Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Digimon: Apocalypse ❯ The Book of Revelation: chapter 2 ( Chapter 16 )

Author’s note: May not be suitable for young children. There’s no sex, but strong language and suggestive adult themes and strong violence.

My name is Tatum Heany, a Chosen from New York. During the infamous Christmas Invasion, I received my digimon partner, Airdramon. After we helped the Odaiba Chosen defeat Malomyotismon, Airdramon and I were lost, we were without direction or purpose. That was until Michael came to us. He told us that he was starting his own digimon team, and that he wanted us to be a part of that team. I was not even certain how to properly care for my Airdramon, so I joined the New York Team, along with Sam, Maria, Steve, and Lou. Michael and Mimi taught us all that we needed to know, and after the Odaiba Team collapsed, we became the strongest Chosen team. And then the Second Black Death began to assault us. Steve and Lou died from the disease, Maria, Sam and I were infected, but Mimi and Michael were modified by the X-Antibody. As I watched by arms and legs vanish before my eyes, Mimi and Michael promised that they would do everything they could to save us.

But they never did. Maria, Sam and I were trapped in the Digital World, slowly dying. Mimi and Michael abandoned us and left us for dead! We had lost hope, that is, until the holy prophetess Chihi Miayag appeared before us. She informed us about the almighty God of the Digital World. If we chose to believe and serve Him, He could heal us. And so Sam and I chose to believe, and we were healed of the Second Black Death. Our partners were transformed to Mummymon and Archnemon. Maria chose to side with Yagami and the unbelievers.

However, we were surprised to discover, that Lady Miayag, was, in fact, the cousin of Taichi Yagami. Her mother was the younger sister of Taichi and Hikari’s mother. She had gone to America to become a model, but when Lady Miayag was a younger teenager,, her spirit left this world.

Now, Lady Miayag is confused and in pain. I am her most faithful servant, I must purge this sadness from her heart, even if it means killing Yagami and bringing her his still-beating heart! --------------------------------------- The Book of Revelation: Chapter 2 ----------------------------------------

Jyou adjusted his binoculars as he stood on the shoreline of the Western Continent, staring at the small island floating on the water a few miles away. He focused on the flag whipping in the air. It was displaying an embroidered image of two large C’s. This flag was attached to the top of a large towered building, elegantly designed with statues of angelic digimon. Surrounding this building, as well as the abundant courtyard-style front lawn, was a large metal fence, with guard towers at every 90 degrees. “Well, the place certainly looks like a government capital…”

“Any chance of getting inside?” Hikari asked.

“Well,” he said, “There is a front gate, but there are about five guards stationed there, as well as some sort of computer card identification system. The guards all have Mekanorimons as partners, shouldn’t be too hard for us to burst in, but…”

“We’ve got to wait for Taichi,” the younger woman said.

Jyou chuckled slightly. “Hey, I have no intention of committing suicide. We’ll wait for Taichi.”

She nodded and lightly hugged herself. “You cold?” Plotmon X asked.

“I’m just worried about Taichi,” she said. She grabbed her cellphone and glanced at the screen. “Why didn’t he call me back yet? He should have been back by now! Taichi, where are you?”

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Her older brother was currently pacing the floor outside of his mother’s hospital room. More then a dozen doctors were inside, checking and examining the unconscious woman. Mimi was there with him, and despite her attempts to hug and comfort her friend, she too was ready to break down in tears. Their partners were standing at their sides, disguised in their trench coats.

After was seemed like an eternity, Dr. Kazuyka emerged from the room. “Taichi,” he said, bowing.

Taichi quickly nodded. “Well?”

“Her vital signs are stable, but unfortunately, she’s unconscious once again.” He shook his head, “She really should not have left the hospital, she needed time to recover. We could have gradually strengthened her body, but I’m afraid the stress of leaving the hospital so fast overtaxed her system. What was so important that she could very well have risked her life?”

Taichi shook his head. “I…I don’t know.”

Dr. Kazuyka sighed. “Well, we’ve called your father, and he’ll be here soon.”

He nodded again. “Yeah, thanks.”

After the doctor left, Mimi walked up to her friend. “Taichi…what did your mother have to say to Miayag?”

Taichi hesitated for a moment. “Nothing, I think she just saw me on the t.v and, I…I don’t know.” He glanced at her lying form through the door, “And we can’t ask her now…”

Mimi only nodded. “I…shouldn’t we call Hikari…?”

“I’ll call her,” he said.

“Sure,” she forced a smile, “I’ll, d…do you want something from the cafeteria?”

He shook his head. “N…no, no thanks.”

She nodded. “I’m just gonna call Noriko and the others and let them know what happened. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She turned to her partner, “Come on Palmon X.”

The flower digimon gave Taichi’s leg a reassuring squeeze with her vines, then ran after her partner.

Agumon X walked over to Taichi’s side. “Why didn’t you tell Mimi what Miayag said? About you two being cousins?”

He looked down at him. “Agumon, you can’t tell any of them about that…especially Hikari…”

He blinked. “Yeah, sure, but…why…?”

He sighed. “Because, Chihi Miayag is our enemy, and there’s going to be a time when we’re going to have to fight to the very end, when we’re not gonna have a choice, when it’s gonna be her or us. And if the others knew that we’re cousins, especially Hikari, they wouldn’t do what they’d have to do. Please, just keep it quiet for now.”

The orange dinosaur nodded. “All right, if that’s what you want, I won’t tell them, but Taichi, you have to at least tell Hikari, right?”

He did not answer.

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Back at Jyou’s apartment, Noriko answered the phone when it had rung. “Hello, Jyou Kido’s apartment….Mimi! What happened! Where Taichi…What!” She gasped loudly, “Oh no! Oh man…I…yeah…sure. All right, bye.”

“What is wrong?” Keeya asked.

The black-haired woman faced the other Daughters of the First, as well as Dingo and Yuri. She took a deep breath, “Taichi’s mother…she…she woke up from her coma, but…but must have saw Taichi fighting Miayag on the t.v. and ran out to see him for some reason. She fainted again right in Taichi’s arms…”

Maria gasped loudly. “Taichi, oh no…”

“That sucks man,” Dingo frowned, “That…that really sucks…”

“Has there been any change in her condition then?” Anna asked, “Or…is she the same as before…?”

Noriko frowned. “It…it might even be worse…”

Maria placed a hand over her mouth. “Taichi…”

“Mimi’s gonna stay there for a little bit,” Noriko continued.

Keeya nodded. “We will keep them all in our prayers.” She smiled, “You know, I am not that bad a cook, perhaps we can prepare something for them, sort of a…get-well soon present?”

“I’m sure they’d appreciate it,” Lynna said.

The African woman nodded. “I will get started then.”

“I…can…help…you…” Iduia said.

“I will appreciate it, thank you.”

As the two young women walked into the kitchen, Maria rolled her wheelchair over to the black-haired young woman. “Noriko, c…can you do something for me?”

“What?”

“Can you take me to the hospital? I would like to see Taichi.”

The slightly older woman smiled. “Okay, sure. Just let me get my purse.”

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Inside of the Castle of the First Chosen, the High Priestess of the Digitalatri Church, the young woman now known as Chihi Miayag lay on her bed, staring up at the brick ceiling. She had not yet come close to recovering from the shock of the revelation that Mrs. Yagami had given her. She was Taichi and Hikari Yagami’s cousin, their mother was the older sister of her mother…

When she thought of her mother, a sick feeling pressed into her stomach. She tried to stop herself, but her memory was too strong and it soon pulled her to the most hidden parts of her mind, her childhood…

Eight-year-old Megumi Seisou, glanced over at the small digital clock that was resting on her nightstand. It was after ten, certainly no time for a young child to be awake, but she could not sleep. She tossed and turned in her Sailor Moon bedspread for hours. She finally gave up and decided to lie quietly, staring up at the ceiling. Finally, a little after eleven, she heard the front door opening. She leapt out of bed and began to charge down the stairs. She slowed to a stop when she heard arguing from the kitchen. She sat down on the steps and strained her ears.

“Listen to me,” her father, Masato Seisou said, “If we do it this way, then…”

“No,” her mother, Kumiko Seisou, replied, “I will not turn this home into a place of drug dealing! It’s bad enough that we’re using it, but I won’t be a party to giving it to young children!”

“But Kumiko..” her father protested.

“Do you want Megumi to become addictive? What if she’s the one your selling that too? Huh?”

Her father did not reply for several minutes. “M…maybe you’re right. Tomorrow I’ll tell Shingu that I’m not interested.”

Her mother laughed. “I’m so happy to hear you say that. I’m just going to check on Megumi, then we’ll talk some more.”

The young girl knew that it was time to run. She ran back upstairs to her room and dove under the sheets. She pretended to be fast asleep when her mother came in to lightly kiss her on the cheek. She finally fell asleep thinking of her parents.

That was the last time she saw her father alive. According to the police report, after her father told Shingu that he did not want to become his partner in his criminal activities, Shingu shot him dead. The young Megumi Seisou was never the same after that. Every time she tried to smile, she could only think of her father’s body lying in that coffin, the memory of the funeral was burned too deeply into her mind.

Her mother did not recover either. Her drug use grew greater and greater. At eleven years old, Megumi was already an expert at calling poison control to revive her overdosed mother. She could not remember how many times she came home from school, only to find her mother passed out on the floor, pills and illegal narcotics of all sorts lying spread out around her. But she always recovered, she always claimed she would get help, she always claimed she would stop. Megumi was tired of hearing it.

But one day she did not hear it. One day when she was 17, she returned home from high school, and found her mother once again lying on the floor, pills scattered everywhere. She sighed with the last of her patience. “Mom,” she said, “I’m not gonna do this anymore, okay? As soon as I turn 18, I’m moving out. Quite frankly, I don’t need this anymore…” She took a deep breath, “I don’t need you anymore!”

She fell onto her knees, staring at the unconscious form of her mother. “Mom, I…I…” As she stared at her, a chill crept up her spine. She slowly reached out and touched her mother’s arm. The icy coldness that attacked her caused her to jump back. “M…Mom…” she trembled, “No, m….Mom….” She screamed as loud as she could, tears flowing from her eyes like a torrent, “Mommy!”

After her mother’s death, she was lost and confused. She had received Plotmon a few years early, but seemed unable to evolve her. With nothing left for her on Earth, she decided to do as many of the Chosen Children were doing, and moved to the Digital World. Her life there was not much better. She and Plotmon barely survived, eating the scraps leftover from the Chosen Council and the other aristocrats of the Chosen. She had even thought of ending her own life.

But, as she was ready to set her soul free, a mysterious voice called out to her. “I know of thy pain, but this will not release thou from it.”

She twisted to Plotmon’s sleeping form in front of the roaring fire, certain that her partner would have stopped her, however, the small digimon still lay sleeping. She then glanced into the darkness of the forest, but found nothing but trees and wind. “W…who’s there?” her voice quivered.

“Megumi Seisou,” it replied, “If thou continue with this path, thy soul will remain trapped in eternal hellfire.”

She was certain that she had suffered a breakdown, but if insanity spared her from the pain of her past, she welcomed it. “Then how do I get rid of this pain and depression?”

“I know thou hast been through much in thy short life, but there is one who thou may turn to in times of darkest need.”

“W…who is that? You?”

“I am the God of the Digital World, and if thou will serve me, I can give to thee freedom from the pain that clenches thy heart.”

“Freedom from pain?” she asked herself.

“That is correct.”

“But…how do I know that…that you’re not evil?”

“A fair question. I cannot offer thou proof, as anything that I shall do for thou, will be misinterpreted by the multitude of others as tricks and illusions. So I shall say this to you, the citizens of the Digital World, Chosen and Digimon alike, turn to other deities, such as the Sovereigns, the Great Dragons, some even turn to demons, like Murmixmon and the Dark Masters, but, where are they now? Your heart weeps with such pain and sadness, why have they not come to aid you?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe because I’m nothing compared to the rest of the Digital World.”

“Even if that were true, and they can only focus on larger problems, why are there even Chosen Children to begin with? With their great power, they should be able to save the Digital World from the problems facing it? Why do they continue to allow evil to exist?”

She thought for a moment. “I…I can’t answer that.”

“It is because they are false deities. I am the Supreme One, but my message must be spread so that those faithful to me can be spared. I offer you the chance to do this.”

“Why?”

“Because of your past. Your parents were taken from you, your father killed by one he called friend, and your mother from the vice and evils of modern society. Do you not wish to spare others from this fate? I offer paradise to all who will follow me, a world free of pain and suffering. Do you accept, my child?”

Megumi thought long and hard. “I…I want to help people. I want to make sure that no more kids grow up without their fathers, that no more kids grow up watching their mothers die right in front of their eyes, I want to make sure that there aren’t any more…me’s! I accept!”

She was suddenly overcome with a strange, yet wonderful, sensation. “I am pleased to hear that my child. Now, your partner, your Plotmon, cannot evolve, correct?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I…I just can’t….”

“I can give you the power to do so. Power I shall take from the strongest Chosen family in existence, the family Yagami!”

“Y…yagami?” she asked, “W…who are they?”

“Taichi and Hikari Yagami, two of the strongest Chosen Children of all time. I will remake you using their power, their might and energy shall be yours.”

“I…I don’t want to take it from them…”

“They have used their gifts, their powers for selfish reasons. One is the ruler of the Chosen, the other is the heart and soul of the Chosen, yet they have ignored my callings, they have ignored the truth they feel in their hearts. They are not worthy of the power the Digital World has bestowed upon them. They have fallen from the true path. You will become what they should have become. I will base your power on theirs.”

Her body was suddenly enveloped by light. Her jeans and t-shirt were torn from her body. “White and pink to represent Hikari…” A sleeveless pink dress appeared around her body while a pink cape attached itself to her neck and flowed behind her, “With an unruly and unkempt hair style to represent Taichi…” Her normally straight hair suddenly came alive, growing around her face in a mane of brown hair.

“I shall take the second syllable from Taichi and the first syllable from Hikari, as well as the anagram of their family name. You are no longer Megumi Seisou, you have been reborn as Chihi Miayag, High Priestess of the Digitalatri!”

Miayag shot her eyes open and found herself once again staring at the ceiling of her room. She turned to her partner, once again evolved to her Adult form of Witchmon. “Do you remember the first time we met the Digital God?”

She fidgeted. “Kinda. I mean, I remember evolving for the first time, but I don’t really remember speaking to Him…”

The High Priestess sighed. “He gave me the power of Taichi and Hikari, He told me it was because they were the strongest and they had turned from the true path, and that I was going to take their place. Was that the real reason, or was it because He knew Taichi and Hikari were my cousins? And if he did, why didn’t he tell me? Or…was it only because I have the blood of Yuushi? Yes…yes…that must be it, I am the only heir of Yuushi that has not turned from the true path!”

Witchmon shrugged. “You said so yourself, the Will of the Digital God is strange and mysterious…”

There was a fierce knocking on her door, “Lady Miayag!”

“I do not wish to be disturbed!” she shouted.

Outside, Tatum stared at the elegantly designed door, her hand quivering. She wanted to knock again, but knew that she would probably receive the same answer. She gave a courteous bow to the door and quickly trotted down the hall to where Sam and Vicente were waiting.

“How is she?” Sam asked.

“Not well,” Tatum responded. She turned to Vicente, “It was your task to guard her room…”

“She left,” he protested, “She went to Earth and said that I couldn’t follow, but judging by the recent news reports from Tokyo, it appears she challenged Taichi Yagami to a battle, and she lost.”

Tatum frowned. “She is stronger then that, a minor defeat should not upset her so, there must be more.” She clenched her fist, “But I cannot stand to see her in such a distracted state! I do not know what Taichi Yagami has done to her, but we will discover it.”

“What are you saying?” Sam asked.

The priestess of the Digitalatri smiled slightly. “We will go to Earth and drag Yagami here, then he will pay for what he has done to her!”

Vicente chuckled. “Then it is perfect. He is apparently there alone, his only company is Mimi Barton…”

Tatum gasped slightly. “Mimi…” She shook her head. “Well, it matters not. We will leave for Tokyo at once!”

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Halfway across the Digital World, Cahiti waited patiently inside the main audience room. Schmidt soon entered, closing the door behind him. “Well?” the Demon King asked.

“Both JO223 and FP312…”

Cahiti sighed and raised an eyebrow.

“Uh…both Sora Takenouchi and Catherine Rupert are clearly distressed and distracted. Even though they say otherwise, I think they truly believe that the X-Chosen are dead.”

He grinned. “Excellent. Then the first stage is complete, now, for your plan…”

Schmidt nodded. “Right, but…uh…you do realize that if we go through with this, I’ll have to allow them access to Form Magnum Island?”

“A small price to pay,” Cahiti responded.

He did not agree with that, but chose to keep it to himself. “But, if they find their way here…”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said again, “We’ll be leaving this place within a few days.”

Schmidt eyed him strangely. “You have it all planned out, huh?”

He grinned maliciously. “Of course. I know all and see all.”

“All right, fine. Then maybe you’d like to finish explaining about how you plan to take control of this world. As your partner, I think I deserve to know.”

He nodded slightly. “Very well. You have given me trust, something I know that you do not give easily, so I will give you what you want.”

He reached up to the orange hood that was covering his face, gripped the sides tightly, and pulled it down, revealing his face. Schmidt blinked, unable to believe his eyes. “T…Taichi Yagami?”

“No,” he responded, “As I have told you, my name is Cahiti. And the simplest explanation is that I am Taichi Yagami’s dark side, made manifest.”

Schmidt stared at him for a few moments before smiling slightly. “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t find that strange, right? Go on.”

Cahiti took a deep breath “As you know, the Digital World is comprised of data, but to comprise the physicality of this world, that data manifests itself as: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Forest, Metal, Light and Darkness. These eight elements act in balance, Fire against Water, Wind against Earth, Forest against Metal, and Light against Darkness. When the First Chosen first…materialized in this world, their data was mingled with one the elemental data, and the result was power over a specific element: Hidokoro of Fire, Lucien of Light, Kendra of Water, Svetlana of Air, Montenegro of Earth, Daiyu of Darkness, Glaucio of Metal and Abungu of Forest.”

“What about the other one?” Schmidt asked, “The one that Miayag said she’s descended from…Yuushi?”

Cahiti nodded. “Yes, Yuushi, the Hero King, his power was unknown, but legends say it was the most power force of all, his power was simply Divine. But it doesn’t matter, only the other eight powers matter. Now, each one of the young women are descended from the First Chosen. But first their powers had to be awakened, and so my soldiers were sent to awaken that power by bringing them to the brink of death. But with the Second Black Death invading their bodies, they cannot properly use their powers, so they must give it to others: the X-Chosen. During the war in Nightsun, I summoned Chimeramon to deal with them. When the X-Chosen were in trouble, the Daughters of the First gave them their powers, which is exactly what I wanted. I stole half of that energy to power my Soul Catcher.”

“But why?” Schmidt asked, “How are you going to use that energy?”

He grinned wildly. “I will use that energy to cause the elements of the Digital World to battle each other until this entire planet is destroyed! Then, by using that same energy, I will remake it into a world of my own choosing! That is the world that we will rule over, my friend!”

“Wait a second, “ Schmidt said, “Okay, those girls had the powers of the First Chosen, but, where did they get their powers from? The Digital God?”

Cahiti frowned at him. “It was through a quirk of first entering this world. When the second generation of Chosen appeared, this world had become stable enough to prevent that from happening again, but the power fused with their very DNA. As for the Digital God…well, to be blunt, he doe not exist. He’s nothing more then a fantasy of a delusional girl. Miayag is very much insane, and her followers even more so. The Digital God does not exist.”

Schmidt crossed his arms. “I don’t believe in gods to begin with.”

“Oh, but there are gods,” Cahiti responded.

“Who?”

The Demon King stared the leader of the Chosen Council in the face. “Me!”

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The young teenager stood in the hall of the apartment building.. She shifted on her feet as she slowly lifted her fist to the wooden door before her, but she hesitated, allowing it to hover.

“Aren’t you going to knock?” her Tsukaimon said from her backpack.

“I….I’m nervous,” she replied.

“Why?”

“W…what if they don’t like me?”

“Oh come on! You’re worrying about that now? They haven’t even met you yet. I’m sure once they get to know you, then they won’t like you….No! Wait…”

She frowned. “Yeah, thanks.” She turned back to the door. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A woman with straight black hair and dressed in a maid’s uniform. “Yes?” she asked in a accent that the girl did not recognize.

“Um, I…I’m here to see Michael…”

The elderly woman smiled. “Please come in and follow me.”

She nodded and she and Betamon followed her through the giant apartment and into what she assumed was the living room. Inside was a giant couch, as well as a few lounge chairs. Seated around the couch was a teenage boy with glasses and blond hair with a Snow Goblimon at his feet. Next to him was a teenager of Native American decent with Gotsumon as a partner. There was an African American teenager next and he had a Candamon as a partner. There was a Latino girl seated on the floor, much younger then the others. Her partner was a Patamon. Seated in left lounge chair was a cheerful girl with a Palmon and in the other chair was a teenage boy with blond hair and Betamon at his feet. She nervously sat on the couch next to the African American boy.

The girl in the lounge chair smiled. “Okay, well, why don’t we get started? Why don’t introduce yourselves?”

The boy with the glasses was first. “Well, my name is Steve, um, I’m 15 years old, I’m into video games. Oh, and my partner is Snow Goblimon and can evolve to Frigimon.”

The Native American boy was next. “My name is Lou, I am 14 years old. I like to study history and math. My partner is Gostumon, and can evolve to Tortomon.”

The African American boy spoke next. “I’m Sam, I’m 13. and I like to read and write. My partner is Candamon, who evolves to Flare Lizamon.”

The Latino girl spoke next. “Hello,” she said, “My name is Maria. I am eight-years-old. I like to read and draw. My partner is Patamon, and he can evolve to Centarumon.”

The teenager girl glanced around, realizing it was her turn. “Oh, um…my name is Tatum. I…I like music…and I have a Tsukaimon for a partner. He can evolve to Airdramon.”

The teenage girl in the chair nodded. “Okay, great. Um, well, my name is Mimi, and this is my partner, Palmon. She can evolve to Togemon, and then to Lillymon. Palmon can evolve to her Fully Evolved level because of energy given to us by Qinglongmon. I use to be part of the Odaiba Team until my parents moved to New York.”

The teenage boy in the other chair spoke last. “And my name Is Michael. My partner is Betamon, and he can evolve to Seadramon, then to Megaseadramon. And like Mimi, I received the power to evolve Seadramon from Qinglongmon. Now, the reason why we asked you to come here is because during the Christmas Invasion, we worked with each of you to bring the digimon to Times Square. We think you did a pretty good job, and we want to make our own team, a New York Team. We can help you learn how to care for your partners and work together to defend the Digital World and Earth. What do you say?”

Each one agreed in turn, nodding at Michael’s request. “Great!” Mimi grinned, “Let’s get ready to go!...”

Tatum opened her eyes as the light from the Digital Gate faded, planting her feet firmly on the floor of a loading dock of a strip mall via the foreman’s personal computer. She blinked for a moment, allowing the memory to fade from her mind. She turned to make certain that her fellow soldiers had come safely through the gate with her. Sam, Vicente and their partners were standing behind her. “We have all arrived?”

“Si,” Vicente nodded.

The priestess of the Digitalatri smiled. “Then let us go!”

As they began to march through the back alleys and passages of the city, Tatum’s mind continued to drift through her memories. Her mind flashed her images of Mimi training her as well as the trio of girls having a slumber party. She forced those memories from her mind and chose to focus on her life in the digital city of New Havenwood only a few weeks ago…

Tatum struggled to keep her balance as she hobbled on her remaining foot, clutching at the outside of the building as she made her through the tar-covered streets. She tripped many times before finally arriving at her destination, a small alley between two massive buildings. Inside was Maria, Sam, Mimi, Michael and their digimon partners. The Irish woman’s Airdramon was so weak from the BD-2, all he was able to do was slowly lift his head to greet her.

“Why are you walking yourself?” Mimi asked, running to her side, “We’re here to help you.”

“I…I’m fine,” she said, slowly making her way to the rotted couch. She sighed and glanced at the alley. It was decorated with a few pieces of furniture, a wooden table with a few pieces of fruit on it. There was even a tarp of sorts to cover their heads. “Not much of a home,” she said, “But at least it’s ours.”

“Don’t talk like it’s forever,” Maria said, hopefully smiling.

“She’s right,” Michael said, “We’ll find a cure, and then you guys can come back to Earth.”

Mimi smiled. “All right, we’ll be back in a few days to check up on you.”

“Promise?” Tatum asked.

“Of course,” Mimi said, “We’ll be friends forever.”

“But she lied,” Tatum thought as she led her soldiers through the city, “At first she and Michael came every day, then that number quickly dropped to nothing. She abandoned us! And after I deal with Yagami, I will kill her myself!”

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Noriko studied the numbers over the doors as she walked through the hospital halls, “198…199…200…here we go, 201.” She looked over her shoulder at the ensemble of Chosen: specifically, Lynna, Anna, Dingo, Yuri and their disguised partners. Noriko had been pushing Maria in her wheelchair.

“Stay here for a second.” She slowly peered into the room and found Mrs. Yagami lying unconscious in the hospital bed. Taichi and Agumon X were seated at her side, their backs to the door. Mimi and Palmon X were glancing out the window, but they turned their heads to the door and saw the black-haired woman. She smiled slightly. “Hey Noriko.”

Taichi and Agumon X turned to the door as well. “Hey guys,” he said, “What are you doing here?”

“Maria wanted to come see you,” Anna said, allowing Yuri to lead her into the room.

Taichi raised an eyebrow and turned to the Latino woman. She blushed and turned away. Her Patamon started singing. “Maria’s embarrassed, Maria’s embarrassed!”

“I am not!” she protested.

The others smiled slightly. Dingo clapped his hands. “Well, I’m gonna see if that coffee shop down there’s got anythin’ good.”

Noriko’s Plotmon stared at him. “You just finished eating…”

He shrugged. “What can I say? Anyone want ta join me?”

Lynna pushed past Yuri and ran to Dingo’s side. “I’m there!”

They ran out of the room with their partners following them. Noriko shook her head. “I’d rather be in a dark pit in the Digital World then in the pit of their stomachs.”

The cafeteria was on the bottom floor, past the main entrance. The two Australians and their digimon partners ran into the room, and after paying for their generous purchases, began to walk back upstairs. As they passed by the front entrance, they spied a group of familiar figures approaching the sliding glass doors. They completely turned their heads and saw Tatum, Vicente and Sam, along with their partners, who were causing the people walking down the sidewalks to run in fear.

“Oh shit,” Dingo muttered.

Lynna grabbed her cellphone. “I’m callin’ for help.”

Upstairs in Mrs. Yagami’s room, Noriko’s cellphone began to vibrate. “Text message?” she asked. She lifted the screen to her face and read the screen. Her eyes bulged open. She turned to Taichi, but when she saw that he was staring deeply at his mother, she turned to Mimi. She ran over and showed her the text message. The slightly older woman nodded. She whispered to Anna and Yuri, and they quickly exited the room. Mimi placed his hand on Taichi’s shoulder. “Um we’re just…uh…going to get some air.” She turned to Maria, “Why don’t you stay and keep him company?” She squeezed her shoulder slightly. The Latino woman smiled slightly and Mimi and Palmon X ran after the others.

Taichi turned to Maria. “What’s going on?”

She shrugged. “I…I don’t know.”

“Maybe they just wanted to give you some time alone!” Patamon exclaimed.

Maria blushed again.

------------------------------

Downstairs, Mimi and the others charged out the sliding doors and joined Dingo and Lynna. The young woman frowned when she saw Tatum and the others. “Why are you here?” she asked.

“Taichi Yagami is here, right?” the Digitalatri priestess said.

“What do you want with Taichi?” Yuri asked.

Sam answered. “Lady Miayag came to Earth and fought with Yagami. When she came back, she was not the same! What did Yagami do to her?”

Dingo smirked. “I’m sure whatevah Taichi did to her, she deserved it!”

Vicente sneered at him. “You better what your mouth, amigo, or else someone is bound to rip it out of your face.”

“Why don’t you just go back to wherever it is you slime balls are hidin’,” Lynna said, waving her hand, “Go on, see ya later!”

“We are not exiting,” Tatum said, “If you give us Taichi Yagami we will leave without incident.”

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Mimi exclaimed, “We’re not giving you Taichi.”

“Why not?” Vicente asked.

Noriko narrowed her eyes. “Would you hand over Miayag if we asked?”

“Of course not,” Tatum responded, “Lady Miayag is a divine priestess, Yagami is only a heathen, a failure, and you are fools for following him.”

Mimi could only think of the sight of Taichi carrying his unconscious mother back to the hospital, tears slowly following from his eyes. She began to become angry. “Don’t you ever say that about Taichi! He’s a thousand times, a million times better then Miayag!”

The others turned to her with awe. They had only rarely seen Mimi so angry.

Tatum narrowed her eyes. “I will punish you for those remarks against our High Priestess.”

“Then come and get us!” Mimi shouted, “You’re not getting Taichi!” She turned to the others, “Evolve, now!”

The digimon jumped forward and quickly evolved to their highest forms, Noriko’s Plotmon to Black Tailmon, Lynna’s Gizamon to Ebidramon, Anna’s Penmon to Unimon, Dingo’s Ganimon X to Gesomon X, Yuri’s Kokuwamon X to Kuwagamon X and Mimi’s Palmon X to Lillymon X.

“All right,” Noriko said, “Lynna and Dingo, take Vicente, Anna and Yuri, take Sam, Mimi and me’ve got Tatum.”

Tatum’s Archnemon began the battle by firing her streams of webbing at her opponents. Lillymon X flew into the air, missing the streams, but the spider’s web ensnared Black Tailmon.

“You’re not off to a good start, are you?” Archnemon cackled.

Black Tailmon chuckled back and used the claws on her gloves to tear through the silk strands and continue on to pound the spider’s face, before gracefully flipping through the air and landing perfectly on the ground.

“Sure, smirk now!” Archnemon growled, “Once I’m done with you, I’ll be smirking!” She ran towards Black Tailmon, but Lillymon X dove down from the sky. The spider woman swung her fist to attack but, the flower child blocked with her left leg. She swung her body around and planted her right foot in the spider’s jaw. She pushed back and began to fly around Archnemon in a tight circle. The spider tried to grab at her leg, but Lillymon X was too fast. She pivoted her body around and fired her Flower Cannon attack into her body. She stumbled forward but Black Tailmon was ready and used her Neko Punch attack to rapidly pound her face. Once she was finished she performed a back-flip and once again landed gracefully on the ground. The spider charged at her, but caught Lillymon X coming at her from the sky. Archnemon ducked to avoid the flower child’s attack then grabbed her leg. She slammed her into Black Tailmon, both of them smashing into the pavement.

“Oh no!” Mimi gasped.

“Are you guys okay?” Noriko shouted.

Their partners jumped back to their feet and continued their battle. Over to the right, Anna’s Unimon and Yuri’s Kuwagamon X were busy battling Sam’s Mummymon.

The mummy pointed his large gun at Kuwagamon X. “Necrophobia!” His gun emitted a beam of massive white energy. The insect shot into the air to avoid the attack, but Unimon spewed a ball of energy from his mouth that impact into the mummy’s back. He flinched slightly in pain.

“I’ve got him,” Kuwagamon X said. He swung around from behind and executed his Crunch Arm attack, striking Mummymon’s left arm. Pain was clearly visible on his face, but he was far from injured. He saw Kuwagamon X from the corner of his eye and fired a stream of bandages from his hands, which wrapped tightly around the insect’s body, constricting his multiple arms to his chests. He smashed the butt of his gun across the insect’s nose. He pointed his other arm towards the charging Unimon and wrapped the same bandages around his body as well.

“Kuwagamon!” Yuri shouted. Anna squeezed on his arm tighter.

“What is wrong?” she asked, desperate to use her ears for a clue to her partner’s condition, but the sounds of battle created too much noise.

He hesitated. ”Um…Unimon will escape, do not worry.”

Both the unicorn and the giant insect were struggling to free themselves, Mummymon studied both of them before jumping over to Kuwagamon X. He raised his fists and began to pound his face while the giant insect struggled to free himself. As he shifted and twisted, he was able to slide one of his claws out of the bandages. He twisted it around to cut through the bandages, freeing himself. Mummymon did not notice until the bandages began to fall to the ground. He tired to jump back to a safe distance, but Kuwagamon X trapped him within his giant mandibles.

Yuri threw his fist into the air. “Yes!”

“Don’t cheer yet,” Sam said, “Mummymon!”

His partner smirked and flexed his muscles as hard as he could. Kuwagamon X continued to squeeze as tightly as he could, but Mummymon proved too strong and his left mandible was torn off.

“Kuwagamon!” Yuri shouted.

Unimon continued to struggle against the bandages that held his trapped. He was able to twist his horn around and slice through the thick bandages. He galloped over and shoved his horn deep into Mummymon’s back. He roared in pain as he tried to reach around the grab the Unicorn. Kuwagamon X shot in from the side and began to slice and tear at Mummymon with his claws.

The mummy digimon grabbed his gun and fired once more striking the two digimon, throwing them into the sky. With his other hand he fired a stream of bandages that wrapped tightly around Unimon’s leg. He pulled as hard as he could, yanking the unicorn in the ground. Kuwagamon X shot after his partner, but Mummymon fired his gun again, forcing the insect to dodge out of the way. Unimon, while still bound and tied, was able to fire a ball of energy from his mouth that struck Mummymon in the injury the unicorn had cause before with his horn. The mummy digimon was brought to his knees as he dropped his gun.

“Mummymon!” Sam shouted. He ran to his partner’s side, but Yuri’s partner saw took his opportunity. He raised his claw, which began to glow with energy. “Crunch Arm!” He swung the claw, slicing Mummymon’s chest in half. However, he was not aware that Sam had run up behind his partner, and Kuwagamon X’s attack not only sliced through Mummymon’s chest, but create a giant gash in the young man as well. Once Mummymon’s data scattered to the wind, they were able to see Sam, his shirt covered with red blood. He quivered for a moment before falling lifelessly to the gound.

Yuri stared with shock in his eyes. He turned to Anna, thankful that the lose of her eyes had saved her the sight of the death in front of them.

On the other side of the small battlefield, Lynna’s Ebidramon and Dingo’s Gesomon X were not doing well against Vicente’s Skull Satamon. The demon digimon was far too fast for the two bulky digimon. He jumped and darted around their section of the battlefield.

“Damn that freakin’ gnat!” Lynna exclaimed, “Fight fair!”

Vicente crossed his arms and laughed. “We are fighting fair. This is just how we fight, that is all.”

Dingo frowned. “Ya seem ta keep changin’ the rules, huh?”

Vicente only shrugged. “You should pay attention to your partners.”

Both Australians sighed and turned back to the battle. Ebidramon and Gesomon X were still attempting to find their enemy. Skull Satamon was a blur of black as he jumped from spot to spot. Finally, he remained still long enough to start his attack. He focused on Gesomon X and shot towards him. The giant squid swung his tentacle as the demon, but he disappeared once again, only to reappear behind Gesomon X and swung his staff into his back.

“Hang on, buddy!” Lynna’s Ebidramon shouted. He skittered on his multiple legs and swung his large pincer claws at Skull Satamon’s back. However, the demon once again shot out of the way and Ebidramon’s attack struck Gesomon X in the back. The giant squid did not flinch, only shoot his tentacles into the sky, this time striking the demon in the back. He was thrown into a tailspin, and the giant squid wrapped his tentacles around Skull Satamon and bashed him into the ground. Ebidramon grinned wickedly and used his giant pincer to smash into the demon’s head.

“Stop this!” Vicente shouted.

Dingo glared at him. “The only reason you’re mad is because you’re losing!”

The Digitalatri warrior did not respond, only crossed his arms and watched his partner. Skull Satamon struggled for a few moments before he was able to break free of Gesomon X’s tentacle grip. He shot into the air and pointed his staff at the giant squid. “Nail Bone!” Gesomon X groaned in pain as he was sent skidding across the pavement.

Ebidramon growled. “Why don’t you come down here and fight! What are ya, scared?”

Skull Satamon growled. “I fear no one!” He shot down at the lobster, his staff primed for attack. Ebidramon suddenly shouted, “Twin Neptune!” and slashed with his two large claws. Skull Satamon was not injured, but the force did through him backwards into the air. Gesomon X shot his tentacles up and wrapped them around the demon’s leg. He pulled down with all of his might and threw him into the bottom of a nearby building. However, it was also the place where Vicente was standing. Both Chosen and digimon were thrown into the building’s base. A section of the wall collapsed, crushing Vicente up to his back. Skull Satamon slowly rose to his feet, but Gesomon X was ready.

“Coral Crusher!” He began to repeatedly and rapidly pound him with the ends of his tentacles. The demon twitched for a moment before deleting.

Mimi glanced around at the battles occurring around her. She turned to Tatum and stared her straight in the eyes. “You’re losing, please, just give up before you get hurt too.”

The Digitalatri priestess did not smile. “The will of the Digital God is within us, we will not lose!”

“Don’t be insane!” Noriko shouted.

“Be silent, both of you!” Tatum shouted, “Archnemon, finish them now!”

The spider woman grinned wickedly. She opened her mouth and fired a spray of green mist. “Predation Spider!”

“Black Tailmon, look out!” Lillymon X shouted as she hovered in the air. The chocolate-colored cat leapt out of the way of the spider’s attack. It splattered into the ground, dissolving the blacktop. Once the cat was in the air, Archnemon shot out her spider threads and ensnared her. She laughed and started to spin Black Tailmon around in a circle above her. She smashed the cat into the ground before flinging her into the air. Once in the sky, the cat twisted around and grabbed hold of a building ledge.

“That won’t save you!” the spider shouted. She began to pull but Black Tailmon held tightly. Lillymon X flew down, grabbed the threads right beneath the chocolate cat and pulled as hard as she could. Black Tailmon twisted around and cut the threads with her claws, freeing herself. The flower child bolted higher into the sky, lifting Archnemon with her. Once they were high enough, Lillymon X pointed her arms at the spider as they formed into a cannon. “Flower Cannon!”

The force of her energy attack slammed into Archnemon’s stomach, but also sent her crashing into the ground, specifically the area directly above her partner. Tatum knelt down and covered the back of her head as her partner slammed into her. Archnemon’s data dissolved into the air, but her human partner was still on her knees, panting heavily.

Mimi began to approach her, but Tatum managed to raise her head. She stared at Mimi, panting heavily. The two young woman stared directly into one another’s eyes, searching one another’s souls.

Mimi smiled. “All right, we’ll be back in a few days to check up on you.”

“Promise?” Tatum asked.

“Of course,” Mimi said, “We’ll be friends forever.”

Tatum’s face slowly broke into a smile. “Let’s meet again…on the other side.”

Mimi smiled as well. “Sure, I’ll see you there.”

Tatum continued to smile, even as her eyes rolled back into her head and she completely collapsed on the pavement. Mimi’s body quivered for a moment before she fell onto her knees as well. “Tatum…Tatum!”

------------------------

Upstairs, Taichi had decided to stretch his legs and he began to walk through the hospital halls. He eventually arrived at a small lounge area that was vacant. He fell onto the couch and ran his hands through his hair.

“Taichi?”

He looked up and saw Maria wheeling herself over to him. “Where’s Agumon and Patamon?”

“They’re with your mother,” she smiled slightly, “I just thought I should come and see if you were all right?”

“Yeah,” he said, “I…I just needed some air…”

The Latino woman nodded. “Um, did you call Hikari?”

“What’s the point?” he asked, “I mean, what am I suppose to say? Hey Hikari, Mom woke up and ran out to see me when I was fighting Miayag but she went unconscious again so she’s right back to where she started. I just don’t feel like worrying her like that.”

Maria nodded slowly. “Okay, but, if you don’t want to talk to her, then…then m…maybe, I mean, i…if you would like to…”

Taichi smiled. “You don’t have to be so polite all the time. Just say what’s on your mind.”

She nodded. “I…I thought that maybe…if you…” She took a deep breath, “If you didn’t want to talk to Hikari, then maybe you could talk to me.”

Taichi raised an eyebrow. “What?”

The young woman began to blush. “If you need to talk about your mother, then why don’t you talk to me?”

The slightly older man stared at her for a moment, then smiled slightly. “Well, um, I really don’t know what to say. I mean, I’m worried about her, but…what else can I really do?” He brought his hands into fists, “I just want to help her so badly, but…once my father gets here, I’m going back to the Digital World. I need to focus on bringing down the Demon Lords and saving Sora and Catherine.”

Maria’s heart flinched slightly at the mention of the redheaded young woman. She took another deep breath. “T…taichi, wh…what do you think of Sora?”

He blinked. “What do you mean?”

She fidgeted in her wheelchair. “Um, I…I just was wondering how you feel about her?”

Taichi smiled slightly. “Did Hikari put you up to this? Or was it Mimi? Noriko?” He frowned, “My mother?”

She shook her head. “N…no, I…I was just….”

Realization slowly dawned on Taichi. He stared at her with a mixture of curiosity and wonderment. “She really is cute, and just so…innocent...But she’s only 18, she’s still just a kid. I don’t want to break her heart, but….”

He took a deep breath. “Listen, Maria, I…I think I know how you’re feeling, but…I…I really don’t want to hurt you, but, it wouldn’t work…”

She blinked a few times. “But…w…what are you talking about?”

He frowned. “You know…the way you’re feeling about me?”

Maria was confused for a moment, then blushed even more. “Oh no, you think that….that I….I have feelings for you?”

Taichi raised his eyebrow. “Don’t you?”

The Latino woman smiled slightly. “I…I don’t think of you like that. Y…you’re more like a big brother to me.”

Taichi smiled slightly as well. “Well that’s good,” he exhaled, “You’re more like a little sister to me…well, a littler sister.”

Maria giggled slightly. Taichi rose to his feet. “I’d better go back and check on my mother. Coming?”

“In a minute,” she said. He nodded and exited the lounge. As he did, Maria’s smile faded and small tears began to fall from her eyes.

The Book of Revelation hath ended, the Book of Death now begins