Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own Digimon.

Thoughts

speech between DNA or biomerge partners

'telepathy between DigiKnights'

Legend of the Holy Dragon 2

The Fate of the World

Chapter 6

The girl stood in the dark room where the contraption that represented the Digital World was housed. Each of the five globes had a single glowing point above them. In the midst of each point was a miniature crystal. One single strand of the web that surrounded it glowed, albeit faintly. The strand linked two of the globes.

Two Digimon approached the girl, one humanoid, the other snake like. The girl nodded.

"It is time…"

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The four DigiKnights and Digimon faced Jinlingmon. The Sovereign had a benign smile on its face.

"My children, you have succeeded. Well done." It said, casting an affectionate and approving glance on them.

"However, I'm afraid the task that faces you may prove to be harder than the one you have just completed. You now have the means to return the Digital World to its former glory, but I fear that Desdemon will do anything in its power to prevent you from resurrecting the Holy Dragon.

"It will certainly attack after you restore the Digital World, the only problem is when. I believe that its objective is to destroy the Shrine of the Holy Dragon, as that is the only place that the Holy Dragon can be resurrected. There will be a battle, possibly the most dangerous and spectacular since the one between the Holy Dragon and Desdemon four hundred years ago."

Jinlingmon sighed.

"Children, you may be killed."

The DigiKnights nodded.

"We know."

"And you are still willing to accept this task?"

"Yes."

"Very well," Jinlingmon smiled. "Since I will need some time to open the portal to the Shrine, would you like some rest?

"Yes please! I'm bushed!" Shaulamon exclaimed happily.

"Shaulamon!" Kangamon hissed warningly.

Jinlingmon smiled indulgently at their antics. "Go on then, I'm sure you remember the way."

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"Wow, so you guys lived here before we came?" Sacchi asked, bouncing on the cushions piled up all over the room.

"Yup!" Pekomon replied, snuggling down on another of the many cushions. "Each of us has our own room. Kangamon's room has mats and grass and Shaulamon's has a huge pool. I'm not sure about Vipermon though. I've never been in there…"

"You seem disappointed that you've never been there…" Sacchi teased.

Pekomon stuck her tongue out at her partner. "I guess I could help you to sneak in, since Rick's there and all."

Sacchi face went red. She picked up one of the smaller cushions and tossed it at the cat Digimon.

Pekomon ducked and laughed. "I'm right aren't I? You like Rick!"

"No I don't!" Sacchi threw another cushion.

Pekomon just laughed in answer, dancing away from the flying cushions.

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Kangamon led Kei to her room. It appeared to be a small meadow with soft mats strewn haphazardly on the grass.

"I'm sorry about the mess, I didn't have time to clean up after Pekomon and Shaulamon played in here."

Kei nodded and sat down on one of the mats.

"Are you all right, Kei?"

"…I'm fine"

Kangamon flicked her ears worriedly. Kei had not been the same after the battle with Jadgmon. The pain that had practically resonated off her when they Biomerged was something the kangaroo Digimon did not particularly want to experience again. It made their Biomerged form seem wrong somehow.

Sighing, she lay down on another mat. What can I do to help her?

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"So this is your room." Takeshi commented, surveying the large stone-hewn pool.

"Uh-huh. There's a cushion over there. I uh… appropriated it from Pekomon." Shaulamon said, entering the pool with a splash.

Takeshi raised an eyebrow.

"Ok, ok, so I stole it." Shaulamon said sheepishly. "Don't tell Pekomon I took it, please? She'll probably cut me to little pieces and feed me to the Chuumon…"

"Sure, I won't tell." Takeshi said, grinning. "I do need a partner to fight Desdemon after all."

"So glad to know I'm appreciated." Shaulamon muttered as he swam laps in the pool.

Takeshi laughed, then turned somber. "Ok, confession time. What do you know about the DigiEggs and Biomerging?"

"What makes you think I know? You should be asking Kangamon."

"Shaulamon, we Biomerged remember? I know you know something."

"Ok, ok, fine. The DigiEggs trigger Biomerge when certain feelings occur. Your Lunar DigiEgg's trigger emotion is friendship. I don't know anything else. Happy now?" Shaulamon grumbled.

"Yeah…" Takeshi trailed off as he sank into thought.

Shaulamon did the horseshoe crab equivalent of a shrug and continued swimming.

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Rick stared. Vipermon's room was practically a whole forest, complete with hanging vines and a thick layer of leaves that served as a carpet.

Vipermon looked over his shoulder at his partner.

"You seem surprised."

Rick managed to close his mouth long enough to reply. "This is your room?"

"I am a snake, after all. It's not surprising that I live in a jungle."

"…Right."

A few moments of companionable silence passed. Vipermon settled himself on a branch while Rick sat down, leaning against a tree.

"Rick?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you afraid?"

Rick glanced up at the snake Digimon and ran his hand through his hair thoughtfully.

"…This is about the Biomerging, isn't it."

"Yes. You seemed rather reluctant to Biomerge when we fought Baihumon."

Rick sighed. "I'm afraid of losing control again."

"Everyone experiences fear. The difference between the brave and the cowardly is whether the person chooses to face his fears."

Rick stared at Vipermon for a moment before smiling.

"I guess you're right…"

But…

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They stood in the hall facing Jinlingmon. In the air between them hung a great shimmering portal. This portal differed from the others: it had a clearly defined edge with glowing runes inscribed in it. Overall, it looked like a huge round doorway with light swirling in it.

Jinlingmon gestured towards the portal. "Once you step through the portal, you will be transported to the Shrine. There, you must seek the help of the Purple Angel, the guardian of the Shrine. Good luck, my children."

As one, the DigiKnights and Digimon bowed to Jinlingmon, before entering the portal.

Unlike the other portals which led to the web, this portal sent them hurtling through flashing, glimmering, pulsing lights. Lights of a million colours.

Coupled with this was a strange, floaty feeling, yet oddly comforting. It was a mixture of innumerable emotions, happiness, sadness, anger, hope and countless others, all blended into one. It was the feeling of ascension.

Suddenly, light of the purest white flared, and they tumbled out of the portal. The room that greeted them was more spectacular than any other they had ever seen.

The floor was white marble engraved with channels in intricate patterns that had water flowing through them. Jewels in every imaginable and unimaginable colour glittered on the edges of each channel.

Tall crystal pillars studded with more jewels held bowls of fire that lighted up the area. A faintly scented mist drifted in wisps over the floor and pillars.

In the middle of this finery stood an angel Digimon. She wore robes in the style of Greek goddesses and carried a sword of the same crystal as the pillars. Long lavender hair swept down her back and brushed lightly against the floor. Eleven translucent wings spanned a circle on her back.

Kangamon stepped forwards. "Lady, are you the Purple Angel, guardian of the Shrine?"

The Purple Angel smiled. "Yes. I am VeeAngelmon. Welcome to the Shrine of the Holy Dragon. Am I right in assuming you are the ones who have brought the Backup Crystals?" Her voice was crystalline, yet warm.

Kangamon nodded.

"Please, proceed this way."

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The room was dark. A huge web spanned across the room. In its heart Sacchi could barely make out the contraption that was the Core of the Digital World.

Under VeeAngelmon's instructions, they each released their part of each Crystal in turn. As she raised her D-Gadget, the Crystal fragments flew out to reconstruct the Backup Crystals. Each Crystal floated in midair, glowing and rotating. They lighted up the room.

VeeAngelmon waved a hand. The Crystals floated over the globes that represented their respective Sectors of the Digital World. There they hung suspended, rotating silently.

"Faccia rivivere, i mondi di Digital portano a luce noi ancora una volta i cristalli spargono la loro incandescenza al cuore del nucleo del mondo fanno rivivere, i mondi di Digital i mondi della luce santa del drago e pace su noi quando il mondo è curativo ed intero"

The angel Digimon's voice reverberated throughout the room. There was an answering spark from the Crystals and they sank into the globes.

All at once, the globes lit up with a fierce light. Before Sacchi's eyes, the cracks on the globes sealed up and vanished.

The pink on the globes faded and a sudden flare of colour appeared. From the globes, a wave of light spread over the web and the strands sparkled with their former glory. At the same time, the room lighted up.

A smile spread over VeeAngelmon's face. The sight made an intense feeling of hope rise in Sacchi's heart.

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VeeAngelmon lead them out of the Shrine into a garden. The plants were in bloom, and the delicate blossoms trembled in the soft breeze. Many beautifully coloured butterflies danced around the flowers. A pond with sparkling water sat in the middle of the garden. The bluest of blue skies stretched above them.

They walked to the pond. It was no ordinary pond. Instead of reflecting the sky, the pond showed images from every corner of the Digital World.

The images were brilliantly coloured.

The Digital World was back to normal.

Jubilance and triumph filled the air.

Kei watched as her fellow DigiKnights celebrated. A sudden danger warning flickered at the edge of her mind, and she spun around, throwing up her hand in front of her.

Shield.

A split second later, a huge yellow energy blast slammed against the invisible shield with a horrible sounding screech.

To the others, it seemed as though the blast split in mid air of its own accord before they noticed Kei and her outstretched hand. But before they had time to contemplate on this, their attacker appeared.

He was a tall dark red robot. Black designs adorned his armour which housed various engines. The helmet had two crests crowned by a large emerald. A single deep green eye glared from it.

In his hands he held a long black and red rifle. Smoke was rising from its muzzle.

He moved with extremely high speed, and in the blink of an eye he was right in front of the group.

Vipermon let out a feral snarl as Takeshi and Rick simultaneously scanned the newcomer.

"Sazabimon. Virus type Mega. Attacks: Fusion Rifle, Satan's Blade, Dark Blitzkrieg."

"Hello again, Vipermon. Like my new form?" Sazabimon said in a mocking voice. "You might as well take a better look, 'cause this form is going to vanquish you pesky DigiKnights once and for all!"

He raised his rifle, pointing it point-blank at the group.

"Wait!" VeeAngelmon flew in between the robot Digimon and his target. "This is the sacred Shrine of the Holy Dragon! I will not allow you to defile it with battle!"

Sazabimon simply smirked, and pulled the trigger.

An enormous blast erupted from the rifle, but as before, was blocked, this time by an ice shield that VeeAngelmon had erected.

"Winter Sonata!" VeeAngelmon's voice rang out. A beautiful musical note rang out.

"Dimensione!" Instantly, the note turned into a rippling tune, and a shimmering wall wrapped around Sazabimon, VeeAngelmon and the DigiKnights. The wall turned opaque and they found themselves in another dimension, with no apparent edges.

Angered, Sazabimon switched weapons.

"Satan's Blade!"

"Ama Detoir!"

Yellow energy met ice with a resounding clang. Both blades strained against the other in a battle of strength and stamina.

With help from his jetpacks, Sazabimon sent VeeAngelmon's Ama Detoir flying. Seeing his chance, he slashed down at the angel Digimon.

A huge glowing gash appeared on VeeAngelmon's front as she fell. Hitting the ground, she flickered, as if dissolving.

"Lady!" The DigiKnights and Digimon cried out.

A flash of light from the fallen VeeAngelmon momentarily lit the area. When it faded, a human girl and two Digimon lay in her place, unconscious. Sazabimon smirked and raised his energy blade, preparing for the final blow.

"Vee!" A deep, resonating voice yelled as fire exploded in mid-air.

A fiery warrior Digimon had stopped the attack with a long, lance-like blade on his right arm.

The newly arrived Digimon had gold and bronze armour, and flames from the joints in his armour. He had copper hair and a visor with four spikes. A pair of pale red wings flared from his back.

Sazabimon growled. "Who are you?" He demanded.

The warrior Digimon managed a cocky smile. "Chevaliermon at your service."

"Get out of my way unless you want to end up like her." Sazabimon pointed to the unconscious girl.

Chevaliermon's smile vanished. "No one, I repeat, no one hurts her and gets away with it." His voice had lowered to a soft, dangerous growl.

"Pyrokinesis."

The flames that surrounded Chevaliermon's body snaked out in long streamers. With the flick of a finger, he sent the streamers roaring at Sazabimon, growing in size as they went.

Sazabimon dodged and fired a blast from his Fusion Rifle.

The DigiKnights and their Digimon watched the battle raptly. Sacchi prodded the others.

"Come on! Lets go help him!"

Thus reminded, the others prepared for battle. Kei and Takeshi Biomerged with their partners while Vipermon digivolved to CyberDracomon. But it was Pekomon's digivolve that surprised them.

A green glow wrapped around DigiKnight and partner as they became one.

The newly Biomerged Digimon was a humanoid cat with brown fur, except for a white patch on her belly. Her armour consisted of gold-edged silver breastplate, helmet and gauntlets. Brilliant green eyes peered out of the helmet. Long silky chestnut hair flowed down her back.

In wonder, Rick scanned her. "Megumimon. Data type Biomerge. Attacks: Unrequited Love, Halcyon, Sacrifice."

"Wha-? How?" Shaulamon's voice issued from Reidarmon's gaping mouth.

Megumimon simply grinned and flashed a victory sign before dashing into battle.

"Unrequited Love!"

Twin green energy beams blasted from her hands and hit Sazabimon straight on. The robot Digimon turned on her in fury, blasting with his rifle. Megumimon dodged the attack with feline grace and agility.

By this time, the others had arrived. Dianthamon unleashed her Pain of Loss while CyberDracomon fired his Super Dragon Strike. Reidarmon paused beside a heavily panting Chevaliermon.

"We'll take care of Sazabimon. Go tend to the Lady."

With a nod, Chevaliermon left the battle.

Reidarmon turned to Sazabimon.

"Warrior's Blade!"

The mixture of attacks caused a spectacular explosion. Sazabimon remained standing in the midst of it, albeit panting heavily. The jetpacks on his left leg emitted sparks and smoke.

Dianthamon hovered above the robot Digimon. "Sunlight Dance."

Thin beams of light erupted from her body, arcing around her. At her command, they blasted downwards, slamming into Sazabimon's remaining engines and jetpacks.

Sazabimon made a sound of fury and pain before retaliating.

"Dark Blitzkrieg!"

Three balls of black lightning appeared around each of his outstretched hands. With a gesture, he sent them flying towards the three Biomerged Digimon. In a flash, he materialized his Fusion Rifle and sent multiple blasts in the lightning's wake.

Reidarmon and Megumimon collapsed onto the ground while Dianthamon was knocked out of the air.

CyberDracomon leaped forwards with a feral howl, sending a Crimson Flame right into Sazabimon's face.

Eerie laughter filled the air. "That's right Vipermon. This is a fight between you and me. Too bad your attacks merely tickle me!" Sazabimon mocked.

"Shut up!" Rick yelled. "Chip Activate! Max Speed Boost! Vaccine Conversion!"

CyberDracomon took advantage of his boosted speed and landed multiple hits of Sazabimon before he could retaliate, finishing off with a Super Dragon Strike point-blank in Sazabimon's chest.

Without missing a beat, Sazabimon countered.

"Is that the best you can do? Satan's Blade!"

While attacking, CyberDracomon had not noticed that Sazabimon had positioned the hilt of his Satan's Blade right in front of his stomach. The yellow energy blade blazed to life, and CyberDracomon had no time to evade before it sliced right through his body, reverting him to Vipermon.

The snake Digimon's scream of pain reverberated throughout the enclosed dimension, echoed by his partner's own scream.

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Rick watched in disbelief as CyberDracomon was impaled on the glowing blade. A moment later, a searing pain blossomed through his own stomach, causing him to mirror his partner's scream.

The pain was so intense that he thought he had a blade through his torso as well.

Through the fog of pain in his mind he vaguely heard Megumimon scream out an attack, and the pain mercifully faded to a dull ache.

Energy flooded through him, energy that did not belong to him.

Megumimon's energy.

In front of Vipermon, Sazabimon stumbled back, his blade vanishing.

He turned in time to see both Sacchi and Pekomon collapsing, and suddenly realized what exactly had saved him and Vipermon.

Megumimon had used her Sacrifice attack.

A jumble of emotions welled up. Pain, disbelief, anger, confusion, shock, all tumbled around in his mind. For a second, anger seemed to overwhelm all the others, and he felt the alien yet familiar sensation of the beginning of Biomerge.

Suddenly, a faint voice appeared in his mind. "Courage…" It whispered.

In a flash, he knew what he had to do.

Megumimon sacrificed herself to save us. Now we need the same courage to save the others.

With a smile on his face, Rick and Vipermon Biomerged.

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In a state of half-consciousness, Takeshi saw the pure white light that enveloped Rick and Vipermon.

This time, however, the light did not turn black.

The light faded to reveal Master Dracomon, but he was different from before. Instead of red, his eyes glowed a brilliant blue. The menacing black aura was also gone, replaced by one less dangerous, yet more powerful.

As before, Master Dracomon sped straight for his opponent, however, this time he circled Sazabimon and unleashed a Volcanic Blitz at Sazabimon's back.

White-hot fireballs pelted down on Sazabimon, making the robot Digimon cry out in pain as his metallic body nearly melted. Without bothering to turn, he fired the missiles on his back straight at Master Dracomon.

The dragon warrior reacted faster than the eye could see. Utilizing his extreme speed, he evaded to missiles and activated his blades.

"Flame Blades!"

Streams of fire shot out of Master Dracomon's palms and formed two twisted blades of fire. Sparks spiraled around the blades.

Fire clashed against energy in mimicry of their last battle. The blades struck each other again and again as if in a choreographed dance. However, Sazabimon did not notice that Master Dracomon's hands had begun to glow.

Suddenly, Master Dracmon disengaged from the battle, announcing his next attack.

"Ultimate Dragon Cannon!"

A huge wave of fire burst out of Master Dracomon's glowing hands and crashed over Sazabimon. The robot Digimon's scream of pain was drowned out by the roar of the flames.

When the fire burnt out, Zakumon lay motionless on the floor. Master Dracomon cautiously stepped closed.

A shifting black mist lay over Zakumon's prone form. As Master Dracomon watched, a petal fell onto Zakumon, followed by many others, until Zakumon was completely covered in petals. Master Dracomon looked up to see Dianthamon and Reidarmon standing on the other side of Zakumon, supporting Sacchi and Pekomon who had regained consciousness.

Relief and joy flooded his heart, and Master Dracomon smiled.

The petals on Zakumon disappeared, along with the black mist. The robot Rookie blinked, and sat up unsteadily.

"Where am I? What happened?" He asked in a confused voice. His one eye took in the form of Master Dracomon. "…Vipermon? Is that you?"

Master Dracomon dedigivolved into Rick and Vipermon.

Vipermon stared at Zakumon. "Buddy?"

"Is the tournament over? Who are these humans?"

"Buddy, don't you remember? You digivolved into your Mega stage and we were… sparring."

Now it was Zakumon's turn to stare. "What?"

But as Zakumon looked around at the Digimon and humans, he began to remember. The black, shapeless creature, the false memories, the tournament, the Dark Lord, the killing… It all came back to him. He stared at his hands in shock as the faces of all those Digimon he had killed came back to haunt him.

"No… What have I done? Vipermon, what have I done? I killed so many Digimon… so many… I wanted to kill you!"

"Zakumon, calm down!"

"The Dark Lord… His parasite possessed me, he recruited me into his Army of Death… He gave me the power to digivolve to Mega…"

"Zakumon! Calm down!" Vipermon slapped the panicking Zakumon.

Zakumon stared up at Vipermon.

"It's not your fault." A new, unfamiliar voice spoke. The group turned to find the human girl, her two partner Digimon and Chevaliermon standing some distance away.

"Lady, are you ok?" Pekomon asked anxiously.

The girl smiled and turned back to Zakumon. "It's not your fault. Desdemon's parasite possessed you and created false memories that made you act like you did. Now that the parasite has been vanquished, you are back to your own true self. Do not dwell on the past, but focus on what you can do to correct the actions of the past."

"How noble!" A cold, evil voice sneered.

They spun around and someone gasped. Desdemon had arrived.

TBC…

Author's note: That took a whole lotta time… and killed plenty of brain cells… Anyway, things are getting interesting! This chapter is dedicated to my good friend Vee, who inspired the character of VeeAngelmon.

Up next: Skull Desdemon DigiKnights ???

Answer: Chaos