PHALANX - The series
Episode Twenty-Eight: Seven Days of Doom, part five.
Day five, 0830 hours Universe 702 Digital time, location: Digidestined campsite.
"They're gone? AGAIN?" Matt asked as Tai emerged from the last tent. "And what about Durumon and Vogumon?"
"They're gone too," Tai answered. "I wonder where they are."
"I am beginning to wonder if those two are normal," Matt countered. "They're always running off. How can we trust them if they keep going off alone?"
"That, too," Tai answered softly.
"Found them!" Kari announced as she reentered the clearing. "They're by the beach… doing something."
"What do you mean with 'something', Kari?" Izzy asked the brunette eight-year-old.
"I don't know," Kari answered. "They're yelling at each other in some language I don't know."
"Let's go see," Tai decided, and disappeared into the brush, the other digidestined on his heels. When they got to the beach, all the kids stopped and watched.
"That's French they're speaking," Mimi said. They stared at the twins, David standing with his back turned to the brush, staring at his sister like a fully-trained general. Jessie on the other hand, was too busy to notice the others. Durumon and Vogumon were standing nearby, obviously watching the training with keen interest, mixed with awe.
"Get wet, private!" David yelled in French at his sister. This morning, they were simulating the French Foreign Legion as training. Jessie jumped up from the position she had done her sit-ups in, and raced to the waterline. She emerged back in front of David within twenty seconds, panting heavily. She snapped at attention.
David started throwing sand on the wet girl, further heightening her discomfort. "Drop and give me fifty!" he yelled. Jessie, wet, covered in sand and panting heavy, dropped to the ground and started counting in French, "Un! Deux! Trois! Quatre!"
"Fists!" David shouted. Jessie's body turned airborne for a few seconds as she switched from using her hands to using her knuckles as support for her push-ups.
"Trente!" Jessie counted. Thirty!
David's arms remained crossed as he counted seconds in his mind. He started pacing around the girl, continuously barking and shouting at her, keeping her mind off thinking straight. It was an adequate simulation of the stress of real wartime conditions.
"Double pace!" David shouted suddenly. Jessie screamed out as she did the last remaining five push-ups at a double pace. She jumped up, and saluted.
"Well done, private," David said, and returned the salute. "Training is over." Immediately, both kids gasped as the mental programs fell away.
"Fuck," Jessie gasped, grabbing her biceps.
"I know," David said, shooting her a smile. He was the first to notice the others standing there, watching in rapt attention.
"Just a morning workout," David said as Jessie went back to the sea to wash all the sand and grime from her young body. "Nothing to worry about," he added. The others continued staring at the twins, and David sighed. This would take another long explanation, and he could curse himself for allowing the training to run long.
******
Day Five, 1030 hours Universe 704 Island of Ages time, location:
Daphnix and Ami stared at the cave. Daphnix turned to the leader of the group of six people who had escorted them out here. Again, there was talking in the strange language, accompanied by hand-motions. Daphnix turned to Ami.
"As far as I know, we need to enter this cave. It is the first test, a test of courage. The leader claims it will force us to face our greatest fears."
Ami started shaking slightly. "I don’t like the sound of that," she whispered. Daphnix smiled slightly as he heard her old quiet attitude resurface. Her mind was beginning to adapt.
"Neither do I, Sweets. Neither do I. I mean, I've seen and done some pretty horrible shit. I haven't been scared in a long time… and I really don't want to see what could be scary enough to test my courage."
Ami nodded. "Maybe…maybe they're just trying to scare us?"
"You mean scaring us, so that actually entering the cave to face our fears is the test?"
Ami nodded silently. Daphnix cocked his head. "That's not such a bad idea. All right, I'll go in. how about you, Sweets?"
Steeling herself Ami gave a brave nod. Her blue eyes radiated resolve as her still-developing mind gripped her nerves with reigns of solid Duranium. Her trembling stopped.
"That's my girl," Daphnix said, grabbing her for a quick hug before giving a curt nod to the six people, and walking resolutely to the cave. Ami smiled slightly, and went after him. Both were scared, as neither knew what lay ahead. Neither of them admitted to themselves or to the other they were scared.
******
Day Five, 1100 hours Universe 576 Japanese Time, location: Phalanx Star Ship Ortega, holographic training facility.
"I still don't trust you, but we need everything we can get to destroy this fucker," Frederic said to Sorcerer. "Come on."
"We still have over half an hour. You said 24 hours," Sorcerer complained. "I want to reach 250 G's!"
Frederic grabbed him by the collar. "This is better than G-training. Now, are you going to come willingly, or do I have to kick your ass there?"
"I'll come willingly," Sorcerer muttered. Both warriors knew that they were pretty evenly matched. Frederic was clearly the stronger one of the two, but it wasn't as simple as just beating Sorcerer. It would take him at least fifteen minutes to do so… minutes that could be used better in other ways.
"Good," Frederic said, and walked out of the holodeck. Sorcerer followed, curious as to what Frederic had in mind now.
"War Lab," Frederic instructed as he entered the turbolift. Sorcerer glanced sideways at his dimensional twin. If it weren't for the difference in clothing, no one would be able to tell them apart. Sorcerer glanced from Frederic's shiny black ESMF uniform to the remnants of his own clothes. It used to be a shirt and a pair of pants, now they were more or less reduced to rags. The lift halted, and the two emerged into the large lab.
"I can't believe how much stronger I feel," Sorcerer commented, trying to strike up a conversation. The last thing he wanted was to get on his twin's bad side, and to be killed the moment they had rescued both women.
"Gravity training is tremendous," Frederic said. "I have used it for 250 years. That's why you will never catch up to me in brute strength."
Sorcerer's brow rose. "And I have 20 years of experience in mental alterations, and evolved combat-related magics. You will never catch up to me in that field."
"Fine," Frederic said, and pressed a button. A part of the wall slid away, and something was lowered to the ground. In fact, there were two somethings. "Gear up," Frederic instructed. He started strapping on the same type of combat gear Ami had used when rescuing the kids from MiB. The only difference was the fact that this armor was built for his size. Sorcerer started strapping on the armor. Frederic also threw him a pair of quantum pistols, a Dual Blade light-saber, and a pair of VR contacts. Frederic assured his twin that this still didn't mean he trusted Sorcerer. Sorcerer just replied,
"Incredible. Pliable Quadranium. This technology is incredible!"
"Something my kids came up with," Frederic commented dryly. “It’s just for show. You know just as well as I do that there’s something a lot better out there.” After both warriors had put on, and activated, the heavy armor, they walked out the door.
"Now we're going to kick some Destroyer butt," Frederic told his twin as he sat down in the cockpit of the Daedalus. Sorcerer took the Science console, even though he had no idea what he was sitting at. Not until he saw the read-outs, that is.
"By the way, where are those two girls I had on my ship one day? Vicky and Sarah?" Sorcerer asked.
"At ESMF headquarters. Their expertise in covert ops will come in handy. We'll teach them our tricks, if they teach us theirs."
When the small ship released from its umbilical cords tying it to the Ortega, it set a course for the outside.
"Now, where is that asshole?" Frederic grunted at his companion. The very sight of the man sitting at Jennifer's science console made his stomach turn. When Sorcerer wanted to input the coordinates, a flash of light interrupted him. It caused both warriors to look around.
"Young Phalanx," the Wise One said. "This is an extremely volatile situation."
Frederic's eyes shot fire as he stood up. He resisted the urge to grab the Wise One by the throat. "No kidding," he answered icily.
"This is not like Zells kidnapping your wife. This comes from the Destroyers themselves… needless to say, we have to be careful."
"Get on with it," Frederic said threateningly. "I want to get my wife, and I have an extremely unstable person here with me who wouldn't lose a second of sleep over getting rid of you." Something inside Frederic grunted at the dishonor he was doing the God, but in his present state of mind, he cared about nothing but his wife. he would step on anyone's toes to get her back.
"We give you clearance," the Wise One said reluctantly. "But please, be careful!"
"I will," Frederic said, and turned back to the pilot's seat. His head turned over his shoulder, and he said," thanks," before motioning for Sorcerer to put in the correct dimensional coordinates. The Wise One disappeared, shaking his head. If someone had been able to look under the hood of the Wise One, one would have seen an expression of confusion, dread, and worry.
******
Day Five, 1115 hours Universe 704 Island of Ages time, location: Cave of Courage.
Daphnix didn't know when he and Ami had been split up. He was worried about the blue-haired girl, his companion for some time now. He had understood what Frederic had meant by being inseparable, and Daphnix had marveled in the feelings. Right now, he could curse himself as his mind refused to focus on the task at hand, and kept wandering to Ami.
You're weak, D. A liability.
"Fred? I don't understand… I thought you were on the Ortega?"
Totally ignoring Daphnix's question, Frederic's voice continued, You have never been as strong as I was. You never were any help.
"What?" Daphnix barked. "Where are you?"
Where were you when Jenny was hurt? Where were you when I had to fight Sorcerer? BorgFred? The Destroyer? You couldn't even protect Jenny when I was fighting the Destroyer… some friend you are. And to think I helped you…
"That's not true, and you know it!" Daphnix shouted, trying his hardest to keep the tremor out of his voice. He wasn't entirely sure he succeeded.
You're weak, D… I had to boost your powers or you would be nothing more than a punching bag. A push-over. Huh! Tactical mind my ass! You locked out my powers on 254, and you couldn't even keep me from getting them back!
Daphnix sunk to his knees. "No… that's not true!"
You know it is! You've been kidding yourself for all this time! Why do you think I gave Jenny your position as second-in-command? A girl who never learned to read and write became your superior officer because of the fact that she is strong and you're not! Look at you, sitting on your knees, begging for it all to end!
The next thing Daphnix knew, he was back on the Ortega. Sighing in relief as he saw his friends on the bridge, he got up from his kneeling position. Frederic and Jennifer turned to him, and he could see the smiles on their faces.
"D? What are you doing here? I thought you were going after the Stone of Ages?" Frederic asked.
"I don't understand it myself… the people there were testing me. The next thing I knew, I was here."
"What was the test?" Jennifer asked. "Maybe there's a clue there."
Daphnix began telling what had happened, forcing himself to admit his insecurities to his friends. Frederic and Jennifer started laughing, much to his dismay.
"That cave knows us better than you do," Jennifer said.
"It was right. You are weak. You are pathetic," Frederic added.
"Fred… what are you saying…" Daphnix's voice was weak, and he stumbled a few steps back.
"I'm saying that it was a stupid mistake to put a pathetic ass like you in my hierarchy!" Frederic exploded.
"I became second in command instead of you! Me! Who never went to school before she met you!" Jennifer twisted the knife. Daphnix fell to his knees.
"Stop… please, stop…" he begged.
"You will never be like us! We're Divine Beings! You are just another pathetic human we gave some petty powers to keep him happy!" Frederic shouted.
******
Day Five, 1115 hours Universe 704 Island of Ages time, location: Cave of Courage.
Ami looked around.
"D? Love? Where are you?" Ami stopped and stood still the moment she had lost Daphnix, knowing that was the best way to handle being lost. By remaining still, one maximized the possibility of being found.
Where I should have been a long time ago.
Ami turned around, looking at her surroundings. She saw nothing but the same thick, gray fog that permeated the cave's interior. "Love?" she asked, uncertainly.
Away from you. How did you ever think to be able to fit in?
"But…but…you said it didn't matter…" Ami's voice was shaking. With a grunt, her posture hardened, and she fought her tears back, a resolved look on her face.
Didn't matter? Hah! I allowed my hormones to dictate my actions! How dare you think it was something else?
Ami's mind refused to cooperate. Her heart told her that D would never say such things… but her mind heard otherwise. "How can you say such horrible things?" she asked, tears glistening in her eyes.
Because I am strong, you little bitch. I can say whatever I want, because I can control my reactions! Even now, you're crying like the little girl that you are! Look at you! A crying schoolgirl. That's what you are. Sailor Senshi or not, you are still a schoolgirl.
"I am a schoolgirl, you knew that!" Ami tried to defend herself.
Yes, But you didn't learn anything from being a Senshi. Our mistake. A mistake that I will now rectify gladly! Ami, It's over! I never want to see you again!
"No…" Ami croaked, falling to the ground, curling up in a fetal position. Having her heart crushed in such a manner was devastating to her, especially so because of the fact that she was still coping with her changing body.
******
Day Five, 1130 hours Universe 705 time, location: Assassin's meeting point.
Frederic and Sorcerer, looking identical, were facing Assassin.
"So, you didn't destroy each other after all… all the more luck for me. Now I get to have fun with both of you at the same time!" Assassin sneered.
In response, Frederic and Sorcerer powered up their Oech-anya Necklaces. The sun eclipsed as the Oech-anya combat transformations went into full effect. Assassin looked unimpressed.
Frederic stepped forward. "As per authority of the Gods of the Universe, I will destroy you. Leave, and you will live. Remain, and perish. You have two seconds." Frederic didn't even start counting as he started shouting in the Divine Language immediately.
Sorcerer's eyes went open in surprise, but immediately his face changed from surprise in glee. Frederic's mental shields went up to level 11 without him thinking of it. Lightning and thunder crashed around the battle scene as the Earth shook beneath their feet. A book appeared in Frederic's hands. He looked at the tome in his hands.
Frederic held the book high over his head, showing it to Assassin. "I once used this book to wipe out the armies of he who threatened my wife. Now I will use it to wipe out you!" he shouted, and unceremoniously ripped open the book, breaking the seven seals in one swift jerk.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse appeared directly in front of Frederic, their armies standing in battle-formation behind the two dimensional twins. As the voices of the dead began to haunt Assassin, he started to look a little worried. But, contrary to Zells, Assassin had countless millennia of experience, and as such, he wasn't terrified, as Zells had been.
The meteor strike followed right behind, which Assassin countered easily. He just batted the meteors aside as if they were flies. When an eerie quiet settled over the planet, Assassin knew that things couldn't be over yet. Lighting and earthquakes started plaguing Assassin, who simply lifted into the air to avoid the earthquakes, and batted lightning bolts as if he was born to do so.
"Death, Conquest, War, Famine. Get him," Frederic simply said, lowering the book. Screaming, the four horsemen led their armies into battle. Assassin pushed his hands together, and screamed. One bolt of energy after another flashed down at the Four Horsemen and their armies. The ghostly armies of Armageddon had to bend their heads in favor of Assassin, who looked more and more as if he had won the lottery.
Amidst the chaos, Frederic and Sorcerer remained totally still, their arms crossed and shields composed. Their faces betrayed nothing as the armies of the Horsemen were slaughtered.
It took Assassin fifteen minutes to get rid of the Four Horsemen, as well as their armies.
"Was that all?" Assassin taunted.
Frederic and Sorcerer smirked at him, crossed their arms, and stood with their sides facing him, their backs towards each other. “This is merely the beginning!” Frederic boomed over the field of battle, as all around the two warriors, soil disappeared in rainbow-colored Alter Energies.
Frederic went through the Alter Armor transformation like the last time. First his blood vessels lit up, then his bone structure, and finally his muscles before his skin seemed to glow in the otherworldly Alter light, and he reappeared, dressed in a type of full body armor that covered him from head to toe, only leaving his mouth free.
Assassin stared.
“We who are your destruction have arrived, Assassin,” Frederic spoke as he and his twin turned to fully face the man.
<<What is the most destructive spell you have? He used a lot of energy to destroy the Four Horsemen.>> Frederic sent to his counterpart.
<<It's called 'Armageddon', but it takes five minutes to charge. Not useful in battle.>>
<<Cast it. I will divert him.>> With that, Frederic's Altered body started glowing. With a scream, he turned Super-1, then Super-2, followed shortly by Super-3. The helmet changed to the open-top version to allow his Super-hair to show through. The purple Ki, coupled to the brown, red, and purple hair that hung halfway down to his back gave Frederic a demonic sight. In his peripheral vision, Frederic could see Sorcerer preparing to cast the spell.
Assassin took a step back when he saw the purple glow in the dark eye-patches that were Frederic’s Alter-Armored eyes.
Frederic jumped forward, drawing the Dual Blade light saber in mid-flight. Frederic was faster and stronger than Sorcerer, AND he had command of an Alter Armor. Assassin was forced to go to 20% power immediately.
<<Impressive. I never got him past 15%>> Sorcerer sent.
<<CAST THE DAMN SPELL!!>> Frederic sent back as he and Assassin were locked in battle. For five long minutes Frederic played the punching bag for Assassin as Sorcerer cast the spell.
<<Ready>> Sorcerer sent. Frederic ducked as Sorcerer fired. A beam of bright red energy blasted at Assassin, and engulfed him completely. The ground was shaking as the air vibrated with heat and energy. Assassin howled in rage and pain.
"Think we got him?" Sorcerer asked Frederic.
"I don’t know," Frederic answered as smoke surrounded the place where the Armageddon spell had hit Assassin. Frederic had recharged already, drawing in energy from the surrounding universe to do so. But he did know that his body wasn't as easily recharged as his ki and his mind were. He had managed to avoid major wounds, but the scratches were a telltale signs of the not-misses with the Evil Blade. His Alter Armor had closed over the wounds, offering what little protection it could against the vicious wounds done to the body.
When they heard Assassin laugh, both triple Phalanx didn't hesitate. As one man, they blasted forward. Frederic went back to Super-3, while Sorcerer overpowered his body once more. It still couldn't handle level six without burning up. Once more, he trusted his rage to keep his body together.
Frederic and Sorcerer together formed one of the most formidable fighting-forces ever. As such, they forced Assassin to use 50% of his power.
"A challenge! It has been so long!" Assassin grunted as he blocked a strike by Frederic and a kick by Sorcerer. When both started throwing energy at him, Assassin avoided them neatly. The battle raged on, switching from physical to energy and mental regularly. When Assassin finally saw an opening, he took it. Sorcerer landed on his back not far away.
Frederic, now suddenly faced with Assassin on his own, soon found himself joining his twin. Both Phalanxes struggled up.
"Super…Bolt…" Frederic grunted, powering up his biggest ki-blast. It consisted out of every ki-attack he had learned, and augmented by infusing it with mental power. He threw the sphere at Assassin, who ducked neatly. Frederic's right hand moved to the right. The ki-blast followed, and struck Assassin in the back. Raging energies surrounded his body, and Assassin howled in pain once more.
"Full Magic Blast!" Sorcerer shouted, pouring all the magic he had left over in a bolt of energy. He threw it at the spot where Assassin was still jerking around in the Super Bolt. When it exploded, both Phalanxes covered their eyes, and averted their eyes. Everything fell silent.
"We got him," Sorcerer said.
"We did," Frederic answered, and started for the cave. Sorcerer nodded, and followed right behind. Both men were already inside when Sorcerer halted.
"Where are they?" he grunted. "My Jennifer was right here last time…"
"That's because I retrieved them," Assassin said, laughing. Frederic and Sorcerer turned around, and looked out of the cave. Assassin, looking battered, his body bruised and cut all over, was holding the two Jennifers. Assassin's body was still smoking form the energy blasts. Frederic could tell the two women apart quite easily. There was one covered in cuts and bruises, which was Sorcerer's Jennifer. Frederic could sense that she was mortal. The other Jennifer, the strong one, was barely conscious due to the enormous wound in her abdomen.
"You are good. But not good enough," Assassin said, smiling. "Now, I will kill those two bitches, and then I'll kill you. Slowly."
"He's at 100%… Now what do we do?" Sorcerer grunted. When he received no answer, he was startled at the sheer power in Frederic’s stance as he walked out of the cave. A small portion in Assassin’s mind told him that there was something off with Frederic.
"Release them, unharmed, now. By the authority of the Gods of the Universe, you will release those two women," Frederic said, voice cold and commanding.
"You're kidding me. Now, ienie, mienie, miny, moe…" Assassin said, obviously trying to determine which girl to kill first. Frederic crouched.
"I am WARNING you! Release them, NOW!" Frederic screamed. Purple ki leapt up around him as he turned Super-3. Sorcerer joined him outside, not knowing quite what to say.
"You? Warn me?" Assassin started laughing uncontrollably. He used his mental powers to raise his sword. He had obviously made his decision.
Frederic screamed. The ground shook. Debris flew around. Sorcerer took a step back. Assassin looked up. Frederic's eyes looked dangerous. More dangerous than Assassin had ever seen in his countless millennia of experience. He had never seen someone who looked so dangerous.
"RAGE!!!!!!!!!!" Frederic shouted. "ANGER!!!! HATE!!!!! FUEL ME!!!!!" the ground shook in correlation with his words. Each time he yelled for an emotion, his ki seemed to explode, bathing the area in a ghostly purple light.
Sorcerer took another step back; his face and posture radiating pure shock, as well… as fear. Frederic's purple ki turned black as coal, as did his hair, now grown so long it reached his hips. Super-4 Frederic flew at the man, grabbed hold of him, and forcibly threw him away from the two women. Assassin, caught totally off-guard, was thrown into a mountain, bearing a remarkable resemblance to the Himalayas. Sorcerer wasted no time, and caught his Jennifer before she hit the ground.
Frederic was already on the ground, clutching at his own wife.
"Jenny," his voice was weak as he turned back to normal.
"I'm…alright…Love. Now that… you're…here," she wheezed. A scream pierced the air as Assassin raced toward the reunion. Frederic looked up. Green Ki turned red, which turned purple, which turned black. Frederic stood up, and stared at Assassin, arms crossed over his chest.
"I don't fear you," Frederic simply stated as Assassin came raging toward the group. The next moment, Assassin materialized in front of Frederic, and started a flurry of hits that startled the Super-4 Phalanx. Frederic's lighting reflexes managed to block most of the hits, but those that came through were enough to do some serious damage.
Finally, Frederic was kicked in the stomach, after which Assassin linked his hands, and gave an upward hit, blowing Frederic back. As Assassin was gloating, Level 6 Sorcerer attacked Assassin's unprotected back. Frederic recovered quickly, and charged Assassin as well. Assassin, now faced with two targets, had it a little harder. It was not to be.
With a scream, Assassin reached into his boots, and pulled out two black-glowing knives, and started to fight the two Phalanxes with them. Frederic and Sorcerer shifted their Necklaces into 'dagger mode', and countered. However, they had never trained in its use, choosing to focus on the Swords instead. Now this oversight would be their undoing.
Assassin, using every bit of his strength, speed, and experience, easily overpowered the two triple Phalanxes, and managed to drive them back.
"This is getting us nowhere," Frederic grunted. "We need more power."
"A LOT more," Sorcerer grunted.
"Can you go level 7?" Frederic asked.
"Barely," Sorcerer told his twin. "But I will die before I let this fool beat me. Magic Augmentation! Level SEVEN!!" his voice shouted over the desolate wasteland that was this lifeless Earth. "Five seconds," he said before launching at Assassin once more. Frederic grinned, and black ki welled up around him as he blasted at Assassin.
Assassin countered, being driven backward by the ferocious onslaught of the two Phalanxes, literally fighting for sanity and their lives. Assassin countered with the two knives, forcing the two Phalanxes to use their daggers once more. Now they were prepared, however, and managed to at least stand their ground against Assassin. For long minutes the battle raged on, speeds now reaching the level where the fighters were totally invisible to the normal human vision.
Assassin once more broke through the two's defenses, and managed to get them away from himself. Instead of killing them, he had felt the need to get them away from himself.
"You're a lot stronger than you were last time," he addressed Sorcerer. "And you…I don't know what happened to you to make you so strong."
"I have cleared the path of the Universal Savior," Frederic grunted. He was glad that Assassin was talking instead of fighting…he desperately needed to get his bearings back. He knew Sorcerer felt the same. Neither Phalanx knew that Assassin needed it too.
"We're still not strong enough," Sorcerer grunted as he fell down to his knees. "I can't maintain it long enough. My body can't handle the stress."
"Love…" Jennifer whispered to Frederic, who was by her side in no time. "King…Kai…" Jennifer whispered. Frederic stared at her in total shock. "You can't be serious, Love," Frederic whispered. The look in Jennifer's eyes convinced him she was most definitely serious.
"Sorc, come here," Frederic shouted. Sorcerer, never hearing anyone call him by the abbreviation of his name, curiously walked over. His body was sore all over, and even walking was drawing more energy than he liked.
"Listen, I don’t want this, and I'm sure that you don’t want to do it either. But, we need to get this ass killed, and we need to do it now," Frederic said.
"Want what?" Sorcerer asked.
"I was taught a trick by a master from the path of the Savior. It's called the 'fusion dance'. It allows for two warriors to fuse, and become one fighter. All abilities and techniques are fused, as well as the power levels. Then, as the fusion is complete, it adds more power because of this fusing of abilities."
"You want to become one?" Sorcerer asked in shock. "You trust me that far?"
"We don’t retain anything. When we break apart, we will both know what we did, but not how we did it. The problem is, the dance only works of people with comparable power levels. As such, we will both need to power own, so we're both normal… then we're almost fully alike, and the dance is sure to work."
Sorcerer glanced at Assassin, who was still watching the small group with keen interest. Because they were whispering, Sorcerer was sure that Assassin couldn't hear their conversation. Sorcerer closed his eyes, and nodded. "I'm game. We need to kick his ass."
"Right. Give me your hand," Frederic said, standing up. the two warriors executed the fusion dance, Sorcerer having received its details in a burst telepathic transmission mere moments before. When the two pushed the tops of their heads together, a white flash surrounded them.
Assassin gasped, his eyes wide. "Who the fuck are you?" he shouted.
"I am Sorceric," the man said, crossing his arms. Because Frederic and Sorcerer had nearly identical voices, Sorceric's voice remained more or less normal. There was a strange echo to it, but that was all. Sorceric looked like Frederic, too. Not difficult to contemplate since he was a fusion of two dimensional twins.
Sorceric balled his hands. The ground around him exploded into a raging inferno of Alter Energy, swirling around him like a tornado. In the midst of this, Sorceric stood, perfectly still, an eerie look of inner peace on his face. Suddenly, the tornado collapsed, dumping all the Alter Energy on the body of the man in the center. Within two seconds, Sorceric was dressed in a golden Alter Armor, reaching from his neck down to the tips of his fingers and his toes. The armor glowed in a soft, golden hue which gave the warrior a lot of ‘knight in shining armor’ quality.
There was no helmet. Apparently, there was no need for one.
"Magic Augmentation level six," Sorceric shouted. Magic flames welled up along his body. There was no warning message in his mind. "Level Seven," he added. The flames intensified. Still, there was no warning message. "Level eight," Sorceric said, testing. Again, the flames intensified. There was still no warning message.
"Magic Augmentation, level Nine!" Sorceric shouted. Now there was a message. Content with level eight for now, Sorceric powered down. Assassin smirked at the man, who obviously didn't know how far his new body could take him, and was testing every step of the way. Sorceric stared back with an icy glare. He clenched his fists. Green ki erupted long his body. Assassin's eyes went wide. Green ki turned red. Assassin gasped.
"Impossible! That's impossible! Going Super won't raise your power higher!"
Red ki turned purple, and Super-3 level 8 Sorceric smirked back at Assassin. "Magic raised my basic power level. Now Ki will multiply it. To 40,000% normal!" Sorceric added the last part as his purple ki turned black. Super-4 level 8 Sorceric stared at Assassin, who now looked a whole lot less comfortable. Sorceric crouched, and pushed his two hands together at his hips.
"Magic-boosted telekinetically enhanced Super Bolt!" Sorceric shouted. Assassin ducked. The Bolt tracked him. Assassin transported. Sorceric transported the Super Bolt. The planet shook as it hit the unsuspecting Assassin in his back.
Sorceric stared at the smoke and dust, waiting patiently at his maximum power for the debris to settle and the smoke to clear. The pressure of the explosion had created a massive pressure front, and a tornado was now sucking the air clear of debris and smoke.
Assassin stumbled out of the smoke, limping dramatically. Blood was spurting out of his nose and mouth, as well as from numerous cuts all over his body. he fell forward, and tried to push himself up. His battered body couldn't sustain it, and he fell down once more.
Suddenly, a vortex opened, and a figure dressed in a black robe emerged from it. It was a woman, about 1.65 meters tall.
"Failure means death," she addressed Assassin, held up her hand, and vaporized him with a single blast from her hand. Sorceric stared at the small woman, unsure of what to do. His uncertainty kept him at full power. The next thing he knew, the woman was standing next to the women.
"Get away from them!" Sorceric shouted, launching at the unknown woman. The woman held her hands above the two women, and Sorceric grinded to a halt. He knew that a blast would vaporize them. Instead, the women were teleported away.
"In forty-eight hours, you will come here once more. If not, your women will be destroyed." With those words, the woman disappeared. A sigil remained on the ground.
"Destroyers…" Sorceric muttered. It was the last thing he would mutter, as he broke apart once more.
******
Day five, 1145 hours Universe 702 Digital time, location: unknown sparsely forested meadow.
"What the fuck is that?" David exclaimed as Durumon digivolved to Raptormon. It was about two and a half meters tall, was ochre in color, and still had the 'dinosaur' look to it.
"That's Piedmon," Jessie told her brother as she glanced at the data pad. "But I don't know what a 'mega' level Digimon is." Vogumon went to Dragomon. It was gray and black in appearance, still with the black bone armor on its head. It was based on the Western dragon, complete with strong head, and the spike on the tip of its tail. Two powerful wings gave the creature its air-borne capabilities.
"Mega?" David asked.
"Later," Tai said. The other digimon digivolved as well, reaching their Ultimate levels. All but Agumon and Gabumon, Tai's and matt's Digimon. David and Jessie were shocked when a stronger, more blinding light engulfed the two digimon.
"Agumon warp-digivolves to… WarGreymon!" Agumon, the small orange digimon become a warrior, standing like a human being. He had a shell on his back, and his forepaws were equipped with what looked like spiked gloves. Armor covered the digimon's body and legs.
"Gabumon warp-digivolves to…MetalGarurumon!" Gabumon, the blue and yellow digimon became a wolf-like digimon, with a pair of metal yellow wings on his back. he wolf was entirely covered in metal armor.
"Now what?" David whispered to his sister.
"More mega-levels," Jessie whispered back. "I think we'll need to talk when this fight is over."
"I still can't believe that's a mega-level," David said, pointing at Piedmon. "I mean, look at him. He's dressed, and made-up, like a jester."
"But he caries four swords on his back," Jessie countered. "Which leads me to believe that he know how to handle four swords."
"True, true…"David whispered. As Piedmon and the ten digimon exchanged blows, David couldn't help but analyze the fight, and the fact that the eight Ultimate digimon were more or less useless against Piedmon. Only the two megas seemed to be able to inflict any damage. Finally, the digidestined managed to destroy the evil Piedmon. Before dying, he shouted, "MegaDetrumon!!!" as if he were begging for his life.
"Strange. I wonder who that is," David said.
"So do I," Jessie said, and turned to Tai. "Care to let us in on what happened to your digimon?"
"Yeah. How come we weren't told there are higher levels?" David asked Durumon, who looked uncomfortable.
"Because we didn't know about it?" Durumon ventured.
Meanwhile, tai explained the mega-levels to Jessie. "It was this legend Jennai sent us. Basically, we had Kari and T.K.'s Digimon shoot me and Matt. This forced our digimon to go Mega."
"Why?" Jessie asked. "Why those digimon?"
"Well, Kari's my sister. T.K.'s Matt's brother. I don’t know why, but the legend said that only the digimon of those we love would do the trick."
Jessie looked at David. Instantly, she transferred what she had heard while David was talking to Durumon. David relayed his conversation to Jessie.
"So, if we had Raptormon shoot me…," Jessie began.
"And Dragomon shoot me, we should…"David continued.
"Get them to the next level," Jessie finished. The other kids stared at one another, speechless.
"Hey, now wait a minute!" Vogumon shouted. "That is so NOT going to happen! NO way am I going to shoot at someone I should be helping to protect!"
"Yeah, ditto!" Durumon exclaimed.
"Fine," Jessie said. "Then we'll order you to do it."
"You can't be serious," Vogumon pleaded. "No way am I going to shoot David… what if something goes wrong? I mean, my Fire Scream will turn him in beef flambé à la Dragomon."
Jessie sighed. "Remember your promise." Vogumon sighed.
"And my Claw Rocket will turn Jess into shish kebab," Durumon grunted.
"Wait a minute," Matt interrupted finally. "What makes you so sure that it will work for you?"
"Woman's intuition?" Jessie asked.
"Gut feeling?" David added.
"You can't be serious!" Tai exclaimed. "It's not necessary now, and you'd be risking your lives!"
"We've been risking our lives since we got here," David said, shrugging. Jessie nodded in agreement. She turned to Vogumon.
"I will ask you one final time. Will you do it, or do I have to order you to do it?"
Vogumon sighed, and looked at the ground. "I'll do it," he said. "But under protest."
"Yeah, me too," Durumon said.
"Great!" David said, smiling broadly. He and Jessie stood right next to each other, facing the digimon. "Ready, Sis?"
"Oh, yeah, Bro. I'll be turned into shish kebab."
"Beats being beef flambé à la Dragomon," David quipped.
"Now don't you start!" Jessie exclaimed, smiling at her brother.
"So you've made up your minds about this?" Tai asked one final time.
"Yes," David answered. Durumon and Vogumon shared one last glance before they digivolved into Raptormon and Dragomon. Dragomon aimed at David, while Raptormon got Jessie in his sights. Then, both digimon hesitated.
"Do it," Jessie said, steeling herself.
"Fire," David said, bracing himself as well. Dragomon took in a sharp breath, and fired. Raptormon did the same as he shot his Claw Rockets at Jessie. The attacks hit simultaneously. The energy surged through the digivices and the crests into the Digimon, who screamed out.
"Raptormon warp-digivolves to…MegaRaptormon!" MegaRaptormon was identical to Raptormon, apart from being a lot taller, and the dark brown bony ridges that now crossed his body like some kind of chain mail.
"Dragomon warp-digivolves to MegaDragomon!" MegaDragomon was larger still then Dragomon, now sporting the bony armor all over his body, as well as some kind of bony protrusion on his beak.
"Now this feel nice!" MegaRaptormon exclaimed.
"Powerful," MegaDragomon exclaimed. the next moment, the digimon's energy ran out. they digivolved back to Baymon and Bémon.
"Well, now that we've got that," Jessie said, smiling, "we can move on."
"Yeah. We have to find this MegaDetrumon," David agreed, holding Baymon in his arms as Jessie held on to Bémon.
******
Day Five, 1200 hours Universe 704 Island of Ages time, location:
How long Daphnix had been on the ground, lost in total despair, he didn't know. What he did know was that some time during his ordeal, his keen instincts warned him something was amiss. He opened his eyes, dreading to see what was outside the safety of the darkness. The same grayish fog was still all around him. Shivering, Daphnix closed his eyes once more.
"Why, Fred? Why?" he muttered. "I thought we were the best of friends…"
Again, his instincts warned him. On a hunch, Daphnix rolled aside, and heard a sword strike at the ground, where he had just been. Jumping up, forgetting his despair, Daphnix attacked the caped and masked figure. He jumped at the figure, grabbed the sword, pulled it right from the figure's hands, and used it against its owner.
Suddenly, Daphnix found himself surrounded by a dozen of the same figures. Scanning his surroundings, forgetting his despair, Daphnix poised himself for battle. He jumped over a figure that attacked low, and immediately after ducked under a high attack of a second figure. Daphnix's captured sword plunged down, and stabbed through the first figure. It vanished. Daphnix then stabbed the second figure without even seeing the first one disintegrate. The second figure disintegrated as well.
"You're weak, D," Frederic said, suddenly standing behind the figures, looking at the fight. "Look at you. Almost got yourself killed in your own despair."
For some reason, it struck down into the depths of Daphnix's core. The figures approached him, and the first one to reach him could just take the sword out of Daphnix's hands. The next moment, Daphnix was pushed against a wall, the figures making progress to stab him.
"No," he whispered weakly. "I don’t want to die…"
"Begging for your life now, are you?" Frederic taunted. "Fine Beg. Be weak. You will not be my friend!"
Something snapped in Daphnix. He looked up at Frederic, and grunted, "Frederic would never say that. Why I didn't see clear up until now, I don't know, but you are NOT Fred!" In a burst of anger, Daphnix managed to turn Super, even in this low-power environment. The figures were quickly dispatched of. "Now, as for you, you lying bastard…"
The false Frederic disappeared, and Daphnix could see the fog lift.
******
Day Five, 1200 hours Universe 704 Island of Ages time, location:
Ami was still on the floor, rolled into a ball, crying. Her body shook under the influence of the powerful sobs.
"How could I be so stupid?" she cried through her tears. "How could I think…" the rest of her sentence was lost in a powerful sob. When Ami heard a sharp swish she looked up, just in time to see a sword plunging down toward her. She rolled aside on pure instinct, but just wasn't fast enough. The sword made a gash in her side.
"I thought this was supposed to be non-lethal," Ami muttered as blood poured form the wound. She wasn't surprised the wound didn't heal. With sad eyes, she looked up at the figure holding the sword. She could see the small streak of her blood on the blade.
"It doesn't matter," Ami whispered, bowing her head. "Kill me."
The figure stared at her, and Ami knew it. "I can't go on. Not without D…" the figure raised the sword, clearly aiming for the girl's neck.
"D…" Ami whispered, and her mind took her back, away from this horrible place with the gray mist and the figure with the sword. She thought back to the Ortega, all the good times she had experienced with Daphnix, the kids, Frederic, and Jennifer. Ami rolled aside the moment the blade came whooshing down.
"D would never say those things," Ami said, getting up. "I should have known! Queen Beryl tried to do the same with Usagi and Mamoru!" Her blue eyes were shooting fire. "You played with my feelings, and I fell for it. You took my insecurities and abused them!" Ami's quiet and shy personality hid itself completely now. Out came the Master Slayer, the warrior, the girl that was a full member of the Ortega crew, and would eventually go vampire slaying with them.
Since she had no weaponry of her own in the cave, Ami jumped at the figure. She slammed into him, making him grunt as he hit the cave wall with full force. She took his sword, and beheaded the caped and masked figure.
She had to take care of a few other figures as she could feel the exit not far away. When the mist lifted, she could see the figure of Daphnix emerging from the mist. She threw herself at him, dropping the blade in the process.
******
Day Five, 1300 hours Universe 704 Island of Ages time, location:
"So, this is it," Daphnix said as he and Ami entered the temple, and the heavy doors sealed shut behind them.
"The temple," Ami whispered.
"How's the wound coming?" Daphnix asked. He had gotten no answer concerning the fact that immortality seemed to be deactivated here as well.
"Almost healed," Ami answered, looking at the small read line on her right side.
"I'm glad," Daphnix answered. He and Ami had talked for quite a
large amount of time about what happened in the
"Now, where do we go?"
"Straight ahead would be a good way to start," Daphnix suggested. Ami nodded, and together, they started walking down the main hallway. Inside, there were also two perpendicular halls, one going left and one going right.
They had been walking for five minute when an arrow shot from a hidden launch-site in the left wall. It barely missed Ami.
"No traps, huh? I wonder what other lies the Gods have pinned on our sleeves," Daphnix grunted as he examined the crossbow bolt. "This thing is deadly."
Ami couldn't agree more.
******
Day Five, 1330 hours Universe 576 Japanese Time, location: Phalanx Star Ship Ortega, holographic training facility.
"Listen, pal. We've got 48 hours to get ourselves even stronger," Frederic grunted at his companion. Both had taken a Senzu bean to heal up, and Frederic had deactivated his nanoprobes, to avoid them taking him over forever. They had also taken some rest. They needed it after the battle with Assassin.
"Why? We defeated Assassin, we can beat her," Sorcerer said, smiling.
"She finished him off with a single blast," Frederic grunted.
"After we softened him up for her," Sorcerer interjected.
"Somehow, I doubt that even a full-power Assassin would be able to hold her off."
Sorcerer nodded. "It's scary, but I agree with you. So, what can we do? Except train in higher and higher gravities?"
"Do you remember Sorceric?" Frederic asked.
"I do," Sorcerer answered, looking uncomprehending at his counterpart.
"What if we could become TWO Sorcerics?"
"HOW?" Sorcerer asked, before a light went on in his head. "We train each other… you teach me that Ki-stuff and the Alter thing, and I teach you evolved combat magic."
"Glad to see that your mind hasn't died off completely from lack of use," Frederic grunted. "I hate to be doing this, but for Jenny, I would make a pack with the Destroyers themselves if I knew it would bring her back safely."
"I know," Sorcerer said. "I feel the same. But, I agree. I don't like the idea of teaching you either."
"But think of the consequences of merging THEN…" Frederic said. Sorcerer's eyes went large, and a whistle of appreciation escaped his lips.
"Powerful. Very powerful."
"Hopefully powerful enough to handle a high-class Destroyer."
Sorcerer couldn't but agree with that statement.
******
Day five, 1600 hours Universe 702 Digital time, location: sparse forest.
"We're going to
"We found Devimon there," Izzy said. "It would be the most logical choice to start looking."
"I would have to agree," David said, looking away from the mountain, shaking off his imagination, and the fact that it made the mountain seem more and more demonic with every second he looked at it.
Suddenly, Tai halted at a strange screen, hidden in some bushes.
"A TV?" Joe asked.
"Cool! A TV!" T.K. exclaimed, trying to reach forward and get some program form the blank screen.
"What is a TV doing here, hidden in those bushes?" David asked. Jessie, meanwhile, had replaced T.K. at trying to get the screen to work. It flashed to life, and the digidestined gasped at the suddenness of it.
"Uncle D…" Jessie and David said at the same time.
"Where is he?" David asked. "And why is he on the floor?"
"What's the mist?" Jessie asked. Everyone stared at the figure of Daphnix, on the floor, crying.
"What's wrong with him?" David asked again. "Why is he crying like that?" Both kids were confused, as well as worried. When the figure loomed over him, starting to stab his sword at the defenseless man, the picture stopped.
"Fuck!" David screamed. "Get it back!"
"I'm trying!" Jessie shouted back. The picture returned, showing only a clear floor. "What happened to him?" Jessie asked to herself.
David could only shake his head. "I hope he's alright…" he whispered to his sister, holding her close to him. She buried her face against his chest.
"Jess… look," David whispered. Jessie looked at the screen, seeing Ami in an even worse condition.
"She's a Slayer," Jessie muttered. "I can feel her power…and her despair."
"I know. I could feel Uncle D's as well… What is happening here?"
"I don’t know," Jessie whispered. She gasped, and averted her gaze when a similar figure loomed over Ami, and stabbed her. This time, the picture didn't die out, but showed Ami bleeding before cutting off. Jessie could feel the tension going through David's body. By the time she looked, the screen was blank. At her question of what happened, David just locked his gaze with hers. Jessie cried as her face buried against David's chest once more.
A single picture, showing the bloodied floor, returned moments later. David and Jessie both saw it before it cut off.
"The gods… I think the Gods are showing us what's happening outside," David grunted. "We can feel them…maybe it's a dimensional gateway."
"No. No, it can't be. This isn't real. No way would Uncle D be in such bad shape. Impossible. Nothing could do that to him," Jessie said, convinced.
When the screen showed a third picture, the twins got silent.
"Daddy," Jessie whispered. "Mom…"
"Sorcerer?" David asked, confused.
"What is that? Who are they fighting?" Jessie asked, seeing the large man with the knives.
"I don’t know… " David whispered when he saw his father get knocked down, as well as Sorcerer, he clenched his eyes shut. Again, both twins could feel their father's feelings, and what they were feeling filled them with dread: rage, anger, and…fear. Fear for his life, and fear for the life of Jennifer.
When they saw the Evil Blade hurt their father and Sorcerer, the picture cleared, and the twins gaped at the dark screen.
"No!" David shouted. His fist shattered the screen.
"It's not real," Jessie said, beginning to laugh. "It can't be real. No way would Daddy loose to some bad guy. He's too strong."
"We could both feel him," David said. "It was real," he whispered. "The Gods must be trying to show us what is happening on the outside…"
"Gods? No, it's some bad guy trying to play tricks on our minds. Well, it isn't working!"
"Jess, you're in denial! You know that was real as much as I do. And as much as denying what happened would be a comfort to us, we can't! we have to accept it! D and Ami are dead! So are Mom and Dad!"
Jessie slapped him. "NO!" she screamed, her voice piercing the air. "They're NOT dead! They're alive!"
"You felt them as well as I have, Jess! We felt them die!"
"It's a trick! It's a trick!" she said, tears flowing. "It can't be real. And you have to believe that!"
David closed his eyes, clenching them shut. Tears flowed out of his eyes as well. "It's all up to us now… we're the only ones left." His forced himself to ignore his emotions.
Jessie flung at him. "No! They're all alive! You're such an ass sometimes! They're alive!! Alive!"
David threw her off him. "Get it through your thick skull! We saw them die!" David's eyes were red with tears, which were making a puddle at his feet. "As much as I want you to be right, the Gods wouldn't show this to us otherwise…"
"Gods, smods! You're too trusting!"
"Fine. If that's how you're going to be, than you can bitch all you want. You'll accept the truth when you're ready for it." David started to turn around.
"Huh! At least I know the truth, you stupid ass!"
David's half-turned form turned back to his sister. "Bitch!" he shouted
"Asshole!"
"Paranoid nag!"
"Oooh!" Jessie grunted. "I hate you, David Lonandram Driavezst Fromthefield!"
"You can hate me all you want, Jessica Urrab N'yckei Fromthefield, but I'm all you've got."
"I'll tell daddy the next time I see him!" she threatened.
"You'll have to find his corpse first," David shouted back, not caring how much he hurt his sister. He knew only that he was hurting, and that she was making it worse. With those final words, he ran out on the group, directly into the forest. He crashed barely a few dozen meters into the forest, sitting on the ground, supported by a tree, crying.
He had no idea how long he sat there. All he knew was that he was broken. All his defenses, his emotions, everything had been ripped to shreds. He had lost his sister as well as his family. For the first time, David felt alone, a sensation he never thought he would feel. When he felt a hand on his shoulder, it took him all his strength to look up.
"Kari…" he whispered. The eight-year-old smiled at him.
"You really hurt her feelings, you know," Kari whispered.
"So did she," David whispered back. "They're dead, Kari… dead. All of them. And now, I've lost Jess… I'm alone," he looked down at the ground. "Truly alone."
"You've got friends here," Kari said, sitting down next to him. "Me, Tai, the others…"
David shook his head sadly. "What if I have to leave here? All we had was one another… sure, there's my aunt, and the Slayers all over the universes, and Gods know, the ESMF… but they're not my family."
Kari had no idea what to say. "Come on," she finally said. "Let's go back to group. I'm sure they're worried about us. Maybe you'll feel better in the group."
David just shrugged. Now that the pressure was off, his emotions had been buried once again. He wouldn't let Jessie see how much she had hurt him. Back at the campsite, Jessie promised herself the same thing. She wouldn't let David see how much he had hurt her.