Disclaimer: This would be in TV if I owned either company.
Reviews!
Candlite: Gotta keep that for future reference. Glad you liked the end!
Freedom89justice: good theories. I'm back once more
N. Ageless: Comadreeeee! Cincuenta y pa'lante!
Hell.
There was no other way of putting the scenario around Killua. It was what hell must be like in the most traditional sense of the word. A place completely surrounded by fire and darkness, with the devil standing above others with rage, pride, and the other sins swelling in his eyes as he gazed down at his victims. Said devil moments ago, and with his friends at his side wouldn't have been such a problem, but now he was alone facing him, and with the disadvantage of range and having to spare the precious electricity he had in his body if he wanted to turn the tides of the battle.
Brain against brawn was all well and good, when FIRE WASN'T RAINING DOWN ON YOU!
Killua was gritting his teeth and hiding behind a rock that has miraculously survived Daemon's assault. The Deadmon flying above and attacking the area without any sighs of tiring out. Was it because they were in his world that he had so much energy to spare? Killua didn't know, but he did know one thing:
'I gotta do something, or I'll be burn to a crisp!' He thought desperately. He held out his hand and focused, forming one of his yo-yos and clenching his hand around it. 'It's not much but it shall do for now. But how do I get clo—"
BOOM! The rock behind him exploded, his hiding place found. He turned to see Daemon's uncloaked form glaring down at him with those venomous and hateful red eyes and rearing his fist back to attack, ablaze with the dark flames.
"ANOMALYYYYYY!" He raged as he sent his fist forward.
Killua crossed his arms and focused Nen around his front to protect himself from the impact. The moment the fist impacted his arms and explosion took place from the flames detonating that sent Killua flying back, bouncing on the sandy floor and scorching his arms. "Agh!"
He didn't have time to waste face-down on the floor like this, Daemon had flown over him and was ready to stomp down his head. Killua rolled out of the way and jumped back to his feet, he threw his yo-yo at his feel and pulled, managing to make his foot slip and taking him out of balance momentarily. With the cable of his weapon tensed, Killua tugged himself towards his enemy and gripped his fist while focusing sixty percent of his aura around it and aimed it at his face.
However, Daemon glared at him and opened his mouth to unleash a torrent of flames towards him. Killua's eyes widened in horror and he dispelled the yo-yo to leap to the side and avoid the flames.
His enemy moved in that time. The Deadmon appeared behind Killua and rammed his fist on his back, flames encompassing it and causing another small explosion on the boy's back. "Agh!"
Daemon grabbed Killua's arm and lift him above his head before slamming him into the ground. Killua coughed up blood and then some more when his stomach was stomped and a black flame was pointed at his face.
Time seemed to freeze for him as he realized the position he was in. The last time he felt so powerless were two: when those Chimera Ants siblings pierced his body with sword fish darts and when he last fought Blademon.
'Shit no…! I have to get out of here. I have to!' He thought frantically and in panic. 'Alluka and Nanika are waiting for me! Oikawa and Hisoka are still loose! Kari… Everyone counts on me!'
Yet the situation seemed hopeless as that single moment of eternity where Killua's thoughts ran through was over and Daemon was ready to fire his attack point blank at the face of the young Hunter.
"TIGER'S HUNT!"
That yell, coming from a familiar voice to Killua's ear, was the only warning Daemon received before his shoulder was pierced by a sword. Black liquid falling from the wound and the flames around his hand dissipating. "RAGH!"
The sword was reached from the open wound and its wielder swung it again, aiming it at Daemon's neck. Yet the demon jumped high and dodged the swing, landing in front of the two.
Killua's savior put himself in front of the boy protectively. Killua rolled to his knees and looked at the back of whom had saved him, the tattered cloak and white fur that once was hidden under his fur would have been great clue had he not heard the name of the attack that wounded the Deadmon.
"Blademon…" Killua muttered.
"FOREIGNER!" Daemon roared.
Blademon's icy blue eyes glared at Daemon, his sword glistening with energy as he pointed it at him.
"MANY OF OUR BREATHEN HAVE FALLEN TRYING TO ASSIMILATE YOU!" Daemon continued to roar. "WITH THE ANOMALY AND YOU IN MY POSITION, I WILL HAND MY POWER TO MY LORD AND—"
"Tiger's hunt…"
Daemon's rant was cut short when Blademon dashed towards him, his sword aimed forward for a thrust he barely had time to dodge, but no unscathed as a gash wound formed to his side. Growling, Daemon took to the skies and brought both his flaming hands together.
"DIEEEEEEEE!" He unleashed another hellish torrent of flames down to both of them.
Blademon's sword glistened and he swung it with all of his might. "AIR SLASH!"
The cutting wave of air broke through the flames, yet it wasn't able to reach Daemon, who was undeterred by the sudden interruption of his attack. Growling, Blademon jumped high and unleashed various, less powerful cuts towards the demon.
Daemon changed his aim towards him, mid-air. Sending a volley of flames at him, that Blademon was barely able to block with the flat of his sword.
Killua watched the fight, and knew he couldn't just sit idly. Daemon was distracted with Blademon, and with so much rage in him he got sloppy. 'I have to act before he notices me!' He focused Nen on his feet and propelled himself upwards. Electricity danced against his fingertips and aimed them at the Deadmon attacking his partner. 'NARUKAMI!'
The lightning bolt soared through the distance between them and struck Daemon, cutting his attack short and making him howl in pain. "RAAAAAARGGGH!"
Blademon started to fall, but he aimed his sword in Daemon's direction and threw it like a javelin. The sword flew past the paralyzed demon, grazing his cheek. For a moment, Killua froze, thinking he missed, but then Blademon's body vanished from where it was falling and appeared in the right position to grab his sword's handle, just above Daemon.
He gripped his weapon and twirled in the air, raising it above his head and yelling in preparation for the next. "HI-AAAAAH!"
Daemon's paralysis worn off enough for him to turn around and see Blademon coming down with sword in hand. He could do nothing but watch in anger and impotence as the sword was brought down on his head horizontally and travelling all the way down to his middle.
Killua landed and looked up. A tense moment passing as nothing seemed to happen, then as if it was cut carboard, Daemon's body started splitting apart from the middle. His face morphed in anger and mortification.
The Deadmon's last thoughts were pitiful. 'Lord… Dagomon… Forgive me. Forgive me for not bringing light to our world… Forgive me for failing… Forgive me… Forgive me…!'
Then both halves of what used to be a powerful Deadmon turned to dust, scattered in the icy winds of this grey world.
Blademon landed and dissipated his sword. A sigh escaping his lips, Daemon had been beaten because he was no longer in the right state of mind. He had allowed rage and despair to consume him and leave him open for his attacks, and forgetting about Killua's presence. Had they fought in even conditions, the result might have been different.
Killua stared at the back of his partner for a moment, before said Digimon turned to look at him. Both sets of blue eyes meeting one another, until the boy opened his mouth to speak. "You—"
"Follow me," The Digimon cut off. "We're not safe here in the open, I know a place."
Before the boy could say anything, Blademon moved at a fast speed. Leaping over the mesa overlooking the shore where they were at.
Killua watched him go for a moment, before sighing and following. He will get his answers, but right now, the Digimon had the right idea.
At the top of the mesa was a forest. One familiar to Killua, the same one where he got lost along with Ken, Yolei and Kari. Was it the same? Or was it a place similar to it? This world was mostly unexplored because as soon as they got in they found a way to get out, though that didn't seemed to be the case anymore…
He looked at Blademon's back. So much he wanted to say, so much they had to clear between each other. At the very least he wasn't trying to kill him, so that was a great improvement. And he saved him too, so another plus for not everything to be lost between them. Still, it wasn't like they were going to be like the others right away…
Finally Blademon stopped in front of a big boulder, almost twice their size. He walked towards it and pushed its size. He grunted with effort, but the rock eventually moved a few inches and revealing the entrance to a cave. "Here."
He entered and Killua followed. Once they were inside, Blademon grabbed the rock again and settled back in place. Sighing, the Digimon turned to him and a tense moment of silence took place between the two of them.
"… How did you get here?" Blademon asked.
Killua shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Daemon dragged me here. He was going after Kari."
"The Child of Light…" Blademon mused. "Those things always murmur and whisper about her. Praising her as if she was a messiah of some kind…"
Killua frowned. Just what did these things want with Kari. Does it have to do with the whole 'Assimilation' thing Daemon was raging on about back at the beach.
As he mulled things over, Blademon walked past him. Killua turned to him, and knew that if things between them were going to clear out it had to be now. "Hey. Wait."
Blademon stopped and turned to him.
"You and I need to talk."
Blademon scoffed and turned his head away. "There's nothing to talk about."
"There's nothing to—Are you serious?!" Killua snapped and trudged towards him. "You and I are partners! And yet we tried to kill each other at any chance we had!"
"No!" Blademon turned around and glared at Killua, yet the anger in said glare wasn't directed at him. "I tried to kill you. YOU were only defending yourself!"
"So?!" Killua asked. "You were clearly not in your right mind! Oikawa did something to you! The same thing he did to Ken for him to turn into the Digimon Emperor!"
"THAT doesn't take away what I did!" Blademon growled. "I HATED you for so long! There was nothing in my mind for… FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE other than killing you! I killed innocent Digimon along with the Ichijouji kid, because I didn't care about anything other than killing you! And it was all a lie! A LIE! The entire thing was pointless!"
"AND IT WAS OIKAWA'S FAULT!" Killua yelled back, his voice echoing across the chamber. "I don't know how that BASTARD learned to use Nen. But he did and used it to turn the Digital World upside down! You had a hand in it, in the same way Ken did, all under his influence. You want to feel sorry for you?! For trying to kill me? For the Digimon you killed? Fine! But just look at Ken! He repented and is now working to fix everything Oikawa make him do, is that not enough proof that you can turn over a new leaf?!"
Blademon avoided his gaze, clearly struggling to accept Killua's words. The weight of the guilt crushing him. He had been born with one purpose and his whole life he went against said purpose.
Killua's eyes softened as he saw him struggling to cope with his guilt. He walked past him, looking ahead of the dark cave they were in. There was a lot on their plate right now, but the priority was clear.
"I don't know about you, but I want to leave this place as soon as possible," Killua said. "If you're going to stay there moping then do so. But I'm going."
He started walking forward. Blademon turned to look at him, before slowly moving, trudging behind him. "This place… Its inhabitants aren't much of a challenge by themselves… but sometimes, they can be a pain in the ass."
Killua gave him a side-eyes glance, before walking forward. "What exactly are they?"
Blademon shrugged. "Who knows. They take the shape of Digimon so… maybe they're like residual data. Yet most of them…" He trailed off, looking thoughtful.
"What?"
"It'll be better if you see for yourself," He explained. "Ahead from here, there's a tunnel that connects to a place where I think everything will be clearer."
Killua nodded. "Alright then, lead the way."
Blademon walked forward and Killua gazed at his back. His hands stuffed in his pockets. For some reason, this whole situation makes him think of one person in particular on his life:
Ikalgo.
That Chimera Ant squid which tried to kill him and yet later on became one of his friends, and a close one to that. After he saved his life, Killua already thought of him as a friend, and Ikalgo did the same after he considered him a cool guy—which he is.
Could he do the same for Blademon? Logic said yes. He was his partner, he was helping him right now, and they had a common enemy in Oikawa. Killua was ready to put the past behind and start over with the sword-wielding Digimon.
But was Blademon ready? Killua doubt so. Ken had taken his time to come around and forgive himself for his actions as the Emperor, Blademon had to do the same for his acts as The Reaper.
So, did Killua considers him a friend at the moment? 'Eh… fifty-fifty. I want us to be friends. To be what we were meant to be. To have what the others have. But for that we… Will need a bit more time. Just a slight push in the right direction.'
His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the dark tunnel becoming a bit clearer, he lifts his head to notice the end of the tunnel. There was no light at the end of it, things just became… slightly less dark than before. They stepped outside and Killua blinked in bewilderment as he realized the kind of location they were in.
"A highway?" He muttered.
A pavement road that went as far as he could see. One on a mountainside, it reminded Killua a bit of the ones that you took to go down Kukuroo Mountain. It was a bit contrast to be sure, one that left him shocked. They were on a beach with a forest overlooking it just a few moments ago and they just came out from a cave and now they're in a… highway.
Killua looked to his right, and down below he saw something that made his eyes bulge: A town. A small rural town with houses and surrounded by a wooden fence.
Noticing where his gaze went, Blademon walked to his side. "That's where we're going. Let's leap from here?"
Killua gave him a nod. "Okay."
The two leaped down. Blademon stabbing his sword on the rocky side, while Killua just focused Nen on his feet to cushion his fall. They were in a small forest, smaller than the one where they came. Blademon moved forward and Killua followed, arriving at the edge of the town in a small amount of time.
It was completely surrounded by a wood fence, and in its entrance there was a sign with something written on it. Killua observed it and quirked an eyebrow at what it read: "Innsmouth?" He questioned.
"My guess its that is the name of the town…" Blademon said with a shrug. "Never really thought about it. Not when I'm busy with other things." Before Killua could question him, Blademon guided him to move.
The town was empty. Too empty. The houses were crooked and looked like they were about to fall down by the slightest breeze. Killua resisted the urge to rub his arms, preferring to stay on high alert, this continuing to be a hostile territory. And at any moment, Deadmon could spring out and attack.
"Here," Blademon said, holding a hand out and looking up at the ceiling up a house. "Up there."
The two jumped to the ceiling to get a better overview of the town. Killua looked around, trying to find any trace of movement around. This world aside from hostile was also mostly unknown. It was the place where all the Deadmon came from, but could there be other living… things? Animals, or even some sort of native plants?
"There," Blademon's voice snapped him out and pointed to one of the buildings.
Coming from around a corner was what Killua supposed was a Deadmon. Yet it was different from the ones he remembered. Most of the ones he has seen where beings that took the shape of Digimon, but Killua remembered the first ones he met. The ones who tried to drag Kari into this world's characteristic dark waters for the first time, before he even entertained the idea of teaching her and the others anything about Nen. And this one, the one he and Blademon were seeing, while similar it also looked… Lacking.
If Killua were to compare it to anything was like a stick drawing with mass. It had the basic things, arms, legs, torso, head. Yet all to a basic level, no other features aside from two beady red eyes looking at nothing.
"What's wrong with it?" Killua asked. "Aside from the obvious…"
Blademon crossed his arms and glared at it. "That's one of the most common Deadmon you will see around it. The other will probably be those who try to kill, or assimilate us."
Killua looked at him with a questioning, if a bit exasperated look. "That word keeps being thrown around. Assimilate, assimilate. I know what the word means, but how does it fit with these things?"
Blademon opened his mouth to respond, but then his eyes shifted to where the Deadmon was and close it before pointing in that direction. "A live demonstration is about to happen. It won't be pretty, though."
Killua turned to where he was pointing. His eyes widened when he saw another Deadmon with the same body shape approaching the first one. The only difference was the fact that this one was bigger, almost a head taller than the first one. It raised its arms and wrapped them around the smaller Deadmon and their bodies started… merging. The mass of bodies started to mold into a single one, growing bigger and its features becoming more jagged. It now had big hands with sharp fingers, a mouth with razor teeth made of the same substance as its body, and it red eyes became sharper. It released a roar that echoed in the empty town.
Killua's noise wrinkled in disgust. "What just happened?!"
"That's how Deadmon grows," Blademon said with a sigh. "They assimilate, absorb, anything on their way and grow."
The Deadmon noticed them and roared, charging towards the building where they were. Blademon lazily raised his sword and brought it down, sending an Air Slash towards it. Before the beast could reach them, it got split in half by the attack and dissipated in motes of black dust.
The duo leaped down from their spot observing them and walked towards where the assimilation took place. "That's the kind of existence the Deadmon have. They just… are. They have no mind, or will as it is, at least at first. They just wander around and assimilate their own kind. When they get enough, they become mindless beasts. And when they get even MORE than enough, they become intelligent; learn how to talk, though it's a process akin to a human's it takes them time."
"Like the ones who tried to take Kari here the first time…" Killua muttered, remembering the one whose hand he took.
Unbothered by his words, Blademon continued. "Then when they get even more than that they take the form of Digimon. Those are the ones truly dangerous since they can use the powers of said Digimon…" He looked down. "I haven't seen any of them go beyond an Ultimate, aside from that… Daemon, you called it?"
Killua nodded. "Yeah. If what you're saying is true, then him and his comrades must have taken a bunch of these things to be born…" He paused and cupped his chin on his hand. "It works kind of like how the Control Towers create fake Digimon."
The Digimon grunted. "Makes sense, since both things were born here…"
Killua did a double-take. "What?! The Control Towers… come from this world?!"
Blademon nodded. "This is the place where Mast—" He grimaced and shook his head. "Where Oikawa found them, studied them and eventually… copied them."
More and more pieces started to fall into place. Between all the craziness involving this world and his own personal feelings involving Blademon, Killua overlooked an important fact: The Digimon in front of him was a source of information of all things regarding Yukio Oikawa. Including the reason behind doing all this: creating the Emperor, the Control Towers, controlling him, and the creation of beings such as BlackWargreymon and BlackMetalGarurumon.
"How did Oikawa even found this place to begging with?" Killua questioned.
Blademon sighed and turned, starting to walk away as they talked. "The same way I got dragged here…" He muttered. "Although, the influence of this world has grown thanks to the Towers planted in both worlds, so it was easier for me to get brought here…"
"And what is that reason?" Killua asked, wanting to get a straight answer.
"Just look around you. This place is depressing as hell," Blademo said, gesturing to the crumbling town. "Feelings like that, in extreme, are what draws you to this world…"
Feelings like despair. Killua's eyes softened as he stared at Blademon's back. That's what he must have experienced when he learned the truth, when Oikawa's hold was finally broken. Ken also had a connection to this world and… Killua thought back to the picture of the boy on his room, and to Oikawa's words in the truck. It wasn't hard to put two and two together: Ken lost someone, his brother most likely, and said feelings brought him here once upon a time.
But then, what could have Oikawa experience to be brought here in the first place? And how did it manage to drag Kari two times already? Or how it brought Hisoka over and threw him at them.
That… gave him a pause.
"Did other humans got dragged here?" Killua asked, with wide eyes.
Blademon shrugged. "It's most likely, yes. And no doubt, have they fallen prey to these things," he said with a hint of bitterness and disdain for the creatures of this world.
Depression and such things are sadly a normal thing in the world. And if this world draws people suffering from those, or by just feeling a deep sense of despair, then a fair share of people might get trapped here. And… assimilated by the Deadmon.
"I haven't seen humans in the time I've been here," Blademon continued. "But it would explain their fixation on the Child of Light."
"Kari," Killua felt the need to correct him.
"Right, Kari," Blademon said, in a flat tone.
Shaking his head from that. Killua thought about it, they wanted Kari to do this… assimilation thing. Specifically with her because she was a connection to powers of light beyond Nen. Her crest and therefore her were special, more than any other Digidestined. That solved most things, but why go to this lengths and also why now? Why not when she was younger, like when the Dark Masters attacked or afterwards? Still questions to be answered, so for now Killua should focus on the ones he can get an answer from.
"Okay, back to the Control Tower topic," Killua said. "What is their purpose? Why make Ken plant them and then why use them to create fake Digimon?"
Blademon looked down and then up at the constant gray sky of this world. "The Control Towers from this world have the same effect they had when Ichijouji was the Emperor. They cancel evolution," He explained. "The boy's Digivice wasn't the source of their power, but rather and amplifier that extended their range."
And all this time Killua thought it was backwards… That the towers amplified Ken's Digivices power. Maybe Ken himself thought so too considering how much in the dark he was in this.
"Other than that, nothing," Blademon went on. "Master modified them so they would work along with Arukenimon's ability. He wanted mindless soldiers after seeing that the rings and spirals weren't foolproof… Even in the Deadmon."
And that explained why the Deadmon who turned into Scubamon had Spirals, and the Airdramon. Oikawa must have used them as test subjects to test their limits.
"Their final function was to disrupt the balance between the worlds, and used Ken for that since he couldn't do it himself. What he was able to do was plant them in the real world and that way break the barrier between worlds."
Killua's eyes widened. "But that's… What the Dark Masters wanted to do! Is he fucking insane?!"
Blademon sighed and ran a hand through his furry head. "Sadly yes. He has this… obsession with everything about the Digital World. He envies you and all the other Digidestined. He made the Digital Port in an attempt to get there once he obtained your Digivice.
"He has my—Of course he has my fucking Digivice, why not?" Killua sighed in exasperation. "And he did make the Digiport."
Was Yukio Oikawa even human? Moral themes aside, this man created an artificial door to another whole world and somehow found about the existence of Nen! It was such a waste that he was using it all for a twisted obsession.
"He thinks he'll make paradise," The Digimon continued. "A world where both human and Digimon can live together. Of course he also wants to rule over both worlds and make sure his fantasy isn't disrupted. And as for BlackWargreymon and BlackMetalGarurumon they're his endgame. He planned on creating dark versions of VictoryGreymon and ZeedGarurumon, but it seems that escaped Arukenimon's ability."
'They achieved that form due to my Nen, so maybe that's what they lacked. WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon would have been their normal evolutions had things been different,' Killua thought. Then something clicked. Those two… at the same time.
A pit formed in his stomach. Could it be…
"What he wanted from those two was not only to have Megas amongst his ranks. No, he wanted a weapon. A powerful being that would wipe out even the partners of the Digidestined. And he met that possibility four years ago," Blademon's expression grew severe. "When a Virus Digimon threatened the whole world. And the partners of your friends, Yamato Ishida and Taichi Kamiya, fused into one being."
Killua knew what he was talking about. His friends explained him of this threat the same day he arrived into their world. A fusion between VictoryGreymon and ZeedGarurumon. ZVOmnimon.
"Oikawa plans to recreate that Digimon," Blademon said with a tone that reflected how terrifying that event was for him now. "With both worlds connected and him with such a Digimon at his side and with Nen, he could be unstoppable."
Killua took a deep breath. In summation: The Deadmon wanted to 'assimilate' Kari for her connection to the light, Oikawa plans to bring both worlds together, and create a Digimon that is the fusion of TWO Megas who played a big part in defeating the Dark Masters and the literal incarnation of the apocalypse.
That was a lot to unpack, so they should go by parts.
'Out of all of them the biggest threat is Oikawa. The Deadmon are dangerous, but they haven't shown interest in anything other than getting Kari. But Oikawa's plan could bring the end of both worlds…' Killua analyzed. 'But I can't do anything while I'm here. And the Deadmon are clearly allied with Oikawa, they probably see him as the best chance they have in getting their claws on Kari so they will help him as long as he helps them get what they want. So if we stop them we are taking away Oikawa's advantage in numbers in this fight…"
Exhaling Killua looked up and then around the empty town. His face set in stone, and clenching his fists, he looked at Blademon as the beginnings of a plan began to form.
"Daemon was not the biggest dog in the food chain," Killua said. "When we arrived, he was afraid of something, or someone. In your time here, has there been any indication that the Deadmon have any form of leader?"
Daemon cupped his hands and closed his eyes, thinking back of the few interactions he's had with the Deadmon that are capable of speech. His eyes opened and he gave Killua a nod. "Once, during my firsts weeks here. When the attacks of the Deadmon were more aggressive and common. Two of them made a passing mention of their so-called 'Master'."
Blademon cleaved through another Deadmon, one with the appearance of a Golemon. He stumbled and lurched forward, stabbing his sword on the concrete as he used it to keep himself stable.
How long has he been in this strange world? Weeks, at most, but with the constant attacks of these creatures, he was so tired it could have been months.
He looked around. He now was in something akin to a city; it had a pavement road and some houses. Yet most of them were crumbled down or half-finished, their infrastructure sprouting out like a broken bone from a body.
He pushed himself to be straight, growling as once again the thoughts of his actions came to haunt him. All he's done since he opened his eyes was meaningless. MEANINGLESS! His entire reason to fight, to train, to get even stronger was for revenge against his own partner who didn't even know he existed. Who never did anything to hurt him at all.
Now, if he gets out of this world, what would he even do? Oikawa lied to him, Killua probably hated him, and the Digidestined probably see him as a threat to be put down. He… It was probably for the best if he rots here.
"An entity, tainted by darkness…"
A hissing voice came from behind. Ignoring his tired muscles, Blademon grabbed his sword and turned around getting into a battle position. It could be more of those things, or rather it HAD to be. And true to his experience, they made themselves know.
Made of water and with glaring red eyes. Two Deadmon stepped from around the corner, glaring at Blademon like he was the bearer of the plague. One of them stepping forward. "We do not need your kind here. Begone, or be assimilated. Choose!"
Assimilation. Their way of achieving something similar to Digievolution. Just… not as clean as that. He raised his sword and snarled. "Come and try it, you bastards!"
The first one stepped forward and its body morphed. "In the name of our lord, you'll be a great offering for his glory."
The second one, quiet up until now, stepped forwards as well. "In our quest for the salvation of our world. You'll be a great addition to the power of our Master!"
Both bodies merged into one. Assimilation, just one where both factions were willing to do it. Blademon didn't wait until the body was completely formed and attacked, sending an Air Slash at it.
Unfortunately, the Deadmon's formation finished. Sprouting wings and allowing it to leap over the attack. Blademon glared at it, recognizing the Digimon as an Ultimate Level: Okuwamon.
Gritting his teeth, Blademon raised his sword and focused energy on it, ready to use his Tiger's Hunt on this beast. Even if he is lost, even if he doesn't know what he wants to do or if he will ever get out of this world and even if he thinks that maybe this was what he deserved, there's one truth he won't deny.
"I refuse to die against you, freaks!" He roared as he charged forward.
As it would become common from the months to come, Blademon and the Deadmon clashed, while the fake Okuwamon bellowed.
"INVADER, YOU WILL BE GONE FROM THIS WORLD ONE WAY OR THE OTHER!" It said. "ALL IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD! LORD…!"
"…Dagomon," Blademon revealed, as he stared at Killua. "They called him Lord Dagomon."
Killua clenched his fist and shook the uncomfortable feeling the name caused him. "Dagomon… So that's who Daemon answered to…"
"As you can probably tell, I haven't met this Dagomon in my time here," Blademon said. "I'm starting to wonder if it even exist, or if its just some urban legend amongst the smart Deadmon."
Killua shook his head. "No, him, or it whatever, might be real. Hisoka mentioned a 'benefactor,' the one who brought him to the Digital World… If there's a being capable of tearing through dimensions and bringing others, even when they're not feeling the despair you mentioned…" He sighed and ran a hand through his head. "This only spells more bad news…"
Blademon quirked an eyebrow. "Hisoka… Morrow?"
Killua paused. "How did you know that?"
"He was in… my memories," Blademon gripped his head and massaged. "No, that's not quite right. In the memories Oikawa planted on me, you mentioned that name… He was your… Enemy and ally…"
A new enigma has appeared in front of Killua. How could Blademon know that? Or more accurately, how could Oikawa know that? How did the man knew so much about him? And how did he learned Nen to begin with?!
"Those things are true," he told the Digimon. "Did Oikawa mentioned you how he learned to use his aura?"
Blademon shook his head. "I was never interested in asking. Sorry…"
Killua sighed. "No, it's no problem," he looked at him with a tired smile. "Just another thing in the lists of why I will kill him. No ifs or buts."
Honestly, the amounts of lines that man has crossed were so many and so personal that Killua barely cared if the others had a problem with it. He will rip his head off and play with it like a football.
Any further thoughts of assassinating Oikawa were put to a halt when a rumbling shook the zone. They turned around to see a bony feet stomping their way towards them. Their eyes widening like saucers when they realized the new form the Deadmon had taken to hunt them down.
"Skull…" Killua looked up in horror at the creature, "…Greymon!"
Blademon drew his blade and made it glow with energy. "Damn, they're not pulling any stops now!"
Killua gritted his teeth as he let his aura flow. SkullGreymon, even for an Ultimate, was a powerhouse. Its size and the power of its attacks were a huge problem, and right now using his full power was something he couldn't afford. He looked to the side and felt some small comfort that at least he wouldn't be taking on this foe alone.
"Anomaly. Killua Zoldyck."
The two stopped and stared at the SkullGreymon in shock, tensing as the voice echoed throughout the town. Blademon's eyes had widened, before narrowing and a soft growl coming from his mouth. "Oh, great, it's one of the talking ones."
Killua stared at the monster, his hands clenching as a shiver ran down his spine due to the voice coming from its mouth. He looked at those dark-red eyes, trying to hide away his nerves and glaring at it in a show of defiance. "How do you know my name?"
The monster leaned forward, making the two leap back expecting an attack, yet the Deadmon didn't attack, it just leaned in an attempt to regard them to something akin to eye-level. "I know everything, and everyone, who comes here. To my domain."
The pieces clicked too fast for the two of them. Killua blurted the name he just recently learned and his glare hardened with cold anger. "Dagomon!"
"So, the ruler of this shithole finally honors me with its presence?" Blademon sneered, the grip on his sword tightening.
"I do not have any grudges with you, Blademon," The SkullGreymon spoke. "You're only sin is entering my world and rejecting assimilation. When your power could have given new life to me and my brethren."
Blademon's growls became louder, yet he restrained himself from attacking. "Sin my ass. I didn't asked to be brought here!"
His complains went ignored. The red eyes of the monster glaring down at Killua. "But YOU Anomaly… Constantly, you have proven to be the one to get in our way for a new life. A new beginning for my kind!"
"What in the heck are you talking about?" Killua growled. Damn it, first Blademon and now this guy. Why couldn't the guys who wanted him death just give him a straight answer of WHY they want to kill him.
SkullGreymon got on all fours, and Killua and Blademon knowing what was coming, got into running positions. Before they took off however, Dagomon through the body of this Deadmon spoke once again. "For my future, and my people's come and face me Anomaly. No more games! No more of my Deadmon coming for you. Survive this… And find me. To the north is where I am, where my fortress is! Intruder, Blademon, you shall come with him too. Or else you will be forever hounded by my servants until you are assimilated! Let's see who can claim the Child of Light as their own once and for all!"
Killua bristled. Does this monster think Kari was an object or something?!
The SkullGreymon roared, any sense of awareness lost as it became a raging beast. Dagomon gone, and waiting for their response. Fire licked its snout and fired. Killua and Blademon each darted to one side to avoid the flames. Many of the buildings behind them getting destroyed.
The two ran in circles around it, looking for an opening. Killua's eyes zeroed on its back, his eyes widening when he noticed the lack of a missile on it. It lacked the feature that let SkullGreymon do it special attack, that was an advantage they could exploit. He jumped with a burst of aura and then focused fifty percent of it on his left fist for an attack, but then.
"Ugh!" He collided with something and both fell to the floor. "What the—"
"What are you doing?!" He looked to see Blademon glaring at him. "I was going for his back!"
"So did I! Why didn't you—SHIT!" They had to scatter when SkullGreymon turned around and slammed its bony hands where they were.
As the two leaped back, their bickering continued. "How was I supposed to know you were going for the back!?" Killua asked.
"You never dealt with these monsters before, I got more experience!" Blademon exclaimed as he stepped forward. "Step back!"
"I do have experience, you idiot!" Killua snapped, feeling a thick mark on his forehead. "These things appeared in the Human World and we were the ones to face them!"
A roar stopped further discussion. Like a freight-train, SkullGreymon charged towards them. The two jumped to the side, letting the giant skeleton run pass them, stopping when it didn't felt them trampled by its feet.
With its back turned to him, Killua jumped and charged electricity on his fingertips, aiming it at the lower back of the skeletal beast, hoping to hinder its mobility. Meanwhile Blademon hid in one of the houses and stared from one of the windows at the monster's side, seeing at opening around its hips. If he could stab it then its mobility will suffer from it, so he channeled energy of his sword ready to attack.
"NARUKAMI!"
"TIGER'S HUNT!"
However, both attacks clashed in the most unfortunate way possible. As Blademon launched himself from the window where he was spying, aiming for the monster's lower back only for him to be impacted by Killua's lightning. "AGH!"
"WHAT?!" Killua yelled, eyes widening.
The distraction was definitely useful for someone. SkullGreymon turned around and looked down at the stunned Blademon. The armored tiger shook as his whole muscles were stiff after the discharge. The monster rose his feet and got ready to stomp the Digimon.
Killua landed and watched the scene. Acting fast he focused aura on his feet and got into a position to run and with a burst he shot forward towards his partner, tackling him out of the monster's way.
His partner had some words to say to him as the two ran away from the monster's line of sight. "What the fuck was that!"
"Don't pin this on me!" Killua barked. "You appeared out of freaking nowhere!"
Blademon growled, but in the end he sighed and stopped running. "This isn't working. We're too uncoordinated."
"Yeah, I noticed…" Killua said, looking back at the monster. "Back then, when The Emperor captured Agumon, you went for the legs. Let's keep aiming for the back, go for the feet I'll go for its spine."
"Fine then!" Blademon said with a nod and summoning his sword.
Now with a plan, both combatants shot forward. The SkullGreymon turned around and got on all fours, from its mouth another wave of fire was sent towards them. Blademon charged energy on his sword and swung horizontally, an Air Slash cutting through the fire and impacting against the face of the beast making it stagger backwards.
Killua focused aura on his feet and let it burst to sent him forward, passing by the creature's legs. He skidded to a stop and glared at its back, focusing another bout of aura he was propelled upwards. He reached the spikes on its back that usually held the missile for this monster's attacks. He grabbed onto it and pulled himself up, planting his feet on it. And once with solid ground under him, so to speak, he focused aura on his hand and started ramming his fist into the back of the monster.
The Deadmon yelled in pain, thrashing and moving in an attempt to throw out the cause for its suffering. To the side, on top one of the few houses still remaining. Blademon focused energy on his sword and took aim for the monster's heel. "Tiger's Hunt!"
He dashed forward. His body blurring away from sight and going towards the rampaging monster's feet. With millimetric and precise precision amongst the stomping of the creature, his sword found its target. Two chunks of bone flew from the back of SkullGreymon's feet, the creature tumbling and falling to its knees.
From its back, Killua jumped up from his position on the monster's spike and Conjured one of the yo-yos on his hands. He threw it and the cord wrapped around the single horn of its head and when it tensed, he tugged himself up towards the top of the head.
He cupped his hands together and used Ko around them. And with a yell, "AAAAAAAH!" He brought them down to the monster's head.
The power of the attack made SkullGreymon growl in pain and for its upper body to fall down. However, it remained, not turning to dust. And the twitching of its bony hands an indicative that it would get back up if they didn't act.
Killua looked around, until his eyes found Blademon's. "Put this thing down for good!"
With a nod. Blademon jumped into the air, positioning himself above the monster's head and aiming his sword vertically at the top of its cranium before diving down and burying it deep into it.
SkullGreymon let out another agonizing yell, before its body turned into the gooey substance Deadmon are made from and then scattered into the wind as dust. Killua and Blademon touched the floor and both panted heavily.
"I…" Blademon started to say. "Don't have the stamina I used to have. Must be because I no longer have Oikawa's ability on me…"
Killua exhaled and straightened. "Yeah… so much burst of aura… not exactly good for health…" He said, taking in deep breaths.
Once they regained their breaths, Blademon gestured him to follow. "There's a cave nearby, there we can rest and regain some strength."
Killua nodded. He wanted to take a break, not only because of this fight but also because of everything else that has happened today. Seriously, this ranks in his top of 'Most-Shitty-Days' in a solid top five. Don't ask him about the top four…
They dragged themselves out of the destroyed town of Innsmouth. The black fire of the flames that rained down on them consuming everything around it. Killua gave Blademon a somewhat worried look. "About that place."
"I wasn't staying there and you didn't burned down my house or something like that," The Digimon said. "Did you see the place? The house would collapse on me while I was sleeping there. And it was too far in the open, Deadmon could have found me sleeping there. I prefer other places and caves can at the least be sealed off."
Okay, fair enough for Killua.
With the town behind them, they walked towards the edge, back to the ledge where the highway was. Blademon gave a high jump, while Killua, resorting to save his aura for later, pulled his climbing skills to the test and started going up with his bare hands. Did it sounded counterproductive to strain his muscles like that? For a normal person maybe, but then again 'normal' wasn't a word that described Killua. Who climbed the side of the ledge in no time.
With the two back at their starting point, they trekked down the highway. Everything about it seemed normal from Killua's perspective. A pavement road with white streaks that served to separate the two railings. Silence dominated the air between them, too exhausted, or too awkward to engage in casual conversation.
However, soon they will come to a dead end. As they turned around a curve of the highway, the road was just… gone, as if it was never finished or if it was erased from the plain of existence. "What the—"
"Don't think much about it," Blademon said as he looked down. "Saves you headaches."
Killua followed suit. They were rocky place, all around he could see were solid rock spires sprouting from the floor, and some craters here and there. It reminded him of the lava pits from the Digital World, just that instead of lava there was… water. The same dark water from the ocean.
"Here," Blademon said, as he gestured to one of the holes on the floor. "A hideout. One of the many I've found." He jumped down it and vanished from sight.
Knowing he had no other choice, Killua followed his example. The drop was longer than he anticipated, around four meters in height. It was pitch dark, but a soft, blue glow came from Blademon's sword. He raised it and illuminated the cave, showing how spacious it actually was.
"We'll rest here," Blademon said. "Before heading to the north… if that's what you want."
"It's my only bet for getting out of here," Killua said before shrugging. "Well, at least for now…"
"For now?" Blademon questioned.
Killua smiled. "It might sound silly but… I know my friends will try to find a way to get me out of her." He closed his eyes and exhaled, "though, I prefer to find a way out by myself and save them the problems."
Blademon gave a grunt and nodded. "As you say…" His tone showed he was clearly not convinced by that. "You should sleep. This place is safe, although who knows if Deadmon will appear to try and get their way with us. As for food…"
Killua sighed. "I guess I can go a few days without eating. Haven't seen anything remotely edible since we've come here."
"That's the thing," Blademon cut in. "I haven't felt hunger since I've been here. The desire to eat, yes—lord knows I'd kill for a chocolate—but hunger to the point of debilitating me no. I don't know if you being human will make it any different."
"Let's hope it's not," Killua said, settling down. "Wake me up for a change of shift."
"No," Blademon said with finality. "You need strength after those fights, and I'm used to nights without sleep here. You rest, this whole day you have been fighting with the Deadmon sent to the Human World and who knows how long it will take for us to get there. And we'll have to be constantly on the move to avoid unnecessary conflicts."
Killua frowned. Not completely agreeing with the idea of leaving Blademon to be the only one keeping watch. But his body, now relaxed and not flowing with adrenaline, did felt tired after the fights against SkullSatamon, Daemon, and that SkullGreymon. "Fine…"
He rested his head on the cold, muddy, and hard surface and closed his eyes. Hoping that he could find a way out of this mess the next time he opens his eyes.
When Killua's breathing started coming out in a calm rhythm, Blademon knew he was sleep. He also knew however that the smallest shift would snap him awake, so he didn't make any move aside from crossing his arms and staring down at the tunnel where further ahead he knew there was the exit to this cave.
He didn't know how to feel about this situation. Killua was by his side and they were going on a quest together, basically the whole premise of the fake memories Oikawa planted on his head. Yet that only filled him with dread. He looked at the sleeping boy, wondering who he really was; was he like the one that plagued his mind for so long, the image Oikawa fabricated to keep him under his thumb, or was he someone different.
Things from his fake memories matched with what few things Killua shared with him, like his connection with Hisoka Morrow, did that meant that what Oikawa showed him was accurate? If push came to shove, and everything turned hard would he… leave?
Blademon growled and pressed a hand to his forehead. 'Enough of that! Oikawa lied to you your whole life! How can you believe anything coming from him!?'
Yet that sad possibility, those feelings of forgotten resentment, still pestered him with poisonous thoughts. 'And even if that's true and he does leave me… don't I deserve it? In those stupid memories we were friends, and partners, we were together backing each other up… here, I'm the one who tried to kill him. If he leaves me, if his friends do come to take him away, its what I deserve…'
That's right. Maybe Killua would be better off if he disappeared, but until then, he would help him push through it all until his friends do come to rescue him. It's the least he could do and maybe, that would put at ease the guilt plaguing him, even if just for a bit.
Killua's eyes fluttered open, he felt refreshed. Enough for him to be in better shape to fight against upcoming opponents.
"… Are you awake?"
"Yeah… Yeah, I'm up…"
"Good, we have to keep moving."
"Osu."
Killua stepped out of the cave, stretching his arms until they popped. Footsteps crunching behind him, making him look back with a side-eyed glance. "Where to now?"
"There's another place where we can stay. But if you really want to go there, we'll have to take a different route."
"… Sorry, you got caught in all this."
"… you're the last person that should apologize to me."
Killua closed his eyes and nodded, adjusting his coat and looking up at the grayish horizon in front of them. Their next target made up. "Let's go then, Blademon."
A flash of light appeared behind him, and his companion walked out of the cave, with his sword resting on his shoulder. "Right."
The two dashed out of the cave at full speed, their destination: Finding the ruler of this world and take them down once and for all.
A/N: The ending is the same as last chapter. But after I wrote this one it didn't really felt that fitting with the narrative in this. What do you guys think?
Sorry it took so long, between setting up my Patre-on, preparing for the new semester, and getting really hooked up playing Cyber Sleuth and Hacker's Memory… yeah, I got carried away.
I really need to think this through since it's the first original arc for the story. Maybe the chapter will be shorter, maybe not, who knows.
And if you want to help me keep up posting as soon as possible then help me in my patre on:
P a treon. com(slash) user?u=86905404
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Thank you as always for your support. This is the story will reach its ending no matter what.