How's about another chapter? Huh? I thought you mught like that.

Disclaimer: The ownership of IPs is tricky territory to walk through. The only way I can safely put this up without some corporate wackos breathing down my neck is to say that I am not affiliated with the creators of Digimon, nor do I own any part of it.

LAST TIME:
KIYOKO: Searchmon told us that the Unifier was close, in a place called Giant Desert. We were on our way, but some Digimon called Daemon decided to mess with us. It was a pretty tough battle; even Slayerdramon and GranKuwagamon couldn't do anything to him. But Angewomon could, being an angel against a demon. But she was still ultimate level and was beaten back easily. But Gatomon and I never gave up, and our willpower allowed us to merge together to become Ophanimon, a mega level angel who put that Demon Lord in his place.

Chapter 46
Warriors

It didn't take long for the Digimon to regain their strength after the battle with Daemon. Minomon was the first, and so far only, to Digivolve. Daichi supposed that Wormmon had more experience with being a mega, allowing him to recover more easily from the energy drain. They all agreed that waiting for the other Digimon to Digivolve would just waste time, so, with Daichi and Kiyoko carrying their respective partners to allow them to rest more, Isamu Digivolved Wormmon to Searchmon to continue their trek.

The rest of the day was quiet. Aside from Daemon, nothing had happened since they first set foot in the desert. The Digi-Destined continued walking until the sun began to set. Everyone realized that if they kept walking, they would waste much-needed energy. It was decided that they would rest for the night. Daichi pulled out the lantern in his backpack and set it on the ground, giving them some light as they ate dinner.

"Can you believe it?" Kiyoko said. "This whole thing only took about two weeks."

"I know what you mean," Isamu said. "In the show, it usually looked a lot longer, about a couple months, it seemed."

"Hard to believe it's almost over," Salamon said. "Not that I want the Digital World to fall into chaos on a regular basis but…"

"I think we get what you have to say, Salamon," Daichi said. There was a small pause as everyone ate.

"So, guys," Kiyoko started. "Do you have any idea what this Unifier could be?"

"Hard to say," Daichi said. "There are over a thousand Digimon species, so narrowing the list could be hard. Even if we left it to only mega level virus types, it would still be a toss-up."

"Not only that," Isamu added, "but the show also had villains who weren't even Digimon. No, there have been humans, computer programs gone wrong, digital creatures that weren't even Digimon… Basically, your guess is as good as ours."

"And since I know next to nothing…" Kiyoko said.

"But you were still able to handle this whole thing pretty well," Salamon said.

"She's got a point," Babydramon added. "Hey, you were able to take Daemon by yourself without breaking a sweat. You don't have to worry about lack of experience to help us out."

"Babydramon," Daichi said, "could you stop acting so wise? It scares me."

"How do you think I feel?" Babydramon replied.

"You know?" Isamu said. "I think you've both changed from all this." Daichi and Babydramon looked at him.

"I have to admit he's got a point," Wormmon added. "Babydramon, you weren't even half this bright before we met these two."

"Yeah, I love you too, pal," Babydramon said sarcastically.

"And you've gotten in better touch with your crest," Isamu pointed out.

"I don't know about that," Daichi said. "Every time something happens, I always waver in my choices."

"You always end up making the right one, though," Kiyoko said. "I know I haven't been around for everything you've done, but everything worked out, didn't it? Really," she continued, "this whole experience has changed us all for the better."

Wormmon looked up at Isamu. "Do you think that's true, Isamu?" he asked. "Do you think you've changed?"

Isamu thought for a second. "I'm not sure. When I think about it, I've always been about making the right choices and keeping the Digi-Agents from spreading their evil."

"And what about the Digi-Eggs?" Babydramon said. "Except for that last egg, every time you got a new one, you'd be on an 'I am not worthy' kick until you realized you had that trait all along."

"True," Kiyoko said. "The same thing happened to me, don't forget."

"So maybe how you've changed isn't about how in-touch with your crest you are," Daichi said, "but how you look at yourself."

There was a long silence.

"Boy," Kiyoko said. "Getting attacked by so many Digimon, I never got a chance to think about all this."

"That may not be a problem anymore," Isamu said.

"That's true," Wormmon said. "We're so close to the Unifier now, I doubt any of his Agents would be here, where they can see him."

"Guess again, you fools!" a deep, almost staccato-like voice called out.

"What was that?" Babydramon asked.

"Don't know," Daichi replied. "Sounded like something out of a kung-fu movie."

"The Master of us all may not choose to share his secret to many," the voice said, with everyone looking around to find the source, "but I am of the privileged ones. I am…" Suddenly, something zoomed past them. It circled them a few times before stopping in the center of their camp. The Digimon looked like a dark grey monkey, about the size of an adult human, with white hair on its head and around its body. It wore clothing that resembled a lone warrior, with skull-like attachments on the shoulders. In held a large staff, tipped with gold on the ends. Its eyes held a blank, yellow stare. "SonGokumon!" the Digimon finished.

Daichi quickly pulled up his Analyzer. "SonGokumon, an ultimate level virus type beast man Digimon. Its Gold-Bound Cudgel is a powerful weapon that contains mystic power."

"What do you mean by, 'one of the priveleged'?" Kiyoko asked.

"There are only two of us who know our true master," SonGokumon said. "GranDracmon needed to be aware so there could be a face of the Agents. And I know because I am the master's loyal servant, protecting his whereabouts from those who wander too far into this desert, especially those who mean him harm."

"And let me guess what you plan to do with us," Babydramon said.

"You are a threat to my master's reign," SonGokumon said. "Therefore, I must destroy you."

"Sorry," Salamon said, "but we're trying to stop your master, and getting destroyed by you just wouldn't do at all." Everyone took out their Digivices. Daichi and Kiyoko found their Digivice cards.

Digi-Modify! Digivolution, activate! Babydramon Digivolve to… Dracmon!

Digi-Modify! Digivolution, activate! Salamon Digivolve to… Gatomon!

SonGokumon looked at the group before him. "Is this all you have to fight me with? If I was not so loyal to him, I would call my master foolish for him to believe you six to be any credible threat."

"Oh," Isamu interjected, "we're not done yet."

Wormmon Warp Digivolve to… GranKuwagamon!

Digi-Modify! Secret Digivolution, activate! Dracomon Warp Digivolve to… Slayerdramon!

Bio-Merge, activate! Gatomon Bio-Merge to… Ophanimon!

The Digimon stood in front of SonGokumon, ready for a fight. "Now this might warrant some concern," the rogue Digimon said. "But only some. Even your combined powers will be no match for me, let alone my master. For instance, just a small sampling of my power: Infinite Shadow!" SonGokumon ran toward the Digimon and turned before reaching them. He continued to run in a circle around them. He was running so fast that there appeared to be many of him. Suddenly, Ophanimon felt something strike her, followed quickly by GranKuwagamon feeling the same thing, then Slayerdramon. The strikes continued in rapid succession. In a blind attempt, Slayerdramon slashed his sword in front of him. SonGokumon had to stop running to avoid getting hit.

"No matter," SonGokumon said. "I still have other skills."

"Let's see how your skills fare against our holy powers," Ophanimon said. "Sefirot Crystals!" She created ten glowing crystals and fired them on SonGokumon, one after another. SonGokumon twirled his staff in front of the crystals. Each one hit the staff and created an explosion; none of the crystals ever reached their target.

SonGokumon ran up to Ophanimon, ready to strike her. She drew her javelin just as her opponent moved his staff forward. The two weapons struck and both Digimon began to push their respective weapon toward the other.

"Your cudgel will not be able to withstand our holy javelin," Ophanimon said.

"We shall see," SonGokumon replied. Meanwhile, GranKuwagamon flew behind SonGokumon, and his pincers began to glow purple. "Dimension Scissors!" SonGokumon quickly flipped over Ophanimon so he was behind her. Ophanimon saw the energy X and raised her shield in defense. The blast was cancelled out almost immediately.

SonGokumon then pointed one end of the staff toward the two Digimon. "Lightning Cannon!" The gold end of the staff started to spark with electricity, which blasted itself toward Ophanimon. The angel Digimon was just recovereing from the accidental friendly fire and wasn't aware of the attack until it struck her. SonGokumon then pointed his staff at GranKuwagamon.

"Sky Ripper!" SonGokumon as forced to stop his attack after he felt something swipe across his back. He turned and found Slayerdramon holding his sword as though he had just swung it. SonGokumon growled and started swinging his staff. Fortunately, Slayerdramon was able to anticipate and block his blows. GranKuwgamon used this distraction to check on Ophanimon. Finally, the fighting Digimon's weapons connected, with both Digimon holding their weapons with both hands.

"You fight well, dragon warrior," SonGokumon said.

"With a little practice," Slayerdramon replied, "so could you." SonGokumon growled and jumped back. He stuck his staff into the ground. "Lightning Attack!" The end pointing in the air extended itself until it reached a small cloud.

"Where did that come from?" Ophanimon asked. The cloud shot out a bolt of lightning at the staff. Both of the ends were now flowing with electricity. SonGokumon quickly ran up to Slayerdramon and hit him with one of the sparkling ends. Slayerdramon fell on his back from the force of the attack.

"Your armor serves you well," SonGokumon said. He held his staff high, one of the sparkling edges directly above Slayerdramon's head. "But this will end it."

"Slayerdramon!" Daichi called. "Quick! De-Digivolve!" Slayerdramon turned into blue energy that streaked back to Daichi just as SonGokumon lowered his staff; he stuck it into the sand. Daichi's partner stopped glowing and became Dracomon; nobody bothered to question it.

"So," SonGokumon sneered, "in the end, the warrior retreats."

"Don't feel too bad," Ophanimon said. She was now upright and hovering above the ground. "You can still play with us." SonGokumon held his staff in attack position and ran toward her and GranKuwagamon.

As the other Digimon fought SonGokumon, Daichi bent down to Dracomon. "You okay?"

"Would have been worse if I'd just stayed there," Dracomon replied.

"Doesn't look like you've used much energy," Daichi mused.

"So when do I get back in there?" Dracomon asked.

"Give me a minute," Daichi said. He pulled out his cards and leafed through them.

"What are you looking for?" Dracomon asked.

"I'm trying to find a card that will enhance your virus attributes," Daichi answered.

"Why do you need that?" Isamu asked from behind him.

"We're going to need a lot more power to beat this guy," Daichi replied. "And Brakedramon's our most powerful fighter."

"But I can't Digivolve into Brakedramon out here," Dracomon pointed out.

"Hence why I'm looking for the right card," Daichi said.

"Daichi," Isamu started, "take it from someone who loses to your deck fifty times a month; neither of our decks have any sort of card that does what you're looking for."

"But Slayerdramon just can't compete with SonGokumon's power," Daichi argued. "Brakedramon can."

"Daichi look at GranKuwagamon," Isamu said, pointing to the battle. "The only reason he's not collapsing into a heap is because he's so powerful. But when it comes to making the right moves, I don't think even GrandisKuwagamon can keep up with him."

"Same thing's happening to Ophanimon, Daichi," Dracomon added. "She may have her javelin, but it's a throwing weapon, not exactly made for close combat." Daichi looked up from his cards and at the battle. "If we're going to stand any chance, I have to be able to keep up with him, and only Slayerdramon can do that."

Daichi looked back at his cards, then at Dracomon, and finally lowered his head. "I can't believe this. I haven't changed one bit. I'm still not in touch with my crest. I'm trying to change something I have absolutely no control over."

"Daichi," Isamu said, "being in touch with your crest means more than just exhibiting its trait; it means learning from it and striving to be a better person."

Daichi sighed. "So, Dracomon, you ready to get back in there?"

"You sure?" Dracomon teased. "I'll only become Slayerdramon again."

"If that's what it takes, I don't care," Daichi replied. He took out his Blue Card one again, ready to activate the Digivolution. Daichi's crest glowed and shot a light into the card. The light stopped and the card's color fluxuated between blue and red. But something was different; instead of turning a solid red, it remained in its state of shifting tye-dye.

"Daichi?" Dracomon asked. "What happened?"

Daichi looked at the card. "Well, I promised myself I wouldn't ask questions anymore. Why break that now?" Dracomon smiled, but there was a hint of concern on his face. "Digi-Modify! Shared Secrets, activate!"

"Dracomon Split Warp Digivolve to…" Dracomon started to glow blue and green, almost like he would when Split Digivolving. However, the flow of the colors seemed reminiscent of Warp Digivolving. The colors split and showed brief images of both Coredramons and Wingdramon and Goundramon for their respective colors. Finally, the colors stopped on images of Slayerdramon and Brakedramon. They both stopped glowing. "Slayerdramon!" "Brakedramon!"

Both Daichi and Isamu stared at the scene. All Isamu could say was, "So this is Brakedramon."

"That's all you're taking from this?" Daichi asked. "Never mind. So, how about it, guys?" he said to the Digimon. "Ready to get back in there?"

"Why else would we be here?" Brakedramon replied. He turned toward the battle and moved forward using his treads, Slayerdramon close by.

Ophanimon was still trying to hold off SonGokumon with her javelin, keeping him still long enough for GranKuwagamon to use another Dimension Scissors, this time from the side. GranKuwagamon released his attack, but SonGokumon jumped up and slammed his cudgel on Ophanimon, knocking her on her back.

SonGokumon landed and held his cudgel so one of the ends was next to Ophanimon's face. "Now, you die!" he yelled. "Lightning Cann—!" Suddenly, a large pile of sand was hurled into his face and he stopped his attack. He cleared his eyes and turned to confront his attacker. Suddenly, Slayerdramon charged into him with his sword out and knocked him back. Behind him was a living, green-colored excavator who stopped to help Ophanimon up.

"Who are you?" Ophanimon asked.

"Brakedramon," the Digimon said, "Dracomon's green mega. And you can thank me for sandblasting that guy."

Ophanimon looked to the side at Slayerdramon and SonGokumon clashing weapons. "Then who—?" she began.

"It's a long story," Brakedramon said, "but it'll have to wait." He then drove off toward his other half. Ophanimon looked at Daichi, who shrugged his shoulders.

SonGokumon and Slayerdramon held each other back with their weapons. "So, you return," SonGokumon said.

"You can't keep a good Digimon down," Slayerdramon said. "But this time, I've brought a friend. Brakedramon!" Suddenly, six drills flew in toward SonGokumon. He barely avoided them all and was struck by the last one. Brakedramon came up next to him and dug his head, tails, and back drills, connected to robotic lombs, into the ground. "Infinity Borer!" Brakedramon's drills began to spin and created a large sand pit, the unstable ground preventing SonGokumon from standing up. The cudgel even dropped out of his hands as he tried to stand.

"Now's our chance!" Isamu said. He held his D-3. "GranKuwagamon!"

GranKuwagamon Mode Change to… GrandisKuwagamon!

GrandisKuwagamon flew in and grabbed the cudgel. "You won't need this anymore." He held the cudgel with one hand and used the claws on the other to split it in half.

Ophanimon flew above SonGokumon. "Without your cudgel to protect you, you will fall to our power. Sefirot Crystals!" Her crystals formed and shot at SonGokumon, all direct hits.

Slayerdramon flew next to Brakedramon. "If you don't mind," he said to the mechanical Digimon, "I think it's time we finish this." Brakedramon removed his drills from the sand and backed away. "Now, by the power of Faldchir, I unleash the Dragon Slash! Sky Ripper!" He slashed the sword down on SonGokumon before backing up. "Rising Wave!" He brought the sword back up and generated a wave of energy that hit the evil Digimon. "And Biting Blade!" He flew in and wrapped the sword around SonGokumon, who suddenly burst into flames.

Slayerdramon let go as SonGokumon's body disappeared. "Forgive me, my master," he said. "I have failed you." Soon his data was gone and all that remained was the sand pit.

All four Digimon glowed and returned to Isamu and Daichi. GrandisKuwagamon became Minomon once more, Ophanimon split herself into Kiyoko and Salamon, and Slayerdramon and Brakedramon turned into energy and combined to form Babydramon.

Kiyoko walked up to Daichi. "So, what the heck happened?"

Wormmon spoke up, "That question's been on my mind too."

Daichi just smiled nervously and said, "Well…"

Now that's an interesting skill. Will it help against the Unifier? There's only one place to find out, and that's on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

Now, another disclaimer: You won't find the name SonGokumon anywhere. The Digimon, however, is real. His name is spelled Gokuwmon, but it doesn't seem pronounceable, and I have this belief that if saying it is a problem, it shouldn't be written (heck, it's only named so because it hasn't been dubbed, so it's probably easier in Japanese). So I tried the name Gokumon (just eliminating the "w") but it turns out that's the Japanese name for another Digimon: Reapermon, an entirely different concept. Then it hit me; Gokuwmon is based on the character Son Goku from the epic Journey to the West. Bingo! Name right there!

Also, I realize that, if Split Digivolution is kind of a stretch, Warp Split Digivolution is just plain nuts. I will only defend it in this way: It will be important later on (and with only so many chapters to go, you can bet "later on" will be soon).

This is CF signing out.