Chapter Forty-Eight: Send in the Daemon Corps!

A pounding force pummeled Rei's head, even breaking through his resistance to pain. Sweat beaded down his head as he lay in bed, doing his best to simply exist. No, this was no ordinary migraine. And it didn't help what with the two idiots yelling at each other just outside his bedroom chambers!

Before he could say anything the two of them entered, both desiring to take care of Rei. It seems King Ygdrassill had converted some of his forces into sweet oranges. And Cthulusmon held an interesting-conction, err, broth, with him.

"I will feed our master first!" Cthulusmon said. "I am more dignified than you are, and he needs as such to tend to him."

"Heh," Ygdrassill scoffed, "What he needs is the tenderness and charm of a young woman. I'm a much better nurse than you ever will be."

"Really?" he said covering his hand with his mouth almost laughably. "I guess we need a young woman here to help."

Rei scowled at them, both of them suddenly at attention realizing they had annoyed him.

"I thought I told the both of you," he sighed, "Not to bother ME when I'm resting in my quarters."

"True my Lord," Cthulusmon said, "However, there is a bit of urgent news that we feel we must tell you even if we broke your law."

"You know I'm not the merciful type," he said dangerously. "So this BETTER be good."

"By the way," Ygdrassill said squeezing into their conversation, "What were you thinking about Rei? You've been in here for awhile."

Rei blinked twice, thrown off by the intervention. "Oh, this and that," he said a bit calmer. "You know, other dimensions, galaxies, worlds, and digivolutions. But," he said sharply, "Especially wonderful punishments I can give out to my servants who disobey me."

"Think nothing of it Lord!" Cthulusmon lamented, Ygdrassill giggling enjoying herself.

"No," Rei said getting up. "I'm in a foul mood, but laying in bed nursing my headache won't get anything done," he scolded himself while addressing them. "For starters I need to know why both Takeru and Hikari have different DNA digivolving partners. I could have sworn if they were partners then we could shortcut the breaking of my seal with this. But then again, it's just come to my attention of this strange new form two Digimon can take."

"A query my Lord," Cthulusmon suggested.

"You may speak servant."

"Thank you," he said raising his head. "Is the only way to free your power to destroy the seal? Is that truly the only way?"

Rei scolded himself internally giving him the option to respond. "Are you doubting me Cthulusmon, or have you consider something your Master hasn't?"

"Far be it from me my Lord to think ahead of you," he said curtly, "It's just that if the prophecy of the angels never comes to pass that you so often obsess about, then what would happen to the seal? Would it not break as the angels were under the inspiration of the Digital Creator?"

Rei held his breath, letting his servant spew out his unsavory thoughts, delight filling his face with every detail he heard. Ah yes, the drabble in the background about devouring the Yagami girl, yet again. His attitude had become defiant as of late, and lackluster. Truly his obsession had corrupted his very thoughts, the Tentacled Behemoth practically consumed by his fantasy.

Cthulusmon carried on, Ygdrassill visibly irritated. And, Rei, in agreement would not allow him to speak another word.

"Cthulusmon," he declared, Cthulusmon ceasing any movement of his body or his lips. "I am regretful to say that you have lost your devotion to me," he said. "And if I am no longer the Lord of your life then your life might as well be forfeit," he said with a dangerous glint in his eye. "Don't you agree?"

Cthulusmon fretfully trembled. He put his index finger on the bridge of his nose and sighed out, struggling to maintain his breathing.

"My Lord," he swallowed painfully, "It is….of a truth," he confessed. "Though my words speak only wonders and glory of you my mind and my body are tortured by carnal depravity," he admitted. "I want nothing more to serve you with all of my being, and yet, I can't escape this luscious light dangling in front of me!" he shouted incredulously. "I don't understand it," he said holding out both of his hands, "But that curiosity only makes me want to squash it out permanently! I want to turn the light into darkness! I want the warm glow to go cold! I want this burning sensation to be put out of it's misery!" he lamented falling down prostrate in front of Rei.

Rei glanced down at Cthulusmon, a sorry sort of servant, but honestly at a loss from himself.

"Cthulusmon," he said bending down on one knee staring directly into his eyes, "Would you do anything for your master? Would you go through any trial to show your devotion even if it is a most miserable path?"

"I would do anything for you Lord," Cthulusmon agreed. "What would you have me do to prove my devotion?"

Rei felt a smile come across his face, cunningly manipulating Cthulusmon. "I will cure you of your ailment," he declared. "And in doing so what you call 'pain' will only be your pleasure. Let' us be off my servant," he said nodding his head, giving his hand to help Cthulusmon up.

"My Lord," he said composing himself, "Just where are we going?"

"To educate you," he said, "In a most 'humbling manner.'"

Deep in the depths of the Dark Ocean the agonizing screams of Cthulusmon filled the air, even going up an octave being in such excruciating pain. The sizzled viral digital data of him emanated some smoke, his whole body bracing for even more pain as Rei effortlessly manipulated his data, lifted him, and slammed him into the barrier, where somewhere in the depths of it, Rei's power rested.

"My Lord!" Cthulusmon screamed, his body jolted with burning sensations from the seal. "It's been hours! This is agony! This burning pain!" he cried as Rei Kurenad threw him back into it and then the force of the barrier pushed him away with a powerful jolt, Cthulusmon falling to the ground.

"Is it now?" Rei said stepping forward and lifting up his chin with his boot. "Do you wish me to show you mercy my servant?" he questioned.

Cthulusmon's teeth clenched in frustration practically bleeding glaring at Rei, but almost as if frustrated with himself. "No my word," he seethed. "I will not question your methods."

Rei bent down towards his face completely in domination of him. "That's certainly a different change in tune," he mocked him. "What changed?"

Cthulusmon glared at him and then glanced his eyes away. "I remembered you are my Lord so whatever happens to me is all in line with your will," he said. "I desire to overcome my weakness so it does not hinder this will."

Rei removed his foot, glanced down at the ground and crafted a royal throne for himself effortlessly and sat down.

"I was starting to wonder how long this would take," he said sighing. "But I'm glad I can finally teach you. You just weren't ready until now."

"It is of a truth my Lord," he agreed trying to get up, but unable to. He crawled over to Rei, only his head able to keep itself up, his arms dragging the rest of him.

Rei rested his cheek on his knuckle glancing down at his servant, a bit amused. "Now then, as far as this issue of yours I believe the way to fix it is relatively simple, but you need to constantly need to use a method to control your impulses."

"I do not follow," Cthulusmon said. "It's just a craving. I have not sampled her light, nor tasted of her flesh. Or-"

"-Oh, but you have," Rei countered. "Your fingers may not have caressed it. Nor your lips have touched it or your tongue has tasted it. But I tell you, your eyes did all of that work the moment you laid eyes on her. And your mind consumed her over and over again until you yourself were consumed by your own delusions. It was then that this fantasy became even more important than serving me."

Cthulusmon looked own at himself, his face baffled by how far he had fallen.

"What must I do Lord?" he asked. "I will do anything to restore your trust in me."

"Then I'll tell you," he said. "Every morning. And after, every time you think about her I will give you permission to come here. You will throw yourself at this barrier until you are so consumed with pain you won't even think of Hikari Yagami for that time. If you repeatedly do this you will train your bodily urges to submit to your mind and fear your own actions. In other words you torture yourself to free yourself."

"I understand Lord," he agreed. "And once I no longer crave her then I can serve you all the more effectively."

"Correct," Rei acknowledged. "But, keep in mind she is still your reward at the end of it. Just as my power is sealed behind this barrier," he said looking at it, "So too do I want you to seal away your lust and desire for her until the time comes," he said. "Only then can you indulge yourself as much as you want, provided she doesn't break first of course," he teased.

"That would be...too much for me Lord," Cthulusmon said covering both of his eyes with his claws."But I will commit myself to this training."

"As you should,"Rei said getting up and going over to him, reaching out his hand helping him to stand. "In light of your commitment," he said, "I will reward you with a unique ability," he said as he placed his hand on his back. He injected a sharp current into Cthulusmon, Cthulusmon glancing behind him as cooling vapor emitted from him.

"I feel...all tingly," he said moving his fingers in a curling position and back a few times. "What just happened?"

"Oh nothing much," Rei said patting his back. "You could say I put a spell on you. A spell of protection."

"Really?" Cthulusmon stated a bit amped up. "What does this spell do?"

"All it does is negate any paralyzing effects from the barrier," he said. "You'll still be hurt, bu the pain won't be able stop you from showing your determination."

"True Lord," he agreed. "I will use this ability to master myself. And then Lord, I will continue serving you and atoning for my poor behavior."

"Glad to hear , why don't your throw yourself at it a couple of times to get used to it? It might take awhile but your strength will increase," he said, a grin spreading over his face as he turned around hiding it."That, I can promise."

Cthulusmon overjoyed thanked him as Rei made his way away from him. As soon as he was far enough away he placed his hand over his face and burst out laughing. He covered his hands with his face, his eyes glaring out as if at the Digital Creator, Rei wondering why he had not thought of this to begin with.

With Cthulusmon unaware that his 'spell' on him was actually Rei reconfiguring his data for him to absorb the impact of the seal, once Cthulusmon's body was destroyed, the impact would overwhelm the barrier and destroy it releasing his power.

It would have to be thousands of times to make any significant impact, but he trusted Cthulusmon would need a long while to control himself. If only the Digidestined were to destroy him, that impact would destroy the seal upon Cthulusmon's death.

He removed his hands from his face staring down thinking about how this would all go down. Cthulusmon was a mega digimon among mega digimon. Any normal mega would be torn apart, but, if somehow the children's Digimon were to become extremely strong they could defeat Cthulusmon thus releasing his power.

Yet still, even before that, surely the Digital World, if not the Dark Ocean would be closed down. Surely the Digital Creator or Homeostasis would ensure it. However, if somehow he could find a way to unseal himself back to Earth and break his curse then he could possibly lead those strong enough right to Cthulusmon, and afterwards restore his power.

Rei knew he had to bide his time, waiting patiently to make his next move. Both the Watchers of the Periphery and The Cult of Apotheoseia were setting things up for the conditions of his grand return. His servant gone rogue Myotismon had certainly made things spicy. The next generation of Digidestined had been doing well for newcomers, and it seems Takeru and Hikari both were fitting in well with them.

Yet, to Rei, this all seemed too simple. Too easy. The Digidestined might as well have been playing in a playground for all he was concerned. Very little Digital Data returned to the Dark Ocean. They had defeated some fiercesome foes, but nothing that really pushed them to their limits.

He winced, knowing at the rate they were going both Takeru and Hikari would have become old folks before they made any significant progress. The whole situation had become...irritable.

"Cthulusmon! Ygdrassill!" he snapped, both of them instantly answering his call racing over to him, Cthulusmon practically in a semi paralyzed state.

"Lord!" they said in unison bowing to him expectantly.

"What would you say if I told you a servant of mine had betrayed me?"

"He deserves to die in the most agonizing way possible!" Ygdrassill exclaimed excitedly. "Like nothing censored like in manga chapters. Nothing but sheer agonizing suffering!"

"Well said," Rei replied. "And you Cthulusmon?"

"Hmm," he said wincing. "Pain is a necessity to be sure, however, I would like them to know mentally they were defeated as well. To let them know their place and that they could never hope in a million years to be able to best you my Lord."

"Also a good answer," Rei said loosely. "In fact, it was a much better answer than Ygdrassill," he noticed. "I think that deserves a reward."

"Augh, no fair," Ygdrassill patted.

"I am overjoyed my Lord!" Cthulusmon grinned.

Rei wickedly smirked, his servant right where he wanted him.

"We're going to shake things up a bit," he said noticing just how much progress, and how strong he had become. "We're going to infiltrate the earth and find out just what Myotismon has been doing."

"Myotismon? He wasn't killed?!" Cthulusmon said horrified.

"Apparently not. He has his own network of minions and humans he is working with undercover. We're going to try to subvert his operations. I don't care if we are successful or not but he should know he can't hide anything from me."

"A great idea," Cthulusmon agreed.

"And that's where you come in," he said. "I'm going to disguise yourself as another Digimon. Send out your best units and find out just what he's up to."

Cthulusmon bowed his head. "Rest assured, my Lord. I will not fail you," he declared. "I have the elite of elite viral data creations at my disposal," he said. "With your word my Lord, we disperse in the shadows."

Rei nodded his head approvingly. "Then," he said holding out his hand, "I will give you a new persona," he said holding out his hand, fashioning from his body a shrouded figure in a cloak, deadly soulful blue eyes, and draconic wings. "Upon entering the human world your data will manifest this appearance. The Digidestined will think you are a new enemy. Myotismon and his vermin will also think quite lowly of you, not able to recognize just who you are."

"This is incredible," he said looking at his claws peaking through his robe. "I am thrilled for this opportunity. But Lord, how do we get back to Earth? With the barrier's being blocked, we-"

"-I'll handle this one Rei!" Ygdrassill said skipping over to him humming a song. She smiled disarmingly.

"I know what that look means," Cthulusmon said on edge. "And the answer is no."

"Aw come on," she teased. "Just one of them."

"They are all necessary," Cthulusmon said. "Although they are not the strongest they should at least prove a match for the DNA digivolved forms. We need all four Ygdrassill," he sighed. "Without it, we-"

"-I had a feeling you'd say that," she scoffed, "So I went ahead and took my share earlier."

"You ate one?!" he said offended.

"She made a nice parfait," Ygdrassill said licking her lips. "Plus, if you need four, there's always yourself. So, why don't you let me tell you about it and I'll let you out of here, ok?"

Cthulusmon glanced over Rei's way who just stood there closing his eyes, his shoulders hunched downward not at all bothered by them.

"It's agreed then," he sighed. "How are you going to bring me to Earth?"

She grabbed a data fragment from her pocket and held it up in-between the pointy sides pressing into her thumb and index finger. "You see this? It's a fragment of a very special rock," she said. "That rock is called a 'Destiny Stone'.

"A Destiny Stone?" he said a bit confused. "I don't follow."

"There is more than one way to distort balance in the Digital World," she said. "These stones were created to safeguard the Digital World. But they were also in times of panic able to summon forth the Digimon Sovereign. If, for whatever something happened then if they were brought together they could get rid of whatever entity was threatening the Digital World like a virus," she said. "But, at the same time if an enemy decided to destroy all of them the entire balance of the Digital World could become porous and susceptible to attack or worse. It's a double edge sword."

"That must mean that stone was destroyed," Cthulusmon observed. "But how?"

"Who knows?" Ygdrassill said. "Like it matters. What's important is that right now, most of the stones have been destroyed. With the Digital World out of balance, that also reflects on this one. You know what that means," she glared at him sharply.

"Indeed. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity. I will get ready at once," he said glancing at Rei.

Rei scratched his upper chest glad their conversation was over and that he didn't even have to explain everything. "You know what must be done," he said glancing back at him. He then stood up straight, and holding out his hand to his awaiting servant, both of them anxious and excited. "I order you here and now, to engage the enemy. Send out the Daemon Corps!"

Not much longer after Rei had made Declaration with Gusto, Cthulusmon and the troop having enthusiastically gone all gung-ho rushing out of the barrier, things seemed rather quiet in his domain. What with how him and Ygdrassill would bicker he enjoyed it, though, he couldn't get rid of the annoyance of Ygdrassill staring at him when he wasn't looking at her.

It took one too many times for Rei to finally address her as she performed her abilities. "If you have something so say my dear," he said, "Just say it."

She paused, her eyes a bit shaken, but went over to him.

"This might be a bit overstepping my bounds," she said, "But, was is it really necessary to send the Daemon Corps?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I just got this feeling is all," she said. "It's none of my business, but I think you sent them in as a distraction."

"Why would I ever do such a thing?" he inquired amused.

She took a breath, letting down her guard and speaking with him plainly. "Come on, Rei!" she huffed. "it's obviously a distraction!"

"Oh, I am going to just love to hear about this one," he said sitting down on his throne. "Continue."

"With the Daemon Corps and Myotismon set up to fight each other, and the Digidestined also becoming involved you're going to use this to your advantage. You're...trying to search, for something," she said. "Yes, I'm sure of it."

Rei put down his arms resting comfortably on his throne, feeling them beneath the palm of his hands.

"Bravo Ygdrassill," he answered. "Even concealing everything from you, you were still able to come to this conclusion."

"What do you expect?" she said. "I am composed of viral digital data and the copied data of my sister. It's only natural I would find out," she said still looking at him expectantly.

"Then I will tell you in reward for your intuition," he said taking one leg and folding it across the other.

"I'm searching for the Zero Dimension."

"You still haven't found it?"

"It's well hidden," Rei said back instantly. "And I believe it's a dimension that only Homeostasis and the Digital Creator have access to. It's also the place where the Digidestined had been sent to when I thought their data had been deleted all those years ago. There must be a password or some key to getting inside."

"Sounds difficult," she said. "But, I don't understand Rei. What exactly is in the Zero Dimension you want so badly. "Is it the Digital Record?"

"I'll have that eventually," Rei said, "But no I don't need the Record itself right now. What I want is the physical stronghold-the location of the Digital Creator and Homeostasis. They only have so many places they can hide."

"Oh, so you're trying to corner them?"

"Not exactly. More like set them on edge. If they know I know where they are and I can interfere with it, then, sensing the threat I am they will make a bold move, more than likely poorly timed. It''ll just be another way for me to get ahead of them."

"Huh," Ygdrassill said, trying to follow him.

"Even if I am not successful Ygdrassill, this situation will soon turn in my favor. I guarantee it," he grinned.

Not too much later, Daemon returned in a weakened state due to the cover Rei had for him. His handpicked nightmare soldiers Lady Devimon, Marine Devimon, and SkullSatamon were all destroyed. Mincing words through his slight injuries Cthulusmon informed him the results of his findings, about the Dark spores, Oikawa, and even about the Digidestined with Ken Ichijouji being able to open a Dark Gate to the Dark Ocean and force him back in there. He also mentioned Imperialdramon fighter mode as well.

Of course Rei was not pleased that the Digidestined use cheap tricks instead of power to best his servant, but learning about the DNA digivolution form of Chikkouamon made him even more wary of his foes. Despite all Takeru and Hikari had been through together he couldn't figure out the angle of the Digital Creator. Wasn't he supposed to be using them? To grow their relationship? He placed his hand over his brow and sighed out, as the returned Cthulusmon continued his rambling.

"So, if I'm getting this right," he said a bit annoyed, "that old fool Myotismon is hosting Oikawa's body, and is spreading the Dark spore and gathering it in order to regain his power and a physical form? That's not bad," he smirked. "Even after all this time I guess he wants to continue our wager after all."

"But do you think he will succeed?" he dared to ask.

"Oh no," Rei said plainly. "Strictly because the two of them are there. The Hope and Light are powerful contenders. They draw out the light not only out of themselves, but also of those around them. That is what makes them so devastating and so dangerous."

Cthulusmon kneeled to him a bit on edge, and bowed himself. "May I return to tame my lust my Lord?" he asked.

Rei glanced at him a bit surprised he himself had suggested it. Perhaps his agonizing training was starting to finally pay off.

"You caught sight of that Hikari girl, didn't you?" he jested entertained by him. "Very well. Go get it out of your system. In the meantime Ygdrassill and I will watch the climax of my former servant unfold."

With little fanfare Rei observed from the Dark Ocean through a gaping hole in the world as the Digidestined chased Oikawa and some kidnapped children down, cornered him, and chased him into an alternate dimension. Like switching channels, Rei jumped to a different frequency watching the hunt. With the chaos happening Rei observed as the now MaloMyotismon nearly take over the world. Even in their weakened dreamlike states with his ventril illusion attack, together the Digidestined overpowered him with a million points of light… and hopes, and dreams, and all that other nonsense. They each obtained their own partner, something had once had himself. If he was in their circumstances, maybe things would have been different...maybe. Lastly Imperialdramon Fighter Mode Unleashed a Giga Crusher ending MaloMyotismon once and for all.

With him out of the way now, the Digidestined mourned as Oikawa passed. He felt indifferent to them, but gradually knew with each passing moment the time was growing shorter before his domain would be sealed. He put his hand in his pocket coolly waiting as a familiar presence emerged back into his domain.

He sighed, looking at the victors. "With the 'evil' destroyed oncemore the Digital Paths will be closed soon," he said to the presence approaching behind him.

"Is that right?" the familiar grinning Gennai said walking up to him. "Just thought I would pop in and say hello."

"Welcome back," Ygdrassill smiled.

"What can I do for you, friend?" Rei asked. "You desire to still remain as the digitized form of a youthful male, yes?"

Gennai chuckled a bit, Rei noticing a slight quiver in his voice. "I've come back into the good graces of Homeostasis," he said slyly. "But, with all the events happening, I figured you knew that already."

"Then you have no need to say it," Rei chuckled back to himself. "Things are getting interesting. Digimon are popping up out of existence out of nowhere, which means, the number of partners are increasing along with other humans."

"I noticed that too along with some of the other servants. They're springing up all over the world. All because of hopes and dreams and utter nonsense."

"True enough," Rei agreed. "But I don't think there is anything that we need to worry about."

"Why's that?"

"It's the levels you silly goose," Ygdrassill grinned. "Aside from those actually 'chosen' these other kids are more like trash workers. They'll never go above the champion level. They are no threat."

"That's a good point," Gennai noticed. "Anyways, what's our next plan of attack?"

"Oh, nothing too grandiose," Rei said whimsically. "I imagine that some of the Viral Digital Data made it's way to the Digital World and Earth and caused some corruption. And we have Diaboromon's data here as well. He's very anxious to get his revenge you see. But, with this preserved data, it won't be too long before he does."

"Does he have a plan?"

"It matters not concerning us," Rei said. "Let's just let him play and see how far he pushes the Digidestined."

"I see," Gennai said to himself. "So, what's the plan now?"

"We let them enjoy their moment of peace," Rei said. "After all, the best time to scheme is when your enemy is obliviously at peace with themselves."

"Sure enough," he said. "By the way, this new status of mine with Homeostasis has granted me an interesting...perk."

"Oh?" Rei said. "Do tell."

"She's invited me to a very special place. And I'm told I am going to be given a very secret mission.

Rei's eyes perked up, a small grin spreading over his face. "Oh, I'm all ears," he said staring intensely. "So...let's hear it..."