I think I better get this chapter in before the weekend is out.
Disclaimer: Because of my status as a fan not directly connected with the Digimon franchise, I am not allowed to say that I own any part of same. As such, this chapter, and by extension this story, is not endorsed in any way by those who are connected. Hopefully, they won't have a problem with this anyway.
LAST TIME:
DAICHI: We stopped in Mechani-Ville to get Dracomon fixed up. But no sooner did he get better that the airship showed up, but it wasn't an airship: it was CannonBeemon himself. While Isamu and Kiyoko went to take care of him, Dracomon and I stayed on ground level to do battle with SkullGreymon, CannonBeemon's latest lackey. But realizing that this was what needed to be done activated my crest, allowing Dracomon to Warp Digivolved to Brakedramon. Althoug SkullGreymon was easy to beat, Brakedramon's land-based attacks couldn't do anything to CannonBeemon in the air. Now, with Dracomon down to in-training, we're on our way to the rooftops to see if we can access a blue line mega.
Chapter 44
Sword
GranKuwgamon, Digi-Destined on his back, and Angewomon flew up to the large Digimon they had mistakenly believed to be just a simple airship. Kiyoko looked down one last time at Daichi and Dracomon as SkullGreymon advanced toward them.
"I feel really bad leaving them down there," she said.
"You heard Daichi," Isamu said. "He believes they can take that bag of bones. And let's face it, I know how strong Groundramon is, so he may be right."
"You do remember what happened the last time he thought he was right," Kiyoko said.
"I thought you had gotten over that," Isamu returned.
"Can we talk about this later?" GranKuwagamon asked. "We're almost there." The two humans looked up and saw the large form of CannonBeemon.
"Still hard to believe this is a Digimon," Kiyoko said. "Course, that's what I first thought about Angewomon." She turned to her partner, who was flying alongside GranKuwagamon. "No offense," she added.
"None taken," Angewomon replied with a smile. The two Digimon stopped in front of CannonBeemon's head.
"We know who you are, CannonBeemon!" Isamu said. For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, CannonBeemon's red eyes flashed.
"Zzzo you do," he said in the same voice the Digi-Destined heard in the message. "But it doezzz you little good. I wazzz told to try to avoid direct confrontation, but it zzzeemzzz that izzz no longer pozzzible."
"Sure didn't stop you from attacking the city we were in," Kiyoko pointed out.
"Your dezzztruction wazzz deemed nezzzezzzary," CannonBeemon said, "zzzo I unleashed my mozzzt viciouzzz operative."
"Really?" Isamu asked. "Couldn't tell; it's about as vicious as your other Digimon."
"I zzzee you've notizzzed my zzztrategy," CannonBeemon said. "Let out one of my zzzubordinatezzz and let them do azzz much damage azzz they pleazzze."
"Kinda risky, wouldn't you say?" GranKuwagamon said. "What if they attack you in their rampage?"
"It'zzz all worth it in the end. High rizzzk, high return."
"So," Kiyoko said, changing the subject, "what would you do if someone confronted you like this?" She had a smile on her face. Suddenly, they all heard a hissing sound coming from above. They looked up and saw that the glass panels on his ammo pods were opening.
"Zzzky Rocket!" Cannons stationed in the pods pointed down to the Digi-Destined and fired missiles at them. The Digimon swerved out of the way.
"You had to ask," Isamu said to Kiyoko.
Angewomon flew in close to CannonBeemon's main body. "Impressive," she said, "but you won't stand a chance against an attack from this close up." She aimed her finger at the chest area. "Celestial—!" But before she could complete the attack, the six "legs" on CannonBeemon reached out and grabbed her, pinning her to the giant Digimon.
"Angewomon!" Kiyoko shouted worriedly.
"Don't worry, Kiyoko," GranKuwagamon said, "I'll handle this. Dimension Scissors!" He closed his pincers and shot out an energy X toward Angewomon. The attack struck the legs, but they stayed firm. However, a purple afterglow appeared on the legs. Angewomon recognized this and pushed herself away from CannonBeemon through the X. She flew up to the others.
"You okay?" Kiyoko asked her.
"Never been better," Angewomon replied. "But just as a warning, try not to go for that area of his body."
"Noted," GranKuwagamon said. "Dimension Scissors!" He fired another attack at CannonBeemon, followed by Angewomon's Celestial Arrow. Neither attack seemed to damage him.
"Izzz that the bezzzt you have?" he taunted. "Permit me to show you how it'zzz done. Zzzky Rocket!" Several missiles fired at the two Digimon. Angewomon flew in front of them. "Heaven's Charm!" She created a barrier, but as the missiles hit, she found herself struggling. "You zzzeem to have plenty of power," CannonBeemon said, "but can you withzzztand my Nitro Zzztinger?" He tilted his body up until the stinger faced Angewomon. The end started glowing blue and a high-powered laser shot out. Angewomon still held her barrier, but she was starting to weaken.
Kiyoko quickly looked through her cards. "Come on, come on," she whispered. "What looks good here?" Isamu couldn't help but look at her cards. Then he saw something that looked very promising.
"Try this one," he said, pointing to the card. Kiyoko took out the card and looked at it. She looked up at Isamu, then at Angewomon.
She took her D-Power and swiped the card. "Digi-Modify! Shakkoumon Justice Beam, activate!" CannonBeemon's laser started to disappear into the barrier. Finally, Angewomon dropped the barrier and stared at CannonBeemon almost stoically. The area of her helmet that was directly over her eyes was shining red. "Justice Beam!" she shouted as a red beam appeared from the helmet and hit CannonBeemon.
The mechanical Digimon tilted slightly but easily righted himself. "I muzzzt zzzay, very clever of you, turning my own power againzzzt me. But it will take more than that to zzztop me."
GranKuwagamon then noticed something below CannonBeemon, like six drills flying up to attack him. The drills struck, but it seemed CannonBeemon didn't even feel it. GranKuwagamon looked down, prompting the humans on his back to do the same. They all saw what they thought was Daichi and a large Digimon that resembled an excavator. The Digimon shrunk down, which was followed by Daichi running into one of the buildings.
"What was that?" Kiyoko asked.
"I'm not sure," Isamu said. "But I think Daichi may have found a way to get to mega level."
"So why is he coming up here?" Kiyoko asked.
"I saw that Digimon try to attack," GranKuwagamon relayed, "but it didn't work. He must be getting ready to Digivolve Dracomon through his blue line up here."
"Then let's keep this guy busy until then," Isamu said.
"Zzzky Rocket!" More missiles flew at the Digimon and Digi-Destined. GranKuwagamon flew lower until he was just over one of the buildings. Taking the hint, Isamu and Kiyoko jumped off onto the roof.
"Sorry to leave you guys like this," GranKuwagamon said, "but you'll be safer here."
"Don't worry," Isamu said. "Besides, I've been thinking of a way to take down those missile pods." He held up his D-3.
GranKuwagamon Mode Change to… GrandisKuwagamon!
"Oh yeah," the humanoid insect Digimon said, "this should do the trick." He flew off with his claws ready.
"Now we just wait for Daichi to get here," Isamu said.
Daichi and Babydramon had gotten inside one of the elevators and were riding to the top floor. Despite the quietness, both were tense, mostly because they knew CannonBeemon was above them. But they were also constantly aware of the fact that Dracomon had been reduced to in-training form.
"How about this?" Babydramon said. "You could use a card like we did with Salamon."
"Salamon had time to rest before she could become Gatomon again," Daichi pointed out. "We don't have that luxury."
"Well, with any luck," Babydramon said, "maybe the others will have beaten CannonBeemon by the time we get there." Daichi just looked at him. "I didn't say it was a strong possibility."
"Hopefully something will come up when we get to the roof," Daichi thought aloud.
"Like my height," Babydramon added.
GrandisKuwagamon held his claws to his side as he flew past the missile pods. He hoped he could, at the very least, damage them by making a quick sweep, but the glass panels looked as though they didn't have a scratch on them.
"Zzzinzzze you zzzeem zzzo interezzzted in my weaponzzz," CannonBeemon said, "let me show what they're like up clozzze. Zzzky Rocket!" The panel near GrandisKuwagamon opened. The insectoid Digimon barely moved out of the missile's path in time. Angewomon used her arrow to take care of the missile before it can do any damage.
"That was close," GrandisKuwagamon said. He noticed the pod was closing and tried striking the cannon with his claw. The cannon was able to withstand the attack and soon the panel was closed.
"Daichi better get here soon," Kiyoko said. "Otherwise, our Digimon won't last much longer."
"Speak of the Devimon, and he shall appear," a voice behind them said. It sounded familiar yet unrecognizable. They turned around to find Daichi opening the door to the roof with a Digimon in his hands.
"About time you got here," Isamu said. He looked around and noticed something was wrong. "Where's Dracomon?"
"What?" the Digimon in Daichi's arms said. "Just because I'm in-training now, does that mean you don't recognize me?"
"Dracomon?" Isamu said.
"Well," Kiyoko started, "looks like we were right about you getting to mega level."
"But at the worst timing, I think," Daichi said. "Brakedramon couldn't hit CannonBeemon from down there, so we had to come up here."
"But how can Dracomon Digivolve to mega if he's not Dracomon?" Isamu asked.
"That's what we've been working on," Daichi answered. He face was not optimistic
Kiyoko thought for a second and said, "I think I have an idea. Angewomon!" Her Digimon stopped her attack to face her. "Dracomon's in his in-training form. You think maybe your Heaven's Charge might help?"
"We'll soon find out," Angewomon replied. She raised her arms and a ring of light appeared above her. "Heaven's Charge!"
After a few seconds, Babydramon said, "I can feel it. The light's giving me strength. Looks like the rookie bested you again, huh, Daichi?"
"Give me a break," Daichi argued. "We haven't had to use it since Apollomon."
"And this is what you call a 'healthy relationship'?" Kiyoko asked.
"Kinda," Isamu simply said.
"How… lovely," CannonBeemon said, struggling past the stunning effects of Angewomon's technique. "But… it will… not… zzzave you. Not with… my zzztinger… pointed… where… it izzz. Nitro… Zzztinger!" The stinger charged with blue energy and fired. GrandisKuwagamon flew toward Angewomon and grabbed her before the laser could strike. The beam went off into the horizon, seemingly having no target. The ring that was above Angewomon disappeared.
"You all right?" GrandisKuwagamon asked.
"I nearly got shot out of the sky," Angewomon answered. "What do you think?"
"How about you, Babydramon?" Daichi asked.
"Well, I may not be Dracomon," the little dragon admitted, "but I'm still feeling pretty good."
"Then let's see what we can do," Daichi said. He let go of Babydramon, who started flying toward the battle, and took out his D-Power and a Digivice card.
Digi-Modify! Digivolution activate! Babydramon Digivolve to… Dracomon!
"Now let's see if you've got a mega form way up here," Daichi said. He pulled out his Blue Card as his crest shone. The teal light hit the card and the color shifted from blue to red.
"That's new," Isamu said.
Daichi brought the Red Card to the D-Power. "Digi-Modify! Secret Digivolution, activate!"
Dracomon glowed an intense, violent blue. "Dracomon Warp Digivolve to…" Two images of Coredramon and Wingdramon were visible in rapid succession until the images stopped at a large warrior. He was covered in chrome colored armor and looked much like a human, with the exception of his dragon-like head and tail. He also wore a blue-green cape that was torn down the middle, making look like a pair of wings. His final feature was a large sword, segmented and patterned between gold alloy and flames. As he swung it around, the sword seemed to bend at each segment. "Slayerdramon!"
"Hey Digimon…" Isamu started.
"Hey Digimon," Daichi finished. Isamu and Kiyoko looked at him. Daichi didn't even try to defend himself.
Slayerdramon flew toward GrandisKuwagamon and Angewomon. "Love the new look," GrandisKuwagamon said.
"And here's a taste of what it can do," Slayerdramon said. He drew his sword downward. "Rising Wave!" He slashed it up and a wave of energy flew out, striking CannonBeemon, who seemed to move back a few yards.
CannonBeemon didn't say anything except, "Nitro Zzztinger!" He pointed the stinger toward the Digimon.
"Get behind me," Slayerdramon told the others. They did just as the laser fired. It struck Slayerdramon, but he seemed to be still even on impact. The beam stopped and Slayerdramon didn't look damaged. "Chrome Digizoid armor," he told CannonBeemon. "Break through that, if you can." He turned back to the other Digimon. "Guys, I have something that may work, but to do it, we'll have to keep him busy." He pointed to CannonBeemon.
"I've got an idea," GrandisKuwagamon said. "Isamu!" His partner looked up. "We need Searchmon!" Isamu nodded and held up his D-3. GrandisKuwagamon turned into a streak of green light that flew next to the humans. Surprisingly, GrandisKuwagamon had De-Digivolved not to Minomon like they had anticipated, but Wormmon.
"Uh," Kiyoko started, "why…?"
Before anyone could ask, Daichi suggested, "Perhaps he's been mega so many times that he's used to it by now, or maybe he just didn't use enough energy."
"Who cares how?" Isamu said to them. "Let's just take advantage of it while we have the chance." His D-3 glowed purple.
Digi-Armor, energize! Wormmon Armor Digivolve to… Searchmon, the Radar of Knowledge!
Searchmon raised his dish toward CannonBeemon. "Hertz Jammer!" Electric waves flowed to the mechanical giant. CannonBeemon slowly started to sink.
"Now," Slayerdramon said, trying to refrain from shouting, "by the power of Faldchir," he raised his sword, "I call upon the Dragon Slash!" He rushed toward CannonBeemon's missile pods. "Sky Ripper!" As he flew along the wall, he swung his sword down, destroying most of the pods. He then flew away from CannonBeemon. "Rising Wave!" He brought the sword up again, creating a wave of energy that struck the airship Digimon.
Angewomon readied an arrow. "Can't let you have all the fun," she said. "Besides, I need some payback. Celestial Arrow!" She fired the arrow and it struck CannonBeemon's head.
"Zzzzzzzzzzzz!" The noise from CannonBeemon didn't seem like a pleasant one.
Slayerdramon then flew toward the Digimon's body. "And finally, Biting Blade!" He swung the sword from his side and, using its flexible structure, wrapped around the body below the head. Suddenly, CannonBeemon began to flare up, and soon the whole Digimon was covered in flames.
"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!" CannonBeemon seemed to be trying to say something, but being stunned by Searchmon prevented that. Instead, his form began to disappear, from the outside to what was left wrapped inside the blade.
"Hey Digimon, hey Digimon," Slayerdramon whispered.
"See what you started, Isamu?" Kiyoko said. Isamu only shrugged.
"Good news, everyone," Searchmon said, interrupting any other thoughts from the others. "With CannonBeemon gone, the signal's back."
"We already knew that would happen," Daichi reminded him.
"But here's the best part," Searchmon continued. "We're very close now. I'd say only more than a day's walk through Giant Desert."
"And, uh," Angewomon said as she and Slayerdramon floated down, "how close is that?"
"Any closer," Searchmon said, "and it would border the city."
"Well, before we go anywhere through any desert," Isamu said, "let's rest here for the day." Everyone nodded and all the Digimon De-Digivolved.
Daichi held Babydramon in his arms as they headed back to ground level. "How you feeling?" he asked. "I know that you only just got better and had to Digivolve to mega twice."
"Just take me back to the flower girls at the hospital and I'll be right as rain," Babydramon replied.
Looks like our heroes are back on the trail. Can they find the Unifier? Or will it have some new traps waiting for them? Find out on Digimon: Digital Monsters!
The end's in sight folks, but we still have a ways to go. Hope you can stick around for a little bit longer.
This is CF signing out.