Ami and Shiki entered another room. "Anything in here?" Ami asked.
Shiki looked around the pitch-black room. "Why is it so dark?" She then noticed something over a light. It was a small stand. "What's that over there?" She ran over.
"Shiki, wait!" Ami shouted as she hurried after her. Shiki stopped in front of the stands. They each had a rectangular device. One was black and orange, the other was black and purple. "What are these?" Ami caught up and looked at them. She stared at the purple one and remembered seeing it around Sayo's neck. "That's Sayo's Digivice!"
"These are Digivices?" Shiki asked. "Then that other one must be Koh's. I guess that's what they look like in the world they're from…well, I'm sure they'll both want them back."
"Shiki, hold on!"
Ami's warning didn't reach Shiki before she tried to grab the Digivices. But the moment her finger touched one of them an electric current zapped her. "KYAA!" After being zapped she was flung back into Ami, who stumbled as she caught her. "What the-
A glass case closed over the Digivices and the pedestal they were on fell into the floor. "Nice try ladies."
The two looked around as they heard a familiar voice from a speaker. "Hosaka?!" Shiki gasped.
"Did you really think it was going to be that easy? Sorry, but I'm still analyzing these Digivices. Can't hand them over to you two yet. But I do have something else to keep you girls entertained."
The lights came on for the whole room and they saw two Digimon. And orange humanoid lion with long blond hair. But Ami immediately recognized the woman in white. "Dianamon!? Sayo's Digimon!"
"Correct." Hosaka replied. "As for the lion there, call him Apolomon. The former Digimon of Koh."
Shiki gritted her teeth when she saw the purple aura around them. "They've been infected with the Dark Bond!"
"That's right. I hope they'll suffice as a welcoming service. In the meantime, I need to get set up for my meeting with Mr. Amasawa."
"What?" Ami gasped. "Hosaka… does he…?"
"Ami, get ready!" Shiki said as the two Digimon aproached. Skyla and Gaia appeared. "I'll take Apolomon, you deal with Dianamon!"
"Uh, right!" Ami got into a fighting stance with Rosemon Burst Mode, Ophanimon, and Kuzuhamon. But there was clear concern in her eyes. "Hosaka was expecting us… and he knew Keisuke would be here…"
"Mach Stinger V!" TiggerVespamon took down a Fangmon. PileVolcamon threw a Fumamon into the air and Sakuyamon destroyed it with her staff. A Harpymon screeched as it swooped towards her from behind but was clawed by TyrantKabuterimon.
"Heh. Not too shabby." Fei smirked. "You've improved."
"It's thanks to You, Ryuji, Erika and everyone else who supported me." Keisuke replied.
"So now you're strong enough to protect Hudie. Like you promised you would."
"Yeah. And I'm going to do just that!"
Fei turned around and looked at a teleporter. "Well… this is the last spot we haven't checked."
"Hosaka's gotta be up ahead. Is everybody ready?"
"You better believe it." TyrantKabuterimon replied.
"I've been ready since we got here." Fei said.
"Dirtbag's got some payback coming his way." Phoenixmon added.
"Just remember to keep enough of him intact for us to interrogate later." MetalSeadramon said. "We need him to free Alphamon."
"Yes, we know." Sakuyamon replied.
"There's your answer buddy." PileVolcamon said putting an arm around Keisuke's shoulders. "Let's go put Hosaka back in his place."
Keisuke nodded as he and Fei entered the teleported with their Digimon. They came out in front of a large walkway leading to a platform with a desk. They started walking across it. "What is this, some kind of office?" Keisuke asked.
"Look! Over there!" TyrantKabuterimon pointed behind the desk. In the back of the room was a massive green capsule. Inside was a familiar orange Digimon.
"Arcadiamon!" MetalSeadramon scowled.
"I remember that thing." Fei said. "That's the monster that threw Ryuji off his rocker."
"I don't know what that thing's doing here." Keisuke said. "But this is our chance to get rid of it!"
"I'm with you." Fei nodded.
As they hurried towards it, they noticed pipes connected to the capsule that flowed with green energy. Arcadiamon started glowing and it transformed. It became green with red hair and nails. It sprouted wings and hissed. "Not good! It Digivolved!" PileVolcamon said as they reached the platform.
"That's the form it took when it brought the Hudie Café down on our heads." TigerVespamon said.
"Don't remind me." Fei muttered.
"Quite a sight, isn't it?" They noticed the chair behind the desk as it turned around with Hosaka lounging in it.
"Hosaka!" Keisuke glared.
"Did you know that when Digimon are destroyed their data is reconfigured and they are reborn as Digi-Eggs?" Hosaka asked. "It's part of the Digital World's Cycle of life. But Arcadiamon here feeds off of other Digimon to grow stronger."
"Yeah. We saw it do that before in the previous reality." TyrantKabuterimon said.
Hosaka grinned. "But I discovered how to use the reconfigured data of defeated Digimon to feed Arcadiamon here."
"Defeated Digimon…?" Sakuyamon asked. "Are you saying our comrades the Next Order destroyed are being used as fuel for this monstrosity?!"
"Not just the Resistance." Hosaka stood up. "Even our troops who you destroyed. Whoever's data we can recollect after a battle is used to feed him. Every battle provides Arcaiamon fuel." He looked at the capsule the Digimon was in. "And that is what we use to allow it to Digivolve." He pressed something on his Digivice and the tube glowed before Arcadiamon disappeared. "There. Sent him to go play with your friends pestering around my front lawn."
"No…!" Keisuke shuddered. "Erika!"
"Get it now?" Hosaka asked looking back at them. "You're fighting a losing battle. The Next Order's got this thing in the bag. You should really just give it up. I mean why bother sticking your necks out for some self-righteous crap? Who's gonna reward you for it?"
"Some of us don't need to be bribed to act." MetalSeedramon snarled. "But a money grubby hacker like you would never understand that."
"And it makes no difference to me how bleak the situation looks." Keisuke said. "Erika, Takumi and all my friends here are still fighting! So, I'll do the same."
"Not to mention I got some unfinished business with ya." Fei glared folding her arms. "Bad enough you kidnapped and made a fool outta me. But what really pisses me off is how ya brainwashed me into attackin' Yuuko and her friends!"
"Hey, don't look at me." Hosaka said holding up his hands. "Brother Sorrow paid me to help him with that job. Whole thing was his crazy idea. Wasn't a fun time for me either. I still feel the beating I got from you for my troubles."
"And why did Brother Sorrow order a kidnapping for Fei?" TigerVespamon asked.
"I dunno. Something about payback and tormenting Yuuko. Look, what he does is his business." Hosaka sat back into his chair and put his feet up on his desk. "I couldn't care less about what he wants or what the Next Order does, so long as I get my check."
"You're the same as ever Hosaka." Keisuke glared. "All you ever think about is money. Not caring who you hurt as long as you can get as much of it as possible."
"You know it. And let me tell you, Crusadermon inviting me into the Next Order was like hitting the jackpot. Not only has the Next Order acquired a large mass of money to pay me with by hacking bank accounts all over the world with ease, but I'm learning all sorts of secrets and hacking techniques that'll make me unstoppable back home. Once I finish up here, I'll head back and use that to make a killing."
"So, you're planning to start messin' with EDEN with what ya got from here?" Fei asked. "Over my dead body. EDEN means the world to Yuugo and Yuuko. And if it weren't for it, I wouldn't have met them."
"EDEN was made to help people connect!" Keisuke added. "And soon it will be used to connect humans and Digimon! We're not letting you turn it into your personal piggy bank!"
Hosaka sighed standing up. "This is why I can't stand self-righteous people who poke their noises into other people's business." He climbed over the desk holding up his Digivice. "Looks like I'm gonna have to teach you two a lesson! Come my Digimon!"
From left to right the Crowns of Greed, Pride and Envy appeared. And from each one Barbamon, Lucemon, and Belphamon emerged. "It seems it's time to get to work." Barbamon laughed. "The Next Order will pay us handsomely for your demise."
"Whatever." Belphamon scoffed. "Let's just get this over with, shall we?"
"Hmph." Lucemon folded his arms. "Be honored that you will face your end by my hand."
"Hey…" MetalSeadramon looked at Barbamon and Belphamon. "Two of his Digimon look different."
"No kidding." Sakuyamon replied.
"Noticed it did you?" Hosaka smirked. "My good buddy Boltboutamon hooked my boys up with his artificial X-Antibodies. You know Keisuke, now that I think about it, we have unfinished business. Your pal K screwed my operation in EDEN up after I stole your EDEN Account for him, and then you destroyed mine. Don't think you'll win so easily this time. Now I have Digimon worth a damn!"
"It's not just about the Digimon." Fei said. "It's the human backing em up."
"Heh. We'll see about that. Now then… let's get down to business!"
Keisuke stood in a fighting stance. "This ends right here, right now Hosaka!"
Dorugoramon punched a Puppetmon right into the other two. "Ow…" the one on the bottom of the pile groaned.
"Sorry kids." Takuto grinned. "But the game's is over."
The three Puppetmon slowly sat up. "You meanies, we just wanted to play!"
"Yeah? Well, if your "playing" is tormenting my friend, then we're going to put an end to it." Takumi strode over to the terminal controlling the devices restraining and tickling Sayo and Koh. First the hands withdrew back into the floor and their outbursts and laughter started dying down into giggles into the tape. Then Takumi released the straps binding them the upright tables and they dropped onto their rear ends leaning against the tables they were previously trapped to trying their best to get breaths in with the tape sealing their mouths shut. "Sayo, are you alright?" Takumi kneeled over and kneeled in front of the girl. He gently pulled the tape off her mouth. "Sayo?"
"Zzzz…"
Takumi noticed Sayo's slow breathing. Her eyes were closed, and her body was laxed. "Is she okay?" Takuto asked running up to them.
"Yeah, she's just unconscious." Takumi replied.
Takuto kneeled in front of Koh and took his tape off. "So's Koh. Heh. Guess all that left them tuckered out."
"Darn it!" one of the Puppetmon growled. "You're not taking our new toys away!"
"Let's crush these annoying adults!"
"Yeah! Time to bring it out!"
"Bring what?" Takumi asked as the three Puppetmon jumped off the platform and into the dark abyss below.
Takumi and Takuto ran over to look over the edge. Takuto looked at Takumi. "Did they just…?"
"I don't like where this is going." Takumi said. Then the room started rumbling. "Whoa!"
"Now what?"
Takumi looked back down. "What the hell is that?"
Takuto glanced back over the edge and saw something rising up on a platform towards them. A goliath made of wood that looked like a house of sorts. As it finished ascending on its platform, he looked up at it. "Uh… what?"
They could hear the Puppetmon laughing inside. "How's it feel to be the shorty in the room, huh?!"
"Say hello to Housemon! Our ultimate plaything! We save him for very special occasions!"
"Now we're going to crush you like cockroaches! Just like Arcadiamon's gonna do to your little friends!"
"Arcadiamon!?" Takumi gasped.
"Yeah! The boss should be done upgrading him! And then he's gonna send him out to eat up all the Resistance fighters outside!"
"Oh no…" Takuto muttered. "Hudiemon and the others!"
"Takuto." Takumi put his goggles on. "We need to wrap this up fast. If Arcadiamon Digivolved again he might be too much for Hudiemon and her team to handle, they'll need our help."
"Right." Takuto put his hand over his Digivice. "Nova! Storm!"
"Rapidmon Armor! BlackWarGreymon! Dorugoramon!"
The Tamers' Digimon assembled by their partners. Takuto and Takumi each held a hand forward standing side by side. "Extra Xross Evolution!" Takuto's Digimon became Omni. Takumi's merged into Rapidmon Armor X.
"Neat trick!" one of the Puppetmon said.
"But it's no match for Housemon!"
"Someone call for a demolition crew?" Rapidmon Armor X asked as he aimed his cannons.
Omni drew his Grey Sword. "Hope you got insurance on that house."
Takuto smiled at Takumi. "Ready to pack up the kids' toys?"
Takumi grinned. "Remind me to pick up some marshmallows and hot dogs on the way back to Cache City. Because we're bringing home a lot of kindling."
Apollomon roared as he threw a punch into Skyla knocking her back. Gaia coiled her whip around his arm but he flung her into a wall. "Fatal Cross!" A cross of light engulfed both of them.
Ophanimon charged at Dianamon with her javelin, but Sayo's Digimon knocked her aside with her own weapon. She blocked Kuzuhamon's staff when she charged in from the left then tripped her with her foot. "Demon Slash!" Kuzuhamon was knocked across the room.
"This isn't working…" Ami said. "I didn't want to get rough on you Dianamon, but this is the only way to break BoltBoutamon's hold on you."
"I've been in her position Ami." Rosemon Burst Mode said. "Any pain we can inflict on her is nothing compared to how much she's suffering now."
"I hear you. Go for it!"
Rosemon Burst Mode ran towards Dianamon. Dianamon swung her weapon repeatedly sanding waves that glowed like moonlight at Rosemon who dodged, spun and danced around them as she advanced. She then threw her whip from one hand that knocked Dianamon's weapon around her hand and coiled around her right arm. Rosemon then ensnared her left arm with the other end of her whip. She jumped over Dianamon and put her heel on her back pushing own on it while pulling her arms back with her whip. "Have at her ladies!"
Kuzuhamon and Ophanimon ascended above Dianamon. "Nightmare!" Kuzuhamon pointed her staff at Dianamon.
Ophanimon pointed her spear at her. "Holy Light!"
A burst of darkness and light hit Dianamon as Rosemon jumped back. "Aguichant Lévres!" She blew a kiss and hearts fired at Dianamon's back, blowing her out of Rosemon's whip. Dianamon rolled across the ground and collapsed onto her front.
Shiki slammed her hand onto her Digivice. "Overclock!" Skyla and Gaia roared as they got back up. "Come on girls, we're not out of this yet!"
"Right!" Skyla flew at Apollomon.
"Solblaster!" Apollomon fired a golden beam, but Skyla dodged it and closed the gap.
"Thunderstorm!" She let lose a burst of lightning to zap Apollomon. He stumbled back as he took the hit then reached and grabbed one of Skyla's legs. "Flash!"
Apollomon yelped as he was blinded and let Skyla go. That's when Gaia made her move. "Buster Drive!" She rammed into him then spread her arms. "Venom Disaster!" A green hurricane shot Apollomon into the air.
"Go all out!" Shiki ordered.
"Thorn Whip!" Gaia jumped up and threw her whip when she was above Apollomon knocking him to the ground.
"Starlight Explosion!" Skyla sent rain of lights down onto Apollomon while he was on his back.
As the defeated Digimon lay on the ground Ami saw the purple aura around them disappear. "I think that did it." She went over to Dianamon and used a Revival Capsule on her. "Dianamon?" She crouched down. "Can you hear me?"
Dianamon groaned as she started to stir. She looked at the human next to her, but her vision was a bit blurry at first. Soon it straightened out and she could make out a familiar face. "…Ami…?" She slightly sat up. "Ami, is that you?!"
Ami smiled. "Welcome back Dianamon."
Dianamon looked at Ami's Digimon. "Kuzuhamon, Ophaniomon… wait… Rosemon? You look… different."
Rosemon Burst Mode smirked. "Oh, you know us. Never a dull moment."
Meanwhile, Shiki used a Regen Disc on Apollomon. The other Digimon mumbled as he sat up coming to his senses. "Easy there, big guy." Shiki said.
"Ugh…" Apollomon put a hand on his head. "What is this place…? Where am I? What's happening?"
"Apollomon!" Dianamon stood up. "Are you alright?"
"I think so…" the other Digimon got to his feet before looking at those around him. "Wait… who are you people?"
"We're the guys who knocked the Dark Bond outta you." Gaia replied. "You're welcome."
"Dark… Bond?" Dianamon asked. "What's going on? I remember being in Access Glacier with Sayo…"
"That's right." Apollomon replied. "We were on a Quest to investigate… wait… that's right! That black Digimon… And Koh and Sayo! What happened to them?!"
"Calm down." Ami instructed.
"A black Digimon…" Shiki muttered. "Must have been Boltboutamon."
"Sayo and Koh are in this tower somewhere." Ami replied. "A man named Hosaka is threatening your bosses with Sayo and Koh. He's demanding resources in return for their safety."
"What?!" Dianamon gasped. "No! We need to go find them now!"
"Takumi and some of our friends are already looking." Ami turned to the floor where the displayed Digivices disappeared. "First, we need to get Sayo and Koh's Digivices back. I imagine they'll be needing them."
"Way ahead of you." Rosemon Burst Mode stabbed into the hatch with her whip splitting it open. She then pried it open with her hand and shot her whip into the hole. Once she felt she got something she pulled it up. It was the pedestal with Sayo and Koh's Digivices.
"There we go." Ami took Sayo's and Shiki picked up Koh's. "Now to find their proper owners."
"Let's keep looking." Shiki said before looking at Dianamon and Apollomon. "Can you two walk?"
"As long as Sayo needs me, I'm keep moving." Dianamon said.
"I too refuse to rest until Koh's safety is assured." Apollomon added.
"Then let's go." Ami said. They took the teleporter out of the room.
Housemon threw a punch at Omni who dodged it. "War Cry!" He gathered strength as another punch headed his way. "Mach Jab!" He punched the giant fist away.
"We need to disable those arms!" Takumi said. "Takuto, Rapidmon Armor X and I will make an opening for you and you destroy them!"
"Got it!" Takuto replied.
"Speed Charge Field!" Rapidmon Armor X boosted his and Omni's speed before dashing past Housemon's head while slashing into it with one of his bladed arms.
"Hey!" One of the Puppetmon shouted. "You scratched our paint job!" Housemon turned around and reached for Rapidmon Armor X.
Rapidmon Armor X evaded its grasp and fired multiple golden bullets at Housemon making it stumble back holding its arms up to guard. "Now!"
"Flame Storm!" Omni held out his WarGreymon hand and it spewed fire setting Housemon's right forearm ablaze.
"No!" one of the Puppetmon shouted as the fire spread up the arm. Housemon used its other hand to chop the right arm off the shoulder before it could spread too far. "You're gonna pay for that!" Housemon threw another punch at Omni. RapidmonArmor X flew in and blocked the hit before throwing the fist away and ramming himself into Housmon's face making it stumble backwards.
Rapidmon Armor X flew under between the legs then took aim. "Shinning Laser!"
Housemon was hit right in the back making the three Puppetmon yelp. They turned around and stomped repeatedly but Rapidmon Armor was too fast. "Hold still!"
Rapidmon Armor X appeared overhead. Housemon tried for another punch, but he caught the arm and pulled it back. "Omni!"
"Aurora Freeze!" Housemon's left arm froze over in a block of ice. "Spiral Driver!" Omni spun like a drill with his sword held out and he smashed into the frozen arm shattering it.
"This… this can't be happening!" one of the Puppetmon yelped. "How are they overpowering Housemon?!"
"It's called a human/Digimon bond." Takuto grinned. "You'll understand when you're older. Omni!"
"Rapidmon Armor X!" Takumi held a hand up. The boys stood back-to-back and pointed at Housemon. "Finish it!" they shouted.
Both Digimon stood side by side and each aimed an arm cannon. "Supreme Cannon!"
"Rapid Blaster!" Their attacks blew through the giant Digimon with ease shattering it into pieces.
The three Puppetmon screamed as they fell out and collapsed onto the floor. They groaned as they were about to get up when Housemon's head landed on top of them knocking them out. "Wow, they don't make real estate like they use to huh?" Takuto joked before looking at Takumi. "Gotta say, we're starting to make a good team."
Takumi smiled. "Yeah. Hard to believe you tried to pummel me to death the first time we met."
Takuto sighed. "Come on, I said I was sorry."
"I'm joking Takuto, don't worry about it. More importantly, we better get going. Hudiemon and the others will need our help."
Rapidmon Armor X looked up. "Wait… I sense something… it's Deadly Digimon power!"
Everyone else looked up. "Hosaka's Digimon. Sounds like he's fighting." Omni said.
"That's not all… I can sense the power of the X-Antibody!"
"What?"
Takumi looked down. "Either Ami somehow beat Keisuke and Fei up there or…Hosaka's Digimon got X-Antibodies like Lilithmon and Leviamon did."
"That's not good." Takuto cringed. "If Lucemon, Barbamon, and Belphamon all have X-Antibodies, those two won't stand a chance even if it's six Digimon vs three."
Takumi smiled. "Don't be so sure. Don't forget Keisuke has an X-Antibody and the EXE program. If Ami and I could figure out how to use them so can he."
"Takumi, that may be enough to defeat one X-Antibody Deadly Digimon." Rapidmon Armor said. "But don't forget even with that we struggled with Lilithmon and Leviamon before Ami achieved that."
Takumi folded his arms. "True… maybe we should go help. Argh, but there's also Arcadiamon outside!"
"Then let's split up." Takuto said. "Omni and I will head back and help Hudie's Dream, you guys go ahead and find Hosaka."
"Alright, but be careful. From what Keisuke told me Arcadiamon is extremely dangerous."
Takuto punched his palm. "Then I'm holding nothing back! Come on Omni, let's go!"
"Right!" Takuto's partner followed him through the portal.
"Okay." Takumi said. "We should get going too."
"Takumi, wait!" Rapidmon Armor X said.
"What is it?" the Cyber Sleuth asked looking at him.
"What about Sayo and Koh?"
Takumi looked back at the two sleeping Tamers. "Oh crap, I almost forgot!" He ran back over to them. "Sayo?" He started shaking the girl's shoulder. "Sayo!" She still didn't stir. "Man, they're out like a light." Takumi noticed her coat and shoes and started putting them back on the unconscious girl. "You mind carrying them?"
"Yeah, I got it." Rapidmon picked up Sayo as Takumi started putting Koh's jacket and shoes back on.
"Magic Binge! Nightmare!" Barbramon X shot purple blasts from his hand at MetalSeadramon who dodged the attacks.
Once he got some distance, he returned fire. "Hydro Water!"
Barbamon X laughed as he held out a hand and the attack stopped in front of him. He pointed at MetalSeadramon and it rebounded into the sender knocking MetalSeadramon down. "Wolkenapalm!" PileVolcamon ran up and threw a fiery punch, but a barrier got in his way.
"Pandemonium Lost!" Barbramon blasted him point blank with dark magic.
"King Spiral!" TyrantKabuterimon unleashed a swarm of insects that flew at Belphamon X.
"Lampranthus!" Belphamon X's chains burned with black fire incinerating all of them. "Feel my resentment! Gift of Darkness!" He then scratched TyrantKabuterimon with his claws.
"Holy Light!" Sakuyamon attacked him from above, but it did nothing. "W-what?!" Belphamon X then sent his chains at her. They coiled around her midsection and her arms and legs before stretching her limbs apart making her scream.
TigerVespamon was panting on one knee. She looked up at Lucemon and roared as she charged at him again. Lucemon simply laughed. "Paradise Lost Punch!" He threw a flurry of punches too fast for the insectoid to keep up with as she was pummeled with punches.
"TigerVespamon!" Fei shouted. "Someone help her!"
Pheonixmon swooped towards Lucemon who stopped his barrage allowing TigerVespamon to drop to the ground so he could kick Pheonixmon skyward who slammed into Sakuyamon in the air so hard she was knocked out of Belphamon's chains. Lucemon flew up to Sakuyamon and grabbed her legs while planting his feet on her arms. Immobilized, Sakuyamon could only scream as they descended towards the ground, and she was slammed headfirst into it. "Ha! Too easy!" Hosaka laughed.
"This isn't good." Keisuke cringed. "That X-Antibody is seriously OP…"
"Calm down, let's think of a plan." Fei said. She looked at Lucemon. "One of them doesn't have that X-Antibody. If we take blonde over there out, we can at least reduce Hosaka's numbers then just pile on his other two. Your big bad beetle and TigerVespamon should be able to take him out if the others can keep those two distracted."
Keisuke nodded. "Guys, change in plans! MetalSeadramon, PileVolcamon converge on Barbramon!"
"Sakuyamon, Phoenixmon, go for Belphamon!"
"Right!" PileVolcamon and MetalSeadramon charged at Barbramon X pressing against his forcefield. Sakuyamon's staff collided with Belphamon X's claws and Phoenixmon evaded his chains.
"Alright, here goes!" Keisuke said as TyrantKabuterimon and TigerVespamon formed up in front of him and Fei.
"Hmph." Lucemon smirked folding his arms. "You think two insects can topple a mountain? Come on. I'll put you in your place here."
"TigerVespamon!" Fei ordered.
"Right!" He Digimon charged at Lucemon. "Mach Stinger V!" She stabbed at Lucemon repeatedly, but he dodged each one. She swung both blades in a V shape, but Lucemon caught them.
He smirked and punched her before grabbing her face. "Spirit Drain!" His hand absorbed energy from TigerVespamon.
"Thunder Fall!" TyrantKabuterimon zapped Lucemon making him drop TigerVespamon. "Speed Break Field! Speed Charge Field!"
Lucemon slowed down and TigerVespamon picked up speed. "Condemning Hell Crusher! Regression Shining Laser!" Lucemon threw light and dark attacks, but TigerVespamon evaded all of them and closed in to slash Lucemon in the chest. He held his hand where he was slashed and growled. "Deadly Roll!" He sent TigerVespamon flying with a roundhouse kick.
"Insect Nightmare!" TyrantKabuterimon summoned a swarm of bugs that gathered around Lucemon who angerly swatted at them.
"Nanomachine Break!" TigerVespamon sent Lucemon towards TyrantKabuterimon who uppercutted him into the air and dashed above him and hammered his arms above the fallen angel knocking him back to the ground.
"You pests!" Lucemon got up. He flew aside as TigerVespamon stabbed the floor he stood on. "Crucified Thunder Fall!"
"Reflect it!" Fei ordered.
"Mirror Reflection!" TigerVespamon held her swords in a cross and bounced the light back into Lucemon.
"Crescent Leaf!" TyrantKabuterimon scratched Lucemon.
"ENOUGH!" A ball of light appeared in one of Lucemon's hands and a ball of darkness in the other. "Dead or Alive!" He threw the light into TyrantKabuterimon and it engulfed him. He threw the orb of darkness and they merged into a purple sphere with black squares circling around it. "Hmph. No match." Lucemon smirked.
"You won't have your way!" Keisuke shouted. "TyrantKabuterimon!"
"Shine of Bee!" TyrantKabuterimon let lose a fiery explosion that destroyed the Dead or Alive attack and reached Lucemon.
"What?! GAAAAH!" He was blown to the ground covered in burns.
"Heh. Not bad Keisuke!" Fei grinned. "That's one less problem to worry about.
"Don't need the X-Antibody" he said." Hosaka mumbled. "Strong enough without it he said."
TyrantKabuterimon leered at Lucemon as he got to his knees. "Don't bother getting up. It's over."
"NO!" Lucemon punched the ground. "I refuse to accept this! Neither of you whelps are even among the Chosen Ones! Just a couple of worthless fools who stumbled upon this war by complete accident!"
"I might not be one of the "Chosen Ones"." Keisuke admitted. "But Takumi told me that I can still be a hero if I try hard enough!"
Fei chuckled. "Whatever you say tough guy."
"I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS HUMILIATION!" Lucemon yelled. "RAAAAAAAGH!" Dark mist burst from his body.
"What?!" Keisuke and Fei shielded themselves as they were nearly blown off their feet.
"What the hell now?!" Fei yelled.
"What's going on with Lucemon?!" Hosaka asked. When the dark mist finally stopped he looked at Lucemon. "W-what the hell?!"
"What IS that?!" Keisuke gapped.
Barbramon chuckled. "It seems Lucemon awakened his power as the Demon God. Lucemon Shadowlord Mode."
A purple dragon with a golden mask cackled. In its hands it held a dark orb. The Crowns of the Seven Deadly Digimon floated around it. "At last… The alteration of reality revived me at the cost of my power… but finally, my true strength… has been restored! Behold, the Ultimate Deadly Digimon!"
The dragon's roar made Keisuke and Fei slide back on their feet. "That power…" Fei shuddered.
"This thing's a monster… it's right up there with the Eater we fought in EDEN…!" Keisuke gapped. "Takumi and Ami actually fought this beast?!"
"Even now my power continues to rise! Now I will destroy those humans who stained my pride! And nothing will stop me!"
"Hmph. The only thing rising is your ego!" Fei scoffed. "Come on Keisuke, just 'cause he's got some creepy Halloween costume doesn't mean we can't take him!"
"Foolish humans!" Lucemon laughed. "Mental Break Field!" He screeched affecting all of Keisuke and Fei's Digimon. "Condemning Hell Crusher!" Black magic hit both TigerVespamon and TyrantKabuterimon toppling them down.
TyrantKabuterimon got up first. "Meteor Fall!" His horn fired a fiery bolder at Lucemon. The attack was sucked into the black orb, Gehenna. "What the?!"
"Wrath of Darkness!" Lucemon attacked back sending TyrantKabuterimon back to the ground.
Hosaka laughed. "Ultimate Deadly Digimon indeed good sir! Now I see why you were so confident you wouldn't need an X-Antibody!"
"TigerVespamon, get behind him!" Fei ordered.
TigerVespamon zoomed behind Lucemon. "Mach Stinger V!" She stabbed Lucemon's back repeatedly then made a V shaped cut. But Lucemon wasn't even phased. "How?!"
"Not even a scratch?!"
"A useless effort!" Lucemon laughed. "I will nullify all attacks! Tide of Despair!" His orb shot black flames blowing TyrantKabuterimon and TigerVespamon down.
"No way…" Keisuke murmured. "I take it back… he's way stronger than that Eater in EDEN… or even GranDracmon…"
"Damn it…" Fei growled.
"GAAAAH!" MetalSeadramon and PileVolcamon were knocked back.
Barbramon X laughed and held his hand up. The Crown of Greed appeared and became a jewel. "Seventh Jewelrize!" It shined brightly and the force emitted toppled PileVolcamon and MetalSeadramon over.
"MetalSeadramon! PileVolcamon!" Keisuke shouted.
Fei gasped when she heard a scream and looked up. "Phoenixmon! Sakuyamon!"
Both of her other Digimon were tangled in Belphamon X's chains. The two were slammed together and held in front of Belphamon. The Crown of Sloth appeared behind him and his claws glowed red. "Seventh Penetration!" TigerVespamon flew in front of her chained partners and held her swords in a cross to block. But all three of Fei's Digimon were blown away.
Guys!" Fei cringed. "Damnit this is bad... Even if we somehow defeat Lucemon those other two are way stronger than we suspected..."
"Ready to give up now?" Hosaka smirked. "I wouldn't blame you, I mean it's not like you ever stood a chance."
"Wait..." Keisuke looked at his hand. "There is one thing left to try..." He put his visor on.
Fei looked at him. "Keisuke?"
"I have an X-Antibody as well. If Takumi and Ami can do it so can I." Keisuke closed his eyes. "Determination is the key..." his Digivice glowed blue. As did his Digimon.
TyrantKabuterimon gasped. "Keisuke..."
"I can feel your willpower..." MetalSeadramon said.
"This is incredible!" PileVolcamon sprung to his feet.
"What's happening?!" Barbramon asked. "Wait... don't tell me... Him too?!"
"Hosaka! I'm not letting you get away with using EDEN or the Digital World for profit! Neither humans nor Digimon exist to be your cash cows! It's time for me to prove Takumi and the others right! And rise up as the hero they see me as!"
"Ha!" Hosaka laughed. "You? A hero? Don't make me laugh! I wouldn't pick you for a sidekick! A hero wouldn't have this much trouble dealing with one hacker!"
"And a hero wouldn't have failed to save the one he loved." Lucemon replied.
"What are you talking about?" MetalSeadramon glared.
"I know about Hudie's final mission and failure. Yes, Erika Mishima lives on in Hudiemon, but her very existence as a human was permanently erased. No one, not her brother, her parents or her friends even remember her name or her face. You tried to rescue her to restore Hudie. But your actions did nothing more than banish her from the team forever."
Keisuke gasped as visions flashed through his mind. He saw Erika getting absorbed by her Eater Bits. He saw her becoming Hudiemon. He saw them destroying the Eater that held her body. He saw Ryuji and Chitose vanishing as reality changed. He saw his goodbye to Erika. He saw Ryuji and Chitose moving along with Yu like it never happened. He saw the storage room that was once Erika's room.
"Your Hudie now flies on broken wings." Lucemon said. "Your family forever divided. I'm sure in your place either of the Cyber Sleuths would have succeeded where you failed. Ha! Some hero."
"Keisuke, focus!" TyrantKabuterimon said. "Don't waver!"
Keisuke squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. "TyrantKabuterimon... MetalSeadramon... PileVolcamon..." He held his hand forward and a red X appeared in front of his palm.
"You know..." Hosaka smirked. "It's funny his history tends to repeat itself." He snapped his fingers and a screen appeared in front of everyone.
Fei gasped. "This...!"
Keisuke was devastated by the site. "No...!"
"The Ray of Victory!" UlforceVeedramon fired a golden V. Ultimate Arcadiamon dodged it and rammed his fist into the Royal Knight's face.
"Disaster Blaster!" Shakkoumon fired red lasers at him. He wasn't even phased.
"Wind Claw!" Shakkoumon was scratched and toppled over.
"Justice Burst!" Justimon fired blasts from behind. Still not even a reaction. "Justice Kick!" He charged at Arcadiamon only for it to whirl around and punch it into the ground.
"Shakkoumon! Justimon!" Hudiemon shouted.
"Double Stars!" A Shurimon sent a shuriken attached to his springy arm into Arcadiamon. The cursed Digimon caught it and pulled him into its grasp.
"N-no!" Justimon shouted from the ground. He could hear his ally scream as he was devoured alive.
A GrandKuwagamon shot towards him with his pincers out. A Birdramon and a Sunflowmon followed suit. "Dot Matrix!" Acradiamon held an orb of zeroes and ones that exploded and tore both Digimon and others around them into particles that Arcadiamon absorbed.
Fei watched in horror. "It's... devouring all of them!"
Keisuke trembled. "Everyone..."
"You monster!" Through the screen they saw Hudiemon fly at them. "Flying kick!" She charged at Arcadiamon with her foot out. Arcadiamon grabbed the leg that was meant to ram into his head. "Ah!" She kicked her free leg into the hand holding her other one, but Arcadiamon's grip remained solid. "Infinity Dream!" Her eyes flashed blue in Arcadiamon's face and he let her go as he was blinded.
"Freeze Tentacle!" Red tendrils swarmed out of its wings that bound Hudiemon's body.
"Ah…ah…!" The moment they made contact Hudiemon froze in place making it easy to tie her up.
"Saint Knuckle!" Arcadiamons fist glowed before he punched Hudiemon so hard she went flying into the side of the tower leaving a Hudiemon-shapped dent into it before she slipped out and crashed into the ground.
"Erika!" Keisuke shouted.
"See what I mean?" Hosaka asked. "Your friends are suffering again. And you're powerless to do a damn thing about it. Again. You're not a hero and you never will be. You failed to save those Digimon Arcdiamon devoured!"
"And you will fail to stop us!" Lucemon added. "You are weak in body and mind! You cannot protect anyone! Not even yourself! That's why you cling to your heroes! Because Takumi, Ami, Takuto, and Shiki are what you will never be!"
Keisuke's eyes trembled as the light around him and his Digimon still glowed. He shut his eyes and lilted his head up as he shouted as loud as he could. "EXTRA XROSS EVOLUTION!"
The light around his three Digimon glowed brighter… then it dissipated in an instant along with the X in front of Keisuke's hand. His Digivice stopped glowing. "What?!" TyrantKabuterimon gasped. "What just happened?!"
"It didn't work?!" PileVolcamon asked.
MetalSeadramon turned to his tamer. "Keisuke…"
Hosaka laughed. "And you call yourself a hero? That's the best joke I've ever heard!"
"Keisuke…" Fei stared at the teen. "You…"
Keisuke looked at his shaking hand. "No… why can't I…?"
"Because you are no hero." Hosaka said. "You are only a failure. And now your precious friends will suffer for your incompetence."
Keisuke gritted his teeth. "No… We can still stop you! ATTACK!"
"River of Power!"
"Meteor Fall!"
"Insect Cannon!" All of Keisuke's Digimon fired at Lucemon. The wicked Digimon laughed as the Gehenna absorbed all of them. TyrantKabuterimon growled and flew up. "Shine of Bee!" He exploded in flame right in front of the Deadly Digimon.
Lucemon laughed floating there unharmed. "Like I said, useless."
"No..." Keisuke gaped.
"Well then..." Barbramon X cackled. "I believe it is time for the side characters to leave the stage."
Belphamon X yawned. "I have no interest in dealing with weaklings. One of you put these weaklings in their place."
Lucemon approached as the seven Crowns behind him glowed. "Allow me. Devine Atonement!" All seven Crowns fired massive lasers everywhere.
All of Keisuke's Digimon were blasted. One by one they toppled to the floor. "This can't be happening..." Keisuke dropped to his knees.
"Ha! That look on your face!" Hosaka sneered. "Now why don't you sit there and enjoy the show?" He looked back at the screen. "We're getting to the good part."
Fei gasped as they could see Hudiemon being lifted up in Arcadiamon's arms. "Shit, no!"
Keisuke's eyes widened as Arcadiamon opened its mouth ready to make the unmoving Digimon his meal. "Not her!"
Arcaduamon lunged his head forward for a chomp and a fireball flew into his mouth. It screeched and dropped Hudiemon with its hands over its burning mouth. "Huh?!" Barbramon glared at the screen.
"What's wrong? Don't you like spicey food?" Arcadiamon turned around hissing at a smirking Takuto. Omni was by his side. "Maybe you'd like something different for your main course today. How about the bitter taste of defeat?"
It seems EXE was just out of poor Keisuke's reach this time. But I'm sure he'll get another chance. But how will the Resistance stop Hosaka? And will Takuto be enough to defeat Arcadiamon? See you next week!