Hey, I'm still here :) I'm sorry if some of you have been thinking I've abandoned this story, or any of my others. I promise you I haven't. My free time to write has been limited which is why it's taking me longer to get chapters completed.
RSBCS: Thanks, sorry its been another long wait. There's no way I'd give up on this though.
Sync The Dragon Tempest: Yeah, imagine what it would be like if they teamed up together!
Sweet-Snarking Fool: Yeah, Dawn's never goes down easy
Sweet Cari: Yeah, lucky for the DigiDestined those two are distracted by each other
K-fanfics: Thanks. Don't worry I know exactly what that's like (hence the long breaks between updates here lol)
Loboguilamon: Aw thanks :) I've surpassed how many I originally had planned it would be. When working on the story I was coming up with new concepts etc which means its turned out to be more chapters than I thought. It's definitely going to be over 60 chapters.
Greymon Leader batx flashpoint: Thanks, yeah Daemon leant a little help to the DigiDestined without even knowing it lol
DinoGuy2000: Yep it gives the DigiDestined time to plan with Grandracmon and Daemon distracted by each other. Tai and Dawn will be in for a few surprises in the Dark Area..
Luca616: I've had to make some slight changes to some of the Digimon to fit in with the story
TristPHT: Aw thanks :) I'm still tweaking ideas for the final chapters of the story, so if the kids Digimon don't reach mega level in this, it'll certainly be an idea for a future story
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed, faved etc! :)
Digimon 2.5 "Adventure 03"
Episode 56: 'Enter the Dark Area'
.:Dark Ocean, Digital World:.
The water dripped onto the sand as the seventh and last creature emerged from the ocean. They slowly made their way up to where the first creature was still standing, its eyes still fixed on Dawn. "This one has great power," it addressed the others. "We must not let another one slip through our grasp."
Dawn stepped back, keeping distance between herself and the creatures. "I told you I didn't come here to be somebody's bodyguard." She said strictly. "So just back off."
"The Digimon who destroyed our master has not been seen since, but you must come with us in case he returns." One of the creatures said as it stretched its arm out to her, slowly moving forward.
Dawn backed up, stumbling a little as she caught the back of her foot on a small rock. Keeping her eyes fixed on the creatures she quickly bent down and picked up the rock before throwing it as hard as she could. It struck one of the creatures on the forehead, causing it to flinch before continuing forward with the rest of the group unfazed. She knew she had no chance of defending herself when she was outnumbered seven to one and especially without Agumon by her side. She then decided to try a slightly different tactic. "Look, I'm really sorry I can't help you but I really need to get to the Dark Area. The human and Digital World, and probably this one are in danger. There's something in the Dark Area I need to take care of. If you don't tell me where the entrance is everywhere could be destroyed."
A few of the creatures glanced at each other, before another one of them spoke. "You have no idea what lies within that Dark Area. No one from here has ever returned."
"It is full of evil energies and powerful Digimon."
"Whatever it is you wish to do there you won't succeed." Another said.
Dawn tightened her fists a little in frustration. "Yes we will." She shot back calmly.
"We?" one of the creatures questioned curiously.
"Mega Claw!"
Dawn froze and blinked in surprise as in a flash the blur of WarGreymon spun through the creatures destroying them instantly. The Kamiya girl watched as each one burst into pieces of data before they had a chance to even realise what had happened to them. She glanced to her left to see WarGreymon ceasing his Mega Claw attack and skid to a halt on the sand. She then looked to her right and saw her partner and father walking towards her. She sighed somewhat under her breath, but also relieved they had found her.
"Are you okay?" Tai asked as he reached his daughter, whilst her partner seemed to be distracted by something and wandered over to one of the small craters in the sand…
"Looks like we arrived just in time… Those were the same creatures that tried to take your Aunt Kari when she was a kid." WarGreymon said.
The Kamiya girl looked away from her father and to where the creatures had been standing. "I'm fine." She said a little flatly.
Tai noticed the look on her face. "What's wrong?"
Before Dawn had a chance to reply, her partner called over to them. "Hey… you didn't hit a strike WarGreymon… you missed one." He said pointing into the hole.
WarGreymon was about to charge ahead, when Dawn suddenly bolted forward and ran in front of his path.
"Wait!" she warned as she ran ahead, causing her father to look at her a little confused. She slowed down, coming to a stop next to her partner and peered down into the hole where the last creature was lying wounded. The middle of its chest had a large hole through it where it had been struck, and its data was slowly beginning to corrode away. "Please tell us where the entrance to the Dark Area is." She demanded one last time. She was then joined by Tai and WarGreymon, the latter on guard to strike if the creature attempted to try anything…
The creature stared up at her for a few moments, his eyes beginning to fade a little. "If you wish to enter the mouth of the Dark Area then so be it… but like I said before… we have watched many Digimon pass through there and have never returned…" he then closed his eyes as the rest of his body corroded away.
Dawn angrily kicked some of the sand into the hole before turning and marching off a little before coming to a stop.
Tai followed her, stopping just behind where she was standing as his partner de-digivolved back into his rookie form. "Hey… Let's just take a look around okay?" he tried to assure her. "We knew we were coming into this place blind so we just need to put our heads together and try and think where the entrance might be."
"They said they had watched many Digimon pass through it… it must be around here somewhere if they had spent their lives living in the ocean." Dawn's Agumon commented.
"We better think pretty hard. Somehow I don't think the entrance is going to have a big sign over it saying 'This way to the Dark Area'." Tai's Agumon responded with a hint of sarcasm, causing Tai to give him a look.
Dawn sighed a little and began to look across the beach for any sort of clues. There wasn't much to go on… maybe they would have to leave the beach and search further in land… She briefly glanced at the pile of rubble that was blocking the entrance to the cave she had come across earlier before she continued to look on. She was about to turn her attention to the lighthouse further down when she suddenly stopped and averted her eyes back to the cave… "Hey…" she spoke up as an idea struck her, catching the others attention. "What about that cave?" she suggested.
.:Tokyo Bay, Odaiba, Tokyo:.
Sparks ignited and flashes filled the bay as Daemon and Grandracmon's attacks continued to clash with one another. Each time one of them launched an assault the other would unleash a successful counter attack. The fight was evenly matched with neither one gaining the upper hand. But they showed no signs of stopping as they fired their most powerful attacks back and forth. All around the damage was clearly visible with nearby buildings and boats smouldering from blasts that had struck them. A few small crowds had also gathered around the outskirts of the bay, ignoring the warnings to stay inside as a few people took the opportunity to film the ongoing battle.
Grandracmon spread his wings and ascended up into the air. He opened the two mouths either side of his waist and fired a continuous round of energy blasts from them directly down at Daemon, although the demon Digimon simply jumped back dodging each blast, which in turn blew huge holes in the ice. With each missed shot, Grandracmon grew more frustrated, although he didn't show it. He gritted his teeth as he ceased his attack. This fight was turning out to be a little tougher than he had predicted and Daemon wasn't going down as easily as he had thought.
As Grandracmon's assault halted, Daemon dropped back down onto the ice and slowly slid to a stop. "Evil Inferno!" He immediately attacked, unleashing his signature move.
"Crystal Revolution!" Grandracmon narrowed his eyes. They began to glow a dark red and he transformed the approaching attack into small ice crystals, which then merely broke apart when they hit his body. He then dropped down from above landing just in front of Daemon. As quick as a flash he spun around raising his hind legs and dealt a swift and powerful kick to Daemon's midsection.
The force of the kick threw Daemon back a good distance and he hit the ice landing on his back. A little winded he soon got back to his feet, dusting his cloak off which by this point was looking a little tatty in places. "You won't win this fight with pathetic attacks like that," he growled. "Double Dust!" he thrust both of his fists forward and unleashed two blasts of magical energy.
Again Grandracmon opened the two large mouths and allowed them to consume the two attacks, which in turn allowed him to feed off the energy increasing his strength a little. "Neither will you," he taunted back. He then opened the mouths once more and fired two similar blasts back at Daemon.
Daemon quickly crossed his arms in front of his face, shielding himself from the oncoming attack. When the attack hit, the force caused his feet to slide back a little across the ice. He then uncrossed his arms, swinging them outwards breaking up the remainder of the attack. He then immediately retaliated by thrusting his right hand forward with his palm facing out and unleashing an energy blast of fire.
Grandracmon jumped up out of the way, spreading his wings allowing him to float in the air whilst the attack hit the side of the no.6 battery island, blasting apart the corner of the structure. He glanced down watching parts of the rock collapse through the ice and into the water before he smiled smugly. "Your pathetic efforts to defeat me will be in vain. You may have been lucky in escaping from the Dark Ocean but this is where your luck runs out." He warned. "I am on the brink of eliminating the DigiDestined for good and no one is going to stop me."
Daemon straightened his stance, tightening his fists a little. "The DigiDestined are crafty and won't go down as easily as you think they will. I learned my lesson when they trapped me in the Dark Ocean, and I'm not going to underestimate them again. I suspect, if they haven't already, that your Nightmare Six will fall to them… just like Craniamon fell to me."
Grandracmon froze. "What?" he grunted. He had already been informed by Wisemon earlier of ShadowSeraphimon's demise, and now if what Daemon was saying was true his Nightmare Six was now down to three... He growled, clenching his fists as he glared at the demon lord. "You'll pay heavily for showing up here and interfering with my plans." He spat. In a flash he fired two strong beams of energy from the two mouths on his waist, causing Daemon to jump up out of the way. The beams continued on their course until they exploded amongst the trees and beach huts on the opposite side of the bay. He then dropped down onto the ice. "Death Scream!" Again opening up the mouths he unleashed a shockwave across the bay that was filled with the wails of the underworld. It was a piercing, high pitched shrill that shattered windows in nearby buildings.
Daemon merely flinched as the shockwave hit him, unaffected by the high pitched sound. Once the Death Scream had fizzled out, he chuckled amusingly to himself. "A little thoughtless of you to think your Death Scream would have any effect on me after I too spent most of my life living in the Dark Area. I am used to the harsh sounds of the underworld." He then soared down, building up as much speed as he could. He slammed into Grandracmon, with the force of the impact allowing him to tackle the beast Digimon straight through the ice and into cold the water.
For a few moments everywhere fell quiet as both Digimon disappeared underneath, but it wasn't long before there was an eruption of water as Grandracmon burst out with Daemon in his clutches. He roared in anger as he body slammed Daemon down against a section of ice that was still intact, causing it to crack. "Not only have you sealed your own fate by coming here, you have also sealed the fate of the rest of those Demon Lord friends of yours." He threatened. "Once I have taken care of you and the DigiDestined they will be next. You may have fallen victim to the DigiDestineds tricks but I won't. They are clueless to the power I posses, and even if the Nightmare Six fail I will make sure they are crushed like bugs… It's just too bad you won't be around to witness it." The insides of the two mouths on his waist began to glow as he began to summon a powerful energy blast.
"It will be you who won't be here by sundown…" Daemon responded calmly. He quickly formed a sphere of energy in the palm of his hands and thrust it into Grandracmon's chest throwing him off before he had chance to unleash the blast. Daemon then got to his knees and immediately fired his signature attack at full force. "Evil Inferno!"
Grandracmon was just getting to his feet when the fire attack struck him by surprise. The force threw him back sending him crashing into the side of the No. 6 battery island, leaving him slumped in a heap…
.:Dark Ocean, Digital World:.
"Are you sure?" Tai's Agumon asked as he and the others observed the partially blocked cave they were now standing in front of. Although it didn't look like a traditional cave as it resembled more of a tunnel.
Dawn nodded. "I think so. I remember a kid in my class did a science project on caves and he called the entrance 'the mouth' of the cave… maybe that's what that creature meant when it said about entering the mouth of the Dark Area?"
"You were actually paying attention in class?" Her partner teased.
"Only because when the nerds show off their projects for the science fair some of them tend to go wrong and explode." The ten year old replied.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Tai said as he walked a little closer to the entrance to try and get a better look past the pile of rubble.
"But this looks more like a tunnel than a cave…" Tai's Agumon stated.
"What's the difference?" Dawn's Agumon asked.
"The difference is a tunnel tends to usually lead to somewhere…" Tai said as he continued to observe it. Half way up the pile of rubble was a small gap where it hadn't completely covered the entrance, which looked as if it was big enough for them to fit through. Dawn's theory made sense, and if she was right about the creature giving them a subtle clue as to the entrance to the Dark Area then this was most likely it. "Well… I guess there's only one way to find out," he said before he carefully began to climb up the large chunks of rock. He edged through the small gap before jumping down and landing on the other side.
As Dawn and the two Agumons followed, Tai took a moment to look around. The tunnel was quite narrow and seemed to go on quite a long way. There were small lights on the right hand side of the wall, but they didn't give off much light. There was an eerie atmosphere too, which felt a little stronger than the one they had felt out on the beach…
"Is it just me or did it suddenly get colder?" Tai's Agumon commented once he had jumped down.
"It definitely feels stranger in here…" Dawn replied briefly looking around. "It feels more… depressing…"
Tai got his cell phone out and turned on the static flash, aiming the light down the tunnel. The light only reached so far showing nothing but darkness ahead. He squinted a little trying to focus through the dark, unsure if he could see an eerie shadowy mist floating above near the top of the tunnel. He tried to follow the mist with the light from his phone, and it looked as if the mist disappeared out of the tunnel and onto the beach. "Maybe Izzy's theory was right about the Dark Ocean feeding off the evil energies in the Dark Area and this is its main source…" he thought aloud.
Dawn looked a little confused as she tried to make out what her father was looking at, but couldn't quite see the mist. "So… this is the right way then?" she asked.
"I think so…" Tai said as he aimed the light back down the tunnel. "C'mon, we'll soon find out if it isn't."
.:Tokyo Bay, Odaiba, Tokyo:.
Daemon slowly strode closer to where Grandracmon was picking himself up from his Evil Inferno attack. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do that to the almighty ruler of the Dark Area…" he mocked with a hint of sarcasm. He then stretched his palm out and fired a single blast of energy, which hit Grandracmon on the right shoulder knocking him back down. "Now that your army is slowly crumbling you have left yourself vulnerable to defeat." He then fired another blast, striking Grandracmon in the chest.
Knocked back again from the impact of the attack, Grandracmon slumped down a little against the side of the battery island. He then chuckled slightly as he looked up at the demon Digimon. "You have no idea of the true power of my existence do you?" he said as he rose to his feet. "You are so arrogant towards your foolish plan to take me down you haven't even considered the fact this is a fight you will not win. As Myotismon I was stubborn to defeat, but now as my true self I am invincible."
"It is you who is full of arrogance. Only a fool would think of themselves as invincible." Daemon said sternly. "If you are the strongest Digimon there is like you think you are you would have conquered the Digital World and this world a long time ago."
Grandracmon straightened his posture as he prepared to attack. "I would have succeeded if it wasn't for Azulongmon. But now that I am back, and at my strongest I have ever been even he won't be able to stop me this time." He said with a sly smile. He then fired two powerful beams from the mouths on his waist.
Daemon reacted quickly and enlarged the claws on his left hand using his Slash Nail attack to slice through the two energy beams disabling them one at a time. Without pausing, he then faced his palm outwards and unleashed another flame fuelled attack.
Grandracmon spread his wings and soared up into the air, easily dodging the attack before it exploded into the side of the battery island, destroying even more of the structure. He glided backwards before coming to a stop, resting on top of one of the towers of his castle, holding onto the small spire for support. "Despite our history dear Daemon there is a little secret you don't know about me..." He teased menacingly with a chuckle looking down at the demon Digimon on the ice below. "Ever wondered how I was able to survive all that time as Myotismon despite losing to the DigiDestined?"
Daemon growled, tightening his fists. He then spread his own wings and floated up into the air so he was level with Grandracmon. "I am in no mood for riddles." He sniped. He then fired a surprise attack from his right fist.
Grandracmon flashed a quick smile before he crossed his arms for a brief moment as he prepared a counter attack. He then uncrossed them and unleashed a large swarm of bats. The bats tore through Daemon's attack, disabling it before it had chance to reach Grandracmon.
The attack then carried on and hit Daemon head on, almost knocking him out of the air. He quickly regained his balance before looking back over at Grandracmon a little surprised. "That was-"
"Myotismon's Grizzly Wing attack," Grandracmon interrupted smugly. "All those years as Myotismon have allowed me to still obtain the ability to perform his attacks, and the attacks of his higher forms, and with my immense power I have the ability to make them even stronger… Venom Beam!" Using one of VenomMyotismon's attacks he fired two blood red energy beams from his large mouths.
Daemon just had enough time to wrap his purple wings around the front of his body, shielding himself.
"Crimson Lightning!" Grandracmon formed Myotismon's signature attack and thrust it forward, allowing it to wrap itself around Daemon's midsection just as he let his wings fall back into place. He then pulled on the dark red beam pulling the demon lord a little closer before he began to spin him around, gaining more speed as he did. Eventually he let go, sending Daemon crashing down straight into the bridge to his castle.
Daemon smashed through it, sending rubble everywhere before he tumbled down onto the ice, resting in a heap. He growled under his breath as he slowly pushed himself up onto his feet, with small pieces of stone falling from his body. "So that's your secret is it… the capability to use another Digimon's attacks?"
Grandracmon chuckled a little. "I'll admit it's an added bonus that my attacking ability has now more than tripled."
Daemon narrowed his eyes in anger as his question had remained unanswered. He stretched his wings out a little and slowly floated up into the air, keeping his eyes fixed on the beast Digimon. "It still won't help you against me," he warned. He then raised his hands, stretching them out in front of him allowing himself to take control of the rubble that lay beneath him. The large chunks of rock began to shudder slightly before they began to rise up into the air coming to a stop surrounding him. In a flash and a quick flick of his wrists, Daemon hurled the rocks directly at Grandracmon.
Grandracmon swiftly punched the first chunks of small rock, shattering them into tiny pieces, before he then used his own powers to take control of the rest. With his outstretched arms, he parted the oncoming rocks so they passed by either side of him. The section of rocks that passed by on his right ended up smashing through the ice below, whilst the section on his left hit the first thing it came in contact with; Rainbow Bridge. The rocks struck the side of the bridge, destroying part of the metal structure and also causing some of the suspension cables to snap loose…
.:Izzy's lab, Minato, Tokyo:.
Mimi, Yolei and their daughters were standing in front of the television screen watching the news channel which was broadcasting the ongoing battle and had just witnessed the damaged caused to Rainbow Bridge. "Izzy, we have to do something," The bearer of Sincerity said, looking over her shoulder. "We can't just sit in here and do nothing. Eventually people are going to get hurt."
"But what can we do Mimi?" Palmon said glancing up at her partner. "We're not strong enough to take on both of them."
"Palmon's right," Leomon spoke up. "It would be foolish to try and fight them both right now."
"Hey let's just be thankful they're not teaming up together against us." Gomamon added.
"So we just wait and do nothing until one of them destroys the other?" Yolei asked.
Izzy nodded. "Yes, although we're not exactly going to do nothing." He replied, as he looked up from his computer tablet he was holding. "I spoke with Matt earlier. Whilst Grandracmon and Daemon are distracted by each other it gives us the opportunity to take on the rest of the Nightmare Six," he began to explain, turning a few heads as he did. "Matt said Daemon destroyed Craniamon so there are only three left, and now that the DDS is back up and running again I have been able to lock onto their locations."
Sora walked over, standing beside Izzy. She cast a glance at the television screen, watching as Daemon fired another attack. "So, what's the plan?"
Izzy quickly swiped the page he had open on his tablet so it appeared on the large screen on the wall for everyone to see. On it was images of AxeKnightmon, Tactimon and ChaosGallantmon with the data of each one displayed underneath. "Looking over the data I've managed to gather so far I can't see any obvious weaknesses. These three battles are probably going to be tough. We'll have to make sure each group has enough strength to take them on."
"Each group?" Kari queried.
"We will need to fight each of the Nightmare Six separately but at the same time." Izzy explained. "That way they can't regroup together and ambush us." He pressed a couple of things on his tablet and each image of the Nightmare Six shrunk in size and moved to a section of the map of Tokyo that had now appeared on the screen. "I've locked onto their locations. Tactimon is close to Tokyo Tower, ChaosGallantmon is in Odaiba by the Telecom Centre, and AxeKnightmon is only a couple of blocks away at the University of Marine Science and Technology."
Cody turned his attention away from the screen and looked across the room to where Izzy was standing. "Is it wise to split us all up again?"
"Now that our system has been cleaned from that virus everything is working as it should so you will be able to communicate between each other, unlike before." Jim spoke up.
"Hey, what about that creepy Digimon Wisemon?" Dan called from the corner of the room where the kids were sitting on the floor with their Digimon. He rose to his feet. "Are we taking him on too?"
"Who's Wisemon?" MJ asked curiously looking up at the goggle boy.
"He's mysterious Digimon who seems to spend all his time inside the castle." Veemon replied.
"Yeah, and he's the one who opened the chest and allowed Myotismon to transform into Grandracmon." Dan added.
Izzy turned his attention back to his laptop and scanned for any data coming from the No 6. battery Island. It took a few seconds before it picked up a signal. "I'm getting a Digimon signal at the castle… that must be him."
Tentomon flew up, just over his partner's shoulder. "Our strengths are going to be stretched more now we need four groups instead of three." He said, to which Izzy nodded in agreement.
"We'll take him on."
All the adults turned in surprise to face their children once they heard James' voice. "What?" Yolei gasped, a little stunned. "James-"
"Look if you guys need to go and take care of the Nightmare Six then we'll go take care of Wisemon." The Ichijouji boy stated, with Dan nodding in agreement.
Izzy looked down at his tablet. Earlier he had begun to work on the three groups that would be needed to take on the Nightmare Six. He quickly did a couple of alterations, forming the fourth group consisting of their children. Their Digimon were strong, and it didn't leave the other groups vulnerable either. "That could work…" he said.
"Izzy!" Mimi exclaimed. "I can't believe your agreeing to send our kids alone into Grandracmon's castle! What if Grandracmon defeats Daemon whilst their inside? If he catches them he won't hesitate in attacking."
Sora walked over to the bearer of Sincerity and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mimi, it'll be okay. The children are just as much a part of this fight as we are, and I think they're are a lot stronger than we give them credit for. I'm worried sick over Dawn, but I know Tai's there with her and they'll look out for each other, just like the kids will take care of each other now."
Biyomon nodded. "Yeah, and we managed to fight off some pretty tough Digimon when you were kids."
"We'll be fine Mrs Kido," Stacey spoke up, stepping forward a little. "If the castle is the same as his old one in the Digital World I'll have a pretty good idea how to navigate through it without being seen if Grandracmon returns."
"And I'll accompany them." Wizardmon announced from the opposite side of the room where the Digimon were gathered. "I have a feeling Wisemon may possess some mystical powers that my magic will be able to defend."
"Well that's group one settled then," Tentomon said light heartedly.
Sighing reluctantly, Mimi looked from the television to the screen displaying the Nightmare Six, before turning back to the television just as Grandracmon and Daemon unleashed their attacks at the same time. "So… I guess after we take down these four Digimon we turn our attention to whichever is left standing huh?"
"And we all know which one that will be…" Joe added.
"Well, let's hope Tai and Dawn make it back in time for the grand finale…" TK commented.
.:Dark Area, Digital World:.
As they walked deeper through the tunnel with Tai's phone light guiding them, Dawn cast a glance over her shoulder to see the light from the entrance had now completely disappeared, and all that was behind them was the same as in front of them; darkness. She felt a slight shiver run down her spine as she turned her head back to face front. She had never been afraid of the dark, but with the creepy atmosphere and the uncertainty of what they were walking into was making her feel a little anxious. She glanced up at her father who was walking beside her. They had been walking in silence for some time now, which only added to the eeriness. "Hey Dad…" she spoke a little quietly. "… Are you scared?" Even though it was dark she could still see the expression on his face that her question had surprised him a little and he was trying to think of what to say. "You don't have to pretend you're not just to make me feel better. I know when I was younger I used to think you weren't afraid of anything… but now I know that's not true. You told me everyone is afraid of something." She glanced down at the ground, kicking a loose stone out of her path. "Because… I uhh… I'm a tiny bit scared right now." She admitted with a slight nervous laugh.
Tai hesitated for a moment. He knew Dawn was putting on a brave face and probably wasn't admitting how scared she actually was, and he hated the fact he had to put her in this position. "Hey, it's okay to be scared. It's nothing to be ashamed of." He said softly. "It's a perfectly natural feeling when you're facing something unknown. No one is going to think any different of you because you feel afraid of something."
"Yeah I know… I don't think it's what we're gonna be coming up against that I'm most afraid of, it's more like what will happen if we fail…" Dawn said with a sigh. "What will happen if Grandracmon wins?"
Tai had been trying not to think about that, but it was impossible to keep that thought out of his mind, more so now his daughter had just mentioned it. "I know you've had a lot of responsibility suddenly put on you kiddo, and it is scary to think what might happen if Grandracmon wins but try and not dwell on that too much, especially here."
"Just like any fight there is always a chance the enemy might win, we just need to stay positive that's all." Dawn's Agumon spoke up from behind them.
"Yeah, this is not the best place to start thinking negative thoughts." Tai's Agumon added.
"I know," Dawn said, briefly glancing over her shoulder. "I'm determined to win. We need to defeat him to avenge all the Digimon we lost. I just hope he's not hurting anyone back home right now."
"Me too kiddo…"
Dawn noticed the sombre tone in her father's voice, and she knew he was worried about leaving everybody behind. She then glanced up at him, flashing a little smile. "You know, you still haven't answered my question Dad…" she humoured, trying to ease the mood.
"Huh? What question?"
"I think your father's scared to admit he's scared." The older Agumon teased.
Tai frowned. "Hey I am not." He shot back, giving his partner a brief look.
"Then why didn't you answer the question?" the rookie Digimon continued to tease.
"I did didn't I?"
"No, you just told Dawn it was okay to be scared."
Tai turned his head to look back at his partner again. "Well it is. Just because I didn't say I was scared doesn't mean I'm not-" Suddenly, as he and Dawn took their next step with their attention still on their Digimon, the ground felt as if it wasn't there anymore…
"Tai!" "Dawn!" The two Agumons bolted forward as their partners unexpectedly disappeared from view. Tai's Agumon scooped up Tai's cell phone which he had dropped and shone the light over the edge. They both looked down to see Tai had managed to grab hold of a piece of rock that was sticking out, as well as managing to grab Dawn by her right ankle with his other hand. "Tai, hold on!"
Tai winced as his left arm, which was the one he had injured when fighting Myotismon, began to hurt. "I… can't really do much else Agumon." He managed to gasp out.
As Dawn was hanging upside down, her D-Power slowly began to dislodge from her belt. It came loose and Dawn gasped, quickly stretching her hand out and catching it just after it had fallen past her head. She tilted her head back a little and looked down to see there was nothing but darkness below. "Dad…" she said a little uneasily as she stared down at the black abyss beneath them.
Tai tried to pull his daughter up, but he cringed as the strain on his arm became worse. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on…"
"Quick, lower me down." Dawn's Agumon instructed as he knelt down by the edge of the drop.
Tai's Agumon grabbed hold of his legs and carefully lowered him over the edge and down as far as he could resting on his stomach, but it wasn't quite far enough as Dawn's Agumon stretched his claw out, which was inches from Tai's hand.
Just then there was a sound of cracking as the rock Tai was holding onto began to break away…
"Almost there… just a little further…" Dawn's Agumon said, stretching his claw as far as it would go.
Unable to take the weight anymore, the rock dislodged. On instinct, Tai reached up and managed to grab hold of Agumon's claw, but with the sudden added weight of both him and Dawn now on their two Digimon, it was too much and they were both pulled over the edge.
All four of them screamed as they disappeared into the darkness below…
.:No 6. Battery Island, Odaiba, Tokyo:.
Wisemon lifted his head up, slowly opening his eyes. He had been levitating over his book in one of the towers in the castle when he suddenly sensed something... something or indeed someone had just entered the Dark Area. He knew exactly what had happened after earlier witnessing WarGreymon pass through the portal into the Dark Ocean, and he knew if nothing was done once the sun had set later that evening things would take a drastic turn…
His thoughts were then interrupted by the sounds of the battle between Grandracmon and Daemon from outside. He slowly turned his head and glanced out of the small window to see a plume of smoke erupt into the air from the aftermath of an explosion that thundered over the bay.
"If Lord Grandracmon doesn't do something soon I fear this might not end the way he is expecting…"
.:Dark Area, Digital World:.
Tai slowly began to wake up. He groaned a little as it didn't take long for him to be reminded of the dull throbbing pain in his left arm. He pushed himself up before turning himself over into a seated position. Just across from him were Dawn and their two Digimon, who were also beginning to move. Relieved they were still all together, Tai then glanced up to see they had landed in what appeared to be a deep gorge with towering walls of rocks either side that were higher than skyscrapers.
The ground was hard and dusty, covered mostly in jagged rocks and very little greenery. The only plants were dull half dead weeds sprouting out in various places, and the remains of the odd dead tree. There was also an eerie mist that loomed at the bottom of the gorge.
Dawn was the first to get to her feet, rubbing her head a little. "Why does it always seem like we're falling everywhere we go?" she groaned. She then looked up. "How far did we fall?"
Tai looked up beyond the walls of rocks to see the same black abyss they had fallen through stretching as far as they could see over the gorge. "I don't know," he replied. He then too rose to his feet, dusting off some dirt from his clothes as he continued to look up. "I don't think we're in the Dark Ocean anymore…"
To be continued…