slapped him, tore some of the skin off his cheeks. Nothing worked.

In that moment one thought kept repeating itself in his mind.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE!

Getting a firm grip on the man's cheeks he dug his thumbs into the man's eyes. He pushed just as much as the man on top of him squeezed. Wheezes began to escape Ken's throat as his air circulation began to get cut off. He pushed more and more.

"Arrrgh!" The man screamed.

Blood began to stain Ken's thumbs while the grip on his throat loosened. Taking the chance he kneed the man as hard as he could. He fell back hands covering his eyes.

Ken scrambled backward, coughing and wheezing. He had to get away. "Stingmon!" The odds of his partner hearing him were slim to none but he needed to someone by his side. "Stingmon! Davis! TK! Kari! Yolei! Cody!" '

A pained snarl answered Ken's cries. Turning his attention back to his attacker he saw an orange aura had encased him. With his bloody eyes and torn clothing he looked like a mad man. With horror Ken realized something about his clothes; they weren't just torn, they had blood on them. Something primal inside of Ken took control of his body. He grabbed the first thing he could get a hold of: a chair.

While the fear pumping through his body was strong he still had enough sense to swing to the left, away from the window. He wasn't a murder.

Well not a human world murder but you've certainly earned quite the record in the Digital World eh?

Bringing the chair down again Ken screamed, "Shut up!" Where was that damn voice!? How could he silence it!? How could he make all of this stop!?

A low growl froze Ken in place before turning to the window to see a DeviDramon staring him down. Dropping the chair Ken felt like collapsing on the spot. The demonic dragon beat him to it. With unnatural precision it thrust its arm through the window, grabbed Ken, and took to the skies again. Too scared to scream he couldn't call for help, only pray his teammates saw him and were able to counter attack.

The DeviDramon ignored the battle raging already it and simply kept on its course to the Control Spire. Planting both its clawed feet on the obelisk's peak it raised Ken high into the air.

To say Ken was terrified would have been an understatement. All he could see was the flashes of lightning and black shapes darting through the rain. At that moment Ken didn't feel like a human being. He felt like a sacrifice. A memory came back to Ken's mind; the memory of when they were fighting MaloMytoismon. Sure it wasn't exactly the same but it was close enough. The only difference was simple; Ken wasn't ready to die.

Some of Digimon began to break off and crowd before the blue haired youth's sight. In the grim skies they looked exactly like the demons and devils they were named after.

Bracing himself Ken resolved not to scream when the end came. He wasn't going to give this things that satisfaction.

"All hail the emperor! Our beloved emperor has returned to us at last! All hail our magnificent emperor!"

Ken couldn't believe the sight before his eyes. They were bowing to him. Bowing.

LadyDevimon quietly took the lead amongst the horde, bowing her head as well. "Forgive me my lord. This was the only way we could get a hold of you. You are safe now."

Before he could speak he felt a cold and brittle feeling rush through his body. It wasn't a scream that left his lips but more like a continuous whisper. Just like with hundreds of thousands of others around the city a bright light engulfed Ken's body before feeding into the Control Spire. What was different was instead of just feeding the wicked creature the obelisk was transferring the energy directly into Ken's mind and body.

The inflow of malefic energy was what made Ken scream and scream he did. "AAAARRRRGH! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO ME!?" Within DeviDramon he kicked and squirmed as the power surged through his body.

LadyDevimon smirked at the boy's pain and suffering. "Why my lord, we are simply returning what those vile children took away from you."

Inside Ken's mind horrid things invaded his mind. It was impossible to discern what they were; all he knew as they were awful, hideous activities and thoughts. There was no shutting it out.

Do you see it Ken? This is what happens when free will is allowed! Is this what you want to doom the world to? Do you see now what happens when a ruler abdicates from his responsibilities? This ever growing tide of horror, filth, and decadence? You can stop all of it!

Oddly the pain was gone. Some part of Ken's mind told him to just accept what the voice was telling him as fact. At least when I was in charge these things were regulated; it was never this bad.

Seeing the genius's struggles cease the devils began to loud out a mad cry as booming as the thunder itself. So loud was their laughter they didn't hear the bestial snarl until it was too late.

"THUNDER BLAST!"


Over the countless millennia mankind has watched the sky few had seen such an event like this one. Such events are usually only recorded during the midst of volcanic eruptions or mentioned during the prehistoric era of Earth. In legends thunder gods such as Zeus, Thor, and Raijin, were known for making their fury known through such events. Never had such a serve thunderstorm been witnessed in the midst of a modern city, especially during the middle of an invasion by Digital lifeforms.

Simultaneously countless bolts of blue, sizzling hot lightning rained from the sky, each bigger at least three meters in thickness and snake like in shape. Every corner of the sky rained down a bolt of azure fury on almost everything within reach. Buildings exploded as the metal frame works overheated and combusted while glass was vaporized on the spot. Drops of rain practically became miniature bombs, exploding on contact. Speaking of rain with the air so moist and everything soaking wet the blast arched off in different directions like cracks spreading through glass.

BOOM!

Bomb like in power and force no one could exactly tell what happened. Eyes of all shapes and sizes were blinded and ears were deafened with such force some thought they'd never be able to hear again. A searing wave of heat rolled over the city, temporarily pushing out the cold air.

Even those living on the outskirts of Tokyo could see the explosion as well as feel the shock wave. What had happened they wondered? Had some kind of bomb gone off? Had one of the monster caused some kind of super explosion? The only thing they knew for certain was the crisis wasn't over. Every man, woman, and child could feel it in their bodies and on the o-zone scented air filling their nostrils.


At the blast sight one wouldn't have been able to believe what they were looking at. The scene was a total disaster. Smoke and steam rose forth in thick columns, mixing together and obscuring any vision one might have had. Small fires burned in the continuing rain every few feet. The ground itself had been broken apart, a crater at least fifteen feet deep and thirty feet wide lay in the center where a street and collection of buildings once stood. Arcs of lightning shot back and forth before fizzling out. A hazy blue tinge seemed to bath everything close to the ground in an azure light.

Scrapes of twisted and red metal lay as far as the eye could see. There were few buildings left standing, only metal shrubs that barely rose above ten feet. Those that were left were mere metal skeletons bent over in the cold rain. Pieces of concrete continued crumbling being the only sound present.

News helicopters had arrived just in time to witness the massive thunderbolt. Anchors from every channel were busy describing the devastation. As much as they wanted to see what the fall out was none of them were foolish enough to move in closer.

Slowly a lone image began to become visible through the darkness.

It was the Control Spire.

As the smoke began to settle it became clear while it had survived the blast it was only one attack away from crumbling.

Cracks were all over the Control Spire, starting from the bottom and stretching to the top. Countless chunks were missing from the black obelisk, having been either annihilated or broken off. Patches of ebony had turned to boiling red and yellow before being cooled by the rain. The same multi-colored aura that had encased the Control Spire was only faintly present, what remained leaking out of the cracks and chunks missing. The fact it was still standing was something of both a shock and horror to onlookers.

There was almost nothing left of the demonic digital horde that had once been parading around the obelisk. Not even whatever Ultimates were present had emerged unscathed from the thunderclap. Only two or three were left among the handful, each only one attack away from oblivion. Having sunken to the edge of the crater was LadyDevimon, curled in pain with arcs of electricity jumping over her burnt skin. Data leaked out of the countless wounds, too numerous for her to count. Her entire left arm and leg were gone. The confident grin she once wore was now replaced with a look of pain and shock. The same could be said for the remainder of her forces.

The DigiDestined were in a similar position although for entirely different reasons. Miraculously none of them had been seriously injured. Maybe it was their partners doing their best to shield them from the damage or Raidramon had some measure of control over the blast.

They all lay on the ground or any surviving rooftops. Every one of them had a shell shocked face. Kari was trembling like a leaf in the wind with Yolei mimicking her. Nefertimon lay behind them, her body twitching nervously. If her face could show it she would have been just as surprised as the two girls. Cody and Digmon were huddled on the ground, both staring at the literal hole in the clouds Davis and Raidramon had just created. Flat on his stomach was TK with Patamon tucked under his arms. Only three feet away from him was Ken, a feint pink aura covering his huddled body and protectively wrapped in Stingmon's arms. The expression his face was ashen. In opposition TK was staring at their leader.

In all the time they'd known each other the dirty blond had never looked at the goggle head with such a startled eyes. Nor did he ever look at him and feel fear consume his heart.

Davis was still standing in the same defiant manner he had before. More surprising was the fact Raidramon remained by his side, having not reverted back to his rookie or in training form. Even a mouse could sense the sheer hostility and hate rolling off the two normally go-lucky friends. Davis's fists had tightened to the point he could barely feel anything, his shoulders remained rigid, and his eyes burned with a hatred that still wasn't clenched. Raidramon was no different than his partner, the only difference being his rage was visible in the still crackling aura of electricity he had around him. His fangs were bared in a snarl so intense it seemed to strike further fear into the hearts of the seven or so remaining fallen angel Digimon.

Collectively everyone prayed he Davis didn't order Raidramon to release another Thunder Blast.

CRICK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Another attack wasn't needed. In less than a minute the obelisk completely broke into pieces. Three devilish Digimon lost the remainder of their strength and exploded into clumps of data at the same time.

An IceDevimon, its body burnt far beyond the point of recovery migerly floated forward. "Y-Y…Y..YOU…YOU LITTE-"

He was able to get off one icicle before Raidramon blasted him into non-existence.

On instinct TK rolled to the side as the icicle flew towards them. It hit the ground between him and Ken who was startled out of his stupor. When he looked into the ice he screamed in horror. TK already knew he didn't want to know what had made Ken so scared. He was having a hard enough time reining in his own fear.

A dark mist enveloped the three remaining dark Digimon without warning. It grew thicker and thicker until it was impossible to see through. In the place where the Control Spire once stood a phantasmal image took shape. Easily standing at twenty feet tall it peered around at the destruction.

Peering at the figure Davis's voice carried over the wind. "DAEMON!"

His attention focused on the maroon haired boy Daemon was silent for a minute before breaking out in maniacal laughter. "That's what always angered me about you DigiDestined. All that power but no means on how to really use it. Expect for you Davis." He snickered. "I always knew you had it in you. That's why you were always one of my favorites."

Raidramon's aura of lightning flared up painting Davis's face blue. He didn't resemble the Davis the DigiDestined knew. "WHERE'S MY SISTER!?"

"Sister?" The Archdemon titled its head to the side. For all he cared Davis could have been pointing a laser cannon had him and he still wouldn't have changed his expression. "Sister, sister, sister. Ah that's right you do have a sister! A little taller than you, lighter hair, a little dumber, completely useless, more clueless than you, has the voice of a harpy, incredibly bitchy, weak, unattractive, and ah yes a whore waiting to bloom. Jun, yes I remember her."

BOOM!

Once again thunder roared as a charged beam of blue lightning erupted from Raidramon. It passed clean through Daemon's image continuing into the buildings beyond him; tearing them a part.

In response Daemon laughed even louder. "That's right Davis! Raidramon! Do you hate me!? Good! Give it all to me! All you hatred and rage; I must say it's been delicious! Always has been! Much better than those of your friends though none of them are exactly my flavor!"

Orange bathed the pair as their friends looked on in horrified awe. They should have said something, done something. None of them could or did.

"It burns you doesn't it?" Daemon smirked. "You had the power yet you couldn't save her. He couldn't save her. I know what you've been thinking Davis." Leaning in closer Davis and Raidramon wished so desperately they could hurt Daemon. "You knew from the start things weren't going to end well. You knew he was going to do something to break her heart! You knew and you didn't do a damn thing!" he bellowed into the sky holding a hand to his head. "It's okay to feel that way! I mean she did get on your nerves right? You always wanted some way to shut her up right? Well I know it wasn't what you had in mind but come on, where's my thank you?"

Davis was about two seconds away from ordering his partner to light the entire place up when the older generation arrived.

Their clothes were just ad dirty, soaked, and torn as the younger generation's was. Upon seeing Daemon's they readied themselves for a fight, but known more so than Matt.

Seeing the dirty blond he let out another bellow of demonic laughter. "Ah and now the wolf has arrived! I could sense you too Matt. Your hate is just as delicious as Davis's, maybe a little more."

"Shut up you robe wearing freak!" Matt yelled. "Just tell us where Jun is!"

Matt's question was drowned out by the demon lord's laughter. With every second that passed the collective DigiDestined felt their hatred for him soar higher and higher. Sadly that was exactly what he wanted.

"Even if I did know what makes you think I'd tell you? Do any of you think it'd be that easy after all you've been through? Even at the end you remain children. Truthfully I'm surprised you actually care. But I wonder…is it genuine concern for her safety or are you just afraid of having a guilty conscious?"

"Shut your mouth! You don't have any idea what it's like to care for someone besides yourself!" Matt roared.

A tense silence descended over the area when Daemon didn't laugh at his response. Red eyes scanned the chosen children as he spoke in a deep, almost belittling tone. "What exactly do you little brats know about me? How do you know I didn't care for someone once? You don't so why don't you shut up about something you'll never understand." His attention focused on Matt once again. "Like I said are you sure you just don't want more guilt on your shoulders? You've carried enough of it for the past eight years."

Several eyes began to focus on Matt who remained silent. Inside he was a maelstrom of emotions. Panic and anger swelled up and manifested on his face. There was no possible way Daemon knew anything about him. It wasn't possible. "You. Don't. Know. A. Thing. About. Me!"

"You just keep telling yourself that pretty boy." He chuckled. "You know I'm not surprised about what you're angry about. It's not about Tai being the leader or his mutual feelings for Sora. Those are exterior." Rising one hand the image manifested a crimson fireball. Though no heat could be felt from it everyone still remained weary when Daemon held it in front of him. "You can fight it all you want but anger eventually always finds a way to the surface. Remember that." Turning his attention back to Davis he let the fireball grow in size. "If you're so desperate to save your pathetic sister than here's a fun thought; try looking at your best friend and that almost as useless girl you spent the longest time fixated on."

Daemon's image faded away once he'd finished leaving the DigiDestined alone in the city.

No one dared speak or move for various reasons. The thunder had stopped yet they could all still feel a pounding and ringing in their ears. For some it came with a knot forming in their chest.

Raidramon finally reverted back to DemiVeemon though there had never been a more sadden look or the in-training level's face. Beside him Davis looked up to the gray sky, his wet hair covering his eyes.

"RRRRRRRAAAAAAAH!"

Collectively everyone winced at the pain filled shout. The younger goggle head fell to his knees; slamming his fists into the ground. Angry tears cascaded down his cheeks. His posture once rigid suddenly came apart, his back hunching as he sobbed his heart out.

Tai had never seen his successor so distraught before. Normally even in the face of the darkest threat Davis never broke under the pressure. That was what he always admired about him. Now though as he flew over on Wargreymon he could see the impossible had been done. He didn't have to think hard about why, he'd been where Davis was before at least twice before.

Once he was by Davis's side he did as his parents had always done for him and he had done for Kari. He pulled Davis into a tight hug and whispered to him they were going to find Jun. The only problem was a little voice in the back of his head told him he was only making things worse.


About two hours had pasted since the battle in the street and most of the DigiDestined had either returned home or gone to Izzy's to regroup. They'd made sure they fled the scene before the authorities showed up.

The battleground had been completely blocked off not just by city police but the nation defense force. News stations from almost every channel and even foreigners had arrived on the scene and began reporting. The site of a traumatic battle had now become a bee hive of human curiosity, paranoia, and fear. Their school and all the surrounding buildings had been closed off as swell due to the destruction and collateral damage caused by the battle. Dozens of citizens were carted away either in handcuffs or strait jackets into white vans and armored cars.

On TV various officials including the Minster of Defense and Prime Minster had come out calling for peace and order. On an international stage there were rumors flying around about the UN calling an emergency meeting to discuss the monster attacks as well as the Control Spires. Almost every nation had been shocked by the attack, but this one, this one had left the biggest impact primarily because it had come to such an abrupt end. In some countries fear and panic had started to become the norm. Doomsday cultist where shouting at last the end had come for mankind. Intelligence agencies were doing everything in their power to find answers, leads, anything that might explain what was happening to the world.

If the international powers knew it would have been a coin toss if they broke out in insane laughter or despair filled weeping at the fact the answers lay with a now scared, emotional weakened group of kids.

Tai, Sora, Kari, Davis, Matt, TK, and Mimi had fled to Izzy's house while the others had returned home. Before he left Joe took the liberty of working on Davis's wounds after he denied being treated at a hospital. After that he was silent almost the entire time until they reached Izzy's house. Once he was finished he went with Cody to make sure he got back home safely. Yolei decided to accompany Ken home. Both of them were visibly shaken by the battle and simply needed the other for support.

Inside Izzy's room a heavy silence had befallen the group as the computer genius worked. Half-empty cups of coffee and juice were in each of their hands. Mimi and Sora sat beside Matt who kept his head directed at the floor. TK and Kari were beside Tai whose face was twisted into a nervous frown. Lastly there was Davis who remained in the back against the wall. His eyes till red from the tears he'd shed and still as a statue.

Though he couldn't see them Izzy knew each of his friends had a despair induced frown on their faces. Hell, the only reason he didn't was because he was working so vigorously to keep it at bay. He couldn't afford that now. "It's taken some time but I think by tomorrow morning I'll be able to open a Digiportal."

"Can you open one to the Dark Ocean?" Matt asked looking up.

"I…no." Izzy answered having no strength to lie. "But I'm sure if there's a portal to the Dark Ocean we'll be able to find it."

"Yeah but how long is that going to take?" Sora murmured. "Even if there was one we don't know the first place to look."

"What about you Kari?"

Hearing her name and the voice who said it made everyone pause. Their heads turned to Davis who was looking at the younger Kamiya with desperate teary filled eyes. Looking into his eyes Kari felt like she wanted to retreat into her brother's arms. Anything but face the desperation reflected in her friend's face.

"Davis what are you talking about? How's Kari supposed to do that?" TK questioned. He had to be careful, he didn't blame Davis for being neck deep in depression but he couldn't let what was left of his mind go off in some crazy direction.

"It was something Daemon said. You guys heard him right? He said I should be looking at Ken and Kari for how to get into the Dark Ocean." His gaze remained locked with Kari's. "Do you know something Kari?"

Kari had never heard Davis speak her name with such aloofness and with no sense of joy to it. It made her heart break. "I-I…I don't know Davis. I really don't." Still, his gaze remained locked on her. He could tell she wasn't telling the full truth. It's not like she could lie to him in front of everyone. Besides, what good would lying do her? "Over the past couple of days I've been having more nightmares. Every time it involves either the Dark Ocean or water; either I'm drowning, swimming when a tidal wave hits, wondering a beach or some town, or I'm in the water and I can feel something coming after me."

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" Tai questioned clearly shocked.

"I…I didn't want any of you worrying and they were just…I didn't want to talk about them!" Kari confused covering her head with her hands. "I cry out as much as possible but no's there to help me! Even when I'm on land I still feel like I'm stuck out in the water, alone and helpless against whatever's lurking below me! What's worse is I always fill like there's this…thing watching me! I don't know what it is! I don't! It just feels like no matter what I do or where I am there's something watching my every move!" By now she'd started shivering and had to bury herself in Tai's shoulders to keep herself from coming a part.

No one was prepared for Kari's confusion. Honestly many of them thought things couldn't get any worse until Kari started talking. Davis state back as in a way he did get an answer to his question.

"How do we know we can trust anything Daemon says anyway? " Matt questioned.

"We don't Matt." Tai answered. "Any scrap of information we have to take it." Looking at TK and Davis Tai wasn't going to like asking his next question but knew it had to be done. "When Daemon first showed up you guys sent him to the Dark Ocean. How?"

TK's face became somewhat ashen followed by Davis and Kari's. "We had Ken open up a portal…using his Digivice."

"Can't we just have him do it again?" Mimi offered.

"I really don't think that's a good idea Mimi." TK said remembering the terror filled scream Ken let out when the icicle flew past them. "But now that you mention it we completely forgot about that. We could just have Ken open the portal, jump in, grab-"

"Grab Jun, kick Daemon's ass then get the hell out." Davis snarled.

TK blinked twice. "Uh, yeah. Exactly."

"Okay, hold it." Sora said sitting up right. She looked back at Davis. "I know you want to make Daemon pay but first we have to find Jun. We open a portal, find Jun, get out, then we start planning how to deal with Daemon."

"Sounds like plan. What do you think Izzy? Izzy?" Tai teared his eyes away from Sora to see Izzy focused entirely on his computer. "What's up?"

Leaning closer Tai could see lines of code being written, disappearing, than reappearing faster than he could blink. Suddenly the lines code turned into ink black Digicode.

"If so then we need to find Ken now!" Davis shouted sitting up.

"I think maybe we should wait a few days before going to see Ken Davis." TK cautioned.

"Jun could be dead in a few days! Hell she could be in some torture chamber right now!"

"Davis!" Matt shot up to his feet stepping in front of him. "There's no way-"

"Shut up! This is your fault! If she hadn't gone after you then she wouldn't be trapped in that hellhole!"

Sora, Mimi, and Kari had to step between the three boys to keep the fight from escalating further. Tai moved away from Izzy and attempted to help cool the tension. Somehow he knew this was going to happen. After what they'd just gone through it was impossible not to think there wouldn't be some kind of release or confrontation.

Meanwhile Izzy had opened up a chatroom on his computer. When he saw the blurry image begin to come into focus he immediately turned his head. "Guys! Guys! You seriously want to see this!"

"Guys! Hey guys! Davis!"

Immediately the fighting downed as all sets of eyes snapped to the computer screen. Jun's face was clear on the monitor. Shock, joy, and relief flooded through their eyes. Matt began to move forward only to be knocked aside by Davis.

Tears were threatening to fall from Davis's face as he practically hugged screen. "JUN! Are you okay?"

"Davis! Yes I'm fine! Listen to me, I'm Innsmouth, a town in the dark ocean!"

"Stay right where you are because I'm coming to get you!"

Tai and Kari each grabbed one of Davis's arms and pulled him back while Izzy jumped back into the chair. Matt who had recovered from his shock began to move forward only to be held back by TK and Mimi. As painful as it was for the two boys the others knew Izzy needed space and time to work. They saw how every few seconds the transmission got fuzzy. They were on a time limit.

"Listen to me!" Jun started. "There's a serious threat in here! Dagomon and Daemon are-" The screen froze then went black.

"Izzy!"

Frantic Izzy began typing. Damn it the connection isn't strong enough! Grabbing a spare cable he plugged it into his Digivice hoping it would provide enough of a boost in power. "J-Jun! Say that again! Dagomon and Daemon are what?"

"Fighting each other!" Jun's voice took on a frantic, desperate tone. "You guys have to destroy the Control Spires and keep Ken away from here! Daemon's planning on using him to resurrect the Seven Deadly Digimon!" The screen froze again. It took ten seconds for him to get the signal back. "-only one who can stop him and Daemon! No matter what you can-can-can't let either of them get out! You have to-"

Jun's face was covered by a jet stream of smoke and pieces of stone. Explosions rocked the screen. Roars and screaming followed soon. It lasted for half a minute then the screen cut to black, message reading connection lost.

Though no words were spoken everyone had a hundred thoughts racing through their heads. The joy they'd been filled with only a second ago was replaced with cold dread.

Both Davis and Matt collapsed onto the floor with the others hovering over them. Izzy, in an uncharacteristic fit of rage slammed his fists down on his desk. Tai simply did his best to hold his frustration and anger inside.

Outside when their partners cracked up the door they found the children in statue-like stillness. That was all they needed to know something had gone wrong.


A city wide curfew had been invoked while the children were at Izzy's home. By sunset everyone needs to be either at home or on their way home. By seven o'clock all city dwellers were to be inside, no exceptions.

For Davis and DemiVeemon the entire trip seemed a blur. Both their eyes were empty as glass until they got to the door of their apartment. It was there their eyes became filled with unspeakable pain. They'd decided just before they left Izzy's to tell his parents the truth. There were little if any arguments against it. They had simply run out of time and excuses.

It wasn't pretty. Both his parents were just a hair away from throwing DemiVeemon out despite his and Davis's pleas. In the end a heavy cloud of despair descended over the Motomiya household. Davis felt sick for bringing the despair outside into his home but there wasn't a point in hiding it anymore.

Hold on Jun. Please, for just a little longer hold on. The goggle head prayed as he lay his head against the pillow that night.


The Control Spire scene wasn't exactly how I intended it to go. Original I was planning on having TK digivolve Patamon into MagnaAngemon to destroy it but I decided to let Davis and Raidramon use Mother Nature to finish it off. What do you guys think? Any guesses on what's going to happen next?