Digimon Adventure 04 Chapter 23: I Won't Lose Another Friend
By Bluestar076
Hello everyone! Bluestar here with a new chapter! Before the end of 2023 with the last chapter of the third arc from my other story, Shogunate Pride, I've wanted to give it a last shot of the year with this story as well, with the hope of making more chapters in the next years, for real this time. When I finished the previous chapter, I felt very fine, and I had a similar feeling from when I wrote the first chapters back in 2019. I've changed a lot from those years, but the pleasure and fantasy of writing this story haven't changed. While it isn't my priority anymore, I still consider it my dearest project, so I want to do my best to carry it despite having other stories now.
But I don't want to sadden you and we can move on! As of today's chapter, the finale of this first arc is coming closer and closer, as we reach out another phase in the finale with two battles filled with drama! Can you guess who's gonna face who? To let you know, I think we can start right off the chapter! As always, I hope you enjoy it!
Note: I do not own Digimon. All rights and characters belong to Bandai and Toei Animation. Also, this is a fantasy story, all references to real people, groups, places, laws, names, and marks are completely casual.
Warning: Near the end, there will be a small mention of something delicate. The most sensitive readers have been advised.
Chapter 23: I Won't Lose Another Friend
The File Island was the scenario of various battles ever since the first group of Chosen Children dived into the Digital World in their journey and this 'custom' would have been respected once again even almost forty years after those days, as a dangerous group was standing in there, waiting for their plan to be finalized.
Saiba Rei was looking forward to the wind moving his coat. After all that happened during that day, the sun went down, and the night was dominant. He was still a bit shocked by the sudden change of tides in his crusade…but he still thought he could have done it. After all the energy he was able to gather, he just needed to wait just a few more moments…and his plan would have succeeded.
Yet…he couldn't understand…how did everything go so wrong?
It wasn't only about the mercenaries he hired that were getting defeated. Now the situation had regressed to something worse. First Norn rebelled against him and found a way to escape from him and then all of the actions he made to achieve his goal were exposed. It wasn't a question of putting his motivation in doubt. The only option left was to win, no matter what. Now that the truth about him was discovered, he surely would have had a lot of problems with the candidate himself as president, but nothing that could have been solved with his ways, even if he had to soak his hands in more blood.
It all started with Sykes Connor showing carelessness due to his devotion, and now he was there with most of his men defeated and with no chance of going inside his corporation. He needed to end it there.
He needed…the perfect cube.
Then, his attention was caught by someone calling him.
"Mister Rei." It was Cassidy, who came closer alongside her partner Grademon. "The others have reached Somnus without any problems." She spoke.
"Good to know. With this, the Perfect Cube should be guarded for a while longer at least. I've never thought we would have faced such a critical situation. And because of this, we need to make sure that the plan shall be finalized this very night. First, we complete the Perfect Cube and then we can solve the rest." Saiba replied.
"So, what about the Cheshire Cat Agency and those other guys? I'm sure that after seeing our escape, they didn't quit. They were able to find us a few hours ago without an attack of ours." Cassidy then asked.
"There's no need to worry about that, my dear Cassidy. We'll take care of them as soon as they'll approach us. I'm sure you want to settle things with them." The CEO of the Rei Corporation said with a grin.
Cassidy didn't answer immediately, but as soon as he finished that line, both she and her Digimon started to quiver with excitement. "You can bet it…"
"We've taken enough punches from them. I think it's time we tell our opinion..." Grademon added.
"Yes. After all…I've found out what happened to the man I've wanted to hunt down. Without realizing it, it was all over…and I really didn't have that many programs left. So, I don't mind sticking with you until all this is over. I want my revenge on those brats…" Cassidy then said, surprising the other man.
"Oh! So you've decided to end the ties with your past, I see. In that case…I need to thank you. You were surely the one who did the most of the job here and the one who suffered the most. Just so you know your devotion will be rewarded. I'll make sure to give you a satisfying loot once all of this is over." Saiba said.
"I appreciate it. If anything…you were the only one who tried to help me in this world." Cassidy replied with a small bow.
"What can I say…it's a thing I've done for so many years…and you were another person who needed a guide. Now, go. If they were able to find you, I'm sure they'll head here soon. So…have fun in ending things. Other two people have the same desire as you do, especially with one of them." Saiba ended.
Cassidy didn't need to hear more. She nodded and turned around, starting to descend the mountain with a grin of excitement. "Ah ah…I've been so long for this moment…"
"Let's tear them apart…" Grademon added.
Saiba, on the other hand, remained there to look towards the horizon, with the calm water of the digital ocean and the starry sky. Somnus was miles away from him, but he knew he would have reached it in just a few hours to end that story.
At that moment, his Digimon appeared beside him. "So…you're ready to make the curtain fall?" He asked.
"Absolutely. At this point…it's the only option left. We'll both obtain what we wanted for many years." Saiba firmly replied.
"That's good to know. No space for hesitation or doubt. Not now." The Digimon added. Then…several butterflies made out of light started to fly around. "Hm?"
Saiba looked at them with interest, as one of them landed on his hand. He could recognize them. After all, they had been a significant part of the Digital World story…and the remnant of someone who before him, tried to obtain his goal.
"Yukio Oikawa…it's surprising to see you here. I'm sure you've kept on observing this world you decided to save. I remember when you were still influenced by Vamdemon's spirit…to think that you would have met such an end. But don't worry…I intend to make what you've saved…into something better."
As if they wanted to answer, the light butterflies started to resonate and make noises. Saiba and his Digimon were able to understand their message.
"…I see. So you think I'm in the wrong, too. It's a shame…I thought that, at least, you would have understood. But if you don't agree…then we can say that this is a goodbye for you." Saiba spoke with a cold tone.
And just as he said it, his Digimon released a wave of darkness that shattered down all the butterflies…deleting them. What was left of Yukio Oikawa, the man who sought to reach the Digital World…was now gone.
"AH!" In another part of the Digital World, Iori could feel a bad sensation in his heart for a moment, making him hold it.
"I-Iori! Are you all right!?" His partner, Armadimon asked.
The boy looked up with a bewildered expression. "O…Oikawa?"
Back at File Island, Saiba looked as the pieces of light touched the ground and then faded away with a neutral expression. "These were just a remnant, after all. You died a long time ago, which means that you're a part of the past. I'll make sure to be part of the future." He said before looking back at the horizon.
He then took the tissue he always carried with him to give it one last look.
1st January 1987
He tightened his hand with the tissue…he started that whole thing because of him. And now there would have been nothing that would have prevented him from doing so.
"Father…I'll make sure to make America the greatest of the nations again. Your patriotism had not been forgotten. It's still inside my heart. And it will be that same spirit of patriotism…that will bring both the USA and the Digital World…to the next level."
He then turned around, after feeling an omen. His Digimon could notice it.
"What is it?" He asked.
Saiba made another grin. "They're coming closer. Do your best, Cheshire Cat Agency. We'll see if you'll be able to reach out for me…by dealing with the flames of resentment first."
As soon as they heard where their enemy's current position was, all the detectives didn't waste time and went straight forward. Even if they decided to split up since they thought of the possibility of their targets doing the same. In the end, while the Cheshire Cat Agency went towards File Island, where some of the mercenaries were headed, the Lion Fang Agency headed directly for Somnus, where it turned out that the rest of them were situated. Alongside them, there was also the original group of Chosen Children, who scattered all around the city in case of a potential attack coming from Saiba Rei. Even Yuuko and Nui headed there since they could have given tips on how Saiba did things.
They ended up getting scattered in groups, but the goal was the same for all of them: obtain the remaining USB keys to unlock the barrier around the government skyscraper of Somnus…and finally put an end to Saiba Rei's ambition. Now that they knew his true intentions, they had to stop him. Apart from political reasons, he was still about to harm a lot of people.
As they had this in mind, the Cheshire Cat Agency was heading straight forward to File Island thanks to Rina's partner, Kabuterimon, who was strong enough to carry everyone there.
"Ok…the radar here is spotting at least three of them. Can you give us the confirmation, Mistress Shiro?" Rikka asked while watching her laptop.
"Affirmative! We still have their tracks, which means it's 100% confirmed that they're there!" Chikara's mother answered while standing in her position.
"Good! And if I'm correct…now that we also have Nui's key, we should have reached ten keys in total. Which means…" Rikka said while turning at everyone else.
"If we're lucky enough, we should get the mercenaries with the three remaining mercenaries, correct?" Kasai asked.
"Ah ah! We might have a lucky jackpot, then!" Tsuna commented, all excited.
"Still, are you sure you can fight? You just came out from an intense battle." Kouta asked him.
"Oh, don't worry about that! It's not the first time we've got into a heavy brawl! Now that we're getting towards the end, we don't want to miss the solving of this case! And the evolution we got earlier helped me recover most of my energies, so I'm ready to do it!" Coredramon replied from Tsuna's Digivice.
"So, you did evolve as well! Which means there are now five of us that can do it, right? Man, I'm so jealous!" Gladimon commented.
"Yeah! And to think that it seemed like an impossible task for so many years!" Sasuke added.
"Well…my idea remains the same. I think that, only now, we are in the right situation to make you guys evolve. And if it happened to us, I'm sure everyone else will do it." Aisu gave her opinion. "Still…it's impressive. We have grown, haven't we?"
"Not gonna lie, I'm actually flattered by those words! It means that we're strong as hell!" Veedramon commented.
"Still! I can't wait to see what you all look like with your evolutions! I mean, I'm a literal war machine!" Growmon added all happy.
"You do like your Perfect-Level, don't you?" Aria asked with a drop of sweat coming down from her head.
While they were discussing, Chikara was looking forward. "Still…it makes me confused about why they went for this island in the first place…"
"All of their remaining stuff is at Somnus, right? So, it's weird for me as well…" Leomon added.
"I think they're trying to recollect themselves after our assault. I'm sure they were shocked to see that we were able to circle them." Kumo said.
"Which means that this is the perfect chance to answer them, right?" Shoutmon told him with a confident tone.
"Right!" Kumo answered back with the same voice. "Also…among the remaining mercenaries, there are still…" Even on that last occasion, he thought about them. But at that point, he knew that they wouldn't have listened to him. It was inevitable. And for the sake of the case, he had to put his feelings aside for a moment. To distract himself, he turned around to see one of the others, an extra person who decided to follow them. "Speaking of which…I was surprised that you decided to follow us…Norn."
Norn was indeed, alongside them, followed by Lekismon. Even if they weren't bonded by a Digivice, the Digimon found herself eager to help her.
"Yeah, to be fair, I was surprised that you wanted to come alongside us. I thought you wanted to stay alongside your father after what happened." Kyoko added.
To answer, Norn stood up. "What just happened is a valuable reason to come with you. Don't worry…I've talked with my father about this. And he agreed. I was the first one who unintentionally found out his true purpose and as such…I want to have an active role. I can't forgive him for what he has done. I want some sort of personal revenge…if you can call it that way." She explained before making a gentle smile. "And if I get injured, don't worry about me…I'll know how to fight back. And there's Lekismon now with me, right?"
"Yes! After being asleep for so long, I never thought I could have evolved! I'm feeling full of energy!" Lekismon answered. "I don't really know what's going on right now, one thing I know for certain is that Saib and his Digimon surely mean something bad, so please, let me help you!"
"Ah, I see someone with a certain personality here, I like it! I'm sure we'll be more than happy to accept you then!" Toriko commented. "You even put up a new pair of shoes for the occasion!"
Norn felt a bit embarrassed. "W-Well, after ending up barefoot, I didn't want to catch a cold…"
"I like them!" Aisu said before putting a hand on her shoulder. "And I'm glad to see that you'll be with us for this. You really opened yourself!"
"If anything, you're the one who opened herself a bit more," Norn said with a small grin, making the other girl blush.
"O-Oh come on! Here we go again!" Aisu exclaimed.
"Man, you really are intense! It's almost like you're a cou-" Yatsura was about to give her opinion, but naturally, she ended up getting cut down.
"URUSEI YATSURA!" The two girls shouted.
"OH COME ON!" Yatsura cried out with ExVeemon comforting her with some pats.
"Sorry to ruin the mood, guys! But we're getting closer! I see File Island right below us!" Kabuterimon then warned.
"Oh, nice!" Rina commented while making her knuckles crack. "Time to see how to finish this story with style!" She spoke.
"That was my line actually…but I like it!" Sasuke told her.
"Guess this is it. Ready?" Kyoko then asked the others, who nodded already.
"Whenever you're ready, Kabuterimon!" Rina said to his partner.
"All right! Stay tight to your seats, 'cause we're about to land!" The insect Digimon confirmed as he started to fly down.
The final act was finally about to begin.
Kabuterimon's landing was almost like a helicopter landing down on a forest, and as soon as he touched the ground, everyone jumped down.
"Woo! Finally, we're here. It's been a while since the last time." Tsuna commented.
"We'll talk about it another time," Sasuke told him, while Kasai was already on her road.
"Right. We need to find them… there are only a few of them left…" The girl said.
"Speaking of which…Mistress Shiro, do you know their current position on the island?" Kyoko then asked the woman from the human world through their receiver.
"Their presence is confirmed on the island! I should still have their precise position…" Shiro answered, right before giving a closer look. But in doing so she gasped. "AH!"
"Mom, what happened?" Chikara asked, worried for his mother.
"Two of them are just above you! Watch out!" Shiro warned.
"What!?" Everyone exclaimed in unison. But before they could do something…their enemy already prepared their move.
"Magic Ignition!"
A rain of blue flames fell from the sky, attacking them and preventing them from moving. "GAAAAAH!"
"AH, DAMMIT! THEY'VE PRECEEDED US!" Growmon shouted.
"I swear to God, I'm getting sick of getting assaulted every single time!" Rina added.
"Crap, does this mean that we already have to fight?" Aisu asked. But the most perplexed one was Kumo…since he knew what was going on.
"This attack…Shoutmon…" He looked at his partner, who nodded.
"It could only be them…" Shoutmon answered while nodding.
"It seems that you've come in a lot sooner than expected…this is just perfect." A voice suddenly echoed throughout the flames, forcing the group of detectives to look around in an alert sense.
"They are already here…get ready!" Chikara warned the others, while Kumo already seemed to know what to do. To confirm that…two figures came out from the flames, protected by one of their Digimon.
Aleksi, Sigmund, Fla Wizarmon, and Lighdramon walked in to look at the Cheshire Cat Agency straight in the eyes.
"Aleksi…Sigmund…" Kumo spoke.
"We were certain that you weren't going to give us a break, considering that you've attacked us directly from the Rei Corporation. Therefore, we remained here, ready to attack." Aleksi explained.
"We couldn't miss the opportunity of tearing you apart, especially when it comes to one of you." Sigmund added, glaring at Kumo.
"So what!? We're not afraid of you! I couldn't wait to settle things for what happened at the volcano!" Tsuna countered, getting ready alongside Coredramon, who commented.
"W-Well, you've already settled things with Nui, but it's fine!"
Even Veedramon and Kasai were ready to finish things, as they got ready to attack. "Are you ready, Kasai?" The blue dragon asked.
"More than ready. Let's do it!" The girl promptly answered, but surprisingly, Kumo stopped the scene.
"Wait!"
"Uh?" Everyone turned at him.
"What is it, Kumo? Don't tell me you're still trying to solve this peacefully. How often do I have to tell you it's too late?" Aleksi asked.
"I'm not trying to solve this without a fight. I've tried many times to make you reason, but if it's a fight that you want so badly…then I'll be glad to do it." Kumo said before making a few steps forward. "And I'll do it myself."
The others, including his own partner, were stunned to hear that.
"What!?" Tsuna exclaimed.
"Hey, Kumo, are you sure of what you're saying? You plan on facing them alone!?" Kouta asked.
But the boy seemed firm on that. "It's a thing I have to do. Not only to make them realize the truth but also to stay at peace with me after that night. And after all…they're still two of Saiba's henchmen, therefore…they're my opponents."
"Is…is that what you really think?" Kasai asked, showing a bit concerned for him.
"Yes. I won't let anyone interfere or block me this time. We'll do it for real now, guys!" Kumo declared. "I intend to move forward!"
Kyoko, on the other hand, was looking at him surprised and perplexed at the same time. He wasn't showing the same hesitation he had when he came back from Somnus or when he first discovered that they turned on him. This time, he was serious about putting this story behind him and making them listen to him. "Kumo…you've really grown up…" She thought. Still…she could see that facing two enemies at the same time would have been dangerous for him.
Even Aleksi and Sigmund were surprised, but the first boy then made a scoffing grin. "Do it for real? Heh…glad to see that you've decided to grow the balls for once…still! Don't think you can get it out from here that easily!" He spoke.
"And you're showing yourself as a big hypocrite! You say things such as putting yourself at peace and telling us the truth while you still left Aija to die!? I'VE GOT TIRED OF YOUR FACE! LIGHDRAMON!" Sigmund added, ordering his Digimon to charge.
"YES! TAKE THIS!" Lighdramon accepted and charged against Kumo and his partner, who seemed ready to face him.
"Guys! Watch out!" Yatsura exclaimed, but it wasn't needed in the end, because another surprise occurred.
"DORUGAMON!"
Kyoko quickly told her partner to attack Lighdramon, and in less than a second, DORUgamon pushed back Lighdramon with all of his body, making him crash against a tree.
"Ngah! What the-!?" The dragon Digimon exclaimed.
Soon, all eyes were turned at Kyoko and his partner, who seemed to glare at the two enemies with the same intentions as Kumo.
"Hey, what are you intending to do, chick!?" Sigmund exclaimed.
"Isn't it obvious? Helping my brother." Kyoko coldly replied, while his partner Dorugamon was able to turn off the flames that surrounded the group by using a one-wing movement.
"Ah! The flames turned off!" Aria spoke.
"Guys, keep moving without us. Me and Kumo will take care of them." Kyoko then warned the others, who were surprised, even Kumo himself.
"Are you serious?" Chikara asked.
"Kyoko, I appreciate that, but really, it's up to me!" Kumo added.
"It's all right, I don't intend to take off your moment! I just want to make things more equal." His sister told him before looking at the two. "It's Aleksi you need to talk out with first, right? So I'm making sure that guy won't interfere." She added, referring to Sigmund, who naturally didn't take it so well.
"What did you say!?"
"Kyoko…" Kumo spoke.
"You're starting to come out of your shell…and to make it as good as possible, I want to give you space. Plus, it's only fair that I help you! Not only you're a member of this agency…you're my little brother." Kyoko told him with a sweeter tone.
Kumo was on the verge of crying, but he stood strong and looked at the enemies. "All right…let's do it. Ready, Shoutmon?"
"Eh eh! I was only waiting for this moment!" Shoutmon replied, holding his microphone tightly.
"DORUgamon, I hope you agree!" Kyoko asked his partner.
"Who do you take me for? Of course, I am!" DORUgamon replied.
The two mercenaries gritted their teeth while the other detectives weren't still sure what to do.
But then…Aisu started to move forward. "Come on! Let's just do what they say. It's a private thing. Between them, and we don't have time to waste!"
"It's surprising to start something by yourself, Aisu!" His partner, Strikedramon noticed. Aisu answered by making a gentle smile.
"What can I say? I got carried away."
The other detectives looked at themselves for a few instances and then all nodded. "Well, just like Coredramon said, I've already got my satisfaction, so I assume it's only fair…" Tsuna commented.
"You never get satisfied, eh?" Sasuke asked. "But we get the message! We're counting on you! Kick their asses!" Sasuke added before starting to move out with the others.
"Come on, let's go!" Chikara exclaimed. With that, they've all started to move on. The last one to leave was Kasai, who looked at both Kumo and Kyoko. Both of them were two of the members of the agency she was most attached. So, a bit of worry was present in her heart. But she could see that they were looking at them with a confident glare as if they would have promised her to reach them.
And Kasai didn't need to know more. "Heh…good grief…" She commented. Then, with a sweeter smile than usual, she nodded to them with her hat. It was her own way of telling them good luck. And with that, she reached the others, leaving the four of them alone.
Sigmund gritted his teeth. "Is that how it is? You think you can just come up and mess with us!? I don't intend to let it happen!" He exclaimed, but just as he was about to attack, Kyoko was already in front of him. "What-!?"
"HMM!" Kyoko didn't lose any time and pushed him away with a strong kick. "I'll take care of him! You solve our things with the other one!" She said before going after him. DORUgamon in the meantime, already grabbed the other Digimon and started to fly away.
"I know you're angry, but how about we discuss it in another place?" He asked.
"GET OFF ME!" Lighdramon protested.
All that was left…were Kumo and Aleksi, with their partners. The four of them glared at each other, ready to attack at any time.
"So…I guess this is it, then, right?" Aleksi asked.
"Absolutely. This battle is between you and me. No one else will interfere now." Kumo promptly replied.
"…What do we do, Aleksi?" Fla Wizarmon asked.
"Hey…don't think you can cut yourself out from this, Fla Wizarmon…" Shoutmon told him, as he got ready.
Aleksi looked at his opponent in silence for a few other minutes before he took out a deep breath.
"Sadly, we have to resource to this type of thing…and to think that there was a time I would have called you a friend…but, after that night, I could remember what you truly are…a coward. But I guess I couldn't expect anything else from one that killed a person in the past."
Kumo's eyes twitched for a moment, as he remembered the day that scarred his life. But he held his fist tightly. "People change, Aleksi. And I intend to show you that I've changed as well…after I was given a second chance."
"True…but you wasted it. My sister died because you left her alone. So, I guess it's only natural that I show you what your true outcome would be." With that, Aleksi stood ready as well. "Be prepared…because I won't show mercy."
"The same could be said about me." Kumo countered. Both Shoutmon and Fla Wizarmon were ready to do the same as well.
They all stood still for a few moments, and then…just as a falling leaf touched the ground…
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" They've all departed against each other, ultimately clashing.
The impact caused by the two Digimon released a small fire explosion before they started to clash several times while moving around. Due to his dimensions, Shoutmon proved to be faster, as he quickly moved between one spot and another while he kept on both attacking and dodging his enemy's blows. But even Fla Wizarmon proved to be nothing less, as he moved swiftly and dodged most of the attacks so that he could answer. "Take this! Magic Ignition!" He then enveloped his fist with a blue flame.
"Rock Damashī!" Shoutmon answered similarly, by infusing his arm with a bright red flame. The two fists clashed with each other, and a small circle of fire was generated by the impact while they kept on pushing.
"I'll admit that you've become stronger with time, but I'm sure you can still see the difference between us. You don't have the same control over fire as I do, therefore, you'll have to work harder if you want to beat me!" Fla Wizarmon said as he pushed further with the fist, managing to surpass Shoutmon and punch him in the belly.
"GAH!" Shotumon spit a bit of saliva as he was pushed back. When he opened his eyes, he could see that his opponent was already preparing a spell of several fireballs that he made rain down on him. The small dragon Digimon promptly moved and jumped from one spot to another to dodge the flames and then jumped up to surprise his opponent.
"What!?" Fla Wizarmon exclaimed.
"Rowdy Rocker!" Shoutmon used his microphone and slammed it directly against Fla Wizarmon, aiming at the spleen. His opponent put his arms in a defensive stance to limit the damage, which was still big, as the hit was successful and pushed him away.
"Ngh!"
Shoutmon landed on his feet, holding his mic and assuming a pose. "What you say may be true, but I can still find other ways to defeat you! There won't be no escape or any favorable event this time!" He proclaimed. "Though he's right…It will be hard for me to face him with fire…"
Fla Wizarmon felt a bit of pain as he gritted his teeth at the enemy. "Even with this, you can't help but be incredibly stubborn. I've always admired you for that, Shoutmon. But despite that, I can't excuse what you have caused to both Aija and Turuiemon! We were a group, remember!?" With those words, he generated a torrent of fire with his match.
"NGHHH!" Shoutmon could feel a terrible pain as the fire attacked his scales, but even with that, he tried his best to not get wiped away. "We've tried so many times to explain to you the situations, but you insist on being willing to take us down! If you let me say it, we grew up tired of hearing this!" He countered as he spread his arms, managing to turn off the fire.
"What!?" Fla Wizarmon was shocked to see that.
"Aija and Turuiemon were our friends as well, and you don't know how much we suffered when we saw them die! How much Kumo suffered because he saw one of the few people who still trusted him!" Shoutmon continued.
Fla Wizarmon was confused for a moment. "You…saw them die?" But to his horror, Shoutmon was able to dash forward and start to attack him repeatedly.
"MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAAA!"
"GAAAH!" Fla Wizarmon was sent against a tree that fell off, while Shoutmon was breathing heavily, but he could still show off a fierce will.
"But if the only way to get through you is to beat you up, THEN WE'LL BE GLAD TO DO SO! I WON'T LOSE THIS TIME!" The small red dragon shouted. Even if he was short, he could still show off the same ferocity of a regular dragon.
Fla Wizarmon was still lost for a moment. Even if he was his enemy, he was almost as if he truly didn't show off an act of malevolence, and the fact that he saw Aija and Turuiemon die left him disoriented. "Is…is he telling the truth?" He thought. But then…a strange sensation tilted his head. "Agh! GRRR…" He slowly stood up and released a firing aura, more furious than ever. "You say that you saw them die? An adding reason to kill you for good…IF THAT'S HOW THINGS WENT, YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING, YOU BASTARDS!"
Shoutmon grit his teeth, but he knew that it wasn't going to be easy. That thought was enough to make him charge against the enemy. This time, he infused his own microphone with flames and made it slam against Fla Wizarmon. "GRAAAAAH!"
This time, Fla Wizarmon didn't move out and instead accepted the challenge by grabbing the microphone right above him and pushing it away. "Didn't I already tell you!? Fire doesn't work much on me! How about I show you how to use it properly!?" With those words, he spread his arms and unleashed his flames on their surroundings. "FIRE CLOUD!" In a few seconds, the area was enveloped in blue fire.
Shoutmon made a few steps backward as he witnessed the environment, while Fla Wizarmon charged against him by slamming his whole arm against him. "GAH!"
But Fla Wizarmon wasn't done there, as he grabbed his tail and started to make him crash against the ground and the flames several times. "If you truly feel sorry for what happened, then SUFFER THE RIGHT PAIN YOU DESERVE!"
"GRRRRR!" Shoutmon didn't want to let him do as he pleased any longer, and while he let himself get slammed around, he waited for the perfect moment. And as soon as Fla Wizarmon lifted him, Shoutmon took the chance to kick him in the face, forcing him to leave the grip.
"AGH!"
"SOUL CRUSHER!" Shoutmon released a high-volume shout from his microphone that dozed Fla Wizarmon and forced him to cover his ears. Kumo's partner took advantage of it and overwhelmed the opponent with a barrage of punches. "MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!"
"GAAAAAAH!" Fla Wizarmon was unable to defend himself and got inevitably hit by all the fists that made him crash to the ground. "GRRRR!" But he still didn't want to let it go as he stood up.
Shoutmon's body was still smoking while he glared at his opponent. "Me and Kumo already had suffered enough because of what Saiba has done to us and the rest of our friends. I've already told you, Fla Wizarmon, you won't get rid of me that easily this time!"
Not far from them, their human partners were doing their best to take down each other, even if they didn't have magical powers like Digimon.
"TSEAAAH!" Kumo was surprisingly direct with his fists for his opponent, who put his arms in a defensive stance to gladden the pain. After a few moments spent taking the hits, he moved to the right as soon as Kumo was ready to throw another punch. Once he did so, Aleksi grabbed his arm and threw him backward. "GAH!"
"EAT THIS!" Aleksi was ready to answer with his series of punches, but Kumo's reflexes were faster as he threw a kick on the belly that pushed him back. "GAH!" He recoiled while holding his hand and seeing his enemy standing up again and ready to throw more blows. Aleksi had to consider carefully how to behave because, in the end, the one physically stronger between the two had always been Kumo. "Kh…you're serious on this…" He commented.
"The last two times I was still hesitant and you were helped out by one of your friends. Don't expect to be that lucky this time!" Kumo countered.
Aleksi started to become nervous after hearing that as he tightened his fist. "I've been waiting too long for this occasion, I won't let it waste!" With that, Kumo expected him to throw himself with a fist, but instead, he threw a bit of dust from the ground with his foot, blinding him.
"AGH!" Kumo couldn't see anything, preventing him from defending himself. Aleksi took advantage of it and didn't hesitate to charge against him to throw him to the ground, starting to punch him repeatedly.
"You took away every last bit of happiness that I was left with! I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRUST YOU, BUT YOU BACKSABBED ME LIKE THAT!" Aleksi shouted as he kept continuing. At that moment, he was standing above Kumo and hitting him. He wanted to taste that moment after months of repressed frustration by venting everything he had inside.
But Kumo didn't want to let it happen. He also had his word to tell. Therefore, as soon as Aleksi was about to throw another punch, He punched him first to make him lose balance and then stood up to give him a headbutt in the nose that forced him to get away further.
"GAH!" Aleksi made a few steps backward and could see that he was losing blood from his nose. When he raised his head, he could see that Kumo was still standing, more furious than usual.
"I'VE NEVER BACKSTABBED YOU! Do you really think that I would have done something like that to Aija!? I've never intended to abandon you, nor your sister nor Sigmund! You were some of my closest friends! But you let yourself be driven off by emotions and Saiba took advantage of you! Don't you see!? HE'S USING YOUR PAIN TO CONTROL YOU!"
"SHUT UP!" Aleksi shouted. His yell could be heard throughout the forest, to the point that a few birds Digimon flew away. "I don't want to listen another fucking word coming from you!" After saying that, Aleksi threw himself against Kumo, who answered. The two started a match where they quickly dodged and answered every attack coming from both sides. "AIJA WAS THE ONLY FAMILY I HAD LEFT EVER SINCE MY PARENTS DIED! AS LONG AS SHE WAS SMILING NOTHING MATTERED! AND YOU DARE ME TO SAY THAT I'M A BAD GUY BECAUSE I'M FOLLOWING SAIBA!? YOU SHOULD LOOK AT SOME MIRROR! YOU ARE FAR WORSE THAN I COULD EVER BE!"
Aleksi's fists were starting to make Kumo all bloody and with a huge bruise on his left eye, but either way, he didn't stop and kept on punching, doing the same at the other boy. "AND YOU THINK THAT KIDNAPPING DIGIMON FOR A DICTATOR WANNA-BE WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO HONOR HER DEPARTURE!? THIS ISN'T WHAT AIJA WOULD WANT! IF SHE WAS THERE, SHE WOULD LOOK AT YOU WITH CONTEMPT!"
Hearing those words made Aleksi only angrier, as he dodged one of Kumo's fists and attacked back with one directly at his nose. He paid back the headbutt he was given. "NGH!" The Chosen Child recoiled while his nose was bleeding. He could see that his opponent was starting to tremble with frustration, as his eyes were becoming red. But they didn't seem out of sadness or anything else…rather…for something unnatural. "Aleksi…?"
"Don't you dare…talk to my sister like that…YOU NEVER KNEW HER THE SAME WAY I DO!" He then charged again. This time, his fists and kicks became more direct and more violent, with the detective starting to have a bit of a problem in dodging them. "YOU ONLY KNEW HER FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS! I WAS THERE WHEN SHE WAS ON THE CRADLE CRYING! I WAS THE ONE SHE COULD RELY ON EVERY TIME! YOU CAN'T TELL ME HOW SHE WOULD FEEL ABOUT ME!" He screamed from the bottom of his lungs before grabbing Kumo by the arm and throwing him away against a tree.
"GAH!" Kumo could feel a lot of pain in his back, as he witnessed with a bit of worry that Aleksi's condition was getting worse. "W-What's with him?"
Aleksi was breathing heavily, as his mind was getting blurrier with each second that was passing. "Whenever you say things like this, the only thing you can do is to spit at her soul! CAN'T YOU HAVE A BIT OF HEART!? I WON'T LET THIS GET ANY FURTHER! YOU'LL DIE HERE AND RIGHT NOW!"
In the meantime, the two Digimon were unleashing their best flame techniques in the hope of prevailing over the others. Shoutmon started to get a few more hits on his opponent, but the situation didn't seem different from when it started. He could see that Fla Wizarmon seemed getting infused by something, but he couldn't tell what it was. "I won't go anywhere if things keep up like this. I need to find a break in him! I hope I'm not really forced to kill him…no, there's no reason to think like that! You can still do it, Shoutmon, you have to snap him out of that thing, you owe him!" He thought.
Fla Wizarmon, on the other hand, already had two blue flames in his hands and looked at the red dragon with a stare that had a bit of a sadistic in it. "What's the matter, Shoutmon!? Don't tell me you're already tired! THE BEST PART COMES NOW!" He exclaimed, he then threw the blue flames in the form of two large torrents of blue fire.
Shoutmon widened his eyes in horror and jumped just in time to dodge them. But the assault wasn't done there. As soon as he turned around, he could see that his enemy already covered his whole body in those same blue flames and dashed at high speed. "What!? GAH!" Shoutmon didn't have the time to do anything as his enemy was already moving around, attacking him from every direction while looking like a tongue of fire. "D-Dammit! He never showed a move like that!"
"Eh eh eh eh! Like it!? This is me when I want to get serious! You've done enough to resist! Now it's time you just quit!" Fla Wizarmon explained, sounding even more unusual.
"NGH! NEVER! Didn't you hear me before!?" Shoutmon protested.
"Really? Do you think you're in the condition of saying that?" Fla Wizarmon sarcastically asked while continuing.
Shoutmon could feel more burns surrounding his body as he kept on getting hit. He attached himself to his microphone to stand up, since the attacks were starting to overwhelm him. But he knew he didn't have to listen to him and just quit. "GH…dammit, I've never expected that he would have come out with something like this…I couldn't expect anything less from Aleksi's partner…but I can't fall off while the others are doing their best." He commented. "Calm down, Shoutmon…you were always able to find a way to take down your enemies…you just need to think outside the box…" After thinking of something better to calm him down, he closed his eyes to focus on what he needed to do.
Considering that he was attacking him from every angle at the uppermost speed, the breaches he could have found were very low, since he could have been already too far from in from one moment to another. Therefore…the moment when he was in his range would have been only a short one. Which meant that he needed to focus and seek for it.
He planted his two paws well to the ground and raised his microphone as if he were holding a baseball bat. For a few moments, he didn't move and the attacks kept on coming. "K-Keep on focusing!" He thought to motivate himself to not crumble.
"The fact that you are trying to keep going with that pose is a lot sad! How about I put an end to your sufferings, LIKE YOU DESERVE TO!?" Seeing him made Fla Wizarmon dash right in front of him. But in doing so, he unconsciously gave Shoutmon the moment he was waiting for.
"NOW! WREAAAH!" Seeing that Fla Wizarmon was at the right distance made the small red dragon use the microphone to slam his face. An attack that turned out to be successful, as the enemy wizard got his face slapped by it and sent up.
"GAAAAAH! W-WHAT!?" Fla Wizarmon was astonished to see that happen and got even more astonished when he saw Shoutmon jumping up to reach him. "He can still move!?"
"Rock Damashī!" Shoutmon infused his fist with flames and used it to attack Fla Wizarmon right in the belly, making him crash down violently to the ground, causing a small explosion. He then landed on his feet and took a few breaths to recover. "I've got it through, but I'll admit that it was hard…" He commented.
But right then, even if he was sure that he delivered a good attack, he could see the surrounding environment getting swallowed by blue flames. "Uh!? Dammit…Even that wasn't enough…"
As soon as the smoke faded out, Fla Wizarmon started to slowly stand up. He was starting to catch his breath as well, but he still had the strength to continue. "You've made a good move, I'll give you that…but I'm sure you can't erase what's between us that easily, even If you keep on attacking…" He spoke.
"True, but I'm pretty sure that you also know that if you keep up like this, your condition won't get much better!" Shoutmon countered as he got ready.
"SO WHAT!?" Fla Wizarmon roared. "Even if I risk getting killed, it won't matter as long as I have the certainty to kill you for good! The fact that you're even still standing after all those hits is simply WRONG!"
Shoutmon started to feel genuinely worried for him, even if he was an enemy at that moment. "Why can't you see it!? This isn't something you would normally say! You're getting out of your mind!"
"Oh, I'm me right now, Shoutmon. It's just that you haven't seen my violent side that often. But trust me, when I get into it, I CAN BE REALLY GRUESOME! IT'S JUST IN MY NATURE!" As he kept on talking, Fla Wizarmon's whole body went up in flames, looking like a burning scarecrow.
"Tch!" Shoutmon's alertness increased and made him get ready.
"Shoutmon…it has been a fun ride together, and you were finally able to put up a good fight…BUT THIS IS WHERE WE PART WAYS! SAY GOODBYE!" With those words, Fla Wizarmon threw himself against the other Digimon, who widened his eyes and started to jump around to dodge his attacks, all of this while most of the area they were standing in was burning to the ground.
Shoutmon noticed that his attacks weren't following a normal pattern, and he was getting closer to a berserk state. But even with this, he could see that he was still a threat. "I need to take him out as soon as possible! GAH!" While he was thinking about how to deal with him, he suddenly got punched in the face and thrown against a tree. "G-GH…" He was starting to feel the weight of the various attacks…but his eyes then laid on something.
A few pebbles were around him. Somehow…he could start to think of a perfect idea to deal with him. Fla Wizarmon was instead on the complete opposite idea. It wasn't his usual way of thinking, but his mind was starting to get messed up by something to the point that he didn't care. He just wanted to see Shoutmon die. He violently placed his staff on the ground and charged several blue fireballs. "MAGIC IGNITION!" Without hesitating, he threw all of them until they became a whole rain, to the point that Shoutmon almost seemed to disappear from the small explosions.
"GH!"
Even if he couldn't tell if he took down the enemy, Fla Wizarmon kept on shooting. "AH AH AH! YOU DON'T ACT ALL THAT CLEVER, DO YOU!?" He shouted.
"We'll see about that!" Shoutmon's voice echoed in the area.
"UH!?" Fla Wizarmon looked around. To be sure, he started to shoot mostly everywhere, to the point of bringing up more smoke. "You can run but you can't hide, remember that!"
But just as he kept on attacking…something started to hit him in several parts of the body, making him stop. "GAH! What!?" The strange attack kept on continuing, almost as if it tried to mimic the same strategy he used before. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" He then made the smoke fade away with one movement of his hand. And that was when he saw with horror that Shoutmon was just above him with several flaming rocks next to him. "What!?"
"You were right earlier. Among the two of us, you're surely the most skilled with fire, therefore, a good way of taking you down would be using your own techniques against you!" Shoutmon declared.
"Wait…so that attack right now…" Fla Wizarmon thought about it and realized that they were a way for Shoutmon to take advantage of him by using an imitation of that dash attack from before and the Magic Ignition. Still…he widened his eyes and prepared himself. "No, I WON'T LET YOU DO THAT-" He was about to attack but in his rage, he forgot that among the two of them…it was Shoutmon who was faster.
"TAKE THIS!" The small red dragon didn't take too long to throw the rest of the rocks at his enemy in a fast sequence, to the point that Fla Wizarmon was overwhelmed by those attacks and left exposed. That was the perfect chance. Shoutmon landed on his feet and ran forward with a firing punch. "COME BACK TO YOUR SENSES! Rock Damashī!"
"GAAAAAAH!" That punch sent Fla Wizarmon several meters away with an impact.
"I hope this worked out…" Shoutmon said as he followed him.
Meanwhile, the two humans were continuing their match. Both of them gave one heavy attack after another, but both of them weren't going to quit. Kumo was determined to make Aleksi listen to him and defeat him while Aleksi had gone too far to stop, now that he was so close to taking him down.
"AAAAAAAAH!" Aleksi didn't want to waste another moment in that time. He threw himself against Kumo, who took advantage of that abrupt attack to defend himself, grabbed Aleksi by the arm with one hand and by the head with the other, and pummeled him down.
"You're now acting out of pure rage! You can't continue fighting like this! You should give up!" Kumo warned him.
"GIVE UP!?" Aleksi shouted. With a newfound strength, he was able to kick Kumo in the spleen, making him lose his grip and then push him away against a tree.
"AGH!"
"You're telling me to quit now that I have what I came here for right in front of me!?" Aleksi shouted.
"A-Aleksi…" Kumo spoke as he raised his head towards him.
"I honestly don't give a damm about Saiba's plan on rebuilding America! Why else would you think that me and Sigmund joined him!? Because he gave us a chance to deal with you! And now that you're standing right in front of me agonizing, I WON'T LET THAT CHANCE HE GAVE ME BE WASTED!" He asked, acting once again out of himself. Took a sharpened piece of wood and tried to stab Kumo in the throat.
The other boy widened his eyes and lowered his head in time and moved quickly behind him.
"WHAT!?" Aleksi shouted.
"Forgive me…But this ends now!" Kumo exclaimed before using a spinning kick right on Aleksi's face, wiping him away.
"GAAAAH!" He was thrown several meters away to the ground, where he could see that even his partner was lying on the ground. "F-Fla Wizarmon…"
"Aleksi…" The Digimon replied.
Both Kumo and Shoutmon found themselves again and could see that their enemies were in front of them…hoping that it was enough. But unfortunately…that didn't seem to be the case.
"G-Gh…" Even after all the wounds he got, Aleksi tried to stand up again. He spit a bit of blood and was breathing heavily…but he still wanted to find the strength to continue the fight.
"Aleksi, stop! You can't just continue like that! Why can't you just give up!?" Kumo asked. "I don't intend to hurt you any further!"
"Anf…anf…how long do I have to keep on repeating the same things to you, Kumo?" Aleksi said, showing a different tone. "I...I'll never stop…not until I'll be able to finally cut the ties with you. The only thing that would give me satisfaction would be to see you down once and for all. I…I can't keep on living with that undone…" He wasn't showing the same aggressiveness as before…but the hatred was still in there, almost as if it was coming out right from his heart.
Kumo looked at him with pitiful eyes. It was just painful to see a person he still considered a friend reduced in that way. "Aleksi…please…there's no need to continue to fight. We can solve this. You still need to know the truth…"
"What truth?" Aleksi said before surprisingly standing up. But even with that, he couldn't do much. "The fact that you let my sister die? Well, thanks…I already know that…" He started to tremble…but Kumo couldn't tell if it was out of frustration…or for something else. He could also notice…that his expression became duller.
"Aleksi?" Kumo asked.
"I…I cared a lot about you in the past…Kumo. There was a time when I was glad to have called your friend…when I could have sincerely trusted you, and you were there to help me. I don't hide the fact that I miss those days…but how could I see you with those same eyes after knowing what you did?" Aleksi continued.
"Aleksi, for the last time…that's not how-" Kumo tried to talk, but once again…
"BE QUIET!" Aleksi released a scream…and right at that moment…a purple smoke started to come out from both his body…and his Digivice. A sight that alarmed both Kumo and his partner.
"Ah! T-That energy!" Kumo exclaimed.
"The power of darkness! It must be Saiba's Digimon's power that is resonating within Aleksi's heart!" Shoutmon added.
Much like Nui…Aleksi was having the same effects while glaring at Kumo. Even Fla Wizarmon, who already had a bit of energy inside of it…could sense something dangerous out of it.
"Aleksi!? What is that!?" He asked.
"I think I've made myself as clear as possible…the only reason to settle this is with battle, and as you can see I'm still standing…" Aleksi spoke. His voice started to get more burdened, almost suffocated. The purple smoke became more intense.
"Kumo! We need to do something quick!" Shotumon exclaimed.
"Aleksi! Snap out of it before it's too late!" Kumo added.
"I won't stop fighting…I haven't got my revenge yet… I promise…I'll make sure to find a way to make Aija…rest in peace. Aija…Aija…Aija…Aija…Aija…Aija…Aija…Aija…Aija! Aija, Aija, Aija, Aija, AIJA!" Aleksi continued…and after one last faint image of his late sister smiling… "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" He released a harrowing yell and the dark energy spread out, reaching his partner as well.
"ALEKSI- AGH!" Fla Wizarmon tried to reach out for his partner, but he was soon enveloped by the darkness as well…starting to mutate.
"NGH!" Both Kumo and Shoutmon covered themselves for the wind that was generated by that energy before they could witness with horror…that it already corrupted them. "Oh no…" The boy spoke.
"Fla Wizarmon…is evolving!" Shoutmon added.
The purple marasmus that engulfed the other Digimon started to wade away…revealing Fla Wizarmon…in his new form, an altered Perfect-Level evolution. It was a tall Digimon with a demonic appearance. His upper body was exposed with two long arms wrapped in red gloves with golden claws, a pair of black pants wrapped up in wrists with golden medals, and two black spiky boots. His hair was white, but his face was covered by a golden mask with horns, making his six eyes the only part visible. Those eyes looked at the other pair of human and Digimon with a void expression that put out a murderous intent.
Kumo and Shotumon took a few steps back as they witnessed that new monstrous form. "W-What is that…? I've never seen a Digimon like that before…" Shoutmon commented with wide eyes.
Kumo started to sweat, but he still took out his Digivice to scan him. Soon the results came in and he read it out. "Neo Devimon…a Perfect-Level Digimon. An altered version of Devimon after being artificially modified to be controlled…his move is Guilty Claw…" He read before looking up. "D-Devimon? Does this mean he's an evolution of that Digimon dad, mom, Uncle Takeru and the rest of the original Chosen Children faced a long time ago!?"
But they didn't have the time to think about it that Neo Devimon was raising his arms and generating a wave of darkness to destroy both of them.
"KUMO!" Shoutmon noticed the danger and rushed in front of his partner and tried to contrast the attack with his own flames. "NGHHHH!"
"Shoutmon!" Kumo exclaimed.
"D-Don't worry! I'll take care of it!" The small Digimon said while struggling. But unfortunately, apart from being gravely injured from the battle, their powers were starting to differentiate. And in the end…Shoutmon got overwhelmed and thrown away by the wave. "GAAAH!"
"Oh no…this is bad!" Kumo thought. And when he turned around, he could see that Aleksi was already charging against him, ready for another round, even when it was clear that it wasn't him anymore. "NGH!" Kumo defended himself while the other boy tried to push him away.
"G-Gh…" In the meantime, Shoutmon tried to stand up while the evolved Digimon was already waiting for him. "This is the absolute worst…look at what they turned you into, Fla Wizarmon…" He started to breathe out heavily due to that attack from before. But even with that, he tried to stand up. "After seeing something like this, I can't forget Saiba's ways as well…don't worry! I'm sure that there's a way to get you out of there!" He then planted his microphone on the ground. "AND I'LL FIND OUT! SOUL CRUSHER!" He released a high-level shout that was intensified by the mic's power.
Neo Devimon covered himself with his wings and seemed a bit stunned by that. This gave Shoutmon the chance to charge and overwhelm him with a barrage of punches. "Rock Damashī! MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAAAAA!"
The enemy Digimon remained there to feel a bit of the hit, but in the end, he spread his wings and interrupted the flow, showing that the small dragon's efforts were worthless.
"N-No! GAH!" Shoutmon was then grabbed in the face by Neo Devimon and was thrown up.
The dark Digimon then spread his wings and released a storm of despair energy from his wings that overwhelmed the other one. "Deep Sorrow."
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Shoutmon could feel terrible pain both on the body and on his mind that made him fall to the ground. "GRRR…" Kumo's partner was reduced pretty badly, maybe on the verge of dissolving into data. But he knew he couldn't give up, not after seeing what he called his friends getting corrupted. "C-COME ON! I'm…I'M NOT FINISHED YET!" He then infused his whole body in flames and threw himself against Neo Devimon, ready to overpower him with attacks. "MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAAAAA!" At first, he seemed to stand up against the enemy's attacks, managing even to dodge some of his attacks and hitting him with a heavy blow with his fist covered in flames, which seemed to deliver a great impact on him. "I-I've got him!" Shoutmon exclaimed. But he rejoiced too soon. Right after that…
SPLAT!
"GAAAH!" Shoutmon found a few of Neo Devimon's claws stabbed in his body. He could then see with horror that some electric energy started to run through those claws, and soon enough, his enemy released an electric shockwave from his arms.
"Stun Claw."
At that point, Shoutmon released an agonizing roar of pain as the electricity was starting to damage severely all of his body and possibly his brain. But Neo Devimon wasn't done there. He threw him away and started to attack him from more angles before throwing him away with a kick, making him crash violently to the ground.
Shoutmon was lying down in a small puddle of blood, with the microphone a few centimeters away from him and Neo Devimon who was slowly approaching him. The situation was so frustrating that the small red dragon even teared up. "S-Shit…and I was supposed to look at the others' back? I…I can't even save a friend from the darkness nor protect my partner…w-what kind of Digimon I am!?" He complained.
Back on the two humans, Kumo was doing his best to knock Aleksi out, giving him two punches and then making him fall to the ground to block him. "Snap out of that! This isn't you!" He exclaimed.
"I'll kill you…I'LL KILL YOU!" Aleksi retorted before kicking Kumo on the legs to make him lose balance and reverse the situation. As soon as the boy was right on Kumo, he started to punch him out, trying to break his head.
Kumo defended himself with his arms and used the same strategy as before. With one headbutt, he was able to make Aleksi recoil and freed himself, being able to answer back. But then, as he was starting to feel the blows, Aleksi did something unexpected. With a yell of uncontrolled fury, he used his bare hand to stab Kumo in the spleen, making him spit blood from the mouth. "BLARGH!" The boy was simply bewildered. While he was true that Aleksi tried actively to kill him during all that time… he never thought he would have pushed himself too far. He couldn't tell if it was because he was influenced by the darkness in his heart…or if he genuinely tried to do so. In any case…that made Kumo recoil.
"I GOT YOU!" Aleksi didn't waste any time and grabbed him by the neck, lifting him while slowly choking him.
"G-GH…A-Aleksi…p-please…" Kumo pleaded one last time…but it was too late.
"NO! THAT'S NOT FAIR! YOU NEED TO FEEL BAD, TOO!" Aleksi shouted.
Suddenly…everything stopped for Kumo, who widened his eyes. That…wasn't the first time he heard that same quote.
The flash of that memory went through his mind…back when his classmate attacked him due to his bad conditions. If anything…it was that moment that signed him up for life…from when he got out of control and accidentally murdered that boy…from when he went to prison…up until he joined the Cheshire Cat Agency. If anything…didn't he join the agency to be strong…and finally make things right? That was…the reason why Kyoko entrusted him with that.
"I believe…that everyone needs a second chance."
He promised himself to not let it waste it…and yet there he was…after suffering for the loss of a close friend of his…he was now facing another, who was suffering because of someone who put both of them in that situation.
He couldn't afford it…to see it again. Maybe…Aleksi was right after all…he was a bit of a coward. But he needed to change that…
"Gh…" Kumo resumed his struggling…until he found the strength to throw a kick in the spleen and throw him away. "GRAAAAH!"
"AGH!" Aleksi didn't expect it and crashed against a tree.
"ANF, ANF, ANF…" Kumo was finally free to move…and the first thing he did…was to go closer to his partner…
"Anf…" Shoutmon's sight was starting to get blurry…but he could recognize the figure of his partner as soon as he got closer. "K-Kumo…?"
Kumo looked at him in silence and helped him stand up again.
"What…what are you doing!?" Aleksi asked while standing up as well.
"Kumo?" Shoutmon was a bit confused, but his human partner explained himself soon enough.
"…I'm sorry, Shoutmon. You had to go through all of that…because of me." He spoke. "Eh eh…I guess that in the end…I wasn't that different from a few years ago…"
"What? No, what are you saying? You…You've improved a lot! I could see it with my eyes! I…I could see how you did your best to move forward and do the right thing! I…I still remember all those days when I was separated from you when you were in prison…I can still remember how much you were suffering from that! I can tell it for sure! You've grown up a lot! You even decided to face them on even with the others…just that you could finally turn on the page…" Shoutmon countered, surprising his friend as well. "If anything…it's me who wasn't strong enough. I should be the one helping you…and yet we are both reduced in the same state. I…I just want this to end!" The Digimon teared up a bit again. "I can't stand all of this suffering again because of what Saiba had done to them! Isn't it what we've promised!?"
Kumo let him talk before he could say his word. "…It seems that we both are imperfect, eh? But…I guess that's fine." He then turned around. "I can't forcibly change myself…but I can still do it by making the right choice."
After listening to him, even Shoutmon stood up as well, even if he had a bit of trouble in doing so. "L-Let me join in…"
"Are you sure?" Kumo asked.
"I'm your partner…I need and I want to stick with you till the very end! Because even if you're not the best…you're still my friend ever since we were kids! And I want to take them back as well…" Shoutmon replied.
At that point, even Kumo was a bit moved and hugged him. "S-Shoutmon…thank you." He then dried his tears so that he could stand up strong and turned around, knowing what he had to do.
Aleksi and Neo Devimon were there, waiting for them. "You're still standing? How long will you make me move before you'll give me that one single satisfaction…?" The human asked, again with a tone that wasn't his.
Kumo didn't answer immediately. As soon as he met his eyes…he remembered the times when they were all together in that little place of Dokugumon, taking care of all those little Digimon…and it made him think of Aij
"Now I know what it means to fight for one's ideals…and I want to do that in the future! I wish I could make sure to protect both humans and Digimon that are close to me, making them smile…so…maybe I could search for a job that can make me do it…like an agency such as yours!"
Those were the last words before that fateful moment… when he lost her forever. First Turuiemon got impaled…and then she got shot in the head before his very eyes. But even with that…he didn't forget what she wanted to do…and what he had promised himself to do.
"…I'm sure you know it for certain now, Aleksi. I won't give you that satisfaction. If anything…it's me who's going to end this by taking you down, just like I promised. You are angry at me…and…you're not entirely wrong. You were moved by your anger and sorrow, and Saiba took advantage of that by planting a deep darkness inside your heart which corrupted your partner as well. The Aleksi I know was a clever and kind person, always ready to do the right thing. And that's the person I intend to take back today…" Kumo explained. He glared at him with still tears in his eyes. "Because I won't lose another friend. This time…I'll make it right, and show the same feeling that my father used years ago…friendship."
At that moment, one of his tears fell on his Digivice…which started to shine. Shoutmon's body started to resonate as well with that. "Ah! Kumo! This light!"
Kumo was surprised as well. It was only pure will to save Aleksi and yet…the energy reacted to that. Finally…it was his turn as well. That was enough to make him smile. "Let's save them…by enjoying this moment."
Aleksi on the other hand became more furious as his darkness grew deeper. "I DON'T NEED ANY FRIENDS! NEO DEVIMON!" He ordered his Digimon to attack, making the dark creature fly toward them, but before he could reach them…they already knew what to do.
Kumo raised his Digivice. "Shoutmon! It's your time as well! EVOLVE!"
"YOU'VE GOT IT, KUMO!" Shoutmon accepted with pleasure and jumped up. And once again…the miracle took place.
"SHOUTMON! SUPER EVOLUTION!" Shoutmon's body started to change through his evolution. He became taller and his ears got sharper. The most notable fact was the change of his color, which became a bright gold that shined throughout the area. On his back, what seemed to be the helmet of another Digimon appeared, and he stroked a pose to unleash his firing power and show himself with pride. "OMEGA SHOUTMON!"
"Woaaah…" Kumo looked in awe at his partner's new form as he landed. "I've never expected you could show such a golden light…it's almost like…we're going to use it!" He commented happily. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long…I'm so glad."
Omega Shoutmon landed down and looked at his partner with a smile. "It's the same for me! I feel so cool!" He then looked at his opponent. "And that's just what are we going to do right now!"
Neo Devimon stopped himself for a moment, blinded by that bright light, almost fearing it due to his nature as a dark Digimon. But he then growled as he charged forward once again.
This time, Omega Shoutmon was able to dash forward and the two clashed, trying to push each other. "Finally we get to do this at the same level, Fla Wizarmon! YOU'LL LISTEN TO ME NOW!"
"Guilty Claw!" As a response, Neo Devimon tried to overwhelm the enemy by attacking him with a barrage of claw attacks that all rained down on his body.
Omega Shoutmon put his arms in a defensive stance, and while he could still feel a bit of pain, it was surely a lot lighter than before. "It's perfect! I've regained most of my forces! NOW LET'S SEE HOW YOY ANSWER THIS!" He shouted before charging forward to push back Neo Devimon. He then didn't lose time and charged big balls of fire that he threw against him. "Hard Rock Damashī!"
The balls of fire were fast enough that Neo Devimon couldn't block or nullify them, and got fully hit by them, followed by a small fire explosion. Shortly after, the demonic Digimon came out of the smoke and growled louder before charging another despair energy attack. "Deep Sorrow!"
"NGHHHH!" Omega Shoutmon was attacked again by that, but he wasn't going to surrender now. "GRAAAAAAAH!" He shouted loud enough to release an aura of fire that burned down the beam and rose to the sky. He then threw himself against the enemy, who answered by doing the same.
The two of them started to clash their limbs everywhere, almost looking like two swords fighting through. Even if they seemed to be on the same level, Omega Shoutmon was finally able to stand up and didn't care about trying to find a way to get through to him anymore. Now he knew that he could win…because it was something he owed to him.
After a few clashes, Neo Devimon noticed that the idea wasn't working, so he went diving against him and made an X-shaped attack with his claws that sliced his enemy's chest.
"ARGH! Saiba's Digimon made you more stubborn than you usually are!" Omega Shoutmon commented before grabbing him by the arms. "But this can go to my advantage!" He then threw him away and followed him, making several cuts throughout the body with his limbs assuming the shape of a blade. "Beat Slash!"
Neo Devimon roared out and pushed Omega Shoutmon away before charging electricity through his hands. "Stun Claw!"
"Heavy Metal Vulcan!" Omega Shoutmon answered by shooting two streams of fire from the bullets on his chest. The two beams clashed against each other, but in the end, it was the dragon's attack that prevailed and ran over Neo Devimon.
The corrupted Digimon was able to regain balance and stay in mid-air. The dark aura in him grew further, as he had just enough of that. He charged more energy and then threw it against Omega Shoutmon in one last desperate attack. "DEEP SORROW!"
Omega Shoutmon didn't try to dodge him or block him, but instead, he went through it and used his fire to nullify it while attempting to reach him. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" It wasn't an easy task, even with his new form, but he knew that he could have done it…and he wasn't going to let it waste.
Neo Devimon could notice it with horror, as his enemy went closer and closer.
Aleksi, on the other hand, was looking bewildered at the scene. "How!? Why did your Digimon evolve!? It wouldn't have been possible to fight in your conditions!? Then why!? I should be the one-" As he wondered that, he could see with horror that Kumo was already in front of him, ready to give him more punches.
"I've already told you, Aleksi! I would have faced you for real this time! Therefore…your attempts of taking me down..." He spoke.
"GRRRRRAAH!" On the other side, Omega Shoutmon was able to come closer and destroy Neo Devimon's attack, ready to charge the two fireballs in his hands, but this time…to use them as fists.
"ARE USELESS!" Both Kumo and Omega Shoutmon said the same thing…as they made their punch barrages fall on the enemy.
"HARD ROCK DAMASHI!" And as they did so…they've both unleashed their battle cry.
"MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" While Kumo was punching repeatedly Aleksi on the ground, Omega Shoutmon carried Neo Devimon back to his partner while attacking them. In the end, they both threw one last fist that threw both Aleksi and his partner against a rock, and the impact converted into a fire explosion that ultimately destroyed Saiba's Digimon's darkness.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Aleksi and Neo Devimon's screams could be heard as they fell defeated.
Kumo witnessed the scene while Omega Shoutmon landed near him, reverting to his Adult-Level stage. The small dragon Digimon looked at his friend and smiled. Kumo smiled back before coming closer to see what happened in the end. The battle was surely over…but he still needed to point out a few things.
After the smoke faded out, they could see that Aleksi was lying on the ground with still an astonished expression on his face, while the remnants of the dark energy left Neo Devimon, making him turn back to Fla Wizarmon. "U-Ugh…" The Digimon raised his head and looked at his partner. "A-Aleksi…"
"Fla…Wizarmon…what just happened…" Aleksi asked.
"I…I don't know…I felt overwhelmed by a terrible energy and I've tried to call out for you but I couldn't…what matters…is that it's over…" Fla Wizarmon answered.
"…Is it…really over? Did we… lose?" Aleksi wondered before noticing Kumo and Shoutmon above them.
"…You were corrupted by Saiba's Digimon's power, forcing you to a dark evolution…but now it's just as you said. It is over, Aleksi." Kumo explained.
But even with that…Aleksi wasn't satisfied. "So what!? You won! Congrats! You were able to take down the supposed criminal right!?" He exclaimed, even in his condition. He tightened his hand to a fist.
"Aleksi…" Shoutmon noticed.
"What does it matter at this point!? In the end, I was the one who fell! And even with a newfound power, I couldn't solve a damn thing! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!? ARREST-" The boy then was about to start another rash, but surprisingly…
Kumo stopped him with a slap.
"K-Kumo!?" Aleksi exclaimed.
Kumo had his head lowered in frustration. "Even after you lost, you still don't get it!? You don't want to stay to your own words now!? Why can't you see, Aleksi!? I've never wanted all of this! Not with you nor Sigmund!?"
"WHAT THERE IS TO LISTEN ABOUT, KUMO!? THE FACT THAT THE TRUTH WON'T CHANGE AND YOU STILL LEFT AIJA TO DIE!?" Aleksi protested.
"THIS HAD ALWAYS BEEN YOUR PROBLEM! YOU WERE SMART BUT ALWAYS A STUBBORN ONE! YOU NEVER LEAVE THE OTHERS TALK!" Kumo retorted.
"HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW ABOUT IT!?" Aleksi then asked…and finally…Kumo had the chance…and he was about to do it with all the voices he had in mind.
"BECAUSE I SAW SAIBA REI KILL AIJA RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!" He yelled so loud that both Shoutmon and Fla Wizarmon had to cover their ears and another flock of birds Digimon flew away.
After that…a few moments of silence followed. Aleksi turned from an expression of fury…to one of bewilderment…and emptiness.
Kumo, on the other hand, was trembling and fell to his knees. He finally had the chance to tell the truth…but the moment still shocked him.
"…What…what do you mean?" Aleksi then asked.
After a few moments of taking breaths...Kumo raised his head and continued. "J-Just as I said…it was Saiba Rei who killed Aija…it all happened…too fast. If anything…I was left unable to help her." He then took a deep breath and explained properly. "That night…when the government Skycraper of Somnus was taken over and we got assaulted…I was with her. We were able to defeat one of his men and ended up in the building. We went further to see what happened. Then…we got surrounded by most of his mercenaries…we tried to oppose but in less than a second…" When he had to describe the moment, he started to tremble strongly and even sob. "First…Turuiemon was impaled by his Digimon. And then…when she was crying out of despair over the departure of her Digimon…she didn't have the time to shed her tears…" He could still remember it…the noise of the shooting.
"…That a gun bullet passed in her front…killing her on the blow," Kumo said. Aleksi was looking at him, heartbroken. "I-I was…destroyed. A dear friend I've known for a while died in front of me…and…I couldn't do anything to stop it…because we were surrounded…and it all happened too fast. I was unable…to react. That day…I suffered just as much as you did. Shortly after…I found out that it was Saiba Rei who shot her…and he turned out to be the one hunting me and the rest of the agency. I couldn't react…I couldn't do anything, I couldn't even take her dead body with me…that I was pushed down from the Skyscraper, without any chance of going back."
Everything was clearer now for the other boy…the reason why he found her dead body alone in the rain.
"From then on…I've promised myself that I would have made it right…so that Aija and her partner could rest in peace. And then…I've discovered that both you and Sigmund allied with Saiba to get your revenge on me…I've tried…I've really wanted to contact you and be there for her funeral…but neither of you answered my phone calls. But…I've always wanted to tell you that…I'm sorry. I really am…because in the end…I'm still partly to blame for Aija's death. If I had been stronger…maybe things could have been different." Kumo continued.
"Kumo…" Shoutmon spoke. Even Fla Wizarmon was astonished.
Aleksi looked down for a few moments…and then realized everything. All the words he used…all the times he accused Kumo of abandoning his sister, all those times he fought against him, all those times he helped Saiba Rei in his plans, all those times he made other Digimon suffer…all those times he did those things in his sister's name…
They were all a mistake. He…was wrong. And now…he could feel the pain and the remorse of doing so.
Two large tears started to fall from his face…before he released a large wail of sorrow that echoed in the area.
"Aleksi!" Everyone exclaimed.
Aleksi started to hold his head with his hands and breathe fast. "What have I done!? WHAT HAVE I DONE!? ALL THIS TIME I'VE WANTED TO GET REVENGE FOR SOMETHING WRONG! I'VE HELPED THE ONE WHO KILLED MY SISTER! I'VE MADE A LOT OF DIGIMON SUFFER BECAUSE OF THAT! WHAT HAVE I DONE!?" He was entering a panic state, as it seemed that reality was falling apart from him…but right then…
Kumo hugged him. Aleksi was stunned.
"I-It's alright…calm down…take some deep breaths…" The detective told him. After a few moments…Aleksi's heartbeat started to lower…and he calmed down a bit…but he couldn't stop the tears…and held Kumo back.
"K-Kumo…I'm sorry…I'm…so sorry. I…I knew that Saiba was the one who plotted to kill you, me and Sigmund came to him and found out. But…I should have known that something was off…and yet I've decided to help him. Y-You were right…I'm stubborn. I…I've left myself to be moved by emotions…I should have known considering that you tried to call me all those times, but I didn't want to listen! Kumo…you were innocent…and like a complete asshole…I didn't want to listen to you. I'm…I'm terribly sorry, Kumo." Aleksi apologized from the bottom of his heart as he kept on sobbing.
But Kumo didn't move. "It's…all right…what matters to me…is that you're still here…and you could know the truth." He spoke. "I…I forgive you."
Once again, Aleksi was surprised. Even with all of that…Kumo didn't want to break up ties with him. "…You were right. Saiba was playing with me all along…and I've believed him. I…I'm not worthy of saying things such as…avenging my sister…"
It was then that Kumo said it. "…There's no need to worry. I'll do it."
"K-Kumo?" Aleksi asked.
"Aija was a friend of mine. And that bastard tried to kill all my friends, including my sister and my cousin. It's only fair that I try to make him pay. Now that we got him…I won't let him escape anymore." Kumo proclaimed.
Aleksi looked at him with grateful eyes…and then took something from his pocket. "You…may need this, then."
"Uh?" Kumo turned around and was surprised to see the thing that Aleksi was giving to him. "The USB key!"
"I…I had one of them. Sigmund has one as well…you've earned it. If…If it can help you to stop that man…then I'll be glad to do so. Because…that's what friends do…right?" Aleksi explained.
Kumo looked at him for a few seconds before smiling, taking the key, and grabbing him to lift him. "Yes. And despite all of this…you're still my friend."
Both Shoutmon and Fla Wizarmon looked at them with teary eyes. "I'm glad that everything came out just fine…" The small red dragon commented.
"…I…I should apologize as well. I…I let Saiba's Digimon corrupt me." Fla Wizarmon then said.
"It was my fault, Fla Wizarmon…it was I who let that darkness come in," Aleksi told him.
The scarecrow Digimon made a saddened smile and came closer to him. "I've wanted to do the best for you…and even if it didn't work out, I'll still be with you."
"Thanks…thanks to everyone…" Aleksi concluded. And with that…Kumo started to move with him.
"Come on…we need to tell Sigmund as well. Knowing him…he's still fighting against my sister…"
And he was right. Elsewhere on the island…the battle was going on.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Elsewhere on the island, Sigmund was throwing his fists with violence, forcing the leader of the Cheshire Cat Agency to move fast to dodge them. While Kyoko was indeed faster and more agile than him, she could tell that he had a lot of strength in those simple fists. "Are you good just running!?" Sigmund exclaimed before running incredibly fast. This time, the girl couldn't expect it and got a fist at full strength.
"GAAAH!" Kyoko was thrown to the ground with a bit of blood on her face. "G-Gh…" She stood up and looked at her opponent while gritting his teeth. "Such strength…it's worthy of a boxing fighter! Now I can see how Chikara had troubles with him…" She commented, remembering the fight they had a few hours earlier. While she was focused on someone else, she could see for a few seconds the fight between the two.
"You know, it's not that bad in the end that you've dragged me here! Not only you're Kumo's sister, but you're also the leader of the Cheshire Cat Agency! I'll get two satisfactions at the price of one!" Sigmund proclaimed while he was getting ready to continue.
"You really seem to have a bone to pick with us…" The girl noticed.
"Of course I do! You don't have any idea how long I've been waiting for this moment! Especially if Kumo is in all of this! That bastard dared to run away from his duties and left a friend to die! I won't stop until I've taught him the lesson he fucking deserves!" Sigmund protested.
Kyoko sighed out of resignation. "And as always, you bad guys only want to know the version that could help you instead of hearing the rest." She then stood ready. "I've heard of you guys from Kumo, and I've hoped to meet you under different circumstances, but if things have to be this way, then so be it. As long as I'm here, you won't reach my brother or my other friends. It's my duty as their boss."
"WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT!" Sigmund didn't want to hear another word and promptly dashed forward, but this time Kyoko was ready. Reading out his enemy's moves was a specialty of hers. And, as soon as he got closer, she started to move around, dodging his fists, and waited for the perfect moment to answer. As soon as she got it, she grabbed Sigmund by the shoulders and threw him violently on the ground.
"GAH!" Sigmund didn't see it coming, but it wasn't done there, as Kyoko pushed him away with a violent kick on the belly. He ended up spitting a bit of blood as he stood up. "You bitch…"
Kyoko pointed at him. "Your next line will be 'Don't think you'll win that easily!'"
"Don't think you'll win that easily! UH!?" Much like the other enemies, Sigmund was astonished to hear her predict what he was going to say. And right after that, he could see her in front of her ready to attack him. The boy gritted his teeth and started to answer, putting the two of them into a small clash.
"There's a reason why they entrusted me with founding a detective agency! I have more layers than you would expect!" Kyoko told him before trying to attack him with a karate chop.
But Sigmund jumped back in time. "You think that will be enough!?" He exclaimed before punching her in the belly.
"NGH!" Kyoko was left stunned by that attack but she was able to jump back as well. "Man, that hurt…"
"I'm a skilled boxing fighter…" Sigmund then said before showing his fist. "All these fists are filled with the training and the legacy of my brother."
By hearing that, Kyoko was left surprised. "Your…brother?"
"Yes! And even if he's no longer with us, His fighting style is! Which is the thing that will crush you down! Get ready!" Sigmund answered. Kyoko accepted and put on a fighting stance. Now that she discovered something else about her opponent, she wasn't going down until she would have received the answers from him.
"Cannonball!" Not that distant from them, DORUgamon shot several iron balls from his mouth in an attempt to overwhelm his enemy.
But Lighdramon didn't seem hesitant to answer, as he infused his blade with blue electricity he used to cut down the several iron balls. "Lightning Blade!" He moved fast and swift, as all those attacks were cut in half.
DORUgamon widened his eyes as he saw it. "He's fast!" But he couldn't have time to think that Lighdramon was already in front of him to stab him near the chest and push him against a tree. "GAH!"
"You fought well, but this is where it ends!" Lighdramon said before releasing all the electricity from the horn, electrifying the other Digimon.
"GAAAAAAH! GRRRRRR!" Even if he felt pain in his body due to the discharge, Kyoko's partner still found the strength to glare at the enemy and answer. "DON'T THINK IT WILL BE THAT EASY!" He shouted before managing to slam away Lighdramon with his tail, even if he ended up being wounded since the horn left his body.
"Agh! What the-!?" Lighdramon exclaimed. It was absurd for him to see that even if his enemy was bleeding and smoking, he could still fight.
DORUgamon breathed heavily, but his grit and resolution weren't leaving him. "I've faced far worse opponents than you, and don't think I'll fall right now that we are so close to victory!" With those words, he spread his wings and dashed against his enemy.
"You little-!" Lighdramon dashed as well and tried to charge but to his surprise, DORUgamon flew up to dodge him and then grab him from above. "Arck! No way!"
Even if his opponent was heavy, DORUgamon did his best to fly up to increase the damage from the impact.
But Lighdramon knew what to do. "Oh, I see what you're plotting…IT WON'T WORK!" He tried to oppose it by releasing electricity from his body, electrifying DORUgamon as well.
"NGAAAAAH! KH…USE ALL THOSE THUNDERS AS MANY TIMES YOU WANT! I WON'T CEASE THAT EASILY!" Once again, DORUgamon could feel thunders burning his body, but he did his best to lift Lighdramon to violently throw him to the ground.
"GAAH!" The Armor-Level Digimon crashed violently, and when he raised his head, he could see that his enemy was charging the next attack. "Oh no!"
"Power Metal!" DORUgamon shot a large iron ball that attacked the enemy, making a small impact. Then he landed down to see that Lighdramon could still stand up even after that. That made DORUgamon more careful. "Even if I have the advantage of flying, he's still faster than me, and his thunder attacks can be dangerous…I need to be extra careful with him…"
"Ngh…to think that even after that, you could still pull up the strength to throw me like that…" Lighdramon commented. "But either way…I cannot let you take me down, not now that we got the chance to settle things!" He protested. "I can't let Sigmund down right now!"
"You seem dedicated to your partner…and you don't seem like someone who would do this type of thing out of malice…if so, why can't you see that what Saiba is trying to do is wrong?" DORUgamon asked.
"So what? Honestly…I don't really care what would happen to this country or the world…what's important to me is that I can help Sigmund in whatever thing he does in his life…ever since that day…he couldn't help but keep on feeling bad. That is why I need to be there for him, even if I end up being the bad guy!" Lighdramon countered.
"It's because you care for your human partner that you should tell him that all of this is wrong! Whenever we become partners with a human, we help them make the right choice, not enhancing him in making crimes!" DORUgamon exclaimed. "I'm telling you because we're trying to help you! Considering that you were friends with Kumo, I know that I can reason with you guys!"
By hearing that, Lighdramon already started to accumulate electricity in his body. "Don't think you can talk like you would know me or Kumo! We decide what life we want to take!" After that, he charged.
DORUgamon gritted his teeth nervously and answered to that. The two dragons Digimon started a clash of physical attacks while they moved around. Kyoko's partner knew that when it came to that, he was at a clear disadvantage due to his small arms, but he also knew that he could count on his big body to violently attack him and push him away.
"If there's one thing I've never liked pretentious people! So don't expect me to hear you that easily and listen to your lectures! Blue Thunder!" As he kept on attacking, Lighdramon released a few lightning from the three protuberances he had on his body.
"Ngh!" DORUgamon could feel the electricity run through his body again, but he could still manage it, as he jumped back to answer with a barrage of iron balls. "Cannonball!"
Lighdramon widened his eyes as he saw that rain of blows. He started to jump back as well, but in the end, he got hit by a few of them in the legs, ending up crashing against a tree. "GAH! K-Kh…" He stood up despite the pain and looked at his enemy. "How is it possible that he's giving me all these troubles!? Even if I'm an Armor-Level Digimon, I should be on the same level as a Perfect one! And yet he's tough! Is there something I'm missing!? No…I just need to attack where it hurts the most!" He thought.
"I'm not trying to give you a lecture! It's your stubbornness that is pushing this battle through! If you're that much of a hothead to understand your mistake, then I don't have much choice but to answer." DORUgamon warned before spreading his wings. "If there's one thing I can do perfectly is to stay alive!"
"GRRRR!" Lighdramon released an angered growl while he started to charge himself. "Considering your wounds, we'll see about that!" He then surrounded himself with blue lightning and dashed at high speed like a fast arrow of thunder.
"What!?" DORUgamon didn't expect this type of attack and got fulminate. He roared out of pain as his body was smoking. But he was still standing. He could see that his enemy was about to use that attack again. "He started to get serious with those lightnings of his! I need to find a way to take him down or I'll end up fried!" He thought. But then…after giving a careful look, he realized that he could have done something. "Wait a second…" That thought made him spread his wings and started to move away.
"Get back here!" Lighdramon felt offended by that, and he started to follow him while still being surrounded by electricity.
DORUgamon kept on flying, almost as if he was trying to go in a precise direction. He turned around for a moment just to shoot him several iron balls. "Cannonball!" He could see that Lighdramon got slowed down by them, but at the same time, he was able to cut a few of them down. "Perfect, he took the bait. I know the island well, therefore, I know a perfect place where I can weaken him!" He thought.
"You won't escape me forever, Digimon from the agency!" Lighdramon exclaimed, on the other hand.
In the meantime, their two human partners were continuing their struggle. And Kyoko could see that his enemy was starting to get smarter and swifter with his movements. She put up a solid defense for a while, but she could see by herself that her defense was starting to falter after all those punches. "NGH!" She was starting to get a few heavy bruises on her arms.
"EAT THIS!" Sigmund then surprised her by giving her a strong headbutt that left her exposed. He took advantage of it by first kicking her in the spleen and then sending her down with a heavy punch in the face.
"AGH!" The girl felt a strong pain before falling to the ground. Even her sunglasses fell off from her head. Kyoko then tried to stand up even if she had to hold her spleen for the pain. "N-Ngh…shit…"
"Now you see what I'm talking about! Don't think I would have gone easily on you just because you are a woman!" Sigmund told her, ready for another punch.
"Eh eh eh…of course not. It's not the first time someone has tried to shred me into pieces. The one who hired you is the first one who's trying to do this. But I surely can't make my reputation to the others fall off if I get defeated right now that the Saiba case is almost closed…" Kyoko answered while preparing herself.
"You say it like you're certain you can win this fight. I would look at myself right now if I were you." Sigmund commented, feeling a bit annoyed.
"Oh, there's no need to worry about that…in fact…" As she said this, Kyoko started to take off both her gloves and her high-heeled shoes, remaining both barehanded and barefoot before standing off. "I think we can start the second round, I'm still standing after all!" She said with a smile.
At that sight, Sigmund couldn't help but grit, that pose and those preparations reminded him of someone too much. "Tch…you're just like him. You don't know when to stop…"
"Are you referring to your brother?" Kyoko asked. That question was enough to anger the other human, who threw himself against her.
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY HIS NAME!" Sigmund threw his fists with violence, and this time, he could see that Kyoko was more eager to answer when it came to defenses. "This is what I hate about you people! Just like him, you never consider when one thing can be dangerous for you, and you always have to pay the consequences!" He shouted, full of anger.
"Could it be that this is the reason why he's so angry?" Kyoko thought while she was defending herself and attacking at the same time. "I don't know how it went with your brother, but I have a reason to do this!" She then said before pushing Sigmund away with a kick. "It's not long ever since I've founded the agency, but I don't know what I have to do! Sometimes, it's worth to take a few risks!"
"Shut up!" Sigmund countered before throwing himself again. "Why can't you just accept things the way they are!? This is the same way of thinking he had the day he died! Why do you people try to do stuff that is far superior for you!?"
"I'm well aware of the fact that there are things that I can't do, but what life would it be if I couldn't expand myself in the things I'm good at? It's in our nature as humans to improve ourselves! Maybe you should try it too!" Kyoko countered before pushing him away with another kick in the belly.
"NGH!" Sigmund could feel that the girl put a bit more strength in that blow before he looked up glaring. "Oh, don't think I didn't try my best to improve myself so that I couldn't make the same end he did. But unlike you, I know when someone has their limits and does the right thing just to survive! You detectives, or even Kumo…or my brother, on the other hand, are so trustworthy of your capacities that you throw yourself in danger without thinking twice!" He vented his frustration before taking a few breaths. "My…younger brother Erich was the pride of both me and my family…ever since he was a kid, he showed a great passion for boxing to the point he was able to shine as an official boxer of Austria. He was able to gain victory after victory…I was so impressed by him that I could ask him if he could have taught me a few tricks…and I was so glad he accepted. Even if I was the older brother, I've learned a lot from him. But then! During a match in an international juvenile tournament in our country, he ended up facing a German fighter who was an authentic war machine! I've tried countless times to warn him that continuing was a horrible idea! But he insisted on doing it! And in the end…the fighter couldn't control himself in the match…and…" Sigmund could still remember it…that one last punch that smashed Erich's head. To this day…I know that I was to blame for that…If only I had been insistent, maybe I could have stopped it...but, that's how things went. I couldn't forgive it. That fighter ended up paying for that, but I can't still forgive what happened! The only thing that gives me peace is to punch those like that fighter in the face until they learn their lesson! Kumo is no different from them!"
Kyoko listened to him in silence so that she could know more about him. And…that wasn't the first time she heard of a similar story. If anything…it was similar to what Kumo had been through.
"That is why I couldn't see Kumo with the same eyes Aleksi and Aija could…the fact that someone like him was able to get a second chance just pisses me off!" Sigmund continued. And then…the girl answered.
"I see…you're jealous." She spoke.
"What?" Sigmund asked.
"Yes…I can understand why you're feeling that way. Maybe…if that happened to me, I would have probably felt the same. The fact that Kumo was able to receive a second pass even after his crime just made you annoyed, because you compared to what happened to your brother and that fighter that killed him. I know that…losing a beloved one isn't easy. But I can assure you…" Kyoko explained before standing ready. "Even if it doesn't look like it for you…Kumo had suffered a lot. And as his sister…I can't help but feel the same pain as he did. I'm certain that it's partly for the familiar love I have for him…but the reason why I gave him a chance to redeem himself is because he was genuinely feeling guilty…and I've wanted to help him move on. He's still doing his best to do so, therefore, as both his boss and his sister, I can't do much but support him in that! And just like you said now…you're not that different. It seems that you need to get past it as well. How about I help you with that?" Kyoko continued.
Sigmund listened to her carefully. Somehow…it was almost like she could know how he was feeling. Her words seemed sincere…but in the end…he couldn't help but burst out in a loud laughter.
"Uh?" Kyoko asked.
After the laugh, Sigmund took a deep breath. "This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard…I should need help! I know better than you what I need! All I need is to accomplish the mission! Don't forget that Kumo had still abandoned a girl to die! Therefore-"
"Your next line will be!"
"I'll make both of you feel the wheel of karma! / I'll make both of you feel the wheel of karma!"
"What!?" Sigmund exclaimed. Once again, she predicted what she was going to say.
"Yeah, I should have supposed that talking it out with you wasn't enough. Just so you know…what I just said was sincere. Considering that you were still friends with Kumo, I can't see you completely as evil as some of the other Saiba Rei's mercenaries. I know that there's still some good in you. But If I have to convince you through my fists, then so be it. Sometimes…to overcome a past trauma, you need some help." Kyoko explained. "So…how about I show you what I can do again?"
Even if he was laughing and showed arrogance just a few seconds earlier, her expression turned back into a furious one. "You think I need help!? You really don't know when to listen to others, right!? Which means that you're a selfish person! If that's the case…you are just like the others…THEN I MUST GIVE YOU A LESSON!"
With that, the two of them resumed their battle, but even if she had several damage all over her body, Kyoko was able to clash properly against him.
"This is BULLSHIT! I REFUSE TO LOSE AGAINST YOU!" But Sigmund wasn't going to give up either. He pushed himself too far to lose right at that moment.
"Then I think we have to find out who's more worthy of standing up, what do you think?" Kyoko asked, still confident.
Back at the two Digimon, the chase was keeping on going, with DORUgamon who was going to increase his speed while he kept on dragging Lighdramon somewhere. He could see a few beams of electricity coming down from him, but he was able to dodge them without any problems. "So far, everything is going alright! I just need to get closer…" He thought. But just as he was about to get confident…he could notice something. When he turned around, Lighdramon seemed to have disappeared.
"Wha-!?" That was enough to make him widen his eyes and look around. "Wait, where did he go!? I'm sure he was following me!" He exclaimed. And then…he could hear several noises coming down from the bushes that forced him to be on guard…but the noise and the movements were getting faster to the point that he couldn't take track of them…and in the end…
"I'VE GOT YOU NOW!" Lighdramon suddenly appeared at his right, biting him on the neck.
"GAH!"
"Electric Bite!" As soon as he got him in the jaws, Lighdramon released electricity from the mouth that beat DORUgamon's whole body.
"GAAAAAH!" The ferret dragon Digimon could feel a more intense electricity than before hurting him anywhere, to the point that his body was starting to bleed out. But the worst part was that Lighdramon wasn't done there. As soon as he had him, he started to slam him all around their area while keeping the electricity active, all to make him as vulnerable as possible.
"D-DAMMIT! C-Calm down, DORUgamon, or you won't be able to take him down!" DORUgamon was feeling more weakened and painful, but he gritted his teeth. He was still close to his trump card.
"GRRRR!" After a while, Lighdramon threw DORUgamon away, making him crash to the ground and leaving him exposed and vulnerable.
Kyoko's partner was starting to feel the sight getting blurry and his senses were about to temporarily abandon him. "This guy is tough…" He commented. He then rolled his eyes to see what was behind him, and he was surprised to see it. "Wait…"
Right at that moment, Lighdramon was approaching him, with his body still covered in electricity. "I'll give you some credit. You were smarter than you looked. Trying to disorient by making a fake escape was a clear idea. But even someone like me could have seen something like that!" He commented.
"Anf…is that so?" DORUgamon asked.
"Yes. After realizing what were you trying to do, all I did was twist the trick against you. By making you believe that I was still chasing you with a few attacks, I was able to assault you. And now, the tides have finally turned!" Lighdramon replied. He started to get closer, and his horn was already accumulating energy. "You fought well to defend your partner, but I cannot afford to leave Sigmund alone!"
DORUgamon gritted his teeth. He knew that the last word wasn't still spoken.
"I'm sorry to do this, but I need to keep him as close as possible, so for his sake, it's better if you just disappear! Lightning Blade!" With those last words, Lighdramon was ready to finish him off with one last discharge by using his horn.
But…he didn't know that was exactly what his opponent wanted to do. When he rolled his eyes to see what was behind him, he knew that things were settled.
"NOW!" Calling upon a bit of the force he was left with, DORUgamon quickly jumped away to dodge Lighdramon…who ended up falling on a water surface.
"What the!?" The blue dragon realized he fell on it while the electricity was still activated and as a consequence…all the electricity passed through the water and hurt him badly. Lighdramon roared out of pure pain as he was barely able to stand on his legs. "N-No way! This is a lake!"
DORUgamon, on the other hand, was finally able to stand up again and glare at him. "I've risked a lot, but it seems that the plan worked out successfully."
"What!? What do you mean!?" Lighdramon asked, trying to stand up with everything he could use.
"Considering your speed and the power of your lightning, I assumed that fighting you straight on would have been an almost impossible task for someone like me. Therefore, I needed to find an alternative way to take you down, and a good idea was to use your own powers against you!" The other Digimon explained.
Lighdramon took a few seconds to understand what he was saying, but once he realized it, he widened his eyes in bewilderment. "Wait, so the reason you started to move here was to bring me here all along!?"
"That's right. After all the times I've gone on this island, I've learned to know it from most of the parts, and I've remembered that there was this like on its feet. Water is a nice electrical conductor, therefore, throwing you here with your electricity was the perfect opportunity. I'll admit it, when you answered back, I got a bit scared. But by the time you did so, we were already close by." DORUgamon explained.
"A-Absurd…you are sneakier than expected!" Lighdramon commented.
"Well, as the partner of a detective, I've simply thought outside the box, and much like the other times, it turned out to be successful," DORUgamon said before getting ready. "Now, while I do respect you for your devotion, I must put an end to this battle! Then you'll be free to listen to the truth!"
"Damm you- Ngh!" Lighdramon wanted to answer, but he was still feeling the pain of his discharge.
"It's too late to answer now, accept it!" DORUgamon exclaimed before charging a large iron ball that he shot at full power. "METAL CANNON!"
Sigmund's partner couldn't do much and got fully hit by it. "GAAAAAH!" He got wiped away several meters, with DORUgamon following him by flying.
Meanwhile, Sigmund was astonished to see that Kyoko seemed eager and faster to answer his attacks. "Dammit dammit DAMMIT! Why don't you just quit!? You shouldn't be able to move like that after all those blows!"
"You know, you would be right! I'm feeling a terrible pain! But I simply can't quit until I've completely solved this case alongside the others! Plus, I can't quit now that I'm feeling excited! And there's still a lot of things you need to know!" Kyoko countered.
"GRRR! I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" Sigmund tried to throw one last punch to knock her out, but Kyoko lowered her head and then raised her leg. Even though Sigmund felt embarrassed since she could see her underwear for a moment, she was soon overwhelmed by a barrage of kicks and was pushed away with one last spinning one. "GAH!"
At that same moment, Lighdramon came out from the bushes, crashing into the ground near his partner. "L-Lighdramon!"
"GH…F-Forgive me! This Digimon is a beast!" Lighdramon told him.
DORUgamon appeared shortly after to meet his partner. "It seems you were busy!" Kyoko commented.
"Oh, don't tell me about it…but you don't seem that fine as well," DORUgamon answered.
"Well, it's not the first time we end up like this. And what's important…is that we got him!" The girl asked all happy.
Both Sigmund and Lighdramon were astonished to see that their enemies weren't going to quit…and now, they were about to end this. "H-How was it possible that it would have ended like this…?" Sigmund wondered.
"W-We have underestimated them…" Lighdramon added.
"Don't worry, there was nothing wrong with you. You did great to show off your fighting skills! But unfortunately…you've wanted to become our enemy. I hope we can get a chance to know each other better next time but for now…DORUgamon!" Kyoko answered.
"Got it, Kyoko!" And with that, DORUgamon dashed, ready to finish the battle by spreading his claws. Sigmund and Lighdramon couldn't do anything else but…get attacked, and give a chance for Kyoko and her Digimon to shout out their battle cry.
"OWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWOWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWAOWA METAL CANON!" And after a barrage of claw attacks, DORUgamon shot a ball of iron that sent both of them up. And then…
"Owari da." As soon as they both said that, the ball exploded, making both of them fall violently to the ground.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Sigmund and Lighdramon clashed at the same time…defeated.
The battle was over…and both Kyoko and her partner could take a few breaths before sitting on the ground. "That was…exhausting…but…it was also good! It has been a while since I've fought like this!" Kyoko commented.
"Yeah…they were fearsome and determined. Kumo surely had some tough friends…" DORUgamon added.
After a few moments of recovery, Kyoko and her Digimon partner stood up again to check on Sigmund and Lighdramon…and noticed that the human was crying. "Uh?"
"W-Why…how could I lose? After everything I did to put this up…I couldn't even take down a single one of you…am I still that weak like that time!?" Sigmund vented out his frustration as tears came out of his eyes.
Kyoko couldn't help but make a sweet smile as she kneeled to get closer to him. "Sigmund…there is nothing wrong in losing sometimes. If I have to be honest, for a while I thought I was going to lose! It was just my resolution that made me win." She explained. "I know why you did all this. I'm sure that not knowing the truth about that girl made you more upset than you already were with my brother. But…I can assure you that all he wanted…was to reconcile with you and tell you everything. But he never got the chance…he was feeling heartbroken as soon as he found out that you two were helping Saiba Rei."
At first…Sigmund was confused. "Why are you being…so nice to me?" She asked.
"Eh eh. Why wouldn't I? I could see that you weren't moved by malicious intentions like Saiba or the other mercenaries. Plus…I've always wanted to meet you two, even if in different circumstances, considering that you were Kumo's friends. And…maybe it's because I'm feeling empathic towards you. I didn't say it earlier but…I know how it feels to be weak and not able to do anything." Kyoko continued.
"How…?" The boy asked. At that question, Kyoko made a sigh. It was a bit painful to remember that but…she still wanted to share it with him to make him feel better. So, she went on with it.
"A few years ago…I was raped."
"AH!" Sigmund was startled at that, and even DORUgamon was surprised.
"K-Kyoko! You…you would tell that?" He asked.
"It was…a delicate part of my life and I really don't want to go down in the details. But…after that day, I felt just as bad as you did. Weak…pathetic…small…insignificant. I needed something that would have assured me and told me that I could have gotten stronger. And well…" She remembered when Ken and Mister Sion proposed to her to establish the agency. "I was able to get it! Sometimes, to get out of something terrible…you need someone that can make you feel safe. I'm sorry you couldn't have that chance." The girl continued.
Sigmund stood silent for a few moments. For him…that girl was just incredible. He would have never expected her to be that direct. Even if she was her enemy, she wanted to be that sincere with him. Somehow…that gave him the possibility to calm himself down…but the tears continued to flow, but for a different reason.
Repentance.
"No…I've had that company. I've had Lighdramon here…I had Aleksi…I had Kumo…I had Aija…I had a few friends I could count on to express my feelings. But even with that, I was so frustrated with myself after that day that I couldn't consider them…I was a complete dumbass. And all because…I couldn't get past the fact that my brother died because of me…" He spoke. "I-I'm sorry Lighdramon…"
"Sigmund…" The Armor-Level Digimon spoke.
Just like before, Kyoko let him talk before saying her opinion. "…I don't know the details of that match. But I can assure you that it wasn't your fault."
Sigmund looked at her almost surprised.
"Neither of you could know what would have happened. And…even if it happened. It was still his choice. You fairly warned him…but he was the one who wanted to go in that match. I suppose he knew it as well." The detective continued.
"E-Erich…he always tried to do the good thing…and…I couldn't see it. And instead, I've conserved that frustration and brought it to others…like a complete asshole." Sigmund commented, starting to sob.
Kyoko gently put his head on her lap to stroke her head. "Sometimes anger and sorrow make us do things we normally wouldn't do. But…we can still learn when to stop and find a way to remedy it. Maybe you won't get it immediately since you still committed crimes…but I'm sure you'll find a way."
"She's right, Sigmund…" Another voice said, surprising everyone. When they all turned around, they could see Kumo holding Aleksi with their Digimon partners following them.
"Aleksi…Fla Wizarmon?" Sigmund asked.
The other boy had a remorseful look on his face. "We…we were wrong. We did a horrible thing…and Kumo tried to tell us the truth all along. It's…It's only fair that we would have lost."
"The…truth?" Sigmund then asked.
Kumo didn't hesitate to get closer and tell him. He owed him as well. And naturally…the boy and his Digimon were shocked to hear it.
"I-It was Saiba who killed Aija?" Frustration shortly came up on him as he beat a fist on the ground. "THAT BASTARD! HE USED US!"
"No, Sigmund! It's alright…I'm ready to forgive you…" Kumo told him.
"And…it's our fault or better yet…mine. I should have known Kumo wasn't the type of person to do this." Aleksi added.
"No…I'm also to blame. I should have thought of it earlier. He tried to contact us but we wouldn't listen to him…and…it's not the only thing I should be sorry for." Sigmund said, feeling regret. He then turned to Kumo. "I'm…sorry, Kumo. All these years, I saw you with bad eyes because I couldn't help but see my brother in you after what happened to you…and now…even this came up…I guess I am an asshole, after all." Sigmund continued.
"Sigmund…" Kumo spoke.
Kyoko, on the other hand, kept on stroking his head. "Well…I think we can say it's water under the bridge, now."
"Indeed. Kumo never stopped thinking about you, even after you turned your back on him. Therefore, I'm sure there's still a spot for you in him." DORUgamon added.
Kumo couldn't help but smile. "I think I don't have more to add considering what they just said."
And in the end…Sigmund was able to smile as well and looked at Kyoko. "You…have a very sweet sister, you know that?"
At that comment, Kyoko couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "O-Oh come on, it's nothing special, really."
"Oh right…I've wanted to let you know her…this is Kyoko." Kumo replied.
"I…guess it's a pleasure to meet you?" Aleksi asked.
"Well, I can finally say it. The pleasure is all mine." Kyoko answered.
Then, at that moment, Sigmund took out something from his pocket and gave it to Kyoko, who was surprised.
"A USB key!" She exclaimed.
"T-Take it. It's the least I can do to apologize. B-Beat up that son of a bitch for me as well…he…he used our emotions to put us against you." Sigmund explained.
"Aleksi gave me his as well," Kumo told her sister.
"Which means that we have twelve of them now. One more left…" Kyoko commented. It was incredible that they were getting even closer to the end. She then looked at her brother. "You think you can still fight?" She asked.
"Of course. I…I still have a promise to keep. Plus, did you know that Shoutmon evolved?"
"WHAT!?" Both Kyoko and DORUgamon exclaimed.
"Eh eh! That's right! I was all golden!" Shoutmon replied.
"W-We'll talk about that later…" Kyoko commented. She then took back her gloves and shoes and put them on before looking at the two former enemies. "You stay here and try to recover your energy. If you want to help us later, reach the rest of our group at Somnus. We'll follow the others and take care of the rest."
"That's fine for us…" Aleksi commented.
"Good luck," Sigmund added.
With that, the two siblings nodded and started to move. But while Kyoko moved up, Kumo stopped for a moment.
"Hm? What is it, Kumo?" Shoutmon asked.
"I…I remembered something important." The boy replied before turning around. "Just a few moments before she died…Aija said that she would have loved to protect others by doing a job similar to mine…she wanted to protect the things she cherished. I…I thought it would have made you happy."
Both Aleksi and Sigmund were a bit moved by that. "A-Aija…" Aleksi sobbed for a moment and then looked at the boy. "Yes…he surely did. Go now…we'll catch up with you."
Kumo nodded with a smile and then turned around. "Let's go, Shoutmon."
"Right!" The small dragon agreed, and with that, they departed as well.
The two ex-mercenaries couldn't do much…but sit down and reflect on what they had done.
"I guess that's it, then, eh? We did…a lot of bullshit." Sigmund commented.
"Yeah…and we'll probably go to jail after this. But…It's only fair. I wish I could have seen it sooner…" Aleksi replied.
Both Fla Wizarmon and Lighdramon came closer and put their heads on their arms as a sign of comfort.
"It's alright…" Fla Wizarmon said.
"I think we're to blame as well. But…we have learned the lesson and we'll share the punishment together…" Lighdramon added.
"Heh…glad to know. I guess…we're gonna about to feel the same thing Kumo had felt during those two years…" Sigmund said.
Aleksi made a deep sigh. "Right…" He then looked up. "Before that…as soon as we get better, I would like to help as well…"
"…We'll do it," Sigmund told him. "I'm with you."
Aleksi smiled at the friend and then looked at the top of the island. "Saiba's Digimon is extremely powerful…but I know you can do it…not only you, Kumo. But the rest of the detectives." He thought. He wondered how the others were at now. It was incredible how he wanted them dead just a few moments later and now he was cheering for them. But it was natural.
They were never enemies in the first place.
"Good luck…finish this thing…even for us."
