Imogen stood silently in a sea of people as rain poured down on her undone blond hair, holding the hands of two of her younger siblings. Most around her were faceless, but she did notice a few - uncles and aunts, and various cousins, but she didn't understand what was going on. Only that everyone was wearing black and really sad. Even Eddy, who was usually laughing, stood next to her crying.

Her daddy, normally full of life, stood silently in front of them. His back was rigid, and hands were shaking while holding a tattered umbrella. He was staring at this strange stone carving where this old man was talking. Did he just say something about her mom?

She looked around again. Where was Mommy? She wanted to ask but remembered Daddy yelling at her the last time she did, scaring her enough that she started to cry. Eddy had taken her to the side and given her a big hug, whispering that Mommy was never coming back. That wasn't true, was it? Eddy was just tricking her. Tears sprung to Imogen's eyes remembering that, and then the floodgates opened as she started to sob.

At her sound, Daddy turned around and stared at her with a scary look. His face was pure white in stark contrast to the black clothes he wore, the normally cheerful colour no longer there.

—

Tavaras looked on in horror at the display in front of him. The Frigimon gone? Just like that? Behind the Devil, just within the confines of the woods he saw wisps of the same kind of blue data particles fly into the sky. Tavaras felt fear. The kind he had never felt before.

The Devil kept his eyes planted on Imogen, smirking. The young girl was on her knees, mouth in shock, and tears flowed down her cheeks. Tavaras couldn't blame her.

"I've been watching you for some time, little girl. " The voice chilling. Mocking.

The enemy took a step forward and his arm flew towards Imogen, claws extended. Chrysalimon blocked the strike but the force of it knocked the cocoon Digimon into its paralyzed partner, sending them both tumbling back. Tavaras's eyes widened at the puff of snow erupting from the impact; not even Devidramon was able to move it like that. He gulped. It was now or never.

As if responding to his will, Dorugamon lifted off and shot forth a powerful cannon ball. The Black Devil flew back, quicker than he looked, and the shot sailed past him into the woods. Tavaras looked on as he heard a powerful impact as it connected with a tree.

"Hahaha." The creature laughed. "Ah, but where are my manners? I am Devimon, chief among the great SkullSatamon's servants." He flourished a bow, and lunged towards Dorugamon. The dragon deftly evaded his strike, but before he could counter, Devimon spun and elbowed him, throwing him back.

"Gah!" Tavaras winced as his partner grunted in pain.

"Y-you're going to pay!" The three Bulucomon ran up, shooting icicles at the demonic opponent. Devimon glanced at them with a look of almost sadistic pity as the attacks bounced harmlessly off him. Expanding his wings, an evil wind shot out and the Bulucomon tumbled backwards.

Turning back to Imogen, Devimon grinned and shot forward once more. Again, Chrysalimon bore the attack, but it looked hurt, deep scratches along the surface. The force of the blow caused it to fly backwards, above and past Imogen, who sat on the ground staring at Devimon, hands behind her as she desperately scrambled to get back.

"Hahaha. I'm going to take delight in tearing you limb from limb." Devimon walked forward menacingly, heavy footsteps crunching on the snow. Dorugamon screamed and launched himself towards the evil creature, claws extended towards his head. Devimon moved his head, and Dorugamon's claw soared past it. Before his second pair of claws could strike Devimon in his exposed back, the Devil grabbed Dorugamon's arm beside his head and flipped him over. With a grunt, he struck Tavaras's partner in the stomach, sending him flying into Chrysalimon.

Tavaras looked on, dumbfounded as Dorugamon shone with light, turning back into his smaller form.

"HAHAHAHAHA! What are you going to do now, little girl," Devimon laughed maniacally, still walking slowly and menacingly towards a red faced Imogen. "Your precious protectors are all gone."

"Not all of us!" A voice rang out from the distance. "FIST OF THE BEAST KING" A familiar ball of flames in the shape of a Lion's head shot towards Devimon. Caught off guard, the attack struck the black creature square in the back, sending him stumbling forward.

Tavaras allowed a small smile of relief.

Leomon had arrived. Just in time.

Leomon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/5/5e/Leomon_Encounters.png/156px-Leomon_Encounters.png]

Without missing a beat, the Beast-man followed up his attack with a swing of his sword, aimed towards Devimon's neck.

However the Devil recovered quickly. Ducking under the swing, he lashed forward with outstretched claws. Leomon himself was no untrained rookie and stepped deftly backwards, grabbing Devimon's claws with his own. As the two grappled, Leomon turned to Imogen.

"Imogen, RUN!" He shouted, voice as clear and comforting as always. Imogen, hearing his voice, got the will to scramble to her feet. Tears frozen to her face, she ran.

Towards the forest.

"Shit, no not that way!" Tavaras tried yelling after her, but to no avail.

Devimon, leaping from Leomon, chanced a glance back and laughed. "This will be fun." He turned towards Leomon, a look of pure sadistic hatred on his face. "It always has to be you , doesn't it? Leomon. I'll finish it for good this time. And then I'll rip apart the only hope this world has. Bit. By. Bit. "

Devimon spread his wings and flew up, pale moonlight gleamed through the shredded holes in his wings as if a forest of evil lay above them. Smirking with malice, he shot a dark, evil wind from his outstretched arms.

"You will desecrate the lifeforms of this world no longer, Devimon!" Leomon shot back and braced himself as Tavaras ran towards Dorumon, holding the small injured dragon in his arms. Chrysalimon had long gone after its partner.

"Gah!" Leomon gasped, the wind forcing him to step back. Using his sword, Leomon cut through the attack and jumped high, shooting a fireball back at his opponent. Knocking it aside with pure black claws, Devimon then grabbed Leomon in the air and tossed him back to the ground. Tavaras winced, hearing the force of the impact.

Leomon stumbled to his feet. "Tavaras! Go after Imogen!" With a roar he ran towards Devimon again, weaving around another strike of the Devil's claws.

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"B-but!" Tavaras stammered.

"Don't argue! I'll hold him off as long as possible, but you must find her and get her to the safety of the village!"

Gulping, Tavaras nodded and ran after his friend, carrying Dorumon in his arms.

Tears of shame sprung to his eyes.

—

Imogen ran through the darkness of the thick canopies still in a deep panic. Her breathing was heavy, and she sprinted through on autopilot. Why had she run into the forest? The thought crossed her mind.

She had only briefly registered Leomon's strong, comforting voice telling her to go. Her mind raced as her legs did. Back to the temple would have been a better choice. Deon and Senna were there, as was Guardromon. But something in her heart told her to run into the cover of the forest.

Imogen ran for what seemed like ages until her body finally gave out, collapsing to her knees. Her legs and lungs were burning as she gasped for air. Coughing, she finally registered what was around her through the dim moonlight shining through the trees. It was all unknown, but also familiar to her. Bushes surrounded the giant trees, thickly grown together. The only source of warmth came from her partner hovering close beside her.

"Where are we?" She wondered, allowing herself this moment of respite to rest. She flinched as she heard buzzing and chirping, the world still going on around her. Wind moved around her as she sat there silently for the long minutes that followed, not knowing what to do.

"Hahahaha" Imogen's eyes shot open. A shiver went down her spine as she heard a faint laughter. In the distance, leaves rustled as though a gale passed through them.

Oh God Imogen's heart raced, adrenaline getting her to her feet.

"Hahahaha," The laugh was getting closer. Imogen ran. Any direction that wasn't that one. Leomon? Tavaras? Help, please!

"Hmhmhmhm," Imogen skidded to a halt, the laughter ahead of her now. She spun around in a panic, and broke into a run in a different direction.

Woosh. A gust of wind was close behind her. Desperately she thought of her friends. Senna? Deon? Where are you?

Imogen ran another way.

"I can sense your fear." A dark voice whispered, close beside her.

No . Desperately, Imogen turned direction and ran as hard as she could. She kept running, the sound behind her getting closer. Edward?

"No one here but You. And. Me." With a crash, the creature of her nightmares came flying through the canopy, claws extended.

"AHHHH!" Imogen let out a guttural scream as Chrysalimon raced forward to intercept. She shut her eyes in terror.

Clink

Clink

Clink

Sounds of Chrysalimon being hit over and over rang from all around her.

Then she heard a crash from the tree behind her.

"Hahahaha" Devimon's laughter rang through her ears, and Imogen kept her eyes tight. Was this it? Would she never see her beloved siblings and friends again?

"RAHHH" Imogen's eyes shot open at a familiar, strong scream. Leomon burst through the thicket and grabbed Devimon, keeping hold as he threw his full weight towards the tree behind the Devil. She could see the yellow beast, swordless and blue light escaping from long gashes in his body.

"Still alive?" Devimon looked surprised and angry at the intrusion. He took a step forward with Leomon still holding onto him. With a grunt, he hoisted the Lion-man up with both arms.

Imogen screamed as a black claw pierced out her protector's back.

Throwing Leomon unceremoniously to the ground in between himself and Imogen, he glared at her. "Enough is enough. Time to end this." As he stepped towards her, the gentle Lion grabbed his leg with the last of his strength. He looked at Imogen with eyes full of pain.

"Imogen." She shook her head as Leomon struggled to talk. "You have a good heart, but a past full of pain and suffering. Please, for your own sake. For the sake of your loved ones. Don't give in. Don't let despair take over. Fight your Fears!" With a roar he pulled at Devimon's leg, as the Devil struck down.

Imogen looked on in silent horror as the blue light of their first friend in this world scattered into the moonlit night.

Channeling a fury she had never felt before, Chrysalimon's eyes flashed and it flew towards Devimon at great speed, lashing out ferociously with its blades and catching the shocked Devil on the arm as he barely managed to evade a deadly blow.

Chrysalimon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/e/ea/Chrysalimon_collectors.jpg/173px-Chrysalimon_collectors.jpg]

Stunned and angered by the sudden onslaught, Devimon jumped back, desperately trying to avoid everything the purple cocoon threw at it.

"ENOUGH" He shouted, grabbing two incoming tendrils and tossing Chrysalimon back. The purple Cocoon, fueled by Imogen's strong emotions, skid to a halt just before hitting the tree and launched back at their opponent.

Devimon grunted, flying into the canopies with Chrysalimon hot on his trail. He weaved around branches and lashing blades, blocking what he couldn't. As he got above the trees, he spun around and blew a blast of evil wind into Chrysalimon, knocking him down.

Devimon grinned. Now it was his turn to go on the offensive. Imogen heard a shockwave as he sped towards her partner, striking down with deadly claws. Chrysalimon, now on the defensive, managed to evade, wood chips flying from the impacted branch beneath it. Countering with rapid strikes from its bladed tendrils, Chrysalimon again struck true, nailing Devimon in the shoulder.

The Devil smirked.

Grabbing the embedded tendril he ripped it out with a scream and swung the cocoon around, finally throwing it down. The ground shook with the impact, and Devimon flew down, claws extended for the finishing blow.

Imogen squeezed her eyes shut with a yelp.

"WORMMON DIGIVOLVE"

What? Chancing open her eyes, what she saw made her heart flutter with hope.

From the depths of the forest, a glowing armoured woman with blue butterfly wings came hurtling towards Devimon with a flying kick. The impact sent the evil entity crashing into an adjacent tree, and the glow surrounding the newcomer dissipated.

Hudiemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/e/ea/Hudiemon.jpg/320px-Hudiemon.jpg]

"HUDIEMON!"

Imogen's heart beat fast as a streak of blue fire came from behind the newcomer, striking Devimon as he hit the tree.

She turned around slowly, and to her shock saw Garurumon galloping towards her, sweating.

On his back rode the strange yet familiar messy blonde hair hidden under a toque.

Edward had come back for her.

Imogen stared at her brother. The look of fear that was all too common in him was gone. Now he wore the same expression of determination and will to protect that she saw on Leomon. Edward stared ahead at Devimon, eyes flush with anger for the one that had harmed his sister.

Her mind flashed back towards the fateful night 10 years ago. But this time, her brother stood firm.

"I have the power to help you, Iggy. Wormmon helped me realize that." He said in a calm whisper. Imogen nodded, her heart settling. As he got off Garurumon, she covered her mouth as the blue wolf collapsed to the ground panting, struggling to get back to his feet. "Thank you Garurumon. Thank you for bringing me here."

"RAHHH!" A scream penetrated the forest, and Devimon tore himself from the tree and towards Edward's partner.

"Infinity Dream!" Hudiemon called. Flapping her wings, dust scattered around the area, seeming to slow their assailant down. The two danced through the treetops, wings fluttering through the leaves as Devimon lashed out with claws of fury. Hudiemon swiftly evaded the strikes, and seeing an opening launched a kick downwards aiming to strike him to the ground.

However Devimon anticipated that and grabbed her leg at the last second, throwing the Butterfly Warrior aside. As he leaned forward to follow-up, Chrysalimon struck out with its blades.

Devimon abandoned his attack on Hudiemon to fight back the cocoon, and Hudiemon took her chance to land a kick against his blindside.

Screaming in agony, the Devil retreated to a far branch. A look of pure hatred on his face.

Chrysalimon and Hudiemon took the time to regroup and hovered together, side by side. As they moved after him, Devimon spread his wings and unleashed a forceful gale of evil wind.

"So the brother found his strength." He growled. His face softened and he smiled, sharp fangs glinting in the moon. "No matter. My masters are almost free, and the Great Leomon is dead. You will not survive for long, little girl."

Imogen and Edward stood side by side silently as their nightmare took off, fleeing into the night, the fading laughter haunting.

The seconds felt like minutes, as they looked on in fear and anticipation. But he did not return.

Hudiemon landed in front of Edward and glowed, turning back into Wormmon. Imogen looked on curiously as the large green worm landed on Edwards shoulder. Maybe he had finally changed.

She looked around the now peaceful forest, and to her relief Tavaras came running towards her holding Dorumon. Seeing another friendly face, the events of the night came rushing back. The Temple. The Frigimon. The Chase.

Leomon.

The floodgates broke completely, and Imogen sobbed into her brother's arms.