Takato Matsuki floated in utter blackness, the odd noise breaking the stillness. He wasn't really aware of anything, his state not too far from being half-asleep. His mind was a tumbled mix of images, memories, mostly centered on his friend's death.
Guilmon. The tiny part of him that was aware shrieked in grief. And over that, there was another voice, gentle yet powerful, hinting of the rumble of a volcano nearing eruption, the faint subsonic vibration that precedes an earthquake.
"Takato...you must awaken"
-
Digicross Tamers episode 32 'The border of death and reality'
--
Standing protectively beside Takato, Jeri looked up into two of the four eyes of the last of the Digimon Sovereign. Kind, wise eyes that had seen a great deal of sadness looked back. "Wh...what did you mean by the end?"
Goro Mizuno glanced at Jeri, then the rest of the tamers. "He meant, I regret to say, the end of the Digital World. All of this, everything here, all the Digimon that still dwell here, everything. Why did you think they were all showing up in the Real World?" He glanced at Isao, and received silence in return
"That can't be," Renamon snapped. "After everything we went through, our home is doomed?"
"Your home, for now, is safe, though the D-Reaper has managed to make some inroads there. And has been repelled quite handily," Ebonwumon answered. "This place is doomed."
"But we're from the digital world!" Terriermon protested. "I mean, yeah, we've got places in the Real World, but I grew up here." Silently, Henry resisted the urge to ask Terriermon's definition of 'grew up'. "And what's a D-Reaper?"
Ebonwumon closed his eyes. "It is...well, it's a Digimon, and its origins date back to the beginnings of the Digital World.
"The people you call the 'Monster Makers', such as Mizuno and Henry's father, created the Digital World in what can only be called an accident. A computer experiment in artificial intelligence taken to an extreme level. The initial program began to replicate itself, with minute but detectible differences between the individual replicas. In time, these differences became more pronounced and complex, to the point that the programs could begin thinking for themselves, beyond the scope of their original programming."
Hitomi's eyes widened. "That sounds like Uncle Izzy's theory on how our digital world evolved. But he always said that it occurred naturally as the networks of the world became more interconnected."
Mizuno smiled. "Young lady, when this is all over, I'm going to have a lot of questions to ask you. And your uncle."
Ryo looked confused, opened his mouth, and then saw Rika glance at him. "It's a long story," Rika explained. Ryo nodded.
"As we were saying," Ebonwumon cut in, "the original digital world, as you may have guessed, is the result of a college computer experiment, to be blunt about it. But unlike the more natural evolution of Hitomi and Eevee's native world, this digital world was altered."
"In other words, it wasn't broken, but we decided to fix it anyway. At the time, we were worried that the expanding AI program might start a cascade of errors; we didn't know about the artificial intelligence developing at the time. So, like any good group of programmers, we installed a specialized maintenance program that could catch out any excessive errors and delete them." Mizuno stopped there, letting the tamers and Digimon draw their own conclusions.
"You created the D-Reaper," Isao said bluntly. The younger tames looked at Isao, horrified, then back at Ebonwumon and Mizuno.
"Gee, thanks dad," Terriermon sighed, breaking the tension. "But that still leaves a gap between a bunch of computer geeks with a C-64 and this fine little package of digital engineering."
--
All over the Digital World, on all levels, it came. Red oozing explosions that deleted any digital matter it came in contact with. And the substance didn't evaporate.
It coalesced, with a single imperative.
Destroy Calumon.
--Real World, somewhere in Japan.
The doctor looked at the signed form, then nodded. "So, we found a family?"
"Yes," the intern replied. "It was tough, given the level of injury he had when we found him. Plus he had no identification on him, making our job that much more difficult. To say nothing of the paperwork. And yes, they signed off on the treatment. We can proceed when ready."
"Alright. One neuro-stimulant, ready to go. And the family understands the risks involved? That even if it works, there's a chance of permanent nerve damage?" The intern nodded. "Right. I forgot who helped design the drug in the first place. Alright, prep the patient. Let's see if we can't restore Goro Mizuno back to the land of the living."
--Hypnos HQ
"Porygon has advanced 28.97 through the barrier between our world and the Digital World," Talli informed everyone. "I've gotten no signal from the children, so I don't know if Porygon's on the right course or not." She finished that with a meaningful, if instantaneous glance, at Reilly, indicating that there was something of dire importance that she didn't want to discuss with everyone there.
Reilly went over. "What is it?"
"There's some sort of unusual readings coming from the Digital World. And it's matching the readings we got from the red substance that was attacking us earlier."
"How widespread?"
Talli grimaced. "The substance will completely envelop the Digital World within three hours. Maybe less." Reilly swore quietly. She looked up at Dolphin and Babel, who shrugged helplessly.
--Digital World
"The evolution...well, as computer technology evolved, so did this place," Mizuno explained. "And as it did, so did the Digimon here, and the D-Reaper. From what I've seen, it's advanced to the point that it sees any form of free will or sentience coming from digital matter is an unacceptable program bug." He stopped, looking around. "I think I'm...waking up..." he trailed off, fading out of sight.
"No!" Isao ran to where Mizuno was standing, hands waving around but not touching anything. "So, he woke up. Or did he finally..." He glanced at the children. "He's gone. Ebonwumon?"
"It's for the best. Some time ago, his body in the Real World was badly damaged, but his mind somehow made its way here. He was expecting it to happen, as was I. The timing is unfortunate."
"You were about to tell us why the D-Reaper stopped working?" Henry prodded the Digimon.
Ebonwumon nodded. "Yes. The D-Reaper evolved in a relatively straight line, at a fixed rate. But we Digimon had an advantage."
"Digivolution." Rika glanced at Renamon, then at the other Digimon.
"Exactly. By rapidly increasing our power, we were able to seal the D-Reaper away at the core of our world. But it too has learned of digivolution, and it wants that power so it can carry out its own function, that of destroying Digimon, and humanity as well." At everyone's stunned expression, his left head grinned. "It's logical, isn't it? Humans created the Digital World. Therefore, while humans exist, there is always the possibility of another digital world being created. So in addition to sealing him away, we tried to hide. In plain sight, as it were."
"By sealing away the power of digivolution," Henry guessed. "If it didn't look like Digimon were evolving at an uncontrolled rate, then the D-Reaper would have no reason to try to get loose again. So what changed?"
"No one knows. For some reason, the D-Reaper became active again. Perhaps it digivolved after all. All we knew was that our sealed away enemy started trying to get out, and had started corrupting Digimon, absorbing them and adding their power to its own. It even managed to capture Baihumon."
"Were...were you friends," Jeri asked a bit quietly.
"Yes. But I hold no malice to you. What you fought was no longer Baihumon." Ebonwumon was quiet for a second, and then got a hold of himself. "When Baihumon fell, we knew that we had to prepare for the worst. We needed Digimon who could digivolve. In short, you."
"What?" The Digimon there looked confused. "Wait," Guardromon finally said. "Then the reason that there were no more digieggs created was..."
"Yes," the guardian answered. "We ended the system of rebirth. It was a hard thing to do, but the alternative of letting the D-Reaper attack helpless newborn Digimon was infinitely worse. You Digimon are a new type of Digimon, able to survive on your own without the Digital World's help. And we have given you the power of Digivolution, though I must admit that the form it took was a bit of a surprise to us. It was not until Mizuno came here that I was able to understand what had truly happened."
Isao arched an eyebrow. "He introduced his own code into the Digital World, one that could trigger a digimon's digivolution."
"The blue cards," Rika whispered.
"Yes. And before you ask, the D-Reaper's rebirth predates Mizuno's interference. And, with his help, we were able to create one other, special Digimon."
"Oh, it's me, right?" Calumon hopped up and down, waving his tiny arms.
"Yes. You see, Calumon is the key to a new world."
"Wow, that's neat, isn't it...Hey, why's Unown sleeping on Takato?" Everyone glanced at their stricken friend, and saw that the small pokemon was indeed perched on Takato's head, a faint trilling noise coming from it.
--Elsewhere
Takato looked around, panicking slightly as the images of Guilmon fell away, replaced by what looked like a starscape, with countless black and white figures floating around. "Are those...Unown?"
"Yes." It was the voice that he had heard before. Slowly materializing, first out of crystal, then colours slowly seeping in, a massive four-legged creature, was a large beast looking vaguely like a cross between a bear and a fierce attack dog. "There is not much time, Takato Matsuki. You must return to where you are needed."
"But..how can I? After what I did..."
"There is no time," the beast thundered, making Takato step back. "All this time, and you have not fully grasped Guilmon's true nature. Were he any other Digimon, then there would be no return. But Guilmon is special."
"I created him. He didn't come from the Digital World. And I...I..."
"Many years ago, there was one like you, who lost someone close to her. And like you, she tried to retreat, summoning me into existence. And, like you, her actions nearly cost everyone dearly. Will you keep retreating, when your own friend is trying to get out? Or, like her, will you move ahead?"
"I...I..."
The fierce look faded from the beast's eyes, replaced with an almost paternal gentleness. "Like me, Guilmon was born from a dream. Believe in that dream, and you can accomplish anything."
"Anything?" Takato was overwhelmed. He could do everything over, do it right this time.
No. That wouldn't work. He wanted his Guilmon back, not some revised and edited copy.
--
The room shook. "The D-Reaper. So, he's made his move." Ebonwumon frowned. "You must get Calumon clear of this place. And this creature can destroy digital material, so you cannot fight it directly."
"Wait," Hitomi said. "It attacked me, but it just enveloped me, until Ryo and Cyberdramon broke me out."
"What?" Ebonwumon looked horrified. "Child, this is terrible. Did it do anything to you?"
"My head felt weird, and-" she stopped, turned to see Rika and Renamon heading towards the exit. "Rika, what are you doing?" Rika and Renamon didn't answer. "Rika?"
Ebonwumon looked at Rika. "The D-Reaper consumes digital matter. It would destroy you in seconds. You cannot fight them,"
"Watch me," Rika replied, and left. Henry moved to follow her, as did Hitomi. "Hitomi-" Jeri said, then looked down.
"It's alright. Keep an eye on Takato." Hitomi smiled at Jeri, and then followed Henry. In another corner of the room, Isao started explaining a few things about Hitomi to Ryo, who nearly dropped his digiegg in shock.
--
Porygon managed to sneak his way past the outer layers of the strange energy surrounding the Digital World, partly through its inborn familiarity with things computer, partly through judicious use of his Conversion ability, enabling it to slip by any potential hazards undetected. It did detect a mass outflow of beings similar to itself, Digimon according to its data.
The speed and disorganization would have reminded Porygon of rats deserting a sinking ship, were it programmed to think that way. As it was, it did notice that, even with his Conversion ability running, there were still some noticeable alterations to certain of its functions. Evolution seemed to be impacted, though there was no way to tell how.
But such things were only occupying a small part of its mind. Its primary goal was retrieval of the humans and their partner Digimon.
--
Rika stood on a small outcropping, and looked into a sea of utter chaos. An oozing purplish substance crept over the landscape, enveloping everything in its path. "Rika," Renamon said, nodding to one mountain in the distance, already enveloped and seeming to melt like snow in the hot sun.
"I see it. You ready?" Renamon nodded. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Renamon, evolve...Sakuyamon!" Sakuyamon shot forward, looking for an enemy to fight.
Renamon's voice echoed in Rika's mind. :Rika, where do we start? The D-Reaper is everywhere.:
:This seems like a good place to start.: Aloud: "Vajra Mandala!" Gold and silver streams of energy shot out of Sakuyamon's staff, striking the sea of chaos and forcing it back. Inside Sakuyamon, both Rika and Renamon gasped. Where the D-Reaper's form had been forced back, there was nothing underneath. :He wasn't kidding,: Rika said. :It's eating away at the digital world. And it's everywhere.:
:No,: Renamon growled. :I will not let this thing take my home, not without a fight!: Sakuyamon cast a shield around herself, and dove straight into the swirling red mass.
--
"RIKA!" Hitomi and Eevee ran forward, evolving to Valkyrimon as they left the small cavern.
"They can't...they can't be gone!"
Ebonwumon looked at Jeri. "I...No, they are not." The turtle guardian looked amazed. "I can still sense Sakuyamon. But I don't understand it. The D-Reaper mass should have absorbed her already."
"It's the human aspect." Isao said. "It's not just a Digimon, there's a human partner to go with it. It may be that the D-Reaper can't deal with humans."
"But don't we become digital information when we come here?" Henry looked at Isao.
"Well, Digimon don't exactly obey normal physical laws when they come to our world," Ryo added, looking up. "Maybe we keep some of our Real World traits when we come here."
Henry glanced at Jeri. "Then we can help."
Isao saw the torment on Jeri's face. "We'll keep an eye on Takato. Go help them."
"Hey, what about us," Lillymon demanded. "Can't we do something?"
"Wait here," Ebonwumon said. "I believe Mr. Akiyama has solved the riddle."
"Well, I-" He stopped as Takato's eyes suddenly snapped open, his injured arm practically flying up, reaching for the ceiling.
"GUILMON!"
--
Outside, Valkyrimon searched around for any sign of Sakuyamon. "Rika? Renamon?" The white Digimon dodged around a tendril that tried to catch her, slashing at it with her sword. "Rika!"
The ground below her rumbled, the red ooze bubbling and shifting. it exploded outwards, dispelled by a vast white dome of energy. Sakuyamon levitated up, smirking. "I can't leave you alone for a second, can I?" She floated back, holding a hand up. "No hugging."
Valkyrimon stopped, blushing underneath her mask. "Ahh...sorry..."
"Sigh...will you quit apologizing and attack?" Sakuyamon spun around, her staff striking and exploding another red tendril. "We have to keep that red gunk away from the others before they-"
"rrrrRRRRRRAHHHH!" A red and white comet shot by them both, carving a long deep furrow into the D-Reaper mass. The comet stopped, and the two could, in the distance, see a small white and red figure, cape billowing, lance sparking from just-released energy.
"Was that..." Rika and Hitomi stared at the figure, which floated up and advanced. As he closed, they could maker out a small face on top of the knight's helmet. And a knight it clearly was, clad in white armour with a familiar symbol on the chest. "No way...Takato...?"
"And Guilmon..." Valkyrimon gasped.
"Hey," Takato said from inside Gallantmon. "Sorry I'm late." Another part of the D-Reaper mass froze over, then exploded. Saint Galgomon and Ancient Garurumon landed nearby. "Okay, here's the plan..."
--
"A digiport?" Ryo asked.
"It will take all my power, and it will be hard to get to. I can sense something coming from the Real World to pick up everyone. I will hold the portal as long as possible."
"Wait. Something's coming?" Ryo looked confused.
"Yes, but I cannot tell what, or if it will make it. Either way, you all must RRRRGHHHH!!" Ebonwumon screamed as a red spike burst from the floor of the room they were in and impaled the guardian. "Nnnnn..." A panicked attack from Guardromon and Lillymon forced it back as the two humans watched, horrified. The spike receded. "No..."
"Ebonwumon!" Ryo got up and ran over.
"I...I will not last long. It is trying to seize the portal so it can go to your world. The D-Reaper must be stopped. I have held one back...Isao...you must join them..."
Isao's eyes narrowed. "I don't like where this is leading. You want me to fuse with that...thing. Isn't that right?"
Ebonwumon concentrated, and Impmon's body appeared. "I was able to retrieve him not long after he was beaten. But his body was affected by the D-Reaper. I think I purged it, but it is a terrible risk. Calumon can help you with the evolution process."
"But that's Impmon," Isao snarled.
"His mind is all but gone now, lost. It will be you, and you alone, that drives him." Isao looked down, saw that his D-Arc was in his hand. "Please. There is no other way."
"Ryo," Isao said. "Get the other Digimon to the upper levels."
"Dad?"
"Ryo, go. I'll see you later. I promise." Ryo nodded and left, guiding the other Digimon, Calumon and Unown perched on his head, up the stairs. once they were gone: "You're not coming, are you?"
"I cannot. The D-Reaper program is a part of my make up. That is how the other three were turned quickly. I can feel it growing inside of me, trying to subvert me. Hurry. Go to the roof, and ask Calumon to help you and Impmon evolve. Your transport is nearly here, I can sense it clearly now."
"But-" Ryo said.
"Do not fear. The D-Reaper fears your power, which is why it waited so long to attack me. When I die, the Digital World dies with me. When Azulongmon fell, I tied my life-force to this place. A desperate bargaining chip, but necessary."
Isao nodded, and left. He ran up the stairs, Impmon clutched in his arms. He thought he could feel the small Digimon stir slightly, but forced the thought aside.
On the roof, he could see his son and the gathered Digimon all staring off into the distance. "Guardromon said he spotted something approaching us."
Isao nodded. "Calumon. I need a favour..."
--
"I'm starting to feel like King Cahoot." Gallantmon griped
"That's Canute. And we're fighting more than just the tide here." Henry sighed, launching another spread of missiles. "Is it just me, or are we winning?"
"I think it's pulling back!" Sakuyamon stared at the receding wave, not at all cheered by Ancient Garurumon's relieved tone. To her, it was more like the water pulling back before the tidal wave hit.
Then she saw it. Three shapes emerged from the red ooze, taking on forms that the Tamers were all to familiar with. "Great. We have to fight the guardians again."
"Well, we're a lot stronger now," Gallantmon said remarked. "And...well..."
"Takato," Ancient Garurumon said to the red and white knight. "You don't have to prove anything to us." The two mega Digimon stared at each other for a second.
"Anyone else find that a bit...weird?" Terriermon asked from inside Saint Galgomon. "Ow! Henry!"
"Well, what do you know? In here, I just have to think about it, and it happens."
"This matrix evolution stuff is getting less pleasant every second."
Gallantmon stared at the three. :Guilmon?:
:Yes, Takato?:
:Let's show the D-Reaper just what we can do.: "Everyone, stay back. I got this one."
"Takato..." Ancient Garurumon looked at Gallantmon uncertainly.
Gallantmon stared defiantly at the oncoming D-Reaper avatars. "Everyone, wait for it." The replica guardians leaped at the Digimon. "Wait...SHIELD OF THE JUST!" Gallantmon thrust his shield skyward, calling up a massive dome of force, repelling the attackers. Baihumon and Zhuquiamon collided with each other, landing in a heap and momentarily lost cohesion, becoming a single pile of red ooze. Azulongmon's crimson body recovered, gained altitude, and started raining red lightning bolts down on the defenders.
"Any more ideas, gogglehead?" Sakuyamon snapped, missing a slightly cross look from Valkyrimon. "I.." She stopped, seeing four small rods pop out of the base of Gallantmon's lance. The part in front of the had guard started to shimmer.
"When we shoot down Azulongmon, take care of Baihumon and Zhuquiamon. The D-Reapers feeding a large amount of energy into those three." Gallantmon, eyes fixed on Azulongmon, aimed the energy lance skyward. "LIGHTNING JOUST!"
The energy bolt shot through the shield and impaled Azulongmon, who screamed in agony as the bolt tore it apart.
"No way...with one shot?" Gabumon gasped inside Ancient Garurumon.
"It's will," Gallantmon answered. "That's why the D-Reaper is doing all of this, using copies of the Digimon we fought before. A Digimon and their Tamer is as strong as their combined will lets them be."
"Works for us! GIANT MISSILE!" Saint Galgomon launched his two shoulder missiles, which slammed into Baihumon. "We can beat this walking jello dessert back!" Valkyrimon and Sakuyamon shot forward, the former slicing at the tiger's side, Sakuyamon stopping just short, taking out a single ofuda, then touched the end of her staff to it. "Orochi's Tomb!" she shouted.
For a second, nothing happened, Baihumon too busy with the comparatively small Valkyrimon to pay Sakuyamon much heed. Then, a spectral version of Orochimon burst from the ground, his eight serpentine necks wrapping around the tiger guardian, then pulling it underground.
An explosion came from behind them, just as Gallantmon leaped over the hole Baihumon had been pulled into and fired another Lightning Joust down after the falling beast. A very familiar explosion, much like a small cannon going off.
Ancient Garurumon stood dumbfounded as Zhuquiamon fell, crumbling before the metallic digimon's eyes. Beelzemon stood there, one weapon drawn, small drips of D-Reaper falling from his free clawed hand. "You again..." Sakuyamon growled.
"We have to go. Our ride is here." Isao Akiyama said. Behind him floated a large angular creature, looking vaguely like a duck.
"A Porygon," Valkyrimon wondered, as the surviving Digimon waved from its back.
--
Renamon looked at the receding world, watching as the reddish-purple ooze that was the D-Reaper consumed everything, reducing what was once her home to nothing more than a faded memory.
She felt an odd pang of regret. She wasn't truly saddened by what had happened; indeed, the other Digimon that had human partners were doing alright. Lillymon and Guardromon looked back sadly, but seemed to have no real desire to throw their lives away in a suicidal rush. Maybe they just accepted it. Maybe it was knowing that Calumon had the key to creating a new digital world.
"Renamon?" Rika touched Renamon's elbow. "Umm...you OK?" Mentally, Rika swore. She was no good at this.
"Yes," Renamon replied after a moment's pause. "I wish we had been able to save it, but"
"But"
"But that is no longer my home." Renamon's mouth betrayed a faint smile. "How is Ryo doing"
"Oh, he just learned that Hitomi's from another world where everything he saw on TV was acted out"
Renamon nodded. "About as well as you handled it, then"
"Hmph. In his dreams, maybe"
The group was currently on the back of an oversized Porygon, which, as Hitomi explained, was a computer generated pokemon that had been sent by 'uncle' Izzy to take them back to the Human World. For his part, Ryo just nodded. "So, you're really"
Hitomi nodded. "I'm sorry. I should have told you, but"
"Forget it. Even with everything that I've seen, I wouldn't have believed it." He grinned. "Well, I knew you were out of this world, but"
"Ryo," Isao gently admonished his son, unconscious Impmon clutched in his arms. Everyone else ignored Hitomi's face turning red, though Rika did groan a bit. "Hopefully, we can figure out a more permanent solution to this problem once we get back. I don't like the idea of leaving the D-Reaper here, where it can recover its strength and plan another attack." He gasped as he saw a piece of the D-Reaper break off and slowly make its way to the blue-green sphere that represented the Human World. "It's attacking. Can we stop it"
"We have to," Henry replied. "There's no telling how much damage that thing could do. Or"
"Or if the D-reaper's already invaded." Takato completed. "Lets go."
"Wait here," Rika said to Hitomi and Jeri. "The three of us can handle that thing."
"Three? What about me?" Jeri looked at Rika, a bit hurt.
"Someone's got to stay here and make sure that everyone else makes it back to our world." Takato smiled at Jeri. "We'll be fine. Matrix Evolution!" The three tamers evolved, and took off from Porygon's back to battle the D-Reaper.
Isao frowned as he watched the three go into combat with the D-Reaper blob. It was fighting very tenaciously, managing to prevent them from making any combined attacks. As well as managing to maneuver itself between them and Porygon. "Why would that-" He stopped, looked behind him. "No."
A second blob, smaller than the first but moving much faster, was coming straight at Porygon. "We'll handle it. Matrix Evolution! Ancient Garurumon!" Jeri evolved with her partner into the metallic Digimon and charged, sending a wave of cold in front of it.
"Hitomi..." Ryo looked at the young tamer, worry clear in his eyes. Saying nothing, Hitomi smiled back at Ryo, transformed into Valkyrimon, and joined Ancient Garurumon in battle. "Dad?"
"You're a bit young for dating, son." Privately, Isao stared at the second D-Reaper. So, he thought, you were able to draw everyone away. But if it can create two, then why not...
"Three?" something asked. There was a shriek from Lillymon as a reddish-black creature seemed to ooze up from out of nowhere. "You know you can't escape me, Isao Akiyama. Or should I say Yamaki?" Isao glared at the creature as it formed into a Digimon Ryo recognized all too well. D-Reaper Beelzemon smirked at Isao, then glanced at Calumon, who was cowering behind Guardromon. "When Impmon agreed to help us, we were able to get a look at his data, as you would put it. So of course we were able to extrapolate his fully evolved form. And the addition of the final Guardian revealed the full extent of his plan to us. ingenious, putting the code for a new digital world inside such an otherwise weak and useless Digimon. Hand him over, and your world will be spared."
"You're dreaming."
Beelzemon smirked at Isao's bravado. "You think you can stop me? But perhaps this form is a bit too...distracting." Beelzemon shifted into a more human form. "There," Yamaki, complete with sunglasses, said in Isao's own voice. "Come now. You wanted to destroy all Digimon, so does the D-Reaper. We should be working together."
Ryo looked at his father. "Dad?"
:Impmon,: Isao snarled mentally:I know you've regained consciousness. We need Beelzemon. Now.:
:Yeah, like I'd help you.:
:You want to die here,: Isao asked back, eyes not leaving his doppelganger. :The D-Reaper used you too, you know.:
:Don't we need some sort of major revelation or somethin'? Or is the desire to kick gelatin-brain's butt from here to earth enough?:
"I'm getting tired, Isao." One of Beelzemon's shotguns materialized in his left hand, aimed at where Calumon was standing. "This offer was extended out of professional courtesy, one reaper to another, if you will."
Isao grinned, kneeling down and setting Impmon's body on the ground. "Yes. I suppose in a way, I am a reaper. And right now, I'm staring at my next target."
"You fool!" Yamaki's gun swung around, aiming at Isao. Ryo started to get up, Guardromon readied a grenade, Lillymon started preparing a Flower Cannon attack.
Isao beat them all. "Matrix Evolution! Beelzemon!"
As this was happening, the other Tamers were slowly starting to fight back their own opponents. Valkyrimon saw what was happening first. "Jeri," she called.
"Go help them, we've got this thing under control!" Ancient Garurumon replied, freezing part of the D-Reaper blob with another burst of cold, then shattering it, the pieces falling back towards the larger red mass that used to be the Digital World. Nodding, Valkyrimon flew back towards Porygon.
Beelzemon struggled with the D-Reaper clone, which had shifted into a blood-red duplicate of Beelzemon; both were wrestling with one of Beelzemon's own shotguns, trading vicious headbutts and knee strikes all the while. "Why are you fighting?"
"I've got my son back," Isao's voice answered back. "And I don't like bein' used," Impmon's voice added. With a snarl, the real Beelzemon yanked one hand back, then raked his claws along the torso of the D-Reaper clone, causing red ooze to seep out. this followed with a knee to the gut, then the handgun was wrenched free-
As the clone's empty hand morphed into a blood-red blade and stabbed Beelzemon in the chest. Dimly, Isao was aware of Ryo screaming as he saw the weapon strike. He could also feel the D-Reaper trying to assimilate his body, struggling with the hybrid makeup of the mega level Digimon. And he could also see...
There is a way to stop it, for now, a voice said. An image floated through Isao's mind, a large Digimon he knew all too well. You have the key, Ebonwumon whispered. Hurry.
Then the blade withdrew. Forcing his eyes open, he saw that several arrows were sticking out of the clone, Valkyrimon nearby, bow still in hand. Beelzemon's gun came up, spoke twice, and the clone fell away, two massive holes torn in the red corpse. Beelzemon fell too, only to be caught by Valkyrimon. "Mr. Akiyama!"
"Valkyrimon...no, Hitomi Motomiya..." Beelzemon whispered.
:I don't feel so good,: Impmon telepathically said. :At least I get to see you go with me.:
"Don't flatter yourself, Impmon..." Beelzemon whispered. In a louder voice. "For what I did to you and your partner...there can be no forgiveness..."
"No, don't say that," Valkyrimon begged. "You just found Ryo again. We have to get you back home!" She gasped as she saw part of the wound shift between the greyish-black skin of Beelzemon and the red of the D-reaper.
"You see it. The D-Reaper is trying to convert me, just as it did the other Digimon. I know what I have to do. Get Ryo home, please. And...and yourself."
"No..." Behind the gold visor, Valkyrimon's eyes widened as Beelzemon suddenly twisted, wrenched his arm free, and dove towards the red mass of the D-Reaper, flying at speeds none of the others could match. There was a blast behind her as Sakuyamon finished off the last part of the blob she, Gallantmon and Saint Galgomon were battling. "We have to get him!"
"There's no time," Guardromon called. "The portal is opening!" Ryo leaped to his feet, digiegg clutched in one arm, and made to leap off the back of Porygon. Lillymon grabbed him, trying to stop the boy from throwing his life away.
"Ryo..."
Ryo stopped struggling, looking incredulously at his D-Arc. "Ryo," Isao's voice came out of the digivice, "there is no other way to save you. Please, don't come after me."
"No, I just got you back! Get back here now, please!"
"Ryo! There. Is. No. Choice. That last attack...I'm sorry." Isao's voice faded out.
"Dad? Dad!" Ryo clutched his D-arc, tears streaming down his face.
As he fell, Beelzemon felt, for the first time, at peace. His wound didn't hurt that much, even though he could still feel the D-Reaper tugging at the edge of his consciousness. "Well, you get to be the strongest Digimon."
:Yeah. And you get to destroy the digital world. I guess we both win. But these popguns won't do much good.:
:That's alright. I have one more program to run. You remember it, I believe.:
Impmon's voice was silent for a moment. Then:yeah, what the heck. We gotta go, might as well be with some style.: Beelzemon grinned, the guns falling from his hands. He made a fist, then opened it, revealing a small silvery rectangle of metal. As he neared the D-Reaper mass, he flicked open the lighter cover, then brought his thumb down, spinning the wheel, emitting a small trail of sparks as he crashed into the sea of red.
Far above, Ryo stared after the distant image of his father, praying that some miracle might bring him back. Valkyrimon and Ancient Garurumon landed on Porygon, switching back to their human forms, joined by Gallantmon, Sakuyamon, and Saint Galgomon, who did likewise.
"Wh...what happened," Takato asked as he saw Jeri and Hitomi, both looking devastated.
"Where's Mr. Akiyama," Henry asked slowly, then saw Ryo. "Ah, no," he swore softly.
Porygon howled as the portal finally stabilized enough to allow the group to enter, flying through with its cargo. And, unknown to anyone, a single crimson phantom followed only moments behind, quickly vanishing into the background noise.
:They're gone,: Impmon noted, as he felt the portal close. :Jelly brain's ticked.:
:Good.: Beelzemon exploded out of the crimson sea, wings tearing through the dense fluid, black and silver cannon mounted on his right arm tracking, searching for the target. :You see it?:
:Yeah. Ebonwumon's digicore. So, what, he's some kind of zombie now?:
:He said when his digicore went, the whole world would go with it. The D-Reaper must be keeping Ebonwumon's digicore just alive enough to continue maintaining this world. But it's hard to track. I...there. Loading Yuugoth Blaster.: The cannon split open, small yellow arcs of energy crackling along its length. In the distance, the demonic Digimon could spot a small glowing point, a contrasting point of blue-grey in a sea of red. "Target locked."
:Power's full. Well, it's been interesting.:
"It has indeed. 5...4...3...2...1...DEATHSLINGER!"
The yellow energy bolt ripped out of Beelzemon's cannon, easily ripping through the D-Reaper's body, stabbing the faded and crumbling digicore, erasing it from existence.
"Ryo..." Something warm washed over him, then he saw no more.
To be continued.