Digimon Gardens of Babylon
- Thread starter Daneel Rush
- Start date
He managed to balls his way through things now, but what about the next time he and Lilithmon are alone in the gameroom?
...Actually, that reminds me. The gameroom is in Takato's soul and that's where Lucemon hangs out. That makes sense; he (I think...) tried to possess Takato or something like that. Ruki is (I think...) created by Takato; I guess we could put that 'putting part of your soul into what you create' thing literally and explain that, too.
But what about Lilithmon and the maids? There was BlackTailmon and (I think...) a Witchmon, right? And they brought tea and snacks in, right (or maybe those weren't real)?
...
Takato should get the ock on his soul checked; apparently, you can just walk right in.
(Also, on a related note, when he was alive, did Guilmon ever see the gameroom?)
...Actually, that reminds me. The gameroom is in Takato's soul and that's where Lucemon hangs out. That makes sense; he (I think...) tried to possess Takato or something like that. Ruki is (I think...) created by Takato; I guess we could put that 'putting part of your soul into what you create' thing literally and explain that, too.
But what about Lilithmon and the maids? There was BlackTailmon and (I think...) a Witchmon, right? And they brought tea and snacks in, right (or maybe those weren't real)?
...
Takato should get the ock on his soul checked; apparently, you can just walk right in.
(Also, on a related note, when he was alive, did Guilmon ever see the gameroom?)
ôShiuchon!ö Lee Jenrya called out upon sight of his little sister. The young girl, carrying her partner Lopmon in her arms, hurriedly jogged towards him and Justimon. Of course, her eyes were in the strange phenomenon taking place in the park.
ChaosDukemon had fallen, eventually, if only to the sheer advantage of numbers. The dark knight was roughly equal in speed to Justimon (in spite of the heavier bulk), but RyoÆs Ultimate form managed to keep him busy while Rapidmon scored the hits with JenryaÆs card support.
However, instead of breaking apart into loose data bits, he insteadà
ôNii-san, what is that?ö Shiuchon asked the obvious question. The huge cocoon of blue and gold data chains could be seen reflected on her large pupils. Hovering and rotating around the larger cocoon, she could recognize the small data sphere she had seen upon MetalGreymonÆs defeat.
Two gold and one red.
Her brother only had eyes for her dirty clothes and the battered appearance of her partner.
ôShiuchon, are you okay? What happened?ö
ôAh, IÆm okay, IÆm okay!ö the girl quickly dismissed her brotherÆs preoccupation. ôLopmon protected meàö
Noticing his TamerÆs forlorn gaze over him, the small dark-furred Digimon shook his head consolingly.
ôIàam fine, Shao. I just need to rest a little. More importantlyàö
LopmonÆs beady eyes fell on the ominous emblem of light on the ground underneath the data cocoon. It was something he had only heard of in passing, never thinking he would actually get to see it with his own eyes.
Now that is was in front of him, he could only wish he had never seen it.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: LUCIFER CODE: PRIDE
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 1
ôThe Crest of Prideàö
His murmur, whisper as it was, did not stay unheard.
ôThe what?ö Jenrya inquired. ôWhat did you say, Lopmon?ö
Lopmon looked at her TamerÆs brother and the approaching Justimon, and for a moment hesitated. Then he wondered just why he hesitated. Was he really that afraid of even speaking of what this emblem of light alluded to?
Those seven horrifying Digimonàno, wait. Was he not one of them? When he became one with Matsuda Takatoà
There was a certain morbid humor to that. Even he could tell, and humor was not precisely LopmonÆs forte.
ôThat symbolàis the Crest of Pride; one of the seven Crests of Deadly Sins owned by the Seven Great Demon Lords of the Dark Area.ö
ôDemon Lords?ö Justimon asked this time. Lopmon nodded.
ôIàcan explain later. Well, I guess Cyberdramon must know as well.ö
Rapidmon landed in the midst of the group while glancing at the strange cocoon with slight worry.
ôHeeh, so thatÆs the Crest of Pride. Man, that canÆt mean anything good.ö
LopmonÆs eyes then fell on the Perfect Digimon. ôWhat happened here, Rapidmon?ö
The Cyborg Digimon shrugged.
ôThe Digimon that popped up here, ChaosDukemon. He became that when we beat him. And those smaller things came flying from somewhere.ö
ôAh!ö Shiuchon exclaimed, finding her cue. ôThatÆs the data of the other Digimon!ö She pointed at the red orb. ôThat came from MetalGreymon! Antiramon beat him.ö
The whole group then looked at the bizarre conglomerate of data, as if trying to make any sense of it: the large cocoon, the three small ôsatellitesö, and the ominous Crest of Prideà
What did this all mean, put together?
ôàShao,ö Lopmon called to his Tamer. ôThe attackàö
ôUm,ö the girl nodded. ôNii-san, thereÆs something elseàö
ôYou mean the ice, right?ö Rapidmon interrupted. Catching the looks on the youngest Tamer and her partner, the cybernetic Digimon shrugged again. ôI was flying, so I could see it from hereàö
Only then did Rapidmon notice ShiuchonÆs slightly ragged and messy look. That plus LopmonÆs battered appearance and JenryaÆs partner was able to properly connect the dots.
ôàyou guys got caught in that, didnÆt ya?ö
Shiuchon winced at that, and with good reason.
Then, she sighed in relief, for her brotherÆs latest overprotective outburst was dispelled by his ringtone.
Jenrya grabbed the device, flicking it open and reading the caller ID in the spare moment before placing the device by his right ear.
ôRuki-san.ö
ôLee. You can afford to answer the phone, so I guess everything worked out on your end.ö
ôMostly. Things are a bit weird right now, but weÆre no longer in battle. I take it youÆre done on your side.ö
ôAh. Got rid of mine, then caught up with Visor Bloke and just dealt with a second MetalGreymon. KentaÆs fairyÆs here as well. I think he actually took out a third one, if RenamonÆs translating right.ö
JenryaÆs thoughts halted for a moment on that. MarinAngemon? Really? Ultimate and all, it was still hard to see ità
In the end, he mentally shrugged. If Kenta was supporting with cards from his bedroom, he guessed it was possible.
ôLee, something weirdÆs happening every time we beat one of these guysùö
ôYes, the data,ö the boy interrupted. ôItÆs gathering here. Two golden cores and a red one.ö
ôThe first one I got was golden, and a red one justùwait.ö
Jenrya waited indeed. He could actually catch MarinAngemonÆs high-pitched chirping while Ruki was silent.
ôàMarinAngemon says the one he saw a golden one as well.ö
ôSo that makes two. My sister got the red one, and I guess the one you guys just beat will arrive any moment now.ö
ôI see it,ö Rapidmon and Justimon claimed at the same time, and they traded snorts at the unexpected synchrony.
ôSo, whatÆs up with that?ö
ôI wish I knew.ö
He was about to say something else, maybe try to explain their situation at the park, but Ruki had other priorities.
ôLee, we were attacked by a rain of ice a while ago. WeÆre under cover right now, but we still have no idea where that came from.ö
Jenrya paused.
ôWait, why didnÆt you stay as Sakuyamon, then?ö
"Like hell IÆm letting Hirokazu touch my phone!ö
JenryaÆs urge to face-palm was exacerbated by a distant shout of ôyou donÆt have any problems with Takato touching it!ö, followed by the obvious sounds of violence.
ôàRuki-san?ö he eventually called out with a tired voice, hoping he could get the discussion back on track.
ôAnyway,ö Ruki calmly responded, as if she had not just unleashed female fury upon one Shiota Hirokazu. ôIÆm sending this idiot and MarinAngemon over there. IÆm looking for whoeverÆs behind that ice attack.ö
Jenrya nodded. ôIÆm sending Rapidmon as well.ö
ôGood. But be careful; that attack was huge. It has to be an Ultimate to pull off something like thisàdamn, YamakiÆs gonna be pissed.ö
The boyÆs worried glance fell on his little sister, as if needed to make sure yet again of her safety.
ôBy the way, is Juri over there?ö
ôJuri? Noàö Jenrya shook his head even if Ruki could not see it. ôNo, she isnÆt. Why do you ask?ö
ôàno. DonÆt mind me. IÆm off.ö
ôBe careful.ö
The last he heard before the connection broke off was the girlÆs prideful snort. Her confidence was encouraging in a way.
Placing the mobile back in his jacketÆs pocket, he turned his attention to the rest of the team.
ôàI think you caught the gist of the plan.ö
ôAye-aye, sir!ö Rapidmon agreed while making a mock salute. ôBut, man, nowÆs when we could seriously use Beelzebumon. Where the hellÆs that guy, anyway?ö
Lopmon perked up at that.
Of course, Beelzebumon! The Avatar of Gluttony!
The small beast Digimon frowned, deep in thought. He only had a glimpse of the situation, and very few facts to work with. He would have to discuss things with the other Digimon later.
Jenrya was thinking of Beelzebumon as well, but his thoughts went on a different direction. His partner had a point: Impmon had not shown up to help them in battle after the very first re-emergence of Digimon on their first day of school.
But that was a thing to ponder at a later time.
ôAnyway. Ryo, Shiuchon: IÆll have you keep an eye on things here. Kazu and MarinAngemon will be here soon.ö
ôGot it,ö the girl responded effusively, moving to stand next to Justimon, who only nodded in agreement.
ôRapidmon, weÆre moving. We might have to go Ultimate, so IÆm going with you.ö
**************************************
ôThe second bomb is at the place where dreams first became reality.ö
ôHeÆs not really putting any effort,ö Takato muttered, shaking his head in something resembling disappointment. ôGuilmon?ö
The large-for-his-level Reptile Digimon shrugged lamely.
ôFinding the bombs is not the problem,ö he said in the same child-like voice Takato remembered.
ôYeah, yeahàö Takato agreed while leaning on the wall of the elevator. ôThe distractions are the issue.ö
ôYou lost a lot of time with Takako,ö Guilmon stated in what passed for a chiding tone from him.
ôUghàö the boy groaned while covering his reddening face with his right hand. ôI knowàö
There had been only four minutes left when he disabled the first bomb. That meant the timer on the remaining bombs increased to twenty-four minutes. Fortunately, the second hint was even easier than the first one. Furthermore, he was aware of the existence of a certain computer store in the area, which allowed him to travel via the Digital Gate card through TakakoÆs personal computer.
There were eighteen minutes left.
ôThe place where dreams first became reality,ö he repeated. Guilmon tilted his head to show he was paying attention. ôNamely, the place where I first used the Crest of Dreams.ö
The same place where he had lost that most precious person. The same place where he officially became LucemonÆs opponent, exactly five years earlier.
ôItÆs okay!ö Guilmon cheerfully declared. ôGuilmon will take care of everything, so Takato should only do what he has to do.ö
Matsuda Takato cannot create Guilmon on his own.
The one standing with him in that elevator was yet another of his fakes, a pitiful imitation incapable of self-awareness of independent thought. The words that came out of its large mouth were only the words Takato put in there in the first place.
It was an elaborate way of talking to himself. But it was a way for a broken person like Matsuda Takato to find some relief and confidence.
ôAlright, then,ö he agreed. ôIÆll leave things to you then, Guilmon.ö
ôUm!ö
The elevator announced their destination with a pleasant ædingÆ. Its doors automatically opened, revealing Matsuda TakatoÆs old new battlefield.
Of course, it was not the same place from five years ago. That one was destroyed when he and his onee-chan failed to defuse LucemonÆs bombs. However, that shopping mall had been replaced with yet another, virtually identical, shopping mall, in what can only be described as Japanese pragmatism at its best.
The lowest parking lot level; the very foundations of the commercial complex. Being at the deepest level, it was the last to fill with vehicles. Indeed, he could only count about a dozen cars sparsely occupying virtually random places out of the about 250 available spots.
It was a bleak place as parking lots can be: monotonous and achromatic, spared from the sumptuousness and the aesthetic effort devoted to the more important sections of the building. It made it all the easier to focus on the Digimon and its outlandish color scheme. It was yet another Digimon Takato had never seen before: black and white shirt, baggy red pants, blades for feet and wide magenta sleeves covering its arms.
He glanced down at his Digivice.
ôMatadrmon, an Undead Digimon of the Perfect Level; Virus Type. A vampire-type Digimon who combines deadly rapier martial arts with a magnificent folk-dance. Special Attacks: Chouzetsu Rappashuu and Thousand Arrows.ö
Twenty or so pairs of columns flanked TakatoÆs sides and separated him from the Digimon in the distance.
ôàfascinating,ö the boy uttered in as empty a tone as he could muster. Only then he did step out of the elevator; the fake Guilmon silently walking to his left.
As Takato walked past the first pair of columns, a pair of Guilmon stepped out of his and MatadrmonÆs blind angle to join the former Tamer and their fellow imitation. The process repeated past every pair of column, adding more and more copies of TakatoÆs Digimon partner to the slow procession. But they did not just come out from behind the pillars; they emerged from within the shadows, from the distant corners of the poorly illuminated basement, from behind the few cars present and from the very air behind Matadrmon. All of them mindless; all of them false.
All of them pawns.
It was almost disappointing, Takato noted, that he could not see MatadrmonÆs reaction, for its face was covered by a mask made of blades. Only yellow pupils narrowed into slits, as if demanding an explanation for this aberrant army of not-Digimon.
ôI donÆt have time to waste playing with you,ö Takato stated. His left hand found the head of the first Guilmon and stroked it gently. Unlike the original, who would have found immense joy in the affectionate touch, the imitation growled menacingly at its enemy as per TakatoÆs wordless command.
ôThey will do.ö
The Undead Digimon had no chance of reaching Takato, for a veritable swarm of Guilmon fell upon him, creating a wall of scaled skin, razor claws and eager teeth. Blades slid off MatadrmonÆs wide sleeves, skewering the first half a dozen fakes which tried to tear him apart.
They were just as quickly replaced by twice as many.
Dreaming up his trusty set of tools, Takato walked past the violence and made way for the bomb Matadrmon had been standing in front of. There had been a single device back then as well. It had not carried an explosive, but triggered instead a signal which activated the other many bombs placed throughout the entire shopping complex.
It did not matter. That tragedy would not be repeated.
Completely ignoring the looming figure of Matadrmon behind his backùwhich was promptly rammed to the side by a pair of fake Guilmonù, Takato began to work.
He had seventeen minutes left.
Without distractions, he would not need five.
ChaosDukemon had fallen, eventually, if only to the sheer advantage of numbers. The dark knight was roughly equal in speed to Justimon (in spite of the heavier bulk), but RyoÆs Ultimate form managed to keep him busy while Rapidmon scored the hits with JenryaÆs card support.
However, instead of breaking apart into loose data bits, he insteadà
ôNii-san, what is that?ö Shiuchon asked the obvious question. The huge cocoon of blue and gold data chains could be seen reflected on her large pupils. Hovering and rotating around the larger cocoon, she could recognize the small data sphere she had seen upon MetalGreymonÆs defeat.
Two gold and one red.
Her brother only had eyes for her dirty clothes and the battered appearance of her partner.
ôShiuchon, are you okay? What happened?ö
ôAh, IÆm okay, IÆm okay!ö the girl quickly dismissed her brotherÆs preoccupation. ôLopmon protected meàö
Noticing his TamerÆs forlorn gaze over him, the small dark-furred Digimon shook his head consolingly.
ôIàam fine, Shao. I just need to rest a little. More importantlyàö
LopmonÆs beady eyes fell on the ominous emblem of light on the ground underneath the data cocoon. It was something he had only heard of in passing, never thinking he would actually get to see it with his own eyes.
Now that is was in front of him, he could only wish he had never seen it.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: LUCIFER CODE: PRIDE
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 1
ôThe Crest of Prideàö
His murmur, whisper as it was, did not stay unheard.
ôThe what?ö Jenrya inquired. ôWhat did you say, Lopmon?ö
Lopmon looked at her TamerÆs brother and the approaching Justimon, and for a moment hesitated. Then he wondered just why he hesitated. Was he really that afraid of even speaking of what this emblem of light alluded to?
Those seven horrifying Digimonàno, wait. Was he not one of them? When he became one with Matsuda Takatoà
There was a certain morbid humor to that. Even he could tell, and humor was not precisely LopmonÆs forte.
ôThat symbolàis the Crest of Pride; one of the seven Crests of Deadly Sins owned by the Seven Great Demon Lords of the Dark Area.ö
ôDemon Lords?ö Justimon asked this time. Lopmon nodded.
ôIàcan explain later. Well, I guess Cyberdramon must know as well.ö
Rapidmon landed in the midst of the group while glancing at the strange cocoon with slight worry.
ôHeeh, so thatÆs the Crest of Pride. Man, that canÆt mean anything good.ö
LopmonÆs eyes then fell on the Perfect Digimon. ôWhat happened here, Rapidmon?ö
The Cyborg Digimon shrugged.
ôThe Digimon that popped up here, ChaosDukemon. He became that when we beat him. And those smaller things came flying from somewhere.ö
ôAh!ö Shiuchon exclaimed, finding her cue. ôThatÆs the data of the other Digimon!ö She pointed at the red orb. ôThat came from MetalGreymon! Antiramon beat him.ö
The whole group then looked at the bizarre conglomerate of data, as if trying to make any sense of it: the large cocoon, the three small ôsatellitesö, and the ominous Crest of Prideà
What did this all mean, put together?
ôàShao,ö Lopmon called to his Tamer. ôThe attackàö
ôUm,ö the girl nodded. ôNii-san, thereÆs something elseàö
ôYou mean the ice, right?ö Rapidmon interrupted. Catching the looks on the youngest Tamer and her partner, the cybernetic Digimon shrugged again. ôI was flying, so I could see it from hereàö
Only then did Rapidmon notice ShiuchonÆs slightly ragged and messy look. That plus LopmonÆs battered appearance and JenryaÆs partner was able to properly connect the dots.
ôàyou guys got caught in that, didnÆt ya?ö
Shiuchon winced at that, and with good reason.
Then, she sighed in relief, for her brotherÆs latest overprotective outburst was dispelled by his ringtone.
Jenrya grabbed the device, flicking it open and reading the caller ID in the spare moment before placing the device by his right ear.
ôRuki-san.ö
ôLee. You can afford to answer the phone, so I guess everything worked out on your end.ö
ôMostly. Things are a bit weird right now, but weÆre no longer in battle. I take it youÆre done on your side.ö
ôAh. Got rid of mine, then caught up with Visor Bloke and just dealt with a second MetalGreymon. KentaÆs fairyÆs here as well. I think he actually took out a third one, if RenamonÆs translating right.ö
JenryaÆs thoughts halted for a moment on that. MarinAngemon? Really? Ultimate and all, it was still hard to see ità
In the end, he mentally shrugged. If Kenta was supporting with cards from his bedroom, he guessed it was possible.
ôLee, something weirdÆs happening every time we beat one of these guysùö
ôYes, the data,ö the boy interrupted. ôItÆs gathering here. Two golden cores and a red one.ö
ôThe first one I got was golden, and a red one justùwait.ö
Jenrya waited indeed. He could actually catch MarinAngemonÆs high-pitched chirping while Ruki was silent.
ôàMarinAngemon says the one he saw a golden one as well.ö
ôSo that makes two. My sister got the red one, and I guess the one you guys just beat will arrive any moment now.ö
ôI see it,ö Rapidmon and Justimon claimed at the same time, and they traded snorts at the unexpected synchrony.
ôSo, whatÆs up with that?ö
ôI wish I knew.ö
He was about to say something else, maybe try to explain their situation at the park, but Ruki had other priorities.
ôLee, we were attacked by a rain of ice a while ago. WeÆre under cover right now, but we still have no idea where that came from.ö
Jenrya paused.
ôWait, why didnÆt you stay as Sakuyamon, then?ö
"Like hell IÆm letting Hirokazu touch my phone!ö
JenryaÆs urge to face-palm was exacerbated by a distant shout of ôyou donÆt have any problems with Takato touching it!ö, followed by the obvious sounds of violence.
ôàRuki-san?ö he eventually called out with a tired voice, hoping he could get the discussion back on track.
ôAnyway,ö Ruki calmly responded, as if she had not just unleashed female fury upon one Shiota Hirokazu. ôIÆm sending this idiot and MarinAngemon over there. IÆm looking for whoeverÆs behind that ice attack.ö
Jenrya nodded. ôIÆm sending Rapidmon as well.ö
ôGood. But be careful; that attack was huge. It has to be an Ultimate to pull off something like thisàdamn, YamakiÆs gonna be pissed.ö
The boyÆs worried glance fell on his little sister, as if needed to make sure yet again of her safety.
ôBy the way, is Juri over there?ö
ôJuri? Noàö Jenrya shook his head even if Ruki could not see it. ôNo, she isnÆt. Why do you ask?ö
ôàno. DonÆt mind me. IÆm off.ö
ôBe careful.ö
The last he heard before the connection broke off was the girlÆs prideful snort. Her confidence was encouraging in a way.
Placing the mobile back in his jacketÆs pocket, he turned his attention to the rest of the team.
ôàI think you caught the gist of the plan.ö
ôAye-aye, sir!ö Rapidmon agreed while making a mock salute. ôBut, man, nowÆs when we could seriously use Beelzebumon. Where the hellÆs that guy, anyway?ö
Lopmon perked up at that.
Of course, Beelzebumon! The Avatar of Gluttony!
The small beast Digimon frowned, deep in thought. He only had a glimpse of the situation, and very few facts to work with. He would have to discuss things with the other Digimon later.
Jenrya was thinking of Beelzebumon as well, but his thoughts went on a different direction. His partner had a point: Impmon had not shown up to help them in battle after the very first re-emergence of Digimon on their first day of school.
But that was a thing to ponder at a later time.
ôAnyway. Ryo, Shiuchon: IÆll have you keep an eye on things here. Kazu and MarinAngemon will be here soon.ö
ôGot it,ö the girl responded effusively, moving to stand next to Justimon, who only nodded in agreement.
ôRapidmon, weÆre moving. We might have to go Ultimate, so IÆm going with you.ö
**************************************
ôThe second bomb is at the place where dreams first became reality.ö
ôHeÆs not really putting any effort,ö Takato muttered, shaking his head in something resembling disappointment. ôGuilmon?ö
The large-for-his-level Reptile Digimon shrugged lamely.
ôFinding the bombs is not the problem,ö he said in the same child-like voice Takato remembered.
ôYeah, yeahàö Takato agreed while leaning on the wall of the elevator. ôThe distractions are the issue.ö
ôYou lost a lot of time with Takako,ö Guilmon stated in what passed for a chiding tone from him.
ôUghàö the boy groaned while covering his reddening face with his right hand. ôI knowàö
There had been only four minutes left when he disabled the first bomb. That meant the timer on the remaining bombs increased to twenty-four minutes. Fortunately, the second hint was even easier than the first one. Furthermore, he was aware of the existence of a certain computer store in the area, which allowed him to travel via the Digital Gate card through TakakoÆs personal computer.
There were eighteen minutes left.
ôThe place where dreams first became reality,ö he repeated. Guilmon tilted his head to show he was paying attention. ôNamely, the place where I first used the Crest of Dreams.ö
The same place where he had lost that most precious person. The same place where he officially became LucemonÆs opponent, exactly five years earlier.
ôItÆs okay!ö Guilmon cheerfully declared. ôGuilmon will take care of everything, so Takato should only do what he has to do.ö
Matsuda Takato cannot create Guilmon on his own.
The one standing with him in that elevator was yet another of his fakes, a pitiful imitation incapable of self-awareness of independent thought. The words that came out of its large mouth were only the words Takato put in there in the first place.
It was an elaborate way of talking to himself. But it was a way for a broken person like Matsuda Takato to find some relief and confidence.
ôAlright, then,ö he agreed. ôIÆll leave things to you then, Guilmon.ö
ôUm!ö
The elevator announced their destination with a pleasant ædingÆ. Its doors automatically opened, revealing Matsuda TakatoÆs old new battlefield.
Of course, it was not the same place from five years ago. That one was destroyed when he and his onee-chan failed to defuse LucemonÆs bombs. However, that shopping mall had been replaced with yet another, virtually identical, shopping mall, in what can only be described as Japanese pragmatism at its best.
The lowest parking lot level; the very foundations of the commercial complex. Being at the deepest level, it was the last to fill with vehicles. Indeed, he could only count about a dozen cars sparsely occupying virtually random places out of the about 250 available spots.
It was a bleak place as parking lots can be: monotonous and achromatic, spared from the sumptuousness and the aesthetic effort devoted to the more important sections of the building. It made it all the easier to focus on the Digimon and its outlandish color scheme. It was yet another Digimon Takato had never seen before: black and white shirt, baggy red pants, blades for feet and wide magenta sleeves covering its arms.
He glanced down at his Digivice.
ôMatadrmon, an Undead Digimon of the Perfect Level; Virus Type. A vampire-type Digimon who combines deadly rapier martial arts with a magnificent folk-dance. Special Attacks: Chouzetsu Rappashuu and Thousand Arrows.ö
Twenty or so pairs of columns flanked TakatoÆs sides and separated him from the Digimon in the distance.
ôàfascinating,ö the boy uttered in as empty a tone as he could muster. Only then he did step out of the elevator; the fake Guilmon silently walking to his left.
As Takato walked past the first pair of columns, a pair of Guilmon stepped out of his and MatadrmonÆs blind angle to join the former Tamer and their fellow imitation. The process repeated past every pair of column, adding more and more copies of TakatoÆs Digimon partner to the slow procession. But they did not just come out from behind the pillars; they emerged from within the shadows, from the distant corners of the poorly illuminated basement, from behind the few cars present and from the very air behind Matadrmon. All of them mindless; all of them false.
All of them pawns.
It was almost disappointing, Takato noted, that he could not see MatadrmonÆs reaction, for its face was covered by a mask made of blades. Only yellow pupils narrowed into slits, as if demanding an explanation for this aberrant army of not-Digimon.
ôI donÆt have time to waste playing with you,ö Takato stated. His left hand found the head of the first Guilmon and stroked it gently. Unlike the original, who would have found immense joy in the affectionate touch, the imitation growled menacingly at its enemy as per TakatoÆs wordless command.
ôThey will do.ö
The Undead Digimon had no chance of reaching Takato, for a veritable swarm of Guilmon fell upon him, creating a wall of scaled skin, razor claws and eager teeth. Blades slid off MatadrmonÆs wide sleeves, skewering the first half a dozen fakes which tried to tear him apart.
They were just as quickly replaced by twice as many.
Dreaming up his trusty set of tools, Takato walked past the violence and made way for the bomb Matadrmon had been standing in front of. There had been a single device back then as well. It had not carried an explosive, but triggered instead a signal which activated the other many bombs placed throughout the entire shopping complex.
It did not matter. That tragedy would not be repeated.
Completely ignoring the looming figure of Matadrmon behind his backùwhich was promptly rammed to the side by a pair of fake Guilmonù, Takato began to work.
He had seventeen minutes left.
Without distractions, he would not need five.
ôSakuyamon!ö
The God (Wo)Man Digimon stopped in midflight to look back at the rapidly approaching Rapidmon. Her eyes sought JenryaÆsùthe boy was carried bridal style by his Digimon partner.
ôAnything?ö
ôNot yet,ö Sakuyamon replied before gazing over the seemingly endless grey expanse of the Tokyo metropolis. ôIf whoever did that is around, then itÆs not a very large Digimon.ö
ôI canÆt think of a Digimon capable of that kind of attack,ö Rapidmon commented.
ôIt reminded me of ZudomonÆs, butàö Sakuyamon noted in RukiÆs voice.
ôHe can only throw one at a time, not a bajillion,ö Rapidmon completed while nodding. ôAnyway, any ideas? I mean, fast as I am, the city is goddamn huge, and I have no idea where to start looùOOOOLY SHIT, Sakuùö
He did not need finish calling out to the fellow UltimateùSakuyamon had spun around the moment RapidmonÆs eyes shifted from her face to whatever approached her from behind.
They came from the distant horizon: dozens and dozens of the long and pointy icicles, coursing through the Tokyo skyline like crystalline artillery and clearly aimed straight towards the two flying Digimon. Not gifted with the Cyborg DigimonÆs prodigious speed, Sakuyamon instead summoned a transparent barrier to meet the barrage. She then raised an eyebrow when Rapidmon hurriedly moved behind her and the cover of her supernatural defense.
ôàshouldnÆt you be, you know, dodging?ö the gold-clad Digimon mused, her voice barely listened over the almost constant clash of ice upon the barrier in front of her.
ôIÆm not gonna move around like that while carrying Jen!ö Rapidmon decried. ôAnd why would I do that anyway, if thereÆs such a convenient thing right here?ö
Sakuyamon rolled her eyes but accepted the excuse, glancing down at the slightly embarrassed boy for a moment. She then focused her attention on maintaining the barrier. She doubted it would be an issue, though: had she not held all those Digimon at bay on her first day of school?
She was strong.
ôYou know what this means, donÆt you?ö Jenrya inquired in a steeled voice, and the shapely Digimon nodded and grunted her assent. She had not seen the origin of the attack, but she had a strong hunch now; a hunch she was sure she shared with the half-Chinese boy.
ôTokyo Bay,ö she said. ôThe attack comes all the way from the sea.ö
The boy in RapidmonÆs arms nodded in agreement. The icicle spears came from the east, and there was nothing but water past the city in that direction. Still, the fact that the frozen projectiles crossed over half the Tokyo metropolis to attack them was more than a little frightening.
He was not looking forward to whoever (whatever?) was behind this incredible artillery.
**************************************
With a sigh, Takato dismissed his toolbox, the bomb in front of him no longer a threat. He rubbed his eyes; precision work under poor illumination conditions triggered a bothersome ache on the back of his eyeballs.
The sound of something big and heavy smashing the side of a car drew TakatoÆs attention.
ôAh, right,ö he spoke in the voice on one who might as well be reading the shopping list. ôYouÆre still around.ö
Of course, Matadrmon was still quite busy tearing his way through the seemingly endless onslaught of Guilmon. The red dinosaurs followed no tactics other than jumping at the Undead Digimon and trying to rip it apart. It was not very effective, and Takato could see Matadrmon was a powerful Digimon by the ease with which it destroyed his admittedly flawed copies. However, the objective had always been keeping him away from Takato, and at that his fakes most definitely succeeded.
There was no audiovisual cue from Takato, but his copies stopped their assault and pulled back, the closer one staying a cautious four steps away from the Perfect Digimon. Matadrmon was not Digimon of few words and almost as few actions, and immediately took aim at Takato.
ôThousand Arrow.ö
The High Speed Plug-In he had slashed at the very beginning of that round was enough to move his body away from the thrown rapiers. Ignoring how they ended up buried in the concrete wall behind him, Takato immediately Dreamt a copy of BeelzebumonÆs shotgun and fired in retaliation, forcing Matadrmon to rethink his plan to move on to melee.
ôI disabled the bomb and I have the third hint. Are you still going to stand in my way?ö
The enemy Digimon said nothing but instead lowering his stance, its predatory gaze obviously focused in finding the chance to unleash an effective offensive.
ôànot a mon of many words, I see.ö
Thanks to his quick work with the second bomb, the counter was now at around thirty-five minutes. Furthermore, the third hint proved as simple as the previous two. That did not mean he could afford to dally.
He would have to attack with his Crest to until he was afforded a few seconds to at least scanà
TakatoÆs planning lost all meaning when a ôholeö opened under MatadrmonÆs feet. The concrete was replaced by an unclear foggy image; the dark realm on the other side clouded by its very unsettling nature.
Matadrmon looked down at the portal which had already pulled his feet up to his ankles, and then he looked at the human boy; his visible yellow pupils gleaming in a perturbing manner.
Takato shrugged and began to walk towards the elevator behind MatadrmonÆs back. ôFortunately for you, the big boss is calling you back home.ö
The moment Takato stepped within melee reach; a single blade flew out of MatadrmonÆs right sleeve, only to crash with a copy of DukemonÆs Aegis in a downpour of golden sparks. The large round shield floating by TakatoÆs right side, moving along with the boy as he walked past Matadrmon with the barest hint of interest in the Undead.
ôNext time we meet IÆll be happy to crush you,ö Takato finished with a voice as contemptuous as his uncaring eyes.
The message was clear.
You are of so little relevance I can afford to choose when to destroy you.
Takato left the sinking Matadrmon behind, dismissing his floating shield as if challenging the Dark Area Digimon to throw another of his rapiers as his unprotected back. Whether he actually did it or not did not really matter.
The Biggest DreamerÆs mind was already on the third location and the third bomb.
***********************************
In the Game Room, with his left cheek resting on his open left palm and his elbow resting on the wide armrest of his tall seat, Takato raised an eyebrow. Lucemon returned the mildly inquisitorial stare with a somewhat naughty smirk as his right hand reached for the Matadrmon piece and removed it from play.
ôI have many pieces, but I donÆt throw away my strong ones so easily,ö the angel confessed. ôNext time IÆll use it against the Tamers. Mere Perfects are beneath you by this point, my dear Takato.ö
Takato did not show any outward response to the compliment while doing his best to ignore the ticklish flame of pride in his chest.
ôWhat are you up to, Lucemon?ö
The Child Digimon giggled briefly at that.
ôYou will have to be more specific, Takato. IÆm always up to something.ö
The boy did not say more. This merry bomb chaseàit was awfully suspicious.
It was just too easy. The hints were obvious, the bombs were easily to disable with the basic knowledge provided by the World Wide Web, and the obstacles were nothing to sweat about. Why didnÆt Lucemon just command Lilithmon to fight him? Now that would have been a fearsome obstacle.
Of course, the situation at the park was awfully suspicious. However, he could not join the Tamers before he was done with the last bomb.
It was obvious by now that Lucemon was planning something, and the longer he prolonged this ridiculous farce of a round the bigger the big reveal would be. Takato was already mentally prepared to deal with the fact that, whatever it was Lucemon had planned for the roundÆs climax, it would not be good for him.
ôWhat I can say is this.ö
TakatoÆs expression hardened; LucemonÆs words had captured his full attention, and the angel obviously reveled in it, as his ample smile portrayed.
ôI amàtired, Takato. Of your reluctance, of your hesitation. It is up to you to move the Game to the next stage, but you keepàclinging, to things. Worthless things.ö
It was a strange lecture. LucemonÆs voice was the voice of a disappointed father, of a jealous girlfriend and of a merciless judge. And it seemed father, girlfriend and judge were all eager to label him guilty.
ôTo those æfriendsÆ of yours. To that powerless doll. To that human I once called opponent. To that world you mean nothing to.ö Lucemon sighed dejectedly. ôHow many times do I have to say it, Takato?ö
ôYou cannot beat me like this.ö
TakatoÆs pupils looked away for a moment, but he forced himself to return the angelÆs bored stare. It would not do for Lucemon to see his shame, his acknowledgement of those words as truth, even if he greatly doubted his ability to hide such things from him.
ôIÆm getting bored, Takato. IÆm growing bored of Matsuda Takato.ö
The fallen angelÆs eyes narrowed in an unsubtle warning.
ôYou donÆt want me to become bored.ö
The tiny tip of a tiny tongue slid over LucemonÆs thin, colorless lips.
ôSo, today, you will do what you know you have to do. Otherwise, you will die.ö
He rolled his eyes in an overly dramatic fashion.
ôI was hoping this game would conclude with an epic confrontation: King against King! Dreams against Pride!ö Another exaggerated sigh of disappointment. ôBut, really, by this point, I donÆt care that much anymore. So, itÆs up to you now.ö
The angelÆs clear blue eyes twinkled teasingly and merrily.
ôItÆs up to you to reignite our flame, Takato-kun.ö
The God (Wo)Man Digimon stopped in midflight to look back at the rapidly approaching Rapidmon. Her eyes sought JenryaÆsùthe boy was carried bridal style by his Digimon partner.
ôAnything?ö
ôNot yet,ö Sakuyamon replied before gazing over the seemingly endless grey expanse of the Tokyo metropolis. ôIf whoever did that is around, then itÆs not a very large Digimon.ö
ôI canÆt think of a Digimon capable of that kind of attack,ö Rapidmon commented.
ôIt reminded me of ZudomonÆs, butàö Sakuyamon noted in RukiÆs voice.
ôHe can only throw one at a time, not a bajillion,ö Rapidmon completed while nodding. ôAnyway, any ideas? I mean, fast as I am, the city is goddamn huge, and I have no idea where to start looùOOOOLY SHIT, Sakuùö
He did not need finish calling out to the fellow UltimateùSakuyamon had spun around the moment RapidmonÆs eyes shifted from her face to whatever approached her from behind.
They came from the distant horizon: dozens and dozens of the long and pointy icicles, coursing through the Tokyo skyline like crystalline artillery and clearly aimed straight towards the two flying Digimon. Not gifted with the Cyborg DigimonÆs prodigious speed, Sakuyamon instead summoned a transparent barrier to meet the barrage. She then raised an eyebrow when Rapidmon hurriedly moved behind her and the cover of her supernatural defense.
ôàshouldnÆt you be, you know, dodging?ö the gold-clad Digimon mused, her voice barely listened over the almost constant clash of ice upon the barrier in front of her.
ôIÆm not gonna move around like that while carrying Jen!ö Rapidmon decried. ôAnd why would I do that anyway, if thereÆs such a convenient thing right here?ö
Sakuyamon rolled her eyes but accepted the excuse, glancing down at the slightly embarrassed boy for a moment. She then focused her attention on maintaining the barrier. She doubted it would be an issue, though: had she not held all those Digimon at bay on her first day of school?
She was strong.
ôYou know what this means, donÆt you?ö Jenrya inquired in a steeled voice, and the shapely Digimon nodded and grunted her assent. She had not seen the origin of the attack, but she had a strong hunch now; a hunch she was sure she shared with the half-Chinese boy.
ôTokyo Bay,ö she said. ôThe attack comes all the way from the sea.ö
The boy in RapidmonÆs arms nodded in agreement. The icicle spears came from the east, and there was nothing but water past the city in that direction. Still, the fact that the frozen projectiles crossed over half the Tokyo metropolis to attack them was more than a little frightening.
He was not looking forward to whoever (whatever?) was behind this incredible artillery.
**************************************
With a sigh, Takato dismissed his toolbox, the bomb in front of him no longer a threat. He rubbed his eyes; precision work under poor illumination conditions triggered a bothersome ache on the back of his eyeballs.
The sound of something big and heavy smashing the side of a car drew TakatoÆs attention.
ôAh, right,ö he spoke in the voice on one who might as well be reading the shopping list. ôYouÆre still around.ö
Of course, Matadrmon was still quite busy tearing his way through the seemingly endless onslaught of Guilmon. The red dinosaurs followed no tactics other than jumping at the Undead Digimon and trying to rip it apart. It was not very effective, and Takato could see Matadrmon was a powerful Digimon by the ease with which it destroyed his admittedly flawed copies. However, the objective had always been keeping him away from Takato, and at that his fakes most definitely succeeded.
There was no audiovisual cue from Takato, but his copies stopped their assault and pulled back, the closer one staying a cautious four steps away from the Perfect Digimon. Matadrmon was not Digimon of few words and almost as few actions, and immediately took aim at Takato.
ôThousand Arrow.ö
The High Speed Plug-In he had slashed at the very beginning of that round was enough to move his body away from the thrown rapiers. Ignoring how they ended up buried in the concrete wall behind him, Takato immediately Dreamt a copy of BeelzebumonÆs shotgun and fired in retaliation, forcing Matadrmon to rethink his plan to move on to melee.
ôI disabled the bomb and I have the third hint. Are you still going to stand in my way?ö
The enemy Digimon said nothing but instead lowering his stance, its predatory gaze obviously focused in finding the chance to unleash an effective offensive.
ôànot a mon of many words, I see.ö
Thanks to his quick work with the second bomb, the counter was now at around thirty-five minutes. Furthermore, the third hint proved as simple as the previous two. That did not mean he could afford to dally.
He would have to attack with his Crest to until he was afforded a few seconds to at least scanà
TakatoÆs planning lost all meaning when a ôholeö opened under MatadrmonÆs feet. The concrete was replaced by an unclear foggy image; the dark realm on the other side clouded by its very unsettling nature.
Matadrmon looked down at the portal which had already pulled his feet up to his ankles, and then he looked at the human boy; his visible yellow pupils gleaming in a perturbing manner.
Takato shrugged and began to walk towards the elevator behind MatadrmonÆs back. ôFortunately for you, the big boss is calling you back home.ö
The moment Takato stepped within melee reach; a single blade flew out of MatadrmonÆs right sleeve, only to crash with a copy of DukemonÆs Aegis in a downpour of golden sparks. The large round shield floating by TakatoÆs right side, moving along with the boy as he walked past Matadrmon with the barest hint of interest in the Undead.
ôNext time we meet IÆll be happy to crush you,ö Takato finished with a voice as contemptuous as his uncaring eyes.
The message was clear.
You are of so little relevance I can afford to choose when to destroy you.
Takato left the sinking Matadrmon behind, dismissing his floating shield as if challenging the Dark Area Digimon to throw another of his rapiers as his unprotected back. Whether he actually did it or not did not really matter.
The Biggest DreamerÆs mind was already on the third location and the third bomb.
***********************************
In the Game Room, with his left cheek resting on his open left palm and his elbow resting on the wide armrest of his tall seat, Takato raised an eyebrow. Lucemon returned the mildly inquisitorial stare with a somewhat naughty smirk as his right hand reached for the Matadrmon piece and removed it from play.
ôI have many pieces, but I donÆt throw away my strong ones so easily,ö the angel confessed. ôNext time IÆll use it against the Tamers. Mere Perfects are beneath you by this point, my dear Takato.ö
Takato did not show any outward response to the compliment while doing his best to ignore the ticklish flame of pride in his chest.
ôWhat are you up to, Lucemon?ö
The Child Digimon giggled briefly at that.
ôYou will have to be more specific, Takato. IÆm always up to something.ö
The boy did not say more. This merry bomb chaseàit was awfully suspicious.
It was just too easy. The hints were obvious, the bombs were easily to disable with the basic knowledge provided by the World Wide Web, and the obstacles were nothing to sweat about. Why didnÆt Lucemon just command Lilithmon to fight him? Now that would have been a fearsome obstacle.
Of course, the situation at the park was awfully suspicious. However, he could not join the Tamers before he was done with the last bomb.
It was obvious by now that Lucemon was planning something, and the longer he prolonged this ridiculous farce of a round the bigger the big reveal would be. Takato was already mentally prepared to deal with the fact that, whatever it was Lucemon had planned for the roundÆs climax, it would not be good for him.
ôWhat I can say is this.ö
TakatoÆs expression hardened; LucemonÆs words had captured his full attention, and the angel obviously reveled in it, as his ample smile portrayed.
ôI amàtired, Takato. Of your reluctance, of your hesitation. It is up to you to move the Game to the next stage, but you keepàclinging, to things. Worthless things.ö
It was a strange lecture. LucemonÆs voice was the voice of a disappointed father, of a jealous girlfriend and of a merciless judge. And it seemed father, girlfriend and judge were all eager to label him guilty.
ôTo those æfriendsÆ of yours. To that powerless doll. To that human I once called opponent. To that world you mean nothing to.ö Lucemon sighed dejectedly. ôHow many times do I have to say it, Takato?ö
ôYou cannot beat me like this.ö
TakatoÆs pupils looked away for a moment, but he forced himself to return the angelÆs bored stare. It would not do for Lucemon to see his shame, his acknowledgement of those words as truth, even if he greatly doubted his ability to hide such things from him.
ôIÆm getting bored, Takato. IÆm growing bored of Matsuda Takato.ö
The fallen angelÆs eyes narrowed in an unsubtle warning.
ôYou donÆt want me to become bored.ö
The tiny tip of a tiny tongue slid over LucemonÆs thin, colorless lips.
ôSo, today, you will do what you know you have to do. Otherwise, you will die.ö
He rolled his eyes in an overly dramatic fashion.
ôI was hoping this game would conclude with an epic confrontation: King against King! Dreams against Pride!ö Another exaggerated sigh of disappointment. ôBut, really, by this point, I donÆt care that much anymore. So, itÆs up to you now.ö
The angelÆs clear blue eyes twinkled teasingly and merrily.
ôItÆs up to you to reignite our flame, Takato-kun.ö
I write 1650 words and that's what you decide to discuss?
In all honesty, I'd be grateful for any input regarding why the story's not interesting and what I can do better. I don't have any better story ideas at the moment, so I really want to keep going with this.
*************************************
*************************************
ôThe third bomb is at the place where eternal rest was denied to that person.ö
Like a gargoyle, NeoDevimon was perched on top of a tall, obelisk-like monument to the deceased members of some family. Surrounded by such landmarks, in a place for the living to let their deadÆs remains have their final rest, the synthetic Digimon made for an odd sight. It was still a recognizable sight, though, and thus the cemetery was currently deserted.
This was the place where LucemonÆs former opponent should have been laid to rest. However, she is not there because this is a world where that person never existed in the first place.
Thus, NeoDevimon waited like a gargoyle on top of a completely random family stone. It mattered little, the exact location; there was no way Matsuda Takato would fail to noticeù
A human-sized golden arrow rammed the artificial demon with dramatic force. Time stilled for NeoDevimon; an instant extending into a lifetime as the shell of data that constituted his body rippled like the surface of a pond disturbed by a small rock. The fist that struck his face pulled back an infinitesimal amount, and the vacuum in that minuscule boundary pulled outside air within with ridiculous force.
The small eternity collapsed; time returned to its usual, imperturbable pace, and NeoDevimon was blown away past and through numerous family shrines. The monster rolled like a kicked trash can, but artificial instincts engraved in its core urged him to act: to create a screen, to maintain a distance and stop the sudden attacker from ruling the pace of their confrontation.
ôGuilty Claw,ö a monotone voice announced the special attack. NeoDevimonÆs extendable arms reached for the place it knew the offender wasù
The same fistùthe right fist, actuallyùstruck the underside of his jaw. The uppercut sent him flying well above the labyrinthine walkways of the old graveyard.
Too fast! The opponent was too fast! Tactics needed to be modified; it might be wiser to force him to keep a distance with Deep Sorrowù
The inexpressive NeoDevimon released a frightening howl of pain when his backside struck the ground. Family tombstones all around him shuddered as if ominously approving of his execution.
A double stomp.
The same enemy which had delivered the uppercut had moved above him to pin him to the ground with both feet. On a (somewhat) positive note, NeoDevimon could finally see and identify the aggressor, and the identity triggered alarms inscribed in its data since its creation.
The Royal Knight, Magnaùno.
The target. LucemonÆs opponent, Matsuda Takato, clad in MagnamonÆs golden armor.
His eyes, the only feature of his face visible under the helmet, looked down at the artificial fallen angel with something akin to pity.
ôIàö Takato began, and then stopped.
Creating hordes of Guilmon, while pathetically easy, was also rather draining. As his bad feeling grew in intensity and urgency, Takato had decided to be conservative of his energy reserves. While his ôGolden Modeö was, of course, an additional strain on his body, it was an affordable way to clear the way to the third bomb.
Takato had the feeling he would need all the time he could get for the final bomb.
ôIàö he began again. ôàreally donÆt have time for you.ö
One minute.
That was the most he would allow himself to waste on his pawn.
NeoDevimon felt no fear.
But that was only because fear made no part of his algorithm.
**********************************
It turned out that Ruki was right, after all. However, there was no way in hell she could have fiured out the whole truth before seeing it with her own eyes. Even after seeing it, she was not sure she could make heads and tails of it.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: LUCIFER CODE: PRIDE
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 1
That was the glowing golden text she could read around the two Zudomon floating just about a quarter of a kilometer off the Tokyo marina. While she could not figure that out, the mystery of the savage ice bombardment was clearly solved before her eyes.
Even as they approached, man-sized balls of ocean water floated upwards and over the ocean surface, hovering for a moment before reshaping into spears and solidifying, joining those already created and floating around the two hulking Perfect Digimon.
It was, after all, ZudomonÆs Glacier Spear, used repeatedly, dozens and dozens of times before releasing all the created spears of ice at once. It explained the rather long delay between bombardments. How the two aquatic Digimon could track their position kilometers away was anyoneÆs guess.
ôAlright, letÆs deal with those two before they can fire another volley.ö
Jenrya did not comment on the fact that they probably would have little problem firing the icicles they already had æin handÆ.
ôTerriermon, weÆre evolving.ö
Ruki frowned at that, before remembering RapidmonÆs and ZudomonÆs respective Types.
ôUm, good plan,ö Rapidmon accepted. ôIf thatÆs really the Crest of Pride, those Zudomon are probably stronger than average.ö
Jenrya in his arms and Sakuyamon next to him shot him careful looks.
ôàyou guys have a lot to explain when weÆre done with this,ö Ruki stated within the core of her partnerÆs Ultimate form.
ôAye-aye.ö
The moment Sakuyamon flew ahead to begin their offensive, the twin Zudomon interrupted their ôritualö and released the icicles they had so far prepared. She had expected that, but that made it no less annoying. She forced herself to hover in front of the glowing duo behind her, protecting herself and them both with a barrier so that their evolution would not be interrupted. When one of the Zudomon raised his Thor Hammer, Sakuyamon tensed herself in anticipation of whatever was coming.
ôIce Lord Bump!ö
The hammer smashed the seawater, raising a tremendous tidal wave in every direction. However, the water froze as quickly as it was raised and pushed away, so that SakuyamonÆs relatively small barrier clashed with a wall of ice thirty times taller than her.
ôAgh, shitùö Sakuyamon grunted as her barrier threatened to shatter under the pressure of tons and tons of ice. ôTake your sweet time, Lee!ö
With a war cry, the newly evolved SaintGalgomon met the wall of ice with his right first, effectively making a holeàfrom which a flying chrome digizoid hammer flew straight to SaintGalgmonÆs face.
ôOW!ö
ôLaaaaaameàö
ôShut up!ö the huge machine Digimon blurted in the high-pitched voice of Lee JenryaÆs Child-level partner.
Sakuyamon cautiously watched the flying hammer return to its ownerÆs hand like a boomerang before hiding behind the wall of ice. SaintGalgomon saw her and wisely chose to do the same. They had noticed the blobs of ocean water changing into icicle spears even as the Zudomon had used other, different attacks.
ôàautomatic?ö Ruki wondered, not finding any other explanation for that.
ôàis this the power of that æCrest of PrideÆ thing Lopmon mentioned?ö Jenrya added to the inquiry, and SaintGalgomonÆs head tilted forwards in a nod.
ôUm. Most likely.ö
The two Ultimates exchanged serious looks.
ôàweÆll have to cooperate.ö
Sakuyamon nodded in response to JenryaÆs statement. They would be swarmed with multiple attacks the moment they stepped out of hiding, and the longer they waited the worse it would be.
The God Man Digimon shrugged dismissingly.
ôBetter you than most of the alternatives,ö she admitted in a somewhat joking tone, and the other Digimon smirked at that.
ôWell sorry weÆre not your darling Taka-ow.ö
ôOw,ö Jenrya mumbled in unison with his partner.
ôDonÆt expect me to apologize.ö
In all honesty, I'd be grateful for any input regarding why the story's not interesting and what I can do better. I don't have any better story ideas at the moment, so I really want to keep going with this.
*************************************
*************************************
ôThe third bomb is at the place where eternal rest was denied to that person.ö
Like a gargoyle, NeoDevimon was perched on top of a tall, obelisk-like monument to the deceased members of some family. Surrounded by such landmarks, in a place for the living to let their deadÆs remains have their final rest, the synthetic Digimon made for an odd sight. It was still a recognizable sight, though, and thus the cemetery was currently deserted.
This was the place where LucemonÆs former opponent should have been laid to rest. However, she is not there because this is a world where that person never existed in the first place.
Thus, NeoDevimon waited like a gargoyle on top of a completely random family stone. It mattered little, the exact location; there was no way Matsuda Takato would fail to noticeù
A human-sized golden arrow rammed the artificial demon with dramatic force. Time stilled for NeoDevimon; an instant extending into a lifetime as the shell of data that constituted his body rippled like the surface of a pond disturbed by a small rock. The fist that struck his face pulled back an infinitesimal amount, and the vacuum in that minuscule boundary pulled outside air within with ridiculous force.
The small eternity collapsed; time returned to its usual, imperturbable pace, and NeoDevimon was blown away past and through numerous family shrines. The monster rolled like a kicked trash can, but artificial instincts engraved in its core urged him to act: to create a screen, to maintain a distance and stop the sudden attacker from ruling the pace of their confrontation.
ôGuilty Claw,ö a monotone voice announced the special attack. NeoDevimonÆs extendable arms reached for the place it knew the offender wasù
The same fistùthe right fist, actuallyùstruck the underside of his jaw. The uppercut sent him flying well above the labyrinthine walkways of the old graveyard.
Too fast! The opponent was too fast! Tactics needed to be modified; it might be wiser to force him to keep a distance with Deep Sorrowù
The inexpressive NeoDevimon released a frightening howl of pain when his backside struck the ground. Family tombstones all around him shuddered as if ominously approving of his execution.
A double stomp.
The same enemy which had delivered the uppercut had moved above him to pin him to the ground with both feet. On a (somewhat) positive note, NeoDevimon could finally see and identify the aggressor, and the identity triggered alarms inscribed in its data since its creation.
The Royal Knight, Magnaùno.
The target. LucemonÆs opponent, Matsuda Takato, clad in MagnamonÆs golden armor.
His eyes, the only feature of his face visible under the helmet, looked down at the artificial fallen angel with something akin to pity.
ôIàö Takato began, and then stopped.
Creating hordes of Guilmon, while pathetically easy, was also rather draining. As his bad feeling grew in intensity and urgency, Takato had decided to be conservative of his energy reserves. While his ôGolden Modeö was, of course, an additional strain on his body, it was an affordable way to clear the way to the third bomb.
Takato had the feeling he would need all the time he could get for the final bomb.
ôIàö he began again. ôàreally donÆt have time for you.ö
One minute.
That was the most he would allow himself to waste on his pawn.
NeoDevimon felt no fear.
But that was only because fear made no part of his algorithm.
**********************************
It turned out that Ruki was right, after all. However, there was no way in hell she could have fiured out the whole truth before seeing it with her own eyes. Even after seeing it, she was not sure she could make heads and tails of it.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: LUCIFER CODE: PRIDE
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 1
That was the glowing golden text she could read around the two Zudomon floating just about a quarter of a kilometer off the Tokyo marina. While she could not figure that out, the mystery of the savage ice bombardment was clearly solved before her eyes.
Even as they approached, man-sized balls of ocean water floated upwards and over the ocean surface, hovering for a moment before reshaping into spears and solidifying, joining those already created and floating around the two hulking Perfect Digimon.
It was, after all, ZudomonÆs Glacier Spear, used repeatedly, dozens and dozens of times before releasing all the created spears of ice at once. It explained the rather long delay between bombardments. How the two aquatic Digimon could track their position kilometers away was anyoneÆs guess.
ôAlright, letÆs deal with those two before they can fire another volley.ö
Jenrya did not comment on the fact that they probably would have little problem firing the icicles they already had æin handÆ.
ôTerriermon, weÆre evolving.ö
Ruki frowned at that, before remembering RapidmonÆs and ZudomonÆs respective Types.
ôUm, good plan,ö Rapidmon accepted. ôIf thatÆs really the Crest of Pride, those Zudomon are probably stronger than average.ö
Jenrya in his arms and Sakuyamon next to him shot him careful looks.
ôàyou guys have a lot to explain when weÆre done with this,ö Ruki stated within the core of her partnerÆs Ultimate form.
ôAye-aye.ö
The moment Sakuyamon flew ahead to begin their offensive, the twin Zudomon interrupted their ôritualö and released the icicles they had so far prepared. She had expected that, but that made it no less annoying. She forced herself to hover in front of the glowing duo behind her, protecting herself and them both with a barrier so that their evolution would not be interrupted. When one of the Zudomon raised his Thor Hammer, Sakuyamon tensed herself in anticipation of whatever was coming.
ôIce Lord Bump!ö
The hammer smashed the seawater, raising a tremendous tidal wave in every direction. However, the water froze as quickly as it was raised and pushed away, so that SakuyamonÆs relatively small barrier clashed with a wall of ice thirty times taller than her.
ôAgh, shitùö Sakuyamon grunted as her barrier threatened to shatter under the pressure of tons and tons of ice. ôTake your sweet time, Lee!ö
With a war cry, the newly evolved SaintGalgomon met the wall of ice with his right first, effectively making a holeàfrom which a flying chrome digizoid hammer flew straight to SaintGalgmonÆs face.
ôOW!ö
ôLaaaaaameàö
ôShut up!ö the huge machine Digimon blurted in the high-pitched voice of Lee JenryaÆs Child-level partner.
Sakuyamon cautiously watched the flying hammer return to its ownerÆs hand like a boomerang before hiding behind the wall of ice. SaintGalgomon saw her and wisely chose to do the same. They had noticed the blobs of ocean water changing into icicle spears even as the Zudomon had used other, different attacks.
ôàautomatic?ö Ruki wondered, not finding any other explanation for that.
ôàis this the power of that æCrest of PrideÆ thing Lopmon mentioned?ö Jenrya added to the inquiry, and SaintGalgomonÆs head tilted forwards in a nod.
ôUm. Most likely.ö
The two Ultimates exchanged serious looks.
ôàweÆll have to cooperate.ö
Sakuyamon nodded in response to JenryaÆs statement. They would be swarmed with multiple attacks the moment they stepped out of hiding, and the longer they waited the worse it would be.
The God Man Digimon shrugged dismissingly.
ôBetter you than most of the alternatives,ö she admitted in a somewhat joking tone, and the other Digimon smirked at that.
ôWell sorry weÆre not your darling Taka-ow.ö
ôOw,ö Jenrya mumbled in unison with his partner.
ôDonÆt expect me to apologize.ö
It's probably my fault, since I posted a DA snippit right after you.
Also, I forgot to comment on your previous post.
As for this one, we now know what Golden Mode is. Is Magnamon's armor Gold Digizoid? Magnamon X's is, but I don't know if it was ever stated for Magnamon?
And we now know what the ice arrows were about; I couldn't figure it out but it was as simple as 'one attack used more than once.'
But...if your asking for advice on the story (which I think has the second highest reply count in the A/M Previews section, so worry about it's popularity is kind of unfounded)...
I remember a post where you said:
And I think that's solid gold. A chance to have cool action and also expand on Takato's background.
But...we've only really gotten the former, so far. And while I enjoy watching Takato being a badass (and the Tamers, too, I guess), you've been hinting at things for the entire story, so while Gar and Balls help make this story great, there's a question that comes to mind when I think about GoB and it's:
"So. Takato and Lucemon...what's that about?"
And answering that question completely would be a mistake (at least at this point, in my opinion), but as the author, you should tease mercilessly. Even if it isn't important to Takato and Lucemon's relationsip, even if it's just something that didn't happen in canon (or had a deeper meaning then in canon), that's an attention grabber. Even if it's just this small thing (and it could even be about Takato's time in the Digital World) like:
Takato gestured dismissively.
"Something like that would never happen to Renamon."
Lucemon lifted an eyebrow.
"What about that time Renamon rubbed that lamp and unleashed Lampmon and you had to dual him to rescue her?"
Takato blinked at him and then stared off into space in thought.
"That never happened!" He said after a minute.
At least not to Renamon...
And that was just something random. It doesn't have to be funny. It doesn't even need to be something that gets mentioned again. But you have to periods of time (pre-canon and post-canon) where all sorts of important stuff went down; milk it for all it's worth!
It's like with GOSPEL. You have this stuff and all of it's in the background. Most of it happened before the story; sometimes billions of years before the story. But in that background, you had, like, five epic storylines going on, and it all tied into the story, and it was amazing. I loved True Stories, especially when we just saw Lilith and Sophia hanging out or whatever, because they were super important to the story, but I knew jack all about them. And Shekinah came in later and my attention was grabbed because I knew jack all about her. But we knew they were important; that they drove the story.
And what you told us didn't reveal anything; not really. But it was interest as hell.
In GoB, as I see it, there are a five stories that are like those things were. Lucemon, Demon, the Crest of Dreams, the Return to the Digital World, and Ruki.
And we know nothing about them. And we shouldn't be allowed to know everything until climactic moments of the story.
But these are the five things that are moving the story; the rule of hinting and teasing says you should feel no shame for doing so.
And now for something completely different.
Speculation: Either a dimension hopper or someone Dreamt into existence.
Random speculation: I'm starting to think of AncientGreymon when Gold and Red spheres are mentioned.
Also, I forgot to comment on your previous post.
As for this one, we now know what Golden Mode is. Is Magnamon's armor Gold Digizoid? Magnamon X's is, but I don't know if it was ever stated for Magnamon?
And we now know what the ice arrows were about; I couldn't figure it out but it was as simple as 'one attack used more than once.'
But...if your asking for advice on the story (which I think has the second highest reply count in the A/M Previews section, so worry about it's popularity is kind of unfounded)...
I remember a post where you said:
And I think that's solid gold. A chance to have cool action and also expand on Takato's background.
But...we've only really gotten the former, so far. And while I enjoy watching Takato being a badass (and the Tamers, too, I guess), you've been hinting at things for the entire story, so while Gar and Balls help make this story great, there's a question that comes to mind when I think about GoB and it's:
"So. Takato and Lucemon...what's that about?"
And answering that question completely would be a mistake (at least at this point, in my opinion), but as the author, you should tease mercilessly. Even if it isn't important to Takato and Lucemon's relationsip, even if it's just something that didn't happen in canon (or had a deeper meaning then in canon), that's an attention grabber. Even if it's just this small thing (and it could even be about Takato's time in the Digital World) like:
Takato gestured dismissively.
"Something like that would never happen to Renamon."
Lucemon lifted an eyebrow.
"What about that time Renamon rubbed that lamp and unleashed Lampmon and you had to dual him to rescue her?"
Takato blinked at him and then stared off into space in thought.
"That never happened!" He said after a minute.
At least not to Renamon...
And that was just something random. It doesn't have to be funny. It doesn't even need to be something that gets mentioned again. But you have to periods of time (pre-canon and post-canon) where all sorts of important stuff went down; milk it for all it's worth!
It's like with GOSPEL. You have this stuff and all of it's in the background. Most of it happened before the story; sometimes billions of years before the story. But in that background, you had, like, five epic storylines going on, and it all tied into the story, and it was amazing. I loved True Stories, especially when we just saw Lilith and Sophia hanging out or whatever, because they were super important to the story, but I knew jack all about them. And Shekinah came in later and my attention was grabbed because I knew jack all about her. But we knew they were important; that they drove the story.
And what you told us didn't reveal anything; not really. But it was interest as hell.
In GoB, as I see it, there are a five stories that are like those things were. Lucemon, Demon, the Crest of Dreams, the Return to the Digital World, and Ruki.
And we know nothing about them. And we shouldn't be allowed to know everything until climactic moments of the story.
But these are the five things that are moving the story; the rule of hinting and teasing says you should feel no shame for doing so.
And now for something completely different.
Speculation: Either a dimension hopper or someone Dreamt into existence.
Random speculation: I'm starting to think of AncientGreymon when Gold and Red spheres are mentioned.
I'm not nearly as pathetic as to blame the works of others, interesting as they are, for my own deficiencies. Nonetheless, thank you for the kind gesture.
EDIT: also, number of posts is not an accurate statistic. Naturally a fic in this forum with almost 200000 words will have much more posts than the vast majority. If I looked at the number of comments I would have to conclude Genkyouien is my best fanfic ever (it isn't).
It is the posts-to-views ratio which provides a better measurement of how much interest and discussion a fic in this forum generates. In that regard, I consider this fic a failure.
No, it is merely Chrome Digizoid + Digimental of Miracles.
Takato is kicking ass because he's constantly rolling twenties right now.
I am aware of this, but I always hold back on doing it. In a story as long as this one, teasing after teasing may end up frustrating the readers.
By the end of this chapter the deal with Ruki should be 99% obvious. In any case, with the upcoming fight against Leviamon and the following mini-saga, in which we change main characters for a while, most of the important stuff will be made clear. After that it's pretty much non-stop fighting until the Endgame.
As for GOSPEL, I am painfully aware that the big mysteries of that setting only began to be revealed in Book Four, and many things would remain unclear until the very end...and probably even after that. The GOSPEL setting was a monster, and that's the main reason I gave up on it. As much fun as I had creating it, and as much as I love what I created, I realized I was not enough writer to bring it to life.
EDIT: also, number of posts is not an accurate statistic. Naturally a fic in this forum with almost 200000 words will have much more posts than the vast majority. If I looked at the number of comments I would have to conclude Genkyouien is my best fanfic ever (it isn't).
It is the posts-to-views ratio which provides a better measurement of how much interest and discussion a fic in this forum generates. In that regard, I consider this fic a failure.
No, it is merely Chrome Digizoid + Digimental of Miracles.
Takato is kicking ass because he's constantly rolling twenties right now.
I am aware of this, but I always hold back on doing it. In a story as long as this one, teasing after teasing may end up frustrating the readers.
By the end of this chapter the deal with Ruki should be 99% obvious. In any case, with the upcoming fight against Leviamon and the following mini-saga, in which we change main characters for a while, most of the important stuff will be made clear. After that it's pretty much non-stop fighting until the Endgame.
As for GOSPEL, I am painfully aware that the big mysteries of that setting only began to be revealed in Book Four, and many things would remain unclear until the very end...and probably even after that. The GOSPEL setting was a monster, and that's the main reason I gave up on it. As much fun as I had creating it, and as much as I love what I created, I realized I was not enough writer to bring it to life.
Eh Im a bit of a lurker, but I will say I love the story. I usually post on my rare occasions where I think I realize part of what will happen, but that last snippet was very clear. Good, but due to clarity, and not seeing any major flaws I saw no need to post. I would assume that is what many thought.
...that...is not a good thing.
But I digress. Let's finish this chapter, and then I shall think about the future of this story.
*****************************************
*****************************************
ôHello, hello~ö an unusuallyàperky Avatar of Lust greeted merrily as she came into being inside the Game Room. ôSorry I was late, but I really needed to masturùgyaaaaaaa!ö
ôGoddess of Darkness.ö
The edgeùthe room was circular, thus æcornerÆ did not fitùof the room Lilithmon stood had become darker, filled with the ominous, incorporeal presence of the Digimon master of time and space.
ôMi-Mi, Miàö Two blinks later, the female Demon Lord had regained her usual groove. ôMillenniumon!ö
A pause.
ôàwhat are you doing here?ö
Well, maybe not her usual groove.
Even if the darkness did not recede, Lilithmon somehow knew the Wicked GodÆs attention had moved away from her. She did not mind being ignored or looked down upon by that absurd monster.
The dark ambience created by MillenniumonÆs presence contrasted with the radiance emitted by the two players. With their respective Crests activated, they filled the tiny Game Room with golden light. Yet, at the same time, the purity and warmth of that light contrasted itself with the vibrating tension filling the space between the two playersÆ seats.
Takato looked furious. He was no longer pleasantly sprawled on his large seat, but instead his body vibrated impatiently, as if eager to leap at Lucemon any moment now.
ôHowàHow could you!?ö he howled, his voice only a few decibels under pollution levels.
Lucemon ceremoniously rolled his eyes.
ôHow could I. Please spare me the stupid questions, Takato.ö
The boy across the fallen angel snarled in response. His body leaned back slightly, but suddenly he became aware of that unconscious attempt at relaxing his posture and went stiff once more.
ôBut anyway,ö Lucemon continued, clapping exactly once. ôNow that only the fourth bomb is left, and only my two Zudomon remain, itÆs time for this roundÆs extra event!ö
Only TakatoÆs right eyebrow twitched.
ôàwhat?ö
The small angel smiled cheerfully.
ôOh, oh, my precious Takatoàö he began in his trademark chiding, condescending tone. ôAll those preparations IÆve set in the park; I didnÆt do that just for some laughs~ö
Takato blinked. Of course.
Unfortunately for him, face-palming would probably only further LucemonÆs amusement. So he could only stay perfectly still, allowing the painful chill to course through his body like a mix of dried ice and potent toxin.
What have I done!?
This entire round he had acted under the assumption that the objective of the round was to disarm the bombs. The Realized Digimon were there to keep the Tamers busy and unable to help him with the bombs. When ChaosDukemon ended up wrapped in that cocoon of data, it became obvious there was more to these ôdistractionsö, but Takato still moved on with his bomb game, thinking the Digimon issue was something he could deal with after the fourth bomb was found and disabled.
He was right, in a way. Disarming the bombs was the objective. But only to Takato.
The bombs were a means to keep Takato busy and unable to assist the Tamers with the Realized Digimon and the mystery cocoon.
ôSo, for the sake of my personal entertainment, I will give you one last chance, Takato-kun,ö Lucemon declared.
ôSomethingùor somethingsùwill eventually come out from that cocoon. If you can figure out what it will be before the cocoon opens, then I will retrieve itùor themùfrom the board, if only for this round.ö LucemonÆs pupils gleamed with cruel expectation. ôIf you fail, whatever comes out of the cocoon will attack and destroy your friends, your family and everything you hold dear.ö
Takato glared at the angel for his crudeness while a part of him wished that were simply a thoughtless joke from LucemonÆs part.
Of course, he knew better.
ôBastard,ö he uttered in a low, bestial tone Lucemon apparently relished, if his chuckles were to be interpreted.
ôThe cocoon will open, of course, when the contribution from the two remaining Wilds is provided.ö
In other words, when Sakuyamon and SaintGalgomon defeat the two Zudomon and their data reaches the cocoon.
ôAnd naturally, you still have to deal with the final bomb.ö
Takato had to close his eyes, for he did not want anyone to catch the dangerous amalgam of emotions they mirrored at the moment.
He had read the fourth and last hint.
ôThe final bomb is within the refuge of Envy.ö
Takato knew how Lucemon thought. For a moment after reading those words, TakatoÆs brain hoped for the safest interpretation: the bomb was in Katou JuriÆs house. However, that attempt at self-delusion did not work for long.
Katou JuriÆs house was not the refuge of Envy, only Katou JuriÆs.
The final bomb is inside Katou JuriÆs body.
It meant, of course, that the final bomb was considerably smaller than the other three. It would not deal nearly as much damage as those three could have achievedàwell, maybe not the third, being placed in a graveyard and all. No, the real threats had been the first bomb, due to its power; and the second bomb, due to its location.
This fourth bomb was obviously meant to kill Katou Juri and Katou Juri only. Any other victims caught in the blast would be merely a bonus. Lucemon did not worry about the Demon Lord JuriÆs body currently housed: Leviamon would simply return to the Dark Area until another suitable vessel was found.
It was a battle from both sides: a combat challenge to save Katou Juri and a mental challenge to save everybody else.
For a moment, his eyes caught LilithmonÆs. Of course, he found not compassion there. She was excited about the current state of the game; there was no denying that. Like Lucemon, she was looking forward to his response.
Takato buried his face in his hands. Suddenly, he felt so tiredà
ôYou seem to be troubled, Dreamer.ö
There was no inflection in ZeedMillenniumonÆs words. He was not mocking him, or really musing at his mental state. They were words said for the sake of saying them.
Takato had never expected support from anybody in this room, in the first place.
ôNotànot really,ö he admitted while sliding the hands that covered his face to instead comb his hair. He was not bluffing; in all honesty, he was more worried about LucemonÆs latest addition to the round than about the Avatar of Envy. At least there were no surprises on that side: fight Leviamon, defeat Leviamon, save Juri. Actual difficulty level of such feats put aside, of course.
No, figuring out the contents of that cocoon was the real problem. He would need to think, and think would take time he needed to fight god-forsaken Leviamon. The subjective time inside the Game Room would not help him this time, he could just feel it. He was not that fortunate.
He looked down at the Game Board. JuriÆs piece, permanently stuck to LeviamonÆs, was moving towards Tokyo Bay, where Ruki and Jenrya were fighting. Her approach was slow, and Takato guessed she was relying on the cityÆs public transportation system. However, she was getting close.
It was Leviamon, so a water environment would work to its advantage. Was that it? Was the Demon Lord of Envy moving towards its chosen battlefield?
That was when the weight of what was about to take place fully struck him.
Leviamon.
He was about to fight Leviamon.
A Demon Lord. A beast comparable to those accursed Royal Knights. One of the largest (if not the largest) denizens of the Digital World, possessing of incomparable physical might. When it comes to raw strength, no other Digimon could hope to match Leviamon.
And he intended to fight that beast.
It was not a question of powerùhe knew he had the power to defeat Leviamon; the power Lucemon wanted him to use. Not taking into account the price to be paid for that power, the sheer idea of facing that monster, of actually challenging itàit was making him tremble.
He never challenged the Royal Knights; they just stood in his way and he was forced to fight them to survive. This feeling; this indescribable terror that gripped his muscles and reminded him of his pathetic human frailty; it was the same feeling he experienced on that horribly windy day, when Omegamon of the Royal Knights appeared before him.
Lucemon was smiling. That damnable angel could tell, of course: his fear, his nervousness, his hesitation.
ôàwhy?ö
In the end, he asked.
Why did it have to be today? Why had Lucemon gone this far on that day of all days? Five years before, on that same day, Lucemon took the life of his most precious friend. Five years later, the stakes had grown to include everything.
Matsuda Takato was standing at the edge of a precipice, and he did not have the fortune of being permitted to turn back and walk away. This was a precipice he had to jump into. It was just a matter of when, and Takato had hoped he would have at least the chance to choose when to jump.
It appeared Lucemon was intent on denying him even that choice.
ôWhy, you ask.ö
LucemonÆs smile had disappeared. Suddenly, the rest of Lucemon disappeared as well, and next thing Takato knew he was being pinned to the back of his chair by a slender hand wrapped around his neck. It had become exceedingly difficult to breatheàwait, did he even need to breathe in that place?
ôTakato, Takato, Takatoàö LucemonÆs velvety voice tickled his right ear. ôWhy do you have to be soàinconsistent?ö
There was a gulp. It was not his. Lilithmon, then?
ôI should not have to repeat this, my boy. You. Are. My. Toy.ö
His voice had dropped with each word until the last became but a whisper caressing his ear canal. The grip on his throat strengthened. Takato did not fear asphyxia, but at this rate his neck would simply snap.
ôThis Game will last for as long as you manage to amuse me,ö Lucemon continued. ôNot a moment longer. And, at the moment, I find you lacking.ö
The hand that threatened to crush his neck moved to reach his left cheek. The hand that would have easily broken him a moment ago proved also capable of the most tender touch.
ôThe moment you reach the limit of your powers, you also reached the limit of my patience. The limit of my interest.ö
TakatoÆs eyes never drifted. They would not try to gaze at the hand caressing his cheek, nor would he turn his head to look at the face of the Digimon speaking to his right ear. He was like a statue, trying his best to act unfeeling and uncaring of the DigimonÆs ambiguous closeness, as tender as it was dangerous.
ôIf you have shown me the extent of what you can do, then you are no longer interesting,ö Lucemon calmly explained. ôYou know what happens to uninteresting toys, donÆt you, Takato?ö
TakatoÆs lack of a response did not deter the angel in any way. He simply continued his monologue.
ôBut, you see, there is a problem with that.ö
The same tender hand that stroked his cheek then seized a handful of TakatoÆs hair and pulled the human boy away from the angel Digimon. A stray thought struck Takato: it looked like Lucemon was a vampire about to feast in his virginal blood.
The boyÆs eyes drifted to glance upwards at LucemonÆs irritated face. Unlike the Digimon, Takato concealed his emotions behind an imperturbable mask.
ôTakato,ö Lucemon spoke. ôThere is still something you refuse to show me. You know what I am talking about, do you not?ö
TakatoÆs unblinking stare appeared to be the only response Lucemon would receive.
Lilithmon could not stifle a gasp when Lucemon smashed his forehead against TakatoÆs. The boy winced and refused to open his eyes. His visual field would be full of Lucemon, in any case.
ôAnswer me, Matsuda Takato!ö
It was with watery eyes that Takato returned LucemonÆs demanding stare. No tears flowed, however, and his lips remained a flat line.
ôàthelema.ö
ôYes, Takato,ö Lucemon responded. ôThe alternate path. You may have tried to keep it a secret, but I saw it.ö
ôSo, show me, Takato. Show me what you can do with that power. Show me, for your performance will decide how much longer IÆll prolong my entertainment.ö
Takato knew he had to respond vocally, but he still took his sweet time.
He knew Lucemon. In a way, the young-looking angel was almost adorably honest. That is, in the sense that he never hesitated to voice his thoughts and his wishes.
Takato had to make a strong effort not to smile.
That honesty of Lucemonàwas sometimes a valuable tool.
ôàdo you mind?ö he finally spoke, doing his absolute best to sound disinterested. ôIÆd like to get this round done and over with.ö
Digimon and human stared at each other for several tense seconds of absolute silence, until Lucemon flickered his way back to his golden throne-like seat.
ôWell arenÆt you cocky?ö the Avatar of Pride taunted with a challenging, menacing tone. Takato shrugged.
ôDidnÆt you say it yourself? My actions decide how long this Game will take.ö
Settling into a comfortable posture in his ample seat, Takato elegantly crossed his right leg over the left.
ôDonÆt worry. I donÆt have the slightest intention to let the Game end just yet.ö
ôReally,ö Lucemon mockingly replied. ôThen I guess you wonÆt mind if I make this move.ö
TakatoÆs cool expression hardened once more when Lucemon pointed at LeviamonÆs piece.
ôLeviamon reaches the Tokyo Bay marina and attacks Sakuyamon and SaintGalgomon with lethal force.ö
The white pieceÆs slow approach in the direction of four of TakatoÆs pieces and two Zudomon continued inexorably.
ôYou haveàö Lucemon made the motion as if checking a wristwatch he did not wear. ôàthree minutes and forty-four seconds.ö
Takato nodded, more to himself and to the wicked angel. Determination and resignation mixed together into a tired, pain-stricken sigh.
It was, after all, the countdown to the end of whatever normalcy remained in his life. He could not help but feel a little sad, and thus he chuckled bitterly.
Of all the things he could have thought ofà
ôHeh,ö he uttered, uncaring of being heard by the Digimon audience in the Game Room.
ôàIÆm sorry, Ruki.ö
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CHAPTER 06 û END
But I digress. Let's finish this chapter, and then I shall think about the future of this story.
*****************************************
*****************************************
ôHello, hello~ö an unusuallyàperky Avatar of Lust greeted merrily as she came into being inside the Game Room. ôSorry I was late, but I really needed to masturùgyaaaaaaa!ö
ôGoddess of Darkness.ö
The edgeùthe room was circular, thus æcornerÆ did not fitùof the room Lilithmon stood had become darker, filled with the ominous, incorporeal presence of the Digimon master of time and space.
ôMi-Mi, Miàö Two blinks later, the female Demon Lord had regained her usual groove. ôMillenniumon!ö
A pause.
ôàwhat are you doing here?ö
Well, maybe not her usual groove.
Even if the darkness did not recede, Lilithmon somehow knew the Wicked GodÆs attention had moved away from her. She did not mind being ignored or looked down upon by that absurd monster.
The dark ambience created by MillenniumonÆs presence contrasted with the radiance emitted by the two players. With their respective Crests activated, they filled the tiny Game Room with golden light. Yet, at the same time, the purity and warmth of that light contrasted itself with the vibrating tension filling the space between the two playersÆ seats.
Takato looked furious. He was no longer pleasantly sprawled on his large seat, but instead his body vibrated impatiently, as if eager to leap at Lucemon any moment now.
ôHowàHow could you!?ö he howled, his voice only a few decibels under pollution levels.
Lucemon ceremoniously rolled his eyes.
ôHow could I. Please spare me the stupid questions, Takato.ö
The boy across the fallen angel snarled in response. His body leaned back slightly, but suddenly he became aware of that unconscious attempt at relaxing his posture and went stiff once more.
ôBut anyway,ö Lucemon continued, clapping exactly once. ôNow that only the fourth bomb is left, and only my two Zudomon remain, itÆs time for this roundÆs extra event!ö
Only TakatoÆs right eyebrow twitched.
ôàwhat?ö
The small angel smiled cheerfully.
ôOh, oh, my precious Takatoàö he began in his trademark chiding, condescending tone. ôAll those preparations IÆve set in the park; I didnÆt do that just for some laughs~ö
Takato blinked. Of course.
Unfortunately for him, face-palming would probably only further LucemonÆs amusement. So he could only stay perfectly still, allowing the painful chill to course through his body like a mix of dried ice and potent toxin.
What have I done!?
This entire round he had acted under the assumption that the objective of the round was to disarm the bombs. The Realized Digimon were there to keep the Tamers busy and unable to help him with the bombs. When ChaosDukemon ended up wrapped in that cocoon of data, it became obvious there was more to these ôdistractionsö, but Takato still moved on with his bomb game, thinking the Digimon issue was something he could deal with after the fourth bomb was found and disabled.
He was right, in a way. Disarming the bombs was the objective. But only to Takato.
The bombs were a means to keep Takato busy and unable to assist the Tamers with the Realized Digimon and the mystery cocoon.
ôSo, for the sake of my personal entertainment, I will give you one last chance, Takato-kun,ö Lucemon declared.
ôSomethingùor somethingsùwill eventually come out from that cocoon. If you can figure out what it will be before the cocoon opens, then I will retrieve itùor themùfrom the board, if only for this round.ö LucemonÆs pupils gleamed with cruel expectation. ôIf you fail, whatever comes out of the cocoon will attack and destroy your friends, your family and everything you hold dear.ö
Takato glared at the angel for his crudeness while a part of him wished that were simply a thoughtless joke from LucemonÆs part.
Of course, he knew better.
ôBastard,ö he uttered in a low, bestial tone Lucemon apparently relished, if his chuckles were to be interpreted.
ôThe cocoon will open, of course, when the contribution from the two remaining Wilds is provided.ö
In other words, when Sakuyamon and SaintGalgomon defeat the two Zudomon and their data reaches the cocoon.
ôAnd naturally, you still have to deal with the final bomb.ö
Takato had to close his eyes, for he did not want anyone to catch the dangerous amalgam of emotions they mirrored at the moment.
He had read the fourth and last hint.
ôThe final bomb is within the refuge of Envy.ö
Takato knew how Lucemon thought. For a moment after reading those words, TakatoÆs brain hoped for the safest interpretation: the bomb was in Katou JuriÆs house. However, that attempt at self-delusion did not work for long.
Katou JuriÆs house was not the refuge of Envy, only Katou JuriÆs.
The final bomb is inside Katou JuriÆs body.
It meant, of course, that the final bomb was considerably smaller than the other three. It would not deal nearly as much damage as those three could have achievedàwell, maybe not the third, being placed in a graveyard and all. No, the real threats had been the first bomb, due to its power; and the second bomb, due to its location.
This fourth bomb was obviously meant to kill Katou Juri and Katou Juri only. Any other victims caught in the blast would be merely a bonus. Lucemon did not worry about the Demon Lord JuriÆs body currently housed: Leviamon would simply return to the Dark Area until another suitable vessel was found.
It was a battle from both sides: a combat challenge to save Katou Juri and a mental challenge to save everybody else.
For a moment, his eyes caught LilithmonÆs. Of course, he found not compassion there. She was excited about the current state of the game; there was no denying that. Like Lucemon, she was looking forward to his response.
Takato buried his face in his hands. Suddenly, he felt so tiredà
ôYou seem to be troubled, Dreamer.ö
There was no inflection in ZeedMillenniumonÆs words. He was not mocking him, or really musing at his mental state. They were words said for the sake of saying them.
Takato had never expected support from anybody in this room, in the first place.
ôNotànot really,ö he admitted while sliding the hands that covered his face to instead comb his hair. He was not bluffing; in all honesty, he was more worried about LucemonÆs latest addition to the round than about the Avatar of Envy. At least there were no surprises on that side: fight Leviamon, defeat Leviamon, save Juri. Actual difficulty level of such feats put aside, of course.
No, figuring out the contents of that cocoon was the real problem. He would need to think, and think would take time he needed to fight god-forsaken Leviamon. The subjective time inside the Game Room would not help him this time, he could just feel it. He was not that fortunate.
He looked down at the Game Board. JuriÆs piece, permanently stuck to LeviamonÆs, was moving towards Tokyo Bay, where Ruki and Jenrya were fighting. Her approach was slow, and Takato guessed she was relying on the cityÆs public transportation system. However, she was getting close.
It was Leviamon, so a water environment would work to its advantage. Was that it? Was the Demon Lord of Envy moving towards its chosen battlefield?
That was when the weight of what was about to take place fully struck him.
Leviamon.
He was about to fight Leviamon.
A Demon Lord. A beast comparable to those accursed Royal Knights. One of the largest (if not the largest) denizens of the Digital World, possessing of incomparable physical might. When it comes to raw strength, no other Digimon could hope to match Leviamon.
And he intended to fight that beast.
It was not a question of powerùhe knew he had the power to defeat Leviamon; the power Lucemon wanted him to use. Not taking into account the price to be paid for that power, the sheer idea of facing that monster, of actually challenging itàit was making him tremble.
He never challenged the Royal Knights; they just stood in his way and he was forced to fight them to survive. This feeling; this indescribable terror that gripped his muscles and reminded him of his pathetic human frailty; it was the same feeling he experienced on that horribly windy day, when Omegamon of the Royal Knights appeared before him.
Lucemon was smiling. That damnable angel could tell, of course: his fear, his nervousness, his hesitation.
ôàwhy?ö
In the end, he asked.
Why did it have to be today? Why had Lucemon gone this far on that day of all days? Five years before, on that same day, Lucemon took the life of his most precious friend. Five years later, the stakes had grown to include everything.
Matsuda Takato was standing at the edge of a precipice, and he did not have the fortune of being permitted to turn back and walk away. This was a precipice he had to jump into. It was just a matter of when, and Takato had hoped he would have at least the chance to choose when to jump.
It appeared Lucemon was intent on denying him even that choice.
ôWhy, you ask.ö
LucemonÆs smile had disappeared. Suddenly, the rest of Lucemon disappeared as well, and next thing Takato knew he was being pinned to the back of his chair by a slender hand wrapped around his neck. It had become exceedingly difficult to breatheàwait, did he even need to breathe in that place?
ôTakato, Takato, Takatoàö LucemonÆs velvety voice tickled his right ear. ôWhy do you have to be soàinconsistent?ö
There was a gulp. It was not his. Lilithmon, then?
ôI should not have to repeat this, my boy. You. Are. My. Toy.ö
His voice had dropped with each word until the last became but a whisper caressing his ear canal. The grip on his throat strengthened. Takato did not fear asphyxia, but at this rate his neck would simply snap.
ôThis Game will last for as long as you manage to amuse me,ö Lucemon continued. ôNot a moment longer. And, at the moment, I find you lacking.ö
The hand that threatened to crush his neck moved to reach his left cheek. The hand that would have easily broken him a moment ago proved also capable of the most tender touch.
ôThe moment you reach the limit of your powers, you also reached the limit of my patience. The limit of my interest.ö
TakatoÆs eyes never drifted. They would not try to gaze at the hand caressing his cheek, nor would he turn his head to look at the face of the Digimon speaking to his right ear. He was like a statue, trying his best to act unfeeling and uncaring of the DigimonÆs ambiguous closeness, as tender as it was dangerous.
ôIf you have shown me the extent of what you can do, then you are no longer interesting,ö Lucemon calmly explained. ôYou know what happens to uninteresting toys, donÆt you, Takato?ö
TakatoÆs lack of a response did not deter the angel in any way. He simply continued his monologue.
ôBut, you see, there is a problem with that.ö
The same tender hand that stroked his cheek then seized a handful of TakatoÆs hair and pulled the human boy away from the angel Digimon. A stray thought struck Takato: it looked like Lucemon was a vampire about to feast in his virginal blood.
The boyÆs eyes drifted to glance upwards at LucemonÆs irritated face. Unlike the Digimon, Takato concealed his emotions behind an imperturbable mask.
ôTakato,ö Lucemon spoke. ôThere is still something you refuse to show me. You know what I am talking about, do you not?ö
TakatoÆs unblinking stare appeared to be the only response Lucemon would receive.
Lilithmon could not stifle a gasp when Lucemon smashed his forehead against TakatoÆs. The boy winced and refused to open his eyes. His visual field would be full of Lucemon, in any case.
ôAnswer me, Matsuda Takato!ö
It was with watery eyes that Takato returned LucemonÆs demanding stare. No tears flowed, however, and his lips remained a flat line.
ôàthelema.ö
ôYes, Takato,ö Lucemon responded. ôThe alternate path. You may have tried to keep it a secret, but I saw it.ö
ôSo, show me, Takato. Show me what you can do with that power. Show me, for your performance will decide how much longer IÆll prolong my entertainment.ö
Takato knew he had to respond vocally, but he still took his sweet time.
He knew Lucemon. In a way, the young-looking angel was almost adorably honest. That is, in the sense that he never hesitated to voice his thoughts and his wishes.
Takato had to make a strong effort not to smile.
That honesty of Lucemonàwas sometimes a valuable tool.
ôàdo you mind?ö he finally spoke, doing his absolute best to sound disinterested. ôIÆd like to get this round done and over with.ö
Digimon and human stared at each other for several tense seconds of absolute silence, until Lucemon flickered his way back to his golden throne-like seat.
ôWell arenÆt you cocky?ö the Avatar of Pride taunted with a challenging, menacing tone. Takato shrugged.
ôDidnÆt you say it yourself? My actions decide how long this Game will take.ö
Settling into a comfortable posture in his ample seat, Takato elegantly crossed his right leg over the left.
ôDonÆt worry. I donÆt have the slightest intention to let the Game end just yet.ö
ôReally,ö Lucemon mockingly replied. ôThen I guess you wonÆt mind if I make this move.ö
TakatoÆs cool expression hardened once more when Lucemon pointed at LeviamonÆs piece.
ôLeviamon reaches the Tokyo Bay marina and attacks Sakuyamon and SaintGalgomon with lethal force.ö
The white pieceÆs slow approach in the direction of four of TakatoÆs pieces and two Zudomon continued inexorably.
ôYou haveàö Lucemon made the motion as if checking a wristwatch he did not wear. ôàthree minutes and forty-four seconds.ö
Takato nodded, more to himself and to the wicked angel. Determination and resignation mixed together into a tired, pain-stricken sigh.
It was, after all, the countdown to the end of whatever normalcy remained in his life. He could not help but feel a little sad, and thus he chuckled bitterly.
Of all the things he could have thought ofà
ôHeh,ö he uttered, uncaring of being heard by the Digimon audience in the Game Room.
ôàIÆm sorry, Ruki.ö
*****************************************
CHAPTER 06 û END
Hmm, I wonder what's in the cocoon. Since Lucemon implied that it can destroy all of Takato's friends, it should be REALLY powerful, but probably not stronger than Lucemon himself.
My first thoughts were Megidramon, but while Megidramon is powerful and can cause massive destruction... I'm pretty sure Sakuyamon, SaintGalgomon, and Justimon can take him, especially if they team up against him (Beelzebumon did it one-on-one, then again he's a Demon Lord so...). Plus there's the matter of not attracting Yggdrasil's attention.
A remnant of the D-Reaper, perhaps?
It's probably not Milleniumon, since he's sitting right there in the Game Room.
Arkadimon is plausible, but I remember him requiring A LOT of data to create, and I don't know if ChaosDukemon plus the others are enough...
Metamorphmon (from the V-Tamer special chapter) could be interesting, he probably starts off weak, but unless they figure out his weakness...
My first thoughts were Megidramon, but while Megidramon is powerful and can cause massive destruction... I'm pretty sure Sakuyamon, SaintGalgomon, and Justimon can take him, especially if they team up against him (Beelzebumon did it one-on-one, then again he's a Demon Lord so...). Plus there's the matter of not attracting Yggdrasil's attention.
A remnant of the D-Reaper, perhaps?
It's probably not Milleniumon, since he's sitting right there in the Game Room.
Arkadimon is plausible, but I remember him requiring A LOT of data to create, and I don't know if ChaosDukemon plus the others are enough...
Metamorphmon (from the V-Tamer special chapter) could be interesting, he probably starts off weak, but unless they figure out his weakness...
...some odd came to me, but I'm not entirely sure if I have all the entire facts...
Was Takato's nee-san/aunt/Lucemon's previous opponent ever have her looks described?
If not, then my idea is that Ruki was created through the use of Takato's power to have his nee-san back, but because he was young and his powers were still developing, he failed to bring her to the age he knew her as.
I'm pretty damn sure that I'm completely wrong on it, but hey...it was an odd idea that hit me and it won't leave me alone till I put it down SOMEWHERE.
Was Takato's nee-san/aunt/Lucemon's previous opponent ever have her looks described?
If not, then my idea is that Ruki was created through the use of Takato's power to have his nee-san back, but because he was young and his powers were still developing, he failed to bring her to the age he knew her as.
I'm pretty damn sure that I'm completely wrong on it, but hey...it was an odd idea that hit me and it won't leave me alone till I put it down SOMEWHERE.