Disclaimer: If I owned any of this I wouldn't be writing fanfics about it!
Reviews!
Zero Fullbuster: You'll have to wait and see.
Guest hector: No.
Guest: Wait and check it out.
Luis945: I'm on break from college that's the reason behind my speed, that and having most of the story planned out. I thought of more crossovers like this at first, but after seeing how long its taking me to do this one as well as a Fallen Knight I just don't see the time for it, but I did thought of Gon being the protagonist instead of Killua for that one.
Freedom89justice: De nada, hermano.
Wickerstein: I am speed. Action is always what I like to write best and the mysteries will be cleared soon. Yeah, but he's on the vet now.
Another night, another session of training for the group. After their recent victory over the plans defense of the last temple, the awakening of the guardian and the retreat of BlackWargreymon from getting on their way, as well as the possible destruction of BlackMetalGarurumon, things were looking up for the Digidestined. Well… most of them.
"AAAAAAAH! Oooff…" Davis grunted as he sailed through the air and bounced on the floor, before stopping on a less than dignified way, his butt up and face down.
"Man, beaten down and with the butt up, just another Friday night for you huh, dude?" Killua asked with mirth as he observed his friend's form.
"I-I-I- H-Hate you, S-Sparky…" Davis groaned as he tried to sit up again.
He wasn't the only to be on a position like this one; all around the Digidestined were lying on the floor, clothes torn and dirt on their faces result of Killua's brutal training. And yet the boy looked perfectly clean and rested, with his hands behind his head and smirking down at his friends.
The only one still on her feet was Kari, but that was because at the beginning of the training she was put to practice a new ability she had in mind, so she didn't became one of Killua's victims.
That wasn't to say she wasn't perfectly fine, she was facing a log, her bruised hands on her knees as she panted, she was sweating and trying to keep the flow of her aura constantly on her hands, all part of her new ability.
Killua watched her from his position, this is the first time she's been trying to use Ryu in such a way, and the way she was applying it was familiar to him, it rang a bell on his mind. She'll have to talk to her about it later, might help her on what she's working.
"Okay, your five minutes are up, get up, and gather around everyone!" He told them patiently and folding his arms over his chest. Then he looked over Kari. "That includes you, Kari!"
Those lying on the ground got up with winces and grunts, while Kari calmly walked to them. The regimen of their training has gone one up by their torturer/leader, according to Killua they still had to deal with the mastermind behind Arukenimon, they didn't know if BlackMetalGarurumon was still alive so he could back to be a threat, and of course Hisoka still running around ready to try and take Kari again.
And so he actually put and effort in beating them up so they could work on their reflexes and their defense, and then on working on their Ren so it would last longer, which was a tiring task. The longer they've lasted is twenty minutes, their goal was to reach one hour holding out their Ren so their stamina could increase. This was the only part where Kari joined them, afterwards she worked on her own to perfect her new ability.
"Okay, I'll be the first to admit… Maybe I went on too far with you guys," Killua said, acting as if it wasn't that big deal and receiving glares from all the directions, "With some more than others."
"No shit?" Davis asked sarcastically, he's the one who's been receiving the more kicks out of everyone! As if Killua actually expected him to put up a fight! What was he expecting, a miracle?!
Davis blinked. 'Wait…' Then he increased his glare, 'This… fucking bastard!'
"So, in a show of good faith you have tomorrow free," Killua told them. "Sleep as much as you want, eat as much as you want… and the next day we'll continue with this!"
"And in the winter break?" Yolei asked with hope that they can have a rest.
"If it's like the summer break when we stopped Ken here then we'll have more time to train!" Killua smirked even further.
Yolei groaned and Ken gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, while Cody and T.K sighed.
"For now I think that's enough for today," Killua told them with a smile. "Go home and enjoy sleep while you can."
"Osu…" Tired acknowledgment was what he got as the group shuffled towards the nearest port, however Killua put a hand on Kari's shoulder to stop her from leaving.
"What is it?" She asked.
"It's about the technique you've been working," Killua told her. "I want to know what you had in mind."
"Oh, well…" She let out her aura and used Ryu to make the aura focus on her hands. "I took the idea from Yolei and thought a bit about Gatomon while practicing it."
She closed her fists and started applying Hatsu, shown by the way the aura around them spiked. "Basically I focus my aura on my fists to strengthen them. Nothing as complex as Sunlight, but since I thought of making it a bit late…"
Killua hummed as he saw the aura on her hands. He hummed and looked at Kari while cupping his chin in thought. 'A technique like this could use a style like that… but I'm not one to teach her that, I only knew the basics… but this might be a good help for her… Eh, what the heck, that fight got etched into my memory forever maybe I can use it for pointers.'
"Y'know, I once saw a technique similar to this one," Killua told her. "It was one of the first ones I ever saw, along with Hisoka's."
"Really?" Kari asked with interest.
"Remember when I told you about a man who enhanced the Nen only one his hands?" Kari nodded, recalling their time on Piximon's forest. "His name was Kastro. His technique was called the True Tiger Fist, a derivation of a fighting style called Tiger Fist. Original I know," He said with mirth on his voice.
Kari looked down at her hands and calmed down the flow of Nen to pay attention to her teacher. "So you're saying my new technique is similar to his?"
"Yes. Of course it's obviously not the same," He said with a shrug. "But I could use what I remember from it to help you perfect it. However that would mean another session of training for you, but with this winter break coming we'll have more time for it to work."
"I see," Kari smiled as she pumped her fists. "Then my Night-Fist will be ready really soon, maybe before Christmas!"
"… Night-Fist?" Killua asked with a blink.
Kari scratched her cheek with a small blush, "That's the name I came from it… too cheesy?"
"A bit," Killua pinched his thumb and index finger close to each other to make his point clear, "Also, Christmas?"
Kari blinked. "Killua… You don't know what Christmas is?!" She asked, her eyes going wide.
The boy shrugged. "I mean, I never heard of it before…" He was trapped on the mansion of his family only going out for assassinations, and on the almost two years he's been out of that life he didn't remembered hearing about that. "I think it is not celebrated on my world…"
"Wow, that's crazy," Kari muttered.
Killua snorted, "Crazier than assassins and killer ants?"
"Yes, by a tiny bit," Kari responded with a nod and smile.
Killua rolled his eyes. "Whatever, what is it about?"
"Well…" As she thought about it, Kari had to hide her face a bit, remembering how Christmas was sometimes called a 'holiday for couples' her crush on the leader came back and tinted her cheeks a bit red, she walked some steps away from him for good measure. "C-Christmas is a celebration where people be it friends or family gather and usually trade gifts, all while waiting for new year's eve and the new year itself!" She explained quickly, her blush dying down.
Killua listened attentively, the whole thing sounding like a day used for people to catch a break from the events of the whole year, and considering the year the group had, dealing with saving both worlds and in the case of his friends with school, then for him it was more than welcome.
That also brought a worry to Killua. 'A year huh…'
He never really processed it, but it has almost being a year since he came here, nine months to be exact. With everything that happened it's been like a blur to him, like the almost two years he spent with Gon before going off with Alluka.
And there lays his worry, if it's been almost a year then it's almost being a month for his world. A month where Alluka and Nanika has been for themselves, and where the rest of the Zoldycks could have gotten to them. He clenched his fists subconsciously; he knows that protecting this world along with the human world of the Digidestined was important, but… his sister needed him, if this is what Tai felt when Myotismon was chasing Kari then he felt like a dick for snapping at him back then. It was like being worried for Gon's safety, but somehow worse!
And he didn't even wanted to think of the possibilities of Nanika going around asking people around to get her brother back only to cause a massacre at such an impossible task. He made her promise to not do it anymore, that he will fulfill any wish she wanted, but now he wasn't around. Who knew what could happen…
"Hey…" He turned to see Kari giving him a soft look with those big, chocolate eyes of her. "What's wrong?"
She could tell, of course she could. Even when he always kept a poker face when it deep thought she somehow knew. He took a deep breath and exhaled, better to tell her than to go with some half-assed act. "It just hit me that in my world it has been almost a month and my sister is still alone…"
Kari gave him a reassuring smile. "Gennai it's working on a way to get you back, and he was honest about it!" She told him.
Killua nodded, acknowledging her point. At least the old man was at least honest about that, not like with Blademon—which was another can of worms he wasn't ready to open yet!
But who knew how long it would take. He's been at it for months now, and without a thing like the giant door Myotismon had or the cards he supposed it was an even harder process.
He ran a hand through his forehead as he tried to keep his composure; she was trying to make him feel better, like before, as it was usual, because that was just like her, dang it. "I know, I know… I'll have to wait for a bit longer then…" He said. "And in the meantime we'll continue on with making that technique of yours really effective!"
Kari nodded, it was clear that Killua was still bothered by the time that's passed away from her sister. If she went through the same, away from her family and friends for so long, she didn't knew what she would do, and made her wonder how he, her brother and T.K did it the first time around without going crazy.
It was honestly a lot of pressure, add that to how he did things as a leader, and the issue with Blademon and it was incredible that he hadn't broken down with that much pressure. Another thing to admire she supposed.
'Which makes this crush harder to go away…' With this same line of thoughts, she knows Killua would go back to his world and that confessing would be just more to add to that. And she didn't even know if he felt the same way, better to keep this to herself… and possibly Gatomon.
"We'll start tomorrow," He told her, snapping her from her thoughts. "Rest for now and prepare for another session of your training."
"Osu!" She said, extending her arms to the sides.
The two towards the port and Kari held back a sigh. This conversation was a bit more tiring that she thought. She looked discretely at Killua as she hummed softly. 'If Killua didn't know of Christmas before then he never got a gift before, huh?'
Well, she might not be able to tell her how she felt… but a gift was something anyone could give him.
Hisoka was a patient man or at least he liked to consider himself one.
After all, what man other than a patient one would go out on their way to infiltrate a dangerous organization like the Spiders just to fight their leader, and waiting for the opportunity to isolate their leader just to have a one on one fight?
Many would respond saying only a mad man would. But Hisoka would respond that only a patient man could achieve something like that, using resources from the most unexpected places like asking young Kurapika for help.
And that was not to mention the patience he had to wait for potentials to grow so he could face him, he had been willing to two years to have his rematch with Kastro, and he was willing to wait for Gon to achieve his potential… even if he decided to throw all of it away.
What was the point on all of this explanation you may ask?
That for all his patience, he was also someone who didn't liked doing nothing, and for almost a week, ever since Oikawa revealed his intentions to him he's been doing nothing but sit on Maki's apartment. Do nothing but wait for the stipulated date for Oikawa's plan to take place, and for him to take his chance to fulfill his part of the deal with his so-called benefactor.
He knows he could go out and hunt the girl by himself, ignoring the plan and just doing what he wants so he can kill the boredom and go back to finish his battle with Chrollo. Yet the curious part of him was stronger, so he had to wait.
And for the sake of his curiosity, his boredom better not grow until the date of the plan. And that this plan is actually worth the wait.
Hisoka put another card on top of the big structure he has been building, when the door to the apartment opened and Maki entered, wearing a black coat and a white scarf on her. "Welcome back," He said grinning to her.
Maki sighed and fell on the couch, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, yeah, I'm back…" she said with a yawn.
"Another tired day at work?" He asked as he flicked a finger to his castle and bringing down the cards, scattering them around the table.
"As tired as any other…" She said. "Good thing I never took a free day until now, I got enough to leave now and prepare for what that man has in store."
"You don't sound all that enthusiastic about it," Hisoka said as he collected his cards and formed them on a deck. He noticed how Maki's face scrunched even by a little inch. "Getting cold feet?"
She huffed and turned her head to the side. "No way," She said, although her tone was slightly strained. She got up and walked to a cabinet to pull out a bottle of wine. Probably to get courage from it, "I've waited over ten years for a chance like this… I can't afford to waste it," She told him and pulled two cups. "Want some?"
The man shrugged and walked to the kitchen bar, where he was handed a cup of wine. "So tell me, once you find a way back to that world what then?"
"I'll stay there, as long as I need, to find a way to get my partner back…" He said with a thunderous scowl. "As much as I hate to say it, Tapirmon was just data, no matter what Homeostasis says, something must've remained of him. And, from what that guy told us, the others' partners had basically become Gods, they might have the solution to it all," She said, downing her cup of wine and serving herself the next one.
Hisoka just stared neutrally. Maki goal was admirable, but very clearly she didn't have the means to fulfill it. Going to the Digital World would just put her on the starting line, and that was if that man's plan worked.
"And you?" She asked, downing on her wine and getting ready for another. "What will you do once you help this guy and get that kid?"
Hisoka shrugged. "I told you, I have an event back in my world that I've waited for a long time. Once I fulfill it I will just move on to find the next interesting thing in my life, something to find entertainment with."
"That's all there's to it for you?" She asked with a small smirk
"I don't like boredom in general," Hisoka responded with a shrug. "And so I hope that when Oikawa's plan is set in motion, it would actually be worth the wait."
Maki hummed as she served her fourth cup, and it's worth mentioning that Hisoka is still on his first and that a blush is developing on Maki's face. "Then… For our futures then, to achieve our goalss," She slurred a bit on the last word.
Hisoka smirked back and raised his glass before cling it with Maki's. "For the future, I suppose," He responded.
While he took a moderate sip, Maki again downed on her cup, and as he looked at the cupboard where she got the bottle and cups from he saw another couple of them. He wasn't one to judge, everyone with their own tastes he supposed, but if she did this often then she should really look after her liver.
He glanced back at her and noticed how she got more and more sloppy as she drank.
"So…" She said as she leaned on the counter. "Wanna take it to the bedroom?" She asked straight out.
Hisoka blinked eyes wide. "Pardon?"
"You," She pointed at him with an accusatory glare. "Are a hunk, and I had a crush on you during our adventures!" She declared. "And I," She pointed to herself. "Hadn't had action ever since me and Daigo broke up! The night's young, you said you were bored, and why the fuck not?!"
"Because you are drunk?" He offered, raising an eyebrow.
As if to prove a point she stood on a foot and glared at him. "Maybe I am a bit tipsy, but I'm lucid enough to remember this conversation in the morning!"
Hisoka looked at her, then took a sip calmly and considered his options. She was indeed keeping her balance, which showed some lucidness, he has been bored indeed and… well she was no Machi, but Maki had indeed grown into a beautiful woman.
He shrugged and walked to her, cupping her chin and smiling with a glint of amusement. "Very well then," He said with a smirk before taking her lips.
Maybe this would be a good way to kill his boredom while the plan started~
"X-Laser!"
"Diving Horn!"
"Tail Hammer!"
"Stinger Attack!"
"Hand of Fate!"
"Neko Punch!"
Tower after tower fell as the orange sky bathed the forest. And the overall task that they set at the beginning of the year was almost done, there were just few zones that still had towers on them, and with the pace they were going then they will fall before the year ended.
And the Digimon weren't the only ones with hands at work.
"Hiii-Yah!" Yolei gave a swift cut with her Nen blades at a tower, who got sliced in half cleanly. She gave wide grin as it fell. "Bigo!"
Ken summoned explosives that he planted on the base of the towers, and a detonator connected to them, with just the press of the button he watched with a solemn expression as the remnants of the Emperor's reign fell down.
Cody and T.K both used Ko to crack a tower until it crumbled, their Hatsus not fit to bring them down, but that didn't stop them to help.
"Fire Tornado!" Davis spun on the air and launched three consecutive balls of Nen at towers, making them explode upon contact and causing them to crumble. He fell to one knee and gave a long sigh. "Nice, three on one row!" He cheered, happy for his advance.
With the sun setting, Sunlight was growing weaker, and so Kari put to practice her new technique that she's perfected over two weeks of practice with Killua. While her aura still glistened with the same glow as Sunlight, now it was solely focused on her hands, she gave a high jump and delivered an open palm strike that fractured the structure until it broke apart completely, leaving nothing but debris on the floor.
She smiled, the training Killua gave her proving effective, and her newly name Nightlight working with basically the inverse structure of Sunlight. While Sunlight was more effective the more light there was, Nightlight was more effective with less light. Now she had all bases covered, and the names were a little wordplay she came up with during this time.
And obviously, Killua raced through them, striking them fast and with precision until they crumbled.
When their job was done, everyone gathered at the top of a hill to oversee the results of their task.
"Look at that! Isn't it great, everyone?!" Davis asked with barely concealed euphoria, as they saw the forest clean of towers.
"Not much longer now," Killua said, with his hands stuffed on his pockets. "There are at least less than ten zones with towers; soon the Digital World will be clean from them."
Kari smiled. "It's been a long time since we saw the Digital World without them, I'm glad it'll soon be over."
As celebrations and words of congratulations on their job were exchanged, Ken moved from behind the group, fingering a letter hidden on his pockets nervously as he observed his friends.
Wormmon nudged his leg and gave him a reassuring smile. "You can do it, Ken."
Ken nodded and gulped as he dug into his pocket and pulled the letter out. "W-Will they accept, though?"
"They will, you'll see!" Wormmon smiled warmly.
"Oi, Ichijouji!" Davis called as he ran up to him, "What'cha doing all by yourself, man?"
"W-well… you see…" He started, pulling out the letter shyly and presenting it to him. "M-My mom did this for me so I… could invite you all to my house for a Christmas party…"
"Eh?! So can we all go to your house then?!" Davis excited outburst called everyone's attention, while Ken nodded bashfully.
"Us going to Ken's house?!" Yolei asked as they all grouped around the boys. "Those are the invitations right?"
"Yeah…" Ken said, still feeling the nerves around him. "So… you'll all come?"
"Of course we'll go," Killua told him with a smirk. "It'd be a nice way to see what this Christmas thing is all about."
"Christmas thing?" Yolei asked, giving him a baffled look.
"Different worlds, different traditions," He told her with a shrug, "Learned about it recently."
"We'd be happy to go," T.K told the boy. "Thanks for the invite, Ken."
Ken smiled, feeling the nerves leaving him and sighing in relief. "No, thank you guys for accepting."
V-Mon looked up at them with questioning looks. "Can we go too?"
Ken looked at them and smiled. "But of course," He told them, when he looked back again he noticed Cody and Armadillomon had stayed behind for this.
He walked up to him with his nerves kicked in again, knew the boy was the one that had the hardest time accepting him when he joined the group so he didn't know if it was too soon to ask him to attend this… but it didn't hurt to try. He extended the invitation card to him. "W-Will you come too?"
Cody gave him a neutral stare for a moment, before an honest smile blossomed on his face. "Of course, thank you for the invitation."
And like that, Ken knew that any remaining issue the group had with the Emperor has been buried away, leaving only a sense of camaraderie between them.
The merry mood of the season was everywhere and it was something palpable, with decorations everywhere and people running around with gifts on their arms or buying traditional dishes for the night.
The streets were buzzing with people, snow could be seen on any corner, and the colorful decorations made the streets look more alive than ever.
"Sorry I'm late!" A teen wearing a white shirt and a blue jacket apologized as he set his guitar case to the side.
"And where the heck have you been?!" One of his friends demanded with his hands on his hips. "What? Did you finally got a girl or something?"
"Pfff, I wish…"
"Then if it wasn't anything important, focus!" His friend snapped at him. "The band conquest is right around the corner!"
"Alright, alright, sorry, lay off a bit…" He complained as he unlocked the case to get his guitar out.
"Whatever," Matt called out to the two as he finished tuning his bass. "We're already here, let's get the practice underway."
At that moment his desires to play got held up, when his phone started ringing. He sighed and answered. "Yeah… Oh, hey dad, what is it?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can make it back home tonight," Hiroaki apologized to his son. "There's a lot to do here for the seasons."
"Yeah, I get it, specials and all that, right?" Matt said in an understanding tone. "I was going to call you for the same thing anyways; I think I'm going to be late to for the band, so I'll get my own dinner."
"I'm still sorry anyways," Hiroaki said. "When I'm free I'll make something just for the two of us, okay?"
Matt seemed to held back a laughter on the other side. "Alright, I can't wait then. See ya later, dad."
Hiroaki hung up with a sigh, even if Matt understood the man was still disappointed that he always received so much work on these days. He looked out of the window, a part of him wondering if Nancy would have a better luck these days with T.K
That's when his eye caught something, he looked down to the place where the tent for the contest would take place, and blinked but when he did it was gone. He must be starting to see things again due to the work overload they were having these days, but he could've sworn he saw a woman right in front of the building.
After so much planning and training, a man deserves a snack from time to time, and with the holidays affecting the overall mood with glee, peace and harmony, the desserts on his favorite cafeteria got even better. He pressed the fork on the edge of a cake decorated with a small Santa Claus and a tiny Rudolph, when two voices caught his attention, talking happily about their children.
"Ever since they started hanging out, something changed in Daisuke and for the best! He seems always with a lot of energy, and even more physically fit," The man, Mister Motomiya, whose first name he didn't bothered remembering, told a woman with blonde hair whom he did recognize.
Natsuki, 'Nancy', Takaishi smiled and nodded back. "Same with T.K, I was worried at first after moving to Odaiba, but he seems ever more happy here than ever before."
"He told me they were going to a Christmas Party, to the house of that kid from the news Ken Ichijouji," The man told her.
"Yes, T.K did tell me," She said, before her eyes softened apologetically. "Sorry, I must be taking a lot of your time."
"No problem, here's the information on the article you need," He said as he handed her a folder that she took gratefully. "See ya around then."
"Same to you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year," She said as he walked away.
What a crossroad life was, for her to be on the same place as he was. Maybe he might as well say hi. He slurped down the remaining of his drink, he didn't know what it was, only that it was red… he ordered it instead of him, and sat up.
She was clearly caught off guard as he stood in front of him, even though he put on his most amicable smile. "Excuse me, Miss Takaishi. I'm Oikawa Yukio. Do you remember me?"
"Oikawa…" She trailed off, clearly trying to pin point his name. Then her eyes lit up. "I remember now, ten years ago you sent various articles regarding the appearance of… monsters in the incident of Hikarigaoka."
She very clearly knew the truth of that day, but the press worked into hiding it, covering it up as a terrorist attack. Fools who didn't see the beauty of what they witnessed that day.
"Indeed, I've also researched about what happened five years ago, the 'Odaiba Fog incident' I even have a source about it if you're interested," He said, referring to the woman accompanying Hisoka.
"I'm… Sorry, but that's been handled by official resources," She said, adverting her case. Clearly that incident made her uncomfortable.
Oh well, he tried.
"If you'll excuse me," She said, stepping around him to continue on her way.
"Oh one more thing, Miss Takaishi," He told her, as he walked to away into the crowd, and as a sinister smirk formed on his face, his eyes flashing blue. "Be cautious, for times of changes are coming."
She stood there, trying to comprehend what he said. If she did, good for him, if not then it was a shame.
The woman stood there for a moment, shook by the presence that man exuded, but when she turned around he was nowhere in sight. A shiver ran down her spine. 'What was all that about… times of change? The cases from all those years ago… about the Digimon?'
December 24, Christmas's eve.
Kari opened the door and smiled at her friends when she saw them on the other side, she was wearing a pink coat, with a scarf brown scarf around her head, a white beanie on her head, and yellow pants. "Hi, come in, you can leave the shoes at my room."
All of her friends were also wearing winter gear. T.K wearing a green sweater under a white vest, Davis wore a blue jacket with furry collar, a scarf and white gloves, Yolei a red jacket over a white sweater, and Cody wore a blue coat with a furry collar.
"So, what's the plan then?" Yolei asked, as they walked to the girl's room. They all received a message from Kari for them to come over and go to the Digital World before going off to Ken's place.
She opened the door to her room, where Killua was already waiting sitting on the room's computer. He waved at them when he saw them. "Yo!" He glanced at Kari with a questioning look.
Like the others he was cladded in clothes fit for winter, a grey coat with a red scarf around his neck, and red pants.
"Sorry for calling you in such a short notice," Kari said, scratching the back of her head sheepishly. "I received news from my brother the other day and well, the idea came tome
"Don't sweat it, Kari," Davis said with a grin. "So, what is it?"
"Well, my brother told me that Mimi is coming for the seasons to visit her family!" She told them excitedly. "She'll be going with them to Matt's concert."
"Right, Matt told me too!" T.K said, smiling at the thought of the whole group being together.
His sentiment was shared by Yolei, who squished Poromon excitedly. "That's great!"
"And since they're all going to be together, I thought of bringing Agumon and the others here," Kari explained with an excited smile. "So they can spend the holidays together, it wouldn't be fair for just us to have our partners during these days."
"That's so thoughtful Kari," Patamon told her with a smile.
"I'm sure Matt will be thrilled to have Gabumon over on his concert," T.K grinned, anticipating the face of his brother when he sees his partner.
"How are we going to bring them all over?" Cody questioned.
Killua sat up and walked to Kari's closet. "We got that covered," He opened the closet and pulled out six sacks from it. "From what I understand, gifts this season come wrapped up right?" He said with a cheeky grin.
"Then, we're ready?" Kari asked eagerly, receiving nods all around from her. She brought out her D-3, followed by all the others. With a bright flash of light the room was completely empty.
"Hey! Kari, Killua! You came!" An excited Agumon ran towards them, followed by the rest of the partners of the previous generation of Digidestined.
"Of course we did, did you doubt it?" Killua asked with a smirk, the rest of his friends smiling at the enthusiasm of the Digimon.
Once they all gathered, Palmon took a nervous step forward, "But… what about me?" She asked. "Mimi doesn't live with you guys."
"That's the best thing, Palmon," Kari told her. "She's coming over to spend it with her family cousins on Odaiba, so you will come as well."
Palmon's eyes lit up like stars when she heard the news, clasping her hands in front of her face in happiness. "Really?! Alright! I'll spend Christmas with Mimi and you guys!" She said, jumping up and down.
Poor things didn't know what happened once they reached gate. They found themselves being grabbed by the back of their necks and put into sacks.
Agumon blinked, trying to understand the situation they found themselves in. "Umm… What is this?"
"Just a safe way for you to travel," Killua responded cheekily. "You may call me, Killua Claus."
"He learned a lot about Christmas in these past weeks…" T.K muttered with a sweatdrop as he walked to open the gate to transport the Digimon on the sacks. "Digiport Open!"
Just as they planned, the older kids arrived at the riverside where the group was already waiting for them, Mimi amongst them, who was waving happily, clearly eager to meet up with them. "Hi, you guys!" She said, cheerfully.
"Mimi!" Yolei was the first one to receive her, the two clasping both hands together and squealing happily to each other.
Killua dug his pinky on his ear and glared at the two. "Will the day come where you don't try to destroy my eardrums?!"
The two in perfect synch and with still wide smiles turned to him. "Shut it, Jerk!"
"So, why did you guys called us all here?" Tai asked, handed stuffed on his blue coat, his goggles shining with the reflection of the sun. "And what's with the sacks?"
"These are your Christmas presents guys!" Davis said with a cheeky smile.
"Presents?" Tai asked with a head tilt.
The ribbon tied to the sacks became undone, and Agumon jumped out of his and straight into his partner's arms. "TAI!"
"Agumon!" Tai said with a mix of happiness and surprise, sentiment that was shared by all of his friends as they embraced their partners.
"Piyomon I missed you!" Sora said as she basically hugged the life out of her partner, although she didn't seemed to mind.
"Sorry we didn't came to visit often, we've been busy," Tentomon said in an apologetic tone as he landed on top of Izzy's head.
"It's okay we understand," Izzy told him with a grin.
"Matt, T.K told me you were giving a concert is that true?" Gabumon asked with shining eyes.
"Damn straight," Matt told him with a grin. "I really hope you like it!"
"So, Joe, did you buy me a present?" Gomamon asked with a teasing grin.
Joe gave him a flat look. "When did you learned about Christmas, exactly?"
"Five minutes ago!" Gomamon said proudly.
"Oh, you!" He grabbed him on a headlock, making the seal laugh.
"Palmooon!" Mimi hugged her even harder than Sora was to Piyomon. "First I come back and now I got you! BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER!"
Kari clasped her hands and smiled. "I'm glad everything worked out."
"Everyone looks so happy," Gatomon nodded proud of her partner for this gesture.
"I should've known you were up to something," Tai said, smiling up at her sister, before setting down Agumon and walking to her. "Come here, you!"
Kari found herself on a bear hug, much to the amusement of all her friends. "Ugh, Tai, please I need air!" She wheezed, though never once did she lose the smile.
Killua smiled as he saw the exchanges with the same amount of amusement as his friends, and the happiness of the reunion between the last generation's couples. Yet he could feel hints of both jealously and nostalgia hitting him with them.
Jealously at seeing all of his friends with their partners in hand, Killua was familiar with being the odd one out of their group since he was the Anomaly; the one who didn't needed a partner. But now that he knows he got robbed of that chance, that he could have been here with a partner enjoying these holidays, that feeling found itself onto him. His fingers touching the Crest of Loyalty stuffed into his pockets as he thought of it.
And sadness, because, aside from all of the stated before, seeing Tai and Kari and the gesture she did for all of them reminded him of Alluka and Nanika, how him coming back to the Digital World and to the lives of his friends was all supposed to be a gift from them, that they didn't think of the consequences of sending him to another world. Not being able to pull him back, and not being able to come themselves.
He resisted a sigh and shook his head. These weren't the time and place to think of that, for now enjoy this reunion and then the party at Ken's place.
Sora smiled at the group with a smile. "Thank you, guys."
"Ah, it was nothing," Yolei said, scratching the back of her head with a bashful smile.
"We're glad you guys are happy," Cody replied humbly.
Tai finally released Kari from the hug, allowing her to regain her breath. She peeled back the sleeve of her sweater to look at her watch. "Well we're going then, if we want to reach Ken's house on time we have to take the sub right away."
"Have fun guys," Matt told them, still holding up Gabumon on his arm.
As the others left, Kari was held back by Tai. "So… you got it, right?" He asked in a whisper.
Kari nodded, reaching into the pocket of her coat. "It's here."
"Well then," He gave her a cheeky grin. "Good luck."
Kari blushed and shook her hand and waved a hand. "It's just a gift, nothing more."
"Right, right, now go," He said, giving him a playful shove.
Kari stumbled a bit, giving her brother a small look before sighing and jogging to join up with the others, while their elders walked away to the place where Matt's concert will take place.
"So that's what she got for him?" Sora asked Tai as they walked with Mimi, the latter holding a gift on her hands, towards the backroom where Matt and his band were getting ready.
"Yeah, thought really hard about it, but it was either that or a sweet," Tai explained. "But that would be more significant."
"And it'll last longer, Killua has a mean sweet tooth," Mimi explained, as she looked up in thought. "Makes you wonder why he's such a sourpuss."
"Mysteries of life," Tai replied with a shrug and then sighed. "Kari says 'it's only a gift' but even I can tell she's crushing on him."
"And you aren't going full brozilla on her?" Sora asked with a giggle.
Tai pouted and gave her a mock-glare. "I do not go brozilla… that much. And well, Killua has to go back to his world so I get why she doesn't come out and says it, and if she did I wouldn't have any problems with Killua seeing her that way… and if he doesn't how am I supposed to kill him when not even VictoryGreymon can?"
"I never tried to kill Killua, what are you talking about Tai?" Agumon asked, having long since lost the thread of the conversation.
"Human things buddy," Tai explained with a chuckle.
"Been there, done that," Mimi said, referring to the thing with Kari and Killua. "But I honestly say go for it, better to not let things unsaid."
"As expected from the Child of Purity," Sora said with a giggle. "So you actually support Kari's crush?"
"I don't have reasons not to. It's sweet, and I got over my crush on Killua ages ago," Mimi explained as they stopped in front of the door of the backstage. "Now as for the current one…"
Palmon turned to Piyomon. "What's all this about crushing others?" She whispered.
Piyomon shrugged. "I thing is like Tai said: Human things."
Sora looked at the door and then at Mimi. "I didn't know you were crushing on Matt, Mimi."
The girl shrugged. "Hey we've been friends for a long time, he's handsome, he sings, and he can cook. It's like the whole package. And it'll be nice to have a relation once I move back to Japan."
"Move back?!" Both Sora and Tai exclaimed.
Mimi turned and gave them a wink and playfully stuck out her tongue, "Surprise! I talk to my parents and, with just two years for college to come, I arranged to stay with my cousin by then!"
"Mimi that's great news!" Sora said happily.
"Then, like you said, go for it," Tai said, putting his hands on her shoulder. "I'm sure that with so many crazy fans, Matt would prefer a friend any day of the week!"
Like with his sister, he gave her a playful shove and with herself puffing out her chest to psyche herself up, Mimi entered the room with Palmon right next to her.
"Man, this season really IS the season of couples," Sora said with mirth.
"Yeah… So, er… Sora?" Tai asked, rubbing the back of his neck and feeling his face heating up.
"Yeah…?" Sora asked, noticing his demeanor and fidgeting herself.
"Would you… um… well…?" He tried to find the right words, but failed to do so.
"OUTTA MY WAY!" A shrill voice said from behind them, as a blur with hair color that reminded them of Davis' flew past them at such speed that caused them to spin in place, and for Sora to fell on her butt. "I HAVE LOVE PRESENTS TO DELIVER!"
Tai and Sora both blinked at that. "Well… with that sort of competition, Mimi has her spot assured," Sora joked.
"Yeah…" Tai said, then cleared her throat and extended a hand to her. "Well umm… Do you want us to sit together, for the concert?"
Sora looked at the hand and then at Tai, she blushed and giggled as she took it. "I would like that."
Tai hauled her back to her feet and the two walked towards the tent where the event would take place, the two hand on hand.
Piyomon and Agumon looked at them go, before the bird turned to the dinosaur. "What was all that about?"
"I dunno… but I feel Tai just gave a big step today, and I'm proud of him!" Agumon grinned.
"This is the building where Ken lives," T.K said, holding out his terminal where Ken sent the direction.
"Then let's not keep him waiting!" Davis said, pumping his fist with enthusiasm.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Yolei said with a grin as she ran up to the steps to the building's entrance. "Race ya there!"
"What the —Hey, wait!" Davis shouted as he ran after her.
"You two behave, we're guests!" Cody admonished, as she followed the two.
T.K chuckled. "Not even on the apartment yet, and things are already interesting," He said, following them up the steps.
Killua's face turned into a deadpan. "Interesting he says, while I say tiresome," he mumbles. "Whatever, better not to keep Ken waiting."
"Err… Killua?" He stopped on his tracks and turned back to see Kari, with her scarf covering the lower part of her face and her hands searching her pockets.
He raised an eyebrow and turned to face her, "Yeah?"
"W-Well… um…" She took out a small box wrapped in gift paper, fidgeting with it before Gatomon gave her a small slap on her leg. "Here, for you!" She yelped, extending it out for him.
Killua took it while giving her a questioning look. He took the top of the box off and his eyes widened at what was in it:
'A Tag?!' He wondered with wide eyes, but upon closer inspection he realized it was different. While it was indeed a necklace like the relics from five years ago, this one was a black color with a metallic chain to hang it on his neck, but like the Tags it had a transparent crystal with a slot to introduce something in it, that was the exact size of his crest.
"Tai helped me look for it," Kari said, keeping her scarf wrapped around her face, to prevent him from seeing her blush. "Since you have a Crest, but never had where to put it, we thought it will help to have something like the Tags."
"Turns out its easy and cheap to find these kind of things on the internet," Gatomon added, smiling at her partner for being brave enough for this.
While they explained that, Killua pulled out his Crest and slid it on the necklace, fitting like a glove. It might not have been the real thing, but it still filled the purpose of keeping his Crest on him at all times. "It's awesome," He said, smiling at it. Then gave her a troubled look, "Had I known I would have tried to get you and Tai something too…"
Kari giggled and waved a dismissive hand at him. "It's not a problem," She said. "This is called also the season of giving as well after all."
He put it on, fitting him perfectly and admiring it the Crest inside of the crystal. He let it dangle around his neck again and smiled at the girl. "It's an awesome present, I don't think I'll be taking it off any time soon," He told her with sincerity and gratitude. "I'll find a way to repay you."
"There's no need for that!" Kari insisted. "You trained us, gave us Nen, and always took on the heavy hitters amongst our enemies; I think that's repayment enough."
Killua knew he wouldn't win this one, so he simply nodded in appreciation again, though he did have planned to find a way to pay her back. "Then for now, we're even. I'll hold onto it even when I go home."
"And you'll have it ready when we find a way to bring Blademon back," Kari told him, making the boy's smile grow further.
"Yeah, you're right."
Seriously, this girl, she made it hard to stop thinking about her on this way, with a gift so significant like this she made it almost impossible. God bless his own scarf as he used it to hide his small blush, and only assassin training of all things helped him keep the beating of his heart steady.
Kari for her part felt a weight leave her shoulders as Killua seemed to really like his gift, even when he goes back home he'll at least have something from them, not like last time where they all had to say goodbye in a hurry.
"Heyyy!" They turned to see Yolei looking at them expectantly, "What's the holdup guys? Come on!"
"Right, right, we're going!" Killua said, walking up the steps and tucking down his gift under his scarf and coat. "Better get going before they blow a gasket," He said to Kari in a joking tone.
Kari giggled slightly at that and nodded. "Right, right," She said, as the boy walked into the building followed by Yolei. She took out a sigh of relief.
"You did amazing Kari," Gatomon told her with a smirk. "Although… While I don't get these human things, I think you should tell Killua what's on your mind."
Kari blushed and shook her head. "I… prefer to leave things as they are…" She said, keeping it simple for Gatomon's sake. "But enough of that for now, the others are waiting!"
Gatomon shook her head and sighed. "Right then, let's go."
Ken's home was as regular as any other apartment Killua has seen on this world, and his parents seemed as kind-hearted as the news showed them to be during his friend's period as a renowned genius when they greeted them and allowed them to go in.
"Here," Ken said as he opened the door to his room. "Make yourself at home."
"Will do man," Davis said, as he released Demiveemon from his hold, letting him skip over to the bunk bed where Minomon was expecting them, the same with all the other Digimon, who moved to play together.
As Yolei looked around the room, her eyes fell on a picture on Ken's desk. She blinked, due to not only the striking similarity of the kid in the picture with Ken, but also because his hairstyle and glasses reminded her to the Digimon Emperor, "Ken, who's the kid on the picture?"
Ken tensed at the question, as all the others gathered around the picture to take a look at it. "Um… he's my… my older brother, Osamu."
"Oh, didn't know you had a sibling too," Davis mentioned. "Where is he?"
"Must be at college at this point, right?" Cody questioned.
With every question, Ken grew more and more tense. Something that didn't go unnoticed to Killua, who scanned the boy's face closely, his eyes trembling with various emotions, but one that stood out to him, was that of sorrow. That coupled with the fact that he had a picture of his brother as a kid and not as a teenager or young adult told Killua what he needed to know, and Ken wasn't ready to share that with them.
"Never mind that," Killua said loudly, calling everyone's attention. "Who's up for getting beaten of cards?"
"Pfff, you wish!" Davis said in a challenging tone. "I'm the reigning champion!"
"Then prepare to be dethroned, jackass," Killua said with a challenging grin.
"Well they've been set off," T.K said, watching the exchange.
"Who knew Killua could be competitive…" Cody said, expecting this behavior for Davis but not for their leader.
The attention was diverted from the picture and towards the small table on the center of Ken's room. The boy gave a sigh of relief at the issue of his brother being dropped off, he put down the picture to avoid attention and joined his friends on the table to start the game.
"One, two, three, four!" Matt gave the signal and his band started going all of on their presentation.
From the stands, hiding using Tai's jacket, Gabumon's eyes shone brightly as he heard his partner play and sing. "Matt is really good at this!"
"L-O-V-E! Lovely MATT!" Not far from where the Digidestined where sitting, Jun Motomiya cheered for her idol accompanied with pompoms and fanfare.
The Digidestined winced at her cheering, making them leaned away. "I think the boisterous thing comes from family…" Tai trailed off.
"At least I know I don't have that much competition," Mimi whispered to Sora, who giggled in response. After having being told that her present to Matt had been nothing less than a total success.
Yet as the older Digidestined enjoyed their time together, they were being watched by a man and a woman in the stands, who had her phone pressed against her ear. "There's a group here, no signs of the girl though."
The man just smiled at the creatures alongside the Digidestined, his yellow eyes glistening with desire and malice.
Outside of the tent where the concert was taking place, Arukenimon nodded her head in understanding. "Got it, then this distraction will lure her out, her and the Anomaly too," She hung up and dialed another number. "Master, I'm in position."
"Then it's time. The one in your location should be rising any time soon, and according to our Anomalous friend, it should be bringing guests with it."
After he hung up, his words rang true. In front of Arukenimon the floor cracked open and a black structure rose from the depths of the earth. A Control Tower.
Mist started to form from it, soon covering the entire block. From within the mist red eyes glowed, and slimy figures started to walk out from it. They all started to change form, squelching sounds coming from their bodies as they spammed and bulged, most of them grew on size, one of them even forming wings, while the rest just started to float as they adopted their new forms.
"You want the girl? Then wreak havoc on this city to draw her out!" She told them, making them roar in response and charge towards the tent where the concert was taking place.
She chuckled. Soon her master's ambition will be fulfilled, there was one piece still on the loose but with the damage they will cause this world it will soon come to them and fulfill its real purpose. To become a weapon that will make her master rise to the top of both worlds.
When Matt's song was reaching its climax was when things started to go wrong. His bass suddenly lost its volume, the same happening with his band-mates' instruments. Heck the electric keyboard didn't produce a single sound, and the microphones were all dead.
Then they came back again, but the sound of music didn't come out of the speakers but a weird static that covered the interior of the tent.
The Digidestined frowned from the stands. "What's happening?" Sora questioned.
"Did their equipment broke…?" Tai offered, though he frowned at the weird sound coming from them. "But this sound… it's really off…"
From the backstage, the television crew working for Fuji T.V was trying to find the source of the problem, since the whole event was being transmitted live.
"Seems we're having an electrical failure…" Jeremiah said as he leaned back on his chair, not looking troubled at the situation.
"Don't be so laid back about this ya fat-ass!" Charlie scolded him. "We're gonna be in serious trouble if we don't fix this! Specially with the boss since this is his son's presentation!"
"Wait, guys, I'm picking something…" The technical editor said as he adjusted his cap. "Through all that's static there's the sound off…"
He trailed off, as the sound hidden between the static was revealed: The sound of the ocean.
Everyone in the stands stared in confusion at the scenario, and the sound of the waves coming from the speakers, when suddenly a loud rumble shook the entire tent.
From behind the band, the tent got turn apart and a giant creature roared with might, scaring everyone present and sending it into panic except for the group of the Digidestined, who immediately recognized the monster.
"DarkTyrannomon!" Mimi gasped in recognition.
"Wait, there's something off about it…" Izzy said, looking closely at the monster. "Their eyes…"
The rest were able to see it too, the dinosaur's eyes were completely red, as if it was possessed by a Dark Ring or a Dark Spiral, yet they couldn't see anything that bears a resemblance to those objects, and they were certain that after Ken's defeat those disappeared completely from the equation.
The dinosaur roared, and more familiar figures appeared around it, Bakemon who swarmed the interior of the tent to torment the people inside.
On the backstage, Charlie moaned in both fear and sorrow. "Aaaah, the live show…"
Jeremiah hummed. "This could bring great ratings though…"
"That's not the important thing here, dumbasses!" Their editor said, grabbing them both by the back of their necks. "RUN!"
Matt clicked his teeth and took off his bass. "Everyone get out of here!" He told his teammates, who immediately ditched their instruments and ran to the nearest exit, while he ran off to meet up with his friends to deal with these intruders.
Tai turned to Agumon with determination. "Agumon!"
"I… Can't Tai…" Agumon told him. "My tummy is full, but I just can't!"
The same could be said for all the others. They all tried to bring out their powers, but there was no reaction from their Digivices.
"Damn it, why?!" Tai cursed as he clenched his Digivice.
"We'll figure it out later," Joe said. "Let's get out of here!"
The team nodded, scattering just as the DarkTyrannomon slammed one of its hands on the stands, breaking them apart.
The group managed to avoid their enemies and escaped the tent. They needed backup, a way to contact the younger children to see if they could do something about this sudden invasion.
Yet they found themselves surprised when they found mist outside of the tent, and in the center of it, emanating an ominous glow, was no other than a Control Tower.
"What is one of those doing here?!" Mimi asked, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"That explains why we can't evolve…" Palmon said, gulping down in fear.
"Now there's no choice," Tai said. "Kari and the others need to know about this."
The DarkTyrannomon roared as he stood protectively in front of the tower, the Bakemon floating around and glaring down at the Digidestined, as if they knew of their intentions of destroying the tower.
Tai didn't want to waste any time. He took out his phone and dialed a number so his sister and friends will be informed of it.
While the Digimon scarfed down their respective snacks, the kids had all gathered around the table in a heated card game.
"DOUBT, DOUBT, DOUBT!" Yolei screeched as she pointed accusingly at Davis.
"Ooooh, what a shame Yolei," Davis said, as he pushed the stack of cards forward. "Here ya go, girl~"
"B-But I can't take anymore…" She whimpered in defeat.
"Yes, yes you can," Killua said in a low growl, being the one who had the second largest stack of cards on his hands. Something he was not clearly happy about.
The rest of the group laughed at their misfortune, and that included Ken, which caught the whole group by surprise.
"Woah, Ken," Cody muttered, as all the attention shifted to the host of the party.
"He's actually laughing!" Yolei said in mock surprise.
Ken immediately noticed and became flustered at the attention, his cheeks burning brightly. Kari smiled at him warmly. "It's okay, Ken. It just took us by surprise; it's the first we hear you laugh like that."
Not entirely true though, they had heard him laugh before, but that was as the Emperor. And like they've come to learn when it came to Ken, those were like day and night; where the Emperor's laugh was cruel and haughty, Ken's was soft and just like any other children's.
"I wonder though…" Killua said as he slid to Ken's side. "If we can force some more out of him," He said poking on his side.
"Hey —Wait, hahaha, Killua!" Ken said, as laughter erupted from him.
"On top of it all, he's ticklish!" Davis said as he poked the other side.
"Guys! Hahaha! Stop it!" He protested, though it was drowned by his laughter.
From the other side of the door, on the kitchen, tears glistened on Miss Ichijouji's eyes as he heard the laughter coming from the door, more prominently being her son's as she set plates for them to eat and for her husband once he returns home. 'It's been a long time, since the sound of children's laughter was heard…' She thought happily as she wiped the tears out of her eyes.
The cellphone on the living room started ringing. She put a pause to setting the table and walked to pick it up. "Yes, Ichijouji residence?"
Back in the room, Yolei joined in the teasing as she rustled Ken's hair, while Killua and Davis continued poking him. "Awww, his laughter is actually cute!"
"N-not you too, Yolei," The boy said, his cheeks going an even deeper shade of red at her teasing.
A knock from the door interrupted the fun, the voice of Ken's mother coming from the other side. "Ken? There's a call from Tai Kamiya."
"My brother?" Kari mumbled, tilting her head in confusion.
Ken opened the door and his mother handed him the phone. "Thank you," He told her, she nodded and walked back to the kitchen. He put the phone to his ear. "Yes?"
"Ken? If you're with the others, please put on the speaker!" Tai's frantic voice came from the other side.
Ken did as told. "There, everyone's here."
"Guys, there's trouble! Digimon are attacking the concert! And there's a freaking Control Tower just outside the tent! We can't Digivolve!" He informed them, making everyone drop their cards in surprise.
"Say what?!" Davis shot up from the table and clenched his fist.
"A Control Tower? Here?!" Ken asked, gripping the phone tightly.
"Come soon, we—Shit!" The call was cut short after a crashing sound was heard.
"Tai!" Kari gasped in worry, her hands covering her mouth.
"It seems there's a Grinch in town, and I bet it has silver hair and wears red!" Yolei seethed.
"We can't lose any more time!" Killua said, sitting up. "Get ready to armor up; we won't be able to use higher forms until that's dealt with."
Everyone nodded and walked out of Ken's room with their partners in hand, the boy himself turning to his mom as they went out. "Mom, Kari needs to meet with her brother. He says its urgent, we're going to accompany her."
"Oh, dear," She looked at the girl with worry. "It's everything okay?"
"I hope so," Kari said, giving the woman an apologetic bow, followed by the others. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
"No, no, it's fine, be safe," She told them as they got out.
Once they got outside they raised their Digivices with the call of 'Digimental Up!' making their partners evolved to their more agile forms, the sole exception being a newly evolved Wormmon, who rode with Ken and Yolei on FlyBeemon while Killua rode Nefertimon with Kari towards the place where the concert was taking place.
"Pepper Breath!"
"Blue Fire!"
"Spiral Twister!"
"Poison Ivy!"
"Super Thunder!"
"Five years and I still don't have an attack of my own!"
The Rookies all blasted away as many Bakemon as they could, yet more continued to float around the Control Tower, with DarkTyrannomon standing protectively in front of it, not making a movement while the rest of strange Digimon wreaked havoc on the nearby areas.
"No matter what, I'm taking that bastard down for ruining the contest!" Matt said, glaring at the dinosaur.
"We can't do much unless we Digivolve…" Tai said, clenching his fists in frustration.
"At least the Bakemon are easy to deal with…" Gomamon said, a bit sulkily as he couldn't do much in these cases.
Right on cue, the remaining Bakemon floated above the DarkTyrannomon. Then they adopted those slimy forms again and started merging together, forming a new form, one that brought them flashbacks from five years ago: Phantomon.
"MY AND MY BIG MOUTH!" Gomamon yelled as his eyes grew as big as saucers.
Luckily for them, help arrived in the nick of time. The younger chosen arrived on the scene, looking down at the chaos that was being caused by these invaders.
"Are they fakes?" Yolei asked, looking down at the Digimon. "Like the ones Arukenimon makes?"
"It's possible…" Ken responded, looking down at them with narrowed eyes.
Killua frowned. "This mist… it isn't natural…" He looked at the tower. "It's almost as if that's generating them. Take us closer, Kari…." The girl didn't respond. "Kari?"
"It's them…" She said in a low whisper. "They're not Digimon… they come from the ocean…"
Killua's and Nefertimon's eyes widened, then they glared fiercely at the creatures below. "Then no reason for us to hold back…" He said, then put a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
Kari bit her lip and her fist clenched around Nefertimon's fur, but then she nodded with resolution. "I'm ready."
"Good, then take us closer!" He said, pointing to the tower.
She didn't have to be told twice, Nefertimon floated closer to the tower, which didn't go unnoticed by the Phantomon, who glared at them with blood-red eyes.
"Rosetta Stone!" Nefertimon called, launching a slab of rock at it, which got destroyed by its scythe easily. "Tch, Phantomon is an Ultimate; I can't face him on this form."
"Then leave it to me!" Killua said, jumping off from her back.
"Hey, Killua!" Kari called as he saw him spun in the air aiming towards the ghost Digimon.
At full speed, Killua fell, aiming for a drop kick to both it and the fake Phantomon. The ghost tried to block him with his scythe, but Killua focused his aura with Ko on his feet, pushing him back and crashing it through the tower and making it collapse.
The others witnessed it with wide eyes. "Well that's one way of taking it out…" T.K muttered.
Davis scoffed. "Show-off…"
"Now's our chance to evolve!" Tai told Agumon, ready to take on the dark dinosaur.
Whoever, there was one detail, the mist hasn't been lifted despite the tower being destroyed. DarkTyrannomon roared and more of those sloppy things appeared, shifting and turning until they took the forms of WaruMonzaemon, Gigadramon, Okuwamon, and SkullMeramon.
The Phantomon that Killua took down, shot up from the debris of the tower and joined them. Killua emerged a moment later and moved with the older kids, the rest of his friends grouping together.
"Damn that's a lot of Ultimates…" Yolei muttered with wide eyes. "They have red eyes, but… no ring or spiral…" She mumbled.
Ken's eyes narrowed as he tried to spot Arukenimon somewhere, but found it hard with the mist. He turned to the other kids. "Did you see if Arukenimon make them?! Were there any more towers?!"
"No, when we came out, they were already here!" Tai told him.
"Do not hold back," Killua said, calling their attention. "These guys are neither Digimon nor Control Towers…"
"Then…?" Cody questioned.
Kari responded. "They come from the ocean…" She said, catching everyone by surprise, Ken and Yolei specially.
Tai glared at them. "So they're the guys who dragged you away, huh?" He said, clenching his fists. "Then no reason to hold back… at all."
"Tai? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Matt asked, putting a hand to his chest.
"Guys… Do you think we're still able?" Joe asked, although he didn't felt doubts about it.
"Well, I'm still seeking for knowledge, I don't know about the rest of you." Izzy said, clenching his Digivice.
Sora looked at Tai and giggled. "I still feel a lot of love."
Mimi did the same, looking at Matt. "And I'm still Pure and sincere about my feelings."
"Then let's showed them what happened when you crash our concerts, mess with my sister, and invade our world!" Tai said, his Digivice glowing brighter than ever.
Killua smiled and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Take a step back guys, this is going to be interesting."
"Eh? What do you mean?" Davis asked, with Raidramon tilting his head too.
The older Digidestined raised their Digivices. "Let's do it, everyone!" Tai called, their Digivices bathing their partners in a rainbow of colors.
"Agumon Warp Digivolves to… VictoryGreymon!"
"Gabumon Warp Digivolves to… ZeedGarurumon!"
"Piyomon Digivolves to… Phoenixmon!"
"Tentomon Warp Digivolves to… HerakleKabuterimon!"
"Palmon Warp Digivolves to… Rosemon!"
"Gomamon Warp Digivolves to… Vikemon!"
While T.K, Kari and Killua smiled at the sight, the new generation gaped at the sight of their superior's Mega Forms.
VictoryGreymon gripped his sword and glared at the monsters in front of them. "Let's do this, everyone!"
"RIGHT!"
To call that a fight would be an insult to the sweat, blood and tears shad by the Digidestined over their missions. VictoryGreymon charged at high speed and cleaved DarkTyrannomon in half with just one swing, both halves of its body turning to dust.
ZeedGarurumon floated in front of Phantomon and charged his Zeed Canon; with a single blast from it the Phantomon got vaporized, not even leaving dust behind.
Rosemon floated above Okuwamon, her whip hardening and turning into a rapier that she impaled into its skull, bringing an end to its existence.
Phoenixmon's whole body set itself on fire and charged towards Gigadramon, upon impact the Ultra's body got caught on fire too, but unlike the bird it wasn't immune to it. Screeching in pain, its body got reduced to ashes in a moment.
WaruMonzaemon used his whip to attack HerakleKabuterimon, wrapping it around his head and trying to tug him in. The giant insect scoffed and charged a blast of electricity at the tip of his horns before blasting the stuffed bear with it, it impacted against its torso, burning a hole in it and causing it to turn to dust.
Vikemon threw his flails at SkullMeramon, who tried to counter it by sending a blast of blue flames from its mouth. The weapons passed harmlessly by the fire and their chains wrapped around its neck, with a tug he was brought towards the Viking Digimon, who raised its massive fist and with a deathly blow, crushed the metallic head of the Digimon.
The mist started to part away, the massacre over in less than a minute, in which the Digimon all regressed back to their In-Training forms, grinning proudly at their partners.
"Good job guys!" Tai told them, giving them the thumbs up.
Killua grinned. "About time we were the ones having the field advantage!"
The rest of the newer generations were still gaping at what just happened, until Davis broke it. "That… was the coolest thing I've seen in a long time!"
"YOU GUYS COULD ALWAYS DO THAT?!" Yolei asked T.K and Kari, shaking the latter with excitement. "WHY DIDN'T YOU DO IT BEFORE?!"
"We were never actually able to reach the Mega level…" T.K explained, scratching sheepishly his cheek.
"Sooorryyyy…" Kari said, before being released and left to stumble in a daze, her eyes turned into swirls.
"To think they always had power like that…" Ken muttered. Now he kind of understood why the Emperor captured them as his generals, and shuddered to think what could have happened had he unlocked those forms forcefully.
"It's amazing…" Cody muttered, looking down at his Digivice. "To think we can all do something like that…" Then he looked at the debris of the tower. "And that something like that can simply prevent it."
Everyone turned to look at the debris, troubled expressions on their faces. "Why are they coming here…" Kari muttered with a light tremble on her voice. "Those things dragged others there, but now… they're coming here."
"Is it the mastermind behind Arukenimon? Are they truly related to that place?" T.K muttered, trying to wrap his head around these events.
Cody frowned. "There's something I don't get… The towers stopped nulling Digivolution ever since The Emperor disappeared, why are they functioning again?"
Ken looked down at his Digivice. It's gray, formerly black form looking back at him. "I think… they always had that power on their own. My Digivice just worked as a switch, and had the same power in it ever since I submerged it in those waters. As for who planted this tower… it must've been Arukenimon, she's able to switch between worlds…"
Killua gave him an annoyed glare. "And now is it a good time to tell us that?"
"Sorry…" The boy apologized sincerely. "I just saw her do it once and at times I thought I dreamed it, but with this there's no other explanation."
"If she can really switch between worlds then… this is a real problem," Matt frowned heavily.
Mimi put a hand on her hip. "What a time to come back then, that way I won't be away from the action."
"We'll get her," Killua said, his voice filled with resolve. "Her, those creatures, and whoever's pulling the strings!"
Everyone nodded, sharing the sentiment.
They all gathered on a subway station to send Ken off to Tamachi on a safe trip, and to avoid calling the attention with Stigmon flying around after spotting so many monsters.
"Sorry we had to interrupt your reunion," Tai told the boy.
"It was no problem," Ken reassured. Though he did felt slightly disappointed about it, it was hardly Tai's fault.
"We'll do it again, maybe as a celebration party once that hag is finally gone!" Davis told him with a bright grin.
Ken nodded and walked down to the station. "See ya tomorrow."
Sora smiled and leaned to Kari. "Ken has changed, right?" She said, referring not only to his transformation from the Emperor to his original self, but how he grew out of his shelf and awkwardness of being around them.
"Yes, yes he did," Kari said, nodding in agreement.
"Really?" Davis asked, tilting his head. "I didn't notice anything different…"
"Maybe because you're still the same," Killua said, hands folded behind his head.
"I think that's a positive trait!" Tai said with a wide grin, while adjusting his goggles.
"What'cha talking about? I don't get it!" Davis whined, which elicited laughter from the group, causing him to pout.
Tai fell on bed and Koromon jumped down on his belly. "Hey Koromon, how about you stay for New Year? We'll have rice cake soup!"
"What's that? Is it good? I wanna try it!" Koromon bounced happily.
"What a glutton…" Gatomon said with a sigh.
"And even though he ate not that long ago," Kari giggled. She looked out to the balcony, where the white haired boy was looking out to the city. She walked up to him and smiled. "Hey."
"Hey," He responded casually. "Look, if all Christmas are like this then I think my world is cool without them."
"I swear this is just an exception!" She said, clasping her hands playfully and sticking her tongue out.
"Yeah, yeah sure…" Then he clasped his hand around his new necklace. "Still it wasn't so bad… whatever that spider, ocean, or whoever throws, we'll take it on."
"Right!" She covered her mouth as a yawn escaped her. "I'm heading off to bed, don't stay up late you three."
"Sure," He waved her off as he continued to stay on the balcony.
When she left, he let his face drop. He spent a good time with them, he wanted to protect both worlds, and he wanted to find Blademon again… but…
'The year is almost over…' He thought, clenching his teeth. 'A month must've already passed in my world… Nanika… Alluka…'
He didn't want to bring the good mood down more than this invasion did. But now that the excitement for the holiday was over, those thoughts came back to him. Were they safe? Did the Zoldycks found them? Did she used her powers on others to try and bring him back? This whole year he spent it distracting himself with experiences, all with the thought that the time passed slower on his world, but there was no excuse anymore. He didn't know for how long he'll have to wait, for how long much longer he'll stay here.
Killua pressed the forehead on the railing and fought back tears. He didn't want Tai or Koromon to hear him, he didn't want anyone to see him like this. But fear was starting to grip his gut and twisting it in all sort of ways.
'Please… If anyone's listening,' He thought desperately. 'Keep my sisters safe until I get there… please…'
He looked back to see Koromon and Tai leaving the room momentarily. He pressed a hand to his forehead and allowed himself to shed a single tear.
He hoped everything will be over soon, or else he didn't know which one he'll choose, to continue fighting for his friends' worlds or looking for a way to go back to his.
And that decision made the fear gripping his gut tightens even further.
Hisoka felt quite honestly robbed. There they were, those magnificent entities with great power, those who slayed the Dark Masters, standing few meters away from them, and yet he had been told to stay put, all to assess their abilities.
He sat on the couch on Oikawa's shack, Maki was in the bathroom for some reason, and the man himself sat in front of him with a patient smile. "I take it you're not happy."
"Quite honestly, no, I'm not," Hisoka said, for the first time dropping formalities with him. "Not only do I have to wait for this 'plan' of yours, but I feel myself feeling tricked."
"By me?"
"No, by my benefactor," He said. "I'm not the only one tasked with taking the girl, am I? You're in this too."
"Correct," Oikawa said. "Five years ago, around the time I learned Nen, I came across that dark world. That places drags those who have negative feelings and I was… going through a grieving state back then… so when I appeared there and their inhabitants learned of my plans we struck a deal. I'll bring something to them when the time was right, and they will give me resources."
"So it seems I wasn't given all the details," Hisoka said, still looking angry.
"From what you told me you were sent here to deal with the Anomaly," Oikawa said. "Something I hadn't been able to do myself yet… You could be a safe card… a joker of sorts in case I'm not up to the task," He joked.
"Cute," He remarked dryly at the joke. "But if you're just going to keep on wasting my time, then I'll just get out and find the girl. With Maki's contacts it shouldn't be that hard."
"If entertainment is what you want," Oikawa said. "Then you should really wait until tomorrow. The world would be shaken, and the perfect chance for us to get the girl will come."
Hisoka glared at him and raised a hand. "I'll give you this one freebie, tomorrow, no more. If your methods don't work then there'll be no more chances, I'll do it my way, and you shall not stop me."
Oikawa smiled and his eyes flashed blue. "We'll see about that."
Morning came to the Kamiya household and a short gasp could be heard from the living room.
Tai poked his head out, toothbrush on his mouth. "Kari? What is it?" Killua poked his out a second later.
"Tai, Killua, look at this!" She told them, pointing a shaky finger at the screen.
The two boys moved to see and they gasped. The news report showed images from important places all around the world… accompanied by Control Towers, and different shots showed that Odaiba was no exception.
"If these towers do the same as last night's…" Tai muttered.
Killua clenched his fists. "Then more of those things will appear."
He had a feeling that the hardest battle was about to come.
A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!
Random Hater: YOU UPLADED THIS WHILE AUGUST WAS FINISHING, JACKASS!
Me: FUCK YOU!
One of the original plans was for this chapter to be uploaded on December of last year… yeah, see how well that went…
By the way I just played Digimon Survive chapter 5… The anime is waaaaaay to soft in comparison, so fair warning for those who want to play it.
This chapter was full of ships ay? Taiora, Mimatto, a bit of Kenyako, and… Killuari? Karillua? Whatever that ship's name is.
Tell me what you think about those. And for Taiora fans out there… you're welcome.
We're reaching the end game so stay tuned everyone.
Fav X and X review!