***** = Time passes
#*#*# = Dream sequence
For a while it seemed like the dark forest would
remain quiet and peaceful until dawn. That hope
quickly vanished as an explosion erupted among the
trees. Within the forest, a battle just ended. A
blue robotic Digimon stood with his smoking rifle. On
his left arm, a rectangular shield hung on its long
side, missiles visible underneath it. The victim
Digimon, an Ogremon, lay on the ground coughing and
hacking until finally it dissolved into data. As soon
as that happened, the robot raised his left hand,
absorbing the data. "How pathetic," he chuckled as he
continued on his way.
This was Gearamon, a Champion Digimon of the Virus
type. The mechanical warrior was on a killing spree
for, as it seemed, no apparent reason. Gearamon,
however, had a very good reason. His evolution line
had no way of evolving the natural way, for it was not
flesh and blood. Instead, this line achieved it in a
different sort of way - killing off other Digimon and
absorbing their data. When enough was collected,
they'd be able to Digivolve to a certain level,
depending on how much data they had stored in their
databanks. This particular Digimon felt he had only
one purpose - kill his opposition for power.
Gearamon stepped out of the forest and next to a large
lake. Using his back thrusters, he jumped into the
air and landed at the top of a tall tree. Gearamon
gazed at the large full moon as it hung in the sky in
marvelous beauty. His thoughts turned to the incident
that happened some time ago. He thought he had his
opponents beat, that there was no way they could stand
against him with their weakened states. But somehow,
they were able to combine their bodies into one, and
they completely overpowered him. Gearamon could still
feel the burn in his chest from the final attack the
new Digimon used. The hatred built up inside of him,
and he was now like a shaken bottle of soda, ready to
explode at any time.
Gearamon finally lost it. He screamed out real loud,
bringing out all of his weapons - his Sniper Strike
rifle, his Demon Axe with a sword blade extended, and
the missiles stored within his shield. Gearamon
leaped out of the tree and landed on the ground,
stabbing his sword into the earth with all of his
might. Energy spewed out and extended in circular
waves of dark energy. Any tree within a 200-foot
radius was cut down faster than a knife through hot
butter. The water from the lake in the radius heated
up, and steam rose up into the night sky. Gearamon
dropped the Demon Axe and fired his Sniper Strike and
Missile Barrage, not caring where the shots went. The
energy bullets spewed into the sky like shooting
stars, while the missiles landed either on solid
ground or on the surface of the water, exploding on
contact. Finally, Gearamon deactivated his weapons
and fell on his back, gasping for breath, even though
he never had to. With most of his energy gone, he
reverted back to Zakumon.
Completely tired out, the green robotic Digimon soon
calmed down. This was the only way he could get bad
thoughts out his head, for a while, anyway. He sat up
and touched a button on his right wrist, and a small
panel flipped open, revealing a portable computer. On
the screen were statistics, readouts, and a
measurement of he data he had collected so far. *If I
can collect enough of this*, Zakumon thought, *then
I'll be able to Digivolve to my Ultimate form, and as
soon as I do that, I'll take on Vipermon and the rest
of those DigiKnights. They won't know what hit them.*
Zakumon could only chuckle to himself as he thought of
how he would kill his competition, lightning-fast or
painfully slow. He continued to think of this as he
drifted off into a deep sleep.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
"Zakumon...Zakumon...HEY! WAKE UP BUDDY!" The small
green robot jumped up in surprise as someone had
interrupted his beauty sleep. His pink eye finally
got used to the light as he looked at the one who woke
him up - a 3-foot-long green snake with arms and red
eyes.
"Come on, Zakumon! It's almost noon! You know the
Central Sector Tournament is this afternoon!"
"Vipermon, you didn't have to do that, you know,"
replied Zakumon. "If my security systems were online
you could've been the main course at the banquet!"
Vipermon laughed, though for the most part it was
hissing. "You wish," he chuckled. "Like *you* could
fry *me* with your slow mechanical attacks."
Zakumon got to his feet and flexed his arms and legs.
"What do you say," he asked, "you want to have a quick
spar before the *real* stuff begins?"
"No thanks," Vipermon replied. "I'd rather save my
energy. I don't want to beat you when I'm not at full
power." The two Virus types laughed as they headed
for the tournament grounds.
************************************************************************
The tournament ring was stationed in the middle of a
vast field, with tents surrounding it for each
competitor. The tournament was divided up into 4
different competitions. One for Rookie-level Digimon,
one for Champion-level, the next for Ultimate-level,
and the last for the Megas. The rules were quite
simple: 32 Digimon in each level would fight 1-on-1
matches until one was left standing. If a fighter was
knocked out, flung out of the ring, or gave up, then
the other would move on to the next round. No special
attacks were allowed whatsoever. If the opponent were
killed during the match, then the winner would be
disqualified. This would continue until there was one
champion. In this particular tournament, the Rookies
would battle first, and it would continue with the
next level, ending with the Megas.
"The match-ups for all rounds have been finalized,"
the voice on the loudspeaker announced. "Will all
participants please report to the ring to view who
you'll be fighting? The Rookie Tournament will begi
in approximately 30 minutes." Zakumon and Vipermon
arrived at the grounds as soon as this was announced,
and they rushed to the ring as fast as their legs (or
body) could carry them. When they got there, four
large posters were placed at each end of the ring.
From the looks of the Rookie's round, the two friends
were on opposite sides, Vipermon in the first match
against an Agumon, and Zakumon in the ninth match
against a Terriermon.
"Hey, we might be able to fight each other later on,"
Zakumon said.
Vipermon traced the two paths each would take if they
wanted to get to the final match. He sighed,
"unfortunately we would have to win all of our matches
before that happens." The two decided to rest a while
and chat before the fights began.
************************************************************************
Zakumon tossed yet another stone into the water. He
and Vipermon had chosen to rest by a riverbank.
"You know," Vipermon said, "you and I have been
friends almost our entire lives. You're the only
friend I've got, since no one else wants to be friends
with a Virus. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I hear you," Zakumon replied. "You're not the
only one who has no other friends. That's because
nobody trusts Viruses anymore. We're only allowed to
stay in our respective sectors for a certain amount of
time."
"Yeah," said Vipermon. "As soon as the side of
darkness influences a Virus, it's thrown out into the
world to fend for itself, however that may be. That
can be at any time, even when the Virus isn't truly
evil. I wish the laws were different. Not all
Virus-types evolve to be killers. Sure, we may look
scary, but deep down we're just like any other
Digimon."
"Face it," Zakumon interrupted, "nothing is going to
change what will eventually happen. We'll be thrown
out when the elders believe that we are a threat to
the Sector. But even when that occurs, you and I will
still be the best of friends, right?"
"Of course we will," Vipermon replied. The two shook
hands in agreement. "No matter what happens, we'll be
friends, so long as neither of us goes back on our
handshake."
"No problem," said Zakumon. "I guess the both of us
feel a little better now that we've talked out our
situations. Now I'm even more excited about fighting
you in the final match."
"Don't get your hopes up, buddy. There's plenty of
tough competition this year, and we're going to have
to fight at our hardest to get to the final round."
Vipermon got up and stretched. "Well, there's about
20 minutes until the tournament begins, and I have to
be there for the first round. You coming?"
"Nah, not right this second," replied Zakumon. "I'm
going to take a quick stroll through the woods here. I
won't be fighting for a while anyway, and I don't need
to be around for the first round to know who's going
to win." Vipermon laughed at this.
"Okay, I'll see you later then." They split up and
went on their ways.
************************************************************************
Later, Zakumon was walking around, listening to the
sounds of the forest. Checking the time on his mini
computer, he realized that he needed to be at the
tournament grounds very soon. He was about to make a
run for it when he noticed something in front of him -
a strange, black, shapeless being. Before he could do
anything, it spoke.
"At long last, I have finally found a suitable Digimon
for my purposes."
Zakumon drew his Chain Rifle and aimed it at the
creature. "What are you talking about? What do you
want with me?"
"I want to help you defeat your enemies - ALL of them.
I can give you the strength, the knowledge, the
power, whatever you need to show everyone that you're
truly the strongest Digimon in the Sector. All I ask
for in return is that you let me live off of you.
Zakumon's eye focused in. "*Live* off of me? What
are you, some kind of Digimon parasite?"
"In a way, yes," the being replied. "My kind can only
live by living off others. We absorb very little data
from our hosts, so little that they don't even notice
it. Once we have enough, we leave the host and become
Digimon ourselves. What do you say, won't you help me
achieve my dreams of being a Digimon?"
Although the story sounded true, Zakumon couldn't help
but think that there was a different purpose
altogether. "I'm sorry," he said. "I wish that I
could help you, but I don't know if I could handle
living part of my life with some strange creature
living off of me. If you'll excuse me, there's a
tournament that I need to get to." He started to walk
off when the creature moved in front of him, glowing
an even darker color.
"You have no choice," it said in a much eviler voice.
"The Dark Lord wants worthy candidates for his Army of
Death."
"Dark Lord? Army of death?" Zakumon asked in a
shocked way. "You told me you wanted to be a Digimon
like me!"
"That was my lie to try and get you to be my host. Now
that you have refused my first attempt, you'll hear
the whole before it all ends. We were created by the
Dark Lord to find suitable Digimon to enslave. As
soon as we enter the body, the target is influenced by
evil and will become a potential servant, although
they will still look like nothing had happened to
them. Whether or not the victim chooses to serve the
Dark Lord, given time of course, is up to that
Digimon. When they go off on their own, they will be
feared by all they go near, and the Digimon will
develop their own evil ways and live the live of
creating pain and suffering. When they serve the Dark
Lord, they will do great things and earn their just
rewards when the time is right. Now it is time for
you to face the Dark Lord's powers of Hell!"
Immediately the creature charged Zakumon. The robotic
Digimon fired away with his Chain Rifle, but the
energy bullets were simply absorbed by the beast.
There was nothing Zakumon could do as the creature
entered his body. As soon as that happened, Zakumon
felt every part of his body scream in pain. He held
his head and collapsed on the ground as the creature
invaded his mind. In seconds all of his memories
about his friendship with Vipermon and his respect for
all Digimon disappeared. They were replaced with ones
of pain and suffering, where no one was his friend and
everyone treated him with anger and disrespect because
he was a Virus. Zakumon's anger grew as these false
memories entered his mind. Soon the robotic Digimon
was completely in the control of the parasite.
Zakumon rose from the ground and stood up straight. He
was now a slightly darker shade of green, and his eye
was now a blood red. He knew nothing of his original
life or of the creature that made him what he was, but
it didn't seem to matter. Zakumon headed for the
tournament grounds determined to show the rest of the
Sector that he was truly the strongest Digimon of all.
************************************************************************
The eigth match had just concluded with a Veemon
defeating a Toy Agumon. Its pieces were still being
collected as the announcer spoke. "Will the
participants for the ninth match please report to the
ring?"
Vipermon looked a little concerned about Zakumon.
After all, he hadn't shown up to watch any of the
fights, and it was almost time for his own. Just
then, he saw his friend pushing through the crowd,
though he looked a little different. "Hey, Zakumon!
How's it going?" He called to his friend.
"Out of the way, Virus," Zakumon replied in a somehow
newer voice. The robot shoved the snake Digimon aside
as he stepped into the ring.
*Sheesh, what's the matter with him*? Vipermon
decided to keep an eye on his friend to try to find
out what was going on.
Once both competitors were in the ring, the battle was
called. The Terriermon charged in using a spinning
attack, but Zakumon dodged it easily.
"Hey, that's not fair!" The Terriermon complained as
it readied for another attack. "You're supposed to
hold still while I slice and dice you!"
"Well excuse me, bunny boy," Zakumon replied.
"Complaining isn't going to win this battle for you.
In fact, you shouldn't even be here. Now, I'll be
nice and give you one chance to give up, or you'll be
sorry."
"Fat chance of that, Virus!" Terriermon retorted. With
this remark, Zakumon's anger started to build up
inside.
Once again Terriermon charged in, this time attempting
to ram into his opponent. Before he could do that,
Zakumon vanished into thin air! Somehow, he managed
to get behind Terriermon and grab both of his floppy
ears with one hand. The rabbit was helpless as he was
twirled around and around at a very high speed.
"Round and round and round you go! Where you stop,
only I know!" Zakumon chuckled.
As he started to get dizzy, Terriermon yelled "Oh god
I need to puke! I give up, all right?"
"Suit yourself," Zakumon replied in a cruel way. With
that, he launched Terriermon out of the ring and
straight into a brick wall a few dozen feet away. He
hit with a bone-cracking splat as he went out of
consciousness.
Everyone could only stare in amazement and shock at
what had just happened, until the announcer yelled,
"The winner of the ninth match is...Zakumon!"
The robot Digimon stepped out of the ring and
disappeared amongst the crowd before Vipermon could
congratulate him. *That battle was unreal,* he
thought to himself. *It only lasted for about a
minute, when usually it takes him two! And why hasn't
he been talking to me since we had that chat?
Something must be wrong with him, and something must
have happened before he came back here. Whatever the
problem is, I'm going to figure it out.* Vipermon
continued thinking about this as he watched the next
match.
************************************************************************
The Rookie tournament seemed to pass by quickly, since
most of the matches were less than 3 minutes in
length. The crowds were really going for the fights,
especially the ones with Vipermon and Zakumon fighting
in them. Both were favored to reach the final battle.
They fought with skill and determination, both aiming
to end it with a battle against each other. Sure
enough, the final battle arrived, with two (former, in
Zakumon's eye) friends fighting it out. The two stood
at opposite sides of the ring. Vipermon readied
himself by getting in a fighting stance and extending
his black claws. Zakumon got into a stance as well,
and then his memory banks activated for some reason.
He could remember something about this Digimon being a
friend to him, but some force instantly deleted them.
He then remembered that this was a powerful enemy and
rival who needed to be taken out as soon as possible.
This snake Digimon was nothing but a hurdle in his
quest to be the strongest Digimon of all.
"Okay, buddy, are you ready for a butt whupping?"
Vipermon joked.
Zakumon's eye narrowed. "I am not your 'buddy'. I am
a fighter who will defeat you and attain the ultimate
glory of victory."
Vipermon could only whistle in admiration.
"Incredible, the dumb robot has finally learned some
new vocabulary."
Zakumon's anger rose even higher, not remembering how
he and Vipermon used to kid around with jokes like
these. "Shut up!" He yelled. "Let's begin this
fight so I can win this thing!"
"You're on!" Vipermon called. With that, the two
charged each other.
Zakumon made the first move, attacking Vipermon with a
series of fast punches and kicks. The slender snake
Digimon managed to dodge all of them. He countered by
slashing at his friend with his claws, although it was
not his Toxic Strike attack. The robot evaded all of
the slashes and grabbed one of Vipermon's arms. Before
the snake knew it, he was flipped over. He landed
with a thud, and he saw that he was about to be body
slammed. He rolled aside to avoid being flattened by
the mechanical being.
From the look of things, the fighters were evenly
matched. Neither fighter was able to take advantage
of the other to secure victory. No one cared about
that - they only wanted to see a great show of
strength and cunning. Even the Megas were getting a
kick out of the fight.
As the battle progressed Vipermon began to tire out,
while Zakumon looked like he was just warming up. The
snake Digimon decided to take drastic measures. When
Zakumon tried another body slam, Vipermon dodged aside
and coiled himself around his opponent. He squeezed
with all of his might, making sure that there was no
way that Zakumon could escape. Meanwhile, the robot
Digimon was struggling to escape this potential death
trap. His memory banks opened up on their own,
reminding him that he and Vipermon were rivals who
fought each other for power and fame. Also that
Vipermon never really liked him very much and
tormented him whenever possible. Zakumon's anger rose
even higher when these memories were played before
him. In a surge of hatred, he broke out of Vipermon's
stranglehold and went back to attacking.
"This is the end for you, snake!" Zakumon proclaimed.
I will make sure that this battle will be your last!"
"Dream on you rusty old bucket of bolts!" Vipermon
joked. "You can try all you like, but there's no way
you can defeat me!"
Zakumon's anger reached close to critical mass. "That
does it! I'll show you what a true Virus type can
do!" He charged Vipermon and attempted to pin him to
the ground. Vipermon, however, simply ducked and let
Zakumon pass over him. With his tail, he grabbed the
robot Digimon's leg. Like a slingshot, he launched
the robot out of the ring. As he collided with the
ground, the announcer gave the call - "The winner of
this year's Rookie tournament is Vipermon!"
Zakumon picked himself up from the dirty ground and
turned around to see his rival being raised on the
shoulders of other Digimon. *How could this have
happened?* He thought to himself angrily. *I am the
strongest Digimon in the Central Sector! I should've
claimed the title! I should've beaten that snake
easily! He tricked me, and he's made me look like a
fool! No one appreciates me, anyway! If they're
going to make a Virus a hero to them, then they should
have a villain to match! That I can easily provide!*
With that proclamation, Zakumon's anger went past
critical mass, and his urge to kill went over the
edge.
Everyone turned in surprise at the ear-piercing scream
coming from Zakumon. The robot Digimon drew his Chain
Rifle, and two small missile launchers appeared on the
sides of his ankles. "If I can't earn the title of
Strongest Digimon, then NO ONE WILL!" He fired his
Chain Rifle at whatever was in front of him. Digimon
were hit by the energy bullets and collapsed on the
ground. Some of them dissolved into data, and Zakumon
absorbed it quickly before going back to his
meaningless destruction. His missiles fired,
destroying parts of the ring and setting the
surrounding tents ablaze. Any Digimon foolish enough
to challenge him either ended up critically wounded,
blown to bits by the Chain Rifle, or impaled by his
Heat Hawk. Basically, no one could face his strength.
"ZAKUMON, STOP THIS!" Vipermon yelled, attacking from
behind with his Poison Darts and Toxic Strike. He
managed to knock away the Chain Rifle, but Zakumon
immediately fought back with his Heat Hawk. Vipermon
dodged, and the axe sliced through the boulder that
was behind him. An Andromon joined in the fight,
using his Lightning Blade to catch Zakumon off guard.
While Zakumon fired some of his missiles at his new
attacker, Andromon countered by launching some of his
own missiles from his chest. Vipermon joined back in,
stabbing Zakumon in the back of his left leg. Zakumon
cried out in pain as he swatted his rival away. He
attempted to evade another Lightning Blade, but it cut
the tubing that partially connected his right thigh
and leg, seriously decreasing his mobility. Finally,
a War Greymon, one of the elders, used a Terra Force
on the robot. The explosion sent Zakumon sailing and
he hit the ground, barely alive.
The rest of the tournament was called off because of
the single-Digimon massacre. The wounded were carried
off to be treated, and those who lost loved ones
mourned. At the border of the Central Sector, the
Elders and other elite Digimon stood, facing the one
responsible for the bloodbath. Zakumon, still
battered up from the battle, stared back in defiance
as he waited for their ruling.
"Zakumon," said the War Greymon, "the Central Council
has made its decision. Because of recent actions, you
have been ruled as a Virus too dangerous to live among
the rest of peaceful society. You are hereby banished
from the Central Sector."
"That's fine," Zakumon replied in a dark way. "You
guys are pathetic, anyway. You may have been able to
stop me this time, but the next time around you won't
be so lucky. One day I shall return and seek revenge
on you, all of you, for the way you have treated all
Viruses and me. Just wait, I'll be back."
As the now outcast Virus walked off, Vipermon rushed
out of the crowd, surprising everyone. He stopped
infront of Zakumon. "Buddy, what have you done?" He
asked in a sad, yet angry way. "What happened to the
Digimon that used to be my friend? The one who always
heard out my problems and always spoke out his own
problems? Aren't you still my friend?" He held out
his hand.
Zakumon looked at Vipermon, to his outstretched hand,
then back at him. He focused his blood-red eye and
swatted the hand away. "You are not my friend," he
replied angrily, "and I never will be. You are
nothing to me but a rival for power. If we ever meet
again, I'll take great pleasure in fighting you,
killing you, and taking the title I so richly deserve.
Pray that that day never comes. So long, rival."
With that, the robot walked off into the sunset, off
to start his new life of making pain and suffering.
Vipermon could only look on, feeling as if he could
never trust anyone else ever again...
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Zakumon awoke from the deep sleep feeling refreshed
and well rested. The sun was burning brightly, and
the rays reflected off of the lake. He was about to
leave when he heard footsteps coming from behind him.
"Halt. Identify yourself."
For some reason, Zakumon recognized the voice. He
turned around and saw that his suspicions were
correct. The voice was from an Andromon, and not just
any. Zakumon remembered it to be the same one who
fought him that very day during the massacre. The
Andromon suddenly realized it, too.
"You are the one I helped defeat those years ago," he
said in his near android voice. "You were banished
from this Sector, and now you have returned."
"Actually, I was just passing by," Zakumon replied.
"However, I am itching for a good fight, and I do need
to settle a score with you."
"Do you dare to challenge an Ultimate-level Digimon?"
Asked Andromon in surprise. "So be it. I'll finish
you once and for all."
"Not this time you mechanical monstrosity!" A wave of
energy surrounded Zakumon as he changed. "Zakumon,
Digivolve to..." He grew taller and better built. His
jetpack changed dramatically. The shield on his right
arm grew spikes. A rectangular shield appeared on his
left arm. He changed to a dark blue color as a long
and thin backward horn appeared on his head.
"Gearamon!"
"Gatling Attack!" Andromon called. His chest opened
and fired missiles that looked vaguely like fish.
"Sniper Strike!" Gearamon countered by firing several
rounds from his machine gun. The missiles exploded as
both Digimon retreated back several feet. They charged
again, Andromon using his Lightning Blade and Gearamon
using his Demon Axe with the sword blade extended.
The sword fight seemed to be at a standstill.
"You've improved over the years," Andromon commented,
"but you still don't have what it takes to take me
on."
"That's where you're wrong," Gearamon chuckled. "I
have done nothing but fighting to improve myself in
every way. I have absorbed the data of more Digimon
than you can ever imagine, and soon it will be the
time for my new evolution. And YOU will be a part of
it!" He broke away and managed to slice off
Andromon's left arm. The android Digimon screamed in
pain and held the stump as the arm dissolved into
data. Gearamon stretched out his left hand and
absorbed it.
Suddenly, the computer on his right wrist started
beeping like crazy. When Gearamon looked at the
results, he started laughing out loud. "I have done
it! I have gained enough data to evolve! Now it's
time to try out my new form!" He gathered energy and
screamed as he focused it. Another wave of energy
surrounded him as he went through his new
transformation. "Gearamon, digivolve to...Jagdmon!"
The energy disappeared, and the new Digimon looked
battle-ready. He was now taller with impressive new
armor and weapons. His leg armor was now wider,
housing stronger jets for hovering and flying. The
armor on his arms was replaced with armor with
missiles on the sides. The shield was now smaller and
round in shape. His head was also different, with two
horns, one under the other, sticking out backwards.
The new viral robot's teal and gold paint shone in the
sunlight as Andromon looked on in horror.
Jagdmon's pinkish eye glowed blood red as he stared at
the one who helped beat him all those years ago. "Not
bad, huh?" He asked in a deeper and meaner voice.
"Thank you so much for giving me the chance to evolve
to the Ultimate level. Allow me to return the favor!"
He charged in and pulled out a smaller gun, but it
didn't look like it fired bullets.
"Negatron Cannon!"
Jagdmon fired a volley of green lasers at his
opponent. They all hit head-on, and Andromon
collapsed on the ground. "Missile Barrage!" The
missiles launched simultaneously and exploded on
contact with Andromon's body.
Andromon managed to pick himself up from the flaming
spot. "You will never win, Virus," he said weakly.
"You may defeat me, but there will be others who will
outmatch your power. Then you will feel the power of
truth and justice."
"Save your speeches, rusty old fool," Jagdmon replied,
drawing an energy sword with a Titanium blade
underneath the main blade. "I am the most powerful
Digimon of the Central Sector, and there is absolutely
nobody who can stop me. Not you, not the Elders, and
especially not Vipermon. When I'm through, the entire
world will feel my wrath! SWORD OF FURY!" He charged
and impaled Andromon. Oil and circuitry spewed from
the gaping hole as the sword was pulled out. "Rest in
pieces, you factory reject," Jagdmon cruelly said.
Andromon fell to the ground dead and dissolved into
data. Jagdmon stretched out his left arm and absorbed
what was left of one of the many thorns in his side.
Jagdmon could only laugh at his new powers. "Now that
I am an Ultimate, I have new unbelievable strengths.
Now Vipermon and those DigiTamers won't stand a chance
against me. Just wait until they see the new me!" He
laughed insanely as he took off in search of his
prey...
TBC…
