Author's notes: Hn. I've no excuses for taking so long with this chapter.
Sorry.
Digimon Levels:
Child: Rookie Adult: Champion Perfect: Ultimate Ultimate: Mega
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing
Showdown! Let's go! Justice Kick!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"Chimeramon..." Takeru snarled.
Ken took a step back. "What...how?"
Chimeramon landed and roared as Daisuke grit his teeth. "I thought we got rid of this guy!"
"You defeated an inferior Chimeramon," the synthetic Digimon laughed. "I am completely different!"
"It can talk now?" Iori gasped.
Takeru whispered to himself. "That voice..." His eyes widened. "Devimon?!"
"Exactly," Chimeramon replied. "Behold, my evolved form!" The synthetic Digimon cocked its head in Ken's direction. "After the Kaizer's dismal failure at resurrecting me, I came to realise that only I could created a perfect Chimeramon." With a roar, it stamped the ground. "And now, I will let not any of you escape!"
"Everyone," Daisuke warned as the Perfect rallied the Dark Digimon. "On your toes!"
*****************
"So this is Devimon's temple?" Ryo stood at the gate Demon's army had passed through not so long ago. "Come on, Cyberdramon. The others could be in serious trouble." Cyberdramon nodded and followed Ryo in. Then he suddenly froze. "What's wrong?" Ryo asked.
"Enemy."
"Then we'd better hurry," Ryo said, running down the hall.
Cyberdramon hovered into the air then flew after him, scooping him up in his arms. "Friends...this way." The Perfect carried his partner through the halls, flying in the direction of the strongest darkness he could sense.
*****************
"Hahahahaha." Piemon chuckled as he walked around the battlefield he and Beelzebumon had chosen for their showdown. "I'm impressed. Few would even consider facing me alone."
"That makes me special, huh?" Beelzebumon replied. He drew his guns. "Anytime you're ready."
Piemon whirled his swords and held them in a battle pose. "Shall I begin?"
"If you like."
The clown smiled. "Then I'm commencing." The Ultimate charged at his opponent.
'Fast!' Beelzebumon thought to himself as he fired at Piemon. The Dark Master grinned as he held his swords up, deflecting his bullets.
"You'll have to do better than that!" he yelled as he leapt up into the air and dived at the three-eyed Demon Lord.
Beelzebumon didn't reply, instead flipping his guns over so he held them by the barrels. Swinging them up, he blocked Piemon's swords with one and struck at the Dark Master with the other.
"Hn," Piemon smirked as he landed nimbly, twirling his swords with practiced ease. "You're going to make this interesting, hmm?"
Beelzebumon's smirk mirrored his as the black-clad Ultimate aimed his guns again. "I'm not going to just make this interesting," he said. "I'm going to make this FINAL!"
"Come then!" Piemon raised his swords and charged as Beelzebumon replaced one gun and dashed at him. "Trump Sword!"
"Darkness Claw!"
*****************
"Agh!" Lee winced as Saint Galgomon fell to a blow from MugenDramon's tail.
"You okay, Jen?" Terriermon's voice asked.
"Yeah," the boy replied. "How about you?"
"Moumantai," the giant green robot said, getting up. To MugenDramon, he said, "Let's try that again!" His shoulders opened up as he yelled. "Giant Bazooka!"
"Mugen Cannon!" MugenDramon's cannons swung forward and fired, the energy beams destroying the missiles Saint Galgomon launched and continued on to strike him.
"Uff!" the Ultimate grunted as he blocked the blasts with his hands. "That didn't go well."
"No good," Lee said. "His energy weapons will just go through our missiles!" The blue-black haired boy narrowed his eyes. "Terriermon, we need to move in for close combat!"
"Got it!" Saint Galgomon's ears extended into wings and his backpack opened, revealing boosters that flared up, sending the giant Ultimate into the air in MugenDramon's direction.
"Hyaaah!" Lee yelled as he used an axe-kick. Saint Galgomon mirrored his movements, bringing his leg down on the robotic dragon's head. MugenDramon staggered, but whirled around, using his tail like a huge flail. Raising his hands, Saint Galgomon blocked and held it.
"Gotcha!" the Ultimate cried, hurling MugenDramon into the air. "Burst Shot!" Saint Galgomon fired all his weapons, sending bullets and missiles at the Dark Master.
"Collapse." MugenDramon suddenly burst apart before the explosion, his body parts falling.
"What the...?" Lee didn't have time to think as the various body parts began swarming them.
"I meant to save this attack for WarGreymon," MugenDramon said as his head hovered above the melee. "However," he added as his spike arm slammed into Saint Galgomon's gut, "I would be destroyed if I were to engage you in close combat."
"Jen!" Saint Galgomon fell back, forced onto the defensive by MugenDramon's assault. "Any ideas?"
"I'm working on it, Terriermon..."
*****************
Meanwhile, at the Hypnos building, another life and death battle was taking place. While Archnemon and Mummymon fought Skull Satamon and Lady Devimon's forces, Marine Devimon had arrived, leading a squad of Adults and Perfects. The only thing standing in his way was Juri's small but determined band of reserve Tamers, made up of herself, Shuichon and Masahiko. Leomon and Lopmon stood ready for battle, while Culumon stayed near the humans to protect them. "Is this all you humans have to send against me?" Marine Devimon laughed. "An Adult, two Children and three brats?"
"Count again," Juri said, nodding to Shuichon.
The little girl nodded and held up her D-Ark, a card in her other hand. "Carddo Surrashu!" She slid the card through the slot as she cried out, "Queen Device!"
Lopmon, already charging at Marine Devimon, leapt into the air as he evolved. "Ashipatoravana!" he yelled as he remerged as Antiramon. Whirling, his ax-arms cut through the first wave of Marine Devimon's troops.
"Well," the Demon Corps warrior commented as he smiled sinisterly. "It seems this will be more interesting than I thought." He took a step forward. "Go!"
"Juri!" Leomon roared as he ran forward, drawing his sword.
"Card Slash!" Juri drew a card of her own, bringing it up to her D-Ark. "Berserk Sword!"
"Shishioumaru!" The Beast Man Digimon's blade grew longer as the card took effect. With a mighty swing, he sliced the second wave in two and coiled his legs, launching himself at Marine Devimon. He brought his sword down, aiming at the Perfect's head.
"Hn," he grunted, catching the sword in his hands. "Not good enough!" He tossed Leomon away and charged at Juri and the others. "Die!" he roared, raising a huge fist to pound them into the ground.
"Cululu!" Culumon concentrated, creating a force field that was generated by the symbol on his forehead. "Protect!"
Marine Devimon punched the shield, crying out in surprise as his fist bounced off it harmlessly. "Eh?"
"Now!" Antiramon leapt at him as Leomon charged at his legs. "Ashipatoravana!"
"Fist of the Beast King!"
"Naive fools!" Marine Devimon whirled to face them, blocking Antiramon's axes with the tentacles on his back while deflecting Leomon's Fist of the Beast King with his arms. "Guilty Black!"
As Leomon backflipped out of the way of the energy ball Marine Deimon launched at him, Juri bit her thumb nervously. "We can't lose...otherwise Takato and the others will have fought for nothing!" She stared at her D- Ark. "We can't lose!"
******************
As Juri and the others fought outside, Alice stood at a window, looking down at them. "..."
"Alice..." whispered a voice softly.
The blond girl looked around, surprised. "Dobermon?"
"I am here." A faint outline appeared in the hallway, so faint its features were indistinct. "I am always here."
"Dobermon," she said to her friend, glancing out the window. "Can't we do anything to help them?"
"I'm sorry," the ghostly dog replied, looking away as if embarrassed or ashamed. "Like this, I can do nothing."
"It isn't your fault," Alice assured him. "All we can do is watch, I suppose." She sighed. "Just like the last time."
*****************
'Be on your guard,' warned the voice in Cyberdramon's head as he carried Ryo through the halls of Devimon's temple. 'I sense powerful foes nearby.'
"Right." Cyberdramon began slowing down and set Ryo down as they approached a huge pair of doors.
The Tamer unbuttoned his cardholder and held his D-Ark, ready for battle. "Through here?" he asked.
Cyberdramon nodded. He raised his hands, energy gathering as he charged at the doors. Lowering his shoulder, he rammed the doors, bursting them open with a crash.
Ryo followed at a run through the doorway. He screeched to a halt and looked around. "Where are..."
"There!" Cyberdramon growled, snapping his head in the direction of the far wall. Ryo gasped as his eyes fell on the limp forms of Hikari, Hirokazu and the others. Crying out, he ran towards them. Cyberdramon roared. "Enemy!"
"Wha?!" Ryo froze before ducking just as two huge blades attached to chains flew out of the shadows, barely missing him. "Who's there?"
Cyberdramon bared his fangs as a huge Digimon appeared. Its upper half was humanoid and covered in golden armour fashioned after that of a samurai warrior. A crescent moon crest decorated its helmet, under which glared a fearsome demon's face. The Digimon's lower half was a huge warhorse, also covered in samurai-style armour. It pawed the ground, snorting threateningly. The entire effect was that of a giant centaur dressed in Japanese armour. Ryo edged away as the Digimon wielded a massive katana and drew a smaller blade, holding one sword in each hand. "Zanbamon. Virus. God Man Digimon. Ultimate. Ultimate techniques: Prison Gate of Beheading, Cross Slash." He looked up at Zanbamon, who stood watching them calmly. "Great..."
"...I will commence," Zanbamon said, reigning in his horse half. "Prepare yourself."
"No more talk," Cyberdramon growled. "Erase Claw!"
*****************
Dukemon somersaulted out of Pinnochimon's way as the puppet swung his hammer. "Royal Saber!" As Pinnochimon ducked under the crimson beam, the Holy Knight kicked off a nearby wall and slammed into him, shield first. Taking advantage of Pinnochimon's surprise, he looked around to check on the others. Sakuyamon was holding MetalSeadramon at bay, backflipping and rolling out of the way as he fired Ultimate Streams and swung his tail at her. Shakkoumon and ImperialDramon were fighting Demon to a standstill, neither side giving or asking quarter. Dukemon noticed something worrying, however. "Takato..."
"What is it, Guilmon?"
"Demon..." Dukemon said, a slight tremble in his voice. "He's fighting with one hand..."
"What?!" Takato looked in disbelief. Sure enough, Demon deflected ImperialDramon's Positron Laser with a wave of his hand before launching a Flame Inferno at the dragon. "Is...is he that strong?" Takato whispered.
"Bullet Hammer!" Explosions ripped up the ground as Pinnochimon rose to his feet and leapt at Dukemon, swinging his hammer.
"Che!" Dukemon hissed as he took a surprised step back. "We should finish this guy off quickly so we can concentrate on Demon."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Takato agreed. "Let's go!"
*****************
"Pure Flame Fox Dance!" Sakuyamon made a circular motion with her hand, sending a trio of Fox Spirits at MetalSeadramon. The cyborg serpent roared as they flew around him, burning him. Taking advantage of the Dark Master's distraction, the silver-haired warrior jumped into the air. "Rice Cord!" She swung her staff, flaming ropes erupting from its tip and engulfing MetalSeadramon's head. As he roared in pain, she dropped out of the air, kicking him in the head on her way down.
"Kisama!" the Dark Master roared furiously. "Poseidon Divide!" He drew his head back before diving down, slashing at her with his horn. Sakuyamon rolled out of the way as the ground split open from the impact, water gushing out from a ruptured water main. "You won't get away so easily!" MetalSeadramon twisted his head around as he growled. "Pressure!"
The water at Sakuyamon's feet suddently erupted upwards, taking her by surprise. "Whoaaa!" Ruki cried as the silver-haired warrior was blown off her feet. The ground began rumbling as MetalSeadramon's attack burst the water pipes underneath the streets, making geysers erupt all around the battlefield.
"Aaaaah!" Pinnochimon yelled as a water main exploded under him, sending him flying up into the air. "Watch it!" he whined as he righted himself in mid-air.
"Now!" Dukemon yelled.
Pinnochimon looked down. "Wha...?"
"This is it!" Dukemon coiled his legs underneath him and launched himself at the other Ultimate, slamming into him shield first. "Final Elysian!"
"Uh-oh..." Pinnochimon yelped as the symbols on Dukemon's shield began glowing. "Aaaaaaarrrgghhh!"
"Pinnochimon!" MetalSeadramon yelled as his fellow Dark Master fell to the ground, smoking and singed. He broke off from his battle with Sakuyamon and rushed to the puppet's aid. "Oi, Pinnochimon!"
"MetalSeadramon..." Pinnochimon whispered, reaching up to the other Ultimate with a shaking hand. "H-help me..." he said as his body began breaking up into data. "I don't want to die again..."
"P-Pinnochimon!" MetalSeadramon lowered his head down to try to help the fallen Dark Master, but as he did, Pinnochimon suddenly exploded into data. The serpent roared with rage as his comrade's data rose into the air. "Onore!"
"We did it!" Takato cheered as Dukemon landed.
"Don't get cocky," Ruki warned as Sakuyamon ran up to him. "We've got more to go!"
"I'll kill you!" MetalSeadramon screamed, charging them. "Ultimate Stream!"
*****************
"Cross Slash!" Zanbamon ran forward, slashing twice at the air. A cross- shaped symbol appeared in the air and flew at Cyberdramon, who flew above it. While the two fought, Ryo ran to check on the others.
"You guys alright?" he said, shaking them gently one by one. "Hey, wake up!"
"Ouch," Hirokazu moaned. "R-Ryo-san?"
"Wha-what happened to Devimon?" Hikari asked as she sat up slowly, wincing as she touched a bump on her head gingerly.
"We didn't see him on our way here," Ryo told her as he helped Kenta to his feet and extended a hand to Miyako. Cyberdramon roared as Zanbamon slashed at him, missing by inches. "We did, however, run into this guy," Ryo said, thumbing at Zanbamon over his shoulder.
"Another Ultimate?" Miyako moaned. "Where are all these guys coming from?"
Kenta looked thoughtul. "Ryo-san, you think Devimon summoned him the way Vamdemon summoned all those other Digimon?"
Ryo pondered the question. "Possible, I guess," he shrugged. "We don't know how many cards Devimon had."
"Ryo-kun, come in!" Megumi's voice crackled over his headset. "What's your situation?"
"Hikari's team is alright," Ryo reported. "But there's an Ultimate here too."
"Well, deal with it quick! We're under attack and Juri's team is in trouble!"
"We'll be there as soon as we can!" Ryo turned to Hirokazu. "Can you guys get over there?"
"We're a bit groggy," Guardromon replied.
Hawkmon shook his head, smoothing some ruffled feathers. "But we'll do what we can."
"Ryo-san, what about you?" Hikari asked.
"Cyberdramon and I will take care of this guy."
Kenta looked worried. "Are you sure you two can handle him on your own?"
Ryo grinned. "Don't worry, we've got a trump up our sleeves. Which reminds me..." He handed Kenta and Hirokazu a couple of cards each. "Take these with you."
"Your Device Cards?" Hirokazu blurted out as he held the Knight and Bishop Device Cards.
Kenta stared at the King and Rook Device Cards. "But what about you?"
Ryo held up his D-Ark. "Won't be able to use them," he said.
"Ryo!" Cyberdramon roared, kicking Zanbamon away. "Now!"
"Got it!" Ryo raised his D-Ark. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Cyberdramon evolve!" Black and purple data rings began circling him as he and Ryo hovered into the air, the boy falling into his partner. A shadow appeared above them and dropped down, merging with Cyberdramon just before Ryo did. Cyberdramon's faceplate began cracking and broke apart as his head began reforming into a humanoid-shaped one. The shattered faceplate recombined onto the new head, covering its features. The various blades on his arms and legs melted away as they straightened, becoming more human. The wingpod on his back detached, the brick-red wings losing their hardness and fluttering in the wind as they fused into what looked like a huge scarf. Cyberdramon's black armour broke apart, revealing a blue-and-white colour scheme underneath. A belt with a buckle bearing a sun/spiral emblem appeared around the evolving Digimon's waist as he reached out with his right arm, which unlike the rest of his body was mechanical. He grabbed the scarf as it fluttered in the air and in one smooth motion wrapped it around his neck. Finally, the now-wingless wing pod fused onto his back as he called out his name. "Justimon!"
"Whoa," Miyako whispered, her mouth agape. "What is that?" Her Digimon Analyzer activated as it scanned the evolved Digimon.
Digimon Analyzer: Justimon. Cyborg Digimon. This passionate Ultimate will not forgive injustice! The seal of Justice, Justice Kick, destroys all evil!
"Now get going!" Ryo yelled from inside Justimon. "We'll follow once we've dealt with Zanbamon!"
"How?" Hirokazu said. "He's in the way!"
Sure enough, Zanbamon was standing in front of the door out, his swords held up in a battle stance. Unexpectedly, he stepped aside. "Go then."
"Huh?"
Zanbamon twirled his swords as he spoke. "I have no interest in slaying foes so much weaker than me." He pointed his larger sword at Justimon. "Devimon revived me to slay anyone who came to help these weaklings. He said nothing about what to do with them." He spoke to Hikari and the others. "You are of no threat to me. You are free to go. You, on the other hand," he said, nodding at Justimon. "Seem like a worthy foe. You must die."
'Hahahahaha...' chuckled the shadow's voice, echoing in the part of Justimon that was Cyberdramon. 'He acts just like the Zanbamon who served me!'
Justimon didn't say anything, instead raising his fists. "Go!" he growled at the others.
Warily, Hikari, Hirokazu, Kenta, Miyako and their partners circled the two Ultimates as they made their way to the exit. "Ryo-san!" Hikari called over her shoulder as she left. "Be careful!"
"We're counting on you!" Hirokazu added.
After they left, Zanbamon raised his swords. "Now...let us begin."
"Justice Punch!" Justimon yelled, leaping at the samurai, his cyborg arm glowing. Zanbamon raised his swords and deflected the attack, slashing at the masked hero in return. Backflipping to safety, Justimon raised his cybernetic arm, which morphed into a rectangular cannon shape. "Critical Arm!" he growled as a beam of crimson light appeared, forming a energy sword. As soon as it was formed, he charged at the other Digimon. "Rrraaaaggghhhh!"
"Haaaaah!" Zanbamon released a war-cry as he brought his swords down. There was a birlliant flash as the blades clashed.
*****************
"We need to pull out all the stops," Daisuke decided.
Ken nodded. "Right. At the rate this is going, we won't get anywhere."
"ImperialDramon!" Daisuke yelled to the dragon. "Let's go!"
"Hit him with everything you've got!" Ken called.
"Okay, Daisuke!" XV-mon's voice answered.
"You can count on me, Ken-san!" Stingmon added.
"ImperialDramon! Mode Change!" The dragon flew up into the air as he began transforming. His forelegs shifted into arms, ending in clawed hands. His hindlegs straightened, becoming longer and more humanoid. His head seemed to sink into his chest, forming a chestplate of sorts as a new head appeared, this one having more of Stingmon's features than the dragon one. A pair of blue eyes opened as his wings spread out majestically. "Fighter Mode!"
"Hn," Demon snorted, hovering backwards through the air. "The same tricks as before."
"We're wiser than before, Demon!" ImperialDramon said, dashing at him. "Imperial Claw!" A pair of golden claws on his forearm swung outwards as he spread his wings and flew straight up, slashing Demon's face on the way.
"Arrhhh!" The Demon Lord flinched as a sharp pain cut across his face. Though his cloak took the brunt of the attack, he still felt it. "You have grown stronger..." His eyes flashed as he thrust his hand at ImperialDramon and Shakkoumon. "But you are still far too weak! Flame Inferno!"
"Giga Death!" "Nigimitama!" There was an explosion as the three attacks struck each other, forcing the Chosen Children to shield their eyes from the glare.
"Ken-kun, Daisuke-kun!" Iori said as he ran up to the two, Takeru behind him. "We need to stop Demon quickly!"
"Iori's right," Takeru panted. "Lee-kun's alone back there and he'll probably need help." His brow furrowed as he asked, "Has there been any word on Hikari-chan and Miyako-chan?"
Daisuke shook his head, his worried expression mirroring the one on the other boy's face. "Nothing. I'm worried."
"Daisuke-kun, Takeru-kun!" Reika's voice came over their headsets. "What's your situation?"
"We're alright for now," Ken reported.
"Has there been any word from Hikari-chan?" Daisuke asked.
"Don't worry," Reika told him. "We've just gotten a report from her team. They're on their way back here to help with defending the building."
"The base is under attack?" Iori gasped. "Shouldn't we help?"
"We've got out hands full with Demon!" Ken told him. "We can't pull back until we beat him!"
"Ken!" Daisuke snapped his fingers. "Can you try opening a portal to the Dark Ocean like the last time?"
"You think that will work?" Takeru asked.
Daisuke shrugged. "If you've got a better idea..."
Ken nodded and walked forward, raising his black D-3. "Here goes nothing..."
*****************
As Ken began opening the Dark Gate, his actions did not go unnoticed. "Eei?" Chimeramon looked down from his vantage point high in the sky, sensing a distortion in the dimensional barriers. "The Kaiser? So he attempts to open a portal to the Dark Ocean, does he?" He would've smiled, if his mouth was capable of doing so. "Perfect."
*****************
"Darkness Claw!" Beelzebumon swiped at the air, knocking a pair of Piemon's Trump Swords out of the air. He raised his other hand, aiming his shotgun. "Double Impact!"
"Clown Trick!" Piemon fired a ball of solidified air, striking Beelzebumon's bullets in mid-air and blowing them off course. "I'm impressed!" he said, landing nimbly on a piece of twisted metal, looking down at Beelzebumon with a smirk. "No one has ever lasted this long with me one on one!"
"Guess that makes me special, huh?" Beelzebumon hid his right arm behind his back as he edged away, keeping his other arm aimed at Piemon.
"Indeed," Piemon agreed. "But I'm afraid it's time to end this." He drew a huge white cloth out of his sleeve. "You will make a magnificent keychain!"
"I don't think so!" Beelzebumon growled. "I promised Ai and Makoto I'd be back soon, and you've wasted enough of my time!"
"Fool. Don't you realise who you're dealing with?" Piemon threw the cloth upwards.
"Don't you?" Beelzebumon retorted, shooting the cloth apart. While his arm was pointing up, however, Piemon dived to the ground and dashed at him.
"You left yourself wide open!" he gloated as he willed swords into his hands. "Die!" He swung his swords upward at an angle, intent on slicing Beelzebumon apart. The blades struck the Ultimate just under the arm, cutting through him like a razor-sharp knife through old meat. Instead of exploding into data, however, the Demon Lord vanished in a flurry of what looked like black feathers. Confused, Piemon looked around. "What? Where did he...?"
"Up here!"
At Beelzebumon's cry, Piemon looked up. "!"
Beelzebumon hovered in the air, carried aloft by a pair of magnificent black angel wings. His right arm was now replaced by a huge high-tech cannon, which was aimed at the Dark Master. "Game over!" The tip of the cannon split open and purple energy began gathering.
"Clown Trick!"
"Death Slinger!"
*****************
Meanwhile, MugenDramon continued his attack on Saint Galgomon, who could do little more than block the Dark Master's blows. "Jen...I don't know how much more I can take!"
"..." Jen's eyes were shut as he tried to sense where MugenDramon's head was. "Where...where..." He focused and noticed something. "? Most attacks come from the same direction at first, then start swirling around us."
"What does that mean?" his partner snapped, his voice strained as he tried to withstand MugenDramon's onslaught.
"He must need to direct his body parts..." Jen reasoned. "Which means his head must be..."
"There!" Saint Galgomon cried out, spinning and facing the direction most attacks were launched from. "Burst Shot!" His shoulder armour opened up, as did his chest armour and various compartments on his arms and legs. Missiles launched from the larger compartments on his shoulders, chest and legs, while smaller missiles launched from his forearms.
"!" MugenDramon was surprised, not expecting the attack. His surprise was brief, though, and he quickly began moving his head out of harm's way.
"What is with this guy?" Saint Galgomon grumbled irritably at MugenDramon moved his head like a minature fighter, weaving through the various armaments with infuriating ease.
"While he's focusing on dodging, he can't control his body so well!" Jen told his partner.
"I get it!" Terriermon's voice cheered noticably as Saint Galgomon turned his firepower on MugenDramon's body parts, which were now moving at only a fraction of their previous speed. "Burst Shot!"
"...clever..." MugenDramon said to himself as he felt his body come under attack. "This human is more intelligent than I expected." His eyes grew dim for an instant before flaring up again with a malicious light. "So be it." He sent a brief mental summons to the rest of his body as he manuvered his head some distance away.
"Huh?" Saint Galgomon wondered as MugenDramon's components flew away. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure..." Jen replied. "But I don't think we're going to like it..."
MugenDramon slowly began to reform, his various parts interlocking and combining until the robotic dragon stood before them, his eyes peering at them with laser-like intensity. "No more tactics."
"What?"
"No more tactics, no more strategies." MugenDramon raised his spike arm, opening and closing it threateningly. "I will kill you with my own raw power!" MugenDramon charged as Saint Galgomon raised his fists and did the same. "Raaaaaaggghhhh!"
"Haaaaaaaaahhh!" There was a deafening clashing sound of steel on steel as the two Ultimates crashed into each other and began fighting tooth and nail.
*****************
"Gwaaah!" Ryo grunted as Justimon crashed into a wall after a kick from Zanbamon's horse half. "This guy's tougher than we thought... Maybe we should've gotten the others to help us."
"Speak for yourself," Justimon growled. "I'm enjoying this!"
Ryo shook his head, sweatdropping. "The others still need us. We can't waste time here!"
"A good fight is never wasted!" Justimon rose to his feet, raising his fists.
Ryo was silent for a moment. His eyes lit up as an idea struck him. "If we don't hurry," he said, "then the others will probably beat all the other enemies..."
"!" As Justimon rose to his feet, a small rod extended out of his cyborg arm. "Then we'd beter finish this!"
"You intend to finish me?" Zanbamon whirled his swords. "Hn, you will not find it so easy, Akiyama Ryo!"
"How do you know my name?" Ryo asked, surprised.
Zanbamon pointed his larger blade at Justimon. "You do not remember me? How you defeated me and Lampmon when we tried to eliminate you and ENIAC?"
"ENIAC? Lampmon?" Ryo was even more confused now. "What are you talking about?"
Zanbamon growled. "If you do not remember, then there is no point drawing this battle out any longer. You are a worthy foe, Ryo, but now it is time I finished my mission and kill you!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Justimon snarled. "Justice Saber!"
"Let us settle this in one strike!" Zanbamon roared, charging with both his swords whirling.
"Suits us!" Justimon replied as he ran forward to meet him halfway.
"Die, Akiyama Ryo!" Zanbamon crossed his arms before slashing. "Cross Slash!"
Justimon activate his Critical Arm and mimiced Zanbamon's movements using his Saber and the energy blade from the Critical Arm. "X-Justice Slash!"
There was a flash and the sound of metal cleaving through flesh. Both Ultimates stood still, Zanbamon facing one way, Justimon the other. "I knew I felt a familiar aura..." Zanbamon said, not facing his opponent. "This feeling..." Ryo gave a start as he looked down at Justimon's hands. His normally crimson energy blade was a vivid purple. Zanbamon spoke again, getting his attention. "I...apologise..." he rasped. "For...not being a more...worthy opponent..." He fell to his knees, the gaping wound on his chest beginning to widen as he broke up into data. "Forgive me...Millenniumon-sama..."
"Millenniumon?" Ryo repeated. "There's that name again! Who is this guy?"
Zanbamon chuckled. "You...do not realise...?" As he faded away, the warrior spoke once more. "Millenniumon-sama...I do not pretend to understand why...but...I wish you good fortune...Master..."
"Master?" Ryo was confused. "Are you talking to Cyberdramon?" By then, Zanbamon was gone and his question went unanswered. "..."
"Now...the enemy outside..." Justimon began walking towards the doorway out.
"Cyberdramon."
"?" Justimon halted in mid-step.
"What are you hiding from me?"
"..."
"There's something you're not telling me," Ryo continued. "The Dark Masters, Vamdemon, Devimon and now Zanbamon. They seemed to know me...and you."
"There is another Ryo, perhaps?" Cyberdramon suggested. "That boy, Ken, said so himself."
"Then why did Zanbamon call us Master?"
"He was dying. Maybe he was apologising to his dead master."
"How can you be sure his master is dead?"
"We're wasting time." Cyberdramon growled as Justimon began moving again.
"Alright," Ryo said. "But once this is over, we need to have a serious talk."
"..."
*****************
"Shaggai System is charged!" Reika reported.
Megumi kept her eyes on her monitor, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "All systems checked."
"We're ready anytime," Janyuu told Yamaki.
The blond nodded, flicking his lighter shut. "Warn Takato and the others," he ordered. "Prepare to activate!"
"Roger!"
*****************
Ken lowered his D-3 as the Dark Gate opened. "It's done!"
"ImperialDramon! Shakkoumon!" Daisuke yelled to the two Digimon. "You know what to do!"
"Got it!" ImperialDramon flew up to Demon, ramming him with his shoulder and hurling him up into the air.
"Eei?" Demon righted himself in mid-air with a flap of his wings. "Do you take me for a fool?" he demanded as he flew higher up. "Do you think I would fall for the same trick twice?"
"I was kinda hoping, yeah," Daisuke muttered to himself. Ken touched his shoulder to get his attention. "What's wrong?"
Ken had his hand to his headset. "They're getting ready to fire the Shaggai System," he told the others. "They want us to get clear."
Takeru nodded. "Daisuke, do you think..."
Daisuke grinned. "I'm way ahead of you. You think Shakkoumon can keep Demon busy until Ken and I tell ImperialDramon the plan?"
Iori and Takeru glanced at each other before nodding. "Leave it to us," the younger boy said.
Ken nodded as he and Daisuke ran closer to the battle, calling ImperialDramon to them.
*****************
"Gwaah!" Leomon was hurled bodily through the air, slamming into Antiramon. Marine Devimon laughed maniacally as he stomped closer, followed by his troops.
"Guahahahaha!" The Perfect smiled evilly. "Not bad, not bad," he said, brushing himself off. "But still not good enough!"
"Kuso!" Leomon swore as he staggered to his feet. "Is this all I can do?"
"Leomon!" Juri called from behind Culumon's shield. "Get away!"
The scarred Adult shook his head. "I can't run, Juri," he told her. "If I do, then who will protect you?"
"Takato-kun will be here soon!" the girl pleaded. "Just get away until he gets here!"
Leomon raised his sword. "Not until he gets here, then!"
"If you're quite finished..." Marine Devimon sneered. "I'd like to get on with killing you now."
"Not if we can help it!" Explosions erupted around the Perfect's feet, surprising him. Looking up, the group saw Hirokazu, Hikari and the others arriving on Guardromon and the other fliers. "Katou! Everyone okay?"
Juri nodded gratefully. "You got here just in time!"
"Hehe," the visored boy grinned, thumbing his nose. "The heroes always have to make a dramatic entrance!"
Marine Devimon snorted. "Hero, huh? Then die a hero's death!" He turned to face them, the machine on his chest humming as energy gathered around it. "Guilty Black!"
"Pupiipi!" Marine Angemon flew forward and opened his mouth, launching a group of bubbles that struck the attack and vanished. "Piipuupi!"
"Go get him, Marine Angemon!" Kenta cheered as his partner flew straight for Marine Devimon.
"Marine Angemon?" the large black Digimon repeated. "Out of my way, insect!" He swiped at the tiny Ultimate, who evaded the attack easily and launched a stream of bubbles at his foe. Marine Devimon pulled his head back, the bubbles just missing him. "Graah!" With surprising agility, the large demon leapt into the air and brought a massive foot down on the smaller Digimon, smashing him into the pavement.
Juri gasped and Miyako winced, but Kenta smirked. "It'll take more than that to take Marine Angemon out!"
"Pupii!" Marine Devimon looked down at Marine Angemon's muffled cry.
"What?"
Kenta obligingly translated. "He said: Watch out!"
"Watch...out?" A massive beam of light suddenly erupted from beneath the Perfect, launching him high into the air. "Gwaaaah!"
Leomon, ever the warrior, was quick to capitalise on Marine Devimon's sudden vulnerability. "Antiramon!"
"Ready!"
The two Digimon leapt into the air, Leomon whirling his sword and Antiramon morphing his hands into axes. "Shishioumaru!" "Ashipatoravana!" They slashed at the Demon Corp trooper, making him yell in pain.
"Kenta!" Hirokazu said. "You, Katou and the rest can handle things from here. The rest of us will help the others on the roof!"
"Okay," his friend nodded. "You can count on us!"
Hirokazu turned to Hikari and Miyako. "Do you think your partners are ready to fight?"
"No need to worry," Miyako winked.
"We'll do our part," Hikari added. Tailmon unsheathed her claws.
"Just say the word, Hikari," she said.
Before anyone could act, however, there was a brilliant flash of light as the Shaggai System fired.
*****************
"Shaggai System, ready!"
"All systems green!"
Yamaki nodded to Reika and Megumi. "Shaggai Syastem, activate!" The two operators quickly got to work, tapping keys and bringing the anti-Digimon weapon online. The blond held his breath. "Here goes nothing..."
*****************
"Ei?" Skull Satamon froze from where he was dueling with Mummymon when he heard a faint hum. "What is that?"
"Mummymon! Archnemon!" Oikawa called. "Get clear!"
"You got it, boss!" Mummymon replied as he and the spider-woman leapt out of the way.
Skull Satamon, being no fool, called to Lady Devimon and the rest of their forces. "Scatter! Scatter!" The Dark Digimon spread out just as the Shaggai System activated, sending a beam of energy towards the battlefield. A Flymon was too slow and shrieked as it was deleted. "That's..." Skull Satamon's voice took a surprised tone as he saw where the beam was headed. "Demon-sama!"
*****************
"ImperialDramon!" Ken and Daisuke yelled. As agreed, the dragon had engaged Demon with support fire from Shakkoumon. When Reika confirmed the Shaggai System's activation, the two Chosen Children called to their partner, who suddenly flew straight for Demon.
"A suicide attack?" Demon growled as he realised ImperialDramon was trying to ram him into the Dark Gate. "All for nothing!" He raised his hand, flames forming in the air as he prepared his Flame Inferno attack.
ImperialDramon smirked. "Now!" The humanoid dragon suddenly folded his wings, diving under Demon and the Dark Gate.
"Eh?" Demon blinked in surprise. Instinctively, he realised he had left himself open to attack and quickly folded his wings to protect himself. The move did nothing against the power of the Shaggai System and the Demon Lord grunted in pain as he felt his data torn apart.
"Yes!" Daisuke cheered, snapping his fingers.
Iori nodded grimly. "Now we've got him!"
"Is that so?" Devimon's voice echoed through the air as the Dark Messenger appeared, hovering safely above Demon and the Shaggai System's blast. His great ragged wings kept him aloft as he looked down at the Chosen Children.
Takeru's lip curled in disgust. "You!"
"..." Devimon didn't reply, staring down at them instead.
"Hey," Daisuke said. "Weren't you Chimeramon a minute ago?" His eyes widened. "Everyone!" he yelled. "Stay on your toes!"
Devimon smiled. "You are not as stupid as you look, Chosen Child." His smile became mocking. "But too little too late!" As he spoke, Shakkoumon cried out as Metal Greymon rammed him from behind, knocking him out of the air. Simultaneously, Skull Greymon leapt down from a building, landing on ImperialDramon's back and forcing him down.
Meanwhile, where Sakuyamon and Dukemon were battling a vengeful MetalSeadramon, the street began cracking. "Huh?" Takato noticed the cracks widening and called out to Ruki. "Ruki!"
"What is..." She was cut off as Angemon, Kabuterimon and Kuwagamon burst out of the ground. The two insectoid Adults grabbed Sakuyamon and flew off with her in the direction of the Chosen Children.
"Ruki!" Takato yelled before seeing Angemon's fist glowing as he punched at Dukemon. "Gwaaaaaah!"
"Uaaah!" Dukemon grunted as Angemon's Heaven Knuckle sent him flying through the air. His eyes widened as the angel suddenly appeared behind him and grabbed his foot before spinning around in his God Typhoon technique.
"Whoaaaaa!" Takato cried, begining to feel more than a little ill from the spinning. As he thought he was going to throw up, Angemon released him, sending him flying in an arc. Dukemon skidded to a halt in an undignified heap at ImperialDramon's feet.
"You okay?" the humanoid dragom Ultimate asked.
"I'm fine," Dukemon replied, getting up.
"Aaaaah!"
"Huh?" Dukemon looked up and yelped as Sakuyamon crashed into him. "Waak!"
Ruki cursed as the silver-haired warrior got to her feet. "That's it! No more playing around!"
'Great,' Takato thought to himself. 'Now she's really mad.'
"Ruki!" Sakuyamon looked around. "This is..."
"What is it, Renamon?" the Tamer asked.
"I've the strange feeling we've been driven together."
"What?" Ruki looked around, realising Sakuyamon, Dukemon, ImperialDramon and Shakkoumon were now in the same area. "This can't be good."
*****************
"Yamaki!" Janyuu yelled. "Something's wrong with the Shaggai System!"
"What?!" Yamaki's eyes widened as he whirled to face the older man. He whipped his head around. "Reika! What's going on!"
The redhead tapped her keyboard frantically. "What..." she whispered to herself. Her eyes were wide with shock under her visor as she reported to Yamaki, her voice shaking. "We've lost control of the Shaggai..."
"What...what do you mean?"
Megumi spoke up. "Something's hijacked the system...it's moving the beam!"
"To where?" Yamaki asked, dreading the answer.
"..." Megumi gasped and paled. "It's aiming at Takato and the others!"
*****************
"Takato!" Yamaki yelled through the headset, making the boy wince. "Get out of there!"
"Yamaki-san?" the boy said. "What is it?"
"The Dark Digimon have taken over the Shaggai System!" the man told him. "It's aiming at you and the others!"
"What?!" Dukemon looked up as Takato yelled. "Everyone scatter!"
"Too late!" Devimon said, snapping his fingers.
The Digimon gave out a collective scream of pain as the Shaggai System's beam turned on them, burning them at its touch. To Ruki and Takato, who were inside their Digimon partners, the pain was even worse. "Aaaaaarghhh!" Dukemon fell to his knees, screaming as he felt his body being torn apart.
Sakuyamon stayed standing, using her staff for support. "Ghhh..." The golden-clad warrior took a tortured step forward. "Ruki...are...you...alright?"
Ruki grit her teeth. "I'll last," she replied grimly. "We've got...to take Devimon out! Then maybe..."
"You can stop the pain?" MetalSeadramon mocked as he loomed over the female Ultimate, safely out of range of the Shaggai's blast field. "I think not." The serpent called up to Devimon. "Devimon! I'll finish them!"
Devimon looked over to Demon, who had lowered himself to the ground, his cloak ragged and torn. "Let him," the Dark Digimon leader said. Devimon nodded and, with a wave of his hand, weakened the beam so it wouldn't kill the Tamers and their allies too quickly.
MetalSeadramon laughed as he hovered upwards, preparing to incinerate them with a single blast. "This is for Pinnochimon!"
*****************
Meanwhile, Justimon had emerged from the temple and was being brought up to speed by Hirokazu. "Isn't there anything you can do over there?" Ryo asked.
"We can't!" Hirokazu replied, his voice strained over the sound of fighting. "Mummymon and Archnemon are busy with Skull Satamon's force and Lady Devimon's attacking Silphymon!"
"What about you and Kenta?"
"We've got our hands full with Marine Devimon and his gang. Katou and the others are doing their best, but we're still too busy fighting to do anything. It's up to you, Ryo-san!"
"But we're too far away!" Ryo protested as Hirokazu signed off. "Great."
"..." Justimon looked around, his eyes coming upon a glow coming from the battlefield. "There."
"We need to get there fast!"
"Right." Justimon raised his cybernetic arm. "Hook Arm!" The appendage morphed into a gun of sorts, tipped with a futuristic hook. Taking aim, he fired, the hook catching hold of the edge of a building. As the cyborg pulled himself up, his partner was trying to come up with a plan of action.
"Jenrya's still fighting MugenDramon," Ryo said to himself. "Beelzebumon's taking on Piemon and BlackWarGreymon's finishing off that group that attacked us..." He sighed. "Great. It is up to us." Justimon pulled himself onto the building. Ryo gasped. A huge ball of bluish light generated by a beam coming from the Hypnos Towers was plainly visible. The Tamer could make out a number of shapes inside, writhing in pain. "Ruki and the others are in there?!" His eyes widened as he saw MetalSeadramon float upwards into the air, his nose cannon charging. He clenched his fist. "Kuso! Even if we hurry, there's no way we can get there in time!"
"..." Justimon spoke. "There is one thing..."
"What?"
"But it will hurt."
"I don't care! Do it, Cyberdramon!"
"Alright." The masked blue and white cyborg brace himself and raised his cyborg arm, aiming it at the part of the Hypnos Towers the beam was coming from. The emblem on his belt began glowing as energy began gathering in the air.
"!" Ryo winced as the energy suddenly calmped down on Justimon's arm, sending jolts of pain up the boy's body.
"Dimension..." Justimon growled as his arm began glowing with white hot energy. "Destroyer!"
*****************
"Yamaki!" Reika called. "An enormous energy surge is heading this way!"
"Another enemy?"
"No....it looks like it was fired by Justimon!"
"What?"
*****************
Takeru and the other Chosen Children were beside themselves with anger, unable to do anything to help thair partners. "Kuso!" Daisuke cursed. "We've got to do something! They'll be killed!"
Iori pointed behind the Dark Gate. "Wait...what's that?"
MetalSeadramon laughed maniacally as he readied his Ultimate Stream. "Die! Ultimate Streaaaa-!" He was cut off as an unyielding beam of energy severed his head, killing him instantly.
"What?!" Devimon gasped as he flew higher with a flap of his wings, the beam barely missing him. "What is that?!" his eyes widened as the beam burst through the Dark Gate, destroying it. "The Dark Gate! No!"
*****************
Skull Satamon cackled as he watched the tide turn in his favour. Since they were now desperate to stop the Shaggai System while protecting their master Oikawa, Mummymon and Archnemon's attacks were becoming less focused, less of a threat. "It 's only a matter of time before Demon-sama is victorious," the skeletal Perfect chuckled. Then, suddenly, he felt something approach. Whirling round, he was confronted by a massive energy beam, which engulfed him before he could move. "D-Demon-samaaaa!" he screamed as he perished. "Banzaaaaaaai!" The beam went on, tearing through his forces before striking the Shaggai System.
"Down!" Mummymon yelled, tackling Archnemon and Oikawa, using himself as a shield as he held them down. There was a massive explosion as the Shaggai System exploded.
*****************
"What...what was that?" Takato asked groggily as Dukemon got to his feet.
"I don't know," Ruki said. "But I bet Ryo's behind it somehow."
"Ugh," ImperialDramon growled. "What happened to Devimon?"
"ImperialDramon!" Daisuke yelled. "Watch out!"
"Huh?" ImperialDramon turned, only to be hit in the chest. As the dragon fell, the others looked around for the attacker.
"No more games." At the sound of the voice, Chosen Child, Tamer and Digimon alike turned and froze. A massive behemoth stood before them, torn rags at its feet. It was covered in dark brown fur that seemed to shine with some unearthly light. One of the beast's arms was longer than the other, but both ended in powerful hands tipped with razor sharp claws. Two great horns grew out of its head and a third blue eye in its forehead glared at them with as much intensity as the other two on its face. A huge gaping mouth, lined with fangs with two huge ones actually reaching from his top jaw to his lower one, emitted a low growl. His great demon wings let the children know who it was.
"D-Demon?" Iori whispered worriedly.
Daisuke was no less shocked. "No...no way..." he said. "He mode changed?"
"Mode Change?" Demon repeated. "No, not quite." He gestured to his destroyed cloak. "This cloak was meant to mask my power, make me seem weaker than I really was. I never thought the day would come when I would need to take it off..."
"And now what?" Ruki demanded as Sakuyamon clutched her staff. "We just roll over and die?"
"In a word?" Demon asked as Justimon appeared in the sky above, his foot outstretched.
"Justice Kick!" Demon reached out with his enlongated arm, which suddenly became even longer and smashed Justimon out of the air.
The Dark Digimon looked back to the others. "Yes."
*****************
Preview:
Takato: Ughaa! This...this is Demon's true power?
Lee: Kuso! We can't lose now...not when we're so close!
Ruki: What kind of talk is that? We won't lose!
Digimon Tamers Dark Wing Chapter 30! The Grand Battle for Tokyo!
*****************
Author's notes: Shuichon puts a lot of stress into her Card Slash. She rolls her 'r's more than, say, Jen or Takato, who say something like "Carddo Surash!"
Author's notes: 'Onore' is a very rude taunt/insult. Roughly translated, it can mean 'b*stard!', even though it technically means 'you!' One of the people most well-known for using it was Kamen Rider V3, the third Kamen Rider. Not something you'd expect a heroic defender of justice to say week after week, but that just shows how much he hates his enemies.
Author's notes: 'Banzai' is a warcry. It can mean something like 'Long live!' so Mashmar Callos' line from ZZ Gundam, ''Haman-sama! Banzai!", would mean "Long Live Lady Haman!"
Author's notes: As you will probably have guessed, there are plenty of Kamen Rider-inspired attacks in this chapter. Hee.
Reviews, comments, suggestions and criticisms (constructive or otherwise) are welcome and can be sent to Withoutmorals@antisocial.com
Digimon Levels:
Child: Rookie Adult: Champion Perfect: Ultimate Ultimate: Mega
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing
Showdown! Let's go! Justice Kick!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"Chimeramon..." Takeru snarled.
Ken took a step back. "What...how?"
Chimeramon landed and roared as Daisuke grit his teeth. "I thought we got rid of this guy!"
"You defeated an inferior Chimeramon," the synthetic Digimon laughed. "I am completely different!"
"It can talk now?" Iori gasped.
Takeru whispered to himself. "That voice..." His eyes widened. "Devimon?!"
"Exactly," Chimeramon replied. "Behold, my evolved form!" The synthetic Digimon cocked its head in Ken's direction. "After the Kaizer's dismal failure at resurrecting me, I came to realise that only I could created a perfect Chimeramon." With a roar, it stamped the ground. "And now, I will let not any of you escape!"
"Everyone," Daisuke warned as the Perfect rallied the Dark Digimon. "On your toes!"
*****************
"So this is Devimon's temple?" Ryo stood at the gate Demon's army had passed through not so long ago. "Come on, Cyberdramon. The others could be in serious trouble." Cyberdramon nodded and followed Ryo in. Then he suddenly froze. "What's wrong?" Ryo asked.
"Enemy."
"Then we'd better hurry," Ryo said, running down the hall.
Cyberdramon hovered into the air then flew after him, scooping him up in his arms. "Friends...this way." The Perfect carried his partner through the halls, flying in the direction of the strongest darkness he could sense.
*****************
"Hahahahaha." Piemon chuckled as he walked around the battlefield he and Beelzebumon had chosen for their showdown. "I'm impressed. Few would even consider facing me alone."
"That makes me special, huh?" Beelzebumon replied. He drew his guns. "Anytime you're ready."
Piemon whirled his swords and held them in a battle pose. "Shall I begin?"
"If you like."
The clown smiled. "Then I'm commencing." The Ultimate charged at his opponent.
'Fast!' Beelzebumon thought to himself as he fired at Piemon. The Dark Master grinned as he held his swords up, deflecting his bullets.
"You'll have to do better than that!" he yelled as he leapt up into the air and dived at the three-eyed Demon Lord.
Beelzebumon didn't reply, instead flipping his guns over so he held them by the barrels. Swinging them up, he blocked Piemon's swords with one and struck at the Dark Master with the other.
"Hn," Piemon smirked as he landed nimbly, twirling his swords with practiced ease. "You're going to make this interesting, hmm?"
Beelzebumon's smirk mirrored his as the black-clad Ultimate aimed his guns again. "I'm not going to just make this interesting," he said. "I'm going to make this FINAL!"
"Come then!" Piemon raised his swords and charged as Beelzebumon replaced one gun and dashed at him. "Trump Sword!"
"Darkness Claw!"
*****************
"Agh!" Lee winced as Saint Galgomon fell to a blow from MugenDramon's tail.
"You okay, Jen?" Terriermon's voice asked.
"Yeah," the boy replied. "How about you?"
"Moumantai," the giant green robot said, getting up. To MugenDramon, he said, "Let's try that again!" His shoulders opened up as he yelled. "Giant Bazooka!"
"Mugen Cannon!" MugenDramon's cannons swung forward and fired, the energy beams destroying the missiles Saint Galgomon launched and continued on to strike him.
"Uff!" the Ultimate grunted as he blocked the blasts with his hands. "That didn't go well."
"No good," Lee said. "His energy weapons will just go through our missiles!" The blue-black haired boy narrowed his eyes. "Terriermon, we need to move in for close combat!"
"Got it!" Saint Galgomon's ears extended into wings and his backpack opened, revealing boosters that flared up, sending the giant Ultimate into the air in MugenDramon's direction.
"Hyaaah!" Lee yelled as he used an axe-kick. Saint Galgomon mirrored his movements, bringing his leg down on the robotic dragon's head. MugenDramon staggered, but whirled around, using his tail like a huge flail. Raising his hands, Saint Galgomon blocked and held it.
"Gotcha!" the Ultimate cried, hurling MugenDramon into the air. "Burst Shot!" Saint Galgomon fired all his weapons, sending bullets and missiles at the Dark Master.
"Collapse." MugenDramon suddenly burst apart before the explosion, his body parts falling.
"What the...?" Lee didn't have time to think as the various body parts began swarming them.
"I meant to save this attack for WarGreymon," MugenDramon said as his head hovered above the melee. "However," he added as his spike arm slammed into Saint Galgomon's gut, "I would be destroyed if I were to engage you in close combat."
"Jen!" Saint Galgomon fell back, forced onto the defensive by MugenDramon's assault. "Any ideas?"
"I'm working on it, Terriermon..."
*****************
Meanwhile, at the Hypnos building, another life and death battle was taking place. While Archnemon and Mummymon fought Skull Satamon and Lady Devimon's forces, Marine Devimon had arrived, leading a squad of Adults and Perfects. The only thing standing in his way was Juri's small but determined band of reserve Tamers, made up of herself, Shuichon and Masahiko. Leomon and Lopmon stood ready for battle, while Culumon stayed near the humans to protect them. "Is this all you humans have to send against me?" Marine Devimon laughed. "An Adult, two Children and three brats?"
"Count again," Juri said, nodding to Shuichon.
The little girl nodded and held up her D-Ark, a card in her other hand. "Carddo Surrashu!" She slid the card through the slot as she cried out, "Queen Device!"
Lopmon, already charging at Marine Devimon, leapt into the air as he evolved. "Ashipatoravana!" he yelled as he remerged as Antiramon. Whirling, his ax-arms cut through the first wave of Marine Devimon's troops.
"Well," the Demon Corps warrior commented as he smiled sinisterly. "It seems this will be more interesting than I thought." He took a step forward. "Go!"
"Juri!" Leomon roared as he ran forward, drawing his sword.
"Card Slash!" Juri drew a card of her own, bringing it up to her D-Ark. "Berserk Sword!"
"Shishioumaru!" The Beast Man Digimon's blade grew longer as the card took effect. With a mighty swing, he sliced the second wave in two and coiled his legs, launching himself at Marine Devimon. He brought his sword down, aiming at the Perfect's head.
"Hn," he grunted, catching the sword in his hands. "Not good enough!" He tossed Leomon away and charged at Juri and the others. "Die!" he roared, raising a huge fist to pound them into the ground.
"Cululu!" Culumon concentrated, creating a force field that was generated by the symbol on his forehead. "Protect!"
Marine Devimon punched the shield, crying out in surprise as his fist bounced off it harmlessly. "Eh?"
"Now!" Antiramon leapt at him as Leomon charged at his legs. "Ashipatoravana!"
"Fist of the Beast King!"
"Naive fools!" Marine Devimon whirled to face them, blocking Antiramon's axes with the tentacles on his back while deflecting Leomon's Fist of the Beast King with his arms. "Guilty Black!"
As Leomon backflipped out of the way of the energy ball Marine Deimon launched at him, Juri bit her thumb nervously. "We can't lose...otherwise Takato and the others will have fought for nothing!" She stared at her D- Ark. "We can't lose!"
******************
As Juri and the others fought outside, Alice stood at a window, looking down at them. "..."
"Alice..." whispered a voice softly.
The blond girl looked around, surprised. "Dobermon?"
"I am here." A faint outline appeared in the hallway, so faint its features were indistinct. "I am always here."
"Dobermon," she said to her friend, glancing out the window. "Can't we do anything to help them?"
"I'm sorry," the ghostly dog replied, looking away as if embarrassed or ashamed. "Like this, I can do nothing."
"It isn't your fault," Alice assured him. "All we can do is watch, I suppose." She sighed. "Just like the last time."
*****************
'Be on your guard,' warned the voice in Cyberdramon's head as he carried Ryo through the halls of Devimon's temple. 'I sense powerful foes nearby.'
"Right." Cyberdramon began slowing down and set Ryo down as they approached a huge pair of doors.
The Tamer unbuttoned his cardholder and held his D-Ark, ready for battle. "Through here?" he asked.
Cyberdramon nodded. He raised his hands, energy gathering as he charged at the doors. Lowering his shoulder, he rammed the doors, bursting them open with a crash.
Ryo followed at a run through the doorway. He screeched to a halt and looked around. "Where are..."
"There!" Cyberdramon growled, snapping his head in the direction of the far wall. Ryo gasped as his eyes fell on the limp forms of Hikari, Hirokazu and the others. Crying out, he ran towards them. Cyberdramon roared. "Enemy!"
"Wha?!" Ryo froze before ducking just as two huge blades attached to chains flew out of the shadows, barely missing him. "Who's there?"
Cyberdramon bared his fangs as a huge Digimon appeared. Its upper half was humanoid and covered in golden armour fashioned after that of a samurai warrior. A crescent moon crest decorated its helmet, under which glared a fearsome demon's face. The Digimon's lower half was a huge warhorse, also covered in samurai-style armour. It pawed the ground, snorting threateningly. The entire effect was that of a giant centaur dressed in Japanese armour. Ryo edged away as the Digimon wielded a massive katana and drew a smaller blade, holding one sword in each hand. "Zanbamon. Virus. God Man Digimon. Ultimate. Ultimate techniques: Prison Gate of Beheading, Cross Slash." He looked up at Zanbamon, who stood watching them calmly. "Great..."
"...I will commence," Zanbamon said, reigning in his horse half. "Prepare yourself."
"No more talk," Cyberdramon growled. "Erase Claw!"
*****************
Dukemon somersaulted out of Pinnochimon's way as the puppet swung his hammer. "Royal Saber!" As Pinnochimon ducked under the crimson beam, the Holy Knight kicked off a nearby wall and slammed into him, shield first. Taking advantage of Pinnochimon's surprise, he looked around to check on the others. Sakuyamon was holding MetalSeadramon at bay, backflipping and rolling out of the way as he fired Ultimate Streams and swung his tail at her. Shakkoumon and ImperialDramon were fighting Demon to a standstill, neither side giving or asking quarter. Dukemon noticed something worrying, however. "Takato..."
"What is it, Guilmon?"
"Demon..." Dukemon said, a slight tremble in his voice. "He's fighting with one hand..."
"What?!" Takato looked in disbelief. Sure enough, Demon deflected ImperialDramon's Positron Laser with a wave of his hand before launching a Flame Inferno at the dragon. "Is...is he that strong?" Takato whispered.
"Bullet Hammer!" Explosions ripped up the ground as Pinnochimon rose to his feet and leapt at Dukemon, swinging his hammer.
"Che!" Dukemon hissed as he took a surprised step back. "We should finish this guy off quickly so we can concentrate on Demon."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Takato agreed. "Let's go!"
*****************
"Pure Flame Fox Dance!" Sakuyamon made a circular motion with her hand, sending a trio of Fox Spirits at MetalSeadramon. The cyborg serpent roared as they flew around him, burning him. Taking advantage of the Dark Master's distraction, the silver-haired warrior jumped into the air. "Rice Cord!" She swung her staff, flaming ropes erupting from its tip and engulfing MetalSeadramon's head. As he roared in pain, she dropped out of the air, kicking him in the head on her way down.
"Kisama!" the Dark Master roared furiously. "Poseidon Divide!" He drew his head back before diving down, slashing at her with his horn. Sakuyamon rolled out of the way as the ground split open from the impact, water gushing out from a ruptured water main. "You won't get away so easily!" MetalSeadramon twisted his head around as he growled. "Pressure!"
The water at Sakuyamon's feet suddently erupted upwards, taking her by surprise. "Whoaaa!" Ruki cried as the silver-haired warrior was blown off her feet. The ground began rumbling as MetalSeadramon's attack burst the water pipes underneath the streets, making geysers erupt all around the battlefield.
"Aaaaah!" Pinnochimon yelled as a water main exploded under him, sending him flying up into the air. "Watch it!" he whined as he righted himself in mid-air.
"Now!" Dukemon yelled.
Pinnochimon looked down. "Wha...?"
"This is it!" Dukemon coiled his legs underneath him and launched himself at the other Ultimate, slamming into him shield first. "Final Elysian!"
"Uh-oh..." Pinnochimon yelped as the symbols on Dukemon's shield began glowing. "Aaaaaaarrrgghhh!"
"Pinnochimon!" MetalSeadramon yelled as his fellow Dark Master fell to the ground, smoking and singed. He broke off from his battle with Sakuyamon and rushed to the puppet's aid. "Oi, Pinnochimon!"
"MetalSeadramon..." Pinnochimon whispered, reaching up to the other Ultimate with a shaking hand. "H-help me..." he said as his body began breaking up into data. "I don't want to die again..."
"P-Pinnochimon!" MetalSeadramon lowered his head down to try to help the fallen Dark Master, but as he did, Pinnochimon suddenly exploded into data. The serpent roared with rage as his comrade's data rose into the air. "Onore!"
"We did it!" Takato cheered as Dukemon landed.
"Don't get cocky," Ruki warned as Sakuyamon ran up to him. "We've got more to go!"
"I'll kill you!" MetalSeadramon screamed, charging them. "Ultimate Stream!"
*****************
"Cross Slash!" Zanbamon ran forward, slashing twice at the air. A cross- shaped symbol appeared in the air and flew at Cyberdramon, who flew above it. While the two fought, Ryo ran to check on the others.
"You guys alright?" he said, shaking them gently one by one. "Hey, wake up!"
"Ouch," Hirokazu moaned. "R-Ryo-san?"
"Wha-what happened to Devimon?" Hikari asked as she sat up slowly, wincing as she touched a bump on her head gingerly.
"We didn't see him on our way here," Ryo told her as he helped Kenta to his feet and extended a hand to Miyako. Cyberdramon roared as Zanbamon slashed at him, missing by inches. "We did, however, run into this guy," Ryo said, thumbing at Zanbamon over his shoulder.
"Another Ultimate?" Miyako moaned. "Where are all these guys coming from?"
Kenta looked thoughtul. "Ryo-san, you think Devimon summoned him the way Vamdemon summoned all those other Digimon?"
Ryo pondered the question. "Possible, I guess," he shrugged. "We don't know how many cards Devimon had."
"Ryo-kun, come in!" Megumi's voice crackled over his headset. "What's your situation?"
"Hikari's team is alright," Ryo reported. "But there's an Ultimate here too."
"Well, deal with it quick! We're under attack and Juri's team is in trouble!"
"We'll be there as soon as we can!" Ryo turned to Hirokazu. "Can you guys get over there?"
"We're a bit groggy," Guardromon replied.
Hawkmon shook his head, smoothing some ruffled feathers. "But we'll do what we can."
"Ryo-san, what about you?" Hikari asked.
"Cyberdramon and I will take care of this guy."
Kenta looked worried. "Are you sure you two can handle him on your own?"
Ryo grinned. "Don't worry, we've got a trump up our sleeves. Which reminds me..." He handed Kenta and Hirokazu a couple of cards each. "Take these with you."
"Your Device Cards?" Hirokazu blurted out as he held the Knight and Bishop Device Cards.
Kenta stared at the King and Rook Device Cards. "But what about you?"
Ryo held up his D-Ark. "Won't be able to use them," he said.
"Ryo!" Cyberdramon roared, kicking Zanbamon away. "Now!"
"Got it!" Ryo raised his D-Ark. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Cyberdramon evolve!" Black and purple data rings began circling him as he and Ryo hovered into the air, the boy falling into his partner. A shadow appeared above them and dropped down, merging with Cyberdramon just before Ryo did. Cyberdramon's faceplate began cracking and broke apart as his head began reforming into a humanoid-shaped one. The shattered faceplate recombined onto the new head, covering its features. The various blades on his arms and legs melted away as they straightened, becoming more human. The wingpod on his back detached, the brick-red wings losing their hardness and fluttering in the wind as they fused into what looked like a huge scarf. Cyberdramon's black armour broke apart, revealing a blue-and-white colour scheme underneath. A belt with a buckle bearing a sun/spiral emblem appeared around the evolving Digimon's waist as he reached out with his right arm, which unlike the rest of his body was mechanical. He grabbed the scarf as it fluttered in the air and in one smooth motion wrapped it around his neck. Finally, the now-wingless wing pod fused onto his back as he called out his name. "Justimon!"
"Whoa," Miyako whispered, her mouth agape. "What is that?" Her Digimon Analyzer activated as it scanned the evolved Digimon.
Digimon Analyzer: Justimon. Cyborg Digimon. This passionate Ultimate will not forgive injustice! The seal of Justice, Justice Kick, destroys all evil!
"Now get going!" Ryo yelled from inside Justimon. "We'll follow once we've dealt with Zanbamon!"
"How?" Hirokazu said. "He's in the way!"
Sure enough, Zanbamon was standing in front of the door out, his swords held up in a battle stance. Unexpectedly, he stepped aside. "Go then."
"Huh?"
Zanbamon twirled his swords as he spoke. "I have no interest in slaying foes so much weaker than me." He pointed his larger sword at Justimon. "Devimon revived me to slay anyone who came to help these weaklings. He said nothing about what to do with them." He spoke to Hikari and the others. "You are of no threat to me. You are free to go. You, on the other hand," he said, nodding at Justimon. "Seem like a worthy foe. You must die."
'Hahahahaha...' chuckled the shadow's voice, echoing in the part of Justimon that was Cyberdramon. 'He acts just like the Zanbamon who served me!'
Justimon didn't say anything, instead raising his fists. "Go!" he growled at the others.
Warily, Hikari, Hirokazu, Kenta, Miyako and their partners circled the two Ultimates as they made their way to the exit. "Ryo-san!" Hikari called over her shoulder as she left. "Be careful!"
"We're counting on you!" Hirokazu added.
After they left, Zanbamon raised his swords. "Now...let us begin."
"Justice Punch!" Justimon yelled, leaping at the samurai, his cyborg arm glowing. Zanbamon raised his swords and deflected the attack, slashing at the masked hero in return. Backflipping to safety, Justimon raised his cybernetic arm, which morphed into a rectangular cannon shape. "Critical Arm!" he growled as a beam of crimson light appeared, forming a energy sword. As soon as it was formed, he charged at the other Digimon. "Rrraaaaggghhhh!"
"Haaaaah!" Zanbamon released a war-cry as he brought his swords down. There was a birlliant flash as the blades clashed.
*****************
"We need to pull out all the stops," Daisuke decided.
Ken nodded. "Right. At the rate this is going, we won't get anywhere."
"ImperialDramon!" Daisuke yelled to the dragon. "Let's go!"
"Hit him with everything you've got!" Ken called.
"Okay, Daisuke!" XV-mon's voice answered.
"You can count on me, Ken-san!" Stingmon added.
"ImperialDramon! Mode Change!" The dragon flew up into the air as he began transforming. His forelegs shifted into arms, ending in clawed hands. His hindlegs straightened, becoming longer and more humanoid. His head seemed to sink into his chest, forming a chestplate of sorts as a new head appeared, this one having more of Stingmon's features than the dragon one. A pair of blue eyes opened as his wings spread out majestically. "Fighter Mode!"
"Hn," Demon snorted, hovering backwards through the air. "The same tricks as before."
"We're wiser than before, Demon!" ImperialDramon said, dashing at him. "Imperial Claw!" A pair of golden claws on his forearm swung outwards as he spread his wings and flew straight up, slashing Demon's face on the way.
"Arrhhh!" The Demon Lord flinched as a sharp pain cut across his face. Though his cloak took the brunt of the attack, he still felt it. "You have grown stronger..." His eyes flashed as he thrust his hand at ImperialDramon and Shakkoumon. "But you are still far too weak! Flame Inferno!"
"Giga Death!" "Nigimitama!" There was an explosion as the three attacks struck each other, forcing the Chosen Children to shield their eyes from the glare.
"Ken-kun, Daisuke-kun!" Iori said as he ran up to the two, Takeru behind him. "We need to stop Demon quickly!"
"Iori's right," Takeru panted. "Lee-kun's alone back there and he'll probably need help." His brow furrowed as he asked, "Has there been any word on Hikari-chan and Miyako-chan?"
Daisuke shook his head, his worried expression mirroring the one on the other boy's face. "Nothing. I'm worried."
"Daisuke-kun, Takeru-kun!" Reika's voice came over their headsets. "What's your situation?"
"We're alright for now," Ken reported.
"Has there been any word from Hikari-chan?" Daisuke asked.
"Don't worry," Reika told him. "We've just gotten a report from her team. They're on their way back here to help with defending the building."
"The base is under attack?" Iori gasped. "Shouldn't we help?"
"We've got out hands full with Demon!" Ken told him. "We can't pull back until we beat him!"
"Ken!" Daisuke snapped his fingers. "Can you try opening a portal to the Dark Ocean like the last time?"
"You think that will work?" Takeru asked.
Daisuke shrugged. "If you've got a better idea..."
Ken nodded and walked forward, raising his black D-3. "Here goes nothing..."
*****************
As Ken began opening the Dark Gate, his actions did not go unnoticed. "Eei?" Chimeramon looked down from his vantage point high in the sky, sensing a distortion in the dimensional barriers. "The Kaiser? So he attempts to open a portal to the Dark Ocean, does he?" He would've smiled, if his mouth was capable of doing so. "Perfect."
*****************
"Darkness Claw!" Beelzebumon swiped at the air, knocking a pair of Piemon's Trump Swords out of the air. He raised his other hand, aiming his shotgun. "Double Impact!"
"Clown Trick!" Piemon fired a ball of solidified air, striking Beelzebumon's bullets in mid-air and blowing them off course. "I'm impressed!" he said, landing nimbly on a piece of twisted metal, looking down at Beelzebumon with a smirk. "No one has ever lasted this long with me one on one!"
"Guess that makes me special, huh?" Beelzebumon hid his right arm behind his back as he edged away, keeping his other arm aimed at Piemon.
"Indeed," Piemon agreed. "But I'm afraid it's time to end this." He drew a huge white cloth out of his sleeve. "You will make a magnificent keychain!"
"I don't think so!" Beelzebumon growled. "I promised Ai and Makoto I'd be back soon, and you've wasted enough of my time!"
"Fool. Don't you realise who you're dealing with?" Piemon threw the cloth upwards.
"Don't you?" Beelzebumon retorted, shooting the cloth apart. While his arm was pointing up, however, Piemon dived to the ground and dashed at him.
"You left yourself wide open!" he gloated as he willed swords into his hands. "Die!" He swung his swords upward at an angle, intent on slicing Beelzebumon apart. The blades struck the Ultimate just under the arm, cutting through him like a razor-sharp knife through old meat. Instead of exploding into data, however, the Demon Lord vanished in a flurry of what looked like black feathers. Confused, Piemon looked around. "What? Where did he...?"
"Up here!"
At Beelzebumon's cry, Piemon looked up. "!"
Beelzebumon hovered in the air, carried aloft by a pair of magnificent black angel wings. His right arm was now replaced by a huge high-tech cannon, which was aimed at the Dark Master. "Game over!" The tip of the cannon split open and purple energy began gathering.
"Clown Trick!"
"Death Slinger!"
*****************
Meanwhile, MugenDramon continued his attack on Saint Galgomon, who could do little more than block the Dark Master's blows. "Jen...I don't know how much more I can take!"
"..." Jen's eyes were shut as he tried to sense where MugenDramon's head was. "Where...where..." He focused and noticed something. "? Most attacks come from the same direction at first, then start swirling around us."
"What does that mean?" his partner snapped, his voice strained as he tried to withstand MugenDramon's onslaught.
"He must need to direct his body parts..." Jen reasoned. "Which means his head must be..."
"There!" Saint Galgomon cried out, spinning and facing the direction most attacks were launched from. "Burst Shot!" His shoulder armour opened up, as did his chest armour and various compartments on his arms and legs. Missiles launched from the larger compartments on his shoulders, chest and legs, while smaller missiles launched from his forearms.
"!" MugenDramon was surprised, not expecting the attack. His surprise was brief, though, and he quickly began moving his head out of harm's way.
"What is with this guy?" Saint Galgomon grumbled irritably at MugenDramon moved his head like a minature fighter, weaving through the various armaments with infuriating ease.
"While he's focusing on dodging, he can't control his body so well!" Jen told his partner.
"I get it!" Terriermon's voice cheered noticably as Saint Galgomon turned his firepower on MugenDramon's body parts, which were now moving at only a fraction of their previous speed. "Burst Shot!"
"...clever..." MugenDramon said to himself as he felt his body come under attack. "This human is more intelligent than I expected." His eyes grew dim for an instant before flaring up again with a malicious light. "So be it." He sent a brief mental summons to the rest of his body as he manuvered his head some distance away.
"Huh?" Saint Galgomon wondered as MugenDramon's components flew away. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure..." Jen replied. "But I don't think we're going to like it..."
MugenDramon slowly began to reform, his various parts interlocking and combining until the robotic dragon stood before them, his eyes peering at them with laser-like intensity. "No more tactics."
"What?"
"No more tactics, no more strategies." MugenDramon raised his spike arm, opening and closing it threateningly. "I will kill you with my own raw power!" MugenDramon charged as Saint Galgomon raised his fists and did the same. "Raaaaaaggghhhh!"
"Haaaaaaaaahhh!" There was a deafening clashing sound of steel on steel as the two Ultimates crashed into each other and began fighting tooth and nail.
*****************
"Gwaaah!" Ryo grunted as Justimon crashed into a wall after a kick from Zanbamon's horse half. "This guy's tougher than we thought... Maybe we should've gotten the others to help us."
"Speak for yourself," Justimon growled. "I'm enjoying this!"
Ryo shook his head, sweatdropping. "The others still need us. We can't waste time here!"
"A good fight is never wasted!" Justimon rose to his feet, raising his fists.
Ryo was silent for a moment. His eyes lit up as an idea struck him. "If we don't hurry," he said, "then the others will probably beat all the other enemies..."
"!" As Justimon rose to his feet, a small rod extended out of his cyborg arm. "Then we'd beter finish this!"
"You intend to finish me?" Zanbamon whirled his swords. "Hn, you will not find it so easy, Akiyama Ryo!"
"How do you know my name?" Ryo asked, surprised.
Zanbamon pointed his larger blade at Justimon. "You do not remember me? How you defeated me and Lampmon when we tried to eliminate you and ENIAC?"
"ENIAC? Lampmon?" Ryo was even more confused now. "What are you talking about?"
Zanbamon growled. "If you do not remember, then there is no point drawing this battle out any longer. You are a worthy foe, Ryo, but now it is time I finished my mission and kill you!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Justimon snarled. "Justice Saber!"
"Let us settle this in one strike!" Zanbamon roared, charging with both his swords whirling.
"Suits us!" Justimon replied as he ran forward to meet him halfway.
"Die, Akiyama Ryo!" Zanbamon crossed his arms before slashing. "Cross Slash!"
Justimon activate his Critical Arm and mimiced Zanbamon's movements using his Saber and the energy blade from the Critical Arm. "X-Justice Slash!"
There was a flash and the sound of metal cleaving through flesh. Both Ultimates stood still, Zanbamon facing one way, Justimon the other. "I knew I felt a familiar aura..." Zanbamon said, not facing his opponent. "This feeling..." Ryo gave a start as he looked down at Justimon's hands. His normally crimson energy blade was a vivid purple. Zanbamon spoke again, getting his attention. "I...apologise..." he rasped. "For...not being a more...worthy opponent..." He fell to his knees, the gaping wound on his chest beginning to widen as he broke up into data. "Forgive me...Millenniumon-sama..."
"Millenniumon?" Ryo repeated. "There's that name again! Who is this guy?"
Zanbamon chuckled. "You...do not realise...?" As he faded away, the warrior spoke once more. "Millenniumon-sama...I do not pretend to understand why...but...I wish you good fortune...Master..."
"Master?" Ryo was confused. "Are you talking to Cyberdramon?" By then, Zanbamon was gone and his question went unanswered. "..."
"Now...the enemy outside..." Justimon began walking towards the doorway out.
"Cyberdramon."
"?" Justimon halted in mid-step.
"What are you hiding from me?"
"..."
"There's something you're not telling me," Ryo continued. "The Dark Masters, Vamdemon, Devimon and now Zanbamon. They seemed to know me...and you."
"There is another Ryo, perhaps?" Cyberdramon suggested. "That boy, Ken, said so himself."
"Then why did Zanbamon call us Master?"
"He was dying. Maybe he was apologising to his dead master."
"How can you be sure his master is dead?"
"We're wasting time." Cyberdramon growled as Justimon began moving again.
"Alright," Ryo said. "But once this is over, we need to have a serious talk."
"..."
*****************
"Shaggai System is charged!" Reika reported.
Megumi kept her eyes on her monitor, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "All systems checked."
"We're ready anytime," Janyuu told Yamaki.
The blond nodded, flicking his lighter shut. "Warn Takato and the others," he ordered. "Prepare to activate!"
"Roger!"
*****************
Ken lowered his D-3 as the Dark Gate opened. "It's done!"
"ImperialDramon! Shakkoumon!" Daisuke yelled to the two Digimon. "You know what to do!"
"Got it!" ImperialDramon flew up to Demon, ramming him with his shoulder and hurling him up into the air.
"Eei?" Demon righted himself in mid-air with a flap of his wings. "Do you take me for a fool?" he demanded as he flew higher up. "Do you think I would fall for the same trick twice?"
"I was kinda hoping, yeah," Daisuke muttered to himself. Ken touched his shoulder to get his attention. "What's wrong?"
Ken had his hand to his headset. "They're getting ready to fire the Shaggai System," he told the others. "They want us to get clear."
Takeru nodded. "Daisuke, do you think..."
Daisuke grinned. "I'm way ahead of you. You think Shakkoumon can keep Demon busy until Ken and I tell ImperialDramon the plan?"
Iori and Takeru glanced at each other before nodding. "Leave it to us," the younger boy said.
Ken nodded as he and Daisuke ran closer to the battle, calling ImperialDramon to them.
*****************
"Gwaah!" Leomon was hurled bodily through the air, slamming into Antiramon. Marine Devimon laughed maniacally as he stomped closer, followed by his troops.
"Guahahahaha!" The Perfect smiled evilly. "Not bad, not bad," he said, brushing himself off. "But still not good enough!"
"Kuso!" Leomon swore as he staggered to his feet. "Is this all I can do?"
"Leomon!" Juri called from behind Culumon's shield. "Get away!"
The scarred Adult shook his head. "I can't run, Juri," he told her. "If I do, then who will protect you?"
"Takato-kun will be here soon!" the girl pleaded. "Just get away until he gets here!"
Leomon raised his sword. "Not until he gets here, then!"
"If you're quite finished..." Marine Devimon sneered. "I'd like to get on with killing you now."
"Not if we can help it!" Explosions erupted around the Perfect's feet, surprising him. Looking up, the group saw Hirokazu, Hikari and the others arriving on Guardromon and the other fliers. "Katou! Everyone okay?"
Juri nodded gratefully. "You got here just in time!"
"Hehe," the visored boy grinned, thumbing his nose. "The heroes always have to make a dramatic entrance!"
Marine Devimon snorted. "Hero, huh? Then die a hero's death!" He turned to face them, the machine on his chest humming as energy gathered around it. "Guilty Black!"
"Pupiipi!" Marine Angemon flew forward and opened his mouth, launching a group of bubbles that struck the attack and vanished. "Piipuupi!"
"Go get him, Marine Angemon!" Kenta cheered as his partner flew straight for Marine Devimon.
"Marine Angemon?" the large black Digimon repeated. "Out of my way, insect!" He swiped at the tiny Ultimate, who evaded the attack easily and launched a stream of bubbles at his foe. Marine Devimon pulled his head back, the bubbles just missing him. "Graah!" With surprising agility, the large demon leapt into the air and brought a massive foot down on the smaller Digimon, smashing him into the pavement.
Juri gasped and Miyako winced, but Kenta smirked. "It'll take more than that to take Marine Angemon out!"
"Pupii!" Marine Devimon looked down at Marine Angemon's muffled cry.
"What?"
Kenta obligingly translated. "He said: Watch out!"
"Watch...out?" A massive beam of light suddenly erupted from beneath the Perfect, launching him high into the air. "Gwaaaah!"
Leomon, ever the warrior, was quick to capitalise on Marine Devimon's sudden vulnerability. "Antiramon!"
"Ready!"
The two Digimon leapt into the air, Leomon whirling his sword and Antiramon morphing his hands into axes. "Shishioumaru!" "Ashipatoravana!" They slashed at the Demon Corp trooper, making him yell in pain.
"Kenta!" Hirokazu said. "You, Katou and the rest can handle things from here. The rest of us will help the others on the roof!"
"Okay," his friend nodded. "You can count on us!"
Hirokazu turned to Hikari and Miyako. "Do you think your partners are ready to fight?"
"No need to worry," Miyako winked.
"We'll do our part," Hikari added. Tailmon unsheathed her claws.
"Just say the word, Hikari," she said.
Before anyone could act, however, there was a brilliant flash of light as the Shaggai System fired.
*****************
"Shaggai System, ready!"
"All systems green!"
Yamaki nodded to Reika and Megumi. "Shaggai Syastem, activate!" The two operators quickly got to work, tapping keys and bringing the anti-Digimon weapon online. The blond held his breath. "Here goes nothing..."
*****************
"Ei?" Skull Satamon froze from where he was dueling with Mummymon when he heard a faint hum. "What is that?"
"Mummymon! Archnemon!" Oikawa called. "Get clear!"
"You got it, boss!" Mummymon replied as he and the spider-woman leapt out of the way.
Skull Satamon, being no fool, called to Lady Devimon and the rest of their forces. "Scatter! Scatter!" The Dark Digimon spread out just as the Shaggai System activated, sending a beam of energy towards the battlefield. A Flymon was too slow and shrieked as it was deleted. "That's..." Skull Satamon's voice took a surprised tone as he saw where the beam was headed. "Demon-sama!"
*****************
"ImperialDramon!" Ken and Daisuke yelled. As agreed, the dragon had engaged Demon with support fire from Shakkoumon. When Reika confirmed the Shaggai System's activation, the two Chosen Children called to their partner, who suddenly flew straight for Demon.
"A suicide attack?" Demon growled as he realised ImperialDramon was trying to ram him into the Dark Gate. "All for nothing!" He raised his hand, flames forming in the air as he prepared his Flame Inferno attack.
ImperialDramon smirked. "Now!" The humanoid dragon suddenly folded his wings, diving under Demon and the Dark Gate.
"Eh?" Demon blinked in surprise. Instinctively, he realised he had left himself open to attack and quickly folded his wings to protect himself. The move did nothing against the power of the Shaggai System and the Demon Lord grunted in pain as he felt his data torn apart.
"Yes!" Daisuke cheered, snapping his fingers.
Iori nodded grimly. "Now we've got him!"
"Is that so?" Devimon's voice echoed through the air as the Dark Messenger appeared, hovering safely above Demon and the Shaggai System's blast. His great ragged wings kept him aloft as he looked down at the Chosen Children.
Takeru's lip curled in disgust. "You!"
"..." Devimon didn't reply, staring down at them instead.
"Hey," Daisuke said. "Weren't you Chimeramon a minute ago?" His eyes widened. "Everyone!" he yelled. "Stay on your toes!"
Devimon smiled. "You are not as stupid as you look, Chosen Child." His smile became mocking. "But too little too late!" As he spoke, Shakkoumon cried out as Metal Greymon rammed him from behind, knocking him out of the air. Simultaneously, Skull Greymon leapt down from a building, landing on ImperialDramon's back and forcing him down.
Meanwhile, where Sakuyamon and Dukemon were battling a vengeful MetalSeadramon, the street began cracking. "Huh?" Takato noticed the cracks widening and called out to Ruki. "Ruki!"
"What is..." She was cut off as Angemon, Kabuterimon and Kuwagamon burst out of the ground. The two insectoid Adults grabbed Sakuyamon and flew off with her in the direction of the Chosen Children.
"Ruki!" Takato yelled before seeing Angemon's fist glowing as he punched at Dukemon. "Gwaaaaaah!"
"Uaaah!" Dukemon grunted as Angemon's Heaven Knuckle sent him flying through the air. His eyes widened as the angel suddenly appeared behind him and grabbed his foot before spinning around in his God Typhoon technique.
"Whoaaaaa!" Takato cried, begining to feel more than a little ill from the spinning. As he thought he was going to throw up, Angemon released him, sending him flying in an arc. Dukemon skidded to a halt in an undignified heap at ImperialDramon's feet.
"You okay?" the humanoid dragom Ultimate asked.
"I'm fine," Dukemon replied, getting up.
"Aaaaah!"
"Huh?" Dukemon looked up and yelped as Sakuyamon crashed into him. "Waak!"
Ruki cursed as the silver-haired warrior got to her feet. "That's it! No more playing around!"
'Great,' Takato thought to himself. 'Now she's really mad.'
"Ruki!" Sakuyamon looked around. "This is..."
"What is it, Renamon?" the Tamer asked.
"I've the strange feeling we've been driven together."
"What?" Ruki looked around, realising Sakuyamon, Dukemon, ImperialDramon and Shakkoumon were now in the same area. "This can't be good."
*****************
"Yamaki!" Janyuu yelled. "Something's wrong with the Shaggai System!"
"What?!" Yamaki's eyes widened as he whirled to face the older man. He whipped his head around. "Reika! What's going on!"
The redhead tapped her keyboard frantically. "What..." she whispered to herself. Her eyes were wide with shock under her visor as she reported to Yamaki, her voice shaking. "We've lost control of the Shaggai..."
"What...what do you mean?"
Megumi spoke up. "Something's hijacked the system...it's moving the beam!"
"To where?" Yamaki asked, dreading the answer.
"..." Megumi gasped and paled. "It's aiming at Takato and the others!"
*****************
"Takato!" Yamaki yelled through the headset, making the boy wince. "Get out of there!"
"Yamaki-san?" the boy said. "What is it?"
"The Dark Digimon have taken over the Shaggai System!" the man told him. "It's aiming at you and the others!"
"What?!" Dukemon looked up as Takato yelled. "Everyone scatter!"
"Too late!" Devimon said, snapping his fingers.
The Digimon gave out a collective scream of pain as the Shaggai System's beam turned on them, burning them at its touch. To Ruki and Takato, who were inside their Digimon partners, the pain was even worse. "Aaaaaarghhh!" Dukemon fell to his knees, screaming as he felt his body being torn apart.
Sakuyamon stayed standing, using her staff for support. "Ghhh..." The golden-clad warrior took a tortured step forward. "Ruki...are...you...alright?"
Ruki grit her teeth. "I'll last," she replied grimly. "We've got...to take Devimon out! Then maybe..."
"You can stop the pain?" MetalSeadramon mocked as he loomed over the female Ultimate, safely out of range of the Shaggai's blast field. "I think not." The serpent called up to Devimon. "Devimon! I'll finish them!"
Devimon looked over to Demon, who had lowered himself to the ground, his cloak ragged and torn. "Let him," the Dark Digimon leader said. Devimon nodded and, with a wave of his hand, weakened the beam so it wouldn't kill the Tamers and their allies too quickly.
MetalSeadramon laughed as he hovered upwards, preparing to incinerate them with a single blast. "This is for Pinnochimon!"
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Meanwhile, Justimon had emerged from the temple and was being brought up to speed by Hirokazu. "Isn't there anything you can do over there?" Ryo asked.
"We can't!" Hirokazu replied, his voice strained over the sound of fighting. "Mummymon and Archnemon are busy with Skull Satamon's force and Lady Devimon's attacking Silphymon!"
"What about you and Kenta?"
"We've got our hands full with Marine Devimon and his gang. Katou and the others are doing their best, but we're still too busy fighting to do anything. It's up to you, Ryo-san!"
"But we're too far away!" Ryo protested as Hirokazu signed off. "Great."
"..." Justimon looked around, his eyes coming upon a glow coming from the battlefield. "There."
"We need to get there fast!"
"Right." Justimon raised his cybernetic arm. "Hook Arm!" The appendage morphed into a gun of sorts, tipped with a futuristic hook. Taking aim, he fired, the hook catching hold of the edge of a building. As the cyborg pulled himself up, his partner was trying to come up with a plan of action.
"Jenrya's still fighting MugenDramon," Ryo said to himself. "Beelzebumon's taking on Piemon and BlackWarGreymon's finishing off that group that attacked us..." He sighed. "Great. It is up to us." Justimon pulled himself onto the building. Ryo gasped. A huge ball of bluish light generated by a beam coming from the Hypnos Towers was plainly visible. The Tamer could make out a number of shapes inside, writhing in pain. "Ruki and the others are in there?!" His eyes widened as he saw MetalSeadramon float upwards into the air, his nose cannon charging. He clenched his fist. "Kuso! Even if we hurry, there's no way we can get there in time!"
"..." Justimon spoke. "There is one thing..."
"What?"
"But it will hurt."
"I don't care! Do it, Cyberdramon!"
"Alright." The masked blue and white cyborg brace himself and raised his cyborg arm, aiming it at the part of the Hypnos Towers the beam was coming from. The emblem on his belt began glowing as energy began gathering in the air.
"!" Ryo winced as the energy suddenly calmped down on Justimon's arm, sending jolts of pain up the boy's body.
"Dimension..." Justimon growled as his arm began glowing with white hot energy. "Destroyer!"
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"Yamaki!" Reika called. "An enormous energy surge is heading this way!"
"Another enemy?"
"No....it looks like it was fired by Justimon!"
"What?"
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Takeru and the other Chosen Children were beside themselves with anger, unable to do anything to help thair partners. "Kuso!" Daisuke cursed. "We've got to do something! They'll be killed!"
Iori pointed behind the Dark Gate. "Wait...what's that?"
MetalSeadramon laughed maniacally as he readied his Ultimate Stream. "Die! Ultimate Streaaaa-!" He was cut off as an unyielding beam of energy severed his head, killing him instantly.
"What?!" Devimon gasped as he flew higher with a flap of his wings, the beam barely missing him. "What is that?!" his eyes widened as the beam burst through the Dark Gate, destroying it. "The Dark Gate! No!"
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Skull Satamon cackled as he watched the tide turn in his favour. Since they were now desperate to stop the Shaggai System while protecting their master Oikawa, Mummymon and Archnemon's attacks were becoming less focused, less of a threat. "It 's only a matter of time before Demon-sama is victorious," the skeletal Perfect chuckled. Then, suddenly, he felt something approach. Whirling round, he was confronted by a massive energy beam, which engulfed him before he could move. "D-Demon-samaaaa!" he screamed as he perished. "Banzaaaaaaai!" The beam went on, tearing through his forces before striking the Shaggai System.
"Down!" Mummymon yelled, tackling Archnemon and Oikawa, using himself as a shield as he held them down. There was a massive explosion as the Shaggai System exploded.
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"What...what was that?" Takato asked groggily as Dukemon got to his feet.
"I don't know," Ruki said. "But I bet Ryo's behind it somehow."
"Ugh," ImperialDramon growled. "What happened to Devimon?"
"ImperialDramon!" Daisuke yelled. "Watch out!"
"Huh?" ImperialDramon turned, only to be hit in the chest. As the dragon fell, the others looked around for the attacker.
"No more games." At the sound of the voice, Chosen Child, Tamer and Digimon alike turned and froze. A massive behemoth stood before them, torn rags at its feet. It was covered in dark brown fur that seemed to shine with some unearthly light. One of the beast's arms was longer than the other, but both ended in powerful hands tipped with razor sharp claws. Two great horns grew out of its head and a third blue eye in its forehead glared at them with as much intensity as the other two on its face. A huge gaping mouth, lined with fangs with two huge ones actually reaching from his top jaw to his lower one, emitted a low growl. His great demon wings let the children know who it was.
"D-Demon?" Iori whispered worriedly.
Daisuke was no less shocked. "No...no way..." he said. "He mode changed?"
"Mode Change?" Demon repeated. "No, not quite." He gestured to his destroyed cloak. "This cloak was meant to mask my power, make me seem weaker than I really was. I never thought the day would come when I would need to take it off..."
"And now what?" Ruki demanded as Sakuyamon clutched her staff. "We just roll over and die?"
"In a word?" Demon asked as Justimon appeared in the sky above, his foot outstretched.
"Justice Kick!" Demon reached out with his enlongated arm, which suddenly became even longer and smashed Justimon out of the air.
The Dark Digimon looked back to the others. "Yes."
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Preview:
Takato: Ughaa! This...this is Demon's true power?
Lee: Kuso! We can't lose now...not when we're so close!
Ruki: What kind of talk is that? We won't lose!
Digimon Tamers Dark Wing Chapter 30! The Grand Battle for Tokyo!
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Author's notes: Shuichon puts a lot of stress into her Card Slash. She rolls her 'r's more than, say, Jen or Takato, who say something like "Carddo Surash!"
Author's notes: 'Onore' is a very rude taunt/insult. Roughly translated, it can mean 'b*stard!', even though it technically means 'you!' One of the people most well-known for using it was Kamen Rider V3, the third Kamen Rider. Not something you'd expect a heroic defender of justice to say week after week, but that just shows how much he hates his enemies.
Author's notes: 'Banzai' is a warcry. It can mean something like 'Long live!' so Mashmar Callos' line from ZZ Gundam, ''Haman-sama! Banzai!", would mean "Long Live Lady Haman!"
Author's notes: As you will probably have guessed, there are plenty of Kamen Rider-inspired attacks in this chapter. Hee.
Reviews, comments, suggestions and criticisms (constructive or otherwise) are welcome and can be sent to Withoutmorals@antisocial.com