A/N: Okay, since I didn't receive as much reviews as I expected on the last chapter, I'll just tackle certain questions I've been receiving.
First: Hisoka WILL appear on the story. Be. Patient. He will appear.
Two: Aside from Killua and the two cinnamon buns waiting for him at home, there will be no more Zoldycks. I already have enough villains on the waiting as it is...
Three: I have no plans on making a Crossover of Tamers/Frontier/Saver/Xross Wars/Tri/2020. As far as I'm concerned, this is the last HxH crossover with Digimon. In fact, I don't have any plans of doing another crossover, so please stop asking!
Four: This is a response for a Guest: I know Killua doesn't need to tell them of his past. But considering what happened with Tapirmon on the last story, he wants to prevent an event like that from repeating itself, as unlikely as it is. And don't worry, he will slap that stupid No-Kill rule out of them. It happened in Cannon with the Daemon's corps.
Sorry if this displeases most of you. But I can't please everyone. I'm truly sorry.
Another day passes by on the school the Digidestined attend. The confusing events from yesterday still fresh on their minds. Ken Ichijouji has returned alongside Wormmon, and now he seemed to have a new Nen ability that allows him to create objects out of thin air, or at least that they come out from a book. He saved Cody, but at the same time he killed a Digimon on cold blood, with Stigmon's help. Then, a Control Tower suddenly vanishes from sight. It was all too weird.
And yet their days had to continue dully during schooltime.
Davis grumbled to himself as he lifted a large pot along with Kari. Yes he had a time exclusively with her, with no T.P or Sparky on sight, during lunch duty... But it was lunch duty! He prefers to be the one receiving the food instead of giving it away.
"What does this thing have? Frickin bricks?!" He grumbled. It wasn't actually that heavy for him, but it was the principle of the matter!
"I think is rice and peas, actually," Kari answered with clear jest on her voice and he couldn't help but chuckled. Either because he find it funny or for his crush, one couldn't know.
As they entered the classroom and started to hand bowls of rice to their classmates, Davis brought something that's being on his mind for a while, and who better to tell than his dream-girl? "Hey, Kari? Can I ask you something?"
"You just did," She answered with a small smirk.
Davis rolled his eyes with a smile on his own. "Aside from that." He looked down at the bowls and a frown formed on his face. "What do you think of Ken Ichijouji? Y'know... After what happened yesterday."
Kari's face fell as she recalled the events from the previous day. She was happy to see Stigmon again after the help he brought them against Kimeramon. But then, both him and Ken just killed a Digimon without hesitation. And he even came prepared with a gun made of Nen! But then... He used a stun grenade against them, to escape, instead of attacking them. His entire demeanor was different too, when he talked with Stigmon. "Honestly? I don't know..." She admitted.
"Oh... Really?" Davis was a bit disappointed with the answer. "I mean... He did saved Cody instead of taking him as a hostage or something. Maaaaaaybe he changed for the best..."
Kari tilted her head as she acknowledge the boy's actions for his friend. "That's true..." Yet the images of him with a gun, then Stigmon ending the Thundermon without doubting it twice. She wasn't stranger to having to eliminate Digimon, but those were completely evil, they didn't even knew why that Thundermon was attacking them. "I'll have to think a bit more about it..." She finally answered. 'We shouldn't let our guards down around him. Not until we see more of his actions.'
Davis sighed and plucked the ladle on the pot. He's been wanting to bring up and idea he had yesterday... But it might not be well received by the others. And now with Kari's reaction... He only hoped the others would be more open to it.
Cody gave furious roar as he swung his shinai down. Davis just observed him with a grimace, even in the recess the boy didn't seemed to relax. He was even using his backpack as a replacement for the heavy armor he used on the practices.
Davis looked down awkwardly at his football. "I know he gave us a lot of problems but... Maybe he did turned a new leaf. We should do the same, y'know? Forgive forget."
His only response was just another angry swing from the wooden sword. Davis gulped slightly, who knew what the kid could do if he gets any more pissed and turns that thing on him. "Just... Think about it, okay? He did save you," He threw in as a reminder as he left.
Cody's next swing came accompanied with a stomp while gnashing his teeth. 'Forgive forget? Tell that to all of his victims!' Another swing. 'And he just saved me due to Stigmon's influence, I will never know why such a noble Digimon was partnered with a vile person like him!'
With the classes being done for the day, Davis was able to go to his next target on the computer room. The In-Trainings were all scarfing down what remained from the lunch at a full speed, and Yolei watched them carefully. He really expected the girl would listen to his reasoning to get them to accept Ken as an ally. "I'm sure he won't give us anymore problems! He could have attacked us yesterday, yet he just left!"
"I don't know..." She mumbled, taking Davis by surprise. She used to be heels over for him! Things just got harder. "Are you absolutely certain he won't go back to being the Emperor?"
"Yup!" He nodded. "I mean, why just appear out of nowhere instead of using his Towers to slave the town?"
"Davis. He used to think Digimon were mobs or something from a game," Yolei said, looking at Davis. "But when Wormmon died, he realized they were alive. And yet yesterday the two of them worked to kill a Digimon without any doubt." The image replayed on her head. Ken firing his gun to distract Thundermon and then Stigmon delivering the killing blow. "So even if he didn't attacked us... Can we truly say he isn't the same anymore?"
That left Davis without any argument. He gritted his teeth and turned around, it seems he wasn't going to get any back up in this, he might have to take matters on his own.
Demiveemon noticed him leaving and started hopping after him. "Davith! Wait for me!"
As Davis left, T.K entered the room. "What's wrong with Davis?" The blonde asked.
"He seems to be death-set on getting Ken Ichijouji to join us," Yolei explained, a conflicted look on her face.
T.K's face twisted into a grimace. "That sounds like a bad idea."
"I know. But even if we agree with him, nothing says Ken would like to join us..." She leaned back and looked at the ceiling. "People don't change that easily."
T.K looked down at the ground for a moment. 'I wouldn't be so sure about that...' He thought, his mind flashing to the time where he saw his leader's past, and his former, more sadistic self. 'But even so... I agree with Davis; something was different about Ken yesterday.'
"Changing the subject," Yolei snapped T.K out of his thoughts as she spoke. "What do you think happened with the tower yesterday? It suddenly started working, and then it vanished."
"That's seems to be a new mystery we have to look into," T.K sighed and patted Patamon's head. "But not today. Davis doesn't seem to be in the mood."
Yolei held back a groan at that. "Maybe Killua will make him see reason... Where is he by the way?"
T.K shrugged. "I thought he would be here by now already..."
Davis fummed as he left the school building. Everyone had shut down his arguments or straight out ignored them, like Cody. He didn't even bothered to go to T.K or Killua, with his bad luck the two would also ignore his arguments. And it's not like he wanted their opinions either way.
"Oi."
Speak of the devil...
He turned around to see Killua standing there, hands on his pocket and a neutral look on his face. Davis sighed. "How did you know I was leaving?"
Killua pointed back to the school. "Saw if from the rooftop, then climbed down from it to follow you," He pocketed his hand again. "What's the problem?"
Davis grimaced and let out a defeated groan. "Look... I think it would be a good idea to get Ken to join us. I know he was the Emperor and all that jazz, but I can tell he changed, or else he wouldn't have saved Cody or left us alone instead of trying to pick up a fight. So I'm going to Tamachi to talk to him, even if you guys believe this is a bad ide-"
"Actually, I agree with you," Killua told him while folding his arms.
Davis stopped and blinked, staring at the Hunter in surprise. "Eh? ... Really?" He was honestly not expecting that.
"It is true that Ken's demeanor yesterday was completely different. And while I can't understand why he deemed necessary to kill off the Thundermon, he didn't seemed to do it out of sheer cruelty as he would have done before. Maybe there's a reason behind. And getting an extra pair of hands for the repairings doesn't sound so bad," Killua explained. He also had another reason. 'If there's truly a new enemy waiting to attack, better to have as many allies as needed.' He unfolded his arms and looked at ready. "I'm going with you; Ken is still a Nen user so if things get ugly, you can have a backup, and hopefully he will now answer how he unlocked it."
Davis gave him a flat stare. "I wouldn't need backup if you just unlocked my Nen too."
"Let's get going now before it gets too late," Killua said, avoiding the subject for now.
Davis huffed. "Whatever."
The two walked away from the school to go visit the rogue Digidestined, not noticing a certain blonde watched them go.
Ken bowed apologetically at his professor. He has been called to the faculty office to talk about his grades. They were slowly skydiving, and they wanted to know why, but he couldn't give them a straight answer. They decided to leave him alone, marking it off as a side-effect of his disappearance.
As he made his way out of the school building, he noticed his classmates gathering around the scoreboard, muttering to themselves.
"Hey, what happened to Ichijouji?"
"I scored higher than him!"
"Even in his clubs, heard he failed more than one shot at football."
"You think he is even trying?"
"Maybe he doesn't want to. Maybe our tests are too boring for him."
He sighed and walked out of the building, making sure to not call their attention. He honestly didn't know what was happening to him, he felt like he understood less and less of the material he used to study. As if his mind was losing that genius edge.
And to tell the truth... He barely cared. In fact, he felt relieved of getting rid of the genius standard everyone put on him. He had more pressing issues than receiving praises from his peers. Like chasing that woman in red.
He stopped walking when he noticed two people in front of him. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw the boy who used to wear goggles — Davis or something like that — And Killua Zoldyck. Two of the enemies he made as the Emperor.
He could also feel phantom pains from the bruises his fights with Zoldyck caused him, causing him to hide a flinch.
Davis raised a hand with a friendly smile. "Yo!"
Killua leaned against a wall by the riverside, while Ken and Davis stood closer to the channel. Davis was throwing rocks, while Ken was just standing there with a tense posture on him. The awkward silence was getting on Killua's nerves and he let out a sigh. 'I was expecting Davis to say his part to Ken. But that doesn't seem to be happening any time soon... Maybe I should get started with my questions.' However, before he could open his mouth to speak, Ken beat him to the punch.
"Okay, I'm listening. What do you want to talk about?" He asked in a soft tone. Just with the tone of his voice, Killua could already tell this new persona was completely different from the Emperor.
Davis looked at him and then back at the river. "Ummm... I we see each other in the Digital World again, like yesterday, can you... Apologize to my friends? And to the Digimon too? I can give you the chance if you need. What do you say?"
Killua raised an eyebrow. An apology? He expected Davis to ask for something more. And he seriously doubts an apology will be enough.
"Sure," Ken said with a shrug. "I'll do it if I see them again."
"Really?" Davis asked, a bit too hopeful. He received a silent nodded, and he got up to approach the boy. "Sweet! I knew this was a good idea!" He said with a grin.
"But that doesn't mean they'll forgive me," Ken said, and Killua was glad that he at least acknowledged that.
"Maybe not right now..." Davis said with a frown. "But... I can tell that you're different now. You saved one of us from that crazy Thundermon. If they can also see that, I'm sure they'll accept you."
"I'm not sure about that," Ken closed his eyes and sighed, he opened them up again to look at the river.
"Yeah? Well I am sure," Davis said with a grin. "We're all Digidestined after all!" He said, showing his D-3. "Even sparky and he doesn't even have one these!"
Killua snorted a bit at that and couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude at being acknowledge as a Digidestined despite his lack of partner.
Ken was surprised by his statement, as if he hadn't considered that before. "Digidestined?"
"Yup! We're all companions in this!" Davis said with a smirk.
"... Companions..." There was a look on conflict on Ken's eyes, before they hardened with an unknown determination. "I'm sorry, Davis. But I can't join you."
'Can't?' Killua noticed the distinction. He says he can't... Not that he doesn't want to.
"Eh? But why?" Davis looked obviously disappointed by the answer.
Ken turned around and started to walk away. "I can't say." He said, curtly.
Before he left completely, Killua stopped him. "Hold it, Ichijouji. There's still something I need to ask you."
Ken stopped and turned around, having a look of weariness when looking at Killua. "Yeah?"
"Be honest... How did you became a Nen user?" Killua asked. "That power is a secret from where I come from, so how could you have obtained it?" He narrowed his eyes, silently warning him to think about his answer.
Ken was silent for a few moments before he turned around. "Would you believe me if I say I don't remember?"
Killua scowled, ready to force the answer out of him before he started to think about it: What would he gain from lying. This new Ken seems more rational than the Emperor, he knows he can't win a fight against him, even if Killua doesn't know much about his new ability. So what would he gain from lying? He couldn't be protecting someone, he never showed to be working under somebody else. So someone must've happened to him that makes him forget how be gained that power. Probably related on how he unlocked it in the first place.
He sighed and stuffed his hands on his pockets. "Normally I wouldn't, but I don't see why you would be lying. That's all."
Ken nodded and walked away, leaving behind the two boys. Davis sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "That was a bust..."
His backpack started to move, and Demiveemon emerged from it. "He will apologize, but won't join us? Why?"
"Maybe he just needs time to clear his mind," Davis said with a shrug.
Killua turned to Davis. "There's something that's being bugging me... Why were you so determined to talk to him?" He asked. "I get that you noticed the change but it seems pretty hurried for you to want to get him on our side."
Davis kicked a few pebbles awkwardly before responding. "For Wormmon."
"Uh?" Both Killua and Demiveemon blinked in surprise.
"Wormmon, despite everything that happened, said that Ken was a good person at his core," Davis explained, remembering the insects last moments after the battle with Kimeramon. "Then Ken appears and helps us, though in a ruthless way, against that crazy Thundermon. And to add further proof, Stigmon is still at his side. If he was truly back to being cruel, then Stigmon would've have gone back to his side right? Not after he sacrificed himself to stop him the first time."
Killua couldn't help but admire the reasoning behind his actions. It seems he thought this further than Killua expected. "I see... Still, it's not only up to him, but the others too..." He said, looking at the direction where Ken left. "Whether they want to give him a second chance or not..." He muttered. As he said this, he looked down in thought. 'Maybe... It's risky but... Maybe it is time...'
Above the riverside, T.K has observed the entire conversation. "Seems Davis was serious about it," Patamon said.
T.K nodded. 'Ken's look is definitely different. Not the same cold look he had even in the human world. Yet he still denied the offer to join us. While I can't speak for the others, I would be willing to give him a chance...' His eyes trailed off to their white haired leader, who looked back at him, no doubt having sensed him a while ago. 'He isn't the first one we gave a second chance.'
"Davis I understand but- No listen, we don't know if he- What I'm trying to say is- GODDAMMIT! STOP INTERRUPTING ME!" Yolei was talking on the cellphone on her home, her siblings watching her curiously and then backing away from her outburst. "Look, we can talk about this tomorrow okay!? Bye!" Without giving a chance to answered she slammed the phone down and let out a groan.
"Is everything okay, sis?" Her elder sister, Momoe, asked.
Yolei looked at them and mulled things over. Maybe they could help her with this issue Davis has with Ken's sudden change of heart. The boy contradicts himself with his recent actions, saving Cody then killing a Digimon. Which one was it? Is he good, is he bad? Some strange grey zone in between? Anyways, maybe they can help... She just needs to word it differently.
"Well... There's this boy, from outside school.. Who's been a real jerk to me and my friends," She explained, sitting by the table to face her siblings. "But then, one day something happened to him, and he isn't as much of a jerk as he was before, he helped one of my friends in a bad time... Yet right after, he did something bad, without apparent reason... But one of my friends wants to give him a second chance... What should I do?" She said slowly, so she could gather her ideas.
Her siblings all collected their thoughts, before Momoe sat her cup down. "If he helped your friend, then maybe he changed. You should be open to give him a second chance."
"You sure?" Yolei tilted her head as she considered her words.
"It's what I would do," Momoe shrugged. "But in the end it's all up to what you decide."
Yolei pressed her lips together. Trying to consider everything. But 'everything' wasn't exactly much.
Chizuru looked at the magazine on her hands with a mischievous smile. "According to the horoscope for Gemini: Be honest with your heart, and the door to love will open," She looked down at Yolei with a cheshire grin. "Is it possible that our Yolei has something for the bad boy?"
"It's not like that!" She exploded. True she used to have a crush on him, but after learning that he was the Emperor, it faded away.
Mamoru, her only brother, shrugged and leaned back on the couch. "I say you wait and see if he keeps acting like an idiot. If he does acts better, then cool and if he doesn't... Well I'm not above hitting a middle schooler."
Yolei didn't exactly found their answers satisfying. She just felt confused about the whole situation. Seeing as they couldn't help her clean her mind, she got up while mumbling a thank you ands went back to her room
She flopped face down on her bed, before turning and looking up at the ceiling. "What should I do?"
"Is there a problem?" Poromon flapped over her, watching her with worry. "Still about what Davis said?" He received a nod as an answer. "Then why don't ask Ken directly?"
"That would be a good idea... If I had his phone number or his email," She replied.
"I think there was something about his contacts on that magazine you used to read," Poromon reminded.
Yolei made a face. She got up and just walked to her drawer to prepare the clothes for Killua's infernal training. "Nah, let's leave it like that for now..." As she said this, he couldn't help but think of the boy. 'I wonder what he's planning to do now...'
His eyes narrowed as he saw the scythes flying towards him. He jumped out of the way and circled around the enemy. Stigmon charged at the enemy from the other side. This Snimon, just like the Thundermon from yesterday, was sent by the woman in red.
Ken focused his Nen on his hand and summoned his book. His new ability. Flipping through the pages, he found the ideal weapon for this situation. He ripped the page out of the book and the paper started to take form. A Calico M950 was soon on his hands, with only one magazine for him to use. He had to make every shot count.
"Stigmon, move away!" Ken yelled, as he aimed at his objective.
Stigmon pushed his insectoid enemy away and Ken pulled the trigger, the weapon spat out the bullets at fast speed. Snimon growled and crossed its scythes over its body to defend himself, the bullets all injured the monster's defense, leaving deep wounds and gashes on its skin. Yet none of them lethal enough to kill him.
But that wasn't Ken's purpose.
"Stinger Attack!" Stigmon stabbed Snimon from the back, while Ken stopped firing. The beast roared before disappearing in a cloud of dust. Stigmon sighed in relief. "Are you okay, Ken?"
Ken sighed tiredly and dissipated the gun. "Yeah... It... Doesn't come as easily..." He panted a bit. "Maybe I just need to get used to using it."
"We've been patrolling for a while," Stigmon said, looking at the chain of mountains in front of them. "But there's still a lot of work for us to do..."
Ken nodded and looked at the mountains with a grimace. Each and every place that could be seen in horizon was tainted by the presence of a Control Tower planted by him. His fist clenched, if they continued this way... It might take years to actually get rid of them.
'We're all Digidestined! We're companions!'
The voices from early that day echoed on his mind... Maybe...
He shook his head. 'No! I can't!' He looked at the towers with the determination. 'I can't burden anyone else with my mistakes. I won't cause more harm to others...' He felt a shine on his pockets and introduced his hand to retrieve the source. The Crest of Kindness gave a soft glow before dying out. He hummed to himself in wonder.
"Ken," Stigmon's voice snapped him out his reverie. "Shall we go?"
Ken looked at his Digivice, the thing actually having a clock function in it, and noticed that the time was 1:30 AM. It was already late, he was feeling tired, and although he would like to continue destroying the towers, the more rational part of himself told him that he should go home and rest to continue tomorrow. "You're right. Let's go."
Stigmon nodded and reverted back to Wormmon, landing on Ken's arms. The two of them madr their ways to the nearest portal.
Kari kept stealing glances at Killua as they waited for the others to appear to train. His behavior in general that day has been different than usual, first he disappears along with Davis before the usual excursion to the Digital World, and when he returns to the house he doesn't say much aside that he needed to clear some things, and now he was just sitting on a rock with a conflicted expression. 'What is going through his mind?' She wondered, starting to feel worry for him.
The television close to the clearing glowed and one by one the rest of their friends appeared with their training attires. Davis as usual was the last one to arrive, and just like with Killua, Kari could notice that he seemed to have other issues on his mind. 'He might still be thinking about what to do with Ken.'
Davis stretched his arms as a warm up. "Okay, sparky. What is it today? The same, beat the shit out of each other again? Or something new?"
"Could you please, not word it like that?" Cody said with a sigh while performing stretches on his own.
Davis shrugged nonchalantly. "It's what we do, don't we?"
Killua got up from his seat and walked apart from the group so he was standing in front of them. "No. Not today... We won't be training."
That took everyone by surprise. Having to take a few moments to let the surprise pass before response. "How come?! Then why reunite us here!?" Yolei was the most vocal, and the first to complain about the notice. Being the one who struggled the most on the usual regimen.
"Because!" He exclaimed loud enough so no one would interrupt him again. It had the desire effect as everyone seemed to stiffen. "There's something I need to tell you," He looked up at the stars and the moon. "About my world... About me."
Everyone grew curious at this... Except for one. T.K's eyes widened in surprise as he got an idea of what the Hunter was talking about. 'Killua, you don't mean...'
"What is it? Spill it sparky," Davis said, stuffing his hands on his pockets. "What's so important to stop the training and still make us come here at 2 A.M?"
Killua turned to them. Taking a breath from his nose and exhaled from the mouth. "I used to be an assassin. I used to be a killer."
A silence washed over the clearing as he said it. The reactions, baring T.K's, were almost identical, their eyes widened and their pupils shrank as he said it.
Kari's jaw moved and was able to ger the words out. "W-what do you mean?"
Killua looked at them, hiding tbe complete fear he had on their reaction. "The Zoldyck family is one that has produced the best assassins for generations now. The moment we learn to walk, we are trained in the killing arts," His nails sharpened as an example. "Turn our bodies into weapons."
Their faces seemed to pale at the realization of the purpose of that technique. And if Killua had it. "Y-you... Did you killed people?" Cody breathed out, his mind trying to wrap around the information.
"Since I was younger than you, six or seven, give or take," He explained curtly, his eyes having a hard stare on them. "All of them were people I never had a connection with, and I did it without remorse, without hesitating once. Honestly, I forgot about their faces, my parents set me a target and I went for them, no questions asked."
The way he said it so nonchalantly was causing a shiver to go down their spines. As if killing was something so normal for him as the weather or going out for groceries. Their leader, someone who has been nothing but a source of reliability during their missions against someone as ruthless as the Emperor, was someone who had his hands tainted with blood.
"I'm telling you this because..." He looked at T.K, as if asking for permission about something. The blonde caught his gaze and nodded. "The others now. Tai, T.K, Mimi, Sora, all of them."
The group turned their attention towards the blonde. He sighed and nodded. "He's right. We learned from this before Myotismon attacked Odaiba."
Kari's eyes widened in disbelief. Everyone knew... Even her brother and T.K? Why wasn't she update to? Why didn't they told her about this part of Killua?
"And also... Because of Ken," Killua called their attention again ad he spoke. "He seems to have changed, and I think he deserves a second chance. Because I know I had one five years ago... And I hope I'll get one now. I renounced to be an assassin two years ago, in my world's time, escaping from the grip of my family. It doesn't take away what I did, but I hope you have that in mind for whatever you guys decide."
Everyone was silent as he said this. They were all just so confused about the sudden revelation that they didn't know what to say. Killua had killed, just like the Emperor. Yet he has always been a nice person to them. How could this be?
Noticing their lack of response, Killua sighed. "Look. Just... Think about it... Think if you want someone like me around or not... But I'd like to say two things. First: Don't blame Tai, T.K or the others for not telling you; it was my secret to tell and they just respected that. And second: If you are willing to give me a second chance... Please think about giving one to Ken."
He turned around and walked towards the foliage surrounding the clearing. Kari snapped out of her stupor and tried to reach for him. "Killua, wait!"
However, when she entered the into the forest there was no trace of the boy at all. He vanished completely amongst the shadows. She frowned and looked down at the floor. "Killua..."
When she returned to the clearing, everyone was still on a state of surprise and she could hardly blame them. This certainly came as a surprise...
"Guys..." T.K called.
"Look, man, just not now," Davis growled and walked to the port. "It's too late, or early I don't know, for this!" He pointed his Digivice to the port and he was dragged back to his house.
Yolei's lips were pressed together and she let out a sigh. "Davis has the right idea for once," She said and walked to the port. "We can't just stay here now. We're all tired, or at least I am and this... This is a lot to take in."
Cody lagged behind for a moment his eyes were wide with disbelief and doubt. Slowly, almost mechanically, he walked to the port and disappeared, leaving only the two veterans behind.
There was an awkward silence as Kari just stared at the ground with a frown, and T.K just looked everywhere except at her. He eventually released a sigh and looked at Kari. "Sorry that we didn't told you before, Kari... It never came up with the Dark Masters five years ago and... Afterwards, thinking we'd never see Killua again... We just never brought the issue again."
Kari was still looking at the floor, she took out her D-3 to leave and clenched her fist a bit. '... That idiot,' She thought angrily before walking towards the screen and flashing back to her room.
T.K stood there alone in the clearing and looked in the direction where Killua left. 'I sure hope you know what you're doing Killua,' He thought as he also took out his D-3 to leave.
Spending the night on the floor wasn't as comfortable as a futon or a bed. Luckily, Killua was used to this and more. He opened his eyes slowly as the sunlight started to seep through his eyelids. He sat up and stretched his arms, causing his bones and muscles to pop satisfyingly. He rubbed his eyes tiredly while his mind replayed events from last night. 'Hopefully, I made the right call...' He thought with no small sense of worry.
He felt something snuggling against his leg and looked down to see what it was. A small Digimon of a pure white color as sleeping comfortably at his side. The small creature opened his eyes and smiled at the boy without uttering a word.
"Oh," Killua mouthed in surprise at seeing the baby Digimon. "Hey little guy," He extended his hands to let the white fur ball to climb in. "What are you doing here?"
"Sleeping!" The snowball said. "I'm SnowBotamon! And I'm here with my friends!" It chirped.
Killua chuckled at the adorableness of the Digimon. "And where are your friends exactly?"
The snowball turned around and pointed north on the forest. "Camping. Over there."
Killua sat up, while carefully cradling the small Digimon on his hands. He walked on the direction indicated by SnowBotamon.
As he got closer he noticed the sound of crackling, like a fireplace. And the stench of wood getting burned, but he could also smell something sweet in the air.
When he reached the clearing, the small Digimon jumped off his arms and went to join with his friends, all of them gathered around a fireplace and eating some roasted marshmallows. In front of the pack of SnowBotamon was a human, one that Killua knew all too well. "Mimi?!"
The girl's eyes shot upward and lit up when she saw the boy. "Killua!" She waved with a smile. "So nice to see you!"
"Likewise," He said, still surprised. "What are you doing here... How did you get here?!" He asked with genuine curiosity. "... And what happened to your hair?" Referring to the afro style the girl was now using.
The girl giggled and patted her hair. "This is just a brand-new style. And about how I got here well... Before I left back to America, Izzy gave me a copy of the Digiport for me to use! So that way I could be updated with everything that happened here and check on Palmon! And imagine my surprise when the gate was suddenly unlocked! I grabbed my Digivice, some snacks and came here to visit Palmon!" She looked down at the SnowBotamon. "And then I just found this little cuties and couldn't help but feed them a bit," She cooed at the pack of Babies.
"And where's Palmon?" Killua asked, taking a seat, while the same SnowBotamon he encountered jumped on his leg, causing Killua to chuckle.
"She went to check on a dam nearby," Mimi responded. "I stayed here to look after the little guys," She turned to them. "Did you liked the sweets?"
One of them nodded while munching the marshmallow. "They're delicious! Thank you!"
Killua looked down at the one on his leg. "Did you grabbed some too?"
The SnowBotamon nodded. "They got sticked on my mouth! But it's yummy!" He chirped, causing Killua to smile.
"And what are you doing here?" Mimi asked. "It's still early for the others to get out of school," She said. "And you can't exactly come and go like us."
Killua sighed and ran a hand through his head. "I... Ah... I told them about my past last night. Y'know? The assassin part?"
Mimi winced at that and looked at the fire. "How did they took it?"
"They were so shocked they didn't responded," Killua answered, while petting the small SnowBotamon. "I decided to give them some time to process it and let them decide what to do."
"What to do?" Mimi asked, raising an eyebrow.
Killua shrugged. "If they want me on the team or not. If they want to give a second chance."
Mimi looked at him for a moment before rolling her eyes. "That's absurd. Why would you need a second chance?"
"Eh?" The boy blinked.
"You haven't done anything bad in the time you've been with them. And as far as I know you haven't killed anyone since coming here... Have you?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"No!" He exclaimed. 'Excluding that weird Airdramon from that dark beach.'
"Then you don't need a second chance," Mimi said. "You are a good friend, a good leader, and a... decent person."
"Gee, thanks," Killua said rolling his eyes.
"So they should accept you for who you are now... Not for who you were."
"Huh... I guess you're right," Killua said.
"Of course I am!" Mimi said, raising her nose high. "Big sis Mimi is always right!"
"'Big sis?'" Killua deadpanned.
"I'm older than you now," She said giving him a smirk. "So that means I'm wiser and you are a tyke who needs guidance."
"If I'm allowed to call you hag instead of sis then I accept," Killua said with an eye-roll.
"Not happening!" Mimi pouted.
"Whatever hag," Killua shot back.
Mimi stuck his tongue out at him, before snickering and soon Killua laughed too. He was thankful to Mimi for helping lift a bit of the pressure he felt on his shoulders after the reveal, it was good to have a friend at the moment.
Mimi looked towards the forest. "I wonder what is taking Palmon so long though."
"Is that dam far away?" Killua asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't think so..." She mumbled.
Palmon was making her way back from the dam, when she decided to surprise Mimi with some herbs. "This will make a magnificent tea!" She giggled to herself, imagining the face of delight from her partner.
As she giggled happily to herself, she caught sight of one of the remaining Control Towers the Emperor left behind. But something else made her do a double take. She ducked behind a tree to observe with astonishment the scene before her.
A woman in red, a human, was standing in front of the tower with a sadistic smile on her face.
"A human... An adult..." She muttered to herself. "How can this be... Can adults even get here... Killua can enter even though he doesn't have a Digivice, but he is the Anomaly!" Even though he didn't had a Digivice or a partner, he was chosen along with Mimi and the others, it makes sense he was able to enter too.
Palmon observed as the woman took a strand from her hair. She looked at the strand for a moment before it hardened until it was like a needle. Then the woman introduced the needle on the tower, it sank as if it was entering a pool of liquid
Palmon's eyes widened when she saw the tower shift its form until it took a hulking form. The woman smiled and spoke to her creation. "Locate the dam and destroy it so the town gets flooded."
Palmon gasped and turned around. "Oh my gosh, I need to tell Mimi!"
Her footsteps called the attendance of the woman. Her eyes narrowed behind her shades and she turned to what was formerly a tower. "Attack," She ordered coldly.
"Mimi! Mimi!" Palmon's voice called the attention of both humans. They looked down to the road below to see Palmon running towards them.
"Palmon?" Mimi questioned as she walked along with Killua and the SnowBotamon to the edge of their small hill.
"What's wrong?" Killua raised an eyebrow at her.
"Quick, make me Digivolve! Killua's here too, please help me!" She said between breaths as she continued running.
Killua's eyes went upward and he let out a gasp. "What's that!?"
Palmon stopped as a shadow loomed over her. She didn't wanted it to smash her so she wrapped her Poison Ivy around a tree on the hill and move out of the way. The object crashed right right from where she was, lifting a cloud of smoke and sending various rocks flying due to the impact, and when the cloud cleared it revealed the form of a Digimon that seemed to be made out of rocks.
"GOLEMON!" The SnowBotamon yelped in surprise.
Palmon reached the tree and perched herself on the trunk of the tree. "That was close..." She sighed. However, the rocks that were sent flying from the impact went on her direction and one of them was slammed on her stomach. "Gwah!" All the air left her and her vision went blurry due to the impact, as she collapsed to the ground.
"PALMON!" Mimi cried as she along with Killua and the pack of SnowBotamon ran to her side. Mimi crouched and cradled her partner's frail form. "Palmon..."
"Mimi... Killua... Stop it... The dam..." She rasped out. "It's going to destroy it!"
"What?!" Killua yelped while Mimi gasped. They looked down to see the giant Digimon moving towards the dam
"If that happens... Our town..." The SnowBotamon with Killua whimpered. The boy didn't needed to know more; if that dam was destroyed then the town will be destroyed by the water.
The boy scowled. 'First Thundermon and now this Golemon. Why are Digimon acting so violently?' He wondered. He let out his Nen and clenched his fists. "Mimi, find a way to contact Kari and the others. I'll hold that guy off!" He said as he slid down the hill to face the golem.
Mimi looked down at the direction of the upcoming battle and then at her now unconscious partner. She bit her lip and settled her down. "You guys," She said turning to the SnowBotamon, "please look after her, I have to go!" She said, taking off in the direction of the tv where she came from.
Meanwhile down the hill, the golem continued on its way towards the dam, before he suddenly received a punch above the head that buried its head on the ground. It groaned as it sat up. The culprit from the attack was standing in front of him, a boy with white hair glaring daggers a it.
"What are you doing?" Killua asked through gritted teeth. "Do you have any idea of the damage you are going to cause?"
The golem didn't answered, it stood to its full height and raised its arms above his head before bringing them down on the boy. Killua raised his hands and stopped the attack, he pushed the Digimon back and punched it on the gut, sending it skidding back.
"What is wrong with you!" Killua asked again, his eyes scanning the opponent. 'No Dark Ring, Spiral, and he isn't responding like the victims of a Black Gear... Then why?' He wondered.
Golemon wasn't deterred by the attack and charged at the boy, Killua got into a fighting stance and waited for the giant to come at him.
On the forest, Mimi found the tv and took out her Digivice before pointing it at the screen. "C'mon, C'mon! If someone's there please! Please help us!" She begged, hoping that her Digivice could be of any use to help her communicate to the others. If she opens the gate, she'll only end up on her home in America. This was her only option and it relayed on luck.
School bell rang and as always everyone gathered, however the atmosphere was different after the reveal from last night.
"Hey guys..." T.K greeted as he entered the room. No one reacted to him coming and he let out a sigh. "So... What have you guys decided?" He asked.
No one said anything. Davis was leaning against a wall with arms crossed, Cody was looking at the floor along with Yolei, and Kari was sitting on the computer in deep though, though T.K noticed she didn't looked as conflicted or shocked as last night.
The Digimon all watched from above the bookshelf. While the three In-Trainings didn't fully understood why their partners were upset, Gatomon felt as conflicted as her partner. Kari told her everything after she returned earlier than usual, and she while the reveal of Killua's past was shocking it wasn't all that surprising. 'That explains why his footsteps can't be heard...' She thought, remembering she herself had muted footsteps.
While she wanted to be mad at the boy for hiding it or for even doing stuff like that... She couldn't. She was the same, she used to be one of Myotismon's top assassins. She was forced to do it too... Until she met Kari and she changed. And the boy did the same. 'He deserves another chance... I hope the others realize that,' She says looking at the others.
There was a pregnant pause before Davis opened his mouth to talk. "I think-" He was interrupted when a beeping sound came from the computer.
Kari opened the Digiport program and saw a signal with a familiar symbol on the map. "The Crest of Purity's symbol?" She questioned and clicked on the grid where the symbol was. When it showed the image of that sector, she let out a gasp. The image of a teary-eyed Mimi holding her Digivice to the TV was shown. "Mimi!"
At hearing the name everyone gathered around the screen to look at it. "This doesn't look good..." Davis gulped.
"What happened?" Cody mumbled.
"Nothing good," T.K said, getting his Digivice out. "Come on."
"Digiport Open! Let's go, Digidestined!" Yolei chanted, wanting to regain a sense of normality and wanting to help one of her role models.
Mimi let out a yelp as the tv started glowing. She leaped back as the younger kids entered the Digital World on a tangled mess, before quickly straightening themselves. "Guys! Thank goodness!"
"Mimi, what is it?" T.K asked urgently, remembering her distressed state.
Mimi turned around. "A Digimon appeared out of nowhere, it attacked Palmon and it's now trying to destroy the nearby dam to flood the town. Killua is facing him to keep him at bay."
"Killua?" Everyone perked up at the name. This saved them the trouble of actually finding a way to locate their leader later on. Kari took a step forward. "Take us there, we'll find a way to help."
Mimi nodded and guided the group towards the hill and in the meantime, the group got their Digivices out to make their partners evolve to their armored forms. "Digimental Up!"
"V-Mon Armor Digivolves to... Raidramon! The Storm of Friendship!"
"Hawkmon Armor Digivolves to... Shurimon! The Ninja of Purity!"
"Armadillomon Armor Digivolves to... Pteramon! The Armed Love!"
"Gatomon Armor Digivolves to... Nefertimon! the Angel of Light!"
"Patamon Armor Digivolves to... Pegasusmon! The Flying Hope!"
Back on the road towards the dam, Killua nailed an axe-kick to Golemon's head, causing his head to be buried on the ground again. Yet the Digimon raised again, looking perfectly fine. The boy scowled, he's been hitting the creature over and over again and it was still standing. "Damn it! Why won't you stay down! Or even say what's your problem to want to destroy the town?!" He growled.
The golem didn't responded, yet his poor mental capacities were telling it that he couldn't beat the boy. If he continued to stand on its way, it would never complete its objective. The monster's head turned to see the SnowBotamon watching their encounter and its eyes narrowed. It gave out a roar and pointed the craters it had on its back towards the innocent creatures. They glowed and fired cannonballs made of rocks towards them.
"Wait-!" Killua yelped as he saw him pointing at the kids. Then he cursed when it fired and used the propelling technique to reach them before the attack. His body soared through the air for a moment before he put himself between the blast and the kids. And explosion took place and lifted a cloud of smoke.
Golemon didn't stopped to watch the results of its attack and instead it took on a full sprint towards the dam, ready to destroy it once and for all.
The group arrived just as the smoke of the attack cleared. They saw Killua standing protectively in front of the unconscious Palmon and the baby Digimon. He looked fine, aside from some small cuts on his arms due to the rocks. "Sneaky bastard!" He growled, now he was too close to the dam and Killua hasn't recharged himself, he couldn't use Godspeed to reach him. He looked down at the SnowBotamon. "Are you guys okay?" He asked with a smile.
The SnowBotamon he found nodded. "Yes, thank you so much!"
"Killua?" Kari called, causing the boy to turn. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"Oh, hey guys," He said a bit awkwardly. "Umm, yes I'm okay... Look, I know we still have things to sort out but... That guy is still on the loose," he pointed at the Golemon that was now scaling the dam. "We have to find a way to restrain him."
"How come you couldn't do it?" Davis asked, looking at the boy with a raised eyebrow. "Couldn't you just knock it out?"
"I tried!" He said, looking at the golem with frustration. "But it just continues to get up! As if it isn't getting tired!" He turned. "We need to find another way to keep it at bay.
T.K nodded. "Okay then," He turned to Pegasusmon. "You know what to do."
"Sure!" Pegasusmon extended his wings, ready to take off.
"Nefertimon, I'll be counting on you," Kari said, looking at her partner.
"Sure," Just like Pegasusmon she extended her wings.
"Okay then, go everyone!" Davis said pointing at the violent Digimon.
With that signal, the Digimon all charged towards the dam. Raidramon ran rapidly, Shurimon jumped around the zone, and the others all flew towards their target. "Pegasusmon, Nefertimon, you know what to do!" Raidramon said as he looked up at them.
They didn't had to be told twice. "Power Bond!" The golden rope wrapped itself around Golemon's neck, working as a noose, and the two veteran Digimon tried to drag it away from the dam, but the brute giant stayed in place.
"Let's make it get loose!" Raidramon said, charging lighting on his back. "Blue Thunder!"
"Missile Storm!"
"Flying Chainsaw!"
The three attacks impacted on the back of the Digimon. A smoke covered it, blinding the armored Digimon momentarily. "Did it work?" Shurimon asked.
Yet the smoke cleared, and Golemon was on one piece. Not even a scratch on its body. He continued scaling, completely ignoring the noose around its neck, dragging Nefertimon and Pegasusmon with it. The two Digimon struggled to drag it down, but the strength of the brute was just too much.
"This isn't working!" Pegasusmon grunted, trying to pull the golem away.
"Look for a Ring, or a Spiral!" Nefertimon grunted, imitating the Digimon of Hope.
"Got it!" Shurimon nodded and extended his spring legs upwards at Golemon's level. Yet as much as he looked around, he couldn't found a source for this behavior. "I don't see anything!"
"Then he's just like Thundermon," Pteramon growled, narrowing his eyes at remembering the Digimon that attacked him two days ago.
Having enough from its restrains, Golemon did a mighty thrust with its head that caused Pegasusmon and Nefertimon to be slammed against the wall of the dam.
"Pegasusmon/Nefertimon!" T.K and Kari cried out in worry, respectively.
With then out of the way, Golemon resumed its climbing. Raidramon and Pteramon growled and charged at it. "Oh no you don't!" They said. Raidramon's horn crackling with electricity and Pteramon's wings taking a sharp edge.
Golemon gave them a side-glance, and before they could impact, the small craters on Golemon's back released a poisonous cloud that pushed them back. Pteramon even losed balance and crashed on the ground along with Raidramon.
"Raidramon!" Davis called in worry.
"How did he do that?!" Cody yelled, as he watched Pteramon in worry.
Killua clicked his teeth. "Volcanos tend to liberate poisonous clouds as they erupt," He said with a low growl. Golemon was able to replicate that effect.
Shurimon took his turn, his blades spinning to attack the brute. "He's mine!" He declared as he charged to attack. But Golemon gave him a backhand punch that knocked the wind out of him and made him collapse to the ground.
"Shurimon!" Yolei called out.
Now with nothing to stop it, Golemon rammed his fist through the dam and let the water flow out. A giant cascade coming out and heading straight to the town below. The Digimon all leaped out of the way just in time, and the kids could only watch with horror and the SnowBotamon all started crying. "Our town!"
"Damnit!" Killua cursed as he took off running in the direction where the water was flowing. "Everyone," He turned to the Digimon. "Follow me!"
Raidramon and the others nodded and ran in the same direction as the boy. Killua turned to Nefertimon while pointing towards the dam. "Nefertimon, use your Rosetta Stone to block the flow!"
"Understood!" She said, flying towards the dam and projecting her attack. "Rosetta Stone!"
She fired the slabs of rocks in a constant manner. Her objective was successful, the rocks blocked the hole much to Golemon's dismay. The brute tried to pry the rocks away, to no avail, and turned to glare and roar at Nefertimon.
Despite her actions, a lot of water was already running so the rest of the Digimon and Killua decided to act. The boy sharpened his nails while the Digimon all moved around the edges of the forest. "Ready?!" Killua called.
"Yes!" They chorused as one.
Killua started chopping the trees in front of him as he ran, Raidramon and Shurimon did the same while running along the walls of the riverbed using their lightning and chainsaw respectively. Pegasusmon and Nefertimon collected the fallen trees with their Power Bond and placed them on the road to form s sturdy, new dam. Pteramon hovered above the new dam and launched two missiles, creating a chasm in front of it. The water slammed against the trees, but the improvised dam was sturdy enough to keep it in place while the chasm caused it to dry out.
Everyone sighed in relief. "Good job everyone," Raidramon said with a smirk.
From the sidelines, the kids and Mimi smiled with relief. "They did it!" Davis bumped his fists on the air.
"Now the town is safe..." Mimi said, pressing Palmon closer to her.
"Golemon!" The SnowBotamon yelled. "Look! He is up there!"
Everyone turned and saw the violent Digimon continuing making his way to the top of the dam. Ignoring completely the rest of the world, including his last frustrated attempt.
Killua observed from a far. "Its still going at it..." He looked at the dam they made. "This thing might not hold another wave. Let's go!" He told the Digimon. They nodded and followed the white haired boy.
"Its so stubborn!" T.K said, clenching his fists, observing the Digimon continuing its climbing.
"Its serious..." Kari said on a grimm tone, her eyes hardening as she bit her lip. "Golemon is serious about this..."
Yolei turned to look at her. "But what's the point? What would it gain by destroying the dam?"
Cody narrowed his eyes as he observed the Digimon. "He wants to destroy the town, and it's using the water as mean to do it."
"If he isn't stopped, all the other Digimon living there would die drowned..." T.K said in a whisper, not wanting the poor SnowBotamon to hear them.
Killua and the group of armored Digimon all charged at the golem. Killua looked momentarily at the others and inwardly he frowned. 'Damn, what a great time to talk about my past...' He looked at Golemon. 'I open my mouth, and a crazy Digimon appears, leaving me with few choices aside from eliminating it... But if I do it now, would they truly accept me back,' Despite Mimi's early words, the fear of rejection was still planted deep in Killua. 'I'll only continue to try and restrain it! Until all options have ran out!' He decided.
Yolei looked at the golem with a confused frown. "But why? Why does it want to do this? And why won't it stop? How can we stop it?" She asked softly, dreading the answer. Specially as she looked at a certain white haired Hunter ready to join the fight.
"If that guy is serious, then we have to respond in kind!" Davis said, looking down with a conflicted look. 'Maybe Ichijouji had the right idea...'
Yolei turned to him with a frown. "What are you trying to say..."
Davis glared at the Digimon while gritting his teeth as he came to a decision. "We'll put him down for good!"
Yolei and Cody's eyes widened and their pupils shrank as he said this. "W-wait! You mean killing it?" She scowled at him. "How can you think of something so awful! Think straight for a second, and think of the consequences doing that might bring!"
"Hey, if you have any better idea, I'm all for them!" Davis snapped back.
The attack team finally reached the climbing Digimon. They all started to attack with their different movesets, but the attacks from the Digimon all just seemed to bounce of its skin. Killua jumped and focused his Nen on his fist to give powerful punch witb Ko to the head of the beast. The attacked helped to make Golemon slip a bit, but nothing else, it continued climbing trying to ignore Killua's assault. The boy had landed on Golemon's shoulders and was giving various hits, but Golemon wasn't deterred.
'What is with this guy?! No other Digimon, or human, has withstood so many of this!' He thought with a growl.
Golemon grumbled and the craters on its back started glowing. Killua leaped away as his instincts screamed at him, just in time to dodge the same barrage of rocks he used against the SnowBotamon. He landed on the floor and glared at the brute. He didn't had his yo-yos so he couldn't drag it down. And if he jumps back at it, then he would push him back with its rocks, or worse, he could attack those on the sidelines. 'Damn bastard!'
On the sidelines, the rest of the group continued discussing. "So? Any idea?" Davis asked Yolei.
The girl flinched at being called out like that. "I...Ah... Look, for now let's just protect the dam!"
"And what about that guy?!" Davis growled pointing at the golem. "How can we protect it if it isn't stopping! Heck, sparky is attacking with everything and it isn't budging! We can beat it if we go all out!"
"The fact that we can doesn't mean we have to!" Yolei countered. The prospect of killing a Digimon was just... Wrong to her. Specially after witnessing a death like Wormmon's at the hands of Kimeramon. "Let's just continue to hold it off."
"You're asking for too much," T.K said with a frown. "We can stop the enemy but only for so long. If we knock it down, lock it away, or keep it away from the dam, it will only find a way to continue on its task."
"We don't have other choice aside from finishing it," Kari said, not looking all too pleased either with the idea. "Just like Ken and Stigmon did."
Yolei let out a short gasp as the events with Thundermon replayed on her mind. 'How could have Ken know what to do in that situation? Did he do it because it was the only choice... Are we really that naive?'
Cody scowled. "I refuse! If we do it then we'll stood down to Ken's level!" He said. "We have to call Killua back as well, we don'tknow what he might do!"
Yolei was ready to agree with him until he brought Killua up. "Eh?"
"Hey wait a minute Cody, that ain't fair!" Kari said. "Killua is helping the others, why should we stop him from doing it?!"
"Because of what he told us!" Cody said. "He said he was an assassin, he killed people before! How can we be sure he won't do it again?!"
"You little-" Davis growled. "That guy is still alive isn't it? If sparky would have liked to kill it then he would have done so already! And if Ken finished that lightning ball yesterday the maybe he had a reason to do it!"
Yolei stared at Davis with a confused expression. 'How can he say it like that. Why does he trust Ken so much, or Killua. After what they did, or what they say they did. It is true... their not like that anymore?' She could understand if their leader wasn't a bloodthirsty killer, even if he said he's killed before, but Ken... She witnessed what he's done. It is possible to redeem yourself from that?
"Okay enough!" A firm voice said and everyone looked down to see Mimi scowling at them. "Yolei," She turned to the girl. "Give me your D-Terminal!"
Feeling a bit intimidated by the glare, she handed her the small computer. "W-why for?"
"Who has Ken's email, I'll send him an SOS," She said, typing the context of the message.
"WHAT?!" Yolei and Cody yelped in surprise. The boy stepped forward. "Mimi you shouldn't-"
"Not now Cody!" She snapped. "Look, right now we need all the help we can get! And Ken might be a good reinforcement!"
"But what if he and Killua-" He started to say.
"And don't talk about Killua as if he was some crazy, happy murder kid!" She said, her eyes narrowed. "Or what? Does the things he did in the past erase the fact that he saved the Digital World in the past and kept fighting alongside you without a doubt!?" She asked. "I've seen him fight, and he is actually holding back to not kill Golemon!"
The boy flinched under her accusatory glare and could only look donw. Ashamed for his words.
Davis took a hesitant step forward and handed her a piece of paper. "Here's his mail... I got it from a magazine."
"Thank you," She said with a nod and quickly sent a message to him with their location. "There. Hope he makes it in time."
Yolei bit her lip as she felt concern on the decision of calling Ken. 'If he comes... What is he going to do...'
A yell called their attention and they turned to see Shurimon being knocked out by a backhand punch from Golemon. When he crashed to the ground, he reverted to Hawkmon, the Digi-egg of Purity going back to its D-Terminal.
"Hawkmon!" Yolei called in worry.
"Damn you!" The other Digimon charged, but all of them were repelled by a cloud of poisonous gas exploding from Golemon's back. All of them fell to the ground and reverted back to Rookie, and Champion for Gatomon.
"They've failed," Davis breathed out, looking as Golemon reached the top of the dam.
"Not all of them," Kari said with a determined look as he kept her eyes on their last fighter.
Golemon raised its arms to break the dam when he suddenly received a kick to the head. It skid back on the top of the dam and glared at the white haired boy. Killua cracked his knuckles. "Missed me, fucker?"
Golemon looked at the sidelines and at the spectators. It got on all fours and was ready to attack them when it suddenly felt various impacts on its back. It turned around in time to receive a kick from another Digimon.
"Seems we aren't so late!" Stigmon said, standing over Golemon with his arms crossed.
Killua rolled his eyes. "I could've handled it," he muttered, though he had a small smile on his face
From the forest behind Stigmon, Ken emerged with a Calico M950 on his hands. "Stigmon, get him!" He said.
Stigmon didn't doubted and the moment Golemon got back up, he attacked with a fast barrage of kicks, although the Golemon crossed its arms over its body it still manage to force him back. Killua leaped at that chance and gave an axe-kick to the head of the golem, managing to crack the top side of its head. Yet it didn't go down. "What is it made off!?" Killua growled.
The reactions on the sidelines at Ken's arrival were varying. "Ichijouji!" Davis said with a grin. "I knew he'd come to help."
Mimi was also smiling. "Hmm, seems he did became a good ally."
And Yolei was surprised. 'He came in response to our message? But why? Is he really...' She tried to wrap her head on this events.
Slowly, Palmon started opening her eyes. She looked up at her partner with tired eyes. "Mimi..."
Mimi gasped in happiness. "Palmon, you'll okay!" She said.
"W-where is it?" Palmon asked. "The giant...?"
"Golemon?" Mimi asked. "It's fighting Killua and Stigmon at the momentum," She said, observing the two on one fight. Slightly surprised that a champion like Golemon could handle its own so well against Killua.
"That isn't Golemon..." Palmon said, taking everyone by surprise. "That monster isn't Golemon..." She said tiredly.
"W-what are you saying?" Yolei asked.
Palmon took a deep breath. "I-I saw a woman... A woman in red... She turned one of the Control Towers into a Digimon..." She said. "That thing is not a Digimon!"
T.K put the pieces together. "Thundermon was the same! That explains why the tower disappeared from the town yesterday when it appeared!"
"Ken must've known!" Davis said. "That's why he finished it off!"
Yolei was looking back at the fight. 'Then he wasn't acting cruelly. He knew those were fakers... He truly changed,' Now he felt bad for jumping fast to conclusions. 'Ken changed, and despite his attitude and past Killua is a nice guy...' She gripped her Digivice. "I want to have a chance to apologize to them..."
Cody was having a similar revelation. 'Have they truly changed... Then how should I act with them now... Despite the horrible things he did, Ken is trying to help. And Killua said he's killed before, yet he hasn't killed Golemon because he still think it's real.'
Golemon grew tired of its assailants and got on all fours again, liberating a burst of poisonous gas. While the venom didn't had any effect on Killua, the small burst did managed to sent him flying back, as well as Stigmon.
"Stigmon!" Ken called in worry, he aimed at Golemon and fired, but his bullets all bounced off its skin.
Killua also tried to get close, but the burst became each time stronger to let him get close and the poisonous mist didn't let him pinpoint his opponent. 'Damn it!'
Yolei clenched her Digivice even harder as she saw their dilemma. "We have to help!" She said, determination on her eyes. Then her Digivice started shining.
Hawkmon's eyes shot open as he slowly sat back up while glowing.
"Hawkmon Digivolves to... Aquilamon!'
Everyone gasped in shock at Hawkmon's new form. It looked like a grown up version of Hawkmon, with horns sprouting from his head, his wings extended and his body more slim and fit, and his legs looking strong enough to rip an opponent in half.
Aquilamon flapped his mighty wings to clear the poisonous air and get a clear view of the enemy. Yolei ran in his direction to tell him about the true nature of Golemon. "Aquilamon! Its fake! It isn't a Digimon, it's a Control Tower!"
Aquilamon looked at Golemon and nodded. "I see. Then no more holding back!" He said as he charged.
Yolei sighed in relief and caught sight of Ken. The boy looked back at her and she send him a look, as if to confirm if he knew. He gave her a nod and she smiled in relief.
Aquilamon opened his mouth and released one of his new attacks. "Explosive Rings!" The attack impacted against Golemon and caused an explosion.
Due to all the damage it received, the facade of the monster couldn't hold any longer and it showed what was beneath its skin. The pitch black structure of a Control Tower, molded in the form of the Digimon.
Killua gaped at it, having stayed out of the loop until now. "The hell?!"
"It's fake!" Aquilamon told him. "It's a Control Tower in the form of a Digimon."
Killua blinked and a vicious smile formed on his face. "Oh really..." She said. "Then let's bring it down!"
Aquilamon nodded and looked at Stigmon. "Stigmon, join us!"
The bug nodded. "Sure!" He said and charged his attack. "Stinger Attack!"
"Diving Horns!" Aquilamon's horns glowed as he charged at the monster.
Killua didn't said anything as he charged while thrusting his nails forward.
All three attacks impacted against the monster, breaking it down and causing it to implode. It was over... And the town was safe.
The group had walked around the forest surrounding the dam to meet up with Killua, who had jumped to the side where Ken and Stigmon were before disappearing again. Imagine their surprise when Ken and Wormmon appeared in front of them again.
Everyone tensed for a moment except for Davis and Yolei, who both gave Ken a grateful smile. Ken lowered Wormmon from his arms and stared at them before doing something that surprised them greatly. He went to his knees and placed his forehead into the ground. "I'm so sorry," He said. "I have no excuse for my actions as the Emperor."
Everyone was stunned that their former enemy had lowered himself to the dirt just to apologize. Except for Davis who had a smile on his face, while looking at him with something similar to pride. Wormmon on looked at his partner with a strange mix of joy, pride, and pity.
Palmon shyly raised her hand. "Do you know who that woman was?"
Ken raised his head shook it. "No, I'm not sure," He said, while getting up. "From what I recollected until know, she can turn towers in Digimon and when she is close its original function of blocking evolution activates again," he explained. "And I can't shut them down..." He said, feeling useless at the fact that he didn't know how his creations worked anymore.
"Why didn't you told us before?" Mimi wondered, raising at eyebrow at the boy.
"Because..." He mumbled.
Wormmon crawled forward. "He thought you guys wouldn't believe him," He said. "And he..." He looked up at Ken for permission and he just nodded. "And he thought we should do it by ourselves."
"That's why you were acting so strange yesterday..." Davis mumbled in realization.
"Yes. I'm the one responsible. I made those towers and I won't let it do any more harm," He said solemnly.
"And that is why we should work together!" Davis tried again to convince him.
Ken didn't met his eyes before he turned around. "Goodbye."
"Hey wait-" Davis tried to call, but the boy didn't seemed willing to listen. "Ichijouji..."
As Ken walked away, he heard the beep from his D-Terminal. He found the small computer on the lower drawer of his desk, one of the many things his persona as the Emperor wanted to forget. He opened it up and saw a message from the same direction where he received the SOS.
Thank you for helping us.
If you ever need help you can count on us too.
-Yolei.
He looked back and saw the girl with purple hair with a terminal in her hands smiling at him. He couldn't help but smile back before continuing on his way... Maybe he should consider the offer if more of them were willing to look past his mistakes.
The group watched them go with different emotions. Some still felt doubtful while others where hoping he would join. Then they heard bushes hustling behind them and turned. Killua emerged from them and stood in front of them with a neutral look. "Hey..." He said simply.
The new generation, plus Kari, stared at him with neutral emotions too, while T.K and Mimi looked at the two parts nervously.
Killua sighed. "Look, whatever your decision is I will accept it," He said. "So just... Speak your minds."
The group exchanged looks for a moment, before Kari walked towards him. She stopped right in front of him and stared at him from a while... Before raising her hand and hitting him upside the head.
"Oww!" Despite himself, Killua whined at the hit. "Why?!" He said talk, not hit!
"That was for leaving!" Kari said with a disapproving glare. "And for keeping that a secret for so long!" She said.
"Eh?" Killua blinked.
Kari continued to look at him. "I can't speak for the others... But I don't care about your past," She said. "You are my... Our friend, our leader, and had helped us a lot!" She said smiling a bit before scowling a bit. "What I'm upset about is that you kept it a secret for so long!" She said.
Killua couldn't help but looked down at the glare he was receiving from his first student. "Sorry..." He said. "I was just... Scare of what you guys might've thought of me... Or that you guys would have kicked me off the group."
"We would not do that..." Then she turned to the others, growing doubtful and starting to understand the fear the boy felt. "Right?"
They were quiet for a moment before Davis shrugged. "Hey, if Ken changed then you did too I guess. Who cares what you did before if you're doing good now."
Yolei nodded. "You could have eliminated Golemon before figuring out he was fake, but you didn't. I think that says a lot."
Killua hid a wince. He only did it because he didn't wanted to aggravate the situation with them any further, otherwise he would have killed the monster without a second thought.
Cody was the last one to speak. He looked at the ground the whole time. "I don't like it..." He said. "I don't like what you did, or that you kept it a secret." Everyone grew nervous at his words before he sighed. "But it would be wrong for me to ignore all the help you gave us..." He recalled how Killua was one of the two to encourage him during the debacle on the oil ring, along with Joe. And that's without counting the training he's been giving them and the pointers he gave him. "I... I can accept you back... But, please promise you won't do anything like that again," He asked.
Killua looked at them before settling his eyes in Cody, he sighed. "I can't promise you that..." He said, causing the boy to flinch in surprise. "I can promise you that I won't do it as a first choice, or my second or third, but eliminating an opponent is always a choice. But it's always the last one... Once all other options are gone then killing becomes the only way." He looked at them with a hard look. "I hope that day won't come, but maybe we'll have to face an opponent that doesn't see reason, and they will only leave us with that last option... And I won't doubt to get my hands dirty."
Cody bit his lip and looked down, and so did the new Digidestined. The veterans watched them in sympathy, remembering the times they had to erase their opponents.
Killua looked at them, his gaze softening. "But like I said, that will be the only option. I won't do it unless it's absolute necessary... Is that okay?" He asked.
Cody clenched his fist and released a sigh before nodding. Killua nodded back and let out a sigh himself. "Then... I can stay?"
Kari giggled at him while the others nodded. "Of course you can. Who wilm train us if you go?" She quipped.
"I suppose you guys would be lost without me," Killua shot back.
Mimi rolled her eyes. "Aaaand the jerk is back, that's my cue to go home!"
"Whatever," Killua said with an eye-roll. "Make something about that hair of yours."
"Can't hear you, going through the gate!" Mimi said as Palmon and her walked to the nearest port and the girl vanishing through it.
Everyone chuckled as she left. Killua looked at them and gave them a sincere smile. "I don't like to say this to my friends but... Thanks for the second chance."
Kari smiled back at him. "It's not a problem, you are one of us."
A warm feeling settled on Killua's chest as he heard that. His eyes lingering on her for a moment before he turned shook his head and looked at the others. "And as a show of gratitude... I think it's time to go to the next level."
The group looked at him questioningly as he said this.
Killua let his Nen flow and smiled at them. "On tonight's training session... I will unlock your Nen."
Reviews. GIMME. GIMME. GIMME! About the chapter. About what was shown in this chapter!
And what do you think the Nen type of the kids will be?