Chapter 14: To the Digital World (2)

Chapter Text

The DigiDestined were still trapped in the cave and Nidhoggmon was an opponent they had nothing to fight back with. LeoHeartmon had already given his life to fend off an attack. They wouldn't survive the next one.

Wormmon was injured and couldn't help. Prismamon and Veemon had hardly any energy left and it was unlikely they could rally again. Escape was also out of the question as the enemy had blocked the exits.

Takeshi realized it was a big mistake that they had split up. Reinforcements were also no longer possible as the others were already too far away. But they couldn't blame poor LeoHeartmon for that, he couldn't have known that the enemy would attack the resistance at this exact time.

"Farewell, humans! Soon you'll be devoured by me!" Nidhoggmon roared and was about to pounce on the defenseless ones. Prismamon rose and hurled a light ball at the enemy, but it fizzled out.

Davis aimed his DigiVice at Veemon, but he seemed too exhausted.

"Damn it! There must be something we can do! Veemon and I have always made it so far because we've stuck together! Why should it be any different this time?" he asked desperately.

And indeed, his DigiVice began to glow. A beam of light came out and something formed in front of them. It was a golden glowing object.

"Davis! Is it what I think it is?" Veemon regained strength.

Davis nodded weakly. It got even crazier when the object suddenly split and two of them floated in front of them.

"Takeshi! Just repeat after me now, okay?" he called out to the boy.

He nodded, even though he couldn't understand the situation.

"Now you'll pay for your deeds, do you hear? Golden DigiArmorEgg, shine!"

It actually had an effect on Veemon and it merged with him.

"Veemon, Golden Armor Digivolution to... Magnamon!"

Davis' partner now had a golden armor and radiated in beautiful light.

Takeshi repeated the words and the second egg had its effect on Prismamon.

"Prismamon, Golden Armor Digivolution to... MagnaPrismamon!"

She also now wore a golden armor and they were back in the fight.

Davis had prayed for a miracle and it seemed he had been heard at just the right moment. Magnamon, who had once formed to defeat the Digimon Emperor's Kimeramon, had appeared again. Similar to the battles against Cherubimon or Parallelmon, this special and presumably most powerful DigiArmorEgg had appeared to give Veemon the ultimate power.

Nidhoggmon let loose his black snakes, but the light of the two caused them to fizzle out.

"Let's finish this! Are you ready?" Magnamon called out to his comrade.

He was, of course, ready to avenge LeoHeartmon. Both flew in front of the gruesome face of the snake and fired light waves at it.

Nidhoggmon was hit and the light caused the dark monster to dissolve. Takutoumon's last general had fallen.

Before Magnamon reverted, it landed in front of Wormmon and gave him some of its light. He recovered and was already jumping around merrily.

Their partners became Veemon and Prismamon again and they fell into their arms.

"You can always rely on you, Veemon!"

He shook his head.

"No, without you it wouldn't have been possible."

Takeshi also congratulated his partner on the victory. He had taken the place where LeoHeartmon had stood.

"He... sacrificed himself for me," it sounded sad.

Ken checked the exits, they were no longer blocked.

"We must not let his sacrifice be in vain. We should hurry to catch up with T.K. and the others. They'll be waiting for us."

The others agreed with him and together they first left the cave and then the cave. The situation had just turned out well, even if it had been extremely close. They hoped that their friends had less difficulty.

Kari and the rest had followed the description that LeoHeartmon had given them. This had led the DigiDestined and their partners further and further away from the others. But surely nothing would happen to them. They probably would even return with reinforcements. They had a different task, namely to find a safe way into the territory of the Digimon King.

Patamon had flown out for a while to act as a scout. He fluttered back to report what he had discovered.

"There's a clearing up ahead. It's just like LeoHeartmon said."

Shun was glad that Takeshi's trust had been justified.

"Then we'll find the ally there who can help us further."

The group quickened their pace and was soon at the clearing. There were several containers and a stage was being dismantled. Several Gazimon were carrying boxes and equipment around. When they saw the humans, they became skeptical. Patamon and Gatomon decided to do the talking. They nodded again and again and then returned to the others.

"Well? What do they say?" Kari asked.

"They say they belong to the band of the Golden Phoenix," Patamon said.

When their partners only furrowed their brows, Gatomon continued.

"Apparently, it's a really famous singer in the Digital World. Among other things, he also plays for the subjects of the king. The king himself seems less enthusiastic, but still, it's possible to get close to his castle with him."

Tsubasa understood.

"I see, so we're supposed to pretend to be members of the band and thus advance into his territory?"

Shun admitted that this plan was quite sensible. They walked through the camp and observed the hustle and bustle.

"Say, what kind of guy is this singer, anyway?" T.K. wanted to know.

He didn't suspect that he would soon receive an answer to that. Some Gazimon were running wildly and complaining that the Golden Phoenix wanted to rehearse now. That's why they were preparing the stage and the DigiDestined decided not to get in their way.

Then loud music started to play. It was more of a growling and not really to their taste. But who knows, maybe Digimon had a different taste in music.

"Hm, I don't know. This music somehow seems familiar to me," T.K. muttered.

"Maybe your brother has played something similar before?" Kari suggested.

But her friend shook his head. That was not it. When the famous singer took the stage, it seemed his worst fears were confirmed.

It was a monkey-like Digimon wearing a star-studded suit. It immediately grabbed the microphone and began to sing.

It missed the notes so badly that Tsubasa even had to cover his ears.

"Hey, my fans! Your star is back! The talented and popular Etemon! Wuh!"

Paramon fluttered to T.K's ear.

"Hey... can you explain this to me?"

The boy grumbled.

"I assume... after the reboot, Etemon was also back and became a famous singer."

Kari was surprised.

"Right, Agumon told me about him. Wasn't he actually a villain?"

"I hope not, we need him." Gatomon interjected.

The others agreed and waited until Etemon had finished his song. Then he seemed to realize he had visitors. He jumped off the stage and left the Gazimon to their work.

"Ah, how nice! Extra fans have come to admire me! Well? How did you like my performance?"

Tsubasa cleared his throat.

"Well, it was quite...

"Charming!" Kari interrupted him.

T.K immediately agreed with her.

"Yes, we still can't believe that we are meeting such a celebrity!" Tsubasa decided to keep quiet and smile.

Etemon laughed.

"Yes, such an honor doesn't happen every day. But I didn't know that humans were also among my fans."

Shun decided it was time to mention the reason for their appearance.

"LeoHeartmon sent us. He said you could help us with our problem."

Now Etemon's expression changed abruptly.

"Follow me to the tent. We'll discuss everything else there," he said seriously.

The DigiDestine agreed and followed the singer to his chamber.

There they took a seat and Etemon looked outside once more before closing the curtain.

Then he sat down opposite them, with his legs on the table.

"Come on, spill it. What does the old man want from me?"

The DigiDestine looked at each other and then decided to get straight to the point. They revealed the reason for their stay in the Digital World and that LeoHeartmon was calling in a favor.

Etemon thought for a moment.

"I knew he wouldn't let me off the hook so easily. This is a huge request, because it's practically treason, are you aware of that?"

That's what they had feared, it was not so easy to convince Etemon after all. At least that's what they thought at first.

"But alright, I'll help you. That stingy Takutoumon doesn't pay anyway. He thinks I should be honored to be allowed to perform at all. It's fine with me if he disappears."

Relief spread through the group.

"So you'll help us?" Tsubasa asked hopefully.

Etemon confirmed it to her. He would pretend they were members of his band and drop them off in a wooded area near the castle. They thanked him profusely. Even the fact that more would be joining them later, Etemon found no problem.

They also agreed to his request to support the Gazimon. After all, it would be faster that way.

"I guess anyone can change," Patamon murmured as he thought of Etemon.

T.K agreed with him. It was definitely not the same Digimon as before.

In his throne room, Takutoumon checked the time. His general should have been back long ago. Had something gone wrong? No, the members of the so-called resistance were weak. It was out of the question that Orochimon had been defeated by them. This left only one conclusion: his servant had encountered further enemies who had posed a greater challenge to him. And he could only think of one faction that was capable of defeating his general: the humans had entered the DigiWorld again, no doubt to ravage it once more. He would not allow that. He called one of his servants to him: "You! Bring me the two spheres you have collected so far! Immediately!" This one reacted immediately and returned a little later with a chest, which he placed in front of the king. Takutoumon opened it and looked at the two blue spheres that had once belonged to a powerful Digimon. He took them out and stepped with them onto the balcony of the castle. He stepped outside and looked out over his realm. Never would he allow the humans to take it away from him. He pressed the two spheres to his chest and felt an immense power surging into his body. Takutoumon roared and felt himself changing. His body expanded and became more muscular. The additional power had allowed him to switch to his Wrath mode. Now he was ready for the decisive battle. And he knew that his enemy would come to him. He would already be waiting for them.

The camp had been dismantled in the meantime and everything had been loaded into carriages. Etemon wanted to leave, but Shun asked him to wait a little longer. Davis and the others should have been back long ago, which worried the DigiDestine. Finally, several figures sneaked through the trees towards the clearing.

They were relieved when they recognized that it was their friends. Shun and Tsubasa ran to Takeshi, but from his face they could see that something was not right. They all looked dirtier and more exhausted than when they had left. And one person was missing...

Takeshi reported haltingly what had happened in the cave.

"I understand. LeoHeartmon has sacrificed himself," Tsubasa said gloomily.

Davis nodded.

"He wanted to help us. And I even mistrusted him, I feel so..."

Ken put a hand on his shoulder.

"Blame doesn't help now. We must not let his sacrifice be in vain. The king is probably already warned, we should strike as soon as possible."

T.K. told them about their agreement. Etemon was their best chance to carry out the plan after all.

A little later, the DigiDestine were sitting in one of the wagons and the journey began. The singer had urged them not to unnecessarily attract attention. At the first checkpoint, they already feared the worst, but the guards seemed to be such big fans of Golden Phoenix that they didn't even think of suspecting him.

Soon they had penetrated deep into the territory of the supposed king and were approaching his headquarters. In a wooded area, the baggage train stopped and let the DigiDestine out.

"Here we say goodbye. I'll perform in the village over there, that'll give me an alibi in case something goes wrong. So, see you!" Etemon waved one more time before he continued on.

"He has confidence in us..." Davis murmured.

"We'll manage it! We owe it to LeoHeartmon! He must not have died in vain!" Takeshi was determined.

The others agreed with him. They decided not to take the direct route, but to move through the woods. Soon they had reached a cliff from which there was no further progress on foot. But from there they could already see the castle in the distance where the king was supposed to be staying. "Well, from here it gets serious. Are you ready?" Davis wanted to know. Everyone nodded. They knew there was no turning back. They stepped to the side to give Veemon and Wormmon room. These fused once again with each other and became Imperialdramon. The DigiRitter climbed onto his back and the ancient dragon took off. Ken urged them to hold on tight. A piece of advice they gratefully heeded. The wind was quite strong and when Shun looked down, he almost felt sick. A bad time to discover his fear of heights. But Imperialdramon glided quickly through the air and was already at the castle. Ken ordered him to land directly on the roof. The DigiDestine climbed down and looked around. They had expected that a reception committee would already be waiting for them. After all, Takutoumon must have already learned of their arrival in the Digital World. But there was not a single guard on the roof. "Hey, do you feel that too?"

Tsubasa asked and looked down. The ground under them was trembling and Davis urged them to step back. Not a second too soon, because the roof was crumbling and a large hole was forming. A large figure jumped out of it and landed in front of them. It was a Digimon with a fascinating blue armor, surrounded by a ring of light. It also swung a blue light sword. Their enemy had appeared. "I assume you are Takutoumon? We are here to finish you off!" Takeshi shouted at him. The self-proclaimed king laughed. "Yes, you're good at that. Do you want to destroy the DigiWorld even more? I won't allow that." This was not something Kari wanted to let him get away with. "What nerve! We have always only tried to protect the Digital World! Yes, sometimes there have been damages and even losses, that couldn't be avoided. But what you're doing is madness! You're just starting a war that can cause even more destruction and suffering!" With that, she seemed to have hit a nerve. "How dare you! I am the savior of the DigitalWorld!" he shouted and swung his sword. Imperialdramon protected the DigiRitter by stopping it with his claws. "Takeshi! Shun! Tsubasa! You stay back for now and form the second line," Ken ordered the younger ones. They nodded and took a few steps back. Their partners positioned themselves in front of them and got ready.

"Prismamon digivolves to... PrismKnightmon!

PrismKnight Super-Digivolution to... PrismDukemon!"

"Hebimon digivolves to... Julungumon!

Julungumon Super-Digivolution to... Sandiramon!"

"Koemon digivolves to... Lianpumon!

Lianpumon Super-Digivolution to... Xintiangmon!"

While Imperialdramon attacked the enemy, T.K. and Kari took their chance. "

Patamon digivolves to... Angemon!

Angemon Super-Digivolution to... MagnaAngemon!"

"Gatomon Super-Digivolution to... Angewomon!"

Imperialdramon held Takutomon to the ground while the two angels were able to perform their attacks. But this one did not allow a moment of weakness. He gave the dragon a kick and sent him flying upwards. Then he jumped to the side and let the attacks go into the void. With his raised sword, he jumped towards Angewomon. She barely managed to block the blow. MagnaAngemon opened his Heaven's Gate and a huge suction was created. But Takutoumon seemed to be prepared for that as well. He stretched out his hand against the gate and stopped the suction.

"How did he do that?" T.K. wondered. The king smiled. "I'll be happy to give you a demonstration." He rose into the air and was soon above the DigiRitter. Then he stretched out his hand again and an immense pressure was created. First the Digimon, then the DigiRitter were forced to the ground. "Damn, he can manipulate gravity!" Ken realized. Indeed, it felt as if they were being pressed down by the sky itself. "We have to stop him!" T.K. shouted to his partner. He reacted, together with Kari's partner.

"MagnaAngemon Mega-Digivolution to... Seraphimon!"

"Angewomon Mega-Digivolution to... Magnadramon!"

Both Digimon rose into the air now and attacked Takutoumon from two sides. But he withstood it. With his sword, he first struck Seraphimon and knocked him down. Magnadramon moved behind him, but the king stretched out his hand towards the ground and sent a gravity wave towards the opponent. The pink dragon was hurled far away. Then he concentrated again on the humans. The DigiDestine had meanwhile taken cover under Imperialdramon so as not to be crushed by the pressure wave.

"Takeshi!" PrismDukemon groaned in pain.

The DigiRitter were lying flat on the ground, the others were no different. Every attempt to get up failed. The DigiDestined could now feel that Imperialdramon was also having trouble despite his mass. They would be crushed by him if something didn't happen.

"That... can't be true. How am I supposed to justify myself to LeoHeartmon when we see each other again?" Takeshi shouted frustratedly.

His partner could understand him only too well. He made another attempt to get up.

"LeoHeartmon may be gone, but I will continue the fight. Please believe in me, Takeshi!" the knight begged.

The boy nodded.

"I always do! I will always believe in you!"

At the same moment, his Digivice and his partner appeared as well.

"PrismDukemon Mega-Digivolution tooooo... Clearmon!"

The knight had now become a large crystal being. It shimmered in many colors and rose without difficulty.

"It has digivolved! Takeshi's Digimon is now stronger again!" Tsubasa announced.

Davis and Ken doubted that this would be enough, but did not say so. To their surprise, however, the fight seemed to be different.

Clearmon rose into the air and approached the attacker.

He reacted quite bewildered. He used his second hand to increase the gravity. But without effect.

"How... how are you doing that? You should be superior to my power!"

Instead of answering, Clearmon fired a rainbow-colored beam at Takutoumon, who was wounded.

Due to the dissolved gravity, the DigiDestined were able to stand up again.

"I think I understand," Shun said.

"Clearmon seems to have no mass in this form. Look, his whole body consists only of a spectrum of lights."

Takeshi could follow him. His partner had digitized to the ideal form to form a counter to Takutoumon's attacks.

He now drew his sword.

"If one thing doesn't work, I'll change my tactics!" he warned in advance.

The physical attack seemed to cause Clearmon more problems, but he was able to dodge.

"Imperialdramon, you have to help him!" Davis called.

He didn't have to tell the DigiRitter that twice. The ancient dragon switched to his Fighter mode and flew up. As soon as he arrived, Takutoumon wanted to start his gravity attack again. But Clearmon moved in front of him and negated it.

The king cursed, but it was already too late. Seraphimon and Magnadramon had appeared behind him and had fired two parallel attacks.

Heavily wounded, the king stumbled in the air.

Imperialdramon now aimed his cannon at him and Clearmon cleared the way.

"Takutoumon! You have only yourself to blame for this. Laser Finger!"

The attack of the Digimon hit Takutoumon full on and he plummeted to the ground at high speed. The four Digimon returned to their partners.

"Is... is it over? Have we won?" Tsubasa wanted to know.

No one could really answer her question.

"We have to go down and see," Ken decided.

The others agreed with him.

Seraphimon, Magnadramon and Clearmon flew ahead, while the others boarded Imperialdramon's back, who was to take them to the foot of the castle.

As soon as they had landed, the three had already secured the opponent. Takutoumon was in a pitiful condition. He was undoubtedly defeated, he could not even move anymore.

Takeshi approached him, although Davis asked him to be careful.

"Are you going to take over the Digital World now? No one can stop you," the defeated opponent gasped.

Takeshi decided to give up his anger.

"How funny. You're constantly accusing us, and you don't care about your subordinates at all. You send them into pointless fights and you don't care about them at all. Neither with LeoHeartmon, nor with your great generals. Who here is really indifferent to the Digimon?" he accused him.

Takutoumon looked at him incredulously.

"What do you think you are? All you can do is betray. And we Digimon have to suffer because of it!"

Takeshi looked at him questioningly.

"Betray? Were you betrayed? By whom?" he couldn't follow him.

The DigiRitter had been so focused on the opponent lying on the ground that they had neglected the surroundings. T.K. only recognized it when he was bumped into. Perplexed, he looked to his left and saw a person walking past them.

"Who...," he just managed to get out.

Takeshi recognized him now too. It was apparently a man, about 40 or 50. His hair looked disheveled, and his face generally tired. His full beard looked quite unkempt, as did his coat, which was marked by several stains.

He was now in front of Takutoumon, and he opened his eyes.

"You... you're here?" he asked.

It was clear that he had not expected this.

The man nodded.

"Yes. You have lost. What else should I do?"

Takeshi looked back and forth between the two.

"Excuse me, who are you?" he asked politely.

The man was definitely a human. But how did he just get into the Digital World?

Only now did he seem to become aware of Takeshi's presence.

"I... oh, I'm nobody special," he replied.

Takutoumon now stretched out an arm towards him.

"You... have left me! That's why... I wanted to build a DigiWorld without humans. So that we no longer... depend on partners."

Takeshi frowned.

"Wait! Takutoumon was your partner?" he asked if he had understood correctly.

The bearded man scratched his head.

"Yes. Well. Somehow I think so."

The other DigiDestined also couldn't make sense of it. Takutoumon hated humans, after all. And yet he was a partner Digimon? How did that happen?

Takutoumon made an attempt to gather himself, which failed. He was too badly wounded.

"No matter what you have to say to me. I will not forgive you," he was determined.

At least no reaction could be detected on the man's face.

"Well, whatever. I only came to delete you," he said in a monotone voice.

The fallen king opened his eyes wide.

"What? But why? Out of revenge?"

The man tilted his head slightly to the right.

"Hm? No, you just lost, that's all. I only needed you to keep those guys in the back busy for a while," he explained.

Takutoumon clenched his fists.

"You wanted that? Then... you only used me. Cursed be you! I thought we were friends once! Well, then you will be the first human I will destroy."

The anger gave him enough strength to gather himself and turn to the man. He now stretched out his flat hand to him. Takutoumon was suddenly as if frozen.

"No... please not! Why are you doing this?" he seemed to have an idea of what was to come.

The man sighed annoyed.

"I already said that. You have lost. And now be quiet," he said, and Takutoumon dissolved into data in front of him.

Not only Takeshi was frightened, but also all the other DigiRitter. How had he done that? He didn't seem to have a weapon, not even a Digivice.

"Hey! What are you doing there? Wasn't Takutoumon your partner?" Takeshi asked outraged.

The man turned to him.

"Partner? Hm? Why?" he seemed not to be able to follow him.

Davis and the others had caught up in the meantime.

"Could you please finally tell us who you are and what is going on here?" Davis asked politely.

The man grumbled unhappily and then ran his hand through his hair.

"No. That would be too much effort. I'm not in the mood for it," he replied curtly.

Davis did not want to be satisfied with this answer. He wanted to run up to him, but then the man had raised his hand again and held it in front of him. A light opened up, and they realized that it was a gate. The man stepped through it, and it closed behind him.

"What... was that?" Tsubasa asked confused.

No one had a suitable answer to that. Not even the older DigiDestined, who had so much experience, could come up with an idea.

Takeshi stared at the spot where Takutoumon had been destroyed. Sure, he had been their enemy, but had he really deserved that? Was the man really his partner? How could he just destroy him like that?

"Uh... what will happen now that your king has been defeated?" Shun asked an important question.

No one could really answer him.

"For some, he could be considered a martyr. Others, like Etemon, are surely glad that he is gone. In any case, we should not stay long enough to find out," T.K. finally said.

"Can you contact Izzy? We have to get back somehow," Kari interjected.

T.K. only had to use his Digivice to talk to Izzy. He gave them a position where he would be able to open a gate to the real world. With Imperialdramon, they flew to this position, where a portal was already waiting for them. All the Digimon digivolved to their smallest possible form, then they already stepped through the gate.

They found themselves in Izzy's office. Rurimon, who was just playing cards with Tentomon, fell into Prismamon's arms.

During the debriefing, they reported everything in detail. They had hoped that at least Izzy could contribute something to it. But even he was a mystery to the man.

"I will contact Tai. And if he doesn't have any idea, then Yamada-san for sure. After all, his authority is monitoring the Digital World," he then announced.

With that, they were satisfied for the time being. Ken was the first to break away from the group. He wanted to go directly to Yolei in the hospital. Takeshi and the others also set about to leave. They had returned from the DigiWorld a little earlier than expected, but they left the explanations to Izzy.

When they were gone, Kari turned to the remaining DigiDestined.

"I'm a little worried about this guy," she confessed.

T.K. nodded.

"Do you think he could still become a problem?"

"Takutoumon was powerful, and he just got rid of him out of nowhere," Davis reminded.

Everyone agreed that they needed to find out more about him. And whether he was a threat to the Digital World, or to the real world. Or even to both.