Author's notes: After my account was deleted accidentally, I rewrote some parts of Dark Wing. There is another version, Dark Wing Type 2, that I'm writing that follows the anime more accurately. But for now, I'll focus on finishing the original Dark Wing since I want to wait and see what happens in the Japanese Tamer series. I'll upload the other chapters once I've finished double-checking them. Thanks for your patience.
Author's notes: After some consideration, I've decided to use the Japanese levels, since I'm already using the Japanese names, cards and attacks anyway. Therefore:
Digimon Levels:
Child : Rookie
Adult : Champion
Perfect : Ultimate
Ultimate: Mega
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing
Drive away the Darkness! Marine Angemon strikes!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"TAKATO-KUN!" Juri screamed, running towards Takato. The boy lay still in the middle of the street, deathly pale. Growmon lay nearby, apparently having absorbed most of the blasts to protect his friend.
"Bloody Stream!" Vamdemon sent bolts of bright red energy streaking towards the Tamers. Leomon lead the charge, weaving and dodging the bolts. The heroic Adult ducked under one bolt, leapt over another, then rolled before launching himself towards Vamdemon, his left fist glowing with power.
"Fist of the Beast King!" he roared, the energy around his hand shaping into a massive lion's head which roared as it flew towards the vampire. Vamdemon smirked as he raised his hand and allowed the attack to hit. There was an explosion once the lion's head blast struck the vampiric Perfect's outstretched hand, but he emerged with little to no damage.
"Come,come,Tamers!" he laughed. "Surely that isn't all you have to throw against me?"
"Talk,talk,talk!" Ruki growled. "Don't you ever shut up?" She held up a card, glaring at the laughing Perfect. "Card Slash!" she cried, slashing the card with a practised ease. "Accelerator!" Kyuubimon's outline became blurred and she vanished, appearing behind Vamdemon.
"Demon Fireball!" she cried, launching her technique three times in succession, filling the air with three times as many fireballs than usual. The attacks rained down on the taller Digimon, engulfing him in flames and staggering him, while Ruki pulled out another card and slid it through her D-Ark.
"Card Slash! Boost Chip!"
Kyuubimon leapt gracefully into the air, the tips of her tails glowing as her power level was increased. "Fox Flame Dragon!" she yelled, spinning in the air as she burst into flame and struck Vamdemon's face.
"Argh!" he cursed as he took a step back, clutching his face. As Kyuubimon wheeled around for another blow, he twisted his body around and gave her a whirling roundhouse kick that knocked the surprised Adult into Galgomon and Impmon, who had run up to assist her.
"Card Slash!" Lee slid a card through his D-Arc, while Galgomon quickly leapt to his feet and charged towards Vamdemon, who was now being attacked by Leomon. "Mega Hand!" Galgomon's hands were suddenly replaced with massive metal claws, similar to those of Megadramon. The bandolier-wearing Digimon punched Vamdemon twice, finishing with a Dum Dum Upper. The vampiric Perfect staggered from the blows, but counterattacked with a powerful punch to the gut that sent Galgomon reeling.
"This is getting ridiculous..." Lee commented to the others as Leomon, Kyuubimon and Impmon rallied to renew their assault. Meanwhile, Guardromon distracted Vamdemon with a barrage of Warning Lasers.
"I know," Ruki agreed. "We hit him, he hits back twice as hard! We're going nowhere fast!"
"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon sent another blazing lion's head towards Vamdemon, who raised his arm to block it. As Leomon leapt over his head, Impmon ran up, his hands holding balls of fire.
"Night of Fire!" he yelled, hurling the fireballs at Vamdemon. Dashing away, the small purple Child got out of Kyuubimon's way as she whirled into her Fox Flame Dragon technique.
"Takato-kun?" Juri asked worriedly as she knelt beside the unconcious boy. She brought up her hand and put it on his forehead, brushing some of his hair out of the way. "Oh no!" she gasped. "He's burning up!" Kenta ran up to her.
"Katou! How's Takato doing?" the green-haired boy asked, looking down at his friend.
"He's really sick!" the girl replied, her face contorted with fear and worry. "We have to get him out of here!"
Growmon stirred and slowly opened his eyes. "Takato?" The huge crimson dragon got to his feet, the Aero Wings vanishing. "Takato!" he cried, seeing his Tamer lying still.
"It's okay, Growmon!" Kenta told him. "He's just tired!"
Juri stayed by Takato, thinking out loud. "You shouldn't have come, Takato-kun..."
"Die, you insects!" Vamdemon roared, spreading his cape. "Night Raid!" A horde of bats flew out, attacking the Tamers and their Digimon.
Ruki quickly hit the ground and rolled to get out of the way. "That's it!" she snarled. She held up one of her cards, concentrating. "Card Slash!" she cried as the card shimmered and turned blue in colour. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Kyuubimon, evolve!" Kyuubimon was bathed in a light blue glow as she leapt into the sky. Then, against the moon, a graceful humanoid figure was seen, twirling slowly in the air, a ying-yang symbol visible on her chest. Dressed like a priestess with long sleeves that hid her hands, the Digimon landed, her eyes fixed on Vamdemon. "Taomon!"
Lee narrowed his eyes as he willed one of his cards into a Blue Card as well. "Card Slash! Matrix Evolution!"
"Galgomon evolve!" Galgomon dissolved into data in a explosion of brightly-coloured light. A green ball appeared, legs ending in green boots thrusting out. The Digimon's upper body pulled out of the ball, his arms stretching out. Galgomon's guns merged into the figure's backpack and a helmet emerged, wing-like ears extending from its sides as a single horn appeared. As his eyes lit up, the Digimon announced himself. "Rapidmon!"
**************
"Evolution to Perfect?" Devimon muttered thoughtfully from his vantage point high above the battle. He had initially come to deliver his news to Vamdemon personally, but his curiousity got the better of him and he watched with interest as the two Perfects attacked. "Intruiging..." His ultra-sharp vision homed in on the Blue Cards Ruki and Lee held in their hands. "Matrix...Evolution?"
**************
"Katou-san..." Takato whispered, opening his eyes.
"I'm here, Takato-kun!" Juri knelt closer, looking at Takato's sweat drenched face.
"Growmon?"
"I'm okay, Takato!" Growmon spoke up. "Don't worry!"
Takato tried to sit up, but Juri pushed him down gently. "Don't move!" she begged him. "You'll make it worse!"
"But...the others?" Takato panted.
Growmon rose to his feet. "Don't worry, Takato!" he assured his sick friend. "We'll handle Vamdemon!"
"Buddhist Brush Brandish!" A huge paintbrush appeared out of Taomon's sleeve, which the Perfect wielded like a spear. Gripping the brush tightly, she wrote a single character in the air, which glowed with a holy light.
"Wha?!" Vamdemon gasped as the symbol magically appeared on his chest, burning his flesh. "Ghhh!" He fell back, clutching his wound. "So, a Holy warrior,eh?" His eyes narrowed and his lips peeled back, revealing his clenched teeth. "Good!" he hissed. "I need the practice for when I avenge myself on Angewomon!"
"You'll have a long wait!" Rapidmon told him. "Rapid Fire!" Twin missles launched from his hands, exploding in front of Vamdemon and blasting him off his feet.
"Everyone!" Lee yelled. "Attack! Don't give him a chance to recover!"
As one, the Digimon charged towards Vamdemon as he rose to his feet. "Now!" Leomon roared as he led the charge. "Fist of the Beast King!"
"Summon!" Impmon yelled, sending dozens of ice shards at the vampire.
"Card Slash!" Hirokazu called out, holding up his dark brown D-Ark. "Andromon!"
Guardromon felt a change go over him as his arms transformed into those of his evolved form Andromon. His hands began spinning as he took to the air, aided by the jets built into his backpack. "Spiral Sword!"
"Card Slash!" As Taomon leapt into the air, Ruki slid another card through her D-Ark. "Offense Plug-In A!" A jolt of energy surged through Taomon as the card took effect, giving her a faint glow as she used her Fox Seal Paper technique.
Bringing his own D-Ark up, Lee decided to give Rapidmon a boost as well. "Card Slash! High Speed Plug-In B!" The cybernetic Digimon's eyes flashed for a moment as the card took effect. He sped up, leaving behind after-images as he took aim in mid-air.
"Rapid Fire!" Eight missiles joined the barrage of attacks streaking towards Vamdemon, who snarled and wrapped his cape around himself.
**************
"What will you do to get out of this, Vamdemon?" Devimon mused as the other Dark Digimon disappeared into a massive fireball. His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Will you die before your time?"
**************
"Did we get him?" Hirokazu asked as he shielded his eyes from the dust thrown up from the explosion.
"I can't tell!" Guardromon replied as he hovered above the others.
"Bloody Stream!" Vamdemon flew out of the dust cloud, blasting at the Tamers and their Digimon partners. His eyes darted around, and he made out Juri and Kenta trying to help Takato to safety. "First rule of combat," he muttered. "Dispose of the weakest and wounded first!" With that, the vampiric Perfect soared over the other Tamers in the direction of Takato and the others.
"Huh?" Lee gasped as Vamdemon flew overhead. "What is he...?"
"Juri! Takato!" Ruki cried, realising what the Dark Aristocrat was up to. "Watch out!"
"Night Raid!" A horde of bats flew out of Vamdemon's cape towards the three Tamers.
Growmon stood protectively in front of his friends as he opened his mouth with a roar of "Exhaust Flame!" The bats swerved to avoid the searing flame and disappeared into the darkening sky while Vamdemon suddenly dipped his shoulder and flew close to the ground, making the tips of his boots actually scrape the street as he drew near. Seeing the Undead Digimon coming, Growmon raised his arm. "Plasma Blade!" Bringing his glowing arm-blade down, the huge Demon Dragon tried to behead the vampire.
"Naive," Vamdemon taunted as he suddenly screeched to a halt in mid-air and flew straight up, his hands outstretched. "Night Raid!" Another swarm of winged rodents engulfed Growmon, forcing him to bring his arms up to swat them away. Meanwhile, Vamdemon turned aorund and launched another Bloody Stream, scattering Leomon, Taomon, Rapidmon and Guardromon as they came up to aid their friends.
"Katou-san," Takato wheezed, "leave me behind! Run!"
"No!" Juri replied. "Kenta-kun! Help me!"
Kenta nodded, placing one of Takato's arms around his shoulders. "Okay, but let's hurry!"
"Too late." Vamdemon landed in front of them, a smirk on his masked face. "Now then, all this effort has made me thirsty..." He reached out for Juri, but Takato struggled to his feet and pushed her out of his reach.
"You...keep away!" he panted. He felt like he was burning up, but he couldn't allow himself to stay down while his friends were in danger. He felt Kenta step up beside him, offering his support.
"And what are you going to do, little man?" Vamdemon snorted. "You can barely stand!"
"Pipipii!"
Kenta looked down at his pocket, which was squirming as Marine Angemon struggled to get out. Finally, the tiny pink Digimon tore free, ripping part of Kenta's shirt. "Marine Angemon?!" the spectacle-wearing boy gasped as his partner flew up and hovered in front of Vamdemon's face.
"And what is this?" the Perfect smirked. "A stuffed toy?"
Marine Angemon frowned. "You'll be sorry you said that!" Kenta told Vamdemon.
"Is that so?" the vampiric Digimon replied, his face showing his amused contempt. His expression quickly changed to one of surprise as the heart on Marine Angemon's chest began glowing. "What?!"
**************
"Hmmm?" Devimon muttered to himself as there was a pink flash followed by Vamdemon's howl of pain as he was hurled through the air and slammed into a building with enough force to imbed him. "Marine Angemon?" He unfolded his arms. "Two Perfects, three Adults and an Ultimate against one Perfect? That is simply not fair."
**************
Vamdemon crashed to the ground, smoking and singed. He rose to his feet unsteadily, having been taken completely by surprise by Marine Angemon's Ocean Love technique. "You..." he hissed in pain.
"I told you you'd be sorry!" Kenta reminded the injured Digimon.
"Let's finish this!" Ruki said. "Taomon!"
The priestess stepped forward, whirling her brush. "Buddhist Brush..."
An explosion interrupted her, and the Tamers were showered with falling masonary as part of the building they were standing under burst into flame. "What's that?!" Juri cried, bringing her hands up to shield her head. Leomon landed beside her and loomed over her protectively.
Vamdemon looked up. "This is..."
"Vamdemon!" Devimon swooped down, launching his Razor Wing technique. The purple energy bolts ripped up the ground as the Dark Messenger hovered before his fellow Dark Digimon. "Quickly. We must withdraw!"
Vamdemon growled. "And admit defeat? Never!"
Devimon turned his head to face the Perfect. "We can't win here. We must pull back." He smiled. "Besides. We have an old friend to visit."
"An old friend?" Vamdemon repeated, puzzled.
"Akiyama Ryo is here, in this world."
"Akiyama Ryo?!" Vamdemon hissed, his voice oozing with hatred. "Here?!"
"Yes," Devimon confirmed. "I've seen him through my Gears. He is alone, without any of his Chosen friends." Devimon's eyes glinted. "Isn't revenge far better than keeping meaningless pride?"
Vamdemon's lips curled into a smile. "You've convinced me, Devimon." He glanced at the Tamers. "I'll remember this, humans!" Leaping into the air, the Dark Aristocrat exploded into a horde of bats that flew off into the night.
"Not so fast!" Rapidmon said, moving forward. Devimon thrust his hand out, and the ground in front of him suddenly exploded.
"Until next time, Tamers," Devimon smirked, sinking into the ground.
"Come back here!" Ruki raged as the Dark Messenger disappeared from sight.
"We'll meet again, Tamers..." Devimon's voice called out, echoing through the streets. "After we settle our business!"
**************
Later, at Takato's house...
"That's really reckless of you, Takato-kun!" Juri scolded as she watched the boy collapse onto his bed. "You could have really gotten hurt!"
Ruki nodded, looking around the room at the other Tamers. After Devimon and Vamdemon had retreated, the Tamers had brought Takato home, and were now holding an impromptu meeting in the goggle-wearing boy's room. "But still," the red-haired Tamer admitted, "it was a good thing you showed up when you did."
"I'm worried," Lee said suddenly, standing up from where he had been leaning on Takato's desk.
"About what?" Kenta asked from his seat on the floor.
"Did anyone manage to hear what Devimon said before Vamdemon ran away?"
Ruki's brow furrowed as she tried to remember. "Something about business, I think..." She called over her shoulder. "Renamon."
"Yes, Ruki?" her partner asked, appearing, as always, out of nowhere.
"You've got better hearing than most of us," Ruki told her. "Did you hear anything?"
The tall, slim humanoid fox fell silent for a moment, shutting her eyes as she searched her memory. "..." Her eyes snapped open. "He mentioned something about Akiyama Ryo-san."
"Ryo-san?" Hirokazu repeated. "What about him?"
Renamon fell silent again as she tried to remember. "Something about..." She gasped. "Paying him a visit..."
Ruki blinked. "You don't mean..."
"Ryo-san's in danger!" Kenta finished. "We have to warn him!"
"But how do they know him?" Lee wondered.
"Maybe he met them in the Digital World?" Takato suggested from where Juri had tucked him in.
"It's possible, I suppose..." Lee replied as Ruki took out her cell-phone.
"Just in case," she said, "I'll try giving him a call."
"Why do you have Ryo-san's number, anyway?" Hirokazu asked.
"Idiot," Ruki told him. "Ryo gave it to us in case we ever needed help, remember?" She raised her hand to silence everyone. "It's ringing..." A click told her someone had picked up.
**************
Fukuoka City on Kyushuu Island.
Akiyama Ryo, known to many people as the Legendary Tamer (much to his chargin and embarassment), let out an exasperated sigh as a crash came from the kitchen of his parents' modest two-storey house. He peeked through the door. "Monodramon!"
His partner, a small purple dragon with a single horn on his snout and curious golden eyes looked up at him from where he sat on the floor, covered with spilt chocolate milk. "Uh..."
Ryo sighed again. "What now?"
"I was hungry," the dragon stated bluntly.
"It's a good thing Mom and Dad decided to go on a second honeymoon," the brown-haired, blue-eyed boy told his friend. "You know how Mom is when you make a mess in the kitchen."
"Sorry," Monodramon said, looking downcast.
"Forget it," Ryo said, bending down and picking up the near-empty carton Monodramon had spilt. "Let's just clean up, okay?" The round of the phone ringing interrupted him. "You get started while I answer the phone. Then we can get something to eat."
"Okay!"
As he walked down the hallway to the phone, Ryo shuddered as he heard another crash. "...sometimes I think he was better behaved as Cyberdramon..." He picked up the receiver and held it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Ryo?" came a familiar voice.
"Ruki?" Ryo said, not hiding the surprise in his voice. "This is unexpected. What can I do for you?"
"You can try staying alive for one thing."
Ryo blinked. "What?"
"Listen," Ruki said urgently. "We had a run in with two dangerous Digimon. Devimon and Vamdemon. They managed to get away, but one of them said something about paying you a visit."
"You think they're coming here?" Ryo asked, his eyes narrowing as he digested the information.
"We think so."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll stay on..." Ryo let the sentence trail off as he sensed an ominous shadow loom up behind him. "Uh-oh."
**************
"Ryo?" Ruki called into her phone as the other Tamers crowded around to hear. "Ryo, what's wrong?"
"You're...!" came the older Tamer's voice.
"Bloody Stream!"
There was an explosion, and the line suddenly went dead.
Reviews, comments, suggestions and criticisms (constructive or otherwise) are welcome and can be sent to Withoutmorals@antisocial.com
Author's notes: After some consideration, I've decided to use the Japanese levels, since I'm already using the Japanese names, cards and attacks anyway. Therefore:
Digimon Levels:
Child : Rookie
Adult : Champion
Perfect : Ultimate
Ultimate: Mega
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing
Drive away the Darkness! Marine Angemon strikes!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"TAKATO-KUN!" Juri screamed, running towards Takato. The boy lay still in the middle of the street, deathly pale. Growmon lay nearby, apparently having absorbed most of the blasts to protect his friend.
"Bloody Stream!" Vamdemon sent bolts of bright red energy streaking towards the Tamers. Leomon lead the charge, weaving and dodging the bolts. The heroic Adult ducked under one bolt, leapt over another, then rolled before launching himself towards Vamdemon, his left fist glowing with power.
"Fist of the Beast King!" he roared, the energy around his hand shaping into a massive lion's head which roared as it flew towards the vampire. Vamdemon smirked as he raised his hand and allowed the attack to hit. There was an explosion once the lion's head blast struck the vampiric Perfect's outstretched hand, but he emerged with little to no damage.
"Come,come,Tamers!" he laughed. "Surely that isn't all you have to throw against me?"
"Talk,talk,talk!" Ruki growled. "Don't you ever shut up?" She held up a card, glaring at the laughing Perfect. "Card Slash!" she cried, slashing the card with a practised ease. "Accelerator!" Kyuubimon's outline became blurred and she vanished, appearing behind Vamdemon.
"Demon Fireball!" she cried, launching her technique three times in succession, filling the air with three times as many fireballs than usual. The attacks rained down on the taller Digimon, engulfing him in flames and staggering him, while Ruki pulled out another card and slid it through her D-Ark.
"Card Slash! Boost Chip!"
Kyuubimon leapt gracefully into the air, the tips of her tails glowing as her power level was increased. "Fox Flame Dragon!" she yelled, spinning in the air as she burst into flame and struck Vamdemon's face.
"Argh!" he cursed as he took a step back, clutching his face. As Kyuubimon wheeled around for another blow, he twisted his body around and gave her a whirling roundhouse kick that knocked the surprised Adult into Galgomon and Impmon, who had run up to assist her.
"Card Slash!" Lee slid a card through his D-Arc, while Galgomon quickly leapt to his feet and charged towards Vamdemon, who was now being attacked by Leomon. "Mega Hand!" Galgomon's hands were suddenly replaced with massive metal claws, similar to those of Megadramon. The bandolier-wearing Digimon punched Vamdemon twice, finishing with a Dum Dum Upper. The vampiric Perfect staggered from the blows, but counterattacked with a powerful punch to the gut that sent Galgomon reeling.
"This is getting ridiculous..." Lee commented to the others as Leomon, Kyuubimon and Impmon rallied to renew their assault. Meanwhile, Guardromon distracted Vamdemon with a barrage of Warning Lasers.
"I know," Ruki agreed. "We hit him, he hits back twice as hard! We're going nowhere fast!"
"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon sent another blazing lion's head towards Vamdemon, who raised his arm to block it. As Leomon leapt over his head, Impmon ran up, his hands holding balls of fire.
"Night of Fire!" he yelled, hurling the fireballs at Vamdemon. Dashing away, the small purple Child got out of Kyuubimon's way as she whirled into her Fox Flame Dragon technique.
"Takato-kun?" Juri asked worriedly as she knelt beside the unconcious boy. She brought up her hand and put it on his forehead, brushing some of his hair out of the way. "Oh no!" she gasped. "He's burning up!" Kenta ran up to her.
"Katou! How's Takato doing?" the green-haired boy asked, looking down at his friend.
"He's really sick!" the girl replied, her face contorted with fear and worry. "We have to get him out of here!"
Growmon stirred and slowly opened his eyes. "Takato?" The huge crimson dragon got to his feet, the Aero Wings vanishing. "Takato!" he cried, seeing his Tamer lying still.
"It's okay, Growmon!" Kenta told him. "He's just tired!"
Juri stayed by Takato, thinking out loud. "You shouldn't have come, Takato-kun..."
"Die, you insects!" Vamdemon roared, spreading his cape. "Night Raid!" A horde of bats flew out, attacking the Tamers and their Digimon.
Ruki quickly hit the ground and rolled to get out of the way. "That's it!" she snarled. She held up one of her cards, concentrating. "Card Slash!" she cried as the card shimmered and turned blue in colour. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Kyuubimon, evolve!" Kyuubimon was bathed in a light blue glow as she leapt into the sky. Then, against the moon, a graceful humanoid figure was seen, twirling slowly in the air, a ying-yang symbol visible on her chest. Dressed like a priestess with long sleeves that hid her hands, the Digimon landed, her eyes fixed on Vamdemon. "Taomon!"
Lee narrowed his eyes as he willed one of his cards into a Blue Card as well. "Card Slash! Matrix Evolution!"
"Galgomon evolve!" Galgomon dissolved into data in a explosion of brightly-coloured light. A green ball appeared, legs ending in green boots thrusting out. The Digimon's upper body pulled out of the ball, his arms stretching out. Galgomon's guns merged into the figure's backpack and a helmet emerged, wing-like ears extending from its sides as a single horn appeared. As his eyes lit up, the Digimon announced himself. "Rapidmon!"
**************
"Evolution to Perfect?" Devimon muttered thoughtfully from his vantage point high above the battle. He had initially come to deliver his news to Vamdemon personally, but his curiousity got the better of him and he watched with interest as the two Perfects attacked. "Intruiging..." His ultra-sharp vision homed in on the Blue Cards Ruki and Lee held in their hands. "Matrix...Evolution?"
**************
"Katou-san..." Takato whispered, opening his eyes.
"I'm here, Takato-kun!" Juri knelt closer, looking at Takato's sweat drenched face.
"Growmon?"
"I'm okay, Takato!" Growmon spoke up. "Don't worry!"
Takato tried to sit up, but Juri pushed him down gently. "Don't move!" she begged him. "You'll make it worse!"
"But...the others?" Takato panted.
Growmon rose to his feet. "Don't worry, Takato!" he assured his sick friend. "We'll handle Vamdemon!"
"Buddhist Brush Brandish!" A huge paintbrush appeared out of Taomon's sleeve, which the Perfect wielded like a spear. Gripping the brush tightly, she wrote a single character in the air, which glowed with a holy light.
"Wha?!" Vamdemon gasped as the symbol magically appeared on his chest, burning his flesh. "Ghhh!" He fell back, clutching his wound. "So, a Holy warrior,eh?" His eyes narrowed and his lips peeled back, revealing his clenched teeth. "Good!" he hissed. "I need the practice for when I avenge myself on Angewomon!"
"You'll have a long wait!" Rapidmon told him. "Rapid Fire!" Twin missles launched from his hands, exploding in front of Vamdemon and blasting him off his feet.
"Everyone!" Lee yelled. "Attack! Don't give him a chance to recover!"
As one, the Digimon charged towards Vamdemon as he rose to his feet. "Now!" Leomon roared as he led the charge. "Fist of the Beast King!"
"Summon!" Impmon yelled, sending dozens of ice shards at the vampire.
"Card Slash!" Hirokazu called out, holding up his dark brown D-Ark. "Andromon!"
Guardromon felt a change go over him as his arms transformed into those of his evolved form Andromon. His hands began spinning as he took to the air, aided by the jets built into his backpack. "Spiral Sword!"
"Card Slash!" As Taomon leapt into the air, Ruki slid another card through her D-Ark. "Offense Plug-In A!" A jolt of energy surged through Taomon as the card took effect, giving her a faint glow as she used her Fox Seal Paper technique.
Bringing his own D-Ark up, Lee decided to give Rapidmon a boost as well. "Card Slash! High Speed Plug-In B!" The cybernetic Digimon's eyes flashed for a moment as the card took effect. He sped up, leaving behind after-images as he took aim in mid-air.
"Rapid Fire!" Eight missiles joined the barrage of attacks streaking towards Vamdemon, who snarled and wrapped his cape around himself.
**************
"What will you do to get out of this, Vamdemon?" Devimon mused as the other Dark Digimon disappeared into a massive fireball. His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Will you die before your time?"
**************
"Did we get him?" Hirokazu asked as he shielded his eyes from the dust thrown up from the explosion.
"I can't tell!" Guardromon replied as he hovered above the others.
"Bloody Stream!" Vamdemon flew out of the dust cloud, blasting at the Tamers and their Digimon partners. His eyes darted around, and he made out Juri and Kenta trying to help Takato to safety. "First rule of combat," he muttered. "Dispose of the weakest and wounded first!" With that, the vampiric Perfect soared over the other Tamers in the direction of Takato and the others.
"Huh?" Lee gasped as Vamdemon flew overhead. "What is he...?"
"Juri! Takato!" Ruki cried, realising what the Dark Aristocrat was up to. "Watch out!"
"Night Raid!" A horde of bats flew out of Vamdemon's cape towards the three Tamers.
Growmon stood protectively in front of his friends as he opened his mouth with a roar of "Exhaust Flame!" The bats swerved to avoid the searing flame and disappeared into the darkening sky while Vamdemon suddenly dipped his shoulder and flew close to the ground, making the tips of his boots actually scrape the street as he drew near. Seeing the Undead Digimon coming, Growmon raised his arm. "Plasma Blade!" Bringing his glowing arm-blade down, the huge Demon Dragon tried to behead the vampire.
"Naive," Vamdemon taunted as he suddenly screeched to a halt in mid-air and flew straight up, his hands outstretched. "Night Raid!" Another swarm of winged rodents engulfed Growmon, forcing him to bring his arms up to swat them away. Meanwhile, Vamdemon turned aorund and launched another Bloody Stream, scattering Leomon, Taomon, Rapidmon and Guardromon as they came up to aid their friends.
"Katou-san," Takato wheezed, "leave me behind! Run!"
"No!" Juri replied. "Kenta-kun! Help me!"
Kenta nodded, placing one of Takato's arms around his shoulders. "Okay, but let's hurry!"
"Too late." Vamdemon landed in front of them, a smirk on his masked face. "Now then, all this effort has made me thirsty..." He reached out for Juri, but Takato struggled to his feet and pushed her out of his reach.
"You...keep away!" he panted. He felt like he was burning up, but he couldn't allow himself to stay down while his friends were in danger. He felt Kenta step up beside him, offering his support.
"And what are you going to do, little man?" Vamdemon snorted. "You can barely stand!"
"Pipipii!"
Kenta looked down at his pocket, which was squirming as Marine Angemon struggled to get out. Finally, the tiny pink Digimon tore free, ripping part of Kenta's shirt. "Marine Angemon?!" the spectacle-wearing boy gasped as his partner flew up and hovered in front of Vamdemon's face.
"And what is this?" the Perfect smirked. "A stuffed toy?"
Marine Angemon frowned. "You'll be sorry you said that!" Kenta told Vamdemon.
"Is that so?" the vampiric Digimon replied, his face showing his amused contempt. His expression quickly changed to one of surprise as the heart on Marine Angemon's chest began glowing. "What?!"
**************
"Hmmm?" Devimon muttered to himself as there was a pink flash followed by Vamdemon's howl of pain as he was hurled through the air and slammed into a building with enough force to imbed him. "Marine Angemon?" He unfolded his arms. "Two Perfects, three Adults and an Ultimate against one Perfect? That is simply not fair."
**************
Vamdemon crashed to the ground, smoking and singed. He rose to his feet unsteadily, having been taken completely by surprise by Marine Angemon's Ocean Love technique. "You..." he hissed in pain.
"I told you you'd be sorry!" Kenta reminded the injured Digimon.
"Let's finish this!" Ruki said. "Taomon!"
The priestess stepped forward, whirling her brush. "Buddhist Brush..."
An explosion interrupted her, and the Tamers were showered with falling masonary as part of the building they were standing under burst into flame. "What's that?!" Juri cried, bringing her hands up to shield her head. Leomon landed beside her and loomed over her protectively.
Vamdemon looked up. "This is..."
"Vamdemon!" Devimon swooped down, launching his Razor Wing technique. The purple energy bolts ripped up the ground as the Dark Messenger hovered before his fellow Dark Digimon. "Quickly. We must withdraw!"
Vamdemon growled. "And admit defeat? Never!"
Devimon turned his head to face the Perfect. "We can't win here. We must pull back." He smiled. "Besides. We have an old friend to visit."
"An old friend?" Vamdemon repeated, puzzled.
"Akiyama Ryo is here, in this world."
"Akiyama Ryo?!" Vamdemon hissed, his voice oozing with hatred. "Here?!"
"Yes," Devimon confirmed. "I've seen him through my Gears. He is alone, without any of his Chosen friends." Devimon's eyes glinted. "Isn't revenge far better than keeping meaningless pride?"
Vamdemon's lips curled into a smile. "You've convinced me, Devimon." He glanced at the Tamers. "I'll remember this, humans!" Leaping into the air, the Dark Aristocrat exploded into a horde of bats that flew off into the night.
"Not so fast!" Rapidmon said, moving forward. Devimon thrust his hand out, and the ground in front of him suddenly exploded.
"Until next time, Tamers," Devimon smirked, sinking into the ground.
"Come back here!" Ruki raged as the Dark Messenger disappeared from sight.
"We'll meet again, Tamers..." Devimon's voice called out, echoing through the streets. "After we settle our business!"
**************
Later, at Takato's house...
"That's really reckless of you, Takato-kun!" Juri scolded as she watched the boy collapse onto his bed. "You could have really gotten hurt!"
Ruki nodded, looking around the room at the other Tamers. After Devimon and Vamdemon had retreated, the Tamers had brought Takato home, and were now holding an impromptu meeting in the goggle-wearing boy's room. "But still," the red-haired Tamer admitted, "it was a good thing you showed up when you did."
"I'm worried," Lee said suddenly, standing up from where he had been leaning on Takato's desk.
"About what?" Kenta asked from his seat on the floor.
"Did anyone manage to hear what Devimon said before Vamdemon ran away?"
Ruki's brow furrowed as she tried to remember. "Something about business, I think..." She called over her shoulder. "Renamon."
"Yes, Ruki?" her partner asked, appearing, as always, out of nowhere.
"You've got better hearing than most of us," Ruki told her. "Did you hear anything?"
The tall, slim humanoid fox fell silent for a moment, shutting her eyes as she searched her memory. "..." Her eyes snapped open. "He mentioned something about Akiyama Ryo-san."
"Ryo-san?" Hirokazu repeated. "What about him?"
Renamon fell silent again as she tried to remember. "Something about..." She gasped. "Paying him a visit..."
Ruki blinked. "You don't mean..."
"Ryo-san's in danger!" Kenta finished. "We have to warn him!"
"But how do they know him?" Lee wondered.
"Maybe he met them in the Digital World?" Takato suggested from where Juri had tucked him in.
"It's possible, I suppose..." Lee replied as Ruki took out her cell-phone.
"Just in case," she said, "I'll try giving him a call."
"Why do you have Ryo-san's number, anyway?" Hirokazu asked.
"Idiot," Ruki told him. "Ryo gave it to us in case we ever needed help, remember?" She raised her hand to silence everyone. "It's ringing..." A click told her someone had picked up.
**************
Fukuoka City on Kyushuu Island.
Akiyama Ryo, known to many people as the Legendary Tamer (much to his chargin and embarassment), let out an exasperated sigh as a crash came from the kitchen of his parents' modest two-storey house. He peeked through the door. "Monodramon!"
His partner, a small purple dragon with a single horn on his snout and curious golden eyes looked up at him from where he sat on the floor, covered with spilt chocolate milk. "Uh..."
Ryo sighed again. "What now?"
"I was hungry," the dragon stated bluntly.
"It's a good thing Mom and Dad decided to go on a second honeymoon," the brown-haired, blue-eyed boy told his friend. "You know how Mom is when you make a mess in the kitchen."
"Sorry," Monodramon said, looking downcast.
"Forget it," Ryo said, bending down and picking up the near-empty carton Monodramon had spilt. "Let's just clean up, okay?" The round of the phone ringing interrupted him. "You get started while I answer the phone. Then we can get something to eat."
"Okay!"
As he walked down the hallway to the phone, Ryo shuddered as he heard another crash. "...sometimes I think he was better behaved as Cyberdramon..." He picked up the receiver and held it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Ryo?" came a familiar voice.
"Ruki?" Ryo said, not hiding the surprise in his voice. "This is unexpected. What can I do for you?"
"You can try staying alive for one thing."
Ryo blinked. "What?"
"Listen," Ruki said urgently. "We had a run in with two dangerous Digimon. Devimon and Vamdemon. They managed to get away, but one of them said something about paying you a visit."
"You think they're coming here?" Ryo asked, his eyes narrowing as he digested the information.
"We think so."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll stay on..." Ryo let the sentence trail off as he sensed an ominous shadow loom up behind him. "Uh-oh."
**************
"Ryo?" Ruki called into her phone as the other Tamers crowded around to hear. "Ryo, what's wrong?"
"You're...!" came the older Tamer's voice.
"Bloody Stream!"
There was an explosion, and the line suddenly went dead.
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