Chapter 3 The Chosen Key
A blonde man wearing shades sips his mug of coffee as he stares at the ever-changing screen in front of him. Two women type calmly in a raised chair above him, absorbed in their work about as much as he is.
"System scan is complete, sir," a red haired woman sitting in one of the chairs above calls down to him. "The H.E.A.R.T remains fully operational and is in perfect working order." The blonde man smirks at this news and places his mug down on the desk in front of him. "I almost regret how well this machine works."
"Why's that, Yamaki?" Yamaki turns to see Janyuu Wong entering the lab and making his way over to him. "Just a figure of speech, Janyuu."
"It is truly a remarkable machine," the other woman above them remarks. "I'd very much be interested in looking into its inner mechanics."
"It is indeed curious," the red-haired woman adds. "That man shows up, gives us this machine which flawlessly keeps bio emergences from occurring, and then up and vanishes."
"He was quite the mysterious character, wasn't he?" Janyuu asks.
"I don't particularly care for what happened to that 'DiZ' or whatever he said his name was," Yamaki rebuts. "His machine is doing exactly what he promised it would do. Riley, do we have fany reports on activity within the network?"
"Nothing of note, bossman," the red-haired woman answers. "There seem to have been a couple of attempted bio emergences last night, but the H.E.A.R.T. seems to have dealt with them without incident."
"Good. Keep monitoring and let me know if anything changes, but it looks like we're done with digital anomaly defense business for today."
The door to the lab opens again and a red-haired man with glasses and a young girl with blonde hair set in ponytails enter. "Sorry I'm late," the man announces. "I hope it isn't a problem that I brought my granddaughter, Alice, today. She really needed to get out of the house." The girl identified as Alice lowers her gaze, being sure not to meet the eyes of any members of the lab.
"She won't be able to stay in here, Rob," Janyuu states in a cautious tone. "You know the lab is top secret clearance."
"Bring her to your office, " Yamaki states. "There's nothing in particular to brief you on. We just did our routine scans and everything checks out."
Rob bows his head and gestures for Alice to follow him. She follows him out and to the elevators, boarding one with him. As the doors close, Rob sighs and says, "You know this obsession of yours has to end."
"Grandpa… I can't…"
"You're telling me you can't let go of what happened last year? Sweetheart, all ways into the Digital World have…"
"Closed. I know," Alice interrupts. "But those other kids managed to get their digimon on back. Is it wrong of me to think that maybe I…"
"Those other children were intrinsically connected to their digimon. Based on what you've told me, you had no such connection with this Dobermon."
"But Grandpa. Maybe, if we opened the portal for just a little…"
"No. We can't. I told you that my friends and I were tasked with keeping the barrier between the worlds sealed. Believe me: I would like nothing more than to fulfill your desire and try, but its out of my hands." Alice sulks once more as the elevator comes to a stop and its doors fly open. Rob and Alice move their way down the hallway until arriving at a door, inscribed "Dr. Robert "Dolphin" McCoy, Department of Digital Anomaly Defenses, Vice Chair." He pulls out a card key and swipes it, the door unlocking as he does. Alice enters the room in front of him and slinks into a nearby chair while her grandfather takes his seat at his desk.
"…It's not fair…" Alice mumbles after a minute or so, mostly to herself. Before Rob can respond, alarms begin blaring and both he and Alice leap from their seats. "What's going on?" Alice asks. The phone immediately starts to ring and Rob dives for it. "Hello? What's happening?"
"It's the H.E.A.R.T.: something is attacking it!" Riley's voice shouts over the phone. "I'll be right down," he says before hanging up. "Alice. Stay here. Looks like your grandpa has some work to do." He quickly exits the room, leaving Alice staring after him with great concern.
"Have we identified what it is?" Yamaki asks as the alarms continue to blare. "Riley and her partner, Tally, bring up a visual on screen. "We're trying to set a tracer on it now. We should know soon."
"Is H.E.A.R.T. holding?" Janyuu asks, checking something on his own monitor.
"Affirmative," Tally replies. "H.E.A.R.T. is remaining firm and the anomaly is weakening, but very slowly."
An object moves rapidly across the screen toward the blinking symbol representing the anomaly before suddenly breaking apart and vanishing. "Sir! The tracer was destroyed!" Riley shouts.
"What's happening!?" Rob shouts as he rushes into the lab.
"Something big and bad is trying to force its way through," Janyuu explains as Rob comes to join him. "We're trying to figure out what."
"Sir, several smaller anomalies have appeared. They're spawning faster than H.E.A.R.T. can eliminate them."
"Activate the Yuggoth protocol," Yamaki orders. "H.E.A.R.T. needs a little bit of help."
"Activating now, sir," Riley replies. The triple sphere symbol of Yuggoth appears on screen and moves toward the anomalies. Suddenly, it dissipates, another large anomaly appearing in its place. "Sir, we have another large anomaly that has just appeared!" Tally shouts.
"It's a full scale attack!" Janyuu shouts. "H.E.A.R.T. can't hold out like this!"
"Boost the power to H.E.A.R.T. and deploy any supplementary defense mechanisms we have," Yamaki orders. "They must not break through!"
"It's too late sir! One of the major anomalies has managed to push past H.E.A.R.T.! It's going to bio-emerge!"
"Where?" Yamaki demands.
"The bay in Odaiba, sir," Tally reports.
"The children and their digimon will have to deal with it," Janyuu interjects. We have to focus on stopping…"
"Another anomaly has pushed past H.E.A.R.T.," Riley calls down.
"More bad news," Tally adds. "H.E.A.R.T.'s power output is dropping."
"I'll check the core manually," Yamaki says, gesturing for Rob to follow him. "Janyuu, do everything you can to prevent further bio emergences!"
Dragomon squeals in delight as he thrashes his way through downtown. People scream and flee in terror as his tentacles write about, snatching up cars and tossing them into nearby buildings. He laughs to himself as he spots a young boy crying in the streets below and raises his tentacles high. "Tentacle Claw!" The boy shuts his eyes as the tentacle comes plummeting toward him, only to open them a few seconds later to find himself in the grip of a graceful yellow, fox-like creature.
"Desolation Claw!" Dragomon whips around, only to take an attack to the face as Cyberdramon relentlessly launches beams from a perch atop a nearby building. "Keep on him!" Ryo commands, taking out a card. "Digi-Modify! Gemini activate!" Cyberdramon splits into three Cyberdramons before continuing to barrage the monstrosity with their attacks.
Dragomon raises his tentacles, blocking his foe's attack before allowing them to suddenly split apart and lash out: "Thousand Whip!" The tentacles surround them and easily pummel the building apart. Cyberdramon falters and Ryo falls forward, plummeting downward toward the pavement below.
"Hang on, Ryo man!" Kazu shouts. "Digi-Modify! Hyper-speed activate!" Guardromon rockets forward and jets down, snatching Ryo before he could slam into the pavement and gently returns him to his feet.
"Man, that guy means business!" Takato mutters, checking his d-ark while Guilmon snarls near him. "Dragomon, aquatic beast digimon. Says here he's an ultimate level virus type."
"How did he get here?" Henry asks. "I thought Hypnos had closed the rift between our world and the Digital World after the Parasimon invasion!"
"Doesn't matter. We gotta take him out!" Rika rebuts, barely containing her excitement. "Ready Renamon?"
"Whenever you are," Renamon says, apparating next to her tamer and dropping the boy who was still trembling in her arms. "Digi-Modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
Matrix Digivolution…
Renamon digivolve to… Kyubimon!
Kyubimon digivolve to… Taomon!
"You better get in there too," Henry says to his partner while drawing a blue card. "Digi-Modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
Matrix Digivolution…
Terriermon digivolve to… Gargomon!
Gargomon digivolve to… Rapidmon!
"I'm coming too!" Impmon states proudly.
Impmon digivolve to… Beelzemon!
The two ultimates and one mega rush forward to confront Dragomon just as he swats Cyberdramon away once more.
"Tailsman of Light!"
"Tri-Beam!"
"Double Impact!"
Dragomon hisses and growls as the attacks strike him before lashing out at his newest opponents: "Tentacle Claw!"
"Guilmon, you better get in there too!" Takato says, as he draws his own blue card. Before he can swipe it however, Guilmon crouches low and begins to snarl, facing the alleyway near them. "Uh, what's wrong buddy?"
"Bad…." Guilmon says between snarls. "They smell bad!" Several sets of yellow eyes appear in the darkness, making Takato leap back in shock.
"Takato!" Takato turns to see Jeri as several shadowy creatures rise from the ground and surround her.
"Pyro Sphere!" Guilmon shoots at one, blasting it and causing it to dissipate but the remainder leap at him, swiping with sharp claws.
"What are these things?" Takato asks, looking at his d-ark, but the screen merely displays, "No data."
"Kahuna Waves!" MarineAngemon unleashes a barrage of hearts at the creatures, which were overwhelming Guilmon, dissipating many of them as well. Vortexes of darkness suddenly spawn and from them leap rickety creatures with the same yellow eyes and distinctive heart-like symbols upon their bodies.
"Uh, Henry, Rika: We might have a problem!" Takato shouts nervously, finally garnering his friends' attention.
"Guardian Barrage!"
"Pyro Sphere!"
"Kahuna Waves!"
The three digimon attack the mysterious creatures, but no matter how many they destroy, more seem to spawn after them.
"Rapidmon, we need you down here now!" Henry shouts.
"I'm a little busy at the moment, Henry!" Rapidmon shouts as he dodges another of Dragomon's attacks.
"Thousand Spell!" Taomon unleashes a barrage of cards, though they seem to accomplish little in the way of defeating the monstrous squid.
"Darkness Claw!" Beelzemon zips in and claws at Dragomon's face but the giant squid easily swats him aside, sending him smashing through a nearby building
The tiny black creatures leap for the tamers, swiping as their rickety counterparts headbutt into Guilmon and the other digimon. Takato rushes over to Jeri's side and pulls out a card, quickly swiping it: "Digi-Modify! Speed activate! Get over here, Guilmon!"
"Rock Breaker!" Guilmon bashes one of the creatures over the head before dashing to his tamer's side.
"Forbidden Trident!" Dragomon materializes a massive trident, which he tosses toward Rapidmon and Taomon.
"Talisman Spell!" Having no time to dodge, Taomon throws up a shield to protect herself and Rapidmon, though it proves futile as the trident easily smashes through it and send both ultimates plummeting, where they dedigivolve to their rookie forms.
"It might be time to break out the big guns!" Ryo shouts over to them as creatures advance upon him, Kenta, Kazu, Ai, Mako, MarineAngemon, and Guardromon.
"Not hearing an argument from me," Rika remarks. "Renamon?"
"Do it!" the feline digimon shouts.
"Terriermon?"
"I can do it it! I can do it! Just say the magic words!"
"Ready Guilmon?"
"Ready Takatomon!"
"Cyberdramon! Front and center!" Ryo shouts before raising his own d-ark as well in the hopes that it would work.
"Biomerge activate!"
Biomerge Digivolution…
Guilmon biomerge to… Gallantmon!
Renamon biomerge to… Sakuyamon!
Terriermon biomerge to… MegaGargomon!
Cyberdramon biomerge to… Justimon!
The creatures appear confused as several of the tamers and digimon merge into singular forms.
"Let's exterminate!" MegaGargomon shouts. "Mega Barrage!" He unleashes a salvo of missiles which pelt Dragomon and send him stumbling backward with a roar of indignation.
"Amethyst Mandala!" Sakuyamon slams her staff down on the ground and saves a circle of light outward, dissipating many of the dark creatures surrounding her and her friends.
"Thunder Clap!" Justimon makes quick work of the creatures around him. "Kazu, gather the others and get them away from here! Take them back to the park; we'll rendezvous with you there." Without waiting for an answer, he moves away to join Sakuyamon. "You can count on me, Ryo-man!" Kazu shouts before directing Guardromon to grab the twins.
"MarineAngemon, find Impmon and bring him to the park, ok?" Kenta's partner chirps at him before zipping off as Kenta grabs the twins and places them in Guardromon's arms. "MarineAngemon will get Impmon, but we have to go now!" The twins do not object and allow the large robotic champion to take them and fly away.
"Lightning Joust!" Gallantmon aims and fires, blasting a whole in the ranks of the rickety monstrosities harassing the group. Suddenly, many of the creatures jerk to attention and simultaneously turn their endless gaze towards Gallantmon. Almost without warning, they all leap for him, abandoning any attempts to fight the others.
"Jeri, get away!" Gallantmon warns as they slam into his shield and try to overtake him. "Shield of the Just!" More of the creatures are blown away but still more rapidly appear.
"Tentacle Flapping!" Dragomon regains composure and retaliates, slapping at MegaGargomon and pushing the gargantuan mega back on his heels. "This guy doesn't quit! Gargo Missiles!" Dragomon gets a face full of rocket again stumbles backward, this time falling prone and smashing a building on his way down.
"Spirit Strike!"
"Justice Burst!"
Both Sakuyamon and Justimon attack the creatures near Gallantmon relentlessly but prove unable to gain their attention.
"Lightning Joust!" Gallantmon again destroys many of the offending monstrosities, but more simply leap into existence before attacking, soon covering and overwhelming him.
"Takatomon…what do we do? I can't move!"
"Hang on, buddy. We'll get out of this."
"Shield…of the Just!" Gallantmon blasts another whole through the swarming masses, but it quickly closes, with the nasty creatures, clawing and biting as their antennae twitch with excitement.
"Again!" Sakuyamon shouts. "Amethyst Mandala!"
"Justice Burst!"
The attacks do little to liberate Gallantmon as even more creature leap into existence and rush the two megas, swarming them before they can react.
"Forbidden Trident!" As Justimon and Sakuyamon attempt to help Gallantmon, Dragomon leaps back into he game, tossing a trident at an unsuspecting MegaGargomon.
"Tentacle Flapping!" As MegaGargomon recovers, Dragomon wraps his tentacles around the green mega and squeezes tight, causing his metallic plates to creak and grind against the pressure.
"Oh come on! We're at mega! This giant calamari should have been frombe by now!"
"You're right Terriermon. He's a lot stronger than he should be. Question is why?"
Gallantmon's armor also creaks against the pressure of the swarm around him.
"I don't think I can hold on anymore, Takato. I'm really sleepy…"
"I…won't let it…end like…this…!" As Gallantmon's form destabilizes, a bright light shoots out, eliminating the creatures. Guilmon and Takato stand where their combined form had just been, a giant key having materialized in the goggle-headed tamer's hand. "What the…" Takato mumbles to himself as he looks down at it. "Where'd this come from."
"Takatomon! The others are in trouble!" Guilmon yells. The creatures continue to swarm around Justimon and Sakuyamon, their forms beginning to distort. "Hold on guys!" Takato looks around and upon seeing nothing else he can use, takes the key in both his hands and rushes forward, bashing one of the creatures over the head. "Leave my friends alone!"
Surprisingly, as the key hits the creature, it dissipates and the remainder turn their attention toward him, leaving Sakuyamon and Justimon to split into their tamers and digimon forms.
"Pyro Sphere!" Guilmon unleashes a blast toward the creatures, barely managing to destroy one, as the rickety and shadowy things leap for his tamer. Takato swings his key and, again to his surprise, easily cuts through the creatures, destroying them. He grips it tighter and rushes forward, channeling his skill from his time spent as Gallantmon to slice through the remaining creatures.
"Gogglehead, what is that thing?" Rika asks as she forces herself to her feet.
"I… I don't know, Rika…" he says, looking down at the mysterious key once more.
"Well, where'd you get it?" Ryo asks.
"It sort of just…appeared…" Takato mumbles.
"Uhh guys, can we solve your mystery later!?" MegaGargomon shouts out as Dragomon continues to squeeze him.
No sooner had he said this, the sky suddenly swirled with dark clouds, hiding the bright day's sun. Dragomon also seems to take notice of it and releases his prisoner before squirming away toward the bay. MegaGargomon splits into Henry and Terriermon, each coughing for breath.
"Henry, are you ok?" Takato asks, rushing over to his friend to help him up.
"..fine…" Henry replies upon catching his breath.
"Where's our slimy friend going?" Ryo asks.
"And what's with the sky?" Terriermon asks.
"And those creatures…" Renamon adds.
"You think Yamaki actually activated Juggernaut again?" Rika asks.
Takato doesn't answer, as his eyes transfix on a swirling orb of darkness. A form descends from it: a form that sends a shiver down his spine. "Something tells me we're not done yet…"
Alice fidgets uncomfortably in her seat as she waits for her grandfather to return. She kicks her legs to and fro with some agitation but makes no other outward signs of impatience. Footsteps seem to rush by in the hallway outside, as if people are running about frantically, but she pays it no mind.
Who am I kidding. I'm never going to see Dobermon again. If grandpa can't open a portal to the Digital World, then there's no hope…
Alice releases an outward sigh before slumping further in her chair. I shouldn't have even bothered to come here today. I should have known they wouldn't be able to do anything. I really just wish…
A loud explosion suddenly pulls her from her thoughts. Leaping from her seat, she runs over to the door and pulls it open before peering into the hall. Several Hypnos employees are strewn across the hall and a single figure stands where the elevator shaft one was. The figure glances back and forth and Alice quickly closes the door before he could notice her. That thing; it's a digimon!
Footsteps are soon heard moving down the hall and Alice holds her breath, praying the figure doesn't decide to check her grandfather's office. She breathes a sigh of relief as the sound of footsteps appears to fade and slowly opens the door once more. The sight that greets her nearly makes her faint. Several black creatures are skittering around the unconscious forms of the Hypnos employees. Once such creature bites a person's shoulder, causing a bulb of light to rise out of the person's chest. The creature appears to chirp with glee and snatches the orb, causing their body to employee's body to dissipate.
As she turns to her right, she leaps in surprise, noticing for the first time another of the black creatures staring at her. Several more take notice after the commotion and begin to move toward her. The one closest raises its claws menacingly, chirping with excitement.
Alice screams before kicking the creature away and dashing down the hall, many of the creatures skittering after her. She rounds a corner and keep running, halting suddenly as she comes face to face with another pack of them. She doubles back and runs down an alternate hallway, ignoring the signs stating "Caution" and "Employees Only". She hits the end of the hall and begins banging on the door as the creatures continue to advance. "Please! Open up! Help! Open the door!" she pleads as she bangs with all her might. She turns her back to the door as the creatures finally reach her, appearing to take their time and relish the stalking of their prey. She closes her eyes, not knowing what else to do.
A great roar sounds out and many of the creature appear to chirp in confusion. Alice opens her eyes to see a massive hound standing in front of her, snarling at the pack of creatures. Dobermon!
"Back to void with you! Schwartz Strahl!" The hound unleashes a beam from its mouth, which plows through many of the creatures, causing them to melt into dark smoke before vanishing entirely. The dog leaps at the remainder, clawing them apart until not one remains.
Alice breathes a sigh of relief as Dobermon finishes his opponents before speaking up: "Dobermon… You showed up just in time!" The hound looks to her and says, "I'm glad I was able to help. And now, perhaps you can help me, human. I'm looking for a digimon called Omnimon. Have you seen him?" Alice appears taken aback by his tone at first, but replies, "Well, I saw someone near the elevators and I know he headed somewhere on this floor. Who is he? What does he want?"
"Not your concern. Get yourself to safety," Dobermon snarls in response.
"But I want to help!" Alice shouts with some indignation.
"I don't need a human's help," Dobermon barks.
Alice, now extremely agitated, shouts, "Human? I'm not just some human! Don't you remember me?" Dobermon almost appears to relax, but his muzzle shows only abject confusion. "We…know one another?"
Alice's heart nearly sinks that very moment. "You…you really don't remember me?"
Before he can reply, another explosion seems to rock the building. "No! He musn't be allowed to find it!" Dobermon growls before looking back at Alice. "Quick. Where is the Keyhole?"
"The…what?" Alice asks, partially not processing the information and partially confused by it. More creatures suddenly burs from the vents and rise from the floor. Dobermon growls again: "More Heartless… Stay behind me."
The Heartless advance on them and Dobermon unleashes another "Schwartz Strahl!"
"Get on m back. We have to go!" Alice does not hesitate, climbing onto Dobermon's back as he unleashes another of his attacks. "Now cover your ears!" he commands. Alice does as he says and Dobermon plants his feet firmly before arching his snout upward. "Grau Larm!" A wave of sound shoots out from him, dissipating the Heartless around them, before Dobermon leaps and dashes away before more could spawn into existence.
"Listen to me, human. We have to find the Keyhole before he does. Tell me: is there any location in this building that might be considered extremely important?" Alice thinks for a moment and responds, "I'm…not sure… The lab maybe?"
"Where's the lab? How do we get there?" Dobermon asks as he grinds to halt. "Alice doesn't answer him, instead staring at a directory on the wall. "It's on this floor…"
"What is?" Dobermon asks.
"…the Juggernaut…"
WOW, Looks like Takato's friends are now facing a challenge as they DeDigivovled
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