Senna felt the awkward silence in Log Temple as they sat there, mulling over what ROOT had told them. She didn't get all the technical mumbo jumbo, only that they came from the sky and that was their way back. She glanced at Leomon, arms crossed stoically as always, but she could see the worry on his face. Tav had not been kind during all this - she understood why, but it still hurt to hear him so blatantly lay out how he wasn't going to help.
Well, she would do everything in her power to help them. As Senna steeled her face to lay into him, a loud explosion suddenly rang and the group stumbled as the building shook. "What?" ROOT said in a hoarse whisper, shocked. "What's happening!" As Senna stumbled to her feet, she saw Tavaras follow ROOT closely, running out of the temple.
Closely following them herself, Senna saw a glimpse of multiple Digimon before Tav grabbed her and jumped, pushing her back inside. Landing on her behind, she witnessed a small explosion hit right where she was standing, and through the blast ROOT followed, jumping backwards holding discs spinning with fire.
"Who would attack this place?" ROOT sounded incredulous as she launched a disc at an incoming ball of ice. As the ball exploded into shards of misty vapor, the team retreated from the door and Leomon and Guardromon stepped in front of them.
"Stay back!" Leomon shouted. "We'll deal with this!" Senna looked on with Biyomon flying protectively in front of her as three creatures made of a pure icy rock stormed in. They looked like the Gotsumon from the village, only white and with even greater hostility.
The rock creatures were closely flanked by two bipedal lizard-like Digimon of similar size to Veedramon. They were covered almost fully in a black fire, apart from three long, sharp claws on each hand and a bronze helmet.
Icemon, Darklizardmon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/2094/2094_original.png]
"I should have known. Those look like DarkLizardmon. Nightmare Soldiers from the past." Leomon growled, launching himself at one of the lizards, sword drawn, while ROOT held the other one back, flaming discs parrying strikes from long claws. Guardromon, standing in front of the humans as their shield, fired a barrage of lasers at the floor in front of the icy rock creatures.
"That's Icemon." ROOT grunted, glancing at the Digimon stalled by the robot's lasers. "It's a Digimon from the Ice World!"
"What? Why would it be attacking with the Nightmare Soldiers?" Leomon sounded shocked, as he was pushed back by dark flames emanating from the DarkLizardmon's body.
"And why are we just standing around?" Tavaras declared, taking a step forward as Dorumon launched a ball of iron, bouncing harmlessly off one of the Icemon. Biyomon shot spiraling green flames at the same one, to little effect.
"HEEEEEELLLPPP" Senna sprung up as she heard a distant voice call. "HEEEEELP, THE FRIGIMON ARE UNDER ATTACK!" Senna tried to grab Imogen as she rushed forward without a second thought.
"Imogen! Stop!" Senna called out to her friend, her voice drowned out by a clink as one of the Icemon's cold punches bounced harmlessly off Chrysalimon, who had put itself between the enemy and its partner.
"Shit!" Tavaras moved to go after her, and Dorumon shone with a bright light.
"DORUMON DIGIVOLVE"
Dorugamon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/9/95/Dorugamon_re.jpg/200px-Dorugamon_re.jpg]
"DORUGAMON!" The larger winged dragon swooped past the Icemon at great speed, the gale force winds knocking them to the side, giving Tavaras enough time to run past, after Imogen.
Just as Imogen and Tavaras left running towards the Frigimon and their wards, Senna heard a loud explosion from behind them. ROOT, pushing back her DarkLizardmon, spun around, worry evident on her face.
"NO!" She screamed, and threw both her discs towards her flaming opponent with full force, pushing it back through the open door and into the black night. "THE ARCHIVES MUSTN'T BE DESECRATED!" ROOT sprinted back, past Senna and Deon, and into the dark hallway. Deon grabbed Senna's arm and nodded at her. She could see fear in his eyes, but she knew he wanted to protect the knowledge and history chronicled in this place. Senna nodded back to her friend, resolve steeled. With all her heart, she wanted to protect this world and her friends. All of them.
For the third time, Biyomon and Veemon gave off a warm glow. Their wills reflected in their partners, and the light overshined even the Temple's lit torches.
"Go!" Senna told Deon. "Help ROOT save what you can. Biyomon and I will help Leomon and Guardromon here!"
"BIYOMON DIGIVOLVE!"
"VEEMON DIGIVOLVE!"
The light dissipated, and in its place were two larger Digimon. Senna's partner winged with a golden chain and warm face, and Deon's, a beast of great strength with long horns.
Valemon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/741/741_original.png] Veedramon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/3/3d/Vdramon_3d_dw2.jpg/182px-Vdramon_3d_dw2.jpg]
"VALEMON!"
"VEEDRAMON!"
Veedramon and Deon both turned and bound into the hallway after ROOT, and Senna stepped forward with Valemon, ready to stand alongside Leomon and Guardromon. To fight to protect her friends.
Valemon launched herself towards one of the Icemon, ramming it back with powerful talons. She screeched as a second Icemon knocked her to the side with a frozen fist, while the third, just feet from her, was launched backwards by Guardromon's missile.
"Senna! Get to cover!" Valemon cried as she shot a beam of white light at the Icemon that punched her. Flinching from the resulting explosion, Senna looked around the room. Where could she even hide? She saw Clockmon sleeping near the rear and ran to cover behind its legs.
The Icemon Valemon shot responded with a bomb made of ice, shut down by a laser beam from Guardromon. As it exploded just shy of the large bird, the DarkLizardmon ROOT threw out the door earlier came hurtling back in and shot her with a burst of dark fire. Senna looked on in terror as her partner screamed burning, feeling her heart break at the pain she was in. As Valemon was attacked, the first Icemon took advantage of Guardromon's divided attention and launched a bomb of ice at it, sending the large robot stumbling back a few paces.
Just as the third Icemon recovered from Guardromon's missile and charged forward with an ice-covered fist of its own, Leomon broke away from his opponent long enough to launch a fireball in the shape of a Lion's head towards it, sending it crashing into the far right wall.
That gave his own opponent an opportunity to get the Lion-man in a chokehold, and started burning up with dark flames. Valemon's eyes shot open and she spun towards the two; the force of the wind blowing away the black flames burning her. Barreling into Leomon, the force of her impact sent both him and his attacker out the large door and into the night. Leomon roared, now free, and took the opportunity to drive his blade into the DarkLizardmon's chest, the resulting blue particles scattering into the moonlight.
"VALEMON!!" Senna screamed as the second DarkLizardmon launched itself towards Valemon, who was recovering from the spinning hit she just dealt her friend. Valemon turned around, eyes wide as a laser stunned the nightmare soldier just long enough for her to fly backwards out of the way. The bird gathered energy in her mouth and shot it, passed the DarkLizardmon and into the Icemon that was running towards Guardromon with ice-covered fists. The resulting explosion shattered the ice covering the rocky creature, and Senna's eyes widened as Gotsumon fell to the ground as a missile flew from Guardromon into the last remaining Icemon sneaking up on Valemon.
"What?" Leomon ran back into the temple just in time to see the display. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" He roared with fury, and launched himself into the DarkLizardmon, sword imbedding into the back of the flaming beast. The dragon of black flames roared and shot a final burst of fire at Valemon before disintegrating. Screaming, Valemon fell to the ground, and with a bright light turned back into Biyomon.
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Senna rushed over to Biyomon as Leomon ran to the Gotsumon. The Lion picked up the small rock creature. "Why? Why do this?" He whispered.
Gotsumon coughed. "We. We won't let the... humans..." That was all he managed to say before the damage caught up to him and he disintegrated into blue particles of data.
"That's right." A Gotsumon stood, stumbling by the right wall where Leomon had shot it early on in the fight.
"We will not bow down." The Icemon that Guardromon had shot grimaced as the icy armour left its body too, and the resulting Gotsumon lay against the front wall by the door.
"Who, who is feeding you these lies?" Leomon whispered, dumbfounded. Both Gotsumon ran towards Senna with flailing fists. The young girl screamed as two lasers shot forth from Guardromon, deleting them.
Leomon closed his eyes, pain at the betrayal of his comrades evident. Suddenly they shot open and Senna shivered at the fear reflected inside them.
"Oh no. This was a trap."
"W-what?" Senna managed to squeeze out. Leomon shook his head in frustration.
"Guardromon! Make sure ROOT and Deon are alright!" With a roar he sprinted out the door and in the direction Imo and Tav went.
—
Deon glanced side to side as he and Veedramon ran through the hallway behind the Keeper of the Chronicles. He saw carvings of small lifeforms, large lifeforms, and anything in-between. He saw what looked like trees, mountains, and rivers. He even glimpsed something that looked like Leomon.
There was so much rich history to this world; he could spend months, if not years, just in the front room and this hallway! He glanced back worryingly as he heard a loud noise from where Senna was fighting, flickering flames getting dimmer as he ran forward. Deon was never a religious person, but he hoped to whatever being was considered a God that she would be alright. That they all would be. He should have never left her alone there, but she did have Leomon and Guardromon there. The young man focused on what was ahead. Whatever was attacking the temple from inside aimed to destroy all the knowledge contained within - he had to stop it.
More explosions rang from ahead, and ROOT's neck stiffened. Deon couldn't imagine what she was going through at the moment. He guessed this was her "prime directive" or something, however these digital lifeforms worked. He and Veedramon got through the doorway at the opposite end, and what Deon saw almost made him throw up.
"HOW DARE YOU!" ROOT screamed and threw her flaming discs forward. Kiwimon turned to stare at them with a manic look in his eyes, and with him floated two smaller Digimon - small, dark blue balls with arms and legs. They had a yellow lightning bolt on their foreheads.
Kiwimon, Thundermon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/2390/2390_original.png]
The two balls launched upwards, ROOT's attack glancing off the damaged back wall. They had completely desecrated the place. This room was a lot smaller than the first one, and had two additional doorways at the back and right walls. It was dimly lit by only a singular torch in the center and the flames on ROOT's discs and sash. Small holes littered the walls where Kiwimon had blasted it apart, and Deon felt a great sadness for the lost history.
"Thundermon, restrain the Keeper!" Kiwimon ordered, launching small explosive darts shaped like himself towards Deon. Veedramon jumped in front of Deon and shot a V-shaped arrow of heat, destroying the incoming missiles. At the same time, ROOT leapt up and caught her returning discs like frisbees. She targeted one of the Thundermon's and struck down as she was hit by a blast of lightning from both it and the second one, who had struck her on the side.
"Gah!" ROOT yelled, crumpling to the ground and the Thundermon she hit did the same. Veedramon growled and jumped towards Kiwimon, hitting him back with a devastating punch. Turning towards the still-floating Thundermon, Veedramon leapt up to punch it out of the sky, only to be hit by a bolt of lightning himself.
ROOT was right behind him, and over Veedramon's crumpling body she lashed out with her discs. One strike knocked it into the wall, making a small dent.
The second one hit home moments after. The last thing the Thundermon saw before deletion was a burning disc, fueled by the flames of anger from the Keeper of the Chronicles.
Veedramon, having recovered just in time, spun to find the remaining Thundermon charging with electricity, aiming to strike him down with a powerful blow. "Oh no you don't!" Veedramon yelled. "V-NOVA BLAST!" Another V-shaped blast of heat shot from the blue dragon's mouth and collided with the blast of lightning Thundermon shot forward.
However Veedramon was stronger, and his attack pushed the lightning back straight to its source, deleting it with a small scream. Deon looked at Kiwimon, fear in the bird's eyes as he got to his feet. Veedramon rounded on him, as did ROOT, eyes burning with a hatred as bright as the weapons she wielded.
"Why! Kiwimon? Deon yelled out. "Why are you doing this?" Was Tavaras right when he accused Kiwimon of setting those Kuwagamon and Flymon on them the other day? Why would he destroy all this knowledge? Those questions burned in his mind.
"BECAUSE YOU HUMANS WILL BE THE CAGE OF US ALL, AND I'LL WORK WITH THE DEVIL HIMSELF IF I HAVE TO IN ORDER TO KEEP MY LIFE MY OWN!" Kiwimon shouted.
"What are you talking about?" Veedramon asked, sharing Deon's stunned reaction.
"RAHH" Kiwimon screamed with one final, desperate attempt as he shot more missiles at Deon. The young man flinched as Veedramon jumped in front of him just in time to absorb the hit, bracing himself with crossed arms as ROOT lashed out at the crazed Digimon, deleting him. Deon breathed as Veedramon collapsed in a warm glow, and Veemon sat on the ground breathing heavily. Deon knelt next to his partner, and put an arm around him.
His heart fell as he heard a wail from ROOT, falling to her knees seeing the desecration of her precious Temple.
—
Imogen ran into the moonlit night, heedless of the danger behind her. She didn't know why she ran; her legs just carried her. Was she just using it as an excuse to leave her friends behind like Edward? No, that can't be it. The children. She has to save the children.
As she sprinted down the steps, a bright light from behind her reflected onto the snow ahead. A feeling of warmth overcame her, and then she was in the air. Strong, blood red claws gripped her shoulders, and she glanced up as her feet dangled below her. Dorugamon looked down at her, and she could see Tavaras riding on his partner's back as another flash of light came from the temple behind.
Gratitude flushed through Imogen; she would not stand alone. Not this time. Chrysalimon hovered closer to her, matching Dorugamon's speed. To her surprise, they passed a couple of Woodmon close to the Temple. Were they from the village? Were they the ones who called for help? She would have to remember to thank them when they returned.
As the tree line grew larger, Imogen could make out figures in the distance. Her heart raced; there indeed seemed to be a scuffle going on. Please, please make it in time she thought as the wind blew her hair back. Closing in, Imogen gritted her teeth; the Frigimon were battered on the ground, struggling to stand back up. Before them stood three ugly, blue ogre-like creatures holding spear-like icicles. Cold air blew from wide mouths with jagged fangs as the creatures hungrily stared at their quarry, panting with anticipation.
Hyogamon [https://wikimon.net/images/b/bb/Hyougamon.jpg]
"Imo! We're dropping you!" Tavaras called out, giving her barely enough time to register it before her knees buckled under her as she hit the snow below. As the ogres raised their spears towards the Frigimon, Dorugamon tackled one of them with Tavaras still on his back. Startled, the other two hastened to finish their attack on the snow-bears, but Chrysalimon planted itself in between, and the spears clinked off its armour ineffectively.
Imogen scrambled to her feet and rushed forward, thankful to see the Hiyarimon and Bulucomon all safe behind their protectors. The Frigimon, visibly relieved at their arrival, managed to climb to their feet.
"Thank you, we had no idea all three of them would become Hyogamon at the same time and attack us." Imogen nodded as Chrysalimon hovered there intimidating the two Hyogamon. In the distance, Dorugamon had dropped Tavaras on the ground, and was engaged with the other one. The ice ogre screamed and raised the snow in front of it, blocking Dorugamon's claws. It then jumped above and angled its spear down.
Dorugamon was too quick and barrel rolled out of the way, snow spraying as the spear lodged itself into the ground. The purple dragon fired a large cannonball from his mouth, the impact of it sending Hyogamon flying back. Imogen looked on in shock as the ogre burst apart, revealing a smaller icy goblin underneath. Dorugamon did not give it a chance to hit anything. At great speed, it flew after the Snowgoblimon, and getting straight above it, struck his claws down right into its fear-stricken face. He landed with a thud in the resulting burst of blue data, and turned to face the two remaining ones.
The two Hyogamon that faced down Chrysalimon started to panic, and ferociously redoubled their efforts in getting past Imogen's shield. The Frigimon nodded to one another as the two blue ogres started pushing the cocoon back. Running to either side of Chrysalimon, the Frigimon both covered their hands with ice and threw a full power punch at the Hyogamon.
"SUB ZERO ICE PUNCH." Came two cries in unison, looking for payback for all they had suffered. The two Hyogamon crashed together in a heap, and their bodies burst apart, again revealing the Snowgoblimon underneath.
SnowGoblimon [https://wikimon.net/images/2/2b/Snowgoburimon.jpg]
The two creatures looked fearfully up at the motherly snow-bears. Imogen felt a tinge of guilt; they were just children. Much to her relief, the Frigimon seemed to feel the same way.
"Go. Run away and never return!" The one closest to the blond haired girl said. Without a word, the two creatures stumbled up to their feet and dashed into the forest. As cheers rose from the Hiyarimon and Bulucomon, Chrysalimon, Tavaras, and Dorugamon returned to Imogen's side.
"Thank you. Thank you so much for helping us!" The Frigimon turned to them. As they started to wave in excitement, time slowed to a crawl.
Claws as black as the night sky pierced both Frigimon.
The kind, motherly creatures stood there, a blank, dumbfounded expression on their face. Eyes wide, they turned to look at the children, and with a silent cry burst into blue particles.
Screams arose from the Hiyarimon, and the Bulucomon ran in front of their younger mates in desperation.
Behind where the Frigimon now scattered to the wind, Imogen looked on as a creature from her nightmares stood before them. Wings of pitch black covered in holes extended from its equally black body. An orange symbol of death was embedded on its chest, and a grin of malice and pure evil was planted upon a face as white as the snow they stood on.
Blood red eyes stared into her very soul.
Imogen fell to her knees silently, fear gripping her as the creature spoke. A smooth voice, one belonging to the Devil itself.
"Yes. Thank you for helping us."
Devimon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/3/3d/Devimon_New_Century.png/171px-Devimon_New_Century.png]