Wira Digital Chapter 79: The Heirs of Grademon, Part I, a digimon fanfic

Going through a path of glowing light, Reapermon saw a speck of light at the end of the line. He chuckled and sped towards it.

It had taken him five days to master the Gateway as described by the Nine Negations Dark Arts left by the Hellion General. He couldn't open a Digiport without a Digivice, but the portal was a good enough substitute. He'd considered learning the other arts – the Distorting Time and Space, for instance, would be a good addition to his current power – but decided against it for it would require more time for him. Lucemon, one with a sharp mind, hadn't been able to fully master it despite spending weeks on it – the main reason why he had failed. Hadn't the Hellion General been transported back in time himself, victory would already be theirs.

No point in rushing, he thought, I have all the time I need after I tie up some loose ends.

Reapermon had then decided to learn all the arts once he had destroyed the remaining obstacle – the heirs of Grademon. Then, with his powers and the Nine Negations in his hands, he could even beat the Guardian Beasts and take their place as the guardians. He could even destroy Dragomon, the master of the Dark Ocean dimension, and seek control of the Digital World's parallel dimension. And then, he could move forward to take over the fabled Real World.

He flew out from the portal's exit and instantly found himself in the midst of an abandoned city. Not too far ahead was a glowing dome, and around there hovered five Digimon.

Three Royal Knights, one Ancient Ten and an Angel? He thought, smiling to himself. Perfect. I can actually test my new powers. Omnimon and Imperialdramon Fighter Mode are powerful, both being Class 2s and Royal Knights. Marvelous. He took note of the other Digimon. That looks like a variant of Ancient Irismon, and the angel is Dominimon, an Angel just one rank lower than the Celestial Three. And the third Royal Knight, he's only a Golden Armored.

"Someone's coming!" He heard Omnimon alerting the others. This Omnimon must be the leader of this pack, he assumed. It was obvious from the way the knight regarded the others.

"Who's that?" The variant form of Ancient Irismon asked.

"Obviously a bad guy," answered Imperialdramon instantly.

"Everyone be careful! I sense great powers coming from him." He snorted; Dominimon seemed to have the innate ability to sense other Digimon's power. Like that was going to help him, he thought snidely. All of them have dual voices…which mean that they're DNA digivolved.

"You have no business here," he said calmly. "I'm here to tie some loose ends."

"Just who are you?" demanded Omnimon.

This isn't going to be easy. "Reapermon," he entertained. "It's no use trying to fight me. You'll find that your powers and mine are greatly disparate. All of you are no Class 3 Mega."

"Class 3 Mega?" Imperialdramon asked. "What the heck is that?"

"I've heard of such classification," said Irismon darkly. "Myotismon's mentioned it to me when I...well I mean Gatomon…was in his army. Class 1 is regular Megas such as myself and Dominimon. Class 2 and 3 are levels that are beyond the regular Mega level. Omnimon and Imperialdramon Fighter Mode are Class 2s – Omnimon because you're a fusion of two Megas and Imperialdramon, you're a stronger mode for your Dragon Mode. Imperialdramon Paladin Mode would fit as a Class 3.

"And this Reapermon claims that he's a Class 3. Frankly, I don't think that even the Guardian Beasts have reached that level…" finished the bird-woman.

"An interesting enlightenment," said Reapermon. "Unfortunately I'm not here for lessons in digivolution levels. You all can either step aside…"

"Like we're going to do that!" said Imperialdramon. "You're obviously the DigiWira's enemy."

"They've fought lots of villains this day alone, and two are currently fighting that demoness Lilithmon," said Dominimon, summoning out a blade-shaped beam out of the bracelet on his right wrist. "They have their hands full. We will fight you instead!"

"Just as I've expected," said Reapermon, undeterred. "You just can't help but to meddle on things that aren't your concern. Very well then…"

"He's gonna attack!" cried Rapidmon, as Reapermon's scythe blade glowed scarlet.

"Of course, you silly rabbit. Surely you don't expect a social call? Skull Whirlwind!"

He watched with deep satisfaction as a red tornado with glowing skulls and energy blades enveloped the Digimon that were standing in his way. The blades slashed them relentlessly while the skulls let out fireballs that blasted upon their armors, and they couldn't protect themselves well for the whirlwind was hindering their moves. Before long, Rapidmon devolved into a Terriermon, followed soon by Irismon and Dominimon who were reduced to a Gatomon, a Hawkmon, a Patamon and an Armadillomon. Being small and light the devolved Digimon were thrown out of the whirlwind before multicolored beams engulfed them, pulling them away. Imperialdramon and Omnimon in the mean time persevered, their armors smoking.

"SUPREME CANNON!" Omnimon shot an orb of focused energy that wiped out several skulls and energy blades.

"POSITRON LASER!" Imperialdramon followed suit by blasting a violet energy beam from the cannon on his arm.

"It's no use," laughed Reapermon, as the two attacks were sent off course by his flaming hurricane. But then the hurricane itself was nullified, and an explosion of power resulted. "Oh…I might have underestimated you two a little."

"A little, eh?" A blade sprang out from Omnimon's WarGreymon-arm. "You're going to eat your words once I'm through with you. Transcendent Sword!"

"Splendor Blade!" Imperialdramon tailed the other Royal Knight close, sword glowing with blue aura.

Reapermon snickered. "I'm in the mood for some dance, as in Skull Dance!"

He sped ahead with unimaginable speed, his scythe blade charged with power as he hacked his way past Omnimon – tearing the knight's cape into shreds in the process – as he slammed his blade onto Imperialdramon's thick armor. Using the dragon knight's bigger stature he planted his feet on the knight's body, using it to propel himself towards Omnimon from the back. Extending his cannon arm forward, he called out, "Serpent Flame Purgatory!"

Flaming serpents were vomited out from the cannon, two coiled around Omnimon as he turned back rapidly, having three serpents around Imperialdramon. The serpents hissed and began corroding their armors. The knights tried hard to break free but that only made the serpents tightening their grasps around them.

Reapermon laughed. "It's been a while since I have this much fun!"

"Fun time's over, unfortunately." The dragon head that formed Imperialdramon's armor opened its mouth, and a cannon jutted out from it. "GIGA DEATH!!"

The serpents around him were instantly pulverized, just as Omnimon's body burned with holy light that repelled the serpents. They quickly pointed their cannons towards Reapermon and blasted two streams of ferocious light towards him. Utilizing the Skull Dance he was able to evade the attacks, but the two knights had advanced upon him with their blades. Omnimon made a slash, releasing a beam of light in its wake that clashed against his scythe blade. Before he could recover from the attack Imperialdramon blasted the Giga Death that sent him crashing against an abandoned skyscraper, his weight causing the building to crumble over him. Yet his armored body had protected him and he flew out from the boulders, setting the fallen building ablaze. The flames rapidly spread towards the other buildings, causing the knights to be alarmed.

"We have to finish this quickly!"

"I'm with you! POSITRON LASER!"

"I'm tired of this," said Reapermon and evaded the blast, causing it to streak all the way towards the sky before ending with a firework as a result of Imperialdramon pulling it back. He aimed his cannon towards the two knights and began sending volleys of fireballs infused with dark matter towards the two knights. The fireballs didn't seem to affect Omnimon much – the Royal Knight in white had holy attribute that repelled the fireballs – but they managed to overwhelm Imperialdramon, who relied on strength and endurance alone to resist the fireballs. Realizing that Imperialdramon, despite his bigger stature, was the weaker knight, Reapermon focused his attacks on him first.

"Let's see…how about a souvenir from Seraphimon!" He ceased fire, before joining his hand and blade together, summoning seven dark orbs around him. "SEVEN HELLS!"

The dark orbs streaked towards Imperialdramon and blasted upon him one by one at the exact same spot. At the fourth blast Imperialdramon began to glow, the rest were intercepted by Omnimon's blade as Imperialdramon separated into a Veemon and a Wormmon, before they were engulfed by beams of blue and purple that withdrew them from the battle scene.

"Looks like it's just you and me now," Reapermon chuckled, gazing upon Omnimon. "You've seen what happened to your friends. Why don't you just give up?"

"Obviously you haven't fought the Digidestined before," said Omnimon, eyes glinting righteously. "Here's a heads-up: we never give up!"

"Typical," said Reapermon, simply amusing himself as he egged on the Royal Knight. "This isn't even your battle. I'm here only for the DigiWira, not you."

"The DigiWira are our ally; that makes it our battle too!" Baited, Omnimon flew towards him, sword charged with holy power. "Enough talking! Time to say so long!"

Sucker, thought Reapermon gleefully as he infused dark power into his blade while sending dark fireballs to halt Omnimon. The Royal Knight hacked through the fireballs and pointed his cannon in swift motion that Reapermon hadn't anticipated. The crackling energy orb from Omnimon's Supreme Cannon knocked the winds out of him, but aside from chipping off a very small part of his armor he was unhurt. He unleashed the Skull Whirlwind towards Omnimon, once again enveloping him in a flaming tornado before following up with the Seven Hells which further added to the potency of his tornado. Omnimon was blasted from all sides with dark orbs, fireballs and energy blades, and a second wave of the Seven Hells proved to be too much for Omnimon to handle.

"So long," Reapermon said snidely, as Omnimon devolved into an Agumon and a Gabumon. The two Rookies were engulfed in beams of orange and azure that pulled them away to safety.

Gazing through the barrier, he saw the advanced forms of Aldiyamon and Satriamon combining their attacks against Lilithmon, who seemed to have mutated. The attacks devolved Lilithmon back into Persiamon, and the two Wira Digital devolved as well. An exchange of conversation between the JD boy and Persiamon took place before the two DigiWira walked away from Persiamon.

"Fool. Why not take that chance to finish off the Virago General? Looks like I have to destroy her myself."

He aimed his cannon towards the barrier. "And now to destroy this Shield of Waja…SERPENT FLAME PURGATORY!"

Instead of fiery serpents all the cannon spewed out were torrents of dark flames which engulfed the whole barrier with one fluid motion. Reapermon followed the attack up with the Skull Whirlwind and the Seven Hells, and the barrier exploded into data particles.

xxx

WIRA DIGITAL: Finale

Chapter 79 – The Heirs of Grademon, Part I

xxx

The DigiWira had gotten a message from the Japanese Digidestined, who had been just outside the barrier. They were alerted of a demonic being defeating their Mega-level partners single-handedly before destroying the barrier. A quick consultation with the Digimon Analyzer, and the DigiWira realized that they were now facing SkullSatamon in his strongest form of Reapermon.

"Bloody hell," swore JD.

Manny frowned, worried. "How are we going to beat him when we can't digivolve?"

"All we have left are Aldiyamon and Satriamon," said Liu Ying. "A Class 2 and a Class 1 Megas. Reapermon had trashed three regular Megas and two Class 2s."

They then saw how Reapermon fixed his attention towards the fallen Virago General first instead of them. Persiamon suddenly looked panicked and attempted scrambling up her feet. However she obviously had been too weakened, for she collapsed onto the ground once again. Nonetheless she got back up on all fours and tried crawling away from him. She fell back onto the ground after four steps, looking desperate to run away, while Reapermon seemed to be taking his sweet time.

"What is he doing?" Dina asked.

"He's reaping what he's sowed," answered Adam.

"No way," said JD. "We can't let him kill Persiamon! He's gonna be at full power if she's dead."

Adam nodded and teleported Persiamon away, but due to his distrust towards the Virago General for the grief she had caused him, he didn't teleport her too far away from Reapermon, yet far enough from Reapermon's reach. A chilling draft ran down his spine when Reapermon turned his skull head to face him. The eyeless sockets gleamed with flames and a hideous smile formed on his skull face, but he said nothing.

An idea crossed his mind. He had yet to explore two techniques in Aldiyamon Burst Mode's arsenal; both were support techniques which could be of help greatly in this time and place. His eyes met his partner's and an unspoken agreement was reached.

Burst Access Digivolution, HAAAA!!

Aldiyamon, Burst Mode!

Aldiyamon Burst Mode appeared in a column of bright white light that shone all the way towards the dark night sky. He saw his friends looking at him with wonder, and his cousin brother was reaching for his own Digivice to digivolve. "Wait, Josh," he intoned. "Not yet."

"What do you have in mind?"

"This. Radiant Salvation."

Underneath his visor he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. The pillar of light around him burst into a glowing firebird which let out a soulful screech before wrapping its wings around all of them, core and honorary members both. Aldiyamon saw glows coming from their Digivices, and from the Digimon he sensed their energies returning. The Radiant Salvation might not be able to heal, but it was a potent enough rejuvenation technique. Murmurs of excitement ensued as Aldiyamon kept a watchful eye on Reapermon.

"It's time," he said. "Digivolve now, while I'll hold Reapermon off."

He flew forward and took a stance as Reapermon unleashed a fiery tornado that was coming his way. With his enhanced power, he shifted the flaming windstorm towards the abandoned buildings area to buy time for his friends to digivolve. The building crumbled and Aldiyamon winced, but it was the only thing he could do to buy some time.

JD, Manny, Liu Ying and Gayathri raised their Juara Digivices. Juara Access Digivolution, HAAAA!!

Satriamon, Juara Mode!

Samudramon, Juara Mode!

Xianamon, Juara Mode!

Puspamon, Juara Mode!

Xianamon stepped up beside Aldiyamon. "Elegant Barriers!"

A series of no less than a dozen rectangular barriers materialized before them, shielding them further from Reapermon's incoming attack that looked eerily similar to Seraphimon's Seven Hells. Having fought Seraphimon, Aldiyamon knew how devastating this technique was, especially when with one blow seven of Xianamon's barriers combusted into data; each dark orb had destroyed one Elegant Barrier.

"He's so strong," gasped Xianamon, waving her hands in a sweeping motion again. "Elegant Barriers!"

More barriers shielded them from Reapermon, giving time for the honoraries to join the battle.

Lalamon warp-digivolve to…Rosemon!

Muchomon warp-digivolve to…Valkyrimon!

Gatomon…Salamon…warp DNA-digivolve to….GuardiAngemon!

Aldiyamon found himself now flanked by seven Mega Digimon as Reapermon took down several more Elegant Barriers. It was time for his second support technique; one that would boost his friends' endurance level. Liu Ying had mentioned how only Omnimon and Imperialdramon survived Reapermon's first attack, and that was because they were both Class 2 Megas – a level he was now in. He had to do something, and this was when this would come in handy.

Orbs of light coalesced around his left arm and a firebird-shaped shield materialized. Aldiyamon raised the shield towards the sky and called out: "Deistic Aurora!"

The shield disintegrated into data which then formed a thin line of silver light over them. It glimmered once before running down upon them, coating them from head to toe with a silvery sheen that glowed about them. Everyone felt a sense of warmth from the sheen.

"Whoa, check it out!" Satriamon said, flicking his hands as he inspected the silver glow. He tried touching it but ended up only jabbing his hands.

"What is this?" Rosemon inquired. "It's amazing…"

"The silver glow you're seeing on your body is the Deistic Aurora, kinda like an additional armor, and it will protect you from receiving the full effect of Reapermon's attacks. But remember that they won't be able protect you completely – Reapermon is extremely powerful, a Class 3 Mega according to Liu Ying," He nodded towards Xianamon, before continuing, "but it's better than nothing. At least all of you now have a Class 2 Mega's level of staying power."

The revelation astounded the others, and they looked at him like he was a Godsend. His cheeks warmed. "Umm…guys?"

Samudramon was the first to response. "You mean we now have the same amount of protection your Burst Mode is giving you?"

Aldiyamon considered the question quickly, for Reapermon had ripped through several barriers that Xianamon had conjured. Xianamon however summoned more of her Elegant Barriers, surrounding them from all sides, thus buying them some time.

"Yes. But remember, while your defense and endurance are raised, your strength remains the same," he cautioned.

"That's good enough!" Satriamon pumped his fist. "Thanks, bro!"

"Wow," said Puspamon appreciatively, inspecting her glowing self. "Silver does go well with pink. Thanks, Aldiyamon!"

Rows of thankful murmurs ensued from the others. Aldiyamon waved them off. "Anytime, guys."

"How long will this shield last?" Xianamon asked.

"As long as I stay digivolved, I think."

The last remaining Elegant Barrier was destroyed by a stream of dark fire, and everyone flew off in different directions to avert Reapermon's attention. GuardiAngemon hovered in the rear to protect the humans that were there. Rosemon and Valkyrimon shot off towards east while Samudramon and Puspamon headed for west, as Satriamon and Xianamon both flew towards Reapermon, initiating the attack while Aldiyamon kept a close watch on the horribly weakened Persiamon.

xxx

"Serpent Flame Purgatory!"

Fiery serpents coiled around Satriamon and Xianamon before they were able to summon their attacks. Reapermon streaked past them, inflicting a blow on each Wira Digital before heading towards Aldiyamon. The angel had given his friends a potent protection – the fiery serpents did nothing more than immobilizing Satriamon and Xianamon – and if he was correct, if Aldiyamon was taken down the others would follow soon. He was the source of the protection; it would fall when the evoker was brought down.

"Eternal Light Purification!"

Reapermon extended his hand to intercept the attack, and the streams of holy beams began to burn through the dark aura around him. Then he saw Aldiyamon inclining his head slightly for no apparent reason…before realizing what had happened.

"Ryoukai Mandala!"

"Dragonforce Saber!"

While launching his attack, Aldiyamon had freed his friends from the serpents. A Mandala column trapped Reapermon but he was able to hack his way out from it without difficulty.

He then used the scythe blade to intercept Satriamon's saber, resulting in a deafening clang as the two blades clashed. There was a standstill as both pushed against each other, before he blasted Satriamon with fireballs from the hollow sockets of his eyes. Satriamon was knocked several steps away, but the sheen on his being flashed in a glimmer of silver. The fireballs combusted into data particles, but Reapermon saw that the fireballs had at least exerted some effect on the dragon warrior from the way he clutched his chest. Reapermon smirked.

They might have the protection from Aldiyamon, but I wonder just how much attack the light shield can take? He thought, ready to experiment. The light shield is a Class 2 Mega level technique, meaning that it probably can withstand several blows from a Class 3. Two or three blows, Reapermon thought. Four, maximum…not more than that.

Satriamon chuckled, but it sounded somewhat forced. "Didn't hurt one bit!"

"Oh, please," retorted Reapermon. "And you're clutching your chest, looking so much in pain…why?"

Satriamon promptly brought his hand down, and Reapermon shrugged. "No matter. If my first attack didn't hurt you that much, maybe this will. Skull Whirlwind!"

Satriamon was ready to retaliate with the Firestorm Purification, but an invisible force pushed him down along with a warning: Satriamon, duck! Kitsune Mahou!"

The dragon man instantly did as he was told as Xianamon's astral-projected fox streaked over him, howling as it flew inside the fiery tornado. However, the Kitsune Mahou wasn't strong enough to nullify it and ended up being disintegrated into data. He shook his head when the sorceress in gold gasped. They never learn.

Reapermon pressed for more power and the tornado began heading towards Satriamon, Xianamon and Aldiyamon, who charged their powers inside their saber, staff and sword. The temperature around them blazed, but just as suddenly a cold draft of air was caught from his back as thunders cracked amidst the sky. Looking up, he saw snow blizzards blown out from ripples of dark clouds that hovered over the sky. He saw Samudramon and Puspamon descending, hands linked.

"Everlasting Storm!"

The Skull Whirlwind's potency slowly reduced, but the Everlasting Storm was still no match for the fiery tornado. However, the snowstorm was suddenly boosted by a lesser snowstorm that originated from a figure in white – Valkyrimon – that appeared from the far corner of his right. Now against two cold attacks, the Skull Whirlwind was kept at bay but there was no indication that it was relenting. He chuckled lightly; Try as they might, they can't beat me. And I don't even have the Virago General's data yet. If I have her power, I wonder how this battle will turn out to be.

"Aldiyamon, NO!" Shouted Satriamon all of a sudden, pulling Reapermon out of his muse. Hmm…what's he doing? Is he trying to stop my Skull Whirlwind?

Aldiyamon had teleported inside the fiery tornado, his very being shone with white radiance. The bladed projectiles and fireballs that lambasted against him were repelled by his shining armor as he raised his sword up. The sword let out showers of light orbs that combusted the tornado's fiery projectiles as Aldiyamon strangely began to emit hints of pink and blue lights simultaneously. The angelic knight then spun around in the opposite direction that the tornado was, spewing out what looked like water all over the flames.

Empathy, Reapermon thought uneasily. Aldiyamon is harnessing the powers from Samudramon and Puspamon. A very intelligent move; Samudramon alone can't repel those flames, but Aldiyamon with water powers at his disposal…

The Everlasting Storm and the Punishing Storm grew more intense, and Reapermon found himself being taken on by Satriamon, Xianamon and Rosemon all at once. He escaped their onslaught by calling on the Skull Dance, but was struck from the back by holy-charged projectiles that forced him to descend. GuardiAngemon had attacked him from afar, and now he could only rely on his armor as Rosemon slashed her thorny whips on him.

"This is just plain annoying," he muttered and burned Rosemon's whips. The flames fed on the whips, heading towards her rapidly. Rosemon screamed as the flames threatened to burn her arms after disintegrating the whips, but to his dismay the Deistic Aurora that glowed about her blocked her from getting the full effect of the dark flames. Rosemon was now without weapons, but Reapermon wouldn't count her out just yet. She even had the form of a Class 2, but her powers leaned more to Class 1, he thought.

Xianamon let loose another Kitsune Mahou which he managed to intercept, but that left him open to Satriamon's assault.

"Dragon Fist Explosion!"

He raised his blade to counter the attack, but the dragon warrior sleekly evaded the blade, connecting his furiously flaring fist on his abdomen. Annoyed of having the winds knocked out of him, Reapermon blasted Satriamon with flaming orbs from his eyes, but to his surprise the orbs froze in midair before being sent back towards him – he could just barely turned sideways as the orbs grazed the side of his horns. Satriamon laughed mockingly as he used that opportune moment to retreat, as Xianamon's energized ribbons made their way towards him.

"Maiden Finesse – Refined Grace!"

He barely had time to think as he deftly hacked his blade against the ribbons. His previous battle experience and his power as a Class 3 Mega hadn't prepared him for such coordinated attacks from the Wira Digital and their allies. They might lack power but had more than made up for that weakness with their number and what looked like an unspoken understanding they seemed to share with each other. That was proven when he had managed to rip Xianamon's ribbons into shreds of data – that only enabled Rosemon to unleash her seven Tifaret jewels to draw his blade away while Satriamon launched another Dragon Fist Explosion upon his open shoulder. Hadn't the shoulder was securely armored Reapermon had no doubt that it would have fractured. He was forced to summon raw dark power to repel Xianamon and Rosemon, but Satriamon, having the Dark element, managed to resist it.

"Hey, numbskull!" Satriamon charged his right fist with flames, and his left hand glowed with crimson light that took the forms of claws. "Take on this! DRAGON FIST CLAW EXPLOSION!"

Gaining momentum, Satriamon slammed his flaring fist and psionic-charged claw right onto Reapermon's chest, and Reapermon found out that the attack truly lived up to its name. An explosion resulted and he was blasted towards the ground. Before he could regain his momentum, Xianamon and Rosemon both added to the insult with their shining fox and energy hearts, further pushing him down. He saw the Skull Whirlwind he had unleashed earlier nullified completely in specks of light, and managed to regain control of his falling self just as Samudramon and Puspamon were about to launch their attacks on him.

Persiamon, he thought. Her data is all I need to gain perfection of my current form!

Utilizing his Skull Dance, Reapermon darted through the air towards Persiamon. Realizing that Aldiyamon was his most powerful obstacle, Reapermon launched a full scale assault on him first, beginning with the Seven Hells. The seven dark orbs were teleported and redirected back towards him without much difficulty from the angel, while Reapermon had no choice but to hack the orbs into nothingness before releasing the Skull Whirlwind and the Serpent Flame Purgatory towards Aldiyamon. The fiery serpents coiled tight around Aldiyamon as a flaming tornado erupted around the angel. He smiled as Aldiyamon yelled in pain, before speeding towards Persiamon.

"He's heading for the Virago General!" shouted Valkyrimon.

"Not if I get there first!" Puspamon yelled, and sped towards Reapermon with her super speed.

"Puspamon!" Samudramon shouted in protest, but the sprite had sped off too far to hear him. Valkyrimon, also a Digimon with speed at his disposal, chased after Puspamon and Reapermon.

"Meddling fool!" Reapermon hoisted his cannon towards the glowing sprite but staggered as he was lambasted with a supersonic scream that disoriented him slightly, despite having no ears.

Puspamon sped past Reapermon, but gasped when Reapermon managed to grab hold on her. She struggled to break free; the Deistic Aurora was protecting her from receiving the severest effect of Reapermon's claws but she would need to break free soon, for the claws were slowly penetrating the light protection. Her scream was like music.

Reapermon decided to use Puspamon as a temporary hostage until he'd done what he had intended to do. His enemies were reluctant to attack as long as he had Puspamon to serve as his shield. They wouldn't dare to attack him now. He chuckled triumphantly and slowly descended towards the horror-stricken Persiamon as Aldiyamon still remained trapped inside his flaming tornado, bounded by the snakes; Satriamon attempting to save his cousin but was blasted out from the tornado; Xianamon's Ryoukai Mandala failing to quench the fearsome tornado, as Rosemon stared on helplessly; Samudramon and Valkyrimon both looked ready to pursue him but didn't, out of fear for Puspamon's safety.

He approached Persiamon, before noticing something that he hadn't previously.

xxx

Aldiyamon's body convulsed as his Deistic Aurora was slowly corroded by the flaming serpents and the fiery projectiles from the whirlwind. He had to do something now.

"Radiant Salvation!" He roared, calling out the holy bird of light aura. It was the only method left that he hadn't tried out; his Eternal Light Purification didn't work and he couldn't reach for his sword. The Deistic Aurora was being used and all that was left was the Radiant Salvation.

The holy bird flapped its energy wings upon the snakes, which hissed upon contact but they remained coiled around his body. It tried again but to no avail, but Aldiyamon realized that his pain was lessening, enabling him to concentrate on his power. His power of combustion would need an extra boost, and looking around wildly, he saw Satriamon and Xianamon looking at him from outside the flaming tornado, helpless.

Maybe not helpless, he thought, slowly using his empathic power to summon the powers from his friends. Satriamon's psionic blast and Xianamon's telekinesis… I better make this count. Using empathy to draw powers from the others is really draining, and I've used Samudramon and Puspamon's powers earlier…

His body let out a buzz as a dark crimson glow emanated from both his arms. The serpents shrieked as Satriamon's psionic power was channeled into his arms, slowly repelling the serpents off his body. Then he breathed in deeply, focused, and lashed out with his mind – the serpents all were ripped to shreds from his body. Psionic, telekinesis and combustion, what a deadly combo, he thought while letting go of the powers that weren't his before they drained him further. Now for some pure light demonstration…

"ETERNAL LIGHT PURIFICATION!"

Waves of blazing white light, laced with the power of combustion, enveloped the whole tornado from the inside out, destroying all the skulls and blades that spun within it before slowly the lights seeped out from the tornado. In an explosion of light the tornado was brought down and he was set free.

Aldiyamon heaved a relived breath, but saw that their problem wasn't over yet. Reapermon had taken Puspamon as hostage, using her as a human shield against them. Under his feet was Persiamon, pressed on her back on the ground. The once-proud Virago General squirmed under his clawed feet to no avail. Puspamon however, was kicking and screaming, but Reapermon seemed unfazed.

"If you teleport any of them away, Aldiyamon," Reapermon called out, sneering at him as he pointed towards the mosque. "I'll level the entire city in one blink of the eye. I know that some humans are still around here, hiding. Of course, you can teleport those that you know away from harm, but what of those who you don't?" He laughed. "I suggest you don't challenge me on this one. I assure you, destroying this whole city…no, the entire human world, is not a difficult feat to achieve. Not with my Class 3 Mega power!"

Extending his empathic power and what limited power of telepathy that he had all around the city, he realized that Reapermon was right. Somewhere out there, people were still hiding. The city was not totally evacuated, unfortunately, as some people had no place to go. He couldn't risk their lives, but at the same time he couldn't risk Puspamon's too.

"Xianamon, can't you stop time again?" he whispered urgently.

"I've used it once, I can't call on it again," she said, regretful. "But it's no use. Even if I'm able to freeze time again, you will be frozen too. And If I move Puspamon away the slightest bit, the spell will be broken before I can pry her out of his grasp."

"I'll go down there and kick his ass!" snarled Satriamon.

"No!" Samudramon said. "You heard what he said. He'll hurt her if you go down there and destroy the whole city!"

"I can't teleport her out while she's being held like that," said Aldiyamon regretfully. Actually I probably can…if I'm not too drained. But can I risk it?

"No, wait," said Samudramon. "Aldiyamon, can you teleport Puspamon's mask away? Only her mask."

"Huh?" He shot the blue-armored dragon man a curious look. It was as if the marine Digimon had heard his thoughts. "Why?"

Samudramon's gaze was fixed on Puspamon as he replied, "Just trust me."

xxx

"Aren't your friends going to save you?"

Puspamon shot him a glare. Reapermon chuckled, while fixing a firm foot on the squirming Persiamon's back. He saw his captive gazing at the Virago General.

"Why are you doing this to her?" she demanded. "She works for you. Why not spare her the misery and just do what you're here for, rather than torturing her like that?"

"I don't think so," said Reapermon. "You see, I'd have deleted her, only reason I still haven't is because of one tiny little problem."

"Let me guess. The curse tattoo?" The fairy spat that out in disgust.

"Right. I'm wary of that tattoo of hers. I know what it causes its victims. Not pretty. I'm sure you know all about it. After all, JD and Adam have suffered from the blight not too long ago." He grinned. "That seems to happen in another lifetime now, does it?"

"So you're torturing her instead?" She winced as a strangled cry came from Persiamon as Reapermon burrowed his feet deeper on the Virago General's back.

"Well, what else can I do? Can't let her out of my sight, lest she got herself killed," he snickered. "It's better that she's here where I can see her."

"I can't believe you. You're actually using your servants to give you power. If only they knew of this, I'm sure they wouldn't have served you!"

He shrugged. "So, it's just my luck that they didn't."

Puspamon's pink mask suddenly vanished in sparkles of light dust. He thought that it was strange for Aldiyamon to just teleport the mask away, and wondered whether it was because he had his claws fixated around the fairy too tightly for the angel to teleport her away. He saw Puspamon looking somewhat surprised too, before her eyes glimmered with pink lights...which he found somewhat irresistible. He couldn't tear his gaze away from those alluring eyes.

The surrounding suddenly swam.

xxx

"It's working," said Samudramon.

"What's going on?" Aldiyamon looked at his fellow Wira curiously, Puspamon's mask in his hand. Empathically, he had sensed some sort of disturbance from Reapermon's mind.

"She's initiating the Fatal Attraction. It's a hypnotic technique. It was how we managed to beat Belialvamdemon." Samudramon sighed. "Too bad Puspamon needs to be free for this attack to work; those who fell under her power would mimic her every move. She can't tell them to do what she wants." He made a face, as if recalling an unpleasant memory. "It isn't pretty," he mumbled, shuddering.

Aldiyamon glanced towards Xianamon. "Can you lessen Reapermon's hold on Puspamon, now that he's being mind controlled by Puspamon?"

"I can try." Xianamon was silent for a moment, concentrating, before letting out a grunt. "I can't. His grasp is too tight. It's like trying to move a building with my mind."

"How about moving the hand's that holding Puspamon away from his body then?" Satriamon thumped his right fist into his left palm. "Then I'll go down there and rip that arm apart while he's spellbound. If I'm lucky I might be able to land a punch or two on that creep."

Xianamon nodded wordlessly. She seemed to have trouble doing what Satriamon had suggested, but slowly she was able to move Reapermon's hand away from the body, giving Satriamon a clear shot of what he was intending to do. "That's the best I can do," she said.

"Good enough. Hold him that way so that Puspamon's not gonna get hurt."

"Alright."

The fleeting look Xianamon threw him suggested amusement, Aldiyamon thought, smiling. Must be the way he's giving out instructions, like he's the leader.

"Are you sure about this, Satriamon?" asked Samudramon.

"He's out there, practically inviting to be ripped apart." Satriamon's right fist flared as his left hand morphed into crimson energy claw. His whole body burst with radiant flames with spirals of crimson bolts spiraling around him. "Aldiyamon…the usual? Watch my back?"

And now he's instructing me around too. Maybe it's not a bad idea... "Sure. Good luck."

"Thanks." A dragon apparition shone about Satriamon as he shot down towards Reapermon with lightning speed, roaring, "DRAGON FIST CLAW EXPLOSION!"

It was then that Aldiyamon suddenly picked up a sign of Reapermon regaining control of his mind. "SATRIAMON! Watch out!" He tried teleporting Satriamon back, but the dragon man was launched down like a raging meteorite that his light orbs were actually repelled by the flames and psionic bolts that erupted about Satriamon.

"Ah!" Xianamon was thrown back several feet away before Samudramon grabbed her hand. "I lost my hold…"

They saw Reapermon violently shook Puspamon like a rag doll, angry of being controlled. Upon seeing Satriamon approaching, to everyone's horror he used Puspamon as a human shield and cackled maniacally. She was right there in between Satriamon and Reapermon. Satriamon tried in vain to stop, and Xianamon attempted to halt him telekinetically but failed. She tried erecting several Elegant Barriers but even those barriers were ripped by the powerful attack.

"PUSPAMON! NO!!" Samudramon shouted, ready to let out a blast of water that would hopefully quench the flames, before an unexpected turn of event took place.

Puspamon was suddenly wrapped by energy ribbons coming from under Reapermon's foot. A bright spark of scarlet light took place and they gasped upon seeing Persiamon in place of Puspamon, within Reapermon's grasp. They then heard a sickening sound of ripping flesh.

Red intense light obscured the atmosphere.

xxx

"You lose, Master."

The red light subsided. Persiamon giggled as she looked down at the claw and fist impaled into her body. Satriamon stared at her with shock, immediately pulling back his claw and fist, wanting to curse the Virago General for letting herself be killed, before noticing Reapermon's shocked face as well. Puspamon, now firmly planted on the ground, screamed and wiggled.

"Persiamon…?" He finally choked in disbelief. "Why?"

"This is revenge, for all the fallen generals," Persiamon told him, giggling wistfully. Her data constitution beginning to distort. "My data, my cursed data, will be absorbed by him. The more he exerts himself the horrible the pain is. I'm sure you know that only too well."

Strangely, gone were the snide and crude remarks that usually were directed his way. She didn't even sound spiteful as she usually would. Satriamon wasn't sure whether he was hearing it right, but he thought that a faint hint of despair was somewhere there too as her giggles turned to a horrible scream. Before his eyes, she combusted into data. Her crimson data swirled around Reapermon, who backed away immediately, unwittingly freeing Puspamon.

"C'mon, let's get you up quick." He bent down to help her up.

"She's saved me…" Puspamon's mask returned, obscuring her tearful eyes. "I…" She was rendered speechless.

They watched what was taking place with fascination. Reapermon swatted the data away like trying to get rid of horrible flies, but the crimson data persisted in their attempts to merge with the demon, and finally they did. The demon screamed in fury as blood red aura coated him, and on the armor over his chest a black cat tattoo materialized.

Puspamon gasped. "The tattoo…"

"Yeah, and he sure looks pissed," Satriamon said, grabbing Puspamon's wrist. "We better regroup with the others fast."

Puspamon nodded. Both of them flapped their wings and soared towards the sky as quickly as they could.

Behind them, Reapermon howled. Satriamon sensed intense heat coming from his back, and chanced a glance across his shoulder. Furious series of flaming typhoons were sent out all around the area, one of them gaining on him and Puspamon. Nothing he could do would be able to stop the hurricane, and with that in mind he and Puspamon sped off towards the others.

xxx

"Grand Wave Tsunami!"

To aid Satriamon and Puspamon's escape, Samudramon unleashed his most potent water technique to stop the incoming Skull Whirlwind. Above him, Valkyrimon followed suit with his Punishing Storm. Xianamon raised the defense by conjuring ten Elegant Barriers behind Satriamon and Puspamon, keeping the tornado at bay momentarily.

"That was too close!" said Satriamon, relieved, smiling slightly when Puspamon hugged Xianamon. "Thanks, everyone."

Aldiyamon approached Satriamon. "What happened? Did Persiamon really…?"

"Yeah. Unbelievable, right?" Satriamon looked at Puspamon, who was now embracing a very still Samudramon. "She's saved her, that's for sure, using the same method she pulled on you back when we met her for the first time. That changing-target technique."

"I remember. But why did she do that?"

"Reapermon didn't want Persiamon killed because she was cursed," said Puspamon, pulling back from Samudramon. "He told me that. Persiamon must have heard him. But I didn't expect her actually saving me, sacrificing her own life…"

"Probably because she knew she was doomed to die anyway," said Aldiyamon. "Or because she wanted to spite Reapermon by making him have the curse. That's a lot like her."

"Maybe, but I don't know, bro. There's something about the way she spoke to me before she got blown up," said Satriamon wistfully. "I've always thought that I'd be glad to finish her off, but I didn't feel that when she combusted before me. It's odd. I should be thrilled. I should…she nearly killed us." Satriamon stopped, grunting. "Damn it, it's so confusing."

Aldiyamon frowned, but he was saved from having to think of what Persiamon's motive really was when the last of the Elegant Barriers was destroyed by Reapermon's incoming tornado. Instantly they all blasted their strongest attacks towards the tornado, successfully pushing it away. At the same time, the other tornadoes had caught on the buildings around the park, blowing them apart, sending showers of destroyed boulders like rain. He focused on those boulders, teleporting them so that they'd rain only over Reapermon instead of all of them.

That only made Reapermon angrier as he leaped to the air, alternately evading and striking the boulders until he hovered at the same level where all of them were.

"Remember, he's cursed. Prolonged battle will cause him pain," said Satriamon, out of experience. "We can use that to our advantage."

"But we have to finish him off quickly," said Xianamon, gesturing around her. "Just look at the amount of destruction he'd caused this place."

"I'm all for that," returned the dragon man, nudging Aldiyamon. "C'mon. Let's attack him together with our purification power."

"Let's all go together," said Aldiyamon. "Against Reapermon, we're not gonna take any chances."

So they went, and the warrior cousins initiated the first move with the Eternal Light and Firestorm Purifications. They were joined by the Ryoukai Mandala, the Zeus Ex Thunderstrike and the Dahlstar Sunset Pink, all five attacks coalescing against each other, pushing back the Serpent Flame Purgatory sent by Reapermon. The double Purifications hit the demon squarely on his chest, while the Ryoukai Mandala consumed the other two attacks inside the Mandala column it generated, combining them to its own power. Reapermon broke free from the column, but was blasted by Rosemon and Valkyrimon, and a beam of light hit him squarely from the back courtesy of GuardiAngemon.

"Dirty trick, ganging up against me," snarled Reapermon, and all caught the labored breath the demon took.

"Against you, nothing's dirty," retorted Satriamon, fist flaring. "I thought you're so confident that you'd outclass all of us?"

"Why don't you fight me one-on-one then, see who's stronger?"

Aldiyamon thought that Reapermon was obviously taunting Satriamon, figuring that with his temper Satriamon would be the first to get baited.

Satriamon snorted. "Nice try, but I won't fall for that one, numbskull. Besides we are fighting one-on-one; we Wira all fight as one, you're the one who chose to be alone. Sucks to be you."

Aldiyamon and Xianamon shared a look, surprised at Satriamon's comment. The dragon man was usually the most explosive, one who'd charge first and think later, but what he'd just said to Reapermon spoke volumes of how much he had matured. Aldiyamon was willing to bet that Xianamon wouldn't have any qualm should Satriamon received the torch of leadership – he knew he wouldn't. Of course, they would have to speak about this soon.

"Fine then," said Reapermon, annoyed. "SEVEN HELLS!"

Aldiyamon sighed and willed his power to redirect the seven dark orbs back towards Reapermon, but he didn't count on Reapermon streaking at fast pace against them with the Skull Dance and let loose the Seven Hells as he reached before each of them. There was no use teleporting away the attacks for Reapermon was relentless in unleashing the Seven Hells. Rosemon and Valkyrimon were taken out first, the Deistic Aurora protection wore off after only the third attack and they would have been hit if Aldiyamon wasn't quick enough to teleport them towards GuardiAngemon.

Reapermon then redirected his sights on the five Wira Digital. He applied the same strategy and slowly they were blasted from many sides all at once. Aldiyamon was able to evade the attacks but the orbs came in rapid pace – it was like having to deal with a hundred dark orbs and he had not the concentration to teleport or combust them all. What orb he didn't manage to avoid, he hacked with his sword. Similarly Satriamon too used his saber and glowing psionic claw to parry the orbs, and Xianamon had the advantage of her telekinesis and barriers to avoid being hit.

Samudramon used lightning to destroy the orbs, and Puspamon the winds, but soon the orbs grew too fast for them to handle. Gleefully Reapermon blasted them with three rows of Seven Hells, effectively nullifying the Deistic Aurora that was protecting them. He then let loose the Skull Whirlwind on them, fireballs and energy blades lambasting on them all at once.

"Hang on!" Aldiyamon cried, trying to focus his teleportation.

"Worry about yourself!" Reapermon pointed his cannon. Suddenly he gasped and bent down, his breaths labored and his fingers dancing on his chest armor.

It dawned to the remaining three Wira that the Blight of Bastet was inflicting pain on Reapermon. He coughed, spewing fiery streams as he did so. Then he looked up, staring at them with those eyeless sockets that flared with flaming orbs within them. He was about to shoot when the pain struck him once again. He coughed violently.

"Now's our chance!" said Xianamon. "Ryoukai Mandala!"

"Dragonforce Saber!"

"Heavenstar Gladius, Final Strike!"

The three attacks caused an explosion as they hit Reapermon. But then, Reapermon streaked towards them and slashed against Xianamon and Satriamon repeatedly until the Deistic Aurora gave way. At that exact same time the flaming tornado ceased and Puspamon and Samudramon were thrown onto the ground, weakened.

Aldiyamon couldn't believe it – everyone except him had been beaten. His heart pumped wildly as Reapermon snickered, still holding on to his chest.

"Now this is more like it," he rasped, coughing out flaming blood. "One-on-one."

Aldiyamon energized his sword and attempted to slash Reapermon, but it clashed against the demon's blade. They pushed against each other before a sharp blow was struck on his belly; Reapermon had gutted him. Then a sharp lash sent him back flying – the blade was slashed onto his armor. The Deistic Aurora began to give out, and a wave of Seven Hells ended the holy light armor's protection on him after three blows from the dark orbs. He was able to just teleport away towards the ground before the remaining four orbs struck.

He reappeared amongst his injured friends. GuardiAngemon was using his healing charm to alleviate their injuries – everyone was considerably hurt. Other than GuardiAngemon, everybody else was no longer protected by the Deistic Aurora.

Aldiyamon tried calling out the Radiant Salvation, but he was no longer as powerful as he was before. His power was depleting fast. Glows on his armor warned him that he would regress to Juara Mode soon.

At that same moment, Reapermon loomed upon them, laughing. Dark orbs spiraled around him, flames danced inside his eye sockets and all around him. The air current picked up, the temperature elevated in an alarming rate as around the looming Reapermon dark red aura pulsed.

"We've got to give everything we've got," whispered Aldiyamon, not realizing that he had spoken out loud until everyone gazed at him.

"What do you have in mind?" Satriamon asked.

Aldiyamon revised the plan quickly. Could it work? There was no way to know. But separately, they were severely weakened. One-on-one, they'd be devolved by any blow Reapermon sent their way. This was the only way. He had to use his power while he was still strong enough to do so.

"Link up. I'll use my empathy to combine all our remaining powers together to create a force strong enough to defeat Reapermon. This is the only way. Quickly."

The rest acted in fluid motion. Satriamon and Xianamon pressed one palm each on his back, and he heard Puspamon and Samudramon following suit by pressing their palms on Xianamon's and Satriamon's backs respectively. Rosemon and Valkyrimon mirrored their actions, before finally GuardiAngemon closed the chain by pressing one palm on Rosemon and the other on Valkyrimon, forming an octagonal pattern. Each began to glow in their signature color.

Aldiyamon began receiving their powers as he formed the Eternal Light Purification. The five Wira Digital glowed with their respective signature beings – the phoenix, the dragon, the nine-tailed fox, the merman and the sprite – while the three honoraries simply emitted ripples of white aura. Then there was a rainbow of energy coalescing from each of them as their powers channeled towards his glowing self. He sensed the power in his attack increasing drastically.

No, he thought. This is no longer my attack. This is formed by everyone's powers. This is OUR attack.

He looked up; Reapermon was about to unleash all he'd got towards them. "Everyone, get ready."

Reapermon screamed, "SEVEN HELLS! SERPENT FLAME PURGATORY! SKULL WHIRLWIND!!"

The Wira Digital retaliated by unleashing an explosive force in streaks of their signature mythological beings, coalescing with white radiances, before all of them merged into a stream of heavenly white energy that met Reapermon's attack halfway. Reapermon continued forcing his attack down while the Wira Digital pushed their combined forces up with every ounce of energy they were able to muster.

"OMEGA PURIFICATION!"

xxx

The smoke began to subside. The collision of their attacks had been so great that the entire park was clouded with smoke and dust from the resulted explosion. For a few seconds everything was quiet, which was unnerving because there was no confirmation that Reapermon had been beaten with their combined powers.

All of them had been pushed back, and they were now getting back up on their feet. Then they realized that something was amiss.

"Oh, man, no! We've dedigivolved!"

Everyone had devolved; the Wira Digital were back as DigiWira and their Rookie partners, and the honoraries had all regressed to their Rookie forms. They heard crackles of electricity coming from their Juara Digivices and took them out. They gasped as the electricity jolted their hands, forcing them to let go.

The five Juara Digivices bounced once over the grassy field and released the five DigiSpheres before they cracked; a dark fissure had formed starting from the top, going down along the screen all the way to the part with the buttons. Faint smoke rose from the fissures. The Juara Digivices didn't crack into half, but the cracks had rendered them damaged beyond repair. Buzzes of electricity that they let out began to simmer down.

"Our Juara Digivices," whispered Gayathri, her voice shaking as she picked up hers. "They're broken."

Manny sighed as he stared at his broken Juara Digivice. Then he placed a hand in his pocket, and took out Debbie's D4 Digivice, which was still in perfect condition. His eyes gazed at Penguinmon's first, then towards Opie, now Muchomon. The two Rookies trotted towards him, eyes identically sharing his pain.

Adam felt a sting in his eyes, remembering how he had gotten them in the first place. He felt a pang of realization in his heart; without the Digivices their partners could not digivolve. He inspected the White DigiSphere – it looked to be in the same condition as how it usually had been. He still could feel his powers within him. A hand on his shoulder, and his eyes met JD's – those blue-green eyes seemed to ask him whether he was alright. When he nodded, the older teen guided him towards Liu Ying, who looked lost as she gazed down at her broken Digivice.

"Did we beat Reapermon?" Liu Ying wondered.

"I don't see him anywhere," said JD, squinting against the smoke. "I hope so."

"We've used all the powers we had," said Adam, his breathing labored. There was a chilling dread he couldn't shake off. "Our Digivices broke because we've exerted all of our Mega level powers. It was too much for the Juara Digivices to bear. The same thing happened when Patamon and I became Aldiyamon Fury Mode."

"So...we've won?"

It did look like they had won, but Adam was still bothered by the chill he was feeling. His empathy power had picked up a dark vibe. "I..."

The Digimon suddenly let out soft snarls, their furs and feathers stood on the ends. The DigiWira were surprised to see how feral their partners looked, from the way their eyes almost went to slits and their shaking bodies. They looked fearful as well as angry at the same time.

"Someone's coming!" Labramon alerted, just as a dark chuckle slowly rose in tempo within the smoke.

Adam's face turned chalk white. "That sounds like…"

A humanoid form became more apparent from the smoke: hulking, skeletal, with red glows as eyes.

"SKULLSATAMON!"

"You never cease to surprise me," said SkullSatamon. "That was truly a Class 3 level attack at its pinnacle of power. Yet what good did that do you? You've paid a heavy price for using such power, while I am still in my Ultimate form. I still have some power left, while you have exhausted your resources. The odds are still in my favor, unlucky for you."

SkullSatamon's hollow eye sockets flared. "It all ends here, DigiWira."

Author's Notes:

Imperialdramon Fighter Mode and Rapidmon are not Royal Knights, but I put them as so in this chapter to shorten Reapermon's assessment of his foes in the pre-introduction scene. Besides they look like knights to me, even though they aren't Royal Knights.

Wira Digital to be concluded on: The Heirs of Grademon, Part II. Stay tuned.