Author's Notes: Whew! Finally beat Lucemon. My strategy? I pretty much abused Craniummon's God of Breath and have him abuse my stockpile of recovery items. Tylinmon was also present to cut down on the amount of status effects inflicted on my team. And my main attacker was Darkdramon thanks to his high critical rate. Everyone else I brought along died... but I did it! It took a lot less time than I expected and I probably would have finished it sooner but I ended up playing through Persona 4 Golden, finally. Oh well... It's not like this chapter really has bearing on anything.
~PARADISE~
"You've come," Mirei smiled at Takumi as he entered the DigiLab. "I've been awaiting you. Actually, I have a request," the woman suddenly frowned. "Although, I admit, it is not quite as simple as that. It is a matter of fate."
"Fate?" Takumi blinked at her.
"I have a 'case' with your office," she nodded to him. "Please, do take a look."
"Alright then," the boy nodded.
"Thank you… in advance," she chuckled. The purple-haired woman put on an unsettling smile as she studied the Cyber Sleuth who overcame his fate.
Takumi shivered as she continued to stare at him with such a scary expression. "W-well then…" he nervously backed out the lab, deciding he should check out the case request before going about his business in the room. "I-I'll be right back!"
Client: Mikagura Mirei
Place: DigiLab
Details: A girl from a parallel world and seven evils rampant in our world… I give you the wheel of fate that binds us all.
"A girl from a parallel world?" Takumi stared at the note as he entered the DigiLab. He looked around the laboratory, expecting to see Mirei with Rina, but was mildly surprised when a girl wearing a purple bandana with a pair of black goggles turned to face him.
"You've come," Mirei smiled up at the boy from her seat.
"Yeah," the Cyber Sleuth nodded as he stared at the girl frowning at him.
"Who is this?" she asked, placing a hand on her hip.
"A devoted seeker of truth," Mirei stated with a nod. "A Cyber Sleuth made thrall to the Digimon that swim and soar in this realm. And furthermore, your savior. The one who can break free your destiny," the woman smirked.
The girl crossed her arms as her frown deepened. She continued study the red-haired boy with her cool purple eyes. "Thrall… Cyber Sleuth… What do you mean?"
Takumi closed his eyes and brought a hand up to his chin. "I don't understand either… What's this about 'breaking free your destiny'?"
"Allow me to make introductions, then," Mirei stated. "Aiba Takumi, this young lady is Sayo. She is a Digimon Tamer from another world. One so very unlike your own."
"So… it's different from Rina's world too?" Takumi asked in surprise.
The woman nodded as she continued explaining. "You see, Sayo's beloved partner, Dianamon, was taken from her."
"We came to get her back," Sayo stated. "We went to the DigiLab and just appeared here. Is that all you want of me, Mirei-san?" she asked the glasses-wearing woman. "To find Dianamon again? How can this boy be a part of my destiny? He's… nothing," she dubiously knit her eyebrows together as she continued to study Takumi.
"H-huh…?" Takumi frowned at that.
"There's gotta be something more!" Sayo shook her head. "Tell me what's really going on here!"
"There is much that stands between you and your Dianamon," Mirei told her. "To recover her, you must face and defeat the Seven Great Demon Lords."
"Eh!?" Takumi placed his hands on his hips.
"What!?" Sayo's eyes also widened. "All of the Seven Great Demon Lords!? Are you crazy!?"
"W-who's fighting who exactly?" Takumi asked.
"Do you know of the Seven in your world?" Mirei asked him with a serious frown.
"W-well… I know I fought and defeated Barbamon in Rina's world. He was one of the Seven, right? Other than that, I can't say I know much about these 'Demon Lords'…"
Mirei sighed as she explained it to him. "They who stand above all magical Digimon. Crowned as the Highest of the High, evil is inborn to creatures such as they. Their power is beyond imagining, so much that they exist simultaneously in all parallel worlds. It is a type of defense for them. By being in so many forms across the spectrum of time and space, they disperse their power. Their existence is… natural," she continued with a nod, "A primal factor of the universe."
"I… see…" Takumi nodded.
Mirei looked over towards Sayo with a disapproving frown. "By slaying the Seven Deadly Digimon of your world, Sayo, you have granted them strength in every other. Including my own."
Sayo gasped in surprise. "No…"
"The punishment for this sin was the loss of your Dianamon," the woman finally stated.
"Wh-what!?" Sayo shook her head in disbelief. "But we didn't know that would happen! We didn't mean to!"
"I understand," Mirei plainly stated, "but knowing or not makes little difference. It was a consequence. Your Dianamon can return home to you, Sayo, but to make that happen, you must defeat the Seven that reside in this world. The terrible irony is that, without Dianamon, I fear you are not strong enough to face them. Hence, I have brought Takumi to you," she nodded to the Cyber Sleuth before flashing him a smirk. "He is entwined with destiny. He shall defeat the Seven to save Dianamon from an unjust fate."
"M-me?" Takumi pointed at himself and blinked.
"No!" Sayo shook her head and glared at the boy. "That's not fair! I'm still a Tamer and I won't let someone else fight my battles for me!"
"True…" Mirei brought her hand up and fiddled with her bow. "In your world you are powerful. Champion of the Coliseum and a renowned Tamer," she nodded with a smile. "But in this world, Sayo, you have no such strength. Tell me. Which matters more: your pride or your partner?"
Sayo tensed up at that before lowering her gaze. She brought her hands over her heart as she worriedly frowned to herself. "Dianamon…" She thought her situation over carefully but still gave Takumi a rather distrustful glare. "It's not the same! It's not enough! I can't just accept this weak, little slip of a boy as my destiny!" She placed a hand on her hip as she noticed Takumi didn't seem to care about her insults. "But… I have no choice, do I?" she sighed. "I… I will trust you," she finally nodded to the boy. "I suppose I should do this properly. My name is Sayo, Tamer of 'Night Claw' from Dark Moon City," she extended her hand to him. "It's… nice to meet you."
"Aiba Takumi," the blue-eyed boy nodded as he shook her hand, "Cyber Sleuth of the Kuremi Detective Agency. It's nice to meet you too," he kindly smiled.
The girl frowned as he seemed like a nice boy. "Please… help me bring Dianamon home."
Takumi blinked at the genuine request before giving her a determined nod. "I'll definitely get it done," he reassured her. "Leave it me."
Sayo suddenly frowned at him and crossed her arms. "But that doesn't mean I respect you! Don't misunderstand me here. This doesn't mean I approve of you."
"H-huh…?" the boy nervously scratched his cheek. "W-well… that's alright… I guess…"
"It's decided…" Mirei stated with a satisfied smile. "Now, Takumi, the path is at your feet. We are to put our faith in you and see the Seven defeated. When you are ready, I can divine the locations of the Seven Deadly Digimon," she nodded to him as she pushed up her glasses. "All things are within the wheel of fate…"
Takumi crossed his arms and chuckled to himself. "As one blessed by fate, I can't turn away from destiny's call!" he nonsensically cried, prompting Sayo to sigh.
~LUST~
After reporting to the agency and setting up his team, Takumi seriously nodded to Mirei. "Alright then. Where should I go first?"
The woman let out a sinister chuckle as she began her fortune-telling. "I will foretell for you the whereabouts of the first of the Seven Great Demon Lords you need to slay… This is what I saw. It seems that one of the Seven Great Demon Lords called Lilithmon is in Nakano… Destiny will guide you in defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords."
"Lilithmon…?" Takumi crossed his arms as he was unfamiliar with such a Digimon.
"Hmm…" Sayo brought a hand up to her face. "I am a champion of the Coliseum in the other world. So, as a champion, and moreover, as someone who has experience defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords, I can give you battle tips to help out!"
"H-huh…?" the boy turned towards the girl in surprise. "O-okay, thanks," he nodded. "So what sort of Digimon is Lilithmon like?"
"Lilithmon is quite fickle," she nodded. "She changes her tactics a lot… You will have to do a lot of preparation in order to deal with any tactics she might use. Did you restock all your items?"
Takumi checked his supplies and nodded. "Thanks for the tip," he smiled at her. "Well, I'm off!"
Takumi followed a strange Digital Wave signature to the third floor of Broadway. He carefully looked down the hall for anything strange before he made it to the food court.
His eyes widened as he noticed a distortion next to the takoyaki stand. "There's a Digital Space inside…"
As soon as he entered the network, a feminine Digimon cackled at the boy before letting out a sigh of darkness. "Phantom Pain!"
The Cyber Sleuth quickly flipped back from the dark breath spewing from the green magic circle she summoned. "That was close!" he nervously shook his head. "Everyone! Let's go!"
Lilithmon brought a hand up to her mouth and studied the boy in confusion before a playful smirk appeared on her face. "I will eat you up!" she laughed, accepting his challenge. With a flourish of her arm, a poisonous mist covered the field.
Omegamon Zwart revealed his sword and swung it to clear the air. "Grey Sword!" Soon he lifted his cannon and took aim. "Garuru Cannon!"
"Chaosmon!" Takumi called out to his other Vaccine Digimon. "End of Paradox!"
Lilithmon frowned as both Digimon attacked her. "Do you want to play?" she asked she bugged the boy's entire team.
Takumi knit his eyebrows together as he sent Rosemon Burst Mode forward to take advantage of her reversed affinity. "Use Tifaret! Omegamon Zwart, support her!" He dug into his bag and threw a bug recovery patch towards Chaosmon. "Xros Combo!"
"Demon Stab!"
"Grey Sword!"
"Charité!"
The fickle Demon Lord let out a frustrated scream as she blew a kiss towards Chaosmon and Omegamon Zwart. "Temptation!" She laughed as both Digimon fell under her spell and became confused. "Come whenever!"
"BAN-TYO Blade!"
"Grey Sword!"
"No!" Takumi cried out in surprise as Chaosmon and Omegamon Zwart turned on each other. "Rosemon Burst Mode, keep her busy!" Takumi ordered as he tried to get both Digimon to stop.
"Aguichant Lèvres!"
"Feeding Frenzy!" Lilithmon took in a deep breath as she began seriously battling against the Fairy Digimon. The Demon Lord's power seemed to grow before she summoned a green magic seal. "Phantom Pain!"
Rosemon Burst Mode quickly dodged it but the attack ended up hitting Chaosmon. Takumi shook his head as his Vaccine Digimon was quickly downed. "A revival capsule coming up! Omegamon Zwart! Help Rosemon Burst Mode!" he cried as he cleared the black knight's confusion.
"Double Torrent!"
Lilithmon laughed as she dodged the waves of fire and ice before she approached Omegamon Zwart. "Plaything!" she declared as she charmed the Holy Knight Digimon before draining his energy.
"H-hey, Omegamon Zwart!" Takumi frowned as this battle was not going well for him. He shook his head as he searched for another revival capsule.
"You seem down," the Demon Lord taunted the Cyber Sleuth as she prepared to finish off the persistent Data Digimon coming after her. Lilithmon raised her right hand up as her golden claws began to glow. "Nazar Nail!" she cried as she slashed at Rosemon Burst Mode.
The Fairy Digimon quickly avoided it as Takumi threw a speed booster towards her. Rosemon Burst Mode scowled at the witch as she let her glowing pink mantle spread out behind her. "Charité!" The beautiful fairy wrapped her cape around Lilithmon before blowing a kiss. "Aguichant Lèvres!" The bombardment of lasers further weakened the Demon Lord, but Rosemon Burst Mode still didn't let up as she attacked her with the jewel she always wore that symbolized love and beauty. "Tifaret!"
Lilithmon screamed as she collapsed in defeat and Takumi let out a relieved sigh, knowing the battle was over. "Good job, Rosemon Burst Mode," he praised the Digimon smiling at him. He paused though before flashing Omegamon Zwart and Chaosmon a wry smile as both Digimon bowed their heads to him in shame. "Well… you both did your best, but at least it's over now. Let's get going." He made to leave the Digital Space but paused when he noticed Lilithmon had dropped something. Takumi blinked as he picked up the Hair of Lust. He knit his eyebrows together since he had no idea what it was, but it seemed important. "I defeated the Demon Lord known as Lilithmon," he nodded to himself. "First off I should go and tell Mirei-san and Sayo-san…"
Sayo took in a deep breath as she waited for Takumi to return. She impatiently crossed her arms and frowned when it was taking him a lot longer than she would have liked. "Once he defeats the Seven Great Demon Lords, my partner Dianamon will finally be returned to me…" she reminded herself. She closed her eyes and focused on that instead of the Cyber Sleuth's questionable skills as a tamer. She opened her eyes though as the boy finally returned.
Mirei smirked at Takumi when she noticed the boy's serious expression. "You have slain one of the Seven Great Demons Lords. I'm very proud," she nodded to him.
Takumi smiled back at her as he placed his hands on his hips. "Lilithmon turned out to be tougher than some of the Royal Knights, but I did it somehow."
"Hm…" Sayo raised an eyebrow at the boy. "I guess you're doing all right. When all Seven have been defeated, then I'll have Dianamon back! I…" she hesitantly looked into his blue eyes, "Thank you."
The Cyber Sleuth continued smiling at her and nodded. "No problem."
The Dusk Tamer quickly turned her head away from him and frowned again. "I still don't know if you'll be enough, but… please, keep trying."
"Sure thing!" Takumi grinned.
Mirei pushed up her glasses when she noticed something strange sticking out of Takumi's belt pouch. "Say…! That thing you're holding," she blinked at it in surprise.
"Hm?" Takumi looked towards the woman before remembering the strange Hair of Lust he found. "Oh yeah… Lilithmon dropped this when I defeated her. Do you know what this is, Mirei-san?"
"Yes," she nodded, "the Evidence of Sin. Each of the Seven has one and each in regard to the sin they represent. It is proof of the judgment fallen upon Dianamon."
"I see…" the Cyber Sleuth stared at the artifact with an uncertain frown on his face.
"When all of them have been gathered," Mirei continued, "Dianamon will be freed from her purgatory. Her punishment lifted," she smiled. "Please, Takumi, continue…" she chuckled.
Takumi looked over towards Sayo but the tamer only continued to frown at him. "So I'm asking you to do this… but this still doesn't mean I approve of you!"
The red-haired boy simply gave her a smile and nodded. "I know," he lightly chuckled. "Don't worry though. I'll get it done, no problem."
"I'm home," Takumi called out as he returned to the agency.
"Welcome home," Kyoko grinned at him. "So how was it?"
"Mirei-san needs me to defeat all of the Seven Great Demon Lords in this world," her assistant crossed his arms. "I'll probably be running in and out of the office for a while until then. I just thought I'd get started on filling out the report though."
"This case is definitely a bit of an odd one, isn't it?" the detective chuckled. "I mean, this is Mirei we're talking about, so I guess I'm not surprised, but still."
"Odd or not, I'll get it done," Takumi said as a sympathetic frown washed over his face. "There's a Tamer I need to help in reuniting her with her partner…"
Kyoko chuckled as she understood what was going on in the boy's mind. "I'm sure you'll be fine," she gave him an encouraging nod. "I look forward to seeing the results at the end of this case."
Sensing her faith in him, the redhead managed to crack a smile. "Thanks, Kyoko-san. Just leave this to me!"
~GLUTTONY~
Mirei let out a diabolical chuckle as she prepared another fortune telling session for her best customer. "I will foretell for you the whereabouts of the next of the Seven Great Demon Lords you need to slay… This is what I saw. It seems that one of the Seven Great Demon Lords called Beelzebumon is in Nakano… Destiny will guide you in defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords."
"Nakano again…" Takumi crossed his arms. "Alright," he nodded. "Thanks, Mirei-san." The boy paused as he passed the worried Tamer he was helping. "How are you holding up?"
Sayo frowned to herself. "I didn't know… that within the Seven Great Demon Lords… such a thing existed…"
"Are you still worried about Dianamon?" Takumi asked her.
She shook her head and glared at him. "Don't concern yourself with matters of the past. There is nothing you can do about them. Now you must focus only on the battle ahead!"
"R-right…" the Cyber Sleuth nervously nodded.
"Beelzebumon is a short-tempered Digimon…" Sayo recalled. "Don't drag the battle on for too long. Do you have any power-type or speed-type Digimon? You need to hit hard!"
"So power and speed trumps defense and endurance in this case," Takumi mused. "Hmm… Okay. I think I've got a good strategy then."
Takumi knit his eyebrows together when he sensed a powerful Digimon hiding in an arcade machine. He Connect Jumped into the terminal and carefully looked around before he heard the sound of a roaring engine speeding towards him. He jumped back as a Digimon resembling a biker thug charged towards him on top of a motorbike.
The Demon Lord swerved his bike around before pulling out a gun and pointing it at the Cyber Sleuth who came to challenge him. Takumi didn't move as Beelzebumon climbed off of Behemoth and the Digimon sneered at the boy, waiting for him to summon his team. The Demon Lord crossed his arms at the sight of HiAndromon, Chaosmon, and BlackWarGreymon before beginning a countdown. "Five…" he winced as he began consuming his own data to make himself more powerful.
The Cyber Sleuth raised an eyebrow at the strange Demon Lord giving him a chance to move first. "Alright! Take him out as quickly as you can!"
"Black Tornado!"
"BAN-TYO Blade!"
"Copy Paste!"
"Four…" Beelzebumon shook his head as he continued building up his power.
"Dark Prominence!"
"Three…"
"Spiral Sword!"
"Two…"
"Dramon Killer!"
"One…" Beelzebumon prepared to draw his guns.
Takumi shook his head though as the Demon Lord continuously drained his own energy to build up his attack. "Keep assaulting him!"
"Let's end this…" the excessive Demon Lord growled as he suddenly darted forward with his shotguns out. "Double Impact!" He haphazardly fired multiple rounds at the Cyber Sleuth, but BlackWarGreymon quickly intercepted the attack.
"Brave Shield!" the Black Knight roared as he shielded Takumi.
The red-haired tamer smirked as he called out for his Vaccines to quickly finish off the weakened Demon Lord. "Let's go!"
"Atomic Ray!"
"End of Paradox!"
Beelzebumon collapsed in defeat and Takumi shook his head at the Digimon's excessive overconsumption of his own data. He paused though as he picked up the Fang of Gluttony on the ground before him. "That's two down… I'd better report back to…" he paused as his stomach began to growl. "Gluttony, huh…?" he smiled to himself. "Well… a quick lunch break wouldn't hurt, so long as I don't overindulge myself."
Takumi let out a relieved sigh as he finished compiling his second report for Kyoko. "Here you are," he nodded. "Now I should get started on my next assignment…"
"Mirei just keeps on sending cases to us, doesn't she?" Kyoko smiled at her busy assistant. "It's nice to have some stability in this line of work, though, so stay on top of them."
The blue-eyed boy gave her a stern nod as he pushed away a purple magnet holding up another note Mirei sent to him. "Alright, well I'm off!"
"Have a safe trip!" the detective smirked.
~GREED~
"Okay, where should I go next?" Takumi asked the purple-haired woman.
"It seems that one of the Seven Great Demon Lords called Barbamon is in Nakano…" she nodded to him. "Destiny will guide you in defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords."
"Still?" Takumi crossed his arms and frowned. "And it's Barbamon this time, huh?" He remembered back to the bearded Digimon he faced in Rina's world. "As I recall, he has a habit of greedily boosting himself, but in doing so he leaves himself completely open to attack." He looked up towards Sayo with a grin. "Is that right, Sayo?"
The girl crossed her arms and shook her head at him. "I trust Mirei, so I suppose I'll trust you… Not that you look all that trustworthy. You would do well to heed my advice."
"Huh…?" the blue-eyed boy blinked at her. "O-okay, sure…"
"Barbamon starts off his attack strong, but… after he expends his demonic power, he exposes a weakness…" the Night Claw Tamer told him. "Don't miss that chance. Strike as soon as you see it!"
"As I thought…" the Cyber Sleuth nodded to himself.
"But don't get carried away," she warned him, "or you'll pay for it."
"Sure thing," Takumi grinned. "You're speaking from experience, right?"
"What!?" Sayo's face turned red. "No… That never happened to me!"
"If you say so, then I believe you," the boy lightly chuckled as he departed the DigiLab.
Takumi blinked at the distorted terminal in the used bookstore but shrugged as he entered the network. Barbamon cackled as the boy appeared and raised his demonic staff in the air.
The Cyber Sleuth dodged the hellish flames coming towards him as he sent his team forward. "Let's go! Keep your guards up and counter whenever you can!"
"Magic Binge!" Barbamon began charging up his power and Takumi smirked as the Demon Lord's defense and speed lowered.
"Go all out!" he called out to his Digimon.
SaintGalgomon quickly rammed his heavy body into the Demon Lord. "Saint Tackle!"
"Copy Paste!"
"Tyrant Bisection Sword!"
Barbamon shrieked as he was assaulted by the three Vaccines before he finished charging his spell. Takumi promptly called for a retreat before his Digimon could get caught up in the Demon Lord's powerful attack. "Brace yourselves!"
"Pandemonium Lost!" the bearded Demon Lord released a super high temperature blast around him.
Takumi flinched as SaintGalgomon protectively shielded him before the boy reached into his bag for a recovery spray. After applying it on his team, he quickly sent his Digimon forward to quickly finish off the Demon Lord before he could begin charging up his power again. "Xros Combo!"
"Burst Shot!"
"Dark Prominence!"
"Spiral Sword!"
"This makes three," Takumi nodded as he picked up the Beard of Greed from the ground. He frowned at the strange bundle of hair but put it away with his other relics.
~SLOTH~
"It seems that one of the Seven Great Demon Lords called Belphemon is in Nakano…" Mirei smirked at Takumi. "Destiny will guide you in defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords."
Takumi wore a tired smile as he nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll take care of it."
Sayo raised an eyebrow as this was now his fourth battle. "In rage mode, Belphemon increases his attack by how much health he loses," she told him. "In the final stage, you cannot hesitate. You must rush him!"
"No hesitation, right," Takumi nodded as he psyched himself up for another round. "Let's do this! Onto the next Demon Lord!"
"Which reminds me," the Tamer paused and crossed her arms, "didn't Mirei say that, as a punishment for defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords, Dianamon was taken from me?"
"Hm?" the Cyber Sleuth blinked as the thought crossed his mind too.
"So…" Sayo hesitantly frowned, "if you beat the Seven Great Demon Lords of this world… What will happen?"
"Will I… lose Alphamon and my Digimon once more…?" Takumi gulped as he didn't think he'd be able to bear parting with his boss again. He clenched his fists and shook his head. "No, that's not something I should focus on for now. I'll deal with it as it happens. If anything, I trust Mirei-san enough to find a way around it." He put on a determined smirk and nodded to himself. "No matter how many times Kyoko-san and I are forced to part, we'll always be connected. That's why I won't falter!"
Sayo blinked at the boy in surprise as he bolted out of the DigiLab with a determined grin on his face. After a while, she crossed her arms and smirked to herself as she thought of the kind, but very strange teen. "He's very much like a less hot-headed Koh…" She further considered this line of thought for a few more seconds before a displeased frown appeared on her face. "That's a bit infuriating actually… To think I could meet another person rivaling my strength here…"
Takumi stuck his right arm towards the vending machines on the third floor and carefully entered the network. He quickly looked around but knit his eyebrows together when there didn't seem to be any Digimon prepared to ambush him. Instead, he spotted a large brown-grey Digimon cocooning itself into a ball as it slept. The Cyber Sleuth's blue eyes widened at how adorable it seemed.
"Ah…!" he grinned. "Is this Belphemon Sleep Mode? How can I be expected to fight such a cute—?" Takumi blinked as he noticed the chains binding Belphemon Sleep Mode beginning to rattle.
"Lampranthus…" Belphemon Sleep Mode muttered in his sleep with a somber smile on his face.
The teenager jumped back as bolts of energy and black flames were cast from the chains. "R-right…" he shakily chuckled to himself. "He's still a Demon Lord." He shook his head as he sent his team forward to quickly take care of the dangerous Digimon. "Let's go!"
Imperialdramon Fighter Mode started things off with his strongest attack. "Giga Death!"
"Giant Missile!"
"End of Paradox!"
Belphemon Sleep Mode didn't dodge the attacks as he remained asleep and Takumi knit his eyebrows together in confusion. "Is he just going to stay that way for the whole battle…?" He shrugged though as this made things a lot easier for him. "SaintGalgomon, finish him off!"
"Saint Punch!"
The resting Demon Lord was knocked backwards and Takumi prepared to approach him for his relic when the boy suddenly tensed up. The blue-eyed boy watched as the Digimon's demonic red eyes opened. The chains constraining the Demon Lord snapped too and Takumi watched in terror as the adorable sleeping critter turned into a monstrous raging beast.
Takumi scanned the Digimon's new form and shook his head at the sudden change. "Okay, so it's Belphemon Rage Mode now! Everyone, be careful!"
"Resentment!" Belphemon Rage Mode roared as he angrily focused his attention on the boy who disturbed his slumber. "Gift of Darkness!" He charged forward with his claws wrapped in hellish flames.
"Saint Tackle!" SaintGalgomon quickly intercepted the attack but the powerful blow quickly knocked him out.
"So strong…!" Takumi gasped as he quickly searched for a deluxe revival capsule. Remembering Sayo's advice about not hesitating, he quickly called out to Imperialdramon Fighter Mode and Chaosmon. "Give it all you got!"
"Dark Prominence!"
"Positron Laser!"
Belphemon Rage Mode growled as he haphazardly slashed his claws at the two Digimon attacking him. After a few strikes though, he seemed to have tired himself out so stopped moving. "Sleep Status…" he closed his eyes for a moment as he began repairing himself.
Takumi sighed in relief at the reprieve and finally got SaintGalgomon up again. "It looks like he's open now! Don't let him recover too much health!"
"Burst Shot!"
"Splendor Blade!"
"BAN-TYO Blade!"
The three attacking Digimon tensed up as Belphemon Rage Mode opened his eyes again. "Resentment –Serious–!" Black flames wrapped around his body as he prepared for his next attack.
"Imperial Crusher!" Imperialdramon Fighter Mode charged forward with his electrified claws before kicking at the Demon Lord. His eyes widened though as the angry Digimon countered each of his blows in the midst of his preparations.
"Gift of Darkness!"
The Ancient Dragon Man Digimon was quickly struck down and Takumi quickly had Chaosmon and SaintGalgomon lure Belphemon Rage Mode away. The Cyber Sleuth grit his teeth together as he used another deluxe recovery capsule. His refreshed Digimon prepared to rejoin the others, but Takumi quickly stopped him. "Just give me a moment for me to transfer some data to you. It's time to use the Omega Blade!"
"Sleep Status…" Belphemon Rage Mode slowed down again as Chaosmon and SaintGalgomon pelted him with attacks. He grew annoyed though as the persistent pests refused to give him a moment of rest though so exploded in a rage. "Resentment –Extreme–!"
"Everyone get back!" Takumi roared as Imperialdramon Paladin Mode was finally ready.
"Gift of Darkness!"
"Omega Blade!" The white Ancient Holy Knight flinched from the intense flames of Belphemon Rage Mode's attack, but he pushed against the Demon's Claws with his powerful sword.
Takumi raised his right arm into the air as he had his other two Digmion support him. "Xros Combo!"
"Tyrant Bisection Sword!"
"Saint Tackle!"
Imperialdramon Paladin Mode's dragon-head chest port opened up as he began charging its cannon. "Giga Death!"
The Cyber Sleuth shielded his eyes from the bright explosion and waited until everything around him settled before checking the results. When he saw his team still standing, he let out a relieved sigh and quickly recalled them into his Digivice for a well-deserved rest. "I think that's enough for today…" he crookedly grinned. He picked up the Nails of Sloth and shook his head to himself as he was now halfway done with defeating all Seven Great Demon Lords.
~WRATH~
Takumi pensively brought a hand up to his face as he considered how he wanted to shuffle his team around. "SaintGalgomon, Darkdramon, SaberLeomon, ChaosDukemon, and GrandLocomon still haven't quite recovered from yesterday's ordeal… I guess it's time I switched in Seraphimon, ShineGreymon, Kuzuhamon, RustTyranomon, Valkyrimon, HerakleKabuterimon and…" he counted up the Digimon in his team and nodded in satisfaction. "Well… ten should be fine for now, considering that gives me four Vaccines to work with. I can also Jogress MetalGarurumon (Black) and BlackWarGreymon to Omegamon Zwart if I need backup…" He smiled to himself as he began accessing his DigiBank. "Yeah… That sounds like a good plan. So, who am I to face next, Mirei-san?"
Mirei let out a sinister chuckle as she gazed into Takumi's future. "I will foretell for you the whereabouts of the next of the Seven Great Demon Lords you need to slay…" she nodded to the boy. "This is what I saw. It seems that one of the Seven Great Demon Lords called Demon is at Central Hospital… Destiny will guide you in defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords."
"Central Hospital…" Takumi mused. "What advice do you have for me this time, Sayo?"
"Demon… tips for fighting Demon…" The Dusk Tamer carefully thought it over. "When Demon gets angry his attack power goes up, so you don't want to get him mad."
"Eh?" the boy blinked at her. "But it's a fight… Judging by how Belphemon got angrier as the battle went on, wouldn't the same thing happen with Demon?"
"Huh?" the girl paused as she placed her hand on her hip. "Yes, it is indeed difficult not to make your enemy made while trying to defeat him… But hey, that's the job you signed up for!" she frowned at the Cyber Sleuth.
"I suppose…" Takumi nervously smiled as he crossed his arms. He closed his eyes as he considered how to best set up his team. When he opened them again, he brought his fist up to his chest. "Okay! Let's do this!"
As soon as Takumi entered the water cooler's network, a fearsome fallen angel Digimon let out an enraged roar. "I'm really, really angry!"
Takumi didn't hesitate as he sent Seraphimon, Omegamon Zwart, and ShrineGreymon forward. "Let's go! Xros Combo!"
"Seven Heavens!" Seraphimon fired seven orbs of holy energy at the fallen angel Digimon.
"Garuru Cannon!"
ShineGreymon spread his wings as they began to glow in a brilliant light before he shot arcing beams from them. "Corona Splash!"
As he was pelted by the attacks, Demon began to concentrate a ball of hellish flames in his hands before firing it at his opponents. "Flame Inferno!"
Takumi's team jumped back but was partially singed by the extreme heat. The Cyber Sleuth quickly applied a recovery spray before sending them back into the battle. "It looks like he's recovering from his attack's recoil! Let's go all out!"
Omegamon Zwart called for his blade and rushed the Demon Lord. "Grey Sword!"
Seraphimon did the same with the energy sword on his right arm. "Excalibur!"
"GeoGrey Sword!" ShineGreymon pulled a dual-blade sword infused with Gaia's power from the ground.
"Double Dust!" Demon sent a shockwave through the ground, causing an earthquake, but his opponents quickly rose into the air. He let out another enraged roar as he began charging his flames again. "I'm really, really angry! Flame Inferno!"
Takumi shook his head as he had another spray prepared. "Another round of attacks!"
"Ascension Hallow!" Seraphimon called down a bolt of heavenly lightning.
"Double Torrent!"
ShineGreymon absorbed as much energy as he could from his wings before charging his chest-mounted laser. "Glorious Burst!"
Takumi watched as Demon continued exhausting himself with his anger until eventually the wrathful Digimon collapsed to the ground. The Cyber Sleuth frowned at the short-lived battle. "Anger really is an extremely volatile emotion…" He shrugged it off though as he picked up the Horn of Wrath Demon dropped. "Well, it wasn't too bad. Only two more Demon Lords to go!"
~ENVY~
Mirei nodded as she told the red-haired teen where his next opponent was. "It seems that one of the Seven Great Demon Lords called Leviamon is at Central Hospital… Destiny will guide you in defeat the Seven Great Demon Lords."
"Alright," Takumi nodded. He grinned at Sayo who was still frowning at him. "What's wrong? I only have a couple of more battles to go and you'll be able to see Dianamon again."
The girl crossed her arms and pouted. "This sucks… I'm a tamer too but, you've been trusted with everything…"
"Isn't that because you can't really defeat them without your partner?" Takumi asked. He flashed her a cheery smile. "Hey, come on! You've been helping me out a lot with your advice!"
"Huh?" Sayo blinked at him. "My advice is going to be useful in the next battle?"
"Yup!" the boy grinned.
"What!? Of course!" the purple-haired girl frowned at him. "I hardly need you to tell me that!"
"Of course not!" Takumi lightly chuckled.
Sayo sighed at his easy-going attitude. "Next you need to go after Leviamon!" she reminded him. "His magic is weak, but he can counterattack while you use magic, so make sure you get your timing right!"
The Cyber Sleuth became serious once more and brought a hand up to his mouth. "So he's vulnerable to magic, but he has a countermeasure prepared…"
Sayo chuckled at the boy's expression. "You can't borrow the strength of a champion to win this, so do your best!"
"Will do," Takumi nodded before checking his team again.
Takumi entered the network of the hospital's vending machine and jumped back as a long serpent-like dragon came charging towards him. Omegamon Zwart quickly emerged from his Digivice with his blade drawn as Leviamon tried to bite the teen. "Rostrum!" Retreating backwards, Takumi quickly sent Seraphimon and HerakleKabuterimon to support the Black Holy Knight, but Leviamon continued to snap his jaws at them. After a while, the long Devil Beast sighed and stopped attacking. "I am worried…"
Omegamon Zwart took this moment to counterattack. "Grey Sword!"
HerakleKabuterimon charged his great horn with electricity. "Giga Blaster!"
"Seven Heavens!"
Leviamon didn't really respond as he continued to remain still. "Resting…"
"If he's not going to counter, keep attacking!" Takumi called out as he applied a speed booster to each of his Digimon.
"Double Torrent!"
"Ascension Hallow!"
"Starting up again…" Leviamon breathed as he began to stir.
"Everyone, get back!" the Cyber Sleuth frowned as he noticed the beast getting ready to launch himself at his team.
"Rostrum!" The Demon Lord began snapping his long snout again and tried to bite down on HerakleKabuterimon, but the large beetle Digimon refused to allow himself to be bitten so easily.
"Horn Buster Kai!" The Insect Digimon rammed his electrified horn against the roof of Leviamon's mouth as the Demon Lord tried multiple times to chomp down on him.
"Grey Sword!"
"Excalibur!" Seraphimon and Omegamon Zwart tried attacking the serpent's main body, forcing the Devil Beast to let go.
Leviamon shrunk back again to return into his recovering state, but Takumi decided to things now before the Demon Lord began another round of snapping at his team. "Xros Combo!"
"Garuru Cannon!"
HerakleKabuterimon used his four arms to charge up a large ball of electricity. "High Mega Blaster!"
"Ascension Hallow!"
Leviamon collapsed and Takumi picked up the Scales of Envy that dropped from his body. "This leaves just one more…" the Cyber Sleuth stated, knitting his eyebrows together.
~PRIDE~
Takumi crossed his arms and closed his eyes before taking a deep breath. "The remaining sin remaining is Pride, isn't it?" he asked Mirei as he opened his eyes. "Who will I be facing that embodies this vice?"
"It seems that the last of the Seven Great Demon Lords called Lucemon is at Central Hospital…" the woman smirked at him as she pushed up her glasses. "Destiny will guide you in defeating the Seven Great Demon Lords," she nodded.
"Lucemon…" the Cyber Sleuth took a moment to consider what type of Digimon that would be.
Sayo worriedly frowned. "Lucemon can use 'knockback' to force your team into making unwanted substitutions, so you should make sure you don't have any other Digimon in reserve…"
"Eh?" Takumi blinked at his Digimon. "That means I should only bring a team of three!?"
"Did you know this?" the Tamer raised an eyebrow at him. "If you don't have any other Digimon, he can't use knockback."
"Well, I faced a Digimon like that before, but even then, I took six with me," the Cyber Sleuth recalled his challenge battle against Examon. "This is quite worrying…"
"It's a bit nerve-wracking not to have any other back-up Digimon," Sayo nodded in agreement, "but maybe you can just select your best three? You'll have to trust in them…"
Takumi quickly checked on his recovering Digimon and compared their state to his current team. "It looks like I'll have to make huge changes to my team's arrangement then…"
"This battle with Lucemon will be long and bitter…" Sayo warned him. "You mustn't give up!"
"Of course!" the boy nodded in determination. "I'm only one battle away from defeating all of the Demon Lords. I won't let myself falter now after coming so far!"
Takumi stared at the small angel hiding in the electrical box's Digital Space in surprise. "You're the embodiment of Pride?"
The child-like angel simply smiled at the Cyber Sleuth before opening his arms out. Ten superheated orbs of energy appeared around him and arranged themselves in a pattern resembling a cruciform syzygy. "Grand Cross!"
The redhead's eyes widened as he quickly summoned his team to protect him. "This is it, everyone!"
"Aguichant Lèvres!" Rosemon Burst Mode countered the attack with all her strength as ShineGreymon absorbed the solar energy of Lucemon's orbs.
"Glorious Burst!"
"Garuru Cannon!" Omegamon Zwart roared as he repeatedly fired his arm cannon.
Lucemon evaded some of the shots and frowned at his opponents. "Arrogant…" he muttered before ramming into Omegamon Zwart. He knit his eyebrows together when the knockback effect failed.
Omegamon Zwart smirked as he raised his blade up to finish the Child-level Demon Lord. "Sword of Ruin!" The explosive cross-slash produced by the Grey Sword was enough to finish off Lucemon.
The fallen angel fell from the ground before his body began to glow. Takumi tensed up as he watched the Demon Lord evolve into a new form. The Cyber Sleuth quickly scanned the Digimon and shook his head at the immense power reading his Digivice was picking up on. "Lucemon Falldown Mode… He went from Vaccine to Virus!" He quickly had Rosemon Burst Mode pull back. "ShineGreymon, cover her!"
Lucemon Falldown Mode chuckled as he tried to give chase to the retreating Fairy Digimon. "Paradise Lost!" He let loose a combination of punches and kicks but the Light Dragon Digimon got in his way.
"GeoGrey Sword!"
Omegamon Zwart quickly rushed forward to join in on the battle. "Omega Howling!" He extended his Garuru Cannon towards the Demon Lord and fired multiple sonic blasts.
"ShineGreymon!" Takumi pointed his right arms towards Rosemon Burst Mode. "Get ready for a data transfer! Burst Mode!"
The Light Dragon roared as his body wrapped in flames. From the shining inferno he pulled out a sword and shield completely made of fire as the remaining flames engulfed his wings. ShineGreymon Burst Mode flared up and combined his weapons together to produce a larger blade of fire. "Corona Blaze Sword!"
Lucemon Falldown Mode flew backwards to evade the attack and tried to cast a spell. "Requiem Ocean Wave!"
"Freeze it, Omegamon Zwart!" Takumi cried out.
"Garuru Cannon!" The Black Holy Knight immediately fired his weapon before jumping back as Lucemon Falldown Mode extended his arms out.
The fallen angel held an orb in each hand, one light and the other dark. He combined them together and watched the spheres overlap and grow, surrounding Omegamon Zwart. "Dead or Alive!"
"Partition!" the Cyber Sleuth quickly commanded.
Omegamon Zwart split up and escaped the three-dimensional magic circle before both Digimon could be annihilated. As soon as BlackWarGreymon was free, he began to rapidly spin into his drill attack. "Black Tornado!"
MetalGarurumon (Black) followed the attack up by opening all of the ports on his body. "Blizzard Wolf Claw!"
Lucemon Falldown Mode let out a frustrated yell as he charged up another spell to attack all three Digimon. "Condemning Hell Crusher!"
"Brave Shield!" BlackWarGreymon managed to protect himself from the brunt of the attack but paused when MetalGarurumon (Black) and ShineGreymon Burst Mode suddenly collapsed.
"Everyone!" Takumi knit his eyebrows together as he quickly pulled out a Full Revival Spray. "Hang in there, BlackWarGreymon! Try to remain on the defensive!"
The Jet-Black Dragon Warrior nodded as he continued deflecting his opponents attack with his sturdy shield. Lucemon Falldown Mode was relentless though as he repeatedly kicked at BlackWarGreymon. "Terrible Dance! Deadly Roll!"
When ShineGreymon Burst Mode was up again, the Light Dragon Digimon began to glow and heat up. "Final Shining Burst!" His body exploded into a bright light and BlackWarGreymon rammed into Lucemon Falldown Mode to capture the Demon Lord in the supernova blast.
MetalGarurumon (Black) howled before launching a barrage of homing missiles to ensure their target was incapacitated. "Burst Wolf Claw!"
Takumi reached into his pouch for a recovery spray just in case but patiently waited for the smoke to clear. He couldn't find any trace of Lucemon Falldown Mode, but he frowned when he didn't notice a relic lying around either. "Is there more?" he absently asked before the entire network began to shake. He fell over and watched as a great behemoth began to rise from the ground. The boy's blue eyes widened at the sight of the seven magic crests glowing above the new Digimon, gulping at the realization the crests belonged to the previously defeated Demon Lords. His Digivice began flashing an error message, unable to scan the Digimon, resulting in Takumi shaking his head at the new opponent. "Lucemon Satan Mode!?"
The Demon God Digimon let out a fearsome roar as the crests lit up into beams of energy. "Divine Atonement!"
"Brave Shield!" BlackWarGreymon leapt in front of the Cyber Sleuth to defend him as his two allies tried to counter the attack.
"Glorious Burst!"
"Cocytus Breath!"
"ShineGreymon Burst Mode! MetalGarurumon (Black)!" Takumi knit his eyebrows together as his Digimon fell. Their attacks had done nothing to the insanely powerful dragon so he quickly fumbled through his supplies while calling out defensive orders to BlackWarGreymon. "Forget about hurting it! Focus on surviving whatever it throws at us!"
BlackWarGreymon nodded as he reinforced his shield and began using evasive maneuvers against Lucemon Satan Mode's attacks. The great beast let out a groan as his previous attack drained some of his energy, but the mindless Demon Lord quickly shook it off before letting out a fierce roar. "Resentment –Extreme–! I will eradicate you!" He swiped his tail towards BlackWarGreymon, severely damaging the defending Ultimate.
"Hang in there!" Takumi called out before sending his recently recovered MetalGarurumon (Black) to aid his partner. "Here's a speed booster!" He threw the patch at the mechanical wolf, giving the Digimon the necessary power-up needed to rescue BlackWarGreymon.
"Shining Blast!" ShineGreymon Burst Mode enveloped his body in flames as he took another attack Lucemon Satan Mode prepared for the weakened Dragon man.
"Purgatorial Flame!" The demonic beast breathed out a black flame before further groaning as he lost a bit more of his power.
Takumi wiped the sweat off his forehead as he quickly used up another recovery spray. "At this rate, I don't know how long my supplies will be able to last!" He grit his teeth as he decided to have BlackWarGreymon and MetalGarurumon (Black) Jogress once more. "Maybe with their resistance we'll be able to put up a fight…?"
Lucemon Satan Mode stalled for a bit as he began charging up power. "Five…"
"Perfect," the Cyber Sleuth muttered as the beast began copying Beelzebumon's attack pattern. "This gives me enough time to reinforce their evolution and recover! ShineGreymon Burst Mode, hold your ground!"
"Four…" the Demon Lord's eyes glowed threateningly. "Three…" he spread his wings and prepared to take off. "Two…"
Takumi applied a speed booster to both his currently active Digimon.
"One…" Lucemon Satan Mode suddenly took off into the air and roared. "End Times!" With a demonic laugh, the crests hovering over him began to glow again. "Divine Atonement!"
"Double Torrent!"
"Glorious Burst!"
Both of Takumi's Digimon tried to counter the beams of light as their tamer emptied another spray bottle. He winced as the dragonic beast let out another ear-piercing screech out of frustration, but the boy refused to give in. "Just a little more," the Cyber Sleuth gasped.
The ultimate Demon Lord towered over the human and decided to unleash a wave of every attack it new against the persistent challenger. "Crazed Meteor Fall! Requiem Ocean Wave! Violated Rune Forest! Crucified Thunder Fall! Blackout Awesome Quake! Purging Gale Storm! Regression Shining Laser! Condemning Hell Crusher! Banishing Mach Rush!" ShineGreymon Burst Mode and Omegamon Zwart protectively shielded Takumi from it all and glared up at their opponent. When neither faltered, Lucemon Satan Mode began to drop down from the sky as he had used up all of his energy. "All power is lost…"
Takumi clenched his fists as he had his team use whatever remaining strength they had to finish the battle. "Xros Combo!"
"Garuru Cannon!" Omegamon Zwart fired off a short burst of energy from his right arm.
ShineGreymon Burst Mode fired incandescent flaming shots from his burning wings. "Torrid Weiss!"
Lucemon Satan Mode's body burst into a spread of data and Takumi quickly caught the Wings of Pride as they fell. He let out a relieved sigh as it was finally over. He took in a deep breath and gave himself a moment to take in his most recent accomplishment. "We actually did it…" he shakily laughed to himself. "Now Dianamon will be able to return to Sayo…"
Sayo stared at Takumi with wide eyes as the tired boy made his way back to the DigiLab. Mirei gave the Cyber Sleuth a proud smirk before greeting him. "All of the Seven have been crushed. This is truly incredible."
"You really were strong enough!" Sayo continued to wear an expression of disbelief. "I… I knew it! Thank you," she nodded to him. "Thank you! I-I should have had more faith in you."
"W-well…" the redhead sheepishly scratched his cheek. "Your advice did help… What really matters most though is that the Seven Great Demon Lords are defeated!"
Sayo nodded before turning towards the woman in charge of the lab. "Does this mean Dianamon can finally come home? Mirei-san, please…!"
"That is precisely what it means," the purple-haired woman smiled. "Leave all this in my hands."
"Alright then," Takumi nodded.
"Hmmm… Actually, Takumi…" Mirei frowned at the boy. "Did you obtain the Evidence of Sin from the last of the Seven?"
"Huh?" the boy blinked at her before quickly digging through his items. "Oh, yeah! I did! Here you are!" He handed over the seven Evidences of Sin to the woman and watched as her eyes gleamed in anticipation.
With a chuckle, Mirei fondly studied each relic. "Finally the new values can arise…" she muttered.
"W-what…?" the Cyber Sleuth worriedly studied her. "Do you have something planned, Mirei-san?"
"Oh, I must have said that out loud," Mirei mused as she flashed the boy a reassuring, but still rather unsettling, smile. "You wish to know of what I speak?"
"Um…." Takumi closed his eyes and brought his hand up to his chin. "Do I really want to know?" he asked himself.
"Well, you have a right to the knowledge," she pointed out as she pushed up her glasses. "It is my fate, but it seems you are well ensnared with me."
"Hm?" the boy blinked at her in confusion but Mirei soon focused her attention on Sayo.
"Wait here," Mirei directed her. "All will be prepared soon. And Dianamon will return to you, Sayo." The Night Claw Tamer nodded to her in understanding. "Soon. Very, very soon," she chuckled.
Sayo nervously inched closer to Takumi and lowered her voice. "Hey, um… Mirei is acting kind of strange, don't you think? I hope everything's all right."
"Yeah…" Takumi agreed.
"In any case," Sayo gratefully smiled at the Cyber Sleuth, "since you've won the battle, Dianamon will be returned."
~FANATIC~
"Good morning, Kyoko-san," Takumi greeted his boss as he came in for another day at work. "Did any new cases come in?"
The detective looked up from her computer and smirked at him. "A call just came in from Mirei," she stated, tossing him the phone receiver.
The boy fumbled with it before answering the call. "Hello, Mirei-san?"
"What are you feeling, Takumi?" the purple-haired woman asked.
"As in what emotion?" the Cyber Sleuth knit his eyebrows together. "Um… Confusion? Or maybe, calm patience? Um… why do you ask? What are you feeling right now, Mirei-san?"
"Me?" she blinked at him in surprise. "Excitement," she grinned. "My heart is beating so quickly. I haven't known this anxious feeling for a long time."
"Is that so…?" Takumi crookedly grinned.
"All things are in place," she nodded to him. "My plan and the return of Sayo's Dianamon. I've submitted a case. Please, accept it and then return to me."
After Takumi hung up, Kyoko smirked at her assistant. "You heard her," she told him as she handed him the case request note. "Get to it, Cyber Sleuth."
Takumi scanned the note carefully.
Client: Mikagura Mirei
Place: Digilab
Details: The Seven Great Demon Lords have fallen… This is the beginning of a new destiny. Everything is ready… Come and see me.
The boy slipped the paper into his pocket and nodded to his boss. "Just leave this to me, Kyoko-san! I'm off!"
"Have a safe trip," Kyoko chuckled as he left.
Mirei chuckled as Takumi finally arrived. "So sorry to keep you waiting, Takumi."
"Mirei-san," Sayo frowned at the woman, "the Seven Great Demon Lords are defeated! Let me set Dianamon free!"
"You have done well," Mirei nodded at both tamers. "Now, at least, it can begin," she smiled.
"M-mirei-san…?" Sayo took a few steps back and blinked at her. "What's going on? What are you talking about?"
"Come," Mirei continued to grin at them. "This is the time, but not the place. We cannot allow the new values, all that power, to scatter across this realm."
Takumi tensed up. "Don't tell me there were consequences for me defeating the Demon Lords!?"
Mirei shook her head as she stood from her seat. "Follow…"
Takumi and Sayo shared an uncertain frown with each other before they followed the woman out of the room. Takumi looked around in surprise when they were in an empty forum room in EDEN.
The mysterious woman let out a satisfied chuckle. "This will work. I am sure of it," she nodded. "Though the power once bound, born in one form, has been scattered."
Sayo knit her eyebrows together. "Mirei-san, what do you mean? Power that was… born?"
"One moment more and all will be explained," she responded to the girl. "First, we must return your Dianamon from her purgatory." With a wave of her arm, a bright light enveloped the room.
Takumi flinched but when his vision cleared, he noticed a Digimon standing before Sayo. "Is that…?"
"Dianamon!" Sayo happily reunited with her partner. "You're finally back!"
"That's great…" Takumi smiled but he paused when he sensed something strange about the atmosphere.
"And now…" Mirei began, "now we may begin it."
"Eh!?" The Cyber Sleuth tensed up. "Mirei-san, what are you…?"
"Takumi, thank you," she respectfully nodded to him. "Thank you for everything. I finally have the 'Evidence of Sin', the wicked truths held by each of the Seven. You have done for me more than I could have imagined. And yet, by defeating those dark heralds, the Seven Great Demon Lords, you too have committed a sin. Just as Sayo once did."
"Urgh…" Takumi reached his hand up to his Digivice, worried about his Digimon.
"But rest calm," Mirei reassured him with an unsettling smirk. "I have no punishment for you."
"You… don't?"
She nodded. "Your sins, your punishment, they transcend time and space. They sunder the borders therein. And I grant you forgiveness."
"What do you mean?" the boy knit his eyebrows together in confusion.
"This is what I had hoped to see," Mirei grinned. "These… new values."
Sayo and Takumi tensed up. "What!?" the boy exclaimed as Sayo gasped in surprise. Takumi winced as the room began to shake. "Such power… What's going on, Mirei-san?"
"The ultimate Digimon shares its form with these new values," the woman merely stated. She held up the seven Evidences of Sin and chuckled as they combined to form the ultimate Digimon.
Takumi gulped at the large yellow stuffed bear standing behind Mirei. "A Monzaemon!?"
Sayo blinked at the Digimon too. "You mean…" she paused at the ridiculousness of it. "This is the form of the Ultimate Digimon?"
"Umm…" Takumi tilted his head to the side. "I think so?"
"Yes," Mirei nodded to them seriously. "Yes, it is. Do not be deceived by simple appearances, Sayo." She looked up at the Monzaemon. "Do you feel it? Limitless energy, limitless strength, breaking upon the world like the tide."
"Umm… Takumi…" Sayo turned towards the Cyber Sleuth.
Takumi placed his hands on his hips as he understood what she was thinking. "Yeah… I feel the same way. Should we really fight it?"
"I'll do it…" she shrugged.
"Really!?" he asked with wide blue eyes.
"Those Digimon must be defeated," she smiled at him. "It's the only way we can keep this world safe." She lowered his gaze and placed her hands over her heart. "I've left all of this up to you. I've relied on your power to see us through until now, but I have Dianamon again. I have strength of my own. Please, Takumi," she nodded up at the taller boy, "let me fight beside you."
Sensing her resolve, Takumi flashed her his usual smirk. "Alright, Sayo! Let's do this together!" The two faced Mirei's ultimate Digimon.
The purple-haired woman looked down at the two children with a smile on her face. "There is only one path forward…" she told them.
"Ready when you are!" Takumi clenched his fists.
Sayo crossed her arms as she prepared her partner for battle. "Let's go, Dianamon."
"Show me this power of yours…!" Mirei declared as Monzaemon suddenly launched itself past her to attack.
"Go for it, everyone!" Takumi called out to Kuzuhamon, RustTyranomon, and Valkyrimon to attack.
"Taizoukai Mandala!" the purple God Man Digimon spun her staff to create a purification barrier.
RustTyranomon roared as he charged up the massive electromagnetic cannon on his back. "Terror's Cluster!"
"Aurvandil's Arrow!" Valkyrimon fired an arrow from the crossbow she carried on her back.
Dianamon jumped into the air and spun her bladed staff. "Crescent Harken!" Monzaemon flinched as he stared at the illusion of the full moon before he began tearing himself apart.
"I'm sad!" he roared, draining the Digimon of their energy before swinging his paws around haphazardly.
Sayo and Takumi jumped back as they threw stamina patches at their Digimon. Takumi winced as RustTyranomon was lifted up off the ground and thrown across the battlefield. "I'm switching you out for SaberLeomon! Sayo, cover me!"
The Night Claw Tamer nodded as she called out to Dianamon. "Use Goodnight Moon!" The Goodnight Sisters on the Digimon's began to glow as Dianamon tried to lure Monzaemon to sleep.
"Laser Javelin!" Valkyrimon impaled the stuffed bear with a long spear and leapt back as the tip of her weapon exploded.
Monzaemon shook off his drowsiness and angrily roared. "I'm angry!" He stomped on the ground and released a shockwave that toppled his opponents to the ground.
Takumi quickly sent SaberLeomon forward when he finally finished loading. "Use Infinity Arrow!"
The yellow lion roared as he shot multiple needles at Monzaemon before running forward. "Nail Crusher!"
Monzaemon caught the lion's front paws and wrestled the Ultimate down before laughing. "I'm delighted!"
Sayo knit her eyebrows together when everyone's health was replenished. "He's just toying with us!" she frowned as Dianamon tried attacking again.
"Arrow of Artemis!" The blue and white God Man Digimon fired a glowing arrow of ice at the large Perfect Digimon but missed.
"I'm happy!" Monzaemon cheerily jumped, refreshing his opponents stamina. He jumped a few more times before spinning into the air. "Lovely Attack!"
Takumi winced as Kuzuhamon and Valkyrimon were knocked out by the devastating heart attack. "Everyone, hang in there! SaberLeomon, another barrage of Infinity Arrow!"
"Dianamon, cover him!" Sayo cried out.
"Goodnight Moon!"
Takumi fumbled through his bag for a full recovery spray and applied it. He smirked as SaberLeomon launched himself at the bear again. "Nail Crusher!"
"This is it!" the Cyber Sleuth exclaimed. "Xros Combo!"
"Taizoukai Mandala!"
"Infinity Arrow!"
"Aurvandil's Arrow!"
"Arrow of Artemis!"
Mirei stared at the two tamers in surprise as Monzaemon collapsed to the ground. "No…" she gasped. "My ultimate Digimon… shattered."
Slowly letting their victory sink in, Sayo turned towards the boy standing at her side. "Takumi, that was amazing! That was something more than common strength!"
"Right!?" Takumi laughed. "You were awesome too, Sayo!"
Mirei shook her head in disbelief. "This was supposed to be it… This Digimon was meant to bring new values to the world. To finally open their eyes…"
"Hm?" Takumi and Sayo turned to face Mirei in confusion.
"How?" the woman absently asked herself. "How could this have happened…!?" She took a deep breath and shook her head before she began chuckling in satisfaction.
"Mirei-san?" Takumi tilted his head to the side in concern.
"Once blind, now I see…" Mirei nodded to him. "It was my eyes that have been opened. You have such power within, Takumi," she stated. "You hold so much, standing as both the one that can forge destiny, and its unshaper."
"H-huh?" the boy blinked at her.
"I must keep careful watch over you," she smirked at the curious boy. "Yes, very careful indeed. For the Destiny that you choose, that you create, will be very interesting indeed."
"Is my power really that special?" Takumi nervously chuckled to himself. "First Suedou-san and now you, Mirei-san…" He brought a hand up to his mouth and thought it over for a moment. "But… I guess it's not so bad…"
Mirei chuckled at the boy's ever-changing fate. "The time has come. We must return," she nodded to both teens.
Sayo frowned to herself once they returned to the DigiLab. Mirei shook her head as there was nothing else for the visiting tamer in this world. "This is where destiny finds its end," she seriously stated. "And yet there is never a true ending, as there is never a true beginning. Destiny is destroyed and created eternally. Crashing like the tide."
"Yeah…" Takumi sighed.
"Cyber Sleuth…" Mirei looked up at the boy. "I must remain in this world a while longer. I very much wish to watch over this new destiny," she smirked. "This new fate that you shall forge."
"So this means you'll be helping me still, right?" Takumi grinned at her. "Thanks, Mirei-san," he nodded. "You were the one who taught me about destiny and fate in the first place. I'll definitely keep at it with my power to change the future."
Sayo crossed her arms and shook her head at the boy. "I think all this talk about destiny and futures may be just that… talk. None of it matters now," she said, looking up at Dianamon at her side. "My partner has returned. She's finally home." She paused though before looking over at the grinning Cyber Sleuth. "Although… maybe fate was in play," she shrugged. "I got to meet you after all."
"Eh?" Takumi blinked at her.
"Hey, Cyber Sleuth Takumi…" Sayo looked up at him. "I don't know if I said it, but…"
"Hm?" the boy tilted his head to the side.
"Thank you," she smiled as she lowered her gaze.
"Eh!?"
"Don't look so surprised!" she frowned. "It's just—you did so much for me. I owe you at least my thanks."
"It really was nothing though," Takumi said as he relaxed.
Sayo shook her head. "But, it's because of you that Dianamon is back home. Back with me," she smiled. "I am sorry for the things I said, for being so cruel. I was…" she frowned to herself. "I was scared." She looked into Takumi's blue eyes and saw in them his will to surpass any obstacle before him. "You are not weak, not nothing…" she told him. "You are a Tamer worthy of admiration. One day…" she chuckled. "One day I hope to challenge you. I want to see that power for myself."
Takumi stared back into her purple eyes and sensed her pride as a tamer too. The redhead nodded to her and flashed her a smile. "As a Cyber Sleuth, I look forward to it."
Mirei smiled at the two before checking the time. "Have you finished your goodbyes, Sayo?" The Night Claw Tamer nodded before turning to face her. "Then I shall return you to where you belong. Both of you," Mirei nodded at both the girl and Dianamon.
"Yes," Sayo nodded. "Thank you, Mirei-san."
Takumi sighed as he lowered his gaze. "So you really are leaving…"
"What's wrong?" Sayo wryly smiled. "Don't look so sad, please."
"I… can't help it though…" Takumi frowned. "I… don't really like goodbyes."
"It's alright!" Sayo reassured him. "This is not our last meeting. I know that," she stated. "Isn't that right, Mirei-san?"
Mirei nodded in agreement. "All things are within the wheel of fate…" With a satisfied smile, Sayo gave Takumi one last nod before Mirei sent her away. Takumi flinched from the bright flash of light and soon only he remained in the DigiLab with Mirei. "Except…" the glasses-wearing woman sighed, "No. No, that is not quite true."
Takumi seriously frowned at her and tilted his head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"If destiny will not lead you back to another, then you must change destiny," she told him. "You must make one of your own." She proudly smiled at destiny's favored child. "That power resides in you."
"In me…?" Takumi looked down at his body and brought his gloved fist to his heart.
Mirei smirked and pushed up her glasses as she never tired of analyzing the strange boy's existence. "It manifests in the gifts you have, all of them. Your Connect Jump, for one. It can shape destiny in ways unseen. The power to forge ahead into different futures. To travel to distant worlds long thought gone."
"E-eh…?" Takumi tensed up as the woman continued to grow even more excited.
"It seems I still have much to watch," Mirei nodded. "Though I can firmly say that this experiment was a great success. My research will continue." She chuckled to herself as Takumi sighed to himself.
Takumi double-checked all of his files before placing them in the case folder for Kyoko. "That should be it," he stated with a nod.
"At long last," Kyoko smirked at her assistant, "you've hit the end of the road with Mirei's cases. We should celebrate!"
"Oh! That sounds great!" the Cyber Sleuth jumped up. "What did you have in mind?"
"Why don't I show you a top secret coffee brew I've whipped up?" she crossed her arms.
"Perfect!" Takumi nodded.
Kyoko chuckled as she continued to proudly examine her dear assistant. "You truly have come a long way as a Cyber Sleuth," she noted. "Not only did you save two worlds from Eaters, but you managed to conquer both the Royal Knights and Seven Great Demon Lords. Your power to gather the infinite strands of fate and connect them to you… You have truly exceeded every expectation I ever had of you, my dear Watson."
The redhead shook his head as he brought his fist to his chest. "For the sake of everyone I'm connected to, I'll keep on reaching out to that truth only I can obtain. I'm the one and only Cyber Sleuth, after all!"
Final Notes: And with that, I am done with this game. Until I feel like replaying it. Now that I think about it, this chapter really wasn't all that necessary, but eh... The part of me that's a completionist needs this here. Oh, fun fact, the person who does Mirei's voice does Elizabeth in the Japanese version of Persona 3. Speaking of Persona, I'm still working on Answer, but now that I've finished playing Golden, I think I know how I want to set that story up since the New Game Plus is actually well set up for this game, unlike in 3 and Portable where Hamuko and Minato keep their levels... Seriously... I maxed out Minato's level in FES so I kinda don't want to do a New Game Plus with him... I also never played a fresh game for Hamuko so yeah... Anyways, it's still going to be a while before I get to novelizing Golden though because I like chronology. This at least it gives the poll I set up in my profile some more time to run though since I'm still curious as to who's the favored person to pair with Yu Narukami. That should be it for now. Thanks for reading my novelization of Cyber Sleuth. And farewell until I finish FES.