Digimon Ruins of Babylon
- Thread starter Daneel Rush
- Start date
I get the feeling that Takato is using Grandracmon for his own purposes. However remember even the Seven Great Demon Lords don't want to face Grandracmon head on. He is just that powerful, and implied to have had a hand in the creation of the Dark Area itself, as well as knowledge of Death X Evolution, you know the whole zombie digimon thing, that resulted in this guy <a href='http://wikimon.net/Death-X-DORUgoramon' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Death X Dorugoramon</a>. Even if he outsmarts Grandracmon messing with someone with that kind of power is dangerous. Unless Takato has a way of taking him out permanently then this is a very risky move.
Which is what makes this all the more interesting.
Which is what makes this all the more interesting.
With haste and no hesitation, Matsuda Takato opened his eyes.
He wasted no time identifying his position in time and space. He was in a hospital, and there was a convenient placed clock on the wall to his left stating it was 7:41 PM.
There was not a second to waste.
Not a sound came out of his mouth when he pulled the catheter plugged to his left arm.
ôADNI.ö
While he felt he could use his body well enough, it did not change the fact it had been laying on that bed for several months. His muscles were not only weakened by the degradation; they were also atrophied by disuse. Thus magical reinforcement was a must.
After this, he needed to travel, and fast. It would be best if he were back on this bed before LucemonÆs made his way through the limbo he had sent him to.
ôSHU.ö
By invoking a secret name, the manipulation of air became possible.
His thin figure shot out of the hospital window just in time to escape GranDracmonÆs imprisonment.
*************************************
Makino Ruki was already getting used to night calls. It did not make them any less annoying.
After returning from the hospital, she had taken off her school uniform and changed to casual clothes. The phone ringing caught her on her futon, staring up at the ceiling as if it could provide her with answers or a direction. The device was within reach of her right hand.
ôRuki.ö
ôDoll.ö
The red-aired young girl frowned in obvious annoyance.
ôHow did you get this number?ö Ruki growled right before noticing there was another incoming call, this time from Hypnos.
ôKatou gave it to me,ö Kuroyama Takako coldly responded from the other side of the wireless connection. ôLook outside. You can see the hospital from there, canÆt you?ö
Ruki was already opening her bedroomÆs door at æhospitalÆ.
ôWhaà?ö
After D-Reaper, it was by far the most overt and overwhelming disruption of the natural order ever since she learned Digimon were real. The Shagghai wormhole had nothing on this.
Crystal.
Beautiful, yet eerie. It scattered the artificial lights of Shinjuku like an angry puppeteer lashing out at his creations, showering the surrounding buildings with wavering, amorphous light shapes like the moonÆs reflection on a disturbed pond.
It had encased the hospital building Takato was residing in, like a beautiful translucent tomb.
ôTakaàöthe word ended up stuck in her throat, and her right hand gripped the cell phone a little too hard.
ôIf you care for onii-sama at all you will come here; I donÆt think even I can deal with this on my own.ö
ôHmmùwait, what?ö Ruki suddenly stared at the device, as if she could look at Takako through it. ôWhy you talking like you didnÆt do this?ö
ôBecause this is not the work of the Great Demon Lords. Now get moving, dolly; it seems weÆll be working together for a short while.ö
***************************************
In the enveloping darkness GranDracmon had picked as a æGame RoomÆ, the Vampire Lord stared at TakatoÆs moving piece.
ôHnn,ö he murmured. ôNo matter where you go, there is no escape.ö
TakatoÆs eyes were burrowed on the board, as more and more pieces of crystal emerged on his side of the battlefield.
While GranDracmon lacked a Crest, he was far from powerless. Like LucemonÆs HegemonÆs Sovereignty and TakatoÆs The Black Covenant, GranDracmon had Crystal Avalon. Unlike LucemonÆs and TakatoÆs ôcommandö powers, GranDracmonÆs was not æa power created for the GameÆ. It was a power he had at all times, which also worked during the Game.
Within the boundary of his crystalline domain, GranDracmon can create and perceive anything and everything at will. While his perception power is unlimited, his creation power is limited by his intrinsic capacity to fuel the creative effort. Furthermore, the limits to what he can create become more stringent the further from himself he creates them.
It explains, then, why GranDracmon is not really interested in reclaiming the whole extent of the Dark Area. Within his small domain, he is God. And God needs no armies, for he can mold them from the endless streams of loose data that make the uncharted expanses of the Dark Area.
After spying on LucemonÆs Gate of Deadly Sins, it was just a matter of time to reverse-engineer it within his crystal fortress. However, just like LucemonÆs Gate, GranDracmonÆs reproduction was incapable of accepting a Digimon of his magnitude through. Not that he cared for that, though.
Just like Lucemon, GranDracmon could deploy virtually infinite numbers of troops, given enough time and energy. Unlike Lucemon, GranDracmon had no interest in an extended Game. He would just overwhelm and win, to force Lucemon to accept the much-desired rematch.
Matsuda Takatoùwell, the person that had once been Matsuda Takatoùwas well aware of this. This was not a Game that could be stalled by appealing to GranDracmonÆs interests, because it was in GranDracmonÆs best interests to get things done quickly.
Fortunately for Takato, he did not care in the slightest about this Game, except for its worth as a smokescreen in the Game that really mattered.
Game Rooms are not fully physical constructions, but they are not fully metaphysical locations, either. They are made of data, but they can exist in locations not defined in Minkowskian space-time, like TakatoÆs soul. In the same manner, the æTakatoÆ and the æLucemonÆ that meet in the Game Room are not the ærealÆ Takato and Lucemon. The ærealÆ Takato has just awoken after a long stay in a certain hospital, and the ærealÆ Lucemon resides in a marvelous gothic castle in the Dark Area.
The æplayersÆ are merely artificial data projections given form by the originalÆs powers, and they can only æexistÆ within the Game Room with the approval of both opponents. Among all currently existing Digimon, living or dead, only MoonMillenniumon (and its evolution), Shakamon and AncientWisemon have the power to intrude a Game Room uninvited.
In other words, at this moment, nobody was allowed inside TakatoÆs and LucemonÆs Game Room.
In other words, at this moment, nobody could see the movement of pieces on TakatoÆs and LucemonÆs Game Board.
In other words, as long as this Game with GranDracmon lasted, Lucemon could not remotely keep track of TakatoÆs location and actions.
For the very first time in the devilish angelÆs Game of Completion, Matsuda Takato had the initiative.
It would not last long, but he knew exactly what he intended to do in that little time he had.
ôMy move,ö he declared.
He wasted no time identifying his position in time and space. He was in a hospital, and there was a convenient placed clock on the wall to his left stating it was 7:41 PM.
There was not a second to waste.
Not a sound came out of his mouth when he pulled the catheter plugged to his left arm.
ôADNI.ö
While he felt he could use his body well enough, it did not change the fact it had been laying on that bed for several months. His muscles were not only weakened by the degradation; they were also atrophied by disuse. Thus magical reinforcement was a must.
After this, he needed to travel, and fast. It would be best if he were back on this bed before LucemonÆs made his way through the limbo he had sent him to.
ôSHU.ö
By invoking a secret name, the manipulation of air became possible.
His thin figure shot out of the hospital window just in time to escape GranDracmonÆs imprisonment.
*************************************
Makino Ruki was already getting used to night calls. It did not make them any less annoying.
After returning from the hospital, she had taken off her school uniform and changed to casual clothes. The phone ringing caught her on her futon, staring up at the ceiling as if it could provide her with answers or a direction. The device was within reach of her right hand.
ôRuki.ö
ôDoll.ö
The red-aired young girl frowned in obvious annoyance.
ôHow did you get this number?ö Ruki growled right before noticing there was another incoming call, this time from Hypnos.
ôKatou gave it to me,ö Kuroyama Takako coldly responded from the other side of the wireless connection. ôLook outside. You can see the hospital from there, canÆt you?ö
Ruki was already opening her bedroomÆs door at æhospitalÆ.
ôWhaà?ö
After D-Reaper, it was by far the most overt and overwhelming disruption of the natural order ever since she learned Digimon were real. The Shagghai wormhole had nothing on this.
Crystal.
Beautiful, yet eerie. It scattered the artificial lights of Shinjuku like an angry puppeteer lashing out at his creations, showering the surrounding buildings with wavering, amorphous light shapes like the moonÆs reflection on a disturbed pond.
It had encased the hospital building Takato was residing in, like a beautiful translucent tomb.
ôTakaàöthe word ended up stuck in her throat, and her right hand gripped the cell phone a little too hard.
ôIf you care for onii-sama at all you will come here; I donÆt think even I can deal with this on my own.ö
ôHmmùwait, what?ö Ruki suddenly stared at the device, as if she could look at Takako through it. ôWhy you talking like you didnÆt do this?ö
ôBecause this is not the work of the Great Demon Lords. Now get moving, dolly; it seems weÆll be working together for a short while.ö
***************************************
In the enveloping darkness GranDracmon had picked as a æGame RoomÆ, the Vampire Lord stared at TakatoÆs moving piece.
ôHnn,ö he murmured. ôNo matter where you go, there is no escape.ö
TakatoÆs eyes were burrowed on the board, as more and more pieces of crystal emerged on his side of the battlefield.
While GranDracmon lacked a Crest, he was far from powerless. Like LucemonÆs HegemonÆs Sovereignty and TakatoÆs The Black Covenant, GranDracmon had Crystal Avalon. Unlike LucemonÆs and TakatoÆs ôcommandö powers, GranDracmonÆs was not æa power created for the GameÆ. It was a power he had at all times, which also worked during the Game.
Within the boundary of his crystalline domain, GranDracmon can create and perceive anything and everything at will. While his perception power is unlimited, his creation power is limited by his intrinsic capacity to fuel the creative effort. Furthermore, the limits to what he can create become more stringent the further from himself he creates them.
It explains, then, why GranDracmon is not really interested in reclaiming the whole extent of the Dark Area. Within his small domain, he is God. And God needs no armies, for he can mold them from the endless streams of loose data that make the uncharted expanses of the Dark Area.
After spying on LucemonÆs Gate of Deadly Sins, it was just a matter of time to reverse-engineer it within his crystal fortress. However, just like LucemonÆs Gate, GranDracmonÆs reproduction was incapable of accepting a Digimon of his magnitude through. Not that he cared for that, though.
Just like Lucemon, GranDracmon could deploy virtually infinite numbers of troops, given enough time and energy. Unlike Lucemon, GranDracmon had no interest in an extended Game. He would just overwhelm and win, to force Lucemon to accept the much-desired rematch.
Matsuda Takatoùwell, the person that had once been Matsuda Takatoùwas well aware of this. This was not a Game that could be stalled by appealing to GranDracmonÆs interests, because it was in GranDracmonÆs best interests to get things done quickly.
Fortunately for Takato, he did not care in the slightest about this Game, except for its worth as a smokescreen in the Game that really mattered.
Game Rooms are not fully physical constructions, but they are not fully metaphysical locations, either. They are made of data, but they can exist in locations not defined in Minkowskian space-time, like TakatoÆs soul. In the same manner, the æTakatoÆ and the æLucemonÆ that meet in the Game Room are not the ærealÆ Takato and Lucemon. The ærealÆ Takato has just awoken after a long stay in a certain hospital, and the ærealÆ Lucemon resides in a marvelous gothic castle in the Dark Area.
The æplayersÆ are merely artificial data projections given form by the originalÆs powers, and they can only æexistÆ within the Game Room with the approval of both opponents. Among all currently existing Digimon, living or dead, only MoonMillenniumon (and its evolution), Shakamon and AncientWisemon have the power to intrude a Game Room uninvited.
In other words, at this moment, nobody was allowed inside TakatoÆs and LucemonÆs Game Room.
In other words, at this moment, nobody could see the movement of pieces on TakatoÆs and LucemonÆs Game Board.
In other words, as long as this Game with GranDracmon lasted, Lucemon could not remotely keep track of TakatoÆs location and actions.
For the very first time in the devilish angelÆs Game of Completion, Matsuda Takato had the initiative.
It would not last long, but he knew exactly what he intended to do in that little time he had.
ôMy move,ö he declared.
She did not waste time in pleasantries.
ôYamaki-san,ö Katou Juri saluted the man on the other side of the phone connection.
ôWeÆve set the conference call.ö
ôThanks.ö
It was strange how naturally it happened. Before she could tell, she had claimed the reins of the group called æDigimon TamersÆ. Now she was the first Hypnos contacted on a crisis, and the one the rest of the team and even the adults went to for advice and strategy. She guessed it made sense as the replacement æPlayerÆ, but she had never seen herself a leader before this.
However, this time she could not reached the Game Room. She had never had difficulties doing that, so she did not know what to try now that her access was suddenly and unexpectedly denied.
It was interesting that the metro lines still worked in spite of the obvious situation. She could see the crystal mega-structure, looming larger and larger as she approached. It was really pretty, and she would have gazed admiringly at it were it not encasing a whole hospital.
ôKatou,ö a familiar voice drew her attention back to the mobile phone.
ôRuki,ö she returned. ôOn your way there?ö
ôOf course. WhatÆs the plan?ö
The girl thought it for a second or two. She spared a glance around herùwhile convenient, it was rather uncomfortable how the rest of the commuters had isolated her by creating a void area between Juri and themselves. Some of them often shot nervous glances at the large pink oyster on her lap.
ôThe usual. SaintGalgomon should be on standby on the heliport. Justimon, HiAndromon: who makes it first?ö
ôThat would probably be me,ö Ryo responded immediately. He had the advantage of living the closest to Hypnos, while Juri was by far the furthest from the Government Building. She was in fact the only one who could not make it there by foot in a reasonable time; public transport was a necessity for her.
ôAlright. Stay with Lee-kun then, please. Everyone else meet two blocks away from the hospital. If there are Digimon in the vicinity, take further distance. Do not engage before at least two of you are there! Did you get that?ö
ôàsure thing,ö Ruki replied, sounding somewhat impatient.
ôRoger!ö Ryo and Hirokazu exclaimed almost simultaneously.
ôUnderstood,ö Lee Jenrya declared with a steely tone.
ôYup! Shao too~!ö
ôGreat.ö
ôHuh. So, what should I do?ö
An uncomfortable current traveled down her spine. That was an unexpected voice.
ôKu-Kuroyama-san?ö
ôUmu. The one and only and already killing creepy crystal Digimonùwhoa. That makesàthirteen, I think.ö
ôKuroyama-san, howà?ö
ôAh, donÆt mind the details, girl. You must have noticed by now that the Game Room is locked.ö
ôAh, yes.ö
ôWait, what do you mean ælockedÆ?ö Jenrya inquired, but was promptly ignored.
ôSo, Kuroyama-san as wellà?ö
ôWell, of course. I didnÆt create the Game Room, I justàremodeled it for our littleùfifteen!ùinterlude. Anyway, the room is locked, so you must realize this has nothing to do with the Game.ö
Juri was not sure of how to respond, but Takako relieved her of the task by just speaking some more herself.
ôLook, like it or not, this is one of those æenemy of my enemyÆ situations, so IÆll be cooperating with you for a while. Beelzebumon is already fighting in his own front, although it almost seems like the enemy was actually seeking him out. Now, get over here, æcause not even I can get rid of all this crystal by myselfàoi, oi, this is getting a little too nastyà!ö
Juri and the other Tamers were startled by sounds of heavy violence. A ceaseless staccato of shattering crystal and things like blades slicing the air resounded close to their ears for several tense seconds.
ôOi, Tamers!ö Takako suddenly yelled, startling the other youngsters in the conference. ôDrag your asses over here; this thing is jamming my connection with the Dark Area, and I could really use some support here!ö
With that, Takako abandoned the conversation, leaving the Tamers with a new feeling of urgency.
**********************************************
ôWhat the hellÆs this!?ö Beelzebumon Blast Mode shouted as his wings drove him upwards, closely chased by strange crystalline copies of himself. He could barely see his TamersÆ home as a speck on the distant ground, but he still could not fire in retaliationùno matter how far it was, his bullet could still reach the homeplace if he shot downwards.
His slumber had been brutally disturbed by the emergence of strange crystal monoliths dotting the small landscape of AiÆs and MakoÆs homeÆs backyard. When the crystals began to morph into Digimon, Impmon knew it was not wise to stay in that place anymore. Fortunately for him, the Digimon-like creatures had chased him instead of staying to harm his Tamers and their parents.
It did not change the fact that he had no idea what was going on. The crystals triggered a vestige of a memory in his muddled mind, something distant and vague from his distant days in the Dark Area, but everything from that time remained ephemeral and indistinguishable.
ôDamn it!ö the Avatar of Gluttony cursed as he directed the strange clones to a position where he could fire at will. The fake Beelzebumon, while inexpressive and clearly not made of ôfleshö like the original, seemed to have a form of intellect of reasoning, at least enough to split apart to attack him from different directions.
ôTch!ö the Demon Lord spat before releasing a first volley of shots. He did not know the capabilities of these clones, but if their bullets were as powerful as his, this could prove a very difficult fightù
ôSeiken Gradalpha.ö
A beautiful blade of pure whiteness effortlessly pierced through the head of one of the crystal Digimon, reducing their numbers to seven. The impaled creature quickly developed web-like cracks that spread throughout its entire form before it shattered into purple dust that beautifully scattered the moonlight for an instant before it ceased to exist as well.
Beelzebumon was struck by a very strange emotion. Something very deep within him told him he should fear that sword. Just what was it, and why did Matsuda Takato know of it?
ôDonÆt absorb their data,ö the newcomer warned before Beelzebumon could even think of it. ôWe do not know what kind of code GranDracmon put in there.ö
ôWhaà?ö
Matsuda Takato was æstandingÆ in the open sky with arms crossed and a somewhat bored expression.
ôGranDracmonà?ö
Takato glanced at the Demon Lord.
ôYouàdonÆt remember GranDracmon,ö he stated. ôCuriousàö
A copy of WarGreymonÆs Brave Shield interposed itself between Takato and the crystal bullets one of the fake Beelzebumon had decided to shoot at him. The same creature flew to use its claws on Takato, its bullets still bouncing off the large shield.
Takato leaned back, letting himself float upside down. The moment the slashing Beelzebumon flew over TakatoÆs feet, at least a dozen copies of the original Berenjena came into being, completely surrounding the fake.
The simultaneous fire was more than enough to shatter the clone, and Takato calmly returned to an upright position. His attention was not really on the fakes. At the moment, he only cared about the true Demon Lord.
ôBeelzebumon.ö
ôI have come to claim my rightful spoils.ö
The words brought a memory from a fierce, yet sorrowful battle. That day, so many things changedà
Beelzebumon clearly remembered that battle. He remembered the rage, the flames, and the vile red dragon of the end of times. He remembered the holy knight, and his decisive victory.
And, of course, he remembered the cryptic words the holy knight whispered so that only he could hear them.
ôThat Crest of yoursàIÆll let you keep it for a bit longer.ö
Back then, Beelzebumon did not know who he was, and those words made little sense to himà
The Demon Lord of Gluttonyàsmiled.
ôàtook you long enough, stupid Gogglehead.ö
Takato raised an eyebrow.
ôYamaki-san,ö Katou Juri saluted the man on the other side of the phone connection.
ôWeÆve set the conference call.ö
ôThanks.ö
It was strange how naturally it happened. Before she could tell, she had claimed the reins of the group called æDigimon TamersÆ. Now she was the first Hypnos contacted on a crisis, and the one the rest of the team and even the adults went to for advice and strategy. She guessed it made sense as the replacement æPlayerÆ, but she had never seen herself a leader before this.
However, this time she could not reached the Game Room. She had never had difficulties doing that, so she did not know what to try now that her access was suddenly and unexpectedly denied.
It was interesting that the metro lines still worked in spite of the obvious situation. She could see the crystal mega-structure, looming larger and larger as she approached. It was really pretty, and she would have gazed admiringly at it were it not encasing a whole hospital.
ôKatou,ö a familiar voice drew her attention back to the mobile phone.
ôRuki,ö she returned. ôOn your way there?ö
ôOf course. WhatÆs the plan?ö
The girl thought it for a second or two. She spared a glance around herùwhile convenient, it was rather uncomfortable how the rest of the commuters had isolated her by creating a void area between Juri and themselves. Some of them often shot nervous glances at the large pink oyster on her lap.
ôThe usual. SaintGalgomon should be on standby on the heliport. Justimon, HiAndromon: who makes it first?ö
ôThat would probably be me,ö Ryo responded immediately. He had the advantage of living the closest to Hypnos, while Juri was by far the furthest from the Government Building. She was in fact the only one who could not make it there by foot in a reasonable time; public transport was a necessity for her.
ôAlright. Stay with Lee-kun then, please. Everyone else meet two blocks away from the hospital. If there are Digimon in the vicinity, take further distance. Do not engage before at least two of you are there! Did you get that?ö
ôàsure thing,ö Ruki replied, sounding somewhat impatient.
ôRoger!ö Ryo and Hirokazu exclaimed almost simultaneously.
ôUnderstood,ö Lee Jenrya declared with a steely tone.
ôYup! Shao too~!ö
ôGreat.ö
ôHuh. So, what should I do?ö
An uncomfortable current traveled down her spine. That was an unexpected voice.
ôKu-Kuroyama-san?ö
ôUmu. The one and only and already killing creepy crystal Digimonùwhoa. That makesàthirteen, I think.ö
ôKuroyama-san, howà?ö
ôAh, donÆt mind the details, girl. You must have noticed by now that the Game Room is locked.ö
ôAh, yes.ö
ôWait, what do you mean ælockedÆ?ö Jenrya inquired, but was promptly ignored.
ôSo, Kuroyama-san as wellà?ö
ôWell, of course. I didnÆt create the Game Room, I justàremodeled it for our littleùfifteen!ùinterlude. Anyway, the room is locked, so you must realize this has nothing to do with the Game.ö
Juri was not sure of how to respond, but Takako relieved her of the task by just speaking some more herself.
ôLook, like it or not, this is one of those æenemy of my enemyÆ situations, so IÆll be cooperating with you for a while. Beelzebumon is already fighting in his own front, although it almost seems like the enemy was actually seeking him out. Now, get over here, æcause not even I can get rid of all this crystal by myselfàoi, oi, this is getting a little too nastyà!ö
Juri and the other Tamers were startled by sounds of heavy violence. A ceaseless staccato of shattering crystal and things like blades slicing the air resounded close to their ears for several tense seconds.
ôOi, Tamers!ö Takako suddenly yelled, startling the other youngsters in the conference. ôDrag your asses over here; this thing is jamming my connection with the Dark Area, and I could really use some support here!ö
With that, Takako abandoned the conversation, leaving the Tamers with a new feeling of urgency.
**********************************************
ôWhat the hellÆs this!?ö Beelzebumon Blast Mode shouted as his wings drove him upwards, closely chased by strange crystalline copies of himself. He could barely see his TamersÆ home as a speck on the distant ground, but he still could not fire in retaliationùno matter how far it was, his bullet could still reach the homeplace if he shot downwards.
His slumber had been brutally disturbed by the emergence of strange crystal monoliths dotting the small landscape of AiÆs and MakoÆs homeÆs backyard. When the crystals began to morph into Digimon, Impmon knew it was not wise to stay in that place anymore. Fortunately for him, the Digimon-like creatures had chased him instead of staying to harm his Tamers and their parents.
It did not change the fact that he had no idea what was going on. The crystals triggered a vestige of a memory in his muddled mind, something distant and vague from his distant days in the Dark Area, but everything from that time remained ephemeral and indistinguishable.
ôDamn it!ö the Avatar of Gluttony cursed as he directed the strange clones to a position where he could fire at will. The fake Beelzebumon, while inexpressive and clearly not made of ôfleshö like the original, seemed to have a form of intellect of reasoning, at least enough to split apart to attack him from different directions.
ôTch!ö the Demon Lord spat before releasing a first volley of shots. He did not know the capabilities of these clones, but if their bullets were as powerful as his, this could prove a very difficult fightù
ôSeiken Gradalpha.ö
A beautiful blade of pure whiteness effortlessly pierced through the head of one of the crystal Digimon, reducing their numbers to seven. The impaled creature quickly developed web-like cracks that spread throughout its entire form before it shattered into purple dust that beautifully scattered the moonlight for an instant before it ceased to exist as well.
Beelzebumon was struck by a very strange emotion. Something very deep within him told him he should fear that sword. Just what was it, and why did Matsuda Takato know of it?
ôDonÆt absorb their data,ö the newcomer warned before Beelzebumon could even think of it. ôWe do not know what kind of code GranDracmon put in there.ö
ôWhaà?ö
Matsuda Takato was æstandingÆ in the open sky with arms crossed and a somewhat bored expression.
ôGranDracmonà?ö
Takato glanced at the Demon Lord.
ôYouàdonÆt remember GranDracmon,ö he stated. ôCuriousàö
A copy of WarGreymonÆs Brave Shield interposed itself between Takato and the crystal bullets one of the fake Beelzebumon had decided to shoot at him. The same creature flew to use its claws on Takato, its bullets still bouncing off the large shield.
Takato leaned back, letting himself float upside down. The moment the slashing Beelzebumon flew over TakatoÆs feet, at least a dozen copies of the original Berenjena came into being, completely surrounding the fake.
The simultaneous fire was more than enough to shatter the clone, and Takato calmly returned to an upright position. His attention was not really on the fakes. At the moment, he only cared about the true Demon Lord.
ôBeelzebumon.ö
ôI have come to claim my rightful spoils.ö
The words brought a memory from a fierce, yet sorrowful battle. That day, so many things changedà
Beelzebumon clearly remembered that battle. He remembered the rage, the flames, and the vile red dragon of the end of times. He remembered the holy knight, and his decisive victory.
And, of course, he remembered the cryptic words the holy knight whispered so that only he could hear them.
ôThat Crest of yoursàIÆll let you keep it for a bit longer.ö
Back then, Beelzebumon did not know who he was, and those words made little sense to himà
The Demon Lord of Gluttonyàsmiled.
ôàtook you long enough, stupid Gogglehead.ö
Takato raised an eyebrow.
Oh shit!
Takato is calling up his victory over Beelzebumon as Gallantmon back in canon and is gonna claim the Crest of Gluttony now while Lucemon doesn't even know it's happening! What's more it also takes away Lucemon's chance to use Hegemon's Sovreignty and betray Takato at a crucial junction!
Beautiful.
Takato is calling up his victory over Beelzebumon as Gallantmon back in canon and is gonna claim the Crest of Gluttony now while Lucemon doesn't even know it's happening! What's more it also takes away Lucemon's chance to use Hegemon's Sovreignty and betray Takato at a crucial junction!
Beautiful.
ôWhaàwhat is this thing?ö Sakuyamon murmured as she floated in the open sky of Shinjuku, watching at something utterly bizarre and beyond her comprehension.
The hospital and its vicinity had been engulfed within a strange ôfieldö. It was different from the usual Digital Field: it was like an abnormally solid and evenly-colored fog, and indecipherable symbols like Nazca figures danced and swirled on the surface of this grayish dome. It was eerie, but it was very hard to take her eyes off the moving shapes.
ôWhatàis that?ö
However, just like that, the strange field faded away to nothingness, revealing a calmùand disturbingly underdressedùKuroyama Takako standing half a block away from the hospitalÆs main gate.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: ASMODEUS CODE: LUST
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 7
The Crest of Lust, glowing a sickly green as it slowly turned under TakakoÆs feet, disappeared with a slight burst of green sparkles like fireflies. The short rich girl flicked her long hair flamboyantly to the side, as if making an (obnoxious) statement.
ôTook you long enough, doll!ö She called out to Sakuyamon, even if, with her back to the Ultimate, there was no way she could have seen her coming. ôI had to do everything in the end!ö
Indeed, the girl stood alone on the deserted street. The hospital, revealed now that the strange field was gone, remained encased in a tomb of violet crystal.
ôWhat happened here?ö
Takako grinned.
ôI bet youÆd like to know.ö
It was the main reason Juri did not have the Tamers act directly against Lilithmon: despite having many of LeviamonÆs memories, which told her Lilithmon was the weakest of the Seven Great Demon Lords, Leviamon had not the slightest idea what her Crest does.
The fact that, despite being the weakest, Lilithmon stood confidently among the other Demon Lords, commanded her own army in the Dark Area and acted as LucemonÆs confidant, implied the power of her Crest more than made up for her lacking in overall stats.
ôWhatever,ö Ruki dismissed the reply. ôMore importantly, where the hell are your clothes?ö
Takako stood with her right hand planted on her hip while wearing only white lace panties and a same-colored garter belt clipped to matching translucent stockings. It was the kind of risky underwear RukiÆs mind would naturally connect with a rich ojou-sama.
The small girl pointed at the ripped, worthless remains of her dress laying on the street.
ôThey were in the way.ö
Ruki had many things she could say to that, but she went with something she noticed upon glancing at the discarded clothes.
ôàyou donÆt wear a bra,ö Sakuyamon commented with a certain amount of amusement. This vertically-challenged, physically-immature young girl was supposed to be just a few months younger than Ruki, after all.
ôDo you want me to add you to the burnable trash pile, doll?ö
That aside, the two females stared at the giant outgrowth of crystal that encased the hospital.
ôSo,ö Takako began. ôAny ideas? My attacks can barely chip away at that thiùö
ôIzuna!ö
The elemental spirit foxes bounced uselessly off the violet crystal and dissipated into non-existence.
Takako flatly stared at the pointless attack.
ôàhow did you guys stop D-Reaper again?ö She asked in a quiet, tired tone, more to herself than to the disappointed Ultimate next to her. ôAaah, right, right, not your own plan.ö
Sakuyamon growled something unintelligible.
The colossal crystal tomb glowed faintly, and then multiple outgrowths of the stuff, too many to count, began to pop out of the main body like pustules. Even as they expanded like tumors, their shapes changed into many different bodies. Digimon-like bodies.
ôAnd now look at you have done.ö
ôDo you ever shut up?ö
Takako grinned proudly as she opened and closed her hands as if to flex her fingers.
ôI was born to be annoying.ö
*************************************
ôThis is bothersome,ö the Takato in the ôGame Roomö muttered to himself as he saw his pieces being swarmed by fake Digimon. He knew GranDracmon was more than capable to overcome his forces with virtually infinite numbers.
He sharply glanced upwards at the Vampire Lord.
ôYouÆre even worse than Barbamon.ö
If he was insulted by the comparison, the ancient Demon Beast did not show it or voice it.
Truly, unlike Lucemon, he was not interested in stretching his personal entertainment. GranDracmon knew what he wanted, and would strike with overwhelming power until he got it.
Takato examined the situation with an inhumanly calm, unwavering mind. Not even LilithmonÆs and BeelzebumonÆs support would be of much help against an infinite swarm of these things. Furthermore, he was acting under a severe time constrainùit was a matter of time until Lucemon made it out of the boundary.
He sighed. It was not like he was surprised by this development but, to a point, he was somewhatàdisappointed by this inelegant game. Yes, was that the feeling? Disappointment?
ôGranDracmon,ö the human (?) player called out. ôI am willing to negotiate.ö
The Vampire Lord smirked nastily.
The hospital and its vicinity had been engulfed within a strange ôfieldö. It was different from the usual Digital Field: it was like an abnormally solid and evenly-colored fog, and indecipherable symbols like Nazca figures danced and swirled on the surface of this grayish dome. It was eerie, but it was very hard to take her eyes off the moving shapes.
ôWhatàis that?ö
However, just like that, the strange field faded away to nothingness, revealing a calmùand disturbingly underdressedùKuroyama Takako standing half a block away from the hospitalÆs main gate.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: ASMODEUS CODE: LUST
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 7
The Crest of Lust, glowing a sickly green as it slowly turned under TakakoÆs feet, disappeared with a slight burst of green sparkles like fireflies. The short rich girl flicked her long hair flamboyantly to the side, as if making an (obnoxious) statement.
ôTook you long enough, doll!ö She called out to Sakuyamon, even if, with her back to the Ultimate, there was no way she could have seen her coming. ôI had to do everything in the end!ö
Indeed, the girl stood alone on the deserted street. The hospital, revealed now that the strange field was gone, remained encased in a tomb of violet crystal.
ôWhat happened here?ö
Takako grinned.
ôI bet youÆd like to know.ö
It was the main reason Juri did not have the Tamers act directly against Lilithmon: despite having many of LeviamonÆs memories, which told her Lilithmon was the weakest of the Seven Great Demon Lords, Leviamon had not the slightest idea what her Crest does.
The fact that, despite being the weakest, Lilithmon stood confidently among the other Demon Lords, commanded her own army in the Dark Area and acted as LucemonÆs confidant, implied the power of her Crest more than made up for her lacking in overall stats.
ôWhatever,ö Ruki dismissed the reply. ôMore importantly, where the hell are your clothes?ö
Takako stood with her right hand planted on her hip while wearing only white lace panties and a same-colored garter belt clipped to matching translucent stockings. It was the kind of risky underwear RukiÆs mind would naturally connect with a rich ojou-sama.
The small girl pointed at the ripped, worthless remains of her dress laying on the street.
ôThey were in the way.ö
Ruki had many things she could say to that, but she went with something she noticed upon glancing at the discarded clothes.
ôàyou donÆt wear a bra,ö Sakuyamon commented with a certain amount of amusement. This vertically-challenged, physically-immature young girl was supposed to be just a few months younger than Ruki, after all.
ôDo you want me to add you to the burnable trash pile, doll?ö
That aside, the two females stared at the giant outgrowth of crystal that encased the hospital.
ôSo,ö Takako began. ôAny ideas? My attacks can barely chip away at that thiùö
ôIzuna!ö
The elemental spirit foxes bounced uselessly off the violet crystal and dissipated into non-existence.
Takako flatly stared at the pointless attack.
ôàhow did you guys stop D-Reaper again?ö She asked in a quiet, tired tone, more to herself than to the disappointed Ultimate next to her. ôAaah, right, right, not your own plan.ö
Sakuyamon growled something unintelligible.
The colossal crystal tomb glowed faintly, and then multiple outgrowths of the stuff, too many to count, began to pop out of the main body like pustules. Even as they expanded like tumors, their shapes changed into many different bodies. Digimon-like bodies.
ôAnd now look at you have done.ö
ôDo you ever shut up?ö
Takako grinned proudly as she opened and closed her hands as if to flex her fingers.
ôI was born to be annoying.ö
*************************************
ôThis is bothersome,ö the Takato in the ôGame Roomö muttered to himself as he saw his pieces being swarmed by fake Digimon. He knew GranDracmon was more than capable to overcome his forces with virtually infinite numbers.
He sharply glanced upwards at the Vampire Lord.
ôYouÆre even worse than Barbamon.ö
If he was insulted by the comparison, the ancient Demon Beast did not show it or voice it.
Truly, unlike Lucemon, he was not interested in stretching his personal entertainment. GranDracmon knew what he wanted, and would strike with overwhelming power until he got it.
Takato examined the situation with an inhumanly calm, unwavering mind. Not even LilithmonÆs and BeelzebumonÆs support would be of much help against an infinite swarm of these things. Furthermore, he was acting under a severe time constrainùit was a matter of time until Lucemon made it out of the boundary.
He sighed. It was not like he was surprised by this development but, to a point, he was somewhatàdisappointed by this inelegant game. Yes, was that the feeling? Disappointment?
ôGranDracmon,ö the human (?) player called out. ôI am willing to negotiate.ö
The Vampire Lord smirked nastily.
ôItÆsàreally weird, ya know?ö Impmon muttered. ôIÆve changed so much, and I didnÆt even notice.ö
The Small Devil Digimon was calmly seated on the roof of his TamersÆ single-story residence. The humans had already left the house at his behest, in spite of the childrenÆs reluctance to leave him behind.
Impmon dabbled in emotions and memories while seated on a rooftop. Standing next to him, Matsuda Takato almost boringly sniped the crystal Digimon. He would not even allow them to emerge from their crystal ôcocoonsö, spearing their heads with copies of that familiar, frightening light sword he called Seiken Gradalpha. The boy stood calmly and unmoving, arms crossed across his chest, while swords came into being around him and flew without physical manipulation.
ôIàreally donÆt want to fight anymore. Can you believe it?ö Impmon chuckled. ôMe, Impmon! Just some years ago I was all about being the strongest. Feh!ö
There was a certain dark spite in his words, as if he were still embarrassed to admit them.
ôI justàI just want to be with them, and I donÆt want them to fight. They, they shouldnÆt have to, just because theyÆre Tamers!ö Impmon seemed to have problems organizing his words in his mind. ôI-I mean, I think what you guys do is greatùwell, I mean, not you; GuilmonÆs dead andàah, but, but, youÆre still fightingùI mean, youÆre kicking serious ass right now andàwhatàö
He sighed.
ôIÆm a fucking messàö
Swords flew and destroyed enemies. Impmon vaguely noticed that new crystal spikes were not emerging as quickly as before.
ôAnyway, justàjust, thank you.ö The small Digimon said. ôFor taking this burden from meàfrom us. And, wellàIÆm sorry. For turning my back on you guys.ö
After destroying the copies of Beelzebumon, Takato had done as he had done with Katou Juri three months earlier.
The Crest of Gluttony was now his, and without it, Beelzebumon can no longer exist.
TakatoÆs swords destroyed the last of the fakes, and the remaining crystals, suddenly inert, began to sink into the ground of the courtyard. A thin layer of mist coated the grass, as it was replaced by the visage of an alien realm.
The Digital Gate, GranDracmonÆs creation, emitted an eerie feeling and an undeniable coldness that made Impmon wished to crawl away from it. The vague memories from his earlier life told him it was a Gate to the Dark Area, but at the same time it was different; it led to a forbidden land; a kingdom where fates far worse than death awaited.
ôImpmon.ö
Takato did not bother looking at the Child Digimon. His eyes were fixated on the Dark Gate and the glimpses of a forest of crystal beyond the fog.
ôI have to leave now. Do not tell the Tamers or anybody else of our meeting. Do not tell the Tamers or anybody else that I took the Crest of Gluttony from you. Make up some excuse to avoid fights until I come back. Otherwise assist the Tamers in whatever way you can. Can you do that?ö
Impmon did stare at the boy, his white face a semblance of pain and exasperation.
ôYouàwere you even listening to me?ö
ôI have no interest in irrelevant information,ö Takato bluntly responded, his voice unwavering in all its cruelty.
Impmon winced, not because he felt particularly insulted. Instead, his face adopted an unusually sad and emphatic expression from him. He could clearly see now, what Matsuda Takato had become.
ôYouàyou just canÆt care anymore, can you?ö
This time, Takato did look down at the small Digimon by his feet. The boyÆs face was a steel mask, its muscles making not even the slightest motion. His eyes, before so full of life and intensity, even when the rest of his body lay exhausted and broken, were now like aged glass mirrors, having lost their luster.
Impmon shook his head in sad disappointment.
ôMan, youÆre gonna make the girls cry.ö
ôHnn.ö
Impmon snorted at the meaningless response.
ôTakato.ö
ôYes?ö The question mark was barely hearable.
ôWas this really what you wanted? To becomeàö ImpmonÆs facial structure shifted between confusion and disgust. ôàthis?ö
ôIt was what had to be done,ö Takato said conclusively. ôHoweveràI admit it is inconvenient. My pieces will not follow me like this.ö
ôYour piecesàö Impmon muttered in clear disapproval.
ôMeasures will be taken to correct this.ö A pause. ôNo, æcorrectÆ is not the appropriate word. I do not find thisàstate of being, a mistake. However, the former Matsuda Takato must be restored.ö
ImpmonÆs eyes widened.
ôYouàyou can do that?ö
ôHmph,ö Takato made a haughty sound before leaping off the roof tiles.
ôI am Matsuda Takato. Have I ever failed to accomplish anything I strived for?ö
ôWell arenÆt you modest now,ö Impmon uttered with utmost sarcasm.
ôMy Pride gives me strength.ö
With those last words, the boy leapt into the Dark Gate, which closed before Impmon could even consider jumping after Takato, had he ever intended to.
However, those were not really TakatoÆs last words before leaving the world of humans, only the last words Impmon heard.
Before his face fully disappeared as he sank into the Gate, Matsuda Takato allowed himself the vestige of a smile.
ôEverythingÆs up to you now, æpartnerÆ.ö
******************************************
Impmon stood back on his feet, but made no further action beyond staring at the space on the backyard where the Gate had lain just moments ago. The place was completely ruined; the ground dotted with ugly holes where the crystal spikes had surged through.
He had lost his Crest; a Crest he did not even remember ever using. However, he felt the weight of its absence.
He felt powerless.
He was powerless.
And then, he realized he did not really care that much anymore.
ôHeh,ö he chuckled. ôThis world has really made me soft.ö
Then it happened.
His legs immediately gave in and he fell on his knees like a dead weight; like the EarthÆs gravity had suddenly doubled.
ôWhaàwhaàwha...?ö
His body shuddered. His lips trembled. His pupils widened and contracted and widened again, completely out of control. Were he human, he would probably have emptied his bowels and coated his body in a sheen of cold sweat.
ôAaah, whaàwhaaaa-wa-wa-waa, ah, ah, aaahàö
His mouth blurted out nonsense as he was crushed by the gigantic, magnificence presence that suddenly invaded Shinjuku Ward. Slowly, he turned his body to gaze in awe at the immense pillar of light that surged out of, naturally, that most momentous park where so many things happened.
What is this? Who is this?
And why does it feel both nostalgic and terrifying at the same timeà?
**************************************
ôBuh!ö Kuroyama Takako gasped; the surprise interrupted the conjuration of her next attack. The Tamers as well had been rendered utterly stunned by the sudden presence that permeated the air and filled the sky with rippling power. The vessel of Lilithmon quickly corrected herself, noting that the fake Digimon that endlessly emerged from the crystal that entombed the hospital were not bothered by the new presence.
ôNazar Nail!ö
The silhouette of a taller, voluptuous female could be seen surrounding the young heiress of JapanÆs greatest private fortune. The figure outstretched swiped the air in front of her with her monstrous right hand, and the mere shockwaves released by the gesture blew away the crystal figures, melting them as if with acid.
A pillar of light split the sky of Tokyo, and the paralyzed Digimon so far failing at destroying the crystal covering the hospitalùSakuyamon, HiAndromon and Cherubimonù, could only stare lamely at its golden majesty.
ôWhaàwhat the hellà?ö HiAndromon uttered in HirokazuÆs voice, the hint of fear in it severely contrasting with his cybernetic appearance.
Even Ruki needed a few moments to regain the ability to move her frozen jaw.
ôO-Oh, Oi! The pervert down there!ö
ôYeah?ö Takako responded.
ôYouÆre supposed to mind being called a pervert, you know!?ö Ruki mentally kicked herself to bothering to tsukkomi in the current situation. ôWhat the hell is that!?ö
Takako made a strange, pained expression.
ôIàI donÆtàö
She did not know what to say. She did not know what she was supposed to do. Why did nobody inform her of these things!?
I need you to comfort me, onii-samaà
**************************************
ôRealization in progress!ö Ootori Reika announced from her high seat in the middle of the main control room of Hypnos.
ôI can see that!ö Yamaki shouted with no little sarcasm.
It was a lie, actually. He could not see it, but he could feel it. The Realization was of such magnitude that he could feel the energy being emitted all the way to their windowless room. The analytic part of him noted they had never made a spectroscopy of the emerging Digital Field at the moment of Realization. That was a dangerous lapse he promised himself he would correct as quickly as he could.
Thisàthis would paralyze the whole Ward, if not the entire city. It was just too powerful for anybody to ignore!
ôDid you trace that, Onodera!?ö he demanded to know.
ôNo way! ThereÆs no way I could have done that!ö Onodera Megumi shrieked from her seat behind ReikaÆs. ôIt wasàit was way too sudden! It came out of nowhere!ö
ôTch!ö Yamaki cursed very loudly, if only in his mind. ôDark Area againàö
ôNo sir!ö Megumi corrected.
Even if they still could do absolutely nothing to prevent Realizations from the Dark Area, after witnessing so many of them they have begun to see patterns in the data recorded by their tracers and passive monitoring devices. Even if they could not prevent them, they could certainly identify them.
ôThese numbersàthe readings are completely different!ö Megumi pulled at her blonde hairs in frustration, an emotion she experienced more and more often since April. ôI have no idea where this Digimon came from!ö
*********************************************
Sounds.
So many. So rich in variety and quality. No longer defined by discrete frequency peaks, but a continuous spectrum of infinite frequencies he could not fully process.
Colorsànot as many as in the Digital World, but definitely many more than in the place he came from. So many colors, so full of vitality. So full of spirit. So full of existence.
This worldàwas not composed of zeros and ones. This was the world of quarks; of atoms and molecules; of proteins and DNA. Even his own body was now directed not by algorithms, but by pseudo-genes and pseudo-proteins.
It feltàheavy, but not in an uncomfortable manner. It felt moreàalive, somehow.
What he did not like, though, were the smells. So many of them, all of them repugnant: car smoke, public waste, animal excrement. Even the smell of the concrete mega-structures that reached hopelessly to the sky like Towers of Babel was disgusting to his delicate nostrils.
ôReallyàö he spoke, his voice soft and feathery; the beautiful soprano voice of a child. ôàitÆs too early for me to be here, Takato.ö
He was not supposed to be there.
It was not supposed to be possible.
Much less in this form.
He closed his eyes, reaching with senses that transcended those of humans and capturing every signature of digital ôlifeö in the city. He unmistakably found them all: Lilithmon with three of the Digimon Tamers; two more of them on top of a nearby building, and the one who had once been Leviamon inside that same building, together with the former Digi-Enthelechy. There was also Impmon in a completely different direction, as well as the TamersÆ MarinAngemon.
ôàI canÆt feel you,ö he whispered. His melodic voice was like a mournful aria, laced with bittersweet longing. ôI cannot feel you in this world, Takato.ö
His mind re-evaluated the latest developments: the crystals invading the ruined gardens, the apparition, the strange portal leading him to that incomprehensible darkness, the sightless road he had fearlessly followed all the way through to that gate of light at its endà
ôàI seeàö the beautiful creature whispered in elation. ôSoàso that is the nature of this move, Takato.ö He chuckled. ôPlaying hard to get, hmm?ö
It was amusing, in a way.
ôVery well, Takato!ö Lucemon boisterously laughed, at the same time the pillar of light that announced his Realization receded, revealing his glorious presence to the world and the visage of the material world to the fallen angel.
ôI shall, for the first and last time, play the role your Crest decided for me!ö
He was not doing this for TakatoÆs sake; of course not.
It was a matter of Pride.
ôYou made the one mistake I will not tolerate, GranDracmon,ö he muttered darkly, his fierce eyes and chilling voice a promise of horrible retribution. ôNobodyànobody!ö
ôNobody takes MY Takato away from ME!ö
The roar of challenge of the Avatar of Pride resounded ominously throughout the metropolis of madness.
*********************************************
CHAPTER 01 û END
The Small Devil Digimon was calmly seated on the roof of his TamersÆ single-story residence. The humans had already left the house at his behest, in spite of the childrenÆs reluctance to leave him behind.
Impmon dabbled in emotions and memories while seated on a rooftop. Standing next to him, Matsuda Takato almost boringly sniped the crystal Digimon. He would not even allow them to emerge from their crystal ôcocoonsö, spearing their heads with copies of that familiar, frightening light sword he called Seiken Gradalpha. The boy stood calmly and unmoving, arms crossed across his chest, while swords came into being around him and flew without physical manipulation.
ôIàreally donÆt want to fight anymore. Can you believe it?ö Impmon chuckled. ôMe, Impmon! Just some years ago I was all about being the strongest. Feh!ö
There was a certain dark spite in his words, as if he were still embarrassed to admit them.
ôI justàI just want to be with them, and I donÆt want them to fight. They, they shouldnÆt have to, just because theyÆre Tamers!ö Impmon seemed to have problems organizing his words in his mind. ôI-I mean, I think what you guys do is greatùwell, I mean, not you; GuilmonÆs dead andàah, but, but, youÆre still fightingùI mean, youÆre kicking serious ass right now andàwhatàö
He sighed.
ôIÆm a fucking messàö
Swords flew and destroyed enemies. Impmon vaguely noticed that new crystal spikes were not emerging as quickly as before.
ôAnyway, justàjust, thank you.ö The small Digimon said. ôFor taking this burden from meàfrom us. And, wellàIÆm sorry. For turning my back on you guys.ö
After destroying the copies of Beelzebumon, Takato had done as he had done with Katou Juri three months earlier.
The Crest of Gluttony was now his, and without it, Beelzebumon can no longer exist.
TakatoÆs swords destroyed the last of the fakes, and the remaining crystals, suddenly inert, began to sink into the ground of the courtyard. A thin layer of mist coated the grass, as it was replaced by the visage of an alien realm.
The Digital Gate, GranDracmonÆs creation, emitted an eerie feeling and an undeniable coldness that made Impmon wished to crawl away from it. The vague memories from his earlier life told him it was a Gate to the Dark Area, but at the same time it was different; it led to a forbidden land; a kingdom where fates far worse than death awaited.
ôImpmon.ö
Takato did not bother looking at the Child Digimon. His eyes were fixated on the Dark Gate and the glimpses of a forest of crystal beyond the fog.
ôI have to leave now. Do not tell the Tamers or anybody else of our meeting. Do not tell the Tamers or anybody else that I took the Crest of Gluttony from you. Make up some excuse to avoid fights until I come back. Otherwise assist the Tamers in whatever way you can. Can you do that?ö
Impmon did stare at the boy, his white face a semblance of pain and exasperation.
ôYouàwere you even listening to me?ö
ôI have no interest in irrelevant information,ö Takato bluntly responded, his voice unwavering in all its cruelty.
Impmon winced, not because he felt particularly insulted. Instead, his face adopted an unusually sad and emphatic expression from him. He could clearly see now, what Matsuda Takato had become.
ôYouàyou just canÆt care anymore, can you?ö
This time, Takato did look down at the small Digimon by his feet. The boyÆs face was a steel mask, its muscles making not even the slightest motion. His eyes, before so full of life and intensity, even when the rest of his body lay exhausted and broken, were now like aged glass mirrors, having lost their luster.
Impmon shook his head in sad disappointment.
ôMan, youÆre gonna make the girls cry.ö
ôHnn.ö
Impmon snorted at the meaningless response.
ôTakato.ö
ôYes?ö The question mark was barely hearable.
ôWas this really what you wanted? To becomeàö ImpmonÆs facial structure shifted between confusion and disgust. ôàthis?ö
ôIt was what had to be done,ö Takato said conclusively. ôHoweveràI admit it is inconvenient. My pieces will not follow me like this.ö
ôYour piecesàö Impmon muttered in clear disapproval.
ôMeasures will be taken to correct this.ö A pause. ôNo, æcorrectÆ is not the appropriate word. I do not find thisàstate of being, a mistake. However, the former Matsuda Takato must be restored.ö
ImpmonÆs eyes widened.
ôYouàyou can do that?ö
ôHmph,ö Takato made a haughty sound before leaping off the roof tiles.
ôI am Matsuda Takato. Have I ever failed to accomplish anything I strived for?ö
ôWell arenÆt you modest now,ö Impmon uttered with utmost sarcasm.
ôMy Pride gives me strength.ö
With those last words, the boy leapt into the Dark Gate, which closed before Impmon could even consider jumping after Takato, had he ever intended to.
However, those were not really TakatoÆs last words before leaving the world of humans, only the last words Impmon heard.
Before his face fully disappeared as he sank into the Gate, Matsuda Takato allowed himself the vestige of a smile.
ôEverythingÆs up to you now, æpartnerÆ.ö
******************************************
Impmon stood back on his feet, but made no further action beyond staring at the space on the backyard where the Gate had lain just moments ago. The place was completely ruined; the ground dotted with ugly holes where the crystal spikes had surged through.
He had lost his Crest; a Crest he did not even remember ever using. However, he felt the weight of its absence.
He felt powerless.
He was powerless.
And then, he realized he did not really care that much anymore.
ôHeh,ö he chuckled. ôThis world has really made me soft.ö
Then it happened.
His legs immediately gave in and he fell on his knees like a dead weight; like the EarthÆs gravity had suddenly doubled.
ôWhaàwhaàwha...?ö
His body shuddered. His lips trembled. His pupils widened and contracted and widened again, completely out of control. Were he human, he would probably have emptied his bowels and coated his body in a sheen of cold sweat.
ôAaah, whaàwhaaaa-wa-wa-waa, ah, ah, aaahàö
His mouth blurted out nonsense as he was crushed by the gigantic, magnificence presence that suddenly invaded Shinjuku Ward. Slowly, he turned his body to gaze in awe at the immense pillar of light that surged out of, naturally, that most momentous park where so many things happened.
What is this? Who is this?
And why does it feel both nostalgic and terrifying at the same timeà?
**************************************
ôBuh!ö Kuroyama Takako gasped; the surprise interrupted the conjuration of her next attack. The Tamers as well had been rendered utterly stunned by the sudden presence that permeated the air and filled the sky with rippling power. The vessel of Lilithmon quickly corrected herself, noting that the fake Digimon that endlessly emerged from the crystal that entombed the hospital were not bothered by the new presence.
ôNazar Nail!ö
The silhouette of a taller, voluptuous female could be seen surrounding the young heiress of JapanÆs greatest private fortune. The figure outstretched swiped the air in front of her with her monstrous right hand, and the mere shockwaves released by the gesture blew away the crystal figures, melting them as if with acid.
A pillar of light split the sky of Tokyo, and the paralyzed Digimon so far failing at destroying the crystal covering the hospitalùSakuyamon, HiAndromon and Cherubimonù, could only stare lamely at its golden majesty.
ôWhaàwhat the hellà?ö HiAndromon uttered in HirokazuÆs voice, the hint of fear in it severely contrasting with his cybernetic appearance.
Even Ruki needed a few moments to regain the ability to move her frozen jaw.
ôO-Oh, Oi! The pervert down there!ö
ôYeah?ö Takako responded.
ôYouÆre supposed to mind being called a pervert, you know!?ö Ruki mentally kicked herself to bothering to tsukkomi in the current situation. ôWhat the hell is that!?ö
Takako made a strange, pained expression.
ôIàI donÆtàö
She did not know what to say. She did not know what she was supposed to do. Why did nobody inform her of these things!?
I need you to comfort me, onii-samaà
**************************************
ôRealization in progress!ö Ootori Reika announced from her high seat in the middle of the main control room of Hypnos.
ôI can see that!ö Yamaki shouted with no little sarcasm.
It was a lie, actually. He could not see it, but he could feel it. The Realization was of such magnitude that he could feel the energy being emitted all the way to their windowless room. The analytic part of him noted they had never made a spectroscopy of the emerging Digital Field at the moment of Realization. That was a dangerous lapse he promised himself he would correct as quickly as he could.
Thisàthis would paralyze the whole Ward, if not the entire city. It was just too powerful for anybody to ignore!
ôDid you trace that, Onodera!?ö he demanded to know.
ôNo way! ThereÆs no way I could have done that!ö Onodera Megumi shrieked from her seat behind ReikaÆs. ôIt wasàit was way too sudden! It came out of nowhere!ö
ôTch!ö Yamaki cursed very loudly, if only in his mind. ôDark Area againàö
ôNo sir!ö Megumi corrected.
Even if they still could do absolutely nothing to prevent Realizations from the Dark Area, after witnessing so many of them they have begun to see patterns in the data recorded by their tracers and passive monitoring devices. Even if they could not prevent them, they could certainly identify them.
ôThese numbersàthe readings are completely different!ö Megumi pulled at her blonde hairs in frustration, an emotion she experienced more and more often since April. ôI have no idea where this Digimon came from!ö
*********************************************
Sounds.
So many. So rich in variety and quality. No longer defined by discrete frequency peaks, but a continuous spectrum of infinite frequencies he could not fully process.
Colorsànot as many as in the Digital World, but definitely many more than in the place he came from. So many colors, so full of vitality. So full of spirit. So full of existence.
This worldàwas not composed of zeros and ones. This was the world of quarks; of atoms and molecules; of proteins and DNA. Even his own body was now directed not by algorithms, but by pseudo-genes and pseudo-proteins.
It feltàheavy, but not in an uncomfortable manner. It felt moreàalive, somehow.
What he did not like, though, were the smells. So many of them, all of them repugnant: car smoke, public waste, animal excrement. Even the smell of the concrete mega-structures that reached hopelessly to the sky like Towers of Babel was disgusting to his delicate nostrils.
ôReallyàö he spoke, his voice soft and feathery; the beautiful soprano voice of a child. ôàitÆs too early for me to be here, Takato.ö
He was not supposed to be there.
It was not supposed to be possible.
Much less in this form.
He closed his eyes, reaching with senses that transcended those of humans and capturing every signature of digital ôlifeö in the city. He unmistakably found them all: Lilithmon with three of the Digimon Tamers; two more of them on top of a nearby building, and the one who had once been Leviamon inside that same building, together with the former Digi-Enthelechy. There was also Impmon in a completely different direction, as well as the TamersÆ MarinAngemon.
ôàI canÆt feel you,ö he whispered. His melodic voice was like a mournful aria, laced with bittersweet longing. ôI cannot feel you in this world, Takato.ö
His mind re-evaluated the latest developments: the crystals invading the ruined gardens, the apparition, the strange portal leading him to that incomprehensible darkness, the sightless road he had fearlessly followed all the way through to that gate of light at its endà
ôàI seeàö the beautiful creature whispered in elation. ôSoàso that is the nature of this move, Takato.ö He chuckled. ôPlaying hard to get, hmm?ö
It was amusing, in a way.
ôVery well, Takato!ö Lucemon boisterously laughed, at the same time the pillar of light that announced his Realization receded, revealing his glorious presence to the world and the visage of the material world to the fallen angel.
ôI shall, for the first and last time, play the role your Crest decided for me!ö
He was not doing this for TakatoÆs sake; of course not.
It was a matter of Pride.
ôYou made the one mistake I will not tolerate, GranDracmon,ö he muttered darkly, his fierce eyes and chilling voice a promise of horrible retribution. ôNobodyànobody!ö
ôNobody takes MY Takato away from ME!ö
The roar of challenge of the Avatar of Pride resounded ominously throughout the metropolis of madness.
*********************************************
CHAPTER 01 û END
.................... There will not be enough money in the world to pay for the property damage resulting from this "move".
I cannot wait to see what happens next. There is a good chance that releasing him in the Real World even temporarily will cause every major player in the Digital world to shit themselves in pure terror simultaneously. I wonder how people in the Real World will deal with this development, seeing exactly what Takato is involved with?
And how will Yggdrasil and the rest of the key players in the Digital World react, as there is no way they will not notice this and Grandracmon's little "excursion". They cannot possibly take this lying down. Once they find out Millenniumon is involved even if only as an observer so far.............. is it wrong that I find the thought of Zhuqiaomon, arrogant prick that he is, having the Digimon equivalent of a heart attack to be hilarious?
I cannot wait to see what happens next. There is a good chance that releasing him in the Real World even temporarily will cause every major player in the Digital world to shit themselves in pure terror simultaneously. I wonder how people in the Real World will deal with this development, seeing exactly what Takato is involved with?
And how will Yggdrasil and the rest of the key players in the Digital World react, as there is no way they will not notice this and Grandracmon's little "excursion". They cannot possibly take this lying down. Once they find out Millenniumon is involved even if only as an observer so far.............. is it wrong that I find the thought of Zhuqiaomon, arrogant prick that he is, having the Digimon equivalent of a heart attack to be hilarious?
t: @Daneel Rush are you going to post the last/first chapter of Garden/Ruins of Babylon on FFN?Disclaimer: Digimon does not belong to me. That is a good thing.
*********************************
RUINS OF BABYLON
Chapter 02
The Monster Who Walks in the Shadow of that Boy û City of Controversy
*********************************
Where he was did not matter.
What he was doing? It did not matter either.
His presence was of such immensity that he could be anywhere in the Digital World. To him, it did not matter.
He only wandered. He had to wander.
It was necessary of him to wander, away from all other Digimon, for his presence was of a magnitude that lesser digital monsters could not hope to handle it. When you gaze upon the pinnacle of power he had achieved, good or evil make no different to the powerless; they are all terrifying monsters capable of obliterating everything.
He was different. He was unique. He was the greatest; both an impossible miracle and the most fearsome of weapons. How a world derived from the wishes and creations of humanity could give birth to an entity like him was a question without answer; an Arcanum better left undisturbed.
While he was not the God of the Digital World, he was also intimately connected with the world that gave birth to him. While his body was well-defined in Minkowskian space-time, his existence permeated an expanse far greater than the boundaries of his physical form. It existed and propagated in all directions of time and space, not merely past and future but into alternate dimensions and alternate timelines. While his eyes and ears were restricted to a certain position and moment in Minkowskian space-time, his senses could perceive things and events far beyond his actual spatial-temporal location. They projected and recalled information both certain and probable and processed it equally.
Thus, this magnificent, monstrous entity could feel the turmoil shaking, not only the Digital World, but those realms adjacent to it. He could detect the disturbance of the boundary between the Dark Area and the material realm of humans. He could perceive the fluctuations of power as a massive cluster of data transferred itself from one realm to the other. He could even detect the reactionary movement of his fellows in the center of the Digital World and the opposing force that restrained them from pursuing retaliatory actions.
Did the Crests come into being at the same time Yggdrasil assumed command of the Digital World, or do they predate even God? It was a question not worth pursuing, no matter how interesting it may be. In any case, the Crests were not YggdrasilÆs creations.
The Crest of Dreams.
It was the nexus that connected everything.
If the spare data and processing budget spared by the humanÆs digital networks were the foundation of the Digital World, then the dreams and emotions of humans were the primordial soup that allowed for the beginning of digital life. Yggdrasil was the great administrator, but it was not the principle.
Yggdrasil can be God because the Crest of Dreams exists. Without the Crest of Dreams, the Digital World would be frozen in eternal stillness.
The Crest of Dreams was well know and documented by the Yggdrasil, the Akashic Records and the Royal Knights. While it generally allowed Yggdrasil to direct the Digital World as it found proper, it was also capable of independent action.
It created the Crests of Virtue and Sin, thus allowing for the existence of both Chosen Children and Demon Lords.
It pulled the æDigi-EnthelechyÆ data created by Shibumi into the primitive Digital World, allowing for the miracle of evolution.
Its agenda, if it had any, was beyond anybodyÆs comprehension, as its actions often ended up causing only trouble for Yggdrasil and its servants. Dreams permeated the Digital World, acting upon it and its inhabitants seemingly at its whim, granting power and taking it away from Digimon both righteous and vile. It obeyed no law and bowed to no authority. It simply was, and acted as it wished.
And then, it created Lucemon.
While the reason it created the absurdly powerful Child Digimon was obvious in retrospective, it was hard to swallow considering the evils Lucemon unleashed upon the fledging Digital World so long ago. But how could anybody complain or put up a resistance before the very lifeblood of their world, the very power that allowed them all to exist and grow?
No amount of prayer will make the sun shine brighter or become dim. Such was the unreachable, unfathomable nature of the Crest of Dreams.
And then, Dreams picked a Chosen Child.
Were Yggdrasil capable of portraying emotions, it would have face-palmed.
The Biggest Dreamer, Matsuda Takato.
Suddenly, a mere human held within himself the absolute creative power. Truly, he had become like a god. It was tolerable at the beginning, when the boy had no awareness of the power he wielded and thus could not use it, but then Lucemon found him.
ôI want to be special.ö
The Devil listened to the boyÆs wish, and offered a vile contract. When the boy resisted, the Devil took away that which was most precious to the boy. If greed would not sway the child, then hatred and pride would.
The grieving boy took the seat of the Player and seized the power of Dreams.
And the Digital World trembled when the primordial Crest shone at its brightest.
Should he have put an end to things back then?
Maybe, but there was little point in dwelling on past choices. He had given Matsuda Takato the benefit of the doubt not once, but twice; the second being less than two years ago, when knight and Dreamer met for the first time.
He remembered; that boyÆs appearance. That child, he was terrified, broken and defeated; even as his allies succeeded in relieving the world from the unexpected threat of Reichmon, he had succumbed to the might of the second among the Royal Knights. Upon exposure to his immensity for the first time, the pitiful humanÆs mind had almost shattered.
But, even as his body trembled and surrendered before his power, his eyes glowed with the unbreakable will of one who opposes the greatest of evils. His were the eyes of one who wished to live more than anything else. And the golden radiance of the Crest of Dreams flared defiantly, protecting his chosen avatar.
That day, he allowed Matsuda Takato to leave with his life. People complained, but his word is never challenged.
The circumstances had changed, though. Lucemon was free in the world of humans. That was simply unacceptable, and it had to be corrected as soon as possible.
However, he believed in diplomacy. Out of respect for the Chosen of Dreams, he would examine the evidence before imparting judgment.
He was the ultimate deterrent; the owner of the Siege Perilous that should never be roused. He was judge, jury and executioner, and the invincible last bastion of the Digital World against calamity.
ôIt appearsàthat a second meeting has become necessary, Matsuda Takato.ö
Where he was did not matter.
What he was doing? It did not matter either.
Alphamon turned back and began the long road back to Yggdrasil and his companions.
Of course, to one such as he, distance is only relative.
*********************************
RUINS OF BABYLON
Chapter 02
The Monster Who Walks in the Shadow of that Boy û City of Controversy
*********************************
Where he was did not matter.
What he was doing? It did not matter either.
His presence was of such immensity that he could be anywhere in the Digital World. To him, it did not matter.
He only wandered. He had to wander.
It was necessary of him to wander, away from all other Digimon, for his presence was of a magnitude that lesser digital monsters could not hope to handle it. When you gaze upon the pinnacle of power he had achieved, good or evil make no different to the powerless; they are all terrifying monsters capable of obliterating everything.
He was different. He was unique. He was the greatest; both an impossible miracle and the most fearsome of weapons. How a world derived from the wishes and creations of humanity could give birth to an entity like him was a question without answer; an Arcanum better left undisturbed.
While he was not the God of the Digital World, he was also intimately connected with the world that gave birth to him. While his body was well-defined in Minkowskian space-time, his existence permeated an expanse far greater than the boundaries of his physical form. It existed and propagated in all directions of time and space, not merely past and future but into alternate dimensions and alternate timelines. While his eyes and ears were restricted to a certain position and moment in Minkowskian space-time, his senses could perceive things and events far beyond his actual spatial-temporal location. They projected and recalled information both certain and probable and processed it equally.
Thus, this magnificent, monstrous entity could feel the turmoil shaking, not only the Digital World, but those realms adjacent to it. He could detect the disturbance of the boundary between the Dark Area and the material realm of humans. He could perceive the fluctuations of power as a massive cluster of data transferred itself from one realm to the other. He could even detect the reactionary movement of his fellows in the center of the Digital World and the opposing force that restrained them from pursuing retaliatory actions.
Did the Crests come into being at the same time Yggdrasil assumed command of the Digital World, or do they predate even God? It was a question not worth pursuing, no matter how interesting it may be. In any case, the Crests were not YggdrasilÆs creations.
The Crest of Dreams.
It was the nexus that connected everything.
If the spare data and processing budget spared by the humanÆs digital networks were the foundation of the Digital World, then the dreams and emotions of humans were the primordial soup that allowed for the beginning of digital life. Yggdrasil was the great administrator, but it was not the principle.
Yggdrasil can be God because the Crest of Dreams exists. Without the Crest of Dreams, the Digital World would be frozen in eternal stillness.
The Crest of Dreams was well know and documented by the Yggdrasil, the Akashic Records and the Royal Knights. While it generally allowed Yggdrasil to direct the Digital World as it found proper, it was also capable of independent action.
It created the Crests of Virtue and Sin, thus allowing for the existence of both Chosen Children and Demon Lords.
It pulled the æDigi-EnthelechyÆ data created by Shibumi into the primitive Digital World, allowing for the miracle of evolution.
Its agenda, if it had any, was beyond anybodyÆs comprehension, as its actions often ended up causing only trouble for Yggdrasil and its servants. Dreams permeated the Digital World, acting upon it and its inhabitants seemingly at its whim, granting power and taking it away from Digimon both righteous and vile. It obeyed no law and bowed to no authority. It simply was, and acted as it wished.
And then, it created Lucemon.
While the reason it created the absurdly powerful Child Digimon was obvious in retrospective, it was hard to swallow considering the evils Lucemon unleashed upon the fledging Digital World so long ago. But how could anybody complain or put up a resistance before the very lifeblood of their world, the very power that allowed them all to exist and grow?
No amount of prayer will make the sun shine brighter or become dim. Such was the unreachable, unfathomable nature of the Crest of Dreams.
And then, Dreams picked a Chosen Child.
Were Yggdrasil capable of portraying emotions, it would have face-palmed.
The Biggest Dreamer, Matsuda Takato.
Suddenly, a mere human held within himself the absolute creative power. Truly, he had become like a god. It was tolerable at the beginning, when the boy had no awareness of the power he wielded and thus could not use it, but then Lucemon found him.
ôI want to be special.ö
The Devil listened to the boyÆs wish, and offered a vile contract. When the boy resisted, the Devil took away that which was most precious to the boy. If greed would not sway the child, then hatred and pride would.
The grieving boy took the seat of the Player and seized the power of Dreams.
And the Digital World trembled when the primordial Crest shone at its brightest.
Should he have put an end to things back then?
Maybe, but there was little point in dwelling on past choices. He had given Matsuda Takato the benefit of the doubt not once, but twice; the second being less than two years ago, when knight and Dreamer met for the first time.
He remembered; that boyÆs appearance. That child, he was terrified, broken and defeated; even as his allies succeeded in relieving the world from the unexpected threat of Reichmon, he had succumbed to the might of the second among the Royal Knights. Upon exposure to his immensity for the first time, the pitiful humanÆs mind had almost shattered.
But, even as his body trembled and surrendered before his power, his eyes glowed with the unbreakable will of one who opposes the greatest of evils. His were the eyes of one who wished to live more than anything else. And the golden radiance of the Crest of Dreams flared defiantly, protecting his chosen avatar.
That day, he allowed Matsuda Takato to leave with his life. People complained, but his word is never challenged.
The circumstances had changed, though. Lucemon was free in the world of humans. That was simply unacceptable, and it had to be corrected as soon as possible.
However, he believed in diplomacy. Out of respect for the Chosen of Dreams, he would examine the evidence before imparting judgment.
He was the ultimate deterrent; the owner of the Siege Perilous that should never be roused. He was judge, jury and executioner, and the invincible last bastion of the Digital World against calamity.
ôIt appearsàthat a second meeting has become necessary, Matsuda Takato.ö
Where he was did not matter.
What he was doing? It did not matter either.
Alphamon turned back and began the long road back to Yggdrasil and his companions.
Of course, to one such as he, distance is only relative.
It was then that Lucemon noted he in fact had an audience. The Digital Field had been swallowed by the pillar of power, and thus he was now fully manifested for everybody to see. Those people already in the vicinity when he Realized were now staring in awe, marvel and fear at his pristine, winged form.
ôHmph,ö Lucemon murmured even as he preened at the attention. He made his many wings tremble slightly, and diminutive motes of light poured out of them like gold dust. It was a parlor trick, but he delighted in the æooohÆsÆ and æaaahÆsÆ of the children present.
Pitiful humans. He thought. Your life has lost whatever worthless meaning it had, now that you have witnessed Perfection.
Humble, Lucemon is not.
This was a lively city, beautiful in its decadence, he thought. The insistence of Yggdrasil to separate the ægoodÆ from the æbadÆ like a moral sieve, and striving for only the ægoodÆ to existàthere was no way he could agree with that. In that way, he rather liked the Crest of Dreams for its utter disinterest for either good or evil. It simply created. In the same way, he rather liked humans, filthy primates that they were, for their existence of permanently swaying between good and evil.
ôYou create rules and then you violate them ceaselessly,ö he spoke to the confused, yet captivated, audience before him. ôYou commit unforgivable sins every day, yet you carry on in a relatively stable society. ItÆs admirable in its wickedness.ö
But he was not there to preach to humans, was he?
ôAh, Takato, Takatoàö the angel spoke with affectionate amusement. ôI wonder, will this become a debt I can cash in later?ö
He knew the location of Lilithmon and the Tamers, or, at least, the general direction and distance.
His thoughtsùfor it is the prerogative of ancient beings to let their minds wanderùwent to UlforceV-Dramon of the Royal Knights. That blue knightàhe was so proud of his speedà
Lucemon chuckled as he remembered that primordial war. It had been too amusing, to break that proud knight without even needing to evolve from his Child Form.
The Crest of Pride works on events and feats Lucemon could perform without its assistance, decreasing the time necessary to achieve them to the absolute minimum.
Moving from Point A to Point B is most definitely something within the scope of LucemonÆs natural capabilities.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: LUCIFER CODE: PRIDE
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 1
The Crest of the prideful flared a deep, bloody red, and then he was in front of the hospital, standing in front of a stunned Kuroyama Takako. With his back turned to Takako and the Tamers, Lucemon allowed them to bask in his radiance and the pristine beauty of his immaculate wings.
At Hypnos, the technicians were going insane after LucemonÆs feat of teleportation. Jenrya and Ryo had said ôscrew itö and left Hypnos to assist Ruki. Juri stared down at her Digimon partner. Shakkomon was trembling; perturbed from its seemingly eternal lethargy by something that should not be called a memory. It was an imprint; a natural reactionary mechanism embedded in his code.
Lucemon turned sideways, the glance out of the corner of his eye roaming down and up TakakoÆs form. Offhandedly, he made a shooing gesture with his left hand. The Crest of Pride flared on the concrete under his feet and the crystal Digimon fakes disappeared without a trace.
ôHmmàyou have truly taken a lovely form, Lilithmon.ö
ôAh?ö Takako actually found herself blushing at the praise. ôMi-Milord, I have no words.ö
The fallen angel chuckled. ôThen donÆt say anything.ö
TakakoÆs lips trembled as she struggled to find words.
ôLord Lucemonàyouàyou are really here.ö
ôYes,ö Lucemon confirmed. ôTakato has done the impossible yet again.ö His cheeks glowed with childish joy. ôYou cannot conceive how proud I am of him.ö A pause. ôIÆm still smacking his head for his recklessness next time I see him, though.ö
Finally, his gaze turned to the Tamers. More specifically, on Sakuyamon.
Ruki, she was also frozen in midair by the sudden appearance of the beautiful angel. She remembered him most clearlyùwas that a vision? A dream? With everything she had learned she did not know anymore.
She remembered meeting him. She remembered the card. She remembered everything Juri had explained to them.
The æGame MasterÆ.
TakatoÆs æopponentÆ.
The one who stands in the center of TakatoÆs nightmarish world.
The æFinal BossÆ was standing before them without a care in the world.
ôRukiàö Renamon spoke inside the kernel, as if awaiting instructions.
She wanted to move. She wanted to act, to fight, to defeat that angelic monster and bring back those peaceful days.
But she could not, for she could feel it.
TakatoàTakato is supposed to beat this thingà?
Thisàmagnitude, this immensity, it had not been there when they met in that strange garden. Now that they met in a physical realm, Makino Ruki was for the first time exposed to the greatness that is Lucemon.
ôRejoice, Tamers!ö Lucemon saluted them with outstretched arms. ôAt the behest of our beloved Takato, today I have come to assist you.ö
Before anybody could ask, he turned his attention to the gigantic crystal tomb that covered the hospital.
ôYou were having trouble with this thing, I believe.ö
ôAh,ö Takako cringed. ôIÆm terribly sorry, milord, but it would regenerate faster thanùö
ôI am not scolding you, Lilithmon,ö Lucemon clarified. ôDestructive power has never been your forte. Besidesàö
The Child Digimon gestured vaguely towards the crystal megalith, commanding the Crest of Pride to eliminate it. His capability to destroy the crystal with enough applications of Grand Cross was acknowledged, and the glowing violet formation was annihilated; not even lingering data was left.
ôUmu,ö Lucemon uttered as he nodded with satisfaction. ôSo, shall we go check insideùö
A glowing orange blade fell upon Lucemon in a mighty swing.
The attack was stopped effortlessly, easily caught by LucemonÆs right hand. A thin leg moved in a flash, striking the owner of that energy sword right in the middle of his torso. For a moment, the Cyborg Digimon was frozen on the spot, the concentric circles of the Crest of Pride radiantly turning around him for that lingering moment until he was blown away like a baseball. He flew as barely subsonic speed until he æjust so happenedÆ to crash into SaintGalgomon two blocks away, who æjust so happenedÆ to have his barrels open and ready to fire. The impact made SaintGalgomon fall on his back, and dozens of rockets were thus fired aimlessly and recklessly.
ôAkiyama Ryo. So thatÆs the one who has Millenniumon as partner?ö Lucemon snorted. ôWhat a rude, reckless child.ö
He chuckled in amusement as the incomplete barrage SaintGalgomon unleashed wreaked havoc in the vicinity.
ôAh, ah, look at the mess youÆve done.ö He shook his head and made clicking sounds with his tongue. ôHow you guys make it without Takato is beyond me.ö
Ruki finally broke through the spell that was LucemonÆs very presence when he took the first step towards the hospital.
Lucemon raised an eyebrow when Sakuyamon landed in front of him, standing defiantly with her staff held low and ready to strike.
ôWhat now?ö
ôWhatàö Ruki shook her head. Her voice had come out awfully weak.
She was afraid.
This Digimon terrified her. She could only wonder how Hirokazu and Shiuchon were faring. And, of course, it had to be the goddamn Ryo who could attack without being affected.
ôWhatàwhat are you doing here!?ö
Lucemon glanced up at the sky for a second before looking back at Sakuyamon.
ôThere is not a short answer to that. But, really, you Tamers need a better grasp on your priorities.ö
He pointed at the hospital behind her.
ôThat place,ö he pointed out. ôFor all you know, everybody in there is already dead.ö
Ruki felt her heart being gripped and squeezed by an invisible hand. As annoying as it was, he had a point: what properties did that crystal have? In what ways did it affected those trapped within? Furthermore, asphyxiation was a frightening possibility.
Butà
Katou JuriÆs voice suddenly filled the TamersÆ ears.
ôShao-chan, please stay with Ruki! Everyone else, please check on everybody in the hospital! Ryo-san, please go straight to Takato-kunÆs room!ö
Ruki sighed in relief. Thank you, Katou.
ôYe-Yes!ö As if pulled out of a dream, the Tamers were released from the haze LucemonÆs very presence had swallowed them into, Jenrya and Terriermon ending their combination. When they moved to act upon JuriÆs commands, the angel smiled in something that could be called approval.
ôHmm. Smart children.ö
With the Tamers gone, Lucemon and Takako were pinned between Sakuyamon and Cherubimon.
ôNow, talk.ö
Lucemon chuckled at RukiÆs rude speech.
ôArenÆt you a bold little one, little Alraune? ItÆs rather endearing, how you expect me to take you seriously.ö
He turned his back to Ruki to stare at the distant towers of the Metropolitan Government Building.
ôI do not like repeating myself, so, if you truly want to discuss matters, gather your companions and meet me at that place you call Hypnos. ItÆs where you always have your meetings, is it not?ö
As if readying them for flight, Lucemon made his wings sway a little.
ôWhaù!ö Ruki exclaimed when she realized Lucemon intended to leave. ôWhat do youùyouÆre not getting awayù!ö
Her attempt at grabbing Lucemon was interrupted by the fallen angelÆs intense glare. Once more, she was paralyzed by his immense presence, this time laced with more than a tinge of dark, harmful intent.
ôYou do not want to do that, Doll of the Dreamer.ö
Ruki could feel her innards being churned by a painful gripping hand. Her legs, SakuyamonÆs legs, trembled uncontrollably and threatened to give out.
ôTo think you are worthy of laying hands on meàyour shamelessness knows no boundary, pitiful fake.ö
Again, he turned his back to the paralyzed girl. LopmonÆs and ShaochungÆs Ultimate form did not even register in his awareness.
ôWhaàfakeà?ö Ruki muttered and a phrase long forgotten, the rambling of a madwoman, returned to itch in her mind like the prodding of a naughty little wasp.
ôYou are not Makino Ruki.ö
ôI have no reason to explain things to a pathetic mongrel, not even worthy of touching my TakatoÆs shadow.ö
But this was still Makino Ruki, former Digimon Queen, ice cold Tamer. In all her fear, his words still fueled a powerful flame that was her own personal pride.
ôWhatàdid you sayà?ö
Lucemonàhe laughed. It was not laughter suitable for his lovely child-like appearance. It was something ugly and wicked, the mocking howl of a naughty devil. Cherubimon took a few steps backs, looking like it wanted to be anywhere but there. Takako also put some distance between herself and her lord, but that was because she wanted a better view of this most rare of shows.
ôDo you not know why Takato never mentioned me to you? Why he kept the Game to himself, hiding his burden even from the one he called æhis best friendÆ?ö
Those words, æbest friendÆ, were like a needle stinging RukiÆs heart.
No, no, she did not want to hear this from himà!
ôItÆs because you are worthless, girl. You and the whole lot of you. Your role ended when D-Reaper was stopped. Against our might, the might of the Great Demon Lords, your feeble powers are meaningless. You pitiful pawns are no longer of use.ö
ôNoàö
ôHe brought your partners back as a last gift for you! He wished for you to move on with your lives, happily immersed in your peaceful delusions! He meant to discard you all along, to fight the battle on his own! He does not need you anymore!ö
ôShut up!ö Ruki barked back. ôTakatoÆs notùö
ôNot like that, you say?ö A mockingly grinning Lucemon interrupted, staring at Ruki as if she had said something utterly stupid. ôSo you think you know Takato?ö
A flicker of red, and Lucemon was suddenly not in front, but standing right next to her, glancing dismissively at her profile.
ôPitiful girl, humans wear masks all the time. You constantly adjust your behavior to match the social situation, always thinking of your personal benefit.ö
A second flicker and he had moved to the opposite side, his mocking smirk unfaltering.
ôWhether it is to fit in a certain clique, to apply for a certain position, or to attract a member of the opposite gender; you craft the appropriate mask and wear it over your true selves as a means to maximize the profit out of the social experience. You are no exception, Alraune-chan.ö
He was suddenly standing behind her, his back facing her own.
ôYou can barely stand Shiota and Kitagawa, but you will not act against them anymore. Now that you have become part of æthe teamÆ, you desperately cling to it. You no longer wish to go back to being that cold-hearted bitch from before, do you?ö
ôItÆsàitÆs not like thatàö
Lucemon grinned in merry enjoyment, Even with her face partially covered by that golden helmet, her reactions were so clear and refreshingà! The way her body shook in response to her words, it was so amusing!
ôAnd youÆre trying so hard, oh you pitiful girl! YouÆre trying so hard, to cling to your belief that the Takato youÆve known is the real Takato! Even if you already know, that was just the mask he masterfully crafted to deal with you!ö
The flame regained intensity in RukiÆs heart. Sakuyamon quickly turned around to glare at the angelic Digimon.
ôDonÆtà! DonÆt speak of Takato like that!ö
ôNo, YOU donÆt speak of Takato like that, insect!ö Lucemon roared in response, paralyzing Ruki and Cherubimon with the intensity of his anger. ôSaying his name so familiarly! So preposterously! A worthless cur like you should just disappear!ö
Glaring intensely at her half-covered face, Lucemon took a step forward. Sakuyamon immediately took a step back. Lucemon was much shorter, but Sakuyamon felt she was being stared down nonetheless.
ôYou think a doll like you can speak of æfriendshipÆ? You think you can actually craft æbondsÆ with other people!? With Takato? Are you really so deluded as to believe you two were truly friends!?ö
Ruki gritted her teeth. His presence terrified her, butàbutàshe just could not let him speak to her like that!
ôTakato isàmyàbestàö
ôYour best nothing!ö Lucemon roared. In the distance, the Tamers that had hurried to the hospital rushed back outside, alarmed by the sudden loudness of SakuyamonÆs and LucemonÆs exchange.
ôIt was never about friendship! You only wished to believe you had a bond with him, and he only cared about the peace of mind he gained by being with you! It was merely pathetic selfishness that drew you to each other!ö
ôWeÆre notà!ö Like thatà
The Crest of Pride flared brilliantly, and Ruki gasped when she felt an alien force pulling inside her body.
ôWhaàwhat is thisà!?ö She cried out as the invisible force became gradually painfulà
ôTch!ö Lucemon spat when the crimson of his Crest was suddenly consumed by golden radiance.
Three concentric circles had appeared under RukiÆs feet, the three surrounding by two more circles with the invocation ôAPO PANTOS KAKODAIMONOSö written in letters of light between them. A sound like glass breaking marked the dispelling of LucemonÆs Crest and the fadeout of the strange power that tried to bring harm to Makino Ruki.
Sakuyamon felt on her hands and knees, panting heavily as she was released of that terrible power.
ôWhaàughàeh?ö
The interrogation came upon glancing up at Lucemon, for he wore, by far, the most child-like expression he had shown since his appearance. He was still glaring at her, but he was also biting his lower lip, and his eyes glimmered with something resemblingàdisappointment? Scorn? Betrayal?
Then he spoke. Very quietly, and only Sakuyamon managed to catch it.
ôàstupid Takato.ö
Ruki had no time to ponder the sheer cutenessùbecause æcuteÆ was the only way she could call that tone of voiceùwhen LucemonÆs hands seized her head and gripped it so that she would fix her gaze on his furious eyes.
ôLet me make this clear, Makino.ö
ôYou know nothing. You are nothing. And Takato does not care about you; he has never done so.ö
His face drew closer. Justimon and HiAndromon saw this as a terrible threat and moved to separate them, but a new activation of the Crest of Pride blew them both away as if they had been struck in their chests by a powerful fist.
ôHe only cares about the Game now.ö
He moved even closer, entirely filling SakuyamonÆs field of view. He licked his lips in a way that made Ruki shudder for some reason.
ôHe only cares about me now.ö
His face further inched towards hers until their noses were but a millimeter apart. She could not see his wicked, somewhat salacious grin, but she could most definitely feel it.
ôTakato. Is. MINE.ö
A halo of red surrounded Lucemon; the light of his Crest activated one last time, and Sakuyamon then found herself released from the terrible vice-like grip.
Lucemon was gone.
ôHmph,ö Lucemon murmured even as he preened at the attention. He made his many wings tremble slightly, and diminutive motes of light poured out of them like gold dust. It was a parlor trick, but he delighted in the æooohÆsÆ and æaaahÆsÆ of the children present.
Pitiful humans. He thought. Your life has lost whatever worthless meaning it had, now that you have witnessed Perfection.
Humble, Lucemon is not.
This was a lively city, beautiful in its decadence, he thought. The insistence of Yggdrasil to separate the ægoodÆ from the æbadÆ like a moral sieve, and striving for only the ægoodÆ to existàthere was no way he could agree with that. In that way, he rather liked the Crest of Dreams for its utter disinterest for either good or evil. It simply created. In the same way, he rather liked humans, filthy primates that they were, for their existence of permanently swaying between good and evil.
ôYou create rules and then you violate them ceaselessly,ö he spoke to the confused, yet captivated, audience before him. ôYou commit unforgivable sins every day, yet you carry on in a relatively stable society. ItÆs admirable in its wickedness.ö
But he was not there to preach to humans, was he?
ôAh, Takato, Takatoàö the angel spoke with affectionate amusement. ôI wonder, will this become a debt I can cash in later?ö
He knew the location of Lilithmon and the Tamers, or, at least, the general direction and distance.
His thoughtsùfor it is the prerogative of ancient beings to let their minds wanderùwent to UlforceV-Dramon of the Royal Knights. That blue knightàhe was so proud of his speedà
Lucemon chuckled as he remembered that primordial war. It had been too amusing, to break that proud knight without even needing to evolve from his Child Form.
The Crest of Pride works on events and feats Lucemon could perform without its assistance, decreasing the time necessary to achieve them to the absolute minimum.
Moving from Point A to Point B is most definitely something within the scope of LucemonÆs natural capabilities.
LEVEL: 666 SYSTEM: LUCIFER CODE: PRIDE
CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL 1
The Crest of the prideful flared a deep, bloody red, and then he was in front of the hospital, standing in front of a stunned Kuroyama Takako. With his back turned to Takako and the Tamers, Lucemon allowed them to bask in his radiance and the pristine beauty of his immaculate wings.
At Hypnos, the technicians were going insane after LucemonÆs feat of teleportation. Jenrya and Ryo had said ôscrew itö and left Hypnos to assist Ruki. Juri stared down at her Digimon partner. Shakkomon was trembling; perturbed from its seemingly eternal lethargy by something that should not be called a memory. It was an imprint; a natural reactionary mechanism embedded in his code.
Lucemon turned sideways, the glance out of the corner of his eye roaming down and up TakakoÆs form. Offhandedly, he made a shooing gesture with his left hand. The Crest of Pride flared on the concrete under his feet and the crystal Digimon fakes disappeared without a trace.
ôHmmàyou have truly taken a lovely form, Lilithmon.ö
ôAh?ö Takako actually found herself blushing at the praise. ôMi-Milord, I have no words.ö
The fallen angel chuckled. ôThen donÆt say anything.ö
TakakoÆs lips trembled as she struggled to find words.
ôLord Lucemonàyouàyou are really here.ö
ôYes,ö Lucemon confirmed. ôTakato has done the impossible yet again.ö His cheeks glowed with childish joy. ôYou cannot conceive how proud I am of him.ö A pause. ôIÆm still smacking his head for his recklessness next time I see him, though.ö
Finally, his gaze turned to the Tamers. More specifically, on Sakuyamon.
Ruki, she was also frozen in midair by the sudden appearance of the beautiful angel. She remembered him most clearlyùwas that a vision? A dream? With everything she had learned she did not know anymore.
She remembered meeting him. She remembered the card. She remembered everything Juri had explained to them.
The æGame MasterÆ.
TakatoÆs æopponentÆ.
The one who stands in the center of TakatoÆs nightmarish world.
The æFinal BossÆ was standing before them without a care in the world.
ôRukiàö Renamon spoke inside the kernel, as if awaiting instructions.
She wanted to move. She wanted to act, to fight, to defeat that angelic monster and bring back those peaceful days.
But she could not, for she could feel it.
TakatoàTakato is supposed to beat this thingà?
Thisàmagnitude, this immensity, it had not been there when they met in that strange garden. Now that they met in a physical realm, Makino Ruki was for the first time exposed to the greatness that is Lucemon.
ôRejoice, Tamers!ö Lucemon saluted them with outstretched arms. ôAt the behest of our beloved Takato, today I have come to assist you.ö
Before anybody could ask, he turned his attention to the gigantic crystal tomb that covered the hospital.
ôYou were having trouble with this thing, I believe.ö
ôAh,ö Takako cringed. ôIÆm terribly sorry, milord, but it would regenerate faster thanùö
ôI am not scolding you, Lilithmon,ö Lucemon clarified. ôDestructive power has never been your forte. Besidesàö
The Child Digimon gestured vaguely towards the crystal megalith, commanding the Crest of Pride to eliminate it. His capability to destroy the crystal with enough applications of Grand Cross was acknowledged, and the glowing violet formation was annihilated; not even lingering data was left.
ôUmu,ö Lucemon uttered as he nodded with satisfaction. ôSo, shall we go check insideùö
A glowing orange blade fell upon Lucemon in a mighty swing.
The attack was stopped effortlessly, easily caught by LucemonÆs right hand. A thin leg moved in a flash, striking the owner of that energy sword right in the middle of his torso. For a moment, the Cyborg Digimon was frozen on the spot, the concentric circles of the Crest of Pride radiantly turning around him for that lingering moment until he was blown away like a baseball. He flew as barely subsonic speed until he æjust so happenedÆ to crash into SaintGalgomon two blocks away, who æjust so happenedÆ to have his barrels open and ready to fire. The impact made SaintGalgomon fall on his back, and dozens of rockets were thus fired aimlessly and recklessly.
ôAkiyama Ryo. So thatÆs the one who has Millenniumon as partner?ö Lucemon snorted. ôWhat a rude, reckless child.ö
He chuckled in amusement as the incomplete barrage SaintGalgomon unleashed wreaked havoc in the vicinity.
ôAh, ah, look at the mess youÆve done.ö He shook his head and made clicking sounds with his tongue. ôHow you guys make it without Takato is beyond me.ö
Ruki finally broke through the spell that was LucemonÆs very presence when he took the first step towards the hospital.
Lucemon raised an eyebrow when Sakuyamon landed in front of him, standing defiantly with her staff held low and ready to strike.
ôWhat now?ö
ôWhatàö Ruki shook her head. Her voice had come out awfully weak.
She was afraid.
This Digimon terrified her. She could only wonder how Hirokazu and Shiuchon were faring. And, of course, it had to be the goddamn Ryo who could attack without being affected.
ôWhatàwhat are you doing here!?ö
Lucemon glanced up at the sky for a second before looking back at Sakuyamon.
ôThere is not a short answer to that. But, really, you Tamers need a better grasp on your priorities.ö
He pointed at the hospital behind her.
ôThat place,ö he pointed out. ôFor all you know, everybody in there is already dead.ö
Ruki felt her heart being gripped and squeezed by an invisible hand. As annoying as it was, he had a point: what properties did that crystal have? In what ways did it affected those trapped within? Furthermore, asphyxiation was a frightening possibility.
Butà
Katou JuriÆs voice suddenly filled the TamersÆ ears.
ôShao-chan, please stay with Ruki! Everyone else, please check on everybody in the hospital! Ryo-san, please go straight to Takato-kunÆs room!ö
Ruki sighed in relief. Thank you, Katou.
ôYe-Yes!ö As if pulled out of a dream, the Tamers were released from the haze LucemonÆs very presence had swallowed them into, Jenrya and Terriermon ending their combination. When they moved to act upon JuriÆs commands, the angel smiled in something that could be called approval.
ôHmm. Smart children.ö
With the Tamers gone, Lucemon and Takako were pinned between Sakuyamon and Cherubimon.
ôNow, talk.ö
Lucemon chuckled at RukiÆs rude speech.
ôArenÆt you a bold little one, little Alraune? ItÆs rather endearing, how you expect me to take you seriously.ö
He turned his back to Ruki to stare at the distant towers of the Metropolitan Government Building.
ôI do not like repeating myself, so, if you truly want to discuss matters, gather your companions and meet me at that place you call Hypnos. ItÆs where you always have your meetings, is it not?ö
As if readying them for flight, Lucemon made his wings sway a little.
ôWhaù!ö Ruki exclaimed when she realized Lucemon intended to leave. ôWhat do youùyouÆre not getting awayù!ö
Her attempt at grabbing Lucemon was interrupted by the fallen angelÆs intense glare. Once more, she was paralyzed by his immense presence, this time laced with more than a tinge of dark, harmful intent.
ôYou do not want to do that, Doll of the Dreamer.ö
Ruki could feel her innards being churned by a painful gripping hand. Her legs, SakuyamonÆs legs, trembled uncontrollably and threatened to give out.
ôTo think you are worthy of laying hands on meàyour shamelessness knows no boundary, pitiful fake.ö
Again, he turned his back to the paralyzed girl. LopmonÆs and ShaochungÆs Ultimate form did not even register in his awareness.
ôWhaàfakeà?ö Ruki muttered and a phrase long forgotten, the rambling of a madwoman, returned to itch in her mind like the prodding of a naughty little wasp.
ôYou are not Makino Ruki.ö
ôI have no reason to explain things to a pathetic mongrel, not even worthy of touching my TakatoÆs shadow.ö
But this was still Makino Ruki, former Digimon Queen, ice cold Tamer. In all her fear, his words still fueled a powerful flame that was her own personal pride.
ôWhatàdid you sayà?ö
Lucemonàhe laughed. It was not laughter suitable for his lovely child-like appearance. It was something ugly and wicked, the mocking howl of a naughty devil. Cherubimon took a few steps backs, looking like it wanted to be anywhere but there. Takako also put some distance between herself and her lord, but that was because she wanted a better view of this most rare of shows.
ôDo you not know why Takato never mentioned me to you? Why he kept the Game to himself, hiding his burden even from the one he called æhis best friendÆ?ö
Those words, æbest friendÆ, were like a needle stinging RukiÆs heart.
No, no, she did not want to hear this from himà!
ôItÆs because you are worthless, girl. You and the whole lot of you. Your role ended when D-Reaper was stopped. Against our might, the might of the Great Demon Lords, your feeble powers are meaningless. You pitiful pawns are no longer of use.ö
ôNoàö
ôHe brought your partners back as a last gift for you! He wished for you to move on with your lives, happily immersed in your peaceful delusions! He meant to discard you all along, to fight the battle on his own! He does not need you anymore!ö
ôShut up!ö Ruki barked back. ôTakatoÆs notùö
ôNot like that, you say?ö A mockingly grinning Lucemon interrupted, staring at Ruki as if she had said something utterly stupid. ôSo you think you know Takato?ö
A flicker of red, and Lucemon was suddenly not in front, but standing right next to her, glancing dismissively at her profile.
ôPitiful girl, humans wear masks all the time. You constantly adjust your behavior to match the social situation, always thinking of your personal benefit.ö
A second flicker and he had moved to the opposite side, his mocking smirk unfaltering.
ôWhether it is to fit in a certain clique, to apply for a certain position, or to attract a member of the opposite gender; you craft the appropriate mask and wear it over your true selves as a means to maximize the profit out of the social experience. You are no exception, Alraune-chan.ö
He was suddenly standing behind her, his back facing her own.
ôYou can barely stand Shiota and Kitagawa, but you will not act against them anymore. Now that you have become part of æthe teamÆ, you desperately cling to it. You no longer wish to go back to being that cold-hearted bitch from before, do you?ö
ôItÆsàitÆs not like thatàö
Lucemon grinned in merry enjoyment, Even with her face partially covered by that golden helmet, her reactions were so clear and refreshingà! The way her body shook in response to her words, it was so amusing!
ôAnd youÆre trying so hard, oh you pitiful girl! YouÆre trying so hard, to cling to your belief that the Takato youÆve known is the real Takato! Even if you already know, that was just the mask he masterfully crafted to deal with you!ö
The flame regained intensity in RukiÆs heart. Sakuyamon quickly turned around to glare at the angelic Digimon.
ôDonÆtà! DonÆt speak of Takato like that!ö
ôNo, YOU donÆt speak of Takato like that, insect!ö Lucemon roared in response, paralyzing Ruki and Cherubimon with the intensity of his anger. ôSaying his name so familiarly! So preposterously! A worthless cur like you should just disappear!ö
Glaring intensely at her half-covered face, Lucemon took a step forward. Sakuyamon immediately took a step back. Lucemon was much shorter, but Sakuyamon felt she was being stared down nonetheless.
ôYou think a doll like you can speak of æfriendshipÆ? You think you can actually craft æbondsÆ with other people!? With Takato? Are you really so deluded as to believe you two were truly friends!?ö
Ruki gritted her teeth. His presence terrified her, butàbutàshe just could not let him speak to her like that!
ôTakato isàmyàbestàö
ôYour best nothing!ö Lucemon roared. In the distance, the Tamers that had hurried to the hospital rushed back outside, alarmed by the sudden loudness of SakuyamonÆs and LucemonÆs exchange.
ôIt was never about friendship! You only wished to believe you had a bond with him, and he only cared about the peace of mind he gained by being with you! It was merely pathetic selfishness that drew you to each other!ö
ôWeÆre notà!ö Like thatà
The Crest of Pride flared brilliantly, and Ruki gasped when she felt an alien force pulling inside her body.
ôWhaàwhat is thisà!?ö She cried out as the invisible force became gradually painfulà
ôTch!ö Lucemon spat when the crimson of his Crest was suddenly consumed by golden radiance.
Three concentric circles had appeared under RukiÆs feet, the three surrounding by two more circles with the invocation ôAPO PANTOS KAKODAIMONOSö written in letters of light between them. A sound like glass breaking marked the dispelling of LucemonÆs Crest and the fadeout of the strange power that tried to bring harm to Makino Ruki.
Sakuyamon felt on her hands and knees, panting heavily as she was released of that terrible power.
ôWhaàughàeh?ö
The interrogation came upon glancing up at Lucemon, for he wore, by far, the most child-like expression he had shown since his appearance. He was still glaring at her, but he was also biting his lower lip, and his eyes glimmered with something resemblingàdisappointment? Scorn? Betrayal?
Then he spoke. Very quietly, and only Sakuyamon managed to catch it.
ôàstupid Takato.ö
Ruki had no time to ponder the sheer cutenessùbecause æcuteÆ was the only way she could call that tone of voiceùwhen LucemonÆs hands seized her head and gripped it so that she would fix her gaze on his furious eyes.
ôLet me make this clear, Makino.ö
ôYou know nothing. You are nothing. And Takato does not care about you; he has never done so.ö
His face drew closer. Justimon and HiAndromon saw this as a terrible threat and moved to separate them, but a new activation of the Crest of Pride blew them both away as if they had been struck in their chests by a powerful fist.
ôHe only cares about the Game now.ö
He moved even closer, entirely filling SakuyamonÆs field of view. He licked his lips in a way that made Ruki shudder for some reason.
ôHe only cares about me now.ö
His face further inched towards hers until their noses were but a millimeter apart. She could not see his wicked, somewhat salacious grin, but she could most definitely feel it.
ôTakato. Is. MINE.ö
A halo of red surrounded Lucemon; the light of his Crest activated one last time, and Sakuyamon then found herself released from the terrible vice-like grip.
Lucemon was gone.