Old Friends, Old Foes: Part Three Disclaimer: Digimon Adventure, Digimon Adventure 02 and related elements are registered trademarks of Toei, Bandai and their respective owners and are used without permission. Rei, Kain, Aiko, Chiaki, Jenna, Jessie, Cassidy and related characters are creations of Sakura ([email protected]) and are used with permission. Note: In the Japanese version, the various Digimon levels are as follows: In Training: Baby Rookie : Child Champion : Adult Ultimate : Perfect Mega : Ultimate "My master Milleniumon has ordered your deaths, Chosen..." the imposing humanoid Digimon said quietly. "Know that you meet your end at the hands of Holy Angemon!" "Holy Angemon?" Taichi repeated as he ducked under a Dark Tyrannomon's swipe. Ryo leapt aside as another Dark Tyrannomon charged him. "This must be Patamon's Perfect level!" "Great!" Taichi said, watching as Agumon and Gabumon double teamed one of the Dark Tyrannomons, knocking it out. "I just need an opening to use the Digivice!Agumon!" Agumon looked up as a beam shot out of Taichi's Digivice and surrounded him with light. "Agumon!" he cried out. The Dark Tyrannomons fell back behind Holy Angemon, while the Digimon assembled in front of Taichi and Ryou. "Warp-evolve!" Agumon grew in size into the massive form of Greymon, and seconds later evolved into the cybernetic Metal Greymon. A brilliant light encased him, and a smaller, more humanoid form appeared. The shield on his back carried the symbol of the crest of courage and he wielded two gigantic clawed gauntlets. "War Greymon!" he declared. The heroic Ultimate faced off with his possessed comrade. "Forgive me, Holy Angemon," he apologised. "But I can't let you hurt Taichi, or the others!" "I'm afraid there is little you can do to stop me." Holy Angemon dashed forward, slashing at War Greymon with his sword. War Greymon blocked it with his gauntlets and countered by striking at him, yelling out, "Dramon Killer!" Meanwhile, the Dark Tyrannomon had resumed their attack on Taichi, Ryou and the Digimon. "Ugh!" Taichi grunted as a stray blast knocked him off his feet. A Dark Tyrannomon leapt at him, but Ryou hit it with his backpack, throwing the Digimon off-balance and giving Taichi time to get up. "I can't get close enough!" Taichi yelled, trying to reach Holy Angemon. "No use!" Gabumon cried. "Too many of them!" A Dark Tyrannomon slammed its claw into the ground where he'd been standing seconds ago. "Petit Fire!" The Dark Tyrannomon roared with rage. "Taichi-san! We need to evolve!" "How? Yamato and the others aren't here!" "Magical Fire! We'll think of something!" Piyomon assured the goggle-wearing boy. "I won't let Sora down!" "Down is what we'll be if we don't finish this soon!" Gomamon yelped, trying to avoid another Dark Tyrannomon. "Sharp Claws!" He raked the larger Digimon's face with his claws, causing it to clutch at its wounds and roar in pain. Tailmon, being an Adult level, managed to knock out some of the Dark Tyrannomons, but she was being overwhelmed. "Cat Punch!" she yelled, knocking out another of the attacking Digimon. "I could use some help here!" "Damn!" Ryou swore. "If only I could use my Digivice..." A thought struck him. "At this point, we're desperate!" He aimed the machine at Gabumon. "Gabumon! Head's up!" "Wha?" A beam shot out of Ryou's Digivice and hit him. He began growing as he yelled "Gabumon evolve!" When the light receeded, in Gabumon's place was a huge wolf-like Digimon. "Garurumon!" He howled and leapt into the fight, clawing, snapping and slamming into the Dark Tyrannomons. "So, your friend has evolved?" Holy Angemon stated, watching as another Dark Tyrannomon fell. "No matter. Once I've dealt with you, he will be no problem." "Don't be so sure!" War Greymon replied. "Gaia Force!" A huge ball of energy formed in War Greymon's hands and he hurled it at Holy Angemon. It wouldn't kill him, but he hoped it would be enough to stun Holy Angemon long enough for Taichi to free him. Holy Angemon smirked as the energy ball flew towards him. "Heaven Gate!" Using his sword, the Angel Digimon drew a circle in the air which materialised into a gate-like structure. As the energy bolt approached, the gate opened. War Greymon's attack simply vanished into the gate without doing any damage. "Wha?" "My turn." A wave of energy shot out of the portal, blasting War Greymon. Holy Angemon followed up his advantage with a series of quick slashes, which War Greymon only just managed to avoid. And the battle continued... "Come on, come on..." Taichi slowly made his way past the battle, edging towards the duel. He ducked under a stray fire blast. "Just...a little...closer!" When he was a few feet away, he heard something which revived his flagging hopes. "Garurumon, Hi-evolve!" Risking a glance behind him, he watched as Garurumon became a more humanoid version of himself, wearing torn jeans and leather gloves. "Were Garurumon!" The Perfect level began thrashing the remaining Dark Tyrannomon, finally giving Tailmon the breathing space she needed. "Thanks," she gasped, exhausted. "No problem," Were Garurumon replied. "Garuru Kick!" Twirling in mid-air, Were Garurumon kicked a Dark Tyrannomon, sending it crashing into the others. "Taichi!" Ryou yelled. "What're you doing?!" Taichi realised he was stupidly standing in the middle of the battle and turned to run towards Holy Angemon. "Here we go!" Taichi shouted, aiming his Digivice. A beam of light shot out, heading straight for the possessed Angel Digimon. Holy Angemon knocked War Greymon away then coolly evaded the beam. "Damn!" "Nice try," Holy Angemon said, flying upwards. "But you've had your chance!" His sword grew longer as he began carving a circle in the air. "Heaven-" "Not so fast!" Ryou yelled. While the others were fighting, he had made his way to higher ground and now used his height advantage to leap onto Holy Angemon's back. "Argh!" The Perfect snarled as Ryou grabbed at his hair to stay on. He twisted his head to look at the boy."What are you-" Ryou grinned and held up his Digivice. "Lights out!" A beam blasted Holy Angemon in the face. "Agh!" he gasped, suddenly going limp. "Uh-oh," Ryou yelped, realising he was high up in the air with an unconcious angel. "Maybe I should've thought this throuuuuuugggghhhh!" "Ryou! Holy Angemon!" Taichi cried, watching in horror as his friends plummeted to their deaths. "I've got them!" War Greymon said, flying up and catching them. He landed and gently set them down before he devolved back to Agumon. "Ryou!" Taichi gasped. "You okay?" "Not something I want to make a habit of," the older boy said, getting to his feet. "How's Holy Angemon?" "I'm...alright," Holy Angemon replied, sitting up. "Taichi? What happened? Where's Takeru?" He realised everyone was staring at him. "What's wrong?" He looked at his..."Hands?" he said, surprised. "I'm in Adult form? How?" "Uh, you're not in Adult form," Tailmon sighed. "You're a Perfect." "My Perfect form? How?" Holy Angemon looked around. "And where's Takeru? And the others?" "We'll fill you in," Tentomon said, taking to the air. "That's right!" Piyomon added. "We've got to save Sora and the others!" "Right, everyone!" Taichi said, taking the lead. "Let's go!" Some time later, the group found themselves at the castle doors. "Great." Taichi walked up to the doors and rapped on them experimentally. "Now how do we get in?" Ryou looked thoughtful. "Taichi, I think my Digivice isn't really a Digivice." "Huh?" "Think about it. When you evolve Agumon, he reverts to Child form after the danger's over, right?" "Yeah..." "When I evolved Gabumon, he stayed as Were Garurumon. And when you set Angewomon, Lillymon, Zudomon, Garudamon and Atlur Kabuterimon free they all went back to Child level too, right?" "Right..." "But when I used my Digivice to rescue Holy Angemon he was still a Perfect!" Ryou looked at the device he held in his hand. "What makes mine different?" "Maybe different manufacturers?" Taichi suggested. "Anyway, we can't worry about that now, we've got to save the others!" "Yeah, you're right," Ryou agreed, putting the machine away. "There'll be time to figure this out later." "But first we've got to...huh?" The massive doors began to open. Taichi and the others backed away, Holy Angemon and Were Garurumon staying in front. A booming voice echoed through the open doors. "Enter." "What do we do?" Ryou asked. Taichi shrugged. "Let's go in. But be careful, everyone." A large humanoid figure stood waiting in the hallway inside. Completely encased in armour, the Digimon beckoned to the group to step forward. Digimon Analyser: Knightmon, Perfect level Digimon. He is loyal to his master, and will never betray him! "Greetings, Chosen," Knightmon said. "I must commend you on arriving here. Few have dared travel farther than the lower levels of my master's domain." Ryou smiled."And your master would be..." "Lord Milleniumon has commanded that you be brought before him. I am here to escort you," Knightmon explained. "Then let's skip the small talk and let's get going!" Taichi said impatiently. "Very well." Knightmon turned and began walking. "Please follow me." "If you don't mind me saying so," Ryou said to Knightmon as the armoured Digimon led them to the main hall. "you don't seem like the type to follow such an evil Digimon as Milleniumon." The Perfect glanced at the boy. "Aye," he agreed. "Normally I would be the first to battle one like Lord Milleniumon, but he once saved my life." Ryou saw lights within his visor as Knightmon's eyes blazed with pride and honour. "I have sworn to serve Lord Milleniumon unto the death, and I stand by my oath." "Too bad," Ryou said sadly. "We could use someone like you." Knightmon looked at Holy Angemon. "You already have someone like me." He paused before two massive ornamental doors. The scenes on one door depicted shapes Taichi recognised as Devimon, Vamdemon, Venom Vamdemon and some Digimon he didn't recognise. On the other door were representations of Angemon, Holy Angemon, War Greymon, Metal Garurumon and other Digimon he couldn't identify. One did catch his eye though. It towered over the others, and Taichi noticed one arm had War Greymon's head for a hand while the other had Metal Garurumon's head. Before he could comment on it, the doors opened. Knightmon kneeled. "My lord, the Chosen of Courage and his companions." "Enter, Chosen of Courage." Taichi recognised the voice of Milleniumon. "You may leave, Knightmon." Knightmon stood, and after a respectful bow, he left. The hall was huge, just as Milleniumon liked. It impressed anyone who dared come visit (though the only ones who dared were Demon, Apocolymon and Devimon) and there was more than enough room for battle. Standing at the centre of the room, Milleniumon flexed his hands, eager for the battle he knew would surely come. "Soon, Holy Beasts..." he rumbled. He looked up at a gigantic black orb where he had imprisoned the Chosen Children. "Soon your precious Crests and Chosen will be destroyed and I will reign supreme!" "Alright, Milleniumon!" Taichi declared, marching into the hall. His eyes focused solely on Milleniumon, while Ryou quickly looked around the room. "Where're my friends and sister?" "You make demands of me, human?" Milleniumon said, amused. "You are either very brave, or very stupid." "A little here, a little there," Ryou deadpanned. "So, you're Milleniumon?" "I am. And who might you be? I do not recall a ninth Chosen..." "I'm just someone helping out a friend." "Ah," Milleniumon sneered. "How...niiiice." "Enough talk!" Taichi yelled. "Where's my sister?" "The Chosen of light? She's up above..." Taichi paled. "You killed her?!" "Uh, Taichi?" Ryou said, pointing at the gigantic dark sphere hovering above Milleniumon. He could make out seven kids floating inside, motionless. "Huh?" Taichi exclaimed. "Hey, I didn't notice that before." Everyone else sweatdropped. "Are they still alive?" Ryou asked no one in particular. "They'd better be!" Tailmon hissed. The other Digimon were just as incensed. "If you've done anything to to Sora, I'll...I'll..." "Yamato! Hold on!" "Mimi! I'm coming!" "I don't know if you can hear me ,Jyou, but I'm on my way!" "We'll have you out in a sec, Koushiro!" "Don't worry, Takeru, we'll get you out!" "Are you quite finished with your pathetic show of emotion?" Milleniumon asked. "How's this for pathetic?" Taichi snarled. "Agumon!" "Agumon, warp-evolve!" The small orange Digimon quickly re-emerged as..."War Greymon!" The Ultimate leapt into the air, forming an energy bolt in his hands. "Gaia Force!" "Time Unlimited!" The energy bolt froze in mid-air, allowing Milleniumon to avoid it easily. Were Garurumon charged. "Garuru Kick!" The blow landed on one of Milleniumon's arms, but he responded by grabbing Were Garurumon's leg and tossing him like a rag doll. "Cat Punch!" Tailmon's attack caught Milleniumon off-guard, but it did so little damage he decided to ignore her. Adults and Child levels were no match for him. "Tailmon!" Ryou said, waving at her to go over to where he was standing. Tentomon, Gomamon, Piyomon and Palmon were already there. "Look," he said once Tailmon arrived. "You guys can't do any damage to him. I want you to see if you can get the Chosen down while we keep Milleniumon busy!" "But..." they started to protest. "We don't have time for this!" Ryou hissed. "If you can't get them down, stay hidden! Maybe you'll get a lucky shot if he gets careless." A thought struck him. "Wait...I've got an idea! Listen..." "Heaven Gate!" A blast of energy shot out of the portal Holy Angemon made, but it didn't seem to hurt the more powerful Milleniumon. "Is that all you can do?" Milleniumon laughed, blasting at the angel with his cannons. "I'm disappointed!" "Keep talking, Milleniumon," Were Garurumon growled, appearing at his side. "It'll make it easier to shut you up! Kaiser Nail!" His hand blazing with power, Were Garurumon delivered a super-powered slash which caused Milleniumon to wince in pain. "Grrrhhh...." the massive Ultimate snarled, blasting Were Garurumon with his hands. "Insect, you'll pay for that!" War Greymon came up from behind him yelling "Great Tornado!" Twirling in the air, he plowed into the larger Digimon. Swooping down, Holy Angemon opened another Heaven Gate. He slammed into Milleniumon and tried to force him in. Were Garurumon and War Greymon joined him and they began to force him back. "You thought it would be that easy?" Milleniumon laughed. Flexing his arms, he sent them flying back and smiled in satisfaction as they slammed into the wall. "This is far too easy!" Ryou and Taichi ran towards the fallen Digimon. "War Greymon!" Taichi gasped. "Are you okay?" "I'll be fine, Taichi..." War Greymon said, struggling to his feet. "We have to stop him!" "AAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHH!" Were Garurumon roared, charging Milleniumon. "Kaiser Nail!" He slashed Milleniumon across the face. "Garuru kick!" A lightning fast kick smashed into the larger Digimon's face. "Baldy Blow!" Were Garurumon delivered a bone-crushing punch to his chest. The combination of powerful attacks staggered the massive Dark Digimon. "Impressive..." Milleniumon gasped. "But not quite good enough!" His four arms lashed out, grabbing Were Garurumon and engulfing the Perfect in a crushing bearhug. The werewolf howled in pain. "Were Garurumon!" Ryou cried as he watched the Beast Man Digimon had the life crushed out of him. He clutched his device. "I hope this works..." Standing up, he aimed the Digivice at the struggling forms. "Come on...come on..." His prayer was seemingly answered as the Digivice began to glow and fired a beam at Were Garurumon. "What's this?" Milleniumon said, surprised. The beam struck the smaller Digimon, and a bright light covered him. An incredible force pushed him back, forcing him to release Were Garurumon. Were Garurumon fell to all fours, his arms becoming forelegs, and his body becoming more streamlined. "Were Garurumon! Hi-evolve!" Flesh became steel as Were Garurumon became... "Metal Garurumon!" "No way!" Taichi said in disbelief. He began cheering. "Alright! Now we've got him!" The Chosen Child of Courage turned to War Greymon. "War Greymon!" "Right!" The Ultimate took to the air, energy forming in his hands. "Gaia Force!" "Cocytus Breath!" Metal Garurumon yelled, adding his energy blast to War Greymon's. "Time Unlimited!" Milleniumon smiled evilly as both attacks froze in mid-air. "You merely delay the inevitable!" "Taichi!" Ryou called from across the hall. Taichi looked to see the spiky-haired boy at the door. "He's too strong! You're on your own!" With that, he turned and ran. "What?!" Ken burst out angrily. "Ryou'd never run out and leave a friend like that!" "Ken-san!" Hikari scolded. "Wait till Nii-san's finished!" "But..." Jenna tugged at Ken's sleeve. "Can't you wait until Taichi-san is finished, Ken-kun?" "I guess..." The bluish-purple haired Chosen Child plopped back down on his chair. "I still say Ryou wouldn't do that..." Taichi cleared his throat. "Okay, Nii-san," Hikari said. "You can go on now." "Okay," Taichi agreed. Everyone leaned in with obvious interest. "But first...I need to go to the restroom." The others face-faulted. "Man, Taichi!" Yamato complained. "Just when it's getting good?" "Sorry! I'll be right back!" "Come to think of it," Mimi said. "I think we could all use some freshening up." Minutes later... "Okay, where was I?" "Ryou!" Taichi called after his friend. The older boy vanished around the corner. "No..." His confidence shaken, Taichi looked around. War Greymon, Metal Garurumon and Holy Angemon had renewed their assault on Milleniumon, but the evil Digimon didn't seem to be weakening. "Hey, where're the others?" True enough, Piyomon, Gomamon, Palmon, Tentomon and Tailmon were gone. "Don't tell me they ran off too!" "Agh!" War Greymon's cry of pain brought Taichi back to earth. Horrified, Taichi watched as Milleniumon held both War Greymon and Metal Garurumon and slammed them together with enough force to dislodge War Greymon's Dramon Killers. As the two Ultimates slid to the ground, Holy Angemon tried to impale Milleniumon with Excalibur, but the Ultimate casually swatted him into a wall. "It seems your 'friend' had the right idea," Milleniumon chuckled as he approached the now defenseless boy. "Perhaps now you see the error of relying on friends." "If you're going to finish me, get it over with," Taichi growled. Milleniumon seemed impressed. "You are brave, at least. Truly, you deserve the Crest of Courage. It's almost a pity to kill you." He raised a massive claw as Taichi stared him defiantly in the eye. "Ah, well, that's life." "Holy Arrow!" An arrow of light hit Milleniumon, taking him by surprise. As Taichi watched, Angewomon stepped gracefully through the door, her hand ready to release another Holy Arrow. "Angewomon!" Taichi cried with relief. Right behind her marched a huge Digimon who resembled a walrus wearing a turtle shell on his back and carrying a gigantic hammer. "Zudomon!" Garudamon and Lillymon followed, with Atlur Kabuterimon bringing up the rear. Ryou was riding on the huge beetle-like Perfect's back. The boy grinned. "Sorry for running out on you like that," he apologised. "But I needed time to evolve the others!" "You used deception?" Milleniumon said, surprised. "You decieved your own friend? How...un-heroic." "Hey," Ryou replied, leaping off Atlur Kabuterimon. "I never said I was a hero, and besides, all's fair in love and war!" He smirked. "Taichi! Ready?" Taichi grinned. "You bet! I knew you wouldn't run!Really!" he added, seeing Ryou's disbelieving face. "Holy Arrow!" Angewomon let loose an arrow of light. Lillymon yelled out her attack. "Flower Cannon!" "Hammer Spark!" Zudomon roared, smashing his hammer into the ground and sending lightning bolts at Milleniumon. "Mega Blaster!" Electricity gathered on Atlur Kabuterimon's horn and he fired it at the evil Ultimate. "Shadow Blade!" cried Garudamon, aiming for Milleniumon's head. "Gaia Force!" "Cocytus Breath!" The combination of attacks pushed the evil Digimon back. "Urrgh!" he snarled. "Keep it up!" Taichi cheered. "You've got him!" Meanwhile, Ryou checked on Holy Angemon, who was lying stunned nearby the door. "Holy Angemon, you hear me?" "Yes..." the Perfect replied groggily. "Listen, I've got a plan..." "Grraaahh!" Milleniumon roared. He spread his arms and engulfed the assembled Chosen Digimon with a tremendous blast of dark energy. The impact sent the heroes flying into the wall, and they remained pinned by Milleniumon's attack. "You will all die!" "No!" Taichi screamed. Milleniumon glared at him, then picked him up in one massive hand. "Let's not forget you, Chosen!" He hurled Taichi at the wall with enough force to kill him if Angewomon hadn't spread her wings to cushion the impact. "Now...who's left..." The dark Ultimate turned his back on the paralyzed Chosen and stomped towards Ryou, who was standing nearby the door. Holy Angemon lay unconsious not far away. "Trying to run again?" "Running is the farthest thing from my mind," Ryou smirked. "Even if you beat us, someone else will come sooner or later. You'll lose eventually." "Don't you see?" Milleniumon laughed, getting closer and closer with each step. "That's why I waited for the Chosen of Courage to arrive! I knew if I killed the others, he wouldn't rest until he gathered a new group of Chosen to defeat me! But if I kill them all at once, their Crests will be lost forever, and I will claim my place as ruler of the Digital World!" "Is that so?" Ryou snorted. "You're overconfident." "And you're dead!" Milleniumon leapt into the air and landed before the boy, one clawed arm raised to take his head off. "I just have one more thing to say," Ryou said, looking down at the floor. "Watch your step." "Watch my...step?" Milleniumon repeated, following Ryou's gaze to the floor. He realised he was standing in a circle he was sure wasn't there before. "This is....!" A voice interupted him. "Heaven Gate!" Holy Angemon was suddenly on his feet. Milleniumon roared with rage as the Heaven Gate he was standing on opened and began pulling him in. "You!" he raged at Ryou. "You're coming with me!" He reached out with one of his arms, but War Greymon broke free of his spell and dashed forward, picking up his Dramon Killers along the way. "Dramon Killer!" he yelled, while Holy Angemon cried out "Excalibur!" Their combined effort severed the limb, making Milleniumon roar in pain. His raging died away as the Heaven Gate closed on him and vanished, taking him with it. "Whoa!" Chiaki said. "That was cool!" "You've got that right!" Daisuke agreed. "I mean, using himself as bait? The guy must've been really brave!" "Or really desperate," Rei snorted. Ken spoke up. "What happened next, Taichi-san?" Taichi furrowed his brow as he thought. A look of confusion spread across his face. "I-I don't remember!" "What do you mean?" Yamato asked. "It's like..I don't know!" Taichi said, concentrating. "It's like...there's a curtain or something blocking my mind!" "And Ryou?" Ken demanded. "What happened to him?" "I'm sorry, Ichijouji-san," Taichi apologised. "But I can't remember." Ken sat down, crest-fallen. Miyako took his hand. "Ken-san," she said kindly. "Who is this Ryou anyway? Why are you so interested in him?" "I think I can explain," Wormmon told her. "Ryou-san saved our lives." "That," Ken added, "And he disappeared years ago." "Disappeared?" "I think I have something, Taichi-san." All attention fell on Koushiro, who had taken out his laptop. He held it up so everyone could see. The picture on it showed a brown spiky-haired boy standing with two adults, obviously his parents. "According to this, Akiyama Ryou disappeared six years ago...about the same time we were in the Digital World." "Yeah," Ken confirmed. "I guess I'd better start from the beginning." He glanced at his partner. "Wormmon, fill in any gaps in my story, would you?" "No problem, Ken!" "Okay." The bluish-purple haired boy began. "It all started five,six years ago..." Reviews, comments, suggestions and criticisms (constructive or otherwise) are welcome and can be sent to [email protected]

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws