I do not own anything.


Chapter Thirty-Four-The Fangs at Our Throats

Alive, Jun thought as the Cerberumon swarmed on them in seconds. If they want us alive that means Daemon still has some kind of plan for us. Based on the drool running down their jaws Jun found that statement hard to believe. To be fair, he did say to maim us not kill us. Raising her rifle she squeezed the trigger while her heart thundered in her chest. After she counted the first five bullets she spun her M-16 around in a spray-and-pray manner. She couldn't afford to close her eyes and went for the results; she counted every Chrome-Digizoid bullet that left her rifle limiting herself to no more than three or four per target.

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

"HURL FLAME!"

Each of the Cerberumon were forced back only to land on all fours in a position that screamed they were ready for another collective pounce.

"Emerald Blaze!"

"Onimon!"

"Damn it I know!"

The prayer beads detached and flew into their defensive positions forming the ethereal barrier around them. No cracks appeared in the barrier as the hellish flames raged around them burning everything not protected by the barrier into cinders and ashes. Jun and Onimon could smell the thickening smoke rising from around them, neither of them questioned ow the rack smell was able to penetrate the demonic barrier. What they focused on was staying at the ready for when the barrier came down they knew the Cerberumon would come at them with everything they had. Their entire view of the outside was obscured by the inferno their combined attack had produced.

"Hellfire!"

KLISH!

"SHIT!" Came the Virus's angered voice as the first cracks in the barrier started to appear. A flare of pain shot through his body at the increased strain he was put under. A new player had entered the field adding their firepower to the Cerberumon's combined attack, it was too much for his barrier to protect against. "Fine then, let's see you overgrown rodents stop this! Kimon Blast!"

With the launching of the demonic prayer beads the inferno ceased and the Cerberumon's attack came to an immediate halt. In a panic the demonic dogs broke apart with a handful not being fast enough to get out of the way of the their attack.

"PORTALS OF DARKNESS"

"ABOVE YOU!" Harper shouted from Jun's shadow bringing their attention upward.

"EMERALD BLAZE!"

"STYX KILLER!"

Instinct caused Jun to spring forward just as much as it did Onimon. All at once the torrent of unholy fire and gleaming claws crashed down on the spot they'd been in tearing huge chunks out of the ground. A massive cloud of rock and smoke went up obscuring their vision of each other. Coming up out of their rolls they looked into the smoke and ash calling each other's name. For Onimon a pair of Cerberumon came at him with dark energy sipping from their claws. Cursing he threw up Tetsuhono in defense. On Jun's end an ominous light flashed alerting her to what was coming. With a curse she bolted away just as the torrent of flames roasted the ground leaving a line of jet black earth.

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

Throwing the two Cerberumon off of him then smashing one's jaw with his foot Onimon spun back to where his partner was. Before him now stood a row of overturned cars, debris, buildings, and flat out junk forming a burning wall almost half a mile long cutting off the Digimon and human duo. "I guess I oughta give you munts some credit, it takes a brain to do the whole divide and conquer strategy. Heh, doesn't mean it's going to work though." His attention went to the harsh laughter of what he presumed to be the lead Cerberumon watching his brethren surround him from the top of a burning tank. "Why not come down and join the party?"

"Party? Please, you talk so big for one who's at the disadvantage." He barked with a mocking glare that made Onimon want to delete him even more. "Look around you fool, there's no way you're escaping our hunt."

"Quality over quantity." Was the Oni's sharp reply.

"We have both." It fired back then let loose with a savage howl. Suddenly its body jerked and twisted, the head-like shoulder guards flashing red as the front arms seemed to shrink back towards the shoulder guards. Tearing into the heated metal the Cerberumon stood upward allowing its arms to be completely devoured by the shoulder guards which had made the transformation into full mouths. In seconds they grew into metallic wolfish contraptions that were the half the sizes of cars. The central face transformed as well becoming slightly humanoid just as the body did. In the span of seconds were once stood a nightmarish four-legged beast now towered six-foot eight werewolf-like creature with an oversized wolf head for each hand. "WEREWOLF FORM!"

The surprise on Onimon's face was brief, he'd gone used to fighting opponents who kept their cards hidden from him until the last minute. That didn't mean he hated it any less. "Cute trick, now do you have one that's actually supposed to have me worried?"

The now werewolf-like Digimon rumbled with dark laughter at his response. "Hellfire!" Both maws perfectly aligned and clicked open in union. Onimon saw the bright spark flicker then came the torrent of wrathful flames.

Not willing to test the attack's strength he jumped backwards, in doing so he watched the hellfire brutally destroy the patch of land he'd been standing on.

"Styx Killer!"

Landing on the soles of his feet the kanabo-wielding Digimon did a complete one-eighty knocking back two of the attacking Cerberumon.

"Fool!"

As soon as he felt the feel of his weapon connecting with the two Cerberumon he changed direction and swung backwards hitting two more who were attempting to get at his back. Once those two were gone he saw another pair coming at him from the right and the left. Tetsuhono's exhaust ports opened thus allowing the contained flames to burst out.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

Four Cerberumon howled in agony at Tetsuhono's flesh-searing impact that burned through their organic arm and went straight for their digitally-comprised flesh. None of them got back up upon hitting the ground, instead they pitifully moaned at the hellfire still eating at their exposed flesh. Ruthlessly jumping over their fallen brethren came more Cerberumon spreading out so any forward advance Onimon could have made would have been suicidal. Hefting his kanabo over his shoulder the brutal Nightmare Soldier made a prayer gesture with his free hand while whispering quietly under his breath. Around his neck the prayer beads broke off and hovered around him in satellite fashion. One by one they rose above his head with a kanji flashing on their smooth surface.

"Kimon Blast-Star Shower!"

A tightly compressed laser shot from each of the prayer beads leaving a solid scorch mark in the earth. The Cerberumon yipped in surprise as the laser beams were far more nimble then they were, not to mention far stronger than they thought. They cut cleanly through their symbiotic armor getting straight to the flesh, sometimes even severing limbs if the four-legged beast wasn't fast enough to move.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

"Get in up close with the Portals of Darkness!" One of the Cerberumon cried moments before it had its head devoured by one of the demonic energy beams.

Beneath his hairy mane Onimon smiled a devious grin. "Just try it you overgrown flea bags." He cackled darkly. Six portals of darkness opened around him from which a Cerberumon emerged jaws and claws ready to tear into his flesh. "Do you think I'd be that stupid!"

WHOSH!

"GGGAAAHHHH!"

Dark laughter escaped the Oni's lips watching each of the Cerberumon fall to the ground in severed pieces. Their mouths hung up as their empty eyes stared numbingly at the Nightmare Soldier's feet. One by one they collapsed into data which he quickly devoured feeling his previously expanded strength return to him. Exhaling a victorious breath the Nightmare Soldier turned to Cerberumon Werewolf mode with a grin. "Well? Are you just going to stand there while you let your underlings do all the fighting? I thought I was supposed to be scared of you and that big bad form?"

It wasn't surprising when the dark clad werewolf roared with laughter. "You think you've won? After that little display of power? It amazes me how you earned the title Digimon Hunter! No Onimon, what you survived was just the warm-up! Do it boys!"

Five dark portals appeared around him from which a stream of flames came forth.

"Really, don't you idiots have anything new? Whirl Flame!"

Because the Nightmare Soldier had acted so fast he failed to notice the devious grin on the werewolf's face.

"PORTALS OF DARKNESS!"

Momentarily glancing upwards Onimon expected another pair of Cerberumon to come through the three dark portals above his head. What he got were three automobiles engulfed in searing flames. With wide eyes he broke off to roll to the side allowing the cars to crash into the earth then explode sending burning metal everywhere.

"PORTALS OF DARKNESS!"

Spinning on his heel he swung Tetsuhono around causing it to slam into another set of vehicles tossed through the portals.

"Emerald Blaze!"

Boom!

Onimon couldn't see anything past the cloud of flames nor would any of his other senses work. He struggled to regain control already feeling the razor-sharp claws of a Cerberumon burying themselves into his back. On reflex he fell on his back forcing the beast to jump off. When his eyesight returned he saw the flickering light an incoming Emerald Blaze attack staring him in the face. Wildly lashing out with his right fist he knocked more than a few of the beast's teeth out as well as causing the attack to fizzle out.

"Portals of Darkness!"

"Emerald Blaze!"

Taking one quick look around Onimon knew he was screwed. Five different directions, five vehicles, and fire incoming fire blasts. Feeling his digital blood racing he created a barrier from his prayer beads knowing if he didn't he'd be in a critical condition.

Boom!

Jumping ten feet above the smoke haze with his prayer beads reassembling the kanabo-wielding Digimon readied himself for the next attack he knew was coming.

"You know you really shouldn't show off like that Onimon!" Cackled a deep voice from behind him. Craning his head the Nightmare Soldier saw Cerberumon Werewolf Mode leaping out of a dark portal with his right gauntlet already in mid-swing. "It makes you so easy to read!"

THUNK!

The ground impact admittedly sent a tremor up the Oni's body but he didn't have time to wait for it to fade. Right before his eyes a pair of Cerberumon came out of another portal with flames trailing from their mouths. Snarling in frustration the Ultimate-level Digimon pressed his weapon forward causing both creatures to bite down on the Chrome Digizoid kanabo. Hellfire exploded from the weapon though this time Onimon was wise enough to shut his eyes beforehand saving himself. Onimon raised his weapon high with the two demon dogs still holding onto it; he wasted no time in smashing the two of them into the ground.

"How many of you slumbering-GAH!" This time two of the damn things were biting down on his back getting an enraged howl from the Nightmare Soldier. "Get off of me you little bastards!"

One of them laughed loud enough for Onimon to hear, he immediately detected something was off. "You asked for it!"

Energy built inside of both their bodies forming into a cackling flame inside their bellies. They condensed for a solid second then…

BOOM!

"AAARRRRGGGHHH!" Cried the giant demon as he stumbled to his knees with flames climbing over his blacken back. Using his kanabo as a support he managed to keep his head up despite the great pain he was. "Damn you filthy bastards! You'll pay for this!"

"Really?"

"We'd like to see you try!"

Five Cerberumon came to a stop around him, all wearing murderous smiles on their faces. Their bodies went through the same process the others did.

BOOM!

In the ashes of the smoke Onimon found the strength to stand only to meet the gleeful eyes of Cerberumon Werewolf Mode.

"Scared yet?" Came his savage voice.

Onimon never got the chance to respond as he was sent flying a good distance by the sudden blow curtesy of the werewolf's right arm. Rebounding he saw his opponent heading for him with unholy fire burning in his right mouth. Charging up Tetsuhono the wounded Oni took a running start holding one hand out as per usual for his trademark attack.

"Demon Maw!"

Rashōmon Crash!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"You probably noticed it right?" Cackled the Werewolf jumping back after their third clash leaving a bewildered Onimon in the center of the miniature crater they'd created. "Your prayer beads, they're your greatest weapon and at the same time your biggest liability."

The demonic Digimon said nothing as the trap Cerberumon Werewolf Mode had laid activated. So…they've figured out how long it takes the Ushitora to recharge after use. Hmph, they're a clever pack of mutts I'll give them that much.

A smothering inferno suddenly erupted around him forcing him to put his guard. Every inch of his body was exposed to the roaring flames turning his discolored skin jet black and causing every nerve in his body to flare up with pain. Still holding onto his pride he refused to scream in pain, instead settling for a continuous groan that belayed the extreme agony he was in. He had no strength to move his body or even command his demonic jewels to activate as they'd finished recharging, all he could do was stand in the center of the maelstrom of fire and bear through it. There wasn't a taunt he could get out because even his own throat was starting to hurt like he was being forced to inhale smoke.

WHOSH!

"Demon's Maw!"

Mere moments after the inferno dissipated Cerberumon Werewolf Mode was on top on him, his right arm coming at him too fast for him to stop.

THUN-KUNK!

CRASH!

"Hellfire!" Barked the werewolf opening its right maw to release a stream of demonic flames directly at the downed Oni.

Through the pain Onimon stood rearing back his kanabo. "Rashōmon Crash!"

It said something when the Cerberumon collectively whistled at beat back of their leader's attack. Countless shockwaves of raw air and flames exploded from the point of contact between the Chrome Digizoid weapon and hellfire blast.

"C-Come…on…is that the best…you…muttts can do?" The tired Oni barked using his weapon as a cane to keep his body upright. The negative nature of the Dark Ocean did nothing to hide the fact over seventy-percent of his body was jet-black and blistering. Every action such as even moving his foot caused a flare up of pain in his lower region. Smoke coiled off of his body nonstop making him seem more like a walking smoldering piece of metal. His right eye had been swollen shut leaving him blind on his right side while his left was getting increasingly blurry. "I…I haven't even…broke a sweat yet!"

"How cute, you're still trying to hold onto your pride." Cerberumon Werewolf mode cackled taking his first steps towards the weakened Onimon. "You know I can end your existence right here. Can you imagine how much fun that would be?"

"I imagine it would be…but you won't." Snorted the humanoid Digimon. "You won't delete me because that'd go against your orders, and like a good dog you can't do that can you?" He said that last part with a laugh.

A flash of rage went through the werewolf's eyes only to vanish as soon as it had appeared. "Why don't you go to sleep Onimon, get a nice nap in before your miserable existence really does come to an end." With that he raised his left maw then right it down.


Jun's headcount came up at eight Cerberumon in her field of vision. Eight ferocious hellhounds with regenerative abilities against her armed with some guns, knives, a handful of grenades, and her wits. "I guess my luck's finally started to run a little dry." The redhead mused letting out something of a chuckle. Things were far from what she'd seen on TV where the hero always managed to find a way to outwit his or her opponents and escape with their lives. She wasn't James Bond. Indiana Jones, Arnold Schwarzenegger. That last on brought up a particularly cheerful myriad of memories she shared with her brother. Sitting on the couch watching the American actor's increasingly insane action movie stunts had filled them with glee. Somewhere she always knew such things would be difficult if not impossible to replicate in real life. "Oh man I wish I could switch this from a horror flick to an action movie. It would so make this easier to deal with."

One of the Cerberumon stepped forward with whatever passed for a smile plastered on its face. "Can you smell her fear brothers?" He called to the others causing all of them to erupt into laughter.

"Of course, it's mouthwatering!" Responded another.

"If you want to piss yourself now's the time." A third cackled at Jun as the pack carefully advanced on her with hungry glint in their eyes.

Their taunting continued despite Jun's silence. They said all kinds of things ranging from calling her a coward to sexual remarks she'd rather have unheard. For all she cared they could have called her a whore to her face and that wouldn't have broken the steel mask she wore. "If anything I'm going to vomit, I mean even from here I can smell your breath." She paused to chuckle quietly to herself. "One of you is bad enough but together I think I may just pass out. I've dated passed street cats on the road who've smelled better than you muttts do."

One of them took the bait and lunged at her in the blink of an eye. Catching the black blur she raised her M-16 already squeezing down the trigger but not expecting to hit anything.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

To the shook of the hellhounds their brother fell to the wet ground dead with three bullet holes in his central hand. Jun was wearing a cool smile on her face as a mysterious ethereal entity rose up behind her. "What? Thought I couldn't handle myself?"

Meeting her smirk with one of his own Harper responded, "I just wanted someone to talk to. Onimon doesn't seem to want me around so I figured I'd hang with you until we were able to regroup."

"No arguments here." Was her reply taking out her Chrome Digizoid knife and holding it in a reverse grip in one hand and her rifle in the other. In seconds she found herself slightly off balance, especially where her rifle was concerned. I can't fight like this, but I can't waste time reaching back for the knife if one of those things get in too close. Steadying her breath she did the only thing she could think of in the short window of time she had. Placing the handle of the knife between her teeth got her a catty remark from Harper she paid no mind to. Signaling out the Cerberumon that had mocked her earlier her feet propelled her towards it at a speed she never knew she could reach.

The Cerberumon was still stunned when Jun was crouched in front of him, a feral look in her eyes that married that of a wild animal. Clearly caught off guard the beast wildly lashed out with its jaws hoping to snap the redhead's in half, instead nothing but empty air greeted its jaws then a sharp pain penetrated its skull. Jun didn't stop at the creature's pain-stacked howl, she dragged her knife along the back of the head leaving a deep gash that exploded with black data. She held on tight as the guard dog reared upward howling at the chaotic sky continuing to drag her knife down further. She ended up standing on the back of the collapsed Digimon with her eyes trained on the approaching Cerberumon coming at her from the right.

A gray blur darted into the hellhound's body leaving it immobile in the middle of the air, its form freezing up and blurring like images on a bad TV. Not wasting a moment Jun gave the same treatment she did to the first Cerberumon. Jumping off the disintegrating Digimon her alert senses screamed at her to roll to the left and she did. A dark portal opened from which a Cerberumon came lunging out cursing as its prey had escaped it. A series of bullets slammed into its hide though in seconds the holes they left closed up giving Jun reason to retreat. The previously wounded Cerberumon came at her with increased fury at both wounding it and escaping it. Jun steadily moved back already sensing the hair on the back of her neck alerting her to the next threat.

"Portal of Darkness!"

One in the front and one in back, ordinarily a regular human never would have been able to dodge both at once.

Jun was no longer just a regular human, at least mentally or physically.

CRUNCH!

She literally felt the air rush past her, almost sheering the hair from her skin. Inside her heart felt like it was about to explode. Coming up on her stomach she saw the two Digimon tangled in a mess confused at what had happened until their shoulder pads clued them in on the human girl reaching for a grenade. Harper moved through the joined shadows of the two Cerberumon freezing them; once free he flashed Jun a cheesy grin letting her know her window was open. Without a word the grenade flew from her grasp directly at the two demonic dogs.

Boom!

Three of them converged on the charging teenager. "Emerald Blaze!" The Cerberumon roared firing a stream of flames that converged into a giant sized flow that left a black line along the ground.

Harper was right alongside Jun as she ran to avoid the blast already feeling the heat biting at her exposed skin. "I know this is sudden but I know a way for you to avoid that attack. You'll feel a little dizzy when you come back up." He didn't wait for her to reply, he just grabbed her shoulders and sunk into the shadows, taking Jun with him.

She'd have a word with Harper when the battle was over about that little stunt. One blinking of the eyes and she was standing between two of the Cerberumon who'd just realized she was there. Her confusion wore off immediately as she dropped Elafris into her hand and promptly jumped on the nearest Cerberumon.

"GAH! Get her off! Off now you damned human!" Raved the Cerberumon at the feel of the White-Chrome Digizoid knife cutting into its flesh. By reflex the beast bunked and weaved preventing his kin from attacking for fear of hitting him. "Stupid human girl, get the hell of me!" Perhaps her words were what made her drive her cursed blade into his right shoulder pad, a bundle of nerves that were highly sensitive to damage. "GGGAAAHHH!"

Jumping off from the shoulder Jun drove Elafris into the snout of the wounded Cerberumon with a furious roar. As the beast sank to the ground another of the Cerberumon came up on her with its claws held out. With her free hand she reached for and pulled the pin off of one of her grenades. Thanks in part to her backwards roll the tiny explosive ended up mere inches from the Cerberumon jaw when it went off causing him pain and blindness at the same time.

Making a beeline for an overturned tank Jun at last took the time to call out her spectral ally. "You could have told me you could do that earlier!"

"Hey don't look at me. That was the first time I'd ever tried something like that." Was the ghost's nonchalantly response. "You mind doing it again."

Looking up to see a Cerberumon firing a stream of flames at her she yelped. "Not at all!"

The duo disappeared into the shadows confusing the Cerberumon who looked from side to side with all six of its eyes. It never expected the human girl to appear beneath it, knife carving a jagged line in its stomach. The barrel of an M-16 was dug into that jagged wound; the Cerberumon felt the hot barrel of the gun dig deep into its insides with widen eyes.

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

"Screw it!" Barked one of the Cerberumon taking a leading position with the others. "Roast her! Emerald Blaze!" Not long after he gave the command the other Cerberumon joined him turning his single attack into a joint wave of hellfire heading straight for Jun and the downed Cerberumon.

BOOM!

"Ah shit we just killed the target!" One of them barked realizing the gravity of the situation they were now in. "What the hell are we going to tell the boss?"

"We? You mean you! You're the one who said to roast her!" A second countered taking a step back.

"You all followed me therefore that makes you all just as responsible as I am!"

"Like hell we are! This is on your head!"

Just like dogs over a bone the Cerberumon heatedly argued amongst themselves over who was responsible for the death of their target completely blind to their surroundings. Crawling through the moist grass and pockets of flames was a certain redheaded teenager carrying a loaded grenade launcher in one hand with an angry sneer on her face. Near invisible to the naked eye was a ghost whose laughter went unheard to all but Jun.

"Ah military tech sure has changed since my day, granted I'm not entirely sure what you Japanese use for firepower." Harper chided with a finger on his chin. "Say, when all this is over you wouldn't happen to have any thoughts on joining the military?"

"All I can tell you is after this I'm no longer a dog person." She snarled adjusting the sights on her newly acquired weapon. She hadn't completely escaped unharmed from the fire blast as evident by the handful of first and second degree burns over her body. At the moment the only thought on her mind was making those responsible for them pay, and pay they would. "Here's your bone muttts." She snarled before pushing down on the trigger.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Reaching into one of her pouches she pulled out two grenades she picked up off the corpses of Deep Ones when Harper had rescued her. The four grenades distracted the Cerberumon while the supernatural weapons she unpinned would finish the job. She felt no sympathy in tossing them and watching the black-colored flames go up engulfing the shocked hellhounds.

A piercing howl cut through the chorus of confusion and it was aimed at her. Grabbing her grenade launcher she set up to see one of the Cerberumon coming at her with its symbiotic armor still healing the wounds from her surprise attack. She fired off two more shots but the beast kept coming at her headless of the damage. In response Jun drew her knife and got into a crouching position fully ready to go blade to claw when the time came. The eyes of the human and Digimon locked with each other seconds before the clash took place.

"Portals of Darkness!" The demonic Digimon yelled disappearing into a black portal that suddenly appeared less than a meter in front of the knife-wielding teenager.

THUMP!

"JUN HE'S COMING FROM-" Admittedly the girl took his breath, yes a seemingly frail human girl took his not-needed breath away.

Her evasion was perfect, gracefully even. Her legs sprung her to the left a full ten seconds before the Cerberumon came down on her position with its claws burying themselves in the dirt. Amidst the flying rock and grass Harper saw her eyes-determined, fiery orbs that held no hesitation in them as her arms moved forward to bury Elafris in the snout of the digital hellhound. When the blade left the Cerberumon's body it came out at the end of the snout leaving a stream of data to burst out. Next the Greek-style knife dug into the throat cutting off its ability to scream or call out.

SLISH!

"It's gone." Thought the former soldier with something of a sad smile plastered on his face as the data flew from Jun's knife. "Whatever innocence she had when she came into this hellhole is gone. She's like…like…the rest of us." Fresh wide eyes greeted his mind as he was pulled back into another hall of memories he had no desire to run from. He saw his own bright green eyes staring back at him, a military uniform neatly and properly plastered over his young adult body. "We were so young and stupid. We didn't know what hell were walking into. Jun, I wish I could tell you how much you're making my head hurt with that look in your eyes." The ghost slightly cried keeping pace with Jun ducking and rolling through the Cerberumon's continued attacks, lungs and fire blasts that would have long killed any lesser man. His thoughts were shielded from her whenever he phased her into the shadows to protect her or get her in another position to attack. Her face, becoming more stained with blood, never changed from the near feral expression she wore. Harper could remember his own face becoming like that after a while, all of their faces became that way after the first week or so of fighting. Those of them that survived anyway. "That's what I guess you've become now Jun, a survivor like…well, I'm not sure I count since I'm a ghost now."

She was on her knees with her breath coming out as a moist cloud and blood dripping from Elafris like a leaking faucet. The Cerberumon didn't come at her like they did before, out of caution and curiosity. The look in her eyes, when they'd been deployed they never thought their prey would turn out to be such a challenge. None of them would say it but in the unknown span of time since the battle had started Jun Motomiya had earned their respect. She was bloody, bruised, scratched, and starting to run out of energy, but she was still ready to claw their eyes out if they weren't fast enough.

"I forgot…how stubborn you humans can be." One of the Cerberumon admitted shaking the blood out of its gouged out right eye. "I can see how you managed to survive this long, and I'm impressed. But the game's up now human! Portals of Darkness!"

"Out of all the plans you've had this is one by far the craziest, and I like it." Harper laughed was the dark portal appeared behind Jun.

The teenager was silent until the stream of flames came gushing out behind her. "I know, and odds are it won't be the last one." Instead of rolling aside she spun and dove straight for the portal, grenade launcher in hand expanding the last bits of ammo she had. "Harper hold on tight!"

"Hey that's my line sister!"

First was the rush of intense air against her wet skin followed by the weightlessness she'd associated with the loss of gravity. Popping her eyes open Jun saw purple-tinged darkness all around her. It wasn't hot or cold, warm or cool, just an unsettling feeling of air around her that made her skin crawl. Before her in a smoky haze was a Cerberumon reeling back from having the grenade go off centimeters from its central face. At first sight of her a heated howl left its jaws.

"Harper! Please tell me there's bottom! Or a rest stop! Something!" Jun called knowing if she didn't do something she was dead.

Wrapping his spectral body around her the ghost dragged her over to one of the many floating platforms that littered the sub-dimension. The moment her feet were one silent ground her body was acting to avoid the oncoming pounce attack. With a forward roll she avoided the Cerberumon's Styx Killer, and found an open window to attack.

"Why can't you just give up?" He barked before Jun put three Chrome Digizoid bullets in his skull.

"How long have we got?" Jun questioned Harper falling back on her rear end for a minute to catch her breath.

"Considering the fact they never would peg you for a crazy person I'd say three minutes, maybe more if we're lucky." The spectral male answered materializing beside her. "I gotta say Jun, you're really turning into my kind of girl."

Despite the exhaustion sweeping through her she found the strength to give him a thumbs up and a cool laugh. With clear eyes she peered upward finding dozens of portals showing countless images she guessed were the viewpoints of the Cerberumon. Almost immediately her eyes went to the ones showing Onimon. Her partner was wounded, badly.

"This is going to be a messy get-away." Harper mused already knowing what Jun was thinking.

"It wouldn't be the first time." Came the redhead's reply already getting ready.

"Suppose you're right about that. I remember we once had to retreat while the enemy was practically leveling the entire forest around us. Ah yeah, I remember, a friend of mine, Lowell, poor bastard took two shots to the ass so I had to carry him through the mud and fire."

"Did he survive?"

"Yeah, yeah, though he had some trouble walking for a while. After that I made a vow, never turn your back on the enemy."

"Good advice, any other advice?"

"A whole shit ton, but here's one that might help you in the next minute or so-you see a weapon, don't hesitate."

Coiling around her legs and wrapping an arm around her shoulder Harper took in whatever dark substance made up the Cerberumon's sub-dimension. In some ways it wasn't that different from the Dark Ocean but entering and leaving were much easier. Once he knew Jun was ready he launched himself and her through the darkness towards the portal showing Onimon surrounded by a pack of Cerberumon and a black-armored werewolf.

The same rush of air greeted them upon passing through the portal; neither of them welcomed the thick smoke that lay before them nor the burning landscape. Jun didn't care much as the only thing she needed to know was that her partner was still alive. She came up behind the werewolf-like creature that had her partner at its mercy, there was only one thing for her to do. Latching onto the Digimon's shoulder like a monkey she took gleeful advantage of the creature's shock to drive Elafris into its left eye. The reaction was just as she expected.

"GGGGAAAHHH!" Howled Cerberumon Werewolf Mode as the holy metal violently reacted with his dark essence resulting in his entire brain being lit on fire. "AAARRRAAAGGGHHH!" Due to the pain overload his maws cracked open spraying the area, and his brethren, with hellfire as he tried in vain to shake the young redhead off of him.

SLISH!

"AAARRRGGGHHH!"

Now the White Chrome Digizoid knife was buried at the base of the neck bringing Cerberumon Werewolf Mode to his knees in true pain and agony. From her position Jun flashed her partner a quick grin he eagerly returned.

Getting into position his tired body burned with renewed energy at presence of his partner. "Oh I've been waiting for a chance to do this." He mutttered filling his kanabo with unholy energy. "Rashōmon Crash!" Came his thunder-like voice that was echoed by the ground cracking as he kicked off it.

Never would Jun forget the impressive, upside down sight of her partner brutally slamming his Chrome Digizoid kanabo into the blinded werewolf's abdomen causing a localized eruption of flames and air propelling her almost ten feet further into the air. She grinned at the air rushing past her and the deep gasp that left Cerberumon Werewolf Mode before he was rocketed across the ground like a pebble, broken pieces of armor trailing behind him.

"You're awfully calm about this free falling thing aren't you?" Harper noted as Jun began her descent towards the ground.

She said nothing as the air zoomed by her until she came to a sudden stop courtesy of a rough yet firm hand catching her. Opening her eyes to see the pained single orb of her partner she responded to Harper with a laugh. "When you know someone's there to catch you there's no need to worry."

Laughter broke out amongst the three of them despite the situation they were in, or rather because of it they laughed. They had this one moment to themselves and they'd be damned if they wasted it.

One person took great offense to their moment and was more than willing to make his displeasure known. "Laugh it up while you can bastards! That's the last sound any of you will be making once I'm through with you!" Screamed Cerberumon Werewolf Mode who lumbered towards them. Blood trailed down his left eye and shoulder were Jun's knife had cut through all manners of defense and resistance. His stomach area was a crude portrait of shattered glass, data and black blood flowing in small rivers from cracks and gaps in armor that seemed to have been melted off just as much as they were cracked. With every step forward more and more pieces of armor fell to the ground then vanished in clouds of black smoke. "I was going easy on you idiots before but that stops now!"

As the three readied themselves for another round of battle thunder boomed over their heads. Digimon and human alike looked upwards to see the chaotic sky which had been dumping chunks of the Human World was now chugging out Digimon, living breathing Digimon. Flyers who regained their wits fast enough took flight while those who didn't screamed their entire way down to the earth.

Or their screams were cut short by the random arcs of crimson-colored lighting snaking its way through the sky. It was unnatural to all those on the ground, snaking its way through storm clouds and debris alike to strike at whatever it deemed a target.

"It seems we've run out of time for the evening, so I guess I should step in and end this little dog fight." Rumbled a voice from three different directions.

"G-Guys," Harper's nervous voice croaked alarming the human and Digimon. "I, uh, don't want to worry you or anything but, uh, we've got a guest."

"Yeah, what else is new?" Onimon grumbled.

"This one's actually a little scary." Harper bit back the earth shook beneath heavy footsteps.

From the edges of the forest emerged the same demonic hellhound they'd managed to outrun earlier, only this time it seemed just a tad bigger than, almost as big as Onimon himself. Now that Jun had a closer look at it as it came out of the shadows she saw what could only be described as volcanic cracks beneath the ash and soot-colored fur that boiled the rain drops that made contact with it. What made it worse was the fact they were three of them, each coming from a different angle. The redhead was silent as the beast stalked past her, the intense heat aura it possessed hitting her with a glancing blow.

Three of the oversized hellhounds stood before Cerberumon Werewolf Mode and his kin, seemingly standing as the true pack leader. Their burning eyes ran over the odd trio with a mix of disdain and interest. Said trio kept themselves on guard for the attack they each knew was coming.

"A pity fate's given you lot such a bad hand, but that can be reversed." One of the hellhounds laughed. "That is, if you're smart enough to take that chance." The second added. "We share a common enemy so why not take a break and call a truce." The third finished with a glint in its eyes as Jun seemed to ease up.

Holding out her arm to keep Onimon and Harper at bay the human girl took a cautious step forward. "As interesting as that sounds I'd like to know exactly who's offering it. I want a name."

All three heads erupted into joint laughter that didn't change the mood of the three one bit. "Impressive! Truly impressive, you're not the stupid girl our master led us to believe. In honor of that we'll show you the true form of the beast that all hellhounds kneel to!" A maelstrom of flames erupted around the three hellhounds breaking down their bodies into flaming heads that howled at each other as molten rock and darkness danced around them. The growing mass expanded into a sixteen foot-tall canine-like body that easily towered over the ruined buildings and vehicles in the spacious clearing. On top of the volcanic rock that made up the body grew ash and soot colored fur that burned like candle tips at the end. Claws half the size of cars tore into the ground as well as burned it at the same time. Numerous cracks ran up the body from which flickering embers escaped. Dark armor covered the legs and backside of the three-headed hellhound, red DigiCode carved into the black colored surface. Around the neck was a gothically designed collar with broken chains. At the base of each familiar crest burned bright with an almost flame-like glow. Letting loose a ferocious howl that shook the air itself the newly emerged beast announced its existence to the Dark Ocean. "Second in Command of the Daemon Corps and Master of the Hounds, Nebirosmon!"

Name: Nebirosmon

Level: Mega

Attribute: Virus

Description: The final evolutionary member of the Cerberumon line is this Demon Beast Digimon that stands among the fiercest creatures of the Digital World. Daemon himself commands this three-headed beast to capture those he has taken an interest in or eliminate them. Nebirosmon's Triple Threat attack allows it to split itself into three Ultimate-level beasts that share one mind making him a danger to combat and even worse to be hunted by. If you're thinking of running then good luck, His Hex Chains have a distance of over fifty meters with the ability to restrain a Whalmon and his Convict Burst allows him to cause volcanic eruptions strong enough to upturn the land. Once he's found his target if he doesn't feel like tearing you to pieces he'll roast you alive with his Triple Blaze attack, a mega-sized fire blast strong enough to destroy an entire patch of forest.

Rearing his three heads back Nebirosmon roared with laughter at the iron-mask Jun, Onimon, and Harper held up. "I saw this place has taught you to conquer fear! That is good! You know Dagomon thrives on that!"

"And your kind don't?" The redhead responded searching the three heads for any visible weak point. "The eyes and the snout, getting to them won't be easy but if I can hold on tight then I can at least even the playing field." "Mind telling me what the hell's happening and why shit's falling from the sky? What did you of you decide to make a play to end this game?"

"Close to it Jun Motomiya, a play was indeed made but the results were mixed at best. Not surprisingly we've emerged as the leaders in this war, it was our victory." The three heads darkly laughed then all of them focused on Jun. Much to the Demon Beast's continued amusement the girl didn't back down from having multiple sets of eyes on her. "You believe me?"

"Well I look around and I'm seeing Control Spires everywhere so there's no point in arguing." Jun answered.

"You grow more interesting by the second Jun Motomiya. As you can clearly see it's only a matter of time before we have the Dark Ocean, next comes the Digital World, and lastly your home world. Dagomon can't hold out for much longer, and even if he could it wouldn't matter. Not now that we have the sea on our side!" A circle of flame appeared in front of Nebirosmon just barely at eye-level for the trio to see. Through it they saw a massive wall of coral-like rock raising high above the ground almost reaching to the clouds. "Innsmouth? That was your destination wasn't it? Still want to keep tracking their now that Dagomon's thrown up the wall around it? It's a twenty mile long walk from here to Innsmouth, and that's not counting the warzone hazards between here and there. Even counting the slim chance you make it there that wall is over ten miles high with toxic gas constantly streaming out of it; what makes you think you can survive all that?"

A smirk came to Jun's lips as soon as she heard the question. "I've survived everything this place has thrown at me including you and your pack of Cujo-rejects. Oh and one more thing," holding up one finger she watched the three heads melt into confusion with visible glee. Holding up one finger to the sky she said, "I don't think Squid-Face appreciates it when people count him out before the last card's been dealt."

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Nebirosmon sensed the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on in within minutes of hearing the spectral voice of the Dark Ocean's contested ruler blasting in his ears.

YOU DARE TO INSULT ME!? ME IN MY OWN REALM!? MARK MY WORDS MONGREL! THIS WORLD WILL NEVER BELONG TO YOUR KIND!

"SCATTER NOW DAMN IT!" Nebirosmon roared already making a break for it as the first skyscraper-sized bolt of crimson colored lightning descended from the sky to the ground with the speed of lightning.

BBBBOOOMMM!

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

"Answer me one question," Harper asked from the shadows amongst the maelstrom of smoke and ash that now blanketed over half the forest. Since they'd stuck so close together he had a good idea where Jun was when he spoke. "How did you know?"

"Simple" Coughed out the redhead shaking the mountain of dirt and rock off of her. She was running out of breath like Onimon so her answer was clipped and short. "Dagomon's an egomaniac, he can't take someone getting a leg up on him."

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

WHOOOOSSSSHHH!

Jun, Onimon, and Harper were surprised when the smoke blanket was blown away in a single instant, but Nebirosmon was more shocked. He'd escaped with little harm…though his Cerberumon weren't so lucky. Entire scores of them lay littered across the crater formed by the lightning strike, very few of them showing sides of getting back up.

Walking through the destruction was a figure Jun and Onimon felt they'd seen before. It was a Digimon, one that looked similar to Tosamon yet held a few sharp differences that set her apart as a completely different creature. First off was the lack of eyes of any sort on the hauntingly beautiful face that possessed flowing seaweed-like hair that stretched down to the middle of her back. Really nothing took the place of the eyes, just disturbingly translucent skin that was surrounded by almost tribal-like markings that looked too much like gills. A pair of draconic wings were tucked inwards. Her deceptively human body was similar to Tosamon including in terms of fashion until one notice the markings on her arms resembled mouths when she held them up. A robe-like cloth covered most of her body with a hoodie pulled down, it was lined with sea shells and bones of all sorts.

A struggling Cerberumon stepped into her path with a snarl escaping its lips.

WHOSH!

The sound of the watchdog splitting into two pieces was sickening for both sides to hear. Continuing her calm walk towards the battlefield with a legion of hooded Deep Ones following her the strange Digimon refused to speak a word.

It wasn't until Nebirosmon was on his feet was the silence broken. "Oh so Dagomon chooses to send his other daughter to face me. What? I wasn't good enough for the oldest? Do you despite taking me Tolhumon?"

"Shut up." Seethed the Mutant Digimon transforming her right arm into a spear-like tentacle. "My sister's been assigned to the Digital World, my brother got to go to the Human World, and I'm stuck here dealing with you people." She whined shaking her head from side to side. "Do me a favor and die quietly so I can hurry up and go back to sleep."

Name: Tolhumon

Level: Ultimate

Attribute: Data

Description: Don't think because she's younger and quieter than her sister Tosamon Tolhumon is any less of a monster. No, she's a master of the "tranquil fury" often rumored to be deadlier than the average berserker. Unlike her sister who's wild and overly psychotic Tolhumon is much more calculative and cunning, using speed and brutal cunning to take her enemies down. Her Mysterious Abyss attack best shows it, an omnidirectional attack that can down anything it's used on. For tactical use her Abyss Break can be set up like a trap that her opponents can be maneuvered into, once they're caught in it that' s all she wrote. If you're one of the unfortunate ones who push her temper too far she'll use her strongest attacks, Abyss Saber and Wrath of the Abyss to put you down for good.

Completely shifting his attention to Tolhumon Nebirosmon roared his challenge to her. "You think that lowly of me? You muttant bitch, I'll teach you to fear me! Triple Blaze!" A black fireball formed in the mouth of each head then turned into a roaring stream that raced towards the Muttant Digimon with bullet-like speed.

BOOM!

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

To say onlookers were impressed at Tolhumon's response would have been an understatement. She didn't raise some type of energy shield or water wall to protect herself, rather she created a shield by continuously swinging her tentacle-like hands against the hellfire blast. The air seemed to mold itself into a defensive wall around her that kept the blast at bay. When it at last came to an end she barked to her human followers, "Kill all of them!" At her command the hundred or so humans stampeded towards the collection of hellhounds screaming at the top of their lungs with weapons of all shapes and sizes ready to kill.

Rallying his kin with a howl Nebirosmon ordered them to do the same. "Triple Threat!" The volcanic lines that went along each head flared with red light creating a blinding flash, when it vanished two giant hellhounds were leading the charge while the last performed a superhuman leap to cut off the path of the fleeing trio. "Going somewhere?" It snarled at the human, Digimon, and ghost. "Leave now and you'll miss out on all the fun!"

"If it's all the same to you we've had enough fun for one day." Jun growled reaching to reload her rifle. "Besides you look a little tied up at the moment so we thought we could put this little meeting on hold."

"Stupid girl, my hunt is never put on hold!" Shouted the hellhound before lunging at the three with hellfire coated jaws.

"It is today." Onimon growled. "Jun, Harper, out of the way now!" Both did as he ordered without a second thought. Around his neck the Ushitora jewels broke apart and turned into spectral balls of glowing flames. "KIMON BLAST-FULL CHARGE!" Boomed the Oni launching each of the jewels at their attacker.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?" Shouted Nebirosmon as the orbs homed in on him with speed even he had trouble keeping up with. His four eyes clearly saw the countless compressed balls of demonic energy converging on him, but there was nothing he could do about it. "NO!"

KA-BOOM!

"AAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!" Two voices simultaneously screamed some distance off from the explosion.

Jun finally released her held-in breath when she saw Nebirosmon's severely scorched form lying on the forest floor in the middle of a sizable crater with the demonic jewels Onimon commanded hovering above him. "Holy shit, I…I knew that was your strongest attack but damn. Why did you ever use that earlier?" To the older Motomiya's shock her partner was doing all he could to stay standing with sweat pouring in droves down his body. "Onimon?"

"If I…hadn't taken such a…asskicking earlier I might be…in the green." He painfully chuckled. A bright light engulfed his body as he lunched forward only to be caught by his partner. "So-Sorry Jun, but I'm going to…need a…quick…"

"Hm, I was wondering when the guy was going to run out of steam, took a bit longer than I thought it would." Harper offered watching Onimon's eight foot figure shrink until he was barely half of Jun's height.

Jun was speechless as her partner transformed from his imposing eight-foot two muscle-ripped Ultimate form into…into…into…

She pulled out her Digivice immediately searching for a name for the Mohawk haired creature she was cradling in her arms. Her heart stopped once a name came up

Goblimon, a Rookie level Digimon.

"…Shit."


Author's Notes: That situation where you escape from the monster only to find either your car's run out of gas, there' a obstacle in the road, a tire blows out, or anything else kills whatever sense of safety or hope you had prior. I've seen so many of those moments in horror movies growing up I like to believe I learned something as that last scene had shown. With the group powerhouse out of action for a while don't expect to see a lot of fighting in the next few chapters, except if it's between Dagomon and Daemon's forces. *evil laugh* I've already worked out what Jun's going to be going through in the next few chapters and boy is it going to suck for her!

Anyways what did you think of two of the newest arrivals? Nebirosmon is based off the demon Neberius who is often depicted either as a three headed dog or as a raven. Interestingly two of the alternate spellings of his name is Cerberus and Cerbere though it's entirely unknown if he and the Greek Cerberus are the same entity. I found it interesting and decided to give it a shot. His appearance is heavily based on the Greek Cerberus with some demonic undertones that will be common with Digmon associated with Daemon. With the Daemon Corps I've got an idea of making them fire and volcanic attributed creatures to go with Daemon's wrath theme. Tolhumon is based off the Nctolhu, one of Cthulhu's twin daughters in the story The Twin Spawn of Cthulhu. Her appearance is a little off from what's described but there are reasons for that. I honestly plan on getting her a little more spotlight than her sister.

Before I leave off I have to ask, does anyone have any suggestions for communities I can put this story in? It's been on my mind for a while and I was hoping as readers you all could tell me if there are any out there this story would fit into. If so let me know.

Thanks for reading and be safe readers! And if you're American have a happy Fourth of July!