Alright, finally got it up! I hope the length makes up for the wait...

Enjoy

Tsukaimon

Their enemies were unrelenting.

Completely boxed off from the rest of the battle, TK and Tsukaimon could only wait for the Shades to make the first move, which came much sooner than expected. An impatient straggler in the group lunged out on a whim as TK turned his back. The boy felt the cold hand come to rest on his shoulder before it was blown away by Tsukaimon. Slowly, more and more creatures followed suit, taking their turn in seizing the child of Hope. At first, the rookie digimon was quick enough to push them away before they reached TK, but the mob was slowly closing in as each wave of Shades carried more members. Soon, they were in the blond's face, and he had to shove and stiff arm to keep them at bay until Tsukaimon caught up. The purple digimon was growing more frustrated each second by their enemies' persistence, and was soon throwing heated insults as he attacked the Shades. Yet the negative power was only feeding the dark creatures. They were steady in their onslaught. TK began to wonder if Kari was suffering the same –which she wasn't, being that the Shades were far more conflicted over her than TK- and he wished he had made sure she was following him. At least they wouldn't have been under attack alone. But then again, she had Yolei, and he had Tsukaimon; that was much better than nothing. Especially when a blow to his face was diverted by another air shot.

"Doing good, Tsukai! Just hold them off for a little longer."

"I'm trying, buddy!" The digimon replied, only seconds before being swatted away. The horde collapsed upon them, dissolving their last pocket of defence.

The Shades leaped at the opportunity, literally. The first one came up from behind, jumping upon him and wrapping its limbs around his body in a tight grip as it closed its claws around his neck. Immediately preoccupied with prying the Shade's hands loose, TK didn't have time to think about the next creature that came low. It dove into his legs, taking him to his knees and forcing a grunt from him. TK refused to give in, and tried to return to his feet, despite the surprisingly heavy body of shadow weighing him down. More creatures came in to reinforce the first, some to deliver blows to the boy's face and body, others to wrestle him into a further state of submission. His wrists were grasped by two separate Shades and wrenched away from where he had them, trying to free himself from the chokehold. TK felt his arms being pulled back and away from his body, and he was suddenly aware of his vulnerable body. He was stretched out, on his knees, tired and still bleeding slightly. Apparently the Shades had a mind to make that condition a little worse. One of the creatures shot out of the main mass and stomped him on the chest. TK sucked in a deep gasp through his teeth, ending with a loud grunt and hard swallow. He saw the next blow coming.

"Tsukaimon," he barely managed to rasp out against the pressure on his throat.

Even so, the muffled yell that came in reply was easily discernible against the ghostly cackling of the Shades. He realized the digimon must have been held captive as well.

He was struck in the face, and reeled heavily to the side. The two holding his arms proceeded to grab his shoulders as well to make sure he held still. Why did it matter that they did this? He was being choked to death already by the first Shade. His head was pounding hard by now from lack of oxygen. TK noticed yet another shadow being making a move aimed for his chest, but the creatures froze as an angry roar came from somewhere in front of him. The mob parted, and his captors released him. The boy made no move to escape; he had made eye contact with Daemon, the one who had given the call. Now that TK was alone and defenceless, the power of the mega seemed to multiply. The ground felt like it was trembling as he seethed with rage.

"You thought I would continue after your brother, but no, I know better now than to leave you running loose at all. I must admit, you baffle me. You were given a clear warning, and yet you defied it directly and went on to save the inheritor of Love. Three times, and your life is forfeit. Suicide. You knew this, and yet you went ahead without hesitation to solidify your fate."

TK felt like he had a reply, but he couldn't bring himself to deliver it.

"And now, despite knowing the inevitable, you dive in to interfere yet again. You should have let me alone to deal with the child of Friendship."

The boy found his voice. "You might as well kill me first."

"Oh, I intend to. But there is something I haven't even mentioned. This is the fourth time you have interfered, and death is too light a revenge. Four times is torture!"

With that last word, Daemon threw his hand out as flames swirled around his body, disintegrating the cloak in the process. The mega digimon shot forward, out of the cloud of fire, claw extended, and his true form revealed in all its horror. TK only had time to widen his eyes before Daemon's palm pressed over his face, and the clawtips gripped his head. Sharp pain shot down his body from each of the five talons and felt like knives carving deep past his skin. TK screamed when the feeling intensified, as the searing pain branched out and spread all over his body. Daemon squeezed ever so slightly, but the action sent another, more powerful wave. Crying out again, the blond struggled against his enemy's grip, his body writhing as the digimon held his head still. The boy reached up and feebly attempted to peel the mega's fingers from around his head, but Daemon responded by grabbing one of TK's wrists with such a hard grasp that he felt like his bones were being crushed. He couldn't tell which part of his body hurt the worst; there was no place that didn't have the sharp static pain surging through it. There was only agony, and he was powerless to stop it.

And despite his helplessness, he couldn't stop his outcry, whether it be to Daemon for mercy or to a friend for help or just for all the anguish in general. It must have been instinct. By now he had lost his presence of mind as the torture took control and washed away almost every other awareness, and yet still something subconscious kept his yells going in the hope that someone would listen. The agony couldn't hold out forever, though it blacked out his vision –or maybe that was Daemon's hand– and built up the nausea with each passing surge. Through it all, somehow, miraculously, TK had just barely enough awareness to tell himself that if he could just hold out, it would end okay. He would be heard.

TK didn't notice the new voice in the mix. Not a familiar voice that just arrived, but completely new. What he did notice, however, was the dirt in his face. He hadn't realized Daemon had dropped him, but though the pain had stopped pumping through him, he was still numb and throbbing heavily all over, his head a long time in clearing. As touch gradually returned, he noticed that there was a vibrating in his side. That could only be…what? He couldn't bring himself to remember. He groped slowly and painfully at his side, feeling faintly for the source of the disturbance. His hand touched plastic, though it took a moment for him to register that. Plastic and...rubber...and it was all vibrating. His D3. TK peeled his eyes open and brought the digivice gradually to his face. It was still green, but the screen was a nearly blinding yellow. The blond groaned and closed his eyes again.

He had missed something, moments before. A purple digimon, desperate to save a friend in the clutch of Daemon.

"Tsukaimon digivolve to...Piddomon!"

Daemon suddenly released his hold on TK as the angel's staff struck across his outstretched arm. The mega digimon, surprised but unfazed, simply gestured towards Piddomon, and the Shades attacked in obedience.

A quick spin attack with his rod, and Piddomon had destroyed the first wave. The angel digimon noticed several of the enemy approaching TK's prostrate body, and he dove forward angrily.

"Fire Feather!"

The creatures backed off, much to Daemon's frustration.

"This doesn't change anything! You've only given yourself false hope, and even that I shall enjoy depriving you of."

It was mega against champion, and Piddomon knew it. But TK didn't, however. To his blurry eyes, the champion's purple colours registered in his mind as MagnaAngemon. He moaned out a short sentence that he knew only his partner would hear.

"Get him."

Piddomon wasn't the ultimate TK thought he was, but he obeyed nevertheless. Up to that point, he had been standing above TK, avoiding attacks from Daemon, and driving off the emboldened Shades. Now it was time to take a strike, and Piddomon lunged forward. He prepared his best shot, his rod whirling fast. Gushes of wind began blowing from the fanning weapon.

"Apollo Tornado!" Shouted the champion, unleashing the blast. Daemon snickered, his hideous grin spreading wide across his face. He held out his hand, summoning his own wave of flame.

The two hungry fires converged, but didn't create the spectacular display that the onlookers expected. The mega's attack completely consumed the champion's. Piddomon watched the blaze charge towards him, and then spun around to flee in the opposite direction. He came down upon TK, and lifted the boy as gently, albeit hastily, as he could. The short whimper that came was inevitable, and Piddomon tried his best to ignore it as he leapt out of the line of fire.

A roar came from Daemon. "Hold them still!"

Immediately, Piddomon felt the cold bodies of the living shadows crawling all over him, attempting to bring him down. He swatted away as many as he could with his free hand, but they were methodically placing themselves, setting him up in a certain position...

Piddomon felt TK's body slip out of his grip. He shouted out as he whirled around, shaking off most of the Shades save for one hanging around his neck. He dove into the horde, searching for the dirty blond head of his friend. He had digivolved in hope to save the boy. He couldn't let him die from torture at the hands of the demon of wrath.

TK, meanwhile, was being handled roughly by his captors as they were hauling him away from the angel digimon. He had no strength to call out to Piddomon, let alone resist the lead of the Shades. His feet dragged limp on the ground. When he was finally dropped, he again found himself defenceless at the feet of Daemon. He groaned loudly at the mere thought of the mega resuming what he had started, and didn't meet the evil digimon's eyes. He felt the dark presence come closer, but instead of grabbing his face to continue the torment, Daemon grasped a clawful of the boy's hair and lifted him up to eye-level. TK gasped as he found himself locking stares with the maniacal gaze of Daemon.

"False hope," the digimon sneered. "That's all you are."

Daemon threw TK to the ground, and the boy bounced painfully twice before coming to rest. With a clawed hand held forward, the mega prepared his final attack.

Yet just before Daemon released, Piddomon broke out of the mob and tackled the mega with his momentum. They were only rolling around on the ground for a few seconds before the evil digimon stood, Piddomon hanging by his hair. Howling right in his face, Daemon shouted.

"Evil Inferno!"

The mega shoved a flaming claw into Piddomon's chest, and there was an explosion of fire obscuring the two. TK stared wide-eyed and breathless at the swirling pillar of flame. Moments passed before the champion digimon fell out of the fire, charred black and smoking, unconscious. The inferno dispersed to reveal an amused Daemon.

"You are all pathetic creatures," he laughed. "I honestly wished you would have come to your senses sooner, and given in to the darkness. But it looks like you settle for pain and disappointment. In the end, it seems as though the latter is the more enjoyable for me."

Daemon was grinning right at TK as he spoke. The digimon began to advance with heavy steps.

"Where were we, boy?"

It wasn't TK who replied.

"GATE OF DESTINY!"

A thick beam of light shot straight into the evil digimon's back, causing Daemon to roar in shock and pain. He stumbled away from the offender, only to come to face another.

"Metal Wolf Claw!"

Daemon staggered back and ran into the largest mega of the bunch. "X-Scissor Claw!"

The attack send the evil digimon airborne, and two more Chosen digimon followed up. "Astral Laser!" "Wing Blade!"

Their enemy was sent soaring out of control, deep into the ranks of his Shade army. At once, the living shadows dissolved into chaotic and panicked disarray. The Digidestined were together just like that, and their enemy knew their power grew tenfold when a united group.

Amidst the din, TK kept his eyes on Piddomon, who had woken and risen to one knee. The angel was murmuring. "He's not…done… We have…to finish him… I must help."

Piddomon made a move to stand, but stumbled forward, immediately dedigivolving. TK didn't even have time to cry out after him before Daemon made his reappearance. The demon digimon was above them, preparing to rain down fire.

But the Chosen digimon were in their own rage now. Each leapt up, and all simultaneously fired.

"Grace Cross Freezer!" "Wing Blade!" "Static Force!"

GranKuwagamon swatted at the ball of energy with great force, sending it towards Daemon. The evil digimon, in a surge of overconfidence and conviction that the children were petty insects, released his inferno. It didn't have the counter effect that he hoped. The combined attack rammed him head on and sent him straight into the open gate behind him.

All TK knew during the final moments of the fight was that he was under attack, and only had the strength to cower. Daemon's last reappearance had encouraged the Shades, and they had doubled their effort in getting to him and Kari. Even after the blows from the Shades surrounding him had abruptly stopped, and he was dropped to the ground, he was solely aware of his body screaming in agony and weariness. He curled up there on the ground, covering his head with his arms and bringing his knees up to his chest. He was growing numb to it all, and almost missed the warm hand that rested on his shoulder, attempting to roll him over. He resisted weakly, still trying to protect his face. A second hand lay on his other shoulder as he found himself on his back.

Matt's voice came, gentle but faint. "Hey, it's me. You're going to be okay."

Slowly, TK's senses began to focus. He let his arms drop limp, and the rest of his tense body finally relaxed after that. His breath came in long, but raspy gasps. The pain had lessened and he felt a little warmth return, but now he was able to pinpoint where his injuries were. The gashes on his chest and on his arm. Bruises and cuts from the fight with the Emperor. His throat ached from the stranglehold of the Shades. Daemon's clawtips on his head. It was a long minute before TK was able to look Matt in the eye. The older brother was undoubtedly concerned, but he also looked more at peace than he had in a while. And then TK realized Shades had resumed their retreat. He sat up slowly, his brother doing most of the work, and looked around. The shadow creatures were dispersing in all directions, divided and distraught. Their hopeless cries filled the air. Then it dawned on his bleary mind.

Daemon was gone. Defeated.

TK took a sudden breath of relief. "It's over?"

Matt smiled. "Yes. Finally. There's nothing to worry about. MagnaAngemon sealed him away."

Nothing to worry? He didn't quite believe that. Something else was wrong. TK frowned. "No."

"What?" The older brother said confusedly.

TK looked around frantically until he spotted the little purple body lying motionless. He made his way over hastily, crawling when standing failed him. Matt didn't stop him, especially when he saw the rookie.

The younger boy's heart was racing scared. His breathing grew coarser, forcing him to cough and try to clear his throat. Besides the coughing, he ignored any discomfort, only thinking about his friend that lay nearby. It couldn't be happening like this. He had reached the little digimon and picked up the purple rookie, cradling him just like he would an exhausted Patamon.

"Tsukaimon?" He said, his voice quivering so much he could barely get the word out. "Wake up. Please."

He waited patiently. Before too long, Tsukaimon managed to crack an eye open. He peered up at TK, slowly coming to. "Hey, buddy."

"You're all right!"

"No." The rookie's words wiped the smile off before it could even spread on TK's face.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm not all right," the digimon said tiredly.

TK held the little digimon closer. "No... It's not...it... I...I'm sorry, Tsukaimon."

The rookie opened his eyes fully and smiled up at the boy. "Nothing to be sorry for. I learned a lot from you and your friends." Tsukaimon paused, his body twitching violently. The pain was apparent in the digimon's face, but he managed to continue. "Even after I made a deal with the devil, you showed me that there was still hope to turn around. I digivolved and found the strength to fight against the darkness. It was Hope that did that. I did what I needed to do, and now I'm done." Another pause, this one even more anguished. The little body began to flicker. TK gasped and froze where he knelt, fearing that any movement would be too much for the digimon.

"Will you come back?"

The rookie looked up at him. He had more to say. He wanted to answer. But Tsukaimon knew he was on his last breath. There was one last thing he knew he had to say. That last breath escaped in one syllable, "Thanks."

Tsukaimon burst into data, leaving TK still frozen. A number of gasps erupted behind him, confirming to him that what just happened, really happened. He gazed at his empty hands, and at length clenched them into fists and let them drop to the ground. TK stared at the now bare horizon as a chill wind blew across the valley. Silent tears began to fall. It had happened again. The darkness had managed to take another one that he cared about. How many more times would this happen? Would there ever be enough?

Presently, he heard footsteps approaching from behind, and then found someone kneeling beside him. And arm draped over his sagging shoulders and pulled him into a sideways hug. TK didn't resist, but rather let a sob shake his body.

"TK..." It was Ken's voice, and it had nothing more to say. At a moment like this, nothing could be said. The blond leaned into the embrace, unable to do anything else. Next came Matt from the other side, gently rubbing his shoulders. Kari knelt in front of him, taking his hands in hers. The footsteps of the rest of the group followed and soon they were all gathered there, their still digivolved partners standing sentry around them.

Only a few moments passed before TK's tears had dried. He didn't have the energy left to cry. Worn-out emotionally, mentally, and not to mention physically, he slurred out a sentence.

"Le's go home."

Almost immediately, Matt took charge. "GranKuwagamon, can you fly us out?"

The mega nodded and opened his hands in an invitation on board. The rest of the digimon reverted to rookie and hopped on with the humans. Buzzing filled the air as GranKuwagamon began soaring towards the ocean. TK closed his eyes and let the heavy air brush past, knowing that it would soon pass and they would finally reach the light. He definitely felt lighter, though still in need of support from Ken and Matt.

They continued steadily on their escape from the Dark World, and everything was still slowly dawning on the children and their digimon. They were safe. Dragomon was gone. Daemon was gone. Tsukaimon was gone...

TK felt Matt's grip on him tighten, pulling him in a close embrace. "We're going home."

Soon, the ocean was stretching before them, but GranKuwagamon paused in his flight, now hovering. The group stared at the curious sight.

"Take us down," Matt said.

The mega obeyed, and landed on the beach, opening his hands for the children to disembark. They walked down to the waterline, not once taking their eyes off the ocean.

It was frozen.

"What does it mean?" Yolei asked, doubting anyone knew the answer.

"A new evil?" Ken suggested in a bleak voice.

TK ventured a guess on a much lighter note. "Maybe means the darkness is weaker."

"Whatever it is," Matt said, finality in his voice. "We're not staying to figure it out. Let's go."

In moments, they were in the air once more, leaving the Dark World and Frozen Ocean behind. They finally burst through the clouds, and the humid atmosphere gave way to the brightness of the land between dimensions. White light was all around, freckled with pink and yellow, blue and red, green and lavender. It was the sure and final sign that they were free. They were going home.

Well...I guess this means we'll be wrapping up soon. I'll probably finish this weekend. Kind of a strange thought...I was thinking this would last for half a year at least...

Anyway, reviews welcome!