Sniff, "I miss home." Imogen rested her head against her mothers arm. Elizabeth stroked her hair, but stayed silent. It was all she could do without snapping at her daughter. Poor girl; a week was a long time for a kid and she was getting antsy.
"Can you stop crying!" Mark snapped, glaring at Iggy. His hair was wild from him running his hands through it so often, and he had a bigger beard than Elizabeth had ever seen on him. "We're trying to get out of the mess you created."
"MARK!" Elizabeth shouted. Imogen gripped her arm tightly and started sobbing.
"I said I'm sorry." Her voice was quiet.
"Oh God." Mark covered his face. "I'm sorry Iggy." He walked over and knelt down. "I'm sorry, I know it's not your fault."
"Pfft." Edward snorted, standing away from his family with his arms crossed. Elizabeth glared at her son, and he looked away abashed.
"Come, give me a hug." Mark told his daughter. She looked at him, and with a big smile grabbed him tightly.
"Edward, keep an eye on your sister." Elizabeth said, getting up and pulling her husband to the side once Iggy let go. "This is bad." She said quietly, making sure her kids were out of earshot. Mark's shoulders drooped.
"You're feeling different too, then?"
"Mark, we can't keep the kids here."
"We're NOT using that thing." Mark dug his heels in and wrapped her in an embrace. "I can't do this without you, Lizzy." He whispered. "Raising the kids. Living life. I need you." Elizabeth felt tears welling up. What could they possibly do then? The influence was getting too much, and their kids couldn't spend much more time here.
Wisemon then floated up to them. He had been quiet over the last week, and Elizabeth knew he wanted her to use the gold pendant. "I must leave for a short while." The robed Digimon said. "Duty calls." Mark nodded and they watched him fly off into the forest.
"Do you think we can fully trust him?" He asked, once he was sure the Digimon had left. Elizabeth closed her eyes.
"He's helped us more than anyone else. He's our friend." The words came out of her mouth, but doubt lingered in the back of her mind. Wisemon was almost too forward about the necessity of using the God Link. Even last time, his first thought was to use that, and only relented when they had come to a second, easily feasible solution. She got it, it was his home in peril after all. But it unnerved her all the same.
They looked over at the kids. Edward sat pulling grass; poor boy was bored out of his skull. Imogen on the other hand was digging up the earth and building a dirt sculpture of sorts. "Eddy! I'm making our house!" She beamed, excited to show her brother. Edward glared at his sister, otherwise ignoring her. Imogen pouted and returned to keeping herself busy.
"That looks really nice, little girl." A voice called from the forest. She beamed at the praise, lifting her head to the newcomer. The smile froze on her face and fear entered her eyes as she saw the newcomer.
Elizabeth's own heart caught in her throat, and she and Mark ran to their kids.
A creature floated there. One of skull and bones that exuded pure malice, and carried a wooden staff with a yellow orb.
SkullSatamon [https://wikimon.net/images/f/fe/Skullsatamon.jpg]
"Who are you!" Mark shouted, standing in front of their daughter. Elizabeth grabbed her and ran back.
"Edward, come with me!" She cried. As her son ran to her, the Digimon facing Mark sneered at him.
"Devimon made you sound more impressive. Humans," He spat. "Oh but I'm going to have fun with this." Mark glanced back at his family and braced himself.
"Get behind me kids." Elizabeth whispered. It took all she had to stay strong for them and not cry out for her beloved.
"Muwahahhh." His laugh sent shivers down her spine, and Iggy trembled behind her legs. "No Wisemon or Leomon to save you this time." He sneered and pointed his staff at Mark.
"That's what you think, SkullSatamon!" Just in the nick of time, a blur of white and black shot past Elizabeth, cylinders spinning rapidly around forearm and shins. Grabbing SkullSatamon's staff, the newcomer swung him around and tossed him back into the forest.
Elizabeth's heart beat fast; they had been saved once again. Their saviour had the same lion’s face and mane as Leomon, but was covered in a black and white armour.
Grapleomon [https://wikimon.net/images/4/41/Grappuleomon.jpg]
"Leomon?" Mark asked. He was on the ground sweating profusely, and Elizabeth couldn't blame him.
"GrapLeomon now my friends. Through arduous training with AncientKazemon I have evolved." Elizabeth felt herself blush.
"That won't save you!" A yellow beam of light shot out of the forest. GrapLeomon braced himself, the attack hitting his spinning arm guards. Dirt flew from beneath his feet as their protector was pushed back.
"RAHHHH!" SkullSatamon lunged out, and Elizabeth held her breath. Suddenly, he skidded to a halt, eyes full of fear. Immediately he turned tail and fled back into the thick cover of the woods as Elizabeth sensed his bane. Looking up, more relief filled her heart as AncientKazemon landed behind her.
The Legendary Warrior of Wind swooned and touched her own cheeks. "Leomon just had to be a big hero again. He's sooo strong!"
GrapLeomon blushed. "It's only because of you that SkullSatamon retreated."
"Ohohoho" She put her hand over her mouth. "Ever the modest hunk you are my love."
The Lion-man looked stoically at Elizabeth and her kids. "My friends, I'm glad you found your children." Imogen let go of her mom's leg and ran towards the heroic Digimon.
Just as she had let go though, the world slowed and shadow fell upon them. GrapLeomon, warm smile on the strong and dependable face, erupted in a blaze of purple flame mid step. Elizabeth looked on in horror, instinctively grabbing her daughter as his painful scream pierced their ears through the roar of fire.
"NOOO!" AncientKazemon cried as blue particles of data flew from the explosion. The demonic creature of red fur and purple wings descending from the sky, laughing maniacally.
"Oops, I broke it."
The Warrior of Wind gripped her saber tightly, and Elizabeth herself shouted for her dumbstruck husband. "MARK, RUN!" Snapping to, he ran to his family as she pulled her son and daughter with her. They needed to get to safety of the trees, and fast. AncientKazemon burst past them, wrath burning in bright blue eyes.
The powerful shockwave from the Warrior's sword connecting with Demon's oversized left arm sent the four humans tumbling forward. Edward recovered the quickest, and Elizabeth shouted for him to grab his sister and run while she went back for Mark.
The earth shook as Demon swung his fists down on AncientKazemon's head, sending her reeling to the ground. Purple flames gathered in his mouth and shot toward the downed Warrior of Wind.
A seven-coloured beam of energy collided with the hell fire, and Elizabeth and Mark dove to the ground, searing gusts of wind flying over them. The kids had thankfully made it to the tree line and hid themselves. The adults looked at each other and scrambled back to their feet as storm clouds gathered and the wind started picking up fast.
"What the hell!" Mark yelled over the wind. "This power is insane!" The branches overhead shook violently just as they joined their children, and he and Elizabeth covered them.
"You demon's have taken enough from this world!" AncientKazemon shouted. She was a blur, moving with the wind and saber going in for the kill. The tip of her blade touched Demon's neck, but just as it nicked flesh a tornado of flame gathered underneath, blowing her away with a shriek.
Burned and bruised, the Warrior of Wind recovered, the elements themselves breaking her free from the purple inferno, and like a blur she lunged down once more. Blue data sprayed from Demon's eye as the downward thrust grazed it. With a roar of anger, he grabbed her and squeezed.
"Your wrath is nothing to mine." He snarled. Elizabeth couldn't breath; AncientKazemon screamed as the weather cleared, life seeping away. Suddenly, he let go and flew back. A ray of light pierced the area between him and the defeated warrior.
AncientKazemon landed on the ground, panting, and looked up to see the Warrior of Light in his splendor. Twin gold blades shimmered with the light through the breaking clouds. Demon grimaced.
"AncientGarurumon, you always jump in when you're not wanted."
With a flash AncientGarurumon lunged at Demon, striking down with powerful Claymores. Demon swiftly evaded to the side, grunting as AncientKazemon's saber pierced through his leg.
The ancient wolf followed up with twin horizontal swings, Demon again just barely evading a killing blow. Screaming in rage, the Demon Lord of Wrath summoned a massive torrent of purple hellfire towards his foes. A white beam of light froze the flames themselves and shattered.
AncientKazemon took the chance to fire a rainbow laser through the shimmering shards of ice, piercing Demon through the back as he moved to escape. "Get back here!" She screamed, wind kicking from the Earth as she started to give chase, only to come crashing back down to Earth, wounds catching up to her.
"Are you alright?" AncientGarurumon asked, landing next to her.
"GAHHH!" She screamed. "We have to finish it!" The warrior of light shook his head.
"It's too late my friend, I'm sorry. I cannot beat him on my own, and you are in no condition to aid me any further."
—
Elizabeth sat with her arms around her daughter as the sun set behind them. Her husband stared at her, knowing the bleakness they all felt. His eyes asked if she was actually considering that option, and the desperation in them told her Mark would not be supportive.
The truth was, they needed to act. She needed to act. Not just for his sake, but for their children, and for the world they put their lives into building.
Rage and lust turmoiled within the legendary warrior of wind, sitting silently on the other side of the clearing. AncientGarurumon stood as a sentinel, but even he fidgeted impatiently. Sooner or later they would enter a battle with a frenzy that could be quelled only by death.
Or worse, they would fall and contribute to the very destruction they fought to prevent.
Mark shook his head silently, and Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut.
"Are you alright my friends?" Wisemon's voice came from above, and the ancient bookkeeper floated towards them from above.
Elizabeth nodded, gripping her sleeping children tighter.
"I apologize for leaving you." He bowed his head and pointed towards AncientKazemon. "It was most fortuitous help arrived in time." She and Mark shared a look. What was his angle? He left just before Demon attacked. Was it a coincidence? No, it couldn't possibly be.
"I sense your doubts, humans." Another voice rang from the sky, AncientWisemon himself landing in front of them. " I called Wisemon away, knowing help was close behind." He looked at them closely and with wonder in his yellow eyes. "It is interesting, that the fate of the world rests on one so small."
"Whoa there." Mark jumped to his feet. "We're not doing anything except going home! All four of us." He said firmly, looking at Elizabeth with that last sentence.
"Mark." Elizabeth said softly, getting to her feet. Tears sprung to her eyes as she walked to her husband, him just staring at her. She touched his face tenderly. Fifteen long years together. Good years. Loving years.
"No." He whispered, grabbing her hand. "We'll get through this. Together."
"Mark, look around you." She pleaded. "This is bigger than us. We created this world. We created life. Not just our children, but all of these Digimon."
"You are a wife, and a mother Liz." Mark said, grasping her hands with his own trembling. "You are our rock. Mine and the kids. Don't throw it away like this. We can find another way, we always do."
Elizabeth leaned in and kissed him. "Not this time." Tears poured down her face, and she became aware of Wisemon and AncientWisemon leaving to give them space. "There is no time my love, you see what's happening. You feel what's happening. We need to act now, or it really will be too late."
Mark inhaled sharply. "Give me the pendent Elizabeth. The children need their mother." She smiled sadly and shook her head.
"No, it has to be me. Way back then, Wisemon told me the soul links are tied to us as individuals." She hoped he didn't see through her lie. The truth of the matter was she didn't know. It could very well work for him, but if he knew that he would take it from her by force.
More explosions rang in the distance. The sound of thunder and flash of lightning. "I know you won't remember this Mark, but I love you so very much." Tears fell down her husband's face and he held her tight.
"Don't worry Lizzy, I've always known that." They stood there in each other's arms, Elizabeth wished it could be for a lifetime. Sniffing, she let go of Mark and walked softly over to her children. Now for the hardest part. She gently shook Imogen awake.
"Mummy?" The young girl rubbed her eyes. "What's wrong?" Elizabeth just picked her up and held her tightly. She would never get to see her daughter get too big for her to pick up like this.
"I love you Iggy. Mummy has to go away, but never forget how much I love you. I know you will grow up to be a brilliant young woman with a big heart." She sobbed, not letting go. Mark put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and finding the courage to let go she handed her daughter to him.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Edward had been awoken by the crying, and their eldest child looked concerned at his mothers tear stricken face. She would never see him graduate, or get his first girlfriend, or grow up. She would never get to see any of her kids grow up. She wrapped him in a tight embrace. "Mum? Why are you crying?" Edward sounded scared, returning her hug.
Elizabeth decided to be honest, knowing he wouldn't remember. "Edward, this world we're in is collapsing. The world your father and I built. There is only one way to get you all back home, and I have to stay here to get the power to do that. I have a responsibility for the life I created. You, your sister, and this world itself."
"But... no! Stay with us! You can't leave!" Her son started sobbing in her arms.
"Edward, you have such a bright future ahead of you. You are such a caring boy, never lose that. I have to leave now, there is no other way, but your father will take care of you all. I will always look over you, and I will always love you. With all my heart."
"Liz, please." Mark whispered, holding Iggy tight.
"I'm sorry." She looked down. Steeling herself, Elizabeth walked towards the hill. "Wisemon! You win." She said, voice conveying more confidence than she felt. Wisemon turned and beckoned her up to the top.
"AncientKazemon, AncientGarurumon." AncientWisemon looked over to his legendary peers. "Please join us. It is time." The warriors of wind and light looked at each other and flew over.
"You don't mean?" AncientKazemon began. AncientWisemon nodded. "It is time, we shall become one again."
"And the human?" AncientGarurumon asked.
"She is the conduit. The keeper of the God Link." Elizabeth felt three pairs of eyes stare down at her as she unraveled her gold pendent from the pocket. AncientWisemon closed his eyes, and Elizabeth heard a deep voice boom in her head.
"My friends, the time is here. The time has come for the elements of the Digital World to come together and drive back the evil that plagues us."
As the sun set, one by one the Legendary Warriors arrived. First, AncientGreymon. The Warrior of Fire who had saved them when they first got here. He looked damaged but without hesitation joined the circle around her.
Five more then came from all directions.
The earth shook with the arrival of a Trojan Horse, artillery jutting from its body.
A giant red and blue beetle with powerful pincers.
A multi legged ram with a thick snow white fur covering its body.
A mermaid wielding a golden trident.
And a jet black sphinx with gold wings.
AncientTrojamon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/6/61/Ancienttroiamon.jpg/320px-Ancienttroiamon.jpg] AncientBeatlemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/d/da/Ancientbeatmon.jpg/320px-Ancientbeatmon.jpg] AncientMegatheriummon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/4/4e/Ancientmegatheriumon.jpg/320px-Ancientmegatheriumon.jpg]
AncientMermaimon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/e/ec/Ancientmermaimon.jpg/320px-Ancientmermaimon.jpg] AncientSphinxmon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/8/84/Ancientsphinxmon.jpg/320px-Ancientsphinxmon.jpg]
The five newcomers joined the circle, and Elizabeth felt tiny surrounded by the might of nine Legendary Warriors.
"Tch." The Mermaid said, staring daggers at AncientWisemon. "Why is it that everyone listens to you?"
"Why are you envious of someone who wants to work?" The horse countered.
"It appears you arrived just in time, doesn't it?" AncientWisemon sighed, looking at Elizabeth. "Where is AncientVolcamon?"
Elizabeth heard the voice in her head once more. "AncientVolcamon, we are all waiting."
"I don't need any of you!" Another voice shouted back. "I only need my own power."
"But we need you!" AncientKazemon's voice rang now, the sultry tone evident. "None of us can do this without your immense power."
"All of you shut up!" The Black Sphinx said externally. "Let AncientKazemon butter him up." Elizabeth could see the look of frustration on the mermaid's face as the warrior of wind complimented their missing comrade.
"Fine! Since you put it so nicely." A short while later, AncientVolcamon jumped towards them, smoke billowing from the volcano on his back. With a loud crash, he completed the circle.
"Thank you, Elizabeth." AncientGreymon said. "With great personal cost to yourself and your family, you give this world hope."
Instinctively, the human woman knew what to do. She took one last look at her beloved family, the tear stricken face of the love of her life holding her two eldest children. The eclipsing gold circles glowed with the ferocity of the Sun itself and floated in front of her chest. Around her, all ten Legendary Warriors wore the same brilliant shine, and slowly they unraveled in a dust of gold energy, encircling her and the pendant like a raging sphere of energy.
And then, she herself began to glow. Elizabeth watched her body bit by bit join the pendant. There was no pain, only warmth. The warmth of being complete. The human body was but a vessel for the soul, hers split into eleven. Now they came together in the form of a warrior of red, blue, and gold.
Susanoomon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/3/34/Susanoomon2.jpg/320px-Susanoomon2.jpg]
"Is this -
"Are we-
"Am I-
"What just hap-
"I fe-
"My pow-
"What have you d-
"Let me-!
Elizabeth heard almost a dozen panicked voices swirl in her head, her own getting lost in the chaos of the new birth. The new God fell to its knees with a shattering impact, and clutching its head in its hands a guttural shriek of eleven voices pierced the sky. The world around her was almost muted and looked as though she was gazing through frosted glass.
Through all of this, she saw three specks of light in the distance, staring at the new Digimon with fear and reverence. Elizabeth fought with her own body, trying to reach out. It felt as though she was being pulled in all directions, her will struggling against ten others each trying to take control.
I'm sorry my loves. One thought pierced through the cloud of the forming mind, and in a frenzy Susanoomon jetted off into the night sky.
Calmness settled as they flew towards the mountain, Elizabeth and the ten Legendary Warriors letting their new body take it where it willed. The clouds were beautiful, and they all felt memories that were unfamiliar to them. Memories of battle against various foes. Memories of flying through the Digital World. Memories of trying to make it home.
Home. Once more Elizabeth's fading mind made it through and Susanoomon headed towards the peak of Divinity Mountain.
And then panic. Two shots rang out from below and struck Susanoomon square in the chest. Through the multiple voices in its head, Susanoomon made out the Demon Lord of Gluttony smirk up at them, the barrels of both smoking guns pointing up.
Beelzubemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/7/78/Beelzebumon_collectors.png/137px-Beelzebumon_collectors.png]
Shots rang out again, and unable to decide how to act, Susanoomon was struck and crashed into the side of the mountain. Stumbling to its feet, desperate minds fought for control of the new God.
Just then black chains pierced Susanoomon's armour and black flames engulfed it.
Eleven screams echoed from the mountain, but the pain was not yet done. Another stream of fire struck it, and at the same time a golden claw pierced Susanoomon's armour it was struck by a long, lashing tail.
Managing to open its eyes, Susanoomon saw Lilithmon, Barbamon, Leviamon, and Belphamon looking at it with a furious glee, their chance to kill all the Legendary Warriors in one fell swoop.
Lilithmon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/7/79/Lilithmon.jpg/320px-Lilithmon.jpg] Barbamon [https://wikimon.net/images/a/a4/Barbamon2.jpg]
Leviamon [https://wikimon.net/images/4/42/Leviamon.jpg] Belphemon [https://wikimon.net/images/9/93/Belphemon_rage.jpg]
Susanoomon struggled against the forces of darkness as well as its own mind, unable to decide what to do. Every part of it wanted to go after a different beast.
One voice rang through as it lay there burning. Enough! Elizabeth cried. Stop this. Stop fighting amongst yourselves. It - It's okay to let go, we are one now. Let us become what we were always meant to be! Just, let Susanoomon be what we need. Our purpose is to save the Digital World, fight against the sins once more and let go!
Susanoomon felt its mind get calmer as the voices quieted down. One last surge of love for the Digital World and for Mark, Edward, Imogen, and all Elizabeth's other children.
And then clarity and power. The sins of this world will be eradicated.
Susanoomon grabbed Leviamon's tail and swung him into Lilithmon, both of them spiraling into the mountain side. Next, grabbing the chains of black flames surrounding it, Susanoomon pulled Belphemon towards it and with a powerful punch sent the creature of sloth reeling into the pile of its fellow Demon Lords.
"This kill is mine!" Barbamon exclaimed "Pandemonium Lost!" Energy gathered around the Demon Lord of Greed, and a giant explosion echoed from the center.
With blinding speed, Susanoomon lunged through the searing heat and grabbed Barbamon's beard and staff, snapping the latter in two and throwing the demon down.
"YOU FOOLS!" Lucemon shouted from the sky. "MUST I DO EVERYTHING MYSELF!" The angel of death raced towards Susanoomon, and the God felt itself being pushed back by the sudden flurry of punches and kicks. Grabbing Lucemon's incoming fist before he could finish his onslaught, Susanoomon moved in for the counter attack, but found itself in searing pain as a blast of purple flames struck it in the back.
Taking the chance, Lucemon kicked Susanoomon back, and the fusion of the Legendary Warrior's stumbled as shots rang out. Beelzemon stood sneering at the edge of the mountain.
Susanoomon took off, needing to separate the foes, but just then a whirlpool of water appeared underneath, drawing it back down. Chains of black flames and an evil wind surrounded it once more. Susanoomon screamed as a giant orb of light and dark from Lucemon struck it, and it fought to keep itself from falling apart.
This wasn't working, not even the God of Digimon could fight against all seven Deadly Sins at once. The attack subsided and Susanoomon fell to its knees. Its armour was shattered, and the gold circle on its back in pieces on the ground. As the Demon Lords converged upon their fallen foe, clarity came to Susanoomon.
Sin could not be destroyed; it was a part of this world and trying to kill it was a futile effort. There was only one way to stop this, but first, power was needed to get out of this alive. The energy from all ten elements swirled in front of Susanoomon, and before it materialized the weapon needed to end this.
"Yakusa-no-Ikazuchi." Susanoomon grabbed the ZERO-ARMS: Orochi in both arms, and pointing it to the heavens let forth a blade of light. Fear gripped the Demon Lords as lightning flashed and crashed around the battlefield. This was it, the power it needed to end things.
But not here. A small voice in the back of its mind told Susanoomon where it must be done. As the Demon Lords fought back the power of the Digital World itself, Susanoomon took off towards the peak.
The peak of Divinity Mountain came into focus, the rock face grasping at the heavens. It was aware of the demons hot on its tail, and needed to work fast. The ZERO-ARMS: Orochi glowed with white light and disappeared in a flash, Susanoomon absorbing the power of the Elements. Bringing its hands together, the God of the Digital World shot forth a burst of energy, and a rift of pitch black opened in the night sky.
"This war ends now!" Susanoomon cried, a singular voice piercing the darkness. "All creatures of Sin shall be trapped forever more, never to destitute this world we hold so dear." Hurricane force wind from the hole started sucking the evil into the pitch black horizon.
And then the Demon Lords arrived, fighting against the power that threatened to bind them. With a flash, Susanoomon gathered its remaining power. Lucemon was first, moving to grasp his foe's shoulders. Dodging, Susanoomon itself grabbed the prideful demon's arm and kicked him into the void.
The others followed shortly after. Chains of flame reached out, shattering to the God's knife-like hand. Bullets, black heart, and a pillar of water grazed the blur of red, blue, and gold. With a quiet disposition and a flurry of strikes, Susanoomon threw the next four into the void.
Without his staff, Barbamon struck out desperately with grey claws. Susanoomon easily grabbed the incoming wrist and threw lord of Greed in after the others.
Demon, fighting his fate to the last, struck out with his oversized left arm. Deftly evading, Susanoomon sent him in after his fellow lords of sin with one final kick. "I WILL GET FREE, YOU HEAR? I WILL GET FREE AND DESTROY EVERYTHING!!" Demon screamed as he was pulled into the rift.
A burst of power rang out, and Susanoomon placed a seal on the deep prisons of each of the Seven threats. Breathing heavily, the Warrior of the Elements waited; there was still more to go. With screams of fury echoing in the night sky, Demon's three Lieutenants followed and Susanoomon sealed them into the second layer.
And then the remaining Nightmare Soldiers came, Devimon first amongst the group with a look of pure, evil hatred. Completing the three layer seal, the door to the dark world sealed itself, but not before a large hexagonal cube of blue and gold fell through and crashed next to it.
Susanoomon collapsed to the ground as the darkness dissipated, drained of energy. It was finally over.
—
As the sun peered over the mountain, the God of the Elements heard beating wings close in. Digging its fingers in the mountain side, Susanoomon climbed to its feet, and to immense relief, Wisemon came in carrying the three remaining humans.
"E-Elizabeth?" Mark stepped forward once Wisemon let them down, the kids looking scared. Susanoomon shook its head. Mark hung his head and squeezed his eyes, and a small part in the back of the Ultimate Digimon's mind wanted to embrace him. The memories of Elizabeth's life with her family tried to claw out, but scraped against a wall of increasingly opaque ice.
"Susanoomon, there is one more job for you." Wisemon said. "Send Elizabeth's family back home."
That's right, the last will of the wielder of the God Link. Susanoomon turned to face the sky once more, and its eyes gazed over a blue and gold cube, almost as if it wasn't there. It struggled, bringing its eyes back to the object. "Wisemon, what is that?"
"Just an artifact, my Lord." Wisemon bowed his head. "The darkness displaced from where you trapped the Demon Lords needed to go somewhere." Why did it feel so, wrong ? Susanoomon felt a great deal of apprehension when it looked at it; there was nothing coming from it.
"Lizzy, please." Mark looked up at what used to be his wife with pleading eyes, holding Imogen tight.
Susanoomon turned its attention back to the sky. The humans had been through enough. A different type of energy gathered in its hand; instinctively, the God knew how to open another path. Not to the Dark Area this time, but to the Human World.
This required more power; not only did it need to breach through this world, but also the shell of the net itself. With a roar, Susanoomon thrust the energy forth and a pure white hole opened in the blue morning sky.
"Thank you for your sacrifice. This world survives because of you." It told Mark, Imogen, and Edward, picking them up and flying up. Mark looked back with tear stricken eyes.
"I love you." He whispered one final time, and once more Susanoomon felt a fading Elizabeth try to get out. Just as they reached the portal, something rumbled behind it. Susanoomon looked back just in time to see a grappling claw from the artifact flash forward, striking the God in the back.
That was no artifact at all! A creature of nothingness stuck out of the top connected by wires and tubes. It wore a black mask and cape, and steel claws ripped from the other sides of the Hexagonal Cube held by a DNA-type tether.
Apocalymon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/1/13/Apocalymon_collectors.png/137px-Apocalymon_collectors.png]
"MARK, RUN!" Susanoomon found itself shouting, setting the humans down at the edge of the portal. A malicious grin appeared on the new creature, and the cube itself flew at great speed towards the portal.
"E-Elizabeth?" Mark stammered. Susanoomon blocked the path of the new creature, grabbing the incoming claws.
"Go! Save the kids." One final plea from the loving wife and mother, as Susanoomon struggled against it. Relief fell as Mark took the chance and carried them all back home to their own bodies.
"Rahhhhh!" Susanoomon roared, kicking the cube back. "What are you!"
The creature laughed. "I am Apocalymon, and I thank you, Oh Guardian of the Digital World. Once you're out of the way I can reduce everything in this world and the other to nothingness!" Claws shot forward from Apocalymon at blazing speed, catching the weakened Susanoomon. "DEATH EVOLUTION"
Susanoomon screamed in pain as the very fabric of its being struggled to stay together, held only by the power of the God Link. "I-I won't let Darkness win. I won't allow you to destroy either world!" With the last of its energy, Susanoomon once more summoned the ZERO-ARMS: Orochi. "Your arrogance will be your downfall!"
Fear gathered on Apocalymon's face as the blade of celestial light formed. Only to fizzle out. Susanoomon's eyes widened; it didn't have enough energy left. Fear turned to sadistic glee as the God of Nothing redoubled his attack, Susanoomon screaming with pain.
"Die now, along with the rest of this pitiful existence!"
NO! Susanoomon's eyes shot open as it fought through the pain. After all this. After beating sin itself, it would not end this way! It couldn't! Susanoomon pointed its legendary weapon towards its own chest. Whatever it takes.
"Ama-no-Habakiri."
Celestial light pierced Susanoomon itself, and Apocalymon looked on in terror as the new Guardian of the Digital World slowly disintegrated into gold data particles. The dust flew over Apocalymon, causing him to retreat back into his cube as it settled over him in a divine seal.
Wisemon screamed as a gold light from Susanoomon's core shot through the portal, just before the life of the God of Elements covered and sealed the only way out of the Digital World.
—
As Susanoomon faded, the bright light in the Chamber of the Archives flashed, and Imogen and the others found themselves looking at five unconscious young humans shattering through the sky in a flash, giving way to a purple scar.
They all shone bright with white light as they fell, and from each of them the essence of their souls produced Digimon. Dorumon, Veemon, Biyomon, and Wormmon materialized in a silver-white glow, falling with their partners.
However, the thin girl with weathered blonde hair and worn out brown jacket shone with a brilliant gold, and from the essence of her soul, Chrysalimon materialized.
As their past selves fell into the sand below, the visions around them faded and the jacket slumped back into Imogen's arms.
"Holy shit." Tavaras whispered, and Imogen fell to her knees. She felt an arm around her and found Edward comforting her with tears in his own eyes.
Imogen threw herself into her brother's arms, sobbing. "It was all my fault after all!" She cried. "Everything I went through, I deserved it all!"
"Shh." Edward soothed her, stroking her hair. "It's not your fault Iggy, none of this was. This was the will of the Digital World." She looked at him, both siblings newly grieving their mother. "I couldn't live up to mum's vision of me." He said, voice low. "When things got tough, I gave up caring for you." Edward stroked the jacket. "I'm sorry mum, I promise I'll look after her from now on."
Imogen rubbed her eyes and stood up, gripped with fear and apprehension at what would come next. Putting on her jacket, she reached into the inside breast pocket, grabbing the familiar object and pulling it out. Opening her hand, she let it dangle in front of her.
A bright gold pendant of two eclipsing circles swung from her hand.