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Chapter Twenty-Four: The Devil's Kin

Within the abyss shadows moved in swift silent motion. Their forms could only barely be made out as part humanoid part fish, any attempt to examine them closer would have been suicidal. Eerie mist hung above the water's swaying surface. Droplets quietly rained down into the water's glassy top creating a never ending chorus of near silent drop, drop sounds that were complimented by the sorrowful moans coming from the water's dark depths. Every other minute a sharp growl would cut through the choir causing countless ripples to manifest. Despite the shadows' movement none of them ever broke the water's surface. Extending high above the lagoon's ceiling was bathed with crimson red light emitting from the stone idol set up at the edge of the lagoon. The bloody jewels that served as eyes seemed to glow brighter when an unexpected quake shook the chamber. From the stone mouth a sea horn-like sound rolled over the lagoon; it was met by the collective shrieks and hisses of the shadows.

They were hungry for food and their 'father' had starved them long enough.

"FFFFaaaaattttthhhhheeer…" came the voice from one of the shadows. It ventured closer to the idol while the others remained a sizable distance away. The voice female. "Why do you hold us back? Why do you send those pitiful grunts…to do what we were created to do?"

"She is right master." Came another more, slithery voice. Undoubtedly the creature it belonged to was reptilian. "Simpppply give the word and we will erase all those who oppose you, Digimon or human."

Nothing came out of the idol's mouth saved for what could only barely pass as breathing. Another quake shook the lagoon when the voice of the sinful priest was heard. "No, we will not erase them yet. What you all…have planned is…unfitting for them. They deserve something…more than simple oblivion. For their crimes…they must be given a…proper gift." One by one each of the shadows leaned forward eager to hear what 'gift' the lord of the Dark Ocean had in mind. He breathed out a single sentence that filled each of the shadows with glee. "We must give them despair."

Howling in pleasure the concealed Digimon danced and celebrated beneath the murky water top.

"Which one of us will it be father? Who will you give this wonderful duty to?" came the female voice from before.

"As we speak…Janaimon faithfully wages war on our enemies, who are we to abandon him in this critical moment?" The reptilian voice added.

"Yeeeessss." The idol exhaled releasing a new field on mist onto the lagoon surface. Telekinetically water gathered then froze to form a mirror nearly ten feet in diameter. Faces and names blurred together in unreasonable order though to the concealed Digimon it was child's play to read. Crimson eyes of all shades shined through the water as they hungrily took in who their targets were as well as what their assignments were. "As the leader he refuses to show his fears, but on the inside Tai Kamiya is very close to a break down. His world, his family, his love, and everything he holds dear…we must push him there. He is the detestable sun, the fire that fuels the rest." The digital monster spoke with a hint of anger in his voice. "Raandamon, you will be the one to extinguish that fire. Devour it."

The shadow that had been unusually silent was suddenly loud and actively thrashing in the water in excitement. A grinding, deeply bear-toned voice thanked Dagomon again and again until he had calmed down.

"As much darkness as Ken Ichijouji has within his heart it would be a shame to end him. Alas, the boy presents too much of a threat. Yigmon, I leave the matter of the boy's death to you." There was an excited hiss mirroring that of the previous Digimon's grunts. "We must remove him from the game before Daemon gets his clawed hands on him. It matters not how you end his suffering, only that there are some left to mourn. His passing will be…the gonging that signals the end." At this Dagomon released a short laugh. In his mind he could already see the misery the Japanese DigiDestined would sink in with the death of one of their own. Once the laughter died down the ominous light emitted from the idol's eyes flashed. The image in the mirror shifted through several different faces. "Daemon's agent…he's done well in shielding her from my sight. Her despair though, it calls to me, begs to me for release. In time I will grant the poor child her wish."

"My lord DDDDDaggom," the serpent voice belonging to Yigmon hissed. "The Seeds of Montfort have been planted; simply give the word and they can be activated."

"Yigmon, as always you do me great honor." Breathed the Depraved Monk. "As one of my most trusted followers I offer you one of the heaviest tasks that must be completed." In front of them the mirror split into two different images of the Ishida family, one when it was whole and the other when it had separated. The light grew so bright it began to burn causing the fog to be overtaken by steam. In the water the Digimon shifted in minor discomfort. They could sense their god's anger and did not want to be on the receiving end of it. "Oddly, mirroring the sun is the cold winter, how strange that two boys who stand on opposite of the elemental wheel are such close friends. Matt Ishida, he is not Tai Kamiya but he is strong willed, more so if his friends require it. In the absence of Tai Kamiya the others will rally around him and he will lead the pack. That must not be." Arcs of crimson lightning jumped between the eyeholes. They grew to the point both were nothing more than car sized collections of lightning storms eager to strike out at anything that dared move. The foreboding feeling weighted heavily on the lagoon occupants. "Takeru…Takaishi…T.K., the vermin, the false prophet, the thief!" roared Dagomon from the idol's mouth piece so loud it shook the lagoon. "He clings to what is not his! Clings to what he has no right to! He stands for that which does not exist in this world! The great liar! The great heretic! By all means! By any means his life, his existence, must be obliterated!"

At last free the lightning exploded around the cave, blasting off gigantic chunks of rock from the walls. Hissing in pain the handful of Digimon arched back and did their best to endure their master's uncontrolled wrath. They prayed he would regain control soon least they leave his meeting chambers with permanent scars.

"The wolf and the false provider, they must be killed, swiftly, painfully, and most of all the lying one must be made to suffer for his transgressions. Yigmon, Ythomon, you two will eliminate both of them."

A deep moaning sound suddenly slipped free from the largest shadow. Compared to the others it was the whale of the bunch with the Digimon producing it close to breaking the surface as began to move away from the others.

"Hold my son." Dagomon spoke halting the beast in its tracks. "Not yet, you must know what your sisters are planning least your fun cross over and be ruined. Surely you three remember what happened the last time that happened." A collection of chuckles was met with a trio of snorts. "There are others that must be taken care of; the rest of the DigiDestined have chosen not to remain isolated. As expected they have come together…and their power is greater than I expected. Their…foolishness extends further than I believed possibly."

"Then allow me to remind them of the price of their arrogance!" shouted Raandaimon poking one of his fins above the water. Just from a glance the fin looked more like an oversized butcher blade than a normal shark fin.

"Patience Raandaimon. You forget, it is not just the DigiDestined we have to contend with, Daemon is still roaming my realm."

"He may be roaming the realm but he is no threat." A female voice similar to the first snorted.

"Even if he had not released Barbamon then that would still be a lie." Dagomon clarified shocking his servants. "Yes, Barbamon has been set free. The pitiful resistance the Digital World tried to put together was barely enough to even scratch the Daemon Corps. Now we must contend with the two sharpest minds of all the Seven Deadly Demon Lords."

The image in the mirror shifted to show the volcanic wasteland that served as Barbamon's prison. The scars of battle were evident from a bird's eye view. Clearly what had happened there had not been a battle but a slaughter of utmost proportions. The doors to the Sin Tower had been blown clean open while smoke bellowed from the holes in the stone and metal tower; it said something about the structure that the release of its occupant hadn't caused it to crumble into the lava below. Humans and Digimon buzzed around the area, lifting injured and dying where they could. To the servants of the sinful priest this was nothing short of disgusting,

"With Barabmon free I fear our advantage will soon be lost." Within the pool's surface the volcanic field was replaced by a raging ocean underneath a storming sky. Mountain sized waves crashed down on top of each other washing away everyone and everything that was foolish enough to be caught in the storm. In the center of the insane battle a lone tower similar to the one in the volcanic fields stood perfectly still. An aura of blue energy twisted and snapped around it like a hungry beast waiting to be fed. Around the tower armies of marine Digimon clashed against each other in a marine battles that were spoken of only in legend. Looking close enough it became clear one side was virus infected as evident by the red Tron lines as well as sea fungus on their skin. These were the ones that had given themselves to Dagomon's salvation. "Our attempt to take Leviamon's tower…has failed. We can't attempt to take it again without risking depleting our forces."

Before any of the assembled servants could voice their thoughts they saw why their god had given such a decree. Janaimon, as massive and powerful as he was, was unable to move past the second defensive line the Daemon Corps had set up. Hundreds of attacks hammered against his shell. Normally regular bombardments would have done little against Janaimon's shell, but this wasn't a normal bombardment. Tendrils of red energy drilled into his shell, penetrating into his flesh electing a pain filled howl from crustacean. Pieces of his shells broke off into the water crushing whoever happened to be in their path. The soft flesh of Janaimon's back was exposed to the elements and the Daemon Corps weren't the type to let such an opportunity pass them by. Despite the efforts of his army there was little Janaimon could do other than wait for enough of the demonic attackers to get in close then release a pulse of energy to throw them away. Just when it seemed like the crustacean's shell was beginning to regenerate a blazing portal opened in the sky. It was impossible to see was beyond the portal due to the gigantic stream of fire that blew through it. The image of it colliding with Janaimon greatly resembled what would happen if a volcano was turned upside before erupting. Never had any of the Digimon heard Janaimon howl in such pain before.

A shadow fell over the battle, its caster was a bird so massive its wingspan could have blocked out the sun for an entire section of a forest. Its whitish black beak gave a shrill howl then flapped its wings generation a tornado of such gratitude it parted the sea. Pain filled as it was Janaimon ordered the retreat as it was clear the battle was no longer in their favor.

The image faded from the mirror leaving Dagomon to observe the faces of his most trusted followers. He could sense the shock and anger pulsating from each of them. No thought at that moment Daemon felt a nice little boost in energy. Let him have it, Dagomon thought. He'll need all the energy he can get for what I have waiting for him. When he felt the feelings of his followers recede he spoke, "There is still time for us to press our advantage. My storm is battering the Human World, our enemies have doubted just how powerful human despair can be. Heheheh, it's the ironic, the sin that is often forgotten will be what drowns this world."

"Father what will you do about the human intruder? How long must we allow her and her pet to befoul our blessed home with their foul stench?" snapped one of the female voices.

The thunder like laughter of Dagomon rolled off the walls into the rest of the black ocean. "Why my dear daughter Tosamon, that honor will belong to you."

If there was ever a sound that could freeze entire oceans it was the laughter of Tosamon, the sadistical daughter of the Sinful Priest of the Ocean Floor himself. The mist hid her face as she threw her head back in maniacal laughter. "Tell me, is our little project? Ready yet? I'm just dying to see the orge's face when he sees it. By the time he realizes his partner's ours he won't even have time to scream."

"In time Tosamon," Yigmon chuckled doing circles. "If these pair is as resourceful as we believe they are they'll hold out long enough for our pet to be deployed. It'll make for a good show."

"Oh Yigmon, of that I have no doubt." The other female voice chuckled.

"There it is, each of you have an assignment. Now go forth my beloved servants. Yigmon, Tosamon, Tolhumon, Raandaimon, and Ythomon, show our enemies what despair looks like." The idol commanded while the crimson light started to dim.

"Yes O Gracious One." The five monstrous voices spoke in unity.

Within seconds darkness had consumed the lagoon as had its occupants left via the same passage that served as the entrance.


If there was any conceivable way for Daemon to avoid bringing Barbamon into the fold he would have taken it. Any spell, program, or curse that would shut the bearded bastard up he was welcome to. Alas, no such method existed leaving him stuck with the Great Demon of Greed. If he didn't need his brain he would have had little issue with deleting him and leaving his data to scatter in the wind. In the few moments he'd had to himself he'd often fantasized what it would be like to watch the life fade from his eyes, the joy he'd feel at seeing his aged frame fall to the ground then disappear. Grinding his teeth he continued to dream of the joy he knew would be forever out of his reach.

As the Demon Lord's most cunning tactician it didn't take much for Barbamon to deduce what his ally was thinking. On numerous times he'd made it clear the animosity was mutual. Even now when it was just the two of them he couldn't harm the robe wearing Virus. As he'd done for eons earlier he'd just have to settle for testing Daemon's infinitely short temper. "If you have anything to say Daemon I'm more than open to them. Really, it's no secret you're my lesser yet still acceptable equal in warfare." He offered breathing a puff of smoke from his pipe.

Daemon glared at the holographic figure of the Demon of Greed. "Why don't I save us both the time? We are running quite short on it in case you haven't noticed Barbamon."

"I'm aware." He huffed rolling his neck. He sat crossed legged with his staff lazily resting between his left arm and shoulder. Despite the fact it was just a projection he could still do very real damage to the chamber with one swing of the wand. "If you had handled the situation better we might have more time but alas, like always you rushed to the finish. Now we're sitting here trying to figure out how to deal with an oversized squid and a few hundred brats staying up past their bed time. Brats, I mind you, that pulled the rug from under you once before." A crooked grin manifested on his face at the cloud of fire that rose from Daemon's body. "Temper now old friend."

"Yes," Daemon seethed. "Temper." Flexing his fingers to air out the anger he turned his attention to the twin maps projected to their right. One was one of the Digital World and the other was of the Human World. Simply put they were battle maps. Throughout his various lifetimes Daemon had looked at more of these than he could count, sometimes in annoyance and sometimes in glee. "It goes without saying we're losing more ground than we're gaining Barbamon. By some stroke of luck those little bastards managed to keep Belphemon's Tower from us, with the help of the Metal Empire of course."

The old demon took another hoof of his pipe groaning in annoyance. Red sparks flew from his flickering claws as he peered into the minds of his followers. Through their eyes he saw countless machine Digimon fighting in tandem with the DigiDestined to hold the cliff side that held the Demon Lord of Sloth's Sin Tower. Whereas as before their forces had known nothing but victory they were now being driven back by the onslaught of mechanical behemoths. "Taking on the Metal Empire will be no easy task." Barbamon had always held a disdain for machine type Digimon. They were too cold and mechanical for his tastes; too impersonal and hive minded. Not one of them knew how to take time off and enjoy the fruits of the material world. "I might say it is surprising to see they were able to enlist the empire's help. Usually they remain militarily neutral in every conflict that doesn't directly affect them." An evil chuckle rolled from beneath his beard. "Then again, I'd assume the birth of a new world would directly affect their little metal beehive."

His wrath-themed counterpart was not laughing, that however, wasn't a surprise because Daemon never laughed in his presence. "No matter how strong we are it is lunacy to take on the entire Metal Empire at this stage. More importantly if Chaosdramon has gotten off his metal ass to order his army to mobilize then it won't be long before the other kingdoms and sectors start doing the same." The Digital World map rippled as the lines and icons rearranged themselves to reflect the latest development. Five other monitors came up around the central map showing real-time images of forests burning, cities crumbling, and Control Spires being blown sky high. "They're certainly putting up a fight for a cause that is lost. I've been having a much harder time drawing sin from the Digital World. Some of those accursed relics of The Fall have survived."

"We can thank Leviamon for his carelessness with that one." Barbamon muttered taking into account this new bit of information. "Since I've been forced to clean up your mess in the Digital World tell me, how goes the Human World front?"

Anytime Daemon smiled or laughed it was usually a clear sign someone, somewhere, was having an extremely awful day. From the way the demon's body twisted and his voice cackled in amusement it was a clear sign hell had been unleashed. "Oh you know, the usual human behavior, crime rates soaring through the roof, genocides, massacres, mass destruction, civil anarchy, and the like. Typical human behavior." At that the two Great Demons shared a rare mutual laugh. Neither needed details as to what was happening to the millions of humans in the Human World as they could sense it through their extraordinary powers. They could taste it with every breath they took. "Personally I'd like to think say Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia have been my greatest successes. Look at the countries in them, half of them have been in raging flame for almost two weeks now. I'm quite surprised about the amount of lust being radiated from them as well. I for one, thought we'd find Lilithmon's partner in Japan."

"I actually agree with you." The bearded demon chuckled. "Have you found her partner yet?"

"No but I'm narrowing that the list." Daemon answered waving his hand to create an image of Ken for the two of them to observe. Within his chest dual-colored orb pulsated in place of his heart. The two colors, light green and red seemed to be locked in a heated struggle against each other with red just barely holding more dominion than the light green. "Ken's corruption has actually been hasten thanks to Dagomon's assassination attempt. The boy is increasingly wondering if any of these would have happened if he hadn't been stopped." Excited flames danced between the robe-wearing digital monster's eyes. The image of Ken morphed and twisted in pain then ceased to reveal a positively sadistic Ken Ichijouji. His normal clothing was wrapped in flames, transforming them into an upgraded form of his Digimon Emperor outfit. Behind him the fearsome vintage of Lucemon stood proudly laughing as his enemies fell before him. "He's cracking Barbamon. No matter how much he drones it out some part of his mind is still whispering in his ear that he can stop all of this. In truth he can, he just needs the right tool."

"Based on that cackle in your eyes I assume you already have such a tool in place. I must say Daemon, you've taken quite the interest in turning this child. Does it have something to do with those annoying brats that trapped you in that forties-cinema knock off? "

Within his eyes the smoldering flame within Daemon's eyes shifted in intensity. His body went rigid; it was the sort of rigidness that accompanied a predator before it pounced on its prey. He held up his right hand, the same hand he'd used to hold off the combined attacks of Imperialdramon, Shakkoumon, and Selipimon. "With this one I stopped their combined power in its tracks. With this hand I have crushed armies, brought the strongest of creatures to their knees, and with this hand I had stained the heavens red. All those things…and those light-spawned brats managed to escape me; they denied this hand what was rightfully mine. Yes Barbamon," a roaring inferno exploded within his palms, searing the air around him. Within the concentrated blaze the cries of hundreds of creatures thundered outward. "Those little shits have earned my wrath, and I fully plan on bringing it down upon them."

"I see," Barbamon nodded toying with the fork end of his beard. "Then it is clear that I must take over dealing with the Japanese DigiDestined." He counted a full fifty-seven seconds before Daemon registered what he had just said.

"WHAT!?" A burning inferno consumed the chamber curiosity of the Lord of Wrath's temper momentarily spiraling out of control.

Though it was only a projection Barbamon could faintly feel the raw hellfire licking at his body. He truly enjoyed it when Daemon lost his temper such as he was now. It made him oh so easy to manipulate and toy with.

"How dare you? How dare you, you decrepit, pathetic excuse for a demon!" he roared, the edges of his robe burning off as he was a hair's breath away from transforming into his Wrath Form. "DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE WAITED!? HOW LONG I'VE PLOTTED THEIR DOWNFALL!? NO! OF COURSE NOT! UNLIKE ME WHO'S BEEN WORKING HIS ASS OFF TO MAKE SURE YOU COULD TASTE FRESH AIR AGAIN, YOU'VE DONE NOTHING BUT SIT ON YOUR ASS LIKE ALWAYS! NO BARABAMON, YOU WON'T DENY ME MY REVENGE! I'VE WAITED TOO LONG FOR IT!"

"That is exactly why we can't have you dealing with the DigiDestined at this point in the war." Came a smooth voice.

It caught Daemon off guard to the point his transformation ceased. Instead an outline of flickering flames danced around his shoulders and holders. Clearly he'd regained control though he was still battling the desire to end the transmission right there. Putting with Barbamon was hard enough, now he had to deal his partner.

For all intents and purposes Valére Beaudet was Barbamon confined in a human form. An eighteen year old young man that would have passed for the human definition of handsome if one did not look too closely into his eyes. Within those emerald colored eyes lied something dark, cruel, and most of all wanting. When he smiled it was the grin of a predatory beast. He walked with the air of confidence his fine breeding had installed in him even if he was facing a creature that could wipe him out with a simple sweep of its hand. When he coolly met Daemon's eyes the desire to incinerate him on the spot burned hotter than ever.

"Why is your dog here?" he snarled.

Valére chuckled at the Great Demon's expression. It would have been quite the sight if he was actually there in person. "What? I'm a part of this war too, hell, you'd probably lose it if it weren't for me." The rims of his eyes which had once been as green as the rest of his eyes were now tinged with glimmering gold, a clear sign of Barbamon's influence over the human. "As Barbamon pointed out you're too emotionally close to this to not screw it up. We need Ken Ichijouji alive and willing to give himself to Lucemon. That can only happen if he's still got something to lose."

"Exactly." Barbamon added sweeping his beard to the side. "As long as he believes there's still hope he will continue to resist. We need to demolish the last shred of resistance in his feeble little mind."

Seeing the twin grins on their faces the imprisoned Fallen Angel Digimon narrowed his eyes. "What are you planning?"

With that trademark grin Barbamon spoke, "Davis's parents have been laid low, his home violated, and his loved ones placed in harm's way by Dagomon. His world is crumbling at the seams as is that of the rest of the world. Ken knows all this, everything that has happened up until this point, he knows all of it was set in motion by his hand."

At his foot Valére chuckled the same inhuman sound his partner did. "So naturally he knows all of it can be ended by his hand." Reaching into his pocket he fished out a golden coin Daemon believed he prized over life itself. Playful he flipped it between his fingers while the Demon Lord continued to glare holes in him. "We push him to the brink but we don't kick him off the cliff, you see he's got to be the one to make that choice willingly." The grin on his face went from mischievous to absolutely sadistic. Daemon had to admit, the boy was becoming more of a demon with each passing day. "When his friends are orphans, when they're weeping over the bodies of their slain parents he'll do anything, become anything to make the pain stop. Such is the fate of those who open their heart to others."

Despite the brilliance of the plan Daemon still wasn't convinced. "A plausible plan I admit, but why are you so unwilling to let me carry it out? Are you afraid I'm going to show you up?"

"No, I'm afraid you're going to let your personal vendetta get in the way of our plans. I won't deny you've positioned the board wonderfully for our grand return but as always, you're running the risk of screwing it all up on account of personal reasons." Barbamon chided locking eyes with Daemon.

Coldly the Fallen Angel replied, "You're the last person who should be talking to me about things getting personal." As expected there was no response from Barbamon and only a light chuckle from Valére. "Oh screw it! Chiyo's progress has been too slow and Dagomon's going to go for the jugular if he sees the chance. She's almost at the point where…yes, yes, yes, yes! I shall kill two birds with one stone!"

"Based on that little grin of yours I'm assuming you just had a useful idea?" His Greed-themed counterpart questioned smirking.

"You know where I stand with Chiyo yes?"

"Of course, honestly I think you're being too soft on the girl Daemon. You've allowed her to get too friendly with the enemy."

"But boss that'll make it all the sweeter when she pulls the rug from under them." Valére laughed. Stepping forward he ran a hand over his dark near jet- black hair. "In this kind of situation relationships are going to start being tested; they always are when the worse happens. Chiyo thinks she can trust them, thinks she can trust Davis and Kari." The French teenager held up both his hands creating a set of golden holograms between them. A female angel appeared in his hands radiating brilliant light while a draconic warrior bowed his head in awe at the divine identity. "She's forgetting what she is, all we need to do is remind she can never have what they have. Love. Friendship, Family. A tomorrow. We'll remind her that for her those things will always be out of reach unless she gives into her darkness."

"An assassination job with two targets, one not even knowing their being targeted." Maybe if he he'd had a heart that could care for another person Daemon would have objected to such a cruel plan. It was possible if some old vintage of the angelic being he used to be still existed he would have talked the two before him out of inflicting more harm on the emotionally fragile girl he'd taken in. As far as any living soul knew, no such thing existed in the mass of raw hatred and fury that was Daemon. The malevolent laughter that erupted from him was a clear sign of that. "Excellent! I was wondering what I could do to push her beyond those idiotic limitations she'd placed on herself! Believe me Barbamon, it will work." He cackled imagining the look in Chiyo's eyes when their plan unfolded. "She must see, when those brats are clinging to their loved ones, crying into their arms, hearing them whisper everything's going to be alright, she won't be able to take it."

"So it's agreed then, we kill one half for Ken and leave the other half alive to drive Chiyo nuts with jealously." Valére concluded flipping his coin into the air. For a long time he'd been waiting to be the famed DigiDestined that had toppled Devimon, the Dark Masters, and everything else the darkness had thrown at them. Of course he knew he wouldn't be meeting them at full strength but oh well. "I'll go along, just to make sure the job gets done."

Putting his palms together Barbamon summed his demonic power to cast a real life illusion before their eyes. Before them was a war torn street with bodies thrown every which way twisted and damaged to the point they could no longer be called human. At the center a celestial light burned like a miniature sun. Dozens of survivors crowed around it in awe. Their admiration and reverence was clear on their faces as a female figure materialized within the luminous sphere. She took the hands of one of the kneeling humans, a teenager at most. From beyond the light's reach another female figure stood in the darkness. Her azure eyes burned with a cold fire trying to freeze out the divine light. Her balled fists filled with dark energy then rose up her arms. From behind her came a sudden flood of midnight black water. It drowned out all the survivors save for the one who had taken the angel's hands. The angel whose light once illuminated the night was now struggling to maintain herself in the tidal wave claiming the land. A figure moved through the black liquid, a splash of water and the shadowy vintage of a crocodilian beast clamped its jaws down on the angel. The light was instantly extinguished. "So let it be, a special showing for those of the darkness." Barbamon commanded. "One staring the angel of light, the warrior of miracles, and barefoot maiden."

The illusion ended leaving Daemon back in his chambers with the astral projections of Barbamon and Valére. Though he wouldn't say it the illusion was exactly what Daemon wanted to happen give or take. If that was what Barbamon had in mind then he'd go along with it…up to a point. "I agree if you agree to my conditions."

"And you call me greedy." Barbamon sneered. "Name them Wrath Lord."

"Davis Motomiya is to suffer." He answered fire roaring in his eyes. They were the only color in the black and white color scheme that had taken hold of Daemon. "He's close to breaking like the others no matter how hard he fights it. His sister is here in the Dark Ocean and she's still useful."

"Very well Daemon." The other answered with a wave of his hand. "When he sleeps I will send the LithoRosemon to turn his dreams into nightmares. As for his sister I'll send some Chrysalimon and Infernmon to bring her to us. If by some stroke of luck our first plan fails we'll have Jun Motomiya as a barter piece. Knowing Kari Kamiya and Ken Ichijouji they practically throw themselves to us to get her back." Suddenly the amusement in Barbamon's eyes died and was replaced by that calculative glint he got whenever he was planning. "Do you realize how dangerous Davis Motomiya could be to us?"

"You mean other than the fact he seems to posse the same infuriating ability to inspire his followers like his predecessor? Why no Barbamon, that slipped my mind the first time I did battle with them."

"Not that you hotheaded imbecile." The bearded demon sneered lighting his pipe. "If we push the boy too far we risk losing him to Dagomon. For better or for worse the boy's still hanging on but the moment he stops we can be sure Dagomon's going to come for him." Daemon's eyes went cross at his statement. Barbamon smiled, "See? This is why Lucemon leaves the important planning to me."

"He's a sentimental idiot." Valére injected. "His parents are lying in the ER as we speak so his sister's the only family he's got left. We have her and we have him by the balls. It's really quite simple gentlemen."

Scoffing the Demon Lord of Wrath ran over all the possible variables that could go wrong in their plan. There were a few but none they couldn't work around. With a huff he came to conclusions Barbamon was right on this one. His revenge would have to wait. "I assume you're going to be sending him out?"

At his tone Barbamon faked a gasp. "How could you talk about one of my most trusted warriors in such a manner? Has he not brought us victory after victory? Has he not bleed and risked total deletion for our cause. Mephistomon would be hurt to hear you say such words."

Privately Daemon considered it an achievement he'd managed to hold a conversation with Barbamon this long without storming out. His patience was running dangerously thin and he needed some cool air to think about how to deal with the Dark Ocean front. "Fine. Send Mephistomon but you best damn make sure he doesn't get Chiyo killed in the crossfire. With all the wrath overflowing from the Human World and Digital World I have enough power to call in some of my stronger acolytes. That'll be enough to retake this moist hellhole."

"Are you sure you wouldn't like some help?"

"Don't push your luck."

"Very well Daemon. I trust you'll be able to handle an overgrown squid with a god-complex. Who knows, after you knock him off you may be able to escape that infernal prison and come join us here where everything isn't a photographic negative and food tastes like food. Good hunting."

The images of Barbamon and Daemon disappeared in flickers of scarlet light. At last Daemon was alone in his private chambers. Instead of howling his frustration to the skies as he usually did he held out his hand and released a concentrated blast of fire at the wall. The carved brick and stone screamed and screamed until it was nothing but ashes. When the dust and smoke settled a clear howl stretched into near infinite darkness. With his enhanced hearing he could hear the frightened cries of the lesser demons and devils shrieking away in terror. Not that he hadn't already had it but not Daemon had bought himself a long lasting peace throughout the entire base.

Returning his attention back to the maps he felt a nibbling feeling in his gut. He probably should have told Barbamon that their enemy had a nasty habit of pulling miracles out of their asses at inconvenient times. Something told him their well thought out plan was going to be offset by one of those miracles. That or something else. Dismissively he shook his head then snapped his fingers. Behind him group of Digimon appeared in the shadows of his torches. "Bring me the girl and her partner. Alive, nothing more or less." The shadows disappeared in bursts of flames. For one reason or another he had a feeling he was forgetting something. A critical detail even Barbamon had missed. Secretly he waited to see what that detail was.

It would be fun to see the smile fall from Barbamon bearded face, then maybe that stupid wand broken over his bald hand.


"I hate these things!" Jun screamed emptying another clip into the Chrysalimon propelling towards her at bullet-like speeds. It dissolved into clumps of corrupt data allowing her to turn her focus on the rest. "All of it, everything, it all started the first time I saw these damn things!" Ducking another one of their clawed tentacles she rolled across the ground keeping her figure on the trigger. Countless shrieks of pain went up from the Champion-level Digimon as the Chrome Digizoid shells penetrated their bodies. In retaliation those that weren't engaging her partner flew to her with the intent of ripping her limbs from limb. They would have came pretty close if Harper had not appeared before her, his form shifting into a wide curtain of mist. The result was like hitting a brick wall at high speeds. When the wall fell Jun wasted no time in emptying yet another clip into the collection of Chrysalimon.

They knew an ambush was coming for a while. By this point they'd gotten used to it. Onimon's sneer put her on guard. She asked what was coming and he replied something from the past. She had no idea just how far reaching the arrival of the Champions would have on her.

Chrysalimon's appearance caught her completely off guard. If Matt, Tai, T.K., or Izzy had been with her she imagined they would have had experienced the same surreal feeling she had. The first time she saw that armored form and those alien eyes she barely knew the significance behind them, the unimaginable danger the strange creature carried with it. Once she got the full story she never could shake her head and laugh how 'funny' the shell-like Digimon had looked.

The first one froze her even as countless more came zipping out of the tree line propelled by their spear tipped tentacles. On contact with those alien eyes Jun immediately knew these were more of the same creatures that had almost nuked her hometown. That thought made it so much easier to hold down the trigger for extended torrents of gunfire. From the few amounts of direct eye contact she got with the swarming Chrysalimon she knew they felt little to no animosity towards her or her partner; they probably didn't feel anything at all towards them. That though, didn't stop them from attempting to impale them from all sides.

Handling them wasn't an issue for Onimon, their Data Crusher attack could barely do any harm against his enhanced body. To their surprise it turned out being a ghost had more than a few advantages. Whenever Harper phased through another a creature it seemed to leave them frozen in place long enough to be killed or deleted. In addition to that he could morph his mist body into protective shields capable of halting a good number of attacks thrown at them. He remained close to Jun, only stepping in when he needed to but otherwise only breaking out in insane laughter at each kill. In the haze of combat and flying tentacles Jun saw something moving in the tree tops. She called to Onimon that something else was after them. For that she got a glowing energy projectile that nearly blew her head off. Luckily she saw the gleaming light before the energy blast left the muzzle; hitting the door caused the attack to sail over her head with the sonic boom it left behind thundering in her ears. The Digimon launched itself out of the darkness directly towards her giving Jun yet another blast from the past.

Infernmon gave off a similar vibe to its Champion-level incarnation, albeit the effect had been turned up teen folds. Its face was just…Jun had to shiver when she rolled out of the way of its Network Grenade attack. The blank puppet-like face it possessed was already scary enough without the black and white coloring. Infernmon's spider legs stretched out so it could turn to face Jun. It seemed baffled as to why she wasn't scared, what passed for a brain knew most humans reacted in shocked horror to its appearance.

While Infernmon looked up fast enough to see the oversized foot coming down on top it it was too slow to react. The Dark Area Digimon's head and neck made a satisfying crunch underneath Onimon's foot.

"Harper," The oni simply said.

Getting his meaning the human girl and ghost pressed themselves against his leg. The prayer beads around his neck glowed while a kanji appeared on each one. Dozens of lights gleamed from the darkness around them.

"Data Crusher!"

"Spider Shooter!"

The volley of attacks was too numerous to count. Each connected at the same moment resulting in a dome shaped explosion that burned away trees and branches at once.

The horde patiently waited for some kind of sound or movement. Nothing emerged from the hole they'd left in the 'floor' made of tree branches. Just when a handful were preparing to step forward some twenty orbs shoot out of the smoke and dust.

"Kimon Blast!"

Each orb shoot outward with the speed and intensity of cannonballs. Hellish flames consumed each the moment they launched, adding another layer of pain to their targets when they blasted their way through their chests. Collectively the Chrysalimon and Infernmon prepared to jump away only to discover the twenty orbs were spinning in a saw like circle around them. The flames around them fused together forming a ring that bisected as well as incinerated anything that touched it. Then, without any warning, the ring closed in pressing against the collection of Nightmare Soldiers. It didn't matter if they were directly in the ring's path or not, some invisible force slammed into them while at the same time setting them ablaze. In seconds half of the ambush force was gone.

Recalling the jeweled orbs back to him Onimon jumped straight up eyeing the rest of the horde. Smirking he threw his kanabo and proceeded to handle the incoming Infernmon barehanded. In his scorching hot hands their faces broke like pieces of fine china. The Chrysalimon wrapped him in their tentacles and followed it up with electric shocks they believed to paralyze the Ultimate-level Virus. Bellowing in fury Onimon threw his body backwards lifting the Chrysalimon into the air with him. He roared again, this time summoning a flame like aura that shaped itself into a demon's head. The aura burned away the tentacles of the Chrysalimon leaving Onimon free and unbound. Tetsuhono returned to Onimon just in time to perform his Rashoman Crash.

"Evil Wing!"

Stomping his foot down so he could raise Tetsuhono to defend Onimon sneered as he caught sight of a familiar black-garbed being. "I thought I already took care of you?"

With an equally aggravated sneer on her face the LadyDevimon floated down with both her arms crossed over her chest. "Don't flatter yourself you overgrown monkey. As if I'd ever fall to the likes of such an under rank creature like you."

Poking her head over Onimon's shoulder Jun's eyes narrowed. "It could be me but I'm pretty sure this one's uglier than the last one."

"The last one?" Harper questioned reappearing beside Jun. "What is she some kind of crazy stalker?"

"One with horrible fashion tastes." Jun drily answered.

With a cry of fury the female Fallen Angel rushed charged towards them having morphed her hand into a blood red tipped spear. Easily Onimon deflected the attack as well as the follow up. The LadyDevimon went on an all-out offensive attempting to run the horned oni whatever she could. Onimon had to admit this LadyDevimon was faster than the last one. If he had to guess whatever data that was left over from the last one he defeated had been transferred into this one that would certainly explain the vendetta she seemed to be carrying against him. He had four scratches on his face as a result of being a tad too slow to dodge her attacks.

When the chance arrived he grabbed her left hand. Momentarily caught off he swung his weapon expecting it to be enough to rip the female devil in two. Surprisingly her entire body dematerialized into bats that quickly flew away. Reforming on top a branch beside a line of Infernmon she barked at them, "Surrender! This entire place is surrounded and you're damned fools if you think we're going to let you escape!"

Jun was ready to give some smartass backtalk when she realized Onimon was shivering a little. In all the time she'd known her partner he never shivered. It wasn't from LadyDevimon or her amassed forces but something else. She felt it creeping up her spine and squeezing her brain. The feeling was all too familiar.

A cloud of dark mist blasted its way through the branches consuming the Chrysalimon and Infernmon. The hissing that came after was hard to describe, it sounded like metal being melted down in molten fire. Not very many screamed or for that matter even had time to scream. What really took the cake was the sound the trees and leaves made as they were disintegrated. There was nothing quite like the sound of organic life being destroyed on a molecular level.

The mist curled around Jun and Onimon in a similar manner to Onimon's prayer beads. Gasping in horror LadyDevimon flew away, just barely avoiding having her leg lost to the mysterious cloud of moisture.

"Sooooo much better now that it's just the three of us eh?" A sultry voice sang. Unless one listened closely they would never have been able to hear the inhuman undertone of the voice. "No lie, it's impressive you two have lasted this long. Of course since you've broken the record it's time we brought your story to an end. So the next batch can hear it and become inspired!"

Only Onimon could hear the sound of whatever the hell their new enemy was shifting through the air. His enhanced hearing told him whatever it was it had tentacles; if he had to guess maybe eight or nine of them. How long they were, what they had on them, and how tough they were were things he'd only be able to figure out if he actually saw one of them; he wasn't looking forward to that.

There was a rustle behind them. Harper screamed, Jun cursed, and Onimon jumped to the side with all his strength. A set of spear tipped tentacles surged from out of nowhere and buried themselves in the ground with the force of artillery shells. Three sets of eyes focused on the approaching figure, her female form, the extra appendages swaying from side to side, and lastly the pair of crimson eyes that they knew belonged to only one other creature.

Standing at a whopping six foot three the woman might have pasted for some exotic beauty if she was human. And if her 'hair' wasn't a mass of tentacles reaching down to the middle of her back. Her flesh looked as rubbery as a fish's yet in the low light that broke through it came off as almost reflective. Her assets were large enough to make some grown women jealous as much as one would have been envious of her near perfect hips. A dress seemingly made of leather cloth with wave patterns covered her lower half do a strong breeze would give way to her shapely legs. Seashell decorations hung across her neck and arms. Above her right breast was the symbol of Dagomon casting a red glow over her. Her arms possessed fins on the sides as were her fingers thinly webbed. Unlike Dagomon's eyes which were nothing but bottomless pits of horror this creature's eyes were worse. Something could be found in them, malice, clear and true malice.

"On behalf of the house of Dagomon I formally welcome you to the Dark Ocean." She giggled taking a mock bow. "My father does hope you've enjoyed your stay."

At the word father Jun and Onimon flinched. Hundreds of thoughts ran through their minds though they all fell short to one single realization-they'd become such a thorn in Dagomon's side he'd decided to send out his own daughter to deal with them. Both of them were able to take a noticeable degree of pride in that.

Half-hidden behind Onimon Jun impatiently waited for her Digivice to find some information on the newcomer. It was very possible there was no data but she wasn't above praying for another bone, God knew they needed every one they could get.

Data Entry Found.

Name: Tosamon

Level: Ultimate

Attribute: Virus

Description: As one would suspect any creature spawned from Dagomon would be a horrific monstrosity, Tosamon is the perfect example of that. Her cruelty is said to rival that of the denizens of the Dark Area; she uses her home world to practice that cruelty on an almost day to day basis. Due to her unique physiology she can slither from one side to another much like a snake or octopus in water. Combine this ability with the fact her body is capable of producing a pseudo-tetrodotoxin and you've one bad Lovecraft beauty. Said toxin is used heavily in her True Blue and Other World Mist attacks. If you really draw the short stick then you're on the receiving end of her brutal Violet Regret Attack.

Jun's mind was frozen on the world 'tetrodotoxin'. An old memory crawled out of the darkness into the forefront of her mind. She'd heard the term twice. With amazing clarity she remembered the first time-one of her friends from middle school, they'd taken a vacation to Australia and while there her father had died after being bit by the infamous Blue-ringed Octopus. Jun remembered looking up a picture of the creature and laughing it off. How could such a small, pathetic looking animal kill a grown human being? The second time was in biology, the one class she probably resented more than math. The lesson came back, one Blue-ring octopus carried enough neurotoxin to kill twenty-six grown men in less than half an hour.

For the first time Jun noticed the dark circles that ran over Tosamon's body. The Virus type met her eyes and she smiled. June's mouth burst open but Tosamon was faster than her mouth.

"True Blue."

The tentacles came flying at them at such a pace Jun had no idea they'd been launched until she felt the air whipping past her. The teenager's vision blurred between the tree lines and flashing appendages. Distantly she heard Onimon yelping in pain followed by the gradual loss of his calming physical presence. She hit the ground with a thud that left her right shoulder feeling numbed. Instinct screamed for her to get up and move and she did. Something came at her from her right; Jun ducked while reaching for her knife.

SLISH!

For a split second Jun felt the right side of face hit the ground then nothing. No feeling whatsoever. Her breathed picked up for another second then it was gone. That was the scary part, the fact she could actually feel her breathing come to an abrupt halt.

Then the pain hit her like a sledge hammer.


The Blue-ringed octopus is an animal to be feared. Seriously, octopuses are freaky enough but these things take the cake! One of the most venomous animals on the face of the Earth and you could hold it in the palm of your hand (wearing metal gloves of course)! Just researching it gave me shivers. Now for story reasons Jun isn't going to from being to be killed from the tetrodotoxin; however, that doesn't she's going to be able to shake it off like a common cold. Nor is she going to be the only one getting a taste of it.

Tosamon is based off of Nctosa of Cthulhu mythos, one of the twin spawns of Cthulhu said to be imprisoned in the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. She's not the first of Dagomon's 'children' that's going to be butting heads with the DigiDestined.

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