"We should stop here for tonight." ROOT said. Deon looked at her shocked. They hadn't been walking for very long since visiting the church, and had just come upon the small lake she had mentioned earlier. The sun was starting to set, giving a beautiful red glow on the still water, but he figured they would be walking for at least another couple of hours.
"Oh come on, really?" Tavaras complained.
"Yes." ROOT snapped back. "This is a good place to sleep, and I'm tired." Tavaras opened his mouth, but she cut him off. "If you want to keep going on your own, you're welcome to do that. The mountain's that way." She pointed further north, to the obvious mountain range in the distance.
"Tch. Fine, guess we'll get there eventually." Tavaras slung his pack down and started unraveling the contents. Babamon had provided each of them with a bed roll along with their other provisions. Deon and the others followed suit, while ROOT looked around at the trees.
"We could do with some fire." She mumbled. Deon stood up and walked towards her.
"We can probably grab some dead wood from the ground," he suggested. ROOT nodded, and she, Deon, and Veemon went into the trees.
"I did recognize Wisemon." To his surprise, they heard Wormmon's nasally voice behind them. "I didn't say anything back then because he scares me. But he's the same Digimon from way back then." Deon recalled what he felt when his arm was grabbed. He hoped Tavaras was right and the church wouldn't end up being an enemy.
ROOT silently gathered wood and placed them in a neat pile. What was going through her mind, Deon wondered. He silently followed her lead, Veemon gleefully jumping off his head and headbutting low hanging branches. A short while later, Deon looked at their handiwork. Wood piled up neatly and high. It was nice, but how were they going to take it back?
As if thinking the same, ROOT looked at Wormmon. "If you don't mind." The green worm looked up, and then to the pile. Nodding, he shot webs at it, tying the wood together in a single package. ROOT nodded her thanks and grabbed the loose end of the silk string. Deon looked impressed as she held the string with both hands over her shoulder and pulled. Without too much effort, the pile of firewood moved with her towards the campsite.
"Pfft, I could have done that." Veemon crossed his arms and looked to the side. Deon let himself laugh.
—
The fire roared as Deon twisted and turned in the brown bedroll. It was a far cry from the actual bed back in the village, and there was only so much he could do to relax himself by counting the stars in the sky, as beautiful as they were. The others were all sleeping soundly, ROOT propped up against a tree and the humans in their bed rolls. The Digimon were content on the ground though, their natural bodies providing what they needed. Could Chrysalimon even sleep?
His mind wandered to Senna, probably snug and comfortable in her little home, the warmth of the village around her and a sense of peace and safety. He gingerly touched his cheek; she deserved that much after all she’d gone through. As much as he missed her, remaining behind was for the best - far beats the cold and danger all of them were walking into.
Hearing a shift from behind, Deon’s thoughts broke and he turned around to look at its source. ROOT had gotten up, and Deon pretended to sleep as she looked their way. A force of habit from the long nights he would stay up reading. The Keeper then strangely walked off, the glow of her sash getting dimmer. Deon sprung up and gently nudged Veemon. The blue Digimon looked confused and alert at being suddenly roused, but the boy put a finger to his lips.
As silently as they could, the two followed ROOT. It was a good thing they didn't need to be too stealthy; the Keeper would give them away instantly.
"How long are you going to follow me?" Deon stopped in his tracks as she called out to him after a few minutes of trailing. He laughed nervously and ran up to catch her.
"Sorry, I was just curious where you were going so late at night." ROOT stared ahead lost in thought, but thankfully she didn't tell him to go back.
"At least it was you who followed." She sighed. "Wisemon said something earlier. Something about Spirit Shrine." Deon looked at her quizzically. "Spirit Shrine is one the best known landmarks on Gigabyte Continent. It was the place Susanoomon was born, and is connected to the 10 legendary warriors. If I'm missing something about that place? I need to see it again. I need to look at it more critically."
Deon didn't like how unsure of herself ROOT was. For a being such as that to be so close to breaking down was strange to him. "I'm sure you didn't miss anything! But, if you're going anyways I wouldn't mind checking it out either." ROOT flashed a smile and the two continued on in silence.
"Whoa." A bit of walking later, Deon's eyes widened as he saw a small hill up ahead. It reminded him of pictures he'd seen of Stonehenge; he counted 10 large, stone pillars of various shapes arranged in a circle around the perimeter of the hill.
"Each of those pillars represent one of the elements." ROOT explained. "Light, Fire, Ice, Wind, Thunder, Earth, Wood, Water, Steel, and Darkness. The Legendary Warriors each encompass one of the 10 elements." Deon stared in awe as the three of them kept walking towards the hill. Trepidation set in as they made it to the base of the hill though; something seemed off.
"No." ROOT stared in shock. Glancing at her, Deon followed her eyes and saw three figures in the center of the hill. Guardromon, Airdramon, and Wisemon.
Wisemon, Guardromon, Airdramon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/3364/3364_original.png]
"I was hoping you would come alone." Wisemon said, glancing at Deon and Veemon. He took a sharp breath in. "It's no matter, there are still four more humans to use."
"What are you doing? What is the meaning of this!" ROOT grabbed her discs, spinning with orange flames. Guardromon raised his arms and missiles flew towards Deon.
"No!" Veemon tackled Deon to the ground, missiles whirling overhead and into the trees behind them. ROOT gritted her teeth and shot her attack forward.
"Hit Single!" Discs of fire spun towards Wisemon. The orbs in his hand glowed purple and shot out, and the flash of the two colliding engulfed ROOT's attack. Just as quickly as they had disappeared, the spinning discs reappeared, flying fast back to its owner.
"Gah!" With a loud thud, the Keeper of the Chronicles impacted the ground clutching her arms. Veemon glared at their now enemies. Why? Why was Guardromon attacking them?
"Deon! Snap out of it!" Veemon grabbed him, and with strength belying his small stature pulled himself and Deon out of the way of the incoming laser beam. Deon stared at the burnt ground where he had been.
"You humans. Just get out!" Airdramon soared towards them, razor sharp jaws bared.
"DEON!" Veemon yelled. "I NEED YOU!" The young man blinked. Sorrow filled his heart, but Veemon shone bright. He was not going to die here!
"VEEMON DIGIVOLVE"
Veemon jumped in front of Deon, glowing arms grew and grabbed Airdramon's jaws. With a scream, he tossed the flying dragon back into a tall stone monolith vaguely resembling a woman.
Horns grew from his partner's elongated face, and with a flash the light disappeared, and Veedramon stood protectively in front of him.
Veedramon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/1/1f/Vdramon.jpg/480px-Vdramon.jpg]
"Guardromon, why are you attacking us? What about everything we went through at Log Temple?" Deon was almost in tears. Everyone he considered friends were dropping off one by one.
"V-Nova Blast!" Veedramon shot a blast of heat towards Airdramon, who was just getting up from his previous attack. Wisemon flew in front of him, and in a flash of purple, sent the blue dragon's blast straight back. Reacting quickly, Veedramon scooped Deon up and jumped out of the way. Hot shards of earth spattered on his striped shirt as Veedramon bore him towards ROOT.
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"Muahahaha." Wisemon taunted. "Guardromon was never your friend , foolish child. He saved you because we needed you lot alive." As if answering his master, Guardromon looked at Deon and shot another laser beam forth.
"You!" Just as Veedramon braced himself in front of his partner, ROOT's disc connected with the incoming laser and fizzled out. "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOUR GOONS DID TO MY TEMPLE!"
"ROOT! No!" Deon reached out as she shot forward, the spinning flames illuminating the night sky. Wisemon laughed menacingly as Airdramon flew in front of him. With a breath, he shot a tornado from his mouth, sending the Keeper hurtling back. Veedramon leaped forward past the flying ROOT and aimed a punch squarely at the flying dragon, only to be shot to the side with a missile from the bronze mech.
"Gah!" Veedramon clutched his side, springing back to his feet. "Deon! We have to leave!" He ran full sprint towards Deon, who himself had run up to check on ROOT. Deon nodded, leaning the Keeper over his shoulder. His heart fell as both Airdramon and Guardromon flew overhead and barred their path back.
Wisemon stood among the stones laughing. "The time is almost upon us, and you shall never have the privilege of witnessing history be made." ROOT winced, but turned her back to Wisemon.
"Veedramon! We have to get past them!"
"Right!" In tandem, the two of them ran towards the two Digimon blocking their way to safety. With her discs, ROOT deflected the incoming missiles while Veedramon headbutted Airdramon back. Pivoting, he launched a powerful punch towards Guardromon, the impact to the metallic body ringing in Deon's ears.
"Now! Deon run!" Veedramon shouted. Deon nodded and sprang forward, only to be held back by an invisible force. His eyes widened and he started to choke. What was happening? His pendant. Wisemon held his hands out, the force pulling on his fathers pendant dragging him back with it.
"Deon!" ROOT looked back and saw him struggle against the phantom force, the chain pulling at his neck as Deon tried to fight forward.
"HAHAHA" Wisemon laughed at his attempts. "Do you even know what you have here boy?" With a snap, Deon fell on the ground as the chain broke and the pendent flew into Wisemon's hand. Veedramon and ROOT stepped up next to him, the latter helping him to his feet. Deon heard growling behind them; Airdramon and Guardromon had recovered, their window to escape gone.
Wisemon opened his hand to reveal the two silver circles eclipsing. "You should curse your own curiosity, Oh Keeper of the Chronicles. But I shall grant you one last boon before you die." The pendant glowed bright, outshining any star in the sky. "An evolution not seen for thousands of years. Behold! The power of the Soul Link!" A flash of light passed Deon quicker than he could react. Turning around, he saw his pendant hanging in the air between Airdramon and Guardromon.
"Lord Wisemon! What are you doing?" Airdramon quaked with fear. Guardromon, for all his stoicism, looked down as if embracing what he knew was about to come. "NOOO!!!" Deon looked on in horror as Airdramon's shrieking abated, both Digimon breaking apart into white particles.
The particles from both Guardromon and Airdramon swirled around the pendant, the glow giving form to a new serpentine creature, larger than both of them put together. Tattered wings formed. A long tail and metal claws, and a large head covered in metal, not unlike MetalGreymon. The glow dissipated to reveal a single brown creature roaring with pain.
Megadramon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/f/f2/Megadramon.jpg/480px-Megadramon.jpg]
"Arise! Megadramon!" Wisemon laughed and held up his arms. "The power of eons past"
Veedramon growled and jumped up, slugging the new bestial Digimon with a powerful uppercut. Megadramon merely shook his head and sent Veedramon crashing to the ground.
"GAHHH!" Megadramon roared uncontrollably and thrashed around. ROOT slung her discs towards the creature, only to have them bounce harmlessly off the armoured head.
"What did you do to Guardromon!" Deon looked unnervingly at the unhinged creature. It was in so much pain.
"Multiple souls become one, but the minds do not. At least, not at first." Tears sprung to Deon's eyes.
"To your own allies?" He couldn't understand the cruelty of such a creature. Surely Wisemon was strong enough to stop them himself if he wanted to.
Wisemon laughed condescendingly. "It's the way of things, boy. Shortcuts to such strength come at a cost."
"Then. Then we'll free them from such pain!" Veedramon stumbled to his feet and shot a heat blast at Megadramon, only to impact the metal claws harmlessly. The rampaging dragon screamed and glared at Veedramon. Opening a clawed arm, it shot a missile towards the blue dragon. Veedramon's eyes widened and jumped back just in time to avoid a direct hit, but the force of the explosion sent him reeling back.
"Veedramon!" Deon ran to his partner's side. ROOT ran in for another attack, only to be swatted aside by the powerful tail.
"GWAHHH!" Megadramon spread its wings and took off into the skies, the shriek piercing Deon's ears. Veedramon clawed himself to his feet, but stumbled back to a knee.
"Deon! Now's your chance, get out of here!" He looked around. ROOT lay on the ground near them.
"I - I'll get Tavaras and be right back!" He sprung to his feet and started to dart forward, only to be knocked back by another explosion. Deon looked up, Megadramon firing indiscriminately down. Explosions rang loudly around them as missiles blasted the ground, with some hitting the stones ineffectively.
" Muahahaha, you're not getting away, boy." He could hear the screams of the dragon overhead as fire rained down. Veedramon grabbed Deon and flung them both to the side.
"Veedramon!" Deon sputtered. He was almost in tears. How could this happen, how could all their curiosity lead to Guardromon and the entire church turning on them?
ROOT slowly got to her feet, launching a disc to an incoming missile. Deon fell to the ground and covered his head at the resulting explosion.
"Veedramon! Take Deon and run, I'll hold them off." Veedramon nodded and sprung forward, holding Deon like a sack over his shoulders.
"No! Veedramon put me down! We can't leave ROOT!" She had shown nothing but kindness to him. Even though she and Tavaras butted heads at times, she wanted nothing more than to keep them all safe.
"Deon! We can't do this alone." Deon shook his head. ROOT wouldn't make it. His friend wouldn't make it. Her knowledge, her curiosity.
Everything they could learn from each other.
"I've lost one friend already, Veedramon! Please. PLEASE!" Veedramon stopped just short of the forest and let Deon down. Explosions rang from behind them, but Veedramon glowed brighter than he ever had before and turned to face the battlefield.
"You truly believe in us, don't you?" A grin appeared on his scarred face. "In that case, Deon. I will do everything I can to protect your wishes." He stepped forward, legs getting larger, sharp claws digging into the ground.
Another step, arms growing.
"VEEDRAMON DIGIVOLVE"
One more step, and to Deon's awe large, majestic wings spouted from his partner’s back.
"GRAAR!" His partner roared as a disc appeared on his back. The glowing beast sprung up and flew towards their foe as the light dissipated.
Bahadramon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/3753/3753_original.png]
"BAHADRAMON!"
"Impulse!" Orbs of black energy appeared in each of his hands, crackling like lightning through a major storm. Like a baseball, one of the orbs shot forth to Wisemon. As the purple energy appeared before the ancient book keeper to return the attack, Bahadramon shot forth the second orb. The two collided in a burst of dark power, sending Wisemon soaring back into the hill.
"Deon, grab ROOT and run!" Deon nodded, running forward to grab the Keeper as his new partner turned his attention to Megadramon. A shock wave spread through the air as the two behemoths collided, the midnight blue dragon grappling with the brown beast in the air, throwing back the leaves in the nearby forest.
"Come on!" ROOT glanced up as she leaned on Deon, the two hobbling back to safety.
"YOU DARE!" Wisemon erupted from the hill. "ETERNAL NIRVANA!" Deon looked in horror as the red and yellow orbs shot towards them.
Megadramon jabbed its metal claws towards Bahadramon, who grabbed them and kicked the rampaging beast back. "Deon!" He looked down as the attack raced towards his partner.
"I WILL NOT DIE HERE!" ROOT shouted. "HIT SINGLE!" Letting Deon go, she threw her flaming discs towards the orbs, the two attacks colliding in a brilliant flash. The orbs returned to Wisemon, but the discs were no more.
Megadramon roared, swinging its tail at its opponent. Grunting with the force of the impact, Bahadramon grabbed the tail and swung Megadramon in the air. The golden disc on his back began spinning, gathering shining energy from around him. A brilliant white light gathered in his mouth.
"Come on!" Deon yelled and the two ran away as fast as they could before Wisemon could launch another attack.
"GAAHHH!" Wisemon shouted after them. Hope broke through the darkness. Was he unable to follow? Getting to the edge of the forest, Deon turned his attention to his partner fighting in the skies.
Bahadramon let go of his swinging opponent, and the brown metal dragon soared back.
"MEGA FLARE!" A large beam of white hot energy shot from Bahadramon's mouth, hitting Megadramon square in the chest. Deon's heart pang for Guardromon, the Digimon he thought was his friend, as it disintegrated into blue dust, scattering into the stars. Breathing heavily, Bahadramon flew forward, grabbing something from where the rampaging beast used to be. Looking at it solemnly, the Midnight Blue dragon returned to Deon, taking one last glance at Wisemon cursing them from below.
The ground shook as the large dragon landed in front of Deon. He looked up; his partner was majestic, wings of red and purple and claws and body lined with gold. Bahadramon extended his hand down to Deon, revealing his pendent. He took it appreciatively as Bahadramon glowed and shrunk back down to Veemon. Relief flooded his heart, as his father's last keepsake was returned to him.
Yet this was bitter sweet. That his pendent was such a powerful tool hadn't even crossed his mind. Were Tav's and Senna's the same? Deon's thoughts turned sour as he considered the implications of using such a thing. Wisemon's words rang in his mind; Multiple souls become one, but the minds do not.
The three of them walked into the forest to head back to their friends. Veemon held is fist out to Deon, and managing a smile for his partner, he returned the fist bump. Veemon, Bahadramon , was amazing. The power of their bond and will together.
"You did great!" Deon praised. "Thank you, for everything." Veemon grinned widely.