Blame two papers I had to write (neither of which had to do with digital creatures in any way) for the lateness of this chapter. I did as much as I could in my spare time, however.
Officially, this chapter marks an important point. This story is now twice the number of chapters, over twice the number of words, and has over twice the reviews as the previous story, "Destiny," has at this point (those statistics might change after I have the chance to go over the story to do some malicious editing and revision in order to improve the quality and depth). I find it hilarious the length it has grown to in comparison to its predecessor and the fact it isn't quite finished yet. There are still several chapters and events to go and, hopefully, a few more twists you are not expecting.
And now, it is time to see our enemy's true form (or, at least the one he is using for this fight). Behold his might and tremble with fear! No one can stand before a creature of such power and violent desires. He is the ultimate source of chaotic destruction! Everyone is doomed!
…Sorry, couldn't resist. A little evil bragging is always fun. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
It was huge. As in "dwarfs skyscrapers, whales, and maybe even Azulongmon" huge. The creature had rose from the blue mist and kept rising until it was towering over anything else. The being possessed four long limbs ending in thick, blue claws. Along the massive back was a shiny, segmented, blue shell or armor with curved, thorn-like spikes running down the spine. The segmentation would imply a certain level of flexibility and possibly even the capability to stand upright for short periods, but without sacrificing defense. Thicker, straighter spikes lined the digimon's "shoulders." In comparison to the mass of the body, the rust-red limbs were relatively thin and supple. And yet, these "noodle-like" limbs were thicker around than one of those giant trees on the west coast of North America that he'd read about. The head was turned in the opposite direction currently, so they couldn't see the creature's face yet. But they could see his long, thin, red neck and they could hear him speak.
"Willis," the enormous entity bellowed.
"What is that?" Henry asked from within his mental sphere.
His partner, who'd been wondering the same thing, shared his observations, "It's big, blue, and is looking for 'Willis.' Beyond that, I don't know."
"I've never seen anything like it in the card game," Rika's voice remarked. "If Takato was here, he'd probably tell us it's from season three, episode thirty or whatever."
"I doubt it," Terriermon's voice responded from within the green-armored creature. "There was only two seasons of the show and I'm positive he'd have mentioned something like this." As Sakuyamon gave him an odd look, the digimon half of MegaGargomon clarified, "I might not watch the show that much, but I do get on the internet."
"It is that lying traitor, Diaboromon," snarled Marsmon, joining the pair on their temporarily-cleared rooftop. "I recognize him, regardless of his form."
"Terrific," Terriermon's voice remarked sarcastically. "Our enemy always ends up the size a small country. Zhuqiaomon. D-reaper. Why should now be any different?"
"Don't exaggerate," advised Sakuyamon, taking off towards the beast.
"The larger they might become, the harder they shall fall," Marsmon added, following.
"If Impmon was here, he'd call them both ax-crazy," muttered the digimon half of the mechanical being as they went after their companions.
Henry, smiling teasing from within the green orb, retorted, "And you'd tell him to momentai."
"No fair using my word against me," he grumbled.
The giant digimon that had rose from the blue mist, startling the pair of armored megas immensely, was now towering above the buildings in a fashion that reminded him vaguely of VenomMyotismon on a slightly more unnerving scale. From this angle, he could make out a side view of the creature's head. Attached to a relatively thin and long neck, the head was somewhat elongated with his frenzied green-yellow eyes. His jaw stretched downwards slightly and opened far wider than normal to reveal dagger-like teeth. The pale shade and sunken features, with only the burnt red horn curving from his forehead to add color, gave every impression of being an alien skull.
The head turned away from them, bellowing, "Willis."
"Did it just say 'Willis'?" asked Gallantmon. "Is he here too? How?"
"Don't know, but that thing showing up can't be good," VictoryGreymon answered. "I suggest we forget about the small fry and focus on the giant one."
The reptilian warrior started to take flight, but a voice and accompanying chaos made him pause.
"Metal Wolf Claw!"
Ice encrusted a couple of Chrysalimon they'd been fighting earlier, destroying the pair of blue champions in an explosion of data just as another shape burst into their clearing in the fog. The quadruped was very lupine and robotic in appearance, his metallic body gleaming. While he was blue like most of the mist's inhabitants, he possessed a pair of yellow mechanized wings jutted out on the sides to provide speed and flight. And though only the minimal of the digimon's impressive arsenal was currently visible, Tai had personally seen each hidden weapon in the time he'd known both the mega and the blond-haired musician on his back.
"Hey, Agumon," the Digidestined of Friendship called up to VictoryGreymon, as casually as if they were sitting on the couch in Tai's living room instead of in the middle of a deadly fog-covered battleground. Obviously, the similarity between WarGreymon and his new mega form were apparent enough for the teenager to recognize him. "I like the new look. So, who's the new guy with the wings, where's Tai, and how can we help?"
"Hey, Matt," greeted VictoryGreymon, drawing slight amusement from the confused look concerning the dual voices. "Glad you and MetalGarurumon could join us."
"Tai?"
Within the orange sphere, the youth smiled, "We have tons to tell you, but we have a giant digimon currently standing in the middle of our city that demands our attention. Ready?"
"Sure thing," he nodded, adapting swiftly to the fact his best friend was part of the giant reptile. "Do you think you can keep up with us?"
"The question is," responded VictoryGreymon, "can you?"
The pair of best friends, one Biomerged with his partner and one riding his mega comfortably, took off in the direction of the looming entity. The crimson-armored knight, staring at them for a moment before spreading his numerous wings, followed swiftly. Tai could hear Takato's voice softly muttering behind him.
"Tai and Matt. Both of them together against a giant enemy? Kazu and Kenta are going to kill me for not bringing them."
Considering they were leaving an upper-story window, it was fairly lucky that they had wings in their crest mode. They weren't, however, the midnight black feathered ones that belonged to Beelzemon or the normal form of Fatemon. The feathers were a softer grey shade, nearly identical in color to that of clouds on a rainy day. Not the storm clouds of thunderstorms that sent Ai and Mako scurrying in fright; the light rain that encouraged them to jump into puddles while laughing. Those wings pushed him upwards and away from the building.
His leather jacket had returned, if somewhat simplified, and now partially covered a slivery breastplate with minimal decoration or designs. Actually, he seemed to be wearing mostly the same outfit he would as Beelzemon while the silvery armor was added on in a fashion that balanced punk biker and noble knight. His belt continued the odd dual-nature by having a sword hanging on his left and what looked like a miniature, hand-held version of his cannon. The sword still held the black stone in the hilt, but smaller diamond-like gems now surrounded it. The spikes on his boots were gone and his smooth silver helmet was now closer to something Justimon would have worn rather than his medieval helm while still allowing his trio of green eyes and his smirk to be visible. Finishing off this odd balance of a gun-toting force of destruction and a sword-swinging entity of protection was a loose chain around his neck with a metal representation of the Crest of Balance dangling from it.
His attention was swiftly ripped away from his new form by a minor detail. Specifically, the extremely large creature that was currently rising out of the fog in the middle of the city and whose head body was still higher than the flying mega. This thing was huge and, even at somewhat of a distance, was very hard to ignore.
Mako, staring at the creature standing above the city skyline from the purple orb he shared with his equally stunned sister, muttered, "He's big. What do you think he wants, Impmon?"
Almost in answer to the child's internal question, the giant digimon bellowed, "Willis."
"I'm guessing he wants 'Willis," Munchkin," the twins' partner remarked. "How about we go tell Big Blue over there 'hello'?"
In unison, Ai and Mako nodded within the mental bubble. The sensation of increased power along with the confident tone of their best friend and partner eased any doubts the monstrous size, beyond almost anything they'd ever seen, might raise. Even more inspiring was the other figures they could see heading towards the beast.
Taking a grip on his miniature cannon, which now fit into his hand perfectly instead of encasing it, Fatemon grinned, "He won't know what hit him."
The digimon, glaring down at Willis as he and some of the other humans were moved away on Youkomon's back, was extremely large. The blue-shelled creature with the bone white face exceeded nearly any being he had ever seen before and certainly fell within his quick estimations based on limb size. His shelled-back, at least from this angle, seemed to be segmented similar to how some arthropods would be or certain types of medieval armor. This segmentation continued underneath the creature, along his stomach, but the segments seemed to be a darker shade of blue nearly bordering on black. This segmentation would undoubtedly offer a high level of protection to the digimon while allowing him to retain plenty of flexibility of movement. Izzy didn't know what this particular entity was called or his capabilities, and doubted his computer would provide that answer since it hadn't worked on Diaboromon's forms years ago, but he didn't need it to know that they needed more help.
"Diaboromon?" the blond boy asked, meeting the gaze of the creature he'd helped create and had just spoken to him.
"I am Ragnamon now," he answered. "I am the end of two worlds. The apocalypse. Armageddon. Ragnarok. Everything shall be destroyed. You shall be destroyed by my own hand. Does this please you, Programmer?"
"No," Willis shook his head, barely audible to Izzy from where Kabutarimon held him.
"Leave him alone," Gargomon shouted. "Gargo Laser!"
Running towards the giant's foot, Turuiemon added, "Gauntlet Claw!"
"Don't," yelled the American digidestined. "He's too strong."
Izzy fully expected Ragnamon to either attack the pair of rabbits or simply squash them underfoot. His cruel gaze suggested he intended to, but another entity interrupted with his own attack on the creature before that could occur.
"Mega Bombardment!"
The series of explosions struck his side, but Ragnamon barely seemed to notice the attack anymore than he did the champions' assault. Another voice, or dual voices, added their power to the attempt.
"Ring of Truth!"
The white-hot circle curved in midflight, striking the mega's face instead of the hard shell and causing him to flinch slightly at least. The circle quickly reversed direction in order to collide with him again. From another direction, two (or maybe three) more voices joined in with their own attacks.
"Metal Wolf Claw!"
"Trident Gaia!"
The twin strikes definitely resulted in a minor flinch, but Izzy was more concerned with the fact he recognized the voices and at least one of the attacks this time. The arrival of MetalGarurumon, along with what sounded like Tai and Agumon, raised his hope. The two teenagers and their partners had a habit of defeating any threat if they worked together. The Digidestined of Knowledge recalled VenomMyotismon as a specific example of their incredible teamwork, along with the original destruction of Diaboromon. The expression on Ragnamon's pale features, one of clear annoyance, suggested that the creature was familiar with that winning trend as well.
"Celestial Arrow!"
"Soul Vanisher!"
"Corona Sanctions!"
"Arrow of Artemis!"
The attacks and voices, familiar and strange, were coming from all directions now, hitting the giant digimon at every angle. From his low position, the Digidestined of Knowledge couldn't spot the attackers. The tall skyscrapers, though damaged by Ragnamon's emergence, blocked that much of the view from those trapped on the ground. He could, however, see the impacts of the fire, ice, and golden light-based strikes and the minimal reactions of the target. It seemed the cavalry had arrived, but he couldn't tell if it would be enough.
The dark hallways should have felt more ominous and dangerous than they did, especially after that strange rumbling. Any sense of dread she might have experienced at being in this current situation did not, however, have the slightest chance of worming its way past the chaos of her mind. She simply did not have the capacity to consider such things at the moment. The mental defenses she'd constructed during her life to deal with… everything… were now utterly broken. The woman she'd become, clinical and cold to her fellow employees and burning with hatred for the digital creatures due to a pain she couldn't even remember the cause of, had shattered in the face of truth. Of course, she couldn't completely revert to the girl she'd been years ago. Too much time had passed and the events of her life since that time couldn't be ignored or forgotten. Letting her past be cast aside, however unknowingly, had lead to her current problem. Instead, she tried to fit together a few fragments of her adult psyche with her childhood experiences in a semi-functioning manner while her fury with Diaboromon for using her as his tool served as a glue to hold the mentality together. She didn't have the time to spare to work through all the issues that the shocking revelation of her past had caused, so she would have to repress those problems for another day. Her therapist would probably scold her for treating her mental health like a clumsy arts and crafts project, but she honestly couldn't care less what that moron thought any longer. She would hack into the system, do what she could to stop Diaboromon, and then she would worry about sorting out her emotions, memories, and life.
Besides, she wasn't alone anymore. The self-imposed isolation that she'd adopted during her teenage years until present day was certainly out the window. Her partner, that wonderful champion currently guiding her steps to ensure the blond woman didn't step into the blue mist still in the halls, was in her life again. And absolutely no one and nothing would divide them again. If those strange man-like beings appeared after all of this to say she couldn't remain with her partner again, she would hit that Gennai person and all his little friends over the head with Darcmon's staff.
"We're almost there," the adult DigiDestined noted. "It should be just around the corner."
As the pair rounded the turn, it was almost what she expected to find there as soon as she spoke. The room was full of the blue fog across the floor, though the computer screen no longer seemed to be spewing the substance. Slightly more concerning were the jellyfish entities that were creeping around the room, along with some that seemed like a clawed paw with still only a single eye. Every single digimon were now staring at them.
"You take care of the computer," suggested Darcmon, "and I'll handle the pests, Tammy." Taking a sword in each hand, the angelic champion announced, "Dancing Sword!"
The deadly strikes of her blade were as graceful and effective as the woman remembered. As soon as enough mist and digimon were gone, the blond human swiftly crossed the distance between herself and the computer system. Any tiny chink in the armor or careless mistake that manipulative Diaboromon might have left in the DADP system, she would find it. If he'd left some type of back-up or other hidden programming in her Guardian, she would find it and destroy it.
She smiled faintly. She'd show that arrogant monster just what it meant to challenge a DigiDestined and a programming expert. She didn't back down from a challenge and she didn't let someone evil remain unharmed for long.
That traitor Diaboromon, now Ragnamon, stood in the center of that deadly mist. He lied to GuardiAngemon, him, and everyone. He used them to further his own goals of destruction. Marsmon refused to allow this creature to get away with this insult. Each attack from the growing group of megas (and, with the arrival of MagnaAngemon and Angewomon, ultimates) caused only the slightest amount of response from the behemoth. The obvious durability of him demonstrated that Ragnamon would be a true challenge. The perfect opponent, the one that Marsmon had always desired to find, was finally here. Their battle would be legendary and defeating this giant would prove the true power of the warrior.
"You always seem to interfere," chuckled the blue-shelled being, turning his head to stare towards the orange reptile and the blue human-bearing world that Marsmon didn't immediately recognize. "Tai, Matt, Agumon, and Gabumon. I remember you, certainly. Omnimon won once and Palidramon another, but I am now unstoppable. You are doomed to failure."
"Pretty cocky for someone who admits to always losing," MegaGargomon muttered.
The masculine mega, perched on the rooftop of the closest tall building to his enemy, felt a growing sense of aggravation. Not only did Ragnamon not sound like he thought anyone here was a challenge, he was only paying attention to two of those digimon with human partner. Marsmon did not like being ignored. Especially from someone he felt would be such a worthy opponent and wished to be viewed as equally important. He could feel his long-time companion and fellow fighter, Dianamon, glaring at him warningly. She knew he was planning something rash, but his desire to punish this traitor and to engage Ragnamon in battle was too strong to ignore.
Leaping an incredible height, the mega aimed towards the giant digimon's head, shouting, "Face me, Ragnamon. Mugen Ha…!"
"Catastrophic Meltdown!" interrupted the monster before Marsmon could begin the elaborate series of strikes or even come close to his target.
A beam of orange-yellow, almost plasma-like energy exploded out of Ragnamon's fang-filled mouth and engulfed the attacking mega. It took less than a second to go from unimaginable pain to a tingling sensation to oblivion; not even enough time to scream.
The warrior mega that served GuardiAngemon was destroyed. His usefulness was over and he served as a perfect experiment on the effectiveness of his new body. The perfect form to destroy two worlds and, more importantly, Willis.
The boy, his partner and the Programmer, was here with the two… digimon. They might have become his partner first, but Willis was his. Only part of him, the virus that was an essential part of his existence, had ever seen him in real life. Aiming explosives at the boy from a computer, even if he was creeping through systems in the same country as him, just wasn't the same. He could actually touch the blond-haired digidestined now with his talons, crush the life from his precious body, and happily reduce his form into dust. And that Gargomon and Turuiemon would no longer have Willis all to themselves. If he hadn't been distracted, he would have crushed the greedy pair already.
And he was somewhat distracted. He was still receiving input from his weaker copies, his little clone army that were scurrying through the mist, and Tamiko Mizutani was still running around the DADP building. From his new body, he couldn't keep the mist form of the Guardian program producing. There was still plenty coating the city, but there was no more spewing from the computers. A small price to pay for the pleasure of destroying Willis personally. And the woman was no threat and could be ignored now. He had far greater concerns than her.
The digidestined, both familiar and strange, were a threat still. As soon as his new body rose out of the Guardian program that formed it, they had begun to close in and attack. Mostly, their strikes were nothing more dangerous than the bites of insects. His very data was enhanced by the strength and power of the blue fog that drained energy from anything it encountered. Logically, they would be no threat. Past experience, however, had demonstrated the dangers they could pose when they… interfere. Especially the supposed leaders of them and their closest companions. Tai and Matt. Davis and Ken. Yes, they could disrupt his plans when they chose. And with those megas of GuardiAngemon, his former tools, now helping the children… He would have to be smarter to succeed.
Everyone and everything would be destroyed. The number of digidestined, the power of their allies, and the unexplained ability of some digimon and children to combine were irrelevant in the end. He'd planned it too well and took too many precautions. His Guardian program, his copies, and his greatest form would decimate their attempts to defeat him. And, even if they managed by some highly improbable chance to defeat him, the suspicion that he'd cultivated in both humans and digimon with silken words and careful comments he'd deposited on the internet prior to his last defeat could heighten to acts of war if allowed to fester with only children willing to defend the opposition. They would destroy each other if things progressed. And he'd hidden a copy of his awareness, similar to what existed in his copies and yet even more complete, within the systems of DADP as he did three months ago. Even if his body died, his mind would live on to return again. He would be able to observe the possible war between the two worlds and aid in their destruction if his current plan did fail. He was prepared for anything. No matter what the digidestined did, they could not truly win.
Ragnamon turned away from where Marsmon once was, his eyes glancing around the growing group of digimon. He took pleasure in their expressions of shock, horror, dread, and even a hint of fear. Marsmon's once fellow team mate, Dianamon, looked especially upset. The ease of the mega's destruction seemed to unnerving to them. They were realizing how perfect his new body was and how impossible it was to defeat him.
He glanced back down towards Willis and the collection of low level digimon and humans. The blond digidestined looked stunned and utterly horrified. Ragnamon bared his fangs in a twisted version of a smile. Surely the Programmer could see how wonderful a partner he was. There was no possible way the two rabbit-like digimon could destroy him so perfectly.
There we go. A name and appearance for our enemy. In case you can't guess, Ragnamon's name comes from "Ragnarok," the Viking version of the end of the world. Ragnarok involves lots of fighting, blood and death, and general violence (it was the Viking version of the apocalypse, after all). His appearance draws some inspiration from Infermon and a specific type of trilobite that my teacher showed a picture of in class (complete with spikes). You'll see plenty more from him.
Fatemon Balance Mode was based on the idea of trying to combine the awesomeness of Beelzemon as the ultimate biker and the idea of a noble medieval warrior. Best of both worlds. I hope he ends up being as good as I hope, especially once he joins in on the fight.
The first casualty has died (sorry, Marsmon… you won't be back). There will be further fighting to come and I'll try to update as quickly as possible. Reviews are always welcome. Your feedback entertains me.