Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.
Reviews!
Zero Fullbuster: Hello buddy~
freedom89justice: Over a month is soon… right?
Wickerstein: I'm being careful with the powers so I don't make the power creep Digimon has any more deep. They won't be Chimera Ants in level at least.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Davis continued to curse loudly as he pounded the wall with his fists. The four boys all stood on the same place after the events that took place, with Davis taking out his frustration, Ken feeding the Digimon with what little snacks he could find around and with Tai and Killua facing in the direction where the truck ran off.
The white-haired boy closed his terminal and sighed as he closed his eyes. "The others are on their way here. With all of us together we might overpower that weird Deadmon and take Kari back."
"Why aren't you going right away?" Tai asked with a certain edge to his voice, not that Killua could blame him. "With your Godspeed you should be able to reach them."
"If they see me coming, they'll hurt the children and Kari's sacrifice would have been in vain," He retorted with a tight voice, his fist clenching. "And I can't go using Zetsu since I won't be fast enough to reach them now, and Hisoka might be with them which is the same as fighting him naked if he spots me."
Tai opened his mouth to retort, clearly not wanting to just sit by and let those monsters take his sister away and do whatever they wanted with her, but as luck would have it, they wouldn't have to wait for another second.
"GUYS!" They all turned to see all of their friends with their respective partners, most of them in the Ultra Level. MegaKabuterimon carrying Izzy, Joe and Gomamon, Magnaangemon carried T.K, Cody and Armadillomon, Garudamon carried Sora, Matt and Gabumon, and Hippogryphmon carried Yolei, Mimi and Palmon.
"Oh, thank goodness…" Tai muttered as Killua and him ran to meet with them.
Sora jumped off Garudamon's hands and walked up to Tai. "What happened?"
"Killua's message said that everything went FUBAR, but how bad?!" Yolei asked from Hippogryphmon's back.
"They took Kari," Killua said, making everyone's eyes widen and for gasps to sound all around them. "A new Deadmon, as well as Arukenimon. They are also the ones responsible for the kidnapping of the Children."
"She used them as hostages to take Kari away!" Nyaramon snarled as she munched the remaining of her snack, her body slowly glowing until she was Salamon, though her determined frown didn't fade. "We can't let them get away!"
"Damn straight!" Davis said as him and Ken joined the group, with their partner's bellies full. "So, we have to stop that truck!"
Ken looked at his Digivice, looking at the pink dot on the screen intently. "The signal of her Digivice isn't lost yet, they are heading to the east."
"East… if I'm not mistaken, they're going to Hikarigaoka," Izzy said as he copped his chin.
"Again?" Agumon asked with a raised eyebrow at how often they're going there.
"We'll intercept them there then," Killua said with a nod. "With all of us together, we can put the kids safe. Arukenimon won't be a problem without towers for her to use, or BlackMetalGarurumon to help her anymore. That strange Deadmon could be a problem, but if it's as strong as the one we just faced then together it's no problem… Once he's dealt with, we have to go all out on Hisoka."
He looked towards Yolei and Cody, the two of the younger group who haven't killed a truly living thing yet, be it Deadmon, Digimon, much less human. Both had nervous and even scared looks on their eyes, but when they met his stare they gave nods of resolution, making Killua nod back.
He also looked around with the older group. They had deleted Digimon before, true, but a human was a different thing. Yet he could see only determination in their eyes, ready to not only save Kari, but finally put an end to the madness that is causing trouble to their world.
"Then let's go get our friend back!" Killua declared, letting his Ren flow around him.
"RIGHT!"
Ken, Davis and Tai raised their Digivices to make their partners evolve all the way to the Ultra level. Wingdramon, JewelBeemon and MetalGreymon carried their respective partners, with the latter also carrying Killua and Salamon with him on his metallic hand while Tai rode his head.
Maybe in these times of crisis subtlety would have been appreciated for the sake of the innocent civilians scared about the monsters' apparitions across the world, but with the lives of a friend a stake, and a powerful threat quite literally looming over their heads, the option of subtlety has been cast out of the window.
They'll chase down that truck across the whole city if needed to.
"Killua," Izzy called, making the Hunter turn in his direction. "There's something you have to see…"
MegaKabuterimon flew closer to MetalGreymon, who did the same, so Izzy could show the screen of his Digivice to the boy.
"What is it?" Killua asked squinting at the screen.
There were several dots gathered in one place, most of them white while five of them were blue, black, red, and yellow. Those belonged to the older kids and the younger ones respectively. There was the pink dot that represented Kari moving away inside the truck… And…
Killua blinked as he squinted at the screen. "Wait… what?"
"I barely noticed it at first, it's somehow concealed but still there…" Izzy said, as he also kept his eyes on the screen.
For aside of all the dots representing all of his friends, there was another white one right next to Kari's dot. The signal of another Digivice of the same model from five years ago.
All Digivices were accounted for, except for one Killua's. It didn't take long for the pieces to connect for him.
"My Digivice is there…" Killua breathed out, with wide eyes. "The one Arukenimon stole along with Blademon, if we never detect it with her before then that means someone else had it like…"
Tai overheard his friends' conversation and leaned in. "Like whom?"
Killua turned to him and the others as the possibility of who was on that truck with Kari and their other enemies became real. "Guys, I think the Mastermind behind all this is on that truck with Kari."
Kari grunted as her hands were forced back by Arukenimon, who seemed to be taking every small opportunity in manhandling her in any way. Be it tripping her when the truck started moving, shoving her against one of its metallic walls, and now tying her disgusting web around her hands to keep her under her control.
"Oh, why couldn't I have thought of doing this a long, long time ago if it meant at least getting my hands on one of you?" She mocked as she threw Kari back into the floor. "Look at how defenseless you are just because some stupid brats are in trouble."
Kari turned and glared at her in anger. "I did what you asked, let the children go!"
Arukenimon tilted her head and pressed a finger to her chin. "Hmmm? And when did I say I was going to let them go? We said "come with us, and the children won't suffer" and lo and behold we haven't put a single finger on them… But if you want me to go back with my word…"
She turned around and smirked evilly at the children, making them all huddle closer to each other, while letting out muffled whimpers and sobs.
Kari gritted her teeth at that. She should have seen this coming from someone like Arukenimon, nay she did saw it coming, but she could not just sit by and let these innocent kids pay the price for the hunting the Deadmon had going on for her. Above them was that strong Deadmon, meaning that even if she can break free from her bonds with her Nen, that still means she has to deal with that monster.
"Besides," Arukenimon said, snapping Kari out of her thoughts. "You can't leave yet. Someone, aside from the master of the Deadmon, wants to have the chance of meeting you."
"W-Who…?" Kari muttered, raising an eyebrow at her.
"That'd be me, my dear…"
The voice sent a violent shiver under Kari's spine.
All the kids whimpered and shivered as a figure rose from amongst them. It was a man, tall and with long hair wearing a purple coat that covered most of his body, with a sickly pale face and sunken cheeks.
He moved pass the children's and towered above her, his smirk widening and his eyes having an unsettling glean on them. It was not the same as Hisoka's, but still helped in putting her on edge just by being near him.
"Child of Light, can I call you Kari?" He asked in an amicable tone as he smiled at her. "It's so nice to finally meet you."
As she stared at the man, the pieces connected in her mind. A human, an adult, a man working with Arukenimon, that knows about everything revolving the Digital World, and if she needed any other proof, upon closer inspection, she could see the thin layer of aura around his body; marking him as a Nen user.
"The Mastermind…" She breathed out in recognition.
The man tilted his head and hummed. "Mastermind?" He asked. "Is that what you and your friend know me as? My, my, how clever of you to put the pieces together. Then again, I bet Ken's memory blanks have filled in after all this time."
If there was any doubt left, that statement got rid of all of it. Kari glared at the man responsible for all the troubles they've been through this year, the man who turned Ken into the Emperor and took Killua's partner away from him. "You… How could you do all this?!" She demanded.
The man shrugged. "With Nen many things are possible, I think you should know that… Right?!"
Just as he said that he buried his fist on her gut, her eyes widened and the air left her lungs as she fell down.
The man looked surprised with himself and pressed a hand to his face as he shook his head. "Oh my, sorry… It's just that a part of me is just so… Angry at seeing your face."
Kari coughed and turned back to glare at the man, she clenched her fists ready to rip through the restrains around her wrists. The man noticed and shook his head. "Nu-uh. No violence allowed on your part, remember that the kiddies are watching."
As he said that, she turned to see Arukenimon standing next to the kids. She was actually petting one's head, the poor boy looking terrified as Arukenimon smirked with malice at the girl, her intentions very clear.
She gritted her teeth. The man used her feet to roll her over to make her see him more clearly, after his sudden attack some of his long hair had fallen over his face, covering one of his eyes, while the other showed his malicious smile.
"Kari, you don't have any idea how envious I am from you and your friends. And if these kids present knew about the things you and your friends have accomplished, and the things you've seen, I bet they'd be jealous too," he said as he crouched down to her level, getting his face uncomfortably close to hers. "Arukenimon and Mummymon, may his soul rest in peace, did their best to try and picture how the Digital World looks for me. They were my left and right hands in the Digital World. You could say they are a part of me, but I wouldn't want to spoil them, right?"
"Right," Arukenimon answered in her stead, with a respectful bow. It was the most submissive she has ever seen the spider-woman.
"Yet my imagination is not enough," Oikawa continued. "I want to see it with my own eyes, I want to plant my feet on their ground and despite all my research and all the knowledge I acquired for years I couldn't go!"
He stood up and banged his fist against the wall of the truck, leaving a sizeable dent into it. His teeth were clenching so hard that Kari thought they might break, and even from the corner of her eyes she caught sight of Arukenimon looking uncomfortable at the sudden violence from him.
He took in some ragged breaths and then smiled again. "Sorry, it's just frustrating you know. To have something so close and yet so far away from you."
"It's that why you have been doing all this? To go to the Digital World?!" Kari asked, appalled for how far this man is willing to go.
"Is it that crazy to think about?" The man asked, sitting down next to her. "The Digital World is paradise for me… and I can't go just because I wasn't 'chosen' like you. Then I thought, if I can't go to the Digital World… then why don't bring it to me… Like five years ago!"
Kari's eyes widened when she realized what this man meant. "You can't do that—MMPH!" The man clamped a hand around her mouth.
"Oh, but I can! I finally can do something to achieve my dreams!" He said with a maniacal smile. "Even if you and your friends have taken down towers on the Digital World, but those who remain are enough coupled with the ones here on Earth. I will be able to bring both worlds closer to each other or even make them one!"
'Five years ago, both worlds coming together almost destroys them! What is he thinking?!' Kari thought as she stared at the clearly insane man.
"Everything is now in position," he said with a calmer tone. "And I have the chance to get rid of you and your friends thanks to our friends from the Dark Ocean. So, relax please, Kari. Everything is going to be over soon."
He released her and grinned down at her. "So please be quiet and play your part!" He hissed, before pushing her down to the floor.
Kari glared at him, while a part of her felt more worried than ever at what this man was planning. Whatever she thought about how the Mastermind could be like was certainly not this, he was insane and not in the same branch as Hisoka. And she doesn't even know his name yet.
"Yukio Oikawa," Everyone looked at T.K as he said that name, while looking down, searching for the truck, shortly after Killua proposed his theory. "I think that's the name of the mastermind."
"And our mom spoke with him?!" Matt asked in alarm. "Damn, that bastard better not get anywhere near her again!"
"So, he finally came out…" Ken said with a distant look. "Don't you know anything else about him, like where to find him? In case he gets away this time."
"No, sorry, that's all I got," T.K said with a shake of his head.
Killua heard the conversation from MetalGreymon's cybernetic hand. At the very least they now have a name to go by. He looked down at the street, many people had come out of their cars to observe the 'monsters' flying above them. This could have cause traffic, but with the events of the recent days being so fresh in everyone's minds, the streets were still sort of empty, with people choosing to take refuge in their houses, so the truck had plenty of space to continue on its way without stop. And none of the trucks they have seen was emitting the sign of neither of the Digivices, or had a devil resting at their tops.
He blinked as he heard a chirping sound. He wasn't the only one, everyone turned to see a flock of bats coming flying around them. "What the—?!"
"AAAAAH!" Screams of pain and terror rang in their ears, they looked down to see the bats flocking around the onlookers and scratching and biting them. Leaving some really drained and pale and getting bone-thin.
"These bats… Could it be?!" Salamon said from her spot next to Killua, as she looked around wildly.
"There!" Mimi called as she spotted a figure standing on a building a few meters away from where they were.
LadyDevimon, or the Deadmon that took her appearance waved at them with a mocking smile on her face as bats seemed to surge from her back and down on the street. "Fufufu, hello there, kiddies~"
"Her again?!" Killua and Salamon growled out, while Izzy and Tai tensed remembering her appearance five years ago.
"She was with Piedmon five years ago, right? Or is it a Deadmon?" The redhead boy asked.
Tai narrowed his eyes at her. "Does it matter? She's the one doing this!"
"Correct, you are free to try and stop me, though that means some of you will have to stop chasing that truck. Let Captain Daemon fulfill our purpose!" She floated in the air and flew away, the bats around her continuing to swarm down and taking victims in her way.
"This is not the time for something like this!" Salamon barked, glaring at her retreating back, "Even from back from the dead that witch makes me so angry!"
"In one thing you are right," Killua said, his face tense and his eyes darting back and forth between the road and the direction where the Deadmon went. "We can't let her get away and hurt more people, and if she's half as strong as SkullSatamon was then…"
"We'll go!" Sora offered, gesturing herself, Mimi and Yolei. "We dealt with her earlier so we're better prepare. If that's okay with you girls," She asked, turning to her friends.
"Sure thing, I'm feeling pretty sore about how she treated us earlier," Mimi said pumping her fists, with Palmon imitating her action.
"Yeah, sure thing!" Yolei said, looking down at Hippogryphmon. "We can't let her get away this time, r-right?"
Hippogryphmon looked at her partner and noticed the slight stumble on her words, yet she seemed ready and eager to go for that Deadmon, even if she knew what fighting her this time will entail. 'Yolei…' In the end, what could he do but be there for her partner with her decision, "Sure, let's go!"
"I'll stay," Matt told them, as he moved along with Gabumon to jump into Magnaangemon's waiting hand. "Even if I faced her early too, I think it'll be better if we don't split too much."
"Alright," Mimi nodded at him and gave him a thumbs up. "Be sure to give those guys a piece of mind."
Sora turned to Tai and also gave him a nod and a reassuring smile. "Get Kari back soon, okay?"
Tai nodded and smiled back. "That's the idea!"
Garudamon and Hippogryphmon turned and followed the flock of bats lead by the female Deadmon, while the others continued on their pursuit.
Davis looked at his Digivice and narrowed his eyes at what he saw. The pink dot was still moving, "How fast is that thing, we're literally flying!" He turned to his leader with a thoughtful look. "Sparky, Wingdramon can reach them in a second, should we go for it!"
"The idea has merit, but not yet," Killua told him as he looked forward. "If you go alone with Wingdramon then you'd be alone against that Deadmon LadyDevimon called Daemon. Stick close, for now."
Davis face scrunched up. He wanted to fly ahead and save Kari already, yet he thought it over and in the end he conceded. If he goes alone, then who knows if he'll hang on long enough against that Daemon guy by himself, that guy seemed at the least as strong as SkullSatamon. "Okay, fine."
"I don't think we'll have to wait that long, Davis!" T.K said as he pointed to the distance. "Look!"
The group's face lit up when ahead of them they saw a truck, and immediately darkened when they saw a figure covered in red standing on its roof.
"I never did present myself, did I?" The man, continuing to keep an amicable tone despite his previous violence. "I'm Yukio Oikawa, I'm thirty-five years old, currently unemployed if we don't take into consideration some personal projects, I have which you can guess what they're about."
He chuckled at his own comment, and Kari just continued to look at him with a look of confusion not knowing what to make out of his attitude. However, she did have an opinion about his 'projects'. "If you repeat what happened five years ago, then you're putting both worlds in danger! Don't you understand?!"
"I am completely aware of all the risks child. But you don't understand the frustration I felt five years ago, seeing you and your friends ascend into the world of my dreams. I have to do something!" He declared as he stood up from her side and walked to where Arukenimon was sitting, next to the frightened kids. "I am not going to let the world get destroyed right when my dream becomes a reality, that'd be absurd. No, both worlds will come together in a perfect way, one where the gate will be completely open for all of humanity!"
He extended his arms as his eyes glowed with passionate madness. "Can you imagine it?! These children, that right now fear me and see me as the boogeyman will soon see me as a hero! A hero that brought them the joy you and your friends experience every day, the joy to have a partner!"
He lowered his arms and stuffed his hands on his pockets. "Not only them though, even adults will have Digimon by their side and everyone will be able to experience the wonder of that world. Doesn't that sound wonderful?!"
As Kari just stared at the man with growing apprehension and concern, some part of her mind whispered her that a world where human and Digimon could get along sounded wonderful, almost like a dream come true. Yet the rest of her mind reminded her that as wonderful as it was it was also dangerous, after the attacks the human world has received at the hands of evil Digimon like Myotismon, and Deadmon parading as Digimon a sudden contact between both worlds could not end well. Not to mention that they already experienced the almost merging of both worlds and it brought those strange climatic changes, who knows what a full merging could do.
The truck suddenly shook, and Oikawa clicked his teeth. "Seems we have unwanted company with us…"
The two adults walked towards the door of the truck and opened it; Kari peered through to see most of her friends on their Ultra Forms charging towards the truck making her eyes go wide. "GUYS!"
Oikawa looked unbothered by their sudden appearance and looked up before speaking. "I thought you were going to deal with them," he said.
A dark, low voice came from the top and she realized it must have been the Deadmon with red robe. "Our goal for now is to secure the Child of Light and prepare her transportation. The destruction of the Digidestined and the Anomaly will come next, although I have a way to get us away from them for now."
Oikawa smirked and nodded. "That would do, but first I would like to exchange words with them…"
As one their eyes narrowed when the doors opened to reveal the pale figure of a man, they could only assume was Yukio Oikawa. They could hear Kari calling out to them and were relieved to see she was unharmed, at least at plain view.
Oikawa exchanged words with the Deadmon known as Daemon who rested at the top of the truck before turning their gazes to them and cupping a hand around his mouth.
"DIGIDESTINED!" He yelled so his voice could be heard amongst the strong wind, "WHAT AN HONOR TO MEET YOU ALL!"
That greeting momentarily threw them off, and even made Davis raised an eyebrow as he glared at the man. "What is this guy about?"
Killua's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the man. He was a Nen user no doubt, he could see the layer of Ten covering his body. This raised the questions of when and how did he get it, but they'll put them later after Kari and the kids were safe.
To their surprise his eyes went to Ken and they gleamed with malice. "ICHIJOUJI KEN, DO YOU REMEMBER ME?! FROM YOUR BROTHER'S FUNERAL!"
Many eyes widened at once at that statement. Everyone turning to look at the kid and flinching by what they saw.
A snarl on his lips and a wild look on his eyes that reminded the younger kids of his last moments as the Digimon Emperor.
The man clearly knew what his statement was causing on the boy as he smirked cruelly and continued. "OR HOW ABOUT THAT EMAIL I SENT YOU? HOW DID IT GO AGAIN? 'POOR MORTAL… I CAN ONLY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU'."
Ken's teeth grinded against one another, glaring at the man with a fury never seen in his usually calm and gentle self.
"Ken," JewelBeemon said softly, looking up to look at his partner. "There's no more doubt is there?"
"No, no there's not!" He growled out.
With his words all the Digidestined glared at the man with righteous fury, however none of them dared to attack and risk getting the kids and Kari hurt in the process. However, what they could do was to cut off their route of escape.
MegaKabuterimon and Magnaangemon flew ahead, ready to put themselves on the way of the truck. However, Oikawa smirked and closed the doors to the truck and Daemon bent to one knee and pressed a hand on the surface of the roof. "I won't waste any more time with you, Digidestined."
Just as the angel and the bug stood in front of the truck, their eyes widened by what happened. It started sinking into its own shadow right before their eyes!
"WHAT?!" MegaKabuterimon and his passengers gasped in shock, with Cody and Armadillomon doing the same from Magnaangemon's back.
"LadyDevimon did the same back then!" Matt said, remembering his previous encounter with the female fiend.
T.K nodded. "Yes, and Mephismon did it too… But this is…"
Soon the truck had disappeared, only a silhouette left in the pavement that got lost amongst all the others in the street.
The five Digimon gathered together as their human partners stared at the pavement, shocked by this turn of events. "Shit! Now what?!" Davis cursed.
"This is bad, this is really bad!" Joe said as he looked at his Digivice. "Both of the dots are…"
"… They're not there anymore!" Tai said gripping his own device tightly. "They vanished once they got into the shadow!"
Killua bit his thumb to avoid cursing himself. Now was not the time to lose their cool. "If that's the case then it will appear again when they get out of the shadows. They won't stay hidden there forever."
"Are you sure?" Cody asked with clear doubt. "We don't know how long they can stay there."
"What other choice do we have then?" Killua asked as calm as possible, snapping at Cody for his question won't solve anything.
T.K crossed his arms. As Seraphimon he was able to get Mephismon out from his own shadow, but it also got the Deadmon hurt. If they find the shadow, which is a big if, and he does the same thing then everyone in the truck would get hurt, and it's not guaranteed to work since this Deadmon were even stronger than Mephismon.
"For now, we keep an eye open, until Kari's signal appears again," He looked to another direction as he added, "and hopefully by then, LadyDevimon won't be a problem either."
LadyDevimon turned around as she flew over the city, she frowned as she saw she only attracted four of the Digidestined, whom just so happen to be the ones she faced earlier that day minus the boy. She turned around and thrusted her arms forward. "Darkness Wave!"
Her little bats flew towards the two birds and the humans riding them. Hippogryphmon stood in front of the flock and opened his mouth, "Heat Wave!"
The blast of heated air broke through the flock and towards the she-devil, who merely floated over the attack to dodge. Garudamon took the chance to fly behind her and try kicking her on the sides, the Deadmon saw it coming and raised her arm to block the kick and pushed the giant away before flying further away from them.
"Hahahaha! What's wrong, you ugly girls is that all you got?!" LadyDevimon asked in mockery as she spun in the air. "If so, then getting the Child of Light to our world is really going to be child's play!"
Her laughter continued to increase as she got farther and farther away, getting on the nerves of all the females present, Digimon included. "She is really pissing me off!" Palmon said, before looking up to Mimi. "I want my rematch with her too!"
"Trust me, you'll get it if it means getting her to stop laughing like that!" Mimi screeched as she got tired of hearing the cackling voice of the fallen angel.
Finally, she stopped flying and descended towards the roof of a building, where she just twirled a strand of her hair and make a 'bring it on' gesture with her demonical hand.
Mimi and Sora raised their Digivices. "We won't hold back anymore," said the redhead. "Tai mentioned how much it took them to defeat SkullSatamon, so we have to go with everything!"
"Fufufu, now that does sounds interesting!" LadyDevimon said as her red eyes glistened with anticipation.
"Palmon Warp Digivolves to… Rosemon!"
"Garudamon Mega Digivolves to… Phoenixmon!"
All the Digimon flew down and settled their partners down, before flying back up to fight the Deadmon, who just looked at them with amusement.
While the two veterans cheered for their partners, Yolei looked down at her hands covered with a thin layer of Ten, a small sense of relief washing over her that at the same time made her felt a twinge of shame. One thing is seeing her partner going for the kill in this instance, but could she… Could she also do it if she was up there fighting?
'How do they do it?' She questioned as she stared at her two friends with doubt. 'How did Ken and Davis did it?'
Maybe the question was not how they did it and rather… What was she missing?
Submerging into the shadows was a weird experience. She was still driving, as if she was still on the street—Heck, she could even see the now orange as if they didn't submerge at all—yet she passed through other cars without any danger of collisions, as if they were ghosts now. Maki sighed as she felt a headache at all the things happening around her life recently, getting involved with the Digital World was apparently synonymous of madness. Hisoka didn't seem bothered by any of this as he shuffled his cards as a way to entertain himself. Maki turned to him and gave him a half-lidded glare. "So, what was all that about? You didn't fight that other Nen user kid, what gives?"
Hisoka stopped shuffling to look at her with a smile. "Didn't seem like the right time to act. Besides, the job is going to be done soon anyways. The girl will be taken away to my contractor's world and I'll be sent back to mine."
Maki grimaced and then scowled. "And when will I get my part? When will you tell that so-called contractor of yours to send me to the Digital World again?"
Hisoka locked his eyes with her. "My dear, with the plan of our ally back there both worlds will become one. You'll have the chance to see the Digital World again and get your partner back."
Maki opened her mouth to argue, but then clicked it close. She just kept her eyes on the 'road' and sighed. The first step is to get to get this truck wherever this group wanted it.
Truck that was filled with innocent children that have been kidnapped by her so-called allies.
She shook her head. 'Focus! Those kids will go out unharmed anyways, they aren't needed for anything and they got the famous girl. It'll be worth it, everything… When I can finally have Tapirmon with me again.'
Meanwhile, at the back of the truck…
Kari glared at the man as he finished tying a piece of cloth between her lips to gag her, pushing her tongue back and preventing her from speaking.
"Sorry for that, but just look at how the other kids are, wouldn't want them to think you have a special treatment," Oikawa said as calmly as he straightened.
He chuckled as he looked down at her, before starting to laugh at loud. Her glare melted in confusion and he stopped himself, covering his mouth and hiccupping with small laughter. "Oh, my apologies. It's just seeing you defenseless like that… So easy to kill, makes me happy you know!"
The confusion on her eyes was now accompanied by a grain of fear at his words, he seemed to have something against her. But what, and why?
Oikawa rummaged through his pockets and to her surprise he took out a Digivice that looked exactly like the ones received from five years ago. Then it clicked, there was one Digivice missing: Killua's.
"Mph! MMPH!" She grunted and squirmed trying to get a closer look to it, and Oikawa turned to her with mockery.
"Oh? You want this?" He cooed, shaking the device in front of her.
She growled and let her aura flow for a moment, ready to break her biddings.
"Don't."
She froze as Oikawa spoke that single command. Any mockery left his stance and was just replaced by cold animosity that make her froze. "Break your biddings and everyone in this truck will die."
"Mph… Mph…" Again, whimpers came from the group of kidnapped children and Kari returned to glaring at the man. He exhaled and shook his head, the mocking smile returning to his face. "That's better. Arukenimon, adjust her biddings."
"Yes, master," The spider woman walked to the girl and took off her glove. Her hand shifter and turned into that of her Digimon form and from the jewel her silk came out.
"Mmph!" Kari grunted as her arms were now pinned to her body and the ones on her wrist getting reinforced.
"Now, I'm sure you are curious about this." He waved the Digivice in front of her face and she let out a muffled growl. He chuckled and looked at the device with a sick fascination. "Arukenimon got it for me, along with whom until a few months ago was my strongest asset. I thought this would be the key to accessing the Digital World but…" his face contorted into a snarl. "Nothing! It did absolutely nothing for me! Even though I created a doorway that could use this as a key, and yet nothing!"
Kari blinked at her statement, before looking down. 'Gennai was right. The mastermind, this man, did created the Digiport!' How could a single person be able to create a portal between worlds?
"Then I thought of other options… It's when I learned about the Control Towers on the Dark Ocean. I obtained the knowledge needed to copy their function, and just needed to find a way to plant them on the Digital World… I just needed a way in. And I thought that if I could not use the gate then maybe… Those who did walked through it before could use it!"
He leaned down and clamped his hands on her shoulders. "You, or any of your friends… They were my original candidates in becoming the Digital Emperor. One of you, was going to become an anti-Digidestined that would plant the Control Towers for me."
Kari's eyes widened in horror. The scenario playing before her, all of her friends, even her brother and T.K, having the same evil sneer Ken used to have all those months ago.
Arukenimon giggled at her expression. "I can only imagine how much despair you and your friends would have felt, if that stupid brat felt sooo bad for his actions then I can only imagine how the brave saviors of that world would have felt at being the ones to bring it to ruin. In a way, you should be grateful Ichijouji became the Emperor!"
"Your partners were the biggest problem though… How to control you when they would snap you out from it?" He asked with a sigh. "Ken was like a gift straight from heaven for me! A brand new Digidestined, a blank slate for me to write my will. That day he just crossed paths with me right as I was entering the Dark Ocean and he got dragged there with me. Even if the appearance of more Digidestined, yours and the Child of Hope included, and of course the Anomaly's were unexpected everything still went as I planned."
Kari shook from revulsion and anger at their words. Oikawa stuffed the Digivice in his pocket and looked at the door. "We'll arrive at our destination soon. I hope you and your friends had a Merry Christmas, because I have a feeling it was the last one you will enjoy together."
As she thought of her friends and her brother, the worry settled on her stomach at the thought of the enemies they'll be facing. 'Killua… Tai… Gatomon…'
Night had fallen, yet the battle between the Deadmon and the three Digimon continued in the sky.
"Crimson Flare!"
"Heat Wave!"
"Danger Thorn!"
All the attacks merged in one, the thorns from Rosemon's whip catching on fire and yet withstanding the flames as they flew towards the female-looking Deadmon. Whom just smirked and puffed her cheeks to exhale a torrent of black flames towards the incoming attack. They collided against each other, causing an explosion that caught the attention of the people down below.
Amongst them were the partners of the Digimon observed the fight with worry and anxiousness. Mimi frowned. "I can barely see them from all the way up there…" She said, as she shadowed her eyes with one hand in the hopes of seeing better.
Sora however bit her lip anxiously as she saw the explosion. "This might take longer than I thought," She looked around and saw all the people that gathered as to see the explosion. "With so many people here, they might get involved in the crossfire."
Mimi lowered her gaze and look at her Digivice. "I wonder if the others are okay… Kari's signal disappeared a while ago…"
Yolei, continued to watch the fight with unblinking eyes. She could not do much to fight too, her propelling technique could not take her that far away. Yet the foreboding feeling in her stomach didn't go away and she just anxiously waited for the end of the fight… whichever is going to be.
How would it be? To just finish something, or rather someone, like LadyDevimon? A thinking being, just like a Digimon, just like a human…
'Why am I still so uncertain?! Am I not supposed to be the Child of Determination?!' She thought with frustration to herself.
Up in the air, LadyDevimon dodged the swipe from Rosemon's whip, ducked under a tackle from Phoenixmon who was coated in fire and grabbed the wings of Hippogryphmon when he charged at her and spun him around before throwing him away.
"Stun Whip!" LadyDevimon raised her hands to the air and black lightning bolts surged from them and rained down on her opponents.
"Crimson Flare!" Phoenixmon fired a blast from her mouth to block the lightning bolt coming in her direction, effectively cancelling the attack.
"Forbidden Temptation!" From the jewel on her chest, a storm of rose petals was launched and much like her friend she got away with blocking the attack.
The same couldn't be said for Hippogryphmon, who couldn't even muster his attack in time and received the full blast of the dark lightning. The electric blast sending him crashing down to the floor, a few streets away from where his partner and friends watched in horror. "AAAARGH!"
"HIPPOGRYPHMON!" Yolei screeched, ignoring the confused looks of the onlookers as she took off running to where her partner had fallen.
"Yolei, wait!" Sora and Mimi took after her, and to their surprise the younger girl was actually outrunning them, making Mimi huff slightly in both exertion and incredulity. "Damn… Whatever Killua put her through… shows results!"
Up in the sky LadyDevimon cackled and started to fly towards where her weaker opponent had fallen. "One down, and one I'll make sure doesn't get back up again!"
"Leave him alone!"
"Get back here!"
Both Rosemon and Phoenixmon chased after her, not willing to let their friend get hurt by the Deadmon.
On the riverside, a hulking form slowly started to rose. Its tentacles swaying in all directions and its red eyes gleaming with anger and commitment.
MarineDevimon rose from the depths of the shadows below the water and walked out of his element, his hulking form starting to crawl into the land and moving across the buildings without any care he destroys it or if he stomps some humans in the process.
People got out from their houses, pointed and screamed in fear due to his presence. MarineDevimon ignored them, he did not seek to kill them specifically unlike SkullSatamon would. While he did resent humans and their lives, as well as the Digital Monsters, for how different they were to their people, he did not want to waste time and energy wiping them out yet.
He wasn't a leader like Daemon, a schemer like LadyDevimon, or a sadist like SkullSatamon. He was just a servant to their master's will, and he knows that the girl is now on their power so he now has one goal: To go to the place known as Hikarigaoka, the meeting place, and go back to their home world where a new era will begin.
The lives of the humans he stomps down are unimportant now and in the long run. They will never make contact with this world again once their objective is fulfilled. But first, there are lives of some humans that do have to be wiped out no matter the cost.
To fulfill the will of the master, he will wipe away the lives of the Digidestined.
And maybe… Just maybe… He can take on some satisfaction on the destruction he brings with him.
With their eyes locked into the Digivices, the Digidestined from the rescue team all continued on their way to Hikarigaoka, it was their only clue as to where their opponents were taking Kari and the kidnapped children.
"C'mon… Show something…" Tai muttered as he looked down at his Digivice, in the hopes that his little sister's Digivice would show up again.
Killua had his arms crossed as he looked down at the roads, ignoring many of the looks people were giving them. 'If they don't appear on Hikarigaoka then we'll be lost there's two scenarios: They appear somewhere close enough for us to reach them and engage, or they appear somewhere really far…' His eyes turned to a frustrated Davis, who glared daggers at all the trucks below. 'In that case maybe I'll ride with Davis on Wingdramon to find them, taking Matt and Tai with me and waiting for the others to come and join us…'
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that this day was an absolute nightmare. Kari was in the enemies' hands, Hisoka had just put him against the wall and a hard pace with his 'peace offering', and the Deadmon suddenly have the strength to go against at least TWO Megas. Seriously, the only other situation that Killua considered worse than this was the Chimera Ants situation.
'And even if we won it wasn't without consequence…' Killua thought with remorse and sadness as he remembered his best friend's state after that. He shook his head. 'I can't think like that! Focus, at the smallest sign we'll track them down and get Kari back no matter what!'
"AAAAAHH!" For the second time on that day screams were heard, making Killua snap out of his thoughts.
"Over there!" Joe said as he pointed towards a residential area near the riverside.
Towering over the light poles was one the same Deadmon that attacked the Rainbow Bridge earlier that day, it was walking and taking down everything that was on its way, in direction to Hikarigaoka, just like them.
T.K gritted his teeth. "No good, that guy again…"
"He's going to Hikarigaoka too…" Magnaangemon said worriedly. "If it's going there, then maybe the truck will be there too!"
As if summoned by his words, their Digivices started beeping with new light. The pink and white dots were back and just as they expected they were already in Hikarigaoka.
Matt frowned. "I don't like this…" He said, looking at MarineDevimon. "If that thing reaches them then it will join forces with that Daemon guy. One of them is trouble enough, but two?"
"I get what you're saying…" Killua said, nodding in understanding while frowning. "Same strategy as earlier… T.K!"
The younger blonde snapped to attention; a firm look on his face. "Yes?"
"You, Cody, Joe and Izzy go and take down that thing, don't let it reach Hikarigaoka. Meet us there once you're done. You fought it before, so you must know what it can do," Killua ordered, before looking back.
"Right!" The veterans said, with MegaKabuterimon already steering away to fight against the giant Deadmon.
Matt and Gabumon jumped from Magnaangemon's hand to JewelBeemon's free one and gave his brother a nod. "Be safe, squirt."
T.K smiled and nodded back. "Sure thing, bro."
Magnaangemon followed after his friends, with T.K looking determined and ready for anything the Deadmon might bring out, while Cody…
"Cody?" Armadillomon looked up at his partner with worry, as the boy was clenching his fist and biting his lower lip.
"We are going to do it are we?" The boy asked, making all the older boys look at him. "We're going to kill it, right?"
T.K's eyes softened, before sighing and turning back to the task at hand. "It's what we have to do."
"Cody," Joe said, calling the downcast kid's attention. "Remember when you picked up the Digi-egg of Reliability? Back then you had to do something you didn't liked to help your friends… Look at all the people below."
Cody did. He saw how families evacuated their homes, how they cried and huddled close to each other for comfort. Mourning the destruction of their homes and possibly the death of friends and family as the monster just broke down everything on his way.
"Don't think about what the life you might take today… Think of the ones you'll protect when this is over," Izzy told the boy with a smile. "The city can be repaired and the people will go back to their homes but for that to happen… MarineDevimon and all the Deadmon have to go away."
Cody looked down again, clutching his fists against his knees and Armadilomon looking at him with worry. The kid took a breath through his nose and exhaled from his mouth before looking back up and glaring at the monster.
'My dad was a cop, someone who put his life in the line to protect others and… who might have taken down criminals to do so…' Cody thought as he clenched his trembling fists. 'If it is to protect others… to protect innocent people who are just trying to live their lives honestly then…'
Finally, he spoke up. "Okay, I'll do what I must!"
Armadillomon smiled. "Cody!" Then he turned and grinned at the monster. "I will call his attention, no sitting on the sidelines this time!"
"Okay…" Cody nodded back. "Although… I don't think I can do much with my Nen abilities."
"Don't sweat it, leave it to us for now!" Gomamon said, before turning to Joe. "Gotta bring out Vikemon to freeze him in place!"
"Sure, be careful," The older Digidestined told his partner with a smile.
"I'll let you down away from the danger zone," MegaKabuterimon said, floating down to the streets and landing on an alley.
Izzy jumped off his partner's back and pointed his Digivice at him, Joe doing the same with Gomamon, "Good luck and be safe."
"MegaKabuterimon Mega Digivolves to… HerakleKabuterimon!"
"Gomamon Warp Digivolves to… Vikemon!"
Magnaangemon set down his own passengers before regressing back to Patamon. "T.K, I'm ready!"
"Okay," T.K took out his Digivice and smiled down at Cody. "You might want to take a step back."
The kid looked curiously at T.K, but did as he was told just as the blonde raised his Digivice. "Matrix Evolution!"
"Patamon Digivolves to… Seraphimon!"
Both partners of Justice gaped at the fusion between the partners of Hope. Seraphimon looked at them and spoke on a firm yet gentle tone, "No time to stare, let's go!"
"R-Right…" Cody said, taking out his Digivice.
"Armadillomon Digivolves to… Ankylomon! Ankylomon Digivolves to… Gogmamon!"
Seraphimon and HerakleKabuterimon flew high and circled around the giant Deadmon, who kept his eyes strained on the two. From below Vikemon stood at the feet of the giant, puffing out his chest and letting out an attack, "Artic Blizzard!"
The powerful gust of ice struck the legs of the monster freezing them up to the knees. MarineDevimon roared as he felt the cold of the attack and tried to move his legs to break free. This gave Seraphimon and HerakleKabuterimon the chance to attack.
"Seven Heavens!"
"Mega Electroshock!"
Both blasts of energy impacted the head of the monster, causing an explosion that engulfed the upper half of their target. However, with a swipe of his tentacles MarineDevimon cleared the smoke and puffed out his cheeks to unleash an inferno of black flames aimed at the two flying Digimon whom narrowly dodged it, the fire impacting against some buildings.
Gogmamon jumped over a building, the crystals on his back glistening after he absorbed some hits from Cody down below. He scoffed a little as he saw the gargantuan monster swinging his tentacles, "If that thing hits me, I won't absorb anything I'll just go poof," he shrugged and took aim with his arms, "I have just one shot then. Gotta wait for the right time to hit him."
Down below Vikemon charged at the frozen legs of his opponent with his flail. He struck them and a resounding crack was heard and black liquid started oozing from the cracks and the monster roared in pain, his swings becoming wilder and erratic. Vikemon looked up and leaped out of the way just as one of them was about to strike him down. "Oh man! Now he is pissed!"
MarineDevimon roared and his cheeks puffed out again, however this time he aimed at the sky instead of his opponents.
From within the core of Seraphimon, T.K's eyes narrowed. "What is he planning?"
"Guilty Black…" The deep and raspy voice of the taciturn Deadmon rumbled.
The Deadmon spat several balls to the sky and when they reached a certain altitude they popped, revealing to be balls of ink. It fell like rain on them, but once it made contact with them it started hissing against their skin and the buildings touched by it started melting away.
"AAAH THIS STINGS!" HerakleKabuterimon as he tried to wipe away the liquid.
Seraphimon grunted in pain. "At least we are not melting like the ceiling of the buildings…"
Gogmamon shook the ink from him, his body made of pure minerals resisting the effects of the corrosive ink. "Ugh this is disgusting…" The floor beneath him cracked and he noticed the melting structure. "Oh-oh…!"
He jumped away from that building and onto the next, standing on a safe part of the structure and taking aim again. "This guy's really troublesome…"
Down below Vikemon was also affected, some parts of his fur had fallen, his weapons were still intact due to being made of Chrome Digizoid. "Tricky prick! Artic Blizzard!"
Again, he unleashed his cold breath, this time aiming for the upper torso. While from above HerakleKabuterimon repeated his Mega Electroshock and Seraphimon raised his hand to the sky.
"Rising Halo!" With a movement from his hand a thunderbolt fell from the sky, surprising since the sky was pretty clear that night.
MarineDevimon's tentacles moved all around, blocking the attacks from the Megas in the sky and one of them taking the force of the blast from the blizzard.
The veteran Children had taken refuge in one of the nearby houses when the acidic ink started to fall. They observed the fight, with Izzy keeping an analytic gaze on their opponent. "With Vikemon's attacks we're keeping him in place, but nothing seems to really stop him."
"If this fight drags on, and he does that ink attack again then nothing good will come out of it," Joe said, biting his thumb worriedly.
Cody, like his elders, had taken refuge in a building. He got up to the second floor to observe the battle. He conjured his shinai and gripped its handle tightly, waiting for what the end of the battle will bring in one way or the other. 'I… I could help… Even if that involves finishing the Deadmon.'
There was something he could do with his Nen ability. One built to fight against those with vile intentions. He could help…
He gulped as he realized he will have a more direct hand in the demise of their enemy than he first thought.
CRASH!
Everyone on the street stopped at the sudden impact on the sidewalk. Curiosity took over and the people gathered to see the reason behind the newly formed crater.
Hippogryphmon groaned and felt his whole body numb with pain after the attack from LadyDevimon. He opened one eye to see people looking down at him with both fear and curiosity, and even some resentment.
"What is this thing? A bird?"
"Is it one of the monsters?"
"It's so ugly…!"
"Call the police or the government, make them take it away!"
"I think it's hurt, should we help?"
"Don't be an idiot! It's one of the things attacking the city!"
The different shouts and screams made his head ache, as he heard a strong ringing in his brain. He struggled to get back up and turned to them. "Everyone, get out of here… It's not safe."
They didn't listen, shocked by the fact that he could talk. Many were rooted on the spot until laughter was heard.
"Fufufu, pathetic little things…" LadyDevimon made herself known landing behind the group of humans and gathering their attention, specially the men's
"Who is that?"
"Is she with this thing?"
"Man, she's hot. What kind of cosplay is that?"
Hippogryphmon struggled back to his feet and glared at the she-devil. "Get away, please!" He begged the humans around him.
"Hippogryphmon!" Rosemon and Phoenixmon called as they got closer.
LadyDevimon glared at them with scorn as they arrived. Her head turned to look back at the humans and a smirk came over her face. She moved fast and snagged a random human from the crowd, a boy with a green hoodie and a black beanie.
This finally caused the people to run away, except for another boy who glared at the Deadmon. "H-Hey, let him go!"
"Agh! I-It hurts!" The boy in the Deadmon's grasp complained.
"Why you…" Hippogryphmon growled as he hissed, the heat from his attack forming around his mouth.
Phoenixmon and Rosemon flanked him, the latter sneering at the devil and her whip turned into a rapier. "Let him go!"
"Oh, I will~" She cooed, caressing the boy's face with her clawed hand. "But I have places to go, and I can't have you goodie-two shoes following me around. So, this boy will be my shield. Unless, of course, you want to continue the fight? Go ahead, use your best attacks everyone!"
She extended her free hand, leaving herself wide-open for them to attack. Obviously, none of the Digimon dared to make a single move towards the fallen angel, who just smirked cockily and raised her hand towards them making them tense.
"Just like the Child of Light, you are all so easy to manipulate," LadyDevimon mocked. "Best chance I'll have to eliminate some of you. Forbidden Temptation!"
Lighting came out from her blood-red nails and struck the three Digimon, making them howl in pain. The two boys cringed at their sounds of pain, while LadyDevimon licked her lips in satisfaction. Just a bit more power and they will be gone from this and any other world.
She stopped her assault to recharge her attack, not without mocking them some more. "You can fight back, you know?!" Then she pressed her cheek against the crow of her hostage's head. "Just one sacrifice to keep your lives, sounds fair doesn't it."
"Just let me go, please!" The boy begged, struggling against her grip. "I don't wanna die!"
LadyDevimon ignored him and raised her hand again. "Time to end this then. So long you ugly things!"
"HI-YAH!"
SLASH!
"GAH!" LadyDevimon gasped in pain and let go of the boy as a searing pain cut through her back. Black ooze coming out from her body and escaping with a cough from her mouth.
Yolei panted and shook as she stood behind her opponent, her Nen Blades glistening. Her face red from the running and from the rage against her opponent for harming her partner and using an innocent boy as a hostage.
She glared at her opponent and got herself in a defensive position, ready to fight back against what her opponent might do in retaliation. "You coward! You have to be the most cowardly being I've ever met, you're the worst!"
A few feet away, just arriving, Mimi and Sora watched the younger girl stand up to their opponent. "Yolei!" Sora called out.
"D-Don't be reckless!" Mimi said between pants, not as physically fit as Sora or Yolei for such a long run.
LadyDevimon sneered at the girl. "I'm the coward?! Bold words from the girl who had to attack me from behind!" She turned fully to her. Her red eyes filled with anger, and a trail of black liquid dripping from her lips. "I just do everything for my world's sake, for my lord. And you humans who have it easy won't receive any mercy from me! DIE!"
She lunged straight for the girl, who only braced herself and let her Ren flow. However, there was a slight tremor to her hands. The doubt was still there, despite everything. 'I gotta act! I have… I have to fight!'
"YOLEI!" From behind, Yolei could hear Mimi and Sora call her name in worry.
"Heat Wave!"
"Thorn Shoot!"
"Crimson Flare!"
"HYAAAGH!" All three attacks impacted against the already wounded back of the Deadmon, stopping her mere inches from Yolei's face.
Yolei panted heavily as she stared at LadyDevimon's wide and shocked eyes. The demon coughed a mouthful of black liquid that fell right in front of the girl's feet before exploding into a cloud of dust.
The dust was carried by the wind and the Child of Determination stared at her partner. Whom, as her, panted heavily, "We had to destroy her… Please understand."
It was with his words that the reality of the situation settled in with her. They just destroyed, killed, an enemy who for all intents and purpose was just like a Digimon in all but name.
"We… Destroyed her…" She said numbly. "She… We…"
Sora and Mimi finally reached her, with the latter engulfing her in a hug. "Yolei, it's okay…" She said soothingly.
"But…" The bespectacled girl mumbled, still in shock.
Sora put a hand on her shoulder. "Look over there, Yolei," she said, calling her attention.
She did as she was told looking to where the redhead was pointing. The boy used as a hostage was on his knees, crying, being comforted by his friend and other nearby civilians. Sora smiled at her and patted her life. "You saved his life… And our partners too."
Yolei turned to the Digimon, the two Megas were giving her thankful smiles while Hippogryphmon gave her a reassuring one.
She looked down at her hands, biting her lip and clenching her fists. They had taken the life of their opponent, true, but… they saved who knows how many innocent ones.
"I… I didn't like doing this…" She admitted to her seniors. "But… If that keeps the city and our world safe then I… I won't hesitate again!"
Her declaration was met with proud smiles from both older girls. "That's the spirit," Mimi said, tightening a bit the hug and also pulling Sora in, who joined without struggled.
The moment was short-lived as their Digivices all beeped. They pulled them out and their eyes widened by what they saw:
The dots of their friends, as well as Kari's and the one the Mastermind held.
"They're back!" Mimi exclaimed in happiness.
"And they are in Hikarigaoka!" Sora pointed out.
Yolei's gaze became full of resolved as she turned to her partner. "Hippogryphmon, are you okay to take us there?"
The Ultimate nodded. "Will do… Although from there, things might be a bit tougher…"
"We'll find a way, maybe Magnaangemon's healing abilities," Rosemon proposed.
"For now, let's focus on going there maybe Tai and the others are already engaging with them," Phoenixmon said, raising her wings.
The three Digidestined nodded and their respective partners carried them off towards the place where it all started for the veterans of the adventure from five years ago.
"Huff, huff!" Vikemon panted as he dodged another attack from their opponent's tentacles. The limbs smashing against the floor and leaving a sizeable crack in it.
The Viking walrus puffed out his chest and used another Artic Blizzard to freeze the limb and slammed his flails into them. The frozen tentacle cracked and broke down, black liquid dripping from what remained of the limb. He smirked cockily at the giant monster at that. "How'd you like that!?"
Not that much, if his angered roar was anything to go by. MarineDevimon's cheeks puffed out and unleashed a stream of fire below towards the Mega, who in response did the same. Puffing out his chest and unleashing his blizzard to fight back against the flames.
While the monster was distracted with attacking from below, the two flying Digimon took their chances to attack his back. Seraphimon dived towards the back of his opponent, a white aura surrounding him and focusing on his fist. "KO!"
"Mega Electroshock!"
The remaining tentacles of the giant rose and blocked the impacts. Seraphimon's attack leaving a sizeable mark on the limb, while HerakleKabuterimon's left a burn, although that didn't seem to deter him. He stopped spewing fire and moved to lash out at them, they dodged the attack with ease, yet did nothing to appease their worries.
"We keep hitting him and he just tanks it!" HerakleKabuterimon complained as he glared at the giant.
From the core of Seraphimon T.K frowned. While he could use Nen he didn't have access to his Hatsu since he lacked the clothes to use it and he wasn't familiar with the threads on Seraphimon's waist. The sturdier body of his Mega body allowed him to use Ko with less risks, yet the blows seemed to hardly deter their opponent.
Speaking of whom, his cheeks bulged again and he aimed his mouth to the sky, and the same cold voice resonated in the air like last time. "Guilty—"
"Not again!" Seraphimon growled as he cupped his hands at his sides. "Seven…"
However, MarineDevimon's attack came to a sudden stop. Its eyes widening in pain and the ink overflowing his cheeks and dripping down from his mouth and he choke and hacked on it. He turned around and glared down at the source of pain.
Cody gripped his shinai tightly on his hands, looking back up at the monster with shaky eyes. His Conjured shinai always had an extra effect on those who had malicious intentions, and with the way the group of Deadmon had rampaged through the city then he had to try and use it to stop MarineDevimon, or at least give his friends a chance to attack.
MarineDevimon glared down at the boy and puffed his cheeks out, fire licking from the corner of his mouth. The boy focused Nen of his feet ready to burst back and away from the blast, but when the monster opened his mouth to unleashed the attack…
"Cursed Reflection!"
… A beam of light from one of the buildings behind Cody impacted straight into MarineDevimon's mouth. Igniting the flames inside and making it explode. Gogmamon smirked in satisfaction as his one shot hit his opponent. The monster roared in pain as smoke came out from his mouth.
"Artic Blizzard!"
"Excalibur!"
"Mega Electroshock!"
The freezing attack struck the back of the wounded devil, freezing it completely, and from the sky seven swords rained down on his freezing body, stabbing through the ice and black liquid dripping from the cracks and finally the electrical blast struck it, widening the cracks until the body of the Deadmon broke apart. The ice chunks and the unfrozen parts of his body turning to dust.
Cody stared at the spot where their opponent was, his eyes wide as the realization settled in. "We did it… We destroyed him… But…"
Gogmamon leaped out from the building and landed a few feet behind his partner before approaching him slowly. "Cody…"
Seraphimon descended and landed next to the boy. Cody raised his head to stare at the Mega form of the blonde. "Cody, I know this is not how you would have liked to end but…"
"… Sometimes there's no choice…" The boy said, remembering that that was one of Killua's lessons way back when they first faced Arukenimon. "This… Innocent people will now be safe, right?"
Seraphimon nodded slowly.
"Then… As long as I can accomplish that," The boy said, looking up with newfound resolve. "I will do what I must."
"You won't do it alone," Gogmamon said, lightly tapping his partner's head. "Ya got me, and all the other, remember pal?"
Cody smiled lightly at his partner's words. "Right…"
Izzy and Joe came out from their hiding place and reunited with the two. "Is everyone okay?" Joe asked.
Vikemon and HerakleKabuterimon made their way to them. "Yep, just feeling kinda hungry…" Vikemon complained.
"We still got work to do," HerakleKabuterimon said. "Though, I won't say no to some snacks right now…"
The comments from both Megas brought some much-needed chuckles to the group after the battle. However, the moment was interrupted by the beeping on their Digivices.
Izzy fished his own out of his pocket and checked the screen, gasping at what he saw. "Kari's and Killua's Digivice, they're back! And in Hikarigaoka!"
Shock rippled through them before steeling with determination. Seraphimon clenched his fists and his golden wings began to glow. "Then we must get ready. Daemon and Hisoka will be there and we need our full strength. Full Heal!"
A golden light radiated from Seraphimon and bathed the Digimon around him. The marks from the corrosive ink vanishing and the hunger leaving their bodies.
"Oh, that hit the spot!" Gogmamon said in triumph.
"Let's go then!" HerakleKabuterimon said.
With the golden beetle carrying Vikemon with his arms and his partner and Joe on his back, and Seraphimon showing immense strength to carry Gogmamon on his arms and Cody on his back, they all headed to where their friends might be waiting.
They reemerged from the shadows and parked in the empty streets of Hikarigaoka. Oikawa smirked inside of the truck as he felt the stop and glanced down at his number one hostage in the truck, who just glared back at him. "It seems we've arrived at our destination. Hikarigaoka. Quite the ironic name, don't you think?"
She obviously didn't respond, but it was also obvious that she didn't share his amusement over the name if her glare was any indication.
"It even rhymes with your name, Kari," Oikawa continued talking. "Although in this case it will be more like Yamigaoka, or maybe Ankokugaoka! Or maybe Darkgaoka?!"
He chuckled at his own wordplay, and even Arukenimon giggled a bit. Kari huffed and grunted through her gag. "Mph…!"
He stopped chuckling, but not smirking as he looked at her again. "Such a scornful look. Look at that, kiddos!" He said, turning to the kids. "That's how those 'chosen' look down on us!"
He continued to laugh, mocking her and her inability to do anything in this situation. She just closed her eyes in resignation, knowing that she just has to wait for her friends to arrive and save her and these children. 'Everyone, please hurry!'
On the front of the truck, Hisoka unbuckled his belt and climbed out of the window. "It seems it's showtime. Wish me luck~"
"Do your best…" Maki said with disinterest as she took a pill for the headache this whole situation was giving her.
He climbed out and on to the top of the truck where Daemon was looking out on the sky. "So what now?"
"The Digidestined and the Anomaly will be here soon," Daemon said. "Some have split apart and eliminated my teammates, but it is of little importance. They will all come here, it will be our best chance to eliminate them in one strike."
"If your friends couldn't do it, what makes you think the two of us can?" Hisoka asked, though he knew he could take on two Megas easily and on dear Killua, maybe a couple more will give him more fun~
Daemon didn't answer, instead he raised his hands and his body became surrounded by black energy. Hisoka looked up and saw how black dust gathered and was absorbed into the black energy surrounding the devil.
"Their deaths won't be in vain… They are now a part of me… It is in our nature to assimilate others," Daemon explained. "With their strength within me, these children won't stand a chance."
Hisoka smirked. "How exciting…"
"With these children here," Daemon continued gesturing to the truck. "Scared, desperate, terrified, those emotions gathered at this specific location will open a gate towards my world. We'll take the Child of Light there and you will go back to your world."
Hisoka hummed. "I promised a friend that with the help of that world's 'master'. Could that be possible."
"You will have already fulfilled your purpose by the time we are back," Daemon said coldly. "However, if we succeed then our master might be in a gracious mood. You might try."
Hisoka just smirked. "It's all I ask."
The signals were back and there was no time for them to lose. Soaring the skies, the three Digimon headed to the direction told by their partners. The kids all having their eyes glued to the screens of the Digivices.
"We're getting closer!" Tai said with anxiousness on his tone.
Killua's brow furrowed as he stared at the screen. "The others are heading to their direction too…" He exhaled and sagged a bit. "It means they beat their opponents, that's good."
"Okay!" Davis said, pumping his fist with emotion. "Hang in there Kari, we're coming!"
Ken's eyes narrowed. "We won't let them get away with this…"
Gabumon put a paw to his chin. "There's something I don't get, why Hikarigaoka again of all places?"
Salamon was the one to answer. "Ten years ago, it's when it all started for us, right? And where that other Greymon and that Parrotmon vanished, so that place was somehow connected to the Digital World."
Killua hummed in thought. "Then there's a gate of some kind there, one that could lead back to that other place. The more reason to hurry then…"
"Look no more!" Wingdramon said, garnering their attention. "Over there!"
Lo and behold, on top of a truck and watching them from afar were their two major enemies on top of the truck were their friend, partner, and sister was being held as well as a bunch of innocent children.
"Here we go," Killua muttered, knowing that this fight was not going to be an easy one.
Matt held his Digivice and Gabumon started glowing.
"Gabumon Warp Digivolves to… ZeedGarurumon!"
All four Digimon landed in front of the truck, their partners climbing down from them. Salamon stuck closer to Killua while he let his Ren burst around him, with Davis and Ken doing the same.
The persecution had come to an end, it was time to settle this.
A/N: Ufffff…. Done.
With college I didn't have the time to write that much, but I managed to get the chapter out before end of the year. YAY!
I'll try to have the next one for Christmas as a present. If I cannot then… Sorry.
Remember to give me a review telling me what you think of this chapter. I updated A Fallen Knight not long ago so go check it out and now I'll see you soon.
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Chao!