This is it, folks. Endgame time.
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon at all. Why do we put these here? So we don't get sued for copyright issues.
LAST TIME:
ISAMU: Well, this is it. We've finally met the Unifier, Millenniumon, and man is he one tough cookie. Even with four megas, we can hardly touch him, which is a lot less than what we can say for him. Our only hope now is the Digi-Egg of Miracles, the Egg Gennai gave me back at his place. Here's hoping it lives up to its name.
Chapter 48
Miracle
"Golden Armor, energize!" The D-3 flashed a golden glow and the Digi-Egg of Miracles shot out of it. The Egg touched Minomon and the gold light allowed him to Digivolve into Wormmon. The Egg then disappeared and was replaced by the Crest of Miracles. Wormmon started to glow with the same hue as the Egg.
"Wormmon Golden Armor Digivolve to…" Wormmon's size increased to just a little taller than the humans. His body was shaped like a large beetle with eight limbs, six of them being arms. Each arm held a small rod with a decorative crest on each end. His new head looked like an army helmet with two antennae. He wore a large, purple beaded necklace and a cloth over his waist. "Kongoumon!"
Millenniumon looked at this new form and quietly chuckled. "You would trade in a much larger and threatening appearance for this?"
"Size doesn't always matter," Kongoumon said. "For instance…" he held the rods around him so that they barely touched each other. "Vajra Strike!" He jumped up and spun so that the rods were on the edge of his spin. He flew up to Milleniummon, just under his chin, and struck him. Milleniummon grunted in pain and Kongoumon landed.
"He actually hurt Millenniumon," Daichi said.
"It will take more than me to fully defeat him, though," Kongoumon said. "First, Ophanimon." He turned to the angel, who was still struggling to stand up. Kongoumon arranged his vajra again, this time in a complete circle in front of him. "Power Vajra! Be healed by the light of miracles!" An unknown energy shot out from the ends of the vajra and flowed into Ophanimon.
"Something's happening," Ophanimon said. "We can feel power returning to us. It's almost as if the fight for us has only started." The energy stopped flowing and Ophanimon stood tall.
Kongoumon then turned to the boys. "Daichi." Daichi nearly jerked in surprise. "Take out your Blue Card; it has one last secret to share." Daichi, too confused to say anything, took the card out of his pocket and held it in front of him. "Power Vajra! May two become one once more!" The energy shot out from the ends of the vajra again and flowed into Daichi's card. The color of the card started to change again, but instead of red, it settled on green.
Daichi didn't bother asking what this card did or how Kongoumon knew of this. Instead he brought the card to his D-Power. "Digi-Modify! Final Secret, activate!"
Slayerdramon and Brakedramon started glowing in their respective colors before they were lifted off the ground by a mysterious force. "Slayerdramon!" The knight Digimon suddenly became blue energy. "Brakedramon!" He too became energy, colored green. The two energies started swirling together. "DNA Digivolve to…" The two energies combined and took on a solitary shape. The new figure looked like a standard-sized dragon: red in color with a white chest and a muscular build. Its wings, however, were huge, with a wingspan almost four times the size of its body, and appeared metallic on the outside. On its right arm, where the hand should be, was a weapon that looked like either a laser or a lance, if not both. It spoke with the voices of both Slayerdramon and Brakedramon. "Examon!"
Daichi was amazed at what just occurred. "Two really have become one," he said.
"Now," Examon said, "let's end this battle, with Millenniumon being at the losing end."
"I will not be defeated by mere trickery!" Millenniumon shouted. "Dimension Destroyer!" He fired his cannons at all three Digimon. Examon closed his wings around them and the blasts hit the wings. The wings unfurled, showing none of the Digimon were harmed; even Examon, the only one the blasts touched, didn't seem to be hurt.
"Trickery, is it?" Examon said with a smile on his face. "Is this trickery? Avalon's Thrust!" He sped toward Millenniumon with his lance in front of him. He struck the aura and it seemingly screamed before disappearing. Millenniumon crouched down.
"He's been weakened," Ophanimon said. "Sephirot Crystals!" She fired her crystals at the monstrous Digimon, who couldn't raise one hand to defend himself.
"This is not possible," Millenniumon said.
"I'd say it's very possible," Kongoumon said, "since it's happening as we speak."
"You evil reign is at an end," Ophanimon stated.
"And your evil ambitions have been foiled before they have even begun," Examon added.
"Long story short, Millenniumon…" Daichi started.
"You've lost!" Isamu finished.
"Power Vajra!" Kongoumon arranged his vajra and started shooting the mysterious energy at Milleniummon. "Eden's Jaevelin!" Ophanimon threw her javelin at the Digimon. "Pendragon's Glory!" Examon pointed his lance at Millenniumon and fired a high-powered laser at him. All three attacks struck the part on his back that connected his body and the cannon. Millenniumon screamed in pain and anger before he finally collapsed.
The Digimon returned to the humans' side. As Millenniumon's data began to disappear, he said, very weakly, "You have not won yet. Though my body is gone, my evil will live on!" Suddenly, instead of disappearing as any other Digimon would have, shrinking from the outside to the center, his body simply exploded into countless thousands of tiny fragments. Of these fragments, about small fraction of them stayed in the air for several seconds.
"What are those?" Ophanimon asked.
"They look familiar," Isamu said. "But I can't put my finger on it. This whole thing reminds of the show. I know Millenniumon was in a flashback sequence for a few seconds but… Oh, no." Suddenly, the fragments flew straight at the Digi-Destined. "If those things touch us…"
"I'll handle it," Kongoumon said. "Power Vajra! Protect us from evil!" A large dome, large enough to cover even Examon, appeared over them all as the fragments continued their course. No sooner was the shield up that the fragments hit it and everyone could more easily see them: they looked like small, black, spiked balls, almost no different than certain types of wild seeds in the human world. Once all the specks hit the shield, they dropped to the ground at the base of the dome. Kongoumon released the shield and everyone started to relax.
Ophanimon was the first to De-Digivolve, splitting into Salamon and Kiyoko. "Wow," was all Kiyoko could muster. They were soon followed by Examon, who glowed teal and shrunk back down to Babydramon. Kongoumon De-Digivolved last, glowing gold and shrinking to Minomon. The glow became a streak of energy that disappeared into the sky.
Everyone looked up and watched as the energy vanished. "What happened?" Kiyoko asked.
"Well," Isamu answered, "Gennai did say that the Digi-Egg of Miracles vanishes after each use."
"And you've used it well," said a voice behind them. Everybody turned and found…
"Gennai!" the boys yelled in surprise.
Kiyoko stared wide-eyed at him. "Hey, you're the old man. Minus the trenchcoat, anyway."
"Good to see you all again," Gennai said, "and under the best of terms."
"How long have you been here?" Minomon asked.
"About a minute or so," Gennai answered. "Believe me, it's just not the same watching a battle on TV than it is watching it being played out in front of you."
"Yeah?" Daichi said. "Well, try being one of the parties involved."
"The good thing is you're still alive," Gennai said. "And I doubt we'll be seeing much of Millenniumon again. He wasn't a natural Digimon, rather the product of data combined in a monstrous way. There'll be no eggs coming from that one."
"So, quick question," Kiyoko said. "What are these things?" She pointed to the specks that had flown after them before.
"I believe Isamu can answer that best," Gennai replied. "After all, he seemed to be the most worried."
"And for good reason," Isamu responded. "They're Dark Spores, parasitic data nodes that, if attached to a host, can make them darker and more prone toward evil."
"So touching these things is a no-no?" Babydramon asked.
"Big time," Isamu said.
"Anyway," Gennai interrupted, "I'm here for more than just to offer you congratulations, but to give you a ride back to your world."
"Oh, no," Babydramon said. "The last time you gave us a ride, I nearly broke my wings."
"I never said I'd give you guys a ride," Gennai said with a smile. He snapped his fingers and suddenly a clear, blue sphere surrounded the Digi-Destined. The sphere lifted up and carried everyone inside it with them. On the ground below, Gennai gave them a wave good-bye before he disappeared with another snap of his fingers.
"Does he do that all the time?" Kiyoko asked.
"I guess it's one of those things you have to get used to," Isamu chuckled.
The sphere soon came to a stop. Everyone looked outside and saw an amazing sight. The sphere was near a clawed hand that appeared to be made out of clouds. In fact, the whole serpentine body seemed to be like this. The body was all wrapped up in chains. The only seemingly solid part was the head of the creature, though it looked more like a mask, yellow and blue, with a lightning-shaped horn on the nose area. The creature also had a long, flowing, white beard and mustache. They also noticed that their sphere was just one of many that surrounded the creature's other limbs.
"Azulongmon," Isamu said in wonder. "The Sovereign of the East."
"Greetings, Digi-Destined," Azulongmon said. His voice was calm but commanding. "Forgive Gennai for being so abrupt, but time is of the essence."
"Don't worry," Babydramon said. "I've kinda come to expect it." Azulongmon then started moving through the sky at amazing speed.
"So, let me ask you something," Kiyoko said. "You're supposed to be one of these Sovereign Digimon, like a god, right? So where were you guys when Millenniumon first showed up?"
Azulongmon did not hesitate in answering. "Even if we could have weakened our power to the point where we wouldn't destroy the Digital World, a battle between us and Millenniumon would still have left some side effects that would have taken years at the very least to fix. No, the most we could do was to call three young people that best exhibited the traits of my fellow Sovereign. The three other Sovereign had created the crests long ago for just such an emergency, based on their defining trait. From the Northern Turtle, Ebonwumon, whose age, two heads, and wisdom allow him to see the best path, came the Crest of Acceptance. From the Southern Phoenix, Zhuqiaomon, whose fiery passion cannot stand to see evil come to pass, came the Crest of Justice. From the Western Tiger, Baihumon, whose youth and eagerness would make him the strongest of all of us if not for his recklessness, came the Crest of Willpower. As for me, as the only Sovereign who can come to this plane without incident, it was my duty to hide the crests and tags until the time had come."
"What about our Digivices?" Isamu asked. "Where do they come in?"
"Those were made by Gennai," Azulongmon answered. "He is our envoy in this plane of the Digital World, as well as the one who called you all here. He developed the Digivices based on your unique style. For Daichi, it was your knowledge of how the Digital World works. For Isamu, it was your ability to make choices on a whim by learning from experience. For Kiyoko, it was your heart to connect yourself to your Digimon."
"Speaking of which," Kiyoko asked, "what happened when I used that Gatomon card back home?"
"Unlike the boys, you had to be brought into this world yourself. The Digivice needed to know who your partner was and where to find her. How you knew to use that card in particular gets too complicated for your minds to handle." Azulongmon started to slow down. "We are nearly there."
"So, just what was the big hurry?" Babydramon asked.
"It's been a while since they've been home, hasn't it?" Minomon replied.
"Not only that," Azulongmon said. "You see, the Digital World used to run on its own time. What would seem like days here could only be a couple of hours there."
"So really," Daichi mused, "We've probably been gone for only less than day."
"Wait," Salamon said. "Used to run?" she repeated.
"Up until Milleniummon gained power, that was the case," Azulongmon explained. "But as his and GranDracmon's experiments of transportation to the human world grew more intense, the more our timestream started to slow down, and it will eventually meet up with yours."
"Wait," Isamu said. "What will happen if—?"
"Don't worry," Azulongmon responded. "Even when our timestream meets up with yours, nothing will even be felt, let alone noticed. However, once the timestreams meet, all portals on this side will close and prohibit you from ever going back." The Digi-Destined all gasped at this. "I'll let you down here. The portal will be in sight when you land. There are only ten minutes before the timestreams meet. The portal will close then."
"Will we ever come back?" Kiyoko asked with a hint of sadness.
"As long as you call yourself the Digi-Destined," Azulongmon answered, "there's no telling what the future will hold for you." Suddenly, the Digi-Destined felt their sphere dropping to the ground. They were lowered below a canopy and set down in a forest. The sphere dissipated when it touched the ground. True to Azulongmon's word, the portal, a swirling light, was only a few yards away from their landing point.
"Guys," Daichi said, "you know what comes here, right?" Isamu nodded and Kiyoko strained to keep herself from crying. Even the Digimon seemed to know what was coming. "This is where we part ways."
"You're leaving us here?" Babydramon said as he flew up to meet Daichi's face.
"Babydramon, I don't like it either," Daichi said, "but the human world is no place for a Digimon. If someone discovered you and… something happened to you because of it… I'd never forgive myself for that."
Babydramon had his head bowed. "I guess you got a point there. Can't say I won't miss you, though."
"Hey," Daichi said, "just another thing for both of us to accept." The two smiled.
"Well, Minomon," Isamu said, picking up the little Digimon, "guess this is it. Been nice working with you, partner."
"It was nice to be your partner," Minomon replied. "Don't forget us, okay?"
"How can I?" Isamu said with a smile on his face. He could tell that Minomon was smiling too.
Kiyoko knelt down toward Salamon. "Salamon, I… I just want you to know… you're the best friend I ever had. And I don't say that lightly."
"And you're my best friend too, Kiyoko," Salamon said. Kiyoko couldn't hold back anymore and hugged Salamon and started sobbing. "It's okay, Kiyoko," Salamon said. "Let it out."
"I'll miss you so much," Kiyoko said. She held Salamon for a couple more minutes before they all realized the humans had to go soon, while the portal was still open.
The humans stood facing the portal. They all took one last look at their friends, turned back to the portal, held hands and walked into the light.
The humans found themselves in the cabin Daichi and Isamu had been staying in for summer camp. It was nighttime. They all let go of each other. Daichi and Isamu took off their backpacks. Kiyoko went over to the bottom bunk and sat down, face in her hands. Daichi sat next to her with a hand on her shoulder; she didn't make a move to push it away.
Isamu, meanwhile, went to Daichi's laptop and turned it on. After waiting for it to load up, he looked brought up a calander program. "Looks like Azulongmon was right," he said. "It's the morning of the night we left for the Digital World. Just a couple hours left until wake-up call." He looked back at the others. They either hadn't been paying attention or just didn't care because they didn't even look up at him. Isamu just went to the bed and sat on the other side of Kiyoko. He didn't say anything.
However, he thought he heard something. He looked at the backpacks and saw them move slightly. Isamu got up and opened his own backpack. He looked inside and found…
"Minomon?" Isamu nearly yelled in surprise. The other two looked up at him. He reached into the backpack and pulled out the little pinecone-shaped Digimon. "What are you—?" He didn't finish the sentence, just hugged him.
Surprised, Daichi went to his own backpack. He opened it and Babydramon flew out of the opening, with Salamon jumping out and running to Kiyoko. Kiyoko started crying again, but this time with happiness, as the little dog jumped into her lap.
"But," Daichi said, "what are you guys…?"
"What?" Babydramon said. "Did you really think that safety was a real reason to keep us away from here? I mean, think about it, with the Agents gone, things are bound to get boring real fast."
"Besides," Salamon added, "I just couldn't bear the thought of Kiyoko's face being so tortured."
"Is that what I looked like?" Kiyoko asked.
"Worse, actually," Salamon answered.
"We'd just rather be with our friends," Minomon said. No one said anything for the rest of the night, content with just being together.
Would I lose manly points if I told you I almost cried writing this chapter?
Nevertheless, this ends our heroes' adventures in the Digital World.
But the story's not over yet folks...