A/N: Now things are about to go south for the Artificials and Miranda.
Watch what happens once Miranda tries to eat the Hulk. Can she do it? And who and what Adnarim?
Only one way to find out. Enjoy the coming feast.
xxxxx
Digimon Fusion Ascendancy
Act V: Dark HYDRA Network
Chapter XLIII: Miranda and Adnarim
xxxxx
Outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada/United States/6:15 PM (PDT)
(Cue Persona 4 OST - Mist)
"I must feed now!" Miranda shouted, her tongue hanging out and eyes rolled back. "This Gamma radiation sounds delicious!"
"Damn it! We need to stop her!" Jax exclaimed.
"Hey! Get away from him!" Max called out to Miranda. "You don't know where he's been! Gamma's also something you can just ingest without severe consequences! It could kill you!" He internally told himself. And that'd probably be for the best for our sake.
"Hold on! Let me try something!" Sonja said as she closed her eyes and forged a link with Miranda. To her surprise, she felt an immense force knock her back. "Ugh!"
"Sis!" Jax called out as he watched Sonja holding her forehead. "What happened?"
"She deflected the link somehow!" Sonja cried out.
"What? So, linking won't work now?!" The other Artificial was taken back by this development.
Pointing her finger toward Hulk, the very tip of Miranda's finger glowed with pink light. She chuckled delightfully and licked her lips.
"Heh heh, you're gonna be so tasty!" Miranda said, preparing to fulfill her gourmet desires.
Meanwhile, BW and BlackWarGreymon landed quick fisticuffs and countered each other's blows. BW ducked every single one of BlackWarGreymon's claw strikes. BlackWarGreymon failed to land a punch and claw slash on his original self. As BlackWarGreymon went for a vertical claw slash, he punched through an after image. BW quickly phased above BlackWarGreymon and punched him hard in the face, cracking the side of his facial helmet. The dark Mega roared and spun himself into a tornado, hitting and knocking BW back with a Black Tornado.
"I've got you!" BlackWarGreymon snarled and tossed a single-handed Terra Destroyer.
Seeing the destructive sphere heading his way, BW formed one of his own and threw it. The two Terra Destroyers collided with force and triggered an explosion. Said explosion shook the entire vicinity.
"I'm not your enemy!" BW tried reasoning with his copy.
"But, you are posing a threat to Miranda and me! We still have a mission to complete!" BlackWarGreymon retorted. He spun around and went for another Black Tornado.
As he flew straight at BW, the humanoid warrior narrowly dodged BlackWarGreymon's spinning attack. BW quickly planted a foot to BlackWarGreymon's face. BlackWarGreymon launched a Doramon Fire beam. BW cupped his hands and fired off a dark reddish beam. BW's Terra Wave collided and pushed against BlackWarGreymon's attack. BW spun himself as he and his beam tore through the dark Mega's beam. BW's beam collided with BlackWarGreymon sent him plummeting to the ground.
Quickly flying down, BW landed where BlackWarGreymon crash landed. The dark Mega picked himself up and removed both of his armored gauntlets. BlackWarGreymon readied a stance and closed his fists.
"I'd rather not continue fighting you, BlackWarGreymon."
BlackWarGreymon narrowed his fierce glare.
Just then, BW noticed Miranda about to fire Hulk with a beam.
"We have more urgent matters, BlackWarGreymon! Look!" BW directed his clone to Miranda.
Turning around, BlackWarGreymon gasped. "Oh no, she can't be allowed… she can't let her hunger take over."
"Hunger?" BW overheard. "How do you mean?"
"If she feeds on the Hulk, the other 'her' will awaken."
"'Other her'?" BW muttered.
"Miranda!" BlackWarGreymon shouted as he flew toward her.
"Wait!" BW went after the dark Mega.
"Heheh, it's snack time!" Miranda cackled as she readied the beam.
(End theme)
Boom!
Intervening at the last possible second, BlackWarGreymon tossed a Terra Destroyer that stopped Miranda. However, the attack did little more than annoy her. She peered behind her and saw BlackWarGreymon.
Miranda scowled. "What do you think you're doing, BlackWarGreymon?"
BlackWarGreymon stood his ground and confronted her. As Jax and Sonja tried to intervene, Max stopped them.
"Wait," Max muttered. "Maybe he can stop her. I hope."
"Answer me! What's the meaning of this?!" Miranda yelled out to her protector.
"I'm just… keeping my promise!" BlackWarGreymon reminded her of his protocol.
(Cue Persona 4 OST - Borderline of Madness)
Upon seeing her protector attack her, Miranda felt a sense of betrayal. Her eyes and face twisted as she became unhinged. Her distorted mind quickly became overtaken by the other 'her' that BlackWarGreymon alluded to a minute ago.
"Shut up… shut up! Shut up! Shut uuuup! SHUT UP! GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Miranda snapped. Without hesitation, she raised a hand and forged a dark reddish ball of energy. Destructive energies resonated with this deadly sphere, enough to wipe nearly everyone in the area.
Max blanched. "Oh shit! That energy feels awfully familiar to Teen-Reaper's planet annihilation attack!"
"Except, she's focused hers to attack us with and not the planet! Earth will be fine, but we'll be goners!" BW exclaimed.
"Miranda! Stop!" Sonja cried out, attempting to reason with her.
"You're all in my way!" Miranda shouted as she tossed the sphere toward BlackWarGreymon.
"NO!" BW yelled out as he flew in as he and BlackWarGreymon pushed against Miranda's sphere.
"BW!" Max called out to him.
"Hey, get out of there, BW!" Jax exclaimed.
"What are you doing?! This is my conflict to resolve!" BlackWarGreymon yelled out as he watched BW help assist him push back Miranda's sphere.
"I'm not watching myself die again!" BW exclaimed.
"Die again…" BlackWarGreymon gasped as doubled over, staggering from the devastating blows BW gave him earlier.
"Hey, are you ok?!" BW called out.
"Y-Yes, but this is my conflict… please… go with your friends… I've outlived my purpose," BlackWarGreymon nodded to BW. "You have your friends here that need you."
BW fell silent and watched BlackWarGreymon push against the sphere. The dark Mega's armored gauntlets started cracking and breaking apart. The gauntlets fell off and dissolved into red digitized dust.
"Live your life to its fullest… I admit to you as my superior, original me," BlackWarGreymon respectfully resigned to BW. He turned to Jax and Sonja. "Be there as their friend where they only viewed me as an imposter."
BW's brow unfurrowed and his scowl replaced with a genuine smile. He nodded and removed his hands from the sphere.
"Thank you," BlackWarGreymon watched BW fly over to the side. He then turned and focused on resisting Miranda's sphere.
"BW!" Jax called out as he and Sonja grabbed BW, pulling him away from getting caught between Miranda and BlackWarGreymon's squabble.
"Everyone, I ask you… please, protect Miranda's heart!" BlackWarGreymon bellowed.
Before the Artificials and BW could call out his name, the dark Mega met his fate as the destructive energies enveloped him. A big explosion erupted from where BlackWarGreymon used to be.
"BLACKWARGREYMON!" BW finally called out to his copy, who vanished into the light.
"No, it can't be…" Sonja closed her eyes.
(End theme)
As the explosion died down, a massive smoke cloud shrouded the spot where the dark Mega was before his demise. In the wake of the explosion was a burnt area. Embers came out of the smoke cloud and smoke stirred. There was no traces of BlackWarGreymon anywhere. He was completely wiped out.
Farewell, clone me. BW sank his head, paying respects to his selfless clone.
Miranda let out heavy and frustrated pants. Once she realized what she'd done, her eyes softened and she turned toward the others, who gave her harsh looks.
"What are you doing?! BlackWarGreymon just died for you!" Jax openly chastised her.
"BlackWarGreymon…?" Miranda gasped and turned toward the billowing smoke. She eyed the fire burning the spot where he stood before his demise. She realized what she'd done. "N-No… no… BlackWarGreymon. This can't be." She threw her head back and screamed. "NO!" Her deafening and heart-wrenching screams filled the vicinity. A thicker pink aura exploded off her body and sent immense energies, producing enough power to shake the area.
"Damn! How did it come to this?!" Max gritted as he, BW, and the Artificials braced themselves.
As her screams deepened, Miranda's body lit up and turned pale pink. The raw energies surging off her aura converted the pale pink light into bright white. Everyone else averted their eyes and barely caught Miranda's body being split in two.
As the white light died down, they saw Miranda seemingly still standing. Miranda slowly turned and collapsed. As she fell, another Miranda stepped into view. This other Miranda's eyes darkened. Her eyes were red with tiny black irises. She lips curved into a malevolent grin. Having removed the baggage of the other Miranda, this 'Miranda' was the physical manifestation of her evil, whose only desire was to consume and gain power.
Max and BW held the Artificial twins at bay. They eyed the original Miranda laying face first opposite from the Hulk.
"This isn't good, brother," BW turned to Max.
"I know, this is just like D-Reaper splitting himself all over again. Even worse timing when I can't even turn Ascendant Blue."
Staring at the original Miranda and Hulk, the other Miranda raised both hands and let out a relaxed sigh.
"Phew! I'm feeling soooo much better now!" 'Miranda' let out a gigglish laugh.
The original Miranda sat up and stared at her red-eyed counterpart. "Wh-Who are you?"
"Ugh, don't play dumb with me. Don't you know? You've been trying to suppress me this whole time!"
Miranda gaped. "You don't mean…
"Yes! I'm the best part of you! The other side of you! The hungry one, remember? How sad you don't even have the power to stop me No one can ever stop me!"
"I won't… I won't let you get away!"
"Heheheh, you're such a fool. Do I have to spell it out for you? Listen closely, I've already taken almost all your power. I'm so bad, right?!" 'Miranda' shouted as she effortlessly brushed the original one away with a hand wave.
Miranda was knocked away in front of the Artificial twins.
"Miranda!" Jax called out.
"Just so we're clear, I'm far superior to this weak softie. As a matter of fact, I think I should give myself a new name. How does… Adnarim sound? Yeah, I love it!" The evil half gave herself a new identity to go by, cementing her existence being independent from Miranda's will. "Now, it's snack time…" She turned over to the Hulk.
(Cue Dragon Ball FighterZ OST - Devastation)
Suddenly, a beam shot her in the face and a fierce lick connected with her chest. Adnarim was barely dazed as Max and BW attacked her. Max was already powered up in Ascendant form. Max and BW were shocked their attacks did nothing to Adnarim. Adnarim smirked as she seized BW's throat and tail whipped Max back. She then threw him to Max. She quickly fired a beam that collided with and sent them flying back.
"No, BW!" Sonja shouted as she ran at and punched Adnarim's face. To her dismay, her punch didn't faze her.
"Now, now, sweetie pie. Why don't you sit down and wait until I've had my fill?" Adnarim smirked as she quickly dropped down and tripped Sonja's feet with a tail whip. She then ensnared Sonja's legs with her tail and tossed her to Jax. "As a matter of fact, why don't you all go to time out?!" She flew at Jax and surprised him by grabbing his face. Moving faster than he anticipated, he then planted him to the ground.
Once making short work of her obstacles, she set her sights on the Hulk, who still hadn't moved after Miranda knocked him out.
"Thank you so much for softening him up, Miranda dear," Adnarim sauntered over to the Hulk's unconscious form. "Don't feel down. All your hard work won't completely go to waste. I'll just be taking over operations and moving forward with the next phase of the Dark HYDRA Network's plans."
"You monster… I hate you!"
"And I love you, too," Adnarim pointed her finger and fired a pink beam at the Hulk.
As a pink light covered the Gamma monster, he shrank and physically converted into a chocolate sprinkled donut. Adnarim snatched the delicious dessert. Both Jax and Sonja watched in horror.
"It can't be…" Jax gritted.
"No! Don't!" Miranda cried out.
It was too late. Adnarim swallowed the donut in one gulp and licked the chocolate stains from her lips. Her face conveyed pure bliss and ecstasy. Her red eyes rolled back. The earth shook beneath her as the raw pink aura flowed and resonated with her. Then, some signs of green Gamma radiation coalesced with her pink aura.
By eating the donut, she absorbed the Hulk into her, allowing her to gain some of his physical attributes. Thanks to the Gamma radiation, her pink complexion turned emerald green. Her hair turned black and green. She gained a few inches in height. She gained muscular features, specifically on her arms, shoulders, and back. Her reddish eyes briefly turned green before turning back to normal. A healthy green aura radiated off her transformed frame.
"Oh yessss! I've never felt soooo good! The Hulk's Gamma power courses through me and it's all mine!" Adnarim boasted, laughing gleefully. She powered up as her Gamma aura shook the area.
"I can't believe she actually absorbed him!" Sonja exclaimed.
"This doesn't make sense! He wasn't even an Artificial! He shouldn't be compatible with her!" Jax yelled.
"My design was modified so I'm able to absorb any being I want and I can gain their power!" Adnarim revealed her design's nature.
"Who really cares about strength?!" Miranda sharply criticized her evil half. "BlackWarGreymon is dead because of you! You're a monster! No matter what it takes, I'll stop you!"
"Heheheh, did you forget, sweetie?! That happened when we were still one!" Adnarim then callously shoved a verbal knife straight into Miranda's heart. "BlackWarGreymon dug his own grave. As will anyone who stands in my way!"
When hearing her protector's name being disparaged, Miranda's mentally snapped and fired a beam at Adnarim. Suffice to say, the blast did nothing. Adnarim responded with a mocking laugh.
(End theme)
"Oh, what a freakin' bore. Is that all you can do? You're even weaker than I expected. What a disappointment."
"No, wait…!"
Adnarim nodded with a lack of interest. "Sorry, but I don't have time to play with you anymore." She eyed Jax and Sonja from the corner of her eye. "First things first, I need to make sure none of you get in my way again." Then, she caught wind of Max and BW blasting through the heap of debris burying them. "Ta ta for now. Catch y'all later!"
With that, Adnarim took to the air laughing. Max and BW quickly fired blasts at her, but she flew off so fast the beams failed to hit their target.
"Damn it, that bitch got away!" BW snarled. "I'm going to get her!"
"Are you two ok?" Max asked the Artificial twins.
"Yeah, but damn what a situation we've gotten ourselves in," Jax remarked.
"I can't believe she ate the Hulk and now she's got his Gamma power," Sonja said.
"Yeah, we saw, but we wanted to surprise attack her before she tried to leave," Max replied. "Absorbing the Hulk didn't so much increase her battle power, but it did grant her Gamma energy. The fact her physical form changed reflected that. Based on what I've seen of the Hulk, his power increases in conjunction with his anger. No doubt we can't rile Adnarim up or her power will increase. With time, she'll grow stronger than all of us combined. That means big trouble for us since our powers are still handicapped."
"But, won't the waves effect her, too?" BW asked Max.
"Possibly, but either way, we have to approach Adnarim cautiously."
(Cue Persona 4 OST - I'll Face Myself)
"You're right," Miranda spoke up as everyone turned to her. She stood and stared at the direction her evil self retreated toward. "This is all my fault. Between BlackWarGreymon's death… and the birth of my evil half… if only I'd been mentally stronger… I'd suppress her."
"Look, we understand your pain, but you did all you could," Jax said.
"Yes, I know and since it's my fault I must take responsibility here." She turned facing Max, BW, and the Artificial twins. "I know I have absolutely no right to ask for your help after getting you two wrapped up in this, but I need to link up with you two." She asked Jax and Sonja. "Maybe if I link with either of you two, I'm sure I can tap into whatever power I have left. I need help! Please! Lend me your strength, you two!"
Jax and Sonja exchanged looks before looking away.
"Do you two want to do this?" BW asked them.
"Let them decide," Max said.
Sonja finally smirked, breaking her silence. "Why not?"
Miranda nodded. "Thank you. Give me the strength so I can fight again."
With that, Sonja closed her eyes and linked her mind with Miranda. Miranda received a mental and physical power boost from Sonja.
"Did it work?" Jax asked his twin sister.
"Yeah, I think it did."
"I'm very grateful, you two. Thank you."
Max briefly interjected and confronted Miranda.
"I don't expect you and your friend here to trust me, but…"
"No, we understand. Besides, we've seen something like this before," Max genuinely smiled. "We know it was 'her' calling the shots and forming the Dark HYDRA Network. At this point, though, she probably has no more use of her armies. I could see her actively feeding on them to sustain her growing hunger."
"Yes, which is why we don't have time to waste. We have to hurry and stop her." Miranda turned as she prepared to leave.
"Not alone, you aren't," Max stopped Miranda. "Even with the link Sonja forged with you, you're still nowhere near Adnarim's level."
"I don't think it matters now. Even if we're together, we're still in danger as long as she's out there," Sonja stated. "We need to get her before she get us."
"Thank you all," Miranda smiled. Her face softened as she was touched by earning their trust. "Listen, there's a few labs we've established on Earth. She's likely heading to one of them as we speak. She wants what she fears destroyed."
"What is it?" BW asked her.
"Well, once we catch her, you'll see for yourself," Miranda vaguely said.
"Then, we should get to it then," Jax suggested.
"Right, and I think we ask a few others to join us," Max said. "I'll contact Keke and the others. Tike can use Instant Movement to teleport themselves to our location. Maybe a few others can lend a hand, too. I wonder if Shu, Gai, Madoka, and the others are free."
"We'll worry about that once we follow Miranda's trail," BW said as he pointed to the trail of green radiation dissipating. "Unfortunately for her, she left a trail for us to find her."
"About the only good thing about her absorbing the Hulk," Max remarked. "All right, let's get moving!"
(End theme)
xxxxx
Digital World/Rail Town
The D3s helped save the Rail Town from a Dark HYDRA Network hostile takeover. Shu Ouma and Gai Tsutsugami came to help save the locals while the Ascendants take out the invading army.
"Well, that was a piece of cake," Kara dusted her hands off.
"Yeah, kinda disappointing, too. I wanna fight that Miranda bitch already!" Tike impatiently cursed.
"Patience, child," Sam sighed.
Just then, Keke took out her communicator and received a call from Izzy. She nodded and listened to him.
"Guys, Max and his group have Miranda," Keke confirmed.
"Hell yeah! About time!" Tike and Kara cried out in unison.
"...only they only got one half of her. Her evil half escaped and headed to some secret location. The good Miranda that's with them told them where it's at. They want us to meet them at a destination."
"Good half and evil half? Sounds like a Dee and Evil D-Reaper scenario again," Sam said.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Shu asked.
"Hold on, Shu," Gai told him.
"Ok, Izzy have given us the coordinates where Max, BW, and the others are," Keke said. "This is our chance, now or never. Who's in?"
The group members exchanged looks and nodded in unison.
xxxxx
Earth/Outside Dark HYDRA Network Lab #09/8:30 PM (EST)
(Cue Hunter x Hunter OST - The Anthill)
As she touched down outside a cavern mouth, Adnarim scanned the outer perimeters. She didn't pick up on any known energy presence and started her way into the cavern. After walking into the seemingly damp and dark cavern, she saw two light bulbs situated on walls opposite from each other. She noticed two HYDRA soldiers on guard duty.
"Who's there?! Stand down!" The HYDRA soldier raised a laser gun at the obscured Adnarim, who then stepped into view. "Oh, Lady Miranda… I…!" He saluted.
"Is that you, Lady Miranda? Your appearance! What happened?" The other HYDRA soldier asked her, confused by Adnarim's new outward look.
"I decided on a makeover. That's all. Now step aside, I demand entry."
"Yes, ma'am!" The HYDRA soldiers stepped back.
After punching in her entry code, Adnarim turned to her two HYDRA guards.
"You two are dismissed from your posts. Your services aren't required here."
"Are you certain, Lady Mir-"
"Are you questioning my order, soldier?" Adnarim snarled as her eyes glowed green.
"No! Of course not!" The soldier beckoned his colleague as they walked out of the cavern, leaving Adnarim behind to shut the door behind her.
xxxxx
Inside Dark HYDRA Network Lab #09/8:35 PM (EST)
Upon entering a darkened room, Adnarim flipped a switch and turned on half of the ceiling lights. The ceiling lights that did come on revealed room full of over hundreds of capsule containers full of liquid. Inside these containers were large embryonic lifeforms, who've been gestating all thanks to this laboratory's central computer.
Adnarim approached the central computer stationed in the laboratory's center. It was a 15-foot high cylinder-shaped machine with heaps of massive wires covering the floor. The crown of the machine is a six foot wide oval-shaped globe with a glowing green orb inside it. Above the machine's crown, ten multi-colored wires came out from another globe-shaped orb suspended in the ceiling. This was the generator channeled power into the machine to help keep the embryonic chambers running.
She scanned the rows of embryonic chambers and smirked. After all the years slaving herself to rebuild Etemon and Datamon's Dark Network was complete. However, much like Virus before her, she had now outgrown Datamon's initial programming. Her design flaws and uncontrollable hunger became her strengths. The Gamma power she now acquired completed her growth. Without the extra baggage her good side brought, Adnarim was free to do as she so pleased.
She pivoted over to a remote control on top of a control console. She grabbed the control and smiled delightly.
"Heheh, I found you first…" Adnarim immediately stopped mid-sentence and heard an energy charge behind her. She whirled around as Jax and Sonja behind her; the former fired an energy ball at her direction.
(End theme)
Boom!
The blast collided and exploded with Adnarim. However, Adnarim walked out of the smoke looking agitated.
"Ugh, nothing!" Jax growled in frustration.
Adnarim noticed others coming out of the doors. Max, BW, Shu, Gai, Keke, Sam, Tike, David, Kara, and Miranda arrive.
"Huh, so you still managed to follow me all the way here? You truly are pests," Adnarim remarked in annoyance.
"Are we too late?!" Shu wondered as he scanned the secret laboratory.
"Hey, she's holding something in her hand!" Gai pointed to the remote.
Miranda sighted the remote in her evil half's hand. "Is that the wave machine you're holding?!"
(Cue Dragon Ball FighterZ OST - Spirit)
"I can feel the waves. So, this is what Davis and his friends were talking about," Sonja concluded.
"Yes, she started on it long ago. All done prior to my awakening," Miranda answered. "She used that to seal the power and life energies of every warrior and Digimon across the two worlds. She was probably hoping to devour them all while they were still paralyzed."
"So, the whole Dark HYDRA Network was just a front so she had enough victims to eat?" Max asked.
"All this time we were all made weaker so she can eat us?!" David realized.
"That's some messed shit. I ain't getting in her belly!" Tike snapped.
Kara concurred. "Yeah, you don't want to eat me unless…!"
Keke cupped her ears. "Ok, we don't need to hear the unsightly details!"
"I don't know about you guys, but this is one convoluted plan. All this just to eat us?" Jax rebuked, nonchalantly calling out on Adnarim's ultimate scheme.
"And she was very likely going to eat her subjects and followers, too. HYDRA ain't going to like being on someone's menu," Max pointed out.
"Oh yes, it's very convoluted, but it's very risky," Miranda added her own viewpoint. "Additionally, since she and I possess the same power, the waves affects us both."
"Why not activate it? She'll only end up sealing her own powers," BW asked.
"Well, naturally, she prepared for the risks, too. At that time, I had fallen deep sleep and she assumed I'd never reawaken. And then, the waves ended up effecting her greatly than she had imagined. In the end, it was during her weakened state that I was allowed to resurface. I was only able to suppress her when she least expected."
"If you knew so much, why didn't you come and find the machine yourself?" Adnarim asked her good half. "You are aware you could've increased the output to further suppress me?"
(End theme)
"I couldn't…"
The evil half giggled evilly. "Oh, there's no need to worry. I should be thanking you. I'm here now because you couldn't find it! You failed the test after all! However, leaving this intact will be troublesome. So, I guess I have no other choice?"
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Zamasu's Overwhelming Power)
To everyone's shock, Adnarim opened her mouth and readily shoved the remote into it.
"STOP! DON'T!" Miranda pleaded.
Max, BW, and the D3s rushed in to stop her, but Adnarim activated a barrier that cut them off her. She swallowed the remote in one gulp.
"Ugh! Disgusting! What a terrible aftertaste of trash!" The evil half stuck her tongue out and made vomiting sounds.
"How did I not see that coming?" Jax scoffed.
"But the machine is emitting waves! If she swallows that…!" Miranda realized what this could possibly mean.
"Oooh, is that fear I see on your face? I had no idea you were so worried about my well-being!" Evilly laughed Adnarim. "It's fine, because that machine is just the controller. Swallowing it wasn't the least bit hazardous to me." She shrugged and snickered. "Oh well, now it seems nearly useless and unable to send out anymore waves!"
"What?!" Miranda gasped, getting the gist of what her evil half meant.
"So, now we have no way of shutting down the waves," Max frowned.
"Not unless we punch a hole through this bitch and take out the remote!" Tike declared.
"Easier said than done if she's stronger than all of us now, kid," Sam said.
Adnarim giggled. "If you want to beat me that badly, go on and strengthen yourselves. I have all my delicious clones and my Dark HYDRA Network outposts running around your two worlds, but you better hope I don't have my fill with them first."
"You know what this means?" Keke turned to Max.
"Yeah, we're going to have to level ourselves up by beating her armies. She's making this a game, which we don't have time for!" Max clenched a fist.
"I know you'd especially would love to go on a feeding, too, right goodie me?" Adnarim enticed Miranda. "Oh, but wait… that'd make you a hypocrite, wouldn't it? You're dead set against feeding yourself when you've already been eating while I've been tucked away inside you and controlling your actions. It was thanks to me I got us into SHIELD and later on HYDRA in the first place. Together, we earned HYDRA's trust to form an unholy alliance with our Dark Network!" She laughed at Miranda's expense, leaving her distraught with being used by her alter ego.
"Ugh, I hate you! I hate what you've done to me!" Miranda angrily took it out on her evil half.
"Eh, whatever. Guess I might as well finish you off since you're all here." Adnarim smirked as she turned off the force field keeping the D3s at bay. She approached and caused the D3s to back off. She opened her right hand and conjured a reddish pink sphere.
"Get ready, everyone!" Max called out as he the D3s powered up to Ascendant forms.
(End theme)
(Cue Persona 4 OST - I'll Face Myself - Battle-)
As the D3s rushed Adnarim, they attacked her. Sam went for a gut punch, but Adnarim tail whipped him back. She turned and blasted Kara back. When Tike and David went for the Meta-Fusion Dance, the green-skinned Artificial shot forward and punched Tike with one shot, sending him flying far back. She then grabbed David and tossed him around. Keke tossed her Rosemary Discs, which Adnarim wiped them out in one beam. Then, Adnarim ran up to Keke and pummeled her with fast, hard-hitting punches. Try as she might, Keke couldn't keep up with and defend against Adnarim's punches as one clean punch to the jaw knocked her back.
"Getting bored now!" Adnarim groaned. Then, as she turned around, Shu and Gai stabbed her with their swords.
"We've got her, Gai!"
"Don't let her go, Shu!"
Chortling evilly, Adnarim pushed the swords out of her body. The swordsmen watched as her wounds closed and her skin self regenerated. She quickly grabbed their Singer's and Dancer's Swords with her index and middle fingers.
"Little boys shouldn't be playing with knives," Adnarim giggled as she disarmed them with a tail flick. Then, she kicked Shu back and backhanded Gai down.
Max and BW quickly rushed Adnarim and gut punched her hard. Adnarim seemingly doubled over from their blows.
"We've got her stunned! Finish her!" BW exclaimed.
With that, Max and BW charged up their attacks. Max unleashed a Tsunami Wave at the same time BW tossed a Terra Destroyer. The two attacks coalesced and impacted with Adnarim. An explosion was triggered as Max and BW blasting her with attacks to wipe out every trace of her.
"Since she's got D-Reaper's data incorporated, she has his regeneration! We can't take any chances, Max!"
"Right! That's exactly what I had in mind!"
"No, you can't defeat her like that!" Adnarim called out to them. "Her regenerative abilities have only been enhanced thanks to the Gamma power she absorbed from the Hulk! You're just going to make her mad!"
"Right, you are, sweetie!" Adnarim yelled out behind the billowing cloud surrounding her. Her green eyes glowed behind the veil of thin smoke enshrouding her. She walked forward giggling. "And believe me, you don't want to see me angry." She grinned sadistically as the Hulk's rage consumed her. She flew across faster than either Max and BW could anticipate. She quickly punched BW back.
"BW!" Max yelled out as he stood his ground facing Adnarim.
Lifting her hand, Adnarim forged another sphere radiating with destructive power.
"Now, here I go with finishing you all off like I said I would," Adnarim prepared to throw the sphere.
(End theme)
"Everyone, get down!" A voice belonging to Davis called out.
All eyes pivoted toward the entryway as Ultima X, Celesta X, WarAngemon, and Zordiark X stormed in. Ultima X already forged a beam and fired it directly at Adnarim. Adnarim turned her attack on the beam and deleted Ultima X's attack.
(Cue Dragon Ball FighterZ OST - Goku Theme)
"Davis!" Sonja genuinely called out to him.
"Thank goodness you're all here!" Max said.
"Is everyone ok?" WarAngemon asked.
"Sam!" Zordiark X hurried over to Sam.
"Kara, Tike!" Celesta X cried as she and WarAngemon checked on the twins.
Ultima X headed over to check with Sonja and David; the latter of whom sensed Ultima X and awoke with a start.
"Are you ok, babe?" Ultima X asked Sonja.
Sonja smirked coolly. "What took you so long, you dummy?"
"Sounds like you're all having fun down here," Another voice belonging to Omega X chimed in as he entered the laboratory. "Whoo-wee, you're all beaten up!" He noticed Max standing in the middle of the room. "Max, I came here as soon as I can."
"I'm glad you came. I guess you convinced Lords Beerusmon and Whismon to come down and postpone training? I figured we had the situation under control, but now things have gone officially south," Max sighed in exasperation.
As if he couldn't feel prouder, Omega X patted Max's shoulder. "You've fought her well despite the setbacks you're all facing," the Bearer of Courage assured the D3 leader. "Don't worry about feeling like your strength isn't all there. The minute me and Matt came down, our god Ki got locked away."
"Is dad here, too?" Keke asked about Metalla X's whereabouts.
"Matt and Gabumon are back at Odaiba checking in with the others," Omega X answered while turning toward Adnarim.
"Taichi Kamiya," Jax acknowledged the presence of the Digidestined he, his sister, and BW were assigned to kill years ago.
"We'll get those who can't fight out of here, Tai!" WarAngemon said as he collected Shu and Gai.
"Oh right!" Max realized and hurried over to check on BW. "Hey, can you move?"
"Yeah… but damn… she hits hard…" BW gritted as he slowly picked himself up.
"Let me help," Max put an arm over BW.
"Now, I feel like a tool having you carry me, Max."
"Nah, don't worry about it," Max said, handing BW off to Zordiark X. "Tai, nearly everyone's in rough shape here. Let me hold her off while you grab some Digi-vitamins from Pikkan. He should have some on him."
"I see. I'll be right back then," Omega X nodded, placing two fingers on his forehead. And just like that, he vanished into thin air.
"Bwuh?" Adnarim blinked in confusion over Omega X's teleport trick.
"He's gone?!" Miranda was equally as befuddled like her evil half.
"He'll be back. The few of us not crippled can hold her off," Max said as Keke, Jax, Sonja, and Ultima X faced Adnarim down.
Shoom.
Omega X reappeared in a flash holding a bag.
"Whoa?! That was fast!" Ultima X exclaimed.
"Yeah, Pikkan gave me his bag because he didn't want these extras," Omega X showed off the vitamin bag. "He and a few others just finished taking out some Dark HYDRA Network base. So, I came to them with great timing. Here, everyone eat these!" He tossed the bag to Ultima X.
"All right, bottoms up, guys!" Ultima X prepared to pass Digi-vitamins around.
Adnarim interjected and was not amused. "You're going to regret this!"
Omega X pivoted and glared at Adnarim. "I've heard you're that evil half of that Miranda lady? The one pulling the strings on this whole Dark HYDRA Network conspiracy." He scanned her new green complexion and felt something off about her unsettling vibe. "So, it's true you absorbed the big green guy. You've got his power and angry coursing through you."
"Wait, but how do you know all this? This is only the first time you've met either of us!" Miranda was confused by Omega X's wealth of knowledge about her.
"I have friends from different circles who keep me in the know, but I'll explain the details later."
"Huh, well it seems like he's somehow found out about everything," Adnarim chortled. "Also, that trick you just pulled was called Instant Movement, I presume? You're just as dangerous as I've feared. I know all your moves thanks to Datamon."
"Yeah, you're another one of his robots, are you?"
The green-skinned villainess cackled. "Robot? Don't lump me in with his low-level heaps of trash that failed to destroy you and his friends. In fact, Datamon himself was a short-sighted fool he couldn't keep his machines under control. And why create things stronger than himself? Me? I learned from his mistakes. That's partly why I created the machine that sent the energy-suppressing waves all over the two worlds. I've hindered all my enemies' strengths so I can eat them." She licked her lips, eyeing Omega X as if he were a delicious chocolate parfait and visualized him as such.
Sonja scowled. "Why you… who are you calling trash, you green bitch?"
Jax held Sonja back. "Hold it, something's not right."
(End theme)
Just then, the giant central computer seemingly turned on. The globe on top glowed with a brighter green light and brimmed with life.
"What the hell is that?" WarAngemon asked.
"I'm hearing a voice," Celesta X added.
"What? I can't hear anything?" Tike looked around.
"That's 'cause you got crud in your ears!" Kara ripped the dust balls covering his ears. "There, can you hear?"
"Ah, yeah!" Tike heard low humming sounds coming from the computer and something that sounded like a distorted man's voice. "Whoa creepy."
"No, it couldn't…" Miranda gasped.
(Cue Mega Man X3 (Arranged) OST - Doppler Demo)
Adnarim smiled devilishly and pivoted to the central computer. Everyone then heard the distorted voice belonging to the former mastermind genius behind the Artificials. A digitized face of Datamon appeared on the globe, giving a creepy impression to those present, including Jax, Sonja, and BW, who were reminded of their former creator.
"Eheheh, congratulations you've all made it this far to discover one of my other hidden labs. If you're hearing this now, I've long since perished. However, my hard work will continue uninterrupted. All my designs, inventions, Artificial models, and secret projects have been passed over to you, Miranda… my former lab assistant. I know you'll carry on my work and utilize the tools I've bestowed to you. I expect wonderous things from you, my dear. Your genius is nothing short of a miracle. You'll enhance everything I've ever created."
Hearing Datamon's voice, the Digidestined were repulsed. Adnarim closed her eyes and smiled. Miranda was at a loss for words, trying to process everything based on Datamon's last recorded message.
"You can use my tools to enhance my unfinished projects. Perhaps even enhance yourself since I helped in the process of converting you into an Artificial, who can ever age. You can even carry out my revenge on my former enemies, the Chosen Children and their friends. Especially, Taichi Kamiya, who I've yet to forgive to destroying my project. He denied me my revenge on Etemon. Now, I'll never rest knowing that fool still breaths."
"Sheesh, now his computer's trying to kill me?!" Omega X tried to process a now dead man's yearning thirst for revenge even beyond his grave.
"Datamon's long gone, but no doubt his digitized fingerprints are still actively working in labs like these," Zordiark X concluded. "We have to destroy every one of these labs, too."
"I ask you to rebuild the Dark Network, Miranda. Find a means to restore it to its former glory. Restore it so it makes Etemon's look like an absolute joke! I have faith you'll make me proud. My Miranda, I…"
Adnarim fired a blast that the central computer and thus silenced Datamon's recorded message, not even giving it a chance to finish.
"I've long surpassed you, you has been," Adnarim chuckled as she proudly boasted. "I've surpassed all of your projects, Datamon! I've even surpassed your ultimate project: Virus. I have the D-Reaper's power and appetite incorporated into me. And I've absorbed the most powerful Gamma creation mankind has ever produced! I am the pinnacle of all that is artificial intelligence! I am the future of the Dark Network! And I'll do what you failed to accomplish: kill Taichi Kamiya and his friends. Now, Taichi, prepare to meet your end!" She forged a dark reddish sphere.
Omega X powered up in front of Adnarim.
"You think you can beat me as you are now?" Omega X queried Adnarim. "I don't doubt you're much stronger than Virus and improved on Datamon's projects, but your fatal flaw is underestimating your opponent."
"Oh, how cute. You trying to get into my head? Sorry, you won't entice me to fight you just because you want a good challenge." Adnarim smirked. She closed her eyes and turned off her power, abruptly withdrawing her sphere.
(End theme)
Befuddled, Omega X raised a brow suspiciously. "What's wrong? Are you not up to fighting us?"
"No, quite the contrary, I always save the best for last." Adnarim smirked, licking her lips. "Taichi, my sweetie! Oh, Taichi! I just… I just can't help! You just look so scrumptious!"
"Ugh, you're so creepy!" Omega X backed off, feeling disturbed by Adnarim's shameless remarks.
"Hey, Tai's got a girl! He don't need a freak like you sticking your… whatever into his junk!" Ultima X exclaimed.
Max muttered. "You're not helping, Davis."
Celesta X frowned. "You keep away from my brother, you!"
Adnarim cackled in amusement. "Oh, I'm loving the lively banter in here. You're all so fun, I want to play with you all some more!" Then, she mimicked what Omega X did earlier and put two fingers on her forehead.
"What?! Don't tell me she…!" Keke exclaimed.
"Hey, copycat! That's mine and Tai's move!" Tike shouted.
"She's learned that technique?!" BW realized, remembering D-Reaper's ability to scan and copy an adversary's techniques through learned experiences.
Thanks for letting me borrow Instant Movement! Buh-bye for now!" Adnarim cackled.
Omega X and Max charged Adnarim, but the emerald-skinned Glamazon vanished into thin air.
"Holy crap, she's a bigger nut job than I thought!" Omega X was taken aback by her atypical behavior.
"I'm not surprised. Since she has D-Reaper a part of her, she can master a technique like Instant Movement after seeing it once," Max explained.
"Boy, am I glad it's over and she's gone," Ultima X sighed with relief.
"But, how did you know we were here?" Jax asked Omega X, Ultima X, WarAngemon, Celesta X, and Zordiark X. "You also knew about Miranda splitting up, too."
"We've been told by Izzy and the others who pinpointed Miranda's location. SHIELD also gave us intel since they've been pursuing the Hulk," Zordiark X stated. "Hulk just happened to run into you and Miranda's crew. And then things just happened."
"Yeah, and that's where this whole hell started," Sonja nodded. "Davis, I'm sorry…"
(Cue Dragon Ball FighterZ OST - Spirit)
"For what? Wait, does it have anything to do with me and my friends trying to save you?"
"Yeah…"
"Forget it, babe. You told me you and Jax were watching Miranda while being our eyes and ears. Besides, I knew you never would've betrayed us. It's just not in your character. I was able to tell just how easy you went on my friends. You never intended to hurt them."
Sonja sighed with a defeated smile. "Hehe, you know me well, Davis."
"Ok, so you're all in the know," Sonja spoke up, scanning everyone.
"Yeah, we know she can turn people into sweets and eat them. Just like Dee can do," WarAngemon said. "Izzy sent us a recording of her destroying that BlackWarGreymon copy and turn Hulk into a donut."
"I'm surprised that donut wasn't green," Celesta X remarked.
"I still can't believe she did that to other BlackWarGreymon!" Ultima X gritted. "Man, that made me so mad!"
BW added. "Thanks, but he sacrificed himself to save us. Very deja-vu."
"It's possible Miranda saw how immensely durable D-Reaper was and collected samples from him with insect drones. Then, she decided to incorporate them into her body," Sonja assumed.
"That's crazy! Why would anyone want to do that to themselves?!" David couldn't grasp this mindset.
"In order to improve on Datamon's previous works. She wanted to be his ultimate project," Zordiark X said. "As much as I abhorred what I've done as the Emperor, I collected the samples of various Digimon to create the ultimate lifeform. However, after collecting Devimon's data, Chimeramon went out of control."
"I'm seeing the parallels here. Miranda collected the last piece of data to make herself stronger than Virus. She incorporated D-Reaper's ever changing power," Max clarified. "With D-Reaper's data in her, she also gained its hunger and desire to delete beings whose powers have grown beyond their limitations."
"Us," Omega X said.
"She's going to eventually lose all control over her hunger," BW realized the likely outcome of Adnarim's fate.
"We can't let that happen, Tai!" Celesta X declared.
"Yeah, We're going to have to put a stop to her," Omega X nodded. "Or, else she's gonna end up eating every last person and Digimon across the two worlds!"
(End theme)
Miranda interjected. "If I may…"
"Yeah?" Omega X glanced over to Miranda. "Look, I know this is a very weird situation for you. Your evil half went splitsville from you and she's running amok. You tried your best to contain her. I don't blame you. She's the real enemy."
"I just wish there was something more I could've done."
Sonja walked over and offered a hand to Miranda. A genuine smile adorned her face. "Tell us you'll help. This is your chance to make things right with us. You're not alone."
"Yeah, besides your evil half was the one who built these labs and formed the Dark HYDRA Network," WarAngemon said. "She held you back and you weren't strong enough to suppress her. Now, you don't have to fight her anymore from the inside."
"Trust me when I say this, some of these guys and ladies here aren't easily beaten," Sonja reassured Miranda. She pointed to Omega X and Max. "These two especially are stubborn as they come."
Max rolled his eyes. "I'll take that compliment, thanks."
Omega X shrugged. "Hey, it's whatever to me, but I bet that evil half actually still hiding a bulk of her power."
"Well, whatever the case, we better get moving before she starts consuming humans and Digimon alike," Jax suggested. "And I'm sure not going to be happy if she finds Meiko and Meicoomon."
"Don't worry, Jax. We won't let anything happen to those two," Ultima X said.
(Cue Dragon Ball FighterZ OST - Synopsis)
With a modest smile, Miranda clasped her hands and blushed. "T-Thank you all. I'm so grateful for all your help."
Celesta X added. "Anything to help those in need."
Zordiark X offered some solace. "Take it from me who was manipulated by darkness, I had to work hard to earn the trust of my friends here. Davis is a good judge of character. He gave me a chance when others didn't and ultimately he won over Sonja here. Some of us once villains or manipulated by darkness have been brought together to redeem our past transgressions."
"Well, me and sis were never bad. We were just punk kids and wanted some fun," Jax said. "Now, we've wised up, haven't we, Sonja?"
Sonja smirked. "We sure have."
"Then, I'll do my best to win you all over!" Miranda openly vowed to make good on her word.
"Tai, we should go and meet with everyone else," Max suggested.
"One more thing," Miranda spoke up. "Before we go, I wanted to say… by all means, destroy this lab and all the other labs. As of now, I'm divorcing myself from the wrongdoings my other half committed. Please."
"You don't have to tell us twice," Sonja said. "My brother, BW, and myself would be more than happy to bury the past." With that, she fired a single shot and blasted the entire laboratory away, leaving nothing left intact.
"Right, let's head over to the government building where everyone else is at! Matt and the others are waiting for us," Omega X said as everyone got close to him. He put his two fingers on his forehead. That evil half will be out there somewhere feeding. Max. you, me, and Metalla X might have to fight her together to bring her down. He telepathically linked with Max's mind.
Yeah, the more she consumes, the stronger she'll get. We can't let this go on for much longer.
Omega X locked with Matt's Ki at the exact location. "Ready, everyone? Next stop: the Tokyo Government Building place."
(End theme)
xxxxx
Above Earth's orbit
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Shady Scheme)
Having retreated off world, the bio-artificial floated over and scanned the planet as if it were her own personal candy store.
"Mmm, just looking at Earth right now, I can visualize a giant gumdrop for me to crunch between my mouth," Adnarim licked her lips. She then shook her head. "Get it together, me. I'll be getting my fill devouring every organic and digitized lifeform. Let's see." She checked her complexion as it turned back to its pink color. "Well, I guess Hulkie pie's power needs to rest. No matter, I'll just draw out his power once I get into another mood swing. His Gamma power is mine to control and utilize."
She descended closer and sensed her enemies' energy signals.
"Yes, you're all down there. Soon enough I'll have you come to me, and when you do I'll devour each of you, but first things first time to clear out some useless baggage. With as much power I've accumulated, the network is pretty much impractical to me, but fret not my servants, your services will continue when you become part of me!"
Adnarim powered up and shot past the thermosphere. In a matter of seconds, she was already well past the troposphere.
"Other me, don't fight the temptation. Consume and get strong to fight me! I'll be waiting to see if you've finally caved in!" spoke Adnarim with insidious laughter.
(End theme)
xxxxx
Next chapter: Survival of the Fittest
xxxxx
A/N: Adnarim is on the loose and about to unleash her feeding frenzy. On top of being split from Miranda, she ate the Hulk and became a 'She-Hulk expy', since the actual one doesn't exist in this universe (for now anyway).
RIP BlackWarGreymon 2.0, we hardly knew ye. BW the original lives on in your honor.
Didn't expect a voice recording from Datamon, huh? Had to since he needed to be revealed as Miranda's former partner. No surprise he's the one who ultimately modified her into an Artificial. Yes, she (off screen) collected Dee's data to incorporate into herself as the final 'ingredient' to surpass Datamon's previous ultimate lifeform.
Try as they might, Adnarim is kicking butt and taking names. Fortunately, our main hero is back to even the playing field. Though, even his power's been suppressed by the waves, even making him vulnerable to Adnarim's wrath.
Miranda is now on board with our heroes and plan their next move.
Next time, our heroes find what remains left of the Dark HYDRA Network and the clones still roaming about before Adnarim eats them. Adnarim begins her feeding frenzy. Miranda meets Dee. Omega X, Max, and Metalla X step in to contend with Adnarim, who attacks a coastal town. Throw in an Asgardian with a magic hammer and we have a five-person battle royale. Whoops, did I give too much away?
Well, that's just all in one chapter.
There's three chapters left of this arc. So, let's enjoy this together, readers.
Until then, send a review and see you soon!