Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Outcast ❯ Believe ( Chapter 11 )

The Outcast

Chapter 11: Believe

by Silver

*Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, its creatures, or characters, blah, blah, blah.*

Author's Note: Getting extremely close to the end now. The usual thanks go to my beta readers Daisukefire and Chapel. I'd be at a loss without either of them. I also want to thank all my readers and reviewers. I greatly appreciate your support.

This chapter is my attempt to incorporate H.P. Lovecraft's works into the realm of Digimon. Whether I succeed or not is open to interpretation. Anyway, I'd be very interested to hear what people think of this chapter, so please do write a review!

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"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'leyh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

[In his house at R'leyh dead Cthulhu sleeps dreaming.]"

-A quote from "Call of the Cthulhu"

by H.P. Lovecraft

The harsh crash of waves against the shoreline almost drowned out the sound of Kari's feet squishing on the slimy road. She, the creature that had once been Muri Ikari, and a band of other Scubamon walked into the city of R'leyh, home of Dragomon. Kari could feel the darkness pressing in on her, as well as the eyes of thousands of Scubamon watching from the shadows. She had come to this wretched city twice, and both times she'd been terrified. This third time was definitely not the charm, but she held her head high and her posture straight. She would not allow Dragomon to see how frightened she truly felt.

Although she had agreed to go with the Muri-creature in order to save Davis' life, she had no intention of bearing Dragomon's offspring. She'd throw herself off a cliff and drown in those dark waters before that ever happened. Although, it was obvious that she couldn't escape at the moment. She was surrounded on all sides by the denizens of the Dark Ocean .

Her escort of Scubamon grew the deeper they journeyed into the city. The black toad-like monsters would simply step out of their hiding places and meld in wherever there was an open spot. The Muri Scubamon was easy to spot amongst all the others. Whereas most of the population was thin and gangly, his body was firm and strong. He held himself higher than the others, who practically dragged themselves forward. Kari gasped as one Scubamon fell down into a puddle of green goo and burst into a cloud of data. The others advanced without a second glance, as if they were used to the sight of an ally dying.

Kari kept silent throughout the walk, partly because she feared her voice would betray her inner tension. Besides, what would she talk to these creatures about? They were similar to Digimon, made from data and emotions it seemed, but they felt so totally wrong, as if these creatures should not have existed in the first place. Kari felt it strange that she would cast such a judgment. After all, who was she to decide what creatures deserved to live? And yet she couldn't help but feel a taint about all the creatures, especially Muri. There was something very wrong about all the Scubamon in R'leyh.

They finally reached a large building, one of the few that stood completely upright. Its straight lines and tall columns stood in stark contrast to the tipped buildings and uneven patches of ground around it. A squid-like face was carved atop the mammoth sized door, and there was even more slime covering the dark gray stonework, so much so that the building almost looked pure green.

"Please enter, my Queen." Muri gestured inside. "Lord Dragomon awaits."

Kari huffed at him and marched past. There was no point in delaying the meeting. It wasn't as though she could flee from this many Scubamon. Despite their weakened state, they would overpower her before she could even get a block away from the central temple that served as Dragomon's apparent home.

The demonic mass of tentacles and muscle sat atop a huge thrown just inside the temple. His body had turned back to its much more visible gray form, and his largest tentacle arm curled around a massive trident. His other appendages floated listlessly in the small breeze pervading the city. He reclined in his chair while displaying the muscles that comprised his sickening form.

Dragomon's red eyes fixed on her, a primal look of triumph fixed upon his face. "Welcome back, child of light. It is an honor to have you visit my home once again."

"I wouldn't call it an honor." Kari tried to keep her gazed focused on a still maddeningly complex form of tentacles, spikes, and flesh. "I agreed to come here, but I have no intention of being your concubine."

"You make your role sound so forced. You will not be a slave for Me to do with as I please; you shall be My wife, My queen. You will be the savior and mother of the creatures gathered around you!"

"I'll pass."

Dragomon sighed melodramatically. "Child of light, do you not understand that I am the only one being in all of existence who can love you for who you truly are?"

Kari arched an eyebrow. "And just what am I?"

"The pinnacle of light… the personification of power. You stand above all other humans; even those who claim to love you. You are unique among all mankind, and they fear you for that. To them, you are a freak, a flaw in nature and an intrusion into their illusion of perfection. To Me, you are the perfect equal; someone who lives on the same pillar of divinity as I."

"You're the only one putting yourself on a pedestal. I am a human, and I'm not 'above' anyone else."

Dragomon leaned forward, "Can you really believe that? The human mind is petty and cruel. Think of what you call the Holocaust, or the persecution of dark-skinned humans, homosexuals, and religions? Humans exclude those who do not fit into their own short lives and surround themselves with others who constantly agree with them. Other people kill innocents in the name of peace and freedom and religious superiority. Wars break apart families and nations, always in the name of power. No matter how noble the ideals they espouse, humans seek to dominate. The moment two humans have a disagreement their friendships and past are forgotten in an instant of rivalry. Nations forge alliances one year and are arguing over resources the next. Two Businesses steal money from the very companies they serve. You do not think yourself above such pettiness?"

Kari shot back, "And least humans don't kidnap people and transform them into some kind of monster."

Dragomon chuckled, "You refer to the being once known as Muri Ikari." He looked at the creature in question. "Step forward." The Scubamon did as ordered. "Tell me, are you unhappy as you are?"

"No, Master. I am overjoyed to be a part of Your people. I have finally found peace in my life."

Kari said, "Muri, you can't mean that! Dragomon is forcing you to say those things. Don't you remember your real parents? Or what about your girlfriend, Kay? This monster attacked you and probably killed your friends!"

Dragomon tilted his head quizzically. "I have killed no one. Ah, you must be referring to the other humans who entered my realm when I rescued you."

"Rescued me?"

Dragomon nodded, "Yes. I have been watching over you ever since I felt your powers beginning to awaken. I saw that the human Muri and his companions sought to harm you, so I sent my servants across the dimensional barrier to save you. It was I who sent Muri back to clear your name and strengthen your case against Hitoshi Ikari. I have always watched for your safety. I have tried to call you back to your rightful place so many times, because I knew ordinary humans would never accept you."

Kari tried not to think about Dragomon's words, or the notion that he'd been watching her for so long. "Where are Muri's friends?"

"There." He indicated a patch of Scubamon with the flick of a tentacle. Several dark creatures stepped forward. Like Muri, they were tall and firm, stronger looking than any of the other Scubamon.

Kari felt cold. "You changed them too?"

"They are a part of my world, now, as you will be. You will soon understand that my world is much more peaceful than yours. There is no prejudice, no conflict, no hatred. Everyone accepts one another because they are all the same, and no one can carry out war against his neighbor because all creatures of the ocean fall under my command!"

"So your peace comes from the fact you suppress individuality."

"Of course. Such petty selfishness is ultimately self-destructive."

"What did you mean 'Creatures of the Ocean?' You don't rule the land?"

"I rule everything in this world, but there are currently no beings on the land to rule." Dragomon leaned back, "I see you must be taught the history of the world you will soon control."

* * * * * * * *

"What's taking so long?" Davis threw a chunk of debris against a melted support beam, which promptly fell over. "We should have found something by now!"

"Calm down, Davis. We'll find a way." TK didn't sound very confident himself.

Veemon said, "I'm still not sure this is the best place to look. Wormmon and I made really sure this place was blown to smithereens."

After the Muri-creature had taken Kari, Davis had returned to the other Digidestined, who had already responded to Kay's call for help. They'd been horrified to learn what had happened and Tai and his parents nearly lost their minds. Izzy and Ken had both concluded that the only way to rescue Kari would be to find a portal to the Dark Ocean. Ken had tried to open one himself, but he'd used the last of his dark power opening the portal to which the Digidestined had banished Daemon. He couldn't open another.

The only other place where the Digidestined had been able to open a portal to the Dark Ocean had been the Digital World, so Davis and the others had contacted Gennai. The guardian of the Digital World had agreed to allow them passage for this emergency situation, and had arranged for them to link up with their Digimon partners. The reunion had been soured by the fact that Kari had been kidnapped. There'd been no time to reminisce as the Digidestined began to search for a way into the Dark Ocean.

The Digidestined began their search by sifting through the remains of the Digimon Emperor's ruined base. They hoped the gateway to the world of darkness that had powered the base had left some residual energy. Unfortunately, it appeared that Paildramon had done too good a job. All that remained was charred steel and broken stone.

Gatomon was as impatient as Davis. "We have to find something! There's gotta be a way."

"There is," Veemon assured her, "and we'll find it." He placed his hand on Gatomon's shoulder. TK noticed Gatomon's fur ripple, but she didn't swat Veemon's hand away or order him to back off. Surprised, he looked to see if Davis had noticed as well, but his friend was too busy searching through the rubble.

"Davis, I know how you feel. I panicked when Kari was first pulled into the Dark Ocean too. But you have to keep a clear head or you won't be able to help her."

"That's easy for you to say! You didn't let her down when she needed you."

"You didn't let her down either."

"Oh yeah?" Davis snorted, "I couldn't even beat one lousy dark monster. She might have been better off if I hadn't show up." He kicked a stone, and winced at the pain. Davis had been training himself to be stronger ever since he'd been attacked by Gendo and his gang. He'd tried to become a better fighter so he wouldn't have to rely on Veemon or anyone else for protection. Muri's trouncing became all the more bitter for the fact that Davis hadn't even been able to put up a fight, no matter how strong he'd become.

TK sighed, "You couldn't have beaten that monster on your own. None of us could. Muri, or whatever that thing was, tricked us into lowering our guard. We all became lax and so we're all responsible for what's happening. Don't try to take this all on yourself!"

"Why shouldn't I? I couldn't help her. I blew it. And if we never see her again then I… I…" He could finish the sentence. Instead, he gazed around at the surrounding debris. Kari had mentioned in one of her critical thinking tutorials that if one solution didn't work, it was best to consider another strategy rather than stubbornly pursue an ineffective course of action. But Davis couldn't think of any alternative. All he could envision was tying Dragomon's tentacles in a knot and kicking him off a cliff. He knew he could find a way to win when the time came to fight. But this isn't a fight situation. I can't even get to where the fight should be. He had to find a way to Kari and Dragomon before he could show that freak what it meant to threaten the people he cared about.

It was clear to him now that he couldn't enter through a portal that didn't exist. Ken's base had absolutely no dark power left inside it. That meant it was time to back off from this dead end and find another way in. That led to the obvious next question: where? Davis sat down and held his chin in one hand while resting his elbow on his ankle. TK grinned at Davis' bad impersonation of "the Thinker."

Gatomon and Veemon came up. "Davis, what are you doing?"

"Thinking."

Both Digimon blinked, then Gatomon quipped, "That's new."

"Quiet." Davis grumbled. "I'm trying to think of where we could find another portal."

Understanding Davis' intent, Veemon and Gatomon sat down beside him and mimicked his pose. Veemon asked, "Is this supposed to help us get an idea?"

Gatomon shrugged, "Who knows?"

TK chuckled, "You three make quite the picture. But a pose isn't going to help you think of an answer."

Davis sighed. "Okay, question: What is this Dark Ocean place?"

Gatomon answered, "It's a dark place of negative energy where a lot of evil creatures dwell."

"Next question: where have we felt that bad energy?"

Veemon replied, "Well, there was Ken's base, and then there was the time we sealed Daemon away. Yolei, Kari, and Ken got sucked into the Dark Ocean once, and they felt some bad vibes. But the rest of us didn't get pulled in, and we couldn't find any portals there after Kari and the others came back."

TK Chimed in. "Then there was the dark whirlpool."

Davis' head snapped up. "The what? What are you talking about?"

"It's the place where Ken used Devimon's data to finish Kimeramon. I told you about that, remember? I said that I felt the gateway to the world of darkness giving off the same energy as the whirlpool."

Davis and the Digimon jumped up. "Alright! Then that's our next stop!"

"Wait, you aren't actually thinking of going inside that thing, are you?"

Gatomon said, "It's the only other portal we know about. We have to go."

"But Ken lost several Digimon in that thing. He sent three Mechanorimon in and they were all sucked down and disappeared. No one knows what happened to them. If you go, you might never come back!"

Davis held up his D3, "I'm not gonna sit here while Dragomon steals Kari. I'm gonna save her. You guys with me?"
"You bet!" Gatomon and Veemon nodded. Davis' D3 digivice glowed with a blue light.

"Veemon digivolve to… XV-mon!" Veemon's form changed to a larger, burlier version of himself with a pair of small white dragon's wings and a horn protruding from his snout. A large gray X was displayed on his chest.

Davis and Gatomon climbed on, "Let's go!" XV-mon took off in a small cloud of dust.

"Hey, wait for the rest of us!" TK signaled Patamon over while pulling out his D3. The other Digidestined were all watching Davis leave with baffled expression on their faces. TK said, "Patamon, digivolve. We can't let those three jump in over their heads without us."

* * * * * * * *

Dragomon's voice was pensive. "In the beginning, emotions and data merged to form the Digital World. This realm was the embodiment of people's hopes and dreams. These positive forces gave life to the Digimon and allowed them to prosper. But where there is light there must also be shadow. This Dark Realm was born alongside the Digital World; a bleak reflection that drew its energy from humanity's darkness. Hatred, fear, distrust, greed, envy, all these emotions swelled with more data and formed the realm in which I must live. How ironic to think that humans would despise this world, even though it is a product of their own creation. They gave birth to this world of darkness, and Myself, through their own hidden evils.

"But unlike the Digital World, the Dark Realm was devoid of life, save a small band of creatures who manifested from all the blackest aspects of the human soul. These Old Ones lived in solitude; god-like in power yet trapped in a dead world. They were brethren in darkness, but they were not able to live in peace with one another. War broke out as each Old One vied for control of the land, air, and sea. I was one of these beings. I gained control of the sea and eventually solidified my power as the strongest of the Old Ones. As I slew each of my brothers and rivals and entombed them within this city. Even now, they dwell beneath your feet, deep within the sleep of a living death."

"Living death?" Kari shook her head as much from confusion over Dragomon's story as well as the terminology.

Dragomon replied, "It is a state similar to death, but not so permanent. There is no rebirth in this world as there is in the Digital World. Here, death means near-eternal slumber. Even my own subjects succumb to the living death. When each one dies, it becomes sealed underneath my city. But one day they shall awaken again, and I shall rule all of them, both the Old ones and my own hordes. We shall rule them. Your powers, added to My own, and those of Our children will provide us with a decisive edge." His tentacles wriggled greedily with anticipation. "I would especially appreciate your aid in defeating a recent invader, Daemon. He seeks to wrestle control away from me. He is powerful, but My army and I are able to overcome him."

Kari frowned, "Are you a Mega?"

"No. I am what you would call an Ultimate. I have the ability to become something even stronger, but I have not yet reached that level. Even so, I rule this world and its power is more than enough for me to handle a creature such as Daemon."

Kari gestured to the creatures assembled behind her. "And what about the Scubamon? Are they Old Ones too?"

Dragomon laughed, "These small things? Of course not. They are my servants. Since they are not truly Digimon, I prefer to call them Deep Ones. They are creatures reborn from darkness."

"Reborn?"

"The Digital World was blessed with an abundance of life, but it was sparing in happiness. All too quickly, Digimon began to fall into depression and hopelessness." The sounds of moans and small sobs rippled through the Scubamon.

"Some fell so far into disillusionment that I was able to pull them into my realm and make them a part of it. Soon, I built an army of Deep Ones." Dragomon held out his arms to take in his hordes. Every one of the creatures surrounding you came from the Digital World and was reborn in darkness. The problem now is that there are no new frontiers in this realm. I had a kingdom to rule, but no possibility of expansion.

"Then, one joyful day, I sensed sadness and loneliness from a creature I had never felt before. It was a human, the being you called Matt. He and the other human, Sora, almost became the first humans to join my domain. They escaped, but I rejoiced for I had finally found a new race to form into servants, as well as a new queen." He motioned towards the ailing Deep Ones. "I drained the energy from these creatures to increase my own power, thus enabling me to reach across dimensions to you. But there was a price to this power. My servants are dying off, becoming trapped beneath this city of R'leyh. I will be alone again if I cannot find a healthy population to transform into my own servants. Fortunately, I have found such a group. The being Muri and his friends have proven that humans will make very powerful and faithful Deep Ones. Soon, all of humanity will be either transformed or destroyed, and I will add a whole world to My trove! And you will help me, child of light!"

"Never!" Kari shouted with fury. "I'd never help a monster like you!"

Dragomon leaned forward, "I am not the monster. Human emotions created me. I am a reflection of what humans try to deny. Don't you understand that I already surround you? I am the hatred and the fear that others feel towards you, Glow Girl."

"Glow girl."

"Glow girl."

"Glow girl." The Deep Ones began to whisper, one after another. Soon, the whole swarm rippled with the name, bouncing off the damp walls and floor and surrounding Kari.

Dragomon continued, "You have felt the sting of exclusion and exile. You've seen how petty and fearful humans are. Do you really think they'll accept you? Even if they stop fearing Digimon, they will continue to fixate on your power because you are far more unnatural to them than any other creature. You look human, but you have a power they do not. Not even your loved ones will be able to stand with you."

"You're wrong." Kari whispered while she shook her head. "Davis hasn't abandoned me. He cares about me without worrying about my powers."

"Perhaps. But do you really think he can stand to be around you as society begins to shun him as well? He will be cast out for his loyalty to you, and as the isolation sets in he too will abandon you! Show her!"

At Dragomon's beckoning, the Muri creature stepped forward. His shape began to ripple and alter, until he became an exact clone of Davis. He stepped up to her with an apologetic expression on his face. "Hey, Kari," he even sounded like Davis, "I'm really sorry, but I can't keep doing this. I mean, everybody just keeps dodging me. No one wants to talk to me or even look at me when I hang around you. It's driving me nuts! I really care about you, but this is too much. I… I have to end this. I'm really, really sorry."

"No…" Kari stepped away from him, "NO! Davis would never quit like that! He's… he's too stubborn!"

Dragomon laughed, "Perhaps, but you will not let it come to that, will you? You know that he'll suffer if he loves you. He'll become an outcast, just like you. It already started when he was sent away from the school you shared, correct? He is going to have to travel down the same lonely path as you. You will bring it on him? Can you really be so cruel? Can you force someone you care about to endure the same hardships? Are you really that selfish?"

Kari sank to the floor. "People… people will understand in time. I'll help them understand."

"How? Do you really believe that people would have accepted your message if I had not sent Muri to help you? His testimony cleared you of wrongdoing, not your words. You cannot change their minds because you are the very thing they feared."

"Glow Girl!"

"Glow Girl!"

"Glow Girl!" The Deep Ones were screaming the name, but Dragomon's voice boomed over them.

"This is the only place that will accept you and love you! Give in to your isolation. Surrender to your sadness! Embrace your pain and become one with my world!"

Black water gushed into the entrance and flooded the floor. Kari knelt in the shallow pool, her tears mixing with the black seawater. It was true. She would always be alone, and to try to stay with anyone would only cause them the same pain. As Kari's heart continued to break, the water began to recede. It flowed into her, changing the color of her skin into pure darkness and reshaping her feet into the lizard-like horror of a Deep One.

Dragomon's face contorted into a sickening grin. "Soon you will no longer be Kari Kamiya. You shall become Mother Hydra, life-spring of a new race."

* * * * * * * *

The crystalline blue ocean water shimmered in the sunlight, with small islands peeping up in random arrangements. As Davis and Gatomon looked out from XV-mon's back, they could both feel the power of the memories from this place. It was here that they had first battled Kimeramon, the Digimon Emperor's last and most horrifying creation. They'd nearly lost everything they'd fought for because of that Frankenstein's monster Digimon. Had it not been for TK, Kari and Yolei would have fallen, and Davis would have been left to fight alone. This place held even more meaning for TK, who was pursuing Davis on Angemon's back. The dark whirlpool, which lay just ahead, was the place he'd seen Devimon revived. The satanic-looking Digimon still haunted his dreams at times, and Davis actually planned to go into the demon's lair!

"Davis!" Angemon pulled up beside XV-mon and TK called over, "Are you nuts?"

"If you've got a better plan, I'd love to hear it!"

"There could be another gateway. You can't rush into this."

"I can't go looking for a whole new gateway! Not when there's one right in front of me."

"At least wait for the others!" The other Digidestined had not been able to keep up with Davis and TK and where not even visible in the distance.

"I'm not gonna wait that long! Kari needs me now and I'm going."

"Me too!" Gatomon chimed in.

XV-mon pointed, "There it is."

A swirling torrent of water roared just below the horizon. No aquatic Digimon dared to swim near it, and all flying Digimon knew to stay as far away as possible. The water seemed to vanish into a void, as if a black hole lay at the heart of the whirlpool. Even looking at it sent a shiver down Davis' spine, and the Digimon visibly tensed up. Davis decided to act before he had a chance to consider how crazy this was. "Let's go!"

XV-mon dove down while Gatomon and Davis clung tightly to his neck. As they neared the black spiral, phantom wisps drifted by, moaning a painful sound. Davis jumped as one passed by in front of him. TK had told everyone about these ghosts that inhabited the whirlpool, but Davis had never seen one before.

"Don't let them scare you. They can't hurt you." Angemon and TK drifted down next to XV-mon.

Davis grinned, "I thought you said going into this thing was crazy."

TK shrugged, "Can't let you dive in all on your own." They both chuckled, though it was laced with uneasiness.

They seemed to descend for hours, or was it minutes? Davis looked up and saw that they hadn't made much progress. This whole area made him feel weird. No sooner had he contemplated going back for the others, when an invisible hand grabbed down and yanked, hard. Davis, Gatomon, TK, XV-mon, and Angemon all screamed as they plummeted into the darkness, the light of the Digital World vanishing from view.

Davis wasn't sure what happened next. He must have blacked out because it suddenly felt as though he were underwater. In fact, he was! Kicking his legs frantically, Davis moved for what he hoped was the surface. He coughed and gasped the instant he broke the surface. TK and the others followed shortly thereafter.

"Everyone okay?" TK sputtered.

"I hate water!" Gatomon's fur hung limp over her eyes and floated in the dark water. Her expression was bitter and extremely angry. If Dragomon saw it, he'd probably run off screaming. Davis resisted the urge to laugh.

XV-mon said, "I'm not a big fan of water right now either, but I'm okay."

Angemon said, "I am all right, but I think we've dove into even more trouble than we thought."

"Why do you say that?" Davis asked.

Angemon pointed over Davis' shoulder. Davis turned and blinked, trying to get his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Half-risen out of the water as a massive island, and on it lay a chaotic city, the green slime the most luminescent feature. Davis gulped and the fear emanating from the dead city. He reached under his shirt and pulled out the crest copy. It glowed with a pink light that intensified the closer he held it to the city. "Kari's in there." But something was wrong. The crest would flicker briefly, as if Kari was fading slowly. "We gotta hurry."

* * * * * * * *

Hitoshi had always considered his home a haven from the rest of the world. It was here he could rest his body and mind from the rigors of his speeches and legal work. Koishii had always been there for him, and Muri's presence was always a welcome treat, though Hitoshi quickly realized he'd never told his son how much that meant to him. Now, Muri was gone again, only worse this time. His son had become a demon, something completely inhuman. His strength and eerie demeanor were things foreign to the human world, even more so than Digimon. Hitoshi's throat still ached from Muri's suffocating grip. Guilt and sadness latched onto Hitoshi. He felt that his poor role as a parent had been at least partially responsible for his son's fall into darkness. If only I could have told him I loved him.

Koishii's loving support was gone as well. She was frantically calling neighbors, friends and the police, trying to find out some clue of where her son had gone. Hitoshi hadn't the heart to tell her what their son had become. That might not have been a kindness. Koishii was beside herself with grief, unable to even consider the notion that their child might vanish again.

How was it that Hitoshi's life had fallen apart? A year ago, he'd been one of Japan's most powerful public speakers, fighting for a cause he believed in. He had a loving family and a bright future ahead of him. Now he'd been forced to leave an organization that had never been as noble as he'd imagined, his son was lost, and his wife was withdrawing into herself. Was this a part of God's plan? Or had Hitoshi brought this on himself? The sins of the father pass on to the son. Yet my sins appear to have magnified and thrust my son into the realm of the devil.

* * * * * * * *

Being a Digidestined meant that almost nothing was ever easy. Davis had learned from experience that no task could ever be accomplished quickly or easily. So he wasn't surprised when he and TK had found a mob of Scubamon, or whatever those black things were, waiting for them. But he was surprised at their sheer numbers, and how frail they looked. These creatures weren't nearly as powerful looking as Muri had been. They where bone-thin and barely able to stand upright; but that did not stop them for lunging forward with unbelievable fury.

XV-mon knocked several Scubamon aside with one punch, while pulling two more away from his face. Angemon used his Angel Rod to swat five other Scubamon, but for everyone one he defeated, two more took their place. Despite their frailty, the Scubamon had overpowering numbers. Davis had never seen so many evil creatures gathered in one area.

"We don't have time for these guys!" Davis called.

TK nodded, "Angemon, time to pull out the heavy artillery."

"I understand." Angemon's illuminated staff shrunk down into a sphere of power around his fist. "Hand of Fate!" The beam of energy shot out and cleared a path straight to the temple that appeared to be the Scubamon's main base.

"V Laser!" XV-mon's attack decimated another swarm of dark creatures. Taking advantage of the confusion and terror in the Scubamon ranks, both Digimon with their partners streaked into the temple doors, leaving the horde of small monsters behind them.

Davis' crest flared to its brightest yet, then began a stuttering pulse; a sign that Kari was fading somehow. Davis also felt something farther in. Something dark and fearful. Gatomon's fur was standing on edge, and Davis could see from TK's expression that he felt the presence as well.

They flew through a short hallway designed for beings much larger than the two Champions. The room at the other end, however, was far grander than any other structure Davis had seen. The roof seemed to suspend miles above the ground, with mountain-sized pillars supporting it. A throne at the other end seemed to take up half the height and Davis knew upon sight who was supposed to sit there. The tentacled nightmare was gray with bat-like wings and burning red eyes. It glanced up at them with mild disinterest, then shrugged and motioned for several of its minions to attack. It then returned its attention to a small figure in front of it. Davis almost didn't recognize Kari. Her body was rippling black from the chest down. Her feet were webbed, just like the horde of creatures that surrounding her. Oh no…

"Kari!" Davis' cry didn't attract her attention. Her gaze distant and the despair on her face more painful to look at than Dragomon himself.

Gatomon saw Kari's altered state as well. "Get us down there, XV-mon!"

"You will not pass us!" One of the Scubamon jumped up and sunk his fist into XV-mon's belly. This creature wasn't like the Scubamon from outside. This one was firmly built and powerful, as were its three companions. Even more disturbing was the monster's voice.

"Muri?" Davis yelped as a second blow knocked XV-mon out of the air and sent them falling to the floor. XV-mon grabbed onto Davis and rolled so that he landed on his feet, absorbing most of the impact.

The Muri creature and one of its allies advanced towards Davis while the other two kept Angemon and TK busy. "We will show you the true power of the Deep Ones!" TK barely managed to step back before one of the creatures slashed out a claw. The claws passed through TK's shirt and left three slash marks. Angemon stepped forward and knocked the monster aside, then shifted his attention to several more.

"Deep Ones?" Davis didn't have time to ponder the name as one of his attackers lunged forward with its claws outstretched. In a blur of motion, XV-mon lunged forward and batted the creature aside.

"Get to Kari," he said. "I'll take care of these guys."

"Right!" Davis ran forward, but Muri was still blocking his path. "Get outta my way!"

"I will not let you steal our queen. Mother Hydra is ours now!"

"Her name's Kari." Davis growled and charged. He knew he couldn't beat Muri in a fair fight, but Davis had a few illegal soccer moves that might work. As Muri stepped forward to swipe his claws, Davis slid forward and felt the claws brush through his hair, but with no serious injury. He lashed out with the bottom of his foot, driving it into Muri's shin. Muri cried out as he stumbled forward, carried by the momentum of his own punch.

"Lightning Paw!" Gatomon followed up the attack by clawing Muri's face. The altered human screamed as dark streams of gray blood seeped from its cheek.

Davis sprung up and ran forward. Gatomon remained behind to detain Muri. "I'm counting on you to save Kari; otherwise you'll have to deal with me!"

"I know! I know!" Now even Kari's Digimon is threatening me! Davis lamented. Who knew having a girlfriend would involve so many threats?

Davis glanced over and saw that TK had managed to slip past the Scubamon-now known as Deep Ones-while Angemon held them off. That meant neither Digidestined would have their partner with whom to face Dragomon. Davis gulped as he glanced at the towering lord of the Dark Ocean, and at the half-transformed Kari. The other Deep Ones in the chamber were swarming between Davis, TK, and Kari. There was no way they could fight off that many creatures, especially without their Digimon.

Davis didn't slow his pace even as his mind raced. The Dark Ocean feared light. They couldn't handle it. But Kari was the Digidestined of light, not him. He didn't have that trait. Still, the copy of the crest of light had helped him drive back Dragomon before. Maybe it could help now. Davis fished the pendent from his neck and held it high. Its glow was weaker than it should have been. Come on, she's here. Glow brighter. Save her! It wouldn't glow.

The Deep Ones moved closer. Several of them fainted from exhaustion and dispersed into data, but many more remained. Davis wasn't sure why they were dying, but he had more pressing concerns. Glow. Come on. Everyone's counting on us to save Kari.

Kari. He couldn't lose her now. Not when she was right in front of him. Even though her body was almost completely transformed, her face was still as beautiful as ever. He wouldn't let Dragomon take her. He would let her become a part of the Dark Ocean. She belonged on Earth with the people who loved her!

"Come on, damn it, GLOW!" Davis' D3 shrieked and glowed blue under his jacket. Davis pulled it out and a beam shot into the crest, illuminating it to a miniature nova. White light shot out to every corner of the temple, causing the Deep Ones to scream and flee out the nearest exit. Dragomon roared and shielded his eyes as his servants retreated.

Taking advantage of the confusion, XV-mon, Gatomon, and Angemon used their special attacks to blast Muri and the other strong Deep Ones out of the temple. Muri and the others landed in a large pool of slime and went limp, but they did not die. The three Digimon shifted their attention to Dragomon and charged. The light from the crest subsided.

"Whoa." Davis breathed. "What was all that about?"

TK shrugged, "No time to worry about that now." Davis nodded and they made the final sprint towards Kari.

Dragomon roared and slammed his tentacle down in their path. "Arrogant humans! How dare you interfere in My affairs?"

"Kari's our friend. We're not going to let you take her!"

"She is Mine now. See how she is already becoming a member of My Deep Ones. She will become a mother to a new race of servants."

Gatomon leaped forward. "That's never going to happen. Lightning Paw!" She sliced at Dragomon's arm. The cut slammed against the spongy skin, but inflicted no noticeable harm. Dragomon lifted his wriggling arm and batted the small cat away. Davis and TK took advantage of Dragomon's distraction to leap over the dent in the floor and reach Kari.

XV-mon flew in next. "V-Laser!" The X shaped beam shot out of the Digimon's chest and struck Dragomon's chest, but it too failed to harm the monster.

"So, you wish to fight?" Dragomon's arm shot out towards the throne, where his trident rested. The tentacle arm stretched out longer than seemed possible and coiled around the staff. Angemon tried to take advantage of Dragomon's apparent vulnerability with a Hand of Fate attack, but again it did not even faze Dragomon. Pulling the trident to himself, Dragomon swung it out with the blades aimed at the two flying Digimon. XV-mon and Angemon managed to dodge, but XV-mon was less fortunate with the follow-up attack. Dragomon used the momentum of his first blow to bring the end of his staff up and sent XV-mon careening into the wall. Dragomon then brought the staff up again and sent Angemon in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, Davis was busy shaking Kari by the shoulders. Her dazed expression and lack of response scared him just as much as her transformed body. "Kari! Wake up! It's me, Davis!"

"Davis…?" Kari's eyes focused a little. "Davis… and TK?"

"Yeah. We're here."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you here?"

Davis frowned, "To save you, of course. Come on; let's get outta here while tall, dark, and slimy's distracted." He tugged Kari's hand. It was cold and slippery. Its touch chilled his hand. He hoped that if he got Kari away from Dragomon, she'd go back to being human.

"Don't bother." Kari's voice was heavy. "Just leave me. That's what you'll do eventually."

TK asked, "Kari, what are you talking about?"

"Dragomon has made everything clear. No matter how much I want to stay at home, my powers will eventually drive everyone away."

TK protested, "That's not true!"

Davis added, "Yeah. We'd never leave you!"

"No. You will. You'll all grow afraid of my power, because it's too different. I'm not like other people. I'm not really human. I'm something else; something that can't live with other people. If I stay away from normal people, then I won't have to wait for them to cast me out."

"That's crazy!" Davis growled, "Did Dragomon tell you that? He's lying."

"No. It's the truth. Even if you're not afraid of me, none of you will be happy if you stay with me. Other people will fear you because you know me. I'm being selfish. I can't force that on any of you."

"That's bull!" Davis grasped her shoulders. "Kari, you're being selfish if you get rid of us! We're willing to stick by you, no matter what other people say."

TK nodded, "That's right! We came to this world because we wanted to be with you and keep you with us."

"But…"

Davis cut her off. "No buts! Kari, you know how much I hate to quit. I'm way to stubborn to throw in the towel." He wrapped his arms around her, determined to never let go no matter how cold her body felt. "I'll never leave you. You mean more to me than anyone else. I don't care what other people say if I can stay with you! Give me a chance to help. Remember how I talked to you about trusting us to help? Well, let me help!"

"You won't leave me?"

"Not a chance. I don't bail on my friends… or my girlfriends." Kari's body began to reform and shed off the darkness. Her torso returned to its human state. She wrapped her arms around Davis and pressed her head to his shoulder.

Dragomon turned around while swatting away the three Digimon. "And what of other humans? Can this small creature's love really support you? Can you really stay cut off from the rest of the world?"

"Put a sock in it squidy!" Davis snapped.

"The others…" Kari's body stopped reverting and her hug slackened. "What about other people, Davis? I don't know if I can live cut off from everyone else."

TK said, "All the Digidestined are here for you, Kari. We won't leave either."

Dragomon laughed, "Twelve Japanese Digidestined out of millions of humans in the world! How foolish! Forget such false hopes and agree to become Mother Hydra, my queen."

Davis shouted, "You stay outta this!"

XV-mon launched forward. "Yeah! Pick on someone your own size!"

"My own size?" Dragomon's laugher rang with insanity. His body turned rippling black and began to shrink down until he stood as tall as XV-mon and Angemon. As he returned to his pale gray skin, he asked, "Does this suit you more?"

"Actually… no." XV-mon braced himself for another round.

Dragomon flew forward with a beat of his wings and condensed his multi-tentacle arm into a makeshift battering ram. He landed a blow on XV-mon's chin, knocking him to the ground.

"Angel Rod!" Angemon's staff broke in two when he struck it across Dragomon's back. Dragomon kicked Angemon in the stomach, once again sending him to the floor.

"Fools! You cannot defeat a god! Surrender and become a part of my world. It is the only way you can stay together. Even more, it is the only way you shall live."

Davis was reaching the point where he'd be willing to attack Dragomon himself; no matter how big he was. But just as he was about to snap for the freak to shut up, a loud ringing filed the entire chamber. It bounced off the walls and signaled a break in fighting as both Dragomon and the Digimon looked around for the source of the tone.

"What is that sound?" Dragomon demanded.

It took Davis a moment to realize the sound was coming from his pocket. He reached in and pulled out his cell phone, which was signaling a call. Davis grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, that's mine." He pulled out his cell phone and flipped it on. Whoever this was, it had to be the mother of long-distance calls! "Um… hello?"

"Davis! Where's Kari?" The voice on the other line was panicked and worried.

"Kay?"

"Yes, me! You gave me your cell phone number, remember? Have you found Kari yet? Is she okay?"

Davis grinned, "She's right here. In fact, why don't you talk to her?"

Dragomon stepped forward. "I will not allow you to use some puny device to thwart me."

His advance halted when XV-mon grabbed him around the waist. "You're not done with me yet!" Angemon and even Gatomon came forward and aided in restraining Dragomon.

"Fools! You cannot defy Me. Whatever you try, the outcome will be the same. The child of light is Mine, now and forever!"

* * * * * * * *

Kari felt confused, and torn. Both her mind and her body drifted between two worlds: the warm familiar light of Earth, and the now eerily siren call of the Dark Ocean. Even her persona was in conflict. I am Kari Kamiya, a Digidestined. I am Mother Hydra, the future queen of the Dark Ocean. No, I don't want anything to do with this place. I have nothing left on Earth. This is my only home. I hate Dragomon. He is my king. The inner argument made her head throb. She only half heard the voices and sounds in the temple.

She could only look at Davis, one of the few constant ties to her life on Earth. He had promised to stay by her side, and she believed him. How could she have ever doubted his loyalty, or his stubbornness? In all her life, she'd never met someone as true to himself as Davis. He didn't make promises he couldn't keep. But he couldn't shield her from the rest of the world, and he would suffer because of her. Could she really force him into such a position? Could they ever lead a happy life on Earth? Her questions became even more confused when she noticed that Davis was holding something cold and metallic up to her ear. "Wha…"

"Kari?" The voice in her ear cut through all the confusion and doubt.

"Kay?"

"Kari! Oh, thank goodness! I've been so worried! Where are you? Are you okay?"

"You're… you were worried about me?"

"Of course! How could I not be worried?"

"Then, you're not afraid of me?"

Kay gave an uncharacteristic growl of frustration. "We talked about this, remember? I was afraid, but that was because I forgot about how well I know you. I'm not afraid anymore, Kari. You're my dear friend and I don't want to lose you, ever."

She lies! Mother Hydra hissed in her mind. No one else will accept you. Let us give up on that dead life and embrace our future alongside Dragomon. Kari whispered, "Kay, do you think other people will accept me?"

There was a long pause before Kay could answer. "Yes… It will take a lot of time, and it won't be easy, but I know that people will see you for the wonderful person you are. I believe that people aren't totally stupid. We learn to see past our fears eventually. People will accept you if you keep going. But no matter what happens, Kari, I will always be your friend."

Lies! Mother Hydra screamed.

No. Kari replied. Kay's right. Dragomon doesn't understand people because he's lived in darkness all his life. People are both dark and light. We have fears and prejudices, but we also have kindness and love. And we learn from our mistakes. In time, the true value of people shines through, no matter what differences there are. Humans grow in time, and they'll grow to accept me. If I don't give up, then I can help people see me for who I truly am.

Slowly, Mother Hydra's voice faded from Kari's mind, and her body began to fully return to its rightful form. I'm Kari Kamiya. I'm not a freak, I'm not dangerous. I am more than just a woman who glows, and I will help people understand that.

The confusion and the loneliness vanished, and Kari could clearly make out the smiling and relieved faces before her. Stepping forward, Kari wrapped her arms around Davis and hugged him close.

"Hey," Davis laughed, "you're lookin' good."

Kari grinned, "I guess you don't like me in black?"

TK said, "You're prettier in pink."

Dragomon's outraged roar cut off the group's jibs. Slapping the Digimon away, he stormed towards the three humans, rage making his eyes burn an even brighter shade of red. "How dare you defy Me?" He lashed out and the tip of the tentacle slapped the cell phone out of Kari's hand. The phone shattered into pieces.

Dragomon then coiled his arm around Davis and lifted him up. "You try to thwart My will, twice?! You insolent worm!" He squeezed, hard. Davis screamed as TK and Kari watched in horror.

"Leave him alone!" Kari protested. Dragomon didn't bother to reply. He was a monster, worse than anything Kari had ever seen before. He played on other creatures' emotions and used them to make others his slaves. He had tried to turn her into a monster herself, and had nearly succeeded. The evil Digimon that Kari had encountered in the past had sought to destroy and dominate others. Dragomon was worse; he corrupted and enslaved people and Digimon through their feelings.

Kari could feel her outrage and fury welling up inside of her. No. Don't get angry. My powers only cause pain when I use them in anger. She remembered how she'd thrown Davis across the room. But it was so hard not to get mad as Davis screamed again.

"Davis!" XV-mon charged forward to save his partner. Seeing him coming, Dragomon picked up his trident and threw it. The weapon grew in size until the gap between spikes was large enough to encircle XV-mon. The dragon Digimon was picked up by the trident and tossed against a nearby pillar, where he hung, pinned between the slimy stone and the metal blades.

"Watch as I destroy your partner. And then your sadness will make you a part of my world as well." Dragomon squeezed Davis again.

He's using us. Kari realized. He'll hurt Davis to make us vulnerable through our pain and anger. Such manipulation!

"Kari," said TK, "try your powers! The Digimon can't beat Dragomon, so you're our only hope."

"I can't! If I use them, I'll only hurt Davis. I don't know how to use them!"

"K-Kari…" Davis called from Dragomon's grip. "Go ahead… let 'im have it."

"What?"

"Do it!" Davis winced. "I… I trust you."

"Davis…" Kari focused on her boyfriend, someone who she'd become very close to over the past year. Even now, he trusted her with his life; despite the uncertainty and weakness she'd shown. Davis had supported her through one of the darkest times in her life without any thought of recompense or gratitude. He'd been so giving and so kind. And she loved him for it. Yes, she knew that she loved him. And as she admitted that love to herself, she felt the light inside her grow. And then she became light, pure and shinning.

Kari's body glowed pure white as she focused all her power. It became a part of her, part of her soul, mind, and body. It was pure warmth, a comfort and strength that she'd never felt before.

Focusing the power in her arms, Kari pointed her hands directly at Dragomon. She just barely caught a glimpse of surprise on his face before a beam shot out of her hands and struck him in the chest. Dragomon screamed and thrashed under the intensity of the light. He dropped Davis, who did not seem affected by the nova burst of energy. TK ran forward and held out his arms to catch his friend. Davis crashed atop TK, sending them both to the floor; but TK's body was able to break Davis' fall.

Kari pressed her attack, driving Dragomon to the back of the temple. The stunned look on his face was completely foreign. He'd never felt pain like this before. Kari focused her brilliance even more, determined to ensure that he'd never forget that he was not beyond harm. The beam of light threw Dragomon against the far wall, where he vanished in a mass of rubble and smoke as the wall collapsed. Meanwhile, Angemon helped XV-mon wedge the giant trident out far enough for him to slip out. XV-mon ran over to Davis as soon as he was free.

"Davis, are you okay?"

"Yeah." Davis breathed. "I'm okay. Take more than that to slow me down." He then groaned and flopped down on the floor. "I'm ready to go home now."

"Kari!" Gatomon ran over to her partner, whose light was fading. Kari's body returned to its normal hue and she sank to her knees. She felt exhausted, as if she'd sent out every ounce of light within herself. "Kari, are you all right?"

"Yes…" Kari took several deep breaths. "I'm all right. I just need a moment."

"Kari!" A smoking and bleeding Dragomon emerged from the rubble. "How dare you defy your king? I will not allow you to leave!"

Davis rolled his eyes. "Doesn't he ever quit?"

Kari held Gatomon close. "Gatomon, I need you to fight for me. I need you to digivolve." Her hands shone white again and Gatomon's body began to pulse bright pink.

"Gatomon digivolve to… Angewomon." Gatomon's form grew and changed into a large female angel with eight wings. She hovered above the Digidestined, a pink light illuminating and dispelling every shadow in the temple. Dragomon winced in the light, which still caused his body to smoke.

"Dragomon," declared Angewomon, "you have kidnapped and corrupted countless individuals from both the Digital World and Earth. You can never be forgiven for your crimes. But I will show you leniency if you allow us to leave without further resistance."

"Never! I rule this world and all creatures within. You shall not take My new queen. Mother Hydra will rule at My side!"

"Kari will never be your Mother Hydra. It is time to put an end to the suffering you cause. Heaven's Charm!" A circlet of light formed around Angewomon's raised hands and floated over to Dragomon. Before the giant creature could react, the light contracted inward, binding his arms to his sides.

Angewomon's light splayed over the Digidestined. Both the Digimon and the humans felt a new energy coming into them, strengthening their tired bodies. In moments, Davis and Kari were able to stand upright.

"XV-mon, Angemon," Angewomon called, "lend me your power."

"You got it. V-Laser!"

"Hand of Fate!" The two attacks converged on Angewomon, who absorbed them into herself and focused all the power at her disposal into an arrow of pure white energy. She aimed for Dragomon.

"You… you cannot kill a god."

Angewomon grinned, "Then it is a good thing I am not fighting one. Goodbye, Dragomon. Celestial Arrow!" The arrow flew forward and pierced Dragomon in the chest. With a scream, Dragomon reeled back and his body began to shine from the inside. Shafts of light ripped out of his skin and he exploded in a blinding flash. There was a moment's silence, and then the only sound was that of burnt bits of gray flesh falling on the floor.

"Ewww…" Davis made a disgusted face at the gruesome sight.

XV-mon looked at Angemon, "How come we couldn't have an easy win like that?"

Angemon shrugged, "I believe the saying is, 'some got it, some don't.'"

Angewomon smiled, "It takes an Ultimate to beat an Ultimate."

"Master!" Muri and the other Deep Ones began to pour back into the temple. Muri lamented, "How could you kill Lord Dragomon? You've robbed us of our lord and master!"

Kari shook her head, "No, Muri. Dragomon was a slave lord, not your master. He's gone now. It's time for you to come home. It's time for all of you to return to where you belong."

"None shall leave My domain!" A voice boomed from every corner of the room. To everyone's surprise and horror, the gray chunks of flesh scattered about the building began to wiggle and crawl towards one another. They converged in the center of the room, forming a hideous undulating mass of gray flesh. The grotesque collection grew and molded itself outward, until Dragomon stood within his temple again.

Davis protested, "Now that's just cheating!"

Dragomon laughed, "The Lord of the Dark Ocean cannot be killed so easily. The child of light is not yet powerful enough to defeat Me. Now, submit to your fate. You are Mine, as you have always been."

"Fat chance! XV-mon!" Davis motioned to the roof with his hand.

"Right! V-Laser!" XV-mon fired a blast of energy at the roof, punching open a large exit.

The Digidestined hopped into the arms of their respective Digimon. "Been fun," smiled Davis, "but we gotta go!" The Digimon took flight and made a bee-line for the opening.

"Muri!" called Kari, "Come with us!"

"I will never return with you! This is my world now!" Muri and his fellow corrupted humans watched as the Digimon soared out the roof. That was the last Kari saw of them.

Kari sighed, "I… I couldn't save them."

"They didn't want to be saved." comforted Angewomon. "We have to defeat Dragomon before they'll return freely."

The dark lord in question was not far behind. Lengthening his bat-like wings, Dragomon took to the air after his prey.

Kari looked at Davis and TK. "Do you guys know a way out of here?"

Davis scratched his head, "Well… no."

TK admitted, "I didn't think we'd actually make it this far, so I didn't plan ahead."

"Great…" Kari closed her eyes. "I'll try to open us a way out. I've done it before." Her body began to glow again, and she sent out another beam that pierced through the darkness in the sky. Rays of sunlight drifted through the heavy clouds, and the Digidestined could see blue sky on the other side.

"Let's go!" Davis and XV-mon soared higher with the two angel Digimon close behind. Dragomon still pursued them. The Digimon raced with every ounce of speed they could muster, staying only a breath's length ahead of Dragomon. They cut through the overhanging clouds and saw a bright section of the sky that looked like a cutout from their own world. Kari laughed gleefully as she saw the other Digidestined and their Digimon, looking down with stunned faces.

"They finally show up." Davis grumbled in only half complaint. The 3 flying Digimon crossed the barrier between the worlds and emerged into the bright sunlight of the Digital World. Kari had to shield her eyes from the harsh sunlight, but she'd never felt anything more wonderful in her life. This was the kind of place she belonged. She belonged with her friends in the light.

A roar from below drew everyone's attention before they could welcome Kari back. Dragomon had broken through the clouds and was moving towards the shrinking portal.

"Ken!" called Davis, "We need Imperialdramon!"

Ken, atop his partner Stingmon, nodded and he and Davis held up their D3s.

"XV-mon…"

"Stingmon…"

The Digimon spoke in unison, "DNA digivolve to… Paildramon!"

"Kari! You will not escape!" Dragomon was at the boarder and about to cross through.

"Paildramon mega digivolve to… Imperialdramon. Mode change to Fighter Mode!" Imperialdramon towered over the advancing dark lord with his positron cannon carefully aimed. "Let's see how tough you are now. Positron Laser!" A corkscrew beam of blue and red shot out, striking Dragomon just as he emerged and forcing him back into the Dark Ocean.

"Keep it up!" Davis called. "He doesn't go down easy."

Indeed Dragomon was already recovering from the first blast and flying again for the portal.

"Positron Laser!" A second blast forced Dragomon even farther back.

The portal was now roughly the size of a human, but Kari knew that Dragomon could shrink that small if need be. "Don't stop firing until the portal is completely closed!"

Imperialdramon complied and maintained a continuous beam. The entire Digidestined team couldn't believe how Dragomon was able to survive a continuous blast from a Mega Digimon. Only Daemon and MaloMyotismon had been able to withstand such an assault. The portal shrank down to where even a child would have trouble squeezing through. The last Kari saw of Dragomon was his furious red eyes, glaring directly at her. He knew he'd lost, and it appalled him. Kari considered it a just punishment for thinking he could corrupt her.

The portal sealed off completely, and Imperialdramon was finally able to cease his assault. Kari allowed herself to relax in Angewomon's arms. True, Dragomon had not been destroyed, but for the moment he was defeated. He could not get to her, nor could he ever lie to her again. It was finally over. At least, she hoped it was.

* * * * * * * *

What an amusing show. A figure standing on the gray beach of the Dark Ocean thought as he watched Dragomon's burnt and sagging form descend into R'leyh. It was ironic to think that three puny Digidestined had come so close to defeating the ruler of darkness; but Dragomon did not die easy.

Still, this was a most profitable turn of events. Dragomon had lost his would-be queen and suffered personal injury in the process. Most of his followers were dying off and becoming sealed away in the bowels of the dark city. Dragomon's base of power was crumbling, and with it, his advantage.

The figure smiled underneath his red robe. He beat his wings in anticipation of the day he would topple Dragomon and lay claim to leadership of the Old Ones. The Digidestined had done him a favor by sending him to this world. Here he could raise an army of darkness the likes of which the Digital World and Earth had never seen, and he could then make three worlds to his domain.

True, it would take time, but he had already waited years. The key to defeating Dragomon lay with the Digidestined of light. He was sure he could utilize her powers somehow. Daemon nodded to himself. The future looked most interesting.

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Author's Note: One more chapter! Just one more and I'm done! Ah hah ha ha!

Uh, anyway, Cthulhu, Deep Ones, R'leyh, and Mother Hydra are all terms or characters created for H.P. Lovecraft's works. I don't hold any rights to them. I just try to incorporate them into my stories. The last chapter will be coming soon. I have to confess I feel a little weird finishing this story. There's a lot more I could do, but I believe this is a good stopping point. After all, I can always write a sequel.

Please feel free to leave a review for me. Thanks in advance.