Chapter 4

"Are you sure it's okay for me to stay here? Won't your parents worry that I'm a total stranger?" Asia asked as she sat on the bed of the guest room that was part of the Hyoudou household until Issei replied to her while cleaning out the closet in said room.

"Don't worry about my folks. I'll tell them about you since they already know about Digimon."

"Wait! They do?!" Asia asked in shock before Issei replied.

"Of course! You didn't think that my parents wouldn't know about my double life, did you? My parents have known about Digimon ever since they became part of my daily life: hunting down rogue Digimon, protecting the servers from Lucemon's forces, and even rebuilding said world after we won the war." Issei explained, which amazed Asia since she had heard of the war from Belphemon, but hearing it from Issei amazed her because she could tell he was part of said war.

Asia wanted to ask some more questions until she looked at the dresser and saw a framed picture of Issei sitting next to another person who seemed to be about his age but with tan skin, mint-colored hair, and crimson eyes.

"Who's this?" Asia asked Issei, who looked at the picture and gasped before taking it and sitting on the bed.

"My best friend. Emerald. She was a lonely kid since her mother died when she was just a child, and her father was the only person who looked out for her until Lucemon chose her to be his partner in the Digital World. When Lilith and Beelzebumon betrayed Lucemon, the two were trying to bring me to help with the war. Still, Lucemon decided to use Emerald to destroy this world by fusing it with the Digital World so his army would be at full strength."

Issei explained, and Asia felt like there was more until she placed a comforting hand on his back. Then, Issei nodded silently in thanks as he continued.

"Emerald was brainwashed to be Lucemon's partner, and that led to me having to face my best friend."

"But you were able to save her, right?" Asia asked, but Issei shook his head.

"No. She died sacrificing her life to save ours," Issei said as he recalled the battle after they defeated Black Seraphimon. However, Lilith's replacement had a backup plan just in case he fell.

Flashback.

The air was thick with tension; the battlefield bathed in the crimson glow of a crumbling sky. Issei's heart pounded as he stood face-to-face with his best friend, Emerald, who hovered a few feet above him. Her partner, Black Seraphimon, stood by her side, its once-pure wings now blackened and tattered. Behind Emerald loomed Lucemon, his Chaos Mode form radiating a dark, oppressive energy that seemed to sap the life from everything around them.

"Emerald! It's me!" Issei shouted, his voice raw and desperate, trying to reach his friend. His Digivice trembled in his hand, the faint glow of his partner Beelzebumon's energy barely keeping up with the escalating battle. "You have to fight it! I know you're in there!"

Emerald's crimson eyes flickered briefly with recognition, but Lucemon's deep, commanding voice cut through the moment. "Silence, boy. She belongs to me. Your foolish attachment blinds you to the truth—she chose this path."

"Liar! Emerald never chose this path! You forced her into this sick role!" Issei said as he was about to charge in until his partner stopped him.

Beelzebub, his twin blasters locked and loaded, stepped in front of Issei. "Lucemon's spoutin' lies again, partner. You and I both know she didn't choose this. She's trapped, and we're getting her out—even if it kills us."

Emerald raised her arm, her Digivice radiating a dark aura. "Issei… I…" Her voice cracked, but the corruption surged again, her body stiffening as Lucemon's control reasserted itself, and her eyes glowed brightly.

"This ends here. For both worlds."

With a single command, corrupted Black Seraphimon lunged at Beelzebumon. The two Digimon clashed in an explosion of energy, shaking the battlefield. Sparks flew as Beelzebumon's guns fired relentlessly, his movements a blur as he tried to hold his ground against the corrupted angel.

"Emerald, fight it!" Issei yelled, his hands gripping his Digivice so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "You're stronger than this! You don't have to listen to him!"

Emerald hesitated, her eyes darting toward Issei, and for a brief moment, a flicker of her true self broke through.

"Issei… you don't understand. If I stop… if I defy him, he'll—" She stopped, tears streaming down her face, before her corrupted form tightened her grip on the Digivice.

The dark energy around her swirled violently as she yelled. At the same time, her two halves began to fight, which gave Issei the chance to run towards her, pulling out an item from his Digidevice that Angewomon had given him before the battle.

"Issei. If there is a chance for Emerald to break free, you must stab her with the arrow that will purify her heart."

'Thanks Angewomon!' Issei shouted in his head as he neared Emerald and, launched himself at Ber and pinned her to the ground before the two began to wrestle with Issei, trying to stab her throat.

This amused Lucemon as his laughter echoed across the battlefield. "As much as I enjoy this, jets game to end this charade. Emerald! Execute the contingency plan."

Issei's blood ran cold. "Contingency plan?"

Lucemon's smirk widened before replying. "You didn't think I wouldn't plan for the possibility of my subordinates failing, did you? Black Seraphimon prepared a delightful backup plan. Emerald is the key to its activation."

Before Issei could react, Emerald screamed, her body convulsing as the dark aura blast sent Issei flying a bit until he used his Fusion to combine with Angemon to steady himself with his wings and not send flying.

Lucemon forced her to raise her Digivice high.

The skies cracked open, and a massive sphere of chaotic energy began to form above her. The ground trembled violently, fissures spreading outward from where she stood.

"Soon, this part of the Digital World will be destroyed, like a black hole that will consume this entire kingdom!"

"You're insane!" Issei shouted, running toward her, but Beelzebumon's clawed hand shot out, grabbing his shoulder and pulling him back.

"Don't be stupid, kid! That's pure destruction up there!" Beelzebumon barked, his voice strained as he fired another round at Black Seraphimon. "She's not gonna make it out if she doesn't fight it herself!"

Issei clenched his teeth, his mind racing before biting his partner's hand, ignoring his shouts as Issei flew towards Emerald with him, then summoning the angel's bow.

"I'm not giving up on you, Emerald!" Issei shouted as his body soon began to glow gold, shocking Lucemon as he recognized this power, which made him recall a memory from his past.

"There's no way. He couldn't possibly be able to call upon the power of father!" Lucemon shouted as Issei yelled and fired the arrow.

"PIERCE THROUGH!"

Issei shouted as he then looked at Emerald.

"This is it! Come back!"

Emerald's hands trembled as her Digivice flickered. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw Issei in front of her, a guardian Angel coming to save her.

"I-Issei."

Her corrupted Black Seraphimon faltered mid-attack, and Beelzebumon took the opportunity to land a devastating blow, sending the angel Digimon crashing to the ground.

At that moment, the arrow struck her heart, causing Emerald to yell as her body—and Black Seraphimon's—was being purified.

Issei was blasted back before Beelzebumon caught him as the teo saw Emerald break free of Lucemon's power.

The darkness dissipated as she fell to the ground before. Issei ran towards her and caught her.

Emerald's crimson eyes softened, tears streaming as she looked at Issei. "I'm sorry, Issei. I never wanted this. I—"

"It's okay, Emerald. I'm just glad you're back," Issei said as the two shared a hug. This made Lucemon recall another memory that made his heart clench in sadness before he yelled into the air.

"No! You will obey!"

Emerald screamed, clutching her head, but her Digivice suddenly radiated a brilliant white light.

"No. The only one who will die is you, Lucemon!" Emerald shouted. Emerald's Digivice surged with power, and her corrupted Black Seraphimon transformed. Its dark form shattered, replaced by a brilliant, radiant version of its true self. Seraphimon rose, glowing with emerald light, and unleashed a beam of purifying energy that tore through the chaos above.

"If we shall fall, then you shall fall with us, Lucemon!" Seraphimon shouted, Emerald smiling at her partner before turning to Issei, her voice clear and steady despite the tears.

"Run, Issei. Take your team and get out of here. I can stop this black hole, but I won't survive."

"What? Hell no!" Issei shook his head violently. There was no way I was going to ditch you as soon as I got you back! There had to be another way!"

"There isn't," Emerald said, her voice gentle but firm. "I won't let him take you or the Digital World. You're special to me, and this is my choice."

Emerald then fused with Seraphimon, shocking Issei as Beelzebumon held him before the fused Seraph clashed with Lucemon.

Lucemon snarled in anger as Seraphimon clashed with him. "No! I won't let you."

Beelzebumon stepped in front of Issei, aiming his blasters at Lucemon to buy them time. "You heard her, kid. Let's go!"

Soon, the light engulfed the battlefield as Emerald's Fusion consumed the destructive sphere and Lucemon, but the angel was able to escape just in the nick of time as soon as he punched the Fusion in the face, causing her to let go of the last moment.

Issei screamed her name, reaching out even as Beelzebumon dragged him away. "Emerald! We'll find another way !"

"I'm sorry, Issei, but I can't watch my friend die. I hope you forgive me," Beelzebumon said as the two emerged from the soon-to-be catalytic explosion.

Emerald then looked back at the retreating duo and smiled as she spoke her final line to Issei.

"Thank you for being part of my life and giving me light in my darkness. I love you."

Soon, the light faded, and the battlefield was silent until a massive explosion in the sky happened, making the duo hide as they waited out the explosion until it ended.

After the shaking and explosion were over, Issei looked to see if there was any trace of her, but Emerald was gone, her Digivice lying shattered on the ground. Issei headed toward the device until he fell to his knees, clutching the remains of her Digivice in his trembling hands.

"No. Emerald. Why?"

Beelzebumon placed a hand on his shoulder. "She saved us, Issei. She saved both worlds and did what she had to do."

Issei's tears fell freely as he then yelled into the air with Beelzebumon, letting his partner out to the heavens over the loss of his friend since the Sin of Gluttony knew that the Digimon would never understand losing someone they cared for since they couldn't truly die. Still, he knew Issei and how much he truly cared and loved Emerald, so Sin would stand by his partner's side and help him however he could.

"You didn't deserve this, Emerald. I'll make sure you're never forgotten." Issei muttered as he cried for a bit longer. The two knew they had to press on to end the war so her sacrifice would not be in vain.

The battle was over, but the cost was etched into Issei's heart forever.

End Flashback

Asia shuddered at this before Issei finished his tale.

"Ever since then, I have trained to become stronger so I would never be too weak to save someone I loved. Emerald's father left, and things haven't been the same since. Not a day has gone by when I feel like I have not only let myself down but also Emerald." Issei said, and Asia then moved in to comfort him and hug him.

"I'm so sorry you had to live through that."

"I probably wouldn't have been able to move on had it not been for Lilith and the others," Issei said before Asia thanked him. He asked if Asia wanted to rest, and she was grateful for the offer as she rested her head on the pillow and fell asleep.

Issei smiled at the former nun and patted her head before leaving her to sleep until he left the room and summoned Knightmom and a group of Pawnmons.

"Watch Asia's room and keep her safe."

The pawns saluted as Knightmon nodded.

"It shall be done, my lord."

Issei thanked them as he headed to his room and pulled out his Digidevice before summoning one of his fellow Digimon.

It was a small black version of an ancient Digimon Augumon, but this little dino had an x mark on his face. That's because this Augumon was an outcast since he didn't have a family since Lucemon's army hunted down his species to eliminate them. Lucemon was well aware of how powerful Agumon's evolutions were and how dangerous they would be for his army.

Luckily, Issei and his group were able to save him, and the small dino followed Issei. However, the little guy was a bit attached to Issei since he saw Issei as his brother. This made Issei excited but nervous since he had never had siblings before. So, he did the best he could to help Augumon learn, though there were a few areas he had to work on, such as Augumon's recklessness and his tendency to rush into battle headfirst.

"Hey, big bro. What did you call me out for?" Augumon asked before Issei explained what they were going to do.

"That's simple. We're going hunting," Issei said, which excited Augumon as the two headed to their location for the battle: the abandoned church.

The Abandoned Church.

The abandoned church loomed under the moonlight, its decrepit walls echoing with malicious laughter. At the center of the ruined altar stood Raynare, her form twisted and fused with the mechanical might of Tankmon. Her body was a terrifying hybrid—her left arm was a massive cannon, her legs were reinforced with tank-like treads, and her wings were a mix of metallic shards and armor.

"To think I could've had this power if I knew these Digi-whatever were real, and with power like this, I no longer need these pathetic members holding me back," Raynare said, looking at the deceased Exorcists and Fallen that were with her.

"This power… It's intoxicating!" Raynare hissed, her voice distorted and mechanical. "No one can stand against me now. Not humans, not even those stupid Devils! With this, Azazel will be happy to have me stand by his side! Now I need that stupid girl, and then my plan will be complete."

Raynare said with glee, thinking she would be able to achieve her dream until Issei Hyoudou destroyed the doors of the church as he entered, his Digidevice in hand, flanked by Black Greymon. The massive dinosaur's glowing eyes reflected his determination.

Issei transformed Black Augumon into Black Greymon to assist in defense and offense. He supported from the rear as he summoned his pair of guns, like Beelzebumon, but different since his guns specialized in having unlimited ammo.

"Raynare," Issei called, his voice steady but firm. "I'm afraid that I can't allow a crazed lunatic like yourself to cause trouble in my hometown, so I'm going to ask you to leave; otherwise, my hands will kill you."

Raynare sneered, raising her cannon arm. "Hah! Bold words coming from a weak human and a pathetic Digimon. I'll crush you and your pet dinosaur. This power will make me a god and be the greatest Fallen Angel to serve Azazel-sama!"

"You have no idea who you're messing with."

"I was just about to say the same thing, too," Raynare said as Issei glanced at Black Greymon.

"You ready, buddy?"

Black Greymon nodded, flames flaring in his jaw. "I've been ready since we got here!"

With a mechanical war cry, Raynare fired her Hyper Cannon, the blast tearing through the air. Black Greymon countered with a Dark Mega Flame, the fireball colliding with the cannon shot in a fiery explosion that shook the building.

Raynare didn't stop as she surged forward on her treads and wings, smashing into Black Greymon with Tank Crash. This sent the dinosaur tumbling into a wall, but the dinosaur held on as he fought back with his armored head.

"Keep her busy!" Issei shouted, gripping his Digidevice. He scanned Raynare and sent the information to his generals.

"Beelzebumon. What happened to her?" Issei asked before Lilith replied.

{I know that transformation. Barbamon has done it. He's mastered his transmutation magic and fused her with Tankmon!}

"You mean that secret weapon he was trying to make for Lucemon that failed?"

{Yes. Lucemon was hoping that Barbamon could manipulate humans with mind control and fuse them with Digimon to attack you in the human world since Digimon is weaker in the human world since we can't access our full powers without you.}

"So Lucemon was hoping to make an army to fight me in the human world, but if the research failed, then how is Raynare using a Tankmon?" Issei asked before seeing Black Greymon shake off the rubble and growled.

"Your dead bitch!" Black Greymon roared as he retaliated with Great Horn Strike, his glowing horn aimed straight at Raynare's armored chest. The impact caused her to stagger, but she quickly recovered, her cannon glowing ominously.

"Is that all you've got?" Raynare taunted, unleashing Machine Gun Arm. A barrage of energy bullets rained down, forcing Black Greymon to duck and weave.

{That's because Lucemon and Barbamon were focused on humans, not supernatural beings, so if Barbamon used a Tankmon to test it...}

"He's just using Raynare as a lab rat, meaning he's hoping she'll die," Issei said before sighing, knowing what he had to do. "Damn this bleeding heart of mine."

{It's why I love you.}

"I know," Issei said before hanging up and seeing that the two were locked in a stalemate with Black Greymon using his defense and size to tank the blows while Raynare relied solely on her new powers, neglecting her Fallen powers.

Issei clenched his fists. "This isn't working. She's too fast for Greymon to land a decisive blow." He raised his Digidevice, its screen glowing brightly. "Guess it's time to bring out one of my lieutenants."

The device pulsed with energy as a samurai-like silhouette appeared on the screen. Issei's voice echoed through the church.

"Tactimon! Digifuse!"

Light engulfed Issei as his body fused with the energy of the samurai Digimon. Tactimon's spirit appeared and struck his pose before breaking into Issei's body.

Issei flipped onto the battlefield as his armor appeared on his body. It was sleek and metallic, a crimson cape flowing from his shoulders. In his hands, Tactimon's massive blade, glowing with ominous power, materialized.

Raynare's eyes narrowed as she aimed her cannon. "You think that fancy transformation will save you? I'll blast you to pieces!"

"Take your best shot! Black Greymon! Move!" Issei shouted before Black Greymon nodded just as Raynare fired another Hyper Cannon, but Issei raised his sword.

With a single swing, the attack was deflected, and the energy dissipated harmlessly, shocking Raynare before Issei glared at her through his helmet.

"My turn," Issei said, dashing forward with incredible speed. His blade slashed through the air, each strike releasing shockwaves. Raynare struggled to keep up, but her armored form made her body too slow to evade the onslaught.

"Black Greymon, now!" Issei shouted.

"Got it!" Black Greymon roared, unleashing Great Antler. His glowing horn slammed into Raynare's side, sending her skidding across the floor.

"Damn you! Some human child will not best me!" Raynare shouted as she yelled, her aura exploding around her until her cannons fused and charged up.

"Try cutting through this!" Raynare shouted before she retaliated with Hyper Cannon!

The beam shot forward, ripping through the pews, but Issei was ready for this as he leaped into the air and Black Greymon's head.

"Ready, partner?"

"Hell yeah! Let's blow this bitch away!"

Issei chuckled before he readied himself. His aura exploded, as did Black Greymons. His cape billowed behind him as Issei raised his sword.

"See ya Raynare!" Issei shouted before both he and Black Greynon unleashed their attacks.

"Mu-no-Tachi: Rikudourin'ne!"

"Dark Mega Flame!"

The attacks combined and clashed with Raynare's attack belief. They began to overpower her until they destroyed the church, causing Raynare's life to flash before her eyes. A bright light exploded, causing debris to fall everywhere.

Eventually, the dust settled down. Raynare emerged, her armor cracked and sparking while panting heavily. "I… won't… lose!" Raynare screamed, launching into a desperate melee attack. Her hands wielded a light spear, ready to skewer him until Issei met her head-on, his blade deflecting her strike.

"It's over, Raynare," Issei said, bringing his sword down. The strike shattered Raynare's fused form, her body separating from Tankmon's corrupted data in a burst of light.

Raynare couldn't move as she collapsed to the ground, unconscious and defeated.

The church fell silent, the dark energy dissipating.

Black Greymon reverted to Black Agumon, walking up to Issei with a grin. "We did it, big bro!"

Issei smiled, patting his partner on the head. "Yeah, we did."

"Indeed you did, and I must thank you, " a voice said, shocking the duo. They looked up to see Barbamon floating in the air with a palm out as the data from Tankmon entered a Digidevice, but unlike Issei's Dark Digidevice, this one seemed corrupt.

"I heard you were in town, so what brings you here?" Issei asked before Barbamon replied.

"Oh, just here to see the cherry blossoms bloom and check out some empty homes. It's a very nice town. What do you think I'm doing here?" Barbamon asked in a sarcastic tone before Issei saw Raynare's body float to Barbamon as he sealed her in the Digidevice he had as well.

"I needed someone to test my transmutation experiment, and this Fallen was so embarrassed by being defeated by a human that she gladly accepted my generous gift," Barbamon said before Issei asked.

"What are you planning? Building an army to take over the Digital World?"

"Hah! Like hell, I'll try to go back to the Digital World after how you were able to defeat Leviamon. No, I knew I couldn't rely on that overgrown lizard, so I merely used him to test your security, and boy, was I surprised. Even my magical talents couldn't penetrate it, but I figured, why target the Digital World when I can target you here in your world?"

"But to do so, you'd need a partner, and you hardly worked well with others."

"True, but I suggest you wait since I have found someone who will not only help me conquer this world but also defeat you. For you, I'm afraid my time is short. Arrivederci!" Barbamon said before teleporting away, which made Issei let out a breath as he turned back to normal, thanking Tactimon for his help.

"What now, big bro?" Black Agumon asked before Issei replied.

"Now? Now we prepare for the battle coming. I'll have to bring Asia into the next meeting with the generals since we need to prepare for what Barbamon is planning. I doubt this is the last we'll see of him and his corrupted Digifusions." Issei said before the duo headed back home to take a well-deserved rest before it was time for the second digital war, but this was in the human world.

Scene!

I hope you all liked it since the next one will have Asia meeting Issei's harem since it'll be amusing for Lilith to flirt with Asia and tease her, which would make the pure nun turn beet red in embarrassment.

Anyway, Barbamon plans to work with a partner to use his full powers and conquer the human world. He knows Issei's army in the Digital world is virtually unstoppable, so he'll be taking the fight to him.

See you all next time. Ta-Ta!~