Madness! The lake of illusions [Kath/Kaz] [ARMOR HUNT]

The wind around theJazz's legs, helped her move quickly and strongly against Gongkoru. They clashed midway; the Siesamon inflicting damage with his electricity, and Jazz inflicting damage with her slicing wind. They both turned immediately, and started to exchange blows, using their ability to harm the rival, being wind or electricity. The golden beast’s resistance was truly amazing, he seemed to have gained much more power since they faced him at the woods. Gongkoru seemed fiercer and more dangerous than ever. –Jazz! I think you need to gain some distance again! –Katherine knew physical combat was not Moosemon’s strength.

-H a n g i n g        T w i s t e r!!

In front of Jazz, a huge twisted formed, sending Gongkoru back, allowing Jazz to gain some distance. –I’m going to wake you up, no matter what I have to do! –Jazz yelled, firmly. Gongkoru roared loudly, it was evident he was getting angrier by the second. Upon roaring again, the Siesamon released electricity from his pelt, shooting Jazz, who only kept trying to dodge the attacks. Around the golden beast, a small twister could still be seen, the wind swirled quickly, slicing him.

-H o r n     B l a d e!

Jazz yelled while she kept dodging the electricity coming at her, slicing through the air with her antlers and shooting that slice to the enemy. Siesamon started to run, dodging the technique, while Jazz kept shooting. Both digimon kept exchanging blows from afar and dodging the enemy’s techniques. Gongkoru seemed to be charging up some kind of technique, judging by the electricity revolving around his tail.

While Royland kept taking down clones, making them banish out of thin air, he managed to hit one that seemed rather solid, being sent back by the cat’s blow. It was the original. Then, every other clone disappeared, shattering in small pieces of data. Only one Honozaru remained standing, clenching her teeth at Royland. She seemed somewhat frustrated at the white-pelted digimon recently acquired strength. A purple aura started coming out of Honozaru; the brainwashed digimon felt ready to go all out on her opponent. Suddenly, she started floating, stopping mid-air, only to start spinning around her horizontal axis. Due to her spinning being extremely fast and the blade around her tail, the Digimon now only had the shape of a spinning wheel covered in a purple aura, without really moving from her spot. Purple beans of energy started coming out of the spinning wheel, being shot straight at Royland at great speed. The wheel's speed rejected regular techniques, protecting Honozaru. If the lion warrior wanted to stop it, he would have to hit some very powerful attack that made Honozaru lose her spinning axis. Meanwhile, purple beams of energy would keep being shot straight against him.

---

Inside the inn, Modo and Akane had a fierce battle. The giant sea-serpent kept throwing icicles at the fox, while she ran around him.

-H o r u d a m a

Small fireballs started coming out of Akane’s tail, being shot straight at Modo. The serpent lowered his head, protecting his eyes from this technique and using the back of his body to protect himself from the fireballs.
-That’s won't be enough. –Akane muttered. The fox yawned once again. –Time for a frontal attack. –The Sea Serpent that was Modo now, which Akane identified as a Seadramon, started shooting more icicles at the nine-tailed fox, who ran in a zig-zag to dodge them, straight against the beast. Just when she was about to reach his position, she stared at the portion of his long body she was aiming to attack. Until a moving objected aimed at her caught her eye –Damn it, I got distracted! –An icicle was traveling straight at Akane, who knew she couldn’t dodge that. The ice pierced Akane’s pelt, making her squeal in pain. Modo took the opportunity to swirl his tail around the fox’s body and started to tighten the grip. The Youkomon only squealed again in pain. She could feel the pressure of the beast’s tail breaking her body. Desperately, the fox started biting the serpent’s tail swirled around her, trying to do some damage. It wasn’t the cleanest of techniques, but Modo’s strength was vicious. For the first time during a battle, she felt like if she didn’t do something quickly, she was really going to die.

---

Inside the dark smoke raised by Void, Kiriha looked for the Digitamamon.
-Void!? Where are you, you bastard!? -Kiriha tried to look around, but everything was too dark. A four-legged figure, similar to Kiriha, could be seen up front. –Who’s that? –The Black Garurumon started running towards it, but the more he ran, the farther the figure seemed.
-STOP THIS, VOID! –Kiriha yelled angrily. –You have no right to mess with our heads, with our feelings! Fight me right now, coward! –The wolf shouted again. –You can’t hide forever using your illusions!
-This is not an illusion, Riha. –Kiriha’s ears perked up upon hearing that way of calling him, that voice. When he turned, his expression became a horrified one.

-R-Renjiro!? –He asked, with a mix of fear and confusion.
-It’s been a while, brother. –The lion said with a smirk, plainly.
-No! It can’t be! –Kiriha shook his head. –This is another of those damned illusions!
-It is not an illusion, Riha. –Renjiro replied. For Kiriha he seemed so real, so vivid. –We’re inside of Void’s shadow room. I once read about this technique, it can be used by many digimon.
-Huh? A technique?
-Yes. Inside this room, you can see those digimon living inside of you. –Renjiro explained, looking at his surroundings. –I think it’s a representation of the data mixed inside of you, Riha.
-The digimon living inside of me? What are you talking about?
-Of course. Inside this room, only data living inside of you can appear.
-That makes no sense, Renjiro! Then what the hell are you doing here? You’re dead!
-Well... -The lion made a pause. -The fact that I am is the reason I'm here. –Renjiro simply answered.

-Renjiro what are you saying? I don’t get it!
-You don’t remember, do you? –The lion asked, frowning. –I see it’s true, you can’t remember a thing of what happened while you were brainwashed.
-Remembering what? –Kiriha’s eyes widened showing the beast’s confusion.
-That night on the woods, after we discovered Gong and Zaru were possessed by this spell and Kane ran away to distract them… You and I had a fight.
-Yes…-Kiriha admitted, remembering what they had seen earlier while they were with Katherine and the others. Even though that wasn't the first time the dragon showed you that. -Jeanryu did tell me about that. But he doesn’t know what happened after since he left with Akane. –Kiriha explained. -The only thing they know is that when they came back, you were dead. 
-Doesn’t the fact that I’m here answers your question? –Renjiro asked the wolf. –I’m sorry, but it’s futile you guys go to the Village of the Beginnings. You won’t be able to find me there.
-W-what do you mean? –Kiriha asked, slowly beginning to realize what his brother was saying.
-You killed me, Kiriha. And then you absorbed my data. -Renjiro answered.

---

Battle log: 
(Hanging Twister: Moosemon calls for an enormous twister that goes against the opponent. The twister swirls around the opponent during the next 3 turns, dealing a little amount of damage at the end of each turn. 5 posts cooldown.). Cooldown: 1/5. 

(Horn blade: Moosemon can cut through space with her giant antlers, dealing damage to the opponent occupying that space, regardless of how far they are.)

Just after seeing Jazz ‘crush’ Gongkoru, a deafening noise reached the duo’s ears, they turning immediately. Almost blinding rays of light of all kinds of colors could be seen from the center of the clear, where Roy was previously fighting Honozaru. Once the light faded, Katherine could see Royland, falling to the ground and going back to his previous form. For a minute, she thought he might have been defeated, but upon taking a better look, the girl noticed Honozaru was nowhere to be seen.

-Sir Royland… won? –The girl asked, her eyes widening. She trusted Kazuya’s partner, but after seeing how Gongkoru managed to defeat Jazz’s armor champion, she thought Royland would suffer the same destiny. The white pelted digimon had shocked everyone and managed to beat Honozaru. Roy was truly amazing.

-Mr. Oda! -Katherine sprinted towards Kazuya, who was holding his partner. As she got closer, the girl noticed a Dorumon, lying unconscious on the ground, over a giant crater apparently formed after that blast of techniques. That had to be Honozaru. The girl then looked at Royland, unconscious. It was just like when Jazz defeated Icedevimon and Gotsumon at Rococo Village. –He’s going to be fine. –Katherine addressed Kazuya with a smile, then turning at Honozaru. –He actually managed to beat Honozaru. Sir Royland is truly amazing.

-JASSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! –A teenager like voice yelled, with a stomping coming from behind the brunette. The girl immediately sighed, knowing it was her partner. -Aren’t there more enemies to fight!? –Jazz yelled as she arrived, waving her giant hammer into the air furiously. Katherine face-palmed, again. –Well not for now, no. And what’s with you always calling me ‘Jasso’ when you’re in this form?

-I’m hungry for another battle! Come on! –The Chohakkaimon started jogging at the same spot, stomping on the ground loudly.
-Are you even listening to me? –Katherine raised an eyebrow. –Why don’t YOU run out of energy?
-I NEVER REST. I JUST CR- -The pig girl’s sight caught Royland, sleeping in Kazuya’s arms and she immediately interrupted herself. –R-Royland… -Jazz stopped jogging and yelling, simply taking her hands to her cheeks, and started muttering almost inaudibly. –Oh god, I wasn’t prepared for him to see me like this, it’s so soon and I must look so dumb, I hope he doesn’t think I’m stupid or something, he fought so hard and… -The digimon kept rambling while she muttered.
-What’s with that change of attitude out of nowhere!? –Katherine asked, with an angry expression. It was actually the first time she had seen Jazz in her Cho-Hakkaimon form not yelling or being extremely hyperactive. She then turned at the sleeping Royland. Was he the cause of this sudden change of attitude? The whole situation had to be pretty funny if you looked at it from an external view. Jazz kept muttering words, as she moved her head, her hands on her cheeks and extremely blushed.

Katherine then turned at the inn. There was no time to lose, they had to help Kiriha and Akane. –
Before, she was about to ask if Kazuya didn't rather stay there since Royland couldn't fight. But she decided not to, since she already knew the answer. If she knew anything from Kazuya from that night meeting him she knew he was not going to leave her go in there alone. The girl just turned at the raven-haired man. -Mr. Oda... -She made a brief pause, smiling at the man. -Once we're done with all of this, let's go for a cup of coffee or something, okay? -The girl suggested, tilting her head to the side. Kazuya Oda was definitely someone she wanted to have around for a long time. After all they had been through that night, the girl knew this was a friendship in the making. –Let’s go, Mr. Oda! -Katherine concluded, sprinting towards the inn. She then pulled her digivice out. Why was that thing still flickering?

---

-Riha, You need to wake up!. –Akane roared, as she stood up, recovering from her sibling's recent blow. How was this possible? How had her brother fallen in Void’s illusion again? He just entered the cloud of smoke formed by the Digitamamon, and now he was attacking her, even though the dark smoke cloud was gone.
-It’s useless. He’s not coming back, Akane. –A figured appeared again between the darkness inside the room.
-Void! –The fox shouted as she recognized the Digitamamon. –What did you do to him!?
-I just showed him the truth. –Void replied. -It’s time to finish you two. By now, your human friends must have been killed by Honozaru and Gongkoru already. –He said. A mischievous expression could be seen inside his crack. –So once Kiriha is done with you, this forest shall finally be mine. -Kiriha kept attacking Akane meanwhile.
-That’s your sole reason to do this? Taking control of the forest? –Akane asked. While she kept dodging Kiriha’s blows.
-Well, not quite. But of course, I can’t run this forest by myself. –Void answered. –I’m going to need a beastly protector too, just like the Wind Warrior had all of you. I also found a digiegg, and have been raising it. He should hatch very soon, actually. –The Digitamamon continued.
-I don’t get it! How have you lived for so long? –Akane asked, still trying to avoid Kiriha’s attacks. –You worked here 300 hundred years ago! How come you’re here now?

-Kiriha, stop. –Void said. Akane could then see the gem, it was next to the egg digimon, just covered between shadows. When Void spoke, the gem shined in a bright green color. Like it reacted to Void's order and made Kiriha stop. Akane’s brother effectively stopped attacking, just standing in front of her. Right in that moment, Akane noticed something in her brother’s gaze, something different.

–You know what? I’m actually going to tell you everything. Even if you’re about to die, it would be a waste to not tell such a marvelous story. –Void walked around a little as he spoke. –This is the story, of how I recovered the memories from my past life and how I got this powerful gem. –He continued. –Thanks to him… to that one they call… Luke.

As you already know, I worked for Mr. Modo here, in the Modoki Inn, 300 years ago. The Wind Warrior and I were great friends. She was always coming to the inn and talk to us, always taking care of Modo and I. For a reason that’s still unknown to me, the Wind Warrior had to leave, choosing you 5 to protect the forest, in case she didn’t come back. As a matter of fact, she didn’t. How did I found about this? The same night the inn caught fire and she wasn’t here to protect Modo and I. That’s how I found out! Just when our lives were in danger. We tried to put the fire down, but it was useless. It was late at night so everyone was sleeping, there was no one to help us. We tried to get out of here, but a giant piece of wood fell over the door. Mr. Modo actually lifted that for me to get out and then help him out. I didn’t. It was dangerous to get back in there to get him out, so I just fleed.

-YOU WHAT!? –Akane asked, clenching her teeth.
-You left your friend die, after he saved you? –Jaenryu followed, horrified.

-And why should it!? Why should I save him when this wasn’t my fault!? This was all the Wind Warrior’s fault! Why wasn’t she here to protect Modo and me!? You can’t blame me! -Void replied, to keep going with its story.

Some digimon arrived after, but it was too late, the flames had consumed the inn and killed Mr. Modo. After that… I can’t quite remember what happened or how long did it take, but I, somehow, died too. I was the only one who knew how to breed croc inside this forest, so with me, croc disappeared. That’s why you didn’t know about it when you all were born.

-You… died? Then how do you remember all of this?
-How old are you and your siblings, Akane? –Void asked.

-Around 100 years ago our eggs hatched. Jaenryu said it took us around 200 hundred years to hatch, due to the fact that The Wind Warrior brought us at a very early stage and we didn’t have the proper care the Village of the Beginnings give to eggs so they hatch quickly. –The fox answered, explaining. –Plus, she transferred ancient powers to us, that we still can’t comprehend, when we were only eggs. The eggs took too much time to assimilate this kind of powers, and we didn’t hatch until they did.


-Do you think the Wind Warrior had that in mind? She acted recklessly when she brought your eggs here! This side of the forest was without any protection for 200 years!
-That’s not her fault! –Jaenryu replied. –She honestly didn’t know she wasn’t going to come back when she left, so that’s why she didn’t plan that with too much care. –The spirit said in a high tone of voice to the Digitamamon.
-And how did that help us!? Modo died because of her being so unprepared for this! –Void replied. It was noticeable he was getting angrier.
-That's not true! -The dragon spirit shouted.-Modo died because you were too much of a coward to save him!
-Answer my damn question, Void! –Akane yelled. –How!? How do you remember all of this?
-You’re really impatient, Akane… -The egg replied, plainly.

Around 1 year ago, it all began. I was just a regular Digitamamon, with no memory of my pasts lives, living at Terminus. I was broke and homeless, with really nowhere to go. But…

-You really look like shit. But that doesn’t really matter right now.

One night, a digimon appeared in front of me. He was named Luke. At first, I thought he was going to hurt me so I tried to fight him, but he beat me quickly. He was a Valkyrimon, after all.
-I’m not interested in fighting you. I need you to work for me.

I didn’t understand what he wanted, but I was beaten by him, so I just listened.
-Even though you may not believe me, I have a pretty interesting ability. If I wish to, I can see all of a digimon’s past lives by just looking at them. I can see you lived in an ancient time. You met someone I’m very interested in. You’re perfect for me testing a certain item. And if you agree, I could show you a fragment of one of your past lives. One that’s important for me.

Of course, I didn’t believe him, it seemed like he was lying to me. But he offered me power if I let him show me this past life, so I agreed. Did I even have a choice? Then, I remembered everything. My life inside this forest 300 years ago, Mr. Modo, The Wind Warrior, the fire, everything. He probably showed me this knowing I would want revenge, I admit. I know Luke might be using me, but I don’t care. I just want power; I just want to show everyone I would be a better leader for this forest than the Wind Warrior ever was!


Luke gave me the gem, telling me to use it to take over this forest, because he wanted to see how it worked. He was testing it. He chose me because I was driven by hatred and he liked this.
I knew you five had probably been born already, so I trained during months, to prepare myself for all of you. Then, I came back to this forest. As you may already know since I’m just learning to use the gem, it needs the victim to be in some sort of very deep sleep to work properly, if they aren't in such a deep sleep, the illusion will just break eventually, like it did with Kiriha the first time or the humans or that Spadamon.



The only way I knew of getting someone into a full sleep state was my Shadow World technique, which I put Kiriha through just now. But I couldn’t use that on all of you without you noticing

So I planted croc, knowing it made the vaccine type digimon sleep heavily for days. I knew since there had been around 300 years since the fruit grew in this forest you wouldn’t be prepared for it or know about its effects. Croc has grown in other places across time, but you have never left this forest, so you wouldn’t know anything about it.

The rest is history. A bunch of vaccine digimon ate the thing, including your siblings, and here we are. Oh, by the way… that Seadramon was not actually Mr. Modo reincarnation, I couldn’t care less where he is. I just used his image during the illusion the girl saw. I can do that since it’s someone I, the creator of the illusion, remember.

---

Once the story was over, silence took over the place.
-How… -Akane muttered. –HOW COULD YOU!? –She asked, yelling. –You are the responsible for all of this! You killed Mr. Modo years ago, then you cost many digimon their lives inside this forest! You turned we 5 siblings against each other! All for some stupid revenge!? –The fox was as angry as ever, not that she knew the whole truth.

-I…? –The Digitamamon got a full angry expression on his face. –Some stupid revenge!? –He then shook his body trying to calm down. –Forget it. You are never going to understand. Kiriha, annihilate her. –He said, firmly.

Kiriha jumped at the fox, roaring, throwing another blow at her, that she immediately dodged.
-Is now a good moment? –Akane muttered while she kept avoiding her brother’s “attacks”.
-Almost… I can sense they already entered. –Kiriha, who wasn’t at all brainwashed, which Akane had noticed already, replied. Apparently Void hadn’t noticed his spell had failed on Kiriha this time and that the wolf was just acting. And the siblings were going to take advantage of that.
-Speaking about the five siblings, actually. –Void said, turning his back from the seeming fight Akane and Kiriha were having and looking to the gem. –Let’s see the corpses of your human friends and their digimon. –The green light of the gem widened like a screen, showing images of the clear outside the inn. Void's eyes widened.

-W-What does this mean? –The image showed only the bodies of Honozaru and Gongkoru at their child form, laying over a crater each, unconscious. –W-What is going on? That’s impossible! –Without Void noticing, Kiriha turned his body, facing him, just like Akane. –Wait a little more… -The Black Garurumon muttered to his sister. Akane nodded.
-T-This can’t be! Did they win? B-But… How is this happening!? -For the first time, Void’s deep voice had broken, he was stuttering, shaking. Akane and Kiriha could feel the fear around him. –Where the hell are they now, then!?
-We are... –Jazz jumped going across the whole second floor, moving at amazing speed, hitting the egg with her hammer, with all of her might. In such a vicious hit it made the whole building tremble. You could say that smash was in the name of the five siblings, Katherine, Kazuya, Royland and herself. 

-HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!!!! –Katherne, Kazuya and Roy had reached the scene. Void was jutted straight against a wall, making the whole second floor crumble.

-Hold on to something! -Katherine said, as the wooden floor below them simply shattered, being completely destroyed, and they started falling towards the first floor.
-NOW! –Kiriha yelled. Akane nodded and Jaenryu came out again from her tail, reaching the gem and embracing it with his body, bringing it back to the siblings, who also fell to the first floor, due to the crumbling of the whole plataform.

While the debris of the second floor fluttered around her, Katherine slide through a giant piece of wood crumbling and landed at ground level. She had hit her lower back on the fall but she was overall okay.

-I’m okay, Mr. Oda. –The girl smiled at the man, who seemed to be fine too. Then, she turned her attention to her partner. –Jazz! You need to be more careful! Are you trying to kill us!? –Jazz only stood there with her hammer out, looking at the crushed egg, as he had fallen over a pile of debris. She had used most of her remaining strength on that attack; but the truth was this was an ultimate level digimon, she knew he wouldn’t go down that easily.

Kiriha and Akane reached for Kazuya and Katherine. –Hey! Are you guys okay? –The wolf asked.
-Mr. Black! Akane! We’re okay. –Katherine replied, looking at the siblings. Then, she tilted her head, sort of confused. –I don’t get it. How come you didn’t fall for his illusion again? Why aren’t you possessed? –The girl asked.
-I fell in it for some seconds but managed to wake up. Void used a representation of Renjiro inside my head. He told me I had killed him and absorbed his data.

-That can’t be! –Katherine’s eyes widened, horrified.
-Yes. But I remembered what you said before. How he could use the memories of the subject he was applying the illusion to. –The Black Garurumon explained. –Then, I figured he was only using my memories of Renjiro, and managed to wake up, realizing it was only an illusion.
-Just like Kazuya and I did! When we realized it was a dream, the illusion started to crumble and we managed to get out. –The girl said. Everything started making sense.
-Apparently, that’s a way of breaking free of the illusion. But of course, if you’re under a state of full sleep, you probably can’t realize this and are trapped inside the illusion forever. –Akane lowered her head. –That’s what happened to Gongkoru and Honozaru. -She then turned at Void, who was still lying over the pile of debris, without moving.
-There’s something more. –Kiriha said, plainly. Everyone turned at him. –The reason I could realize this was all a lie, it’s because I could remember. –He lowered his gaze, reflective. –I could remember what happened while I was possessed. I looked with all my strength inside my memories and managed to find it. I didn’t kill Renjiro.
-Of course you didn’t! –Akane replied, firmly.

-Renjiro gave his life to save me. –The wolf stated. –He managed to reach a whole new level of power, just to bring me back. Sadly, he wasn’t prepared for it. And that’s why he died, after finally defeating me.
-I see... –His sister muttered, in a sad manner. –But… what kind of power did he reach?
-He evolved, to an ultimate level digimon. –Kiriha explained. –Lynxmon, was its name.
-He… evolved? –Akane asked, shocked.
-His body was not ready to control that amount of power. So the flame of Lynxmon simply burnt his body, consuming it, after he beat me.
-That makes perfect sense. –Jaenryu appeared behind Akane once again. –It’s true the Wind Warrior gave special powers to all of your digieggs. –The dragon spirit explained. –But most of this power is too big for you to control yet. That’s why going over the limit probably was too much for Renjiro.

A sad expression took over Katherine’s countenance. –But… -Sort of a smirk began forming around the girl’s lips. –That means you still can look for Renjiro at the Village of the Beginnings, right?
-Probably, yes. –Akane answered. –But first… 

Void’s body started moving like he was ready to attack again. Jazz hold her Roketto Dingpa with both hands, turning at Royland, who had stood up next to her. -R-Royland… -She stuttered, blushing, her eyes wide open, observing him. –A-Are you sure you’re ready to have another fight? –The pig girl asked, in a shy manner.

-I know you're still there, egg-man! -Jazz said, waving her hammer again. -Get out now!!! -The pig girl, overhyped as usually, yelled. 
Suddenly, a black shadow jutted out from Digitamamon’s crack, even breaking the egg’s layout.




Jazz tried to hit the shadow with her hammer, only for it to be stopped this time by the shadow's both hands. It had two purple small arms, yellow eyes and a wide red mouth. Jazz fell to the ground, as the shadow took the hammer off her hands mid-air and threw it away. Then, Katherine could actually see how the shadow whispered something at her partner, but it was impossible to listen to what he said. Suddenly, Void's new form threw made a swift movement with its right hand shooting a blue electric shock at the Cho-Hakkaimon, the pig girl squealing in pain. 

-JAAAAAAZZ! -Katherine yelled, scared. Jazz fell to the ground unconscious, having gone back to her Lopmon form. The brunette covered her mouth with both hands, horrified. She had never seen Cho-Hakkaimon defeated, and Void had done it with much ease. 
-YOU INSOLENT KIDS! –The shadow yelled.  It traveled directly at Akane, at such a speed that no one really could stop. He went through her in the blink of an eye, the fox screaming horribly in pain.
-AKANE!!!! –Katherine and yelled. Kiriha’s eyes widened, as he saw her sister fall, in the form of a Piyomon. Jaenryu disappeared, dropping the green gem, Void taking it back.

Void’s new shadow form moved, swirling around the room and going back in front of the inert egg body.

-Did you really think you could beat me so easily!? –He asked. His voice was more treacherous and evil than ever. –I’m going to kill you all! –He yelled, angrily.

Kiriha immediately got closer to his sister’s body. –KANE! KANE! COME ON! –He said, licking the Piyomon and sniffing her, trying to wake her up. Katherine was paralyzed, only looking horrified at the scene. She couldn't even run towards Jazz or Akane, she was just shocked, completely paralyzed by fear. 
-Kane, Kane! You can’t die, you can’t die too! –Kiriha’s voice broke, as tears began falling through the wolf’s eyes. –You… can’t… -His voice slowly faded.

Were they going to die here? Was Void going to kill them all? Katherine wondered. This digimon was a monster, too much above their level. She couldn't think of any way they could surprass this enemy now. Promptly, the sound of how Kiriha stopped crying, made Katherine turn towards him. 
 
The tears previously found on the wolf's eyes, stopped falling immediately. Suddenly, it was just like he had realized something that made him change his attitude. All kinds of memories started going through Kiriha’s head, remembering his time around Renjiro and his conversation with Kazuya earlier.

Step aside, Rookie…


Kiriha, slowly started walking towards Void. –Mr. Black… -Katherine muttered., her eyes wide opened, looking at the beast. He had gone for crying to completely determined.
-You were always better than me, Renjiro. –The wolf said, firmly. –I was afraid of trying new things, of getting close to others because I felt like a loser.

... No matter where you are in life you can still learn so much about the world by interacting with others…
-But you… you were always willing to fight, to help others.

I can’t believe it! 
How did you do that?
It was nothing.

-Was I jealous of you? Of course, I was. –He continued, as he walked slowly. Void’s eyes widening. A great amount of energy started swirling around the place, it was like Kiriha was calling for a force greater than himself. –I wanted to be like you. I wanted to surpass you. And even then you gave your life to save me, to bring me back.

Okay, Rookie. Let’s wake you up.

-That’s why… I’m not going to allow my siblings to keep dying. –Kiriha continued. The amount of energy Kiriha was controlling could actually be felt by everyone looking at him. –That’s why… I’m going to be like you from now on. I’m not going to be afraid to show to the world who I am, of interacting with others…

We are ready for that battle, in our unity shall lie the path to victory

-… But just about tonight, Renjiro… The only thing I’m asking you… is to lend me your strength… -Kiriha raised his gaze, looking straight at Void, determined as ever. -TO GET THIS BASTARD OUT OF MY FOREST. –A black tornado started swirling around the whole place, starting to shatter the few walls around the inn that were still up. A bean of light engulfed Kiriha. His body started changing.



When the light faded, he now resembled more a lion. It was like Renjiro and Kiriha had fused in one being. It had black and golden armor and a very fierce expression. Was this the power of a digimon who had surpassed the champion level? Katherine wondered. Slowly, the fear around her body started to fade, she recovering her movement.
-Mr... Black? -Katherine said, completely shocked at witnessing such a marvelous evolution. Kiriha looked so much different. The energy around him could be felt by everyone in the room. His power was completely overwhelming.

Katherine managed to take her eyes off the recently formed beast, and turned at her digivice. It was still flickering like crazy. Was this because of Kiriha’s evolution? No. It had been like this since they were near the cave.
-Mr. Oda! There’s something here! –Katherine said, turning at Kazuya, while the black wind kept swirling around the building. –At first, I thought it might be your digimental but no! My digivice is still flickering! There might be another digimental here. –The girl explained, holding her air, since the wind current was getting stronger by the second. –Can you tell Sir Royland to take care of Akane and Jazz while you help me look for it? –The girl asked. They probably didn’t have much time until the whole building was destroyed by the fierce battle, and it would be lost forever.
Kiriha and Void's shadow form had started exchanging blows.

-This is the end, Void. –The new Kiriha said, with a very much serious voice and determination in his eyes.
-I-it can’t be, how did you…!? –The evil shadow was shocked at the new level of power Kiriha had. –I’m going to kill you! –He yelled angrily, slamming at the lion. The final battle at the Modoki Inn, and for the freedom of the forest, had begun.

The ground was shaking, the walls were trembling and starting to shatter. Was this the power of the evolution that surpassed champion level? It was certainly amazing. The new Kiriha and the shadow-Void kept exchanging mighty blows. Katherine was rather busy looking for whatever her digivice was asking her to find, so she couldn’t really pay attention to the battle. Still, she could hear how every exchanged technique made the ground tremble, it was definitely the fiercest battle she had been around of so far. –Mr. Black… -She muttered, holding onto a pillar to avoid falling to the ground. Could he make it? Was he capable of beating Void once and for all? She wondered. –We’re counting on you, Sir. Royland! –The brunette said, looking at Roy. He was fairly wounded, but still, somehow, he was still up.

Even though it was hard for her to hear anything at this point, she managed to notice Kazuya finding something on the ground. The girl had seen one of those before, back at Whitewater. It was a big, round egg. According to Jazz, Digimon hatched from those. –Yes! –Katherine nodded at the raven-haired man, who said he was taking it. It was probably a bad idea to leave that inside the building since being there was extremely dangerous at the moment. Both Kazuya and Katherine knew this, but the fact that Oda was willing to stay with her and helping her find something she even wasn’t sure of what it was, really meant something. Nevertheless, the search was starting to seem futile and too dangerous for them to withstand.

-Where is it? –Katherine asked, looking around. The layout of the inn was completely torn apart, the situation was getting maddening, as she knew they were both under a great danger. She could hear how some sort of beams were shot right behind her. It was Kiriha, shooting Void as he ran around him. The former wolf definitely had a new arsenal to throw at the egg, but the battle they were having only made it harder for Katherine to do her search. –Come on, we’ve got no time, tell me where is it! –The girl started fiddling with her digivice’s buttons, desperately. Suddenly, a bright light glimmering caught her eye. She turned her gaze up, between the debris, something shined brightly. –There it is! –The girl turned at the battle going on behind them, to then simply make a run for it, straight into the pile. She quickly moved the pieces of wood and other kinds of rubble to find a white, egg-shaped artifact. Just like the previous digimental she found, this had a flat base, but this one seemed to have the figure of some sort of wings covering it. The girl had no time to see it in full detail, getting out of the inn was their top priority. She lifted the object, put it in her back, and started running towards the exit, going pass Kazuya. –Mr. Oda, let’s go!

-He’s stronger than I thought. –Kiriha smirked, looking at Void, while he dodged the shadow lashes from the body. –I’m sorry, Renjiro, but this might be a little bit harder than we expected. –He muttered, as the battle continued.
Void raised a shadow shield, to protect himself from Kiriha’s beams, but it faded at the end, him receiving some shots. -You’re finally running out of energy, aren’t you, Void? –The black beast asked. Void’s expression remained as a frustrated one. Then, Kiriha clenched his teeth as he tried to move towards his enemy.
-What about you, Kiriha? –The shadow asked, letting go a chuckle. –You can’t even fully control this form! You’re hurting yourself every passing second.
-Then I’ll have to finish you up right now. –Kiriha said, smirking back at Void. The armored lion opened his mouth, charging un some sort of golden beam. Energy seemed to be flowing around his whole body.
-Of course I won’t let you! –Void started shooting electric shocks from his hands, trying to stop Kiriha from charging his technique, but he was being protected by some sort of golden shield that only showed when he was about to receive the blasts. –W-What!? –The shadow Void asked, shocked.

Katherine and Kazuya made it out of the inn, after running without looking back. On the ground, Royland, Jazz, and Akane were lying, unconscious. This battle had taken so much out of all of them, the brainwashed siblings and the mighty Void had given Katherine and Jazz their hardest battle so far. Before she could reflect upon this any longer, the ground started shaking again.
-What’s going on!? –Katherine asked, turning back at the inn. Suddenly, the front wall shattered, the pieces of wood moving toward the center of the building. The crumbling of the wall, let them see the reason: A giant circle of energy had formed just behind Void, and it was pulling everything into its insides, making it disappear. –P-Portal? –Katherine muttered. It looked exactly like that portal Amelie opened that night back at the beach. Except it was warping things on its inside by itself.

-I can see right now I cannot defeat you, Kiriha. –Void said, having recovered his calmed voice. The black lion kept charging up his technique. –But trust me, I will get stronger, and then come back to this forest to wipe you and your siblings for good. –A mischievous smile formed around the shadow’s mouth. He got back inside the egg shell and let himself be taken by the portal. Kiriha closed his mouth, stopping the charging of his technique. –No! Come back here! –He tried to move forward to chase him but then noticed Akane was about to be dragged inside the portal. The black lion jumped, catching his sister midair with his mouth. Katherine immediately had reached for Jazz, to avoid her being dragged inside. The portal was still opened, dragging dust, as well as pieces of wood and debris scattered around what was left of the inn. The dragging force was strong to pull small bodies inside the portal, even being capable of moving Katherine if she didn’t put all of her weight in her feet to remain firm. Kiriha ran back to the group, holding Akane with his mouth. He placed the Piyomon on the ground, in front of his body to avoid her being dragged by the portal.

-Mr. Black! Any idea on why is that portal closing? –Katherine asked, raising her voice to be heard.
-I don’t know! But I can’t follow Void! I can’t leave Kane, Zaru, and Gong here unconscious. –The creature lowered his gaze, thinking. –But I think he’s going to be back. He still has the gem. –As Kiriha finished his sentence, they could see how the portal was starting to close.
The raven-haired girl’s eyes widened. Kiriha was right, Void had the gem and would be back to cause damage to the forest. But where was he going? It took him over one year to plan this revenge, if she decided to stay there and wait for him, for how long would she have to wait? That wasn’t an option, she needed the gem now. She then remembered what he did to Jazz. Were they ready to fight such enemy? Definitely not right now, but she had that digimental she just found, so it was worth considering there laid the key for her victory. Being as a wild guess as this might be, the bottom line was that if she let Void escape right now, she didn’t know when would she have the chance of getting the gem again. She had to go in there.

-Take care, Mr. Black. -Katherine said, looking at Kiriha. The beast simply nodded, like he was sure of what she was going to do. - We'll meet again, miss Jasso. -He replied, confidently. -Thanks for everything.
Even though her mind was made up, Katherine's body still needed to commit with the decision she just took. She didn't know where that thing might take her, of course she was scared. But this wasn't like she had a choice, she definitely had to go. The girl then turned at Kazuya, with determination in her eyes. -I'm sorry, Mr. Oda. But I've got to get that gem. -The girl then made a pause, looking at the still unconscious Royland. -Take good care of Sir. Royland -She said, to then turn her expression to a smile. -I hope we can meet again and have that cup of coffee together! -The girl then sprinted towards the portal, holding Jazz in her two arms. Once she got closer, the portal warped her, lifting her above the ground and pulling her to its insides. At first, she could only see a green light, until she closed her eyes from the rush.

---

Katherine then felt like being tossed into the ground. The girl opened her eyes, still holding her digimon partner. A sound she hadn’t heard in months caught her attention: a car passing by. It didn’t take her much to realize she was in some sort of alley, in a city. The classic sounds from the city could be heard. People walking outside, car horns and conversation being held around the buildings at both sides of the very thin road where she had appeared. This didn’t seem like the Digital World. After standing up, and looking at her surroundings, Katherine realized that, of all the places this portal could take her, it had taken her back to Shibuya.