The Egg Emperor swung its lance repeatedly sending wave after wave at Crusadermon who flew around dodging the attacks. She couldn't get any closer until she took out the Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control!" She teleported right in front of the Egg Emperor. "Scarlet Tempest!" She spun in place and Eggman was blown away by a storm of flower petals.
"River of Power!" MetalSeadramon fired at her, but she blocked it with her shield. Hudiemon started throwing blue orbs into her from behind. Crusadermon took most of the hits before turning around and blocking with her shield. Then she lashed her ribbon at Hudiemon like a whip tying her from her shoulders to her hips in it sealing her arms at her sides before swinging her overhead and slamming her back first to the ground.
"Erika!" Keisuke's face paled when he saw her get hurt then glared at Crusadermon. "Why you…! Tyrant!"
"Insect Cannon!" TyrantKabuterimon fired bugs at Crusadermon. She flew away, but they were homing in on her.
Once she got some distance, she held up the Emerald. "Chaos Control!" She froze time and destroyed them all with her sword. Once time resumed PileVolcamon jumped at her from behind. "Fist of Athena!" She whirled around and punched him back to the ground.
MetalSeadramon charged at her spinning in place as he aproached. Crusadermon held up her shield to block him but was gradually pushed back. She knocked him out of the way before PileVolcamon shot a meteor into her back. Hudiemon jumped back up and started kicking her rapidly before Crusadermon teleported behind her, grabbed her by the hair and swung her in a circle before throwing her. She moved aside when MetalSeadramon charged at her but didn't notice PileVolcamon ridding on him until he jumped at her. "Diamond Fist!" He punched her a good distance away.
Crusadermon grunted as she saw all the Digimon charging at her and took out the Chaos Emerald. "Oh no you don't!" Eggman pulled a leaver.
"Chaos-
"CHARGE!" The Egg Emperor flew into her from behind knocking her towards MetalSeadramon who smacked her upwards with his tails. PileVolcamon leapt up and hammered his fists into her knocking her towards Hudiemon who kicked her into the back. She flew into TyrantKabuterimon who clawed her.
Crusadermon recomposed herself and flew towards TyrantKabuterimon. "Spiral Masquerade!"
"Bee Cyclone!" TyrantKabuterimon summoned a wall of insects shielding him from the attack.
Once the storm if bees dispersed Hudiemon flew in front of Crusadermon who flinched. "Chaos Con-
"Infinity Dream!" Hudiemon's eyes glowed and stunned Crusadermon.
"W-what?!"
Egg Emperor held up his lance. "All systems, full power!" TyrantKabuterimon, MetalSeadramon, and PileVolcamon gathered around it and shot red, blue, and yellow light into the lance. It glowed with those colors as Eggman reeled it back. "Get a load of THIS!" He thrusted and a javelin of light flew at Crusadermon hitting her square in the chest knocking her into the dirt.
"Ha! Beaten to a pulp already?" Hudiemon grinned. "Just like back on that rooftop!"
Eggman chuckled. "Now then, if you would be so kind as to hand over the Emerald..."
Crusadermon punched the floor. "Me... losing... to you miserable humans!? Unacceptable!" She growled as she slowly pushed herself off the ground. "I had hoped it would not come to this... but you plebians have left me with no choice! A small portion should be fine…" She held up her hand and purple smoke gathered in it.
Keisuke recognized it. "Wait... isn't that what Takumi absorbed?!"
"Bagramon's data. His power! And I will use it, to destroy you foolish humans once and for all!" She clenched her fist and the smoke flowed around her. "Ngh...! Gah!"
Hudiemon backed up. "Normally I'd take great pleasure in seeing her twist in pain... but I'm reluctant to say this looks good."
Eggman's screen flashed red. "It most certainly is not! Her energy reading is increasing at an alarming rate!"
"What?!" Keisuke gasped.
"GRAAAAAAAAH!" Crusadermon howled as she burst with dark energy. She slumped and panted. "So, this... is the power of the Sage of Death... it's taking everything I have to keep my sanity maintained with such a small amount... Ha, ha, ha, ha! This is incredible!"
"This is the power she went thought this whole plan to obtain." Hudiemon said. "Be on your guard everyone."
Crusadermon cackled. "Abandon all hope." In a flash too fast for anyone to keep up with she flew into MetalSeadramon grabbing him by the tail and slamming him so hard into the ground he made a crater.
Keisuke gapped. "Ah...!"
Crusadermon laughed and flew into Hudiemon grabbing her by the face and slamming her into the ground. She tossed her up and kicked her into a tree knocking it down. TyrantKabuterimon sent bugs at her from all directions. "Insect Nightmare!"
"Chaos Control!" Time paused then all the bugs were destroyed and Crusadermon was gone. "Fist of Athena!" Out of seemingly nowhere she jabbed TyrantKabuterimon so hard he flew. Egg Emperor charged at her from behind, but she knocked the attack aside with her shield.
"Gah!" When Eggman saw her rush at him, he held up his shield. Crusadermon then grabbed the shield. "Wha...?" Crusademon laughed before ripping the shield-and the mech's whole arm-clean off. "Agh!"
"No way...!" Keisuke shuddered.
Crusadermon tossed the chunk of the robot aside. "So much for your "persistence"."
"I-impossible!" The dumbstruck doctor gasped. PileVolcamon tried to punch her from behind, but she blocked him with her shield then turned around and kicked him. Egg Emperor charged at her with his lance, but she easily slashed its other arm off. "Nooooo!" Eggman flew backwards firing rockets upon rockets at her. Crusadermon laughed as she slowly aproached, the missiles not even damaging her as they exploded. Suddenly it stopped and Eggman's screen displayed "AMMO DEPLETED". "…Well…"
Crusadermon held her ribbon in one hand, and it extended glowing purple. She then sliced horizontally blowing the top half of the Egg Emperor off. She rammed into the other half, and it toppled over with the Eggmobile with Eggman in it rolling across the ground stopping on its side. Crusadermon landed in front of it. "And now, to scramble the egg!" She flew towards him.
"Eggman!" Keisuke shouted.
Eggman screamed as he saw the knight rush at her. At the last second Sage teleported in front of her and held up her hand. A giant wall of red blocked the blade. "You." Crusadermon scowled.
Eggman looked at her. "Sage…?"
The A.I. gave Crusadermon the most furious glare in her life. "Leave my father…ALONE!" She pushed both her hands forward and a red burst of light knocked Crusadermon back. The knight slid back on her feet. Sage dropped to her knees.
"Sage!" Eggman yelled.
Crusadermon glared at her. "You will regret doing that."
Eggman gasped as the knight strode toward his A.I. "Sage, retreat now, that's an order! The Eggman Empire still needs you!"
"No…" the girl panted. "Must… protect you…"
Crusadermon stood in front of Sage holding up her sword. Just when she was about to swing down. Hudeimon flew into the knight dragging her away. Crusadermon slammed her shield into Hduiemon's back. She screamed in pain as she was smashed into the ground. When she tried to get up, the knight stepped on her head. "You have no right to exist, you filthy abomination."
Keisuke saw red at the sight. "GET OFF HER!" His emotions sent his Digimon charging at Crusadermon.
"Chaos Control." Crusadermon froze time again and one by one she went at each of Keisuke's Digimon throwing rapid punches and kicks finishing each with an upward kick to the face. When time flowed again, they each took the damage of her barrage and rocketed upward. As they all went into the sky, Crusadermon teleported between them and crossed her arms clutching the Chaos Emerald. "Chaos…" Her body glowed red.
Eggman gulped. "Oh no, I've seen this before!"
"Guys, get out of there!" Keisuke shouted.
"Keisuke!" Hudiemon flew in front of him and held up her hands setting a blue barrier. Sage set up a red one in front of her and Eggman.
"BLAST!" Crusadermon spread her arms and a massive red explosion went off.
In front of a large white structure Takumi's unconscious form was still lying on the grass. His Digimon stood there staring at him. They haven't moved since the others left on their search. Mirei was nearby on her laptop. She looked up when she heard Sonic and the others approaching. "Oh?"
The hedgehog came to a halt. The Digimon stopped behind them and their tamers got down. "Oh cool. Mirei's here too."
Rapidmon Armor turned to them. "Guys!"
"Yuugo, is that you?" Craniamon asked. The teen waved.
Rosemon Burst Mode ran over. "Did you find the rest of Takumi's Data!?"
Nokia held up her Digivice. "Right here." Arata Yuuko and Yuugo held up theirs.
"Excellent." Mirei replied. "Transferring." She started typing in her laptop and white light came from the four Digivices into it. "Perfect, that's all of it. Just need to reassemble it then I can install it back into his body. Can't be too careful with digitized consciousness. It might take a while."
Rapidmon Armor turned to the group. "You have no idea how much this means to me… to all of us."
"Everyone… thank you." Rosemon Burst Mode said.
"If we never saw Takumi again, it would destroy us forever." Craniamon added.
"Hey, don't mention it." Arata smiled.
"Anything for Takumi!" Nokia nodded.
"We're not just doing this because he's your brother." Yuuko said. "He's also our friend, and we care about him."
"Losing him would destroy us too." Yuugo added.
"And we need him now more than ever." Sonic said. "This isn't just about spooky voices and Crusadermon anymore. Leopardmon is here and on the lose."
"Again with that guy…" Rapidmon Armor growled.
Sonic looked at the temple. "The Chaos Emerald must be inside here. First we've got to open that door."
"Hey Omnimon, can you blow it down?" Nokia asked.
"I could, but I'm concerned about causing it to cave in with what we seek still inside."
Arata looked next to the door and went over to a control panel. "I'll see if I can hack our way in."
"I'll help." Yuuko said.
"Count me in too." Yuugo added. The three took out their Digivices.
Nokia sighed and watched them start hacking. "…So, what am I supposed to do? Cheer you on from the sidelines?"
Omnimon Alter-S looked at her. "Nokia…"
"Don't worry about it, Nokia." Yuuko said. "Having you here… it encourages us. Just as it did all the other hackers you led."
"Yeah, it does help a bit." Arata said. "Sometimes I can't focus it it's too quiet around here."
Yuugo smiled. "You support us in your own way Nokia. Like Takumi, when you're here, it gives us a feeling that everything will work out. You have an air of confidence about you."
Nokia smiled. "Heh. Thanks guys. Then take all the confidence you need!" A loud bang directed them to a massive red explosion in the distance. "Yikes! What the heck was that?!"
Everyone looked towards it. "Something big…" Sonic cringed. "…And familiar."
Ryuji and Chitose watched the explosion. "What the heck is that?!" Chitose asked.
"I don't know." Ryuji said. "But we're checking it out! Come on!"
Yu looked at the Chaos Blast in fright. "Keisuke!"
Date and Fei gawked at the red glow. "…Wow." Fei muttered. "That ain't good."
"Gee, ya think?!" Date yelled.
Matayoshi cringed. "I got a bad feeling about this. Come on Gryphonmon, after the lightshow!"
"Yes sir!"
Sonic and the crew watched it slowly die down. "…Guys… that can't be a good sign." Armageddemon said. "Whatever's going on there ain't pretty."
"It must be our enemy that crawled out of Cyber Space." Craniamon said.
"No." Mire replied before pointing. "It is possessing the Titan and is over in that direction. Fighting the reinforcements, I brought to this world."
"Leopardmon would have to be laying low right now." Yuugo said. "He took a major beating from us just now."
"Then that just leaves one possibility." Arata scowled.
Omnimon Alter-S nodded. "Crusadermon."
"Impossible!" Gaiomon Fierce Blade Mode replied. "Crusadermon is nowhere near powerful enough to pull off something of THAT magnitude!"
"Gaiomon's right!" Rosemon Burst Mode added.
"Maybe not on her own." Mirei said. "But don't forget. She now has the power of Bagramon. Still… I can't believe she would go as far as to use it. Such dark energy is not to be used carelessly…"
Arata looked at Yuuko and Yuugo. "We need to hurry." The twins nodded and they got back to hacking.
As the dust died down. Keisuke, Hudiemon and Sage were all on the ground. Keisuke's Digimon were on the ground with them. Eggman's Eggmobile was upside down. "Ugh… Even Shadow would have to be impressed with that one. Not that he'd ever admit it."
"That wasn't just the Emerald's power…" Sage said sitting up. "The energy she absorbed from Takumi Aiba…"
Crusadermon landed in front of them. She slowly made her approach. "This is the end of the line…"
Hudiemon pushed herself up. "RAAAAAAH!" She flew at the knight at full speed.
Crusadermon held her hand forward. "Laser Lattice." An energy net flew out and ensnared Hudiemon. She crashed into a tree and was held up against it. She grunted in discomfort. The net pressed against her so tightly it restricted her breathing a bit. She couldn't move at all. Crusadermon held her sword and aproached. "You shall be the first."
Hudiemon tried to squirm, but she was pinned securely. Keisuke ran in front of her. "K-Keisuke?!"
"Are you that desperate to perish boy?" Crusadermon asked.
"You idiot! Get away from there!" Hudiemon shouted.
Keisuke was slightly trembling but stood his ground. "…In the other reality… you caused so much pain… You manipulated Ryuji… took advantage of his desire to save Erika… Gave Chitose EDEN Syndrome… forced Erika to fight her brother… you caused my family a mountain of pain. No more. You're not hurting them ever again as long as I'm still breathing."
Crusadermon laughed. "You really are her little knight, aren't you? You're ready to give your life away for hers? First Ryuji now you. Why are people so willing to sacrifice for this weak little brat?"
"She may be weak in your eyes. But not to me. She's done so much. Faced a lot of trails… grown through her adventures… Even at their worst, both Erika and Hudiemon are the strongest people I've ever known."
The half human looked at him. "Keisuke…"
"Hmph." Crusadermon held up her blade. "Very well then. You will die first. Then the girl. And once I choke the life out of her and the rest of your friends, I will burn the human world to the ground!" She dashed towards the human.
"No!" Sage yelled.
"Stop!" TyrantKabuterimon and Keisuke's other Digimon got up and rushed at her.
Hudiemon pressed against the net with all her strength. "KEISUKE!"
The boy shut his eyes gritting his teeth as the knight drew close. But just as she was about to slice, someone flew in and blocked the blade with a metal arm. Keisuke looked up and saw familiar back. "Ju-Justimon?!"
"What?!" Crusadermon was flabbergasted then hit from the side by a giant spiked ball and sent hurtling across the ground. Erika and Keisuke watched the weapon pull back to its owner. Vikemon. And then they saw…
"Don't touch my family you wretch."
Keisuke and Erika gasped at the sight of the two humans in front of Vikemon. "…Chitose…?" Keisuke breathed.
"…Ryuji…" Hudiemon gapped.
The two men aproached them as Justiemon used his Critical Arm to cut Hudiemon lose from the net. "Yo, Keisuke, Erika, you two okay?" Chitose asked.
"Barley." Keisuke replied. "But what are you two- He then realized that Chitose called Hudiemon Erika. "Wait a minute…"
Ryuji hurried over to Hudiemon as she stood up. "Erika… are you alright?"
Hudiemon looked at him. "Ryuji… you remember me…?"
"Of course, I do. You're my sister."
When he held up his hand Hudiemon gently gripped it. "Brother…"
"Heh. I'm still not entirely used to seeing you like this."
Hudiemon choked back a sob. "I… I missed you…"
"So did I."
Chitose grinned at the sight. "Seeing those two back together… it's worth this nightmare."
Keisuke smiled. "Yeah." He then turned to Vikemon. "Hey, is that your Digimon?"
"Yup. Just Digivolved after meeting Chitose again."
"Cool! Like the- Keisuke paused mid-sentence.
Hudiemon, TyrantKabuterimon, PileVolcamon, and MetalSeadramon gasped before they along with Keisuke pointed at him. "DID HE JUST TALK?!"
"Is that really so strange to all of you?" Vikemon asked as Chitose laughed.
Sage aproached. "You came…"
"Well duh, that's why you brought us here, wasn't it?" Chitose asked.
Keisuke looked at the A.I. "You did this?"
"Correct. After Crusadermon opened the gate, I went back to EDEN. I recruited a number of your friends, used Cyber Space to restore their memories before the new reality, and explained the present situation."
"So, you guys remember everything?!"
"Yeah." Ryuji replied. "It's still kind of a shock. Feels like I've lived two separate lives. But I'm glad I remember."
"But to think you knew the whole time." Chitose said folding his arms at Keisuke. "Keeping secrets huh?"
"I…"
"Chitose, knock it off." Ryuji said. "You know as well as I do that, we wouldn't have believed him if he told us sooner."
"I know, I was joking." Chitose replied before looking back to Keisuke. "Besides, you're the own who had to bottle this all up on your own for so long. Who am I to complain."
Keisuke smiled. "You guys…"
Crusadermon stood back up and aproached. "Well, well…"
Ryuji glared at her. "It's been a while… Rei Kishibe."
"Hmph. Learned about my "other life" have you?"
"Sanada told me everything. I haven't forgotten what you've done."
"Don't you mean… what WE'VE done, dear Ryuji?"
"You used me as your lapdog… tormented good people… you have no idea how badly I've been wanting to get back at you…!"
Crusadermon scoffed. "Typical humans. I suppose a thank you is too much to ask for taking care of your sister."
"After what you made me do, and what you did to her and my friends, all I owe you is a death sentence! And today I'm going to deliver it! I'll make you regret messing with Hudie!"
Crusadermon took out the Chaos Emerald. "Do you really think a mindless brute like you is a threat to me? I could take everything you care about in the blink on an eye." She then vanished.
"What?! Where'd she-
"Just like this." Everyone's blood went cold as Crusadermon spoke from right behind Keisuke with her blade ready.
"Keisuke!"
MarineAngemon flew in and formed a blue barrier around himself and Keisuke blocking the blade. PileVolcamon shoulder charged Crusadermon from the side. Keisuke then looked to see someone run up to him. "Yu!"
The boy stopped to catch his breath. "Man, that was close."
"Well look who it is!" Chitose grinned. "Glad to see you're alright dude."
Yu panted and looked up. "Hey guys…"
"Sage brought him too?" Hudiemon asked.
"Yu was with us when she called." Ryuji explained. "Did Keisuke not tell you? He works for Hudie now."
"I see."
Yu looked at her. "Is that…?"
"Erika." Keisuke replied. "She merged with Wormmon to become Hudiemon."
"A human merging with a Digimon… that's incredible…"
Crusadermon looked at them. "Another foolish human…! You just keep crawling out of nowhere!"
"I take it that's Crusadermon?"
"Yeah. She's the one responsible for all this." Ryuji said. "She's caused Hudie a lot of grief in the last reality. Today we settle things."
"Count me in! I'm part of Hudie now too! She messes with my friends she messes with me!"
Keisuke smiled. "You got my back?"
"Always!"
Crusadermon growled before noticing a bolt of thunder flying at her and dodged it. "What now?!"
Cherubimon and TigerVespamon flew in. "Ryuji!" Date ran up to them with Fei close behind. "Ryuji, are you okay?!"
"You're… Date… and Fei…?"
Fei smirked at Keisuke. "You doin' alright kid?"
Gryphonmon landed nearby and Matayoshi climbed off. "Looks like we're in the right place."
"Matayoshi too?!" Hudiemon gasped.
"That voice… is that you Erika?!" Matayoshi gapped. "I heard you merged with your Digimon but… wow. Heh. Not how I expected you to grow up kiddo."
"What are you guys doing here?!" Keisuke asked.
"What do you think?" the elderly detective grinned. "We've come to lend you a hand."
"Yuuko asked me to help you out." Fei replied. "We kinda owe you and Hudie for… you know."
"And if this creep is causing trouble, it's my duty to bring her to justice!" Date said. "And…to help the people she's putting in danger!"
"Everyone…" Keisuke stood there in awe.
Eggman's vehicle hovered over to Sage. "Did you do all of this Sage?"
"Affirmative."
Eggman folded his arms and turned back to the group. "…Well done."
Sage was surprised but smiled. "Thank you." She turned to Keisuke. "You are no longer alone Keisuke. Everyone here remembers what happened with Digimon. They wish to bond with them like you. It is time to answer their call."
Keisuke smiled. "You're right."
"What rubbish!" Everyone turned to Crusadermon. "Us?! Bonding with you humans?! Don't make me laugh! I'll never accept such a twisted future!"
"Your compliance doesn't mean a dang thing to us!" Fei said. "If that's the future Yuuko wants, then it's the one I'll make!"
"You may be right about some humans being nothing but trouble." Matayoshi said. "But there are good ones out there worth protecting."
"And we're not letting you destroy our world for your personal vendetta!" Date added.
"I'm going to protect everyone!" Yu said. "Because now I not only have the power to do it, but I have the people I need believing in me!"
"Time to show you who you've been messing with!" Chitose declared.
"We're ending this right here, right now!" Ryuji added.
Hudiemon smiled at Keisuke. "You ready?"
Keisuke smiled to her then stepped forward. "Crusadermon… it's true we humans can do bad things… but just like how you Digimon Digivolve we have the ability to change and grow. The proof lies with these people with me today. And in me. I thought myself a nobody, a side character compared to Takumi and his friends. The heroes that saved two worlds. But all this… it made me realize something. Nobody is "destined" to be a hero. They become a hero through their own strengths by doing what they think is right. Backing those they believe in. And that's what I plan on doing! Everyone! It's time to take back our worlds!" The others nodded behind them as their Digimon assembled.
Justimon charged first. "Justice Knuckle!"
"Fist of Athena!" Crusadermon met his punch with hers. The two pushed against each other before Crusadermon swung her sword. Justimon ducked under it.
"Viking Flare!" Vikemon flung his Morning Star under Justimon and into Crusadermon sending her flying.
TigerVespamon zoomed in. She and Crusadermon clashed their blades swiftly and repeatedly. The knight eventually got a hit that knocked Fei's Digimon away. "Mobius Bite!" Gryphonmon slammed her into the ground biting her with his mouth and tail. She kicked him off her before MetalSeadramon rammed his skull into her dragging her upward. Hudiemon, Cherubimon, and TyrantKabuterimon flew after them.
"Chaos Control!" Crusademron froze time. "Spiral Masquerade!" She struck all of them at once before time resumed and charged at them as they fell.
PileVolcamon chucked MarineAngemon. "Smile Attack!" The tiny Digimon slammed into Crusadermon.
Crusadermon punched him to the ground. "Voltage Blade!" Justimon flew in and she blocked his Critical Arm with her sword.
"Chaos Spear!" As Justimon backed away Crusadermon threw a javelin of light into him.
"Gear Stinger!" TigerVespamon shot needles at her. Cherubimon then punched her across the area.
Vikemon threw PileVolcamon above Crusadermon. "Volcanic Driver!" He slammed down on her with a meteor crashing her into the ground.
She then kicked PileVolcamon and flew at Vikemon. "Scarlet Tempest!" She knocked him down before Hudiemon flew into her back with an elbow charge then kicked her upward. Crusadermon whirled around and threw her ribbons tying Hudiemon up in them again, but Justimon appeared in front of Hudiemon and grabbed the ribbons before yanking Crusadermon towards him and punching her towards Vikemon.
"Mjollnir Hammer!" He slammed his weapon int her while TyrantKabuterimon cut Hudiemon's binds off. Justimon held the ribbons connected to Crusadermon as she flew up and threw her towards Cherubimon.
"Lightning Spear!" Date's partner threw a bolt of lightning knocking Crusadermon to the ground.
Justimon summoned his Accel Arm. "Thunder Clap!" He struck the ground in front of Crusadermon and a fissure of light erupted on her.
"Kahuna Waves!" MarineAngemon summoned hearts that healed Hudiemon, and Gryphonmon before they went back to the fight. TigerVespamon and MetalSeadrmon went up for healing next.
"Good! Just like that! Keep attacking in waves and coming back to heal!" Eggman said.
"Not a bad plan old man." Fei grinned.
"But of course! I am a genius I'll have you know!"
Crusadermon threw Justimon into PileVolcamon. "Chaos Control!" She vanished when Vikemon tried to stomp on her and hit him from behind. Cherubimon grabbed her and tossed her upward. TiggerVespemon slashed her back towards the ground. She tried to land on her feet, but TyrantKabuterimon slamed his fist into her into plowing her into the ground.
"Poseidon's Divide!" TyrantKabuteriomon flew out of the way as MetalSeadramon engulfed Crusadermon with a tidal wave.
"Chaos-
"Artic Blizzard!" Vikemon froze Crusadermon in a block of ice before she could stop time. Gryphonmon then spiraled into her slashing with his claws.
Justimon then kicked her forward and pointed his blitz arm at her. "Justice Burst!" He pelted her with energy blasts until she blocked with her shield then charged at him. At the last moment Justimon dodged and Hudiemon punched Crusadermon.
Crusadermon was about to attack when… "King Spiral!" TyrantKabuterimon swarmed her with bugs. Justimon grabbed Hudiemon's arm and spun her around before throwing her at Crusadermon. Hudiemon gave her a kick to the torso then a flipping kick sending her back to the sky.
"Chaos Con-
Hudiemon flew up to her. "Infinity Dream!"
"Gah!" Crusadermon froze in place.
Hudiemon smirked. "Get her boys!"
Vikemon jumped up. "Bazooka Howl!" He let out a roar that blew her away.
MarineAngemon flew up. "Marine Shot!" He fired a blue sphere into her launching her in a different direction.
TiggerVespamon flew up to her. "Mach Stinger V!" She stabbed repeatedly then swung her swords in a V shape.
"Heaven's Judgment!" Cherubimon struck Crusadermon with thunder repeatedly.
Crusadermon straightened herself out and prepared to attack. "Solo Roar!" Gryphonmon struck her from behind stopping her. PileVolcamon jumped up and grabbed her and piledrived her to the ground then tossed her.
Crusadermon rolled across the ground and growled. "Impossible! With both Bagramon's power and the Chaos Emerald I should be unstoppable! How am I losing to these whelps!?"
Justimon ascended above her. "You may be stronger than all of us…"
"But not all of us together!" Hudiemon said at his side. The two of them charged. "Flying Kick!"
"Justice Kick!" Justimon joined her as they slammed down on Crusadermon dragging her across the dirt before jumping off her and letting her slide across the ground.
"That was for all the victims of Under Zero!" Ryuji glared.
"And all the other people you selfishly abused!" Hudiemon added.
Keisuke stepped forward. "And this…" He looked at his hand before clutching his fists and glaring at Crusadermon who struggled on her knees. "THIS IS FOR TAKUMI!"
"Diamond Knuckle!" PileVolcamon uppercutted her into the sky.
"River of Power!" Metal Seadramon shot her with a laser.
Crusadermon gasped as TyrantKabuterimon was right in front of her glowing red. Keisuke had his Digivice on and held his hand forward with a blue screen in front of it. Sage appeared in front of her and held her hand towards it with her hand glowing red. The screen turned orange as TyrantKabuterimon's burned with a fiery orange. "THIS ENDS NOW!" Keisuke and Sage swung their hands downward.
"SHINE OF BEE!" TryantKabuterimon spread his arms and a massive fiery explosion engulfed the screaming Crusadermon.
The screen in front of Arata, Yuugo, and Yuuko flashed blue. "Finally." Arata said wiping his forehead. "That was the hardest hack of my life."
"Same here." Yuuko added.
"But we did it." Yuugo smiled. "All of us together."
The door to the structure opened. "Emerald number six! Here we come!" Sonic grinned.
"What timing." Mirei smiled. "I just finished my task as well. Takumi's mental data is reassembled. Now we just need to install it back into him."
Nokia threw her arms up. "ALRIGHT!" A giant orange explosion in the distance broke her excitement. Everyone was startled at it. "GYAAAH!" They stared at it as it slowly died down.
"That was even bigger than the last one…" Rosemon Burst Mode muttered.
"What is happening over there?!" Armageddemon asked.
"I don't know, but I'm worried about Keisuke and the others." Yuuko replied. "Mirei! Let's make this quick! We need Takumi now more than ever!"
Mirei started typing. "Beginning installation now." Light flowed from her laptop over to Takumi. It slowly started to glitter onto him.
Arata turned to Sonic. "You better go grab that Emerald. Once Takumi's up, we'll go look for the last one together."
"Right." Sonic ran inside.
Crusadermon crashed into the ground. "This can't be… all this planning… all this power… and I… a Royal Knight… lost to these fools…?!"
"End of the line Crusadermon!" Keisuke said.
"You're twisted games end here!" Hudiemon declared. "Now hand over that Emerald!"
The knight scowled. "I would sooner perish… then give anything to you…"
"Fine then." PileVolcamon stormed towards her. "Then I'll peel it from your corpse instead."
"Sword of Annihilation!"
"PileVolcamon, look out!" MetalSeadramon yelled.
"Extinction Wave!" PileVolcamon jumped back. Another knight landed next to Crusadermon. "What a miserable state I have found you in Crusadermon."
"You." Keisuke remembered this knight from Takumi's memories.
"L-Leopardmon…!" Crusadermon stuttered.
"Who's that?" Chitose asked.
"Another Royal Knight that wanted to wipe out mankind." Sage replied.
"I should have expected this." Eggman said. "His grudge against your people is as strong as Crusadermon's. I wouldn't be surprised if all of this was his plan from the beginning."
"Correct." Leopardmon said. "The Eaters have been undone. But the memories of the last reality remained unchanged to the Digital World."
Crusadermon pushed herself to her knee. "Where's Dynasmon?"
"I don't know. I can't find him anywhere in Cyber Space."
"Dynasmon is gone." Fei said. "The blue dude, TiggerVespamon and I took him out."
"He stood his ground for what he believed in until the bitter end." TiggerVespamon said.
"I see…" Lepardmon closed his eyes. "Then he died a warrior's death. How marvelous."
"So that makes THREE Royal Knights Alphamon once again couldn't keep in check." Eggman scoffed. "Typical."
"Why are you doing this?!" Matayoshi asked. "If the Eaters are really gone, there's no point in this conflict!"
"Just because they're gone now, doesn't mean your crimes are forgiven!" Crusadermon growled. "Examon's rage has subsided… Craniamon is gone… his very essence must have been transferred to the detective's Digimon through his foolish act of respect. So, it was up to Dynasmon, Leopardmon and me to make sure justice was doled out!"
"Yet we could not defeat Alphamon and her human fools before, we knew we couldn't win a straight up battle against them." Leopardmon explained. "So, I started looking into the Digital World's history… and then I found the legend of Bagramon. A Digimon so powerful he threatened the entire Digital World on his own. The combined efforts of the Royal Knights could not destroy him. Only seal him away. A power that surpasses Alphamon. And so, after searching our records, I found the world the fallen Royal Knights were banished to."
"Meanwhile, I fooled Alphamon into getting trapped in the space between dimensions." Crusadermon stood up. "There was just one problem. The only way to get to this word was by opening a small hole and reverting to a weaker form to pass through. Meaning we would not be strong enough to fight the knights."
"That's why you brought Takumi to this world and had him do it for you." Keisuke glared.
Crusadermon laughed holding the Chaos Emerald in her possession. "That's right. And now we have everything we need. Bagramon's power and this Chaos Emerald shall allow us to defeat Alphamon. And now that the terror sealed in Cyber Space has been released, we will gather the remaining Emeralds and use them to seal the Digital World away, while keeping this one connected to yours. The beast will devour both, and our world will be spared. All this planning and effort… all for having our revenge and securing the safety of the Digital World!"
"Yeah right!" Date glared. "You don't care about "securing" anything! You just want to wipe out humans out of spite!"
"You have gotten away with too much already woman." Ryuji glared. "Your petty ambitions will not be rewarded."
"I agree." Leopardmon said from right behind Crusadermon.
The pink knight looked over her shoulder. "What?"
Sonic walked into the center of the temple where the last Emerald Vault was. He held up his hand and the keys undid the bubble of light around the green Chaos Emerald. It appeared in his hand. "Just one to go. Now to grab the others, welcome Takumi back, and go find it!" He ran back the way he came to find the others gathered around Mirei.
"What's that even mean?!" Nokia shouted.
"It means exactly what it sounds like." Mirei replied.
"Takumi's mental data just… left?" Yuugo asked.
Sonic ran over. "What's going on?"
"Something happened to Takumi's data!" Yuuko replied. "He's… still unconscious…"
"What?!" Sonic looked at the unconscious boy on the ground. "Why? Did we miss a fragment?"
"No, I confirmed we had all of his data." Mirei said. "But during the installation process it… vanished."
"How?!"
Mirei adjusted her glasses. "…I do have a theory. With all of Takumi's mental data reassembled his "will" would have been restored. The only explanation I can think of is his desire resisted my attempt to reinstall him to his body."
"His desire?" Arata asked. "What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying is… Takumi doesn't want to be returned to his body. And he left."
"He… doesn't want to come back…?" Nokia asked. "But… why!?"
"I cannot say."
Everyone went quiet. "…No."
Everyone looked at the source of the voice. "Rapidmon?" Yuuko asked.
"I won't accept that. If Takumi's run away, I'm going to find him and drag him back."
"But how will you-
"We'll find a way." Craniamon cut Mirei off. "Takumi's done so much for others. He of all people deserves to have a future."
Rosemon Burst Mode nodded. "He valued life. Taught us the value in it. If he needs a reminder we'll be right there to give it to him."
Everyone stared at Takumi's Digimon. "…Count me in." Yuugo said,
Everyone looked at him. "Yuugo!" Arata gasped.
"I'm only standing here today because of Takumi. Time to return the favor!"
"I'll go too!" Nokia said. "If his spirit needs a raise, I'll use my own talents to help him like he did me!"
"Takumi was always there when we needed someone in our darkest hour…" Yuuko said. "He was there for us even when we were at our worst." She put on a determined face. "Now it's our turn to be there for him."
"And if he needs a wake-up call…" Arata said clenching his fist. "I'll be there to knock some sense into him just as he did for me."
"If that's how you guys feel, know we're right behind you." Chaosdramon said. Omnimon Alter-S, Armageddemon, and Gaiomon Fierce Blade Mode nodded.
"I'm going too." Sonic said.
"Sonic?" Nokia asked. "But what about your Chaos Diamond hunt? Shouldn't you be focused on that?"
"I must agree." Mirei said looking at the sky. "The distortion is continuing to grow. Mastemon and Alphamon must be running out of steam."
"Don't worry, I already have six." Sonic said. "And I'm sure Eggman is at least close to finding that last one by now. Besides, having Takumi back can speed up the search."
"We DO have plenty of experience in finding lost things." Craniamon added.
"Hmm. Point taken." Mirei replied. "That just leaves one matter. How to find and follow him."
"Oh, ho, ho! It would seem our work is not yet done my sibling."
"So, it would seem."
Everyone turned around. "W-what are those?" Yuugo asked.
"Elder Koco! Hermit Koco!" Sonic gasped. "What are you two doing here?"
"It looks like there is more we can do to aid you after all." Hermit said. "I can sense young Takumi's consciousness deep within the Digital Dream."
"You can?" Arata asked.
"I assume you are referring to Cyber Space." Mirei said.
"With our combined power we can take you there." Elder Koco said. "You can follow Takumi to where he's run off and convince him to come back. Then we will pull you back."
"That's amazing!" Nokia cheered. Hermit closed his eyes. "…Wait… did he fall asleep? Hey, wake up old dude, we-
"Shh!" Sonic shushed her.
The Hermit Koco opened his eyes. "I found him. He has fled to the place where it all began…"
"It all began?" Armageddemon asked.
"Please, take us there." Yuuko pleaded.
"At once. We owe you young ones so much." Hermit said. "And all our worlds need that hero."
"We will do whatever it takes to bring him back to the light." Elder Koco said. "Whenever you are ready."
Sonic looked at his friends. "Let's do this. Time to get our friend back." The others nodded.
"I must stay behind and continue to do what I can to protect the boundary between worlds." Mirei said. "Everything is depending on you bringing Takumi back."
"We got this!" Nokia said. "We'll make it work out!"
Sonic turned to the Koco duo. "We're ready."
"Very well…" Both Koco started glowing. They ascended and light flushed over the group, before they disappeared.
"Ah…" Sage, Eggman, Matayoshi, Date, Fei, Yu, Chitose, Ryuji, Hudiemon and Keisuke each had their own shocked expression on their face. Their Digimon were at a loss for words. Crusadermon looked down… to the other end of the rapier piercing through her chest. "L…Leo…pard…mon…"
The knight held his sword that he impaled his comrade with in one hand. He held the other out and the Chaos Emerald slipped from Crusadermon's grasp landing in it. "You are no longer needed to carry out the mission Crusadermon."
"W-what are you doing?!" Yu asked. "Aren't you two on the same side?!"
Leopardmon cackled. "…Our goals are similar… but different. Crusadermon and Dynasmon wanted to extinguish the human world to protect the Digital World. In the previous reality… I had the same objective. I thought that was the will of King Drasil. And yet… King Drasil's ultimate vanguard Alphamon chose to stand with the humans. At first, I thought it was a sign that she no longer supports my king's will… but when I was destroyed… I had an epiphany."
"What are you babbling about?" Matayoshi asked.
Eggman gasped. "Wait… can it be…?"
Sage looked at him. "What is it?"
"Sage, Keisuke, you two saw Takumi's memories… do you remember what Leopardmon's last words were when he and his friends defeated him?"
Everyone looked at Eggman. "Leopardmon's last words?" Hudiemon asked.
Eggman pressed something and his Eggmobile's speakers played back a video clip. "That I might be defeated… that unrivaled justice could falter here… That's it! Destruction must be King Drasil's will! Now that my end is here, I finally see the light! May the will of King Drasil utterly destroy the human and Digital World alike! There is no greater proof then my perishing here! Bwahaha! Worlds far and wide, be destroyed! Vanish, like me, leaving no trace behind! Ahahahahaha! Ahahahahahaha!"
Leopardmon grinned. "Exactly. It was not that Alphamon went against King Drasil's will. She was enforcing it, by ensuring our destruction. Why else would she go against me? My eyes once clouded have been opened."
"W-what?!" Crusadermon gasped.
"That is insane!" Keisuke shouted. "Alphamon stopped you so NO worlds would be destroyed not to enforce the destruction of everything!"
"It would seem that in the end Alphamon swayed from the correct path." Leopardmon said. "The only logical conclusion is that merging with a human blinded her."
"Pft. Yeah. Real logical." Chitose muttered.
"If she will no longer uphold the true will of King Drasil… then it must be I, Leopardmon! The most loyal and just of the knights!"
"Y-you fool…!" Crusadermon muttered. "You would seek out the destruction of our world…?! You've gone mad!"
Leopardmon chuckled. "I knew you would not see the splendor that is King Drasil's true wishes. After all, you too merged with a human once and were overtaken by her desires. That is why I kept you and Dynasmon in the dark while allowing you to aid me. Unfortunately… you outlived your usefulness the moment you brought me what I needed..."
"What you needed?" Date asked.
Leopardmon stabbed his blade into the ground pinning Crusadermon to it. "W-what are you…?!" Crusadermon's body emitted purple mist. "No! You can't!"
"You simply used a small percentage of Bagramon's power. You would not have lost to them if you used all of it, but you hesitated."
"Using all of this power… it would destroy my sanity!" Crusadermon said. "Cloud my judgment and twist me into a monster!"
Leopardmon laughed. "If my king's will requires me to become a "monster"… to ascend beyond the Royal Knights… then so be it!" Leopardmon held up the purple Emerald.
"No! Stop this! NOOOOOOO!" The purple smoke flowed out of Crusadermon and flowed into Leopardmon. His body became pitch black and started to grow and morph.
"He's absorbing Bagramon's Data!" TyrantKabuterimon said. "Unleashing it!"
Everyone watched in shock. "Leo…pardmon…!" Keisuke muttered.
"Leopardmon"?" The black coating faded showing off his new body. "He was too weak to carry out King Drasil's will. I will succeed where he failed." He had black and gold armor with a black cape. "All worlds must be destroyed." In his right hand he held a dual red lance and on his left shoulder was a black blade. "And I will be the god of destruction that heralds the end of all." His chest plate resembled a skull and his silver helmet had gold horns and eyes. "Now bow to the one true noble, the carrier of King Drasil's will, and the almighty knight of unshakable justice… DarkKnightmon! Hehehehehehe…Bwahahahahahahahaha!"
saa hametsu no manot wo nabikase
sekai no subete wo kowase
sou fujimi no ouja wa yuruganai
tetsu no ish no Dark Knight
wag ana wa DARK KNIGHT
KILL YOOOOOOUUUUU~!
And yes, I know his English name is "AxeKnightmon" but come on, that sounds lame in comparison! Either way, will Keisuke and his allies be able to stand against this fallen knight? Will Sonic and the others find Takumi's data in time? Tune in next week to find out.
