"A Holy Digimon hiding in the dark? How ironic~!"
Devimon's smooth, taunting voice reverberates through the night.
"Foolish agent of God... all you're doing is delaying the inevitable."
The demon clad in black spreads his shadowy wings, cruel amusement gleaming in his crimson eyes.
My heart pounds in my chest.
He already knows we're here.
There's no signal in the forest—we can't call Ina or the Digipolice for help.
Hiding is no longer an option.
I glance at Blanc and Labramon—steady, fearless.
We've come too far to back down now.
Taking a deep breath, I grip Blanc's hand and step out of the bushes.
The devil's smirk widens as he watches us emerge, his eyes fixed on Blanc.
"Well, well, I thought it would be just a pesky Holy Digimon."
His gaze flicks to Labramon, his tone almost mocking.
"But a Virus Buster on top of that? Have the forces of justice gathered in this world too~?"
"Unfortunately, I'm the only one here," Labramon growls, his tail bristling. "And I'm not exactly the justice type."
Devimon's eyes narrow for a moment.
"Oh? You weren't kidding," he chuckles.
"A Virus Buster with a heart full of darkness? Now that's a rare sight…"
Labramon's heart… is darkness?
Could that be the reason he said—
["...We're polar opposites."]
I glance at Labramon, but he doesn't react, his eyes locked onto Devimon.
"As for that human..."
Devimon's claws twitch as his gaze shifts directly to me.
"Just a lost human. She mistook me for a dog and followed me," Labramon chimes in.
"And this Holy Digimon is just a child. She has nothing to do with God. We can never pose a threat to you, so how about you—"
"Keep your eyes off Blanc's big sis!"
Blanc suddenly plants herself between me and the devil.
"Or else, Blanc will beat you up really bad!"
No, Blanc. I appreciate the sentiment, but Labramon was trying to defuse the situation.
I glance at Labramon, who gives Blanc a deadpan look.
Don't worry, you tried.
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
Devimon points at my pocket.
My Digivice X?
"The light of X. Heh. I never thought I'd see that death-defying power in this era."
Death-defying power?
Is he talking about Blanc's X-Data?
"A power to resist God… wasted on a Holy Digimon like you."
Before I can process his words, the air distorts—then he's gone.
A shadow flickers behind Blanc.
"Blanc, move—!"
A metallic clash rings out as she barely raises Cross Barbée in time, her arms trembling under the force of Devimon's claws.
"I'll tear that antibody out of your DigiCore and present it to my Master."
Labramon growls. "Space-time travel—Devimon isn't playing around!"
Space-time travel… isn't that just teleportation?
But we can still counter it—as long as I can warn Blanc in time.
Dark mist coils around Devimon's claws as if the very darkness of the forest is condensing into absolute sharpness.
Instinctively, my fingers swipe across my Digivice X.
"Death Claw!"
[Special Move Disc—Activate]
"Divine Pierce!"
The claw of darkness meets the blazing trident, clashing like light against shadow.
But the darkness doesn't fade—it slices through the light, leaving a pitch-black trail.
Blanc stumbles back.
"Ngh!"
"Blanc!"
Even with the Special Move Disc… Divine Pierce was overpowered?!
"Is this the best you can do, Holy Digimon?"
Devimon laughs, continuing his relentless assault.
No. I can't freeze up now.
I glance at Labramon and give him a quick nod.
The white pup dashes forward as my thumb brushes the Digivice X.
[Highspeed Plugin S]
Labramon bolts like a white bullet, his jaws parting.
"Retriever Bark!"
A high-frequency shockwave ripples through the air, striking Devimon head-on.
But he remains still. The space around him shakes, and the sound waves pass right through him—like he's nothing but mist.
"Grrr... As expected, a fallen angel is just a shadow of its true self. Ordinary attacks won't work."
A shadow?
"Then there's no way to hurt this guy?!"
Isn't that like a cheat?!
This guy is using an invincibility strat! Someone, ban him!
"You won't reach Big Sis! Blanc won't let you!"
Blanc barely manages to block another strike, her knees buckling as she grips Cross Barbée in her small, trembling hands.
"But there's a way..."
Labramon's eyes lock onto Blanc.
"Light—it's the greatest weakness of Darkness!"
Light?
That means... Blanc is the only one who can hurt him?!
"But Divine Pierce was overpowered!"
"It was too weak. To truly defeat Darkness, you need an equal amount of Light."
Equal…? But Devimon is a Level 4.
We can't MindLink in the Real World—she can't Awaken.
But there's still one thing I can do.
I swiftly swipe my screen.
[Digimodify—White Wings]
A blinding light engulfs Blanc as six angelic wings bloom from her back, glowing with a divine radiance.
[Name: Blanc (Sistermon Blanc)]
[DP: 3000 (1000)]
[Level: 3]
[Attribute: Vaccine]
"Six Wings of Hope?"
Devimon's expression twists with rage.
He lunges forward, his tattered demonic wings flaring.
"Holy Light!"
A binary-laced magic circle encircles the tip of Cross Barbée. A brilliant beam bursts forth, piercing the night.
At the last second, Devimon jerks his body aside. The beam grazes his left wing, smoke rising from the spot.
"Tsk! The light of the divine…"
I grip my Digivice X.
It worked—we can hurt him.
"Blanc! Let's keep this up!"
"Yes! Blanc will punish Devimon for attacking us!"
Blanc raises her Cross Barbée.
Across from us, Devimon places a clawed hand over his face, peering at us through his fingers.
"Hahaha! You dare flaunt those cursed wings in front of me?!"
A chill runs down my spine.
With a low chuckle, he extends both arms, dark mist coiling around them.
"Even death is too good a punishment for that!"
Punishment?
Why does he sound almost… offended? It's like he's seen those wings before.
"Blanc! Be careful!"
"Don't worry, Big Sis! Blanc won't miss this time!"
In an instant, the two vanish into the sky.
The air crackles with energy as several clashes echo through the forest.
"Weak! Too weak!"
Devimon snarls, his claws infused with darkness, repel Blanc's golden trident.
"Demon Ray!"
Black-and-purple beams shoot from his hands.
Should I boost her speed? Her defense? No.
I quickly swipe my Digivice X.
[Universal Plugin]
A silvery aura envelops Blanc.
She charges in, avoiding the beams, and thrusts her trident toward Devimon from above.
"Divine Pierce!"
"Oh, did you get stronger?"
Devimon scoffs as he blocks her attack.
The Universal Plugin might not be as powerful as the 'S' version's single stat boost, but it enhances all stats at once. Right now, it's the best choice.
Blanc's trident leads her charge, her form like a dazzling comet streaking across the sky.
"Deadly Nail!"
Devimon's claws extend, lengthening like sharp daggers as he pursues the comet.
Each clash explodes like fireworks against the night sky.
"Ah, I see it now."
Devimon's voice takes on a knowing tone.
As Blanc continues to attack, he watches her with amusement.
"X-Evolution is granted to those who seek further strength, opposing even Heaven's judgment. But your enhancement didn't come from that. It came from that human."
X-Evolution?
There are many types of evolution in Digimon Daydream, but I've never heard of that one before.
Blanc hesitates for just a second, and Devimon grins.
"It's clear now. You never X-Evolved, despite possessing that power. Incompatibility—that antibody isn't originally yours, is it?"
His red eyes glint with malice.
"Perhaps… you stole it from someone?"
Blanc… stole it?
That's impossible.
She won't even take extra snacks without permission.
But then… why is she reacting like this?
I glance at her.
For a split second, her hands tremble. She grips Cross Barbée tighter.
"Take that back," she whispers.
"Tell me, Holy Digimon… did you take it from their dying body?"
Devimon smirks.
"Blanc didn't steal it! Take that back!"
She lunges, her silver eyes burning with anger.
"No, don't listen to him, Blanc!" I call out, but she ignores me, blinded by rage.
She swings her trident from above.
Devimon vanishes.
"Death Claw!"
"Blanc! From behind!"
I try to warn her, but it's too late.
Devimon's clawed hand slashes through the air, striking her directly.
"Aaah!"
Her petite form crashes into the ground, her ethereal wings flickering, as if glitching out of existence.
I run toward her, but Devimon steps between us, smirking.
"Naive. Just like all other Holy Digimon."
He raises his hand again.
"Now, sleep in eternal darkness!"
A series of ominous symbols appear on the ground, forming a demonic summoning circle.
Dark tendrils shoot up, wrapping around Blanc's small frame.
No—!
Her corrupted state from Guilmon's virus flashes in my mind.
"Blanc!"
I move to rush forward, but a white blur streaks past me, positioning itself between Blanc and Devimon.
"Tsk. No other way."
Labramon?!
"Hell's Contract!"
Black-and-purple energy erupts as Devimon's special move activates.
The summoning circle swallows both Blanc and Labramon.
Their forms vanish into a pitch-black cloud of darkness.
"No—!"
I sprint toward them, but a clawed hand grabs my collar, lifting me effortlessly.
"Ngh…!"
My legs dangle in the air as I struggle.
"Interesting," Devimon muses, his grip tight but not choking. "A human commanding a Holy Digimon and a Virus Buster… You don't see that every day."
"Yeah, I didn't expect a Digimon commanding Code-Crackers either," I retort, still struggling. "What is that tower? Clearly, it's not for WiFi."
"Waiting for help?"
He chuckles, glancing toward the artificial structure behind him.
He already realized I was stalling?
"It doesn't matter even if you know. It's an altar—to welcome my Master."
"Your Master? A Code-Cracker?"
"Hahaha!"
He interrupts me with a sharp, amused laugh, his wings flaring.
"What's so funny?"
"A curious one, aren't you? How about it? Join us."
"Join you?"
His voice takes on a silky, almost tempting tone.
"You could be useful. I can guarantee your safety when everything falls under my Master's rule."
Beads of sweat trickle down my face.
Join NSoC? That would mean siding with people like Mask and Gan, who see Digimon as nothing more than tools.
He's asking me to be part of that?
I grit my teeth.
"No way in hell!"
Devimon sighs. "A shame."
Dark energy crackles around his claws.
No—this can't be it.
I promised Blanc I'd always stay by her side.
I can't claim to be her big sis if I can't even keep that promise.
I kick at him.
I'll fight to the very end.
"Death Claw!"
He swings.
My eyes squeeze shut.
Damn it… am I really so powerless without her?
"Grau Lärm!"
Before Devimon's claw can strike, a bone-chilling howl rips through the night.
The demon halts mid-swing, the dark energy fading from his fingers.
"A seal?!"
His eyes widen in shock.
I drop to the ground, coughing.
The dark cloud engulfing Blanc and Labramon surges—then implodes.
The swirling mist pulls inward, consumed by the new figure standing at its center.
His fur gleams like polished obsidian.
Blades extend from his legs, sharp as scythes.
Blanc lies unharmed at his feet.
His crimson eyes glint with cold cunningness.
"That was delicious darkness, fallen angel."
I stare at the demon beast before me.
"Dobermon…?!"
Devimon stumbles back.
"You—you planned this?! You got hit on purpose—just to absorb my Hell's Contract?!"
Dobermon steps forward, licking his fangs.
"Lily's light is too blinding—too pure. It could never evolve me."
His gaze darkens.
"From the beginning, this form wasn't born from light… but from my hatred."
A chill runs down my spine.
"A Dark Evolution."
Dark… evolution?
I had a hunch, but I didn't want to believe it.
Not after everything we've been through this past month.
But now… it all makes sense.
Devimon trembles, fighting against the lingering seal on his ability.
"A Dark Evolution, you say?!"
"Why do you sound so surprised?"
Dobermon's fangs flash in a wolfish grin.
"You of all Digimon should know it—Angemon."
"Don't call me by that name! You insolent beast!"
Dark energy crackles through Devimon, breaking free of the seal.
"I'll send you to the bottom of hell!"
He roars forward, claws bared.
Dobermon exhales calmly.
"Bottom of Hell? That's rather nostalgic."
A dark aura bursts forth from his shadow.
The air grows thick, suffocating.
A deep, primal presence presses against my chest.
The shadow condenses, forming the silhouette of a massive three-headed beast.
Three pairs of glowing eyes snap open, gleaming with cold, predatory intelligence.
Devimon's claws freeze mid-air.
His face drains of color, his body pinned by the oppressive darkness as if an ancient force is bearing down on him.
[Name: Dobermon - C???????mon ? ]
[DP: 5000... 6000... 7000]
[Level: 4... ?]
[Attribute: Vaccine]
His DP is skyrocketing?!
Blanc's berserk state from the Deep Web flashes in my mind.
But this feels different.
His eyes—he's in full control, wielding the darkness as his own.
And the missing characters in his stats—Cerberumon?
No, this is something far more sinister.
The sharp blades, extending from his demonic armor, are edged with the aura of an executioner.
"Your darkness was truly delicious. Even if partially—it allowed me to break free of my chains."
Dobermon smirks, almost amused.
"You… it can't be!"
Devimon's tattered wings tremble.
"The Watchdog of Hell?! What are you doing with a human?!"
His voice shakes.
"Rumors say you even cut down your own clients back in the Dark Area!"
Dobermon steps forward, his fangs bared.
"These two are idiots… trusting someone like me."
His voice softens.
"But that idiocy...it's starting to infect me."
He meets Devimon's horrified gaze.
"You wanted to send me to the bottom of Hell?"
The spectral three-headed beast looms behind Dobermon.
"Unfortunately, you're standing before its Gatekeeper."
AN:
Digimon Story: Time Stranger hype! Digimon games are not dead, and Digital World: Iliad is finally getting the spotlight! But most importantly—our Digivices are guns!
It seems Digimon Seekers: Wall Slum Nightmare won't be an issue for this fanfic, as they take place in different timeframes. So no worries there.
As for post-training Ina, Mr. Navit, you just handed me the blueprint for a omake—I meant, absolutely serious and epic chapter. ;)
Also, the blonde vampire reference in Chapter 19 was Dio.