Well, this is it. This is the last of my daily chapters. Spring quarter starts tomorrow, so you probably won't be seeing so many chapters so often. Still, I'm glad we could close this on the last part of this "mini-arc" (spoilers!)
Disclaimer: I own Digimon. *sirens heard outside* Oops. Heh heh. Forgot the "don't."
LAST TIME:
DAICHI: I knew Karatenmon would find us again, but we needed a new strategy. I still beleived Karatenmon to be a good Digimon underneath that evil exterior, but Kiyoko just wasn't willing to listen to me. Eventually, he did show up, so it was time for a showdown. Wingdramon and I were doing pretty well this time around, but Kiyoko decided to make things difficult for us by trying to attack him during our battle. To put it mildly, Karatenmon was not pleased. We had to make a quick getaway, riding Groundramon using Ground Seventh. But when we exit this tunnel, have I got some words for Kiyoko.
Chapter 39
Light
Groundramon continued to tunnel under the forest floor, changing directions every so often at Daichi's command to decrease their chances of being found. Finally, Groundramon began to climb upward and broke through to the world above. Everyone waited until he was completely out of the ground before they got off his back. Groundramon De-Digivolved to Dracomon and began to pant.
"You all right, Dracomon?" Daichi asked.
"Give me a few seconds," Dracomon replied, "and I'll be good as new."
"Glad to hear it," Daichi said. He then walked over to Kiyoko. "What is your problem?" he yelled. "You almost got us killed!"
"'Almost' is certainly better than what you were suggesting," Kiyoko argued. "'Oh look at me,'" she mocked, "'I'm going to fight a Digi-Agent all by myself and get us all killed for sure.'"
"Will you stop singing that old song?" Daichi asked rhetorically. "If Karatenmon is a Digimon of honor, then he might not be so bad."
"Well, I don't know if you noticed, but he sure wasn't being too 'honorable' when he lashed out against you for something I did."
"So you admit it was your fault."
"I'm saying that he attacked you in anger thinking that you misled him. Let's face it, his voice and assault did not seem like a 'Digimon of honor' to me."
"Guys!" Isamu yelled. The two both turned to him. "Could we continue this after we find someplace safer? I mean, I don't about you, but being next to a large hole in the ground doesn't make me feel too good."
The two looked at each other for a second, then turned their backs to each other and said, "Fine!" almost simultaneously and with little emotion outside of anger. Isamu led the way through the forest. As they left, Daichi took one of his cards out and placed it on the ground behind him.
"Uh, Daichi…?" Dracomon started.
"Don't worry," Daichi said, "I've got copies. If Karatenmon does come here, he'll notice that the card looks like it was intentionally planted to throw him off track. It'll be the last place he looks, trust me." Dracomon decided not to argue; he'd had enough for one day.
The Digi-Destined came to a small clearing that appeared suitable enough for some rest. It was mostly featureless except for a surprising break in the canopy; a series of holes that let more light through than what they had previously seen. The boys set their backpacks on the ground and sat next to them. But the relaxation was to be short-lived.
Kiyoko stood next to Daichi and said, "I hope you realize I still blame you." Isamu and the Digimon, even Gatomon, just sighed. "If you hadn't been so insistent that we play by his rules, we wouldn't have to be running away."
"We're just getting a chance to recover until we have to face him again," Daichi replied. "Besides, if he's as much into keeping things honorable as he says he is—"
"Will you stop pushing that line on me?" Kiyoko interrupted. "And in case you hadn't noticed, he didn't exactly act like such a good Digimon when he went on his rampage."
"A rampage that you induced him to."
"I was simply trying to save us and the Digital World! Isn't that what we're here for? You don't save the Digital World, and possibly ours, by getting along with its enemies."
Isamu, throughout all of this, tried to keep a straight face, but all this arguing was starting to get to him. Finally, he could take it no longer. "Guys! Just shut up for once!" he yelled as he stood up. Both Daichi and Kiyoko looked at him with surprise; this latest outburst had not been like his previous ones. Even the other Digimon started to back away. "Ever since Karatenmon first showed up, that's all you've been doing: arguing. Kiyoko, you should have at least listened to Daichi's assumption; it made some sense. And Daichi, given what just happened, it's almost safe to say that maybe Karatenmon wasn't mislead this whole time. But probably most important, by continuing to argue and butt heads over tactics, you both may have put us in more danger than we were against GranDracmon!" Everyone remembered their "Trojan Horse" offensive back at Castle Drac and how it ended with them almost being destroyed before the battle had even begun. "I know I seem a little harsh, but unless we work together, we won't survive this." Having said his piece, Isamu sat back down, feeling a little winded. Daichi and Kiyoko turned away, this time with looks of shame on their faces
After a rather long pause, Kiyoko finally spoke. "I'm sorry, Daichi. I guess my full-speed-ahead attitude got in my way of actually considering what you had to say."
"No," Daichi countered, "I should have realized something was off when Karatenmon attacked us like that. I had already heard what you had to say and I guess I just got tired of listening to it, even though the facts were right in front of me."
Kiyoko walked in front of Daichi and held her hand out. "Friends?"
Daichi stood up and put her hand in his. "Friends."
"Now this is what I mean when I say arguing creates healthy relationships," Wormmon said.
Just then, everyone noticed a faint beeping sound. Isamu recognized it almost immediately and pulled out his D-3. On the screen, there was a pink dot very close to the center.
"How long has that been going on?" Dracomon asked.
"Our arguing must have kept us from hearing it," Kiyoko suggested; saying that made her blush.
"Either that," Daichi added, "or it wasn't detectable until just now."
"Either way," Isamu concluded, "it's really close." He stood up and walked forward a few steps before…
"The time has come!" an angry voice shouted. Everyone turned to the direction it came from and saw Karatenmon flying towards them. He stopped and hovered in the air, his swords in his hand. "You will pay for your dishonor," he said. "And in trying to run," he held up the card Daichi had set earlier, "and very poorly done, I might add, you only prove that you are not worthy of the title of warriors."
"'It'll be the last place he looks, trust me,'" Dracomon said mockingly to Daichi. "Wasn't that what you said?"
"Okay, so this hasn't been my day for thinking things through," Daichi admitted. He pulled out his D-Power and cards, and the others followed suit.
"This time, Karatenmon," Kiyoko said with determination, "no holds barred."
"It doesn't matter," Karatenmon said. "My fury is righteous, and my goal is honorable. I will come out of this victorious."
"We'll see about that," Isamu retorted.
Wormmon Warp Digivolve to… GranKuwagamon!
Digi-Modify! Digivolution, activate! Crest Digivolution, activate! Dracomon Digivolve to… Coredramon Green! Coredramon Crest Digivolve to… Groundramon!
Digi-Modify! Crest Digivolution, activate! Gatomon Crest Digivolve to… Angewomon!
Karatenmon wasted no time in attacking first. "Feather Flare!" He flapped his wings and sent a gale adorned with feathers at the group, seemingly aimed toward Daichi. Angewomon flew in front of him and kicked into the wind, her Holy Ring dispelling it.
"Groundramon," she said as she turned to the dragon, "stay here with Daichi. Karatenmon seems to be focusing on him."
"Count on it," Groundramon growled. Angewomon and GranKuwagamon flew toward Karatenmon.
"Harmony Swords!" Karatenmon held his swords in front of him as they gleamed gold. The two advancing Digimon readied their attacks, but Karatenmon dodged with ease and headed for Daichi and Groundramon. But Daichi smiled; he held a card in his hand opposite the one that held his D-Power. The D-Power was glowing.
"Horn Buster Kai!" Lightning energy appeared out of Groundramon's horn and shot Karatenmon. He landed on the ground and looked carefully at the card in Daichi's hand; the image on it was of a HerculesKabuterimon.
"A mega level power," Karatenmon whispered to himself.
"I'm done playing by your rules, Karatenmon," Daichi said defiantly. "I was willing to give you a chance, but now I've seen you for what you truly are."
"No matter," Karatenmon replied. "This only proves you have no honor in you whatsoever."
"Then you're going to hate us for this," a voice behind him said. "Dimension Scissors!" "Celestial Arrow!" Both the other Digimon's attacks struck his back. Karatenmon turned to face them.
"Never turn your back on your opponents," Angewomon said. Karatenmon growled and flapped his wings at them. Angewomon again blocked it with her Holy Ring.
"Guys!" Daichi called out. "His Harmony Swords. It's how he uses his perception power. You have to pull off something unexpected when he uses it."
"Don't believe that will be so easy," Karatenmon responded. "I have learned to expect what powers you are capable of."
"Try us," Isamu said smugly as he held up his D-3. Karatenmon brought his swords together. "Harmony Swords!" Suddenly, he reeled back. "Told you," Isamu smirked. His D-3 began to glow.
GranKuwagamon Mode Change to… GrandisKuwagamon!
"Grandis Scissors!" GrandisKuwagamon brought his arms to Karatenmon and slashed them across each other. However, both were blocked by Karatenmon's swords. "What?" he asked incredulously.
"That may have been surprising," Karatenmon admitted, "but I was still able to see what you were about to do." He then stood up straight and forced GrandisKuwagamon back. He turned back to Daichi. "Now for you! Feather FLARE!" He flapped his wings hard and fast, creating a stronger gale than before. Daichi tried to stay stationary, but the wind was too forceful. Daichi's feet were lifted off the ground and he flew backwards into a tree. Karatenmon stopped flapping his wings and Daichi fell to the ground, unconscious. Groundramon also started feeling strange and eventually De-Digivolved to Dracomon.
"What happened?" Kiyoko asked.
"Simple," Karatenmon answered, not taking his eyes off Daichi. "The Digi-Destined and Digimon are linked more than emotionally, but psychologically as well. If the human is weakened, the Digimon will then follow."
"Just like what happened with us, Kiyoko," Angewomon said, "when we met with BlackGatomon."
Karatenmon took a step toward Daichi. "It is now time to end this." He held his sword up and continued walking. Dracomon, even in his weakened state, tried to stand in front of Daichi.
"Stop!" Kiyoko suddenly shouted. "It's me you want!" Karatenmon stopped walking and turned. "It was my idea to attack you while you were fighting Daichi and Wingdramon. He had nothing to do with it." Karatenmon stared at Kiyoko.
"Why would you freely admit to that?" he asked.
"You're a Digimon of honor right?" Kiyoko answered. "You wouldn't dare hurt him if it wasn't his fault." Karatenmon continued to stare at her.
"Kiyoko," Angewomon said nervously, "are you sure about this?"
"Isamu," Kiyoko said, ignoring Angewomon, "you might want to move." Isamu reluctantly slid away from Kiyoko, going over to GrandisKuwagamon.
"Feather FLARE!" Karatenmon unleashed the same enhanced attack as before. Angewomon flew in front to intercept it. She shifted her body so that her feet faced the wind and began to spin on her side, trying to counter it. However, she soon slowed down and was blown into Kiyoko. The two collapsed and Angewomon De-Digivolved, but what was curious was that Angewomon went down a level further, turning into a small, canine-like creature, with the Holy Ring around her neck like a collar.
"I would finish you now," Karatenmon said to the unconscious Kiyoko, "but this first one," he looked back at Daichi, "will need to be taken care of before he wakes up." He began to walk over to Daichi again.
"Hold it!" Isamu yelled. Karatenmon stopped.
"Are you now claiming responsibility?" Karatenmon asked.
"Why are you still attacking Daichi?" Isamu demanded. "Kiyoko said it herself; he did nothing!"
"He is still my enemy," Karatenmon said stoically. "And as a Digi-Agent, I will fulfill my duty." He started walking again.
"Give me a break," Isamu said. "We told you, GranDracmon has been destroyed. The Digi-Agents are history."
"Then it means our goal is merely delayed," Karatenmon replied. "And the Digi-Destined are still a threat."
"Admit it," Isamu said, "you have no honor!" Karatenmon stopped and turned to Isamu; his face was surprised and angry. "To you, honor is just a word. A mask to hide behind should anyone question your methods."
"You know nothing," Karatenmon said, trying to restrain from yelling.
"I know that my virtue, justice, goes hand in hand with honor," Isamu countered. "And this is not it." Suddenly, his D-3 started beeping again, faster than before.
"What are you up to now?" Karatenmon asked. He put his swords in front of him. "Harmony Swords!" Suddenly, he shrunk back and covered his eyes. "That light!" he whispered.
"Light?" Isamu asked himself. He looked at his D-3. The pink dot was still very close to the center. He looked up, but all he could see was the light shining from the canopy. Then it hit him; the light had formed a pattern on the forest floor that resembled an eight-pointed star with a circle in the center. "Light!" he nearly shouted.
"What's up?" GrandisKuwagamon asked.
"I know where the Digi-Egg is!" Isamu replied. He thrust his D-3 forward and the center of the pattern began to glow. Suddenly, a small object burst out of the ground from the center circle. It looked like a statue of a creature that was covered with white wings. Where the wings touched, the same symbol that was made by the light was seen more clearly. "The Digi-Egg of Light," he said to himself.
"I do not know what trickery this is," Karatenmon said, "but you will not see it for yourself!" He drew his swords ready to fight.
"I beg to differ," Isamu retorted. "Wormmon!" GrandisKuwagamon De-Digivolved to Minomon. Isamu, not taking the time to notice that Wormmon was one stage lower than necessary, held the Egg in front of him. "Digi-Armor, energize!" Suddenly, there was a bright light. Isamu had to shield his eyes, but he thought he could see Minomon Digivolve to Wormmon. The Egg left Isamu's hand and flew to Wormmon, creating the Crest of Light at their touch.
"Wormmon Armor Digivolve to…" Wormmon's body became cloaked in white light. He grew in length until he looked like a snake. Near his head, he grew feathered wings. The light dissipated and gold bands could be seen all around his white body, with a golden Crest of Light on his forehead. "Queztalmon, the Serpent of Light!"
Quetzalmon stared at Karatenmon. "Light has revealed your true self," he said. "Now face the light in its purest form. Freezing Wind!" He flapped the wings near his head, blowing sparkling snow toward Karatenmon. Karatenmon was covered in snow and, although he was able to shake it off, he still was rather cold.
"I will not be beaten so easily," Karatenmon said through shivers. "Feather FLARE!" He flapped his wings hard at the two.
"Not so fast," Quetzalmon responded. "Toltec Wind!" He flapped his wings, creating waves of light as they went through each cycle. The waves cleaved Karatenmon's gales and struck him multiple times.
Karatenmon held up his swords, though he struggled to do so. "Harmony… Swords…" Then he collapsed.
"By any chance," Quetalmon said, "did your vision have something to do with this? Toltec Wind!" He flapped a few more times and struck Karatenmon with more light waves. When he stopped, Karatenmon's form began to disappear.
"This cannot be," Karatenmon said. "I fight with honor. I must win."
"Oh, you fight, that's for sure," Isamu said, "but not with honor." Karatenmon had no comeback for this as he succumbed to his injuries and vanished.
Isamu looked at Daichi and Kiyoko. They were still unconscious, and their Digimon were still weakened. "Quetzalmon," Isamu said, "is there anything we can do?"
"I have the powers of light on my side," Quetzalmon replied. He straightened out his body and opened his wings. A pure, white light shown around them. Despite its brightness, Isamu didn't feel the need to cover his eyes. Soon, both of the unconscious humans began to stir and finally woke up. The Digimon also stood up straight.
"Hey Digimon, hey Digimon," Isamu said in wonder.
Daichi sat up first and held his forehead. "What happened?" he groaned.
Kiyoko also sat up and asked weakly, "Where's Karatenmon?"
"Let's just say he's seen the light," Isamu quipped. He pointed to Quetzalmon.
Kiyoko then noticed the small puppy next to her. "Gatomon?" she asked.
"Salamon, actually," Isamu answered. "When Karatenmon knocked you out, Gatomon must have become too weak to maintain champion level."
"At least everyone's okay," Dracomon said as he went to Daichi.
"Want to know what would make me okay?" Daichi replied. "A chance to fully wake up."
"Take your time," Isamu said. "We should be okay for the time being." He sat down as Quetzalmon De-Digivolved.
Whew, glad that all worked out. Hopefully the rest of the trip will be smooth sailing. *pause* Who are we kidding? There's sure to be more issues starting with the next installment of Digimon: Digital Monsters!
This is CF signing out.