Author's notes: Oops. I forgot to upload this. I can't believe it's been two months since my last update! (slaps wrist) Bad WithoutMorals! Bad!
Author's notes: I'm paying homage to one of my favourite animes in this chapter. Can you figure out what it is?
Digimon Levels:
Child : Rookie
Adult : Champion
Perfect : Ultimate
Ultimate: Mega
Also, the term 'Biomerge' does not exist in my vocabulary. In the Japanese original, the one I base Dark Wing on, to evolve to Ultimate/ Mega they just say 'Matrix Evolution', except they don't have to slash a card.
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing
The Fortress of Steel: Saint Galgomon!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"Finished?" Cyberdramon looked up and saw the shade hovering in the air. "You're losing your touch," it chuckled, looking down at the deleting corpses of the Triceramon, Metal Tyrannomon and Tuskmon. "It took you longer than usual."
"Quiet." The Perfect glared at the shadow. "What did you do to Impmon?"
"Nothing. I just reawakened his ability to warp-evolve."
"Reawakened?"
"You recall Beelzebumon fell into the D-Reaper during the attempt to rescue Takato's friend?"
"Juri? Yes, I remember."
"Impmon survived because of Beelzebumon's sheer power. However, as a result he lost the power to warp into Ultimate."
"So he's already evolved?"
"I don't know. I returned the ability. Whether he uses it or not is up to him." The shade began sinking into Cyberdramon's body. "You know my way. I'll provide the catalyst, but that's all."
"Sink or swim."
"Exactly. Now let's go find Ryo."
**************
"We have incoming!" warned a JSDF trooper as he saw a group of flying Card Digimon dive down. The JSDF copters flew up to meet them and soon the sky was alight with battle once more.
"How many of these damn things are there?" the officer cursed.
"In a few seconds, there won't be any!" Beelzebumon droved up beside the jeep, smirking. "Just get the humans to safety. I'll finish these guys."
"What the? Who are you?"
"Does it matter?" The green-eyed biker drew the shotgun from his shoulder holster. "Kurae!" He pulled the trigger, a power-charged bullet ripping through the air. The bullet easily tore through the enemy Digimon, deleting all of the attackers with one shot. "Now get going!" Seeing more enemy Digimon ahead, the Demon Lord revved Behemoth's engine and roared ahead, aiming his shotgun. "Out of my way!" he yelled, pulling the trigger.
**************
"Well, well, well," Metal Etemon chuckled as he stood at the head of his troops. "My audience has arrived!"
"Metal Etemon," Ruki said, ignoring his chatter and checking his data. "Virus. Cyborg Digimon. Ultimate. Ultimate techniques: Dark Spirits DX, Heavy Monkick, Banana Slip."
"Hey!" the metallic primate yelled. "Don't ignore me!"
"We'd better take them out fast," Lee told Takato. "This might just be a diversion."
"Got it. Jen! Ruki!" Takato held up a card, its surface already shimmering into a Blue Card.
"Let's go!" Ruki yelled. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Card Slash!" they called out. "MATRIX EVOLUTION!" With practised ease, the three Tamers slashed their Blue Cards and in seconds Megalo Growmon, Rapidmon and Taomon stood alongside MarineAngemon and Leomon, ready for battle.
"Let's rock!" Metal Etemon howled. "Go get 'em!"
"Yeah!" his troops yelled, charging at the Tamers.
"Everyone, stay on your toes," Leomon warned, drawing his sword Shishioumaru. "This will be different from fighting mindless Card Digimon!"
Takato nodded then turned to face the attacking Dark Digimon. "Attack!"
**************
"Hmph." Beelzebumon retracted his arm from the gut of a Metal Tyrannomon. "Weak." He looked over his shoulder at the convoy, which was now joined by a squad of tanks and a group of jet fighters. "Ai and Makoto should be safe by now." The sound of roaring told him Guardromon had landed. Glancing at the Adult and his partner, the black-clad Demon Lord spoke. "That the last of them?"
"Looks like it," Hirokazu replied. "Thanks for your help."
Beelzebumon nodded. "What in blazes is going on? Why did those things attack this place?"
"The others thought they might have gone berserk after Belial Vamdemon was killed. It was just random, I think." Guardromon spoke to Hirokazu. "Is that right?"
"Yeah, that's basically it," Hirokazu replied. Holsmon landed, V-mon and Digmon on his back.
"That's the last of them," the four-legged flier reported. "And all the people are safe."
"That's good to hear," Hirokazu said. He brought a hand up to his headset. "This is Hirokazu. We've finished off the Card Digimon."
There was crackling and Yamaki's voice could be heard. "Good work. Now get back here! We're under attack!"
"What?!" Hirokazu yelled.
**************
"They're trying to communicate with someone," Nanomon reported from his post behind Metal Etemon's forces. His wire-like arms waved in the air as he spoke. "They appear to be calling for help."
"Jam the transmission," ordered Devimon. His glowing red eyes were fixed on the Hypnos building, seeking out the most likely place he could enter undetected. "Ah."
"Find something?" Nanomon asked, looking up from a computer console Mugendramon had provided him.
"My way in." Devimon spread his wings, the dark jewel in his forehead glinting malignantly. "You know what to do."
"Yes," the Perfect replied. The mechanical Digimon's robotic brain began glowing inside he clear dome that protected it. "I won't fail."
"See that you don't."
**************
"Yamaki!" Reika yelled. "More of them!"
"What?" Yamaki whirled and stalked over, looking over her shoulder. "Where?"
"They're headed in Hirokazu-kun and Ryo-kun's location!"
"Chikuso!" Speaking into his headset, he tried to warn Hirokazu. "Hirokazu-kun! Ryo-kun! Watch out! There are more Digimon headed your way!"
There was no reply. Instead a dry, rasping voice spoke. "I am sorry, but this call is over! Can't have you spoiling our plans, now can we?" With a final, cruel laugh, the transmission was cut.
"No!" Yamaki yelled, tearing the headset off and hurling it onto the floor. "We have to warn them!"
Shibumi put a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "You've done all you can," he said. "Just have faith in them."
"Kuso," Yamaki swore. "How much longer before Shaggai is back online?"
"Half an hour, at least."
"Understood." The blond turned to his bridge crew. "When Shaggai is powered up, we'll blast these monsters and wipe them out in one blow! Everyone, do your best!"
**************
"Cyberdramon!" Ryo ran up as his partner landed among the ruins of a playground. "Where were you?"
The armoured dragon cocked his head as he looked around at the upturned trees and twisted metal that children once played on. "Fighting."
"What else?" Ryo sighed, shaking his head. "We have to get back to Hypnos. I got a report that they're under attack."
"Right." The cyborg picked Ryo up and took a running jump into the air, soaring in the direction of the Hypnos building.
**************
"Atomic Blaster!" Megalo Growmon's attack tore through a squad of enemy Digimon, deleting them in a single blow. Seeing Metal Etemon standing on a ruined bus, directing the attack, the huge cyborg dragon charged at him, his arm blades glowing. "Double Edge!"
As the crimson Perfect brought his right arm blade down, Metal Etemon acted quickly, snapping his hands up and deftly catching the blade between his hands. "Not so fast!" Coiling his legs, he jumped up, still holding Megalo Growmon's arm blade. At the height of his jump, Metal Etemon heaved, pulling Megalo Gromwon off his feet. Landing, the Ultimate caught the larger Digimon and held him over his head. Smirking, he couldn't help taunting the Tamers. "You could at least be a challenge!"
"Megalo Growmon!" Rapidmon flew at Metal Etemon to help his friend.
"You want him?" Metal Etemon grinned. "You can have him!"
"Uh-oh." Rapidmon realised his mistake too late as Metal Etemon hurled Megalo Growmon at him.
As the two Perfects crashed into a building, Taomon stood on a lamp post, her hands hidden inside her sleeves. "Fox Seal Paper!" The air was filled with her Holy Seals, exploding as they struck the Dark Digimon. Drawing her huge brush from one of her sleeves, the priestess leapt into the air, floating as she made deft strokes with her brush. "Buddhist Brush Brandish!" Before she could finish, Metal Etemon charged forward.
"Let me show you my perfect..." He leapt into the air. "Invincible..." He reached out, holding a microphone in his hand. "LOVE SERENADE!" At his yell, a powerful shockwave struck Taomon, battering her mercilessly.
"Taomon!" Ruki yelled as she watched her partner crash on to the ground. Metal Etemon landed close by, crushing her dropped brush with a stomp of his foot.
"And now the finale!" Metal Etemon grinned. "Step back, boys," he called to his troops. "This is my show!"
"It's not over yet!" Leomon roared, dashing at him. "Juri!"
"Card Slash!" Juri cried. "Power Charger!"
"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon punched at Metal Etemon, his attack powered up by the card. The roaring lion's head knocked the metallic monkey back, into his minions.
"Ouch!" he yelled, leaping back onto his feet. He clutched his stomach.
"You okay?" asked a Bakemon.
"No, I'm not okay!" Metal Etemon seethed. Turning to Leomon, he said, "Do you know how difficult it is to get myself so shiny? Now you've gone and scratched me!"
**************
Watching from not far away, Nanomon sweatdropped. "Idiot."
**************
"..." The Tamers took advantage of the sweatdrop moment Metal Etemon's comment caused to check on their partners. "Megalo Growmon, you okay?"
"How about you, Rapidmon?"
"I'll be fine..." Rapidmon said, "once Megalo Growmon gets off! You're heavy!"
"Sorry," the larger Digimon apologised, getting up.
"Takato," Lee said. "What cards can we use on Metal Etemon?"
"Maybe attack-boosting cards?" Takato suggested.
"No good," Ruki told him as she and Taomon reached them. "Even with cards, Metal Etemon won't go down easily."
"Can't you just go to Ultimate?" Juri asked.
"I tried," Ruki told her. "But we can't for some reason."
"Snake Bandage!" Mummymon landed nearby, glancing at them over his shoulder. "What are you doing?" he demanded. "Do something!"
"We're trying to come up with a plan!" Lee told him.
"Try harder!" Archnemon replied, using her Spirit Needle technique to scatter a group of enemy Digimon.
"Heavy Monkick!" Metal Etemon launched himself at Leomon, his leg out stretched.
"Agh!" Leomon cartwheeled aside, dodging the Ultimate.
"Out of the way, Leomon!" Kenta warned. Looking over his shoulder, the Beast Man Digimon saw Marine Angemon hovering beside the green-haired boy, the heart symbol on his chest glowing. As he leapt out of the way, Kenta spoke to his partner. "NOW!"
"Pupipi!" The little pink Digimon fired a beam from his chest, aimed at Metal Etemon.
"What the?" Seeing the beam coming, Metal Etemon's eyes widened behind his shades. "Yipe!" He held out his hand. "Dark Spirits DX!" A yellowish lightning bolt blasted at Marine Angemon, hitting his beam. The resulting explosion knocked both of them back. "Whoa," Metal Etemon gasped, getting up. "You're small, but you pack a punch!" The Ultimate clenched his fist. "Better get rid of you first!"
**************
Behemoth roared down the street on the way to the besieged Hypnos Towers, carrying Beelzebumon and V-mon. Beside them flew Holsmon and Guardromon, carrying Digmon and Hirokazu. "We should be there soon!" Hirokazu yelled, trying to make himself heard over the roar of the wind.
Beelzebumon's sharp ears caught the sound. Knowing there was no way the human could hear him, the biker nodded and revved his engine, pulling ahead. Then his eyes widened as he sensed something approach.
"What is it?" V-mon asked.
"Trouble!" Turning, he brought Behemoth to a screeching halt. "Here they come!" Landing, the others looked up and saw a familiar shadow in the sky.
"Is that...Gigadramon?" Hirokazu gasped. "I thought we took care of him!"
"That was a fake," Beelzebumon growled. "This one's the real thing!"
"And he's not alone, either!" As Gigadramon hovered above them, a similar Digimon appeared behind them, this one red with purple wings. "Megadramon..." Hirokazu whispered, recognising it.
"We have to go," Guardromon reminded them. "The others need us!"
"Go on, then," Beelzebumon told them. "I'll handle these two!"
"Okay," Hirokazu agreed. "Be careful!"
"Heh, you're kidding, right?" Beelzebumon got off his bike, drawing his shotguns. "Who's first?"
The two Perfects roared and dived at him while Hirokazu and the others continued on their way.
**************
The buzz of activity filled the room which housed the gigantic machine known as the Shaggai System. Engineers and programmers swarmed the technological marvel, carrying out checks and trying to bring it back on-line, knowing full well it might be the only thing that could stop the forces of Demon and his minions. Unfortunately, they were so busy, no one noticed a dark shadow appear above them, hidden in shadows. "So..." Devimon muttered to himself. "This is the weapon..." Careful to keep out of sight, the demonic Digimon hovered nearby, until a screen caught his attention.
"Yes, ma'am," said an engineer. "The Shaggai should be ready soon."
"Shaggai..." Devimon repeated. "Is that this machine's name?"
"Good," Reika replied. "We need it ready as soon as possible. The Tamers are barely holding on as it is!"
"We'll do the best we can, but we're engineers, not miracle workers!"
"Understood. Carry on." The screen went blank as Reika signed off. The engineer turned to the others.
"All right, we've got our work cut out for us. Let's get on with it!"
Devimon watched silently as the men and women went back to work. "So..." he mused. "The weapon is not functional..." He grinned. "How fortunate."
**************
"Card Slash! Metal Garurumon!" At Takato's yell, missile pods appeared on Megalo Growmon's arms and legs.
"Garuru Cross Freezer!" A barrage of missiles launched, scattering Metal Etemon and his forces. "Atomic Blaster!" Following up the missile attack with a blast from his chest cannons, the cyborg struck Metal Etemon knocking him back.
"Now I've got you!" Mummymon yelled. "Eat this!" Raising his rifle, he fired off a burst of shots at the Ultimate. The blasts bounced off his metal skin as he whirled in mid-air and landed upright.
"Did you really expect that to work?" Archnemon asked as she entangled a group of Gazimon with her Spider Thread technique.
"Well, I was kind of hoping it would," Mummymon replied sheepishly.
"Idiot."
Meanwhile, the Tamers were taking stock of their situation behind the safety of one of Taomon's shields. Lee spoke first. "I'm open to suggestions," the olive-skinned boy said.
"Keep hitting him until he drops?" Kenta suggested.
"No good," Ruki told him. "Normally, that might work, but Metal Etemon's got an army to back him up. We've never fought so many Digimon at once before..."
"Yeah," Takato agreed. "Not even when we went up against Mephismon's Digimon."
"So what do we do?" Juri asked. "Try to hold out until Hirokazu-kun and Ryo-san get back?"
Ruki hissed. "Looks like we don't have a choice. With our current power, we might not win."
"Ruki, can't you and Renamon Matrix Evolve?" Takato asked. "Sakuyamon could probably beat all of these guys."
"I've tried, but we can't for some reason."
"How'd you pull it off last time?" Lee asked.
Taomon answered. "Something struck Ruki's D-Ark."
Ruki nodded. "Then all of a sudden, I felt like we could Matrix Evolve."
"I wonder what happened?" Takato mused.
"No time to worry about that now," Taomon told them. "I can't hold the shield up any longer!"
"Okay," Lee said, taking charge. "Taomon, get ready to drop your shield when I say so." He turned to Kenta. "Kenta, can you and Marine Angemon distract Metal Etemon?"
"No problem," the other boy replied, smiling at his partner. "Right? Marine Angemon?"
"Pupipi!"
"Good. Then while Marine Angemon keeps Metal Etemon occupied, we'll take out his forces. With any luck when Hirokazu and Ryo-san get back, we'll have the advantage."
"Then let's do it!" Ruki drew one of her cards as she steeled herself for battle.
Lee, Takato, Juri and Kenta nodded in agreement and drew cards of their own. "Taomon..." Lee said, preparing to slash the card he held. "NOW!"
"CARD SLASH!"
**************
"Darkness Claw!" Beelzebumon's right hand began glowing as he swung his arm. There was a flash as his claw connected with a huge metal scythe Megadramon extended from its spike arm. As the two struggled, Gigadramon loomed up from behind, one of his spike arms opening as a similar scythe appeared. "Huh," Beelzebumon snorted as he saw it coming out of the corner of his eye. "Naive." He bent his leg and kicked away from Megadramon, somersaulting and drawing his shoulder shotgun. As he soared above Gigadramon's head, he smirked and drew his leg shotgun, firing two shots that ricocheted off the Dark Dragon Digimon's armoured head. "?!" Surprised, the demonic biker landed and looked at his guns. "Hmph," he chuckled, reholstering them. "This may be more fun than I thought..." He held up his hands and shook his head, stretching his muscles. "Come on..." he said to the two Perfects. "Show me what you can do!"
**************
Ryo watched as Gigadramon and Megadramon's huge forms dived at a much smaller humanoid figure. "Cyberdramon! Someone's in trouble!"
"Yes..." his partner growled as he carried Ryo in the direction of the besieged Hypnos Towers. "Megadramon and Gigadramon."
"What are you talking..." Ryo trailed off as Gigadramon and Megadramon were thrown back, crashing heavily on the ground. "Oh."
"Leave them to him. We have more important things to do." Cyberdramon fell silent as he increased his speed, his blood boiling with the thought of battle.
**************
Meanwhile, far from the battles which raged between the Tamers and his Dark Digimon, Demon sat on his throne in Devimon's temple, making use of the Dark Messenger's Black Gears to observed the battle. "Demon." The horned Dark Digimon looked up and saw Piemon standing before him.
"What is it, Piemon?"
"I'd like permission to engage Akiyama Ryo myself."
"Why?"
"Ryo defeated me in the past. I want revenge."
Demon shifted slightly, fixing Piemon with an intent glare. "He defeated you once. Who's to say he won't do it again?" The Demon Lord sat back, steepling his fingers. "Besides, I've already dispatched Megadramon and Gigadramon to the task of destroying the isolated Tamers."
"Nevertheless, I will go as well." Piemon raised his voice. "I want to take Ryo's head myself!"
Demon sighed. "So be it. Do as you wish."
Piemon smiled and bowed. "Thank you. I'll be going then." As the Dark Master left, Demon spoke to him.
"Be careful, Hell's Fool. You are still valuable to our cause."
"..." Piemon nodded once, then he was gone.
**************
"Rapid Fire!" Rapidmon whirled in the air, launching missiles in all directions. Despite scattering a number of the enemy, a group flew after him, forcing him to flee. "How many of these guys are there?"
Meanwhile, some of the Dark Digimon piled on Megalo Growmon, trying to drag him down. "Double Edge!" Spinning, the cyborg Demon Dragon managed to dislodge them before blasting them with his Atomic Blaster technique. He panted, almost out of breath. "Takato, there's too many!"
"Just try to hold on, Megalo Growmon!" Takato yelled, wincing as a stray blast hit the ground nearby.
"Don't waste your time on the Digimon!" Metal Etemon ordered as he made repeated punches, trying to hit Marine Angemon. "Aim for the kids!"
"Pipipii!" The heart symbol on Marine Angemon's chest began glowing as he dodged Metal Etemon's blows.
"No, you don't!" Coiling his legs, Metal Etemon leapt into the air. "Heavy Monkick!" He dived at the smaller Ultimate, extending his foot to mash him into the ground.
Marine Angemon opened his mouth. "Pupipii!" A small bluish bubble flew out of his mouth, floating at Metal Etemon.
"What the?!" The metallic monkey barely had time to blink before the bubble suddenly enlarged itself and covered him, trapping him inside. "Hey! Hey! What is this?" The bubble began floating upwards, taking him with it. "Oi! You guys! Get me out of here!"
"Right, boss!" A group of Gazimon began running after him.
"Great move, Marine Angemon," Kenta complimented. "That'll keep him out of our hair for awhile!"
"Kenta!" Ruki yelled. "Watch out!"
"Huh?" The green-haired boy looked up to see a Devidramon diving at him. "Aaah!" He scrambled to run, but tripped and fell on his behind.
"Destruction Grenade!" The Dark Dragon Digimon was blown out of the sky by a couple of missiles as Guardromon appeared, followed by Holsmon.
"Kenta!" Hirokazu called as Guardromon hovered above, letting him hop off. "You okay?" He held out a hand to help his friend up.
"Yeah, thanks." Kenta accepted Hirokazu's hand and let himself be pulled up. "You showed up just in time."
"We'd have been here sooner," the visored boy explained, "but we were held up."
"What's important is you're here now," Ruki said, running up to them. "Where's Ryo?"
"Don't know," Hirokazu shrugged. "We got seperated during the battle."
"Ryo-san will have to handle himself," Lee told them. "We need to worry about ourselves right now!"
As the words left his mouth, more enemy Digimon arrived and joined the battle. "You had to say it, didn't you?" Ruki growled.
Lee rubbed his head sheepishly. "Sorry."
**************
"Hirokazu-kun and his team just arrived," Megumi reported. "But another group of Digimon have arrived as well."
"So we're not out of the woods yet..." Yamaki mused.
"That is an understatement..."
"Who?" Yamaki whirled around to see Devimon hovering in the middle of the room. "You're..."
"Devimon!" Lopmon hissed, leaping protectively in front of Shuichon and the others.
The black-clad Adult spread his wings. "Though I gain no pleasure from this, you must die."
"I will not let you harm them!" Lopmon leapt out of Shuichon's arms and ran at the Fallen Angel. "Blazing Ice!"
The Dark Digimon raised a leather-covered hand, deflecting the attack easily. "Death Hand!" An aura covered his hand, launching at Lopmon.
"Watch out!" Shuichon cried as the glowing aura formed an eerie ghostly hand.
"Petite Twister!" Spinning, Lopmon managed to avoid the attack. "Blazing I-"
"Lopmon! Behind you!"
The brown floppy-eared Child turned, but it was too late. "Akkkk!" The ghostly hand Devimon had used had come up from behind him, wrapping its fingers around him and squeezing him painfully.
"Lopmon!" Shuichon cried, trying to run to him, but her father held her tight.
"Shuichon, no!" Janyuu told her. "It's too dangerous!"
"But...Lopmon!"
Devimon glanced at the little girl. "I seek the one who controls the weapon that almost killed Demon."
"That would be me," Yamaki said, stepping forward. "Leave my subordinates out of this." He gestured to Janyuu and the rest of the Tamers' families.
"Sir!" Reika gasped. "You can't..."
"Fine," Devimon told the blond-haired man. He nodded to the others. "You may leave. I don't believe in mindless slaughter. I only need the controller." The demonic Digimon's eyes narrowed. "However..." He looked at Shuichon, glaring at her dangerously. "The Tamer must die." His wings suddenly spread out as he dashed at her.
"Watch out!" Megumi yelled.
Whirling, Devimon delivered a swift roundhouse kick to Janyuu, knocking him into a table and sending computers and papers to the floor. "Daddy!" Shuichon screamed.
Devimon towered above her, his claws outstretched. "Death Claw!"
"No!" Lee Rinchei, her older brother, ran up, smashing a chair on the back of Devimon's head. "Stay away from my sister!"
"Onii-chan!"
Devimon stumbled, shaking his head. "I would've spared you and left after I killed the Tamer and the controller. Now, you will die as well. Razor Wing!"
As the boy ducked, the purple energy blasts tore through the room, finally shattering the huge window that gave them a view of the city. "Blast!" cursed Oikawa. "I should've made Mummymon or Archnemon stay here!"
As Devimon's attack continued, Shuichon cried out, "Jen-nii-chan! Terriermon!"
**************
"Huh?"
"What's wrong, Jen?" Ruki asked.
The olive-skinned boy looked up. "I thought I heard Shuichon..." Just then, they heard the faint sound of breaking glass. "What was that?"
"Something must've happened inside!" Takato decided.
"I'm going up there," Jen told them. "Can you handle things here?"
"Yeah," Ruki told him. "Be careful, Jen."
"Right." He called out. "Rapidmon!"
"Already here, Jen!" The green Cyborg Perfect landed nearby. "Let's go!"
As Jen climbed on, Hirokazu called to Guardromon. "Guardromon, give them some cover!"
"On it." As Rapidmon and Lee began their ascent, Guardromon flew with them, firing at any enemies who came too close. "Warning Laser!" Twin energy beams launched out of the mechanical Adult's eyes, scattering a swarm of Flymon.
"Thanks, Guardromon," Lee called. "We'll take it from here!"
"Good luck!" The machine Digimon waved and dived at the enemy from above, launching Destruction Grenades at them.
*************
"Protect!" The triangle on Culumon's forehead began glowing as a barrier materialised, protecting Masahiko, Janyuu, Shibumi and the others.
"Hn?" Devimon paused and glanced at Culumon. "That barrier..." He turned away from Rinchei and faced Culumon. "You're the one who deflected Mugendramon's attack?" The demonic Digimon folded his wings, walking slowly towards the smaller Digimon. "I have never seen a Child Level capable of deflecting an Ultimate's attack." His lip curled. "Not since Lucemon."
"Devimon!" The Dark Messenger turned at the sound of Lee's voice. "Stay away from our families!" The boy leapt out of Rapidmon's arms. "Rapidmon, better devolve. You can't fit in here."
"Okay, Jen!" The huge Perfect began glowing as he devolved back into Terriermon. "Lopmon, Shuichon, are you okay?"
"You arrived just in time," his brown, tri-horned twin replied.
"Dad!" Lee knelt beside Janyuu, who was helped up by the others. "Dad, are you alright?"
"I'll be fine," his father replied. "Protect the others!"
"I will, don't worry." Lee stood up, glaring hatefully at Devimon. "You..." The boy looked around the room, seeing the destruction and injuries caused by his attack. "Why...why did you do this?" His face twisted in a display of anger. "Answer me!"
"I do whatever I need to to accomplish my task." Devimon took a step forward.
"You heartless monster!" Lee yelled. "We'll make sure you hurt no one else!"
"You are welcome to try, Tamer!" Devimon spread his wings, his lean body shifting into a battle stance. "I will tear you apart!"
"Not while I'm here!" Terriermon told him. "Blazing Fire!"
Following the other Child, Lopmon launched his own attack. "Blazing Ice!"
Devimon held up his hand, blowing away the attacks with a wave of dark energy. "Razor Wing!"
"Get down!" Oikawa warned as Devimon's energy blasts tore through the room.
"We have to take this outside!" Lee realised. His eyes came to rest on the window that had been shattered by Devimon's attack earlier. "Terriermon! Lopmon! Force him out the window!"
"Okay, Jen!" The floppy-eared Child started running at the black-clad Adult, calling to Lopmon. "Lopmon! Let's go!"
"Right!" The brownish Digimon began charging at Devimon as well.
"Hn?" The Dark Angel turned to face them, his hands outstretched. "Death Hand!" As before, ghostly purple hands appeared in the air and flew at the two Digimon.
"Now!" Lopmon cried.
"DOUBLE..." Terriermon and Lopmon leapt into the air, above the Death Hands. "CYCLONE!" They both began spinning as if they were using their Petit Twister techniques, but then as then spun faster their attacks combined into a large tornado-like funnel that roared towards Devimon.
"What?!" Bringing his hands up, Devimon attempted to block the cyclone, but it struck him in the stomach, hurling him back. Righting himself, he landed, bringing a hand to his gut. "Ugh..."
"Again!" Lopmon cried.
"DOUBLE CYCLONE!" The two floppy-eared Digimon began spinning again, but this time Devimon was ready.
"Death Claw!" Pulling his arm back, the Dark Digimon covered his hand in evil-looking purple flames as the twin Digimons formed another cyclone.
"Terriermon! Watch out!" Lee's warning came too late as Devimon's arm sliced a purple arc in the air, sending a blade of darkness at the spinning Digimons.
"Aaah!" The blade sliced through their cyclone, barely missing Terriermon's ear. Their concentration broken, both Terriermon and Lopmon crashed on the floor, skidding to a halt just in front of a triumphant Devimon.
"Lopmon!" Shuichon screamed, breaking free of Janyuu's grasp.
Devimon raised his foot to cave in the former Deva's head, but suddenly froze. "Eh?" The Dark Messenger looked around. "This presence?" His eyes narrowed as his gaze landed on a doorway.
The others stared as the door slid open and Alice stepped in. "Alice-san?" Lee whispered.
"Who are you?" Devimon demanded, turning away from Lopmon and Terriermon.
Alice didn't reply, instead meeting Devimon's fierce glare with her own calm one. "..."
'What is this presence I sense around this girl?' Devimon wondered. 'It seems...almost ghostly.' Then he saw it. A shadowy four-legged figure appeared at the girl's side, its fangs bared and eyes glowing. 'What? A Digimon?'
"Leave here, Dark Messenger," the ghost growled. "I will not let you harm anyone here."
"Who are you?" Devimon asked the spectre.
Meanwhile, the others stared. It looked like Devimon was speaking to Alice, but something about the way he was speaking seemed odd. Recovering, though, Lee saw his chance. "Terriermon, Lopmon, use Double Cyclone again."
"Okay, Jen."
"I understand."
"Shuichon, use this," he said, handing his sister a Power Charger card. "When I give the signal, slash the card."
"Okay, Jen-nii-chan," the little girl nodded.
Lee waited for Terriermon and Lopmon to get into position. His partner turned, giving him a thumbs up gesture. The boy nodded, signalling him to begin. "Now!"
"Double Cyclone!"
"Card Slash!" Lee yelled, bringing his hands up in an arc as he slashed the card. "Super Charger!"
Shuichon held up her D-Ark, mimicking her brother. "Card Srrashu! Power Charger!"
"What?!" Devimon whirled, realising to his chargin he had allowed himself to be distracted. The cyclone struck, carrying him through the air and hurling him through the shattered window.
"We've got him!" Shuichon cheered.
"Not yet!" Lee told her. "Stay on your toes!"
--------------
Meanwhile, the battle outside raged just as fiercly as ever. Despite Metal Etemon's departure courtesy of Marine Angemon, Lee and Rapidmon's absence was being felt by the beleagured Tamers. "V-mon Head!" V-mon leapt and rammed a Devidramon in the gut, knocking it down.
"Kuso!" Takato swore as he saw more enemy Digimon arrive. "We can't go on like this!"
"Hey," Kenta said, looking up. "What's that?"
"Huh?" Takato followed his friend's gaze and saw something falling from above. "That's ?!" he gasped as he realised it was a humanoid figure.
"Scatter!" Ruki yelled, diving out of the way.
With a sickening thump, the falling figure crashed into the ground, throwing dust up into the air. When the dust settled, Devimon rose to his feet, dusting himself off. "Hmph. Careless." The Dark Messenger looked around and quickly gauged the situation. "What are you waiting for?" he barked at the other Dark Digimon. "Attack!"
--------------
"It looks like Devimon's rallying the attackers," Reika reported as she re-manned her post. "The others need help!"
"I'm going down there!" Lee told Yamaki as he made for the door. "Shuichon, stay here with Lopmon in case Devimon comes back!"
"Okay, Jen-nii-chan!" The little girl wore a look of grim determination as she replied.
"Culumon and I'll help too," Masahiko told her.
"That's right, Culu!" Culumon agreed.
"Okay, then," Lee said. "Terriermon, let's go!"
"Wait." Oikawa stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the boy's face. "At your current strength, you won't be able to win against those odds."
"Moumantai!" Terriermon replied. "We won't know until we try, right, Jen?"
"Right." Lee met Oikawa's eyes with his steely grey ones. "We're going."
"Hn," Oikawa murmured. "Then I have no choice." Raising his hands, the sunken-eyed man gritted his teeth. A blue glow covered his hands as an orb appeared.
"Qinglongmon's DigiCore..." Lee whispered.
"Take it..." Oikawa told him. "And save your loved ones." As he spoke, the orb flew out of his hands towards him.
Acting quickly, Jen raised his D-Ark, holding it out in front of him. "Yeeaaagghh!" he yelled as the glowing DigiCore struck his D-Ark, the force of the impact knocking him off his feet and out the shattered window Devimon had fellen through.
"Jen-nii-chan!" Shuichon screamed in horror.
"Jennn!" Terriermon yelled, diving after him.
Meanwhile, Janyuu grabbed Oikawa's shirt and slammed him against the wall. "What have you done?!" he demanded angrily, tears threatening to stream down his face.
"Hopefully," Oikawa replied calmly, "I've saved us all."
--------------
"Jennnn!" Terriermon yelled as he leapt out of the window after his falling friend.
"Terriermon!" Lee yelled, holding up his D-Ark. "Matrix Evolution!"
The D-Ark's screen began glowing as it intoned "Matrix Evolution."
Lee felt himself slow down as he repeated "Matrix Evolution." He brought his hands towards his head in a martial arts move and held the D-Ark up as a green glow engulfed him and his clothes faded away.
"Terriermon, evolve!" Terriermon felt the change overcome him as he grew larger, until Lee melted into him. His body exploded in a shower of green data, revealing a massive armoured torso. His arms became longer as machinery formed out of swirling data, fusing around his lower arms. As the process was repeated with his legs, Terriermon's head became replaced by Galgomon's, before switching to Rapidmon and finally transforming into a robotic head with dog-like features. His ears extended as a backpack appeared on his back. As the data cleared a huge flying Digimon was revealed. "Saint Galgomon!" Looking up, the Ultimate waved at Shuichon as she peeked out the window.
"Jen-nii-chan! Terriermon!" she cried happily. "You're okay!"
"Yeah," Saint Galgomon replied. "Now we're gonna help the others!"
"Shuichon, keep your eyes open!" Jen's voice echoed from inside the robotic Digimon.
"Good luck!" she waved as Saint Galgomon descended.
--------------
"Saint Galgomon..." Takato whispered as a huge shadow towered over him and the others. Saint Galgomon landed in front of the others, glancing down at them.
"Takato, Ruki, everyone okay?" Lee asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," Takato replied.
Ruki snorted. "Hmph. Showing up in the nick of time to save the day." She smiled slightly. "You're almost as bad as Ryo!"
"I'll take that as a complement," Lee grinned. "Let's do it, Terriermon!"
"Okay, Jen!" Saint Galgomon stepped forward as Devimon rallied the others. "It's over, Devimon!"
"Not yet!" Metal Etemon yelled as he dived down from a nearby building. "I haven't left the building!" He landed, fixing the larger Ultimate with a arrogant glare. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall!" With that, he leapt up, his foot extended. "Heavy Mon Kick!"
--------------
"Aggh!" Cyberdramon fell back, clutching his side. Piemon smirked as he stepped forward, his swords drawn.
"I'm disappointed, Ryo," he said, smiling. "I would've thought your partner would be a more challenging foe."
Ryo gritted his teeth from where he was pinned to a wall by Lady Devimon. "Coward!" he yelled. "Cyberdramon can't fight back while I'm a hostage!"
"Yes," Piemon smirked. "Pity, isn't it?"
Ryo opened his mouth, but Lady Devimon tightened her grip around his neck. "Be a good boy and keep quiet," she hissed. "I'd hate to have to end your life so soon. The Demon Corp Lady Devimon and I would love to play with you before Piemon kills you."
Ryo didn't reply, cursing his stupidity in not seeing Lady Devimon flying towards them as they rushed back to Hypnos. The next thing he knew, the Fallen Angel had grabbed him and forced Cyberdramon to land where Piemon was waiting.
"Speaking of killing," Piemon grinned, raising his sword. "Playtime's over!"
"You said it!" yelled a voice.
"Eh?" Piemon looked around. "Who's that?"
"Here's a hint!" called another voice. "Heaven Knuckle!" A blast of light burst out of a nearby wall, knocking Piemon off his feet.
"Piemon-sama!" Lady Devimon cried, before glaring at Ryo. "You..." She raised her hand to stab him, but suddenly Cyberdramon appeared in front of her. "What? How'd you move so fast?"
Cyberdramon didn't reply, instead backhanding her with enough force to imbed her in a wall. 'It can't be...'
"Who's there?" Piemon demanded. "Face me!"
"Over here!" As Piemon turned, a green-and-black figure dived out of the sky on dragonfly wings. "Spiking Finish!" A blade extended out of his forearm as he charged at Piemon.
Piemon raised his swords, but was suddenly shocked by the arrival of a six-winged angel wielding a staff. "Angemon?!"
"So it is you, Piemon!" The helmeted angel pulled back his fist. "You should've stayed dead! Heaven Knuckle!"
As the angel was joined by the insectoid warrior against Piemon, Ryo stood in stunned silence. "Who in the world?"
"Ryo-san?!" Ryo whirled at the sound of the voice. A group of children about his age stood nearby, accompanied by a very womanly angel. A black-haired boy, a golden-haired boy wearing an odd hat and a brown-haired girl with a small digital camera around her neck and a goggle-wearing boy were staring at him while the rest of the group, made up of a tall purple-haired girl and a younger boy looked puzzled. "Ryo-san?" the black-haired boy repeated, shock on his face. "Is that really you?"
Ryo's reply was a brilliant "Huh?"
Nearby though, unheard by Ryo, Cyberdramon growled. "Ken..."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preview:
Takato: We can't let the Dark Digimon win!
Juri: Takato-kun, what's that?
Lee: Demon?!
Ruki: Looks like it's time for a showdown...
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing! The Red Knight!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's notes: Sorry for taking so long. I haven't been able to go on-line for months now unless I go to an Internet cafe or the local uni. *sighs*
Reviews, comments, suggestions and criticisms (constructive or otherwise) are welcome and can be sent to Withoutmorals@antisocial.com
Author's notes: I'm paying homage to one of my favourite animes in this chapter. Can you figure out what it is?
Digimon Levels:
Child : Rookie
Adult : Champion
Perfect : Ultimate
Ultimate: Mega
Also, the term 'Biomerge' does not exist in my vocabulary. In the Japanese original, the one I base Dark Wing on, to evolve to Ultimate/ Mega they just say 'Matrix Evolution', except they don't have to slash a card.
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing
The Fortress of Steel: Saint Galgomon!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"Finished?" Cyberdramon looked up and saw the shade hovering in the air. "You're losing your touch," it chuckled, looking down at the deleting corpses of the Triceramon, Metal Tyrannomon and Tuskmon. "It took you longer than usual."
"Quiet." The Perfect glared at the shadow. "What did you do to Impmon?"
"Nothing. I just reawakened his ability to warp-evolve."
"Reawakened?"
"You recall Beelzebumon fell into the D-Reaper during the attempt to rescue Takato's friend?"
"Juri? Yes, I remember."
"Impmon survived because of Beelzebumon's sheer power. However, as a result he lost the power to warp into Ultimate."
"So he's already evolved?"
"I don't know. I returned the ability. Whether he uses it or not is up to him." The shade began sinking into Cyberdramon's body. "You know my way. I'll provide the catalyst, but that's all."
"Sink or swim."
"Exactly. Now let's go find Ryo."
**************
"We have incoming!" warned a JSDF trooper as he saw a group of flying Card Digimon dive down. The JSDF copters flew up to meet them and soon the sky was alight with battle once more.
"How many of these damn things are there?" the officer cursed.
"In a few seconds, there won't be any!" Beelzebumon droved up beside the jeep, smirking. "Just get the humans to safety. I'll finish these guys."
"What the? Who are you?"
"Does it matter?" The green-eyed biker drew the shotgun from his shoulder holster. "Kurae!" He pulled the trigger, a power-charged bullet ripping through the air. The bullet easily tore through the enemy Digimon, deleting all of the attackers with one shot. "Now get going!" Seeing more enemy Digimon ahead, the Demon Lord revved Behemoth's engine and roared ahead, aiming his shotgun. "Out of my way!" he yelled, pulling the trigger.
**************
"Well, well, well," Metal Etemon chuckled as he stood at the head of his troops. "My audience has arrived!"
"Metal Etemon," Ruki said, ignoring his chatter and checking his data. "Virus. Cyborg Digimon. Ultimate. Ultimate techniques: Dark Spirits DX, Heavy Monkick, Banana Slip."
"Hey!" the metallic primate yelled. "Don't ignore me!"
"We'd better take them out fast," Lee told Takato. "This might just be a diversion."
"Got it. Jen! Ruki!" Takato held up a card, its surface already shimmering into a Blue Card.
"Let's go!" Ruki yelled. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Card Slash!" they called out. "MATRIX EVOLUTION!" With practised ease, the three Tamers slashed their Blue Cards and in seconds Megalo Growmon, Rapidmon and Taomon stood alongside MarineAngemon and Leomon, ready for battle.
"Let's rock!" Metal Etemon howled. "Go get 'em!"
"Yeah!" his troops yelled, charging at the Tamers.
"Everyone, stay on your toes," Leomon warned, drawing his sword Shishioumaru. "This will be different from fighting mindless Card Digimon!"
Takato nodded then turned to face the attacking Dark Digimon. "Attack!"
**************
"Hmph." Beelzebumon retracted his arm from the gut of a Metal Tyrannomon. "Weak." He looked over his shoulder at the convoy, which was now joined by a squad of tanks and a group of jet fighters. "Ai and Makoto should be safe by now." The sound of roaring told him Guardromon had landed. Glancing at the Adult and his partner, the black-clad Demon Lord spoke. "That the last of them?"
"Looks like it," Hirokazu replied. "Thanks for your help."
Beelzebumon nodded. "What in blazes is going on? Why did those things attack this place?"
"The others thought they might have gone berserk after Belial Vamdemon was killed. It was just random, I think." Guardromon spoke to Hirokazu. "Is that right?"
"Yeah, that's basically it," Hirokazu replied. Holsmon landed, V-mon and Digmon on his back.
"That's the last of them," the four-legged flier reported. "And all the people are safe."
"That's good to hear," Hirokazu said. He brought a hand up to his headset. "This is Hirokazu. We've finished off the Card Digimon."
There was crackling and Yamaki's voice could be heard. "Good work. Now get back here! We're under attack!"
"What?!" Hirokazu yelled.
**************
"They're trying to communicate with someone," Nanomon reported from his post behind Metal Etemon's forces. His wire-like arms waved in the air as he spoke. "They appear to be calling for help."
"Jam the transmission," ordered Devimon. His glowing red eyes were fixed on the Hypnos building, seeking out the most likely place he could enter undetected. "Ah."
"Find something?" Nanomon asked, looking up from a computer console Mugendramon had provided him.
"My way in." Devimon spread his wings, the dark jewel in his forehead glinting malignantly. "You know what to do."
"Yes," the Perfect replied. The mechanical Digimon's robotic brain began glowing inside he clear dome that protected it. "I won't fail."
"See that you don't."
**************
"Yamaki!" Reika yelled. "More of them!"
"What?" Yamaki whirled and stalked over, looking over her shoulder. "Where?"
"They're headed in Hirokazu-kun and Ryo-kun's location!"
"Chikuso!" Speaking into his headset, he tried to warn Hirokazu. "Hirokazu-kun! Ryo-kun! Watch out! There are more Digimon headed your way!"
There was no reply. Instead a dry, rasping voice spoke. "I am sorry, but this call is over! Can't have you spoiling our plans, now can we?" With a final, cruel laugh, the transmission was cut.
"No!" Yamaki yelled, tearing the headset off and hurling it onto the floor. "We have to warn them!"
Shibumi put a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "You've done all you can," he said. "Just have faith in them."
"Kuso," Yamaki swore. "How much longer before Shaggai is back online?"
"Half an hour, at least."
"Understood." The blond turned to his bridge crew. "When Shaggai is powered up, we'll blast these monsters and wipe them out in one blow! Everyone, do your best!"
**************
"Cyberdramon!" Ryo ran up as his partner landed among the ruins of a playground. "Where were you?"
The armoured dragon cocked his head as he looked around at the upturned trees and twisted metal that children once played on. "Fighting."
"What else?" Ryo sighed, shaking his head. "We have to get back to Hypnos. I got a report that they're under attack."
"Right." The cyborg picked Ryo up and took a running jump into the air, soaring in the direction of the Hypnos building.
**************
"Atomic Blaster!" Megalo Growmon's attack tore through a squad of enemy Digimon, deleting them in a single blow. Seeing Metal Etemon standing on a ruined bus, directing the attack, the huge cyborg dragon charged at him, his arm blades glowing. "Double Edge!"
As the crimson Perfect brought his right arm blade down, Metal Etemon acted quickly, snapping his hands up and deftly catching the blade between his hands. "Not so fast!" Coiling his legs, he jumped up, still holding Megalo Growmon's arm blade. At the height of his jump, Metal Etemon heaved, pulling Megalo Gromwon off his feet. Landing, the Ultimate caught the larger Digimon and held him over his head. Smirking, he couldn't help taunting the Tamers. "You could at least be a challenge!"
"Megalo Growmon!" Rapidmon flew at Metal Etemon to help his friend.
"You want him?" Metal Etemon grinned. "You can have him!"
"Uh-oh." Rapidmon realised his mistake too late as Metal Etemon hurled Megalo Growmon at him.
As the two Perfects crashed into a building, Taomon stood on a lamp post, her hands hidden inside her sleeves. "Fox Seal Paper!" The air was filled with her Holy Seals, exploding as they struck the Dark Digimon. Drawing her huge brush from one of her sleeves, the priestess leapt into the air, floating as she made deft strokes with her brush. "Buddhist Brush Brandish!" Before she could finish, Metal Etemon charged forward.
"Let me show you my perfect..." He leapt into the air. "Invincible..." He reached out, holding a microphone in his hand. "LOVE SERENADE!" At his yell, a powerful shockwave struck Taomon, battering her mercilessly.
"Taomon!" Ruki yelled as she watched her partner crash on to the ground. Metal Etemon landed close by, crushing her dropped brush with a stomp of his foot.
"And now the finale!" Metal Etemon grinned. "Step back, boys," he called to his troops. "This is my show!"
"It's not over yet!" Leomon roared, dashing at him. "Juri!"
"Card Slash!" Juri cried. "Power Charger!"
"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon punched at Metal Etemon, his attack powered up by the card. The roaring lion's head knocked the metallic monkey back, into his minions.
"Ouch!" he yelled, leaping back onto his feet. He clutched his stomach.
"You okay?" asked a Bakemon.
"No, I'm not okay!" Metal Etemon seethed. Turning to Leomon, he said, "Do you know how difficult it is to get myself so shiny? Now you've gone and scratched me!"
**************
Watching from not far away, Nanomon sweatdropped. "Idiot."
**************
"..." The Tamers took advantage of the sweatdrop moment Metal Etemon's comment caused to check on their partners. "Megalo Growmon, you okay?"
"How about you, Rapidmon?"
"I'll be fine..." Rapidmon said, "once Megalo Growmon gets off! You're heavy!"
"Sorry," the larger Digimon apologised, getting up.
"Takato," Lee said. "What cards can we use on Metal Etemon?"
"Maybe attack-boosting cards?" Takato suggested.
"No good," Ruki told him as she and Taomon reached them. "Even with cards, Metal Etemon won't go down easily."
"Can't you just go to Ultimate?" Juri asked.
"I tried," Ruki told her. "But we can't for some reason."
"Snake Bandage!" Mummymon landed nearby, glancing at them over his shoulder. "What are you doing?" he demanded. "Do something!"
"We're trying to come up with a plan!" Lee told him.
"Try harder!" Archnemon replied, using her Spirit Needle technique to scatter a group of enemy Digimon.
"Heavy Monkick!" Metal Etemon launched himself at Leomon, his leg out stretched.
"Agh!" Leomon cartwheeled aside, dodging the Ultimate.
"Out of the way, Leomon!" Kenta warned. Looking over his shoulder, the Beast Man Digimon saw Marine Angemon hovering beside the green-haired boy, the heart symbol on his chest glowing. As he leapt out of the way, Kenta spoke to his partner. "NOW!"
"Pupipi!" The little pink Digimon fired a beam from his chest, aimed at Metal Etemon.
"What the?" Seeing the beam coming, Metal Etemon's eyes widened behind his shades. "Yipe!" He held out his hand. "Dark Spirits DX!" A yellowish lightning bolt blasted at Marine Angemon, hitting his beam. The resulting explosion knocked both of them back. "Whoa," Metal Etemon gasped, getting up. "You're small, but you pack a punch!" The Ultimate clenched his fist. "Better get rid of you first!"
**************
Behemoth roared down the street on the way to the besieged Hypnos Towers, carrying Beelzebumon and V-mon. Beside them flew Holsmon and Guardromon, carrying Digmon and Hirokazu. "We should be there soon!" Hirokazu yelled, trying to make himself heard over the roar of the wind.
Beelzebumon's sharp ears caught the sound. Knowing there was no way the human could hear him, the biker nodded and revved his engine, pulling ahead. Then his eyes widened as he sensed something approach.
"What is it?" V-mon asked.
"Trouble!" Turning, he brought Behemoth to a screeching halt. "Here they come!" Landing, the others looked up and saw a familiar shadow in the sky.
"Is that...Gigadramon?" Hirokazu gasped. "I thought we took care of him!"
"That was a fake," Beelzebumon growled. "This one's the real thing!"
"And he's not alone, either!" As Gigadramon hovered above them, a similar Digimon appeared behind them, this one red with purple wings. "Megadramon..." Hirokazu whispered, recognising it.
"We have to go," Guardromon reminded them. "The others need us!"
"Go on, then," Beelzebumon told them. "I'll handle these two!"
"Okay," Hirokazu agreed. "Be careful!"
"Heh, you're kidding, right?" Beelzebumon got off his bike, drawing his shotguns. "Who's first?"
The two Perfects roared and dived at him while Hirokazu and the others continued on their way.
**************
The buzz of activity filled the room which housed the gigantic machine known as the Shaggai System. Engineers and programmers swarmed the technological marvel, carrying out checks and trying to bring it back on-line, knowing full well it might be the only thing that could stop the forces of Demon and his minions. Unfortunately, they were so busy, no one noticed a dark shadow appear above them, hidden in shadows. "So..." Devimon muttered to himself. "This is the weapon..." Careful to keep out of sight, the demonic Digimon hovered nearby, until a screen caught his attention.
"Yes, ma'am," said an engineer. "The Shaggai should be ready soon."
"Shaggai..." Devimon repeated. "Is that this machine's name?"
"Good," Reika replied. "We need it ready as soon as possible. The Tamers are barely holding on as it is!"
"We'll do the best we can, but we're engineers, not miracle workers!"
"Understood. Carry on." The screen went blank as Reika signed off. The engineer turned to the others.
"All right, we've got our work cut out for us. Let's get on with it!"
Devimon watched silently as the men and women went back to work. "So..." he mused. "The weapon is not functional..." He grinned. "How fortunate."
**************
"Card Slash! Metal Garurumon!" At Takato's yell, missile pods appeared on Megalo Growmon's arms and legs.
"Garuru Cross Freezer!" A barrage of missiles launched, scattering Metal Etemon and his forces. "Atomic Blaster!" Following up the missile attack with a blast from his chest cannons, the cyborg struck Metal Etemon knocking him back.
"Now I've got you!" Mummymon yelled. "Eat this!" Raising his rifle, he fired off a burst of shots at the Ultimate. The blasts bounced off his metal skin as he whirled in mid-air and landed upright.
"Did you really expect that to work?" Archnemon asked as she entangled a group of Gazimon with her Spider Thread technique.
"Well, I was kind of hoping it would," Mummymon replied sheepishly.
"Idiot."
Meanwhile, the Tamers were taking stock of their situation behind the safety of one of Taomon's shields. Lee spoke first. "I'm open to suggestions," the olive-skinned boy said.
"Keep hitting him until he drops?" Kenta suggested.
"No good," Ruki told him. "Normally, that might work, but Metal Etemon's got an army to back him up. We've never fought so many Digimon at once before..."
"Yeah," Takato agreed. "Not even when we went up against Mephismon's Digimon."
"So what do we do?" Juri asked. "Try to hold out until Hirokazu-kun and Ryo-san get back?"
Ruki hissed. "Looks like we don't have a choice. With our current power, we might not win."
"Ruki, can't you and Renamon Matrix Evolve?" Takato asked. "Sakuyamon could probably beat all of these guys."
"I've tried, but we can't for some reason."
"How'd you pull it off last time?" Lee asked.
Taomon answered. "Something struck Ruki's D-Ark."
Ruki nodded. "Then all of a sudden, I felt like we could Matrix Evolve."
"I wonder what happened?" Takato mused.
"No time to worry about that now," Taomon told them. "I can't hold the shield up any longer!"
"Okay," Lee said, taking charge. "Taomon, get ready to drop your shield when I say so." He turned to Kenta. "Kenta, can you and Marine Angemon distract Metal Etemon?"
"No problem," the other boy replied, smiling at his partner. "Right? Marine Angemon?"
"Pupipi!"
"Good. Then while Marine Angemon keeps Metal Etemon occupied, we'll take out his forces. With any luck when Hirokazu and Ryo-san get back, we'll have the advantage."
"Then let's do it!" Ruki drew one of her cards as she steeled herself for battle.
Lee, Takato, Juri and Kenta nodded in agreement and drew cards of their own. "Taomon..." Lee said, preparing to slash the card he held. "NOW!"
"CARD SLASH!"
**************
"Darkness Claw!" Beelzebumon's right hand began glowing as he swung his arm. There was a flash as his claw connected with a huge metal scythe Megadramon extended from its spike arm. As the two struggled, Gigadramon loomed up from behind, one of his spike arms opening as a similar scythe appeared. "Huh," Beelzebumon snorted as he saw it coming out of the corner of his eye. "Naive." He bent his leg and kicked away from Megadramon, somersaulting and drawing his shoulder shotgun. As he soared above Gigadramon's head, he smirked and drew his leg shotgun, firing two shots that ricocheted off the Dark Dragon Digimon's armoured head. "?!" Surprised, the demonic biker landed and looked at his guns. "Hmph," he chuckled, reholstering them. "This may be more fun than I thought..." He held up his hands and shook his head, stretching his muscles. "Come on..." he said to the two Perfects. "Show me what you can do!"
**************
Ryo watched as Gigadramon and Megadramon's huge forms dived at a much smaller humanoid figure. "Cyberdramon! Someone's in trouble!"
"Yes..." his partner growled as he carried Ryo in the direction of the besieged Hypnos Towers. "Megadramon and Gigadramon."
"What are you talking..." Ryo trailed off as Gigadramon and Megadramon were thrown back, crashing heavily on the ground. "Oh."
"Leave them to him. We have more important things to do." Cyberdramon fell silent as he increased his speed, his blood boiling with the thought of battle.
**************
Meanwhile, far from the battles which raged between the Tamers and his Dark Digimon, Demon sat on his throne in Devimon's temple, making use of the Dark Messenger's Black Gears to observed the battle. "Demon." The horned Dark Digimon looked up and saw Piemon standing before him.
"What is it, Piemon?"
"I'd like permission to engage Akiyama Ryo myself."
"Why?"
"Ryo defeated me in the past. I want revenge."
Demon shifted slightly, fixing Piemon with an intent glare. "He defeated you once. Who's to say he won't do it again?" The Demon Lord sat back, steepling his fingers. "Besides, I've already dispatched Megadramon and Gigadramon to the task of destroying the isolated Tamers."
"Nevertheless, I will go as well." Piemon raised his voice. "I want to take Ryo's head myself!"
Demon sighed. "So be it. Do as you wish."
Piemon smiled and bowed. "Thank you. I'll be going then." As the Dark Master left, Demon spoke to him.
"Be careful, Hell's Fool. You are still valuable to our cause."
"..." Piemon nodded once, then he was gone.
**************
"Rapid Fire!" Rapidmon whirled in the air, launching missiles in all directions. Despite scattering a number of the enemy, a group flew after him, forcing him to flee. "How many of these guys are there?"
Meanwhile, some of the Dark Digimon piled on Megalo Growmon, trying to drag him down. "Double Edge!" Spinning, the cyborg Demon Dragon managed to dislodge them before blasting them with his Atomic Blaster technique. He panted, almost out of breath. "Takato, there's too many!"
"Just try to hold on, Megalo Growmon!" Takato yelled, wincing as a stray blast hit the ground nearby.
"Don't waste your time on the Digimon!" Metal Etemon ordered as he made repeated punches, trying to hit Marine Angemon. "Aim for the kids!"
"Pipipii!" The heart symbol on Marine Angemon's chest began glowing as he dodged Metal Etemon's blows.
"No, you don't!" Coiling his legs, Metal Etemon leapt into the air. "Heavy Monkick!" He dived at the smaller Ultimate, extending his foot to mash him into the ground.
Marine Angemon opened his mouth. "Pupipii!" A small bluish bubble flew out of his mouth, floating at Metal Etemon.
"What the?!" The metallic monkey barely had time to blink before the bubble suddenly enlarged itself and covered him, trapping him inside. "Hey! Hey! What is this?" The bubble began floating upwards, taking him with it. "Oi! You guys! Get me out of here!"
"Right, boss!" A group of Gazimon began running after him.
"Great move, Marine Angemon," Kenta complimented. "That'll keep him out of our hair for awhile!"
"Kenta!" Ruki yelled. "Watch out!"
"Huh?" The green-haired boy looked up to see a Devidramon diving at him. "Aaah!" He scrambled to run, but tripped and fell on his behind.
"Destruction Grenade!" The Dark Dragon Digimon was blown out of the sky by a couple of missiles as Guardromon appeared, followed by Holsmon.
"Kenta!" Hirokazu called as Guardromon hovered above, letting him hop off. "You okay?" He held out a hand to help his friend up.
"Yeah, thanks." Kenta accepted Hirokazu's hand and let himself be pulled up. "You showed up just in time."
"We'd have been here sooner," the visored boy explained, "but we were held up."
"What's important is you're here now," Ruki said, running up to them. "Where's Ryo?"
"Don't know," Hirokazu shrugged. "We got seperated during the battle."
"Ryo-san will have to handle himself," Lee told them. "We need to worry about ourselves right now!"
As the words left his mouth, more enemy Digimon arrived and joined the battle. "You had to say it, didn't you?" Ruki growled.
Lee rubbed his head sheepishly. "Sorry."
**************
"Hirokazu-kun and his team just arrived," Megumi reported. "But another group of Digimon have arrived as well."
"So we're not out of the woods yet..." Yamaki mused.
"That is an understatement..."
"Who?" Yamaki whirled around to see Devimon hovering in the middle of the room. "You're..."
"Devimon!" Lopmon hissed, leaping protectively in front of Shuichon and the others.
The black-clad Adult spread his wings. "Though I gain no pleasure from this, you must die."
"I will not let you harm them!" Lopmon leapt out of Shuichon's arms and ran at the Fallen Angel. "Blazing Ice!"
The Dark Digimon raised a leather-covered hand, deflecting the attack easily. "Death Hand!" An aura covered his hand, launching at Lopmon.
"Watch out!" Shuichon cried as the glowing aura formed an eerie ghostly hand.
"Petite Twister!" Spinning, Lopmon managed to avoid the attack. "Blazing I-"
"Lopmon! Behind you!"
The brown floppy-eared Child turned, but it was too late. "Akkkk!" The ghostly hand Devimon had used had come up from behind him, wrapping its fingers around him and squeezing him painfully.
"Lopmon!" Shuichon cried, trying to run to him, but her father held her tight.
"Shuichon, no!" Janyuu told her. "It's too dangerous!"
"But...Lopmon!"
Devimon glanced at the little girl. "I seek the one who controls the weapon that almost killed Demon."
"That would be me," Yamaki said, stepping forward. "Leave my subordinates out of this." He gestured to Janyuu and the rest of the Tamers' families.
"Sir!" Reika gasped. "You can't..."
"Fine," Devimon told the blond-haired man. He nodded to the others. "You may leave. I don't believe in mindless slaughter. I only need the controller." The demonic Digimon's eyes narrowed. "However..." He looked at Shuichon, glaring at her dangerously. "The Tamer must die." His wings suddenly spread out as he dashed at her.
"Watch out!" Megumi yelled.
Whirling, Devimon delivered a swift roundhouse kick to Janyuu, knocking him into a table and sending computers and papers to the floor. "Daddy!" Shuichon screamed.
Devimon towered above her, his claws outstretched. "Death Claw!"
"No!" Lee Rinchei, her older brother, ran up, smashing a chair on the back of Devimon's head. "Stay away from my sister!"
"Onii-chan!"
Devimon stumbled, shaking his head. "I would've spared you and left after I killed the Tamer and the controller. Now, you will die as well. Razor Wing!"
As the boy ducked, the purple energy blasts tore through the room, finally shattering the huge window that gave them a view of the city. "Blast!" cursed Oikawa. "I should've made Mummymon or Archnemon stay here!"
As Devimon's attack continued, Shuichon cried out, "Jen-nii-chan! Terriermon!"
**************
"Huh?"
"What's wrong, Jen?" Ruki asked.
The olive-skinned boy looked up. "I thought I heard Shuichon..." Just then, they heard the faint sound of breaking glass. "What was that?"
"Something must've happened inside!" Takato decided.
"I'm going up there," Jen told them. "Can you handle things here?"
"Yeah," Ruki told him. "Be careful, Jen."
"Right." He called out. "Rapidmon!"
"Already here, Jen!" The green Cyborg Perfect landed nearby. "Let's go!"
As Jen climbed on, Hirokazu called to Guardromon. "Guardromon, give them some cover!"
"On it." As Rapidmon and Lee began their ascent, Guardromon flew with them, firing at any enemies who came too close. "Warning Laser!" Twin energy beams launched out of the mechanical Adult's eyes, scattering a swarm of Flymon.
"Thanks, Guardromon," Lee called. "We'll take it from here!"
"Good luck!" The machine Digimon waved and dived at the enemy from above, launching Destruction Grenades at them.
*************
"Protect!" The triangle on Culumon's forehead began glowing as a barrier materialised, protecting Masahiko, Janyuu, Shibumi and the others.
"Hn?" Devimon paused and glanced at Culumon. "That barrier..." He turned away from Rinchei and faced Culumon. "You're the one who deflected Mugendramon's attack?" The demonic Digimon folded his wings, walking slowly towards the smaller Digimon. "I have never seen a Child Level capable of deflecting an Ultimate's attack." His lip curled. "Not since Lucemon."
"Devimon!" The Dark Messenger turned at the sound of Lee's voice. "Stay away from our families!" The boy leapt out of Rapidmon's arms. "Rapidmon, better devolve. You can't fit in here."
"Okay, Jen!" The huge Perfect began glowing as he devolved back into Terriermon. "Lopmon, Shuichon, are you okay?"
"You arrived just in time," his brown, tri-horned twin replied.
"Dad!" Lee knelt beside Janyuu, who was helped up by the others. "Dad, are you alright?"
"I'll be fine," his father replied. "Protect the others!"
"I will, don't worry." Lee stood up, glaring hatefully at Devimon. "You..." The boy looked around the room, seeing the destruction and injuries caused by his attack. "Why...why did you do this?" His face twisted in a display of anger. "Answer me!"
"I do whatever I need to to accomplish my task." Devimon took a step forward.
"You heartless monster!" Lee yelled. "We'll make sure you hurt no one else!"
"You are welcome to try, Tamer!" Devimon spread his wings, his lean body shifting into a battle stance. "I will tear you apart!"
"Not while I'm here!" Terriermon told him. "Blazing Fire!"
Following the other Child, Lopmon launched his own attack. "Blazing Ice!"
Devimon held up his hand, blowing away the attacks with a wave of dark energy. "Razor Wing!"
"Get down!" Oikawa warned as Devimon's energy blasts tore through the room.
"We have to take this outside!" Lee realised. His eyes came to rest on the window that had been shattered by Devimon's attack earlier. "Terriermon! Lopmon! Force him out the window!"
"Okay, Jen!" The floppy-eared Child started running at the black-clad Adult, calling to Lopmon. "Lopmon! Let's go!"
"Right!" The brownish Digimon began charging at Devimon as well.
"Hn?" The Dark Angel turned to face them, his hands outstretched. "Death Hand!" As before, ghostly purple hands appeared in the air and flew at the two Digimon.
"Now!" Lopmon cried.
"DOUBLE..." Terriermon and Lopmon leapt into the air, above the Death Hands. "CYCLONE!" They both began spinning as if they were using their Petit Twister techniques, but then as then spun faster their attacks combined into a large tornado-like funnel that roared towards Devimon.
"What?!" Bringing his hands up, Devimon attempted to block the cyclone, but it struck him in the stomach, hurling him back. Righting himself, he landed, bringing a hand to his gut. "Ugh..."
"Again!" Lopmon cried.
"DOUBLE CYCLONE!" The two floppy-eared Digimon began spinning again, but this time Devimon was ready.
"Death Claw!" Pulling his arm back, the Dark Digimon covered his hand in evil-looking purple flames as the twin Digimons formed another cyclone.
"Terriermon! Watch out!" Lee's warning came too late as Devimon's arm sliced a purple arc in the air, sending a blade of darkness at the spinning Digimons.
"Aaah!" The blade sliced through their cyclone, barely missing Terriermon's ear. Their concentration broken, both Terriermon and Lopmon crashed on the floor, skidding to a halt just in front of a triumphant Devimon.
"Lopmon!" Shuichon screamed, breaking free of Janyuu's grasp.
Devimon raised his foot to cave in the former Deva's head, but suddenly froze. "Eh?" The Dark Messenger looked around. "This presence?" His eyes narrowed as his gaze landed on a doorway.
The others stared as the door slid open and Alice stepped in. "Alice-san?" Lee whispered.
"Who are you?" Devimon demanded, turning away from Lopmon and Terriermon.
Alice didn't reply, instead meeting Devimon's fierce glare with her own calm one. "..."
'What is this presence I sense around this girl?' Devimon wondered. 'It seems...almost ghostly.' Then he saw it. A shadowy four-legged figure appeared at the girl's side, its fangs bared and eyes glowing. 'What? A Digimon?'
"Leave here, Dark Messenger," the ghost growled. "I will not let you harm anyone here."
"Who are you?" Devimon asked the spectre.
Meanwhile, the others stared. It looked like Devimon was speaking to Alice, but something about the way he was speaking seemed odd. Recovering, though, Lee saw his chance. "Terriermon, Lopmon, use Double Cyclone again."
"Okay, Jen."
"I understand."
"Shuichon, use this," he said, handing his sister a Power Charger card. "When I give the signal, slash the card."
"Okay, Jen-nii-chan," the little girl nodded.
Lee waited for Terriermon and Lopmon to get into position. His partner turned, giving him a thumbs up gesture. The boy nodded, signalling him to begin. "Now!"
"Double Cyclone!"
"Card Slash!" Lee yelled, bringing his hands up in an arc as he slashed the card. "Super Charger!"
Shuichon held up her D-Ark, mimicking her brother. "Card Srrashu! Power Charger!"
"What?!" Devimon whirled, realising to his chargin he had allowed himself to be distracted. The cyclone struck, carrying him through the air and hurling him through the shattered window.
"We've got him!" Shuichon cheered.
"Not yet!" Lee told her. "Stay on your toes!"
--------------
Meanwhile, the battle outside raged just as fiercly as ever. Despite Metal Etemon's departure courtesy of Marine Angemon, Lee and Rapidmon's absence was being felt by the beleagured Tamers. "V-mon Head!" V-mon leapt and rammed a Devidramon in the gut, knocking it down.
"Kuso!" Takato swore as he saw more enemy Digimon arrive. "We can't go on like this!"
"Hey," Kenta said, looking up. "What's that?"
"Huh?" Takato followed his friend's gaze and saw something falling from above. "That's ?!" he gasped as he realised it was a humanoid figure.
"Scatter!" Ruki yelled, diving out of the way.
With a sickening thump, the falling figure crashed into the ground, throwing dust up into the air. When the dust settled, Devimon rose to his feet, dusting himself off. "Hmph. Careless." The Dark Messenger looked around and quickly gauged the situation. "What are you waiting for?" he barked at the other Dark Digimon. "Attack!"
--------------
"It looks like Devimon's rallying the attackers," Reika reported as she re-manned her post. "The others need help!"
"I'm going down there!" Lee told Yamaki as he made for the door. "Shuichon, stay here with Lopmon in case Devimon comes back!"
"Okay, Jen-nii-chan!" The little girl wore a look of grim determination as she replied.
"Culumon and I'll help too," Masahiko told her.
"That's right, Culu!" Culumon agreed.
"Okay, then," Lee said. "Terriermon, let's go!"
"Wait." Oikawa stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the boy's face. "At your current strength, you won't be able to win against those odds."
"Moumantai!" Terriermon replied. "We won't know until we try, right, Jen?"
"Right." Lee met Oikawa's eyes with his steely grey ones. "We're going."
"Hn," Oikawa murmured. "Then I have no choice." Raising his hands, the sunken-eyed man gritted his teeth. A blue glow covered his hands as an orb appeared.
"Qinglongmon's DigiCore..." Lee whispered.
"Take it..." Oikawa told him. "And save your loved ones." As he spoke, the orb flew out of his hands towards him.
Acting quickly, Jen raised his D-Ark, holding it out in front of him. "Yeeaaagghh!" he yelled as the glowing DigiCore struck his D-Ark, the force of the impact knocking him off his feet and out the shattered window Devimon had fellen through.
"Jen-nii-chan!" Shuichon screamed in horror.
"Jennn!" Terriermon yelled, diving after him.
Meanwhile, Janyuu grabbed Oikawa's shirt and slammed him against the wall. "What have you done?!" he demanded angrily, tears threatening to stream down his face.
"Hopefully," Oikawa replied calmly, "I've saved us all."
--------------
"Jennnn!" Terriermon yelled as he leapt out of the window after his falling friend.
"Terriermon!" Lee yelled, holding up his D-Ark. "Matrix Evolution!"
The D-Ark's screen began glowing as it intoned "Matrix Evolution."
Lee felt himself slow down as he repeated "Matrix Evolution." He brought his hands towards his head in a martial arts move and held the D-Ark up as a green glow engulfed him and his clothes faded away.
"Terriermon, evolve!" Terriermon felt the change overcome him as he grew larger, until Lee melted into him. His body exploded in a shower of green data, revealing a massive armoured torso. His arms became longer as machinery formed out of swirling data, fusing around his lower arms. As the process was repeated with his legs, Terriermon's head became replaced by Galgomon's, before switching to Rapidmon and finally transforming into a robotic head with dog-like features. His ears extended as a backpack appeared on his back. As the data cleared a huge flying Digimon was revealed. "Saint Galgomon!" Looking up, the Ultimate waved at Shuichon as she peeked out the window.
"Jen-nii-chan! Terriermon!" she cried happily. "You're okay!"
"Yeah," Saint Galgomon replied. "Now we're gonna help the others!"
"Shuichon, keep your eyes open!" Jen's voice echoed from inside the robotic Digimon.
"Good luck!" she waved as Saint Galgomon descended.
--------------
"Saint Galgomon..." Takato whispered as a huge shadow towered over him and the others. Saint Galgomon landed in front of the others, glancing down at them.
"Takato, Ruki, everyone okay?" Lee asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," Takato replied.
Ruki snorted. "Hmph. Showing up in the nick of time to save the day." She smiled slightly. "You're almost as bad as Ryo!"
"I'll take that as a complement," Lee grinned. "Let's do it, Terriermon!"
"Okay, Jen!" Saint Galgomon stepped forward as Devimon rallied the others. "It's over, Devimon!"
"Not yet!" Metal Etemon yelled as he dived down from a nearby building. "I haven't left the building!" He landed, fixing the larger Ultimate with a arrogant glare. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall!" With that, he leapt up, his foot extended. "Heavy Mon Kick!"
--------------
"Aggh!" Cyberdramon fell back, clutching his side. Piemon smirked as he stepped forward, his swords drawn.
"I'm disappointed, Ryo," he said, smiling. "I would've thought your partner would be a more challenging foe."
Ryo gritted his teeth from where he was pinned to a wall by Lady Devimon. "Coward!" he yelled. "Cyberdramon can't fight back while I'm a hostage!"
"Yes," Piemon smirked. "Pity, isn't it?"
Ryo opened his mouth, but Lady Devimon tightened her grip around his neck. "Be a good boy and keep quiet," she hissed. "I'd hate to have to end your life so soon. The Demon Corp Lady Devimon and I would love to play with you before Piemon kills you."
Ryo didn't reply, cursing his stupidity in not seeing Lady Devimon flying towards them as they rushed back to Hypnos. The next thing he knew, the Fallen Angel had grabbed him and forced Cyberdramon to land where Piemon was waiting.
"Speaking of killing," Piemon grinned, raising his sword. "Playtime's over!"
"You said it!" yelled a voice.
"Eh?" Piemon looked around. "Who's that?"
"Here's a hint!" called another voice. "Heaven Knuckle!" A blast of light burst out of a nearby wall, knocking Piemon off his feet.
"Piemon-sama!" Lady Devimon cried, before glaring at Ryo. "You..." She raised her hand to stab him, but suddenly Cyberdramon appeared in front of her. "What? How'd you move so fast?"
Cyberdramon didn't reply, instead backhanding her with enough force to imbed her in a wall. 'It can't be...'
"Who's there?" Piemon demanded. "Face me!"
"Over here!" As Piemon turned, a green-and-black figure dived out of the sky on dragonfly wings. "Spiking Finish!" A blade extended out of his forearm as he charged at Piemon.
Piemon raised his swords, but was suddenly shocked by the arrival of a six-winged angel wielding a staff. "Angemon?!"
"So it is you, Piemon!" The helmeted angel pulled back his fist. "You should've stayed dead! Heaven Knuckle!"
As the angel was joined by the insectoid warrior against Piemon, Ryo stood in stunned silence. "Who in the world?"
"Ryo-san?!" Ryo whirled at the sound of the voice. A group of children about his age stood nearby, accompanied by a very womanly angel. A black-haired boy, a golden-haired boy wearing an odd hat and a brown-haired girl with a small digital camera around her neck and a goggle-wearing boy were staring at him while the rest of the group, made up of a tall purple-haired girl and a younger boy looked puzzled. "Ryo-san?" the black-haired boy repeated, shock on his face. "Is that really you?"
Ryo's reply was a brilliant "Huh?"
Nearby though, unheard by Ryo, Cyberdramon growled. "Ken..."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preview:
Takato: We can't let the Dark Digimon win!
Juri: Takato-kun, what's that?
Lee: Demon?!
Ruki: Looks like it's time for a showdown...
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing! The Red Knight!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's notes: Sorry for taking so long. I haven't been able to go on-line for months now unless I go to an Internet cafe or the local uni. *sighs*
Reviews, comments, suggestions and criticisms (constructive or otherwise) are welcome and can be sent to Withoutmorals@antisocial.com