"DAMN!!" JD swore as he stared at the two dark figures that hovered menacingly at a distance. "As if we haven't got enough problems already."
"I told you not to tempt fate," Manny said silently, looking away upon feeling JD's deadly gaze being fixed on him.
Against the late afternoon sky, the two demons were a total contrast with their dark outfits. The bigger of the two was a hulking figure with large tattered wings and long arms, with a thin body and a masked face. Its companion was a female of smaller stature. She had slim, hourglass-shaped body draped in tattered leathers. Long white hair escaped the back of her masked face. One of her arm ended with massive sharp claws.
"Who are they?" Liu Ying asked. "They look…different."
Labramon let out a soft growl. "I feel them being a lot eviler than the ones we have fought."
"They are just hovering there, not doing anything…" Agumon observed. He winced when Penguinmon slapped him on the arm with his short wings.
"There you go, tempting fate! You're just like your partner!" Penguinmon scolded Agumon, and fidgeted upon hearing a soft growl coming from the dinosaur's partner.
"It's not like they're there simply for display purposes," Floramon defended Agumon. She looked up at her human partner. "Gayathri, what do you think?"
"Look at them. Wearing all black, and one of them is a girl. Eughh, what's with those clothes? Gothic images are so not in these days…"
Everyone sweatdropped, but the brief funniness of Gayathri's comment evaporated when the two demonic Digimon were seen spreading their wings. They took up to the skies and approached Zephyrus City. The DigiWira immediately took out their Digivices and attempted to Digital Access, but to their surprise nothing happened. The answer became apparent when one by one, their legs buckled, starting from Gayathri, Liu Ying, Manny and finally JD. Hadn't it been for their Digimon partners they would have plopped down onto the pavement – they used their bodies to support their human partners into a semi-standing posture.
"Truth be told, I feel drained, after battling Mephistomon," Liu Ying admitted.
"Me too," Manny murmured. "Phelesmon was brutal…"
Gayathri nodded. "So was that lipstick-wearing guy…what was his name? Motasmon? Mortismon?"
"Myotismon," Floramon clarified, smiling slightly. "His lipstick was even darker than our shade…"
"They're almost here," Manny said forebodingly, as the two demonic Digimon were getting closer to the city. They began to glow with menacing orange and purple aura, and even from the distance their eyes could be seen glinting blood red. Both were flexing their claws, and their laughter echoed throughout the green paddock. "And we can't fight…"
"We still can," Labramon said tentatively, looking at the other Digimon partners. "We are still in our Rookie forms…I still have some energy in me. How about you three?"
Penguinmon considered his answer first. "I would've more energy if I have something to eat first…but yeah, I'm still up for a fight."
"I think I'm ok," Agumon said, rubbing his chin lightly with his clawed hands.
"Count on it," Floramon said, raising her hand.
Labramon looked at the DigiWira with determination reflected from her eyes. "You four take cover –"
"WHAT? NO WAY!" JD exclaimed, disgusted.
"JD…" Manny placed a placating hand on the blond boy's shoulder. "We're not strong enough to Digital Access."
Labramon cleared her throat. "JD, Manny is right. In our Wira Digital forms, you DigiWira have more control over our Ultimate forms, which is why you four are usually the ones who are the first to lose energy when we devolved, while we Digimon serve as reservoir and means for attacks, although we have equal control on our joined minds. This is why we need you four to replenish your strengths, no matter how short the time because every second counts."
It took a while for the DigiWira to process what Labramon had just said. Then, one by one, they nodded.
"What's your plan, Labramon?" Liu Ying asked.
"A Plan B, if you may say so. DNA Digivolve us into our Ultimate forms, and then take cover. We should be able to handle them."
The DigiWira hesitated, but realized that the Labrador Rookie was right. They all took out their Digivices, which energized the Digimon for advancement to Champion level. Then waves of green and dark purple lights washed out from the four Digivices and flowed over the Champion Digimon.
Fairymon…Youkomon…DNA Digivolve to…LILYMON!!
Flarizamon…Depthmon…DNA Digivolve to…REICHMON!!
They all watched as the beautiful floral maiden and the dark lion knight flew towards the approaching villains.
"Never thought we'd see Reichmon again," JD murmured. He and Manny had no need to summon Reichmon after gaining the ability to Digital Access, or Shadow Access as it was termed before their conversion to the side of good. This would be the first time Reichmon appeared as a good guy.
"We should get moving," Liu Ying said, turning around towards the city entrance. Lilymon's last entrance was fairly recent so she didn't think much about it as JD did. "We have to warn the citizens of this city; they're not safe yet." She walked briskly into the city, followed by JD.
Gayathri shivered as she took one last glance towards their partners before following the others back into the city. "Somehow I think those two aren't just enemies, but THE enemies."
"Let's hope Reichmon and Lilymon are able to stop them," Manny said comfortingly, and walked by the curly-haired girl side by side.
xxx
xxx
"Someone!! Anybody!! HELP!!" Adam cried out in panic as soon as he materialized inside Zephyrus City's infirmary. "HELP!! PLEASE!!"
A white-armored Digimon wearing a wolf mask, a purple striped sash around his neck and a doctor's medical coat rushed towards the hospital foyer where Adam, Aizad and Tsukaimon were at. He was followed by a green ogre and a red-dressed woman, both also in medical coats.
"What's going on here?" the armored Digimon asked with concern, kneeling opposite Adam as he inspected Aizad's condition.
"He's attacked!" Adam said. "He's injured! A…a Digimon…probably Mephistomon or Phelesmon. Please help him…"
"Of course we'll help," the woman in red said soothingly as she took Adam's hands. "I'm Dr. Witchmon, and you need to step away from…"
"He's my brother…please, help him. I've just met him back," Adam said weakly and allowed Dr. Witchmon to take him towards the chairs. "I don't want to lose him again…"
"Of course. Dr. Lobomon and Dr. Ogremon will do their best," Dr. Witchmon assured. She observed the dark-haired boy with concern and pity, and seated him on one of the waiting chairs. She then took out a chocolate bar from the inside of her white coat, opened the wrapping and gave it to Adam. "Eat this. It'll help calm your nerves."
Adam blinked at the doctor, confused, but his hand went for the chocolate. With another assured nod from Dr. Witchmon, Adam took a bite. He watched as the one called Dr. Ogremon lifted Tsukaimon gingerly while the taller Dr. Lobomon cradled Aizad. "To the emergency room," he heard Dr. Lobomon instructed to the other doctor.
Dr. Witchmon left Adam to follow the other two doctors towards a corridor. Adam immediately stood up and darted quietly to follow the. He saw them entering a glass door and went there. From the outside, he watched as the doctors laid his brother and Tsukaimon on an operation table. The glass door was slightly ajar, but Adam refrained from entering, knowing that he'd be asked to go out. He however strained to hear what the doctors were speaking.
"Poor lad," he heard Dr. Lobomon said as he cut Aizad's shirt. Adam saw a nasty gash spread across his brother's chest and shoulders. His tan skin was unnaturally red, seemingly focused on the left side of his chest. Adam couldn't see in detail as Dr. Lobomon then moved beside the gashed side to inspect it even further. "Who did this to him?" He heard the doctor asked his two colleagues in a dreading tone.
"The boy said that Mephistomon or Phelesmon are probably the ones who inflicted this kind of wound to this man," Dr. Witchmon answered grimly. She shook her head.
"By the Guardian Beasts…those two are Ultimate Digimon! How this man survives their attack is beyond me…" Dr. Lobomon said.
Adam felt like his heart had just suddenly stopped beating. He took a few steps back until his back collided with the cool wall of the corridor. Trembling, he slid down against the wall and sat onto the cool floor, watching as the three doctors inside the emergency room began reaching out for various ointments and instrument.
"Please…not again…" Adam pleaded silently. His temples began to throb.
xxx
xxx
WIRA DIGITAL
Chapter 30 – Unholy Ramification
xxx
xxx
"Stop! You're not going farther!" Reichmon barked, brandishing his black and gold spear towards the incoming demons. The spear was crackling with electricity.
Behind Reichmon, Lilymon was hovering several meters upward. Both her arms were extended forward, with her palms merged and transformed into cannon.
The two demons cackled, but stopped nevertheless. The female floated in front of the male, and was simpering, as if finding the situation somewhat amusing. She cat-walked while remaining airborne, and stopped ten meters away from the two DNA Ultimates.
"Oh, and I suppose you're going to stop me?" she challenged. A smirk formed on her pale, half-obscured face as her scarlet eyes glinted menacingly.
This female Digimon stood at approximately 7-feet tall. Slim with shapely figure, she was draped in black leathers which covered her torso and extremities, with the exception of her left arm and leg. Chains were wrapped around her right forearm and waist. Her right arm was humanly, but her left arm was long, reaching her feet and ended with large scarlet claws. Her face was half obscured, and her skin pale blue. She had a pair of tattered leathery wings which looked like they were a continuation of her outfit, appearing almost similar to a cape. Her white hair cascaded down her back. She radiated a dark kind of beauty.
"You couldn't even drive our minions away. What makes you think you can challenge US?" the larger male inquired with his gruff voice.
The male stood at a hulking 10-foot tall. He was as lean as his female counterpart. His body armor was ivory with seven red orbs affixed along the left side of his torso, from the shoulder till the abdomen. Underneath the body armor was a leather black suit which covered his whole extremities. His arms were both long, grazing the tips of his feet and ended with golden claws. His large wings were bright scarlet. His face was totally obscured by a golden mask, which had six holes for…his six gleaming red eyes. He had a pair of horns jutting out from the sides of his face, and white hair flowed down his back.
"Don't think that because you've successfully destroyed the Blood Brothers, and have driven away the Bane Brothers, that you're OUR match. Your victory against the Banes was a stroke of luck, while good strategies and teamwork were the reason you've won against the Bloods," said the female haughtily. "However, it's nothing that we should be concerned about. In fact, to us, everything is going according to what we have planned."
"The Banes and the Bloods were only our minions," the male chuckled. "You're looking at the real deal now."
"You mean…" Dread filled Lilymon and Reichmon instantly.
"Yes." The female simpered. "You're standing face to face with the Puaka Generals." She brandished her formidable claw. "Any last wish before we finish you off?"
Both Reichmon and Lilymon tensed, but it was Reichmon who recovered first. "Bring it on, lady!"
"It's LadyDevimon, if you please," the female finally revealed her name. She zoomed towards Reichmon and pointed her claw towards the dark knight.
Reichmon immediately swung his staff towards LadyDevimon's claw. The two weapons collided with a loud clang. For a moment there was a standstill as the two Digimon forced their strength upon each other. LadyDevimon quickly wrapped her claws around the spear and attempted to pry it off from Reichmon.
"Not a chance!" Reichmon growled, and retracted his spear, pulling LadyDevimon along with it. "Blazing Spear!!"
LadyDevimon quickly abandoned her earlier attempt and pulled back. She spread out her arms just as a burst of green-yellow flames erupted from Reichmon's spear, and sent torrents of dark energy with bats to counter the flames.
"Darkness Wave!!"
The flames from Reichmon's spear formed a hulking gryphon, but it was immediately overpowered by the bats that were sent by LadyDevimon. A few of those bats slammed against Reichmon, forcing him to fold his metallic golden wings forward in an act of self-defense.
"Not bad," LadyDevimon said after the dark waves she'd sent had dissipated. "However, not good enough!"
Lilymon warily observed the other Puaka General, who was nearly twice her height. At 6-feet tall Lilymon was an equal match to LadyDevimon, but as the dark female was already engaged in a fight with Reichmon she was left to face the enemy who was as big as Reichmon.
"Who are you?" she asked the demon warily. If she was going to fight him, then she'd better know his name first.
"NeoDevimon," the male demon said simply. He assessed Lilymon with his three pairs of red eyes. "You don't look like a challenge against me," he said darkly. "But alas, physical looks can be misleading. This should be interesting."
With that said he raised one arm and swung it forward, tearing the very fabric of space, leaving leaking red aura trailing his clawed hand's movement. "Guilty Claw!!"
Lilymon spun around and delivered a flying kick towards NeoDevimon's extended arm. "Flower Cutter!!" She successfully kicked the claw away. Without waiting any longer she then made a nimble back flip and pointed her cannon-hands towards NeoDevimon, having a clear shot for the demon's chest. Green aura began to glow from the tip of the cannon as Lilymon summoned the power of nature to fuel her attack. "Flower Cannon!!"
A green energy orb burst out from the cannon and was slammed against NeoDevimon. The demon staggered backward slightly, but didn't look the least bedraggled by the attack. He let out a snort and successfully managed to retain his balance. A sneer was heard as he saw Lilymon looking surprised.
"Pathetic!" he muttered, and swung his claws towards Lilymon once again with frightening speed. "Guilty Claw!!"
Lilymon zipped away from the claws' paths and flew around the claws, drawing her hands down as she circled the very long arms. "Vicious Vines!!" Dark green vines with thorns were magically generated from her hands and she began wrapping NeoDevimon's arms tight, making sure that the thorns pricked the demons' arms in the process. She then thrust those long arms away and made a dive towards NeoDevimon's chest as her whole body glimmered with yellow and pink aura. The fairy then delivered forceful kicks repeatedly on NeoDevimon's chest, calling up the attack named: "Sun Crescent Kicks!!"
To the dryad's annoyance, NeoDevimon barely looked like he was fazed with the kicks. "That tickles," he commented, and hunched his body slightly. Then, he straightened up with rapid speed that Lilymon bounced away from his body. With a dark chuckle he then swung his claws, which were charged with black and red thunderbolts.
"Stun Claw!!"
"AAAAHHH!!!"
Lilymon was brutally slashed by NeoDevimon, and was sent crashing onto the ground with an explosion. She devolved back into Labramon and Floramon, and both were too injured to move.
"Sometimes though, physical looks can tell you the truth as well," NeoDevimon said mockingly.
In the meantime, LadyDevimon was successful in flustering Reichmon with her quickness and agility. She circled around the dark knight over and over again, and gave out an eerie echoic laugh which served to confuse Reichmon even more. "HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHA AHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!" She laughed, amused of seeing her plan working.
Reichmon however had lost his patience. LadyDevimon could spin around him as long as she wanted, but Reichmon had had enough. His body began to permeate with black and orange flames as an apparition of a creature erupted from his body. The creature was quadrupled with a sturdy body, and from the flames a fiery human head was visible, and so were serpentine tail which was lashed back and forth. It was a chimera.
Reichmon had summoned a fiery chimera in retaliation to LadyDevimon's tactic. "Manticore Firestorm!!"
The fiery chimera burst all around him with a loud howl from Reichmon. Most of the flames caught up with the flying LadyDevimon, grazing her arms while burning her hair and outfit.
"Why you!!" LadyDevimon screeched and spread out her arms. "Darkness Wave!!"
The torrents of bat and dark energy were at first countered by the blazing inferno that was still generated from Reichmon. However LadyDevimon began to overpower the knight after a couple of minutes passed. The Puaka General summoned her energy and let out another wave of dark energy, which then sent Reichmon falling on his back. With a vengeful scream, LadyDevimon released a third wave which caused Reichmon to writhe in pain. "DARKNESS WAVE!!!!!" LadyDevimon shrieked and unleashed her final dark wave which engulfed Reichmon with dark power so strong that his element of purified darkness was not able to withstand.
With a bright flash of red and blue light Reichmon regressed back into Agumon and Penguinmon.
"So much for the mighty champions of the good," LadyDevimon spat and wiped both her hands together – her left claws had morphed into hands after Reichmon was trounced.
The four defeated Rookies huddled close to one another fearfully as the Puaka Generals loomed above them.
xxx
xxx
"This gash looks awful," Dr. Lobomon said as he inspected the red laceration spread across Aizad's chest.
Around the laceration were small bulbous inflammations which looked as if someone had spilled acid on the young man's body. On his left chest was a much more prominent marking in deeper shade of red. Dr. Lobomon observed the prominent region carefully, palpating it with his hands.
"This looks like an internal injury," he deduced to the watching Dr. Witchmon. "Dr. Witchmon, do you have the multipurpose healing cream?"
"Yes," Dr. Witchmon produced a white tube. She opened the tube's cap. "Should I…?"
Dr. Lobomon nodded. "Go ahead." The tall wolf-man sighed. "We'll see whether it can cure these horrible gashes. He's a human…he should be taken a look at back at the Human World. But we'll do what we can first." He observed as Dr. Witchmon began spreading a generous amount of cream over the gashes, and sighed in relief upon seeing that slowly the gashes began to disappear. "Put some more of those creams at that hyperemic region on his left chest," he instructed.
Dr. Ogremon came back from an adjacent chamber of the emergency room, holding an X-Ray. "There seems to be no internal injury," he informed his other colleagues.
"That's good to hear," Dr. Lobomon said. "But what do you suppose this mark is?" he asked the other two doctors, pointing at the deep red area.
"Maybe it's the place where he's been hit by Mephistomon?" Dr. Ogremon suggested, looking at the said area closer.
"The color's not receding here as it's been on the other parts of his body," Dr. Witchmon observed.
Dr. Lobomon sighed. "Nevertheless, it looks like he's stabilizing." Suddenly his eyes narrowed when the deep red marking began to take another shape. Something seemed to be wriggling about underneath the skin of Aizad's chest, wanting to break free. "How curious. You two…take a look at that…"
As the three doctors bent down to look at the strange occurrence, they didn't notice Aizad's right arm shot up…and made a grasp onto Dr. Ogremon's throat. The doctors gasped in terror as Aizad rose up, and opened his eyes. There were no irises inside his eyes…instead there was total, complete blackness. A snarl escaped his mouth as he pulled Dr. Ogremon up with a strength that defied his stature; the green ogre doctor was bigger than him. His fingers were clasped tight around the doctor's neck.
"Thank you for such amazing hospitality, doctors," Aizad said with a menacing deep voice. The red mark on his chest – the gashes he'd been inflicted were gone – began to glow, and a five pointed yellow star appeared there. "Now I have no use for you…goodbye!" He clenched the doctor's neck tighter, and sounds of bones cracking could be heard. The unfortunate doctor let out a weak yelp before his eyes fluttered close and his head hung limp. Then he burst into data particles and the star on Aizad's chest began emitting out yellow glow…which absorbed the data particles from the doctor he had just killed.
"What is the meaning of this?!!" Dr. Lobomon shouted, as Dr. Witchmon screamed in fright.
Aizad sneered as he dismounted the operation table, and walked towards the two doctors. He looked around. "TSUKAIMON!" he barked.
The purple mammal Digimon sailed from another room adjacent to the emergency room. With a dark red glow Tsukaimon Digivolved into Piddomon, and the angel didn't waste any time. He spun his staff and chucked it through Witchmon's belly, deleting her without mercy. With a smirk that was not befitting his regal features he flexed his body and absorbed the female doctor's data.
"You…You…" Dr. Lobomon howled in rage and tore off his white medical coat. He then produced two swords of light and prepared himself to battle Aizad and Piddomon. To his surprise, both Aizad and Piddomon snarled and retreated. It was then the sound of the glass door of the emergency room opening was heard.
"Abang Zad!!" Adam stood at the doorway, eyes widened in fear. He gazed at Aizad, whose eyes began to look humanly once again.
"Boy…stand back! He's dangerous!" Dr. Lobomon warned.
"Dangerous? ME?" Aizad laughed and looked at Adam. "You know me better than that, right little brother?"
"I…I saw you…delete the doctor," Adam quivered. "I saw Piddomon kill Dr. Witchmon…"
"Boy…STAND BACK!!" Lobomon snarled, shielding Adam from Aizad and Piddomon.
"But…he's my brother," Adam said, and walked past the doctor. "I don't understand," he said, gazing questioningly at Aizad.
Aizad smirked. "You don't have to." He snapped his finger, and Piddomon instantly devolved back into Tsukaimon. The mammal Rookie floated in front of the DigiWira and let out wisp of black and purple vapor from his mouth, which clouded Adam's face. Adam's pupils dilated and his face appeared in a daze.
"You have any objection if I kill off this doctor, little brother?" Aizad reiterated with an amused smile. He folded his arms across his chest; the star tattoo on his left chest was still glowing.
The smokes began to clear and Adam seemed to consider his brother's question. "No objection, Abang Zad…" he said with a monotonous tone.
"WHAT?!!" Dr. Lobomon screamed.
"Good. Now come on over here…" Aizad beckoned Adam to come to him. The DigiWira obeyed without question and walked towards Aizad. The young man placed a hand on his shoulder, and turned him around. "Don't look…things are just going to get a little bit nasty around here." He chuckled as Adam unquestioningly turned around.
A flash of crimson light was seen and Piddomon had returned. With a nod from Aizad he flew towards the ceiling, a distance away from the doctor's light swords. He glanced towards Aizad. "Shield the boy," he said, and flexed his wings forward. Aizad immediately moved to cover Adam as Piddomon's wings burst with flames. He flapped his wings, generating warm winds which were spread out all around the moderate-sized emergency room. Various equipments from the emergency room were lifted, uprooted and pulled out and all of them coalesced together with the focused tornado Piddomon had begun to summon in front of him.
Dr. Lobomon backed away in fright. He looked at Adam, noticing something unnatural. His sharp mind also noticed how the man and the angel shied away immediately from his light swords. It baffled him slightly – Piddomon was an angel Digimon, synonymous to the light. Why would he be afraid of the light swords? However, there was no questioning that the man was definitely not what he appeared to be. That star tattoo on his chest was no mere mark.
He returned his gaze towards Piddomon, who was trailing him like a vulture eyeing its prey. Knowing that he would not survive the day, Dr. Lobomon threw both his swords towards Aizad's bare back. The man wasn't facing him – he was shielding the boy from Piddomon's tornado.
"LOOK OUT!!" Piddomon shouted, but it was too late. His attention was affixed on the tornado; he hadn't time to divert the light swords away from Aizad.
Aizad however had quicker reflex. He heard sounds of something approaching and the fine hairs on his neck stood up immediately upon sensing the light. He turned around just in time, but the swords had grazed the left side of his back before sailing towards the wall.
"AGGGHHHHH!!!"
Adam blinked as he felt his body being pushed onto the floor. He then felt a heavy weight fell on him and was surprised to find his brother, face contorted in pain.
"DOWN!!" Aizad snarled and pushed Adam's head onto the floor. Shrieks of tornado were heard, followed by a defeated scream and the sound of something bursting. Adam gasped in shock but he was in no immediate danger as his brother was shielding him. Then his eyes shot wide and realized that in doing so, Aizad would be the one who'd receive the vicious blows from the tornado Piddomon had generated.
The tornado receded immediately, followed by loud crashing sound of various medical equipments onto the floor. Adam felt his brother moving away, and looked up. His brother had his back facing Adam, and Adam was horrified upon seeing the sight of total destruction of the once pristine emergency room.
"What's going on?" Adam asked curiously, his eyes looking at the burning red marks on Aizad's back, as well as a few bruises. He looked around and noticed that Dr. Lobomon was nowhere in sight. Piddomon had devolved back into Tsukaimon. "Where's Dr. Lobomon? Why were you fighting? Did he attack you or something? Why –"
"Adam, stop asking questions and try finding the healing cream!" Aizad said with gritted teeth.
Adam winced upon hearing the harsh tone from his brother, but caught up with Aizad's pained voice. He held out his hand and summoned with a shaking voice, "Heal…healing cream!"
Orbs of white light swirled around his outstretched hand, and a half-used tube of healing cream materialized on his hand. Aizad let out a pained growl.
"I got it…" Adam said slowly, wondering why his brother didn't want to turn around to face him.
As if his question was being answered, Aizad glanced across his shoulder. His face was contorted slightly, as if he was suppressing pain. A strained smile escaped his mouth. "Sorry for being short with you just now…it's just…it's painful and you were asking questions one after another, I guess I've snapped." He then gestured with his head towards the cream. "Will you…?"
Adam nodded. He saw Tsukaimon perching on top of Aizad's shoulder, and noticed that the mammal was breathing out purple vapor. "Hey, Tsukaimon, are you ok?"
Tsukaimon nodded. "Never better." He then exhaled the vapor towards Adam's face. Adam's face became dazed once again and he dully rubbed the healing cream on Aizad's back, no longer asking questions. Tsukaimon smirked. "There."
"Your Bad Message works, eh?" Aizad asked.
"Like I've said: Never better," Tsukaimon said. "Everything's still according to the plan. Right now, the Puaka Generals are fighting the others as we speak." Tsukaimon's tone was mocking as he mentioned the Puaka Generals. "That thing you've been feeding the boy…it works well with my Bad Message. He's like putty in your hands."
The man and the Digimon laughed in amusement.
'Adam…'
Adam blinked slightly. He thought he heard voices…but it could be the headache he was having, right? It made him hearing voices that were not there.
'Danger…'
Danger? Adam looked around. There was no danger. He was with his brother and Tsukaimon. What could possibly be dangerous?
But wait…the voice was very familiar.
'Adam…don't…trust…them…'
Adam blinked once, then twice. The cloudiness he was feeling slowly evaporating, and he began looking around him. He was putting cream on his laughing brother's back. Both his brother and Tsukaimon weren't looking at him. They were talking…Adam couldn't get what they were talking about. Were they laughing?
'Adam…run…'
With his head clearing gradually, the mysterious voice immediately clicked in his mind. Adam's eyes snapped back into attention.
"Patamon?"
Immediately Aizad and Tsukaimon turned around to look at a bewildered Adam. Tsukaimon let out a frustrated groan, but Aizad was merely staring at him. He was smirking.
"So it's true…" Aizad said with a low voice. "The DigiWira of Light is incorruptible. Your Bad Message doesn't work too well after all, Tsukaimon."
"So are the stuffs you've been giving in his drinks!" Tsukaimon retorted.
"What?" Adam said hoarsely.
Aizad reached forward and grabbed Adam around his neck. A malicious sneer escaped his mouth. "Ah-ah-ah…don't try to escape, or you'll suffer the same fate as that Ogremon," he warned, and stood up, bringing Adam to stand as well.
'He's not your brother…'
Adam looked deep into Aizad's eyes with fear. "Who…who are you?"
"Me? I'm your brother, you know that."
"LIAR!" Adam spat, feeling Aizad's fingers closing in around his neck. "My brother would NEVER lay his hand on me! NEVER!!" His voice sounded broken. "Who are you?" he asked as Aizad steered Adam to stand in front of him, face facing forward.
"I'm your brother."
"Liar!" Then Adam's eyes narrowed and he shouted out, "Liar! Liar! Liar! LIAR!!"
"Don't be a brat," Aizad snapped. "Now…teleport the three of us out from this mess, and towards the field outside!"
Adam remained still, staring at the young man in front of him with disgust.
"I'm waiting, Adam…"
Adam still didn't move.
"Do you know where disobedient little brothers will end up at?" Aizad said with a mock-threatening voice. He leaned close to Adam's ear. "They'll burn in hell!"
Adam choked out a sob as his eyes searched around the destroyed emergency room wildly. He saw a sword, glowing dimly underneath an overturned metal cupboard. 'The doctor's sword!' He quickly swung his hand towards the sword's direction. Before he could utter out the necessary summoning incantation the sword was teleported to his arm. Feeling slightly deja-vu, Adam swung the sword recklessly.
"HAHAHAHAHAH!!" Aizad laughed loudly and seized the sword from Adam. He grasped the blade and hissed loudly; Adam noticed dark vapor coming out from Aizad's grasp. He yanked the sword away from Adam and threw it out through the window. "Nice trick, but anticipated, little brother." His grasp around Adam's neck tightened and the boy began gasping out for breath. "Now, don't try teleporting away because you'll end up teleporting me as well, and we'll be back at square one. Unless, if you do what I've told you to do and teleport us to the meadow outside the city."
"I shouldn't have trusted you…" Adam said bitterly. "Who are you?"
"I'm your brother…" This time around, Aizad was saying it with the most mocking manner. "Your older brother…your dearest big brother, your hero…your beloved, protective Abang Zad…"
"LIAR!! You're NOT my brother! You're NOT! You're NOT! YOU'RE NOT!!" Adam shivered violently. "Abang Zad would NEVER do this to me! He never bullied me!"
"Oh…?" Aizad said, amused. "Then what about that night before the accident?"
Adam froze, looking absolutely horrified. "No…that…that's not…"
"As far as I remembered…I've smacked you in the face…and…let's see, what was your words? Aha…you're the biggest, meanest bully around here and I HATE YOU and I NEVER EVER want to see you again!! Ahahaha…those were the words of a ten-year-old you, more than a couple of years ago, on a dark stormy night before the accident…or have you forgotten?"
Adam appeared as if he had been slapped on the face. He ran a hand on his right cheek instinctively.
"Good. You haven't forgotten. So you must also still remember how I smacked you, huh? Want to taste it again?"
Subconsciously, Adam shook his head. A phantom, burning pain suddenly was felt on his right cheek – with no reason at all.
"I thought so. Now teleport us to the field!" Aizad ordered. "Teleport the three of us there and you'll get the answers to whatever questions that are playing in your mind."
His head hung limp in defeat, Adam realized that he had no choice other than to comply with what his older brother had instructed.
Deep in his heart, he began to seriously doubt that the man behind him was his brother in the first place.
xxx
xxx
Seeing their partners defeated from afar, the four DigiWira immediately went back to the paddock. They knew that they were no match for the Puaka Generals, but they had to try. Their partners, as Rookies, were severely outmatched in comparison to the Ultimate level Puaka Generals. It was like comparing the earth and the sky.
They halted when bright orbs exploded from thin air and three figures materialized. They saw Adam, but their shock they saw that he was being restrained by the neck by his own brother. Tsukaimon was hovering above the brothers. Looking closer, they saw that Aizad no longer looked like the pleasant-looking older brother of Adam they had encountered or caught a glimpse at before. The one who was restraining Adam was like a totally different person altogether; his face was contorted severely, giving him a malevolent look.
"What's going on here?" Liu Ying wondered, shocked.
JD snarled. "I knew there's something wrong about him." He increased his pace and generated a fireball on his palm. "HEY!! What do you –"
"Come any closer…" Aizad reached inside his pants pocket and took out a metallic pen-knife. He flipped the blade out and pointed it towards Adam's neck. "And things will be bloody here!"
The DigiWira all halted. "What are you doing – he's your brother, goddamnit!!" JD shouted.
"Yeah, he's my brother…I can do WHATEVER I want with him!" Aizad snarled back sadistically. His reply appalled all the DigiWira but they had no choice but to remain where they were at.
Aizad leaned closer to Adam's ear, grinning viciously as he whispered, "Okay, little brother…here's what I want you to do. Summon your friends' Digivices and DigiSpheres, now!"
"WHAT? No!"
Aizad's grip on Adam's neck tightened. "Now, let's rephrase that. What were you going to say to me?"
"No…"
"I'm warning you, Adam. I might not be so lenient after this." He pressed the blunt side of the blade on Adam's neck. "Last time, I've smacked you. Who knows…this time I might kill you…" He said that with such nonchalance that it broke Adam's heart completely. What had happened to his brother?
"Take my Digivice and DigiSphere instead…"
Aizad snorted. "What the HELL am I going to do with your Digivice and DigiSphere? They're of no use to me! If I have to repeat myself one more time, your precious little Patamon will be nothing but a mere memory for you, little brother…"
Adam gasped in shock. 'He knows where Patamon is?'
Aizad laughed heartily. "Yeah, I know where Patamon is all right. He had become too nosy…luckily we managed to keep him under control."
"Is he…did you…did you harm him? Did you delete him?"
"Oh, we will IF you don't stop your INCESSANT questions and do what I've told you to do!" Aizad said viciously.
Adam raised a quivering hand towards the other DigiWira, and said, "I'm sorry, guys…DIGIVICES!! Yellow DigiSphere! Pink DigiSphere! Red DigiSphere! Blue DigiSphere!" As he said that, tears flowed out from his eyes. He felt like he was betraying his friends. Adam saw white orbs swirling around his friends, and moments later the Digivices and four glowing orbs materialized on the ground, in front of where he and Aizad were standing.
"Tsukaimon, take them all," Aizad instructed. Tsukaimon immediately flew towards the Digivices and DigiSpheres and gathered them all with his small hands. The Digivices and DigiSpheres fell out of his small hands, causing the little Rookie to swear violently. He then Digivolved into Piddomon and easily scooped all of the devices.
"You've got what you want! Now let him go!" Gayathri shouted.
"Right! Where are my manners?" Aizad chuckled, and leaned towards Adam's ears. "Thank you, my dear little brother…heh heh heh hehehehehheheh…"
Adam stiffened as Aizad's voice changed gradually with one syllable uttered. From the familiar voice it grew deeper, silkier, more menacing and echoic. He was then shoved onto the ground, landing on his face as he heard Aizad laughing loudly towards the heavens as they began to darken. Thick purple clouds appeared on what had been a clear afternoon sky. Cold, biting winds were blown out from those clouds.
Adam turned around to look at his brother, and instead received the most shocking revelation of his life. 'No…it can't be!'
The yellow star tattoo on Aizad's left chest shimmered with sickly yellow glow and Aizad began to grow in height. His tanned torso began to take a sickly dark gray hue. Dark purple furs spurted out around his legs and forearms. His legs morphed into thick horse legs and his shoes burst to let out black hooves. He hunched and black leathery wings sprouted out from his back. Finally, Aizad's rugged humanly face contorted into a bestial expression, changing into an ivory goat-like face with a pair of scarlet eyes. His ears became longer and were raised upwards at the same level of where horns began to sprout out, and his dark hair became thicker, coarser and dark purple. All the while, the yellow star on his chest never stopped glowing.
"Remember me?" the beast said with a sadistic grin after the transformation was complete.
Adam felt as if his heart had failed him. He certainly didn't expect this. He heard the other DigiWira gasped in shock.
"Mephistomon!"