Amelia belongs to Jeabird, and I thank her, Black Cat Angel and Kamen Rider Heisei for helping me with this story.
Bokomon took the gang to get their futures told by Shamanmon the fortuneteller. But just as Shamanmon started the premonition tangle, Daemon attacked, and this time, he brought a friend. With the strength of Golemon behind him, Daemon stole Tommy's Spirit. That was the last straw for Sakanamon and she snapped. Then BurningGreymon joined the fight, but he didn't know the difference between good guys and bad guys. Gogglehead figured out that it was Shamanmon, possessed by a Beast Spirit. Sakanamon spouted off about revenge but when he freed Shamanmon, the Beast Spirit possessed him instead. When he started attacking his friends, Koji had to Spirit Evolve to KendoGarurumon to stop him. Man, do these guys control issues or what? And can Sakanamon snap out of her shock?
Beetlemon was kicked by BurningGreymon and he crashed into a pillar. The pillar easily broke from the force that Beetlemon had slammed into it with.
"Takuya, stop!" KendoGarurumon charged at BurningGreymon as he yelled but he was hit by his tail.
BurningGreymon grabbed Beetlemon and started to run at KendoGarurumon with the Warrior of Thunder in his clutches.
"Put me down!" Beetlemon struggled to get the words out but he gets thrown at KendoGarurumon which caused damaged to both of them.
BurningGreymon started to smash pillars and roaring at the sky.
'It sounds like he's in pain.' Legnamon stared at BurningGreymon, as the thought crossed her mind.
"There has to be a way to stop him!" KendoGarurumon stared at BurningGreymon who was still roaring at the sky.
"But how?" Beetlemon sounded like he was at a lost.
"Takuya..." Sakanamon spoke the name in a soft voice, staring at her friend.
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Zoe stared on in worry as she spoke, asking Bokomon.
"Yes, get out of here before it's too late." Bokomon spoke but Tommy moaned at that response and took a few steps forwards.
"Alright, if it's a fight you want, fight me!" BurningGreymon turned around at KendoGarurumon's words.
"Don't look at me!" Beetlemon exclaimed as he took to the sky.
"Is he really going to try to fight him? What if they hurt each other?" Zoe was surprised, staring at BurningGreymon and KendoGarurumon staring each other down.
Sakanamon stared as well. Her heart ached with pain because she felt like BurningGreymon was suffering. On top of that, guilt rubbed salt into those wounds because it was her fault she felt like. She was the one, the one who told him to get it while all she was thinking about was revenge. Sakanamon wanted to do something but she didn't know what to do. She wanted to do something but she didn't want to hurt him anymore than he was probably already suffering.
BurningGreymon starts charging again.
"Lupine Laser!" BurningGreymon flew up to dodge the attack and smashes down was ready to strike KendoGarurumon with his claws.
"Not so fast!" KendoGarurumon knocked him down and away before he could be struck with BurningGreymon's claws.
KendoGarurumon, Beetlemon and Sakanamon took the chance to run towards the forest. Legnamon hesitated before turning and run after the others. She stared at Sakanamon's back as she ran.
'They're close so, why isn't she helping him?' Legnamon thought, trying to figure out why Sakanamon was just standing back and letting things happen.
"Come on, before one of us gets hurt!" Beetlemon shouted it as he flew away.
"Pyro Barrage!" BurningGreymon started to shoot of the bullets after them.
Sakanamon cried out in pain when one of the flame bullets hit her in the arm. The bullets that hit the trees broke, but then there was spark of fire. Wood caught on fire and the forest started to burn.
"We have to do something before he levels the whole forest, or the whole world!" Beetlemon had landed and stopped, staring once more at BurningGreymon.
KendoGarurumon's blade wings sprung out to the side, "I'll stop him. Howling Star!"
"We're supposed to stop him, not help wreak the place!" Beetlemon exclaimed as he followed after KendoGarurumon who had cut trees down thanks to his blade wings.
As Beetlemon and KendoGarurumon headed towards BurningGreymon Sakanamon didn't move. She didn't budge an inch to go towards him to try and help. She didn't even try to put out the fire. Legnamon curled her hands into fists both because of the burning forest, but also because the lack of action on Sakanamon's part.
"Why aren't you doing anything?" Legnamon turned to face Sakanamon as she reached up.
"What do you mean?" Sakanamon looked at Legnamon and was almost taken aback, the Warrior of Wood had removed her mask.
"Why aren't you helping BurningGreymon?" Legnamon held tight to her mask as she stared Sakanamon down.
"How could I help him when I caused this?" Sakanamon's words surprised her.
"You think you're to blame for this?" Sakanamon nodded while Legnamon glanced at BurningGreymon.
"If that's the truth, then you should really be there fighting – trying to correct the mistake you made then. Standing there and dwelling on guilt won't do anything." Legnamon bit her lip because she had once been in a similar place – blaming something that was so out of her control on herself.
"What would you know?" Sakanamon snapped at Legnamon but the Wood Warrior looked at her.
"You're his friend aren't you? Friends help each other, or are you one of those friends of convenience where you're only friends when it's convenient while abandoning them in their desperate hour?" Legnamon actually flinched at her own harsh and accusatory words but it seemed to hit Sakanamon.
"He's my best friend." Sakanamon curled her hands into fists as she spoke.
"I'll always help him when he needs it." Sakanamon turned and took a step towards where the fight was going down.
"If we ever have to fight trees, he'll be deadly." Neemon was looking at the damage that was done as he spoke.
"Then count your blessings we're not trees. Let's go!" After Bokomon spoke he, Neemon, Zoe and DemiVeemon started to run.
Tommy didn't move from where he stood though. He stared at what was going on. He gripped his D-Tector wishing that he was able to Spirit Evolve.
'If I could only Spirit Evolve to Kumamon.' Tommy could picture what he could do as Kumamon, but he couldn't do that in reality.
"Tommy, this is no time for day dreaming! Come on!" Zoe went back and grabbed Tommy's arm, starting to pull him along behind her – away from the battle.
"Ah man, if he keeps this up, they're gonna have to rename it the Burnt-to-a-Crisp Kingdom." Beetlemon spoke and not even a couple second later BurningGreymon was rushing them and kicked KendoGarurumon.
After the attack on KendoGarurumon he went at Beetlemon. BurningGreymon knocked him to the ground and raised his foot, ready to step on him.
"Takuya, don't! It's me!" Beetlemon cried out in fear and desperation.
"Takuya!" Sakanamon's voice broke through the sound around them and BurningGreymon's eyes started to glow blue as Takuya was starting to take control.
'What, what am I doing?' Takuya was managing to pull himself out of the control of the Beast Spirit and to his own consciousness.
"I can't believe this how I'm gonna check out!" Beetlemon was waiting for an attack but to his surprise one didn't come so he looked to BurningGreymon.
"Gotta stay calm, stay in control." BurningGreymon lifted his foot from Beetlemon and once he was free, he ran away from the Beast of Flame.
'These guys are my friends. I have to keep reminding myself that. Wait a second. If they are my friends, why are they attacking me?' As he looked them over they started to shift into scarier versions, 'Maybe they are the enemy.'
The blue glow was gone and was replaced with red. BurningGreymon charged at Beetlemon and KendoGarurumon and even if they both dodged him, the beast lashed out with his tail. The tail went at KendoGarurumon who was able to dodge it though. BurningGreymon let out a roar that was akin to that of a dragon's roar. Sakanamon covered ears at the roar stared at her possessed friend, despite the fact that that didn't sound like Takuya, she could feel his pain.
Things shifted though. BurningGreymon left and went to find Zoe and the others. Seeing what was going on Sakanamon gripped her injured arm and ran after BurningGreymon.
"Takuya, you gotta fight it!" Sakanamon called out and tried to reach Takuya who was inside the Beast somewhere. Seeing her best friend act in such a way made her frightened of what's going to happen to him. If Takuya didn't control himself soon, he'd spread his wildfire throughout the Digital World until he felt he was satisfied. She didn't know what to do. No matter what they said, their words didn't seem to reach him.
BurningGreymon stopped and roared. Yet despite the fear that should've been present, Tommy ran, not away but into the battle field. He stopped once he was beside Sakanamon. For some reason, the young boy felt like he can make a difference without his spirit. He can just feel it in his heart.
"Takuya, please, you gotta stop this! I know you don't wanna hurt any of us!" Tommy spoke and held his arms out to the side, as if he wanted a hug. His steps were steady and firm while walking closer to the raging digimon.
"Takuya, listen to them!" KendoGarurumon spoke but he was weary of what could happen. To be honest, he was curious. There was a brotherly connection between them. Maybe, just maybe, Tommy can reach Takuya.
"Come on, Taky! It's us!" Beetlemon eyed what was going on while BurningGreymon squinted his eyes. However, he stood his ground in case BurningGreymon decides to attack Tommy.
"Don't you get it? We're your friends. We're here to help you." Tommy took a step towards BurningGreymon. With Sakanamon by his side, he knew he can make a difference.
"Friends stick together, they help each other. Let us help you, Takuya." Sakanamon spoke up, but once again for BurningGreymon, the people in front of him turned scary looking.
BurningGreymon reached out and snatched both of them up. The hold that he had on them wasn't gentle or lose either. He held onto Tommy and Sakanamon roughly and tightly. The beast wanted them to cry in pain. He wanted to hear it with his own ears.
"Tommy! Sakanamon!" Beetlemon cried out their names in surprise. The Warrior of Thunder made a move, yet he didn't intervene. BurningGreymon is strong. Stronger than him he admits. He could jump in now with the beast not paying attention to him, but something held him back. JP wanted to see this through.
"Takuya, wait a minute! Don't you remember what happened?" Tommy spoke and he stared into the glowing red eyes of BurningGreymon as he did so. It was terrifying that they don't have any pupils whatsoever.
"The battle with Bakumon." Sakanamon spoke, memories turning to the fight with Bakumon. She remembered how her best friend wouldn't stop fighting to bring her back. It's time to repay that momento.
"I learned that true courage isn't paying bullies back, it's just standing up to them. You helped me see that fighting back in fear is just as bad as being a bully." As Tommy spoke his eyes started to water.
"Takuya, I'm sorry! I'm sorry I made you like this! So please, please don't let fear control you! Can you still listen to your heart?" Sakanamon was started to cry as well. She wanted her goofy, goggle-headed idiot back. She felt it was her fault he was like this… she just want him back...
BurningGreymon held them both above his head so as their tears started to fall they came right at him. Their tears somehow managed to fall into BurningGreymon's eyes. The tears seemed to have done something because Takuya's vision started to fix itself so that Tommy and Sakanamon didn't look so scary or evil.
'Wait, Tommy? Sakanamon?' At this point his eyes looked like the eyes that belonged to Agunimon, 'What was I gonna do? What did I do?' Fear gotten to him. What did he do? He obtained the spirit, but after that everything went red. He couldn't believe it! He hurt his friends! It was the same incident with Koji with his Beast Spirit.
BurningGreymon lowered them to the ground before releasing them. Sakanamon and Tommy stood there a bit surprised as first. BurningGreymon turned and ran head first into a boulder. He just smashed his head into the boulder a couple of times while Sakanamon ran to him and when he knelt down, she touched his face. The Beast Spirit of Flame flinched at the touch. He decided to bravely look down at a pair of soft, ruby eyes.
"It's ok. Let's just go back to being ourselves." Sakanamon's voice was soft as she spoke and had a small smile.
Fractal Code surrounded both BurningGreymon and Sakanamon. As the Fractal Code cleared from them it revealed Meredith and Takuya. Meredith was kneeling and hugging a sobbing Takuya. He was on his knees as he sobbed into his friend's embrace. His tears fell onto Meredith's injured arm and it stung, but she didn't stop him. She had never seen Takuya so broken before – she knew he needed to let his feelings out.
And she was willing to give him her shoulders as long as he needs it.
The scene that was unfolding made DemiVeemon run towards them all fours and once he was near Takuya he touched him with tears in eyes, "Daddy?" His big ruby eyes teared up seeing his "papa" so upset. He wanted his parents to be their happy selves like before.
That one word reached Takuya. He looked to DemiVeemon, both were teary eyed as they stared at the other yet DemiVeemon was also worried about his dad. Takuya almost seemed to hesitate, but he grabbed the little blue dragon and hugged him.
-
After everything that happened Meredith was positive about one thing. The Beast Spirits, they brought nothing. No, they brought something. The only thing they brought was pain. Pain was the only thing that came from the Beast Spirits in the redhead's mind.
As Meredith was busy with her thoughts, Takuya was staring at his own reflection in the lake they had stopped to rest by. After the BurningGreymon accident, they all needed to rest. The gogglehead was nearly glaring at his own reflection, he was far from happy with himself.
'I could've destroyed them all. Some DigiDestined I am.' Takuya curled his hands into fists as he thought that.
Takuya was sitting at the shore staring at his reflection while the others were behind him, watching him worriedly. He had been so quiet that the others were starting to worry at this point. Takuya was unnaturally quiet for him. Tommy stood from where he was sitting and took a few cautious steps towards him.
"Um, Takuya? Are you ok?" When Tommy asked his worried question Takuya turned his head to look at the kid.
"I should be asking you that. Thanks, Tommy." Takuya stood to face Tommy was he spoke.
Tommy's cheeks tinted red, "Ah, it was nothing, but you're welcome."
"It wasn't nothing. It was one of the bravest things I've ever seen." Takuya's voice was firm as he asserted that.
"Well I owed you one. Now we're even. Besides, Meredith helped too." Tommy smiled while Takuya turned to Meredith.
"Thanks Meredith." Takuya tried to smile for her, but Meredith only nodded.
"Ah, the trials of friendship. Take note you three for when you get your Beast Spirits." Bokomon spoke as he watched he scene in front of them.
"Um, why don't you go first?" J.P. looked at Zoe.
"Oh, no. You. I insist." Zoe smiled as she retorted to J.P.
"Yes, well of course you still have to get back those Spirits that you lost to Daemon." Bokomon's words made the air a bit tenser than it had been.
Takuya looked at his D-Tector and he couldn't help the sarcastic remarked that escaped in the next second, "Thanks for the reminder."
'What good does it do us if we get all those Spirits back, and we can't even control them?' Takuya stared at his D-Tector, focusing on it as he thought.
"How are we gonna find Daemon, anyway?" Koji asked the question that no really wanted to think of at the moment.
"Geez, it seems harder to avoid him than to find him. I think we should just keep going. I bet we'll run into him sooner or later." Takuya reply made Amelia roll her eyes.
"I only said that hours ago." She muttered the words and looked up at the sky.
"Sounds good to me." Even if Zoe agreed she did sound the slightest bit afraid.
"I know you want your Spirit back, but how can running into Daemon sound good? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!" J.P. exclaimed as he looked at Zoe.
"You better hope you get your Beast Spirit, pal. 'Cause I'm coming after you when I get mine." Zoe's retort made Meredith twitch.
"Forget about Beast Spirits!" Everyone stopped the walk that they had started and they looked at Meredith who had suddenly shouted the words.
"They're too dangerous. We're not looking for any more of them!" Meredith looked at them, nearly daring someone to retort to her.
Takuya bit his lip because after his experience he couldn't help but agree with Meredith. Tommy and Zoe were a bit unsure about what to feel about the Beast Spirits while J.P. just gaped. Koji sighed and kept a natural face. Amelia though, looked at Meredith up and down a few times.
"They may be dangerous, but in the long run they'll probably offer more help than harm."Amelia's words had attention on her.
"You're wrong, didn't you see what happened to Takuya?! Someone could have seriously gotten injured!" Meredith snapped at Amelia while the crimson-haired girl glanced at Takuya.
"I didn't even have control of myself, Amelia, if I hadn't managed to snap out of it when I did, Tommy and Meredith could've been seriously hurt." Amelia placed her hand on her head and sighed.
"Yes, that is true, but look at Koji. He had control, didn't he? From my observations the first time is the most dangerous, but it's probably a type of trial." Amelia hated what she was saying herself, because she also knew they were dangerous, but there was one thing that kept her from being against them.
"You're crazy, you know that Amelia?! You're saying we should risk possibly not just ourselves, but each other?!" Amelia bit her lip when Meredith pretty much yelled at her.
"We lucked out when Koji got taken over by the Beast while Meredith and I barely escaped Amelia." Tommy spoke up and Amelia stared at him.
"She has a point though guys, they're risky, but so far they've done damage to Daemon. We've lost two Spirits already. The Beast Spirits may prove to be key in fighting Daemon." Zoe spoke up and stood beside Amelia.
"Amelia and Meredith both have a point Zoe. Meredith's right that they're risky, possibly too risky, so we do have to weigh that in mind while thinking about Amelia's point." J.P. was nervous as he tried to take the middle ground.
"We need the Beast Spirits, Meredith." Amelia stared Meredith down.
"We don't need them, Amelia." Meredith didn't back down. "And for the long run, I've changed my mind. I don't want a Beast Spirit."
"Even if you don't want one, or if we used them, we at least need to collect them, Daemon doesn't need to get his hands on them. That could potentially cause more damage in the long run than just getting them and not using them." Bokomon turned and opened his book before starting to look for something.
"We need to start moving again, oh look, the book says the roots make the forest paths treacherous. Oh, that's ridicul-ohh!" Bokomon tripped over a root just as he was mocking it saying that it wasn't treacherous.
The group did start walking, choosing to leave behind the tense conversation. It wasn't even a few moments later when they reached a hill that had what looked like a maze of roots on the ground going downhill.
"Hey, check it out. What's up with these roots?" J.P. was looking down the hills as he spoke, at the bottom there was some X's and some O's.
"Ooh, do those symbols stand for hugs and kisses?" J.P. asked as he looked at the marks at the end.
"Yeah, like you'd know." Zoe made the comment as she glanced at J.P.
"Hey!" J.P. responded indignantly to Zoe.
"It's like a maze." Neemon stared at the roots.
"Well, not really. All the roots connect." Bokomon corrected Neemon, this time, there wasn't any pant snapping involved.
"We'll make it a maze. Everyone get your own vine and let's go. Woohoo!" Neemon exclaimed, laughing slightly.
"Cool, I'll take this one!" Zoe approached one of the ones she stood closet to.
"And this one's mine!" Neemon practically hopped on the one he claimed.
"Ready, set, go!" Takuya called out the words.
They all jumped onto their vine and headed down. They criss-crossed each other but they were laughing. Some fell behind while others moved forwards. Soon enough they reached the end. Koji, Amelia, Bokomon, Neemon, Zoe, and J.P. all landed on the X's while Tommy, Takuya, Meredith and DemiVeemon landed on the O.
Though the 'game' quickly lost it's fun. The ground started to shake before turning into mud pits. The ones that had gotten the X's were sinking into the mud pits while crying out for help.
"Stop struggling! You're only gonna make things worst!" Takuya spoke as he stared surprised at his sinking friends.
"Easy for you to say!" J.P. shouted back at Takuya.
Takuya, Meredith and Tommy act quickly as they toss their friends a vine. Just as they were going to pull them out, none other than Daemon arrived.
"I spy some weak brats." Daemon's voice caused their attention to shift to him.
"It's Daemon, no!" Takuya stared at him, tightening his grip on the vine.
"No hello? Oh well, you're right where you need to be." Daemon growled out a rough laugh.
"You four winners are now the losers, the prize is mine which is your Spirits." Daemon flexed his hand as he eyed the three.
"You're not stealing anymore Spirits!" Meredith shouted at Daemon, but he only chuckled.
"Actually, I think it's getting stuck in the mud time." Daemon cast a glare at Neemon when he spoke.
"Be quiet or you'll be the first I crush." Neemon whimpered at Daemon's words while Amelia narrowed her eyes at the demon.
"Though for now it's your turn." Daemon pointed towards Takuya as he spoke.
"Why can't we just be friends?" Takuya shot the words off with seemingly no thought.
"Be quiet, you're giving me a headache like no other. Why not just surrender and spare yourself the agony?" Daemon spoke as he narrowed his eyes at Takuya.
"So what? We should just hand over our Spirits?! Forget it! It's never gonna happen! Especially now that I have my Beast Spirit!" As Takuya spoke he shifted so he stood in front of everyone.
"Am I supposed to be scared?" Daemon sounded unamused as he asked the question.
"Well you should be, cause it's very powerful!" Takuya spoke, but it almost sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
"It's only powerful if you can control it – which I bet you can't since you look so afraid." Takuya backed up as Daemon spoke.
"Your actions betray you." Daemon curled his hand into a fist and punched towards them but they dodged the attack.
"Tommy, tree." Takuya spoke quickly as he watched Daemon, Tommy hesitated but since he was given DemiVeemon he took off up a tree.
"Hurry!" As Takuya called out he and Meredith pulled out their D-Tectors.
"Execute! Spirit Evolution!"
"Agunimon!"
"Sakanamon!"
"Hasn't the forest had enough fire today?" Bokomon called out towards Agunimon.
"Right!" Agunimon chose instead of using a fire based attack to charge Daemon head on.
The choice wasn't the smartest because Daemon batted him away easily and that made Sakanamon jumped into the battle but before she could even attack she was also hit away. Daemon just looked at them bored and unamused.
"Can we all save time and you just hand over your Spirits?" Daemon spoke, sounding as bored as possible.
"Agunimon! Sakanamon!" Tommy called out while they got back up
Agunimon and Sakanamon was going to fight but they were punched by Daemon, hitting the ground with a thud.
"Mama! Daddy!" Daemon let off an annoyed sound.
"You brats have annoyed me." Daemon grabbed Tommy and DemiVeemon, they didn't get to let out a noise thanks to how Daemon had them.
"Daemon, put them down!" Agunimon shouted at Daemon, glaring at him.
"Take them if you can." Daemon smirked.
"But..." Agunimon sounded so unsure and he looked at his friends.
"Don't worry, we're fine now. I mean we're kinda stuck here." Koji beat the others to the punch.
"Ok." Agunimon turned back towards where Daemon had been only to find that in that split second Daemon had left.
Agunimon and Sakanamon climbed up the tree. Not only once up but on their way up they looked for Daemon, trying to find him. They had to get Tommy and DemiVeemon back before something bad happened.
"If you want to find me then you'll actually have to look." Daemon chuckled as he toyed with the two.
Daemon had poked his head up out of the tree which caused Agunimon to jump at Daemon. Sadly, he missed and ended up sliding down the tree. Once on a tree branch Agunimon jumped to another one but Daemon cut in suddenly and hit him which caused him to smack into the tree. Daemon didn't stop there, he also kicked Takuya down.
"Why you!" Sakanamon jumped at Daemon and was going to kick him but the demon grabbed her by her ankle and threw her into a tree.
Sakanamon slammed into the tree and groaned while Daemon laughed and he started to fly away from them. Daemon weaved around trees.
"Tommy!" Agunimon called after Daemon.
"DemiVeemon!" Sakanamon called out at the same time as Agunimon.
The two of them start leaping from tree to tree. As they jumped and were chasing Daemon down they found some vines. Using the vines actually helped them get closer than they had been from just jumping tree to tree.
"Close but not close enough!" Daemon laughed as he sped up the slightest bit.
'When I get my hands on you...' Agunimon growled slightly as he thought the words.
Agunimon and Sakanamon didn't expect for Daemon who had seemed to make a turn to surprise them with a first to their guts the moment that they turned the corner that they thought that he had taken. The attack was enough to cause both of them to let go of the vines that they held onto which them to fall.
"Agunimon! Sakanamon!" Tommy called out to them, afraid.
"Daddy! Mama!" DemiVeemon's voice was kind of shrill with alarm while Agunimon and Sakanamon didn't stop falling.
"I thought you were strong?" Daemon taunted the two as they rapidly approached the ground.
"This is gonna hurt!" Agunimon exclaimed the words not even seconds before they crashed into the ground.
"I was right..." Agunimon groaned out the words.
"You were." Sakanamon groaned out as well yet seconds later they reverted back to their human selves.
"Takuya! Meredith!" Everyone called their names, worried about them.
"Are you two ok?" J.P. was worried and watched as they sat up.
"I guess so." As Meredith spoke she could feel the burn on her arm.
"We need to get out of here before Daemon takes another Spirit!" Bokomon chimed in, doing his best not to struggle and make the mud pit worse for him or the others.
"Yeah, but Tommy and DemiVeemon are still in trouble. And I don't know how to save them." Takuya glared the ground, feeling a little helpless.
"The Human Spirits aren't strong enough to fight Daemon!" Amelia spoke up, raising her voice and getting attention from Takuya who had almost slipped down some dark thoughts.
"You have to turn into BurningGreymon!" Koji spoke, this time voicing what said of the earlier argument he was on.
"But I can't. What if I lose control again?" Takuya's voice actually had a bit of fear in his voice.
"Don't be afraid, just remember what Tommy and Meredith said." Zoe tried to sound supportive.
Takuya gulped because at first when he thought back the only thing he remembered when losing control. Underneath of that though, he recalled what Tommy and Meredith had said.
"Remember who your friends are, and you'll be fine." As Zoe spoke that one Takuya curled his free hand into a fist and he gripped his D-Tector tightly.
"Maybe, we do need the Beast Spirit." Takuya looked at Meredith, having expected her to oppose him.
"Just this once though but, if you lose control I'll help you again. I'll pull you back again." Meredith stared Takuya down as she spoke even if she hated the thought of him using his Beast Spirit.
"Aren't you going to help your friends?" Daemon snickered as he lowered both tied up Tommy and DemiVeemon.
Takuya paled. "Tommy!" How dare that Digimon lay a hand on a small kid like Tommy?
"DemiVeemon!" Meredith cried. Daemon has gone too far! Holding two young kids is much lower than dirt! He needs to be taught a lesson!
Daemon laughed. "I'm through playing around, hand over your Spirits to save them – maybe." He felt so superior right now! He might as well call it a checkmate. That's how confident the virus Digimon felt holding the two hostage and watching the other kids stuck in the stick mud. The only two standing in his way are the Warrior of Flame and Warrior of Water.
Takuya growled and looked down. He didn't know what to do! The only possible way to defeating him was to Beast Spirit Evolve. He couldn't do it! Turning into BurningGreymon was a disaster! He was a burning hot head, literally! He didn't have any control over himself. If he turned into that monstrosity again, who's to say he wouldn't do a repeat. He shook his head. No! He didn't need that Beast Spirit! He could save Tommy and DemiVeemon and all of his friends with his Human Spirit! He was much familiar with Agunimon, anyway. With a connection like that, anything is possible!
… he hoped with an added prayer…
"No, don't do it Takuya! Don't trade your Spirit for us! It's ok, I'm not afraid!" Tommy spoke, trying to sound as brave as he could.
"Papa, it's ok. Don't give up." DemiVeemon spoke, giving a brave smile.
Daemon scuffed and lifted up Tommy and DemiVeemon.
"No!" Takuya and Meredith cried out in union.
"Some friends – some parents – you are. Won't even give up your Spirit for their lives." Daemon stared Takuya and Meredith down as he laughed.
"I'm not afraid of you!" Tommy practically yelled the words at Daemon.
"Papa can defeat you and save us!" DemiVeemon spoke up confidently, a proud gleam in his eyes as he spoke of his papa.
"You should be." After Daemon spoke he started to fly away and Takuya growled.
"No, Tommy! DemiVeemon! That's it! If Tommy can show courage in the face of that freak, then so can I!" Takuya gripped his D-Tector tightly.
"Execute! Beast Spirit Evolution!" Fractal Code appeared around Takuya's hand, it was more than usual but he didn't hesitate to scan it.
Surrounded by fire after the armor of the Beast Spirit appeared and the fractal code around him, the armor of the Beast Spirit started to fit to him. The process was not as clean and seamless as it was with the Human Spirts since the Beast Spirit was obviously more animalistic. As the armor turned solid a growl was let out but then a set of teeth closed in, but then golden plates, that were kind of shaped like teeth, closed around hiding the teeth. His eyes opened to reveal calm blue ones. Wings spread out and he dropped to the platform. He landed crouched and he sliced the air with both of the things on arm bringing them together in front of his chest before then leaning back and spreading his arms to the side. Fire gushed out of the joints of his armor.
"BurningGreymon!" It was called out by said Digimon once the transformation was completed.
"Can you control it now?" Daemon laughed off what he saw with his own question.
Meredith though stared at BurningGreymon. Something was different this time. She could actually sense Takuya this time. BurningGreymon ran towards Daemon.
"Takuya!" Tommy called out his name.
"Daddy!" DemiVeemon called out as well.
They watched though as BurningGreymon ran into a tree headfirst. His tail hit another and Daemon who had landed in a branch on the tree lost his balance. While Daemon could've just spread his wings he grabbed the branch on reflex while BurningGreymon threw a tree branch at his hand that held both Tommy and DemiVeemon. That proved to be enough to make Daemon release them, which lead to them free falling.
"You don't have enough time!" Daemon called out as he saw the two drop rapidly to the ground, headfirst.
BurningGreymon flapped his wings, managing to speed him up and little. Combined with the small speed boost was BurningGreymon jumping forwards. While he did catch both of them, he slid across the ground, stomach first.
"Tommy, DemiVeemon, you ok?" BurningGreymon looked them over as he asked.
"Yeah." The both of them sounded a bit awed.
"Hey, check it out. You got control of your Beast Spirit." As Tommy spoke he smiled at BurningGreymon.
"Thanks to you, buddy." BurningGreymon shifted so he was on one knee in front of Tommy and DemiVeemon.
"He's actually in control, maybe the first time is the most dangerous." Meredith stared at BurningGreymon, a BurningGreymon that Takuya was in control of this time.
"We'll help the others. Now go get him!" As Tommy spoke BurningGreymon stood.
"Right!" BurningGreymon turned and took off.
'I should probably help out.' Meredith looked at her D-Tector as she though.
"Execute: Spirit Evolution!" As she began that, BurningGreymon reached Daemon.
"Sakanamon." As Sakanamon emerged, Daemon was hit by BurningGreymon.
BurningGreymon grabbed the slightly dazed Daemon and held him up before flinging him downwards. As the demon was going downwards, Sakanamon raised her arms.
"Tempest Whirlpool!" Her attack slammed into Daemon and caused him to crash into a tree's trunk.
"Double Dust!" Daemon tried to attack Sakanamon, but she managed to dodge.
"Pay attention!" BurningGreymon managed to hit Daemon once again, sending him sliding across the ground even if he remained standing.
"Evil Inferno!" The fire shot towards them and BurningGreymon took to the sky to dodge it while Sakanamon also managed to dodge it, the fire hit the clear patch of earth, so it didn't start a fire thankfully.
BurningGreymon flew over Daemon but before the demon could gloat, he was hit full force with the Beast of Flame's tail. He turned and aimed at Daemon, ready to attack.
"Pyro-" BurningGreymon stopped the attack.
'Wait, I'll set fire to the whole forest. Ok, I'll do it the old-fashioned way.' BurningGreymon dodged Daemon who tried to punch him.
BurningGreymon took the chance to hit Daemon with his tail once more. This time he was sent flying. Daemon crashed into some roots and couldn't get loose.
"Execute! Side Evolution!" BurningGreymon called out the words and fractal code surrounded him.
"Agunimon!" He emerged not as BurningGreymon, but as Agunimon.
'How did I know how to do that?' Agunimon only paused for a moment since Sakanamon had approached.
"Agunimon?" Sakanamon called the name questioningly.
"We need to keep him from the others so we can fight easier." Agunimon answered the unasked question.
Sakanamon nodded and they leapt from the ground and into the tree branches above them. They both grabbed a vine and started to swing away.
'We have to lead him away from the others!' Agunimon thought and then he had the perfect idea as they swung passed the tangled Daemon, "Tag, you're it!"
Daemon growled once free from the tangled roots and he chased after them. He wanted to pummel them into the ground and make them beg to be spared! He wouldn't let them off easy with just surrendering.
"What's the matter, slowpoke? Can't you catch us?" Agunimon called back to Daemon, taunting him before they reached a tree which they slid down before running out of the forest.
"Hey, Daemon! You're not getting tired now, are ya? You gotta start working out, buddy!" They continued to run around while Agunimon continued to taunt Daemon.
"Even so, I have enough to defeat you two! Once I'm done you two are done forever! Don't forget who I am, I'm the Demon of Wrath!" Daemon growled the words out as he chased after the two.
"Actually, I did forget about that!" Agunimon started to run a couple seconds after saying that.
"How could you forget that!?" Sakanamon questioned him as she followed.
"Hammer Knuckle Dust!" Daemon's attack seemed to be a cross between his Hammer Knuckle and Double Dust attack yet proved to be much more destructive because when he hit the ground chunks of earth flew into the air.
"Ah, man!" Agunimon's voice was barely heard over the sound of the ground that chased after them being torn up into the air.
"That's stronger that it should be!" Sakanamon ran faster since the earth was quickly disappearing behind them.
Daemon started to laugh as the dust settled while Agunimon looked at him, "What are you so excited about? You missed us, demon! By the way, I think you forgot something, too!"
"Or you're stupid." Sakanamon could resist the small taunt because she couldn't dash the spark of anger, but it was less than it had been when Takuya had first gotten his Beast Spirit.
"Execute! Side Evolution!" As Agunimon said that and he was covered by fractal code, Sakanamon did her best not to stare.
"BurningGreymon! Out here, there's no forests to catch fire! Pyro Barrage!" The guns on his arms turned and fired bullets that all managed to hit Daemon.
"Wildfire Tsunami!" BurningGreymon suddenly caught fire and he spun slightly before whipping his tail towards Daemon which sent the fire crashing against the demon.
As the fire died down fractal code was shown and the others showed up. Cheering BurningGreymon on for what he had accomplished. The Beast of Flame then flew to Daemon and grabbed one of the Spirits that Daemon was in possession of.
"It's a Spirit of Earth!" Bokomon actually sounded a bit surprised.
"Now for Tommy's." BurningGreymon gabbed it before turning around to face the others, "Here you go, buddy! Got a little present for ya!" he threw the Spirit and once it was back into Tommy's D-Tector, it came back to life.
"Hey, my Spirit! Yeah, this is better than birthdays and Christmas combined!" Tommy held his D-Tector up as he grinned away.
"And now to get Zoe's Spirit!" BurningGreymon turned around but it proved to be too late because Daemon returned to normal.
"I know when to retreat." Daemon was quick to spread his wings and start to fly away.
"No! He still has my Spirit." Zoe sounded so disappointed and as if she was on the verge of tears.
Sakanamon glanced at Zoe, 'Guess Zoe will have to wait a little longer.'
-
In a place far from where the Warriors were, there was dark point mountain that had a mushroom type top surrounded by fog. Daemon could be seen entering a dark lair of sorts.
"They took the Spirits that I spent my time getting! They're gonna pay for that!" Daemon growled out the words.
"All fired up there, Dae? You have another plan, one that's doomed to fail?" A woman's voice resounded, it was almost sickly sweet.
"Lilithmon." Daemon growled her name out.
"The one and only Demon of Lust." She stepped out of the darkness.
Lilithmon wore a purple long sleeve robe that had a slit from her hip down to her feet, which revealed to be what looked like black skin tight leggings that had veins of golden yellow that led to a jewel she had close to her knee. Her robe was strapless and she had one was more of an outer layer and was merely attached to her due to two black straps that was attached to a similar golden orb - which was attacked to a skin type strapless top - that was sitting just below her chest. She had big tattered black bat wings that had two piercings on them while two smaller and well kept wings coming from the top of her shoulder blades. Her hair was done up fancily with hair ornaments, which were all gold with precious jewels.
"Why not let us help out, hmm, Dae? I like a confident man, but stop trying to impress him all alone. It'd be more effective if I helped you out, Dae." Lilithmon nearly purred the words out.
"Leave me alone, this is none of your business." Daemon glared at Lilithmon as he spoke.
"You're mistaken there." A male voice cut in.
"Barbamon, the Demon of Greed. Why are you getting involved?" Daemon had shifted his glare to Barbamon.
Barbamon wore a poncho like attire that was purple inside and at the bottom in a strip along with in the middle going in a triangle like shape sectioning off what looked like a black and red teeth pattern. Close to his neck there were red jewels practical as a necklace that was attached to gold. He had six red wings while he also had a long silver beard and long silver hair. His hair and beard reached the bottom of his green pants and almost to his red boots. On his hands were multiple golden rings and he also carried a staff that looked like it had a skull at the top with a red jewel within its mouth.
"You're reflecting badly on all of us, Daemon. You should learn about your opponents' weakness and exploit them, not just charging right in and relaying on brute strength." Barbamon reprimanded.
"Guy's right, think before acting." Someone slid down one of the columns.
"Beelzemon, Demon of Gluttony, what, do we have a full house and it's 'Gang Up on Me' day?" Daemon growled as he started to get angrier.
Beelzemon wore a black leather jacket and black pants, he had a black tail coming from the bottom of his spine as well. He wore black combat boots that had spikes at the toes and metal guards from ankle up to his knee. He also wore steel armguards that cover his fingers and went to his elbow. A purple mask covered the top part of his head, two guns were rested at his hips.
"Want me to pay them a visit for you?" Beelzemon smirked and placed a hand on his guns as he spoke.
"Everyone's here, so be quiet." Barbamon cut in, not wanting to waste any more time.
"What about Leviamon, Belphemon and even that Warrior we managed to get. What was his name, Duskmon?" Daemon crossed his arms as he spoke.
"Leviamon and Belphemon are out gathering Fractal Code, and you know that Duskmon wouldn't join us." Lilithmon shifted as she spoke, smiling.
"Duskmon spends his days staring the moons than working. We would get the Warrior that has not mind of battles." Barbamon drawled the words out, bored.
As they spoke a dark Digimon that was outside stood, just staring at the moons that hung in the sky.
"We'll rule the world and he will be left with what he sees with closed eyes." Barbamon words received laughs from everyone.
"I don't understand you, Barbamon." Daemon words got a groan from Barbamon.
"Of course you don't Daemon." He turned away from them.
-
Shifting back to the group of Warriors they stared up at the night sky.
"Isn't that pretty?" Tommy remarked as he stared up at the sky.
"Yeah, I guess." Zoe sounded down once more.
"Zoe, it's hard, I know, but you should be thinking of something else instead of that." Meredith spoke, eyeing Zoe worriedly.
"Come on, guys. We've got a long road ahead of us." Takuya spoke as he turned his face from the sky and took a step.
That's for sure. They barely beat Daemon, and now there are four other bad guys? This could get ugly on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!