Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Chosen Warriors ❯ Chapter XV: The Fall of Courage ( Chapter 15 )

  “”””””&# 8221;”””””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221; The Chosen Warriors Chapter XV: The Fall of Courage “””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;””””””””””R 21;””””””””””&# 8221;””””””””

“ ;Are you sure this is going to work?” Sora asked, struggling to keep her balance on the rocky mountain cliff.

“Hopefully” Michael said, “I mean, it’s about the only plan we’ve got right now.” He mentioned to the army of digimon assembled in the field below them. “Those Digital Hunters are coming, and these are all the forces we’ve got to defend File Island. With us here, and Yagami, Ishida and Sam waiting further back with more digimon…well, let’s just say I’d rather keep the Hunters here.”

A quick burst of wind ripped through the mountain range, which was over looking the beach and oceans. Sora quickly adjusted her balance to keep from falling.

“It’s just so windy up here!” she said, pulling on the bottom of her Sailor Moon skirt, “I feel like my skirts about to fly up!”

Mimi chuckled. “That’s why I’m glad I’m wearing pants.”

Sora smiled back. The two girls stared at each other, then quickly turned away. Neither once could forget the hurtful things that had been said. An uncomfortable silence filled the air until Sora finally turned back around. “Mimi, listen…”

“Heads up!” Ken shouted, staring through his binoculars, “Here they come!”

“All right!” Michael shouted to the digimon below, “Assemble and form ranks! Remember, they’re under control of the Black Rings, aim for them!”

Across the ocean, they could make out a large blackness that was fast approaching the island. In only a few seconds, they were able to make out the figures of the Digital Hunters.

“There’s Orion,” Ken said, “But where’s Lord Sentry?”

“Can’t worry about that now,” Michael said, “We’ve got to attack!”

The four warriors jumped into the fray and joined the digimon. Every soldier aimed for the Black Rings wrapped tightly around the enemy’s forearms. Mimi, evolved to Sonya Blade, was using a variety of kicks and punches, Sora, as Sailor Moon, used her scepter as a weapon, deflecting energy beams and projectiles, Ken, evolved to Yami Yugi, used his Black Magician cards, while Michael, evolved to SSJ Vegeta, used his fists and energy attack; all for the purpose of destroying the Black Rings.

Michael ducked to avoid a jab from a Black Ring controlled human. He managed to grab the arm and forcefully removed the arm. The armor-wearing human shock for a moment, then collapsed to the ground in shock. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, and was about to engage another Black Ring-controlled Digital Hunter, but he heard a voice call to him through the chaos.

“Quite impressive.”

Michael spun around and saw the Digital Hunter Orion staring at him. Michael did not respond, only continued to stare at his enemy. The Digital Hunter must have send a command through the Black Rings, as the controlled soldiers directed the battle away from them, giving them a perfect battlefield.

“This is wrong you know,” Michael finally said.

“And how do you know so much about morality?” he asked, “How are your choices any different then mine?”

“You’re destroying innocent lives!” he shouted.

“And what do you call what happened to all those innocent lives during the Christmas Invasion?”

“We had nothing to do with that!”

Orion just shrugged. “Are we going to fight, or what?”

Michael shot forward and slammed his fist into Orion’s nose. The Digital Hunter stumbled back and wiped his jaw. “Very good, I felt that one. You have grown in power…’evolved,’ correct?”

“That’s right,” Michael said, “And now I’ve got more then enough power to take you down!” He shot forward with his fists extended, flying towards Orion. He waited until he was close enough to his enemy before swinging his left fist at the Hunter’s head. Orion grabbed it with his left palm and attempted to twist Michael around, but he resisted and was able to use his right fist to smash the Hunter in the face. However, when Michael pulled his hand back, Orion grabbed it with his free hand. Now, both of the Baihumon Warrior’s hands were trapped.

The Hunter smirked. Michael returned the arrogant smile and smashed his head into Orion’s face, then forcefully kicked him in the chest. His powerful kick was able to crack the Hunter’s armor and force him to release his hands. Michael shot back and hovered in the air.

Orion charged forward and quickly grabbed Michaels two legs, swung him around and slammed both of his fists into the Baihumon Warrior’s back, causing him to scream out in pain. The Hunter continued his onslaught by swinging the Warrior into the air, intending to smash him into the ground, but Michael quickly grabbed Orion’s ankles and pulled with all his might, Orion fell onto his back with a loud crash.

Michael flew into the air and began to gather energy into his hands and released it into a purple beam. “Galic Gun Fire!”

Orion crossed his arms in front of his face as the energy beam smashed into him, sending him flying backwards into a large canyon. Michael shot after him.

Sora and Ken, meanwhile, were having their own problems with the Digital Hunter Army. The redheaded warrior smashed her scepter into a Black Ring on a soldiers arm, freeing him. She was too busy to notice the soldier running up behind her. She would have been severally injured if Ken’s Black Magician did not remove the Black Ring in the same manner.

“Thanks,” Sora said, wiping her forehead. She panted heavily, “There’s just too many of them!”

“I know,” Ken said, “And they wouldn’t even have this technology if it wasn’t for me.”

Sora took a deep breath. “I just wish there was some way we could attack all of them at once!”

He glanced at his cards. “All at once?”

Sora stared at him. “Ken?”

He removed one of the cards from his deck and held it so Sora could see. “Winged-God Dragon of Ra?” she asked.

Ken nodded. “One of Ra’s abilities is to change into its God Phoenix mode, and once in that mood, it can instantly destroy any monster on the opponent’s side of the field, but there’s a price you have to pay, give up a thousand life points.”

“K…Ken, this isn’t a game!”

“I know that,” he said, “There’s really no way to tell the equivalent of losing a thousand life points in the game as apposed to real life. A thousand life points could just be feeling a little tired…to completely killing me.”

“Well then don’t do it!” she shouted.

He sighed again. “Do you remember when we were in the Temple of Zhuqioamon? When we saw those two warriors, that even after death, were still so loyal to their Priestess?”

“Ken?” Sora asked.

The other Qinglgonmon Warrior dropped the card onto his duel disk. Energy suddenly exploded from the card and a massive yellow dragon appeared overhead. The Qinglongmon Warrior took a deep breath and shouted, “I evoke the power of Ra’s God Phoenix!”

The dragon was soon covered by fire, changing into an impressive phoenix which towered over the battlefield.

“Ken, don’t do this!” Sora shouted.

The young man ignored her and addressed the hovering firebird. “Winged-God Dragon of Ra,” he shouted, “Use your power and destroy all Black Rings! Do it now!”

He suddenly began to spasm and shake as energy flowed from his body and merged with Ra. The firebird roared and sent hundreds of streams of fire into the Digital Hunter army, striking the multitude of Black Rings, instantly vaporizing them. Each and every trapped human was freed.

The Winged-God Dragon of Ra slowly faded into nothingness as Sora stared at the army below them. “Ken…Ken! I…I think you did it! Ken…” When she did not receive an answer, she turned to her fellow warrior, only to find him collapsed on the ground, barely breathing.

“Ken!” she screamed, charging towards him, “Ken, talk to me!”

“I did it,” he said weakly, “G…good…m…maybe the D..digital World can finally have peace…” His eyes slowly closed.

“Ken!” Sora shouted, shagging him, “Ken…Ken!”

Michael and Orion, meanwhile, continued their epic battle. The Digital Hunter leapt into the air and slammed his fists into the top of Michael’s head, but the Baihumon Warrior spun out of the way, and kicked with all of his might into Orion’s back. The Hunter was flung into the bottom of the canyon with tremendous force, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Michael was panting heavily as he hovered in the air. He was surprised to see the Hunter back on his feet in seconds.

“Very impressive,” he said, noticeably fatigued, “But, unless you can do anything more than that…I’m afraid there’s no hope that you can win.”

Michael stared at him; there was still one attack he could try, but he never executed it before, but he had no choice. He extended both of his hands towards Orion and began to charge up his energy. The Hunter smiled and continued to watch as Michael gathered more and more energy, completely powering up. He stared directly at Orion and shouted, “Final Flash!”

A massive blast of energy shot from his open palms. Orion suddenly realized the amount of energy contained within the attack. He braced himself in an attempt to survive, but it was no use, Michael’s attack completely enveloped him, sending him smashing deep into the rock wall of the canyon. Michael waited until he was certain that the Digital Hunter did not survive, before he started to descend to the ground. Suddenly, he felt all his energy give out and he returned to his normal form. Without any form of power, he simply fell, smashing into the bottom of the canyon.

“Michael!” Mimi shouted. She had been watching from the ridge of the canyon, and now, seeing him lying on the ground, bloodied and bruised, broken bones and unmoving muscles. She ran as fast as she could until she was kneeling by his side. “Michael!”

He slowly opened his eyes and stared at her, a smile crossing his mouth. “M..Mimi…”

“Can you walk?”

“I…I think my back’s broken.”

Suddenly, the walls of the small canyon began to shake as debris started to fall. Michael coughed. “M…must have caused a l...landslide. Y…you have to leave…”

She shook her head, tears falling down her face. “I’m not leaving you, please…”

“Mimi!”

She turned to the canyon ridge and saw Sora shouting to her. “Mimi, the canyon’s caving in! You’ve got to get out of there!”

“I’m not leaving Michael!” she screamed back.

“Mimi!”

“Would you leave Yamato!”

Sora hesitated. She nodded. “A…all right.” She turned to leave.

“Sora!”

She turned back around. The Baihumon Warrior was still crying, but was now smiling. “I’m sorry.”

The redhead nodded. “Me too.”

“Best friends?”

Sora sniffled, now crying as well. “Forever.” She turned and ran off. Mimi turned back to Michael, as the canyon walls continued to crack and fall.

“This is it, huh?” Michael asked, “I…I just can’t help but wonder, was it my blood lust that brought us to this?”

“It had nothing to do with you,” Mimi said, “We all acted the same.”

“I just wish I could make it up somehow.”

Mimi smiled and fought back the tears. She lay over him as the canyon walls finally collapsed, burying them forever. “”””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;””””””””””R 21;”””””””””

Almos t five miles behind the first ‘front,’ Taichi, Yamato and Sam, already evolved to SSJ Goku, Ryo of Wildfire and Van from Escaflowne, were waiting at the base of a similar mountain, while a forest stretched before them. Yamato sighed. “This sure is taking a long time.”

Sam gave him an odd glance. “You actually want them to get here?”

“At least then I’d know what the heck is going on up there! I don’t have any idea if Sora’s even still alive!”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Taichi said, “You know her.”

“I just wish I had a D-terminal. Sora has hers.”

“But if she’s in the middle of a battle, she probably can’t use it, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Sam sighed. “Um, exactly what good are the three of us going to do anyway? I mean, if that Digital Hunter Army makes it through the first front…”

Taichi mentioned to the mountain ridge, where a large, but smaller then the first front, collection of assorted digimon were waiting for their chance to defend their home. Down below, Yamato sighed again. “I’m going to check things out a little further up.”

“Stay here,” Taichi said.

The other Qinglongmon Warrior was already walking towards the forest. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”

Taichi sighed in annoyance. “Has he always been like that?” Sam asked.

“Yes, unfortunately.”

Suddenly and without warning, a beam of red light shot from the depths of the forest and struck Sam directly in the head. His body twitched violently and he collapsed to the ground.

“Sam!” Taichi shouted. He turned back to the forest. He tried to see through the clustering of trees, but to no avail. He mentioned to the digimon collection waiting on the ridge. “Stand at attention!” he shouted, “And be ready to attack on my word.”

“If you do, then your friend here will die.”

He instantly recognized that voice and turned back towards the forest. Lord Sentry was slowly exiting the forest, with Yamato’s neck tightly in his mechanical hand. Taichi hesitated. “What are you doing here?”

Lord Sentry laughed. “What do you think? I’m finally going to complete my mission, and destroy all digital life-forms! And since your fellow warrior Ichijoji destroyed my army, I guess I’ll have to do it myself.”

Taichi clenched his fists. “Well, you’re not getting passed us!” He turned to his small digimon army ready, “Get ready…”

Lord Sentry used his wrist-based laser to fire a series of shots near the mountain top where the army was standing. His attacks did not hit the army, but did strike the mountain, sending a monstrous amount of debris and dirt into the air, forcing the army to scatter. It also sent more debris and dirt falling to the ground. Lord Sentry lost sight of Taichi in the smoke.

“Yagami?” he shouted. He received a response when the Qinglongmon Warrior shot from within the smoke and slammed his fist into Lord Sentry’s face. He released Yamato as Taichi’s impact sent them both deeper into the forest.

Sentry clasped his face. “Y…you actually hurt me!”

Taichi grinned. “That’s right, and you know what, I think it’s time we finally go at it! Every since that day you killed my parents, Tailmon and Agumon right in front of my eyes, I’ve been wanting to rip out your heart…Then again, you probably don’t even have one any more.”

Lord Sentry smirked confidently. “Then let us see what you can do.” He suddenly shot forward with inhuman speed and slammed his fist into Taichi’s stomach. The Qinglongmon Warrior felt pain like nothing he had ever felt before. Lord Sentry grabbed Taichi’s arms and smashed him through several trees at once before flinging him directly into the ground. He jumped into the air and was about to execute a pile-driver attack, but Taichi rolled out of the way. He shoved his foot into Lord Sentry’s stomach. If the Digital Hunter was injured, he did not show it. He used his own foot to kick Taichi in the face, and then his other foot kicked him the stomach. The Qinglongmon Warrior managed to get back into the air. There, he hoped to have a better chance.

He placed both of his palms together in a familiar move, then thrust them forward. “Kamehameha!”

Lord Sentry only smirked and easily batted the energy wave to the side, where it smashed through even more trees.

“Damn it,” Taichi swore.

The Digital Hunter fired his wrist-based laser at the Qinglongmon Warrior once again. Taichi dove out of the way and shot around for a sneak attack, but Lord Sentry spun around, smacking Taichi with the back of his hand. Taichi fell to the ground, but grabbed Sentry’ ankle and pulled as hard as he could. The Digital Hunter fell to the ground. The Qinglongmon Warrior and brought his elbow into Sentry’s back with all of his weight. The Digital Hunter shot back to his feet and the two warriors stared at each other.

“Pretty good,” Lord Sentry said, “But then again, I didn’t expect anything less from the great Taichi Yagami.”

The Qinglongmon Warrior only stared at the Digital Hunter. “You are an inhuman murderer, and I’m going to make sure you never kill again!”

Lord Sentry smirked. “Well, you’re wrong about that. I will kill one more freak of nature, your little sister.”

“Hikari?” he shouted.

“That’s right,” Lord Sentry smirked, “and when she’s lying dead in the ground, the last light for the Digital World will be gone.”

Taichi exploded with anger and charged at Lord Sentry, his fists were glowing white with energy. The Digital Hunter prepared his own laser attack and waited for the right moment to strike. The two warriors were about to attack…. “”””””””R 21;””””””””””&# 8221;”””””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;””

Back on Earth, Hikari stared at Daisuke as he lay sleeping peacefully on the small cot. After the battle with Nimrod, the Priestess of Qinglongmon carried her faithful warrior to the basement of an apartment building while Maria salvaged what she could from the New York team’s home. The young Priestess of Baihumon was now sleeping as well; Hikari was the only one awake.

She was about to check on Maria when she heard a familiar chiming sound. It was her D-terminal. She quickly opened the front cover to examine her screen; she had just received an e-mail message from Sora.

Hikari, are you there? E-mail me back right now!

She did. “Sora, what’s wrong?”

The redhead responded immediately. “Hikari, it’s Taichi, he…he needs you.”

The Priestess felt her heart sink into her stomach. Her fingers were trembling as she typed her response. “Why?”

“He fought Lord Sentry and now….”

“I need to talk to him!” “””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;”””””

Back in the Digital World, Sora walked back to the forest clearing where Taichi was lying, his clothes were torn, his body covered with blood, and his eyes nearly closed. Yamato was kneeling beside him, and Sora soon joined him. “Taichi..?” she asked gently.

“W..what is it?” he asked, very weakly.

“I…I have Hikari on her D-terminal,” she said, “T..tell me what you want to say to her, okay?”

Taichi struggled to nod, but his energy was nearly gone. “A..ask her i…if Daisuke’s okay.”

Sora did so. “She says that he fought Nimrod and beat him. He’s unconscious, but he’s fine.”

“Good. Tell her, that Daisuke has to beat…beat Lord Sentry…”

On Earth, Hikari read the message. She typed her response. “Why?”

“I tried Hikari…I tried so hard, but I just couldn’t beat him. I couldn’t. I’m sorry Hikari, I know that you wanted me to walk you down the isle, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Hikari did not type a response, she was too busy crying. “Oniichan…Oniichan!”

Back in the Digital World, Sora fought back her own tears. “T..tachi, H…hikari didn’t send anything back.”

“T..tell her that…that I love her.”

Sora finally broke down and started crying. She did manage to type Taichi’s final message. He turned to the blond-haired man.“Good. Y..yamto, y…you’ve got to watch out for everyone, take care of Hikari.”

“I will, I will.”

Taichi smiled and slowly closed his eyes.

Hikari, you know you’re not supposed to be playing with the computer.

But it’s doing something weird.

It's a pleasure to meet each of you. My name's Taichi, and these are my friends from camp. I'd like you to meet Sora…And the self-proclaimed cool one over there is Yamato.

Taichi! Your courage is giving me even greater strength, I can evolve!

“What can happen? This isn’t the real me”

“Don’t test theories now, Taichi!”

“Pain still hurts Taichi!”

"What are you thinking, Taichi? That we’re in a video game? That nothing can happen to us because these aren’t our real selves?

“Yeah, something like that,” he grunted as he tried to break free of Jyou’s grasp

“Our Digital selves are directly linked to our other selves back home!” Koushiro shouted, finally realizing Taichi’s problem and intending to forcefully rectify it, “You need to be a lot more careful No telling what may happen If something happens here

"It happens there," Taichi said, weakly Jyou released his grip and felt the energy drain away from Taichi. The goggle-headed leader felt his entire world cave away from underneath his feet He had never felt this way before "I..I can't move!”

Koushiro continued to type into his laptop “The weak point is one meter to your right”

Taichi remained perfectly still “No way! Just one false move and it’s over”

“You just picked on the wrong guy’s little sister Mr. Fang-face!”

"Metal Wolf Claw!"

"Terra Force!"

The two attacks disintegrated Apocalymon's upper body in an explosive array of light that illuminated the dark void around him and the Digidestined

"We did it!" Yamato cheered

"We destroyed all of his claws!" Jyou said

"Still think you're so tough?" Taichi asked

"Hey, Sora, wait up!"

"Oh, Taichi," she said, nervously moving a wrapped box around in her hands.

"Something smells good," Agumon said.

"Yamato’s busy getting ready, but, I'll take those to him," Gabumon said.

"I bet you will," Biyomon snapped,"No way, you'll eat the whole thing yourself!"

"So, um, Sora, are you going to the concert with anybody-I'm mean, not that it matters to me... just wondering..."

"No, I want to be available in case Yamato is free afterwards, heh."

"Oh, I see, Yamato, huh?"

"Mmm hmm," she said, blushing slightly.

"It's okay."

"You mean, you're not mad at me, Taichi?"

"No, of course not! Now, get in there and say hi to Yamato for me."

"Thanks Taichi."

"The least you could do is leave us the cookies," Agumon said.

"Tell you what, I'll make some special ones for you."

"I'll be waiting, thanks."

"You know what, Taichi?" Agumon asked.

"What?"

"You've really grown up."

"Who are you?" Taichi demanded.

"You may refer to me as Lord Sentry," he responded, "For as long as you are alive, that is." He held up his left hand and aimed a wrist based energy projectile at Hikari. "Ladies first."

"Kari, look out!" her brother shouted, using the name that she would allow only him to call her. He fell on top of her, using his body to shield her. Over Taichi's shoulders, she could see the towering figure of the Digital Hunter. She closed her eyes, awaiting the final scream from her brother's lips, but a different voice screamed out. She opened her eyes again and saw that Agumon had sacrificed himself to save the siblings.

Suddenly, both Taichi and Daisuke’s armored body began to glow in the same manner as the other’s. However, their armor did not fade and vanish as the others did, but something else entirely. The armor began to crack and it soon completely shattered. In place of the fallen Taichi and Daisuke stood two new but familiar figures. They stared at one another in shock.

“Taichi, is that you?”

He nodded. “Yeah. What just happened, and what am I wearing?” He looked down at his body, which no longer had armor covering it, but an orange gi.

“What about me?” Daisuke asked, mentioning to his outfit of blue short, stripped short sleeve shirt and a red bandana in his hair. He was no holding a long metal blade, which he held by means of a handle in the center.

“You look like a character in a video game I played,” Taichi said. Suddenly, realization dawned on his face, “Holy crap!” He looked down at himself again, “I don’t believe this!”

“What?”

“You’re Serge from Chrono Cross, and I’m Goku from Dragonball Z!” He grinned as he looked himself over, “I don’t believe it, I’m really Goku! This is pretty cool!”

“T…Taichi-san…”

“What?” he asked, “What?”

“I…I’m sorry I wasn’t more help. I was weak, and just got in the way.”

“What are you talking about?” Sora shouted.

“Yeah,” Taichi said, “You were great! I mean, if it wasn’t for you, we’d have never even gotten out of the Sleeping Valley!”

She smiled. “Please…you should go. I’m sure Hikari needs you…”

“They’ll be fine,” Taichi said.

Sora shot him a strange glance, she never thought Taichi would say something like that. She did not challenge him, however, only glanced at Noriko. “Yeah, I think we’ll stay…just a little while longer.”

Noriko smiled, tears forming in her eyes. “I just wish…I could have been there…when she summoned Qinglongmon…please…tell Hikari…I’m sorry…” She smiled, “And…tell her…Takeru….won’t be alone…”

She suddenly quaked in pain, before her eyes slowly closed; her body lying perfectly still. Sora burst out in tears while Taichi screamed in rage, slamming his fists into the brick walls. “Noriko!”

Two-year-old Taichi hid behind the couch as he watched his mother and father walk inside. He could see a small bundle in his mother’s arms, one that she was cradling next to her chest. His parents were busy talking to his grandmother, and his mother sat down on the couch. His father smiled when he finally found him.

“There you are sport.” He placed a hand on Taichi’s shoulder, “Come on, there’s someone who’s waiting to see you.”

He led Taichi around to the front of the couch where his mother was waiting. Mrs. Yagami smiled as she gently lowered the bundle so Taichi could see. “This is your new sister, Hikari.”

“Hikari?” he asked. He stared at the baby girl, who giggled when she saw him.

His father knelt down and looked at Taichi’s face. “Now son, listen up, you’re the big brother now, your mother and I expect you to be nice to Hikari and take care of her, understand?”

“Big brother,” he nodded. He looked at Hikari and smiled, “Hikari, little sister.” “””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;”””””””””

Taichi& #8230;my oniichan was gone. I was all alone, all alone. I couldn’t go on without him. He was always there, whenever I needed him, and now he’s gone. Taichi…oh Taichi…