Chapter 15 - Innocence Lost
In the heart of the abyssal cavern, where shadows clung like malevolent spirits, Takato Matsuki endured a relentless training regimen. He was not sure if days or ages had passed since he first ventured into this accursed realm, but he knew that with each lesson learned, each barrier crossed, he was brought closer to something dark, some great and terrible conclusion. But Takato was not alone in this nightmarish ordeal. Guilmon harboured The Hazard within himself after all, and that ungodly force that bound their fates together was at the very centre of both their minds as they suffered in the dark.
Though they did not know it, they were being forged in a crucible of pain into a worthy vessel for The Hazard. Sometimes Guilmon would take on his form as Growlmon or WarGrowlmon, but no matter what form he took both he and Takato were forced to constantly defend against an unending rain of violence from the dark. One moment they would be buffeted by hurricane winds so strong and unyielding that they threatened to knock them off their feet and carry them into the air, and the next minute jets of blue flame would come rocketing through the darkness, chasing after them as they took refuge behind boulders and in crevices.
As they tried to find sleep after many hours, rain as cold as ice would lash down on them from above no matter where they lay, and at any moment the ground itself would crack and crumble beneath them and send them falling ever-deeper into the cave system. Occasionally rock falls from above would threaten to crush them, and Growlmon would be forced to hide Takato beneath his body as he struck by heavy boulders from above. With every passing hour, they were subjected to greater pain and torment, and though they could not see it, Daemon watched and orchestrated it all with the help of Barbamon and Mephistomon.
As this training continued, the cavern's atmosphere grew increasingly suffocating, heavy with the weight of dark rituals. Daemon's incantations were a symphony of dread, awakening latent terrors within both Takato and Guilmon. Symbols etched on the cavern walls seemed to pulse with an unholy life, revealing secrets that were never meant to be unveiled. Theirs was not merely a physical ordeal; it was a mystical and sinister journey into the heart of their own darkness. Daemon, draped in shadows, revelled in their torment, a malevolent tutor whose motives remained cloaked in a shroud of mystery.
Sometimes as they wandered through the illimitable darkness Takato would swear he could hear Jeri's voice calling out to him. Once as they crossed a great subterranean lake, he swore he saw his mother waving at him from the shore and very nearly jumped off Growlmon's back into the icy black water. With every few hours of stolen sleep, Takato's mind would be a labyrinth of dark dreams and half-remembered nightmares. He saw Shinjuku burning, he saw his parents bodies lying in the street amongst innumerable other corpses, and again and again he saw Ophanimon abandoning him in The Dark Ocean. His mind often dwelt on that, founding a special and singular resentment of the angel.
In the endless night of the cave, Takato and Guilmon found themselves tested beyond their limits. They had glimpsed the true nature of The Hazard—an insidious hunger for destruction—and now, it clawed at the edges of their consciousness, demanding control. The darkness within Guilmon mirrored that which dwelled in Takato, and their communion with Daemon seemed to be an elaborate ritual of malevolence. Takato could no longer fathom Daemon's intentions, but the demon took perverse pleasure in their suffering. Every moment they were forced to keep moving in the dark, dodging fiery blasts raining down from above and below while from the darkness Daemon's voice sounded an eternal incantation in a dead language. His voice was everywhere, unceasing and penetrating. Takato felt as if he was going mad from the constant sound of that voice in his ears. But then when it seemed almost deafening Takato would scream, only to realise there had been nothing but the silence of the cave.
Many times during this ordeal Takato and Guilmon discussed bio-merging to become Gallantmon, but Takato feared that more than anything else. In their moment of need they had reached out to the power of The Hazard, and now Takato could feel that power surging through both him and Guilmon even when they were separated. To him it felt like a malevolent force that promised unimaginable power but threatened to consume them entirely. Takato could feel it's hunger, and it terrified him. But little did he know that Daemon was doing everything possible to draw out The Hazard from them, and before this experience was over either they would fully control and command that great and terrible power, or he would. Takato did not know this, but The Hazard did. And that was likely why it reached out to speak to Takato in the dark of the cave.
One night as they slept after hours of avoiding bolts of lightning and hails of ice, Takato and Guilmon slept curled up together amidst a deposit of black crystals where they had found some small refuge. It was there that Takato awoke to a glowing red vision of himself staring down at him. Starting, he leapt back but made no sound as he locked eyes with this crimson doppelganger. The red Takato's eyes were dark and pitiless, staring down at his material counterpart with contempt for a few moments before saying "You're going to die down here you know." Takato could barely formulate a response, but eventually with a croaky and weak voice he responded "Yeah, probably…". Indeed, the thought had occurred to him many times over the past few days. His arms, legs and back were covered in cuts, bruises and burns, dry blood painted his face and neck from a cut on his forehead, and after a few days without eating he was racked with constant excruciating hunger pains. "You don't have to…" said The Hazard, for this was who Takato was talking to. He knew that only too well, as soon as he saw the Red Takato's eyes he had been reminded of the nearly blinding light of the Hazard Symbol he had seen in his vision.
Kneeling, The Hazard offered Takato a hand. "Let me help you." Takato batted the handed away. "Help us become Megidramon again?". The Hazard looked at him with a mixture of apathy and amusement before replying "Being Megidramon is…easy for me…it's what feels most natural to my nature. But it's the very least of what we could be capable of together." With these words The Hazard gave a sharp smile. "I know what you want…" Takato said wearily, "I've felt it. You want nothing but destruction."
The Hazard let out a small chuckle, looking down at the ground for a moment before again meeting Takato's gaze. "You misunderstand me then Takato. I don't want destruction. I am destruction. I am pure unrelenting chaos. And when we're together, you can be too." Again, The Hazard reached out to take Takato's hand. "How do I know I can trust you?" croaked Takato. "You don't…" replied The Hazard, "But as I said, you're going to die down here otherwise. So, your choice is simple- live, or die."Takato for a moment considered actually dying. Simply accepting his faith with honour and bravery, denying The Hazard the control and freedom It so desperately wanted. But then the moment passed, and fear mixed with fragile hope took possession of his soft heart once more.
Some time later, Guilmon awoke to find Takato standing a few feet away in the dark, his thin and gaunt frame humming with a violent red aura. "…Ta-Takato…" Guilmon said uncertainly. With this Takato turned, gripping his digivice in his hand which poured the same violent red light from it's screen. "Guilmon…" said Takato, his voice humming with an underlying energy, "Its time to get out of here…are you with me?". Guilmon was divided, his heart swelling with worry and his mind with misgivings, but in this moment all he had to guide him was his love and faith in Takato, and so he trusted that whatever happened next, that north star would still guide them both home. Nodding, he walked forward and joined his partner. As they met, a bright light engulfed the cave. Far in distance, Daemon watched with glee, before extending his wings and flying into the light.
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BlackAgumon and his four friends- Gazimon, Bakemon, Betamon and DemiMeramon were not the strongest or the most impressive Digimon in the Digital World. But, as BlackAgumon so often reminded his friends, unlike the Kuwagamon, or Monochromon or, or even Goblimon who would often attack and bully them- they had ambition. Which was not a word Bakemon really understood, but all the same BlackAgumon assured him he had it, whatever it was. For a long time now, the five friends had been on a quest fuelled by that ambition. Their dreams were simple: digivolve, gain power, and rule. Little did they know that their desires would lead them down a path far darker than they ever imagined.
Their journey had been rife with adventures, battles, and laughter. They had travelled many miles across vast deserts, lush forests and neon-lit cities, and though the five had initially only travelled together out of convenience, over time they had forged an unlikely friendship. Recently in their travels they had become aware that many Digimon were answering the call of the sovereigns to "fight for good against evil", but BlackAgumon and Gazimon had decided between the two of them that "good" had not done them many favours in the past, and if they were going to digivolve, it would not be with the sovereigns help. "They only give digivolution to Digimon who partner up with kids, that's what I heard" said Gazimon one night as the five friends sat around the small flame that DemiMeramon had managed to light for them. Their travels had recently brough them to a dark forest, where a Wizardmon had told BlackAgumon that any Digimon who weren't interested in following the sovereign's call should make their way. "What's a kid?" said Bakemon, confused. "And how do we get one?" asked DemiMeramon, even more confused. BlackAgumon sighed, "He means a human child, and we can't get one- we're not special enough…" these last words reflected some bitterness within BlackAgumon, who had long felt deeply aggrieved that some Digimon were lucky enough to be paired with human children. More than anything he wished it would happen for him, though of course he would never tell his friends that.
"If we digivolved, I bet we'd be unstoppable. Then we'd show those humans whose boss…" BlackAgumon said bitterly. "Yeah, we'd crush'em!" said Betamon happily, stamping his two front paws into the ground for emphasis. Gazimon laughed at this, saying "That's right, what I wouldn't give to take a swing at them, and they're Slave-Digimon!". They had conversations like these most nights, but little did they know that tonight was very different, because tonight they had an audience. Just outside the light of their fire, a lone figure stood in the shadows, watching the five small Digimon with amusement. "If we had a human here now, we could beat the secret of digivolution right out of them!" Bakemon proclaimed self-assuredly, and at this statement their unseen visitor couldn't help but let out a peal of laugher.
The five Digimon turned in shock, claws raised and teeth bared at the unseen voice from the dark. Walking into the light with his staff swinging lightly by his side, Barbamon sat down amongst the Digimon as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Apologies for laughing friends. To speak candidly- I admire your zeal. Though of course you might need a little…direction…" at this last word he put his hands towards the flames, warming them from the cold night air. "Who are you?" asked BlackAgumon, eyeing Barbamon with suspicion. "Oh…a curse? An emissary from beyond? You can just call me Barbamon. So, you all wish to digivolve?". BlackAgumon's suspicions were not at all allayed, so he did not respond. DemiMeramon, the youngest and most naïve of them quickly cut into the silence though. "More than anything!" he said with clear desperation. "We just wanna be strong…" Betamon said with a sight. "I see. Well I could make that happen for you." Barbamon said with a faint smile on his lips. Stroking his beard, he watched as a look of excitement shot through the group. "No you can't, only a human can make a Digimon digivolve!" said BlackAgumon. Though his friends nodded in agreement, he could see that they were desperate for him to be proven wrong. "Power is what makes us digivolve, and there is more than one way to gain it. For instance…" with these words Barbamon summoned a sphere of energy in his hands. "…I got this energy from a very powerful Digimon called Azulongmon. I think it would be enough to make you all digivolve all the way to Mega." His friends gasped, and even BlackAgumon found himself speechless and looking at the ball of energy hungrily. But although it represented everything he had ever wanted, it still gave him a feeling of unease. Beneath the swirling energy of the sphere he though he could see faint hues of darkness. It did not feel right to him. "Lets do it then!" shouted Gazimon, rising excitedly. Still smiling, Barbamon raised a hand. "Hold on a moment my young friend. I would be only too happy to give you this energy, but first you must do something for me…". All five Digimon rose. "Anything!" said Bakemon. Barbamon rose himself and said "Good. Follow me then." With that he turned and walked into the darkness. BlackAgumon watched as one by one his four friends followed him. With a sigh of unease, he followed suit.
They seemed to walk through the dark for hours, so long that BlackAgumon began to wonder why the sun had not yet risen. It unnerved him that this Barbamon knew his way through the dark forest with such certainty, as if the inky blackness of night was nothing to him. The five Digimon followed along trippingly, just barely able to discern Barbamon's faint shape walking in the distance. Soon the trees around them parted and BlackAgumon began to see faces in the dark watching them. They were unsavoury characters all- packs of Goblimon and Fugamon, Dokugamon and Deltamon, Phantomon and Cerberusmon, as well as hundreds of others all watching with a strange bated curiosity as these five small Digimon were led by their master Barbamon into the heart of their camp. Finally, Barbamon stopped in a clearing in the centre of the camp, a circle lined with flaming torches. Daemon stood in the very centre of this clearing, watching as Barbamon shepherded the five Digimon towards him. "What is this?" DemiMeramon asked, the fear in his voice obvious. "Nothing to be afraid of my friend, I assure you. Before we give you your reward, you simply must swear allegiance to Daemon, and his Dark Crusade!" with these words the assembled Digimon cheered raucously.
"I…I don't know…" said DemiMeramon, his fear only intensified by the crowds jeers. "I thought you wanted to digivolve…" Barbamon said mockingly. "We do though!" Gazimon said desperately, shooting an angry look at DemiMeramon. "Please, let us swear allegiance!" Betamon said, stepping forward. Quietly, DemiMeramon floated forward too, his eyes to the ground. BlackAgumon knew they were being manipulated. He knew what was happening here felt wrong. But all the same, he stepped forward too. "You promise we'll be strong?" he said to Barbamon. Barbamon smiled again, "You will be unstoppable. I promise." Looking towards DemiMeramon, BlackAgumon met his eye and gave a nod of encouragement. "Then we agree."
"Good, then kneel." Barbamon said. One by one, the five friends prostrated themselves in a line before Daemon, swearing to follow him and do his bidding now and for all time. After each oath was taken, Barbamon would touch the Digimon on the head, leaving a small black fingerprint which would fade after a moment. When it was his turn, to BlackAgumon this moment felt like a shot of electricity through his brain. For a moment he felt the same, then felt his thoughts dull and his mind become fixed on the oath he had just made. His devotion to Daemon, once only words, was now as essential to his being as the breath in his lungs. "Now, I give you your reward." Barbamon said, summoning the ball of digital energy into his hand again. Casting it high into the sky, it rained down as five jets of energy which struck each of the Digimon in the back, triggering an instant transformation.
This was Digivolution, but not as BlackAgumon had ever imagined it. He and his four friends were suspended in cocoons of black energy. Rather than calling out the name of their transformation, they at first simply screamed in pain as the energy was infused into their being, haphazardly transforming them into new forms. Soon the black cocoons swelled as they grew. One by one, new voices shouted their new names.
"GAZIMON DARK WARP DIGIVOLVE TO….NOCTURNISMON!"
Exploding out from his cocoon, Nocturismon was a shadowy, bat-winged Digimon with long curved ears and a red body covered in coarse obsidian fur. Its blood-red eyes pierced through the darkness from behind its long fox-like snout as it extended out its wings and shook its muscular lean body. From its back hung a scythe-like tail that dripped with malevolent energy. Next, Betamon changed.
"BETAMON DARK WARP DIGIVOLVE TO…CARCARAMON!"
Carcaramon was a formidable, armoured, anthropomorphic shark Digimon. Standing at an impressive height, his body was covered in sleek, deep-blue metallic scales that shimmered in the torches light. Sharp silver armour plates adorned his chest, shoulders, and limbs, and his eyes were a piercing shade of electric blue, radiating intelligence and determination. He possessed a fearsome set of razor-sharp teeth, and his finned arms were equipped with powerful, metallic gauntlets, enhancing his combat abilities. After him came Bakemon and DemiMeramon.
"BAKEMON DARK WARP DIGIVOLVE TO…NECROSHADEMON!"
"DEMIMERAMON DARK WARP DIGIVOLVE TO…MOLTENWRATHMON!"
Necroshademon was a nightmarish fusion of long-decayed flesh, bone and metal. Its body was suspended skeletal frame is encased in rusted armor, the skull that was its head had three crimson eyes which glowed with an unholy fire. Chains wrapped around its body and floated in the air. Next to him stood Moltenwrathmon, a towering inferno of a Digimon. Its vaguely human form composed of hardened molten lava and blazing fire. Its head was mainly formed of three elongated molten horns but was otherwise featureless, simply spitting out an unending blaze of fire. On its shoulders, two furious eyes watched with terrible anger. Burning with seething fury, its body was wreathed in fiery aura. Finally, it was BlackAgumon's turn.
"BLACKAGUMON DARK WARP DIGIVOLVE TO…DREADFLAREMON!"
Dreadflaremon was a black dragon of bulging muscleand obsidian-black scales covering his massive body. His flaming eyes radiated malevolence, and his wings, resembling tattered bat wings, exuded an aura of darkness. Fiery runes adorned his form, emitting an eerie glow. Opening his great maw, he found his bottom jaw unhinged and then split apart. He was a monster now. They all were. Turning towards the crowd, Dreadflaremon spotted a Goblimon looking at him. He hated Goblimon. His great long neck shot forward like the body of a snake, snatching the Goblimon into his razor-lined mouth. With a single satisfying crunch he bit down and destroyed his new prey. Dreadflaremon felt a joy he had never felt before, a joy he already knew he would find addictive. Praise Barbamon, he thought, Praise Daemon.
"Now you see, even the lowliest among you can be truly powerful if you are but loyal to Daemon!" Barbamon announced to the crowd. Cheers erupted from the crowd, the fevered maddened cheers of the eternally devoted. These cheers continued until silently, Daemon raised his hand to ask for quiet. Instantly, there was silence.
"Tomorrow, we will leave this place and march to where The Digimon Sovereign can be found. There, they will surrender The Digital World to us, or we will destroy them, and anyone else who dares oppose us. These five will be your captains in the coming conflict. You will report to them. And they…will report to my general…"
With these words, Daemon looked up to a high ascent where there stood a figure illuminated by the moonlight. Jumping down, all assembled watched as his black cloak fluttered in the night air. Landing silently beside Daemon, the Digimon watched in amazement as the black armoured knight rose to his full height. Daemon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let me introduce my newest servant, and the one who will lead us to victory- this is ChaosGallantmon."
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That's it for Chapter 15, I hope you enjoyed it! See you all next chapter.
Oh, and those five new digimon are my original creations, so if you wanna see what they look like check out my tumblr altusshimura where I've designed them using AI art.