X-X-X
"I'm sorry, what did you say!?" Regas, sat near the front piped up. I knew that my friends wouldn't like that part of the plan, but it was critical to our success. I sighed, but chuckled a little at his reticence,
"One more time, for you Regas." Looking around to all the assembled Gotsumon in the room, as I stood in the centre – the fire brighter now, letting me see the faces of everyone here – there were alot...taking a deep breath, I prepared to go through the plan once more...
"The plan is split into two phases. Phase one involves myself and a small number of the Gotsumon, we will head into ore processing, there according to the information we have, Agunimon will be there. The Gotsumon will act as a diversion, taking his attention whilst evading his attacking – giving me the opportunity to get up close to him. Once I am near to him, and so long as LadyDevimon is not close, I will attempt to reason, and break the spell from his mind. Phase two involves Lorna, Regas with their partners with the remaining Gotsumon heading to the main chamber, and engaging LadyDevimon' minions and stopping the 'Mega Drill'. If LadyDevimon does appear, each group is to do everything they can to avoid her, until I can free Agunimon – once that is complete the destined, and our digimon will take the fight to her directly, and finish her off for good!" as I finished as the Gotsumon let out a cheer, the Chief stood next to me nodded in approval, whilst my friends, though supportive were slightly pensive on my plan, mainly my part.
"Snow..." Lorna spoke up, the sounds of cheers going down as she stood to make her attention known. Turning to her, I knew what she was going to say and prepared myself... "That's an excellent plan, but there is one big variable in there which we can't just ignore..."
"You mean what if I don't break Agunimon out of his spell? And he...kills me?" I saw her flinch, finishing her statement for her, but she nodded her head.
"...I know you want to save your partner, we all do...but isn't this...reckless? How do you even know it will work!? For all we know all you will be doing is walking into an early grave!"
It was a good point, but somehow I knew – something inside of me was telling me this was the right plan, and was the only way I was going to be able get Agunimon back, it went against all conventional logic but it was how it had to happen.
"I don't expect you to understand, because to be fair I don't entirely understand it myself – but I just know. If I don't do this, if I don't go before him, in person it won't work. I have faith that Agunimon will be strong enough, once he sees me in front of him he will snap out of it – please Lorna, everyone trust me when I say this is the only way – I may get a graze or two, but it is the only way we can free his mind"
Lorna stood there for a moment as she stared back at me, both of us looking into the others eyes, as if we were playing some kind of game of mental poker. Expecting her to once more try drive the point back home at me, I was pleasantly surprised when she smiled to me, and bowed slightly
"You really have grown up alot since coming here Snow – And because of that, I believe in you, let's do this"
"As do I buddy, we can do this!" Regas jumped up too and gave out a cheer, once more prompting the Gotsumon to begin celebrating once more.
I felt myself smile, a bright and wide smile. It was nice having friends that believed in me...even without any hard proof they were willing to follow me into the literal heart of the enemies operations and help. Appreciation did not come close to how I felt...but knowing they had my back, unconditionally...if this was what true friends were like, I was going to make sure we were successful!
"Alright then, let's do this!"
X-X-X
It didn't take long for us to get prepared, it seemed like the Gotsumon had the perfect weapon for us to use again the enemy – small rocks filled with a powder that when hit with enough force, say being thrown, and landing, would create a bright flash. It would certainly be helpful when it came to distracting the various Goblinmon, as well as keeping Agunimon off them too...I didn't want to lose anyone out there if we could help it.
Leaving our packs in the camp, wanting to be as light as possible we followed the Gotsumon through the tunnel systems leading away from the village. Their mastery of this place was simply amazing though, ducking through tunnels, and weaving under rock formations I would have never thought would be a passage.
All the while as we proceeded on through my mind was focused on one thing, Agunimon. In my head I wondered what kind of ill deeds she had him do in her service, and the thought made me shudder. That was going to end soon enough, and then they would know what real trouble looked like, getting a taste of their own medicine.
I knew before, I wanted to avoid fighting as much as possible, to try and find a solution which didn't involve violence and people getting hurt...and I still did in a way. I wanted to reason with LadyDevimon, I thought that if we can get in front of her and talk about it she might well give herself up at least. The more I heard about her, and what she did though the less likely I believe it was going to work...still, we had the flash bombs, and, no doubt we would get close to her...if I could still try, at least then I could say I did. If she attacked us, then it would be self-defence...I just, didn't want to believe everything was so black and white.
Breaking away from my thoughts though, we finally ended up at a forked tunnel, the Gotsumon stopping as I made my way to the front, the lead one, the one we had met in the tunnels pointed to the left
"That way, leads to Ore Processing – that's where you want to go. We will go this way" he pointed down the other corridor
"Alright then – listen, be careful, ok? And if you see that witch LadyDevimon don't fight her head on, give her the run around until myself and Agunimon turn up"
"Right! Good luck!" he gave a quick wave before darting down the tunnel to the right, Lorna and Regas also joining him leaving me with about a dozen or so Gotsumon as we made our way down the left.
With the much smaller group with me now, and moving much slower than before we could hear in the distance the sound of machines, and shouting. The walls of the chamber around us began to get much smoother, and the ground steadier. Looking down I could see where the iron of the track lines used to be, leaving a shallow impression in the ground. They must have scavenged some of the stuff from the mines for their own needs...
After about five minutes of slow walking, and carefully progressing forward we spotted a small gap in the rocks of the tunnel, from the wall we saw flickering light and moving shadows. One of the Gotsumon peaked their eye through the hole, and after a moment indicated for me to have a look.
Leaning down, I closed one eye as I focused on what I could see in the other room...the first thing that hit me though, was not what I saw, but what I smelt, although the air around us had been heavier than before, now I was looking into the main room it was much more pungent, the scent of sulphur and burning wood. I had to step back for a moment as I acclimatised to the strong odour.
After a moment or two I was ok and again looked on through – the largest thing I could see in the room was a furnace, and not just a small kitchen one, but a huge, massive scaled one. The thing must have been 50ft tall, a raging fire going off within the open gate, as smoke rose high through the various pipes which lead away from it, filtering the junk likely to somewhere beyond this chamber. The bulk of the digimon I could see seemed to match the description of the Goblinmon, however one or two other species seemed to be here as well – including some Gotsumon. Looks like they did enslave whoever they could find...
Noticing something off about the others though, the Goblinmon seemed to be willing, whilst the others I saw looked as if they were moving on strings – slugging, slow and awkward movements. Had they come under the same spell as Agunimon? How long had they been like that to become so...puppet like. I shook my head at that thought, but then another came to mind – if they were been controlled also, we might be able to use that to our advantage!
Not seeing any sight of Agunimon yet, I waved to the others as we made our way further into the passage, starting to ascend upwards on a slight incline, the sounds of roaring fires and shouts louder still at this point.
At the top of the tunnel, we came to a wrought iron fence, seemingly blocking our path forward. Looking at it a little frustrated at first, putting my hands on one of the bars and pulling, attempting to see how well secured it was...the answer, very.
As I pondered how to get past this newest obstacles, one of the Gotsumon already seemed to be ahead of me, as he grabbed a bar and began to pull. The others in the group seemed to get the general idea too, joining in with them, being as silent as we could; eventually the bar began to bend! We did this a couple more times to a few more bars before eventually leaving a hall small enough for us to crawl on through.
Dusting myself off as I stood, this path had two routes now, one straight ahead where there was a rail cart on the tracks, half full with rocks, and then a door, slightly ajar leading into the Ore Processing chamber. Walking along the side I was going to check out the cart first, before hearing an almighty 'ROAR' coming from the main chamber, which caused me to jump on the spot...I recognised that sound...
Clutching my heart, and resting my head against the wall as I closed my eyes, I muttered gently under my breath "Please don't be him, please..." I carefully shuffle along the wall to the door, and with as much stealth as possible ducked my head around – as soon as my eyes could see what it was though, I felt my blood run cold as my heartbeat faster...I knew I had recognised that roar, and I had wished I didn't...
It was BurningGreymon...he had somehow digi-volved!
Sensing LadyDevimon was behind this, I quickly surveyed the surroundings, a couple of Gotsumon also poking their heads around from under me.
BurningGreymon was stood on a central, elevated platform in the middle of the room, which seemed to give him visibility of every way in, and out – as well as of everyone in there. On the other side of the room was a large, heavy iron door which I bet went into the main chamber. All around him were the various digimon workers who manned the machines and equipment around the room.
Frustrated, I heard one of the Gotsumon below me speak, his voice quiet but his hesitation coming through clearly,
"He digi-volved! There is no way we can get in without him seeing us, and no way to sneak up to him!" looking once more, I could see he was right – he had perfect visibility of the whole chamber. Even if we had the distraction, the number of other digimon between me and him, as well as the lack of hiding places meant he would blast us long before we got closer – even more so now he had his Rudri on his arm, those things would mow us down without so much as a thought, remembering what had happened to Coredramon.
Looking once more, trying desperately to find some kind of advantage we could use...I was about to give up when I spotted something, I looked up and spied several tracks running from inside the walls, back inside again – there seemed to be several of these tracks running along the roof, about 20ft above where BurningGreymon was stood...looking to my side I saw the cart once more, and a light bulb turned on in my head!
Backing away from the door, I kneeled down on one knee with the Gotsumon, and pointed to the cart, and then back to the door,
"I have a plan. That cart over there, it must run along the tracks on the roof of the chamber. I will jump into that and ride it, if we time it right I can jump down straight onto BurningGreymon"
The Gotsumon nodded, but one pointed back towards the door
"But that's BurningGreymon! The beast of fire! He will burn us to a crisp the second he sees us!" the others muttered about it between themselves, but I shook my head and smiled
"You can do this; so long as you stay behind the rocks he won't be able to get you. Anyway...it will only be a couple of seconds until I jump down, and then all you have to do is use the flash bombs, and keep the other digimon distracted long enough for me to break him out of his trance. Then we can clear the room" giving them a thumbs up, I once more peered to the side, then pointed to the cart "Let's make sure this things works, huh?"
Getting up and moving towards the cart, I looked down the rails and saw that it did indeed climb up before levelling off...the contents seemed pretty benign, a few large pieces of quarried stone and a couple of pickaxes.
Removing the tools, I jumped on into it, and pulled the lever on the front left, releasing the break from the cart, feeling it shift below me,
"There we go...let's get it into position!" putting their hands on the side they pushed the cart on up the ramp, the short distance it was before levelling off once more. From the position I was sat in I could see into the chamber below, and just see the tips of the horns on BurningGreymon' head.
"We will get ready! Good luck Snow!" The Gotsumon went back down to the door, and prepared themselves, waiting for my signal; I stood beside the cart and prepared to push it off, and along the rails above.
For a moment I thought about just crazy this all must have looked. A few days ago I would never have imagined doing something, anything this drastic! The thought of getting into a mine car, to jump and surprise someone was so far removed from the normal day to day activities, something like a movie!
Taking a few deep breaths I braced myself against the cold metal of the cart, and with a nod of my head they began to run on into the chamber, and I began to push at my cart.
Pressing my should hard I felt it begin to move along the rails, once it picked up some momentum I jumped back inside just as it appeared just above the chamber. Looking downwards I could see the Gotsumon throw the first of the charges. Covering my eyes I heard several explosions from below indicated they had gone off, and over the roar of the furnace, and BurningGreymon roaring I could hear panicked voices, and scuffling feet.
Once the bombs had gone off, I glanced off the side seeing the various digimon in the room look around in confusion, with BurningGreymon already taking aim with his weapon! I couldn't waste any time!
Climbing up onto the side of the cart, I waited as the cart edged slower and closer to being over the top of him, the rails lining up just perfectly. Glancing once more at the Gotsumon, they were now taking cover as the various digimon in the room began to realise what was going on and were rallying against them. See the end of BurningGreymon' weapon begin to glow bright red, I took a deep breath, stole what courage I could...and jumped!
If crazy stunts had a ranking, this would be pretty high up on there in the 'insane' category. As soon as I had jumped, BurningGreymon stopped charging his weapon as he looked up, spotting a shadow suddenly forms over the top of him, and he knew something was attacking from above. He aimed his weapon but, he did something, and that let me know he was still in there...he hesitated.
It was only a split second but he didn't do anything, he saw me, and had his Rudri aimed at me, but he didn't fire, or charge it – just watched as I descended closer to him...there was hope! He was still in there!
"BurningGreymon!" landing on his shoulder hard, I felt the pain on the landing run along my back, his armour wasn't exactly the softest thing in the world...but nothing was broken, only bruised. Not wasting anytime, I looked at him, with the hope I would get through to him
"It's me, Snow – come on partner, you recognise me, right?"
He snapped his head to the side I was on, his eyes still crimson red, staring at me as I heard a low growl come from him. The hope I had from a moment ago slightly diminished as he glared hard at me, but inside those eyes I could see the faintest sign of recognition. Looking to his side I saw him reach is arm up, and with his massive claws he put them around me, wrapping them tightly around my chest, and pulled me from his shoulder.
Dragging me off, even through my attempts to hold my ground he clasped his hand hard around me and held he in the air, struggling at first as trying to pull him off me...his grip around me tightened as his low growl got louder, and more feral...
"Its...me, Snow – remember me, you...have to fight it buddy...don't let her...gah, win!" I gasped as his grip got tighter, beginning to get to the point it was knocking the wind out of me, getting harder and harder to breath, as they turned to gasps
Through all this though I saw that the faint sign of recognition was still there, a part of him knew what he was doing, and knew it was wrong, my partner was trying, he might be prisoner of his own mind but he was there..."Fight it...fight it for me...remember...you said you would...ah, never...hurt me, right?!"
Seeing no change in his expression, I decided to change up my strategy a bit...I stopped trying to escape his grasp and stopped my struggles as I lay my hand on top of his, giving him the best smile I could through the pain, trying to hide it and show him, that despite all this, I trusted him...I loved him "BurningGreymon...please"
Whilst I spoke his other arm reached up, as he aimed his cannon towards me. I turned my gaze to it and I could see the end of it begin to brighten up, charging and crackling with fire power...nodding I returned my gaze back to his, looking directly into his eyes, showing him I was not afraid, I would not panic, or struggle, All the while the heat around me beginning to build. Shaking my head as I closed my eyes
"I know you can hear me...Buddy, remember me...don't let her beat you...your invincible, right?" Accepting that this might well be the end, and that in only a few more moments I could meet my maker, I felt the tears I had been holding back this whole time building in my eyes and fall down my cheek, and then onto his claws as I shook slightly in is grasp,
"I love you buddy...no matter what, you are the best friend I have ever had..." my speech was shaky, and the confidence I had to begin with waned, but hope remained though his grip remained tight. I could hear over the commotion around us his weapon humming with energy, ready to fire, the air around me hot like the sun, threatening to finish me off at any moment – sweat ran down my forehead, tears in my eyes...all the whilst my blood ran cold,
I gripped my hand around his claw tightly, my breathing shallow as I grit my teeth – ready for him to take the shot...All the while in my head hoping, praying to whatever power may be out there that he would snap out of it, that he would remember who he was and taken control!
Unbeknown to myself, my digi-vice in my pocket surged into life. Those around me could see a bright light begin to emanate from it, first just my pocket and then my whole form, before engulfing both me and BurningGreymon. It lasted only for a moment, but as it finished, I felt, for just one moment...a powerful surge of gentle heat and kindness?
"Snow..."
I opened my eyes; tears shaken as I heard the familiar voice shakily say my name.
"BurningGreymon? ...Is that you?" his eyes were closed and he was using his other hand, which had previously being pointing its cannon at me, now shaking off the effects of the control.
His eyes opening a moment later, the deep, beautiful blue now returned, I smiled wide, knowing he was normal again!
"Your back! It worked!" I felt his grip on me loosen from around my chest, beginning to breath normally again. He lowered me to the floor, and knelt down in front of me, looking down at me as he reached the hand up, with a claw extended, and slipped it under my cheek, removing the fresh tears which had fallen, however this time in joy!
"I...I am so, so sorry. I could see what I was doing but I was powerless to stop myself...but I heard your voice, and it gave me the strength I needed to break free of that damn spell! ...Snow...I don't know what I would have done if I had...hurt you...can you forgive me?" I could sense the agony and sadness in his voice as he spoke – the genuine fear of what he might and could have done.
I shook my head and placed my hand on his arm, and gave a quick reassuring hug,
"There is nothing to forgive; you were being controlled by LadyDevimon. I don't hold it against you, but her, I am just glad you are yourself again, and back to normal ...however! We have the help the Gotsumon!" as if on cue another explosion of light went off behind me, hearing the cries of the Goblinmon, and nodded to BurningGreymon "We are going to take down LadyDevimon and her minions and free these mines! Ill fill you in later but for now...Let's show em what you can do!"
With a smile, he nodded in agreement.
"Gladly! Hold on now!" he put his arm out, and picked me back up once more, placing me on his shoulder, his wings out behind him as he took aim with his Rudri and began firing out into the crowd of digimon trying to attack the Gotsumon.
As the fireballs entered into the enemies lines, they began to panic; the Goblinmon who no doubt had expected BurningGreymon to fight on their side was now in full attack against them, and on their flank too. Immediately a number of them dissipated into data and more followed as the Gotsumon saw what was happening, and charged into the fight too, using the flash bombs to dramatic effect, furthering confusing the remaining minions.
Watching as this all happened, my hand gripped harder onto BurningGreymon' horn as I thought about what it was we were doing...these minions were nothing more than the small fry, leading up to the one that was actually causing all this mess...I didn't want to hurt them, I didn't want to hurt anyone...they may likely have been just as much coerced into this as any of the others – they too might be nothing more than simple tools for these dark lords...
I had to remember though, they had attacked us, and they were the ones injuring and killing other digimon who just wanted to live their lives in peace...like the Gotsumon. This wasn't my own world, the way things worked here were different...and perhaps as did 'death'. Data and flesh and blood were two very different things.
For now, I would trust that we were doing the right thing; this was not the time for an internal philosophical debate. They were our enemy, they were the aggressors, and we were simply acting accordingly.
Several of the Goblinmon tried to throw explosive bombs at myself and the Gotsumon, without fail though BurningGreymon was able to shoot these before they for anywhere near to us, and before long they had run out of ammunition to use.
With their numbers thinned dramatically, and nowhere left to run they backed up to where the furnace was – about a dozen left from the many that had been here to start with. The confidence they seemed to exhibit too long gone, now left with only a fear.
Approaching them BurningGreymon kept his cannons locked on target in case they decided to make a move against us...I guess he was reading my mind, as he tipped his head to me, letting me have the lead. Taking a deep breath, and steadying myself, I shouted out to them, more to make sure they heard me over the roaring furnace than anything else,
"Surrender! We promise you won't be harmed!"
They obviously heard me as they started whispering to one another, shaking clubs in hand and huddling together. Giving them a moment I could see the Gotsumon already getting ready to jump in if need me – putting my hand to the side on a stop motion though got the message across...If I could end this with them being alive...it would make me feel at least a little better about what just happened.
"No! No surrender! Mistress will kill us!" one of them called out, jumping up and down on the spot, shaking his club in the air as it looked like they were getting ready to charge us...that was before BurningGreymon fired a shot from his weapon, narrowly missing them and hitting the wall behind, some of the rock crumbling down behind them
"No she won't! We are going to defeat her today, and end her reign of terror! I promise you if you surrender she will not touch you, no one will!" it was to be expected they would fear her – she didn't seem to be the kind of person who inspired loyalty in her company...and if these Goblinmon were anything based on their real world counterparts they weren't know for it either...but if I could at least appeal to their sense of self preservation I might just stand a chance...
Again they huddled together once more, occasionally looking over shoulders over at us, as if to double check they weren't dreaming or something. Taking a little longer this time though, the one who had spoken before looked back to us, holding his club in the air again, feeling my heart sink slightly, feeling BurningGreymon move his arm to take aim.
"We have decided..." watching in amazement as he threw his club into the furnace just behind them "...Surrender ok!" the others quickly followed suite, and before long a dozen pair or clubs were gathered into the fire and burning to charcoal.
"Thank you...thank you for believing in us" I sighed in relief, glad we could end it peacefully, and that, even in situations like this diplomacy could work. "These Gotsumon will take care of you, and make sure you are looked after" I nodded to them, and they approached, guiding them away, one looking up to me with a smile, and a nod before continuing along and leaving the chamber the same way we had come in.
"...You know, if it had just been me I would have finished each and every one of them off..." turning back to BurningGreymon, I saw the beginnings of a smile "...goes to show though, not all our enemies need to meet the same fate – that was flawless" I felt myself blush slightly at the compliment, moving my hand up in a embarrassed gesture.
"It was nothing; really just appealing to them to make the right call...I know it won't be like this every time but...at least we tried, right?"
"Right" BurningGreymom nodded, and turned his head towards the large iron door at the back of the room "Snow, in the next room is LadyDevimon, and no doubt she knows her control over he has failed. It will be a tough fight, and we won't be able to talk her down, you understand that, right?"
"I know..." the thought was now really starting to cross my mind. I know I didn't want to hurt anyone if I could help it, but she was dedicated to her cause, at least that of her master "...If we can, I want to try...but, if it risks anyone...do what you need to do, ok?" trailing off at the end, I knew he could argue the point back if he wanted, but instead just turned and began walked towards the door.
Standing in front of them, I took a deep breath as I watched him reach forward and placing his hands around the large, metal handle. Knowing there was no turning back now, we swung them open and the sound of shouting, running and battle could be heard...we were walking from the fire, into the inferno...good thing BurningGreymon knew a thing or two about fire.