I do not own anything.
Chapter Twenty-Three: Brave the Storm Pt.2
Nothing they could do. In the future years they wondered if that excuse would hold up when retelling this story. Maybe if anyone saw what they were seeing then they would understand in the face of such a phenomena they were ultimately powerless. Then again moving past it wasn't exactly easy. The outpour of bodies was greater than anything they'd seen before. Mixing with the sheet of black and gray rain they became little more than feint outlines rapidly descending towards the earth.
"Explain!" Onimon barked readying his kanabo for battle once more.
If Malthamon was amused he didn't show it. Then again, what reaction could be gauged when his face was nothing but a mask of black iron? "Dagomon…I assume. You…two know not…what goes on outside of these realm's borders. If you did…I'd imagine you'd be fighting me much harder than you are now. Or you wouldn't. You wouldn't be trying to escape this place." He released a quick snort of flames that sizzled the air in front of him. "The Human World and the Digital World right now…is slowly becoming hell. If any live ask them what transpires in your homes. Ask them of what chaos Dagomon is rotting."
His words struck a chord in Jun that snapped as soon as black object struck the ground between the two Ultimates. The crunch came before the splat; Jun felt her stomach on the verge of imploding. She only had one clear thought in her head,"It really does look like it does in the cartoons."
Almost everything seemed to explode outward at once. Blood quickly blossomed beneath the fresh corpse in all directions. If she looked close enough she could see some shards of broken bone sticking out of the body in grotesque displays.
Around them a similar thunk! could be heard meaning only one thing. Tree branches being roughly broken off sometimes came before the thunk. The sound was heart stopping yet it flowed together in a sick symphony. They could see some of the bodies making impact around them; those that landed in the water quickly disappeared into the black without so much as a gasp and never came up for air.
Unable to watch the gross rain around her Jun turned her mounting disgust and fury on Malthamon. "What is this!? How the hell can Dagomon be doing this!?"
The fury of the seventeen year-old did little to frighten Malthamon. Rather he was amused or not by her attempt to didn't matter. His shoulders rolled back as if he was relaxing like there was nothing wrong with this picture. "It's…incredible when you stop…and think about it. Despite his origin being different from the seven great lords…he is their child. Of all the evils born from demons, despair is the prodigal son." Without so much as a word Malthamon worked over to one of the bodies and rudely picked it up off the ground. Disgust forced Jun to look away while combat instinct told Onimon to keep his eyes on his opponent. He held up the body like a rag-doll, not caring about the damage done to it. "This man could have had a family. A family that will morn for him. Their sadness will feed Dagomon just like the thousands of others in the Human world. Who he was, where he came from, what he wanted to do…who cares about those things now eh?" Effortlessly he threw the corpse aside to put both hands back on his axe. "For you and the rest the bell has already tolled for your deaths. All I'm doing is carry out destiny."
Once their weapons struck in another steam-filled clash Onimon sneered in his helmet-covered face. "Don't you mean us? You're stuck in here with us too. Dagomon may be your butch's "child" but I don't think he feels the parental love. Do you think he does?" Onimon took one hand off his kanabo to strike his opponent in the face. His knuckle throbbed a little but his left hook was enough to catch Malthamon off guard. Taking Tetsuhono in both arms he slammed it against Malthamon's right side, the exhaust ports spewing scorching hot flames. "You think you're strong enough to stop a being that can do that!" Another blow struck his head and then another aimed at his right shoulder.
Just as Onimon raised his kanabo for another attack Malthamon's right fist shot forward, knocking the air out of his lungs. A rough knee strike to his jaw nearly loosened some of his teeth. The t-shaped slit on Malthamon's helmet burned bright red with demonic fire. Placing his axe in the ground the bulky demon delivered two powerful kicks to Onimon's head followed up by a burning slash that left a nasty wound on his left shoulder. Rearing the weapon back Malthamon swung Scarlett Spade low expecting the Chrome Digizoid axe to cleanly spill the contents of the oni's stomach. To his surprise a superheated fist slammed into his face before he could finish his swing. As he groaned in discomfort Onimon flipped his kanabo into its reverse position for a three-sixty degree spin. His attack didn't land but it did its job in pushing the Ultimate back. Screaming bodies began to fall between them just like the drops of rain that had been pelting them nonstop. Neither Nightmare Soldier paid them any mind.
While the two towering demon fought each other Jun watched helpless as the countless humans tumbled off their bodies like rain droplets. Either they'd die from the impact or something in this God-forsaken forest would kill them. An arctic wind blowing by silently told her what would happen to those that did survive. She had to keep a constant eye to the sky to avoid getting crushed by one of those screaming masses of flesh. "That'd be a shitty way to go, her mind tried to say watching another sack of flesh and bone explode not ten feet from her. I survive all this and this is how I'm killed. By freakin panicky bystanders falling from the sky! Oh and the lightning too. That would suck just as much!" At some point while she'd been so focused on the bodies Jun saw the arcs of crimson lightning were getting longer and reaching further. She visibly jumped when she saw a single bolt strike the ground in the misty distance. More so followed after that one. Between the two Digimon brawling it out within arm's reach, their every blow creating a small tremor, and the constant rain Jun felt like she was to go insane.
She hit the dirt to avoid an oncoming strike of lightning that would have left her a roasted lump of the ground when she came face to face with the eyes of another corpse. "AAAHHH!" Scrambling backwards she felt herself moving over another. Screeching again she rolled off it and ran as fast as she could towards the tree line.
Boom!
The ground in front of her exploded in light and dirt knocking her off her feet. Her heart nearly broke out of her chest at the closeness of the lightning bolt. Immediately she knew something was off about it. It was far too close to be just randomly placed. Upward she could only barely make out a set of flying silhouettes hovering above the small clearing they were in. Above them the lightning arced in unusual ways like someone was bending it to their will. Shuttering she realized that's exactly what was happening. Snapping her head to her still battling partner she saw it was already too late.
A tree-trunk sized lightning bolt struck Malthamon and Onimon as they were locked in another test of strength. Both Ultimates were helpless to the maelstrom of pain that racked over their bodies. Even though he had no visible mouth Malthamon's pain-filled screech was just as loud as Onimon's. All the two could do was take two steps back from each other before their bodies went into full lockdown.
"He can't do anything!" Rather it was blind faith or some piece of imprinted knowledge Jun held her Digivice in the Ultimate's direction. A thin ray of golden light shot out and impacted Onimon's paralyzed body. His physical imposing struck twitched again then the red lightning encasing him disappeared. Relief flooded through his eyes when they saw each other. It soon morphed into terror. Just from seeing that look her legs were already moving towards him. It was a strange feeling when your body acts before your mind can even process what was happening. What her mind did process was the slimly feel of something wet and squishy wrapping around her waist then yanking her backwards. An octopus tentacle or some such, she was sure. Jun didn't scream, more like yelp in surprise. Grunting her teeth she rapidly slammed her Digivice into the tentacle over and over again. Behind her a shrill scream could be heard, she slammed the device into it again, with much more force. A faintly humanoid hiss of pain followed her release. Not missing a beat she ran straight into the Oni's waiting palms.
Bellowing drove the tentacles back into the advancing mist long enough for Onimon to break off into a sprint towards the tree line. For a second he saw Malthamon shooting him a glare before he himself broke off into his own run. Another time it would be.
For the first time the pair allowed the panicked cries of the countless Digimon entering the negative world to register within their heads. Onimon recognized too many of them to speak. Ultimates and Megas. In the back of his head, beyond the mass of calculations and counter plans he was running, Onimon wondered where those Digimon had to be to get caught in such a massive supernatural storm. Even by the Digital World's standards it seemed out of place. Dozens of battle cries went up, mixing together with each other as well as the thunder to create a concert of horrendous noise. Attacks being called out could be heard, they were followed either with the boom of thunder or the sound of earth being torn apart. In Onimon's mind's eye he saw a pair of jaws opening with a slowly, demonic moan rolling forth like a breath of morning mist.
Cursing he jumped to the left keeping Jun clasped tightly in his hands. Before his eyes a hail of oversized bullets and cannon shells obliterated the tree line.
"Der Blitz!" A mechanical yet ferocious draconic voice boomed.
Forcing strength into his legs Onimon had to make five large bounds to avoid being incinerated in the second volley of gunfire. "Now we got a Gundramon on our tails too."
"On a scale of one to ten how bad is that?" Jun asked looking out through the holes in her partner's palms.
"Oh you know, think of a dozen guns strapped to a giant, mechanical dragon who's able to fire them all at once." He answered.
Though she couldn't see it she could feel the impact. It rattled her bones to the point she could feel her teeth chittering. "God I hate this feeling." "Find us some high ground! The last time this happened the water started rising! I don't think it's going to be any different this time!"
"That might be easier than you think Jun." Onimon spoke with baited breath. "You're forgetting the water wasn't the only thing that changed when Dagomon started calling delivery."
Watching plants literally grow right before their eyes was a sight both being found curious and somewhat calming. What they were watching around them was anything but calming. With screech like moans the forest trees around them began to grow, twisting and molding in ways no earthly plant ever could. Onimon stopped on a branch, no longer seeing the need to keep moving forward. Why should they go forward when all they had to do was wait to go up? Thick busy clouds sprouted instantaneously from the newborn branches. Half of them impaled anything that was unfortunate enough to be caught in their path. Both human and Digimon winced at the long line of shrieks that were suddenly cut off.
The aircraft and ships that had been free flowing painfully crashed into the rapidly expanding veil of leaves and wood. Each sound in itself was enough to shake the forest. Jun buried herself in Onimon's palms while said Oni pressed himself against the trunk of the tree he was currently nesting in. They couldn't move without facing some kind of risk, he hated it when his ability to move in direction was impaired.
CRRRIIIINNNNNCCCCCHHHH!
"SHIT!"
No matter what happened to him from then on out Onimon would never forget the sight of an airplane scrapping by right above his head, bulldozing everything around it with its massive weight. He screeched at the hull like it was some attacking beast. It was less than manly. Panicked he dropped through the hole in the branches, taking on falling debris along the way. In his palms Jun screamed as well, probably from not knowing what the hell was happening beyond the safety of her partner's closed hands. Onimon was glad she wasn't seeing what he was seeing. Through the curtain of cascading branches, leaves, and plan parts he saw the aircraft continue barreling its way toward the ground and through the forest. The sound was beyond terror-inspiring. The swift slush that came from it making impact in the water was quickly followed by the explosion of its engines and countless other electronics. Even from what had to be two miles away he felt the shockwave of the impact and flinched. He hadn't been able to see the size of the airplane but he had a good guess on how big it was. And how many people had probably just died.
Finding a left over branch he allowed Jun to see first head the aftermath the plane's crash landing had left. Her mouth hanged open at the rampant destruction that had been left in its wake. Beyond the ruined tree line she clearly saw the column of smoke rising up. "We…we'll go around it." She spoke in a quiet voice that was barely above a whisper. It took her a minute to regain herself then speak again. "D-Dagomon's going to go after that plane and we can't be around when he does. All those people are…are…" The words caught in her throat. Just saying it might as well have been butting a bullet in the heads of every remaining passenger. Even now she couldn't bear to do it. Look at me, am I still that much of a coward I can't own up to reality?
"I don't see the problem with saying dead. I mean you guys are kind of in the same boat as them already." Shrieking back the maroon haired girl spun around to see the humanoid ghost floating beside her. Though it had no eyes or mouth to speak of a pair of hollow eyes cackled with amusement. Obviously it was taking more joy in seeing her squirm than possible. "Oh hi Onimon! Good to see you made it out of there alive. And look! So did your human friend!" Once the ghost's sick cackle downed down it offered its hand to Jun.
Rather than face the phantom she looked to her partner. "You know this thing?"
"Hey!" The phantom shouted.
Onimon casually nodded his head.
"Based on the fact he didn't smash you on the first meeting I'm going to assume you're not here to hurt us." The teenage girl spoke getting back to her feet.
"What makes you think your thick-headed body guard could hurt me?" The ghost joked holding out its heads.
By this point Jun was less than amused. If anything her eyes were glaring holes in the ghost man with equal intensity to Onimon. "Cut the crap. If he wanted to he could erase you right now. You've got almost nothing to lose so that means you've got something to gain by being here. What. Do. You. Want?" In her right hand she cocked one of her side arms, a Chrome Digizoid bullet loaded in the chamber.
"Scary girl aren't you? A far cry from the confused little animal that wondered in here nearly a month ago huh?" He saw the reaction he needed to when Jun flinched. Another burst of laughter came out of his nonexistent mouth. This girl may have hardened herself but even iron could be broken after being hit in the right spot. "What? You didn't know you've been in here for almost a month? Yeah, I know, this place just loves screwing with your perception of time. Heh, just ask anyone here. Me…I don't really remember when I got here. I'm pretty sure it was around the time this band called the Beatles were taking over the world. Or maybe it was when that guy from Hawaii took over. No, no wait, I got it! I'd just gone to go see Enter the Dragon when I caught my girl cheating on me!" Not missing a beat the ghost fell into another bout of crazed laughter. Neither of his spectators visibly reacted to it. This lasted for a total of ten minutes. "You know that's kind of how everyone here goes a little crazy, not knowing how much time has passed. One day here can feel like three weeks on the outside. Or a year. Sometimes while you only think you've been here a couple of days years have passed out there and everyone's stopped looking for you. Let me tell you, it's an odd feeling when you do get a glimpse of the outside world. Sometimes…it's enough to break your heart." Even though it was supposed to be another laugh it came out more as a sob. For the first time the duo saw true emotion in those hollow eyes, sadness.
Still keeping her sidearm at the ready Jun took a cautious step towards the ghost. "You seem to know a lot about me but I'd know jack about you. I'm getting tired of that."
"Oh me? I'm no one. Just another nameless specter haunting this hellhole of a graveyard." Running a hand over his nonexistent hair the ghost flashed Jun a dangerous, predatory look. If it had a mouth she was sure it'd be grinning from ear to ear. "Who knows, maybe I'll be your new neighbor in time. I know a couple of fun places we could hit up when all this is over. Assuming they're still there of course."
"Sounds neat but we plan on moving back to the real world." Jun stated.
"So they all say." The ghost laughed. "Like I asked your partner, hundreds of tried to do what you guys are doing. What the hell makes you think you're any different? Oh wait, you've got a DigiDestined for a brother and I'm sure he'll be leading a whole army just to save your sorry butt." One eye glared through the gap between his hand causing Jun's body to lock up. "Dream on, no's ever escaped this place after incurring Dagomon's wrath. Well, one person did but hell, you aren't nearly half the gutsy as she was. And she did it without having an eight foot tall oni that stole Conan's hair."
Above them Onimon gave a low rumble and held out his index finger. Red light danced at the tip then shoot off; it zoomed through the air and hit the ghost's shoulder. Rather then reform the mist and data seemed frozen in place. Wincing in slight pain he craned back to face the Oni. "Like I said the first time pal, I could put you out of your misery any time I want. All you have to do is ask."
"Noted big guy."
"Back to my original question, what the hell do you want?" Jun asked. "Why is there a wormhole in the sky and everything from people to Digimon to freakin' cruise ships falling through it?"
Looking away from Onimon at the sky the ghost seemed to forget they existed. His expression was unreadable. "You don't want to go home. Not to the Digital World or Human World. Not now. Maybe not after what Dagomon's been doing. You see guys, Dagomon decided to change the game board. Did you know he can influence the weather in both worlds? Create super storms out of nowhere?"
"Yeah I did. While reading one of those tomes it mentions something about the "Great One" being able to channel the fury of the sea wipe drown his enemies in a "sea of misery and despair"," Jun sneered tapping her foot. Her eyes went wide once an idea clicked in her head. "No,"
"Yes actually, its power consuming but think of how long he's been saving up. He knew, knew, this day would come. He's watched and waited in his house beneath the waves. In his dreams he saw the promised day and thus for centuries he's kept a good chunk of his power sealed away just for this. Since he feeds on despair what do you think a super storm will leave in its wake? Destroyed homes, ruined livelihoods, and lost loved ones. For him that's a double chocolate and vanilla ice cream with cherries and sprinkles on top. Even better there's Daemon's little plan to get the Seven Demon Lords back together. You ever wonder what sin leaves behind? What being a proud, arrogant prick who's willing to crush anyone who gets in his way does to the people around you? A serial rapist on the prowl looking for their next victim? Starving to death in the streets because the cream of the crop decided they're the only ones who need to eat? The hopelessness you feel when you realize you'll never be as good as your rival?" Spreading his hands out seven orbs formed from bits of data. Each orb seemed to shimmer in a different color while a different object took shape in the center. Their collective glow merged together in the center to create a ghostly blue light that burned through the black and white palate of the Dark Ocean. "One is slain and the despair their loved ones feel turned to anger. From the start Daemon's plan would allow Dagomon to grow in power. He just didn't expect him to be smart enough to take advantage of it to this degree."
The seven orbs vanished and in their place was an icy mirror. Images started flashing through it before gradually solidifying like a TV screen. In that mirror Jun and Onimon saw hurricanes crashing into coastlines, storms tearing the sea apart, and violence on an unprecedented scale erupting in the male of well-known cities. Whole towns were completely devoured by gigantic tidal waves that dwarfed any standing structure. Leaning in closer Jun saw tears in time and space opening up to swallow whatever the storms managed to toss in. Digimon of all shapes and sizes in the Digital World stampeded and panicked in mass as the world around them became corrupted by black Control Spires. From the black obelisks multi-colored auras spread out, infecting all nearby Digimon until they were in the grip of full-blown evil or insanity. The earth cracked open allowing demons and fallen angels to flutter out like swarms of bats. Arms of uninfected Digimon rose up challenging those that had given in to the darkness. Beyond few ever growing columns of data Jun and Onimon couldn't describe in full words what they were seeing other than chaos.
The ghost peered over the mirror to gauge the duo's reactions. Onimon's jaw was wired shut in a grim frown. His eyes were unreadable, he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what was going on in those eyes anyway. His posture spoke of tightly contained fear and uneasy. Jun didn't have a problem openly expressing her fear, her body was trembling like a leaf. Her breath was coming in faster and faster to the point the ghost thought she was going to have a seizure. He wouldn't blame her for it. "So…on a scale of one to ten I'd say this is a twelve, or maybe a nineteen. I don't know. No's ever seen Dagomon throw this much effort into something."
"D-D…Di…Di…Did I…" The teenager's broken voice came through the rain and wind. "Did…I…" she sank to her knees in a teary hip not a moment later. It felt like all the air had been yanked out of her lungs. The strong-willed girl from minutes ago had been replaced with this frail child, little more than a wounded animal waiting to be put out of its misery.
Something about Jun stabbed at the ghost, Onimon could see it in his eyes. There was something there that was rare for a place like this, empathy. "It's not on you. Rather or not you acted or not Dagomon still would have gone ahead and started flooding the world. All you did was just push a rock that was already about to tip over." Arching a brow the phantom looked between the two. "Still want to go back? Neither of you have any homes left."
To the ghost's surprise Onimon casually shrugged his shoulders while Jun looked up with determined eyes. The Nightmare Soldier spoke first, "I never really had much of a place to call home in the Digital World, my home's were hers is." He said pointing at Jun.
"Even if our apartment isn't there I know my home is still standing." For the first time since arriving affection shined in her eyes. "Two great parents, one annoying but still nice little brother, the cutest little Digimon I've ever seen." Releasing a calming breath Jun showed no fear in her eyes. It took the phantom back seeing such determination in the frail teenager. "As long as they're still alive then I still have a home."
"How do you know they're still alive? Are you not seeing this!? Their corpses could be rotting at of the water! And that's assuming there's anything left of them!" The ghost hollered.
Defiantly shaking her head she countered, "He may be hardheaded but if there's one thing I know Davis will do it's protect the people who are important to him. He faced an interdimensional warlord and a giant spider from hell; he won't let some storm whipped up by Cthulhu touch our parents. More importantly besides him…I know the others won't let Dagomon get away with this."
"…You have that much faith in a band of high school and junior high snot-noised brats with their digital pets?"
"You're damn right I have faith in them."
The ghost remained perfectly frozen with its eyes locked on Jun. When it moved to look at Onimon and found the same his shoulders sagged. The spectral hands twitched back then began clawing at the head. Cold, demented laughter came out of the invisible mouth. It should have unnerved the teenage girl but she only watched with mild interest, not a hint of fear on her face. "You're crazy." He started. "Just like me you're crazy! No one's ever done what you two idiots are planning on doing! No one!" Falling back the ghost man continued laughing up to the raining skies like the pair didn't exist.
"So are you going to help us or not?" Onimon questioned; he'd let this phantom question them long enough and was now eager to get moving.
"Oh fine, I'll help!" he yelled still howling at the gray blanket above. "I mean seriously, look at me! It's not like I've got anything better to do! I'm already dead! I don't have a life to go back to so why the hell not! Seriously! Someone! Give me a reason why!?"
It could have been her imagination but Jun could have sworn the ghost was crying instead of laughing. His voice wasn't tinged with insanity but a deep-seated sadness. Like he'd said, the only reason he had to help them was simply he didn't have anything left to lose. Speaking of loss if we don't get out of here and beat Dagomon then I get the feeling we're going to end up like this guy. "Do…you…remember your name?"
Instantly the laughter stopped though the invisible grin remained. "Gee, let me think for a second. It's been so long since anyone's asked me that it's seemed to slip my mind." At the crack of thunder he slapped his hands together. "Ah that's right! My name's Harper! Yeah, besides that I can't really remember much else besides a jungle and someone screaming to turn the damn radio off."
"I'd say it's nice to meet you but given the condition," Jun started until she saw how wide Harper's eyes had become. Motion to Onimon she brought the barrel of her gun downwards.
Something came up through the water with the speed of a bullet and force of a razor slicing the tree branch in half. Harper disappeared in a dispersion of mist and data while Onimon and Jun took off running. Grunting Onimon jumped higher until they were in open air with a front view of the still raining Digimon and human debris. In the brief instant they were airborne they saw Daemon had decided not to go quietly. Swarms of black and red demonic Digimon were trying to fly through the storm force winds to get at the portals. Amongst the crowd were a few newcomers neither Jun or Onimon recognized.
With pitch black wings stretched from a mechanized avian the raven-like Digimon flew in almost tactical formation. Each one had two sets of wings that held up rather well despite the fact they were being battered by storm winds. Strapped, no, fused to their bodies were sets of twisted, spiked armor similar to Malthamon and Forasmon. On top their shoulders were sets of multi-barreled Gatling guns that lit up with black light as they opened fire on anything that wasn't a member of the Daemon Corps. Their shrieks sounded like horrifying war cries; they urged the other demons and fallen angels onward, through the chaos and into the heart of the storms. Shocked the infected Digimon met them in earnest creating a blood bath in the sky.
It took repented attempts but finally Jun was able to get a lock on one of them. An image of one of the demonic war birds came up immediately.
Name: Stymphaliamon
Level: Champion
Attribute: Virus
Description: Serving as the aerial division of the Daemon Corps these fierce war birds won't hesitant to destroy anything they deem as a target. Often traveling in squadrons of ten to twenty they rain down death and carnage with their War Scream. If by some miracle the target manages to avoid that then they'll find these beasts are ruthless fighters using their becks and talons. Their wings are composed of Digi-Chrome shredding feathers used in their Crimson Diver attack that's been known to tear through whole forests in seconds. Rounding out their already deadly arsenal is their Spear of Malice attack, using their becks to aim for an enemy's weak spot and kill it with one hit.
With his sharpened eyes Onimon saw the flock of demon birds was being conducted by a LadyDevimon. She turned away from the battle to catch his eye in a heated exchange. An evil sneer crossed her face before she pointed her finger directly at the two.
"Stymphaliamon! We have the target in sight!" She barked over the storm of noise.
Just as a handful of them broke off to turn in their direction bolts of lightning began striking more frequently and with much more accuracy. Below the rumbling flooded earth earthquakes began to spread out. Those still left on the ground could feel something moving through the water. Power, unrestrained, unholy power was quickening below their feet then rapidly gathering in a single space.
All over a fierce tearing sound was heard followed by the sound of water rapidly expanded.
Geysers, big enough to fully engulf entire buildings shot up from the forest flower well into the sky. Lightning struck them and wind coiled around them, transforming them into swirling clouds of death. No matter their cry or how hard they fought nothing could escape the suction of the twisters. The last sound they could make were screams of terror as they were sucked into the water tornadoes, what happened to them next was anyone's guess.
Jun watched the scene play out before her with stunned breath. Were she some crazy storm chaser she would have been amazed at the collection of storms but as she was, all she felt was horror and disgust at Dagomon's tactics. His own forces were getting caught up in his cyclones. It probably didn't bother him since he was also recruiting an equal amount of manpower. They seemed to hover closer to the giant portals so as soon as something came through it was sucked up into the cyclones. Anything who's size exceeded a certain limit found itself caught between two cyclones and was logically pulled a part with its contents being individually sucked up.
HEAR ME FOOLS! THIS IS MY WORLD! MY DOMAIN! ALL WHO ENTER IT ARE MY SUBJECTS! MY FOLLOWERS! MY CHILDREN! TO HARM THIS PLACE IS TO INSULT ME! TO HARM MY CHILDREN IS TO HARM ME! TO RESIST ME IS TO RESIST A GOD!
By this point Onimon had to wrap both his hands around Jun to keep her from getting sucked in, hell, the oni himself was fighting to keep his footing on solid ground. All around him the super trees that had been sprouting like weeds were being sucked up. Desperately his mind searched the environment for some form of escape. When he found none he knew there was only one possible option left. "JUN! NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS DON'T LET GO OF ME!"
"I WON'T! I PROMISE!"
Pressing his human partner and friend against his chest Onimon tucked himself into a tight ball as he lost the fight against the pull of the wind. Like a leaf he was sucked in and spun in the air like all the rest of the landscape. He screamed and cursed every deity he knew of from the Four Sovereigns to the fabled Royal Knights to Yggdrasil. Against this kind of force, this kind of power he was helpless. All that stood between Jun and Dagomon's clutches was his body. No matter what happened, no matter how strong the pull was he wasn't going to let her go. If Dagomon wanted her he'd have to wrap him apart limb from limb to do it. Even if that happened Onimon fully expected the last image for him to see would be Jun firing into whatever hideous shape the monster had assumed.
In her gut Jun knew they weren't just being randomly being thrown around, Dagomon knew where they were and was toying with them. Already she felt his tentacle hands clawing at the edges of her mind. It felt like having a can of worms unloaded all over her body and not being able to do anything about it. She screamed but it was lost in the maelstrom. The only thing she could do was focus on anything that kept her mind away from fact that she was more than likely about to die. From somewhere inside a voice whispered to her, Hate him. Focus on your hatred of that accursed squid! Your despair is his nectar! Do not feed it to him any longer! Instead burn him with your hate! Your hatred is what will deliver you!
It wasn't hard to do that. Dagomon had given her plenty of reasons to hate him. She could sense the hatred Onimon held for him. She could almost taste it in her mouth. Oddly it tasted sweat. She enjoyed.
"You? A god! FOOL! This is no longer your domain! No longer will you reign over this place!" A voice like fire boomed from beyond the gray. The black and white color of the Dark Ocean seemed to burn away at the onset of an intense heat wave. It rolled over the atmosphere instantaneously and without warning. After everything Jun and Onimon had been through they welcomed it. "Your time has been long but now it has come to an end Dagomon! This realm belongs to the Seven Deadly Demons! Consider this your eviction notice!"
The cyclones broke apart on contact with the flaming meteor that zoomed towards the cyclones. All it did was zoom past them a sound like glass breaking went off. Like some wounded animal the cyclones died away leaving lingering embers. The closer it got the more they could see Daemon in his red robes, anger burned in his eyes like volcanic eruptions. In his hands glowing spheres of hellfire grew with each passing second.
With his sights aimed on the biggest portal he brought both orbs together. "EVIL INFERNO!"
What happened they couldn't say. All Jun and Onimon were sure was whatever Daemon had done he'd broken Dagomon's storm. The chilling gale force winds flew in reverse now carrying the heat of a scorching volcano. Everything spun out of focus yet everything seemed so simple to the two of them. As brief and crazy as it was they owed Daemon their lives.
He'd just saved them from God knows whatever fate Dagomon had in store for them.
And now he was about to subject them to something of equally horror.
Opening his eyes Onimon saw LadyDevimon and a trio of Stymphliamon on their tail. He hated the grin on the she-devil's face. Her orders were probably to capture them alive. Onimon knew alive didn't mean whole.
With one arm protectively protecting Jun he spun around with his club-wielding hand outstretched. The hot wind rolling over them aided Tetsuhono, it socked up the excess heat like a sponge. From the outside it looked like he was holding nothing but a baseball shaped mass of roaring hellfire. Wearing a vicious sneer that put his enemies' to shame he hollered, "RASHOMON CRASH!"
In ten seconds Tetsuhono made contact with the group. The LadyDevimon blinked in confusion at the speed of the object. She never got the chance to scream before the ring of fire of fire exploded from the kanabo. It totally engulfed all their attackers in a glorious blaze.
Hearing his throaty laugh Jun twisted and squirmed in his grasp. Poking her head out to see the explosion she joined him in his laughter.
Tetsuhono soon returned to its owner smoking from the intense heat that had left it; even Onimon felt a little sting of pain upon grasping the hilt. With that little manner taken care of he turned around to get a good look at where they were going to be landing. "SHIT!"
"What?" Jun shouted trying to figure out what it was.
"Oh man this is going to hurt in the morning!" he grunted tucking himself into a tight ball with Jun protectively in the center.
For answer Jun felt learned what it felt like to be a bullet cleaving through the air and flesh.
And she hated it.
"I'll say this about you guys," Harper giggled. "You've got luck with you. Most people wouldn't have survived a stunt like that."
Onimon was hurting too much to deal with the ghost's sass. Maybe after his whole body stopped aching he'd be up to it but for now he was content to lie on the cave floor. Jun wiggled her way out of his grasp to examine the hole they'd ended up rolling through. "So after all that work we're back in another cave. Awesome, like nothing bad ever happens when we go into caves." She huffed. "Then again it's not like Lady-Dracula can get in here so we should be safe from her. How are you feeling big guy?"
Groaning her partner rolled over to his side. "Lousy."
While the girl took out some medical supplies and began applying treatment to the Ultimate Harper explored the sizable cavern they were now stuck in. Upon seeing the DigiCode scrambled on the wall his face lit up. He disappeared into the darkness then reappeared several minutes later. "I don't know how but we got lucky."
"Care to explain that?" He'd spotted the glowing bits of DigiCode etched on the wall; unlike the others they'd seen these weren't glowing red but were instead glowing white. Being near them didn't invoke the same sense of dread before. Reaching out with his mind he mentally hissed. Now he knew why Harper was in such high-spirits. "This place used to be holy site huh?"
"What?" Jun yelped running over to examine the digital language. Placing her hand against the cool rock she felt a refreshing coolness wash over her arm. Even though she couldn't make out a hint of what was written she knew it had to be important based solely on the feeling she was getting and from how some of the DigiCode seemed to look like…Scripture. How she knew wasn't important so much as she had a feeling they were safe. "Harper, if you know what all this means then show us."
For once the ghost didn't add some sassy comment. Quietly he guided them through the cavern, noting how the DigiCode seemed to grow stronger and die out in some areas. Throughout the cavern the disgusting coral-like growths they'd seen before spider-webbed their way through. It was an infection, an unholy virus intruding on this holy place. The victor of the battle had long since been decided however the remaining light wasn't willing to go out without a fight. Jun's Digivice began to glow with a familiar golden light, around them the DigiCode seemed to flare up.
Normally Onimon should have been in pain or barfing his guts out in a place like this. To his immense shock the opposite was happening. The holy light didn't burn him like it should have. More than once Jun stopped to notice a thin layer of golden light had enveloped Onimon. She'd give a little smile then continue onward. It's because of her I can stand her. The Nightmare Soldier thought smiling a little. If it weren't for this human girl I'd be deleted. I'd be paralyzed down here. Running his hand along the DigiCode wall he felt a cooling sensation overtake his body. What his type was didn't matter, somehow this place could sense the good in his heart thus allowing him movement and even limited healing. No matter who they met at the end of this place he knew one thing, whatever power was still running after so many centuries had passed was a force to be reckoned with.
Up ahead two boulders blocked their way. Jun's Digivice almost turned into a solid sphere of light. Getting the message she held it up to the boulders. DigiCode ran over them before they pulled away revealing a walkway. Together the human, the Digimon, and the ghost stepped through.
Inside the chamber was maybe fifteen wide and eighteen tall. Flickering candles and balls of golden fire illuminated it. On both sides of the coral-infested walls sat suits of old, rusted armor and weapons. Honorary crosses had been placed in front of each to serve as grave markers. Almost completely at the back of the chamber sat an Angel Digimon. He sat on a gold and crystal chair with his hands tightly wrapped around a glowing object none of them could make out. The closer they got the more of his aged form they could make out. Above his head glowed a faint halo with flickering light, like a light bulb going off on its last surge of power. His form was broad and covered in layers of dirty and torn white robes with golden lining. An impossibly long silk-like scarf wrapped around his neck and obscured his mouth from view. Opening his tired eyes they were slightly taken back to find they were completely teal; once they might have been a shining gold but now that gold was little more than a spark. A single golden cross was imprinted on his face running from his forehead down to his half-concealed noise.
Through his scarf a smile formed. Slowly he reached out his hand. Feeling a sudden warmth from the well up from her heart Jun gently took it. "Ahhhhhhhh," despite the pain in his voice he sounded happy. "I knew this day would come. And at last it has."
"I…I don't…" She searched for something to say. Seeing the worn state of the Digimon made Jun's heart break. Choking back a sob she whimpered. "I'm sorry I-I'm so late."
"It is…alright child." The Digimon said with a kind smile. "As you humans say…better late then never."
Name: Abakumon
Level: Mega
Attribute: Vaccine
Description: Reportedly one of the oldest Digimon in existence. After leading countless pilgrimages across the Digital World it has been said nothing could break Abakumon's iron will. He's was there for an event known only as "The Great Fall", amassing such knowledge you could fill a library with the things he knows. Though he's always one for peace you shouldn't mess with him, his Roar of the Righteous and Divine Memory attacks will give you more than enough reason to mind your manners around him.
"You're one of the…the…the…the…the first…first." Onimon stuttered wide-eyed at the still smiling Digimon.
"One of the first Saints of the Digital World? Why yes I am Onimon." The old Mega chuckled lightly at the Nightmare Soldier's reaction. "Don't be so surprised. I may be down but that doesn't me I still don't keep up with current events. You two having been causing quite the ruckus around here you know."
"That's what I said." Harper snickered.
"B-But I don't understand. H-How, what is a person like you doing here?" Jun asked still not letting go of Abakumon's hands.
Breathing out deeply the Mega-level Digimon placed both his hands on top of Jun's. The Flickering golden light in his eyes burned brighter. "In a time long ago…the Dark Ocean wasn't always like this. While it was never…a particular pleasant place it has…degenerated."
"A pleasant place?" Onimon snorted crossing his arms. "Oh do tell, what was it like before? Did we have color back then?"
Ignoring his sarcasm the saint continued speaking in a new, more serious voice, "The Dark Ocean always was a graveyard. A place for the dying. It was never meant to become this…torture Dagomon has turned it into." There was a short wheeze. "At some point there was an overflow and the Dark Ocean…changed. We were…foolish to believe darkness would remain docile for eternity. The overflow…of negativity caused the Dark Ocean and those already deprived creatures who call it home to…" The glow dimmed for a few moments then came back brighter. Abakumon's eyes went from Onimon to Jun. They could see the sadness building up inside of them. "Dagomon…as the ruler of this realm it was his job to mediate, once he could be reasoned with, even if doing so was near impossible. When the overflow came...Dagomon saw for the first time, the vast darkness and sorrow that filled the universe. His mind…the data that made him up…he couldn't handle it."
"Are you saying he…he went mad?" Jun questioned.
"Speaking bluntly…yes. After witnessing how much despair feeds into his realm, after seeing the pain one must endure to live…he chose to reject those such as love, friendship, and light." There was a cough and the Mega's whole body seemed to seize up. Jun placed a comforting hand on his shoulder until he calmed down. Looking directly at Jun he sat up a little. "You could say…Dagomon gave into despair. Ironic isn't it?"
Actually Jun and Onimon did find it ironic. It was almost laughable.
"He became conceived…he had to open the eyes of humans and Digimon to the truth. That in despair…there is peace. In hopelessness…one can find enjoyment in life. It wasn't just Dagomon that believed so…the Dark Ocean itself, it had always called to those wallowing in sorrow but then it became…hungry."
"H-Hungry? Why are you talking about this place like it's a living thing?" Jun seriously didn't like the direction where this was going.
It was then that Harper decided to clarify. "To a degree Abakumon's right. In a sense this place is alive. Just like how the Digital World is shaped by the constant stream of data and dreams flowing from the Human World this placed is shaped by the collective sorrow of humans and Digimon. It's empathetic, reacting to emotions. Basically what happened was you stopped feeding the octopus fish and instead started feeding it humans, force feeding." Releasing a shrill chuckle Harper pointed to each of the chamber's occupants. "It decided it likes the taste of human and digital despair in mass."
"Dagomon seeks to cleanse the world of what he sees as life's great lies. When we in the Holy Choir learned of this…we immediately set out on a pilgrimage to make him see the light of reason." Abakumon shut his eyes painfully recalling the memory of centuries ago. When everything had gone wrong. When he failed to stop this madness thus dooming two worlds. "When we found Dagomon after navigating that barbaric fortress…it was too late for him. The Dagomon we knew before…was already gone. We slaughtered us…without remorse. He loathed us for the light we possessed, for the hope, we held onto."
"The Seven Crests the others told me about…" Jun whispered suddenly seeing the pieces slid together. "That's why he hates the DigiDestined so much. Each one of them stands for something he believes to be nothing but a lie."
"Every light to him is an eyesore. Every ray of hope a false promise of tomorrow." Abakumon growled. "We fled, I fled, believing it was possible to reason with him. What a fool I was back then. He…hunted us through this realm after sealing all the exits. We made this place our stronghold. For eons we have waited for the day the forces of good would make their way here to restore balance, to end Dagomon's reign of madness and nihilism."
Like a switch had been thrown in both their heads Jun and Onimon faced each other, shock written over both their faces. This was it? This was what had moved their lives together in this place?
"I can sense your fear, your doubt, and your hesitation Jun, Onimon. It is good you feel such things."
"B-But why me? What can I do! Don't you know what my life's been like!? I'm no hero! I'm a spoiled brat! I've never had to seriously devote myself to doing anything in my whole life! I can't…I just don't understand…" Frustration burned inside of her like a flame. There were so many questions she wanted to scream at the Holy Digimon. A part of her knew they were on borrowed time. That made this whole mess all the more heart-breaking. "There are thousands of girls out there who have…out of all of them why did you pick me? Is it because of my brother? What do you think heroism runs in the blood or something?"
Despite her anger Abakumon remained civil with her. It was far more than she deserved and knowing that made her feel ashamed. Squeezing her hand the old Mega's eyes burned with a gentle yet determined fire. "Because you have the will to better yourself. That is the same reason why Onimon was always fated to be your partner." With his attention now on the Ultimate his voice turned firm. The way Onimon straightened up reminded Jun and Harper of a father and son having an important heart to heart. "You've been in that place before Onimon, that dark scary pit. You know what it's like to feel like the whole world is collapsing around you."
At first Onimon didn't say anything at all. Against his muscles his hands tightened into fists. "You're damn right I know the feeling. I thought…I don't know I was just so angry and depressed I didn't know what to do. Then I…I met Joe and Mimi. Despite all the things I did to them they still stuck their necks out for me. And then Leomon…" For the first time in a while Jun heard her partner's voice choke up. Quickly he regained control of his emotions and turned it into resolve. "At first I did it out of honor but when I fought beside them against the Dark Masters, worked my ass off to help get the Digital World back on its feet with them…after a while I realized something," the two Digimon shared a small smile. "I realized I had something to live for."
With Onimon finished Abakumon turned to Jun who shrunk back. With a comforting nod from her friend she spoke up, her voice gradually growing with each word. "After the whole MaloMyotismon thing I…I don't think I ever looked at Davis or any of the others the same. I couldn't look at myself the same way. I…I think I hated myself. Sometimes when I looked in the mirror after knowing how many times Davis risked his life to keep me safe, to save the world, I felt so…I felt so…" A comforting hand fell over her back. She knew it well. Meanwhile Abakumon kept her hand tightly pressed within his. Heh, why does this feel like I'm at confession. "I worked to change myself because I didn't want to be the old me. I wanted to know what the people around me were really like. My brother, Matt, Tai, Joe, Mimi, and Sora. I'm hoping I'm at least better than I was before."
With hearty laugh Abakumon spoke, "Now do you two see? What both of you go through isn't uncommon. Every day thousands of people face hardship, make stupid decisions. For Dagomon that's where the line ends. The truth is accepting responsibility for those things, deciding to do better, and moving on is what makes us strong, human or Digimon. No matter what it is we rise above it because deep down, we all living creatures refuse to give up and slowly rot away. Yes, in life you will face many tragedies, there will be heart breaks so painful you will go numb. It's in those moments we must decide rather to give up or move ahead. Face fear with courage, fill loneliness with love and friendship, and never, never, accept your life to be a dead end."
While the two living creatures absorbed his words Harper floated forward, a testy look in his yellow eyes. "What's with you? After all the shit you've been through how can you still believe things are going to turn out alright? You're one of the oldest beings in here! You've seen shit most creatures would have nightmares about for years on end! You've been alone for eons! Everyone you know and care about is dead! Everyone who cares about you is-"
"No!" Jun shouted snapping to Harper so fast he jumped back. "Everyone who cares about him is dead? That's bullshit. Because one's standing right here in front of you."
"Two." Onimon grumbled.
Harper looked between the two then back at Abakumon. "But…why?"
"Because hope runs deep." The holy Digimon answered. "Sometimes you just have to unearth a mountain to find it. Then again," his hands fell on the shining object nested in his lap. "It may just be spite. Dagomon expected us, expected me to give up. I suppose to spite him we resolved to hold on. People like Dagomon…they live for the moment their victims give in. That's when they know they've won. To refuse to submit is to deny them that victory. Now…that's all I can humbly ask of you two, do not submit to Dagomon, or for that matter anyone who believes they hold power over you. Only you have that power and no can take it away from you expect yourself."
"Trust me pal," Onimon started giving a humorless laugh. "I know what you're saying."
"Good, then I have two things left to give one. Both are for you Jun Motomiya." Abakumon spoke holding out his hands. Tiny particles of light gathered in between his palms. They rotated faster and faster in opposite directions until they formed a solid basketball-sized sphere. Within seconds of forming the sphere gave way to reveal a knife. The blade was unlike anything Jun had ever seen in her life. It resembled a ceremonial dagger with its oval shaped blade etched golden DigiCode. The entire blade's white color was a stark contrast to the white in the Dark Ocean, it was freshly polished marble-type white that boarded on silver. The guard was a smooth oval shape that looked to have been made from pure steel in contrast to the handle which was leather-wrapped wood. A white marble-like pummel decorated the bottom. "This knife…is called Elafris, its blade is…composed of White Chrome Digizoid."
"What!" Onimon shouted jumped back from Jun. "You mean the same Digizoid used to craft everything used by Celestial Digimon and the Holy Choir! The same stuff that's been lost for eons! Eons!"
"Really? So this is basically Digimon gold." Jun stated spinning the knife around. It felt incredibly light in her hands, almost like a feather. "I'm going to guess its super effective against evil Digimon?"
"More than that dear." Abakumon coughed. "It wounds those bearing evil intent, regardless of rather they're humans or Digimon. The reason I'm giving it to you is because evil is not limited to one species. Only a fool believes such a thing." His eyes feel to the small object in his lap. Once Jun put the knife away she held out her hands, ready to receive her last gift. "This…is what is called a ZERO ARMS, a very powerful digital weapon that possesses a limited degree of sentience. It is a holy type item, one that can only be used against Demon, Virus, or Fallen Angel type Digimon. You know…what to do with it. Do not use it on Dagomon's…creations. His daughters…his two enforcers, and his most trusted subject…the Serpent King. Save it."
"I will, I promise." The ZERO ARMS felt like an egg in her hands. Abakumon was right about it possessing a limited form of sentience. Onimon placed his hand over it and his face registered the feeling as well. Nothing happened when the Nightmare Soldier touched it, no sparks flew out and no flames began to eat away at his hand. "I guess we don't have to worry about it expelling us when we need it. Abakumon…what are you going to do?"
Before Abakumon's face looked pained, like he was struggling to hold himself together, now with the burden lifted he seemed happy, free even. "Ah, my dear girl, now I can join my friends. I have held on for longer than I can remember and my faith was rewarded. Before you ask, I'm not speaking of my faith in a higher power, I am speaking of my faith in good people. I am…happy I was able to meet all of you. I know you two will rise above this storm…all you need…is the will to do so."
In front of their eyes Abakumon's entire body was bathed in golden light. Around them the other crosses glowed with similar radiance. The DigiCode pulsated then merged with the golden light. Jun, Onimon, and Harper were engulfed in a sphere of light and sound from which nothing could be perceived. The feeling of air rushing by filled their ears; gradually it was replaced by the clap of thunder. Droplets of rain began to pierce the sphere hitting Jun and Onimon. Standing side to side they faced forward as the light peeled back.
Innsmouth was twelve miles out from the cliff side they were on. In between those twelve miles Jun and Onimon knew they were going to be crawling through hell. Harper looked between the two with a true smile. These two weren't like the others that had come before them.
Maybe, just maybe, these two can pull this stunt off. If they don't what do I lose. But if they do…His grin morphed into a malicious grin. He had to hold the laughter building in his throat and that wasn't easy. Many things could make him laugh, the thought of watching another being in pain seemed to rank pretty high on that list. There was one person who he wanted to see pain more than anyone. The two standing before him now held the greatest chance of inflicting the greatest pain imaginable on the person he hated most in the world.
For better or for worse he was throwing his lot in with these two idiots. Like he said, he had nothing to lose.
Yeah this chapter pretty much summed up the main theme this story is going to be centered on, overcoming hardship, be it physically or mental. Jun and Onimon are going to be making a straight run for Innsmouth now but what they find along the way is the surprise. The forest is still transforming and of course Dagomon knows they're out there. In the next few chapters we're going to see Jun and Onimon go head to head with his "generals", all of which are inspired or influenced by H.P. Lovecraft's works. Some of it will get disturbing and violent. Hope you guys enjoy! Later!
