Chapter Fifteen: Fallen Angels Part 2
The group headed up the road a bit and quickly found the building Piddomon had mentioned. It was a massive wooden structure that looked far more like a warehouse than a residential home. The inside was in relatively good condition and although many of the windows had been shattered it was still relatively dry inside. John glanced around, using the light provided by Ayden, who had decided to stay Digivolved until they could get a torch lit. All around were old logs decomposing, branches and work equipment and carpentry tools were scattered everywhere. John's suspicions were confirmed when he caught sight of some metal glinting in the far corner and found a lumber saw there still stuck in the rotting trunk of an old tree. This was a lumber mill from the time of deforestation.
Piddomon slumped into a sitting position and let out an exhausted sigh. For a moment it seemed as if the beleaguered angel was sleeping but his eyes soon opened and as the first torches were lit he began to study the face of each human and each Digimon. An awkward silence gripped the room as the magnificent angel stared in adoration at them. The group exchanged glances hardly able to believe so glorious a Digimon would actually be idolizing them.
"Incredible," Piddomon said breaking the silence after a long while, "The Digi-Destined have indeed returned to our world."
"Not more of this Destiny crap," Xander mumbled, "Can I go to sleep? I'm exhausted!"
"Shush," Solara demanded, "Do you know where the Celestial Palace really is?"
"Yes, it's where I was trained," Piddomon explained, "and I am due back there. I was already late coming back but when I heard the reports of the Jakimon I had to do something. The Celestial Palace will be glad to know that the Destined are here in the Digital World, especially with Ophanimon ill."
"Ophanimon?" Patamon asked, the name sounded oddly familiar to him.
"One of the three angels, they help maintain the balance of this world and protect the innocent," Piddomon answered, "Seraphimon, Ophanimon and Cherubimon and each as powerful a Digimon as can possibly be imagined."
"But if they are so powerful how did one get sick?" Xander asked, honestly hoping the question wasn't taken the wrong way.
"Ophanimon was poisoned, one of the Digimon working at the palace poisoned her," Piddomon explained, "It was part of some wicked plot but we're not sure who was behind it yet."
Vera listened to the angel explain himself but her mind was elsewhere, on the screeching wind and the crashing thunder - on the figure she'd seen in the forest. The shadows in the warehouse were deep. Only three torches burned and all of those were on one side of the big building. The ceiling stretched up nearly fifty feet above them and the chilly autumn wind was cutting into the building through the broken panes of the windows. She felt the floorboards creak and turned to look over her shoulder, searching for the source. There was nothing but black shadows, ominous darkness that could have housed all manner of monsters. This wasn't Earth either, where monsters were works of her imagination - in the Digital World monsters were the rule, not the exception. She realized then that Piddomon had stopped his speech and grown silent. She turned to see the angel's face, alert as if he had heard something.
"Something isn't right," Vera said and the angel's gentle nod confirmed her suspicions.
"There is something in the darkness," the angel whispered standing with his staff in hand.
From the shadows behind her Vera felt the presence of something evil. She dived into John's arms soon noticing that even he had goosebumps populating his skin. Adlimon and Haomon, either the bravest or dumbest of the group, were the first to step forward. Both leapt backward as the shadow took shape and the demonic entity in front of them appeared from a black mist and unfurled its wicked black bat-like wings. With eyes that shined piercing red, a height of nearly ten feet and fangs designed to suck blood the devil was as menacing as any monster they could have conjured in their minds.
"Devimon," Piddomon said identifying their foe, "What are you doing here?"
"Setting a trap," a smaller voice answered, and each of the twelve narrowed their eyes as Demi-Devimon fluttered out.
"Can we take him?" Solara asked Piddomon.
"Yes but let me handle the other one," Piddomon said.
"Demi-Devimon?" Xander asked raising an eye-brow at what he mistook for cowardice.
"No," Piddomon explained, "THAT one."
The group watched in horror as a massive onyx shadow fell from the ceiling above forming into a twelve foot tall terror wielding a pitch-fork. With crimson-black armor the new Digimon was far more menacing than even Devimon and the wicked smirk on his demonic red face was only more worrying.
"I see my Jakimon tribes finally caught the attention of the Celestial Palace," the bigger demon cackled, "A pity they could only send a lackey."
"If you take that back we might just go easy on you," Haomon taunted.
"Do not tempt this one," Piddomon advised, "He's an Ultimate level."
Phelesmon wasted no more time, he flew full speed at his angelic enemy hitting him head-on and pushing the angel until his back was against the warehouse wall. The devil took in a deep breath and let it out as a demonic scream that shook the walls and floorboards. Before he could complete his Demon Shout attack, however, Piddomon's knee took him in the stomach pushing the air from his lungs and the fervor from his attack. Piddomon brought his staff's blunt end down conking Phelesmon in the head with it and slipping out from against the wall. Back on even footing with his enemy Piddomon spread his wings.
"Fire Feather!"
Flames leapt from his wings in the shape of feathers careening across the warehouse toward Phelesmon. The devil Digimon merely spun his pitch-fork dissipating the fiery feathers instantly. The wicked creature smiled his razor sharp teeth and heaved in a big breath. Piddomon was too far away to stop his attack and a blast of evil wind emanated from the demon's lungs hitting with intensity and sending Piddomon back pedaling. The angel was wracked with pain but he managed to keep on his feet. He had to attack quickly though, the next Demon Shout could come as quick as Phelesmon could draw breath. He threw his staff so that it would hit the demon square in the chest and knock the breath from his lungs but Phelesmon anticipated where it would hit and caught the staff.
"This is much like the one I took from your brother," Phelesmon said with a wicked smile.
Piddomon felt righteous fury welling within him, he dashed in, carried on white wings and summoning angelic speed. He hit Phelesmon this time, driving the demon against the wall before pummeling him with powerful punches. Phelesmon, however, barely flinched as each blow landed. In fact the demon was laughing, mocking Piddomon even as the angel unleashed his rage.
"Pathetic," Phelesmon mocked, "Even your brother Angemon hit harder than this."
Phelesmon took in a short breath and expelled in a Demon Shout attack that didn't do much damage but pushed Piddomon far enough away to allow the demon to use his pitch-fork in the fight. Now the angel desperately tried to get in range of the demonic Digimon but without his staff, and with the sharp pokers of the pitch-fork in his face, it was going to prove very difficult.
Agunimon made the first strike against Devimon sending in a barrage of fire. The dark Digimon blocked the attack with wind expelled from his black wings before driving his claw into the ground. His hand seemed to vanish into the floor and only after being struck in the back by a powerful swipe did Ayden realize what had happened. The demon had created a portal and essentially teleported his hand.
Adlimon and the others were ready to step in and help when the room seemed suddenly crowded. Small white Digimon were appearing everywhere, their ivory ethereal forms made frightening by razor sharp teeth and soulless black eyes. These ghostly Digimon appeared everywhere in the warehouse, closing with menacing hoots and howls.
"Bakemon," Patamon said shivering and very afraid.
"More like practice," Haomon said, "Adlimon you help Ayden out, I can handle these pansy phantoms."
Vera stood frozen as she watched Haomon tear through the Bakemon ranks. The feline warrior was truly a sight to behold but she could tell that even with the help of Patamon and Dyrasmon the crowd of ghouls was too numerous. She worked up the courage and waded into the crowd. It happened almost immediately, the brilliant light shone forth from her Digivice and enveloped Haomon lifting the little Digimon off the ground and transforming him into Felehaomon. The proud lion roared a thunderous roar lightning leaping from his mouth as he tore into the Bakemon ranks. Dyrasmon followed soon after with a transformation of her own. Now they seemed evenly matched, especially when Patamon appropriately pursued Demi-Devimon, seeking to teach the treacherous salesmen a lesson.
Devimon batted Glacadlimon away, the icy lizard grasping the demon's hand with his razor teeth sending a chill down his enemy's spine. Agunimon arrived behind him pummeling the winged Digimon with fiery fists forcing the devil to disappear for a moment. Devimon's fists were all of him that reappeared, arriving through portals on the floor to deliver two devastating uppercuts to his attackers. Thompson watched from not too far away trying to offer his friend moral support without getting himself killed by the crazy demon.
Piddomon shielded himself with his wings as the Demon Shout rolled over him. It was still painful but this way it was bearable. The feathers provided a fairly good sound cushion to protect the vital areas of his body. The angel opened his wings with fiery results and this time a few feathers did manage to impact Phelesmon though the damage they did was minor Piddomon could see he had singed the demon's armor. This only served to make Phelesmon angry, the irate devil dived at Piddomon with pitch-fork in hand stabbing it forward and nearly impaling the angel. Piddomon side-stepped the attack just barely and immediately transitioned into a speed attack grabbing hold of his enemy and flying him across the warehouse where they smashed into and right through the wooden wall. Boards flew everywhere out into the autumn as the angel and devil continued their deadly dance.
Agunimon and Glacadlimon knew they were gaining the upper hand on their enemy as the frozen fangs sunk into the back of his leg just before flames struck his chest. Devimon seemed to be exhausted, as though his ethereal fist tricks had drained him of energy. He was stuck using more straightforward attacks now, though his swiping claws were no less painful when they did get a successful hit. The Warrior of Flame looked to the nearby struggle against the Bakemon and saw that they too were tiring of the fight, though nearly two dozen of the ghouls still haunted the warehouse.
"ENOUGH!" a demonic voice screamed.
All watched as Piddomon flew through the building making a new hole in the wall and crashing into the floorboards. The angel was bloodied and bruised but managed to stand up before Phelesmon entered the building once more.
"Devimon," Phelesmon said with his chest heaving, "it's time."
Devimon grew a wicked grin and closed his wings over his body. Suddenly the Bakemon that remained began chanting, each of them started to glow. Their tumescence filled the otherwise darkened warehouse as they coalesced around Devimon swarming over him like insects. The Bakemon then seemed to fade, almost vanishing into Devimon who was now changing before their very eyes. The group turned to Piddomon for support but the angel wore a hopeless expression that stole the courage from their bones.
"I am now NeoDevimon," the demonic Digimon growled.
He was twice as tall now, crimson wings had replaced his black ones and his ashen gray flesh was studded with red markings. His long arms, nearly longer than his entire body, were tipped with golden talons and spiked with crimson spikes. He was truly a terrifying sight to behold and yet there was one amongst the group who felt no fear.
"Let's get this guy!" Solara screamed, "What are you all waiting for?"
"Fools," Phelesmon mocked, "you have no hope of winning against the likes of us."
"Wrong Phelesmon," a booming voice, Agunimon's voice, responded.
Ayden had to believe they could beat both of these Digimon. He had only just met his friends and he wasn't about to lose their first big fight together. He turned toward NeoDevimon with anger in his eyes. Ayden's boldness transferred to the other humans who even grabbed whatever they could find as weapons and prepared to fight if they had to. Glacadlimon and Agunimon charged in together but NeoDevimon stretched out his claws. Black lightning arced from each digit paralyzing them with shockwaves of pain.
Dyrasmon summoned a storm of leaves that seemed to merely glance off the demon's skin. Felehaomon's attack had better success as he sunk his electrified fangs into NeoDevimon's right wing for a devastating Thunder Fang attack. Ayden watched as Felehaomon was cast aside and saw a cut appear on the cat's flesh made by the horrible claws of the powerful demonic Digimon. He had only now regained control of his motor functions. He knew that in their current condition, fatigued from the fight against the Jakimon and the Bakemon, they wouldn't be able to win. There was no other way. He searched for the energy within and summoned the Beast Spirit.
BurningGreymon appeared before them then. Ayden was now manifested as the Beast Spirit of Flame. He could feel the power of the Spirit of Fire feeding his own spirit within and he truly felt as though he could take on the world. He wasted no time, the guns built into his gauntlets pivoted into firing position.
"Pyro Barrage!"
A powerful fully automatic spray of flames emerged from his wrists and impacted against NeoDevimon. If the devil had any illusions of this fight being an easy win they were destroyed by that attack. NeoDevimon spread his wings and let out a roar clawing desperately at BurningGreymon's armored hide to no avail. Even the onyx lightning that leapt from each claw did nothing against his new foe. He dissipated, vanishing from sight. Ayden knew to stay on alert but as the minutes ticked by he wondered if the cowardly demon had truly just turned tail and run from him.
"Keep a look-out for him," he advised the others.
Ayden let out a deafening roar and turned toward Phelesmon. The demon seemed to be toying with Piddomon now, the poor angel bleeding from a set of small wounds and being cut further with Phelesmon's pitch-fork. BurningGreymon struck him in the back of the skull with a fist wreathed in flame. Phelesmon spun on him then screaming as loud as he could. The pain was intense but Ayden held his ground with feet firmly in place and an unyieldingly angry glower. The demon smiled wickedly when he saw his attack was futile. He began taking in a new breath, one that would likely level the entire building if his estimates were correct. BurningGreymon turned to the injured Piddomon.
"You've fought valiantly but now I need you to get these people to safety," he said and the angel nodded solemnly.
The building was clear in moments and it was a good thing too as the entire structure shook and BurningGreymon smashed through the wall once more this time taking the entire thing out and collapsing the roof. Phelesmon emerged unscathed and fired off a series of shorter screams, each time flying in close to claw at the seemingly indestructible read armor of his new enemy. BurningGreymon knew he couldn't take another hit like the one that had brought down the building. He punched at his enemy, trying to hit the elusive phantom but Phelesmon was too quick for that. Out in the open he was a much harder target to hit, even with his barrage of flames Ayden only managed to land one hit on the stealthy demon. He thought for a moment that Phelesmon would run away just as NeoDevimon had. Ayden knew he had to end it soon. He reached inside for the wisdom of the Warrior of Flame. The spirit had a suggestion for him.
"Wildfire TSUNAMI!"
The attack sent out a tidal wave of fire that crashed over the dampened forest and cut through the rain to hit Phelesmon as he tried to fly over the wave. It was too late, he was caught in the fiery tempest and he fell to the forest floor. He reached his feet fast with the help of his wings, but not fast enough as a pyro barrage brought him back down to the ground and sent him sliding away in the mud. BurningGreymon caught the demon and grabbed him by the throat.
"Please," Phelesmon begged, "Mercy."
"Did you show mercy to us? Did you show mercy to Piddomon's brother?"
The demon squirmed and tried to break free using his pitch-fork. BurningGreymon took the weapon and broke it in two. Instantly a light surrounded Phelesmon and though at first Ayden worried the demon was Digivolving, of playing a dirty trick, in fact the light transformed the Ultimate level back into a tiny little indigo imp.
"No, you fool!" the little imp protested, kicking the twenty foot tall dragon but getting a bruised foot in the process.
"I see you won," Piddomon said approaching.
"He won't be bothering anyone any time soon," Ayden agreed reverting into his human form, "I don't know about NeoDevimon though."
"The Celestial Palace will find someone to pursue him," the angel said, "Come, we found a small village not far from here, we will be able to spend the night there. The Destined have earned a rest."
As Ayden entered the village the others each thanked him in their own way. Thompson shook his hand, Vera gave him a hug, Haomon high-fived him and Solara, of course, stole herself a kiss. He felt truly blessed to have such friends and they were truly glad to have him. He had saved their lives and in many ways they had saved his own life from the fate of being stuck in the Digital World all alone. With their sore muscles and aching bruises they all slept well that night. The Destined had earned a rest.