I do not own anything except the OCs.


Chapter Thirty-Two-Devilish Life Pt. 7 (Final)

It was a unified question if Shinjuku would ever be habitable again after the three way that ensued. A legion of demons against a legion of aquatic abominations against a handful of kids and their digital pets was not good for the landscape. When the kids attained much needed reinforcements things took an interesting turn. From a bird's eye view it truly was a spectacle to be seen. It could have passed for some ancient painting depicting a war of apocalyptic proportions. Come to think of it there probably would be a painting in some five or so years once the crisis was over.

The newly assembled DigiDestined wasted no time in attacking both sides. It wasn't just the Digimon who bellowed to the shattered heavens but the humans as well. In all honestly it wasn't at all out of the blue, a good chunk of them came from tribal portions of Africa were their cultures very much demanded they scream their hatred for their enemies.

It did the trick in terrorizing the enemy just as much as it did Tai's group.

Over half of them were carrying weapons with them into battle-clubs, baseball bats, hammers, and some were even carrying machetes with them. Normally such weapons should have been useless but they all shimmered with a unique bluish-white light. Once or twice the teenagers caught the circuity-like lines running up the weapons; they weren't fashioned by human hands but by Digimon. That explained why the evil hordes were suddenly doing their best to swat the humans down like flies. Quite fittingly that was the entire attack strategy of the newly arrived DigiDestined-spread like roaches and take a bite out of anything they could get their hands on. They showed little to no fear in brazenly jumping onto their opponents then commencing their attack.

The startled cries of hundreds of Digimon went up. They kicked and roared yet the human teenagers overwhelming them simply refused to let go. Their attacks were off shot because of that, few hitting their actually targets leaving them prey to the vengeful Digimon descending upon them from the rooftops. Androids, dragons, dinosaurs, cyborgnetic dinosaurs with laser cannons trapped to their backs, living tanks, mystical warriors wielding exotic weaponry, and the average elemental construct. None held anything back in their fierce attack immediately pushing the invading hordes back.

Yigmon reared his head back then howled at the sky, He was angry, truly angry at this unexpected turn of events. "You maggots! Insects!" He howled as his forces were thrown into totally disarray around him. A green and red aura slowly began manifesting around him. "Earth-Rending Scale!" The snake god bellowed transforming himself into his full snake form. With his speed enhanced by rage aura Yigmon moved with the speed of light-a reptilian reaper slicing through everything in his path. "IN THE NAME OF LORD DAGOMON I'M GOING TO KILL ALL OF YOU!" His boost wasn't without merit.

Body parts were propelled sky-high, fountains of blood and data attempting to follow them only to splatter back down to the earth. Very few had the time to scream before they were severed by the snake's sharper than steel scales.

"SOMEBODY KILL THE SNAKE! PIN IT THEN PUT A SPEAR THROUGH ITS SKULL!"

The DigiDestined were all too happy to oblige the order. Suddenly Yigmon's rout of attack was impeded by explosions. Munitions, energy blasts, spears or hammers, and pieces of matter like boulders went off before him. Though his sharpen eyes allowed him to turn at just the right moment each attack, each piece of shrapnel tore away at his empowered scales. Countless bodies threw themselves on top of him along with hundreds of limbs and talons made grabs for his body. Too many of them were missing him by just a centimeter.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

SHIT! The snake had time to curse before the ground beneath him split apart leaving him free falling. A fountain of power rose up then slam into his underside with the force of freight train. Screaming as he was lifted up he was forced to revert back to his humanoid form to guard against the plethora of attacks heading his way.

BBBBOOOOMMMM!

Gadreelmon would have taken the time to laugh at his adversary's misfortune if he himself wasn't engaged in a life or death fight. And against an Ultimate.

MagnaAngemon was pressing his attack with the strength and fury of a mad man. Excalibur, a fine enough weapon in its own right was less of a sword and more like a constant stream of burning light at the moment. Leaving fiery trails in its wake the weapon angrily beat at Solanum then when it got the chance to it deeply beat into the Fallen Angel's body. Sharp hisses went up every time the Ultimate-level angel managed to land a solid blow.

SWOSH! SWOSH! SWASH! SWASH! SWASH!

Lightning and fire erupted from the collision of Solanum and Excalibur shower the two angelic beings in light. By states alone Solanum should have already cut through the energy weapon and cleaved deeply into MagnaAngemon's white body, and yet…that wasn't happening.

Through his visor MagnaAngemon's eyes burned with righteous fire that was reflected in his sword. Despite the edge Gadreelmon had in strength his opponent stood firm in his resistance of him.

"Go down already!" Gadreelmon screeched breaking off. "Death Cry of the North Star!"

SWOSH! SWASH! SWOSH! SWASH!

MagnaAngemon tucked his wings in to increase his defensive power against the attack.

By some miracle it worked and he was still standing.

Gadreelmon raised his sword for another attack just as several sets of chains and threads coil themselves around him. "WHAT!"

Celestial energy gathered around the great angel's sword while Gadreelmon struggled to free himself from his binds. The two beings remained deadlock until MagnaAngemon threw out his right arm. The acclimated power in his Excalibur transformed the weapon from an arm-blade to a seven foot laser that lit up the darkness like a candle. "Excali-Burst!"

Gadreelmon had about three seconds to vent his frustration before the approaching mass of light and energy slammed into him then propelled him hundreds of feet in the opposite direction.

With both the commanders of the opposing side taken out Izzy and Farah made their grand entrance. Coming down in front of the group the two quickly sized up the condition of the group.

"We're getting the wounded out of here." Farah commanded in one glance.

"Uh, not to be rude or anything but that's a little diffic-"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"Quantum Onyx!"

"Heads up!"

The enormous red beetle stepped in front of the two projectiles to take the attack. Though his shell was able to withstand the attack visible shards of his red carapace were scattered to the wind.

"SECOND VALLEY ATTACK!" The demonic bird cried as dozens of cries rose up.

"Oh hell." Izzy cursed peeking out above his partner to see the incoming red and black dots.

"War Scream!"

"Demonic Gale!"

The carpet bombing terrified the children who desperately clung onto each other for safety. Above them MegaKabuterimon stood resilient taking all the hits with his ruby-red shell. As the first wave slacked off the demonic fliers came around for a second round Farah shouted, "NOW! COUNTER ATTACK!"

Thunder erupted from all sides of the demonic flock. Suddenly the Stymphaliamon and Devidramon were being blasted out of the air leaving behind thick clouds of smoke, data, and limbs. Their confused cries merged together with the roaring thunder. Stolasmon screamed in distress and anger as he too was caught in the sudden bombardment. Both his wings took heavy hits that brought him crashing to the ground where the DigiDestined were waiting for him.

"Someone remind me," Matt shouted over the battle. "Why haven't we ever had this kind of rescue before?"

Surprisingly it was Farah who answered him. Turning to face the rocker with something of a cocky grin she responded, "Maybe because you've never had someone as awesome as me to bail you out. Yemojamon, give us some cover!"

"As you wish!" Cried the female elemental suddenly appearing beside her. Now that they could get a good look at her the group could honestly say the Digimon seemed to have walked out of some fairy tale. Her face, arms, and legs were completely made of shifting masses of water, all contained by the tribal-like dress and armor she wore. Two glowing yellow orbs served as her eyes. Both those orbs flashed with blue circles as the raised her watery arms to the sky. "Cascade Wall!"

Around them sudden streams of water erupted forming a perfect circle around them. The wall rose higher until it was almost thirty feet high, standing a few feet above MegaKabuterimon. It moved with them when they began moving away from the battle; the outside world was barely visible through the all-encompassing wall of water around them.

Name: Yemojamon

Level: Ultimate

Attribute: Data

Description: One of the handful of true elementals in the Digital World this Digimon is as powerful as it is mysterious. Appearing to bring refreshing rains or destructive floods Yemojamon is a being whose mastery of water is not to be underestimated. In times those that have prayed to her for safety have found themselves protected by the omnidirectional Cascade Wall, able to diffuse the most volatile of energy attacks. If by some dumb streak of luck you're on the receiving end of her wrath her Halberd Hydra and Splash Cannon will make you regret crossing paths with this elemental.

"Izzy, we seriously owe you one this time." Tai mused with a lazy smile.

It took all Izzy's strength to muster up a smile no matter how small it was. He'd nearly had a heart attack when he saw what condition his team was in. Beaten, bruised, and traumatized, not one of them had escaped any of the three. What the hell did I mess while I was gone? The darkest corners of his mind asked despite the focus he tried to put into running. Damn it! If I had gotten here faster this wouldn't have happened! I…I…The dark flow was halted by the gentle feeling of a hand grasping his. Dragged out of his thoughts he saw Farah had taken his hand and was now leading him forward. Her hazel eyes were practically glued to his despite the fact she was the one leading them. Just like before Izzy felt all the anxiety eating away at him being washed away. There she goes again. The redhead was able to muse as heat began spreading through his cheeks.

Willis wasn't sure he wanted to know the story behind Davis's current state. Guessing was about as close as he wanted to get to whatever the hell it was that had happened to his close friend. When he'd taken Davis from Kari and T.K. he felt pressed to ask who had done this to their friend. He had a feeling it was a human, and that made his blood quietly boil in his body. Was it a cultist? Had one of them gotten their hands on Davis and used him as a punching bag? Had he been ganged up on? No matter what the answer was Willis was sure he was going to explode at some point tonight.

"Wi…li…s." Davis's hoarse voice came out. So far he'd been slipping in and out of conscious due to exhaustion. Judging by the damage to his eyes and forehead he was probably only barely able to make out Willis amongst the slide show of colors he was going through.

"Hey buddy, looks like you've had a rough day." Willis offered hoping he'd be able to keep Davis's spirits up. "I'm sorry we were a little late getting here but everything's going to be fine now."

"N…o…no…Ch…Ch…Chiyo…Got…ta…go back…for her. I…ca…can't leave her behind Willis. I…can't!" Suddenly he was moving, attempting to break out of Willis's grip and turn himself around.

Willis was smart enough to put two and two together; he held onto Davis even as he struggled to free himself. It wasn't really much of a struggle though given that Davis was only barely conscious. He got a girlfriend. Willis concluded. We both managed to get girlfriends while trying to stop the end of the world. If I didn't know any better I'd call this some sick joke. "Davis, I know you're hurting and you want to save this girl, but we have to get you out of here now."

It was surprising he still had enough strength left to shake his head in refusal. "No…Willis….I made promise…to…her. I-"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"Everyone to the ground now!" Izzy shouted falling to the earth with Farah in tow.

A brightly colored red spot grew larger and larger on the right side of the wall until a giant explosion of steam erupted. The resulting backlash threw some of the retreating youths off their feet while their partners were forced to close their eyes.

"Death Cry of the North Star!"

Dozens of black and red colored slashes came sailing out of the smoke tearing up the ground; following them crimson colored lines traced the ground.

Emerging from the smoke was a half battered Gadreelmon. The entire left half of his body had been burned and broken beyond measure leaving corrupted data to soak out of the dozens of wounds. His remaining eye did a quick over the downed children then he held out his palm. "Consider this a blessing maggots! No one! No one save for the Royal Knights and Holy Choir ever caused me this much grief! This end, this blissful darkness I'm about to caste the lot of you into is more than you deserve! Be grateful! Glorious Fe"-

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"RYUJIN SHOUT!"

Nearly all the chosen children and their partners went deaf at the thunderous explosion that enveloped Gadreelmon. It wasn't just that, several of them were actually thrown back by the force of the blast leaving their partners and friends to catch them. Echoing through the sky was the fallen knight's pain filled scream as more pieces of his body armor were broken off. A wide trail of fata followed him on his way down to the earth and digital blood sprayed across the broken pavement. More teeth rattling explosions followed, the attackers disappeared in bright explosions of fire and shrapnel.

Despite the constant raddling in his bones Tai found the strength to work his mouth. "Iz-Iz-Izzy, wh-what kind of backup did you bring?" The leader asked noting the sly smile on the redhead's lips. He could count the number of times he'd seen such a smile on his face

"The best kind imaginable." He simply responded.

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

The towering figure that had rescued them came into view in seconds. The first thing that struck them about their savior was the fact he was just a little over eight meters tall, all of them having to crane their heads up to get a look at him. It was…a giant, a literal iron clad giant that looked like it could have walked straight out of some mech-centered anime. Its armor, its movements all reminded them of fantastical steam powered machine. The bolts and steel plates, all of it practically screamed steampunk with their arrangement. The mech's movements were just as clunky, not at all graceful like the futuristic design of Digmon like Andromon or his fellow cyborgs. Another thing that immediately struck the children were the kanji painted on the Digimon's body.

They recognized at least three of them that had been painted in an upside down L on the left shoulder. The top two read "heavenly" and "dragon" and the last read "thunder".

Two huge gun barrels lay attached to the shoulders of the titanic Digimon, two on each gigantic arm though they were shorter in comparison to the shoulder-mounted ones.

A dark haired girl with red-dyed streaks poked her head out from the giant's shoulder.

Tai's eyes went especially wide as he recognized the girl. "Katsumi!"

"Tai!" The Japanese girl called out waving at him. "I know it's a little a late but I think I did pretty good this time around!" Her expression went from joy to grim determination. Casting a quick glance to the battlefield she called to her partner, "Kōtetsumon,"

"Consider it done." Came the steampunk giant's reply. Stretching his arms his plate covered mouth thundered, "Martial Wrath!"

CLING! CLING! CLING!

Many of the steel plates on Kōtetsumon's body expanded outward to reveal dozens of jet black cannons sizzling with reddish-yellow fire. In a chorus of roars cannon balls and rockets were fired from the ports sailing into the sky then falling down on top of the demons and Deep Ones littering the ground. Waves of fire erupted from where the attacks impacted consuming the attackers in scorching hot heat.

"Someone tell me," Yolei muttered, "Why didn't we call her sooner?"

Name: Kōtetsumon

Level: Ultimate

Attribute: Data

Description: You want an impregnatable wall? A walking fortress with the firepower of a well-armed warship? A warrior with an iron-like will and undying loyalty to you? Look no further than Kōtetsumon. It is said those who earn this steel giant's trust and loyalty will be able to face down even the toughest of enemies with him at their side. Boasting an impressive Gray Chrome Digizoid armor there are few attacks that can stagger Kōtestumon, and even then he'll just get back up and keep attacking. You think playing it safe and keeping your distance will help? Fat chance with his Ryujin Shout and Martial Wrath attacks being able to level entire towns in one go. Wanna get up close where his guns are useless? Sure, face his Iron Thunder and Wave Smasher, I'm sure there'll be enough of you left to bury.

The steel clad Digimon turned away from the inferno it had just created to the downed DigiDestined. Reaching a single hand out Katsumi and Farah ordered the group to hop aboard. Naturally the parents and wounded were the first aboard followed by everyone else.

"Alright big guy transformation time!" Katsumi ordered doing a headcount to make sure they had everyone.

"Hai!" Came the steampunk mech's reply.

"Not so fast captain metal head. Devourer of the Abyss!"

If it was just Sthanomon things might have been okay, but unfortunately lady luck was a cruel mistress. In addition to the tentacles tree-trunk sized stocks of coral burst through the ground ramming themselves into Kōtetsumon just as he was about to begin his transformation. In seconds when it failed to pierce his Chrome Digizoid armor it snaked around the joints then hardened forming into organic chains.

Farah cursed at their sudden turn of luck. Just as she was about to command the Ultimate to break the coral bindings her eyes caught sight of the dark openings that ran along the coral. "Cover your noises and mouths! No matter what happens don't breathe in the gas!" Immediately she tore a piece off her jacket then wrapped it around her face. To the Nigerian girl's immense relief the others did so as well.

As a machine Kōtetsumon didn't have to worry about inhaling the gas, he could stand being submerged in the near toxic substance longer than any organic creature. The problem was his partner and her comrades didn't have that luxury.

Almost everyone was knocked off of Kōtetsumon's body, and that was because they were attempting to grab those that were already falling down. In their mad hast a few of them forgot to cover their noises thus leaving themselves open to the toxic gas blowing from the coral. One whiff and it assaulted their nerves, paralyzing many of them with teeth-clenching pain and agony. For those who were already injured the gaseous substance added more fuel to the flames of fire eating away them.

Davis was one of the worse cases, he could practically feel his open wounds sizzle like they were being pressed against a hot fire. His good eye welled up with tears like sulfur was being air blasted into it leaving him in near total darkness. He felt himself falling until Willis screamed his name then his movements came to a halt. Said halt lasted for all around ten seconds before he felt Willis falling with him, and then he heard the rest of his friends joining them.

"Davis hold on tight!" Came Willis's voice.

"Not like I have much of a choice!" The beaten teenager managed to shout.

"Antylamon!"

"Right here!" Shouted the gigantic bunny. Appearing as nothing but a swift brown colored blur he swept up the boys in one of his hands then landed gracefully upon the earth. By his side Gargomon was unloading every piece of ammo he had on hand.

"This…sucks ass." Davis moaned.

"That's putting it lightly." Willis responded hustling Davis under Gargomon. For the moment the safest place to be was by the Gatling gun wielding Champion's side. "So, you got a girlfriend?"

By answering Davis at least showed he was tougher than everyone thought he was. A half-grin came to his face, given the swollen eye and bruises it was rather messy looking. "Sort…of. To be honest with you…Willis, I'm not even sure."

"Maybe if we survive this you can ask her." The American teenager joked.

While they may have been sandwiched in the middle of a warzone both boys felt happy they'd managed to get a laugh out of the whole situation. Indeed in the entirety of the battle they were the only ones laughing.


Not too far away from them Joe wasn't laughing, as a matter of fact, he cursing up a storm.

"What the hell is keeping you two up?" Sthanomon seethed watching Zudomon push his massive body back up after taking another lashing. "You're like a stubborn old tree that refuses to go down even though it's long past its prime."

Zudomon had created something of a minor earthquake when he made contact with the ground. Joe quickly regained his bearings and ordered his mammal partner to begin assaulting the coral mass entangling Kōtetsumon. Zudomon's Thor's Hammer carried enough power to not only crack but also completely break apart the organic substance. Each strike left enough cracks for the next to finish the job much to Joe's joy. Whatever the coral was made of it wasn't sturdy enough to stand up to Chrome Digizoid, or electrical currents. They might have been able to free an arm or a leg before Sthanomon caught them. He'd wasted no time in going for the others who were still too dazed to defend themselves properly.

Lucky for them Joe and Zudomon seemed to have made quite an impression on the Dark Ocean's top assassin.

Sthanomon expected Zudomon to go down after the first lashing to his cheek. When he sent one to his legs he expected the giant to come crashing down. Indeed he did come crashing down, only he brought his hammer with him producing a gigantic arrow-shaped blast of thunder.

The blast collided with his tentacles showering the arrow with golden sparks. "Cute trick walrus, but now I'm-what!?" The assassin's invisible mouth stopped work as the realization his entire body was paralyzed caught on. The golden sparks surrounding his tentacles had not yet disappeared nor had their effects. "The hell is this?"

Behind his tentacles Zudomon concentrated all his power into his spear-like horn. Arcs of blue lightning jumped from it to his clawed left hand. On his shoulder in the middle of the storm was Joe clenching his Digivice. He watched the voltage increase with focused eyes that switched back and forth from Sthanomon to the struggling Kōtetsumon. He could heard the sound of the wretched coral breaking apart and the sounds of battle. He didn't need to see Angewomon to know she was mowing down more enemies than any of them, hell, if he listened close enough he could hear the foreign DigiDestined still screaming their mantic battle cries. "Zudomon?"

"Ready," The Sea Animal Digimon replied with bluish-gray light burning in his eyes. "Horn and Tusk!" His kick off literally shattered the ground and his following sprint left countless spider web cracks in the earth. In a flash Zudomon was on top of Sthanomon, swinging his now electrified horn at the assassin.

CCCCCRRRRRRIIIIINNNNNCCCCHHHHH!

"GAH!"

Sthanomon was airborne but he was out of the game. His tentacles unfoiled themselves in preparation to strike.

Slamming his left foot in the ground to turn Zudomon struck out with his oversized claw had.

CCCRRRUUNNNCCCHHH!

Seeing at least two of his tentacles had managed to bite into the Sea Animal's shoulder Sthanomon hissed, "Cold Nova!"

Boom!

For Sthanomon hearing Zudomon cry out in pain wasn't enough. The Ultimate had pushed on too many of his buttons by not going down after his first hit and he was going to have to pay for that. Turning both his arms into tentacles he wrapped up Zudomon's arms and neck then, with a grunt of effort, lifted the giant Digimon off the ground, and lastly hurled him across the air like a Frisbee.

"JOE!" The group cried seeing Zudomon sailing across the air then crash against the ground creating a small earthquake.

"Thor's Hammer!"

Sthanomon watched with emotionless eyes as the giant hammer came towards him like a boomerang. Coating with of his arms in raw heat he batted the weapon away. Directly across from him he watched Zudomon rise to his feet despite the countless wounds over his body and cracks in his shell. "I don't get it." With inhuman speed he was in front of Zudomon. Rearing his right arm back he delivered a steam-powered jab to his opponent. The overgrown mammal visible gasped, his body bulked, yet it did not go down. "I've beaten the data out of you, shrugged off your strongest attacks, turned you into a softball, and yet…you still keep getting back up. Do I have to break your legs to make you stop?"

Catching his returning hammer Zudomon shot the assassin a cocky grin. "You can,"

"But it won't make a difference." Came the voice of his partner. Joe was from being in the best shape possible. His glasses had long since fallen away, his clothes were torn and stained red with his own blood. The placement of his wounds aligned perfectly were Zudomon's own injuries. In particular there was a large bruise in the middle of his stomach; if lined up it perfectly matched the part of Zudomon that was hit by the Steam Bomber attack. "It doesn't matter what you throw at us, because no matter what happens," The teenager wheezed glaring at Sthanomon with determined eyes.

"We're not backing down as long as our friends need us." Zudomon finished for him pointing his hammer at the Mega.

"You…refuse to stay down because your friends depend on you? That's it? That's the reason you're willing to keep putting yourselves through hell over and over again?" The Sea Man Digimon concluded. He lowered his head in silence. Amid the flaring attacks and screams of the battle around them his cloak-garbed body seemed to grow darker, almost drawing in the surrounding darkness onto himself. "That…makes me…feel so….so…ANGRY!" Steam erupted from his body causing the ground beneath him to boil and crack. Suddenly his head snapped back up to reveal all four of his bar-shaped eyes were blazing with pure rage. "BLUE INFNERNO!" Clasping both his hands together he fired the violet colored blast of lightning directly at the Ultimate-level Digimon fully intent on destroying him and his partner.

Various eyes saw the blast heading for the pair. Even though many of them didn't know Joe or Zudomon they moved towards the blast hoping to intercept it or at least get the two out of the way.

Out of the dozen or so one moved faster than the others, so fast they practically broke the sound barrier in their attempt to get in front of the blast.

"JOE!"

Joe and Zudomon were breathless as Lilymon and Mimi appeared in front of the oncoming blast. Neither of them had the strength nor time to open their mouths, to yell at the two to get out of the way.

As it turned out they didn't have to.

"FLOWER CANNON!"

Rather than being just a straight blast of energy Lilymon's Flower Cannon produced an emerald colored energy beam that not only stopped the Blue Inferno but flat out pushed the attack back.

"WHAT!?" Sthanomon screeched watching his strongest attack push against the beam.

The two attacks pushed against each other for a few more seconds before they collapsed into a multicolored explosion that blinded both sides. Within seconds the cloud of smoke was blown away by the near enchanting aura consuming Mimi and Lilymon.

The two stood strong against Sthanomon's murderous gaze. As a matter of fact, they were returning his death glare to the fullest extent.

"I don't care who you are or where you come from, nobody touches my boyfriend got it!" She roared.

Around her neck the Crest of Sincerity blazed to life, releasing hundreds of rose colored petals around Mimi. Beside her Lilymon became encased in a bright orange-colored light. The light twisted and turned until it looked like a rose about to bloom.

Lilymon Digivolve to…

Inside the petals Lilymon's body became solid light amongst a maelstrom of flow petals. The faster they spun the brighter they became, eventually condensing into a beautifully shade of red. Thorn coated vines rose up from out of nowhere to coil around Lilymon's transforming body; the storm of roses condensed onto of her and the vines coiled around her outstretched arms. In a single flash of light the magnificent Digimon emerged from the blooming flower, a curtain of rose petals following her as she gracefully descended to the earth.

Rosemon!

"What in the Great One's name is this?" Sthanomon screeched batting away the left over roses that fluttered through the surroundings.

"This," Rosemon's sultry voice giggled. "Is what happens when you over step your boundaries."

Name: Rosemon

Level: Mega

Attribute: Data

Description: If there be any Digimon more beautiful than Rosemon then they better come out of hiding now. Bearing the title of the "Queen of Flowers" its deepest wish is to preserve its prized beauty for eternity. Some say the "Tifaret" jewel it wears on its breast is the source of Rosemon's unparalleled power and beauty. Of course no's ever lived to say if that was true or not courtesy of her Rose Whip and Forbidden Temptations attacks. Those that have gotten too close to these rose-themed pixie have also found themselves her eternal captives via her Thorn Whipping and Ivy Hug techniques.

Infuriated by the newly arrived Mega's belittling tone of voice Sthanomon struck out.

"Heh, you're quite fond of that little trick aren't you? Let's see if this compares, Rose Spear!"

THANK! THANK! THANK! THUNK!

Seething in pain Sthanomon fell back nursing the sword-like wound on his right shoulder. "You bitch!"

"Aw," Rosemon chided disappearing then reappearing beside him. "Now that's not a nice thing to say to a lady. Rose Whip!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLISSSSHHHH!

She was fast, possibly one of the fastest Digimon Sthanomon had ever encountered, dare he even say she was faster than he was. That was the only reason why she was getting in more hits then him, why he could feel those steel-like vines cutting through his armor into his body. His left leg was slashed up and his right arm had multiple tears in it. Even with all his tentacles attacking at once Rosemon still held him at bay. His attacks grew fiercer yet the Queen of Flowers nimbly dodged and parried his attacks. She grazed his cheek while he grazed her neck-his wound was the larger of the two. Focusing steam into his right arm he launched his Steam Bomber in the form of a right hook she literally twirled out of the way of.

"You seem a little slow now compared to before." Rosemon quipped seeing the assassin attempt a second attack. "Finally running out of steam are we?"

"Shut your mouth you rose-head bit-GAH!"

Rosemon didn't stop at the one upward slash that tore Sthanomon's entire right arm off. She could feel the rage flowing from her partner into her. She would have been hard pressed to say she didn't harbor personal disdain for the Dark Ocean assassin. For that reason she didn't stop her attack. Her rapier-like vines crisscrossed his body taking out chunks of black leather and flesh in every swing.

Stepping back to examine her handy work she shot Sthanomon another cheeky grin. "Had enough or do you still want to go another round?"

"…You…bitch! Steam Bomber!" The assassin screamed throwing out his remaining fist.

Rosemon's grin was positively sadistic. "Ivy Hug."

THUUUUUNNNNKKKK!

"WHAT!?"

"You really should have stopped while you were ahead Sthanomon, no woman likes a guy who doesn't know how to take no for an answer." Rosemon chided watching Sthanomon struggle to free himself from the vines wrapped around his body. "Oh well, he's all yours boys." She waved turning her back to the Dark Ocean assassin.

Sthanomon shouldn't have looked up but curiosity got the better of him.

There was between twelve and eighteen DigiDestined above him riding on top their partners. Dragons, birds, machines, living creatures fused with inorganic matter.

All of them were looking at him like he was an ant that had just bitten them on the foot.

"Oh fu-"

While the reinforcements were burying Sthanomon in wave after wave of attacks Mimi sprinted over to her boyfriend. Seeing they were out of danger for the moment Zudomon let his body fall. Rosemon caught him as Gomamon.

Holding the marine creature gently in her arms she softly nudged his face. "I thought we told you not to get yourselves killed?"

"Hey, we're still standing aren't we?" he sheepishly answered before falling back into the realm of sleep.

"Do you have any idea how worried about you we were? When I saw you I nearly had a heart attack!" Mimi cried cradling Joe.

"Sorry…about the scare," Joe coughed out basking in the feeling of being back in Mimi's arms. Like I told you Mimi, whenever I'm around you, it feels like I can't focus on anything else but you. The future doctor mused letting his body relax just as his partner had.


Personally Valére thought one of the best traits of the DeviKnightmon was how obedient they were. Tell them to go get a bag of chips from the store and they'd do it, tell them to do sixty in a twenty-five miles an hour zone and they'd do it.

Order them to commit a suicidal charge in order to buy time and they'd do so without a word.

At least watching the DigiDestined and Deep Ones attempt to feed off the suicidal Digimon gave him a nice distraction from the wounds plaguing his right side. A bloody gash above his eyebrow, a fractured right arm, and a bruised cheek were just some of the injuries he'd suffered from the AWOL LithoRosemon. "It was nice of you to finally grow a backbone Chiyo, but you chose a shitty time. You ruined my fun." The French national pouted. The night had already gone sour enough for his taste. There was barely anything left of the shopping center Shinjuku had once been, now it resembled photos of bombed out Tokyo from the Pacific War. Various battles were starting and ending everywhere he looked, who the victor was didn't matter as they immediately threw themselves into the next fight. "How disgusting, don't you agree Vassagomon?"

Behind him the air shimmered and warped. As if space was warping itself a jet black fold opened up right there behind him. From the darkness came a rob-wearing demon standing at seven feet tall. The robe's golden color shimmered darkly in the moon light and the jewelry gleamed with brilliant light. The demon's head was a bastardized mix of a wolf's and a bear's, with the addition of three sets of flame-horns. One set faced forward while another pointed upward then curved backwards. The last set extended diagonally in both directions. A mane of snow white hair covered his head, overshadowed by the horns.

Meeting Valére's smile with a grin that revealed rows of sharp teeth the demon spoke, "I'll admit I'm not one for senseless chaos but I'm actually enjoying this. Better than chickens, wild dogs barking and biting at each other believing they have a chance at survival. Even better, despite all the complications things are still going according to plan, in fact thanks to those brats they're accelerating."

Name: Vassagomon

Level: Ultimate

Attribute: Virus

Description: Draped in gold this Digimon is one of the darkest as they come. Some think long ago Vassagomon may have been a heavenly creature of divine knowledge and kindness; if he was then he's indeed fallen far. Few Digimon are his equal in the realm of the black arts, and those that are have all been slain by his hand. A loyal follower of Barbamon Vassagomon lives by his master's creed-greed is good. If he sees something he wants he'll use every spell he knows to take it, regardless of if it belongs to someone else or not. Try to stop him and he'll destroy with his Demon's Roar or Thousand Tears attacks. Considering what his String Spell and Liar's Curse do, that may just a blessing compared to what he could do.

"You have a point there my friend." Valére admitted whipping the blood away with a napkin. "As enjoyable as it's been I believe we've let this little event drag on long enough." With a smirk he began setting up his sniper rifle, loading the ammunition as well propping it up on the ledge. "Stolasmon, its time!"

Before beginning his chant Vassagomon caste a weary look towards Valére. "It feels as if you're taking a little too much pleasure in breaking that girl."

"Oh you know me Vassagomon. Chiyo denied me Davis's surrender and I can't let that go." Valére cackled. "On the other hand Vassagomon, I honestly pity the poor girl. Ever since that day it seems like nothing's gone right for her, even worse, she's gotten it into her head there's some hope she'll find happiness if she keeps playing by the rules. As a gentleman I can't leave the girl to wallow in such agony can I?"

"Of course not Valére," The sorcerer cackled. "Let us free the poor thing from those shackles. Thousand Tears!"

High above the battlefield two magic seals appeared. Demonic writing spanned the four layers of the circles ending at the eye-like design in the center. The eyes flashed red, and then came the rain, hundreds of blood-red energy bolts the size of baseballs blasted out of the sails. They sailed over the battlefield like a morning shower.

At equal altitude Stolasmon began his assault. "Tears of the Stars!"

Combined the attacks were a supernatural rainstorm of destruction that bathed the entire battlefield in explosions. Joining them were hundreds of other demonic flyers joined the demons.

It was a carpet bombing, one that was carried out by inhuman hands over the skies of one of the most populated urban centers in the world.

Everything within ten blocks of the battle was bombed, including the flailing Ythomon who found his open wounds ruthlessly attacked.

The battle had shifted in the Deadly Digimon's favor.

The bombardment's conductors ordered the attack to stop after three minutes of nonstop firing. A rolling field of ash and smoke obscured the ground and all the combatants. Bit by bit sound began to creep out of the smoke, cries, groans, growling, and the sound of rock breaking apart.

Raising his golden glove-covered hands Vassagomon began his chant, the words completely unaudioable to mortal ears. The words visibly shook the air itself, the shaken waves traveled outward over the landscape, transforming into mist. The darken mist fell over the battlefield like a blanket.

The sound that came from Valére's lips was that of a demon. His laughter, a cold maniacal sounded like glaciers gridding against each other. As the dark mist continued to spread forming into a rough dome over the battlefield his laughter rose in volume. Throwing his head back he ran a head over his dark brown hair. "Perfect! It's just perfect! Before we had the perfect actors, and now we have the perfect stage! Let the Tragedy of Light and Love begin!" He howled taking aim with his sniper rifle.


"Since none of Dagomon's people can do this black mist trick I'm guessing it's the demons?" Farah offered standing shoulder to shoulder with Izzy.

The redhead was rapid-typing on his laptop trying to analyze the mist. "That's a solid yes. The wave length this mist is giving off matches that of the Stolasmon and the others but it's…"

"Izzy," Farah softly stated turning to him. "We're blind as a bat here. That is unless the big guy can see anything?"

"That's a negative Farah." MegaKabuterimon rumbled. Normally he could locate people based on the bio-electrical signal they gave off yet all his extrasensory organs were picking up were static. "This mist is disrupting all kinds of electromagnetic waves so I can't see anything. Even my sixth sense has been compromised."

Izzy didn't need to see his partner to know he was shaking like he was. Izzy was quivering like a leaf in the wind. "This has been a long ass hell night." He humorlessly chuckled; it was amazing how well he was handling this.

"It's okay if you're scared Izzy." The Nigerian girl offered clapping his hand in hers. Her hand was warm and soft despite the number of small scars that littered her palm. Looking into her eyes he felt that same warmth wash over his body. "I'm scared too, just because I've been in this situation before doesn't mean I'm not shaking too."

"How'd you get through this the last time?" Izzy asked.

"Oh you know, a little luck and blind instinct." She answered.

"You know I'm not too good on instinct." He laughed. "MegaKabuterimon can tell you that."

"That's fine," she laughed. "How's your luck?"

Before answering Izzy took the time to examine every inch of Farah's face. Bathed in the light of their Digivices she seemed to be the most beautiful human being he'd ever seen. "I'd say it's pretty good."


BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!


"Oh come on!" Yolei screamed clenching Ken tighter than before. "Can this night not get any worse!?"

"They could be firing cannonballs at us." Adeniyi drily replied only to receive a heated glare from the glass-wearing teenager. "What? You asked how it could be worse and there you have it."

Ken tried to ignore the bickering of his girlfriend the Nigerian teenager they'd been stuck with when the mist rolled in. In his heart Ken knew something was watching him, stalking him. If he could have he'd have grabbed Yolei and made a run for it, but that's just what they wanted. We're mice, he thought bitterly. We're mice being watched and toyed with.


BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!


"Matt! Yolei! Davis! Cody! Izzy! God damn it can anyone hear me!?" Tai screamed into his Digivice. "Damn it!" Tai wished there was more he could do than scream into his Digivice but he couldn't. He wished he could do more than hold Sora, telling her it was going to be okay.

In his heart he knew it wasn't going to be okay, far from it.


It was a miracle T.K. had managed to hold onto whatever courage he'd summoned up less than thirty minutes ago. Kari wasn't as lucky.

Though Matt, MetalGarurumon, MagnaAngemon, Angewomon, and a few other recently arrived DigiDestined stood guard Kari still didn't feel safe. She was rocking back and forth, clenching her head like a fearful child waiting to be struck.

"It's okay Kari, it's going to be fine." T.K. continuously told her secretly speaking to himself as much as he did to her. "No's going to hurt you Kari, I promise I'm right here to protect you."

Shaking her head she grabbed at his shoulders, her eyes wide with fear. "No, T.K., you don't understand. It's not me…it's not me…it's Davis and Ken."


Though watching Davis stumble around in the mist was enjoyable Gadreelmon felt it didn't quite make up for the hell the boy had put him through. "His devotion is misguided but admirable. I almost feel sorry for the boy…almost." He finished with a sickening laugh. Spreading out his damaged wings he began to slowly rise out of the fog and mist.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

"AAAHHHHH!"

Davis and Willis snapped their heads up at the dual scream. All the color drained from Davis's face and his heart came to a sudden stop in his chest.

"KARI! CHIYO!"

Fueled by fear and desperation the younger goggle head broke off from Willis and went running into the mist. The calls of Willis and ExVeemon were nothing but buzzes in his ear he paid no attention to. The pain in his head didn't matter and the agony in his ribs didn't exist.

Find them. His mind inner voice raged like the fiercest lightning storm. Davis screamed himself horse shouting their names.

He had to find them before he lost them too.

He had to or else he knew he would be the failure Sthanomon accused him of being.


Of course Chiyo's night could get worse, it seemed to be the constant law of her life things always had to get worse. Sure she'd come to expect it but sometimes life had a nasty habit of blindsiding her in ways even she didn't see coming. She really hated those times. Sometimes she wondered if some divine deity took pleasure in pulling the rug out from under her feet. There was a chance that was why she hated churches, why she spurned any instances of divine salvation. After the things she'd seen she questioned how any kind of benevolent god could allow such wretched and horrible things prosiest.

The hell she was seeing unfold around her was all the evidence she needed.

Innocent people had died tonight. Yes she had a hand in their deaths, but still, after such terrifying carnage and senseless death where was the divine intervention people often spoke of? Chiyo hadn't seen any of it.

"I knew this night was going to suck," She coughed out biting down another stab of pain from her shoulder. "But shit, I wasn't expecting this."

Thanks to the bullet wound on her right shoulder her right arm was useless, completely useless. She cursed herself for not sensing the bullet before it tore through her right shoulder blade, introducing Chiyo to a world of physical pain she never knew existed. The pain was sharp and hot, two sensations she hated with a passion. Though the bullet had cleanly go through her body the whole it left behind was eating away at the last reserves of Chiyo's strength. Darkness was eating away at the edges of her vision waiting for the chance to seize control. Her feet felt like cinderblocks making every step a struggle, any second the strain would be too much and she'd go down.

Stop it, don't think about that. Don't think about how it feels like your whole right arm is inches away from falling or that you're running on empty. Focus on getting out of here. Come on Chiyo, you've faced worse than this!

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

To block out the darkness Chiyo tried thinking of the few things in her life that made her happy. Unsurprisingly Davis came up in quite a few of them. In the depths of her heart she hoped Davis had at least been able to get away, if he did then that made trudging ahead easier. She tried to picture Davis far away from this scene of senseless war-him playing soccer on an emerald-colored field under a clear sky, and him laughing with his friends and teammates like there was nothing wrong in the world.

She could actually hear his voice ringing in her ears. Releasing a painfully laugh at how far she'd fallen she opened her eyes to the darkness around her to see the rough outline of countless shapes moving through the mist.

And then she heard Davis's voice clear as day calling her.

"Chiyo! Chiyo! Chiyo, where are you!?"

He was distressed, worried about her.

"Dav…Davis?" A fountain of strength was released inside her giving her the ability to fight back the darkness tittering at the edge of her eyes.

She saw his outline steadily approaching her through the mist. His voice continued calling her name filling her with an uncharacteristic hope.

As his footsteps grew closer and louder Chiyo found herself stumbling towards him. His name continuously rolled off her lips-every time it left her lips it rose a little in volume.

She could see him now, battered, bruised, bleeding, and everything in between, but he was till going.

She looked upward to meet his eyes. "Da-Davis! Davis! I'm righ-"

"Kari! Kari! Kari, where are you! Please answer me!" He shouted running right past the girl without even a second glance.

He didn't even turn to look back at her, or call her name.

"Kari! Kari! Kari! Kari!"

The fountain had dried up as quickly as it had appeared. Everything faded away. Her wounds, the battle, and even her sense of time. "Da…vis…" Slowly she rotated her body in the opposite direction but it was too late, Davis had already disappeared into the mist. She could still hear him calling Kari's name over and over again.

Chiyo stared at the path Davis had taken, still as a statue and silent as a corpse.

At her rear a towering shadow lumbered towards him. Saliva dripped from the oversized jaws of the digital monster whose eyes were totally locked on the disheartened girl. Coming to a stop Raandaimon licked his lips. "Your soul…it smells so…so…delicious!" He howled before lunging towards the Thai-descendent girl who still hadn't registered his presence.

BANG!


Even though his throat hurt and his legs were burning Davis didn't stop running or screaming the names of his friends. "Chiyo! Ken! Kari! T.K.! Can anyone hear me! Chiyo! Kari!" He didn't know what state Kari was in, all he could do was assume T.K. was there to protect her, Chiyo was another matter. She could have been bleeding out in some hole and he never would have known. He couldn't let that happen, his soul screamed at him to find her despite the constant warnings his body was giving him to stop. Not again! He thought. Please just let her be alive! Let any of them be alive, because I can't afford to lose anyone else!

THUNK!

Beep!

Davis didn't have to turn around to identify the wave of malice being directed at him. He recognized the heavy thud of the DeviKnightmon's spiked boots to know it was steadily approaching him.

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

Bracing himself he turned around to come face to face with the demonic knight. It stared at him with hate-filled eyes that couldn't have belonged to any creature with a shred of compassion or mercy. That being said Davis knew his next action would decide if he lived or died here. He wasn't afraid when the demonic creature raised its bloody sword.

He'd done this a hundred times during practice. His left foot was twitching, ready to feint to the left then roll to the right.

The demon's eyes glowed red then the sword came down.

"V-Laser!"

The DeviKnightmon never got the chance to register the fact ExVeemon had managed to get the drop on him. It was the last mistake the creature every made.

Despite the presence of his partner Davis still didn't feel the tension drain out of his legs. "That was a little too close don't ya think ExVeemon?"

"It was close enough for me Davis." The winged dragonoid grunted walking over to collect his partner. Though it seemed hypocritical he knew Davis was in no shape to be out walking, hell, if he kept it up he'd be dead if he made the wrong move. "I'm sorry Davis but we've got to fall back with the others."

"I can't do that ExVeemon! I know Chiyo is out here somewhere and I can't leave her behind!" the goggled head argued.

"And if she is what good are you going to be to her dead!" The Champion roared back. He hated it when he had to play the voice of reason to Davis-that meant the situation had progressed well and truly out of control. "What are you in this condition? You can barely stand let alone walk! I can take one look at you and tell you're ten seconds from coll-" His eyes went wide then he was wrapping his arms around Davis. "GET DOWN!"


Ythomon had truly begun to hate this night. It had started out alright but now it had just turned into one problem after another. His arm, his eye, and his mission. Shaking off the demonic flyers that had been annoying him he raised Yilla in his remaining arm. "Enough of this! It's time to end this!" In one sweep the sword blew away the black mist, the excess force blowing away any and all remaining pieces of wreckage in the area. "What?"

It was hard to count how many nights Farah had woken up in a cold sweat with that eye glaring at her. Because of that eye sleep had eluded her longer than she would have liked to admit. She saw it in her nightmares, in her darkest moments. Now, as that eye stared dumbstruck at her she felt all the hatred she'd kept bottled up for almost eight years come back to her. It manifested in her voice as she gave the order, "OPEN FIRE!"

The exact number of attacks were hard to calculate, some of them merged together while others remained separate. Energy of all forms, weapons, elemental objects, and all other kinds of projectiles traveled in a massive stream towards Ythomon's stunned face. He got off one blink before the first of the attacks made contact, and then the rest followed.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Yigmon vowed he'd make the DigiDestined pay in blood for what they'd done to Ythomon, but first he had to eliminate Ken. His original objective still stood and he had to carry it out no matter how much pain he was in. Transforming into snake form he slithered along the ground at high speed while the others were focused on Ythomon.

One of the DigiDestined noticed him. Without a second thought she jumped in front of Ken with her partner beside her.

"I WON'T LET YOU TOUCH HIM!" Yolei roared spreading her arms out.

"ME NEITHER!" Stingmon declared joining her.

In his mind Ken could perfectly see what had happened- Yolei, Shurimon, and Stingmon's severed halves hitting the ground with loud thuds while blood and data gushed from the other halves of their bodies. It was as if he was looking at the whole thing through a telescope-seeing every drop of blood splash against the earth. The life left all three of their eyes that remained focused on Ken. "N…o…no….NNNNNOOOOOO!"

Yigmon saw the malicious red aura around Ken flare to life. Above the snake god's head two LithoRosemon rammed their spears down on top of him while adding their own body weight to the attack. Yigmon's head snapped towards the sky as the unearthly pain spread through his body. Gasping for breath his eyes shot forward to see Ken, now completely encased in the red aura.

Behind him the snake god saw the outline of a humanoid figure with six wings-one angelic and the other demonic. A sickening grin spread across the shadow's face flooding Yigmon's entire being with fear.

"STHANOMON!" Yigmon's terrified voice screamed. "KILL HIM! KILL HIM NOW!"

Stumbling out of the rubble the assassin got one look at the Bearer of the Crest of Kindness. "Gladly. Tsunai-GAAAHHH!" His body went rigid as a statue, he looked down towards his chest to see a spear-like vine tipped with roses protruding from the right side of his chest. "Gah…yo…u…bi…tch."

Fifteen meters away from him Rosemon smirked. "Never turn your back on the enemy right?" With a flick of her wrist the vine coiled around Sthanomon, the thorns digging into his already torn body. "Heads up boys!"

In a quick motion the assassin was flying through the air with a dozen attacks coming after him. Surprisingly he still had the strength to command his tentacles to shield him, not that it helped him much.


"Ah, it seems at long last our maiden if light has reached her breaking point!" Valére shouted watching the pink-tinted light surrounding Kari explode into a supernova.

"Valére!" Vassagomon called covering the boy with his gold-tinted cloak. "Shield yourself!"

But Valére didn't want to be shielded, even if the light was poisonous to him he wanted to see it with his own eyes. That brilliant light that the inhabitants of the Dark Ocean lusted after and demon kind scorned. Tell me Chiyo, is your view as good as mine? I imagine it is. This is after all, all for your sake. The French youth mused feeling the righteous light grow in intensity.


She could see all of them: all the DigiDestined, their partners, and their parents. In a sea of darkness and blood they were literally an island of light and serenity. Her hollowed blue eyes fell over each of the group, faces she recognized, some she barely knew of, and others who she'd never heard of. Race, nationality, faith, and all the other things that divided humanity didn't exist inside that bubble of light generated by Kari's crest. No, in truth the crest was merely a conduit for the power that rested inside of Kari's heart-a radiant light that could chase away the darkest shadows. Like mouths to a holy flame everyone flocked to the light, every except those who were born to the darkness.

The Deep Ones, those cultist bastards were roasting alive as the light touched their skin. The smarter ones of the bunch, like Yigmon and Raandaimon fearfully retreated back. Their scale-like flesh was burning like metal though there was no smoke or by product.

The demons on the other hand went out in a much more dramatic way. Their flesh burst into white flames that soon left them as nothing but ash. They sizzled when they burned. It was the first time fear was ever visible on their faces. In a mad hast many of them retreated, they hurried when the holy nova seemed to grow brighter extending its reach.

All around her Chiyo heard the droppings of weapons and pounding of footsteps, but she couldn't hear the voices of the DigiDestined.

She could clearly see them though. Yolei was cradling Ken in a similar manner one would cradle a child, Ken wasn't putting up any argument. Maybe if the situation was different it might have been enjoyable. Beside them Cody and Noriko held onto each other while their partners watched over them. To be fair Noriko was holding on tighter to Cody than he was holding onto her. Cody knew that and he kept one arm wrapped around her, a protector like his father. It would have been easier moving the moon than separating Mimi from Joe. The closeness of their relationship was cleanly visible in that one sight. No one had any record of Izzy ever being romantically involved with someone, with the addition of the African girl with the aquatic Digimon partner that was no longer the case. Tai and Sora were…it was obvious they always had feelings for each other, and the way they were positioned-bodies pressed together, showed nothing had changed. If by some chance they did meet their end they at least wanted it to be in each other's arms. Matt stood protectively over T.K., the constant watch dog called an older brother. If anything got through the light then it was going to have to go through him and MetalGarurumon to get to the DigiDestined of Hope. Speaking of hope T.K. was at the other side of Kari, to the brunette's left was Davis and ExVeemon. She couldn't see the parents, probably because they'd been hidden behind the stone-faced Digimon and teenagers. They would all die before they allowed anything to happen to them. Those without lovers simply stood shoulder to shoulder, pressed together. It wasn't romance that linked them but friendship and iron-willed determination-forces just as strong as love.

No one was alone in the circle of light, no man or mon was an island.

Chiyo reached her hand out only to feel the holy light burn her just as it had done to the others. She should have been screaming in agony but…she couldn't feel any of it. To her Davis and the others seemed so far away. "That's…all I wanted." She choked out dropping her now burning arm to her side. The bullet wound seemed to vanish as the pain that had impaled her heart beat it out by miles. "I just wanted…friends…I just wanted to have people who I could…they didn't have to be lovers or…I just wanted someone to le…" The darkness returned only this time there was no stopping it. The last vintage of the light faded away to leave Chiyo lost in the darkness.

Below her feet she felt like the ground broke apart leaving her to free fall. The darkness seemed to look like water from whatever passed for her vision. She couldn't see a bottom to the abyss or any form of light to guide her descent. Of course it wasn't like she had any strength left to even lift a finger.

It's so painfully isn't it? Being so powerless in a world that runs on strength and fortune eh?

Chiyo didn't turn her head or even try to identify where the bestial male voice came from.

Tell me Chiyo, did you really think playing by the rules would get you anywhere in life? Stay quiet, stay in line, and remain perfectly at peace with the world? That at some point you'd finally catch a lucky break? My poor foolish girl, the world doesn't work like that. Those who ever wished for anything, desired anything in this world all have one thing in common-they acted to take what they wanted. But not you Chiyo, hahahah, you were too weak for that. As is the fate all weaklings you've gained nothing but this pain and sadness, which is the only award worthy of people like you.

"…I…didn't…want to hurt anyone."

But it was okay for people to hurt you to get what they wanted? No wonder you've been abandoned time and time again. Your father abandoned you, your mother did so too, the rest of you family cared nothing for you, and now Davis, your believed knight in shining armor, had left you too and so has all the so called "friends" you made. They all got what they wanted, but not you Chiyo. You're here in this place, no light and no hope, are you intent to stay here?

"But I…I don't…I don't know…what to do. I can't…I'm not that strong…I never have been." Chiyo cried feeling her chest seize up with painfully memories replying in her head. "I wanted power! I want everything they have, everything I lost! It's not fair! It's not…"

I know it's not fair, that's why I'm going to give you my power and my attention.

For the first time Chiyo looked up to see a mysterious figure looming before her. All she could see were a set of demonic red eyes that illuminated the darkest depths of her soul with an alien light. "Huh?"

Time after time you've been abandoned by those close to you, but I promise I won't. You see I know what that pain feels like. It pains me to see another go through that hell. I made a vow long ago I would never allow it. That's why I acted-I took what I wanted. And I'll help you do the same. All you have to do is let me in Chiyo, simply open your heart and I promise you'll never be alone again.

She'd already lost everything so she didn't have anything to lose. She was already at rock bottom so how much worse could it get? Was it stupid to believe she had one more chance given to her?

She didn't care about any of these questions because at that point Chiyo was in far too much pain to answer them. "Ka." She breathed out.

With a grin stretching from wicked ear to another the gigantic crocodile lunged forth. All Chiyo saw was jet black darkness as the jaws approached her, and then as they seized shut the entire world went completely dark.


T.K. could understand Davis's distress when he felt a sudden sharp pain in his chest. Something's wrong, very wrong. He'd had to hold the second goggle head back by Kari to keep him from charging out of the sphere of protection Kari and Angewomon had created. He was desperate to find Chiyo and refused to accept she was dead. Sure T.K. tried to be the optimist but somewhere in the back of his head a voice urged him to tell Davis to accept reality. As the DigiDestined of Hope he silenced that voice with all his strength. He'd burn before he severed his friend's last link to sanity. When he felt that spiritual pain pierce his soul he knew not only was Chiyo alive but she was in danger. MagnaAngemon, we have to end this NOW!

Sensing the urgency in his partner's voice the Greater Angel responded immediately. Tell everyone to hold onto something or someone. I don't know how long the gate will remain open but its power is going to be turned up to a level where it could swallow half the city.

I don't care just do it! "EVERYONE HOLD ONTO SOMETHING STURDY! DAVIS PLEASE1 WAIT JUST ANOTHER MINUTE WE'LL FIND HER I PROMISE! T.K. boomed to the others hoping his voice carried through.

"GATE OF DESTINY!" Boomed MagnaAngemon summoning the supernatural gateway that would end the battle once and for all. Manifesting high above the battleground the gate was over three times its normal size, almost twelve meters in diameter. Once the doors slid back to reveal the rainbow colored abyss beyond the near gravitational like pull of the gate took hold. Fueled by the power of light the Gate of Destiny had become a divine black hole.

It mattered not whose side they were on, any who had evil in their hearts were pulled towards the gate that floated almost a fifty feet off the ground. Multicolored lights flashed as the gate sucked in hundreds of Digimon, humans, and debris. All their cries melded together into a singular screech of terror that dragged out so long as the gate remained open. Futile attacks were launched at the gate only to be absorbed in the same way as everything else. Size didn't matter for even the largest of creatures were sucked into the Gate of Destiny, usually after their bodies had been pulverized by the gale force winds the gate was using to draw everything in.

No one looked up at the see of black, red, and blue that surged into the circular gate, and everyone covered their ears to block out the continuous death cries of murderers and monsters.

Eventually it all came to a stop. The winds stopped howling leaving the soft humming of the gate as the only sound in the area. Slowly the doors began to slide towards each other until they meet with a loud clamp. In a flash of light the Gate of Destiny disappeared leaving the morning sun to paint the desolated landscape a myriad of colors.

In the center some of the parents began to stir, their deep sleep being awaken at long last by. The first sights that met them were the trembling backs of dozens of shell-shocked, traumatized children.


Sometimes it felt like this arc would never end. I hope you've enjoyed the ride so far because it's not over yet, as a matter of fact dear readers from here on out the story shifts into high gear!

Was this a fair end to the multi-part arc? How does it stake up against Dagomon's Counterattack? Feel free to tell me what you liked and didn't like. Or what parts had you feeling depressed. I know I felt depressed writing the last bit with Chiyo. What's sad is I'm STILL not done putting her and everyone else through the ringer. Obviously the war has shifted with this chapter and I'm hoping you're all looking forward to seeing if our heroes can find a way to make it out alive! Next chapter we'll see Jun and Onimon's continued expedition through the Dark Ocean!

Have a nice Memorial Day everyone and I'll see you all next time!