MPC 67-B/C/X "Zhroud"
Oct 20, 2019 14:39:44 GMT
Post by Zachary "Zaber" Scryer on Oct 20, 2019 14:39:44 GMT
MPC Name: Negative Morality, Butterfly Effect, I am the Shadow, THe True Self.
MPC No.: 67 B. 67 C, 67 X (65A)
Reward Requested: Posts X 2, Bits
The latest journey into the Digital World was supposed to be another journey to explore the mysterious it had. Zachary, still feeling like he was out of touch with the rest of this ‘Tamer experience’ wanted to try and be a bit more bold. BUt he had encountered complicated situations up to now-- enemies within rather than without. His own Digimon, born from his own inner darkness, dreams and imagination-- was the greatest companion Zachary could ever hope for. However, there were times when the darker parts of his persona would emerge, becoming a powerful, dangerous force that was not part of his normal evolution. Maloleomon… being one such example. Little did he know how much that darkness would evolve in another world.
“Zachary? Zachary!” Panthermon called to him.
He blinked, looking at his Digivice and lost in his own head as he turned to Panthermon. The two were in front of an old computer repair shop. The street was empty and left a decent area for them to travel to and from the Digital World. It was located in an ally so no one would notice. Panthermon stood before him, waiting for him to open a Digital Gate for them to jump into. “Are we going today or not? “ the jungle cat asked with a touch of impatience.
Zachary shook his head, trying to sort out his own conflicts. “I’m sorry, Panthermon. I’m good. Just thinking about stuff…” he replied.
“I know you got a big mind, but think too much and you may hurt yourself,” the cat said. “Anyway we should move quickly-- before someone comes.”
“Yeah, sorry…” Zachary said as he held out his Digivice. A few beeps could be heard-- and the screen in the window lit up with static-- then light. A hole in the space before them appeared, revealing the digital matrix of the veil between the human and digital worlds. “Let’s go.” he said calmly and jumped in. Panthermon quickly followed-- and the hole closed up.
The tunnel through the gate sped them forward and everything seemed ‘normal’...
… till there was a loud sound, a crash of static, and the movement of the tunnel paused-- like a computer freezing. Zachary and Panthermon were suspended in mid-air, unmoving through the rift for a sudden, as if they froze in place.
“Huh?! What is this?” Panthermon growled, looking around.
Energy crackled through their field of vision-- and suddenly, rifts of darkness opened up in front of them and spread-- easily sucking them and sending them forward.
“What’s going on!!?” Zachary shouted as he and Panthermon were sucked in-- sent somewhere else.
***
THUD!!
Zachary landed on his back and Panthermon on top of him, the heavy jungle cat crushing him against his weight. “Ow, Panthermon…” Zachary grumbled.
“Oh, sorry,” Panthermon said, having landed on his feet and quickly pounced off his partner. Zachary felt dizzy as he sat up on the concrete. Something strange happened, but he couldn't piece it together. As he looked around-- he was in the same street. It seemed slightly darker, overcast almost. The air felt warmer as he rose up and looked around. The street was just as darker as it had been, devoid of any real presence or people. “What the heck happened in there?” Zachary asked. “DId the Digital Gate kick us out or something?”
“I don’t know…” Panthermon growled as he looked around. He now crouched a bit as he peered to the ends of the alleyways. “Something feels… off about this.”
A siren sounded in the distance and things seemed darker. A strange sense of quiet was in the city of Shibuya and it was unsettling. Unable to contain either of their curiosity, Zachary and Panther ventured to the end of the alley.
They soon entered the open area of the street, but was greeted to see it like a disaster zone. Broken cars were parked around the area, litter and vandalized street equipment was everywhere. Not only was the sky now cloudy, opposed to when they left moments ago. Not a single person was in sight, evacuated. Zachary’s eyes widened at the destruction that occurred. One minute, everything was fine, the next Tokyo was trashed.
“What the hell….?” Zachary breathed, his stomach started to feel sick at the sight of what happened. “I mean seriously, what the hell?!” he outright shouted as he looked around.
Panthermon was just as alarmed, if a bit more quiet. The panther didn’t even turn invisible as no one was around but he let out a growl and prowled around Zachary, trying to spot anything significant beyond the obvious. The sheer environment felt wrong, like their very perspective was twisted around. “I don’t know-- how would I know? I’m just as confused as you are….” the panther growled.
Zachary quickly ran back to the same store he had entered from to enter the digital world-- but it was shut down. Not a single screen was lit-- so he was even more confused. He then ran back to the street, looking around. “Okay, this is just wrong. I mean, this is the real world right? “
“I… I think so,” Panthermon replied, “Sure feels like it. Smells like it. Beyond the extra aroma of smoke. ”
However a loud caw soon caught their ears as they looked up among the buildings. Out showing briefly from view was a Saberdramon-- the black flamed beast flying off elsewhere to do something other less than savory in the human world. Zachary’s face tightened at the sight of the Digimon, perplexed even more. “What is a digimon like that doing here?! “
Panthermon paused as he gave this some thought. “Could this possibly be a Digital Shift? Like back in the museum? “ the cat asked.
“The entire size of shibuya? I know Digital Shifts are scary powerful but I never heard anything like this,” Zachary said as he checked his cell phone. This time, he had reception, and the date and time was the same-- exactly as they left. “Time hasn’t changed, this is Shibuya but… jeez… this makes no sense…” he breathed, feeling the stress get to him.
Despite the panic in his partner’s mind and voice, the cat tried to keep cool and looked around. “We need more information before we jump to conclusions. Let’s keep to the shadows and investigate a bit more of the city. Try to avoid any interactions…” Panthermon replied. With that, the panther digimon soon faded from view, becoming invisible to stalk among the street unseen.
***
The first sight Zachary saw was something at a nearby bus stop. The thin television built into the vestibule showed the news, and read out the headlines. “Tokyo is still in a state of turmoil as these creatures have begun taking territory within the different wards. Shibuya is completely inaccessible, and military have been pressed due to the nature and size of the creatures. Major tenant communities have been evacuated. At this time, we cannot be sure if this is a paranormal phenomenon or a deliberate attempt. Meanwhile, communications have become disrupted which is hindering emergency services from taking action in areas with these creatures around… “ As the news woman spoke, pictures of Digimon causing trouble, rampaging and even pillaging ran amok on the screens. Majority was mostly nightmare soldiers, with a few other types running around.
Zachary looked at the screen and saw the fires that kindled across old trash bins, wrecked cars and broken roads. Even an overpass collapse. What few people he did find quickly ran away.
“I’m starting to think we are not in Kansas anymore…” Zachary replied running a hand through his hair, “This is all too spread out and consistent to be a Digital Shift. So unless I am dreaming, this is some twisted, freaking reality we smacked into. “
“THat might be more on point than you think,” Panthermon replied via their telepathy.
“What do you mean?” Zachary asked.
Panthermon was now atop one of the buildings, keeping an eye on his partner from above. “Think about it. A digital shift is a parallel space, and the Digital World is another plane of existence-- a separate world parallel to Earth. If that is the case, isn’t it possible for a parallel world to exist where the real world is… “ he paused as he saw the view from his perch. The city as far as he could see was little more than a slum, with smoke going up into the overcast sky. “Well… this.” he answered.
“If you tell me we are stuck here, I think I’m going to smack myself with a brick,” Zachary replied with a groan.
“Quit dramatizing. We don’t know anything yet. For all we know, if we return to the Digital Gate, it may very well send us back to our own universe,” the cat countered.
“Or, to a Digital World just as ****ed up…”
“Either way, Tokyo is still Tokyo pretty much. Let’s start by going to Central Shibuya. We might be able to find some clues around the train station where the Trailmon are. Maybe they know a way to get back since they travel between worlds easier. They may even know about all this.”
Zachary took a deep breath as he realized his partner had a point. If some sort of Digital Distortion caused the Digital Gate to bugg up-- it was possible this was a result. After a quick look around, he made his way towards the station. “Good idea, Panthermon. I’m sorry for wigging out like this.”
“Trust me, your not alone in that feeling…” Panthermon soon joined his partner, hopping the rooftops in pursuit, but kept invisible-- in case other Digimon might spot him from the air or on other buildings.
***
Zachary kept a swift move on his feet, only stopping every so often to keep his energy. He moved from what safe alleyways he could find and cover as to not get caught up in any trouble. As they got close to the SHibuya Scramble-- he could see the station nearby… however, the cry from someone caught their attention.
At the far end of the street, they found a woman being chased down the street by a few Gazimon-- hopping and chasing her as she ran screaming for her life. Alarmed, Zachary looked to her with determination. “Panthermon!” he shouted.
The jaguar, however, was already on the move. “I know-- I’m on it!” he replied telepathically. The cat quickly hopped from one ledge of a building to the next. In a matter of seconds, just as the woman would turn a corner-- Panthermon pounced, catching the evil rabbits as they were chasing her.
“Are you alright?” Panthermon called to the woman. However…
“ AAAAGH!!” the woman screamed at the sight of the cat. Even more frightened than she was at the rabbits. Alarmed, she ran off down the street, hopefully somewhere safe but either way-- Panthermon blocked the Gazimon from following her.
“Well, that was a bit hurtful…” Panthermon growled, perplexed why she would scream to the cat that saved her. He then turned and cast a growl to the chasing Gazimon-- but even more to his confusion, the two rabbits stopped and looked to him with a mix of surprise and confusion. “Get away from her!” he demanded.
“Gah-- Y,you! “ One of the Gazimon gasped and backed off. Just as Panthermon was about to deliver a swipe of his claws-- the Gazimon lowered his head . “S-sorry boss!”
“Oh, did you want to catch that human yourself? SOrry!” the other one said, “We were just messin around with it.”
Panthermon stopped, confused but didn’t answer back. By then, Zachary had joined his side. “Get out of here!” he shouted to the Gazimon, looking annoyed and ready to back up his partner.
What was even more surprising that moment, the Gazimon looked up to Zachary with even more concern.
“Gah!” the other Gazimon said and covered his head with his paws. “Gah! M-Master, we're sorry! Did we displease you!” the first one gasped.
“Y-Yeah, we were just doing what you ordered us to. Scary humans silly and stuff. Please don’t be mad!” the other said.
Zachary couldn’t control the desire to almost fall over, now very confused to his already crashing sanity with this alternate version of Tokyo they were stuck in. Digimon ran rampant, but now these two were sucking up to him as if he was some mafia boss.
“What are you--”
“Zachary wait!”The telepathic message came from Panthermon and Zachary paused, hearing him in his mind. “Do not react. These creatures, for whatever reason, seem to know us and submit to us as if we are someone else. While I am as shocked as you, it is in our best interest to play along. Just take a breath and play the role they ask. They are our lakies, it seems. “
Zachary glanced at Panthermon from behind, hearing him growl and crouch low to the ground as if ready to pounce.
“You, miserable mongrels thinking? Scary some girl around? You call that causing chaos?!” Zachary scowled, his hands now in his coat in a ‘cool guy’ attitude. “I give you two a simple job, and you screw that up too! Use your brains, before I have Panthermon make a meal out of them.” he scowled. He didn’t anticipate his wording to be so vivid but it did make the Gazimon quiver a bit.
However, things began to become a bit more complicated. As they stood there, more Digimon began to appear. The cry of the Saberdramon cried out as it landed within the ruined crossing, flapping its flaming black wings. As it did, more creatures began to emerge. Demidevimon fluttered out from the alleyways and from the shadows came Dracmon and their nightmare soldier types, of several kinds. They seemed drawn out and began to surround Zachary and Panthermon.
“Forgive us, Master. We won’t disappoint you. Do you have new orders for us?” the Gazimon said humbly.
Zachary glanced around, seeing how all of them now gazed to him and his partner with a mix between compliance and admiration.
“Stand down for now,” Panthermon said on Zachary’s behalf. “Continue to keep an eye on things, including at the city border. If you find humans trying to enter the city, military… make their job difficult.” It seemed Panthermon too was capable of playing the ‘bad guy’ too.
“Heh! No problem,” A Demi-devimon said with a prideful sneer and flapped in place. “These humans are pushovers. We won’t let you down boss and--”
SHRINK!! Crash! The sudden flash of steel shot right through the Demi-devimon in an instant, scattering him into bits of data. The other Digimon reacted with shock, as now a large sword had lodged itself into the concrete before Zachary and Panthermon.
They turned around-- and Zachary and Panthermon looked to see a shadow emerge from the flames of a burning building. It said nothing but growl as he walked forward, and soon appeared to be a lionine like creature.
One with dark black fur and markings on his body, a thick head of fur/mane. He stepped in among the group of Digimon, and glared at Zachary and his partner… only then did they get a realization who and what it was.
Before them was none other than Maloleomon-- the Digimon form Panthermon transformed into.
“M-Maloleomon!” Zachary gasped, and Panthermon growled, shocked to say the least.
“Idiots… All of you!” the lion roared glaring a death stare to the Digimon around them. They shrunk back and stepped away from the three. “You almost took orders from an imposter. Return to what you were doing and continue the raid… unless you wish to face a similar fate.” he said. “I shall deal with these two myself.”
There was a series of murmurs and whispers from the smaller Digimon, and soon they scattered, clearly afraid of the giant dark lion creature. Even the Saberdramon took flight once more, leaving Zachary and Panthermon before the strange doppelganger of Maloleomon.
THe sick feeling returned to Zachary’s stomach as he gripped his Digivice tight, now feeling terrified to face the evil side of Panthermon again, despite that Panthermon was beside him from the start. “Okay… this day just got way more complicated than it already had.” Zachary replied dryly.
“Well this is a surprise,” Maloleomon spoke, a grin on his face as he reached down and pulled his sword with ease from the concrete street. “At first, I thought they mistook me for some other feline Digimon… but you really are ‘me’. I knew I sensed something off.”
“Who or WHAT are you?!” Panthermon demanded with a growl.
“Yeah!” Zachary demanded, “ I know for a fact Maloleomon is a manifestation of my own darkness. How the heck are YOU here like this?”
The lion grinned, flashing his teeth. “Ah, so I am…. But at the same time… I’m not born of YOUR darkness…. “ he replied, keeping his answer cryptic.
Zachary glared at the lion, though unnerved by all that was going on, he couldn’t even start to imagine how this happened. Was this the same Maloleomon inside Panthermon, or some kind of elaborate trick within some freaky Digital Shift looking like a monster infested Shibuya. “I don’t know what is going on… but why? Why are you doing this? Your the ringleader behind this little skirmish into the city and try to take over Tokyo? What the hell!” Zachary shouted, now furious. “They obey you and figure send the world to hell?!”
It was then another sound came from the nearby alleyway. It shifted and it spoke. “No…” a deep, hidden voice spoke out, “He works for me… as do all those Digimon and more. As any tamer should strive for…”
Zachary turned to find the stranger emerged-- and he looked almost human. He was clad head to toe in black, wearing a strange futuristic black shoes and pants, wearing a long black jacket with grey lines running along it. More oddly was the hood he wore, covering his head with a strange ‘mask’ of a ‘digital insignia’ over his face, attached to the hood. Seamless, yet seemed he could see as he approached. At the side of his belt, he wore a black Digivice-- accented with a deep red color to the markings on it.
“Who the hell are you?” Zachary demanded, glaring at the stranger.
Slowly the figure approached, a chuckle escaping. “That’s funny, “ he said as he slowly reached up and removed his hood. He started with the sleeve of the mask-- then the hood itself, tossing it behind his jacket. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
He revealed his face, only to find a grin on it-- as Zachary discovered the person had the same face as he did.
He was frozen, his brain feeling like it cracked from all that was going on here. He raised a hand, pointing at him. “D-D-Dobble--”
“--Ganger” the other Zachary replied cooly.
THe gears began to show very quickly as Zachary started at his black robbed copy, standing there cooly as if all the carnage and chaos around him was commonplace. Even Panthermon was shocked as he struggled to keep his gaze on both the other Maloleomon-- and the evil version of Zachary now addressing his partner. “What the hell is going on here?!” Panthermon finally voiced, his own calm now under pressure.
Malolemon snickered as he looked down at the cat. All the while, Zachary and the other Zachary conversed.
“This isn’t happening here…” Zachary said as he took a step back.
“Oh, but it is Zachary. No reason to freak out. After all, I could tell you were here, the moment you dropped out of the Digital World,” he said calmly gesturing to the air as if it was everywhere around him. “See, like you and your partner… we’re connected. I am you, just as much as you are me?”
Zachary’s shock slowly turned to outrage. “Really?” he asked with sarcastic spite, “Hard to believe I would be this psychotic to cause all this, let alone how!”
“Is that so, Zachary,” he said calmly, hands in his pockets similar to how Zachary did, the smirk on his face almost same as Maloleomon’s. “Come now, we are one and the same. Surely we can just chat like friends, can’t we, Zachary?”
Zachary glared back to his other self with defiance. “That’s Zaber to you!” he snapped.
A chuckle escaped the black Zach as he gestured to his attire and self with a dramatic opening of his arms. “Zhroud,” he stated planeles, as his alias. One suitable to the black cloak and theme he now seemed to resonate with.
Zachary raised a brow at this, “Clever handle, but mine is better!” he retorted.
The other just smiled and looked at Zachary. “I sensed you, Zachary and what you have done,” Zhroud replied, shaking his head a little, “And I have to say I am terribly disappointed.”
“Yeah?” Zachary replied, “I can sympathize, considering what’s worse. That I have an evil look-a-like who destroyed Tokyo or the whole ‘goth-slash-Phantom of the Opera” situation your got going on here.”
“You know why?” Zhroud replied calmly, “Because unlike you, I wasn’t afraid to use the power we had.”
“... Excuse me?” Zachary asked, confused.
The smile faded as he took a step towards Zachary, almost amazed. “You have no idea how powerful you are. Panthermon was born from your own mind, your imagination-- your shadow. A reflection of your boundless imagination and creativity. To project dominion over the darkness, and yet you use it to be a third-rate tamer, when you could be a god. A god with dominion over the very darkness he used to fear.” Zhroud said, with only Zachary glaring back at him.
“You resisted the darkness, but I accepted it. I let it in, and it made me stronger for it. No one, no bully, no adult, no idiot can stand against me now. Wouldn’t you want the same?” he asked.
Zachary didn’t answer, keeping his eyes glued on his evil twin and kept a safe distance between his slow advance.
Zhroud smiled once more. “I could show you how. Why have Panthermon be a guardian of darkness, when he can rule over all of it and every Nightmare Soldier in it? You could be a god. We… could be gods…” he stated.
Zachary turned away for a moment, pacing in a circle as he ran through all this in his already exhausted mind. So many emotions were going through his head he felt a headache coming on. He turned back, looking at him like ZHroud was crazy. “Are you Cloud-city Vadering me right now? “ he responded back, using a Star Wars reference.
A chuckle escaped Zhroud as he heard the reply. “So, what do you say? Do you want to actually know real power, or stay a pathetic shadow of what you could be. ” he replied with a mild threat.
Zachary took a step back, but ended up backing up into the large arm of Maloleomon. The lion growled angrily, adding to the threat ZHroud made.
Zachary glanced at Panthermon, the two in concert in their minds.
“I say…” Zachary replied, “... you’re the pathetic one here.”
“SPIRAL FLAME!!” Panthermon roared, firing a torrent of fire out right for Zhroud in front of him-- directed by Zachary’s mental dialog with him.
However-- in that instant, Maloleomon jumped in-- and let go of Zachary. Using his sword, he angled it against the torrent of flame, protecting Zhroud with ease. THe lion growled as Zachary didn’t move, unphased while Zachary jumped away, getting clear of both of them.
Zhroud shook his head. “Oh, one minor thing you should know, moron,” he mocked, “You and I are the same. So when your talking to your Panthermon, do you really think I can’t hear you either? “ he said casually.
“Panthermon, now!!” Zachary shouted, flashing his Digivice. The light from the device shined, giving the black jaguar power.
“Panthermon, EVOLUTION!!” he roared, the light engulfing him as a digi-egg-- only to explode with a fiery burst, now showing him bigger with a brilliant pair of flaming wings .”Mytholomon!!”
Hovering shortly in the air, Mytholomon flapped his wings and now took the high ground, facing the now dangerous Maloleomon. “I never cared for this form, and never cared for the fact I would hurt Zachary as you… if you really are me, you will stand down!” the noble panther called out to him.
However, the lion just snickered up at him. “Looking at you make me sick to think I could ever be that much of a pussy!” he roared and from his back, he drew his two bone-like daggers.
The black lion lunged to slash into Mytholomon, but the panther flapped his flaming wings, ascending higher and the beast missed him. “RUBY ROAR!!” Mytholomon roared, releasing a beam of red light from his maw. The blast shot and struck Maloleomon in the back, knocking him back to the ground. However, the beast quickly landed and pivoted back, preparing for another assault. Despite the blast, the lion was as resilient as Panthermon was when he was in that state.
“FIST OF THE FALLEN BEAST KING!!” Maloleomon roared, firing a black-energy lion head at the panther. Mytholomon tried to evade, but the blast hit him on its side, sending him flying backwards further into the air.
Zachary grimaced on the ground as he saw his partner get swatted out of the air. A fight in the middle of a ruined Shibuya scramble crossing was the last thing he wanted to do in this nightmare. He soon crossed gazes with his doppelganger, glaring at him from his black coat. “Your partner is nothing compared to mine. Guess his only place was in your imagination after all.”
“Shut up!” Zachary snapped, drawing his Digivice and a card. “Digimodify! Zephyrmon, activate!!” Zachary shouted, swiping a card through his digivice to help his partner.
Mytholomon’s body shifted with the new data, receiving Zephyrmon’s power. Conjuring the power of wind into his flaming wings, he let out a panther’s cry. “Hurricane Gale!!” he roared, launching a great twister of razor sharp wind. The increased pressure was far stronger than a champion and caused Malolemon to brace against the blow.
The card came in handy, but Zachary was now pressed as they couldn’t afford to fight carelessly. With the winds raging, Mytholomon growled as he focused on Zachary with his telepathy. “This is too dangerous. We must escape now. I’ll make a diversion and you head--”
“-- to the train station?” Zhade answered aloud.
Both Zachary and Mytholomon looked to the black look-alike, seeing as he drew up his hood and replaced the mask, his voice now a more ominous tone. “I told you, I can hear you as easily as you two can. And I’m afraid you are not going anywhere.”
Once his mask was one, he raised a hand and snapped his fingers. A sudden caw echoed through the air. “Saberdramon!” he cried.
From the nearby buildings, the flaming black bird came down and swooped in. In one talon it grabbed hold of Zachary before he had the chance to run, while Zhade jumped onto its other talon. In an instant, the bird flew up again, soaring high over the buildings.
By the time Zachary tried to move freely, they were several stories high-- well high over where Maloleomon and Mytholomon fought. Zachary looked in horror as he saw the height, and looked to see his masked doppelganger hanging leisurely from the other talon of the beast. “Don’t look so surprised. We are Digimon Tamers… I tamed them. Another difference between us. Oh and one more thing I should mention… I don’t hesitate to throw cheap shots,” he added, giving a light wave of his hand. “Going down.”
Zachary’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t… “ he gasped, not wishing to believe he would do such a thing…
… and the Saberdramon’s talon opened and let him go.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” Zachary screamed as he fell from the bird.
Hearing the cry in both mind and voice, Mytholomon looked in alarm. “Zachary!!” he roared and flapped his wings hard, soaring upward. The fall lasted a few seconds, any sooner would result in Zachary hitting the ground at over a 100 feet. Luckily, Mytholomon came just in time. With a well placed hit, Zachary landed right on top of Mytholomon’s back, the cat softening his fall and with a well placed flap of his wings.
Zachary huffed and puffed, his breath labored from the fright. He couldn’t believe it. His other self willingly attacked him and even tried to kill him. “I can’t take this…” Zachary gasped, but clung to Mytholomon’s back.
“Zachary, get a hold of yourself!” the panther growled, his eyes now trying to keep track of both Maloleomon below and the Saberdramon above. “This is bad, I know… but we have to press on and focus on our escape. Right now I need that sharp mind of yours… and help me find a way to overpower them.
The cry of the Saberdramon loomed overhead, signaling it was coming soon. As well, Maloleomon recovered and rose up, a dark chilling aura glowing off of him.
“Maloleomon! Slice them to pieces! “ Zhade demanded from above.
It was then that Zachary brought out a second card-- a Devimon card. “Try cutting through this,” Zachary grumbled and slashed it through. “Digi-Modify! Devimon, activate!”
Mytholomon’s form glowed with an ominous black aura, feeling Devimon’s strength flow through him. Once more, he drew his wings back and released a flap. “EVIL TWISTER!!” he roared, creating a violent tornado of air. The wind easily shot up in between them, and easily ascended higher, making Saberdramon have trouble flying easily.
Mytholomon grinned, knowing his master’s keen thinking. “Take this,” the panther replied in telepathy. He soon raised his wings once more. “FIRESTORM!!” The blazing wings now released the fire clinging to them, and threw it into the spinning twister. The tornado coaxed the already violent flames, spreading it far and up into the air, disturbing the flight of the Saberdramon, scaring it off-- and stopping Maloleomon’s advance as he now had his swords in hand.
“Now’s our chance!” Mytholomon roared as he flew right for the entrance of the train station. The moment he touched down, Zachary hopped out and jumped through the now ruined doors to the building. With any luck, they could reach where they had to go. Mytholomon followed in, tucking in his wings to his back as he quickly went inside as well.
Both Maloleomon looked at the wall of swirling fire, as did Zhade from above, Saberdramon now soaring at a high altitude. “Follow them. Now,” Zhade spoke clearly. From his side, he produced the black Digivice he had, causing an ominous black glow to come from it.
Hearing him, Maloleomon snarled angrily and proceeded after them.
***
Zachary and Mytholomon had reached the end of the hall, following the signs that led to different tracks and parts of the station. Shibuya station was a wreck. Some trains remained, others on their side, derailed. Luckily the main hall was still in tact and even power flickered on. With any luck, the ‘elevator’ that led to the trailmon station deep underground would still work.
“We should be close!” Zachary told Mytholomon as he turned a corner.
CRASH!! The smash of glass came overhead, as something new came down overhead. With the same black aura, it was Maloleomon, crouched as he nailed the landing like a superhero-- or supervillain in this case. “You aren’t going anywhere… “ he growled, “Zhade has questions for you two…”
Zachary stopped as they saw him now aglow with power-- receiving energy from his evil doppelganger somewhere. The power continued to grow over panthermon’s evil double as well-- and caused him to change.
“Maloleomon--- Evolution!” he roared, the shadows now causing his already black form to warm-- transforming into something leander, but taller-- taking on a similar black cat look. It soon revealed to be a black furred tiger, with stripes and dressed in a ninja attire, with a crimson scarf around his neck and behind him. “Rakshamon!” The shadows split apart, revealing the new were-tiger in his place, as Panthermon’s dark Ultimate form.
“Oh come on!” Zachary groaned, seeing the tiger block their path. Mytholomon pushed ahead, guarding Zachary.
“Zachary, Do it now!”
Zachary grimaced as he drew another card-- this time a blue one with a digimon logo on it. “Digimodify-- Matrix Digivolution!!”
Mytholomon glowed as his body radiated a mix of light and shadow. “Mytholomon-- Matrix Evolution!” The light soon took shape, turning into a humanoid jaguar of black fur, dressed in aztech shaman clothing and accessories. “Jaguamon!”
The giant panther emerged with a roar and lunged forward at the other cat. The two were in a major cat fight-- the tiger creating weapons and sharp claws out of shadows, while Jaguamon used his own claws of light and darkness.
Despite their speed and unique powers, they were in a senseless stalemate. Taking advantage of the situation, Zachary maneuvered around them and towards the far end of the hall-- where he found the elevator.
“Jaguamon!” Zachary cried as he hit the elevator button. Luckily, it lit up and a whirl of moters kicked in.
The two cats were locked in the claws of darkness, sparks going off around them from the sheer clash of chaotic energies they wielded. However, just then as if the Rakshamon was going to overpower Jaguamon-- darkness swirled below him, and he vanished, teleporting and leaving Rakshamon with nothing.
The ding of the door opening sounded. Just as Zachary stepped inside, shadows rose up from inside the elevator-- and Jaguamon materialized in its place. The instant inside, they hit the basement button and the close button-- to trigger the move to the trailmon station.
Fury showed on Rakshamon’s face as darkness swirled around him and he charged. The doors began to close as the were-tiger lunged to try and stop them. Zachary saw the fierce yellow glow of its eyes as it lunged, closing just in time with a loud impact on the doors.
Zachary nearly crumbled to the ground in relief exhausted that they just narrowly escaped as the elevator went down. It took a bit, as it sped faster and faster… until it finally reached the ‘unknown floor’.
It opened up to the trailmon station-- which was shockingly empty. No people, and tracks among the gloomy station…
… all but one train and one trailmon of a dark color. It was black in color with red lights on it.
Concerned, both Zachary and Jaguamon approached the lone train, till it ominously spoke. “Hmm… you two do not seem to be from around here. You lost?” he asked.
“To put it mildly, yes,” Jaguamon stated as he urged Zachary forward to.
“Can you help us? We come from another world-- another universe, where this world isn’t so… so…”
“Messed up,” Jaguamon added.
The trailmon blew out steam. “Yes… this world has become unpleasant, but I can tell you are not from here. I can help you get home if you like. To your Digital World at least.”
Zachary almost jumped in happiness. “Great! Thank god!” he cheered.
However, as they heard this-- the sound of the elevator ring started to sound. Of another elevator coming. Jaguamon’s ears perked at the sound, and his senses went on high alert. “Zachary, they’re coming! We need to leave now!” he warned.
Zachary quickly reached the trailmon and the caboose that led to the rest of the train. Just as he and Panthermon got on, the trailmon let out a hiss of steam and began to move.
The moving train made its way as the doors to the elevator opened, revealing Rakshamon and Zhroud beside him. The last thing they saw was Zachary and Jaguamon shrink into the tunnel, leaving that twisted world behind and blink out of view from the evil duo.
Rakshamon growled, incontent that his prey got away. However, Zhroud lowered his hood, grinning at the empty tunnel. “Don’t worry, Rakshamon. This is far from over…” he said, intending to somehow give chase.
End?
WC: 6000+
MPC No.: 67 B. 67 C, 67 X (65A)
Reward Requested: Posts X 2, Bits
The latest journey into the Digital World was supposed to be another journey to explore the mysterious it had. Zachary, still feeling like he was out of touch with the rest of this ‘Tamer experience’ wanted to try and be a bit more bold. BUt he had encountered complicated situations up to now-- enemies within rather than without. His own Digimon, born from his own inner darkness, dreams and imagination-- was the greatest companion Zachary could ever hope for. However, there were times when the darker parts of his persona would emerge, becoming a powerful, dangerous force that was not part of his normal evolution. Maloleomon… being one such example. Little did he know how much that darkness would evolve in another world.
“Zachary? Zachary!” Panthermon called to him.
He blinked, looking at his Digivice and lost in his own head as he turned to Panthermon. The two were in front of an old computer repair shop. The street was empty and left a decent area for them to travel to and from the Digital World. It was located in an ally so no one would notice. Panthermon stood before him, waiting for him to open a Digital Gate for them to jump into. “Are we going today or not? “ the jungle cat asked with a touch of impatience.
Zachary shook his head, trying to sort out his own conflicts. “I’m sorry, Panthermon. I’m good. Just thinking about stuff…” he replied.
“I know you got a big mind, but think too much and you may hurt yourself,” the cat said. “Anyway we should move quickly-- before someone comes.”
“Yeah, sorry…” Zachary said as he held out his Digivice. A few beeps could be heard-- and the screen in the window lit up with static-- then light. A hole in the space before them appeared, revealing the digital matrix of the veil between the human and digital worlds. “Let’s go.” he said calmly and jumped in. Panthermon quickly followed-- and the hole closed up.
The tunnel through the gate sped them forward and everything seemed ‘normal’...
… till there was a loud sound, a crash of static, and the movement of the tunnel paused-- like a computer freezing. Zachary and Panthermon were suspended in mid-air, unmoving through the rift for a sudden, as if they froze in place.
“Huh?! What is this?” Panthermon growled, looking around.
Energy crackled through their field of vision-- and suddenly, rifts of darkness opened up in front of them and spread-- easily sucking them and sending them forward.
“What’s going on!!?” Zachary shouted as he and Panthermon were sucked in-- sent somewhere else.
***
THUD!!
Zachary landed on his back and Panthermon on top of him, the heavy jungle cat crushing him against his weight. “Ow, Panthermon…” Zachary grumbled.
“Oh, sorry,” Panthermon said, having landed on his feet and quickly pounced off his partner. Zachary felt dizzy as he sat up on the concrete. Something strange happened, but he couldn't piece it together. As he looked around-- he was in the same street. It seemed slightly darker, overcast almost. The air felt warmer as he rose up and looked around. The street was just as darker as it had been, devoid of any real presence or people. “What the heck happened in there?” Zachary asked. “DId the Digital Gate kick us out or something?”
“I don’t know…” Panthermon growled as he looked around. He now crouched a bit as he peered to the ends of the alleyways. “Something feels… off about this.”
A siren sounded in the distance and things seemed darker. A strange sense of quiet was in the city of Shibuya and it was unsettling. Unable to contain either of their curiosity, Zachary and Panther ventured to the end of the alley.
They soon entered the open area of the street, but was greeted to see it like a disaster zone. Broken cars were parked around the area, litter and vandalized street equipment was everywhere. Not only was the sky now cloudy, opposed to when they left moments ago. Not a single person was in sight, evacuated. Zachary’s eyes widened at the destruction that occurred. One minute, everything was fine, the next Tokyo was trashed.
“What the hell….?” Zachary breathed, his stomach started to feel sick at the sight of what happened. “I mean seriously, what the hell?!” he outright shouted as he looked around.
Panthermon was just as alarmed, if a bit more quiet. The panther didn’t even turn invisible as no one was around but he let out a growl and prowled around Zachary, trying to spot anything significant beyond the obvious. The sheer environment felt wrong, like their very perspective was twisted around. “I don’t know-- how would I know? I’m just as confused as you are….” the panther growled.
Zachary quickly ran back to the same store he had entered from to enter the digital world-- but it was shut down. Not a single screen was lit-- so he was even more confused. He then ran back to the street, looking around. “Okay, this is just wrong. I mean, this is the real world right? “
“I… I think so,” Panthermon replied, “Sure feels like it. Smells like it. Beyond the extra aroma of smoke. ”
However a loud caw soon caught their ears as they looked up among the buildings. Out showing briefly from view was a Saberdramon-- the black flamed beast flying off elsewhere to do something other less than savory in the human world. Zachary’s face tightened at the sight of the Digimon, perplexed even more. “What is a digimon like that doing here?! “
Panthermon paused as he gave this some thought. “Could this possibly be a Digital Shift? Like back in the museum? “ the cat asked.
“The entire size of shibuya? I know Digital Shifts are scary powerful but I never heard anything like this,” Zachary said as he checked his cell phone. This time, he had reception, and the date and time was the same-- exactly as they left. “Time hasn’t changed, this is Shibuya but… jeez… this makes no sense…” he breathed, feeling the stress get to him.
Despite the panic in his partner’s mind and voice, the cat tried to keep cool and looked around. “We need more information before we jump to conclusions. Let’s keep to the shadows and investigate a bit more of the city. Try to avoid any interactions…” Panthermon replied. With that, the panther digimon soon faded from view, becoming invisible to stalk among the street unseen.
***
The first sight Zachary saw was something at a nearby bus stop. The thin television built into the vestibule showed the news, and read out the headlines. “Tokyo is still in a state of turmoil as these creatures have begun taking territory within the different wards. Shibuya is completely inaccessible, and military have been pressed due to the nature and size of the creatures. Major tenant communities have been evacuated. At this time, we cannot be sure if this is a paranormal phenomenon or a deliberate attempt. Meanwhile, communications have become disrupted which is hindering emergency services from taking action in areas with these creatures around… “ As the news woman spoke, pictures of Digimon causing trouble, rampaging and even pillaging ran amok on the screens. Majority was mostly nightmare soldiers, with a few other types running around.
Zachary looked at the screen and saw the fires that kindled across old trash bins, wrecked cars and broken roads. Even an overpass collapse. What few people he did find quickly ran away.
“I’m starting to think we are not in Kansas anymore…” Zachary replied running a hand through his hair, “This is all too spread out and consistent to be a Digital Shift. So unless I am dreaming, this is some twisted, freaking reality we smacked into. “
“THat might be more on point than you think,” Panthermon replied via their telepathy.
“What do you mean?” Zachary asked.
Panthermon was now atop one of the buildings, keeping an eye on his partner from above. “Think about it. A digital shift is a parallel space, and the Digital World is another plane of existence-- a separate world parallel to Earth. If that is the case, isn’t it possible for a parallel world to exist where the real world is… “ he paused as he saw the view from his perch. The city as far as he could see was little more than a slum, with smoke going up into the overcast sky. “Well… this.” he answered.
“If you tell me we are stuck here, I think I’m going to smack myself with a brick,” Zachary replied with a groan.
“Quit dramatizing. We don’t know anything yet. For all we know, if we return to the Digital Gate, it may very well send us back to our own universe,” the cat countered.
“Or, to a Digital World just as ****ed up…”
“Either way, Tokyo is still Tokyo pretty much. Let’s start by going to Central Shibuya. We might be able to find some clues around the train station where the Trailmon are. Maybe they know a way to get back since they travel between worlds easier. They may even know about all this.”
Zachary took a deep breath as he realized his partner had a point. If some sort of Digital Distortion caused the Digital Gate to bugg up-- it was possible this was a result. After a quick look around, he made his way towards the station. “Good idea, Panthermon. I’m sorry for wigging out like this.”
“Trust me, your not alone in that feeling…” Panthermon soon joined his partner, hopping the rooftops in pursuit, but kept invisible-- in case other Digimon might spot him from the air or on other buildings.
***
Zachary kept a swift move on his feet, only stopping every so often to keep his energy. He moved from what safe alleyways he could find and cover as to not get caught up in any trouble. As they got close to the SHibuya Scramble-- he could see the station nearby… however, the cry from someone caught their attention.
At the far end of the street, they found a woman being chased down the street by a few Gazimon-- hopping and chasing her as she ran screaming for her life. Alarmed, Zachary looked to her with determination. “Panthermon!” he shouted.
The jaguar, however, was already on the move. “I know-- I’m on it!” he replied telepathically. The cat quickly hopped from one ledge of a building to the next. In a matter of seconds, just as the woman would turn a corner-- Panthermon pounced, catching the evil rabbits as they were chasing her.
“Are you alright?” Panthermon called to the woman. However…
“ AAAAGH!!” the woman screamed at the sight of the cat. Even more frightened than she was at the rabbits. Alarmed, she ran off down the street, hopefully somewhere safe but either way-- Panthermon blocked the Gazimon from following her.
“Well, that was a bit hurtful…” Panthermon growled, perplexed why she would scream to the cat that saved her. He then turned and cast a growl to the chasing Gazimon-- but even more to his confusion, the two rabbits stopped and looked to him with a mix of surprise and confusion. “Get away from her!” he demanded.
“Gah-- Y,you! “ One of the Gazimon gasped and backed off. Just as Panthermon was about to deliver a swipe of his claws-- the Gazimon lowered his head . “S-sorry boss!”
“Oh, did you want to catch that human yourself? SOrry!” the other one said, “We were just messin around with it.”
Panthermon stopped, confused but didn’t answer back. By then, Zachary had joined his side. “Get out of here!” he shouted to the Gazimon, looking annoyed and ready to back up his partner.
What was even more surprising that moment, the Gazimon looked up to Zachary with even more concern.
“Gah!” the other Gazimon said and covered his head with his paws. “Gah! M-Master, we're sorry! Did we displease you!” the first one gasped.
“Y-Yeah, we were just doing what you ordered us to. Scary humans silly and stuff. Please don’t be mad!” the other said.
Zachary couldn’t control the desire to almost fall over, now very confused to his already crashing sanity with this alternate version of Tokyo they were stuck in. Digimon ran rampant, but now these two were sucking up to him as if he was some mafia boss.
“What are you--”
“Zachary wait!”The telepathic message came from Panthermon and Zachary paused, hearing him in his mind. “Do not react. These creatures, for whatever reason, seem to know us and submit to us as if we are someone else. While I am as shocked as you, it is in our best interest to play along. Just take a breath and play the role they ask. They are our lakies, it seems. “
Zachary glanced at Panthermon from behind, hearing him growl and crouch low to the ground as if ready to pounce.
“You, miserable mongrels thinking? Scary some girl around? You call that causing chaos?!” Zachary scowled, his hands now in his coat in a ‘cool guy’ attitude. “I give you two a simple job, and you screw that up too! Use your brains, before I have Panthermon make a meal out of them.” he scowled. He didn’t anticipate his wording to be so vivid but it did make the Gazimon quiver a bit.
However, things began to become a bit more complicated. As they stood there, more Digimon began to appear. The cry of the Saberdramon cried out as it landed within the ruined crossing, flapping its flaming black wings. As it did, more creatures began to emerge. Demidevimon fluttered out from the alleyways and from the shadows came Dracmon and their nightmare soldier types, of several kinds. They seemed drawn out and began to surround Zachary and Panthermon.
“Forgive us, Master. We won’t disappoint you. Do you have new orders for us?” the Gazimon said humbly.
Zachary glanced around, seeing how all of them now gazed to him and his partner with a mix between compliance and admiration.
“Stand down for now,” Panthermon said on Zachary’s behalf. “Continue to keep an eye on things, including at the city border. If you find humans trying to enter the city, military… make their job difficult.” It seemed Panthermon too was capable of playing the ‘bad guy’ too.
“Heh! No problem,” A Demi-devimon said with a prideful sneer and flapped in place. “These humans are pushovers. We won’t let you down boss and--”
SHRINK!! Crash! The sudden flash of steel shot right through the Demi-devimon in an instant, scattering him into bits of data. The other Digimon reacted with shock, as now a large sword had lodged itself into the concrete before Zachary and Panthermon.
They turned around-- and Zachary and Panthermon looked to see a shadow emerge from the flames of a burning building. It said nothing but growl as he walked forward, and soon appeared to be a lionine like creature.
One with dark black fur and markings on his body, a thick head of fur/mane. He stepped in among the group of Digimon, and glared at Zachary and his partner… only then did they get a realization who and what it was.
Before them was none other than Maloleomon-- the Digimon form Panthermon transformed into.
“M-Maloleomon!” Zachary gasped, and Panthermon growled, shocked to say the least.
“Idiots… All of you!” the lion roared glaring a death stare to the Digimon around them. They shrunk back and stepped away from the three. “You almost took orders from an imposter. Return to what you were doing and continue the raid… unless you wish to face a similar fate.” he said. “I shall deal with these two myself.”
There was a series of murmurs and whispers from the smaller Digimon, and soon they scattered, clearly afraid of the giant dark lion creature. Even the Saberdramon took flight once more, leaving Zachary and Panthermon before the strange doppelganger of Maloleomon.
THe sick feeling returned to Zachary’s stomach as he gripped his Digivice tight, now feeling terrified to face the evil side of Panthermon again, despite that Panthermon was beside him from the start. “Okay… this day just got way more complicated than it already had.” Zachary replied dryly.
“Well this is a surprise,” Maloleomon spoke, a grin on his face as he reached down and pulled his sword with ease from the concrete street. “At first, I thought they mistook me for some other feline Digimon… but you really are ‘me’. I knew I sensed something off.”
“Who or WHAT are you?!” Panthermon demanded with a growl.
“Yeah!” Zachary demanded, “ I know for a fact Maloleomon is a manifestation of my own darkness. How the heck are YOU here like this?”
The lion grinned, flashing his teeth. “Ah, so I am…. But at the same time… I’m not born of YOUR darkness…. “ he replied, keeping his answer cryptic.
Zachary glared at the lion, though unnerved by all that was going on, he couldn’t even start to imagine how this happened. Was this the same Maloleomon inside Panthermon, or some kind of elaborate trick within some freaky Digital Shift looking like a monster infested Shibuya. “I don’t know what is going on… but why? Why are you doing this? Your the ringleader behind this little skirmish into the city and try to take over Tokyo? What the hell!” Zachary shouted, now furious. “They obey you and figure send the world to hell?!”
It was then another sound came from the nearby alleyway. It shifted and it spoke. “No…” a deep, hidden voice spoke out, “He works for me… as do all those Digimon and more. As any tamer should strive for…”
Zachary turned to find the stranger emerged-- and he looked almost human. He was clad head to toe in black, wearing a strange futuristic black shoes and pants, wearing a long black jacket with grey lines running along it. More oddly was the hood he wore, covering his head with a strange ‘mask’ of a ‘digital insignia’ over his face, attached to the hood. Seamless, yet seemed he could see as he approached. At the side of his belt, he wore a black Digivice-- accented with a deep red color to the markings on it.
“Who the hell are you?” Zachary demanded, glaring at the stranger.
Slowly the figure approached, a chuckle escaping. “That’s funny, “ he said as he slowly reached up and removed his hood. He started with the sleeve of the mask-- then the hood itself, tossing it behind his jacket. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
He revealed his face, only to find a grin on it-- as Zachary discovered the person had the same face as he did.
He was frozen, his brain feeling like it cracked from all that was going on here. He raised a hand, pointing at him. “D-D-Dobble--”
“--Ganger” the other Zachary replied cooly.
THe gears began to show very quickly as Zachary started at his black robbed copy, standing there cooly as if all the carnage and chaos around him was commonplace. Even Panthermon was shocked as he struggled to keep his gaze on both the other Maloleomon-- and the evil version of Zachary now addressing his partner. “What the hell is going on here?!” Panthermon finally voiced, his own calm now under pressure.
Malolemon snickered as he looked down at the cat. All the while, Zachary and the other Zachary conversed.
“This isn’t happening here…” Zachary said as he took a step back.
“Oh, but it is Zachary. No reason to freak out. After all, I could tell you were here, the moment you dropped out of the Digital World,” he said calmly gesturing to the air as if it was everywhere around him. “See, like you and your partner… we’re connected. I am you, just as much as you are me?”
Zachary’s shock slowly turned to outrage. “Really?” he asked with sarcastic spite, “Hard to believe I would be this psychotic to cause all this, let alone how!”
“Is that so, Zachary,” he said calmly, hands in his pockets similar to how Zachary did, the smirk on his face almost same as Maloleomon’s. “Come now, we are one and the same. Surely we can just chat like friends, can’t we, Zachary?”
Zachary glared back to his other self with defiance. “That’s Zaber to you!” he snapped.
A chuckle escaped the black Zach as he gestured to his attire and self with a dramatic opening of his arms. “Zhroud,” he stated planeles, as his alias. One suitable to the black cloak and theme he now seemed to resonate with.
Zachary raised a brow at this, “Clever handle, but mine is better!” he retorted.
The other just smiled and looked at Zachary. “I sensed you, Zachary and what you have done,” Zhroud replied, shaking his head a little, “And I have to say I am terribly disappointed.”
“Yeah?” Zachary replied, “I can sympathize, considering what’s worse. That I have an evil look-a-like who destroyed Tokyo or the whole ‘goth-slash-Phantom of the Opera” situation your got going on here.”
“You know why?” Zhroud replied calmly, “Because unlike you, I wasn’t afraid to use the power we had.”
“... Excuse me?” Zachary asked, confused.
The smile faded as he took a step towards Zachary, almost amazed. “You have no idea how powerful you are. Panthermon was born from your own mind, your imagination-- your shadow. A reflection of your boundless imagination and creativity. To project dominion over the darkness, and yet you use it to be a third-rate tamer, when you could be a god. A god with dominion over the very darkness he used to fear.” Zhroud said, with only Zachary glaring back at him.
“You resisted the darkness, but I accepted it. I let it in, and it made me stronger for it. No one, no bully, no adult, no idiot can stand against me now. Wouldn’t you want the same?” he asked.
Zachary didn’t answer, keeping his eyes glued on his evil twin and kept a safe distance between his slow advance.
Zhroud smiled once more. “I could show you how. Why have Panthermon be a guardian of darkness, when he can rule over all of it and every Nightmare Soldier in it? You could be a god. We… could be gods…” he stated.
Zachary turned away for a moment, pacing in a circle as he ran through all this in his already exhausted mind. So many emotions were going through his head he felt a headache coming on. He turned back, looking at him like ZHroud was crazy. “Are you Cloud-city Vadering me right now? “ he responded back, using a Star Wars reference.
A chuckle escaped Zhroud as he heard the reply. “So, what do you say? Do you want to actually know real power, or stay a pathetic shadow of what you could be. ” he replied with a mild threat.
Zachary took a step back, but ended up backing up into the large arm of Maloleomon. The lion growled angrily, adding to the threat ZHroud made.
Zachary glanced at Panthermon, the two in concert in their minds.
“I say…” Zachary replied, “... you’re the pathetic one here.”
“SPIRAL FLAME!!” Panthermon roared, firing a torrent of fire out right for Zhroud in front of him-- directed by Zachary’s mental dialog with him.
However-- in that instant, Maloleomon jumped in-- and let go of Zachary. Using his sword, he angled it against the torrent of flame, protecting Zhroud with ease. THe lion growled as Zachary didn’t move, unphased while Zachary jumped away, getting clear of both of them.
Zhroud shook his head. “Oh, one minor thing you should know, moron,” he mocked, “You and I are the same. So when your talking to your Panthermon, do you really think I can’t hear you either? “ he said casually.
“Panthermon, now!!” Zachary shouted, flashing his Digivice. The light from the device shined, giving the black jaguar power.
“Panthermon, EVOLUTION!!” he roared, the light engulfing him as a digi-egg-- only to explode with a fiery burst, now showing him bigger with a brilliant pair of flaming wings .”Mytholomon!!”
Hovering shortly in the air, Mytholomon flapped his wings and now took the high ground, facing the now dangerous Maloleomon. “I never cared for this form, and never cared for the fact I would hurt Zachary as you… if you really are me, you will stand down!” the noble panther called out to him.
However, the lion just snickered up at him. “Looking at you make me sick to think I could ever be that much of a pussy!” he roared and from his back, he drew his two bone-like daggers.
The black lion lunged to slash into Mytholomon, but the panther flapped his flaming wings, ascending higher and the beast missed him. “RUBY ROAR!!” Mytholomon roared, releasing a beam of red light from his maw. The blast shot and struck Maloleomon in the back, knocking him back to the ground. However, the beast quickly landed and pivoted back, preparing for another assault. Despite the blast, the lion was as resilient as Panthermon was when he was in that state.
“FIST OF THE FALLEN BEAST KING!!” Maloleomon roared, firing a black-energy lion head at the panther. Mytholomon tried to evade, but the blast hit him on its side, sending him flying backwards further into the air.
Zachary grimaced on the ground as he saw his partner get swatted out of the air. A fight in the middle of a ruined Shibuya scramble crossing was the last thing he wanted to do in this nightmare. He soon crossed gazes with his doppelganger, glaring at him from his black coat. “Your partner is nothing compared to mine. Guess his only place was in your imagination after all.”
“Shut up!” Zachary snapped, drawing his Digivice and a card. “Digimodify! Zephyrmon, activate!!” Zachary shouted, swiping a card through his digivice to help his partner.
Mytholomon’s body shifted with the new data, receiving Zephyrmon’s power. Conjuring the power of wind into his flaming wings, he let out a panther’s cry. “Hurricane Gale!!” he roared, launching a great twister of razor sharp wind. The increased pressure was far stronger than a champion and caused Malolemon to brace against the blow.
The card came in handy, but Zachary was now pressed as they couldn’t afford to fight carelessly. With the winds raging, Mytholomon growled as he focused on Zachary with his telepathy. “This is too dangerous. We must escape now. I’ll make a diversion and you head--”
“-- to the train station?” Zhade answered aloud.
Both Zachary and Mytholomon looked to the black look-alike, seeing as he drew up his hood and replaced the mask, his voice now a more ominous tone. “I told you, I can hear you as easily as you two can. And I’m afraid you are not going anywhere.”
Once his mask was one, he raised a hand and snapped his fingers. A sudden caw echoed through the air. “Saberdramon!” he cried.
From the nearby buildings, the flaming black bird came down and swooped in. In one talon it grabbed hold of Zachary before he had the chance to run, while Zhade jumped onto its other talon. In an instant, the bird flew up again, soaring high over the buildings.
By the time Zachary tried to move freely, they were several stories high-- well high over where Maloleomon and Mytholomon fought. Zachary looked in horror as he saw the height, and looked to see his masked doppelganger hanging leisurely from the other talon of the beast. “Don’t look so surprised. We are Digimon Tamers… I tamed them. Another difference between us. Oh and one more thing I should mention… I don’t hesitate to throw cheap shots,” he added, giving a light wave of his hand. “Going down.”
Zachary’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t… “ he gasped, not wishing to believe he would do such a thing…
… and the Saberdramon’s talon opened and let him go.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” Zachary screamed as he fell from the bird.
Hearing the cry in both mind and voice, Mytholomon looked in alarm. “Zachary!!” he roared and flapped his wings hard, soaring upward. The fall lasted a few seconds, any sooner would result in Zachary hitting the ground at over a 100 feet. Luckily, Mytholomon came just in time. With a well placed hit, Zachary landed right on top of Mytholomon’s back, the cat softening his fall and with a well placed flap of his wings.
Zachary huffed and puffed, his breath labored from the fright. He couldn’t believe it. His other self willingly attacked him and even tried to kill him. “I can’t take this…” Zachary gasped, but clung to Mytholomon’s back.
“Zachary, get a hold of yourself!” the panther growled, his eyes now trying to keep track of both Maloleomon below and the Saberdramon above. “This is bad, I know… but we have to press on and focus on our escape. Right now I need that sharp mind of yours… and help me find a way to overpower them.
The cry of the Saberdramon loomed overhead, signaling it was coming soon. As well, Maloleomon recovered and rose up, a dark chilling aura glowing off of him.
“Maloleomon! Slice them to pieces! “ Zhade demanded from above.
It was then that Zachary brought out a second card-- a Devimon card. “Try cutting through this,” Zachary grumbled and slashed it through. “Digi-Modify! Devimon, activate!”
Mytholomon’s form glowed with an ominous black aura, feeling Devimon’s strength flow through him. Once more, he drew his wings back and released a flap. “EVIL TWISTER!!” he roared, creating a violent tornado of air. The wind easily shot up in between them, and easily ascended higher, making Saberdramon have trouble flying easily.
Mytholomon grinned, knowing his master’s keen thinking. “Take this,” the panther replied in telepathy. He soon raised his wings once more. “FIRESTORM!!” The blazing wings now released the fire clinging to them, and threw it into the spinning twister. The tornado coaxed the already violent flames, spreading it far and up into the air, disturbing the flight of the Saberdramon, scaring it off-- and stopping Maloleomon’s advance as he now had his swords in hand.
“Now’s our chance!” Mytholomon roared as he flew right for the entrance of the train station. The moment he touched down, Zachary hopped out and jumped through the now ruined doors to the building. With any luck, they could reach where they had to go. Mytholomon followed in, tucking in his wings to his back as he quickly went inside as well.
Both Maloleomon looked at the wall of swirling fire, as did Zhade from above, Saberdramon now soaring at a high altitude. “Follow them. Now,” Zhade spoke clearly. From his side, he produced the black Digivice he had, causing an ominous black glow to come from it.
Hearing him, Maloleomon snarled angrily and proceeded after them.
***
Zachary and Mytholomon had reached the end of the hall, following the signs that led to different tracks and parts of the station. Shibuya station was a wreck. Some trains remained, others on their side, derailed. Luckily the main hall was still in tact and even power flickered on. With any luck, the ‘elevator’ that led to the trailmon station deep underground would still work.
“We should be close!” Zachary told Mytholomon as he turned a corner.
CRASH!! The smash of glass came overhead, as something new came down overhead. With the same black aura, it was Maloleomon, crouched as he nailed the landing like a superhero-- or supervillain in this case. “You aren’t going anywhere… “ he growled, “Zhade has questions for you two…”
Zachary stopped as they saw him now aglow with power-- receiving energy from his evil doppelganger somewhere. The power continued to grow over panthermon’s evil double as well-- and caused him to change.
“Maloleomon--- Evolution!” he roared, the shadows now causing his already black form to warm-- transforming into something leander, but taller-- taking on a similar black cat look. It soon revealed to be a black furred tiger, with stripes and dressed in a ninja attire, with a crimson scarf around his neck and behind him. “Rakshamon!” The shadows split apart, revealing the new were-tiger in his place, as Panthermon’s dark Ultimate form.
“Oh come on!” Zachary groaned, seeing the tiger block their path. Mytholomon pushed ahead, guarding Zachary.
“Zachary, Do it now!”
Zachary grimaced as he drew another card-- this time a blue one with a digimon logo on it. “Digimodify-- Matrix Digivolution!!”
Mytholomon glowed as his body radiated a mix of light and shadow. “Mytholomon-- Matrix Evolution!” The light soon took shape, turning into a humanoid jaguar of black fur, dressed in aztech shaman clothing and accessories. “Jaguamon!”
The giant panther emerged with a roar and lunged forward at the other cat. The two were in a major cat fight-- the tiger creating weapons and sharp claws out of shadows, while Jaguamon used his own claws of light and darkness.
Despite their speed and unique powers, they were in a senseless stalemate. Taking advantage of the situation, Zachary maneuvered around them and towards the far end of the hall-- where he found the elevator.
“Jaguamon!” Zachary cried as he hit the elevator button. Luckily, it lit up and a whirl of moters kicked in.
The two cats were locked in the claws of darkness, sparks going off around them from the sheer clash of chaotic energies they wielded. However, just then as if the Rakshamon was going to overpower Jaguamon-- darkness swirled below him, and he vanished, teleporting and leaving Rakshamon with nothing.
The ding of the door opening sounded. Just as Zachary stepped inside, shadows rose up from inside the elevator-- and Jaguamon materialized in its place. The instant inside, they hit the basement button and the close button-- to trigger the move to the trailmon station.
Fury showed on Rakshamon’s face as darkness swirled around him and he charged. The doors began to close as the were-tiger lunged to try and stop them. Zachary saw the fierce yellow glow of its eyes as it lunged, closing just in time with a loud impact on the doors.
Zachary nearly crumbled to the ground in relief exhausted that they just narrowly escaped as the elevator went down. It took a bit, as it sped faster and faster… until it finally reached the ‘unknown floor’.
It opened up to the trailmon station-- which was shockingly empty. No people, and tracks among the gloomy station…
… all but one train and one trailmon of a dark color. It was black in color with red lights on it.
Concerned, both Zachary and Jaguamon approached the lone train, till it ominously spoke. “Hmm… you two do not seem to be from around here. You lost?” he asked.
“To put it mildly, yes,” Jaguamon stated as he urged Zachary forward to.
“Can you help us? We come from another world-- another universe, where this world isn’t so… so…”
“Messed up,” Jaguamon added.
The trailmon blew out steam. “Yes… this world has become unpleasant, but I can tell you are not from here. I can help you get home if you like. To your Digital World at least.”
Zachary almost jumped in happiness. “Great! Thank god!” he cheered.
However, as they heard this-- the sound of the elevator ring started to sound. Of another elevator coming. Jaguamon’s ears perked at the sound, and his senses went on high alert. “Zachary, they’re coming! We need to leave now!” he warned.
Zachary quickly reached the trailmon and the caboose that led to the rest of the train. Just as he and Panthermon got on, the trailmon let out a hiss of steam and began to move.
The moving train made its way as the doors to the elevator opened, revealing Rakshamon and Zhroud beside him. The last thing they saw was Zachary and Jaguamon shrink into the tunnel, leaving that twisted world behind and blink out of view from the evil duo.
Rakshamon growled, incontent that his prey got away. However, Zhroud lowered his hood, grinning at the empty tunnel. “Don’t worry, Rakshamon. This is far from over…” he said, intending to somehow give chase.
End?
WC: 6000+
