Authors note: This was a joy to write, my absolute favourite chapter so far. This is the original idea that allowed me to write this story. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! It's even longer then the first one hehehe.
Chapter 6: Despair
"Shit…" Tai took a couple of involuntary steps back as the light of digivolution shone all around him before WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon stood before him, flanking him on either side. He felt Hikari tug at his sleeve urging him to retreat from the coming battle. He eyed Bastard who remained stationary in a relatively relaxed pose, the unseeing holes that served as eyes for the mask seemed to stare straight through Tai causing sweat to appear on his brow as he turned to follow Hikari. The ground before them split, halting their retreat. Mimi dithered precariously on the edge but just before she could fall forward into the newly formed crevice Koushirou grabbed her around her waist, pulling her back to safety as they both landed hard on the floor.
Yamato watched from his position of relative safety within the grove as that same viscous liquid began bubbling and frothing forth from the cracked ground which extended in a semicircle trapping the others in front of the now decidedly ominous cave. He had sent MetalGarurumon over to help but knew it would be useless to go over himself though he desperately wanted to, they wanted him and Sora and she was in there!
Within the barrier Takeru grasped Hikari close to himself; she was shivering again and mumbling incoherently into his chest with her hands firmly clasped onto her head. He pulled her roughly away from the edge as the liquid sprang forth.
"Eh…?" The substance came out so quickly and unexpectedly that Palmon was unable to get out of reach in time as it coated her from head to toe.
"PALMON!" Mimi screamed as Koushirou dragged her from the liquid. Palmon reached out to her, smiling lightly as she did so. "Mimi I'm so sorry…" she said sadly as the liquid pulled her down into the abyss away from Mimi's outstretched arms.
"Palmon…? PALMON!" Mimi struggled against Koushirou's firm grip around her waist. He stroked her hair spouting apologies as he did so; she ceased her wild flaying and threw her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably into his chest.
"Bastard! What happened to Palmon!" Tai demanded, turning his attention back to the battle taking place behind him; while the earth had broken and Palmon had been consumed WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon had been trying to damage Bastard. Wargreymon swiped at his legs forcing him to jump into the air straight into the path of MetalGarurumon's Cocytus breath. Bastard vanished reappearing directly above MetalGarurumon applying a swift drop kick to his back sending him crashing to the ground. The liquid brushed against his back foot as he leapt back into the air, the substance retreating back into the crevice only pushing out when anyone came near.
The remaining digimon had evolved into their mega levels excluding Patamon and Gatamon who had only evolved to their adult forms. MegaKabuterimon tried to fly over the fissured earth only for the liquid to shoot up at him; he narrowly avoided a face full. Angewomon and Angemon fired their arrows at Bastard but he quickly dodged and Wargreymon, who had been attempting an attack from behind, was struck in the chest propelling him backwards. He hit the rising liquid with his back, it dripped over his shield as his eyes widened in panic at the sensation, he yelled before devolving down to Koromon and falling away from the ooze.
"Koromon!" Tai shouted, gliding across the dirt on his knees as he caught Koromon whose back had turned the same dull shade of grey as Koushirous hand. Koromon looked up at Tai with confusion written on his features "Sorry Tai I don't know what happened…I know its there but I can't feel anything…it sucks" Koromon whimpered as he closed his eyes and began breathing quietly in slumber.
"Shit there's no bloody room! What can I do…we can still beat him. I refuse to give up!" Tai stood slowly, twirling to face the growing chaos taking place behind him; Sora was stroking Mimi's back as she sobbed into Koushirou's arms, Takeru was trying to keep hold of Tai's increasingly shaking sister and Joe was running toward him.
He watched as Bastard ducked and darted between an onslaught of arrows and special moves which sent him into the path of Zudomon's Vulcan hammer. Bastard back flipped onto the top of the hammer as Zudomon slammed it down. Stooping down low with his arms outstretched his hands began to glow with an odd dark light. The light formed sharp peaks above his outspread fingers forming dark energy blades which extended for a few inches. He started running up Zudomon's arm and leapt into the air, bringing his bladed hand down into the unprotected space between Zudomon's horn and shell. Zudomon bellowed in anguish as he devolved back to Bukamon and fell to the floor unmoving, his whole body had turned grey.
"BAASSSTAARRD!" Garudamon cried as she punched at him with her Crimson claws. Bastard continued dodging but that's what she was hoping for. MetalGarurumon stealthily circled around as Garudomon steered Bastard toward him, Angemon and Angewomon hovering over MetalGarurumon's head with arrows at the ready. Bastard, sensing the incoming attacks, whirled around to face them. He dodged an Electro Shocker sent by MegaKabuterimon from above only to find himself trapped in a headlock by Garudamon.
"Now!" She cried. Bastard quickly produced another energy blade from the base of his foot, stabbing Garudamon in the thigh causing her to drop to one knee as the other digimon launched their attacks toward them. Two of the attacks missed their mark completely but Angewomon's Celestial arrow grazed the left side of Bastard's mask creating a small crack.
"Yes!" Angewomon proclaimed.
Bastard pushed his blade further into Garudomon's thigh, dull grey spread out from his blade until it coated her completely. She turned her gaze to Sora who was screaming her name and reaching out to her, Garudomon smiled before shutting her eyes and devolving into Yokomon. Bastard ran swiftly forward as she did so; MetalGarurumon barely managed to dodge the blade Bastard plunged toward him, receiving a small scratch as he jumped away.
Bastard panted heavily, recovering from the new injury and the recent miss. Leaping into the air just as MegaKabuterimon flew past he drove his right arm's blade deep into MegaKabuterimons exposed stomach. MegaKabuterimon wriggled and writhed as he tried to dislodge Bastards weapon but it was to no avail as the dull grey colour spread through him forcing him back to Motimon. Bastard landed on one knee with Motimon falling to the ground behind him only to be forced to jump to the side as MetalGarurumon sprang at him.
"Heh to think you all would give me this much trouble…" Bastard muttered. Unseen by the digimon thanks to the mask he closed his eyes in concentration as Angewomon and Angemon fired a barrage of arrows at him. They both watched in horror as he used the dark blades on his feet to hop from arrow to arrow toward them. They didn't have time to dodge when Bastard brought both his arms together palms up and shot a massive beam of energy toward them. It expanded spreading into an all consuming force which blinded the digidestined who were watching in dismay as Angewomon and Angemon vanished.
Takeru blinked several times before he could see again and spotted Tokomon and Salamon lying on the ground in front of him. He dragged Hikari over to them, she still was still mumbling and didn't seem to realise what was happening.
Bastard's mask crumbled away until it was only covering his right eye. Tai could now see his face and though his features could be described as handsome the exposed deep blue, almost black eye betrayed his true nature. A cacophony of emotions stirred within the deep pools, the most predominant being anger and…joy? Tai shook his head; the man was obviously greatly disturbed to wear such an expression in the midst of battle.
Bastard heaved and grasped his chest; his dark hair was plastered to his exposed brow and he licked his dry lips. MetalGarurumon snarled, he was the only one left and he was going to finish it. He charged at Bastard only to stop mere milimeters before him, his open jaws seconds away from clamping down on Bastards head. MetalGarurumon shuddered in alarm as he realised the small scratch he had received from bastard before had caused his whole body to gradually turn grey; he looked across the crevice meeting Yamato's concerned gaze before transforming back to Tsunomon landing beside Bastards feet.
"Well I would say that was fun but guh-" Bastard faltered, the blades from his hands and feet disappeared as he shakily tried to steady himself. "Hah…I suppose its curtain call." He turned toward Tai just as Tai balled his right hand into a fist and struck Bastard's exposed jaw sending him skidding across the ground.
"That felt good." Tai grunted, shoving his right fist into his left hand and flexing his neck. "It's our win so tell us how to cure our digimon."
Bastard then did something Tai didn't expect, he started sniggering before erupting into full blown laughter.
"Your win? How ridiculous! This is only the start boy." Saying that he disappeared from Tai's sight, the digidestined looked around desperately trying to see where he would reappear.
"Well desperate times and such, you really are second best but there is just no helping it." Sora's breathing hitched as Bastard whispered into her ear behind her. He grabbed her forearm and pulled out an ornate dagger from his back; it had been hidden underneath his dress jacket and he pushed her body closer to him in order to brush the flat of the blade against her face. She froze at the feel; the blade curved, dipping inward and outward forming a sharp menacing tip at the top. It seemed to somehow glisten with dark light as he drew it away from her; she could hear the others shouting her name and demanding he release her.
Tai ran toward Bastard as quickly as he could. Bastard cracked a demented smile, directing it straight at Tai and having the nerve to wink at him as he dragged the blade across Sora's palm. As soon as the first drop of blood hit the ground it began to shake, and a gargled roaring sound came from the cave as Bastard turned Sora toward its gaping entrance. He tossed the knife away as she struggled against him but he held her firm, forcing her palm forward toward the opening.
Tai continued to run almost reaching Sora before he was forcefully stopped, he tried to compel himself forward but his legs simply wouldn't move. He looked down to find out what could be holding him back, dark tendrils had wrapped around his legs, they extended from the earth itself and held him forcefully in place. He saw the others were suffering from the same problem, unable to move from were they stood. He turned his attention to the opening as the gargled roar increased to an almost deafening tempo, then sudden silence.
The darkness of the entrance ripple and stretched, Tai had to cover his ears at the terrible ripping sound as the darkness seemed to fold inward. A large mass began to form at the lip of the entrance; it was as tall as a small building and just as wide, the mass bubbled and stretched, shrinking down to more regular size as protrusions poked out at odd angles and something that resembled a human torso formed. The whole thing wriggled and writhed, it looked like large maggots were moving beneath the impossibly black skin of the creature which was slipping off the newly formed arms, never breaking into liquid as it sloughed onto the floor and rejoined the creature at its base. Two holes appeared on what one could assume was the head, a dark red glow the colour of blood shone deep within the sunken sockets. The skin continued to constantly move as it slouched forward, it was shuddering and letting out strangled moans as it dragged itself forward. Its jaw dislocated and hung lamely on one side but it simply reached up and forced it back into place with a sickening SNAP. The group was watching with growing horror as it attempted to quite literally pull itself together. Joe turned quickly to vomit as it inched closed to Sora. It reached out to her, extending its grotesque arm toward her outstretched palm.
Yamato couldn't take it anymore. He backed up before running full throttle toward the large gap separating him from the others, to his surprise the black liquid didn't flow out at him as he made the jump, breaking into a roll on the landing. He quickly got to his feet running for Sora but the odd black tendrils wrapped around his ankles. The creature was only seconds away from grasping Sora's outstretched palms when he spotted the knife; it was close enough for him to reach if he really tried. His fingers brushed the hilt as he forced himself closer. Just a little further…
It was risky, he might not come back from this…he could die. Everything could end, no more future, no more performing on stage listening to the hollering crowds and feeling the sweet adrenaline rush through his veins, no more parties with his closest friends, no more laughing with Tai at their various antics, no more advising Takeru on how far he should take it with Hikari.
But this was Sora.
"OI!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. Everyone turned to face him including Bastard and the creature. Sora looked at him; at first relief flooded her features until her eyes fell upon the knife, they then changed as she tried to beg him with her eyes not to do what he was planning. He locked his gaze with hers trying to apologize, trying to say without speaking how much she meant to him and how much he would miss her. He reluctantly broke away, turning his attention to the creature. "You want me? Come and get me!" He dragged the knife across his palm feeling his skin tear beneath the blade as he spoke.
The creature almost seemed to smile as he did so; it dragged itself towards him with previously unseen speed stopping its face mere inches from his, it broke into a mad grin that spread impossibly far across its face. He shook in shock as he took in the creature, watching with morbid fascination as its skin boiled over revealing small sections of bone before covering it up with more of the flesh like substance. It clutched his open wound with its hand and moved to stand behind him; it interlocked their fingers and braced the nook of its arm against his elbow, his skin crawled at the feel of the creatures flesh against his own as it placed what might be considered its chin on his shoulder.
"Ya…ma…to…" He froze as it gurgled out his name. "How does it know that? I thought it didn't know who we were!" His thoughts ran wild as the creatures arm melded with his own through the cut on his hand; he stared at his arm in shock as it began to move without any command from him, the creature used his own left hand to steal the knife out of his right. Alarm rang through his system as his own arm aimed the knife towards his stomach, he grasped his wrist with his right hand struggling as the creature brought it closed and closer to him. He began to panic as he realised that even using all his strength he couldn't stop it, he leaned away from its tip but the creature was still behind him and prevented him from getting very far. The creature paused just as the tip of the blade brushed his wrinkled white shirt.
"I…Lo..ve…Y..ou." It gurgled just as it rapidly plunged the dagger deep into his abdomen; he opened his mouth in a wordless scream as mind numbing pain spread through his entire form. He had never imagined how badly being stabbed might feel but even if he had nothing could have prepared him for this kind of pain. He shuddered against the blade as the creature slowly withdrew it, blood pouring out of the new wound in thick streams quickly coating his shirt changing it to a deep crimson and spilling out onto his black jeans, trickling down his trouser leg and forming a deep pool at his feet.
"Nii-chan!" Takeru shouted as he tried in vain to free himself from the tendrils which held him firmly in place.
"NOOOOO!" Sora screamed, the others were screaming his name and trying to get to him as well but she couldn't care less, Bastard's grip on her had weakened so she elbowed him in the stomach to get herself free. She was the only one not being held down so she ran for him, her heart hammering against her chest and panic coursing through her veins. "No no no no no no NO!" She repeated to herself, closing the distance between them painfully slowly. Yamato turned his head to her; his fair hair hung limply over his eyes as he stared at her, blood streaming down the corner of his open mouth in a thin rivulet. She watched his crystal blue orbs soften as he mouthed two heart wrenching words causing tears to flow freely down her face as the creature thrust its hand into the fresh wound; forgive me.
The creature's body was violently gurgling and bulging as it was seemingly sucked into the wound. The tendril's preventing the others from moving were withdrawn as the last of the creature was absorbed into Yamato's body. It felt as though he was disappearing, the temporary relief from the stab wound forgotten as the last of the creature merged with his body; this new pain was indescribable. It was even worse then the barrier, it felt like his every nerve were being painfully twisted out and replaced. Sora finally reached him as Yamato slumped forward, he was still standing but his knees were bent and his arms hung uselessly by his sides.
"…Yamato?" She questioned, reaching out to touch his down turned head. Before she contacted him his head shot up abruptly causing her to pull back. Whatever was looking at her now wasn't Yamato; his face and hair were the same apart from the grey pallor of his skin and all the blood had vanished from his face but that's not what made her so sure. It was his eyes; they no longer glowed bright blue or held the mirth and hint of mischief she had grown to love, instead they were a dark red showing no emotion at all. Empty.
The thing wearing Yamato's face broke into a wild grin, standing perfectly straight and throwing his head back in vicious laughter. He walked toward her; every step he took left a deep impression in the ground; grabbing her face roughly before she could pull away he yanked her head to the side and brought his mouth so close to her ear she could feel his breath tickling against it.
"He's MINE bitch, he's always been mine!" He hissed. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers as he withdrew, pushing her backwards causing her to fall to the ground as he did so. He pushed down on his neck with his left hand massaging it as he moved his head from side to side. He spun around to look at the others; examining each one of their faces before settling on Hikari, anger briefly flashed over him before his expression settled into a cocky smirk.
"See? I told you I could do it…" Bastard had managed to get to his feet at this point and staggered toward him, kneeling down on one knee and bowing his head once he reached him.
"So you did, well done my dear Ethan. As promised I will grant you one wish. What is it you desire?" Yamato crossed his arms and lolled his head toward Ethan, disinterest clearly displayed on his face.
"It's quite simple really…my dear wife, I've told you about her right?" Ethan, formerly known as Bastard, began.
"Extensively."
"Yes well, I don't really want anything but she is absolutely head over heels in love with Japan…I want it. As a gift for her! I want the whole thing to do with as she pleases, whether that is to rule with grace or burn it to the ground." He cackled out the last few lines.
"Haah…? That's it? I thought you would want something difficult." Yamato blanched.
"What have you done to Yamato? Who are you! And stop prattling on about stupid things like we aren't even here!" Tai barked. He was so angry that his fingers were digging into his palms drawing blood, it made a dripping sound as it hit the ground. He ground his teeth together literally shaking with rage. He had been forced to just stand there as his best friend was impaled and…and…stolen. He wasn't going to do nothing any longer.
"Oh don't worry I'm just borrowing his body for a while to regain my former strength. But that and who I am doesn't concern you since you'll all be dead fairly soon." Yamato spoke as if he were talking to a disobedient animal, waving his hand dismissively in Tai's direction.
Tai ran to him, aiming to hit him in the back of the neck and knock him out, only for Yamato to grab his outstretched fist with lightning speed. He gave Tai an angry look of irritation before twisting his fist backwards, forcing Tai to his knees. Tai bit his lip to hold back a cry; he glared angrily at Yamato's soulless red eyes searching them for any sign that he was still in there. "Sorry buddy." Tai thought as he brought his free fist up and landed a punch on the side of Yamato's face. Yamato didn't even flinch, remaining perfectly still as Tai's fist made contact, his face didn't move from the force as he stared coldly down at Tai's surprised expression.
"Eager are we? Well I really shouldn't exert myself but you are becoming a nuisance." Yamato spoke in a deathly monotone, lifting Tai off the ground by his hold on Tai's fist and tossing him into Joe. They both rolled to a stop in an undignified heap.
"Little help?" Ethan tugged on Yamato's shirt, exhaustion written all over his face. Yamato sighed and extended his hand covering Ethan's face, his countenance contorted into a look of stern concentration as dark energy swirled around his hand, reforming the dark mask over Ethan's face. Ethan stood as if nothing had ever occurred, pushing the mask so that it rested on the side of his head revealing his face and dusting himself off.
"Happy?" Yamato scoffed.
"Very." Ethan replied.
Tai scowled. Not only was Yamato being possessed by an extremely strong enemy but Bastard was back to full health (Tai refused to call him by his real name). They couldn't win now. This was it, that thing was going to kill them all. But Tai pushed himself to his feet, fierce determination shining from his eyes. "I'm going down fighting. Yamato would have expected nothing less."
Koushirou hugged Mimi closer; she had stopped crying now and was staring into nothingness, he wanted to comfort her and tell her it would all be okay but that would be a big fat lie and he knew it.
Takeru watched Tai stand, he could tell what he was thinking without even asking. He looked down at Hikari; she had closed her eyes and stopped shaking a few minutes ago. Joe had gathered all the fallen digimon and laid them down next to where he was holding Hikari and Koushirou was comforting Mimi before going to help Tai. Takeru stared at his lifeless friend Patamon; they all really did look like stuffed animals and nothing more now. He closed his eyes gently kissing Hikari's head and breathing in the smell of her hair. "Hikari?" He questioned, blinking in surprise as she slowly got to her feet; her eyes were half-lidded as she rose and her body glowed with a bright white light.
Tai didn't see this as he went for Yamato screaming out a war cry. Ethan moved to intercept but Yamato held an arm in front of him, shaking his head he stooped down and moved with unnatural speed to meet Tai halfway. He landed a quick uppercut to Tai's chin. Tai flew up as Yamato jumped to meet him, bringing his interlace hands down on Tai's head propelling him back to the ground with enough force to create a small crater. Sora stumbled over, dropping onto all fours before reaching them; she was still crying as Yamato straddled Tai and began unleashing a series of blows to his face. Tai coughed, blood trickling out of his mouth as Yamato grabbed the collar of his orange T-shirt and pulled him towards his face, Tai was bleeding from a gash in his cheek and his left eye was starting to swell.
"Stop…you'll kill him…" Sora choked out, the tears clouded her vision but she could still see dark energy churning around Yamato's upraised fist as he prepared the finishing blow. "Stop…YAMATO STOP!" She cried out at the top of her lungs.
Tai scrunched his eyes closed, bracing himself for the hit. When no blow came he slowly opened his eyes and disbelief graced his features. Yamato's left eye had returned to its original colour, his face was contorted in pain and concentration as his fist shook violently attempting to come crashing down.
"Ge..t…away…pro...tect..So…ra…ple..ase…" Yamato croaked out, every syllable seemed to take enormous effort. Blood began to pour out his recovered eye as the thing fought to regain control. Tai swallowed hard, tears threatening to fall as he nodded his head vigorously.
"Keep fighting Yama, I'm gonna figure this whole thing out. I will save you!" Tai vowed. Though Yamato was clearly in a great deal of pain he managed to smile at his best friend, using all his will power to stand freeing Tai from his grip. At the same moment a bright white light erupted from the direction of the others, Tai whipped his head around to see them all start floating with looks of astonishment before vanishing except for Hikari who floated in the centre with a serene expression, arms reaching out toward him. The light lingered, seeming to call out to him and he knew that this was his only chance. He leapt out of the crater and bodily lifted Sora in his arms.
"Wait! We have to bring Yamato! We can't leave him! WAIT!" She was yelling as Tai lifted her up, she thrashed about in his grasp but he held firm. She looked over his shoulder as he ran toward the light, she saw Yamato staring at them with an incredibly sad smile before his eyes closed, snapping open again with both of them glowing the same dull red.
"WAAAIIIITTTT!" She cried as the light consumed them both and Yamato disappeared from her sight.