A/N: The Daemon mini-arc begins and will do so using the same villains from Maxacorn's D3 fanfics. The story behind these things are that they're demon sorcerer expies based on the Demons from Jackie Chan Adventures. How powerful were they? Well, their leader, Shendumon, had a power-up akin to Younger Toguro by bulking up his body and I think using just 30 percent of his strength tear a hole into an Ascendant 3 tier character! Ouch. But with the advent of Ascendant Gods, we'll see how Shendumon's full strength compares. And then there was the Daemon Tournament arc that was planned, which sadly never got off the ground.
So, I figured what-if the tournament happened but an incident occurred that disrupted the event, rebooting the D3s and their friends into this continuity, which already had been explained about to Max from the Nexus beings during Battle of Digital Gods. So, not only have the D3s and their associates survived into reboot, but what if the Daemons did, too? And for that matter the Digital Warlord (who has already appeared in Across Dimensions, Resurrection B, and very soon in Ascendancy)?
And this is an expanded retelling of The Daemons Strike Back chapter from Cross Generations. So you'll be getting the final fights against the Daemons in the third part. This chapter shall entail their revival (by Zeed X's anomalous dark energies) and their reunion with the D3s.
This can also be a spiritual sequel to Maxacorn's The Daemons Strike and the sadly unwritten The Daemon Tournament. Credit goes to him for his D3s, the Daemons, Gojiramon, and the Warlord (who'll appear in this three parter).
Anywho, let's get this three-part arc started, my friends!
xxxxx
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Cha-La-Head-Cha-La (Days of Battle))
"Good day, this is Simms, a billionaire on Earth and a Watcher in the Digiverse. Sometime ago, an unforeseen disaster caused by the Nexus, coupled with the Digital Warlord's meddling, disrupted the crucial event that was to decide the fate of multiple worlds, including the Earth of the D3s.
The crisis occurred during the final match between Max Kamiya and the Daemon leader Shendumon. Just as the two warriors went for the final blow to determine the tournament, the disastrous Nexus wave tore through the arena, destroying everything in its path. The audiences, including the Digidestined, Tamers, Legendary Warriors, and their allies, were wiped clean. The D3s were sent scattering through the Nexus. The Daemons were also seemingly destroyed by the wave.
In the aftermath of this disaster, the D3s were sent into a new universe (DF-616) with powers reset to pre-Ascendant levels and Max donned the masked Watcher moniker X. They ultimately met different versions of the Digidestined they once knew, but still recognized them as the family they lost to the Nexus. So as they forged new bonds with the DF-616 Digidestined and increased their powers back to their peak levels, they faced and overcame many enemies through the years.
However, while the D3s have enjoyed their fresh start, whatever happened to our old enemies, the Daemons?
This is their story."
(End theme)
xxxxx
(Cue Jackie Chan Adventures Game OST - Japanese Castle)
There laid the ruins of the stadium that hosted the Daemon Tournament. Amid the ruins there was nothing left that anyone could salvage. There were no remains of anything or anyone to find.
Suddenly, a fissure opened up and from these 'cracks' came black mist. The black smoke leaked out and covered the arena ruins. The mist poured over the vicinity and scanned the area for anything it can possess, perhaps even revive. The mist quickly covered the entire arena as a dark purple dome encapsulated the top.
Then, some debris started to shake on their own. The anomalous mist located eight life sources. The dark mist tapped into these life sources and 'breathed' new life into them.
Eight dark glowing orbs shot out of the debris. Layers of dark energy covered the orbs, transforming them. These orbs formed into bodies.
The first one to be revived: A large hand erupted from a swirling mass of debris, and from this mass collection of earth a large red clay-colored behemoth with massive arms and bullhorns materialized. This is the Earth Daemon: DaiGuimon.
The bull-horned beast roared, looking around confused. "What? I've been revived? How? Who would revive me, DaiGuimon?!"
The second Daemon to be revived: A figure in a long red and black robe appeared. He has two long arms and two smaller arms next to his chest. Covering his head and evil face is long strands of black hair. He floated on some kind of moon rock. This is the Moon Daemon : TsoLanmon.
"This is quite peculiar," noted TsoLanmon, who shared his colleague's confusion.
DaiGuimon turned and acknowledged. "Oh, it's you, TsoLanmon."
"Look, our brothers are about to revive as well."
The third Daemon to resurface: a bolt of thunder struck the ground. From this bolt, a figure appeared. He has light blue skin and white hair. Blue armor covered his chest, shoulders, waist, wrist, and ankles. He paced forward with electricity surging off his frame. This is the Thunder Daemon: TchangZumon.
"I've been restored?" TchangZumon queried, looking over his revived body. He sighted TsoLanmon and DaiGuimon. "My brothers, how are we still alive?"
"I do not know, elder brother," TsoLanmon answered wisely.
DaiGuimon noticed a powerful gust of wind brush near them.
As more winds built up, the fourth Daemon revived. Coming out from this wind, a gray bullfrog-looking creature with long black hair and dark blue shorts appeared. He blew air from his mouth and blasted away debris obstructing his way. This is the Wind Daemon: XiaoFangmon.
"I don't know and I don't care, but it's good to be back!" XiaoFangmon croaked loudly, breathing in the air.
"If XiaoFangmon is here, then Shendumon surely has to be among us," TchangZumon said.
Boom!
A giant fist punched through a mountain full of debris. From this heap of destruction came a titan of a gorilla that stood 25 feet tall. This is the Mountain Daemon: PoKongmon.
"I am back! But I'm hungry! Give me something to eat!" PoKongmon bellowed, pounding her chest.
TsoLanmon groaned. "It's good to have you back among us, but no we don't have anything to offer you."
"When we get out of here, we'll find a world with plenty of consumption to satisfy you, sister," TchangZumon assured the giant ape. "I'm sure we'll find a world with plenty of humans to feast on."
Suddenly, something small dropped down from the air and blitzed around the larger Daemons. Appearing before them was a dark blue-skinned demon with bat's wings and a long tail. In spite of his small size and being youngest, this creature is the fastest. This is the Sky Daemon: HsiWumon.
"Ehehehehahaha, I'm back to rule my sky domain!" HsiWumon cackled evilly. "Somebody try and stop me!"
"Brother Wu, your flying skills still haven't gone rusty," XiaoFangmon observed the demon bat.
"So, two remain and then the circle shall be complete," TsoLanmon stated.
Just then, a surge of water shot out of nowhere and swirled. Water rose from this whirlpool and formed into a pillar. Rising from his water tower is the second to last Daemon, a blue-skinned and dark blue-haired female humanoid. She has blue eyes, a dark blue Chinese dress with soft blue shoes. This is the Water Daemon: BaiTzamon.
"Sister!" The other Daemons acknowledged her presence.
BaiTzamon descended and stretched her arms. "Yes, I've returned and all that's missing is one." With that, an evil smirk adorned her features as a big pillar of flames erupted from another mountain of debris.
The final Daemon made his epic fiery entrance. This Daemon emerged as a ten feet tall monster with brown scaly skin, black wild hair in a long ponytail running down the small of his back. He wore black gloves, black boots, and a black vest with the yin-yang sign embellished on the back. This is the oldest and strongest of the Daemons, also a master of spells and incantation: Shendumon the Fire Daemon.
He raised his massive trunk-like arms and bellowed so loud he blew away the entire ruined stadium, leaving only him and his Daemon siblings unscathed.
"My brothers and sisters, we, the Daemons, have returned!" Shendumon declared, clenching his glowing fire fists.
"Elder brother, we've been revived by an unknown source," TchangZumon informed him. "We don't know of the source."
"Whatever revived us, we have much to thank," TsoLangmon said.
"Now we may forge a new path of destruction on any unsuspecting world we can seek!" XiaoFangmon offered.
HsiWumon cackled like mad. "Yeah! Let's bring a whole level of terror to other realms! Ooh, perhaps we can find those Digi-rats and those Ascen-whatevers!"
Shendumon's eyes glowed as soon as HsiWumon mentioned their enemies. His mind reflected to the final match with Max Kamiya. He remembered the Nexus wave that swept through, wiping them all out and ending the Daemon Tournament with an indecisive conclusion.
"Max Kamiya… Yes, I remember now," Shendumon growled with heavy breath. He turned facing his Daemon siblings with burning red eyes.
BaiTzamon approached Shendumon. "You remember your fight with that Max Kamiya boy?"
"Indeed, sister," Shendumon replied as his red eyes turned purple.
"Seems you have unfinished business, big brother Shendumon," TchangZumon pointed out. "Anyway we can help?"
"Max Kamiya's friends will be a nuisance. I'll let you handle them, my siblings, but Max Kamiya is all mine."
XiaoFangmon queried. "But how do we know if they're still alive?"
"I know. I can sense Max. His energy has recently resurfaced. Having spent time in limbo, I've longed to finish our match!" Shendumon declared, clenching his fist, which glowed dark purple instead of the usual traditional fire he's used to invoking.
Then, one by one, the Daemons sported dark violet auras that matched the color of the dark mist. The anomalous dark power not just revived them, but augmented their strengths.
"I feel much stronger! I feel the need to crush those humans!" PoKongmon roared, raising her arms and pounding her chest.
"I think we all desire the chance to destroy those cursed Ascendants," TsoLanmon said, feeling the urge to fight the D3s.
"The problem is finding them," pointed out TchangZumon. "If they're still alive and not here."
"You needn't worry," Shendumon muttered as the dark purple aura enveloped him from head to toe. He closed his eyes, letting the aura take control. "I do not know the origins of this mysterious power that's revived us, but it's telling us where we can find Max Kamiya and his cohorts." He opened his eyes and fired a blast from his hand, cutting open a fissure through the dimensional fabric.
The Daemons witnessed a portal open up in front of them. They approached the portal. Shendumon stood next to the portal and ran his hand through it.
"This portal will take us to where they are," the Fire Daemon stated. "I can sense Max Kamiya beyond this doorway. I can't wait any longer." He turned to the other Daemons. "I leave it to you if you wish to join me, but I'm not missing this opportunity. Max Kamiya is all I want. Conquest at this point is a trivial matter to me."
Upon hearing this, the other Daemons were taken aback with Shendumon's statement. His lack of interest in conquest was telling. This has been the case since his fight with Max Kamiya.
BaiTzamon meticulously eyed Shendumon. "Brother, you've changed…" To which, Shendumon leaned over and kissed her.
"No, I've just found a new purpose. Now, come, if you wish to help me finish Max's friends, let's not delay any further."
With that, Shendumon entered the portal. The other Daemons joined him. In no time, they'd fall into the DF-616 dimension and find their enemies: the D3s.
(End theme)
xxxxx
Digimon Fusion Ascendancy
Act II: Dimension Missions
Chapter XV: The Daemons Strike Back
xxxxx
Other World/Simm & X's Planet/Training Grounds/October 24, 2011
(Cue Dragon Ball Kai OST - Frantic Cover (1:34-2:10))
Athena rushed Max and unleashed a flurry of kicks. Max parried and dodged the child's rapidfire blows. Max quickly grabbed Athena's foot and smirked.
"You're getting better at this, Athena!" Max praised the child's efforts.
Athena smiled innocently before charging a Ki blast and tossing it at Max's face. Max quickly tilted his head, letting the beam pass by. He threw a punch at Athena, who instinctively crossed her arms preparing to block. Max's fist stopped just a few inches from Athena. He reared back and head patted her.
(End theme)
"We're done for today."
Athena blinked and dropped her arms. "Ok?"
"You've done very well today, Athena. I'm proud of you and I'm sure your parents will be happy to know about your progress."
"Thanks, Max-sensei!"
"Just call me, Max. No need to be so formal."
"It's the way I'm raised."
"Oh right, you're the future princess of Sedna."
"Yeah, and my mommy is the queen of her planet."
"Being a princess must come with a lot of quirks, huh?"
"Quirks?" Athena asked innocently.
"Never mind. C'mon, go get washed up. Won't Karin and Dimitri be here soon?"
"That's right, Athena! They'll be here soon!" PinkPatamon reminded her.
"Oh yeah!" After grabbing her towel, the half-quarter Ascendant child said as she hurried off to Max and Simms' mansion to bathe.
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Like That Cloud)
Chuckling, Max watched her enter the mansion. "That kid. She's going to be something one day."
"She hasn't quite unlocked her full Ascendant power yet, huh?" Keke asked, getting up a chair. Sitting beside her are the other D3s: Pikkan, BW, Sam, Tike, Kara, and David.
"No, and I think she's holding back," Max said.
"Why do you suppose she is?" Pikkan inquired to him.
"Could be she's conflicted to being a Sailor Senshi like her mother or an Ascendant like her father. This is the first there's ever been a Sailor Senshi who's an Ascendant, albeit a quarter-Ascendant, but still carries Alpha X's legacy through her."
"That's a hard decision for a child to make. Who does she have to appease? Her mother or father?" Sam wondered.
"I say, Ascendant all the way! She's like us!" Tike declared.
"Yeah, all the way!" David added.
"We can't make the decision for her. Athena has to choose," BW reminded them.
"Agreed, BW. She has to choose herself," Max concurred with him.
"Well, if you want my opinion, she should be a Senshi," PinkPatamon addressed the D3s. "She is Queen Sedna's heir and therefore carries on her legacy. Her birthright!"
Keke giggled. "Relax, PinkPatamon. We completely understand and respect her position. I'd want what's best for my niece."
Suddenly, Max's cell device beeped and he took it out to get a text message from Karin.
"She's about to open a breach here soon. One of you get Athena and tell her they're coming."
"Leave that to me," Keke said as she flew off toward the mansion.
"I'm jealous," Kara scoffed.
"Why?" David asked her.
"'Cause I want to be a princess of a planet. Must be really nice!"
"A pig like you a princess?" PinkPatamon laughed at her. "Hah, yeah right! Princess of what? Planet Buffet All You can Eat?!"
"Who you calling a pig? You're the one who's pink!" Kara snapped at PinkPatamon, who put up a wing to the irked Ascendant's face.
"Talk to the wing, bitch."
"Augh!" Kara cried out, prompting David to pull her back. "Hang on! Calm down, Kara!"
"Hell nah! Let me at the little shithead!"
Davis whispered something to Kara.
"A free buffet meal?! Hell yeah, let's go!" Kara yelled out.
PinkPatamon snickered. "At least I know self control."
Tike turned to David. "Dude, is that true? A free buffer meal?"
"Nah, but we can get Simms to pay. I just wanted to keep Kara from beating PinkPatamon."
"Ah, but don't tell Kara that."
"I love you, David!" Kara kissed his face, causing the poor boy to blush.
Later, as Sailor Sedna and Dimitri & Faith arrived, Athena and PinkPatamon came ready to go.
"How was training, sweetie?" Sedna asked, crouching down to look the child in the eyes.
"It was great! I think I'm getting stronger!" A rosy-cheeked Athena cheerfully said.
"That's wonderful, honey."
"Hey, thanks for looking out for her while we're on a few of these past dimension missions, Max," Dimitri said.
"Sure, no problem. And thankfully I've had enough free time even with my part-time Watcher duties. Though, I've hardly done any Watcher duties as of late."
"He's mostly lazing about and training," Pikkan scoffed.
"Lazing about? Me? Hah, are you kidding me, man? I've done nothing but train."
"And going out with me on dates!" Keke said, lovingly clinging to and embracing Max's left arm.
Sedna chuckled. "And I'm sure Max takes you everywhere you want, right?"
"Yep, and in exchange I cook meals for him since he can't be asked to do anything right in the kitchen."
"Hey, now I know how to cook!"
"But is your cooking as good as mine?"
Max tried to respond to this, but failed to retort. "Nah, you got me there, babe."
"Max's cooking is good, but aunt Keke's is the best!" Athena said.
"Aww, see? My niece knows what's up!"
"Ok, is 'Gang up on Max' day or something?"
"Nah, but this is," BW grabbed Max in a headlock. "Say it, little bro!"
"Ack! Ok, uncle! Uncle!" Max conceded, tapping on BW's let bicep.
"Max always makes me laugh," Athena said. "Bye, everyone! Next time, I'll come back and visit!"
"Take care, Athena and PinkPatamon," Max waved to the child, who smiled and waved to her D3 family. "Dimitri, Athena, just real quick." He beckoned the two over and whispered. "Has she decided whether she wants to be a Senshi or fully embrace her Ascendant self?"
Sedna replied quietly. "She hasn't decided. She already is Sailor Neo Sedna and she doesn't want to give that up, but she does want to be an Ascendant like Dimitri here."
"Is it possible to even be both?" Dimitri wondered that possibility.
"I've seen people utilize two different sets of powers. It's doable for her. She may need to balance her two powers and see which works best for her," Max advised them. "Those are just my thoughts on the matter."
"Right, and thank you, Max," Sedna nodded. "We'll come back should we get another mission."
"Or if Athena wants to come back," Dimitri turned, watching Faith and PinkPatamon arguing over who Athena should carry first.
"She's more than welcome to come anytime," Max said.
"Take care, bro. We need to hang sometime. Us four," Keke referred to herself, Max, Sedna, and Dimitri on a getaway together.
"That'd be great, sis," Dimitri replied.
As Sedna, Dimitri & Faith, and Athena & PinkPatamon entered the portal, the D3s watched them leave. The portal then closed in front of them.
(End theme)
"Guys, let's all protect that smile no matter what," Max said, vowing to safeguard Athena's innocence.
"That'll be had to do with all the stuff she has already and will be exposed to," Pikkan reminded Max.
"True, but that doesn't mean she has to change the way she is."
"Ain't that the truth? After all we've been through with my evil uncle and all," Sam said. "And I know he's still out there somewhere. He was the only one from the Paradixalmon incident that got away."
Max nodded. "Yeah, no doubt. Whatever he's scheming, we'll be there to stop him. Anyway, anyone here starving?"
"Hell yeah! You read our minds!" Tike and Kara shouted together.
"Well, how about we go down to our favorite buffet place in Odaiba?" David suggested.
"Now you're talking!" Max snapped his fingers. "It's on me, guys."
"What are we waiting for then? Let's get our asses there!" Tike shouted.
Just then, a portal quickly opened up startling the D3s. They turned expecting Karin, Dimitri, and Athena to return.
"Wow that was quick!" Keke cried out. "Did bro and Karin forget something?"
"Or, maybe they got some last minute mission and need to drop Athena off?" Kara wondered.
(Cue YuYu Hakusho OST - Monster Suit (0:00-1:33))
However, Max, BW, and Pikkan noticed something different from the nature of this specific portal. They saw an orb being thrown their way. The orb opened up and exploded like a bomb in front of them.
Boom!
The force from this explosion didn't have enough power to throw them back, but it provided distraction enough for several shadowed figures to pop out of the portal.
"What the hell…?!" Sam yelled out in alarm.
"I see someone coming through!" Keke cried out.
"I see more than one!" Pikkan exclaimed.
As the shadowed figures passed through the smoke screen, they revealed themselves to the D3s. The D3s were utterly shocked by whom they faced: the Daemons.
"Not quite expecting us, old friends? It's been such a long time," Shendumon chortled darkly, beckoning his fellow Daemons back. The dragon veered toward Max's way and grinned. "It's been a long time, Max Kamiya. You're looking well."
"Shendumon?!" Max snapped, holding his friends back. "B-But, how are you and your cohorts still alive?! The Nexus stream should've destroyed you!"
"We were surprised, too. We're not quite sure who or what revived us, but this source has given us a second chance at life and an opportunity to settle old scores," Shendumon proclaimed. "In fact, our final match was never truly decided, Max."
"I remember," Max acknowledged their final one on one match, which was left undecided.
"I knew that annoying gnat called the Warlord was not one to be trusted," Shendumon said. "But the fact he disrupted our final match can't be forgiven."
"That much I can agree with," Max concurred with the Daemon leader. "Still, doesn't change the fact you guys vowed to take over the Digiverse if we lost that tournament."
"Indeed."
"How were you able to find us?!" BW demanded.
TsoLanmon responded. "The entity that revived us showed us the way."
Pikkan scoffed. "And I doubt you'll tell us any information this entity?"
"Not a chance!" DaiGuimon bellowed.
"Figured you wouldn't," the Alterian nodded.
"So, what now? Since you're here, you want to have a go with us?" Max asked them.
"Heh, you know me better than I thought you would, Max. Indeed, we wish to assess your strengths to see how you compare to us now," Shendumon said, clenching his right hand as dark energies glowed over his fist. "And I can sense you and your friends' Ki have gotten much stronger since our last encounter. So, what do you say we engage in combat here and now?!"
(End theme)
"Simms isn't gonna like it when he sees we trashed his place!" David yelled out.
"Pfft, who gives a damn what Simms says! These assholes wanna rumble with us again!" Tike chided David. "How about we show 'em how strong we've gotten?"
"I'm up for it," BW nodded. "What about you, Max?"
Nodding, Max walked up to Shendumon as they stared each other down.
(Cue Jackie Chan Adventures Game OST - Battle Theme 2)
Following a quiet staredown, Shendumon and Max landed the initial strike.
Bam!
Max and Shendumon's fists connected, igniting sparks of raw energy from their knuckles. This signaled the start of the all-out brawl as the other D3s and Daemons spread out to take each other on.
Max and Shendumon pulled each other's fists back.
"Yes, I remember the strength in your punch, Max," Shendumon growled as he walked around his rival. "You were the first and only whose fists inflicted damage to my body. But, having assessed your current level of strength, you're not as powerful as I recall. What happened?"
"My friends and I survived the reboot, but at the cost of having our powers reset. We had to work tirelessly to bring ourselves back to our peaks. My friends caught up to their peak strengths before I did. It's only recently I stepped down as Watcher and unlocked my Ascendant power. So, it's no surprise you recognize my power is not where it used to be."
Hearing this, Shendumon shook his head. "I see. Then tell me, Max. How much time would you need to get back your full strength?"
Max frowned. "What are you suggesting?"
Pow!
Pikkan punched TsoLanmon, but the Daemon stopped him with his Gravity Bind. TsoLanmon slammed the Alterian down with force and unleashed orbs out of his cloak. These orbs blasted Pikkan, sending him him flying back.
"Should've remembered this bastard's gravity techniques!" Pikkan yelled out while TsoLanmon worked over him.
Wham!
Kara was blasted back by a powerful gust of air expelled from XiaoFangmon. XiaoFangmon's Deadly Gale overpowered Kara and sent her flying back.
Tike and David turned their attention to Kara's plight. However, HsiWumon and PoKongmon attacked the two boys.
"Stupid boys! Pay attention to us!" PoKongmon bellowed, punching David back. The Mountain Daemon then shot a wave of ice from her right hand, unleashing her Blizzard Strike on David, who tried to defend himself.
"David, hold on! Let's Meta-Fu-!" Tike called out until the Sky Daemon, HsiWumon, caught him in the back with a crescent-like energy wave, which the Daemon called his Sky Cutter.
After taking Tike down, HsiWumon laughed over the Ascendant boy.
"Never take your eye off the prize, boy!" HsiWumon mocked him.
As she pounded her chest, PoKongmon put her foot on top of David. "I WIN!"
Bam!
BaiTzamon slapped Keke hard with her watery right hand. The Water Daemon unleashed her Terrible Torrent and slammed Keke down. Keke struggled to break loose from BaiTzamon's hold.
"Pathetic. Is this the extent of your full powers these days?" BaiTzamon chuckled. "This is quite disappointing."
"We won't give to you!" Keke resisted, trying to break out of the Water Daemon's water restraint.
Wham!
Sam punched DaiGuimon's head, who was unfazed by the Ascendant's blow. DaiGuimon chortled and grabbed Sam's arm. The Earth Daemon punched Sam back and slammed his arms into the ground, creating a massive shockwave that tore up a long path in Sam's way. Sam jumped out of the way, but the Earth Daemon rushed him and caught him with a vicious clothesline, sending him flying overhead.
Sam hit the ground in a heap.
"Feh, you're not even worth the effort," DaiGuimon grunted.
Bam!
BW and TchangZumon collided head-on. Their fists connected as sparks flew out of their knuckles. That's when the Thunder Daemon unleashed a surge of lightning from his body and blasted BW. TchangZumon caught BW in his Thunderstorm of Torment.
"Fool, you fell right into that one! Do you not remember I'm the Thunder Daemon?!"
BW gritted as he tried resisting TchangZumon's electrical blast. "I-It's a long time since we crossed paths, Daemon!"
TchangZumon then kicked BW back, sending him crashing through the mansion.
"Not so much of a threat, are you, little man?!" TchangZumon boasted.
As he watched his friends being taken apart by the Daemons, Max rushed in to save them. However, Shendumon phased right in front and cut Max off.
(End theme)
"Stop there, Max. If you don't wish to see your friends die here, you'll accept the challenge I'm about to issue to you."
"A challenge? I take it this has to everything to do with how long I need to get to my strongest peak?"
(Cue Jackie Chan Adventure Game OST - Japanese Castle)
As his eyes glowed, Shendumon grinned evilly. "Precisely, Max. I'm issuing you a challenge for us to fight once more within the confines of a battle arena. We'll pick up where we left off from the Daemon Tournament. Only this time our battle won't be decided in a tournament."
"What do you propose?" Max asked, eyeing the Daemons leaving the defeated D3s laying all over the holy grounds.
"A battle royale," Shendumon suggested. You and your friends against me and my siblings under battle royale rules. The last person standing wins for his or her team."
"Fine, whatever you want."
"One more thing: killing is absolutely allowed."
"What?!"
"I wish to raise the stakes. Do you object?"
"Max… don't…" Keke pleaded as BaiZamon blasted her with water.
"You're not going to accept this… you'd be crazy to…" Pikkan muttered, struggling to sit up.
"Bro… it's ok… whatever you decide… we'll go along…" BW said.
Shaking his head, Max gritted and struggled to decide. What mattered to him more? His friends' lives or his own?
"Time's a ticking, Max. What have you decided?" Shendumon waited patiently. He lowered his hand, forging a giant fireball. "Or should I decide for you?"
"Wait, stop!" Max called out. "I… I accept." He said reluctantly.
"Excellent choice," the Fire Daemon powered down his fireball.
"But, I decide the arena."
"Fair enough. What venue have you decided on?"
"The Nexus arena. It's the same venue Tai fought Pikkan on."
Hearing this, Pikkan smirked. "Not a bad choice for a location."
"And we both accept each other's terms, Max Kamiya," Shendumon confirmed. He and max then shook hands, but not without them locking on each other's eyes intensely. "Now, name a date."
"How does October 31st sound?"
"8 days? Will that be enough time for you? Not like it'll make a difference."
"Are you willing to wait that long? I promise my friends and I will be stronger than we are now."
Shendumon beckoned his siblings as they huddled and discussed Max's proposition. After a few minutes of discussion, Shendumon turned and faced Max.
"My siblings and I have talked it over. Some feel waiting 8 days is a waste of time. Ideally, they'd rather finish you here and now. However, I've convinced them to wait it out. We agree to your terms and in exchange we won't attack your worlds."
"Glad to know."
"But should we win, we will demand the Supreme Digi-Deity step down and hand over the reins to us."
Max smirked. "Sure." He felt self-assured knowing Shendumon knows nothing about the Ascendant God.
"Come, my brothers and sister," Shendumon said, taking BaiTzamon's hand.
The portal opened again and the Daemons entered it, leaving Max to pick up the pieces.
(End theme)
Max rushed over to Keke's side as they tended to the others. Max fed each a Digi-Vitamin, which healed his friends quickly.
"8 days, huh? That's more than enough time," Pikkan said.
"I'm surprised they're even allowing us this chance," BW said. "I got to hand it to Shendumon. He might be a bruiser bastard, but he's a patient guy."
"Man, looks like we gotta buckle hard and train, but how are we going to get strong enough to fight those guys in a short time?" Sam wondered.
"You're supposed to be the smart one, Sam," Keke sighed. "Use your head. What's the best place for us to get most out of our training in a day?"
Upon realizing this, Sam answered with a gasp. "Ah, the Room of Time!"
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - A Strong Enemy Appears)
"I've already figured out which of us goes in sequential order," Max said. "I figure the kids can go together first, then Pikkan alone, then BW, then Sam, and last me & Keke."
"All right, hear that?!" Tike turned to David as they high-fived.
"Ahhh, more time spent with my sweet Davey-poo!" Kara sighed with joy, falling into cloud nine as her pupils became heart-shaped.
"Huh? What did you say something, Kara?" David asked her.
The female child snapped out of it. "Nothing! Just really happy to be training with you and bro!" She looked away deviously grinning. I'm gonna make the most of this!
"Solitude training works best for me," Pikkan stated.
"Likewise," BW added.
"Guess I'll have to make this count. Man it's been a while since I trained hard for anything," Sam acknowledged his now complacent nature. "I can't let my sweet Catherine down!"
Keke giggled over Sam's romantic vow. "Atta boy, Sam!"
"Oh boy, so you and Keke are going in together, bro?" BW asked, leaning over and whispering into his ear.
"That's the plan and we're going in last."
"Heh, have fun, you two."
"I'm sure you're getting strong not just to beat the Daemons, but protecting Rena, right?"
"Well of course, Max."
Max veered over to Pikkan. "And you'll train to get strong for Juri's sakes."
Hearing this, the Alterian scoffed. "Oh shut up."
Both Max and BW chuckled over Pikkan's defensive front.
"Let's not forget we're using the Room of Time for work, not for recreational activities," Pikkan reminded them.
"Yeah, we know that, Pikkan!" Tike yelled.
"Don't be so stingy, geez," Kara snorted.
"Ok, so then it's agreed," Max faced the three kids. "You three will go in first. Go and make the most of it."
"Right!" Tike, Kara, and David shouted in unison.
(End theme)
Just then, a beam of light hit the ground and from it Simms emerged. After a moment's glance, Simms naturally freaked out over the destruction to his and Max's property.
"W-What in Digiverse happened here?!" Simms roared at the top of his lungs.
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(Cue YuYu Hakusho OST - Recap Theme 2)
"It's Max here. After we cleaned up our mess, our Room of Time training began the very next day. Tike, Kara, and David were the first to utilize the room. Azulongmon already made the necessary repairs after the Room of Time was destroyed during the D-Reaper conflict.
Luckily after it was repaired, a few new conditions were put into place. Now one can enter the room three times instead of two times. And the room has been expanded on with more than enough food to last over a year. That's especially a good thing for us Ascendants who require a ton of sustenance. I can't wait to see how it looks from the inside once Keke and I use it last.
As this is going on, the Daemon's activities have been very low key. Shendumon was a dragon of his word and hasn't made any move to attack other worlds yet. I do wonder, could that evil source that revived them be the one that's been released these anomalous agents into the other worlds in the Nexus? I did sense similar anomalous energies surging from Shendumon and his crew. No wonder they were able to defeat us.
Lucky for us Shendumon's a patient dragon and has allowed us to train for these eight days coming up. Of course, just when things were going smoothly, we get word that our old nemesis, the Digital Warlord, is up to no good again. Figures, we can't catch a freaking break!"
(End theme)
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Other World/X & Simm's Planet/October 26, 2011
It was BW's turn in the Room of Time. As he used this day's worth of training, Max and the other D3s were summoned by Simms to discuss the Warlord's latest activities.
"Great, so my evil unc is active again?" Sam sighed. "Sometimes I wish he didn't survive that catastrophe like we did."
"Don't worry, we'll finally be able to put him in his place, Sam," Keke reassured him.
"Yeah, and look at us three now! We're stronger since we left the Room of Time!" Tike boasted.
"The first thing we see him, he's in for an ass whooping!" Kara said.
"Let's not underestimate the Warlord, my friends. Sometimes what he'll lack in power, he'll make up for in cunning tactics," Simms stated. "And he's been very good at concealing his presence."
"That's no lie," nodded Max. "He's mostly been off the radar after we ended his alliance with Paradixalmon and Beyond. He very rarely lets us know when he's active. This just might be our opportunity to bring him down."
"Be warned, Max. He may be working with a new alliance that we're unsure of yet," Simms warned the team. "In other news, apparently I've discovered an energy source belonging to another survivor of our former world's Nexus purge."
"What?! Who is it, Simms?" Sam inquired to the Watcher.
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Compromise)
"Max, you may know this survivor very well," Simms said.
"Someone I know?" Max blinked, trying hard to remember who Simms is alluding to. "Is it my former pupil Tyler Kanbara?"
"It's not. His reincarnation will eventually be born through Takuya Kanbara and Izumi Orimoto in dimension YYGDM-01's, especially its future timeline," Simms answered.
"Whoa, did you hear that, Max?! Your told protege is probably reincarnated and now living in Takuya & Izumi's future dimension!" Sam said.
"We should go for a visit and see if he still has memories of you," Keke convinced him.
"Unfortunately, he may or may not remember you," Simms sighed. "Though you can try and he may not necessarily be named Tyler."
"But he's still Tyler in spirit, right, Simms?"
"Indeed, Max."
"That's great. I'll have to ask Athena if she knows him in her time. I'm really glad to hear this," Max almost shed a tear. "We'll have to pay him a visit one day. But for now, do we know the current location of this other survivor?"
"Yes, we do, Max. Planet Kaijuu."
(End theme)
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Somewhere within the Nexus
(Cue YuYu Hakusho OST - Unreleased Track #35)
Shendumon sat on a throne forged from the debris of the old Daemon Tournament arena. It had been almost three days since he and Max agreed to their battle royale match. The Fire Daemon sat still in meditation. The passionate fires surged through Shendumon's body.
"Is big brother doing mental training again?" TchangZumon asked TsoLanmon.
"Yes. He's already trained his body to its absolute limit, so why not building up his mental prowess?" TsoLanmon wisely said.
XiaoFangmon croaked. "Why do we have to wait? We have those digitized monkeys where we want 'em!"
HsiWumon added. "He's right! We can kill them now during their training!"
"XiaoFangmon, HsiWumon, you know better than to upset elder brother," BaiTzamon hissed and reprimanded her two younger brothers. "Also haste makes waste."
"And even if we can, Max Kamiya and his friends have gone off world for some reason," TsoLanmon said, forming an viewing orb that looked like a full moon.
PoKongmon grunted. "WHERE THEY GO?!"
"Did the cowards decide to flee knowing full well we have their number?" DaiGuimon growled.
"Doubtful," Shendumon broke his silence. He opened his eyes, which brimmed with flames. "Max Kamiya is a man of his word. He and his colleagues will face us in the arena. Wherever they're going has no bearing on us."
"If you say so, my love," BaiTzamon said as she sat on Shendumon's lap and caressed his chest.
"Have patience, my siblings. We will defeat Max and his group. And when we do, everything they hold dear belongs to us."
(End theme)
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Next chapter: Our Monster Friends
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A/N: That's part one. So to recap: the Daemons are brought back by the anomalous being (coughZeedXcough) and given a second chance to finish an unsettled score with the D3s. They find the D3s and whoop them badly. Now we get a battle royale to decide the fate of the D3s' lives and their worlds. Heh, too bad, Shendumon doesn't know about Ascendant Gods, but we'll let Max show him that when they have their final clash.
One big tidbit: the confirmation of Max's old student, Tyler Kanbara (Takuya & Izumi's son from MA's D3 stories) is out there. Since that Nexus purge following that Daemon Tournament, the Legendary Warrior kids were ultimately reincarnated into the YYGDM-01 world much like the Tamers were. And thus, with Takuya and Izumi getting together, this would allow some form of 'Tyler' to return. If he returns, it'll probably be under a different name, but same personality and he'll have his Inferno Spirit, albeit in safe keeping due to its unpredictable nature. Whether he appears in this fic remains to be seen. That door remains open for guest appearances since he'd have to appear in both YYGDM and DFKai/Ascendancy. I'll figure something out.
The next chapter will be the D3s meeting an old friend of Max's and some other monster friends. Unfortunately, this reunion gets cut short by an unwanted guest. This chapter will be the exact flashback scene from Resurrection B's third chapter. Instead now will be shown in present time instead of being told from a flashback POV.
Until the next chapter, send a review and see you soon!