Wira Digital

by Alforce Zero

The story of the Malaysian Digidestined, chosen by an ancient warrior to wield his mystical DigiSpheres to combat the forces of evil that transpired in the Digital World.

24. Double Act

Lilamon's laughter echoed all over the smoke-obscured meadow. She sounded elated, victorious, and venomous. Gayathri remembered seeing the Dryad General raising her arms right after Samudramon had his back facing her. She saw barrages of energy pods being launched from Lilamon's flower-shaped hands. All of them hit Samudramon point-blanc and an explosion immediately ensued. It was an explosion of light, soon followed by soot, dirt and smoke.

A faint chiming sound was heard, and Gayathri started slightly when someone grabbed her arm. She turned sideways, and was relieved to see Liu Ying. The other girl had one hand thrust forward, and Gayathri could see faint yellow energy aura emanating from her hand – Liu Ying had raised her telekinetic barrier, and was making her way out of the smoke. Gayathri was tugged closer, and soon she needn't cover her eyes with her hands to avoid smoke entering her eyes, as the telekinetic barrier had shielded them both effectively.

The smokes soon cleared, and they girls saw Manny and Penguinmon sprawled haphazardly. Manny was laying face-down, while Penguinmon was on his back. Dirt and soot covered them, almost making Penguinmon's blue feathers unrecognizable as they appeared somewhat grayish. They were not moving.

"Oh, no! MANNY!!" Gayathri pulled her arm away from Liu Ying and sprinted towards the unmoving boy, her heart pounding wildly. 'Please, please…be ok.' From her back, she could hear Liu Ying tailing her. She knelt beside Manny, and nervously tapped his shoulder. "Manny?"

No response. Gayathri choked a sob and turned to face Liu Ying, who was inspecting Penguinmon. Gayathri caught her eyes, and Liu Ying shook her head. Gayathri turned back to face Manny, and gently turned the boy around so that he would lie on his back. It was no easy job for her, as Manny had a big stature and Gayathri didn't have that much strength to turn him on his back with only one try. It took her three attempts, in fact, before Manny was laid on his back. To her surprise, a low grunt then came out from the boy. That soon followed by a weak cough, and Manny's eyes slowly opened. Gayathri saw the russet pair of eyes began moving about, until they locked on to her own brown irises. His eyes widened, and Manny started.

"Shh…it's alright," Gayathri assured quickly, her hands firm on Manny's shoulders. The boy visibly relaxed, and let out a relieved sigh as Gayathri slowly let go and moved towards the back of his head. She sat on her knees, Japanese-style, and gently placed Manny's head on her thighs while beginning to wipe away soot that was on Manny's forehead, face and hair. She smiled upon meeting the boy's eyes. "You're alright."

"I…took quite a beating," Manny finally said. It was something that both of them knew, but Gayathri had a feeling that the boy was merely adjusting himself back.

"You did," she replied. Her brows burrowed with concern. "How do you feel?"

"Horrible." Manny paused, seemingly hesitating over something before continuing, "But not that much…at the moment."

Gayathri saw the boy smiling, and had to stifle one of her own. Her face adopted a business-like look. "Alright…You sound perfectly fine to me. C'mon, let me help you up." She thought that she saw a flash of protest coming from Manny's eyes, but nothing came out from his mouth and he cooperated when Gayathri helped him raise his body into a sitting position. "Do you think you can sit on your own? Because…umm…I'm gonna let go of my hands now. Try not to fall back."

The smile on Manny's face turned into a wry grin. "I'll try. Thanks, Gayathri."

"Not a problem. Look, Liu Ying's bringing you Penguinmon."

The two of them watched as Liu Ying approached them with a tensed look on her face. One hand was raised up, palms down, and it was slightly shaking. In front of her, Penguinmon – still unconscious – was floating just an inch away from the ground, and it looked like Liu Ying was willing Penguinmon to move. When they were close enough to the other DigiWira, Liu Ying sighed and dropped down her arm. Penguinmon dropped onto the ground with a soft thud – waking the Rookie Digimon and causing him to yell indignantly.

"Hey! What's the big idea?"

Liu Ying looked at Manny, shrugging. "He's too heavy for me to lift up on my own; I had to use my telekinesis to take him to you." She then looked down. "And you…you're welcome, I suppose."

"I didn't thank you," Penguinmon snapped as he attempted to sit down. He struggled, wriggling his wings and legs furiously before squawking with a defeated tone. He was on his back, and his legs and wings were just too short for him to rouse himself from his current position. "Ok…Uhh…thanks…now can you help me up?"

Liu Ying looked amused as she helped the Rookie to sit down. She was about to say something to Penguinmon, when a loud roar came from the battlefield nearby. She whipped her head back, and saw a glowing aura of a lion being launched by Kabukimon. The evil DNA Digivolved Digimon then eyed the two floral maidens that were fighting in front of her, seemingly waiting for a perfect opportunity to strike. Lilymon and Lilamon were once again exchanging flurries of kicks, punches and slaps, and this time around Lilymon didn't seem to be holding back like she had done before. The battle was increasingly becoming in favor of the villains, and Lilymon (or the Youkomon half in her) had pushed aside her pride for a moment in order to fight more effectively.

The DigiWira could see that Lilymon was well aware of Kabukimon waiting for a chance to attack, but there was nothing that the flower woman could do. Lilamon was keeping her preoccupied with her vicious Beauty Slaps and Lilac Dagger, both launched simultaneously towards her. Lilymon managed to block it with her own skills; they were evenly matched. Whenever she attempted to break free of the scuffle, Lilamon would simply tail her and engage her in a fight once again.

The battle went on with the same manner for minutes, and the DigiWira grew increasingly wary. They knew what was going to happen if Lilymon dropped her guard. The DigiWira nevertheless had complete faith in Lilymon, but amongst the three of them Liu Ying was the one who was thinking the most rationally – and she knew that things were not going in their favor. Lilymon would not be able to last long fighting both Lilamon and Kabukimon.

'We could really use some help right now…' Liu Ying thought, and her mind reeled back to the Dark Ocean. 'I wonder if Adam's found JD already. We really need Adam here. With Sagittarimon's new Radiant Mode we might just be able to even up the score with Lilamon.'

"I really wish JD's here." Manny's voice broke Liu Ying's thoughts, and she stiffened. She didn't turn around, but listened on as Manny continued. "I know he's good already. With Satriamon, we can win this battle. There's no way Lilamon and Kabukimon could stand a chance against Satriamon's fire power…Satriamon even defeated Karatenmon."

"Before we came out from the Forest Sanctum, TobuCatmon sent Adam to look for him." She heard Gayathri replied, wanting to assure Manny.

Although she wasn't inclined to agree with Manny about wishing that JD was there with them, Liu Ying knew that Manny was right. Satriamon would be a big help to them in times like this. She had seen JD at the Dark Ocean not too long ago; she knew that JD had broken free of the evil spell. She wondered how things were at the Dark Ocean right now. 'What's keeping them? Is everything all right there? Can Adam save JD? We could really use their help…'

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WIRA DIGITAL

Chapter 24 – Double Act

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"Leave the child of light to me, and I shall allow you three to return to the Digital World safely. Walk away and forget about your friend. He is mine."

JD looked at the opened portal which would lead him to the Digital World. He could even see the minute details inscribed on the walls of the Megalith Coliseum; that was how close he was to going back to the Digital World. He had spent nearly an entire day being trapped in this bleak world. He had succumbed into a mysterious dark influence which robbed him off his self-confidence, instilling him with nothing but cowardice, sorrow and hopelessness. He had been pursued by the MetalPhantomon. He hadn't had a good meal for almost two days, and a faint odor from his body hinted that a good long shower was due.

As he thought back, his eyes locked upon Adam, and a memory he wish he didn't have came back to him. How he'd wronged the younger boy countless times.

JD gave a sharp look towards Dragomon's awaiting gaze. "Know what I think, fugly? I'm insulted that you've made that offer to me. Can it." He smirked. "Go to hell. You can kiss your offer goodbye. I'm not leaving. Not without Adam."

Adam blinked. 'What…?'

Dragomon flicked a tentacle and the portal closed. "A foolish decision. There is nothing you can do here, but if you wish to remain here until I have done with your friend, then so be it. Once I am through draining his power of light, there might be nothing left to salvage upon this boy. He might be dead, for having his power forced out from him." Dragomon paused, watching with satisfaction over the disgusted look that crossed JD's face.

"Bastard," JD swore.

Dragomon chuckled darkly. "What's the matter? Regretting your decision now? It is too late. If you were showing your loyalty to your friend here, it would eventually be in vain. Young Adam might not be around for long to fully appreciate your willingness to remain here with him. You will not be around here for long as well; I consider you of no use to me."

JD jerked his eyebrows up twice. Suddenly Dragomon didn't scare him that much – not that the sea creature did anyway. "At least I'll have a clear conscience when I go."

Dragomon snorted. "Then you are as brave as you are foolish."

JD crossed his arms against his chest; all his actions so far seemed to be hinting signs of defiance towards Dragomon. "Y'know, I'm beginning to see that not only you talk much, but you're one damned lousy liar as well! You said before that you've no intention of hurting him, but then you said that Adam won't be around for long…" JD let his words hang, but voiced out his defiance in a much more direct manner – by flicking his palm up once more, igniting a fireball which hovered a couple of inches up from his palm.

Seeing the blonde teen's action, a warm feeling surged within Sagittarimon. He didn't think much of JD before, but the boy's courageousness was admirable. He took out an arrow from the holster; he might have lost his Radiant Mode power, but not his guts. With that in mind he placed the arrow over his crimson bow and waited for a chance to strike. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the little Koromon too was puffing…despite being of no major threat to Dragomon, the In-Training's will alone was enough to assure Sagittarimon that he was not alone in wanting to rescue Adam. The former two villains he was with right now were now his allies.

All the while, ever since JD rejected Dragomon's offer to walk away from the Dark Ocean, Adam was frozen with shock that he'd stopped struggling. Despite his misgivings towards the older boy earlier, all of them now were wiped away clean. Hearing how JD had declared that he would not leave unless it was with him caused the grudges he was holding against JD to crumble. Suddenly Adam wondered why was it so hard for him to forgive JD for what he'd done during his tenure as the Red ShadoWira. The thing he had used against Adam was something that was from the past. Sure, it did reopen some old wound, and further aggravated like rubbing a salt to a wound…but it was in the past.

Suddenly Adam realized that he was blinking rapidly. He couldn't control it. He was blinking back tears, he realized. Quickly he shut his eyes tight, and when he opened them again the quick-blinking was gone, but there was no mistaking the slight dampness around his eyes. His attention however was soon pulled back to reality as he felt Dragomon's monstrous body moving.

"A sickening bravado you might have..." Dragomon said threateningly. Adam noticed that the winged marine Digimon was still talking towards JD. "But, alas, what good would that be to you now? Let's see whether the fire within you can challenge my Thousand Tides!!"

Adam witnessed as Dragomon summoned a wall of water with a mere flick of his ancient trident. The wall of water was half as tall as Dragomon, but Adam realized that it was enough to drown JD, Sagittarimon and Koromon. They would not be able to survive that kind of attack. And something Dragomon had mentioned earlier rang as clear as a bell in Adam's mind – the Dark Ocean's water had corruptive properties – and all three of them had the history of corruption.

The boy shivered, despite his body being clasped tight by Dragomon's slimy tentacle; if an evil Satriamon and the violent Black Knightmon were to appear once again… Adam knew that he couldn't let that happen. Then his ears caught a peculiar sound, and his eyes caught on the source. The sound of rushing water…and now he was witnessing the largest tidal wave he had ever seen in his life rushing towards the shore. JD, Sagittarimon and Koromon wouldn't stand a chance!

'I have to TRY!'

Adam concentrated towards the tidal wave, trying to call out his teleportation power. He was weakened, but suddenly something from within him jumpstarted. It was something that he could not explain and hadn't experienced, but Adam soon felt that something beginning to rise out from him. It was comforting, but Adam could detect a hidden menace kept at bay. He trusted his instinct, and soon felt warm, despite the damp tentacle that was wrapped around him and the cool air of the Dark Ocean.

He couldn't see it, but his eyes began to glimmer with white light; the gray irises were wholly layered by the white light.

Then, it happened. Swirls of white light burst around JD, Koromon and Sagittarimon, spiraling around them with such sheer speed that Adam had never seen before. The three of them vanished with a blink of an eye and reappeared on top of the tallest bluff nearby just as the tidal wave drowned the shore. The water level rose up, but soon was drawn back towards the ocean before it could reach the sea cliff where they were standing.

"Woah!!" JD blinked, seeing how they had just escaped another perilous situation with Adam's teleportation power. Then something unnatural caught his eyes. He cocked his head towards Sagittarimon. "Hey, are my eyes playing tricks on me or is Adam glowing?"

"I see it too…" Sagittarimon stood transfixed, wondering why all of a sudden his partner was enveloped with a white aura.

Dragomon hissed, feeling the light that radiated from Adam's body burned against his skin. It was excruciating, yet Dragomon was delighted. A dark purple aura emanated from his whole body, trying to overpower the white light before absorbing it and amalgamating it with its own. He felt Adam struggling to break free from his grasp, and quickly bound his tentacle tighter around the boy's body. Adam cried out in pain, but the light from his body flared brighter in response. Dragomon was taken aback by how the light was trying to repel his darkness.

It was unnerving for the dark master, watching as the light grew brighter and harsher. He watched as the light soon reached the trio that was watching over the sea cliff.

Something didn't seem to bode well here. Dragomon was about to summon more of his dark power, when suddenly he noticed the light dimming. Adam began to stop glowing, and Dragomon was not in pain anymore. He saw Adam heaving deeply for breath and loosened his tie on the boy, knowing that there would be no resistance from the boy for the time being.

Dragomon felt the light within Adam weakening, but the same could not be said for the trio that had escaped his Thousand Tides. He watched as they were consumed by the light…

"I feel a kind of energy," Koromon whispered as his body was enveloped by the light.

"Something's giving me back my power!" Sagittarimon said as the light consumed him.

JD raised his arms to protect his eyes from the blinding light, but he couldn't feel any form of threat coming from the light. Instead there was a warm sensation he was experiencing, and if JD thought that he was tired before, that feeling was gone. He now felt invigorated. With that, he lowered his arms and gasped upon the sight that greeted him. Something was still radiating with white light, which caused him to turn sideways…only to see that it was Sagittarimon.

But it wasn't the normal Sagittarimon. It was the white-armored Sagittarimon Radiant Mode. The centaur didn't say anything; his eyes were transfixed onto his captured partner. JD understood Sagittarimon's concern. He then turned to look for Koromon, only to find that his partner was no longer Koromon. Instead, he was now Agumon. JD watched with a small smile as Agumon looked down his digivolved state in awe.

The Rookie Digimon looked up at his human partner excitedly. "JD, I've digivolved! And I feel great!"

'Adam…you're really something.' JD thought and instinctively took out his D-3 Digivice. He saw with the corner of his eyes that the light wave that Adam had emitted soared towards the dark heavens, tearing the clouds before reaching towards the cosmos. The light then vanished, and the clouds from the surrounding region began to creep towards the part where the sky was exposed, concealing the exposed sky. He shrugged; that wasn't important to him for now. He turned back towards Agumon. "Looks like you're up for another digivolution."

Agumon nodded. "I am now. Let's do it!"

"SHADOW ACCESS!!"

Nothing happened. JD blinked in confusion and lowered his Digivice, looking at it confusedly. "Hey, what gives? Why isn't it working?"

Agumon shrugged and looked at Sagittarimon questioningly. The centaur thought for a brief moment before an answer came to him.

"Try saying Digital Access Digivolution instead; I heard Manny and Liu Ying using that call earlier today."

JD hesitated merely for a fraction of a second before nodding. He hoisted his Digivice up mightily and summoned: "Digital Access Digivolution!! HAA!!"

With the command called out, both JD and Agumon transformed into motes of red lights before coalescing with one another. The motes collided and an explosion of bright red light ensued. Seconds later, a warrior of flames and darkness walked out from the burst of red lights that resulted when the motes collided. The red-armored Digimon stared towards Dragomon from the distance hatefully. A wild smirk crossed his exposed lower half facial feature.

"Satriamon's back," Satriamon announced smoothly. He looked at his armor; the bat symbol that marked him as a servant to SkullSatamon was gone. His confidence grew and he balled his free hand into a fist, which then ignited in flames. "And Dragomon…you're dead meat!"

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"Just how long do you intend to prolong this fight, second-rate?" Lilamon said sweetly, slamming her shining dagger-arm towards Lilymon.

Lilymon resisted it with her Sun-Crescent Kick, which knocked Lilamon's dagger-arm away. "As long as it takes."

"This could go on forever." Lilamon retaliated with a well-aimed kick onto Lilymon's stomach right before Lilymon could lower her leg. "Or maybe not."

Lilymon was sent plummeting towards the Green Meadow below. Lilamon grinned with satisfaction and aimed two arms down. "So great to see you, wouldn't wanna be you! Marvel Shot!!"

Barrages of green energy pods were sent towards Lilymon, who didn't have the chance to defend herself while falling. The energy pods rained on her, blasting her all over. Her head, body, back, wings, arms, legs – they all were not missed by Lilamon's vicious attack. And if that was not the worst, Lilymon could hear a loud primordial roar and could sense a heat coming towards her. Her wings were seared by Lilamon's attack and were no longer functioning; Lilymon had no way to move away. Bright orange aura came from her back, shadowing everywhere else in darkness as it loomed upon her. Lilymon's dress began to burn as the source of the roar consumed her with its flames. She lost her sight; everything soon became dark.

"NO!! Lilymon!!" Liu Ying shouted. She was horrified by the sheer viciousness that Lilamon and Kabukimon had demonstrated while fighting Lilymon.

The battle had been one-sided from the start. Lilymon had no chance to win against Lilamon and Kabukimon. While the battle they had was primarily between Lilymon and Lilamon, Lilymon had needed to keep an eye out for Kabukimon as well. The third floral maiden had generated an attack which had a form of a flaming lion, but she didn't attack. But when Lilamon had managed to deliver a kick upon Lilymon and sent her plummeting down, Kabukimon had seized the opportunity to attack as well. The evil DNA Digivolved Digimon spun around, summoned what sounded like a Lion Dance to Liu Ying, and sent the flaring lion down towards Lilymon.

"Manny, stay put," Gayathri said as she stood up. She saw two small figures dropping from the sky after the flames had died, and wanted to retrieve them.

"Where are you going?" Manny looked at her with worry. He'd instinctively grabbed the girl's wrist. "It's dangerous out there."

"I know, but I have my speed and my scream," Gayathri said, winking as she gently removed Manny's hand upon hers. "Floramon and Labramon need rescuing and I'm the only one fast enough to get to them in time. See ya in a flash." Before Manny could protest, Gayathri quickly zipped away, sending trails of pink light.

Gayathri managed to reach both Rookie Digimon before they crashed onto the ground, but their weights dampened her speed greatly. Gayathri immediately lost her balance and tumbled onto the ground but she managed to avoid falling on her head. She saw that both Floramon and Labramon were still conscious, but very weak. She frowned and glared up towards Lilamon and Kabukimon, but knew too well that she wasn't able to fight the two Ultimate Digimon. In fact, they were way out her league.

Her brown eyes widened when she saw Kabukimon looming down towards her. The Digimon with a flower-head looked at her sinisterly as she pointed one arm towards her.

"Cherry Blossom…"

Gayathri was quick to open her mouth…and she let out her supersonic scream. Waves of gales with faint pink energy spiraling around them, coupled with a deafening shriek, hampered Kabukimon's effort to attack her and managed to send her backward. Gayathri didn't stop; she continued yelling her lungs out until her chest pained. Her voice started to become hoarse and Gayathri was forced to stop her screaming. She looked up, and was disappointed to see that all her scream had done was hampering Kabukimon from her intention to send Gayathri to oblivion.

Kabukimon descended down again and was about to attack, when her arms flailed uncontrollably. With a huff, the flower witch glanced sideways and saw the culprit.

It was Liu Ying; she was running to Gayathri's aid and was flicking her arms continuously. That disrupted Kabukimon's intention to attack Gayathri and the Rookies. Liu Ying soon reached Gayathri and stood by the girl's side. She saw Gayathri rubbing her throat, and heard her croaking out a hoarse 'thank you' and realized that Gayathri wasn't able to help out with attack. Manny too was weakened – from the corner of her eyes she saw the strapping boy getting up to his feet, wanting to help out but unfortunately didn't have the power to do so.

Liu Ying too had her energy wiped out due to her long distance, multi-dimensional astral projection. She suspected that perhaps it was the reason why Lilymon was not at her fullest prowess today, but it was merely her suspicion. She couldn't rule out the fact that Lilamon was exceptionally strong as well.

With that, it dawned to the willowy girl that right now, she was the team's only defense. Seeing Kabukimon coming with an attack, she quickly raised both arms to summon a telekinetic barrier that would be strong enough to protect her, Gayathri and their partners. She hoped that Manny was smart enough to remain at his safe distance, and prayed that Lilamon would not use the chance to attack them.

"Cherry Blossom Storm!!"

Kabukimon sent down furious gales of cherry blossom towards the barrier Liu Ying had erected. Liu Ying immediately felt a burning sensation on her hands, and was reminded of her fight with the Harpymon not too long ago. However Kabukimon was a stronger opponent and Liu Ying was instantly knocked off her feet, but at the same time her energy barrier had managed to absorb the energy from the Cherry Blossom Storm and deflected it back towards Kabukimon.

The flower witch didn't expect such attack and became the receiving end of her own attack. The Ultimate howled with rage, but was mostly unaffected while Liu Ying landed on her back. Without Liu Ying's barrier, the other three and she herself would now fall prey of Kabukimon's attack.

The two Rookie Digimon then weakly rose on their feet to defend their fallen DigiWira partners. Floramon appeared to be slightly better condition compared to Labramon.

"You two…go! You're no match for Kabukimon!" Gayathri implored.

"No! You go, Gayathri!" Floramon replied without looking at her. "We can still fight, right, Labramon?" She cocked her head sideways and her face fell upon seeing that Labramon fell back softly upon the soft grounds of the Green Meadow. "Guess not…oh, no."

Lilamon descended down and grinned towards her fallen enemies as she eyed them one by one. Her gaze stopped at the still-standing Floramon with disdain. "A Floramon? Well…that simply won't do. I myself was a Floramon once; I can't kill a fellow sister. Kabukimon, spare her but wipe out the rest of them. I'll see whether we can salvage the Floramon; make her my minion or something. Perhaps I can weave her data with you, and give myself a Rosemon minion. With that, I'll be unstoppable!" Lilamon said airily before letting out a menacing girlish cackle.

"Your minion? ME?" Floramon said disbelievingly. "Two words. No. Freaking. Way!"

Lilamon, who seemed to be in a mood to mock her enemies, pretended to count with her petal-fingers. "That's three words. Learn to count, why don't you? Maybe I'll teach you once I take you under my wings. Tell me, to what form do you digivolve into?"

Gayathri couldn't believe Lilamon's audacity. First she'd trashed all of them – now she'd wanted to take Floramon away from her? She slowly pushed herself up to her feet.

Lilamon flicked her head sideways. "Ah…the human and the Digimon that formed the handsome Samudramon. Maybe I'll keep you two as well as my boy trophies. Y'know, I tried seducing Grademon once – such a good-looking knight in golden armor would've been a fine partner for one with such beauty as mine. But apparently Grademon had no taste and he decided to freeze me instead." She shook her head. "At least one good thing came out of the whole imprisonment thing – that Samudramon…mmm…he's simply delectable!"

'Oh, yuck,' Gayathri thought with disgust. Her dark complexion made it hard to tell, but she was blushing upon hearing Lilamon's inappropriate comment. 'Now she sounds like a sick pervert. I never thought that I'd use the word pervert for a girl.'

Manny, to his credit, didn't even pay attention to Lilamon as he made his way – slow and arduous – towards the girls. Penguinmon was tailing him, muttering grumpily about Lilamon and a fact that she was a one sick witch…or something that rhymed with witch…it was hard to tell as Manny was concentrating more on getting towards the girls.

"Kabukimon, do it…NOW!" Lilamon ordered, and retreated. "Like I said, spare the Floramon and the boys…but get rid of the others."

Kabukimon nodded and pointed her arm forward, towards Gayathri. "You'll be first, human. Cherry…AHHH!!"

Kabukimon's attempt to annihilate the DigiWira was thwarted when from the dark heavens, a pillar of white light washed down towards the meadow, specifically towards the three DigiWira and their Digimon. It happened unexpectedly and Kabukimon, unsure of what to do, looked at Lilamon inquiringly.

Lilamon too was transfixed with the strange phenomenon that was happening before her. She forced her eyes to see through the light, and gasped when she saw flashes of gold and blue lights. Suspecting the worse, Lilamon sent down energy pods blindly, hoping to strike the DigiWira at this moment of confusion.

When the lights died, Lilamon's face paled slightly upon witnessing Samudramon – back and appeared to be in full strength. Beside Samudramon was an unfamiliar feminine Digimon wearing a light yellow garb over a dark indigo skin-tight suit. But what was unnerving her most was not the two humanoid Digimon – but the furious pink whirlwind that erupted several meters away from Samudramon and the newcomer. It had been the place where Floramon and her human partner once stood…and Lilamon couldn't see them anywhere.

"This is Numemon-crap!" Lilamon swore vehemently and watched as a figure began to emerge from the pink whirlwind.

A female figure's face and upper body emerged from the whirlwind, and her nimble arms soon followed. Her whole being was glowing with a dark pink aura; it was hard to discern the clothes she was wearing. Then, her feet and long legs were revealed as the whirlwind dissipated from down to up. The whirlwind disappeared completely as the female jumped in midair, expanding her glittering, semi-transparent pink butterfly wings in midair. The aura which coated her whole being burst out of her body, revealing a lightly tanned female with very light green hair pulled back into a very chic half-ponytail. The rest of her wavy hair extended down to just below her shoulders, with bangs framing her face at the front.

Around her forehead was a wreath of pink, red, white and yellow hibiscuses. The upper half of her face was covered with a dark pink visor sculpted to fit her face nicely. The contours of the obscured half of her face were evident. Her lips were full and painted light pink. She wore a dark violet choker around her neck. Her outfit was a light pink bodice that covered her breasts and abdomen, but left her arms and upper chest bare. The upper side of the bodice was lined with green, patterned to resembled leaves. Over the cleavage, a simple plum red tulip was placed, seemingly for decorative purpose. The bodice continued downward into a skirt which extended until the middle-half of her thighs. Around her waist was a metallic belt, similar in color to the choker she wore around her neck. Her high-heeled boots were light lavender with violet linings, and extended up till an inch above her knees. Similar colored gloves then materialized on her arms up till the middle half of her upper arms. Golden bracelets were fastened around both her wrists.

Then finally, to complete her transformation, the pink data particles that had burst from her whole body coalesced around her right arm, forming a wooden-looking staff of shiny dark brown. The upper part of the staff spiraled to form a rose-like shape, and pink oval jewels adorned all around the rose-shaped tip. The new fairy Digimon then spun her staff impressively as pink aura radiated from her very being. Pleasant flowery fragrance emanated from her whole body.

The newcomer looked extraordinary; Lilamon had to admit somewhat begrudgingly. And there was no denying that she was gorgeous as well.

"Who are you?" Lilamon demanded. "I've never seen the likes of you before."

The Digimon let out an alluring smile. "I'm called Puspamon." The smile turned to a smirk. "And I'm not really in the mood to talk with you. But I know I'd like to scream at you…so here's goes. Sprite Scream!!" With that, the newcomer that was now known as Puspamon let out an ear-splitting shriek which was even louder than what Gayathri could muster. Spirals of pink energy followed the fierce gale that erupted from the fairy Digimon's mouth…and it sent Lilamon tumbling heads-over-heals in midair.

Puspamon flapped her glittering wings and flew close towards Lilamon. "And also, I was really sick upon hearing your perverted remarks about Samudramon. Your mouth really needs washing. I really don't have a detergent with me, but I suppose this would do!" She extended both arms forward and yelled out, "Hibiscus Hurricane!!"

The hibiscus wreaths on her head glimmered. From the hands, a mighty tornado of pink, maroon, yellow and white energy auras spiraled out, along with rains of hibiscus flowers which were all lambasted against Lilamon's body. Lilamon shrieked in pain and quickly mustered enough energy to escape the raging tornado that Puspamon had summoned. She was successful and seethed towards the other flower woman. She saw Kabukimon staring at Puspamon, mouth wide-opened, and groaned. "Don't just stand there like a useless weed! Attack that loathsome wannabe! She's becoming a thorn on my side for far too long now!"

Kabukimon nodded obligingly but she'd forgotten one…or two obstacles. Just before she could move, a blue thunderbolt followed by rains of needles blocked her path. She looked around and saw the other feminine Digimon that she knew not about advancing towards her, waving her fly whisk. Rains of silver needles shot out from the unconventional weapon, but Kabukimon soon found out that the needles were poisonous when several of the needles pricked her body. A searing pain coursed through the inner vines that formed her veins. From the corner of her eyes, the flower witch saw Samudramon summoning a pillar of water to propel him towards the sky. She could guess what Samudramon was planning to do, but had no way of avoiding it from happening with the other Digimon's interference. Soon enough, rain fell upon her and drained her power. Kabukimon flew away quickly, with the masked feminine Digimon in hot pursuit.

"Diamond World Mandala!!"

Xianamon, fueled by the anger the Digimon half of her was feeling towards the flower witch, lambasted Kabukimon with furious waves of magical energy from her strongest attack. She saw Kabukimon turning around and let out the same fiery lion, but the lion was immediately drowned by the combined powers of her Diamond World Mandala and Samudramon's Divine Rain. She glanced sideways for a second, curious of the battle between Puspamon and Lilamon. The battle between the two floral dryads was much more impressive and high-powered compared to their own. She still couldn't get over her surprise of Gayathri and Floramon's transformation, or the mysterious power source that had come out of nowhere; but she supposed that if it worked in their favor, then there was no need for questions. She quickly focused her attention back towards Kabukimon, who was aghast upon witnessing her Lion Dance technique being weakened and consumed by the combined efforts of Xianamon and Samudramon.

The sorceress Digimon looked up and saw that Samudramon was having a slight difficulty in launching his finisher technique, as it would require Kabukimon to be still. Samudramon lacked the ability to fly and Kabukimon was too fast and nimble for him.

A smirk crossed Xianamon's elegant face. She took a deep breath and fastened her fly whisk at her belt. She had seen how far her Digimon-half's astral projection power had expanded earlier today; now to test out whether her human-half's telekinesis power had improved as well. Besides, she was in a good range and Kabukimon was fleeing instead of attacking. It was the perfect opportunity for her to use her fourth, never-used-before technique.

Xianamon flicked both hands towards where Kabukimon was hovering, and whispered out, "Magical Stasis!"

The effect was immediate. With both hands flicked, golden stardust seemed to appear around Kabukimon. To the flower witch's horror, she was instantly immobilized. She retained her consciousness, but no part of her body was now movable. She was as stiff as a statue, frozen in midair.

Samudramon saw what Xianamon had done and smiled. "Neat. Wish I can do that." He then raised his trident towards the sky and summoned the powers of thunder and lightning to energize his metallic trident. Soon the trident became the deadly Double-Edged Thunderblades, and Samudramon jumped down towards the frozen Kabukimon with his trident spinning ferociously. The Double-Edged Thunderblades pierced Kabukimon mercilessly and the flower witch exploded into data on the spot. Samudramon then thrust one arm down and let out a blast of water to break the force of his fall, enabling him to descend towards the ground without harm.

"Now what do we do?" he asked Xianamon, who descended down beside him.

Xianamon looked up towards where Puspamon and Lilamon were at. The two were now exchanging attacks, but Lilamon's Marvel Shots and Beauty Slaps were easily drowned by either of Puspamon's Sprite Scream or the Hibiscus Hurricane. Puspamon seemed to want to make sure that Lilamon would not be able to get close to her, so Lilamon's Lilac Dagger technique could not be used as well. And to make things worse for Lilamon, her alluring effect did not work against Puspamon…not that it ever worked over a female Digimon anyway.

"Although I think Puspamon seems capable of handling this," Xianamon said. "Our help will certainly guarantee our victory."

Samudramon nodded. "I hope so. Lilamon really creeps me out with all her…advances."

Lilamon looked greatly annoyed, while Puspamon merely was at her peak of performance. The rush of the first-time digivolution had given Puspamon an edge in the battle. Despite the fact that Lilamon was a general, and supposedly very powerful, the battle she had with Lilymon had drained a part of them. The Dryad General was still raring to go, but Puspamon's very being seemed to be created to act as something against her.

"What's the matter?" Puspamon challenged. "Tired? Had enough? Ready to give up?"

"Not a chance!" Lilamon retorted.

"You won't stand a chance against all of us, Lilamon. My friends deleted that Kabukimon of yours. The three of us, we'll be able to beat you once and for all."

"Dream on!" Lilamon spat.

Puspamon smirked. "Heh. If it's dream you want, how about having a taste of my…" She raised her wooden staff towards the sky. The staff glimmered with pink aura. "Dream Rose Mirage!!"

As Samudramon and Xianamon approached Puspamon to offer their assistances, they saw a rather peculiar event. Puspamon was raising her staff, which glowed pink, but was doing nothing else. Yet Lilamon was shrieking in what sounded like pain and fear. She was trashing about in midair for seemingly no reason at all.

However, that wasn't the case with Lilamon. When she saw Puspamon raising her staff, she was shocked to see that the harmless-looking wooden staff sprang to life, forming a massive dark red rose. Vines with deadly thorns crept out from underneath the blooming rose, snaking their way towards her. She attempted to escape but the vines were quicker. One of them snatched her by the leg, wrapping itself around her ankle tight while dripping its thorn into her ankle, piercing through her boots and pricked her delicate skin underneath. The other vines soon wrapped around her other ankle, moving progressively upwards by wrapping her knees, thighs, waist, body, arm and neck.

The pain was unimaginably excruciating – Lilamon felt tortured by this technique, yet she was still too defiant and proud to surrender. She was a General! No way was she surrendering. Gathering her remaining power within, she called out her Lilac Daggers, this time on both arms, and worked upon getting herself free from the vines' wrath. To her relief, the vines retreated away and the giant rose vanished. Lilamon blinked in mild confusion; had it all been a mirage? But the pains were real.

"Dream enough?" Puspamon taunted.

"You…you…WEED!" Lilamon screeched angrily, realizing what had just happened. Frustrated, she balled up her fists and her whole body shivered with fury. "Wildflower slut!"

Puspamon frowned; she could excuse the weed and wildflower comments (which had no meaning for her, but she supposed that being a flower creature it would be insulting to Lilamon if she was called a weed or wildflower). However she could never tolerate of being called a slut. In fact, it was downright downgrading to her.

It was time to finish this off.

Lilamon let out a maniacal roar and soared towards Puspamon, lashing out with her twin dagger-arms. Puspamon attempted to move away but consumed by rage, Lilamon was too fast and had managed to deliver a clean slash towards her belly. Puspamon was only quick enough to move backwards, so the dagger had injured her belly superficially, but that didn't make it any less painful. Puspamon seethed and lurched forward…and SLAPPED Lilamon on the face hard!

Lilamon's face turned ugly and she retaliated by slapping Puspamon back. Twice as hard.

"Uh oh…" Xianamon muttered from a distance, stopping Samudramon from advancing as well. "This could turn ugly."

Puspamon growled and knocked her wooden staff forcefully onto Lilamon's head. A loud yelp was heard from Lilamon as she clasped her bruised head. The Dryad General however was tough; she returned the blow by delivering a roundhouse kick which was so strong that it sent Puspamon plummeting towards the ground.

"HAH! Now you know who the better floral maiden around here is, and who's nothing but a useless weed!" Lilamon sneered.

Instinctively, Samudramon jumped to catch Puspamon before she could crash. Puspamon groaned and Samudramon saw clear liquid flowing out from her belly. The slash wound from Lilamon was aggravated due to the powerful kick, which worsened the formerly superficial wound. Despite having an array of fancy techniques, Puspamon still lacked the battle experience that Lilamon had.

It was time for a team work.

"At times like this I wish Adam's really here," Puspamon groaned. "He'll know what to do with this wound." She looked down her injured belly. "Ugh…"

"I know of a perfect alternative," Xianamon assured. She raised her fly whisk towards Lilamon and held one palm an inch above Puspamon's injured belly. "Diamond World Mandala!"

Puspamon felt slightly invigorated – the magical attack had returned some of her energy but it was not a perfect physical healing technique. Nevertheless, the wound was closed up.

"Thanks, Xianamon," Puspamon said thankfully. "Did you manage to get her?"

"No. She evaded my attack, and I was only focusing on healing you." Xianamon clicked her tongue, somewhat dissatisfied of her work. "It is not the neatest job in the world, I'm afraid, but I think TobuCatmon has a remedy for the scar which I could not remove with my Diamond World Mandala."

"It's alright. Umm…how about we all combine our powers to beat her?" Puspamon suggested.

Samudramon nodded smilingly, which was mirrored by Xianamon. "I shall launch one attack first, and then we can attack her together," the sorceress said, and flew towards Lilamon.

"What's this? A second match? Don't you know that you're no match against me?" Lilamon demanded.

Xianamon didn't bother to reply. Instead, she flicked both hands and Lilamon was immediately immobilized. A panicked look crossed the Dryad General's face as she saw Puspamon soaring back to the sky, floating side by side with Xianamon. They were soon joined by Samudramon, who used a pillar of water to propel him to Puspamon's other side. All three DigiWira pointed their weapons towards Lilamon.

"Hibiscus Hurricane!!"

"Jade Needles!!"

"Cosmic Thunderstrike!!"

Xianamon's poisonous needles and Samudramon's thunderbolt merged with Puspamon's hurricane, supercharging the Hibiscus Hurricane technique greatly. The pink tornado raged wilder, now with spinning needles and lightning bolts in addition of the hibiscus flowers that usually accompanied the wind attack. Lilamon paled upon seeing the attack and shrieked loudly as the combined powers of Puspamon, Xianamon and Samudramon blasted upon her. The tornado engulfed her, and with her body rendered unmovable she had no way of escaping the raging tornado. She howled as she felt her very being electrocuted, poisoned and the tornado was nearly ripping her body apart.

It was too much for her to handle. With a loud parting scream the Dryad General exploded into showers of pink and purple stardust, and Puspamon's hurricane carried it away from the Green Meadow, scattering them all over the lush greenery. The clouds soon parted, giving ways to sunshine to once again grace the Digital World. Soft wind blew down from the heavens, fluttering the grasses as it wiped out traces of the preceding battle.

In a matter of one day, the Digital World was saved from another of SkullSatamon's general.

"We did it!" Puspamon cheered happily. "Good riddance!" She descended towards the grassy ground, followed closely by her teammates. Right after her touchdown, her body glimmered in pink aura as she spoke, "You know, compared to Karatenmon, Lilamon was a lot easier to deal with." Puspamon then devolved back into Gayathri and Tanemon.

"Perhaps it is because she had chosen to attack us straight away rather than hiding behind her minions' back," Xianamon said, regressing into Liu Ying and Shaomon.

"Or maybe we've just gotten stronger," Samudramon suggested as he returned to his composite selves of Manny and Tsunomon.

"Aren't we amazing?" Tanemon said gleefully, trying to change the subject and brought the DigiWira's attentions to where it truly mattered….to her anyway. And that was about Puspamon.

"You certainly are," Shaomon agreed. "Tsunomon?"

"Yeah, well…ok, ok, Puspamon's really great, and I'm too tired to argue," Tsunomon said with a snort. "Besides, if it wasn't for that strange light thingy, you wouldn't be around to gloat about you being Puspamon." He shot a look at Tanemon, whom didn't look frazzled at all with the other In-Training's response.

"That light," Gayathri reiterated thoughtfully. "It came just in time. But I wonder why it came to us? Or who sent it?"

The other DigiWira were quiet; they had no answer for their friend's inquiry.

Manny soon broke the silence. "Well…it saved our lives, so I think…maybe we should just accept it as it is? You know, take it to our strides?"

Gayathri blinked, and looked at Liu Ying. It wasn't the answer she'd expected to hear. To her surprise, the fairer girl nodded.

"Stranger things have happened in the Digital World. Maybe that light was just another of them." She crossed her left arm against her torso, and rested her right elbow on it while placing her right index finger down her chin. "I agree with Manny. It worked in our favor…and I've learned not to question the logic of the Digital World too much."

"But…an explanation would be nice," Gayathri said.

"I don't care much for an explanation. Can we just go home now?" Tsunomon implored.

"Not just yet…" Liu Ying said, her face dropping. "We still have no news from Adam…or JD."

Gayathri clasped one hand over her mouth (the other was holding Tanemon). "Oh gosh, you're right!"

"Maybe we should go back to Forest Sanctum now, see whether we can find out anything from TobuCatmon," Manny suggested.

The others murmured their agreement and they set back towards the jungle that surrounded the Forest Sanctum. Their minds were occupied, wondering about the fates of their friends.

xxx

xxx

The battle in the Dark Ocean, in the meantime, was still going on. Sagittarimon and Satriamon teamed up to fight Dragomon, but neither could beat the Master of the Dark Ocean while he had Adam within his grasp. Sagittarimon had fired his Celestial Judgment Arrows one after another, but each was flicked away by Dragomon with ease with his ancient-looking trident. The trident looked sturdy and sharp, with relics inscribed on it. With it Dragomon was able to summon unholy thunderbolts towards them – he'd once nearly caused the sea cliff they were standing at to separate from the stony promontory that was holding it. Neither was hit with the thunderbolts just yet – they had seen how easily those thunderbolts deleted the powerful MetalPhantomon earlier. No one dared to risk getting hit by the attack.

They were at a serious disadvantage. Neither Sagittarimon nor Satriamon had the ability to fly. Thus they were unable to close in to Dragomon, who was over by the ocean.

In all actuality, Satriamon was able to propel himself to the air with his fire power, and could remain airborne for a limited time, but eventually he had to come down. That was made possible only when he used his Flaming Torch technique, which would envelop his body with flames, transforming him into a magma-like being. He'd soar towards the sky, and zoomed towards his enemy like an unstoppable meteorite. But Dragomon was over at the ocean, and Satriamon – brave as he was – couldn't risk using the attack for fear of falling into the depths of the dark ocean.

"Satriamon, wait," Sagittarimon instructed, just as the fused Digimon was about to launch another ranged attack towards Dragomon. "Attacking him again from here would be useless; Dragomon would only use the Dark Ocean waters to quench your techniques."

"What's on your mind?" Satriamon asked impatiently. "Better be quick; your partner's there with Dragomon as well."

"I'm well aware of that!" the centaur snapped. "I've a plan for you to get close enough to Dragomon. I need you to severe the tentacles that he has wrapped all over Adam. Your gauntlet looks sharp enough to do the job."

"You kidding? This is Chrome Digizoid!" Satriamon said proudly. "So…this plan of yours…I'm all ears."

Dragomon watched his opponents with wry interest. He chuckled darkly, seeing that they had no way of defeating him.

"Let me go!" Adam shouted. He was still attempting to break free, no matter how useless his attempts were. Dragomon however had to admire the boy's persistence.

"In due time, Adam. When I tire of your friends' meddling, and when I have disposed of them, AND when I have drained your light, you shall walk free…if you are alive."

"Why do you want the power of light so much?" Adam demanded weakly. "SkullSatamon wants it, you want it…"

Dragomon chuckled. "Ah, SkullSatamon…the SkullSatamon that rose to power a few millennia ago over the south-eastern part of the Digital World. Defeated by one who was called Grademon before the knight himself vanished without a trace – leaving behind his five mystical DigiSpheres for his future heirs to wield. The wielders shall be known as the Heirs of Grademon, commanding elemental powers far beyond the normal Digimon could muster. While the Red, Blue, Yellow and Pink DigiSpheres are powerful by their own right…your White DigiSphere holds the power of light from one of the strongest angelic Digimon ever existed."

Adam was stunned. "How…how'd you know that?" He himself was pretty vague with the history of the DigiSpheres. He had heard that the power of light from his White DigiSphere was from one called Ophanimon – a mysterious 'sacred lady' Digimon whom Grademon had seek help from when the Red and Blue DigiSpheres were taken by Karatenmon. He had no idea that Ophanimon was an angelic Digimon – he hadn't even heard of one, nor could he comprehend with their existence. But he supposed that if demonic Digimon such as SkullSatamon existed, then it shouldn't be a surprise that angelic Digimon existed as well – to counter the demonic ones.

Still, it was just too strange.

"Nothing in the Digital World escapes me, Adam," Dragomon boomed, snapping Adam from his inner monologue. He eyed Adam intently. "Nothing. I just choose what is worthy for my attention, and leave out all other mundane matters."

Adam was about to ask more, when something else caught his eyes. From where his friends were at, Adam could see meteorites being launched relentlessly by Sagittarimon. Then his eyes widened when he saw Satriamon jumping on one meteorite, letting the meteorite taking him closer to Dragomon.

"Your friends' pathetic attempts to rescue you amuse me, Adam," Dragomon said, unimpressed.

'What's he thinking?' Adam thought, but he already knew the answer. Of course, his friends wouldn't leave him with Dragomon. Not without a fight.

"Hey, fugly!" Satriamon shouted, when Sagittarimon's meteorites were close enough with the ocean creature. Satriamon enveloped his whole body with flames before leaping onto another meteorite, using it as a stepping stone to propel himself upwards. Magma coated him as he soared towards the sky, streaking like a comet towards Dragomon. Launching his gauntlet upwards, he roared loudly as a fiery dragon was projected from the flames.

"Dragonforce Striker!!"

Dragomon hissed and attempted to ram his trident towards Satriamon. The Chrome Digizoid gauntlet collided with the trident with a loud clang, and for a while the two pit strength against each other. It was apparent a few seconds later that Dragomon was much superior, but Satriamon was powerful in his own right. He withdrew his gauntlet and retreated, landing on another meteorite. Apparently Sagittarimon kept on firing the meteorites in order to provide something for Satriamon to step upon, thus enabling the dragon-man to keep close to Dragomon. It was rather reckless – but it worked. Satriamon lurched forward, roaring as Dragomon sent tendrils towards him. His Dragonforce Striker technique sheared the tendrils away.

Dragomon grunted as Satriamon leaped towards the arm where he was holding Adam. "Not so fast!" The sea creature whipped a larger tentacle towards Satriamon, slamming against his body, knocking the winds out of Satriamon. The dragon-man was sent towards the depth below…

"Satriamon!" Adam cried out; it was an instinctive cry, but it'd worked in more than one ways. It activated his summoning power once again, and Satriamon was enveloped in orbs of light. He reappeared directly over Dragomon's arm…right where he was holding Adam.

"Heh…thanks. I was hoping you'd do that," Satriamon smirked towards Adam. He raised his gauntlet, and roared, "DRAGONFORCE…."

"Don't burn me up in the process…" Adam closed his eyes.

'I won't.' "….STRIKER!!" Satriamon slashed onto Dragomon's thick tentacle-arm viciously, successfully cutting off his tentacle. He quickly seized Adam with his free arm, and worked quickly on removing the remaining tentacles that still clasped around the younger boy's body. Adam reopened his eyes as Satriamon cradled him with his free arm. "Don't be happy just yet. Grab hold tight!"

"I can teleport us…" Adam said, but Satriamon had already jumped onto the incoming meteorites. He leaped on one meteorite after another back towards the sea cliff where Sagittarimon was anxiously launching off the meteorites, giving Adam time to gather some power to teleport them off to safety. The boy grunted – the blazing heat from the meteorites was searing – Adam felt as if he was standing right in front of a baking oven. He lacked the ability to withstand the heat as Satriamon was. He sweated profusely and his complexion reddened.

'Oh, no…I forgot one crucial thing! Adam's not made to withstand the heat like I do!' Satriamon hastened his paces, but they were still further away from the sea cliff.

Dragomon growled angrily; the dragon-man had taken away his child of light! He wouldn't let them escape!

"FORBIDDEN TRIDENT!!"

Satriamon felt something slamming against his back, which burned through his armor. He gasped loudly and lost his momentum. His body glowed and he was forced into a dedigivolution…back into JD and Agumon. The sudden attack from Dragomon had nearly knocked both of them out too…and JD's grasp upon Adam immediately loosened.

"If you refuse to join me, then you shall perish in the depths of the Dark Ocean along with your insolent comrades," Dragomon sneered. "DIE!" He however didn't want to kill Adam; he merely wanted to scare the boy into submission to capture his light easier.

Adam gasped; and felt something from within him coming back to life. His eyes shone once more, and orbs of white light began to envelop all three of them. They disappeared with a blink, and reappeared over the safety of the promontory – Adam onto Sagittarimon, while JD and Agumon sprawled haphazardly beside the centaur. The glow in his eyes vanished, and he leaned against Sagittarimon's back for support. His chest heaved up and down rapidly – he was catching up with his breath.

"Adam, are you ok?" Sagittarimon asked tentatively after several seconds passed. He could sense his partner being very tired.

Adam merely murmured his agreement. He felt so tired that he was ready to lie down and take a nap. But he knew that was not what he should be doing. They were not out of danger yet.

Dragomon seethed in a barely-contained rage now. How come his every attempt upon the chalices of light had met with failures? Every time one was drawn in his Dark Ocean, there would always be some other meddlers somehow able to infiltrate the Dark Ocean to rescue the chalices. It had been that way with the girl three years ago – her friends and Digimon partner were drawn into the Dark Ocean merely by her light. His minions had given up so easily when that radiant Angewomon had threatened to obliterate them should they attempt on her partner's life. They were no match for the Ultimate level angel Digimon, Dragomon knew, but their quick submission didn't bode well with him. He had ensured that his minions paid dearly for their failures. And now; now that he'd taken one step further and reveal himself to get the job done…once again he was thwarted by a friend of the chalice! No matter how hard he'd tried the meddlers' persistence to save their friends were a nuisance to him.

If the light couldn't be taken for his own gain, then he would have to destroy it. The light had always been a bane to the darkness.

Inwardly, he grinned. He hadn't failed completely; the meddlers had been taken care of. Their attempts to rescue the chalice were a success, but they had paid dearly for it. He was surprised that the dragon-man was able to withstand his Forbidden Trident attack, but was reminded that the dragon-man had been armored.

'Not anymore, though. The mighty dragon-man was no more; he is but only a human and a Digimon now. They can never stand in the way now, bold as they are. The chalice has refused me, time and time again. He has wormed his way out, by a combination of sheer luck and stronger allies. If I capture him, there is no telling what else they could come up with to rescue him. Satriamon…the meddler, has successfully severed my arm. He alone is powerful, and there are three more of them. I can destroy them, but apparently not with ease…'

'I must not wait anymore. Now is my chance.'

"Adam, I am offering you an eternity of life. I know you fear SkullSatamon; join me and our powers shall crush his – your Digital World shall be safe from his," Dragomon offered.

"Yeah, and not safe from you," Adam muttered. He frowned when he saw Dragomon wading through the ocean, closer to the shore. The winged sea demon leered towards them menacingly.

"I have been very polite, it seems, and you refuse me. Now, whether you want it or not…your power shall be MINE!" Dragomon boomed as he got closer to the sea cliff.

Adam looked sideways, hearing a soft groan. JD had awakened. His body stirred as he looked up weakly towards Adam. Agumon was still unconscious. They didn't look like they could fight anymore. Adam was reminded of what JD had said and done this day; he had rejected Dragomon's offer to go back to the Digital World, and look what had become of him now.

'It's up to me now…'

Something ignited within him. His eyes narrowed, his brows knitted together. "Back…back off!!" Adam warned.

The demonic Dragomon sneered in return. "I think not."

"I mean it! Back off!" Adam's dark gray irises flashed with white light as he let loose the power inside of him. "JUST! STAY! AWAY!!!"

Brilliant white light exploded from Adam's body when he screamed. Sagittarimon quivered as the light fueled him with pure raw power to a magnitude that he hadn't felt before. He flexed his head and let out a roar as the muscles of his body tensed tight. The power of light coursed through every vein in his body, energizing him all over. Adam too, hadn't stopped shouting, as something from within him had been set loose – but unlike Sagittarimon's his shouts sounded uncontrollable…as if possessed. Their roars echoed all over the Dark Ocean.

JD's eyes fluttered open wide upon hearing the roars. His first instinct was that Adam was in danger again, but he soon realized that that was not the case this time around. Lights invaded his eyes and he quickly raised his arms to block the excessive light from blinding his sight. From the gap between his arms, he saw the most peculiar, yet incredible, thing.

A third, ghostly figure materialized within the light. It was a silvery silhouette, hovering at seven-feet-tall roughly, humanoid…and with large wings. JD blinked, thinking that he was seeing things, but the mysterious silhouette was still there; silent, unmoving. Then the blonde thought that Adam and Sagittarimon had fused, resulting in the mysterious newcomer, but the two of them were still there. They had stopped roaring, and their bodies were in a trance. The silent winged shadow flexed its wings forward and unleashed a stream of light from them, with feathers spiraling around it. The distinctive sound of something metallic grazing against each other was audible, seemingly coming from the beam of light.

JD turned sideways to see the where the light was sent to, and saw it blasting against Dragomon. Dragomon had resisted, but the light beam was pushing him backwards, merciless and unrelenting. The calm ocean raged, affected by Dragomon's predicament. Tidal waves took form, but they couldn't quench the harsh light.

The light soon grew increasingly bright and JD felt dizzy. Everything then became black.

xxx

xxx

First there was darkness, and when he opened his eyes…it was still somewhat dark.

Then he noted a difference. The darkness he was seeing now was not as bad as when he'd closed his eyes. He was staring towards the dusky sky, which was cloudless and a mixture of dark blue, purple, red and orange. The three moons of the Digital World were slightly visible and the sun seemingly was just setting by the western horizon. As his eyes began to adapt with his surrounding, Adam turned sideways and saw a small fire. On the other side of the fire was JD.

"Hey, you're awake!" The blonde teen shot up to his feet and circled around the fire to be by Adam's side. He remained standing, looking down at Adam tentatively.

Adam blinked. "Where…where are we?"

"Back in the Digital World," JD replied with a grin. "More specifically, the Megalith Coliseum." He watched as Adam got up into a sitting position.

Adam took in his surroundings and saw that they were sitting on the arena at the center of the elliptical building. This was where they'd battled each other before, but that was history now. Adam shook his head to get rid of that bad memory, and looked up at JD inquiringly. "How did we get here?"

JD shrugged. "I don't know."

Adam blinked. "And Dragomon…?"

"Dead, hopefully, but that I don't know for sure."

Adam scrunched his face; he was confused now. "What happened?"

JD crossed his arms over his chest. "You tell me. That was some freaky light show back there."

"Huh? I don't understand."

"You don't remember?"

"I remember seeing Dragomon coming, and I…was thinking of something," Adam said evasively and averted his gaze away from JD. He looked into the fire instead, trying to remember what had happened. "Then, I don't know…there's this powerful sense of…something…I felt like it was trying to break free. It…had given me power before, to save you, to restore your powers…so I decided that I didn't have anything to lose…so I let it out. Then…I don't remember."

"Someone else appeared from the light you released back then," JD supplied.

"Someone?" Adam turned back to face JD.

"Yup. I don't know who it was. It attacked Dragomon. I wasn't long enough to see whether it managed to finish that squid-face off."

"Oh?" Adam tilted his head slightly; an inquiring look. "Why's that?"

JD looked somewhat sheepish. "I blacked out; the light you released was too much for me to bear. I got a splitting headache trying to see what was happening…so I passed out. Uhh…what?"

Adam was straining not to smile. "Nothing. It just that…I can't imagine you passing out."

JD grunted. "Not that you haven't done that before. Anyway, here's the best part. When I woke up, I'm here. Inside this coliseum, right here over the arena. You, Agumon and Patamon were also with me, but we were all scattered almost everywhere. You…" The blonde paused, his eyes darting towards the stone bridge that connected the entrance and the arena. "You were dangerously close to falling down to the underground maze."

"Really?" Adam shivered.

"Yeah. I managed to bring you back here. Both Agumon and Patamon are awake for quite a while now…it's been about a couple of hours after I woke up. Agumon got up next, then Patamon…then we waited for you. They went out just now, looking for water and some fire woods."

Adam nodded. "Did you contact the others?"

Another sheepish look came from the teen. "Uh…I was hoping that you'd do that."

Adam blinked. "Chances are, they already know about that and on their way here," he said slowly. "TobuCatmon has a magic staff which allows him to see what's going on outside the sanctum."

"Oh. Cool."

A moment of silence passed by. Adam was staring at the fire. JD saw a troubled look etched on Adam's face, and wondered whether the boy was still feeling uncomfortable with him around. He decided that now was probably the best time to address that matter, to get it resolved once and for all. He sat down near the boy tentatively.

Hearing him sitting down, Adam turned to face him. "Thanks for sticking up with me back there, JD."

The older teen blinked. Maybe he'd thought wrong. He adopted an easygoing grin. "Nah, think nothing of it. Besides…I have some, well, a lot, actually, redeeming to do with you." His face grew serious; the grin was gone. He cleared his throat and continued with a careful yet sincere tone. "I've done a lot of bad things to you, when I was the Red ShadoWira. I wanted to do something good for a change." He looked at the fire for a moment, as if gathering inspiration from it, before facing the younger boy back. "I figured that sticking up with you; no matter how bad things were going…that would be the right way to start."

Adam looked at JD silently; he wanted to say something but the older teen raised a hand up, indicating that he wasn't finished. So Adam waited.

"I don't mind if you don't want to be my friend. I mean, I've never really had friends, beyond superficial ones…that's fine with me. I just hope that… one day, you'll be able to forgive me."

Silence. The blonde seemed like he'd finished getting out whatever that we wanted to say off his chest, judging by the way he slowly exhaled and returned his gaze towards the flickering fire. There was a forlorn look etched on his face.

"Not just one day…" Adam began to draw back JD's attention. The effect was immediate; JD whipped his head sideways and looked at him with inquiring eyes. "But right now."

JD blinked. "You mean…"

Adam nodded. "Actually, there's nothing to forgive…you were under a spell, you had no control over your actions. I couldn't hold you responsible."

"Adam…that's no excuse for me being a complete ass. I wronged you, it's that simple. And I'm real sorry."

"JD…"

"Say it only if you mean it."

The older boy locked gaze with Adam, and Adam realized that JD needed to hear it coming out from it. He sighed, and nodded. "Forgiven…" He saw the hazel eyes lit, and JD looked relieved. Profoundly relieved. "I forgive you," Adam reiterated clearly, for JD's sake if not for his own. And Adam was glad to find out that he really meant that.

JD let out a long exhale. "Thanks, Adam."

Adam began to hear indistinct sounds coming from the entrance of the coliseum. Familiar voices were calling out their names. He turned his head to look at the entrance, and saw three teenagers entering, with their own partners, and Agumon and Patamon in tow. Upon seeing them, the three teens immediately sprinted towards them.

Adam smiled and looked back at JD. "And if you ask me, you now have four friends. Not superficial ones, I hope, if you let us."

JD was speechless, but he searched Adam's face and saw the sincerity of the words the boy had spoken. His offer of forgiveness and friendship was genuine. The blonde felt as if a giant weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He followed the boy's gaze – Adam was looking at the approaching Gayathri, Manny and Liu Ying.

"Adam! You're back!" Gayathri gushed, immediately reaching out for the boy. There was great relief from her voice. Then, she strained herself and smiled awkwardly; she was thinking of giving Adam a relieved hug, but knew that the boy would be uncomfortable with it. Thus she merely clasped the boy's hands and shook it vigorously. Her eyes darted to JD and she faltered for a moment. She looked at Adam. Adam nodded with a reassuring smile. "And JD," she continued with a tentative smile. "Are you…one of us now?"

Liu Ying and Manny both looked at JD upon hearing Gayathri's inquiry. JD looked at Adam, who raised both eyebrows and was nodding vigorously.

JD nodded. "I'm with you guys," he said firmly. He looked at the others, and saw Manny looking relieved and happy with his announcement, while Liu Ying…looked relatively indifferent. Or at least, JD thought that she tried to look indifferent.

"Oh! Welcome to the right side!" Gayathri announced and shook JD hands amiably. "You could be a big help to us."

JD was taken aback with Gayathri's warmness to him; but then again he'd seen her like this with Adam, and he knew that she was attracted to Manny. He looked at Adam for a moment inquiringly, as if asking 'Is she like this to everyone?'

And Adam, as if he'd understood the silent query, nodded with a smile. For all he knew, the boy could only be giving him an encouraging nod, but he shrugged and nodded.

"Uh…just like that?" JD asked. Gayathri blinked back quizzically. "I mean, I was the villain…"

"Oh, shush. The Red ShadoWira was the villain. We've yet to see who's JD Kamaruzaman other than what we've seen at school…but like I've said, you could be a big help to us," Gayathri cut in. "Besides, Manny's in the team…I think it's about time you join us too."

JD hid his surprise upon Gayathri's simple directness, and nodded. "I'll…uh…I'll do everything I can."

Gayathri nodded, satisfied with the answer. Her nose twitched slightly, and she ran a hand in front of her head. "Good. Pheww…take a bath." She retreated back and went back to Adam. "You could use one too," she pointed out bluntly towards Adam. "And you know, you really had missed out my first time Digital Accessing into Puspamon…and you know that Lilamon, well we've beaten her…" And she went on to tell Adam the whole story of their battle with Lilamon earlier.

JD blinked and looked at Adam again, and this time around he knew that Adam had caught on to his earlier query, when he nodded again, as if reiterating, 'Yeah, she's like this.'

"JD, it's good to see you," Manny spoke up amidst Gayathri's rambling. The two former comrades in evil, now teammates in good, shook hands. They smiled.

"Yeah, same to you." JD had formerly regarded Manny as nothing more than just a comrade, but he knew now that they were more than that. They were now teammates, and friends, bonded with the same experience of having seduced to the dark side by Karatenmon. That was all in the past now, but JD knew that he needed to talk about their ShadoWira days with Manny. He'd figure out a day to meet the Sabahan boy later. "And uh…sorry about the nose," he added, indicating the fact that he'd punched Manny during the revelation of them being ShadoWira.

"Oh. Sure. It's ok…I mean, it's not really ok, but you weren't yourself." Manny tapped his own nose. "And I hit you back, as far as I recall…so maybe we're even?"

JD smirked. "Sounds good to me." His eyes then traveled to the only DigiWira who had kept her silence. And from out of nowhere, he'd given her a challenging single-jerked eyebrow, and a lopsided grin. He was rather interested to hear what Liu Ying had to say about all this.

Liu Ying returned with one of her own, unfazed, cool and with a wry smile. She flicked her head sideways albeit so slightly, seemingly emphasizing her returned challenge.

"Who'd guess that we'd end up being in one team?" JD told her, with a hint of cockiness.

"Hmm," Liu Ying replied coolly. The air grew slightly tense.

"Umm, guys?" Adam said tentatively, growing wary of the stillness of the air when Liu Ying and JD exchanged glances.

Liu Ying sighed. "We're in one team now…we might as well try getting along."

JD jerked his eyebrows up twice and smirked back, causing the willowy girl to turn sideways and walked towards Gayathri.

"What's your story anyway?" Gayathri asked curiously.

"It's nothing," Liu Ying replied evasively.

"You don't know?" JD asked, at the same time as Liu Ying's reply came out. He looked surprised, but the look was gone as soon as it had appeared. "Of course; you're not around the school yet when we…" he indicated himself and Liu Ying. "…first met." He placed a finger on his chin, over the slight depression at the middle of it. "It's quite an interesting story." He grinned upon meeting Liu Ying's exasperated steely gaze; her eyes were flashing dangerously. JD didn't look the least abashed. "Wanna know about it?" he asked the three younger DigiWira. Adam looked immediately interested, while Manny simply nodded, but it was Gayathri who looked exuberantly excited upon hearing his offer.

"Sure!" Gayathri chirped. "Tell you what. Tomorrow after school, we'll go by that Mamak café at Taipan and swap stories. It'll be like an ice-breaking session. We can get to know each other better now that we're a team. I think that'll be good for all of us. What do you say? Manny?"

Manny smiled and nodded; Gayathri was being chirpier than her usual happy mood – he suspected that being able to become Puspamon was the main reason, and the assurance that JD was now in the team being the deal-sealer. "Sure. Why not? It'll be nice."

"JD?"

"Hey, I'm the one with an interesting story to tell. I'll turn up."

"Liu Ying?"

Liu Ying shot a look at JD. She looked exasperated and annoyed; the furrows between her eyebrows were obvious. "Fine. I'll be there. I'll have to make sure that the story doesn't deviate from the truth. Who knows what he'll tell you when I'm not around."

JD snickered. "Don't worry; the truth alone is interesting enough."

"Adam?"

Adam was more than happy to oblige, and his curiosity pertaining the relationship between JD and Liu Ying was piqued. "Of course I'll come, if nothing unexpected comes up."

"Make sure you turn up anyhow," JD said.

"Now that we've got that settled," Liu Ying said quickly with a small huff. "It's getting really late and we all should go back home." She narrowed her eyes towards JD. "Especially you! Your parents are looking for you; they thought that you ran away. How are you going to explain yourself to them?"

"Nah, don't worry about that," JD waved his hand once. "I'll just turn up back home; that ought to satisfy them enough."

"Really," Liu Ying said, unconvinced.

"Yeah, really. Why do you care all of a sudden?" JD challenged.

"I don't. As a matter of fact...just don't bother turning up at school tomorrow. You're…"

"Suspended. I know. Adam told me. I'll turn up early at the café tomorrow and wait for you guys there."

"You…ugh, fine. I'm going home." Liu Ying stalked off, much to Manny, Gayathri and Adam's bewilderment.

"That went well," Manny noted slowly, looking at Adam and Gayathri, thinking that since he was the new student at school he might have missed the finer details of the whole exchanges between their two older teammates. He saw both of them shrugging; they were completely in the dark as he was. He caught JD's eyes and raised his eyebrows inquiringly.

"Heh. Don't worry. I'll tell you guys all about it tomorrow," JD said.

"Ok. Don't forget. See you tomorrow," Gayathri said, and turned her head to see Liu Ying's retreating figure. "Hey, Liu Ying, wait up!"

Manny and Gayathri both gathered their Digimon partners and took off, leaving Adam and JD with their partners.

JD then turned to Adam, who now had Patamon perched on top of his head. He felt that after their whole adventure at the Dark Ocean, the boy began to grow in him. He wondered how Adam managed to appear unfazed after all that happened to him. This was a mystery to him; one that JD would like to find out. But for now, he decided not to invade on Adam's personal life more than he'd done, and just focus on their renewed friendship as well the friendship he'd gained from the other DigiWira as well.

Manny and Gayathri were both very welcoming – JD decided that he quite liked Gayathri's enthusiasm, and was glad to have Manny as a friend once again. Liu Ying however looked like a challenge. JD smirked inwardly. He loved a challenge. He wondered what would happen after he'd told the other DigiWira about how the two of them first met. JD guessed that Liu Ying would probably murder him.

It would be interesting days ahead indeed.

"Hey, JD?" Adam's inquiry broke his inner monologue. "Yea…?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you want to get back to the sanctum the fast way, or the fast way?" Adam asked with a straight face.

JD blinked. "Huh? Say what?"

"Hold Agumon. Patamon, hold on tight." JD did as what Adam told him and held Agumon's paw. The Rookie looked at him questioningly, but JD ignored the T-rex, curious of Adam.

Adam turned around towards the sandy part of the arena, and with a flick of his hand he teleported some sands right above the flames, quenching the fire immediately. Everything went dark, with only the scent of dying smoke invading their nostrils. Then he grabbed hold on JD's wrist, and called out, "Forest Sanctum!"

xxx

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"I can't believe it! No…no…not the Dryad General! NO….." Shutumon said, flailing her hands in desperation.

"Shutumon, you've been like this for the last one hour," Sorcerymon pointed out patiently as he glided in midair beside his companion. "I've told you she's not even as strong as Karatenmon had been; it took only three of those DigiWira brats to finish her off."

Shutumon growled and balled her fists. "I just can't believe it! Lilamon's lost…due to that runts with the Pink DigiSphere!" She was reminded of her grudge against Fairymon, and her face fumed. Despite the scanty light of the setting sun, it wasn't hard to see that the bird-woman was simply seething with rage. "They've reached Ultimate level; now I'll have to find a way to digivolve as well if a rematch is to take place between the two of us."

They had been watching the battle from afar, as they usually would, in order to report back to SkullSatamon of the progress. Shutumon had been anticipating that Lilamon would finish off the three DigiWira, especially Gayathri and Floramon, but was left speechless when they saw the pair merged into Puspamon. Sorcerymon hadn't been much help as well, when he used his magical staff to magnify the view; watching Puspamon's transformation repeatedly and barely controlling his drooling in the process. Faint red marks were still evident on his pale cheeks; Shutumon had slapped him twice upon discovering what he'd been doing.

"My money wasn't on her anyway," Sorcerymon replied.

"So you're hoping that the DigiWira would win? Oh, no…you're hoping that object of that stupid affection of yours to win, am I wrong? That…that…loathsome Puspamon!" Shutumon accused, narrowing her blue eyes suspiciously.

Sorcerymon didn't nod or shake his head. "Well…in a way, I was hoping for the DigiWira to win this particular battle, because it would let us carry on our next task." Sorcerymon cleared his throat. "And no…I don't like Puspamon much." He looked at Shutumon, thinking that she was still prettier than the gorgeous fused Digimon, but didn't say it out loud.

Shutumon groaned. "Which general we'd have to free now?"

Sorcerymon shrugged. "I don't know. That's why we're heading back to the Shadow Realm."

Suddenly, an apparition of a skull sprang from out of nowhere, stopping both Sorcerymon and Shutumon from their flight. Sorcerymon yelped as he was about to collide with the skull apparition, but was stopped by Shutumon whom with quick reflex, grabbed hold on his cape and pulled him back.

"MASTER!!" both of them chorused breathlessly.

"Don't return back," the apparition rasped throatily. "As I've expected the Dryad General couldn't match the DigiWira's prowess. I did not expect however for the pair with the Pink DigiSphere to gain the power to become Ultimate-level Digimon as well. Nevertheless, Lilamon had done what she was supposed to do…it's time to carry forward."

"You can count on us, Master!" Shutumon quickly asserted. "We'll free the next general; just…give us the name and location."

"Not general," SkullSatamon smirked, baring a set of decaying teeth. "Generals. It's time for the Darkshadow Brethren to make their move. However, there's no need to be hasty. Go up north-west, in the midst of the Desert of Despair's stones and sands…an underneath cavern rests the devious Puaka Generals and their minions, imprisoned in stasis by Grademon and Wizardmon long ago. They shall be next." With that said, SkullSatamon vanished, leaving his stunned minions to complete the order he had set upon them.

xxx

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Adam DigiPorted back to his apartment way past his curfew, fully prepared with his explanation for his sister. He thought of how surprised TobuCatmon had been when suddenly he, JD and their Digimon partners teleported into the Forest Sanctum – the feline had been resting on one of the tree branches there and nearly fall in shock upon witnessing them appearing out of the blue. TobuCatmon then had proceeded with telling them how glad he was of them to be safe.

Thinking of his power manifestation back at the Dark Ocean, Adam was now confident of teleporting more numbers of people. He'd used the magical viewing sun staff to get a hold on the other DigiWira, who at the moment were beginning to walk back towards the Forest Sanctum. Adam called them back, one by one, and they reappeared inside the sanctum, surprised of the sudden change of their surrounding. Adam told them that it would take nearly an hour or more for them to reach the sanctum – he'd decided to make their journey back a lot simpler.

The other DigiWira realized then that Adam's teleportation power had finally evolved, and were happy for him. They soon parted ways, which brought Adam back at where he was at now.

"Kak Lisha hasn't come back home yet, it seems," Patamon noted, and flew towards the power switch to turn on the lights and fan. The dark apartment was instantly illuminated.

"Strange," Adam said, noting the time. "Kak Lisha didn't mention anything of being late. It's past eight; she should be back by now."

The phone suddenly rang, nearly caused Adam to start. "That's probably her right now," Patamon beckoned.

Adam picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Is this Adam Ariff?"

The seriousness of the male voice on the other end unnerved Adam slightly. "I'm Adam."

"Are you related to Alisha Ariff?"

"I'm her brother. May I know who's speaking?"

"Adam…I'm calling from Subang Jaya Medical Hospital. I'm afraid I have bad news."

"What…what is it?"

"It's your sister. She's been involved in a car accident."

xxx

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Author's Notes:

Some of you might catch a couple of Digimon Savers references in this chapter (other than Lilamon, although she's the first Savers reference). Savers has become my favorite season so far, so references will be here and there in future chapters. I won't mention which one though, lest I'd spoil the story unwittingly to those who haven't started watching it yet.

Finally the DigiWira team is whole, with five members as it was intended to be. I had aimed for Chapter 25 to be the chapter that unites all five DigiWira, but with some editing done after the ShadoWira Unveiled arc I managed to finish it by Chapter 24. This enables me to start with the next saga quickly.

Another Digital Accessed Digimon makes her debut in this chapter. It's about time Gayathri is able to do so; she's after all the second DigiWira to be incorporated into the story, which makes her a senior member as well compared to the three boys.

Puspamon

Name derivation: A misspelling of Pushpa, which means 'flower' in Tamil language. When I first encountered the word, it was misspelled as 'Puspa' and it kind of grew on me. So she became Puspamon instead of Pushpamon.

Comparison to other Digimon: Pretty much someone in between of Fairymon and Rosemon.

Special note: Puspamon's technique – the Hibiscus Hurricane – is a tribute to Malaysia's national flower, which is…you guessed it, the hibiscus.

Puaka Generals

The word 'puaka' is a Malaysian word, meaning demon. As for their identities…we'll see. :D