Scurrying across the dark nights of the city, the assassin had one clear objective: A certain house in Tamachi. Having his knowledge of the local language advanced enough, he had used a map and interviews about on his target to triangulate the position of the household.
Household of the Ichijouji family.
The press was relentless in all of their articles. They were bastards with no respect of who they interview, they twist their words and actions to their convenience. But this gave him the edge, because thanks to all of those breach on a person's privacy, he had his objective.
Killua stood in front of a building, an apartment complex, in his hands was a magazine with his target's smiling face in it with his two parents. Ken Ichijouji, the Digimon Emperor, standing there smiling like a normal kid. He scoffed in disgust, he was going to try and end this before it could escalate.
He propelled himself from balcony to balcony, using Nen until he reached the floor where his objective lived. He took out one of his black gloves, sharpened one of his nails and introduced it in the glass door's lock to force it open. His eyes sharpened and he entered.
He wasn't going to kill him. No, he was going to steal his Digivice. Without it, there was no Digimon Emperor, and no problem. And if he woke up, he could take it. He was injured, while Killua only had an already healed scratch.
When he entered, he scowled and cursed under his breath. The room was empty and a message was written on his computer. Killua read it and gnashed his teeth.
I don't have any use for this world anymore.
Goodbye forever, scum.
-K. Ichijouji.
Killua read the note with annoyance in his eyes and clenched his fists. The clever bastard had bailed out of his home, and if he was right then there was only one place to look for. 'So much for a quick solution.'
He got out of the room, leaving no trace of his presence behind. He double checked for any cameras around the block, there was nothing. He was never there, for the rest of the world.
In the dark halls leading to his throne room, the Emperor limped his way to his chair. His body was covered in bandages, hidden beneath his jumpsuit. A mask of calmness hiding the raging storm behind his features. Dawn was about to come out, but he didn't have time to just sit down and relax, he had job to do... He needed to.
Wormmon noticed him coming and gasped, crawling in front of him. "Ken! Oh my gosh, why aren't you on bed?!" His answer was a kick that sent him to the side.
The Emperor sat, wincing as he did, and looked up at the screens. He summoned his panel of control and pressed some buttons and the screens around him came to life, showing an interview done to his alter ego.
Wormmon walked and stared at his back. "You should get some sleep..."
He ignored him and watched the screens in silence. A beautiful woman in a grey suit stood next to the boy with purple hair with a microphone in hand. "Today we'll meet a genius boy. None other than Ken Ichijouji himself."
The Ken on the screen itself just kept his plastic smile on his face. "I haven't done anything yet to consider myself a genius."
"And despite everything, he's still so modest!" The woman chuckled. "Tell me, Ken. Do you have any hobbies?"
"Not really," He shrugged. "Most of what I do is part of the school clubs I'm part of. Though I do like soccer more than the other sports I practice."
The woman nodded. "I see, I see. Then tell me Ken, what do you think of the saying: Having talent is ninety-nine percent hard work, and one percent genius?"
"Well, I would like to think that I have more than one percent of genius in me," He replied, never losing his smile and his eyes looking straight into the camera.
"Now tell me, Ken, do you like animals? Have you ever had a pet?" The woman asked, wanting to get as much gossip as she could from him.
"Sadly I never had a pet since I live in a building," He answered. "And I haven't had much contact with animals in my life."
"I see..." The woman mumbled, thinking of her next question. "The building where you and your family live looks really comfortable, have you ever lived there?"
"No," He answered. "We used to live in a different home in the same district, but we moved there around three years ago or so. Space issues," He said, giving a quick reason before the woman could ask about it.
"You know? In America there's a system that allows children like you to skip years," The woman revealed. "What do you think of it?"
"Well, here in Japan we don't have the chance," He said. "I don't see a point in discussing about it."
"But if you could?"
He shrugged. "Then I would gladly accept it," He said. "It would prove a good challenge to me if I was already in college."
"You heard it first here folks, that's all for today with Ken Ichijouji," The woman said. "Ken, thanks for accepting this interview."
"Thanks for inviting me," He has smiled at the moment.
The screens faded to black. Wormmon was confused of why his partner wanted to check that channel. The Emperor for his part lowered his head and looked at the floor. Tha interview happened last Saturday, before the game against Motomiya and before his fight with Zoldyck. The day when he once again confirmed the lack of worth in the Human World.
"Thanks for the interview," The woman said, clapping his shoulder, "And good luck on your studies."
"It was an honour and thank you," He said while watching the lady and his team go.
One of Ken's teachers, a scrawny middle aged man, walked to him. "Thanks for taking your time on this, Ichijouji."
Ken turned to him while dusting his uniform where the woman had put her hand. "It was nothing..." He said neutrally.
"This will most certainly bring good reputation to the school," The man said as he offered Ken a handshake that he was disgusted to accept. "You made a good job!"
"It was an honor to help," He said, suppressing the shudder he felt at his hand touching the older man's.
"Um, this is something more personal but... Could you give my daughter some private tutoring?" The man asked, leaning to whisper the request on his ear.
Ken narrowed his eyes. Of course this leech wanted a favor with all of those compliments. He forced a smile. "I'm sorry, sir, but having me teach a person around my age would look bad, don't you think? And I don't have that much experience teaching someone else, another person, such as yourself, would be more qualified."
The profesor made a face, but could see the reasoning of the boy. "Ah, I guess you're right. Maybe I was asking a lot, you already have a pretty occupied agenda." He look at the clock on the street. "Oh, look at the time, you should be heading home. Thanks again, son."
"No problem," Ken said and turned around. Ready to put this nonsense behind.
"Uh, one more thing, Ichijouji."
Fighting back an annoyed sigh and clenching his teeth, the boy turned and forced an innocent look on his face. "Yes?"
The man offered a piece of paper and a marker. "An autograph? For my daughter, of course."
He really resisted the urge to break the paper and impale the man with his spikes.
He handed over the paper after writing his name and a corny message for the girl. "Here you go, sir."
"Ah, thank you, my daughter will be most pleased," The man rambled as he walked away, looking at the sign.
If he was able to reproduce, then Ken just had another proof that this world was doomed to failure.
Ken closed the door behind him, but cursed inwardly as he heard the voice of the woman calling him from the kitchen. "Ken, is that you?"
He made a mental note to use Zetsu more often. Surrendering to his fate he walked to the kitchen were his so-called parents were waiting for him.
The woman set a plate of a simple food in front of him, meat and smashed potatoes. "I saw you today in TV, in your interview on the local park, you looked so handsome sweetie," She complimented.
"I liked what you said about the one percent genius part," The man who called himself his father said. "You really think you have more of that in you, son?" He asked, with clear jest on his voice.
So early and he was already tired of their incessant babbling. He put the chopsticks down and got up. "Can I please go to my room?"
The two of them stared at him with stupid faces of confusion. "Is everything okay, sweetheart?" She asked.
"I'm just tired from the interview," He lied, having the need to put on his facade. "Please keep my food in the microwave, I'll come for it later," Without waiting for a response he left for his room. Ignoring the confused and somewhat sad looks on their faces.
He managed to sneak to the roof of the buildings and looked through the bars at the city below. People just lived their lives without a care in the world, without aspirations, without any kind of ambition other than having a regular life.
It sickened him.
This was a race of fools. All of them, every being in this planet. He was different, he was superior, he was perfect. And in this world, where fools only used him to get what they want -- an interview, prestige, fame, autographs -- his talent was wasted. He wasn't a boy, he was The Emperor. He had powers beyond his comprehension!
His aura flared around him and he gripped the bars and screamed at the world what he thought of its inhabitants. "NOTHING BUT SCUM!"
Silently and ignoring his aching body, or his fool of a partner, the Emperor got up and started typing furiously on his control panel. The screens showing his rings and his last two Generals.
"Ken?" Wormmon tried to call him. "I know you are busy but... If something is bothering you you can tell me."
He didn't answered. He didn't have to answer to him. He needed to be ready, he wasn't going to let this humiliation continue. Next time those brats appear here he was going to be ready.
"Are you sure about this?" Izzy asked, looking at Davis.
"Izzy, he took his freaking goggles in front of us! It's Ken Ichijouji!" Davis tried to convince the red-head.
Killua was sitting on one of the chairs, his eyes closed and trying to regain some sleep after his fallen attempt of a confrontation last night. Two things were possible, or the Emperor was now full time in the Digital World or he was licking his wounds after the fight from yesterday. But the note he found made it clear it was the latter, which would mean problems for them. 'And we don't have a clue of where he is hiding. He has to have some base of operations to check on the territories he controls...' He thought. Ken has to be on a place where he could monitor everything in the Digital World, that would explain how he can set traps for them ahead of time.
T.K noticed his condition and went over him. "Are you feeling okay, Killua?"
He opened his eyes. "Sorry, had a rough night. A lot of things in my mind."
"That's other thing," Izzy said, turning to him. "Are you sure he was a Nen user?"
"I still have some marks of the wound from yesterday," He said, rolling his eyes. "He was advanced enough to have an ability of his own."
"How does one become a Nen user exactly?" Kari asked, curious of the workings behind the powers of their leader.
Saying goodbye to his tries of regain some sleep, he turned to address the full looks of curiosity, even the veterans looked curious since Killua never went into details. "There are two ways, meditating for months or even years to open the aura nodes, or forcing them open with the help of some outside force with Nen, most likely a person. That's... actually how I got mine, though the last one is heavily frown upon."
"Why though?" Cody asked, tilting his head.
"Twon reasons, which are the reasons why Ken," He remarked the name, looking at Izzy, "Shouldn't have it. First: The Nen is a secret, only hunters are a few others have it, which is something you guys already know. And the second," He grabbed a pen that was on the desk to use as an example. "Nen is dangerous while used wrongly, if a person without an aura is affected or touched by hostile Nen..." He applied his aura on the pen and it started showing cracks until it broke. "Then that happens."
Everyone shuddered as the implications were set. Being touched by hostile Nen could kill them, or leave them with severe injuries. Killua in specific remembered the Rookie Crushers from heavens arena, all of them people who survived hostile Nen with severe injuries and deformations.
That Sadasso guy's face wasn't normal.
"Back to the actual topic," He told them. "It is Ken and it is a Nen user, the reasons for him doing this? Still unknown."
"Aside from being a psycho?" Davis asked, grumbling under his breath.
"So much talent and he uses it to hurt others?" Cody asked. "There might be something else."
Killua shrugged. "We'll now once we find him and beat him," He said.
"Come to think of it. In his most recent interview, I think I saw the local park," T.K said.
Izzy cupped his chin in thought. "So the Digimon Emperor lives next door?" He mumbled. "I say we go check."
'What?' Killua blinked as he turned to Izzy. Wanting to rip his hair out. 'This has to be a joke, I lost sleep last night for nothing? I just had to wait?' He fought back a sigh. 'Wow, this is going to be such a waste of time.' He didn't wanted to tell them of his late night hunting, they might not approve of it. So he kept his mouth shut.
"Check?" T.K asked. "You mean go check on him? Confront him?"
Izzy shrugs. "He has no army here and no partner I think. He can't afford to use Nen, and even if he did we have Killua."
Killua's lips twitched, remembering the beatdown he delivered on the pretender Emperor. His friends didn't saw the state he was left in, they only know he won. But if it wasn't for his Aura, Killua was pretty sure Ken's body would not recover completly from his injuries.
Upamon started bouncing uncontrollably. "Talk, talk and talk, but I'm hungry!" He said.
"Come to think of it, Yolei is pretty late," Kari said looking at the door.
As if summoned by her thoughts, the bespectacled girl appeared with a bag on her hands. "Sorry for the wait!" She said. "I had to sneak some of this so my parents wouldn't think much of it!" She said.
The Digimon all charged, even Gatomon who had recovered from the injuries Blademon gave him, wanting to have a taste from the sweets. They destroyed the bag and they were scarfing down the contents in seconds.
"Jeez, try to avoid the plastic, guys," The girl said, watching them eat down the food. She picked something from the leftovers of the bag and waved it in her hand. "I found this in the store too, it has an article on our suspect~" She said, trying to sound like a detective chasing a criminal.
"Gimme!" Davis said, yanking the magazine out of her hands.
"Hey!" She yelped at the sudden act. "You can be such a brute!" She growled.
"Yeah, yeah sure," He waved her off and flipped through the pages trying to find his objective. "Aha! Here he is, the face of evil!"
Everyone peeked at the magazine ane Killua wanted to snort at his comment. He had to admit Ken looked pretty innocent on that picture... Except for the eyes, those eyes always unnerved him even before the revelation. "Yeah Davis, he's terrifying," He said.
"He does look innocent," Kari said, scrunching her eyes at the picture. "And he seemed nice enough in the game. Hadn't he taken off his goggles I wouldn't believe it."
"Looks can be deceiving," T.K reasoned.
Izzy took the magazine and started reading over it. "Let's see..." Izzy watched his pictures carefully, being the only one present that hasn't see him in person. "Yeah, I've seen this boy before in media channels."
Yolei peeked over his shoulder. "His IQ is so high," She said, clearly impressed, then her face soured as if she just swallowed a lemon. "Why are all of the cute guys the bad guys?"
"Excuse you?!" Davis asked. "You still have lovey-dovey eyes for the guy?!" He asked. "How is he a Digidestined for startes?!"
Killua blinked and hummed, thinking back to months/years before during the Dark Masters' event, when they met Homeostasis she explained how they were all chosen, even him; The Anomaly. They all had traits and the ability to form a bond with Digimon that allowed the evolution. And thanks to those traits the Crests were formed.
With the issue of Ken being a Digidestined, Homeostasis' words rang on his mind. 'As the anomaly I was chosen because I have the above of a leader, apparently. While every Digidestined has a trait of their own and if they lose it then they could use Digimon for egoistical reasons.' It all clicked together. "T.K, Izzy!"
"Yeah?" They turned to him.
"Remember five years ago, when we met Homeostasis?" He asked.
"Who?" The new kids asked. Kari for her part frowned but remembered that her brother, Gatomon and Killua explained to her about the apparent guardian of the Digital World that possessed her body for a short while.
"I promise we'll explain everything that happened in our first adventure some other time," Killua said, addressing them quickly. "Do you remember?" He asked the two veteran boys.
"Yeah," Izzy nodded, and T.K did so too. "Why is it important?"
"The Crests," He said. "The Crests were created based on a trait of your personalities. And if you were to lose that trait you could use your partners in egoistical ways."
"You're saying that Ken has a Crest?!" T.K asked, finding hard that to believe.
"Or at least had one," He said. "I mean, if we have a new generation of Digivices, that we know Ken has, why couldn't there be a new generation of Crests?" He was really taking a wild guess here, but it all made sense.
"Woah, woah, woah!" Davis waved his hands. "What are ya talking about? Crests? Lose? What?"
"In summation," Izzy said. "We older kids had tools called Crests during our first adventure, sadly they were destroyed. But as Killua said they are traits of ourselves, and if Ken had one but lost that trait," The implication was in the air.
"Then he turned in the Emperor," Kari finished, understanding the implications.
"Bingo," Killua said, stealing Yolei's catchphrase. "But that leaves questions as to where your Crests are," Killua said, turning to the new generation. "And why Ken received his before you."
"I think there's one person that might know the answer..." Izzy said, sighing.
"Gennai." The three deadpanned.
Davis groaned. "I'm not even going to ask."
Kari gave them an apologetic look and clasped her hands. "Sorry, we promise we'll explain everything when we have the time."
At seeing her look, Davis melted. "Sure, if you say so~"
'Idiot,' Yolei and Killua couldn't help but think. The boy with white hair sighed and clapped his hands. "Back to the topic! We are going to Ichijouji's house or what?" He asked.
"Right, give me a sec," Izzy said, taking the article and booting the computer. "If I can trace down where this image is and compare it to a map of Tamachi, then I can find where he is."
Killua rubbed his forehead and decided to get over this. "Actually, I already did."
Everyone turned to him. "What?" Everyone asked in a flat tone.
He rubbed the back of his head. "I thought this might come as a possibility, so I already did a bit of digging..." He admitted, not telling him he entire truth. "Sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I just thought it might be of some help."
Izzy's head hit the desk. "And there goes my contribution."
Cody patted his back. "There, there."
Davis pumped his fists. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Mrs Ichijouji stared at the door leading to her son's room with worry. His husband was on the table reading a newspaper. "How is he?"
"Like always..." She sighed. "I doubt he'll come out of his room."
The man sighed and walked to her side, staring at the door with the same amount of worry. "It's been like that since the football game... And he skipped school today."
The woman was completely distraught, cupping her mouth with anxiety. "I don't know what else to do, he closes on himself every passing day. I know kids his age do this, but... This is getting worrying."
"Have you talked to his teachers?" He asked, looking at the door. "Is something wrong in school? Is someone bothering him?"
"That's the thing," She said with a sigh. "He's doing well, he's pretty social, and leads his school clubs without a problem. They... They basically gave up on him."
"What?!" The man barked indignantly. "Of all the irresponsible... That's it! I'm gonna talk to him myself, even if I have to bring the door down," He said, walking to the door.
"Wait, honey!" She tried to say. "You shouldn't break it down!"
"Well, I have to do something!" He said. He was not going to let his son close down, he wasn't going to let him alone on whatever he was going through... Not again.
He pushed once, twice, and in the third push it came down. "Ken?" He looked around the room and it was empty. His blood ran cold and he ran to the door to the balcony. "Ken!" There was nothing there except for the boxes of when they installed the AC system.
The woman walked in and noticed his computer was still on. "Look!"
The man walked to the computer and read what was written on it. "I don't have any use for this world anymore. Goodbye forever, scum?!" The man read, his mouth going dry. "What is this?!"
The woman buried her face on his hands. Not again! She couldn't lose her son, her baby again.
"Are you sure is here?" Davis asked, staring at an apartment complex.
The group hadn't wasted anymore time in the computer room once Killua informed them of the position of the Emperor's house on the real world.
Killua nodded. "It's both said in the map and it's the same as in the pictures. I'm pretty sure it is," He said with a deadpan.
"Just sayin'," He mumbled.
Yolei's ears perked up as she heard the wails of sirens. "Hey, what's that?"
Killua already knew what was happening. 'His parents must've noticed his absence...' He thought as the others ran towards the source of the noise.
They leaned on the wall and listened to what was happening. Mrs. Ichijouji was talking to an officer. "He was in his room all day, we don't know where he could have gone...'
They took a step back and realized what was happening. "He's gone?" Cody asked.
Kari frowned. "I think I have an idea of where he is..."
Davis punched his fist with his palm. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go to the Digital World and drag his sorry ass back here!"
"Wait, Davis," T.K said, pointing to the streetlights; night was settling around them. "We should retreat for now."
"But-" He wanted to discuss, but remebered the events of Metal City, they couldn't go to the Digital World this late. "-gaaah, you're right."
"Don't worry," Killua reassured him. "First thing we'll do tomorrow is head to the Digital World... After your classes of course."
Davis groaned at that; bad enough was that the Emperor had give them the slip, but he now had a free pass of classes. The smart bastard. Without a choice, they retreated. Not a total loss since they know where they're enemy is.
Classes dragged more slowly than usual for the group. With Killua in the computer room tapping his feet in impatience for the others to arrive. When the bell rang, Izzy was the first to arrive with a magazine on hand. "What's that?"
"An article on Ken's disappearance," He answered, glaring at the picture of the boy. "According to this, he hasn't been in his room since sunday."
"The day of the game," Killua muttered. "If he's been on the Digital World all this time..." The situation seemed to get worse and worse the more they analyzed it.
"We're here!" Davis said as everyone barged into the room. "What's the plan?!"
"First, check on the map," Killua said, a sense of dread on his stomach.
Izzy booted the computer and looked at the map in horror. "Guys, look at this..."
The map was almost covered in black sectors, all of them representing a Control Tower. The Emperor had taken almost all the territories they freed back.
"Goddammit!" Davis said, slamming his fist on the table. "The bastard has been busy!"
"What about Gabumon and the others? Are they safe?" T.K asked, he didn't want his brother's partner to fall back in the Emperor's hands.
Izzy typed quickly and sighed. "The territories our friends are guarding are still untouched, but that won't last... Ken is ambitious, he would want his 'Generals' back," Izzy frowned and worried about Tentomon. When the bug heard his other friends had been freed, he asked to be sent back to help as well along with Piyomon, and now the two might be in danger again.
"What do we do then?" Kari asked. "Even if we go there and destroy everything, Ken will stay and construct towers over and over again."
"Scouting, for now," Killua said, turning to the clock on the wall. "We don't have that much time today, so we'll just go to check how bad the situation is, then we'll send a message to everyone to gather on a port to pull them out." They still needed to find Agumon, and with Blademon and his partner, Stigmon, at his side the Emperor had quite a few heavy hitters on his side.
"Whatever," Davis said, gripping his Digivice. "As long as I can drag him back kicking and screaming I will go even if for a minute!"
"Then we're all in agreement," Yolei said, scowling. "Let's tear him apart!"
The flash of light covered the area and Izzy was left alone in the computer room, sending a message for all the veteran's partners.
After running different analysis on his Digivice and scanning the data of one of his remaining Generals, the Emperor had come up with a plan.
Grinning, he pressed one of the buttons on his control panel. The image of an orange dinosaur with a helmet appeared in it. "What is thy binding, my master?" Greymon asked.
"General, we are going to the blazing pits," The Emperor informed. "We'll conduct a little experiment."
"Understood," The dinosaur bowed and the screen faded.
Footsteps echoed in the Emperor's room and he turned to see his second in command. "Master, should I go too?"
"Sure," The Emperor nodded. "The more power we have the best." He felt something at his feet and looked down, Wormmon was cuddling on his feet with affection. Rolling his eyes in annoyance, the Emperor kicked him away.
Wormmon whimpered as he tried to regain his footing. "Ken, now we can spend more time together," He said straightening himself. "I'm so happy!"
The Emperor walked to the hooded Digimon, who was eyeing Wormmon with something similar to pity, without addressing the squirming worm. "Let's go."
Blademon nodded and the two started walking. Wormmon watched them go and his antenna lowered in sadness.
The Emperor stopped and turned back to him in annoyance. "Well? What are you waiting for?!" He asked the green Digimon.
Wormmon recovered and bounced happily to his side. More than overjoyed of being helpful to his partner.
Blademon shook his head at the small Digimon's enthusiasm. 'Nothing but a lapdog, for a master that doesn't deserve that loyalty. He'll turn your back on you, insect, when he finds a better power.' And judging by the looks on the brat's eyes behind his goggles, he already did so.
A blazing heat and the smell of ashes greeted the Digidestined as they landed in what seemed to be the top of a volcano.
"Ugh, couldn't Ken chose a nice tropical place for once?" Yolei asked, fanning herself.
"You mean you want him to conquer a place like that?" Hawkmon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No!" Yolei said, flustered. "What I meant to say is... Ugh, forget it."
"Come on guys! We have to find that guy!" Davis said, running around the land.
T.K tilted his head. "Is it my idea or is Davis more eager than usual?"
"He used to look up to Ken," Killua said. "He wants him to answer for his actions and to hear why he's doing this... Though going by our villains' track record, it's probably just 'I'm a jerk with power, I want the world to be mine.'"
"That sounds about right..." Kari sighed, watching her friend go.
Davis' sprint was interrupted however, when various pits around him exploded and from them, five flamming Digimon sporting the Dark Ring appeared. "What the-"
"Davith, behind me!" V-Mon said as the Digimon gathered in front of them.
The group ran to meet up with him and the veterans recognized the Digimon around them. "Those are Meramon!" Killua said. "Davis, wait! Don't-"
"Let's get them, buddy! Digimental Up!" Davis said raising his Digivice.
"-Evolve!" Killua groaned as he realized it was too late to stop the boy.
"V-Mon Armor Digivolves to... Flamedramon! The Courageous Fire!"
The fire Digimon jumped high into the air and his knuckles burned with fire. "Fire Rocket!"
The missiles of fire were shot rapidly at the Digimon. But as it was to he expected, they didn't do anything to them, merely being absorbed into their body.
Davis stepped back. "It didn't worked?"
"Fire makes more fire, idiot!" Killua scolded and turned to the others. "Kari, bring Nefertimon. Her Rosetta Stone might work with them."
"Okay, Digimental Up!" She said, raising her Digivice.
"Gatomon Armor Digivolves to... Nefertimon! The Angel of Light!"
Following Killua's instructions, Nefertimon flew high and summoned the slab of stone on her back and threw it at the flaming Digimon. One of them was hit and was sent skidding backwards, clearly affected by the attack. "It worked!" Nefertimon said.
Killua grinned and nodded. "Good, keep it up!" He told her.
Nefertimon nodded and kept firing stones at the Meramon, some of them blocking them with their Fire Fists while some others receiving the attack straight in the chest.
Killuaturned to his blond friend, a plan forming in his mind as the attacks from Nefertimon proved to be useful. "T.K! Now you use Pegasusmon and reing them in with the power bond."
T.K nodded with a grin. "You got it, let's do this Patamon! Digimental Up!" He said, raising his Digivice.
"Patamon Armor Digivolves to... Pegasusmon! The Flying Hope!"
The two Digimon's paws started shining and they formed the golden rope around the Meramon, trapping them easily. Pegasusmon didn't risked them breaking out and flapped his wings. "Shooting Stars!"
Nefertimon, not one to be left behind, shot her own attack. "Nile Jewels!" The red gems were shot from her front paws.
The attacks impacted with the captured Meramon, and their rings exploded through the contact. Their red eyes turned blue and they collapsed, exhausted for the mind control.
"One threat out," Killua sighed and looked at the two flying Digimon. "Good job, you two."
"It was your plan, take some credit," Pegasusmon complimented the boy.
Davis meanwhile was hitting his head against a rock. "Why. Does. My plans. Never. Work?" He moaned.
Flamedramon patted his back. "There, there."
The Emperor finished strapping the ropes around Greymon's hulking frame and grinned. "Are you feeling comfortable, General?"
The Digimon clearly wasn't with all the ropes around his body, but he couldn't voice his discomfort under the spell of the ring. "Yes my master," He growled.
The Emperor chuckled and got on top of one of the Airdramon's. Blademon and Wormmon at his side. "Master," The hooded Digimon called. "Should we engage the Digital as well when we met them?"
The Emperor shook his head. "No, Blademon. I want to run this experiment with them as my subjects. And I want to watch them squirm under the grip of Greymon's new and improved form."
Blademon knew he wasn't going to like the answer for his next question. "And what about Zoldyck?"
The Emperor's face grew darker. "He is mine. No matter what!" He said, clenching his bandaged fists. "First I'll kill those pests called Digidestined with my General, and then when he's all alone, I'll have my revenge."
Blademon sighed. His funeral then, he won't be there all the time to save his sorry ass.
The Emperor got his whip out and cracked it against the Airdramon's back. "Hyah!"
The dragons roared and lifted the possessed Greymon into the air. Greymon grunting a bit against his ropes as they sank into his skin.
The Emperor chuckled, eager to test his finnest General against the brats. Next stop: Blazing Pits.
The Digidestined's celebration didn't lasted long. More Meramon kept appearing from the lava pits and there was just so much that Nefertimon and Pegasusmon could do.
"Time for us to join?" Yolei asked, Digivice in hand, along with Cody.
Killua nodded. "Sure, but try not to use Pteramon's missiles, Cody," He said addressing the younger boy.
Cody nodded. "I'll see what I can do," He said, raising his Digivice. "DigimentalUp!" He exclaimed, alongside Yolei.
"Armadillomon Armor Digivolves to... Pteramon! The Armed Love!"
"Hawkmon Armor Digivolves to... FlyBeemon! The Soaring Knowledge!"
"Spike Attack!" FlyBeemon launched the sharp needles from his shoulder. Zooming past the many of the Meramon and destroying their rings in the process.
Pteramon, not wanting to risk his missiles being useless with their fire bodies, decided to try with a different approach. He extended his wings and charged to the group of fire Digimon. "Sharp Wing!" The tip of his blade-like wings slashing the collars causing their behavior.
He twirled back to the air and smirked. "Huh, that worked."
"Good job, Pteramon!" Cody praised, but frowned as he saw even more Meramon coming out of the lava pits. "More?!"
"Do they have no end?!" Davis asked, already feeling dismayed at not being able to fight in this occasion.
Killua clicked his teeth. He shrouded himself in Ten ready to get into the battle and hoping his defense won't let him get burned, but his eyes caught something in the sky and he narrowed his eyes. "What's that?"
His answer was delivered by an all too familiar voice. A voice that caused the Digidestined to pause and the Meramon to stop their attack. "Attention Digidestined! Since you don't seem to get it through your ignorant skulls, let me be perfectly clear: You aren't welcome here!" He said, his voice somehow echoing across the field. "So, I'll let my new and improved General to show you the exit."
As he spoke, many of the ropes holding Greymon started to snap. Wormmon looked up worriedly at his partner. "Um, Ken?"
The Emperor ignored him and talked to himself. "I couldn't control Andromon since he was already an Ultimate, but if I evolve a Digimon in the form of a Champion to the next level, then I can control them."
Blademon sweatdropped. "I... Find that logic a bit... Stretchy, master," He said.
"Shut up, I know what I'm doing!" The Emperor said, raising his Digivice. "Now, Greymon! Evolve and become MetalGreymon!"
The ropes snapped and he fell down like a bomb to the field, his form shrouded by a dark energy and growing in size. The impact he caused lifted a small earthquake that shook all of the presents, except the flying ones and Killua. The Hunter was staring at the place where Greymon had fallen with a sense of dread.
'This feeling... It's...' He thought as his mind was bombarded with flashbacks of the first adventure. 'Ken, what have you done?!'
T.K was also watching the place where Greymon landed and turned to the others, knowing the feeling as well. "Everyone hit the deck!" He said.
From the smoke the figure of Greymon's evolution was revealed, except that it wasn't MetalGreymon. A bony hand swept the smoke away and revealed the figure of a putrid skeleton with the shape of a dinosaur.
Killua swallowed. "Skull... Greymon."
The Emperor was watching his General with wide eyes. "This... Wasn't supposed to happen."
Kari was watching the giant beast with disbelief. "Is that... Agumon?" She asked.
"No... Not anymore," T.K said. "We have to run!" He told the others, fear clear in his eyes.
SkullGreymon let out a roar that shook the entire area, the Meramon all charged at him, firing his fists at the monster. SkullGreymon swept them away and proceed to jump over and smashed them, particles of data flying away accompanied by small quakes.
"No way..." The new generation watched in horror as the skeleton destroyed the flaming Digimon. "That's Tai's partner?"
Flamedramon and the other armored Digimon charged, Pegasusmon and Nefertimon being the exception. "Davis, we'll gain some time for you! You guys have to run!"
Nefertimon was about to join, when Pegasusmon stopped her. "What are you doing?"
Instead of answering, Pegasusmon turned back to the others. "Get back here! We can't fight him!"
They didn't listened and charged anyway. "Fire Rocket!" Flamedramon jumped and launched the fireballs at the monster.
The balls dissipated against SkullGreymon's face. He roared and swiped at Flamedramon, slamming his hand against his form and making him crash to the ground, reverting back to V-Mon.
FlyBeemon tried the same by attacking consecutive rounds of Spike Attack at the monster's back, only for him being slammed by the tail and suffering the same fate as the fire Digimon; reverting back to his Rookie form.
Pteramon desperately tried to attack to the ring, but SkullGreymon's hulking form made it hard for him to aim his missiles properly. The giant skeleton turned and grabbed the dinosaur in his claws and smashed him against the ground. Leaving an unconscious Armadillomon behind, while giving a victorious roar.
"He took them out so easily," Davis murmured, looking scared for his partner.
"No, Agumon stop!" Kari ran forward to her brother's partner. "Stop!" She felt two hands holding her back and she looked back to see Killua and T.K. "What are you doing? We can get through him, like with Andromon-"
"Kari, Andromon is a perfectly sane Digimon," Killua said, looking at SkullGreymon. "This isn't the first time Agumon becomes something like that, and in that form, ring or not, we can reason with it."
T.K nodded. "Killua is right..." He said, looking nervously at the unconscious Digimon. "We have to get away."
SkullGreymon ignored the defeated Digimon and let out a roar before he crouched down. The missile in his back being fired and going straight to the Control Tower. A giant explosion covered the entire area with a blinding light, as the obelisk was reduced to nothing. The Emperor covered himself with his cape and hissed at the beast. "How dare you! Blademon, Wormmon, go teach him a lesson!"
Blademon looked down at the monster and couldn't help but feel a hint of fear in himself, but steeled himself. "Understood..."
"Ken are you sure about this?" His only response was a glare. "Fine..."
The two Digimon jumped down and Wormmon started shining.
"Wormmon Digivolves to... Stigmon!"
Mid-air, Blademon summoned his sword and spun in something similar to a spin dash to gain momentum. With a roar he slashed his sword down against the head of the beast, sparks flew at contact but the bone didn't even cracked. "Damnit!"
"Stinger Attacks!" The stingers on his arms wete shot rapidly, but did nothing. The monster's glare turned to him. "Uh-oh..."
SkullGreymon grabbed Blademon and threw him at Stigmon, who caught him in the air, then he slammed his hand down on the two. They bounced on the ground, with Stigmon barely being able to hold his Champion form. "That thing hits like a truck..." He mumbled.
"Get off me!" Blademon groaned, pushing him off and glaring at the monster. "For being made of bone that thing sure is strong..." He said, summoning his sword back. "Let's try going for the legs." Stigmon nodded and the two dashed forward.
While they fought, the Digidestined picked their injured partners. "What do we do?" Yolei asked, cradling Hawkmon. "If we let them fight they might die, or they could capture Tai's partner again."
Killua glanced at the fight and clicked his teeth. "I'll try to join in, at least to break the collar."
"Did you lost your mind?!" Davis asked, holding V-Mon. "Did you saw how strong that thing is?!"
"Would you rather let him be captured again?!" He snapped, causing Davis to shrank back. "I'm not suicidal... But I can't let my friend be taken away if I have a say in the matter!" He growled and turned to the two remaining Digimon. "You guys take them somewhere safe enough."
"We'll do what we can," Pegasusmon said.
"Be careful," Nefertimon said.
Killua nodded and activated Godspeed and charged to the battle. The Digidestined all watched as he joined the fight, powerless to help. Again, just like in his fight with Ken.
Blademon slashed at the monster's heel, but it barely scratched him. And Stigmon's consecutive jabs didn't even put a dent on them. "What is this thing made off?! Because bone can't be this durable!" The insect asked.
Blademon growled and got out from the feet area and stared at the giant directly. "You wanna go big guy?" He said while crouching and extending his blade to the side. "'Cause I haven't even started!"
SkullGreymon just roared and pounded his chest.
Before they could attack, a lighting shot past Blademon and jumped at the beast's head. Blademon's eyes widening. "Zoldyck?!"
Killua was hovering mid-air and charging his hands with energy, he balled his fists and slammed them on the monster's head. "Lighting Hammer!"
The electricity ran across SkullGreymon's body, but he didn't seemed to even flinch. Instead he brought his hand up and was ready to palm it against his face. Killua saw it coming and leaped out of the way, causing SkullGreymon to facepalm.
The boy scowled. 'The collar isn't even affected! Why? Is it because he is not affected?!' He thought.
Despite just attacking himself, SkullGreymon wasn't stopped. Instead he shot his hand forward and caught the Hunter mid-air in his grip. Killua cursed and started to push the hand open, with a bit of effort. But his eyes widened when he saw sparks forming on his jaw, aiming at him. 'Shit!'
A torrent of flame was launched to him, but someone got in the middle. Killua gasped as he realized who defend him. "Blademon?!"
The hooded Digimon was using his sword to shield the boy from getting roasted. His teeth gnashing together and his hands burning. "Hurry up and get out of his grip!" He grunted.
Killua clicked his teeth and pushed the hand open and jumped off it. SkullGreymon stopped attacking and watched as Blademon followed Killua in his fall. He was about to attack again, but felt his power being zapped. Black pieces fell from his neck and he started reverting back.
Agumon was caught by Stigmon, who stared at him with his blank face. With his attention focused on Killua, it gave the insect a window of opportunity to get close and break the ring with a Stinger Attack. "That was way too close for comfort."
Killua landed and saw Stigmon with Agumon in hand. He growled and charged electricity and Nen at his feet. "Let him go!" He said, charging at him.
But as he was about to reach him, something slammed him down to the floor. He bounced for a moment before regaining his footing and glared at the resposible. "First you save me and now you attack me?!"
Blademon rested his sword on his shoulder. "Don't get it wrong. I'm the one who's going to destroy you, Zoldyck. I couldn't have you dying yet."
As the spoke, Stigmon took off with Ken and the Airdramon's. The Emperor had his arms crossed while glaring at the unconscious dinosaur. "What a fiasco..."
Killua watched them go and raced after them. However, when he passed by Blademon's side, he felt something impacting against his cheek. He was sent flying against a rock and saw Blademon with his fist extended. 'He was able to keep up with my speed?!' He thought.
Blademon smirked under his hood. "That technique is your trump card, right?" Killua didn't answered. "Not bad, I hope you use it next time we fight." He raised his hand and an Airdramon appeared. He latched to his tail and flew away. "Of course, if you try to chase after us that could be right this instant!" He mocked.
Killua scowled as he understood his implications. If he chased after them then Blademon would intercept him while the Emperor escaped, and if he could keep up with hia speed, then he couldn't just bail on the fight and run after the Emperor, Blademon would still catch him. "Goddammit!" He cursed and dispelled his technique.
Sulking, Killua walked to where the Digidestined were waiting for him. When they saw him they immediately bombarded him with question. "What happened? Where are they? Where's Agumon?"
Killua sighed and shook his head. "They got away, and with Agumon."
At hearing the news Kari felt her heart break. Her brother's partner in the hands of the Emperor, to be turned into the beast as long as he wants!
Davis balled his fists. "Damnit! Damn that Ken!" He said and turned to Killua. "Not that you had it under control?!"
"I never said that!" Killua snapped.
"You said you were not going to let him be taken away again!" Davis accused, pointing his finger at his chest. "And you didn't achieved nothing!"
Killua wanted to fight those words off, but couldn't. He was right, his attacks proved useless and Blademon, his enemy, had to save him. 'I couldn't do anything...' He thought, clenching his fists.
The others got in the way. "Enough Davis, blaming each other isn't going to help!" Cody said.
"At least he did more than you! Or us for that matter!" Yolei defended.
"The only one resposible here is Ken, the Emperor or whatever he likes to call himself!" Kari said, angry with the person behind all this problems.
"For now let's head back and tell Izzy about this," T.K told him. "He needs to know about this!"
Davis calmed down, mainly because Kari was on the white haired boy's side. And sighed. "Sorry, Killua," He mumbled, not sounding apologetic at all.
Killua didn't answered. In his perspective, Davis had the reason to be mad. 'Next time... I can't fail.'
They opened the portal and left. A bitter taste on their mouths. Today wasn't a victory at all.
"Doneso. I will try to develop that last event with Killua and Davis later on. Many might think that I made Killua reckless by charging against SkullGreymon, but as he said: He can't just let Blademon and Stigmon take them away. They did in the end, and that is going to consume him. Killua isn't all mighty and is prone to make mistakes."
"And besides, before he couldn't even move to try and help a friend if he felt intimidated now he had a chance and he took it."
"Again, sorry if it's OOC."
"Next chapter might take a while. College and stuff. But I'll try to bring one every weekend."