____________________________________________________________________________________________ Ginga GIRI GIRI! The Universe is in Danger! By SSJ Heero ____________________________________________________________________________________________ - OPENING SONG: SIMPLE AND CLEAN - You're giving me too many things Lately you're all I need You smiled at me and said, Don't get me wrong I love you But does that mean I have to meet your father? When we are older you'll understand What I meant when I said "No, I don't think life is quite that simple" When you walk away You don't hear me say please Oh baby, don't go Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight It's hard to let it go [*] Hold me Whatever lies beyond this morning Is a little later on Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all Nothing's like before [*] Repeat ---- Recap ---- [Chibi characters of the five appear in the foreground as scenes from the last episode play in the background. Though, you can't see 'cause this is text. =P] SSJ: Last time! ON GINGA GIRI GIRI! Amiko: We (as in SSJ and I) duel against the Maze brothers! Cindy: SSJ and Amiko ended up winning because Ma and Ze didn't bother reading card effects. TM: And I save Cindy from being sacrificed to summon... That one Voldemort guy. DDT: Yeah. And we also meet Amiko's shadow, Black Amiko! TM: I'm starting to see a pattern here with the dark halves... SSJ: Anyway! On with the show! ---- Chapter 26: The Armored Warrior ---- [The scene opens in the lush, tropical beaches of the Destiny Islands. The bright sun shone upon Amiko and Cindy, wearing bathing suits to appease some male readers, and getting a tan while lying on the beach. The bright cloudless sky stretched on endlessly, kind of like TM's attempts to get a girl on the beach. DDT was busy roasting up a bonfire on the beach, with Devimon and his chocobo helping. (Devimon was there to cut firewood, and the chocobo was there to fan the flames.) SSJ was busy trying to fetch a weapon of any sort from a local shop run by a bunch of kids who look STRANGELY like characters from FF games.] Little Tidus: Well, here is a fine weapon here! Just look at how sturdy it is! It is made of top quality materials, and can deliver a good HP loss to opponents! (SSJ looked at the weapon before speaking.) SSJ: ...But, it's a STICK. Little Tidus: EXACTLY! It's a POWERFUL stick! It'll aide you on your quest to do whatever! SSJ: I'm looking for an actually practical weapon. Little Tidus: Well, then! If this is not practical, I don't know what is! (SSJ sighed and turned away from Little Tidus' makeshift counter made from cardboard. His cloak whooshed in the wind as he turned and walked away from the boy, muttering to himself. He returned to Amiko and Cindy, laying on the beach, and looked out towards the waters. The tide rolled in and crashed along the sandy shores. Foam rose and fell back into the sea. Amiko then looked up at SSJ through her black sunglasses. She pulled them off her eyes and peered at him with her bright forest green eyes.) Amiko: So, where were you off to? (SSJ sighed, with his own dark brown eyes shining dimly.) SSJ: Tried to get a weapon. That kid version of Tidus only had a stick. (Amiko chuckled at that.) Amiko: Haha... Oh, I can SO imagine that! (A thought bubble appeared over Amiko's head, and she saw a chibi SSJ, armed with a stick, fighting a small dog. She laughed at the thought while SSJ sweatdropped. SSJ then prepared a spot for himself on the sand by the two, looking out towards the sea. Tenpi was dashing around wildly in the water with Mokona on its back. Just then, DDT finally got a bonfire going. Not much longer, the tide came in and ruined the bonfire. TM managed to get some girls to go off with him. He came back five minutes later with bruises all over his face. Cindy, Amiko, and SSJ could not help but laugh.) *** :: In the Meantime! Rantmon's Palace! :: [At the current moment, Rantmon was busying himself with other matters. The LAN party was still going on, sadly, and at the moment, Sauron was gaining the lead in Starcraft. But no matter, Rantmon sat in his own chamber off in the center of his island. He sat with his legs crossed at the edge of a stone table. The table had a map of the world laid across the top, and ink marked off a trail. The trail seemed to go through the mainland, to Japan, then North to a mysterious island, then to the Besaid Isles. He rubbed his temples in painful thought. Dillandau was there to overlook his business.] Dillandau: Naa... Rantmon, what is this? (Rantmon sighed and turned to Dillandau.) Rantmon: This is the course of the Five. From what I gather from Biggs and Wedge, they have journeyed to the mainland again to Hogwart's just yesterday on February the 7th of 2001. Dillandau: But at that moment, didn't Dullahan relay claim to be further inland? Rantmon: Indeed, it was. They are still far behind the warrior. Dullahan has served its purpose, and shall go back for them. Dillandau: What?! I received no report of him killing Dark. (Rantmon chuckled to himself.) Rantmon: Of course not. That wasn't its purpose. (Dillandau listened, his mind confused with thoughts.) Rantmon: Dullahan was only supposed to chase Dark into the Red Mountains. (Dillandau's eyes widened.) Dillandau: Oh... Lord... Right into... (Rantmon grinned in delight.) Rantmon: Hm. Yes. Right into the hands of Asura. (Rantmon then laughed at the thought. It was a very evil, cliché, malevolent laugh. No doubt, you've heard or done it, before. Dillandau could only sigh.) *** :: Destiny Islands :: [Meanwhile, back at the Destiny Islands, dusk settled upon the islands. The sky burned a bright crimson color, and the clouds glowed a fiery orange. The moon was clearly visible, hanging in the sky as a tiny crescent. Just a few minutes later, the sun disappeared under the sea, and its light was extinguished from the land. Small flames arose from various places throughout the island. All the fires were suspended on large torches over the ground, with the light flickering and throwing the shadows about. The Five settled in their hotel room overlooking the sea. TM sighed as he settled on his soft bed, staring at the ceiling. TM then spoke, glancing at SSJ, who was busy killing DDT at Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore.] TM: Why is there a chapter about our vacation? SSJ: ...Hell if I know. (Cindy then was seen sitting by the window, looking outside. She sighed.) Cindy: Are we still going to continue this journey afterwards? (TM glanced at Cindy through the corner of his eyes. Amiko then appeared, coming into the room with a bag in hand. Tenpi sat on her head as she set the bag down on a nearby table, and fell down on her bed, exhausted. Tenpi fell down to her side and nudged her.) Amiko: Geez... It's so hard just getting food now... (SSJ spoke without looking up from the TV.) SSJ: Too much hassle? Amiko: Well, of course. The other shoppers are like rabid dogs. (At that point, SSJ completely OWNED DDT with Kasumi.) SSJ: Dude, you really suck. DDT: I hate you and your faster reflexes... *** (Not much longer, the five were in their own beds (except for SSJ, who was once again sleeping on the floor), for light had completely died out. None stirred as the night deepened, and the clock strayed into the hours of midnight. Not much else stirred throughout the land. Except for in the rave parties, but then again, do raves matter?. Apparently, it did, for as the clock struck one, the raves still did not end, nor did their flow of drugs. In that self same night, a fiery, furious, fanatic explosion ripped through one rave club. Its thorns reached hundreds of feet into the air, filling the streets with bright white light. Not much longer, every other rave on the island met the same fate. That night, it was observed by one observer, an author named Dr. Seuss, that black critters were emerging from the grounds around the clubs.) Seuss: What is that there on the road? Is it a black and spotted toad? Could it be a nasty critter? It seems as bad as Mariah's "Glitter". (The bright light withstood until the clock rang three, leaving deep shafts in the ground.) *** :: The Next Day :: [DDT awoke to the sound of SSJ's wild curses the next day. With the sun shining brightly through the window, he threw off his blanket and looked about the room. His vision was blurry, but he saw SSJ with his head out the open window. (Apparently, it wasn't supposed to open that much, and SSJ tore it off the frame.) As far as he could tell, no one else was in the hotel room. DDT leapt off his bed and strode over to SSJ, who had been awake for several hours earlier.] DDT: What's wrong? (SSJ turns and looks down on DDT, then gazes again outside the window, sticking his head as far out as he can.) SSJ: See the craters? (DDT then peered out the window himself. He was instantly taken aback by the gigantic pits rendered throughout the city before him. It was chaos spread out there on the ground as ambulances raced throughout the streets, fire trucks dashed to extinguish fires, and the police directed the flood of traffic elsewhere.) DDT: What... The... Hell?! SSJ: It seems that something attacked the island. (DDT was silent as he examined the scene. Millions of thoughts crossed his mind at that point. He silently surveyed the attack, and thought to himself.) DDT: Dullahan... This had to be... Nothing else could have done this. SSJ: The strange thing is that only rave clubs were hit. (Then, a silence passed over the two. None said a word, nor did either move from their spots. Finally, DDT commented.) DDT: ...Not much of a loss, then. (SSJ nodded.) SSJ: Agreed. (DDT then formulated a plot in his mind. Yes. He knew what he had to do.) *** :: TM and Company :: [In the meantime, TM, Amiko, and Cindy were hitting the streets, looking for fun things to do. Of course, they were only met with walls of fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances, along with miles of police tape around the island. Cindy complained after a moment of panting in a lonely corner of the city.] Cindy: Geez! What the Hell happened overnight?! (TM sighed.) TM: Well, there was a lot of smoke... Amiko: Perhaps a fire? TM: No... I think it was something much worse... (Insert ominous wind blowing here, followed by Amiko speaking.) Amiko: What could it be... (After a silence, they all shrug it off.) TM: Hell! We're on vacation! Cindy: Yeah! None of this should matter! Amiko: Let's go back and fetch SSJ and DDT! We're going to have fun! *** :: Sometime Later! :: DDT: So, I'll be off having fun, then. SSJ: Whatever. [DDT then donned his torn, ragged brown cape, swung open the door, and left the room. SSJ was left to himself in order to use the PS2, but DDT didn't much care. His mind was on other things as he swept down the stairs at the same time of Amiko and company exiting the elevator. They missed him by several seconds, for DDT was striding quickly down the steps.] DDT: I hope that my thoughts aren't true... (With that, he quickly emerged out the front entrance and into the street. He turned the corner, walked down the sidewalk, and disappeared within the maze of traffic and bustle.) *** (He eventually ended up in a remote forest of the Destiny Islands. There, he surveyed the area, and saw nothing but trees about him, with a large view of the cities and ocean. He looked down upon the city, at the various specks moving about their lives. He then turned around to look behind him, and saw the vast, lonely forest.) DDT: Well... I wonder how far I walked. Ten miles, or twenty, perhaps. (He continued walking again, deeper into the forest. Away from the city and towards the thickets of leaves and shadows, he ventured on, knowing not where or why he was going.) DDT: That feeling... What is this weight I'm bearing? (The crisp leaves shattered and scattered about his feet as he stepped with his bare feet. He looked down and was reminded of the poor condition of his feet. He then sat at the base of a large tree, and examined the bruises on his feet.) DDT: Ah... I need boots. These calluses and bruises aren't very pleasant. (Then, having refreshed his sense of smell in the area of the lush forests, he was reminded of the harsh scent of his clothes. He pulled his cape closer to his nostrils and took one sniff. He reeled back in disgust and threw his cape off.) DDT: Gah... I've never noticed how bad I smelt. (Just then, he heard Devimon's voice.) Devimon: You were fine with that before. (From DDT's shadow cast on the tree, Devimon reached out and emerged into the world. He seemed pitch black in the bright light of the forest, as if light couldn't escape his grasp.) DDT: So I was. Devimon: You've changed, you know. (DDT sighed and looks up at the lush foliage. He saw the sparkling green and the dim sun through the many layers of branches.) DDT: Indeed, I have. I don't care to be a cesspool of disease much anymore. (Devimon laughed.) Devimon: Not like we can do anything particular about that, can we? I am Devimon, after all, and I thrive in disgusting conditions. DDT: I was like that, I remember so. Like that Christmas Day. Devimon: Yes, Taco Bell is bad even for my tastes. DDT: However, I'm human, unlike you. We humans change, and never stay the same. (DDT then looked down on his gloves. He examined the bright jewels studding his knuckles and the back of his hand. They glowed with a burning red passion, and he could see his own face in it. His bright ocean eyes, his messy brown hair, and the clear thick eyebrows reflected in the not-quite-glass jewels.) DDT: Yes, I need change. Devimon: Are you going to reclaim your name, then? DDT: Heh. Might as well. I don't think I'll be dark, or a Digimon Tamer soon. Devimon: But as long as I exist, you will forever be one. Remember that. (DDT sighed, and looked past the view, breathing in a fresh scent.) DDT: I know. (He then stood, and sauntered deeper into the forest. He walked on, towards the high mountains.) DDT: From now on, no longer am I the Dark Digimon Tamer. I am now just Davis. Davis Matthews, I believe my name was. (Devimon grinned, and disappeared within DDT's shadow again. His voice echoed through the wind.) Devimon: Then, have you finally let go? Davis: Hm. Not at all. SSJ, Amiko, TM, Cindy... They don't need me much. *** :: SSJ and Company :: [Meanwhile, SSJ and company were wandering throughout the city. By this time, the major streets were open, and a slow trickle of traffic passed through the streets. The still existent presence of police and fire trucks reminded SSJ of a needed piece of equipment.] SSJ: I need a sword. Badly. Cindy: Y'know, maybe Mokona can become one! (SSJ looked back at Cindy with narrow eyes, then looked on Mokona, who was sitting on her shoulder. SSJ then imagined what Mokona as a sword would possibly look like. Quickly, he rejected the idea.) SSJ: I don't want a pink and white sword. (Cindy frowned, and Mokona smacked SSJ on the back of the head with one of its ears. SSJ just glared at Mokona.) TM: So! Where are we going? (Amiko looks up at TM as she responds.) Amiko: Let's eat somewhere! TM: Well, sure. I'll pay. (Then, in classic fashion, a pocket from a random jewelry studded rapper was discreetly emptied, and TM's pockets were filled with a wallet.) *** :: Meanwhile! Some Random People! :: [Through the streets and through the crowds, a young boy of fourteen or so dashed through the crowds. He had brown hair, randomly spiked into a somewhat clean appearance. His clear blue eyes shone in the dull gray, with his sailor top and red shorts billowing in the wind as he dashed onward. Another boy, this one of fifteen years, sprinting after him, with gray hair, blue pants, and a yellow sleeveless shirt, yelled as the gained speed.] Boy: I'm catching up, Sora! (Sora, the boy with peculiar brown hair, yelled in response.) Sora: No, you won't, Riku! (So, the boys raced through the streets, jumping past crates, trash cans, barrels, zombies, etc., and leaping over dumpsters. Their necklaces, each with a single key hanging on it, shone and jingled as they pushed through the crowds.) *** :: Back to the Crew! :: [SSJ, Amiko, TM, and Cindy were planted in their chairs, and Mokona was sitting on the table, as they were gorging on their meal. SSJ chewed on his sushi, Amiko was busy eating her own, Cindy was busy trying out the Japanese candy, while TM was busy on his first bottle of sake.] SSJ: Y'know, I never had sushi before in my life... Amiko: WHAT?! SSJ: Yeah. I never liked fish at all. Amiko: You missed out on a lot! (SSJ picks up another piece of sushi with his chopsticks.) SSJ: Yeah, I guessed so. (TM, on the other hand, was busy drinking his bottle.) TM: Sake is great. Hm... Interesting flavor. Cindy: Shouldn't you be twenty-one? TM: Who really cares? (TM then takes another gulp of his sake, while Cindy just continued on her various assortments of Japanese candy. TM eyed her candy and spoke.) TM: Maybe you should eat some healthier foods. Cindy: It's funny you would say that at this time. TM: Heh. (After a while, TM's sake bottle is empty, and soon after, he faints on the table. Cindy amusingly prodded him with a stick, and then returned to her Koala candies.) Cindy: Yep. And he says I should eat healthier foods. (At that point, there is a gigantic boom that could be heard for miles. Everyone in the restaurant, well, except TM, leapt out of their seats and rush to the door to see the commotion. SSJ, Cindy, and Amiko rush out and crowd around a street corner to see a large curtain of smoke rise out of their hotel complex. Their eyes widen in surprise.) SSJ: WHAT THE?! Amiko: Of all hotels?! Cindy: Our vacation! (Then, distinctly in the flames, they all see a giant figure of black. Flames curled around what seemed to be metallic armor, and piercing red eyes shown clearly in its head, even though it was several city blocks away.) Cindy: What- The- Hell- Is- That?! (Suddenly, Mokona speaks.) Mokona: Pupuu PupuPUU... (Subtitles: That can't be...) (Cindy looks down on Mokona, who was absorbed in the armored figure in the flames.) Cindy: M... Mokona-chan? (Suddenly, Mokona leaps off Cindy's shoulders, its ears becoming wings as it soars towards the figure.) Cindy: Mokona! (Mokona, for the first time, ignores Cindy and flies towards the figure. The armored figure, searching through the flames in vain, finally gave up, and leapt through the complex. It actually went THROUGH the next seventy or so floors to the roof, and then soared away towards the mountains. Mokona quickly followed. Then, an eruption of screams ran through the crowd. From the flaming and collapsing building, swarms of small, black critters leap through the air, landing throughout the city and causing a riot.) SSJ: What the Hell?! Amiko: What's going on?! (A voice called from beside the Crew.) Voice: The Heartless! (The three then turned to their left and saw, distinctly in sailor shirts and red shorts, Sora.) Amiko: Sora-kun! (Sora looked at Amiko.) Sora: Do I know you? (Then, a voice yelled from behind Sora. This time, it came from Riku, finally catching up.) Riku: We'll have to stop our race. Sora: I know! (Sora and Riku then tear the keys off their necklaces, and they quickly turn to Keyblades. They then rush towards the crowd of Heartless.) Amiko: Everyone! (In a flash of light, all of Amiko's bishounen appeared around her, astounding every one of the spectators nearby. Cindy follows soon after, with her few bishounen appearing.) Cindy: Let's go, everyone! (Cindy, with loaded guns, rushed forward, launching lead towards swarms of Heartless. Amiko applied the black makeup, and became the Shadow Bat Shadow Lady.) Amiko: I'll fight, too! (She then leapt after Cindy, with her army of bishounen helping to take out the oncoming onslaught of Heartless. SSJ's gaze followed the armor and Mokona. He then yelled at Cindy.) SSJ: Cindy! I'm going to help Mokona! (Cindy nodded as Amiko and she dashed forward towards the Heartless. SSJ kicked a random drunk driver out of his new blue Mustang and raced after Mokona. Although, he wasn't much of a better driver than the drunk, having never taken classes at all, yet.) *** :: Davis :: [Davis walked onwards, away from the city. He continued on, deeper and deeper into the mountains. The cold wind scratched at his face, and his cape's holes were tearing wider. He still went on, the rocks below his feet feeling most uncomfortable. Devimon's voice then echoed from his shadow.] Devimon: Where shall you go? Davis: Hm... Even if this was supposed to be a vacation, I have to, no matter what, kill Dullahan once and for all. Devimon: Even if it kills you? Davis: It won't. Not before I kill it, anyway. Devimon: Do you really want to handle it alone? Davis: Ye- (Suddenly, he heard the tremendous explosion that came from the city on the edge of the Destiny Islands. He swiftly turned round and glanced down the path he just walked, and through the light foliage, saw smoke rise from the city.) Davis: WHAT IN THE DEVIL IS HAPPENING?! (Devimon stepped out from Davis' shadow and looked at the city.) Devimon: Well, speak of the Devil... (Devimon saw it. So did Davis. They saw the giant, shining mass of armor heading their way. It gleamed in the light, with clear, contrasting shadows on its sword showing ancient runic writings.) Davis: It's... Devimon: Dullahan. (Lo and behold, Dullahan spotted the two partners, and shifted its position in the sky. It had no wings, but it was held aloft by the powerful magic that held its armor together. Davis saw, and knew, that was all it was. He saw the glinting armor, its empty inside, held together by flashing chains of light. It was merely an empty shell, although a powerful one. Davis saw in its hand the dreaded Hellfire sword and the fire that burned within its blade.) Davis: Freaking Hell... Dullahan... (A gruff voice called from Dullahan, someway or other.) Dullahan: Why... Indeed my senses were true. It is you, Dark Digimon Tamer. (Davis stood, resolute, arms at his side, ready to fight. He proudly proclaimed, throwing off his tattered cape.) Davis: I am no longer the Dark Digimon Tamer! My name... (His gloves glowed a bright light. He then launched a gigantic flame at the same time of screaming.) Davis: -Is Davis! (Dullahan was engulfed in the searing flames that sent nearby trees to ashes. Nothing could be seen of it. That is, until it emerged from the orange glowing mass of energy. Davis stopped his flames and perceived Dullahan, glowing in its own flames of azure.) Davis: Heh. This'll be some fight... (Dullahan then raised the tip of its sword towards Davis.) Dullahan: Now. The flames of Hell shall greet you as you shall depart from this world. (Davis leapt at Dullahan, preparing to fight.) Davis: I can see where Rantmon rubbed off on you. SHUT UP AND DIE! (Thus, their fight began. Davis leapt at Dullahan and launched a swarm of fireballs at him. Each exploded and engulfed him with fire, but to no avail. Dullahan became veiled in flames as Davis proceeded to pummel the armor with his fists. But alas, the armor was too strong for any damage to render itself, and after ten minutes of toil, Dullahan was still fit to fight, while Davis was panting. Dullahan dashed at Davis. With a leap, Davis dodged and then clasped both hands together, giving Dullahan a strike on the top of its armor. Davis would have wished it fell down from that futile attack, but he had other thoughts of dodging the immediate blade of the Hellfire Sword. On a trunk Davis landed, and off he leapt as it was torn asunder by the blade. Dullahan was on the offensive now, and the fire within the sword glowed brighter than ever. It was enveloped on a furious flare as it tore through the forest trees Davis fled through. Down came a tree that burst into a bright red torrent. Up came the leaves, wrapped in flames. Then with a snick and a scrape, claws scraped past Dullahan's armor. It turned and slashed at the figure of Devimon, who ducked and threw its claw again at Dullahan's magical chains. A giant flash of light. A small crack in the chain. Dullahan countered by simply raising its leg and kicking Devimon in the crotch. Luckily, Devimon didn't have anything much there. However, it still launched Devimon up and into the air for Dullahan to punch it away with its steel hand. Another tree was torn to splinters as Devimon crashed past. Davis began his assault again. During the distraction provided by Devimon, Davis raised his hands above the earth and called upon his daemon. His eyes were wide and muscles tense as he yelled.) Davis: IFRIT! COME NOW! (An earthquake shook under Dullahan's feet. Cracks were made in the hard ground. Flames burst out of the earth and stretched into the sky. With a gigantic explosion of red, a crater was rendered in the ground, with Ifrit standing in the middle. Dullahan was thrown out due to the explosion and landed some distance away. Davis, in the meantime, was in the air, parachuting down with his cape.) Davis: Let's go, Ifrit! (Ifrit bellowed a terrible roar, and then raced at Dullahan. Davis followed, tying his cape up into a thin whip. However, Dullahan was fast for its weight, and braced itself for Ifrit ramming headfirst into itself. A mighty boom and crack, and Dullahan was flying again and it slid down the mountain. Davis was quick to follow, letting his cape grab Dullahan's arm in an attempt to make it drop the dreaded sword. No avail. Dullahan used the cape to pull Davis towards itself. It opened its left hand, revealing the dangerously sharp points for each of its fingers. It aimed a blow, and reached to impale Davis' gut. But then came Mokona to help, growing a mile taller and kicking Dullahan away into the sky. Davis couldn't sustain Ifrit's existence much longer, so Ifrit disappeared in clouds of smoke. Davis fell on his knees in exhaustion, but he knew it wasn't done. No, Dullahan regained its senses again, and was flying back, glowing the brightest blue ever seen. Davis grimly smiled and meekly cursed.) Davis: Well, this is shitty. (At this, Devimon emerged from his prison of trees, and saw Mokona's foot.) Devimon: So, you're here. (Mokona shrunk down to his normal size, and spoke.) Mokona: Pupuu pUupUU. (Yeah, I am.) Devimon: I know you can speak English, so stop that speech. (Mokona sighed.) Mokona: Okay, fine. (Davis looked at Mokona in surprise, but then had to worry about Dullahan's sword coming down on where he stood. He dodged sideways and rolled out of the way. Dullahan, with its chains seeming to have more cracks, raised the sword again and attempted to impale Devimon. With great speed, Devimon dissolved into the shadow of the sword. Dullahan flew past Mokona and its sword crashed into a tree. At that moment, Devimon appeared from the shadows and gave Dullahan another slash, flying under its arms and rolling to Mokona's side. Dullahan's sword, amazingly enough, became lodged within the tree trunk. Davis cursed as he joined the two.) Davis: He just won't die. Devimon: Is there a way to kill it? Mokona: Its chains are getting weaker. (Davis then looked at Mokona.) Davis: Since when could you speak English? Mokona: I always could. I'm trilingual. Davis: And what's the third language? Mokona: Elvish. (Davis was silent. He then turned to perceive Dullahan, about to pull the sword from the tree. It would have succeeded, if not for a familiar yell filling the air.) Voice: WIND SLASH! (The leaves around rustled and flew in the air. Distinctly, two thin, white waves raced towards Dullahan. Before it could react, the tree was cut into three pieces and it was launched back. SSJ was then seen dashing up the hill, exhausted from his long sprint. Davis grinned at the arrival but took notice of Devimon.) Davis: Devimon, in a few minutes, I won't be a digimon tamer. (Devimon sighed, then grinned. It then turned to Davis, speaking with its eyes closed.) Devimon: Well then, if it will help you win, then I guess it's a fair trade-off. (SSJ, pausing in his pant, yelled at Davis.) SSJ: DDT! What the Hell does that mean?! Davis: Heh. It means that you'll have to hold off Dullahan for a few minutes. SSJ: I... WHAT?! Davis: Yeah. Until the process is complete. SSJ: What's going on?! Davis: You'll see... And I'm no longer the Dark Digimon Tamer. My name is Davis Matthews. (SSJ's eyes opened wide. His mouth dropped open.) SSJ: D... Davis... YOU! Davis: Heh. Yes, I'm from the real world. SSJ: H- How?! (However, a footstep's tremor diverted SSJ's attention. Dullahan, once again, appeared before him and Mokona. SSJ looked down on Mokona.) SSJ: You'll have to help, too, Mokona. Mokona: PuU ppUuu. (I know.) (SSJ then sprinted at Dullahan, who was sword less. He raised his hands again, and they started to glow bright white again.) SSJ: WIND SLASH! (SSJ gritted his teeth as he slashed at the air in front of him with his arms, sending the two waves at Dullahan. Before he noticed, Dullahan was in the air, dodging the two attacks and aiming to impale the back of SSJ's neck. But then Mokona countered, slamming itself into Dullahan's abdomen. It was launched back, and Mokona fell on the ground, dazed and disoriented. In the meantime, Devimon crossed its arms, and the Rood Inverse, a circle with six symbols circling around the center, appeared on the dirt. It glowed and flashed, and Devimon was enveloped in a black light. Davis had both his arms and the Ifrit gloves, glowing brighter than ever, raised towards Devimon. Slowly, bit by bit, Devimon faded, starting with its feet. Such was the process Davis spoke of. Davis muttered to himself as it continued.) Davis: SSJ should be able to keep it up until I'm done... ...Hopefully... (Meanwhile, SSJ was struggling with Dullahan. Its power and powerful defense made it difficult to harm, and its speed was equally challenging. Dullahan dashed again at SSJ, its fingers raised to impale. SSJ countered by throwing his cloak off, grapping one end, and whipping it around Dullahan's leg. With a tug, Dullahan fell on its back, and SSJ jumped back with his cape. Dullahan no longer was patient. It regained its footing, and an aura of blue flames burst from its armor. SSJ wasn't patient anymore as well. Catching sight of the Hellfire sword, fallen on the ground, he ran, reached, and grabbed the hilt. But a searing, burning pain ran through his body, and he was forced to let go. Dullahan seemed to laugh as it sauntered closer. SSJ looked at his right hand. It was terribly burned. In terrible pain, he cursed.) SSJ: Fuck! Dullahan: Fool. Only I can control the raging Hell that churns through the sword. (SSJ muttered to himself, trying to ignore the giant pain in his hand. One of his eyes twitched as he muttered.) SSJ: This'll be a long two minutes... (SSJ then sprinted at Dullahan, and with a fury of punches, did absolutely NOTHING to the armor. He then swiftly kicked it in the crotch, but instead hurt his own leg. He cursed over and over as he dodged foot, claw, and elbow. He rolled this way, leapt that way, and became more fatigued as another minute passed. Devimon's shoulders were slowly disappearing at that point.) Davis: Just a little longer! (SSJ, on the other hand, yelled in anger.) SSJ: THIS GUY JUST WON'T DIE! (But then, he got a swift kick to the gut. SSJ coughed out spit and blood and was thrown into a tree from the impact. He twitched and spasmed in pain, but managed to rise to his feet in time to feel the palm of Dullahan hit him square in the chest. He flew back into the tree and caused a large indent. SSJ was rendered unconscious from that. His head sunk and eyes closed as Dullahan walked back to retrieve its sword. It then turned to SSJ, knocked out from the assault; to Mokona, still disoriented from his own attack, and then down the slope to Davis. It saw Davis grinning, for the process was finally done. It saw the gloves Davis wore now were completely different, with lightning cracking around it. It saw the black framed metal now part of the gloves, and the bright red jewels studding the knuckles and back of the hand. It saw no more.) Davis: METEOR STRIKE! (Once more, the ground around Dullahan broke apart, and it fell into a ditch. But it didn't just end there, giant bits of earth that were pulled from the ground gathered in the sky, forming a huge spiked ball. It burst into flames and ran itself into Dullahan, whose chains were on the verge of cracking. A tremendous quake shook the land as the meteor hit Dullahan head on, tearing the chains apart and rendering Dullahan defeated. A bright light filled the sky, temporarily blinding Davis. After it subsided, he saw nothing left but the empty armor that made up Dullahan and Hellfire sword, embedded in a tree close to SSJ. He saw the sword and hilt. Not a bit of its flaming soul existed anymore.) Davis: Well, I guess it's powerful enough to compensate for its lack of soul. (He then looked at SSJ, still hanging in the tree.) Davis: He'll need it. (Davis then gazed at his new gloves.) Davis: What amazing power Devimon had... Truly, this will help. (He then looked back at SSJ, and grinned. He pulled SSJ from the tree, wrapped the sleeper in the red cloak, and then donned his own torn cloak again. He then dragged SSJ and Mokona along, with the sword held in his other hand.) *** :: The City :: [SSJ awoke the next day to the sound of explosions. He opened his eyes and perceived a white ceiling above him. He looked around the room, but saw no one. He only saw an empty chair, and curtains shut tight to his left.] SSJ: I bet TM's watching TV again. (He threw off the heavy blanket and stepped out of bed. That's when he noticed that his right hand was bandaged. He stared at it, then closed it and opened it several times.) SSJ: Well, it feels okay, at least. (He then turned right and walked down towards a door, only to have it open in his face. He fell to the ground with a large bump on his head, and Cindy sighed as she stepped into the room.) Cindy: You go through a lot of pain, SSJ. (SSJ got up off the floor and onto his feet, and looked at Cindy.) SSJ: Yeah, but it doesn't matter. Cindy: Yes, it does. Just look at your hand. SSJ: Feh. I don't care what happens. (SSJ smiled then.) SSJ: As long as I protect my friends, I'm fine. (Cindy smiled.) Cindy: That's how you think, huh? (SSJ then walked past the door and into the next room. He saw a well furnished room, with TM sitting on the sofa, watching television. Davis was sitting down on a couch opposite TM, waiting. Amiko was sitting on a different chair with Tenpi on her lap, waiting for SSJ and Cindy to enter. SSJ saw they were all situated around a table where the Hellfire sword sat, but said nothing of it. SSJ and Cindy walked on. SSJ then kicked TM of the sofa, and Cindy sat down by Davis.) Davis: Finally, you're awake. We can get this meeting started. SSJ: How long was I out? Where are we? Amiko: Few hours. You recover fast. And we're in a different hotel room, of course. SSJ: Hm. Indeed. Davis: Anyway, I've come to confess to you all. SSJ already knows, but I'll tell him again. I am not a dark digimon tamer anymore. My real name was kept hidden all this time. It is Davis. Davis Matthews. (Everyone gasped. Anime split-screen action showed their surprise.) TM: Davis?! Amiko: From school?! Cindy: Why didn't you tell us? Davis: Yes, from school. I haven't told you because I didn't want to be recognized. SSJ: That means you know who Rantmon is. (Everyone looked at SSJ. Davis sighed.) Davis: Yeah, I do. However, I won't say that anytime soon. SSJ: That what else is there to say in this meeting? What's with his Hellfire Sword being here? Cindy: You said you needed a sword at one point! Well, here it is! (SSJ's eyes opened wide in surprise.) SSJ: Are you crazy? Don't you know why I burned my hand?! (Davis interrupted.) Davis: Do touch it. It's quite cool now. (SSJ looked down on the sword. Reluctantly, he reached to the hilt and picked it up. Davis was right. He felt no pain.) Davis: When Dullahan was killed, so was the sword's spirit. (In case any of you didn't know, swords are composed of two parts, the physical sword itself, and a soul.) It was the spirit that gave the sword its heat. SSJ: ...How was Dullahan killed? Davis: I thought you'd ask. (Davis held up his hands to reveal the two brand-new, pitch black gloves he had. Everyone took notice.) Amiko: What's that?! Davis: They're the Meteor Gloves. Some time ago, Devimon and the Ifrit gloves were one, these Meteor Gloves. They have fused again, and that was how I defeated Dullahan. (SSJ nodded, and turned to the Hellfire sword.) SSJ: Then... I need a sheathe. (Davis grinned.) Davis: All the better. We're going to the Red Mountains, and later to the east coast of this continent. We will then take a plane to Rantmon's palace. On the way, we should meet an old comrade of mine who is particularly skilled at making sheathes for swords. SSJ: ...And about Dark? Davis: Naturally, Dark is headed to fetch the other piece of the Atma. (SSJ was silent. TM spoke in confusion.) TM: ...Then, when shall we leave? Davis: Tomorrow. We should meet my friend in a week or two. (Amiko sighed.) Amiko: We'll have to journey fast, right? (Davis nodded.) Davis: Waiting too long will allow Rantmon and Dark to gain power. Amiko: And that would screw us over. Davis: Quite. (Everyone sighed.) Davis: Well, we better prepare for this trip. Get rest if you can. *** :: The Next Morning :: [The next morning, the Crew was on the boat to the main continent. The fresh scent of the sea refreshed TM and Davis, who were playing cards to pass the time. Cindy was with Mokona, looking out at sea. SSJ looked down on his burnt hand, leaning on a wall as the boat rocked to and fro. His left arm was around his sword, wrapped in thick cloth and leaning on his shoulder. Amiko walked up to him, Tenpi in hand.) Amiko: How is it? SSJ: I don't think I should take off the bandages any time soon. Amiko: Ah... (SSJ then looked up to Amiko.) SSJ: Whatever happened to the Heartless, anyway? (Amiko smiled gleefully.) Amiko: We got rid of them, as usual. Oh yeah, I caught Sora and Riku! SSJ: Heh. I see. (Thus, the five continued their journey. Over the breaking waves they went, into the rising sun. Amiko sat by SSJ and watched the sunrise. Davis' chocobo pecked TM's head as Davis caught him cheating. Mokona napped again on Cindy's shoulder. Such was the beginning of a new day for the five reunited friends.) ---- To Be Continued ---- - ENDING SONG: HIKARI - donna tokidatte tada hitoride unmei wasurete ikitekitanoni totsuzen no hikari no naka megasameru mayonakani shizukani deguchini tatte kurayami ni hikari wo ute imadoki yakusoku nante fuan ni saseru dakekana negai wo kuchi ni shitaidake sagasou kunimo shoukai suruyo kitto umaku ikuyo donna tokidatte zutto futaride donna tokidatte soba ni irukara kimi to iu hikari ga watashi wo mitsukeru mayonakani urusai toori ni haitte unmei no kamen wo tore saki wo mitooshi suginante imi no nai koto ha yamete kyou ha hoshii monomo tabeyouyo mirai wo zutto sakidayo bokunimo wakaranai kansei sasenaide motto yokushite one scene zutsu totte ikeba iikara kimi to iu hikari ga watashi no scenario utsushidasu [*]motto hanasouyo mokuzen no ashita no koto mo terebi keshite watashi no koto dake wo miteiteyo donnani yokutatte shinji kirenaine sonna toki datte soba ni irukara kimi to iu hikari ga watashi wo mitsukeru mayonakani [*] Repeat [*] Repeat [*] Repeat ---- Preview ---- [Japanese Yu-Gi-Oh! Preview music plays in background. The five appear as chibi style, and random scenes from the next episode play, though you can't see because this is text. =P] SSJ: Next time! On GINGA GIRI GIRI! Amiko: What's this? Storm hits on the seas and we land on a desert island? TM: Oh, what WACKY misadventures await on this island? Cindy: Maybe some small disgustingly cute monsters. Davis: And we're not kidding about that. All: Next! On GINGA GIRI GIRI! "Survival of the Fittest" ----