| Chapter Twenty-two: The Dark Faces of the Digidestined |
| �Eaglemon!� Khalid cried. �How much further?� �I don�t know.� The bird Digimon replied. The group were walking along the plains towards a forest. According to Eaglemon, all they had to do to reach Cincomon�s castle was go through the forest. �My legs are starting to hurt!� Khalid complained. �You think you�ve got it bad, Khalid?� Sam said, patting Kerri�s back. �You try carrying the terrorist here.� �Shut up!� Adrian interjected. �I�m trying to think.� �About what?� Khalid asked. �About who here is Cincomon.� Adrian explained. �Did anyone see if anybody entered the toilets when Kerri was in there?� �I was in the cubicle when Kerri was washing her hands.� Audrey explained. �I heard the door open, but I didn�t think anything of it. Then Kerri said something, but I forgot what. Then I heard a scream, and I left the cubicle and found her sitting up against the sinks breathing heavily.� �Weird�� Moosemon trailed off. �Audrey�� Semon spoke. �Yeah?� Audrey asked. �Were the taps on?� �What?� �The taps on the sink Kerri used.� Semon explained. �Were they on after she was attacked?� ��Yeah.� Audrey said. �I remember because I had to turn them off after she left. But why does that matter?� �Oh, never mind.� Semon replied, smiling at her. �Thanks Audrey.� �Moosie, did you see anything?� Darren queried. �I didn�t see anyone go in the toilets.� Moosemon said. �But I wasn�t really paying attention. I was watching the fish in the fish tank and waiting for you to finish in the toilet.� �Darren didn�t see anything, or Moosemon, or Audrey�� Adrian summarised. He turned to Slythamon. �Slythamon, did you see anything?� �Nope, I was curled up on one of the tables, waiting for Audrey to finish.� Slythamon replied. �The only other person there was Eaglemon�� Darren affirmed. �I was sitting on Kerri�s chair, waiting for her to come back.� Eaglemon explained. �Remember, I was Tokonomon at the time, thus I was too short to see over the back of the chair.� At this point, Kerri awoke. She took one look at Khalid, who was walking behind Sam, and went into a fit of rage, screaming and thrashing at Khalid, who jumped back. Then she screamed and thrashed at Sam upon realising she was being carried. This caused Sam to drop her, and she looked at him with a scowl. With a scream, she punched Sam in the nose. �Argh! Bitch!� He exclaimed, reaching up to his nose and clutching it. It was bleeding. �Kerri, do you mind calming down a little?� Eaglemon said, approaching her. Darren walked up to her and grabbed her, pulling her arms behind her back. Kerri screamed and struggled against him, but he was too strong. The group continued, eventually reaching the forest between them and Cincomon�s lair. Upon reaching the forest, Kerri roared suddenly after a period of silence. With an incredible show of strength, she picked Darren up by leaning forward and then threw him over her shoulders. He landed with a thud on the ground before her. Roaring and wearing an expression so fierce it could set someone to stone, she walked into the group, the entire group standing aside for her. She walked off into the forest, Andrea following. �Hey, where are you two going?� Tim called to them. Neither answered, instead they both disappeared into the forest. Eaglemon and Salamon looked at each other and nodded, running into the woods. �Hey, stop, guys!� Audrey called, without motioning to stop them. �Great, now what are we gonna do�� Darren grumbled, kicking a rock and sitting down. �Stupid mooses.� �Without Eaglemon, nobody can guide us through this forest.� Adrian noted. The entire group sat where they stood, the Digimon crouching beside them. �Well, I don�t know.� Audrey spoke. �What don�t you know, Drey?� Tim asked. �Eaglemon�s guiding us through this forest and Moosemon is just acting normally.� �Normally?� Moosemon repeated. �I take that as an insult!� �I think it�s one of them.� Audrey spoke. �You think so?� Sam asked. �Yeah.� She continued. �When I was in the toilet while Kerri was attacked, I didn�t hear the bathroom door open very much. So it must have been opened by someone light.� �Like a rookie level Digimon?� Sam spoke. Audrey nodded at him. �Or in-training.� Tim said. �Besides, it could also be Slythamon, or you.� �Yeah, stop trying to blame me, Cincomon!� Moosemon challenged, jumping from Darren�s side and pointing at Audrey, who just smiled and lay down on the soft grass, smiling as Slythamon curled up on her stomach. �If I was Cincomon, I would have killed you for saying that.� She joked. �You guys are taking this too seriously.� Adrian, who was also lying down, said. �Immaturity is the key to success.� �Nice philosophy.� Audrey replied. �It�s true.� Adrian replied. �That�s how I�m gonna pass my GCSE�s. I work better when I act immaturely.� Khalid scoffed and stood, walking off into the forest. Icamon followed him. �Where�s he going?� Moosemon asked. �And then there were ten�� Tridemon noted as Sam lay down. �Guys, guys, get up!� The group hear Eaglemon call. They stood and found Eaglemon and Salamon standing nearby. Khalid rushed out from behind the trees he had walked to. �What is it?� Slythamon asked, sliding towards them. �It�s Kerri and Andrea.� Salamon declared frantically. �We�ve lost them!� �We didn�t need them anyway.� Audrey announced proudly. �You�re right Drey, we don�t need those stinking� mooses.� Darren said, folding his arms. �Come to think of it, I don�t need any of you.� Audrey stated, walking into the forest. �Huh?� Sam grunted. �Hey Audrey, wait!� With this, Sam ran after her, with Tridemon and Slythamon following. �Where�s everyone going?� Adrian asked. �That didn�t seem like Audrey�� Tim observed. �Looked like her.� Shocamon said. �Yeah, it did.� Tim continued. �But she has the Crest of Modesty, and she was acting pretty big headed.� �You think�Cincomon got her too?� Icamon asked, staring at the spot she had left them. �Maybe.� Tim said. �We�ll see when Sam gets back.� �Well look at it this way.� Salamon said, standing in the middle of the group. �If Audrey was infected while Eaglemon wasn�t here, I guess it proves he isn�t Cincomon.� �Yeah, you�re right�� Tim trailed off, thinking. �So it�s either Darren, Audrey, Moosemon or Slythamon.� Adrian summarised. �It isn�t Moosie, I had my hand on his head.� Darren said. �I felt his hand, so it can�t be Darren either.� Moosemon added. �So it�s Audrey or Slythamon?� Khalid spoke. �Audrey was infected though, so it must be Slythamon!� Tim announced. �Audrey could still be Cincomon, he might have just been pretending to feel the dark crest�s power.� Icamon said. �True�� Tim agreed, looking dejected. �Guys, we have a problem.� Sam said, reappearing into the forest clearing with Tridemon and Slythamon at his side. �What is it?� Tim asked. �Audrey�s crest was infected.� Slythamon said. �She�s gone too.� �She just�disappeared.� Tridemon informed. �We were following her, and we could see her, but she just disappeared in this�fog.� �Fog?� Eaglemon repeated, approaching Tridemon. �You mean smoke.� �What�s the difference�� Tridemon trailed off. �The difference is smoke can be created by Commandomon.� Eaglemon said. �We know that, we�ve seen it already.� �Commandomon?� Tridemon repeated loudly. �Commandomon is capturing us?� �Maybe.� Eaglemon said. �We can assume he knows his way around this forest like the back of his hand. He must train here a lot.� �Hey, how do you know that?� Slythamon asked. �Because, this forest is the closest thing to a military training ground near Cincomon�s castle.� Eaglemon noted. �In any case, if the others have been captured, that�s where they�ve been taken.� �Another reason we need to go.� Tim said, standing and walking off. �Tim, wait!� Eaglemon cried. �What?� Tim asked, turning. �Do you know the way?� Eaglemon asked, walking ahead of him. �No�� Tim admitted. ��Which is why you�re gonna show me.� �Damn right.� Eaglemon said, walking forward. The entire group followed. After a while, a thud came from behind them. The entire group turned and saw a figure they�d rather not see. That of Commandomon. �Halt, Digidestined!� Commandomon shouted. The group could see that he had acquired a new rifle. �I cannot allow your invasion to continue!� �Dammit, Commandomon!� Salamon shouted. �What have you done with Kerri, Andi and Audrey?� �Where did you get a new gun?� Moosemon asked. �And why the hell won�t you leave us alone!� Shocamon exclaimed, running to the front of the group. �Why is the enemy giving me this inquisition?� Commandomon asked. �I merely wish for you all to surrender!� �Over our deleted bodies!� Tridemon added. �Salamon, can we Digivolve without the girls?� Slythamon asked the puppy Digimon. �Only to champion, and only if their Digivices are in range.� Salamon replied. �We have to try!� Eaglemon declared. �Eaglemon Digivolve to�� �Salamon Digivolve to�� �Slythamon Digivolve to�� The three Digimon looked down at each other and saw they were still at the rookie level. �Damn!� Salamon exclaimed. �The girls� Digivices must be out of range!� �Bullet Rain!� Commandomon shouted, firing bullets at the three. They jumped out of the way, skidding along the dirty forest floor. �Icamon Digivolve to�Slipmon!� �Semon Digivolve to�Onomon!� �Virus Fist!� Slipmon shouted, punching a dark ball of energy at Commandomon. �Semblance Bomb!� Onomon declared, curling into a ball and firing white energy from his body. Commandomon swept both attacks away with his rifle. �Damn!� Slipmon cursed. �If I had enough energy to Digivolve to Hereticmon�� �Well, you don�t!� Onomon reminded him. �Shocamon, Tridemon, Moosemon, it�s up to you three!� �Okay!� Moosemon spoke. �Ready, guys?� �Shocamon Digivolve to�Fusemon!� �Tridemon Digivolve to�Novadramon!� �Moosemon Digivolve to�Wumon!� �Well, well�� Commandomon sneered. �Looks like you don�t have any reinforcements. But I do!� With these words, two tree-like Digimon emerged from the forest. �Digidestined, meet the Cherrymon!� Commandomon introduced. �They�re perfect for my army, because they have perfect camouflage! Attack, Cherrymon!� �Guys, get up, we need you to help us!� Wumon said to the rookies as he charged at one of the Cherrymon. �Okay! Sweeping Wing!� Eaglemon shouted, waving a gust of wind at the Cherrymon. �Puppy Howling!� Salamon shouted, firing white energy from her body at the target. �Semblance Bomb!� Onomon said, firing his attack at the same Cherrymon. �Virus Fist!� Slipmon announced, punching at the Cherrymon. �Snake Constriction!� Slythamon stated, firing a string from her teeth that surrounded the Cherrymon and trapped it. �Antler Shot!� Wumon shouted, leaning forward and firing his antlers at the Cherrymon. The six attacks hit, but the Cherrymon was merely stunned, and struggled to break free of Slythamon�s binds. �Fusemon�� Tim shouted, holding up his crest. �Novadramon�� Sam called, doing the same. �Digivolve!� The two boys cried in unison. �Fusemon Digivolve to�ElectroFusemon!� �Novadramon Digivolve to�MetalNovadramon!� ElectroFusemon approached Commandomon and punched, but Commandomon raised his rifle to shield. ElectroFusemon then kicked the foe in the chest, sending him reeling back. The electric Digimon then quickly drew his beamsword and raised it, slashing downwards. Once again, Commandomon raised his rifle to block. �Shockcannon!� ElectroFusemon cried, sending his electrically charge fist into Commandomon�s stomach. �Lightning Swipe!� ElectroFusemon spoke, charging his sword strongly and slashing upwards, cutting the foe�s rifle in half. ElectroFusemon picked up the metal shoulder strap that had remained and wrapped it around his hand cannon. �You should leave the toy gun at home.� ElectroFusemon suggested, sheathing his beamsword. �It doesn�t do you any favours.� �Eat this!� Commandomon said with a roar, pulling two handguns up from holsters on his belt and pointing them at ElectroFusemon, who wasn�t in the least surprised. �Bullet Rain!� Commandomon fired, but ElectroFusemon simply held up his hand, which had the metal strap around it and a charge going through it. This makeshift electromagnet deflected the bullets, and they flew off into the atmosphere. �Did you think I didn�t see your handguns?� ElectroFusemon �Crescent Kick!� MetalNovadramon spoke, kicking one of the Cherrymon in the chest as Wumon headbutted another. �Time to say goodnight, Cherrymon!� Wumon spoke. �Antler Shot!� �Sword Flame!� The two attacks combined finished one of the Cherrymon, leaving only one. MetalNovadramon turned and saw the other one was right behind him. He scowled as the Cherrymon pinned him to the floor, but saw that ElectroFusemon was standing right behind him. He put his leg into Cherrymon�s stomach and rolled backwards, tossing the tree Digimon back to ElectroFusemon. �ElectroFusemon, heads up!� MetalNovadramon cried. ElectroFusemon calmly drew his beamsword, turned and slashed diagonally upwards, successfully deleting the Cherrymon. When ElectroFusemon turned back, however, Commandomon was gone. �Hmph�� ElectroFusemon grunted, glowing white and returning to his Okamon form. MetalNovadramon returned to his Bubbomon form and Wumon returned to his Moosemon form. �I�m so cool!� Okamon declared, leaping into Tim�s arms. �Did you see what I did, Tim?� �Don�t be so big headed!� Tim replied. �Ah, you�re just jealous!� Okamon called. �I think we all did well.� Bubbomon commented. �Except for us�� Salamon admitted. �I feel kinda guilty for not being able to do anything.� �Don�t worry about it.� Darren spoke. �It�s not your fault that Kez, Andi and Drey and out of range.� �Would the castle be out of range?� Adrian asked. �I think so� yes.� Eaglemon guessed. �You think that�s where they were taken?� �It must be!� Onomon exclaimed. �There�s no other place!� �We need to save our energy.� Khalid suggested. �Commandomon is probably gonna attack again. We need to be ready if he does.� �Bah�� Bubbomon spoke, curling up in Sam�s arms. �I�m not in the mood to fight� I�m exhausted.� �I�m not!� Okamon cried, jumping out from Tim�s arms and standing beside him. �I�m ready to fight anything!� �Yeah, right.� Tim joked, kicking Okamon. The In-training Digimon screamed as he flew into a shrubbery. Tim began to laugh and Okamon crawled out from the bushes, shaking his head. He scowled at Tim. �Take that!� Okamon shouted, headbutting him in the leg. He bounced off harmlessly. �Take what?� Tim asked. Okamon growled and started scratching Tim�s ankles. Tim bent over and picked his Digimon up by the scruff of the neck. �Let me go!� Okamon commanded, struggling. �You�re lucky I can�t become Fusemon!� �Guys�can this wait?� Eaglemon interrupted. �We need to find Kerri and the others.� �Eaglemon�s right.� Onomon said. �Let�s go, guys.� And so the Digidestined, sans human females, continued to Cincomon�s castle. |