Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, nor do I own When the World's Not Ending, by Smartalec121 or any of their associated works.

Off the Beaten Path

Chapter: 45/ Spear of Darkness

Masahiko shivered beneath the shell of ice, his consciousness hanging between waking and sleeping. The darkness of sleep tempted him and he gave into it. All sensation vanished within oblivion's embrace.

"I can be the instrument that pays him back for you. All for you. Just give in. You want him to pay, don't you?"

Pay him back… The thought floated in the darkness, disturbing its tranquility.

"Remember how he followed after you and promised he would be there for you? Where has he been since then?"

Who needs him and his stupid promises?

The darkness parted and he found himself at Jeri's funeral, standing alongside his mother and her family while they picked out what bones had survived the cremation for the urn. He had watched then, as he had before with his father, feeling his stomach. He watched as his mother picked up a particularly large chunk between her chopsticks and Masahiko fancied that he saw a blackened tooth imbedded in it.

Jeri's jaw.

Memories of her smiling face – once so full of life – flashed across his mind. He screamed. He knew it was poor manners, but he couldn't help it. All the anguish and confusion sitting in his mind since they did this with his father bubbled up and overflowed. His mother's chopsticks trembled, and she soon dropped both them and the bone to turn her attention toward him.

"Masahiko…" she began, but he didn't wait for her to finish. Instead, he charged out of the funeral home and out into the sunlight, the weather making fun of him by being sunny and happy on a day of sadness. Why wasn't it crying? Why wasn't it crying?!

He didn't know how far he ran or where, only that at some point he found himself in a lush garden, and that Takato and Guilmon found him, still dressed in their funeral clothes.

"I think he went this way," he heard the dinosaur say, sniffing the air like a dog. Rounding the corner, the pair came into view. Their eyes lighted on him.

"Masahiko," Takato called, and then quickly came over to him.

"Go away!" Masahiko sobbed. "Go away!"

Takato pressed his lips together, but didn't do as Masahiko wanted. Instead, he knelt down and wrapped his arms around him.

"It's okay," he said softly, his voice thick. "It'll be okay. She's… She's watching over you."

"She's dead! Just like Dad! Just like everyone!" Snot flowed from Masahiko's nose. He wiped it away with his sleeve, but more followed like an endless river.

"Not everyone," Guilmon piped in. "Your mom's still here. So are your grandparents. And-And we're still here too!"

"Right." Takato nodded, his eyes concerned. "We'll be here whenever you want us to. I promise."

"I don't want anyone!" Masahiko shouted. "Leave me alone!"

He saw Takato flinch, as if struck. He didn't care. What did it matter anyway if Takato was hurt or not? He broke his promise! He whirled away, not wanting to look at Takato's stupid face any longer. Promise breakers deserved to be hurt!

"You're a liar. A liar, liar, liar!"

"Don't you think you're being a little hard on him?"

The achingly familiar voice caught Masahiko's attention. Looking back, he found Jeri sitting where Takato had been, dressed in black. Her smile looked as he remembered it; sad. Yet, she appeared warm and full of life.

"G-Go away!" Masahiko demanded bitterly. Jeri sighed, but did not move.

"He did try," she continued. "You know he did. But every time he saw you, it was like this. And he was always being called away to fight a digimon. And he worried there might come a day where he wouldn't be able to come at all."

Masahiko hiccupped, but continued to glare angrily at Jeri. After a moment, his eyes dropped.

"Why'd you leave?" he asked.

"I didn't want to."

"But you did! You killed yourself! That means you wanted to leave! You didn't care about any of us!"

"Believe me, I did care about you," Jeri replied, this time with a little more force to her voice. Then, as if sensing her anger upset her brother, she looked away, ashamed. "I…don't know if I can explain it. I don't think I understand it myself."

Wrapping her arms about her thin body, she shivered. To Masahiko, the warmth in her face faded, and she began to grow icy pale. She reminded him of her appearance in the coffin before she went to the fire.

"But what I know or don't doesn't change how I feel," she continued. "I did love you, Masahiko. I still do. And that's why I'm here."

Masahiko hiccupped again, this time in confusion. "Huh?"

Jeri held out a hand for him. "Come on. Let's get you home."

Masahiko glanced at her hand, and he found himself struck by how thin it looked. Almost skeletal. His eyes flickered up to Jeri's amber eyes, and he saw a bone-deep exhaustion in them that carried the weight of years inside. Yet, oddly enough, a strange, desperate determination in them to continue on regardless.

Masahiko's lips trembled. "Will-Will you be there?"

Jeri hesitated, and then her eyes fell. Masahiko knew the truth without her needing to say anything.

"Then why should I go home?"

"You have people there who love you and care for you."

"So did you."

He knew it was a horrible thing to say, but he couldn't help it. The words came out as though a dam broke. Hot tears spilled forth from his eyes, blinding him to all around him.

"You're dead. Dad's dead. What's the point of going home if everyone dies?" he asked bitterly.

'Jeri' had no answer for him. Masahiko didn't even have to look to know she left him alone again.

No wonder Takato broke his promise, he thought. What's the point of making them in the first place?

###

We should have gone with Suzie, Takato thought from within his data sphere as he, in Gallantmon's form, hurtled through the air. If anything happens to her or Lopmon…

He cut off that line of thought. It wouldn't help. Things were going to happen however they happened and he would have to trust to Suzie, Lopmon, and lady luck that things wouldn't go wrong.

Takato clenched his teeth, thinking about how bad a hand luck dealt them over the years.

Please… Hang in there!

From behind him, flying in Doumon's protective barrier, Rika watched Gallantmon with deep concern. When Alice's device suddenly started going crazy in the direction Suzie had gone – confirmed almost immediately by Hypnos – the tension coming off him skyrocketed. Of course, this wasn't unique for him as the same also held true for Kenta and herself. Takato's felt different to her though. She could feel fear coming off him like an almost tangible thing; a living entity.

Can't say I blame him, she thought, her heart beating wildly in her chest. I'm having a hard time keeping it together myself.

Anger and terror were the dominating emotions inside her at the moment. Presently, fear lay on top, if only because battle had yet to be joined and until they did, she felt helpless to effect anything about it. Even then, she wondered whether or not she could contribute anything, even with their plan.

IceBeelzemon's a Mega level and we couldn't do anything to him. He even took Gallantmon down.

She shook her head. That was then. Things are different now. Now, we're all together.

Her fear receded somewhat, and anger rose up to take its place as the dominating emotion. She felt more comfortable on that ground. More confident and less doubtful. But at the same time, she found herself thinking back to her conversation with Kayoko.

"I don't think it's wrong you being angry because what happened to your grandma was wrong, and anyone normal ought to be mad about that. I'm scared what might happen to you if you get too wrapped up in it."

Rika looked back at Doumon. The Ultimate towered over her like a spear, back rigidly straight and the practice sword thrust into her sash securely. In spite of her shaman appearance, she looked very much like a warrior standing watch over her lord.

Will we be alright? Rika wondered. Doumon's eyes met hers and they held one another's gazes for a moment. The vulpine digimon nodded to her, seeming to sense the girl's anxieties. Rika felt a trickle of warm confidence through their connection, and she found herself wondering at where it came from.

Probably from her last job. How many times has she done this before? I bet a lot. But she's never gone in with a human partner before. Who knows how that'll change things? She clenched her fists tightly. I've got to be careful. I can't dark digivolve her.

She glanced over at Kenta, wondering how he was doing. Of all of them, she observed Kenta to be the most openly anxious about battles. Presently, he was on his phone, his face twisted in indecision.

Is this really the time to be checking for messages? Rika wondered with a flash of annoyance, only to realize a second later what was going on. Oh. Toshiko.

She pressed her lips together, wondering what she should say to help him with his anxieties. She didn't pry into their relationship, but she knew it couldn't be easy with his occupation. Before she could even say anything however, the sound of a distant thump ripped her attention away from the boy. Rika adjusted her grip on her digivice. She glanced back at Alice, who stood to her right.

"Remember what you have to do," she said. Alice nodded.

"Keep out of the way. Yes, I understood it the first time."

Rika ignored the deadpan barb and turned away.

"Get ready," she said. "We're going in."

###

Antylamon flew back, devolving back to her Rookie form almost immediately upon impact from IceBeelzemon's attack. Seconds, it seemed, had been woefully overoptimistic in Suzie's estimation for how long the former Deva would be able to last against the Mega. Jian swooped down, catching the Rookie in his mouth. Below them, IceBeelzemon watched with a smirk.

"So, you thought your partner could match me?" he mocked. "Goes to show how weak the two of you are. Just like you always were."

Hefting his arm cannon, he took aim. The jaws at the end parted and electricity crackled at the end. Bursts of frigid lightning shot forth. Jian twisted and turned in midair, narrowly avoiding the blasts until…

"Frozen Impact!"

Neither of them saw IceBeelzemon sneak the gun out with his other hand, but they both felt the jarring impact of the shotgun blast. Jian tumbled, but remained aloft – his armor being strong enough to resist the blow. More blasts rained rapidly down on him though, far more rapidly than from the arm cannon, forcing him to draw back.

"It's no good, Suzie! I can't fight him like this with you and Lopmon!"

"Then let us down!" Suzie ordered.

Jian's response was to tuck and roll to the side, causing Suzie to scream in startlement. Her hair fluttered violently and a wave of cold washed over her. Behind where she had just been, the roof of a house exploded, sending wood and ice shrapnel flying in all directions.

"I can't keep you safe! I'm pulling us back!"

Another impact, and Jian grunted. Suzie saw a crack spiderweb along his armor. A few more shots, and his defenses would be breached.

Jian… She clutched hold to him tightly as the shots struck him like a countdown to his death. She felt helpless to do anything to protect him! All she could do was hold him and pray.

With a final blast, she felt Jian jerk beneath her. Shards of his armor flew away and they were now tumbling to the ground. Jian shouted something to her, but she barely heard it as they plowed into the yard below, smashing through a fence. Metal shrieked and Suzie found herself thrown off. She struck dirt and rolled into a water sprinkler. Suzie spat water angrily and scrambled to her feet. Before her, Jian lay, twisted along the ground and fence, his stomach oozing a black liquid. Lopmon having tumbled out of his mouth, lay limp like a ragdoll. IceBeelzemon stood over him, shotgun poised to deliver the final blow.

No… No! Don't kill him! Tears welled up in her eyes. She scrambled for her cards even though she knew they would be useless. Oh please, not again!

"Lightning Joust!"

The shout came like a clap of thunder. A black shadow fell over IceBeelzemon and the Demon Lord, seeing it, leapt back, narrowly avoiding Gallantmon as he came crashing in. The knight's lance skewered the street, causing it to heave before bursting violently. Windows from nearby homes shattered and car alarms went off. Gallantmon's eyes flashed upon sighting IceBeelzemon. He ripped his lance out of the street. A crimson aura began to swirl around him.

IceBeelzemon looked upon the knight unhappily. He didn't want to fight him now, but he needed Coronamon's data! His eyes darted, following the familiar sense of the Rookie. The digimon hid behind a car, eyes wide, but still in range.

Just slow him down, IceBeelzemon thought. That's all I need to do right now. He's not going to go all out with so many weak humans nearby.

Lifting his arm cannon, he took aim.

"Cryo Blaster!" he shouted, and the beam of frigid lightning lanced out. Gallantmon shifted his shield up, taking the blast full force instead of dodging. IceBeelzemon smirked.

This might work out better than I thought…

Not even waiting for the attack to connect, he holstered his shotgun. Charging, he made Titamon's sword materialize in his now freed hand. His Cryo Blaster struck Gallantmon's shield, setting off a thunderous explosion of ice shards and lightning. IceBeelzemon swung blindly through the blast, sheering through the Chrome Digizoid that lay on the other side. A chunk of Aegis struck the ground with a loud clang.

"Don't move!" IceBeelzemon laughed as the smoke began to clear, revealing a shocked Gallantmon. Rearing back, IceBeelzemon's cheeks suddenly bulged.

"Boar Bog!" he shouted, and from his mouth vomited forth a thick, black, goo. It swamped over Gallantmon, sealing him in place.

"What…?!" Gallantmon exclaimed in surprise. "Aw, nuts! Vikaralamon's attack!"

IceBeelzemon grinned. "It seemed like such a waste to leave his data just floating around, so I thought I'd help myself since you didn't." Hefting Titamon's sword again, he lined it up with the struggling Gallantmon's neck. "Looks like it's game over."

He pulled back, preparing the final strike. IceBeelzemon couldn't believe Gallantmon's deletion had been so easy! Did Masahiko grant him more power than he thought, or did he underestimate his abilities all this time? Whatever the case, Gallantmon's data was as good as his now.

Yet, even as he began to swing, he saw Gallantmon abruptly vanish from sight. IceBeelzemon froze in place, baffled by this unexpected occurance. Then he heard the words, Fog of Confusion, floating downwind toward him. He swore angrily. The former God of Destruction had cast a spell hiding Gallantmon from his eyes! He started to swing again, but it was too late. Gallantmon reappeared in his vision, ripping free from the Boar Bog. His lance, still trapped in the tar, came as no use to him, so he thrust up with the remains of his shield, energy swirling in its center. The shield crackled dangerously; its growing power barely kept in place. Bolts of lightning danced about, tearing through the bog and asphalt beneath it.

"Shield of the Just!" Gallantmon shouted, firing off the attack at point blank range. Aegis shattered as the beam leapt off its surface. IceBeelzemon, cursing loudly, threw himself back. The blast struck him dead center, but fortunately to minimal effect. Too much of its power leaked away due to its damage, and the shield's collapse caused even more loss. Unfolding his wings, IceBeelzemon leapt into the air. Opting to withdraw, he rapidly faded out of sight out of sight.

"Where is he?!" Gallantmon shouted, his golden eyes searching about frantically. Rika, Doumon, Alice, Kenta, and MarineAngemon landed across from him.

"Alice?" Rika asked. The blonde-haired girl turned this way and that, the needle on her device barely shifting. Agitated, she struck it. The needle ticked, but gave her nothing more.

"I've lost him," she finally reported, plainly annoyed.

"How're you holding up?" Kenta asked, hurrying over to Gallantmon. The knight visibly grimaced.

"I've been better," he said, lifting his arm where the once mighty Aegis hung.

"We've got you covered." Kenta turned to MarineAngemon. "Time to go puh, buddy."

"Puh!" MarineAngemon giggled. Floating up to Gallantmon, he proceeded to blow a series of hearts over the knight, rapidly replenishing his strength and repairing the damage to his armor. Gallantmon straightened up and Aegis rematerialized around his arm.

"He couldn't have gone too far," the Royal Knight said. "We can't lose him this time!"

"H-Hello?"

The tiny voice caused all heads to turn in the direction of Coronamon as she emerged from behind a nearby car. Doumon's eyebrows rose in recognition.

"Hello," the shaman greeted, and then a thought crystalized in her mind. "You… You're Masahiko's friend."

"Yes," Coronamon nodded, and her eyes took on a frightened, frantic glint to them. "IceBeelzemon… He took him!"

"We know," Alice said. "We're looking for him now. We tracked him here." She frowned slightly at Coronamon. "He's after you?"

"He-He wants to load my data!"

"He won't!" Gallantmon declared, gripping his lance tightly. "We'll find him and when we do, he won't harm anyone again!"

###

IceBeelzemon remained close by, considering his options. His earlier fears were once again confirmed. Even when victory came close, the Tamers quickly turned the tides against whoever they fought. The same held true for him, it seemed. Fortune kept its eye on them.

But even luck won't hold where power is concerned, he thought, glancing over at Coronamon. She was running over to the Tamers now. With every foot, she took herself further and further away from his grasp.

So close… I'm so close!

His digital heart throbbed with impatience! He couldn't let things end like this. Now that they were aware of him – and by appearances developing means to track him even! – he couldn't afford to play the long, cat and mouse game any longer.

He searched through the myriad codes of data for something that might be of use to him in turning the tides. He had much to choose from, but very little that could match Gallantmon in terms of raw power. He had Titamon's blade, but with MarineAngemon there, he found himself doubting that he could rely on its strength.

I'm not used to swords, he thought. If I can be assured a killing blow, it's one thing, but if not… And if he enters that Crimson Mode at the wrong time…

He ground his fangs against one another. He felt like he had a noose closing around his neck. He hated this helpless feeling. He didn't like being made to feel weak. He needed to be strong!

What can I do against someone who destroyed an army of Megas?

The answer hit him then, inspired by the memory of Gallantmon's long ago victory over a swarm of Parasimon. A cruel smile touched his lips, enjoying the deliciousness of the idea. His crimson eyes darted over to Suzie, standing guard beside the wounded Hypnos AI and her unconscious partner. They remained outside of Gallantmon's protective umbrella. They were vulnerable.

He gave a light laugh, and shifted over to them.

###

"J-Jian?"

The AI's eyes cracked open and focused on Suzie. Warmth filled him, but so did concern at seeing her crying face.

"Mo-Mo-Momentai," he croaked. A sob tore itself free from the girl and she dropped down in front of him, wrapping her arms about his mechanical face. Jian closed his eyes, feeling strength ebbing away from him.

Is this what dying feels like? he wondered. Or is this just feeling tired?

His thoughts felt so sluggish and they were getting worse by the second. Self-diagnostic programs were running, but not at any meaningful speed either. It didn't take a genius for him to guess that IceBeelzemon's last shot must have damaged his digi-core.

"No!" Suzie screamed angrily. Jian's eyes opened to her crying face. "No momentai! I'm not going to this time!" She pounded her fists against his armored face. "Tell me how to fix you, Henry!"

Henry? But I'm not… Ah. Jian felt his digital heart crack at her outpour of emotion. She was watching her brother die in front of her for a second time.

And there's nothing you can do, he thought miserably. I should never have been made. Why did I come into this world except to be the cause of her sadness all over again?

Behind Suzie, Jian caught sight of movement behind her. Green tentacles.

Before he could shout a warning, one of them struck, imbedding itself into Suzie's back. The girl arched; her mouth open in a lungless scream. Then, a light went out in her eyes and she slumped forth like a doll attached to strings.

"S-S-Suzie…" Jian mouthed silently. His programs were freezing up from the loss of digital blood. Soon, he would be unable to talk completely.

More movement, and he saw tentacles lifting Lopmon into the air. Her eyes slowly cracked open. Like Suzie, they contained the same, empty look to them. IceBeelzemon appeared from behind them, grinning.

"Good girls," he crooned, pulling them closer to one another. "Now, biomerge activate."

Slowly, Suzie's arm brought out her digivice and lifelessly lifted it into the air. A black light emerged from its screen and swiftly expanded to envelop the two partners.

###

Heads snapped over in the direction of the black light erupting from where Jian had fallen. Lightning crackled and a large, ominous figure, shrouded in shadow, lifted into the air. The light began to fade, and from it emerged a creature with large, thick arms that widened around the hands like a pair of wings. A clown-like collar, tattered and stained, much like its ears, hung about its neck like a noose, and glowing yellow eyes burned accusingly in the direction of Gallantmon.

"Cherubimon…" Kenta swallowed as black clouds began to gather in the sky. Lightning flashed, illuminating the dark-furred, fallen angel digimon.

"Killer!" it growled at Gallantmon. Raising its arms high, it called down the storm in a furious crash of thunder.

7