Senna shuddered and clutched her shirt as Sunarizamon led her and Deon out of the cave system, feeling an echo or an earthquake partway up the mountain. What was that?

"I'm sure it's nothing," Biyomon said, her familiar weight grounding Senna as the pink bird sat perched on her head. She nodded, unconvinced but knowing they had to keep going regardless. A feeling of regret started forming in the pit of her stomach; was this really such a good idea? She could have said nothing and just headed back to the village with Deon. Senna glanced over at her friend carrying Veemon on his shoulders; his eyes were forward and determined. She shook her head bitterly. No, she couldn't go back with him; his place was in the real world, with his family.

"Looking forward to going home?" Senna broke the silence as they continued the climb, trying to get her mind off of what was happening. She had seen a small figure in the distance fly up to the peak shortly after the noise, but had no idea what it could be. The best they could do is continue the climb; Biyomon could get them up faster but she still wasn't in great shape. It would be best to save her energy just in case.

"Hmm?" Deon looked over and shrugged. "I guess."

"What do you mean 'you guess'?" Deon looked down and picked up his pace. Senna winced, annoyed by his avoidance. She had to trot a bit to keep up with his longer legs, but caught up and grabbed his shoulder. "Hey! I asked you a question." He stopped and stared at her, brown eyes looking conflicted. What was going on in that head of his? He was brilliant but had the emotional range of a child. "Fine." Senna relented. "Keep it to yourself." It's not like we'll ever see each other again.

Veemon and Biyomon both shared looks but kept silent. Of course the Digimon both knew what was going on, and Senna had half a mind to go straight to Veemon for answers. She exhaled and relented. That wasn't the right way and she had to make peace with that. Why oh why could she not have just stayed in Sanctuary Village?

The five of them continued on in silence until Senna saw something that piqued her interest. Just ahead, she saw leaves swaying back and forth. Was that a tree halfway up the mountain? Her eyes widened. "Che-" Suddenly feeling a hand over her mouth, she turned. Deon put a finger on his lip, and his face looked haunted. Senna nodded, concerned.

"You trust me, right?" The young man whispered, taking his hand off her mouth as Veemon jumped onto the ground snarling. She nodded again, the bad feeling in her stomach growing worse. "Long story short, the Church is evil. Cherrymon and Wisemon want the destruction of our entire existence, both this world and our human world." He pointed just above Cherrymon and Senna saw a black and gold hexagonal cube being carried. How did she miss that the first time?

Cherrymon [https://wikimon.net/images/e/ec/Jyureimon.jpg] Wisemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/8/8d/Wisemon2.jpg/320px-Wisemon2.jpg]

"So how do we get past them?" She whispered. Deon shook his head, sweat beading from his forehead.

"We can't let them get that cube to where Imogen is."

"H-hold on, we have to fight Cherrymon?" The young man squeezed his eyes tight and nodded. "But he's been so good to us."

"It was all an act; they want the portal open so Apocalymon - the guy Susanoomon sealed in that black thing - can erase our existence." Senna stepped back, mouth dry. What the hell is going on? She took a deep breath and squeezed Deon's hand.

"I trust you Deon. If you say we have to do this to save both worlds, I'll fight by your side." She crouched down and looked at their sandy, reptilian guide. "Sunarizamon, thanks for leading us this far, but things are about to get hairy, so you should probably get back." Looking at Deon, she smiled. "Besides, after we're done here we can fly to the peak."

Deon nodded. "We can't hold back against them."

Biyomon flew down and landed next to Veemon, both glowing a bright white.

"BIYOMON, WARP DIGIVOLVE!"

"VEEMON, WARP DIGIVOLVE!"

Garudamon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/0/08/Garudamon_New_Century.png/200px-Garudamon_New_Century.png] Bahadramon [https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/immortalfork/97476102/5617/5617_original.png]

As their partners evolved, Cherrymon turned his head and Senna saw nervousness on the normally calm and gentle face. Beside him, a robbed figure hovered with its arms raised as if in worship. It carried two orbs: one yellow and one red.

The mysterious figure, Senna figured that must Wisemon, lowered its arms in preparation for the battle, and with loud thunder the mysterious artifact slammed into the mountain side.

"Children? What is the meaning of this?" Cherrymon called to them, seeing the light burst from Garudamon and Bahadramon, the two of them standing opposed to the leaders of Church of Nothingness. From the distance, Senna almost felt as though Wisemon was snarling beneath its hood.

"We won't let you destroy our worlds!" Bahadramon roared.

"Our homes are not for you to desecrate!" Garudamon cried.

"Wisemon, they found out about Apocalymon? How?" The ancient tree turned to his partner.

"It matters not." Wisemon replied, hovering forward. Senna could now see he stood on a large, open book. "The key is on Divinity Peak; these two can die without consequence."

"Senna, sorry." Deon mumbled. "I know Cherrymon's appeared nothing but good to us." Senna breathed in sharply; she was hoping not to fight the kind old tree. But she nodded all the same; they had confirmed what Deon had told her, and there was no way out but to fight.

"Garudamon, please." At that, Garudamon took to the skies once more, now joined by Bahadramon.

Cherrymon looked on somberly, but fired countless red bombs towards the aerial Digimon. Senna flinched and covered her eyes as thousands of explosions rang from the cherry bombs between hers and Deon's partners as they split, red and blue on either side.

"Wing Blade!" Garudamon glowed a bright crimson, and the shriek of an eagle filled the mountain as the bird-shaped aura sped towards the old tree.

"Shit!" Glancing over, Bahadramon desperately lunged towards Wisemon. Too late; the robed Digimon flashed in front of his ally. Orbs glowing purple shot forward and combined, absorbing Garudamon's attack and returning it with the same ferocity.

"Garudamon!" Senna screamed. With no time to dodge, her partner braced herself to take her own attack.

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"Impulse!" Pivoting quickly, Bahadramon threw crackling orbs of black energy to intercept the Wing Blade just before it hit its mark. Relief washed over Senna as the shockwave blew mountain sediment over her and Deon. "Gahh!" Bahadramon shouted as vines erupted from Cherrymon, ensnaring the dark blue dragon from behind.

"Eternal Nirvana!"

"No!" Deon shouted, stepping forward as Wisemon's yellow and red orbs shot towards his partner.

"Bahadramon!" The Warden of the Skies lived up to her name as she swiftly flew behind her friend and cut the vines with sharp claws. As she passed, Garudamon placed her powerful legs on Bahadramon's back and pushed, the force of it shoving both him and her out of the way of Wisemon's attack. Nodding his thanks, Bahadramon raced towards Wisemon who was still recovering the orbs from his failed attack.

"Deal with the humans, Cherrymon." Wisemon ordered, dodging the dragon's slash. Cherrymon nodded, and with agility belying his age and large stature jumped up and landed in front of Senna and Deon.

Senna screamed as her partner grappled with the old tree right in front of them, green leaves and yellow and red feathers showering over her.

"Apologies, children." Cherrymon sunk his head, pushing Garudamon off him with his cane. A thick fog enveloped the battlefield, and Senna grabbed Deon's hand as their vision was taken over.

As the fog lifted, Senna found herself in a thick forest. Darkness hung over her and Deon as they stood there amongst trees devoid of any green, and she gripped her friend's hand tighter.

"Where are we?" She whispered. Her breathing was tight and she found sweat dripping down her face. Deon returned her squeeze but said nothing. Senna could hear his breath matching hers. "Garudamon!" She called, louder now. "Garudamon, where are you?" Desperate, Senna scanned the dreary sky. The ambiance reminded her so much of the hospital, the gray sterility of the sky matching the depression she kept bottled up as she lay dying in that damned bed.

"Eeek!" Hearing the flap of little wings and crows calling, Senna fell to her knees and covered her head.

"Senna! It's okay." Deon said. She opened her eyes and saw him kneeling in front of her, clasping both her hands in his. His face radiated a warmth, the one bright spot in this nightmare. "I'm here, okay?" She let him pull her up, and with a smile he nodded. "Come on, I don't know what happened but we need to find them."

"Where do we even go?" Senna asked, a little calmer now yet still with a tremble in her voice.

"Something is off about this place." Deon mused, hand on his chin. She envied his solidity in this situation as he thought out loud. "We need to find Bahadramon and Garudamon, and quickly. But this place... I don't think I've ever seen this. Where did Cherrymon take us?"

"Deon! The sky." Senna gasped. The young boy looked at her, and following her eyes looked up himself.

"Yeah? It's dark and-" His eyes widened, and Senna flushed as he grabbed her shoulders excitedly. "The scar's gone! We might not even be in the Digital World anymore!"

"Wait what?" Senna blinked and she felt her heart drop into her stomach. "No way. There's no way. GARUDAMON!" She screamed, desperation filling her mind and body. "WHERE ARE YOU?"

Senna, find me. Senna stared up at the sky, a faint whisper of Garudamon's voice echoed through the sky like a distant thunder. "Deon, did you hear that?" He looked at her confused and shook his head. Was she hearing things?

Senna, we are one. "Garudamon," she whispered. "We are one, you're right. So where are you?" Senna centered herself, trying to find a pool of still water from the storm raging within her. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Not on the bleakness of this dead forest. Not on the life or death battle they found themselves in. Not on the fate of both worlds hanging on her shoulders.

She focused on herself, and the manifestation of the power within her. Closer now, the tempest let up and she felt the Warden of the Skies. Almost, Senna. Her partner's voice was right there, begging to be touched yet shrouded in mist.

The fog. Senna gritted her teeth.

"Cherrymon. You won't get away with playing with our hearts like that." She felt a light shine from within her, a beacon to get her and Deon home.

"Senna, what are you doing?" Deon looked at her in awe, as if he could see the warmth radiating from her body.

Senna's eyes flashed open, and the world around her was torn apart as if by a hurricane. The grey skies and dead trees shattered, and in its place Garudamon stood, wings spread wide and power flowing from her very core.

"W-what?" Cherrymon took a step back. "How did you escape?" His voice was a hoarse whisper, and Senna stared at him, anger piercing through his thick bark.

No words needed to be said. Garudamon and Senna, both of one heart and one mind, knew what needed to be done. The large warrior bird glowed with a crimson aura stronger than she had ever felt before, and took off into the skies.

"WING BLADE" The eagle echoed through the mountain and the crimson blade found its mark, striking the old tree in a bright explosion.

Senna felt her heart drop as the Digimon she thought she trusted burst into countless data particles, and she almost heard his gentle voice scatter into the wind.

—

Deon looked on in melancholy witnessing Cherrymon's death. I'm glad a human such as yourself is taking such a keen interest in learning about our world. The old Digimon's words filled his mind. A Digimon that shared his own thirst for knowledge. Was that all an act too? No, it was real. They were similar in a sense, just on opposing sides. Garudamon landed in front of them, and Deon shared a sad look with Senna.

Their power and their will astounded him. Senna having the sense and the heart to break free of the illusion while he desperately tried to think his way through. Rocks shattered in the foreground, breaking Deon free of his thoughts. Bahadramon! His own partner was still embroiled in battle with Wisemon. The Dragon and the robed wizard each danced through the sky, neither letting the other land a hit. Bahadramon swung his claws at his foe, who flew back to evade and tossed his yellow and red spheres at him.

Pirouetting mid-flight, the orbs shot passed Deon's partner who then lashed out with his tail, striking Wisemon in the back before he could recover his weapons.

And then, just as Bahadramon leaned in for a follow-up strike, Deon saw something he would never forget. There, at the peak of Divinity mountain, flashed a light so strong they were all forced to close their eyes and avert their gaze. Chills crawled down his spine as the mountain lit up with the intensity of the sun itself. A second star beneath what they were so used to. The light of life itself.

"Iggy, you did it." Deon whispered. The light died and the children and Digimon opened their eyes. All turned to the sky, and Deon saw something he couldn't fathom. Like paint on a wall, the purple scar right above the mountain started to chip. Gold particles like dust scattered from the sky, and piece by piece the erie scab always on the back of everyone's mind gave way to skyscrapers. Buildings made of concrete and glass, paved roads and little patches of greenery.

Earth drifted through the sky, incandescent lights beckoning him home.

A loud rattle brought Deon back to the present, the noise led his eyes to the black and gold hexagonal cube. To Apocalymon. He stood there stunned as it seemingly came back to life, the seal formed by Susanoomon's final sacrifice dissipating as it had with the sky. No, Imogen was unsealing the path between their worlds!

"Bahadramon! Garudamon!" He shouted desperately. "STOP THAT THING!" Bahadramon sprung forward as the artifact lifted off the ground.

"You will not stop oblivion!" Wisemon cried. Both orbs shot forward, forcing the blue and gold dragon to evade.

"Rahh!" Deon's hair blew back as Garudamon took off after it. Too late, like a bullet of shadows Apocalymon shot towards the peak.

"No!" Bahadramon spun around, shooting his black orbs of crackling energy at Wisemon. The robed mage jumped, the attacks flying harmlessly between his body and the book he stood on.

"It's too late you fools!" He cackled, the maniacal sound tied a knot in the pit of Deon's stomach and he and Senna gripped each other's hands tight, a small semblance of comfort. "Your friends have opened the divine seals, now embrace the nothingness that surrounds us all."

"Deon... I don't know what's happening, but we need to get up there and help." Senna said softly. Deon nodded, mouth dry. His way home was open, but now something even more insurmountable stood between him and getting back to his mother. The fate of existence itself. "Garudamon!" Senna shouted. Nothing more needed to be said. Deon shook his head; their first obstacle still stood before them.

"Bahadramon!" Garudamon cried, swooping in from above. The two Digimon exchanged glances. Light gathered in the spinning golden disc on Bahadramon's back and the Warden of the Skies glowed crimson once more. "Wing Blade!"

"You won't live long enough to witness Lord Apocalymon lay waste to all you hold dear!" Orbs fused in front of Wisemon in a purple light, sending the crimson blade back at its source. This time, Garudamon saw it coming. With a grunt, she dropped to the ground and the attack flew harmlessly into the sky.

Before Wisemon could react, he was engulfed in a large beam of white, hot energy. Bahadramon roared, drowning out any last semblance of noise from the ancient mage as he disintegrated into the data that formed him. The last vestige of Susanoomon's demise gone at long last.