Well, I was bored, so here's Chapter 3. Thanks for the reviews, AngelSachiya, LordPata. This chapter's dedicated to you!
The two opposite forces faced each other, hatred and distaste evident in their eyes.
Tai, Matt, TK and Kari all glared at the Apocalymon X, but there was fear too; it had been the final battle for them before they left the Digital World for the first time, although they had been there and back several times since then. That day, Apocalymon had not been inflicted by the X Virus, but had still been insanely powerful. They had faced him twice, the first time they had been defeated utterly, with each of the Ultra Mega's claws devolving them back into their IT form, and their Crests had been taken by force. Apocalymon had then crushed each Crest in his hands, destroying them before he banished the Digidestined into a Digital graveyard. But in there, they had learned a crucial secret; through their determination and their strength, the Crests that had been destroyed had been nothing but a catalyst, and the Crests' purpose was to make them believe. The true power of the Crests had lain within themselves, and they had called upon that power to Digivolve once more, and brought them out of the graveyard. Back in their battleground, they had called upon their courage, the Crest of Courage wielded by Tai, their friendship, inspired by the Crest of Friendship that Matt wielded, their love for each other, the Crest of Love that Sora held, the reliability of themselves, the Crest of Reliability of Joe, their knowledge that the Digital World would be destroyed if they failed, the Crest of Knowledge Izzy had, their hope for a better future, TK's Crest of Hope, and the light that evened out darkness, the Crest of Light in Kari's possession, to call forth strength that had lain hidden within them to defeat Apocalymon. But his strength was such that he still stood after the beating they gave him, and to try and take the Digidestined with him, he used his desperation attack, Total Annihilation to self destruct and try to kill the Digidestined. But at the last moment, their Digivices had awoken, and they activated the Golden Web to seal away Apocalymon.
Now here before them, that same nightmare that had plagued them for many nights had resurrected before them, giving substance to their fears.
Gatomon shivered, remembering hard times at Myotismon's hands, who had been a minion of Apocalymon, although he did not know it.
Kari felt her partner's shiver, and felt her own cold fingers of terror envelope her. But then she looked over at Tai and Matt, and felt heartened.
The two of them were standing shoulder to shoulder, and when Kari looked closer, she could see glimmers of light playing over what wasn't there: a long glimmering sword in Taichi's hand, and a mechanical robotic arm in place of Yamato's right arm. A flaming vortex encircled Tai, while icy winds blew around Matt.
But when Kari glanced at TK, wondering whether he had seen the phenomenon around their brothers, she noticed that he was glaring right at the Apocalymon X, hatred swirling in his eyes, although his hand was trembling slightly.
When she glanced back at Tai and Matt, the images had disappeared. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes.
"Gatomon... did you see... what was around Brother and Matt just now...?" she asked tentatively.
Gatomon looked at Kari searchingly for a second, then shook her head. "No. But I felt something." She replied. "What was it?"
Kari shook her head again. "N.. .Nothing... I thought... I thought I saw... Never mind..." she lapsed into silence.
Gatomon nodded her head knowingly. The feline knew that Kari was a special Chosen, and that she could feel evil from a great distance and that sometimes she saw visions of what would come. It was a great burden, as the meaning was never truly clear, and what might seem good might also turn out to be bad, and the knowledge that she could do nothing to change fate weight heavily on Kari's mind. As her partner, Gatomon was the only one who knew the extent of Kari's powers, whereas all the other Digidestined only knew that the presence of evil struck Kari a lot worse than it struck them.
Suddenly, the two battlers, who had been motionless until now, staring each other down, moved into a flurry of action.
Omegamon flew high into the air, throwing his right hand, MetalGarurumon's head, out to the side. With a burst of smoke, a huge cannon emerged out of what was the mouth, and a bright blue light filled up the empty eye sockets. Blue swirls of energy flickered around the cannon, gathering into the barrel and building up an intense light.
Apocalymon X threw his arms to the sides, summoning numerous chains flying out to try and capture the holy knight, while sending four to attack the Digidestined and the two remaining Digimon.
"Death Claw!" he shouted.
Kari shrieked, which made TK start and whip around, running to her and grabbing her shoulders, turning around to stand protectively around her. Immediately behind him, MagnaAngemon flew down from the sky, slashing out in a single purple arc which sent out a glowing shockwave that destroyed the five claws coming at them. He then flew to Kari's side and knelt down before the weakened Gatomon, chanting in the ancient Digital language that resulted in the same green sparks that had healed him before came cascading down onto the feline.
Gatomon jerked, then relaxed and gave a sigh. "Thanks MagnaAngemon. I owe ya."
MagnaAngemon, with his face hidden behind his purple mask, couldn't actually wink, but his mouth turned up in a mischievous smirk. "How about you Digivolve into something other than Magnadramon?"
Gatomon grinned as well. "Sure. Kari?"
Kari shook her head as she gave a small smile at her Digimon's antics. She raised her D-3, and activated her Crest Digivolution.
"Crest Digivolution, Activate!"
"Gatomon Crest Digivolve to... Angewomon!" shouted the Champion turned Ultimate.
The two angels took to flight, their brilliant white wings forming a kind of rainbow as they flew side by side, Angewomon with her bow drawn and taunt, MagnaAngemon with his brilliant purple sabre ignited.
As the claws of the Apocalymon X drew closer, Omegamon held his ground, his cannon now glowing with a blue so piercing that none of the Digidestined could look directly at it. Suddenly, he lifted his hand, pointing it right at the Death Claw attack of the Apocalymon X.
"Supreme Cannon!" he cried.
The small energy ball that shot out of his cannon made the Apocalymon X laugh, but when it connected, the explosion and force that ensued was so powerful it actually sent MagnaAngemon and Angewomon back a few metres, as well as sending the Apocalymon X stumbling back.
"Hey! We're flying here!" shouted Angewomon.
Omegamon turned to look at them. "Sorry 'bout that. And by the way, duck."
"Huh? Oh..." replied the two angels as they swerved under another claw attack.
Omegamon then turned back to the Apocalymon X, this time raising his left hand, the WarGreymon head. With a flash of bright light, a long rune-engraved blade shot out of the mouth. The blade was purely black, with a silver edge and golden runes engraved in the ancient Digital language, and Omegamon lifted it so it pointed straight upwards into the air.
The Apocalymon X growled as the light reflected from the blade shone into his eyes. Squinting at the shining figure of Omegamon, He then reached upwards with both hands, both palms pressed together. As he drew them apart, a purple haze seemed to flicker around them, then suddenly solidify into a massive ball of crackling purple energy, with streaks of black threaded among it.
Omegamon swung his sword down, just as Apocalymon X threw the huge ball of energy at him.
"Transcendent Sword!" boomed the voice of the knight.
"Darkness Zone!" hissed the voice of the mutant hybrid.
"Excalibur!" shouted MagnaAngemon as he joined Omegamon's side.
"Heaven's Charm…. Celestial Arrow!" cried Angewomon as she gathered up all the holy energy and light around her, then channeled the energy into her arrow and releasing it behind the attacks of the others.
Omegamon's Transcendent Sword attack consisted of the runes glowing bright red as he swung the sword, leaving crimson streaks of light through the air, which then sped towards his target, exploding on impact.
Apocalymon X's Darkness Zone attack on the other hand, wasn't a multi-hit but slightly weak attack like Omegamon's, but was a single powerful strike with his huge energy ball.
MagnaAngemon's attack was supposed to be a melee attack, but the force of his swing left remnants of the glowing light purple energy that made up his saber hovering in the air for a split second, before the momentum of the swing sent them flying at the Apocalymon X.
Angewomon's attack was pretty weak compared to the others', but absorbing the energies around them had powered it up, although it wasn't on par with the other fighters'.
Meanwhile, on the ground further away, Tai and the others spread out, erecting make-shift barriers around the area, trying to prevent other people from coming along. Tai and Kari also herded their parents away from the scene, for fear of them getting hurt. Luckily, the people of Japan already knew about the existence of Digimon, and they understood the significance of the Digidestined, as it had been their hope and light that had allowed Omegamon to first DNA Digivolve, as they watched on computers, laptops, and cell phones all over the world. Anyone coming along the road went on to their destination by another route without any fuss, and some defiant ones sat along the road to watch the battle, despite Tai's warnings that it might be unsafe.
"C'mon! Omnimon's here isn't he? He'll take care of stuff!" was the general unconcerned care of the assembled audience, referring to Omegamon's other name, Omnimon.
After several fruitless tries to move them, the Digidestined gave up, and left them to their survival instincts. They reasoned that after having a couple of fireballs blown up at their feet, their instincts will be screaming, "Run!"
Kari, on a sudden urge, sent out e-mails to all the other Digidestined on her D-3, warning them that rogue Digimon might suddenly appear at wherever they were, and telling them to remain on guard. Almost instantaneously, she received e-mails back, saying that they had already had their dose of attacks. However, they had managed to fend them off, although they all thought that the attacks haven't been very well-planned and/or executed, and their respective partners had had no trouble fending them off. They had discussed the matter between themselves; in fact, the members of the first adventure, excluding the four of them, had already had a small meeting not far away. But apparently, they had tried to contact Tai and Kari by mobile, and as the presence of a wild Digimon disrupted radio waves, they had been unable to get through. They were on the way here, and utilizing their Digimon to get here as soon as possible.
As the projectile attacks made their way towards the Apocalymon X's Darkness Zone attack, the evil Digimon was busy charging up another attack, hidden from the sight of the Chosen Digimon by his own enormous energy ball. Small grenade-like balls were hidden in each of his claws, then drawn back as though in a slingshot. The cunning X Digimon waited for the attacks to collide, canceling each other out before he slung his own attack.
Just as he expected the attacks crashed into each other, creating a huge explosion that sent more than one of the viewers scurrying for cover, although the most devout of the Digimon fans stood their ground, teeth gritted. Under their breath, they uttered a single word as one, almost chanting it, hoping to be able to help their heroes, who were also their peers, and for some of them, friends. That single word, repeated again and again…. "Hikari… Hikari… Hikari…" Light… Light… Light…
Light for their hopes, light for their dreams; light for their lives, light for their future.
The Apocalymon X waited until the last minute, then released his ambush attack. "Virus Grenade!"
The attack did as he expected, catching them off-guard as the viruses hidden within the grenades did their work, immobilizing them while he charged up another attack.
The Apocalymon X's claws reared up beside him as the electrical pulses from his ambush worked on the electrical circuits within every Digimon. Omegamon strained his body, raising his Sword of Courage bit by bit, but he knew that it would be too late. He was the only one who managed to move after the ambush attack, such was the will and power of WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon.
"Damn it… After beating this guy once… and VenomMyotismon… Puppetmon… Piedmon… Diaboromon… Armageddemon… I can't… Not now…" he thought.
Suddenly, a shout crashed through the air.
"Positron Laser!"
A bright blue beam streaked through the air, crashing straight through the claws, before smashing right into one of the studs, blasting a black crater in the huge body of the synethic Digimon.
A large figure hovered above the four battlers, red draconic wings spread wide. His right hand was thrown forwards, smoke spiraling gently from the small laser cannon mounted on it. A long blue tail snaked out from under his strong black armor, and a dragon's head was melded onto his breastplate. Blue skin peeped out from wherever his armor left small pieces exposed for maximum movement, and claws slashed out from the tips of the arm guards. A dragon emblazoned helmet protected his head, leaving only his aqua eyes visible. The newcomer was Imperialdramon Fighter Mode, and he was the Mode Change of the Mega Digivolution of the DNA Digivolution of ExVeemon and Stingmon. In other words, he was pretty darn powerful.
"Hey all!" he called, waving.
As the effects of the Virus Grenade wore off, Omegamon swung his blade, sending a huge shockwave of energy crashing out in an arc.
"Grey Sword!" he shouted, then turned to the newcomer. "Took you long enough, Imperialdramon."
The Grey Sword attack demolished the claws of the Apocalymon X, but he was quick to retaliate with another Darkness Zone attack.
As the huge energy ball loomed towards them, Imperialdramon turned to face it. The dragon head on his chest opened its mouth, and a laser cannon emerged. The crystals embedded in the barrel of the cannon started to glow as they absorbed the power of the sun, then a large orange energy ball appeared between the two spikes that protruded from the tip of the cannon.
"Giga Death!" he shouted, launching the ball into the Darkness Zone of the Apocalymon X. "Sorry! Took a wrong turn some two miles back!"
As the energy ball met the Darkness Zone dead-on, a huge explosion occurred, even larger than that of the Supreme Cannon attack that Omegamon used earlier. However, unlike Omegamon's this attack was a concentrated attack, which ended up contained in the Darkness Zone attack, with the effects of the attack not extending an inch out of it.
MagnaAngemon raised his hand, tracing green runes that shimmered in the air. "Antidote!" he shouted, and the three Digimon who had been affected by the Virus Grenade attack felt revitalized, as the Antidote healing technique seeped into their core and destroyed the viruses eating away at them.
Omegamon flew straight up, his red cloak billowing out behind him as he ascended. As he reached the highest point of his flight, he turned around, diving straight at the Apocalymon X with the Sword of Courage and the Cannon of Friendship drawn and ready.
MagnaAngemon and Angewomon moved aside, both charging up their projectile attacks as Omegamon neared his target, and Imperialdramon charged up his Positron Laser strapped on his wrist.
"This..." said MagnaAngemon, Excalibur pulled back to its fullest, holy energy gathering around its tip.
"...is..." continued Imperialdramon, the glowing laser cannon on his wrists pointed unerringly at the Apocalymon X's torso.
"...the..." followed up Angewomon, weakest of the four, but the gatherer of their energies, the Celestial Arrow gathering up all the hops of the watchers to its zenith, and the Heaven's Charm powering up all her allies strength.
"...end!" finished Omegamon, plunging his blade straight into the Apocalymon X's head, just as the others unleashed their attacks.
"Transcendent Sword!" shouted Omegamon. Red streaks of energy burst out of the sword, exploding right in Apocalymon X's head as they emerged.
"Gate of Destiny!" cried MagnaAngemon. Excalibur was swung in a circle, and a gate appeared. As Excalibur was brought down in a final slash, the Gate split down the middle and opened. A massive vacuum immobilized the Apocalymon X, slowly drawing him inside it.
Apocalymon X struggled with all his might; only evil was permitted inside the eternal gate, the Gate that will punish them eternally for their errors, and the Gate that can only be opened by MagnaAngemon and his final evolution.
"Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon chained her attack behind MagnaAngemon's, slamming into Apocalymon X from behind and working to push him into the Gate. Its power had been greatly enhanced by all the powerful energies emanating from the others, and it was now on par with the force of MetalGreymon's Giga Destroyer.
"Positron Laser!" Imperialdramon launched his attack from above, the bright blue laser pelting straight through the hybrid X Digimon.
All the while, Omegamon was pushing his foe with his blade, and now, he brought up his cannon to bear. Thrusting it into the Apocalymon X's torso, he called out the name of his mighty attack.
"Garuru Cannon!"
The blast that came from his cannon was totally different from the Supreme Cannon attack earlier; while that attack had been a single insignificant ball of energy that had exploded with massive force on impact; this was a huge blue laser that pummeled Apocalymon X mercilessly. The force of the laser did the final push that sent Apocalymon X through the portal, and as MagnaAngemon closed the Gate of Destiny, there came a final shriek that was cut off suddenly.
"Yes!" shouted Tai and Matt together, giving each other high fives and clasping hands as though brothers.
Kari and TK on the other hand, were hugging each other, full of relief that no harm had come to the other.
Their Digimon came flying back, and the two angel Digimon devolved into their Rookie and Champion forms; Patamon and Gatomon respectively. Patamon was basically a small brown hamster like creature, with long brown ears that worked somewhat like wings, and a white underbelly.
"We did it! TK! Kari! We did it!"
The audience, most of which had been clapping and cheering during the Apocalymon X's last moments, now dispersed and went on their way, their minds full of what had happened that day and their hearts full of pride that they had managed to witness one of the Digidestined's battles.
But although there was a happy reunion behind them, as Omegamon landed before Tai and Matt, the two of them were solemn.
"We fended of this first attack, but at the cost of a huge expending of energy. The next time they come, I don't think it will be this easy." Omegamon gazed searchingly at the two of the leading Digidestined before him.
Imperialdramon landed next to him.
"Easy? This makes the attack on Daisuke and Ken look like Agumon eating pies!"
As Omegamon turned to gaze at him silently, the Mega DNA gulped. "Um... bad choice of metaphors?"
"First thing we should do is gather all the Digidestined into one area, so it would be easier to help each other and fend off attacks." Tai spoke up.
Omegamon nodded. "Good point Tai. Any more ideas Matt?"
Matt nodded. "Then, we hightail it into the Digital World. We can't afford any more damage to the Real World. In the Digital World, the landscape is more suited to fighting. Plus, we actually have allies there who can help."
Omegamon considered. "True," he concluded. "I'll go look for the other Digidestined, so I can he-"
Suddenly an interruption came.
"Patamon!"
The two older Digidestined spun around instantly, and gasped at the sight that met their eyes.
Patamon was lying unconscious on the ground, and a hellish purple glow surrounded him. Beside him, TK was on his knees, shaking him as Gatomon Digivolved into Angewomon and tried to revive him.
"Patamon! Patamon what happened?!"
Suddenly, Patamon feebly opened an eye.
"T... K..."
TK bent over his fallen partner. "Patamon? What happened?!"
"T... K... I need to... Warp... Digivolve..."
TK gasped. "Sera... Seraphimon?!"
But Patamon had fainted again.
TK turned to face Kari.
"Hikari?"
Kari nodded.
"Warp Digivolution..." said Kari, raising her Crest of Light.
"Warp Digivolution..." echoed TK, holding up the Crest of Hope.
"ACTIVATE!" they shouted as one.
Instantly, golden light swallowed up Patamon and Angewomon, although a small patch of purple showed where the small Rookie lied. Patamon was the weakest Rookie, although Angemon was the strongest Champion and MagnaAngemon the most powerful Ultimate. TK's concern was that he will lose Patamon again, as he had the first time he entered the Digital World.
Then, Angemon had sacrificed himself to defeat Devimon, and TK could still feel the brush of angel feathers as they drifted from the heaven's from where Angemon had ascended to, and the feel of holding the Digitama or Digi-Egg that Angemon had left behind in his hands.
"Patamon!" he screamed.
Deep inside the golden pillar, two figures morphed.
"Patamon Warp Digivolve to... Seraphimon!"
The voice changed from a small squeaky voice into a deep noble one, full of power, but with a warmth laid through it nonetheless.
"Gatomon Warp Digivolve to... Magnadramon!"
As the golden light receded, two figures hovered above the ground. One was Magnadramon, the same Mega level of Gatomon's as before, but the other figure was what drew the eye.
A tall being, with a blue mask completely covering his face, and a cross star forged on it in gold. Ten golden wings sprouted from his back and blue armor protected his body. A golden sash with mystic runes in the ancient Digital language hung down over his groin, and runes and grey armor peeked out from where the blue armor didn't completely cover his body. His breastplate was grey, and two small grey wing-like projections jutted out from the sides of his helmet. Gold runes and symbols decorated his armor, and the Crest of Hope was printed in red over his chest armor.
In the new angel's hands were two blue balls of data, constantly morphing and changing as they followed an unknown road. However, two purple strands of data moved in a pattern, creating an 'X' symbol within it.
"Is that...?!" gasped Omegamon, the holy knight visibly shaking.
"The X Virus. However, I have purified it, and it is now the X Antibody." Replied Seraphimon.
"But why are there two strands? And where did you get them from?" interjected Imperialdramon.
"I extracted them from the Apocalymon X as the Gate closed. It was a risk, but it has turned out as I planned."
"What do you mean planned?!" shouted TK. "You had me worried sick!"
Matt nudged Tai. "Now he knows how I feel whenever he is alone with Kari. You never know with those two..." he whispered with a sly wink.
Tai grinned back. "Same here. Youngsters eh?" He then turned back to Seraphimon, who was looking down at TK.
Although the helmet covered his face, hiding all expressions, the angel Digimon somehow managed to project whatever he was doing beneath the mask to anyone he wanted. Right now, the impression was that he was smiling affectionately down at TK.
"I'm sorry TK. But this is the result: The light of evolution has aided me in purifying the X-Virus, and it is now the X-Antibody. Omegamon, come."
As the holy knight descended warily before Seraphimon, the archangel raised up the X-Antibody in his hands.
"Absorb it into your cores." He said.
"What?!" replied Omegamon clearly shocked. "The X-Virus is unstable! I trust your judgment Seraphimon, but this is too much."
"It is vital for our future, that you absorb these strands. I have had a glimpse into the future, but all I see is red; red hair, red blood, red stains on the ground. War lies ahead with the X-Virus, it is obvious enough. But we had to struggle so hard to defeat Apocalymon X, how do you think we can stave off another attack?"
"So this is why you have two strands of the X-Antibody... one for WarGreymon and one for MetalGarurumon I presume?" said Imperialdramon from where he stood behind Tai and Matt. He had reverted back into his Dragon mode, a quadruple dragon with a huge cannon strapped to his back, and the familiar black armor covering him.
Seraphimon nodded, his helmeted face never moving away from where hidden eyes gazed into Omegamon's green ones.
To the side, Tai, TK, Matt and Kari were having a fevered whispered conversation.
"Red hair...?"
"It can't be... Red hair is too common..."
"How many people besides Sora and Izzy have you seen with red hair?"
"Well..."
"It's too much of a coincidence... he comes out only in times of war, and war is nearing..."
"But what would he know about Digimon? We're the only Chosen Ones aren't we?"
"But the blood on the ground!"
"It might be or might not be him. But still..."
"What if he reappears?"
"It's been too long... he would be too old wouldn't he?"
"But the killings that have gone unexplained..."
"They have been increasing lately..."
"Come on... he can't possibly return, it can't possibly be him!"
"What is it Tai... are you scared?"
"No!"
"Well you sure seem like it."
"Matt, Tai, stop bickering. But if it is him, then what are we gonna do? I mean, he is rumored to be invincible and immortal..."
"I don't know bro. Seriously, what would he know about Digimon? I mean, its bad enough the people of Japan know so much about us, we're heroes for crying out loud!"
"So you're letting herodom get to your head?"
"Brother!"
"Sorry, guess I got carried away."
"Well, I've got my band to worry about..."
"Yeah, and TK and me have our schooling to worry about. But which is more important: The Digital World or our schooling?"
"Erm..."
"And with the power of the X Digimon, do you think they'll be satisfied by the Digital World? They might just decide that this world next to theirs is too tempting to resist!"
"This is getting off course... What are we going to do about him?!"
"Tai, for all we know, the red hair that Seraphimon saw could belong to Sora or Izzy."
"Sis, you were the one who called this, you said you felt something!"
"I did... a sense of darkness, and the smell of... blood..."
"There! You see? It has to be him! Who else could smell of blood nowadays?!"
"A red-haired butcher?"
"I think that applies to him as well."
"A red-haired nurse?"
"Nurse?!"
"Why not?"
"Because!"
"Whatever. So why he can't be just an ordinary person?"
"Tai, think. He's still alive after five hundred years! What do you think?!"
"How can we be sure it's the same person?!"
"You know how every body was found? Cut into eight pieces! Scattered all around the area! And each piece cut evenly according to their body size! It would've taken great skill to master an attack that can do that..."
"How do you know that whoever did it didn't just do it slowly?!"
"Tai, you watch the news everyday. You know that the forensic teams sent were mystified for it seemed like each piece had been cut at the same time. The congealed blood and condition of the pieces. Unless it's more than one person, then that person must be extraordinary."
"Then its more than one person!"
"Tai, you're scared. I know it."
"Cut it out Matt!"
"You guys done yet?"
Another voice cut in, scaring the wits out of them.
As the four of them jumped in alarm and spun around the face whoever had spoken, they were aghast at the change that met their eyes.
"O...Omegamon...?"
In the place of the holy knight was another, more impressive looking one. His entire body looked more robotic, as though with a 3-dimensional look from each side, and his hands, the MetalGarurumon and WarGreymon heads had changed as well. His cape now had a tattered look to it, which only added to his impressive stature, as though someone returning from battle. An orb shimmered crimson in the centre of his chest, and he gave off an aura of raw undiluted power.
"Omegamon X, to be precise," corrected Imperialdramon from where he stood beside them; it had been him who had interrupted their conversation. "He's absorbed the X Antibody. Kinda cool don't you think?"
Omegamon X started to glow with a bright white light, devolving into WarGreymon X and MetalGarurumon X.
The new Digimon were also different to their usual forms, with MetalGarurumon X being the most different. Where his previous Mega form had been a quadrupled bionic wolf, His new form was a bipedal bionic wolf, with his left arm gone and replaced with a huge Gatling gun, and with even more compartments all over his body. A small spout-like protrusion was visible every time he opened his mouth, and a missile box was slung over his right shoulder, with an atomic laser mounted on his left, both on swivels so he could store them away to minimize friction when he flew with the jet thrusters on his back.
WarGreymon X however, remained much the same as his previous Mega form. He still stood tall and proud on two legs, but his helmet and general body armor had undergone a change. The helmet, which previously covered only the top of his head, now completely encased his head, leaving only eye sockets where his green eyes were visible. His shield and wing plates were gone, leaving powerful thrusters in their place, and his claws, which previously protruded from the tips of his gauntlets, were now streaked over the top, curving in at the tips. A blue crystal glowed in the middle of his snout horn, as well as on MetalGarurumon's head. Brown tufts of hair could be seen just below the helmet, and his armor had more shine to them than they had previously.
"Well... looks like we've been through the Digi-Surgery..." muttered MetalGarurumon, surveying his new body with interest.
"What power... So this is what engulfs X Digimon..." said WarGreymon as he flexed his now considerably larger muscles. "No wonder they wanted to take the world from their weaker counter-parts... It must have infuriated them when they, being stronger, couldn't control the world, leaving it in the hands of weaker Digimon..."
Seraphimon spoke up, "Be careful, the two of you. I have purified it, but there is something I cannot remove: the X Rage. That is the rage that consumes the X Digimon, that makes them so powerful in battle. Control yourselves as much as you can lest it consumes you, for you cannot control yourselves when consumed by it."
The archangel suddenly fell to his knees, then a yellow light enveloped him and he devolved back into Patamon.
"Sorry TK... that took more out of me then I expected..." he muttered weakly.
TK shook his head, holding the little Rookie close to him. "No. You did well, Patamon."
Next to them, Magnadramon devolved as well.
"Phew..." sighed Gatomon as she sat down. "That took something out of me as well. Seraphimon was draining a bit of my power to sustain himself while he purified the data. That X-Virus was some mean strand of virus!"
Kari ran to her and buried her face in the feline's fur. "Thank you... Gatomon."
Gatomon brushed the girl's hair. "Don't thank me just yet. We have a lot more battles ahead of us. Seraphimon saw something of the future, but I saw something of the past. A blade, long and sharp, beautiful as an icicle, deadly as its tip. As Seraphimon did, I saw red hair, and something he didn't: gold eyes."
Kari stiffened as she heard this.
"A blue shirt, with patches of red. Long red hair, and a ground stained red." The feline Digimon turned to glance at her tamer, sensing her stiffen. "What's wrong Kari?"
Kari relaxed and shook her head. "Nothing." She replied.
Gatomon sighed. "I wish you would tell me things Kari... I might be able to help you know..."
Kari, in her turn, sighed as well. "Gatomon, there is nothing wrong. Trust me on this one... 'kay?"
Gatomon turned to look at her tamer with an unfathomable look in her eyes. Their eyes locked: feline and human, blue and brown. Kari was held immobilized by the cat's unblinking gaze, and in her mind rose unbidden a thought, a memory, of a man. Red hair, and a cross-shaped scar. Then, as quickly as it had come, the image faded and Kari found herself free of Gatomon's hypnotic gaze.
"GATOMON!" she rebuked. "You said you wouldn't do that to me anymore!"
But instead of affectionately teasing her, Gatomon had a look on her face. Kari couldn't place it at first, then it dawned onto her.
Fear was etched on every line of the now creased face of the feline, and the very smell of it was oozing from her skin.
"Gatomon!"
Patamon came flapping over, placing a gentle paw on his friend's head.
"What's wrong Gatomon?"
He had apparently picked up the scent of fear.
Imperialdramon, who had just been saying his farewells to the two X Megas and their tamers, suddenly lifted his head and sniffed, then looked right at Gatomon, saying something to WarGreymon X and MetalGarurumon X before walking over, accompanied by the other five. TK arrived shortly before the others.
"Gatomon...? Gatomon what's come over you? We did it! We beat Apocalymon!"
Gatomon looked up into TK's hazel eyes and shook her head. "Him...?" she muttered.
"Huh? What're you talking about?"
The others arrived, and the huge Imperialdramon, who towered over them, bent his head to speak with Gatomon.
"Gatomon...? What happened? Tell me."
"B... B..." Gatomon was struggling to get her words out.
"Buh? Buh what?" gently insisted the DNA Mega.
"Battou..." was all the struggling cat managed to get out before she collapsed.
"GATOMON!" Kari screamed.
Another cliffhanger. I have to start ending like this to get people interested in wanting more. Anyways, remember to review! I've got another 13 chapters after this, ready to post! xD