Chapter 9: Encounter

"He's really not anywhere, do you thing he got sucked up?"

"It's an unfortunate probability; we will have to make sure to pull him out as well if that is the case." Koushirou answered Mimi's question as she wandered about the battlefield, checking crevices and cracks in the ground for any sign of Tsunomon.

Koushirou was typing away intently on his laptop, he had been able to return to Yamato's apartment with Shin's help to pick up some food and supplies for him and Mimi because they had no idea how long it would take for the others to defeat Zui. He was truly grateful to have the technology sitting back in its rightful place on his lap; he had honestly felt quite naked without it, like an important piece of him was missing. He had wanted to analyse the liquid data they had been facing but it was impossible since the ooze was no longer flowing out of the cracks in the ground. He had attempted to peer down to check if the substance was just lying dormant but had been unable to see very far into the depths so had instead decided to use his time to try and unlock the apparent seal on Motimon. He hadn't felt right leaving him behind and he wanted to try his hand at a solution so he had brought him along.

From the explanation Shin had given he was sure there must be some way to hack the problem. To this end he had repeatedly scanned Motimon's data and tried several debugging techniques, most proved futile but his latest attempt was promising so far.

Mimi cast him a sideways look, lacing her hands together behind her back and kicking the ground in boredom she made her way over. She leaned over his shoulder to peer at the screen, he felt her hair lightly brush his cheek but he didn't turn from his task.

"Any luck yet?" She queried.

"Not yet but this recent programme just might work." He replied in monotone.

"Can I help?"

"Yes you can. Give me some space."

Mimi started pouting; placing her hands on her hips she straightened up with a huff and glared at the back of his head. He felt a shiver go up his spine as he suddenly realised he had made a BIG mistake.

"Well sooorrry for disturbing you! I know it's really important so I only wanted to help! I'm not completely clueless any more you know. I can work my computer with no help at all! Stupid Koushi!" She threw her hands up in her frustration, she knew she sounded childish and selfish but she simply couldn't take it any more. She had been letting him type away on that stupid computer for what felt like hours now in complete silence. It was awful here. In her search for Tsunomon she had gathered up the courage to check the crater Yamato and Tai had created during their fight and had seen the droplets of dried blood smeared into the earth as a result.

Koushirou grimaced as he slowly turned his head around to confront her but paused when he saw the look of cheerless contemplation she was now sporting. He sighed; placing the laptop on the ground he rose up off the floor and dusted himself off. She was still in her own little world when he brought her into a slightly awkward hug, he didn't seem quite sure how to go about it as he gingerly wrapped his arms around her. She looked at him in stunned surprise for a moment before flinging her arms around him and pulling his head down to her chest, he flailed in shock as she spun them both around releasing a heartfelt giggle.

"Oh Koushi I knew you cared! I'm sorry I won't bug you any more!" She stopped spinning and placed her hands on his shoulders to steady him since for him the world was still spinning.

"When we get back lets go to the beach together with everyone! Of course that includes the digimon too! You can even bring your laptop. Sora and I will make a picnic, oh Yamato can help too since he's good with food! We'll have to make a whole bunch…Tai will carry it! Of course we will have to be sure the beach is deserted first, maybe we can do it here in the digital world! It'll be so much fun." Mimi bubbled never taking her hands off his shoulders.

Koushirou looked at her in astonishment as she continued to make plans. For some reason he couldn't stop staring at her lips. His face slowly changed to a shade of red as he remembered what she had done at Shin's place. They had been really soft and tasted of strawberry lip balm. She didn't seem to notice his nervous gaze.

"Yeah! We should definitely do that!" He blurted out when he noticed she had stopped talking. He blushed profusely when he realised she hadn't been talking for a while now and he hadn't even noticed. Her eyes were half lidded in a knowing and incredibly seductive glare, her lips were partly open and curled into a small smirk.

He wondered how she had figured out that he had a small crush on her…well small is an exceptionally inaccurate word for it. At first he hadn't really known what his feelings meant, after all he was quite introverted when they first went to the digital world and to him she had seemed spoilt and immature. But as they spent more time together he had subconsciously begun to watch her and begin to admire her, not only for her beauty but for her convictions.

She broke him out of his reverie by kissing him ever so gently, he really had no idea how to react in these situations but he certainly enjoyed them. She parted from him with a joyous smile at the obvious enjoyment written on his face. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand self-consciously when she whipped him around and sat him back down in front of the laptop.

"Now now there's work to be done! Plenty of time for that sort of thing later~" She spewed as she set him down.

"You started it!" He stuttered in embarrassment as his brain went into overdrive trying to process what that had meant. He blushed again when several possibilities presented themselves and he hurriedly began typing. She sat quietly behind him watching him get back to work when he stopped; she looked at him curiously as he looked over his shoulder with embarrassment still evident on his face.

"If you want I…I…won't use the laptop when we go to the beach…I'll…um… just hang out with you." He turned his head back quickly after he had got it all out. She blinked in pleasant surprise before an enormous smile spread across her face and she grasped him from behind in a massive bear hug.

"Oh Koushi~! You can be really romantic too!"

"Mi-! Mimi stop you'll damage the laptop! Mimi!"

"Tai…would you kindly get you foot out of my face?"

"Sure Sora I would love to if Takeru would get off my back…literally!"

"Tai you act as if I'm doing it on purpose." Takeru said as Hikari helped him off of Tai and Sora, they had tumbled through the portal even more roughly then usual and ended up landing in an incredibly uncomfortable heap as a result. Shin had warned them it might happen due the difficulty of getting a portal to open inside the barrier Zui had created.

Tai stretched out his back and took in his surrounds. It looked like they had entered an electronics store. Various technological gadgets covered the walls and several stalls within the large complex. Though the lights were still on there wasn't anyone in the store. Tai moved forward cautiously, watching their reflections on the many television and computer screens which flanked their path. He stopped when he came across the service desk, the register was lying on the floor in front of them and a stand that used to hold different phone covers was now on its side with its contents scattered across the desk and floor, it looked like someone had knocked it down in a hasty retreat. Tai frowned as he got closer and spotted a pool of dark liquid seeping out from behind the desk. He held his arm out to stop the others from following as he made his way over, his breath caught in his throat as he peered over the counter and spotted the missing staff worker.

From what Tai could see the person had been female, though their face had been smashed beyond recognition. An indentation near the head showed Tai where her face had been destroyed by repeatedly hitting it into the white tiled floor. Blood was soaked into her hair and pooled around her head, glowing in stark contrast to the white floor. He covered his mouth with his hand to stop from gagging as the reality of what he was seeing sunk in.

"Tai? What is it?" Sora questioned quietly, he spun around still covering his mouth as he dry heaved and she flew to him, patting his back gently as she peered over to see what had caused such a reaction. The blood drained from her face at the sight and she ushered him and the two younger teens away from the area toward the door.

Tai sorted himself out and took the lead, throwing the doors open wide. He stared in disbelief at the sight before him, buildings burned sending sparks and heat up into the air in relentless waves, glass and debris riddled the streets in tall towers and uneven clusters but that's not what shocked him the most.

The streets were littered with bodies, no not bodies…body parts. Limbs stuck out of the debris in odd angles; just before him several heads were stacked on top of one another in obscene pyramid that was taller then a full grown man. Men, women…children, none were spared. The hollow sockets where their eyes should have been glared at him; what remained of their faces were contorted into vacant expressions of horror, disbelief and…despair.

He heard Hikari vomit behind him and Takeru trying to calm her down. He could smell smoke, sweat and blood all around him. He grasped the hilt of his sword subconsciously, cursing Zui with every fibre of his being for doing this to innocent people. An explosion in the distance drew his and everyone else's attention. Tai grit his teeth as he spotted a human shaped figure gazing at the world below from a building close to them.

"Let's go kick some ass." He declared as he ran forward with his team in toe.

Ethan rubbed some of the blood on his hand onto his silk red dress shirt. His jacket billowed out behind him when yet another explosion sent a fierce blast of hot air in his direction. He ran a hand through his dark wavy hair and chuckled slightly to himself, all that work to gather those explosives in anticipation for a day like this had certainly paid off. It was incredibly satisfying to cut loose and just go for it.

"Isn't it beautiful darling? I made these fireworks just for you." He turned addressing the figure behind him sitting on the same chair Yamato had formerly occupied. Ethan had dragged it through the portal with them when they had arrived, of course thanks to his new abilities it had been as light as air to carry around. He brought it because nothing else would do for his beloved wife; he wanted her to be perfectly comfortable while she watched the havoc unfold. He smiled happily at her, he loved the fact that she refused to take off her wedding dress even though they had been together for so long; the veil and long gloves covered her up completely so he couldn't see her face but he knew she was happy. After all a dutiful husband can always tell!

"Hmmm…?" He reluctantly turned his gaze back to the street below and spotted a few figures heading towards his location. "Survivors…? I know this is a massive city but I'm sure I got the majority. Anyone left should still be hiding." He grabbed the binoculars that were placed on his wife's lap and focused on the approaching group.

"My! Zui said they would be quick but I had hoped they would be a little longer…oh well I'd best let her know." He produced a mobile phone from a pocket within his jacket and proceeded to dial the by now familiar number.

Darkness. Swirling, pulsing and pushing down on her. It was suffocating. Her eyes were open but she still couldn't see. Something was calling her…it was getting louder and closer each passing second. Her breathing and heart rate quickened, she didn't like it.

Foolish child…you can never escape your fate.

"I already have!" She screamed into nothingness, the ever present darkness became even more cloying, pulling her further into its depths. Panic coursed through her veins, her eyes darted back and forth trying to see the source of the voice. She began shaking uncontrollably as two impossible large and cold hands grasped her shoulders.

You truly are a fool…my adorable little Zui.

"YAMATO!" She shot her arm out grabbing at thin air as she bolted out of bed. Small beads of cold sweat rolled down her forehead as she thrashed, panic flowing out of her as she whipped her head about searching for him desperately.

"Yamato! Hold me!" She cried out, he appeared in the doorway at her command and sat on the edge of the bed gripping her torso in a concrete hug. Her previously ragged breathing and fast heart rate smoothed out to a regular tempo as she buried her fingers into the back of his shirt and placed her head against his chest listening to the steady beat of his own heart.

"Thank you." She breathed out shakily as she pulled back to look at his face. His gaze remained fixed straight ahead with no light shining behind his crystal blue orbs. She placed her hands on his cheeks, drawing herself up to lock her eyes with his unresponsive ones. She pursed her lips in frustration. He was here physically, but he only moved when she demanded it. His mind was still his, locked away somewhere she still couldn't reach. She had tried. God how she had tried but he still evaded her. "It's ok…" She assured herself, closing her eyes. "Once he completes the task he will have no choice but to speak with me."

She opened them again, examining his emotionless features. She leaned towards him, her lips stopping centimetres from his as the mobile on the side table buzzed. She reached out irritably grabbing the phone and placing it against her ear.

"I swear if this is just you telling me how a damned explosion 'lit up your wife's face with happiness' again I will shove this phone-" She stopped, listening intently to the person on the other end of the line.

"You finally used this thing for what it's for! I'll be there shortly…try not to start without me." She hung up and untangled herself from Yamato's grasp. She got dressed quickly in the corner, donning the only outfit she currently owned before turning to Yamato and dragging him out of the room. She told him to sit as she lifted something cold and hard off the floor.

"I've got something to give you before we go…"

Mimi stared at the gaping maw of the cave as Koushirou typed unfalteringly behind her. She had become exceptionally bored at this point and was currently giving herself several makeovers in her mind when something in the cave arrested her thoughts. She squinted into the opening…there it was again! Something was moving. Fear crept into her as she tugged at Koushirou's arm with growing urgency.

"What is it Mimi? I'm almost done."

"Something's moving in there!"

He turned around quickly, glaring with a discerning look into the bowels of the cave. When nothing moved he looked at her sympathetically.

"You probably just stared at it for too long. But just in case we should-!" He ceased when he too saw something move, Mimi squealed and scrambled to her feet pulling him with her. He narrowed his eyes trying to discern what it was when a grey nearly translucent object flew toward them, he pushed Mimi violently to the side sending her skidding across the dusty ground as the thing barrelled into him pushing the air out of his lungs and sending him flying backward into Motimon and his laptop.

"Kyaaa!" He shook the stars from his eyes at Mimi's yell and sprang to his feet when he saw what had happened. The translucent thing had coiled around Mimi pulling her toward its main body as it stepped out from the cave. He couldn't make it out very well but it had an ape like shape to it, with very short legs and elongated arms, one of which was now wrapped around Mimi covering her mouth to silence her.

"Mimi!" He knew he couldn't do anything against this new threat without Motimon so he picked up his laptop and desperately tried to finish his programme as quickly as he could. Sweat trickled down his cheek as he put in the last few codes and heard the slopping sound of the creature shuffling toward him.

"Please work!" He cried as he hit the enter key. At first nothing happened causing his heart to drop to the pit of his stomach; then Motimon began to float emitting a bright purple light. He watched with joy as the colour returned to Motimon's body as he plopped on the ground looking around bewilderedly.

"Motimon! Digivolve!" Though Motimon was disorientated he started to glow with the light of evolution all the way up to MegaKabuterimon. The mighty beetle like digimon focused on his enemy, freeing Mimi from its clutches with a swipe from his horn cutting the things arm off, it then dissipated from around Mimi as she fell to the ground.

The creature gave out an odd groaning cry. Its other arm rammed into MegaKabuterimon with enough force to knock the digimon out of the sky, it wrapped its arm around his wings to prevent him from flying up again. MegaKabuterimon twisted his head and plunged his horn into the things gelatinous arm.

"Electro shocker!" The electricity from his attack travelled up the things arm and caused its body to wiggle and pulse. The creature began slamming MegaKabuterimon into the ground repeatedly, the vibrations from this caused Mimi and Koushirou to involuntarily hop with every hit.

"Don't give up!" Koushirou cried in support. MegaKabuterimon jerked his horn back and forth chipping away at the creatures arm until it finally gave. The thing moaned again and slumped forward.

"Yeah! You did it!" Mimi punched the air in victory as MegaKabuterimon got to his feet. Her celebration was short lived as new arms shot out of the things previously empty sockets.

"It really can never be easy can it?" Mimi groaned.

"It's Bastard, it's got to be!" Tai yelled as they finally reached the tall building. A few of the buildings many windows had been broken, the whole thing was unusually dark with no light to be seen from anywhere within.

Tai and Takeru wasted no time activating their weapons. Sora climbed onto Tai's back and Takeru lifted Hikari with one arm into a sitting position. They all nodded to each other before Tai and Takeru began running up the side of the building, racing with gravity defying speed to the summit.

"Welcome! You're a little earlier then expected…did you like my welcoming gift? I placed them in front of electronic stores all over this city since Zui said they were the most likely place you would show up." Bastard greeted them as Tai and Takeru reached the top and manoeuvred themselves in front of the two girls to face him.

"Gift? That was you? You sick bastard! What the hell did they do to you; there was no reason to hurt them!" Tai accused. He was literally shaking with rage as the horrific image flashed before his eyes again.

"Ah. So you didn't like it. That's to be expected I suppose you are too stupid to comprehend the real value of my works of art. Tsk tsk." Bastard sighed.

"Tai be careful…he's trying to provoke you." Sora whispered into his ear.

"I know. T.K. watch my back." Tai instructed. Takeru nodded and readied his bow.

"You're going to attack me now? Just like that? What if you hit my wife?" Bastard whined.

"Your wife? That's right you mentioned her before…any woman who would marry you must be dangerously insane." Tai jeered.

Bastard's previously merry expression darkened in unhidden rage. "My wife is wonderful. I bet you all want to know how we met!"

"Not even a little." Tai responded as he finally spotted the person Bastard was talking about. He squinted just to see if he was seeing things correctly. Yep, that was definitely a wedding dress. He couldn't see any facial features at all, the thick veil covered her whole face and the dress she wore went all the way up to her chin in a lacy Victorian style collar. The dress itself was a tradition Victorian design and completely encompassed her small frame. He directed his attention back to Bastard when he walked around the back of the chair and placed his hands on its wooden frame.

"It's a brilliant story of love and overcoming obstacles!" Bastard began ignoring Tai completely. "You see there was once a princess; she lived in the room above her prince, for the longest time the prince was unseen by her eyes due to an evil curse but he could see her." He lifted the unresisting woman off the chair and began dancing the waltz. Her head rolled from side to side and he slid her unmoving feet across the floor.

Sora began to feel a foreboding sensation as he continued his odd dance. "He watched her everyday falling deeper and deeper in love with her until one day an evil man came and stole her heart away. On the day she was to be wed to this man the prince came to her rescue! Slaying the man and breaking the spell he took her as his bride and they lived happily ever after!" He finished the story with his hand clasped with hers and a hand around her waist. He brought her down into a low stoop, supporting her weight with his arm. Her head lolled backwards and the veil fell revealing her face to the wary group.

Sora gaped with revulsion feeling Tai and Takeru bristle and Hikari let out a large gasp. Bright white teeth glistened in a permanent grimace. Black sunken holes once containing eyes stared off into the distance, the sunken skin stretched across her face in wrinkly folds and a couple of sparse strands were the only remnants of what must have been a full head of luscious blond hair.

"You really are one hundred percent a cold blooded bastard." Tai seethed.

Bastard looked up at him with a dark expression, he put his poor victim back on the seat, lovingly replacing the veil and straitening out her dress. Her turned slowly to face them, glaring beneath his wavy bangs at Tai.

"You know I never really liked you boy. You really don't know how to address your betters…" Bastard shifted into a battle stance, drawing two curved daggers from behind his back.

"Thank god. I've seen what you do to the people you like." Tai readied his sword as a strong explosion sounded from the opposite building sending a burst of strong wind at them all blowing through Tai and Bastard's hair as they both charged at each other simultaneously.