Right, first things first. I apologise for making everyone wait so long for
these final chapters. I became increasingly busy, so I didn't have as much
time to work on Dark Wing as I would've liked. The fact that the data was
lost on an infuriatingly regular basis, forcing me to start from scratch
repeatedly, didn't help either.
Author's notes: I realise I made a mistake saying this would be the final chapter. New ideas kept coming in thanks to new CDs and DVDs I bought (including Mazinkaiser, Mazinkaiser: Shitou! Ankoku DaiShogun, Shin Getter VS Neo Getter and Gear Fighter Dendoh) as well as games like Super Robot Wars Alpha II. I would've updated long ago if I hadn't made that blunder. So instead, I've split the finale into two. Enjoy!
Digimon Levels:
Child: Rookie
Adult: Champion
Perfect: Ultimate Ultimate: Mega
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing Chapter 30
The Grand Battle for Tokyo!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"Hyaaa!" A metallic muscular monkey leapt into the air, somersaulting at his target, a humanoid Digimon covered in black armour and a silver helmet. "Heavy Monkick!" He kicked out, his silverish skin reflecting the light.
BlackWarGreymon stepped aside, letting MetalEtemon past. "Where are you looking?" he snorted. "I'm over here!"
"Grrr!" MetalEtemon pulled his foot out of the ground angrily. "If you'd stay still, I'd show you who's stronger!"
"Having brute strength isn't everything," BlackWarGreymon replied. "You might be stronger, but if you have no skill it is worthless!"
"You talk too much!" MetalEtemon roared, leaping up and punching at the other Ultimate.
BlackWarGreymon raised his arm, deflecting the punch and launching one of his own. "Haa!"
The force of the blow knocked MetalEtemon back. "Ghhh!" the primate growled. "You're strong too..." He looked down and saw a crack in his chest where the blow struck. "!"
BlackWarGreymon raised his fists. "Let's finish this."
MetalEtemon seethed, his teeth clenched. "Suits me!" he yelled as he charged the Dark Ultimate.
*****************
Saint Galgomon hurled MugenDramon down the street, listening with some satisfaction to the gut wrenching sound of scraping steel. The steel dragon rose to his feet, his eyes burning with hatred. "You..." The dragon aimed his cannons at the green Ultimate. "Mugen Cannon!"
"Hup!" The robotic Digimon coiled his legs and jumped over the blast, activating his backpack.
"Hyaaaaah!" While in the air, Jen yelled as he moved through the motions of a drop kick. Saint Galgomon mimicked his movements and deliver a skull- shattering kick to MugenDramon's head. MugenDramon took a step back before whirling around, using his tail as a flail. Saint Galgomon crossed his arms, grunting as the blow pushed him back, his feet digging grooves into the the street. As soon as he recovered he punched the air, sending a ball of solidified air at his opponent.
"..." MugenDramon shook his head, noting the sparks coming from his damaged body. "My chances of victory are now slim." He cocked his head. "However, you will not enjoy your victory."
"What are you talking about?" Saint Galgomon demanded.
Jen was nervous. "Careful, Terriermon, I don't like the sound of that..."
MugenDramon suddenly charged them, his footsteps echoing through the streets. "Mugen Cannon!"
The street was too narrow for him to sidestep, so Saint Galgomon leapt into the air again. "Shimatta!" Jen cursed as he realised they had left themselves open. Suddenly MugenDramon coiled his legs and launched himself into the air at them, clamping down on Saint Galgomon's body with a death grip.
"I will not live to avenge myself on WarGreymon," the Dark Master said. "But I will make sure the others survive, at least." His chest plate slid open, revealing his Digicore, which glowed with a malicious crimson light. "Catastrophe!"
"!!!" Jen cried out wordlessly as MugenDramon self-destructed.
*****************
The sound of MugenDramon's destruction reached making Hirokazu and the others look around nervously. "What was that?" the visored Tamer wondered aloud.
"Never mind that!" Mummymon yelled as he rappelled down the building, using his bandages as ropes. "Skull Satamon is dead! Now's our chance!" He suddenly let go of his bandages, falling the rest of the way down. "Let's go, my love!"
"This isn't the time, idiot!" Archnemon yelled at him as she followed, letting go of the webs she had been using to climb down. "Spirit Needle!"
"Gun Attack!" Explosions erupted from wherever Archnemon's Needles struck while Mummymon raked the ground with laser fire. The resulting barrage scattered Marine Devimon's troops, making him yell.
"Idiots!" he screamed. "Stand your ground!" Through the chaos, he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps. "Eh?"
Leomon roared as he appeared out of the chaotic melee. "Fist of the Beast King!" There was a crack as the Adult's power-charged fist connected with the valves on the larger Digimon's chest. Marine Devimon roared in pain and clutched his chest as the Beast Man leapt into the air. "Shishioumaru!"
"Aaaaugh!" Marine Devimon cried out as Leomon slashed him across the face. As he staggered back, the Beast Man landed on his back and kicked himself into the air.
"Juri!"
The brown-haired girl held up her D-Ark as she cried out, "Card Slash!" Sliding the card through the Ark, she called out, "Holy Angemon!"
Leomon whirled his sword once as it began glowing. "Excalibur!" he roared as a shimmering sword of light replaced his Lion King Sword. With a ferocious roar, the battle-scarred Adult brought the blade down, slicing Marine Devimon in half.
"Uwaaaagh!" The Perfect cried out as he received his deathblow. "Demon- sama! My life for you!" With those final words, he broke up into data, swirling away in the wind.
*****************
"Alice," Dobermon said as the elevator descended to the ground floor. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
The black-clad blond didn't reply, keeping her eyes fixed on the floor display. "I can't," she began saying. "I can't just stand around while everyone else is fighting." She thought back to Dolphin and the rest of the Wild Bunch, who were trying feverishly to salvage any components of the Shaggai System for use against Demon. "Everyone else is doing something and I'm just..."
Dobermon nodded. "Say no more. Whatever happens, I will stay with you."
"Thank you."
*****************
"Haaaah!" Dukemon ran forward before launching himself into the air, aiming his shield at Demon. "Final Elysian!"
Demon raised his hand and blocked the blast, even as ImperialDramon took to the air. The dragon's chest opened, a weapon tipped with his Digicore extending out. "Giga Death!"
"Hn." The demonic Ultimate raised his other hand and deflected that attack as well. "Behold the power of Darkness!" His third eye began glowing as he roared, "Evil Eye!" An energy beam shot out, ripping up the ground and through buildings as he tossed his head, forcing the Tamers and Chosen Children to scatter.
Shakkoumon raised his hands, his eyes opening as he aimed at the gigantic demon. "Nigitama!"
As the crimson beams struck Demon, surprising him, Sakuyamon helped Justimon up. "About time you showed up," Ruki told him. "What, were you waiting for the best time to make your grand entrance?"
Ryo grinned. "I'll never tell."
The two Ultimates turned to face Demon as he blasted Shakkoumon with a bolt from his hands. "Justimon," Sakuyamon said. "Can you distract him for a few moments? I have an idea." Justimon grunted in agreement. "Now!" The silver- haired Holy Digimon charged as Justimon leapt into the air.
"Demon!" Justimon roared, getting the larger Digimon's attention. "Die!"
"A direct attack?" Demon raised his hand, a purple bolt forming in his palm. "You rush to your death."
As Demon fired on Justimon, his attention focused on the cyborg, Sakuyamon dashed around him, dragging her staff onto the ground. It left a faintly glowing trail as she sped around the massive Dark Digimon. "Renamon, are you sure this will work?"
"Even if it doesn't, it should hurt Demon enough for a combined attack to be effective."
"Let's hope so."
*****************
"Uh..." Jen slowly woke up, wincing as he felt his head. He pulled his hand away and noticed it was wet. "That's all I need," he moaned, pulling himself up into a sitting position. "Terriermon?"
"He's fine," a voice told him. "He's a bit knocked about, but he'll be okay."
"Wha...?" Jen looked up, starting as he saw two older boys looking down at him. "Who're you?"
"Just two guys worried about their friends," the first speaker said, reaching down to help him up. Jen immediately noticed his unusually large brown hair.
"Speaking of which," the other, this one a blond, said. "Can you take us to them?"
"I...I suppose..."
*****************
Beelzebumon panted as he landed, his cannon arm aimed at Piemon. The Dark Master was in no better shape, his costume torn and dirtied. "You're strong," Beelzebumon admitted. "Never fought anyone like you before."
"I should say the same about you," Piemon replied. "But you will lose in the end."
"Huh," the black-clad Ultimate snorted. "Presumptious, aren't you?"
Piemon smiled. "Or not." The clown suddenly gestured at the ground, which erupted and sent dust clouds into the air.
"What the..." Beezlebumon fired into the dust cloud that now hid Piemon. "Wait..." He looked around. "Ha!" He raised his cannon arm and blocked Piemon's blade as the Dark Master appeared above him and brought his sword down.
"Huh," Piemon smirked, back flipping away. "So you won't fall for tricks like that, eh?"
"Who would be stupid enough to fire into a dust cloud when they can't see where their target is?" Beelzebumon retorted, letting loose a hail of bullets.
"You'd be surprised," Piemon replied as he dodged left and right, avoiding the bullets with apparent ease. He whirled his swords as he dived down. "This is the finish!"
"Not by a long shot!" Beelzebumon raised his cannon arm, blocking the blades. He grunted with exertion as Piemon began applying pressure, forcing the black leather-clad Ultimate to brace his cannon with his other arm.
"Hahahahaha!" Piemon's face was twisted into a feral grin. "It's over!"
Beelzebumon smiled back, eerily resembling the look on Piemon's face. "Oh, it's over," he retorted. There was a small clicking noise that caught Piemon's attention. "Over for you!" Beelzebumon suddenly pushed forward with all his strength, at the same time pulling his right arm back, out of the huge cannon.
Surprised, Piemon fell forward but quickly rolled to his feet. "Do you think that will...urk!"
The two Digimon stood still, Beelzebumon's newly freed fight arm impaling Piemon through the chest. "Good-bye, Piemon." His hand began glowing. "Darkness Claw!" A burst of enegy tore out of Piemon's back, like a pheonix rising from flames.
The Dark Master staggered backwards. "You...you..." He took a step back, clutching the wound. "Gwaah!" He fell, vanishing in an explosion of brightly coloured data that dispersed towards the sky.
"Huh..." Beelzebumon grunted, clutching his sore arm. "Tougher than I thought." He knelt and picked up his cannon, reattaching it to his arm. "Now to help the others."
*****************
Justimon leapt around, twisting and turning in mid-air to avoid Demon's enraged blasts. "Burn!" the demonic Ultimate roared.
The masked hero didn't reply. Instead, he morphed his arm into its blade form and dashed at the larger Digimon. "Critical Arm!"
Demon brought a massive arm down to crush the scarf-wearing Digimon, but all he struck was the pavement. "!" The three-eyed demon looked up to where Justimon was silhouetted against the crimson sky.
"Dai Justice Slash!" He held his sword arm before him, bracing it with his left as he dived like an avenging angel.
Demon moved with surprising speed, folding a gigantic wing and using it as a shield. A roar of pain escaped him as Justimon's blade sliced through part of the leathery hide before the heroic Ultimate kicked off and leapt clear. Turning to the withdrawing hero, Demon opened his mouth and launched a river of flame at him, who crossed his arms to protect himself.
"Ruki! This would be a really good time!" Ryo called as he felt the heat through Justimon's armour.
"Okay!" Sakuyamon rose to her feet as Ruki yelled back. "Everyone, get clear!" ImperialDramon fired on Demon, distracting him so Justimon could retreat.
"Demon!" Sakuyamon said, whirling her staff. "For the sake of everyone who has suffered! For this world you attack so callously!" She held the staff high over her head. "Be consumed in holy light!" She began whirling the staff, bringing it in an arc to the left. "Vajra!" Still twirling the staff, she moved it to the right in a downward arc. "World!" Finally, she brought the staff down, the end with the various rings striking a glowing circle on the ground. "Mandala!"
Demon realised he was standing in the middle of a huge circle, which was made up of smaller circles at intervals. He roared as the circles Sakuyamon had drawn into the ground exploded in a flash of light, sending a pillar of holy energy spiraling into the sky.
*****************
Lady Devimon, livid with rage, aimed her hands at the ground and cried out, "Electric Demon Nightmare!" Part of the ground suddenly exploded as purple electricity shot from her claws and charged the rubble and debris she dug up. She pointed at Archnemon and the Tamers, sending the charged debris at them.
"Gun Attack!" "Spirit Needle!" Leaping into the air, Mummymon fired at the debris from above while Archnemon blasted at the approaching rubble form where she stood. But while they were countering Lady Devimon's attack, the Dark Digimon vanished. She reappeared in the air above the Tamers and singled one out in particular.
"Katou!" Hirokazu yelled as Lady Devimon dived at the girl, her claws outstretched. Moments before she struck, however, Alice tackled the other girl, knocking them both out of the way. The Dark Angel turned to stab them while they were down, but was suddenly confronted by a snarling Dobermon.
"You will not harm Alice!" he growled. Surprised, Lady Devimon hesitated.
"Top Gun!" Silphymon struck as the Fallen Angel Digimon froze, the attack hurling her through the air and slamming her into a wall with enough force to leave an imprint.
"There you are..." The silver-haired demoness rose to her feet, a sinister smile on her face. "I've been waiting for a chance for revenge, Silphymon..."
"..." The Jogressed Perfect fell into a battle pose, hands raised and ready to counter anything she threw.
"Darkness Spear!" Lady Devimon's right arm suddenly elongated as she stabbed at her opponent, who sidestepped the attack and took to the air. The demonic Digimon charged to engage, a war-cry erupting...
Which was suddenly cut short as a huge chunk of masonry crashed down upon her head from high above, killing her instantly. Hirokazu, Kenta, Hikari, Miyako and the others froze. Mummymon blinked. "Well, that was anticlimactic."
"Where'd that rubble come from?" Kenta wondered.
Alice helped Juri up. "That's not important now," the blonde told them. "We need to go help the others. From what I've heard, they're in serious danger."
"Alice-san is right..." Juri said. "Let's go."
Shuichon and Masahiko nodded, until Leomon looked down at them. "Not you two. You're too young. This is too dangerous."
Shuichon pouted and glared at the powerfully built Beast-Man, looking a lot like her older brother Jenrya. "No! I'm not going to stay behind! If Masahiko-kun and me can fight help here, we can help there too!"
Masahiko nodded. "Yeah," he said, pleading with Juri. "Please, Nee-chan?"
"Masahiko..." Juri knelt by her half-brother. "If anything happened to you..."
"It won't!" he replied empathically, shaking his head. "You and Takato-nii- san and Culumon and everybody'll be there too! I'll be okay!"
Juri opened her mouth to argue, but then a huge flash of light and the sight of the pillar of energy spiraling into the sky killed her argument. Hikari put a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "I know how they feel," she said. "My brother was always worried when I was fighting alongside him." She smiled at Shuichon. "But he realised if we were going to win, everybody had to do their best. We can't be picky now."
Juri's brows creased. "But what about here?"
Mummymon and Archnemon snorted. "We'll handle things here," the gun- wielding mummy told her.
"You help your little boyfriend and his pals," Arcnhemon added.
Juri flushed a bit, but nodded. "Alright. Everyone, let's go!"
As the group began making their way to where the Tamers and Chosen Children were battling Demon, Hirokazu noticed Kenta lagging behind. "What're you doing?"
Kenta pointed up at the Hypnos building. "I'm still trying to figure out where that rubble came from."
Hirokazu clicked impatiently as he seized his friend by the scruff of his shirt. "That's not important now. Let's get going!"
*****************
Meanwhile, up on the roof, which had suffered during the battle, Oikawa whistled nonchalantly as he casually kicked a small piece of damaged masonry off. "Did you see, Hiroaki?" he smiled. "My aim is still as good as ever." The smile faded, however, when he heard a terrible scream of hate. "Watch over your son, my friend..." he whispered as he reentered the building to join the other adults.
*****************
"Graaaaaah!" Demon's scream of rage put Takato, Daisuke and the others on edge as the holy light from Sakuyamon's attack faded.
"No...no way..." Takeru whispered as he took an unwilling step back.
Demon stood tall. His fur was smoking and singed from the attack, and a wing had been damaged by Justimon, but he was still an imposing figure. Ruki shook, in spite of herself. "This...this guy...he's a monster..."
Daisuke was now nervous, but put on a brave face. "We aren't finished either!" he said to the others, turning to them with a determined glint in his eye. "We can't let Demon make us doubt ourselves!"
"Daisuke-san's right!" Takato agreed as Dukemon hefted his lance and shield, his torn cape billowing dramatically behind him as he stood his ground. "Katou-san and the others...they're still fighting so we have a place to go home to! We can't give up!"
Demon howled. "You...humans! I underestimated you...not even the four Holy Beasts have hurt me this much..." The gigantic demon beast glared at them, his three eyes glowing. "But now...the final blow!" He raised a massive arm and pointed it, palm-first, at Dukemon.
"Kh..." Dukemon grunted. "Takato..."
"What's wrong?"
"Sorry...but I can't move..."
"Wha...what?!" The knight was using up his strength simply staying upright after the all the fighting he'd been through. Takato could do little more than curse as energy began gathering in Demon's palm. "Chikuso!"
"Giga Death!" "Nigitama!" Demon looked to the side at Shakkoumon and ImperialDramon.
"Evil Eye!" A flash of light struck the two Digimon, knocking them out of the air. "Now...!" Demon roared. "Chaos Flare!" A huge bolt of energy launched out of his hand and flew at Dukemon, who could do little more than raise his shield and hope to survive.
"Juri...Mom...Dad..." Takato wept. "Sorry, but looks like this is it..." Suddenly, Justimon pushed him out of the way. "Gwaah!" the boy cried out in surprise.
"Ryo?!" Ruki gasped. The scarf-wearing Ultimate stood his ground and crossed his arms as the blast hit. Both Digimon and Tamer screamed as the blast lifted them off their feet and carried them, smashing through buildings as it went.
"Ryo-san!" Ken screamed in horror. "Kisama!" he swore, turning to face Demon. "You...you..."
"No more talk..." Demon growled. "If you have anything more to say...show me with your power."
"If you want power, look over here!" Beelzebumon suddenly appeared, Behemoth's engine roaring as the bike soared through the air in Demon's direction. "Death Slinger!" He let off a couple of blasts from his positron cannon as he landed, striking Demon in the head.
"Beelzebumon!" Takato cried with relief as the winged Demon Lord pulled Behemoth over next to Dukemon.
"Good," Beelzebumon smirked. "Looks like I got here just in time for the main event."
"Piemon?" Sakuyamon asked as she landed next to them.
Beelzebumon dragged a finger across his throat. "What do you think?"
"So...even Piemon is dead?" Demon rumbled as he looked from Daisuke and the Chosen Children, who stood a good distance away, to Dukemon, Sakuyamon, Beelzebumon and the Chosen Digimon. "That simply increases my need to win." He raised his hands to the sky. "The Dark Digimon followed me here...seeking a new world...I will honour them and their sacrifice by taking this world and setting the denizens of the Dark Ocean free!"
"Not while we're still breathing," Sakuyamon said, whirling her staff as she prepared for battle.
"That...can be easily rectified." Demon raised his hands, a low rubble suddenly shaking the ground. "Flame Inferno!"
"Everyone!" Takato yelled. "Attack!"
*****************
As the battle raged, Jenrya and the two boys who had helped him were almost to the battlefield. Terriermon had recovered and was on his usual perch: Jen's head. "Er...if you don't mind me asking..." the half-Chinese boy began. "Who are you? And why are you here?"
The brunette with the big hair grinned. "We're just a couple of guys worried about their little siblings."
"Taichi, look!" The brunette looked in the direction his blonde companion was pointing in.
Jen and Terriermon looked too, and saw ImperialDramon soaring through the air, dodging fireballs that filled the sky with flame. "ImperialDramon," Taichi said. "That means Daisuke and the others should be just ahead." The other boy nodded and they took off at a run, Jen trailing behind slightly.
They turned a corner and skidded to a stop, Terriermon clutching Jen's hair as he was almost thrown off. "Whoa!" he squealed. "Give a little warning, huh, Jen?" When his partner didn't reply, the little floppy-eared Digimon looked up at whatever had caught the boy's attention.
Demon loomed over them, one hand wrapped around a fiercely struggling Sakuyamon while the other hand swiped at Dukemon and Beelzbumon. He roared, launching more fireballs from his gaping maw at ImperialDramon, who twisted, turned, dived and zigzagged to avoid them, firing energy bolts from his arm cannon as he did so. Shakkoumon smashed into Demon's hand from above, a painful-sounding crunch reaching Jen's ears. Demon's grip loosened slightly, enough for Sakuyamon to wrench an arm free and send a group of fox spirits howling at Demon's face. He released her as the foxes burned him, but then lashed at her with a gigantic foot. The silver-haired Ultimate crossed her arms to block the blow and grunted as she was hurled through the air from the impact. Demon followed her with his eyes, which began glowing as he prepared to fire. Before he could, ImperialDramon dived down and delivered as series of quick slashes before the larger Digimon could react. Demon moved surprisingly fast for a Digimon of his size, backhanding the dragon, who righted himself in mid-air just before hitting the ground. His feet dug grooves into the battle-scarred asphalt as he aimed his arm cannon and let off a Giga Death. Demon deflected it with a wave of his hand and turned his now-blazing eyes at the Jogressed Ultimate. Three beams, one from each eye, flew at ImperialDramon, but just before they hit Dukemon somersaulted above the dragon-man and landed before him, blocking the beams with his shield.
"Terriermon, we've got to help." Jen looked up at his partner, no easy task considering the little Digimon was perched on his head. "You up to evolving?"
"I'm okay now, Jen," Terriermon replied cheerfully. "Let's go get him!"
Jen smiled and nodded. He turned to the two boys. "Uh...we've got to go help. Will you two be okay?"
"Don't worry about us," the brunette, Taichi, grinned. "We'll just go look for my sister and his brother."
"Good luck," the blonde said.
Jen thanked them then took off at a run, Terriermon beginning to glow as the boy cried out, "Matrix Evolution!" In seconds, Saint Galgomon entered the fray with a cry of, "Giant Bazooka!"
"Looks like it's show time, Yamato," Taichi noted, his eyes fixed on the battle. "Ready?"
"Aa." Yamato's eyes quickly scanned the area. "I don't see Takeru or Hikari anywhere."
"You want to find them first?"
Yamato smirked. "Huh. Like you're not waiting for the chance to run off?"
Taichi chuckled, putting a hand behind his head sheepishly. "Haha, am I that obvious?"
"No," Yamato replied, turning away. "I just know how you think." The two of them continued on their way, keeping their eyes open for their siblings.
*****************
"Jen!" Takato was relieved to see Saint Galgomon. "You're okay!"
"Yeah," the other boy replied. "Sorry we're late."
Sakuyamon landed on the giant Digimon's shoulder. "At least you got here," Ruki told him. "Ready to send this guy packing?"
Saint Galgomon raised his fists. "Just let me at him!" Sakuyamon leapt off his shoulder as he charged at Demon, pulling his fist back. The Dark Digimon, who had been preoccupied by Shakkoumon, turned just in time to receive a powerful punch to the jaw. There was a 'crack' and the winged Ultimate fell to the ground. "Yatta!"
Demon slowly sat up and spat. A huge curved tooth bounced off the ground as he rose to his feet. "You..." He suddenly ran forward and struck Saint Galgomon, who was roughly the same size, in the chest. The robotic Digimon cried out in pain as his chest armour buckled from the impact. As he staggered back, Demon grabbed him, wrapping his fingers around the other Digimon's neck and lifting him up into the air with one hand. His eyes narrowed as he slammed Saint Galgomon into the ground. He began raising the stunned Ultimate, but Beelzebumon, ImperialDramon and Sakuyamon fired on him, distracting him. He swiveled his head and breathed a cloud of flame at them before turning back to Saint Galgomon. "Eh?" Shakkoumon hovered before him, his eyes glowing.
"Nigitama!" Twin crimson energy beams struck Demon across the face, making him recoil in pain and release his death-grip on Saint Galgomon.
"Pile on him!" Takato yelled. Dukemon ran forward, his shield beginning to glow as the Ultimate and his partner yelled out, "Final Elysian!"
Saint Galgomon, still flat on his back, unleashed all his firepower with a cry of "Burst Shot!"
Sakuyamon quickly drew a glowing circle in the air, launching a beam version of her Vajra World Mandala. From behind the Dark Digimon, Beelzebumon aimed his positron cannon arm and sent out a barrage of Death Slingers, while ImperialDramon landed, braced himself and fired a charged Giga Death. Shakkoumon added his Nigitama to the combined assault as Daisuke yelled to the other Chosen Children to take cover.
Demon crossed his arms, his third eye glowing. The air seemed to shimmer as he cried out. "Darkness Barrier!" As the attacks struck the dome-like barrier he erected around himself, they were deflected, some exploding as they hit the ground, others flying off and exploding against buildings.
"What?!" Daisuke cried in surprise.
"You've got to be kidding me," Ruki growled angrily.
"Do you think you're the first ones to try a combined attack from all angles?" Demon rumbled. "Naïve..." His eyes flashed as he roared, "Flame Inferno!" The dome shield began glowing orange and suddenly burst into flames.
"Chikuso!" ImperialDramon swore. "Everyone! Watch out!"
*****************
"Ow..." Ryo groaned as Justimon painfully dragged himself to his feet. "Remind me not to do that again..."
"Even if I did, you'd probably do it anyway," Cyberdramon's voice replied.
"Heh, true." Ryo winced as the Ultimate shook his head.
"We need to get back there," he growled. He took a step forward and fell to one knee. "Ugh!"
"You okay?" Ryo asked worriedly.
"Just winded," his partner assured him.
"Ryo-kun," a voice said.
"Huh? Who?"
"It's Reika," the woman told him over his headset. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, we're fine. How are the others?"
"They're fighting Demon. He's...he's too strong. You have to go help them!"
"On my way."
"Wait!" Yamaki interrupted.
*****************
"Sir?" Reika looked up at Yamaki, who was leaning over her.
"According to Lee-san and the rest of the Wild Bunch, Demon's power levels are beyond anything we've ever seen."
"How can that be?" Ryo asked. "I mean, even if he is a strong Digimon, it's not like he's unbeatable."
"At this point, he is."
"What?"
Yamaki reached over Reika's control panel and flicked a switch. "Lee-san."
"Ah." Ryo recognized the voice of Jen and Shuichon's father Janyuu. "We were tweaking the Digital Detection System Hypnos uses to locate Digimon and found Demon suddenly had an incredibly large energy increase."
"Say what?" Ryo was puzzled.
"It's as if he's been storing energy all this while and is now unleashing it."
"So when we destroyed his cloak..." Ryo whispered.
"We just released his full power."
"Great." Ryo moaned. "Now what?"
Janyuu nodded to the other members of the Wild Bunch. "We've identified a unique wavelength Demon seems to have," he said. "We could program this information into the Shaggai System then use it to finish him once and for all."
"So what's stopping you?" Ryo asked.
"Ryo." Justimon gestured to the wreckage at their feet.
"Oh."
"There is something we could try," Oikawa cut in, appearing in the doorway to the Wild Bunch's lab. "But it's dangerous."
Ryo grinned. "Like we have a choice?"
*****************
Moments later, Janyuu, Oikawa and Shibumi were on the roof with Justimon, sifting through the remains of the Shaggai System. "Not much left," Oikawa noted.
"Hn..." Janyuu grunted non-committedly as he picked up a piece of circuitry which was mostly intact. "How can we use this...this...junk?" He frowned as he tried to assess what he held in his hands. "We can't even tell what most of this equipment was!"
Oikawa looked mildly irritated. "True...I hoped enough of the Shaggai System survived for us to jury-rig some sort of weapon." He sighed. "Too much to hope, I suppose."
Shibumi looked thoughtful. "I wonder..." He turned to Justimon, his brow creased as if considering something. "Ryo-kun."
"Yes?"
"Justimon is a cyborg, isn't he?"
"Uh...yes, he is." The tall humanoid Ultimate cocked his head as Ryo spoke. "Why?"
In Justimon's head, Cyberdramon grunted. "I get the idea." He reached out with his mechanical arm, tendrils extending from the forearm.
'Hm...' the shadow grunted, sounding impressed. 'Yes, yes, I would've suggested the same thing. Using our bionic parts to reassemble the Shaggai System is our best chance.'
"Would you be quiet?" Cyberdramon growled mentally. "I'm trying to concentrate!"
'Here. Let me. I have some experience with machines and technology after all.'
******************
Ryo noticed the difference almost immediately. At first, Justimon was simply using the tendrils to pick up and try to cobble something together, seemingly at random. Now, the tendrils moved with surprising efficiency, picking up pieces, holding them up as if assessing them, then discarding them. Some pieces the tendrils brought over the cyborg's mechanical arm, fusing them to it. As far as Ryo knew, Cyberdramon had never shown any mechanical inclination and he doubted instinct alone could be so effective. "Cyberdramon..." the boy whispered. "What are you hiding?"
*****************
"Kuaah!" Dukemon ducked and rolled out of the way as Demon launched a fireball at him. "Royal Saber!"
As the attack bounced off Demon's huge form, Sakuyamon and ImperialDramon dived at him from above. "Thunder Flash Kick!" "Imperial Kick!"
Demon blocked the kicks with an outstretched palm before smashing them with his other hand and knocking them into a building. He moved to pursue them and finish them off, but then Saint Galgomon tackled him from behind. "Oh, no you don't!"
"Get off me, vermin!"
*****************
Sakuyamon shook her head as she pulled herself up. "Renamon, are you alright?" Ruki asked.
"Not...really," the silver-haired warrior replied, falling to her knees and holding her side. "You?"
Ruki winced as she felt her own throbbing side. "I'm still breathing, at least."
"Ruki!" a voice called suddenly.
"What?" Ruki looked around as Sakuyamon picked up her staff. "Who?"
"It's me, Ryo!"
"Huh? Where...?" She paused and shook her head to clear it. "Oh, right. The headset."
"You okay?" Ryo asked, concerned.
"No, I'm not okay! And neither are the others!" she snapped. Her voice softened as she added, "How about you?"
"A little broiled, but still in one piece." She could practically see the grin on his face.
"Then get back over here! We need all the firepower we can get!"
"Uh...about that..."
Ruki's eyebrow rose slightly. "What?" she said, slightly mocking. "Don't tell me you're scared."
"Listen, Ruki," Ryo said, his voice low and serious. "Justimon is trying to combine with the Shaggai System so we can take out Demon. We'll be vulnerable while we power up, so if Demon realises what we're doing, I'm counting on you to protect us."
"What? Combine with Shaggai?! Are you insane?"
"We don't have a choice! It's the only way!"
Ruki's teeth began grinding. "Why do you always have to play the hero?" she growled.
"It's part of my nature," Ryo grinned. His voice became serious again. "Please, Ruki. I'm counting on you."
Ruki huffed. "Fine."
"Thanks."
"Ryo?"
"Yeah?"
"Just... don't get yourself killed."
*****************
"Daisuke-kun! Takeru-kun!"
"Hikari-chan!" Daisuke said, waving at her. Hikari, Miyako, Juri and the others ran up to Daisuke and the rest of the Chosen Children.
"How're we doing?" Hirokazu asked.
"Not good," Iori told him. "Everything we throw at him doesn't seem to phase him at all!"
"Uaaaaagh!" Beezlebumon crashed just in front of them, tumbling and rolling before skidding to a stop at their feet. "Gah!" he spat, getting up. "I'll kill you, you son of a..."
"Beelzebumon!" Juri yelped, clapping her hands over Masahiko's ears.
"Huh?" The biker looked over his shoulder at the girl. "Oh, Juri. When'd you get here?"
"Nee-chan!" Masahiko squirmed. "Let go!"
"Alright." The girl glared at the towering Ultimate. "No swearing!" she warned him.
"Hey, I was just punched by a big, ugly, fire-breathing monster here!" Beelzebumon retorted. "Gimme a break!"
"Speaking of big, ugly, fire-breathing monsters..." BlackWarGreymon interrupted, landing nearby. "Why is that one still alive?" He jerked his head at Demon.
"BlackWarGreymon? Where've you been?" Iori asked.
Beelzebumon smirked. "I didn't think it'd take you this long to deal with Metal Etemon."
"Feh," the Dark Ultimate smirked. "I haven't had a good fight in a long time. I simply wanted to savour it."
"So what happened to Metal Etemon?"
"What do you think happened?"
"Ah." Beelzebumon looked up at Demon, who was now using ImperialDramon as a club against Dukemon, Sakuyamon and Silphymon, who had joined the battle. "Ready to have some more fun?"
BlackWarGreymon sharpened his Dramon Killers by clanging them against each other, sparks flying from the claws. "No need to tell me twice!" he said as he took to the air, a war cry erupting from his throat.
"Leomon, be careful!" "Antiramon, good luck!" Juri and Shuichon called to their partners as they leapt into the fray.
"Knock him dead, Guardromon!" I'm counting on you, Marine Angemon!" Hirokazu and Kenta cheered as the two Digimon flew off to battle.
*****************
"Whew..." Takato wheezed as BlackWarGreymon and Beelzebumon flew overhead and double-teamed Demon, who finally released ImperialDramon by hurling him at Guardromon. "Help at last..."
"Takato," Ruki said as Sakuyamon landed beside Dukemon. "We'd better pull back for now."
"What?"
Sakuyamon glanced at him. "Ruki's right. We've been fighting non-stop since the beginning, and haven't had a chance to rest yet."
"We can't rest now!" protested Dukemon.
"Yes, we can," Sakuyamon said, grabbing the knight's arm and dragging him to where Daisuke, Hikari and the rest of the group were. ImperialDramon and Shakkoumon were already there.
Ken looked up worriedly at ImperialDramon, who fell to his knees, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. "ImperialDramon..."
"I'm...okay..." he replied, gulping mouthfuls of air. "Just...exhausted..."
Takeru and Iori looked over Shakkoumon, who was looking the worse for wear. "If you and the others hadn't shown up when you did, Hikari-chan..." the hat-wearing boy said, tracing a finger along cracks on Shakkoumon's armour.
"Takato-kun..." Juri looked on worriedly as Dukemon devolved in a flash of light, which soon faded and revealed a tired-looking Guilmon and a half- dead Takato.
"Maybe you're right, Ruki," the boy said, looking unsteady. "I think we need some rest..." He took a step forward, but then fell forward.
"Takato-kun!" Juri cried, running forward and catching the boy. Unfortunately, she had forgotten he was a bit heavier than her and she fell over as well, Takato landing on top of her. Her face went pink as Ruki snickered.
"I hadn't realised you two were that close," the redhead grinned before snickering again. "Ow!" She winced as she held her side. "It hurts to laugh..."
"It serves you right," Juri said, squirming to get out from under Takato before anyone got the wrong idea. "Uh...help?"
Hirokazu and Kenta hoisted their goggle-wearing friend off the embarrassed girl. "Come on, buddy," the visored-tamer said. "I know you like her, but you can't go doing that kind of thing in public, you know."
Kenta nodded in agreement. "That's right. What'd your mother say?"
"Aw, shaddup..." Takato slurred as he slowly opened his eyes. "I didn't mean to do that and you know it."
"But that doesn't mean you didn't enjoy it," Ruki smirked, grinning at the scandalized look on Juri's face.
"Ruki!" she cried, her face still red.
"Ruki!"
Ruki blinked. "Is there an echo around here?"
"Ruki, it's Ryo. How are things going?"
"Juri and the others are fighting Demon while the rest of us try to catch our breath. You?"
*****************
Meanwhile, on the Hypnos Building, Shibumi, Oikawa and Janyuu were tweaking the newly-completed Shaggai Cannon, which now took up most of Justimon's cybernetic arm. "We're almost ready here. Just need to charge up the Shaggai. Tell everyone to be ready to scatter on my signal, okay?"
"Got it," Ruki replied. "Be careful."
"Hey, like I'd take stupid risks?"
"I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer."
*****************
Ruki sighed as she signed off and turned to the others. Noticing the look on Juri's face, she said, "Not a word, Juri. There isn't anything between that guy and me, got it?"
The girl put on the most innocent look she could. "I wasn't going to say anything!" she protested.
"Right." The redhead spoke to the others. "Everyone, listen up!" Daisuke and Ken turned away from ImperialDramon, who raised his head to listen. Alice, Masahiko and Shuichon looked to her from where they had been trying to stop Culumon from joining the other Digimon in battle. Hirokazu and Kenta stopped teasing Takato, who looked at Ruki like she had just saved his hide. "Ryo tells me Hypnos and the Wild Bunch have a plan. We need to be ready to take cover when he sends the signal."
"No problem there," Daisuke told her. "We've spent most of our time running for cover anyway."
"..."
*****************
Yamaki began flicking his lighter as anxiety began to get to him. Janyuu had just reported they were ready on the roof and so Reika and Megumi had begun rerouting most of the power supply into the Shaggai Cannon. "Uh...dear?" Reika looked to him, careful to keep her voice low so the others in the room couldn't hear. "Do you think you could stop doing that? It's very distracting."
"Huh?" Yamaki blinked. "Sorry." He put the lighter away as he looked to the monitors. "How is it going?"
"80% energy transfer complete," the woman reported.
"Shaggai Cannon is beginning to charge up," Megumi added.
Yamaki spoke into a microphone to Ryo. "Remember, Ryo-kun. If you feel you and Justimon can't take anymore, let us know immediately or you might wind up killing yourself."
"Got it."
*****************
Ryo took a deep breath when he felt a tingling in his arm as energy began flowing into Justimon's arm and the Shaggai Cannon. "Ready, Cyberdramon?"
The cyborg grunted. "This will probably hurt like hell," he commented.
"You're probably right," Ryo agreed. "But we won't a little pain stop us, right?"
Cyberdramon growled in agreement. Justimon looked down at a small gauge on his arm. "The Shaggai Cannon is ready," he said.
"Then let's do it, Cyberdramon!" Justimon aimed the cannon as the hum of machines became drowned out by the whine of the weapon itself. "Ruki! Now!" Ryo yelled as a powerful energy beam burst out of the cannon's barrel.
******************
"Incoming!" Silphymon yelled as the Shaggai beam lit the sky.
Demon turned to face the attack. "Don't you ever learn?" He crossed his arms. "Darkness Barrier!" Everyone held their breath as the beam approached Demon's barrier...
...and passed through it, striking the surprised Digimon in the chest.
*****************
"Direct hit!" Megumi cried. "Direct hit!"
"Keep it up, Ryo-kun!" Reika said into her headset.
Yamaki reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around his lighter as beads of sweat appeared on his brow. 'This is it...'
*****************
Ryo grit his teeth as he struggled to help Justimon keep his hand steady. "Ryo!" Cyberdramon growled. "Your body can't handle much more! This is enough!"
"No...not yet..." Ryo strained every muscle, trying to keep himself from screaming in pain. It felt like fire was coursing through his veins, but he knew every moment he and Justimon kept up the assault meant a more certain chance of victory.
*****************
"Demon's power levels are going down!" Megumi said, turning to Reika and Yamaki. "We're doing it! We're doing it!"
"How's Ryo doing?" Yamaki asked.
"Justimon's still keeping it up..." Reika told him.
******************
Demon writhed in pain as the Shaggai beam began tearing him apart. "Ghh..." He raised his hand and roared. "Flame Inferno!" A pillar of flame launched from his palm in the direction of the Hypnos Building.
"Shimatta!" Jen cursed. "Ryo! Watch out!"
*****************
Ryo winced as the Flame Inferno spiraled past, missing Justimon by inches. "Guh...kuh..." the boy choked, bringing a hand up to his mouth. "Just...a little..more..."
*****************
Ruki was getting worried. From what she and the others picked up from their headsets, the longer Ryo and Justimon kept up the Shaggai beam, the more damaged their bodies became. "How long are you planning on keeping this up?" she said into her headset.
"As...long...as it...takes!" came Ryo's strained reply.
"Stop it, Ryo-san!" Takato yelled. "You'll kill yourself!"
"Nah," Ryo grinned. "I don't think I'm that lucky."
Demon roared and fell to his knees, clutching his chest. Jen noticed a glow, slightly brighter than that of the Shaggai beam; appear around the Demon Lord's chest. "That's..."
"His Digicore!" ImperialDramon said, hovering beside the giant green Digimon.
"Ryo-san!" Jen yelled into his headset. "You managed to expose his Digicore! We'll handle the rest!"
"You...sure...?"
"Yes!"
*****************
Back on the Hypnos Building, the whine of machinery began dying down. "It's all up to you guys then..." Ryo whispered as Justimon collapsed face- first onto the battle-scarred rooftop. "Good...luck..."
*****************
"Ryo?" When Ryo didn't reply, Ruki spoke to the others. "Let's finish this."
The other Digimon nodded and readied their final attacks. Daisuke raised a gloved fist and yelled, "NOW! FIRE!"
ImperialDramon extended his chest cannon, gripping the handles on its sides. "Giga Death!" Beside him, Shakkoumon squinted and fired twin energy beams with a cry of "Nigitama!" while Saint Galgomon unloaded all his armaments after yelling "Burst Shot!"
"Vajra World Mandala!" As Sakuyamon used another beam version of her attack, Silphymon, Guardromon and Marine Angemon launched their attacks with yells of "Top Gun!" "Destruction Grenade!" and "Pupiipiii!"
"Fist of the Beast King!" "Ashvatotabara!" "Gaia Force!" As Leomon, Antiramon and Black WarGreymon struck, Dukemon and Beelzebumon stood back to back.
"Heh, this feels familiar," the black-clad Demon Lord noted.
"Let's hope this works better than last time," Dukemon replied.
"Death Slinger!" "Final Elysian!" Two beams, one purple, the other green, joined the other attacks as they converged on Demon's exposed Digicore. They struck before Demon could react, engulfing the Dark Digimon in a gigantic explosion.
Juri huddled with Shuichon and Masahiko, shielding them from the dust and debris thrown up by the explosion. Alice huddled with them, her pale gold hair whipping about as she helped Juri shield the younger Tamers. Daisuke pulled his goggles over his eyes to protect them as he stood against the force of the combined attacks, while Takeru, Hikari, Miyako and Iori threw their arms up to shield their faces. Hirokazu and Kenta, seeing Juri and Alice protecting Shuichon and Masahiko, moved in front of them to block part of the wind.
"Did we get him?" Saint Galgomon asked as he waited for the smoke to clear.
"I hope so," Jen replied, squinting.
"Something's moving in there," reported Silphymon, putting the others on guard.
Takato swallowed a lump in his throat as he tensed, sensing Dukemon's battle weariness. "Guilmon, you okay?" he asked, remembering all the fighting they'd been through that day.
"I can hold on a little longer," his partner replied as he shifted, raising his shield in preparation for his Final Elysian technique.
"I hope you don't have to," Takato said as the smoke began to clear.
Demon stood at the center of a huge crater, his Digicore glowing an eerie red. "..."
"He's still alive?!" ImperialDramon growled.
Guardromon held out his hand to stop Silphymon, who was already beginning to gather energy to launch another attack. "Wait." The mechanical Adult's eyes glowed as he scanned Demon. "He's finished."
"..." Demon took a step forward, a low growl rumbling from his throat. He reached for the Tamers, but then there was the sound of something cracking. "Well fought, humans..." the Demon Lord growled. "The victory...is yours..." His Digicore shattered and Demon, lord of the Dark Digimon, fell face forward, throwing up a dust cloud as his huge bulk struck the ground.
"We...did..." Daisuke whispered, watching in awe as Demon began dissolving into data. "We did it..."
Miyako threw herself at Ken, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him happily. "We won! We won!"
"Ack!" Ken gasped for air, but grinned at the girl.
Takeru grinned at Iori, who smiled back at his partner. The blonde looked over to Hikari, who sighed with relief and gave the boy a thumb's up. "Another win for us, Takeru," she said.
"Heh," the boy replied. "Was there ever any doubt?"
Hirokazu and Kenta were whooping and hollering, celebrating while Shuichon and Masahiko looked on, unsure whether to join them or to back away nervously. Juri wiped her brow and let out her breath, which she had been holding unconsciously. "It's over..." She looked over at Dukemon, who was slowly lowering his weapons.
"Great job, Guilmon," Takato said to his partner.
"You too, Takato," Dukemon replied. The knight turned to rejoin the others, but paused suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Sakuyamon asked.
Dukemon faced Demon's fading form and raised his lance in a warrior's salute. "Even though he was our enemy, he was a powerful opponent."
"Hmph," BlackWarGreymon snorted, copying Dukemon's gesture. "Being able to fight all of us single-handed...I suppose he deserves respect at least."
"Hahahahahaha..."
"What?" The Tamers and Chosen Children looked around for the source of the laughter.
"I hoped to arrive in time to rescue Demon, but it seems I took too long..." Devimon appeared in the air above the crater left behind by Demon's destruction. He was flanked in the air by Kuwagamon, Angemon, Birdramon and Kabuterimon. On the ground, Skull Greymon, Metal Greymon and Garurumon glared at them. "Ah, well. Since I couldn't save him, I'll avenge him instead."
Beelzebumon snorted. "We just took down the strongest of you Dark Digimon," he said, sneering. "You think you can beat us?"
Devimon glared at him before uttering a single word. "Jogress."
"Eh?!"
As the Chosen Children gasped in surprise, the digital flesh and skin of Devimon and his followers peeled away, revealing glowing green wire frames. Tendrils reached out from Devimon's wire frame, linking him to the others. The tendrils began retracting back into Devimon, drawing the other Digimon to him. As they came close, their wire frames began to come apart, melding with the Dark Digimon's. A flash of light blinded the assembled children and their Digimon partners. "Chimeramon!" The Synthetic Perfect roared before speaking again. "And once more...JOGRESS!"
As the Tamers and Chosen Children watched in horror, a stream of data suddenly appeared behind the newly evolved Perfect, shaping itself into a familiar form. Jen stared, his eyes widening. "MugenDramon?"
The MugenDramon shape began fusing with Chimeramon, slowly covering the smaller Digimon. All of a sudden, Ken screamed. "ImperialDramon! Shoot! SHOOT!"
"Wha?" The Ultimate looked over to the boy, surprised.
"Hurry!" Ken pleaded.
"Ken-kun?" Miyako said worriedly.
"You don't understand!" Ken yelled. "Chimeramon and MugenDramon fuse into..."
A roar, followed by an explosion, cut him off. When the smoke cleared, all eyes were on whatever new threat stood before them. At first glance, it looked like Chimeramon, but its flesh was a dark purple, almost black. The various wings were gone, and instead a shimmering shell of energy covered its back. However, on closer inspection, the shell had a head and arms, as if another Digimon was lying across the evolved Chimeramon's back. MugenDramon's cannons were mounted on the energy form's back. Takeru and Hikari froze, their eyes wide, while Ken began shaking, his hands balling into fists. "Behold..." boomed Devimon's voice. "The Dark God! Millenniumon!"
Ruki sighed. "We never get a break, do we..."
*****************
Preview:
Takato: How much longer do we have to fight?
Taichi: Hey, hey, what kind of talk is that?
Daisuke: That's right! The ones with goggles can't give up so easily!
Takato: Eh...? But...
Taichi: Listen up! Everyone's behind you!
Daisuke: Go straight ahead, and don't look back!
Takato: ...Right...That's right! I...won't lose! Guilmon!
Takato: Matrix Evolution!
Digimon Tamers Dark Wing Final Chapter: Our Final Hope, the Wings of Light!
***************** Author's notes: 'Dai' means big or great. So Dai Justice Slash means Great Justice Slash. It's based off the killing blow of Kamen Rider Amazon.
Author's notes: 'Yatta!', roughly translated, means 'I did it!' or 'Yes!' Often said when a character delivers a blow to an opponent that (hopefully) finishes him off. Also said as a cheer after a hero emerges victorious after battle.
Author's notes: I realise I made a mistake saying this would be the final chapter. New ideas kept coming in thanks to new CDs and DVDs I bought (including Mazinkaiser, Mazinkaiser: Shitou! Ankoku DaiShogun, Shin Getter VS Neo Getter and Gear Fighter Dendoh) as well as games like Super Robot Wars Alpha II. I would've updated long ago if I hadn't made that blunder. So instead, I've split the finale into two. Enjoy!
Digimon Levels:
Child: Rookie
Adult: Champion
Perfect: Ultimate Ultimate: Mega
Author's notes: ********* means a scene change.
Digimon Tamers: Dark Wing Chapter 30
The Grand Battle for Tokyo!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission.
"Hyaaa!" A metallic muscular monkey leapt into the air, somersaulting at his target, a humanoid Digimon covered in black armour and a silver helmet. "Heavy Monkick!" He kicked out, his silverish skin reflecting the light.
BlackWarGreymon stepped aside, letting MetalEtemon past. "Where are you looking?" he snorted. "I'm over here!"
"Grrr!" MetalEtemon pulled his foot out of the ground angrily. "If you'd stay still, I'd show you who's stronger!"
"Having brute strength isn't everything," BlackWarGreymon replied. "You might be stronger, but if you have no skill it is worthless!"
"You talk too much!" MetalEtemon roared, leaping up and punching at the other Ultimate.
BlackWarGreymon raised his arm, deflecting the punch and launching one of his own. "Haa!"
The force of the blow knocked MetalEtemon back. "Ghhh!" the primate growled. "You're strong too..." He looked down and saw a crack in his chest where the blow struck. "!"
BlackWarGreymon raised his fists. "Let's finish this."
MetalEtemon seethed, his teeth clenched. "Suits me!" he yelled as he charged the Dark Ultimate.
*****************
Saint Galgomon hurled MugenDramon down the street, listening with some satisfaction to the gut wrenching sound of scraping steel. The steel dragon rose to his feet, his eyes burning with hatred. "You..." The dragon aimed his cannons at the green Ultimate. "Mugen Cannon!"
"Hup!" The robotic Digimon coiled his legs and jumped over the blast, activating his backpack.
"Hyaaaaah!" While in the air, Jen yelled as he moved through the motions of a drop kick. Saint Galgomon mimicked his movements and deliver a skull- shattering kick to MugenDramon's head. MugenDramon took a step back before whirling around, using his tail as a flail. Saint Galgomon crossed his arms, grunting as the blow pushed him back, his feet digging grooves into the the street. As soon as he recovered he punched the air, sending a ball of solidified air at his opponent.
"..." MugenDramon shook his head, noting the sparks coming from his damaged body. "My chances of victory are now slim." He cocked his head. "However, you will not enjoy your victory."
"What are you talking about?" Saint Galgomon demanded.
Jen was nervous. "Careful, Terriermon, I don't like the sound of that..."
MugenDramon suddenly charged them, his footsteps echoing through the streets. "Mugen Cannon!"
The street was too narrow for him to sidestep, so Saint Galgomon leapt into the air again. "Shimatta!" Jen cursed as he realised they had left themselves open. Suddenly MugenDramon coiled his legs and launched himself into the air at them, clamping down on Saint Galgomon's body with a death grip.
"I will not live to avenge myself on WarGreymon," the Dark Master said. "But I will make sure the others survive, at least." His chest plate slid open, revealing his Digicore, which glowed with a malicious crimson light. "Catastrophe!"
"!!!" Jen cried out wordlessly as MugenDramon self-destructed.
*****************
The sound of MugenDramon's destruction reached making Hirokazu and the others look around nervously. "What was that?" the visored Tamer wondered aloud.
"Never mind that!" Mummymon yelled as he rappelled down the building, using his bandages as ropes. "Skull Satamon is dead! Now's our chance!" He suddenly let go of his bandages, falling the rest of the way down. "Let's go, my love!"
"This isn't the time, idiot!" Archnemon yelled at him as she followed, letting go of the webs she had been using to climb down. "Spirit Needle!"
"Gun Attack!" Explosions erupted from wherever Archnemon's Needles struck while Mummymon raked the ground with laser fire. The resulting barrage scattered Marine Devimon's troops, making him yell.
"Idiots!" he screamed. "Stand your ground!" Through the chaos, he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps. "Eh?"
Leomon roared as he appeared out of the chaotic melee. "Fist of the Beast King!" There was a crack as the Adult's power-charged fist connected with the valves on the larger Digimon's chest. Marine Devimon roared in pain and clutched his chest as the Beast Man leapt into the air. "Shishioumaru!"
"Aaaaugh!" Marine Devimon cried out as Leomon slashed him across the face. As he staggered back, the Beast Man landed on his back and kicked himself into the air.
"Juri!"
The brown-haired girl held up her D-Ark as she cried out, "Card Slash!" Sliding the card through the Ark, she called out, "Holy Angemon!"
Leomon whirled his sword once as it began glowing. "Excalibur!" he roared as a shimmering sword of light replaced his Lion King Sword. With a ferocious roar, the battle-scarred Adult brought the blade down, slicing Marine Devimon in half.
"Uwaaaagh!" The Perfect cried out as he received his deathblow. "Demon- sama! My life for you!" With those final words, he broke up into data, swirling away in the wind.
*****************
"Alice," Dobermon said as the elevator descended to the ground floor. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
The black-clad blond didn't reply, keeping her eyes fixed on the floor display. "I can't," she began saying. "I can't just stand around while everyone else is fighting." She thought back to Dolphin and the rest of the Wild Bunch, who were trying feverishly to salvage any components of the Shaggai System for use against Demon. "Everyone else is doing something and I'm just..."
Dobermon nodded. "Say no more. Whatever happens, I will stay with you."
"Thank you."
*****************
"Haaaah!" Dukemon ran forward before launching himself into the air, aiming his shield at Demon. "Final Elysian!"
Demon raised his hand and blocked the blast, even as ImperialDramon took to the air. The dragon's chest opened, a weapon tipped with his Digicore extending out. "Giga Death!"
"Hn." The demonic Ultimate raised his other hand and deflected that attack as well. "Behold the power of Darkness!" His third eye began glowing as he roared, "Evil Eye!" An energy beam shot out, ripping up the ground and through buildings as he tossed his head, forcing the Tamers and Chosen Children to scatter.
Shakkoumon raised his hands, his eyes opening as he aimed at the gigantic demon. "Nigitama!"
As the crimson beams struck Demon, surprising him, Sakuyamon helped Justimon up. "About time you showed up," Ruki told him. "What, were you waiting for the best time to make your grand entrance?"
Ryo grinned. "I'll never tell."
The two Ultimates turned to face Demon as he blasted Shakkoumon with a bolt from his hands. "Justimon," Sakuyamon said. "Can you distract him for a few moments? I have an idea." Justimon grunted in agreement. "Now!" The silver- haired Holy Digimon charged as Justimon leapt into the air.
"Demon!" Justimon roared, getting the larger Digimon's attention. "Die!"
"A direct attack?" Demon raised his hand, a purple bolt forming in his palm. "You rush to your death."
As Demon fired on Justimon, his attention focused on the cyborg, Sakuyamon dashed around him, dragging her staff onto the ground. It left a faintly glowing trail as she sped around the massive Dark Digimon. "Renamon, are you sure this will work?"
"Even if it doesn't, it should hurt Demon enough for a combined attack to be effective."
"Let's hope so."
*****************
"Uh..." Jen slowly woke up, wincing as he felt his head. He pulled his hand away and noticed it was wet. "That's all I need," he moaned, pulling himself up into a sitting position. "Terriermon?"
"He's fine," a voice told him. "He's a bit knocked about, but he'll be okay."
"Wha...?" Jen looked up, starting as he saw two older boys looking down at him. "Who're you?"
"Just two guys worried about their friends," the first speaker said, reaching down to help him up. Jen immediately noticed his unusually large brown hair.
"Speaking of which," the other, this one a blond, said. "Can you take us to them?"
"I...I suppose..."
*****************
Beelzebumon panted as he landed, his cannon arm aimed at Piemon. The Dark Master was in no better shape, his costume torn and dirtied. "You're strong," Beelzebumon admitted. "Never fought anyone like you before."
"I should say the same about you," Piemon replied. "But you will lose in the end."
"Huh," the black-clad Ultimate snorted. "Presumptious, aren't you?"
Piemon smiled. "Or not." The clown suddenly gestured at the ground, which erupted and sent dust clouds into the air.
"What the..." Beezlebumon fired into the dust cloud that now hid Piemon. "Wait..." He looked around. "Ha!" He raised his cannon arm and blocked Piemon's blade as the Dark Master appeared above him and brought his sword down.
"Huh," Piemon smirked, back flipping away. "So you won't fall for tricks like that, eh?"
"Who would be stupid enough to fire into a dust cloud when they can't see where their target is?" Beelzebumon retorted, letting loose a hail of bullets.
"You'd be surprised," Piemon replied as he dodged left and right, avoiding the bullets with apparent ease. He whirled his swords as he dived down. "This is the finish!"
"Not by a long shot!" Beelzebumon raised his cannon arm, blocking the blades. He grunted with exertion as Piemon began applying pressure, forcing the black leather-clad Ultimate to brace his cannon with his other arm.
"Hahahahaha!" Piemon's face was twisted into a feral grin. "It's over!"
Beelzebumon smiled back, eerily resembling the look on Piemon's face. "Oh, it's over," he retorted. There was a small clicking noise that caught Piemon's attention. "Over for you!" Beelzebumon suddenly pushed forward with all his strength, at the same time pulling his right arm back, out of the huge cannon.
Surprised, Piemon fell forward but quickly rolled to his feet. "Do you think that will...urk!"
The two Digimon stood still, Beelzebumon's newly freed fight arm impaling Piemon through the chest. "Good-bye, Piemon." His hand began glowing. "Darkness Claw!" A burst of enegy tore out of Piemon's back, like a pheonix rising from flames.
The Dark Master staggered backwards. "You...you..." He took a step back, clutching the wound. "Gwaah!" He fell, vanishing in an explosion of brightly coloured data that dispersed towards the sky.
"Huh..." Beelzebumon grunted, clutching his sore arm. "Tougher than I thought." He knelt and picked up his cannon, reattaching it to his arm. "Now to help the others."
*****************
Justimon leapt around, twisting and turning in mid-air to avoid Demon's enraged blasts. "Burn!" the demonic Ultimate roared.
The masked hero didn't reply. Instead, he morphed his arm into its blade form and dashed at the larger Digimon. "Critical Arm!"
Demon brought a massive arm down to crush the scarf-wearing Digimon, but all he struck was the pavement. "!" The three-eyed demon looked up to where Justimon was silhouetted against the crimson sky.
"Dai Justice Slash!" He held his sword arm before him, bracing it with his left as he dived like an avenging angel.
Demon moved with surprising speed, folding a gigantic wing and using it as a shield. A roar of pain escaped him as Justimon's blade sliced through part of the leathery hide before the heroic Ultimate kicked off and leapt clear. Turning to the withdrawing hero, Demon opened his mouth and launched a river of flame at him, who crossed his arms to protect himself.
"Ruki! This would be a really good time!" Ryo called as he felt the heat through Justimon's armour.
"Okay!" Sakuyamon rose to her feet as Ruki yelled back. "Everyone, get clear!" ImperialDramon fired on Demon, distracting him so Justimon could retreat.
"Demon!" Sakuyamon said, whirling her staff. "For the sake of everyone who has suffered! For this world you attack so callously!" She held the staff high over her head. "Be consumed in holy light!" She began whirling the staff, bringing it in an arc to the left. "Vajra!" Still twirling the staff, she moved it to the right in a downward arc. "World!" Finally, she brought the staff down, the end with the various rings striking a glowing circle on the ground. "Mandala!"
Demon realised he was standing in the middle of a huge circle, which was made up of smaller circles at intervals. He roared as the circles Sakuyamon had drawn into the ground exploded in a flash of light, sending a pillar of holy energy spiraling into the sky.
*****************
Lady Devimon, livid with rage, aimed her hands at the ground and cried out, "Electric Demon Nightmare!" Part of the ground suddenly exploded as purple electricity shot from her claws and charged the rubble and debris she dug up. She pointed at Archnemon and the Tamers, sending the charged debris at them.
"Gun Attack!" "Spirit Needle!" Leaping into the air, Mummymon fired at the debris from above while Archnemon blasted at the approaching rubble form where she stood. But while they were countering Lady Devimon's attack, the Dark Digimon vanished. She reappeared in the air above the Tamers and singled one out in particular.
"Katou!" Hirokazu yelled as Lady Devimon dived at the girl, her claws outstretched. Moments before she struck, however, Alice tackled the other girl, knocking them both out of the way. The Dark Angel turned to stab them while they were down, but was suddenly confronted by a snarling Dobermon.
"You will not harm Alice!" he growled. Surprised, Lady Devimon hesitated.
"Top Gun!" Silphymon struck as the Fallen Angel Digimon froze, the attack hurling her through the air and slamming her into a wall with enough force to leave an imprint.
"There you are..." The silver-haired demoness rose to her feet, a sinister smile on her face. "I've been waiting for a chance for revenge, Silphymon..."
"..." The Jogressed Perfect fell into a battle pose, hands raised and ready to counter anything she threw.
"Darkness Spear!" Lady Devimon's right arm suddenly elongated as she stabbed at her opponent, who sidestepped the attack and took to the air. The demonic Digimon charged to engage, a war-cry erupting...
Which was suddenly cut short as a huge chunk of masonry crashed down upon her head from high above, killing her instantly. Hirokazu, Kenta, Hikari, Miyako and the others froze. Mummymon blinked. "Well, that was anticlimactic."
"Where'd that rubble come from?" Kenta wondered.
Alice helped Juri up. "That's not important now," the blonde told them. "We need to go help the others. From what I've heard, they're in serious danger."
"Alice-san is right..." Juri said. "Let's go."
Shuichon and Masahiko nodded, until Leomon looked down at them. "Not you two. You're too young. This is too dangerous."
Shuichon pouted and glared at the powerfully built Beast-Man, looking a lot like her older brother Jenrya. "No! I'm not going to stay behind! If Masahiko-kun and me can fight help here, we can help there too!"
Masahiko nodded. "Yeah," he said, pleading with Juri. "Please, Nee-chan?"
"Masahiko..." Juri knelt by her half-brother. "If anything happened to you..."
"It won't!" he replied empathically, shaking his head. "You and Takato-nii- san and Culumon and everybody'll be there too! I'll be okay!"
Juri opened her mouth to argue, but then a huge flash of light and the sight of the pillar of energy spiraling into the sky killed her argument. Hikari put a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "I know how they feel," she said. "My brother was always worried when I was fighting alongside him." She smiled at Shuichon. "But he realised if we were going to win, everybody had to do their best. We can't be picky now."
Juri's brows creased. "But what about here?"
Mummymon and Archnemon snorted. "We'll handle things here," the gun- wielding mummy told her.
"You help your little boyfriend and his pals," Arcnhemon added.
Juri flushed a bit, but nodded. "Alright. Everyone, let's go!"
As the group began making their way to where the Tamers and Chosen Children were battling Demon, Hirokazu noticed Kenta lagging behind. "What're you doing?"
Kenta pointed up at the Hypnos building. "I'm still trying to figure out where that rubble came from."
Hirokazu clicked impatiently as he seized his friend by the scruff of his shirt. "That's not important now. Let's get going!"
*****************
Meanwhile, up on the roof, which had suffered during the battle, Oikawa whistled nonchalantly as he casually kicked a small piece of damaged masonry off. "Did you see, Hiroaki?" he smiled. "My aim is still as good as ever." The smile faded, however, when he heard a terrible scream of hate. "Watch over your son, my friend..." he whispered as he reentered the building to join the other adults.
*****************
"Graaaaaah!" Demon's scream of rage put Takato, Daisuke and the others on edge as the holy light from Sakuyamon's attack faded.
"No...no way..." Takeru whispered as he took an unwilling step back.
Demon stood tall. His fur was smoking and singed from the attack, and a wing had been damaged by Justimon, but he was still an imposing figure. Ruki shook, in spite of herself. "This...this guy...he's a monster..."
Daisuke was now nervous, but put on a brave face. "We aren't finished either!" he said to the others, turning to them with a determined glint in his eye. "We can't let Demon make us doubt ourselves!"
"Daisuke-san's right!" Takato agreed as Dukemon hefted his lance and shield, his torn cape billowing dramatically behind him as he stood his ground. "Katou-san and the others...they're still fighting so we have a place to go home to! We can't give up!"
Demon howled. "You...humans! I underestimated you...not even the four Holy Beasts have hurt me this much..." The gigantic demon beast glared at them, his three eyes glowing. "But now...the final blow!" He raised a massive arm and pointed it, palm-first, at Dukemon.
"Kh..." Dukemon grunted. "Takato..."
"What's wrong?"
"Sorry...but I can't move..."
"Wha...what?!" The knight was using up his strength simply staying upright after the all the fighting he'd been through. Takato could do little more than curse as energy began gathering in Demon's palm. "Chikuso!"
"Giga Death!" "Nigitama!" Demon looked to the side at Shakkoumon and ImperialDramon.
"Evil Eye!" A flash of light struck the two Digimon, knocking them out of the air. "Now...!" Demon roared. "Chaos Flare!" A huge bolt of energy launched out of his hand and flew at Dukemon, who could do little more than raise his shield and hope to survive.
"Juri...Mom...Dad..." Takato wept. "Sorry, but looks like this is it..." Suddenly, Justimon pushed him out of the way. "Gwaah!" the boy cried out in surprise.
"Ryo?!" Ruki gasped. The scarf-wearing Ultimate stood his ground and crossed his arms as the blast hit. Both Digimon and Tamer screamed as the blast lifted them off their feet and carried them, smashing through buildings as it went.
"Ryo-san!" Ken screamed in horror. "Kisama!" he swore, turning to face Demon. "You...you..."
"No more talk..." Demon growled. "If you have anything more to say...show me with your power."
"If you want power, look over here!" Beelzebumon suddenly appeared, Behemoth's engine roaring as the bike soared through the air in Demon's direction. "Death Slinger!" He let off a couple of blasts from his positron cannon as he landed, striking Demon in the head.
"Beelzebumon!" Takato cried with relief as the winged Demon Lord pulled Behemoth over next to Dukemon.
"Good," Beelzebumon smirked. "Looks like I got here just in time for the main event."
"Piemon?" Sakuyamon asked as she landed next to them.
Beelzebumon dragged a finger across his throat. "What do you think?"
"So...even Piemon is dead?" Demon rumbled as he looked from Daisuke and the Chosen Children, who stood a good distance away, to Dukemon, Sakuyamon, Beelzebumon and the Chosen Digimon. "That simply increases my need to win." He raised his hands to the sky. "The Dark Digimon followed me here...seeking a new world...I will honour them and their sacrifice by taking this world and setting the denizens of the Dark Ocean free!"
"Not while we're still breathing," Sakuyamon said, whirling her staff as she prepared for battle.
"That...can be easily rectified." Demon raised his hands, a low rubble suddenly shaking the ground. "Flame Inferno!"
"Everyone!" Takato yelled. "Attack!"
*****************
As the battle raged, Jenrya and the two boys who had helped him were almost to the battlefield. Terriermon had recovered and was on his usual perch: Jen's head. "Er...if you don't mind me asking..." the half-Chinese boy began. "Who are you? And why are you here?"
The brunette with the big hair grinned. "We're just a couple of guys worried about their little siblings."
"Taichi, look!" The brunette looked in the direction his blonde companion was pointing in.
Jen and Terriermon looked too, and saw ImperialDramon soaring through the air, dodging fireballs that filled the sky with flame. "ImperialDramon," Taichi said. "That means Daisuke and the others should be just ahead." The other boy nodded and they took off at a run, Jen trailing behind slightly.
They turned a corner and skidded to a stop, Terriermon clutching Jen's hair as he was almost thrown off. "Whoa!" he squealed. "Give a little warning, huh, Jen?" When his partner didn't reply, the little floppy-eared Digimon looked up at whatever had caught the boy's attention.
Demon loomed over them, one hand wrapped around a fiercely struggling Sakuyamon while the other hand swiped at Dukemon and Beelzbumon. He roared, launching more fireballs from his gaping maw at ImperialDramon, who twisted, turned, dived and zigzagged to avoid them, firing energy bolts from his arm cannon as he did so. Shakkoumon smashed into Demon's hand from above, a painful-sounding crunch reaching Jen's ears. Demon's grip loosened slightly, enough for Sakuyamon to wrench an arm free and send a group of fox spirits howling at Demon's face. He released her as the foxes burned him, but then lashed at her with a gigantic foot. The silver-haired Ultimate crossed her arms to block the blow and grunted as she was hurled through the air from the impact. Demon followed her with his eyes, which began glowing as he prepared to fire. Before he could, ImperialDramon dived down and delivered as series of quick slashes before the larger Digimon could react. Demon moved surprisingly fast for a Digimon of his size, backhanding the dragon, who righted himself in mid-air just before hitting the ground. His feet dug grooves into the battle-scarred asphalt as he aimed his arm cannon and let off a Giga Death. Demon deflected it with a wave of his hand and turned his now-blazing eyes at the Jogressed Ultimate. Three beams, one from each eye, flew at ImperialDramon, but just before they hit Dukemon somersaulted above the dragon-man and landed before him, blocking the beams with his shield.
"Terriermon, we've got to help." Jen looked up at his partner, no easy task considering the little Digimon was perched on his head. "You up to evolving?"
"I'm okay now, Jen," Terriermon replied cheerfully. "Let's go get him!"
Jen smiled and nodded. He turned to the two boys. "Uh...we've got to go help. Will you two be okay?"
"Don't worry about us," the brunette, Taichi, grinned. "We'll just go look for my sister and his brother."
"Good luck," the blonde said.
Jen thanked them then took off at a run, Terriermon beginning to glow as the boy cried out, "Matrix Evolution!" In seconds, Saint Galgomon entered the fray with a cry of, "Giant Bazooka!"
"Looks like it's show time, Yamato," Taichi noted, his eyes fixed on the battle. "Ready?"
"Aa." Yamato's eyes quickly scanned the area. "I don't see Takeru or Hikari anywhere."
"You want to find them first?"
Yamato smirked. "Huh. Like you're not waiting for the chance to run off?"
Taichi chuckled, putting a hand behind his head sheepishly. "Haha, am I that obvious?"
"No," Yamato replied, turning away. "I just know how you think." The two of them continued on their way, keeping their eyes open for their siblings.
*****************
"Jen!" Takato was relieved to see Saint Galgomon. "You're okay!"
"Yeah," the other boy replied. "Sorry we're late."
Sakuyamon landed on the giant Digimon's shoulder. "At least you got here," Ruki told him. "Ready to send this guy packing?"
Saint Galgomon raised his fists. "Just let me at him!" Sakuyamon leapt off his shoulder as he charged at Demon, pulling his fist back. The Dark Digimon, who had been preoccupied by Shakkoumon, turned just in time to receive a powerful punch to the jaw. There was a 'crack' and the winged Ultimate fell to the ground. "Yatta!"
Demon slowly sat up and spat. A huge curved tooth bounced off the ground as he rose to his feet. "You..." He suddenly ran forward and struck Saint Galgomon, who was roughly the same size, in the chest. The robotic Digimon cried out in pain as his chest armour buckled from the impact. As he staggered back, Demon grabbed him, wrapping his fingers around the other Digimon's neck and lifting him up into the air with one hand. His eyes narrowed as he slammed Saint Galgomon into the ground. He began raising the stunned Ultimate, but Beelzebumon, ImperialDramon and Sakuyamon fired on him, distracting him. He swiveled his head and breathed a cloud of flame at them before turning back to Saint Galgomon. "Eh?" Shakkoumon hovered before him, his eyes glowing.
"Nigitama!" Twin crimson energy beams struck Demon across the face, making him recoil in pain and release his death-grip on Saint Galgomon.
"Pile on him!" Takato yelled. Dukemon ran forward, his shield beginning to glow as the Ultimate and his partner yelled out, "Final Elysian!"
Saint Galgomon, still flat on his back, unleashed all his firepower with a cry of "Burst Shot!"
Sakuyamon quickly drew a glowing circle in the air, launching a beam version of her Vajra World Mandala. From behind the Dark Digimon, Beelzebumon aimed his positron cannon arm and sent out a barrage of Death Slingers, while ImperialDramon landed, braced himself and fired a charged Giga Death. Shakkoumon added his Nigitama to the combined assault as Daisuke yelled to the other Chosen Children to take cover.
Demon crossed his arms, his third eye glowing. The air seemed to shimmer as he cried out. "Darkness Barrier!" As the attacks struck the dome-like barrier he erected around himself, they were deflected, some exploding as they hit the ground, others flying off and exploding against buildings.
"What?!" Daisuke cried in surprise.
"You've got to be kidding me," Ruki growled angrily.
"Do you think you're the first ones to try a combined attack from all angles?" Demon rumbled. "Naïve..." His eyes flashed as he roared, "Flame Inferno!" The dome shield began glowing orange and suddenly burst into flames.
"Chikuso!" ImperialDramon swore. "Everyone! Watch out!"
*****************
"Ow..." Ryo groaned as Justimon painfully dragged himself to his feet. "Remind me not to do that again..."
"Even if I did, you'd probably do it anyway," Cyberdramon's voice replied.
"Heh, true." Ryo winced as the Ultimate shook his head.
"We need to get back there," he growled. He took a step forward and fell to one knee. "Ugh!"
"You okay?" Ryo asked worriedly.
"Just winded," his partner assured him.
"Ryo-kun," a voice said.
"Huh? Who?"
"It's Reika," the woman told him over his headset. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, we're fine. How are the others?"
"They're fighting Demon. He's...he's too strong. You have to go help them!"
"On my way."
"Wait!" Yamaki interrupted.
*****************
"Sir?" Reika looked up at Yamaki, who was leaning over her.
"According to Lee-san and the rest of the Wild Bunch, Demon's power levels are beyond anything we've ever seen."
"How can that be?" Ryo asked. "I mean, even if he is a strong Digimon, it's not like he's unbeatable."
"At this point, he is."
"What?"
Yamaki reached over Reika's control panel and flicked a switch. "Lee-san."
"Ah." Ryo recognized the voice of Jen and Shuichon's father Janyuu. "We were tweaking the Digital Detection System Hypnos uses to locate Digimon and found Demon suddenly had an incredibly large energy increase."
"Say what?" Ryo was puzzled.
"It's as if he's been storing energy all this while and is now unleashing it."
"So when we destroyed his cloak..." Ryo whispered.
"We just released his full power."
"Great." Ryo moaned. "Now what?"
Janyuu nodded to the other members of the Wild Bunch. "We've identified a unique wavelength Demon seems to have," he said. "We could program this information into the Shaggai System then use it to finish him once and for all."
"So what's stopping you?" Ryo asked.
"Ryo." Justimon gestured to the wreckage at their feet.
"Oh."
"There is something we could try," Oikawa cut in, appearing in the doorway to the Wild Bunch's lab. "But it's dangerous."
Ryo grinned. "Like we have a choice?"
*****************
Moments later, Janyuu, Oikawa and Shibumi were on the roof with Justimon, sifting through the remains of the Shaggai System. "Not much left," Oikawa noted.
"Hn..." Janyuu grunted non-committedly as he picked up a piece of circuitry which was mostly intact. "How can we use this...this...junk?" He frowned as he tried to assess what he held in his hands. "We can't even tell what most of this equipment was!"
Oikawa looked mildly irritated. "True...I hoped enough of the Shaggai System survived for us to jury-rig some sort of weapon." He sighed. "Too much to hope, I suppose."
Shibumi looked thoughtful. "I wonder..." He turned to Justimon, his brow creased as if considering something. "Ryo-kun."
"Yes?"
"Justimon is a cyborg, isn't he?"
"Uh...yes, he is." The tall humanoid Ultimate cocked his head as Ryo spoke. "Why?"
In Justimon's head, Cyberdramon grunted. "I get the idea." He reached out with his mechanical arm, tendrils extending from the forearm.
'Hm...' the shadow grunted, sounding impressed. 'Yes, yes, I would've suggested the same thing. Using our bionic parts to reassemble the Shaggai System is our best chance.'
"Would you be quiet?" Cyberdramon growled mentally. "I'm trying to concentrate!"
'Here. Let me. I have some experience with machines and technology after all.'
******************
Ryo noticed the difference almost immediately. At first, Justimon was simply using the tendrils to pick up and try to cobble something together, seemingly at random. Now, the tendrils moved with surprising efficiency, picking up pieces, holding them up as if assessing them, then discarding them. Some pieces the tendrils brought over the cyborg's mechanical arm, fusing them to it. As far as Ryo knew, Cyberdramon had never shown any mechanical inclination and he doubted instinct alone could be so effective. "Cyberdramon..." the boy whispered. "What are you hiding?"
*****************
"Kuaah!" Dukemon ducked and rolled out of the way as Demon launched a fireball at him. "Royal Saber!"
As the attack bounced off Demon's huge form, Sakuyamon and ImperialDramon dived at him from above. "Thunder Flash Kick!" "Imperial Kick!"
Demon blocked the kicks with an outstretched palm before smashing them with his other hand and knocking them into a building. He moved to pursue them and finish them off, but then Saint Galgomon tackled him from behind. "Oh, no you don't!"
"Get off me, vermin!"
*****************
Sakuyamon shook her head as she pulled herself up. "Renamon, are you alright?" Ruki asked.
"Not...really," the silver-haired warrior replied, falling to her knees and holding her side. "You?"
Ruki winced as she felt her own throbbing side. "I'm still breathing, at least."
"Ruki!" a voice called suddenly.
"What?" Ruki looked around as Sakuyamon picked up her staff. "Who?"
"It's me, Ryo!"
"Huh? Where...?" She paused and shook her head to clear it. "Oh, right. The headset."
"You okay?" Ryo asked, concerned.
"No, I'm not okay! And neither are the others!" she snapped. Her voice softened as she added, "How about you?"
"A little broiled, but still in one piece." She could practically see the grin on his face.
"Then get back over here! We need all the firepower we can get!"
"Uh...about that..."
Ruki's eyebrow rose slightly. "What?" she said, slightly mocking. "Don't tell me you're scared."
"Listen, Ruki," Ryo said, his voice low and serious. "Justimon is trying to combine with the Shaggai System so we can take out Demon. We'll be vulnerable while we power up, so if Demon realises what we're doing, I'm counting on you to protect us."
"What? Combine with Shaggai?! Are you insane?"
"We don't have a choice! It's the only way!"
Ruki's teeth began grinding. "Why do you always have to play the hero?" she growled.
"It's part of my nature," Ryo grinned. His voice became serious again. "Please, Ruki. I'm counting on you."
Ruki huffed. "Fine."
"Thanks."
"Ryo?"
"Yeah?"
"Just... don't get yourself killed."
*****************
"Daisuke-kun! Takeru-kun!"
"Hikari-chan!" Daisuke said, waving at her. Hikari, Miyako, Juri and the others ran up to Daisuke and the rest of the Chosen Children.
"How're we doing?" Hirokazu asked.
"Not good," Iori told him. "Everything we throw at him doesn't seem to phase him at all!"
"Uaaaaagh!" Beezlebumon crashed just in front of them, tumbling and rolling before skidding to a stop at their feet. "Gah!" he spat, getting up. "I'll kill you, you son of a..."
"Beelzebumon!" Juri yelped, clapping her hands over Masahiko's ears.
"Huh?" The biker looked over his shoulder at the girl. "Oh, Juri. When'd you get here?"
"Nee-chan!" Masahiko squirmed. "Let go!"
"Alright." The girl glared at the towering Ultimate. "No swearing!" she warned him.
"Hey, I was just punched by a big, ugly, fire-breathing monster here!" Beelzebumon retorted. "Gimme a break!"
"Speaking of big, ugly, fire-breathing monsters..." BlackWarGreymon interrupted, landing nearby. "Why is that one still alive?" He jerked his head at Demon.
"BlackWarGreymon? Where've you been?" Iori asked.
Beelzebumon smirked. "I didn't think it'd take you this long to deal with Metal Etemon."
"Feh," the Dark Ultimate smirked. "I haven't had a good fight in a long time. I simply wanted to savour it."
"So what happened to Metal Etemon?"
"What do you think happened?"
"Ah." Beelzebumon looked up at Demon, who was now using ImperialDramon as a club against Dukemon, Sakuyamon and Silphymon, who had joined the battle. "Ready to have some more fun?"
BlackWarGreymon sharpened his Dramon Killers by clanging them against each other, sparks flying from the claws. "No need to tell me twice!" he said as he took to the air, a war cry erupting from his throat.
"Leomon, be careful!" "Antiramon, good luck!" Juri and Shuichon called to their partners as they leapt into the fray.
"Knock him dead, Guardromon!" I'm counting on you, Marine Angemon!" Hirokazu and Kenta cheered as the two Digimon flew off to battle.
*****************
"Whew..." Takato wheezed as BlackWarGreymon and Beelzebumon flew overhead and double-teamed Demon, who finally released ImperialDramon by hurling him at Guardromon. "Help at last..."
"Takato," Ruki said as Sakuyamon landed beside Dukemon. "We'd better pull back for now."
"What?"
Sakuyamon glanced at him. "Ruki's right. We've been fighting non-stop since the beginning, and haven't had a chance to rest yet."
"We can't rest now!" protested Dukemon.
"Yes, we can," Sakuyamon said, grabbing the knight's arm and dragging him to where Daisuke, Hikari and the rest of the group were. ImperialDramon and Shakkoumon were already there.
Ken looked up worriedly at ImperialDramon, who fell to his knees, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. "ImperialDramon..."
"I'm...okay..." he replied, gulping mouthfuls of air. "Just...exhausted..."
Takeru and Iori looked over Shakkoumon, who was looking the worse for wear. "If you and the others hadn't shown up when you did, Hikari-chan..." the hat-wearing boy said, tracing a finger along cracks on Shakkoumon's armour.
"Takato-kun..." Juri looked on worriedly as Dukemon devolved in a flash of light, which soon faded and revealed a tired-looking Guilmon and a half- dead Takato.
"Maybe you're right, Ruki," the boy said, looking unsteady. "I think we need some rest..." He took a step forward, but then fell forward.
"Takato-kun!" Juri cried, running forward and catching the boy. Unfortunately, she had forgotten he was a bit heavier than her and she fell over as well, Takato landing on top of her. Her face went pink as Ruki snickered.
"I hadn't realised you two were that close," the redhead grinned before snickering again. "Ow!" She winced as she held her side. "It hurts to laugh..."
"It serves you right," Juri said, squirming to get out from under Takato before anyone got the wrong idea. "Uh...help?"
Hirokazu and Kenta hoisted their goggle-wearing friend off the embarrassed girl. "Come on, buddy," the visored-tamer said. "I know you like her, but you can't go doing that kind of thing in public, you know."
Kenta nodded in agreement. "That's right. What'd your mother say?"
"Aw, shaddup..." Takato slurred as he slowly opened his eyes. "I didn't mean to do that and you know it."
"But that doesn't mean you didn't enjoy it," Ruki smirked, grinning at the scandalized look on Juri's face.
"Ruki!" she cried, her face still red.
"Ruki!"
Ruki blinked. "Is there an echo around here?"
"Ruki, it's Ryo. How are things going?"
"Juri and the others are fighting Demon while the rest of us try to catch our breath. You?"
*****************
Meanwhile, on the Hypnos Building, Shibumi, Oikawa and Janyuu were tweaking the newly-completed Shaggai Cannon, which now took up most of Justimon's cybernetic arm. "We're almost ready here. Just need to charge up the Shaggai. Tell everyone to be ready to scatter on my signal, okay?"
"Got it," Ruki replied. "Be careful."
"Hey, like I'd take stupid risks?"
"I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer."
*****************
Ruki sighed as she signed off and turned to the others. Noticing the look on Juri's face, she said, "Not a word, Juri. There isn't anything between that guy and me, got it?"
The girl put on the most innocent look she could. "I wasn't going to say anything!" she protested.
"Right." The redhead spoke to the others. "Everyone, listen up!" Daisuke and Ken turned away from ImperialDramon, who raised his head to listen. Alice, Masahiko and Shuichon looked to her from where they had been trying to stop Culumon from joining the other Digimon in battle. Hirokazu and Kenta stopped teasing Takato, who looked at Ruki like she had just saved his hide. "Ryo tells me Hypnos and the Wild Bunch have a plan. We need to be ready to take cover when he sends the signal."
"No problem there," Daisuke told her. "We've spent most of our time running for cover anyway."
"..."
*****************
Yamaki began flicking his lighter as anxiety began to get to him. Janyuu had just reported they were ready on the roof and so Reika and Megumi had begun rerouting most of the power supply into the Shaggai Cannon. "Uh...dear?" Reika looked to him, careful to keep her voice low so the others in the room couldn't hear. "Do you think you could stop doing that? It's very distracting."
"Huh?" Yamaki blinked. "Sorry." He put the lighter away as he looked to the monitors. "How is it going?"
"80% energy transfer complete," the woman reported.
"Shaggai Cannon is beginning to charge up," Megumi added.
Yamaki spoke into a microphone to Ryo. "Remember, Ryo-kun. If you feel you and Justimon can't take anymore, let us know immediately or you might wind up killing yourself."
"Got it."
*****************
Ryo took a deep breath when he felt a tingling in his arm as energy began flowing into Justimon's arm and the Shaggai Cannon. "Ready, Cyberdramon?"
The cyborg grunted. "This will probably hurt like hell," he commented.
"You're probably right," Ryo agreed. "But we won't a little pain stop us, right?"
Cyberdramon growled in agreement. Justimon looked down at a small gauge on his arm. "The Shaggai Cannon is ready," he said.
"Then let's do it, Cyberdramon!" Justimon aimed the cannon as the hum of machines became drowned out by the whine of the weapon itself. "Ruki! Now!" Ryo yelled as a powerful energy beam burst out of the cannon's barrel.
******************
"Incoming!" Silphymon yelled as the Shaggai beam lit the sky.
Demon turned to face the attack. "Don't you ever learn?" He crossed his arms. "Darkness Barrier!" Everyone held their breath as the beam approached Demon's barrier...
...and passed through it, striking the surprised Digimon in the chest.
*****************
"Direct hit!" Megumi cried. "Direct hit!"
"Keep it up, Ryo-kun!" Reika said into her headset.
Yamaki reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around his lighter as beads of sweat appeared on his brow. 'This is it...'
*****************
Ryo grit his teeth as he struggled to help Justimon keep his hand steady. "Ryo!" Cyberdramon growled. "Your body can't handle much more! This is enough!"
"No...not yet..." Ryo strained every muscle, trying to keep himself from screaming in pain. It felt like fire was coursing through his veins, but he knew every moment he and Justimon kept up the assault meant a more certain chance of victory.
*****************
"Demon's power levels are going down!" Megumi said, turning to Reika and Yamaki. "We're doing it! We're doing it!"
"How's Ryo doing?" Yamaki asked.
"Justimon's still keeping it up..." Reika told him.
******************
Demon writhed in pain as the Shaggai beam began tearing him apart. "Ghh..." He raised his hand and roared. "Flame Inferno!" A pillar of flame launched from his palm in the direction of the Hypnos Building.
"Shimatta!" Jen cursed. "Ryo! Watch out!"
*****************
Ryo winced as the Flame Inferno spiraled past, missing Justimon by inches. "Guh...kuh..." the boy choked, bringing a hand up to his mouth. "Just...a little..more..."
*****************
Ruki was getting worried. From what she and the others picked up from their headsets, the longer Ryo and Justimon kept up the Shaggai beam, the more damaged their bodies became. "How long are you planning on keeping this up?" she said into her headset.
"As...long...as it...takes!" came Ryo's strained reply.
"Stop it, Ryo-san!" Takato yelled. "You'll kill yourself!"
"Nah," Ryo grinned. "I don't think I'm that lucky."
Demon roared and fell to his knees, clutching his chest. Jen noticed a glow, slightly brighter than that of the Shaggai beam; appear around the Demon Lord's chest. "That's..."
"His Digicore!" ImperialDramon said, hovering beside the giant green Digimon.
"Ryo-san!" Jen yelled into his headset. "You managed to expose his Digicore! We'll handle the rest!"
"You...sure...?"
"Yes!"
*****************
Back on the Hypnos Building, the whine of machinery began dying down. "It's all up to you guys then..." Ryo whispered as Justimon collapsed face- first onto the battle-scarred rooftop. "Good...luck..."
*****************
"Ryo?" When Ryo didn't reply, Ruki spoke to the others. "Let's finish this."
The other Digimon nodded and readied their final attacks. Daisuke raised a gloved fist and yelled, "NOW! FIRE!"
ImperialDramon extended his chest cannon, gripping the handles on its sides. "Giga Death!" Beside him, Shakkoumon squinted and fired twin energy beams with a cry of "Nigitama!" while Saint Galgomon unloaded all his armaments after yelling "Burst Shot!"
"Vajra World Mandala!" As Sakuyamon used another beam version of her attack, Silphymon, Guardromon and Marine Angemon launched their attacks with yells of "Top Gun!" "Destruction Grenade!" and "Pupiipiii!"
"Fist of the Beast King!" "Ashvatotabara!" "Gaia Force!" As Leomon, Antiramon and Black WarGreymon struck, Dukemon and Beelzebumon stood back to back.
"Heh, this feels familiar," the black-clad Demon Lord noted.
"Let's hope this works better than last time," Dukemon replied.
"Death Slinger!" "Final Elysian!" Two beams, one purple, the other green, joined the other attacks as they converged on Demon's exposed Digicore. They struck before Demon could react, engulfing the Dark Digimon in a gigantic explosion.
Juri huddled with Shuichon and Masahiko, shielding them from the dust and debris thrown up by the explosion. Alice huddled with them, her pale gold hair whipping about as she helped Juri shield the younger Tamers. Daisuke pulled his goggles over his eyes to protect them as he stood against the force of the combined attacks, while Takeru, Hikari, Miyako and Iori threw their arms up to shield their faces. Hirokazu and Kenta, seeing Juri and Alice protecting Shuichon and Masahiko, moved in front of them to block part of the wind.
"Did we get him?" Saint Galgomon asked as he waited for the smoke to clear.
"I hope so," Jen replied, squinting.
"Something's moving in there," reported Silphymon, putting the others on guard.
Takato swallowed a lump in his throat as he tensed, sensing Dukemon's battle weariness. "Guilmon, you okay?" he asked, remembering all the fighting they'd been through that day.
"I can hold on a little longer," his partner replied as he shifted, raising his shield in preparation for his Final Elysian technique.
"I hope you don't have to," Takato said as the smoke began to clear.
Demon stood at the center of a huge crater, his Digicore glowing an eerie red. "..."
"He's still alive?!" ImperialDramon growled.
Guardromon held out his hand to stop Silphymon, who was already beginning to gather energy to launch another attack. "Wait." The mechanical Adult's eyes glowed as he scanned Demon. "He's finished."
"..." Demon took a step forward, a low growl rumbling from his throat. He reached for the Tamers, but then there was the sound of something cracking. "Well fought, humans..." the Demon Lord growled. "The victory...is yours..." His Digicore shattered and Demon, lord of the Dark Digimon, fell face forward, throwing up a dust cloud as his huge bulk struck the ground.
"We...did..." Daisuke whispered, watching in awe as Demon began dissolving into data. "We did it..."
Miyako threw herself at Ken, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him happily. "We won! We won!"
"Ack!" Ken gasped for air, but grinned at the girl.
Takeru grinned at Iori, who smiled back at his partner. The blonde looked over to Hikari, who sighed with relief and gave the boy a thumb's up. "Another win for us, Takeru," she said.
"Heh," the boy replied. "Was there ever any doubt?"
Hirokazu and Kenta were whooping and hollering, celebrating while Shuichon and Masahiko looked on, unsure whether to join them or to back away nervously. Juri wiped her brow and let out her breath, which she had been holding unconsciously. "It's over..." She looked over at Dukemon, who was slowly lowering his weapons.
"Great job, Guilmon," Takato said to his partner.
"You too, Takato," Dukemon replied. The knight turned to rejoin the others, but paused suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Sakuyamon asked.
Dukemon faced Demon's fading form and raised his lance in a warrior's salute. "Even though he was our enemy, he was a powerful opponent."
"Hmph," BlackWarGreymon snorted, copying Dukemon's gesture. "Being able to fight all of us single-handed...I suppose he deserves respect at least."
"Hahahahahaha..."
"What?" The Tamers and Chosen Children looked around for the source of the laughter.
"I hoped to arrive in time to rescue Demon, but it seems I took too long..." Devimon appeared in the air above the crater left behind by Demon's destruction. He was flanked in the air by Kuwagamon, Angemon, Birdramon and Kabuterimon. On the ground, Skull Greymon, Metal Greymon and Garurumon glared at them. "Ah, well. Since I couldn't save him, I'll avenge him instead."
Beelzebumon snorted. "We just took down the strongest of you Dark Digimon," he said, sneering. "You think you can beat us?"
Devimon glared at him before uttering a single word. "Jogress."
"Eh?!"
As the Chosen Children gasped in surprise, the digital flesh and skin of Devimon and his followers peeled away, revealing glowing green wire frames. Tendrils reached out from Devimon's wire frame, linking him to the others. The tendrils began retracting back into Devimon, drawing the other Digimon to him. As they came close, their wire frames began to come apart, melding with the Dark Digimon's. A flash of light blinded the assembled children and their Digimon partners. "Chimeramon!" The Synthetic Perfect roared before speaking again. "And once more...JOGRESS!"
As the Tamers and Chosen Children watched in horror, a stream of data suddenly appeared behind the newly evolved Perfect, shaping itself into a familiar form. Jen stared, his eyes widening. "MugenDramon?"
The MugenDramon shape began fusing with Chimeramon, slowly covering the smaller Digimon. All of a sudden, Ken screamed. "ImperialDramon! Shoot! SHOOT!"
"Wha?" The Ultimate looked over to the boy, surprised.
"Hurry!" Ken pleaded.
"Ken-kun?" Miyako said worriedly.
"You don't understand!" Ken yelled. "Chimeramon and MugenDramon fuse into..."
A roar, followed by an explosion, cut him off. When the smoke cleared, all eyes were on whatever new threat stood before them. At first glance, it looked like Chimeramon, but its flesh was a dark purple, almost black. The various wings were gone, and instead a shimmering shell of energy covered its back. However, on closer inspection, the shell had a head and arms, as if another Digimon was lying across the evolved Chimeramon's back. MugenDramon's cannons were mounted on the energy form's back. Takeru and Hikari froze, their eyes wide, while Ken began shaking, his hands balling into fists. "Behold..." boomed Devimon's voice. "The Dark God! Millenniumon!"
Ruki sighed. "We never get a break, do we..."
*****************
Preview:
Takato: How much longer do we have to fight?
Taichi: Hey, hey, what kind of talk is that?
Daisuke: That's right! The ones with goggles can't give up so easily!
Takato: Eh...? But...
Taichi: Listen up! Everyone's behind you!
Daisuke: Go straight ahead, and don't look back!
Takato: ...Right...That's right! I...won't lose! Guilmon!
Takato: Matrix Evolution!
Digimon Tamers Dark Wing Final Chapter: Our Final Hope, the Wings of Light!
***************** Author's notes: 'Dai' means big or great. So Dai Justice Slash means Great Justice Slash. It's based off the killing blow of Kamen Rider Amazon.
Author's notes: 'Yatta!', roughly translated, means 'I did it!' or 'Yes!' Often said when a character delivers a blow to an opponent that (hopefully) finishes him off. Also said as a cheer after a hero emerges victorious after battle.