Wira Digital Chapter 63: Storm Front, Part I, a digimon fanfic

Gayathri looked out of the Jeep's window as Anding drove the car down the road, taking in some last minute details of Cameron Highlands as they embarked on the journey back home. Beside her, her mother was reading a novel, while by the window her father was checking something with his PDA. Anding was constantly alert, while beside him his mother Mak Mirah was staring ahead silently. She tried not to groan; as much as she was looking forward to go home, she had just gotten a text message from a classmate of hers, reminding her about the school's midyear examination coming in a week time.

How could've I forgotten about that?

She supposed that she had good reasons to. Her best friend had passed, and she had gone through an emotional trauma for the first few days after Bel's passing. As she was slowly coping, she met Willis and he had helped her by merely relating his experience and his comforting words. After meeting him, she was able to move on, and had enjoyed several family outings with her parents. She was refreshed and ready to go back home. As for homework, she supposed that she would just have to speed up her process of catching up with them once she got back home. Then, whilst smiling softly, she thought that perhaps she could arrange a group study session with her boyfriend, and with Dina, and then the other DigiWira.

Her smile faltered. Somehow, she felt that something was amiss. Manny had sounded somewhat off for the past two days, as if something bad had happened. And he didn't actually deny it, but said that once she had gotten back home, he would tell her everything. Liu Ying had replied to her messages cordially; her messages were neutrally-toned, as if carefully revised before being sent. They were short and precise, but glaringly lacked the details about Digimon. Had they not have any fight with any evil Digimon? she thought. Adam and JD, in the meantime, were both not responding. It wasn't really odd when it was JD, who rarely responded to messages from anyone who was not Liu Ying or Adam, she supposed. But Adam…he had been somewhat quiet for the last two days. No updates on homework; no daily messages to tell her about school. And Dina was strangely quiet too.

She cast a look outside, towards the sky. It wasn't a clear day. The sky was murky, and from the distance she could see dark clouds gathering.

Storm's coming, she thought uneasily, and leaned back on her seat.

xxx

Manny entered the school library. It was his turn to be on duty by the library's counter, until three in the afternoon.

He was just about to set his bag down, when Liu Ying walked in, JD following behind her. JD looked tensed, and Liu Ying was obviously searching for him. Their eyes met, and Manny indicated towards the farthest table, by the academic book section which was usually deserted on Fridays. He excused himself from the librarian on duty – he still had ten minutes before his shift started – and briskly approached his teammates.

He didn't even need to ask JD in order to know what he was so tensed about.

"I'm telling you," said the blond teen, as he pulled a chair to sit down. "It's not like Adam to skip school if he's not sick, and guess what I found out? Kak Lisha told me that Adam did go to school, or at least, appeared to be."

"That is strange," agreed Liu Ying. "Although, if he chooses not to come, I understand, given…the news," she murmured, glancing towards JD uneasily, "but then, he stepped out of the house with the allusion of coming to school, but somehow don't end up here." She shivered, remembering her kidnapping. "I hope he's okay."

"His Digivice's signal isn't appearing on the largest scanning range," said JD. "I've checked."

"That means he must be at the Digital World," decided Manny.

"No," said JD. "I checked that too; during recess time I took a short trip there. No signal either."

Manny and Liu Ying exchanged glances, before gazing back towards the worried blond. He and Liu Ying had privately discussed the matter earlier; being classmates had made it easier. Both of them admired how JD was keeping a brave front on this matter, while also gravely saddened of the prospect of losing him. He had even attended school just to keep his family in the dark, and to avoid trouble with school. It was obvious that their blond friend was miserable, but he'd been able to pass of as simply being his usual dark and brooding self. They however, knew better.

"The only thing we can do is to ask Adam directly," said Manny finally. "I'm sure he's alright."

"It better not be the Dark Ocean again," muttered JD. "Or the past, or alternate dimensions," he added, while shooting Manny a brief look.

Manny nodded knowingly.

JD sighed. "I shouldn't have told him about the curse."

"He knew about it anyway," Liu Ying pointed out. "ChaosGallantmon…Agumon…he practically told everyone that, two days ago."

"Not everything."

Manny blinked. "What do you mean?"

"He doesn't know the whole thing about the curse," said JD, slowly. "He knows that the curse needs to be transferred to another person to save my life, but he doesn't know the exact conditions."

Liu Ying frowned. "Are you sure that's…"

"I'm sure." JD's mouth was set thin, his eyes narrowed. It was enough to make Liu Ying swallow what she was going to say earlier.

Dull silence followed, before the three DigiWira parted ways. Manny resumed working, but he couldn't concentrate on his work anymore. Something lingered in his mind. JD had missed a guess, a reasonable one, he thought, especially when both he and JD had used it previously, during their time as the ShadoWira. But he shook the thought off his mind; surely Adam wouldn't do it?

Given the situation though, Manny didn't know what to expect.

xxx

"Are you sure you're going to do this?" asked Sagittarimon, inclining his head slightly so that his gaze met Adam's.

"I'm not sure," murmured Adam, who was riding on the centaur's back. The boy cast a look behind, taking in the reddish brown sky, the dry cracked ground, and the skull-shaped bastion that stood silently around a circular crevice. The winds suddenly picked up, sending his dark hair fluttering. His face darkened. "But I'm doing this."

"I don't trust him," said Sagittarimon.

"I don't either, but…"

Adam turned back to look at him, and Sagittarimon could see that his partner was exhausted. Dark bags were prominent under the boy's eyes, making him – Sagittarimon silently thought – look like a Pandamon. Anyone could look at him now and know that he was not getting enough sleep. Indeed it was true; ever since JD returned to his house last night, he and Adam had gone to the Digital World, searching for any clues that could have led them for an alternate cure for the Blight of Bastet. They had gone to the places they have visited previously, but their search was stumped. Until earlier that morning, they had no answer, before Adam suggested coming there.

His thoughts stopped as he felt Adam leaning his head on his back, apparently drained. Of course he is, Sagittarimon thought grimly, he's just a boy, and he hasn't been sleeping since last night. And he's still recuperating, after we restored Agumon into a DigiEgg.

Sagittarimon had come to realize that for a human, Adam was still on the young side. In terms of age, they were almost the same age, but a Digimon could mature as soon as the following week after it was hatched from the DigiEgg, depending on the conditions surrounding it. Humans however did not have that kind of adaptations; their growth was gradual, physically and mentally.

Nevertheless, Adam had matured greatly due to his past experiences, but at times his defenses were lowered and he would show hints of vulnerability. As the boy's partner, Sagittarimon had witnessed several occurrences of it. It had become more pronounced, though in a good way, when Adam bonded with JD. The blond-haired DigiWira had given Adam the chance to become the boy his age once again, instead of one older than he was. As the result, Adam was happier. The aged look that Sagittarimon always saw in his eyes was replaced by a youthful mirth that more suited the boy.

Then he had been made known about JD's condition, how the older boy supposedly have only one week left to live before the curse would take full effect. Sagittarimon instantly saw the happiness in his partner evaporated. Adam seemed to have returned to his former self – the one Sagittarimon had known prior to their digivolution into Aldiyamon. The dark veiled look in his eyes had returned and the solemnity that seemed to hang heavily around him became marked. The boy was back being his silent grieving self.

Sagittarimon knew attached his partner was to his cousin. And now, despite not liking it, he knew why Adam resorted to this. As much as he hated admitting it, it was the only way left.

And therefore, he would not judge his partner for what he was doing. He would stand by Adam.

"I don't want Josh to die," whispered Adam. "Not like this…"

Sagittarimon sighed. "I know, Adam. Just…" He stopped walking, eyeing the Bakemon ghosts that were haunting the area, but have been strictly ordered to not bother them by the master of this realm. He inclined his head back slightly, feeling Adam straightening up. "Promise me one thing. Whenever you come here to keep your end of this…this bargain, I want to be here too. With you. I don't trust SkullSatamon, and I most certainly am not going to trust you to be alone here. Even though he is trapped behind that imprisonment, I still don't…" His throat suddenly became constricted, due to the vehemence of the words he had just uttered. "At least," he said, more calmly after a few seconds, "as Aldiyamon, we could drive him away if he tries anything funny."

The look on Adam's gray eyes were cold. "If he doesn't keep his end of the bargain, the deal's off."

"But Adam…what if you actually managed to do what he's told you?" asked Sagittarimon. "Are you really going to do it?"

Adam stared right inside Sagittarimon's eyes, and instantly, the centaur knew what his partner's answer would be. Adam's eyes were filled with sheer, unfaltering determination. There was no swaying him.

"As long as Josh is safe, from the curse and the untimely death…" Adam sighed, and leaned his head once more on Sagittarimon's back, "there's nothing that I won't do."

xxx

WIRA DIGITAL

Chapter 63 – Storm Front, Part I

xxx

He could barely remember how it had happened. One moment, he was walking home from school – an arrangement he and his mother had agreed upon on the days he had librarian duties at school. It wasn't a long walk, though at the same time it wasn't a short one, either. But Manny liked getting his exercises every now and then, and walking was one of the good ways to do it. The day was not even warm; it had been cloudy, but now it was a rainstorm.

Now, as Samudramon, he was battling not one, not two, but three Digimon. They had all appeared out of nowhere, right smack at the center of the town at the junction where Shawujinmon and Astamon had attacked previously. Out of the three assailants, he could only recognize one of them – Valdurmon, one of the Avian Shines. The other two he did not recognize; a massive crocodile with red scales, nearly as colossal as the municipal center, and a humanoid in leather outfit, with black wings. By quickly running through the Digimon Analyzer, he now knew their names: Leviamon and Beelzemon. For a moment, the two Digimon stayed back, watching as he had his hands full dealing with Valdurmon. He had sent out all alerts to the other Digivices – as well as Gayathri's, he had forgotten to exclude hers – and could only hold the attack off before help arrived.

Valdurmon shrieked, and shot out blinding lights towards him. He intercepted by raising walls of water from the rains, which did little to block out the attack, but managed to reduce its potency before the waters eventually gave way. Samudramon immediately fired thunderbolts to nullify the attack, and was relieved when he managed to do so. However, Valdurmon seemed to be attacking with vengeance clearly on his mind, and another wave of light struck Samudramon towards a street pole.

"Heaven's Charm!"

"Forbidden Temptation!"

Against the downpour, two streaks of pink energy waves struck Valdurmon, and Samudramon saw that help had come. MagnaAngemon, Angewomon and Rosemon were there, and with them he could at least stood a chance. MagnaAngemon had held back, while Angewomon and Rosemon both had unleashed their attacks; the male angel was doing what he could to protect the people nearby. Samudramon realized that Dr. Abu was not around; hence GuardiAngemon could not be formed – the Saintly Siblings were able to digivolve into Ultimates without the aids of their partners' Digivices.

Valdurmon attacked again, but found resistance in three Ultimates – Rosemon was a Mega, but with an Ultimate's powers. Angewomon somehow was more than an average Ultimate, which put them at near-equal level with the bestial Avian Shine. Samudramon had a hunch of what Valdurmon was going to do, but he wouldn't let the bird had his way.

He's here for Opie, Samudramon realized. And Opie's with Debbie. I can't let him go to her.

xxx

At that same moment, Debbie and her Muchomon friend were watching the battles from afar. They didn't have a clear view due to the rains, but could see streaks of colored lights moving about, fighting the invaders. They were safe, for now, but there was no telling how long Samudramon and his friends could hold Valdurmon.

"Opie, I'm scared…" said Debbie, shivering slightly due to the coldness.

Opie didn't respond. He frowned, knowing why Valdurmon was here. He also recognized the other two Digimon, and realized instantly how treacherous the situation was. Samudramon and his friends were up against THREE Mega Digimon, and as far as Opie knew, none of the good guys were Megas. The flower woman was, but apparently she had been weakened. And Aldiyamon, the only Mega Digimon in the Wira Digital team, was notably absent.

Manny's words rang in his head. It had been haunting him since the day he regained his memories. Manny told him that he would have to prove himself, in order to win his trust. Penguinmon was less than accepting, but Opie suspected that the only reason why his mirror image was preserving his judgment was due to his partner's decision. Deep down, it was plainly obvious that Penguinmon absolutely loathed him at plain sight. Penguinmon had not wanted anything to do with him. He sighed; now would be the time for him to prove himself.

"Debbie, listen to me," said Opie, as gently as he could to the very young girl. "I want you to go inside the house, and stay there with your mummy."

"Where are you going?" Debbie asked immediately. She trailed his gaze and her eyes widened in fear. She quickly grasped Opie's wings, not wanting to let him go away. "No! Don't go!"

"Your brother and Penguinmon are fighting bad Digimon," informed Opie, calmly explaining the situation to his very young friend. "I want to help them. If they lose then the bad Digimon will come here, and I have promised your brother that I will protect you and your family."

"But…I don't want you to go," said Debbie, her eyes shining. Her body shook and she began sniffling.

"Debbie..."

"I don't want you to die!" she suddenly wailed, before crying uncontrollably. Thunder rumbled and she shivered violently, her cries became more pronounced.

Opie was stunned. Why was Debbie reacting so strongly at his desire to help the Wira Digital? She was calm one moment, as she usually was; Opie hadn't known his friend to have the tendency to cry like this. It made him uneasy, but he knew that she did so out of concern. Still…

"What…what ever gives you that idea, Debbie?"

Debbie rubbed her eyes with her knuckles. The tears however just kept on flowing. With great difficulty, and amidst sobs, she told him, "Kak Gayathri's friend… was killed…. by bad Digimon… last week. Abang… told me about… it. It was…was horrible. That's why… Kak Gayathri… was away… this week. She was so… sad…"

A human? Killed? Opie was further shocked of this revelation as thunderclap rumbled once again. He – as Valkyrimon – had been sent to battle the other Wira Digital then. The Majin and Kappa Generals had instructed him and Valdurmon to do so that day, so that they could focus their attacks on one Wira Digital who the Majin General seemed to hold a personal grudge against. Fear crept in his heart; he didn't realize that the generals had killed a human that day. Nobody had informed him this.

Debbie hugged Opie, and the Digimon didn't resist. "Please don't go, Opie. I don't want you to die."

"Debbie," he said, gently pulling away. "I won't die. I promise you that."

He shone brightly in light red aura, morphing into a taller humanoid Digimon – a half man and half bird being. His humanly, muscular torso was wrapped in white leather with a chest armor over it; his sturdy legs had reddish-brown feathers, ending with deadly talons of an eagle's. A metallic visor obscured his eyes, and orange-brown hair grew out of his head.

"In this form, I'm as strong as your brother and Penguinmon, when they're Samudramon. It's too bad I can't digivolve further…" He knelt before the girl, so that he was at an eye-level with the girl whom he had grown so fond upon. "But I can give them a good fight, I'm sure." He grinned to assure Debbie that he was confident.

Debbie bought it. She stared at him with awe. Her sobbing stopped. "Opie…you look great…" She wiped her tears, and hugged her friend tight, before letting go. "Come back safely, Opie." She then leaned towards the birdman, and kissed him lightly on his cheek.

A blush crept on Opie's cheeks. He had not anticipated Debbie's kiss, but found that it wasn't so bad. "Sure. Don't worry. Now go back inside. You're going to catch a cold if you stay out here." Then he gave her a grin. "Why don't you prepare a bowl of that wonderful mushroom soup for me? I know I want it when I get back."

xxx

Today would be the day, Leviamon and Beelzemon had decided. They were well-prepared for this day. Leviamon had, of course, been quite prepared. He had full control of his Mega form, no longer having to worry about devolving into Shawujinmon in the middle of the battle. Beelzemon however, had hit a snag recently. By absorbing D'Arcmon's data he had gained even more power, but at the cost of his mind – the angel simply would not leave him in peace. Fortunately for him, Lucemon had taken cared of that matter.

Leviamon cast a sideway look, and snorted. Beelzemon was ogling the female fighters – both skimpily clad and drenched, their clothes clung tight to their bodies. Clearly the leather-clad demon wanted to join the fray so badly. Leviamon stopped him; they were powerful, but it was best if they conserved their energy for the whole Wira Digital team. But Persiamon's tactic had left the Wira Digital one warrior short, but they had been joined by powerful allies as of late. Valkyrimon's betrayal was quite a surprising blow – their enemies now had another Mega Digimon as an ally. However, the turncoat's ability to evolve into Mega would have been wiped out when he renounced his allegiance to them. He would be back in his Ultimate form only. And that Rosemon, and the Saintly Siblings, were all Ultimate-level threats.

However, it would be better for Valdurmon alone to take care of the side threats. Xianamon had joined the battle, now blasting Valdurmon with golden energy waves, combined with Angewomon's arrow of light, MagnaAngemon's sword attack, Rosemon's energy blast and Samudramon's strongest thunder-based power. The attacks all merged into one and slammed onto Valdurmon soundly, pushing him back. Yet the bird screamed, as a streak of crimson light was approaching the battlefield from a distance. The light died down, and Leviamon let out a chuckle.

"The turncoat's here," said Beelzemon. Valdurmon let out a shriek and charged towards Silphymon – Valkyrimon's devolved form. "Why is he not in his Mega form?"

"The price for turning back on us," said Leviamon simply. Valdurmon and Silphymon both soared up towards the sky, engaged in a fierce battle which was partially obscured by the storm clouds. He then saw the two Wira Digital and their allies heading towards them.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Xianamon.

"Don't recognize us?" Beelzemon asked smugly. He pretended to look around. "Where's that pretty Wira Digital, huh? She and I still need to get some stuff settled."

"YOU!" Rosemon shouted, apparently recognized him. She unfurled her whip and with a raged howl, she slashed the whip towards Beelzemon. "Murderer! Thorn Whip!"

"Easy, sugar," said Beelzemon, and raised an arm. The thorny vine wrapped around it, but smirking, the biker demon gave it a slight pull, pulling Rosemon towards him. "Wow," he said, eyes glinted lecherously, staring towards his opponent's well-endowed body. "You're even hotter up close! What say you and I…"

Rosemon booted Beelzemon's gut and clawed his face with her gloved fingers before yanking back her trapped vine. She paid no heed to Beelzemon's comment, knowing that he was only goading her so that she would lose focus. "You'll pay for what you have done to D'Arcmon and her partner! Roses Rapier!"

Beelzemon quickly raised his large blaster and the vine was deflected back. He smirked. "Is that all you got, honey? Come on, how about you do that naked attack of yours, hmm? I'm so looking forward for that…"

Rosemon growled and charged towards Beelzemon, her palm raised high as if wanting to slap him. Beelzemon withdrew from his companion, and Rosemon followed suit, unleashing her Thorn Whip and Roses Rapier alternately towards the demon, who easily deflected the attacks.

Leviamon found himself cornered by the remaining four fighters. They were about to charge, but Leviamon merely leaped forward and opened his massive maw, revealing formidable rows of sharp fangs lined neatly inside his oral cavity. He reached towards Samudramon before shutting the maw. Samudramon retreated, and his maw had gotten nothing, but he didn't mind. He was just playing around, for now. With a guttural growl he swirled around, and slammed his tails towards all of them, sending them flying towards the large building before him.

xxx

Adam entered his apartment with trepidation, slightly drenched. His dark hair was matted down, waters trickling down the sides of his face, as if he had just gotten out of the shower.

He instantly saw Alisha and JD, both had simultaneously gotten up from the sofas upon his entrance. His sister had her hands on her hips, JD's arms were crossed over his chest. They both were looking at him pointedly. Adam glanced at the clock, which showed 4.00 P.M. He was late. Intimidated, he waited for what his sister and cousin were going to say to him. From the looks on their faces, they seemed to be very worried.

"Where were you?" Alisha asked. "You should've been home about two hours ago."

Adam frowned lightly, before his eyes fell on JD. JD obviously knew that he had skipped school, but it seemed that his sister didn't. He tried suppressing a yawn – having not slept for nearly twenty four hours were taking its toll on him.

"Never mind that now," interrupted JD. "There's an attack, near Taipan and the municipal council. It's a big one." His shoulders sagged as his hand ran over his Juara Digivice, clipped over his Bermudas. "Agumon's still a DigiEgg."

Adam nodded weakly. He was tired, nearing fatigue. But he didn't argue. He placed his schoolbag down. "I'm going."

"Be careful," said Alisha, nodding worriedly. "I've sent Angewomon and MagnaAngemon earlier."

"C'mon," said JD, sliding across the living room towards Adam. "I'll go with you."

Adam could feel his cousin's concern when JD placed a hand on his shoulder. The two exited the apartment and JD closed the door, his eyes never leaving Adam.

"Alright. Spill. Where were you?" JD demanded.

Adam took a step away, thus breaking contact with his cousin. "Didn't you say that there's a battle? I should get going."

"In a minute." JD reached out and grabbed his shoulder. "Where. Were. You?"

Adam frowned. He didn't want to say anything about what he had found from SkullSatamon; JD wouldn't like him going to SkullSatamon at all. "I was at the Digital World. I'll tell you all about it later, right now I need to get going." Before JD could protest, he shrugged JD's hand off his shoulder and teleported away, alone.

"What…? Damn it, ADAM!"

He could hear JD's incensed remark as he disappeared. He didn't care. Without Agumon, he couldn't let JD join the battle. He didn't want his cousin to be harmed in any way, and he knew his cousin. JD would charge face-on in battle, and he could get himself hurt. Adam wasn't willing to let that happen.

It would put his effort into waste.

xxx

"Back off, Valdurmon!"

Opie hovered over the dark storm clouds whilst staring towards his bigger opponent. Lightning flashed, followed by thunders. "Go back to the Digital World!" he shouted.

"How dare you?" shrieked Valdurmon, flapping his great wings. "Traitor!"

"I've found where I belonged," Opie returned. "Debbie is more than just my friend. I could feel it."

"HAH!" Valdurmon snorted, and sent torrents of light wave towards Opie.

Opie engulfed himself with crimson light and tore through the light wave. He gasped when his body was slightly singed by the burnish light. He heaved his breaths slowly, trying to ease the pain from the burns. He realized that he was at a severe disadvantage, with him in his Silphymon form.

He and Yatagaramon – the Ultimate form of Valdurmon – had ruled the skies of the eastern Digital World three hundred years back, before Grademon sealed them. Upon escaping, the Kappa and Majin Generals had granted them power to further evolve into their final forms, which they knew they would have, for the name they had donned together perfectly fit their Mega forms. He had never expected that he would end up beaten by the Wira Digital, had his memories suppressed momentarily, and in that moment of vulnerability, befriended a little girl and her family who then took him in and nursed him back to health. That time, he had felt very grateful for their help, and had grown fond of them, especially of Debbie whom had eagerly befriended him. That did not change when his memory returned, and Opie was glad for it. His past deeds still remained in his mind, but they were nowhere as strong as the fondness he was now feeling for Debbie.

"I cannot believe you're allying yourself to those lowly humans!" Valdurmon shouted.

"And here I thought it's already clear enough," said Opie.

"The DigiWira and the Penguinmon, they don't even believe you! I saw it on their faces when I went to the house!"

"It doesn't matter. Debbie believes in me. I'll do anything for her…even if it's fighting you!"

"How dare you? Have you forgotten the pledge we've both taken, when we formed the Avian Shines?"

"I have not, and I regret breaking it," said Opie, before looking distinctly thoughtful. Then he shook his head. "No. On second thought, I don't. But, I have taken a stronger oath. It's not official, but I can feel that it is inevitable. The bond between a human and a Digimon is a bond higher than any bond any Digimon could have come up with. It's our ultimate destiny."

"I see," said Valdurmon darkly. "You still have not let go of your idealistic dream, after all these years. I thought, long ago, that when you bypassed your Halsemon form, you would lose that naiveté. It was cumbersome, having you – a Halsemon so strong, yet so childish – to be my equal, but I was glad that you grew more focused when we both achieved Ultimates. I had known, at the time, that soon your potential would precede your hopeless desire. How unfortunate; it seems that the blow I have inflicted on you that night only have reawakened it."

"Say what you want, Valdurmon. You and I have flown the same path once," Opie paused, bemused, "but I have found where I truly belonged."

"In that case," Valdurmon snarled. "We fight to kill."

xxx

Despite the storm, the battle between Rosemon and Beelzemon had just grown more heated. Rosemon was able to deliver blows one after another, but she soon realized that Beelzemon still had the upper hand. The demon was simply toying with her. Not once had he attacked her; he'd just goad her and laugh as she became more and more flustered.

But she wasn't about to give up. This demon had killed D'Arcmon and her human partner. Rosemon knew that her own partner would want to see justice served to this demon, and she would only be too happy to do it for her. This demon had even absorbed D'Arcmon's data. Rosemon knew all along, that even if Beelzemon hadn't absorbed the data, her friend would not be reconfigured as the same Digimon she was. There was hope for her to be reconfigured as the same D'Arcmon she had known all those years, decades, centuries… but when the general killed young Belinda Foo as well, all hope was lost. D'Arcmon was effectively dead as well, as Ophanimon had been. Had she not been partnered to Dina – and how grateful she was because of that – she would have committed suicide out of grief.

"Old woman, you're slowing down," Beelzemon chuckled.

"I'll show you!" Rosemon snapped. "Forbidden Temptation!"

Beelzemon whistled. "Now that's more like it!" he leered, and didn't make any attempt to shield himself. The blast of flowery energy slammed upon his chest, but it didn't even faze him, not even when Rosemon was not showing any sign of letting up.

"Transcendent Purification!"

However, a blast of pure light was able to force Beelzemon away. He yelled as the light sent him tumbling in midair.

Rosemon glanced sideways and saw Aldiyamon Juara Mode, his mouth grimly set. "Another Demon Lord…" he muttered.

"Ah…finally a Digimon of my equal standing!" laughed Beelzemon, brushing dusts off his jacket. He pointed his blaster carelessly towards Aldiyamon, sneering as the angel attempted to defend himself before moving the blaster towards the shops of Taipan Triangle business center. "Heh, heh. Fooled ya! Chaos Flare!"

Aldiyamon gasped and waved his right hand towards the beam. The stream of purple destroying beam was surrounded by swirls of white orbs before it vanished into thin air. Beelzemon looked clearly affronted, and was about to send another attack before a sphere of condensed energy appeared in Aldiyamon's hands, glowing purple at first before it was transformed to pure white. With a loud grunt he sent the sphere frontward and it burst into powerful explosion of pure energy, slamming upon Beelzemon.

Rosemon sailed forward, over the streams of energy unleashed by Aldiyamon, and wielded out her vine. "Roses Rapier!"

She had aimed to attack Beelzemon's head, and smiled in satisfaction when it struck Beelzemon's helmet with a loud clang. Beelzemon roared in pain and immediately shrugged off the attack from Aldiyamon by deflecting it with his blaster. He stared towards her, teeth bared in fury before making way towards her. She lashed out by calling for her Thorn Whip, but Beelzemon slashed the vine away with his deadly claws, before with a determined snarl he slashed towards Rosemon's exposed body, right over her bosom, spewing out light green liquid from the wound.

"AAAGGHH!!" Rosemon's pained howl echoed all around.

"Rosemon!" Aldiyamon cried out, and snatched her limping body. He took out his sword and slashed it in midair. "Heavenstar Slasher!"

Beelzemon evaded the incoming energy blade, and drew an energy pentagram with rapid succession. He then shot energy spheres through the center of the pentagram, and each shot that went through the demonic symbol seemed to have amplified in power and capacity. Rains of intense energy spheres went towards Aldiyamon and Rosemon, and all Aldiyamon could do was to teleport himself and Rosemon away. Seeing this, Beelzemon threw his head back and laughed…

...until a sharp streak of arrow slashed through his shoulder. Purple liquid burst out from the wound. He turned back and saw that Aldiyamon had teleported up behind him. Rosemon had been teleported away, out of sight. It was now a battle between him and Aldiyamon.

xxx

Aldiyamon charged forward, but was suddenly halted when a burst of emotion flowed in his head. It seemed to be coming from Beelzemon, yet it wasn't Beelzemon's.

Help me!

A woman's voice. He hadn't heard it before, but now, he was hearing it.

A shadow loomed over him. He looked up, saw Beelzemon ready to claw him, and teleported out of sight. As Beelzemon's claws struck empty air Aldiyamon reappeared behind the demon. Beelzemon swiftly turned around and attempted to strike him again, but this time Aldiyamon was prepared. He seized both of Beelzemon's wrists and for a moment the demon lord attempted to overpower him. Aldiyamon felt himself fatigued; he was already not at his best, and the voice grew stronger in his mind. And as it grew stronger, it also grew more and more familiar…

Aldiyamon, help!

Something clicked in his mind. D'Arcmon?

Beelzemon snarled towards him. "Perhaps I should just kill you, like I did to that girl and her angel partner, hmm? I hate angels."

"Not today, and too bad," snapped Aldiyamon. "Transcendent Purification!!"

Beelzemon screamed and was blasted away by the attack. Aldiyamon charged forward and sent out his Heavenstar Slasher which knocked on Beelzemon's helmeted head. A loud clang was heard, but Aldiyamon was not relenting. D'Arcmon's voice was growing stronger in his head, and he knew he was doing it right. Injure Beelzemon, that's what I have to do. He's too strong with D'Arcmon's data, but… He summoned out his crossbow and let out the Radiant Star Blaster, followed by the Shower, and a series of Hunters.

The demon lord's scream grew louder, and Aldiyamon saw golden data leaked out from a wound from his shoulder, pierced by one of the Radiant Star Hunters. The data soared high, and Aldiyamon blinked when Beelzemon seemed to phase out of sight. Or rather, his wings and blaster were. The rest of him remained intact.

Thank you, Aldiyamon… D'Arcmon's voice was faint, but it also sounded content.

Aldiyamon smiled. But then his smile evaporated. He had been distracted.

Amidst the heavy rains and the occasional flashes of lightning, Aldiyamon had lost track of his foe.

Beelzemon had vanished out of sight.

xxx

"I swear, when I see Adam, I'll…" JD muttered, clutching his chest. A dull pain rose in his chest and he panted. He had been running from Adam's apartment to the site of battle, and as a result he was now soaking wet. Damned curse, it's only a less than a mile run!

He squinted. There was a familiar girl under a red umbrella, staying hidden behind a car. She saw him coming, and made a motion to offer JD to share her umbrella, but before they could do so Rosemon materialized before Dina, injured.

"Rosemon!" Dina quickly knelt by the flower woman. Her umbrella was thrown to the sides, abandoned.

"Damn…" JD stared at the deep gash across Rosemon's chest. "Rosemon, you feeling alright?"

A sound landing was heard not far from them. A person in black was crouching slightly, seemingly done to break his fall. Then he stood up, clutching a wound on his shoulder before grinning maliciously towards them. Three bloodshot eyes burned their gazes upon them.

"Beelzemon!"

Rosemon snarled and struggled to get up. JD quickly helped her up by putting her arm on his shoulders, supporting it with one hand while the other was propped on the farther side of her waist. Dina joined in on the Mega's other side. With the teens' help Rosemon was able to stand up properly.

Rosemon's mouth curled into a mocking smile as she shot the demon a glare. "What did Aldiyamon do to you? Ripped you off your wings and precious blaster?"

"A minor setback," said Beelzemon, brandishing two black guns towards Rosemon and the DigiWira. "With your data, I'll get those back and more. D'Arcmon had been a Champion, but you…you're a Mega. Much more data for me to consume."

Rosemon gasped. "Dina, JD…run!"

"The hell I would!" JD's fist flared with deep crimson aura. He shot a glance towards Dina. "Dina, get out of here!"

"But…" Dina was evidently scared, but she wasn't moving. Before long, her face reflected the intensity JD was showing, and she clasped Rosemon's hand tight. "I'm not leaving too. Rosemon…you're my partner. This demon…killed Bel…"

Beelzemon snorted. "Oh, move on already!" He clicked his guns. "Fine. If you two measly humans won't leave this woman with me, then I guess it's three at one go!"

Rosemon stood before the two teens, shoving both JD and Dina behind her. "You will not harm them! Over my dead body!"

"That can be arranged." Beelzemon was about to click the triggers, but was stopped short when a blast of light slammed him from the back. An arrow struck his hands with deadly precision, throwing the guns off them. Beelzemon fell on his knees, cursing vehemently as he looked up. Instantly he winced as rains got into his eyes.

Aldiyamon, glowing radiantly, was fixing an arrow of light towards him warningly. One move from the demon, and he would shoot the arrow.

Beelzemon snorted. "Heh. Didn't hurt…"

"Perfect timing," said JD, his earlier attention to snap at his cousin forgotten. For now, he was glad of Aldiyamon's presence. Later, he thought, he'd strangle Adam for leaving him so abruptly.

Swirls of golden data suddenly showered over Rosemon. The winds picked up and her cape was blown against JD and Dina. Both teens backed away slowly, as the data formed an apparition of someone familiar. "Whoa…" said JD, when the apparition became more opaque. There was no mistaking her.

Rosemon froze with shock, a tear trailed down her wet cheek. "D'Arcmon, how…"

"Rosemon, take my data," implored the ghostly D'Arcmon. "Take my data to heal yourself, and to restore your power!"

"What?" Rosemon exclaimed, taken aback. "I cannot do that! I simply can't! You can't ask me to do that!"

D'Arcmon gave Rosemon a wistful smile. "You must, dear sister…I insist…"

Beelzemon chuckled. "Oh, it's the angel. Come to daddy…" He was about to advance, raising his hand towards D'Arcmon, before retracting it back with a hiss as a light arrow nearly cut through it. The arrow tore a hole onto the tarred road inches away from Beelzemon. The demon snorted and was forced to remain on his knees. He rolled sideways when an arrow threatened to cut his knees, cursing, as Aldiyamon stared towards him with hatred.

"If you don't take it, HE will!" D'Arcmon insisted. "And his power will rise to greater heights with my data in him! Take my data, Rosemon! It is my wish!"

"But…D'Arcmon…"

"I won't be reconfigured," said D'Arcmon sadly, as she looked at Dina, who was crying. A golden tear fell from her face too. "I have died when Belinda died that day. You, Rosemon…you must take my data, and regain your Mega-level power in order to fight this demon. Do it, before he does!"

Rosemon choked a sob as she raised one hand. D'Arcmon shimmered and combusted into data once again. The golden data swirled around Rosemon and began closing up her wound, before slowly transforming her outfit. Her rose-red outfit and tiara turned snowy white, her green cape shifted into lustrous pink with a distinct glimmer radiating about it. Her vines became thicker and turned ebony-black. The Tifaret jewel on her chest let out a brilliant pink shine, and the remaining swirls of data morphed into seven more pink orbs that were similar with the jewel, all orbiting around her. Rosemon felt a power within her, the power she had thought she lost when she stepped out of the Lost Mountain. Her Mega powers had been restored, with some differences in her form. "Rosemon, Burst Mode!!"

xxx

Gayathri was growing restless. She had received a signal on her Digivice, coming from Manny. Then Anding switched on the radio, and the first thing they all heard was the massive attack on Subang Jaya. The newscaster had mentioned that it was an attack as big as the one that took place at KLCC Park not too long before. And her heart stopped cold when she'd heard about the exact location of the Digimon attack. The newscaster proceeded by describing the total damages inflicted on the battle site, and another anchorwoman – Gayathri thought that her voice was very familiar, before realizing that she was actually Rita Kaur – was describing the battle in depth. Then, a discreet cough was heard from her father and Anding instantly switched off the radio. Too late, nevertheless.

"Stop the car," said Gayathri. "Now!"

Anding hit the brakes instantly. The Jeep came to a complete halt.

"Gayathri, honey…" her mother said, befuddled. "Where are you going?"

"I need to go there," said Gayathri intensely. "There's a huge battle, and my friends need my help."

"No." Her father fidgeted on his seat, but by putting away his PDA to look at her, Gayathri knew that her father wanted to have a say in this. "Don't go, Gayathri. Remember what happened…"

"That's precisely why I need to go!" Gayathri opened the back door and stepped out. The road was not totally deserted, but Gayathri waited until the car behind them and the lorry behind the said car moved past them before whipping out her Juara Digivice and released Floramon. "So that nobody else has to go through what I've gone through. So that no other family has to go through what Bel's family has gone through."

Her parents followed suit immediately. Then Anding and Mak Mirah joined them.

"But honey, that's…that's a traumatic experience for you. Surely, you need rest."

Gayathri shook her head fervently. "No. I have rested enough. I have recuperated long enough. It just kills me not knowing what's going on back home. Even my friends won't tell me what's been going on. I'm done being sheltered….it helps a lot, really it does, and I really appreciate it…but it's not something that I want. It's just like running away from reality…"

The Nadarajah pair looked at each other. Gayathri knew that they had hoped that she would stop involving herself in battles anymore. She knew they had been worried ever since they were made known of her dual identity, but they had kept silence about it. But the recent attack had hit just too close to home, literally speaking. Gayathri knew that her parents had had enough.

"But…"

"No buts," said Gayathri, with the intensity that she had never displayed during her recuperative period. "I know I'm needed. If the reporter's right, if the attack on our home town is as big as the one at KLCC, then it will require ALL of us to put a stop to it. Beating Puaka Generals was hard enough, and the reporter mentioned that there are three Digimon on the loose. As Puspamon I can reach there far quicker than this car, I have super speed and…"

"But, honey, what if you're…"

"I won't," said Gayathri. "I won't let myself be killed by that murderer. He must be stopped at all cost. I need to do this, so that he won't kill anyone, anymore." She took a deep breath. "I'm not going to be on my own. Everyone else is already there. Together, we'll put a stop on this." She stared at her parents, flailing her arms in frustration when her parents seemed to be not budging from their decision. She sighed. "If you don't allow me to go…I'm going anyway."

Her mother sighed back. "There's no stopping you, is it?"

"No."

"You're our only child, Gayathri," her father said intensely. "We've tried so hard not to stop you from endangering your life, so many times… We both understand that this is your calling. But how could we just let our only daughter run off to face such a dangerous task, and the only thing we could do is watch?"

"If it were you who have gotten this call," said Gayathri slowly, "would you leave the fight, before knowing that it's over?" She looked up, meeting her father's forbidding gaze.

Mr. and Mrs. Nadarajah sighed. They gazed at her. She returned it without blinking.

Then, her father sighed, finally relenting. "I wish I could protect you from all these." He moved forward and embraced his daughter. "But I understand. We understand."

"And we're very, very proud of you," added Mrs. Nadarajah tearfully, and joined the embrace. "Return to us safely, honey."

"I will. Thank you for understanding..."

Gayathri felt tears trickling out her eyes. Then she let go of the embrace, and just as quickly her parents pulled away. Anding and Mak Mirah both gave her encouraging smiles while Floramon nodded.

She raised her Digivice up high, called out the evolution cry, and in a flurry of pink flowery windstorm Puspamon was born.