14

Three Jogress Evolutions

"They lurk as thick as fleas outside the belt of light which surrounds this world. I've heard the wise men of Zamora talk of them. Some find their way to Earth, but when they do, they have to take on earthly form and flesh of some sort. A man like myself, with a sword, is a match for any amount of fangs and talons, infernal or terrestrial." – Robert E. Howard, "The Vale of Lost Women"

"Jogress Evolve…Paildramon!"

By the time the evolution was complete, Astamon had regained some of his composure. "Bravo, bravo," he said. "You still haven't given up, then?"

"You're the one who's going to lose!" Daisuke said. "Why don't you give up?"

"Because I am not going to lose," Astamon replied, back to his usual arrogance. "I have already beaten both Digimon almost to death. Even combined, they stand no chance. Your friend Paildramon is probably ready to collapse." One of Astamon's legs swept out. The gun was caught up by the spikes on his shoe, and he kicked it up into the air, where his hand shot out to grasp it. But Paildramon had no intention of letting his enemy fire.

"Esgrima!" The spear point slid out of Paildramon's gauntlet and nearly impaled the demon, who hopped back as his left hand entered a pocket. He drew forth another knife and threw it with deadly accuracy at Paildramon's exposed stomach.

Paildramon blocked the knife with a quick movement of his hand. He made another jab at the demon, who once again just barely avoided the thrust. Astamon frowned, looking a little puzzled. His enemy certainly did not seem ready to collapse. Ken noticed as well.

"You've got him, Paildramon! Keep at it!" Daisuke was yelling.

"Does Jogress revitalize the Digimon as well as combine them?" Ken wondered aloud.

"Maybe," Daisuke said, turning to his friend with a grin. "We're going to win, anyway."

Paildramon charged forward, both blades unsheathed. Astamon leapt backwards, however, and brought Oro Salmon up in front of him.

"Hellfire!" Bullets sprayed at an incredible rate. Paildramon held his hands in front of him as a shield, but could do little else as the projectiles struck. He was blown backwards. Daisuke and Ken had to jump out of the way or he would have flattened them. A number of trees broke under his weight.

"Poor fool," Astamon said, turning to where Daisuke was picking himself up off the ground. "I am a Perfect-level Digimon, but my power is in another class entirely."

Daisuke gritted his teeth. Ken looked towards their partner.

"I doubt he'll be getting up," Astamon said. "I've taken down Ultimates with that attack. In fact…" He paused in sudden doubt.

Paildramon was not just getting up. He was evolving.

"Paildramon, Ultimate Evolve!...Imperialdramon!"

"Let's see him take down this Ultimate," Daisuke grinned. Ken was smiling as well. Hellfire was a powerful attack, but it emptied Oro Salmon of bullets. Astamon put a gloved hand into a pocket, fumbling for a clip… but there wasn't one.

"Positron Laser!" The blue and violet beam tore through the forest, vaporizing trees as it approached its target. Energy surrounded Astamon. He was strong beyond the dreams of most Digimon, but so was Imperialdramon.

"Not me!" Astamon cried. "Not ME!" The spot where he stood erupted into light, white and blinding. And when it faded, Astamon was gone.

Nefertimon's paws blocked Bastemon's first few swipes, but trying to beat the Perfect-level Digimon at hand-to-hand combat was a losing battle. Bastemon was quick, and danced away from the other's attempted blows. Occasionally she would jab her claws at Nefertimon's unprotected side. She tried doing the same from the rear, but Nefertimon lashed out with her back paws, an attack Bastemon barely avoided.

The cat woman knew she would have to finish her enemy before Holsmon had destroyed all of the Dark Towers if she wanted to avoid a fair fight. "Vampire Dance!" she cried, unleashing a dancing whirlwind of claws.

Hikari watched in horror as the attack ran its course, drawing blood from myriad wounds. If the damage were as bad as it looked, her partner might – horrible! Her mind would not finish the thought. By the time Bastemon was done, Nefertimon had been replaced by Tailmon. Bastemon paused, breathing heavily. She glanced at Hikari and shot the girl a smirk before turning back to her prey.

"You've gotten soft," Bastemon said, addressing Tailmon's limp body. "Too much time with that little girl. You're more a mouse than a cat." She raised a clawed hand and prepared for the killing slash. That's when the sky darkened above her. Bastemon looked up in time to be struck in the face by Aquilamon's taloned foot. With the other foot the eagle-like Digimon gently scooped up Tailmon.

"Bingo!" Miyako exclaimed from her perch on the Digimon's back.

Hikari waited while Aquilamon flapped over to where she stood. Tailmon was deposited into her arms, and was able to give the human a weak smile. Hikari felt her eyes begin to moisten. "Tailmon…"

"Unforgivable," Bastemon hissed. "Why won't you die?" She rushed toward the group of friends, claws extended.

"Hikari," Tailmon said. "It's time." Hikari nodded.

"Aquilamon!"

"Tailmon!"

"Jogress Evolve!...Sylphimon!"

Bastemon had not stopped her charge forward, even when the light of evolution sprang up. Just as she approached the glow she launched herself into the air, intending to land behind her fused opponents and shred them from there. The light faded as Bastemon passed above it. She landed, turned – and was kicked in the stomach.

Sylphimon stood facing her.

"Always trying to attack from behind," Sylphimon said in Tailmon's voice.

"Nothing but a coward," Aquilamon's voice agreed.

Bastemon emitted an unintelligible yowl and prepared to launch into another fatal dance. Sylphimon's hands began to glow with reddish energy.

"Top Gun!" The red glow left Sylphimon's hands. Bastemon froze mid-motion, and then disintegrated into data. The girls turned to each other, and laughed. It seemed strange to do so, but all the tension wanted to flow out of them, and it took the path of least resistance.

Mephismon opened his mouth wide and roared. The swirling mistiness of the Black Cloud began to move forward, towards Shakkoumon. As the cloud touched him, his body began to steam, but he did not move, and the cloud ceased to advance.

"Fade away!" Mephismon shouted. "Die!" He thrust his open hands forward and the dark, dank wind began to blow. And still Shakkoumon did not move, or give any indication of discomfort. Gradually, imperceptible at first but soon obvious, the Black Cloud was fading. The darkness of the crypt lessened. And in a few moments, it was gone. After Mephismon's blackness the chamber seemed bright as daylight. Mephismon screamed in rage. The room shook with his anger.

"Aramitama." The twin eye lasers burned into Mephismon, propelling him backwards through the rearmost of the crippled Dark Towers and into the wall of the crypt.

"Leave nothing!" Takeru shouted. Iori looked in his friend's direction sharply. The Takeru who had smiled at Iori's revival had been replaced with another, the Takeru with the iron eyes and quivering fists.

Shakkoumon's attack continued. Mephismon, pinned against the wall of the crypt, began to howl, more in raw rage than in pain.

"Curse you, Chosen Children! Curse you! Curse you! CURSE YOU!" A few more moments, and his body had melted entirely away. The four Dark Towers still standing shattered.

As Shakkoumon split into Tsubumon and Tokomon, the electrical torches lining the walls began to flicker on. The crypt lay in shambles, floors and walls cracked, the ashes of the fire pit scattered around, and the pieces of Dark Towers strewn about the floor.

With the aid of the lights, the Chosen Children were able to see something else: the Witchmon in black. She lay on the floor where she had fallen. The Black Cloud had hovered above her, and not destroyed her, though the combination of its fumes and Pegasmon's attack had rendered her near death.

Takeru walked over to where she lay and looked down at her. Iori followed, Tsubumon in his arms. Witchmon opened her eyes as they approached. She opened her mouth, but the cackling laugh had become a painful chuckle.

"You won't win," she whispered. "Here, yes… but not in the end. They're after you, Chosen Children. Humans, Digimon, and worse…" She stopped talking, focused once more on breathing.

"Who are they?" Takeru asked.

"Takeru-san…"

"Where can we find them?" Takeru asked, ignoring Iori. His voice was cold. Witchmon whispered again, fainter this time.

"What was it I said yesterday? About torture?" She tried to chuckle, coughed instead. With agonized slowness she raised her hand. "Poison… Storm…". Green rain began to fall from nowhere, not with enough fury to be called a storm. This time it fell upon Witchmon. Iori had to turn away. Takeru watched until her program broke and her data vaporized.

"Come on," Takeru said, putting a hand on Iori's shoulder. "We need to make sure the others are alright." He picked up Tokomon, and they began the long climb back to the surface.