Episode 9: Wavering Light and Hope! The Ultimate Trial
It was the afternoon now in Japan. Wallace was still over at Koushiro's with the rest of the Chosen Children. They had spent the rest of the morning telling their stories to each other to pass the time.
"I remember when BelialVamdemon tried to cover the world in darkness." Wallace responded to the story about their fight with the undead digimon king, "I was one of the many Chosen Children around the world that came to help."
"Really, I don't remember seeing you there." Miyako commented, causing Wallace to shrug.
"I mostly just stayed in the background." He told her. Terriermon popped up like he had a big secret to tell.
"Wallace is actually very shy." He told the group.
"Terriermon!" Wallace scolded, gently hitting the digimon with his fist. While this was going on, Koushiro pulled out his D-Terminal to check his e-mail.
"I have an e-mail from Ken." He announced to the group.
"What does it say?" Iori inquired.
After skimming it over, Koushiro gave them the basics. "They have defeated Leviamon." The group cheered yet again.
"Alright, only one more to go!" Mimi cried out, turning to Sora to give her a high five.
"How'd they do it?" Gomamon asked.
"Ken says that with Seraphimon, Ophanimon, Omegamon, and Imperialdramon it was a breeze. Even the four cronies Leviamon brought with him were no match for them. Once they had been defeated, Leviamon tried to chomp down on Omegamon, but he just held his jaw open allowing the others to attack into his mouth. That made him explode from the inside." Koushiro explained. Armadimon let out a laugh.
"Do we even need to worry about Lucemon? Isn't he only a perfect level? They should defeat him easily." He said.
"Actually Ken is still worried about that. He thinks that since he's only a perfect level, he may be able to evolve into an ultimate level with power beyond anything we've ever seen." Koushiro continued. Everyone looked down at this possibility.
"Well maybe he won't!" Gomamon piped up to lighten up the mode.
"I hope you're right, Gomamon." Koushiro responded, "In the meantime I'll contact Gennai. Since we've finally found the third angel, we should get to work on getting him to evolve to that level again."
In the Digital World, the group had made its way from the ocean through a forest. Everyone hoped that they wouldn't end up back at the Dark Ocean. They were all silent as they walked, tensions still feeling high. Hikari was keeping her distance from Takeru as she walked, still unsure of what she should say to him. Taichi looked back to his sister in concern. He really wanted to do something to make her better, but he had no idea what to do. Noticing his friend was troubled, Yamato walked beside him.
"You should really talk to her." He whispered to him. Taichi sighed as he looked down.
"But I have no idea what to tell her..." He trailed off. This was really bringing him down. He really wanted to help his sister, but had no idea how to. He felt like a failure. Feeling sympathetic, Yamato wrapped his arm around the other boy's shoulder, like they themselves were brothers and smiled.
"Don't worry, Taichi, you'll think of something. That's what makes you such a good brother." He told him. Still looking down, Taichi shook his head.
"You're wrong, I'm not that good..." He trailed off. This made Yamato mad. He stepped in front of his former leader. Raising his hand up, he slapped the other boy across his cheek. After that, he placed both his hands on his shoulders, getting right up in his face.
"Don't you dare say that, Taichi!" He screamed. By now the rest of the group had stopped walking and stared at the two, "You're the one who helped me become a better big brother! Back when our first adventure started, that was the first time in a long while I had ever spent so much time with Takeru. I was trying my best to uphold a good big brother role to him and here you were doing a better job than I was! Then when you and I were stuck together on that icy part of File Island, I was going crazy trying to find him, yet you told me I needed to calm down and you know exactly how I felt. Since I didn't know you very well back then, I thought you were just making crap up."
"Er, Yamato..." Gabumon trailed off, surprised by his partner's sudden outburst.
"After you were sucked into that vortex, our group split up without you. I thought I could use that opportunity to become a better brother to Takeru, but I ended up leaving him alone in an amusement park while I got stuck working with Jyou at Digitamamon's restaurant. You were the one that found him and brought him back to me. It made me rather envious..."
"Yamato..." Taichi wasn't that sure how he should react to his friend's outburst.
"I'm not finished yet! Up until then, I had no idea why you seemed to be such a great brother while I wasn't, but when I met Hikari I began to understand. At first I couldn't believe you trusted her into my care while you went off to pursue Vamdemon. I felt horrible when she revealed herself as the eighth child to Phantomon and went with him to meet Vamdemon. I felt like I had failed you and like I wasn't fit to be a brother. I chased after her in attempt to save her, but I wasn't able to do a thing against Vamdemon. Then you showed up, showing no fear towards Vamdemon, ready to save your sister from him. Of course you couldn't do a thing against him either, but that's not my point. You did managed to get her digivice to her, which ultimately saved the day at that point."
"I think that's enough, Yamato." Gabumon said, trying to bring him out of his rage.
"When Takeru went with Pinochimon, I was once again completely helpless to do anything. When he came back on his own, I just felt useless to him. In my depression, I allowed Jureimon to trick me into thinking you were my rival. Like if I somehow beat you it would all become better for me. Then Hikari became possessed by some spirit and I realized beating you wouldn't change anything, so I left the group. I wondered around the Digital World in depression. Eventually I was swallowed up in the darkness. It was then Gabumon helped me. What he told me was that I was Takeru's brother, not you. It was then I realized that moping around wouldn't help me be a better brother. So I left the darkness and found Takeru soon after. From that point on, I put forth full effort and that's what you need to do now!"
With all this out of the way, Taichi smiled at his friend. "Thanks for telling me all that, Yamato. That was exactly what I needed." Everyone was still stunned, not having much of an idea what that was about. Ignoring their confusion, Taichi turned to his sister. "Hikari, may I talk to you for a moment?" With a nod, Hikari followed him. Agumon and Tailmon began to follow, but Taichi turned to them. "Could you two stay here? I would like to talk to her alone. Don't worry, we won't go far." Understanding that this was a private brother-sister thing, the two digimon stayed with the rest of the group. The two siblings just moved out of hearing rang from the rest of the group.
With that out of the way, Yamato turned to Takeru. "Takeru, would you mind talking to me for a bit?"
"Sure." Takeru responded and walked over to his brother.
"Would you like Patamon and I to stay here as well?" Gabumon asked his partner.
"If you two wouldn't mind." Yamato responded and led Takeru in the opposite direction Taichi had taken Hikari. Once they had left, Daisuke let out a sigh.
"I sure hope Taichi and Yamato can sort everything out." He said. Everyone nodded in response.
Taichi thought for a moment. He still wasn't sure what he should say, but he wasn't going to give up. Not after what Yamato had told him. "So Hikari, why don't you tell me what's been on your mind lately." Maybe once he knew what was troubling her, he'd be able to help.
"Well, I can't stop thinking about what happened at the Dark Ocean." She said.
"Is this about Takeru saying how much he loved you?" Taichi asked. He had a feeling this was what this was about.
"Partly..." Hikari told him, looking down. Taichi was confused. What had happened to her when she was captured?
"What happened?" He asked her.
"He told me something..." Hikari trailed off. It gave her goose bumps just thinking about what he had said. Taichi scowled.
"What did that bastard tell you?" He asked in rage. He would so kill Dagomon right now if he wasn't already dead.
"He said that my powers of light aren't as good as them seem. That digimon has died for it, like Wizarmon and the Numemon, because they saw me as their saviour. He even told me that Koromon, the digimon that came to our house ten years ago died because of it, because of me..." This enraged Taichi more.
"Well he's a lying bastard. The power of light isn't a bad thing. Those digimon didn't die because of you. You shown your light on them, giving them hope in their world of darkness. If anything that is what they gave their lives for, so that the light may continue to bring hope to those covered in darkness." Taichi told her.
"So you're saying I was responsible..." Hikari said still looking down, "I ended up ruining their lives, just like I'll probably end up doing to Takeru..."
"You didn't ruin anyone's life!" Taichi told her, "And why do you think you'll ruin Takeru's life."
"Because I'm not sure how I feel about him." Hikari admitted, "I've always seen him as a good friend, but never as someone I loved so much I'd do anything for them. I'm afraid I may end up hurting him by not returning his feelings."
"Hikari, you're only fourteen. You still have lots of time to figure stuff like this out. I'm sure Takeru would understand if you told him." Her brother told her.
"Tailmon said pretty much the same thing." Hikari told him.
"Well if the both of us are telling you the same thing, you should take it as a hint." Taichi responded.
"Oh Onii-chan, I know you're right, but I just have no idea how to tell him."
In the meantime, Yamato wasn't having much better luck with Takeru.
"Onii-chan, it's just that she's been so quiet and hasn't spoken to me once since we returned from the Dark Ocean. I think I may have offended her when I confessed my feelings. What if she hates me now?" Takeru told his brother.
"How would you know she hates you?" Yamato asked his younger brother.
"Well she's been giving me the silent treatment. She's never done that! I didn't expect her to react like that!" Takeru cried out in despair. When he thought about it, for as long as he'd known Hikari she never acted like this towards anyone unless she really hated them. This didn't look good for him.
"Well how did you expect her to react." His brother asked him.
"I don't know. I know I wasn't expecting, 'Oh Takeru, I love you too! Now let's go get married and have children!', but I wasn't expecting this either!" Yamato nodded at this.
"Ya, you two are still two young for that." He agreed, "Well what would you like to come out of the situation?"
"Well I would at least like to remain friends with her." Takeru told him.
"Well you should talk to her then. Maybe she's just feeling confused." Yamato suggested.
"Thanks Onii-chan, now let's get back to the group." Takeru stood up from the log he sat on and walked back over to the group with his brother. Taichi and Hikari were now doing the same thing. Takeru looked at Hikari nervously and she did the same. Both of them seemed to be preparing to say what needed to be said, but before either could, there was a crash of thunder in the sky. Everyone looked up to see Lucemon there. Taichi let out a groan.
"This is not a good time for him to arrive." He muttered.
"Agreed..." Yamato muttered. He was hoping Takeru could sort things out with Hikari, but now it didn't look like that would happen. Angrily he turned to Gabumon. "Gabumon!"
Taichi turned to his digimon, also pissed his sister wouldn't be able to sort things out with Takeru. "Agumon!" Both digimon nodded in response and Omegamon soon faced Lucemon.
"Let's not let them have all the fun!" Daisuke cried out, "V-mon!"
"Wormmon!" Ken cried out in response. Soon Imperialdramon stood beside Omegamon. In the meantime Takeru and Hikari were still looking at each other. Both wanted to speak, but neither could find the voice. Daisuke turned to him.
"Come on guys, we need Seraphimon and Ophanimon!" He told them.
"Oh let them take their time." Lucemon said in a menacing voice, "I want to take my time having fun with these two." He held up both his hands. Spheres of light formed in both hands. The sphere in his right hand was pink while the one in his left hand was purple. The two spheres grew in size until he threw them at the two ultimate level digimon before him. Their partners gasped.
"What was that attack? I have no data on any attack like that!"Ken cried out.
"Allow me to tell you." Lucemon said, "I attacked them with both the powers of light and darkness." Everyone gasped at this.
"W-what?" Hikari stuttered, unable to believe it. Lucemon let out a laugh.
"Oh, did I forget to tell you that I control both light and darkness?" He asked mockingly. Both Takeru and Hikari were completely stunned.
"He's using the power of light for evil?" Takeru muttered. Hikari fell to her knees, clutching her head in head hands.
"Dagomon was right!" She cried out, "Light isn't as good as it's made out to be!" Taichi was only enraged further, remembering what his sister had told him earlier.
"You bastard!" He screamed, "What business do you have controlling both light and darkness?" At the question, Lucemon let out an evil laugh.
"Haven't you ever wondered why Dagomon was seeking the power of light when he already controlled the power of darkness?" Lucemon asked them all. To be honest, they had always wondered that. "Well as you probably already know, the power of light and darkness are already powerful alone, but when combined together, they create an ultimate power that is unstoppable!" Everyone gasped at this, "You see, Chosen Children, this is why I'm unstoppable. I control both of these powers and that is why you'll never be able to beat me!"
"Enough of your bull shit!" Tailmon screamed as she stepped forwards, rage in her eyes, "I won't stand it! I won't stand by and watch while some creep like you uses the power of light, which I value so much, for your evil purposes!" She turned to Hikari, "Hikari, I need to evolve to Ophanimon and teach this guy what the power of light truly is!"
"I'm with you!" Patamon cried, "Takeru, let me evolve to Seraphimon to help!" Unfortunately for them, both of their partners were in so much depression right now, neither of their crests reacted.
"I finally see it..." Hikari muttered, "The power of light is really no different from the power of darkness."
"I used to think it was the power of darkness that was evil..." Takeru muttered, "But now I don't know what to believe."
"Hikari, don't give up like this!" Tailmon told her partner.
"If he's using it for evil, then that's not the true power of light!" Patamon said. Neither of their partner's looked up. Tailmon let out a sigh.
"Well Hikari, with or without your help, I will fight Lucemon." She turned to charge at Lucemon.
"Wait for me!" Patamon called out as he turned and flew after Tailmon. Lucemon laughed at this.
"Oh how cute, the little kitty cat and the flying pig think they're a match for me like that." He commented smugly.
"Air Shot!" Patamon cried as he shot his attack at Lucemon to no effect.
"Neko Punch!" Tailmon cried as she jumped up and punched Lucemon's face. Unfortunately he didn't even flinch at the attack.
"Is that the best you two got? Now it's my turn. Paradise Lost!" He began landing blow after blow on the two digimon, sending them flying into the air. Then he grabbed them both and drove them back to the ground. By the time it was done, both digimon lay motionless on the ground. Both Takeru and Hikari looked up in shock.
"No, Patamon!" Takeru cried out in horror.
"Tailmon!" Hikari couldn't believe it. Why was she just sitting here while her digimon was in danger?
"Now, I wonder if the light the two of you love so much will spare your pathetic lives or if the darkness will completely annihilate the both of you... I can't wait to see! Dead or Alive!" Two halves of a sphere rose up around the two badly injured digimon. Everyone recognized it as the attack Lucemon had tried to use on them when they had arrived, but Qinglongmon had saved them from. Now that they saw it again they noticed one half of the sphere was the power of light while the other was the power of darkness. Takeru and Hikari were not just going to sit around moping anymore while their digimon were in danger, so they ran into the closing sphere to their digimon.
"No, Hikari!" Taichi cried.
"Takeru!" Both of their brothers chased after them, but they were too late. The sphere had already closed.
Inside the sphere, time seemed to stand still. Both teenagers held their wounded digimon in their arms. Both were silent until Hikari finally spoke.
"So what's going to happen to us?" She asked.
"I don't know, but I can't help feeling this is my fault..." Takeru muttered. Hikari turned to him in shock.
"What? How is this your fault? Why would you even think that?" She asked him.
"Because, I admitted my feelings for you and now you hate me. And I assume since you hate me it means your powers of light aren't as strong as they use to be." He told her.
"What? I don't hate you! I could never hate you! I was just confused when I found out your feelings for me. I have no idea if I return them or not at this point, but what I do know right now is that I do want to remain good friends with you. And who knows, maybe when I'm older I'll be able to return your feelings." She told him. Takeru smiled at this.
"That's all I could ask for right now." He responded. At this both their crests began to let off a golden glow.
Outside the sphere, both Omegamon and Imperialdramon were desperately trying to free their comrades from the sphere.
"Grey Sword!" Omegamon cried, striking the sphere with his sword.
"Positron Cannon!" Imperialdramon launched his attack. Unfortunately none of their attacks were damaging the seemingly indestructible sphere. This caused Lucemon to laugh evilly.
"Give it up. Their fates are sealed within the sphere. There is nothing you can do to save them." He told them. Daisuke turned to them with his fist raised.
"Oh yeah, well I refuse to believe that!" He said.
"I'm not going to give up while my sister is in danger like this!" Taichi called out.
"I won't let my brother down either!" Yamato said.
"And I'm sure Takeru and Hikari won't just give up either!" Ken finished for his comrades. Once all this was said, the sphere let off a golden glow. It wasn't long before both Seraphimon and Ophanimon burst from the sphere carrying Takeru and Hikari on their backs. Lucemon let out a shocked gasp.
"Impossible! There's no way they could evolve inside the sphere then escape unharmed!" He said.
"Face it, Lucemon, as long as there is light," Hikari began.
"There will always be hope, no matter how great the darkness is!" Takeru finished for her.
"For that is the destiny of light." Ophanimon continued.
"And from that, miracles will be born." Seraphimon finished for all of them. Lucemon backed up a bit, for the first time looking nervous.
"It doesn't matter if you have miracles and destiny! I have both light and darkness! As long as that is true, I am unstoppable!" He screamed in rage.
"Looks like he still doesn't get it." Ophanimon commented.
"Well we'll just have to teach him a lesson then." Seraphimon turned to Ophanimon and they both nodded. "Seven Heavens!"
"Sefirot Crystal!" They both launched their attacks at the same time. Lucemon was knocked back a few feet by the force of the blast.
"You think you can beat me like that? I'll just have to show you the true power of light I possess! Grand Cross!" Ten spheres of light formed between his hands in the shape of a cross and fired. Ophanimon deflected them all with her shield.
"That is not the true power of light!" She told him as she began to glow, raising her Javelin above her head.
"We shall show you our true power." Seraphimon raised his right arm above his head, Excalibur generating from the armour on his left forearm. Still clinging to their digimon's backs, both Takeru and Hikari nodded.
"Let's do this!" Takeru cried.
"For the power of light and hope!" Hikari called out as both Seraphimon and Ophanimon flew back to back towards Lucemon. Once they had reached him, both holy digimon ran their weapons through the evil digimon and they flew threw. Lucemon screamed as he was deleted.
"Alright, we finally did it!" Daisuke cheered as both Seraphimon and Ophanimon flew back to the group. Once they landed, Takeru and Hikari hopped off their backs.
"Way to go, Takeru! I knew you had it in you!" Yamato said as he gave his brother a nuggie. Taichi just settled for giving his sister a pat on the back.
"I'm proud of you, Hikari." He told her.
"Thanks, Onii-chan." Hikari responded. The celebration was cut short though.
"Don't celebrate too soon, Chosen Children. You haven't defeated me yet." Came a disembodied voice.
"Oh crap, Lucemon isn't dead yet?" Daisuke cried out in disbelief.
"That is correct, you're a million years from every killing me!" With those words what looked to be a dragon carrying an orb in its front claws appeared before the chosen Children.
To Be continued...