Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Tomoki's Cat ❯ Ambush In The Forest! Izumi's Not Well! ( Chapter 3 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

"Ambush in The Forest! Izumi's Not Well!"

Fan Script by Alan John Wilkinson [cassius335@yahoo.com]

DISCLAIMER: (16/09/2002) The writer of this script does not own Digimon and is not in any way connected to Toei [who do own it] or Disney [who do the US translation]. I'm only doing this to see if I can get a story the right length and format.

This is part 3 in a now 4 part arc, rated PG-13 for language, mild bestiality and a couple of lines pinched from other fics.

Enjoy!

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TOMOKI'S ANGELS!

OBLITERATE THE ARMY OF FILTH!

===================

###INTRO SEQUENCE###

===================

Narrator: Cherubimon, now Lord Cherubimon, sent an Asuramon to pick up where the last one left off and kill Tomoki, the Chosen of Ice. Though both Panjamon and Blizzarmon tried their hardest, Black Tailmon had to reassume the form of Calamaramon to finally defeat their foe. But now Tomoki lies in a coma, from which he may never awake.

***TEMPLE OF THE GODS***

[We pick up were we left off last episode, with Neemon, Elecmon and a crying Ranamon next to an unconscious (actually comatose) Tomoki. The other chosen in H-Hybrid form stand in the doorway (the doors are in several pieces), horrified]

[Izumi (or, more specifically, Fairymon) is first to act, lunging forward and beginning to strangle Ranamon]

FAIRYMON: (shrieking) What have you done to Tomoki-chan you bitch?

NEEMON: Hey! Escape Dash!

[Neemon's attack knocks Fairymon away. Fairymon is at first shocked then furious]

FAIRYMON: (hissing) Traitor!

AGNIMON: Izumi-sama, hold on a second!

FAIRYMON: Up yours!

ELECMON: Is she a friend of yours?

NEEMON: Friend? Yes. Sane? No.

FAIRYMON: Brezza Petalo!

[A whip of pink wind lances to wards Neemon, but he dodges]

ELECMON: Sparkling Thunder!

[A blast of Electricity lashes out. Fairymon squeals in pain]

RANAMON: (weak smile) Remind me never to get on your bad side...

[Elecmon chuckles]

FAIRYMON: Arido Anca!

[Fairymon tries to whack Elecmon with her bum, but he dodges back and she only ends up bruising her rear instead.]

FAIRYMON: Ouchie...

ELECMON: Sparkling Thunder!

[The electricity strikes home, weakening Fairymon further]

AGNIMON: (angry) Izumi-sama, enough! That's an order!

FAIRYMON: Quiet! I'm not taking order's from you! I'm going to save Tomoki-chan!

BLITZMON: My hairy ass! You just want to kick Ranamon's head in... (blinks; glares at Agnimon) Sama?

[Agnimon tries to hide behind Wolfmon, who sweatdrops. Duskmon snickers]

ELECMON: I've had enough of this! Elecmon, evolve!

[Before Fairymon can react, Leomon's fist is in her gut, knocking the last of the wind out of her]

LEOMON: Leomon!

[Fairymon staggers back, clutching her stomach, then, still standing, turns and throws up, vomiting all over the floor. Once done, she wipes her mouth]

FAIRYMON: Ick...

LEOMON: Fist of the Beast King!

[Leomon hits Fairymon with a devastating uppercut, a mirror of the one Asuramon used on him last episode. It connects and Fairymon flies into the wall, glows yellow then reverts to Izumi and falls to the floor, knocked out]

WOLFMON: I thought we took orders from you, oh brave leader.

AGNIMON: (ignoring the jibe) Coming from you that means everything. Thank you (He looks at Izumi and sweatdrops) Do you think she'll take the hint now?

DUSKMON: (dry) Considering the fact she's unconscious, I don't think she's got much of a choice.

[The Chosen revert back to normal. Takuya approaches Ranamon and kneels next to her]

TAKUYA: (concerned) How is he?

RANAMON: (heartbroken) I don't know...

TAKUYA: Neemon-kun, what happened here?

NEEMON: Big fight. Very bad.

LEOMON: If I may, Neemon only knows part of the story.

TAKUYA: Tell us.

LEOMON: I was after her, in her normal form of Black Tailmon, thinking that she was an evil Digimon...

RANAMON: For the record, you were right...

LEOMON: (chuckles) Tomoki-dono turns up, decides I can't kill her on suspicion and Blizzarmon beats the shit out of me. We bring her back here, Neemon turns up, I show them around this temple, then Asuramon turns up.

[Izumi wakes up]

NEEMON: (sorrowful) I guess I lead him here. He demolished Panjamon and Blizzarmon, then she turns into Calamaramon and finishes him off.

KOUCHI: (confused) Panjamon?

[Without the usual command phrase, Leomon transforms into Panjamon]

KOUCHI: Ah. Right.

[Panjamon reverts back to Leomon]

NEEMON: I wish you guys had been here. If it wasn't for Calamaramon, Tomoki-kun would be dead.

[Approaching, Izumi gasps]

RANAMON: I was so terrified when Leomon attacked me. When Tomoki-sama tried to save me, I couldn't believe it. One of the humans who I'd been trying so hard to destroy was trying to save me...

[Leomon raises an eyebrow at that but says nothing]

RANAMON: (cont) When I was injured, Tomoki-sama treated me with such kindness and compassion. And he made me such wonderful soup. And yet all the time I wondered if he would do the same for me if he knew who I really was. Then during the battle, he drove himself to the absolute limit to try and save me from Asuramon. I just couldn't stand to see him get hurt any more.

LEOMON: I think I can guess what happened next. Black Tailmon wanted to save Tomoki-dono with all her heart. This was enough to invoke the temple's power and summon her spirits to her.

RANAMON: And yet it wasn't enough. I couldn't bear it if Tomoki-sama died just because he was trying to save me...

[With that, Ranamon dissolves into tears. Silently, Takuya offers her his shoulder and Ranamon cries into it. On Tomoki's chest, a small rose-pink light begins to shine from under his shirt]

===================

***EYE-CATCH- JUNPEI, BLITZMON AND BOLGMON***

===================

IZUMI: What's that?

She kneels down and removes something from under Tomoki's shirt: A Tag and Crest that any Adventures fans watching don't recognise, but which anyone who saw last episode will recognise as the third crest glowing when Chakmon tackled Asuramon into the World Map]

LEOMON: I'll be damned. It's a Crest. Tomoki-dono must have earned it for trying to save Black Tailmon.

KOUJI: What's a Crest?

[Leomon sighs, obviously not wanting to explain it again]

NEEMON: They're like medals for Chosen. Leomon was telling Tomoki and myself earlier. (to Leomon) You didn't mention this one...

LEOMON: It's the Crest of Compassion.

IZUMI: It's pretty...

[Izumi starts to take the Tag from around Tomoki's neck]

LEOMON: (sharply) Don't!

[Izumi eeps and drops it. Leomon puts a hand on her shoulder]

LEOMON: (cont) I'm sorry for startling you. But that Crest may be the only thing keeping Tomoki-dono alive.

[Izumi goes very pale, realising what she almost did]

JUNPEI: How come the Crest reacted when Takuya-kun was comforting Ranamon?

LEOMON: A crest is designed to promote the trait it's named after, both in it's owner and those around him. That then gives the Crest greater power.

RANAMON: (to Takuya) See? Now you have to be nice to me...

[Takuya grins]

RANAMON: (cont) Is there anything else we can do?

LEOMON: Not here. There is a Digimon hospital about half a day's walk from here. They may be able to help you. Unfortunately, it's also in the middle of Beezlebumon's territory.

[All eyes turn to Kouchi]

KOUCHI: Beezlebumon. Ultimate level devil Digimon. Nasty, but nothing two Mega level Hybrids can't handle.

LEOMON: Don't underestimate him. He didn't get to be the leader of his area for nothing.

TAKUYA: We'll worry about it when we get there.

[As gently as he can, Takuya picks up Tomoki. Ranamon opens her mouth to protest]

TAKUYA: It's ok, I've got him.

[Ranamon flinches as if struck. Takuya starts to walk out, Tomoki in his arms. The other Chosen and the comedy duo follow. Ranamon stands to watch them go. Then, as they reach the temple doorway, Takuya turns back]

TAKUYA: Well, are you coming?

RANAMON: (yelling) Are you serious? (blushing) Well, um...If you'll have me.

KOUCHI: (cheerful) Hey, they let me in...

[Izumi walks back to Ranamon and offers her hand]

IZUMI: Besides, everyone deserves a second chance, right?

[Grinning, Ranamon takes the offered hand. They all continue to leave. Leomon starts to follow them out]

KOUCHI: (confidential) That's seven now.

KOUJI: We still need three.

JUNPEI: Doesn't matter whether it's five or ten, seven or one. Sooner or later, we're going to have to finish this.

TAKUYA: (firmly) We will.

[Izumi and Ranamon nod agreement. They exit the temple via the cave entrance shaped hole where the magic hologram ought to be. It's still night, of course]

LEOMON: Are you sure you do not wish to wait until morning? I have room for everyone.

TAKUYA: We can't wait...

LEOMON: Of course. Good luck Chosen. The road ahead for you is long and treacherous, but you should reach the hospital by morning.

***THE LAIR OF FILTH***

[A Garbamon is addressing someone in the shadows]

GARBAMON: Boss, Our spies report that the Chosen Children have been spotted in our area.

FIGURE: Have they now? Send Gamma Patrol to intercept them.

GARBAMON: Boss? That's my Patrol.

FIGURE: So it is. Will that be a problem?

GARBAMON: (smiling; glib) Not at all. I'd just hate to think they'd go without me.

FIGURE: One word of warning. Do not attack them until after dawn.

GARBAMON: But why?

FIGURE: Do you really want to attack the Spirits of Darkness at night?

GARBAMON: Good point. If I may, I'll go tell the boys the good news.

FIGURE: Dismissed. Oh, and Garbamon? If you fail, don't bother coming back.

GARBAMON: Well, no. I'll be dead... [turns to go; to himself] This is gonna be fun...

[Garbamon leaves. Long silence]

FIGURE: Damn, I hate it when they use logical arguments.

[The figure chuckles, shaking his head]

*THE FOREST*

[Dawn, Eastern Transylvanian Standard Time. The Chosen are still heading for the hospital, Takuya carrying Tomoki]

JUNPEI: (re: Ranamon) I don't trust her.

KOUCHI: Oh? You guys let me into the group. Don't you trust me?

JUNPEI? Well, no, not really...

KOUCHI: Oh.

JUNPEI: Why's she so obsessed with Tomoki-kun anyway?

KOUCHI: (simply) She's in love with him.

[Junpei and Izumi facefault. Ranamon turns away, embarrassed]

IZUMI: What? He's only nine...

RANAMON: In human years, I'm only four...

JUNPEI: [chuckles] Touché...

[They continue on]

RANAMON: Izumi-san?

IZUMI: Yes?

RANAMON: That conversation we had, back in Serifotmon's Water Sphere?

IZUMI: Just before you fed me that poisoned apple?

RANAMON: (blushing; guilty) Um, yeah...

JUNPEI: (dreamily) You'd have made a wonderful Sleeping Beauty.

[Izumi blushes]

TAKUYA: (looking back) Yeah, but would you wanna be the one who woke her up?

Junpei opens his mouth to answer, then sweatdrops (Takuya has a point)

IZUMI: (mortified) Takuya!

[The others chuckle at her and Junpei's expense. Even Kouji allows himself a smile]

IZUMI: (returning to subject) What about it?

RANAMON: Do you think we could try again?

[Before Izumi can answer, a blob of what looks like pink hair moose strikes her square in the face. She collapses]

RANAMON: (shrieking) Izumi-kun!

(The others whirl around, horrified)

JUNPEI: Izumi-chan!

[He kneels by her side. Kouji quickly takes Tomoki and Takuya hurries over too]

TAKUYA: Izumi-sama, are you ok?

[Junpei flinches as if punched at the 'sama']

IZUMI: I'm ok...feel kind of weird.

[Izumi throws up. She's shivering, obviously not well]

JUNPEI: What hit her?

[More 'projectiles' fly from the cover of the trees. All of them miss.]

NEEMON: It look like shit.

BOKOMON: It is shit.

NEEMON: Oh. That's bad.

IZUMI: Oh, great. Mama told me only bad girls get shit-faced...

TAKUYA: Someone's throwing shit at us?

JUNPEI: More than one, I think.

[A projectile lances from the trees at high speed, heading straight for Kouchi. He doges with a yelp and it misses. Just]

KOUCHI: Yeah, but that guy can aim!

TAKUYA: That does it!

[Kouji puts Tomoki down near Bokomon and Neemon]

KOUJI: You two look after him.

BOKOMON + NEEMON: (in unison) Right!

TAKUYA: Ranamon-kun, stay with Izumi!

RANAMON: Okay!

###EVOLUTION SEQUENCE####

[Four Way Split Screen]

TAKUYA + KOUJI + JUNPEI + KOUCHI: Spirit Evolution!

[They transform to H-Hybrid]

[Single Screen]

AGNIMON: Agnimon!

WOLFMON: Wolfmon!

BLITZMON: Blitzmon!

DUSKMON: Duskmon!

###END EVOLUTION SEQUENCE###

[The four charge into the forest, encountering the enemy: The Garbamon we saw earlier, a lot of Numemon and KarutsiNumemon (aka ShellNumemon), about five King Numemon, three Raremon and two Gokimon (Roachmon)]

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**EYE-CATCH: IZUMI, FAIRYMON AND SHUTUMON**

===================

[Let the slaughter commence]

AGNIMON: Burning Salamander!

BLITZMON: Mjolnir Thunder!

DUSKMON: Geist Abend!

[The three attacks annihilate the Numemon and KarutsiNumemon in one combined assault]

WOLFMON: Zwei Kugel! Zwei Kugel!

[Wolfmon throws four Balls of light, two at a time, destroying one King Numemon with each ball]

WOLFMON: Licht Strahl!

[Wolfmon fires lasers from the eyes on his wolf helm, destroying the last King Numemon]

GARBAMON: Damn, these guys aren't kidding around! Poop Bazooka!

RAREMON: Sludge!

GOKIMON: Junk Chucker!

[Author's Note: Anyone who knows Gokimon's Japanese attacks, please let me know]

[Our boys dodge, though the Poop Bazooka nearly hits Duskmon]

AGNIMON: Salamander Break!

[Agnimon powers up and leaps at one of the Raremon, defeating it with a flying kick. He quickly scans its code. It turns into an egg, which Agnimon fireballs without comment, destroying it]

Blitzmon: Lightning Topper!

[Blitzmon's horn charges, then he strikes another of the Raremon. Another code ring, a quick scan and another egg. Blitzmon steps on it]

DUSKMON: Eboberung!

[And that's Raremon Number three. However, Kouchi lets his egg fly off]

WOLFMON: Zwei Seiger!

[Wolfmon draws both sabres and slices up the Gokimon, then scans their code rings. The eggs start to fly off]

WOLFMON: Licht Strahl!

[Wolfmon fires twice, destroying both eggs]

Garbamon: Poop Bazooka!

[He hits Blitzmon, but the attack is useless against a machine Digimon]

BLITZMON: Bastard!

WOLFMON: Should we go Perfect?

AGNIMON: No. Let's combine the firepower we've already got.

WOLFMON: Got it. Licht Kugel!

[The light ball hits Garbamon's Bazooka, destroying it]

GARBAMON: Oh shit, I'm going to die...

DUSKMON: Geist Abend!

[Garbamon yells in pain as the lasers cut him up. It's Combo attack time. Blitzmon kneels down. Agnimon stands behind him, putting his arms across Blitzmon like shoulder cannons. Flames erupt around them, enveloping them both]

AGNIMON + BLITZMON: Mjolnir Salamander!

[Blitzmon punches the ground. The flames are absorbed into the resulting electricity. The combination attack travels along the ground and engulfs Garbamon, electrocuting and incinerating him all at once. He deletes, utterly, not even his egg left. Everyone reverts to human]

TAKUYA: Oi, Kouchi, why did you let yours go?

KOUCHI: There was no need to kill it. I spent far too long as a cold, inhuman monster and I don't want to become that again. I want the Spirits of Darkness to become a force for good. But if we adopt the tactics and attitudes of the bad guys, we become no better than they are.

[Takuya and Junpei look ashamed. However clichéd Kouchi's words may be, the old adage applies: A cliché is only a cliché because it's true... ]

KOUJI: (uncomfortable) Sometimes violence is necessary...

KOUCHI: Doesn't mean it's right.

TAKUYA: No, it doesn't.

KOUCHI: (almost pleading) Shouldn't violence be the last resort?

JUNPEI: Around here, there generally isn't a first resort.

[Kouchi hangs his head. He doesn't have an answer to that. Takuya puts his hand on Kouchi's shoulder, which makes the Chosen of Darkness look up]

TAKUYA: Come on, we'd better get back to the others.

***THE HOSPITAL***

[The Chosen reach their destination, It's seen better days and seems almost deserted. Takuya is now carrying Izumi, Kouji carries Tomoki. Ranamon reverts back to Digimon form, startling everybody else. Neemon raises an eyebrow]

JUNPEI: Why have you changed back?

TAILMON: With Ranamon's reputation? Better not to scare the locals. I'll attract less attention this way.

NEEMON: Weren't you a Black Tailmon before?

[Tailmon blinks at him, then looks down at herself. With a shriek of joy, she starts dancing up and down, yelling to herself, obviously delighted]

KOUCHI: (typically dry) That's good, right?

TAILMON: (finally coherent) Yes! I'm me again! (off their looks) This is what I looked like before Cherubimon got hold of me.

[Izumi moans softly]

TAKUYA: I'm happy for you, but we'd better get our friends some treatment.

[They head down to the main doors. As they near, a Lillymon flies out. Everyone except Kouchi tenses]

###BIO-SCREEN###

KOUCHI: Relax, guys. She's Lillymon, a good Digimon. But if you get her mad, her Flower Cannon packs a wallop.

###END BIO-SCREEN###

LILLYMON: Humans? (She looks again, spotting their Digivices; startled) Chosen?

TAKUYA: (simply) We have injured.

LILLYMON: Of course. Bring them in.

***THE LAIR OF FILTH***

[The Figure is where we left him. A Garbamon (a different one from before, of course) approaches him]

GARBAMON 2: Boss, I regret to inform you that Gamma Patrol has failed to report in.

FIGURE: (scowling) shame, I liked him. Never mind. Round up the army. The Chosen must have been heading for the Hospital. That's the only thing out there. It's time we paid Lillymon a visit…

GARBAMON 2: The ARMY?

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EYE CATCH: KOUCHI, DUSKMON AND VELGMON

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***THE HOSPITAL***

[We see through Tomoki's eyes as he wakes up. He's lying in a hospital bed.]

TAILMON: You're awake!

TOMOKI: [quietly] Ranamon?

TAILMON: That's Tailmon in this body, thank you very much.

TOMOKI: Didn't you have black fur before?

TAILMON: Uh huh. The Temple must have rid me of the last of Cherubimon's corruption.

TOMOKI: You look nice.

[Tailmon blushes]

TOMOKI: Speaking of the temple, where are we?

TAILMON: We're in the Hospital. We couldn't wake you, so Leomon told us to bring you here. Izumi's in here too...

TOMOKI: (getting her meaning) What happened?

TAILMON: She was poisoned by a Garbamon on the way here.

[Lillymon walks in]

LILLYMON: Ah, you're awake. Nice to meet you.

TOMOKI: Likewise.

TAILMON: Could you give us a few minutes please?

LILLYMON: Sure. I'll tell the others.

[She leaves]

TAILMON: That was Lillymon. She's the Nurse.

TOMOKI: How did the others react to you?

[Brief Flashback to Fairymon strangling Ranamon]

TAILMON: (massaging her neck) Not well at first. But they decided to give me the same chance they gave Kouchi. (grins) So now you're stuck with me.

TOMOKI: (softly) I'm glad.

TAILMON: (embarrassed) oh.

[Tomoki sits up, swinging his legs around to face her]

TOMOKI: Tailmon-sama, what's wrong?

TAILMON: (missing the honorific) Well, I didn't know what you'd think of me when you found out who I was. I was afraid you'd see me as an enemy . You were so nice to me and now I don't know how you feel...

[She trails off as Tomoki puts his finger under her chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze. Then he leans down and kisses her, a long, slow, passionate kiss the likes of which no eight year old boy should be capable of (then again, this is no ordinary eight year old boy). The kiss finally breaks and they meet each others gaze]

TOMOKI: I love you, you idiot...

TAILMON: oh...

[Tomoki chuckles, struck by a thought]

TAILMON: (curious) What?

TOMOKI: My mother keeps telling my older brother he's too young to be dating. Imagine what she's gonna say when I bring you home.

[Tailmon thinks about this for a moment, then dissolves into giggles, making Tomoki smile]

TAILMON: (after calming down) maybe I should introduce myself as Ranamon.

TOMOKI: I'm not sure that would help. Besides, I kinda like being the tall one.

TAILMON: By the way, where'd you learn to kiss like that?

TOMOKI: (absently) I've been spying on Takuya and Izumi.

[There is a loud thud noise from outside]

TOMOKI: What was that?

[Outside, Takuya, Kouchi and Lillymon are looking at something on the floor]

LILLYMON: Oh dear.

[Tomoki peeks his head round the door to see Junpei, who has fainted clean away]

KOUCHI: (slyly) And how long has this been going on?

[Takuya just blushes and refuses to answer]

[Scene change, a little later. Izumi lies in a bed, whether asleep or unconscious, it's impossible to tell. Kouji watches over her (as he has since the Chosen reached the hospital) as Tomoki walks in]

TOMOKI: How is she?

KOUJI: You're supposed to be getting some rest.

TOMOKI: I'm rested enough.

KOUJI: (relenting) How are you?

TOMOKI: Fine, thanks. How's she?

KOUJI: Not great. She drifts in and out of consciousness, seems to go through terrible nightmares on a regular basis. The last one was so bad she soiled herself. Lillymon and I had to change her. Lillymon says it'll take time for the poison to work it's way out of her system.

[The pain in his voice is evident. Tomoki looks at him in interest, as if understanding something]

TOMOKI: (softly) You too, huh?

KOUJI: What do you mean?

TOMOKI: Izumi. You're in love with her.

KOUJI: (instantly defensive) You don't know what you're talking about.

TOMOKI: You're an awful liar, you know. Or maybe it's just hard to hide from someone who understands the condition.

KOUJI: You're too young to know what love is.

TOMOKI: I may be too young for sex, but love? That's another matter entirely. Truth is, I think my grandmother was right; You're never too young to fall in love. Hell, my Grandparents were together practically since they where born...

[Unused to Tomoki the Philosopher, it takes Kouji a moment to regroup]

KOUJI: So it's true. You and the kitty are an item.

TOMOKI: Yeah. I guess I kinda fell in love with her back at Seraphimon's tower. I know it seems stupid in hindsight, but when I saw her, part of me thought 'that's the girl I'm going to marry someday'.

KOUJI: Wow.

TOMOKI: I didn't recognise her at first, back at the lake. But as I carried her back, I knew. Then she woke up and I got to know the real her for the first time. And from then on, I was lost. I love her. I would kill for her, die for her, and if anything happened to her, I'm not sure I'd survive it.

[Kouji glances out the window and spots something]

KOUJI: Aw shit.

TOMOKI: What is it?

[The pair run to the window. Looking out, they can see the approaching army]

TOMOKI: Oh my God...

KOUJI: Come on...

[Outside the hospital, the Chosen (minus Izumi) Tailmon and Lillymon run out]

JUNPEI: Man, you weren't kidding. There are thousands of them.

[There are, at that. Numemon, KarutsiNumemon, King Numemon, Raremon, Gokimon, Garbamon, and any other relevant Digimon possible, in their thousands]

KOUCHI: Ok, everyone who wants to surrender, say 'Aye'.

ALL: (unison) Aye!

TAKUYA: All those who are going to surrender, say 'Aye'

[Silence]

TAKUYA: Good. (turning) Lillymon-sempai, Bokomon-kun, Neemon-kun. While we handle these guys, you evacuate the building. Get all the patients out.

BOKOMON: Including Izumi-kun?

TAKUYA: Especially Izumi-sama.

LILLYMON: But, how will you prevail against so many?

TAKUYA: (shrugs) Thought I might try violence.

[Kouchi winces. Takuya puts a hand on his shoulder]

TAKUYA: I know. But what choice have we?

KOUCHI: (resigned) I understand. Just as long as I don't have to like it.

[Lillymon and the duo run into the Hospital. The others stand waiting...]

NARRATOR: Can the Chosen prevail against a foe so numerous, it's beyond belief? Stay tuned for the final part, "Tomoki's Angel's! Obliterate the Army of Filth!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Author's Note: Ok, what was originally a two part tale is now a grand total of four. Part 4, BTW, will be almost nothing but battle...]