Authors note: Ten chapters…wow. Can't believe I have managed to get this far. I want to give a massive thank you to mahwish1 and JyouraSorato for always reviewing and giving me the courage to continue! If it weren't for your reviews I would have continued with the story but I wouldn't have kept posting. It's not over yet muhahaha.

Chapter 10: Confrontation

"Tai go right! Don't just hit him like that concentrate on blocking and wait for your chance!" Tai followed MetalGreymon's rumbling voice as closely as he could, blocking and parrying Bastard's quick successive strikes with difficulty.

Tai had realised when he first activated his weapon that the more power he put in the further Koromon's voice evolved. This told him that he could get stronger if need be but so far no matter how he tried MetalGreymon's voice didn't change to WarGreymon. He gritted his teeth as a particularly strong clash between Bastard and his weapon forced his feet further into the ground.

Sparks flew as Bastard shifted his weight further pressing his advantage. Tai let out a roar as he changed his stance, giving Bastard a little more ground before pushing upwards with enough force to send Bastard skidding backwards digging his heels into the ground.

Tai breathed heavily through his nose, his arms shook a little from the aftershocks of Bastards blows. They had been fighting for what felt like hours but Tai knew it couldn't have been longer then forty-five minutes. Their fight had taken them from the roof down into the streets below and Takeru was currently nowhere to be seen but Tai knew he wasn't far away.

Tai wiped some of the dirt and sweat from his face never taking his eyes off of Bastard who remained where he had been thrown apparently waiting for Tai to make the first move. Tai wished he had more time to adjust to this new weapon, it was a lot harder to control then he had first anticipated, the thing seemed to sap his energy out of him in order to fuel itself. He was tired, but still had enough energy to keep this up for a good while longer.

"I can't go all out, Bastard's just the first obstacle…I need to save the real thing for Zui." He told himself. He took a calming breath and gripped his sword with both hands readying it for another strike. Bastard smiled cockily at him as he ran forward.

"Hey now why aren't you fighting me for real?" Bastard chortled out as he jumped to the side to avoid Tai's downward strike. Tai, ignoring him, turned the blade on its side and swiping at Bastard's midsection. Bastard blocked with the dagger in his left hand when it cracked, he narrowed his eyes in angry awareness as the blade snapped. Bastard jumped back in order to avoid the full swing of Tai's blade but didn't move fast enough. The tip of the blade cut a clean line across his shirt and stomach, setting his shirt on fire and causing him to wince in pain as the flames scorched the opening of his new wound. He patted himself furiously before the flames finally died.

"I should ask you the same thing. Those flimsy weapons don't stand much chance against me. What happened to those wretched black energy blades you used before?" Tai mocked, swinging his blade in a wide arch shooting flames toward Bastard.

"Well boy those aren't much fun, one scratch and you're doomed. I want you to be conscious when I slice you apart." Bastard said in a jovial manner as he dodged the coming flames, they crashed into the rubble of a building behind him.

Tai grimaced as Bastard tossed the useless dagger handle away and positioned the still whole dagger in front of him against his left palm. Tai remembered the last time they had faced Bastard and how MetalGarurumon had almost had him but failed because of that small scratch bastard had given him. Tai didn't much fancy being cut by those infernal blades, he looked at the many nicks and cuts on his arms and legs that he had received during the course of the battle and was suddenly very thankful Bastard hadn't used them from the start.

"Tai don't space out!" Tai was startled back into reality by WarGreymon's command and lifted his sword up to parry as Bastard leapt into the air.

"But since you asked." Tai's eyes widened in shock as Bastard, instead of using his dagger, produced the dark energy blades from the bases of both his feet. Bastard stuck out his right foot landing a heavy blow on Tai's sword, Tai was forced to grip the hilt of the blade with his right hand and support the flat of the blade with his left, making him drop his shield which dangled heavily. The flames didn't burn him but that was little consolation as Bastard kept pushing him down by hopping from foot to foot. Tai was forced to bend his knees, he grunted as the weight got heavier. With alarm he realised his hand had slipped, the next hit would break his block and even if he dodged a solid struck he would still be cut be the blades, he closed his eyes in frustration and waited for the finishing blow...

"Tai!" He opened them in jubilant surprise when several glowing arrows sailed into Bastard's upraised arm forcing him off of Tai before his dark attack could cut Tai's skin.

"T.K.! Great timing as always!" Tai greeted Takeru who landed nimbly beside him giving him a pleased smirk.

Bastard growled as he pulled the arrows out of his arm and glared at the two boys. He shuffled through the inner pockets of his jackets when he felt the buzz. Pulling it out he quickly answered it with annoyance as Tai and Takeru looked on with confusion. "Yeah? No I didn't kill them! You told me not too…I was just having a little fun. You aren't mad are you? Yeah…yeah…sure I'll send them over." He hung up and stretched out, shaking his head in obvious disappointment.

"Send them over? We don't follow your bloody commands!" Tai yelled hotly.

"For your information that was the boss. But it's fine by me if you want to keep playing with me instead, its not like I care about what happens to your little girlfriends." Bastard stated.

Tai and Takeru shared an alarmed look and immediately began to head back to the others, moving with exceptional speed.

MegaKabuterimon slammed into the cave entrance, rubble and rocks fell down with him as he crashed into the ground. The creature had thrown him again but it was obvious the thing was on its last legs. Its arms only half formed after MegaKabuterimon had succeeded in ripping them off several more times.

Koushirou was standing protectively in front of Mimi, he was using his laptop to try and find out what kind of digimon the creature was. All his readings indicated it was neither digimon nor human; this didn't puzzle him as much as it would have a week ago due to recent events but it still gave him plenty of questions.

MegaKabuterimon rammed the creature, skewering it on his horn. "Electro shocker!" The creature jiggled as the electricity coursed through its body, it let out one last gurgled groan before it burst, hitting the ground in small jelly like lumps. MegaKabuterimon glowed before reverting to Tentomon. Koushirou and Mimi ran to him, Mimi shouting words of praise and Koushirou patting him on his hard shell casing.

"It was nothing Koushirou, I'm happy to help!" Tentomon said, slight embarrassment evident in his tone.

"What was that thing? Why did it attack us?" Mimi asked.

"I'm afraid I don't really know." Koushirou shrugged, stooping down to examine a small gelatinous blob left behind by the creature. He stiffened as he sensed something moving behind him in the direction of the cave, Mimi backed up into him as she felt it as well. They both turned toward the cave, fear and apprehension creeping into them as a low groan escaped from the entrance.

"Not more!" Mimi moaned. Koushirou saw she was right. More of the same type of creature started pouring out of the cave in a slow trot.

"There must be at least fifty!" He exclaimed. He looked at Tentomon nervously, there was no way he could fight those things with his current low energy levels, they had enough trouble beating one!

"I'm sorry Mimi this might be when we make our exit." He apologised before trying to re-establish his connection with Shin to open a portal back to her place.

"But Palmon!" She protested, shooting the creatures an angry glare. That's when she noticed they weren't attacking them, instead they were lining up on either side of the cave's entrance in a military like assembly. She squinted into the cave as a figure emerged, marching down the path the things had created toward them. They all blinked in disbelief when they realised it was a Centarumon trotting straight for them.

"Centarumon! Is that really you?" Koushirou asked as the digimon came to a stop in front of them.

"Hmmm? Have we met? I don't think so…" Centarumon pondered aloud. Koushirou realised now that this couldn't be the same Centarumon since its main body was a light grey instead of orange.

"Not that that's particularly important, I have a job to do after all. I need you to open a portal to your world for me." Centarumon said it he was asking a casual favour.

"What? Why should we do that?" Mimi growled. Koushirou held his cool, thinking carefully over what they could want to do in the real world.

"Are you here to stop Zui?" Koushirou questioned after a lengthy silence.

Centarumon looked pleased; he bowed to the two digidestined and spoke with confidence. "Yes. I am very sorry for my…helpers attacking you before. They aren't very intelligent. If you would be so kind as to open the portal to the battle we can help your friends."

"I can't. Shin told me there is a barrier around the area, only she can break through it." Koushirou answered honestly. He was still extremely cautious because he didn't quite believe these creatures were here to help. They had, after all, come from the same cave as Zui.

"That won't be a problem. Please use this." Centarumon produced a small chip and handed it to Koushirou who looked at it curiously. "This will allow you to create a portal into Zui's domain without Shin's help."

Koushirou examined it carefully, he pulled out his digivice and turned it on its side, there was a tiny slit on the base that seemed to be a compatible size with the chip. He glanced at Centarumon who smiled at him. Koushirou noticed with concern that the other creatures had created a circle around them, blocking any path of escape.

"…How did you know my friends were fighting?" Koushirou asked quietly.

"My master knows all." Centarumon replied rigidly.

"Your master? Who?"

"That is not information you need. All you must do is open the portal."

"And if I refuse?"

Centarumon stopped smiling. He backhanded Koushirou so hard and so fast that Koushirou hardly had time to register the hit as spots clouded his vision and he slammed into the ground. Mimi screamed and ran over to Koushirou to help him up, a dark bruise was starting to form on his cheek and he wiped the small trickle of blood away from his cut lip.

Tentomon bristled, he tried to evolve but he was far too exhausted from his previous fight. Instead he settled for firing an electro shocker at Centarumon who dodged it and struck the insect digimon into the ground with ease.

"What the hell! There's no way we're going to help you now you ass!" Mimi fumed; she stopped when Centarumon picked up the laptop Koushirou had dropped during his fall and held it out to them.

"I am not giving you a choice. I only need one of you to open the portal, the other is expendable. If you understand then do as I say and I will spare your friend." Centarumon addressed Koushirou directly, shoving the laptop into his face.

Sora and Hikari were searching the ground below trying to follow the boy's movements as they fought with Bastard. Neither of them wanted to turn around and face the corpse still sitting on the chair.

Sora gripped the side of the railing tightly enjoying the firm feel of the cold metal against her bare hands. It helped her focus. She knew Zui would crawl out of the woodwork soon enough but that's not what made her nervous. They had faced countless evils before and won so it didn't really faze her. It was the thought of seeing Yamato again in what Shin had described as a "puppet" state; she wasn't sure how she would handle it if she couldn't reach him with her words and pull him from Zui's hands. What if she wasn't good enough? What if Zui struck her down before she could save him?

She and Hikari jumped in surprise when a bright light flickered on behind them. They both slowly turned toward the chair behind them watching in apprehension as the light that had been flashing from the back of the chair slowly faded away.

Sora's grip on the railing tightened even further when she saw a young girl with cropped raven hair step out from behind the chair. Sora realised instantly that this girl must be Zui, she threw caution to the wind and lunged at her, throwing her curled fist toward Zui's face.

Zui caught her hand and sneered down at her. Sora yelled and brought her other fist around to try and catch her under the chin. Zui caught this one as well then delivered a sharp kick to Sora's stomach, releasing her grip and sending her flying backwards into Hikari. They both slammed into the railing which creaked under their weight but thankfully held firm.

"Glad to see you remember me even in my real form." Zui snickered.

Sora wheezed and pushed herself off the floor. She stumbled to her feet, supporting herself on the railing. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him, she was so focused on Zui that she hadn't even seen him there. He stood beside Zui, a strong wind shook them all fluttering through his golden hair as he stared blankly forward. She took a few calming breaths, focusing all her willpower into not running into his arms as she stepped forward.

Hikari cast a worried glance at Sora; the tension in the air was thick and the plumes of smoke from the recent explosions billowing upwards in the distance along with the eerie darkness caused by the barrier gave everything an unreal feel.

"Yamato…can you hear me?" Sora reached out to him, her voice was quiet and shook a little despite how much she didn't want it to. He made no move to indicate he had heard her; she took a step toward him only for Zui to step between them.

"Sorry but you aren't who he needs to see just now." Zui stated.

"What?" Sora growled.

"Sora! Hikari!" She looked up to see Tai and Takeru jumping over her head, they both landed into a fighting stance between her and Zui.

"Zui. We've been waiting for you. I think it's high time you gave us Yamato back!" Tai bellowed.

"Sure." She responded. They all looked at her with distrust written all over their faces but she just shrugged and motioned for Yamato to come over. He walked forward to stand beside her.

"Nii-chan?" Takeru's voice was laced with hesitant hopefulness; he frowned when he looked into his brothers eyes and saw no recognition or light in them.

"Yama can you hear us? We're here to get you back buddy. I could really use your help in showing those two jackasses how wrong they were to mess with us." Tai tried, he felt a deep foreboding sensation at this situation.

"Yamato..." Zui cooed sweetly, she placed her hands on his shoulders caressing his face as she tilted his ear toward her waiting lips "…eliminate them."

Tai and Takeru stiffed as Yamato raised his right arm; they saw he was holding a silver handgun that closely resembled a .500 Smith and Wesson. Tai watched with a sinking feeling in his gut as Yamato brought his left hand forward, placing the digivice he was holding against the barrel of the gun.

"Shit! Is that Tsunomon!" Tai cried as a shadowy light burst from the connection, he and the others covered their eyes. When he could see again he saw the new weapon in Yamato's hand. The gun had almost doubled in size and now had two barrels. It had changed to a dark silvery black; a barely visible blue wolf ran up the shaft of the gun toward the nozzle on either side, its fangs bared. A thin black chain connected to the butt of the gun snaked up his wrist and hung limply between his hands before attaching to the tip of the hilt of a mid length dagger in his left. The dagger was bluish silver; it curved upward in a fang like shape with three thin, deep indentations at the base before the hilt. Its blade was tinged a deep frozen blue.

Tai barely blocked as Yamato charged into him, their blades grating against each other producing orange and blue sparks. Tai was shoved back by the pressure, Sora and Hikari were forced to leap out of the way as he and Yamato slammed into the railing. The already weakened structure gave out and they both went hurtling toward the ground.

"Tai! Nii-chan!" Takeru called after them as they fell. Takeru turned his rage toward Zui, a quick glance told him Hikari and Sora had avoided falling so he readied his bow.

"You truly believe you can face me alone?" Zui seemed amused by his stance.

"I won't just face you, I'll take you down." Takeru replied. Hatred and determination displayed within his words and on his face.

"Sorry but that's not how this goes." She smiled sweetly at him. Raising both her arms she blasted a stream of dark energy toward him, it expanded giving him no room to dodge so his glove glowed a strong yellow, he created a triangle in the air with a swift movement leaving behind a point of light at each end. Bands of light shot from them connecting the dots and a golden force field solidified between the lines just as the attack slammed into it. Takeru grunted as his whole body shook from the pressure hitting into the shield, the attack didn't let up and it sent him shooting away from the roof and slamming into a skyscraper a good distance away.

"There. Ethan will keep him at bay if need be. Now all we have to do is wait." Zui grinned at the remaining girls, smoke dissipating from her hands as she did so.

"Yama it's me! I know we have our disagreements but is killing me really the answer?" Tai yelled as he blocked several jabs and slices Yamato sent his way. He was getting really frustrated now. Yamato didn't seem to hear a word and that blade looked none too friendly. He kept one eye trained on the gun, so far Yamato hadn't used it but he was nervous about what kind of power the bullets would have.

Tai was keeping on the defensive but he knew he couldn't do it for long. "Tai. I know you don't want to hurt him, I really don't want too either but we are going to lose like this. Our only option is to fight back; he's not the type of opponent that will just let us by." MetalGreymon's voice floated through his head.

"I know. Damnit Yama snap out of it! I never took you for someone who would just follow order's no questions asked, you never did for any of mine unless you completely agreed! Sora's waiting up on that roof with that psycho bitch you know!" He cried as he continued to block and parry. The last sentence seemed to hit a small cord within Yamato and his attacks paused for a fraction of a second. Yamato back flipped away from Tai landing in a crouching position.

"That's it! Listen to me Sora wants you to come back asap, and if you make her wait any longer I won't be able to help you when she flips out at you…you don't want to make her mad right?" Tai rushed his words as Yamato slowly stood, his head still bent down. Tai looked at him hopefully, did his words reach him? That hopefulness vanished instantly when Yamato snapped his head up and raised his gun firing multiple shots, the bullets were small blue orbs about the size of a football and had black lighting swirling around them.

Tai narrowly avoided them by leaping to the side. Yamato continued to shoot following Tai as he jumped and ran in a wide arch. Tai turned toward him, stooping low to avoid the shots and closing the distance, once he was close enough he swung his sword upwards. Yamato blocked with his dagger, sparks flew and the clang of metal against metal echoed as Tai continued his assault.

"You…why the hell are you making Yamato fight Tai! There's no reason for it you heartless bitch!" Sora yelled at Zui who was leaning on the armrest of the chair.

"Tut tut…" Zui waved her index finger at Sora, tapping her own nose as she shook her head. "There's a very good reason."

"Bullshit! From what I hear it's thanks to Yamato and me that you were able to communicate with this world and this is how you thank him? Don't you care about him at all?" Sora was enraged at this point, clenching and unclenching her fists. Hikari was trying to see were Tai and Takeru had gone by searching the streets below once more.

Zui glared at Sora, she pushed off the armrest and straightened out her dress. "I don't just care about him. I love him. And he loves me."

Sora gawked in shock, literally shaking with rage as she yelled. "You think he loves you! After everything you've done to him? You hurt him! You dragged him away from his friends and family and now you are forcing him to fight!"

"He wants to fight. He should be willing to go through some pain for me, I love him."

"Can you even hear yourself? You forced him to do all those things! If you love someone you should want to do everything you can to keep them from pain and sadness! Why…why even make him fight in the first place? You're strong, why aren't you fighting?"

"Because Yamato has to do this for me, you see he does love me he just…needs to be reminded of that."

"What…?"

Zui sighed; she scratched the back of her head as she replied. "You see since he has been with all of you he has developed…other priorities. If I remove you he may end up hating me, unfortunately most of you have deluded him into believing you love him more then I do…"

Sora could hardly believe what she was hearing. Shin had said she was like a spoilt child but this? This was self delusion and selfish desire on a whole other level!

"…so he has to be the one to kill you all. If he kills his best friend, his brother, his…former lover he'll have no choice but to listen to me. I'll be the only one left in the world he can depend on."

"You…you don't care about his feelings at all! You're just trying to monopolize him for yourself like he's some kind of…of pet."

"Be careful what you say." Zui hissed.

Sora stood her ground crossing her arms and tilting her head haughtily. "You know I'm right. You haven't thought about it from his point of view…not even once! That isn't love, that's obsession! You're a spoilt child clinging to what you believe is love when it's nothing but self delusion. We will never let Yamato do something like killing his friends; we'll defeat you before that happens."

"Well said Sora!" Tai yelled as he tried to slice Zui in half from behind her. She turned in angry surprise and jumped to avoid the hit.

Tai was bleeding from a small cut above his left eye and panting heavily, he swung around as Yamato pounced on him, the strike forced Tai onto his back and he slid across the roof stopping at Sora's feet.

Tai propped himself up on his elbows just as Yamato pressed the nozzle of the gun against his forehead. The air was thick, sweat dribbled down Tai's face as he stared into the soulless eyes of his best friend.

"Yamato, you don't want to do this!" Sora spoke, not daring to move in case that made him fire, her tone was hushed and urgent.

"Yama…I know you're in there. We've been in countless battles together remember? I trust you with my life…so I'm going to trust you now. Come back to us." Tai breathed, staring into Yamato's eyes to show the conviction of his words. He was terrified on the inside, if Yamato didn't listen this time that was it, not just for him but for everyone.

Zui grew impatient when Yamato still made no move to fire. She stuck her fists on her hips, pivoting one out to the side. "Yamato. Kill him!" She ordered.

Yamato's finger twitched against the trigger, his previously expressionless face changing as he narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. Zui watched him in frustration as his arm began to shake. Sora, Hikari and Tai shared a sigh of relief as Yamato jerked his violently quivering arm away from Tai's head. He turned it toward Zui painstakingly slowly, his entire body resisting the action.

"Yamato. You're going to resist me, even now?" Zui seemed devastated; her hands fell limply to her sides as her features crumbled into complete sadness. She shook her head, large tears streaming down her face; she almost looked like a lost child.

Sora would have almost felt pity for her at that moment. Would have almost heeded Shin's request and not hated her. Perhaps she may have even been able to forgive her, given time. Perhaps she could have even come to understand her point of view.

But that was never meant to be, Zui's next course of action destroyed any chance of that ever occurring.

"Yamato…you idiot." Zui spoke in deathly monotone, clicking her fingers. A small scratch appeared on Yamato's cheek, Sora gaped at it in disbelief, nothing had attacked him!

"Idiot." Another click, another scratch; this time along his forearm. Yamato grimaced but remained with his gun still pointing at Zui, instead of shying away from it she walked straight toward him.

Tai glared at the new wound then to Zui, realising she was somehow causing it he charged at her, sword blazing. Instead of striking her he struck a shield of some sort around her, he tried multiple times but every hit just yielded deep black sparks that made scratches and gave him mild shocks wherever they hit him. While he was doing this she still continued walking forward slowly.

"Stop." Sora demanded. She was hurting him again! "Stop. Stop! Stop!" She repeated over and over, her pitch getting higher and more desperate each time.

"Idiot." Three clicks in quick succession, a cut on his thigh, shoulder, shin. Tai tried harder, hitting and striking at the barrier. He saw Zui's face between each strike; fury consumed her whole form, palpable malice bled off her.

"Idiot." Two more clicks, two deep cuts on his right forearm. She was past his weapon now; he still aimed straight ahead and couldn't seem to move at all.

Sora kept shouting at Zui to stop, she was behind Yamato now. She hooked her arms around his torso, pulling as hard as she could. She was begging him to move, begging Zui to stop. Hikari had joined her, hooking herself under Sora's arms and pulling. Both of them combined couldn't budge him.

Zui stopped centimetres away from him; she glared up into his eyes. She could see him struggling, pushing against her control with everything he had. Then she saw it, the light returning to his face, the look of contempt and sadness he gave her. Wait…sadness? Why could she see that? She saw anger, contempt and loathing that she partially expected, but she also saw compassion. Pity. But no love.

Zui grit her teeth, she didn't want pity. She wanted him to love her, as completely and wholly as she felt she loved him. She rested her head on his chest. The chaos surrounding them, Tai attempting to damage her barrier, Sora and Hikari begging her to stop and pulling on Yamato's unmoving form, it all faded away as she listened to his steady heartbeat.

"…I love you. Please bear it." She whispered, clicking her fingers.

Author's note: Sorry this is a really mean cliff hanger…I'll update soon! Though I think those familiar with my train of thought know where this is going.