Himari and Rikka now as Magnadramon X aproached the enemies before them. "Amazing…" Lobomon breathed. "I never felt such a powerful mass of holy light…"
"So, this is Himari's X-Antibody Digimon…" Keisuke said in awe.
Even GranDracmon was shocked at the sight. But his mouth slowly flashed a grin. "Heh, heh, heh…interesting. I was convinced you were the small fry among the humans. But it seems like I underestimated you."
"You know what? I was small fry before." Himari said. "Just a bystander who watched as others accomplished great things around me. But now I'm more than that! I'm stronger than the weak girl I was before! Because now I have the conviction to fight on! To forge my own future instead of letting others build one for me! Sorry GranDracmon, but you just missed your chance to pick on a helpless nobody.
"Oh, I'd say the best chance has arrived. That holy energy your partner carries is marvelous. It will be more than enough for what my master wishes to accomplish. All I must do is recapture you two and make that glorious light mine!"
"I'd like to see you try." Himari said before holding her hand forward. "Get him Rikka!"
"Judgment!" The X-Antibody dragon fired a brilliant white laser from her mouth. GranDracmon held his hands up and a purple barrier formed. While it protected him from the attack his feet slid backwards on the floor. He was unprepared for when Rikka rammed into him knocking him away. She turned to BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon. "Let me handle this. You two help Agunimon and Lobomon, they're struggling with Duskmon."
"We do not take orders from the Resistance." BlitzGreymon replied.
"Is now the time for this?!" Himari asked. "Your partner Kiryu and his brothers' former partners need you! Isn't it more important that you keep those you care about safe?!"
CresGarurumon stared at Kiryu as he, Agunimon and Lobomon dodged sword swings from Duskmon. "…She's right. We must protect Kiryu! And even if they are with the Resistance now… I don't want to see those two perish again."
"…You're right." BlitzGreymon said. They both rushed towards Duskmon.
"Did I not just tell you two to focus on the opponent in front of you?" GranDracmon held his hand out. "Hell Crusher!"
"Saint Sheild!" Rikka flew in front of GranDracmon and blocked his attack with a barrier of light. "Maybe you should listen to your own advice!"
"Yeah! We're your opponent now!" Himari said.
"Hmph! It seems this new power has gone straight to your heads. I'll teach you fools to look down on me!"
Duskmon shoulder charged Agunimon knocking him over. Lobomon's swords clashed with one of his before a kick to the torso knocked him down. With both Digimon down he set his sights on Kiryu. "Skip Frame!" Right when the human snapped his fingers, Duskmon leapt into the air evading the program entirely.
"Deadly Gaze!" Duskmon's eyes fired lasers.
"Elect Guard!" BlitzGreymon rushed in and blocked his attack. CresGarurumon leapt above Duskmon and swung his spear down at him. Even though he blocked it the force shot him to the ground. His swords scratched on the floor stopping him as he slid across it.
"Good timing you two." Kiryu said. "Now… let's put this scum down."
"I did not expect us to be fighting side by side with you two again." BlitzGreymon said.
CresGarurumon closed his eyes. "We may not be allies… but we will lend you our aid one last time."
"Very well." Lobomon combined his dual weapons. "We shall chase the shadows away!"
Agunimon pounded his fists together. "Guide us into battle Kiryu... just like you used to."
"Screaming Darkness!"
"Blaster Blade!" Omni used his cannon to propel himself forward and his sword tore through two orbs of dark energy and stabbed MaloMyotismon. "Ultimate Uppercut!" He slashed upward knocking MaloMyotismon into the air then fired his cannon at him repeatedly.
"Keep it up!" Takuto said.
"I grow tired of you!" MaloMyotismon snarled. "Pandamonium!"
Just when Omni went for a finishing blow darkness surrounded him. "What?! What just happened?! Where...?!" Something then slashed him in the back. He turned around and swung his sword, but it hit nothing. He looked around again before he was clawed again.
"Omni, what's wrong?!" Takuto asked as he watched his Digimon look around for a target that was right in front of him. MaloMyotismon laughed before kicking Omni down.
VenomMyotismon grabbed TyrantKabuterimon by the head and started crushing him. "Shimetsuke!" MetalSeadramon coiled around VenomMyotismon's neck and started choking him. VenomMyotismon released TyrantKabuterimon to pull MetalSeadramon off and slam him into the ground. Meanwhile PileVolcamon ran up MaloMyotismon's body and shot a meteor from his back into the air and jumped catching it. "Volcanic Driver!" He slammed down on VenomMyotismon's forehead.
Rikka swerved gracefully around purple orbs that GranDracmon threw at her. He then stampeded into her and held her up before slamming her into the ground. Himari saw the two monstrous mouths looking over her open up. "Look out!"
Rikka looked up as the jaws descended towards her. "Electric Cloud!" She shot a burst of thunder into him, and he was shot back with the mouths and part of his legs dissolving.
GranDracmon laughed as his body regenerated. "A waste of effort girl. I am Immortal. There is no way you can destroy me."
"Then we'll make a way!" Himari declared. "One way or another we will defeat you!"
"Geist Blade Storm!" Duskmon unleashed a red shockwave blowing BlitzGreymon, CresGarurumon, Agunimon, and Lobomon away from him. He then charged at his enemies drawing his swords.
"CresGarurumon!" Kiryu ordered. The golden wolf rushed in and started blacking the blades with his spear. "Now!"
CresGarurumon rolled away. "Howling Lasser!" Duskmon didn't even have time to react before a blast of light sent him rolling across the floor.
"Deadly Gaze!" Duskmon fired his eye lasers towards the Warrior of light.
"Elect Guard!" BlitzGreymon flew in front of Lobomon and blocked the attack. "Plasma Stake!"
"He'll teleport to get behind BlitzGreymon." Kiryu whispered.
"Got him covered." Agunimon replied.
"Ghost Move!" Duskmon teleported behind BlitzGreymon evading his attack just as Kiryu predicted.
"Pryo Punch!" Duskmon stumbled as fireballs hit him in the back. When he straightened up BlitzGreymon was facing him.
"Thunder Vernier!" BlitzGreymon blasted him with electricity.
GranDracmon backed away from lightning bolts Rikka summoned before glancing at Duskmon on the floor. "Duskmon. It seems you are having trouble. As much as I would hate to lose this place it seems we have no choice. I permit you to use the dark power I gifted to you."
Duskmon slowly rose to his feet. "Yes, my master." He glared at Agunimon and Lobomon. "I will destroy you so-called "Legendary Warriors even if I must sacrifice my sanity to do it!" His eyes flashed red as black mist flowed out of his body.
"What's he doing?" CresGarurumon asked.
"Something's not right." Kiryu said. "Be careful."
"Duskmon Digivolve to…" A dark blue shell crackled around Duskmon's body. When it shattered a ginormous, monstrous bird with a red body, black feathers and three eyes emerged. "Velgemon!"
A mighty roar from the towering monster caused the whole room to shake. "What the hell?!" Lobomon grunted as he was nearly blown away.
"It's like something from a nightmare..." Kumamon grunted from the ground.
Loweemon grunted as he looked up. "That form..."
Valdamon roared and shot a beam from his middle eye that carved into the walls and ceiling around everyone. The ground started to shake, and pieces of the ceiling came down. "That monster's out of control!" Takuto yelled.
Kiryu grunted. "If this keeps up, he could cave in this entire room. BlitzGreymon, get his attention on us!"
"Understood!"
Agunimon turned to Kiryu as BlitzGreymon flew off. "Uh, buddy, you sure pissing that thing off is a good idea?"
"If he doesn't have a target in mind and continues rampaging like this, he'll bring this place down on our heads! At least this way he'll be aiming for something instead of flailing about!"
BlitzGreymon flew up next to Velgemon's face. "Nanomachine Break!" He punched it in the side of the head with an electrified fist.
Velgemon stopped firing and roared at BlitzGreymon before smacking him to the ground with his wing. "Dark Annihilation!"
Kiryu felt the ground shake and looked around him. Two black wall-like structured rose out of the ground from their left and right. Then he noticed that they were curving towards each other. Like a giant monster's mouth closing around them. He acted fast and turned to BlitzGreymon. "Skip Frame!" Just as the two halves clamped shut BlitzGreymon hovered over the giant mouth holding Agunimon and Lobomon in his arms. CresGarurumon was holding onto his leg and Kiryu was on his shoulder. They watched the ominous giant face glow red before it disappeared, taking the ground they were standing on with him. "Well, shit."
"I... don't believe it..." Lobomon gasped. "I never thought Duskmon would be capable of such destructive power..."
"Nightmare!" Velgemon blasted BlitzGreymon out of the air. He and all four passengers slammed into the floor.
"Kiryu! Are you alright?!" BlitzGreymon asked.
"I'm fine. But we need to do something about that beast." Kiryu took a long look at it. "The good news is this room is too small for it to fly. So, it's underside will be vulnerable. But we can't let it use that Dark Annihilation attack. Attack it up close from the ground!"
"Works for me!" Agunimon said as he, Lobomon, BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon rushed towards Velgemon.
Takuto meanwhile was watching Omni swing his sword wildly while taking hits from MaloMyotismon. "Omni, calm down! What's wrong?"
"I can't see him! All around is darkness...!"
"You can't see him?" Takuto noticed MaloMyotismon making another move. "Behind you!" Omni turned around and slashed MaloMyotismon making him yelp in surprise as he went flying. Takuto then got an idea. "That's it!" He ran over to his Digimon. "Omni, I'll be your eyes! Just attack where I tell you!"
"Understood." Omni lowered his hand for Takuto jumped onto. He lifted his partner up so he could climb up on his shoulder.
Takuto looked up as MaloMyotismon returned to his feet. "Crimson Mist!"
"Jump to the left!" Takuto ordered. His Digimon evaded the red smoke. MaloMyotismon rushed towards them. "Charge to the forward right!"
"Buster Dive!" Omni charged into MaloMyotismon knocking him back. MaloMyotismon jumped into the air and descended towards them.
"He's above us!"
"Gigawatt Lasser!" Omni held his cannon upward and fired.
MaloMyotismon screamed as he fell to the ground landing headfirst. He scowled as he slowly got back up. "You bastards!" He flew towards Omni, then moved to the left and closed the gap.
"Left!" Takuto shouted. Omni blocked MaloMyotismon's fist with his sword. MaloMyotismon backed up then went in from another angle. "Front! Lower right! Above! Behind!" Omni's reflexes allowed him to move his blade where Takuto guided him.
After blocking one more hit with his sword Omni attacked. "Supreme Cannon!" MaloMyotismon was blasted into a wall.
VenomMyotismon roared as he stomped on PileVolcamon. The smaller Digimon caught the giant foot and struggled to hold him up. "MetalSeadramon, pull his leg out!" Keisuke said.
MetalSeadramon coiled his tail around VenomMyotismon's ankle and pulled his leg pit making him fall onto his back. "Meteor Fall!" PileVolcamon and TyrantKabuterimon slammed meteors onto the downed Digimon.
"H-how can this...?!"
"You're not the only one who's gotten stronger since last time!" Keisuke said.
VenomMyotismon climbed back up. "Don't get any ideas above your station boy! I will destroy you! If I cannot kill the body... then I will simply cut off the head! Venom Infusion!"
MetalSeadramon gasped as he saw where the eye beams were headed. "Keisuke!" He flew in front of his partner. "River of Power!" He shot a blue beam from his face, and they collided.
"Guys, he's open!" Keisuke shouted.
TyrantKabuterimon grabbed PileVolcamon and flew around VenomMyotismon before the giant bug threw PileVolcamon towards the enemy. PileVolcamon held out his fist out. "Diamond Knuckle!" He punched VenomMyotismon in the back of the head tilting his face downward and aiming his Venom Infusion to the floor. With nothing holding it back MetalMeramon's River of Power it proceeded towards its target and froze VenomMyotismon's face.
"Now's our chance!" Keisuke swung his arm. "Overclock!"
TyrantKabuterimon roared and flew up right in front of VenomMyotismon. "Shine of Bee!"
VenomMyotismon screamed as his body started to break down. "Phew. Here's hopping that's the last we'll see of that guy." Keisuke looked over his shoulder. "How are the others doing?"
Takuto noticed MaloMyotismon's hands glowing. "Time to end this Omni. On my signal."
"Chaos Crusher!" MaloMyotismon charged towards the knight with his hands red.
Takuto activated Overclock. "Now!"
"Sword of Ruin!" Omni swung his sword twice generating a golden explosion enveloping MaloMyotismon who screamed as his body evaporated.
"You did it!" Takuto cheered jumping down.
Omni split back into two. "Thanks to your guidance as per usual." Nova replied.
"Nice work you guys!" Keisuke said as he ran up to them.
"Thanks." Takuto replied. "How are things going with the big cheese and his giant bird?"
Keisuke turned his head to the side. "Well..."
"Pyro Darts!" Agunimon threw flames at Velgemon's face from under him. The beast roared and lifted his leg. Agunimon dove out of the way as it stomped. While Agunimon was on the ground Velgemon lifted its foot again.
"Freeze Frame!" Brother Sorrow snapped his fingers pausing Velgemon long enough for Agunimon to get back up and move.
"Thunder Vernier!" BlitzGreymon fired his turrets into Valdemon's chest.
"Dark Vortex!" Velgemon fired a beam from his eye. BlitzGreymon moved out of the way.
"Beast Cyclone!" CresGarurumon shot himself upward slashing Velgemon.
BlitzGreymon flew by overhead and Lobomon dove off him. "Swei Zeiger!" His sabers slammed against one of Valdemon's wings. Black feathers fluttered around them.
"Damn that bird us tough." BlitzGreymon growled.
"Our attacks aren't piercing it's body." CresGarurumon said. "What do we do?"
"Everything has a weak spot." Kriyu said. "A part softer and more vulnerable than the rest of the body."
Lobomon looked at him. "What do you mean?" Kiryu pointed at his eye. "Huh? What are you... Wait! Of course!"
"CresGarurumon, you will be the one to strike. BlitzGreymon, cover him. Agunimon and Lobomon, clear a path."
"Dark Vortex!" Velgemon shot along laser from his eyes. The Digimon scattered and Lobomon and Agunimon ran at him. "Nightmare!" The two dodged a black orb as they proceeded.
"Howling Lasser!"
"Pyro Punch!" Agunimon and Lobomon fired at Velgamon agitating it.
"Gale Storm!" Velgemon flapped his wings and multiple hurricanes flew towards Agunimon
"Skip Frame!" Kiryu snapped his fingers and Agunimon appeared on the other side of the attack. He jumped and punched one of Velgemon' shins. Lobomon slashed the other and Velgemon dropped to his knees.
"Now! Go!" Kiryu ordered. CresGarurumon started running towards Velgemon.
The giant bird spotted the wolf on his approach. "Dark Vortex!" Just as he fired from his eye, Agunimon and Lobomon leapt up and grabbed onto his head making it swerve. Velgemon shook the two off. "Destruction Cannon!"
BlitzGreymon flew in front of CresGarurumon. "Elect Guard!" He summoned a barrier that blocked the attack.
Velgemon lifted his head. "Dark Ahniala-
"Freeze Frame!" Kiryu snapped his fingers pausing Velgemon again. "Now!"
CresGarurumon leapt high above Velgemon and descended towards the middle eye with his spear pointed down coated in ice. "Fury: Ice Moon Fang!"
Just as Velgemon started moving again the spear went right into his eye. Velgemon howled in pain as CresGarurumon held onto the spear partway through the eye. "Did that do it?" Kiryu asked. After some violent screeching and flailing CresGarurumon lost his grip and fell off. "Tch! Not enough?"
BlitzGreymon looked at CresGarurumon's spear still sticking out of the eye. "Agunimon! Lobomon!"
The two Legendary Warriors jumped onto BlitzGreymon's arms, and he tossed them into the air. Lobomon grabbed onto Agunimon's arm and spun him around before throwing him towards Velgemon. "Pyro Tornado!" Agunimon spun in the air towards Velgemon. The beast lifted his head and Agunimon kicked CresGarurumon's spear deeper into Velgemon's head. Velgemon's eye glowed as it screeched in pain.
Kiryu inputted something into his Digivice. "I'm increasing all of your attack power! Finish it here!"
"Ice Archery!" CresGarurumon summoned a spear of ice into his hand and threw it.
"Thunder Vernier!"
"Howling Lasser!"
"Pyro Darts!" All four of them shot directly into Velgemon's eye. The monster screeched loudly before collapsing onto the floor. He exploded in a burst of light, leaving CresGarurumon's spear on the floor.
"That did the trick!" Agunimon said.
"All shadows must meet the light!" Lobomon calmly added.
"Brother!" Loweemon trudged his way towards his fellow warriors. The other seven weakly hobbling up behind him.
"Are you two alright?" Kazemon asked.
Agunimon nodded. "Yeah. It was a tough battle, but we pulled through."
"I'm surprised." Arbormon folded his arms. "I would not have suspected..."
"Yeah, when Duskmon Digivolved into that monster I nearly flipped out!" Kumamon shuddered.
"I wasn't referring to that. I was talking about you two and Brother Sorrow. You worked surprisingly well together."
"Well..." Agunimon looked over at CresGarurumon who picked up his spear. Kiryu was healing his two Digimon.
Kiryu then walked up to the Legendary Warriors. "W-what's with you?" Ranemon asked. "Got something to say punk?!"
"Ranemon, calm down." Lobomon said. "It's okay."
Kiryu looked at him and Agunimon. "...I almost forgot this feeling... us working together."
"Yeah. The five of us and Subaru." Agunimon replied. "I miss those days..."
"Huh? Who's Subaru?" Bettlemon asked. "And did you say you two used to work with Brother Sorrow? When?"
"That's right... you guys missed out on the meeting." Agunimon looked at his crew. "Guys... this is Kiryu Tenjo... older brother of Subaru Tenjo."
Lobomon took a deep breath. "Subaru... he was our human partner when we were in EDEN."
The other Legendary Warriors did a take. "What?!"
"You two had a human partner?!" Grumblemon asked. "Since when?! You never told us about that!"
"It was in the previous reality." Agunimon replied. "I don't fully remember it but..."
A loud clash brought their attention back to Rikka and Himari who were fighting GranDracmon fiercely. "Save the history lesson for latter." Loweemon said. "We must slay that beast."
"Hold on Himari!" Keisuke said running towards them. The whole crew was running towards them when Takuto stepped in front of them. "Takuto, what are you doing?!"
"Stay out of this you guys. This is Himari's fight."
"But-
"She has to do this. She swore she'd prove her worth not only as a member of this Resistance but as a Tamer. We can't deny her chance to do so."
Kiryu folded his arms. "So be it. I am content with observing and obtaining more knowledge on GranDracmon and X-Antibody Digimon."
Keisuke sighed. "...Fine. But if it looks like she's about to lose then I'm jumping in regardless of the objections."
Takuo smiled. "Get in line."
"Thunderstorm!" Rikka roared as thunder boomed down.
GranDracmon winced before he roared blowing the attack away. "Useless! Eye of Gorgan!" In a red flash Rikka froze. He then rushed up and threw a fury of punched at Rikka finishing with an uppercut that rocketed her upward. On her way up he grabbed her by the tail and threw her across the room. Rikka rolled onto the floor.
"Rikka, get up!" Himari warned.
"Hell Crusher!" Rikka dashed out of the way of GranDracmon's follow up.
She made a sharp turn towards him and darted in his direction. "Buster Dive!"
GranDracmon caught her as she tried to ram him and tossed her forward. "Crystal Revelation!" He summoned a giant crystal and threw it towards Rikka.
Rikka rolled out of the way and howled to the sky. "Apocalypse!"
More powerful lightning came down striking Darcmon repeatedly. He dropped to his knees. His body was charred in multiple places. He cackled as his body healed and he rose up. "Useless. Useless, useless, useless! No mater how many times you strike me, this Immortal body will not perish!"
"I don't care if you think you're eternal!" Himari said. "I will protect my friends from you!"
"Sis!" Sistermon Ceil was on her knees holding her unconscious younger sister in her arms while softly patting her cheek. "Sis, wake up! The others are here to rescue us!"
"Mmmh..." Sistermon Blanc slowly opened her eyes. "Sis...? What is...?"
GranDracmon looked at them and smirked. He held his hands towards them. "Crystal Revelation!"
"Ceil! Blanc! Look out!" Keisuke shouted.
The two looked up as GranDracmon summoned a giant crystal and it started spinning. As he trusted his arms, Ceil held onto her sister and turned her back to the attack ready to shield her. "Rikka!" Himari shouted.
"Tailwind!" Rikka flew past the crystal and in front of the Sistermon in time to catch it.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! Predictable!" GranDracmon laughed. "You goody two shoes are always so quick to throw your lives away for the sake of others! Now die for your foolish morality!"
Himari looked at Rikka who grunted as the crystal pressed against her chest. She then looked at the crying Blanc with Ceil holding onto her tightly. "I won't falter any more. I'll believe in my partner and in myself! I met so many wonderful people in this world! People who will do anything for it! That is why I will give it my all to protect them!" She slammed her palm onto her Digivice. "Overclock!"
Rikka glowed red. "Holy Blaze!" A powerful burst of light that shattered the crystal and blew GranDracmon back.
"Guh!" The monstrous Digimon slid back on his feet before stopping. "...Tch. So, you had an ace up your sleeve. No matter. Like I told you fools repeatedly, I am immortal. I will continue to regenerate until...eh?" He looked at the golden burns on his body. "Wait... what's going on?! Why aren't I healing!?"
"How did she do that?" Keisuke asked.
"Wait... of course!" Mercurymon snapped his fingers. "Rikka is a Magnadramon! A holy Digimon! Her light-based attacks would be powerful against a vampire Digimon! Especially when empowered with the X-Antibody and Overclock program!"
"Ha! So much for never dying!" Himari smirked.
"All shadows will disappear into the light." Rikka declared. "No matter how vast the darkness is, we will chase the shadows away!"
GranDracmon hissed. "You dare mock me? The Immortal Vampire King?! I'll remind you of your place!" GranDracmon jumped back then opened the two giant mouths near the top of his legs. "Death Scream!" His three mouths unleashed a black shockwave.
"Time to end this, Rikka!" Himari said.
"Fire Tornado!" A Spiral of holy flames spun towards GranDracmon clashing with the soundwave GranDracmon created. They collided and generated a bright light.
"We won't lose!" Himari said. "Not here, not to him! Come on Rikka! We can do this!" The Fire Tornado grew bigger and brighter. Rikka's attack slowly pushed forward and passed through towards GranDracmon.
"Ugh!" GranDracmon held his hands out to catch the attack and was shoved into a wall by it. "No! No! How could I...GAAAAH!" The Fire Tornado enveloped him.
Everyone had to avert their eyes at the golden glow. Keisuke was the first to look up and only saw a burnt hole in the wall. Rikka stopped glowing and panted before reverting from her X-Antibody form. "No way..." Keisuke gapped. "It took everything I had to barley edge a win against GranDracmon in the previous reality! How did you do that?!"
"She's awesome, that's how." Takuto smirked walking up to Himari holding his hand up.
Himari smiled and gave him a high five. "Thanks." She turned to her Digimon. "You were amazing too Rikka."
"No Himari. This was a result of the strength of your heart."
"Himari! Rikka!" The two Sistermon ran up to the girl. "That was amazing!" Blanc beamed.
"I never saw such incredible holy power!" Ceil smiled. "Your love for your Digimon is incredible!"
Himari had a certain gleam in her eyes looking at the two sisters and patted them on the heads. "Thanks, you two. Are either of you hurt?"
"Thanks to you we're fine. Right Blanc?"
Blanc nodded happily. "Yup! I'm good."
Himari giggled rubbing their heads. "Good."
Takuto chuckled. "The big sister instinct is strong in her."
Keisuke smiled. "Yeah." He then gasped. "Wait, Hudiemon!" He looked around frantically and found the Human/Digimon Hybrid was lying on the floor. "Erika!" Keisuke ran over and lifted her into a sitting position shaking her. "Erika, wake up!"
Hudiemon mumbled then turned her head to face him. "…Keisuke…?"
"Are you okay Erika?"
"Yeah." Hudiemon sat up. "You saved me again… thank you."
"Of course, I did. I promised I'd be here for you." Keisuke smiled. "You, Ryuji, Chitose… Hudie is my family after all."
Kiryu stared at the two then at Himari codling the Sistermon. He turned away with a small smile. Then he heard footsteps and looked up to see Sayo and Koh running into the room with their Digimon. "What'd we miss?" Koh asked.
"Is everyone alright?" Sayo looked around.
"We're fine, but you two missed seeing Himari kick GranDracmon's butt!" Takuto replied.
"Nice." Sayo smiled to Himari.
"Heh, heh…"
"Curse you…" Everyone looked to the hole as GranDracmon crawled out covered in burns.
"He's alive after that?!" Himari asked.
GranDracmon gasped grasping his abdomen in pain. "It vastly underestimated you… oh well…" He held up his hand and a glowing orb appeared. "I lost my servants, but I got more than enough holy energy for our goals. I'd call that a fair trade."
"What is it you plan on doing with that energy?" Kiryu asked.
"You will know in due time… For now… go tell your king his days of ruling this world are numbered. I got what I wanted… I have no need for this place or any of you!"
"Dianamon, stop him!" Sayo ordered.
Dianamon flew straight at GranDracmon as he started glowing. Rikka, Nova, and BlitzGreymon rushed right behind her. "Skip Frame!" Mere milliseconds before Kiryu snapped his fingers GranDracmon was gone, and CresGarurumon swung his spear at the empty space he was previously at. "Damn it. He got away…"
"Well… at least we rescued everyone." Himari said.
"She's right." Agunimon said. "As long as everyone is safe, that's what matters."
Kiryu looked at the console nearby and walked over to it. "Hmmm… looks like he was siphoning energy from you lot. But for what purpose…? This must have something to do with the Dark Prophecy."
"You mean what he and Lucemon were going on about?" Keisuke said. "Combining the powers of all Seven Deadly Digimon? I thought they just needed Beelzemon to complete it. So why take energy from other Digimon?"
"He said he wanted holy energy for Lucemon." Mercurymon said. "Something about obtaining a perfect balance."
"Those two are causing more and more problems for us." Hudiemon said. "Next time we see either of them, we can't let them escape again."
"Of course, that is a problem for later." Arbormon said before turning to Kiryu. "For now…" He got into a fighting stance. "Shall we finish things with Brother Sorrow while we have the chance?"
Kiryu didn't even look at him. "Hmph. All of you are exhausted. I very much doubt you have the strength to defeat us."
"You're not exactly in top shape either." Beetlemon replied as his horn buzzed.
"Arbormon…Beetlemon… stand down." Agunimon said.
"What?! Agunimon, are you mad?!" Arbormpn asked. "You've seen what this man is capable of! We can't just let him walk away!"
"Everyone here is bushed. I'm not gambling all of our lives for a chance to beat one member of the Next Order. Not after the lengths we went through to rescue you all."
"I agree." Hudiemon said. "Besides, Brother Sorrow said he wasn't going to attack us, so we already agreed to give him the same courtesy."
Kumamon looked at Kiryu. "Really? Oh, I get it! You don't want to fight Agunimon and Lobomon because you knew them in the last reality!"
"That has nothing to do with it." Kiryu said. "I was ordered not to do battle with the Next Order until further notice. If those are my orders, then I must follow them."
"Seriously?" Ranemon said. "You'll stick to your orders even if its inconvenient for you and the Next Order?"
"A soldier's top priority is his orders. If he cannot follow those orders, he will lose what he swore to protect."
"That… that was something you and Subaru were told by your grandfather…" Lobomon said.
Agunimon put a hand over his head. "That's right… he was a soldier… you and Subaru idolized him…"
"He was an excellent soldier who fought with valor and succeeded in every mission." Kiryu said. "His ideals that always brought him victory are what guide me."
"Is that really what brought him victory every time though?" Koh asked. "I learned during the battle against Chrono that staying to orders might only lead to danger. That there may be times when it's necessary to disregard orders. Isn't that why you left Zaxon? Because you could no longer follow Yuuko's orders?"
Kiryu simply folded his arms. He then opened a menu on his Digivice. "BlitzGreymon, CresGarurumon, once I finish downloading everything from this terminal, we are leaving."
"Understood." BlitzGreymon replied.
Kiryu looked at Keisuke and Hudiemon. "This concludes our temporary ceasefire. When we next meet, we will be enemies again... I do wish there was another way. To be honest... I don't want to fight you two. Both of you are like me and my brother. Victims of Yuuko's schemes. However, ...If I am ordered to destroy you, I won't hesitate to do so. Especially if you plan to bar me from taking revenge on those fiends."
"I can't let you do that Kiryu." Keisuke said with a determined glare. "I'm sorry for what you and your brother were put through. I really am. But Yuuko... Takumi... Ami... Nokia... all of them are my friends. If you attack any of them, I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe."
"And I'm not letting the tragedies you suffered repeat themselves by letting the Next Order have their way." Hudiemon replied. "We will stop them even if we have to fight you to do it."
Kiryu closed his eyes. "Unfortunate. But it seems we have chosen our sides permanently." He looked at Agunimon and Lobomon. "And what about you two? You now know what Yuuko did to you. To Subaru. I have nothing but gratitude towards you for all you have done for my brother. And the two of you were the best friends he could ever hope for. Even if he doesn't remember you two, and you don't fully remember us, I cannot bear the thought of you dying. But... if it brings my brother salvation, I will make any sacrifice necessary."
Agunimon looked down. Lobomon's fists shook. "Agunimon... Lobomon..." Takuto looked at them.
"Kiryu... I respect you..." Lobomon said. "And while my memories are faint... I still care deeply for Subaru..."
"Me too..." Agunimon said. "He's like a brother to us. I'm glad we remember him now. But still... I also have a family in the Resistance fighting against the Next Order. And while I sympathize with you and Subaru, it doesn't change that what the Next Order is doing is wrong!"
"Exactly! They take from others by force and make them suffer! Subaru wouldn't have wanted that! We will keep fighting for the freedom of this world! Even if we have to fight you next."
"I'm sorry Kiryu. But we made up our minds long ago."
Kiryu stared at them for a bit longer. "...I'm sorry as well... I pray none of you regret your decision." His Digivice made a sound. "The download is complete. Hopefully we will learn something about Lucemon from this." He looked at Keisuke. "One last question. The security footage at Extinguish Keep showed Beelzemon assisting you then leaving. Do you have any idea where he went?"
The hacker shook his head. "No. Like you guys we also asked him to join us. But he was instant on not taking either side in this war."
"I see. I hope he stays safe. I owe him a great deal."
Keisuke blinked. "Huh?"
"Nothing. BlitzGreymon, CresGarurumon, we're leaving."
"Yes sir." Kiryu's Digimon followed him towards the door.
The man stood at the doorway for a moment. "...Agunimon. Lobomon."
The two Legendary Warrior looked at him. "Huh?"
"You two are still the same as I remember. And whether it's for better or worse I'm glad we remember each other now so I can finally say... thank you. For everything."
Agunimon smiled. "Kiryu..."
Lobomon smiled as well. "No Kiryu. Thank you for everything."
Kiryu then quietly left the room with his Digimon. "What a guy..." Himari smiled. But that smile changed into a frown. "It's not fair... what happened to his brother. They both suffered enough for two realities. If my sisters suffered as much as Subaru did... maybe I would have ended up like Kiryu."
"I know what you mean." Takuto frowned. "When Shiki was kidnapped, I went nuts. So, I can relate to what he's going through."
"What happened to those brothers is sad." Hudiemon said. "But what Kiryu's doing... reminds me to much of another man who let his anger out on the world after losing someone who was a brother to him. He can't continue like this."
"I know." Keisuke said. "I feel bad for him, but attacking Yuuko and the others won't help Subaru. It will only cause more suffering. Why can't he see that?"
"I wish there was something we could do." MetalSeadramon sighed.
"...Well... let's get out of here." Hudiemon said. "We won't be helping anyone by staying in this dump."
Takuto opened a menu. "Home Gates aren't working."
"There must be signal jammer down here. We'll have to get outside and warp out." Hudiemon tried to stand up, but her legs wobbled, and she started to drop.
Keisuke caught her. "I gotchya." He turned around and put his arms around her legs lifting her up on her back.
Hudiemon looked away shyly as she put her arms around him. "...Thanks."
Ceil lifted Blanc up onto her back. "Up you go!"
"S-sis, I can walk..."
Ceil smiled. "I know. I just wanted to give my little sister a piggyback ride. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
"Nope!" Blanc giggled hugging Ceil from behind.
Agunimon put Kumemon onto his shoulders then looked at his fellow Legendary Warriors. "Is everyone good to go?" Lobomon put one of Bettlemon's arms over his shoulders as they all nodded to him.
Himari smiled. "I'm glad we got these families back together at least."
Takuto patted her on the back. "They'll be back together when we're back with the others. And on that note, let's go home so they don't have to worry."
"Right!"
And that concludes this mission. The whole purpose of it being explaining/developing Kiryu while giving Himari her time to shine like I promised she and Kouta would have and made the two of them relevant to the story. SEE HOW EASY IT IS DIGIMON WORLD NEXT ORDER?! What's in for the Resistance next time? See y'all next week!
