4

Arkham

"He was in the changeless, legend-haunted city of Arkham, with its clustering gambrel roofs that sway and sag over attics where witches hid from the King's men in the dark, olden years of the Province." – H. P. Lovecraft, "The Dreams in the Witch-House"

Koshiro sat back at his computer, waiting for Gennai's reply to his chat request. He had received Takeru's message mere minutes ago, and had been quick to act. While he waited, he thought back to the incidents of 2002. So much had happened before then that when Daisuke and the others joined the group there had been a good deal to catch them up on. Not only were there the 1999 adventures, but all the incidents that occurred in the three-year period afterward: the struggles with Diablomon and Millenniumon.

Millenniumon. That was what was really bothering him. Ken had still not been reminded of the role he had played in defeating the villain, or of Ryo, whom he had been such close friends with but now could barely remember. There had been a good deal of forgetfulness all around. When the Digimon Kaiser had first appeared, the veterans of 1999 had never suspected his identity, despite knowing what had happened in August of 2000.

They had lost track of Ken by then, had fallen out of touch. Part of that was a result of Ken's growing introversion since Ryo's disappearance. Koshiro felt… well, he felt guilty. Maybe that was why none of them had reminded him. They should have been there for him, and made sure that he was alright, but they didn't, and the Kaiser had been born.

The beeping of Koshiro's computer recalled him back to the present. Gennai had responded.

Gennai: Hello, Koshiro. What can I help you with?

Koshiro typed back, recounting what he had heard at second hand about Ken's nocturnal visitor, and asking if there had been anything odder than usual happening in the Digital World.

Gennai: If I had heard of anything strange, I would have told you all immediately. Currently there has been nothing happening out of place besides the earthquakes which we have been investigating.

Koshiro thought this over, giving Gennai time to add,

Gennai: Keep me up to date with what is happening in your world. Rest assured that I will do the same.

Koshiro: Yes, of course, Gennai-san.

And so they were left with nothing. Koshiro didn't have the heart to tell the others of the disappointment just yet. He was still sitting at the computer an hour later when the familiar beep told him of another incoming message. It was Gennai again.

Gennai: I spoke too soon. Bring up the Digital World map.

Koshiro did so, and stood up suddenly, almost knocking his chair over. The entire screen was a white grid, as it should have been, but it was flawed. A single square had turned black.

"This is… impossible. It can't mean…" But with a few clicks of the mouse his suspicions were confirmed.

Koshiro: Gennai-san, a Dark Tower? But how?

Gennai: It appeared mere minutes ago in a town called Arkham. Let the other Chosen Children know and have them see what is happening.

Koshiro assured him he would do so immediately. He fished his D-Terminal out of his pocket, then thought of something and turned back to the computer.

Koshiro: Gennai-san, you will be looking into this yourself, correct?

Gennai: Yes, of course, but right now you must hurry and contact the others.

The D-Terminal flew open, and Koshiro began to type.

The town of Arkham had an architectural style the Chosen Children had not previously seen in the Digital World. It was somewhat farther to the west than the region of the Digital World their battles with the Kaiser and Archnemon had taken them to. The gambrel-roofed buildings huddled together in the midst of a valley, surrounded by hills and woods and watered by a nearby river.

It was to this river that the eyes of the children and their partners were drawn as the Digimon raced towards the town in their Armor-level forms, Ken holding Wormmon as he rode behind Daisuke on Lighdramon. At a bend in the river where the distance between banks widened, a small island sat in the midst of the current. It was from this island that the black obelisk, unmistakably a Dark Tower, rose into the sky, which was darkening with gray clouds.

So it's true, Ken thought grimly, unconsciously echoing the thoughts of all his friends. The last time any of them had seen a Dark Tower was back in February, when Pukumon had brought one to the human world on Valentine's Day, almost half a year ago. Ken wondered where the Digimon had gotten it from. They must have missed it somewhere in the vastness of the Digital World, but they had not missed this. This was new.

Oikawa had said that the Dark Towers had originated in Dagomon's ocean. Ken could believe that. In his days as the Kaiser, his mobile base had manufactured the evil structures, and the base itself had certainly been powered by the energy of the Dark World. Ken thought back to the meeting earlier that day. He had suggested the possibility of Demon's return from that ocean. And—

A sudden chill ran through him. Dagomon's ocean was not just the source of the Dark Towers. It was where he had gotten his Digivice, the first D-3. The black, the Demonic Digivice. He heard again the mocking voice from last night. How are you liking our little toy?

He pushed it from his mind. That line of thinking could wait until later. Right now their job was to take down that tower.

As the Chosen approached, they began to notice that there were shapes surrounding the tower. Some hovered in the air, while others stood in a circle around it on the island. In a moment they were able to make them out better. All belonged to the same species of Digimon, one that the children had never seen before. They were humanoid in outline, the higher ones they could see were sitting on levitating broomsticks, and all wore red with pointed, wide-brimmed hats.

"Witchmon," Tailmon said, belatedly recognizing them from a description given to her long ago by the much lamented Wizarmon. The team halted indecisively at and above the riverbank, watching the red-clad crowd, who were all facing in their direction. It looked as though they had taken up defensive positions about the Dark Tower, yet there were no Evil Rings attached to them.

As the two groups watched and waited, another levitating Witchmon slid into view from behind the tower, this one wearing black. She raised an abnormally large gloved hand as if in greeting.

"Chosen Children and pets!" she laughed. "Welcome to Arkham. We had not thought you should arrive so soon."

"Out of the way!" Daisuke shouted. "We're here to take the tower down!"

The Digimon in black let out a cackle. "I know! And we are here to make sure you don't."

"Why?" Ken yelled up at her. "Who do you work for?"

"That's none of your business. Or maybe it is, but I won't tell you anyway. So, will you turn around and go home?" The Witchmon scanned the resolute faces before her and laughed again. "I didn't think so. In that case…" She raised her hand once more, this time joined by all of her companions, and the clouds began to darken above her. The Chosen Digimon started forward again, Lighdramon leaping from the riverbank to the island.

Just as they began to pass over the water, the black-clad Witchmon commenced the attack.

"Poison Storm!" She brought her hand down in front of her, and out of the black clouds a heavy rain began to fall. A bright green rain. The Chosen and their Digimon were caught full in the midst of it. And it burned. Where the drops fell on the fur of the Digimon, steam began to rise, and they cried out as the acidic substance ate into their skin. The poison had no effect on non-living material, and their clothing protected the children from the worst of it, but wherever it struck their bare skin or hair they too suffered sharp pains.

The Digimon, though in pain, were not too horribly hurt, and as they heard the cries of their partners their first concern became getting the children out of the burning rain. This was easily accomplished for most of them, but not for Lighdramon, who could not retreat mid-jump. He cleared the river, but was in too much pain to manage a perfect landing, and hit the ground shoulder first, throwing him onto his side and spilling Daisuke, Ken, and Wormmon from his back. There was no rain here, and he rose quickly, looking at the grinning Witchmon who ringed the Dark Tower in front of him.

Again the leader of the defenders shook with laughter. "I was expecting my most powerful spell merely to open the fight, not to end it!"

"This isn't the end," Lighdramon grunted. She looked down at him.

"It is for you."

The standing Witchmon raised their hands.