"I don't get why I have to come with you." Spade sighed as Platinum tugged him down the street. The two were making their way through the busy streets of Town Square, and were headed to the underground subway.
"It's because I found out something absolutely crazy. Come on, Viral's already down there."
They headed down a staircase leading under the street. They paid fair and went to the subway platform.
"Why didn't you call Will for this too?" DemiDevimon spoke up from within Spade's watch. "The way you talk about this… whatever it is, it sounds big. Blacky is the only one of us that can evolve to Ultimate Level."
Spade nodded. "Yeah. He's right. Plus, we're short on team member with Soul in the hospital. Is it really the best idea to be split like this when our numbers have already been reduced?"
"Will you stop complaining?"Platinum hissed as surveyed the area, making sure no one was watching. She grabbed Spade and jumped onto the tracks. She landed on her feet without effort, but the same couldn't been said for Spade.
"Why the heck are we down here for?" Spade grumbled as he brushed dirt from his face and jacket. "You know trains come through here, right? They're big, fast, and squish people."
The redhead rolled her eyes. "Shut up and follow me." She reloaded Renamon from her D-Wrist. "Hey, sense if any trains are coming soon for me." Her Digimon nodded.
"Where are we going?" Spade asked impatiently.
"Thank you for boarding the Plato Train." Renamon joked, "We will be making local stops at wherever the hell we feel like. Stand clear of closing doors. Bing Bong."
Spade shrugged and released DemiDevimon and followed after the fox. The group traveled along the tracks for several minutes until Renamon's ears pricked.
"I hear something." She said coolly. Spade cringed as he imagined becoming a bloody pancake on the front of a subway car.
"Digimon. They're nearby and fighting." Renamon said finally, putting the white-haired boy at ease. "It sounds like quite the brutal fight."
"Then we've arrived at our destination." Platinum smirked. "Down there." She pointed to a manhole cover. The image of a monster was spray-painted on it. Renamon pryed it open, and the group went down.
…
What awaited the group was a unusual scene. A giant blue dinosaur with reptilian heads for hands for hands was fighting a tiny monster with a pumpkin for a head in a large arena. People crowded around the battle, hollering and yelling at them. Platinum and Spade watched as the small Digimon summoned a giant pumpkin and crushed the dinosaur under it. Data dispersed everywhere, floating up and disintegrating as it hit the ceiling.
"What the hell is going on here?" DemiDevimon gasped. "Why are they fighting?"
"This is the Digimon Underground Battle League. Or DUBL for short." Platinum began. "Viral stumbled upon it a while back. He told me about it yesterday. These people find Digimon and make them fight each other for money."
"It seems these Digimon fights might be causing some problems for the subway rails above them." Renamon added. "Some small earthquakes and the like."
"Wait a minute!" Spade pointed a finger at Platinum. "You said Viral found this out 'a while ago?' Why hasn't he said anything about this before?"
"Next challenger!" An intercom boomed. "Back for yet another fight in the DUBL ring: The Virus!"
Spade's jaw dropped as he watched a blue-and-red haired boy and an armored dragon enter the arena. Viral waved at the crowd and grinned. The people roared their praise.
"I'm going to guess that's why." Renamon sniffed.
The intercom bellowed again. "His challenger will be the reigning champ of the D Block: Valley!" A pale man with a huge blonde afro entered the ring. With him was a strange bear-like Digimon with spikes sticking out of it body. A tube connected its face with its chest.
"It's Commandramon versus Porcupamon!" The intercom announced. "Battle begin!"
"DCD Bomb!" Commandramon threw a grenade at the opponent. It exploded, causing Porcupamon to stagger. Commandramon took this opportunity to drive his fist into its gut.
"Madness Broach!" Spikes jutted out of Porcupamon's stomach, scratching Commandramon's fist. The Rookie leaped back and growled at the Digimon as the spikes receded. The scratch oozed data like blood, but the Rookie shook it off and growled loudly.
"Don't let him psyche you out!" Viral yelled. "Try a Strike Claw!"
The Rookie nodded. His glove produce a laser-like dagger. He slashed and stabbed at the Porcupamon. The Champion groaned and jumped away, data spilling from its wounds.
"Are you not trying?" The man hissed. "You better not lose, you mindless oaf!"
"Why isn't that Digimon tearing that dude apart?" DemiDevimon wondered out loud. "If someone called me an oaf, I'd use that funny hairdo of his as nesting material."
"You don't make nests… You hang upside-down from the frame on my bunk bed." Spade pointed out. The Virus Type made a face that said "You know what I mean."
Renamon gazed around the arena. "The Digimon around here. They're all wearing the same collar." Platinum looked as well. Her partner was right; almost every Digimon around the arena wore a strange black band somewhere on their bodies. Even Porcupamon had one around its arm.
"Do you think they could be controlling them?" Spade asked.
"How could a bunch of hicks like these people get their hands on something that could control a Digimon's mind?" DemiDevimon huffed. "There must be someone pulling the strings here. I can feel it."
"M16 Assassin!" Commandramon fired his rifle at Porcupamon, whose thick hide deflected most of the attack. The Champion responded by rushing the cyborg dragon, swiping at his legs to make him fall.
"Slap and Rip!" Strong blows from Porcupamon rained down on Commandramon's body. The little dragon rolled under the Virus Type's legs and fired a few shots. He was breathing heavily, and his form was fluctuating like static on a television.
Viral gritted his teeth. "Commandramon! Quit messing around!" He activated to his D-Wrist and slammed down the center ring.
"Commandramon Digivolve to… Sealsdramon!" The Champion cyborg took the little dragon's place in the ring. "Let's go!" He leaped on top of Porcupamon's shoulders and used his knife to slash through the tube connecting its face to its chest.
The Puppet Digimon groaned, scratching at the dragon on top of him. Sealsdramon did a backflip off of the beast and landed behind Porcupamon, his back to its. Porcupamon roared as he spun around and lunged at Sealsdramon. The cyborg simply smirked and drove his knife under his arm, penetrating Porcupamon's hide as it dug its claws into Sealsdramon's skin.
"Ack!" Porcupamon cried as it disintegrated into data. Viral sighed in relief as the bits swirled into his D-Wrist.
"20 Data Points Collected!" The device chimed like it always did.
"The Virus is our new D Block Champion!" The intercom blared over the cheers of the massive crowd. Valley stomped his foot and cursed. Two large man appeared behind him and dragged her off.
Viral and the devolved Commandramon exited the ring and spotted Platinum and the others. "Hey, guys! Did you see that?" He exclaimed. "We totally kicked some major ass in there!"
Platinum slugged the teen in the shoulder. "What the hell were you thinking? You want Commandramon to end up like Lopmon?"
"Excuse me, ma'am?" Commandramon shot the redhead a look as he rubbed his back. "I can hold my own just fine, thank you very much. I was just… hungry, is all."
"What are you doing here?" Spade fumed. "In case you haven't noticed, you're a DigiDestined! You're supposed to be helping lost Digimon, not making a sport out of killing them!"
Viral scoffed. "What Commandramon and I do is not your concern. We'll do as we'll please. It's fun and we like it." He nudged his partner, who nodded in agreement.
"You're impossible!" Spade grabbed the boy by his leather jacket. "Why'd you even tell us to come if you love it so much?"
Viral looked around the area, scanning the crowd. "That's why." He pointed.
Not too far from the group, a pink-haired woman with a small orange dinosaur were talking quietly to some bystanders. Platinum gasped as they realized it was Aoi and Agumon of the Dark DigiDestined. Spade recognized her as well and begrudgingly released Viral from his grasp.
"Her again…" Platinum grumbled.
"Apparently, she started coming here a week ago under the name Tsubaki." Viral began. "I think she's up to something, but she fights in the tournaments regularly. She's already the champion of A Block."
"Aoi is definitely planning something." Platinum said. "But what are we supposed to do?"
Viral smirked. "Join in the battle. Today's a battle royale. It's a tournament where fighters can challenge the Block champs for their titles. You guys beat can help me beat her."
"I see no point in it." Renamon turned away.
Commandramon roared, "Okay, we wanna beat her so we can become the DUBA Champions! If we put on a good show, maybe we'll be chosen to battle with the Ultimate Champ, Envy Grave!"
"Idiots." Spade and DemiDevimon sighed.
"Hey, come on! The rules are simple!" Viral said quickly. "One on one battle only. If you are beaten, you're out of the DUBA. Oh, and if your Digimon can Digivolve, you can only evolve once per battle."
"An Ultimate Championship match is underway!" The announcer yelled suddenly. "Someone is ready to challenge the Ultimate Champ!"
Aoi smirked and stepped into the ring along with Agumon. On the other side of the ring, a blonde woman wearing a large fur coat entered. Next to her was a lovely angel Digimon wearing a helmet over her eyes. Unlike most of the Digimon there, several black collars were wrapped around her neck, right thigh, and left wrist.
"It's Envy Grace's Angewomon versus Tsubaki's Agumon!" Another announcement from the intercom bellowed. "Let the match begin!"
"Agumon, go!" Aoi held her fist up, transforming her D-Wrist into a DX-Wrist. The scarlet gauntlet's screen burst with light, and Agumon began to glow.
"Agumon Bypass Digivolve to... RizeGreymon!" The great dragon appeared in the ring, towering over Angewomon. It pointed its revolver at the angel's face. "Ready, dollface?"
The Ultimate gave RizeGreymon an evil grin. "Don't bore me."
"Bypass Digivolution?" DemiDevimon asked landed on Spade's head.
"That's how Aoi's been winning so quickly." Viral snorted. "She can make her Agumon skip the Champion Level and go straight to Ultimate."
"Trident Revolver!" The cyborg dragon fired three blasts of fire. Angewomon giggled as it spread its six white wings and weaved through the attack.
"Holy Slap!" The angel backhanded the dragon, throwing into a wall. It then delivered a mighty kick to its metal chest.
"Oh, such a big monster, but no power to back it up…" Angewomon taunted. RizeGreymon groaned and she plopped down on his chestplate.
The group was astounded. The massive dragon that had almost killed them a week ago was being dominated by a petite angel Digimon. Aoi's face stood stern, unfazed by Angewomon's power.
"Rising Destroyer!" RizeGreymon's chest plate gathered energy and shot it from under Angewomon. The Ultimate screamed as the blast engulfed her. She fell backwards on the ground as RizeGreymon rose.
The dragon smirked. "Not so tough now, huh?" He raised his revolver high. "Solid Strike!" He brought the revolver down onto Angewomon, smashing her into the ground.
Angewomon laughed as RizeGreymon lifted his weapon. She was imbedded into the stone floor, her body fluctuating. "Nice hit. Do it again."
Envy Grace ran her fingers through her hair. "My Angewomon is a bit of a masochist. No matter the damage, she's keep on coming for more!" She waved her hand, commanding Angewomon to attack RizeGreymon. The Ultimate angel exploded from the stone and began to fire rapid kicks, which RizeGreymon blocked.
Aoi was surveying the battle closely. He eyes seemed to follow every movement. She obviously had a plan. "RizeGreymon, you have to-"
The woman stopped mid-sentence as she spotted Viral and his friends in the crowd. A thin smile crept over her face. "RizeGreymon. Stand down. We submit the battle."
"What? But I'm not even hurt! I could-" RizeGreymon locked eyes with his tamer. "Yes, ma'am." He begrudgingly said.
The audience booed their displeasure as Aoi raised her hand to forfeit. Her Digimon degenerated and followed her off the stage. Angewomon pouted. "No fair, I wanted to have some more fun."
"So that's it?" Viral was beside himself. "I wanted to fight her! Damnit!"
"How do you function?" Spade muttered.
"Now's our chance to defeat Envy Grace!" Commandramon pumped his fist in the air. He immediately winced and yelled out in pain. "Ouch! That hurts!"
"Something wrong, buddy?" Viral looked over the dragon protectively.
"You must have gotten a bad injury when you fought earlier." Renamon examined the Virus Type's back, noticing dark purple gashes.
Viral was patting his Digimon's head. "Crap, you can't fight like this."
"Hey, boy." A slender hand clasped Viral's neck. "You're the D Block champ, right?"
Viral turned to see Envy Grace's hazel eyes boring into his. "Yeah… You wanna fight me?"
"Yep. Angewomon won't be satisfied if I don't get her into a good match." Envy tickled the teen's neck. "I think she'll have lots of fun with you."
Viral jumped from the older woman's grasp. "Well, my Digimon's hurt. Sorry, but I can't give you a good fight today."
"What about your friends?" Envy pointed at the other two tamers. "They have some interesting Digimon… I think Angewomon would like them too."
"Hell no." Platinum backed away. "I'm not going into battle with that psychopath."
Viral inched over to Spade and whispered in his ear. "Spade, you're pretty strong. Fight Envy. You heard about the earthquakes? If that Digimon of hers isn't satisfied, it sometimes throws a tantrum so big, it disrupts the subway above us. The ceiling might just give out next time!"
"And what will you be doing while I'm risking my partner's life?" Spade retorted.
"Risking mine looking for Aoi. I'll get her to talk. I promise!"
"Without Commandramon?" Platinum butted in. "That's suicide! What if her friends are down here too?"
"It would be good to find out what the Dark DigiDestined are scheming…" Renamon was the one to speak up.
DemiDevimon nodded. "And if he gets killed, that'll just be karma's fault."
Spade lost himself in his thoughts. He wasn't going to forgive Viral for his selfishness just yet, and going into the arena for him would just encourage his renegade attitude. But the silver-haired boy knew he would be lying to himself if he said that he wasn't interested in testing his skills, and battle Envy Grace. Getting Aoi's plans would just be a bonus.
"I'll do it." Spade finally said. "But not for you. I want to be the champ."
"Good choice." Envy beckoned Spade with a finger. The teen followed to the arena, DeviDevimon fluttering at his side.
"Seriously? Boys…" Platinum sighed heavily as she waved to Renamon. "I suppose we'll just get ourselves a seat to watch this nonsense unfold."
"Okay. Thanks, Spade!" Viral ran off into the crowd. "Take care of Commandramon for me, Platinum!"
The dragon Digimon held out his hand. "Wait! You're just going to leave me?"
"You're in no condition to fight, Commandramon." Viral stopped and called over his shoulder. "Please, stay with Platinum."
"O-okay… Good luck, sir." The Rookie cheered halfheartedly. Viral nodded and ran out of the arena.
DemiDevimon was flexing its claws nervously. "Is this really a good idea?"
Spade shook his head. "You don't doubt yourself, do you?"
"N-no…"
"Then we'll be fine." Spade motioned for the little bat to hover into the ring. Angewomon made an amusing face when DemiDevimon floated before her, similar to a kitten eyeing a bug.
"It's Envy Grace's Angewomon versus… Hey, who is this guy?" A confused announcement filled the room. Sounds of rustling paper were heard. "Um, Ace of Spades, I see! Angewomon versus the Ace of Spade's DemiDevimon! Battle Begin!"
"Let's not waste any time! Digivolve!" Spade waved his arm over his head. His D-Wrist burst with energy that encircled his partner. DemiDevimon disappeared, leaving Bakemon in his place.
"Hell's Hand!" Pale blue hands extended from Bakemon's cloak, grabbing Angewomon by the wrists. The spirit Digimon dragged the angel towards him, blowing balls of blue fire all the while. Angewomon winced as the flames licked at his skin, giggling quietly all the while. As she neared Bakemon, she slipped under him, and planted a strong kick into his back.
Spade grinded his teeth. He wasn't sure how to deal with the masochistic Digimon. With a swift flick of his wrist, Spade commanded his partner to attack from below. Bakemon nodded and descended into the earth, appearing as a black shadow on the floor. The shadow darted towards Angewomon's feet. The Ultimate took to the air, grinning menacingly.
But Spade and Bakemon expected the angel to take flight. Shadowy hands erupted from the floor, latching onto Angewomon's arms and legs. The Ultimate gasped, taken aback by Bakemon's tendrils. The ghost's gaping mouth appeared within the shadow, expelling black pulses of energy.
"Now! Hit it hard, Bakemon!" Spade balled his fist and pumped it forward. Bakemon responded by rushing from the floor, a decayed fist extended upwards. He delivered a stunning uppercut into Angewomon's chin, sending the angel sailing across the arena. She hit the ground with a painful 'thud.'
"You think that'll work against my Digimon?" Envy taunted. As if on cue, Angewomon rose to her feet. The Ultimate's body was fading in and out, but she kept a wide smile on her face, oblivious to the pain.
Bakemon drifted to his partner's side. "How do we defeat something that enjoys being hurt?"
"Just because she likes the damage doesn't mean we're not causing any." Spade reassured the spirit. "We just have to keep attacking until she gives out. A Digimon's body can only take so much abuse."
"Yeah, but can I last that long?" Bakemon was obviously intimidated by the Vaccine Type. "Maybe we just gotta be smart about it. Perhaps if we free her from her bonds, she'll come to her senses and stop fighting."
"If you think it'll work..." The silver-haired boy was feeling very skeptical about the plan. He flexed his fingers, trying hard to think of a safer strategy. When nothing came to mind, he exhaled his dissatisfaction. "Okay. But be careful." Bakemon nodded, then he hovered to the center of the ring. Angewomon was waiting for him, brushing dust off one of her wings.
"Nice one, little guy." She cooed. "But it'll take a lot more to take me out…"
"Don't you understand, Angewomon?" Bakemon pleaded quietly. "You're being used! Those collars are controlling you. This isn't right."
"Wh… What do you mean?" The Vaccine Type tilted her head.
"I used to live in Digital World. Your species are wonderful and peace-loving creatures that protect the weak. You've been tainted by these people. Please understand."
Angewomon hesitated for a moment. "If you believe this to be true, then free me. If you dare." She drew her hands like she was prepping a bow. "Celestial Arrow!" A piercing ray of light shot from her hands mad Bakemon sidestep. The ghost snarled and rushed the Ultimate while extending his hands, slashing through the bands around her neck, wrist, and thigh.
"What the hell did you do?" Envy Grace shrieked. She turned bone-white.
The angel fell to knees, disoriented. "What… what's going on?"
"I saved you, my dear." Bakemon's voice was raspy yet sophisticated. "No need to thank me."
"You freed me from those collars. You deserve much more than thanks."
"Yes, yes, I know I do." Bakemon laughed heartily. "What do you have in mind?"
"Your demise!" Angewomon clutched Bakemon and threw him across the room. She then drew a Celestial Arrow and fired it, pinning the ghost's hand to the wall.
Envy Grace glared daggers at Spade. "You! Did you tell your Digimon to tear my Angewomon's Controller Bands?" When Spade nodded, the woman began to fume. "You idiot, my Digimon's not like the others here! She needs those damn things so she doesn't level the subway!"
"What?" Spade yelled. "Bakemon! Get out of there!"
But the Virus Type was pinned to the wall, trying desperately to free his arm. Angewomon neared him and began to mercilessly pummel him.
"Foolish little worm!" She said between punches. "Now I can really let loose! As thanks, I think I'll kill you quickly!"
Spade watched helplessly as his partner tried to shield himself with his only free arm. What do I do? Spade asked himself desperately. How do I save my partner?
…
A train rumbled past Viral as he traversed the subway tunnels. He had lost sight of Aoi and Agumon, and began to wander on the tracks for the mysterious woman.
"Damn it. Where did you go, you pink-haired bitch…?" The teen muttered as another train chugged by. His scarlet eyes caught a glimpse of pink on the other side of the train tracks.
As the train passed, Aoi appeared. Agumon was nowhere in sight, but Viral could smell the faint scent of Digimon from behind him. "Hey, I've been looking for you." He said nonchalantly.
"I've noticed." Aoi crossed the tracks, her eyes glued to the boy She removed the beige coat she wore and threw it into the air. In a flash of yellow, the coat vanished. "You want to know why I was at that hick get-together, don't you?"
"Among other things…" Viral refused to let Aoi upstage him here. She had beaten him in battle once before. This time, it was a battle of wits, and there was no one as snarky as Viral.
Aoi held up three fingers. "You get three questions. After that, I'm done answering."
"Okay. What were you doing at that fight?"
The pink-haired woman ran her hair through her hair. "Well, if you must know, I was just collecting a bit of data from the battles. It's quite the waste for the data to just collect on the ceiling like that, right? Plus, its good training."
"Did you give those people those collars? Bondage sounds like your kind of thing."
"No, no. Silver's the one with the fetish. Said he found blueprints for them in a trash can outside an old mansion. Remodeled and perfected them."
Viral wracked his brain for more important questions. "So then what's your plan? Why are you doing this?"
"If you want to know…" Aoi giggled. "Join our cause!"
"What-"
Aoi suddenly maneuvered behind Viral, catching the teen by surprise. She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him close.
"If you join us, you can help us with our goal. To create the perfect world." Aoi whispered into the young tamer's ear. He shuddered as he felt her breath hitting his face.
"Explain."
"You can have anything you want. Milleniummon will give it to you in the new world." Her hand ran down his shoulders, entwining her fingers with his. "What do you want more than anything, kid? Money? Women? Men?" She added that last one jokingly.
Viral was feeling light-headed. A sweet fragrance filled his over-sensitive nose, making him woozy. "Oh, ha ha. A gay joke. Classy." He was finding it a bit difficult to stay focused due to Aoi's alluring scent.
"All jokes aside, this is an opportunity you simply can't pass up." The woman released his hands and stepped in front of him. "You can have whatever your heart desires. You can take hold of anything, and unlike in this world, it will never be taken from you. Ever."
"The way you say it makes it sound like something was taken from you." Viral, despite feeling high as a kite, managed to mutter slyly. "Something important."
"Maybe. But this isn't about me, is it?" Aoi made it clear that she was done giving away secrets. She wanted answers of her own. "Come on now, don't you want to help us? Is a world without law not good enough for you? Or perhaps you need more… immediate compensation." Aoi draped her arms around Viral's shoulders, her face now mere centimeters away. Despite the five year age difference, Viral was just a bit taller than her, just enough that she could look up at him with pleading, seductive eyes.
Viral held his breath. Her chest was rubbing his, and her lovely brown eyes were beckoning him. He was starting to really question his options now. On one hand, his friends needed him. They were comrades, united to fight Milleniummon and his forces. He couldn't just betray them. On the other hand, however, Viral's pants were starting to feel uncomfortably tight right now.
"What do you say, little man," Aoi was pulling out all the stops now, planting butterfly kisses on Viral's neck. "Come over to our side, and have your wildest dreams come true. A world without rules, where you are a king."
Viral heaved a heavy sigh. "You know, you're quite the charmer, but you're not really my type. I'm into younger girls really."
"You're really going to pass on a lovely lady such as myself?"
"Meh, you're more like a six out of ten."
Aoi immediately pulled away from the teen. "You sassy bitch." She said passively.
"Sir!" A snarl echoed through the tunnel. Commandramon lumbered to his tamer, standing in between him and Aoi. "Stay away from my tamer, you harlot."
"Commandramon-" Viral began.
The little dragon held up his hand. "No need to say anything, sir. I know you left me behind to protect me, but you should know that I'm supposed to be the one who protects you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm always be saved by you, sir. The battle with the Monochromon. Our first fight with the Dark DigiDestined. I want to protect you for once, sir. Because…" Commandramon turned his head. "You're my partner."
"Oh, that's touching. I sincerely mean that." Aoi gave the dragon a small smile. Commandramon growled at her.
Viral wiped a bit of moisture from his eyes. How could he join the Dark DigiDestined? What would Commandramon think? He couldn't do that to the little guy. He'd be heartbroken.
Suddenly, something clicked in Viral's mind. He wasn't alone anymore. Even discounting his other friends, he had Commandramon to take care of. The Digimon depended on him, and followed him without question. Commandramon always had faith in him, and Viral was started to think that he needed to put a bit of faith in him as well.
"One more question." Viral pointed his finger at the pink-haired woman. "When you create this supposedly new world, what exactly will happen to this one? And the Digital World?"
Aoi stood silent. A train zoomed by behind her.
"I thought so." Viral scoffed. "Well, hate to tell you this sweetie, but I can't let you destroy this world. After all, all my stuff is here."
"Any other reasons you're passing up immortality, among other things?" Aoi's eyes bored into the young tamer, no longer filled with eroticism, but malice.
Viral took a deep breath. "I need my friends. You said that the world you're making has no rules, right? As much as I hate to say it, I need someone to enforce some sort of law for me to abide by, you know?"
"Sorry, but I already answered three questions." The older tamer said dryly.
Viral closed his eyes. "There is only one man in this or any other world I fear. And it's me. I'm afraid I might do something I would regret. Go somewhere that I can't return from." He patted his Digimon's head and grinned. "As much as I hate some of the people I work with, they help me."
"I think I get it. It's still stupid, but I get it." Aoi muttered.
"Again, thanks for the offer, but no deal. Next time, try to tempt me using my head, instead of my 'head.'"
The pink-haired woman turned to walk away. "Oh. Your friends are in trouble by the way. I think it would be a good idea to get back to them before that Angewomon tears them to shreds."
"What?" Viral pounded back the direction he came, his loud curses drowned out by the rumbling of an upcoming train. Commandramon raced behind him. Aoi smirked as she went the opposite direction.
"Oh, and by the way." Viral turned around, jogging in place. "I totally won that."
Aoi shot the teen a confused look before he turned back around and ran away. Agumon stepped out of the shadows, carrying his tamer's jacket on his shoulder. "I think you told him too much."
"I told him just as much as I wanted to." Aoi snatched the jacket from her partner. "I planned for this turn of events as well, you know. It soon won't matter what he chose."
The orange dinosaur was scratching his chin in thought. "It still seems foolish to me."
"Well, that's why you aren't in charge, isn't it?" Aoi hissed as she slipped her arm into her jacket. "Now, let's get back to base. Silver might really enjoy all the data we were able to get him."
…
"Holy Slap!" A powerful hand smashed Bakemon into the stone floor. Angewomon was laughing maniacally, mercilessly pounding the Champion Digimon. Spade called out to his partner, who, despite the attempt, was unable to respond.
"Aquary Pressure!" Witchmon launched a blast of water at Bakemon's attacker. Angewomon grinned wildly, turning her head in an eerie fashion towards the Champion.
"You ought not to have to have done that!" The psychotic Digimon shrieked. She attacked Witchmon at blinding speed, driving her finger into her shoulder with the speed of a bullet. The Champion screamed.
Witchmon jumped back, holding her shoulder as data ran down her chest. "This is unreal… I can't believe a Digimon like this even exists!"
"We can't give up, Witchmon!" Platinum rushed to her side. "We're too far down to get a signal to anyone else, so we have to do this."
"M16 Assassin!" A barrage of bullets shot at the Ultimate Digimon from outside the ring. Viral and Commandramon appeared.
"How's it going, you guys?" Viral smirked.
"Viral, watch out!" Platinum screamed.
Angewomon fired an arrow at the two, who just barely dodged it. "You all are getting on my nerves! I'll slaughter every last one of you!"
"Hey!" Viral held up his fist, his D-Wrist shimmering. "You are one crazy-ass Digimon. I kinda like that."
Angewomon cracked her knuckles. "And what does that mean exactly?"
"It means I want you to be my Digimon! I'm going to tame you!" Viral shouted as he activated his watch. Sealsdramon leaped up and tackled Angewomon.
"Heaven's Charm!" A pink cross blasted Sealsdramon backwards. The Ultimate rushed forward and delivered a flurry of kicks into the Champion's chest. The cyborg caught one of the angel's legs and threw her, sending her sailing into a wall.
Angewomon roared loudly as she pulled herself out of the wall. She charged up an arrow and aimed at Sealsdramon. "You bastards are going to pay for this!" At that moment, a thin smile crept onto the Ultimate's face. She flicked her wrist and fired the arrow at Viral instead.
Sealsdramon had only seconds to react. He leaped over to grab Viral, clutching him to his chest. The arrow pierced his back, sending unbearable waves on pain though his body due to his earlier injury. The two fell to the ground, still.
Viral pried himself out of Sealsdramon's arms. "Hey, buddy. Come on, up and at 'um! We got to go, Sealsdramon."
"I can't move, sir." Sealsdramon's body was flickering wildly. "You gotta get out of here."
"No, you aren't going to die, Sealsdramon. I won't allow it." Viral put the Digimon's arm over his shoulder. "I'm… not going… to leave you here."
Angewomon laughed uncontrollably. "Still talking? Shut up and die!" She was about to leap into the air, when a large blue hand wrapped around her body.
Bakemon struggled to keep hold. "Stay away from our friend!" He hissed. Witchmon joined in by jumping onto the Ultimate and pushing her broom down on her throat.
Sealsdramon's form was now starting to fade away. "Sir…"
Tears began to form in Viral's eyes. "No! I'm not going to die! You're my partner! You're my responsibility!"
"No, sir. You're mine." Sealsdramon's voice was barely a whisper.
Viral stared at his Digimon, tears now running down his cheeks. "Sealsdramon…"
"I… I finally saved you for once… Viral." Sealsdramon's eyes closed, and he went limp.
"No… No!" Viral's tears ran out uncontrollably. "Commandramon!"
Red light burst from Viral's D-Wrist, engulfing Sealsdramon in its warmth. The watch twisted and contorted into a gauntlet of sorts around Viral's arm.
"Sealsdramon Super-Digivolve to…" The Champion Digimon transformed into a giant blue dinosaur. His lower body became tank treads, and his head, neck, and hands were now mechanized. His lower tank body held several Gatling guns and rocket launchers. The newly evolved Digimon bellowed, "Tankdramon!"
"C…Commandramon?" Viral said as he stared at his partner's new form. He collapsed onto his hands and knees.
Angewomon freed herself from the Champion Digimon and blasted the away with a ball of light. "You little bugs! I want to kill all of you and snack on your corpses like HP Chips!"
"Awaiting orders, sir." Tankdramon growled.
Viral looked up, wiping his eyes. "Okay… Make her Swiss, partner."
"Sir, yes sir!" Tankdramon lowered his Gatling guns. "Blast Gatling!" Hundreds of bullets streamed from the guns, piercing Angewomon's skin.
"Saint Air!" A halo of light appeared before the angel's protecting her from the attack. "You think just because you Digivolved, you can beat me? I've never met such an idiotic Digimon!"
Tankdramon ceased firing and propelled himself at Angewomon. "I know I'll win!" He smashed through the shield with his massive metal claws and grabbed Angewomon by the throat. "My partner expects me to!"
The Virus Type threw the angel into the air and aimed his back cannons. "Now, you're mine! Striver Cannon!" Blasts of fire erupted from Tankdramon's weapons, scorching Angewomon's body and wings. She thudded the ground loudly in front of Viral, a mess of sooty feathers and data.
"You can't beat me! I live for pain!" Angewomon cackled as she stood up on her knees. "This is bliss to me! I'm nowhere done playing with you!" She raised her hands and began to form a cross of light. "Heaven's Ch-"
A whip of light wrapped around Angewomon and squeezed her tightly. She uttered a choking sound as she turned to see Viral with a surprised look on his face.. The whip was coming from his DX-Wrist.
"So that's what the Tame function means…" The teen smirked. He yanked the whip, causing Angewomon to scream. "How do you like that, you crazy bird?"
The Ultimate slumped forward. Viral tugged again, harder. "Did I kill her?"
"D…Do it again!" The angel cried out suddenly. "That hurt so good... Hurt me again!
Viral raised his eyebrows. He tugged and jerked the whip, making Angewomon make strange noises of pleasure. "I'm just getting all the weirdos today…" He said to himself.
Angewomon fell backwards, drool running down her chin. She was panting heavily. "Wow… That has such a different feeling than being attacked by a Digimon…" She giggled absentmindedly before passing out.
"Okay, I'm sorry. That's freaking golden. You are mine now." Viral selected capture on his Digivice's screen. Angewomon transformed into a ball of data and floated into Viral's DX-Wrist.
"Capture Successful." The gauntlet chimed.
Viral sighed and plopped onto the ground. Tankdramon rolled over to him and grinned at him.
"Hey. That was amazing." Platinum came over to Viral, Spade and their Digimon following her. "I didn't know that the D-Wrist could make a whip like that."
Spade nodded. "I thought it could only capture in a Digimon when they willingly let themselves be tamed."
"Well, no one's forcibly captured a Digimon before." Viral sniffed.
"Shoot. Wish I knew I could have done that." Spade scratched his head. "I saw a few Digimon before I would have loved to have fight with me."
Bakemon gasped. "What? Am I not good enough for you?" His tamer held his hands up in defense.
"Anyways, Sealsdramon evolved." Platinum knelt down and slugged Viral in the arm. "Looks like you unlocked your Crest of Togetherness."
"Whatever." Viral looked away. "I just needed it so Angewomon wouldn't turn you two into pancakes."
"By the way, were you crying?" Platinum smiled cutely as she noted the stains on Viral's face. The teen reacted by spitting on his hands and wiping his face clean.
"No way! Angewomon just… slugged me in the face earlier. Maybe you would have noticed if you two weren't pissing around in the corner while I was doing all the work."
"Whatever, Viral. Whatever." Platinum beckoned to Witchmon. "I'm going to go see if I can find some of the people and Digimon that were here earlier. Spade, you go back up and contact the police."
"And what about me?" Viral scratched his nose.
Platinum shrugged. "Take a break. You earned it."
The red-and-blue haired boy smiled as he jumped to his feet. Tankdramon degenerated and joined his side. His face was his all-too familiar bored expression. "Then I'm goin' home. See you chumps later."
Then Viral did something odd. He stood before Commandramon and said, "Flight, Atten-tion!"
Immediately, both Viral and Commandramon stood straight, their hands at their sides and their heels together. Viral did a spinning motion, and in a single step, turned around and faced the exit.
"Forward, March!" Viral and Commandramon began to march out of the arena. They were perfectly in sync, their arms swinging. Viral began chanting cadences. "One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four."
As Viral's voice drifted off, Spade tilted his head. "What the heck was that?"
Platinum tossed her hair. "A real friendship, Spade." She chuckled. "A real, beautiful friendship."
…
"Viral!" Aunt Gale opened the basement door, her partner Gotsumon at her feet. Her pink hair bounced as she stepped down the stairs. "Hey, Viral. I made some popcorn and rented some R-rated movies. Wanna watch- What the hell?"
Viral looked up at the woman from the basement floor. He had Angewomon on all fours, gagged by a handkerchief and restrained by his D-Wrist's whip. He had a foot on her back, and was tugging strongly on the whip around her neck. Commandramon was standing awkwardly at the side, a car battery and thin jumper cables in his arms.
Wide eyed, Gale and Gotsumon walked backwards up the stairs and closed the door without a word. Viral could just barely make out Gotsumon's horrified voice saying, "What the hell was that?"
Viral face-palmed. "FML."
"I told you we shouldn't do this." Commandramon dropped the battery on the ground. A disappointed groan was heard through Angewomon's gag.
"Seriously? Come on, buddy. How else am I going to keep Angewomon satisfied?" Viral pleaded to the dragon.
Commandramon shook his head. "This is so freaking wrong."
"Commandramon. You know that we're friends, right?"
"Yeah, of course, sir."
"Do you know what friends do for each other in the Human World?"
The Rookie Digimon shook his head.
"Friends do things for each other. Now, be a friend and hook that car battery up to Angewomon's teats."
"No way!"
"Come on, Commandramon! I thought we were friends!"
"We are!"
"Then stop be a selfish friend and overcharge these Digi-titties!" Viral pouted. Angewomon grunted in agreement.
Commandramon sighed as he picked up the cables. "Why do I bother with you?"
"Because you love me." Viral flashed a sly grin. "Now quickly, Angewomon's getting testy."
The little dragon shook his head and chuckled. "Sir, yes sir."